by Phil Stern
Even though he was adamant, she wouldn’t let Tornado patrol about the savannah outside the wards. That could well draw the attention of more predators, which she now fervently hoped to avoid. Reminding the unicorn to wake Saja in four hours, Caylee gratefully crawled inside the tent and zippered the fly closed.
Once alone, the young witch curled up in the comfy sleeping bag that magically appeared when the tent was opened. Then, staring up at the heavy canvas ceiling, she carefully considered her situation.
Despite what an outsider might naturally assume, the type of assault they’d just beaten off was quite unusual. Even strong magical predators rarely attacked the Coven outright, and almost never in the presence of a unicorn. Outside of the Boundary wolves, really, everyone in the magical kingdom generally recognized the Coven’s unassailable dominance.
Oh, things happened from time to time, especially in new dimensions. But such incidents were usually brief, with animal assailants retreating at the first sign of strong, wielded magic. True, dragon-type creatures were the worst offenders, but even they generally didn’t see the point in pressing matters too much. Until now, of course.
Shape-shifters, obviously, were a different story. But shifters were organized, rational societies battling with purpose and reason. By comparison, Caylee was certain the Lysandy land dragons were pure animal. One couldn’t parlay or reason with them, yet they were immensely powerful creatures, fueled by immense reserves of savagery and natural magic. Worst of all, the loathsome beasts weren’t even remotely afraid of earth fire.
There had been no mention of the horrific predators from the previous two missions to this dimension. Clearly, they’d merely studied Caylee’s Coven-mates, searching for patterns and weaknesses. Then, on this third trip, they’d struck with unbelievable ferocity.
Letting out a deep sigh, Caylee rolled over on her side, a single tear falling down into the pillow. Some witches could go their whole lives without encountering such brutal foes. And on her first independent mission, no less. It really wasn’t fair.
But one thing was clear. After resting up, her little party needed to head back for the Boundary and escape this deceptively-mild dimension. The mystery of the Victorian-era gauge was intriguing, but not essential. Lewn needed more help than she could provide in the field, and there was no telling how many more dragons were out there. Or other magical predators, for that matter.
Really, Lysandy wasn’t safe for the Coven in anything short of full force. Four witches, at least, backed by a half-dozen uni’s and as many battle hawks. And even then it might get interesting.
No, her mission could wait. Caylee’s only job now was getting everyone out of Lysandy in one piece.
Caylee’s last thought, as she fitfully drifted off to sleep, was of the cutting-edge magical weapon she’d turned down before leaving Haven. Eleanor was an old woman whose restrictions were ignorant and dangerous. In the future, the sorceress solemnly vowed, she would never again enter a magical dimension without a Coven Stick.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE YOUNG SORCERESS awoke to the sound of a hoof softly stamping outside the tent, mere feet from her head.
Taking just a moment to prepare herself, Caylee sat up and listened intently. But there were no growls, roars, or sounds of magical combat. Indeed, a placid calmness seemed to prevail the general area, broken only by the chirps of a few alien bugs.
Having slept in her sweats and tee shirt, she merely had to pull on a spare pair of boots and crawl from the tent. It was still night time, though a faint glimmer on the horizon presaged the coming of a new day. A cool breeze swept through the trees, destined to turn into blazing heat in mere hours.
Saja placidly wandered up, nodding a good morning. Tornado, still on his feet, slept a short distance off. Though she couldn’t see them, Caylee sensed the battle hawks slumbering peacefully in the tree overhead. Confirming her initial auditory impression, there were no enemies in sight.
Indeed, with a satisfied stretch and a yawn, she realized they’d gotten through the night in fine shape. And with almost a half-k menlars rest herself, no less! First inviting her horse to get some more sleep, the enchantress then went to check the perimeter.
Thoughtfully strolling a hundred feet off, she paused at the edge of their little sanctuary, where a short decline ran down into the savannah proper. The wards were in fully intact, letting out a mild sparkle visible only to her. Sighing, she now lightly caressed the gossamer magical barrier. Whatever her other faults, Caylee knew she was good at this kind of work, better perhaps than far more senior Coven-mates.
Sending a mild tickle of earth fire into the wards, it took only a moment for this new infusion of energy to flare around the entire circumference of the tree oasis. Thus accessing the ward “recording,” Caylee saw that it had been a quiet night. A few small animals had been turned away from their refuge, with a dozen or so birds scared off by the invisible magical energy. Other than that, no one had tried to disturb them.
Now feeling a cautious optimism totally absent the night before, Caylee dropped her hand and stared out over the alien savannah.
By this time a first delicate tendril of light was peeking over a low mountain on the far horizon. Startled, Caylee realized they must have traveled a very long distance the day before. In fact, they should be fairly close to where Jarob had first found the alien gauge, which, as she understood it, was also near a native human village.
A strong gust of wind whistled over the grass and up the mild rise, carrying with it a dose of Lysandy’s pervasive magical dust. Instantly, her inflamed skin began hurting anew. Raising a concerned hand to her cheek, Caylee realized that yesterday’s dragon burns had yet to fully heal. Would she carry the scars of that battle, perhaps bad ones, for the rest of her life? That was a very depressing thought.
It was then that she sensed an almost infinitesimal tickle of magic behind her, along with a slight scratch of claw on bark. Heart beating wildly, Caylee realized that something had indeed penetrated their defensive perimeter. Spinning about, hand raised to her earth stone, the Haven witch geared for more combat.
But of loathsome lizards, there was no sign. Instead, the incredible sight that greeted her was something Caylee would remember for the rest of her life.
A young tiger cub was perched on top of a fallen log, quizzically staring at the blonde sorceress. About six months old, and three feet tall sitting up, the cub’s eagerly swishing tail was almost comically long. Clearly, it had more growing to do. Eyes bright with wonder, the cub pointedly sniffed in her direction, oversized front paws gently kneading the trunk.
Who are you? she asked. I’ve never seen you before!
Holding very still, Caylee quickly assessed the situation. Direct communication generally didn’t happen right away with a new species. Yet her human mind was able to decipher this alien cat’s thoughts right away. And despite the brutal nature of Lysandy so far, the sorceress didn’t sense aggression of any kind.
“Caylee,” she carefully answered, taking a half-step closer to the young cub. “I’m a visitor here.”
I thought so! Quite pleased with herself, the cub gave a slow, luxurious blink. So, where are you from?
“Um, well…” Perhaps they didn’t need to get into inter-dimensional travel right now. “A far away place.”
The cub gave a knowing nod, as if this really made her any the wiser. You’re hurt, she then observed, staring closer at Caylee’s face. Those are ronga burns.
“Yeah. Those nasty dragons.” Only now did Caylee think to glance all about. Shouldn’t a young cub have a mother close by? And if momma tiger thought baby was in danger…
But this only caused the cub to frown at her new friend’s perceived lack of attention. Rongas are mean! she then pointedly announced. You should stay away from them.
“Yes, I intend to,” Caylee absently replied. As far as the young sorceress could tell, there were no other animals nearby, be they mother tigers or otherwise. But then again, how had baby cub
gotten inside the wards? “Tell me something,” she asked, turning her full attention back on her visitor. “How did you get here?”
What do you mean?
“Well, you weren’t here. And then you were.”
The tiger’s face fell into a puzzled expression. Is that bad? Do you want me to go?
“No! Not at all.” Another gust of wind swept through the wards into their little sanctuary. “It’s just that…” Grimacing, Caylee’s hand again came to her face. She really needed to apply the last of that ointment.
You’re still hurt! Anxiously shifting weight from one front paw to the other, the cub again sniffed in Caylee’s direction. I can help!
“Really?” Tenderly touching a hot patch on her forehead, the sorceress decided that this was mere juvenile bravado. “Well, uh, that’s good.”
Greatly pleased, the cub let out an inadvertent purr. I’ll be back! Then, flipping it’s black-tipped tail straight up, the tiger vanished into thin air.
Shocked, Caylee’s hand flashed up to her earth stone once more, sending a defensive shield pulsing out around her entire body. Yet the cub’s disappearance wasn’t the precursor to some attack. Nor, did she discover upon closer examination, was it a hiding spell or grand illusion. The tiger cub was simply gone.
But how? The sorceress promptly tramped through all the underbrush in the small area, searching for magical portals or trap doors. All she found was grass and dirt. Spinning about in frustration, she then ran a hand through her long, blonde hair.
Well, whatever else, it again demonstrated just how potent the magical creatures of Lysandy could be. Apparently, even a baby tiger could teleport about with ease.
Frowning, she again stared out at the quickly brightening horizon. Well, such an ability would certainly explain how the cub had breached the wards. Luckily, it had only been curious, but still…
Another gentle magical eddy swirled about behind the enchantress. Forcing herself to wait a beat, Caylee then slowly turned around again.
This time the cub was gently gripping a big wad of grass in it’s mouth. Proudly dropping her find on the ground, she then beamed up at the Haven witch. This will make you much better, the precocious cat assured her.
Hmmm. Raising an eyebrow, Caylee found herself intrigued. Slowly walking over, she then casually bent down to the cub’s eye level. Now three feet apart, the cub was almost close enough to pet.
But instead, the sorceress reached down and barely touched the grass. Instantly, she felt a healing, soothing sensation run up to her wrist. Clearly, the cub’s present contained very powerful healing magic. Sensing Caylee’s initial relief, the cat let out a loud purr of pleasure.
Still, Caylee hesitated. Coven operatives weren’t supposed to just blindly “partake” in native magic found in the outer dimensions. Interesting samples could be brought back to Haven, of course. And once a Coven Elder had fully examined any new spells or objects, and determined they might potentially be of use, then a full investigation…
Is something wrong? Sensing her apprehension, the suddenly wide-eyed young cat stared wistfully into Caylee’s eyes. You don’t like?
“No! I love it!” Already, a deeply burned patch of skin on her finger was beginning to heal. “It’s just that, um, you just brought me this…”
Of course! We’re friends now! And so saying, the cub eagerly lunged forward, affectionately ramming her head into Caylee’s side.
Fully knocked off-balance, Caylee’s whole forearm was thrust into the curative herb. Almost immediately, it’s healing power raced up into her shoulder.
See! The cub exclaimed, licking the side of Caylee’s face for good measure. The ulara will make you all better!
“Yes! Thank you.” Very relieved, the sorceress sat beside the grass, giving the cub’s back an affectionate pat. It’s fur was soft and buoyant, exuding great amounts of excess magic. “You’re a very nice tiger cub.”
Beaming once more, the cub spun about in place. And you’re a very nice, uh…
“Human,” Caylee supplied, impulsively spreading more of the grass on her face and neck. “So this is ulara?”
Yup! It’s good.
“Will it work on birds?”
A single eyebrow went up, the cub’s wildly expressive face radiating great surprise. Now why would anyone want to do anything to help a bird?
This reaction wasn’t entirely unexpected, birds and cats being natural enemies throughout the universe. Hesitating, Caylee chose her next words carefully. “Yesterday, a ronga hurt a friend of mine that happens to be a bird. She’s nearby, up in a nest.”
Cringing, the cub looked up, as if expecting imminent aerial attack. You have birds for friends?
“Yes, I do,” she patiently explained. “And they would be your friend too, if I introduced you properly.”
It obviously didn’t take much to pique the tiger cub’s interest. Cocking her head to one side, she briefly considered. Are you sure?
“Positive. By the way, what’s your name.”
The young tiger grandly drew herself up. Ierpyendwrejlenhandy, was her mental reply.
“Oh.” Frowning, Caylee quickly gave up trying to repeat the complicated pronunciation. “Do all of your kind have such long names?”
Aghast, the cub now raised the other eyebrow. Of course not! I’m a royal princess!
“Oh, I didn’t know.” Still sitting on the ground, in the tree oasis within the vast Lysandy savannah, Caylee tried to react with proper formality. “I apologize for my ignorance.”
The cub paused to idly lick an absurdly oversized paw. It’s okay, she finally announced. You’re new here.
“Thank you. But can I call you Pend for short?” Now the enchantress gently stroked the cub’s regal head. “That might be easier.”
The tiger princess briefly considered. All right, she said, nodding firmly. I will allow it.
“Good. Pend it is.” With a final scratch behind the ear, Caylee now stood up. “Now, let me introduce you to my bird friends, as well as a horse and a unicorn. We’re here together.”
A unicorn? Wow! Playfully swatting at her leg, Pend then bestowed another friendly head-butt. You must be a princess too!
“Not quite.” Smiling, Caylee imagined how her Coven-mates would react to this suggestion. “At least not anytime soon.”
*****
As it turned out, Jarob was up and about when she returned to their small encampment. Perched on a lower branch, above the sleeping equines, he eyed the cub trailing behind his sorceress with keen interest.
Hiding behind a human leg, Pend hesitantly peeked up at the battle hawk. After an awkward moment, though, Jarob seemed to accept Caylee’s assurances that Pend wasn’t a threat. Indeed, after laconically informing the enchantress that he intended to scout and hunt, the great predator bird launched himself straight upward. Rising easily through the trees, Jarob was soon soaring out over the Lysandy savannah.
So far, so good. Telling Pend not to bother anybody else just yet, she grabbed a big handful of ulara. Leaving the cub on the edge of the encampment, Caylee then magically climbed the tree to line Lewn’s nest with the healing grass.
Thankfully, the battle hawk seemed much more comfortable already. Happily snuggling down in the ulara, Lewn let out a satisfied growl. Give me another day, she said, and I can at least fight from horseback. After stroking her strong head and telling Lewn how brave she was, the sorceress dropped twenty feet back down to ground level.
To her mild surprise, Pend was actually behaving herself, though it was clearly some effort. Paws planted firmly in place, the great cat was leaning forward as far as possible, her nose working overtime to take in all the marvelous new scents. Oblivious to this intense olfactory scrutiny, Saja and Tornado placidly snoozed away.
Caylee wanted to give them at least another sixty menlars of sleep before heading out again. Leading the disappointed cub back into the woods a short distance, she sat down on a log. Pend promptly settled down facing her, as
king for more ear scratches.
First providing the requested service, the Coven operative then dug the steam-type gauge from her magical travel bag. “Do you know what this is?” she asked, holding the broken device out to the cub.
Pend seemed neither surprised nor particularly interested. Giving it a laconic sniff, she then politely suggested it was now time to go play with the unicorn.
“Soon,” Caylee promised. “But do you know where this comes from? Or how it got into Lysandy?”
Yawning, Pend began licking a paw once more. Yes and possibly, she allowed.
“Really?” The young magician thought quickly. “Okay, let’s start with where?”
The other place.
This sounded vaguely promising. Lips pursed, Caylee carefully formed another question. “You mean, another part of Lysandy?”
No, not Lysandy, Pend insisted. The other place.
“Really? Can you tell me about this other place?”
Face falling into a frown, Pend now petulantly licked her other front paw, drawing it over her own face several times for good measure. Not really, she finally replied, except that it might have creatures like you.
“Like me?” Sitting back, the enchantress felt a tiny surge of excitement. “Humans, you mean?”
I guess, the cub mumbled.
“But different humans, you mean, from the humans here in Lysandy?” she asked, thinking of the small native population reported by previous Coven surveys.
Pend sighed, a whisker flicking in irritation. Is there a difference?
“Maybe. Um, do you know how many humans are in this other place?”
How would I know? Glancing up at the sky, Pend was distracted by a bug crawling up a nearby trunk.
Eagerly holding up the gauge again, Caylee ran a hand back through her hair. “All right. So you’re saying that this gauge came from another world, or place, let’s say, in which humans…”
Bored.
“Pend, don’t be that way. I really need to know…”
Without warning, the tiger princess playfully swatted the gauge from Caylee’s hand. Before she could react, the cub pounced, took it in her mouth, and disappeared.