Chapter 2
Enter the Phoenix
Moss crunched under the four leathery paws. A rough tongue came out to flick across sharp teeth splattering Dureena's arm which twitched under the warmth.
The creature drew in closer with all four limbs on the ground. Its mouth oozing saliva with eyes filled with immense hunger. The moonlight caused the creatures weather beaten skin to shimmer 8as it prowled forward, focused completely on the fresh food in front of it.
Its focus was distracted by the sound of roaring before it realised it was in pain. Orange flames flicked into its vision. It screamed as something burned it. It ran in panic into the water where its suffering ended as it drew its last breath.
The flames carried on flickering across the skin not submerged in the water gathering itself together and twisting into a form. It hopped off the corpse and moved towards the unconscious Dureena.
A fiery bird, feathers matched the raging fire from moments ago. Then it moved to watch Dureena, and touch her with its beak.
Slowly pressing its beak against her arm stroking softly over the tanned skin, it left no marks behind. It did not burn her. It slowed its movement when Dureena moved.
Amber eyes flickered open before closing again against the pain in her head. Slowly her surroundings started to filter through the pain. She realised she was not alone. Her muscles tensed as she slid her eyes open, ready to attack. A light in the dark caught her notice as she was drawn to it. The light soon made a shape, a bird? It was bigger than she was with violet eyes and a flaming body, that shone like a bright light in the darkness of the nights.
She rolled away from the bird careful to keep a dagger in easy reach, she swept gracefully into a crouch only to fall backwards as the pain and grinding of bone in her ankle made themselves know.
****
"I'm surprised you survived the fall, let alone the beast. It really was going to try to make a meal of you. If I had not been here to save you pretty thing..." Dureena took a moment to realise that the voice was coming from the bird, as its beak moved.
She blinked slowly and almost laughed at herself. Why was she so surprised? A bird having a voice and making sense? After knowing Galen she had really thought nothing was impossible. Even though actually seeing it still caused her brain to reach for plausible excuses, maybe she had hit her head too hard.
The giant bird's voice started up again, "Your right ankle is fractured and you have a mild concussion," it stated as the violet eyes roamed over her. It ruffled its own feathers. "Oh! How rude of me. I am Casarus, Familiar and AI of Technomage Winn-rei."
Dureena had to force herself not to move when the featherly wing stretched out to her as if to shake. The large head bowed in greeting. She slowly reached forwards and shook the wing carefully, but still her mouth could not form words. The Bird carried on as if she was not having any trouble.
"You're not from around here are you? My memory stats you're Zander. You're a long way from home aren't you?" the bird just kept chatting and looked around the clearing. "I've alerted Winn-rei. She's nearby dealing with the rest of the pack of Ravagers. Usually they work as a team but recently something has been upsetting them, making them act alone and far more dangerously."
Dureena tried to stand up as the bird seemed to be distracted by the dead creature in the water. She ducked quickly under the feathered wing held over her head. The bird turned to look at her again.
"Oh you should not be getting up on that ankel of yours. I'll stay with you until she comes to us. Do you have a name?" it cocked it head side to side at her.
"What are you?" she blurted out first, her voice rough from underuse. The large eyes blinked again and it seemed to be studying her.
"Your concustion must be worse that I first thought. I already told you what I am Miss."
"Dureena," the thief grunted out and shook her head. "I mean what creature are you."
"I'm based on a mythological beast from earth fairy tales. I am a phoenix, if that's what you mean, Miss Dureena." Casarus couldn't resist nuzzling Dureena's hand and clicked her beak. Dureena looked up over at the forest as the sound of creatures screaming.
She could hear running towards her. She shifted her hand on the dagger as a creature slightly darker than the one in the water burst through the undergrowth only for it to land dead next to the other one.
"Well," came a panting voice "That's the most fun I've had in a long time." A cloaked figure emerged from the shadows of the trees, talons digging into the moss as she moved gracefully forwards. Her fingers around a large wooden rod. The silver bells at the top catching the moon light. The figure stopped and looked over at the bird. "Power down Casarus."
Dureena rolled away as the bird burst into flames, disappearing into ashes. A stone lay on the floor. The new arrival bent down and picked it up, slipping it into the top of her dress before stretching back up to her full height.
"Pleasure to meet you, Dureena Nafeel." The new person grinned. Dureena glared at her.
"How did, no your a technomage aren't you," she growled as she took in the creature or person in front of her.
"My name is Winn-Rei, former Technomage. How is it that a thief knows of us?" Winn-rei's smile took on a harder edge.
"How is it you know my name?" Dureena cut in first, her hand shifting on her dagger. Winn-Rei waved her hand.
"Firewalls aren't all that strong on that ship of yours. Now answer me how do you know of Technomages?"
"Your arrogant just like Galen." Dureena spat out, amber eyes flashing.
"You know… Galen?"
Winn-Rei swallowed hard. Her fingers gripped the staff harder, making it creak slightly under her touch. She bit her lip as she willed her racing heart to slow down. She gave up on willing it and forced it to slow down. There were still predators in the night which would be drawn to it. She moved quickly over to Dureena, ignoring the glint of metal as unimportant. Neither really posed a threat or danger to her life. She was bigger and faster than this small female.
"You're injured. We need to get that ankle fixed up, or you will not get very far without help. I could be that help. I could even help ease the pain; but… that dagger needs to be put away first. I don't do knife play on a first date." Winnie-rei said with sternly as she looked at Dureena. Her hood still masked her features, and the smile she wore. Dureena glared at her and her grip tightened on the wooden handle of her dagger.
Winn-rei sighed. "There are things out there far more dangerous than those creatures, trust me I know." She waved to the water. "I am willing to take you back to your camp. You know this makes sense or are you as stupid as that supposed linguist you have i saw a image of him." A hand held out, with three digits tipped with sharp claws.
Winn-rei sensed that Dureena was still unsure of her. So she moved to sit down since she was still a towering creature, and pushed her hood back showing her long red hair.
"Stubborn aren't we?" Winn-rei grinned as she shifted to get comfy in the moss. She reached for Dureena's ankle. The thief moved quickly and the Dagger she had been holding went to her throat. "I think you should rethink this Sweet one. I'm not like him."
Dureena growled and moved to get to a crouch. Winn-rei had enough and moved to a crouch.
"If you want to stay here then go ahead. Those pig sticks might help you with the first few creatures, but that concussion will catch up to you. You'll become tired and then what?" She lectured sternly, moving to get to her feet. "Galen is the only reason I am still here, and I'm assuming that he would be upset if you become someone's dinner. So either I can help you willingly or I can drag your foolish backside back to your companions by force. So bright eyes, choose one." The taloned hand thrust out once more.
Durrena looked at the hand and growled low hiding her hesitance. She should not need help, specially from this unknown creature. Seeing her closer she could see more from under the hood and it was not a race she had ever seen. She looked human in the face, and she was pretty to look at but the talons and claws on her feet and hands gave her a don't mess with me look. Dureena grunted in frustration before she took the taloned hand and let herself be pulled up. As she did, she pushed away the way that this creature's tone of voice awoke memories that she had long shoved away and swore never to relive.
She tested the strength in the arm which pulled her up, and could feel this Winn-Rei controlled her strength, and held back. She hated the fact she had to put her faith in someone she had just met. She had trusted someone wholeheartedly before and it had been thrown back in her face.
"My name is Dureena, and I always keep a dagger in my hand." This female had bought her back to thinking about Galen again and she was feeling ungrateful for the rush of emotion that those blue eyes had made her experience. Winn-rei nodded in agreement.
"Good. Not as stupid as some of your companions then pretty one." She shifted her grip on Dureena's arm and put it over her shoulder, so she could take the weight off the injured ankle. They moved in complete silence and at considerable speed through the undergrowth thanks to Winn-Rei's strength. The terrain was not that rough going and they headed to the closest camp, the one by a larger ruin. As they approached, they could see the guards pacing around shoulders tense.
Ravagers bodies littered the circumference of the camp. As they moved closer a handsome woman came into view. She was stooped over one of the creatures. With a computer in hand, she made notes. Her face turned towards the newcomers with a sad look in her eyes. Dureena understood when she saw unmoving soldiers also laying on the ground. The soldiers among the Ravagers had been ripped apart not yet placed in body bags.
Dureena looked around the people moving around, checking to who was still alive. She even was even a little relieved to see Max moving across the camp. She could also see that the two of them had caught the attention of the moving soldiers who subtly surrounded them carefully.
"Well," Winn-rei said as she stood still, her eyes looking everywhere. "Looks like we missed quite a party." Her words thickly sarcastic, as she shifted Dureena's arm. She had put her staff away before they had come near the camp. Dureena assumed so she wouldn't look as threatening. She moved to help Dureena down to the ground to rest on a rock. "I mean you know harm. I was just returning this lost lamb and to help out if i can."
The soldiers all shifted their weapons ready. Some pointed at the new arrival. Until Gideon strode across the field, took one look at Dureena and ordered them to stand down.
"Should I even ask what happened?" Gideon looked at Dureena battered, bloody state as she sat on the rock. Winn-Rei tracked the way the captain crossed his arm but showed concern for his shipmate.
"Well she did nearly get eaten, after falling down a cliff. A lovely swan dive it was as well." Winn-rei said as she stepped back to let, who she believed to be the doctor get to the thief. Now she wasn't stooping down she moved to stand to her full height, hands on her hips.
"Well from what my familiar told me anyway." She smiled, as she played with her hair that ran down her back in waves.
"Familiar?" he questioned her, before he nodded. "You're a techno-mage then?" Tension seeped into his muscles as he moved to his own side arm. His troops following his lead. Winn-rei stood still and didn't move as she watched him work through his emotions.
"Our last encounter..." he started.
"Was not a good one I am assuming" The redheaded Winn-Rei said as she scanned the troupe. She moved her hands slowly in a show she was not here to threaten them.
"You could say that. A lot of my crew didn't make it through the encounter. So please excuse any hostilities. Without Galen around we are unsure who we can trust."
Dureena scoffed under her breath at the mention of trust and Galen in the same sentence. "He's never around when you need him."
Gideon inclined his head slightly at the comment and sighed, "Usually he turns up to warn us of some danger. Are you here to enlighten us?"
Winn-rei smiled widely. "Indeed I am. But introductions first, I am Winn-rei former member of the order of techno-mages. Red King group. We're a bit, what can I say, special and unique."
"Captain Matthew Gideon of the earth alliance ship Excalibur," he introduced himself so formally.
"Former techmage, is that even possible?"
"Yes, and not a story for today. Excuse me for not having my head covered like most my group do, it's been a long day." She avoiding his investigation.
"You may call me Rei." A slight purr flitted across her voice. Matthew crossed his arms again and gave her a look.
"I would say that it's a pleasure to meet you. But like I said, our recent experiences."
His voice was strong and he was cynical of her. Winn-rei looked around her and waved a hand about and her tail moved as well.
"Perfectly understandable Capitan. Don't worry about hurting my sensitivities. I rarely take things personally, just don't have the time."
She moved closer to him and grinned.
"If I had- lets just say… That I would be on top of you, and not in an enjoyable way."
She enjoyed the way the captain's shoulders tensed and his eyes dilated. The effect she had on theses mear humans fascinated her in many ways.
"But not to worry yourself. I hardly use my abilities anyway. I am as dangerous as this peaceful planet."
That did nothing to sway the captain's tripdation as everyone knew; No planet was completely peaceful.
Winn-rei must have sensed what he was feeling and relaxed her stance a little more.
"I give you my word that I am not a threat to you or your crew, and I will not harm anyone unless provoked to do so. I will with no questions asked protect myself." Her eyes were hard but Gideon visibly relaxed. He must have believed her sincere. She played with the pendent around her neck. Nervous now. She needed to warn them of the world that they had stumbled across.
Soon an area was cleared, chairs and tables with various drinks where provided with food so she could explain all the hidden dangers that lurked in the breathtaking forest. She shared what she had been studying in the briefest terms as she didn't want to show all her cards right a way. Mostly she drove home the point that if they did not leave soon they would not be leaving at all.
Gideon had a hard look in his eyes which had not moved since she had started her talking, she tried to scare the male in front of her but the steal in his eyes did not change, she was rapidly losing her patience. Winn-rei tried to keep her composure and went back to trying a different tactic.
Captain," she tried to purr but there was an edge to her voice.
"Can I not sway your decision? I have met many stubborn men who did not listen to warnings. All of them are six feet under, well those lucky to get buried, anyway."
She pushed her hair from her face and stood, hands on her hips to take a moment.
"You doom yourself and your crew and for my sins I will be doomed with you."
She muttered the last part mostly to herself before she looked back into the captain's eyes.
"I will stay with you. Once you realise what an idiot you are being, I will help you off this savage world. This world does not like you being here and will do everything in its power to remove you. Even technomages would not approach this world without coercion, despite the enticing resources here."
"Resources," a voice came from beside her, one that seemed to ignore all the warnings and could hear the ching of money. "Ah hello there, I'm interested in these … resources."
Winn-rei cocked her head to the side to study the male coming toward her. She bristled slightly as he was not looking at her face, but at her chest. The captain beside her seemed to be rolling his eyes at the man.
"I'm not interested in telling you about anything," she said slowly as his gaze still didn't move from her chest.
She moved her cloak to cover herself. Finally he looked up, and she saw the calculating look in his eyes, not for safety but for money.
"But think of the deals we could make. To help," the word seemed to stick in his mouth, "The people here. I'm Max and together we could do so much."
"Max was it?" Winn-rei said with an air of not caring in her voice. "I'm not inclined to share that information with you, and right now, your attitude is making me think I am wasting my time."
"Really little man?" she said as she stood to her full height, iron laced in her words.
"I've only listened to one part of what we were discussing and that was not anything to do with money, or anything you could sell. You have no skill at hiding your naked greed. This sin will lead you to an early grave and the death will not have been a kind one."
She loved to see the fear creep into the man's eyes when a woman put them in their place. She could smell the fear that was coming off the man.
She lent down close to him, making sure his eyes stayed on her. "People like you are the ones that are forgotten. That people don't think to protect because they've got their greedy mitts on something they shouldn't. Maybe you should think about what you are doing little boy."
Max didn't know how to respond to that. He simply turned and walked away, cheeks inflamed with embarrassment. Gideon shifted in his seat hiding a small smile.
"Well that's the best way I've seen to shut him up. I have to congratulate you on that. Now you said you were going to help us?"
Winn-rei straightened and moved back to the table sipping her water. "Yes. It's not like I have anything pressing at the moment, and well the company is rather… entertaining. I just need somewhere to set up camp."
Matthew relaxed as he was starting to like the technomage woman. She was somewhat friendly, with a hard undercurrent and she was straight forwards which helped with the headaches that usually came with a technomage and their mystical warnings. Why they couldn't just say what they meant he never understood.
She was going to help out. That was a big bonus but something was pushing at the back of his mind.
Matthew Gideon was by no means a slouch when it came to women but his kind was usually human. He had never been attracted to someone of a different species. So why now was he finding this red head sexually attractive?
Sure he had to admit there were some very good looking species out there that drew his attention but nothing sexual. That was always Trace Miller's or Max's area of trouble. He would need to think on this when he had some downtime.
Which looking at his schedule would not be for the next few months. He just hoped that Max at least stayed away from the lovely lady, because as much as the linguist made his life harder, he had his uses.
Trying to relax and focus, Winn-Rei rolled her shoulders. She had been doing some digging, and stumbled into the logs of the Excalibur. Undetected she decided she might as well dig all she could and found some fun things about Galen. She opened her eyes as she spotted Dureena moving through the camp limping slowly, she opened her mouth but was waved off.
"It's nothing." the younger woman said as she came to sit beside Winn-rei. "How do you know Galen," she blurted.
"Why would you be asking me that?" Rei purred as she watched those fascinating amber eyes. "Is it something that needs explanation, or are you perhaps jealous?" The taller lady's smile widened seeing her comments hit home. She loved the way that she could scrape away seeing a little more into the lovely creature who stood before her.
Dureena worked her mouth but couldn't seem to deny what was being said.
Rei took her hand and patted her patronizingly. "Don't worry, he isn't what, what would you say, floats my boat. The lack of backbone in bed isn't my thing." She grinned as she watched the blush race across Dureena's skin.
"That's -." Dureena finally blurted but the grin on Winn-rei's face only got more sadistic and wider.
"You know when you lie your heart races?" She smiled and laughed a little. "I can smell your hormones running wild whenever you hear his name."
"How?" Dureena whispered with her eyes wide. This woman knew she was being ridiculous, but she could feel her thoughts for Galen and a deep flush in her stomach when he was mentioned.
"I am techno-mage and a Yune-dari. My species had some extra helping hands when it comes to seeing the people around us. Our senses are heightened, which means we can pick up things that many creatures try to hid. Ones which I am only left to use." Her voice became soft and sad as she drew silent. Dureena shuddered as Rei's fingers touched her cheek.
"How deep did you go?" The thief whispered and Rei shook herself and stepped back her hand falling.
"I'm sorry. I would never tell anyone." The Yune-dari said softly. "Someday maybe you should tell Galen. If he turns you down, I would be honoured to take his place."
Dureena took a second before she was running. She moved through the camp, she needed to be alone.
How could someone who never knew her before know so much about her, and how could she give him another chance? Trust had been broken and she was not sure she could face giving him that trust again.
Maybe she needed to decide what she wanted. Maybe she should be the one giving the rules instead of being bound by them.
TBC
