The Zaddack Tales Complete Trilogy

By Karen Daniels

The last of the humans - an unforgettable journey.

The Entire Zaddack Tales Trilogy now in 1 adventurous volume!

Exotic and vibrant … a superb taste of danger, adventure, and odyssey...very highly recommended is Karen Daniels' science fiction opus,
-Internet Bookwatch

Now you can read the entire Zaddack Tales trilogy in this one complete volume. An adventurous science fiction read that spans generations, filled with the last of the humans, psychic linking, the infamous zaddacks, "ones who know," and a great darkness which brings with it, a fate worse than death.

Book 1, Dancing Suns
A quest forged from duty and challenged by desire. Dancing Suns is a tale of the last human beings, their friendships and personal struggle.
Pursued for generations by the mercenary Bioguards, human descendants have created a final sanctuary on Riatha, a planet with two suns. When they are discovered and attacked, Serall escapes with Kafa, a highly evolved creature known as a zaddack, with whom she is mentally bonded. An inviolate duty to find the last three remaining humans collides with personal desire when Serall meets Runak, an oreseeker. This legendary being bequeaths to her a medallion, a key to unlocking the power of crysolium—the ore that holds the mindsparks of the dead.

Serall must keep her heritage hidden from the native Riathans, a people who live under the shadow of the prophecy—When the time of the two suns is to end, a zaddack will be sent forth, One Who Knows, to lead those who are chosen to the land of the blue sky.

Book 2, Mentor's Lair
"We are all made from the stars."
Divided by fear, led by the enemy. A group of homeless space travelers must rely on their enemy to pilot their spaceship as they search for the way to old Earth. Landing to replenish supplies, they find themselves stranded on an ice-covered world that quakes and emits a strange sexual energy. Serall fights to maintain leadership while starvation and an immense tusked creature threaten their existence even as they are haunted by a twin-tailed comet in the sky—an omen that prophesizes the end of the universe.

Book 3, Mindspark
A great Dark is sweeping through the universe, killing all life that dares to stand in its path.

In MindSpark, the startling third book in The Zaddack Tales series, life in the Universe is pitted against an elemental force that brings a fate worse than death. On old Earth the finest minds in the Affiliation struggle to find some way for life to survive. But the slim possibility for deliverance falls to one individual, a soul-damaged human turned oreseeker named Jaspen who is psychically linked to crysolium, ore that can be infused with mindsparks.

But Jaspen must first overcome his fears and give up the one thing he lives for – the only thing he has ever cared about.

You won't believe the amazing conclusion to this epic adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Daniels
• Release date: Mar 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452432670

Karen Daniels

Karen Daniels is unconventional in her life and writing. She had her first child at age 46, and at 52 went back to school for her M.A. in Educational Psychology (while wrangling 3 under age-4 kids.) Her friends consider her renegade, spiritual, and a bit odd. A copywriter, creativity and content specialist, her versatile writing skills have led to publication in everything from online to offline, social media, blogs, curriculum, scientific journals, poetry, fiction and nonfiction books. Her published books cover a broad range of subjects from Creativity, to In-vitro Fertilization, including titles such as Your Creativity: From Ordinary to Extraordinary and In-vitro Fertilization: The Ultimate Reality Game. Fiction titles include The Zaddack Tales trilogy; Dancing Suns, Mentor's Lair, and Mindspark - adventures in spiritual scifi - and The Baby About to Be Born, a story for families created through IVF/adoption. See more at karendaniels.com

Book preview

Prologue: The Chamber

Duty before desire. Kempen stood and walked around the stone table in the elders’ council chamber. Restayn, your daughter was chosen long before she was born. Indeed, long before we fled here to Riatha. Her fate is hers alone and your personal feelings will not alter that. He looked down at the girl child, whose tiny shoulders might one day carry the burden of keeping the human race alive. She is four. It’s time to begin.

Restayn clutched his daughter, a living reminder of the woman who had died giving birth to their child. He shut his eyes for a moment, willing himself to remain calm.

You are condemning Serall, Restayn’s voice was sharp with pain, to a childhood with no play, a life void of anything normal. He looked away from the cherished green-eyed face of his daughter. What if something goes wrong? You’re talking about exposing her to a wild zaddack! His eyes pleaded. What about the other children?

They’re gone from here. Long ago they were adopted out for their—for our, safety. Kempen reached out, nearly touching the innocent child on the forehead. If the worst should happen the future of our race will be in her hands. He cleared his throat and stepped back. This zaddack will be able to help her do what she must. I’m sure Serall will have better luck than I with the little beast. He and Restayn both looked at the long red streaks on his arms where the zaddack’s claws had dug deep. Restayn, the time has come; we will wait no longer. Prepare Serall now for Bonding.

Restayn bathed his daughter in water scented with tabaweed leaves so that she would smell more like a wild creature than a human child. He braided her short red-blond hair and dressed her in a simple tunic, woven in reds and browns.

Daddy, what is Bonning? Serall smiled at the man who was both mother and father to her. She felt fancy in the special new tunic when he lifted her down and carried her from the bathing area. Usually only Auntie Jamel did these things and that was never fun. Father was much nicer. She stuck her fingers in her mouth.

This is a special ceremony, Serall. It’s called Bonding. Remember we talked about what you need to do today?

She pulled her moist fingers out of her mouth and nodded.

Be patient. He patted her on the leg and his eyes clouded before he could hide it.

Is it gonna hurt?

No, he bent over and straightened her tunic. It will not hurt. He straightened and his hand swallowed hers as he held it.

He led her back to the council chamber which had been prepared by the seven elders. Kempen and the others stood in a semicircle. Serall stuck close to her father’s leg as he took her to stand next to a small table which held several items.

Now, remember what we talked about? He released Serall’s hand and set her shoulders straight.

She nodded shyly and stood quietly.

Restayn lit two small and one fat stalk of orange tallow, then stepped back and shut his eyes.

Serall looked around and saw that all present had their eyes closed. Kempen stepped forward and cleared his throat. She knew he was going to pray to Allthatis, the power that held the universe together.

Ati, hear and answer. Kempen’s voice was gruff. We ask you to allow this child, known as Serall, to Bond with the zaddack known as Kafa. We ask that you lend your love and guidance so that the Bonding will be complete, a link which shall last as long as the two live. After a moment of silence he opened his eyes, stepped back and nodded at Restayn. Let it be done.

Father picked up the first item; a tiny vest made of zaddack fur. He knelt down and repeated the Bonding words which had been given to them by the trader who sold them the zaddack and clothing. He looked his daughter in the eye.

Serall, this shall be your zaddack skin, so that you will share not only heart and mind, but body as well. He slipped her arms through the vest and settled it on her shoulders. May you be strength, one to the other, in times of need. He tied the furry strap which closed it across her stomach.

The scent of the vest rose to Serall’s nose, a wild earthy pleasantness. It reminded her of the smell when she stomped on the crispenvines that grew in the mud near the water source.

She watched her father pick up the second item, the left boot. He got to his knees and placed her hand on his shoulder, then slipped the boot over her foot. His voice was subdued when he spoke.

You two shall walk as one, being eyes and ears, one to the other. He reached over and picked up the other furry boot. She who has two legs shall walk with four. She who has four legs shall walk with two. He pulled the right boot onto her foot. Now you will walk each for the other.

Serall didn’t understand what was really happening but she loved the softness of the boots on her feet. Her toes wriggled into the fur and it made her want to jump and run, but she stayed still as she had promised she would.

Father stepped back. He looked down at Serall and nodded.

She took several steps over to the elders and walked down the line bowing to each of them. Daddy had taught her it was a sign of respect, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t stop thinking about how bouncy the fur under her feet felt. She wanted to test the boots outside. However, she walked obediently back to her father and bowed her head to him.

You stand before me, Restayn paused to take a deep breath before continuing, as only one. You go now into the darkness to die in order to be transformed. You will emerge reborn. And the two will have become one. Sobeyit.

He took her hand and led her to a small room off the council chamber, then nudged her inside. He did not enter but shut the wooden door behind, leaving her alone in the quiet darkened room.

Daddy? She turned. The dim light in the room came from several tallow sticks secured on the walls. She blinked and looked around but her eyes were not adjusted. Something hummed in her ears. It was then that she caught sight of the small kit. No more than several hand widths high, Kafa was a deep brown ball of fluff, with spiky bristles on the top of her head and a scrawny tail.

Serall stood stalk still as she faced the strange creature. Her heart hammered. She saw the claws on the big paws and remembered the angry welts on Kempen’s skin. She stiffened her arms against her sides.

Kafa moved then—right toward her. The kit neared and Serall wanted to squeeze her eyes shut to make it go away but she had told Father she wouldn’t do that no matter how much she wanted to. The kit tumbled, stumbling on paws too large for her body. She fell forward and mewed mournfully.

Oh! Serall cried out with involuntary sympathy.

The zaddack pushed herself upward and sniffed Serall’s feet, poking at the boot fur with her nose. Kafa moved her tiny head up and snuffled Serall’s bare legs, then extended her raspy tongue and licked the exposed skin.

Serall giggled at the wet tickling. Without thought she reached out toward the bristled head and touched Kafa for the first time. There was softness, better than the fur under her feet because Kafa was warm.

The zaddack gently licked at the little girl’s fingers.

Serall laughed and got down on the floor, stretching out to play with the small kit.

Kafa sat back, tilted her head and blinked her golden-yellow eyes.

Serall, drawn to the beautiful eyes, reached out her finger wanting to touch one but Kafa jerked back at the last moment.

Serall felt something funny in her head…something that had to do with the kit. Serall flushed, feeling hot, and rubbed her eyes with her fists. An orange ball appeared inside her head, an image like when she was imagining something she wanted. Her eyes opened wide in surprise. She hadn’t been wishing for a ball. She didn’t understand how it got there.

Kafa tilted her head, the golden eyes never leaving young Serall’s face.

The soft fuzzy ball inside Serall’s mind was warm and comforting. The globe grew bigger and bigger, tickling inside her head. Then she felt as if she was stretching toward the little zaddack, not just with her hand but with her insides. The vest grew and became furry skin all over her body. She looked down and she had four legs instead of two and she felt strong. Her claws were sharp and she found herself looking at a little girl who was lying on the ground in front of her. She had itches on her belly and wished the little girl would scratch. The little girl started to float away.

Serall jerked and sat up, her heart pounding. She was herself again.

The kit bounced onto her lap and jumped up to lick the little girl’s nose. Serall laughed and buried her hands and face in the fur. Kafa smelled like the vest, earthy fresh. The kit rolled over and Serall scratched her belly and under the chin right where she knew the itches were.

The baby zaddack splayed her paws in the air and blinked at the two-legged girl.

Scratch good. Kafa’s thoughts floated into Serall’s mind and it seemed the most natural thing in the world.

They were Bonded.

When they emerged from the darkened room Serall was anxious to show Father the new friend who leaned closely against her legs. She couldn’t contain her excitement.

Look, my new bestist friend, Serall said as she looked expectantly up at her father. Can I keep her?

He smiled and nodded though there were tears in his eyes. Cautiously he reached his hand toward Kafa, who growled, the bristles on top her head standing straight up. She snarled, showing her milk teeth and took a swipe at his hand with her claws. He yanked his fingers back.

Serall, I need some of Kafa’s tail fur. Please make her understand that it’s okay for me to touch her.

Serall didn’t know how she knew what to do but she thought at Kafa. This is Daddy. He’s our friend. Serall felt the fright leave the zaddack. She nodded at her father.

Restayn reached out once more and this time Kafa allowed him to, though her hair remained standing on end. He opened his hand and the little creature sniffed deeply, accepting him as someone who belonged to Serall. He snipped a tuft of fur from Kafa’s tail and set it on the table where a large stone bowl held fire. Then he removed Serall’s vest and boots.

She hoped he was going to give them back.

Father cut a small piece of Serall’s hair, then tossed both snippets into the fire. The stench of burning hair filled the room. Serall held her nose and Kafa wrinkled hers and sneezed.

Now, the two walk as one, Bonded, until the death of one releases the other. Father tossed the fur clothes onto the flames and the stench increased.

Serall stood with her hand on Kafa’s bristled head, sad to see the vest and boots burning. But it would be worth it if she got to keep her new friend.

When the flames died down Restayn nodded toward Kempen and the leading elder walked over and picked up the two narrow tallow sticks.

The girl known as Serall and the zaddack known as Kafa were once separate and alone as represented by these two individual stalks. He tossed the tallow sticks into the fire in the bowl. Now they are joined, forever entwined, just as these two stalks now become one. The fat sizzled and spit, melting into a single large puddle of oil. Sobeyit, it is done.

The Bonding ceremony was complete.

Serall watched Father’s hands clench as he paced in front of the council of elders. Duty, duty, duty. That’s all I’ve heard since my daughter was born. You’ve been forcing me…her…to abide by your inhuman rules. He waved his hand toward Serall who was swinging her nine-year-old legs to and fro as she rested on a stone bench.

Look at her, still a child with hardly any time for fun. Thus far I have agreed to all your requests. He clicked off his fingers one by one as he spoke. I allowed her to Bond knowing that would make her forever different. She has studied Riathan culture and primitive medicine; I have taught her their system of greetings. I have built the hovercraft and soon she will know the controls as well as she knows how to eat. He spoke slowly and clearly, emphasizing the next words. And I have helped her to understand that duty is paramount to anything else in one’s life. His face was red. But now you ask me to… He turned on the elders. I will not do this to her. This time I will not obey. Restayn walked over and took Serall by the hand so they could leave.

Restayn, Kempen spoke before father and daughter had moved through the door. If Serall is unprepared if and when danger comes, the extinction of the human race will be on your head. Kempen rose and walked to Restayn. You know that this survival trip, he glanced down at Serall and altered his words, this step in the training must be done. He placed a firm hand on Restayn’s shoulder. We have come too far to go back. Please. His voice implored.

Restayn’s arms flexed with barely restrained force. The eyes which looked so softly at Serall pierced the air in front of Kempen. He yanked his shoulder free of the old man’s grip and spoke in a low pitched voice.

Double darkness! If you listened to reason and gave up the weather sphere we would be safer. You know the Bioguards will track the field’s energy output and find us. His finger punctured the air by Kempen’s chest. Give up the weather sphere and there is a chance the Bioguards won’t find us. Then, he looked angrily at Kempen, this so called training would not be necessary.

Restayn, you realize we cannot risk decay of the human artifacts by exposing them to weather. You know very well we voted long ago and the weather sphere remains. Kempen spoke with quiet authority. Those objects are all we have left of old Earth. We are aware the sphere increases the risk of attack. However, he cleared his throat, we have been safe here on Riatha for two generations now. We believe the Bioguard danger has passed.

Then you and your council are all fools. Restayn shook his head. Wishing us safe does not make it so, just as wishing for home does not make Riatha’s green sky blue.

Yes, yes, Kempen shrugged off Restayn’s remarks, we know how you feel. You are not one to hide your thoughts. He moved closer to Restayn. I will debate this no longer. By your very words you claim we are in danger. So, on the chance you are right, this training must be done or if the worst happens, Serall will not be ready. Kempen wove his fingers together as he spoke. It is she who will suffer then.

Restayn’s face flushed as he struggled within himself. After a long silence he poked Kempen’s chest.

I will do my duty because I must. But, he leaned his face in close, if anything should happen to Serall, it is you who will have to answer to me. His eyes held Kempen’s in their gaze.

Sobeyit. Kempen nodded to indicate he understood the implications.

Serall followed her father out of the council chamber and looked up. She squeezed with a young girl’s fingers. It’s okay, Father.

No, honey, it’s not and I’m sorry.

Several days later Father took Serall and Kafa far from the city on what was supposed to be an all day outing with a picnic. They ate a fine meal by the skinny trees and she held Father’s hand as they watched Kafa chase rainbow wings in the field. After a time he yawned.

Serall, I’m thinking about a little nap. There was a catch in his voice. He cleared his throat. Why don’t you and Kafa go play for a while.

Okay, Daddy. She and Kafa romped off and ended up exploring the other side of a large dune. For a long time they watched a sandcrawler as Serall built miniature forts which penned it in. The valiant creature just kept walking, taking one sandy dead end after the other. When they finally grew bored of the sandcrawler they returned to the picnic place. Serall galloped at Kafa’s side. Father was not where he’d been resting.

Daddy? Serall looked around. Dad! Her voice rose but there was no answer. Are you hiding from us? She giggled at the thought of playing with him.

Kafa, find Daddy. Serall smirked, wondering how Father could have forgotten that Kafa could find anything.

Gone. Kafa’s thought feeling was quizzical.

I know, he’s hiding from us. She looked around realizing there was no real place to hide. Then it dawned on her that the dack they’d ridden out on was gone.

Kafa, get my dad. Dad! She shouted.

Not here. Away. Kafa sniffed the wind.

Serall felt like a baby when she had to blink back a tear that threatened to wet her cheek. She looked to the sky where the two suns were ready to set. That meant that soon it would be dark. They must have been playing for a long, long time. Maybe he’d gotten tired of waiting and left. Her stomach tightened.

Father, where are you? She cupped her hand and yelled through it. Come back. I’m sorry I played so long. I’ll be good. Come back. She shouted to empty air. She strained her ears, trying to fathom the silence. No voice called in return.

Kafa, go get my dad." Serall couldn’t keep the edge of panic from her voice.

Not leave you. Far.

Serall dropped to her knees and curled her arms around Kafa’s neck. What had she done to her father that was so bad? She shut her eyes and buried her face against Kafa so she could think. Surely if they’d just been playing too long he would have called her, so it had to be something far worse. Then she knew. On the ride out she had asked about her mother. And that always made Father sad. Serall choked back tears as she wiped her nose on her sleeve.

Now that she knew what she’d done wrong she felt a stab of hope. She shouted again. I’m sorry, Daddy. I won’t ask about Mother ever again.

There was still no answer. She waited for a long time, listening to the wind. Only when the suns began to set did she accept that he had truly left them and not even an apology was going to bring him back.

A rough warm tongue began soothing her. Kafa licked Serall’s tears, rumbling deep in her throat, a gentle soothing sound. The girl quieted, as Kafa’s thoughts cut through the pain.

Kafa here. Always. The warmth of her tongue was a familiar comfort.

Night descended, bringing darkness and strange noises. Serall lay close to Kafa, her hands clutching wads of fur. Her heart hammered against her chest and her belly ached as if the night darkness were seeping inside her. She squeezed her eyes shut, pretending she was home safe, sleeping on her bed mat like she did every night. Finally she slept against the furry shoulder that was soggy from bouts of tears.

Morning dawned with the suns bringing light. Serall and Kafa struggled in the direction of home, mile by mile. It hadn’t seemed this far when Serall had been riding the dack, a large- hoofed running beast. With each step Serall walked she grew more and more angry with her father and soon the tears stopped, not to return. They ate nothing until Kafa ran down a small hedgehopper. Serall nibbled at some of the raw meat. It made her stomach queasy.

Serall walked on increasingly painful feet. Each step fueled her sense of hurt and betrayal. She’d decided by now that his leaving them had to be from something even worse than asking about Mother. She combed her memories and found nothing that would merit this kind of punishment. She glanced at Kafa, her only friend. Perhaps the reason she had no other playmates was because something was terribly wrong with her. Could it be something so horrible that she must be sent out in the wild to live or die away from her people?

Maybe she wasn’t supposed to find her way home. Maybe whatever was wrong with her made even her father want never to see her again. He was always taking the time to explain all about the Riathans and their ways—maybe he had been telling her because he’d been planning all along to leave her and knew she’d have to go live with them someday. A day which had now come.

With this new thought she sat down hard on the wind cracked dirt. Despite Kafa’s gentle urging Serall was unable to get herself to move. They remained there until night came once more. Her body ached with stiffness and cold but those pains felt like nothing compared with the deep black hole in her heart.

Serall and Kafa struggled the last mile into Ratthern. They were greeted with smiles and nods as they moved to the suspended wooden walkways which were strung above the lower courtyards. Serall’s stomach burned with hunger and a now familiar knot. During the last day of walking she had made up her mind. She would have her say. Then if Father wanted not to see her anymore he would have to tell her to her face. She didn’t care. She had Kafa. They moved down the planks to the main courtyard below and walked into the food preparation area.

Auntie Jamel was, as usual, ordering the staff about. She frowned when Serall and Kafa entered with all their filth, giving no indication that she knew what the pair had just gone through. No doubt she hadn’t missed Serall.

Serall went over and pulled a large slice of crusty brown bread off one of the loaves near the great ovens. The old woman that watched the loaves stared at her with keen eyes but said nothing. Serall stepped over to the cool storage bin and tossed a haunch to Kafa who grabbed it and went outside to eat. For herself Serall took out a chunk of mild dack cheese, the kind they always bought from the traders.

Auntie Jamel strode over and Serall could see she was about to receive a lecture about one thing or another. She clenched her fists till they felt hard and glared at the fat-plagued woman. For once, Auntie Jamel kept her mouth shut, retreating without so much as one word.

Serall ate the cheese and bread without even tasting. Then she marched outside to go in search of Father. She passed Kafa who was shredding the meat and keeping bloodflies away with her flicking tail. The zaddack’s mind churned amidst Serall’s agitation.

Serall knew to be proper before presenting herself to Father she should bathe first but she didn’t care. She found him coming from the elders’ chamber.

When Restayn saw her, his face lit up and Serall felt an old part of her running toward him and throwing herself in his arms. But she kept her painful feet planted. Dark circles under his eyes made him look as if someone had hit him. She tried not to care. Her body stiffened when he bent and hugged her with great affection.

Serall allowed his embrace and for a moment she took pleasure at the hurt she saw in his eyes when he drew back. That was immediately replaced by her wanting him to pick her up and hug her so tight she couldn’t breathe. She crushed that wish and spoke.

I hate you.

A great flash of pain jerked across his face as surly as if Serall had slapped him.

What’s so wrong with me that you left us out there?

An answer formed on his lips but Kempen stepped up before Father’s words could become speech.

Kempen’s look appraised Serall and his eyes lit with an instructor's gleam. Good job, Restayn. He clapped her father on the back and walked away.

Father waited until Kempen was well away before he spoke. I’m sorry, Serall. There is nothing wrong with you. He glanced at Kempen’s retreating form. It was my duty. I had no choice. He opened his hands as if offering her his words. They weren’t enough.

Her survival training had begun.

Chapter One

Wake! Here bad. Kafa’s anxious mental touch woke Serall from a deep sleep.

Serall sat up abruptly, the strangeness in the air hitting her like a shout. Kafa’s chest rumbled deeply in warning as she leapt to the doorway. Serall hastened after her, disturbed by the unusual quiet.

Where is everyone? Serall whispered.

Kafa’s golden-yellow eyes roamed. The hair at the scruff of her neck stood on end, reflecting her mental anxiety. The empty hallway told them nothing.

Two-legged coming. Kafa’s mental warning sounded in Serall’s mind.

Serall’s heart skipped a beat, as did Kafa’s. Serall shifted her body into a fighting stance. Now she could hear what Kafa’s ears perceived, the harsh intake of air and the slapping tempo of feet beating on the stone passage. The intruder rounded the doorway, coming into view.

Father? Serall’s posture relaxed though her shoulders remained tense.

His approach was so atypical Kafa had reacted as if he were a stranger. He was still gasping to regain his breath when he stopped. Serall raised her hand, palm forward, fingers spread wide, in greeting. He did not return the gesture, the first time since she had come of age at thirteen, some five standard years ago. He tugged Serall’s arm, pulling them into a room and closed the door.

Father, what is…

Silence! His word stopped her question. The Bioguards have located us. Soon they will attack. He sucked in another deep breath. They must not find you. Go. His face moved closer to hers. Your hovercraft is ready, stocked with supplies. There is no time to explain more.

But Father….

In the lockbox—the Sacred Tome. Guard it well. You and Kafa must draw on all your skills now. He paused, his voice choked with pain, then unexpectedly clutched her to his chest. She felt the pounding of his heart as he continued. Your duty…I left you a note explaining what you must do. You must stay alive. He held her out, arms length. Remember all I have taught you. Go with Ati. He kissed her gruffly on the cheek, then pat Kafa on the head. Take care of each other—for all of us.

Serall heard the echo of his receding footsteps in her head long after he was gone. Her confusion kept her feet paralyzed on the cold stone floor.

We go—we go—we go. Kafa pushed against Serall’s leg as her thoughts tumbled into Serall’s mind.

Serall’s feet obeyed even as her mind protested. They ran, human and zaddack, to the end of the hall, down four steps, then stopped before a locked wooden door. There was no light in the dark alcove but Serall knew exactly where to press her hand. The door cranked inward. A puff of dust wafted out making Serall’s nose itch. Kafa sneezed.

Descending several more flights of stairs they stepped into the dim cavern. Lights ignited on their own, brightening the space. In the center of the cave perched the wooden hovercraft, a precious commodity on this low-tech planet. Serall had helped Father paint the ship’s outer skin a dull whitish-green, to blend with Riatha’s foliage. The front view port was shaped like a bloodfly’s eye to offer maximum field of vision.

The craft’s entryway opened with a whoosh and Kafa bounded up the steps.

Serall ran and plopped into the pilot's seat, immediately initiating door sealing, ignition, and blade rotation, just as in her practice sessions. The engine complained. Serall panicked, praying the Bioguards wouldn’t hear. She pictured the door crashing open and an army of Bioguards rushing in….

Come on, come on. Please… She urged the rotary blades. Her heart leapt to her mouth at the same time the craft popped into the air. With nervous hands she maneuvered the vessel, eyes focused on the narrow hole at the top of the cavern. This was her first flight under pressure and she was sure the blades were going to whip against the rocky walls. She steadied her mind with force of will and stared at the open space above, wishing them through it. The craft followed her thoughts.

Serall’s eyes darted back and forth across the viewing ports, as the craft flew out of the city, then forward, above the canopy of the Inakc forest. The whitish green leaves of the barkless trees interlocked together with their vine tips, forming a dense barrier between land and sky. She glanced out the rear view port and watched flames shoot upward from Ratthern’s wooden roofs, brightening the sky with an orange glow.

The snow tinged peaks of the Twicemade and Twicehigh mountain ranges blocked her escape on either side, so there was no place to go but forward, over the unbroken leafy covering which would prevent any landing other than crashing. As her home’s destruction grew smaller behind them, Serall observed a dark speck rise above the city. She squinted and tightened her fist, straining a finger. She and Kafa had been spotted. The Bioguards were coming after them.

Serall squeezed the lever in her hand to arch the hovercraft down closer to the treetops and forced her eyes ahead even as her back tensed, anticipating a blast from behind. Her brows furrowed so tightly an ache spread across her forehead. She sighed deeply, veering further toward rise, the direction the suns rose from each day.

Kafa reacted to Serall’s tension, pacing back and forth in the small area, and emitting a deep rumbling from her chest. The bristled fur on top of her head stood on end and her ears twitched, as they did when she smelled game.

Serall’s palm was slick with sweat and her injured pinkie throbbed when she flipped on the energy indicator. As far as she knew the crysolium ore Father had placed in the containment chamber was the only source of fuel on Riatha, just enough to clear the edge of the Inakc forest if she wasn’t forced into extensive maneuvering.

Her hand grew numb as the day wore on while she slid the hovercraft back and forth, body lengths above the foliage. When the two suns set she was unwilling to use the light beams so she switched to automatic mode. Darkness descended and her eyes could see nothing. She was flying blind.

Serall placed her hand on Kafa and waited in the blackness, feeling like a tiny bloodfly, about to be smashed.

Chapter Two

Serall stood at the entrance to their cave hideout and peered into the sky. As the light of the two suns burned into her face she looked around for signs of the Bioguards. Once more Ati had seen them through the night; the morning sky was clear.

She tossed another chunk of wood onto the fire which had burned all night to keep some of the dreaded darkness at bay. With slow movements she sat before reaching for the small red lockbox Father had placed in the craft. This too was part of her daily ritual. The lid opened with a creak and she spotted the large leather pouch of ryn-crystals, prized for the rainbow of colors that shimmered and moved within the crystalline structure. They were used as currency to trade for local goods. She picked up the heavy bag and placed it on the hard dirt by her thigh.

Green eyes stared up at her from the box, a photograph exposed, displaying the face of a woman Serall had never known; her mother. Serall recalled a time when she had watched her father gaze at this exact picture when he thought he was alone. He had been sitting in the large chair, clay pipe forgotten on the stone stand next to him. He stroked the picture with the back of his forefinger, speaking to the long dead woman. As Serall stood, hidden at the edge of the door, she had wanted to go to him, pat his knee with her small hand, tell him it was okay, that she loved him. But even at that age she understood that he did not wish his daughter to witness his emotions. So, she had remained frozen at the door, tears welling in her own eyes for her father who would not cry.

The suns’ light at the wide mouth of the cave shifted, casting a shadow across her mother’s face. Serall sighed. Now her father was dead, too. A dull ache erupted in her chest.

Kafa responded to the intense emotions by rubbing against Serall’s back, then sitting beside her. Kafa lowered her scruffy head, golden eyes staring at the picture in an amazingly human-like gesture.

Serall put her arm around Kafa’s well-muscled shoulders. Her eyes went back to the photograph, a moment frozen in time. The green eyes. Auntie Jamel’s were the same, only they didn’t seem so pretty on her. Serall flinched, remembering the time when she was eight standard years old. She had woken to find Auntie Jamel’s angry eyes staring down at her.

As Auntie Jamel saw her wake she glowered. Well, young lady, what do you have to say for yourself? Did you think I wouldn’t see that ruined blouse?

Serall had felt the first tendrils of fear that accompanied a scolding from Auntie. No ma’am. I was going to tell you just as soon as I got up from my nap.

Hummph. You get yourself up right now and go tell your father what you’ve done. I’ll have to make you a brand new shirt for Holy Day.

Serall knew she was in trouble. Father would be furious when he found out the shirt had torn when she and Kafa were playing hide-find around the Hall of Records where she wasn’t allowed to go. Her fear of getting a spanking from Father had made her angry at Auntie Jamel.

Serall burst out, You’re a mean, mean woman. You don’t like me because you never had any kids of your own and you won’t cause my dad doesn’t love you. He hates you like I do!

It was the only time in her memory that she had seen Auntie cry. Serall’s face burned at the pain her words had caused Auntie Jamel that day long ago. Serall understood all too well, now when it was too late, that Auntie was always angry because of her loneliness. Now, except for Kafa, Serall was alone and she felt great compassion for a woman she had spent much time hating.

After the fight with Auntie, Serall had not gone back to the Hall of Records until Father had taken her, the day she turned fifteen standard years of age. Serall shut her eyes against the vivid memory.

Father and daughter had stood side by side, just outside the weather sphere. Father’s voice took on the tone he used when he was lecturing her on something important.

This Hall, Serall, contains who we are. All we have left of the artifacts and stories of human history are here. Each time we have run from the Bioguards these items come with us. From so many worlds… Father’s eyes took on a far away look. Sometimes our ancestors were on a world for such a brief period we don’t even have a record of the planet’s name…but others we do know, like, Dusha6, where we lived in harmony with the Hieen Beasts, making our homes in tree tops as they did. And Tolbak-sken, the world of a thousand faces, where the natives’ faces changed, a reflection of their moods. Or Skanteeblue, where the sky was bluer than old Earth.

He turned and smiled at Serall. This Hall contains your heritage.

Now can you tell me more about why the Bioguards have pursued us for so long, driving us from each home we’ve had? This was one question Serall had asked her father dozens of times, not once answered.

Now is not the time for that lesson. His mouth tightened.

Well, how does this weather sphere work? I mean, what powers it?

Serall, some questions are better left unasked. The tightness in his mouth increased and his eyes flashed. She wasn’t ready to stop asking questions yet.

If this sphere protects the Hall so well, why don’t we just put it over our whole city?

He shook his head, the flush of anger apparent. Serall was afraid once again she had questioned too much.

The sphere protects all this, his hand swept in a wide arch, our past, from deteriorating but it also can bring us danger. We shouldn’t even have this here…arrogance. He hadn’t completed his thought, but went on. There are those who believe we are safe on Riatha, when we are not. Some day you will understand that better.

Now, four years later, Serall understood all too well what he had been saying to her that day. They had not been safe at all. That shielding over the Hall of Records had shown like a beacon to the Bioguards, a speck of advanced technology on a low-tech planet. Now everyone she knew was dead, and all that was left of human history she carried with her.

Serall set the picture aside and pulled out the Sacred Tome. It looked just as it did that day long ago when she had first seen it. Father had led her through the edge of the weather sphere and she recalled the slight tingling and the vague sensation that someone had whispered to her as she passed through the pulsating green haze.

The Hall was not large. In the very center, on a large stone pedestal, rested a sealed book. Serall walked over and peered at the simple cover. Near the bottom in small, carved print were words that were so faded as to be unreadable. She did not reach out to touch the cover knowing it was forbidden.

Father, what does the book say—inside? She had looked at him with shining eyes, waiting to hear the wise words it must contain.

That I can’t say. He moved closer and looked fondly at the artifact. This Sacred Tome has not been opened since it was sealed. We do not even know by whom, or when it was written. His eyes watered. The elders say it will open when the time comes that we no longer have to run. Maybe your children… His voice trailed to silence.

How do the elders know? Maybe it could help us… Serall struggled to understand what was in her own mind so she could say it right. Maybe it could help us defeat the Bioguards. Or teach us how to hide where they could never find us. She shook her head. Why do the elders always think they know so much?

Serall, Father’s voice was sharp, there are things you do not know, cannot know. He pointed at the Tome. Once exposed to air who knows what might happen. It could disintegrate or…who knows what.

Why couldn’t we just read it…

Enough. You ask what I cannot answer. You’ll have to be satisfied with knowing the Tome is here. He led her back outside without showing her any other artifacts in the Hall. I believe it is time for your exercises now.

Now here she was far from that place and time holding the Sacred Tome in her hands. She could not tell what type of material encased it, only that it was hard and clear so the red and black cover could be easily seen. She wondered if it would fall apart if she opened it now, when there was no one left to tell her not to.

Kafa rose from her curled position and indulged in a full body stretch. Yawning widely she pattered to the cave entrance. Her horizontal pupils constricted in the harsh light as she stood and surveyed the outside terrain. The two suns were low and close together on the horizon. She wandered outside, sat, and began cleaning herself with her paw; her morning bath.

Kafa’s observant eyes flicked back and forth as she breathed in the hot air. Memories stirred. She was a new kit. Her nest mates squirmed and whimpered beside her, the air warm and heavy with their milky breath.

As that long ago time moved across her thoughts, Kafa lifted her nose high and sniffed the air. The act brought a sense of belonging out here in the open. Her blood stirred with primitive fulfillment.

Still the heat was not to her liking. It was Vesum, the third season of the year. The days were glaringly hot by midsuns and cold at night. If they had been back home, at Ratthern, Kafa would have spent her days lolling against cool shadowed stone walls, and nights surrounded by laughing humans who kept the fire pits stoked. Fortunately, Sosum, the next season, first of the yearly cycle, would bring temperate weather and the growth of new things.

Hot smell. Change. She sensed Serall stirring in the cave behind her. The pale blue ball of energy in Kafa’s head that was Serall glowed more brightly. She was awake.

Serall walked up from behind, rubbed her eyes, and sat beside Kafa on the hard sand. She yawned even as her eyes began their habitual search for a Bioguard ship overhead. Nothing.

Enjoying the view, Kafa?

Kafa grunted, daintily chewing on her paw.

The cave sat halfway up a bluff which faced a far off chain of hills. The flat landscape between was littered with jagged boulders and foliage. Nothing but wilderness as far as she could see. Serall rose and stretched.

Well Kafa, I suggest we go find food before the heat tortures us again.

Serall carried her slinger as they walked, and as she fingered the simple weapon she smiled as she remembered the time she had gotten Kempen back for all hose hours of imposed practice. In a fit of pique at having to continue her lessons during the Holy Holiday, Serall had audaciously approached Kempen in the market place and insisted on being told why she was being singled out for punishment.

At the right time, all will be revealed to you.

The elders and their secrets. Sobeyit. She’d show them. When they were all seated under the red awning watching Serall practice with her slinger, she had seen her chance for revenge. Her target, a grass stuffed ball, rolled loose on the ground. A sly smile crept to her face as she had Kafa roll the ball toward the awning.

Serall waited until just the right moment to release the barb from the slinger. It flew, straight and true toward Kempen’s head. His eyes grew wide when the deadly spike hit with a thunk on the worn wooden post just behind him.

Oops, sorry. Serall smiled sweetly as she ran over to retrieve the practice hunting barb. As she pried it loose she said, Guess I missed my target.

The feeling of that moment had been sweet, but now that Serall understood what all the training had all been for, she was chagrined at her childish actions.

As she and Kafa walked they smelled the air, which had a faint peppery scent caused by the heat baking the more delicate plants that wouldn’t recover and grow until the following season. The plants ranged from a deep green to albino white, as if the two suns bleached all color from them.

They walked by a blue lace bush, Serall’s hip brushing against the delicate leaves, which reacted, curling in on themselves. The movement of the leaves caught her attention just as a pale green creeper snagged her foot. She stumbled, nearly falling flat on her face before righting herself. Serall looked back down at the annoying plant which thrived just beneath the surface of the dirt. This was the third time in as many days that one of the creepers had snagged her unsuspecting feet.

Meat! Kafa’s bi-lobed ears twitched and swerved to the left. She crept forward, then made a quick dash, flushing out a small hoofed quadruped, an animid, which bounded away. Serall ran, slinging a dart at the same time, just as she used to with the grass ball. The blue striped animal crashed to its side, kicked its legs for a moment, then died.

Kafa snorted, her mouth salivating. She sniffed the dead animal, then trotted back toward the cave, up the loose rocky slope leading to the entrance.

Serall followed, the sharp-hoofed animid hanging over her shoulder. Walking on the loose gravel could be hazardous but it provided Serall a sense of safety because anyone approaching the cave would be heard.

Slinging the kill onto the hard-packed sand of the cave floor, Serall knelt near the belly. She pulled her knife out of its casing and mentally thanked Ati for providing them with food. The knife slid into the animal’s throat, just under the mouth. She carved a line down the belly, from tongue to the tail, removing the organs. She tossed everything except the digestive tract in a large pot along with herbs and plants she had gathered. Then she skinned the beast. The muscle meat she hung on improvised racks to dry near the fire.

Kafa retreated to the coolest part of the cave and was soon snoring rhythmically.

The stew simmered, producing a fine juicy smell. Serall reached over to her pack and pulled out the note Father had left her, the only thing of his she had.

Year 2,2 As Ati Dictates. Serall, if you are reading these words, I am dead. These words are only for you; destroy this note after you have read it. Know this—you are not alone. There should be three other humans like you, alive on Riatha. They were adopted out as infants to passing trading caravans, as a precaution in case the Bioguards found us once more. From what I understand and have been told, your chances are best if you look for them in the Grayrealm. You alone were selected to remain here, no matter how risky, because we needed one of you to be trained to carry out our wishes. Find the others—they too have the crescent shaped mark on their left palm.

Serall looked down at her grime-covered hand. The crescent imprinted on her palm could be seen clearly even under the dirt. The mark, a small burn, had been done before her earliest memory. The crescent was whiter than the rest of her skin, the edges slightly puckered, easily mistaken as the result of a childhood injury. Her eyes went back to the note.

There are two males and one female. Each is a culmination of our breeding program, just as you are. The best of our race will survive, through you—the four of you will live for all of us.

Find the others. Explain to them who they are. Clearly, with only four of you left on Riatha it would be genetically unsafe to breed amongst yourselves for generations to come. However, if the four of you produce one set of offspring our geneticists predict that previously unknown abilities will emerge in your children. These abilities, although only statistically predicted, will help push our species to the next level of spiritual development. That is the goal of the breeding program. These traits should be genetically dominant so they will not be lost when your children mate with Riathan humanoids.

The Sacred Tome is now in your hands. Guard it well until such time as you must pass that task on to another, or when the time of opening has come. The time of opening is when Humans have returned home, to our real home, Earth. May Ati see fit to make it so.

Do what you must to carry out your duty. I know the life chosen for you was not easy, that even as a child you endured much. But know that I am proud of you, and I know your mother would be also. Everything I did, I did for you. I hope you understand that now.

Go with the suns, my daughter.

Her father’s signature was scrawled at the bottom. Serall set the note down, unable to bring herself to destroy her father’s last words. Her eyes burned. Her father, her people, placed heavy burdens upon her. If she could find the other three humans, then her duty was to breed… she stirred the stew with misplaced anger. As far as the Sacred Tome, with no hope of building a ship on this low-tech planet there was no way she’d ever see Earth and no way the Tome would ever be unsealed.

Weather. Walk now. Kafa’s mental nudge sliced into Serall’s mood.

Serall pushed her gloomy thinking aside and followed Kafa into the open air. Kafa leapt up the path behind the cave. Serall put one foot in front of the other, watching for the hidden loose rocks which made this a slippery and difficult climb.

At the top she was rewarded for her efforts. She stood next to a twisted red rock which resembled a spiraling human hand.

She turned her attention to the view where watery waves of heat rose from the ground. Far beyond the mouth of the cave was a stretch of sand. She strained her eyes, hoping to see their future. A gray line moved across the horizon. She wiped her eyes several times before realizing it was actually out there; a shift in weather.

Kafa pranced among the boulders, searching. She leaped among the rocks sniffing and snorting at various tempting smells. A kit at heart. Serall watched, beginning to feel playful herself through their link. She restrained herself from leaping from boulder to boulder knowing a sprained ankle now could cost her life. Kafa moved toward the edge of the large forest of barkless trees.

Kafa’s throat rumbled and there was a warning thought. She froze, smelling the wind.

Serall grabbed her slinger from her waistband forcing herself to wait for a cue from Kafa. But Serall’s legs wanted to run as her mind screamed Bioguards!

A strange smell permeated the air—sharp and moldy. The scruff on Kafa’s neck rose. She stalked forward. Serall projected her mind to Kafa, establishing closer rapport. She had a sensation of stretching toward Kafa, just like the first time they’d Bonded long ago. They melded and then Serall was walking with four legs instead of two. Her eyesight increased in sharpness as if she were inside Kafa’s skin and she could hear twig snaps and chitters from hidden creatures.

Kafa sniffed the air and Serall smelled the stench of something near—it smelled of fear and hunger. The attack came swiftly from the side. A dark hurtling weight knocked Kafa over, forcing the air from her lungs. A sharp pain lanced through her side. Serall was thrown off her feet and she doubled over from the pain in Kafa’s side.

Kafa kicked her legs out and twisted at the same time, squirming free from her attacker. Swinging around to face this unknown foe, Kafa barely had time to sidestep and avoid being pinned down again. Serall struggled to her feet, sucking in air. As the creature charged once more, Kafa snarled and bit deep into its hindquarters, just above the tail. The boar-like animal squealed, spinning in circles. Kafa was snapped back and forth. Her side was on fire. She grunted with effort but didn’t let go.

Serall faltered, her head spinning as Kafa was whipped about. Serall would have to loosen the closeness of their mental link if she was going to help Kafa. Serall withdrew her energy and ached at the sudden loss of intimacy. The pain in her body eased.

Serall studied Kafa’s opponent. The creature out weighed Kafa by half again. Its body was covered with short bristles blending from deep blue to black, head to tail. The blunted snout had two large nostrils that flared above a blue mouth which dripped mucus. Bulky and ungraceful, he attacked with no apparent strategy.

The boarbeast smashed Kafa into a rock, causing her grip to loosen. Her body was thrown some distance before it hit and rolled on the ground. She struggled, gaining her feet but the hungry animal charged yet again. Serall’s mind was disoriented with Kafa’s pain. However she forced her body to move. Readying a dart, she let it fly. The barb struck the creature just behind a blood-smeared ear. The boarbeast staggered, then continued charging. The stagger gave Kafa enough time to get on her feet and avoid being gored right through the middle by three tusks. She received a glancing blow by one of the beast’s outer teeth. The gash released a quick spurt of blood from Kafa’s head. She wobbled, then fell.

The animal turned to attack one more time, prompting Serall to let another dart fly. This one hit the beast right between the eyes. The boarbeast rolled and flopped in the dirt like a swimmer pulled from water struggling for life. Serall prepared another dart even as she heard a heavy snort and shrill squeal. The animal defecated and died.

Chapter Three

Serall dismantled another panel from the hovercraft and carried it, under the light of the moon, to the large pit she had dug. The wood from the craft had long since been burned. Her intention was to leave no evidence.

Kafa, gaunt and scarred, sat near the mouth of the cave. The tip of her tail had a permanent kink. She watched Serall work tirelessly removing the traces of their existence. Serall had been at it for the last handful of nights, and in a couple more it would be as if they had never been here.

Kafa nosed the air.

Serall walked back to the skeleton of the craft and stooped to pick up the mysterious gray rock which had served as a fuel source for the hovercraft. Her hand tingled and she experienced a vague impression in her ear as if someone had whispered and breathed too hard, but the crysolium was of no use to her now. However it worked, she had no craft that needed fuel. She went to toss the rock into the pit but somehow that felt wrong. She shrugged and trotted a ways away before burying the hard lump beneath a lacy leafed bush.

She returned, glanced over to see Kafa watching her, then continued on with her work. After several more loaded trips Serall froze at the lip of the giant hole and gazed at the star-laden sky, the air too still and quiet.

Kafa bounced up, alert, and swiveled her sensitive ears.

Then the stillness was broken by unnatural sounds, the snapping of foliage branches, shuffling feet.

A bright flash turned night into day for several seconds, the landscape eerie in the false light. Serall knew instantaneously that no Riathan would have such a source of illumination.

Bioguards!

Serall dropped the panel piece and dashed to the cave, nearly blind as her eyes struggled to readjust to the dark. Her heart pounded as she grabbed her pack with the sleeping roll and lockbox inside. She yanked it on her back as she slid back down the loose gravel slope.

Again, there was the light. Now they lacked even the safety of darkness.

Follow. Kafa’s thoughts cut in, solid and clear, as she set a fast pace.

Serall was hard pressed to keep up but she stuck to Kafa’s hindquarters, lungs laboring against fear to get enough air. They ran up around the back of the cave, moving precariously over rocks and past the spiral rock hand. Serall’s foot twisted and there was a sharp pain but adrenaline pushed her forward.

The stand of barkless trees which once housed the boarbeast promised a shelter of sorts. Serall took a running glance, down, off to the right, below near the cave. Little upright bodies swarmed, their artificial light illuminating their small stature in the night.

Just as Kafa led her into the edge of the forest one of the Bioguards looked up. He pointed, gesturing to his cohorts.

Dry twigs brittle from cold snapped under Serall’s feet as they ran. The canopy formed by the skinny trees filtered the starlight into near nothing and the pungency of crushed greeneedles rose from the trail.

Kafa, pupils wide, paws sure-footed, wove in and out among the tail-thin trees, choosing a path a two legger could follow.

Serall’s face was snapped and poked by the slick barkless branches as she scrambled and ran after Kafa. Her mind raked over the last day wondering what she had done to reveal their hiding place. Clearly the Bioguards had been nearby though they’d seen no sign of them. Her foot ached, but her fear hung over them like the dark, gripping her heart and forcing her on through the sinister shadowy trees.

Kafa’s tongue was licking Serall’s cheek. She woke, confused. For those brief moments between slumber and wakefulness she was a little girl again. Then she was here, now deep in the wilderness, hiding amongst some scraggly trees with Kafa waking her. And the Bioguards would not be far behind.

They were two days running from the cave, having eaten nothing, and slept only a little. The hour was late morning, but the tree-filtered light made it look later. Serall’s ankle tingled hotly and she rubbed it as she woke.

Kafa was developing sores on her footpads from the sharp greeneedles that carpeted the forest floor. But she kept the pain out of her mind, away from Serall. Kafa’s stomach churned, betraying her hunger. She squelched hunger thoughts.

Kafa, I’m so hungry I would settle for one of Auntie Jamel’s leaden biscuits. Serall clutched her stomach. Aren’t you hungry? Serall stood and dusted herself off before pulling on her pack.

Kafa okay.

They walked in silence, slipping in and out among the trees, always alert for sounds of pursuit. A hedgehopper bounded out from its burrow, startling Serall and igniting Kafa’s smell sense.

Warm blood! Kafa took off after the small critter, riding its heels as it swerved in panic, fleeing for its life. Kafa stretched her nose out ready to pluck the morsel from the ground. She could taste it already and was so focused on the meat bounding in front of her eyes she didn’t see the hazard. Whack! Face and chest covered with thorns, Kafa extracted herself from the thornfist bush. She growled in irritation at having a meal snatched from her