Free Keeper's Knowledge (Balancer's Soul cycle) by Lee Morgan Page B

deep, soothing voice. “Because I’m going to take the hardest job. The person in the back has to make sure everyone is covered and fall back to take care of trouble, should need arise . I need Mark to keep his hearing as sharp as he can make it without altering the structure of his ear s and his sense of smell is highly adept and your father will use his sonar every now and then to see what Mark cannot detect . The front men are the scouts. I need my sister and your mother to stay in the middle with you.”
    “ Is it because I’m with child?” Sarah released the front of her cloak to cross her arms defiantly .
    “Partly.” He smile became a grin. “Have you forgotten wh at my mother requested of me?” Sarah remembered clearly Jenny telling him to br ing everyone home safely. “What ever happens with all of us is my responsibility. I decided that this course of action would be the least hazardous to everyone.”
    “Connor,” her attention was pulled to her fa ther as he asked . “why do you think this formation will work for the best?”
    Connor took a deep breath before explaining. “If either you or Mark detect something different, you can warn us. If there is danger we cannot avoid, we will decide what to do if it comes up. Our number one problem will be from someone spotting us while running through the wild . It will be impossible to hide the fact we aren’t entirely human. That’s your job , to keep everyone hidden while we move. We need to work together and your centuries of experience will keep us safe. The girls have the most flexibility to do whatever they need to do. I will take up the rear, the defensive position, and remove any obstacles we will come across. ” Connor looked at each of them in turn , feeling good to have articulated it as clearly as possible . His voice suddenly changed from pleasant in to that of a leader or commander . “I f anyone says Stop! , we all will. If someone becomes tired, we will all rest until they are ready to continue .” Everyone understood Connor’s worry without him s tat ing anything else.
    Kara asked in a weak voice “Brother, why can’t I take the lead with Mark and Mr. Branderson?”
    His voice changed back to calm and reassuring once again . “Kara, who cannot fly in our group?” H er silver eyes shifted over to Sarah’s suddenly flustered parents. “That’s right. If we don’t have a choice and need a quick escape plan, you wil l need to carry Jillian.” Connor shift ed his solid , penetrating gaze to Mark that gave no quarter . “And you do the same for Jack.”
    “You got it.” Mark said evenly. He nudged Kara with his elbow and then she conceded a moment later .
    “Let’s get going!” Jack said in annoyed voice as he walked north.
    “You heard the man!” Connor added with enthusiasm and soon were on the way.
     
    Sarah remained running so slow ly and she knew she could walk faster in her sleep, but at least they are traveling faster than any human on the planet. The leafless trees allowed the sun to hit the ground to light the path. Sarah held the front of her cloak closed as she ran in the exact center of the group. At least the movement kept the cold somewhat at bay. Her f ather and Mark were b oth running side by side about twenty yards ahead of the center with their cloaks bundled around them . Every now and then she felt her father release a blast of his sonar to scout nearly a mile ahead while Mark shifted his head from side to side as he smelled the air and listened to the sounds of the forest. Jillian ran off to her right and gave about three feet of room to run free . Kara did the same, but gave Sarah a n extra spare inch. She stole a glance behind and saw Connor’s cloak wide open as he ran and his eyes were focused and intense , taking nothing for granted . He looked like some kind of superhero with a cape billowing behind him . His arms swung from side to side and his strides were always placed perfectly , but strangely