“He isn’t!” Sari said. “So, I hope you won’t mind if we don’t actually speak to him?”
“That’s exactly what I want,” said Lind. “Let him live in a ghost world where nothing and nobody touches you or speaks and even if you think you see them they’re not really real. Let him look in there and see. The silence is more terrifying than he could ever be.”
For a moment, Huldar looked at her. Small creases worried his brow. “You are very brave, Lind,” he said at last. He tipped his head toward Sari and Andel, “and I doubt you are in danger of too much silence ever again, now that you are back with these two. I am glad you are feeling better.”
He signaled Andel. Can we talk?
Outside the marquee, dank mist crept between the tents, limiting visibility to a few strides. Dark tendrils of Andel’s hair quickly coated with droplets and stuck to her face. Tenderly, he brushed them aside. A fleeting fear passed through him. What if he’d been unable to reclaim her from Qalān?
“I’m worried about Lind,” he said. “Her eyes, her haze … I don’t think she’s slept yet.”
Andel shared his frown. “She slept for a time while we were lost, but now, I think she’s too afraid. There in Qalān …” She looked around at the flowing mist. “It was the most terrifying experience of my life.”
He drew her closer and gazed earnestly into her eyes. “I would never have left you.”
“I know.” She glanced down as if studying the skirts of the tent. “But … I had no way of knowing if you could reach us again.” Her gaze traveled toward the sound of a lonely clicker-bug, then back to him. “And then I heard your voice.”
“I bet it never sounded so good!” He laughed into her eyes, but his happiness was muted by thoughts of Lind, and the terrors she had endured.
“I saw her counting her toes again,” he said. How close he had come to losing them both.
Andel sighed. “She still won’t wear her shoes.” … But the charm was a brilliant idea.
I talked it over with Ubaid and Alis. They agreed that it was a good time to give it to her.
Andel nodded absently. It was definitely the right thing to do … but I had become a little attached to it.
His face creased with a smile. I have something for you too.
As he gazed into her eyes, he reached into his pocket and withdrew the fire-opal necklace. He placed in her palm and closed her fingers around it.
At first she frowned a little, but then her eyes widened as the charm he had sung into it came to life. It purrs, she said, and held it to her ear.
Delight curved the corners of his mouth, spreading like the warmth of strong liquor.
What is it? How does it work?
His thumb rubbed down, cool against her cheek. “The idea just came to me,” he said. “Hold it between your palms,” he nodded as she did so, and whisper my name.
She closed her hands around the gem and held it to her mouth. He smiled encouragement and she breathed his name, “Huldar.” The vibration flowed through the opalized shell, honed by its spiraling structure, and sounded against his mind.
He reflected the sensation for her to share. I will always come to you, he said. Then with a last smile, he turned for the portal that would take him west again with Casco and Cobar to finish the assessment they had been working on before they found the boots. He paused as Duvät Gok’s lonely abode momentarily emerged from its shroud of mist and cold. The Gok had not been seen since his public disgrace, but Huldar knew he was there, sulking in his tent.
And hopefully he’ll stay there, Huldar thought to himself. He stepped through the portal onto crisp new snow, and reached into Qalān for a fresh lump of coal to throw onto Cobar’s fire.
WANING DAYS
Andel gazed from the bluff, watching icy veils of snow beat against the mountains. Their ramparts reminded her of bony scutes, perhaps the backbone of a giant beast asleep within the terrain, and she wondered if the freeze had yet breached them to whiten the shores of the inner sea. For the past few days, even the volcano had been lulled into dormancy, and she missed its fiery glow.
After a nod to the majesty of the land, she walked back to the campsite and prepared to step through to her worksite. Beyond the volcano, in a wide valley sheltered from the encroaching snows, the Uri’madu hurried to complete their surveys before the whole planet became locked in ice.
When she crossed to the survey site, Sari was there to greet her with a warm, thick beverage that tasted of local berries.
“Here, this’ll keep you warm,” she said, and nodded at the tent. “Fire’s going.”
Andel cupped the warm ceramic in her hands and drank. She looked up as Casco emerged from the shelter and came to stand beside her. He eyed her steaming mug.
“I hate to say it, but we have a lot to get through today,” he said.
“I know,” Andel nodded. “I’ll be quick. You on guard duty?”
“Me ’n’ Cobar’ll keep an eye on you while your head’s in the ground.”
Andel laughed. “If you put it like that!”
She looked up as a chill breeze rattled the branches, all that remained of a tropical forest now fallen prey to creeping winter’s touch. The mysterious clearing, ‘the road’ as some were calling it, wandered between the forest remnants – a path of easier going for this, their last survey. She knew Huldar would be along later, to see how they were getting on, but for now he was buried in an avalanche of unfinished paperwork inherited from Duvät Gok.
She downed the last of the tea and signaled Casco, then, as her guardians took their places by her side, she stilled her soul and readied it to seep through rock and gravel. Hands still warm from the mug were left behind as she reached for a seam of copper, part of the rich bed that permeated the area between the ranges. It was not such a glamorous find as some they had made, but the work needed to be done and they were almost out of time. When the copper was found she began to walk, so intent on following her senses far beneath the ground that she was aware of nothing else. Time passed, but she barely noticed.
Then Huldar’s voice came to her. Andel. Look up …
It was hard to put aside the thrill of his mind in hers, but this was not the time. She had to complete the survey.
His warning came again, touched with the faintest tickle of humor, Andel, listen. I think you should look up … but she continued raking her senses through soil and rock, maintaining a difficult balance. If she pulled out of this strata now, it would take hours to re-engage. Besides, if there was danger, Casco and Cobar were there to protect her, and all she could sense from them was the same amusement she felt behind Huldar’s words.
LOOK OUT! he cried.
She reefed her mind from the ground and stumbled to a halt. She pushed aside loose strands of hair and blinked at the apparition before her. Colored shapes resolved into patterned skin: a tall creature still as a statue, dark against a backlit halo of waving corn-silk hair.
Shock pounded in her chest.
Stand still, Huldar said. It means no harm.
Four arms, each ending in a soft pad, stretched wide to display complex markings on the creature’s under-arms and chest. Beneath its head, she could see a wide mouth held slightly open. Its long nose projected, straight and stiff like a baton.
Andel readied her mind to deliver an offensive blast. Why had Cobar and Casco done nothing?
Wait! Huldar said. It’s herbivorous. This is the only assertive behavior we’ve seen.
Oh, thanks, she retorted.
You’ll be fine, Casco said. She could hear him laughing.
From the corner of her eye, she saw a second creature moving slowly past. Long russet hair crinkled over its thick body. Its six legged stride seemed ungainly but resolute, each footfall cushioned and soft. As she watched, its swinging nose lifted in a long call: “W-a-i-e-n-n-n-t.”
A sea of hair emerged from the clearing behind her. The gradual surge that enveloped the broad path was silent but for the occasional call
and the silken rustle of hair.
She gasped as the giant beast before her lowered itself to the ground. Crystal balls regarded her. Hair rippled as if magnetized from beneath, then the nose extended toward the Tsemkar on her forehead. She tried to fend it off but the creature persisted.
Casco! Cobar! she called, but her guardians seemed unable to respond.
Just let it, Huldar said. It’s not going to hurt you.
I don’t want it to wipe its nose on my face! she said. “Get away!” She shooed with both hands, but her actions had no effect. When she stepped back, the creature followed with nose outstretched. Another nose started toward her.
Just stop, Huldar said. It will be over soon and they’ll lose interest. Did the same thing to me just before we found Lind’s boots. Ask Casco! Unnerving but harmless.
Casco? She called, but her erstwhile protector was leaning against Cobar’s shoulder, convulsed with laughter.
She craned her neck until she saw Huldar’s broad grin. He waved.
Villain! she cried. You planned this. Why didn’t you tell me?
You looked so funny. He laughed. I’ve never seen you so rattled.
Ahh, that’s right, said Casco. You missed the charmed guy-rope episode.
She stood still and endured as the creatures snuffled against her. They were soft and inquisitive – harmless, as Huldar had said, but she was still cross. However, the creatures themselves were fascinating. They were as bulky as the blubber-worms on the shores of the Southern Archipelago, but much more curious and strangely aware.
When each had displayed its underbelly and completed its inspection, the shaggy mounds wandered away, bugling to each other, “W-a-i-e-nn-nn … t!”
Huldar strolled over, still grinning widely.
“‘W-ae-nn-nn … t’,” Andel repeated softly, then she tried it again. “Sounds like ‘went’,” she said. “I wonder what it means?”
“I do-n-n … t’ know,” Huldar replied. She rolled her eyes.
“Wha-a-a … t’s wrong?” Casco said, broad smirk barely hidden.
“Oh.” Andel shook her head sadly. “I can see where this is heading.”
READY FOR HOME
That night as they gathered for the evening meal, the tang of frying krale did little to disguise the pervasive, nutty smell. Tam was doing his best with meager supplies, but Andel was sure that once they got home she would never be able to face little attar again.
The mood inside the marquee was strangely disjointed. Andel waved as Sari looked up from an intense ashut game between Cobar, the reigning champion, and Nachiel, his most ardent contender. The match had attracted quite an audience. Firelight and crystal globes illuminated tired faces, some anxious and others excited by the prospect of their homeward journey and the end of their three-year separation from the Realm. Veils were thin and emotions were high, as if the cusp between worlds had eroded usual codes of behavior.
A sudden buzz of comments heralded a critical point in the game. Nachiel leaned back from the boards and clapped his hands. “Yes! Got you!”
“But that’s the huntress!” Cobar rumbled.
“Well you cheated too with the blue fled!” Nachiel grinned.
Cobar glared. Two meaty hands clasped the sides of the table as he thrust himself to his feet. Spectators backed away.
Nachiel looked up, maddeningly unruffled. “Well, you did,” he insisted.
Abruptly Cobar turned. The crowd parted as he stalked to the marquee door.
“Rematch?” Nachiel called after him but Cobar continued into the snow. Ashut pieces clattered back into their box.
Gento laughed and came with Sari and Lind to talk with Andel.
“How big were they?” Lind was asking.
“You should’ve seen her face!” Casco said as he joined them.
Huldar pushed through the door and went to the fire. “What happened to Cobar?”
“Lady Andel’s face?” Sari leaned closer to Lind. “Well I was pretty surprised too, but Casco told me not to say anything.”
Andel smiled up at Huldar. “It was a set-up,” she said to Lind. “Here, I’ll show you, if you’d like?”
“She’d like that, wouldn’t you, Lind?” said Sari.
Lind nodded, and her eyes widened as Andel shared her memory of the giant creature with its four arms stretched wide.
“I wish I’d been there,” she said wistfully. “Where did they go?”
“Should be easy to find: just follow that path, ‘the road’,” said Casco.
Andel turned on Huldar. “So that’s how you knew!”
Huldar answered with a smug grin.
“Could we find them again, Huldar? I’d love to see them,” Lind said.
“I suppose so,” Huldar replied, “if Andel could far-search the path?”
“Tomorrow, after the weather has lifted,” Andel promised, “I’ll find out how far they’ve gone. But it means using portals, Lind. Do you think you’ll be all right?”
Lind hesitated, just for a moment, then said, “I’ll be fine. You’ll be with me, won’t you, and Sari?”
“Of course! And Huldar too. He has to go back there anyway. He thinks he might have found a potential Djan’rū site much bigger than ours. The navigators will love him!”
_______
Lind gazed in wonder as the first shaggy bodies became visible through the snow.
“There they are!” she whispered. So big and soft …
Andel guided her forward. Let them see you, she said.
The slow-moving herd shambled to a halt. Snow slithered from silken fur as the elders came forward and reared up. When Lind lowered her hood her eyes were full of tears. She stayed still as the red-patterned elder lowered itself and began its snuffling investigation, but Andel could feel her amazement.
So many eyes, Lind whispered, like drops of water. Like a crown! I feel as if it’s reading me, as if I were a book or a scroll!
Andel smiled. Yes, it’s magical, isn’t it? They have absolute trust. I’m so glad you’ve seen them too.
They are incredible, Huldar agreed. I can hardly wait until I get the chance to study … he paused as the creature began to sway. What’s it doing?
The shaggy beast folded its forelegs and bowed its forehead to the ground. A deep drone came from its chest – its silken hair seemed to wave with effort. The three annangi looked at each other.
Amazing! Andel said.
Amazing! Sari agreed. Is it bowing to you? They didn’t do that before, did they?
The vibration went on. They could feel it rise through their feet. Others of the herd gathered in a semicircle and lowered their heads. Hundreds of circular eyes glistened.
Should I be worried? Lind asked.
Huldar tilted his head, clearly puzzled. I sense no aggression, he said, but perhaps we should back off, just a little?
As they moved away the creature seemed not to notice, but when Lind was far enough from the droning one, another of the elders reared up before her.
“Are you all right?” Sari whispered.
“I don’t mind,” Lind whispered back. “They are so beautiful … although I am a bit cold now.”
With quiet movements, Huldar brushed the snow from her hair. No wonder!
Sari glanced at her feet. Perhaps you could put some shoes on, just for now?
Lind shook her head.
When the red one’s drone finished, it gave her a last gentle snuffle and moved on.
“I have no idea what that was all about,” said Huldar.
“Perhaps they have accepted us as part of the herd?”
Lind stared after them as they disappeared into the curtain of snow, listening as their plaintive calls faded into the distance. “I think we should name the planet after them,” she said. “It’s up to us, now, isn’t it?”
Huldar nodded, and Lind continued, “We should call it ‘Went’, because that’s what they sound like.”
“Went?”
“Have you been to t
he planet Went?” Andel laughed delightedly. “It’s certainly unique, like the planet itself.”
“Yes, I like it,” Huldar said. “Why don’t we head back now and tell the others, before you get frostbite. And sorry to spoil the fun, but we still have plenty to do before we leave.”
“The Djan’rū?” Andel asked.
“Yes, I have to make another assessment of the site, then see that the old one is correctly tuned so the navigator can find it more easily. I think we’ll all be pleased if our departure goes more smoothly than our arrival.”
The prospect of the return journey was something Andel had given little thought to until now.
“I was terrified!” she admitted. “Did I tell you I actually saw stars moving beyond the envelope?”
“No!” Huldar frowned. “I knew it was rough, but …”
“I saw you,” Lind laughed. “Looked about to faint!”
“And at least we are all of us going home.” Andel made a solemn bow. “Bowed to by a Went? The others will be so jealous!”
Lind’s expression grew pensive. Andel hugged her shoulders and steered her back toward the portal, but although she seemed thrilled by her contact with the Went and buoyed by the naming of the planet, darkness broke through their contact and every moment of physical touch was painful. As they neared the portal, Lind turned to her with sad eyes. “They have no toes,” she said, then she started to count her own again, so softly Andel could barely hear.
LAST DAY
The morning was dark and bitingly cold. Huldar stomped the snow from his boots and entered the marquee, and warmth melted against his skin like a healer’s touch. Andel’s face shone dimly in the firelight. She looked up and smiled, then returned to her notes. They had both worked through the night, and now it was almost dawn he wanted to show her something.
Last page … she said.
“W-a-e-n-n … t some tea?” he offered.
She continued her work. “Look around, Huldar of Leth,” she said. “The tide of humor has stolen your boat.”
Boat?
Exactly!
Still mystified, he wandered toward the fire and the ever-present simmering kettle.
Planet Walkers Page 24
