The UnFolding Collection Three

by S. K. Randolph

Gazing at the massive cliff face, Jaradee wrapped her arms around her tummy. “How will I make it up there ?”

  “A way has been invented to bring elders to Cliff Haven.” Floree pointed to the near end of the cliff face. “See the ropes hanging over there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Say goodbye to your protectors, and we’ll get you to safety.”

  Jaradee turned to the two women who waited patiently, eyes averted. “I can’t thank you enough for your care. May your lives be long and your turnings joyous.” She bowed her head.

  The women placed hands on their hearts, shifted, and flew after their compeers.

  Floree led her to the foot of the cliffs. A stretcher-like apparatus, lifted by a rope and pulley system, carried her to a sheltered opening midway up the face.

  Eager hands helped her from the stretcher. Katareen hugged her, stepped back, and laughed through her tears. “My goodness, you are…” Her mouth rounded in astonishment. “Huge! I am so glad you’re finally here. I thought I might never see you again.” She planted a kiss on Jaradee’s cheek. “You look wonderful.” She laughed. “We have so much to share.”

  Linking elbows, Katareen guided her to a well-worn sofa and plopped down beside her. “Tell me everything, Jaradee.”

  “First, Kat, tell me whether you’ve seen Kuparak.”

  Her sister’s eagerness flattened. “He brought Zarrin to see me. Not here at Cliff Haven, of course. He took me to a rendezvous point near Harie’s farm. We met him there.”

  “Did Zarrin tell the truth about his time with the Pheet Adole?”

  Katareen pursed her lip and tipped her head. “The Star of Truth and my inner knowing say yes he did. I gather he realized the Pheet Adole planned to use him and dispose of him. Not a great thing to discover when you’ve forsaken your people, is it? Enough of Zarrin. Kup told me he and Talarah would travel to El QuilTran, and he would come back to continue the fight.” Her gaze grew distant.

  Jaradee knew that look meant more to come. “And?”

  “Jara, Kup lied. I’m not sure what about. I just know he didn’t tell me the truth. Can we talk about you now? What’s it like being pregnant?”

  Several turnings later, labor began. Floree and two female healers had set up a private space, which included a birthing chair stolen from the Protariflee Center’s warehouse. When the babies began their descent into the birth canal, the center of the seat would be removed for them to drop through into Floree’s waiting hands.

  As the pain increased and the contractions came closer and closer together, Katareen and Floree settled Jaradee in the reclining chair. Grateful for the exercises she and Floree had practiced to help during the birthing process, she focused on the birther’s soft instructions and reminders. Katareen remained at her side, wiped sweat from her brow, and whispered encouraging words in her ear. Her sister’s love and Floree’s unruffled presence kept Jaradee calm, even as the pain of giving birth wracked her body.

  Floree looked up from where she sat on a low stool in front of the chair. “Take a deep breath and push.”

  Jaradee let out an agonized cry as the first head crowned.

  “Another breath, Jara, and push…harder this time.”

  Womb wrenching contractions ripped through her. Jaradee sobbed. A child’s cry cut through her pain-filled haze. Her bleary eyes sought Floree’s.

  “It is your son, Jara. He was in hurry to meet you.” She handed him to a healer who placed him on his mother’s bare chest and covered him with a small blanket.

  Jaradee touched the waxy substance coating his cheek. “Welcome to the world, Rethdun Torin Vilandree.”

  Another contraction knifed through her. The healer picked up the baby and moved aside.

  Floree gasped as Rayn dropped into her waiting hands. “I almost missed you, little one.” She gave her a gentle swat on the bottom.

  Panting, Jaradee propped herself higher on the arm of the chair and listened for a cry. None came. Floree laid the child on Jaradee’s belly and tickled her feet. A rebellious intake of breath and a cry shook the small body. Hard cramping dropped Jaradee back in the chair. Two placentas slid, one after the other, from the birth canal into a waiting bowl. Floree set them aside. They would be used in the birthing ceremony haven residents would perform to celebrate the birth-mates and to express gratitude for the abundance of new life they represented.

  Katareen wiped Jaradee’s face with a damp cloth. A healer placed a baby in each arm. Exhausted but triumphant, Jaradee cuddled her clean, rosy newborns. “Rayn Jaradee Palmira, you are so beautiful.” She looked at Floree’s tired face. “Do you think they know each other?”

  A smile washed the fatigue away. “I do. Watch.” Floree placed the birth-mates side by side in a cradle made by one of the Vasrosi. Before she had finished tucking a blanket around them, they had snuggled together. Rayn sucked her tiny thumb, her other hand resting on Rethdun’s chest. Rethdun curled around her, stretched his arm over her, and slept.

  Fascinated, Jaradee could not take her eye off them. Rethdun, longer and huskier, had the fair skin and dark black hair of a Thornlandian. Rayn had her mother’s curly hair and soft brown skin. Although smaller than her birth-mate, she had the long, slender limbs of her father’s clan.

  Katareen touched Rethdun’s small fist. “They are so beautiful, Jara. Are you happy?”

  “I’m tired, Kat. Tired and happy.”

  When Katareen’s and Floree’s responsibilities in the safe haven took them away from her side, Jaradee would take the babies to visit Awinta, the Serveero of Cimondeli. She always greeted her visitors with a big smile of welcome. Her dark skin and amber eyes reminded Jaradee of Kuparak and Talarah. She felt a deep kinship, one that Awinta seemed to return.

  During their visits, Rethdun and Rayn would sleep curled together on a woven blanket and Jaradee would watch Awinta weave on her big loom. To the sound of the treadle and the whisper of the shuttle, Jaradee learned that the Serveero belonged to the Giroblania, Kuparak’s tribe. She also learned about Cimondeli. The biggest safe haven, it housed the women and children related to Vasrosi warriors in El SyrTundi. Education, a large part of what occurred in the haven, encompassed everything from how to read and write, to the geography of El Stroma, to the culture practices of both the Eleo Preda and the Pheet Adole, to classes in martial arts. Those who lived in the cliffs shared the responsibilities of keeping it running. Tasks were assigned based on a resident’s skills. Visitors were also given things to do. Jaradee looked forward to the time when she would be able to contribute.

  Life settled into a comfortable routine. Rayn and Rethdun thrived. Jaradee and Katareen took classes together in EriaCapo, a form of martial arts practiced to music. Jaradee also spent time learning about the healing arts from Floree.

  Three full moon cycles had passed when Daar arrived at Cimondeli. Katareen, the first to see him, yelped in delight and sprinted to his side. “Daar! We have been so worried. How are you? Where were you? Is Kup here, too?”

  Jaradee handed Rethdun, replete on mother’s milk, to Floree and hurried to join them. “We have missed you, Daar.” She noted the strain and fatigue at war on his face. “You are worried?”

  “Mylos sent me to tell you to leave Cliff Haven. It’s time to take the birth-mates and try to reach El QuilTran. If you can make it to Tahellive, his boat will be ready. If it’s not safe to go there, go where you will be safe.” He glanced at the babies. “May I see them?”

  Jaradee hugged him. “Of course. You are their uncle after all.” She led him across the nursery area and picked up her daughter. “This is Rayn. Why don’t you sit and hold her?”

  Daar hesitated. Katareen pulled him down on the old sofa beside her. “She won’t bite, Daar.”

  He grinned and perched his niece on his knees. “She is beautiful. She looks like you, Jara.”

  Jaradee sat with Rethdun in her lap. “What have you heard from Kuparak?”

  Daar bounced Rayn on his knee. “Mylos has discovered
Kup took his sister to the transport center near Tic Calag. A shuttle from an inter-universal vessel had landed for supplies. It departed about that time and shortly after their arrival, left orbit, and headed for the Inner Universe. No one has heard from or seen either Kup or Talarah since, so we’re pretty sure they boarded the spacecraft. Who can say where they are now?”

  Katareen pressed for more information. “What happened to Zarrin?”

  He shrugged. “He’s disappeared. Mylos believes he might have escaped. Other Vasrosi think he went with Kup.”

  “Then Mylos is still the Vasrosi leader?” Floree’s satisfied tone made Jaradee smile.

  “He is, and he’s doing great. Speaking of Mylos, I gotta get back. He said to tell you that your new protectors will meet you on the cliff top. Also, Karia and ReRe are always in communication. If things get rough, he’ll find you.” Passing Rayn to Katareen, he tickled Rethdun under the chin, and stood. “Tell Awinta what’s up. Leave as soon as you can, Jara.” He flashed from sight, leaving his sisters astonished at how much he had matured.

  Jaradee laid Rethdun on a blanket. “Please watch them, Kat. Floree and I need to confer with Awinta and tell her we’re leaving.”

  Kat’s chin jutted forward in the way Jaradee recognized as trouble. “I’m going, too, Jara. You need me to help take care of the babies.”

  “You and I don’t get to make that decision. Let’s see what Awinta says. She may need you here.”

  Floree snuggled Rayn. “Go see Awinta, Kat. I’ll look after the birth-mates.”

  Awinta stood at her loom, eyes following the progress of the shuttle. Removing her foot from the treadle, she turned. “ReRe let my tukoolo know Daar brought a message that will affect us all. Your brother has become a man since he left to join Mylos. You should be proud.”

  Kat remained in the entryway, her expression defiant.

  Jaradee crossed to the loom and studied the pattern in the fabric. “I am, Awinta, but I worry his anger will get him into trouble.”

  The older woman smiled. “If that is how he must learn control, I am sure it will.”

  Jaka, a man in his middle years, hurried into the space. Jaradee shared Daar’s message. Jaka left to organize the Vasrosi and their tukoolos to stand guard. Awinta pulled two woven scarves from a basket next to her.

  “I made these carriers for the birth-mates. Let’s join Floree and I will show you how they work.”

  Katareen, stubbornness churning around her, trailed after them. She said nothing.

  Awinta wrapped and strapped Rethdun securely to Floree. Jaradee snuggled Rayn in her new carrier.

  “Look, she’s already asleep. I hope she stays that way.”

  Awinta made a final adjustment. “I suggest you sleep with the scarves wrapped and ready. If there’s trouble, you can slip the birth-mates into place and go.” She turned to Katareen. “I know you want to go with your sister, but I need you here, Kat. If possible, you can join Jaradee and Floree later.”

  Katareen started to speak, seemed to think better of it, and sighed. Stubbornness misted into acceptance.

  Awinta hugged her. “Thank you, Kat. You and I are a good team.” She addressed Floree. “Karia and Puna await you on the cliff top. Your protectors are already there.” Hugging her, she stepped back. “Gather your things and go. Kat, come with me. We must create an illusion without alerting a SorTech.”

  Katareen hugged Jaradee. “Take care of each other and the birth-mates. Be in touch when you can.”

  Jaradee took her sister’s hand and pressed their grandmameen’s fiery stone in the palm. “Keep this until we meet again.” Kissing her tear-damp cheek, she stepped back.

  Kat pressed the stone to her heart. With more tears brightening her eyes, she hurried after Awinta.”

  Jaradee stuffed diaper wraps and extra clothing for Rayn into a knapsack. Floree gathered Rethdun’s necessities and added packets of dried food. She tossed several packets on the sofa. “Put some in yours too, Jara. We’ll need to eat so we don’t starve the babies.”

  “We’re lucky the herbs you took during my pregnancy worked, Floree.” The food disappeared into her pack. “With both of us able to nurse, travel will be much more efficient.”

  Floree kissed the top of Rethdun’s head. “If we’re forced to separate, we can do so and join up later.”

  A commotion at the foot of the cliffs brought Katareen running back.

  “Broticos search the cliff face. Awinta says to hurry.”

  Kat’s warning and the tingle of SorTechory propelled the women toward the exit at the top of Cimondeli Cliffs. Jaradee glanced back. A wave of sadness surprised her. This has been a good home. I wonder if I will ever see it again?

  16

  Jaradee’s Legacy

  Part 1 - Birth

  A tremor in the Plains of Los Ateed el Rida and sudden activity in the caverns beneath it snatched Jaradee from remembering to the reality of now.

  Floree bent over her, a cautioning finger to her lips. Soft words rustled her curls. “The Klutarse have found us.”

  The deep resonance of male voices, out of place in their world of women, sent a thrill of fear up Jaradee’s spine. Scrambling to her feet, she adjusted the woven carrier. Floree, Rethdun already snuggled and sleeping, slid Rayn into it, shoved a knapsack in her hand, and hurried her away from the main cavern. At the foot of a steep incline, she flipped on a small hand torch. A labyrinth of tunnels opened in front of them.

  Jaradee peered over her shoulder. “You’re sure there’s an exit this direction?”

  Floree swept the beam of the torch from one gaping entrance to the next. Shining the light down the third tunnel on the left, she nodded. “We take this one, and then—”

  The distant sound of leather on stone propelled them down the tunnel. Not far along on the right, a large, low-ceilinged cavern gaped like a swamp gator’s maw. The hand torch’s beam flashed over the sandy floor and picked out a tunnel opening on the opposite side. Ducking low, they skirted the perimeter of the cavern.

  A smothered cough, much too close, sounded an alarm. Floree grabbed Jaradee’s hand and dowsed the light. Moving with exaggerated caution, she led the way around a corner, and then straight. Her pace quickened as the floor began a steep ascent. She paused. “Hold onto the strap on my knapsack. The tunnel is about to become quite narrow.”

  Jaradee touched Rayn in her carrier. “Not too narrow, I hope.”

  “We’re about to find out.”

  Wrapping an arm around Rayn, Jaradee gripped the strap and inched forward. When the soft scrape of Floree’s boots ceased and the arm protecting Rayn bumped her pack, Jaradee stopped.

  Floree whispered over her shoulder. “Can you hear anyone tracking us?”

  Jaradee concentrated her attention back the way they had come. “I don’t hear anything.”

  A soft click and a narrow shaft of light leaking between Floree’s fingers picked out ladder leaning against the wall. The beam swung upward. They could just make out the square shape of a trap door in the rough ceiling.

  Hurriedly moving the ladder, Floree grabbed the side rails. “Let’s hope the trap door’s quiet.” Encumbered by the carrier and the sleeping baby, she climbed midway, leveraged the door open a crack, and peered out.

  Jaradee kept her attention riveted on the dark tunnel behind them. Neither her hearing nor her intuition sensed the Klutarse closing in.

  Floree pushed the door wider. Sunlight flooded the space. Shielding Rethdun from the light, she heaved her knapsack out and crawled awkwardly over the edge.

  Jaradee climbed the ladder, tossed her pack ahead of her, and squinted against the mid-turning brightness. Covering Rayn’s head with a corner of the scarf, she clambered over the lip of the opening, gripped the trap door, and helped Floree lower it and cover the edges with dirt and gravel.

  Turning in a clockwise circle, Jaradee scanned the open Plains of Los Ateed el Rida stretching unbroken to the horizon in all sides but one. She frowned. Safety
seemed almost out of reach. The trap door had deposited them a good distance from foothills that flowed into a rugged mountain range. Where they stood announced their position like a beacon.

  “Gotta move.” Floree shouldered her knapsack, wrapped her arms around Rethdun, and sprinted across the wide expanse of cracked, dried ground separating them from shelter and freedom.

  Jaradee estimated the distance to the swale between parched hills and swore under her breath. Hugging Rayn closer, she grabbed her pack. By the time she reached the shallow vale, her legs ached. Grateful for the creeping vegetation that would obscured their tracks, she followed Floree further into a grove of slender, silvery-white sgàile aspens.

  As they wended their way beneath almost translucent leaves into a second grove, Rayn began to whimper and wiggle. Jaradee shushed her with a soft kiss.

  Floree dropped her pack. “We’d better nurse these sweet ones, or they’ll bring the enemy right to us.” She sank to the ground, removed Rethdun from the carrier, and tossed it aside. Undoing her shirt, she settled him at her breast.

  Jaradee leaned against a white trunk and helped Rayn’s searching mouth to find what it sought. Savoring quiet time with her daughter, she slid a thumb under her small kneading hand. Tiny fingers gripped it. Dark eyes searched her face. A milky smile formed around the nipple and vanished into rhythmic suckling. Next to her, Rethdun drank his fill and pushed away. Wide awake and alert, he gazed up at Floree, squirmed to look over his shoulder at Jaradee, and kicked his sturdy legs.

  Already he and his birth-mate were showing distinct personalities. Although Jaradee and Floree nursed both babies, Rayn preferred to be fed by her mother. Rethdun happily nursed from either. Jaradee marveled at how fast they grew and changed.

  Karia’s low warning whistle ended the moment of peace. A fleeting image of dust clouds obscuring the hooves and legs of fast approaching horses flitted through Jaradee’s mind.

  With efficient, soundless movements, they returned the babies to their carriers and eradicated all signs of their brief stop. Floree led the way deeper into the foothills. Above them Karia and Puna flew, one scouting ahead, the other circling back. A rush of gratitude for Kuparak and the gift of her tukoolo brought Jaradee’s eternal question to mind. Where are you, Kup? She glanced around. More to the point, where are we?