by RF Hurteau
A shout, and then, nothing.
Felix’s heart was in his throat, and he backed away, into the shadows, afraid to call out. He looked around, for a fleeting moment wondering if there was another exit nearby. But it was too dark, too difficult to navigate on his own. It could take hours to find his way out. Far too long to be of any assistance to the Weaver, even if he could find another way out.
The silhouette of a head appeared, casting a huge shadow on the floor of the tunnel. Disheveled strands of white hair cascaded down into the hole like tiny ropes.
“Come on,” said the Weaver impatiently, “before their friends show up.”
Felix leapt again, his hand closing around the Weaver’s wrist, and he grabbed the rim of the hole, hoisting himself out.
Two Elves in shimmering silver cloaks lay on the ground, unconscious. Bohai was pressed against a wall, cowering, his mouth agape, eyes on the Weaver.
“I got lucky,” the Weaver said with a modest shrug. “They weren’t Evicti, just common guards. But I don’t fancy another round, so help me get them out of sight.” Together, he and Felix lowered them into the sewer by the arms, letting them drop, one on top of the other, with a satisfying thud. The Weaver pushed the cover back over the hole. “They should be out for a while,” he said, brushing the sand from the front of his tunic. “Come on.”
“They could discover your hideout,” Felix pointed out, taking the shaken Ambassador by the elbow and guiding him gently toward the nearby Gate.
“They saw me reaching in there. They’d have checked it out anyway,” the Weaver said simply. “No matter. Wherever there is light, there are shadows to hide in.”
* * *
Gavin had the Floater waiting for them just beyond the edge of the forest.
“Did you get ahold of them?” Felix asked Gavin as they climbed in.
“Yes. They will meet us. I explained the plan.”
Felix nodded. “Good. Let’s go.”
The trip took longer than Felix had expected. Wishing to avoid running into anyone with Bohai aboard, Gavin took a circuitous route through the trees, maneuvering the Floater gently through areas of thick underbrush. Bohai sat quietly until Felix turned to address him. He shrank back a little and cringed, and Felix frowned. “I’m not your enemy, Bohai. I’m trying to help you.”
The Ambassador looked uncertain.
“Listen, we are going to get you back to your people. But you’re going to have to do your part. Can you do that?”
“What’s my part, exactly?”
“Well, mostly just…don’t speak. Leave the talking to me, and follow my lead.”
Bohai looked at Gavin, and then at the Weaver, and then back at Felix. “All right,” he said at last.
Felix turned back around and spoke quietly with Gavin. “There’s a lot that could go wrong. Be ready.”
Up ahead, he spotted the vague outlines of people. As they drew closer, they became clear, and he waved. Penelope and Ambrose waved back. Onyx and Tobias stood on either side of Laevus, gripping him firmly by both arms. Laevus just stood there, looking bemused as Felix jumped out of the Floater.
“Everyone ready?” he asked. He was met with several nods of affirmation, and they all piled into the Floater. It wasn’t meant to hold so many, but with some difficulty, they were able to squeeze in. Penelope managed to make room for herself up front between Felix and Gavin. Ambrose and Tobias sat in the rear with the Weaver, whom Tobias eyed warily. And in the center, Onyx and Bohai flanked Laevus. The Ambassador was staring back and forth between Laevus and Felix, slack-jawed, and Laevus offered him a devious grin.
“This is exciting, isn’t it?” Laevus said, folding his legs and placing his bound hands in his lap, as if getting ready to go on a relaxing ride to gaze at the scenery. “I’m quite looking forward to seeing what happens next!”
Bohai was stuttering. “But, but you—”
Laevus looked at him curiously, following his gaze as it flitted toward Felix. “Ah yes,” he said at last, “I can see how this might be confusing.”
Bohai shut his mouth and gave a slight nod.
“Would you like me to let you in on a little secret?” Laevus asked him, leaning in toward Bohai, who nodded again.
“I’m a time traveler,” Laevus whispered. “From the future. I accidentally ran in to my past self, and I’m afraid I’ve driven myself quite mad. I even tied myself up!” he said, lifting up his bound wrists for proof. “Quite a pickle I’ve gotten myself into!”
“T-t-time travel?” Bohai whispered back breathlessly. “You don’t say? Fascinating, I had no idea that was even possible.”
“Oh, it isn’t,” Laevus said, his eyes widening. “That is to say, not yet.”
Bohai was looking quite impressed, and Felix exchanged a glance with Gavin, who rolled his eyes.
“Just don’t try anything, Laevus,” Felix warned. “Or your adventure will be coming to a swift end.”
“You see?” Laevus murmured to Bohai. “I’m even threatening myself now.”
When they had nearly reached the edge of the clearing where the Evenmire stood, Gavin drew the Floater to a halt. Everyone climbed out. Bohai made to follow, but Felix reached out an arm to stop him. “You’re coming with us,” he said. Bohai nodded and sat back down. “And, we’re going to have to tie you up. Sorry about that.”
“You see?” said Laevus over his shoulder as he moved away. “What did I tell you?”
Felix rolled his eyes again as he wrapped a rope several times around Bohai’s wrists and fastened it with a loose knot. “He’s not a time traveler,” he said, firmly.
Bohai didn’t answer, instead rising out of his seat to shout after Laevus. “Do we make it out of this?” he called, slightly panicky.
“I do,” came Laevus’ curt response.
Twelve hoods turned to watch their approach as they came into view of the Evenmire. Felix felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck as he mentally prepared himself for the charade. Gavin gripped Bohai’s arm, pulling him along, and Felix addressed the nearest Evictus.
“The Most High Elder Lord Nero has sent me to personally escort this Human through the Evenmire. You will come with us, subdue his personal guards, and once we have secured his vehicle, I will be bringing it back to Imradia.”
He had expected an argument. He’d gone over a dozen scenarios in his head on what to do if they didn’t comply. But the Evictus just nodded. “As you say, my Lord.” He and his fellows turned in unison to face the Evenmire.
Felix glanced at Gavin who gave the tiniest look of approval. “Very well then. Proceed.”
The Evicti drew their swords and advanced silently through the Gate in two neat rows. When the last had disappeared, Felix turned toward the trees, signaling to the others.
Onyx was the first to reach them. “Give us a few minutes to get into the ship,” Felix said hurriedly. “Then follow the Weaver to the tunnel. Stay hidden there until the Evicti come back through.”
“We know what to do. Just go! Hurry!”
She gave him a gentle push, and he nodded to Gavin, who followed close behind him with Bohai.
Felix stepped through the Gate. It was the strangest sensation. For an instant, he felt almost weightless. He floated in a void, warm and comforting. The Gate’s pale violet light pulsed around him, through him. And there was a noise, almost like voices, whispering. He felt warm as he floated there. He forgot why he was there, where he had been going. The whispering surrounded him, whirling around him.
Then the moment was over, and Felix found himself stepping out into the frigid Antarctic landscape.
thirteen
Damage Control
Nelson was irritated. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the Council table as the others began to file in and find their seats. Edwin was taking this situation entirely too lightly. A few days ago, they had stood united, prepared to destroy an unknown ship simply because it posed a potential threat to Sanctuary. Now, though, a second my
sterious vessel shows up on their doorstep, and Edwin invites its crew in for tea and a chat? Just what was the line of reasoning here?
He scowled as Edwin entered the room with Sylvia. They were speaking in hushed tones, which only made him angrier. Anything they had to say, they ought to share with the group. He was about to point this out when Ben slipped into the chair beside him.
“Exciting stuff, huh?” Ben said. “What’s up? You look tense.”
Nelson turned to stare at him. “You think so?” he retorted. “Glad you can be so calm about it, considering that a bunch of invaders are about to come through that door, and we’re just sitting around, waiting for them.”
Ben laughed softly. “They’re hardly going to run through the door and attack us,” he pointed out. “We’ve got them under guard. We’re just going to hear what they have to say.”
“Like we can just assume that everything they say is the truth?” Nelson made a fist, rapping his knuckles against the table so that several of the others turned to look at him. He crossed his arms, slouching down in his chair with a sour look on his face.
“Honestly, Nelson, you really need to relax. You’re going to give yourself high blood pressure or something.”
“I’ll give you high blood pressure!” Nelson began, but Edwin had moved to the head of the table and cleared his throat. Finally, thought Nelson. Let’s get to it!
“Alright, Denton,” he said, gesturing to the gruff man who stood by the door. “We’re all here. Bring them in.”
Denton nodded, waving a hand to his team in the hall, and the four outsiders shuffled in, led by their large, round-faced leader. Nelson watched as the man took in the Council chambers, and he felt suddenly embarrassed. He wished they had a more intimidating room in which to interrogate these people. We should have constructed something, he thought wildly. A great big theater, where we could all look down on them from high seats as they cowered before us!
Instead, the four men took the empty seats, which had been arranged for them at a small table before the Council. Hardly impressive. The leader looked up as a girl handed him a glass of water, offering a quiet “Thank you.”
Nelson scoffed. Unbelievable.
Edwin was still standing. “Friends,” he said, and that was enough. That was what tipped Nelson over the edge.
“They aren’t our friends,” he exploded, standing up, too. “We don’t know anything about them. They just show up here, pop through the Gate, come back, and what? We’re just having them in for refreshments? What is wrong with us?” He pointed an accusatory finger at the outsiders. “They are our enemy. They want to make a treaty with the Elves. We all know it. And when the Elves come through that Gate, what do you think their first stop is going to be?” He was shaking his head, disbelief consuming him as he railed at them. He wanted them to feel ashamed. To feel the urgency of the situation. To stop playing games, and start acting like he thought they ought to act.
“Do you think the Elves are going to come and stop for a glass of water and be on their way? They tried to destroy us once. Twice, really. They aren’t going to hesitate to do it again. What’s that old saying? Third time’s the charm?”
He could tell he’d hit a nerve, but he wasn’t backing down. Edwin was smoldering now, clearly unwilling to have a shouting match in front of all these people. But Nelson was tired. He was tired of deferring to Edwin. When they’d taken control of Sanctuary, he’d needed a little time. It had been a shock. He’d willingly agreed to follow Edwin’s lead in the weeks and months that followed. But Edwin hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him about the crash site in D6. What else had Edwin kept from him? And if Edwin couldn’t even handle dealing with four unarmed Humans, what kind of a leader would he be against an army of Elves?
“I’m with the kid,” came a cheerful voice from the small table. Nelson, startled, whirled around. Everyone was staring at the man, whose eyes moved along the table, though his head was still. He appeared relaxed, his lips peeled back in a wide smile that revealed a mouth full of pearly white teeth. He took another sip of water and let out a little sigh, his smile turning to a frown as he swirled the glass. “Have you got anything stronger?” He said, raising it hopefully in Nelson’s direction. Nelson, somewhat shell shocked, shook his head.
“What exactly do you mean, you’re with him?” Edwin asked curiously.
“I mean, we’ve been here for hours. For all you know, we could have been biding our time, waiting for backup to arrive. How do you know we’ve only got the one drill? How do you know our envoy through the Gate isn’t headed back with Theran reinforcements?” He took another sip, looking thoughtful now.
“You see?” Nelson said, feeling justified. “All this pomp and circumstance, getting the Council together, bringing them here, it was a waste of time. Valuable time that we should have been using to interrogate them.”
“Nelson,” Edwin warned through gritted teeth.
“Well, you needn’t worry,” the man said. “We don’t have any backup on the way. We’re alone out here.” His crew mates seemed alarmed by his candor, but they didn’t protest. All three of them seemed too nervous about their circumstances to argue.
Nelson eyed him warily, but his gut was telling him this was the truth. “And why should we believe you?”
“Not much reason to lie,” the man—Terrance, Nelson remembered suddenly. He’d said his name was Terrance. —said with a shrug.
“And what is your purpose here?” Edwin said, obviously struggling to bring the conversation back under his own control. Nelson found himself smirking and had to stop himself. Edwin was his friend. He shouldn’t enjoy watching him suffer.
“Well, he said it already. We were sent to make an alliance with the Therans.”
Several voices shouted at once.
“You see!” said Nelson triumphantly.
“Terrance, keep your mouth shut!” one of the other outsiders said in a harsh voice.
“Nelson!” This warning came from Sylvia, who glowered at him now. Ben, who sat between the two of them, looked back and forth from Sylvia to Nelson before sliding his seat back a little.
“I don’t want to be in the middle of this,” he said, his expression concerned.
“You are making a mockery of this Council,” said Sylvia, leaning over Ben, speaking so softly that Nelson didn’t understand how her tone could be so quiet and so threatening all at once. “Be quiet and let Edwin handle this. You’ve done enough.”
She slowly leaned back in her chair, folding her hands on the table in front of her, the picture of composure. Nelson grudgingly clamped his mouth shut on the many things he wished to share at that moment.
“Listen,” said Terrance. “I’m going to be totally honest here. We hail from Her Majesty’s nation, Culei.”
“For Her Majesty’s honor,” the other three captives muttered in unison. Nelson thought he saw the subtlest of eye rolls from Terrance, who continued.
“We didn’t know Sanctuary was still inhabited. And, truth be told, I’m not sure the plan would have changed much if we had. Maybe, maybe not. I was against the plan to begin with. I don’t think Humans and Therans should be working together. I think it’s just asking for trouble. But I don’t give the orders, I just follow them.”
“And your orders…you were sent to sign a treaty with the Therans? The fifth man that was with you, he’s there now?”
Terrance nodded. “That’s right. His name’s Bohai, and he’s our Ambassador. I’m an engineer. So’s this guy, Leon. Rupert piloted our drill, and Dante is…well, I don’t know what he does, really. Mostly just hands us things.”
“I’m an administrative aid!” squeaked Dante in a high, shrill voice of haughty indignation.
“Well, you’re near bloody useless, that’s all I’m saying,” Terrance replied without looking at the man.
“This drill,” Ben interjected, “you burrowed underground all the way from…wherever you came from. Culei?”
Terrance s
hook his head. “Nah, not all the way. It’s an amphibious vehicle. It acts as a sort of submarine underwater. It was designed so that it could dig through ice and earth, but it’s just a prototype. It can’t dig as far or as large of an area as we were hoping, at least not yet. The final model was intended to dig a direct path from the edge of the ice shelf to the Gate for our transport vehicles.”
Nelson could tell the idea of the drill excited Ben. “I’d like to take a team to go look at it,” Ben said to Edwin. “If that’s okay.”
“I should go with you,” said Terrance. “I can explain how it works. Or Rupert, he could explain how it moves.”
Edwin shook his head. “No, it doesn’t look very large. I would need to send guards as well if you were to go, and then there probably wouldn’t be much room left to look around.” He turned to Ben and nodded. “Go ahead. Take three of your men and check it out. Bring back specific questions for Terrance. He seems to be very cooperative.” Ben stood up, practically skipping, and left the room.
“I am,” Terrance agreed, much to the chagrin of his companions.
Nelson wasn’t prepared to admit it, but Terrance did appear eager to help. He longed to ask more questions, but there was now no one between him and Sylvia’s evil eye. He decided that he would simply wait and hope that Edwin asked the things he wanted to know.
“Why is that?” Edwin said, and Nelson made a little victorious fist. Finally, Edwin was getting to the real questions. “Why are you so willing to tell us everything? You do realize that admitting to trying to ally with the Elves makes you our enemy, don’t you?”
