Kniam: A Terraneu Novel (15 page)

“I
said NO Amber and that is final.” Kniam shouted across the room. “I can’t
believe you would even suggest such a thing!”

The
council members, including Kniams brothers just stayed quiet and looked from
Amber to Kniam.

“I
am suggesting it, because it gives us the best chance of success!” Amber shot
back just as heatedly, “If we don’t do this, I fear that your chances at
getting women back to Terraneu are slim!” she looked around at the others, “I
want everyone here to have the chance at the kind of happiness that we found.”

Kniam
wasn’t backing down, “I want that for them also. But you are suggesting that
YOU return to Earth with Kneus…”

“I
know what I suggested Kniam you don’t have to repeat my own words.” She
interrupted him. “I think with my help Mr. McPherson will agree to our terms
faster than Kneus could convince him. The original plan won’t work. There isn’t
any way for Kneus to own land that I can think of. I am not an expert on buying
land in Scotland, but in America it’s a little harder. You can’t just walk into
an office with a bag of gold flake, and buy things. That would raise too many
questions! Even if there is a way for Kneus to borrow someone’s identity and
buy land, it can’t be done in ten hours! We just don’t have enough time. The
whole plan hinges on Mr. McPherson, and I know where we have to focus to get to
him to agree. His grand-daughter Mairi…she is very ill and I think we can use
that to gain his assistance.”

“Then
Kneus can use this grand-daughter to get Mr. McPherson to agree. You don’t have
to be there.” Kniam bit out.

“Yes,
I do! I can prove that Kneus isn’t some escapee from a lunatic asylum, or con
artist bent on swindling him! I can show Mr. McPherson with the way I look now,
that your technology will help save Mairi. He would agree to anything to help
her. He would trust me to keep his grand-daughter safe, through the portal and
then here. I would vouch for all that Kneus was telling him is true, and that
there is hope for her…and him! I am telling you Kniam, if I don’t go through
the portal with Kneus, your plan will fail.”

“Why
didn’t you say this months ago Amber? Why did you wait until the day before
Kneus was to leave?” Kniam was angry, hurt and scared. His voice was biting and
she fought to keep her composure.

“It
was during all my talks with Kneus this past month that I really thought about
our chances, and I was getting more worried the more I talked with him.” Amber
tried to defend herself, “I was so caught up in life here on Terraneu I forgot
what life was like back on Earth...! ”

“Now
you miss it and want to go back!” Kniam interrupted, snapping “You want to…”

Amber
jumped in, “I never want to go back!” she was in a panic at the thought of
everything that could go wrong. “The life I left behind is nothing to me! I am
terrified of stepping on that portal and going back! That is the same reason I
have to go! Kneus can’t be alone trying to face what Earth is going to be
like!” her voice trembled on her unshed tears.

Kniam
softened at her words, coming around the table to hold her trembling body he
groaned, “Amber. I’m sorry. I can’t let you go, it’s so dangerous…and I can’t
stop you. I know I have to trust that you are the expert of all things on
Earth, but…!” He just ended his sentence helplessly, not knowing what else to
say.

Kneus
cleared his throat, “I know we agreed that we would send as few through the
portal as possible, but maybe we should reconsider who goes.”

At
his words all eyes swung toward him. “If it is going to take Amber to convince
Mr. McPherson, and Amber can’t leave without Kniam…then I say we all three go
through. Amber does her best to convince Mr. McPherson, gets Mairi to the
portal with Kniams help, and then I implement the rest of our plan.”

Amber
thought that was a great idea! She turned her eyes to Kniam, “Why not all three
of us?” That cold knot in her chest was easing up at the thought of Kniam
coming along.

Kniam
paused in consideration, “It is going to have to come to a vote. I also want
all of the members of the community to have a voice. I know you think that this
will help our odds, but I also want all the ramifications to be known.” He
looked at the other council members, “All three of us could be stuck on Earth
for six months, or worse something could go horribly wrong and we would be
there longer. Are you sure this is the way Amber?” Kniam looked deep into her
eyes, she felt herself melting into the purple pools.

“Yes
Kniam…I am sure this is the only way.” Of course to herself she was cursing,
why do all certainties fall away when someone asks you if you are sure…as soon
as they ask that you aren’t sure anymore!

“Then
it’s the council’s turn to vote. I exclude myself due to being part of the
three.”

“I
also exclude myself.” Kneus stated. He put his hand on Ambers shoulder and gave
a reassuring squeeze.

“I
vote the three go.” Knaleg intoned.

“I
vote the three go.” Ailech intoned.

“I
vote the three go.” Knollig intoned.

“I
vote the three go.” Asteen intoned.

“I
vote the three go.” Thian intoned.

The
vote was cast and accepted. Then the meeting was projected to the general
population and a vote called on the community’s preference.

All
in favor of the three, Kneus, Kniam and Amber to travel to Earth for females
say AYE.

Kniam
flinched at the resounding AYE that flared in his head.

All
that are opposed to Kneus, Kniam and Amber traveling to Earth say NAY.

The
few NAYs were not enough to counter the AYE votes
.
Kniam took the time
to hear the reasons for a NAY vote from every concerned community member. They
had valid fears for the three of them going. With Kniam it was that he was
their leader, and they looked up to and respected him. With Amber it was that
she was the only female that had ever come to Terraneu. If she was lost back to
Earth, then their hope for the future was gone too. Add the fact that the men
had genuinely come to care for her. She was like the community sister to them,
maybe there would have been other feelings if things had gone differently, but
Kniam kept those men in check. Kneus was just well liked, he was going to be
missed and every man in the community wished him a speedy return…with women
preferably!

After
all the debates, and voices heard and respected, there would be three going to
Earth in the morning.

Amber
was relieved at the news, there was only one issue left…”Uhhh…Kniam, how fast
can you learn English?”

Amber
was shaking from nerves, her grip on Kniams hand was probably breaking bones
but she couldn’t help it. In a few minutes they were going to open the portal.
The council members and she had all stayed overnight on Antilles. She had been
introduced to the leader of the peaceful people. His name was so hard to
pronounce, and everyone had a laugh over her attempts to say it. It was decided
she could call him Zerxix for short. They had set up camp close to the portal,
it was only a few feet away from all the tents.

Kniam
had stayed longer at the table talking things over with the other men. She had
been exhausted and gone to their tent. She woke as he was leaning over her.

“Kniam…is
everything ok?” she had asked sleepily.

“Yes
little female. Everything is fine...” Kniam had tucked himself against her
side. She could feel the warmth of his skin, and the hard press of his desire
against her back.

“How
long have you been awake watching me sleep?” she teased. He had to have been
thinking some interesting thoughts if the length of him pressed against her
back was any indication.

“It
doesn’t take long when watching you to make me ache to be inside you my little
female.”

She
pressed back against him, suddenly wide-awake and aching herself at his words.
She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring and she needed Kniam tonight...She
reached behind her to try stroke his hard length. He reached between her legs
to stroke her wet core. In a frenzy she draped one leg over his thigh, and
shifted him until he was pressing against her. Then he was pressing into her,
and she lost all the thoughts in her head. She became mindless in her drive to
find fulfillment. Before her moans could become too loud Amber muffled the
sound by biting into the blanket they had on the bed. Kniam had access to the
front of her body, and he was taking advantage. Kneading her breasts and
pinching her nipples a roughly. He kissed and nipped at her back and neck with
his teeth. She gripped the blanket tighter, and pushed back hard. Showing with
the flex of her hips that she wanted him to go faster. Needed him to take her
harder! He took her hint and slammed into her, seeking release. She couldn’t
take much more, and with a muffled shout into the blanket, Amber broke apart.
Squeezing him as hard as she could with her release, Kniam pressed his mouth
over her smooth neck to muffle his shout of pleasure.

~*~*~*

“Amber,
it’s time to get ready. You need to wake up.” Kniam gently nudged her side.

“Kniam…what?
Why am I so tired?” Amber felt like she had cotton in her head.

“It’s
the lack of the two suns, and the overexertion in bed!” he teased. When she
groaned and moved to get up he held her steady. “You are able to regenerate
here on Antilles, it just isn’t as effective as Terraneu’s two suns. Kneus
should adapt on Earth the longer he is there, but the effect will be the same
for us on Earth as here.”

Amber
got dressed in the clothes she had prepared for this trip. She gingerly touched
the bite mark on her neck, “Vampire!” she teased Kniam. Then laughed because by
the look on his face he didn’t know what she had called him. “Never mind, it
isn’t important.”

She
knew the top and pants were something you would find on Earth. She also had the
same black leather boots Kniam and Kneus were wearing. The outfits she had made
for the men were also something you would find on Earth. T-shirt like tops, the
same black pants and boots. It was a different experience seeing them so
covered up! She didn’t like it, she preferred them in their vests. After
braiding her hair, and tying it off she went and joined the men at the portal.

Kniam
eyed what she had done with her hair, he fingered the thick length and said,
“Different. You look very beautiful Amber.”

“Thank
you Kniam.”
 
Amber mumbled, too nervous
to appreciate the compliment.

“It’s
time.” Kneus was holding some tablet looking thing. He walked over to the
council and his brothers, “Knollig…” he did he forearm shake, then Knollig
surprised him with a hug.

“Something
Kniam taught me! Be safe brother…” Knollig swallowed hard and stepped back.

“Knaleg…”
again Kneus did the forearm shake with Knaleg.

“Be
safe brother!” He punched Kneus in the arm and stepped back.

This
went on through Ailech, Asteen and Thian then Kneus had said his good-byes.

Kniam
stepped in front of them all, “Amber and I will see you soon.” They all did a
low bow, it wasn’t that he was a “king” like she had originally thought, it was
just a sign of respect as their leader…then with a forearm shake, and shoulder
slapping, and it really was time.

Kneus,
Kniam and I stepped onto the portal. She did a little finger wave at everyone,
“Remember if anything happens…someone needs to look out for Cebat, and
Tabec…and Chewy! Chewy likes to be held…” Flush!

She
really hated this form of travel. The lights flashing by, but feeling like you
were not moving. With a groan she blacked out.

~*~*~*

“Amber…Amber!”
Who was that saying her name. She needed to focus but couldn’t remember why.

“Let
me try…AAA-MMM_BBB-RRR”

She
sat upright and looked around groggily. “You didn’t have to yell! I’m awake
already. Help me up please.” She held her hand out to Kniam, and he gently
pulled her up.

“Kneus
has placed the transmitter so we can find the portal again easily. We need to
get moving to this place you were staying at.” Kniam put his arm around her,
and gently turned her to face him. “Do you know what direction you were
traveling when you found the portal?”

Amber
struggled to remember which direction she had been walking, “I had taken a path
leading north…then I slid down that hill to land here. If we go south, we
should come across a trail.”

“Ok.
South it is.” Kniam took the lead and the headed, hopefully toward the B&B.

“You
are right Amber, this landscape does look like Antilles.” Kneus spoke into the
silence, “I was thinking Earth was a barren wasteland by some of the
descriptions you have given.”

“Yes,
well it isn’t all this nice.” Amber interjected. “The Scottish Highlands are
known for their beauty, and it’s well earned. When I slid down that hill it was
winter, and I didn’t get to see this much greenery!”

“Yes,
that’s right. This place has winter. That is where the temperature drops and
frozen moisture comes from the sky?” Kneus asked.

“Yes,
it will get to freezing. The frozen moisture is called snow, or sleet, or hail.
There are different forms. We can Google it when we get to Mr. McPherson…but
with any luck you will experience for yourself in a few months.”

After
walking for a while Kniam paused, “Amber, I think we have found a path. Do you
want to take it?” He was pointing ahead of them at a path. There was a fork
going to the right, and left. They were coming from the middle ground. Maybe it
was wishful thinking but this might have been the fork that she had taken to go
to higher ground.

“This
might be the path I was on, we need to go straight. That will hopefully lead us
to Mr. McPherson.”

They
picked up their pace, in a hurry now to reach the B&B. As they were coming
around a hill, there it was! The ground wasn’t covered in snow, and it looked
different with the sunlight beaming down on it. It was just as idyllic as when
she had been her in December! She started running toward it, yelling at Kneus
and Kniam to keep up. They were right behind her, and when she got to the
parking area she looked behind to explain. “Those are vehicles. They run on
fossil fuel that different countries produce. You climb inside them, and they
take you different places. Our ability to go very fast is why I am hoping that
we can get Mairi here in time!” She pounded up the steps, and opened the door
to the living room. There were a few guests milling around, and she skidded to
a stop. Swinging her gaze around the room, she didn’t see Mr. McPherson.

“I
don’t see him in here.” She started toward the other side of the living room,
where there was a formal dining room. There were a few guests in here also, but
no Mr. McPherson. Amber was starting to worry that maybe he might not be here,
or even own the B&B anymore.
 
She
spun back around to tell Kniam that she was going to look in the kitchen and
came to a stop. The female occupants of the room were taking an interest in the
men. HER men thank you very much. One even had the nerve to walk right up to
Kniam and strike up a conversation. She hurried back over in time to hear him
say, “I am a mate to the little female. Thank you for the offer of your
bedchamber.”

Amber
cleared her throat and glared the woman away. Kniam pulled her close and whispered
in her ear, “That was an aggressive female! She wanted me to take a key to her
bedchamber, which I do not think was a good idea. She said I could put it to
good use, what did she mean?”

Amber
laughed throatily, “She didn’t want you to
sleep
there that is for
sure.” She had just looked up to see that the woman had her fingers working up
Kneus’s chest. “Maybe we should save poor Kneus. He has a terrified look in his
eyes, like he is facing a wild Sacath without a weapon.”

Kniam
burst into husky laughter, and all eyes snapped his way at the sound.

“Is
‘at a new guest?” It was Mr. McPherson! Amber froze and swung her head toward
the sound. “Welcome…” he froze as he came around from the dining area Amber had
just vacated, seeing Kniam and Kneus towering over everything. “
Ah hae bedroom’s available,
woods you be needn’ one ur two?
”

“Could
we have a word in private, Mr. McPherson?” Amber asked, “It is really
important.”

“Hae
we mit? Ah dornt min’ meetin’ sic’ a bonnie hen.” He slowly walked forward and
gave her hand a kiss. Kniam stiffened and glared down at the older man, Amber
just slightly shook her head.

“Please,
Mr. McPherson it’s urgent.” Amber was hopping back and forth on the heels of
her feet. They needed to get this over with. By her estimation there was
already two of their ten hours gone. They still had to talk to Mr. McPherson
get his help, arrange for Mairi to be released from wherever she was…please let
it be somewhere close! Then get back to the portal!

“
Awe rite. We can gab in mah
office.” Mr. McPherson led the way past the doorway, and around to an office
behind the check in desk. Once everyone had entered behind him, he closed the
door for privacy.

He situated himself in a
chair at his desk, and Kniam and Kneus eyed the ones offered to them dubiously.
They didn’t look sturdy enough to hold their weight. Amber just gestured
impatiently for them to sit.

“I know what I am going to
say is going to sound crazy. Please don’t interrupt just listen.” Amber rushed
out, “It’s me…Amber! Amber Anderson. I was a guest here in December. I know
there had to have been an investigation when I disappeared, so I won’t try to
jog your memory. It had to have been unpleasant, and I’m sure you remember
it…and me.”

His eyes narrowed, “Noo whit
ur ye tryin' tae pull?” he was struggling to get up in his chair.

“I went for a walk at
sunrise, you told me to be careful that there was a ‘nip’ of cold in the air.”
He was still trying to get up so she hurried with the rest, “I told you I was
ok,
I told you I ‘was all bundled up like a tundra yeti. “I think I’ll
be safe from the cold, it’s those fairies I need to watch out for’
.” She watched his face as
he realized it was her. The shock written there would have been funny if she
wasn’t desperate to get his co-operation.

“I went on that walk, slid
down a hill and fell onto a portal. When I woke up I realized I wasn’t in the
Scottish Highlands anymore. Long story short, I was found by these men…this is
Kniam.” She gestured at Kniam, “This is Kneus.” Both men stood and made a formal
bow to the older man, then re-took their seats. “I had passed out, which was
mistaken for being dead, and they put me in one of their medical units. It
changed me into looking like this.” He opened his mouth to say or ask
something, and she cut him off. “I know this is all crazy. I wish that I could
sit here and talk with you and answer all your questions, there just isn’t
time!” She hurried over to gently hold his hand.

“I know that you Scots have
a lot of imagination, and you can get past this shock. When we talked that
night, I knew you were open-minded, and a little on the adventurous side! I
need you to accept what I’m saying and listen carefully to the next part.” She
waited for him to incline his head.

“I don’t know how closely
you follow Sci-fi stuff. But there have always been rumors or theories going
around that there have been other civilizations here on Earth, but for some
reason they disappeared…” When he just shrugged one shoulder, Amber went on,
“Well they were true. Kniam and Kneus are from a prior evolution of people,
here on Earth. Something happened to their society, maybe something like we are
facing ourselves? Some of his people were sent off looking to colonize other
planets. What became of the rest of them here, we don’t know.” Amber released
Mr. McPherson and sat on the arm of the chair next to Kniam. He absentmindedly
grabbed her hand in his, and rubbed his thumb along her palm. “Kniams
predecessors formed a new society, on a planet light years away, which they
named Terraneu. They were given a portal that would give them access to this
planet. It wouldn’t work for them all these years, until for some reason I
accidentally activated it last December.”

Mr. McPherson hadn’t moved,
just sat there listening. Amber hoped that was a good thing so continued, “They
need help. They don’t have any females to continue their survival. When I fell
through the portal, and they found out we have
four
billion
females here…well it was decided we would try to find some willing to go to
Terraneu.” She kind of glossed over the part about not telling them about
Terrraneu up front. The plan was to get them to Antilles, stage them and either
send them on to Terraneu, or back to Earth. Kneus had used the information
stored in the computer of her original scan to come up with a mind wipe. Mr.
McPherson didn’t need to know that unless Kneus wanted him to. Her job was to
get his co-operation in using his land to do it.