by Heidi Skarie
Hours later, a headache came on so suddenly and with such great intensity that she was forced to stop. She sat down, crippled by pain, and focused within. She immediately sensed Cadmus searching for her and was alarmed that her inner shield might not be strong enough to guard against his spells. She hadn’t fully realized how much she needed Michio’s protection to safeguard her. Alone, she was an easy target.
Her headache became worse and she curled up on the ground in agony, immobilized by Cadmus’ attack and dreading being recaptured. Terror pulsed through her as she inwardly re-experienced the sacrificial ceremony, smelling the smoke from the fiery pit and hearing the sorcerers’ chants.
“No!” she gasped, stopping the dreadful memories. Her inner shield would protect her if she didn’t allow any fear-driven cracks in her armor. If she focused on those she loved, she’d have the strength to block any psychic attacks.
Toemeka shifted her attention to her love for Michio and Baymond. At first, she inwardly saw only darkness, then a flash of blue Light appeared. The Light gradually expanded as she thought of the first time Michio kissed her, of the moment she realized she was in love with him, and of the day their son was born. As her heart opened, waves of colored Light began swirling around her. The brilliant Light of love filled her being, burning away fears and, with it, her headache.
She lay on the ground recovering as precious minutes went by, cautiously pleased that she’d succeeded in blocking Cadmus. She’d done it on her own. No, not quite alone. Michio’s love enveloped her like a protective cloak. He’s never left her. It was her fear that blocked her from tuning into the powerful flow of energy and love that came from him.
Once she felt strong enough, she rose. Unsteady on her feet, she swayed and grabbed a branch to stay upright. As she began walking, slivers of light broke through the clouds and shone on the mountain, revealing its raw beauty.
Toemeka stopped at a precipice and studied the terrain, then checked her GPS. She was heading in the right direction and would probably reach the farm before Jake and his group. They were traveling the long route around the mountain, since the terrain was easier for Erling’s parents to traverse.
Despite the rugged wildness of the Bvundo Mountains, she felt at home. They reminded her of the mountains where she was raised. As she began hiking upwards, the grade grew steeper. Soon she was climbing a rock face. The rocks were slippery from the rain and she was forced to move slowly to keep from falling. Finally she reached the top, cold and gasping for breath. Grateful she’d made it, Toemeka walked forward into a wooded area. Thorns grabbed her robe and scratched her skin as she pushed through the thick brush.
The sky clouded over and rain started again. Toemeka put on her poncho and continued hiking. Gradually the terrain changed and she was exposed once more to the rocky side of the mountain.
Toemeka wondered what Michio had done when he discovered she was gone. Had he started after her or stayed with the others? It troubled her that she hadn’t been able to write a note, explaining why she left and the route she took. If he came after her, he might head in the wrong direction as the rain would’ve washed away her footprints. Moreover, he was at risk of meeting with Cadmus and his men or getting lost in the wilderness. She considered contacting him inwardly, but rejected the idea. He might insist she rejoin the group where she’d still endanger everyone. She quickened her pace, hoping she could see Kossel from the top of the mountain.
The rain gradually let up as Toemeka continued climbing. Soon she was soaked as wet pine branches and plants brushed against her. She stopped and scanned the landscape behind her. From this high elevation and expansive view, she saw no signs of Rochambeau and his men.
Though exhausted from the steep climb and thin air, Toemeka adjusted the straps of her heavy backpack and trudged on. At last she found a path that looked as if it had been made by animals. She followed and discovered it led to a natural tunnel formation at the top of the mountain. At the mouth of the tunnel, she looked back at where she had come.
The blue-colored mountain peaks jutted up in relief through a bed of clouds and foggy mist. On the other side of the tunnel, a dense fog made it impossible to see Kossel. Toemeka started down the animal trail, grateful for its existence. The path became a streambed, pregnant with rainwater rushing down the mountain. Her feet soon became icy-cold from walking through the ankle-deep water.
After awhile the trail faded away and Toemeka had to search for it. She finally found it again, but before long it disappeared altogether and she had to struggle through brush. She was becoming confused and light-headed from fatigue and the high altitude.
On the edge of her consciousness, she was vaguely aware of an inner warning to stop and take care of herself. The first rule of survival is to make shelter, then find water. She ignored the warning and kept moving, afraid Cadmus would find her if she stopped to make shelter.
Toemeka lost track of time. She was tired and everything began to look the same. Disorientated, she kept checking the GPS to be sure she was heading in the right direction. She tripped over a tree root and fell. She didn’t have the energy to keep going and realized she needed rest. Discouraged, she opened the gold locket hanging around her neck and looked at the picture of Michio. She couldn’t deny it any longer; she needed help and must contact him. She closed her eyes and relaxed, then chanted shonu, a word she and Michio had received from Master Bakka to connect with each other. Almost immediately she felt his energy, as if he was waiting for her inwardly. She slipped deeper into contemplation.
A noise in the woods startled her; some creature or person was out there. She sprang to her feet and began to run.
“Toemeka!” Recognizing Michio’s voice, she stopped and turned in his direction, panting for breath. Michio broke through the bushes. Love and concern shone in his eyes as he drew her into his arms. “Thank God, you’re safe.” He kissed her with a touch of desperation that communicated his concern for her.
She pressed herself into his arms, savoring his strength and presence. “I’m… I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have left without talking to you, but I had to separate from the group. Rochambeau is tracking them through me.”
He tenderly brushed a clump of wet hair off her forehead. “I know why you took off, but it’s too dangerous to be alone. Erling and Jake are also searching for you.”
“I need to lead Cadmus away from the others,” she said through chattering teeth, shaking with cold.
“You must be freezing. I brought some dry clothes.” He opened a pocket on his backpack and removed a woman’s lightweight blouse, sweater and pants. “Here put these on.”
She slipped off her backpack and tried to pull off the poncho and heavy robe. Her numb, bluish-colored fingers weren’t working properly so Michio helped her change into the clothes he’d brought.
“Where did you get these?” she asked.
“Lizet. These clothes were in her backpack.”
“Creepy. I’m wearing a dead person’s clothes.”
“She doesn’t need them anymore. Sit down.”
She sat on the trunk of a fallen tree and he squatted in front of her. He pulled off her slippers and slid wool socks onto her feet before putting the slippers back on.
Confusion clouded her mind. Why was she so disoriented?
“Are you still cold?” Michio asked.
Toemeka nodded.
“Here take my jacket.”
“No, you need it.”
“I’m warm from hiking.” Michio put his heavy jacket on her and zipped it up. The jacket was wet on the outside from the rain, but warm on the inside from Michio’s body heat. The sleeves were long and she curled her hands up inside them. Her mind began to clear as some warmth returned to her body.
“I’m not going to rejoin the others,” she said.” I won’t endanger them.”
“Sweetheart, you’re nearly hypothermic and aren’t thinking clearly. Surely you don’t want to be recaptured.”
“I’d rather
die than fall into Cadmus’ hands!”
Michio grimaced and started to reply when a branch cracked. He swung around drawing his blaster. Erling emerged from the woods and Michio lowered his gun.
Erling drew Toemeka into his arms. “Toe, you scared us. You shouldn’t have left on your own.”
“Your mother needs medical attention and can’t keep running from Rochambeau. Michio and I can lead him away, so you can get your family to Kossel.”
“My family’s all right. Zac and Onolyn are guarding them and Benray’s leading the Resistance team. We’ll figure out what to do next. We’re partners.”
“I’m going to scout around and see which way we should go,” Michio said. “Erling, stay with Toemeka. She’s hypothermic.” Michio started climbing up the mountainside.
“Erling, I can’t go back to the group,” Toemeka said. “Rochambeau has twice as many soldiers are we do. We’ll be slaughtered in a fight.”
“I don’t know what’s the best course of action.” An owl hooted nearby and Erling put his hands to his mouth and hooted back.
A few moments later, Jake appeared and immediately glared at Toemeka. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, taking off like that? These woods are filled with wild animal and poisonous snakes. The foliage is so dense and difficult to pass through that people get lost and are never found. Besides, you don’t know where Kossel is and the forest is loaded with Cadmus’ soldiers who’ve spread out in search of you.”
“I was endangering the whole group.”
He cut her off. “Damn right. I should be with them right now.”
Toemeka started shaking. She’d really screwed up this time.
“Easy, Jake,” Erling said. “She’s upset.”
“She’s upset! We’re all upset.” His eyes riveted on Toemeka. “I thought Rochambeau might have abducted you!”
Toemeka’s legs gave out and she sank to the ground. She felt drowsy and confused. Why didn’t Jake just shut up?
Jake looked at Erling. “What wrong with her?”
“She’s hypothermic.”
“Tawku’s blood, that’s all we need. Where’s Michio?”
“He’s scouting the area to see which way we should go.”
“I’ll go find him.” He looked back at Toemeka with narrowed eyes. “Stay put. That’s an order.” Jake headed into the thick foliage.
Erling stood at attention in full alert mode, his gun drawn
“Erling, can I talk to you?” Toemeka asked with a tremor in her voice.
He glanced at her, then his attention returned to keeping guard. “Ignore Jake. He’s being a jerk.”
“He has a right to be angry with me. He’s responsible for the whole group and should’ve stayed with them instead of coming after me.”
“He knows the area better than any of us.” He handed her his canteen and she took a sip while he pulled a military food packet from the side pocket of his backpack. “Eat this.”
“I’m too upset to eat.”
“Take a few bites. You need energy.”
Knowing he was right, she took a bite right as Michio returned.
“Has Jake showed up?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Erling said. “He’s looking for you. Toemeka needs rest.”
“We can’t stop,” Michio said. “Rochambeau’s near. I can feel his dark vibrations.”
Toemeka’s stomach twisted and bile rose to her throat. She threw up what she’d just eaten. “He’s tracking me.”
Michio squatted in front of her and took her hands in his. “I inwardly put a shield around you. Can you stand? We need to keep moving.”
She nodded and stood with his help.
Jake hurried over to them, out of breath. “We’ll never make it back to the others. Commander Rochambeau and his men are near the tunnel at the top of the mountain. It’s impossible to get by them without being seen. I think our best chance of escape is to join the mountain Resistance, the Owayan warriors. Their military camp’s a long way from here by foot, but it’s located on the Rushing Water River, which is just few miles ahead. They keep a canoe hidden on the riverbank that we can use to shoot downstream to their camp. The Owayans will help us get to Kossel.”
“Judging from Cadmus’ relentless pursuit, that may be the best plan,” Michio said. “It’s obvious that Cadmus isn’t going to give up until Toemeka’s recaptured. The others have a better chance of getting to Kossel without us.”
“Sounds like our best option,” Erling said.
They headed out with Michio sticking close to Toemeka. She gradually warmed up as they hiked and felt much better with Michio fully shielding her from Cadmus’ psychic attacks.
Before long the men removed their blasters and picked up the pace. A mile from the river they stopped for a brief rest and Jake stood guard. Toemeka sat on a boulder, glad for a chance to rest. Her heavy backpack was draining her remaining energy.
“If our luck holds out, we’ll reach the Owayan camp before dusk,” Jake said.
A shot rang out and Jake slammed backwards against a tree and fell to the ground, blood blossoming on his chest.
“Jake!” Toemeka exclaimed as Michio and Erling returned fire. She zipped open his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt to look at the wound. “You’ve been hit in the shoulder.”
“It hurts like the devil.”
“Toemeka, get Jake behind those rocks,” Michio ordered. “We’ll cover you.” He fired at soldiers rushing towards them.
Toemeka grabbed Jake’s blaster off the ground and tucked it in her waistband. Then she tried to pull him up, but he was too heavy. Erling grabbed his other arm and together they got Jake to his feet. Holding him on either side, they all ran jerkily toward a large rock outcrop with blaster fire tearing up the trees around them.
Toemeka’s heart was hammering double-time when they finally made it safely behind the rocks. Cadmus obviously didn’t care if she was captured, dead or alive. Peering around the edge, she began firing her blaster to give Michio cover as he ran to them.
“How many do you think there are?” Toemeka asked.
“Judging from the amount of shooting, about a dozen,” Michio said.
“You three, head down to the river,” Jake said in a weak voice. “Leave me a blaster and I’ll hold them off.”
“I’ll hold them off,” Michio said. “Erling, you help Jake to the river.”
“You’ll never make it with me slowing you down. Erling, get Toemeka and Michio to safety, then go help Breezy and the rest of your family.”
“Noble gesture, but we’re not leaving you,” Erling said, staring off into the woods. All seemed quiet for the moment.
Jake looked at Michio. “Get Toemeka out of here. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.”
“Jake, the wound isn’t that bad.” Toemeka said, fighting back tears. “We’re all going to make it,”
“Go, Tiger. Hurry,” Jake said. “I don’t want to die for nothing.”
“Don’t be so morbid,” Erling said. “We’re not leaving you.” He put his arm around Jake and started into the woods. “Besides, we need you to show us where the canoe is.”
“Toemeka, you go next,” Michio said. “I’ll cover the rear.”
She stood still, tuning in to the woods around them. “Cadmus is close by.”
He nodded grimly. “I know. Get going.”
Toemeka tore after the other two, taking an irregular path as blaster fire flashed through the air, hitting the trees around her. Worried about Michio, she looked back. He was hunkered down behind a tree, firing his gun.
“Don’t let him die,” she pleaded. Reaching Erling and Jake, she turned back and fired into the woods to give Michio cover.
He dashed over to her and turned back to fire at the soldiers. “Go!” Michio exclaimed.
Toemeka ran after Erling and Jake, then moved ahead of them and took the lead. The brush became thicker and it was difficult to find a pathway, but she heard the roar of the river and kept moving tow
ard it.
Finally she broke through the dense bushes, then gasped and grabbed onto a branch to keep from falling. She stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the river that thundered nearly twenty feet below. A sudden movement caught her attention and she looked to her right. A soldier stood close by, his blaster pointing at her.
“Drop your weapon,” he ordered, shoving the muzzle of his blaster into her chest.
Terror pounded through her veins as she dropped her blaster. A branch cracked behind her and she turned to see Jake and Erling coming onto the bank.
As the soldier turned toward them, Toemeka threw her weight against his arm holding the blaster. The bushes beside Erling exploded. She slammed her knee into the soldier’s groin. When he doubled over in pain, she wrenched the blaster from his hand and slammed it into the side of the head.
“You know, maybe Toemeka can take care of herself,” Jake said.
Erling winced. “I almost feel sorry for that guy when he wakes up.”
“He got what he deserved,” Toemeka said. She handed the soldier’s blaster to Jake. “You’d better take this. There’s no telling how close the rest of them are.” She bent over and grabbed her blaster. “Where’s the canoe?”
Michio joined them on the bank, coming at a flat-out run. “What happened? I heard blaster fire.”
“Toemeka’s just protecting us from this soldier,” Jake said.
Michio looked down at the unconscious man and frowned.
“The canoe’s hidden in a cave at the bottom of this cliff,” Jake said. “It’s too steep to climb down from here. We’ll have to find another way.”
Toemeka noticed a cable of thick vines growing down the side of a large tree and over the edge of the cliff. She tugged at one and decided it was strong enough to support her weight.
“We can use these vines to climb down.” Mustering her courage, she grabbed onto one of the vines and swung over the edge.
“Wait!” Michio exclaimed, “It’s too dangerous.”