Feeling physically andemotionally exhausted, Toemeka curled up beside him and snuggled intothe down to get warm. “We shouldn’t have gone to the Owayan camp.We brought death with us.”
“Rochambeau attacked the campbecause Samrat Condor ordered him to destroy the Resistance.Moreover, Rochambeau has psychic powers. He would’ve tracked themdown, even if we weren’t there.”
“Maybe, but he has some sort ofconnection with me.”
“You have to block him, Toe.”
“I do, but it’s not like I’msitting quietly in contemplation with nothing to do but visualize aninner shield. I’m up a tree, terrified I could slip and fall to mydeath.”
“Well, at the moment you’resafe in a strong nest, so go into contemplation and strengthen yourshield.”
“I’ll try.” She sang HU andLight filled her inner being. She reinforced her inner shield andgradually her fear decreased. Refreshed, she decided to try to reachMichio. She focused inwardly and sent out an inner message. Michio,can you hear me?There was no answer.
She went deeper within and sentout her love to him. Michio,where are you?
All at once she found herself ona sandy beach with waves pounding the shoreline. Black storm cloudsrolled in and a feeling of foreboding filled her. She started runningalong the shore, feeling Cadmus’ dark powers closing in around her.
Far away she heard Erling’svoice, “Toemeka, it’s all right.”
She slid back into her body,feeling shaken. “Cadmus is blocking me from reaching Michio.”
Erling put his arm around her.“What’s going on? You cried out in contemplation.”
“Cadmus is hunting for me inthe astral world. What if he knows where we are?”
“He can’t know; we’re in anest.”
She leaned her head on hisshoulder. “I suppose, but he’s closing in, trying to entrap me.”
“Be attentive and on guardagainst him. You can do it; you’re strong.”
“What if he attacks while I’masleep?”
“Shield yourself, even whenyou’re asleep. Ask for Master Bakka’s protection.”
“I’ll try. I know he has nopower over me if I don’t allow it.” She visualized the Master’sinner presence. As she drifted off to sleep, she thought about beingreunited with Baymond. She didn’t intend to ever leave him again.
In the middle of the night apiercing screech awoke Toemeka. Half-asleep she didn’t know if shewas dreaming or where she was. It was pitch-black and she couldn’tsee a thing. She heard the beating of large wings, then saw twobright eyes staring at her. Panic overwhelmed her as she wondered ifshe was looking into the eyes of a tawku, Lord Falcon’s dreadedcreatures from lower astral hells.
***
The hair stood up on the back ofZac’s neck when he heard the growl. Whatever made the noise soundedclose.
“It’s a bashe,” Benray saidfrom where he stood a short distance away. “Back away slowly. Don’trun. It’s just above you on a tree limb.”
Zac looked up and saw a largebashe among the leaves and branches. Its round eyes seemed to glow inthe moonlight. “Why don’t I just shoot it?”
“We don’t want any Raptorscouts to know our location.”
“Being killed by that thingseems like a more immediate threat.” Sweat dripped down Zac’sforehead as he started backing away. The bashe growled again—a low,deep growl.
“Wave your arms and look as bigas you can.”
Zac raised his arms and startedwaving them. “He doesn’t look intimidated.”
“Watch your footing. You’reabout to step into the stream.”
Benray’s voice sounded muchcloser and Zac now smelled the familiar odor of his unwashed body. Heglanced down and stepped away from the rushing stream water. Hisheart constricted in fear. Facing the large cat again, Zac said, “Go.Go,” in a soft voice. He took another step backwards, still wavinghis arms. The large cat disappeared into the dense leaves.
Zac jumped when Benray clamped alarge hand on his shoulder. “You did well. I’m glad Richwoodwasn’t here tonight. He might have done something stupid, likerun.”
“What would’ve happened if Iran?”
“The bashe’s instinct is tochase running prey. Now let’s fill up our water containers and getout of here. I’ll stand and keep an eye out for the bashe. If we’reboth squatting down, he might decide we’re easy prey and jump onour backs.”
“Why don’t you fill up thejugs while I guard?” Zac said, waiting for his heart to stopracing.
“Nervous boy—well, I can’tsay I blame you, but all the same I’m much bigger and moreintimidating than you. He’ll think twice before tangling with me.”
Benray had a point, Zac thought,as he pushed the large water container under the cold water to fillit. Benray’s presence might’ve been why the bashe didn’tattack.
“Everyone’s hungry,” Zacsaid, “and our rations are nearly gone.”
“You want me to kill that bashewith my knife, so we can eat raw bashe meat?” Humor tinged Benray’svoice, so Zac didn’t think he was serious. Anyway the bashe wasgone—maybe. It could be sitting among the dark leaves, watchingthem.
“I just meant we can’t stayin the sinkhole much longer,” Zac said.
“Hiding in the sinkhole was astroke of genius. Don’t spoil it by getting too eager to leave.”
Zac starting filling the secondwater container. “Do you think the bashe is still there?”
“Could be. Just like thoseSamrat soldiers could be still scouring the forest for us.”
26
End of a People
Michio twisted his wrists in anattempt to loosen the rope binding. When Cadmus’ men stopped forthe night, the handcuffs were removed so he could eat, but then hewas bound to a tree trunk. Jake was close by, tied to another tree.The soldiers slept, except for two guards who walked the campperimeter.
Michio closed his eyes, drained.They’d been forced to walk for hours and it was well aftermidnight. Despite the fatigue, he was too worried to sleep. “I hopeToemeka and Erling make it,” he said to Jake.
“They will. Erling’s familiarwith these woods. Cadmus and his men aren’t,” Jake said. “Withany luck, Erling and Toemeka will reach the farm within three days.”
“Unless they decide to comeback for us.”
“I’m sure Erling’s figuredout by now that Toemeka’s not safe on Alandra.”
“He sees her as a Coalitionagent. She may convince him to search for us.”
“Well, she wasa Coalition agent for five years and a good one,” Jake said. “Ihave to admit, I wouldn’t mind being rescued. The prospect
