Fire Island: Book 3 of The Chatterre Trilody (Chatterre Trilogy) (28 page)

Chapter 33

Tem-aki wished she could do something besides sit and wait for the beast to get into position, so she could reactivate the containment, but she couldn't swim, and didn't know where anyone else was, so all she could do was wait and hope the shield would hold, if the thing ever got into a good position. Slow as it was moving, that would take a while.

Eyes watering, she did the only things she could do: think, wait and wonder.

If the shield failed, again, would she die, here on this desolate rock?

She wiped a tear from her cheek.

Was Nimri actually a horrible person or had she treated her that way because she wanted to punish someone for her bother's choice to stay here?

She wiped away more tears.

If Nimri hadn't healed her, would everyone have been lost?

The tears fell so thick and fast that she no longer bothered to hide them. After all, who was left to see? There wasn't even a bird in the sky.

She had always assumed that being a Stardust Warrior was exciting. In reality, had Larwin's previous life been as boring as this tedious waiting for Shaka-uma to drag herself across a quarter mile of rock?

By the time the madrox managed to struggle to its hatchlings, the second one was halfway out of its ovum and Tem-aki had no more tears left. Her eyes burned as she watched the beast painfully coil itself around the two young ones, then very carefully, she activated the tricorder.

When the shield shimmered over the madrox, she sighed in relief. At least the creatures couldn't harm anyone else.

"You know as prisons go, that's a beautiful one."

Tem-aki whirled around to see a half-sodden Raine sitting on a rock behind her. "How long have you been there?"

"Hard to say, but I guess I've seen at least half of the dragon's efforts to coil around the hatchlings." She scratched her ear. "I've watched them for years and never realized what devoted mothers they were."

Nimri had been so devoted to Mica that she'd drowned herself. Pressure and pain clutched Tem-aki's heart, but she managed to ask, "How did you survive?"

She picked up the staff that had been lying at her side. "Somehow this thing saved me. It's amazingly buoyant."

Buoyant? Wasn't it the one she'd found at the bottom of the ocean?

"I'm surprised the others haven't returned, now that the shield is in place."

Who did she think was alive to return? Wasn't it just the two of them? She cleared her throat. "Who do you expect?"

Raine gave her a surprised look. "Mica and Kazza for starters." Then, she got a worried look. "What happened to Nimri?"

"I think she drowned."

"Why?"

Tem-aki couldn't answer.

"When?" Raine demanded.

To Tem-aki's surprise, she began to cry, again. "After she saw that the boat wasn't there, she went head-first into the water." She sniffed. "I think she was trying to save you and Mica."

"But Kazza grabbed him before the dragon hit the water and I swim better than I walk."

Of course, Raine and anyone growing up on a water world would know how to swim. Why hadn't she considered that? "Kazza grabbed Mica?" Tem-aki looked around the barren slope. "Where are they?"

"I have no idea. In fact, things went so fast that I'm not clear about where Kazza came from. I just know that he seemed to be moving very fast and seemed to come from nowhere, grab Mica, then they were gone. In fact, I know this sounds crazy, but I had the impression he was flying and I know cats can't fly." Raine massaged her temples. "Then, before I could blink, the dragon hit the water and everything went upside down. Next thing I knew, the boat was gone and I was under water, being pushed along in a riptide."

Tem-aki didn't know what a riptide was, but it didn't sound good.

"By the time I managed to get my head above water, I was halfway out the channel. I was miles offshore by the time I managed to get out of the current, so it took a while to swim back."

"And all that way, you managed to hold onto the staff."

Raine gave a rueful laugh. "I'd tied it to my arm because it was too slick to hold onto. I think it saved me, not vice-versa."

"Amazing," Tem-aki said, and meant it, since she was certain she could not have survived.

Raine nodded. After several minutes when the only sound was the soft lap of water against the shore, Raine asked, "Have you decided what you are going to do?"

"About what?" Tem-aki swallowed as she wondered what Raine expected of her.

"With your life. You have a lot of options."

"If you say so. I was trained as a geologist."

"Don't limit yourself. I was trained as a dragon herder, but I've learned that I'm really good at weaving wool."

Whatever that was.

"Seriously," Raine continued, "have you at least decided if you'll return with us or will you stay here?" She got an odd smile on her face. "I'm sure Cameron would prefer you to stay, but we all know that your goal has always been to find Larwin."

"And instead, he found me." Tem-aki rubbed her aching eyes. "You really think Cameron would like me to stay?"

Raine laughed and nodded.

"Why?"

"I've seen the way you two look at each other when the other one isn't looking."

A sliver of warmth began to bloom in Tem-aki's heart. "I'll talk to him."

"You do that." Raine raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. "Ah, it's about time."

Tem-aki looked to see what held her attention. Kazza, Nimri and Mica were making their way through the strange geometric rocks, which scattered the shore. Seeing the proof of Nimri's philosophy, 'If you believe, it becomes possible' was like witnessing a miracle.

~o~

Days later, when everything for the shield was in place and after everyone, except Dirk and Varlet, had returned to the his home, the sun was inching downward. As soon as it dropped below the horizon, it would be time to begin the Solstice Celebration – an event, which had been hastily organized to replace the Solstice Celebration and Pilgrimage.

Cameron had spent years imagining how he would feel if he ever had the honor of officiating at the order's major event. But, now that it was time, and dragons had even returned, all he wanted to do was convince Tem-aki to stay with him. Unfortunately, the best way to do that seemed to be taking her and her brother's family to his home, so as the sun began to sink, Cameron ushered Larwin, Thunder, Raine, Nimri, Mica, Kazza and Tem-aki down the steep stairs to the main pier, where it seemed like half the town had gathered. It seemed like everyone wanted to look at, speak to and touch the strangers before they departed, so the walk took a lot longer than he expected. By the time they all climbed aboard The Sirocco, the sun was halfway hidden by the horizon.

His fingers tightened around Tem-aki's hand, holding her with him, on deck, as the others went below to ready themselves for their part of the coming festivities. Turning to the shore, he faced the townspeople, who stood shoulder to shoulder along the quay, their expression mirrored many emotions; many seemed confused by the rumors that dragons had returned and proven to be deadly, instead of purely beneficial. The announcement that this year, instead of a pilgrimage, they would be celebrating the return of the dragons, here in town, had meant that nearly everyone had turned out for the celebration, instead of those who were devote followers.

Seeing that he was looking their way, one farmer, who had been forced to move outside the new protective barrier, shook his fist and shouted an insult. Since the energy shield could not be seen and the dragons had not ventured near, Cameron understood why the man was angry, and he hoped the plan would work, so that everyone not only could hear that the dragons had returned, but see them and understand the danger.

Benji and Tristan removed the boarding plank and loosened the mooring ropes, then they raised the sail and stood by to trim it, when the off-shore breeze arrived.

As the sun vanished, Cameron raised his arm. Slowly the crowd became silent. "I know that you have all heard rumors of why this year's Solstice Ceremony and Pilgrimage were cancelled."

A surge of sound rumbled across the water.

"Shaka-uma has risen." A shout drowned him out, so he patiently waited for silence. "As have three of her hatchlings."

"Lies!"

Cameron held up his hand for silence. "You will see with your own eyes." Again the noise swelled.

Tem-aki leaned close, "I see why you wanted to speak to them from here. Much safer."

"That plus they all can see and hear me better."

"At least they could if they ever shut up and listened."

"They will. Right now, they are reacting to a change. Most humans don't do well with that."

"Yet, life is always changing."

"But usually not this quickly." As the crowd quieted, Cameron told them about the shield and explained that it was for their protection. Many of the farmers used the opportunity to publicly protest, but he knew that the offshore breeze would come soon and he didn't have time to waste. Then, he told everyone that Nolan would officiate over the festivities, while he left on an important voyage."

"Because he don't want to face his lies!" a rough voice shouted.

Cameron made the pre-arranged signal to Annosha, who was in her tethered dragon balloon. In turn, Annosha signaled Malin and Emmet, who were on the dragon-side of the shield, waiting to release the lanterns.

Tem-aki stared skyward, hoping that the bizarre plan would work. Worried that it wouldn't.

For the longest time, nothing seemed to happen, then there was a flurry of movement and a harsh voice shouted, "Aw, lookie there, he figures we be stupid enough to mistake a balloon for a live dragon." Raucous laughter floated over the water.

Tem-aki's fingers tightened around his. "How can they be so horrible?"

"They are human."

"Are you sure you want to return here, after we take Larwin and everyone home?"

"I belong here."

"We belong."

Cameron gave her a tender smile, as the expected offshore breeze began to fill the sail. The Sirocco began moving toward the harbor exit, which would take her through the channel and into the ocean.

The first airborne lantern hit the dragon-shield and instantly disintegrated in a starburst, while at the same time, it briefly looked as if a huge rainbow-like dome curved over Fire Island's interior. A shout from the shore acknowledged the existence of the shield, then under the protective arc, a bolt of azure lightening rippled. And people went wild with the proof that the shield was there to protect them from Skaka-uma.

It had begun.

His fingers instinctively tightened around Tem-aki's hand.

"Tell me, again, that they will be okay," she said.

"I can't, but I don't think they would do this if they weren't sure," he said, his attention never straying from Shaka-uma and her three hatchings as they flew in a strange flight-dance with two barely discernible humans and two myst cats, which was eerily similar to what Tem-aki claimed she'd seen in the skull. "It was their idea to lure the dragons here for the Ceremony, so that all could see." Cameron continued, "I would never have asked them to risk their lives, just so the doubters could believe. Larwin thought it was important for everyone to understand the new restrictions and why only those who had no apparent myst-energy could work on the other side of the shield."

As more and more lanterns hit the dragon-shield, the mammoth iridescent dome became more visible. "This demonstration certainly shows them the massive energy. and how dangerous it is," Tem-aki said. "Larwin has always been good at strategy." She turned her attention to shore, where some were staring at the sight in silent awe, while others screamed and jumped. Then Tem-aki looked at him, the light of floating lanterns and dome reflected in her eyes. "You have been planning this celebration since I met you. It is the pinnacle of your career."

"And far more spectacular than I ever have imagined possible." He looked at the lanterns, which still were thick as stars around the four dragons.

"Why leave, now? People finally believe you."

"I am only head draco because he didn't want to accept the post for fear that our sect would fail. Besides, Nolan actually likes officiating at this sort of thing and dealing with groups."

"Bu-"

He put his finger over her lips. "My position will be here when I return, as will be the responsibility to protect everyone." While he'd spent years believing that officiating at the Solstice Ceremony would be the highlight of his life, now that it was here, he realized that convincing Tem-aki to spend the rest of her life as his partner was much more important.

Tem-aki tugged his hand guiding him away from where Kazza and Saphera sprawled on the bow, to join Larwin, Nimri, Mica, Raine and Thunder who were all safe and watching the festivities on Sirocco's stern.

How could he ask her to choose between a life with him and one with her family?

"Why do you think I must make a choice?" Tem-aki asked.