FSE

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Chapter 18

The air became closer and the musky scent of fur much stronger as Six led Strong Soul and Stargazer deeper into the structure. The only light in the area was from small torch-like lights set into the walls and ceiling, lending everything an orange and red glow. Strong Soul could see rows and rows of beds lining the walls, bunks three levels high, and every one seemed to have a body in or around it. There was so much movement around her that she found it hard to concentrate on one thing. None of it was threatening, though, just the milling of Mrr'tani going about their lives.

A few looked at the newcomers and wave after wave of curiosity washed over her, but none said a word. The most they garnered was a passing glance from one or two nearest the main aisle, and after a moment, even that passed.

"We are used to new faces here," Six explained as they walked. "Many find their way here, and we care for them as best we can."

"Are all of these runaways?" Strong Soul asked in wonder. On Silverwell, the runners were rare, and the ones who ran from Airgidbaile were looked upon with derision and disgust. She used to hold the same views herself, but she realized after spending so much time with Night Star on so many other worlds that there was so much worse in the galaxy than what Marcus was trying to do. Here she felt only curiosity and concern.

"One does not run away from New Mecca," Six said. "Not easily at any rate. The humans control everything, including the access that outsiders have to the Mrr'tani on this world."

"Remember the rules against speaking to them?" Stargazer said.

"Yes," Six replied. "That is to keep free Mrr'tani from discovering places such as this. If we cannot tell them, then no one will be able to help."

"I see," Strong Soul said. She looked to either side of her, and the deeper they went into the warren, the more glances they got. Here, the Mrr'tani seemed older and less uniform than the ones nearest the entrance. Their presence in her mind was stronger as well and their mind glows pressed against her even harder.

"To come here means that a Mrr'tani has no further options. They come here or they die."

"They die? You mean the humans kill them?" Strong Soul asked.

"And what do you care, outsider?" another voice asked from the shadows. This voice carried power behind the words, an authority that was felt as well as heard. "You who have nothing to concern yourself with except where to land next."

The Mrr'tanou who stepped out of the shadow at the end of the passageway was easily a meter and a half taller than Strong Soul. He was well muscled and covered in brown and red fur, the markings of the River clan clean and clear upon his face and chest. He wore only a pair of tattered canvas trousers, and from the look of him, he was a laborer of some sort before he came here.

"Please, Stalker, these guests are special," Six pleaded, though Strong Soul almost cringed at the level of fear coming off her.

"Special?!" Stalker bellowed, laughing deeply. "You bring freewalkers into our sanctuary and you only say they are special! You are not GarrRr'raksha'shah, girl."

Six's eyes widened and she bowed her head low, touching the tips of her fingers to her forehead. The girl's ears bent back flat to her head and her whiskers tightened against her face. Stalker watched her with angry eyes for a moment longer then turned back to Strong Soul and Stargazer.

"What business have you here, kitten?" he asked. His attention was focused entirely on Strong Soul. The interest was tainted with a keen awareness and a distaste of anything different.

"My mate was injured. He is being treated," she said. "We could not stay in the medical facility, so Six brought us here, she said it was safe."

"Safe? Yes, for servant Mrr'tani. You are freewalkers. You think we don't know how you live when you come? Apartments of your own! Sandwine brought to you at your beck and call! Other Mrr'tani to do your bidding, as if you were another human." He spat the last word with such contempt that it brought a snarl to Strong Soul's muzzle.

"I wouldn't know. We haven't chosen to stay in the city. When our work was done, we returned to our ship."

Stalker narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, still towering over her. "Perhaps you tell the truth. Why have you come? The medical facility has many places for you to stay."

"Stalker," Six said, still bowing, "you have heard that the humans have sent their trackers to find someone?"

"Yes. We all felt why. You can't tell me that this newcomer has anything to do with it."

"I speak the truth, Sand Stalker," Six said. "This Mrr'tanah is who they seek. They were not safe."

Stalker looked back at Strong Soul, his eyes moving over her again and taking her in. "You? So small and young? She says that you were the one who caused a stirring in the minds of every Mrr'tani on this world."

"It is true," Stargazer said, stepping forward. "This is Strong Soul, a Frr'a'narr'ah. And I am Stargazer, her OuwRrrahr'a'tan'ou. Her Frr'a'narr'ou is Night Star, the one who was injured."

Strong Soul felt the confusion from Six as she turned around and looked into her eyes. Stalker considered the pair for another moment, the battle of indecision fighting within his mind. Strong Soul closed her eyes and concentrated on opening just the one bright link between herself and him. The moment she relaxed her control, it flared and she touched his mind.

"What?" he breathed, his eyes widening. "What is this?"

She kept the link open for a short time and then used her concentration to shut it back down.

"You're not River Clan," he said, eyes narrowing. "You are Mountain Clan."

"Yes. I was born Mountain Clan and I was raised by Master Marcus on Silverwell," Strong Soul said, opening her eyes to meet his.

She watched understanding fill his eyes and they widened as his head lifted. With ears perked forward he looked at her anew. "Keeper," he said reverently. "Then it is true."

He regarded them again and gave a sidelong glance to Six, then he abruptly turned and walked through a door beside the bunk that Strong Soul assumed was his.

"Come," his gruff voice called from the other side.

She looked at Six and the girl motioned for her to follow Stalker. Around the corner and through the doorway, she and Stargazer found themselves in a small room. The same orange glow cast soft shadows on the walls, but there was something more personal about the space. A small table made out of what looked like a salvaged door and blocks of permacrete sat in the center on a ragged rug. Around it sat six mismatched chairs, some looked as if they came from the medical clinic, some from offices, and one appeared to be from a freighter similar to the Pride. Though it was pieced together and threadbare, most of it gave Strong Soul the impression that someone took great care with them.

The hard edge that Sand Stalker had projected earlier softened and there was a concern that replaced the suspicion. It took her a breath to realize that he was worried about what she might think of his life and his belongings. She made it a point to smile as she looked about the room, letting her face reveal how impressed she was at his ingenuity.

"What did you mean by 'it is true?'" she asked.

He gestured for them to sit down and took a seat across the table. "There are rumors coming from the free Mrr'tani that a Frr'a'narr'ah escaped the trackers and is in hiding. Most believe that Catcher of Souls has returned. There's a lot o words and a lot of theories, but one story in particular caught my attention."

Strong Soul sat and shortly after Stargazer joined her, sitting close to her and making sure he was between her and the door. "You called her Keeper," Stargazer said.

"I did," Sand Stalker replied. "I'm not one to buy into legends and myths. Catcher of Souls is gone, or if she isn't, she's far beyond helping us. If she wasn't, she would have made herself known before now."

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, the interest bright in his eyes. "Then a crew came in, don't know where from, and started talking about someone called Keeper of Hearts. They told the work crew that this Keeper is stronger now as a young Frr'a'narr'ah than Catcher was when she disappeared. Now you come into my warren with one of my most reliable scouts telling me you're special.

"How sure are you of the Mrr'tani here?" Stargazer asked.

"The humans don't know we're here. If they did, they wouldn't even bother sending in people to kill us. They'd simply gas us. We take great care to ensure that no trackers find us."

"Indeed, but they are quite proficient at working their way into groups such as yours."

"You've already met our first line of defense," Sand Stalker said, grinning at Strong Soul. I would have assumed that you'd have noticed."

Strong Soul gasped when she made the connection. There was a reason that her mind had made the link with Six's so easily, though she hadn't realized it at the time. Suddenly it was crystal clear.

"Six is a Mother," she said.

"She doesn't know, and she's not to the point that the trackers would feel her, though it's getting close. It won't be long before they do."

"What will happen then?" Strong Soul asked. "If they feel her, she will lead them to you."

Sand Stalker's eyes lowered to the table and he nodded. "That's why I wanted to speak with you here. In the past, we tried to protect the Mothers as best we could, but we can only do so much. Once they're detectable, there's only so much we can do. I have to think about the other outcasts."

"So you leave them to the humans," Stargazer said. His voice was soft and she saw the recognition of pain in Sand Stalker's eyes when he nodded.

"Yes. But in Six's case, you're here. It's rare that a Mrr'tani arrives who is willing to risk the Sheikh's displeasure by speaking to the work crews, and we have never had a void who was willing."

When his eyes again met Strong Soul's, they were so full of hope and pleading that she was the one who had to look away.

"So were any of the outcasts trackers, they would have turned her in a week ago."

"Very well," Stargazer said. "You know Keeper's true name, then you realize who and what she is."

"Yes. And I know who you are, Nehemiah."

Stargazer flinched as if the words had physically struck him. "That name is dead and buried," he said, his voice dark.

"I know that as well. The story I heard said that Keeper of Hearts had tamed the legendary Nehemiah. If you are her OuwRrrahr'a'tan'ou, then I know I will be delivering Six into good hands."

"When Night Star wakes up, we'll take her with us," Strong Soul declared. "There is plenty of room."

"Night Star may not agree," Stargazer said cautiously.

"I'm the first officer on the Pride, and the captain is incapacitated. Therefore, I'm in charge of the ship and I say she's coming. I won't leave her to face the fate father spared me from."

"Your father?" Sand Stalker asked. There was a renewed interest and his eyes searched hers.

"Master Marcus. He was like a father to me and when I left, he said that I was the daughter he could never have and that I could call him father."

"Then you are a lucky Mrr'tanah, and you will understand when I tell you that I am delivering my own daughter to your care."

Strong Soul's face was solemn as she nodded again. "I will look after her as I would myself, and I'm sure Night Star will do the same." She turned her head. "Stargazer?"

"I will do as you wish, Keeper, as always. I will protect her as I would you should you wish it."

Strong Soul looked back at Sand Stalker and nodded. "Then it's settled. But in return, you'll give us a place to stay, hidden, until Night Star wakes."

"We'll keep you hidden. But I will ask one last favor. Will you work with Six? Help her realize who she is? There is no one else alive who understands what she is feeling and what she is going through."

Strong Soul smiled and nodded. "I would be happy to. I wish there was someone there to talk to me when it was happening to me, so I'll gladly help her understand as much as I can."

"Thank you," Sand Stalker said with a bow of his head. Then he raised his voice and called to the door. "Six! Come in here."

Strong Soul tried to hide a smile when the door opened immediately and the girl walked in with a sheepish look on her face. She knew she'd been caught out and she looked at Strong Soul with a mixture of embarrassment and awe.

"You were listening," Strong Soul said softly. She perked her good ear and watched Six, wondering what she would do with the statement.

Six nodded, her hands behind her back moving against each other constantly. "Yes." She turned to Sand Stalker and and took a breath. "I'm sorry, father," she said. "I heard the stories, and I've felt her in my head I had to know."

"It's all right, Six. You know then what I asked and who she really is."

"Yes, father." She turned back to Strong Soul and bowed her head.

Strong Soul smiled, then stood and stepped up to her. She was almost the same height as Six, so there wasn't the towering intimidating feeling that she had when she first met Night Star. She reached out and took Six's chin in her hand and slowly raised her head to look into her eyes.

"I will tell you the same thing I was told when I was in your position. When you come with me, you will be free and you will bow to no one." She smiled and twitched her whiskers, "Least of all me."

"But you are Keeper of Hearts," Six said.

"And I'm learning the same as you. We'll learn together, okay? I bet there's things that you can teach me, too."

Six shrugged and shook her head. "I'm just a runner for the medical center. You're out traveling the stars. What could I teach you?"

"You'd be surprised what you can learn from even the most unlikely places. It's something I learned hunting in Airgidbaile."

"Six," Sand Stalker interrupted, "find them a place to sleep. I think the room off the boilers would work well, it's private."

"Yes, father," she said, bowing her head again. She turned back to Strong Soul and Stargazer. "Come with me. You'll be warm, but there aren't many places here that you can have your own beds."

"We'll talk later, Keeper," Sand Stalker said, standing. "Evening meal is in two cycles, and if you'll make time after, we can discuss how to get you back to your ship when your mate wakes."

"Thank you," she said. There was more that she wanted to say, but she sensed that now was not the time. There was a restless rumble of the other Mrr'tani that tickled her mind. Their curiosity was being roused by the meeting and she knew that Sand Stalker didn't want to give rise to rumors any more than necessary.

"It would be best if the others didn't know about me," she said cautiously. There was only so much that she could truly tell him, or that anyone would really understand other than another who had felt the links. The sheer number of them crowding her mind still made her feel stuffed full.

"I understand. Don't worry, I'll find something to tell them," he said. "Go rest. You can't have had an easy day. Six will stay with you until evening meal, since she's not expected back in the clinic until light."

Strong Soul nodded and then followed Six out the door and back into the crowded and close room beyond with Stargazer close on her heels. They walked in silence back through the curious looks and the whispered questions but didn't do or say anything to answer any of them. All the while she had to focus to keep her mind silent, though it longed to reach out and touch every single one of them.

She was struck by the sheer number of Mrr'tani living in such close quarters, though she wasn't at all as repulsed by it as she once would have been. Something about the heat of so many bodies and the heavy scent of her king around her was comforting, something she's only just begun to understand with all the time she spent with Stargazer and Night Star.

It ended up being a short walk, down the aisles between bunks to a small room tucked behind a pair of huge boilers, long since silenced. Six preceded them into the room and by the light from the boiler room, she connected a string of lights to a small bank of batteries in the corner.

"Some of our brothers have set solar sheets on the surface. They connect to the batteries here, recharging them during the day," Six explained, ushering them into the room. "We have plenty of power to meet our needs, though we have to be careful of how much we use."

"Aren't you worried that someone will find the panels?" Strong Soul asked.

"No, the humans rarely travel to the surface if they can find any reason to avoid it. They send work crews and they rely on the overseers. Some of the overseers are sympathetic and they look the other way."

"You are impressive people," Strong Soul said, taking a seat on the bed. The bed springs squeaked under her and she patted the thin pad of a mattress next to her, inviting Six to sit with her. When she did, Strong Soul turned to face her with her legs crossed in front of her, smiling when Six mirrored her.

"I know you heard what your father said," Strong soul said. "About your gifts."

Six nodded. "He said I'm a Mother, but I don't have kits."

"You're not that kind of mother, Six," Strong Soul said with a smile.

"Stargazer, please watch the door. Don't open it for anyone but Sand Stalker until I say," she said turning to see his nod.

Then she turned back to face Six. "I'm going to show you what your father means. He wants us to take you with us, and I will, but I want you to understand why."

Again, Six nodded, watching Stargazer move to the door. Strong Soul looked behind her one more time to see his watchful form standing ready to ensure they were not bothered. When she turned back, she met Six's wide eyes with a soft smile.

"Close your eyes," she said. She took Six's hand in hers and let her eyes drift shut with the girl's.

When her eyelids closed, color exploded behind them. By now, bringing the links forward in her mind was almost instinct. It took her a bit more concentration than it normally did to open the one specific link with Six and keep the others closed. She couldn't close the one to Stargazer or the one to Night Star, even if she wanted to, though.

Even in his deep sleep, she could still sense Night Star's consciousness on the edge of hers, stable and peaceful, sleeping a dreamless sleep while he healed. Stargazer was more troubled. He didn't approve of what she was doing, but she knew he wouldn't say anything to her against it. He was as dedicated to her as she was to Night Star and him. She was tempted to stop what she planned, but she knew that she needed to do this.

The certainty with which she knew that scared her. She didn't know where it came from, and she certainly didn't consciously know what she was doing, though she had the sense that when she started, she'd figure it out soon enough.

Throwing her worries aside, she opened the link between her and Six and the colors that swirled behind her eyes began to coalesce into something more organized and coherent. She opened her mind to the girl's and just like joining with Night Star, her consciousness melded with Six's and they became one organism with two minds sharing two bodies.

Keep your eyes shut, she thought to Six. It can be disturbing at first.

She felt Six's wonder at the depth of the connection between them.

I've never felt like this before, Six thought.

But you've felt others before, haven't you? Little bits of feelings that weren't yours, the beginning and the end of another's thoughts.

Yes, but I always thought that everyone did.

No, just us. The Frr'a'narr'ahn.

Strong Soul opened her mind even further to Six and let her inside, sharing the whole of what she'd learned in her travels with her. Through that blending, she felt Six exploring the thread that connected her to Night Star and Stargazer, touching it with wonder.

The stories are true. You are one with your Frr'a'narr'ou and your OuwRrrahr'a'tan'ou.

Yes, but it goes deeper than you can feel even now. I don't know why, but you're only touching the surface.

Strong Soul slowly allowed her senses to brighten, not opening the links to any of the other Mrr'tani, but through her mind she allowed Six to feel the mind glows surrounding them. Strong Soul was starting to be able to differentiate them into individual sources, and in her mind they looked like the halos she always imagined the spirits would make.

They milled about behind the walls with Stargazer's a different color and a different taste. There was something new, though, a mind glow that was brighter than any of the others, to the point that when it moved, it eclipsed anything around it. The only glow that it didn't seem to affect was Stargazer's.

Instinct kicked in and she surrounded Six's presence with her mind. Every defense she ever learned she turned to high, dimming their combined glows. She imagined an old fashioned shield being held between their presence and the newcomer.

Hold, Keeper of Hearts, a loud yet gentle voice said in her mind. I mean you no harm.

Why have you come? Strong Soul asked. I don't know you.

But you do, the other said. Inside you, the truth is there, you simply do not believe enough to let it take root.

Confusion lit Six's mind glow and to a lesser extent, it colored Strong Soul's as well, but when she searched her mind, she found what the other said.

Catcher of Souls, she said in awe. How? They say you're gone.

So little you understand of your people, Catcher of Souls said. But you are young. The knowledge will come with time.

But why are you here? How are you here?

You will know how when it is most needed. Your link to this young Frr'a'narr'ah is what awakened me. I know not how long I have slept, waiting to feel that connection between a Frr'a'tan'lass'i'ah and a Frr'a'narr'ah.

What do you mean it awakened you? Strong Soul asked.

You will know in time. This is what you must know, Catcher of Souls said. Your joining with this Mother, this First Spark, it is a sign that the Mrr'tani are ready.

Ready for what? Strong Soul asked.

Ready to become a people again, Catcher answered. I watched as the clans fractured, as our own brothers slit the Wise Mothers' throats and threw the young Mothers still screaming into the flames of the pyres. Even my sacrifice in the end was not enough to prevent it.

Strong Soul felt the anguish behind the words and the images from long ago came unbidden. She knew the stories, she knew what the humans had done long ago, but seeing Mrr'tani as the ones with the bloody hand, doing all the things that gave her nightmares as a kit was something even she wasn't prepared for. It wasn't only the images, though. It was as if she was standing and watching. She knew Six was there with her and in the distance, she felt her hands trembling.

How did you see this? Strong Soul asked. Didn't the trackers sense you?

Did you not wonder how you managed to evade your own tracker for so long? Did you not wonder that even the one called James did not know you?

Of course I wondered, Strong Soul said. But no one knows.

A Frr'a'tan'lass'i'ah was a myth, even then. No one knew to look. It was not until after the night of blood that I was given my name.

What does this have to do with me and Six? Strong Soul asked.

Together, you and your First Spark will start the fire that will consume the Mrr'tani, and they will burn hot enough to finally melt the chains that have bound them for so long.

Strong Soul felt the sensation of flames against her face and Catcher's mind glow came even closer until the edges sparked against Strong Soul's.

You will finish what I was not strong enough to complete. By the time I knew who I was, it was too late, the Frr'a'narr'ahn were gone.

But what couldn't you do? What do I need to do? Strong Soul asked.

For now, you must keep First Spark safe. The humans know the potential of a Mother, and by now, they know the legends of the Frr'a'tan'lass'i'ah. There are very few who know the truth, though. Stargazer is one.

Stargazer? Strong Soul asked, focusing for a moment on the warm glow of his mind.

He is much older than he looks. Tell him you have been blessed by Flame Walker.

I will, Strong Soul said.

A commotion was starting among the mind glows on the other side of the boiler room. Catcher of Souls seemed to notice it

Evening meal will begin shortly, Catcher said, moving away from First Spark and Strong Soul. I would ask one thing from you, Keeper of Hearts, she said.

Anything, Strong Soul said.

Tell Stargazer that Flame Walker has always watched over him, and that he is forgiven. I know now what I did not know then. His penance has been hard, and his forgiveness earned many times over. I wish I could hold him again as I used to, but my love will have to suffice.

I'll tell him, Strong Soul promised.

You must understand one thing, Keeper of Hearts. You cannot do what must be done alone. That path has been tried and it failed. First Spark is just that. There must be others or the fire will die.

Catcher's glow faded slowly and Strong Soul found herself rising to consciousness once again. When she opened her eyes, she found First Spark already aware and staring at her with wide, awestruck eyes.

"That was-" she started to say.

Strong Soul shushed her gently. "Yes, it was. But it's our secret for now. When others are ready, we'll speak of it."

"She gave me my name," First Spark said excitedly. The sheer joy of her words were sparks in Strong Soul's mind.

"Yes, she did. And it is a good name, First Spark. We'll tell your father your name after evening meal. For now, we should join the others."

She could hear the sounds of commotion outside the door. A knock followed shortly after and Stargazer looked to her. She nodded and he opened it.

"My apologies, Strong Soul," a tall and lithe Mrr'tanou said from the doorway, "but Sand Stalker says it is mealtime. Will you join us?"

"Yes, thank you," Strong Soul said, standing and taking First Spark's hand. "Lead the way."

As she walked to the door, she reached out and took Stargazer's hand as well. Before they left the room, she stood up on her toes and pulled his hand down so that she could kiss his cheek gently, brushing her whiskers to his. "This is from Flame walker," she whispered.

His shocked face turned to hers and she smiled softly, pretending not to notice the tears welling in his eyes as they spilled down his cheeks. He stared at her, then blinked them away and together the three of them walked from the room, leaving the ghosts behind them to march hand in hand towards what awaited them.