Brightstorm

by Vashti Hardy

  “What is it?” he breathed.

  In a ripple, the light vanished, leaving the glow of their torch-fire.

  Harriet thought for a moment. “Just let me put the torch back around the corner, if these are what I think…”

  As she did, the light from the torch-fire faded. Slowly, the lights above pricked back to life.

  “I think they’re tiny creatures, like those found in the caves of the Galabela mountains of the Second Continent – glow-worms.”

  “Extraordinary,” said Felicity.

  “But how would they survive in here?” Maudie asked.

  The soft flow of water rippled musically through the cave.

  “There’s probably some thermal activity deep within the mountain. There are likely active minerals and tiny creatures in the water for the glow-worms to feed on.”

  It was amazing, as though they’d found a secret life system. The thrill of it tingled inside Arthur, making him forget everything that had happened. All that existed was this wonderful place and the feeling that they were glimpsing something no one had before, as though nature had given them a secret pass.

  “It’s a privilege, isn’t it?” Harriet said. She patted him gently on the shoulder.

  “We’d better try out our theory,” Maudie said.

  Arthur took off his jacket and unhitched his iron arm, while Harriet retrieved the torch-fire.

  “It’s a bit different to a pin,” Felicity said.

  “But hollow – it should float and it’ll always point towards the magnetic south,” Maudie said.

  “But how?” Harriet asked.

  “I magnetized the arm when I made it, as I thought it would be useful for picking things up.”

  “You are a very surprising pair.” Harriet laughed.

  “Come on – what are we waiting for!” said Felicity, shuffling her feet.

  Maudie placed the iron arm in a still pool away from the flowing stream. They waited for a painful moment while nothing happened. Slowly it began drifting around until it settled with the pointed finger to the left of the cavern.

  “Well, it looks like that way is south,” said Maudie. She retrieved the arm and they chose the most southerly tunnel. They went onwards through the ancient lava tubes until they found the next cavern with a pool, always keeping as southerly as they could. Onwards they went, for chime after chime through the mountain, losing track of time and direction, putting all their trust in the iron arm.

  But Parthena grew more agitated as they went on, landing in front of them and frantically flapping her wings. “Not being able to see the sky must be bothering her. Do you think there’s much further to go?” Arthur said.

  “Well, I know how she feels,” Harriet said. She certainly wasn’t at ease inside the mountain, cringing at the sight of the smaller tunnels and sweat beading on her brow. “I’ve never liked being penned in either,” she said.

  When they entered a vast cavern, Felicity sat herself down on a large, flat rock. “I could do with taking the weight off my feet for a while – I feel like we’ve been walking day and night. I miss the sun.”

  “I don’t miss the cold – at least it’s warmer in the mountain.” Maudie took off another layer and tied it around her waist.

  “There’s no way to tell how far we have to go, I’m afraid. Let’s set up camp for a break, and I’ll go on a little to check,” said Harriet.

  They set down their packs and rested while Harriet went to check ahead. Parthena had disappeared high in the cavern and refused to come down, no matter how much Arthur called her and tried to tempt her with a sliver of dried fish. Eventually he gave up and took out his expedition journal. It seemed like a dream, the fact that he was in the middle of a mountain in the far reaches of the Third Continent.

  Maudie and Felicity had a snooze, while Arthur wrote the most recent events in his explorer’s journal. But he kept thinking back to what had happened on the Victorious and what Eudora had said. He shut the book and looked towards the end of the cave. Although Harriet had promised not to go far, she had been ages. Impatient, Arthur walked to the tunnel and peered inside, just as the light of her torch flame appeared somewhere at the other end.

  “Arthur, is that you? You made me jump.” She looked tired and her brow was deeply furrowed.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked. “Do you think we might be nearly at the other side?”

  She nodded, although for some reason he felt there was more.

  “It’s only a few tunnels away, as I suspected,” she said.

  As they walked back, Harriet didn’t speak, and Arthur kept glancing sideways at her, trying to work out what was the matter.

  “Perhaps we should wake the others,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back outside, even if it is deathly cold out there.”

  “Yes, me too, but let them sleep awhile.”

  They sat warming their hands by the embers still glowing where their small fire had been.

  “What is it, Harriet? You look worried about something. Did you see something on the other side – did you see Eudora?”

  She shook her head. “No, no. Now get a little sleep before we set off again.”

  Arthur lay down, drifting in and out of broken sleep. He was woken by whispers between Felicity and Harriet. A single candle flickered between them.

  “You’ve got to tell them,” Felicity said.

  “I know. I just want them to be rested before they hear.”

  “Why, what is it?” Arthur said, sitting up.

  The two women looked at each other with silent resignation, then Felicity gently shook Maudie awake. After a few awkward false starts, Harriet took a breath. “I’m so sorry, you two. I went further on in the tunnels, and … I’ve found your father.”

  The twins gaped at her, not understanding.

  “I mean to say, I found … his frozen body.”

  The words were a punch to the chest.

  Harriet took something from her bag and handed it to Arthur. It was a diary with the Brightstorm Moth emblazoned on the front. His throat constricted as though it was being squeezed by a great vice.

  “He must have made it to the mountain after his crew was poisoned. He almost made it through, but he died in an ice cave not far from here,” Harriet said sadly.

  Arthur looked up to the rocks where Parthena perched. “Parthena knew – that’s why she’s been so agitated, she remembers this place.”

  “It’s only confirming what you already knew deep down, twinnies,” Felicity said, sitting between them and holding them tight as they cried.

  They sat that way for some time. Then Harriet relit the small fire, and Felicity took cups from her backpack and tea leaves from her small purse. She added dried milk and several spoons of honey to each cup. She didn’t talk, she didn’t try to tell them that it would make everything better, although as they sat there sipping the warm sweet taste of home, it made the awfulness of reaching that point not quite as terrible.

  After a while, Arthur roused himself and picked up his dad’s diary. He ran his fingers over the cover, then opened it. Inside were mostly calculations and co-ordinates, but as he turned the pages there were accounts confirming what their evidence had taught them about the poisoning.

  “Would you be able to read some to us, Arthur?” Harriet asked.

  Arthur nodded. He swallowed hard and began to read:

  I should have known there is no such thing as goodwill when it comes to Eudora Vane.

  A member of her crew brought the cakes, the likes of which the crew had not had in many weeks. Looking back, I curse myself for not realizing. The crew fell mortally ill. There was nothing I could do. Doctor Samin was the first to go, there was no remedy to stave the poison. It worked swiftly and they had perished within the hour. I took them to the forest edge and dug the frozen earth to make as best graves for each crewmember as I could, knowing the Vane crew would soon return, and I wasn’t safe. From the forest, I watched them come to the Violetta, steal our p
itch and begin their search for the missing crew. I skirted the edge, hoping I could at some point make it back to the Violetta, I had barely any supplies on me. But I was seen.

  Arthur paused.

  “Are you all right?” Harriet said.

  Felicity put an arm around him, and Maudie took the diary and continued.

  I was shot at and surrounded, the only route left for me to run was across the unstable lake towards the mountains. It is a miracle I made it. They took flight in the Victorious and shot cannons at me when I was almost at the mountains. The cannon fire set off an avalanche, destroying a huge section of the lake. I reached the mountain edge just before the rock fall, and although the mountain seemed impenetrable, at that last moment I saw a small cave entrance and scrambled to it just in time. I am sure Eudora believed I had been crushed in the avalanche. I heard the Victorious’s engines as they searched the mountains for a way through, until they finally faded.”

  “Despicable woman. And it confirms that the story about the fuel being stolen is a lie,” Harriet said.

  “She was forced to give up and return to Lontown,” said Arthur.

  Maudie passed the diary back to Arthur. “There’s a little more. Will you read the last bit?”

  I am lost deep in the caves, the little fuel I had on me for the torch-flame is nearly exhausted and my pencil is worn to its end. My undying hope is that someone finds my diary, and brings justice for my crew. The burning fury I have for Eudora is fuelled by my one regret that I will never get to see my beloved children grow into the marvellous adults I know they will be, and if this journal is found, my last wish is that they know my love is eternal.

  The writing faded, the last words barely scratched into the page.

  “You wouldn’t last long being stuck here without supplies. Poor Dad,” Maudie said, tears welling once more. Parthena flew from the ceiling and landed before Maudie. She hopped on to Maudie’s arm and butted her head to her cheek. Maudie gasped in amazement. “She’s never done that to me before – it’s usually you, Arty.”

  The great white hawk looked at Arthur. There was such a sense of knowing in her eyes. Parthena had always carried the truth of what had happened to Dad. And Arthur understood that at that moment Maudie needed Parthena’s comfort more than he did.

  “And she made it back to us, Maud. Without her bringing back the necklace, maybe we’d never have doubted Eudora’s story.”

  “That’s some bird,” said Felicity. And Parthena’s screech filled the cavern, as though releasing the burden she’d carried.

  After a while they knew it was time to move on.

  They packed up and carried onwards.

  CHAPTER 27

  THE SOUTHERN

  AURORA

  It wasn’t much further before the small band of explorers finally saw a glimmer of bluish, cold light, different from their torch-fire, in the tunnel ahead. They broke into a run, the rush of freezing fresh air enveloping them. With a great whoosh, Parthena flew past Arthur and out into the open.

  Harriet wasn’t far behind. “I can’t wait to be outside again!”

  But at the tunnel exit they all came to a standstill and stared open-mouthed.

  It was the short night. Before them, a vast field of snow stretched out for as many miles as they could see. But it was the view above that took their breath away. Huge waves of colour rippled in the star-speckled sky – emerald green, piercing pink, luminous orange. No one spoke as they stood in the utter quiet of winter’s dusk and watched the dance of light.

  “Well, that’s a sight to behold, and no mistaking,” whispered Felicity.

  Arthur was sure he saw a tear in the corner of Harriet’s eye as she whispered. “It’s the southern aurora.”

  “Is this why you named the ship the Aurora?” he asked.

  Harriet nodded. “I had heard the tales of those seen in the North, and I dared to hope we might see them here, but I never expected anything this beautiful.”

  “Dad was so close,” Maudie said.

  “He would have loved this.” Arthur smiled.

  After a while, Harriet took out the uniscope and looked across the plains. “All seems quiet. I don’t believe the Vane crew have found a faster way through the mountain.” She unfastened her way-finder and started manipulating it and lining it up with the horizon and the south star. “When we reach ninety degrees and the sun remains in the same place in the sky, then we will be at the exact point of South Polaris.” She scribbled some calculations in her notebook, closely watched by Maudie. After a moment, Harriet smiled. “I estimate it will take no more than two days.”

  They hugged each other.

  “Should we rest the night in the security of the mountain, or do we keep going and pitch up when we’re too tired to walk another step?” The glint of adventure was in Harriet’s eyes.

  “I think we can go on for a few more chimes, that’s if you’re both all right with it?” said Felicity.

  Arthur and Maudie looked at each other. They’d lost everything, but now they had the chance to complete Dad’s last mission.

  “Let’s go,” Arthur said, and they began heading down towards the great snow plain.

  After several chimes travelling, the intense cold was getting to them. Their footsteps had become slow and laboured and they yawned and shivered, huddled into their jackets, chins to their chests. The light changed suddenly as a great bank of dark clouds raged in from the south, travelling at frightening speed. Great plumes of thick grey billowed towards them. “That doesn’t look good,” Harriet said, her words a teeth-chattering stammer. She looked back to the mountain and slammed the uniscope against her legs. “We should’ve rested there, we were too hasty and now we’re going to be caught in what could be the most vicious storm I’ve ever seen – and I don’t fancy our chances in the tent.”

  They exchanged worried looks.

  What would Dad do? Arthur thought. He’d always taught him to use what they had, not to focus on what you couldn’t do, but what you could. But there was only snow as far as they could see. Then it came to him. “We could make a cave – a bit like the thought-wolves made in the tree roots.”

  “There aren’t exactly any trees here, Arty,” Maudie said.

  “No, he’s right, it’s a great idea. We dig a snow cave and wait out the storm. We need a snow ridge – it’ll make it easier,” said Harriet.

  “There,” said Maudie, pointing westwards.

  As the sky darkened further, they trudged over to the ridge and began digging an entrance hole. Maudie and Felicity scooped out a cavity, while Arthur and Harriet cleared the snow they had dug to stop it blocking the entrance. They didn’t say a word, and Arthur’s jaw felt so frozen tight he couldn’t speak if he’d wanted to.

  Soon it was completely dark. They were buffeted by a wind that almost knocked them from their feet. Harriet clipped her safety rope to Arthur and even though it felt impossible, the temperature dropped further. The snow swirled around them so they couldn’t see anything apart from their dark shapes in a spiral of white.

  Still they dug, with quivering breaths, as the icy temperatures bit all around.

  When it seemed as bad as it could get, the ferocity of the storm grew more intense. The freezing wind hit, howling with anger and shooting shards of ice. Arthur felt sure in another few seconds they would become statues. He shook uncontrollably, and he couldn’t feel his body any more.

  “One last push,” Harriet stuttered as they dug a few more scoops. Then she pushed Arthur into the hole and followed.

  “We need to build up the door to protect ourselves,” said Maudie.

  They all scooped more from the walls around them to build the door. They fought to keep it in place, while the wind and snow hurled and whistled outside.

  Soon the gap was filled and the raging snowstorm grew muffled. They sat with their legs tucked in, squished together, teeth chattering and bodies shaking. After a moment, Harriet reshaped an area of the wall into a shelf and placed
a candle on it. “If that goes out, we’ll need an opening and air quickly. You try to sleep, and I’ll keep watch.”

  “We’ll take turns,” said Felicity through blue lips.

  “I’ll go first,” said Arthur.

  “Then me,” said Maudie.

  Harriet smiled. “All right. A chime each.”

  All they could do was keep as close together as possible and try to sleep while listening to the fierce growl of the wind and the battering outside.

  And wait.

  After Arthur’s watch, he woke Maudie. “Hey, it’s your turn.”

  She rubbed her eyes and nodded. As he closed his eyes she whispered, “I was dreaming of Dad, back on the Violetta. There’s something that I can’t shake, Arty.”

  He opened his eyes. “What is it?”

  “We know that Eudora Vane did this, but it’s so calculated; all planned out. And that story they made up about the fuel theft. She didn’t just want to stop them, she wanted to discredit Dad.”

  He nodded. “I’ve been thinking the same. We know how she did it, but do we really know why? There feels like there has to be more to it.”

  Arthur’s brain rolled over and over. Eventually, he snuggled his head into Felicity’s shoulder and let sleep take him.

  *

  The absence of noise woke Arthur. The storm had left. There was a small gap in the snow cave above.

  Harriet poked her head in, her face big and beaming. “The storm has passed. Are you all right?”

  He nodded. He could just about feel his fingers and toes.

  “And the others?”

  “Still sleeping.” His shoulders ached where he’d been scrunched up for so long.

  “Will you be able to squeeze through and help me?” she asked.

  Even though the last thing he wanted was to leave the meagre warmth that had built up in the snow cave, he nodded and managed to crawl through the opening.