Master Bakka touched Baymond’scheek. “He’s a healthy child and there’s a great deal of Lightin him. He’ll bring you great joy and some sorrow. He came intothis world by choice, to spread the message of the Secret Teachingsof Light and Sound.”
“Is there anything else we needto know to help us deal with Cadmus?” Michio asked.
“This is a test. You havewithin you everything you need to pass it.”
“Thank you for seeing us,”Toemeka said, embracing the Master.
Michio knew he was only leavingthe Master physically. Nothing would ever separate them inwardly. Heshifted his awareness so he was in tune with the highest withinhimself. A high humming sound vibrated in his ears.
He and Toemeka started down themountain path. After a while, they came to a clearing that looked outover the mountain. They could see for miles into the valley below andout to the mountains that lay beyond them. The summer day felt freshand alive.
“Do you want me to carryBaymond for a while?” Toemeka asked.
“You can’t carry him anydistance until your ribs heal and that takes six weeks.”
“It’s been nearly six weeksand he only weights ten pounds.”
“I’m happy to carry him. Youcan carry him when he gets to be twenty-five pounds,” he added witha grin. His thoughts turned somber as he reflected on the ring. Hewould destroy it as soon as they got home so it couldn’t harmanyone ever again.
He leaned down and kissedToemeka. “I love you, Star Rider. I promise to be more open withyou. I should’ve asked why you were wearing the ring and should’vediscussed with you going to Devil’s Eye.”
Toemeka looked up at him withluminous, dark eyes shining with love and trust. “I should’vetold you I couldn’t get the ring off. I had no idea Cadmus wasusing it to control me.”
“There’s no way you could’veknown.”
She frowned, then let out herbreath. “I did sense something was wrong when I couldn’t get itoff. But I… I felt drawn to wear it.”
“It’s strong with psychicpower. I feel its draw even in my pocket.”
“At any rate, it’s over now,”she said.
“Is it? Cadmus is stillattacking us both on the inner planes. Jaipar’s space fleet almostgot wiped out in an attack on Henotaux and you fell under Cadmus’power with that ring!”
“I just meant that I’m nolonger being held captive. We’re together now and he doesn’t havea chance against the two of us.”
“I wish I had yourself-confidence.” Michio felt the weight of responsibility to hiswife and child, to Master Bakka, and to the people in the galaxy whowere trapped by Samrat Condor’s power.
“It’s not justself-confidence. I have great faith in you, me, and the Eternal LifeStream.”
13
Hard Choices
A week later, Toemeka rose atdawn and changed into a knit top and shorts. After Michio had removedthe ruby ring, she hadn’t felt any further inner attacks fromCadmus. Most nights she slept well and only rarely did she havenightmares.
Michio stirred on the bed andasked, “Where are you going?”
“I didn’t mean to wake you.I’m going on a morning run with Erling.”
“Are you sure you’rerecovered enough to go running?”
“I’ll walk if running provesto be too much.” She looked at Baymond who was still asleep in thecradle. “When Baymond awakens, give him a bottle or bring him toPema. I won’t be gone long.” Toemeka realized she would misshaving a nursemaid to help care for Baymond when she and Michioreturned home.
She headed down the backstaircase and found Erling waiting at the side entrance. Hisbodyguard, Captain Zachary, was nearby.
“There she is,” Erling saidto Zac. “Right on time. Let’s go.”
They went outside and walkedbriskly along a path that ran parallel to the ocean. Zac followed adiscreet distance behind to give them privacy.
After stretching and a short walkto warm up, they began running. When in condition, Toemeka liked torun and could go for miles. But today after less than a half-mile,she panted for breath and her legs ached. She slowed to a walk.
“I can’t believe how out ofshape I am.”
Erling frowned. “You can’tjoin the mission to rescue my family unless you’re in topcondition.”
“I know. You already made thatclear.”
“Have you told Michio yet?”
“There’s no point in worryinghim unless I succeed in getting back in shape before you leave. Ineed to walk for awhile. You keep running.”
Erling nodded and dashed off. Itwas only then that she realized he’d been holding back to keep pacewith her. Zac caught up and walked alongside her. “Aren’t yousupposed to be guarding Erling?” she asked.
“He can take care of himself.Besides we’re still on palace grounds and it’s well patrolled.You’re my first priority at the moment.”
“Do you think I’m in moredanger than Erling?”
“I think Cadmus wants you back.So yes, you need to be guarded more closely.”
“You’re probably right.”Toemeka started running again, determined to get back into shape.After a grueling run, she went to the palace gym and worked out witha trainer, who coached her in a routine of core exercises and weightlifting.
Tired out, Toemeka ate a lightbreakfast in the nursery, then played with Baymond. During hisafternoon nap, she went to the military base for target practice andworked out with a squad of soldiers practicing martial arts. She madeit back to the nursery before Michio returned from work. He washelping Erling organize Jaipar’s military.
Over the next month, Toemeka keptup a strict workout routine. Her strength and stamina graduallyreturned. Now she could keep pace with Erling when they ran, her aimwas good at target practice, and her skills in martial arts andhand-to-hand combat had improved. She was pleased — her level offitness was nearly what it had been when she was in the Coalition.
The only part of training sheregretted was time spent away from Baymond, which she made up for bybeing with him whenever she wasn’t working out.
***
Seetva walked into Cadmus’office in Henotaux and found him at his desk, pensively looking oversome papers. “Knock before entering my office,” he snapped.
“What put you in such a foulmood?” she asked, sitting on the edge of his desk. “Not thatyou’re ever pleasant these days.”
“Samrat Condor ordered me toplanet Alandra to put
