The Lodestone Trilogy (Limited Edition) (The Lodestone Series) (161 page)

Shann forced herself to ask the difficult question. “How was it that you failed your trial?”

His eyes hardened to points, and she flinched, thinking she had gone a bridge too far. Finally, he said, “I didn’t exactly go in willingly, if you recall. However, when I was there, it was as if it was... real. The death. The destruction. It did something to me inside. I was prepared to do anything to save the city. Even compromise with evil.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s all right,” he said. “In a strange way, I owe Lyall a debt of gratitude, because I learned a valuable lesson. In fact, it’s the main reason I’m here with you now.”

“What lesson was that?” she asked.

“That some things come at too high a price.”

She stood and bowed formally. “Your presence honours us.”

He smiled and bowed his head in acknowledgment; then both of them sought solace in the fire’s heart.

~

A last tour of the camp.
That was what she told herself. Her steps, however, were guided by unspoken necessity, and presently, she found herself standing in front of the Chandara.

Boxx had not moved from the spot where she had first arrived at the camp. She sat motionless on her haunches, staring at the nascent flower.

Shann settled cross-legged on the ground in front of the creature, like a child with her teacher.

“Greetings, Shann,” the Chandara said in her cantabile voice. “Has The Destroyer Returned?”

Don’t call him that.
She waited for her irritation to subside. She did not want to begin this exchange with an argument. “No. No, he hasn’t returned yet.” Boxx’s gaze returned to the flower, imprisoned in its delicate cage of woven wood.

The Chandara had said that it would bloom some time tonight, although she did not say when. Since it was a plant, the likelihood was that even she didn’t know, which made the whole idea of using it as a time limit seem pretty ridiculous. Shann had to resist an overwhelming urge to get up and stomp on the thing.

She took a deep breath. “Boxx, do you understand what is at stake here?”

The creature lifted her head once more and cocked it to one side. “At Stake?”

“Yes. The survival of both our races may very well depend on what happens tonight. Our chances would be greatly improved with your help.”

“I Will Help Keris And Shann. But I Am One.”

Shann’s heart quickened. She could reach the keep on her own if she had to. She quickly thrust aside selfish concerns and forced herself to re-focus on her responsibility. “What about the rest of your people?”

“They Say That The Destroyer Must Bring Back The Egg.”

“I don’t understand. You have already transformed. What use is an egg to you?”

“It Is To No Purpose.”

She was not sure whether Boxx was speaking of the egg or her question. Conversations with the Chandara always seemed to end up in this sort of conundrum. She pressed on. “Could you not reason with them—persuade them just to fly us to the keep?”

“And If The Destroyer Is Preserved. What Then?”

“That... Look, what he did happened a long time ago. Kelanni have a tradition. When someone commits a wrong and they are sorry, we forgive.”

“How Can Kelanni Know They Will Not Do The Wrong Again?”

“We... well, I suppose we don’t. Other than their word. But trust has to start somewhere.”

“Chandara Do Not Trust. We Know.”

Shann’s mouth opened and closed, but try as she might, she could not think of a suitable response. For all the time they had spent together, it was as if a great gulf still existed between the two races. The ways of the Chandara were different—incomprehensible even. Perhaps it would always be so.

She got to her feet slowly. “Well, I thank you for all you have done. And for agreeing to see it through with us.”

Boxx ruffled her wings, gazed at her with great lustrous eyes, and went back to staring at her flower.

Shann excused herself and headed off in no particular direction.

She spotted Alondo sitting on the end of a cart, tuning the vortex arm. She felt her spirits lift. “Mind if I join you?”

The musician theatrically brushed imaginary dust from the place next to him. “Have a seat, fair lady.”

She climbed up and sat beside him, feeling safe and secure. Her legs dangled over the edge so that she felt like a little girl.

“Wanna hear a song?”

She smiled, politely. “Not right now, thanks.”

“You seem preoccupied.”

“I just had a conversation with Boxx.”

“Ah.” He fiddled with a lever and plucked at a string. “What’s the difference between a flower and a Chandara?”

“How do you mean?”

“What’s the difference?”

“I don’t know.”

“You can get scents out of a flower.”

She smiled. “Very funny.”

“You think so? I’m considering adding it to my repertoire.” The fresh face, ready smile, and sociable air had not changed, but now they overlaid something else—a meditative quality that made him appear older. Less sure of himself. “Any sign of our hu-man friend?”

“You’re the only one who calls him that.”

“I was being polite.”

“You think I was wrong to invite him along, don’t you?”

He turned a key and grimaced, listening for the change in pitch. “A leader should never second-guess their decisions, Shann, at least not in public. It can make you appear indecisive.”

“It’s just you and me, Alondo,” she said with exaggerated patience.

He looked around to confirm that no one was listening and then shrugged. “If it makes you feel any better, I think Lyall would have done the same.” A moment of companionable silence passed between them. “You’re going after him, aren’t you?”

A shock wave passed through her. Somehow he had seen through to her secret as if she were glass. She swallowed. “After who?”

“Lyall,” he said. “We both know he has to be up there in the keep. You’re planning to get him out.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Shann.” He looked at her, askance.

Her facade cracked. “All right, all right. So what are you saying? That I shouldn’t attempt it?”

He set the instrument beside him. “I count you and Lyall as my closest friends. Ask one to risk their life for the other?” He shook his head slowly. “If Lyall were here, I know what he would say. He would strictly forbid you to go after him. But then again... ”

“What?” she pressed him.

“I know you, Shann. Nothing stopped you from descending into the fire pits to rescue Lyall from the Kharthrun serpent. And nothing I say is going to stop you now. However, there is one person you need to be concerned about.”

“And who’s that?”

“Rael, of course,” Alondo replied. “I spoke to him. He intends to be by your side every step of the way.”

Irritation blossomed within her. “Nonsense. He doesn’t own me. Besides, we already determined everyone’s role. He will be needed on the ground to supervise the placement of the slag.”

“I think he has other ideas,” Alondo said, gently.

She sighed and shook her head. “How’s Oliah?”

“I don’t think she’s speaking to me.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Unfortunately, no. I told her to leave Sakara for her own safety. She refused. We had an argument about that. Then I told her of our plan to bring down the keep. We had an argument about that, too. She made it clear she doesn’t want me to go in with the rest of you. By the time I finished, she was in tears.”

He was just a musician, after all. If anything were to happen to him, she did not know how she would face Oliah. “Maybe she’s right. Maybe you should stay here.”

“Forget it. I’m not backing out now. Besides,” he continued while patting the vortex arm as if it were a beloved pet, “I’ve got a feeling you’re going to need my unique skills.”

He might well be right. However, there was no telling what tomorrow might bring. Tonight of all nights, each of them needed to find peace. There was no room for stray emotions or words left unsaid.

“I think you should Ring her again.”

He nodded. “Perhaps you’re right. And maybe there’s someone you should talk to as well... ”

She found Rael inside one of the wagons, his lanky form bent over and scribbling on the tablet he carried with him. He looked up in surprise.

“What are you up to?”

“Just... checking some of my calculations.” As he fumbled, a sheaf of papers fluttered to the floor. She picked one up and frowned. It was a picture of her, and it was quite good. She had not known that he had such talent. How little she really knew him. She glanced up from the sketch and was greeted by his horrified expression.

She smiled reassuringly. “It’s lovely. Can I keep this?”

“I... er, yes I s... suppose so.” He stuffed the rest of the papers selfconsciously into his jacket.

“I never knew you could draw.”

He lowered his head. “I can’t. It’s just a silly habit.”

She wished he wouldn’t deprecate himself like that. It was his father who had filled him up with the notion that he was no good at anything—something that Hannath had later exploited. Now Hannath was dead and Rael’s father was half a world away, yet their influence was still plain to see, like blood marks on his soul.
It’s not an easy thing to escape one’s past.
She decided to change the subject. “Is everything ready for tonight?”

“What? Oh, you mean the slag. Yes, it’s loaded and ready to go. There’s enough to cover five of the transformed ground deposits on the north side, which should be enough to bring down the keep. It will mean splitting up into five groups. Alondo has designed a chemically fuelled rocket, which they will send up as a flare just before the final sections are hauled into place.”

“Why the north side?”

He shrugged. “It’s nearest to our present location.”

She nodded. “Very well. However, if the Chandara decide not to accompany us, there will need to be a slight change in plan. We will divide into four teams, not five. They will nullify four of the supports. Then three teams will withdraw, while the fourth tackles the final deposit.”

“Because when the keep falls there should be as few people in its path as possible,” he completed the thought. “All right, I’ll go in with the fourth group.”

“No. I want you well away by then.”

“I’m not leaving you behind.”

She averted her eyes. “I will be... occupied elsewhere.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“That won’t be possible.”

“Why not?”

She turned away.

“Why not?” he demanded.

“Because I won’t have time to wet nurse a... a scientist.” She instantly castigated herself, but the words were already out.

He stiffened. “I can take care of myself.”

No. You can’t.
“Look, I appreciate the offer, but—”

“I won’t let you do this alone.”

“I don’t want to fight you over this!” she exploded.

I don’t want to fight you. Tonight of all nights.

She saw his pained, desperate look and felt a twinge in her heart. “Just hold me. Please.”

Together they descended, strands of kelp entwined and spiralling downward in the undertow…

~

“Shann... Shann... ”

She heard her name and stirred, rising and pulling aside the flaps of the wagon. Behind her, Rael lay still, eyes closed, breathing slowly and peacefully.
Let him be.

The night was well along. Ail-Mazzoth hung overhead like a single rheumy eye. The axle creaked slightly as she hopped to the ground and pulled her cloak about her.