Light Seeders: Account from the Esekiian Record

By KF Lee

The earth is reaching a point of no recovery. Many species are extinct. Conditions for humans have become rigid by law, lives controlled by a seemingly benign monarch, Armand Rockman. He is not who he seems. Rockman's true name is Iximo, a species of wraith.
Sandaria describes the world conditions best. "I was produced in a World One Incubation Center. When I came of age, I began my training in a World One School. My purpose was defined, to serve as a clerk in a food production center. I would labor in a facility that grew fungus spores. My labor would end when I reached my obsolescence. I would then be sent to a euphemistically named Dome of Enduring Happiness where I would be euthanized, and become fertilizer for food production.
"My thoughts, feelings, and hopes ran counter to my formulaic life. I was branded a trouble maker. Then, I met Ben, who like me, was different. We would learn there were others like us, and that we were Light Seeders. Our lives were in constant danger.
"Teachers and guides came to us to help us act upon our gifts, and our dreams of a more humane world. They are the Earth Tenders, also known as the esekiia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KF Lee
• Release date: Jul 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311822529

KF Lee

I did not know what life path I would follow. I was fascinated with a variety of subjects including music, the esoteric, and physics. Despite being an avid reader and experimental writer from an early age, I floundered. I had a number of jobs and professions many in printing and publishing.It took me a while to "get it," longer to build the skills and confidence to write a book. I'm learning more about myself, the world and universe every day. As I learn, my thoughts expand. Light Seeders has become a series. (A second book will be published in 2016.)Today, I know I've found my passion, one that is constantly evolving. I hope you find Light Seeders both entertaining and inspiring. Whatever the case, please write me at the blog address given below. I want to know how you vision the future, and what your dreams are for using the gifts you've been given.

Book preview

Acknowledgements

B. Ashley, M. Clark, G. LeDu, F. Lee, N. Sommers and many others helped shape Light Seeders. S. Apsey, par-excellent editor, teacher, and advisor remains indispensable. I am grateful to those who volunteered to read and offer their many suggestions and observations. Finally, A. Lee continues to offer insight, to encourage, to cajole, and to share big hugs. One could not have a better life partner.

About the Author

KFLee questions authority, formalized structures, laws (religious and state) that reward the few and marginalize human potential. She currently resides in the mountains of Tennessee with her long-time partner.

Character Names and Pronunciations

*Anahindra (Anna-HIN-drah) Seer and wolf

*Argudon Ruehder (AR-goo-don ROO-der) Guusezer and adviser to Armand Rockman

*Attua(Ah-TWO-ah)Esekiia and Earth Tender

*Benistipra (Ben) Hines (Ben-IS-ti-prah) Human and Light Seeder

*Carmilla (Car-MILL-ah) Esekiia and Earth Tender

*Dunagan Mando (DUNE-a-gan MAN-do) Human governor, potential Light Seeder

*Duquet (Doo-KET) Armand Rockman’s body guard

*Esekiia (e-SEE-key-ah) Interdimensional species who help maintain the balance of the universe and maintain the Record.

*Enlusso Arroyo (en-LOO-so Ah-ROY-oh) Esekiia and Earth Tender

*General Gadridon (Gah-DRIH-don) Guusezer and Oversee Rudik’s right-hand general

*Greyhelm (GRAY-helm) Esekiia, Earth Tender, and wolf

*Grver (GRIV-er) Guusezer, supervisor of Section Four Excavations

*Guusezer (Goo-seh-ZEER)Avaricious species of wraiths

*Guuzvold (GOOZ-vold) Sole city-state of guusezers

*Hanna (HAN-na) Esekiia and Earth Tender

*iahai (i-ah-hi ) Esekiian word for balance

*Ilehia (Ill-ah-HE-ah) Greyhelm’s esekiia name

*Iximo (IX-i-moe) Armand Rockman’s wraith name

*Jindebro (GIN-de-bro) Sluglike creature indigenous to planet Dvox

*Kalada Phister(CAL-ah-duh) Human and Light Seeder

*Kilgora Brikkda (Kill-GORE-ah BRICK-duh) Armand Rockman’s advisor

*Nali (NAH-ley) Esekiia elder

*Netheo (NETH-ee-o) Human and Light Seeder

*Oversee Rudik (ROO-dick) Ruler of Guuzvold

*Prehuna (Pra-HOO-na) Snake in service to the esekiia

*Sandaria McNeal (San-DARE-ee-ah Mick-NEAL) Human and Light Seeder

*Silsa (SILL-sah) Bird in service to the esekiia

*Sujo Mikei (SUE-joe MICK-eye) Human governor and potential Light Seeder

*Wouli (WOOL-ey)Esekiian elder

*Yania Bueris (YEAH-ni-ah BURE-is) Human and Light Seeder

*Zorgaela Purcella (Zore-GAY-lah Purse-EL-lah) Earth-bound guusezer and school administrator

Note: Languages are translated, except when indicated.

Everything you’ve learned in school as obvious becomes less and less obvious as you begin to study the universe. For example, there are no solids in the universe. There’s not even a suggestion of a solid. There are no absolute continuums. There are no surfaces. There are no straight lines.

R. Buckminster Fuller

Preface

Excerpt from the Record

CONSCIOUSNESS CREATES THE material universe. Matter as well as anti-matter is the manifestation of consciousness, a cosmic co-creation. The esekiia send teams, to newly formed and existing planets. The teams are referred to as tenders. Their eye-witness observations are reported in the Record. Often, the tenders’ reports are used as essential evidence to help bring a planetary body into alignment, a balance known to the esekiia as iahai.

The esekiia’s successes to establish iahai are countered by their failures, though use of the words success and failure inaptly describe the tenders’ efforts. Certain planetary bodies continue to be subjected to a variety of instabilities present in the universe. This applies to some bodies located in the Milky Way galaxy. The earth planet is one.

During earth’s tumultuous beginning, Earth Tenders seeded a relative of the Sequoia, the majestic Yiga. Some Yiga are mobile, others fixed, depending upon the tree’s disposition. Those fixed Yiga, with their powerful and tenacious roots, helped cultivate the earth’s hard crust making it ready for grass and other hearty vegetation. The vegetation took hold. The atmosphere was cleansed of various noxious toxins. Cold-blooded species emerged, followed by other species, which included warm bloods. The iahai, however, still teetered. Because of the planet’s unstable orbit, it was bombarded with space debris, magnetic disturbances and resulting pole shifts. Mass extinctions followed. Yet, with each disaster, the earth proved its resilience.

During these tenuous beginnings, the esekiian tenders had help from extra-terrestrial allies who assisted in repopulating the planet with vegetation and a variety of species, humans being one. As humans progressed, accounts of extraterrestrial visitations were passed to each successive generation by oral tradition, a more accurate source of information than story writing.

Oral traditions, though still in rare use, were replaced by written accounts. These became distorted reflecting divisions of belief, most all insisting on a male god directing human events. Historical references are compiled in the Record.

Visits by other entities, in addition to the esekiia, continued. Many entities were attracted by the planet’s resources, some of which were, and are, avaricious. The guusezers, wraiths from the planet Dvox, are one such species. Earth history is littered with the devastating results of the guusezers’ misguided plans. The current plan, devised by the wraith Iximo, has proved more successful. This plan includes using humans as a resource. Should the plan succeed, earth will become part of the Guuzvold Empire.

Iximo’s acquisition plan is well underway. For this reason, the Earth Tenders (Hanna, Carmilla, Enlusso, Greyhelm, and Attua) requested a vision circle with us, esekiian elders. Their reports have compounded our concern. It was decided that in order to restore iahai, an intervention was necessary. This intervention has been implemented.

A few human adults and some human infants with a receptive genetic composition have received a specific light spectrum to enhance their DNA. This light infusion differs in its effects. Each infused human exhibits exceptional understanding of one or more sciences. The Earth Tenders will expand their roles, and assist those gifted. The light infusion will set them apart from their contemporaries and add to the challenges already facing them. It is our hope that the enhanced humans, who we refer to as Light Seeders, will assist us in restoring earth’s balance.

Enlusso has returned to earth with credentials that establish him as a military general. He has long experience with direct guusezer contact, and espionage. He and Carmilla will rescue and parent a light-infused infant scheduled for termination. Greyhelm and Attua are to report on conditions affecting other earth species. Hanna will come at need. Cooperatively, the Earth Tenders will educate the Light Seeders.

The beginning of this account is necessary to include. After reading about Iximo’s beginnings on the planet Dvox, you will come to understand how dire the present situation is.

Co-authored by Wouli and Nali, Esekiian Elders

PART ONE

Chapter One

THE INCIDENT WAS treasonous and had to be reported to the highest command, Oversee Rudik of Guuzvold. Supervisor Grver of Section Four Excavations was tempted to ignore the rule. After all, in front of him was a spent, worthless slave. Clearly, this wraith referring to himself as Iximo, then Armand Rockman, was delirious, and would be dead by day’s end.

Grver paced around his stone-slab desk in his stone-walled office, as he kept an eye on Iximo slumped senseless against the wall. As much he wanted to enforce his own rules governing this excavation in the western leg of the Guuzvold fortress, he did not trust his foreman.

His foreman had been attacked by the slave Iximo. It was an entirely unheard of occurrence. The attack’s anomalous nature had stayed his foreman’s hand, even though the foreman had permission to kill rebellious or non-performing slaves. Something else had compelled the foreman to bring the slave here. The reason became clearer as Grver paced. The oversized foreman was making a play for his job. It would be a matter of leaking distorted news of the incident. Rumor would reach Oversee Rudik’s ears. Grver had no intention of giving such an advantage to his foreman. Crossing Rudik, the absolute sovereign, lord and master of Guuzvold was unthinkable.

Supervisor Grver stopped pacing, and looked at the slack body on the floor. The slave was bone thin, the color of washed-out gray. The horizontal slash of the slave’s power source was a pale-blue stripe. Where had this wreck acquired enough energy for the attack? Grver had grilled the slave. It would not or could not answer his questions. Grver added all the facts together and sent Oversee Rudik the hologram.

* * * * *

OVERSEE RUDIK WAS seated at his obsidian like desk in his spacious command office studying the inset monitors covering the granite walls. On occasion, he glanced at the holo on his desk. He was expecting an update from Supervisor Dron of Section Three.

Some moments later, one of a multiple series of indicators on his holo flashed. It was a communiqué, just not the update he was expecting. Damn! What does Grver want? Rudik lightly touched the indicator, and viewed the holo. He watched it twice before ordering his personal transport. Within moments, he was in Section Four of his empire and angrily striding into Supervisor Grver’s office.

Oversee Rudik did a once-over exam of the pile-of rags wraith pooled in the corner, and then aimed an icy stare at Grver. This pathetic wraith attacked your foreman?! Rudik’s voice was a rub of gravel belying his rather short stature.

Supervisor Grver had expected the sardonic question, and answered stoically, Yes, honorable Oversee. It was detailed on the holo.

You idiot, I asked a rhetorical question! Leave me with him. Grver was happy to oblige.

Rudik stood directly in front of the slave to study him better. There was something familiar about the v-shaped face despite the drooping folds of pale gray skin. Oh yes! He remembered now, a prize captured slave who had disappointingly failed the military entry test. He nudged the lump with his foot. Attacking a mine foreman? My, my, his oily voice slid the words. No acknowledgement of your Oversee? Your master? Sit up! Oversee’s voice had switched from low menace to sharp command. Iximo ignored it. You do know Iximo; it is Iximo is it not? He waited for acknowledgement. Iximo barely nodded. Well, Iximo, you do know that these crimes are punishable by death?

The word death slithered through Iximo’s stupor. Wasn’t he already at death’s doorstep? He splayed his bony hand on the floor and forced his head upright. I demand a quick death, he responded hoarsely.

Oversee Rudik smiled inwardly, keeping his emotionless black eyes on Iximo. Is that so? Rudik was silent a moment as he watched Iximo struggle. You’re a Deserata School failure, aren’t you? Iximo said nothing. "And you are commanding me to give you quick death? I am your commander, Iximo! I decide your fate!

Accommodate me. It was murmured but understandable. Iximo had nothing to lose and refused to be intimidated even by Oversee Rudik.

Tut, tut, Iximo. Rise up now, and face the consequences of your act. Rudik was beginning to enjoy this repartee. It was highly satisfying, this torture.

The tut, tut further infuriated Iximo. Armand Rockman, Armand Rockman looped through his consciousness. At first, nothing came out of the hollow O of his mouth. He weakly exhaled a raspy hiss. Words formed. Iximo forced them out in a near shout. If you won’t oblige me with death, oblige me with a challenge!

Rudik’s laugh, like hammer to rock, reverberated in Iximo’s sternum. So, you think you can manage a challenge in the shape you’re in? Despite his retort, Oversee Rudik was more than impressed. First, the attack on the foreman and now this. It was unheard of for anyone to challenge his authority. Despite his disdain, Rudik had a begrudging respect. He also knew that extraordinary valor could be manipulated and turned to obligation. I’ve just the challenge for you, Iximo. Obviously, you failed entry into the Deserata School for Warriors. The Puzzle of Etchings was beyond your capabilities. What a shame, sarcasm dripped from Rudik, as he considered the deviousness of his plan. I’ll give you a challenge, Iximo. Prove yourself capable. Solve the Puzzle of Etchings in eight hours, instead of the usual twelve, and maybe I’ll grant you entry into the Deserata School.

Iximo felt life returning even though he knew Rudik was playing him. During his enslavement, Iximo had given countless hours thinking about the directional riddles etched on columns that fronted every hallway throughout the guusezer fortress. Many he had finally solved. When he took the challenge over one-hundred years ago, he had not understood the connections. Like so many other recruits, he had failed. In that moment, Iximo erased the word failure from his vocabulary, and said, I accept.

Your challenge will begin in three days. Rudik swished from the office chuckling.

The wait of three days was an added curse. Would there be food? Without it, he would die. At that moment, Supervisor Grver returned and roughly grabbed Iximo by the wrist, dragging him to a small portal in the wall. The portal opened. Iximo was tossed, and then kicked into a small cell. High-shelf sconces cast dun-hued light.

Shadows jumped and scurried. There were more occupants than he in this wretched place. It took a while for Iximo’s failing eyes to adjust. Only then, did he see two fat, rat-sized rodents scurrying about in panic. Desperation energized him. He grabbed the nearest drimdel and squeezed. It’s six wildly spinning legs froze stiff. Enormous eyes, wrapped halfway around its pointed head, bulged.

Iximo raised the drimdel, holding it inches from the O of his mouth. Hungrily, greedily, he began sucking. The creature’s purple eyes turned milky white. Its body went limp. Iximo tossed it aside and grabbed the second drimdel. This one, he savored, slowing sucking up its essence.

There was no blessed sleep, only a drift in and out of consciousness. Iximo had no notion of whether other wraiths mastered sleep. He suspected most were like him, with intermittent rest periods. In this cell, however, there was no rest. Monotonous rasp of file, the thudding clicks of pick to stone from the mine was followed by an odd smell, sweet, and slightly acidic. He could not capture any visual recollection of this memory. He picked at the scab of it, trying to find the source. He failed, and finally drifted into a vague, dank fog of sleep, chanting, Armand Rockman, Armand Rockman.

During the second day of his confinement, the glyphs on puzzle of etchings assembled themselves into coherence. The directionals were simple and silly for something so ornate. One puzzle struck him as inane. East is not west. North is not south. Up is better than down.

By the third day, Iximo was able to stand and walk about the cell. At the end of the day, he was released. Oversee Rudik kept his word.

Chapter Two

THE PAST TWENTY years had not been brief. They were thick with Iximo’s slave-day memories, and Deserata School mistakes. Instructors taught by riddle, like the Puzzle of Etchings. After barely passing math, Iximo learned quickly how to decipher various subject matter. Malicious competitions between students were Iximo’s greatest lessons. He narrowly escaped a hazing by killing the largest of his six tormentors. Eventually, he even bested the lethally cruel weapons instructor, not just in one competition, but all of them.

Argudon Ruehder and Kilgora Brikkda had not participated in Iximo’s torture. Like him, they applied themselves to their studies, and like Iximo had been awarded library time.

Library entry was coded, and time restricted. The privilege was available only to select students. The entrance room was rather small and circular with stone benches and tables. Branching from this room were eighteen larger rooms, each holding historical records catalogued by planets and species held by the guusezers. Another, inaccessible room, was devoted to guusezer history. Some rooms held thick and thin books of every size; others contained a variety of devices with historical repositories. Argudon focused on physical specie variations, sharing his observations from time to time with Kilgora and Iximo. Kilgora, though always amusing and gracious for a wraith, kept his thoughts and studies to himself. Iximo was, in that regard, similar to Kilgora. The compulsive drive to establish himself as a power to be reckoned with kept him from divulging his focused interest on the planet earth and its species. Iximo attributed this latter study to curiosity. It would become critically important, though he was unaware of the implications at the time.

Iximo attempted to acquire access to the guusezer history room, and in particular, anything connected with Oversee Rudik. He was denied access. It did not discourage him. He would find out the truth, and uncover Rudik’s weaknesses.

* * * * *

THE RACE WAS the final exam, a prerequisite to graduate from one of the most rigorous of the Deserata Schools, the military academy for warriors. Graduates of engineering, aerodynamics, drimdel breeding, math, chemistry, and even the school for etchers were not required to face such a death-defying challenge. It was for warriors only, to cull the weak, to breed an army fit to become future conquerors for Guuzvold.

Iximo prepared for the race in his small dorm room. As he did, he focused on his intent. He would win the race across the demonic Chitibor Plain. He would take a new name, a strong name, his power name—Armand Rockman. It was a name he had chosen over twenty years ago laboring in the mines. Why he chose such a name eluded him, yet it kept him sane, and nourished his need to be recognized for his prowess. This thirst for power was sustenance, far more satisfying than the energy he took from drimdels or weak and wasted wraiths. It could be said that power was Iximo’s drug of choice.

Like all students, Iximo had been schooled about the native predators of the Chitibor. The largest was the jindebro, a slug-like monster stretching thirty feet in length. Its coloration blended with the environment. Tan with red splotches, the jindebro was massive. Its camouflage highly successful for the beast was indistinguishable from an undulating hillock common to the plain. It had no eyes. Needle sharp cilia covered the jindebro. The cilia were acute sensors, keener than sight. More, the cilia discharged lethal electrical currents. A clever predator, it waited. Those who entered its domain would never escape. The jindebro gave no warning, only an ear-splitting screech, before shocking its prey. Its mouth, with bulbous lips, yawned open, and then it sucked, swallowing its victim whole. It was only one of many predators adapted to the harsh dessert environment on the Chitibor Plain.

Students were required to race in teams. Iximo was paired with Argudon Ruehder. Each had a begrudging respect for one another. On Guuzvold, this was considered friendship. The other prerequisite required racers to transform and mimic another being. It didn’t matter what physical form. Most students chose a predator of Guuzvold believing it a wise choice. Argudon Ruehder fit this category. Iximo did not.

Iximo and Argudon decided to meet prior to opening ceremonies, to criticize or recommend alterations to their forms. Argudon jumped up on four spindly legs, testing his wings, as he navigated to Iximo’s room. He had chosen the body of a dull-blue, robin-sized grindeek. Three eyes on each side of his pointed beak danced nervously. His beak clicked and clacked as Argudon adjusted to the two rows of razor-sharp teeth. Eight overlapping wings sprouted from his back. Argudon was able to fly much like a helicopter.

Upon seeing Argudon, Iximo gurgled a laugh. Ah goot un, Argood.

Hopping from side to side, Ruehder replied, gawk! Showing off, he spun up only to land badly, legs splayed on the floor. Awk! He tried again, landed perfectly, and bobbled about on his legs. Cocking his head this way and that, he surveyed Iximo, finally asking in garbled chirps and squawks, Vat bout dat? He pointed a leg at Iximo.

Iximo ran his hands down his sides. Oooman! Prefect, ya? Iximo was having trouble using the fat human tongue. The human form was a difficult body to manifest and rarely done. He would master the six feet height, the long muscles, and do so quickly. This was what he wanted. Rudik and the Guusezer High Council would watch closely. Iximo wanted them to, for earth planet was being considered for acquisition, and Iximo intended to be a part of it. He lifted an arm and wiggled the fingers as he patted the top of a large head crowned with a bristle of light-brown hair. Blue eyes with elegant arched eyebrows bridged over a patrician nose with slight flair.

Oot. It oot. Argudon briefly wondered how many human bodies and faces Iximo had considered before selecting this one. His overriding thought was why Iximo had chosen this form at all.

Nuf! Iximo put his human finger to his lips, the upper was sculpted and wide, the bottom fuller. A slight downturn made the face appear stern and emphasized the slight clef in a square chin. Coshuntrate on seepch. He turned his back on Argudon, and continued to vocalize. Argudon practiced flying preoccupied by Iximo’s choice. They needed speed to cross the Chitibor. The heavy human body would be clumsy and slow. Did Iximo have a death wish? The next time Iximo spoke, he had achieved greater clarity. Stay close, Argudon.

Exasperated with Iximo’s repeat instructions, Argudon’s speech improved dramatically. Tree feet, tree feet! Why? His chirping question was peevish, and he didn’t wait for Iximo’s answer. I see jindebro before it attack.

Not just jindebro! Iximo was slightly annoyed. Other monsters on plain.

Oh! You big body? Argudon spit it out. Bilga eat tose, he pointed with his beak to Iximo’s feet.

Iximo shook his head. He had methodically planned this out. Bilga bugs slow. Let surface. Jindebro eat them. Not me, he paused, or you!

Argudon Ruehder conceded the argument though he remained suspicious.

No worry, Iximo read his mind, I not using you for bait.

Argudon Ruehder’s nervous tittering escaped from his beak before he could stop it. More than once Iximo had won a competition through trickery and deceit. Argudon promised himself that if anything happened to Iximo he would not risk his own life. It was the guusezer way. Having settled that in his mind, Argudon cocked his head and looked up at Iximo. It time. We go.

* * * * *

GUUZVOLD WAS THE only city-state on the planet Dvox in the Gilian Drift Constellation. The planet was suffused with hydrogen, oxygen, and a mix of fine-space particulate. It wobbled its evolution every eighteen hours as it orbited a distant sun. Though the wraiths of guuzvold tolerated the planet’s murky light, they preferred the dark of the tunneled ever-expanding fortress in a mountain range named after the first emperor, Oversee Dungard.

Given the planet’s rotation, seasonality was undifferentiated, except for the length of daylight. The race was timed to the longest day. Each of the potential warriors from other Deserata Schools would strike out at the same time. The schools were distant from one another, a separation of roughly twenty miles across the two-thousand mile Dungard Mountain range. There would be no interloping, yet each warrior would face the same demons on the fifty mile race to the top of the Craven Mountains, another roughly two-thousand mile range directly opposite the Dungards. These were an unwelcome sight of sharp pointed black and bleak peaks, an impervious igneous rock. Had the rock been more malleable, it would have been tunneled, an addition to the expanding guusezer empire. The Cravens, however, were unforgiving.

Few racers conquered the Chitibor Plain, fewer still the fourteen-hundred-foot jagged ascent to the summit of the mountains. Quadrants, marked by stone perimeters, were sectioned across the mesa that ran atop the Cravens. Small transmitters, resembling colorful stones, were placed in the quadrants. Each racer had been assigned a particular transmitter. When touched by the racer, signals were relayed to the Race Oversight Committee, proof of the warrior’s whereabouts.

The clang of the nidri pipes (stalagmites shaved and hollowed with lasers) signaled the start of the challenge, Doom-doom, doom-doom comes to you. Sixty-two students, Iximo’s fellow classmates, lined up in a rectangular room some six-by-two hundred feet. Kingly columns arched a span of forty feet at the door to the Deserata School’s main entry. They were inscribed with guusezer legends, and etched in gold leaf. The architecture of the guusezers was designed to display the power of their might, and intentionally intimidating. Students were a small stain of color on the slate gray floors of the impressive reception area.

The nidri pipes clanged again. The mammoth stone entry doors elevated from a deep channel before sliding soundlessly back against the walls. Students slithered, wobbled, or flew onto the plain. The bilga bug animate was jittery. The two-yard length of his sepia-toned shell, dotted with dirty white nodules, quivered with anticipation. The pinprick of eyes, jutting on appendages from the top of his head, nervously darted back and forth as it lined up with the others. Even at half-size, the jindebro animate dwarfed the other students. Kilgora Brikkda was a large wraith and the form suited him, though he was unaware of his effect on others. Wary and suspicious, the students gave Kilgora wide birth as they lined up, and then abruptly turned to face the entry doors. The send-off ritual was about to begin. Of the sixty-two racers, only fifteen would return.

* * * * *

COMMAND CENTERS THROUGHOUT Guuzvold had an array of holos trained on all school racers. The Deserata school would see General Gadridon emerge in person. The other school’s would-be warriors would view a holo projected on the mountain face.

General Gadridon did not jostle, twitch, or jerk as he effortlessly navigated a hovering dais through the doors. The dais floated some four feet above the ground and emphasized Gadridon’s power, not to mention his size. He was well over eight feet tall and at the height of his power. The horizontal stripe of his energy was eight inches wide and cobalt blue. It ran from beneath the v of his chin to his groin. His stocky legs gave ballast to the bulk of his dense gray body.

Without any apparent measures on his part to control the dais, Gadridon brought the floating dais to the center and front of the student line up. His emotionless, black-void eyes surveyed the students as he made internal bets about who would finish the race and who would not. Though he remained expressionless, Gadridon pleasured in the nervous twitches and tics from the uninitiated waiting for him to speak. He made them squirm awhile before saying, This is the day of your doom, plebeians. The kettle-drum rumble of his voice reverberated on the constant wind. Return in the forms you have chosen to use on this day and you will be rewarded. If you do not return, we will not mourn you. Find your mark! On his word, the racers turned to face the plain.

Iximo leaned forward, ready to sprint. He glanced at Argudon Ruehder and hissed, Remember, three feet, no more. The nidri chimes banged again, a splintering clack and clang. Take flight! Iximo shouted at Argudon as he took off making unpredictable turns, zigging and zagging onto the plain. Argudon had a hard time keeping up, though he managed to stay close.

Ahead, Iximo saw the bilga bug animate. The shell on his back rocked precariously. Concentrating only on speed, the initiate had not considered the actual movement of the bilga bug. He and his partner would be the first victims of a real bilga bug camouflaged in the fold of a hillock. Iximo knew that once an attack was underway, no other bilga bug would come near. He shifted direction and ran toward it. Argudon Ruehder followed. He thought Iximo insane, yet the bilga gave them no attention as it grunted, moaned, ripped, and tore at its victim. Iximo’s legs grew taut halfway across the plain. The stench of death and decay seemed to follow him. Still, Iximo pushed on, his strength fueled by the promises he had made to himself.

* * * * *

A SWEAT-DRENCHED Iximo and wing-tired Argudon arrived at the foot of the Craven Mountains. Heat radiated from the mountain’s formidable black walls. Iximo panted, Rest, as he leaned his back against the rock looking out onto the plain.

Argudon Ruehder lit on a small outcrop near Iximo’s shoulder. He was not as exhausted as Iximo and remained on lookout. He could see no other racer, no other predator, yet it did not give him ease. They had managed to avoid a jindebro, another bilga, and even the vxl, a wolf-sized rat, cousin to the drimdel. Would their luck hold?