by Vicky Savage
When he references home I understand he’s not talking about Warrington. He glances over his shoulder at his companions. They immediately begin to whisper among themselves.
“The star of inter-dimensional travel shines brightly above you. You are a Transcender. How fortunate you are to see such wondrous things,” he says, still holding tightly to my hand.
“Uh, thank you.”
“I suppose this remarkable child would explain your presence in Domerica?” he asks Ralston.
“Quite so,” Ralston says with a nod. “I go where I am needed.”
“We wish you Godspeed on your journeys, young one. It is an honor to have met you,” Melor says to me, bowing again and finally releasing my hand. He turns to Ralston. “Professor I trust you will be in touch if there is anything about which we should be informed.”
“As always, Melor.”
“Good day to you both,” Melor says.
As the extraordinary little group prepares to depart, each member comes forward to take my hand briefly. Some of them bow silently, while others quietly “ooh” or “ahh” when their hands touch mine. Then they glide away from us down the sidewalk.
“Well that was kind of creepy,” I say, a little rattled at having just pressed the flesh with six white-robed aliens. “What are they doing here?”
“They were stranded on this planet when the Great Disaster occurred. Their vessel was cruising in the vicinity when the dust cloud created by the meteor collision became so severe they were forced to make an emergency landing. Their craft was seriously damaged in the process, all of their communications equipment wiped out. So, you see, they had no way of letting their people know where they were.”
“That’s wild. They just got stuck here with no way to get home, kind of like ET?”
“Yes. For decades they tried in vain to repair their vehicle. Eventually they gave up and moved closer to Domerica to have a convenient source for food and supplies.”
“They live outside the dome? Like the Outlanders?”
“No, not quite. Actually, they have a unique structure of their own which they built from materials salvaged from their disabled spacecraft. The architecture is quite inspiring. It looks something like the Guggenheim museum in your New York City. It is more for appearances than anything else, though. Cleadians have remarkable respiratory systems. The earth’s atmosphere as it is currently composed is not toxic to them, and their skin is immune to ultraviolet rays. Consequently, they can survive just fine outside the structure’s protection.”
“Do they have any other special powers like the hand touching thing?” I ask, as we reach the doors to the library.
“Yes, a few. They do most of their communicating among themselves through mental telepathy. They are also known for being great healers. Rumor has it they can raise a man from the dead,” he says lifting his eyebrows for emphasis. “I’ve not witnessed that myself, however. Otherwise, they appear to be quite human. They prefer to keep to themselves for the most part. In all of the years since the Disaster, I believe only a handful have ever married outside their colony.”
“Well, they seem nice, but they kind of gave me the heebie-geebies,” I say.
“Yes, well, they probably had the same reaction to you, my dear—you being an inter-world traveler and all.”
We step into the cool marble foyer. Soaring ceilings meet in a large dome with a skylight above the main lobby.
“What’s that thing he called me?” I ask. “A Transcender?”
“A Transcender is an individual who is capable of traveling among the different dimensions at will,” Ralston says.
“There are people who can do that?”
“A very small number, yes.”
“But why did he think I was one of them?”
“I suppose he perceived you were not from this earth and assumed you were a Transcender. It seems a logical mistake,” he says lightly. “Ah, I believe you father has arrived.”
THIRTY-THREE
Father spends the next hour showing off the library’s most exceptional collections for Ralston. The architecture of the building is inspiring, and I’m sure the musty old books are fascinating to a scholar, but I’m tired from the long, eventful day. Fighting tree men takes a lot out of you. I’m ready for a rest by the time Father finishes our tour.
It is growing dark as we arrive back at the manor house. Ryder and Erica have not yet returned from their errands, and I’m disappointed and curious why they’re out so late. I mean, how long can it take to order up a load of lumber?
“I think I’ll go upstairs and lie down before dinner,” I tell Father, knowing I’m not very good company.
“Are you feeling well, Jade? You look a little pale,” Father says putting his palm to my forehead.
“I’m fine. Just tired from all the excitement today.”
“It has been quite a day for you, sweetheart. Go and rest, I will call you for dinner.”
“Thanks.” I hug him and trudge up to my room.
I take a warm bath instead of a nap and actually feel much better afterward. In my quiet moments alone, I think over my meeting with the Cleadians. I’m still blown away that I actually spoke with extraterrestrials. My ideas about the universe are being stretched and challenged almost daily now, and I remind myself to enjoy every second of this exotic journey, because my time here is drawing to a close. I wonder what it must feel like to be a real Transcender, and have amazing experiences like this all the time.
* * *
Dinner at the Enclave is a more casual affair than our dinners at Warrington Palace. My pulse quickens as I descend the stairs and glimpse Ryder in the dining room speaking with Father. His coal black hair is tied back with a beaded leather thong, and he wears a traditional Cherokee shirt of red and white fabric. The sight of him takes my breath away.
Erica is joining us for dinner tonight, and she enters the dining room at the same time I do, only from the opposite door. She has on a revealing red dress that displays her knock-out figure to its best advantage. She looks amazing, and I immediately regret that I put on the same plain dress I wore earlier in the day.
But when Ryder sees me, his entire face breaks into a smile, and he comes to take my hand. He seems not to notice Erica at all.
“You look beautiful,” he says kissing the inside of my palm. The warm gentle current of his touch sends a shiver through me.
I glance at Father to see if he has noticed this exchange. I’m not sure he would approve of my feelings for Ryder. He smiles affectionately. “You look rested, sweetheart,” he says.
“Will you sit with me?” Ryder asks. “I missed seeing you this afternoon.”
He holds out the chair to the right of my father’s at the head of the table. I sit down and he takes the seat next to me. “How was Ralston’s tour of the Enclave? I hear you went along.”
“I think Ralston had a great time,” I say. “How was your afternoon?”
“Oh, it was mostly business, but it had to be done. One of the tribal buildings is in desperate need of repair. The Enclave is our primary source of lumber. I hope you do not mind that I had to leave you for a few hours.”
“Of course not,” I lie. “But I missed you too.”
Drew and Ralston are the last to arrive, and Father announces that dinner is served.
The food is the most delicious I’ve tasted since coming to Domerica. Father’s cook was once the head chef for the royal family of Dome Noir, but he was forced to leave the country to avoid imprisonment when it was discovered he’d been secretly diverting some of the palace food supply to the starving villagers. Drew claims Mother’s been trying to steal him away for Warrington Palace ever since his arrival at the Enclave.
The dinner conversation is light and cordial. Ralston thanks Father for the tour earlier in the day and compliments him on his thriving little community. Father asks us about all the news from Warrington Palace, and Drew and I fill him in on Damien’s disappearance and the imminent ar
rival of the delegation from Dome Noir.
Erica flirts with Ryder throughout the evening, but she also flirts with Drew and even Ralston on occasion. They all seem to thoroughly enjoy her attentions.
Father asks Ryder about his plans for our stay in Unicoi, and Ryder gives him a run-down of our schedule—the agricultural area, the fish farms, the warrior training camp, and finally the hospital, so I can see the toll the Uranium-related diseases have taken.
“I wish I didn’t have obligations that prevent me from joining you,” Father says. “It’s been years since I was last in Unicoi, I’m certain much has changed.”
I love seeing my dad so self-assured and relaxed. It’s amazing to think that not only is he in charge of the whole hospital, but he’s also the Governor of the Enclave—royalty in his own right. He’s so different from my Connecticut dad, who always seems a little lost. I’m proud of Father for all he’s accomplished, even if it means that he and Mother had to separate. I can’t help but wonder if my Connecticut dad might have been a little more dazzling if he hadn’t always let Mom run the show.
To cap off the evening, the chef personally presents a luscious layered dessert shaped like a dome, with silver icing and white chocolate shavings on the outside. Father congratulates him on the fine meal, and the rest of us offer our hearty thanks, as well. By the time dessert is finished we’re all pleasantly full and ready to retire.
Erica is the first to leave the table. She says a polite goodnight to everyone, and then asks Ryder if she can have a word with him. He escorts her to the door, where they speak briefly before she disappears.
Ryder offers to walk me upstairs, so I leave on his arm, kissing Father and wishing goodnight to Drew and Ralston before I go.
When we reach my room, Ryder opens the door for me. “Goodnight, love,” he says brushing my cheek with his lips.
“Will you come in for a few minutes?” I ask.
“I shouldn’t, Jade. I’m not sure what your father would think.”
“Just for a minute.” I take his hand and pull him into the room. “You can leave the door open, if you want. Or do you have somewhere else to be?”
“No. I’m going to bed. Where else would I go?”
“I thought you and Erica might have some more errands to run tonight.”
He half-smiles. “Jade, it is late. We had both better get some sleep.”
“What did she say to you downstairs?” I’m not about to let him leave until I know.
His brow creases and he shrugs. “Well, she asked me not to mention something to your father.”
“What?”
“Jade, I don’t know whether she would want me mentioning it to you, either.”
“In that case you’d better tell me right now, or I’m going to think the worst.”
He shifts uncomfortably on his feet. “She purchased a gift for John while we were out today. She didn’t want him to know.”
That surprises me. “Why would Erica buy a gift for my father?”
“She said his birthday is next week.”
“Oh crap.” I slap my forehead. “I forgot. I didn’t bring him anything.”
“Maybe you’ll see something for him in Unicoi.”
“Good idea. I’ve sort of lost track of the days lately.”
He tilts his head to the side. “What did you think Erica was whispering to me?”
“To be honest, I thought she might be asking you to meet her later.”
“I have done nothing to encourage the lady,” he says.
“But you like her?”
“Yes, of course. She’s a nice girl.”
“Do you think she’s pretty?”
“I don’t believe it’s a matter of opinion—she is pretty.”
“So, that means you’re attracted to her?”
He narrows his eyes as though sensing a trap. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… would you like to kiss her?”
“I already have.”
My stomach collapses in on itself. “You what? You’ve kissed her?” I ask, my voice rising an octave.
“Well, she kissed me, actually,” he corrects.
“When was this? Today?”
“No, it was the last time I stayed here, while picking up supplies. We were loading lumber when a rope snapped, and a stack of wood fell on me. My arm was injured.” He rubs his right forearm in the same spot Erica touched earlier. “Your father bandaged it for me and put it in a sling. He instructed me not to get it wet. So, that evening he sent Erica up to help me bathe.”
“She bathed you?”
“No, she just helped with the preparations—running the water, undressing—”
“She undressed you!” I don’t like the visual flashing through my head.
“I had the use of only one arm, Jade. Why are you upset?”
“Did you two… I mean, was there more than just kissing involved?”
“No! I wouldn’t disrespect your father that way.”
“But, she saw you naked!”
“No. She didn’t. I sent her away after we got my shirt off. That is when she kissed me. I assumed it would be less awkward trying to take off my pants one-handed, than trying to keep Erica at bay.” He laughs.
I scowl.
He takes both my hands in his and sits on the arm of a Queen Anne chair, putting him on eye-level with me. “Jade, there is no need for you to be jealous of anyone. Ever. I love only you. You are the only woman I want to kiss.” A smile plays at his lips. “You are the only woman I would allow to bathe me.”
I roll my eyes, pulling my hands away. “Gee, thanks a lot.”
He stands, still grinning. “Besides, what if she had seen me naked? What would you have me do? Disrobe right here so she would possess no greater knowledge of me than you have?”
I glare at him. “You know, that’s not such a bad idea.” I snatch at the fabric of his shirt, pulling out the neatly tucked-in tails. I grab at his buttons, but he seizes my hands before I can reach them.
“I knew you were going to be trouble from that very first day,” he says. We laugh, and I half-heartedly struggle to get free.
“Ahem.” A small cough comes from the open doorway. My father is leaning against the door jamb, smiling. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Ryder immediately drops my hands. We take an embarrassed step away from each other, and he tucks in his shirt tails.
“No, we were… I just….” I shake my head and shrug. “Oh, never mind. Hello Father, come in.”
He steps into my room. “I came to say goodnight. It’s getting late, and I retire earlier these days.” He kisses me on the forehead and embraces me warmly. “It’s good to have you here, Jade. I hope you’re planning a nice long stay this summer. I feel cheated that you’re here for only a short visit this time.”
“I wish I had more time with you too,” I say, sincerely desiring to know my remarkable Domerican father a little better.
“Goodnight, Ryder,” Father says. He stops at the door and turns around, looking from Ryder to me and back to Ryder. “Don’t keep her up late.”
“I won’t sir, I was just leaving.”
“Oh good. I’ll walk you to your room. I have a question about the new design of the healing wands we received from Keowe Hospital.”
Ryder kisses me chastely on the cheek. “Goodnight, Jade. Pleasant dreams.”
“See you in the morning,” I say wistfully, and my heart follows after him as he and Father disappear down the hallway.
THIRTY-FOUR
My sleep is deep and dreamless despite, or maybe because of, the day’s many ups and downs. When I wake, my body feels like it’s been trampled by a herd of runaway fargen. The scuffle with the tree men and the fall from my horse have left me battered and bruised. As I sit on the edge of my bed wishing for a couple of Advil, someone knocks softly at my door.
“Who is it?” I call, hoping it isn’t Ryder, because I’m sure I look as bad as I feel.
; The door opens a crack and Erica’s stunning face peers around the side. “May I come in?”
“Sure,” I say, hating her for looking so fresh and gorgeous this early in the morning.
“John thought perhaps you could use some help with your things. I’ll repack your trunk if you like.”
“That would be nice,” I say. “I need to get out some fresh riding clothes first, though. My things from yesterday are ruined.”