Shattered Destiny (40 page)

-- The ship cannot carry all of us and the weapons. If you wish to leave the weapons behind—

“No. We will need them. We can walk out of here,” Saemus said as he watched the three Kromins stride gracefully across the hot sand, their pale gray skin and long limbs looking quite out of place.

Wordlessly, the remaining Chosen walked away from the fallen Mekan and made for the Mishrae Hills. The heat of the day was stifling. None of them would make it if they didn't get water. Both camels had run during the fighting, leaving them at the mercy of the elements.

Saemus took the lead, the unwilling leader. Though Gerok and Forka were Guardians and held higher status, neither knew Astra as well as her natural inhabitants.
If Master Brok were alive, he'd know what to do.
Saemus focused on the task of getting everyone over the Hills as quickly as possible. After that, well, he would figure it out when they made camp.

*   *   *

Keera awoke with a start, gasping for breath as she fought to control her galloping heart. She reached up to wipe away fresh tears from her cheeks. She shivered as a cool breeze caressed her skin. The fire had burned to embers. Frowning, Keera looked to see who was supposed to be keeping watch.

Jon sat facing the fire, his knees pulled to his chin, arms wrapped around them. His eyes were lifeless. Though they stared directly at the dying fire, it was obvious to Keera that he was not seeing it.

She had to fight a surge of anger at him.
If Jon had been paying attention, he could have saved Gwen with the forbidden magic.
Keera knew that wasn't fair; there was no guarantee he could have done anything to stop the tragedy.

Tears flowed again. Just when she thought she would have five minutes free of grief, it would crash into her, leaving her breathless and aching for the sound of Gwen's laughter.
How am I going to get through all this without Gwen?

Keera tried to ignore the cold seeping into her bones, but the shivering kept her from falling back to sleep. She sighed and rolled
slowly to her feet, padding across the ground to add more wood to the fire. It wasn't long before the heat drove her back a few steps.

She glanced at Jon, who hadn't moved an inch while she'd tended to the fire. Part of her wanted to yell at him that it had been
his
job to keep the fire going, that if he had, she wouldn't have frozen nearly to death. Keera turned back to the fire. She knew it wasn't Jon's fault that the camels had run away with all their gear, and yet her anger was directed at him all the same.

The sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the campsite in gentle light. As her comrades warmed, they began to stir, blinking slowly, most hoping the events of yesterday had been nothing but a bad dream. Keera could see it in their eyes as they glanced around the camp. Cold, hard reality set in as they noted the absence of their tiny friend.

“What's our plan?” Forka asked as the rest of the group huddled near the fire.

“We have to tell Gwen's parents she's dead,” Jon stated.

“I say we go to Gentra and tell the Masters we have succeeded in destroying the threat,” Gerok suggested.

“The Kromins can tell the Masters what they need to know,” Jon said. “But we need to tell Gwen's parents in person.”

“That will take too long—” Gerok began.

“So go! Go back home! We've done our duty, so there's no need for anyone to stay -”

Jon's words were cut short by a loud rumbling that could be felt rather than heard. It went straight through them, making it feel as though their hearts were beating much too quickly.

“What's going on?” Kaelin Barlow asked as she moved closer to Brad Phillips.

“I have no idea. Wait, Sloan, where are you going?” Brad shouted as he noticed his fellow Earth Chosen making his way quickly back up the side of the mountain.

After a moment's hesitation, the rest of the Chosen followed, fear lending speed to their exhausted bodies. The vibrations were getting stronger, and a tearing, groaning sound reached their ears.

As the group reached the top, a horrible sight was revealed.

The Mekans were up and moving, digging in the ground as if nothing had happened.

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