The Arrival

by Nicole MacDonald

  Incredible? Stunning?

  Well, let’s just say it didn’t seem so unbelievable that Alek might be…

  I couldn’t finish that thought yet. No way, just too insane, my rational voice declared loudly while I resolutely ignored the silly voice that called quietly, this is what you asked for. Shaking off the crazy thoughts I climbed out of bed and focused on dressing, then went down to breakfast.

  KASSIE WATCHED CAT stride into the dining area. She seemed okay now, but last night she’d appeared very dazed. Kassie made a mental note to keep an eye on her. They tucked into a huge cooked breakfast. Kassie gathered a plate of yummy scraps for Lucky and a plate of cream too. At the end of breakfast the tortoiseshell cat, who normally looked very sleek, had a visible pot belly and nodded off to sleep when Kassie settled her into the pack for the day. Rumal watched over her shoulder and reached over to stroke Lucky’s head, eliciting a sleepy purr from her.

  'She seems to be handling the flying better,' he observed to Kassie.

  'All the special food and real cream seems to make her happy.' She laughed. 'It’s much fancier than what she got at home.'

  RUMAL FELT ANOTHER twinge of curiosity at the thought of Kassie’s home. 'You’ll have to tell me about your homeland.'

  Kassie glanced at him, her eyes conveying warmth and yet a hint of unease. 'I will, sometime.'

  They turned their attention to getting the rest of the gear packed up. Melanite dashed around to everyone with parcels of food, tearfully hugging the men and demanding they visit more often.

  KASSIE CHUCKLED SOFTLY to herself at the chaotic sight within the lodge. Because the griffons could fit in the lodge’s main room and were very welcome, they seemed to forget how much space they took up. Sian did an impressive leap over Kerak, who lay sprawled out on the floor, then lunged to avoid the load of long tent poles Loi carried. Finished with their packing, Kassie and Rumal decided to wait outside, it seemed the safest place.

  'Do you have villages like this in your homeland?' Rumal asked.

  She gave him a sideways look while she considered what was safe to tell him. 'Yes, well kind of. Our homeland is,' she paused to think. 'More crowded than here. With many ethnicities grouped together.'

  Rumal looked confused. 'Ethnicities?'

  Kassie mentally smacked herself; of course, everything would have a different name here. 'Different races?' she explained hesitantly.

  He nodded in understanding and then looked hard at her. 'What’s your race? You’re different to the others, aren’t you?'

  She smiled, pleased he had noticed, and explained that she had been born in a different country, Malaysia, with a different climate and so had slightly different features and a different accent; her dad was European and her mum Malay—though she didn’t explain that to Rumal.

  'And Laura is from somewhere else too?' he asked.

  She nodded. 'Loi is from Scotland and they have rather heavy accents compared to Sian or Cat. They’re both from New Zealand so that’s why they sound so similar.' Everyone poured out of the lodge, so they put the conversation on hold while they finished their goodbyes.

  Sometime later, Kassie sat in front of Rumal with Lucky in her bag on her lap. The weather was stunning once again and the flight smooth. She remembered something she’d meant to ask Rumal and leaned back against his chest to look up at him. 'Why is Kerak so young? Are you new to the Griffon Guard?'

  RUMAL SMILED DOWN at Kassie. She is such an attractive little thing, he thought, with her crazy brown curls and hazel eyes. He stroked an errant curl from her forehead, causing her to flush, and thought about the question.

  'I’ve been with the Griffon Guard since it was established. Originally I’d linked with a griffon named Ofelaan. She had the most beautiful golden wings,' he smiled, reminiscing. 'I think Kerak’s should achieve that color when he’s older.'

  RUMAL’S DEEP RICH voice and unusual accent mesmerized Kassie. She focused on what he said and frowned. 'What happened to Ofelaan?'

  Rumal sighed. She could feel his sorrow and turned to grasp his hand, looking up into his eyes. 'I’m sorry I didn’t mean to pry. Please don’t talk about it if it pains you.'

  HER ANXIOUS FACE touched him. Ofelaan would have loved her, he thought. He fell silent while he gathered his thoughts and Kassie cuddled close to him though her head barely reached mid chest. He chuckled then unable to resist teasing, 'Look at tiny Kassie; she’s barely bigger than a child.' He ran a finger down her cheekbone.

  KASSIE’S EYES WENT flat while she glared at him. What is it with tall idiotic males and my height, she thought.

  'I am only three inches below the average height thank you very much. And I can whip your ass any day.' Fuming, she jerked forward to the front of the saddle.

  OOPS. RUMAL FROZE unsure of how to respond. He hadn’t meant to insult her. It hadn’t occurred to him that she might be sensitive about it.

  ‘Maybe you should apologize,’ suggested Kerak. ‘What does she mean by "whip your ass"? I thought she only carried a sword.’

  Rumal shrugged, ‘I’m not entirely sure.’

  He could almost see the waves of annoyance pulsing off her. Thinking hard, he made an attempt to lighten the situation. 'Is whipping ass' something you do regularly?'

  KASSIE BIT HER lip while she tried not to smile. Okay, maybe she’d overreacted a little, but she wasn’t letting up that easily.

  'Only to idiotic males who suggest I’m vertically challenged. I can squeeze into places you’d never fit in.' Umm, actually that didn’t come out quite as I intended. Well if I don’t point it out he might not notice, she thought.

  RUMAL ROARED WITH laughter. 'But would I want to?'

  He watched as Kassie’s back quivered. She still didn’t turn around though. Might have to try something else, he thought and reached forward to tug on a curl. It broke her cover and she began to laugh, reaching out to ruffle Kerak’s mane.

  ‘Good one.’ Kerak sounded relieved. ‘Now she looks happy.’

  Rumal reached and snatched her up in his arms, causing her to shriek in surprise. When she’d settled in his lap he stroked a finger around her face again, tucking some stray bits of hair out of the way. 'Now where were we?' he asked.

  'Ofelaan. You were telling me about Ofelaan and why Kerak’s so young compared to the other griffons.'

  Rumal nodded and re-gathered his thoughts. 'You’ve heard of Elena the Sorceress?'

  'Yes, Alek mentioned her.'

  'There is another Sorceress in this realm. Jenviet DeNaga. She schemed along with her brother Diantew, to defeat the entire world and reign over it. Now the DeNagas, as a family, have a history of defeat against Elion so Jenviet and Diantew knew they couldn’t attack head on. Instead they waited for the right time. Elena had just established our Griffon Guard, we were at a training camp in the Merrej desert. In the middle of the night Jenviet and Diantew attacked us. Caught unawares, we scrambled to defend ourselves. The late King was killed trying to protect us. In fury we attacked as one, managing to snare Diantew and killed him. We nearly had Jenviet, but she slipped through our grasp. Ofelaan and I sped after her with the others close behind, but just as we went to attack she spun back on us. Jenviet released a massive energy wave and…' Rumal rubbed his forehead, the memory still painful for him. 'Ofelaan took the full blast. It killed her instantly.'

  All traces of annoyance and laughter had left Kassie’s face and she looked up at him, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. She gave his knee a gentle squeeze. His throat went unexpectedly thick with emotion at the sympathetic touch.

  'It’s not all bad. I got to link with Kerak.' His voice sounded gruff when he reached over to slap the side of the griffon in affection. ‘And I count myself very lucky for that,’ he thought, aware the griffon had listened in. Kerak gave a rumble of pleasure at the compliment.

  Kassie sniffed and blinked rapidly. 'How long was it before you met Kerak?'

  Rumal smiled at that memory. He told Kassie the story of the tiny dete
rmined griffon pup that made his way by himself across the great expanse of the Delos Sea. Rumal had sensed the griffon pup when he was born and he and Gredel had set out on Phroma to meet him on the Isle of Pati.

  When they arrived, they found his mother frantically trying to find her pup. Another pup told them that Kerak had intended to find his ‘friend’ and was last seen heading off toward Elion. After an anxious race back to Elion they arrived at the Port where a message from Elena awaited them. Kerak had arrived three days after they’d left and, while exhausted, was otherwise in good health, waiting for their return.

  'Kerak has a reputation that’s well known in Elion.' Rumal laughed, 'And admired.'

  Kassie shook her head, impressed. 'How small are griffon pups?'

  'I’ll show you when we get to the castle.'

  'WHAT’S YOUR WORLD called?' I asked Alek.

  He looked at me in surprise. 'Gar'nyse. It means ‘To Glow with Life’ in our old language.'

  'That’s unique.'

  'What’s your world called?'

  I considered the question suspiciously; I don’t think it’ll mean anything to him. 'Earth.'

  The long pause made me apprehensive.

  ALEK STARED DOWN at Cat, looking at him in concern, and struggled not to laugh when he confirmed, 'Earth?'

  She nodded.

  His lips twitched. 'Your world is named Earth?'

  She nodded again, looking more concerned.

  He started to laugh. 'Your world is named after dirt. What, they couldn’t think up a better name?'

  Cat’s eyes narrowed dangerously. 'I don’t know. I wasn’t there when they named it,' she snapped.

  ‘Oooh, what did you say to her?’ Loushka demanded. ‘She’s putting out that energy again.’

  ‘Her world is named dirt, oops sorry, Earth,' Alek chuckled. ‘I thought it seemed a little unoriginal.’

  ‘Earth? Really?’ Loushka sounded amused. ‘Well it’s certainly simple. Maybe it’s so they can’t forget it. Since they’re always standing on it.’

  DARON SPACED OUT while Sian talked, but she wasn’t offended. It meant he talked to Nesha.

  'Is your world really called Earth?' Daron sounded incredulous.

  Sian looked at him in surprise. 'Yes, why?'

  Daron started to laugh. 'Loushka told Nesha it was named after dirt but I didn’t believe her.'

  BACK ON LOUSHKA’S saddle Alek teased Cat. Loushka threw in a couple of good retorts too. Cat appeared to struggle not to laugh and it only made him more determined to get to her. 'Catherine’s a diirrttyy girl.'

  MY JAW DROPPED. I hadn’t heard that tragic comment for a long time and the last time it had been uttered by a very drunk workmate. I wish I could come back with instant quips like Sian or Kass—not that hers always come out right. Unable to think of a good come back I gave Alek’s thigh a damn decent punch instead.

  'OW!' he yelped.

  'HA! Dead leg.' I yelled, then held tight to the pommel and drew my legs up—lest he get any ideas. Laughing, I turned, still in my crouched position to look at him. He held his leg and laughed so hard that tears rolled down his cheeks. A funny buzzing in my ears distracted me and I shook my head. It must be the angle I’m on, I thought, shifting position.

  ‘ALEK! ARE YOU okay?’ Loushka thought in concern, having felt him jump in the saddle. ‘What happened?’

  ‘She gave me a dead leg.’ Alek, still laughing sent her the image.

  ‘Didn’t one of your cousins use to do that to you?’ Loushka thought, bemused.

  ‘Yes,’ He gasped for breath after all that laughing.

  KEEPING A WARY eye on Alek I clung to the pommel while he caught his breath. He leaned toward me, looking at me from under dark brows. 'Catherine,' he said teasingly. 'That wasn’t a very nice thing to do.'

  I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. 'Well, I didn’t insult your world.'

  Alek reached out, his hand inching toward my foot while I struggled to tuck it further under me.

  'It is a little bit funny though, don’t you think?' His hand continued to creep closer.

  I made a swat at it. 'Maybe.' Then swatted again when it crept closer still.

  Alek paused then cocked his head to the side and tsked at me in a disapproving manner. 'Now I thought that Earth women were supposed to be elegant and refined and…'

  Not thinking, I straightened up to reply indignantly. I got as far as, 'Well I thou—Eeeekkk!' And broke off in a shriek when Alek snatched at my ankle.

  THE INDIGNANT LOOK on her face flashed to shock when he grabbed her ankle and yanked her close. She fell into his lap and scrambled about for a moment, then managed to right herself, straddling the saddle. Now facing him, her face flushed while she tried not to laugh. Alek felt a sudden, inappropriate surge of lust and frantically jerked a mind shield up.

  Drat—not quick enough.

  ‘ALEK!' Loushka shrieked, making him wince in contrition. ‘Keep those thoughts to yourself.’

  ‘Sorry.’

  Then he noticed Cat’s astonished expression.

  I COULDN’T BELIEVE what I’d just heard. A glorious voice scolding Alek. Oh my God, I know who that was.

  'I just heard Loushka!' I cried, excited.

  Two stunned voices answered me.

  'What?'

  ‘What?’

  ‘Loushka, I can hear you.’ I felt elated when she answered back.

  ‘Catherine? How did this happen?’ Loushka sounded as astonished as I felt.

  ALEK INTERRUPTED LOUSHKA’S train of thought, ‘Loushka, the campsite is close, you had better get ready to land.’

  ‘I’m on it, Alek.’ Loushka replied, ‘Elena’s not going to believe this, it must have to do with that energy she keeps throwing off. I wonder if she’ll be able to hear the others.’

  ALEK’S MIND APPEARED to be off whatever had disturbed Loushka. He looked distracted when he wrapped an arm around me while Loushka prepared to land. Must make sure I face outward when landing next time, I thought, with my face squished against Alek’s breastplate. Loushka lunged upward. There was that moment of absolute stillness, then the stomach plunging drop to the ground. It amazed me how something so huge could land so silently. Alek released me then slid down Loushka’s leg, his handsome face troubled. Thinking back to Loushka’s shriek I smirked; I did owe him one, didn’t I.

  CAT HAD A smile on her face when she lined up to slide down Loushka’s leg. Alek stood ready to catch her. This time she did it with her eyes open. He opened his mouth to congratulate her when she interrupted him.

  'Alek,' she purred, eyes alight with mischief. 'What were you thinking that disturbed Loushka so much?'

  ALEK STARED AT me for a moment then flushed a brilliant red.

  Excellent. I rejoiced. Got you back! Look at that, he turns as red as I do.

  Giving a throaty chuckle, I slid intentionally down him when he released me from his arms then darted off to where the others waited. I couldn’t wait to tell them about hearing Loushka.

  Chapter Fifteen

  SIAN FELT AS astonished as the others to hear it. It had shocked the men. They’d discussed it the whole time they set up the tent, pausing their conversation if one of the women ventured too close. Cat, on the other hand, had raced to get the firewood, eager to go chat with Loushka. Kassie nudged Sian. 'Do you think in time we’ll be able to hear the griffons too?'

  The tiny twist of envy left Sian’s stomach while she considered that. 'I really hope so.'

  Loi turned from watching Cat. 'I wonder what caused it to happen?'

  'Well, she and Alek would appear to be closer than we are with…' Kassie gestured at the men. 'Perhaps when we’re closer we’ll be able to tune in,' she finished.

  ALEK STRAYED AWAY from the campsite, rubbing the crystal in the metal cuff on his wrist and threw a thought out to Elena. ‘Elena?’

  ‘I can hear you, Alek, what’s wrong?’

  ‘I’m not sure that it’s wrong, just unexpected. Catheri
ne heard Loushka for the first time today. She’s conversing with her right now.’

  ‘Really?’ Elena sounded impressed. ‘Her powers are growing stronger quickly.’

  Alek told her about the incident with the tehnear and the energy burst Cat had thrown off.

  ‘How far away are you?’ Elena asked.

  ‘We should reach the castle by tomorrow night; we’ve made very good time. The griffons appear to be getting stronger after each time they leap even if it does tire them for a day.’

  ‘Get here as soon as possible. I need to meet those women and have them under the protection of the castle.’

  ‘Do you think they could be in danger already?’

  ‘Alek, you know as well as I that if I can pick up the energy output so can she. She knows they’re in our world and she will be hunting them.’

  Elena’s presence vanished from his mind. Alek felt exhausted from all the sudden and unexpected events. He watched Cat chat to Loushka, his emotions swirled while the flame haired woman stroked the griffon’s beak. He’d never felt such an instant attraction like this before. Part of him knew it would be best to let Cat be, until she herself knew who she was. The other part however, couldn’t resist her. Ignoring his good sense, he stared over at her.

  LOUSHKA HAD THE most beautiful voice. She was a pleasure to talk to. We’d chatted about all sorts of things and I’d discovered that I could show her images of life on Earth. Telepathy gave you so much more to work with than just words, and I already knew Loushka resisted telling me everything, able to sense a sort of wall she put up. She’s probably been instructed only to tell us on a need-to-know basis, I thought, but wasn’t concerned, we were doing the same thing. It made sense.