The Chamber of Genesis by N E Michael

Author:N E Michael [Michael, N E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781733642644
Publisher: Asteron Press LLC
Published: 2020-06-07T22:00:00+00:00

“That’s the last of them,” Sable said as she approached Raiden by the town gate, escorting a couple, their child, and a pygmy. She morphed from a tigress back into humanoid form.

“You checked every house?” Raiden asked to be sure.

“Yep,” she confirmed. “I organized a count of each block. Everyone’s accounted for.”

“Thanks, Sable, you’re the best,” Raiden smiled. Sable returned the grin.

“I have a good feeling about today,” Raiden breathed in a lungful of fresh, moist air, looking up at the brilliant sun rising in the thick, orange sky. “The villagers are well-rested, and we’ve nearly doubled our pygmy herd, which should speed things up considerably.”

“We could sure use a good day,” Sable sighed.

Skarai’s caw echoed from the sky above as he ventured near a flock of vultures. The creatures circled him, the smallest among them three times his size, assessing the threat. Finally, one of them dared to approach, extending its long, sharp beak like a spear. Skarai eyed his opponent with fierce, narrow eyes, calm and calculating. Just before the vulture could strike, Skarai dipped nimbly around the predator’s side and released a dart from below his wing. The pellet dug its way into the vulture’s feathery abdomen and, after a moment of confusion, the bird fell from the sky. Skarai swooped to face the rest of the flock and ushered a shrilling, threatening cry, sending them scrambling.

The villagers below prepared hastily for their journey, making last-minute adjustments to their pygmies’ saddles and supplies. They chatted amongst themselves as they worked, exchanging complaints about the house they’d slept in the night before. Children chased each other around the pygmies, and for the first time since the attack, some even laughed.

“We move in five minutes!”

A team of Coders galloped around the group’s periphery, led by Sable, announcing the group’s departure. The villagers fastened their children atop the pygmies with their supplies and waited their turn. Raiden, Mara, Ferrus, and Kaiyu, led in front. As they began to walk, the front line of villagers followed their lead, and then the ones behind them. Wave by wave, the pilgrimage took off, headed for the city of Balron, what was to become their new home.

“How’d you sleep?” Raiden asked Ferrus as he walked, brushing away a tall bush in his path.

“I do not sleep,” Ferrus replied coldly. “I regenerate.”

“She had a very restful night,” Mara chimed in quickly, nudging Ferrus beratingly. “Kind of you to ask.”

Mara smiled at Raiden, and Ferrus grunted with annoyance.

Raiden returned the smile. He had stayed up hours with Mara, exchanging stories of their worlds. By the time he’d left to his sleeping quarters, they’d hardly been able to keep their eyes open.

“I see the icy duo has begun to warm up to you,” Kaiyu whispered amusedly from Raiden’s other side.

“Well,” Raiden sighed. “Nothing breaks the ice better than a common goal and a common home.”

“Where is your home?” Kaiyu inquired curiously.

“I thought I told you, I’m from Earth.”

“I did not ask where you are from, Raiden. I asked where is your home.

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