Hey sorry everyone for the long break, I had ended up loosing both my grandparents just after the last chapter was written, and then I had ankle reconstruction and graduation, its been a busy few years. Please don't hate me but I have actually been trying to keep up with these stories of mine in my own documents. So here at least for now is another chapter of my story Changing Faith
We were seated at a table "eating", if you can call this flavourless pile food. When the orders came in. We were to go back to the link room but Jake first had to go see the Colonel. I walked with Norm back through the hallways, window-less, lifeless, all cold steal and plastic. The air here even tasted fake, like the ac in a car turned on full. Stale, recycled too many times. I was taking stock of our steps till the room, but other than that, I wasn't paying attention. When we got to the link room I climbed into a bio bed and pulled the monitor cage down over my chest. I pulled the lid closed and let it all go blank. A swirl of colour and I was there. It felt like coming home after a long trip.
It seems like I was the first one in. I stood and got changed in my own little bunk area. I dressed in a set of dark brown shorts, with a sports bra type shirt, I decided to forgo the combat boots, always hated shoes. I always hated lots of clothes too, I naturally ran warm when I was human and the jungle or a different biology didn't seem to change that. I was asked to go with Jake, Grace and Norm when they went out on their sample retrieval. I left the cabin and walked the gardens for a time until we were called to the helipad. I hopped onto the chopper, I tried to ignore the thunderous noise that was created when the blades started. It was worth the noise once we started flying. Green, as far as the eye could see, speckled with blue lakes and teal streams. Flashed of purple and orange, animal life that flew with us. Then they started, trees that towered over the tallest building, wider than anything ever seen. The Great trees, the last that had existed on earth were destroyed over a century ago. To see them here, standing like great sentries, standing guard over all that She has created, a true wonder. The forest went on for miles.
Our pilot, Trudy, pointed out a heard of Stermbeast, like huge cattle, gentle until provoked. Over the edge of a cliff, had everyone holding to their seats, Jake let out a whoop of excitement. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, making every line, every sight sharper. The Hunters eye, it was called, pure and true, deadly when used correctly.
We finally landed in a small clearing, dwarfed by the trees once again. It was easy to feel like a toddler among giants here. We left the landing site and walked into the brush, Norm and Jake both had looks of amazement on their faces. I stood still, feeling the world around me, stretching my senses as far as I could, just as I was taught all those years ago. I felt the old magick fill me, all prayer and song, joyous and sweet. The sound of animals calling, the different pitches of sound, birds settling into nests. The forest itself seemed to beat with life, the Trees breathed around me. This is what I came here for, to feel her around me, hear her heart beat in my ears as life exploded into being at every turn. I heard Grace say "They are probably watching us right now." There it was, a whisper, barely there. It felt more like a breath upon my skin, a feather-soft push somewhere behind me to my left. I turned, looking over my shoulder, high into a tree. A soft smile graced my features. I touched my fingers to my chest, just above my heart, bowed my head and raised a palm to them. A gesture of greeting in a way, yet also submissive. It means I trust you, my life is in your hands.
They entered the school, Grace used to teach there. I couldn't, there was a shadow on that place, the screams were still trapped within the walls. Blood had stained the soil. I heard Norm ask why no one ever came back, if only he knew. I knelt before the steps, there was a clear patch of earth, seemed so odd for this place, covered in vines as She tried to reclaim it. Someone had passed here, pure and young, too young. I placed a palm to the soil and felt the fear, so I prayed. Whispering under my breath, "Hear me mother of all, I ask that this young soul be cared for and loved in your warm embrace, reunite them with family and loved ones, Blessed be." then I felt a tickle on my arm, and another on my hand, I opened my eyes to see soul seeds, her messengers, resting lightly on my arm before they floated back to the sky.
W were walking again, I couldn't help but feel free. The moss and short grasses pressed softly into my feet, silent were my carefully placed steps. I released a giggle and started to climb, it had been so long, too long. I started to jump from limb to limb, vine to vine following the group, occasionally calling out to Jake so he didn't accidentally shoot me. Norm and Grace finally settled down into an area they wanted to study, Jake started to wander off so I followed. I stuck to the trees and the vines, allowing him to have his moment of joy, I relaxed into a lull as Jake played with fan palms. I enjoyed seeing him happy, relaxed in this new world. Then it all went down hill from there. All the palms sucked back into their protective casings, there standing before him was a huge titanothere. Well huge compared to Jake at least, the juvenile started to show a challenge display. That was the least of his problems. Sneaking up behind them was a thanatore, the tiger of this world, only less cute. It charged the heard of Titanotheres, then turned back to Jake, seems he was an easier meal. They both took off, tearing through the brush. I followed them, trying to get Jake out of trouble, I lost them in the undergrowth for a while then I see them both barreling for a cliff. It almost has him, I leapt from the tree with no thought of my own life, I slammed into the side of the beast and it rolled away only for a second it would seem. Jake had already jumped, I looked to see if he was ok, then there was a sting at my back, the Thanatore had caught me with a paw and had hit me over the side of the cliff. I had no control over my decent so I landed as best I could.
I broke the surface in time to catch a branch, I looked around for Jake to see he was no where to be found, but I knew he made it out. I don't remember much after that, the sway of motion, a stiffness in my arms, it hurt to breath. I heard mumbling around me, strange voices, in a language that sounded so familiar yet so strange to my unconscious brain. A sudden pain shocked my thoughts into the real world, I had been thrown to the floor at the T'sahik's feet. There were more mumbling and whispers, a sharp prick, then gasps as I felt tickling on my skin again. The old language came through as I asked for strength, "All mother, I ask you for strength. You may take me if it is your will, but I do wish to stay." another murmur came through the crowd and then there was silence.
When I woke up the tightness in my arms had been replaced with a tightness around my chest and legs. I pulled my eyes open, with great effort, to see a hut of sorts. Once my eyes adjusted I saw the grain of wood, it was an alcove in the trunk of a tree. Large and spacious, yet felt like a warm hug on the skin. The smell of aromatic herbs filled the room, some burned in a stone lamp off to the side of the bed. The smoke had a spicy quality to it, with a hint of sweet. It was comforting, like the sage and lavender sticks that my grandmother would burn at home. I eased back onto the mat that I was laying on, taking in the sounds of the home tree, the ever watch full titan that housed these people.
I didn't move as a set of footsteps entered the alcove, followed by yet another pair. From the sounds of then one stride was smaller, most likely a woman, quiet and soft yet held purpose. The other set were longer in stride, still quiet, yet confident in each step, most likely a man of high standing within the clan. My assumption was proved right as I opened my eyes and looked to see the leaders of this clan. The T'sahik and her mate the Olo'eyktan. I cleared my throat as they turned to look at me, "hello" I whispered, my voice tight and tired sounding. The T'sahik looked at me and tilted her head and took a step towards me. "What are you called child?" she asked, her voice weathered yet strong. A strong accent could be heard yet the voice was comforting. "My full name is Mia' Koda, but you can call me Koda." my wheezing voice came out. I felt as if I was wearing a corset, the tightness around my chest just contracting as I spoke. "What happened T'sahik? I fell into the river, but how did I get here?" she looked to Olo'eyktan, he nodded then left the alcove.
"You were brought to us child, by a hunting party. T'sutey found you at the side of the great river. You were badly wounded and speaking in your sleep. Words I have never heard." she was moving about the alcove gathering things into a basket. She turned back to me and set the basket beside me. They were healing plants, somehow I knew this. She motioned for me to sit up, I eased up off the mat wincing as I did so. She removed the bandages from my stomach and back. She gathered a piece of soft leather and dipped it in cool water and removed the dirt and salve from my back. There was a small burning sensation, but the water was soothing. "What is to happen to me Mo'at?" I asked my voice small, afraid to hear the answer. I had felt more at home within the sanctuary of these titan trees than I had on my own planet. Even with the small time I had been conscious within home tree I knew I was home.
Again I am very sorry for the long wait, please forgive me and stay patient with me, my drive for writing decided to come back with a force of about 5 strong and I am trying to get all kinds of ideas out before they disappear.