KARRIN: Warrior Woman (Excalibur Saga Book 4)

by Sahara Foley

Looking where Cal pointed, Karrin craned her neck, staring open-mouthed at the widest, tallest oak trees she’d ever seen. Instead of branches, they had two very long, knotted arms and gnarled legs. Their heads were bigger in diameter than the Weesa.

  “Whoa,” Lurga exclaimed. “The tallest one has to be almost eighty feet high.”

  “No. More like one hundred. Try talking to them,” Excalibur suggested.

  Lurga studied the one in front. Its trunk, or main body, was twenty feet round. The Ispepyein took a deep breath and thought to it, *I am Lurga Pukani, the Greatest Ispepyein Warrior, and these are my comrades. We wish you no harm, but are more than capable of defending ourselves.*

  *As we have discovered,” rumbled a deep voice inside his mind.

  Lurga didn’t have any idea which one spoke, but one of the shorter trees stepped over him and his group with one stride before it stopped next to the four kneeling stickmen.

  The warrior’s pride was still trying to get over the fact he was stepped over like a meaningless bug when the voice said, *You do not belong here. What do you want?*

  The warrior stared from one massive tree to the next. He still didn’t know who was talking. Their faces were immobile, not showing any expressions. *We do not choose to be here,” Lurga assured them. *We are trapped and can only leave if we locate another one of the flying energy beings.*

  *There was only the one. It, too, accidentally found its way here long ago.*

  Lurga was about to tell his group the bad news when another voice spoke, *There is a place where you may find what you seek.*

  With a creaking and snapping of wood, the tallest tree raised its gnarled arm and pointed with one of its six long fingers. *Where the sand turns brown, lives another trapped creature. It may be able to help you. Go, leave us, or we will call the rest of our clan to eliminate you.*

  Giving a stiff nod, Lurga strode off in the direction the tree indicated. He motioned for the others to follow him. Pam, Karrin, and Excalibur glanced at each in confusion, but hurried after him.

  “What happened?” Excalibur asked.

  “Nothing. We need to leave before the rest of the clan shows up,” Lurga mumbled.

  The tree men were lined up in the direction they were headed. This left them no choice, but to walk underneath and between their redwood-sized legs. As they hastened past the towering beings, the group was struck by their height.

  When they were safely away, Pam said softly, “Those are the biggest bloody trees I’ve ever seen.”

  “No shit,” Karrin replied before asking Lurga, “Where are we going?”

  “To where the sand turns brown. There is supposed to be another creature living there who might assist us. It, too, is trapped in this place.”

  “What about the orange flying thing?” Karrin searched the skies again, hoping against all hope there was another one.

  “There are no more,” Lurga informed them.

  “Yup, just our luck,” Pam remarked as she picked up her pace.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  For several miles, the bedraggled foursome trudged under the hot sun through the soft, lemon sand. They kept nervously glancing at the single-file line of stickmen outlining their course. Every one hundred yards, one of the massive oak trees stood guard, which caused Lurga’s fingers to never stray from the butt of his pistols.

  After they traversed another mile, the sand became firmer, making it easier to walk, so they picked up their pace.

  Karrin wiped at the sweat trickling down her face. Her throat was as dry as any desert. The saliva from the worms caked on her stunk and itched. Memories of the cool, refreshing lake on Switch tantalized her with a bath.

  Up ahead, the view of flat yellow sand and green water changed. There was a noticeable smudge of gray on the horizon.

  Karrin squinted and rubbed her stomach. The glare from the contrasting colors made her nauseous. Or, maybe it’s the blow to my head? She could be suffering from a concussion. Afterall, it still pounded in time to the beat of her heart.

  God, I can’t wait to get out of here and back home. She bit her lip, worrying. Is there a home to go back to? Did the Srells destroy our Universe? We have no idea how long we’ve been gone. She sighed with frustration, feeling helpless and lost.

  Pam patted her on the shoulder. “I know, honey. I feel the same way.”

  They gave each other a mournful smile, then went back to putting one foot in the front of the other. Both women hoped they were getting closer to going home.

  Up ahead, a tall row of jumbled, gray rocks were lined up across the land and into the water. The guard of stickmen escorting them stopped at the wall of boulders. This gave them nowhere to go, but up.

  Gathering whatever strength she had left, Karrin started climbing. She remained ever watchful for spiders and other critters that might be living in the dark crevices. When she reached up to accept the hand Lurga offered to help her over a particularly large boulder, a loud voice boomed out in Ispepyein.

  “Stop, or I will open fire. Who dares intrude on Caddis Pukani’s land?” An older Ispepyein male stood above them, his gray face marred with disfiguring scars. He clutched a Seeder rifle in one gnarled hand, which was aimed directly at Lurga.

  Everyone froze, except Lurga, who stood to his full height. “Caddis Pukani? I was taught the tales of your many feats in battle. You disappeared a thousand years ago and was thought to be dead.”

  “Do I look like I have gone to meet my ancestors? Who are you, whelp, to ask questions of me?” The elder Ispepyein growled, baring his yellowed fangs, which were no more than rounded stubs.

  Lurga held his arms at the sides, palms facing outward. “I am Lurga Pukani, and you are my great-great uncle.” The young warrior shook his head. “What happened? How did you end up in this place?”

  Caddis grunted, narrowed his eyes at Lurga, and lowered his weapon. “I had heard of Lurga Pukani, Warrior. You were sired on my mother’s line, from the males of Pukani. I was led here by a damned Shalit I was chasing.”

  A grin on his lips, Excalibur shook his head. “The Shalit was chasing you, and you both got trapped in this hellhole.”

  Caddis cocked his head, eyeballing Excalibur. “True, but how would you know this?”

  “Because, I am that Shalit, Caddis.

  The Ispepyein elder tensed up.

  “Fortunately, after several days, I was able to find my way back.” Excalibur shook his head with wonder. “I never knew what happened to you.”

  When Caddis began to growl and gnash his teeth, Excalibur hurriedly explained, “I was young and careless. I knew you couldn’t hurt me, but I toyed with you. As I flaunted how smart I was at manipulating you, I, accidentally, chased you into the time slip, and we ended up here. I am truly sorry.”

  In a flash, the Seeder rifle was pointed at Excalibur and Caddis pushed the fire button.

  Without hesitation, Lurga jumped in front of the Shalit. The grid smacked against his chest, and it disappeared without harming him.

  “An Ispepyein Warrior defending a Shalt? This cannot be,” Caddis bellowed.

  Lurga leaped up the rocks to his long-lost relative and snatched the rifle from his hands. “Enough, Uncle. Much has changed since you have been here.”

  Caddis scowled at his nephew. “You would disarm me in the presence of a dangerous Shalit? You are a disgrace to our family. What type of warrior are you?”

  “I am the Greatest Ispepyein Warrior, so proclaimed by the Warrior Council,” roared Lurga down at his uncle. “If you attempt to harm any of my traveling companions, I will end your existence with my own hands.”

  Breathing vents fluttering in outrage, the old, scarred warrior backed up a few steps. “The Council named you as the Greatest? No Pukani ever held that position before.” He gave a nod and squared his shoulders. “I bow to you, the Greatest Ispepyein Warrior, my great-great nephew, Lurga Pukani.” He bent at the waist, giving the Good Battle sign.

  When he straightened back up, Lurga
embraced him. “And, you, too, uncle.”

  Hand over her mouth, Karrin stifled a giggle. She knew Ispepyeins didn’t hug.

  Caddis squirmed in nephew’s arms. His pale, gray face reddened with mortification. Still, he took the embrace like a trooper, but a look of relief crossed his face when Lurga released him.

  Shock replaced his embarrassment when he saw the tears in Lurga’s eyes. “Nephew, what is wrong? Ispepyein’s do not cry.”

  Karrin put a reassuring hand on the old warrior’s shoulder. “Mine does.” Then, she smiled with love up at her mate.

  Caddis glanced from Karrin back to Lurga, shaking his head. “This is too much for an old warrior like me.”

  “I understand, Uncle. If I give you back your rifle, do you promise to behave?”

  Caddis eyed Excalibur again and gave a brief nod.

  “Introductions are needed.” Lurga handed over the rifle. “The Shalit is my comrade, Excalibur. The female with the silver streak in her black hair is his Human wife, Pamela. The other Human female is my dearest Karrin. She is, also, an Ispepyein Warrior Woman.”

  The old warrior slung the rifle over his shoulder, but kept it ready to use if needed. “What happened to my people to bring such great change? Tell me, are you, also, comrades with the pesky tree beings that live here?”

  Lurga chuckled, causing Caddis to stare at him, again. “No, they are not. However, I am concerned for our females. They have been in this infernal world longer than Cal or me. They need substance. Do you have anything to eat or drink?”

  “Yes, come. I believe you have much to tell me.” Caddis turned and headed down the other side of the rocks, mumbling to himself. “An Ispepyein… friends with a Shalit. What else changed?”

  “Boy, that got intense,” Pam whispered to Excalibur as they followed Caddis. “How freaky is it that this man ended up being Lurga’s uncle, and you were the Shalit who sent him here?”

  Excalibur stopped and gazed down into Pam’s bewitching blue eyes. “Remember our cave on Lear, when Weesa was trying to convince you to release me from the sword?” Pam nodded. “They told you they thought your father was the man prophesied to help their people, but it wasn’t until you came along that the prophecy was fulfilled?”

  “Yeah, but I still don’t believe any of that. Besides, didn’t the prophecy actually come from you, before you were trapped in the sword?”

  “Yes, I’m the one who told Emera and Olso the difference between the Others and Shalits, but what if that isn’t the whole picture? Why was I the Shalit who chased Caddis here? The one person who might help us get home? What brought Daisy and Arthur, you and me, and Karrin and Lurga together? What is the common factor?”

  Pam stared at the ground, chewing her bottom lip. “Well, I kinda understand about Daisy and Arthur, but I chose you of my own free will. Fate didn’t bring us together. I refuse to accept that.”

  “Honey, you’re not following this through to the end. Karrin wouldn’t be here without us, right? And, what is it we’re doing here?”

  Pam shuffled a rock around with her foot, not wanting to face the truth. “Trying to stop the Srells,” she muttered in response. “And, Karrin is the only one who can stop them.” She sighed. “Are we that easy to manipulate? Who’s pulling our strings?”

  “That’s the question, isn’t it?” Excalibur placed a finger under Pam’s chin and lifted her head. “No matter why we’re together, I love you with all my being. I wouldn’t trade one day trapped in that sword if it meant I couldn’t be with you.” He gently kissed her lips and pulled her into his strong arms.

  Pam leaned her head against his broad chest, sighing with contentment. “I love you, too, Cal. I just hope there’s something to go back to.”

  “Don’t worry, there will be,” Excalibur said soothingly, his deep voice rumbling in her ear as he softly stroked her saliva-soaked, tangled hair. “And, once we get back, I’m giving you a bath. No offense, but you’re a little ripe.” Mental images of what that bath would entail filled her mind.

  Pam took a deep breath, the smell of her husband’s sweat turning her on even more. She rubbed herself against his body, sending her own images of what she wanted.

  “Come on, guys,” yelled Karrin, hands on hips. “Quit making out, you’re falling behind.”

  Grinning at each other, holding hands, Pam and Excalibur hurried after Karrin to find their way home.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  They clambered down more rocks until Caddis disappeared into a wide-mouthed cave. Then, the quartet followed him into the gloomy interior. Inside, a small fire burned in the middle of the floor, giving enough light to see by.

  Indicating some boulders scattered around, Caddis told them to sit while he strode farther back into the cave. With weary sighs, the foursome settled on the uncomfortable rocks.

  Karrin’s stomach gave a loud gurgle, and they all turned to look at her. “Sorry, guys,” she said with a shrug. “I’m starving.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t be if you hadn’t thrown up all over the place,” Pam scolded. “Hopefully, Caddis will offer us something better to eat. I could use a drink of water, too. I'm parched.”

  Just then, Caddis stepped back into the light, carrying a huge glob of gooey, white stuff.

  Lurga moaned, his face going pale.

  Karrin turned toward him. “Oh no, you don’t, Lurga. Don’t you start, again. Please.”

  Pam cracked up laughing while Excalibur and the old warrior stared at everyone like they were nuts.

  Lurga’s breathing vents fluttered as he took several deep breaths. “Do not worry, Karrin. I will be fine.” But, his face still looked ashen.

  Caddis placed the chunk of goo on a rock next to Pam. She promptly broke off a piece and threw it into her mouth. She grinned at Karrin and Lurga. They were squirming on their rocks, looking anywhere but at her.

  “The white worms are the only edible food here,” explained Caddis. “Unless you like eating wood. Even that vast body of green water offers nothing to eat. The worms are plentiful and can grow very large, but they are easy to slay with a Seeder rifle. I call them Pukeup. They taste like a cross between the Peenas and the Ukeup plants from home. They kept me alive here.” He broke off a piece, offering it to Lurga. “Go ahead, try it, son.”

  The Greatest Ispepyein Warrior turned green and rushed out of the cave, making gagging noises as he fled.

  Pam rolled with laughter. Wiping tears from her eyes, she said, “He ran across a few of them before. The encounter wasn’t pleasant. Don’t worry, when he gets hungry enough, he’ll try it.” She saw Karrin sitting stiffly, hands between her knees, peering down at her feet. “Come on, honey. You need to eat. It’s not like you haven’t eaten worm before.”

  “Em, I don’t think so. Not right now.” Karrin swallowed a few times, remembering how bad the meat tasted coming back up.

  Pam chuckled some more, then tossed another piece in her mouth.

  Shrugging, Excalibur broke off a chunk and took a tentative bite. “Not bad. Reminds me of greasy bread.”

  Slapping a hand over her mouth, Karrin bolted out of the cave.

  Pam roared with laughter.

  Excalibur and Caddis shook their heads as they continued eating.

  “What brings you back to this world, Shalit?” Caddis asked.

  “That’s a long story,” Excalibur answered with a sigh.

  “Are you in such a hurry to leave?” He cocked an eyebrow, smirking. “Besides, I did not realize how much I missed verbal interaction. Every time I try to talk with the Tree People, I end up with a headache from their screeching.”

  Finished with his meal, Excalibur rubbed his hands on his pants leg and sat on the ground with his back against the boulder he’d been sitting on. “Well, this adventure started because the Srellooks want to destroy our Universe.”

  “What?” yelled the old warrior. “And, what of my planet?”

  “Sadly, the threat, also, includes Ispepyein,” Excalibur repl
ied with a frown. “If the Srellooks get their way, there will no longer be any of our worlds.” He ran his hand through his hair, sighing. “Actually, our civilizations might be gone now. We just don’t know. We didn’t expect to end up here, helpless, unable to fight them.”

  “You must tell me everything,” Caddis demanded as he leaned forward.

  Glancing at Pam, who nodded at him, they proceeded to fill the old warrior in on what they knew about Lurga, Karrin, Ispepyein, and the Srellooks. After they were done, Caddis rose and went to find his nephew.

  Lurga was pacing along the shoreline, his arm across Karrin’s shoulders, when Caddis stepped in front of him. “Cal and Pam informed me you declined Leadership because you thought your, er, friend here was dead. Why would you do such a thing over a female?”

  Lurga peered down at Karrin, who winked at him. “I will try to explain, Uncle.” He sat on a nearby boulder with Karrin at his side. “Do you remember how you felt for a female at breeding time?”

  Caddis growled and nodded.

  “Well, Humans feel it all the time, but it’s not just for breeding. They call it LOVE. When I met my Karrin, she awoke in me the feelings our Goddess took away from Ispepyeins. This LOVE is one of the strongest emotions in the Universe. It is because of my love for Karrin that I will spend the remainder of my life with only her. I will become a Human male if my woman so desires. I will live on Earth with her if she so chooses.”

  Caddis scowled at Lurga. “You would choose a Human female over an Ispepyein one?”

  “He will always be Ispepyein,” Karrin remarked. “But, he has, also, became a little Human, just as I’ve become a little Ispepyein.”

  The old warrior shook his head. “I do not understand how this happened.”

  “It took a little learning on my part, too,” Excalibur said from behind them. “You know Shalits are energy beings who can temporarily shape-shift. I found that permanently living as a Human male with my female was so much more satisfying than what I had before. I willingly gave myself to her, on her terms, with no regrets.” Hands on hips, he glanced up at the sky. “Now, we must find a way home, or we will be keeping you company for a long time.”