Authors: Dara Joy
Finally she had him in the cart. Covering him with a worn blanket, she scrambled back to the front seat and slapped the reins.
She was going to help him fight to live. The idea brought new energy to her tired body.
It wasn’t until they were far away in the Silver Forest, where no one could hear him, that he let out his agony. A wrenching cry of utter pain came from the depths of his soul.
It was a sound she would never forget.
For most of the night, Gian led them across the extensive meadows and glades that surrounded the keep. Karpon’s family estate was vast, covering a massive territory, and it took them most of the night simply to leave his land.
They paused at a crossroad in a field on the edge of Karpon’s territory. Before them the land dipped slightly; to their right lay another pathway.
Gian looked up at the night sky. “There are three Tunnel points on this world.”
“Yes. Do you know where they are?”
“Not exactly. I can sense them and know what general direction they lie, but I cannot tell how far away they are.”
The Tunnels connected worlds and were strictly controlled by the High Guild of Aviara. The Guild employed knights of the Charl to protect both the Alliance of planets and the structural integrity of the Tunnels. Within the High Guild itself, the Tunnels were under the absolute domain of the revered House of Sages.
Since this world was an outlying one and not a member of the Alliance, the Tunnel points were limited in their connections to sponsoring worlds who wished to open trade and commerce.
Familiars could sense the presence of Tunnels, but they could not call them forth. Only certain mystics of the Charl could do that. On this non-Alliance world, the portals would not be maintained by the Gatekeepers of the Charl. Most likely the Tunnel points would be left open in stasis, as was the one Gian had used to enter this world.
Often on barbaric worlds such as this, Tunnel points were initially kept closed until farther exploration could be made by a Familiar. The Familiars, who were naturally inquisitive and had a zest for adventure, were the perfect candidates for such tasks. In exchange for such services, the Guild rewarded the Familiars with certain privileges and protection.
However, Guardian of the Mist had not come to this world as a seeker for the House of Sages or the High Guild. He had come as a hunter for Dariq.
In any event, it would be a long and dangerous journey back to Aviara. They would have to travel world by world until they reached Alliance space. From there all Tunnels connected to Aviara.
“The closest and most active one is in the royal village, a day’s journey from here. Over this hillock is a pathway that should lead us directly to the Traveler’s Path. It will take us straight to the center of the village where the Tunnel lies.”
That was the Tunnel that Gian had used to enter this world. “No, Jenise. Karpon will expect us to go there and will have both the path and the Tunnel entrance heavily guarded. We must try for another of the Tunnels. How far is the next one?”
“It is about five days’ journey from here.” A day on this planet was slightly shorter than a standard Alliance day. Gian noted that his step here was slightly lighter as well.
“And the other?”
“Fifteen days’ journey.”
Gian speculated a moment, weighing his alternatives. “We will attempt the one that is five days’ journey. Karpon will be expecting this as well, but the risk of staying on this planet longer outweighs the danger of the choice.”
“That Tunnel lies in this direction, but we must
circumnavigate those hills in the distance.” Jenise pointed to some hills far ahead.
Gian’s innate tracking ability told him different. “It would be quicker to travel in this direction.” He indicated a route that would take them right through the valley between the far hills.
“Quicker if it could be done. We cannot go that way.”
“Why not?”
“Because the
valdt
will kill us.”
“What is the
valdt?”
“Do you see the vines covering the entire valley before us?”
“Yes; the plants continue as far as I can see across the vale.”
She nodded. “Well, they are not plants.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“That is the
valdt.
It is a flesh-eating plant that crisscrosses the terrain for miles.”
Gian said hesitantly, “What do you mean by
flesh-eating?”
“Just that. It is carnivorous, Gian.”
He paused. “I sense no danger from it.” He frowned in puzzlement. “How can that be?”
“No one is sure what it is—plant or animal; or a combination of the two. Perhaps that is why you cannot sense the threat?”
That, or the residual drug in his system was still affecting him.
“What else do you know of it?” He listened to her intently.
“It sleeps by day but awakens at night. See the spines?” She pointed.
He nodded.
“They are deadly poison. The vines entangle its prey,
the poison spines immobilize it. The
valdt
gains nourishment by slowly absorbing its still-living victim.”
Gian’s narrowed eyes scanned the
valdt,
his clever mind working. A scream sounded in the distance and he caught the faintest blur of a vine snapping through the air, snagging a low-flying winged creature. Whatever this thing was, it was extraordinarily fast.
Jenise shuddered.
“What about the spaces in between?” Gian pointed to the small patches between the intersecting vines. “Is it possible to travel through these spaces during the day as it sleeps?”
“It has been done on rare occasions by young men on a foolish dare from here”—she indicated a short span of space—“to say, here. But to cross its entire expanse in one day, before nightfall, is impossible.”
Gian looked out over the vine-covered vale, his mind occupied with dangerous possibilities. “Exactly how far is the distance to the other side?”
“Almost a two-day journey—if it could be walked with no impediment.”
“I see…and if it could be done, how much time would we save on the five-day journey to the Tunnel?”
She frowned. “Approximately three days, but—”
Gian calculated in his head. “It may be possible.”
“You cannot walk that distance in a day!”
“No…but I may be able to
run
it.”
“What?
Are you mad? The spines are still poisonous during the day and the poison is long-lasting. If you even scratch your leg or foot, you will be immobilized until nightfall. There are places where the branches grow thick and high. It cannot be done!”
Gian observed her steadily. “That is not certain. What
is
certain is that Karpon waits for us if we follow this
path.” He gestured to the path that led to the royal village. “Here we have a chance.”
“We?” She scoffed. “I cannot run that distance.”
“Of course not. I would not allow it.”
Her nostrils flared at
that
remark.
Before Jenise could begin berating the arrogant man, he continued, “I will carry you upon my back.”
There was silence for a moment. Then the arguing ensued.
“That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!” Jenise’s aqua eyes flashed fire, while the Familiar’s eyes sparkled with something akin to amusement.
It was a fact that Familiars loved to rile up females. Although Gian had not intentionally set out to do that, he saw no reason not to enjoy her reaction just the same. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on one hip; it was a stance he knew was sure to add to her irritation.
He was not disappointed.
“I will not entertain this insanity!” She threw her hands up in the air. “If you wish to commit suicide, then you must go on by yourself. I will make my way around the hills.”
He tossed his bronze gold hair back over his shoulders. “We have a pact to stay together—”
“Just until we enter the Tunnels.” He looked at her in that unnerving, silent way he had. Jenise swallowed.
“As I was saying, you will not be able to outdistance Karpon’s men if you go the other way. You will be taken, Jenise. Or you can come with me. It is your choice.”
He waited for her to make a decision.
She bit her lip as she thought it over. Karpon might very well kill her for defying him and fleeing. “You think you can do it?”
“It will be a challenge.”
A
challenge?
That was an understatement if she ever
heard one. A worried look crossed her expressive features.
“Every moment of time will be needed if I am to succeed. We will leave as the first rays of light touch the far horizon and the
valdt
begins its slumber.”
“But that is only in a short time!” Jenise protested for his sake. The Familiar had not slept yet this night.
“We must go today or we will lose our advantage.”
“You have not had any rest and—”
“Jenise”—he cupped her chin, staring straight into her eyes—“we cannot rest now. Not if we wish to leave this place.”
Jenise inhaled a shaky breath, nodding when she realized he was right. Gian brushed her mouth in a quick sliding motion before he released her. He picked up the
systale
gourds and slung them over his shoulders.
“The water is too heavy—you will not be able to run with it,” she said quietly.
“I will not be able to run all day without it.”
Holding up a gourd to his mouth, he took a long drink of the
systale
water, replugging the lip of the gourd with its own heavy fibers when he finished. For some reason the sight of the muscular column of his throat going up and down as he swallowed fascinated her.
Jenise quickly looked away when she realized he was done.
Gian smiled slightly. He knew exactly when she was looking at him and how. “You must not speak to me during the run, Creamcat, as I will need to focus my concentration to keep up my pace.”
“I understand.”
“I will tell you what to do to aid me…”
{like this}.
He spoke in her mind, causing her to jump.
She had heard of this telepathic ability of the Familiars; that they could send their thoughts but not receive the
thoughts of others. At the time, she’d dismissed the tale as rumor. She inhaled a breath. It seemed most of the rumors were proving true! What else had she heard? Something about their sexual ability to—
Gian distracted her. “Come, the time grows short.”
Gingerly Jenise approached him, trying not to think of what they were about to attempt. A wave of nausea went through her. She did not want to be food for the
valdt.
Gian faced away from her and knelt down, motioning for her to put her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. When she had done so, his hands clasped the underside of her knees at his waist. He stood, shifting her weight from side to side, getting his balance.
“Am I too heavy?” she asked in his ear.
He grinned at her over his shoulder. “No,
taja,
you are perfect.” That said, he purposely grunted loudly.
Jenise nipped his earlobe. He chuckled.
“I cannot stop once I start—do you understand what I am saying?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Do you wish to get down for a moment or are we ready to go?”
Jenise smiled behind his back. He really was very gallant. “I am ready to go, Gian.” Her warm breath brushed his ear.
Gian almost caught himself purring, but stopped short. Now was not the time to be distracted. He needed to focus fully in order to get them both out of this alive.
He handed her a small rock. “Throw this at the vines when I tell you.”
“Excellent idea.”
His green/gold eyes scanned the horizon as he flexed his legs, readying himself to begin what was sure to be the feat of a lifetime. He began breathing deeply, preparing his body for the challenge.
The first rays of light crested the horizon.
“Throw the rock,
taja.”
Jenise did as he said, aiming at a thick, entangled segment. The
valdt
lay perfectly still. It was sleeping.
“It is sle—”
But Gian had already begun his run.
And he was moving fast.
He ducked, he moved, he surged, he twisted, without getting a scratch on his bare feet.
Jenise had never seen anything like it. He seemed to know just where he must step between the vines. When to change speed. What path to take across the impossible skein of vines. How fast to move and what angle to move in.
The ability was called kinesthetic sense and it was just one of the many special senses Familiars possessed.
Throughout the run, he instructed her telepathically, sending his thoughts moments before he made the actual maneuver:
{Lean to my right}; {Shift to the left}; {I need some water}; {Stay awake, Jenise!};
the latter when the constant rocking movement began to lull her to sleep.
Her legs were cramped from staying in the same position, but she held on to him tightly. As the sun began its downward descent, Jenise marveled that the man could still run. His breathing became very labored and he was sweating—something Familiars did not do unless they were under extreme duress.
The light was waning. Worried, Jenise looked over his shoulder to see the distance remaining.
It
was too far!
They were not going to make it!
A tear slid down her cheek and she prepared herself for the worst. “Gian,” she whispered shakily, speaking for the first time since he began.
The last ray of light crested the peak of the hill, hovering
for an instant as if giving them a moment extra of life before it disappeared behind the rocky wall.
The
valdt
began to stir.
Instantly, Gian’s arm came crosswise around her back to the right side of her waist. In one strong move, he plucked her around to his front, shielding her in his arms. Jenise burrowed into his warm chest, tears in her eyes at his courageous action. Surely he was trying to shield her with his own body!
“You cannot save me,” she cried out.
Gian gathered his remaining strength. With one last valiant effort, he
leapt
the remaining distance.
They landed with a crash on the ground. Gian, even then, protected her from the impact, rolling with her secured in his arms.
A vine slapped down not a hairsbreadth from their entwined bodies.
He quickly rolled them out of its hideous reach.
When she didn’t feel the expected sting of the vine, Jenise slowly opened her eyes. He
had done it.
Somehow, the Familiar had done it!