Fire Island: Book 3 of The Chatterre Trilody (Chatterre Trilogy) (17 page)

"Sorry," he said slowly and carefully. Tem-aki smiled encouragement.

"Speak new language difficult," she admitted. "Am to learn."

Cameron beamed at her, as if by simply talking to him, she had given him a wonderful gift. If that was all it took to make him happy, she would talk to him more often. Well, at least more often when the others were not around. Though they all dressed alike, their personalities were not the same, in fact, while she liked Cameron and felt that he was a very good and honorable person, some of his flock – or whatever they were called – were downright shifty.

As the wicks of the two candles burned lower, Cameron pointed to several parts of the chart and talked as much as the one called Annosha. Several times, he seemed to get excited about his topic and every time he did, his words would come out faster and faster. However, he also kept an eye on her expression, and apparently something in her face showed when she could no longer understand, so Cameron would stop talking for a moment, pause and begin speaking at a noticeably slower rate, only to pick up speed a few minutes later.

The outer door opened causing the candles to flicker. They all turned toward the foyer. Though Tem-aki was surprised to learn that anyone was out so late, she noticed that though Cameron's mouth flattened, he didn't seem surprised. Cameron straightened his spine and looked at the archway separating the eating area and the foyer. As three of the group passed it, on their way to the sleeping room, he said, "Varlet, Dirk, Malin... you're out late."

The tall thin one that despised her turned toward them. "What business is it of yours?"

"None whatsoever, as long as you are fit to perform your duty. I was merely making an observation," Cameron said.

The short one with acne and stringy hair, tried to hide behind the muscle-bound wide one that didn't look like he had a neck.

The tall one nodded, as if he'd proved something. It looked like he would continue on, then, his eyes narrowed and he moved toward them. "Why do you have the maps here?"

"Simply conferring with Tem-aki and GEA-4 about a few things. Since they are unfamiliar with our land, it was easier to explain things using the map."

"Those belong on The Sirocco."

"When we're under sail, yes, but there is no regulation stating they must stay there at all times." Cameron folded his arms across his stomach and tilted his head as he looked at the tall, nasty man. "Why do you seem so upset by this?"

"They disgust me."

"Why?"

"They're female."

"So is your mother."

Tem-aki wasn't sure what Cameron had said, but it made the angry one furious and the other two snicker.

"Leave my mother out of this."

"Fine, that still leaves half of the followers we minister to being female. You simply can not ignore a gender."

"Than how come our faction has never had any female members? The females always join Annosha's sect and become priestesses. They should, too." The man was so enraged that he was spitting out each word. Worse, he kept glaring at her and GEA-4.

"If that is their choice, they are welcome to, but for some reason the creators sent them to me." Cameron put his hands palms upward and shrugged. "Would you have me defy the creators by rejecting their emissaries?"

The man was going to have a stroke if he got any angrier. Apparently, he realized that, because he turned on his heel and stormed out of sight. His two companions trailed after him like tails of a kite.

"Well, that was interesting," GEA-4 said. "Looks like they didn't like being put in their place."

"Did you understand what that was all about?" Tem-aki asked.

"Not completely, but it had to do with them not wanting us here."

"That is no surprise," Tem-aki said, "the tall one seemed to hate me on first sight."

"Varlet seems to hate all females and I suspect anyone in authority."

"Do you think his mother was a domineering woman?"

"One can only speculate," GEA-4 said.

Cameron cleared his throat, so they turned back to him and tried to follow his explanation for some plans he seemed to have for the madrox, which was drawn on the map.

Aside from Kalamar, she had never known anyone so obsessed with the vile creatures. Yet, on her first solo mission, both cultures she had encountered seemed obsessed with madrox. What hadn't her professors taught her about the beasts?

Chapter 22

Nimri stood at the window of her childhood room, which overlooked the distant river and used Larwin's magic binoculars to see how Raine's boat adaptation project was progressing.

Thus far, it didn't look very impressive.

In fact, Nimri wondered if Raine knew half as much about boats and boat building as she claimed. Did she really think that she could take two of the long, thin cargo canoes, which were used to carry loads of milk, cheese, butter and leather to market and build some sort of hut over them, which they could travel in to Tem-aki's island?

As she watched, two mules led by Larwin and Thunder pulled a cart load of the kind of giant bamboo used to build barns into the clearing and they began to unload it. Some of the townspeople used for sheds, and while it was a lovely golden color, Nimri wondered why Raine would choose barn material.

If they managed to build a boat, she suspected it would sink before they got to the blue water, which would be upsetting, but survivable. If it sank in the blue water, it would probably mean sure death.

She shivered.

Bryta bustled into the room. "Oh, you surprised me. I thought you'd gone with the others."

Nimri turned from the window and shook her head. "No, my part of the project is collecting fabric and sewing a sail." She gestured to the pile of sheets by the chair.

"Do you need help with that?" Bryta asked.

Nimri gratefully nodded. "Always, you know how incompetent I am with a needle."

Though she could see how tempted Bryta was to comment on that, instead, she picked up the sheets she had begun sewing together.

"Raine said that a triangle shape is easiest to hold and control the wind."

Bryta's eyebrows both rose. "You plan to command the wind?"

Nimri shrugged. "I'm just quoting Raine." She gestured to the sketch and the length of yarn Raine had measured. "She color coded the drawing, so the longer up-down part needs to be finished the exact length of the red yarn and the blue yarn is what the bottom must be."

Bryta snorted. "Exactly?"

"It's what she said." Nimri put down the binoculars. "She also said the easiest way to get the high-pot-ten-use correct would be to sew a rectangle half the length of the red yarn on one side and the exact length of the blue one." Bryta's brows raised higher. Nimri shrugged. "I don't know what she meant, but Larwin seemed to think it was good advice, so what I've got so far is the blue, but I'm still working up to the red."

"Why half the length for the red?"

"Apparently, once that is done, I will need to measure halfway across one of the blue sides, down to one corner and then cut." She made a frustrated gesture. "It doesn't make sense."

"Perhaps it does, if you then sew the two pieces together."

Nimri frowned. Had Raine said anything about that?

Bryta's mouth puckered as she looked at Nimri's seam. "Would you be offended if I added a few stitches?"

"Not at all." She'd been worrying about the gaps, too and was grateful that Bryta cared enough to help. "In fact, I will have a lot more faith in this working if you sewed it."

~o~

After morning meal, Cameron watched Tem-aki casually move past the work tables on the patio, but today, instead of heading down the stairs to the beach, she was going toward the stairs to the town.

This was the second day in a row, when her pattern changed. Had something that he was unaware of changed? Cameron frowned, as he wondered why her destination bothered him.

Why did he feel the need to know where she was and what she was doing?

"She's a beautiful woman," Nolan said quietly.

"That she is,"Cameron agreed.

"Traditionally, dracos were married, celibacy only become popular in the past century."

"I know." Cameron turned to fully face his friend. "As you know, my grandfather was a draco, as were several of my ancestors. If they had not also been married with families, I would not be here, today." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Is there any reason why you feel the need to speak about marriage?" Cameron arched a brow. "Are you considering a relationship with one of our visitors?"

Nolan's eyes widened so much that the irises were surrounded by white. "Me? No! I am quite happy with my life." He lowered his voice, so no one else could hear. "But if your family line is to continue having members in the order, it might be something for you to consider."

Cameron took an involuntary step backward as he looked left and right to make sure no one else was nearby. What he actually saw was Varlet following Tem-aki. He tilted his head toward the stairs, "Perhaps I'm not the one you should mention that to."

"You think he's interested in her?" Nolan shook his head. "Varlet has no interest in females."

"At least that is what he would have us believe."

Nolan laughed. "You think it's an act?"

"Would it be so unheard of for someone to pretend one thing, when the opposite is true?"

"Sadly, it would be quite typical, which is why our job is so difficult." Nolan ran his fingers through his thinning hair. "However, in this case, I am quite sure that he has no tender feelings for her. And I know for a fact that you are the only one her eyes search for."

Upon hearing those words, a warm feeling exploded in his core and a sense of buoyant optimism began to tickle his senses.

"Wonder why Varlet is following her," Nolan said.

"You think he is?"

"Don't you?" Nolan turned to face him, his expression grim. "That boy has a bad core."

Cameron nodded, "But he doesn't do anything we can actually dismiss him for." He signed. "Believe me, I've been looking for just cause to dismiss him and his two syncopates."

Nolan looked around the patio and his expression became perplexed.

"What's wrong?" Cameron asked.

"How often does Varlet do anything without Dirk and Malin there to bolster his confidence?"

"Never."

Nolan nodded. "Exactly."

Cameron turned his head so quickly that he felt a sharp twinge in his neck. Nolan was correct, Malin and Dirk were each quietly painting an eye of the giant paper-mâché dragon head, which would be attached to a flexible, fabric body. Once done, the dragon would lead the parade, which began the Summer Solstice Ceremony.

"Without Varlet around, those two are decent workers," Nolan said.

"Always?"

Nolan shrugged. "This is the first time I've seen them without him around to influence them toward veiled contempt."

"That's exactly what he does, isn't it?"

Nolan nodded, then turned his attention toward the stairs to the town. "Are you going to follow them?"

"Do you think I need to for some reason?"

"He hates her. What if he decides to attack her?"

"Then I would pity him," Cameron said. Nolan blinked in surprise. "Remember me telling you that GEA-4 tossed me in the drink?... Those two emissaries or whatever they are are much stronger than I am."

Nolan shook his head.

Cameron nodded.

~o~

Tem-aki felt a prickle at her back, as if someone was watching her. She tried to appear casual, as she entered the closest shop on her right. Once in, she quickly stepped into the darkest clump of shadows and turned, to look out the open doorway. Less than a minute later, the surly one hurried by, looking from left to right, as if searching for something.

Or someone.

Why was he following her?

The one called Varlet turned in a quick circle, his gaze searching the shadows and shop interiors. Ah, so he had just realized he'd lost track of her. Tem-aki forced herself to stand still. Few things attracted a predator's attention quicker than movement, so even when it felt as if his gaze was raking her, the only thing she did was close her eyes to slits, so light could not reflect off them.

He spun around two more times before heading in the original direction she had been wandering in.

She counted to fifty before she dared move a muscle. Turning, she realized that an ancient-looking woman was seated on a three-legged stool in the rear corner of the shop. Her tan, wrinkled face, knobby knuckles along with her worn fingernails suggested that most of her life had been spent doing hard, manual work outdoors, yet now, she was using her work-worn hands and a delicate hook to fashion ivory thread into beautiful lace. Actually looking around the shop for the first time, Tem-aki realized that all the items in it appeared to have been created in the same manner.

Fascinated, she watched the old woman's hands move, as if they were an expert dancer, meticulously performing a ballet. As if by magic, whatever the piece she was making grew in length.

She was creating something beautiful, with only the odd hook-thingy and thread.

Again, Tem-aki looked around the shop's interior and admired the flawless construction.

To think that these scarfs, shawls and blankets could actually be made without a factory!

She took a few steps closer and knelt down to better watch the amazing hands create the intricate-looking piece. The old woman's head raised and Tem-aki was given a beautiful smile and word of greeting. In that brief moment, she realized the old woman's eyes were white. Though she'd never actually seen cataracts, she'd studied about them in medical history.

Still, it was startling to actually see someone who suffered from the affliction.

If the old woman could create flawless beauty out of nearly nothing, and not even be able to see it, then she, Tem-aki Atano could and would find her brother by using the resources she had available. At the moment, that was GEA-4, the strange skull, a slate slab and a stick of homemade chalk, but those all gave Larwin information to come to her.

Was she some silly female that needed to be rescued?

No!

She was the female that had set out to rescue her brother, not vice-versa.

Tem-aki grimaced, then admitted to herself that she simply had not expected to actually find him alive, much less have so much water involved.

Was GEA-4 correct that Larwin could be at least two-thousand miles away?

Even if she learned to swim or found a way to replenish the air in her suit, she was sure she could neither swim nor walk that distance.

The pattern the old woman was making in the center of the scarf, or whatever she was making, reminded Tem-aki of the round wheel Cameron had used to steer Sirocco. As she stared at it, she realized that her best option for reaching Larwin was to learn to speak Cameron's language well enough to ask for his help.

Choice made, she rose to her feet, adjusted her robe and went to the door. After a careful check, during which she didn't see any golden robe, she turned back toward Cameron's home, determined to learn to communicate with him as quickly as possible.

~o~

Nimri watched Raine and Thunder position a grid of the large structural bamboo over the two long canoes so the entire project became a long rectangle, which had canoe-type foundations on the long sides. Then, they began laying thin, sturdy reeds on top of this, which apparently would be a floor.

Instead of having the sides of a boat to hang onto, did they expect passengers to ride on top of that flat surface, where they would bake in the sun and get soaked with rain? And just how did they plan to use the fabric they had entrusted her to sew? Was her part of the project even necessary?

She turned the binoculars to Larwin's face, and saw barely veiled excitement and anticipation. When you loved someone, it wasn't easy to accept some of the things they wanted. While Nimri applauded and supported his desire to be reunited with his sister, she didn't know if she would ever be happy about the proposed method of getting to her.

Mica began to fuss. Nimri put down Larwin's magical glasses and picked up her son. "Did you think you were being ignored?"

Mica gurgled and kicked his feet.

"I'm sorry you felt that way. I love you and always hope to be here for you. Your daddy loves you, too... He also loves his sister, that's your Aunt Tem-aki. Do you realize how special love is? Did you know that distance doesn't matter if you really love someone?... What matters is trust for that relationship to work out."

Mica cooed, as if he understood. Unfortunately, he didn't understand how dangerous the thing was that his father wanted to do. Yes, Larwin might find his sister, but what if he couldn't find his way home, afterward?

Nimri's eyes swam with tears.

Until this moment, she had considered making the trip with them, but now, she realized it would be impossible to take Mica on such a journey, and, to be honest, she dreaded the thought of being on a boat, particularly for the length of time it would probably take to get to wherever Tem-aki was at.

She also dreaded the thought of being separated from Larwin and the reality that if something happened to the flimsy wood and bamboo boat, she could lose not only her mate, but her brother. Her arms tightened protectively around Mica.

She wasn't sure what she could do to protect them on what Larwin called a mission and Thunder called an adventure, but if there was a way to protect them, and still protect Mica, she vowed to find it.