Condras fire, p.9
ConDra's Fire, page 9
Torgin shook his head. “It’s hard to believe all those swirls of color are Intersect platforms.”
“It is spectacular, isn’t it?” Ira looked down at Brie and grinned. A momentary flash of confusion lit his sapphire blue eyes.
She started to speak but couldn’t remember what she had wanted to say. What am I forgetting? Her brow furrowed, she returned her attention to the beautiful panorama. “We need to keep moving. Ready?” She slipped her hands into theirs.
“ZeeAck od Thrice.” The chorused Key sent them flashing through space. When they arrived on their destination platform, they huddled together, absorbing the vastness and the beauty, not knowing when or if they would see it again.
“Are you sure we should have left?” Torgin sounded doubtful. “What if Almiralyn needs help?”
“She needs us to get away, Torg.” Ira’s deep voice sounded tight. He headed up the steps. “I’d be willing to bet those were Lorsedi’s soldiers you saw in the woods, Torgin. Could you tell how many there were?”
“You grabbed me, remember? I didn’t have time to count.” Torgin panted as he climbed. “These steps are sure steep.”
“Shh! We don’t know if anyone is outside.” Brie pulled the lever. A soft swoosh and sunset’s glow beckoned. She crawled into the hollow of a large tree and peered into the woods.
Birds chirped a song welcoming turning’s end. A squirrel scurried through dried leaves. Somewhere above them, a crow cawed. Nothing else moved. Ira and Torgin crept up beside her. The panel slid back into place.
“Let me go first, Brie.” Ira took off his backpack and handed it to her. He crawled into the open and stood up. Nemttachenn Tower’s rough, granite walls loomed above him as he slipped between tall trees at the edge of the clearing.
Staring out at the tower, Brie experienced a wave of anticipation. Images of the turning Esán had disappeared flooded her mind. She would never forget Nomed’s burning anger or the fierceness in Esán’s expression as CheeTrann’s swirling vortex swallowed them. Nemttachenn had then flown apart and later, at Almiralyn’s bidding, reassembled itself to protect the Evolsefil Crystal. One Man’s despair when his son vanished pierced her heart again. She pressed a hand to her chest and remembered the children of many singing to bring the crystal heart of Myrrh back to life and the joy of seeing Almiralyn and Karrew reappear at Evolsefil’s center. The high cost of the battle nearly overwhelmed her; Almiralyn’s return had eased her sorrow.
Ira stepped into view and waved. “Come on.”
She crept from the hollowed trunk into the sunlight. Torgin followed, stretching his long body. “Sure glad to be out of there.”
Hurrying through the woods, they joined Ira by the tower entrance.
Brie handed him his backpack and stepped into the dimness, where Evolsefil’s luster glowed through the blue curtain-like haze enveloping it. Tiptoeing through the mist, she placed a hand on the crystal’s smooth surface. Quartz, threaded with gold, thrummed against her palm. “We’ll hurry, Evolsefil.”
She beckoned her friends to follow and, pressing her hand to her heart, walked to the center of the tower. Her voice rang out as clear as a song. “CheeTrann, CheeTrann, come to our aid!”
The ground pitched and settled. “Daughter of KcernFensia, how may I serve?” The Sentinel of Nemttachenn’s booming voice filled the tower.
“Almiralyn sent us to you for help. We must go to DerTah.”
“Who stands beside you?”
“Ira Raast and Torgin Whalend. Please send us to the planet of Seyes Nomed’s mentor.”
The deep voice questioned. “Soldiers of another land march through the Terces Wood. Are they in search of Evolsefil?”
“They search for my mother, my grandmother, and me.” Brie glanced over her shoulder.
“Stand together at Nemttachenn’s center. Be Quick!” Cheetrann rumbled.
Ira grasped Brie’s hand and squeezed. He shot Torgin a reassuring smile.
Brie clutched Torgin’s hand. “We’re ready, CheeTrann.”
A roar thundered through the tower as a whirling vortex opened at its center. Torgin’s hand yanked free. With a terrified shriek, he tumbled into the gaping mouth. Brie plummeted after him, hauling Ira behind her. They plunged into nothingness so empty she fought to draw a breath. Ira floated beside her. Nothing else seemed to move until Ira’s hand slipped from hers. He drifted after Torgin, like falling a feather in an endless tunnel of swirling night. Blurs of mesmerizing color shot toward her. A terrified shriek from Torgin accompanied their sudden and accelerated descent into white-hot light. Red sand spewed in all directions as they hit the ground and tumbled down the side of a steep incline.
“Don’t move.” Brie’s eyes darting over the dunes.
Beside her, Ira and Torgin froze.
At the cottage, Almiralyn woke Allynae with a whispered warning next to his ear. “Don’t make a sound. Wake up Sparrow and take her to The Borderlands. Soldiers are hiding in the Terces Wood.”
Grateful that she had insisted everyone nap in the house, she hastened down the hall and knocked on Jordett’s door.
He answered, already dressed, and not, she was glad to note, in his PPP uniform. “Trouble?”
“Soldiers in the woods and closing in on the house.”
He stepped into the hallway. “I’ll wake the others.”
Bustling into the kitchen, she put on a kettle and set out bread, cheese, and fruit. “We must look ignorant, normal, and non-threatening.” Shifting to Mira’s more benign persona, she studied her reflection in the window. Her short, round body, flyaway gray hair, and wrinkles appeared far less dangerous than her true form. She scanned the kitchen one last time.
Jordett, the first to join her, watched her from the doorway. “Twins?”
The quiet question sounded an alarm in her head. “Gone, I hope. I’ll explain later.”
Before Allynae could shake the sleep from his brain, Sparrow sat up, her brown eyes full of questions. “What about the twins?”
“Almiralyn will take care of the twins.” Allynae climbed off the bed. “Put your shoes on.”
Grabbing clothes, he stuffed them in the backpack he’d planned to take to DerTah and flung it over his shoulder. He slipped on shoes, tying them with fingers that felt clumsy and cold. “I’m too old for this.”
Sparrow came around the bed and pressed her body next to his. “I’m afraid.”
“We’ll be fine.” He held her at arm’s length. “Do exactly what I say.”
She nodded, clipped her sleep-tangled hair back from her face, and prepared to follow.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Allynae pulled Sparrow after him down the hall to the front door. Two uniformed men prowling the perimeter of the cottage kept them hiding in the shadows like rats in a trap.
From his position near the kitchen door, Jordett watched Merrilea enter the room, followed by One Man. A yawning Paisley trailed behind.
“What’s the plan?” One Man looked from Mira to Jordett.
“Everything must appear normal.” Mira straightened her rainbow-striped apron. “You are all neighbors visiting for Jordy’s Sun Cycle Celebration.”
A pounding knock on the back porch door sent apprehension reverberating through the kitchen.
Jordett kept his eyes focused on Mira as she poured steaming water into her flowered teapot. Another pounding knock heightened the throbbing tension in the room. One Man moved closer to Merrilea. A hoarse shout and more pounding brought Paisley around the table to Mira’s side, his eyes wary. The Guardian’s gaze met Jordett’s. She nodded.
His expression curious but neutral, he crossed the back porch and opened the door. “May I help you?”
A young, arrogant face glared at him. “We are here to see Myrrh’s Guardian.”
The arrogance made Jordett wish he didn’t have to be so careful.
“Who is it?” Mira walked up behind him. “Oh my, who are you?”
“Are you the Guardian?” The officer’s tone held a note of condescension.
“I am.” Mira’s voice remained unassuming.
Jordett suppressed a grin.
The officious young man placed his hand on his weapon. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”
Mira smiled a sweet smile, put her hand on Jordett’s arm, and looked past the officer into the garden. “How many of you are there? I didn’t make enough tea for an army.”
“We’re not here for tea.” A sneer of disdain twisted his mouth.
“Why are you here?” She looked puzzled. “I don’t remember anyone asking permission to bring armed men to my land.”
“We don’t need permission.” He took a menacing step toward her.
Jordett tensed, but waited for Mira to take the lead.
She lifted her hand. The man stopped. “Tell your men to join you.”
The officer blinked several times, shook his head, and turned. “Front and center!”
Six men ran into the yard from various directions and formed a straight line, weapons at the ready.
“Tell them to relax, and you will join them shortly.”
He gave the orders. His men secured their weapons, but remained at attention in dusk light. He faced them, his expression dazed.
“Please join us for a cup of tea.” Mira opened the kitchen door.
The officer walked past her. Jordett prepared to follow, then paused.
For a moment, Mira remained standing in the open porch doorway. Another small wave of her hand, and the soldiers in the garden began talking amongst themselves. When she turned to face him, she smiled. “That should do. Let us see what we can learn. She preceded him into the kitchen, where Merrilea arranged the teapot and cups on the table. Her wary gaze darted to the ill-at-ease young officer. Mira took charge. “Please, everyone, sit down.”
Chairs scraped the floor as the occupants of the kitchen settled around the table. The man remained standing, his stubborn expression making him look young and petulant. A benevolent and understanding smile lit Mira’s face. She patted the place beside her. Blank-faced, he sank onto the edge of the wooden seat.
“What’s your name?” Mira poured a cup of steaming, fragrant tea and put it the down in front of him.
“Tranwar Nagry, at your service, ma’am.”
Jordett stifled a grin and wondered what exactly Mira had done to the man opposite him. He had seen his eyes glaze over when she raised her hand. Much more potent than an empty threat. He looked around the table at Mira’s little army.
Allynae watched the two soldiers dash around the corner of the house and pulled Sparrow closer. “The portal is just beyond the front gate. Squint, and you can see it glowing in the sunflowers. The Key is Eero Tye Como. Are you ready?”
Noise from the kitchen chased them from the cottage and down the walk. Their eyes glued to the portal, they dodged through the sunflowers, repeated the Key, and jumped. Their feet hit the ground in a dingy basement room filled with piles of dusty furnishings.
Allynae glanced over his shoulder as a large keyhole faded away on the surface of an oval mirror in an antique frame. A single diagonal crack ran from the upper left to merge with a series of spider-web breaks near the bottom. “Sure wish Almiralyn would do something about that crack.” He grimaced and rubbed his arm.
Sparrow smiled at him. “At least we’re not in Myrrh anymore. Did you bring clothes for me in that pack?”
He chuckled. “We’d look a little odd walking down the street in night clothes. Here, see what you can find.”
They dressed and climbed the rickety staircase to the first floor of Antiques by Q. “We need to find Dom. After that, we’ll find you someplace to hide.”
“Isn’t Dom the man who told Nomed you’re the twins’ father?”
“Yep. He owes me one.” Something rubbed against his leg. “Hello, Majeska. Just the cat we were looking for. Where’s Dom?”
The smoky gray cat, her tail waving them forward, led them to a paper-cluttered office, where an old man snored in an overstuffed chair.
Allynae picked up a thick book, held it at eye level, and dropped it. The loud smack brought Dom upright, his gaze darting over his glasses. “What the… By the Fathers, Alli, did ya have to scare me to death? I gotta weak heart, ya know.” He pushed his spectacles up on his nose and peered at Sparrow. “You must be the twins’ mother.”
“I’m SparrowLyn.” She didn’t smile.
“What brings you here? I’m hearing there are strange soldiers in Idronatti. I hope you’re not headed there.”
“Sparrow needs a place to lie low for a few sun turnings. Any suggestions?”
The old man picked up a crystal paperweight and peered at it. When he looked up, his magnified eyes were serious. “It’s morning here in The Borderlands, so I’d go find Fadin in the Market. He can hide her. What’s going on?”
Allynae’s brows arched.
“I know.” The old man lowered his eyes. “Gotta earn your trust again.” He replaced the paperweight on the desk. “Sure wish Elcaro’s Eye wasn’t down.”
“It makes communicating tough, doesn’t it?” Allynae urged Sparrow into the hall. “If anyone comes through the mirror or if soldiers show up in The Borderlands, send Majeska to warn us.”
“Will do. You two take care.”
“You stay alert, Dom. Mira may need you.”
After a careful inspection of the narrow lane in front of Antiques by Q, Allynae guided Sparrow into the shadow of a deserted building.
“Who’s Fadin?” She peered up and down the lane.
Her voice, low and tight, made him hug her. “There’s a group of Borderlanders who make it their business to outwit Idronatti’s patrollers. Fadin helped me escape from the PPP when I headed back to Myrrh after I found you. Come on. I want to get you to safety.”
It didn’t take long to make their way through the narrow, winding streets of The Borderland’s outer reaches. When they walked casually into the town square, the Outdoor Market was in full swing. People milling about created excellent cover, so they plunged into the crowd. They found Fadin setting up shop in a booth near the market’s center.
Allynae leaned on the counter. “Got a moment.”
Fadin looked up and grinned. “Well, how ya be? Who’s the pretty lady?”
“This is Sparrow, the twins’ mother. We need your help.”
A disturbance across the square froze Fadin’s smile.
A quick backward glance showed Allynae the crowd parting to let a group of soldiers pass through. Piloting Sparrow around behind the tent, he frowned. “Lorsedi sure works fast.”
Fadin joined them. “This place is hoppin’. The PPP showed up on their own. Now, they’re back with soldiers from off-planet.” He jerked his head toward Sparrow. “Better hide her. Then we can decide what’s next.” A calloused finger pointed at a red and white tent. “That be Saaul’s. Remember him?”
Allynae nodded.
“Take your lady over there. I’ll meet ya just as quick as I can.”
With his arm around her waist, Allynae ambled with Sparrow toward the red-striped tent.
End - Chapter 12 of 58
ConDra’s Fire - S.K. Randolph
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13
DerTah
The sun had not yet risen above the red dunes of Fera Finnero when Torgin, Ira, and Brie tumbled from the vortex onto the night-cooled sand. Torgin glanced at his friends where they lay unmoving at the base of a tall, wind-rounded dune. “What do we do now, Brie?” He struggled to keep his panic in check.
With exaggerated slowness, she sat up and looked around. Nothing moved. She smiled. “The first thing we do is change the patterning in your compass, Torg.”
She explained Almiralyn’s instructions. Torgin removed the leather thong from around his neck and held the compass with the face parallel to the desert floor. “Do I need to say the verse?”
“No, I’ll do it. Let me know when the change is complete. Ready?”
Both boys nodded and stared at the blue back with its sprinkling of stars. Brie recited the verse Myrrh’s Guardian had taught her.
“DerTah’s patterns, deep and rare,
Desert, ocean, mountains fair,
Absorb these secrets into thee,
And all else that we should see.”
“Would you look at that?” Ira sounded surprised.
Torgin looked at her with round, astonished eyes. “The stars shifted.”
“They did, didn’t they?” Brie felt a rush of relief. “I wasn’t sure it would work without Aunt Mira. Tuck it away, Torg. We need to go.” When the compass was back beneath his shirt, she stood up and offered her hand.
He grasped it and let her pull him up beside her. His awed expression melted into doubt as his gaze darted over the red dunes. “Are we about to be eaten by Fire ConDra?”
“I think we’re safe in the shade, but once the sun is higher in the sky…” She shrugged.
Ira scrambled upright and brushed the sand from his short hair. “What does the book say about Fire ConDra, Brielle? It won’t be long until there’s no shade to hide in.”
“It doesn’t say much except that water can destroy them.” She pulled a lightweight, hooded cloak the color of the desert sand from her pack. “And wearing a DerTahan kcalo will make it harder for them to sense you.” She slipped her arms into the long, wide sleeves. “It also protects you from the sun’s heat and the cold at night.”
Torgin slid his pack off, pulled out his kcalo, and draped it around his shoulders. “So, what do we do with these?” He held up the ankle length cords attached to the neck of his robe.
