Star Rider and Bonds of Love: A Sci-Fi Space Opera with a Touch of Fantasy Heidi Skarie (fox in socks read aloud .TXT) 📖

“You’ll enjoy living inJaipar on planet Borko. It’s a beautiful country located right onthe ocean and it borders a vast mountain range.”

“Jaipar is free right now. Youand Erling helped free it, but it’s far from safe from SamratCondor’s clutches. He could attack at any time, like he did here onAlandra.”

“Erling united the entireplanet’s military defense. I don’t think Samrat Condor can gaincontrol of it.”

Toemeka’s headache grew worse.She pressed her hands against her forehead. “I’d better lay down.Good night, Sharma. You’ll find love again.” The two womenembraced.

Toemeka left the tent and went toher own. She took off her slippers and robe, then tore off theceremonial gown, hating what it represented. She crawled into hersleeping bag, head throbbing, and surrounded herself with a wall ofLight to protect her from Cadmus’ psychic attack. She felt Michio’senergy as he entered the tent and moved beside her. He placed hishand on her forehead. “Rest, my love.”

“Michio, it’s over betweenJake and me.”

“I know. Feel your body relax.Start with your feet, relax one at a time and work your way up untilyour whole body is relaxed.”

“You know I love you, body andsoul. I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you.” She lookedup at him through a fog of pain.

“I’m sorry we quarreled. Iknow you’re upset, but I don’t think that it’s the reason foryour headache.” He gently massaged the pressure points on her faceand forehead. Her headache began to recede. He kept massaging untilit had dulled to bearable level. “Commander Rochambeau is causingthese headaches by psychically attacking you. I’ve put up a shieldto block him, so you can get some rest.”

Toemeka began to relax as theheadache eased. Reassured by Michio’s inner protection, she driftedoff. She was awakened in the middle of the night when she heardMichio moaning her name in his sleep. He thrashed restlessly, thenput an arm around her and lay quiet again. Through his unconsciousactions, she realized the extent of his concern for her, more deeplythan his words could ever convey. Her heart ached at having causedhim such pain.

Najetta began coughing in thenearby tent. It was a harsh cough that lasted several minutes.Toemeka felt torn between wanting to help the Fenians and her desireto stop causing Michio so much anguish. She drifted back to sleep.

It seemed only moments later whenMichio shook her awake. “We’re breaking camp. Hurry.”

“It’s still dark,” Toemekagrumbled not fully awake. Rain fell heavily on the tent.

Michio turned on the flashlightthat hung from the ceiling of the tent.

“A scout spotted CommanderRochambeau’s camp two miles away.”

“Oh, God no! I thought we’dlost him.” Toemeka sat up and looked around for the ceremonialgowns and robe. They lay in a crumpled heap on the tent floor where apuddle of water had gathered. She slid the damp garments on.

After putting on her rain poncho,she and Michio dismantled the tent and packed up their supplies inthe pounding rain. As they worked, water soaked through the fabric ofToemeka’s slippers and her hands became icy cold

“Move out,” Jake said,tramping into the woods. Breezy hurried after him.

Toemeka slid on her backpack.“Come on,” Michio said, holding out his hand. Toemeka grasped itand they started walking. A wet branch brushed against her face andshe shoved it away.

Najetta started coughing andToemeka glanced back at her and Richwood who walked behind them. AsNajetta continued to cough, Toemeka saw concern etched in Richwood’sface. She wished there was something she could do for the olderwoman, who treated her like a daughter. Toemeka released Michio’shand and pensively shoved her chilled hands into the poncho pocketsto warm them. The plastic pockets did little but keep her hands outof the rain.

After hiking for over two hours,Najetta said she needed to rest. Toemeka found a boulder and wearilysank onto it. The rain was still coming down, but not as hard. Shepulled an energy bar from her pocket and took a bite. It was good,but she doubted it would fill her. After taking a drink of water fromher bottle, she ate the rest of the bar.

“I’ll go check on Najetta,”Michio said, gazing down at her from where he stood.

“Good idea.” As she watchedhim walk over to the older woman, an animal howled off in thedistance.

“What was that?” Toemekaglanced around uneasily.

“A bashe,” Jake said walkingover. “It’s a long way off. Don’t worry about it.” He wore awide-brimmed leather hat that kept the rain from splashing on hisface.

“What’s a bashe?” Onolynasked, joining Toemeka on the boulder.

“They’re like mountain lions,only larger,” Toemeka said. “They mainly eat marrets, thoughsometimes they kill and eat children and small women.”

Onolyn looked around uneasily.“How close do you think it is?”

“Commander Rochambeau and hismen are more of a threat than bashes,” Jake said. “I don’t knowhow they found us.”

“I told you last night,”Toemeka said. “He feels my presence. It’s like the way you sensewhen a Talon spacecraft is coming before anyone else.”

His eyes were troubled. “Maybeyou’re right. We don’t seem to be able to lose him. But keepquiet about this. It’s starting to cause problems. Some of the menare talking about making you and Michio separate from the group.”

“That might be for the best.”

“No, if there’s a fight,we’re stronger together. I’m not letting you fall into CommanderRochambeau’s hands again.”

White Owl appeared noiselesslyout of the woods. “They’ve picked up our trail.”

Jake turned to the scout. “Howfar behind are they?”

“They’d found last night’scamp when I spotted them. Erling and Zac are still out there,monitoring their moves. They’re covering ground quickly.”

He glanced meaningfully atNajetta, “Whereas, your group isn’t.”

“We’ll have to slow themdown.” Jake turned to the Fenians and raised his voice, “Break’sover. Let’s get moving. Toemeka, you’re in charge of seeing thatErling’s family keeps up.” Jake disappeared into the woods withWhite Owl.

It troubled Toemeka that she wasa liability to the others. She could split off from the group, butJake and Michio would never agree to it.

“Where’s Richwood?” Toemekaasked, her teeth chattering with cold as she sloshed through puddlesto join Michio and Najetta

“He’s scouting with Erling.”

Michio put an arm around Najettaand helped her along.

They traveled all morning, notstopping at noon. It rained off and on and despite Toemeka’s rainponcho, she was wet and