The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Brie flew after and landed in her favorite dark corner, waiting for a sign that it was safe to shift. When it didn’t come, she reined in her impatience and stayed where she was. Renn came and went several times before she walked back to the corner and nodded.

  Brie materialized and mouthed, “Can we talk?”

  Renn’s smile looked tired. “It seems we have both had adventures today. Tell me what you discovered.”

  After she described what she called the plantitarium, Brie told her about finding Ira, Esán, Elf, and Shyllee. “I didn’t locate Desirol, and I couldn’t find Torgin anywhere. Where were you? I was so scared.”

  Renn’s summer green eyes held an expression, Brie did not recognize. “They found Melback , Brie. Torgin was not on the ship. I don’t know about Desirol. I hope Yaro is on his guard, because I believe that he and the brothers are being pursued.” The expression heightened. “We have a new enemy onboard. His name is Thorlu Tangorra; he is much more clever than Vygel. It is vital that you stay out of his way.”

  Her expression, Brie realized, was fear, something she had never seen on her aunt’s face.

  41

  Master’s Reach

  Myrrh

  K ieel sat on a large sunflower, soaking up the Myrrhinian sunshine. Even after several turnings, his body still held the chill of his time in Idronatti—his time in battle. Images of blood and death haunted his turnings and pursued him through his dreams at night. As hard as he tried, he could not erase the horror.

  Below him the gateway began to spin, announcing guests from The Borderlands. Darting to a patch of shade, he observed Teva and Lenadi exit the Tropal Gateway. The soft whir of wings brought him to eye level.

  Teva smiled. “Hello. I was hoping we would see you.”

  His smile felt strained. “Mondago sent me to guide you to him. He suggested I show you where the older Mocendi is on the way. Hey, Lenadi.”

  “Good to see you, Kieel.”

  Flitting from leaf to leaf, he led them the short distance to Almiralyn’s acreage. A momentary pang twisted his stomach. He missed the Guardian’s cottage, her barn, and her pond. He missed her.

  Skirting the edge of the camp well away from Almiralyn’s trap, Kieel landed in a thicket opposite the Mocendi’s tent and waited for the KcernFensians. The wards shimmered faintly in the sun.

  Teva joined him, put a finger to her lips, and patted her shoulder. When he landed, she spoke a soft phrase. A section of the wards about the size of a door melted away. Lenadi approached the rear of the tent. Teva followed. Kieel glanced back. The wards reformed. A tingle of fear—I’m trapped inside.

  The KcernFensians separated. One to the left and one to the right, they circled the tent.

  A man strode through the entrance, his eyes searching. “I suggest you show yourself. I know you’re here.”

  Teva motioned Kieel to the top of the tent and stepped into view. “Hello, Émil. It has been a long time.”

  From his perch Kieel noted the slight stoop of the man’s shoulders. His graying hair looked steely in the sun. His light eyes glinted beneath heavy lids. A broad nose beaked over a full-lipped mouth. Nothing about the face was pleasant. Cruelty etched it like a mask. Kieel’s chill intensified.

  The man’s demeanor radiated rage, but his words were cool. “Teva Rivan. When did we last meet? Ah, yes. I remember. We were in KcernFensia, at the temple. As I recall you ousted me from the training program.” A sneer of distaste distorted his unpleasant features. “What brings you to Myrrh? Your dear cousin?”

  “It seems, Émil, that I need to ask you a few questions.”

  His smile grew wicked. “And if I don’t feel inclined to share?”

  “I believe you know the answer to that. Tell me what I need to know, and I will put in a good word with the Galactic Guardians.”

  The smile slipped. “You are serious, aren’t you?” Wards shot up around him. “As it turned out, cousin of Almiralyn, I didn’t need you or your training program.”

  A bolt of lightning flew from his hand toward her heart, hit an invisible wall, and disintegrated. A second aimed at her head rebounded back in his direction. His wards quivered with the impact, began to break down, and strengthened anew.

  The malicious smile returned. “We seem to be at a draw. You won’t get answers from me. But I do believe you will undo the wards that trap me in this tent.” He advanced toward her.

  Their wards crackled as they touched. The man stumbled back, his face contorted with pain.

  Teva did not move. “Lenadi, please join me.”

  Her protector walked to her side. Ropes comprised of light slithered through Émil’s wards and bond him hand and foot. The wards dissolved. Lenadi caught the man as he crumpled and carried him inside.

  Teva whispered a quiet phrase. Almiralyn’s trap melted way. She caught Kieel’s eye. “Go and inform Tinpaca Mondago that we have the Mocendi and that he and his men can return to their camp. Tell him to bring their prisoner with them. We’ll question him here.” She ducked into the tent.

  Kieel zipped between trees. The Wood Tiff’s had hidden Mondago and his men in a grove of large, trunked, weathered Tirips Trees not far from Nemttachenn Tower. Tirips Trees carried magic in their core. Known to protect good from evil, they also trapped those with malicious intent.

  Dodging between two gray branches, Kieel landed amongst the silvery leaves. Reana, Ashor, and Mumshoo patrolled the grove. His granddaughter touched down beside him.

  “Hi, Grandy. What brings you here?”

  “Teva sent me. I have a message for the Tinpaca. Any trouble?”

  “Only the Mocendi. He is one angry Human.”

  He gave her a quick hug. “I’d better deliver my message. Take care of yourself.”

  “You, too, Grandy.”

  He flew down to a makeshift camp at the center of the grove. Mondago and Tibin sat in conversation. The contrast between the distinguished, well-muscled RewFaaran officer and the short, roundness of the Wood Tiff with his too big head and his jiggly belly made Kieel smile. The unlikelihood of this meeting gave him a moment’s pause. The Unfolding has changed all our lives and continues to do so.

  Tibin waved. “Hey, Kieel.”

  Mondago offered his palm.

  Kieel landed. “Teva sent a message, Tinpaca.”

  The Tinpaca called over his personal staff. Stee, who had just returned from DerTah, and Yuin joined them. Kieel regarded the emerald and ruby red Pentharian with a touch of awe. It amazed him that these creature from another planet would come to the rescue of Myrrh.

  Mondago settled on a stump. “Please, Kieel, share Teva’s message.”

  Kieel began, “The Mocendi—”

  A man’s shout cut him short. Tinpaca and his staff shot to their feet. Stee and Yuin exchanged looks. Three frightened Nyti streaked from the trees.

  Reana hovered in front of Mondago, wings a blur, her eyes too big for her face. “That horrid Mocendi has Tibin’s mate and their baby.”

  “A soldier tried to protect them. He’s hurt pretty bad,” a very pale Ashor added.

  “The Mocendi can’t escape the Tirips Trees’ magic, but he’s threatening to kill Sibine unless you set him free, Tinpaca.” Mumshoo twisted his top hat between shaking fingers.

  Kieel felt his heart trembling in his chest. The man’s scream had reminded him of Idronatti and the battle for the Five Towers. He fought for breath. The Mocendi has Tibin’s mate and baby. The Mocendi has Sibine and Adin—

  Allynae paused outside Almiralyn’s quarters and rang the bell. His sister’s voice bade him enter. A tinge of disappointment kept him still. He laughed to himself and entered the Guardian’s quarters. Sparrow stood at the center of the space. Chestnut hair falling in soft curls framed her beautiful face. Dark eyes overflowing with love met his. Two long strides carried him to her. Her arms encircled his neck as he picked her up and held her to him. He set her down. She took his face between her hands and kissed him until he knew his heartbeat
could be heard throughout the caverns. When she finally stepped back, they stared at each other and grinned like two silly kids.

  He pulled her down beside him on a bench. “I have missed you—”

  She brushed his lips with a gentle kiss and smiled. “I missed you, too. I have so much—”

  Almiralyn appeared in her place. Sapphire blue eyes held his gaze. The bell at the entrance chimed and a voice penetrated the curtain. “Almiralyn, may I come in?”

  Almiralyn moved further down the bench, gave him a mischievous grin, and answered, “Of course.”

  Excitement entered in the form of Elae waving a piece of paper. “Welcome back, Alli.”

  “Good to see you, Elae.” He grinned. Her attention had already made a swift shift to Almiralyn. He leaned back to watch his companion’s performance.

  “Elae, please sit down, and tell us why you are so excited. Is it the translation?”

  “Mira, we found it. We discovered what birth-mates are.”

  Almiralyn smiled. “Please tell us everything.”

  Elae composed herself, checked her notes, and began.

  “The journal was written by Floree Galeenite, a birther on the planet of El Stroma during the wars that ended in the pogrom of the Eleo Preda. She tells the story of an attempt by an Eleo Predian rebel group to save their culture and their people.

  “El Stroma is a small planet about the size of Tao Spirian. It had two main continents and scattered small islands. Although there were smaller tribes on the islands, the main populace was divided into the Eleo Preda and the Pheet Adole.

  “At first the two main cultures managed to co-exist by maintaining separate communities on separate continents. The Eleo Preda were a gentle people. Agriculture was their life. They farmed and protected the land and the wildlife existing there. They considered themselves the stewards of the continent of El QuilTran. The Pheet Adole had built an industrialized nation. They lived in small, squalid towns and in the two main cities on the continent of El SyrTundi.

  “Time passed. The RomPeer, leader of the Pheet Adole, and his council became greedy. They wanted more land, and they coveted the longevity of the Eleo Preda. Politics had become complicated, and wealthy families had begun to do battle with one another. The RomPeer had to find a solution or spend time mediating, time that would be better spent bringing the Eleo Preda to heel.

  “In order to insure that the family lines of the wealthy continued and that wealthy households refrained from warring against one another, the practice of Protariflee was developed. When the young of the wealthy reached puberty, eggs and sperm were harvested. Carefully selected samples were frozen for a later time. Because of their longevity, Eleo Preda woman were kidnapped and impregnated with fertilized eggs, one male and one female from different family lines, the hope being that the Eleo Preda gene for long life would pass on to the birth-mates. When the babies were born, they were placed in the care of a nurser. The host mothers disappeared and were never seen again. The babies were introduced into their families of origin.

  “The premise for all of this appears to be the belief that gestating in the same womb would create a closeness between the babies that, like twins, would last throughout their lifetimes.”

  Elae paused to review her notes.

  Allynae took the opportunity to ask a question. “Did the families have other babies, or did they just raise the one?”

  “The cost for Protariflee was high. Families could pay for more than one birth-mated offspring. Most did not. Many did have other children, but the birth-mated child was their first and their heir.”

  “How did the Eleo Preda respond to this?” Almiralyn asked.

  “The elders of the Eleo Preda realized that they did not have the means to fight the Pheet Adole. Anticipating the possible end of their people, they enlisted the aid of a group of young activists. Two infiltrated the Protariflee Center. Once they were established and trained, four of the most talented young Eleo Preda were smuggled into the lab, where eggs and sperm were taken. Following the selection process, the chosen eggs and sperm were frozen and stored.

  “One of the activists, a young woman named Jaradee, volunteered to be the host and at the appointed time, she was impregnated. Someone leaked word to the RomPeer and a search ensued. Jaradee and Floree, her birther, were spirited away by a small group of rebels bent on protecting her and the children she carried in her womb. They managed to escape, and the babies were born. Jaradee and Floree kept them safe. When the children were three, the RomPeer’s men discovered their hiding place. The women decided they would have a better chance for survival if they separated.

  “Floree smuggled the boy, Rethdun, to a small town on the edge of the space field where, with rebel help, she managed to book passage aboard a universal jump craft. When they eventually landed on Persow, Floree found a young couple who pledged to raise Rethdun as their own. After the boy’s twelfth birth celebration, Floree returned to El Stroma in search of Jaradee and the girl they had named Rayn.

  “During her absence, the rebellion continued to grow. Careful questions produced scant information. Jaradee and Rayn had been captured on their way to El QuilTran. Jaradee was murdered. Rayn was rescued before her captors could turn her over to the RomPeer. When the trail turned cold, Floree returned to Persow. Six sun cycles later she received word from El Stroma that a young female activist had emerged and become the RomPeer’s prime target. The informant told her the girl called herself Rayn.”

  Elae set her notes aside. “That’s as far as we’ve gotten.”

  Allynae reviewed the facts. Realization straightened his spine. His gaze fastened on the visage of his sister. Her mouth formed an “O.”

  “So, Relevart, the boy in the locket, is the young woman’s birth-mate. Did she survive the war? And what about their relationship to The MasTer?”

  Elae yawned. “We were beginning to make mistakes, so we decided to take a break. After we’ve rested, we have several more entries to translate. Hopefully, they will tell us if she survived and how she and Relevart are connected to The MasTer.” She stifled another yawn. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take a nap. Merrilea’s in her quarters. Wilith is in the Reading Room reviewing what’s been translated so far. We plan to return to work in a couple of chron circles.” She yawned again and departed.

  Sparrow materialized. “Allynae, who do you think she is? Do you think Almiralyn knows?”

  He smiled and clasped her hands. “Maybe. She’s usually ahead of the curve in matters such as these. As to what it means—only Emit knows.” He kissed her fingers one by one and gathered her into his arms.

  She studied his face. “I missed you so much. I can’t even remember how I survived all those years we were apart.” They teleported to her personal quarters.

  He laughed. “Wolloh told me you had matured in the use of your talents.” He held her closer.

  She relaxed against his chest and sighed. “Safe at last.”

  He inhaled the fragrance of her hair and matched her sigh. The intrigue surrounding The MasTer and its impact on The Unfolding would give them little leisure to enjoy each other. Now was the only time they had.

  From somewhere dark and deep, Dom became aware of the needle dripping cool liquid into his veins. The timatie he had taken made his brain sluggish and slow. He hoped the Mocendi had left him for dead. The needle indicated, however, that he was somewhere besides the floor of the room in Domlenah Blue.

  Unwilling to open his eyes to the possible discovery that he was a prisoner, he allowed himself to drift in the dreary world between sleep and consciousness. A sudden weight on his mid-section bounced him to wakefulness. A small tongue licked his cheek. He peered from beneath a lid. Majeska’s amethyst eyes stared into his. He ran a hand along her back.

  “Hope this means I’m safe, Jeska.”

  A rumbling purr teased a small smile to his dry lips.

  A door opening followed by footsteps suggested company. Jordett picked up Majeska, ru
bbed her tummy, and placed her back on the bed.

  “Hi, old man. You had us worried.”

  Dom licked his lips. “How long?”

  Jordett plumbed a pillow and slipped it behind his head. “About three turnings. We weren’t sure you’d come back.”

  “Took a healthy dose. Didn’t want to betray Almiralyn a second time. She might not have given me another chance. Thorlu is a thoroughly bad man, Jordett. Does Almiralyn know?”

  “I believe she met him as a younger woman. She has a strong dislike of him. I suggest you rest. I’ll get word to her that you’re awake.”

  Dom ran a hand over Majeska’s silky side. “I know I’m bein’ cranky, but I’d rest better in the shoppe.”

  Jordett motioned a nurse in a PPP uniform to join them. “Take a couple of turnings to rest, my friend. This is Naya. She’ll take care of you.”

  Dom tried not to stare at the beautiful woman smiling at him. Time was when he would have made a play for her. Instead he returned her smile and decided a couple of turnings basking in the warmth of her dusky beauty would be just fine. He always had liked dark hair and bright chestnut eyes. Her skin was tawny and her figure…

  Jordett caught his eye and winked. “I’ll check on you later. Rest.”

  Naya adjusted his blanket. “I’ll bring you some broth in a bit. Right now, I think you should follow the Major’s orders.”

  She dimmed the lights and stepped into the adjoining room.

  Majeska snuggled closer to his side and purred. Glad for her company, he thought back to his encounter with Thorlu. There was an Old Earth saying that he’d read in a book of ancient quotes: “Handsome is as handsome does.” Thorlu’s good looks could be deceiving. He sure hoped Almiralyn and her companions kept their wits about them. The Mocendi exuded danger like a wild boar after prey.

  Naya slipped into the room and added something to the fluid dipping into his veins.

  A yawn left him feeling lazy. His eye’s struggled to stay open. The last thing he remembered—Naya’s fingers on his wrist and her lovely smile when she saw him watching her.