The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  Brie observed its cherubic features, muscled chest, and thick neck. Its scales glowed with a silvery sheen. Abarax continued to be the most impressive Astican she had seen.

  Relevart broke the intense silence that had permeated Mittkeer after the Astican’s pronouncement. “We will join you in El Soasi on TreBlaya, but will not accompany you through the slashed opening. Were we to do so, we would be trapped on TreBlaya for all time.”

  Abarax scowled. “And you will join us how?”

  “By the means available only to a VarTerel. Go. Tell The MasTer we want a guarantee of safety for our entire party. When we receive this, we will join you at a place of your choosing.”

  “I guarantee your safety, VarTerel. I am the representative and voice of The MasTer.”

  Froetise dimmed, and then brightened. Relevart looked over his shoulder. “Brie. Star?”

  Brie touched the Star of Truth. It felt warm but sent no warning pain down her back. She leaned forward and whispered, “It remains quiet.”

  Wolloh spoke quietly, “I believe it speaks the truth.”

  Relevart pursed his lips. “Hmmmmmm. We will accept your word, Abarax. If you are tempted to break it, consider carefully. We are a powerful group.”

  It inclined its head. “When shall I tell The MasTer you will arrive?”

  “I will mend the slash after you depart. Set a beacon to guide us safely into El Soasi. We will come directly.”

  The Astican retreated. Relevart and Wolloh repaired the long slice in the sky, leaving no sign of the encroachment into the sacrosanct domain of Mittkeer. With the ambience of peace and calm restored, Relevart turned to Torgin.

  “The compass, boy. Ask it to show us the doorway into El Soasi on the planet of TreBlaya.”

  Torgin withdrew Ostradio and repeated Relevart’s request. The needle remained stationary. He frowned, held the compass in a vertical position and asked again. The needle spun and stopped pointing down.

  Relevart placed his staff in front of Torgin. The heavens thinned, exposing a dimly lit room. From the center, the Soasi beacon, a small, squat crystal, beamed a shaft of light at the portal opening.

  Leaving the tip of his staff pointing into Mittkeer, Relevart sidestepped the beam and entered the room. Nomed, Corvus, Somay, and Lenadi spread out behind him. Almiralyn and Teva followed. Brie and her friends remained in Mittkeer with Wolloh and Henri.

  Abarax stepped from the shadows. With his appearance, the beacon faded and a hidden light source warmed the room. “Invite the others to join us. I have given my word. You are safe in The MasTer’s home.”

  Relevart motioned them inside. The wall solidified behind them.

  Elcaro’s Eye grew quiet. Renn looked up at Wilith. “Will it show us more?”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “If it chooses.”

  Renn gasped. “Look.”

  A pale, sunken face peered from the interior of a quartz sphere. The eyes blinked. The face vanished, leaving the surface blank. A new scene emerged and zoomed out to show a room enshrouded in black curtains, an alcove where a crystal sphere sat on a black pedestal, a single bed encircled by drapes, a table and chair in front of a Gothic window. One final sweeping pan ended on a black throne. A tall figure concealed within the folds of a deep purple cape reclined against the back, features hidden in shadow.

  The quiet of Veersuni deepened as Elcaro showed its watchers a long, poorly-lit corridor where Relevart waited, staff in hand and Shyllee by his side. The murmur of the Astican’s voice and a soft rasping reply penetrated into the hall.

  The VarTerel knelt beside the dog and scratched her ears. “Stay close and alert. I do not want to be taken by surprise.” He straightened.

  Abarax appeared and motioned him inside. “The MasTer will see you now.”

  “Will you be joining us?”

  It shook its head. “I will, however, be close by should my master have need of me.” Its blue-eyed gaze held his for one long moment.

  Relevart stepped across the threshold and paused. “On guard, girl.”

  The faint scent of smoke wafted up his nostrils. Profound hopelessness washed over him. Tightening his grip on his staff, he walked deeper into the room.

  A tall male figure, enshrouded in the folds of a dark robe rose from a throne as he approached. “At last, Relevart. I have waited a lifetime to—” A long rattling cough shook the man’s body. He picked up a goblet from the arm of the throne and sipped its contents. A final hacking spasm, another sip, and he sank onto the seat and set the goblet beside him.

  Relevart observed the trembling in his hands and noted the supreme effort it took him to maintain his façade. “You are wearing yourself out.”

  The MasTer came to his feet. “You know?”

  Relevart lifted bushy brows. “How could I not know? We—”

  The figure shuddered from head to foot and shifted shapes. The vein-webbed hand of an old woman shoved the cape hood back. Withered cheeks wet with tears; dark, sunken eyes and a winkle-puckered mouth emerged in the dim light. Gray hair hung in a thin braid over her shoulder. A spasm of coughing left a smear of blood on her hand.

  Relevart leaned his staff against the throne and scooped her up in his arms.

  She touched his cheek. “I never expected to find you.” Another rattling cough shook her emaciated body. “I have done horrible things because I thought they murdered you.”

  “Shhh.” He laid her on the bed, adjusted her pillows, and sat beside her. “I have friends with me who can help you to regain some of your strength.”

  Hopefulness lit the ravaged face. “If they can give me even a short time—” A cough scattered the hope like chaff in the wind.

  He wiped the blood from her hand and chin. “I’ll ask Abarax to bring them.”

  Clinging to his hand, she whispered, “Please.” She licked her lips. “How much do you know?”

  “Let me bring Henri and the twin’s, and we’ll see if we can make you more comfortable.”

  “And the boy with dual seeds. I need—”

  Abarax strode into the room. He gazed from his master’s hand resting in Relevart’s to her face. “He has not hurt you?”

  A feeble shake of her head stopped him. “Do as he asks.” She closed her eyes and whispered, “Hurry.”

  Relevart gave the Astican instructions and walked him to the door. Within minutes, Henri joined him. From a distance, she studied the frail woman on the bed.

  “I wondered if you knew.”

  He sighed. “I have always known she lived. Sparrow’s painting provided the final clue to her identity. Can you help her?”

  She withdrew a small bottle from her pocket, crossed to the bed, and bent over the prostrate figure. “I need you to drink this. Relevart will help you to sit.”

  Sunken eyes blinked open. The woman frowned. Relevart leveraged her halfway to sitting, Henri held the bottle to her lips. One small sip at a time, she drank until a round of coughing left her gasping for air.

  Henri motioned Relevart to lower her onto the pillow. “This cannot undo the damage you have done to your body, but it will give you a reprieve.”

  The twin’s and Esán made a hesitant entry and waited beside Shyllee. Relevart waved them forward.

  Ari inclined her head. “Wow. The MasTer’s a woman. She doesn’t look too good.”

  Relevart put an arm around her shoulder. “We’re hoping you, Brie, and Esán can help. Henri will tell you what’s needed.”

  “Ari, we need Efillaeh on her heart. Brielle, please stand at her head with the Remembering Stone. Esán, at her feet. Please call on the healing power of the Seeds of Carsilem. Hurry. She’s fading.”

  Relevart held his breath. Ari placed the sacred knife. Brie held the Remembering Stone above her head. Esán rested his hands on her feet. The woman’s body trembled. The years melted away. Wrinkles smoothed to finely etched lines. Hair turned a dark, rich brown with only a touch of gray. Age spots and swollen veins vanished from her hands
. Eyes filled with life opened, took in those gathered around her, searched until they found him, and flooded with relief.

  Ari retrieved the knife. Brie returned the stone to its pouch, and Esán stepped away from the bed. Henri beckoned them to follow, and they slipped from the room, taking Shyllee with them.

  The MasTer smiled and whispered, “Rethdun.”

  He took her hand. “You are so beautiful, my Rayn.”

  The group around the fountain let out a collective sigh as water spilled into the bowl dispersing the image over the surface.

  Sparrow smiled. “We should take a break while we can. I’ve had food set out in the Reading Room.” She put an arm around Elae’s shoulders. “Why don’t you get something to eat? Alli and I will watch the fountain until you return.”

  “Thank you, Sparrow.” She and Merrilea walked past Voer, Wilith, Renn, and Yaro, who spoke together by the door and then followed.

  Gerolyn and Lorsedi made no move to leave.

  Sparrow took Alli’s hand and looked from one to the other. “What made you come to Myrrh?”

  Gerolyn glanced at Lorsedi. “Two reasons: we felt it was best to get Renn away from DerTah as soon as possible and—”

  “I wanted to meet you.” Lorsedi finished. “I’ve met my granddaughters. I wanted to meet their mother, my daughter.”

  Sparrow bit her lip. A spark of denial flickered. “Are you sure it wasn’t Elcaro’s Eye you wanted to see?”

  Shrewd brown eyes studied her. “You know I wanted to see the fountain. In truth, it was a motivator. However, many things have changed since I first thought to steal it.” He smiled at her mother. “I found the love of my life. Our daughter is much more important to me than the fountain.” His direct gaze brought a flush to her cheeks.

  Gerolyn squeezed his arm. “Let’s go eat, Lorsedi. I imagine the fountain is not often quiet these turnings.”

  Sparrow watched them leave. “I can’t get used to the fact that he is my father. Standin raised me, loved me, held me when I cried. Lorsedi is…” She shrugged.

  Allynae hugged her. “Standin will always be the father of your heart. Perhaps one turning, you will be able to accept Lorsedi as the man your mother loves and the grandfather of our girls. He is a smart man. I doubt that he expects more than that. One thing to remember, dearest, he did not desert you.”

  Sparrow moved from his embrace and kissed him lightly. “Thank you, Alli, for understanding.”

  Renn stuck her head in the sanctuary. “May we come in?”

  Wilith and Yaro appeared behind her.

  “Of course.” Sparrow waved them forward. “What do you need?”

  “Yaro and I left our friends in the midst of a battle, one they were in because of me. Do you think the fountain will show us if they are safe?”

  “We can ask.” Sparrow walked to the fountain and waited for them to join her.

  Even before they had all gathered around it, water stopped flowing. The surface grew glassy. The image of a small group gathered around a campfire gradually took shape. Nearby, a portal’s faint spin glistened in warm light of the moon, Fasfro.

  Renn felt her heart beat quicken. These were the people who had saved her, these were the first friends she ever had that the PPP had not hand picked. Quickly she counted heads. She could see Tamosh. Cayled sat across from him with his arm in a sling. A man’s shadowy form emerged from the trees. Gregos’ white hair caught the light.

  “Checked our boys and they’re sound asleep. I’d call it a good turning’s work.”

  Bibeed stepped into the ring of light and handed wooden mugs all around.

  Renn swallowed. “Where’s Marji? The last time I saw her she was running for cover. What if she didn’t make it?” She clutched Wilith’s arm. “I could never forgive myself.”

  He patted her hand. “Look, Renn.”

  The portal began to spin. A shadowy figure leapt into the night and walked toward the group.

  Gregos called, “Well?”

  Marji stepped into the fire’s flickering light and shook her head. “You’re always so impatient, Greg.” She held up a cask. “The best ale in Trinuge!”

  Gregos grinned and licked his lips.

  Tamosh laughed. “You’re sure one handy sister, Marji. Let’s celebrate.”

  The picture faded.

  52

  Master’s Reach

  Myrrh & TreBlaya

  A lli and Sparrow had taken a break while Renn and Wilith watched the fountain. By the time they returned to Veersuni, everyone had gathered in small groups, chatting. Allynae joined Wilith and Lorsedi in a discussion regarding Idronatti’s future. Merrilea and Gerolyn sat on a bench in quiet conversation. Voer and Yaro stood soaked in stained glass light, talking in the guttural language of ReTaw au Qa. To one side, Elae sat holding Zugo’s uninjured hand. She looked up and smiled.

  Sparrow studied Zugo. “You’re sure you’re strong enough to be here?”

  He grinned. “Mother and Owae were driving me crazy, so I suggested they take a break. Elae promised to take care of me. Please don’t send me back, Sparrow. Gerolyn and Allynae think something interesting is about to happen in the fountain. I don’t want to miss it.”

  “You can stay, but don’t get too tired.” She glanced up to find Allynae watching her. Excusing herself, she joined him. “What’s this I hear about something happening?”

  “At almost the same instant, your mother and I got this vague feeling that—”

  The statue’s palms emptied of water and the fountain grew silent. Chatter in the room ceased. Allynae brought a chair for Zugo. Everyone gathered, attention riveted to Elcaro’s surface, where tiny lights skittered from one side to the other, formed a rainbow of color in the air, and dove to the bottom of the bowl. When the wavelets stilled, a picture emerged.

  Almiralyn observed those assembled in The MasTer’s chambers. Rayn sat on the black throne, a fragile figure wrapped in deep purple. Relevart sat at her feet with Shyllee’s head in his lap. In a semi circle facing her were some of the most talented and powerful people in the Inner Universe.

  Clustered at the front of the group were the young people whose gifts and talents had sparked the acceleration of The Unfolding. All of them had grown—transitioned from childhood into their young adult cycle. Somay had pulled up a chair within reach of Esán. Nomed stood behind him. Corvus sat with his arm draped over her shoulders. Next to her on the other side, Wolloh and Henri sat together. Teva and Lenadi were opposite, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Abarax stood to the side of the throne, cherub eyes fixed on its master.

  Rayn cleared her throat. “It has taken a long time to find and bring all of you together here in TreBlaya. If it were not for The Unfolding, I doubt it could have happened.” She reached for Relevart’s hand. “With the assistance of the VarTerels…” She smiled. “Please explain, Wolloh Espyro.”

  Everyone turned curious eyes his direction.

  “We have tapped into the crystal web and connected the crystals in this room to Elcaro’s Eye and to crystals at Shu Chenaro where TheLise, WoNa, her brother Roandee, Stebben, and Desirol’s mother, Chyneria, have gathered. Stee, Yuin, Jeet, and Mondago have joined CheeTrann and Paisley at Nemttachenn where Evolsefil now resides. Dom’s crystal has been repaired, and Jordett and the KcernFensians have gathered there. Everything that happens here will be heard and seen at these locations.”

  Rayn nodded. “Thank you.” Her expression became both serious and sad. “Some of what I am about to share will show you what the depths of despair can do to a man or a woman. I have done much that I regret.” Her fingers plucked at the neck of her cape and withdrew an oval locket on a long, silver chain. For a brief moment, she pressed it to her heart, then let it rest against her chest, where the moonstone set in the front shimmered in the folds of her purple cloak. Her gaze traveled the group and stopped on the Universal VarTerel.

  Relevart withdrew a matching locket from beneath his shirt.

  Almiralyn glanced
around. Wolloh and Henri both wore knowing smiles. Nomed’s eyebrow arched. Corvus’ dimple deepened.

  Rayn continued.

  “Rethdun, whom you know as Relevart, is my birth-mate. Our host mother, Jaradee, was a young Eleo Predian rebel. Jaradee volunteered to have our fertilized eggs implanted in her womb. She carried us full term. Our birther kept a journal of this time which is in the Galactic Library in Myrrh. You can read her full account when you return. Briefly… Rethdun and I are of the Eleo Preda people from the planet of El Stroma. At the time of our birth, the Pheet Adole, the largest cultural group on the planet, had determined that our people threatened the existence they desired and were doing their utmost to wipe us out. Rethdun and I were created from the sperm and eggs of four of our most intelligent and talented leaders to insure the survival of our race. At the age of three, to protect us from capture by the RomPeer of the Pheet Adole, we were separated. When I was a young girl, I was told that Rethdun had been murdered. I had seen Jaradee killed at the hands of a Pheet Adole soldier. Barbarianism was all I had ever known.” She paused to look down at her tightly folded hands. “The event that changed me forever happened when I was eighteen. I was raped by a group of soldiers and left for dead at the side of the road. When I recovered, I assumed the persona of a man. With the assistance of the Eleo Predian rebels and defectors from the other side, I helped to gather our people together and to smuggle them off planet. I developed a plan to destroy the continent of El SyrTundi on El Stroma and led the group that carried it out. The next period of my life was spent destroying everything I touched, including this planet. I developed the Mocendi League to help me create chaos and to eventually help search for all of you.”

  Relevart handed her a goblet. She took a small sip, cupped the goblet between her hands, and sipped again. Returning it to Relevart, she looked from one person to the next.

  “You are here for several important reasons.” She inhaled a careful breath. “One of the most important is so that I can apologize to someone I love very much.” Dark, tear-damp eyes found Elf. “Troms el Shiv, you are my son created by the process of Protariflee. My egg fertilized by the sperm of Thorlu Tangorra was carried in the womb of a trusted servant. You were raised here in Soasi until you were old enough to train as a Mocendi.” She paused to sip from her goblet. “No one knew you were my son. Thorlu does not know he is your father.”