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

talking to you, but I had toseparate from the group. Rochambeau is tracking them through me.”

He tenderly brushed a clump ofwet hair off her forehead. “I know why you took off, but it’s toodangerous to be alone. Erling and Jake are also searching for you.”

“I need to lead Cadmus awayfrom the others,” she said through chattering teeth, shaking withcold.

“You must be freezing. Ibrought some dry clothes.” He opened a pocket on his backpack andremoved a woman’s lightweight blouse, sweater and pants. “Hereput these on.”

She slipped off her backpack andtried to pull off the poncho and heavy robe. Her numb, bluish-coloredfingers weren’t working properly so Michio helped her change intothe clothes he’d brought.

“Where did you get these?”she asked.

“Lizet. These clothes were inher backpack.”

“Creepy. I’m wearing a deadperson’s clothes.”

“She doesn’t need themanymore. Sit down.”

She sat on the trunk of a fallentree and he squatted in front of her. He pulled off her slippers andslid wool socks onto her feet before putting the slippers back on.

Confusion clouded her mind. Whywas she so disoriented?

“Are you still cold?” Michioasked.

Toemeka nodded.

“Here take my jacket.”

“No, you need it.”

“I’m warm from hiking.”Michio put his heavy jacket on her and zipped it up. The jacket waswet on the outside from the rain, but warm on the inside fromMichio’s body heat. The sleeves were long and she curled her handsup inside them. Her mind began to clear as some warmth returned toher body.

“I’m not going to rejoin theothers,” she said.” I won’t endanger them.”

“Sweetheart, you’re nearlyhypothermic and aren’t thinking clearly. Surely you don’t want tobe recaptured.”

“I’d rather die than fallinto Cadmus’ hands!”

Michio grimaced and started toreply when a branch cracked. He swung around drawing his blaster.Erling emerged from the woods and Michio lowered his gun.

Erling drew Toemeka into hisarms. “Toe, you scared us. You shouldn’t have left on your own.”

“Your mother needs medicalattention and can’t keep running from Rochambeau. Michio and I canlead him away, so you can get your family to Kossel.”

“My family’s all right. Zacand Onolyn are guarding them and Benray’s leading the Resistanceteam. We’ll figure out what to do next. We’re partners.”

“I’m going to scout aroundand see which way we should go,” Michio said. “Erling, stay withToemeka. She’s hypothermic.” Michio started climbing up themountainside.

“Erling, I can’t go back tothe group,” Toemeka said. “Rochambeau has twice as many soldiersare we do. We’ll be slaughtered in a fight.”

“I don’t know what’s thebest course of action.” An owl hooted nearby and Erling put hishands to his mouth and hooted back.

A few moments later, Jakeappeared and immediately glared at Toemeka. “What the hell do youthink you’re doing, taking off like that? These woods are filledwith wild animal and poisonous snakes. The foliage is so dense anddifficult to pass through that people get lost and are never found.Besides, you don’t know where Kossel is and the forest is loadedwith Cadmus’ soldiers who’ve spread out in search of you.”

“I was endangering the wholegroup.”

He cut her off. “Damn right. Ishould be with them right now.”

Toemeka started shaking. She’dreally screwed up this time.

“Easy, Jake,” Erling said.“She’s upset.”

“She’s upset! We’re allupset.” His eyes riveted on Toemeka. “I thought Rochambeau mighthave abducted you!”

Toemeka’s legs gave out and shesank to the ground. She felt drowsy and confused. Whydidn’t Jake just shut up?

Jake looked at Erling. “Whatwrong with her?”

“She’s hypothermic.”

“Tawku’s blood, that’s allwe need. Where’s Michio?”

“He’s scouting the area tosee which way we should go.”

“I’ll go find him.” Helooked back at Toemeka with narrowed eyes. “Stay put. That’s anorder.” Jake headed into the thick foliage.

Erling stood at attention in fullalert mode, his gun drawn

“Erling, can I talk to you?”Toemeka asked with a tremor in her voice.

He glanced at her, then hisattention returned to keeping guard. “Ignore Jake. He’s being ajerk.”

“He has a right to be angrywith me. He’s responsible for the whole group and should’vestayed with them instead of coming after me.”

“He knows the area better thanany of us.” He handed her his canteen and she took a sip while hepulled a military food packet from the side pocket of his backpack.“Eat this.”

“I’m too upset to eat.”

“Take a few bites. You needenergy.”

Knowing he was right, she took abite right as Michio returned.

“Has Jake showed up?” heasked.

“Yeah,” Erling said. “He’slooking for you. Toemeka needs rest.”

“We can’t stop,” Michiosaid. “Rochambeau’s near. I can feel his dark vibrations.”

Toemeka’s stomach twisted andbile rose to her throat. She threw up what she’d just eaten. “He’stracking me.”

Michio squatted in front of herand took her hands in his. “I inwardly put a shield around you. Canyou stand? We need to keep moving.”

She nodded and stood with hishelp.

Jake hurried over to them, out ofbreath. “We’ll never make it back to the others. CommanderRochambeau and his men are near the tunnel at the top of themountain. It’s impossible to get by them without being seen. Ithink our best chance of escape is to join the mountain Resistance,the Owayan warriors. Their military camp’s a long way from here byfoot, but it’s located on the Rushing Water River, which is justfew miles ahead. They keep a canoe hidden on the riverbank that wecan use to shoot downstream to their camp. The Owayans will help usget to Kossel.”

“Judging from Cadmus’relentless pursuit, that may be the best plan,” Michio said. “It’sobvious that Cadmus isn’t going to give up until Toemeka’srecaptured. The others have a better chance of getting to Kosselwithout us.”

“Sounds like our best option,”Erling said.

They headed out with Michiosticking close to Toemeka. She gradually warmed up as they hiked andfelt much better with Michio fully shielding her from Cadmus’psychic attacks.

Before long the men removed theirblasters and picked up the pace. A mile from the river they stoppedfor a brief rest and Jake stood guard. Toemeka sat on a boulder, gladfor a chance to rest. Her heavy backpack was draining her remainingenergy.

“If our luck holds out, we’llreach the Owayan camp before dusk,” Jake said.

A shot rang out and Jake slammedbackwards against a tree and fell to the ground, blood blossoming onhis chest.

“Jake!” Toemeka exclaimed asMichio and Erling returned fire. She zipped open his jacket andunbuttoned his shirt to look at the wound.