Into the Forest Shadows

by J. A. Marlow

  Ayden followed, catching her under the elbow when she slipped on a rock. The narboa snorted at them and turned away, sliding into deeper water.

  "Thank you!" Kate called out.

  Vistus shook the water from his fur, "The attempt is appreciated, but it only has grazing on its mind now."

  Kate paused next to him. The sharp teeth and lethal-looking claws were as dangerous as the other Shadow Creatures, but she could also see a softness around the face. A small voice in the back of her head told her she might be reading too much into a dangerous animal. She silenced the voice.

  She made herself smile at Vistus. "And thank you, for finding a way to safely cross."

  "I keep my word. I will see the Watcher to safety." Vistus sniffed at the air. "I sense no other Shadow Creatures in this area."

  "One bit of good news," Ayden said. "Now some bad news. Look at the mountains."

  The fog covered the sides just below the high snow capped peaks. From the closer vantage point she could see the fog moving, slowly extending down the flanks.

  Kate emptied a shoe of water while holding on to Ayden for balance. "I wish it could be the fog with the bugs instead."

  "So do I. It would mean bunts would come out to eat."

  Kate's eyes flew down to Vistus to find him licking his teeth. The voice in the back of her head grew louder. She put her shoe back on. "The bunt we have with us is off-limits."

  "You are with the Watcher. You and those with you will go unharmed. Now we walk," Vistus huffed at her. He trotted towards the trees.

  "I don't care what he's promised, Bunbun isn't leaving my shirt." Ayden whispered. He extended his staff, using it to help himself across the sand. "I wish I had a red shirt or something, for the protection of the trees. I would feel better about all this."

  Vistus stopped at the edge of the forest long enough to say, "The color would not help. The mark of a Helper is deeper."

  "Definitely good hearing," Kate said with a cringe.

  Ayden reached out to touch a fold of the cape. "If it isn't the color, then what is it?"

  She put her hand over his, liking how warm his was. She turned the edge of the cape over so he could see underside weave. "Grandma made the thread and dye herself. Wove it, too. I thought she was inventing a new fabric."

  He smiled at her. "See, told you she's smart. She figured out a protection."

  "I think it's more than that. She was a Watcher Helper, but she knew she needed a backup. Just in case things went wrong."

  "If something happened that she couldn't take care of it herself." Ayden nodded, turning to follow Vistus. "That sounds like Ms. Blackstone, too."

  Kate took one more look out over the water. The surface of the water showed no sign of where the narboa might have submerged. She turned back, pulling the choking cape ties away from her throat and extending her own staff.

  Vistus found a trail, trotting down it at a speed she had no hope of keeping up with. At regular intervals he waited in the shadows for them to catch up before moving ahead again. He didn't say anything, but Kate could tell from his tail that he was impatient.

  Ayden followed, watching the trail behind them. No one talked. Sounds of the trees and creatures of the forest filled the silence. The fragrance of light spice drifted through the air. After experiencing the pain of the trees around the two camps, it felt comforting.

  The Watcher on her back barely moved. She wished she knew more of what to do for it. She couldn't feel emotions off of it like she could the trees.

  Her water-soaked shoes rubbed at her feet. Several tender areas threatened to form blisters. Just as well they didn't come across a Phoenix Elm. It would be too tempting to call a halt to the hike, but that didn't mean she couldn't fantasize about enjoying the radiating warmth of one.

  "Heads up," Ayden said.

  Kate swung around, her eyes searching the trail behind them.

  Ayden pointed towards the sky, "No, I mean up."

  Along the high boughs small shapes scuttled along. Heads with huge eyes peered over the edges to chatter at them. A flutter of leaves drifted down.

  She steadied herself against a tree, "I'm not up to dealing with them."

  The tree under her hand shivered. She felt an outburst of comfort, along with an urging to continue. The bright trees of the mesa filled her head.

  "Is there a problem?" Vistus asked, appearing from around the tree she leaned against. He looked up into the trees. "Ah, we have tricksters about."

  "We should keep moving," Ayden said, helping Kate stand up straight again.

  "Not all humans are bad," Kate groused, pushing herself away from the tree.

  The treetops erupted in sound. A flurry of leaves fell. Kate rushed forward, ducking her head down. She needed to find shelter, to protect the Watcher. Its shell was too badly damaged to fend off even a small attack.

  "Good for the trees!" Ayden crowed.

  Kate glanced up. Small limbs snapped at the creatures, who scurried and jumped out of the way. Small bodies raced away, hopping from one limb to the next.

  She let herself laugh at the sight. No airborne attacks today.

  Vistus padded past her, "They aren't good eating, either."

  Kate returned her attention to where she was stepping. "That is a subject I really don't want to talk about."

  And not only for the obvious reasons. Her stomach had growled several times in protest at the lack of food. She couldn't recall having anything to eat since the morning and the few small water-berries they'd found at the bottom of the gorge.

  Vistus turned down a wide path. The ground crunched softly under their feet from a thick layer of leaves. The Watcher shifted on her back.

  A series of clicks came from the ground. Kate froze, searching for the source.

  Vistus lay down in the shadow of a large tree. "We're here."

  In the deep shadows of gnarled roots she spotted the holes. The more she searched, the more she found. Great, they were in the middle of a warren.

  Ayden took her arm and pulled her to the center of the trail. The clicking increased in frequency and volume.

  The Watcher answered the clicks. Dark bodies swarmed out of the holes, some of them taking to flight. Vistus watched it all, his long tail waving slowly back and forth.

  Several beetles the same shape as the Watcher stopped in front of Kate. The clicking filled the forest, echoing down from the tree canopy.

  "Can you tell them we mean no harm?" Ayden asked Vistus.

  His eyes narrowed, "Why should I have to? Does the girl not carry the Watcher?"

  "I hope that's enough," Kate whispered.

  The Watcher pulled on both of her shoulders, clicking fast, shifting on her back. She did the only thing she could think of, going down on one knee. She bent over, crouching close to the ground.

  All the clicking stopped. Kate looked up, but none of the other beetles moved towards her. They encircled, watching. So long as they didn't decide to attack. One of the legs of the Watcher let go of her shoulder. In little movements the beetle climb down off her back. The movements faltered, the Watcher stopping to rest.

  Kate knew how it felt. She was exhausted, an exhaustion she knew she couldn't give into.

  The Watcher crawled away, stopping next to her. She straightened up her back, flexing and rubbing her lower back, feeling so light. The Watcher gazed up at her with the dark faceted eyes.

  "Welcome home," Kate said, despite knowing it couldn't understand her.

  The Watcher responded with a series of clicks. It moved forward, dragging two of its legs behind it. Several beetles met it, legs and pincers picking up the Watcher and carrying it towards one of the larger holes. With a flurry of clicks the Watcher disappeared underground.

  Kate stood up. The other beetles milled around them, some of them disappearing into holes while others flew up into the canopy above their heads.

  Vistus rose to his feet, joining them in the middle of the trail. "Time to go."

  Ka
te turned to retreat down the trail behind Vistus. She glanced back constantly, but couldn't see any beetles following them. Vistus switched trails, leading them to a small swift-flowing stream.

  "That went better than I expected, especially with the lack of communication," Ayden said as he sat down on a moss-covered rock.

  "I'm not sure I'll ever stand up straight again." Kate rubbed at her lower back. "Now that the Watcher is safe we can take care of the rest of it."

  "And what is it you wish to accomplish?" Vistus said, having taken his fill of water.

  "We do our best to stop Diasis, the Newcomers, and my Uncle. That means speaking with the Ancients."

  Vistus gave a curious bark. "Find the Ancients in winter? You wish to speak with them? You would do better to attempt diplomacy with Diasis."

  "Like that's possible." Ayden said with a snort.

  "Exactly," Vistus said. "Stay here."

  Vistus jumped over the stream, disappearing into the brush on the other side.

  "Any idea of where to go from here?" Ayden asked her quietly.

  Kate took a deep breath, surveying her surroundings. She couldn't see very far, but she knew. She knew because the trees knew. She pointed to the other side of the stream, "That way. I don't know how far, though."

  "I'm not up for much more."

  Her eyes flew to his face. Even in the muted light of the forest she could see his fatigue and pale skin. "You have to fight it, Ayden."

  "Trust me, I have been!"

  She leaned towards him, "You have more on your side than you think. Grandma's tea."

  "I've been wondering how much worse I would be if I hadn't had any." He smothered a yawn. "I'm thinking we would be completely under the spore control."

  "I think you're right."

  A crash in the brush preceded a large barrel body splashing through the stream.

  "All right!" Ayden whooped, on his feet in a flash.

  "Oh no," Kate groaned. She eyed the creature trotting towards her. The last thing she wanted was to be involved in another stampede.

  Ayden rushed forward, flinging himself on the back as it passed while Kate plastered herself up against a tree. Vistus raced by, skidding into a tight turn in front of the animal. The animal turned to avoid the Shadow Creature, coming back towards Kate.

  "Get on!" Ayden and Vistus shouted at her at the same time.

  Kate rolled her eyes. Great, now two men telling her what to do in stereo.

  She let the massive head of the animal pass, then reached out to take Ayden's hand. She scrambled to get situated on the back just behind Ayden before the rough trot knocked her off. The animal plowed through the stream.

  Vistus slunk from one shadow to the next, keeping apace with them. "He's eaten well, so he has the energy for a long and fast journey."

  "I thought you said we didn't stand a chance at success," Kate taunted, grabbing Ayden around the middle as the animal skittered away from Vistus. Ayden pulled at the ears to bring it back to the path.

  "I don't think you do, but you might surprise me. Perhaps the Ancients will permit you to find them. I must leave you. Dark times are coming and I have much work to do." With a twitch of his tail, Vistus disappeared under a bush.

  The mesa. Vistus was correct, there was much work to do. They had to get to the mesa.

  "I need a direction!" Ayden warned.

  Kate stopped searching the undergrowth for Vistus. A short distance ahead the path branched in two directions.

  With the jostling gait she wasn't sure of the exact direction, but one tugged the strongest. "Turn left."

  Ayden pulled at the left ear, turning down the left path. A group of bunts ran off the trail out of their way. The trail turned sharply before going down a steep decline.

  "I hope your sense of direction is good," Ayden said.

  "Hey, take it up with the trees!"

  #

  Travis O'Hanson stalked back into his apartment. After the interview with the Rangers he'd been released from custody but with orders not to leave the one building that housed the corporation and his apartment.

  There was one good aspect to not having an official colony government. Unless they made arrangements for the Alliance to prosecute him, the most the morons could do was kick him off the planet.

  And with his cash reserves, he could easily buy himself a citizenship on another world. But not with much money left over. He didn't like that. He'd hoped to have had more reserves by now, but there had been no way he could skim off more without causing suspicion.

  If only Mary had been more agreeable to his advances. She might have without Kate's interference.

  He frowned. Despite being the child of his brother, he couldn't see much of him in her. Too bad he hadn't thought of getting her out of the situation earlier. He could have married Mary and gained control of her shares by now.

  Even so, not all was lost. Mary had disappeared in a shuttle to head into the forest. With any luck the forest fog would take care of her. With Mary, Kate and Olivia gone he could manipulate the courts to give him the shares of the company.

  If necessary he could run the corporation from off-planet. Getting kicked off the planet wouldn't be as big a detriment as first thought.

  He stopped and pulled at a ferociously itchy ear. A loud roar filled his hearing accompanied by a sharp tug.

  Travis closed his eyes, shaking his head to clear it.

  He opened his eyes to find himself in a different corridor. A group of children ran by him, piling through a doorway he recognized as one of the inside recreational areas. With the city sealed over a silly hysteria concerning the trees and Shadow Creatures, the halls were filled with people.

  The main Directory building? He'd been heading for his apartment. He looked down at his watch, realizing more than an hour had passed.

  He groaned. The first time it happened the month previous he'd put it off to too much stress. Not this time. Perhaps leaving Oburos and taking a vacation before setting himself up on another world would do him good.

  Travis quickly turned, heading straight to the building he'd been confined to. He needed to keep his nose clean if he wanted to succeed in court.

  He continued to berate himself. Achieving the building that housed both his apartment and the company offices he slowed his steps. The shops on the lower levels were filled as the confined denizens milled around while waiting for the city to be unsealed.

  While a long meal in the restaurant sounded like a nice diversion he wasn't in the mood to deal with the crowds.

  As he rode the elevator up the lights blinked. Travis looked up just in time for the lights to go out completely. The elevator abruptly stopped.

  Red emergency lights switched on to illuminate the interior. The elevator began moving again, to stop a moment later.

  The doors opened and a computer voice announced, "Main city power is out. All elevators are now shut down at the nearest floor. Please use the emergency stairs until power is restored."

  Travis stalked out. A sign on the wall identified the same level as the company offices. Several levels above him his apartment waited but access would only be by the stairs.

  With a scowl he retreated to the company offices. Several workers waved at him, complaining about the lack of computer systems caused by the loss of power in the building.

  "Repair is working on it, but they think the problem might be with the main distribution system," his assistant said.

  "Do they have an estimate?" he asked.

  The blond shrugged, "Could be several hours.

  Several hours for unproductive workers to continue earning a paycheck. He announced in a loud voice, "We cannot work while the power is out. Go home. We'll start over tomorrow."

  He ignored the mutters about the cut in weekly hours. They might complain, but they would be foolish to quit with the lack of good paying jobs on the planet, even with a few hours cut from the coming paycheck. Unless they wanted to head into the forest as Gatherers.
r />   His mouth quirked at the thought of some of his secretaries donning the rough clothing of a Gatherer to go live in the forest.

  He opened the door into his office. The light coming in through the window meant he didn't need to rely on the overhead lights. He sat down at his desk, pulling out the mobile computer, running off the internal battery.

  Time to put together a solid plan for leaving the planet.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Ayden wrestled with the ears. The steer shook its head, nearly knocking them off its back. The head went down to continue munching on the grass growing in the small forest glade.

  Ayden let the ears go, sitting up straight. "Our free ride just came to an end."

  Not something Kate wanted to hear. Sure, they'd traveled a fair distance, but they still hadn't found the mesa. She carefully swung a leg around, sliding off the back. "Then we walk again."

  She stepped back as Ayden hopped off. He fell to the ground, a look of confusion spreading across his face. The steer sidestepped away from them while continuing to graze. Kate reached down to help him get back to his feet.

  "Sorry about that. My balance must be a little off," Ayden said quickly.

  "It's from the long ride." She didn't tell him his skin had taken on a deathly pale shade. She tugged towards the direction they'd been heading, "We still have daylight."

  Ayden let her lead him, "Not for long. How much further is it?"

  "Not far. You saw how big the mountain looked in the last clearing."

  "You've been saying that for a while now."

  Kate continued urging him forward. She didn't mind the vocal complaints that became more frequent as the ground sharply rose. It meant he was awake and fending off the spores. Plus it kept him from noticing something he might have otherwise noted.

  Her terrifying secret: she no longer knew where the city sat. Just before the steer decided to stop for dinner, the tree whispers ceased.

  Kate climbed higher, studying the trees along the steep incline. She couldn't think of why they'd gone silent when all this time they had been so helpful.

  She retracted the walking staff and hung it on her belt as the ground rose sharply. The spacing between the trees grew, allowing regular breaks in the canopy. She bent close to the ground, using her hands to keep climbing.