Wilderness Untamed

by Butler, J. M.

  "I doubt you could. Hammocks aren't conducive to silent escapes." He raked his hand through his black hair, his eyelids sliding shut once more. "You smell odd too. You're sure you don't remember anything?"

  "Nope. I'm hungry." She quirked her mouth to the side. "That should fix what I'm feeling. And everything else is explained by nerves. I'll feel a lot better once we're past this canyon."

  "What else?" His frown reappeared.

  Standing, she put her hand over her chest once more. The reassuring thud of her own heartbeat reminded her that it was there, vigorous and steady. No indication of anything abnormal. She took her pulse as well. "I feel off. A little shaky. Like I'm empty. But nothing seems to be wrong."

  "Are you in pain?"

  "No, that'd be an indication that something was wrong. I promise, as far as I know, I'm fine." She offered him a crooked smile before crossing over to the fire. AaQar had already portioned out a generous helping of flaky white fish. It tasted similar to rainbow trout.

  Despite his insisting he would sleep longer, Naatos joined her for breakfast. He and AaQar discussed the plans with QueQoa interjecting from time to time along with discussions of how the scorpion stingers and exoskeletons could be used and how to handle the dragon. WroOth woke a couple hours later.

  Once tasks were assigned, they set to them. Amelia divided her time between cutting up and roasting the meat from QueQoa's last hunt and helping AaQar prepare the dragon bone and marrow for the rels. The brothers each took turns examining the dragon corpse, drawing out the claws, studying the wings, and measuring the limbs and teeth.

  One by one, each shifted into the dragon's form, and the others critiqued. She cleaned out the mortar and pestle and proceeded to grind up the dried marrow with the chopped herbs AaQar had indicated.

  As she worked, she watched them with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. They had always made shifting appear so effortless; she had often wondered how they would handle something entirely distinct. Everything was fair game for comment: leg shape, armor protrusions, horn placement, scale coloration.

  Some of the observations, such as the way that the claws curled more from the base and then slanted forward, were ones Amelia hadn't noticed until they called attention to it. The details they noted impressed her, each tending to catch more of one than another. QueQoa focused more on the general musculature, AaQar on the eyes and armor, WroOth on the wings, and Naatos on the claws, spikes, and teeth.

  In between that were the other preparations as the sun passed through the sky. Come nightfall, off they would go. On to harsher terrains and a longer path to Darmoste and whatever it held. Trouble.

  Matthu's face flashed into her mind.

  Dear sweet Matthu.

  Please be all right.

  The Tue-Rah was gone though.

  She stopped short, nearly dropping the mortar.

  Why would she think such a thing?

  Of course the Tue-Rah wasn't gone.

  The Tue-Rah couldn't be gone. It couldn't die.

  But its temple and frame and all of the mechanisms which controlled it could be destroyed. Vorec had wanted to do that.

  What if the forces that had destroyed the cities and left no traces of any kind behind had done the same to the temple? Whatever was done had been done a long, long time ago. Yet the urge to hurry intensified, far stronger than the dread she felt whenever she thought of Dry Deep. Her stomach lurched as if to protest.

  If they only went into Dry Deep—her stomach twisted again—all they would do was walk through. It would save them time, resources, and energy. AaQar had mentioned that there were more than enough food and water sources once within Dry Deep. Not the most appetizing perhaps, but no one would starve. And the predator attacks would be fewer.

  "If I weren't here, would you be taking the path through the canyon or Dry Deep?"

  AaQar shook his head, smiling. "There's no need to borrow trouble and worries, little sister. The Dry Deep is a dangerous route even for us. It's long and tiring, and who knows how much it has changed. If time weren't of the essence, we wouldn't consider it at all even if it was only us."

  But expediency would have led them to it anyway. If she hadn't been with them. Her heart both warmed and ached with that knowledge. "Any indication of how long before the Grey Season reaches us?"

  "I've been charting every sign I can find. It isn't happening in order. We're due for another aura storm most likely."

  She cupped her temple, recalling the crushing pain. "Oh. How long do we have?"

  "We'll be near to the mountains for the next hundred miles or so. This time we'll make a stronger shelter. And we'll do it far sooner. We cut things rather close the last time."

  "A little." She resumed grinding the roasted marrow and fresh herbs in the mortar and pestle. "If these dragons are new, where did you get living steel before?"

  "From the Shivennan metal forests."

  "Forests of metal?"

  "They can only grow on a few worlds, but they are magnificent to behold. Living steel was used in almost all foundations for luck, protection, prosperity, and general durability. Even if the family was too limited for the entire house to be made of it for some reason, every home had at least one beam. And it is one of the inimitable ingredients in rels."

  Amelia glanced over at the crate they were building for Proteus. It was nearly finished. The fact that any of the brothers could pass some of their shifting energy into the slabs of wood and perfect the size and shape made the crate progress much faster. It was unfortunate they couldn't do the same with everything. "Are the rels hard to make?"

  "If one has the ingredients, time, and steady hands, not at all." AaQar grated more capo root into the stone vessel. "But they are exceptionally precise. A gift from the Unatos that was freely shared, and it is one of the few that we could make without their aid. One of those creations that has saved millions, perhaps billions over the years." His brow tweaked as if more memories had reached him. Sadness spilled off him. Sadness and silence. He didn't want to talk about it.

  She emptied the contents of the mortar into a separate stone vessel and then spooned in additional bone marrow and herbs. "It's amazing how much you know. Do you find it hard to remember or do Vawtrians just have something to help prevent knowledge attrition?"

  He chuckled a little though the sadness still tinged his voice. "Vawtrians have excellent memories in general. All that healing has its advantages. And there are tricks for committing things to memory. I've seen you muttering while you read. You know a few yourself."

  "I didn't realize I was that obvious." She glanced back at the crate once more. QueQoa was adjusting something like a large deflated white balloon over the top of the crate. "What's that for?"

  "Best way we can keep him safe while we fly." QueQoa patted the top. "We'll put one on the bottom as well."

  "Is it going to be hard to carry him?"

  "Not especially. I've done plenty of rescues. Never a bavril. But we'll both be fine. We'll even have handles."

  She glanced over at Proteus who was rubbing his bony shoulder against the tree and roots. Whatever difficulties they might face, he had no concerns. He trusted them. Everything would feel better once they were on the other side. "You're a sweetheart, QueQoa."

  He chuckled. "Not particularly. Just good at rescues and transports."

  Both were true. Her gaze shifted to Naatos as he continued to evaluate the dragon corpse. He was sweet in his own way as well. Tying her foot to his wasn't something she liked, but it was the best he'd been able to come up with. He was good at that. Not always the right solution but doing something. Part of her felt the same way. Waiting could be intolerable. Even if action sometimes took one down the wrong path. But wrong paths could be changed to a point.

  Perhaps the perspective and intent did matter. In the end, people acted in accordance with what they believed deep inside more so than what they said. It startled her to realize that since the vestov vow she hadn't worried as much
about the future and the Tue-Rah. It had become distant and hazy, a blessing in its vagueness.

  There were bad things ahead though she could not place her finger on where that sense came from. And time was running out. Not because of the Ki Valo Nakar though. No… there was something—something dancing on the edges of her mind. Yet each time she focused on it, it faded into mist.

  She ducked her head as she resumed grinding the marrow and herbs. It was nearly finished. But it was a little too wet still. Standing, she glanced about for the salt.

  WroOth snagged his arm around her shoulder and thrust a whistle in her hand. "You'll be riding with me, dear heart. If the worst comes to the worst and you need someone to catch you, blow this as hard and as long as you can."

  Twisting free, she fastened the leather thongs around her neck. It settled into place easily, similar to the Neyeb betrothal necklace she'd worn for years. Vorec destroying both hadn't been enough to sever her connection with Naatos, but she did miss the bit of jewelry and all the memories she had accumulated with it. Her bracelet hummed in response, a little more agitated than before. When she focused on it, it stilled.

  Though WroOth smiled, his turquoise eyes had grown hard, almost stern. "Remember if you get thrown or fall, do not panic. Make the most of the time as you go. And when one of us comes for you, do not start flailing. That's the perfect way to get yourself impaled. And flailing is a waste of energy. Even if you're trying to slow your descent, you keep your motions smooth and controlled."

  She adjusted the strap around her neck. "I'll remember." Hopefully she would. Her experience in falling with great heights hadn't been as much as she would have liked. They had practiced many of these techniques along the way, lacking only the height of the cliffs. AaQar had insisted it was sufficient. And she had certainly enjoyed the practice she had had with WroOth at the cliff. But she was a long way from proficiency. It took every ounce of focus and strength to keep from flailing at points. The heat of survival would only make that more challenging. Pausing, she realized that wasn't even a week ago. Time felt as if it had slowed and muddled. Sometimes it was as if she had always been here. Or as if she would end here.

  WroOth was still going, his tone increasingly animated as he punctuated the words with his hands. "If you don't think you can grab hold with any accuracy, you just keep your arms over your chest, and we'll get you. If you do impale yourself, well, try not to make it worse." He clapped her on the shoulder, but concern shone in his turquoise eyes and wrinkled his brow. "And if you get yourself killed, know that I will never forgive you."

  "Is that the only reason I shouldn't?" She hoped it would make him smile, but his expression remained solemn. "I guess you've convinced me."

  He flicked her ear as he passed by. "Good."

  The rest of the day passed slowly. There was precious little conversation as compared to most days. When Naatos lay down, she went to sit with him.

  Though he smiled, thin lines creased his forehead. "What is this? You're just going to sit here? You're not even going to read?"

  "I don't think I can sleep any more, but since I'm not flying tonight, it probably doesn't matter. You can use my leg as a pillow though."

  He had already adjusted his position before she finished the statement. "Is this going to happen whenever I sit beside you as you sleep?" she asked.

  "So long as your thighs remain comfortable." He shifted onto his back.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, keeping her strokes light and gentle. Little moments like this warmed her. She'd never considered how much she needed this sort of contact or really intimacy of any sort. No matter how strange it felt even now. As if she were a puzzle piece that had found the larger puzzle it belonged within but not the precise spot. Love was much easier when kept at arm's length, but she wouldn't change it now. Not for anything. Awkward as she was, this love was a treasure.

  "What are you worrying about?"

  "I'm just thinking."

  "You're concerned?"

  She smiled. "Always in the back of my mind."

  "And they say I think loud."

  She'd gotten used to the intensity of his presence. It no longer pressed so hard against her. Tugging a strand of his hair, she shook her head. "Are you going to be all right tonight?"

  "Why wouldn't I be?"

  "Your shifting."

  He grunted. "I'll be fine."

  "I don't want to distract you. And if you lost your form while we're flying again—" The pang of worry that cut her breath and dried her mouth startled her. "I know this is a dangerous flight for everyone. And that includes you."

  "Only a little more challenging." He caressed her cheek, the look in his eyes both soft and hungry. "I've been through far worse." With a low sigh, he pressed his thumb to her chin. "Whatever happens, it will be well. I may not be able to carry you for this flight, but if you need me, I will be there."

  "Naatos, with only a very few exceptions, I know that if I need you for anything you'll be there. It isn't even a concern. And I'll do my best to do the same for you. Although I think my particular skillset may not be as useful out here." She continued to draw her fingers through his hair. "I still can't do that stupid telepathic communication thing."

  His smile broadened, his eyes sliding shut once more. "If you get angry at it, it will go faster."

  "Well naturally." A small laugh bubbled up. "I should have thought of that sooner."

  "It's always worked for me." He shrugged. "Or you could accept it'll come in time."

  "Ragefully banging my head into the wall is clearly the best thing to do."

  "You have the whistle though. If something goes wrong, you'll be able to let us know. Lots of people get by without telepathy." He slid his hand up to her neck. "Just don't stop telling me what's happening. Even if you think I can't fix it."

  She leaned in. "You want to hear everything I'm thinking?"

  "Crespa, no." He grinned. "I couldn't survive that, veskaro."

  "So that's how the prophecy is fulfilled." Her insides were all warm now, her heart beating faster. There were times when he made her stomach somersault.

  He scoffed. "I liked it better when we fell off the branch and were devoured by ilmas. That is the superior fulfillment."

  "After euphoria of course."

  "Of course."

  "Do you still feel the effects?"

  He nodded, the smile that played on his lips contented. Those tendrils of sensation danced along the edges of her hands and up her arms, peaceful as the scent of fresh cut grass after a summer rain. "Even with everything else. I probably will for a few days longer."

  Brushing his hair back, she kissed his forehead. It was hard to explain the worry that crept through her mind. The unease. The offness of everything. But this was good. Unquestionably.

  He slid his hand along the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. His fingers curled in her hair as he nipped at her lower lip and then tasted her. Those glowing threads returned, twining around her conscious mind and his. Delight flowed through them, building like her pulse.

  Her veskare.

  She pulled away from the kiss, then nuzzled him. "We should be careful what we start."

  His hand remained in her hair, sending delightful shivers down her spine and along her scalp. "There's an old Vawtrian tradition. Before a dangerous journey, a joined couple starts something. Then when the journey concludes and they are reunited, they finish it."

  She chuckled as she stroked his cheek. "So what? You want to start an herb garden or start painting a bedroom? I guess we'd have to build one first. Maybe a cave wall would suffice."

  He growled low in his throat. "You know what I mean."

  "I do. And I like the idea that kisses farewell are promises." She glanced back into the sky. Only a few more hours before sunset. "You should sleep though. I like that we're keeping our promises to one another. Especially since these are good ones."

  His eyes slid shut. "I'm locking us in that house for
two weeks."

  "There will be food in this house, won't there?"

  "Of course."

  "Then good. That and something cold to drink and a mattress with sheets and pillows would make it almost perfect. Something to look forward to when we reach Darmoste."

  He nodded, his voice sleepier when he spoke again. "Another good promise to keep."

  75

  The Dragon’s Canyon

  As the sun set, they made final preparations. Amelia changed into her training clothes. Naatos strapped a small sealed container filled with scorpion venom onto his spear. AaQar checked the colrum serum and resecured the lid. Then everyone divided up the packs with their supplies and wrapped them with the hides.

  Amelia wore her satchel with the band crossing over her chest. She then took the other with Tacky and used one of the stone bowls to give him a protective barrier and prevent him getting crushed. This one she positioned in front of herself.

  "You're rather off balance with that setup," AaQar noted.

  "What else can I do to protect Tacky?" Amelia asked. She adjusted it and checked to ensure it could curl inside if needed. A leg or two might get pinched, but pinched legs were better than death. It didn't seem to mind though as it stroked the stone and pushed up beneath her hand for pets.

  AaQar frowned as he circled her. "And what happens if you suddenly fall forward."

  "I'm going to get impaled on WroOth's horns." She adjusted the large bowl, then tapped it to see if Tacky would get inside. Tacky did.

  "Not funny." WroOth flicked her ear as he passed her by.

  "Am I wrong?"

  He tilted his head, his eyes rolling up as if he contemplated this. "No, you ridiculous little vespyr." He shook his head, then shuddered. "The whole crest needs to be redesigned. That could have been gruesome. Simple adjustment though."