by J. D. Lakey
“What did you do, Cheobawn Blackwind?” Tam asked, his tone firm. Nothing she did surprised him any longer. He took the fact that she could kill men and stored it away, his face impassive.
“The black box imploded. I think I made it become a tiny black hole. It took out the cargo bay in which it was stored and most of the starship. If you look up, you will see pieces of it burning up as they fall to earth.”
The silence inside the cabin was a living thing, coiling around their hearts. River glanced up at the ceiling nervously, as if fearing parts of the starship would fall on their heads, then he looked around at the Pack. “How is that even possible?”
Alain rose and returned to his spot on the bench. “Best not to ask those kinds of questions. Ignore the words and believe in the results, if you think it will help you stay sane.”
“Urr?” River uttered.
“Only Cheobawn knows what Cheobawn knows. She is as Mora intended,” Megan said serenely. “A locus to which all power is attracted. It is the paradox of her existence, that she is an emptiness through which the universe flows.”
“Urr?” said River again.
Connor patted his shoulder. “It is best never to dwell on Cheobawn’s magic. If Megan can put words to it, no matter how incomprehensible, then all is well in the Mother’s House.”
This, River could understand. He nodded. The Fathers, after all, stayed out of the Mother’s business just as the Mothers knew to do the same when it came to all things Father-related.
The engines of the hydroplane throttled back, and the boat settled its hull onto the water, coasting to a halt. The pilot’s voice came to them over a little speaker above River’s head.
“We have a problem.”
River rose to his feet and made his way forward to the wheelhouse. Che sighed in resignation and followed him, tugging the hem of Menolly’s white priestess outer-robe from under her bare feet. The dress was too big for her small frame, and the blue belt borrowed from Amabel had been hastily tied. It was the best the Coven could do on such short notice. They had literally given her the clothes off their backs. Pragmatic as ever, was the ruling Council of the domes. They were like Tam. Nothing seemed to surprise her Mothers anymore.
Inside the wheelhouse, she squeezed in beside River, Tam shoving her further in to make room for himself. The pilot pointed at the airspace above the Port. The glare was brighter than usual. Searchlights filled the sky. Red running-lights danced along the wings of all the aircraft in flight. The beams from the Port searchlights bounced off the gleaming metal hulls of dozens of ships, all of the them whipping about in a frenzy of motion.
“I don’t think you want to go anywhere near that,” the Pilot said, pointing at the swarm.
“What is that?” Tam asked.
“The Spacers have sounded an alarm. Every craft that is air worthy has been scrambled.” River observed.
“The Spacers don’t like to be caught dirt-side when the Spiders attack,” the Pilot agreed.
As they watched, a large troop carrier lifted off the ground, rising slowly through the metal swarm. When it had cleared the tops of the gantries around the edge of the landing area, it spun about on its vertical axis, pointed its nose at the stars, and roared away. The sound found them, there on the river, beating against their chests, sucking the air out of their lungs.
Tam looked down at Cheobawn. “Is Spider attacking?”
Cheobawn grimaced. “No. I don’t think so. I think this is my fault but let me check.” She put her hand in the pocket of her white jumper, wrapped her fist around Old Father Bhotta’s stone, and stepped into the misty place.
Spider danced about her, the plates of his scarlet carapace rattling against each other, his ebony claws beating a staccato rhythm against the misty floor. Che crouched down and tried to make herself small.
Are you angry with me? Cheobawn asked.
Noooo, sang Spider, his feet growing still, though the rhythm of his forelegs against mandibles still chimed softly.
Cheobawn cocked her head. The tinkle of claws against the crystalline fangs was unmistakable. Spider was laughing at her. She rose to her full height, which was still only half the arachnid’s immense size, giving Spider her most regal stare. I am glad you find me so amusing, Spider, she said.
I named you well, Spider Mother. Fierce is your heart. Indomitable is your spirit. Infinite is your mind. You are like the thorn-crab, all prickles and spines. The Hegemony has swallowed you whole and now chokes upon the splinters.
The image of a starship imploding in the cold and empty space above a blue-green planet filled her mind. Cheobawn watched in dismay as tiny life-ships burst from its skin and fell towards the planet.
Revenge, laughed Spider. Ah, revenge is a feast full of endless delights. Even now the humans contact us, wondering if the treaty has been broken.
What did you tell them? Che asked, curious.
The truth, of course, Spider said. That the time to intervene in your life has long since passed. You have emerged from your egg a fully-fledged warrior of the domes, and as ever, they have underestimated the powers that oppose them.
Great. I was hoping they thought I died inside that big, black box, Cheobawn said with a grimace.
Oh, that is exactly what they want to believe. They did not believe me when I told them you still lived. They think me a notorious liar, as you are my known ally and they think me too vain to admit such a defeat. To them, this is sabotage, and now they are scrambling to protect their assets from my next attack. Let them prepare. It will be for naught. The enemy has already breached their walls and now lies nestled inside their heart.
I am no one’s enemy, Cheobawn said in dismay. At least I have no desire to be.
Spider grew still. He bent his forelegs until his multifaceted eyes were even with hers. No. No one’s enemy. Your heart is pure of such things. There is just the You and the Not-You. Everything you meet, everyone you know, must be measured by that truth, and those who cannot conform are consumed.
You make me sound like a ravenous monster, Cheobawn said, shaking her head. I do not seek out my enemies. They come looking for me. It is eat or be eaten.
Thus you must be ever on guard. The truth will eventually seep into their muddled minds and they will start hunting you again.
Che nodded. She now knew what she had come to find out. It did not pay to stay overlong in Spider’s mind.
Thank you for your patience. I am sorry if I have caused you harm. It is just that I did not want to die, Cheobawn whispered.
Your ability to pluck the best path from all your timelines is becoming legendary. You have even surprised me, All Mother.
The misty place faded. Stay safe, Spider admonished down the connection as she broke her link to the bloodstone.
Cheobawn sighed and rubbed her eyes.
“Well? What did Spider say?” Tam asked.
“I broke the ship with the black box in it. The hold was opened to hard vacuum as the hull crumpled around it. It is possible not everyone on the star ship died. Spider says they think I am dead even though he tried to dissuade them of that idea. The Spacers are acting as if they are under attack even though no such attack is planned. Spider is vastly amused.”
River nodded. “Standard procedure. Expect the worst and prepare for it.”
Tam was staring down at her. “This?” He waved at the frenetic activity above the Port. “All this is because you broke one of their ships?”
Cheobawn blinked up at him solemnly, afraid he was going to shout at her. “Yes.”
Tam grinned and hugged her hard. “My little warrior-witch. Next time you want to kill something, let me know. It will be my privilege to be your sword hand.”
She let herself relax a little, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Tam understood.
The Pilot cleared his throat. “The river taxi dock is near. I will radio Mr. Wheelwright and let him know you have arrived.”
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Cheobawn stared up at the dark towers of Dunauken. The memory of the black box turning her body into ice returned in full force.
“No,” she said desperately. “No, stop, stop.”
Tam took her hand. “Ch’che, what is it?”
“I can’t. Not yet.”
“You can’t what?”
“Go back into that place,” Che whispered. With the sun rising behind the towers of Dunauken, making them look like the teeth of a great monster lying in wait to devour them, Cheobawn could not shake the feeling that if they walked into the jaws of that monster, they would never come out again.
“Where do you want to go?” Tam asked.
What she wanted was to return to the river aboard Sam’s schooner, the Sunbird II. She wanted to rest and be mindless. A boat promised safety. “We need a boat. A boat of our own,” she said, thinking out-loud. It was more a wish than a possibility.
Tam turned to the Pilot. “Find us a sailboat,” he ordered. “One that is small enough for a five-man crew. One that will not hurt the livelihood of a poor riverman. One that is fast and sleek.”
“Urr?” said the Pilot. “Do you intend to hide, out here, on the river?”
Tam bent down and brushed his fingers against Cheobawn’s cheek. “How does that sound? Sailing on our own boat for a while. We need time alone with each other. You need time to recover.”
“If we steal a boat does that make us pirates?” Cheobawn asked, a gleam of interest dawning in her brain. “I could like being a pirate for a little while. I want to be bad. I am in the mood for stomping about and breaking things.”
Tam laughed and kissed the top of her bald head. “Pirates. That sounds like fun. You know, this is one of the reasons I adore you. You have an unerring sense for how to make mischief.”
Chapter 2
Blackwind Pack left the protection of the cabin and went aft as the hydroplane gathered speed, rose up on its skids once more, and headed towards the Space Port. The Pilot reassured Tam that he knew of a marina full of idle boats. Che had to trust in his wisdom while she was busy with other things.
Herd Mother had taught her many things about hiding from predators. The bennelk called this a Hunting Void. Cheobawn gathered her thoughts and created two spirals of energy, one spiraling out, the other spiraling in. Balanced perfectly, they created a shield behind which a herd of bennelk might hide. She set the double spirals into motion inside her mind and built a Hunting Void just big enough to hide a small Pack. They were not invisible but higher-order minds who looked their way could not see them. It was not the eyes she fooled, but the minds.
Juggling the complicated play of energy, she watched the waterfront. Moonlight cast deep shadows that the rising dawn could not quite illuminate. There were more than a few watchers in those shadows. Whether the Watch, Dominick’s men, or Spacer, she could not tell. The hydroplane needed to appear innocent to all those watching eyes. She was glad that the Pilot’s hand was steady on the throttle and the hydroplane did not hesitate as they sped past the blank-eyed warehouses.
A dozen docks farther down-river, they slid by the warehouse with the giant white letters spelling out Wheelwright. Was Sam there or did he wait for her at his fathers villa? Half a click further on, they passed the sign lit by two bright lights declaring River Taxi to any of its would-be patrons.
As they neared the Space Port, the docks gave way to a long jetty that kept the slap of the waves away from the docile rocking of a harbor full of boats. Busy balancing spirals, Che watched the frenetic chaos of the anti-grav ships beyond the walls of the Port with remote interest.
A single airship veered away from its brethren and came to investigate their hydroplane. Cheobawn could hear the Pilot talking with the men up above them on his com. Whatever he said, it reassured them and they darted away. Che sighed with relief. The airships made her nervous.
Soon, the boat slowed once more, its belly wallowing in the waves that bounced off the jetty. River returned from the wheelhouse and hissed in surprise when he found the Pack gone. Che’s double spirals were confusing his mind. Inside the bubble of her energy, everything seemed normal. Outside it, they were invisible. Tam reached out and pulled him into the circle.
“How?” River sputtered.
“What did I tell you about Mother’s magic?” Connor said with a grin. “Just enjoy the moment.”
Rounding the jetty, the hydroplane chugged down the long aisle made by the well-ordered rows of boats. Che gathered her strength and extended the Void to contain the hydroplane.
“I cannot hide the wake but the boat is no longer visible,” Che said serenely from the depths of her fugue.
Tam grinned at her. “Clever thief,” he said, reaching out to rub his hand over the short stubble on her head. Che smiled but said nothing. It was taking all she had to hide so much.
The pilot shouted an order from the open window of his wheelhouse. Both Connor and Alain jumped to the sides and took up the mooring lines and fenders, preparing to tie off.
Winding their way through the lines of anchored boats, they coasted to a halt alongside a single-masted sloop. Wanderlust it said on the prow. She was sparkling white, tidy, and well maintained.
The boys dropped the fenders as they bumped against the side of the other boat. Scrambling over the side onto the deck of the Wanderlust, they secured the lines to the cleats of the little sailboat. Megan tucked the hem of her skirt into the waistband of her white apron and crawled over the railing. Che followed, cursing the long skirts of the white dress she had borrowed from Menolly as it hung up on the railing. Her Void fell into disarray. “The Void is gone. We have to hurry,” Che hissed softly. “Anyone can see us now.”
“They go as fast as is possible, sweet,” Megan said, as she helped her small friend on-board and then stopped to retie Cheobawn’s long blue belt, binding her skirts and voluminous sleeves tight against her torso. Standing with her arms raised, Che looked back at the hydroplane. River had his knee on the railing, wanting to follow them.
“Stay, River,” Che said. “Go home. Pretend that you know nothing of this day. Feed the scarlet quills. Keep their leather sleeves well oiled. I will call them soon to send you messages. You and Sam and Doreeth. This is a hard thing that I ask of you, I know. You thought your days of being a lonely spy were over. Mora’s game of War has not quite played itself out. Be patient with me.”
River leaned over the gap between the boats and took her hand, pressing his forehead against her knuckles. “Little Mother. For you, I will do anything.”
Che smiled at him but she could not contain the single tear that trickled down her cheek. “Blessed are you, River of Red Valley Dome. I will not make your sacrifice in vain.”
“Push off,” said Tam to the other boys. They had found a couple of boat hooks and used them to shove the hydroplane clear. River gathered up the mooring lines and fenders and stowed them. By the time he looked up again, the sailboat was gone, hidden behind Che’s Hunting Void.
Cheobawn watched the pain flash across his face. Alone again. A heartless High Mother like Mora did not flinch at such a cruel use of her Fathers. Che did not think she could ever be like her Truemother.
The Pilot spun his boat around and set it towards the mouth of the harbor. Che watched them leave. When they were out on the river, the Pilot hit the throttles, pushed the boat up onto its skids, and sped north.
Turning, she found her Pack staring at her, waiting. “So,” Cheobawn said brightly, “Tell me somebody besides me knows how to sail.”
Alain and Connor grinned and headed aft. Both boys had not just grown taller since she last saw them. They were broader across the shoulders, too. There was no awkwardness about their new bodies. It was as if they had finally found the shape they were meant to be. Tam was still the tallest and the strongest, though.
In the next moments Connor had pulled in all the fenders, while Megan and Tam reeled in the anchor line. Alain sat behind th
e tiller and started the electric motor. Of course they knew how to sail. It would have been impossible for them not to. They were highly-trained warriors and they had spent the last few months watching the rivermen, absorbing every nuance of their profession. Che sat next to Alain, grinning as the boat headed silently towards the mouth of the harbor.
“I hope you know where I am going,” Alain said.
“The River Liff is a very big place.”
Chapter 3
They knew instinctively that they had to conserve the power in the batteries that ran the electric motors until the solar panels could recharge them come morning. Outside the walls of the harbor, Che and Connor ran the sails up the mast. It was early in the morning and there was a puff of a breeze rising from the east, enough to aid in their journey out into the river. As soon as the sun warmed the earth, the wind would shift and blow to the north. She wanted to be well out into the middle of the river by then.
She gave Alain a general course to take and then went down into the hold to see what they had in the line of supplies. Megan followed her. The cupboards in the galley held a pathetic array of stale crackers, half-empty jars of pickles, and enough liquor to make an entire dome tipsy.
Megan crowed in delight when she finally found a bit of flour and a jar of sourfruit preserved in heavy syrup.
“Let’s make griddle cakes. That will tide us over until we can catch a few fish,” the older girl suggested.
