The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

  The clattering of hooves and a muffled shout in the street galvanized the three into action. Katareen tucked in her shirt and fastened the breeches. Jaradee led the way down the stairs. Silent as mice on the run, they clustered by the back door. Fists hammering the front entrance, reverberated through the house.

  “Gotta move, Jar.” Daar elbowed his way to the door. Easing it open a crack, he whispered quick instructions. “I’ll go first and create a diversion. The minute they spot me, head for the waterfront. Uncle Kam’s friend Mylos will help you. Ready?”

  Katareen whimpered. “What about you?”

  “Forget you know me.” He hit the alley running, sent a stack of wooden boxes crashing to the ground, and dodged between tightly packed buildings.

  A shout sounded the alarm. Booted feet pounded after him. Jaradee peered up and down the alley, grabbed Katareen’s wrist, and pulled her into the murky darkness.

  The empty back streets of Tahellive smelled of squalor and fear. When the patrols roamed the streets, Pheet Adole and Eleo Preda alike hid behind locked doors. Rompeerial soldiers cared little for ethnic origin in this part of town. The impoverished were one and the same…vermin to be exterminated.

  Male voices at the end of the narrow alley sent the girls darting into the darkness between two derelict buildings. Footsteps marched their way. Hand-lights threw dim circles from one side of the alley to the other.

  Katareen clutched at Jaradee’s arm. “Now what?”

  “Don’t move. Don’t speak. Don’t think.” Fighting to suppress the adrenaline rush urging her to run, Jaradee pulled her sister lower and sheltered her from sight.

  The marching ceased. Two soldiers, their feet only an arm’s length away, conferred in guttural tones. A booted foot kicked a fallen box aside. “To da’am bad the kid got away. He woulda squealed plenty when we enjoyed his sisters right under his nose.”

  The second man moved further down the alley. “Don’t have the sisters. Better find ’em or you and me’ll be doin’ the squealin’.”

  Jaradee waited until their footsteps faded into the square, crept through the opening, and hauled Katareen to her feet. “We have to reach the harbor. If we get separated, go straight to Mylos’ boat.”

  “What if he’s not there?”

  “Climb aboard and hide. I’ll be there if I can.”

  Katareen gripped her arm. “Please don’t leave me.”

  “Only if there’s no other way. Stay close.”

  Furtive as phantoms in the night, they traversed the alley and made their way down one back street after the other.

  2

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  Part 1 - Birth

  B ordered by the sea on one side, Tahellive had a fish cannery, a foundry, and a lumber mill scattered along the shoreline. It was a working man’s town with a working man’s flavor. At the central square, farmers and merchants sold their wares in the Tahe Market. Lining the streets surrounding it to the south, a town hall and courthouse, a steepled temple to the Pheet Adolan gods, and a gallery of shops serviced the needs of the Lord of Tahellive’s household and the land holders under his purview. To the north, Throsswel, a warren of winding streets and dilapidated hovels backing a pub, a brothel, and a card house, swarmed up the hill to clear-cut fields that had once been an ancient forest.

  On the rare nights when Alkina rose barren and lightless, Jaradee had explored Throsswel, skulking from shadow to darkened doorway until she knew every alley and lane, every place to hide or to avoid. Within a short span, she had ferreted out the best escape routes to the waterfront and to the forest and rolling hills beyond the factories. Drawing on her unerring directional sense and her gathered knowledge, she led Katareen on a circuitous route from one alley to the next. They met no one, heard nothing, and arrived at their destination undetected.

  Crouched behind a row of bushes, Jaradee strained to hear. Undisturbed silence triggered an inner alarm. Where are the soldiers who patrol the docks and boatyard? She sat back on her heels and glanced up at the dome. Thank goodness for Alkina’s dimmed light. Locking a warning gaze on Katareen, she motioned her to follow.

  Tiptoeing along the side of a single-story warehouse, she peered around the corner. A yard full of boats on the hard lay between them and their goal—a yard that felt like a trap ready to spring. She bit her lip. “I’ll go first, Kat. If I get caught, hide.”

  Her whispered instructions left her sister shaking her head. “Don’t leave me. I won’t know where to go. I…”

  Jaradee put a finger to her lips. “If they catch me, hide in the warehouse until it’s clear. Mylos’ boat is docked on the far side of the yard, third from the end.”

  Not giving her sister time to argue, she darted across a wide-open space and crouched under the nearest boat. When nothing but the muffled noise of machinery from the fish cannery disturbed the quiet, she gave the signal. Kat raced to her side. Jaradee pointed to a row of boats in various stages of repair. Kat nodded. Gathering her courage, Jaradee sprinted over the rubble-strewn ground, squatted between two fishing boats, and shot a glance over her shoulder.

  She choked down a warning shout and dropped to the ground. The night-muted shape of a man, hugged Katareen against his chest, a hand covering her mouth. Her initial struggle ceased. She shook her head and pointed. He half pulled, half carried her into the trees bordering the yard.

  Jaradee started to rise. The full weight of a man’s hard body pressed her to the ground.

  “Daar sent me. Don’t make a sound. Follow my lead.”

  Her brother’s name and the familiar tenor of the voice calmed her fear. Soldiers flooding the yard whipped it back into being.

  The weight of her attacker lifted. Belly to ground, he crawled under a tarp draping the side of a large, flat-bottomed boat. Scooching after him, she rested her head on her forearms and listened.

  Shouts and running feet conveyed a clear image of the hunt. Booted feet strode past their hiding place and paced back the way they had come. Horses whinnied and snorted. The rhythmic sound of hooves retreating left the dockyard in silence.

  Jaradee lifted her head.

  A hand gripped her arm. The man whispered, “Not yet.”

  Again, booted feet paced between the boats. A soldier stopped so close to their hiding place Jaradee could make out the moon-lit crease in his trousers. Sweat dribbled down her forehead into her eyes. Blinking it away, she held her breath. The soldier shuffled to the bow of the boat. Immobile for what seemed like turnings, he moved at last. The soft crunch of his boots faded into the night. Quiet returned.

  Still, they remained in hiding. A ruru bird hooted, once then again. The hand on her arm relaxed.

  “Stay.”

  The man crawled from under the boat. Another bird called. Lifting the tarp, he put a finger to his lips and beckoned. Dodging between boats, they ran for the trees. Once in their protective shadows, he led her along a faint trail ending at the far edge of the woods. A short distance ahead, a freight wagon waited on a roughed-out road facing away from town.

  Leaving her hidden in the trees, he made an exploratory circuit of the wagon and came to a standstill at the rear. “It’s safe. Let’s go.”

  She jogged to his side. Gazing up at the rugged face with its crooked nose and full beard, she felt a wave of relief. “Mylos! I thought it was you, but I wasn’t sure. Katareen?”

  Mylos helped her into the back of the wagon. “Safe. We need to go. Crawl behind the boxes near the front. Hide under the blanket. If we’re stopped, don’t make a sound.” When she had settled, he flipped a cover over the bed and fastened it in place.

  The freight wagon shifted under his weight as he climbed into the cab box. A low roar shook the vehicle and eased into a rhythmic pulsing. The release of the break squeaked. The wagon rumbled and grumbled its way along the roadway.

  Katareen is safe . Jaradee allowed herself to relax. Wish I knew where Daar was. She stifled a yawn. I can’t remember when I slept last.

&n
bsp; The jerk of the wagon rolling to a stop and the break engaging woke her from fitful dreams.

  A voice barked. “Climb down. Bring your travel pass.”

  Pulling the blanket over her head, Jaradee forced herself to remain still and listen.

  Mylos landed with a thump next to the wagon. “Here you go.” Pheet Adolan words spoken by a friend sounded strange to Jaradee’s ear.

  “What’s your cargo?”

  “Supplies for the mill. I have the manifest if you need to check it.”

  Jaradee admired the ease in Mylos’ voice.

  “Got any fruit in there?”

  Mylos flipping the tarp back, the creak and sigh of the wagon bed, and the snap of a lid being pried off a box left Jaradee tensed and ready for flight.

  “Catch.”

  In her mind, she saw the fruit arc.

  “Thanks.” The soldier’s tone sounded less brusque. “Have a good trip. Keep your eye out for a couple of Eleo girls. You see any, you let me know.”

  “Will do.” The wagon groaned under Mylos’ return to the cab. The break released. Rumbling and bumping, it rattled along.

  The unbroken rhythm of the journey erased Jaradee’s fear but not her exhaustion. Unable to fight her fatigue, she slipped into restless dreams.

  A hand shook her. Bolting upright, she came face to face with Mylos. Brushing tangled hair back from her face, she demanded, “Where are we? Did we make it?”

  Mylos moved to one side.

  Katareen’s face appeared at the back of the wagon. “Jaradee!”

  Scrabbling on hands and knees, Jaradee crawled to the tailgate, jumped to the ground, and threw her arms around her sister. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

  The crunch of boots preceded a teasing laugh. “Aren’t you glad I’m safe, Jara?”

  Jaradee swung around, flung her arms around Daar’s neck, and planted a kiss on his cheek. “How?”

  He shot her a saucy smile. “I’m smart, that’s how.”

  “I believe I get some of the credit.” A tall, well-built man walked around the wagon. Sparkling amber eyes gleamed in an ebony face so beautiful it took Jaradee’s breath away. He smiled at her. “I’m Kuparak. It is good you are safe, Jaradee Myrlinduh. I imagine you’re hungry.” He gave Daar an indulgent smile. “You may finish your reunion while we eat. Then we have work to do.”

  Arm in arm with her siblings, Jaradee followed Mylos and Kuparak into a cabin beside a small lake. After they had washed up, they joined those who had already gathered around a long table.

  Kuparak waved a hand. “These are my companions. We will share names when our bellies are full. Let us give thanks.” He bowed his head.

  “Gratitude and love abound

  For animals, plants, and fertile ground.

  We give thanks for life and health,

  Abundant gifts, El Stroma’s wealth.”

  Jaradee stared at a plate heaped with more food than she had seen in several cycles of the moons. Kat caught her eye and winked. Around the table, fifteen people chatted about everyday things, laughed at one another’s jokes, and seemed to enjoy their time together. Kuparak glanced up and smiled. A rush of heat tinted her tan cheeks pink. Lowering her gaze, she tried to concentrate on eating.

  After the meal and cleanup, everyone but Jaradee, her siblings, and Mylos departed in Kuparak’s wake.

  Katareen curled up in a much-used chair. “I’m so full. I don’t remember the last time I ate that much.” Her eyelids drooped. She yawned and squirmed into a more comfortable position. “Thanks for rescuing me, Daar.” Her lids closed, and she slept.

  Mylos put a finger to his lips and indicated the back door. After closing the door softly behind them, he plopped onto a rickety step. His sympathetic expression almost brought her to tears. “I’m sorry about your Uncle Kamer. He was a good man. I’ll miss him. Daar tells me your mother lives.”

  She sniffed. “The last time I saw her, she was fighting to get free. I’m afraid for her, Mylos. Do you think her age will make her dispensable?”

  He shook his head. “She’s not that old, and she’s smart. I imagine she’ll be trained as a slave. I’ve already put the word out. Once we know where she is, we can attempt a rescue.”

  Daar jumped from the porch to sit at her feet. Impatience and the need to know bristled around her brother like the quills on a porcudillo.

  Ignoring his obvious desire to ask questions, Mylos said, “What would you like to know, Jaradee?”

  She pulled the pins from her hair and combed her fingers through its thick waves. “Who is Kuparak?”

  “He’s—” The subject of her inquiry rounded the corner of the cabin. Mylos nodded a welcome. “I’ll let him answer for himself.”

  Kuparak made himself comfortable against a stump. “I am the son of the spiritual leaders of the Giroblania, the tribe of your mother’s origin. I am in El SyrTundi to help bring peace.” He shrugged. “Or, if peace is not possible, to save El QuilTran by whatever means necessary.”

  Daar couldn’t contain himself. “How do I join you? I want to fight for our people. How do I learn—”

  Kuparak raised a hand. “Patience. If you let me speak, I can answer your questions and your sister’s.”

  Daar hung his head. “Sorry.”

  The big man gave him an indulgent smile. “You did well today, Daar Myrlinduh. You stood by your word. Do not let your youth stop you from knowing truth when you hear it. Tomorrow, you will begin your training to be a Vasrosi.” Laughter reshaped his handsome features. “If you are drawn to our cause, that is.”

  Surprise kept Daar motionless. Then he grinned and jumped to his feet. “I would be honored, Kuparak. I—”

  “Sit and listen. You have much to learn.”

  Daar, fair skin cleansed of shoe black, flushed with excitement. Settling against the porch, he fixed gray-blue eyes on the Vasrosi leader.

  Kuparak rubbed a smudge of dust from his immaculate breeches, adjusted his back against the stump, and fixed his attention on Jaradee.

  “We knew of your situation because Daar, without giving himself away, managed to reach Mylos’ boat. Mylos brought him to me. I had received word that Rompeerial soldiers hunted two Eleo Predan women. Our plans developed from there.” He looked at Daar. “It seemed a good opportunity to test your courage and your resolve as well as to help your sisters.”

  White teeth glinted against dark skin. “We are, Jaradee, an alliance of Eleo Predans from Thornland and Charnland who work to save our cultures and our homeland. Vasrosi, the word for protector in my ancestral tongue, is the name we have chosen to call ourselves. Our preference is to bring this cultural clash to a peaceful conclusion. Having said that, we are prepared to battle to the death.

  “Daar informed me that your father and uncle are dead. I offer you my condolences and our protection until you decide what is best for you and Katareen. If you choose to remain here, you may not under any circumstances use the mystic gifts you carry. The Pheet Adole have developed a type of techno sorcery they call SorTechory. If we’re not careful, it will bring them right to our door. Do you have any questions I have not addressed?”

  Jaradee saw nothing dishonest in his face. His words carried the weight of truth. Had they been in their own country, she would have done a subtle mind probe. Since arriving in El SyrTundi, she had learned to use instinct alone. “How much does the RomPeer know of your alliance?”

  “Lusktar Rados knows we exist, but not who we are. Since our goal is not to shed another’s blood, we have not left a trail of death. Our activities thus far have centered on rescuing those who have come to his notice. We’re also collecting information for our leaders back home. I believe at this juncture he considers us a nuisance rather than a threat.”

  Stifling a yawn, Jaradee fought to keep herself awake. Sleep-heavy lids fluttered. Her head dropped forward.

  Kuparak’s gentle hand on her knee woke her. “You need rest, Jara. Mylos will show you where the women sleep. We will talk
more tomorrow.”

  He stood. “Daar, let’s go for a walk.”

  Jaradee touched the place where his hand had been and watched him leave.

  A knowing smile tugged at Mylos’ full lips. “Interesting, isn’t he?” he teased. “Come on. I’ll show you where to bed down.”

  In the small bedroom, mattresses lined the walls. Four had personal belongings piled on top; one had a pillow and blankets stacked in the middle.

  “It appears that one’s yours, Jara. I suggest you sleep in your clothes. Better keep your boots on, too. Just in case—”

  “Wait.” She glanced around. “Where’s Katareen?”

  “Stop worryin’, girl. She’s makin’ friends. Get some rest.” He stifled a yawn. “See you in the mornin’.”

  Jaradee watched him go with a slight qualm. Scrunching her pillow, she stuffed it under her head and prepared to lay awake until her sister returned. In moments, slumber claimed her.

  3

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  Part 1 - Birth

  J aradee’s eyes flew open. The inky darkness of the barren moon enveloped her. A soft shhhh stifled her gasp of confusion.

  “Stay low and alert.” The whispered words held a warning. A hand gripped her wrist and guided her between piles of bedding. Another pair of hands helped her climb through the window. Muffled sounds, the window sliding shut, a gentle nudge, and they were running. Behind them, a small explosion illuminated the clearing. She glanced around, searching for Katareen. The light flickered and went out.

  “Don’t gawk, girl. Run!” The woman beside her shoved her into the trees.

  Jaradee stumbled, caught herself, and concentrated on keeping track of the faint sounds of running feet.

  When at last her companion stopped, dawn sent faint, iridescent shafts through the twisted branches overhead. Jaradee gripped her knees and inhaled controlled breaths. Her erratic heartbeat steadied. Wiping the blood from a scrape on her palm, she silently thanked Mylos. It’s a good thing I slept in my boots.