Josian agreed. “Let’s not forget they can follow us through the doorway.”
Brace laughed, and not in a nice way. “They would regret that decision.”
Lallielle straightened, breaking the mood. “I’ll gather the food. And I have a little something for Aribella.”
She left the room.
I stared up at my hypnotic father. “They can follow us through the doorway?”
His memories were the ones I wanted to examine. I couldn’t even imagine the things he had seen.
Josian nodded. “Every time I access the energy stream, I leave a rift behind. It’s temporary. The universe corrects it. But for a few days it’s basically a black hole – anyone can fall through.”
Interesting.
I turned to Brace. He’d made no move to enter the large room. Sometimes his face was such a distraction. I tried not to stare at it any more than courtesy demanded.
“You don’t have to come, Brace. You’ve done more than enough.”
His broad shoulders shifted, he straightened. “Don’t you worry about me, Red. It’s my duty to help, and I’m curious about this planet you grew up on.”
Lallielle distracted me as she walked back into the room. In her hand she carried a small white box tied with a purple ribbon. She held it out to me.
“Just a little gift we had made ... to keep you safe. You’ll always have a small piece of your people.”
My eyes widened – my first real present. Hesitantly, I reached out. My hand trembled as I took the light package. I untied the ribbon and it fell free. Lifting the lid off, I gasped at the gorgeous necklace nestled inside. A globe locket, two-tone in color and medium-sized. It was the perfect replica of a miniature world. Looking closer, I didn’t recognize any of the land masses, but they looked larger, with less water than Earth.
“It’s First World,” Lallielle said, smiling brightly. “Open it, there’s something special inside.”
I lifted it free. The long silver chain trailed behind. I spun the locket to find a small clasp. When I pressed the raised area, it popped open – a perfect half-sphere on either side, connected by a small hinge.
Yellow light washed over my face. Nestled in both spheres were moonstale crystals.
I felt a strange inner relief. I’d always have the identification crystal on me now. I could see my mark anytime I wanted.
Closing the locket, I slipped the large chain over my head. It fell to rest between my breasts, forming a perfect representation of my heritage.
Having had no experience with accepting gifts, I had no idea what to say. I faced Lallielle and Josian. Letting my joyful expression speak for itself, I kept it short.
“Thank you. I love it.”
For the first time since returning, Brace stepped into the room. His expression was full of an unexplained emotion. “Your Walker mark is amazing. So detailed and ... beautiful.” He looked away for a minute and then his normal smile was back.
“Thanks. I think it’s amazing too.” I smiled wistfully. “I kind of wish it was always there.”
His cocky grin was back. “Then your name would be Red Lace.”
I rolled my eyes at him. I still hadn’t found the perfect nickname to reciprocate.
Josian lifted his right hand. “I feel much better knowing you have some moonstale now.” Wiggling his pointing finger, he showcased a large flat ring. “This ring encases my crystal. Traditionally, Walkers are given a gift of moonstale from the elders.”
“Everyone is given one?” Brace asked, his brows furrowed.
Josian threw his hands about in his usual grand gesturing. “The crystal is our essence. It’s part of who we are. Without an actual world to be tied to, these energies are our anchors.”
As he spoke, the sun made its final descent and sank below the horizon. All of a sudden the room was awash in light from various sources. Lamps, candles, strange speckles of ascending lights imbedded in the walls. I hadn’t seen anyone touch a switch. They just automatically came alight at sunset.
Another arrival distracted me. A small cart entered the room under its own power, in a similar manner to the baby carriage in Lallielle’s memory. Four large black bags sat in its caged center.
Lallielle moved forward. “Excellent. Our packs are done. The supplies will be evenly spread, so just grab one each.”
I lifted one free. It was really light. I could strap it to the top of my other pack, no problem at all.
“Are you sure you packed enough? My bag is really light.” I bounced it in one hand.
Lallielle smiled. “They’re full. They only feel light because this design of bag is energy-touched. The carbon in the air helps to take the burden of the weight.”
I smiled. “That’s great here, but we’re going to Earth. I don’t think your energy thing is going to work there.”