Sub-temporally Grounded
**Part 2**
Normally I wouldn't mind being out of the fight. I'm not like Rachel; I'm not a person who goes berserk and fights, enjoys every moment of it. Although I'm sure even Rachel sometimes feels it is too much.
But it bothered me. It bothered me because I didn't understand. I understood that Jake was worried about me, that he wanted me safe. I understood that he couldn't risk me collapsing again. It didn't only endanger myself; it endangered the whole group.
But I didn't understand why I was collapsing. I didn't understand where I was, all of a sudden, or who I was; somewhere else. Someone else that was me, but still not me. A form of me, but not physically. Not mentally, either. Maybe spiritually, maybe not. I couldn't tell.
I was confused. Crayak had told me to call for him if I needed to. But… call for Crayak? No. It went against everything in my mind. Every single instinct and insight in my head slammed down on the brakes as soon as I even thought about it.
I decided to talk to Jake. And if need, I'd call for the Ellimist. If Crayak knew about this, then so should the Ellimist. And I trusted him - at least more than I trusted Crayak.
Jake wasn't hard to find. He sat by a fire, alone. I came and sat down next to him.
"You've got any confessions to make?" he wondered.
"About what?"
"I don't know. Maybe about you being ill or something. What's up, Cass? Why do you… collapse?"
I shook my head. "I don't know."
"You scared me," he said quietly. "You scared me bad. You just fell… straight down. My heart almost stopped. I thought you were dead. I thought I'd lost you."
"I know," I said. Only then did I realize that I didn't know what to say to him. How to tell him. What to tell him. I didn't understand any of it, so how could I make him understand it?
"I talked to your mom," he continued.
"And?"
"She said it might be stress. Fear. Anything, actually. I should let you take a break."
"You can't afford that," I said. "We're too few anyway. One less might make us lose." But I knew he was right. If I wasn't up for it, I shouldn't take part in any of the "action".
"I know. But I'm not taking any chances." He sighed, stared into the fire. "Is there anything you wanted to tell me?"
"Yeah," I said. I looked for words. And blurted out; "Crayak talked to me."
Jake spun his head towards me. He was thinking quickly. His eyes were searching, calculating. Calculating as coldly as any general ever had in any war. "Crayak?"
"Crayak," I confirmed.
"He's got anything to do with you collapsing?"
The question felt uncomfortable. I felt a foreshadowing shiver. "Maybe."
Jake's fists tightened. "If he has, I swear I'll…"
"I don't know, okay?" I snapped. "I collapse. I'm somewhere… somewhere… weird. Another reality. I'm myself, but not. Another existence of me. Then I wake up. I'm back in this reality. I feel sick. I feel something's wrong. And Crayak tells me I'm correct."
"What other reality?"
"I don't know," I said. "Look, I don't understand it, so I can't explain it. Crayak told me he could explain. He told me he'd help me."
"Don't trust him," Jake growled.
"I don't," I assured him. "I don't trust him at all."
"Has he tried to tell you to do something? Manipulate you, or anything?"
I peered at him. He looked worried. "You mean like with Rachel? No. He said he was my guide. Whatever he meant by that."
"If he talks to you again, tell me," Jake ordered. Then his voice softened. He took my hand and squeezed it gently. "Promise."
I kissed him and promised him I would. But I didn't think I'd keep that promise. It didn't feel good to talk to Jake about this. It felt strange. Weird. Simply wrong.
I lay down and must have fallen asleep. The next thing I know, it's morning. Jake had left. Rachel told me he was out flying. Spying for Yeerks.
I think there was another reason.
"CASSIE."
The voice made me look up suddenly from my food. But I realized who it was and continued eating calmly. Jake was sitting nearby. I didn't want him to get suspicious. He had been watching me like a hawk for the latest week. He'd had the others following me around. I hadn't been alone since our last conversation, the mentioned week ago.
Yes, Crayak? I thought. I know you are there. Go away.
The voice laughed. "YES, CASSIE. I SHALL GO. AND YOU SHALL COME WITH ME."
And something tugged at me. It was too strong for me to resist it.
* * *
Cassie knew where she was this time. She was back where she usually was. She had a vague feeling that the other her was immobile. She had a vague memory of that being bad.
That shadow that had captured her the last time was still there. Still holding her securely. There was no pain, not for existences as herself, but she felt trapped, which was uncomfortable.
But she felt at home. Things felt right for the first time in a long time.
The golden line under her was brighter then ever. The line that was her still held her firmly, but the connection was weaker then before. Much weaker. She didn't dare move, fearing it would break. Fearing what would happen if it did.
"Cassie," a voice said.
"Crayak," she replied, tugging at a strand of space-time to give herself a voice.
"You know why you are here?"
"No."
"You know where you are?"
"Yes." And she found that she knew. She really was home. In a very strange sense of the word.
"You must take over," said Crayak. The shadow around her let her go, shifted, shrank together and took the shape of Crayak. A magnificent throne appeared under him. His red eye watched her.
Cassie wasn't afraid now. She commanded herself to take a form as well; that of a wolf. She felt safe as a wolf, even though it was only an illusion and there was no such thing as eyes to see it with. But the wolf that was Cassie sat down on its haunches and met Crayak's gaze calmly.
"You learn," he commented.
"Do I have any choice?"
Crayak laughed his laughter, which was more of a feeling then a sound. The same feeling as a shiver down your spine. "No."
"You said I must take over. Take over after whom?"
"After the Ellimist."
And as Crayak laughed again Cassie felt how she was pushed away, into the golden line she still was attached to.
* * *
Several sets of eyes stared down at me as I opened my eyes. I didn't feel sick this time.
Jake sighed with relief and pulled me up until I sat, leaning against a tree.
My mom looked worried. She checked my pulse, asked me if I'd been eating properly. I didn't hear much of what she said because my dad was talking loudly at the same time, and all five of the other Animorphs were asking questions.
I was tired. My mind was spinning. I wanted to be left alone. I wanted to think.
And I wanted to forget everything I had ever known about Crayak and the Ellimist.
Take over? After the Ellimist? Made no sense.
First of all, if the Ellimist wasn't defeated, he wouldn't be gone. He wouldn't need replacing. And if the Ellimist defeated, why would Crayak want me to take over? He would only be happy to get rid of the Ellimist. He wouldn't want anyone taking over after him.
Or was it all some type of trick, to hurt Jake? Some type of ultimatum, using me as a hostage? I spent the most time thinking about that one. It was the most logical. And it was just the type of nasty, heartless trick Crayak would use.
Except for one thing. Then he'd be talking to Jake, not to me. That was the detail that made me give up the idea.
Later that day Jake spoke to me again.
"It was Crayak, wasn't it?" he hissed. "Crayak talked to you."
I lied to him. I told him Crayak hadn't talked to me.
Jake looked pained. He knew I was lying. He was hurt by it. I was hurt by it. But I had no choice. I knew I needed to figure this out myself.
I knew I needed to figure this out, or I'd die trying.
The Yeerks didn't find us for almost a whole month. We were getting worried by the time we had to fight and flee the next time. Jake kept me out of it. He treated me like I was made of glass.
But I hadn't collapse again. I had heard nothing from Crayak.
But Jake was still guarding me every awake second. He was completely convinced that there was something wrong with me.
So was my mother. She complained that I was loosing weight. I was, too. I had never been skinny before, but now I was. I wasn't eating properly because I was worried. I was distant, zoning out from time to time.
The worst part was the dreams. I'd be sleeping, dreaming, and then I was pulled into that other existence. Usually, shock snapped me out of it and I was awake, sweating despite the cold of the night and needing to throw up. The worst times, I woke with a fever and did throw up. I would shiver and wouldn't be able to fall asleep for hours.
But I kept it a secret. They were worried enough anyway.
Then came the day when Jake finally admitted that, yeah, I was in good shape. I was allowed to walk around by myself again. I was allowed to morph without supervision. I was allowed to stand guard.
It was good to have something to do again. Even if standing - or sitting - guard wasn't the most exiting job in the world, it was something. It kept my mind busy.
I was an osprey, sitting dutifully on the comfy branch in a tree. I was out of both earshot and thought-speech range and sight from camp. I as enjoying the loneliness, the silence. And keeping an eye out for Yeerks, of course.
In fact, I kept such a good eye out for the Yeerks that I neglected to watch my own talons.
You'll see what I mean.
Suddenly, on a branch in front of me, stood the Drode.
He grinned at me. "Great Crayak misses your delightful company, Cassie the adapter," he said with a mocking bow.
Then tell him he better get used to it, I snapped. And go away! If any of the others saw the Drode with me, they'd tell Jake. And Jake would probably get himself into trouble with Crayak. Without the Ellimist around to keep Crayak in check… I almost shuddered. Despite being an osprey.
The Drode grinned even broader, tapping his fingers against each other and keeping his eyes aimed at nothing special. "Oh, I don't think so."
What? I said. My talons tightened their hold on the branch. Is he going to drag me over there again?
"You're a freak of nature, Cassie," the Drode spat. "But a very powerful one. If you learn, if you let yourself be taught, no-one will ever drag you anywhere."
I ignored him and went back to scanning the area. If Crayak wasn't dragging me across to that other reality, I was happy.
The Drode, though, laughed scornfully. "So naïve. Did you think I came here for my own amusement? No. This will be a test for you, Cassie. Cassie the Ellimist's champion."
I felt a shiver. Something touched the feathers on my back, but I didn't turn to see what it was. Test?
"Yes," the Drode confirmed happily. "A test. Look at your talons."
I did. Or tried to. Tried, because I couldn't see my talons any more. Or my legs. Or anything up to my feathery chest and shoulders, for that matter.
I was wrapped up in bark, branches and twigs, like a gift in paper. I had just enough room to breathe, but otherwise I couldn't move. And the branches holding me were growing, spiraling around me like a snake, getting thicker and thicker, making me as helpless as a bug trapped in resin.
"You have about twenty-seven minutes left in morph, right?" the Drode gloated. "Too bad. Because as you see, you're stuck. And if you try to demorph, you'll crush yourself to death." He rubbed his hands together, pleased with the whole thing.
Let me go! I demanded.
"Oh, and one more thing," the Drode said, pointing upwards. There was a golden eagle. "See him? He's looking for a meal. And you're a sitting duck. Well, a sitting osprey."
What am I supposed to do? I wondered. I was frightened, naturally. What else?
"Remove the branches," the Drode said as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "Remove them and be free. Remove them, Cassie of the golden string, and demorph, and be alive."
He leaned in closer. "Remove them, Cassie, and your friends will not find an osprey with a ripped and eaten face. Will not find you, dead, wrapped in branches which could not possibly have been there."
I glared at him with my osprey eyes. It didn't give much of an effect, because ospreys don't have many expressions except glaring, and a being working for Crayak must be used to it anyhow.
The Drode smiled. "Can you guess what Jake'll think of it?" he said. "Can you guess who he'll blame?"
I glanced up at the eagle, soaring above, watching me. I wasn't sure if I really was a tasty meal, or if the Drode had a finger in his appetite, but that wasn't my main problem.
How?
The Drode just bowed mockingly again. "Good luck, little interloper. Good luck and goodbye."
He disappeared.
I fought down the panic and tried to think. The eagle kept circling. My minutes in morph-time kept ticking away. I tried calling for help, but no-one heard me. No-one was close enough.
The Drode would make sure no-one came close enough, also.
But, when I had about five minutes left, I remembered something the Drode had said. I had ignored it at the time, but now it was shining in my mind like the sun in the sky.
Cassie of the golden string, I repeated to myself. It wasn't just another of the Drode's standard phrases. It was a clue.
I needed to get to the world of golden strings. I needed to get across to that other reality, the other existence.
But how? How how how?
Okay, logical thinking. Quickly. I knew I was able to - or at least had been able to - go there at call, at wish. Right?
Well, I didn't have many alternatives. So I took that for granted.
How had I made it work the last time? What trick had I used? Any specialties? Had I been helped the last time, and needed to do it myself this time? No, the Drode would have told me. He and Crayak might try to kill me outright, but they wouldn't give me an impossible assignment.
I hoped.
I had nothing to lose. I shut my osprey eyes and concentrated hard.
Nothing happened.
I tried it again, and still nothing happened. By the third try, I was starting to panic. I had barely seconds left in morph, if even that.
But then came the thought that saved me. Where was I going, really? Nowhere. To what? To nothing. Because that's what the place was. It was nothing, and thereby everything. Nowhere, and thereby everywhere. A few pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
I emptied my mind. Cleared my thoughts. And the world faded…
* * *
Cassie found herself again in the shape of the wolf. The golden string pulsed on through space-time beneath her. The connection to it was very weak, but she was too relieved to worry about that. She had succeeded.
But it was not the time to be joyful. Her body was still down on Earth, mere seconds away from being trapped as an osprey and about to become eagle dinner.
Cassie felt around with those special, strange senses that came with being in that place. She found a piece of… something… something that caught her attention… that felt different. It somehow reminded her of… eternity.
Time. She had found the silver string of eternal time. It cleared to her instantly, and she reached out with a wolf paw to touch it.
With that simple touch she stopped time's flow. All around her, things froze. Stopped. The golden strings stopped floating along, freezing and almost trembling in place, eager to set into motion again. But they wouldn't; not until she let them.
The thought almost made her smile, but the smile didn't reach the shape she had chosen. She still had work to do.
Now she had time to find the tree's string and adapt it. Only thing was that now, she didn't have to worry about time.
Suddenly there was a sense of coldness. Crayak appeared in front of Cassie. He looked… felt… mad. Space-time strands were shaking with his fury.
"You can't do that!" he cried.
Cassie sat down on her haunches. She leaned her head to the side. "And why not?"
"YOU CAN'T!" Crayak roared. "It is… it is impossible!"
Cassie smiled a wolf smile, loping her tongue out. The days of fearing Crayak were gone; she found, to her surprise, that he didn't scare her.
Crayak gathered himself and calmed down again. More or less. "Ellimist!" he called.
An old bluish man appeared next to Cassie. He placed a hand on her head, stroking her wolf ears, and smiling proudly down at her.
So. The Ellimist wasn't gone, as she had thought. Cassie felt thankful about that.
"Yes, Crayak?" he said, still smiling down at Cassie.
"You lied to me, Ellimist," Crayak spat.
"No," the Ellimist said. "I didn't lie to you. I just hid the truth."
"We had an agreement!"
"Yes. And did I break it?"
Crayak steamed with anger and with contempt for the Ellimist. But it was clear that whatever agreement the two had had, the Ellimist hadn't broken it. Not directly.
"Go back to your game, Crayak," the Ellimist said. "I shall take care of the girl for now - and what remains of your test."
"That… girl… she's worse than just an anomaly! She shouldn't have been able to do that!"
"No, she shouldn't have," the Ellimist replied smugly.
"Do not lie to me, old cheat! You knew."
"Can you prove I did?" the Ellimist smiled. "Be proud of your student, Crayak. She seems to be worth top scores."
Crayak hissed angrily and disappeared.
The Ellimist smiled even broader.
"Don't disappear on me yet," Cassie warned. "You owe me an explanation. And I demand I get it now. What's happening to me?"
"You're discovering your… talents," Ellimist said. He grinned. "And Crayak is doing a very good job teaching you for me."
"Why?"
"Why, child?" the Ellimist said. "Why? Does anyone ever know why? I will tell you this. Crayak and I decided to let me take a… disciple. A helper, so to speak. Someone to stand on my side, as the Drode stands on Crayak's. The only condition, Cassie, is that the Crayak will teach you."
"Why chose a helper?" Cassie asked. "What do you need me for?"
The Ellimist blinked. He glanced both ways and took on a conspiratorial smile. "To defeat Crayak, of course. I need to defeat Crayak." Before Cassie replied, he clapped his hands together. "Now then. You're back in your human body, and the tree has released you. Good luck, child."
And Cassie was gently pushed away.
* * *
I was back on my branch. I wasn't feeling ill, or even nauseous. I climbed easily down from the tree, not managing to stop myself from laughing up at the eagle for a few moments.
"Don't be so happy," a voice warned, growling.
I turned around. "Drode."
He bared his sharp teeth at me and glared, hate in his eyes. "You got away this time," he said. "But don't worry. We'll get you, sooner or later. We'll get you, and then we'll get Jake, and then this planet will finally be destroyed by the Yeerks, as it ought to be!"
I ignored the Drode's threat. He looked more like a pesky fly than anything else. "I'm not afraid of you any longer."
His eyes narrowed. "Maybe not."
"You just lost a weapon, Drode. Fear is a great power."
The Drode spat at me. I did nothing. Not outwardly, at least. But the Drode was getting on my nerves.
My mind focused on the Drode. On that other reality. And I attached a thread between the two. Like a rubber band. And let go of it. The Drode disappeared with a cry of anger and surprise, as if he'd been pulled through a really small hole.
"And don't come back!" I roared, almost laughing with relief, very pleased with myself.
I turned around, heading back for camp. I had almost started walking when I saw Marco, standing meters away, watching me.
I stopped. Bit my lip. Then took on a smile. "Your turn to keep watch, huh?"
Marco nodded. I smiled again, and started walking. Just as I was about to pass him, he said; "So. What's up with the Drode?"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Author's Note;
Next part soon. Hopefully.
**Part 2**
Normally I wouldn't mind being out of the fight. I'm not like Rachel; I'm not a person who goes berserk and fights, enjoys every moment of it. Although I'm sure even Rachel sometimes feels it is too much.
But it bothered me. It bothered me because I didn't understand. I understood that Jake was worried about me, that he wanted me safe. I understood that he couldn't risk me collapsing again. It didn't only endanger myself; it endangered the whole group.
But I didn't understand why I was collapsing. I didn't understand where I was, all of a sudden, or who I was; somewhere else. Someone else that was me, but still not me. A form of me, but not physically. Not mentally, either. Maybe spiritually, maybe not. I couldn't tell.
I was confused. Crayak had told me to call for him if I needed to. But… call for Crayak? No. It went against everything in my mind. Every single instinct and insight in my head slammed down on the brakes as soon as I even thought about it.
I decided to talk to Jake. And if need, I'd call for the Ellimist. If Crayak knew about this, then so should the Ellimist. And I trusted him - at least more than I trusted Crayak.
Jake wasn't hard to find. He sat by a fire, alone. I came and sat down next to him.
"You've got any confessions to make?" he wondered.
"About what?"
"I don't know. Maybe about you being ill or something. What's up, Cass? Why do you… collapse?"
I shook my head. "I don't know."
"You scared me," he said quietly. "You scared me bad. You just fell… straight down. My heart almost stopped. I thought you were dead. I thought I'd lost you."
"I know," I said. Only then did I realize that I didn't know what to say to him. How to tell him. What to tell him. I didn't understand any of it, so how could I make him understand it?
"I talked to your mom," he continued.
"And?"
"She said it might be stress. Fear. Anything, actually. I should let you take a break."
"You can't afford that," I said. "We're too few anyway. One less might make us lose." But I knew he was right. If I wasn't up for it, I shouldn't take part in any of the "action".
"I know. But I'm not taking any chances." He sighed, stared into the fire. "Is there anything you wanted to tell me?"
"Yeah," I said. I looked for words. And blurted out; "Crayak talked to me."
Jake spun his head towards me. He was thinking quickly. His eyes were searching, calculating. Calculating as coldly as any general ever had in any war. "Crayak?"
"Crayak," I confirmed.
"He's got anything to do with you collapsing?"
The question felt uncomfortable. I felt a foreshadowing shiver. "Maybe."
Jake's fists tightened. "If he has, I swear I'll…"
"I don't know, okay?" I snapped. "I collapse. I'm somewhere… somewhere… weird. Another reality. I'm myself, but not. Another existence of me. Then I wake up. I'm back in this reality. I feel sick. I feel something's wrong. And Crayak tells me I'm correct."
"What other reality?"
"I don't know," I said. "Look, I don't understand it, so I can't explain it. Crayak told me he could explain. He told me he'd help me."
"Don't trust him," Jake growled.
"I don't," I assured him. "I don't trust him at all."
"Has he tried to tell you to do something? Manipulate you, or anything?"
I peered at him. He looked worried. "You mean like with Rachel? No. He said he was my guide. Whatever he meant by that."
"If he talks to you again, tell me," Jake ordered. Then his voice softened. He took my hand and squeezed it gently. "Promise."
I kissed him and promised him I would. But I didn't think I'd keep that promise. It didn't feel good to talk to Jake about this. It felt strange. Weird. Simply wrong.
I lay down and must have fallen asleep. The next thing I know, it's morning. Jake had left. Rachel told me he was out flying. Spying for Yeerks.
I think there was another reason.
"CASSIE."
The voice made me look up suddenly from my food. But I realized who it was and continued eating calmly. Jake was sitting nearby. I didn't want him to get suspicious. He had been watching me like a hawk for the latest week. He'd had the others following me around. I hadn't been alone since our last conversation, the mentioned week ago.
Yes, Crayak? I thought. I know you are there. Go away.
The voice laughed. "YES, CASSIE. I SHALL GO. AND YOU SHALL COME WITH ME."
And something tugged at me. It was too strong for me to resist it.
* * *
Cassie knew where she was this time. She was back where she usually was. She had a vague feeling that the other her was immobile. She had a vague memory of that being bad.
That shadow that had captured her the last time was still there. Still holding her securely. There was no pain, not for existences as herself, but she felt trapped, which was uncomfortable.
But she felt at home. Things felt right for the first time in a long time.
The golden line under her was brighter then ever. The line that was her still held her firmly, but the connection was weaker then before. Much weaker. She didn't dare move, fearing it would break. Fearing what would happen if it did.
"Cassie," a voice said.
"Crayak," she replied, tugging at a strand of space-time to give herself a voice.
"You know why you are here?"
"No."
"You know where you are?"
"Yes." And she found that she knew. She really was home. In a very strange sense of the word.
"You must take over," said Crayak. The shadow around her let her go, shifted, shrank together and took the shape of Crayak. A magnificent throne appeared under him. His red eye watched her.
Cassie wasn't afraid now. She commanded herself to take a form as well; that of a wolf. She felt safe as a wolf, even though it was only an illusion and there was no such thing as eyes to see it with. But the wolf that was Cassie sat down on its haunches and met Crayak's gaze calmly.
"You learn," he commented.
"Do I have any choice?"
Crayak laughed his laughter, which was more of a feeling then a sound. The same feeling as a shiver down your spine. "No."
"You said I must take over. Take over after whom?"
"After the Ellimist."
And as Crayak laughed again Cassie felt how she was pushed away, into the golden line she still was attached to.
* * *
Several sets of eyes stared down at me as I opened my eyes. I didn't feel sick this time.
Jake sighed with relief and pulled me up until I sat, leaning against a tree.
My mom looked worried. She checked my pulse, asked me if I'd been eating properly. I didn't hear much of what she said because my dad was talking loudly at the same time, and all five of the other Animorphs were asking questions.
I was tired. My mind was spinning. I wanted to be left alone. I wanted to think.
And I wanted to forget everything I had ever known about Crayak and the Ellimist.
Take over? After the Ellimist? Made no sense.
First of all, if the Ellimist wasn't defeated, he wouldn't be gone. He wouldn't need replacing. And if the Ellimist defeated, why would Crayak want me to take over? He would only be happy to get rid of the Ellimist. He wouldn't want anyone taking over after him.
Or was it all some type of trick, to hurt Jake? Some type of ultimatum, using me as a hostage? I spent the most time thinking about that one. It was the most logical. And it was just the type of nasty, heartless trick Crayak would use.
Except for one thing. Then he'd be talking to Jake, not to me. That was the detail that made me give up the idea.
Later that day Jake spoke to me again.
"It was Crayak, wasn't it?" he hissed. "Crayak talked to you."
I lied to him. I told him Crayak hadn't talked to me.
Jake looked pained. He knew I was lying. He was hurt by it. I was hurt by it. But I had no choice. I knew I needed to figure this out myself.
I knew I needed to figure this out, or I'd die trying.
The Yeerks didn't find us for almost a whole month. We were getting worried by the time we had to fight and flee the next time. Jake kept me out of it. He treated me like I was made of glass.
But I hadn't collapse again. I had heard nothing from Crayak.
But Jake was still guarding me every awake second. He was completely convinced that there was something wrong with me.
So was my mother. She complained that I was loosing weight. I was, too. I had never been skinny before, but now I was. I wasn't eating properly because I was worried. I was distant, zoning out from time to time.
The worst part was the dreams. I'd be sleeping, dreaming, and then I was pulled into that other existence. Usually, shock snapped me out of it and I was awake, sweating despite the cold of the night and needing to throw up. The worst times, I woke with a fever and did throw up. I would shiver and wouldn't be able to fall asleep for hours.
But I kept it a secret. They were worried enough anyway.
Then came the day when Jake finally admitted that, yeah, I was in good shape. I was allowed to walk around by myself again. I was allowed to morph without supervision. I was allowed to stand guard.
It was good to have something to do again. Even if standing - or sitting - guard wasn't the most exiting job in the world, it was something. It kept my mind busy.
I was an osprey, sitting dutifully on the comfy branch in a tree. I was out of both earshot and thought-speech range and sight from camp. I as enjoying the loneliness, the silence. And keeping an eye out for Yeerks, of course.
In fact, I kept such a good eye out for the Yeerks that I neglected to watch my own talons.
You'll see what I mean.
Suddenly, on a branch in front of me, stood the Drode.
He grinned at me. "Great Crayak misses your delightful company, Cassie the adapter," he said with a mocking bow.
Then tell him he better get used to it, I snapped. And go away! If any of the others saw the Drode with me, they'd tell Jake. And Jake would probably get himself into trouble with Crayak. Without the Ellimist around to keep Crayak in check… I almost shuddered. Despite being an osprey.
The Drode grinned even broader, tapping his fingers against each other and keeping his eyes aimed at nothing special. "Oh, I don't think so."
What? I said. My talons tightened their hold on the branch. Is he going to drag me over there again?
"You're a freak of nature, Cassie," the Drode spat. "But a very powerful one. If you learn, if you let yourself be taught, no-one will ever drag you anywhere."
I ignored him and went back to scanning the area. If Crayak wasn't dragging me across to that other reality, I was happy.
The Drode, though, laughed scornfully. "So naïve. Did you think I came here for my own amusement? No. This will be a test for you, Cassie. Cassie the Ellimist's champion."
I felt a shiver. Something touched the feathers on my back, but I didn't turn to see what it was. Test?
"Yes," the Drode confirmed happily. "A test. Look at your talons."
I did. Or tried to. Tried, because I couldn't see my talons any more. Or my legs. Or anything up to my feathery chest and shoulders, for that matter.
I was wrapped up in bark, branches and twigs, like a gift in paper. I had just enough room to breathe, but otherwise I couldn't move. And the branches holding me were growing, spiraling around me like a snake, getting thicker and thicker, making me as helpless as a bug trapped in resin.
"You have about twenty-seven minutes left in morph, right?" the Drode gloated. "Too bad. Because as you see, you're stuck. And if you try to demorph, you'll crush yourself to death." He rubbed his hands together, pleased with the whole thing.
Let me go! I demanded.
"Oh, and one more thing," the Drode said, pointing upwards. There was a golden eagle. "See him? He's looking for a meal. And you're a sitting duck. Well, a sitting osprey."
What am I supposed to do? I wondered. I was frightened, naturally. What else?
"Remove the branches," the Drode said as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "Remove them and be free. Remove them, Cassie of the golden string, and demorph, and be alive."
He leaned in closer. "Remove them, Cassie, and your friends will not find an osprey with a ripped and eaten face. Will not find you, dead, wrapped in branches which could not possibly have been there."
I glared at him with my osprey eyes. It didn't give much of an effect, because ospreys don't have many expressions except glaring, and a being working for Crayak must be used to it anyhow.
The Drode smiled. "Can you guess what Jake'll think of it?" he said. "Can you guess who he'll blame?"
I glanced up at the eagle, soaring above, watching me. I wasn't sure if I really was a tasty meal, or if the Drode had a finger in his appetite, but that wasn't my main problem.
How?
The Drode just bowed mockingly again. "Good luck, little interloper. Good luck and goodbye."
He disappeared.
I fought down the panic and tried to think. The eagle kept circling. My minutes in morph-time kept ticking away. I tried calling for help, but no-one heard me. No-one was close enough.
The Drode would make sure no-one came close enough, also.
But, when I had about five minutes left, I remembered something the Drode had said. I had ignored it at the time, but now it was shining in my mind like the sun in the sky.
Cassie of the golden string, I repeated to myself. It wasn't just another of the Drode's standard phrases. It was a clue.
I needed to get to the world of golden strings. I needed to get across to that other reality, the other existence.
But how? How how how?
Okay, logical thinking. Quickly. I knew I was able to - or at least had been able to - go there at call, at wish. Right?
Well, I didn't have many alternatives. So I took that for granted.
How had I made it work the last time? What trick had I used? Any specialties? Had I been helped the last time, and needed to do it myself this time? No, the Drode would have told me. He and Crayak might try to kill me outright, but they wouldn't give me an impossible assignment.
I hoped.
I had nothing to lose. I shut my osprey eyes and concentrated hard.
Nothing happened.
I tried it again, and still nothing happened. By the third try, I was starting to panic. I had barely seconds left in morph, if even that.
But then came the thought that saved me. Where was I going, really? Nowhere. To what? To nothing. Because that's what the place was. It was nothing, and thereby everything. Nowhere, and thereby everywhere. A few pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
I emptied my mind. Cleared my thoughts. And the world faded…
* * *
Cassie found herself again in the shape of the wolf. The golden string pulsed on through space-time beneath her. The connection to it was very weak, but she was too relieved to worry about that. She had succeeded.
But it was not the time to be joyful. Her body was still down on Earth, mere seconds away from being trapped as an osprey and about to become eagle dinner.
Cassie felt around with those special, strange senses that came with being in that place. She found a piece of… something… something that caught her attention… that felt different. It somehow reminded her of… eternity.
Time. She had found the silver string of eternal time. It cleared to her instantly, and she reached out with a wolf paw to touch it.
With that simple touch she stopped time's flow. All around her, things froze. Stopped. The golden strings stopped floating along, freezing and almost trembling in place, eager to set into motion again. But they wouldn't; not until she let them.
The thought almost made her smile, but the smile didn't reach the shape she had chosen. She still had work to do.
Now she had time to find the tree's string and adapt it. Only thing was that now, she didn't have to worry about time.
Suddenly there was a sense of coldness. Crayak appeared in front of Cassie. He looked… felt… mad. Space-time strands were shaking with his fury.
"You can't do that!" he cried.
Cassie sat down on her haunches. She leaned her head to the side. "And why not?"
"YOU CAN'T!" Crayak roared. "It is… it is impossible!"
Cassie smiled a wolf smile, loping her tongue out. The days of fearing Crayak were gone; she found, to her surprise, that he didn't scare her.
Crayak gathered himself and calmed down again. More or less. "Ellimist!" he called.
An old bluish man appeared next to Cassie. He placed a hand on her head, stroking her wolf ears, and smiling proudly down at her.
So. The Ellimist wasn't gone, as she had thought. Cassie felt thankful about that.
"Yes, Crayak?" he said, still smiling down at Cassie.
"You lied to me, Ellimist," Crayak spat.
"No," the Ellimist said. "I didn't lie to you. I just hid the truth."
"We had an agreement!"
"Yes. And did I break it?"
Crayak steamed with anger and with contempt for the Ellimist. But it was clear that whatever agreement the two had had, the Ellimist hadn't broken it. Not directly.
"Go back to your game, Crayak," the Ellimist said. "I shall take care of the girl for now - and what remains of your test."
"That… girl… she's worse than just an anomaly! She shouldn't have been able to do that!"
"No, she shouldn't have," the Ellimist replied smugly.
"Do not lie to me, old cheat! You knew."
"Can you prove I did?" the Ellimist smiled. "Be proud of your student, Crayak. She seems to be worth top scores."
Crayak hissed angrily and disappeared.
The Ellimist smiled even broader.
"Don't disappear on me yet," Cassie warned. "You owe me an explanation. And I demand I get it now. What's happening to me?"
"You're discovering your… talents," Ellimist said. He grinned. "And Crayak is doing a very good job teaching you for me."
"Why?"
"Why, child?" the Ellimist said. "Why? Does anyone ever know why? I will tell you this. Crayak and I decided to let me take a… disciple. A helper, so to speak. Someone to stand on my side, as the Drode stands on Crayak's. The only condition, Cassie, is that the Crayak will teach you."
"Why chose a helper?" Cassie asked. "What do you need me for?"
The Ellimist blinked. He glanced both ways and took on a conspiratorial smile. "To defeat Crayak, of course. I need to defeat Crayak." Before Cassie replied, he clapped his hands together. "Now then. You're back in your human body, and the tree has released you. Good luck, child."
And Cassie was gently pushed away.
* * *
I was back on my branch. I wasn't feeling ill, or even nauseous. I climbed easily down from the tree, not managing to stop myself from laughing up at the eagle for a few moments.
"Don't be so happy," a voice warned, growling.
I turned around. "Drode."
He bared his sharp teeth at me and glared, hate in his eyes. "You got away this time," he said. "But don't worry. We'll get you, sooner or later. We'll get you, and then we'll get Jake, and then this planet will finally be destroyed by the Yeerks, as it ought to be!"
I ignored the Drode's threat. He looked more like a pesky fly than anything else. "I'm not afraid of you any longer."
His eyes narrowed. "Maybe not."
"You just lost a weapon, Drode. Fear is a great power."
The Drode spat at me. I did nothing. Not outwardly, at least. But the Drode was getting on my nerves.
My mind focused on the Drode. On that other reality. And I attached a thread between the two. Like a rubber band. And let go of it. The Drode disappeared with a cry of anger and surprise, as if he'd been pulled through a really small hole.
"And don't come back!" I roared, almost laughing with relief, very pleased with myself.
I turned around, heading back for camp. I had almost started walking when I saw Marco, standing meters away, watching me.
I stopped. Bit my lip. Then took on a smile. "Your turn to keep watch, huh?"
Marco nodded. I smiled again, and started walking. Just as I was about to pass him, he said; "So. What's up with the Drode?"
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Author's Note;
Next part soon. Hopefully.