Chronicles of Ror Reconnecting

By Karen Langolf

The story of Captain Ror continues in book 5.
At the end of Book 4, Departure, Sarah Gold was able to send many of her fellow Earthlings back home using the supposedly unpredictable Portals. Choosing to stay behind, Sarah had to say goodbye to two people: Amber Cutler, one of two teenage Goth girls from her home of Oakland, Maryland, and her best friend on Earth Detective Ron Smith. Staying behind with her are the other Goth girl from Oakland, Maryland, Tiffany Feather and guitarist Tim Burns. While trying to send her friends back home, they are attacked by the Colleen Green, a cannibalistic tribe of green haired women with green veins protruding from their necks.
After finding out that Sarah Gold was in danger of being eaten alive by cannibals, Captain Ror of the Black Hair tribe rushes through the mountains to save her. It will take all of his wits to dodge past the dangers deep inside the mountain and the wilderness beyond in order to find her. He fears that despite all of her training, she is still incapable of defending herself. While he rushes to her rescue he can't help but recollect that his father wants him to make Sarah the queen of their tribe; a task only Ror can do. The fate of the future queen is sealed by prophecy and it states that the woman he next kisses will rule. After fifteen years of waiting and fending off unworthy women, he does not agree that Sarah is the correct choice. Still, he rushes to protect her because a part of him does wish she would become queen, even if she would not become his wife.
Meanwhile, supplies of Heat Stock and Endurance are running low at the Black Hair settlement of Shadow Falls. These two things are vital to the survival of the visitors from Earth.King Ryeloc is sending a variety of his tribesmen out to obtain more supplies, including Captain Lyle and his pregnant wife Tiffany Collins. Together, they travel to the Southern Domain's marketplace but Captain Lyle has a surprise in store for his new wife along the way which may cause an unexpected painful delivery of the goods.
With Sarah lost in the mountains, it is up to Tiffany Featherlight to find a way to continue tracking the portals. She runs into problems, however, when the portal tracking device suddenly stops working. Out of fear for her own life, she keeps that secret hidden from the king of the Rested Tribe, Yimiry. Her hope diminishes as the Elders of the Rested Tribe return to White Rock in order to reconnect with the settlement after it had been rebuilt. Their arrival brings a rekindled hatred for anything that is not pure blood Rested Tribe causing death and destruction in their wake. All Tiffany Featherlight can do is try to fix the portal tracking device and pray that somehow Sarah Gold makes it back to White Rock before the Elders kill her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Langolf
• Release date: Mar 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310942228

Karen Langolf

First time author publishing the Chronicles of Ror series.

Book preview

Reconnecting

Book Five of the Chronicles of Ror Series

Published by Karen Langolf

Book I: Chronicles of Ror and the Whisehitel Portals, copyright 2010

Book II: Chronicles of Ror the Prince’s Decision, copyright 2011

Book III: Chronicles of Ror Necessary Lies, copyright 2012

Book IV: Chronicles of Ror Departure, copyright 2012

Book V: Chronicles of Ror Reconnecting, copyright 2013

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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Dedications and Memorials

In memory of my grandfather Harry.

A special thanks to my editors Harold Langolf and Trisha Tinsley. As always, you help make my work complete.

To Ray and Jackie as my inspiration for the character of Ror; your continuous efforts to entertain the world are a welcome break from reality. I hope my continuous efforts to entertain will one day match the initiative and dedication you have for your fans.

Core Characters

Captain Ror: half-blood Rested tribe and Black Hair tribe. His physical features include a thin build at 5 foot 6 inch frame, spiky white hair, silver eyes and darkly tanned skin. Approximate age is thirty-five. Raised by the Black Hair tribe his strengths are the same as a regular Black Hair male. He can use Pulse to varying degrees but too much exertion can kill him.

Sarah Gold: secretary from Oakland, Maryland. Physical features include an overweight build from poor diet choices, a five foot eight height frame, medium brown hair and green eyes. Approximate age is twenty-eight. She is quick witted with an analytical mind.

King Yimiry: leader of the Rested Tribe, pure blood Rested Tribe man. Physical features include six foot height with slim build and blonde hair with silver streaks like age marks. Approximate age is early seventies. Father to Prince Gallant, brother of Mabu.

Ron Smith: detective from Oakland, Maryland. Physical features include over weight build from poor diet choices, a six foot height, graying white hair, trench coats and fedoras. Approximate age is early-sixties. He was the first to discover the body of the murdered Black Hair tribesman. Stuck in the other world, he is trying to solve the mystery of how the body was murdered.

Tim Burns: lead singer and guitar player for Distraught Maniacs. Physical features include five foot eleven inch height, sandy red hair and fair complexion. Approximate age is mid-twenties. Desperately in love with waitress Tiffany Collins and is willing to do almost anything to impress her so she’ll marry him.

Tiffany Collins: former waitress and super model from Oakland, Maryland. Physical features include trim and athletic figure from years of martial arts training, a five foot ten inch frame, golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Approximate age is unknown, she tells the world she is in her early twenties. Quick witted with an aggressive personality that is keen towards becoming the queen of the Black Hair tribe.

King Ryeloc: leader of the Black Hair tribe, pure blood Rested Tribe man. Physical features include six foot height with bulky athletic build, blonde hair with silver highlights, and vanilla red flecked eyes. Approximate age in the mid-sixties. Husband to Teela, pure blood Black Hair. Adopted father of Captain Ror. Ryeloc and Teela have four children; three boys Chear, Alex, and Simon and one girl Zhiff.

Sidi: apprentice to the Rested Tribe’s powerful Seer, half-blood Cave Dweller and Rested tribe. Physical features include four-foot tall height with slim build, and gray hair bundled on top of her head into a thick bun. Approximate age is early thirties, true age is unknown. No family is known but she has very powerful Pulse technique. She was given to the Seer at an early age to train as her apprentice.

Aeriy: ruler of the Colleen Jade, not to be confused with the Colleen Green. Physical features include striking slim build with five-foot eight inch height, brown hair that turns red in the sunlight, and pale green eyes. Approximate age is mid-fifties, true age unknown. No family is known but she has established herself as a very powerful Pulse Rider, potentially once living among the Rested tribe. Her choice for communication is to invade people’s dreams.

Tiffany Featherlight: former high school senior and Goth wannabe from Oakland, Maryland. Physical features include a slim figure with five foot four inch frame, ash blonde hair dyed different colors at any given point, and brown eyes. She is trapped at White Rock trying to fix the portal tracking device in order to keep from getting killed by the vengeful Rested Tribesmen.

Locations

White Rock: main settlement of the Rested Tribe in the Northern Domain. Located on the eastern side of Briarwoods Wilderness, the foundation stands over six hundred feet in the air. It resembles a white fortress and is protected by Pulse Shields created by its inhabitants.

Shadow Falls: main settlement of the Black Hair tribe in the Northern Domain. Located south of Briarwoods Wilderness several miles from the Valley of Echoes between Mt. Heil and Mt. Ventanas. It resembles a Native American tribe living in wigwams.

Melding: living quarters of the Seer, the prophecy stricken Rested Tribeswoman. Located somewhere inside of Mt. Heil. Its exact whereabouts are unknown to visitors. Said to resemble a wooden cabin inside of the mountain.

Colleen Jade Wilderness: living quarters of the Colleen Jade tribe in the Northern Domain. Located west of Frozen Crossing, the river west of Mt. Ventanas. Wilderness is expansive, covering hundreds of miles up the coast of Frozen Crossing.

Chapter: Prologue

My name is Ror, captain of the Black Hair tribe on the planet of Whisehitel. I was abandoned at birth and found by the former king of the Black Hair tribe known as Bold Light. Bold Light’s son Ryeloc, who is now king of the Black Hair tribe, raised me as his son and trained me in the art of hunting and fighting as all Black Hair tribesmen are trained. Eventually I discovered I was a half-breed, born also of the Rested tribe who are known for sorcery and food production. Their sorcery skill is called Pulse and those who can use it are called Pulse Riders. Neither tribe has had a queen to rule over them in over twenty-five years. Both seek a powerful, strong woman to assist their king. Both have been unsuccessful.

Being of both tribes is the reason I was abandoned as a child; thirty-five years ago the two tribes did not intermix and children were not allowed. Children found of mixed race were abandoned and their parents killed for their indiscretion. What once was taboo is slowly becoming an accepted fate for both tribes, though the hatred is still great between them. Now that I am into my thirties I have developed very powerful skills that make me very attractive to both tribes. I have chosen the Black Hair as my main tribe but I frequent the Rested Tribe settlements in order to hone my skills as a Pulse Rider.

Whisehitel is a planet of cold temperatures and wild varying tribes of creatures. In the Northern Domain the average temperature is around 20 degrees and the land is covered in mountains and wilderness. The few streams and rivers are mostly frozen over.

Our planet is also plagued by portals that open in random spots and bring unknown people into our world from another planet called Earth. Some of these people are good and have helped the tribes prosper while others have brought chaos and destruction with their arrival.

One of the better Earth visitors is called Sarah Gold. She came through with dozens of other visitors during a time of war and helped to protect the Rested tribe from the cannibalistic urges of the Colleen Green. They are a group of men and women with green hair and green veins protruding from their faces who destroy everything that comes into their path. Taken to the Rested tribe settlement of White Rock, Sarah gained the favor of Prince Gallant who believed she should become a Rested tribesman and rule as their queen. With her wit and intelligence, she has discovered a way to track the mysterious portals and potentially lead all of her people home. In an effort to keep her here and even though it is forbidden, Sarah was taken to see the Seer, a powerful Pulse Rider who can read the future of each individual person. Whatever Sarah’s prophecy is I do not know, but afterward her protector Prince Gallant was killed by the Colleen Green. That is how I found her. I rescued her in the caves of Mt. Heil before the Colleen Green could harm her.

From there I learned that I could trust her, that she was indeed a great woman with an incredible mind. She’s become one of my best friends. King Ryeloc wants me to name her as queen of the Black Hair tribe and for once I had started to agree with him. It is my prophecy to choose the next queen of the Black Hair tribe by kissing her. The next woman I kiss will become the queen. I’ve been stuck on this prophecy for fifteen years and for a brief moment I believed I’d finally found her…in Sarah Gold. Not long ago she proved to me that she would not become queen. She has chosen to sleep with a fellow Captain of mine, Brecht, who has a wife and children. Such a contemptible woman could not become our queen, I have turned down many such women already.

Sarah finished her tracking device for the portals and has begun to send her friends back home to Earth. I believed she might go with them but she stayed behind in order to make sure anyone else who came through to Whisehitel could make it back to Earth. She is their best chance for return and she won’t leave anyone who wishes to return home behind. For now, she is remaining in Whisehitel.

Something happened, though. Sarah’s in trouble somewhere in the mountains. The Colleen Green have attacked again and I don’t know if she’s hurt. Despite my better judgment I find myself racing to save her. I just hope I get to her in time. She doesn’t have the Pulse ability that I do.

Chapter One

White Rock…

King Yimiry stood watching his home being rebuilt by his own people and the people of the Black Hair tribe for several weeks. He’d returned after only a few days to find the Southern Wall rebuilt, something that should have taken at least two weeks to accomplish. It astounded him at the speed to which the youth of his tribe and the Black Hair tribe could rebuild a fallen settlement.

Behind him the five elders and few guards he’d taken when he escaped the Colleen Green attack packed their belongings, preparing to reenter their home. Husband and wife Ouzo and Raki never walked a distance apart where they could not touch. Slathe kept his hands so close to the fire pit they should have been burnt to cinders by now. Ereglan shivered but refused to leave her little four by four square garden of peppers she’d grown to feed them. Last was Mabu and of them all he alone did not seem fazed by the bitter cold temperatures. Mabu was younger than all the elders by fifteen years or more but his powers and his birth rite gave him the right to be an elder.

The three guards were Mabu’s choice, not Yimiry’s but considering he hadn’t been in control of his own mind there was little he could have done about it.

Their supplies of heat stock and endurance were nearly gone plus with the age of the elders all cold to the bone meant it would take nearly twice as long to pack their items as it did to unpack them.

The original plan had been to return to Oldsmith, their home in the Southern Domain, but once they realized that White Rock was being rebuilt it seemed like wasted effort to travel so far with such aged companions. Their Pulse was more daring and powerful than all of the youth combined, but their strength to perform them was not. Traveling might have killed some of them if only to protect themselves from sects of Colleen Green.

Beside him Prince Mabu watched the work at their settlement, a little grunt to his lips.

They are rebuilding it, Mabu. Look at their abilities. King Yimiry tried to sound pleased for the sake of his younger brother.

The Black Hair are inside of White Rock. Our home is disgraced.

Remember your place, Mabu. Yimiry said softly. Each word ill you speak could bring you more harm.

I’m not afraid of the Black Hair tribe.

You should be. After what you did to Ms. Gold you should be very afraid.

Afraid of a few Black Hair tribesmen? They are no match for me. She is no kin to their tribe as she is no kin to ours. They will not strike at me, they care nothing for this girl. It is our outlandish cousin who cares for this girl.

I am not arguing with you on that but torturing her was not necessary. Yimiry said softly, He was beginning to feel older and older with each passing day. Stuck with his brother in the wilderness proved taxing on his conscious.

It was very necessary. She got my little girl killed.

It was not her doing, you know this. Ms. Gold wishes to go home and I believe she may leave rather quickly.

Mabu let his lips turn into a scowl. That woman won’t leave. Not now, not ever. She’ll stay to protect those pathetic visitors.

That would be a blessing. King Yimiry said. My hope is that it is not too late to repair the bonds between our tribe and the Black Hair tribe. You are wrong about them, you know. It is not just our cousin Ryeloc who cares for this girl. She has made friends in that tribe.

You’re hope is wasted. Once Ryeloc is dead the Black Hair tribe won’t keep up the peace treaty. In another generation the rule to kill all half-bloods will be back in place. Watch.

Not if Captain Ror becomes king.

He won’t become king. Prince Mabu argued heavily. He’s not strong enough. Yuuuk is the most powerful.

King Yimiry chuckled. I didn’t mean for the Black Hair tribe, brother. King Yimiry did not have to look at his younger brother to know the shock that was on his face.

You don’t intend to make him your heir! Mabu hollered. That is preposterous.

It is my decision.

I will not allow it. I’ll kill him first. The throne is mine.

You have no heirs either, brother. We need someone young enough to produce offspring.

Marry again and start. You’ll have more children if your bride is young enough. Mabu growled under his breath. I’d see you married again before I let that half-blood on the throne.

As would you, dear brother. Take another wife and produce more children. I have grandchildren who are too young to ascend the throne.

There is none that I want. My wife died in childbirth and you took the only woman I ever loved.

Then you took her from me, too, Mabu. King Yimiry dropped his brother’s title, not having the stomach to use familiar ties when the subject of his wife was concerned.

She shouldn’t have sided Colleen Jade. They wouldn’t have needed to be massacred if she’d only stayed with our own tribe. Mabu flushed, the thought of the once-beautiful queen now but a distant memory in his mind. He could see her eyes and the color of her skin, but the points and hills of her face were a blur. It had been over twenty years since either royal man had seen the king’s late wife. Just pick one of the young women and make her your wife. Once she’s given birth she can become the queen.

I think Ms. Gold would be an excellent queen.

How dare you! Mabu hollered again, his rage returning. A visitor? Become our queen? That’s a nightmare.

You would see the throne fall to Captain Ror, then? Besides, I would think if you married her then the throne could be yours. Once she’s given you a child, that is.

Are you saying you would step down if I married this visitor?

Say her name when you speak of her. King Yimiry told his brother. Sarah Gold, or Ms. Gold. She would make for you an excellent wife. The desire to protect her people is overwhelming in her. I think once she has come to accept the Rested Tribe as her people you would see the motivation to keep the lines pure just as easily as I do.

Sarah Gold becomes my wife. Mabu rolled the concept in his mind for only a minute and then shook his head. No. I will not marry her only to ascend to the throne. She is not worthy.

She is worthy, my brother. King Yimiry added the relationship back, trying to keep his brother’s temper from flaring up. She made a tracking device for the portals and has seen our Seer. This prophecy she has could be a very good one for us.

Or it could be our undoing. Mabu contested.

Think about it on our way back to the settlement. We leave in a few minutes.

No. I’m going to Mt. Heil to gather supplies and hunt. I’ll be gone several weeks. Turning to leave, Mabu flung a leather bag over his shoulder and wrapped the straps around his waist, securing it from falling off.

You sound just like a Black Hair, you do know this?

Mabu looked over his shoulder at his big brother but said nothing. In seconds King Yimiry could no longer see his little brother for wilderness around them seemed to swallow him up as he proceeded into it.

Taking a small vial from underneath the top layer of his dusty gray robes, he popped the cork and tipped it over onto a large stone next to him. The liquid contents emptied onto the stone, a gray heap over two feet long and two feet wide, and formed a haphazard circular puddle.

His aged fingers reached for the edge of the water but stopped, hovering over it just millimeters away from touching it. Yimiry’s eyes closed and sighed once, feeling regret for what he was about to do. If his brother found out, Mabu would be more than a little pissed off, but this was the first opportunity he’d had to speak with Ryeloc since they’d left the shelter of White Rock weeks prior.

King Ryeloc. He called quietly, his eyes still closed. A minute later no one answered him. King Ryeloc. He spoke again. King Ryeloc.

King Yimiry, is that you, cousin? The throaty voice of a tired King Ryeloc spoke through the water. Yimiry’s eyes opened and he tried to give a smile to the water.

I cannot see you cousin.

Nor I see you. King Ryeloc returned. I was in bed, cousin.

My apologies on the hour. Yimiry said knowing full well it was daylight and the king was more than awake.

Are you well?

I am. We are returning to White Rock soon.

That is good news. I have not heard from you in some time, I was beginning to worry.

You need not worry, cousin. The elders and I are safe.

You will not tell me where you are? Ryeloc proposed without any hint of humor.

It is not in my best interest to tell you. Yimiry remarked.

There could be problems should you return, my people have helped to rebuild White Rock and they will not be willing to leave just because you’ve returned.

You refer to the Black Hair. That is understandable. Any of the Black Hair tribe who have repaired White Rock may remain there and return there at their own will. Yimiry said in a non-caring tone, more for formality.

And what of your brother, Prince Mabu? Is he going to allow my people to live there with you?

The Black Hair are the people you rule over but they are not your blood, cousin. You are every bit Pulse Rider as I am.

The Black Hair have been my people for over forty years, cousin. Must you bring this up again? Ryeloc argued. It’s getting tiring.

Good, then you’ll stop arguing with me and come back to White Rock.

Cousin, that will not happen as I am pledged to the Black Hair.

And what of your adopted son, Captain Ror? Is he pledged to the Black Hair as well?

What is your intention, cousin? Ryeloc’s voice dropped and Yimiry knew he suddenly must be very careful.

Do not fret, cousin. I can hear the passion and anger in your voice. Captain Ror is welcome here, that is all.

It is not all but we will discuss it at a later time.

Is he in White Rock?

No, he is in Mt. Heil tracking down Ms. Gold and a portal.

All alone I presume?

Yes.

Yimiry smiled and felt an odd similarity between Captain Ror and his own brother Mabu. Prince Mabu has also gone into Mt. Heil to gather supplies. Perhaps they will meet up with each other.

In all the years I’ve traveled the mountain I have not encountered Prince Mabu even once.

Yet he is very good at gathering supplies, I would boast that he is the best.

A competition now, Yimiry?

Yimiry laughed. No, dear cousin. I merely speak of the skills of my brother with a good heart. Tracking and hunting are his non-Pulse abilities. Many women find that attractive in the Black Hair tribe, am I not correct?

Yes, it is favored. Ryeloc agreed weary of where the conversation was going.

Then again a display of strength and courage are just as important. Yimiry continued.

Ryeloc sighed. Speak plainly cousin.

I am speaking plainly.

You are speaking plainly but your motives are not clear.

Ah, then you should state as such, cousin. Fine. I wish to see Ms. Gold again.

She will not want to visit with you, Yimiry. Mabu tortured her, another of his famous skills. Ryeloc added the last part with a bit of sarcasm.

Of course. I can understand her unwillingness. I do not wish to force her to see me. A summons is all I am doing. She may come whenever she wishes, be it days or months from now. It would be good for her conscience to be clear.

What are you proposing, cousin? I have not heard you speak like this about a visitor before.

Maybe telling you would be good. Help speed up the process. I intend to ask Ms. Gold for her hand in marriage.

What? Ryeloc’s voice rose in shock. You can’t be serious?

I am quite serious, cousin. Without an heir of age to take my throne, I sense Mabu will become king. He, too, has no heir of age to ascend should anything happen to him. I have been very impressed with Sarah’s technical mind and the loyalty she has shown. She would make a fine queen for the Rested Tribe. If she is not interested in such an old man, my brother Mabu is also available for marriage.

You… Ryeloc went silent for a minute and Yimiry knew he was in shock.

Speak plainly, cousin. Yimiry jested with a little chuckle. Or did the Cat get your tongue?

You are suggesting that Sarah marry Mabu? He tortured her.

Yes and you will see that Ms. Gold can be quite forgiving. I’ve seen this in her. She’s very caring for her friends. Once Mabu apologizes and performs a task for her I believe she will find it in her heart to forgive him. That would be the start. From there it would not be long before she could learn to trust him. What is your reaction to this summons now, cousin?

Ryeloc was quiet for a minute and Yimiry wished that he could see the look on his cousin’s face. It must have nearly fallen off when he told him he wanted to marry a visitor. Yimiry smiled, Sarah Gold was one of Ryeloc’s favorite humans. That meant Ryeloc would have to keep the woman busy if he wanted to gain a leg up on his cousin’s domain.

Cousin, if Sarah Gold wishes to marry you I feel that she would be happy. You doted upon your first wife and as an old man I feel you would dote even more on your second. I also believe she would give you children and should you pass your legacy to them then you would create the first half-visitor half-Rested Tribe Pulse Riders. Know this, cousin, that if you do take Sarah as your bride and make her a queen she will insist on improving the treatment of her kind. My people have told me about the cruel nature you’ve subjected the visitors to while inside White Rock.

That is already being worked on, cousin. Sarah’s insisted on this before and I’ve been seeing to it. When I return I will ensure that the visitors are protected and no longer harmed by the Pulse Riders. This I vow on my own strength as a Pulse Rider.

The Black Hair king was quiet again, but Yimiry could have sworn he heard a shiver. You are serious, then. None make that vow with any indication of not fulfilling it.

Yes, cousin. Visitors will be treated more fairly from now on. Sarah will have my vow.

But only if she marries you and becomes the queen?

And bears me children. Will you please make my summons known to her? I am not able to contact her with Water Window.

She would not have any liquid to make a Water Window. I will send an intermediary who will pass on your message.

Who might this intermediary be? One of your captains? I assume it is Captain Ror.

You are correct, cousin. I must go now.

Rest up cousin. We will see each other again. It has been a long, long time.

Yimiry released his Pulse on the Water Window and a little wave rippled through it. A large smile was on his lips and it quickly faded as his eyes strayed to White Rock.

Changing the minds of his fellow elders would not be easy. Most were still not ready to obey a visitor let alone make her a queen over them. He did fear of retaliation and it surprised him that King Ryeloc did not bring it up.

Perhaps my cousin knows more than I do. If Sarah is indeed with other Rested Tribe they should have a Water Window to use. Something else must have happened if he needs to send an intermediary.

Your majesty! A Pulse Rider guard walked to him and bowed. We are ready to return to White Rock.

Then let’s go. King Yimiry told him and followed down the little path back to the group of elders.

Chapter Two

Mt. Heil…

Ror moved up the side of Mt Heil swiftly without Gremon on his shoulders. Less than ten minutes and he was over four hundred feet in the air and entering Mt. Heil. Silent footfall after silent footfall he lingered through the caves listening to the cries of the Winged Beasts cascading from somewhere not too far ahead. Coming to a fork, Ror took a quick sniff of the air. Putrid blood stained the walls of the left while damp mold lingered in the right.

Well, I know which one Brecht went down. That mold only barely masks the horrid stench he can give off. He had the common sense to cover his nose when that orange-haired visitor was around. Josh could make a skunk run in terror. Bet he figured the mold would mask his scent from the Winged Beasts and he wouldn’t get caught. Doubt it will help him against the Cave Dwellers.

His eyes trailed to the ground and found tracks constantly leading to the left corridor but Ror was unsure whether this was phony or not. They were oddly shaped, not quite human tracks but not Winged Beasts tracks. Looking between the two Ror contemplating following the other Black Hair Captain, but the mysterious tracks called out to him to investigate. It was going to drive him crazy, not knowing which way to go.

He didn’t get long to decide. The scent of females came up from behind him and he quickly chose the left path to run into. At least eight women came up behind him and he was betting that not one would be hospitable to Black Hair or Rested tribesmen. Smirking Ror raised his hand pointing in the direction of the women but another smell propelled him to move forward. Another female scent, much fainter than the women behind him. Honey and vanilla.

Sarah. She was here. At least a day old. Scent is fading.

Following down the corridor he quickly made several turns following the faint smell. Unfortunately the more he ran the more noise his feet made and the easier it was for the women to keep up with him. He’d long become accustomed to the green haired women chasing him and thankfully they were not as swift a runner as he.

Out of nowhere, Ror felt like he was flying through the tunnels running faster than he’d ever run before. Ror wracked his brain for any potential hazards on the way ahead; he wasn’t sure he could stop if he needed to. Something was propelling him down the path he was taking and while it was the correct smell for Sarah the sensations he felt told him something was terribly wrong.

This is unusual. It feels as though I’m running through a Pulse but it’s not my Pulse. Who orchestrated this Pulse and why? Was it the Cave Dwellers in order to keep themselves on the correct path? No, they wouldn’t plant something this obvious. Not something the Colleen Jade could figure out. Why have I not seen this before and why have the Cave Dwellers not mentioned it? How long is it going to keep me running?

Ror managed to stop after twenty minutes of constant running through corridors and jumping over sink holes in the ground. Spider webbing etched various portions of the walls, forcing him to watch his every move even though he doubted he could have stopped his feet if need be.

Whoever designed this knew the terrain of the mountain. I didn’t kick a rock on this run, how weird is that? I should have at least hit something, anything, but the only thing was a few sink holes.

An opening to the outside of the caves was about a hundred feet ahead of him. Sarah’s smell was still around him; she’d also been caught up in the unusual Pulse. Looking at the walls surrounding him Ror suddenly knew why the Cave Dwellers had not mentioned a Pulse of this magnitude before. He was no longer in Mt. Heil. Exactly where he was, he couldn’t be sure without using his own Pulse to travel through the walls, but he had a pretty good idea where he could be.

Peering over the edge Ror’s theory was confirmed. He was suddenly at the other end of Mt. Ventanas, where it connected to the frozen river below. Sarah’s smell was suddenly gone. She’d jumped over the side. That meant a Rested Tribesman was still with her.

Voices grew louder behind him, gaining on him quickly as he stood there gazing at the frozen river below. Something caught his attention at the right but when he turned his head nothing was there. Unlike before, Ror was much more in control of his mind and body and was able to make a thorough decision on how to proceed down the mountain.

Odd footprints stood in a semi-circle about six feet from the edge. One Ror knew was Sarah’s footprints while the other two were male. The thicker sole with a slight heel told Ror that Lieutenant Hiro had been with her while the other Ror guessed was the red-head visitor.

I do not believe Sarah would have jumped. Her scent tells me she did, but these footprints don’t make sense.

Bending down to touch the footprints Ror’s mind ran through scenario after scenario of what could have happened to them.

Not captured. No footprints being dragged or a scuffle of any kind. They didn’t jump, there’s no indentation of a jump towards the edge. It’s like they simply vanished. Did Hiro try a Pulse and take them over the edge?

Once again Ror’s concentration was distracted by women rushing around the corner towards him, weapons in hand. Pulling his blades Ror releases one at the closest and the one inch hilt hits her in the head knocking her backward onto her rump. Another blade connects with the second girl’s chest but imbeds itself between her breasts instead of bouncing off. Gasping, the girl collapses to her knees blooding running through the light brown garment she was wearing.

Three more Colleen Green round the corner, but by the time they see their friends dead on the ground, nothing was before them but an opening to the outside of the cave.

Plummeting down to the ground about forty feet from the river Ror enacts his Pulse to slow himself down to about ten feet per second instead of fifty feet per second.

Within fifteen seconds his feet touch the river and he scurries over to the mountain range hiding in whatever shelter he can find. Looking up, his eyes refocus, pupils vanishing into white eyeballs. Four women are peering over the edge looking for their prey. After several moments they disappear back into the cave. They couldn’t see him hiding over three hundred feet below.

Swiftly grasping the mountain to balance himself Ror moves swiftly down following more footprints in the ice hoping one of the misshapen prints might be Sarah. Several feet down the mountain Ror picks up her scent once again. While he stumbles along the mountain range Ror realizes that he’s only following two sets of footprints, one of which is Sarah’s.

Something happened to one of the men. Which one?

Blood filled Ror’s nostrils but the scent was over a day old. Someone had bled in the spot he was standing. His eyes could not see anything but there were definite traces lingering across the mountain range.

They must have fed and then hid the carcass somewhere. That’s the only explanation why there are no blood stains anywhere on the frozen river. Hiro is alive? Is he with Sarah? The red-head, he must be alive, too.

The scent leads him to a very tiny cave in which he just barely can walk in and not hit his head. No one is in the cave but someone had been there within the last day. Two sets of footprints had walked the perimeter, neither belonging to Sarah. Kneeling down beside a flat set of tracks Ror fingers them realizing someone had laid down on the ground for over a day. The scent of blood lingered over by the makings of a small fire pit, but no ambers or wood had been burnt.

Sarah and Hiro hid their tracks. Was the red-head hurt? Is that who lay here? No, these footprints are over two days old and they are not Rested tribe. No heel. Hiro must have been hurt and the other two carried him in here. After a day he’d recovered and they left. Sarah’s footprints come and go a day apart. Why did she leave and come back and then leave again? Was she followed? No. No one else’s footprints were here except the two men.

Wandering around the camp site for quite some time Ror tries to replay what might have happened in his head. Images of Sarah tending to Hiro went through his mind but then her footprints leaving and returning hours later didn’t concur with that. If she had been tending to the Rested tribesmen she wouldn’t have left him for hours on his own.

He must have raised them into the air in the cave, then dropped them down to the ground. Looks to have exhausted himself using his Pulse to protect all three of them. That’s why he was lying here. The blood is probably from an animal they happened to kill and cook for food. Hints of endurance are dropped across the ground but that’s the only other smell I can pick up. Why would Sarah leave him here unprotected? Unless that red-head stayed behind and watched over the lieutenant while Sarah scavenged for food. Probably supplies. She looked for supplies and the visitor stayed here with the wounded.

Looking cautiously out of the cave Ror cannot see anyone within his immediate range of sight. Enhancing his vision Ror’s pupils disappear again into his eyeballs but he notices over a dozen women scattered in the tree line on the other side of the river. If they had seen him drop down from the cave they did not try to approach him. Either they knew he was Black Hair or they had not seen him. Ror was banking on the later.

Opening his pouch he takes out a small bottle and drips water onto the ground before him. Melding together it forms a window barely three inches wide. King Ryeloc, can you hear me? Silence. No one answers him.

Every thirty seconds Ror tries again, waiting until someone answers him. Five minutes later the familiar hearty voice of his King answers.

Captain Ror. Have you found Sarah and Lieutenant Hiro? The eyes of his king fill the water before him.

No, but I’ve located their tracks from a day before. A day ago they were alive and on the other side of Mt. Ventanas next to the Colleen Jade Wilderness.

A sharp intake of breath comes through the Water Window and then his king spoke again. Did she lead them into the wilderness?

Unlikely. Their tracks appear to split up. She left a day before the other two. Hiro was injured due to Pulse but the other visitor appears to have been fine.

Do you know how they came to be in Mt. Ventanas?

Only a theory, my king.

Tell me.

Elder Rested tribesmen enacted a Pulse that controls how a multitude of people are able to travel through the caves. It increases their speed while forcing them onto paths that lead directly to the other side of Mt. Ventanas. This is how they have been able to get the drop on the Rested tribe and the Cat tribe.

Fascinating. Using the Rested tribe’s own tricks to attack the Rested tribe. There is some humor to this. This news we should share with the Rested tribe as it may deter the king from remaining in White Rock for a length of time.

Has Yimiry returned?

Yes. He has taken residence back inside the settlement with his followers.

What of Prince Mabu?

His whereabouts are unknown. Apparently Mabu dragged king Yimiry away but when they discussed returning to White Rock, Mabu did not accompany him. He took another path leading away from Yimiry. There is talk of a rebellion among the youth Pulse Riders. They believe that Mabu will have them killed if they continue to support Sarah but this causes confliction because they wish to remain loyal to the person who saved their lives.

Something else had been on Ror’s mind but he’d tried to put it off as long as he could. Now that Yimiry was back, there was the potential that Mabu would return as well and a score had to be settled.

Has Captain Brecht called for challenge to Mabu?

No. He will not call challenge. Mabu is not likely to fight with just hands and weapons. He will enact Pulse and Brecht will not be his equal. Protocol may demand such a challenge in our culture but it would be wise of Brecht to ignore protocol otherwise we will be looking for a new captain. His King was silent for a moment before asking, What is your next course of action, Captain?

I will trail these three until I can find them. If Hiro is injured they will need my help.

Leave Hiro to the visitor Tim Burns. He has spent much time in Colleen Jade and will be able to protect him better without your assistance.

Do you wish me to return, my king?

No, find Sarah. I sense she is being influenced by another Rested tribe elder. One I cannot see clearly in my vision Pulses. I sense this elder is planning on keeping Sarah in Colleen Jade Wilderness. If that happens Sarah may decide to become one of their tribe instead of ours. The king sighed as though the thought was just another burden to him instead of an obstacle. Better Colleen Jade than Rested tribe. Yimiry has presented conflicted strategies for his use of Sarah.

Conflicting strategies?

Yes, he’s proposed to marry Sarah himself and make her queen. Only if he marries her will any children they have together become heir to the throne. Without an heir to the throne Yimiry may have to give it to his brother or else pray he lives long enough that his grand-daughter ascends. She is the rightful heir now.

This is not what Sarah wants; Yimiry has made her into a criminal in the minds of the Pulse Riders.

This was Mabu’s doing. Mabu believes that he will not ascend the throne if Sarah marries his brother and becomes pregnant.

So he tried to kill her.

Yes…and no. His anger over the loss of his daughter made him try to kill her. I believe he also senses the same thing in Sarah that Yimiry does. He, too, will seek to make Sarah his wife. If Sarah does forgive him for harming her they would be a pair to fear. Sarah’s strategies and Mabu’s powerful fist could be enough to destroy the Black Hair tribe for good.

She does not seek to destroy anything.

Indeed, she does not but Mabu is very convincing. Sarah by all rules is Black Hair tribe meaning she is bound to violence and killing as we are. The correct words, whether true or false, would stir her emotions to slaughter us.

Is that why you pushed her towards Brecht? Her feelings for him were nothing when they first met and now he cuddles her onto his lap each time he sees her. Worse than his own wife.

This was not an easy decision to make, Ror. Brecht’s marriage to the woman in the Southern Domain is official and I could be forced from the throne for forcing them apart. We cannot lose Sarah to Mabu and Yimiry. Her strengths make her a Black Hair by nature but her brain easily leans her towards Rested tribe ideals. Studying portals instead of learning to strengthen her body makes her a Rested tribesman. Her emotional state easily sways her decisions, she stays among the Black Hair because we welcome her and desire her. The Rested tribe persuade her with tales of misery and threats of enemy attack. Unfortunately for us, desire is not her primary focus. King Ryeloc said.

Disgusted, Ror swallowed his opinions knowing that they would do little good now. If his king was truly worried over Sarah, then it was Ror’s duty to try and ease that worry.

I shall go after Sarah and convince her to stay with Brecht. She still has not joined with him, my King. She does not carry his scent.

And this troubles me just as much. She desires too much in a man to simply give in. This is her greatest strength and her greatest misfortune.

The Water Window vanished leaving Ror to gaze at the small image before him. He could just barely make out his eyes and forehead in the tiny amount of water. All he saw was striking white locks covering silver eyes. Many women had once called him handsome before he’d bedded them. Now he just brushed them all aside and went on his way, ignoring the calls of both the men and women in his life. It was a lonely existence but given the circumstances he didn’t pay it too much heed.

Running his hands through his hair the white locks instantly vanished replaced by darker dirty blonde ones. Time to change the stylish look to something more subtle. What did the red-head Tim call it? Surfer dude.

Looking at the water once again his white locks were now a blonde with hints of light brown coloring it. Dirty blonde was much easier to fake than brunette on his dark features.

So many new phrases to learn from these visitors. King Ryeloc said each generation brought with it new words and phrases but I cannot understand surfer dude. Perhaps Sarah can answer that after I locate her. Now, to get across this river without anyone seeing me. I think the Mist Pulse can be used over water.

Without hesitation Ror leaves the cave. As silently as he can he makes his way across the river straight to the tree line. Invoking another Pulse his body slowly shifts as he moves, features dimming as though a mist were forming around him. By the time he was halfway across the river he was practically a ghost of a man walking across the river.

In homage to the Seer who once walked through mists and shadows to come to the Black Hair tribe in order to see me. Dream or no dream, none of my people ever saw her when she used this. May I be so lucky now.

Passing through the edge of the tree line Ror peered up into the trees to see two beautiful women gaze back down at him, their lustful smiles nodding in approval. Twins, identical in all their features but they played opposites of each other with their movements. If one faced left the other was facing right.

It didn’t work. These two saw me.

Moving forward every step he takes is followed by the eyes of the two women. He can sense them watching him; their heart beats got quicker as he got further and further away. Nothing unusual for him. He had always had that effect on women, particularly horny women. A slight quirk met his lips nearly a hint of laughter. In this place it didn’t feel right to laugh at these women. Not when he might have to kill them.

Pressing forward he followed the remaining scent of the brunette woman Sarah Gold as best he could. After about ten minutes into the wilderness, he stopped cold against a set of trees. The scent mingled with dozens of other women almost