Planet Walkers

by A. V. Shackleton

  Casco sighed with relief. “That you did,” he said gently. “Because of you, the way you held the stones, we all did.”

  Andel’s brow furrowed. “I underestimated the danger,” she whispered. “I couldn’t hold on.” It’s my fault.

  “Nothing is your fault, Lady Andel,” Lind soothed. “No one could have done better!” she added stoutly, but even so, Andel’s face crumpled. Tears dampened her cheeks.

  “Reaction,” Casco murmured, but in Andel’s exhausted state her veil weakened and the face of a young Trianogi leaked through. He had the same hair color as she and the same light-brown eyes.

  The image faded as she lost consciousness, but they’d all seen it.

  Her brother? Lind asked.

  Casco shrugged. He knew nothing about her family. “Will she be all right?”

  “She’s in shock, but no broken bones.” Lind studied her face. “Does Huldar know what’s happened?”

  “Enmeshed in Qalān. I’ll try again.”

  He crouched as the tent pole rattled and swayed. The ground beneath them groaned. When the tremor passed, he was able to contact their leader and send an appraisal of their situation. Almost immediately the connection broke off, and he knew that Huldar was in Qalān once more, negotiating a path to their rescue. Hopefully he would reach them before the eruption did.

  Inside the tent, Cobar held Andel’s hands in his meaty paws and Lind watched over her as tenderly as if there had never been animosity between them. Would the truce last beyond this crisis? It would certainly make things easier if it did.

  Cobar looked up expectantly. “Did you get to him?” Lind asked.

  “He’s on his way,” Casco assured them. He picked up the remains of the tea he’d made for Andel and took a sip. It was a little sweet for his taste, but comforting just the same. Then the terrain shook in a fresh bout of fury and warm liquid spattered his hand. If Huldar didn’t get there soon, he might be too late.

  ERUPTION

  It was nightfall. Huldar stared across the darkening plain, entranced by the fiery red sparks and glowing blobs of molten rock that spurted from the now distant mountaintop. The dull boom and crack of explosions jolted his higher senses. Billows of ash leveled into a dense plume blowing away to the east.

  The hairs on the back of his neck tingled and a quick scan showed Casco’s familiar haze approaching. Soon he heard the light crunch of gravel above the endless chirruping from the swampy plain below.

  For a while, his friend stood with him, watching the fireworks. They both gasped as a huge bleb of lava belched from the summit. Clouds of dust and rock exploded from the mountain’s side. Seconds later the soundwave reached them.

  Casco rubbed his ears. A warm welcome to the new planet, he said.

  Huldar snorted. I hadn’t thought of it like that.

  Truly! The God-Emperor himself would be envious of such a display.

  I can’t believe the noise. I doubt we’ll get much sleep. And them! Huldar waved his hand toward the swamp. It’s as if that wave of mud started a party down there.

  Casco’s mood darkened. If you hadn’t found us …

  It was Breath’s design, Huldar replied. We are woven into its pattern with a fortunate degree of strength, my friend.

  Casco grunted. It must be so. The lahar was terrifying. He replayed his memory of the event, and Huldar had to admit it was remarkable they had survived.

  He tried to picture the small diviner holding the path. How did she do it? Each individual rock and pebble held still? The complexity of such a thing – and in such a short time, under such pressure? I tell you, Casco, her Tsemkar was well earned.

  She’s very strong, Casco agreed. And in more ways than one.

  Huldar sensed something pressing on his friend’s thoughts. Out with it, he said.

  A strange thing happened not long before you found us. Lady Andel regained consciousness for a moment …

  Huldar tilted his head a little, inviting Casco to share, and received the image of an archangel, another Trianogi by his look.

  His brow furrowed. She was weakened. This image was not intentionally revealed.

  I know … Casco did seem a little ashamed for sharing what he had seen … but if there has been tragedy in her life, it’s best we’re aware, isn’t it?

  Huldar spent a few more moments examining the image his friend had shown him. The face is a bit like hers …

  Does she have a brother? Casco asked.

  I don’t know. Although he tried to dispel it, the image resonated in his mind. Even second-hand it seemed charged with emotion. I’m sure she will reveal her story, if and when she is ready. It’s not for us to pry. But the picture wouldn’t go away … he was so like her, even to the unusually dark hair and the thick, dark eyelashes. Maybe she does have a brother, he said, and the trauma of the flood reminded her of something?

  Casco remained silent, but Huldar sensed in him a touch of amusement – and wry speculation.

  “I hardly know her!” Huldar sputtered. He looked around hoping no one else was near enough to hear.

  Casco leaned closer. Well, now you know a little more.

  And even if I did find her attractive, Huldar stressed the ‘if’, such feelings might not necessarily be returned. What if I approached her and she told me to go sing another song … Breath! Three years can be a long time.

  Three years of not knowing either way can be a long time too.

  Irritation puffed from his lips. What if we get distracted, and it all ends badly, like Joumelät?

  That was not your fault! Casco said.

  It might have been. Huldar shared his darkest fears. I was talking to her. Neither of us saw it.

  Casco shook his head. You were on the other side of the river! I was closer. Was it my fault?

  Of course not!

  “She made a mistake, Huldar,” Casco said. It was as if by giving his thoughts voice he could give the truth greater strength. “A terrible, complacent mistake. There was nothing we could do.”

  “I am our leader,” Huldar countered. “Her parents were distraught.”

  “I’m sure they were. Maybe they even said that they blamed you, but that was their distress speaking.” Casco looked him in the eye. “You did nothing wrong! You take your position seriously, your responsibilities, and we are all proud of you because of it. The Uri’madu … you heard what Lady Andel said. She felt honored to have been accepted onto our team. She had heard of you, she said. Dwell on that if you must dwell on something. That is a good thing.”

  Reluctantly, Huldar nodded. Above them, the moons made an arc across the sky. High in the firmament a tight cluster gleamed like bright jewels strewn in a nebulous cloud of purple and orange. To the west, stars descended right to the horizon; to the east the volcano’s power had banished the stars all together. It was beauty that Joumelät Enna’s eyes would never see, and no amount of regret could change that simple fact.

  He nodded again. Perhaps Casco was right. “I’ll try and let it go.”

  “Good,” Casco said. Warmth passed between them. But you’d be less of a leader if you didn’t care.

  SPRINGTIME

  Through the weeks that followed, exploration progressed in fits and starts at the mercy of climatic conditions. On one bleak morning, as Huldar walked past the marquee and prepared to call off another day’s efforts he heard Arko talking to Tam.

  “How long have we been here now?” Arko said. His voice was muffled by the relentless patter of the rain.

  “Thirty-five days, I count,” Tam answered.

  “Thought it’d be warmer by now.”

  “It is! Every day, less frost, and it’s been a week since we had one of those fogs.”

  Huldar pushed aside the door-flap. “Morning all!”

  Most of the team were already inside, lounging near the fire. He stepped between them with his hands held toward the warmth.

  “Urmahji in the pot,” Tam said. “Nothing like good thick tea to warm your bones
.”

  “Aye,” Sari said. “Warm your bones it will, and we could all do with a bit of that this morning.”

  Huldar sighed. “And another day lost to the weather.”

  Heat from the ceramic mug seeped into his fingers as he mused over projects placed on hold once again. Nachiel had already made changes to the map unfurled on the work-room table, but there was a whole world waiting. They would focus on the central continent, forays moving outward with the edge of the thaw until the next continent became habitable – he’d learned that lesson the hard way. Duvät was keen for portals around the inland sea, but there was a massive delta to the north and thermal vents to the south where the ice had already gone. The planet was coming to life before their eyes and each stage was critical.

  The chatter in the tent was interrupted when the doorway opened with a dull slap and Duvät Gok stamped the mud from his feet. Annoyance cloaked him like a blanket. He aimed his scowl at Huldar.

  “Why aren’t you working?” he demanded. “It is vital that the portal system around the inland sea be completed!”

  “Yes,” Huldar answered, “and I have been. Only yesterday I discovered a series of straits on the north-eastern edge. The sea’s not closed off, as we suspected. You should see it! The waters bulge between the gaps. Rocks like teeth, narrow and sharp – they comb through the foam like fingers. Come with me next time.”

  Duvät Gok’s gaze narrowed suspiciously. “Give you a fresh opportunity to kill me? No, thank you. I’ll be staying right here!”

  And Breath be praised for that! Huldar muttered to himself. “I’ll work on the eastern quadrant next.”

  “Why aren’t you out there now? It’s raining water, not lava!” The Overlord glared at the rest of the Uri’madu. “The lazy lot of you! And to think it was I who approved the very best of charm-sung waterproof jackets for you; that’s more coin on your backs than you could ever be worth!”

  “The weather is too bad,” Huldar said, “and we can expect more sleet and snow by nightfall. Seriously sub-freezing temperatures. But perhaps if I had done more work on areas other than the inland sea …”

  “Hah!” Duvät turned on his heel and strode off, but as he swept aside the tent flap a pool of water spilled from the roof and dowsed him in an icy cascade.

  In the deep silence that followed, even the creaks and crackles of the fire seemed overloud. As his squelching steps continued toward his own tent, the Uri’madu followed with their minds. Andel flashed around a cheeky glimpse of rain dribbling from his sodden hair, his expression red-faced and furious.

  “Oh dear! He does look cross,” Sari said.

  “Lady Andel!” Tam gasped with mock outrage. “Is that polite?”

  “How’s the hair!” Arko sputtered.

  “Breath of El!” Casco laughed. “Face like that could curdle milk at twenty paces!”

  “I shouldn’t have shared,” Andel stammered. “No! I mean it! Don’t tell him.”

  Gradually the laughter died down. From across the room, Casco met Huldar’s gaze and lifted his mug. When he nodded, Casco came over with a fresh brew in either hand.

  “So,” Casco asked, “have you done any work on the inner sea? You were north-side near the delta yesterday.”

  Huldar smiled mischievously. “I’ve done some,” he said, “but you won’t be safe until there’s a network of usable portals in place over the entire continent. When that’s covered I’ll turn my fullest attention to completing the Overlord’s pet project. In the meantime, might as well enjoy the time off. Breath knows it’ll be over soon enough.” He looked at his team. “Bush? Topper? Must be your turn to tell us a story.”

  “Yes please!” Andel said. “I’ve heard you two sometimes work as spinners for the Navigators’ Guild, and that’s why you have nicknames.”

  Tam sported a wry grin. “What about that trip you did for the Faythans – the one where you ended up on Haas, or one of its moons …”

  “DuMah!”

  Sari clasped her hands together. “Oh yes! Tell us about DuMah, and the fire in Lady Lamät of Faytha’s pants!”

  Topper shook his head. “Again? Cobar, Gento, you all right with that?”

  Gento dug Cobar in the ribs. “Still funny.”

  “Well!” Huldar said. “The floor is all yours.”

  _______

  Some days later, when Huldar entered the work tent he found the Overlord poring over the map on the table. It was folded so that only the central continent was showing. He was turning a small glass globe in his hand and looked up with a guilty start, so engrossed he hadn’t even sensed Huldar’s approach.

  “Yes?” Duvät shoved the globe quickly into his pocket. Huldar couldn’t be sure, but he thought it had flashed a prism of color.

  “The portal system around the inland sea is complete,” Huldar said.

  Duvät frowned.

  Huldar hesitated. He had expected a more positive reaction. “I’ll assign a team to study the straits,” he said, “then progress to the southern quadrant and so forth until the entire shore-line is mapped.”

  The Overlord’s frown deepened.

  “… If this is what you want,” Huldar added. Surely this was why he’d insisted on the portals?

  Duvät pursed his mouth as if Huldar had made an offensive smell. “It would be unwise, as I’m sure you agree, to spend time lazing on the sea shore before we have a little more by way of potential riches to show the God-Emperor, don’t you think?”

  Huldar spent a moment studying the grain of the tabletop. “But what of the question of whether the sea is the result of a crater or a caldera?” he was eventually calm enough to ask. “Our diviner tells me that unusual minerals may be formed by the heat and pressure of such an impact; valuable substrates, rare gems … surely this warrants our attention?”

  “Ah, yes. Tsemkarun Andel.” Duvät nodded, smiling as if the new diviner was an affirmation of his own genius. “Gold has already been found quite near here, at the base of the ranges.” He scowled again. “Go south. Find more.”

  “South?”

  “Yes. It is on the landward side of the ranges where Tsemkarun Andel sees further promising signs. Then north. We have several months yet before the climate on the Eastern Continent becomes more benign, so make each day count.”

  “You don’t want me to explore the inner sea?”

  The Overlord glared ferociously. “South! I want you to go south! Is that clear?”

  Huldar strode from Duvät’s tent and headed toward the marquee. His lips compressed as he struggled to understand. In truth, it didn’t matter where their exploration started, but he had worked hard to make the extra portals and to hide his delays. Now it seemed that the orders he’d followed had been arbitrary. The work had been for nothing. It didn’t make sense.

  As he pushed aside the door he saw several of the team huddled close to the cookfire. Tsemkarun Andel had already been dispatched to the western plains with Cobar and Casco to hunt mineral deposits and continue her volcanic versus meteoric impact study. Ronnin, Sari and Arko were preparing to research the volatile ecology of the vast delta system that emptied onto the outer northern coast – it’s life-systems constantly adapting to changes in melt-water level and chemistry. The remaining Uri’madu looked up at him, awaiting new assignments.

  “I’ll be taking a small party south to the granite ravines,” he snapped. “The snow there has melted and Duvät thinks there may be more gold.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Lind smiled brightly.

  His frown deepened. It was not for Lind to decide her own duties. “You go with Alis, Topper and Bush,” he said. “Secure the water sources and support Alis of Naghar as she searches out edible and medicinal plants.”

  Lind’s face fell. He immediately regretted his gruff tone, but she did have healing talent and it was logical for her to assist in this work. She had never minded before.

  “Gento and Nachiel, come with me. Tam, you and the healers will be stuck here with
the Overlord. I wish you luck. Stay in touch. I’ll let you know when to start packing for the move to the east. Ubaid, if anyone calls for your healing skills, let me know immediately.”

  He turned to Gento. “Get the kit we’ll need. I’ll meet you by the southern portal in two hours.” He pointed to Topper. “Come with me. I want to be sure you know the relevant songs.”

  His teammates glanced at each other.

  Topper’s eyebrows lifted. Huldar’s scowl turned inward on himself. Topper was a highly competent explorer, an ex-spinner, and more than capable of hearing a portal’s tuning without being shown, even a semi-wild one – but now the words had been said, he could not take them back.

  “The Gok strikes again,” Tam muttered.

  Huldar sighed. “My mood will improve as soon as I’m away from … Got any of that urmahji left, Tam? I think I need one.”

  SLUGS AND GOLD

  They arrived in the ravine country, and Huldar’s attention was immediately gripped by the sight of the rugged cliffs. Within the deep canyons over which they stood guard, rapidly growing forest reached for narrow slots of sky. Here, hot springs and geothermal vents supported a mist-shrouded ecology more advanced in its seasonal development than other regions where the thaw still proceeded at a more leisurely pace.

  At his feet, bright yellow worms lurked like a child’s forgotten ribbons beside a soggy pond. When a bubble-headed tadpole crept to the surface in search of air, one of the worms slid forward and wrapped it in a death-grip.

  He looked up as a flock of iridescent creatures fluttered through the canopy. They landed with a spatter and a thud on a stand of pole-like fronds and folded their glassy wings neatly before lumbering off between branching, red-fingered fungal growths.

  “Flying slugs?” Nachiel muttered. “Now I’ve seen it all.”

  Feeling truly alien, the annangi made their way to a place where the crags were cut through by a winding swath of grass that ran like a pathway from north to south. Opposite the clearing, a forest of young strap-trees waved in unison – for all the world like an underwater kelp garden captured by the breeze. Beyond this, more ravines combed downward as if clawing for purchase on pillows of plant-life.