Second Don: Ardulum, Book 2 Page 21

  We left a ladder for you, a different male voice said. It is hidden behind a buttress of an andal on the lane paved with bark.

  Emn slowly turned around. Behind her, and several rows of homes back, she could see a lane ending at a T-junction, the curls of the andal bark road dark against the pale sky. Emn send an affirmation and moved as quickly as she dared. She found the rope ladder under a pile of last year’s leaves, one end already firmly embedded in the ground, tied to some andal roots. Giving a tug to ensure it was still sturdy, Emn tossed the end over the ledge and began her descent, hoping the ladder would still be at her disposal in a few hours.

  It took about five minutes or so for Emn to follow the game trail to a gazebo tucked into an andal grove. As Emn came towards the structure, the flares stepped out, forming a loose semicircle around her. Arik—whom she quickly identified as the one she first spoke to—was smiling, as was the one female; the other two seemed wary. Scattered around the gazebo were little round tins. Some were open, and in them Emn saw powders of different shades. On the bench nearest the female, a stack of rolled biofilms was balanced precariously close to the edge. There were clothes too, stacked in a thick pile. Some had powdery fingerprints on them, and as Emn observed them, she realized all the flares had some level of the powder on themselves as well.

  Emn offered her hand, palm up, and smiled back. “Hello,” she said, unsure how low she needed to keep her voice, whether they were hiding or in the middle of some strange ritual. “I’m Emn. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Arik offered his own hand, palm up. When Emn eyed the powder on his palm, he laughed and wiped it on his pants. The fishers that picked us up told us we should come here. We found these baskets of makeup, clothes, and instructions on how to blend in until we make it to the capital, where we are apparently supposed to go to meet up with some sort of flare underground.

  Emn brought her hand back down and confusedly eyed the tin nearest to her.

  Sorry, first things first. Let me introduce you. Arik nodded to each flare in turn, and they gave Emn a nod when their name was called. As they introduced themselves, Emn studied their markings. They all had the same facial markings, the same upside-down triangles under their eyes that, Emn assumed, indicated the microkinesis Talent. Everything else was different, save for the standard Talent markings. Tik and Kisak had hair so black it reflected an almost bluish tint in the steaming sunlight. Arik’s and Ukie’s hair was closer to hers, with more reddish highlights. All had their hair pulled back in some way. Suddenly self-conscious, Emn pulled her hair back into a tail and tied it.

  She’s young like you, Arik, Kisak sent, zir tone tinged with humor.

  I’m very early into my second don, Emn returned, sending more confidence than she felt.

  When did it happen? Ukie asked suddenly, cutting in. Emn relaxed as she recognized the voice. There was so much friendliness embedded in it that a smile tugged at the corners of Emn’s mouth.

  You have no Eld, so you would have had no ceremony. How did you get the markings? Ukie prodded.

  Emn briefly tried to imagine what a metamorphosis ceremony on Ardulum would look like. They’d have wood, certainly. Maybe it would be over a fire? Burning wood seemed pretty ceremonial. Maybe there were costumes, too, and dancing, like she’d seen in the villages.

  She felt a gentle nudge from one of the other flares and quickly cleared her mind, setting up a vision from her own memories. I had some before my second don, she said and pointed to the triangles under her eyes. These came first. Then I took too much energy from a Risalian cutter and it launched me into metamorphosis. When I came out, I looked like this. I don’t know what happened.

  Tik took a step forward, but then hesitated. I don’t mean to be rude, but would you mind if I looked a little closer?

  Emn shook her head as the flutters in her stomach turned to leaps. Would they connect, like she and Atalant had, at first touch? What did a solid connection to another Ardulan feel like?

  Tik came close, taking her chin between his thumb and finger and gently turning her head left and right. His fingers were cool and slightly damp, but other than the sensations on her skin, there was no additional connection save his subtle presence in her mind. That was disappointing, although since she wasn’t sure what was normal for an Ardulan telepathic connection, she held out hope that one of the others might form a stronger bond.

  Emn was the taller of the two by several centimeters and had to suppress a smile when Tik turned her head upward, inspecting her neck. She wasn’t quite sure why it was funny, and Tik didn’t seem amused at all, which only made it worse.

  Different methodology, same result, Tik said as he released Emn and rejoined the others. Interesting, isn’t it, that one can achieve Talents without the Eld?

  The flares began to discuss, but the words flowed out of Emn’s mind as soon as they formed. She chased them, trying to make sense of the jumble, but finally conceded that she was likely not meant to be part of the conversation.

  After several minutes, the words became clear again and came from Tik, whose tone was still hesitant. We’re very curious about your metamorphosis. Would you please provide some details?

  Emn gathered memories together—memories of Captain Ran, the Markin, and the cage in which she and her mother had lived. Finally, she showed the string of events leading to her emergence, including her harvesting masses of cellulose aboard the Risalian cutter and the backlash. The Risalians, she said after the images finished, pausing. The Ardulans the Risalians had were their laboratory toys. We were slaves, kept in isolation until we were fully weaponized. We had been altered. Tinkered with. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at Arik. I was their prize. My genetic code was the product of decades of selective breeding and laboratory manipulation. That could be why we’re different.

  There was an abrupt shift in the flares. The remaining cautiousness in their minds melted and their bodies lost their rigidness. Images spun—Arik on a medical table, Ukie being beaten by a guard, and Tik receiving undesired attention from his assigned lab tech. They were experiments, just like her—but she had had some worth, if only as a weapon.

  Arik’s smile turned from courteous to genuine. He extended a hand out to Emn and gestured towards the gazebo. We have a lot in common, cousin. Come sit with us? I think there is plenty to discuss.

  THE SUN WAS directly overhead when Emn thought to check it again. She caught her breath from a fit of laughter. She and Ukie were enjoying a fourth round of Tik’s impersonations of the female eld when she saw the light drip through the round opening in the gazebo top.

  No, really! Tik insisted. Asth moves just like that! He wiggled his fingers in front of their faces and opened his eyes widely. Come here, little second don. Let me smear viscous, synthetic goo all over you with my icy hands of death.

  Ukie laughed louder as she nudged Emn. Seriously, you would not believe the stuff they use to initiate the metamorphosis! Our species stopped producing empathic convection mucus centuries ago when our telepathy became sufficiently powerful without it, so we have this synthetic counterpart that allows the Eld’s powers to transfer to us and begin the process. My uncle works at the plant that manufactures it. You do not want to know how it is made!

  Emn wrapped her arms around her midsection and broke into another fit of laughter, even as the weight of Ukie’s words settled in. She needed to remember the bit about the mucus. Atalant would want to know.

  You all right, Emn? Ukie asked. You got really serious all of a sudden.

  Emn brought back a smile. That does sound pretty gross. It seems strange that Ardulans would evolve away from something so pivotal to their life cycle. She caught her breath and leaned back on the wooden bench, letting the light breeze tickle her face. It was so calm here, in the clearing. When was the last time she had been this relaxed? Had she ever been? Emn looked to Ukie, who smiled and put an arm around her shoulder.

  You okay, Emn? It’s a lot, I know.

 
Emn nodded and rested against Ukie. It was a lot to take in yesterday and this morning. Now it seems… Well, it is still a lot, but it’s nice to have friends to face it with.

  Tik nodded and squeezed Emn’s shoulder affectionately. Being with flares is like being with family.

  Family. A question tugged at Emn’s mind. Ukie, do you have a… Emn stumbled over the word. A sibling?

  The mood of the flares dropped. Ukie’s face turned ashen, and she brought her arm back in. My sister, Kallik, was also a flare. She didn’t make the escape.

  Emn grabbed Ukie’s hand and squeezed. I’m so sorry, Ukie. I… I wasn’t sure. I meant, well, we’re staying at an inn. A gatoi first don said zir sisters went flare. They were named Ukie and Kallik.

  Kallum!? Ukie sat up straight. Her grip on Emn’s hand tightened painfully. You saw Kallum? Andal help me, zie has to be about ready for zir Talent Day! How is zie, Emn? And my parents? Could I— Emn felt a mental prod. Could I see your memories? I want to see Kallum for myself, but only if it is all right.

  Emn nodded and relaxed her mind. Ukie’s presence was warm as it carefully slid into Emn’s own. Emn played the breakfast conversation in her head and felt Ukie’s delight at seeing Kallum. Ukie catalogued every facial expression and movement, filing them into her memory.

  When the scene finished playing out, Ukie retracted. A lingering warmth remained in Emn’s mind.

  Thank you for this gift, Emn. I’m glad you’re here. We all are.

  Tik nodded and squeezed Emn’s shoulder. You remind me of my little sister. She’s tall, like you, with those same round eyes. I wish I could have seen her one last time, before I was locked away. It would have been nice to say goodbye.

  Arik gave Tik a one-armed hug. You’ll see her soon, Tik. I promise. I can feel my andal saplings calling me home. We just have to fix some things first. He turned to Emn, and his smile faded. As much as I hate to do this, we should probably talk about some serious matters. Emn, he asked slowly. I wonder if we might ask a favor of you.

  Emn grinned and nudged Ukie with her shoulder. Want to have our next conversation out loud?

  You know how to heal well enough to do it right? Kisak asked gruffly.

  Emn nodded. Yes. I did it myself, intuitively, as a first don. I can heal all of you at the same time, too, unless you have objections.

  Arik’s eyebrows raised. How did you learn…never mind. Healing first—then questions. When you’re ready.

  Emn reached out to each mind, establishing a firm connection, before moving down into identical throats. She knew the damage too well now, but was pleased that there did not seem to be any difference between the placement of the ligaments within the flares and herself. Confident, she reached into her breakfast reserves, overlaid the image of her throat onto each, and pulled.

  No audible sound came at first, until she sat back and nodded. Then, a barrage of noises surfaced, from Ukie’s whooping excitement to Tik’s high tenor.

  “Outstanding!” Arik clapped his hands together.

  “That was amazing!” Ukie agreed, giving Emn a hug. “Thank you.”

  Emn smiled happily and dusted her hands on the front of her flight suit. “You’re welcome. It’s not too difficult to automate a push, once you get used to it. I can teach you all, if you’d like.”

  There was a long pause as Arik looked from Tik to Ukie and then to Kisak. Not wanting to intrude on a private conversation, Emn busied herself with the architecture of the gazebo’s top. The dark wood was intricately inlaid with weaving tendrils of bark. It seemed like a lot of work for a gazebo in the middle of a forest, and Emn wondered idly about its purpose. It wasn’t here for the flares…was it?

  “We’d like to talk to you about that,” Arik said finally, breaking the silence. “We’ve received no training, formal or otherwise. Flares on Ardulum are separated from the populace, deprived of wood, and used for experiments. We have no rights, and without andal, no way to learn our strengths.” He sighed and sat on the rough-hewn bench. “From your description of the Risalians, you have experienced the same.”

  Emn felt old emotions swirl dangerously close to the surface. She could still taste her anger for Ran right before she shot hir in the head—twenty years of isolation and the murder of her mother culminating in one moment.

  Emn didn’t realize she was broadcasting until Ukie took her hand and squeezed it. “Yes,” Emn muttered under her breath. “I have had a similar experience. I expected more from Ardulum, though. It is the reason I came.” She picked up a tin and emptied the black contents onto her lap. “Perhaps I misjudged? It does sound like someone is trying to help you. You’ve been rescued, of sorts, sheltered, and given a way to blend in.”

  Kisak huffed and shoved zir gnarled hands into zir pockets. “We’ve been given a way to hide,” zie said. “The films speak of an underground flare community. Flares that acquiesce to training, to rigid protocols, to limiting themselves to just one Talent. All so they can live within the population and not frighten anyone.”

  Emn blanched. Hiding. Always being afraid. She swirled the dark powder in her lap and experimentally rubbed some onto her arm. It was too dark for her skin tone, but it absorbed quickly, covering the markings there.

  “Emn?”

  Emn brought her head back up and faced Arik.

  “We have a plan to petition the Eld. We’re not going to hide anymore. We’re going to meet with the Eld face-to-face and force them to explain their actions. There have to be different approaches to dealing with flares other than this…” Arik pointed to the streak on Emn’s arm. “Other than pretending to be less than what we are for the rest of our lives. Pretending to be ‘normal,’ when we are so much more than that.”

  “I can’t do that.” Emn pushed the powder from her lap. It fell onto the tops of her feet, and she kicked at the fine particulate. “I lived most of my life in a cage. I won’t put myself back in one, even if it doesn’t have bars. This isn’t right. Do they really all think we are just…just defective?”

  Tik spat. “They say flares are unstable and too powerful. They say the flaring overpowers our circulatory system and our brain. We’re more powerful, you see, but apparently more emotional as well, or some stupid drivel like that.” He smacked a hand onto his chest. “I’d love to see some published data on that! How emotionally stable do they expect people to be when they are locked up in pens and fed meat? Why would we be happy being ripped from our families and treated as animals?”

  Arik tugged Tik down onto the bench next to him and soothed his back with a palm. Tik’s breathing slowed to a normal pace, but his face remained red. Emn watched him clench and unclench his fists and remembered her own anger at the Risalians, how good it had felt to exact even a small amount of retribution. Except here, the flares had a chance for real change.

  “You have to learn to control your thoughts,” Ukie said softly, nudging Emn. “We can all hear you when you wander like that.”

  “You could help us make this your home, too.” Arik brought his hands back to his lap. “That way none of us have to hide. Help us change the minds of the Eld. Help us reeducate the populace.” He tapped his temple. “We need you. Without your guidance, we’re no better than a bunch of first dons. You have training.”

  “It’s not training, it’s just…luck, really. I—”

  “You have experience, then,” Arik said, cutting her off. “We need it if we are going to be successful.”

  “You also have an easy way to the Eld,” Kisak added. “They’ve been watching you. You’re quite the novelty.”

  Emn paled, remembering the transparent films that had been placed on their clothes by the customs official, and that she was officially “Atalant” at the moment. Unless the Eld were using some other method to track her? “A novelty?”

  “Zie means they are going to want to see you, either by invitation or some other method. When you do get that audience, you’ll have their undivided attention.” Arik grinned. “It gives us an excel
lent opportunity to enter the palace and join you. A chance to get a full audience with the Eld without interruptions.”

  “That sounds promising, but I haven’t been contacted by the Eld. We just arrived yesterday, and the planet is supposed to move tomorrow. If they’re going to schedule some type of meeting, they’re running behind.”

  “The Eld work on their own schedule,” Kisak countered. Zie sat down on the floor of the gazebo, sending up a small cloud of dirt. “They’re also cautious. They like to know what they are doing before they do it.” Zie pointed in the direction from which Emn had come. “You need to head back to the capital and do something to force the issue. You need to get their attention.”

  Ukie pulled her hand from Emn’s and traced the line work on the top of one of Emn’s knuckles. Then, she placed her own hand next to it, touching their knuckles together. “We’re so similar, yet you say you’ve been ‘tinkered’ with. It’d be natural, wouldn’t it, to want to know more? Maybe get some testing to see how close you are to native Ardulans?”

  Emn nodded. “It’s been on my mind.”

  “There is a research hospital not far from the Eld Palace. It’s the only one in the capital, actually, so everyone living there will be familiar with it. The doctors report directly to the Eld on their findings. They don’t take walk-ins, but I’m sure if a flare on a tourist visa showed up, they’d find a way to fit you into their schedule.” Tik looked to Arik. “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s perfect, if you’re up for it, Emn. We can get a transport to the capital that arrives just when your tour group does. Unless the Eld contact you on your way back, once you disembark, head to the hospital and check in. Tell them your story. I’m sure half the hospital will be sending word to the Eld before you are even seated in an exam room.”

  “Then I…” She paused and considered. “I wait for the Eld to come while the doctors examine me? Why not just go to the palace and ask for an audience?”

  Kisak rolled zir eyes. “We’re playing a delicate game here, woman.”