I want to express my deepest gratitude to my many friends for their invaluable assistance. To Anthony Cardoza and David Thompson for their encouragement in the early going. To Paul Ramsey and Jeffrey Skorupa for reading the rough draft and surviving my many questions. To Graham Ellis, Eric Lofquist, and Carole Freeman for proofreading the final drafts. Finally, to Mitch Crawford for his very important insights.

Above all I must thank God for His patience with me and, of course, all the many blessings that have come my way.

L. E. Shaffer

6 January 1987

Latest online version:
January 1998

Prologue

On an unknown, mysterious planet somewhere in the middle of the galaxy stood a priest named Abmar from the Family of Ab. The wind moved his white, whispy hair. He was deep in thought thinking of the Runes of Kale, the voice of his god, Ao. The one prophecy contained in the Prophecies of Ao consumed his mind. Two great galactic powers lay in peace across from each other, but the one called Ral was ready to strike. All it took was a subtle shift in the balance of power. The millennia of peace was going the way of the approaching dusk and the coming of the two moons. The one prophecy would start it all.

Abmar wiped the tears from his ancient, wrinkled face. No prayers to Ao would stay the monsters that would be let loose when the mylyn would be found. On the edge of the galaxy the crystal that powered the great starships across the stars was beckoning. And Abmar knew what evils would follow. The time of death was here in the next solar eclipse, and then war would be awakened. Then the beast in the next galaxy would open sleepy eyes in glee. The priest whipped around as a darkness streaked by in the dying light of the sun. Suddenly, Abmar saw the face of the Ralian who would start it all...

CHAPTER 1

In the dimness of the Bridge, Kralc continually scanned the screen. A green glow engulfed his face. The surrounding noise faded as his mind raced with the possibilities. He thought he had detected something. Something faint. There was no warning light or audio alarm indicating a target just entering his scanning sector. It was possible for the computer to miss slow, determined targets, if that was the intention. He probed with his eyes making them water with the effort.

There was still no indication, but intuition prevailed. Kralc motioned the operator to stand aside while he settled into the console bay. Disengaging computer lock, Kralc waited for the screen to settle and focus. He magnified the subsector where he thought the momentary target had appeared. Then engaging the computer scan, he sat back to read the indicators above the consoles. As the computer scanned the assigned subsector, the density readout jumped at the same time the audio alarm buzzed indicating a small target moving at a slow pace. Automatically the computer transmitted an identification request.

Seconds later the battle alert sounded. Kralc ran to his station taking charge of the Bridge. The duty officer, once relieved, rushed to his battle station. Males and a few females ran across the Bridge taking up their respective stations. The air was charged with excitement, everyone anticipating the possible danger the moment presented. Sweating hands checked and manipulated controls at every station around the Bridge. Reports began flowing in from all over the ship. Within moments the Srau was battle ready!

Kralc smiled. Everything was set. He was prepared. Shields were up and strong. Weapons were fully charged and programmed. All the intense training and drilling had paid off. He glanced at the Communications Station giving a nod for the next step to begin. The Comm Officer warned the target it was violating Ral space and to veer off immediately.

A message returned. There was a moment of hesitation for the translator to interpret the language into understandable Ralian. "This is the Commander of the Imperial Courier Ship Malston... We are confused over your message stating that this is Ral space. This sector and planet nearby are, by interstellar law, neutral. There must be a mistake. We intend to continue to our destination with our cargo."

Kralc again reviewed in his mind the orders for this particular operation. They were clear. He relished the thought of battle even if the enemy was a small courier ship. He had waited long to again taste battle and feel death. He ordered a warning shot fired. The crew on the Bridge tensed and waited for a reply.

The Comm Officer bent over his console bay puzzling over something he had heard on a certain frequency he had thought dead. Suddenly he realized what this might mean. He quickly ran an analysis on the snatch of message he had intercepted. Kralc turned toward the officer noticing the frantic actions. Before he could question the activity, the scanning sensors initiated the alarm sequences from the main computers. More alarms sounded, lights started flashing. A moment of confusion reigned as the ship heaved. Automatically weapons went free and returned fire. A slight ozone could be detected as fire was received and returned. Kralc assembled his reports quickly to evaluate the present situation. A large cruiser was on his right and several smaller craft above him. Where they had appeared from so suddenly would have to be investigated later. The hesitation to react properly had irritated him. A faint twinge of fear ran through Kralc's body. There were supposed to be no cruisers within his present operational range. He ordered a course shift to take them away from their present sector but to continue to exchange maser and phaser fire.

Slowly the distance grew greater. There was no pursuit. The cruiser and the smaller craft stayed put. This puzzled Kralc, but he was satisfied to disengage in the face of their superior force. His mind began to face the report he would have to write. Certain officers would have to be assembled to help. He wondered what his counterpart on the cruiser would say in his report. This would certainly raise a big fuss. Yes, he thought to himself, a report favorable to us would be in order. After all, he had not broken any interstellar laws. He hoped so anyway. That worry would have to wait as the battle damage reports began to come in from all stations aboard the starship.

**********************

It was raining. Marc put out his hand and let the rain touch him gently. The raindrops sparkled in the setting sun. Whispering with the gentle fall of rain. Marc sighed, "Tears from Ao."

Margon beheld his young son. Rain was streaming down the boy's body. "Glisten-in-the-sun, your mother is smiling now at your beauty. It is but a moment before the spirit of the rain carries her away from us.

"Death is far from you. I know it is hard to understand why your mother left her lifeform so soon. Do not try to understand the ways of Ao, son. Be filled with joy; your mother will be with Ao in a short time."

Marc caressed his father's hand. "I will never see her again."

"You are so young... "

The Guardian of Death for Section Thirteen, Osmar, finished the Ritual of Cremation. "As our gods Ab and Ob are one, so are birth and death. Ao, our master, take this, thy creation. As she was born, let her live again in death. May the fires burn higher." He bent down and placed his torch on the funeral pyre.

The ensuing darkness formed over the flames of the funeral pyre. The Gathering watched the flames as each member placed their torch on the funeral pyre. Myrax, mate of Margon, saw her last nightfall.

As the flames died down, the moons came out. The rain slowed and then stopped altogether. A breeze from the nearby lake scattered the ashes.

Osmar gently handed Marc the precious urn. "Little one, thy mother." The clouds hid the moons for a moment. There where the Gathering had been wandered a black panther. The animal circled the ashes and left silently in search of prey.

The panther traveled swiftly. In a short period Panther arrived near a domed structure. There was light emanating from inside the dome. The dome was empty except for the soft light. The light flickered as the clouds raced by the moons, as if the moons and the light were somehow connected. Troubled, Panther moved on silently.

A shadowy form reflected off the inside surface of the dome. Slowly the form became solid. Marc made a place for the urn and caused a soft green light to shine on it. He stepped back to see. His heart felt heavy. He lowered his head in sadness. The gentle sounds outside dimmed.

His father startled him in the soft darkness. Marc said, "You surprised me. I did not expect you so soon."

Margon touched the child's cheek thinking of Myrax. "Did you finish the required prayers at the Temple of Ob?"

"Yes," Marc replied impatiently. The boy looked perplexed. "I left the Plains of Kale before you. Why is it that you are faster than I?"

Margon laughed and tousled the boy's hair. "Have you ever considered that I am greater than you in many things. Such as the number of seasons of Ao I have enjoyed? Remember, my son, that I have seen three thousand seasons of Ao to your eight."

Marc, satisfied, looked over at the urn. He asked, "Do you think she would like where I put the urn?"

Margon gazed at the urn in sadness wondering why she had given up life like she had. It had been so mysterious. Finally, he whispered, "She would be very pleased, my son." Margon looked into Marc's eyes. "She used to call your eyes pools of blue... Marc... she is with Ao now. I . . .will take another... mate... in two risings of the sun."

"I will have another mother?"

"Yes, little one, you will love her as if she were your own."

Marc twisted free from Margon's stare. "No!"

Margon sighed and turned away. "Not all in one cycle, my son. I need not explain that custom and traditions demand I take another mate immediately."

"I do not understand." Marc looked down at his feet. "I will not love her. She is not my mother."

"What would Myrax say?" Margon asked in a whisper.

Marc, mist in his eyes, repeated what his mother had told him so many seasons, "'My precious little one, follow Kale and her ways and love will seek you all your life. Ao will not leave you, my love.'"

Whispering sounds... Margon, towering over the child, cast a flickering shadow across the boy's downcast face. "Memories are so precious; teachings are to be heeded."

"I do not know how, father," cried Marc falling into his father's arms.

"Give Kale a chance to work its wonders. Let Kale flow into the lakes and ocean. In season, my son, all things pass... " Margon placed his hand on the slender shoulder. The hand became blurred, then was gone. Murmuring... a rustling ever so gentle as to be sheer silence...

Marc dried his tears walking around the inside perimeter of the dome. He gazed at the moonlit landscape through the now transparent dome. The dome reflected the child's mood. Outside the wind was whipping at the treetops. The clouds were racing faster. The light within the dome flickered faster and faster. The light, its dimness comforting. Marc melted into the darkness and appeared outside the dome in the rain-fragranced air. He breathed deeply. The wind moved slower, dying now.

Marc sensed the dark form lurking in the trees. He followed the figure as it moved off into the lingering breeze. In his mind he saw it drink from the river. He sensed the peace within the creature. The night took its course.

The sun slowly came up over the distant mountains gentled with age. The light for an instant came through the dome, but afterwards reflected most of it away. Marc reappeared among the dewed grass and waited for his father.

Shimmering image... Margon appeared smiling, "How were the moons of Kale, my son?"

"I was with the trees. It was nice to watch without being observed."

"I must attend an emergency meeting of the Council today. Be here at the rise of the moons. I am planning to visit kin."

"Yes, father." Margon went his way into the morning air. Marc frowned. A strange sensation sent shivers through his body. He shook his head and became a gentle breeze.

Another reflection was added to that of the panther's when Marc appeared beside the stream. The panther, startled, whirled about, but relaxed when he saw who it was. "Give me warning next time."

Marc laughed as he petted the panther, "I sensed last night that you were longing for a female, Panther. Does that mean you want to leave me, too?"

Panther, not realizing the intent of the question, replied in a joking manner, "If you do not stop sneaking up on me, I will consider it."

They walked with the flow of the stream as a breeze was born. The sunlight appeared as many pinpoints of light underneath the oaks. Marc asked, "Did you like my mother?"

"She was a fine female of your race, but I never trusted any creature with blue eyes. I suppose, when I meet her with Ao we will fight like before."

Marc stopped. "Panther, I have blue eyes?"

Panther with humor sparkling from his eyes replied, "There is a difference, you see. You and I were raised together from our beginning."

Marc frowned. He still did not see how blue eyes justified the quarrels Panther and his mother had. "Were you sorry she went to Ao, my panther?" he asked as he ran to catch up with the panther.

"No. How can any creature be sorry that any other creature has finally met Ao? This world, our home, is a wonderful place but is not the dwelling we are promised in the Greater Dwelling of Ao. I am sure all twenty-six families of Kale would agree."

"I wish she had not gone to Ao. Then my father would not take another mate." Marc picked up a stone and threw it across the surface of a little pool fed by the stream.

"I understand the custom. If it were not so, your kind would die out. Besides, Kale will heal the wounds, and you will go to your father's mate and accept her as your mother."

"No!" Marc stated defiantly.

The panther raised its head to see the boy. "We shall see, my cub-mate. We shall see... "

The trees started to thin out. Marc sensed how tense the panther was. Every muscle taut, the panther stared intently at a nearby object. At the instant the panther moved, Marc saw the deer. Before Marc could protest, the panther was upon the deer. There was a brief struggle. The deer lay limp with eyes open. The panther sniffed at its prey and circled the meat with pleasure.

Marc, trembling, shouted, "Why did you have to kill!"

"Marc, I am not like you. You do not have to eat. I must hunt to live. I need meat."

"Why can you not eat plants and such?"

"I could not live as Ao intended." The panther entered the carcass, tugging and pulling at the warm meat.

"Do you know that the deer you killed had as much intelligence as you?"

"Yes, Marc. It is the way of Ao. Ao has set the balance and the natural way for all of us, even you."

"I cannot understand killing, even if Ao says it is right and natural," Marc said and vanished.

The panther stared into space for awhile thinking; then returned to its prey. The carcass would suffice for several moons if he could keep the jackals and the like away.

Margon, as Patriarch of the Family of Mar, was attending the special meeting of the Council of Kale, the ruling body of the planet and advisor to the Commonwealth Imperial Senate. Kamen, the Patriarch of the Family of Kos, was speaking to the council. "... Our reports are correct, I assure you. An unprovoked attack by the Srau that... "

At that instant Marc appeared and ran to his father... The Ky, Borth, smiled and raised his wrinkled hand. "The Council shall pause so that a little one's troubles may be heard by his father."

Marc cried softly in his father's lap as Margon put his arms around him. "What is wrong, my precious one?"

"Panther killed a deer. It was horrible. Yet he says Ao made it right and natural that he kills to live."

Margon lifted the downcast face and wiped the tears away. "Young one, it will take many seasons to comprehend all the ways of Ao. A long period ago when the animals had no intelligence, this was the way of Ao. Ao does not change. So now after eons the animals think and reason, but still must survive as Ao has taught them. Now go and tell Panther that you are still his cub-mate after all that has happened. Ao has left you two with a love for each other as it was ordained to be."

Borth got up slowly as his robes settled into place. He put his hand, brown-spotted with great age, gently upon the smooth skin of the boy. "Little one, just as you do not understand killing; Panther cannot understand why it upsets you so much. To him it is the natural order of things. Go back and explain why killing any living creature upsets you. Then tell him that now you understand or that you are trying to. Tell him not to kill again in your presence. That should solve your little problem, young child of Mar." Borth smiled upon the child feeling at peace as never before. He bent down slowly to peer into the child's eyes.

"Thank you, my Ky," Marc said as he kissed the old one on the cheek. Marc became air and went in search of Panther.

The council chamber became quiet as Borth continued to kneel in the same spot. He stared off into space, his face aglow. Members began to rise in puzzlement. Alarm spread through the group as they realized how pale and transparent the Ky was becoming. Borth smiled as he looked around the chamber at each Patriarch with love. He whispered, "The problems of little ones, you know, are the most important matters to be considered. Even above matters of the Imperium. Remember, my brothers, the Oath of the Ky? The last lines say that the Bringer of the Revelation is the Ky after me... " Borth's breath became labored. His figure became shadowy.

Margon, shocked, "Ky! It cannot be. You cannot-"

The voice of the wind came from Borth's mind. "What is, will be, and Ao has ordained me a happiness. I shall pass to you, my brethren, this last legacy. A child and a panther. I give you Marc of Mar, Ky of Kale, Protector to the Commonwealth Imperium... " Borth raised both hands in a sign of peace and freedom as he joined Ao forever.

Margon stared at the others in grief. "I have lost a son... "

Marc petted the panther. They walked along the stream. The panther found the shade of a tree and the softness of the grass. There Panther and Marc fell asleep against each other.

Marc woke up to grief once again. This was the first season he had ever slept in his life. And now upon waking, he heard the call of his father's mind. Marc appeared before his father in the dome's cool dimness.

"Borth has left us, my child."

"Who brought the revelation?" It was all ritual. Tears brimmed on the boy's eyes. He knew! He knew...

"My beloved Ky."

Marc backed off in terror. "No!" Marc disappeared. Margon probed and probed, but Marc had gone farther than Margon could call.

CHAPTER 2

Marc stood in complete darkness. The feeling all over his body was strange, a feeling he had never felt before. It all began to overcome his senses. The strangeness made his mind numb. The boy began trembling. He probed into the air trying to find something or someone familiar. He felt so alone... The clouds were racing above; he began to sense the wind. He touched his skin to feel this new sensation. Suddenly the light of a single moon harshly lit up the countryside. Now new dimensions were added to his growing fear and panic. All the inputs to his mind overwhelmed the child as he fell to the ground. He shut out everything... even the panther calling to him from a distance.

The cold wind ran through the panther's ebony fur. The strange moon looked so out of place. The animal probed again for the boy, but could not sort out all the interference. Other animals on the prowl. The aura of fear and death. Panther ran over the countryside passing structures alien to his senses. Dogs bayed upsetting the panther further.

Slowly, sense returning, the panther stopped by a stream. The animal drank and calmed itself. Bare trees began to sway in the wind. Patches of white material dotted the ground. A whining sound disturbed the panther. Closing its eyes again, the animal probed. "Marc... Marc... " The sound of the trees and the stream came together. A picture began to come to his mind. A swaying sound made the panther feel warmer. "Oh, place of my birth, god of all, Ao, I have lost my twin in time and place. I need to find the one lost in this place. Let me see... Marc!"

The panther had seen the boy's form clearly. A spot mountainous and desolate. Beings were gathering about. The sense of hunger strong... The fear seething in the back of the panther's mind. The child, his cub-mate, was in pain and in danger. Panther concentrated. The wind picked up in intensity. The panther's form was engulfed in a glow of power. Slowly the form dissolved into the wind.

The panther appeared above Marc on a little hill. Immediately the panther sensed the danger to the left. Bushes obscured the view, but the danger was ever-present. The panther tensed and waited. A form jumped into the air to land on the child. The panther smelled the fear well up in the other animal. They both landed on their paws, eyes glowing. Snarling at each other, they stood eye to eye. Then, suddenly, the strange animal turned and ran into the night.

Throughout it all the boy remained lifeless against a huge rock. The panther nudged the limp form. The panther felt the slight warmth of the boy's breath. The panther circled the rock probing for any more dangers. Returning to the child, the animal knew the boy needed help. The air was the danger now. Even the panther felt the strange discomfort of the wind. The panther lay against the boy protecting him while searching for a way to help.

The panther succumbed to a fitful sleep. Even in sleep he probed ever farther into the land pleading for help. The boy's life was escaping, and there was nothing he could do. It had always been the boy who cared for him. And now he was helpless, at a loss at what to do. Panic crept in as he noticed the boy's breathing become shallower.

The panther ever so gently touched Marc's mind becoming one with the child. Going deeper into the unconsciousness of the boy's mind, the panther's breathing began to match Marc's. A dream was there. It seemed so real. Peace came to the panther as the boy's memories washed over them...

He and the boy were by the lake. Marc was wading in trying to entice Panther in. Marc was laughing at the refusal. The sun was warm; the sky, clear. A good day for hunting... A good day to be with the boy. The boy swam under the blue of the water. Coming up, the water clung to the skin of the child. The boy glowed in the streaming sunlight. A breeze blew the fragrance of field flowers among them. Panther moved slowly watching the boy in his play. The child smiled and talked peacefully to him.

"Love you."

"Marc, your fear is helping your death." Panther had reached him and now had to hurry before the link was gone.

"I cannot come back. I am afraid. I hurt... "

The panther jerked up its head in pain. Every joint hurt. The link was gone. The panther began to grieve, sensing the end. Then on the air a sound of comfort, of impending help. The panther struggled to strengthen the probe, to find the help he needed before it was too late.

Randy Kenwood struggled to climb the rocky hillside. He continually talked to himself even when out of breath. "Yes, by god, I heard it in my head. Thought I'd been drinking." He stood up to wipe the sweat from his eyes. "But, no, I hadn't been. This is real." He searched the horizon. Then intently he listened to the wind. There, barely perceptible above the winter wind, was the imploring for help. "Stronger, I can feel it. Just like I always could. Even when I was a wee kid who pissed his bed every night. The only talent I have." At this Randy began to laugh at himself.

Randy stood bolt upright in pain. The probe was strong now. He could feel the fur and the fangs. He could hear strange words in his head. He could not understand. He could not shake the animal feeling that was overwhelming every cell in his body. He was becoming Panther. Panther, cub-mate of Marc, an animal of Kale granted intelligence by Ao. Suddenly, the strange words ringing inside his skull became English he could understand clearly.

"My Marc is dying. Help us. Help us... "

Just as quickly as the probe had come it left. The probe left Randy physically shaken. Yet he continued climbing to the spot he had been shown. No, that wasn't right. He had never been there really. "Confusing it is, my friend. Still I got to help them no matter what. The first visitors in a long time, since Jeff. Yes, I could do with company. Sure as hellfire could." At this the man came upon the panther and the child.

At first it unnerved him to see the jet-black animal nestled close to the boy. Then the animal groaned in pain. He rushed over and knelt down by the two. He ran his hand over the fur. The panther was cold. Too cold to be normal. Gently, he rolled the animal off the boy. The child was in the fetal position. The boy was naked except for a jeweled collar. He felt for a pulse and sucked in his breath when he could not find one. Quickly, he started rubbing the cold body down. He stopped to see if the boy was breathing. The answer brought a curse. He started heart massage and mouth-to-mouth. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that the huge panther was on its feet eyeing him intently.

Not expecting an answer, Randy asked, "And what are you two doing out here in the middle of hell together?"

Panther sent the reply to the human's brain in the slow language the human spoke. "I am not sure how or why we are here. I was hunting when I felt compelled to follow Marc. I sensed, as it is my way, that Marc was in trouble."

Shocked, Randy said, "Well, doesn't that beat all hell." He took his heavy coat off to put over the boy's body. He turned to the panther and smiled. "Your little friend here is better at least, but we got to get him to the warmth of my shack."

Panther simply replied, "I trust you."

Silently, the human carried the boy down to the wooded part of the hill with the panther following. The sky was turning color as morning approached. The wind, the unspoken thoughts, whispering soft. Marc grew warm and contented in the human's fur-lined coat. His thoughts sounded in the human's head subliminally. They shared the memories of times long ago. A timeless thought... beauty long gone. A moment far off. Marc ran to meet his father in the shimmering distance. Sun streaming, a warmth remembered well. The air sparkling in the warmth of the time... the air so sweet. Whispering sounds... memory so well remembered. A moment so long ago... akin to murmuring...

Marc started to struggle as he became conscious. He scanned the area within his physical sight. The sun was peeking over the hill. The human was standing perfectly still with a sad smile on his face. Panther was behind the human staring up at him. Marc felt the fur of the heavy coat and thought what animal it must belong to. Then the boy noticed the cabin off to the right. Quietly, he shut his eyes and scanned the area for danger. Finding none he slowly brought his heartbeat and breathing rate higher. The human and the panther continued on to the cabin.

Marc to the panther, "Where are we?"

The panther heard but found it difficult to reply for a few moments. The affect of the boy's dream was still stamped on the panther's brain. "I cannot say. I lost the way when I followed you."

"Who is this carrying me? I cannot understand the noise he makes."

This is the creature who saved our lives. He uses an auditory method of communication. Very slow."

Marc snuggled up to the human's chest. "I am content for now, Panther. Protect me."

Panther moved up beside the human. "Yes, Marc. I understand."

In the meantime Randy continued babbling. "Well, we are almost there, son. I'll get a fire started in the old fireplace." He opened the door and stepped in. The floorboards creaked as he walked in. Setting the boy down, he went over to the wood box. He bent down to the fireplace to start the fire. Marc stood watching, holding the coat close to his body.

Randy rubbed his hands together briskly as he said, "I'll get something rustled up to eat, boy. I bet you are pretty hungry."

Marc continued to stare at the human without responding. Randy looked at the place where the panther sat. Minutes passed before Randy uncomfortably turned away. Puzzled, he thought to himself how the panther had been talking just a little while ago. Now, nothing or so it seemed. He had always felt out of place around young children. Except... Jeff... He had to get this one to talk, that was for sure. And this business of talking panthers. He could have sworn that he had talked to the panther previously. Now it seemed a dream. But it wasn't. There was the boy naked under his coat. And, of course, the damned panther shedding black fur all over his prized bear skin rug.

He had to do something... anything... Grumbling, as the pair stared at him, he went over to the telephone. He dusted it off with his sleeve and then dialed the number of his only nephew. He is home on leave from the Navy now, he thought. Looking up from the phone, he saw the boy and the animal. There they are staring... He tried to brazen it out and stare back, but could not stand the boy's blue eyes. He talked on the phone to his nephew, Jeff. Not giving out too much information, he finally convinced his nephew to come over for a visit. Randy smiled as he hung up the phone. Jeff was his favorite "only" nephew and came over often. Randy glanced at the unlikely pair and finally had to laugh in spite of himself. Maybe Jeff was good with kids, maybe not, but the animal though...

Randy turned to the stove. He contented himself with cooking eggs and bacon. "I bet you both are starving." He got the greasy toaster out and began rummaging through the cabinets for some bread. "Damn, if I haven't lost the frigging bread. I know I had some last week." Finally, he brought out a week-old loaf of whole wheat. "Can't have eggs and bacon without toast, you know." Looking over at the pair, he said, "Probably can't understand me anyway. Hey you! You retarded?"

Marc glanced at Panther and then returned his intense gaze to the human. Suddenly, Marc threw off the coat in disgust. He could not stand the animal fur and the insinuation of violent death anymore. Randy shook his head as he offered the food to the boy. Marc feebly took the plate and stared at the strange contents. Abruptly, the lad threw the plate onto the floor. Cursing, Randy began to clean up the mess on the floor. Trying to cool his anger, he daydreamed about his fishing-trip fantasy. The fishing trip in the Caribbean. The fishing trip he had wanted all his life. Marc heard the thoughts clearly and smiled mischievously.

Marc turned his head picturing the scenes in his mind. A trace of a smile remained on the boy's glowing face. He closed his eyes to concentrate. The human's form became shadowy, then transparent. Finally, the human disappeared entirely. The boy stood up and stretched himself. He walked over to the fire and curled up against the panther's body. Then the boy smiled again as he saw the human looking around in surprise aboard a boat on the Caribbean Sea. The human touched the fishing gear with wonder glittering from his eyes. The human grinned, shrugged his shoulders, and started fishing...

Marc giggled. He shut his eyes and probed the countryside as far as he could over the unusual interference. The boy saw the roads, the buildings strange and alien, the vehicles traveling along the roads, and the many strange creatures. Some of the creatures were vaguely familiar. Yet they all seemed so wild, so unintelligent. The people were so strange and spoke with their mouth somehow. Their language was so slow, so rough.

The boy locked onto the vehicle that "Jeff, the nephew", was in. Marc concentrated harder. He looked up in surprise. It seemed the young human did not eat meat. Or was that the real thought pattern? The language was so slow and mindless. Marc gathered that Jeff was in some kind of military unit. Best of all he was a dormant telepath. Jeff did not know it, but Marc sensed it easily. At last, someone to talk to. He had so many questions to ask. Then Marc remembered his father, his mother. Quickly, he changed his thought patterns. He turned to waiting patiently for this "Jeff Kenwood" to arrive. In the meantime, he conversed with Panther on the unusual animals on this strange planet.

Jeff reached over to turn the volume up on his radio. He chuckled at his uncle's call. It had caught him off guard that his eccentric uncle had even called. Yet he would never pass up a chance to see the old man. My old-man-of-the-mountains, as he fondly thought of him. Jeff believed in family.

Marc said to the panther, "This appears to be a primitive place. A place without peace. Even the animals are near thoughtless."

"Then why not go back home?"

"I cannot. I am afraid." Marc struggled with his emotions, tears welling up in his eyes. "I am not wanted. Besides, I cannot make it back. It is too far. I am not strong enough yet." Marc stood up and walked to the window. The sky looked strange and foreboding. "I do not want to go back."

"Why?" the panther asked simply.

Marc frowned. He thought of that terrible moment when his father had notified him that Borth had joined Ao. "I do not know, Panther. I do not know how to be the Ky. It is too much. I do not want to be Ky! I just want to be a child of Mar as I have always been."

"Marc?"

"Yes?" Marc turned to the panther, wiping the tears with the back of his hand.

"What are we going to do?"

Marc shook his head, his emotions overcoming him. He wished to be with his mother now. She would know. She could put her arms around him. There would be security and warmth. Things would be safe and right. But, the panther was beyond that feeling. The panther could not help no matter how close he was to the boy. The panther was not of his kind. The boy needed someone now to hold him and comfort him. Some reassurance that all was not beyond his control and understanding. In the end, Marc had no answer. Just a tear-stained face from silent crying.

Jeff pulled into the dirt driveway. Immediately he knew something was amiss. His uncle usually came bounding out of the old shack shouting good-hearted obscenities. Turning the engine of the Mustang off, Jeff quickly got out. Becoming more concerned, Jeff walked quickly to the door. Before he got onto the dilapidated porch, the heavy wooden door swung open slowly. In spite of himself, Jeff grinned. It all was just like out of some horror movie he had seen recently. Without thinking further, he walked in boldly.

His first sight was the largest black panther he had ever seen. Taken aback, he turned to see a boy studying him intently. The boy was small and fair, not to mention quite naked. About five, Jeff guessed. The boy had dark hair bordering on auburn. The eyes that so resolutely studied him were blue. They seemed to be actually shining. Steadying himself, Jeff shook the snow off his coat. Calmly, he closed the door. Discreetly, he searched the small confines of the shack. Dishes lay strewn about and some lay broken over by the fireplace. Yet no old man. Jeff frowned and began to be upset.

Words filled his head loudly. Jeff, in pain, squinted at the boy. The boy's mouth remained closed. The words came so rapidly and sounded so strange. Slowly, the pain subsided as the stream of words began slowing in their speed and intensity. A few words of English started to become clear. Not quite over the boy's attempt to communicate with him, Jeff was very much surprised when the boy turned to the panther and an exchange of words took place between them. The boy returned his attention to Jeff. Everything fell into place as Jeff now began to understand.

"... trying to make you comprehend." Marc, suddenly exasperated, turned to the Panther a second time. "At first I thought this creature could understand me, Panther, but I cannot get through all his illogical thought processes. I shall have to send him to the other creature."

"Where is this other man?"

Marc turned and smiled. "You understand now?"

Jeff laughed. "Most. It is getting better. This all should not be happening, but I'll get over that." Putting his hands on his hips, he asked again, "Where is my uncle?"

"I sent him where he wanted to go."

"And where might that be?"

Impatiently, Marc answered, "Some place called the Caribbean Sea trying to do something he called fishing." Marc then began to smile slyly. "Of course, he will not catch any creature. I have seen to that."

Jeff put his hand to his brow as he sat down in one of the few rickety chairs his uncle owned. All the various shocks were catching up with him. All of this was beyond any sense of apparent reality. Was this small boy real, crazy, or was Jeff losing it? Shaking his head, he began to try to figure it all out. He looked up to see the boy staring at him with some concern on his face. Jeff reached out tentatively to touch the boy's skin. The skin was extraordinary. So smooth, soothing... Jeff... dreaming... It did not feel like skin. Even the skin of a young child. It was too fine and textured. Anyway, the boy was real. And definitely telepathic. The panther had intelligence that was much above normal. But the story of his uncle... that was another matter entirely.

Marc listened to Jeff's confused thoughts, even though he did not want to. It was difficult for the boy to understand. Thoughts and scenes were so slow and sluggish in Jeff's mind. Marc let the human touch him and was amused at the thoughts. At that moment, he concentrated on Jeff's feelings of well-being and trust. At the very last, Marc noted Jeff's worry over his uncle's welfare. "Do not worry over the other creature before you. He will return when he is fulfilled. I would not harm anyone, least of all him."

Jeff laughed nervously. "I can't really believe this... this story of a toddler. Your imagination is too much, I'm afraid. My uncle is probably off in the countryside somewhere. Surely he will return soon. He often take-"

Marc interrupted, "You do not believe me!" The boy grew angry. "I shall prove it to you." Suddenly the whole shack was filled with the holographic image of Jeff's uncle. Jeff's uncle was in the boat peacefully fishing and drinking beer. The old human began talking contentedly to himself. Slowly the image faded. "Now do you believe?"

Jeff closed his mouth and thought the situation over. He turned to the boy. "All right, tell me your name for starters."

"Marc of Mar." The boy smiled and went over to Panther. Stroking the animal, Marc calmed himself. He spoke the Prayers of Ab and Ob. Jeff heard everything in his mind. Jeff noticed the boy was resting on the panther. Jeff could tell that the boy's breathing was slowing considerably. Then the whole shack filled with scenes of Kale. Marc replayed all the recent past for Jeff to see.

Jeff was awed by the sheer beauty of the child's home. Jeff saw the death of Borth. He saw the encounter between Marc and Margon. He felt Marc's shock and panic. The scenes seemed to be rushing on faster and faster. Soon they were a blur of different memories from various times of the boy's life. The images were going too fast for Jeff to comprehend any of them now. Jeff looked over at the boy. He was surprised at the stillness of the child. Jeff looked out of one of the windows noticing the complete darkness outside. A snowstorm was raging outside judging by the howling of the wind. Walking through the blur of images, Jeff knelt down to look upon the child. He felt the cold skin for a pulse. There was none. Jeff's heart seemed to stop... Now knowing about the child, he couldn't stand the thought of the child dying.

"Man."

Jeff heard the call barely through the blur of memories still raging inside the shack. Slowly it dawned on him that it must be the panther speaking to him. Jeff made a tentative reply not knowing quite how one would talk to an animal that could talk back.

"Marc is in a trance which will pass. Do not be alarmed. This is a way for him to deal with his problems. We must wait for him to return to us."

"Yes," was all Jeff could say as he gazed at the still form reclining against the panther. He sat watching the boy. In time he got up to light another fire. Soon the place warmed. Jeff noticed the images fading now. The reflection of the flames on the walls had a subduing effect. The silence began settling in among them covering the noise of the snowstorm outside. It all seemed so unreal. The flickering lights on the walls. The slow breathing of the sleeping panther. The boy, so small and slight next to the wild form of the animal. Jeff's eyes became heavy with sleep. In time all were sleeping, or so it seemed...

**********************

The sun was streaming through the windows. Jeff quietly added fuel to the fire. He stretched in front of one of the windows. The whole countryside was blanketed in snow. The scene brought back fond memories of his childhood. What little childhood he felt he had. He thought of Marc and the emotions the child must be feeling. Somehow Jeff empathized. He glanced at the boy thinking of the situation. At first, he had decided to turn the boy and animal over to the government. Yet now after some reflection, he felt it would be better to try to persuade the child to return to his home, if he still could.

Instantly, Marc's eyes flew open. He jumped up onto his bare feet staring at Jeff. "Your thoughts are troubled over me. You were going to give me over to... to some... "

"Don't panic, Marc. Surely you know me by my thoughts."

Marc turned to Panther. "Am I safe?"

Panther stood and stretched nonchalantly, and replied, "The human has only good thoughts toward you."

Marc, reassured, gazed around the shack in wonder. Then the boy saw out of one of the windows. "What is that?" Marc asked pointing.

Jeff laughed. "Snow."

"Snow?"

"Frozen crystals of water."

Marc continued to stare at the strange scene before him. Jeff smiled and watched with the boy. A rabbit appeared. Panther stiffened as he remembered his hunger. Marc sensing the animal's desire, frowned in anger. Jeff could tell there was sudden tension between the two. Jeff heard in his mind a sudden lightning exchange of words between the two. Abruptly, the panther jumped through the wall. Jeff, caught off guard, could not believe his eyes. He had indeed seen the animal jump through the wall of the shack as if it had been air. Jeff noticed then that the panther had captured the rabbit and ate savagely. Marc seemed quite agitated.

"Eh, Marc? You want something to eat?"

Marc turned away from the window. He looked up into Jeff's eyes not comprehending at first. Marc shook his head. "I do not need to eat."

Jeff, not knowing quite how to take that, tried a different tack. "When do you plan on going back to your beautiful home, Marc?"

Marc looked away from the young human. "I do not know." More softly, "I do not know."

"Well, I have some of my thirty day leave period from the Navy left. If you like, you can stay with me until you decide for certain when you are going back. You'll need clothes, I'm afr-"

"Not lifeless animal things!"

Jeff couldn't quite believe what he had just said. He felt strange. A foreboding. Jeff stooped to look at the child face to face. "No, Marc. We will try to avoid 'animal things' as you put it. I'll have to rustle up something temporarily to cover your nakedness before we go shopping."

While Jeff ransacked the place looking, Marc followed puzzling over the strange thought-word the human had used. Jeff, finally, remembered that his uncle had a box of his old clothes he had worn long summers ago. Finding it, Jeff dusted the top of the box off. Memories flooded back into Jeff's mind as he dug through the box of clothes. Finding a pair of pants he thought might fit, he turned to hold them against the boy's body. Jeff noticed the puzzlement on the boy's face. "What's wrong?"

"What is 'nakedness'?" Marc asked cocking his head like a puppy.

"We have a long way to go if we are going shopping," Jeff laughed. "Can you talk with your mouth instead of your mind?"

"What?" Marc asked frowning. The conversation with this young human was getting stranger and stranger. Although, Marc thought to himself, it was becoming more and more fun, too.

Jeff took the boy by the shoulders and explained, "Look at me. See my mouth move? The opening in my face. I make noise using my tongue."

Marc concentrated on the human's thoughts not noticing the moving lips. The boy thought about the thoughts he was receiving. Then he shut off his thought reception to mull the new information. When he did that, the audio came through from his ears. It was his first encounter with a race that vocalized. He knew the young human had communicated that way, but, up until now, it had not occurred to him how it actually was done. Slowly, smiling at the new feelings, he tried to vocalize some of his thoughts. What came out was a mere squeak. Then he laughed. Marc covered his mouth in surprise. The laugh had expelled from his mouth. The boy and young human laughed together.

"That's good! You learn quickly. When we are in the store, you have to act normal or someone will notice." Suddenly, Jeff recognized the absurdity of it all. No one in his right mind would think this child normal, talking or not. In any case, Jeff found a pair of pants and a shirt. An old coat, some socks with holes, and a pair of beat up old shoes. None of which would fit correctly. Jeff sighed as he began to try to convince the boy to go home. Yet he realized that Marc just needed time to think through the situation. Eventually the boy had to see the importance of returning home to his people. But the problems of keeping the boy were beginning to grow larger with every thought. What was he getting himself into, Jeff thought.

Marc could not fathom what Jeff wanted him to do with the material held up to his body. But the young human persisted in wanting him to put the object on. With the young human's help he experienced the clean feel of a cotton shirt. The memories of past summers radiated out from it. Jeff stepped back to see how big the shirt was and couldn't help but chuckle. Marc laughed, too, at the unusual feelings. The pants were a different story. Jeff stepped back to see again. He had to try several positions before he could slip the jeans onto the boy. Marc took in his breath as he felt the material come into contact with his skin. Jeff, realizing the sensation must be another of the many firsts for the child, just smiled. Marc could only muster a half-hearted grin. The socks were easy, but Marc balked at the leather shoes.

Exasperated, Jeff scolded. "It's just leather!"

Marc felt sick at his stomach at the sight and the smell of the shoes. The odor was enough to make him retch. "The hide of some 'animal'!"

Jeff simply replied, "Oh, I forgot." So Jeff returned to the box for something else to cover the boy's stocking feet. Finally, looking at the boy across from him, he gave out a long sigh. Then slowly Jeff explained about his world. About the good and the bad. About the clothing they wore. The customs and society. At some time during this long talk, Marc laid his head on Jeff's lap. Marc listened to the gentle flow of the words about this alien planet and its unusual people. Underneath his attentiveness he remembered his father taking his head into his father's lap by a familiar brook. His father had stroked his long hair fondly just as Jeff was doing now. Just as slowly as Jeff had started, he finished.

Marc got up, smiled at Jeff, and swallowed hard as he tried to slip the foul-smelling shoes on. Shaking his head, Jeff helped the boy with the shoes. Normally, he was not this good with children. He suspected he still wasn't. It was just Marc humoring him. Jeff laughed at himself as he helped the child try the old musty coat on. Jeff stood back to inspect the boy. Considering that everything was either too big or too small, the boy looked pretty good. "Well, the best thing you could do before we go is to go back to where you came from... your home. I know how you feel, but above all you are better off home than here." It would be one of the many attempts to get the lad to go back home.

Marc stared into Jeff's face as tears welled up. "I cannot. Not now. Not yet. I am not ready. You do not know what it is like to be the Ky. I cannot be a child anymore. There would be no time. I could not run with Panther or breathe the forest air." At this, Marc ran to Jeff who put his arms around the youngster trying to comfort him. Jeff remembered his childhood.

Jeff thought about the predicament. He shook his head. Marc was probably embellishing the truth. Well, for now anyway, the boy had won. Jeff thought he had never really understood children, least of all this one. This child who was alien to this planet. "You know, kiddo, that we have to have a story." Jeff bent down to look at the tear-stained face. "Let us say you are one of my distant cousins come to visit my uncle, but he would not have anything to do with you. So you came to stay with me awhile. You know, everyone will probably believe that foolishness. No one really knows my uncle. No one comes to visit except me. So no one will miss him until he comes back from his fishing trip you sent him on." Here, Jeff chuckled to himself.

"But people will miss me. My parents, my friends. And I can't leave you here by yourself. So we will have to stick by our story. Okay?"

Marc shook his head yes.

Jeff got his keys out and escorted the boy to the Mustang. Once inside, he let the engine warm up. He smiled as Marc stared in wonder at the strange contraption and the noise it made. Then he thought of Panther. Marc turned to Jeff and said, "Do not worry about Panther. No one will see him but us."

Not quite reassured, Jeff said, "Well, if you say so. We have to do at least one thing though. We have to get you some better clothes. We'll get you some non-animal shoes, too." Jeff started down the road to Sears. "Then we have to explain you to my parents. I hope they believe that cock and bull story we made up." At this point Jeff didn't even flinch when Panther appeared in the back seat. The animal nuzzled him with its cold nose. No, his parents would know better...

Marc drank in the sights. All were novel and exciting. The smells were all so different, too. He cast out for any stray thoughts. In the safety of Jeff's presence, Marc was not quite so unnerved by the unsettling thoughts of the animals and humans. Human is what Jeff associated himself with, so Marc was comfortable with that thought. Still he was not prepared for the sheer mass of thought that came to his mind as they approached many dissimilar structures and vehicles. Jeff said that this was a mall, which was an unlikely thought. So many thoughts and ideas were new and different. And because these humans thought so slow, Marc could probe hundreds of humans at one time... but he felt a faint twinge of guilt for doing so.

Marc was still taking it all in, when they got out of the vehicle. People said their greetings. Marc tried to vocalize a reply. A squeak was all that came out. People turned and stared. Some could not help but giggle at the funny little boy dressed so strangely in old clothes that did not fit. Jeff just kept his eyes front and began to wonder if this was really going to work at all.

Inside the store, Marc ran to touch everything both physically and mentally. Jeff was becoming concerned now. Marc saw a mannequin and ran his hand over the garments it wore. He then reached his hand up under the upper garment to feel the smooth surface underneath. Why, the boy thought, it does not even feel like skin! Everyone in the store heard the thought clearly in their minds. They turned to each other confused at who had said it.

Jeff ran up to the boy and lifted him up and held him while he thought very strongly, "Marc, you got to vocalize! And, you have to stop feeling up the mannequins!"

Marc laughed and replied, "All right."