The Lodestone Trilogy (Limited Edition) (The Lodestone Series) (90 page)

A smooth, harmonious voice issued forth from the device. “Applications working.”

“Access Kelanni linguistic and cultural database,” he commanded. “Search for the term ‘Akalon’.”

There was hardly a pause before the pad answered.
“Akalon. Two entries found.”

“Run results.”

“Akalon. A Proper Noun. Name given to region of Kelanni-Skell lying south of the Vannath range of mountains and bordered by the Arlan Sea. Following the planet-wide disaster known as the Goratha, the region was re-settled by Kelanni. Annual temperatures vary from a high of–”

“Stop. “Run second entry.”

“Akalon, Tower of. A Proper Noun. Name given to ancient site in Akalon region of Kelanni-Skell. Site consists of a sealed tower; height one hundred and seven metres. Two identical towers have been identified in Kelanni-Drann; one at the Dagmar Manse near Chalimar, the other on the Eastern Plains. Original purpose of towers is unknown–possibly defensive. Kelanni archaeological investigations into the nature of the tower at Akalon have proved inconclusive. The last such expedition, conducted seven standard earth years ago–”

“Stop. Show distance and optimum route from this location.” The printed readout on the small screen vanished, to be replaced by a topographical map, showing the vale where the town of Kieroth sat. The view receded, and a red line blazed a trail south across mountains and plains before zooming in once more to show a flashing symbol where the line terminated. “Create new file named…‘Kelanni threat’ and save,” he ordered. “Commence second inquiry. Kelanni linguistic and cultural database. Subject ‘Dais’.”

“Dais. Twelve entries found.”

McCann paused, feeling the roughness of his stubble. “Correlate with previous inquiry and report.”

“One entry found.”

“Run result.”

“Dais, The. A Proper Noun. Name given to ancient site in Akalon region of Kelanni-Skell. Ancient Kelanni records give alternative name ‘Drani-Kathaar’; exact meaning uncertain–possibly ‘contest place’ or ‘place of challenge’. Site consists of a raised circular metal platform: height eighteen metres; diameter three hundred and twelve metres. Original purpose uncertain, but may have been in connection with popular entertainment; possibly a form of ritual combat.

“Distance and optimum route from this location. Overlay with previous search.”

The map reappeared on the datapad and a green line tracked the previous red one, finally departing from it to end in a flashing green icon. Less than one kilometre from the Tower of Akalon. McCann sat staring at the display. Something didn’t add up. If these insurgents had discovered the principles governing construction of the lodestone accumulator, then why were they not working on their own device? Why would they waste time travelling all the way down there to what was nothing more than a large open platform?

McCann’s beard itched. He had an unsettling feeling that whatever the answers turned out to be, he was not going to like them. In any event, his next actions were clear. He glanced up at the elderly Kelanni. The Director’s eyes were closed and his head had lolled to one side. Out cold. McCann shut off the datapad, got to his feet once more and gently removed the psychotrope. Then he returned the alien’s identification papers to the inner pocket of his fur jacket, pulled him up by one arm and draped the bony form unceremoniously over his shoulder.

First, deposit the unconscious body where it would readily be found, then on to the “place of challenge”

<><><><><>

Chapter 29

Keris was a dark sentinel leaning on her staff, cloak flapping in the fresh breeze that blew in from the grey-green sea farther south. Next to her, Boxx stood on its hind limbs, waiting patiently as the avionics descended from an overcast sky toward the raised metal platform that the Kelanni of this world called the “Dais”. The ancient Tower of Akalon dominated the rolling landscape to the west. This far south, the covering of snow was lighter–patchier, yet somehow, the Dais remained completely clear.

Boxx turned and looked up at Keris. “They Are Ready.”

Keris’ gaze did not waver from the incoming craft. “No…no, I don’t think they are.”

The whine from the engines was as deafening as five of the great silver birds settled back on their landing struts. Keris walked forward. Her long black tresses blew in front of her face, and she pushed them back. The transparent covers lifted and the occupants climbed out. She was surprised to see Shann in the pilot seat of one of the aircraft. Two of the three drach were solo; she realised suddenly that the spare seats were for her and Boxx. Keris did not relish the prospect of taking to the air in one of those things. Perhaps she could think of some excuse to travel back by flying cloak?

The boy Rael was giving a series of completely unnecessary instructions to the drach, who were largely ignoring him and setting about the business of unpacking and erecting their tents. Keris waited for the others to gather around her and Boxx. They all looked much as when she had last seen them: Lyall the self appointed leader, willing to sacrifice himself to atone for past mistakes; Alondo the loyal follower, hiding his fear of failure behind a light, breezy façade; Patris the principled thief, with a fierce desire to protect those who were his own: Rael, a boy born of this world, who seemed to carry the entire weight of the knowledge of his world on his narrow shoulders; and Shann. Shann, the orphan. Shann the child. Shann the fighter. Shann, whose eyes filled with hatred whenever they looked in her direction.
No. None of you are ready for what awaits you.
But it was too late now. All of them, herself included, were committed to a path. They could not turn back.

“I am pleased to see you all made it here safely,” she began. “This place was called Drani-Kathaar–the ‘proving ground’–by the Ancients who built it. I have been told that each of us will be tested individually.”

“Tested how?” Lyall asked.

“I do not know. Patris has no doubt told you that he and I found a message from Annata in the ruins of Kynedyr, the ancient city that was once her home. She left it for us in the event that she was unable to communicate with us through the machine. It gave instructions as to how the testing here is to be conducted. The first thing she told me is that from this point on, each of us must follow the instructions that Boxx gives us to the letter. The second is that we must not discuss our individual experiences with each other until the testing is concluded.”

“And what happens if we do?” Rael inquired.

“Then Annata said that the whole test would be invalidated–I’m not sure how, but she was very insistent on that point.” Each of them nodded in turn. Finally, Keris looked at Shann, who nodded and looked away. “Good. Boxx, what should we do?”

The Chandara raised its round head. The diminutive creature was dwarfed by the Kelanni standing around. “Trials Commence Tomorrow At Suns Rise. Four Must Pass. I Am The Key. You Are The Key. Four Must Pass.”

Rael moved forward. “Boxx, is it permitted to ask questions?”

“Rael, what are you doing?” Shann hissed.

“I want to try something...call it a line of deductive reasoning. Boxx, may I ask?”

Keris stepped between him and the Chandara. Her cloak whirled about her. “No.”

“No? What do you mean, no?” Rael said.

Her eyes were flint. “This is not the time for your foolish questionings. The risk is too great.”

“You said that we were to follow Boxx’s instructions,” Rael reasoned. “You said nothing about questions.”

Keris stood immobile.
“No.”

The boy was almost as tall as she was. He stood his ground and spoke quietly. “Do you speak for the Chandara now?”

Shann had moved next to the boy, willing him on as if she had found a new champion. Patris stood off, seeking an opportunity to turn to his advantage. Alondo merely looked upset and confused. Here was the only group that had a chance of stopping the Prophet. And it was fracturing before her very eyes.
Not ready. Not by far.

Lyall stepped between Keris and Rael. His tone was carefully weighted. “Maybe we should ask Boxx?” The tension held a moment longer. Finally, Keris gave the briefest of nods and moved back. Rael relaxed. The moment had passed, but the emotional dynamic had not changed. Each of them was hostage to their own feelings, prejudices, resentments. How long would it be before these spilled out into a new conflict? Keris was struck by a new and troubling thought. If they could not find a way to work together, then it really did not matter what happened here. In the end, they would surely fail.

Lyall addressed the Chandara. “May Rael ask you a few questions?”

“You May Ask. I May Answer,” Boxx chirped.

“What is ‘the key?’” the boy began.

“I Am The Key. You Are The Key.”

Rael turned to Shann. “You said that Boxx would only reveal the key to Keris, and when it did, it quoted a string of numbers.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Shann confirmed.

“Boxx, please state the key.”

“I Speak The Key Only To Keris.”

All eyes turned to her. Reignite the argument or co-operate? Keris pursed her lips. “Boxx. Please state the key.”

“Two One Zero One Zero Two One One Two Two Zero One Two Zero Two…”

Rael had pulled a tablet from his jacket and was scribbling as Boxx spoke. “Pause,” he commanded. The boy ran his marker up and down the figures, deep in thought.

“Do you know what it means?” Lyall asked.

“What it means?” Keris echoed. “It doesn’t mean anything. They’re just numbers.”

Shann leapt to the boy’s defence. “You don’t know Rael. He has a special talent when it comes to numbers. Numbers can be significant.”

“Shann is right,” Rael declared. “About numbers having significance, that is. In this case, I am fairly certain that these numbers represent information.”

Alondo frowned. “Information about what?”

“Not what,” Rael replied. “Who. It’s collecting information about us.”
Boxx has been collecting data on you and your companions.
Annata had said as much when she appeared to her and Patris at Kynedyr. She did not understand the boy’s reasoning, but she could not deny the depth of his insight. “Boxx told us, ‘you are the key,’” he continued, “and we are the ones who are being tested. It’s the only reasonable explanation. Still, let’s try something. Shann, can you lend me your staff?”

A flicker passed over Shann’s face, as if she were concerned that he might poke someone’s eye out. “All right.” She pulled the weapon from its sheath and handed it to him.

Rael walked over and took up a position behind Alondo. Then without warning, he grabbed the musician in an arm lock and put the diamond blade to his throat. Shann gasped.

“What the…let me go.” Alondo pleaded.

“Rael, what do you think you’re doing? Put that thing down, now.” Lyall ordered.

Rael complied at once, ignoring the furious stares and turned his attention to Boxx. “Did you observe?”

“Yes, Rael,” it said

“Is the key affected?”

“Yes, Rael.”

“This action was a test only. No serious attack was intended. Do you understand?”

“I Understand.”

“Are you able to reset?” Rael asked.

“Test Affirmed. Condition Reset,” it said.

Shann closed her eyes. “Excuse me. What just happened?”

Rael smiled at her. “I just conducted a little experiment, that’s all. I think there can be no doubt. Boxx is observing and recording our reactions toward one another.”

“To what end?” Patris demanded.

“That I cannot say,” Rael admitted. “It may be assessing us for a particular quality or set of qualities. Exactly what will become evident over time, I would imagine.”

“Couldn’t someone disguise or falsify their actions as you just did?” Lyall suggested. “Create a false impression?”

“Possibly,” Rael acknowledged. “I suspect that’s where the tests we’re due to face come in.”

“But…how can a string of numbers carry information about us?” Shann queried.