“Yes.” She raised her voice, making sure that the other woman could hear. “This is Keris. She was formerly Keltar–servant to the Prophet. She crossed the Great Barrier with us.”
Keris made no reaction. “This way.” The cave became a passage that angled downward. The walls were smooth, too regular to be natural, and adorned at regular intervals with glowing vines that suffused this subterranean world with a soft, cold luminescence. After a short distance the passageway split left and right. Keris headed left. A few Chandara they passed eyed them distantly. Finally, they reached an adjoining chamber and Keris ushered them inside. “All right, I don’t have much time, so listen carefully. You will need to stay here for the time being. I would advise against trying to leave. There are no guards, but the Chandara know everything that goes on here somehow, and they will prevent you. They call this place ‘The Warren’. Its layout is similar to a wheel. This is the Outer Warren. The centre or Inner Warren is barred to all creatures except Chandara. Under no circumstances should you attempt to go there.”
“Why? What’s there?” Rael asked.
Keris looked him up and down. “I have no idea. All I know is that Kelanni are strictly forbidden from going anywhere near. If you do, I will not be able to guarantee your safety. These Chandara are very different from Boxx or his people. They are…traumatised. I cannot say more for now. My best advice is to do exactly as they tell you. I have to leave now, but I will return as soon as I can.”
Boxx scuttled over and tugged at Keris’ flying cloak. “I Must Speak To My People. I Have A Gift.”
Keris’ voice was kindly but firm. “Maybe later.” Her cloak whirled about her as she turned and re-entered the passageway.
“Where are you going?” Shann demanded.
Keris looked back, her face a mask of stone. “I’m going to try and get you a stay of execution.”
<><><><><>
Chapter 26
“She was kidding, right?”
Shann was sitting on the floor of what had now become a prison, despite the fact that there was no door. There was also no furniture. The Chandara it seemed, had no use for such things. She roused herself from her inner thoughts and looked up at Rael. “What?”
“The crack about getting us a stay of execution. That was a joke, wasn’t it?”
Shann lowered her eyes. “Keltar never joke.”
“But what about Boxx?” he argued. “It’s one of their own.”
Shann shook her head. “I don’t know. These Chandara are not the same as the ones in our world. It’s hard to say what they might or might not do.”
Rael stood and began to pace the chamber. “This is not right.”
Shann sighed. “What do you mean, ‘not right’?”
He indicated the stone walls. “This…their living here, underground. They’re supposed to be forest dwellers. They’re also supposed to be extinct.”
Shann recalled their conversation from before. “You told me that the forest they used to live in was some way north of here.”
“That’s right, although…something happened to it just prior to the war with the hu-mans. The whole forest died somehow.”
“Died? How can an entire forest die?” she asked.
Rael shrugged. “Disease? Drought? I don’t know. Plant biology was never my speciality.”
“So when their forest died, the Chandara came here.”
“Yes but why here?” He raised his arms, appealing to the heavens. “You would think that forest creatures would move to another forest; not start burrowing into the ground. It’s like…I don’t know…murghal moving to the desert. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Maybe we should ask an expert. “Boxx?”
The creature perked up. “Yes, Shann?”
“What is this place?” she enquired.
Boxx replied without hesitation. “It Is A Hatchery.”
“It’s a what?” Rael exclaimed.
“It Is The Beginning. The Start Of All Things. Yet These Are Not Hatchlings. Hence It Is Also The End. Only A Gift And A Promise Can Prevent It.”
“A gift and a promise?” Shann repeated.
“Mine Is The Gift; Yours Is The Promise.”
Rael had stopped his pacing and was deep in thought. “Hatchlings…this place has to do with their reproductive cycle.” Shann remembered a humorous discussion she had once had with Alondo concerning Chandara reproduction. They had speculated on it, but neither of them had had the courage to actually ask Boxx the question. “They are a long-lived species–much longer than us, by all accounts,” Rael continued, “but they do not live forever. So they must have a reproductive method of some kind. Maybe…maybe the destruction of their natural environment triggered it?”
“No,” Boxx returned.
Rael was not going to be put off. “A hatchery implies eggs. That would explain why these Chandara are so…protective. It’s natural for a species to defend its eggs.”
“No. There Are No Eggs Here,” Boxx insisted.
“How could you know that?” Shann asked.
“There Has Been No Change. We Change. We Eat. We Remember.”
“That was what it told me before.” She looked up at Rael. “I still have no idea what it means.”
Rael addressed Boxx. “So you’re saying this is a hatchery with no eggs?”
“Yes, Rael,” the creature replied.
Rael threw up his hands in resignation.
“Yes, well right now we have more immediate problems,” Shann pointed out. “Chief among which would be staying alive.”
“You don’t trust your friend to come through for us?” Rael asked.
“Let’s just say it wouldn’t hurt to have a contingency plan in place. If it looks as if things are going badly, then we should look for an opportunity to make a break for it. Keep your eye on me and wait for my signal. As for right now…” She pulled her blanket out of her pack. “…I’m going to get some sleep.”
Rael blinked. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely,” she answered. “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. Whatever our captors intend for us, I’m fairly sure we are safe, for the moment at least. This place is the first warmth and shelter I’ve known in two days, and I intend to make the most of it.” Shann bedded down and watched as Rael and Boxx followed her lead. Boxx simply lay with its head on the floor. The last thing she noticed before she drifted off was that the Chandara had what looked like a tear in the corner of its eye.
Later, when she finally came to, she raised herself up and looked around their open cell. Rael was curled up in one corner, still asleep. Of Boxx, however, there was no sign.
~
Keris stood in the middle of the largest chamber of the Outer Warren, surrounded by Chandara. She could not help but be reminded of the Great Tree in the Forest of Illaryon where she had received the message from the past. But these were not the quirky forest-dwelling creatures of her world, jostling and climbing over one another like impatient children. These Chandara were stoic, standing erect on their hind limbs, decked in rough coverings and still as statues.
She had spent the last two days learning about them–trying to gain their trust. It had been an uphill struggle. Her first encounter had been similar to that of Shann and the others; confronted, then surrounded by the creatures. Their distrust of anything on two legs was evident. Keris had shown them the map and explained about Annata.
“Annata Helped Us When The Great Tree Withered,” explained a wizened Chandara that seemed to have been nominated as their spokesman. “Led Us To Where We Could Build The Warren. Then She Told Us Of You; That You Would Come To Our World.”
Keris crouched so as to bring herself down to the creature’s level. “I have come here now because I need your help. I need to know the location of the instrument that Annata concealed.”
“I Cannot Help You,” it stated flatly.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because It Will Make No Difference. This Is The
End. The End Of Our Race. Nothing Can Change That. I Cannot Help You.”
Keris was an investigator, not a diplomat. She was the first to admit that she was not skilled in the art of negotiation. But she could not leave it at that. There was too much at stake. She had been told that she was free to come and go, but that on no account was she permitted to enter the area known as the Inner Warren–the hub of this wheel-like complex. Her investigator’s curiosity was naturally aroused, but she was disciplined enough not to risk wrecking these discussions and incurring the wrath of her hosts by flouting the older Chandara’s instructions. Somehow she had to convince them, and the key to that seemed to be to try and understand their current plight. Clearly the loss of their Great Tree had something to do with it. It seemed that the Tree was more than just their home–they depended on it somehow. “The Great Tree Stores Our Essence–Our Memories Of Who We Are, Throughout All The Generations,” it croaked sadly. “Now All Of That Is Gone. Gone Forever.”
“But you said Annata brought you here to preserve your race,” Keris pointed out.
It looked at her, its eyes black points set deep in a wrinkled face. “Annata Does Not Comprehend. The Tree Is In The Chandara And The Chandara Are In The Tree. Each Cannot Exist Without The Other. The Tree Stores Our Essence During The Change. Now There Will Be No Change. It Is The End Of All Things.”
In the library of Kynedyr, Keris had told the image of Annata that she was prepared to end her own life to keep the location of this place a secret in order to preserve the Chandara as a race. Yet it now seemed that Annata had been wrong. There was more to their survival than simply keeping them hidden–much more. Unfortunately, however, Keris could think of no way to help them. The only living Great Tree that she knew of was the one in her world, and there was clearly no way to transport dozens, maybe hundreds of Chandara across the Great Barrier. Even if it could be done, it might not be a good idea. If the Tree was indeed essential to their survival, then it seemed reasonable that it would support a given number of Chandara. Introducing a massive new influx of the creatures to the Forest of Illaryon could potentially threaten the delicate balance there and destroy both populations. She had to face the fact that this group of Chandara might indeed be doomed, as they believed. Sometimes, whole herds of animals would die out due to changes in climate or other circumstances. It was sad, but it was the natural order of things. Still, the fact remained that she needed the information these Chandara possessed. Perhaps if she made an appeal to compassion. “Without the instrument, my people, the Kelanni, will cease to exist,” she told it. “It will be ‘the end of all things’ for us.”
“Kelanni Came. Cut Down Our Forest. Our Forest Died. We Should Not Preserve Those Who Destroyed Us.”
Keris’ mind suddenly went back to her conversation with the crazy old-timer in Kieroth. He had said something about being involved in logging operations in the forest of Atarah. The Chandara had come to view what they were doing. They had even objected, but the loggers had chosen to ignore them. Not long after, the forest had begun to die. Could it be that the Chandara saw those events as connected somehow? “Kelanni did not destroy your forest,” she countered. Yet even as she was saying it, Keris realised that she could not know that for certain. Many Kelanni here shared the same distaste for the Chandara as did the people of her own world, and they were capable of feats that her people were not. It was tempting to blame the Unan-Chinneroth; that would certainly serve her purpose if it were true. But again, she had no proof. Annata had said that she did not believe that what had happened was natural, but she could be wrong. In the final analysis, it was Kelanni who had been seen cutting down their forest. She could hardly blame the Chandara for their conclusion.
She had retired to marshal her arguments. Then the last thing she could have anticipated happened–Shann and the others had turned up. She had been delighted to see that Boxx had survived–the girl too. But it was not the time for overt displays of emotion. She needed a way to keep them in check while she figured out her next move. There is no more effective paralysing agent than the fear of impending death. Yet now as she cast her eyes around the dimly lit cavern and the silent ranks of Chandara, she was reminded the threat was real and that it was hanging not just over those three, but over all of them. It was the price of failure.
The aged Chandara emerged from the ranks of the other creatures and stood before her, leaning on its gnarled staff. “You Have Brought Strangers Among Us.”
“I know two of them,” she admitted, “but I did not bring them here. They…I believed them to have perished on our journey here across the sea.”
“Then Why Have They Come?” the creature asked in its thin, high voice.
“They are here for the same reason I am. To learn the whereabouts of the instrument. Annata preserved it here for us–for the Kelanni to use.” Keris raised her voice so that all in attendance could hear. “I ask that you reveal its location in deference to her memory, and out of respect for all that she tried to do for your people.”
There was a high-pitched murmur among the assembled throng. Finally it was the older Chandara that spoke again. “Root And Branch Are Not The Same. Kelanni Of Before Are Not Kelanni Of Now. One Is A Preserver. The Other A Destroyer.”
“The ‘Kelanni of now’ do not seek your destruction,” she insisted. “What has happened to you is…a great sadness. But I do not believe my people are responsible.”
“Kelanni Despise Chandara. Does Keris Deny This?”
It was neither the time for deception, nor for false promises. “I admit that some among my people do not treat Chandara with kindness or respect. Yet that is because they have not come to know your people as I have. The only future for both of our races is for us to work together and learn to trust each other, as we have in the past.”
“Before Is Lost To Us.” The old Chandara’s voice quivered. “Gone With The Death Of The Great Tree. There Is Only Now.”
“Before Is Not Lost.” Keris started at the voice from behind her. She spun around to see Boxx standing erect, eyes as bright as coals. “I Am Sent By The Chandara Of My World. I Bring A Gift.” Boxx shuffled past Keris before she could react and took up a position before its wrinkled counterpart. Slowly it raised its upper forelimb, hand outward, three digits splayed open. The old Chandara raised its forelimb and placed its palm against Boxx’s palm. Keris took a step back as a soft luminescence appeared where their palms met. Their mouths rippled silently. The creatures surrounding them stood stock still, watching the display without reaction. Then, just as suddenly, the light died and the two Chandara from different worlds parted hands. Keris was filled with a strange feeling of reverence, as if she had just witnessed a miracle.
The old Chandara addressed her. Its voice sounded stronger, somehow. “I Would Speak With Boxx. I Ask That You Wait Outside.” Keris bowed once and exited the chamber. She did not relish the thought of losing control–of placing her destiny in the hands of another person. But it was apparent that Boxx had somehow made more of a connection to these creatures with a “handshake” than she had managed in two days of fruitless negotiations. Keris was astute enough to realise that she should not attempt to interfere. Yet merely making a connection was not enough. They needed the location of Drani-Kathaar, the place of testing.
Aeons passed. Finally, Boxx emerged alone. It stood erect on its hind limbs and cocked its round head to one side. “Keris, Please Follow.”
Keris fell into step. “Where are we going?”
“First We Go To Collect Shann And Rael. Then I Wish To Show You All Something.”
“What are you going to show us?” Keris asked, intrigued.
“Something No Kelanni Eyes Have Ever Beheld.”
<><><><><>
Chapter 27
As soon as they turned into a connecting tunnel that represented one of the spokes of the wheel-shaped network, Keris realised their destination–the Inner Warren, the very hub of the Chandara complex.
“Boxx,”
Keris hissed, concerned as to whether any of the creatures might be listening. “The…chief of your people warned me. No Kelanni are permitted here.”
“It Is All Right, Keris,” Boxx trilled. “We Have Agreed. Kelanni Must See If They Are To Understand. Each Must Trust The Other If We Are To Survive.”
And you communicated all of that with a handshake? Some handshake. Their footfalls sounded hollow against the smooth stone walls. Several of the shelled creatures shuffled past, but did not react to their presence. The passage bent gradually to the right. A light appeared ahead of them, which grew into an opening, and they finally stepped out into a high chamber.
Keris squinted in the dazzling illumination that flooded down from above. Set into the ceiling were a profusion of the light-bearing vines, ending in bulbous appendages that shone like tiny suns. As her eyes grew accustomed to the brightness, she looked to the centre of the immense chamber and was unable to stifle a gasp. Occupying the middle of the cavern was…a Great Tree. It was far smaller than the full-grown Trees in the forests of Illaryon and Atarah, but it was here, unmistakeable. Growing in the midst of an underground cave.
Luxuriant purple foliage shone in the overhead illumination. Dozens of Chandara were moving around and over the spreading Tree, climbing its trunk or scurrying along its leafy branches, like courtiers attending their sovereign. As she watched with a growing sense of wonder, she saw the boy Shann had called Rael move out into the chamber ahead of them, eyes as wide as the cavern itself. “This is…incredible,” he breathed.
“It’s beautiful,” Shann said.
“This That You See; This Is Our Beginning.” Boxx extended its forelimb, taking in the wide chamber. “Seed And Eggs Are Placed In The Warren. The Eggs Hatch. The Seed Breaks Forth. Hatchlings Sustain The Tree. The Tree Sustains The Hatchlings. The Tree Grows; Pushes Up Into The Sun’s Light. Chandara Move With It, Plant The Forest. The Tree And The Forest Are One. The Chandara And The Tree Are One.”
The Lodestone Trilogy (Limited Edition) (The Lodestone Series) Page 58
