R&R please, I'm curious as to how these chapters are coming across.
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Twenty Five
"Where did I leave off? Ah yes, Varich told Aislinn that he was an Ancient. He also told her the gate address to the planet where the Ancients dwelled. If ever there was a time of trouble, and he was gone, she was to go there and ask for help. One day, while Varich was away with his report to the Ancients, the Wraith attacked. They ravaged the village and less than half of the people survived. When Varich returned, he found the village in chaos, but was relieved to find his wife alive. He began preparing the rest of the village for relocation. As you know, the Wraith only leave survivors if they intend to return. Some of the villagers did not wish to relocate." The man sighed and said, "I believe that is all for tonight. Perhaps in a few days I can tell more," he rose slowly and entered his room leaving Esmora to her thoughts. Esmora had never seen her mentor so emotional about a story. It was as if the story was close to him, as if he played a role in it.
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Esmora walked beside her mentor across the sand. Today he was to teach her how to use both physical and mental strength. Sometimes one after another, and sometimes simultaneously. She was now capable of protecting her mind against invasion while keeping her mind shut, but she had never tried attacking with both her mind and body while still keeping her mind blocked. Her teacher stopped and he turned to face Esmora.
"We will begin with only physical combat," he told her.
They both crouched and Esmora struck out with her foot. Her mentor hopped out of the way and he struck out with his arm. Suddenly, Esmora felt a presence approach her mind. She quickly closed her mind as she felt an arm swing towards her. She blocked it and jabbed out with her own mind while jumping at her mentor. They fell over with Esmora landing heavily on him. She quickly jumped up to see is she had injured the man.
He lay on the sand breathing heavily and Esmora bent over him.
"Have I injured you?" she asked, surprised that she had overcome him.
"Yes," he gasped. "You have very good reflexes," he commented as he allowed Esmora to help him up.
"Let us rest," Esmora said to him as he finally got to his feet. "Perhaps you can tell me more of the story," she suggested, sitting down on the sand so that he would not feel bad about needing a rest.
Her mentor seated himself and thought for a moment.
"On the day of departure, after everyone but the Sabine family, Varich, Aislinn, and their unborn child, had gone through, the Wraith attacked once more. Varich was unprepared for an attack so soon. Bravely he tried to raise his defenses, but the dart continued to cull the people who had opted to stay behind. Finally, in desperation, he simply threw his power into covering his wife and unborn child from being seen. Aislinn had run for the woods, and was crouched, her eyes searching for Varich. When the darts left and the smoke cleared, Aislinn found herself alone. Nothing remained save destroyed houses and Varich's broken body," her mentor's voice cracked and he stopped for a moment. Unsure what the matter was or what to do, Esmora reached out and placed her hand on his. He looked up, surprise in his eyes, and then managed to continue, "She wept there for quite some time, and finally realized that she must do something or neither she nor her child would survive. Varich had not told Aislinn the gate address to the planet they were relocating to, so she dialed the only address she knew. When she arrived, she asked to be taken to the Sabine's but they were not there. Instead, she was taken to the Sabine's, Varich's relatives. She was welcomed by the two men, and she told them what had happened. They pitied her, but told her she could not stay. One of the elderly men decided to go with her for Varick's sake," the old man sighed and then said, "We should be getting back."
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Esmora returned from her run and entered the house. She did not see her mentor, so she went back outside and looked for Maia. She let out a shrill call and waited. An answering scream rent the air and Maia came winging toward her. Esmora held up her hand for the bird to perch on, and she reached out to stroke the bird's head. Maia gently nipped Esmora's hand. Perching on Esmora's shoulder, they both went into the house. Maia flew off her shoulder onto the bed and Esmora lay across it. She gently stroked the bird and lay still as she had gotten into a habit of doing.
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Esmora awoke several hours later to find Maia gone. She rose and felt the heat leaving the earth. Her mentor should have woken her an hour ago for dinner. She entered the kitchen and listened. Silence. She could not feel him anywhere in the house. Worriedly, she hurried out of the house. She hesitated to use her telepathy, and finally decided to call Maia. Once again, she let out a piercing scream and she felt Maia come winging up. Esmora reached out to Maia's mind and gave her a message; an urgent need to find her mentor. Maia went winging off, and Esmora followed her in her mind, running beneath the majestic bird.