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  Siray continued watching Baindan’s movements as he ran over the ground in front of her. They ran at half pace only, as running at full pace through the dark over unknown ground would have been suicidal. Siray sighed to herself. Another reason why being in her sevonix form would be useful right now.

  The group ran on, Siray quietly calling back warnings of tree branches or other obstructions she spotted in a low voice to the others. Sometimes, she only became aware of a branch or obstacle after it had hit her or scratched her, her quiet yelps of pain still enough of a warning to the others that they managed to avoid the majority of them while following in her wake.

  Otherwise, the group travelled in silence, Siray always straining her ears for any noises of pursuit in the dark.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  BAINDAN LED THEM on throughout the night, allowing periods of walking to give those not in normal forms the chance to rest their legs a little. But he was strict and kept them moving at all times, only allowing the group to slow to a halt once the sky began to lighten to a purple grey.

  Then, he Changed back into his normal form and promptly approached Deson.

  ‘Anything?’ he asked, looking down at the silver-black feline.

  Deson Changed into his own form as well. ‘Nothing for the last few spans.’

  Baindan nodded. ‘Good.’ He turned to Siray and the others. ‘We need to find a suitable place to sleep before dawn lights up the area. If the Faction found your little shelter during the night, they’ll send out air patrols to try and locate you.’

  Siray tensed, having experienced this same search method before with Baindan.

  Baindan continued to lead them on, but this time he set a slower pace, looking about him as he moved for a place large enough to hide them all.

  Siray also scanned the forest, looking for hollows, caves, or thickets that could be used to hide them. Predawn light was filtering through the trees about them and the sun was close to breaking over the horizon when she spotted a possible new hiding spot, and called the group to a halt.

  ‘This way,’ she said.

  Siray led the males a short distance from their current path up to the foot of a great tree. Its foliage had grown in such a way that its branches now formed a kind of umbrella, its long, furry leaves and branches hanging down almost to the ground in a circle around the tree.

  When Siray had first spied it, she had just thought it was a large tree that had partly fallen over. But then, when she had taken a second look, she had realised that the unusual tree could be used to their advantage.

  Parting the greenery of the tree, Siray ducked under its branches and looked up. The drooping limbs overhead and the thick shrubbery that adorned them provided the perfect cover. It was like looking up into a circular green roof with a brown column at the centre.

  The males followed her under the boughs to join her inside the arms of the tree but seemed less interested in the tree’s unusual nature than in choosing spots where they could sit and rest.

  Knowing that the others had travelled a greater distance than herself in the last day, Siray volunteered, ‘I’ll take first watch,’ and sat down at a point at the edge of the circle that the tree’s branches made. Choosing a position that allowed her to keep a watch for anyone tracking them, Siray carefully bent several small branches so she could have a clear view without anyone seeing her from that angle.

  When she heard someone approach and take a seat next to her, she kept her eyes on the forest that was being slowly illuminated in an orange glow by the dawn.

  ‘Nice of you to keep watch,’ Baindan said.

  Siray shrugged. ‘They’ve been on the go since yesterday morning. They need the rest.’

  Baindan nodded.

  After that simple exchange, they sat together for a while in silence.

  At length though, Baindan said casually, ‘So, I see you’ve learned to Change.’

  Siray looked at him but couldn’t smile, as his comment raised images of Honvil, Falir, and the trainers. All of whom might be dead. Her stomach twisted at the thought.

  ‘Yes. We had good instructors. Just like you said there would be,’ she answered in a low voice, so that any of the others who were not asleep couldn’t overhear.

  ‘It’s very impressive,’ Baindan said, ‘that your first form is a sevonix.’

  Siray managed a partial smile at that. ‘I’ve heard a fair bit recently about how rare it is.’

  Baindan nodded. ‘I can Change into many forms, but I don’t have any of the rare ones.’

  Siray frowned slightly. ‘Actually, I’ve been wondering about that. Honvil, the Change master at the training camp, said that most of us would only learn one or two animal forms. But I’ve seen you take on four different animal forms.’

  Baindan smiled. ‘What Honvil probably didn’t tell you is that there are different types of rare skills. Your talents are exceptional, as you have assumed the form of a rare animal, the sevonix, as your natural animal, or second form. My talents are unique in a different way, as I have been able to learn multiple animal forms with ease.’

  Siray thought about this for a moment. ‘So, I could go on learning more forms?’

  ‘Ah,’ Baindan said, holding up a finger. ‘That’s where the difficulty comes in. Did Honvil mention anything about third forms to you?’

  Siray quickly scrutinised the others, and satisfied that they were all asleep, she turned back to Baindan. ‘Yes,’ she said quietly. ‘Just to Deson and I.’

  Baindan nodded, a slight crease appearing in his forehead at the mention of Deson’s name. ‘Well, then, you would know that a third form, which some people can learn, takes a certain amount of study. What you probably weren’t told is that additional forms beyond that can also be learned, but it takes more and more of your focus to Change into the others.’

  Siray’s frown was deeper this time. ‘Shouldn’t it get easier?’

  Baindan shook his head. ‘Think of it this way. Your natural ability lies in one type of form, and you are born with this form already imprinted on your mind. Every form after that requires additional memory and focus. Your mind is another form of strength, and just like how some people are naturally physically stronger than others, it is the same with our minds. Everyone has their own limits.’

  Siray nodded, understanding the reasoning better. ‘So, in your case, your mind would be considered … extraordinary?’

  Baindan smiled, and Siray’s stomach fluttered a little at the attractive way the corners of his mouth tilted.

  ‘That’s a nice way to put it. Some trainers have called it “freakish”, but that’s the way with gifts.’ He leaned forwards, now looking out carefully through the branches that hid them. ‘I couldn’t fail to notice that Deson also takes the form of a sevonix.’

  Siray nodded. ‘We were both quite surprised at that.’

  Baindan studied her, then looked away, again peering out through the foliage that tickled their arms. ‘Has anyone told you the history of the sevonix form?’

  Siray nodded. ‘Honvil explained tha—’

  ‘Mind if I join you?’

  Deson had come to stand beside them, and Siray blinked. She hadn’t heard his approach at all.

  Baindan leaned his weight back on his arms and glanced up at Deson, his attitude relaxed. ‘Not at all.’

  Deson sat down with them. ‘So, what were you just chatting about?’

  Siray felt her face flush a little, but said, ‘We were discussing forms.’

  ‘That’s right,’ Baindan said, jumping in. ‘I’ve seen what you can both do, but I’m also interested to learn what your friends can do as well,’ Baindan said.

  Siray wondered at the slight change of subject but didn’t say anything about it as Deson responded to Baindan’s statement.

  ‘And why is that?’

  Baindan looked steadily at Deson. ‘It might be useful in helping us reach the next facility.’

  Deson considered him for a moment, and Siray’s sto
mach tightened as the tension between the two of them seemed to increase.

  Finally, Deson relented. ‘Fair enough.’ He peered over at the tree’s trunk, against which Jorgi, Tamot, Loce, and Kovi had all collapsed, and pointed out each male in turn as he named them and told Baindan their forms.

  ‘And none of you have multiple forms?’ Baindan asked when Deson had finished.

  Siray peeked at Deson, unsure if he wanted Baindan to know, but Baindan saw the look they exchanged.

  ‘Ah.’ He sat up straighter and dropped his voice even lower. ‘So, someone has been smart enough to teach you both a third form to use when you’re out in the open?’

  Deson looked surprised, but nodded.

  ‘Honvil taught us,’ Siray explained quietly, her voice catching in her throat. She cleared it a little, not looking at the other two, and elaborated, ‘He thought we might be in danger.’

  ‘And he was right,’ Baindan confirmed. He turned to Deson. ‘Any talented youths are a target for the Faction. Whether it be the ability to Change into many forms’—he gestured to himself—‘or the ability to assume the form of a rare animal,’ he finished, gesturing to them both.

  Deson appeared to have gained a bit more trust in Baindan. ‘My second form is the udun,’ he admitted quietly. ‘Siray’s is a yeibon.’

  ‘But,’ Siray said in a quiet rush, ‘the others don’t know. Honvil only taught Deson and I a third form.’

  Baindan was nodding slowly to himself, seemingly absorbing the information. ‘Alright. Well, keep your third forms from the others as long as you want, but do not use your sevonix forms if there is a chance of exposing yourself to the Faction, if you can help it.’

  Siray just frowned at Baindan, so he continued.

  ‘If the Faction sees you in the sevonix form, they will not stop hunting you.’

  His gaze flicked to both of them before returning to rest on Siray. She could almost read the plea in his eyes for her to be cautious. She turned her eyes out to the forest, continuing her watch.

  Deson asked, ‘So, you’re confident you can find this place?’

  ‘Yes,’ Baindan said. ‘Although, I don’t know the exact location.’

  ‘What?’ Deson sounded stunned, his voice rising in volume.

  Siray turned and hushed him.

  Deson nodded at Siray, slightly abashed, before turning back to address Baindan in a lower but still astounded voice. ‘You’re going to lead us blindly into the sands?’

  ‘Not blindly.’

  Baindan sounded confident, but Deson snorted.

  Siray had the feeling that any respect Deson had previously built for Baindan during the conversation was now gone.

  ‘I know the general area,’ Baindan explained, ‘otherwise I wouldn’t attempt it.’

  Deson gave an exasperated sigh. ‘Well, I guess I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.’

  Baindan ignored Deson’s tone and just said, ‘I’ll get us there.’

  Siray had had enough. ‘Both of you should get some rest. I’ll wake up one of the others later to take over the watch.’ She hoped they would both take the hint at dismissal.

  Thankfully they both nodded and then retreated to different spots at the base of the tree to rest.

  Siray returned to watching the forest and sighed quietly to herself. All she had to do was stay awake for another few spans. She decided to count all the trees she could see from her position, as a game to keep her mentally alert.

  One, two, three, four …

  ***

  Two and a bit spans later, when she felt herself becoming drowsy, Siray quietly walked over to where Kovi sat against the trunk of the tree, carefully picking her way through the legs of her friends that were splayed out everywhere. Funnily enough, Tamot and Jorgi had semi-collapsed against each other, and Jorgi was emitting a contented little snore.

  Leaning past Loce, Siray bent down and whispered, ‘Kovi. Your turn for watch.’ She gripped his shoulder gently as he blinked his eyes grudgingly open.

  Once she was sure he was awake and moving, Siray turned away and moved back to the edge of the tree’s canopy where she waited for him.

  He came slowly, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders.

  Siray showed him the spot she had picked out and how she had shifted the branches to provide a clear line of sight from the tree.

  The sun now at its midmorning position, Siray yawned.

  ‘You should get some rest,’ Kovi said.

  Siray nodded but didn’t leave. Instead, she sat down next to Kovi and said, ‘Kovi, I’m sorry about Genlie.’

  Kovi tensed but didn’t look at her.

  Siray didn’t say anything more but let the silence hold, knowing Kovi couldn’t be forced to talk about something so sensitive.

  She was about to leave him be, when he said, ‘I’d never felt anything like that for anyone before. Not until I met her.’

  Siray kept silent, letting him speak. She had guessed this was why Kovi had been so eager to keep an eye on the training camp before they knew the prisoners had gone.

  ‘We didn’t even really speak that much in the end, but when we talked briefly after the test … there was something there.’ Kovi angrily flicked one of the lower hanging leaves. ‘To think I wasted time planning what I might say, how to approach her …’ He shook his head sadly.

  ‘It just shows, Siray, that you never know when everything will turn.’

  Siray felt a pit open in her stomach for him. ‘Kovi—it’s not over yet. You might see her again.’

  Kovi snorted.

  ‘No, really,’ she insisted, thinking of Baindan. ‘Don’t give up. As you just said, you don’t know when things will turn. There may yet be an opportunity to rescue them.’

  Kovi smiled sadly and really met her eyes for the first time. ‘Thanks, Siray.’

  Siray smiled back at him and then stood. ‘Make sure you wake someone else when you get tired. Or bored.’ She glanced over at the others lying deep asleep under the tree. ‘Jorgi, for instance,’ she suggested.

  Kovi chuckled. They could both hear Jorgi’s little snores.

  Siray held up her hand in a short wave and moved off towards the tree, but seeing that the males were all hogging any surface space against its trunk, she instead altered her course to a position nearer to the edge of the ring of branches.

  On the opposite side of the tree from Jorgi, of course.

  There, she gratefully lay down and wriggled her body around for a moment as she got comfortable. As she sprawled there stretched out on her back, she looked up with heavy eyes at the green canopy above, which glowed from the rays of the sun moving through the hidden sky overhead. She slept.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  SIRAY AWOKE sometime later to quiet chatter. She was tempted to turn over and go back to sleep, but her stomach had other plans, a dull ache in her gut making itself felt. And once she started thinking about filling that aching pit with food, it was useless to try for further sleep. So, grumbling to herself, she slowly stood, a long yawn escaping her. Although it hadn’t been the most comfortable sleep she had ever had, Siray did feel a bit more refreshed.

  Walking the few paces around the large trunk of the tree that was the base of their hideout, Siray noted two things—Tamot was now on watch, and the sun was sinking.

  It felt extremely odd to her, waking up as the sun was going down, and she couldn’t seem to stop yawning.

  She was trying to muffle a particularly big one when Deson spotted her and waved, indicating she should join him and Kovi, who he was talking with.

  When she reached them, Deson said, ‘I saw that yawn.’

  Siray nodded tiredly and then shook her head vigorously, trying to snap herself out of her sleepiness.

  Deson smiled at her antics. ‘I think we’re all feeling a bit like that. In fact’—he gestured to Kovi—‘I was just saying that we’ll need to ensure we all have something to eat and drink before we go any farther.’

  Kov
i nodded. ‘We need to ensure we keep up our strength while we can. We really don’t know what we might face in the coming days.’

  Siray gave them a small smile before rubbing one eye. ‘Well, I’m listening. What do you propose? More hunting?’

  ‘Yes,’ Deson said. ‘But also that we gather anything else we can find before we move on.’

  ‘Sounds good,’ Siray agreed. ‘Let’s put it to the others.’

  The three of them walked over to where the others were grouped around the tree and woke up those who were still sleeping.

  Siray was surprised to see Baindan also still sleeping, with him having gone to sleep when she was on shift. She went up to him to press her hand gently against his shoulder.

  As she did, Baindan reached up all of a sudden and gripped her hand, making her jump.

  He opened his eyes and laughed.

  Siray, her heart beating frantically, slapped his shoulder in a playful rebuke.

  ‘Just resting my eyelids,’ Baindan assured her.

  She shook her head at him. ‘Come on,’ she said, ‘the others want to talk about getting supplies.’

  ‘Ah,’ was Baindan’s only comment.

  He stretched and stood, then wandered over with Siray to join the group. Unlike her, he didn’t seem to have any trouble in coming awake instantly. But then, he hadn’t really been asleep.

  As Tamot had to stay on watch by the edge of the tree, the rest of them clustered close to his position so he could listen to their quiet discussion.

  When she looked over at Kovi, who was intent on leading this discussion, Siray was pleased to see that he was looking less grim than he had the last two days.

  ‘So,’ Kovi said, drawing the group’s attention to himself. ‘No doubt everyone is feeling hungry and thirsty by now, so we need to address that as soon as possible. But also,’ he continued, acknowledging Deson, ‘we’ll need to try to gather enough food to take with us, in case we can’t hunt further ahead.’

  Deson was in agreement. ‘Baindan, how many days’ travel do you think we have ahead of us?’