Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice (32 page)

She stood up, her muscles protesting, and
took two shuffling steps to the piled clothes. Dropping to her
knees, she realized the items were bagged in clear plastic. “They
don’t look wet.” She frowned and slipped open the top. She quickly
closed the bag. “Oh. Hmmm. Maejen.” Erynn wrinkled her nose, held
her breath and then released it in a whoosh. “Wet maejen who’ve
recently hunted.”

After tossing the bag against the side of the
tent, Erynn turned back to the bed. She grabbed a blanket and
wrapped it around herself, securing the corners in the front.
Careful not to trip over the excess fabric around her feet, she
began the search for something to eat. Behind the water, she found
a small case that held packaged food. She reached in, taking the
first one her fingers touched. Labeled “Achcear”, she tore it open
and bit into the concentrated moist square. This wasn’t like the
protein bars. It had flavor. Devouring one, she grabbed another,
not even caring what it was.

Outside, the soft whir of speeders grew near.
Snow flopped against the bottom of the tent. Needle leaves
scratched at the sides in a gust of wind moaning through resistant
branches. Shadows crossed the wan light. A maejen growled a warning
deep in his throat.

Erynn searched for something, anything to use
as a weapon. Finding nothing, she braced herself to face the
intruder.

“Maejen!” The male voice was unknown. His
tone held fear and loathing. “You allowed them to stay?”

Dark shapes low to the ground moved around
the outside of the tent. The first growl was joined by several
more.

“Watch it,” another male cautioned.

Erynn sucked in a breath and let it shudder
out through gritted teeth. Her hand tightened on the front of the
blanket.

“Do as I say. Stay put. The maejen will not
harm you.” This voice touched her very soul.

Erynn’s heart leapt.

Jaer
.

The tent flap was pulled aside, and Jaer
pushed through. He stood there covered with snow, staring at Erynn.
His expression was uncertain.

“Hi.” Erynn couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Hi.” His manner was tentative.

Waves of relief, joy, and love mingled
with…fear cascaded from Jaer. An avalanche of emotions struggled
for control.

Fear
?
What’s wrong
?
The men
outside
?
No. Jaer fears no man. Then what
—

She stiffened with understanding.

It’s me—my rejection. He believes I’ll
push him away again
.

Erynn tried to move forward but tripped in
the tangle of blanket and fell right into Jaer’s open arms. “It
was…” she shook her head. “
is
you. I thought I was dreaming
before.” She stared into his dark, pained eyes and wrapped her arms
around his neck, pulling him close. Snow melted from his coat,
forming drops on her hands, soaking into her shirt and down the
blanket. Her body melded into his. The line between them blurred
and disappeared. There was nothing outside this moment. No raging
storm. No snow. No howling wind. No maejen. There was only Jaer.
His warmth, his spicy scent, the rhythm of his breathing, and the
beat of his heart was a feast of sensations. The powerful nearness
of him enveloped her.

Jaer tightened his hold. He buried his face
in her neck. His breath shuddered in and then out, warm against her
skin. He sank to the ground not releasing his grasp on her and
taking her with him in a gentle collapse.

A blast of wind rocked the tent caving the
canvas in on one side. The pop of it snapping back into place
startled Erynn, and she jumped.

“We can not stay here,” Jaer whispered. “The
storm—it will get worse.” He pulled back and stared into her eyes.
“I have a safe place for us until this weather moves through.”

Erynn bit her lip and nodded. “Oh. Okay. Then
it’s back to the base?” She reached up and touched a strand of
Jaer’s long hair. Aware of the contrast to her pale skin, she
watched the soft dark lock slide through her fingers. When she came
to the end, she glanced into his deep-brown eyes.

He smiled. “No.” He smirked at her.

“No?” She frowned.

“The storm is predicted to last at least two
days, lots of snow and wind making travel unadvisable.” Jaer
brushed the backs of his fingers along her jaw. “You are stuck with
me.” He tipped his head, the smile gone.

Erynn leaned in and whispered in his ear.
“Good. A couple of days shouldn’t make a difference.” She kissed
his cheek, working her way to his lips.

Another gust slammed the tent.

One of the unknown men called above the wind,
“Jaer, we haven’t much time.” He pushed the tent flap open. “Sorry
to interrupt. But if I die out here, Wilo will kill me. She’s funny
that way.”

Erynn could barely make out the bearded face
beneath the heavy hood covered with snow. He disappeared back
outside the tent flap.

Jaer stood up, lifted Erynn with him, and set
her on her feet. He bent over and reached into a pack, producing a
clean white jumpsuit fit for extreme weather. “This will be better
than what I found you in.” He wrinkled his nose. “And it does not
smell of maejen.” A thick coat followed. “Get dressed. I will start
packing the gear on the speeder.” He leaned down, nuzzled her neck,
and whispered, “We will resume this…discussion when we are
alone.”

Erynn hurried into the jumpsuit and coat.
There were new boots for her also. She helped gather the gear,
food, and water still in the tent. With the heater off and packed
away, the air quickly chilled. Gusts of wind slipped in whenever
the flap opened. Ice formed, slick and shiny on the interior
walls.

When there was nothing left inside, Erynn
followed Jaer to the speeder. The maejen were gone, off to find
shelter from the storm. Abundant large flakes connected with one
another. The air seemed a solid wall of white. She could see
nothing—not the trees or the tent behind her. A gust knocked her
sideways. Jaer caught her, not letting go until she was secure on
the seat. He gave her a full helmet and tugged on his. Jaer climbed
on in front and started the engine. He twisted the throttle and
raced away, splitting the curtain of snow.

CACE FROWNED AND BENT CLOSER to the screen.
He rubbed his eyes. Soft light above the computer station blended
with the silver radiance from the monitor. The scent of the great
dinner he’d eaten lingered in the air. His mom’s cooking was far
better than the Medical Unit food. Cace could hear her cleaning up
in the kitchen. Dishes rattled and cupboard doors closed with a
soft thump. The comforting sounds of an everyday routine made his
heart feel as if it would burst.

I’m home. And I’m well
.

The rest of the room was dark. Shadows lay
peacefully in corners around and under the meager furniture. His
frown deepened and he glanced at the notes he’d made on the small
e-pad [electronic pad]. “Could these symbols really be evidence of
detailed coordinates to all four portals?” He scrolled through his
scribbling, checking his work. “Appears to be,” he whispered. His
heart rate jumped from its slow lub-dub to a more upbeat pace.
“Have to make sure.” The pulse throbbed in his neck. He pushed out
of the chair and grabbed for his coat.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Cace’s mom
came from the small kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “You were
released from the Medical Unit early, on the condition that you
would not over do.” She leveled a warning gaze at him. “Byan Nev
wants you to rest.”

“Mom, I feel great. Better than I can ever
remember. Besides, this is important. I need to check something on
the computers in the Science Unit.”

She walked forward. It only took a couple of
steps to stand in front of Cace. The family quarters they shared
were tiny, but the cozy space was home. “They won’t let you just
walk in there. You’re not allowed.”

Cace hunched into the oversized coat and
noticed that the sleeves didn’t seem as long as they had a few days
ago. He shook off the pleasant surprise and grinned. His appetite
had kicked into full-on teenager gear, and the effect was starting
to show. “They will if Cale tells them to. I’m headed to see him
first.”

She was shaking her head. “You can’t bother
the general this late.”

Cace sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Cale
told me I could come to him anytime. Like I said, Mom, this is
important.”

She stood there, arms crossed with the towel
dangling from one hand. “You contact him first. I don’t want you
walking the warrens alone.”

Cace turned back to the computer. “Thanks,
Mom.”

Aven arrived before Cace had time to finish
his second after-dinner meal. Scooping the last of the achcear into
his mouth, Cace handed his mom the empty plate and followed Aven
into the dim corridor.

Aven smiled, clapped Cace on the shoulder,
and squeezed as they walked. “Hey, kid, what’s up?”

“I found the locations…” Cace grimaced, eyes
narrowed. “I
think
I found the locations of the portals—in
the tablets you brought from Deanaim.” He pulled in a deep breath.
“I need to check my findings against the computer in the Science
Unit.”

Aven chuckled, his brown eyes crinkling. He
nodded and his expression sobered. “Big time, huh, Cace? Cale will
get you in.” He squeezed again. “You’re bulking up, kid. Ever think
about joining the Anbas? We could use your intelligence.” He turned
his head and stared at Cace. “Along with the muscle.”

Cace straightened and squared his shoulders
with pride. His cheeks burned.

Is Aven serious
?
Could I be an
Anbas Warrior
?

Cale’s office was open. He sat at his
computer, his long hair a monochrome gray in the soft glow from the
monitor. “What is it, Cace?” Cale stood up and walked around to the
front of the desk.

Cace realized his hands were trembling and
shoved them into the pockets of his coat. “Let me check this first.
Please. It’s important. I need to know that I’m correct before I
say anything.”

“Sure. Let’s go.” Cale glanced at Aven.
“Thanks, Aven.”

“I’ll tag along, if you don’t mind. I’ve
always wanted to see the Science Unit. This way, I get to watch the
whiz kid in action, too.”

Cace grinned, but the smile quickly slid from
his lips. He didn’t feel too smart right now. He felt scared. That
tingle of alarm at the base of his brain flared into a dump of
brawling
bonthar
, quills and all, right into his stomach.
The symbols told him more than just the locations of the portals.
He believed they would reveal insights into Dhoran, his
vulnerabilities, and how to stop him. Forever.

I shouldn’t have eaten that last plate of
achcear
.

With Cale’s influence, Cace was allowed
access to the mainframe in the Science Unit. Cace sat at a bank of
computers around a circular desk four meters in diameter and
entered the required programs he needed into one. The information
fed into two others connected to the imaging controls. In the dimly
lighted room, centered above the ring of computers, a hologram
vision cleared into view. Vibrant blues, greens, and browns from
Arranon’s equatorial region reflected off white walls, ceiling, and
floor. The icy Polar Regions sparkled under a brilliant sun as the
planet slowly rotated. Each result processed through the multiple
units had produced the same representation, creating a detailed
three-dimensional full-color panoramic sphere of Arranon.

Cace added a topographical overlay with an
orbital view, showing areas of extreme temperature fluctuations and
high electromagnetic field anomalies. “I’m unable to get this kind
of resolution on my computer. Besides, with the accuracy of the
Science Unit’s central processor, I can pinpoint within a
centimeter. Make sure the locations line up the way I believe they
do.”

Two technicians stood up and walked around
the three-dimensional scene before them.

One of the techs shook his head, frowned, and
tapped the keyscreen of the computer in front of Cace, deleting the
image. “So. It’s Arranon, with a map overlay of areas high in EMF
and sectors of temperature variations—all easily explained. What am
I supposed to see here?”

Cale stiffened, his voice low. “I understand
this is your unit, Grame. But this is my base. Let Cace
explain.”

“The symbols on the plates from Deanaim tell
a story, or they explain the history of…Arranon.” Cace glanced from
Cale to the tech and then back to Cale. “More important, I believe
they give clues as to the whereabouts of the four
portals—information impossible to uncover without the technology we
have now.” Cace punched in the programs again, and the hologram
returned. “When the plates were made, the people of that time knew
two things.” He returned his attention to the desk and swept a
finger over the monitor, touching a two-dimensional likeness of the
hologram hanging suspended above the computer station before him.
The hologram image rotated slowly. “There. See the area of high
EMF?” A red dot indicated the spot. “Somehow, they—the people who
made the plates—understood that there were four points on Arranon
exhibiting extremely high EMF.”

Grame leaned around Cace and tapped the
keyscreen with more force than necessary. Multiple locations
placing a hundred more red dots appeared on the suspended hologram.
“And there, and there, and there. Not a stretch of the imagination.
It’s been proven that many people are sensitive to the side effects
of EMF. I’m sure the same was true of our ancestors.” The tech
straightened and turned to Cale. “General, I must protest this
interruption. I was in the middle of an orbital sweep—”

“Enough.” Cale glared at Grame. “You can
continue your duties when I say.” Cale’s tone softened. “Go on,
Cace.”