The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Torgin didn’t miss him. Wonder overflowed in his heart. His entire body thrummed with the power of music. For the first time in his life, he knew his purpose in the universe.

  A shout of terror from the cabin ended the moment. Esán scrambled below followed by Gregos and Tamosh. Torgin handed the flute to Ari and followed. Desirol stood in the lower cabin. Triumph glistened in half-crazed eyes. In one hand he held a small, broken ampule and in the other a piece of gleaming quartz.

  32

  Master’s Reach

  DerTah

  O ne Man sat in a tent at the outskirts of the RewFaaran camp near the desert portal, waiting for the arrival of Gerolyn and Allynae. A meeting with Grantese Tesilend, Paisley, and Stee had left all concerned quiet and thoughtful.

  With the Demrach portal inoperable, travel back to Myrrh was limited to the DeoNyte capital of Meos or NaiDisbo Canyon in the Dojanack Mountains. Stee felt a responsibility to rejoin Mondago. Paisley wanted to return to Nemttachenn. Tesilend worried over the safety of his commander and the men under Mondago’s command.

  One Man thought back to one of his mother’s teachings: Only time takes us were we need to go. A difficult childhood had prepared him to care for himself; the Seed of Carsilem had honed his skills. My mother gave me the name of Somay. I believe it is time to embrace it. The idea took root. He smiled.

  Tossing the entrance flap aside, he took stock of his surroundings—the RewFaaran camp—the desert dunes. Two DerTahan hawks made a lazy circle and landed in the late turning sun. Gerolyn walked briskly toward him. Allynae materialized, stood for a moment looking lost, and followed. When they were seated inside the tent, One Man explained his decision to be known as Somay.

  Gerolyn’s lovely smile warmed him. “What does it mean?”

  “Just before my mother died, she told me it means Spirit Sun. When I became known as One Man during my time in the Dojanack Mountains, I left my true name behind, knowing that the time would come for me to reclaim it.”

  Allynae grinned. “I’m glad the time has come.”

  Gerolyn kissed his cheek. “Welcome, Somay, Spirit Sun of Tao Spirian.” She became all business. “I can’t stay. Tell me quickly what is happening in Myrrh, and what you know of Sparrow, the twins and Desirol. Lorsedi is waiting for news.”

  Somay presented a concise but clear picture of the issues that had arisen. Throughout she remained unemotional. When he finished, she shook her head.

  “He’s not going to be happy.” She touched the black and amber jar. “Can you make Nissasa whole again?”

  “Only time will tell. How is Lorsedi taking it?”

  The entrance flap flipped to the side. Heat penetrated the tent. “He refuses to discuss it.” With that, she was gone.

  Allynae cleared his throat. “How is Sparrow handling all this?”

  “You will find her changed, Alli. Her gifts are opening more every turning. She is terrified for you and the twins, but she grows stronger and more confident with each training session.”

  “I sure miss her.” He sighed. “When do we leave?”

  “As soon as Fasfro clears the horizon. We have a detour to make.”

  “A detour?” Allynae stroked his mustache. “Where to?”

  “Eissua Oasis. We need to consult with WoNa about the Oracle Stone. How to remove it from the jar and protect it until we can return it to her.”

  Five knuckles cracked. “I’ve only shaped Starfire once. Hope I can do it again.”

  Somay smiled. “I have every confidence that you’ll do fine.”

  Two chron circles later, Allynae and Somay bid their farewells to Tesilend and walked to a spot between dunes where they were hidden from the camp. Somay carried the charnockite jar tucked under an arm. Allynae carried his resurgent self-doubt.

  He raised stormy blue eyes to the night sky and tried to remember how he had shifted shape when WoNa had needed to escape Nissasa and the Sebborr. Taking a deep breath, he shut his eyes and imagined the stars flowing from the heavens into his body. When he peeked beneath half-open lids, Somay’s encouraging smile left him battling insecurity once again. He thought about Brie and her shift to the ConDria, about Ari and her ability to become Ira Raast. Finally, he let go of all thought, raised his arms to the sky, and whispered, “Starfire, come.”

  An absence of sound, light, color; then an overwhelming flood of sensory stimuli brought a cry to his lips. A whinny filled the night. He stamped a hoof and shook a midnight mane. Somay’s weight settled on his back. Extending his mighty wings, he flicked his long tail and launched into the air.

  Nothing in his life, had prepared him for Starfire’s immense power. Since his first change to the magnificent winged creature, he had dreamt nightly of becoming it again. A thrill of wonder coursed through his Human awareness. Hanging tight to his humanity, he prepared to enjoy the flight to Eissua.

  Wona waited at the entrance to her cave. Water plunging over the outcropping behind her, served as a background for the deep whaaaa, whaaaa of Starfire’s massive wings. The Atrilaasu Dansmen’s murmur of wonder told her he had crested the desert trees at the far end of the oasis. Air rustling her kcalo informed her the midnight stallion had landed in front of her.

  Somay slid to the ground. “It is good to see you, WoNa.”

  She nodded, stroked Starfire’s jowls, blew in one nostril and then the other, and stepped back.

  The horse vanished into the man. “Hello, WoNadahem Mardree.” Momentary loss infused his whispered greeting.

  “Welcome to Eissua, Shaper of Starfire.” She led them into the cave and sat down. “Please share my table.”

  While they settled, she ran a hand over the jar Somay had placed in front of her. The ConDra’s Fire with Nissasa’s cool essence moved in a swirling pattern over the black and amber surface. The rhythmic pulse of the Oracle Stone tingled against her palm. When the scrape and creak of chairs ceased, she folded her hands in her lap.

  “Nissasa’s essence weakens. The weaker it becomes the stronger the ConDra’s fire within the Oracle Stone. Only the breath of the ConDria can cool the fire; only the ConDria can remove the stone from the jar.” She placed a reddish-brown pouch on the table. “This is made from the heart of the drango. Brielle must put the stone inside and bring it to me. Together we will remove the fire. Now, you must go.”

  Allynae walked from darkness of WoNa’s cave into the cool light of DerTah’s blue moon. WoNa and Somay emerged behind him.

  “It is good you reclaim your true name. Its power is great.”

  Somay bowed his head. “Thank you, WoNadahem.”

  She reached for Allynae. He took her hand. She moved to his side, whispered the name that changed him to stars and moonlight, and touched his cheek. A shuddering breath and the power of Starfire enclosed him. Somay mounted and grasped his mane. Hooves sending a shower of sand around him, Starfire galloped the length of the oasis, unfurled his wings, and leapt into the heavens.

  Below, the desert sped by. Above, the night sky embraced him. Joy propelled him onward. At the border of Shu Chenaro, the wards parted to allow them through. Wolloh’s home crested the horizon. Clinging to one more moment of flight, he circled over the ranch. With a touch of sadness, he landed at the center of the arena and folded his wings.

  Stebben walked from the ranch house, a broad grin overshadowing the fatigue in his step. “I can see why Brie was so excited. You are a marvel, Starfire.” He accepted the jar from Somay. “Welcome, One Man.”

  Somay dismounted. “I have chosen to be fully myself. Please, I am Somay.”

  Stebben smiled. “It is time. Wolloh wi…would be pleased.”

  Starfire pawed the ground and snorted. Allynae appeared before he had even thought to change. A wave of wistfulness twisted his smile.

  Somay clapped him on the back. “Well, done, Allynae. What a grand ride!” He sobered. “I think food is in order, don’t you, Stebben? I can’t imagine that you aren’t starving, Alli.”

  The statement eli
cited a rumbling growl from Allynae’s stomach. He laughed. “Would love a bite to eat. Have you heard from Nomed, Stebben?”

  Seated around a small table in Stebben’s private quarters, Allynae and his companions enjoyed good food, good conversation, and a glass of Wolloh’s excellent port. Nomed had informed Stebben that Nissasa was safe but unable to travel. Allynae smiled inwardly at the thought of another ‘Starfire’ flight. He took a sip of port and surfaced from his own line of thought to find Somay and Stebben half way to standing. Shields shot up around them. Somay put a finger to his lips. The lights dimmed. A portal opened in the center of the room. Wolloh stepped through, black hair with its stripe of white shining in the portal’s brilliance.

  Stebben started forward. Somay caught his arm and kept him at his side. Grabbing a goblet, he tossed it. The High DiMensioner did not move. The goblet passed through him and shattered against the wall. The portal snapped out of existence; the man melted into nothing.

  Allynae could only stare at the spot where man and portal had been.

  Stebben collapsed in a chair. “How did you know that wasn’t Wolloh?”

  Somay poured port in a glass and handed it to him. “Almiralyn told me Wolloh’s hair has turned white. Had I not known that…” He shrugged. “More important is that the Mocendi have discovered a way to breach the wards around Shu Chenaro. Finish your port, Stebben. We have work to do.”

  Stebben set the glass on the table and put a hand on Somay’s arm. Allynae touched his shoulder. The next instant they were in the arena. Somay’s face was grim as he motioned them into a circle.

  Allynae squelched his ever-present uncertainty and listened to Somay’s instructions.

  Corvus soared above the strait of Eschems fighting to hold his escalating alarm in check. A short time ago he and Yaro had discovered Possession in a semi-enclosed anchorage south of Soprano Narrows. Brubger stood on the deck, an ampule in one hand, a quartz crystal in the other. With Yaro circling above, Corvus streaked toward the boat. Brubger’s small, beady eyes tracked his progress. A fiendish grin curved his stingy mouth. He held the ampule above his head, waited until Corvus was almost within reach, and snapped it in two. Black smoke enveloped him. He flashed from Mindeco to Brubger and back to Mindeco. Brubger’s body shuddered and fell to the deck. Flesh melting from the bones, exposed a bloodied skeleton that crumbled to fine dust and scattered over Possession’s deck.

  The Mindeco roared and vanished. Corvus landed to the last strains of riotous laughter and a boat emptied of all but lingering fingers of black vapor that slithered around his neck and squeezed. Above him, Yaro shifted from raven mid-flight, swooped over the deck, gripped his shoulders with vulture talons, and carried him away from Possession .

  On a small, stone-littered beach, the Pentharian set him down, coughing and gasping for breath. As he recovered, Corvus noted the set of Yaro’s jaw and the dangerous glint in his eye. The Mindeco had almost killed him in the Nesune Ruins. Within minutes, they were once more in raven form streaking through the air with all speed, hoping to find Melback before the unthinkable took place.

  The mouth of the Narrows lured them onward. They shot along the first stretch, arrived at Soruch, saw nothing, and continued. Near the end of the narrowest section, the sounds of voice and flute rang out and grew silent. Hovering over the trees, the Astican howled in frustration. Heading out to sea away from the Astican, Melback’s sail billowed in the wind. A scream of terror followed in its wake.

  Corvus swooped toward the boat and landed with Yaro at his heels to find the twins, a boy he didn’t know, and a dog at the helm.

  “Corvus. Below.” Brie’s fearful message, sent him through the open hatch. The scene that met his eyes sent his heart to the pit of his stomach. Desirol cornered by the Senndi brothers, Torgin, and Esán glanced crazily from one to the other. In his hands, Desirol held the broken ampule and the small crystal. His eyes widened at the appearance of Corvus and Yaro.

  Torgin gasped, “How—”

  Gregos growled over his shoulder. “Don’t just stand there, Pentharian, help us restrain him.”

  Yaro disappeared. A small, brown bat sunk sharp teeth into Desirol’s neck. The boy cried out and toppled. Tamosh and Gregos eased him onto a berth. Gregos made room for Corvus. Tamosh left to assist the twins at the helm.

  Corvus placed a hand on Desirol’s forehead. “How long?”

  Gregos answered. “Not very. The Mindeco took him moments before ya arrived.” He peered down at the unconscious boy. “The creature appeared out of nowhere.”

  Brie scrambled down the steps holding the pouch with the Remembering Stone in her hand. “You need this, Corvus.”

  At the mention of his name, Gregos nodded his approval. “The protector of Almiralyn. Glad t’ have ya onboard.”

  Corvus accepted the pouch. “I’m glad to be here. Thank you, Brielle.” He slipped the blue ribbon over Desirol’s head and rested the pouch above his heart. “The Mindeco can only take over fully if Desirol forgets who he is. The stone will help him hold onto his memories.” He straightened. “This will be a dangerous time for all of us. If the Mindeco gains control, there is no way to save Desirol. If he decides to leave the boy’s body, it will…” An image of Brubger rose in his mind. “It will not be pleasant, and no one on this boat will be safe.”

  Yaro reappeared on the outer deck and stuck his head in the cabin. “Come, Torgin, my brother. Let us give Corvus and Desirol some room. You can introduce me to your friends.”

  Torgin climbed on deck.

  Gregos paused before following. “Our sister Marji gave him a special pouch to protect him.”

  Corvus studied the unconscious boy. “I wondered what I was feeling. She’s a powerful woman.”

  Gregos nodded. “Ay, she’s a good one.” He stepped aside to make room for Ari to join them and hurried on deck.

  Keeping an eye on Desirol, Corvus listened to Ari’s description of the Soprano Narrows. Her joy at being with her sister in her true form radiating around her made him smile. He had gotten the measure of Gregos, Tamosh, and Elf and liked what he discovered. Elf in particular intrigued him.

  Desirol groaned. Dark eyes opened, searched his face, and widened in horror. Pushing himself to sitting, he grabbed Corvus’ arm.

  “The Mindeco got me, didn’t he? I can feel him.” He licked dried lips. “He’s strong—a-angry. I don’t know if I c-can fight him. I…” Shaking fingers, fumbled with the blue velvet pouch at his neck. “What?”

  “Brie has lent you the Remembering Stone. Keep it on your person at all times. Understood?”

  His grip on the pouch tightened. A crafty expression flitted over his pale features. He clutched a handful of auburn hair and fought for composure. A full-bodied shudder left him hugging himself and the Mindeco back in hiding.

  “Why am I still here? Why hasn’t it taken me over?”

  Corvus rested firm hands on the boy’s shoulders. “You wear a drango tunic and boots. They keep it at bay. Marji gave you a special pouch. The Remembering Stone hangs around your neck. You have control, Desirol. You are surrounded by friends. All of us will help you fight the Mindeco.”

  Tamosh blocked the light flooding in through open the hatch. “Black cloud in the sky.”

  Desirol choked. “The MasTer.”

  Corvus came to his feet. “Ari, shift. Now.” He tapped the top of her head.

  Ira frowned back at him. “Ahhh, hi, Corvus.”

  “Hello, Ira.” He beckoned Esán to his side. “You’re with me. Brie and Ira are with Desirol. Your job—keep him calm.”

  He emerged on deck to find the crew of the Melback at their assigned stations with Gregos at the wheel and Tamosh managing a full set of sails. He scanned the sky. Hovering over the end of the Narrows, a cloud of black billowed around the Davea’s winged form.

  Esán gasped. “If the Astican can fly over water…”

  As the words formed, the creature launched over the Sea of Trinuge. Corvus and Gregos exchan
ged glances. Melback could never out sail The MasTer’s Reach.

  Henri schooled her expression to one of fearful expectation, kept her personal thoughts well-masked, and allowed Renn-like fear to play beneath the surface. Vygel had neither said anything since introducing himself, nor had he removed his piecing gaze from her face. A mind probe made her eyes water. She remained silent.

  He cleared his throat. “I’d ask where you’ve been hiding, but don’t imagine you would share.” He watched her closely.

  She lowered her eyes and studied the pattern in the braided rug by the bed.

  A boney finger lifted her chin. Acid breath brushed her cheek. For an instant, they were eye to eye, and then he stepped back, leaving her with a pounding heart and a yearning for fresh air in her lungs.

  “It seems your son is determined to rescue you. Rather than disappoint him, you will remain here until he comes. You will stay in this cottage. If you should try to leave, I am very much afraid you will regret it.” He fastened a slender black bracelet around her wrist. “This will tell me where you are at all times. Take care, Renn Whalend.”

  Henri frowned at the empty space where he had stood and murmured, “Can’t say I’m not glad you’re gone.” Crossing to the window, she withdrew her spectacles from their hidden pocket and inspected the black bracelet. A frown of distaste accompanied her close perusal. I believe I am imprisoned by The MasTer’s burned flesh, the Reach solidified.

  “Miss Renn.” Bibeed peered through the bedroom window. “The door wouldn’t budge. Are you alright? ”