Coil of Worlds

Lara blinked against the bright sunlight shining into the tunnel. For a brief moment, Chion’s large body blocked the hole, giving her a little more time for her eyes to adjust. Following the others up through the trapdoor, Lara realized how greedy she was for the sun. She might be able to see underground, but nothing could replace the feeling of warm light hitting her skin. She lifted her head and held her arms out, soaking up the warmth.

After a minute of simply breathing in and out, Lara pivoted around, searching for the school. She spotted the tips of the roofs above a sand dune a short distance away. Lara sighed in relief. They were close, and Lara had difficulty refraining from running ahead. The idea of a bed must be how others viewed heaven. Unfortunately, their hope for a bed last night never came to fruition. A good night’s sleep was but a dim memory after so many weeks with nothing but the hard ground and a blanket. Her head would feel like it was laying on a marshmallow.

Her stomach growled, reminding her they’d skipped lunch in lieu of reaching the school sooner.

Come, My Lady. We will fill your belly as soon as we arrive. With children and kits living at the school, I’m certain there is a ready supply of food at any time of the day.

Watching Eiren frolic around Skye, nipping at his legs, Lara said slowly, “I’ve never seen young pakas. Why is that?”

Kits are kept at home until they are older, larger. Chion bumped her legs, giving her the forward momentum she needed to begin walking. Unlike humans, pakas do not introduce their young until they have gained a certain level of understanding and mobility. Our instinct is to protect our young from any dangers they may face, whether real or imagined.

Walking up behind them, Skye asked, “What happens to the kits once they reach a certain age?”

It is not often kits choose to stay within the home of their parents. Most often, they move in with other kits their age. A kind of barracks, if you will. If they choose not to participate in the bonding ceremony, kits are apprenticed in a wide variety of crafts and professions. For obvious reasons, the kits that become Ais are charged with attending the Tal’Ai school.

At the top of the dune, Lara gazed down at the buildings below, finding the practice field teeming with both small pakas and children. A man she didn’t recognize meandered through the lines, pausing to move a foot here or shift a paw there. Faint commands wound their way to them, and Lara dropped her hand to the valley at the bottom of Chion’s neck. She spent a couple seconds tightening her shield around her, ensuring she didn’t succumb to the rush of emotions that would soon meet her.

When Lara felt shock thrum through their bond, she searched the tableau below for the threat. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, she asked, “What is it?”

Already halfway down the dune, both Eiren and Skye paused and glanced back.

My Lady, there are so many children and kits.

She shared a confused look with Skye before they both studied the field again. Brushing her hair out of her eyes, she said, “I see them. I thought this was normal. Tryvor and Audren mentioned the other trainers were attending a bonding ceremony. Once the ceremony was over, the new bondmates would travel to the school for training.”

My Lady, the number of Tal’Ai bonds created each year has dwindled. He pointed with his nose and said, I count well over the usual number, and this is only on the field. There are probably half again as many, if not more, learning their magic inside.

Lara looked at the school with new eyes. “Do you think the impending Malirran invasion has something to do with the increased number of bonds formed?”

Skye answered, “I have no doubt; however, I fear these children won’t fare well in the coming war. They are too green.”

I agree with Skye. Unfortunately, even if they are studious and endeavor to learn and control their magic, they will be ill prepared to fight against the Malirrans.

“They are but children,” she murmured. “Shouldn’t we protect them as much as possible? If they’re going to become cannon fodder, why would parents hand their children over to the Tal’Ai bond?”

I would presume parents hope the Tal’Ai bond will save their children. Remember, the Tal’Ai bond is God and Goddess blessed. Parents believe that, though their child might not be prepared to fight in a battle, the bond will still save him or her outside one.

“Wouldn’t you want your child to have as many skills as possible to increase his odds of surviving?” Skye asked.

“I understand what you both are saying. I do. But where I’m from, we make every effort to protect children from the harsh realities of war. From the little we’ve learned, I know the Malirrans won’t distinguish between the young and the old. I still can’t help but want to protect them from anything that might harm them.”

“Lara, war is upon Kureto, whether we are prepared or not.” Skye waved his hand toward the field. “Every skill we provide children and adults is another person who might survive. We don’t protect children by keeping them naïve and vulnerable. We protect them by providing them with a weapon in case they do need to save themselves. For these children, the weapon is their bond with a paka.”

Eiren nodded her head in agreement. Lara’s shoulders slumped. “I know. I want to give every child a chance, too. I’m only saying that innocence is precious. When a child loses his or her innocence, they have lost something that can never be returned.”

My Lady, I believe this is where your world and ours diverge. Our world is too harsh for children and kits to maintain their innocence for long. In fact, the majority of these children have probably lost family and loved ones already to the war with Pyran. Your willingness to protect children is admirable, but I do not believe your reason for protecting them is valid.

“Fine. I hear what you’re saying, though it is hard to stomach. Let’s go introduce ourselves to the little ones.”

As soon as they crossed onto the field, the children turned as one to stare at their approach. A few turned and ran for the closest building, and Lara could only assume they ran in fear of Skye and her.

The man hailed them as they neared, “Welcome, Tal’Ai.”

He was older than she first thought. Though his face was creased with age, the teacher held himself with a great amount of confidence and physical prowess. When they stood mere feet away, Lara asked, “You know who we are?”

He laughed and said, “Of course, young Lara. Tryvor and Audren have spoken often of both you and young Skye. During our travel back from the bonding ceremony, whispers of the four Ais spread like yarroh roots after the trial. I had hoped to meet you, but your disappearance raised doubts of this happening. I’m glad I was wrong. So, you are all welcome here.”

She couldn’t help but like the affable man. She glanced behind him in time to see the kids whispering together, shooting them looks of awe.

Seeing the direction of her gaze, the teacher turned and barked an order. The children and pakas jerked up and scurried back to their task. Skye snorted beside her at their antics.

“If you will excuse me,” the man stated, “I must return to my class. You’re welcome to enter the main building. I imagine you want a good meal and rest after your journey. Please join us so we may share food, drink, and news with others who are blessed by the God and Goddess.” With one last nod, he left them at the side of the field.

Later that night everyone was crammed into the main hall. The boisterous atmosphere during the evening meal had Lara laughing as children and pakas alike asked them question after question. Despite her shield, their excitement was contagious. Many of the children clustered around Skye, drawn to the Pyranni’s exotic coloring. At first, Eiren looked both surprised and pleased at how the pakas and children fawned over her. They were quick to learn how to direct simple yes and no questions her way.

Lara wished Chion had stayed to eat with them, but she knew he felt a need to guard the perimeter. After they finished eating, Skye planned to join those outside keeping watch.

Since entering the hall, Lara discovered she had two, small shadows—a Tal’Ai pair. The child, Hana, and Willo, the kit, imitated her every move. They repeated every new word slightly different from any they’d heard and had squeezed themselves in next to her at dinner.

She was laughing when the ringing of two bells broke through the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked around.

The head Tal’Ai pair stood up so fast their bench clattered to the floor. The paka snarled, To arms. We are under attack.

Many of the children cried out in fear, but the woman clapped her hands together and demanded, “Silence. You know what to do.” She pointed to a female paka standing beside a door. “Gather your weapons and follow Ioni to the hallway. We will protect you as best we can.”

When some of the children didn’t budge from their seats, the authority in her voice propelled them across the large room. “Go. Now.”

Though Hana grabbed her arm, Lara disentangled herself and pushed them both toward the last of the children. Skye called for her as she whispered to them, “Do as she said. You’ll be safe inside.”

Seeing Skye’s back disappear out the door, Lara ran across the empty hall and slipped outside. She lowered her shield enough to determine the threat. War cries and the clanging of swords filled the night air, and she unsheathed her sword, holding it before her.

Skye said beside her, “They’re Malirrans, not Pyranni warriors.”

“Malirrans,” she gasped. Not spying Chion, she called out, Where are you?

Awareness flashed across their link before he panted, Stay where you are. Guard the doors with Skye and Eiren. The children must be protected. There are too many here to fight. We will stop as many Malirrans as we can. You must stop whoever slips through our line before they enter the building.

Stay safe. I’m telling Skye and Eiren now. She relayed the information and lowered her shield a little more. The Malirrans’ intent and enjoyment washed over her, and she shuddered, feeling sick.

“I should join them,” Skye said. “I might be able to help stop them before they come this far into the grounds.”

“We don’t know how many Malirrans there are.”

“Ah, you are right. It might be a diversion, drawing all the adults away from the children.”

In a rare show of temper, Eiren raked the dirt in front of her, displaying a gleaming set of teeth. “I agree, Eiren. They won’t make it past us,” Skye said, jumping up and down on the balls of his feet.

Lara peered into the dark, trying to discern foliage from silhouettes. Chion’s voice hit her like a bullhorn, They’re coming around from the side. Watch your right flank.

She repeated the warning, turned, and faced the ocean, listening as hard as she could for any wayward sounds. Although tempted, Lara hesitated dropping her shield too far, for it might distract her from the threat, especially with the children’s combined fear behind her.

A sword came out of the shadows, and she yelled aloud in fright. In reflex, she raised her weapon, blocking the sword, saving her chest from injury. Similar to the last Malirran she’d met, they wore all black, blending into the night surroundings. In her periphery, she noticed both Skye and Eiren fighting their own opponent. When the next strike came, Lara flung down her shield in desperation. The man was too fast, too skilled. She needed the boost the emotions would give her.

The man’s intent became her own. Screaming her defiance, she surged forward, attacking him with everything in her. His surprise gave Lara the opening she sought. She sliced across the top of both thighs before the Malirran stepped out of her reach. He nicked her arm, and the burning sensation spread up and down the limb, making her whimper once from the pain. But she pushed the pain away and didn’t give the man time to strike again. She moved her weapon in a motion that was more frenzy than skill. Every backward step the man took, she followed. She suddenly realized her folly. Lara was several yards away from the door, almost hidden by the trees, separated from her friends.

Afraid of what awaited her in the shadows, Lara eyed the man, trying to make out his frame. His black clothing made it difficult. The man’s triumph hit her right before he struck, each strike methodical and deadly. With each strike delivered, she was a little slower in deflecting his sword, and more and more cuts left her bleeding.

Skye’s yell, “Lara,” averted the Malirran’s attention for a split second, long enough for her to continue moving her blade from a block. By sheer luck, in a move she’d only seen Skye accomplish, she rotated her blade around and shoved it into the man’s gut with a shout. It left her back vulnerable, but her worry was forgotten when a groan escaped him at the same time a wave of shock hit her.

The man’s weight ripped her sword from her grip, and she turned around and stared down at what she’d done. She was still alive. Lara hesitated before reaching down and yanking her weapon out of the wound. Hearing Chion’s roar in the distance, Lara looked in his direction.

Chion, are you hurt?

No. Their numbers are too much. We are dropping back to better protect the building.

Holding up her weapon despite the throbbing pain from the numerous cuts, she started jogging back toward Skye and Eiren. She had taken a single step into the clearing when she was broadsided. Lara rolled several times on the ground before a tree trunk stopped her momentum. With the air knocked out of her, Lara shook her head, trying to refocus her eyes enough to see what hit her.

Malicious satisfaction rolled through her with the Malirran’s approach. Her hands slid across the forest floor, searching in vain for her weapon. Far more terrified of this Malirran than the other, she rose to all four; but before she could stand, a dart stung her on the neck. Her vision went fuzzy, and she cried out for Chion.

She was caught in the iron clutches of the man, and his rancid breath blew across her face. Needing only a single heartbeat, the poison spread through her system. She tried to call for Chion again, but her entire body refused to obey her command. Her body turned to lead, too heavy to move. Lara’s vision darkened.

The last thing she heard was the Malirran’s voice crooning, “Sleep well, little Kurite. You are mine.”