by Rayna Tyler
After Garyck found the luzardee skin, Harper had been cautioned to keep the children close to their home. Of course, young ones did not always follow instructions. And with the large number of children the female cared for, it was impossible to keep track of them every minute.
“Fuzzball got away, and I went to look for him.” Fresh tears trickled down her cheeks.
Celeste returned her blade to its sheath, then squatted in front of Melissa and rubbed her arms. “So why are you crying?”
“Because, because”—Melissa gulped more air—“because of what happened to Fuzzball and the white guy.”
“What white guy?” Celeste asked, then shot me a questioning look.
I shrugged, also baffled by the child’s reference.
“The white guy who lives in the rocks.” Melissa sobbed, expressing her exasperation by stomping her foot.
“I assume she is talking about the ketaurran male who lives in the caverns along the perimeter of the settlement.” With everything that had happened, I had not had a chance to tell Celeste about Garyck’s other discovery.
“You mean what we always assumed was a harmless creature is really a male?” Celeste asked, then turned back to Melissa after I nodded. “Start from the beginning and tell us what happened.”
“I know we’re not supposed to go near the rocks, but it was Fuzzball’s fault, and…” Melissa swiped a cheek with the back of her hand.
Celeste wiped her other cheek. “You’re not in trouble, okay?”
“Okay.” Melissa pushed out her lower lip. “Well, there was a man hiding in the rocks.”
“Not the white guy, right?” Celeste asked for clarification.
“Uh-huh, and he was mean. He said I had to go with him, and when I told him no, he grabbed me…hard.” She held up her arm and showed us the red marks on her skin, which would no doubt turn into bruises later.
I clenched my fists. If the male was not already dead, he soon would be.
“That’s when the white guy showed up and told the mean guy to let me go or else.” Melissa gasped a deep breath. “Then they got into a big fight. Only the mean guy didn’t fight fair and tried to push the white guy into a big hole near the rocks.” Melissa threw her hands in the air. “Then Fuzzball tried to help the white guy, and, and…they all fell into the hole.”
“Hole?” Celeste asked, her confusion matching mine.
“Yeah, it was really deep. I looked over the edge and could see the white guy, but I think he got hurt, and it was too far for me to reach, so I ran and…” Melissa looked up at me with pleading brown eyes. “Please, Khyron, you have to help them.”
“Melissa, can you take us to the hole?” Celeste asked as she got to her feet.
“Yes.” She bobbed her head, then took my hand and tugged. “It’s this way.”
I hurried, but it was hard for Melissa’s shorter legs to keep up with me, so I scooped her into my arms and continued in the direction she’d instructed. She seemed grateful for the assistance and wrapped her arms around my neck. I clutched her closer, hoping the reassurance would comfort her.
“It’s over there.” Melissa pointed toward a flat area near the base of a rock wall where a group of boulders formed a natural staircase. It was probably one of many ways the ketaurran male accessed the ledges above.
I lowered her to the ground. “Show us.”
“Here.” She moved ahead of us slowly and circled the mound of boulders.
Hidden from view was a gap that cut between the rock walls. A large crevice, which I assumed was Melissa’s hole, ran alongside it. If Fuzzball and the males went over the edge as she stated, I feared what we would find at the bottom.
Celeste placed her hand on Melissa’s shoulder to keep her from getting any closer. “Why don’t you move back a little so Khyron and I can take a look?”
“Okay.”
Staying by Celeste’s side, I walked toward the ravine and peered over the edge. The midafternoon sun cast light into the shadows, making it less difficult to see the bottom as well as the narrow ledge directly below us. Fortunately, the ketaurran male Melissa mentioned had landed on the ledge and not the jagged rocks covering the base.
He was an albino, a rarity in our kind, and most definitely white, all the way from his silvery hair to the pearlescent sheen on his scales. He was sprawled on his back, his eyes closed, with one leg hanging over the edge. A dark stain, the result of an injury, spread across the fabric covering his thigh. His arm was wrapped around Fuzzball, who lay on the male’s chest, whimpering.
The human male hadn’t been so lucky, not that I cared. The drop had taken him all the way to the bottom, where his body sprawled at an odd angle, his wide, lifeless dark eyes staring skyward. If the male had survived, a more severe death would have been his fate for harming Melissa.
Celeste showed absolutely no remorse for the human, though I noticed a glint of recognition in her contempt-filled glare.
“Do you know him?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s Travis, the guy who tried to take Draejill.” She spoke through gritted teeth, disgust in her tone.
I knew some type of slavery, or worse, would have awaited Melissa if the ketaurran had not come along and rescued her. For the child’s sake, I did not share my thoughts openly with Celeste.
***
Celeste
It might be harsh and uncaring, but all I felt was relieved when I saw Travis’s broken body lying on the jagged rocks at the bottom of the crevice. Relieved that he hadn’t been able to carry out his plan to abduct Melissa. Relieved Draejill would be safe.
Right now, my main concern was helping the ketaurran male who’d risked his life to save Melissa and Fuzzball.
Melissa had done as I’d asked and stayed back while Khyron and I checked out what had happened to the males. Her lower lip quivered, but at least she’d stopped crying. “I want you to go back to Harper’s and tell her what happened.”
“I don’t want to leave, not without Fuzzball.” Melissa crossed her arms defiantly. “Besides, I’ve seen dead guys before.”
She was extremely intelligent and knew the real reason I didn’t want her to stay was because of Travis. All the children had seen dead bodies before, but it didn’t mean she needed to add one more nasty image to her memory. I didn’t want her around when we finally pulled Travis’s body out of the ravine.
Personally, I’d be fine if we left him there for the leezacorr, the hard-scaled creatures that lived in the smaller caves, to have for their next meal. “I know, sweetie, but you don’t need to see this one.” I caressed her cheek, knowing arguing was useless, that she wouldn’t leave without her furry pet. “I tell you what, I’ll let you stay if you go sit over there on one of those rocks and let Khyron and me get Fuzzball out of the hole.”
“You have to promise to help the white guy too, ’cuz he saved me.” She furrowed her brow, glancing from me to Khyron, looking for reassurance.
“You have my word, Melissa,” Khyron said.
I was in awe of how easily the trust he’d earned from the child resulted in a half smile and a gaze filled with hero worship.
“Mine too. Now go.” I jutted my chin to the right.
“Okay.” She raced to the other side of the secluded area and climbed on the first rock she came to.
I peeked over the edge again, noting the distance to the ledge. I wasn’t thrilled about going down there, not when I had a problem with heights. I judged the distance to be six feet, seven at the most, which shouldn’t be too hard to reach. I placed my hand on Khyron’s arm. “We need to get them out of there.” With Melissa nearby, I refrained from saying before the male bleeds to death. “I’m pretty sure I can reach the ledge if you lower me.”
Khyron’s arm tensed. “It is not safe. I will go.” He pulled me away from the edge, keeping his voice low so Melissa couldn’t overhear him. “What if you startle him and he attacks you?”
It was a valid point, one I quickly dismissed. “You and I both know
if he was dangerous, he wouldn’t have helped Melissa.”
“There are also the creatures that live within the rocks to consider. It will not be long before the scent of his blood draws their attention. I still believe I should go.”
I understood his concern, his instinctive need to keep me safe. He was the leader of an entire race, and judging by his contemplative gaze, he was trying to decide whether or not issuing an order—one he’d expect me to follow—would be a wise choice.
Since lives were at risk and we didn’t have time to continue arguing, I tried a logical approach. “That’s great, but how do you plan to get him and yourself back out? The ravine wall above the ledge is too smooth for you to climb. Even if I had a rope, I’m not strong enough to pull either of you out. It makes more sense for me to go down. I can hand you Fuzzball, then help him stand so you can pull him out first, then me.”
I didn’t give him the opportunity to respond. “Khyron, I’ll be all right. I’m not the same female you remember.” I patted the blade on my hip. “I can take care of myself.”
His intense gaze softened, and he placed his hands on my hips. “I am aware, but it does not make this any easier for me. I do not wish to lose you now that I have found you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either, but survival on this planet comes with many risks. If you want to unite our people, we need to work together, to trust one another.” I cupped his cheek. “That also applies to our relationship.”
“For goodness’ sakes, are you going to help Fuzzball and the white guy or not?” Melissa raised her voice at the same time Fuzzball’s whimpers turned into pleading growls.
Khyron groaned. “Leave it to a young one… Fine, I will lower you.”
I waited for him to get down on his knees, then knelt beside him. After swinging my legs over the edge, he clasped my hands, then lowered me to the ledge, the pale blue scales covering his muscles rippling from the exertion.
Dangling in the air was not my idea of a good time. At least I didn’t have the same level of anxiety I’d had when our group had to scale a rocky cliff on the back of a chaugwai, the lizard-like creatures we’d used to enter the wastelands when we rescued Vurell. Thinking about Lou, the name I’d given my ride, helped override some of my fear so I could concentrate on finding the ledge.
After scraping the uneven rocky surface with the toe of my boots, it took me a few seconds to feel comfortable with my footing. “Okay, you can let go.” I raised my voice more from anxiety than from wanting to make sure Khyron could hear me.
He released one hand, giving me time to brace it against the wall in front of me, then waited for me to find my balance before letting go of the other. I’d ended up on the end of the ledge nearest to the male’s injured leg. His eyes were closed, but his chest moved, alleviating my concern that we’d arrived too late.
As soon as Fuzzball saw me, he made happy whimpers and wagged his tail. Normally, he’d come right to me, but since he didn’t squirm or try to get closer, I assumed he didn’t like high places either. “Hang on, boy. I’m going to get you out of here.”
With my back near the wall, I eased closer and took note of the male’s injuries and his appearance. His vest, pants, and boots appeared to be made from animal hides, suggesting he made his own clothes. The craftsmanship showed the same level of expertise I’d found at the trader’s market. Even the empty sheath and belt strapped to his waist were quite impressive. I didn’t see his blade anywhere close by and wondered if it ended up underneath him or went over the side with Travis.
I wasn’t a medical expert, but nothing appeared to be broken. There were several small cuts on his chest, but the wound on his leg seemed to be the worst. Through a large tear in his pants, I could see a nasty gash. The area surrounding it, including the material covering his leg, was soaked with blood. It looked as if the bleeding had stopped, at least for now.
“What is the male’s condition?” Khyron lay on the ground, waiting to lend assistance.
“He’s still alive.”
“Is he conscious?” Khyron asked.
“Not at the moment. Give me a minute. I’m going to get Fuzzball first.”
There was just enough room between the male and the wall for me to crouch next to him. “Can you hear me?” I asked, concerned he might wake up, be startled when he found a strange female hovering over him, and accidentally knock me off the ledge.
When all he did was moan, I slowly moved the arm wrapped around Fuzzball. “Come on, little guy. Let’s get you out of here.” Fuzzball swished his tail faster the instant I gathered him into my arms. After checking to make sure he wasn’t hurt, I lifted Fuzzball over my head and waited until I was sure Khyron had a good grasp on him before letting go.
I hoped my next attempt to wake the male worked, because the thought of staying on this ledge until Khyron could get help was unsettling. I turned to crouch next to him again, then froze when I found a pair of reddish-pink eyes staring at me. “Please don’t be scared. I’m here to help.”
“I am not afraid.” He tried to rise into a sitting position and grimaced.
“Here, let me help you, but be careful. Your leg is badly injured, so try not to move it too much.” The last thing I wanted was for it to start bleeding again. I held out my hand and pulled him forward.
“You are the female who teaches the young human males how to handle their blades. The one they call Celeste.” He sounded matter-of-fact. “And the male who is assisting you”—he gave Khyron a quick glance—“is the drezdarr, is he not?”
Had he been spying on us? And if he had, why hadn’t I ever sensed his presence? “He is, but how did you come by that information?”
“I hunt in the wooded lands and have observed you with the young ones many times. I have also been watching all the males since their arrival.”
I thought about asking him why he never let us know he was nearby, then realized he must have had his reasons. “You know you don’t have to live out here. You’re welcome to live in the settlement.”
“I am…different, even for a ketaurran.” He averted his gaze as if discussing his uniqueness troubled him.
Had he been shunned by his own people? I planned to ask Khyron later if being an albino was considered a bad thing in his culture, because I refused to let it be a problem in mine.
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Rygael.”
“Okay, Rygael, before we move you, I’d like to make sure your wound doesn’t open again. Would it be all right if I secure my belt around your leg?”
He gave me a brief nod.
“Good, and once I’m done with that, I’ll help you stand so Khyron can pull you out.” I unfastened my belt, then removed the sheath and slid it, along with my blade, into the back of my pants.
He braced his arms behind him, then bent his knee, lifting his leg enough for me to slide the belt underneath it.
“I’m sorry, but this is going to hurt.”
“I understand.”
I positioned the leather as gently as I could, doing my best not to touch the wound, but Rygael still winced and ground his teeth. I’d barely finished cinching the belt when a snarly hissing noise echoed in the distance.
“Celeste, you must hurry.” Khyron must have heard the noise too. Up until now, he hadn’t said much, but the entire time I’d been on the ledge, I’d sensed his presence and didn’t need to look up to know he hadn’t moved and was keeping a protective watch over me.
“On it.” I got to my feet and held out my hand. “Let’s get you out of here.” Rygael was a big guy. His frame rivaled Khyron’s, and getting him to his feet wasn’t an easy task. Rygael’s stance was a little wobbly, so I wrapped my arm around his waist and took some of his weight. I’d barely gotten him positioned beneath Khyron when the noise I’d heard sounded louder and a lot closer.
“Female, you must go first,” Rygael said.
“Celeste,” I corrected, although my need to get the draeck off the ledge ou
tweighed my annoyance at being called a female. “And you’re in no condition to fight, or do anything else. Now go.”
“Rygael, it will do you no good to argue with her, so give me your hand.” Khyron extended his arms and wiggled his fingers, anxious to get Rygael out of the ravine.
I didn’t know if Rygael’s compliance was motivated by fear of what would happen to him if he disobeyed his drezdarr or the angry glare I leveled at him. The fact that he grabbed Khyron’s hand and was being hoisted off the ledge was all that mattered.
Rygael was halfway up the wall when I heard growling below me. I reached behind my back and slid my blade from its sheath, then peered over the edge to see what was making the noise.
There were two leezacorr, both about the size of small dogs, with scaly black skin and translucent green eyes, ravaging Travis’s body. Their appearance wasn’t nearly as disgusting as the snakkrils that lived in the Quaddrien, but they were just as vicious. Seeing them shred his clothes and tear apart his body was nauseating, something I preferred not to keep watching. I also didn’t want to draw their attention and slowly backed away from the edge.
“Celeste.” Khyron had finished helping Rygael and had his arm outstretched for me.
I wasn’t about to put my blade away, not with the creatures so close. With my free hand, I reached for Khyron. My fingertips brushed against his when he called out, “Behind you.”
I’d never actually seen a leezacorr climb a rock wall until one hoisted itself onto the ledge a few feet away from me. So much for Travis’s body keeping them busy until I was out of here.
As far as I knew, they preferred dark places, wouldn’t attack unless provoked, and never ventured into the wooded area. Obviously, the information I’d been given lacked an important detail—Khyron was right about the carnivorous creatures being attracted to the scent of blood. And since a large amount of Rygael’s blood had seeped onto the ground near my feet, it wouldn’t be long before more leezacorrs found their way up here.
I was standing in the middle of the ledge. The distance to either end couldn’t be more than five or six feet. I held my position, too afraid I wouldn’t have enough room to maneuver if I moved. The creature snarled and snapped, slowly advancing toward me. When it was about a foot away, it reared up on its hind legs and took a swipe at me. I didn’t react quickly enough to keep its claws from catching my arm above my wrist. Pain burned across my skin, and blood oozed from three long cuts. I’d been injured before, and, other than the pain, this one didn’t look too bad.