Prologue Previous Chapter

Oola

Lightning!

Oola awoke with a jerk, her fingers scratching at the soft earthen floor of the cave. Muffled thunder ripped across the sky outside, and the ground trembled beneath her. In the dark, someone cried out suddenly, and then fell silent as the wind whistled through the trees outside.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Oola sat up, rubbing her eyes carefully as the sound of dripping water echoed through the space.

Lightning flashed again, and just for a moment she could see the droplets falling from the root-lined ceiling into the pu–

Thunder smashed outside, shaking the ground.

That was close!

Another startled yelp followed. “It’s okay.” Oola said softly. “It’s just thunder.” Outside, the wind howled, and she imagined she could feel the draft as it sought to force its way past the stone door.

Thunder growled again, more distant this time. Now she could hear the rain, thrumming as it lashed the hillside.

With a soft splorch something fell into the puddle.
“Hey. Who’s splashing water on me?” Someone called out in the dark.

“It’s just mud, or something.” Oola answered, frowning as she stared at the invisible ceiling. What is going on? Curious, she stood up, stretching her hands above her head, her fingertips brushing the dangling roots from the tree above, sending a cascade of icy rainwater down onto her face. Startled, she yelped, falling backwards, landing hard on the ground.

Someone rustled in the darkness, shuffling slowly across the floor. “Are you ok?”

Tohm.

“Oola?”

“Here Tohm.” She whispered, and then squealed as his cold hand brushed against her chest.

“Sorry.” He gasped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean…” He said, trailing off.

He’s quite strange. “It’s alright. Your hands are cold.” She fumbled for him in the darkness, finding his arm. “Help me up. I want to check out the ceiling.” Obligingly, he grabbed her arm and pulled her upright.

“Okay. I’ve cupped my hands.” He said. Oola reached down, and found his interlocking fingers. Carefully placing a foot within, she stood up slowly, one hand resting on Tohm’s shoulder as the other reached for the ceiling. Her fingertips squelched into soft mud.

“The rain has weakened the ceiling.” She said. “Maybe we can dig our way out!”

“Ssshhhh.” Tohm hissed.

Oh, right. Jora.

She nodded, and then remembered that he couldn’t see her, and giggled. “This is going to get messy.” She said, forcing her hand deep into the sodden earth. Dirt and pebbled oozed around her hand and down her arm as she dug at the ceiling, sending clumps raining down on her face and chest. Her fingers found a web of thick, impassible roots, and she started afresh nearby. This time, her fingers found the sharp edge of a rock, knocking it loose even as it cut her fingers.

“Ow.” Tohm protested. “That hurt.”

“Sorry.” She whispered. “I cut myhand on a stone. “

Are you okay?”

She examined the cuts with her thumb. They didn’t seem deep. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m going to put you down now.”

“Okay, this isn’t working anyways.”

“Okay.” Tohm dropped his hands she stepped back onto the grimy floor. Lightning flashed repeatedly, long enough to get a good look at him, and his mud-splattered clothes. several times, and he started laughing.

“What?” She asked, defensivley.

“You’re covered in mud.”

“Well, thanks. I’m trying to get us out of here and you’re just–”

A massive thunderstrike boomed through the cave, rattling the stone. Dismayed cries of alarm came from all around.

“It’s ok.” Oola called out. “It’s just thunder.”

“Did you hear that?” Tohm asked.

She blinked. “What do you mean? How could you not hear that?? People a moon’s journey away could–”

“No! Listen!” His voice was urgent, anxious.

Oola fell silent, and quieted her breathing. The rain-hum had changed, now it was more of a staccato popping. “What is that?” She asked.

The hairs were standing up on the back of her arms, and a chill ran down her spine.

Lightning flashed again, followed immediately by a thunderious roar. And then again, and another roar.

“What is going on?” Someone demanded. Barak?

“Big storm.” Tohm answered. “Hey, look.”

Oola blinked. “Look where?”

“At the entrance. Hail.”

“I hate hail.” Oola laughed, remembering the painful stings and welts from her last encounter.

A voice in the darkness. “Oola?” Shara.

“Hey Shara.”

“I had a dream – there was a storm.”

The popping got louder. “Well, you were right. ” Oola chuckled. “There is a storm.”

SHara spoke again, but thunder roared right through the middle of her sentence. “The storm… inside… golden flash.”

“What?” She shouted, as the roar carried longer and longer.

“The. Storm. Was. Inside. The. Cave.” Shara shouted in return.

The roar changed pitch, becoming a low, menacing whine. Involuntarily, Oola started trembling.

No wait, that’s the floor.

A chunk of mud fell on her shoulder, and slid down her arm. Someone else cried out in alarm, barely audible above the deep moan of the storm.

Lightning flashed insistently, over and over again, illuminating their prison with unearthly blue light. Above her, the roots of the tree trembled and shook, raining rocks and mud down through the whole space as her friends pressed themselves against the walls.

And then the ceiling undulated, bowing out and away before slamming back down, shaking another layer of mud and rock loose from the roots. Reaching up, Oola found the dangling edge of one, and gripped it tightly between two fingers. And then with a growl it was yanked from her grasp as the ceiling rolled again, and then a third time, until the roots began to fall loose, dangling down into the cave, swaying back and forth as the tree shuddered under unseen forces.

Above her, lightning streaked across the sky.

Above?

The wind whistled through an opening in the roof, sending stones and dirt and bits of stick whirling through the air, slicing at her arms as she raised them to protect her face.The growl rose again, and suddenly she had a vision of a huge wolf, batting a tree aside as it dug for fresh meat.

With a snarl, the crack opened wider, flashing in the storm. There was something out there.

Stones whistled through the air, randomly bouncing off of walls and flesh. Lightning seared the sky as screams echoed from all around.

“Everyone into the back cave.” A man’s voice, thin and weak. “Good advice.” She thought, backing away from the widening tear and stepping towards the others as they crammed into the rocky crevice at the back of the cave.

“Come on, Oola.” Tohm roared. “Come on-”

Something struck her above her right eye, sending her toppling helplessly into the mud as the world erupted into a cacophony of roars and moans and shrieks and rumbles and whistles and snarling madness. Strong hands grabbed her wrists, and she clawed at those hands with mud-drenched fingers as they drug her away from the maelstrom.

The storm flashed again, and more dirt flew away into the night, widening the crack even further. Roots and branches flailed wildly in the grasp of the savage sky as a whirling mass of black twisted overhead. With a deafening, bone-rattling roar, the massive tree shook loose from the hillside, launching upwards into the air, raining rocks and severed roots down upon her. Oola caught one last glimpse of it, upside down, hurtling through the sky, and then it was gone. Trees and boulders danced and twirled in the air, dark silhouettes against the lightning-soaked sky.

The wind whipped around her body, pulling at her legs, lifting them, sucking her upwards. She clutched tightly at the arms that held her, closing her eyes as hail rained down, pelting and stinging her arms and legs. Feral roars echoed across the sky, smashing her body, shredding her mind as a massive, swirling black eye stared down from the sky, beckoning her upwards.

“Hold on Oola!” She could feel the hot air on her neck, but the words were faint and quiet in the midst of the malevolent fury that hunted her.

Rocks and stones rained down from the sky, striking her legs, her arms, her stomach. She didn’t dare let go. Even turning away as best she could, a sharp stone struck Oola in the cheek, sending a rush of warm blood across her tongue, even as other projectiles smashed into her leg, tracing a line of fire down her thigh.

Even her own shrieking sounded far away.

With a howl, the wind yanked at her again, lifting her into the air, yanking one arm free from her rescurers. She was twisting helplessly back and forth, the storm trying its best to claw her away, to take its prize. Opening her eyes again, she looked backwards, trying to find something to grab on to, but it was all moving too fast, rocking back and forth, up and down, flopping against the ground, whipping into the air. This is what happened to the tree. She closed her eyes again.

Tohm’s remaining fingers slipped.

“I can’t hold! Oola!”

I wonder if I will fly.

Another pair of hands grabbed her free arm, pulling her downwards. “I’ve got you!” Shara roared faintly.

Oola’s fingers found some desperate strength, and she gripped Shara’s hand, clawing her nails deep into her friend’s flesh.

The storm roared again, another burst that rushed over her, pulling violently at her feet, once, twice, but Shara held firm.

As if it had given up, the wind suddenly sighed and let her drop back into the ice-filled mud, the roars fading into the distance.

Oola opened one eye and watched the clouds dance with the lightning, even as pain erupted across her body.
Gingerly, she pulled away from her rescuers, and tried to stand, stumbling badly as her legs shrieked in protest.

“Oola! Are you okay?” Shara said as she caught her, her voice muffled by the deafening ringing that filled her ears. Sagging backwards into Shara’s firm support, she sank back to the ground. “I’ll be ok.” She gasped. “Give me… a moment.” Oola closed her eyes again, and focused on her breath, slowing her heart, suppressing the pain. Wearily, she opened her eyes again and turned towards her savior. “Thank you, Shara.” She grunted, her mouth puffy and awkward. Shara patted her on the shoulder, sending spikes of pain running down into her arm. Wincing, she turned back and stared at the breaking clouds, glowing in the gathering moonlight as rocks tumbled from the edges of the raw wound in the earth.

Oola blinked, and scrambled to her feet, the pain gone. “The hole.” She said, turning to find Shara and Tohm standing nearby, bloody and filthy; the others cowering in the rocky passageway. “Don’t you see? We can get out. Now’s our chance.”

Tohm crept forward. “What?”

Oola pulled at his hand. “Let’s go, now.” She urged.

“But the storm,” Shara protested. “What if it returns?”

“Storm or Jiant. Which is worse?” Oola said, turning back towards the opening. Bits of severed root draped down from the edges, but nothing looked strong enough to hold her weight.

“I’ll get the others.” Tohm said.

“Wait.” She said, pointing at the edge. “Help me up.” He nodded, and cupped his fingers again, vaulting her upwards as she stepped up. Squealing in dismay, Oola snatched at one of the roots, praying that it would hold as her weight pulled it tight. A hand-span’s worth jerked from the ground, numbing her arms, but the rest held, and she gratefully clawed at the other handholds that the hillside offered, mantling herself up onto the ground. “Come on, Shara.” She said, gripping the edge of a mostly-buried rock with one hand, extending the other into the hole. In a moment, Shara grabbed her wrist, and with Tohm’s help from below Oola was able to pull the girl up to the surface.

“I’ll help them.” Shara said, bending down over the growing throng of faces below as their friends stepped out into the collapsed cave. “You rest.”

Nodding, Oola crawled back to her feet and stepped away from the edge, staring at the carnage.

A huge swath of the forest had been smashed into kindling, leaving them surrounded by a massive tangle of branches and tree trunks. The meandering path of the storm was easy to follow, across and down one hill, up theirs, and then across the cave and then… and then it was gone.

“Where did it go?” Oola wondered, staring at the forest.

“Hey.” Someone cried, interrupting her thoughts. “You can’t do this.” She turned, and found Jora Lina climbing through the chaotic debris. “Hey.” He shouted back towards Jiant’s campsite. “They’re getting away.”

Snarling, Oola leapt at him, and he turned and tried to clamber back through the branches, too fast, slipping and falling. She was on him before he could move, smashing his face with her fist, for Kito, for poor Armis, for herself. “Oola.” Mika shouted. “Enough. We need your help with Reya.” Growling, she struck him one last time, and his head lolled sideways, blood pouring from his nose. Her fingers ached and burned, but it felt oddly satisfying. “He’s trying to warn Jiant.” She protested.

“Throw him back in the prison.” Shara said, grunting as she helped Lam claw his way up the side.

Of course. He was only a little taller than she was. Grunting, she pulled him upright, and he stumbled, dazedly. “Look out.” She warned, shoving him in the back and sending him shrieking down into the pit where he lay face down in the mud, his hands twitching feebly.

Straining, Tohm helped lift Reya out of the cave, Shara and Oola pulling the heavy woman with all their strength, groaning as they pulled her away from the edge. “Thanks.” Reya said, gasping as she stared back at the muddy hole.

“How can we help?” Mika asked.

Oola blinked.

“Let’s see if we can find a way through this mess.” Lam suggested.

Oola nodded. “Good idea.”

“Are you ready for Kito?” Tohm called from below.

“Oh, Kito.” Shara murmured.

“I’ll do it.” Oola whispered. “It’s ok.” Leaning down over the edge, she looked down at Tohm. “Send him up.”

Nodding, Tohm helped his young friend climb into his arms, as Oola leaned down as far as she could to grab his good hand. Kito stared blankly at her, barely moving as if he were lost in a dream, his golden skin shimmering in the moonlight. Shara grabbed his maimed arm, at the shoulder and led him away quietly.

Barak was next, confident and sure as ever. Tohm leaned over, but Barak waved him away, leaping up for the thick root under his own power. Grunting, he caught it and pulled himself up to the edge, his arms taught and shiny as he strained to lever his weight over the edge. Oola leaned down to offer him a hand. “I got it.” He growled softly, and with a quiet snarl he shoved himself over the edge.

Now there was just Tohm. But he was walking back towards the crevice. “Tohm.” She hissed. “We need to go.” Jora Lina was already starting to stir.

“I’m getting Armis.”

Oola closed her eyes, sick at what she had to say. “We have to leave him. His skull… He’ll be dead in a few days. I doubt he’ll ever wake up again.” When Jiant had ordered them out of the cave to witness Kito’s punishment, she had inspected the bloody wound felt the gravelly mushiness where the back of his skull had been shattered by the ground. No one survived wounds like that.

Tohm shook his head and stared up at her. “Oola, he was the one who told us to get into the passageway.”

Oola blinked. “What?”

Behind Tohm, Armis staggered out from the darkness, stumbling forward awkwardly. Tohm caught him, and helped him over to the edge, frowning. “I’m not sure I can lift him.”

“Here.” Barak said, laying down, extending an arm. “Just get him to where I can reach him.”

Nodding, Tohm crouched on the ground. “Climb on my back.” Armis nodded, slowly, and stepped up, reaching for Barak’s fingers. Barak grabbed, and pulled steadily, a low moan escaping his lips as he drug Armis’s dazed form up the side of the pit.

He’s not going to make it.

Oola leaned down, and grabbed Armis’s free arm, and together they pulled him the rest of the way out.

“Thanks.” Armis said, eyes closed.

“Take care of him.” Barak said. “I’ll help Tohm.”

Oola looked down at Tohm, and saw Jora Lina’s two friends staring out from the passageway. “Tohm, look out.”

Tohm glanced over his shoulder, but the two young men stood quietly, staring wide-eyed at the escapees.

“Do you… do you want to come with us?” Oola asked.

The two glanced at each other, and one shook his head.

“Leave them.” Armis said. He glanced around at the others. “Where’s Pak?”

“He went to get Kito’s stone.” Din said, shaking his head.

“What is it with you and that stone?” Armis asked, chuckling, and then he grabbed the back of his head. “Ow, ow, ow!”

“Here, let me see.” Oola said, grimacing. She expected a mass of blood, but the wound was already closed, just a thick, scabby crescent under his hair. And the bones… She jerked her hand back with a start. “Your skull, ” She blurted out. “It’s healed.”

Armis groaned. “No, not even close.” Wincing, he pointed northwest. “Let’s get out of here. We need to put as much distance as we can between ourselves and Jiant.”

The others nodded, and they started climbing through the trees.

Oola stood for a moment at the edge and stared at the back of Armis’s head as he walked away, fear gnawing at her chest.

Next Chapter

Thursday, May 25th, 2006 at 12:31 am.
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