Endes pushed Sibine down on the stump. “The Tiffs stay with me until the Guardian has freed me and escorted me safely from Myrrh.” He glanced at the injured soldier. “Don’t touch him. He deserves to suffer for his attack against a member of the Mocendi League.”
A shrug and a sad smile accompanied the Tinpaca’s reply. “Have it your way.”
Tibin gasped.
Teva materialized, a cord of light in her upraised hand. Transfixed, the apprentice watched it whirling above her head. With a snap of her wrist, she sent it flying. For a split second, it hovered over him. His shields shimmered into nothing. The rope dropped, tightened around him, and held him immobile. His face contorted with rage. He tried to speak, but no sound passed his puckered lips.
Mondago strode forward and picked up Sibine and Adin. A soldier hurried into the clearing and knelt beside his fallen comrade.
By the time Tibin realized what had happened, it was over. Mondago put Sibine and Adin down beside him. The RewFaaran squeezed the baby’s foot. “He sure is a handsome little Tiff.”
Sibine handed Adin to Tibin and placed a kiss on Mondago’s cheek. “Thank you, Tinpaca.”
“Your mate has had a bad turning, Sibine. I suggest you take him home.” He straightened.
She glanced at Tibin. “I’ll do that.”
Tibin offered his hand. “Thank you, sir.”
Mondago shook it. “You’re welcome. I’d better check on my man.”
Sibine took Adin. “Teva may need help.”
Tibin approached the immobile Endes. “What now, Teva?”
“Our young Mocendi is about to depart Myrrh. Take your family home. Tell the Wood Tiffs to remain alert. The Unfolding is not over. I cannot guarantee that there won’t be more trouble in Myrrh.”
Kieel flitted from a tree branch, where he had watched the drama unfold. “Well done, Teva.”
She patted her shoulder. “You can help me take our guest to the tower.” The three vanished.
Tibin shook his head, put an arm around Sibine, and gazed at their son. “I’ve never been so frightened in my life, Sib. Not even when Fen was bitten by a Pentharian.”
She kissed his cheek. “You were so brave, Tibin.” Adin gurgled. Sibine pinched his toe. “We are so proud of you, aren’t we, Adin?”
Tibin walked with his family through the trees of the Terces Wood. I wonder if I will ever feel safe again?
In her quarters, Sparrow, nestled next to Allynae, watching him sleep. She studied his rugged features, the silver highlights in his dark hair, the mustache that was beginning to look like the real thing, the stubble on his chin. It seems like forever since we’ve been together. She snuggled closer, savoring how safe and confident he made her feel.
His stormy blue eyes opened, searched her face, and lit with a smile. Pushing up on one elbow, he kissed the tip of her nose and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “You look beautiful all sleep-tousled and full of dreaming. How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. My mind started to chatter about The MasTer’s gender and identity.” She rolled onto her side. “I’m sure Relevart knows about The MasTer, aren’t you?”
He pulled her to him and kissed her hair. “Since he let Mira know he is Rayn’s birth-mate, he must have guessed she is The MasTer—but we can’t know that for sure.”
Sparrow squirmed in his arms and sat up. “We have to get word to them.”
He groaned. “Are you suggesting we go back to Veersuni and use the fountain?”
She climbed over his sprawled body and stood up. “I am.” She tossed him his trousers and slipped into the DeoNyte version of a Personal Needs Space.
When she emerged ready to go, Allynae sat on the side of the bed fastening his boots. “We could have waited a little bit longer, you know.”
Ignoring his teasing smile, she kissed him and pulled him to his feet. He looked down at her. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”
“I don’t think— Oh.” She shifted. “Better?”
He tugged Almiralyn’s long braid. “I like you better as you, but…” He clasped her hand.
She smiled. The Reading Room focused. He held open the door to Veersuni. “After you.”
She moved past him into the empty sanctuary and shifted. Tranquility embraced her. The sound of the fountain’s song drew her forward and then grew silent. Her own reflection smiled up at her. Allynae’s overlapped it. Their reflections dissolved.
Middle-night blue and glistening stars flooded the fountain. A path of light sliced the image in two. At opposite ends, crystals glowed atop two rowan staffs. Two men held them high. A light flashed. The staffs, now only inches apart, cast their light over a diverse group.
Almiralyn and Corvus stood on either side of Relevart. Surrounding Wolloh were Torgin, Somay, and Nomed. Wodash od DerTah hovered nearby.
The Universal VarTerel gazed from one face to the next. “Together at last. The end draws near. We have a goodly distance to travel in this place of no time.” He motioned Torgin to his side. “We need the compass, boy. The Mocendi ship prepares to depart DerTah. We must arrive in TreBlaya before it. Ask it the way.”
Torgin held out the compass. “Show us the way to TreBlaya.”
The needles spun and the face glowed. A chart of the heavens formed and hovered. Constellations marked a path like signposts in a vast sea of stars. Relevart and Wolloh exchanged nods. The chart melted away and the compass face ceased to glow.
“Thank you, boy. Keep the compass close to your heart. It will tell you if we go off course.” His voice grew more serious. “Others try to enter Mittkeer. Be vigilant, all of you. Wolloh and I will take the lead. Wodash, be our rear guard. Alert me to any changes. Nothing is too small. Stay in a tight group. Almiralyn and Corvus, protect Torgin and Ostradio. Somay and Nomed, be prepared to contain us within an illusion of invisibility if Wolloh or I give a sign.”
The group reassembled and began its trek though Mittkeer.
The water in the fountain rippled. Relevart’s face focused. “SparrowLyn and Allynae, keep your discoveries close. The time has not yet come to share. Do not stray far from Elcaro’s Eye.” Again, ripples ruffled the surface. Again, it stilled.
Brie passed through the hidey-hole wall and knelt beside Esán, who lay curled up on the mossy floor. Ira knelt across from her. Elf remained standing, his expression concentrated, his gaze distant. Shyllee sat at his feet.
Pulling Henri’s vial from beneath her drango tunic, Brie brushed her fingertips over Esán’s brow.
He moaned and pushed up on one elbow. “Where?”
“You’re safe. Elf brought you here. I went to see Aunt Henri. She sent you this.” She showed him the vial.
Ira helped him to sitting.
Esán uncapped the tiny bottle, took a sniff, and drank its contents. He heaved a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what she put in it, but I feel less tired already.”
“She said Ira should use Efillaeh, too. It won’t heal you, Esán, but it should slow the progression of the disease.”
Shyllee’s hackles rose. She growled and inched closer to Elf.
He gripped her collar. “Be still.” His message, a shout in their heads, stopped all movement, all thought.
A low hum vibrated the air.
Brie’s eyes widened. Esán grabbed her arm.
Ira gasped. “What on Thera!”
Elf pressed his lips together. “The ship’s engines…” He closed his eyes. When they opened, Brie saw first fear and then resignation.
“We’re leaving for TreBlaya.”
He sank to the floor and buried his face in Shyllee’s fur.
A breeze blew through Veersuni. Curtains stirred. Color from the window flew to hover above the fountain, where Sparrow’s stricken expression lay captured in stained glass richness. Allynae’s arm around her did nothing to ease her sudden and deep sense of dread.
In the Terces Wood, Nemttachenn rose gray and majestic in the autumn light. Kieel gulped. Teleporting
made his stomach queasy. He fluttered to a branch and observed the antics of Teva’s prisoner. Like a marionette, Endes danced and capered around the clearing trying to break free. Teva yanked him to a standstill. His face flushed angry red.
Kieel sniffed the air, savored the invigorating coolness, and rejoiced at being in his Terces Wood.
Teva inhaled and looked at Endes. “I love autumn, don’t you?”
Dark, angry eyes glared his response.
“I’m assuming that look means you are ready to leave Myrrh. Please, Kieel, lead the way.”
Kieel shot through the entrance to find CheeTrann and Paisley waiting at the tower’s center. Behind him, Endes growled and swore his way into Nemttachenn. His startled gaze picked Myrrh’s Sentinel from the dimness. His mouth dropped open.
CheeTrann loomed over him. “Shut your mouth, boy. Didn’t your mother teach you it’s rude to stare?” He grinned at Teva.
“Hello, Sentinel of Myrrh. It has been far too long since we last met.”
Delight gleamed in his eyes. “I agree, Teva Rivan. I don’t believe you have made the acquaintance of Paisley James Tobinette, my friend and competitor.”
“Hello, Paisley.”
A self-conscious smile tipped Paisley’s mustache at an odd angle. “You look like Almiralyn.” His dark skin glowed with the infusion of blood in his cheeks.
CheeTrann laughed and slapped him on the back. “An astute observation, Pais.”
Teva’s captive spit disjointed syllables into the air.
Myrrh’s protector rumbled, “Your guest seems impatient to be away from Myrrh, Teva.”
Endes tried to squirm free of her hold. She caught Kieel’s eye and winked.
The man’s sputterings turned into speech. “You will be sorry you treated me with such disrespect.” He glared. “All of you. The MasTer will extract revenge for your treatment of one of his Mocendi.”
CheeTrann stroked his beard. “First, boy, you are not a Mocendi, you are an apprentice. Second, I see no reason for the Mocendi League to show an interest in someone with so little talent.” The ground began to tremble. A vortex spun into view. “Third, I would be surprised if you ever saw The MasTer again.”
The next instant, Endes plunged into the vortex. It swirled closed. Teva shook chestnut hair back from her face and gazed at the two men. “I sense he will not find life easy where he has gone.”
CheeTrann’s features hardened. “By the time the Guardians rescue him, he will be happy to do anything they require.”
A flash of light introduced Lenadi into the group. “Trouble, Teva. We are needed in Mittkeer. Relevart suggested that you, CheeTrann, might help us reach the place of all time and no time.”
CheeTrann frowned, faded, and refocused. “The Unfolding races ahead. Kieel will inform Mondago of your change in plans. I will return Demrach Gateway to its new position. Hold onto each other. Do not let go until Relevart tells you it is safe to do so.”
Teva and Lenadi embraced.
Kieel alighted on the staircase. The Sentinel raised a hand.
“Open, MittKeer. Admit these souls
To help The Unfolding achieve its goals.
Take them to the VarTerel
Within the realm that you guard well.”
A fissure the height of a tall man opened within the confines of Nemttachenn. Stars shone bright in the dark and distance sky.
“Nava Dec,” CheeTrann called.
A wave of star-speckled blue poured through the slit, swaddled Teva and Lenadi from head to foot, and receded, taking them with it. The edges of the fissure merged.
CheeTrann lowered his hand. “I have only done that once before. I hope they end up where Relevart needs them.” He sat down at the table, his expression troubled.
Paisley sat across from him.
Kieel landed on the edge of the table. He looked from one man to the other. The distant look in their eyes puzzled him.
“What do you see?”
CheeTrann picked up a knight. “The players gather in the land of no time. Only Emit understands the strategies and desires of all the participants.”
Paisley nodded.
Both remained entrenched in their own thoughts.
Kieel zipped from the tower in the direction of Mondago’s camp. The Tinpaca deserved to know what had transpired, as did Jordett. Dare I return to Idronatti? The very thought left him quivering with dread.
Jordett and Lavir left the Five Fathers locked in their underground cell and hurried to Orittra’s office. Akeri glanced up from her comp-tab. “Please help yourselves to a nouri-drink.”
Orittra nodded a welcome. He had made the decision to help reestablish calm in Idronatti.
Jordett returned his nod. “Glad you decided to join us. I’m sure Lorsedi will appreciate your loyalty.”
He had the grace to blush. Jordett smiled to himself, grabbed a slender tube of green fluid, and sat down opposite Akeri. Lavir pulled a chair out and sat beside him.
Akeri did not wait to be asked to begin. “Almiralyn sent word from Myrrh. The Mocendi ship has left for TreBlaya. Torgin is not onboard. We have also learned that Renn continues her trip to DoOlb under the care of Yaro and the Senndi brothers. Thus far they have encountered no problems. Shu Chenaro and the desert gateway remain secure. TheLise reports that all is quiet in Trinuge. Much to her delight, Lorsedi ordered a contingent of men to escort Roween and Nissasa to RewFaar, leaving her free to do the VarTerels’ bidding. When the men return, they will bring Chyneria Stol to visit with Stebben at the ranch and to await word regarding her son, Desirol. Stebben, Roandee, and WoNa have been alerted that the end draws near. Falind asked me to inform you that Dom and Majeska have returned to Antiques by Q.” She glanced at her comp-tab. “I believe those are the main details.”
Jordett set his empty tube on the table. “Did Almiralyn give you any orders for us?”
“Keep Idronatti as stable as you can. For the moment, she feels the Mocendi are focused elsewhere. Falind has been experimenting with the drug used to control the city’s residents. She believes it is better to continue its use unaltered. When Renn and Wilith return, Falind will help her establish a schedule for its gradual withdrawal, while Wilith works with you to develop a plan for reeducating the populace.”
Lavir leaned back in his chair. “It’s amazing to think that the Galactic Guardians would select men like the Five Fathers to build and care for a city of people. What made the Fathers take a jog down the wrong road?”
Akeri pushed her chair back. “Even the best men are tripped up by the lure of power and wealth. If you’ll excuse me, it’s time to patrol the city.” She pushed her chair in. “I’ll report in when we’re back, Major.”
Jordett smiled at the bemused look on Lavir’s face as the door closed behind her. Akeri had a sultry beauty that came with lustrous dark hair and startling emerald green eyes. She exuded self-confidence and personal power. “She’s lovely, isn’t she?”
Lavir said, more to himself than his commanding officer, “Too bad she’s joined to Lenadi.”
Jordett let his thoughts follow their natural course. I miss Merrilea. Hope she’s missing me.
In Veersuni, glowing snippets of color flew back to the stained glass window. Sparrow clung to Allynae, feeling numb and disoriented. “Alli, our daughters…” She couldn’t force her tumultuous thoughts into words. He hugged her closer. “They’re on the way to a solar system on the Outer Rim.” His chin rested on her head. “Aunt Henri is with them.”
“And Wolloh and Relevart are on the way there, too.” She sniffed. “Why doesn’t that make me feel better?”
He kissed her lightly. “Because the outcome is unknown. It would help if you assured yourself they were alright.”
The water in the fountain turned cloudy and then cleared. Sparrow gasped as a huge mushroom-shaped ship came into focus.
El Aperdisa, the Mocendi ship, left its orbit around DerTah and sailed as gracefully as a swan on a lake through the vastness o
f space. Its metallic blue surface glowed with the vibrance of a living thing. The upper section, the mushroom cap, rotated at a constant rate. The propulsion units driving it from orbit flared at the base of the smooth lower cylindrical section. The ‘cap’ spun faster. Elcaro zoomed out. DerTah floated in the distance. The ship’s edges began to blur. DerTah grew smaller still. A white light engulfed the ship and died into the darkness of space. El Aperdisa had vanished.
Sparrow trembled from head to foot. Ari and Brie were on that ship. The reality of it left her fighting for breath. Allynae’s strong arms scooped her up. Stubble against her cheek, the whisper of his breathing, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calmed her.
He lowered her to a bench and sat beside her, his arms protecting, loving, soothing. Still, the sobs came. The fear that she might never see her girls again threatened to drown her.
A hiccuped attempt to quell the flood of emotions quaked through her. “I’m not Almiralyn, Alli. I don’t know how to do this.”
He handed her a handkerchief. “What makes you think she would react any differently? The girls are her nieces. She loves them, too. Almiralyn is as Human as you are.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “And as female.”
Sparrow dried her tears and blew her nose. “Now what do we do?”
“What Relevart told us to do—stay close to the fountain.”
She leaned on his shoulder. “Let’s hope it shows us something soon.”
46
Master’s Reach
DerTah
T horlu and Vygel gazed at a massive screen and watched DerTah grow smaller. Behind them, a group of their colleagues chatted. They sounded nervous. A return to TreBlaya was a rare thing. Unless one incurred The MasTer’s wrath, one could go a lifetime without returning or seeing him. As long as you did his bidding and sent a stream of recruits for training, your currency account reflected The MasTer’s approval.
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 52