She clicked her teeth as she contemplated this. Basically a guarantee really.
Not fully certain this would help, she secured two solid sticks inside, one at the foot and one at the head to serve as spreaders. Fastening them with more rope proved important. A few additional tests ensured that it was strong enough to hold her and more.
"What is this about?" Naatos asked as she climbed in.
Where had he come from? Amelia turned, startled. "I'm going to sleep in this." She indicated the hammock, pleased with herself. It actually felt quite sturdy.
He regarded it with obvious suspicion and a partial smile. "I could get you a large rock if you'd rather that than the ground."
"No. I'm going to try this." Bracing her hands against the sides, she shook it violently. The branches overhead rustled, and, though young, they did not bend too far. A few turquoise leaves floated down. "It'll be more comfortable than sleeping on the ground anyway. And sleeping flat on a boulder these past few weeks is finally getting a little old."
"I don't like hammocks," Naatos said. "They're unstable, unreliable, and unworthy. Given all your trust and control issues, I'm surprised you like them."
She held up her hands. "I don't like them much, but I like hammocks a whole lot better than sleeping on the ground with dozens of dolmaths running all over me."
"They stop running as much after midnight."
"And if I'm up until midnight, and we're leaving at dawn's first light, I might as well stay awake all night."
Chuckling, he shook his head. "I'd disagree with the extreme. But it is a fair bit of sleep lost, I will grant you that."
Progress then. She gave a conciliatory nod, then lifted her shoulder as casually as she could. "It's up to you of course. But if you'd like to join me in this hammock, I think I made it strong enough for two."
He shook his head firmly. "No. It's too dangerous out here. If something does break through the rels, precious seconds could be lost."
WroOth's cackling from behind the fire interrupted. "You just don't like hammocks. You're still a Seyal through and through."
Confusion wisped through her, furrowing her brow. "Seyal? I thought you were an Almonyek," Amelia said.
Though he cast an annoyed look in his brother's direction, he returned his focus to her at almost at once, his manner still calm. "I am. But I was born a Seyal. Few are born Almonyek. Almonyeks exceed their limitations."
"What's the difference between them and a Thudolyan?" She positioned her feet more evenly beneath herself.
"Almonyeks prove themselves to themselves and duel to demonstrate if anyone is foolish enough to ask for such proof. The Thudolyans are an order with particular guidelines, tests, and requirements for joining." Naatos picked up the tablet and resumed adding in details for something. Most likely the Ki Valo Nakar. Or something similar. "Seyal Vawtrians are earth-based. We are denser, harder to break, more at ease with the soil. Keyrs are lighter-boned and longer-limbed while Melspas have stronger circulation and greater breathing capacity. Among other differences. None of which have anything to do with hammocks."
"He doesn't like hammocks because he doesn't like sleeping in the air. He'd rather be on the ground. Or in it."
Naatos cast yet another annoyed glare in WroOth's direction.
QueQoa returned, dragging a large log for the fire, muscles and sinews straining. His broad face lit up as soon as he saw the hammock. "Why haven't we done this before?"
Amelia's eyes widened. "Oh, wait a minute!" Was he going to—
He jumped into the hammock with her.
She braced herself, expecting to tip over backward. But he had seized the branch overhead, and, though it groaned and creaked, he dropped down perfectly straight, then sat crosslegged with his knees sticking up over the edges of the blanket.
"We don't do this because we aren't afraid of dolmaths, and they appreciate harvesting our heat," AaQar said. "But… we could have done this for the ones who were unnerved by them."
Amelia remained perched at the top of the hammock, her legs folded under her. "You're a lot more graceful than I expected. I thought for sure you were going to capsize me."
"Oh, I am exceptionally graceful. I have trained." He sounded quite pleased as he said this, his deep-blue eyes shining.
WroOth leaped in as well, every bit as graceful as a sleek-furred cat and just as determined to claim his space.
Amelia moved up higher on the hammock to accommodate him. "Seriously, WroOth?"
"Well, you said it was strong enough for two. It must be tested." The hammock sagged down, less than two feet from the ground. "Excellent knotwork, little sister. The braiding made a difference. AaQar, Naatos, come see how strong the hammock is."
"No." Naatos tossed more wood on the fire. "And get out before you break it."
"AaQar." WroOth spread his arms. "Join us."
AaQar scoffed, arms folded across his chest. But there was a faint smile at his lips. "This is unbecoming. Get out. Both of you. Leave our sister be."
"Oh come on. Get in the hammock."
"It's fine," Amelia said when AaQar looked to her. "I don't think they're getting out until you get in."
"See, listen to the mindreader." WroOth gestured to her as if she had made a fine point. She swatted his hand away. "Now hurry before she gets territorial and decides to kuvaste us all."
He dipped his head forward, fighting to hide the smile. "This is ridiculous."
"It's for science. We need to determine how much weight this hammock can bear."
"Well…" AaQar shrugged. "If it is for science." He clambered in, a little less gracefully but no less confidently.
Amelia had to scooch up higher on the braid as AaQar's body pinched her feet. He folded himself up quite well though while she remained balanced on the edge.
"Excellent!" WroOth clapped his hands as QueQoa let out a loud whoop. "We can fit everyone in the hammock. Naatos, you have to get in now. It's a sign. Obviously we must continue. For science."
"Why?" Amelia couldn't help but laugh as she gestured to the hammock. "Why does this mean that?"
"Because it's here." WroOth beamed. "Now. Naatos, the sooner you get in this hammock, the sooner we'll all get out. Be reasonable."
He canted his head as he looked at his grinning younger brother. "No." He pointed at the sky. "And if you are concerned about avoiding the dolmaths, they'll be here soon."
"Leave him be," AaQar said, placing his hand on the edge of the blanket. "You know you can't force him to do anything. But, we probably should transition for the night. Naatos, bring me my staff."
Naatos gave him an incredulous look. "Is that all you're going to say?"
"Please." AaQar smiled. "I'm still recovering."
"And no one is going to use that staff to pull you in," QueQoa said.
"Hold up." Amelia lifted her hands. "This hammock is strained as it is. It isn't going to handle a fight. Whatever you do, please don't tear the blanket or snap the ropes."
"Not to worry. There's no fighting," WroOth said. "We're just having a conversation."
She did not trust that smile in the least. She didn't trust any of those grins really. From the looks of it, neither did Naatos.
He picked up the staff and turned it over in his hands. "Do you think I'm really foolish enough to fall for this? Again?"
AaQar held his hand out. "Just give me my staff. The years weigh heavy on me."
"Are they? You are four years older than me." Naatos stepped closer.
"It's the salt water. Ages a body." AaQar faked a cough and then thumped his fist against his chest. Though WroOth had schooled his face into an appropriately measured expression of concern, QueQoa could barely choke down his giggles. "So be a dear."
Naatos was almost within arm's reach of the hammock. He turned the staff between his hands. "You're all dreadful at this."
AaQar put his hand out, motioning for him to come closer. "I can't reach that far."
"Can't you?" Naatos cl
icked his tongue at him. He then held the staff out.
AaQar took hold of it and pulled it in at the same time WroOth lunged forward. He narrowly missed seizing Naatos's wrist as Naatos stepped smoothly back.
"You're all too slow," Naatos said with a smug smile. "And you all look ridiculous in that hammock. Although the knotwork is very impressive." He turned back to the fire.
WroOth lunged at him, shifting mid-leap into a lanky red dragon. Grabbing hold of him, he dragged him back. Growling, Naatos counterformed into a black dragon that set his heels deep in the dirt.
The swift tussle continued until WroOth launched into the air, dragging Naatos with him. They both landed in the hammock as AaQar and QueQoa strained to the side to accommodate their arrival.
"It's going to—" Amelia started to shout that it was going to break. But both branches snapped, and they all landed hard on the ground. She sprawled back, laughing so hard tears streamed down her cheeks. The others were laughing as well. Even Naatos as he and WroOth returned to their state of rest.
Drawing herself to her feet, Amelia shook her head. "I guess I understand now why you're so uneasy about hammocks, Naatos." Lifting one end of the hammock, she started for another set of branches. Bits of wood and leaves and twigs covered the area where they'd fallen.
"And yet you're still putting it up." WroOth picked up the other end and followed her. "I don't know whether to laugh at your optimism or applaud your tenacity."
"Both sounds about right for you." She leaned up on her toes to see if she could reach the branch. Nope. Not even close. She draped the rope over her shoulder and turned to the trunk.
"Stop. You aren't going to reach that unless you levitate." Naatos pushed her back as he took the braided ropes from her.
"I was going to climb the tree and then tie it off."
He was already tying it high in the branches. "This is faster."
"Is faster always the goal?" She hoisted herself up into the tree. The double-tipped leaves brushed against her cheek as she moved higher up. The bark was a little coarser than an oak's, and it had lots of dips and grooves that made intricate geometric patterns. She dug her fingers into the broader diamond shapes and continued up.
"Not in some things." Naatos paused as he looked up into the tree. "Amelia, I am handling it."
Crawling out onto the branch, she glanced down at him. "So am I."
He glared up at her. "You climb quickly." He resumed tying the knot. "But it was pointless." Releasing the strands, he stepped back.
"Hmmm." Amelia waited until he finished and then turned it so she could see it. Resting her weight on her elbows, she drew the ropes up, untied Naatos's knot, and redid it.
"Did you just redo my knot?" Naatos demanded.
"Shhh." She put her finger to her lips. "I'm about to redo WroOth's." Crawling along the branch, she made her way to the end.
WroOth had already returned to the fire. "Oh, come now, dear heart. That's just insulting."
"I'm the one who has to sleep in this. And for something like this, I'd rather have a bowline hitch knot than whatever this is that you two came up with."
"It's a basilisk forward knot," Naatos said. "And it is better than yours."
"You said my knotwork was good."
"It doesn't mean it can't be improved." Naatos jumped, caught the branch, and hauled himself up easily.
"Hey!" Amelia straightened as she finished the second knot. "Don't you dare undo my knots."
"Oh, they are undone. And redone." Naatos put his hand over the branch. Gold light slashed out, sputtering and uneven. "Undo them now."
"You turned them into part of the tree!"
"They won't come undone."
"So we're just going to leave the rope here?" She tugged at it. The rope really was part of the tree now. Knots and all.
Naatos had already navigated his way through the branches and to the other side. "I'll handle that too." A similar gold light with sputters followed, sealing the second point in as well. "You cannot tell me that you can tie a better knot than this."
"If you fall from this height, would you get hurt?" Amelia asked.
"What?" he frowned as he looked at her. "No."
"Good." She pounced, striking him in the chest.
He didn't move though the branch shuddered. His eyebrow raised. "That was an unfortunate choice."
Two more pushes didn't accomplish anything except confirm that his chest was indeed solid. She folded her arms over her chest. "So you don't move?"
"Not unless I want to. You on the other hand…" He shrugged.
"Hmmm." She drew back, the branch wobbling a little under her feet. "You have to reach me before you can push me." With a small jump, she caught the branch above her and pulled herself higher into the leaves.
"Amelia," AaQar called. "The rels only go about thirty-five feet in the air. If you climb above that, you're likely to encounter something unpleasant. Mantises or cats or bats or who knows—"
"Spiders," WroOth shouted after her. "We all know that for you it will be spiders."
She dropped back onto the lower branch. "Is there any place in your world that doesn't have giant spiders that eat people? The poles? The ocean perhaps?"
Naatos laughed.
"No." WroOth walked beneath the branches as he peered up at her. "Ice spiders. Tundra rachs. Sea spiders. Even cloud spiders. He will push you when you least expect it. Don't think just because you're his veskaro that means he won't get even with you at the moment you least expect it. He is vicious, vindictive, and petty."
"WroOth." Naatos gave him an irritated glare.
Amelia looked from him to WroOth to AaQar. "Please tell me that cloud spiders do not in fact—"
"They do." Naatos returned his focus to her. "You can see why most Neyeb don't like visiting Ecekom for guided tours through the wilderness."
It wasn't that funny, and yet she couldn't help the laughter that rose. "And I'm stuck here. With all of you. And spiders. So many spiders!" She sank onto the branch and held her face. The image of them all piled into the hammock sprang back into her mind, and she collapsed into a fit of laughter.
Naatos crouched beside her. "Are you crying?"
"Get her out of the tree before she falls. You won't break if you fall from that height, but she might." AaQar walked to the trunk as well. QueQoa followed.
"No." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm just—everything is ridiculous, and I can breathe more freely. Who called me?" Lifting her head, she looked around, not certain which direction the voice had come from.
"No one called you." Naatos frowned as he slid his hand under her elbow. "Come on."
"No." She stopped laughing and sat up straighter, avoiding Naatos's hand. "I heard someone call my name." She tilted her head. It was coming from—
Dipping forward, she took in a sharp breath.
"All right. You're getting out of the tree." Naatos took hold of her arm and swung her out. "AaQar, catch her."
As AaQar caught her, Amelia froze. "It's coming from you!" she exclaimed.
AaQar's brows lifted with surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but she doubled over, grabbing at her own head. "No! Wait! Wait!"
Energy unfolded inside her as something clawed at her throat and mouth. She struck one hand against AaQar's chest as she dug her fingers into the side of her face. "It wants to talk!"
Agony shot through every vein in her body as she was ripped into darkness. Her surroundings blurred, revealing briefly a stone room with chains in the walls. A pair of red eyes loomed over her. Sharp. Inquisitive. Vicious.
Then the darkness snapped her back. She shot along some cord, rushing through the expanse. Her entire body screamed, her nerves twisting and scraping through this horrid space. And then she was back, now with Naatos, both his heartbeat and scent familiar, grounding. Everything blurred though. Her heart raced as if she had just been running. The pain had receded to something duller, lower, throbbing through her veins.
"H
ello boys," a woman's musical voice said. "It's good to see you again."
46
The State of Ecekom
It all turned in less than a breath. One moment Naatos was certain that Amelia was flirting with him and debating just how he was going to get even with her. The next, she was screaming and driving one hand into her own face and the other into AaQar's chest.
Though WroOth grabbed her hand and tried to stop her from hurting herself, she resisted, some force of terror fueling her strength.
But something was pouring out of her. Bright white, gold, and blue light tearing out of her mouth as if someone had stolen her very breath. The scream disappeared into that light.
"Who is doing this?" QueQoa exclaimed.
Naatos leaped down. "It's an emergence. Someone is using her to communicate. They're forming." Whoever it was was projecting themselves through her mind, vitality, and energy. She had driven her fingernails deep into her temple and along her cheek.
"Another Neyeb?" WroOth asked. "Or sorcery?"
AaQar was already carrying her back to the fire. "It's happening fast." He'd barely set her down when she stiffened and light shot out of her. Her features had gone deathly pale, the color draining even from her eyes. The pale blue, purple, and gold light intensified, sliding out into a vortex as a human form appeared in the shadows.
He moved to her head. She was still digging at her face as he pushed his hand between her and her temple. The bond between them had strengthened, but it wasn't even strong enough to allow him to siphon off the pain and take it on himself. He couldn't even heal her for the moment. "Amelia, relax. Breathe." An easy thing to tell someone who had a fully born consciousness forcing their way out of them and using her vitality to take a shape here.
"Hello boys," a familiar voice came from that form as long red hair appeared on the head. All of the defining features formed in a slow pouring movement until there could be no doubt about who it was: Rasha. "It's good to see you again."
Only the crackling of the fire and Amelia's labored breaths broke the stunned silence that followed. Words escaped his mind as well.
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