Dimensions - Lynne North (uplifting book club books txt) 📗

out and run, but she knew her life could depend on her actions right now.
The creature came nearer, and the smell of rotting flesh was overwhelming. Leah gagged, trying to hold her breath. The monstrosity turned its head, quizzically, and let out a deep sigh of annoyance. Even where she stood, Leah was sickened by the stench that came from the creature’s cracked and bloodless mouth. Something must have crawled in there and died, she thought. It turned, listening again. The holes on the side of its head dilated, as did the nostrils again. The glazed eyes turned, and stared straight at her.
Through her terror, Leah heard the galloping of hooves, and loud voices. The freak’s head shot around. There was nothing wrong with the small dark holes it used for ears. Moving with a speed Leah would not have believed possible, the grotesque shape rushed from the circle at a loping, lopsided run.
The galloping came nearer, and Leah dared to move. No longer knowing where the freak was, she risked a look around the monolith.
The five riders dashed to circle the creature. It was crazy enough to run out to attack them. Long, thin fingers ending in pointed nails reached out to claw at the nearest unicorn being ridden by a woman with short, dark hair, streaked with grey. She kicked out with a look of disgust rather than fear, and at the same time, her unicorn reared and hit the creature in the chest with flaying front hooves. A stocky man with grey peppered brown hair leapt from his unicorn, drawing a sword from the side of his saddle. He dashed to the creature as it rolled on the ground, trying to rise again, a broken rib sticking through its ripped skin. With one blow, he severed its head.
Leah jerked behind the monolith, not wanting to be hit by flying ichor. She had seen more than enough. She closed her eyes, willing herself to awaken from this terrible nightmare. She knew it couldn’t be real.
A silence followed, broken only by an occasional horse-like snort, or scraping of hoof. Leah was convinced the strangers must be able to hear her breathing. She almost stopped, only adding to her panic and dizziness.
A man’s voice finally called out in a gentle, reassuring tone.
“Come along now, Outlander, the stalker has been dealt with. There is nothing to fear.”
Leah jumped, banging her head on the rock behind her. Forcing back a curse, she listened again. They probably didn’t mean her. They didn’t even know she was there.
Who are they talking to then, dummy? she asked herself. How many more people can you see trying to hide behind this giant monolith?
“We mean you no harm, dear,” came a female voice. “After all, surely you don’t want to be left up here alone?” The woman didn’t sound threatening either, in fact, her voice sounded almost amused.
It made sense. And, anyway, what had Leah to lose? She had no way of knowing if there were any more of the creatures around.
Slowly and nervously, Leah edged around the stone, coming face to muzzle with the palest blue eyes she had ever seen. The unicorn studied her with curiosity, and then withdrew its head when the rider gently pulled the rein to get the magnificent creature to
step back a couple of paces.
“Welcome, Outlander.” He smiled. “My name is Algard.”
Leah stared into the striking blue eyes of the tall figure, his long, straight, grey hair moving around his thin face in the breeze.
“Where am I?” she asked, still in shock.
“Don’t worry,” the robed figure continued in a gentle voice. “We will explain everything to you in good time. By what name are you known?”
“Leah,” she answered.
“Leha?” Algard asked, looking puzzled.
“No, Leah,” she replied, emphasizing the ‘a’
“Welcome to our world, Leah. I am Algard, and my companions are Lendor, Jeron, Shantel and Triol.”
And he had trouble with my name? Leah thought. She nodded at the smiling figures Algard gestured to, and said “Hi.”
Any minute now, she thought, and I’ll wake up back in my room. She didn’t.
Looking towards the remains of the creature she asked, “What was that?”
“A stalker,” replied Triol, his white robes fouled by the creature’s blood. Leah’s attention was drawn to the old scar on the stocky man’s neck, but she tried not to stare. Instead, she looked into his blue-green eyes as he continued. “They were brought into our world by evil forces, though we have never known them come so close to the Tower. Neither do they usually travel alone…” His voice trailed off, a worried frown on his face.
Algard spoke. “We have much explaining to do, but you must be tired. Maybe you are in need of food or a drink? The transition is not a pleasant one, I’m told,”
The last thought on Leah’s mind right now was food. Was what had just happened to her commonplace to these people?
“I could do with an aspirin,” replied Leah, holding her head.
“A what?” asked Triol.
“An asp…never mind. I’ve just got a bad headache with all the awful spinning. Not to mention banging my head on that.” She gestured to the rock.
“Oh, nasty,” smiled Shantel. “Come, we can give you something to take your pain away in no time.”
Leah felt a little reassured. At least she was out of immediate danger.
“Climb on!” said Algard with a grin, sitting forward in his saddle.
Leah reconsidered the thought about no immediate danger. The unicorn gave her a haughty look, and snorted down its nostrils.
Algard took his foot out of the stirrup and held his arm out to her.
“Is this necessary?” she asked, knowing the answer anyway.
“It’s too far to walk, dear,” explained Shantel.
Leah noticed the woman’s blue eyes were kind, in a motherly way. She found it hard to judge the age of any of the robed figures, though Algard looked to be the oldest. Shantel’s wavy brown hair had red highlights, but also streaks of grey like her companions.
Without much choice in the matter, Leah grasped Algard’s arm and the saddle. She dragged herself up behind the old man. The unicorn gave a pitying sigh when she finally settled.
“Hang on,” called Algard cheerily. “I will not let you fall, but it may give you a better sense of security.”
After leaning her body into Algard’s back, Leah hung on for all she was worth when the riders turned and set off down the rocky path. The unicorn began at a steady, unhurried pace.
This is the most realistic dream I’ve ever had, thought Leah, feeling the mounts pick up speed and the wind whipping through her hair. The hoof beats clattered over stones and rubble until finally the unicorns slowed, and Leah heard the hollow tread of hoof on wood. She sat up slightly to look around herself, getting her first real view of the structure they had reached. They crossed the drawbridge over the dancing water, into the courtyard of the dark tower beyond.


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Publication Date: 01-06-2010

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