Gathering Shards

By Julia H. West

Science fiction short story. Lasai's sole purpose in life was to bring peace to the ghosts of the alien Ebchians, who had died a thousand years before. He did not foresee what would happen when archaeologists began excavating the ancient Ebchian cities.

Originally published in Oceans of the Mind, Issue XII, Summer 2004.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Callihoo Publishing
• Release date: Sep 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465740496

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Gathering Shards

Julia H. West

Published by Callihoo Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Julia H. West

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Cover design by Danica B. West

~~~

Lasai leaned against the trunk of a tipil tree, his legs folded beneath him, his hands loose on his thighs. A breeze fluttered the leaves, and the tiny brass cymbals Lasai had hung in branches throughout the grove rang in a constant ting-a-ting-ting. These movements, varied but constant, trembled at the edges of his vision.

The barest translucent flicker of white, different from the silvery shiver of the leaves, brought Lasai back to himself. He shook the red silk cord tied to the tree branch above him, and the cymbals ting-tinged in rhythm. The white grew, solidified, became a young female Ebchian clutching a tiny one to her bony breast. Her lips drew back from her fangs in agony, and she limped badly as she followed the cymbals' seductive music—food and ease for her soul—into the grove. By the time she reached the tree next to Lasai's, the translucent white had given way to golden tan, and he could hear the chuff, chuff of her labored breath. So she'd died quickly, and didn't know she was dead.

Come, come, come, chanted Lasai, shaking the cymbals in the tree again. Hear what I have for you. Ease for pain, ease for sorrow. Ease for anger, ease for fear. Come, come, come.

The Ebchian stopped and raised empty eyes, eyes that slowly gained color and vitality and sentience. Fire from the sky, her voice came, nearly unintelligible. Running, terror, pain. Must protect my hatchling.

The tiny Ebchian, a mere wisp of white until then, stirred as a golden blush swept