| It was also about saving ity from being crushed by a villainous demon d Saint Dane, but that was a little much for Mark Dimond and Courtney Chetwynde to tackle right the bat. They figured becoming acolytes was way to ease into the whole universe-saving thing. The two s sat toher on a musty old couch in a sm York City apartment. They were t to learn the mysterious ways of the acolytes. Not exly dramatic surroundings, considering they were hearing words that would change their lives forever. You are the acolytes from Second Earth , said Tom Dorney, whose apartment it was. With Press gone, I'm no longer needed. It may be an easy job compared to what the Travelers do, but I think you'll agree it's an important one. We do. Absolutely. Yessir, Mark and Courtney assured him. Dorney turned to look out his window and frowned. He was an old guy with short-cropped gray hair and excellent posture. He was once a soldier. Old habits die hard. Is t something you're not telling us? Courtney asked. Dorney sighed and said, It's just a feeling. What? she demanded. I don't k, Dorney said, troubled. I didn't like what I heard about Veelox. Yeah, no kidding, Courtney said. What I mean to say is, be careful. Saint Dane has finy had a victory, and t's no telling what's next. From this point on, I can't that the old rules still apply. This was chilling s for Mark and Courtney on their first icial day as acolytes. Dorney's ominous warning was very much on their minds as they left his apartment and took the train back to Stony Brook, Connecticut. Just before the train pulled into Stony Brook Station, Mark announced, I want to go to the flume. Why? Courtney asked. We'll bring some of our clothes to t. But nobody told us they needed clothes, Courtney countered. I k. Just thinking ahead. That's just an excuse to go t, isn't it? Courtney asked. Mark didn't argue. I guess I just want to see it again. To prove it's real. I hear you, Courtney said. I do too. When they got the train, they both went and gatd up a bunch of clothes they thought a Traveler from some distant territory might need on a visit to Second Earth. That's what acolytes did. They supported the Travelers on their mission to protect Ha. Courtney picked out a bunch of simple, functional things like jeans, T-shirts, a sweater, socks, hiking boots, and underwear. She debated about bringing one of her bras, but figured that was overkill. Mark gatd up a bunch of clothes that were toty out of style. It wasn't like he had a choice. That's he had. He found sweatshirts with logos that meant nothing, no- jeans, and generic sneakers. Style was not something Mark concerned himself with. He hoped the Travelers felt the same way. Mark brought one item, but hoped he wouldn't need it. It was the sharp poker from his parents' fireplace. It was a woefully inadequate weapon to with an attacking quig-dog, but it was he could find. Shortly after, Mark and Courtney met at the iron gates in front of the empty Sherwood house. They silently walked around to the side and climbed the tree to over the high stone w that surrounded the spooky, abandoned estate. Once over, Mark held the fireplace poker out in front of him, ready to ward a rampaging quig. Mark's hand was shaking like warm Jell-O, so Courtney gently took the weapon from him. If either of them had a of fighting a charging quig, it would be Courtney. Luckily they didn't run into any of the yellow-eyed beasts. They made it through the big empty mansion, down into the basement, and into the root cellar that held the ly created flume. No . They emptied their backpacks and neatly folded the clothes in a pile. Courtney looked at some of the geek clothes Mark brought, and chuckled. Oh yeah, Bobby's gonna blend right in wearing a bright yellow sweatshirt with a red logo that says, 'Cool Dude!' Give me a break, Mark said defensively. It's my favorite sweatshirt. Courtney shook her head in disbelief. When they were finished, they both gazed into the dark tunnel to the territories. The flume. They stood toher, each with his/her own thoughts as to what the future might hold. I'm scared and excited at the same time, Mark said. Rey, Courtney added. I want to be part of this, but it's scary not king what to expect. Can you imagine being a Traveler? Mark asked while stepping into the mouth of the tunnel. Well, no, Courtney answered, to be honest. Well, I've thought about it a lot! Mark declared. It would be awesome, stepping into a flume and announcing the next place you'd like to go. It's pretty , Courtney agreed. Look at this thing! Mark said, scanning the flume. It's kinda like having a jet fighter. It is? Courtney asked with a chuckle. Yeah. You k what it's capable of, but have no idea what to do to make it go. It's not that hard, Courtney said. If you're a Traveler. Mark smiled, turned to face the dark tunnel, and shouted out, Eelong! He looked back to Courtney and said, Could you imagine if — Mark! Courtney shouted. Mark saw the terrified look on Courtney's face. She was looking past him, deeper into the flume. Mark spun quickly and saw something he thought was impossible. The flume was coming to . Mark jumped out of the tunnel and ran to Courtney. The two backed away toward the far w of the root cellar, hugging each other in fear. D-Did I do that? Mark asked. Or is somebody coming? Courtney added. The light appeared from the depths of the tunnel. The musical notes were faint at first but quickly grew louder. The rocky ws began to crackle and groan. They had seen this before, but when the flume was ivated by a Traveler. , ever had a flume been ivated by a non-Traveler — until . I-I don't rey want to go to Eelong, Mark cried. Courtney held him tighter, ready to hold him back if he got pulled in by the power of the flume. The gray ws of the tunnel melted into glorious crystal as the bright light and sound arrived at the mouth. Mark and Courtney didn't dare put their hands in front of their eyes because they were too busy hanging on to each other. But neither felt the tug of the flume, because someone was headed their way. Through the bright light they saw a t, dark silhouette appear and step out of the tunnel. Oddly, the sparkling light didn't go away. The jangle of music stayed too. This had happened before, at least not that Mark or Courtney k. But none of that mattered as much as the man who stood facing them. It was Saint Dane. He had arrived on Second Earth. The two had seen him before, but t was no mistaking the t demon with the long gray hair, piercing blue eyes, and dark clothes. And so it begins, Saint Dane cackled. The ws are beginning to crack. The power that once was, will no longer be. It is a whole game, with rules. Saint Dane roared out a laugh. With a sudden burst of light from deep inside the flume, his hair caught fire! His long gray mane exploded in flames, burning right down to his skull. Mark and Courtney watched in horror as the flames reflected in his demonic eyes. Saint Dane laughed the whole while, as if enjoying it. Mark and Courtney didn't move, except to tremble. The fire burned away of Saint Dane's hair, leaving him completely bald, with angry red streaks that looked like inflamed veins running from the back of his head to his forehead. His eyes had changed too. The steely blue color had gone nearly white. He fixed those intense eyes on the two acolytes and smiled. He tossed a dirty, cloth bag at their feet. A present for Pendragon, Saint Dane hissed. Be sure he s it, 't you? Saint Dane took a step back into the light of the flume. What was meant to be, is no longer, he announced. With that, he began to transform. His body turned liquid as he leaned over to put his hands on the ground. At the same time his body mutated into that of a huge, jungle cat. It was the size of a lion. His coat was brown, but speckled with black spots. The big cat snarled at Mark and Courtney, and leaped into the flume. An later the light swept him up and disappeared into the depths. The music faded, the crystal ws returned to stone, and the light shrank to a pin spot. But it didn't disappear entirely. Before Mark and Courtney could their heads back toher, the light began to grow again. The music became louder and the gray rock ws transformed back into crystal. My brain is exploding, Mark uttered. A second later the bright light flashed at the mouth of the tunnel to deposit another passenger before returning to its normal, state. Bobby! Mark and Courtney shouted. They ran to him and threw their arms around him in fear and relief. What happened? Bobby demanded, business. Mark and Courtney were both supercharged with adrenaline. It was Saint Dane! Courtney shouted. His hair burned! It was horrible! He said the rules have ch-changed, Bobby, Mark stuttered. What did he m-mean? Bobby took a step back from them. Mark and Courtney sensed his tension. What did you do? Bobby demanded. It sounded like he was scolding them. Do? Courtney said. We didn't do anything! Mark and Courtney focused on Bobby. He was wearing rags. His feet were bare, his hair was a mess, and he had a coating of dirt over his body. He didn't smell so hot either. What happened to you? Mark asked. It doesn't matter, Bobby shot back. He was just as charged up as they were. Did you ivate the flume? Mark and Courtney looked to each other. Mark said, Uh, I g-guess so. I said 'Eelong' — No! Bobby said in anguish. What's the matter? Courtney asked. We're not Travelers. We can't control the flume. Things have changed, Bobby shouted. Saint Dane's power is growing. He's got his first territory. It's about changing the nature of things. So…that means we can use the flumes? Courtney asked. Don't! Bobby demanded. It'll just make things worse. Mark remembered something. He ran back to the door of the root cellar and picked up the bag Saint Dane had thrown at them. He said this was , Mark said, handing the bag to Bobby. Bobby took it like it was the last thing in the world he wanted. He turned the rotten bag upside down, and something fell onto the floor. Courtney screamed. Mark took a step back in shock. Bobby stood firm, staring at the floor, his jaw muscles clenching. Lying at his feet was a hand. It was large and dark skinned. As gruesome as this was, t was something else about it that made it nearly unbearable to look at. On one finger, was a Traveler ring. Gunny, Bobby whispered. It was the severed hand of the Traveler from First Earth, Vincent Gunny VanDyke. Bobby took a brave breath, picked up the hand, and jammed it into the bag. Bobby, what's happening? Courtney asked. You'll k when I send my journal, he said. He turned back and ran into the mouth of the flume, clutching the bag with Gunny's hand in it. Eelong! he ced out. The flume sprang back to . Is Gunny right? Mark asked, nearly in tears. He's alive, Bobby said. But I don't k for how long. Tell us what to do! Courtney pleaded. Nothing, Bobby answered. Wait for my journal. And whatever you do, do not ivate the flume. That's exly what Saint Dane wants. It's not the way things were meant to be. With a final flash of light and jumble of notes, Bobby was swept into the flume, leaving his two s alone to begin their careers as acolytes. It wasn't a very good beginning. Kasha smelled it before she saw it. A tang. Kasha's ears flattened against head, and her mouth curled back in a silent snarl. She hated tangs. She had good reason: The vicious lizardlike creatures had killed her mother several years ago. Tangs threatened Kasha and the other klees' lives whe they left the city of Leeandra or ventured the sky bridges and took to the jungle floor. Tangs were the reason klees built their cities on bridges and platforms in the enormous trees, high above the ground. She and her forage group risked a run-in with tangs every time they worked. Like . t was one nearby. She dropped down to fours and held still, her whiskers twitching. Although she usuy stood on her hind legs, Kasha preferred hunkering down low to the ground to assess a situation. And she moved much er using four paws. Tangs were t, at least seven feet — but the fruit stalks were ter. Kasha could see was the occasional flash of its bright green scaly tail tping the ground. The tang was holding still too. Kasha hoped that was because the tang hadn't detected her presence. The green stalks didn't camouflage her blue-black fur and dark tunic very well. But the whiff she'd gotten was the usual unpleasant tang stink, not the stench the two-legged monstrosities emitted when going after prey. Kasha intended to keep it that way. Kasha swiftly slunk through the towering stalks, taking care not to disturb them. Any rustling or movement would be certain to attr the tang's attention. She needed to back to Boon and Durgen and warn them. T were two forage groups out , and the carts were positioned at opposite ends of the harvest area. Pale, furless gars were picking fruit between the two carts and radiating out from them. Gars were stationed with the carts as well, to receive the bags of fruit — and as first fodder for tangs if an attack took place. Kasha had ered to the northern plants to see if it would be worth including them in 's forage. The weather had been difficult this growing season, and the fields were ripening at different . She'd refused to bring any gars with her for this part of the forage — they were too clumsy and dim-witted, and she feared they'd attr tangs with their noisy movements. Durgen had protested and suggested they wait until the next flyover to make the determination about harvesting from the air, but Kasha had insisted. The last two forages had been disappointing. She felt it was her responsibility as a forager to ensure an adequate food supply. The entire population of Leeandra depended on the foragers. she wished she hadn't refused the escort. How many tangs were t? Was this one monstrous creature out on its own, or was it an advance scout searching for food? Food like gars and klees. She reached the outskirts of the picking area, and as far as she could tell, the tang hadn't followed her. She might be able to the gars to pack up their sacks and move on without having to face an attack. Like the tangs, gars were two-legged creatures, but they were much smer, much weaker. Gars were also smer and less powerful than the klees; Kasha wasn't sure if that was due to their living conditions or was just the way of their species. It didn't matter rey. Gars were what they were. None of the gars glanced her way as they kept their heads down and their feeble minds on their work. That was good — she didn't want to start a panic. She wanted to as much of the fruit packed as she could. Should they bring the cart closer to the gars, or the gars moving er toward the cart? In either case, she had to alert the other klees. If t was one tang, t might be more. Kasha picked up her pace but resisted the urge to break into a full-out run. Her paws padded over the rough ground as she made swift and steady progress toward the cart. She'd reached a cleared area. A stream of gars was bringing bulging sacks and loading them into the cart. Kasha's , Boon, sat in the driver's seat, keeping watch. Durgen, the forage group leader, was supervising the gars. The rest of the klees had gone into the fields with the gars to oversee the work. Kasha's fur bristled. She heard a rustling behind her. Her nose twitched, picking up the tang's scent. It was approaching. Time to run. Her paws hit the ground hard, and she k she was making more sound than she should, but she had to to the cart before the tang noticed it. She raced to the cart — and didn't have to say a word. Which direction? Durgen asked the moment he saw her. North, Kasha panted, catching her breath. Then we go south! Boon said, taking up the reins as Kasha leaped up onto the cart. The two zenzens pulling the cart ped munching on dry grasses and ted their large orange heads. Yah! Boon shouted, flicking the reins. The zenzens responded with a quick trot, the joints in their legs helping them pick up speed quickly. As as the nearby gars saw the cart move, they dropped their sacks and raced after it. They k too well what this kind of sudden movement meant. Hang on! Boon exclaimed. He yanked the reins hard, forcing the zenzens into a sharp turn. Kasha slid across the cart while Durgen lunged for the bags of fruit, keeping them from fing out. Kasha's bones jarred as the cart landed with a jerk, then lurched forward. Sorry! Boon ced. He flicked the reins again and urged the zenzens to pick up their pace. Kasha leaped up to stand, planting her feet wide to keep her balance, her keen eyes searching. The tang! It spotted us! The horrible creature burst out of the stalks. It stood at the edge of the cleared area, its angry red eyes flashing in its reptilian head, and its long green hair tangled into the quivering stalks. Its green tongue flicked out as it hissed, revealing its multiple rows of teeth. Terrified gars scattered in directions, despe to escape. Go! Go! Go! Kasha cried. I'm going! Boon shouted back. The tang's head whipped back and forth. Kasha k it was trying to decide who to take down. The gars were confusing it by running in so many directions. Of course, Kasha thought, none of them has any idea if t are more tangs out t. They might be safe for a moment. We're crushing the fields! Kasha growled in frustration. She hated seeing those dropped sacks and trampled stalks. We're staying alive, Durgen snapped. The tang made its decision. Kasha turned away as it leaped onto a nearby gar. The gar's agonized howl of pain made the zenzens pick up their pace. The cart rattled and shook, mowing down more stalks as it hurtled across the field. How are we doing? Boon ced back. Kasha turned to look again. The tang has a gar to keep it busy. That should give us enough time to away. But we lost so much harvest! Kasha suddenly had an idea. She leaped from the moving cart, landing on fours. What are you doing? Durgen shouted at her. back ! Kasha ignored him. She let out a roar to the fleeing gars. Pick up those sacks ! We are not waiting ! Durgen was standing in the cart, shouting after her. We'll catch up! Kasha shouted back. She reached down and grabbed a sack and shoved it into a nearby gar's chest. Startled, he took it from her. Pick them up! And run! The gars did what they were told, as always. The tang was feeding and wouldn't until it had finished. That bought them a little time. Despite what Durgen had said, the cart slowed down. The gars ran to it and hurled in their sacks, then continued running. Kasha brought up the rear and threw in a sack herself before clambering back up. That was a very foolish thing to do, Durgen scolded. Kasha smirked. But you're glad I did it. We d a good portion of that forage. You take too many s, Durgen said. It was a calculated risk. For the good of Leeandra. What do I do? Boon asked, slowing the zenzen to a wary walk. Do we and continue to harvest, or do we warn Flor's group? That tang back t may still follow us, Kasha said. We should probably — She ped speaking when she saw a horde of frantic gars running toward them. From the opposite direction. Trouble, Boon growled. If they're running this way that must mean… Durgen nodded grimly. Tangs. On the other side of the fields. So we have at least one tang behind us, Boon said, and more in front of us. Kasha hissed in fury. They're not smart enough to have trapped us. It's a fluke that we're being boxed in. Flor's group is in trouble, Durgen said. So are we! Boon cried. The group of gars joined the others and swarmed the cart, trying to climb in, spooking the zenzens. One of the animals reared, pulling the cart up with it. The sudden movement knocked Kasha balance. She slammed into the side of the cart, the wind knocked out of her. Durgen unsheathed his claws and slashed the pale, furless hands reaching into the cart. Stay back! he shouted. to the main road! Go! away! Boon cried. away from the zenzens! You'll be crushed! Kasha pulled herself upright. Some of the gars listened to the orders and raced away. Others were either too frightened or too stupid to pay attention. They kept trying to into the cart, but it was moving too quickly. We have to to Flor, Kasha said. Those klees will need our help! Up ahead! Boon shouted. Kasha saw a red-and-brown-striped klee standing in a cart. Flor. He was fending two tangs. Two dead klees and five dead gars lay on the ground. Boon pulled the cart to a . How close should we ? Two against one is no match, Kasha said. Not with tangs. Durgen pulled a flying disc from his pouch and grabbed a spear that hung on the side of the cart. He stood and aimed. I can't a shot from without hitting Flor, he said, his fur bristling in frustration. The terrible odor of hungry tangs filled the air. Gars were scattering, running everyw. The chaos gave Kasha an idea. We have to attr the tangs' attention, Kasha said. Divert them. At least one of them. Improve the odds. But how? closer! Kasha instructed Boon. Do it, Durgen agreed. Yah! Boon got the zenzens moving again. Kasha clambered onto the driver's seat with Boon. She hunkered down on her haunches, preparing. With a burst of energy, she pushed with her powerful back legs and leaped onto the back of one of the goping zenzens. It let out a startled whinny and bucked, but she hung on. She crawled forward so she could sit up on its back in a proper riding position, clinging to the zenzen's heaving flanks with her legs. Go left! she cried. Boon yanked the reins and the zenzen responded. Kasha twisted around to face the cart. Throw me a spear! Durgen stood and flung her a weapon. Kasha caught it neatly and faced forward again. She flipped the spear around and used the handle to prod a nearby gar. Go! she shouted at it. Straight! She began herding the gars closer to the tang. Despite their terror of the tangs, the thundering hooves and the snarling klee baring her teeth and claws made them obey. Hey! Kasha shouted at the tangs. Over ! Dinner! The tangs turned to look, just as Kasha had hoped. Gars! she shouted. Run away as as you can! She swiped the air with the spear, sending half the group she'd corred in one direction, and the other half the opposite way. One of the tangs took after a group of gars. It pounced on a stumbling gar, knocking it to the ground. It opened its drooling mouth wide, its second set of fangs glistening, and went to work on the gar. The other tang paused for a moment, and its indecision gave Flor the opening he needed. He grabbed a spear and sent it deep into the tang's flesh. Kasha hurtled her flying disc at the tang. It sliced neatly into the back of its neck. The tang jerked up and let out a howl. As it flung its head back to screech, Kasha flung another disc at it, this time slicing right into its throat. Boon slowed the zenzens to a . Kasha brought her breathing back to normal as she dismounted. Any more? Durgen ced to Flor. Flor shook his head, too winded to speak. ? Boon asked. I think we're safe from . Durgen ordered the remaining gars to pick up the sacks and load the carts. They avoided looking at the dead as they went about their work. Thanks, Flor ced to Kasha. You would do the same for me, she replied. Kasha sat on the edge of the cart as it rumbled out of the field, heading back to Leeandra. Exhausted gars trundled alongside the cart, blood- and mud-spattered. You did well, Durgen said to Kasha. He wasn't one to give compliments, so Kasha k she had particularly impressed him. You d Flor and much of the harvest. She shrugged. If we don't forage well, everyone suffers. Even the gars. Your dedication is something to be proud of, Durgen said. You set a good example. Particularly for one so young. You are your father's daughter. Kasha took in a deep breath and let it out again. More than anything, that last compliment was the one that pleased her. Still, she kept her eyes firmly focused forward as they lumbered along the path to the main road through the dense jungle. She didn't want to see the casualties. She k it was the way of things — tangs attacked and klees had to use weapons at hand to protect themselves and the harvest, even if that meant losing gars. Most of them got away, she reminded herself. The losses would have been greater if she hadn't been so quick to . Much worse for everyone. |
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