Perception

By Heather Cashman

Your perception will sharpen once you can see through a tiger’s eyes.

More than five hundred years after the apocalypse, the survivors of off-grid genetic experimentation have refined their mixed DNA to the point that humans and their animal counterparts share physical and mental links. Varying species have divided into districts, living in a tenuous peace under the President of Calem.

Ardana and her tiger ingenium Rijan leave their life of exile and abuse in the Outskirts, setting out with their twin brothers to redeem themselves and become citizens of the Center. But shedding their past isn’t as easy as they had hoped. When the system that shunned them becomes embroiled in political conflict and treachery, their unique abilities and experiences from the Outskirts make them invaluable to every faction. The runaways become pawns to friends as well as enemies, and with every step it becomes more difficult to tell which is which.

Book Group Discussion Ideas and Questions Included

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Cashman
• Release date: May 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9780983671206

Heather Cashman

Heather Cashman graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry but has always loved to write, winning her first contest in the second grade. She welcomes opportunities to visit schools, libraries, and book groups in person or via Skype. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Heather currently lives near Wichita, Kansas with her husband and three children.

Book preview

Perception

By Heather Cashman

Copyright 2011 Heather Cashman

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 978-0-9836712-0-6

Dedicated to the lives that have been saved by genetic research and the scientists who wear out their lives in this noble pursuit.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Outskirts, Near Dark, Day 163

Maran’s Apartment, Outskirts, Same Evening, Day 163

Passion Vine Forest, Deep Night, Day 164

Passion Vine Capitol, Near Dark, Day 167

Passion Vine Capitol, Ardana’s Chamber, Daybreak, Day 168

Passion Vine Border, Afternoon, Day 168

Rhett’s Farm, Velisse’s Room, Tiger District, Pre-Dawn, Day 172

Rhett’s House, Tiger District, Dusk, Day 172

Rhett’s House, Ardana’s Chamber, Tiger District, Daybreak, Day 173

Rhett’s Farm, Tiger District, Morning, Day 175

Rhett’s Farm, Tiger District, Mid-Afternoon, Day 176

Rhett’s Farm, Tiger District, Morning, Day 177

Rhett’s Farm, Tiger District, Mid-Morning, Day 178

Rhett’s Farm, Tiger District, Early Morning, Day 179

Tiger District Capitol, Mid-Afternoon, Day 181

Tiger District Capitol, Morning, Day 182

Kliax’s Chamber, Tiger District Capitol, Early Morning, Day 183

Kliax’s Chamber, Tiger District Capitol, Evening, Day 183

Kliax’s Chamber, Tiger District Capitol, Late Afternoon, Day 185

Tent, Hub, Deep Night Before Day 186

A Dark Pit, Tiger District, Mid-Day, Day 186

Tiger District Forest, Afternoon, Day 186

Tent, Hub, Just Before Daybreak, Day 187

Book Group Discussion Ideas

The Outskirts

Near Dark, Day 163, Year 547

Be careful. Rijan’s faint thought echoed from deep in the forest where she hunted with her brother, Adamas.

I will. My thought reached to Rijan, my ingenium. I watched, rapt with admiration for my great white tiger, the other half of my soul. Her vision momentarily clouded my mind: a large buck bounding through the forest ahead and Adamas, my brother Kade’s ingenium, concealed not far distant.

Hearing only the twittering and snapping sounds of the forest behind me, I peeked around the small wooden message board. The area was deserted. Small puffs of dust betrayed my steps as I crept, cat-like, behind the northern row of two-story shops with their owners’ apartments above.

A lifetime of cruelty had ingrained a correlation in our minds: going to see Kade would risk the loss of a few meals. I paused to reconsider and stared at the strange colors of dusk, a bright orange on the horizon that melted into a deep purple. Our mother Maran could no longer beat me, and we would be of age in little more than a ten-day. The news from the message board left me no other option. I blazed down the back of the buildings like fire in dry grass. My legs and chest tightened with the anticipation of seeing him and the fear of possible discovery.

An abrupt halt at the back door found me winded. I took a deep breath and held it, controlled it because I needed to control something. The door swung easily as I lifted the handle to silence the screeching hinges.

He was there, alone.

My heartbeat slowed, and I sighed with relief. His eighteen-year-old back hunched like an old man’s over the red-hot piece of steel he was hammering into a scythe. If only it were a sword, the head of a spear, or a lance. My anger and hatred yearned for a weapon, a weapon I could fight back with. A weapon might be the difference between living and dying if I left—when I left—now that I had a reason, a destination.

I slipped inside. The soot-covered walls of the forge remained dark while white-hot fire, like half a miniature sun, lit his small world from behind. Beads of sweat on his forehead caught the light. Brilliant eyes intently focused on their work. The muscles of his square jaw tightened before each blow of the hammer.

Ana, Kade reprimanded in a hushed voice, startling me. What are you doing? You know Maran will starve you if she catches you here. I can’t protect you from her all the time, and you cannot afford to go without another meal. He felt helpless and angry. I could sense his feelings somewhere inside my chest, like a musician whose ears detect the vibrations of a perfect note because they have been hearing it for so long. Kade was pleased to see me but apprehensive and worried for my welfare.

Rijan can feed me. Besides, I can protect myself now. I had to come, I whispered. The message board, Kade . . . Excitement built inside me, nudged at him, and pushed out his worry. Curiosity overcame at last.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much excitement in you, he said as a smile broke around the edges of his mouth.

There’s a new Campaign in just over a twenty-day, I said.

Kade stared blankly. And you want to enter. We have no lineage, no tokens, Ana.

We can forge a lineage. My eyes begged him to try.

And have a token inked into our backs in twenty-day’s time? He thought I was crazy. I could feel it. It’s illegal. And there was a reason we were exiled from Calem, Ana.

Kade’s worry and desire for security played tug-of-war with my impetuousness and need for freedom. We were barely four, Kade. No one will even recognize us. We’ll invent different identities.

Being twins will make us more noticeable.

Twins among the Tiger District are not that uncommon. Besides, it’ll be cheaper. We only need one lineage for the both of us. I wouldn’t let it go.

How are we going to get someone to ink the lineage token on our backs? They will ask why we didn’t have a Rite when we were sixteen. What are we going to say?

We lost our parents and have been travelling, I said, as if it would be easy. You are making excuses.

We have no district. He shook his head. They threw us out.

We will go to the Center and find a place.

I could feel the conflict rage within him as he turned away to wipe his face on his sleeve. It’s dangerous.

And living in the Outskirts isn’t? I asked.

This is the Outskirts, but in some ways—important ways—this village is different. His eyes bored through me, forced me to recognize the truth of his words. We have books, have been taught all subjects, and have been protected. We know we’re different, we just don’t know why.

You are different, I reminded him.

To Maran, yes, but the others care for you as much as me, if not more. We’ve gone over this a thousand times. Kade pointed at the ground. This village poses a different kind of danger, one we can easily survive.

I couldn’t deny it. We knew little of the world inside the wall, the basics from a history lesson. Each district had its own ruler, a senator who spoke for and protected the rights of their district in the Senate. As a whole, the Senate balanced the President’s power.

We need to live, not survive. I paced impatiently near the wall. The President of Calem, barely hanging on to life, would soon die. In an unprecedented move, he had called for an immediate Campaign to determine the new president. Such a strict life would be too confining for me, but who better than my brother? And it would have definite advantages.

We will go, he said at last, and, when he turned to face me, there was a renewed brightness in his eyes that reflected purpose. His hasty concession led to doubt that crept into our bond.

We will go, he assured, but not to enter the Campaign. I worry for you every moment you are not with me, which seems to be always, lately. Every day Maran gets worse. I petitioned the older ones to take you away, but until you’re of age . . .

For the first time I could remember, I took the initiative and hugged him. Ages had passed since we had been physically close, but we were completely alone now . . . alone and together. He towered over me as I looked up into his face with newfound enthusiasm. His feelings wove through mine: anxiety, hesitant optimism, fear, and concern for an unknown future. There was hope in him as well, hope for us both. Elation swelled in my chest so that I could hardly breathe. Age had strengthened our connection.

Alone and together for longer than had been allowed in years. Something was wrong.

The Campaign will be the perfect camouflage, said Kade. It’ll flush all kinds of creatures out of the woodwork. He kissed the top of my head. Besides, if you had met the new members of our village, you would never take no for an answer.

What do you mean?

I mean that they are from the Tiger District and would be a horrible match for you and Rijan.

Match?

You are almost nineteen, Ana. I believe Maran has brought them here for you. His words cut through me. The strength of a tiger’s mate defines them. The tigers compel us to find the best possible mate, but with only these men to choose from, the next time Rijan comes in heat and I have to leave . . . He stopped before the horror of his words could overtake me.

I would leave or die trying. You know I don’t want a mate. The idea of being defined by anyone else felt smothering.

I know, but have you thought of Rijan?

Before I could register his question, shouts rang from the street. Someone was bound to see us—see and tell Maran. I backed away sharply and sought Kade’s eyes for advice. The shouting increased in volume, more than a normal argument.

Go back the way you came. Say you went hunting if necessary. They don’t need to know you were hunting for me. He smiled. And Ana . . . don’t get caught. Kade’s worry pricked my sense of self-preservation as he rested his hand briefly on my cheek. We’ll work out the details through Rijan and Adamas after Maran is asleep. Now go. He gave me a small shove toward the door.

Never able to quell my morbid curiosity, I retraced my steps and kept running toward the shouts that could only mean one thing: a Justice. A sense of freedom and hope came with the realization that this was probably the last Justice I would ever see.

Focused on the impending fight, no one saw me creep into the crowd as silently as an ant on an unapproved detour that had slipped back into line. A circular wall of people encompassed two men. Hoyt, whom I called Speedy, accused a lanky blond man, dirty from days of travel, of cutting his purse at the bar. Swearing a denial, the blond stranger was held and checked. They found the offending purse tucked just inside the small pack slung over the stranger’s shoulder.

Justice! Justice! chanted through the night air. Fists thrust upward to a primal beat.

Let him know that won’t be tolerated! said one.

Get him, Hoyt! said another.

Terror washed across the thief’s face. There were no guards to intervene here in the Outskirts as there certainly would have been inside the walls of Calem, the civilized part of the world.

Leave now . . . before I hurt you. Speedy’s eyes flashed, angrier than I had ever seen him. His hands trembled with exertion as he fought to hold himself back. This is the only chance you have to walk away.

It took days to get here, the stranger complained. I told you I need . . .

Before he could finish, Speedy threw himself onto the stranger. I cringed, unable to turn away. Speedy’s fist struck the man’s upper cheek with a pop. The blond stranger could’ve been killed, the bone at least shattered, but Speedy was holding back. Hunter and scout on foraging trips, Speedy could move faster than anything in the forest. This fight was child’s play for a man with his innate capabilities.

No one told me! The man wailed and clutched his face. Blood trickled down his cheek while purple bruises spread around his eye.

Told you what? growled Speedy. That it’s not right to steal? He forced a wide, warning smile that showed cramped teeth.

The panic-stricken thief crouched low while simultaneously producing a rather impressive belt knife. I see how things work around here. He flicked his tongue in and out the side of his mouth as his eye smarted against the pain in his cheek.

What is your name? Speedy suddenly crossed his arms over his chest and rose to his full height, a good six-nine.

Startled by the question as much as Speedy’s relaxed demeanor, the stranger straightened and said in a relieved voice, Well now, my name is Levon. I see your manners have finally returned.

No. Speedy rubbed his bald, tattooed head and chuckled maliciously. Standard procedure at a Justice to find out the names of all involved. Then we’ll know what to carve on the gravestone.

Levon resumed his squatting position and scowled spitefully at this public humiliation. His eyes darted between Speedy and the crowd as he searched for a weak spot to escape. Moments passed. When Levon realized there was no deliverance, he foolishly lunged at Speedy’s gut with the knife.

Speedy stepped to the side and grabbed Levon’s outer arm near the wrist. He twisted Levon’s knife hand down and forced him forward. In an instant, Speedy’s knee came up to meet the man’s face while the palm of his free hand slammed the back of Levon’s head. The crack reminded me of a ripe melon hitting the ground as he went limp and crumpled onto the ground.

Speedy used his foot to unceremoniously roll Levon onto his back. Arms and legs were straightened while Speedy felt Levon’s neck. Still alive. He then took out his own belt knife and carved a large X into Levon’s forehead, the mark of a thief and a liar. If he survived, he would never be trusted again.

Four people shuffled forward and grabbed each arm and leg. Levon’s unconscious body was removed to the village physician’s apartment directly over the herb shop. The man would be tended back to health. The forehead, however, would be assiduously stitched to leave a magnificent rope-like scar. No thought was taken to lift the man’s lolling head, which occasionally thudded against a step as he was carried up the stairs.

The physician’s apartment was where I should be. I always felt sick after a Justice; Death opened its door and stared me in the face. Life was as fragile as a falling leaf, one among thousands that had no control of whether it might land beneath a crushing foot, on the surface of a river, or in a protected haven beneath a thorn bush.

History proved that the fate of one man was no different than the fate of a village, a country, or the entire world; fate could change in a moment. Vulnerable . . . powerless . . . breakable; did we even have a choice to live or die? I crushed the ant that had bit me, and he had been fighting with all his might. It had no choice. The deer caught by the hunter had been running as fast as it could go, but its strength finally waned. I admired that ant and that deer.

A slap on Speedy’s back and a familiar voice brought my mind back to the street.

Nice of you to not kill him, though that mark can be worse than death to someone in the Outskirts, said Ranly. He was another loner I called Big Ears. Once, when I was ten, he heard the whispered details of my plan to run away from across the street. Maran was informed, punishments ensued, and I never forgave him.

Speedy grunted and returned to the inn and his well-earned refreshment. He found no pleasure in taking the life of another. I knew of at least two others who would not hesitate to kill when given the chance, and it would have been well within Speedy’s rights. In the Outskirts, thievery, physical assault, and murder required Justice.

A spasm of fear raced through me as I thought of the last man who was given that mark. About two years ago, upon arrival to the village, he had been given the required six-day’s worth of food and supplies. When he refused to do his share of the work, he was forced to leave. He had left the next afternoon but then returned later that night, screaming for help outside the gates. By the time Rijan and I had arrived, only his legs protruded from the unhinged mouth of one of the largest reticulated pythons we had ever seen.

Forcing out such morose thoughts, my mind turned back to the Campaign. The prospect made me feint with happiness. Out of habit, my feet blindly carried me to a long log bench near the door of the inn. I sat, drew my knees to my chest, and buried my face to hide my all-too-apparent exultation. Cheerfulness was sure to be noticed.

Rijan approached the edge of the village so focused on something else—someone she was following—that her mind was difficult to feel. I moved to go find her when I heard Kade’s name. Speedy spoke in low tones right inside the doorway.

I planted my purse in Levon’s pack myself. We can’t take the risk that he finds the boy—well, not a boy anymore is he? He chuckled in a low growling voice.

Is Kade in danger again? Again? Panic seized my heart. This voice with the pinched nasal tone definitely belonged to Big Ears.

This Levon character told me some news . . . asked if I had seen anyone matching Kade’s description, Speedy said.

What news?

I’ll tell you, but then we must rally the regulars and have a meeting, come up with a better plan.

All right, said Big Ears. The story.

Few days ago the Cobra Senator was killed, along with his ingenium. Speedy laughed softly. The snake was dead—and skinned.

Terror’s cold finger ran down my spine. The general rule was, the older the man, the larger the snake. Killing the Cobra Senator and his giant snake would take the courage and skill of a master warrior. Memories of the giant python eating the outcast made the muscles in my stomach spasm anew.

Speedy continued. I strained my ears to hear every whisper. There were jewels on his hands and gold in his purse. Nothing was stolen but a little book that the Cobra Senator refused to let out of his sight. Rumor has it he’s been holding on to that book for fifteen years.

Fifteen years? Are they sure? Speedy must have nodded his head because he continued his tale.

The very next day, reward posters for someone looking like Kade sprang up all over the Tiger District and every major gate into and out of Calem. Seems every bounty hunter is on the lookout now. You remember those men who turned up here some weeks ago? They must’ve been hired by Baelon . . . grown edgy with the recent murder.

Because he thinks Kade’s behind it, whispered Big Ears. I thought I could hear Speedy grunt in agreement. I wished I could see all the corresponding body language and facial expressions to glean clues from more than words alone. We must meet tonight. Pass the word. Same time, same place. What worries me the most is—since we know it’s not Kade—who is it? Big Ears scraped his chair over the wooden floor.

They were leaving. I slipped silently to the edge of the porch, stepped out into the street, and then pressed into the shadows of the buildings, ready to bolt for the alley. I needed to warn Kade. A glance behind me—all was clear. When I turned back around, the two newest members of our village blocked my path. Newly outcast from the Tiger District, I hadn’t yet heard the reason for their exile, nor had I ever seen their tigers. Their faces were shrewd and calculating, hands flexed, ready to grab their prey.

You need to be getting home, one said.

I straightened up in a failed attempt to seem intimidating. I need to go to the forge.

No, you don’t, said the other, one side of his lip raised in a sneer.

Your mother wants you home now. They began to close in.

Instinct flared a warning: they were not to be tempted, not while I was alone. I turned and ran the other way. Their haughty laughter made my ears burn and blood rose in my cheeks. Veering off down a side street on the opposite side of the village, I fled through the protective steel gates to the edge of the forest.

Thick night prickled each sense: the sweetness of flowers intensified by the heat of the summer air, the sounds of animals scurrying away in the brush, wet air, flickers of light from glow-bugs, and the rush of the river nearby. It was dangerous to be so close to the forest without Rijan, but I would find her. I could feel her presence. Her mind remained engaged, preoccupied, but even when she was secluded from my thoughts, Rijan embodied peace: a respite in my storm of emotional chaos.

Secret meetings and plots of trusted elders plagued me with confusion. Our isolated community had been repeatedly breached. My obscure brother was now a target. Trustworthy Speedy had lied. My mind tried to swell big enough to fathom it, but the task proved too difficult all at once. Perhaps together Rijan and I could sort it out.

I reached. Rijan, I need you.

She flashed an image of the grass outside our apartment. Hiding. You must hide too.

Why? I need to talk to you!

Move! Rijan urged. A hooded stranger waits in your apartment with Maran. A sense of alarm came so forcefully into my mind that I obeyed and concentrated on the now.

I hurried through the half-closed gates and crossed the alley, then slid underneath the landing outside our second floor apartment. Rijan remained undetected, but I knew from the image in her mind that she was camouflaged behind the tall grass and shrubs less than twenty feet behind our apartment, quiet and still as a fallen log in the forest behind her.

Is this good enough? I asked Rijan.

Yes. Stay.

Rijan, I must tell you about Speedy, I thought. This man might be dangerous.

Yes. Later.

I think I see an eagle flying high above us. Nervousness made my mind race. Could that be his ingenium? If it is, he will see us for sure.

Eagle . . . it could be his ingenium or a wild animal. Their night vision is not as good as mine. Be patient, guided Rijan. Stay still. He sees motion. Her brisk manner damaged my pride more than it hurt my feelings, but that was foolish. Rijan was being smart and cautious.

Lack of patience was one of my many weaknesses. The next few minutes became an eternity. I decided several times to go and find Kade or barge into the apartment and take the stranger by surprise. Each time, Rijan corrected me, persuaded me to wait. Eventually, the door to the apartment opened. My eyes closed.

I could see myself through her eyes—eyes specialized for the encompassing darkness. It was me, enhanced by Rijan’s unconditional love. In the mirror, I was plain. In her eyes, I was beautiful: a dark braid, tan skin, and boy’s clothes.

Light steps shuffled on the landing above me. Rijan focused on a dark blue cloak, hood drawn forward to hide his face, white snakeskin boots that shimmered in the moonlight, and gloved hands—heavy clothing for a sticky summer night. Back flat against the building, I edged as close to the corner as I dared. His rough voice sounded ravaged by time.

Please make sure Kade comes. Good night, Maran. He gave a small bow and floated down the staircase. I caught the brief image of a hooked nose and jutting chin, that of an old man whose cartilage keeps growing well after the rest of his face has sunken and sagged.

Rijan nudged my leg. He covers his face. He is not to be trusted, she thought. Wisdom often flowed from Rijan in an unexpected way, a compass that steered me clear of my own ignorance.

Rijan, I must show you everything. I slid down the wall and sat, cross-legged, in the dirt. She lay down, her forelegs extended along either side of me. Forehead to forehead, we became lost in the thoughts that passed between us. I showed her my conversation with Kade, the Justice, and what I had overheard at the inn.

Kade is in serious danger, Rijan. What are we going to do? And just when we found out about the Campaign.

My anguish at the loss of the Campaign was more intense than my joy had been. It was the crushing disappointment of losing an ideal future, but Kade and Adamas were worth more than anything—more than an entire country.

Adamas sauntered out of the undergrowth, close enough that he had heard our conversation. Rijan passed his message to me. Kade is aware of all you have learned. Stay here. He will come soon.

Aren’t you the least bit worried, Rijan?

Worry is fear of the future, she thought. It is foolish to fear something unknown simply because you don’t know it. One small turn of events, the happenings of seconds, can change the future forever. Pieced together from our schooling, I could see her rendition of the Destruction, a meteor shower resulting from an asteroid collision with a nearby planet. The visions carried through the Resurrection, flashes of our genetically altered ancestors, the experiments of ancient armies that had specialized abilities which allowed them to survive and eventually emerge from their caves to found our nation. The final vision was of the last time Maran beat me, and I finally hit her back. Kade is strong. Adamas is stronger. Block out possible tragedy and concentrate on what must be done now.

I took a deep breath, ready to go, when old Aunt Mergie wobbled over to meet us. Her head looked like a piece of dried fruit perched on top of a piece of jerky. I called her The Prune. I stood, shocked to see The Prune out of doors.

What’s wrong, Mergie? Are you all right? I asked.

You must listen carefully now, child. Come sit with me. She clasped her cold hand on my arm to steady herself and steered me into the forest while batting away the small plants that pressed against her legs. She finally sat on a fallen log out of sight of the apartment. It looked as if the short walk had cost all her strength.

Rijan, Adamas, you listen too.

Mergie, we should not sit here, I cautioned. The forest is too dangerous at night.

She looked into the forest and studied Rijan’s eyes for a moment. Then her own eyes glazed over. We will be fine for long enough.

Mergie had no ingenium. She descended from one of the original scientists, already a genius, whose lineage continually increased the use of their mind.

I earned Maran’s trust in preparation for today, said Mergie. She is a hard woman with a cruel past. For many things we should forgive her. However, on the subject of your future, Maran and I strongly disagree. She waited a brief moment as I digested this piece of information. Make haste, child. Gather the things you have packed. Her look was kind and understanding.

That was a secret, I said, appalled.

Yes, yes, a thousand secrets. But since I know them, well . . . She shrugged and smiled sadly. Put your things into the biggest skiff on the river. You must leave tonight before any others make plans for you. It is your only chance at freedom. Her pale blue eyes watered as if she were going to cry. Some people have managed to thwart me, but between us there are no secrets.

None? I asked.

She dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand. Sail down the Crimson River and find your family.

Kade is my only family.

She pointed at her temple which indicated I had no idea what I was talking about. Good luck, child. She patted me gently on the arms and winked. A single tear spilled down her wrinkled cheek as she pushed herself up to a standing position again, though it made little difference in her height. Go now and tell Maran that I need to see her in five minutes. That should give you enough time. Come Adamas.

Maran’s Apartment, Outskirts, Land of Calem

Same Evening, Day 163, Year 547

Mergie wants to talk, I said to Maran as she stood in our small kitchen. She asked if you could meet her as soon as possible. Maran gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. A lack of scolding proved her preoccupation. I got a bowl and ladled some stew into it.

Leave the rest for Kade, she snapped. I stopped at one ladle-full and went to sit down. I constantly watched her movements while spooning the stew into my mouth, as if I were a dog protecting its chow. It suddenly occurred to me that this might be the last time I would see Maran. For the first time in my life, I put the spoon down before my food was gone. Relief, rather than remorse, surfaced in my chest.

Maran stepped out the door. I waited until she reached the bottom step and then hastily finished the stew and dumped the dirty bowl into the sink. A gleeful thought: Maran would be furious to find the unwashed bowl in the sink. I ran down the narrow hall and into the corner of my room, unlatched the trunk Speedy had made for me, and hauled out all the blankets. The false bottom was like the lid of a coffin that concealed the life that had died with my father. My three favorite possessions were buried there: a doll, a dagger, and a book from my father’s collection. The dagger would clasp on my belt next to my other knife if my pack got full. The maps in the book would be needed. I stuffed them along with my two other sets of clothing into my sack.

I went to Kade’s room, found his clothing, and shoved the few items into his rucksack along with his small brown pouch of coins. Everything else of value he carried with him. With a single, backward glance, I flew into the night.

Rijan?

In the cellar. Rijan’s eyes stared at the door of the root cellar shared by the village. Through our bond, I felt her bite and tug on the rope as she released the latch, leap to the base of the stairs, and push over bags of large root vegetables and fruits. Ooops . . . she thought as she looked at the mess.

Don’t try, I said when she felt compelled to clean it up. She grabbed the saddle packs, stored there for harvesting, and jumped up the stairs. The door to the root cellar swung open as I rounded the corner.

Thank you, Rijan. I threw my arms around her neck and felt the soft, thick fur between my fingers.

I swung both saddle bags over her back, strapped on my backpack, and carried Kade’s sack in my arms. The Prune’s words echoed in our minds as Rijan and I darted across the alley and out the metal gates that would soon be closed and locked. We ran behind the row of buildings on the south edge of the village and followed the path down to the Crimson River. Barely out of sight, I nestled against Rijan in the shadow of the forest. Our last minutes there were spent anxiously awaiting our brothers’ arrival. This village had been our home for fifteen years. Fifteen years . . . could that be a coincidence?

Rijan, fifteen years is exactly how long we have lived here. Is that a coincidence, do you think?

No, she said without hesitation. Coincidence does not exist.

I pondered the possibilities of what tonight’s events might mean. The book Speedy mentioned could be about any subject, though I doubted it was about cooking. Maran needed one of those. There were books of recipes to make things explode; that could be useful and dangerous, but extremely fun. Perhaps it contained maps from before the Resurrection, or maybe it was nothing more than a journal. The question remained: why would Kade want this book? And why would having this book make the Tiger Senator angry or desperate enough to want Kade arrested?

Kade comes, Rijan alerted me. I have shown him where we wait. He knows nothing of this book.

Are you ready? I thought, and Rijan relayed the message through Adamas. This miracle had kept me sane through my childhood. Relayed messages were possible within a close distance.

Already planned on it. He broke through the underbrush, gave a curt nod, and took his bag. Thanks. I can’t wait to see what I’ll look like in a ten-day, with shaggy hair and a beard.

I don’t care for beards. I headed for the river. The tigers scouted ahead to assure a road empty of witnesses. The theft of a boat was a crime requiring a Justice. I shuddered at the thought of our entire town and the punishments we would face. Kade was equally nervous, but we boarded and set off without incident.

This was a fishing boat, complete with pungent aromas. Kade and I would not be capable of much more than steering the rudder and hoisting the anchor, but it was the only vessel capable of holding us and both the tigers. Besides, this was the one The Prune had specified.

The familiar territory surrounding our village quickly turned into unknown wilderness. The hundred-year-old map showed us major landmarks and a way to sail into the Center of Calem, but it might take days. An hour had passed without covering a significant distance. As we continued to meander, conifers were replaced by taller trees with massive trunks and dense canopies.

Thoughts of the Center, the capital of all Calem, drew my mind to the Campaign. It would start there in a few weeks’ time. Pangs of regret attempted to cloud my judgment, but if Kade was thought to be some kind of criminal, he would never be able to enter the land of Calem safely, much less the Campaign. I let out a sigh and sank down to the deck.

My head found a cradle between two rails of the ship. We sailed past dark velvet leaves on vines that hung off tree branches over the river, outlined perfectly against the crisp, moonlit sky. There was no mistaking the distinctive shape of an eagle flying high above.

Kade, you need to come see this. Alarm required caution and silence.

Why are you so nervous? he asked.

An eagle . . . right above us.

There are eagles in the Outskirts. He looked up but the Crimson River became overshadowed by the branches of the immense trees that stood on the banks. It had narrowed enough that the arms of the trees could reach across and intertwine with each other to form a tunnel from bank to bank around us. It could never get in here.

I saw an eagle when that man came to Maran’s apartment. Don’t you think that’s odd? I asked, piqued at his lack of concern. It can’t be a coincidence.

You sound like Adamas. He repeated his ingenium’s often used phrase. There are no coincidences in life, only that which is supposed to be.

We can’t be too careful.

Right you are, spoke a cool voice from behind Kade. I shivered with the recollection of the man in the blue cloak.

Kade spun, disarmed by the man’s stealth, and drew a long, bone-handled knife from his belt, senses on full alert.

There is no need to fear me, lad, the stranger said with a soft, raspy voice that seemed to reassure Kade. I am not your enemy. You already have enough of those. And you really should listen to your sister. She’s smart. He inclined his head in my direction.

And so are you, I thought, but Kade disapproved.

If I had wanted to harm you, I would have done it by now. The stranger lifted his hands slowly and showed the open palms to Kade and then dropped his hood to reveal, not a handsome, but a compelling face. I couldn’t bear to keep myself squashed up in that deck box any longer. I had never seen such long, curly hair. He raised one pencil-thin eyebrow and cocked his head, waiting for a response.

You say I have no need to fear you, but your actions speak for themselves. Kade’s voice held an edge of harshness. There is no one to hear or witness out this far, and I am unlikely to trust anyone so secretive.

He stinks, said Rijan.

What? I asked, distracted.

He smells of fish. It covers his scent. Rijan felt obligated to rationalize the terrible mistake of missing his presence.

Secrecy has been necessary for our survival, the blue-cloaked man answered. "After watching over your village for so long, we expected some hospitality. There are not many places

Reviews for Perception

[kristibernard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Books are wonderful for taking readers away to far away lands where the rules are different along with the peoples and culture. Perception gives readers lots to think about and forces us to look inside ourselves on how we view ourselves and how others perceive us to be. None of us can know how strong we are until we are forced to push ourselves to extreme limits. Most of us would do astonishing things we never thought possible unless it was to protect someone we love.Cashman introduces readers to a world where human and animal are tied together through telepathy. This world houses various districts, each with a different perspective on how humans and their animal, ingenium as they are called, communicate, love and protect each other. All are honorable and truth is more precious than any treasure. But of course, like most world's there is always an enemy lurking in the shadows forcing those that are good to make sacrifices and even question their own worth.Ardana and her ingenium tiger named Rijan, show us this tale of self discovery as they search for freedom for themselves, as well as, for their people of the Tiger District. A place that used to be their home until Baelon, a ruthless man who killed her mother and captured her father so that he could become the ruler of the Tiger District. His treachery and her need for revenge drives her and the reader along for an adventure of revenge, a battle for freedom and an understanding and acceptance of love, to find the truth and to set things right.Ardana, along with her twin brother Kade and his tiger ingenium Adamas retreat to the Outskirts where survival is their main objective. Prepared to escape to the ocean, they encounter the Passion Vine Forest where they learn more about their heritage and their past. Ardana and Kade are half breeds. Their father a man from the Tiger District, and their mother a woman of the Passion Vine District fell in love. It was forbidden for districts to intermingle with one another, but love does conquer all. It was this love that started a fury of deceit and betrayal of two men who were once the best of friends. The father, Valdaran and his new enemy Baelon, the now Senator of the Tiger District.As the story unfolds, new characters are introduced and create a complicated mission to save all of the districts. Ardana and Kade along with their ingenium are pushed to the limits of separation, love and determination to find who they are and where they ultimately belong. They need proof of who they are, which is written on papers secured away in a bunker guarded by Baelon. The papers are all they need to secure their future, save their father and bring back justice to the land they once called home.Cashman introduces a world with oversized animals with extreme intelligence. Humanoid creatures with scales for skin, poison for blood, and a connection with trees and vines that can strangle or embrace. This story takes readers on a roller coaster ride that makes you root for good to conquer evil. There is something for everyone, love, bloody battles and descriptive scenery that any reader would long to see.

[ljldml · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“I was immediately drawn to the characters of this book. I love post-apocalyptic stories and this is one of the best I've read. I was slightly confused at first about the relationship between the main characters and their tigers, was it a telepathic link or were the tigers an extension of the characters' souls (as in the Daemons in Golden Compass). Once I understood the relationship, it was much easier to understand. I didn't care for the unorthodox names of the characters, but that is really the only thing I have to complain about this book. The descriptions the author put forth were amazing, I felt I could actually hear and see the Passion Vine. I also loved the words of wisdom from the tiger Rijan: for example, "Worry is fear of the future. It is foolish to fear something unknown because you don't know it". Wow. This is a great book. I give it 5/5 stars and look forward to the second in the trilogy.