The Harsh Light of Day (Chapters 5-8)
 S. Thompson

"She's coming around, Naomi."

Kathryn's eyes opened and blinked slowly before focusing on the women surrounding her. She raised a grimy hand to wipe the sand from her eyes and only succeeded in getting more of the grit into them. "Where am I?" she muttered in a gravelly voice as she tried to sit up.

"Well, isn't that a classic question!" snorted a tall, lean, gorgeous blonde. The young woman was dressed all in buckskin and wore a blue band around her head. Her golden hair was short and thick, and reflected the brightness of the sun. Her eyes were the most beautiful Kathryn had ever seen, and were a deep cobalt blue. She really was eye-catching, and Kathryn felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

"Quiet, Anikka," said a voice in obvious authority. Then to Kathryn, "I'm Naomi, the leader of the warriors of Arandile. What is your name?"

"I don't remember. Oh, wait...Kathryn," she said stupidly as she continued to stare, lost in the ocean-colored eyes.

"Naomi, the girl is ill or something. What she needs is food and rest...not questions!" Kami said squatting next to Kathryn.

What is this, Kathryn wondered?

"All right, Kami. As healer I will defer to you, but I will want answers, soon. These are desperate and dangerous times. We don't need unknown variables at a time like this." Naomi turned her back on Kathryn and walked toward a small bundle of equipment with cat-like grace. She began examining the contents as a small brown-skinned woman who began a quiet discussion joined her.

The blonde, referred to as Anikka, mumbled, "From the smell you might want to give her a bath, too." She wrinkled her nose in disgust and walked away as if sensing the show was over for the time being.

Kathryn tore her eyes from the lanky woman and looked at the smaller one squatting next to her, noticing that she also had a blue headband and the same striking cerulean eyes. "Your name is Kami? How unusual, what nationality is that?"

Kami looked at her thoughtfully for a moment then said, "You are not of this land, are you? I should have known by your strange manner of dress. But it is of no concern. You are a woman so we will care for you."

What does that mean? If I were a man would you not care for me, she wondered? "Not from this land? I'm just as American as the next person. Look, there's been a mistake. I was drinking on the beach last night, got a little tipsy and wandered onto your property. I'm not trespassing on purpose. I'm a little turned around, so if you could just point me in the right direction, I'll be on my way."

"I'm sorry, I don't know what a beach is, but this is not our property. The land belongs to no one. Perhaps you hit your head when you fell." Kami looked at her innocently.

"How can you live here and not know what a beach is? Is this some kind of game?" Kathryn asked angrily, feeling like she had awakened in the twilight zone. Her head hurt, her mouth felt like a cotton ball, and although these women were beautiful she was tired of playing and ready to go home.

"Okay," she told Kami, trying to be forceful, "enough is enough. If you don't let me go, I'm going to start screaming. Someone is bound to come."

Kami stood up suddenly and placed her hands on her hips. "I can assure you that you are not being held against your will," she informed her with a huff in her voice. "You are free to go any time. We thought you were injured and were only trying to help. As for screaming, if it makes you feel better, go ahead. We're the only ones that will hear you anyway. "

Kathryn felt bad she had been so rude, but she was starting to get scared. Everywhere she looked, she saw only dirt, cactus and sun. Nothing looked familiar. Where was she?

Rising shakily to her feet, she said, "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm a little nervous, and I think I'm lost. The last thing I remember is walking through a cave and sitting down by a boulder. Now I can't find the cave or the boulder, and I don't even see the bottle I was drinking out of."

"You poor thing!" Kami said laying a comforting hand on Kathryn's shoulder and suddenly feeling protective. "It would probably help if you knew who we are. We are the warriors of Arandile. Naomi is the leader, I'm the healer. Ronda," she indicated the dark woman, " is a warrior, and Anikka" she said, pointing to the rude blonde, "is second in command. She is also a member of the Chameleon Squad."

She was obviously proud of that fact and seemed to think Kathryn should know exactly what she was talking about. This can't be happening, Kathryn thought. I've awakened with four crazy people. Okay, be careful. Don't say anything to antagonize them. They could be hatchet murderers.

"Great." Kathryn said with a little half smile. "I'll be going now." She turned to leave but didn't know which way to go. She turned back to Kami and asked, "You don't by any chance know where there's a cave going through a cliff do you? Preferably one that goes to the beach?"

"As I said, I know of no beach. But, there are two mountain ranges near here."

"Good. Where is the closest?" Finally, were getting somewhere. I'll get away from these crazy women before they know what's happened.

"The closest one is where we're headed," Kami said slowly. "It's only a half day from here."

Kathryn groaned inwardly. "How far is the other one?"

"It's more than six days march."

"Well that can't be the one I'm looking for, but I don't know how I got here. I don't remember walking that far." Not that it matters, she thought. She had done other things she didn't remember when she had been drinking. Like the time she had driven to Dana Point from San Diego to wash her car. She had been so drunk she didn't remember the two-hour drive. The next morning she had woken up in the little Honda and had no idea where she was. She was surprised she hadn't gotten caught that time.

"If you did indeed walk through a cave in the farthest mountainside, you are lucky to be standing here. That's Cross Mountain. Its a wonder you weren't captured and tortured."

"That's me, always lucky when I drink." Then she realized what Kami had said. "What? Are you out of your mind?"

Whoops, not good to accuse a crazy person of being crazy. Okay to think it, but not say it. But Kathryn couldn't seem to stop her mouth from moving.

"Tortured? By who? This is 2002 for God's sake. We don't torture people anymore. Now we have lethal injection."

Kamis eyes widened and she looked at Kathryn like she was observing a particularly strange creature under a magnifying glass. "What did you say? What year?"

"2002 of course." Kathryn hesitated then asked carefully, "What year do you think it is?"

"Maybe you had better sit down. I think something wondrous has happened."

Kami took Kathryn's upper arm in one strong hand and helped her sit on the ground. Then she squatted next to her and looked directly into her blue-gray eyes. "This is going to be difficult for you to hear."

  No doubt of that, Kathryn thought sarcastically.

"The year is 2401. You seem to be more than a little out of place."

Kathryn suddenly felt weak. Blackness swam around the edges of her vision. This can't be happening, she thought. Things like this were only on television. She shook her head to clear it, and looked around again, for the first time noticing how dry and cracked the earth was. California was a desert, but not this dry. There were no birds in the air, no sound of traffic or people, other than the four women.

Kathryn looked at the women, noticing for the first time the weapons they wore. Kami had a crossbow slung across her shoulder and a quiver of arrows at her back. Anikka wore a short curving sword at her side and two metal wrist bracelets that covered most of her lower arms. Bet those aren't for decoration, she thought.

She turned to search for Naomi. Finding her, she saw a long sword in place of the dagger. Ronda was similarly attired. "I don't understand," she said weakly, not wanting to believe the evidence before her eyes. "There must be some mistake."

"No mistake," Kami said gently. "Sit here for a minute, I'll get you some water. Then I have to speak to Naomi."

Kami walked to a stack of supplies and pulled a mug from the contents. She filled it with water from a skin she wore around her waist. As she handed the water to Kathryn she said, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

She left Kathryn with a dazed look on her face, and walked over to the scout leader with a look of consternation.

"Naomi?"

"Yes, Kami? You look as though something is troubling you."

"Do you remember the old prophesies? You know, From a distant past, one will come to save the world of the future?"

"Kami, you know I don't believe in the prophesies, I believe what I see. Look around you'" she suggested gently. "Our world is a barren waste. Blasted by years of heat with no relief from rain. I cannot be made to believe one miracle woman would be able to change that! No one can make our world what it once was."

Not that she didn't want to believe, Naomi thought as she realized she had become very cynical about the future of their world. If it were to have a different future, it would be because they made it happen. The only way to do that was to fight Cross.

"Naomi, look at her!" Kami was desperate to have her sister understand the importance of the possibilities. True, it was a long shot, but considering the condition of  the world it was worth a try. "If she is the one it will be almost impossible to get her to agree. Remember the rest of the story? She does not believe in herself!"

Naomi hesitated, "You're right," she conceded. "If she is not the one it will make little difference. It is worth trying. But try to guard your hopes. Do not rely on her too much, little sister. We do not have the luxury of a lot of time trying to convince her of our cause."

Now, Naomi had to remind herself to guard her own hopes.

"Thank you, Naomi. I will remember your warning, but I cannot help but hope. There is a chance our world will be saved and we will see it happen. It's very exciting."

Kami was relieved that Naomi had conceded. As leader of the warriors, an undertaking had to be approved by her, but Naomi was not the only one that had to agree. As a built in safeguard from the old diplomatic system, the village leader also had to agree. Then the idea had to be approved by the village and the council members.

Sami was the chief of the village and it was a well-known fact that while she was a just and loving leader, she was also not one to undertake tasks lightly or be easily convinced.

But she's not here, Kami thought with a slight smile. And there's no way well turn back, now. Not when were so close.

Kami went back to the stranger. She talked to Kathryn for hours trying to learn as much as possible about the redhead, and was pleased to see an inner core of strength carefully hidden within.

Kathryn's first day with the warriors was one that seemed filled with fantasy, and disbelief. Here were the strongest, most beautiful women she had ever seen, seeming completely at ease with themselves and each other. And just her luck, they had bats in the belfry!

They had resumed their trek toward the Sister Hills with Kathryn in tow, and had been walking about four hours. They could see the twin mountain range in the distance, and Kami informed Kathryn that they should reach their destination soon.

Kathryn thought it wise to make the best of the situation until she could find her way home as they stopped for a water break. Looking at the women, she tried to decide how dangerous they were. Oh well, she thought, she had to spend the day hiking with them; why not make conversation?

"Is everyone like this where you come from?" Kathryn asked innocently.

"Like what?" Kami was genuinely perplexed by the question.

"Well, don't you get treated differently? You're so open about it..."

"About what?" Anikka growled. This stranger was already getting on her nerves. If she wanted to know something, why didn't she just ask?

"Well," Kathryn ventured tentatively, "you're obviously lesbians."

"Oh, brother." Anikka rolled her eyes dramatically, while Kami choked on a mouthful of water as she struggled not to laugh.

"Kathryn, since the great disaster befell our earth, people have had other things to worry about besides sexual preference," Naomi informed her.

"From the old stories that have been handed down, there used to be a great deal of prejudice. I guess against anything that was different than the accepted norm," she continued. "Now, it's enough of a struggle just to stay alive. All of Free America is worried about a common enemy right now. His name is Cross. I guess in a way we owe him. If it hadn't been for him, we would still be killing each other in the streets."

Okay, Kathryn thought, eyes widening slightly. Here we go again with the great fantasy. Better play along.

"What great disaster? Who's Cross?"

Naomi ended the discussion at that point telling Kathryn they would talk about it later. "We need to reach the Sister Hills. We are vulnerable here in the open." Naomi's eyes scanned the horizon behind them, and then she turned and began proceeding north.

The break was obviously over.

Kathryn turned and scanned the horizon Naomi had just perused. What was she looking for? I wonder if they're suffering from mass hallucinations. I've heard of that she thought, rushing to catch up with the others.

Hours later, the group stood at the foot of the ridge. Kathryn was horrified when she didn't recognize it.

"I don't understand," she muttered, voice trembling. "Where could it be?"

"Are you sure this is the right mountain range?" Ronda inquired.

"You tell me!" Kathryn shouted losing patience. "You said this was the only one within a weeks walk. There's no way I passed out and walked half a day, let alone a week! I've been walking all day with a pack of crazy women, and the whole time we're going the wrong way!"

"She's ranting. Delusional," Anikka intoned.

"Kathryn, we told you the truth," Kami assured her.

"Put her out of her misery."

Kami shot the tall blonde a dirty look.

"Kathryn, we're not crazy. We've been telling you the truth," Naomi added.

"Better yet, put her out of our misery. We don't have time for this."

"Anikka, shut up," Ronda snapped.

Anikka rolled her eyes, but did as Ronda suggested. Either that or risk getting beat up by everyone,

"Come inside, Kathryn," Naomi said softly. "We're not safe in the open. I'll try to answer all of your questions."

Kathryn watched Naomi and Kami approach the rocky exterior of the mountainside. Without hesitation, they entered a narrow crack in the rock face and disappeared from sight.

"After you," the cool blonde said from behind, with only a hint of sarcasm.

Kathryn swallowed hard and moved toward the entrance. I don't know about this, she thought, but curiosity won out over good judgment, and she entered with Anikka and Ronda close on her heels. She felt a strange prickling sensation like static on her face and arms as she crossed the threshold, and she hesitated within the narrow confines, feeling slightly claustrophobic. It was pitch black, and Anikka bumped into her from behind.

"Hey, keep going! We don't have all day." She gave Kathryn a small shove that set her moving, again. Kathryn could see a faint light flickering ahead. The entrance widened unexpectedly into a large underground cavern.

Naomi and Kami were setting glowing lights into niches that had been carved into the rock walls. The yellowish glow chased the shadows back against the walls.

"Wow, this is beautiful," she said looking at stalactites that were hanging from the ceiling. "Uh, there aren't any bats in here, are there?" she wondered.

"Maybe," Anikka said simply.

"Anikka, leave the woman alone," Ronda laughed. "She is teasing you, Kathryn. There are no bats, at least not in the main cave. Maybe back in the smaller tunnels."

"Whew, that's a relief."

"Kathryn," Naomi interrupted. "Come with me. I will answer your questions as best I can while the others set up camp."

Naomi led Kathryn down a narrow tunnel, holding a glowing tube of light.

"That's great," Kathryn said. "Do you think we can stop somewhere so I can pee?"

"She is going to get us killed," Anikka predicted, watching them walk away.

"Anikka, help me set up camp. Here, refill these water skins," Kami said, handing her a stack of empties.

"Well, look at it this way," Ronda encouraged. "This place is enchanted so we don't have to stand watch. She can't mess that up." Ronda dropped down on her knees by a pool of water and splashed it onto her face with cupped hands.

"Thanks for the encouragement," the blonde chuckled giving Ronda a gentle nudge on the rear with her leg, and Ronda barely caught herself from rocking forward into the pool.

"Quit messing around," she growled with a frown.

Anikka laughed and walked away to help Kami.

Ronda shook her head at Anikka's actions. These underground pools were deceptive. They were small in diameter and looked extremely shallow, but a pool only a foot in diameter could be hundreds of feet deep. What if she had fallen in?

Naomi led Kathryn through a maze of tunnels. She never hesitated about when to turn right or left, and Kathryn fervently hoped they wouldn't get lost.

"How much farther? I feel like we haven't stopped all day," Kathryn whined.

"Right up here, actually," Naomi replied as they stepped into another cave.

It wasn't as large as the main cave, roughly half the size. Kathryn felt the same prickly feeling as when she had stepped into the main cave. The feeling was stronger in this cave, however. It was approximately the size of an 8x10 room, but was vaguely circular. There were designs on the wall that she could barely discern in the darkness.

They pulled at Kathryn and she fought the urge to approach.

The walls were slightly luminous as though they were wet, but there was no smell of mildew in the air. In fact, the air smelled fresher than it had on the surface. The air was also a lot cooler in the cave, and Kathryn felt like she had wandered into an air-conditioned room. It was a welcome relief after the stifling heat of the sun.

She saw a small circle of stones near the rear of the cave. There was something surrounded there, protected, but what? The fine hairs on her arms stood up. Gooseflesh popped out on her arms and legs. Kathryn looked at Naomi and knew by her dazed expression that she felt it, too.

"What is this place?" she whispered in awe.

"A place of magic, a place of history. Look around, Kathryn. Look closely at the walls, the ceiling, even the floor. Then, we'll talk. I think by then you will already have some answers.

Naomi handed her a lumi-stick. It was the first time Kathryn had seen the device close up. It felt as smooth and cool as glass against her fingertips. It was cylindrical and filled with a phosphorescent glow. Curiously she noticed how the glow was bright enough to light a room but didn't hurt her eyes. She had never seen anything like it.

Could what they had been telling her be true?

"Its called a lumi-stick.," Naomi said, mistaking Kathryn's hesitance for curiosity rather than the shock she was beginning to feel.

Kathryn said nothing as she allowed herself to be drawn toward the inscriptions on the wall. Strange, she thought, they remind me of something. She reached out and rested her fingers against an etching of a small child. Kathryn felt a slight static discharge as she made contact.

Hieroglyphs! This is a story. Kathryn held her light closer and saw a series of pictographs that ran the length of the wall. The pictures were simply carved, but spoke volumes. As Kathryn followed the story, she read of cataclysmic events that had decimated a world.

It began with the earth shown in orbit on its axis. In the next carving, the earth had tilted on that axis. My God, she thought. That's perfectly feasible. Anyone knows the earths orbit isn't perfectly circular, but elliptical. Isn't that axis supposed to shift every couple thousand years or so?

The next image seemed to come alive for Kathryn with people rioting, running, attacking one another. A great explosion was depicted with shocking detail, reminding her of the atom bomb explosion she had seen on the discovery channel. The tale showed a man rising to power over the image of the world. His countenance was twisted and dark as though he embodied all that was perverted and evil.

Kathryn shivered and pulled her eyes from the image. She felt as though she had looked into the very soul of hell...if hell had a soul. She assumed this was the infamous Cross.

Through the pictures and things the warriors had said, Kathryn learned Cross had seized control of the globe as some kind of all-powerful super magician. Science had no place in the new order. It had given way to magic. And no one matched Cross.

When she began reading, it had felt like a fantasy. She was vaguely aware of time passing by. Mid-way through, she began to believe. The violence in the world, the arrogance of taking everyone and everything for granted. These were things she had seen first hand. She didn't doubt that if things continued as they were, they were witnessing their own self-destruction. The pictographs stopped mid-way past the third wall.

"It isn't finished," Naomi explained.

"What's the rest?" the auburn-haired woman asked, curious to know the end of the story.

"No one knows. It hasn't happened, yet. Legend tells of a champion that will rid us of Cross. The champion will be a stranger to the land."

"You mean you don't even know who he is? When he'll come?"

"Not he… she," Naomi corrected, staring at the smaller woman intently Kathryn stared at Naomi in disbelief, hoping she was misunderstanding the look in her eyes.

"Oh, no you don't. Not me."

Naomi's gaze was steady. Kathryn couldn't hold the stare and looked away.

"God, I need a drink," she muttered, raising a hand to draw across her face in frustration.

"Come back to the fire, Kathryn. That is if Anikka has quit arguing long enough to light one. We'll get you some chicory."

"Chicory? You must be kidding! I need alcohol."

"I'm sorry. We have no intoxicating beverages with us. We need to keep our minds clear."

"Clear for what? You still haven't told me what's going on!"

"We go to face Cross. Its good you're with us. You will be able to defeat him," Naomi said with feigned lightness.

"You've got me confused with someone else. I just want to go home."

"We'll talk more later. You need time to think about everything."

Kathryn felt dazed as she meekly followed Naomi back through the maze of tunnels. When they re-entered the main cave, she sat against a wall with her knees drawn up protectively. Her hands rested lightly on her knees and she stared unblinking at the ground.

Anikka stopped working when the two entered the cave. She saw Kathryn's dazed look and turned to Naomi. "You just had to tell her everything, didn't you?"

Naomi didn't respond as she walked toward Kami. "Status?"

"Isn't that a question you usually reserve for your second in command?" Kami asked, amused.

"I don't feel like dealing with her venom right now."

"I can certainly understand that. Ronda has re-stocked our food supplies from the caves. Anikka already refilled the water skins and laid out the camp. I found a weapons cache, and there were even some fire weapons. Also..."she hesitated, gauging Naomi's mood.

"What is it, Kami? I'm not in the mood to interrogate the information out of you," she snapped.

"Well," Kami said slightly miffed, "I found another chamber. It has a table, a metal chair, and a strange box of glass and metal. I've never seen anything like it."

"Show me," Naomi ordered intrigued.

Kathryn hardly noticed as Kami and Naomi left the cave. She continued to stare at the ground between her dirty sneakers. They had been so clean yesterday when she put them on.

She felt dazed. Her hands were beginning to shake from alcohol withdrawal, or shock, and her mind was numb with everything she had seen and heard since the warrior women had found her.

Could it be real? They weren't crazy and this wasn't a dream? Kathryn had heard a saying from a Shakespeare play once. It rang in her mind now. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio... She couldn't remember the rest of the saying, or for that matter, which play it was from.

For her own sanity, she couldn't just embrace everything at face value, but she couldn't ignore the possibilities either. The future? Had she walked through some kind of time portal when she went through the cliff side, emerging hundreds of years in the future? It was just too much.

Kathryn raised her eyes and looked around the cave, and at the two women still working.

The cave walls were worn and smooth as though used by many travelers. The sconces mounted in the walls that held the lumi-sticks had obviously been there for years. They looked made of metal, but they were twisted and sagging. People of her own time wouldn't have lived in caves. Sure, there were transients but she had never heard of them living in caves, and these women didn't resemble any of the homeless people Kathryn had ever seen.

She studied the women. They were younger than she had thought, she realized.

Years of dry weather and heat had aged their skin and caused fine wrinkles, making them appear older although still gorgeous.

Anikka's hands looked hard and callused. Working hands. Kathryn noticed the strain in their faces for the first time, even the stoic and unapproachable blonde. They tried not to show the fear, but it was in their eyes. Their shoulders were tense as if awaiting a blow, and there was little talking.

Whatever else, they believed the threat was real. That had to be enough for Kathryn, for now. She breathed an exasperated sigh, and drew a shaky hand through her hair. It felt stiff with sweat and sand. Just another sign that everything Naomi said was true. Kathryn knew of nowhere in Southern California where you could walk a whole day and not see some kind of technology.

God, I need a drink, she thought for the second time in an hour. She had never gone this long without one and was starting to get worried. She had heard stories of people withdrawing who started hallucinating.

I don't think I'm an alcoholic, but my body is used to having a certain amount, yeah, about a bottle a day, but that doesn't mean I'll have d.t.s or anything.

She held up her right hand and stared at her fingers. They're just trembling because I'm scared, she thought as she fisted her hand and struck her thigh.

Naomi and Kami returned while Kathryn was still contemplating her dilemma. They didn't comment about what they had been doing as preparations were made for the evening meal. Kathryn's stomach started complaining when she smelled the food simmering over the fire.

"Well, come over and eat," Anikka said to her roughly. "We're not here to wait on you."

Kathryn wondered at the anger the stoic woman held barely in check. She got to her feet without comment and walked to the others where they sat loosely around the fire, deliberately sitting between Ronda and Kami. She didn't want to be near Anikka and for some reason, felt she needed to be protected from anything else Naomi might say.

"Anikka, do you work at being nasty, or is it a gift?" Ronda asked sarcastically.

The younger woman stuck her tongue out at Ronda before continuing with her meal. Ronda rolled her eyes and handed a crudely made plate of stone heaped with thick stew to Kathryn who smiled her thanks and looked at the food. It was thick and contained vegetables and spices Kathryn couldn't identify. There was also a thick wedge of dark bread and a flat shaped utensil that closely resembled a spoon.

Kathryn cautiously took a bite, ignoring the conversation that was taking place around her. It was delicious. The chunks of what looked like potato were soft and buttery. The juice was dark and spiced and contained little bits of meat that were so tender they almost fell apart in her mouth. Kathryn thought it tasted a little like beef. She cleaned her plate and used the wedge of bread to sop up the rest of the juice.

The bread was moist and tasted fresh. Kathryn couldn't remember a better meal.

"Here," Kami said with humor in her voice.

Kathryn took the canteen of water before asking defensively, "What's so funny?"

"Not funny, it's just good to see someone enjoy their food. Want more?"

Kathryn started to say yes, and then realized that if what Naomi said was true, they were probably going to have to ration their supplies.

"It's all right," Naomi said sensing her trepidation. "Once its cooked we eat as much as we can. If we save it, it will just spoil in the heat. I'm having more," she added as she reached for the serving spoon.

Kathryn timidly held out her plate and Naomi served another generous portion of the stew. Anikka unexpectedly held out the plate of bread, and Kathryn looked at her in anticipation of another scathing remark. The blonde chose a large wedge of bread and placed it on Kathryn's plate silently.

I guess there's always a first time, the older woman thought in surprise.

After they finished their meal, Ronda collected the dishes and rinsed them off in the small pool Anikka had almost pushed her into earlier while the others finished packing rations and additional supplies they thought would be needed until the return trip.

Kathryn wanted to help, but didn't know what to do until Anikka solved the problem in her usual gruff manner.

"Come here," she ordered.

"I'm sorry," Kathryn said huffily, "you must have me confused with a pet."

For a moment, the younger woman looked as if she would bite Kathryn's head off. Then she swallowed, took a breath, and said, "Would you follow me?"

"That's a little better," Kathryn said meekly, and followed her to the stack of backpacks the warriors had been wearing.

"If you want to help, you can remove the bedrolls and lay them out around the fire. You'll find an extra for yourself."

"Okay."

As soon as Kathryn walked toward the bedrolls, Anikka walked away without looking back. I can't stand her, Kathryn thought angrily. She's infuriating! Acts like she owns the world. Why do they tolerate her?

Kathryn picked up the blankets and walked back to the fire. Heavy stones lined the fire ring to prevent cinders and ash from tumbling out. Kathryn laid the blankets around the fire.

I hope no one has a particular blanket they use, or someone they prefer to sleep next to, because I have no clue who owns these. All I care about is that I don't end up next to that asshole!

The women quickly settled down for the evening, disdaining the need of a guard while protected by the enchanted hills. Kathryn lay between Naomi and Ronda and quickly fell into an exhausted sleep. The day of surprises and unaccustomed exercise had definitely taken a toll.

Some time later, Kathryn was awakened by the sound of roughly whispered voices engaged in a heated argument.

"I'm telling you we need to get rid of her. Do the humane thing and leave her here if you have to, but she cant go with us. She is a threat to our mission!"

"Anikka! You have no proof of these accusations. I will not abandon someone because you think she might be a spy!" Naomi defended.

"And when she gives the nua our location after leaving this sanctuary? What then? It will be too late, not only for us, but everyone. If we don't get the opportunity to use the sword, all will be lost."

Kathryn couldn't believe what she was hearing. True, she hadn't wanted to be with these woman to begin with, but she didn't like the thought of being casually cast aside. She belatedly realized that wasn't the only issue.

The older woman was honest and straightforward. What you saw was what you got. Now she was suddenly being accused of conspiring with the enemy and she found it hurt her sense of morality. For some reason she couldn't fathom, these women's opinion of her mattered.

The anger welled up within her until it overflowed completely, and she was on her feet before fully considering the consequences of her actions. She marched smartly to the mouth of the small tunnel that Naomi had led her down earlier. It was the current location of a heavily embroiled battle of wills.

"Excuse me," she said loudly, locking eyes with the fierce taller warrior. "But for some reason, I don't like being talked about behind my back. If you've got something you want to ask me, do it. I do have to warn you though, I may be a little short on answers seeing as how I just got here."

"Are you in league with Cross and his minions?" Anikka asked without blinking an eye. It would take more than this tiny woman to intimidate her.

"I don't even know who Cross is. I'm not even sure if I believe there is such a person. And I haven't got a clue as to what a gnat or gnome or whatever you called it is." Kathryn's breath was huffing uncontrollable in her anger. Her heart was pistoning with the pump of adrenaline.

"Know this," Anikka said softly, "I will be watching you. If I see anything that convinces me you belong to him, I will kill you without a second thought."

The blonde walked calmly away without looking back. The fight suddenly went out of Kathryn and she began shaking for a different reason. She couldn't believe she had done that! Had she lost her mind? Undoubtedly Anikka was more than capable of carrying out her threat.

Naomi laid a calming hand on her shoulder. "That was very brave of you. Anikka respects those who stand up to her. But be careful. It is not wise to make an enemy of her. Even I would not tempt the fates by doing that."

Yeah, thanks for the words of reassurance, Kathryn thought sarcastically.

"Come, now," Naomi said, not seeming to notice Kathryn's lack of response. "Let's get you some breakfast, and see about that bath Anikka mentioned."

Kathryn hadn't realized it was already morning and felt her stomach rumble at the thought of food. The rest of Naomi's comment abruptly sank in. "I smell that bad, huh?"

"Well, it is an unusual smell. Almost of something fermenting, I am afraid it is not very pleasant."

Kathryn couldn't help but laugh. Naomi was trying to be considerate, and not just say she stank. Still, Kathryn knew she smelled like a brewery, and as Naomi led her back to the small, enchanted cave from the night before, Kathryn explained what alcohol smelled like, but omitted telling her about addiction or withdrawal. She didn't want her new companions scorning her already.

They entered the cave and Kathryn realized there was a hot spring that was ringed by large stones. She had noticed the ring of stones last night, but had never explored what they contained, having been so intent on the pictographs.

"Ill leave you to your bath, but don't be too long. I will come back to lead you out. The tunnels can be disconcerting."

Kathryn slipped gratefully out of her clothing as soon as Naomi left. She wondered vaguely what it was Anikka had against her as she slid into the hot water. Steam rose in lazy swirls toward the ceiling. Kathryn leaned against the rocks and closed her eyes with a sigh of pleasure. The heat melted the tension slowly from her shoulders and she felt her muscles beginning to unknot.

Some time later, she felt the presence of another in the cave. She opened her eyes with a start to see Naomi leaning against the cave entrance with an amused smile on her face.

"Oh, I must have fallen asleep," Kathryn realized.

"The spring can have that effect. We need to be leaving," Naomi said with an odd inflection in her voice. "Why don't you get dressed, now?"

She walked over and handed Kathryn a cloth that seemed to have been cut from one of the blankets to dry off with. Then Naomi turned her back considerately, but not before Kathryn saw the desire reflected in her eyes. Kathryn quickly dried and threw on her clothing. She could think of nothing to say as she dressed. No one had ever looked at her that way. She decided the best course of action was to say nothing at all.

When they arrived at the main cave, Kathryn could tell immediately that something was wrong. The tension was thick in the air.

"What is it?" Naomi asked, bracing herself for more bad news.

Kami answered. "Ronda is missing."

"Missing?" she looked at her second in command for confirmation; as if she needed it.

Anikka stared at Naomi for a moment before answering. When she did, Kathryn could hear the antagonism in her voice. "Missing...as in not here. You went after your pet while I was to wake the others, remember? All of her things are gone."

"Are you implying she left voluntarily?" Naomi asked with an edge of warning to her own voice.

"You do the math."

"Anikka!" Kami was shocked at her insolence with their leader.

"These are enchanted caves," the blonde continued undaunted. "The entrances are sealed. Demons cannot enter here because they are an unholy race. The only way she left was voluntarily."

Anikka had nothing more to say. She turned and picked up her pack and slung it over a shoulder. When she was ready she looked intently at Naomi, awaiting her next move.

"Are you sure she isn't in one of the tunnels?"

"Naomi," Anikka breathed as though suddenly exhausted, "she wouldn't have taken all of her equipment with her into the tunnels. And there's more..."

"She took one of the extra packs," Kami interjected softly.

"So, she's planning on needing the extra supplies to complete a journey of her own," Naomi finished. "A spy for Cross."

"I guess now we know how he always knew our location," Anikka concluded in a neutral tone.

"Come, warriors," Naomi said straightening her shoulders and blinking back tears from the sting of betrayal. "We have a mission to accomplish."

Kathryn felt like she had missed something. If Ronda was some kind of spy, and had given away their location and intentions, why were they continuing?

They finished their tasks and prepared to leave. As the group of women left the caves, they headed northeast. Looking ahead, it seemed to Kathryn that Naomi had picked the hardest possible direction. Ahead of them was nothing but barren sand; mounds heaped upon mounds of sand dunes. Their feet sank up to the ankle with every step. Within seconds, they were drenched in sweat. The sun began its ascent and the heat intensified.

"Where are we going? If they know what we're doing, why did we go this way?"

No one answered her as they continued.

"Aren't we going right at them?" Kathryn insisted.

Still, there was no reply. The somber look on all the faces around her finally quieted her, and she began to concentrate on simply keeping up with the strong brave women at her side and the blisters developing on her feet. Naomi pushed their pace throughout the day. They stopped only twice for water and a small snack of something that resembled a power bar. The only difference was this was even grosser than a power bar.

Kathryn gagged it down and they continued their trek.

Just as she was beginning to despair they would never stop, Naomi pointed ahead and said, "There, we'll camp there for the night."

There turned out to be a dried out wash that cut like a vein about five feet below the sand dunes.

"But, why did we come here? I thought we would be trying to get away from someone. What are we doing?" Kathryn felt like she was being such a baby, but couldn't seem to help herself. She badly needed a drink of gin and her hands were as shaky as her mood.

Naomi answered patiently while Anikka snorted at her. "This is a natural wind break against the nocturnal winds that spring up from the east. It was heavily irradiated here during the last Great War. The winds can strip the hide off bones in seconds."

That wasn't quite what Kathryn was asking, but it was enough to prompt her to hurry to the wash. They dropped into the ditch and sat down hard, breathing heavily.

They had pushed themselves to the limit and needed to rest before even thinking about doing anything else.

Kathryn was panting heavily and starting to realize how painful her feet were becoming. Particles of sand had fallen into her shoes and rubbed painful blisters on her heels and toes during the forced march.

"Damn," she muttered. "I should have worn socks." She pulled off her shoes to inspect the damage. Streaks of blood marked the insides of her sneakers, and the skin was red and torn. Kathryn could feel the blisters beginning to throb.

"What have you done to yourself?" Kami asked in concern as she moved to attend the small, painful wounds.

"Blisters," Anikka spat. "She wont be able to travel, now. She'll be a danger to us all."

"She'll be fine," Kami assured her. "I have healing powders in my pouch."

To Kathryn she explained, "As you know, I'm a healer. The powders I have are enchanted. They work almost instantly."

She reached into the pouch at her side and pulled out a small container. It looked to be made of silver and had intricate carvings on the lid. Kami opened it and picked up a small pinch of the powder. She muttered some words under her breath as she dusted the wounds. Almost instantly, Kathryn could see the skin knitting itself. There was no pain.

She was dumbfounded as she watched herself heal completely.

Kathryn looked up at Kami in amazement, and then she remembered to close her mouth. She must look like a fish out of water, she thought.

Kami gave a small laugh as she said, "Didn't we tell you magic had re-asserted itself over science?"

"You're magicians?" Kathryn asked in awe, her eyes felt like they were going to pop out of her head and she knew she was doing another good imitation of fish. She forced herself to close her mouth.

"No, nothing so fancy. Some villages devote their entire existence to magic. We believe that such a thing can be abused. When that happens, people forget to rely on themselves. Magics can always be outdone. We use only what we need."

"But, if you were magicians wouldn't it be easier to defeat Cross?"

Naomi said, "No one can compete with Cross' magic. But we believe it has become his weakness in a sense. He has become one-dimensional with his reliance on magic."

"He is frightening," Kami continued, "but by being self-reliant it gives us one advantage he doesn't have...adaptability. If we can avoid his spells, we may have a chance."

"From here we will make a plan for escaping his spells and continuing with our mission," Naomi said.

"I've been meaning to ask you about that. Why would the leader of the warriors lead a scout mission? Shouldn't you worry that the leader would be caught and subsequently tortured into revealing you mission?"

"Naomi, don't answer that! We still aren't sure about her."

"Oh, Anikka shut up! I've had enough of your suspicions." Kami was finally venting out of exhaustion what she hadn't been able to say out of politeness and respect for her sister warrior.

"Anikka, Kami, stop arguing. Kami is quite right," Naomi said with steel in her voice. "Being wary of a stranger is a good thing, but you carry this too far! Kathryn, I will answer your questions but first we need to settle in here. It took most of the day to get here and most of that at a fast pace. Night will be soon upon us. Warriors, make preparations for the night. I will take first watch as my story will take a while."

"Kathryn, since you are with us and it appears you will be for some time, you must assume some of the responsibilities. You will take second watch."

"Naomi, she's not a warrior! She has no idea..."

"Anikka, do not interrupt me again," Naomi's voice was quiet, but the authority was unmistakable.

Anikka said nothing more, but turned away and began making preparations. She did not mumble under her breath. Naomi had spoken and the younger woman had too much integrity, if nothing else, to quibble with her in front of others, even if she didn't agree.

"Why don't we help set up camp, and later well talk?" Naomi suggested.

Anikka and Kami had completed a lean-to. It was made with metal rods that were connected and driven into the sand at several points to anchor it from the wind. Next, extra blankets were attached to divert the worst of the nocturnal winds around and away from the camp.

Naomi made the fire while Kathryn set about placing sleeping rolls. Kami made dinner...more stew. Kathryn had really enjoyed it before, but was coming to learn it was their main diet while on a mission.

No wonder the others weren't so impressed, she thought. Steak and lobster can get sickening if you have it often enough.

During the meal, conversation turned quite naturally to their reason for being there.

"Five more days," Anikka observed.

"Yes, well have to decide what were going to do," Naomi added thoughtfully.

"There's not much to decide," the blonde said. "I recommend when we get there, that the three of you hold position while I scout the area. I'll gain as much information as I can, then report back."

"You?" Kami asked. "Why you? I can do it!"

"Don't get in a huff," Naomi laughed.

"You know I'm the one it has to be, Kami. I can blend in and they'll never know I'm there. Naomi is the leader; we can't risk her for information gathering. We can't risk you either; you're our only healer. As for her," Anikka snarled glancing at Kathryn, "that speaks for itself."

"Naomi, are you going to listen to this drivel?" Kami asked in amazement.

"As you pointed out before, she is my second in command. Besides, she's right."

"But,"

"End of discussion, Runt," Anikka teased, with a slight grin.

"Well, it's getting late. Morning will be here soon enough. Why don't both of you try to get some sleep while Kathryn and I talk?" Naomi said.

"I think that sounds great, I'm exhausted," Kami grunted as she and the other woman headed for their sleeping rolls. Kathryn remembered the look in her eyes at the hot springs and was suddenly a little uncomfortable being left alone with Naomi.

"What is it?" Naomi asked, feeling a sudden chill in the air.

Kathryn found she couldn't meet her eyes and stared into the fire. She jumped when a hand touched her jean-clad knee. Naomi drew her hand away as though scalded. "I'm sorry," Kathryn said quickly. "It's just earlier...when I was bathing. The look in your eyes caught me off guard."

"My turn to apologize. It's been a very long time since I've been with anyone."

"Oh, gee. Thanks. So it could have been anyone in that water and you would have reacted the same way. That doesn't say much for me, does it?" Kathryn was surprised to find she felt a little stung.

"No, you misunderstand. Well, you don't understand completely. I am used to Anikka and Kami. They are family. I would never look at them that way. It caught me a little off guard to see a beautiful woman. That water doesn't exactly hide anything under it."

How could she explain to Kathryn that yes, she had been attracted to her body, but someone else already claimed her heart? Someone Naomi could never have. Kathryn looked intently at Naomi's face. Even in the glow of the fire, she was sure she saw a blush on her face.

"Please," Naomi said quietly. "I am only human," she joked.

Kathryn relented and gave a small laugh.

"Friends, again?"

"Friends," Kathryn agreed.

"Okay. Questions. If you have them, Ill try to answer. After all, you deserve to know since you'll be with us when we confront him."

Kathryn thought for a few seconds. She knew Cross was a magician that held the land in fear. She knew they were trying to defeat him, but how had this all started? "This great war of yours, how did it happen?"

"The same as any other war," Naomi began with a shrug. "It began over land disputes, and religious differences in the middle east. Things worsened when the oil producing countries stopped producing."

"I see," Kathryn said, "But how did the rest of the world get involved?"

"Someone half a world away pushed a button," Naomi said simply. "The other countries responded in self-defense. You know when the cold war ended, it didn't mean anyone got rid of the weapons they had or stopped experimenting with new and deadlier ways to kill each other."

"So everyone pushed their own buttons," Kathryn said simply.

"That sums it up. From the stories I've heard, the President of the sovereign countries gave the order two minutes after the initial activation."

"What are sovereign countries?"

"Well, our President presided over the western half of the globe. That included the United States, Europe, South America and Australia."

Kathryn shook her head trying to make sense. Someone with that much power was a disaster waiting to happen. There must have been some kind of checks and balances.

"But didn't the congress or whatever, try to stop him?"

"There was no time. Besides, there was no such thing as a veto. That went with the wind when the man was appointed President."

"You mean Cross was the President, don't you?" Kathryn asked suddenly grasping the enormity of the situation. "But how can that be? How long ago was that?"

"I told you he was a powerful magician. Cross knew what was going to happen. He probably made it happen. If not, he at least encouraged it. It was said he secretly thrilled to the carnage."

"Go on," Kathryn said, although she didn't know how much longer she could listen.

"Several nuclear weapons detonated at once over the globe. Three in the continental U.S., One in California, one somewhere between Wyoming and Texas, and the last one just east of us...in the area that used to New Mexico."

"The atmosphere was so depleted and contaminated that anything above ground began dying; even if they weren't close to a blast sight. The winds carried the poisons. What the atmosphere started Cross finished by utilizing the black arts. Finally there was nothing left."

Kathryn was stunned. To think people could become so complacent as to let a monster run unchecked in such a position of power. And look at the result!

"Are you all right?" Naomi asked gently reaching to touch Kathryn's face.

"Yeah, I guess," she said ruefully. "Its just so much."

Kathryn watched the dancing flames, thinking how amazing these people were. To have survived such a past was unfathomable in itself, but to have grown to be so strong was even more of an enigma.

"What?" Naomi prompted.

"Kami said Anikka was part of the chameleon squad, what's that?"

Naomi hesitated, trying to gauge Kathryn's reaction. "You like her, don't you?"

"Who, Anikka? I can't stand her! She's rude. I just want to know what the chameleon squad is." Naomi was quiet until Kathryn started to believe she wasn't going to answer at all.

Finally she said, "They are a special group of warriors trained in combat, the arts of concealment and stealth."

"That's enough. No more questions. I should sleep. Will you be all right standing watch?" she inquired.

"What? Oh, yes. I'm fine. I have a lot to think about."

"Well, make sure you wake Anikka for her watch."

Kathryn agreed cordially enough, but inwardly she groaned. Why couldn't it have been Kami she had to awaken?

Naomi squatted very close to Kathryn and cupped her face in her hands. She looked intently into Kathryn's eyes. For a moment, Kathryn thought she might kiss her. Her heart began to beat hard against her ribs, and she wasn't sure she would try to stop her.

Instead, Naomi softly asked. "You sure you're all right?"

Kathryn nodded slowly. Naomi held her gaze for a moment longer before dropping her hands and rising to her feet.

"Good night, Kathryn."

Kathryn sat for a while after Naomi was situated, thinking about what had just transpired. Kathryn wasn't sure how she felt about Naomi, but knew she had wanted that kiss. The question was how did Naomi feel? Kathryn was pretty sure she wanted the kiss, too. But why? Was Naomi just lonely? She had said it had been a while since she had been involved, and Kathryn was lonely, too.

Her thoughts eventually turned to Cross. She drew up her knees and rested her forehead against them. She had so much to think about. She believed everything Naomi had said, but what could Kathryn do? She was no warrior. Hell, she ran at the first sign of trouble. She remembered the bum with the little knife and it seemed kind of funny in retrospect.

These women were fighting for the whole world, people they didn't know. How could she compare? Anikka was right; she was just a stone around their necks.

The sun was rising slowly in the east when Anikka opened her eyes. She lay quietly for a moment wondering what was wrong. Then she realized she had never been awakened for her shift. She looked in front of her and to the sides as much as her peripheral vision would allow without moving her head, tuning every sense for signs of danger.

Nothing seemed amiss, so she turned over to see Kathryn sitting by the fire ring with her head on her knees. The fire was out and Kathryn was quite soundly asleep.

"Damn it!" she roared. Anikka jumped to her feet and pushed Naomi's shoulder, rousing her.

"What is it Anikka? What are you doing?"

"Your hero is asleep! Were probably surrounded," she retorted sarcastically.

Anikka and Naomi began looking around; making sure everything was all right.

Kami woke at the commotion and took everything in at a glance. She winced in empathy at the trouble Kathryn was going to be in and went to rouse her.

"Kathryn, wake up," Kami said tenderly with just a hint of laughter in her voice, shaking one of the frail shoulders.

"Five more minutes," Kathryn murmured. Then she opened her eyes to see Kami in front of her and realized immediately what had happened.

"Omigod!" She shot to her feet looking around frantically. Everyone was up and Kathryn knew she was in for it. "Is everything all right? I cant believe I fell asleep! I'm so sorry," She looked at Kami and found that she was trying to contain her mirth. "How can you laugh? Anikka is gonna kill me!"

"Well, it's true she is very angry, but she'd have to get past Naomi to kill you. Try not to be alone with her, though."

"Oh, very funny!"

She groaned as she saw Anikka and Naomi headed toward her. The blonde came straight for her giving no thought to Naomi or Kami. All she wanted to do was shake Kathryn until her teeth rattled. She was almost there when Kami stepped in front of her.

"You could have gotten us killed!" the blonde yelled over Kami's shoulder. "Are you stupid? After everything we've said, do you think this is a game?"

Kathryn saw the veins popping in Anikka's neck and how red her face was, but the comment was out of her mouth before she thought about it. "I thought warriors were supposed to have self-control."

Anikka recoiled as if she had been struck. All emotion drained from her face as she said quietly, "We also know how to kill without leaving a mark." Her voice was calm and controlled, and Kathryn knew it was the most dangerous threat that could have been made. The other woman calmly turned and walked down the wash.

"You should not have said that, my friend," Naomi told her seriously. "Anikka would have vented her wrath and not mentioned it again. You were wrong and deserved to be chastised. Now, you have made an enemy and as I said before, she is not someone I would care to have for an enemy."

Kathryn burst into tears and ran the other way down the wash. She felt like everyone was ganging up on her. She hadn't meant to fall asleep. It had just happened!

She knew she was wrong but Anikka didn't have to be so mean. It was obvious she just didn't like Kathryn and nothing she did would ever be right. Without wanting to, she found herself wondering what the younger woman was thinking about her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anikka was so angry she could hardly contain herself. Of all the stupidity! How could she have fallen asleep? The weak-minded little fool. Is this really the kind of person Naomi thinks our savior is supposed to be? Yet, she knew it to be more than anger she was feeling. She had been scared. Scared for all of them, including Kathryn.

She knew she gave her a hard time of it, but secretly she prayed that Naomi and Kami were right; she hoped Kathryn was the one they had waited for. But it disturbed her that the small redhead seemed so weak.

More than that, she thought, I can't get her out of my dreams. I haven't dreamt of a woman since Loli died. But why her? Anikka thought of the sparkle in Kathryn's eyes when she laughed, her wonderfully smoky voice, and the curve of her throat. She wondered how soft her skin would feel, how her lips would taste. She wondered how Kathryn would respond to love making.

"Stop! I don't even like the woman." she roared at herself. "Besides, I've seen the way Naomi looks at her." I don't have time for this foolishness, she thought. We still have a job to do. She spent a few more moments breathing deeply and praying for the strength not to kill the strange woman. They might actually need her later, even if for nothing more than a sacrifice.

She went back to help pack the camp and was surprised to see that Kathryn wasn't there. She became aware of the others staring at her and looked up just as they averted their eyes. Anikka squatted to roll her blanket and felt eyes on her again. Without looking up she said, "Relax. I promise not to rip her lungs out."

"That's reassuring," Naomi said tightly. "Well, since were almost ready, I'll go get her."

Anikka only snorted in response.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kathryn had climbed atop the ridge of sand and sat down. The heat of the sun was already causing the sand to shimmer. She stared at the ground as the tears blurred her vision. Strangely, she felt herself becoming a little dizzy. The lighting began to change subtly, the sand was getting brighter, but it had a bluish hue. She felt like she was drifting. Kathryn had already forgotten the incident with Anikka and was staring intently at the sand. Things became surreal, and heavily laden with blue. She found herself staring at a pool of water, and she discovered that she was in a small cave, the pool was in the center of the cave.

The floor of the cave was smooth as though worn by multitudes of feet. The pool was small in size, roughly three feet around and two feet across, but Kathryn remembered Naomi saying how deceptively deep these waters could be.

The pool sat at the base of an old crumpled statue. The statue looked like a giant crow, but it was the water that drew her attention. She couldn't take her eyes from it or even think of resisting. And somehow, she didn't want to resist. The water was still and calming to the churning in her soul, yet it was alive within as though containing enormous depth. Kathryn stared into the water. At first she saw only her own reflection, then the water began to swirl and pictures began to form.

Kathryn saw a woman in buckskin with short auburn hair that was held in place by a blue band. She held an enormous blue sword and an army followed her. They advanced steadily up a mountainside and seemed to disappear into the side of it.

The scene changed and they were inside someplace dark. Bodies lay all around. People were mutilated and dying. There were tortured, twisted dark things that must have been nuas, and large worm-like creatures that had been slashed into pieces that still slithered and writhed.

Overlying it all like a hologram was a face. The face of an evil, twisted man that took immeasurable delight in the sight surrounding him.

Again things changed, and before her was the visage of a beautiful woman in a long, flowing gown. The material was sheer, ethereal. She seemed as light as a fairy with eyes that were full of love and understanding.

"Be strong," she whispered. "Believe in yourself, and the commitment and heart of those around you. You will prevail." The woman was speaking to a tall, curvaceous blonde in buckskin. The woman turned and Kathryn recognized Anikka.

Then it was over. Kathryn became aware of a hand resting on her shoulder. She started and looked to see it was Naomi.

"Are you all right? You were gone so long, I became worried."

"I'm fine," Kathryn lied, "I just have a headache." That at least was true. Great, she thought. Now, I'm going to start hallucinating. Wonder when I'll get D.T.s!

"Well, come on," Naomi said, "The camp is packed and we are ready to continue our journey."

Kathryn didn't mention her vision to Naomi as they walked back to the campsite. She didn't want her thinking she was psychotic or something. Secretly, she worried if she was starting to have symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

She had seen what delirium tremors looked like on videotapes shown while she was in high school. She knew it usually started with shakes in the extremities, which she already had, and then the victim began having visual and/or auditory hallucinations.

"You're so quiet'" Naomi observed during the short walk. "I know you're upset about falling asleep. It happens, and you learn from it. I know it won't happen again."

Kathryn knew Naomi was trying to tell her not to be so hard on herself, but how could she tell her that wasn't what she was worried about? Instead, she smiled slightly at Naomi and nodded her head.

Everyone was ready by the time they reached the camp. Anikka didn't look at Kathryn as she handed Naomi both packs, causing her leader to shake her head at the other woman's hostility, and pass Kathryn her pack. They continued in a northeasterly direction with little conversation. There wasn't much hurry because without Ronda with them, they didn't see Cross as an immediate threat. She couldn't report what she didn't know.

The next few days continued in much the same pattern. The women traveled as far as they could each day. Each night, they made camp and used the lean-to for redirecting the raging winds, then taking their turns standing watch. Naomi was careful to give Kathryn the first watch and Anikka the last.

By the time they made their final camp, Kathryn's tremors had significantly worsened. She began to wonder how much longer she would be able to hide them. Not that anyone cares, she thought. No one ever had, why start now?

"Kathryn?" Kami interrupted her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"We're ready to eat. Aren't you hungry?"

Actually, Kathryn didn't want to face anymore of that foul stuff they called stew. They were probably trying to poison her, but she wasn't going to let them know she was on to their plans. Kathryn started as she realized what she was thinking. What's wrong with me? They've always been very thoughtful, well not Anikka, but everyone else. Why would I think they were doing such a thing?

Aloud she said, "No thanks. I'm not very hungry. Maybe I'm just nervous about tomorrow."

Tomorrow they would arrive at Cross Mountain. They would seek concealment while Anikka scouted the area and looked for a way in.

"That's understandable," Kami conceded, "but you should try to eat something."

Kathryn sighed as she and Kami walked to the fire Anikka had started. The younger woman and Naomi were already seated and eating. She didn't look up as Kathryn joined them, but Naomi gave her a friendly enough smile and handed her a plate that was already heaping with food.

Taking the offered plate and sitting down carefully, she brushed away a pebble that was pressing against her ankle and sat the plate on her lap. For a few moments she stared at the stew.

"What's in this anyway?" she asked testily.

"Mostly potatoes, and spices. The meat is called wherry," Kami supplied almost as an afterthought.

"What's a wherry?"

"Its a small, underground rodent. Sort of like a mole," Naomi answered.

"Do you mean to tell me I've been eating this world's equivalent of a rat?"

Kathryn felt sicker to her stomach than ever. Now she knew they were trying to poison her. She pushed her food around on her plate and tried eating some of the potatoes, but now that she knew what was in the stew, she just couldn't bring herself to eat more than a few bites.

The others didn't seem to notice anything wrong and finished their meals with enthusiasm. Kathryn volunteered for clean up so she had an excuse to get some air without the others.

I've got to get out of here. If they're feeding me rats, what else are they doing? I bet they've been lying all along. I'm not in another time or place. I'm still in southern California. They probably just took me out in the desert so I wouldn't catch on to what's really happening. I bet Connie put them up to this.

Kathryn knew she had to bide her time. She couldn't walk away without being prepared. She had to gather some supplies and figure out which way to go, and she couldn't tip the others off. They would prevent her from leaving.

For now she had to play along. Let them think they had her fooled and play out this farce with Cross tomorrow. Maybe they would slip up and tip their hand. Kathryn finished scrubbing the plates with sand, and went back to the fire.

"I have first watch," she said with forced cheerfulness. "Why don't you guys get to sleep early, tomorrow's gonna be a long day."

Anikka looked at her in surprise. Kathryn had never volunteered for anything. This was the second time in one night. First the dishes, now this. "What are you up to?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing," Kathryn lied. "I'm just nervous about tomorrow. There's nothing else I can do, so I thought I'd at least let you get a little extra rest."

The blonde stared at her considering. She was convinced Kathryn was plotting something, but couldn't think what it could possibly be.

"Give the girl a break, Anikka," Kami argued. "I for one think it's a good idea."

"Me too," Naomi said. "Kathryn just make sure you wake me for my watch. Don't try to go all night just to give us some extra sleep."

"Humph, as if..." Anikka muttered crawling onto her bedroll and turning her back on the others.

*******************

The next morning they scouted across the blasted plains and reached the lower hills of the old New Mexico territory. Naomi told Kathryn where they were so she would have a general geographical idea in case they got separated. Since they were so close to the enemy, Kathryn, Naomi and Kami sought refuge in a shallow gorge at the base of the mountain.

"Anikka, I want you to be careful," Naomi instructed her. "We need to do this right, so take your time. We may not get another chance."

The blonde nodded and turned away. She found a small game trail that seemed to wind generally up hill. Our hero ought to be doing this, she thought. If she was the one, she should have volunteered.

Anikka followed the trail for the better part of an hour. The sun was high overhead, and the sweat poured down her face. Heavy boulders obscured parts of the path and she had to climb in several places, but the trail was always there when she cleared the rock falls.

What's that she wondered, seeing a slight impression in the dirt just as the trail cut sharply back to the left. It was part of a nua track. Though brainless, they didn't usually leave any trail. This one had become careless in its familiar surroundings. The track seemed to be heading up a steep ridge and into the hillside itself.

As she climbed the ridge, she crouched and tried to move slowly to blend into the terrain. She didn't want to be spotted now! Anikka found that her heart was thundering in her chest and concentrated on controlling her anxiety. She was passing an outcropping under which the sun seldom reached. The soil was still damp from an acid rain shower, and she discovered another important clue, another nua print!

But it seemed twisted somehow, as though the demon had pivoted suddenly to the left. There was no other indication the creature had been there, but Anikka was the best. She knew from the print that the demon had somehow entered into the side of the hill at this spot.

There was a hidden entrance and all she had to do was find the key. She realized she should get the others, but would lose valuable time and the protection of daylight, so she began looking for a way in. Anikka was so intent on pushing and pulling rocks that she didn't feel the burning of the sun. Her flesh wasn't accustomed to being above ground, much less in the ultraviolet radiation and was developing a faintly pink cast. In frustration she turned away from the hillside toward her left, and flopped back into a hole that hadn't been there before.

"Of course!" she murmured, catching the edges of the tunnel with her abraded fingers to prevent herself from falling backward into it. "Someone would have to know the trigger was in the ground."

She looked around to make sure no one was watching. Then she leaned her upper body into the three-foot hole as far as possible without taking her feet off the ground. It was dark in there, dark as pitch and did nothing to reassure her of her safety. Slowly, she entered the tunnel on her hands and knees to begin creeping forward scared and strangely exhilarated at the same time. She didn't know what she would find at the end, but visions of all the mutilated scouts in the past filled her mind. Her mouth tasted like ash and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, but this was her chance for revenge!

Anikka crawled for what felt like an eternity. She still couldn't see anything, but the air was noticeably cooler. She must be nearing the end of the tunnel. She put her left hand forward expecting to feel the tunnel floor connect with her palm, instead encountering thin air. She felt her body pitching forward and tried to jerk back, but she was off balance and it was too late. The lanky blonde tumbled down a five-foot drop and landed flat on her back.

She felt her breath blow out with a whoosh and froze where she landed. She strained with all of her senses expecting to be discovered, sure that she had made enough noise to wake the dead. When nothing happened she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

The darkness didn't seem so absolute here. The young woman could make out vague shapes of boulders and tunnel walls, and what appeared to be a junction into four other tunnels. Anikka sat up to investigate the other openings and gasped in pain. She felt along her right side at the swelling on her ribs and the spreading warmth of blood on her shirt. It didn't feel like she had broken anything, but she had definitely bruised a rib or two.

Oh great, she thought, I take a five-foot fall and hurt myself like a novice. I'll never live that down if Kami finds out. Of course, that's assuming I get out of here at all! 

Anikka began at her left, feeling along the tunnel wall until her hands and adjusting vision found the opening into the first connecting tunnel. She leaned into the tunnel and strained to detect anything that might tell her which way to go then realized she had been hearing faint, rhythmic sounds since entering the main tunnel.

Making her way around systematically to each of the tunnel openings, she checked for anything to indicate the right way to go. Finally, when she reached the last tunnel, she found something. She felt faint vibrations in the tunnel floor with her fingertips. This was the one.

"Please help me," she prayed silently to no one in general, concentrating all of her senses into what was around her.

The tunnel was much narrower than the initial one had been, causing her to have to inch along on her belly. With her rib injury it wasn't very easy and every time she crawled over an uneven spot or grazed a rock, she almost cried out. Soon, she was biting her bottom lip to keep from making any involuntary noise.

Anikka slid her hands through the dirt on the tunnel floor to ensure there were no more dangers. She wasn't about to risk another fall. The dust she disturbed was becoming a real incentive to sneeze, but she couldn't afford to make any noise.

She stopped briefly to rub her nose vigorously to dispel the urgent tickling feeling inside her nasal passages. The vibrations under her and the chanting noises were getting louder, and she was getting closer to the source. There was light up ahead, and she could see the mouth of the tunnel. By having to be extremely slow and methodical she knew it was taking longer than she thought it would to gather information, but she couldn't afford to be captured. Anikka hoped the others wouldn't become impatient and do anything to compromise their own safety. They needed the information she was in pursuit of if they hoped to launch a successful attack.

She stopped about two feet from the opening where she could see bright orange flames reflecting off the stone of an immense cave in front of her, and felt the breath leave her lungs in a rush. That fire must be huge!

She inched forward until she could see down into the heart of the cave. The cave was far below her, making things appear smaller than they were. These tunnels must be some sort of ventilation system.

Focusing on the actions taking place on the cave floor, what she saw made her blood run cold. It was some kind of black ceremony. There were circles of nuas and worm-like tokars that were the largest Anikka had ever seen. Some of them were almost two meters in length and were the deep brown color of the earth they originated from.

In the center was a blackened, well-used pole. Lashed to the pole was an unconscious man she didn't recognize. The blood still ran from his slit face. His clothes were hanging in strips. Another man stood in front of him wearing a long black cloak that hung to the floor. The hood covered his head, and she couldnt' see his face, but she knew who it was. Only one person generated that kind of evil.

As she watched, Cross brought a blade high over his head and plunged it into the captive's chest. The chanting around them had reached a crescendo and abruptly stopped. In horror, she saw him remove the man's still beating heart and hold it high over his head. His minions roared in approval.

Starting involuntarily her hand bumped a stone sitting at the edge of the tunnel mouth and she watched in horror as it tumbled through the air, seeming to fall for a very long time before impacting with the cave floor below her. Suddenly, all eyes were focused in her direction.

Having seen enough, she scrambled backward out of the hole as fast as she could her breath coming in short huffs. She repeatedly banged her head into the ceiling and her injured ribs into the floor in her effort to quickly vacate the tunnels. When Anikka finally reached the junction, she turned and leaped without hesitation into the exit. Behind her, she felt heavy vibrations from a multitude of feet and knew they were close on her heels.

Her heart slammed against her ribs and her breath came in bursts. The air seemed to become thinner and suddenly she seemed to be swimming in a thick fog. It must be a spell! She struggled to place one knee in front of the other; desperately crawling for all she was worth, pressing a hand to her aching side and feeling it grow slick with blood.

There it is! The exit. Almost there, I have to make it. She sobbed aloud in frustration knowing they were gaining on her. As she reached the edge of the tunnel, the spell seemed to break. She burst from the opening and ran back down the hillside in an effort to get down and prepare the others. She needed reinforcements!

Kami saw her running down the hillside and moved to intercept her. Naomi remained on guard and listened from where she squatted by a boulder.

"They're coming, a whole troop of them! Give Kathryn a sword!" Anikka yelled.

Kami caught her arms and pulled her into her camouflaged body. She placed a hand over the other woman's mouth and said into her ear, "Do you want to die? Shut up!"

"What? We have to attack! Now, while they're not expecting it."

"No, Anikka," Naomi yelled joined Kami in grabbing an arm and pulling. "There are too many. We'll be crushed. There'll be no attempt on Cross this time."

"I'm surrounded by cowards!" The blonde spat. "This is what we came to do."

Naomi and Kami hurried a fiercely protesting Anikka away from the mountainside as quickly as possible and Kathryn was only too happy to follow. She saw the blood on the young woman's side and was amazed she actually wanted to go back. If this was part of a game they were playing, it was good!

Fearless Anikka was how she began to think of her. You had to give her credit outnumbered at least twenty to one and she still wanted to fight! That was courage...either that or incredibly stupid!

They headed slightly east and south. It was toward the place Naomi had told Kathryn was highly irradiated, but it had the advantage that it was the last place Cross would expect them to go. When the smaller woman balked at going into a place that would cause her flesh to fall off, the healer assured her that the radiation had dissipated, but those that never traversed the area would not know that.

Walking for a few more hours in the sun, Kathryn stopped worrying about radiation as she began feeling strangely lethargic. The next designated rest stop was a place called Trafalger springs. Kathryn thought even the name sounded magical. She was really floating, almost as good as an alcohol high. She felt buoyant, and slightly dizzy.

Even so, the constant movement and heat was beginning to get to her. The sun had risen high overhead, and the ground was dry and cracked. Not a bird or cricket broke the silence. All they could hear was their own labored breathing as they struggled to place one foot ahead of the other. Everyone felt drained. The heat was sapping their strength and Kathryn couldn't wait to reach the blessed cool of the water promised to be waiting at the springs. For the moment, even her thoughts of escaping had temporarily gone by the wayside.

They had been walking steadily for hours. Kathryn could have sworn it had been days. There was no water left in the canteens and Naomi still wouldn't call a rest stop.

Kathryn's vision was swimming; she could barely keep her eyes open. She stumbled in the sand and was falling, without the strength to stop herself.

A strong hand caught her by the back of her shirt and jerked her back on her feet.

Looking up reflexively to see who had rescued her, she was surprise to see Anikka. Her heart skipped a beat and her skin tingled between her shoulder blades where the beautiful blonde's hand had rested on her back.

"Thanks," she breathed unsteadily through cracked lips.

The blonde only looked at her in response and arched a blonde eyebrow, being too parched to reply verbally. She glanced quickly away after meeting Kathryn's eyes, as if afraid she had been caught doing something nice, and Kathryn was faintly surprised to see what she thought was a slight blush coloring Anikka's face. Of course, it could have just been sunburn.

Kami and Naomi exchanged glances of surprise.

"I wonder what happened to her," Naomi murmured.

"Perhaps she has sunstroke," Kami volunteered.

They were all developing terrible sunburns, something Kami would have to treat later. She had planned for this, since they lived below ground and weren't used to such constant exposure.

Although the past weeks had helped deepen their skin tones, this forced march in the middle of the day was not helping. She was going to look at Anikka's ribs too, even if she had to have Naomi and Kathryn hold her down.

"There," Anikka croaked. She pointed ahead and to the left.

Kathryn could barely make out a darker spot on the horizon, but she knew what it was. They all did. The pace picked up slightly as everyone felt some strength return to their limbs. No one asked how much longer; they knew they would make it. Even Kathryn knew without any doubt.

Kathryn and Kami fell at the water's edge and gratefully began splashing themselves with the cool water. Anikka waded right in and submerged. Vaguely, Kami wondered if the blonde would have the strength to resurface and kept an eye on the spot where she had disappeared just in case. Not that she would have the strength to pull the reckless woman out, but so she would remember for her eulogy.

Naomi, conservative even under duress, squatted by the spring and calmly scooped the cool water into her blistered mouth. Finally sated, she looked at Kathryn and informed her, "Remember this place with honor. It is one of the few above ground springs left."

It was all Kathryn could do to keep from rolling her eyes. After everything they had been through, Kathryn wasn't in the mood for a history lesson. Naomi found a comfortable spot and settled down for a nap while Anikka finally emerged and waded from the spring. She threw herself on the ground under a scraggly oak tree, soaking wet. She was asleep and snoring in seconds.

"Anikka, turn on your side," Kami murmured as she sat down next to Kathryn.

Kathryn was surprised to see Anikka do as she was instructed. How could she hear through all the noise she was making? When it became apparent that Anikka was sleeping soundly, Kami looked at Kathryn with a conspiratorial look.

"If you're not too exhausted, could you help me with her?"

Kathryn was confused. Help her do what with her?

At her questioning look, Kami explained. "Anikka would never let me look at her injuries, even if she had bones hanging out. And as far as sunburn, forget it! I want to treat her before she wakes up, but I need help removing her shirt."

"Oh, okay. But you know she's already mad at me. Don't let her know I helped."

Kathryn still remembered Anikka's threat. Sure, she had helped Kathryn in a moment of weakness, but Kathryn wasn't about to fool herself into thinking all was forgiven or forgotten.

"Your secret is safe with me," Kami assured her dryly.

She grabbed her medicine pouch and knelt beside Anikka, but it wasn't going to be easy since the young woman was lying on her injured side. Kathryn knelt behind her.

"We need to get her turned on her back, but go slowly or we could wake her up."

Kathryn placed her left hand behind Anikka's neck and the other on her shoulder. Her wet hair felt thick and crisp against Kathryn's fingers. She was tempted to stroke her fingers through the flowing mass, but Kami's presence kept her in check. Together they rolled her gently onto her back.

"Now we have to get her shirt off."

"What?" Kathryn's mouth went dry at the prospect of seeing Anikka's lean muscular upper body and full breasts. Unable to prevent it, she trembled slightly in anticipation.

Kami eased the clasps open that held the light colored material together. Kathryn gulped hard when she opened the material. Anikka wasn't wearing a bra. Of course not, they probably don't have such a thing, Kathryn thought. 

Her skin was the color of ripe, golden wheat with numerous scars marring the tender flesh. Kathryn caught herself staring at the large, tight breasts, the nipples slightly pink and inviting, and pebbled from the cool water. She looked up quickly hoping Kami hadn't noticed her lapse, but there was nothing to worry about since Kami's attention was on the wound. The shirt was stuck to the injury with dried blood, but the immersion into the water had helped loosen it.

"Bring me a canteen of water," Kami directed absently.

Kathryn fetched the requested canteen and promptly lost all track of what the healer was doing as she finished treating the young woman. Kathryn was lost in Anikka's quiet beauty. She saw the shadows of exhaustion under the eyes. The way the lines of stress in her face seemed to smooth out in slumber. The gentle rise and fall of the chest with each respiration and vaguely realized she was feeling something she hadn't in a long time.

She was becoming aroused. Her own respiration had become more labored and she felt a flood of desire surge through her body. Abruptly she stood up and walked back to the spring feeling the urge to splash water on her face.

If Kami noticed her discomfort, she didn't show it. She finished treating Anikka, slathering sunburn cream liberally on her face, neck and arms. Then she carefully eased the shirt closed and stood up, seeming satisfied with the result.

Kami walked over to Naomi who had been sitting in the shade of a scraggily oak tree intent on treating her as well. Naomi had been watching the three with narrowed eyes, clearly seeing Kathryn's reaction to the young blonde but didn't say anything. She accepted the sunburn treatment from Kami, then settled down to her own nap.

Kami treated herself and Kathryn with little discussion. Kathryn could see the exhaustion in the young woman's face and felt her heart go out to her.

"Get some sleep while you can, Kathryn," Kami said softly, finding a spot for herself to stretch out. Everyone was asleep now except Kathryn. She wasn't surprised there was no sentry. It was daylight, and they were safe. Yet, she couldn't sleep. All she could do was look at Anikka and wonder about her.

After all that had passed between them, why had she kept her from falling? Was she trying to trick her into thinking everything was all right and then jump her when she least expected it? It just didn't make any damn sense. Anikka seemed so direct. If she thought something, she expressed it. No, Kathryn decided. The other woman wouldn't set her up like that.

As she watched the beautiful woman sleep, she noticed how innocent she looked with her guard down. She looked young and Kathryn thought she couldn't have been more than twenty-eight. Yet, those eyes had seen so much. When Anikka didn't know anyone was looking there was a look of extreme sadness in those soft blue eyes. So much so that Kathryn just wanted to hold her and tell her someone cared about her pain, that she was beginning to understand. She wanted to kiss the pain from her eyes.

Kathryn knew what she was feeling was sympathy for the younger woman. She certainly wasn't attracted to her. Finally choosing to dismiss her disturbing thoughts for now, she stretched out on the grass and closed her eyes in well-deserved slumber.

She came awake with a start as the earth abruptly tilted under her and the ground began shaking. Everyone scrambled to their feet, reaching for weapons. Kathryn rose to her feet still groggy and not quite sure what was happening. She noticed the sun was much lower than when she had settled in for her nap, it was beginning to set.

Kami tossed a small, light sword to Kathryn. "Here, defend yourself!"

Yeah, right! She thought hysterically. She had never even held a sword, how was she supposed to defend herself? She felt the blood rush into her head and thought she was going to pass out.

The ground in the center of the women began to buckle, causing the women to struggle to stay standing. Something was coming out! It looked like a giant worm with large wicked looking tusks and no eyes. From the description Kathryn had received, she knew it was a tokar. She had briefly glimpsed them while escaping Cross Mountain.

At the same time the annelid broke ground, there was a great noise as though if souls in torment. In the fading light Kathryn could see a rush of creatures rolling toward them in a sea of black.

There were about fifteen or twenty nua bearing down on them, but there were only three warriors and one very inexperienced woman. It looked like a multitude.

The nua were in a line formation with a single demon leading the way. The oily looking creature in front had a shield made from a charred slab of stone, and the formation was so close now that Kathryn could see their sick little faces.

"Back to back formation," Naomi shouted. "Watch your flank."

The warriors formed a loose circle with Kathryn, keeping their backs to each other. Kathryn caught on instantly to the soundness of the tactic and maintained her position as much as possible.

She glanced over to see Kami slicing at the annelid as the onslaught reached Anikka and seemed to pour over her. Then everything was a jumble. Kathryn sliced clumsily at a nua and was surprised to see a hole open in its chest. It fell to the ground with almost a look of gratitude. It was quite some time before she looked up after that.

Another creature rushed to take its place. Kathryn tried to stab through the beast as she had seen Anikka do. Her wrist gave way and she felt a sharp pain. She just wasn't trained for this. She didn't have a warriors strength.

Finally, she saw all of the creatures were dead or dying. One was running back the way it had come to report to its master. The tokar was dead, having been sliced into huge, disgusting pieces. Kathryn saw Anikka had gore all over her body and was bleeding from a multitude of small cuts. Naomi had a large gash over her right eye and blood ran freely down her face.

Kathryn's wrist hurt and she felt like she had been run over by a train. She realized Naomi seemed to be looking for something.

"Where's Kami?"

Anikka froze momentarily as though stunned. Her eyes widened and she suddenly began looking around. They looked for several minutes with no success. Kathryn went to check behind a large, blasted tree trunk on the opposite side of the spring. She could hear Naomi and the blonde talking behind her.

Kathryn didn't see the nua hiding behind the trunk. As she stepped around, it charged. She was pinned to the ground choking as the nua held her by the throat with one cloven hand and raised its tiny dagger with the other. Kathryn closed her eyes, anticipating the final blow but it never came. Her eyes flew open as she felt the weight above her slide sideways and an arm slipped around her shoulders assisting her into a sitting position.

Anikka's sword had all but severed the creatures head from its shoulders. Kathryn could feel the woman's heartbeat against her shoulder and smell the aroma of her skin. She felt transfixed being this close to her. Their eyes locked and they both froze. Kathryn saw a softening in the blue eyes as they dilated and felt she could drown in them. The blonde broke the trance with one word.

"Kami," the shuttered look instantly fell back into place over her eyes.

"Here!" Naomi shouted.

Anikka and Kathryn ran to join her at the body of the fallen tokar. Kami's legs were showing under the annelid, the rest of her pinned beneath the gory mass. The women struggled and pushed pieces of the tokar from their friend. Even segmented, Kathryn was surprised at the sheer weight of the creature, but knew they couldn't hack through for fear of hitting Kami. All they could do was work with the pieces that were already slashed.

She felt the sweat and blood covering her face as she fought desperately to uncover the smaller woman until finally, she could see her. Kathryn slid her arms under the slimy body and lifted with all the shaky strength she had left as Anikka and Naomi struggled to push the last of the remains off her.

Finally, she was free and Naomi helped ease her over onto her back. Kathryn felt ill when she saw the blood coming from Kami's nose and mouth. She knew it was serious. One of the tusks had pierced her chest.

"Kathryn," Kami whispered.

Kathryn scooted as close to her as she could, until they were a breath apart and took the fragile hand into her own. "I'm here, Kami," she said with tears in her stone-gray eyes.

"You beat Cross...for me." Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion and pain.

"You'll be there." she assured her. "We'll all do it together."

"No, my fight is done. Be strong." Abruptly she shifted her attention. "Naomi, please...so much pain," Kami begged.

"Yes, little sister. I love you, Kami," Naomi whispered as she brushed her lips over Kami's forehead. She wept openly as she drew the small knife used to end the misery of dying warriors. She didn't want to end Kami's life but she had seen wounds like this before. Kami was dying and in great pain. Sadly, Naomi ended her suffering.

Kathryn was floored! How could she do such a heartless thing? Then she remembered what Naomi had said, and realized their relationship had been more than one of warriors; it had been one of blood. They really were blood sisters. In her eyes, that made her actions even worse.

She felt numb as she helped them build a pyre for Kami's body. They would not just bury her; they believed the body of an honored warrior had to be burned to return the essence to the spirits. Kathryn didn't necessarily agree, but if Kami would have wanted a pyre, then who was she to argue? Naomi placed all of Kami's belongings and the knife she had used to dispatch her into the fire with her. They said their tearful good-byes silently and watched the fire burn as they sent another warrior home.

Kathryn knew that Kami had been in great pain, but she didn't think Naomi should have killed her. She began unreasonably to blame Naomi as much for Kami's death as the tokar itself.

Anikka was standing beside the fire as tears ran silently down her face. She felt Naomi's presence close behind her and then felt large hands settle over her shoulders.

She couldn't be comforted right now. She felt like Kami's death was her fault. Everyone died when they were with her, and Anikka felt her heart was going to explode in her chest. With a small sob she shrugged Naomi's hands off and walked into the night.

Kathryn witnessed the exchange and as Anikka walked away from Naomi her eyes narrowed suspiciously. So...Anikka thought Naomi didn't have to kill Kami, either. She had no idea how far from the truth she was.

TBC

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