Her companion, a woman several sun cycles her senior, sat on the ground, massaging her calf. “I’m Floree.”
Jaradee hunched her shoulders, rolled them back, and smiled as the bones in her neck cracked. “Jaradee. Thanks for your help. What happened?”
“Soldiers found the cabin. Musta followed your trail.” Floree yanked tousled, blonde hair into a ponytail and secured it with a thin strip of leather. “The question is…how’d they slip by the tukoolo?”
The lack of accusation in the clipped reply did little to ease Jaradee’s stab of guilt. “What do we do now?”
“We head for a designated place to regroup.” She rummaged through a pouch at her waist and offered a handful of dried fruit. “Eat and then we go. Won’t do to get caught now.”
Accepting the food, Jaradee spoke between bites. “I need to find my sister and brother.”
Floree climbed to her feet and brushed the dust and debris from her pants. “Let’s get moving.” Studying the dome, she prepared to follow a path paralleling the rising sun. “The place we’re going is known only to the Vasrosi. You must promise never to reveal its whereabouts. To do so would jeopardize the lives of many.”
“I promise.” She retied her boot and straightened. “I’ve been thinking I’d like to join you—to help our people.”
Floree’s matter-a-fact smile warmed her. “Kuparak is the one to talk to if—” A faint snap somewhere behind them erased the smile. “Come on. We have a good distance to travel.”
Uphill and down, the faint trail wiggled between ancient trees and over the rough terrain. Uncle Kamer’s boots rubbed. Blisters turned her long stride to a hobble. Her low back burned. Sweat soaking her shirt left her too warm one moment and too cool the next. Ahead of her, Floree never flagged; never seemed to tire. The turning’s light had begun to fade when she finally stopped behind a tall elder-leaf tree. Putting a finger to her lips, she picked up a small, round pebble, took aim, and tossed it down a rugged slope ending in a rocky ravine.
An unusual bird, its mismatched wings cutting a silent path up the incline, landed on Floree’s arm. Jaradee studied its curious structure with interest. One side of its body looked normal; the other appeared to be made of reflective glass. The eye on the glass side, similar in appearance to a collapsible telescope, focused her direction. A mind touch startled her and withdrew. Lifting into the air, the bird swooped back the way it had come.
Jaradee tracked it until it vanished. “What happened to it?”
“The RomPeer’s researchers experiment on animals and birds. When they’re done, they toss them on a trash heap. Kuparak can tell you how they survive to become tukoolo.”
“It left a message in my mind.” Jaradee felt a touch of wonder.
Floree appeared unfazed. “What was the message?”
“It is safe to venture into the Cupress-Cone Forest.”
“Good.” The woman wiped her hands on her pants. “Let’s get you to safety.”
Sidestepping to the bottom of the slope, she hiked a diagonal path up the ravine; threaded her way between slender, silver-trunked trees; and half ran, half skated down a steep bank to a small creek. Wading into the middle, she followed its course upstream for a good distance before dodging into a grouping of cupress-cone pines and along a faint track into a clearing.
Mylos and Daar, dwarfed by the giant trees, hurried toward them.
Jaradee’s panicked gaze searched the area and focused on her brother. His expression confirmed her worst fear. “Where’s Katareen?”
Daar grimaced. “She’s not here.”
“Where is she?” Jaradee grabbed his arm and gave it a shake.
Floree joined them. “She was taken in the raid. I didn’t tell you because I knew you would go back to find her. We would have lost you both.”
Jaradee swung around. “How dare you make that decision for me.” Anger magnified by fear flung her back the other way. “Where’s Kuparak, Daar? I want to see him right now.”
Her brother glared. “He’s tracking the soldiers, Jara.”
“He’s a good tracker, one of the best.” Floree’s calm washed over her. “I understand your anger, Jaradee, but Kuparak told me to get you to safety.”
Marching back the way they had come, Jaradee came to an abrupt halt beneath a stately cupress, and pressed her palms against the rough bark. Resting her forehead on her hands, she gave her anger to the giant tree and, in the ways of Eleo Preda, asked for guidance. Peace flowed through her, peace and the knowledge that Katareen remained unharmed. Thanking the ancient tree, she rejoined her friends.
“I apologize, Mylos. Sometimes my temper gets the best of me. Tell me what happened.”
“Kat wasn’t the only one taken, Jara. Two other girls and a boy were also grabbed.” Amber-flecked blue eyes narrowed. “Tealin and Camilyn were making their final patrol of the evening. Kat and Solee asked to tag along. Somehow, soldiers managed to slip by the tukoolos. One of the girls managed a scream. The next thing we knew, soldiers flooded the clearing. The fact that any of us got away is a miracle. I hope—”
A boy wearing a blood-soaked sling stumbled into the open. “Please help. Watuli’s hurt bad. He’s—”
Mylos sprinted to his side and slid a steadying arm around his waist. “Easy, Umbba. Where’s Watuli?”
“Just behind me.”
Daar strode between trees, Jaradee jogging at his heels. They found a boy, his leg badly battered, collapsed in the overgrowth. A dazed, pain-ridden expression spoke volumes. Hurrying to his side, Daar helped him to stand. Jaradee supported him on the opposite side. Together, they half carried him to where the others waited.
Floree led the way through a labyrinth of towering cupress-cones to the base of a humongous tree. Mylos helped Umbba through a narrow opening the height of a tall man. Daar and Watuli followed. Jaradee, the last to enter, could not hold back a gasp of astonishment.
The hollow interior of the massive tree housed a small camp. Ten two-man tents pitched around the perimeter surrounded a smokeless cook fire. Torches stuck into the walls cast light and shadow across the moss-strewn ground. Jaradee stared confounded from the tents to the fire to Floree busily working to clean Umbba’s wounds.
Daar grinned. “Incredible, huh?”
Mylos spoke briefly with Floree and hurried to join them. “Daar, come with me. We need to cover any tracks we might have left. Jara, Watuli could use your help. Then see what Floree needs.”
Grateful for her training in the healing arts, Jaradee examined Watuli’s ankle, wrapped it with a compression bandage she found in a med-case by Floree’s side, and gave him a dose of anti-inflammatory herbs. Covering him with a blanket, she left him to rest and joined Floree.
“How’s Umbba?”
Floree tossed bloodied rags into a beat-up metal bowl. “He’s lost a lot of blood. How he made it all the way here is a mystery. The boys are checking to make sure he didn’t leave a trail.” She finished applying a bandage and sat back on her heels. “I stitched up the gash in his arm. He’s young and strong. Let’s hope that speeds his healing.” After tucking a well-worn blanket under his chin, she indicated Jaradee’s feet. “Let’s have a look.”
Jaradee removed her uncle’s boots and grimaced. Floree peeled off her bloody socks. Blisters lined her toes; a nasty one adorned her heel. Floree cleaned, anointed, and bandaged them, then helped her to a seat by the fire.
“How about a mug of tea?” Floree set a pot of water on a grill covering one of end of the pit.
The homey sound of mugs clanking, the rustle of paper, and the occasional hiss and pop of the fire did little to subdue Jaradee’s concern. Has Kuparak rescued Kat? Accepting a mug of tea, she inhaled the aroma of wild mamochelli and forced herself to sip it. Each swallow of the hot liquid slid down a throat tight with unspoken fear. The building pressure boiled over. “Where is Kuparak?” Setting her mug on the ground, she hugged her knees. “Why isn’t he here? What if he can’t find Kat?” She started to rise,
flinched, and stayed put. “I can’t remain here when she may be hurt and frightened.” She squeezed back unshed tears. “What if she’s—”
Floree’s arms closed around her. “She’s not dead, Jara. They don’t kill Eleo Predan women who are of childbearing age. Katareen is young and healthy. They’ll use her as a host mother. That gives us time to discover where she is and rescue her.”
Jaradee pulled away. “Lusktar Rados finds her type of beauty fascinating. What if he sees her? What if he makes her one of his courtesans? I promised to take care of her, Floree. I have to go back. I…” A glimpse of her bandaged toes stopped her tirade. “I’d never make it.” Sobs shook her shoulders. When her crying stopped and she could breathe a steady breath, Floree handed her a clean cloth.
“Thanks.” Jaradee hiccuped, wiped her face, and blew her nose. “Sorry. Guess I needed to do that.”
A deep voice startled her. “Women’s tears cleanse the heart.”
Floree smiled and kept her from jumping to her feet. “It is good to see you, Kuparak. Jaradee has been asking for you.” The smile widened into a delighted grin.
The next instant, Katareen hugged her and planted a kiss on her damp cheek. “No more tears, Jara. I’m here. Kuparak and his men saved us.” The light went out of her eyes. “All of us except Solee. She’s…” Katareen’s dark hair, loosened from its braid, hid her face.
No one spoke. The fire snapped. Camilyn knelt beside her. “Let’s find something to eat. I’m starving.”
Floree rose. “I’ll help you.” She guided the girls to a hamper on the far side of the fire pit.
“Katareen be fine, Jaradee.” Kuparak joined her by the fire. “Her heart is bruised by the death of her friend, but she is strong and determined.” He glanced at her feet. “Looks to me like she fared better than you in the foot department.” His beautiful smile warmed her.
4
Jaradee’s Legacy
Part 1 - Birth
S upper had been a lighthearted meal despite the undercurrent of sadness. Daar and Mylos had returned. All evidence of travel to and from the cupress camp had been obliterated. The tukoolos reported no signs of Rompeerial soldiers, but remained on guard and alert. An abundance of food had materialized as if by magic. Watuli had awakened hungry and glad to have a sprain, not a break. Umbba slept the deep sleep of one whose body fought to replenish itself. Rest, Floree had stated, would be his best healer.
Now, the torches had been turned low. Everyone but Jaradee, Floree, Kuparak, and his right hand, Zarrin, had settled for the night. They sat around the fire, sipping Eleo Predan brandy from tin mugs.
A relaxed silence settled over the group. Jaradee watched Kuparak from beneath her lashes, trying to understand his effect on her. Beside him Zarrin, a short, muscular man whose shaved head gleamed in the flickering light, observed Floree with a hunger that Jaradee realized with a flash of insight she understood. Savoring a final sip of brandy, she set her mug aside.
“Tell us what happened, or I won’t sleep.”
Zarrin shook himself free from personal thoughts and looked to his leader.
Kuparak cupped his mug and studied its contents. “We caught up with the soldiers this side of Tahellive.” His gaze met Jaradee’s. “They did not expect trouble. Katareen and the others were in a military truck guarded by a driver and one guard. An escort of motored cycles rode two in the front and two behind. Zarrin and another man created a diversion. The erupting chaos gave us an opening to rescue Katareen, Camilyn, and Tealin. Solee made a valiant attempt to keep up, but she was hurt.” He took a long draw from his mug. “A motored cycle came out of nowhere. The rider shot her in the back. There was nothing we could do.” He held out his mug.
Zarrin poured. “She was dead before she hit the ground.” He took a swig from the bottle. “And so was the rider.” Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, he muttered something under his breath and then said, “I’m to bed. We got a long turning tomorrow.” He didn’t bother to stand but crawled the short distance to his tent and ducked inside.
Jaradee looked at Kuparak. “Tomorrow?”
“The longer Katareen remains in El SyrTundi, the more dangerous it will become for her and for us. She is beautiful and young and has not been with a man—exactly what Lusktar Rados desires for his concubines. His men have seen her. They will continue to hunt her. The one who presents her to the RomPeer will win his favor and his thanks. Tomorrow, Zarrin begins the journey to take her home, where she will go into hiding with the women and children in the Gruseeno Mountains.”
Jaradee frowned. “And me? Will you be sending me home, too?” Disapproval laced the query.
Kuparak glanced at Floree. “No. You and Floree will stay on here. Mylos, Umbba, and Watuli will remain as well. Daar will accompany Katareen and return here with Zarrin. Tealin and Camilyn have also been seen. They will make the journey, too. Time away will keep them safe and allow their images to slip from memory.” A cloud of worry darkened his expression. “Zarrin’s actions have changed Vasrosi from a nuisance to a danger. Let’s hope we can repair the damage by staying under cover.” He twirled a stick between his long fingers. “I suggest we get some sleep.”
Floree stood up and stretched. “See you in the morning.”
Jaradee smothered a yawn. “Aren’t you posting guards tonight, Kuparak?”
His winsome smile flashed. “The tukoolos will let us know if we have company.”
“Floree said you’d tell me about these tukoolos.”
Resting his forearms on his knees, he gazed into the fire. “Floree has suggested you are interested in joining Vasrosi. Is she correct?”
“Daar tells me the Pheet Adole intend to kill us all and make El QuilTran their own. I want to help our people. If I can be of use to the Vasrosi, then yes, I would like to join you.”
Kuparak stirred the fire. Sparks glimmered and died. He stoked the coals beneath the cooking grate and arranged tinder under a small log at the opposite end. Flames licking the dry edges hissed softly as the wood caught fire.
Jaradee observed his elegant features in the flickering light. Why am I so attracted to you?
A final adjustment to the log and he tossed the stick on the fire. “I believe, Jaradee, you have much to offer the Vasrosi. We will talk more of this after the others depart. You asked about the tukoolo.” He interlaced his fingers. “The RomPeer’s researchers experiment on animals of all sorts, but in particular birds. When they’re done, their victims are tossed on the trash heap. Once the sun sets, members of Vasrosi secretly rescue those still living. They deliver them to a Pheet Adolan glass blower and adornment designer named Tazio. His Eleo Predan wife, Nioka, is a shameena and mender. She heals the animals. In the case of the birds, she builds the armatures to replace their injured wings. Tazio rebuilds the damaged body parts with a combination of spun quartz crystal and a type of blown glass. The blend is tougher than most metals.”
“How do they move the wings? The whistler hawk we saw today had no problem flying.”
“A tiny power cell stimulates silica transmitters attached to the brain stem and produces impulses throughout the bird’s body. The contour feathers, wing, and tail feathers are modeled for each bird. They’re as light and flexible as the real thing. This process works for other animals, too, but our tukoolos are predominately birds.”
Jaradee fingered a black curl. “Fascinating. How do they communicate?”
“Once a tukoolo forms a connection to a Human, it can use telepathy.”
“How wondrous. I’m still fighting to understand the complexities of Pheet Adole technology. El QuilTran is a much simpler place.” She stifled a yawn. “I believe it’s time I slept. Thank you for explaining tukoolos. What time will Zarrin and Katareen be leaving?”
“Early. Floree will wake you. Sleep well.” Kuparak banked the fire and disappeared through the opening in the trunk.
Jaradee remained by the fire for some time, attempting to herd her thoughts into a semblance of or
der. Questions colliding in her mind splintered into more. How would Katareen, Daar, and the others reach El QuilTran? How could she serve the Vasrosi? Why did the RomPeer hate her people? One yawn following another negated her ability to think. The answers would have to wait until tomorrow.
After relieving herself where Floree had directed her earlier, she crawled into the tent next to Katareen and lay down. Murmuring voices caught her at the edge of sleep. Pushing the tent flap aside, she peered around the dim space.
Kuparak, Mylos, and Zarrin huddled by the fire. Mylos persisted, “I’m telling you, I felt the burn of SorTechory.”
Zarrin folded his arms and scowled. “The tukoolos have not alerted us.”
“Not the time to argue.” Authority weighted Kuparak’s response. “The tukoolos didn’t warn us at the cabin either. What if the soldiers have figured a way to bypass them? Wake the others. Cover the fire. Camouflage the tents. Hurry.”
Jaradee placed a gentle hand over Katareen’s mouth and whispered next to her ear, “Wake up. No noise. Put on your boots.” She scrambled from the tent. Katareen scooted out and stood up.
Mylos hurried toward them, put a finger to his lips, and pointed. Kneeling, he pulled a thin rope. The tent collapsed. He motioned Jaradee to the back edge, indicated a stake at her feet, and gripped an identical one at his. Following his lead, she grabbed hers. At a nod from him, she pulled it up and forward. A blanket of moss and bark camouflaged the tent underneath.
He led the way to a rope ladder anchored in the trunk. “This leads to a hollow branch. Crawl back as far as you can and pull the ladder in after you. Don’t come out until one of us gives you the all clear.”
Kat began to climb, reached the opening, and crawled inside. Jaradee tried to ignore her fear of heights and followed. Midway up the ladder, dizziness almost overwhelmed her. Controlling the desire to vomit, she forced herself to continue, gripped the lip of the hollow branch, and crawled after Kat. Rough walls closed around her. Taking a moment to steady her nerves and her stomach, she pulled the ladder up one rung at a time.
The UnFolding Collection Three Page 70