Turning Tide

Kaleela studied the piece of papyrus. The handwriting on the page was strong and angular. The message was warm, but hued with sadness. The cougar rolled up the note, and secured it with a blue ribbon. Lord Tygra had to travel with his mate. That he had given her explicit details as to why intrigued her. He is one who keeps promises, she mused, even if it takes some time. When he returns he will take me to the mountain and the stars as in my dream. She rubbed her chin with the edge of the scroll. I hope Talitha regains her health. She has suffered. May the journey they undertake at dawn be blessed, she prayed. I hope they find the basket I sent with the messenger useful.

A low wind rattled the casements. Kaleela added another branch to fire. Although the vernal equinox had passed, the temperature at night still dipped into freezing. That spring had arrived was principally an illusion. She looked around the room. Neat stacks of baskets lined one wall. The small chamber was comfortably appointed, and served all purposes, except that of sleeping. That she actually had a second level to her new home pleased her. In one upper room she rested, while in the other, her library, she composed her thoughts. Altin had surprisingly given her a book on plants, not astronomy, for a gift. But he is the only gift missing from my house, she decided.

After her first fertility had ended, Altin had presented her with a dwelling of her own in accordance with custom and respect, for it was unseemly that as a full adult she should return as a ward to her guardian's house. The favor of a tiger lord had also apparently helped. Tygra had planned his city well. There was adequate room to grow, and houses needing occupants. The lord had selected for her a tiny cottage off a sheltered lane, a refuge of quiet and beauty. There was a stone wall for privacy, and enough grounds to plant a garden for one.

Kaleela stretched. The hour had grown late. She considered heating water for tea, for Lord Tygra had also sent her a small parcel of his favorite blends, but thought better of the notion. Bed seemed best, until knocking disturbed her tranquility.

She opened the door to find her former guardian at the threshold, shivering for lack of a cloak. That Altin had not dressed properly for an evening walk, and had seemed to grow even thinner than when she had last seen him, distressed the young female. "Do you not know the hour!" she snapped, and immediately regretted the harshness of her tone.

Altin lowered his gaze, and nodded. "But there is good news," he countered.

She grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the cottage. "Get by the fire, and thaw," she commanded.

"With pleasure," the older cougar answered sheepishly, quickly placing another chair across from hers.

Kaleela hooked the kettle over the coals. Altin raised an eyebrow. "A little wine?"

"Is not what you need," the female replied. "Better the tea."

Altin raised his hands in a gesture of submission. "Fair enough," he sighed.

Seeing his complacency both pleased and annoyed the young female. "What news?" she asked to divert her thoughts away from his vices.

"What think you of this?" Altin asked in return. He reached into his satchel, and drew forth a thin strip of wood.

Kaleela ran her fingers over the piece. It was velvety smooth, and the light color appealing. She tugged at the ends. Flexible too, she decided. Perfect for baskets. "Where did you get this marvel?"

He replied, "The merchants of Tabbia stock it. They call it maple."

"Exquisite," she commented, "but surely expensive."

"That is true, but imagine the baskets!" His green eyes fired with excitement. "Would you be willing to learn how to work this?"

"Need you ask," she chided. "This is wonderful material."

"Come with me to Tabbia," he demanded suddenly. "Several merchants are going there with a translator."

Kaleela looked around her home. There were already plenty of straw baskets for the summer festival Lord Lion-o had proclaimed in celebration of the end of the people's exodus.

She nodded in agreement. The kettle sounded. "Let's have some tea." She went over to the cupboard to get some cups. The wind blew open a window with a roar that filled the cottage. Altin jumped to Kaleela's side, and grabbed her hand just before they both disappeared.

*****

The stone was cool and smooth against her face. Kaleela sat up, and found herself surrounded by the circle of rock that she had seen in her dreams. The infinitely black night above her shone with glittering stars. A low moan snapped her to attention. "Altin, are you hurt?" she asked as she realized that he rested beside her. She helped him to a sitting position.

"What in the ten hells happened!" he snarled. "And where in the name of all the saints are we!"

"My dream," she answered quietly.

"You saw this?" he inquired with a sweeping gesture.

Kaleela nodded with a shiver. Her light robe and slippers were also ill-suited to the cold. "There should be a dwelling that protrudes from the western wall." For now there was no moon to assist them. She thanked every god she could think of for the blessing of night vision. "There it is!" she announced happily.

Altin muttered select curses as they made there way to the shelter. "There doesn't seem to be a knob on the door," he grumbled. Looking quickly around the solid circle of rock, he added, "And no way out."

"There should be another portal that leads up on the east point, and one that leads down on the south point. There should also be a silver image of Irri'in on the northern wall. Lord Tygra confirmed what I had seen," Kaleela remarked with growing concern, pointing to different areas.

Altin pushed against the door before them, but it would not open. He tried prying at the visible seam, but the stone would not give.

"I do not understand," Kaleela said, placing her hand against the portal. Silvery light suddenly engulfed them. A doorknob appeared, but the gateway popped open on its own. The interior chamber was bathed in the glowing light of a fireplace.

Despite the cold, Altin removed his boots, and set them buy the opening. "I'm not going in until I can be sure that I can get out!"

"Ever practical," Kaleela retorted with a smile, although unsure of whether his boots would keep the door from closing should it slam shut on its own. She offered her hand. "Together?" she asked.

"Together," Altin agreed with suspicion.

They crossed the threshold, but quickly turned. The door remained open. "Check the fire," Altin suggested. "I'll stand here."

That a mountain dwelling would have an ornate fireplace added to the oddness of the moment. Sprawling figures of Felinari and strange animals decorated the mantle. Kaleela ran her fingertips over the black stone. Whispers touched her mind. She drew back in surprise. Her foot knocked over a branch. At least they could keep the flame going for awhile, she decided. She turned toward Altin. "Come away from the door."

The cougar slowly back away until he stood by her. The door remained open.

"Let's explore," Kaleela said as growing curiosity replaced concern.

Altin crossed the circular room, his gaze sweeping over the fine furniture. "There is no other door," he said, leaning against a wall.

Kaleela reached his side. "That is strange," she said, running her fingers over the stone. Another blast of silvery light accompanied a startled shout.

"Altin!" She could only see his feet, for the rest of his body lay on the other side of a curtained archway. When she entered the next circular room, light from a floating, glowing sphere filled it. The older male stood up, and brushed his trousers and tunic.

"Did you dream this too?" he quipped. He reached for a shelf and one of the many bottles it contained. He pulled out the cork and sniffed. A broad smile crossed his face. "This smells wonderful! All we need are goblets."

Kaleela grabbed the bottle from his hand. She corked it, and returned it to its spot on the shelf cut right into the stone. "Time for celebrations later, elder," she ordered.

Altin frowned. "Yes, your ladyship."

She waved a dismissive hand at the male. "Look for another door."

"Your hands seem to do the magic. Run them along the walls."

She tried the section opposite the shelf. A flutter of light revealed another chamber. This one contained a large bed. As tired as she was, the urge to rest was hard to set aside. Altin tried to explore a desk, but the drawers would not open.

"Oh, your majesty," he called, fiddling with a handle.

At her touch, a drawer opened easily.

"The house does not like me," Altin decreed.

"The house has good taste," Kaleela could not help joking.

It was hard to contain her giggles when he snorted, "Who made you a queen!"

"I did."

The pleasing, rich voice made them both jump and turn. Lord Tygra apparently stood in the doorway. Kaleela reached for Altin, and pulled him down to kneel beside her. "This is my Lord Irri'in."

"Twenty gods," Altin gasped.

"No. Only one," the god remarked. Once he crossed into the bedroom, he stretched, unfurling his wings which flicked against the stone. "What do you think of your new home," he asked politely.

"It is...changeable."

The god chuckled. "That it is. This dwelling has many mansions. It might take you a lifetime to discover them all."

"If she chooses," Altin suddenly whispered.

The god's amber eyes narrowed. Kaleela wrapped her arms around Altin's shoulders. "He meant no offense, Lord Irri'in."

"He is correct," the god answered. "Devote yourself to the study of the heavens, and all this is yours."

"And if she refuses?" Altin growled, rising to his feet in defiance.

"She is free to go," Irri'in remarked coolly.

Kaleela felt the crushing pressure of destiny upon her heart. It was all she could want, but it did not have Altin. She began to speak, but her friend interrupted her. "You should follow your destiny, Kaleela. This honor is all that your parents and I would wish for you."

The room was spinning. In an instant, all would be gone. "I cannot have a life without Altin," she answered.

"Who said that you would need to relinquish this foolish soul? He needs your love and guidance, more than you need his," Irri'in said with amusement. Altin's mouth opened in annoyance, but no sound emerged. Kaleela's face heated with embarrassment. "Now do you accept your destiny, youngling?"

Kaleela worried about the details. She studied the god that looked like Lord Tygra, looking deeply into his eyes. The universe was hers; he would protect her and Altin. Trust would smooth the road ahead. "Yes," she said, feeling faint with relief.

Altin stepped back in respect as the deity approached her. Irri'in's fur smelt of things wise and pure. The touch of his feathers fired all her senses. He cupped her face, and kissed her brow, his lips lingering. Knowledge poured into her mind until she thought her brain would float free of her body. She gasped when he withdrew his touch. Kaleela drifted into Altin's waiting arms for support.

"Do well, my young astronomer," Irri'in purred, dissolving in a veil of golden light that floated off on the breeze carried in by the still open door.

Kaleela knew she would carry the moment in her heart beyond the day she died. Only Altin's low whistle of surprise brought her back into the time stream. She turned to him, desire coloring her aura until she was certain that he could see it. Her friend's mind traveled its own path, for his mouth was set in a firm line. He took no notice of her need, nor of the necklace of light that she wore. "Come, Altin," she whispered.

He arched an eyebrow. "What's next?"

"The stars."

He brushed his hand across her face. "I do not understand. You are as warm as a oven."

She reached for his hand. "The staircase. You'll see."

"But we need something for the cold."

"You have me," she said, pulling him through the rooms to the front door.

"In Irri'in's name!" Altin exclaimed. "Those were not here before." The silvery image of the god adorned one wall. Two portals beckoned.

"One goes up and one goes down. See, we are not trapped."

"What is this!" Altin suddenly demanded. The fiery glow outlined both of them. "What covers your neck!"

"You said I was as warm as an oven, did you not?" Kaleela observed. "Consider it a god's gift." She pulled him close. "The stars, Altin."

"And what else?" he murmured, his scent mingling with hers, deepening her desire.

She laughed at how it all had moved into place, a constellation dance. With a pout and a little coaxing, she lead him up the eastern staircase.

The black surface before them reflected the glorious stars above. Her aura did not weaken the spectacle. They walked across the heavens, stopping when they reached the center of the field.

"I am only a basket maker," Altin said, looking at her with emotions that flitted across his features like darting birds. "This is your place."

"It can be ours."

He whispered her name into her ear, and they sank down on the bed of stars. Her body opened, and he filled her with his love and dreams. She returned pleasure, and all the dark mysteries of the universe until he begged for release. To grant his desire, she called his name, wrapped with equal love. The roars of their union rose to the stars.

Kaleela stroked Altin's damp, musky mane, and felt the weight of him heavy across her breasts. "Time to go," she murmured. Her light would fade with the stars. Her exhausted companion grumbled in protest. She danced her claws along his broad back until he relented.

"The bed must be softer," he admitted.

"The chamber is warm and safe." Drowsiness replaced excitement. Worry found no place in her spirit, for she knew the answers to all the questions Altin would have. Inquiry was for the new day, and reflections would be considered over a fine meal with a good wine.