Jory was blissfully unaware that a small ship was crashing through the forest he had spent years planning, planting, and cultivating. Having slowed down significantly but not completely, the ship continued through his farm, destroying most of his crops. A deep rut was carved through his garden as the ship bounced and spun, spewing red clay in all directions. At long last, it stopped abruptly when it hit the foundation of his house, causing the area to shake violently.
For a short time, nothing moved in the ship. Most of the creatures inside were either dazed or dead, but those that were able to fly exited the ship in a rough semblance of a swarm.
“Thank you,” a voice called through the smoke that was filling the ship. “I am finally free.”
Another voice, very weakly said, “I am happy for you.”
“Do you need any help?” Zara asked, trying carefully not to step on any of Sicar’s legs.
“I am stuck in my seat. See if you can loosen the straps,” Sicar said, pressing forcefully against the restraints that saved him from being thrown against the glass when they stopped. “I only need a little more slack.”
Zara tugged as hard as he could until something snapped, and he fell backward. “Try again,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head.
Sicar pulled his legs close to his body and managed to gain enough leverage to free himself. “Have you seen my cloak?” he asked, scanning the floor now littered with debris.
Zara picked up the cloak and handed it to Sicar, who put it on quickly. “Do you have anything for me?” Zara asked when he realized his jumpsuit was ripped in numerous places.
“No, but maybe we can find something here,” Sicar said as he slowly lowered himself to the ground outside of the ship. “Come out. We should be safe.”
Zara hung from the opening and let himself fall to the ground. “At least we can both walk away from it.” He whistled while he looked at all of the damage the ship had caused. “I hope he doesn’t notice.”
“I don’t think anyone is here. Maybe the others lied to us,” Sicar said while scanning the area for any movement. “He doesn’t like visitors. That much is certain.”
“Do you think those things will come back?” Zara looked for the creatures who had escaped from his jumpsuit. “I really don’t know if I want to feel that kind of pain again.”
“Hopefully we can find a way out of here before they return. I do not want to be here to find out if they still need you,” Sicar said, moving around the outside of the house. “Someone is sitting over there,” he said, pointing with one of his legs.
“Is that him?” Zara asked as he stood next to Sicar, shielding the sun from his eyes. “I’ve never met him before.”
“I’m surprised he’s just sitting there. Didn’t he hear all that noise?”
“Maybe he’s sleeping.”
“One would have to be dead not to hear our arrival. What is that thing over his head?”
“It’s an umbrella to block the sun. He’s probably sleeping while listening to music,” Zara said, leaning forward slightly and squinting.
“I don’t hear anything,” Sicar said, crouching low and moving forward cautiously.
“There are little things humans put in their ears,” Zara said as he touched the inside of his ear with his pinky. “I could sneak up and push him off the cliff, and he wouldn’t hear a thing.”
“I would let you, but something shot down our ship. We might need him alive to get off this world. Do you know anything else about him?”
“No, I never met him.”
“I understand that, but did you hear anything about him while you were in captivity?” Sicar asked, growing impatient.
“Oh.” Zara coughed and ran his hand through his hair. “He’s in charge of everything, if that’s him.”
“I can see now that it is the same man I met before. He still has long white hair and a beard. I was supposed to bring Theterm, but you will have to do.” Sicar motioned for Zara to walk in front of him. “Go first.”
“Why?” Zara asked as Sicar pushed him. “What are you doing?”
“Getting paid.” Sicar brought down two legs sharply, and Zara fell to his knees and then slowly forward, the side of his face hitting the lawn softly. Sicar gently picked up Zara, stood on two legs, and walked to the edge of the cliff where Jory was sitting. When standing in front of him caused no reaction, Sicar finally dropped Zara, whose arm barely brushed one of Jory’s feet.
Jory opened one of his eyes slowly and saw Sicar standing menacingly within striking distance. He looked down without moving and saw Zara.
“Wrong one.”
“Don’t you want him?”
“No.”
“He escaped.”
“We were done with him.”
“What about Theterm?” Sicar crouched low.
“No need.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Sicar sprung forward and grabbed Jory tightly. “Why?”
“Do you want to die here?” Jory asked, raising an eyebrow. “That is what is going to happen if you don’t let go.”
“Where is Theterm?”
“I no longer need your services.”
Sicar stood, lifting Jory in the air. Turning quickly, he held him over the edge of the cliff.
“Where is Theterm?”
“I tire of this,” Jory said calmly.
“So do I,” Sicar said, callously letting go of Jory, who fell out of view, flailing helplessly. Sicar dragged Zara away after Jory’s screaming tirade abruptly ended, presumably upon landing on the rocks below.
Fixx insisted that we feed his bulls since Lucan needed to retrieve something from Storality, Laird said to Theterm. They are all so backward. I’ll be surprised if we ever leave. Are you still okay?
I’m back where I was before. Most of the others are here, but I’m afraid they took some away, Theterm replied.
Do you know where?
We both know where, and we both know why.
They are as good as dead then.
Not if you hurry, Theterm pleaded. Our lives depend on it.
Laird looked at the others and hoped they were ready for what was coming. You did a poor job of preparing them. When Theterm didn’t answer, she refocused her attention on the group. “We need to hurry,” she said forcefully.
“As soon as Fixx returns,” Alin said, looking around for him.
“The rest of us are ready.” Maggie huffed.
Fixx returned, carrying a large sack that looked like it was full.
“What are you doing?” Dack asked, growing impatient.
Fixx dumped the contents of the sack in the midst of the others and watch everyone’s reaction. “I thought we might need these,” he said, picking up several throwing knives and looking closely at them. “Property of Fixx,” he said, balancing one on the end of his finger. “Go ahead, pick something out. There are all kinds of different weapons there.”
The others moved slowly to see what was in the pile. Dack knelt down, picked up a sheathed dagger, and looked at it closely. “Is this mine?” he asked indignantly. Fixx grinned. “You had this all along and you didn’t tell me?”
“It’s actually a funny story how I came by it. Do you want to hear it?” Fixx winked.
“No,” Laird scolded. “All of you have to stay focused if you want to rescue your friends. Theterm contacted me, and we have a problem.”
“What’s wrong?” Dack asked, standing up while attaching the sheath to his belt.
Laird looked down at the pile and then at the others. “I am very sad it has all come to this,” she said, pointing to the weapons. “I had hoped that things could have been worked out…” She paused and frowned. “…Diplomatically. Now is the time to act, I see that clearly, but I am afraid that this will not be easy. Only time will tell.”
High above Storality, Jory was watching.
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