Carcer

By Jaron Osiar

Years after Hidden City, not everyone is convinced that peace is possible. Battles in space are still common and people struggle to work through their differences. To prevent the strained peace treaties from falling apart, a new planet for prisoners is terraformed. While the planet is being prepared, all the prisoners are placed on a continent anxiously awaiting their fate where dangerous animals can tear through the prison's defenses.

Calix became a dragon warrior to avoid shapeshifters who didn't consider him one of them. Now he is struggling to accept himself as a telepath. As a Hidden City warrior, he sees the conflicts in space and understands why Vastus and Carcer are necessary. Can Calix conquer his fears and find value in his new skills?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaron Osiar
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223601425

Jaron Osiar

Vastus is a four-book series that is told from multiple perspectives. The series follows a small group of Peace Bringers on an old, crumbling space station who are trying to stop a war by proving peace among their species is possible. They observe dragons, elves, humans, unicorns, and telepaths on a large island. A teen who is part elf, human, and telepath catches the Peace Bringers attention. Unfortunately, conflicts among the cities on Vastus make even desperate Peace Bringers skeptical.

Book preview

Chapter 1:  Vastus Station

Vastus Station was always cold with its cream-colored walls and smooth, metal floors. Spacious rooms were busy, yet the rooms still seemed plain. Events on the station that day were no more exciting than the scenery it provided. Calix preferred being down on Vastus itself, where he could soar through the sky, fight dangerous animals, eat amazing food, and train with other dragon warriors.

When humans and telepaths agreed on part of the peace treaty, more prisoners were released. Treating all human life as valuable was a difficult concept for telepaths to accept, primarily because their culture placed high value on the lives of powerful telepaths and saw weak telepaths as expendable. After six years of debating different points of the peace treaty, humans and telepaths agreed that every human life was important, not only the lives of high-ranking humans. Now telepaths could be convicted for injuring any human throughout the galaxies.

Despite seeing occasional telepath prisoners released on Vastus Station, an unusually large crowd gathered in the room. Never before had such powerful telepaths been released, and humans were releasing three. To telepaths, it was like they were witnessing their first, real prisoner release. At least, that is what Dragon Leader Ranvir said.

Calix fidgeted, wondering if the telepaths around him knew exactly what he was thinking. Because humans published who would be released, visitors mingled in the main room on Vastus Station around clear tables, anxiously awaiting the return of family and friends they hadn’t seen for years or even decades. Telepaths kept their conversations mute, waiting to hear the station manager, Admiral Wade Strilic, announce the transport’s arrival.

Shapeshifters who were negotiating the peace treaty watched from near metallic walls surrounding the main room as telepath prisoners were released again and again. Unlike telepaths, shapeshifters saw value to every individual among their people, but they weren’t willing to sign a treaty discussing the value of human and shapeshifter lives.

To shapeshifters the release of more telepath prisoners was an affront. Humans and telepaths were on their way to a final agreement. Optimists on Vastus Station estimated that shapeshifters were decades away from agreeing on anything.

After the first ambassador left Vastus Station, Ambassador Wynne Zerinki continued negotiations between shapeshifters and humans. It didn’t take long for Admiral Strilic to regret sending the former Ambassador away. The little progress humans and shapeshifters had made nearly crumbled.

Doctor Qwin Lerby convinced shapeshifters to try working with humans. He wasn’t fond of humans at the time, but he despised war. Doctor Lerby was starting to understand humans and perceived a reason to keep trying for peace, even at the risk of his own life.

Heated debates that officials called negotiations continued in the conference room day after day. Whenever shapeshifters discovered more telepaths were being released, Admiral Strilic was accused of favoritism. All negotiations were sure to be intense for the next two weeks now that powerful telepaths were being released. It was of no surprise that Ambassador Zerinki was glaring at Admiral Strilic from the other side of the room.

Calix spied Doctor Lerby near Ambassador Zerinki, holding a plain tablet the size of his hand that blended in with every other part of him, from his stark white hair and complexion to his white clothes. A blue stripe at the bottom of Doctor Lerby’s jacket declared his status as a scientist.

Seeing Doctor Lerby reminded Calix of an event that occurred months earlier. He was walking in the hallway while a human maintenance worker made repairs inside a wall on the floor above him. A rusty bolt from the ceiling came loose, falling on Doctor Lerby’s head, causing a minor injury which he shrugged off. Yet Ambassador Zerinki tried to take him from Vastus Station. Doctor Lerby protested Ambassador Zerinki’s decision to no avail. Admiral Strilic convinced Ambassador Zerinki to let Doctor Lerby stay with the promise of releasing one shapeshifter prisoner, the first shapeshifter prisoner to be released since the prisoner exchange seven years ago. It was fortunate that he stayed. Calix often saw him breaking up fights.

The observatory manager, Ebban, slowly made his way toward Calix. Though most telepaths made Calix cringe, Ebban was an exception. Humans, telepaths, and shapeshifters alike were willing to work with Ebban. He was straightforward and didn’t hesitate to help when he saw someone new in the observatory. Ebban often pulled up old records of Vastus and helped with research. No one knew more about Vastus than Ebban. He quietly listened to conversations in the observatory then laughed with the dragon warriors over the researcher’s conclusions.

Despite how easy it was to get along with Ebban, his brown-orange skin and short stature made it obvious that he was a telepath. All telepaths were bald with ridges that went in bizarre directions around their head.

It was strange to see Ebban out of the observatory. Calix thought of Ebban as part of the observatory. One night, Calix walked into the observatory when Ebban wasn’t there. Calix had to reassure himself that he was in the correct room.

Calix raised his narrow eyebrows. What brings you out of the cave this morning, Ebban?

Ebban chuckled. The previous week when Calix was in the observatory, Ebban was studying caves in the mountains near Bern City. Ebban stretched his short arms. I was looking through a prisoner list and found an old friend of mine. Wade pulled some strings to get him released. He’s a late addition to the prisoners arriving on the transporter today.

Calix eyed the spacious hallway leading to the main docking station. Admiral Trevis has never allowed such powerful telepaths to be released before.

He is trying to convince Gyev Rayan to trust humans.

Do you think Gyev Rayan trusts humans?

It was strange to hear a telepath’s monotone laugh. The lack of pitch variation made their laugh sound fake. Ebban’s laugh was no exception. I’m staying out of it.

That’s probably best. Calix ran his hands through his smooth hair.

Admiral Trevis always wanted two dragon warriors in the main room on Vastus Station during a prisoner release. Dragon warriors were considered neutral, due to their unique genetic structure and varied upbringing. They were human, telepath, and shapeshifter. Some people argued they were part dragon. Even Ambassador Zerinki reluctantly allowed dragon warriors to stand guard on Vastus Station during prisoner exchanges.

A few years ago, Dragon Leader Elaina rescued Ambassador Zerinki from a telepath attack. For two years after that day Ambassador Zerinki would only attend meetings while Elaina was on guard. Normally during a telepath prisoner release, Elaina and Ranvir were the guards. Hours earlier Calix discovered Elaina wasn’t available. Her absence made half the people in the room nervous, especially Ambassador Zerinki.

Ambassador Zerinki was surrounded by twenty protectors. The helmet on her head told others how terrified she was of seeing powerful telepaths in the main room. Most telepaths couldn’t attack anyone wearing a simple blocker that stuck behind someone’s ear. Though the telepath blockers weren’t any trouble to wear, they were notorious for falling off. The stiff helmet Ambassador Zerinki wore was difficult to move in, but it was a solid blocker that stayed in place.

Smooth, white hair flowed down Ambassador Zerinki’s back underneath her helmet. Cheerful chatter in the main room drew her glaring, maroon eyes. She shifted her attention to the hallway that led to a docking port. Calix’s wristband vibrated and displayed a message that floated above the band, a notification that a transporter was docking.

Shuffling echoed along the hallway toward the docking port. A handful of telepaths with rags wrapped around their thin, squarish torsos cautiously entered the main room. Calix reached behind his back to make sure his sword was there. Aurium, the metal warrior swords were made of, was not transportable. When Calix traveled to Vastus Station, he had to leave his weapons home then retrieve a weapon pack from Vastus Station. In addition to the swords and daggers used on the Vastus surface, laser guns and bombs were tucked into Calix’s Hidden City weapon pack.

The first year Calix worked as a Hidden City warrior was overwhelming, to say the least. He came from a world where he protected farmers and their crops from wild animals and criminals. Shops lined dusty streets and people spent winter in their homes, waiting for spring while they mended clothes and quilts, repaired their houses, and prepped for spring. On Vastus Station Calix had to learn about technology that boggled his mind. Elaina and Ranvir understood how much of the technology worked. Calix settled for learning how to use it.

Calix’s shoulders slumped over missing another day of training at Bern City. Additional training as a Hidden City warrior required lots of time. Would he become a master if he kept getting assigned to Hidden City? Where was Janae, the artist who worked at the china shop, while Calix watched for squabbles among prisoners? Calix longed to peek into the observatory in case researchers were watching Janae. Unfortunately, he was still on guard duty.

On the other side of the room Ranvir calmly watched telepaths mingle. He hovered next to Svilgt Tydun who was dwarfed by the broad-shouldered warrior. Svilgt Tydun and Ranvir must have been talking because expressions on their faces kept changing. Svilgt Tydun was an incredibly powerful telepath, but that didn’t bother Ranvir. Years ago, Ranvir and Elaina were joined which made Ranvir part of Svilgt Tydun’s family. Calix couldn’t imagine being part of a telepath family. He didn’t want to. Being part of a telepath family clearly didn’t bother Ranvir. He was always talking to the telepath side of his family or laughing sporadically at something one of them must have said. Calix shuddered.

Telepaths gathered around the prisoners, cheerfully greeting each other. Ebban waited by the side for his chance to speak with Icahn. The prisoner release was going smoothly until Ambassador Zerinki stormed toward Admiral Strilic. You released four telepaths!

Admiral Strilic stiffened, his arms folded, his mouth drawn in a clear frown. Yes.

And that was only today! Aside from the first exchange when we traded one human for one shapeshifter, you have released one hundred twenty-three telepaths!

We release a few prisoners whenever we come to an agreement.

There were four telepaths this time!

One prisoner was released as a favor to Ebban. He has certainly earned a favor after his years as the observatory manager.

Since the prisoner exchange, we have gained one shapeshifter back; one prisoner who was captured two years and one month after birth! How long do you expect us to put up with this treatment?

Admiral Strilic steadily looked up at Ambassador Zerinki. Agree on something . . . anything . . .

Ambassador Zerinki interrupted, We have stuck with the ceasefire as agreed.

We already . . .

Your bias is obvious, on Vastus Station and on the surface.

Admiral Strilic shook his head. Bias? What . . .

It’s easy for telepaths and humans to unite, yet you leave shapeshifters out of everything.

We’re not . . .

Look at the way shapeshifters are left out on Vastus.

Elaina is more shapesh . . .

Dragon Leader Elaina is not a shapeshifter!

Admiral Strilic was about to say something but stopped. Out of the corner of his eye he glanced at Ranvir. We will release one shapeshifter prisoner for every year you keep the ceasefire agreement and work toward a peace treaty. We will also release a prisoner to thank you for allowing Healer Myllur to assist Elaina when she was healing wraiths six years ago.

Ambassador Zerinki took two steps back. She tried to look around the room, but her helmet was in the way. She jerked it off, her hair erratically erupting around her head. Has Admiral Milliken approved this agreement?

Not yet.

Then we have nothing further to discuss. Ambassador Zerinki stormed out of the main room.

Admiral Strilic strode past Calix, muttering, I’m not sure why I thought space shapeshifters would be more reasonable than the ones on Vastus.

Though Calix was a dragon warrior, he was born a shapeshifter. Should he be offended by Admiral Strilic’s statement? His own experience taught Calix that shapeshifters could be difficult to work with.

Admiral Strilic stopped in front of Calix. I didn’t mean you.

Calix shrugged. Ambassador Zerinki doesn’t think I’m a shapeshifter either.

I also didn’t mean Director Jedrek. Admiral Strilic swiftly left.

Ranvir strode across the room to Calix. The telepath transporter is leaving.

Calix scratched his small nose. The air on Vastus Station always made him itchy. Calix eyed Ranvir suspiciously. Did you tell Admiral Strilic to release some prisoners?

Ranvir responded telepathically, It seemed reasonable. Shapeshifters need assurance that humans are trying to work with them.

Calix was accustomed to dragon warriors communicating with him telepathically, but he didn’t respond the same way unless necessary. Telepathy made Calix jittery. Calix knew Ranvir wanted to discuss the matter without a chance of being overheard. Rather than use telepathy, Calix didn’t ask more questions. Releasing shapeshifter prisoners wouldn’t affect Calix anyway.

Shapeshifter protectors, human guards, and telepath svilg followed Ranvir and Calix to a conference room. They gathered around a clear table. Ranvir spoke confidently, Security cameras three, seven, and twenty-six through thirty.

Projections hovered above the table. Ranvir moved them around until he was satisfied with the arrangement. He watched the hallways from one side of the table while Calix yawned on the other side, near a cluster of guards.

Opposite of Calix a metal square on a wall slid up. A service robot strolled out. Its telescoping arms waved up and down with a cleaning wand. The wall was shining, yet the robot kept cleaning. A scanner popped out of the oblong body then the robot rolled to a different spot.

Calix leaned back to make himself more comfortable. There was little for him to do, other than watch the hallways and projections of space until the ships were clear. Calix’s eyes drooped. Visions of bright colors from Vastus took the place of sterile hallways. Calix felt he was swaying on his dragon’s back as they soared above curling clouds.

A thump pounded through the conference room, accompanied by pain in his head and shoulder. Calix’s eyes shot open. He was laying on a metal floor, his cheek smashed against a metal table leg. Around him svilg and guards were laughing. Protectors glared at Calix, their expressions of disgust revealing the severity of Calix’s blunder. Sheepishly, Calix rubbed his shoulder as he climbed onto his chair, his cheeks bright red. Though his hair had a classic, shapeshifter shimmer, his cheeks flushed as humans did when he was embarrassed. That didn’t explain why one cheek was brighter than the other. Calix gently moved his hand along his sore cheek, soothing the skin that was smashed when he toppled off his chair.

Ranvir cast a side-ways glance at Calix. We had to call you away at an odd time. Being a Hidden City warrior can throw off your sleep schedule. Everything is clear. Security cameras off.

Scenes of hallways and ships flying in space disappeared. Ranvir chortled. Did you have a good nap?

Calix yawned. When is life supposed to slow down?

You’re too young for that. Do you really think my life has slowed down?

Ranvir was a dragon leader, a Bern master, had two kids and he was only a few, short years older than Calix. It was hard to remember that sometimes, as their lifestyles were completely different. Of course, Ranvir’s life hadn’t slowed down! Calix didn’t know how Ranvir and Elaina kept track of their twins with their insane schedules. Ranvir pushed his chair back. Are you ready for Hidden City training?

Calix yawned. Sure.

Ranvir and Calix found their way down a bland hallway to the elevator in the main room. They rode the elevator to the third floor. Aside from Ranvir shifting his weight, the elevator was completely silent.

Outside the elevator groups mingled in an enormous, central room with tables and a food modifier, like every floor on Vastus Station. They hurried down another hallway to the training room.

Calix untied the belt to his weapon pack and pulled the shoulder strap off. He retrieved a practice impact bomb from a box in the floor. Calix still hadn’t mastered the temperamental bombs. They were supposed to explode on impact, but impact bombs had a nasty habit of exploding prematurely in his hands. Calix pushed a button in the center of the bomb then moved his arm forward. Simulated red dust sprayed over his arms, face, and chest.

Ranvir shook his head. Impact bombs must be treated with respect, Calix. You lost your entire arm and part of your face!

The vivid dust on Calix’s arm disappeared. It was better to work on impact bombs when Ranvir and Elaina weren’t around. After years of training, Calix still didn’t have a knack for using them. It was embarrassing. Calix went for a laser gun. Clear beams shot across the metal room at moving targets of different shapes and colors in the form of projections.

On the other side of the training room, Ranvir sat in a clear chair, his hands maneuvering a simulated escape pod. Out of curiosity, Calix meandered over, occasionally firing shots at his target. With a satisfied grin, Ranvir stood from the chair. It sank into the floor as a message displayed his score. Ranvir set a new Vastus Station speed record for the escape pod training program. Gaping at the score, Calix let the gun hang in his hand by his leg.

Ranvir picked up his weapon pack. Are you ready to go home?

Calix nearly hopped out of the room. He was always ready to be at Bern City. They hurried out of the training room to the elevator. Calix hoped he would arrive at Bern City in the daylight. He never knew the time while on Vastus Station. Arriving at dinner hour would be perfect! Maybe he could find Janae and take her to dinner. Perhaps his day would be worthwhile after all.

Chapter 2:  Bern City

Before Calix could make it to the SRET room, a mass of gleaming hair bounded in front of him. Barid Ray was often Calix’s shadow on Vastus Station. He was a tall, spindly boy with inquisitive, blue eyes and narrow cheeks. When shapeshifters exchanged prisoners with humans, they kept one human and sent a spy in the human’s place. Admiral Strilic decided that one shapeshifter needed to remain behind. Barid knew that humans wouldn’t get information out of him, and he wouldn’t be much use to shapeshifters. He was born as a telepath prisoner and couldn’t even read when he was taken prisoner by humans. Out of loyalty to his people, Barid volunteered to stay behind.

Barid’s plan to help his people backfired. Most shapeshifters aboard Vastus Station didn’t understand Barid’s reason for volunteering to stay behind. Shapeshifters aboard Vastus Station avoided him. Having experienced the same treatment, Calix understood what Barid was going through and was patient with him.

No one knew Barid Ray’s age because telepaths had no record of his birth. His estimated age when he arrived on Vastus Station was eleven or twelve. Commander Gail Velur got tired of researchers arguing about Barid’s age and designated a birthday for him, starting an enormous ruckus that Commander Velur didn’t foresee. Calix didn’t understand why it was a problem. Shapeshifters cared little about Barid.

Barid insisted on keeping the birthday Commander Velur suggested, and he had never insisted on anything before. Because Barid was a prisoner on Vastus Station, Admiral Strilic overrode the shapeshifters’ protests and changed Barid’s records to state that he turned twelve the day he became a prisoner on Vastus Station, though Admiral Strilic placed a note in Barid’s birth record, stating his birthday was an estimate. Because Barid insisted on the change to his records, shapeshifters were silenced.

Years later, Barid still didn’t know anything about his birth, and he was stuck as a prisoner until shapeshifters could agree on part of a peace treaty. Since it didn’t seem like that would happen anytime soon, everyone expected Barid to remain a prisoner on Vastus Station for decades to come. From what Calix understood, life on Vastus Station was stellar compared to labor camps. Perhaps that’s why Barid never complained about his circumstances.

Sometimes Calix tried to strike up a conversation, but Barid said little. Often Calix caught Elaina and Ranvir teaching Barid about shapeshifters. Though Barid hardly spoke around others, Elaina knew most shapeshifters shunned Barid. Familiar with how that felt, she likely had a soft spot for Barid. She often reached out to make sure he was thriving on Vastus Station.

Calix was shocked when Barid finally gathered enough courage to ask a question, Dragon Warrior Calix, do you know how much longer I will be a prisoner here?

Calix recovered from the shock of Barid speaking. Does this prison disagree with you?

Barid shrugged.

It wasn’t possible for Calix to release Barid as a prisoner, but he could make being a prisoner a little more interesting. Calix spoke in his communicator, Admiral Strilic I would like permission to bring Barid Ray to the surface with me.

Immediately Admiral Strilic responded, Granted.

Barid stopped walking. That’s it? I only had to ask?

You’ve already passed Commander Velur’s classes for going to the surface. I know because you were the teacher’s assistant for several years. Go change into clothes approved for the Vastus surface.

Barid sprinted away, as if afraid that Calix would change his mind, or something would happen to prevent the trip from happening.

Calix waited for Barid at a table near the food modifier. Dragon warriors could eat however much they wanted, but food from the modifier was nasty. Knowing he would be on the surface soon, Calix waited to eat. Perhaps it was dinner hour and Janae would be available. Barid might have to tag along, but that was better than not seeing Janae at all. Calix was about to look up the time at Bern City when a dragon caught his attention.

Pyralis crawled around restlessly, her emerald scales reflecting light from Vastus Station. She flicked her orange tail, making guards cautiously step back. The dragon was always anxious to return to the surface when she and Calix arrived on Vastus Station. How much longer will we be here?

We’re leaving soon.

I would stay on Vastus, but you can’t talk to me when I’m flying around Vastus and you’re on Vastus Station. Davu and Bijan are hardly ever here.

Dragons were emotionally and physically unstable without a telepathic connection to a telepath. Distance affected telepathic connections. Pyralis was correct that Davu and Bijan, Elaina and Ranvir’s dragon companions, spent little time on Vastus Station. Elaina and Ranvir were both such powerful telepaths, they didn’t need to be near their dragons to maintain their telepathic connections with their companions. You wanted to be my companion. You knew I might not be a strong telepath.

Perhaps I was rash. We both know you don’t want to be a telepath. Pyralis crawled into the SRET room in a huff.

Calix grunted. Telepathy was a constant source of tension between him and Pyralis. Afraid of hurting shapeshifters who were sensitive to telepathy, Calix didn’t want to be a strong telepath, but a strong telepath would be a better companion for Pyralis.

Barid hopped out of the material modifier room in rose-pink pants and an orange shirt. He threw on a lime-green jacket with yellow daisies embroidered on the chest. His eyes were wide, his hands shaking as he stumbled toward Calix, I’m ready!

You look like a Vastus unicorn, Calix replied as he calmly turned toward Pyralis.

Thanks.

Let’s go, Barid.

Barid followed Calix closely enough, if Calix turned around, he would whack him. Was he afraid of getting left behind, or terrified of riding on a dragon? With a shrug, Calix climbed on Pyralis’s back, settling down on a spot where the horns has been carved until they were smooth. Pulling his brown leather gloves on, he reached down to help Barid up. Barid grasped Calix’s wrist then scrambled behind him, eyeing Pyralis’s array of hazardous horns.

Calix stiffened as he felt Barid’s hand on his wrist. Though Calix knew he wasn’t a sufficiently powerful telepath to hurt anyone, he was always afraid of becoming strong enough, and he was always afraid of accidentally hurting someone. Would Elaina tell him if Calix grew strong enough as a telepath to hurt someone? Fortunately, Barid was fine, and was busily searching for something to hold onto.

The sudden shift from Vastus Station to soaring above the scattered clouds above Bern City was a shock for most people. Barid screamed; a long, musical shriek that dissipated as they neared Bern City. Anyone from Hidden City that was not a Vastus resident had to travel via dragon to Vastus. It wasn’t the first time a blood curdling scream echoed behind Calix.

The sun slowly crept above the mountains, informing Calix it was morning at Bern City. Janae worked mornings and certainly wouldn’t be available. On Vastus Station they usually followed Bern City time, but the prisoner exchange occurred when the ship arrived, not when it was convenient for dragon warriors.

Sunlight skipped along wooden shingles on rooftops and glinted off shop windows. Occasional horses clopped on the cobblestone streets. Dust swirled below Pyralis’s wings. Groups of chatting citizens wove around Pyralis, oblivious that researchers were watching them from a space station on the other side of the planet. All the buildings were raised, requiring two or three stairs to enter. Golden and crimson leaves on half-bare trees peeked over homes, shading citizens who were already chilly from the crisp, fall air.

Barid stumbled off Pyralis, staring in wonder at birds soaring away from dragons. His jaw hung open as he looked up at the clouds, reaching his hand above his head and trying to curl his fingers around the air. Shifting his feet on the cobblestones, he jumped then crouched down, touching the loose dirt. He reached his arms out, slowly turning around then stopped to gaze at the sky again. His breath was choppy at first, but was calming, despite his wide eyes.

Whenever he arrived from Vastus Station, Calix enjoyed some real food. The door to the bakery was propped open, releasing a tempting aroma that tickled Barid and Calix’s small noses. Almost involuntarily, Calix’s legs followed the scent. Barid followed Calix in.

The baker greeted them with a smile, Hello Dragon Warrior Calix.

Hey, Tami. This is Barid Ray, from Hidden City. Calix waved his hand in Barid’s direction.

Aren’t you young for a Hidden City visitor? Either that or you’re short for a unicorn. Tami’s voice was always an odd mixture of patronizing kindness. She wriggled her bulbous nose, glaring with her beady brown eyes.

Barid nodded.

Calix spoke for him, Barid is young. Though Barid was listed as eighteen, shapeshifters grew until they were about twenty-five. As a shapeshifter, Barid was still considered a child.

Tami lifted her chin, Would you like a tart, Barid?

Without speaking, Barid studied the bakery. Calix grabbed a handful of vorlin rolls then gave one to Barid while Barid’s other hand hesitantly closed around the blueberry tart Tami offered. Calix handed Tami a few coins then stepped outside, Barid tagging along.

The vorlin roll was meant to be eaten in four or five bites, but Calix stretched his cheek and tongue, stuffing the entire roll in his mouth. Next to him Barid savored tiny bites.

While Calix was trying to decide where to take Barid, he heard Elaina telepathically inform him that he was needed in Clarus. Calix swallowed another vorlin roll. I’m afraid I have some bad news, Barid.

Barid stopped chewing.

I’m needed at Clarus.

Barid licked blueberry jelly off his lips. Does that mean I have to return to Hidden City?

Well . . . I don’t think anyone will care if you take the day off. Calix peered at the streets, wishing he could contact Elaina using the communicator on his wrist, but the crowds were everywhere.

Pyralis’s voice entered Calix’s mind, What’s the problem Calix? You’re tense.

Calix scratched the back of his neck. Well . . . I need to ask Elaina if Barid can stay at Bern City while I go to Clarus, but I can’t use my communicator right now.

You don’t want to contact her telepathically, even though you are willing to speak with me telepathically?

Barid is here. What if I contact her the wrong way?

Annoyed, Pyralis telepathically contacted Elaina, summing up Calix’s message. Calix relayed Elaina’s response to Barid, Elaina said to stop by the dragon house for lunch. She’s going to be in Clarus, but Ranvir will be there. She also doesn’t think you need an escort and would like to encourage you to explore Bern City. Stay away from areas you know are not as safe. You’ve spent enough time in the observatory to know where they are. Calix pulled a coin out of his pouch. Enjoy your day off. Make sure you follow the rules.

Barid stared at the coin. Thanks!

You’re welcome. Calix and Pyralis quickly left.

Rules about using the transporter were strict, even for dragon warriors. They needed to make sure citizens couldn’t find obvious time discrepancies. Dragon warriors were only allowed to use the SRET for transporting on Vastus if necessary. They were free to use it to get to and from Hidden City if they followed rules for transporting.

Pyralis and Calix flew over the forest canopy, covered with bright, blue leaves that mixed with brilliant autumn colors. They landed on the sandy beach at Clarus, near the dock. A breeze from Pyralis’ gleaming wings smoothed over footprints in the sand. Pyralis flew off for a swim in the ocean, near a docked wooden ship.

Ula, a powerful woodworker and sailor, hoisted a log through the over-sized woodshop doorway. Barrels of fresh fish rolled down the dock to a gray-blue restaurant that sold hearty plates of tender fish and bags of freshly salted sea creatures. A sturdy fisherman hefted an enormous barrel through the kitchen doorway of the restaurant. It was tempting to stop by and have a fried fish snack, but urgent matters must be addressed first. Elaina only called Calix to Clarus for emergencies. She knew Calix wasn’t comfortable around unicorns. Calix only offered to bring Barid to Bern City because Barid had no friends other than dragon warriors and Calix felt sorry for him.

When Calix wasn’t working at Hidden City, he usually helped Doctor Noland heal patients for an hour or two a day. Normally Calix stayed close to Bern City, but when someone contacted him from Clarus or Frialdt, Pyralis was always ready to fly Calix there.

Early that morning Dhavala was galloping through the forest in her unicorn form. She leapt from a small cliff near the edge of the city, tripped and fell in a heap. A crowd hovered over her at the cliff’s base. Her orange eyes darted to wide fiveral leaves that crept up an aerial root supporting an old, gray fiveral branch. Cool morning air kept Dhavala alert, despite the lack of feeling in her body below her back. She was still in her unicorn form, her trembling body drenched in flickering shadows from the leaves above her.

When a unicorn had a bone injury, they were supposed to remain in their current form to prevent the injury from becoming worse. The same unicorn spinal cord would become a human spinal cord after the unicorn transformed, but a broken bone would still be broken. Transformation could easily aggravate the injury.

Elaina and her twins meandered around a rustic oak tree. When Elaina and Ranvir were joined, it was the largest wedding Calix had seen, and that didn’t include a crowd watching from Vastus Station. A year later, Tayal and Conan were born. Elaina’s schedule was already chaotic. Calix didn’t know how she managed her twins. Elaina trained warriors in the afternoon twice a week. As the healing director, she flew to Clarus to heal and train unicorns twice a week. She also healed Bern City residents at Doctor Noland’s house when she could. During emergencies Elaina found the time to help Calix with patients who had medical conditions that were complicated to heal.

When Elaina and Ranvir were both working, they usually left their twins with Hazel. Calix was concerned about what mischief the twins would find while Elaina helped heal.

Calix searched the forest. Who’s watching the twins?

Elaina’s musical voice emanated calm confidence as she replied, Hazel is visiting Protector Swithin today. She’s on her way to retrieve the twins.

It was common knowledge that Hazel and Swithin were engaged. They had been dating for years. Since Hazel hadn’t yet arrived, healing Dhavala must wait.

Conan jumped up and down yelling, Mom! Mom! Mom! I want to be a unicorn. Can you show me?

Elaina’s olive-green eyes studied the unicorn on the ground. She knelt next to Dhavala and gently moved her hand along her back, Only a few more minutes, Dhavala.

Conan was not going to be ignored. He pulled at a complicated shapeshifter weave in Elaina’s black hair.

Elaina gently pried Conan’s hand out of her hair. Not now, Conan. You’re too young.

Aw, but I want to run fast!

Transformation is part of dragon warrior training. You’re still too young. While talking to Conan, Elaina studied Dhavala. Multitasking was one of Elaina’s many strengths that baffled Calix’s mind. During training a few years ago he caught her telepathically giving him orders to heal someone at the hospital while she was talking a dragon warrior through a training exercising, weaving her hair, and extending her arm to catch Tayal who almost got hit on the head from running between two other dueling dragon warriors. It wasn’t until he heard a clang against a shield that Calix realized she also blocked a sword from hitting Conan in the legs. The twins weren’t supposed to be on the training field that day.

Hazel arrived, her curly, golden hair bouncing around her rosy cheeks. She grabbed each twin by the hand, as though she fully expected to watch them that day. Elaina probably telepathically passed along information about Dhavala to Hazel, the same way she passed information to Calix.

Though shapeshifters were sensitive to telepathy, humans could hear telepaths speak with them. Elaina had never hurt a shapeshifter through telepathy. It still made Calix nervous that she was using telepathy in Clarus. How was it possible for Elaina to keep straight when she was using telepathy and when she was speaking vocally?

Hazel’s cheerful voice drew Calix from his thoughts, They will be at Clarus Seafoods when you’re done Elaina.

Thank you, Hazel. I’ll pick them up as soon as I can.

As Tayal bounded behind Hazel, she noticed a delicate bird with blue feathers billowing behind it. Tayal reached upward to grab the bird, but it flew away. Undeterred, Tayal sprinted after the bird, her eyes shining, her stubby, nut-brown hair catching dry branches from a dead tree. Hazel chased after her.

A mischievous grin grew on Conan’s face. Was he about to take advantage of an unsupervised second? Fortunately, Hazel caught Tayal and was already on her way to Conan.

Looking down at her hand, Tayal protested, Wait! Wait! I see something. Tayal waved her hand around, stopping when a rainbow rested in her palm. She giddily jumped up and down. See, Aunt Hazel! See! It’s a rainbow! Where did it come from?

A hand mirror, trimmed with gemstones, poked out of a pink leather pack, resting against a rock. Hazel pointed it out. It’s coming from the mirror.

Tayal skipped toward it. Hazel caught her hand and dragged her away. It’s not your mirror, Tayal.

Calix chuckled over the dragon twins. As his attention turned to his patient nestled among crisp leaves, his smile turned into a concerned frown.

Elaina softly spoke, Are you ready, Calix?

Yes. The word came out of Calix’s mouth, but he wasn’t ready. Healing such a severe injury was easier and faster when combining healing abilities through telepathy. Some argued that it was safer. Calix wasn’t convinced. Telepathic abilities were heightened with physical contact, and telepathy could kill a unicorn.

Since the day he gained telepathic abilities, Calix was horrified by the possibility of accidentally hurting someone. It was an enormous weight that constantly held him down and was a difficult dilemma for a healer to experience. He wanted to treat patients but when he could, Calix avoided healing shapeshifters.

Once again, Elaina assured Calix that he wasn’t a sufficiently powerful telepath to kill a unicorn. Yet his hands still shook when they came close to Dhavala. Calix wished he could use gloves, the way he used gloves to help Barid mount Pyralis.

Elaina placed her hands over Calix’s. Her healing power flowed through his fingertips, lending him incredible strength. Despite his years of working with Elaina, he still struggled for breath when her healing power connected to his.

Dhavala’s bone was soon firm again. A cry of pain provided evidence that feeling crept back into Dhavala’s limbs as Calix and Elaina repaired her damaged lumbar region. She must be careful with her back for a few weeks while the bone grew stronger, but Dhavala would be fine . . . Assuming Calix didn’t accidentally hurt her.

Calix jerked his hand away, exhaling with relief. He shoved his leather gloves on, keenly aware of the pity written all over Elaina’s face. When he begged to become a dragon warrior, Calix knew he would become telepathic. Though he didn’t want to be a unicorn again, fear of harming someone soon overshadowed his excitement over having a baby dragon and training as a warrior. Calix enjoyed Bern City, specifically because it was full of humans who weren’t sensitive to telepathy like unicorns, and they weren’t telepaths.

Elaina watched Dhavala resume her humanoid form and walk away, Good work, Calix. I’m going to retrieve my troublemakers.

Calix caught up to Elaina. Before they eat all the fried fish or cause mischief?

It’s probably too late for me to prevent that. Last time they were at Clarus Seafoods they started cutting a hole in the floor for an entrance to a secret cave. Fortunately, they only had a kitchen knife and couldn’t do a lot of harm.

Calix laughed heartily. Is Kiku still working for Governor Dalton?

Kiku was Ranvir’s youngest sister and Governor Dalton’s assistant. After years of studying as an attorney, most city officials were fine with her coming in Governor Dalton’s place. When Kiku wasn’t acting as Governor Dalton’s assistant, she was working for the governor’s office as an attorney.

Elaina tossed her black hair behind her shoulder. Yes. Kiku is a good politician. Dalton wanted to make Kiku a permanent resident of Frialdt, but Jason wants to work for his dad. That’s why they’re living in Bern City. It’s hard to believe that Kiku and Jason have already been married for a year!

Is Jason a doctor yet?

At his current rate, he will be in couple of years.

Kiku doesn’t mind flying back and forth on a dragon?

Jason is more nervous about Kiku flying on a dragon than she is.

You’re not nervous about her flying on a dragon? How does she stay on?

A corner of Elaina’s lips twitched. I’m not nervous about Kiku riding dragons.

Aren’t Davu and Bijan busy? How do they find the time to bring Kiku back and forth?

Elaina flinched. Didn’t you know? Kiku is willing to fly on any dragon available, but Pyralis is her favorite. Pyralis loves Clarus, the ocean and exploring the mountains in Frialdt while waiting for Kiku. When possible, I assign Pyralis to fly Kiku where she needs to be.

Calix cast a sideways glance at Elaina. Why is Pyralis Kiku’s favorite dragon? It’s not like they can talk. Only telepaths can speak with dragons.

You know that dragons can communicate with humans if the human phrases a question the right way.

Dragons could communicate by nodding or shaking their head. Some humans asked yes or no questions when they were trying to communicate with a dragon. Guards at the jail had to ask the dragons questions sometimes when a warrior wasn’t around. It was difficult to communicate that way, but it was sometimes necessary. Most people opted to avoid talking to dragons when they could.

Calix jerked his head upward. Pyralis wasn’t there. Elaina glanced at the ocean. Pyralis is still flying over the ocean with Davu.

Oh. Calix shrugged off the nagging thought that he should have known Pyralis often flew Kiku to Frialdt and Clarus.

Calix and Elaina trudged past brightly colored houses and crowds of unicorns wearing an array of brightly decorated clothes. The restaurant walls were a mellow blue, in contrast to colorful unicorn homes. Most of the shops and restaurants were in a central shopping area. Unicorns with gleaming, white hair bustled along the roads and out of shops. A flowing line snaked around the corner to the market connected to Clarus Seafood where Faina sold fresh fish. Calix opened one of the few brown doors in Clarus, the door to Clarus Seafood.

Finding Tayal and Conan was always an easy task when they were around. They were never far apart and constantly moved. They were sure to cross in front of Calix’s view before long. Clarus Seafood was full of square tables, painted chairs, and tall stools at a high counter. It was too early for lunch and too late for breakfast. Despite the crowded fish market on the other side of the building, the twins were the only customers in the restaurant.

In the center of the dining room a stool stood atop a table. On top of the stool was an upside-down table. Tayal and Conan were balancing on the top table, walking slowly in opposite directions, their feet in sync. The stool wobbled on top of the base table as Tayal and Conan grabbed the table’s legs. With a cheer, they started climbing the legs.

Hazel and Faina chatted on their way into the dining room from the kitchen. Hazel started calling to them, Con . . .

Elaina ran forward. Don’t . . .

They were too late. Clattering crashes echoed through the restaurant. Tayal floated down from the tables on her own, little elf shield. Conan grabbed onto the table leg as it slid across the floor, into another table that flipped over and landed on top of Conan. Elaina ran to him. Are you alright, Conan? Is anything broken? She ran her fingers through his brown hair and checked Conan’s bright, green eyes.

Ow.

Where? Elaina picked him up, examining his arms and legs.

I don’t know. Conan wiggled away. Again!

Calix laughed heartily.

Elaina’s jaw dropped. No! You don’t get to try again. Sit down while I figure out how much money I owe Faina.

Faina giggled. It was a relief to see her brown hair, a reminder that she was human. Faina studied the tables and the stool. Nothing’s broken. Don’t worry about it. We were only in the kitchen for less than five minutes, I promise. Hazel was showing me how to make a lemon dill sauce for the fish.

Elaina sighed. The twins collaborate telepathically and don’t waste any time once you leave the room.

Knowing the twins communicated telepathically when they were around unicorns made Calix question the wisdom of letting the twins come to Clarus at all.

Elaina grabbed each twin by the hand and set them on either side of her at a table. Calix plopped down across from them.

Hazel meandered around the tables and chairs toward the door, I’m off.

Elaina adjusted her chair, When do you want us to pick you up, Hazel?

Hazel stopped in the doorway, I need to leave tonight after dinner if you want me to watch the twins tomorrow morning. I’m watching them for a couple of hours tonight as well, right?

Yes, thank you. Bijan and Ranvir will come get you and the twins in a few hours.

Okay. Bye, Elaina.

Thank you, Hazel.

Hazel closed the door behind her.

Mom, Conan whined. Take the shield away. I need to wiggle my toes.

Calix tapped his foot on Elaina’s shield underneath the table. Clever. You’re keeping them in their seats with a shield.

Elaina clasped her hands in front of her on the table. My shield isn’t keeping you from wiggling your toes, Conan. You and Tayal are in trouble. I told you not to build forts or do anything to the chairs except sit in them. You have to stop breaking things!

Conan tried to jerk his foot away but ended up pushing the table. Tayal slapped her hands on the table. But, Mom, we didn’t play with the chairs, only the stools and tables.

Elaina brought her hand to her forehead, Add the stools and tables to my restriction.

Tayal blinked her green eyes. You want us to sit on the table?

No. Elaina pursed her lips. I don’t want you to sit on the table. Use it as a place to put food.

But you said to not do anything but sit on it.

Elaina released an exasperated sigh. That’s not what I meant.

Faina’s hands shook as she laughed, nearly dropping the plates. She set an elegant platter of fried fish and salad in front of Calix. He ate hungrily, barely tasting his food to appease the pain in his stomach. Healing always made him hungry, and he was ready to eat before healing Dhavala.

It was fortunate that Calix ate quickly. Before he could finish, Elaina had another assignment for him. "Calix,