“Yes. We’ve explored all the caverns. They do not connect, nor are they deep into the mountain. It’s got to come out and we’ll be waiting.”
“No, Tyree. It doesn’t have to come out. It can go without food for weeks by shutting down its metabolism. We could be in for a long siege.”
Tyree responded with cheerfulness. “If it does that, we’ll just shove you in there with it, Ryder Vaughan, and see who walks out.”
“Funny. Ha. Ha. See me laugh?”
Tyree clapped him on the back and moved off to speak with the runner. Niforr nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
Ryder tore off a chunk of bread and dipped it into his tea. It wasn’t the breakfast he’d like to have—dry bread, dried meat and herbal tea—but it would have to do. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day, he’d find out if Saba had ever heard of flapjacks, and if the Ramalho’s version of flour could produce them.
He gulped the last of his tea and fastened his pack. The others hastened to do the same. He suspected they’d been watching him, not wanting to hurry him along.
The remnants of the fire were quickly doused. Ryder snickered silently to himself at their method but opened his pants and did his part. It was effective and saved their water. He was sure the women would have a good laugh at them if they knew the men did this.
The group filed off, single file. Tyree gave him one last word of caution—be quiet. Ryder didn’t bother to respond that he had already figured that out.
They became shadows in the forest, spreading out. Ryder stayed a step behind Tyree, aware of the movements to his right and left, but not able to define shapes. He heard himself rustling leaves and snapping twigs and suspected it mattered little. If the errol heard, it would hear only one clumsy being approaching.
At the foot of the hill, the trees gave way to a long, narrow meadow. A large black opening yawned in the side of the mountain. When the sun came up, there would be a moment where it would blind anyone coming out of the cave. That was the moment Tyree hoped to catch the errol off-guard. Ryder palmed his weapon and settled in for the wait.
Ryder heard the sounds of small creatures in the forest. They seemed to call from all around him. When Tyree made a tiny ‘mkk mkk’ in response to another, he realized the men were responsible and began listening closer and counting. Either there was a lot of moving around or Tyree had almost thirty men in the forest.
He thought wryly that thirty men was a large group to swear to secrecy should Tyree decide that at least one of the Ramalho could indeed commit murder.
Dawn arrived in the blink of an eye. The world was black one moment and a glowing golden-pink the next. The sun broke over the distant mountains and the valley became a verdant green. The men moved forward.
Tyree selected a position directly between the cave and the rising sun. Their shadows fell across the grassy expanse, elongated and angular, foreign creatures in their own right. A single whistle sounded. Ryder saw movement at the mouth of the cave.
“Kill it. Now.”
“No. Wait. I need to get a look at it.” Ryder snicked the safety off his weapon.
“Do you know how fast it can move? Kill it!”
He recognized the prudence of Tyree’s demand but he couldn’t risk a blind shot. His weapon showed a full charge but if he fired and missed, it might not cycle back up fast enough. There were just too many variables to fire blindly.
The errol finally stepped into the light. Ryder’s heart sank. It was Xenturan. No doubt about it. He must have made some sound.
“What is it? Kill it, Ryder. Now.”
“It’s a Xenturan. A very old one.” Ryder lifted the Eliminator and walked forward. The Xenturan saw him and snarled a warning. Ryder held his weapon at the ready, took a deep breath and prayed he remembered the words.
“Lik moru taka ka bihara na.”
The creature froze. Ryder kept his weapon aimed. If it so much as twitched, he’d fire. He had no choice.
“Lik mari taki ka bihara na.” Its voice was thin, and reedy. Not the voice of youth, or health. Ryder had talked with Xenturans in their prime. This one was well past that stage of life.
Ryder sensed Tyree’s fury. It rolled off the man in scorching waves.
“What are you doing, Ryder Vaughan?”
“Communicating. I gave it the traditional greeting.”
“Give it the traditional killing. Now.”
“Bihara nes cor eveni humani terrani?”
The Xenturan nodded. “I have the language, yes.”
Ryder could feel the shock ripple around the forest. He heard the rustlings. So did the Xenturan. It hissed.
“No! None of them will harm you. You know they can’t. You’ve been here long enough to know that.” He opened his right hand and made sure it knew he had an Eliminator. “I’m different. I can. You know this weapon and what it can do. Your people invented it.”
The Xenturan held its long arms out to its sides, shoulder high.
“Then kill me, terrani. I am old, and weary of life on this world. My people have abandoned me. I suffer.”
A fist clenched around Ryder’s heart. “I, too, am stranded here. This planet is the one we call Adena. No one has come because of the belief that nothing can breathe the air here and live.”
The Xenturan threw back its head and screamed. Every hair on Ryder’s body stood on end at the sound of such abject misery. Tyree grabbed his left arm.
“Kill it now.”
“Would you have me kill it if I can convince it to go live somewhere else? It’s old, Tyree. See its eyes? It’s an ancient one of its kind. That’s why its eyes are so yellow.”
“You should listen to him, terrani. You should kill me now. My life is almost over. End it for me.” The Xenturan sank to its knees and bowed its head.
Ryder took a few cautious steps forward. “I can’t kill you. These people will let you alone if you do not harm them. Can you not find another valley to inhabit?”
Its yellow gaze met his. “No. There is a grass found only here. Without it, I am in great pain.”
The memory of Jennica’s words, of Saba’s mother harvesting the red grass for her baskets flashed through Ryder’s mind. A grass that only grew in one spot. A grass the Xenturan had killed for. Had it been in pain that day? He risked a look at Tyree.
“Get your men out of here.”
“No.”
“Just do it, Tyree. Wave them off and go with them.”
“What are you going to do?”
“You have to trust me. Now go. Go now before it changes its mind and attacks someone.”
“All right. You’d better know what you’re doing, outsider.”
“I do.” All the gods help me, I hope I know.
He called out to the Xenturan. “They are leaving. All of them. When they are safely away, I will go, too.”
“Kill me first. I no longer wish to live. You have the ability. You should use it. If you don’t, I’ll come to their silly walls and bring them down.”
Ryder nodded. “I believe you. I would know your name in case, one day, others come.”
The yellow eyes lifted skyward. “None will come,” it said sadly. “I am Drisus.”
“I am Ryder.” He walked to within six feet of Drisus. “The weapon I have has no place in this world. If it’s truly your wish to go to your gods, I will leave it for you and go.”
“It’s truly my wish. Give me your hand.”
Every fiber in Ryder’s body flinched at the idea of touching a Xenturan. If Drisus dug a toxic spur into his skin, he’d surely die. He steeled himself and held out his hand.
“I am Drisus. A son of Jerta, a son of Ini. I was a warrior, and a king. My sons have made me proud.” Drisus took his hand. Somehow, Ryder kept from flinching.
“I’ll remember, Drisus.” Ryder took a few steps back and laid the Eliminator on the ground. Then he turned and walked toward a charging Tyree. Tyree’s eyes were fixed on the Eliminator.
“What are you
doing!” Tyree lunged past Ryder.
Ryder grabbed Tyree, physically wrestling him to the ground. They rolled over and over, one trying to escape a hold, the other trying to maintain it. “Be still, Tyree. Trust me!”
Drisus suddenly let out another cry, freezing them. There was a strange blue glow and the Xenturan vanished.
Tyree went limp beneath him. His mouth dropped open and his head hit the hard ground with a resounding thud. He started shaking. Ryder released him then realized the man was sobbing. He shielded the headman from the still-stricken gazes of his men.
“It’s over, Tyree. It’s over.” Ryder closed his hand around Tyree’s and squeezed. He let out a jagged breath of his own. “You earned it, my friend. You earned it.”
Chapter 23
Saba woke at dawn with the worst headache of her life. Her low moan brought Jennica to her side.
“Are you thirsty?”
Saba moaned again. The sound of gurgling liquid reached her ears. Jennica held a cup under her nose. Red vegetable juice with herbs. By Wae it smelled nasty! No wonder everyone argued about drinking it when they’d had too much to drink.
“Ugh. Get that away from me.”
“Drink it, Saba. You know you need it.”
She rolled away from Jennica. “Leave it. I’ll drink it in a little while.”
“Yes, you will. I don’t suppose you want any breakfast?”
Her stomach heaved. “No,” she replied tersely. “Is the sun up?”
The bed shifted as Jennica lay down behind her and draped an arm over her. It was a great comfort. Jennica reached for her hand.
“Try not to worry, Saba.”
“Aren’t you worried? Tyree is there.”
“I know. He will be careful, and he’ll keep an eye on Ryder.”
“You didn’t tell me that you and Tyree were keeping company. Why did you seek to hide it?”
Jennica gave her a hug. She appreciated the sentiment but her stomach didn’t care much for the pressure.
“It just came about. I don’t know what will be. Perhaps nothing, but his company is pleasant.”
“And his kiss?” Saba really wanted to hear about this—when her head quit pounding. She decided she’d better get what she could from Jennica now, though.
“His kiss is very pleasant, and that is all I will tell you until you tell me about Ryder.”
Saba closed her eyes. She didn’t have the energy to talk right now. She just wanted to go back to sleep in her own bed. She struggled to sit up, moaning. Jennica sprang to her feet.
“Are you going to be sick? Don’t do it in here!”
She cast a baleful eye at Jennica’s panicked face. “No, I’m not going to be sick. Give me the juice.” Jennica handed it to her.
It tasted as nasty as it smelled but she drank every drop.
“I’m going home. I want my own bed.” The one with Ryder’s scent in it.
“I’ll be over in a little while with something for you to eat.”
Saba pressed both hands to her stomach. “Oh no. Don’t bring me any food. The very thought does strange things to my belly.”
Jennica laughed. “You’ll change your mind in a little while. I wouldn’t tell you false. You go and I’ll be there soon.”
Saba stood up and the room swirled. “Oh, this is horrible.” She took a deep breath and lurched toward the door. She would get to her hut on her own and that’s all there was to it. Shoulders squared, she walked across the village yard in what she hoped was a straight line. Her hut never felt more welcoming, even though the hearth was cold.
She didn’t care as she stripped and crawled into her bed, into the comfort of Ryder’s scent lingering on her pillow. Saba pulled the blanket over her head and vowed to never, ever let anything intoxicating pass her lips again under any circumstances, be she conscious or comatose. She closed her eyes and slid into oblivion.
The sound of quiet movements intruded on her peace. The room was warmer with the faint tang of wood smoke. Water trickled into a basin. She rolled over and saw Ryder standing naked in front of the fire, washing his face. Relief swept through her, but she didn’t move, didn’t let him know she watched. She didn’t want to spoil it.
His hair was already wet. Doubtless the men had stopped and washed off the worst of their travels at the stream, as they often did. But the stream lacked the comfort of warm water and scented oils that made lather. He’d been inside long enough to heat the water and she’d slept through it instead of aiding him.
Ryder lathered his cheeks and began casting about on her shelf. He found her razor and small mirror and started reshaping his beard. Satisfied, he rinsed his face again and tossed the soapy water out the back door. Steam rose when he poured fresh water into the basin. He took a fresh cloth, lathered it, and washed his torso. Another basin full of clean water and his legs and feet were clean.
When he’d finished straightening up her shelf, he slid her rug aside and helped himself to a bottle of her wine. Her stomach clenched as he sat and sipped in front of the fire. The queasiness would pass by tomorrow and she could once again sit by the hearth and share quiet moments with him.
He toyed with something as he watched the fire, turning it over and over in his hands. The light glinted off it and she realized it was the strange gold coin that had been in his pocket when he crashed. It must have great meaning, one he’d not confessed. He finally put it on the table and went back to sipping his wine.
“Do you want some of this?” His voice was soft and quiet, yet it startled her. How long had he known she was awake and watching? Her belly burned.
“Perhaps not today. Tell me what happened. Is the errol dead?”
“Yes, it’s gone.” He patted his lap. “Come and sit with me and I will tell you what happened.”
She slid from the bed, pulling the blanket with her. He seemed absorbed in the fire, his gaze fixed on the flames, and she saw that whatever had happened weighed heavily on his heart.
Saba draped the blanket over his shoulders and eased onto his lap. He buried his long fingers in her hair and brought her mouth to his. The world started spinning again as his lips moved on hers. He pulled away and looked at her quizzically.
“Are you alright, angel?”
“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. “I don’t know what happened to me.”
“Try stress. It’ll get you every time. You’ve been carrying a heavy load. Here, take a sip of my…your wine.”
“Oh no. Please get it away from me.” She buried her nose behind his ear to keep from smelling the fragrant liquid and getting sick. He set his cup back on the table and picked up the gold coin again and handed it to her.
She turned it over, seeing it closely for the first time. The skin on her arms prickled. The image was that of the errol. Where had Ryder gotten the thing? On what world? How many worlds were there, beyond? She had myriad questions and only one certainty. The coin was all Ryder had of his life before. He would speak of it when he was ready.
“The creature was what I thought—a Xenturan. They are a spacefaring race my people encountered over one hundred years ago. This one was very old. I spoke with him, Saba. He wanted to die. I gave him the means to take his own life.”
“What do you mean? What did you do?”
“I gave him the weapon. His people invented the thing. It would fire for him, for any Xenturan. One of its safeguards. He turned it on himself, and now he’s gone.”
“Why does that make you sad?”
“He was stranded here, just like me. He was a link to the world I came from.” He met her gaze, his blue eyes intense.
“I wanted that weapon to be gone from this world, Saba. It doesn’t belong here. Giving it to him to use was a way to accomplish that.”
“I’m not angry you did that, Ryder. I understand. I even understand why you’d be sad the errol is gone. But I am glad it’s gone because we have lived in fear for so long, and now we are free.”
“Yes, you are.”
“You are free, too. What will you do now?” She dreaded his answer, but she had to know.
“I will stay with you if you’ll have me.” Ryder shifted her around on his lap, forcing her to look at him. “Will you have me?”
Her eyes overflowed with tears of relief. The doubts and uncertainties were gone. He’d come back to her and she couldn’t—wouldn’t—let him go of him again. She sensed there was more to his story of what had happened with the errol, and that he needed to tell her many things about his home. He’d always have sadness over his home, as it had not been his choice to leave it.
But the man in front of her was a survivor. Ryder was here, and he would make this world his own. He would always be her hero.
She kissed him. He tasted of the wine, and a bit like the lather he’d shaved with.
“Yes, Vaughan Ryder Vaughan. I’ll have you.”
A smile transformed his face. He stood with her in his arms and carried her to the bed. She grabbed at the blanket. They might want it, later.
“Are you not hungry? I should fix you a meal.”
“I’m starving, angel, but this won’t wait.”
“What won’t wait? Oh!” He dropped her onto the bed and quickly straddled her. Saba forgot her dull headache and the odd burning in her stomach.
She tried to slide away, but his mouth fastened on her nipple. Ryder suckled her, a long, strong pull that went all the way to the secret flesh his fingers teased. Moisture dewed her thighs. He drew it out of her with long, deliberate strokes. He cupped her, his fingers dipping deep within her woman’s flesh. The pressure left her restless, not knowing whether to squeeze her legs together or fling them wide for him to do more.
He released her nipple to claim her lips in a searing kiss. Her thighs opened wide without conscious thought. Deep in her belly, a drumbeat pounded. The throbbing nub under his hand fluttered once, then again. Her woman’s sheath drew tight around the empty ache only his body would ease. He rose over her.
Saba clawed at his flanks, surging up against him. He was hard against her belly, moving down to slide his length over the liquid welcome of her flesh. He dipped that first bit into her, and her body gave way to his without truly yielding. She called his name and lifted her hips. He drove into her, impaling her in one thrust, holding himself tightly to her to let her adjust to the swiftness of it. It was more than she needed.
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