'I'm seventeen,' said Sebastian. He thought about it for a moment. 'Probably eighteen by now – I must have had a birthday somewhere back down the trail.'
'Eighteen. A good age! Just a few years younger than I was when I first arrived here.'
'And let's not forget,' said Max, 'that they both have me to look after them. I mean, I don't like to boast but—'
'I can see you are a fine asset,' Aaron agreed.
'I beg your pardon?' said Max.
Cornelius looked thoughtful. 'So you're asking us to escort the children – and the treasure – back to Veltan?' he said.
'Correct,' said Aaron.
'And . . . how are we to do that exactly?'
Aaron indicated a nearby table: on it lay something covered with a white cloth. 'Phelan, do the honours,' he said, and the boy hurried over to pull aside the cloth, revealing a strange-looking craft made of wood.
'The ark of Aaron,' he explained.
Max stared at it. 'I'm not being funny,' he muttered, 'but you won't get very much into that.'
The old man glared at him. 'That's just a model of it, you ninny! The real one is moored on the river.'
'Oh, right,' said Max. 'I knew that.'
'I designed it myself,' Aaron went on proudly. 'See how deep the bows are? The hold is loaded with treasure – everything that was once stored in this building. It has taken us many, many moons to get everything safely aboard.'
'But . . . who built it?' asked Cornelius. 'Surely not the children?'
'Oh no, we still had plenty of adults when we started work on this. As you can no doubt imagine, it has been an
incredibly slow process, finding the wood, cutting it, allowing it to season properly and then actually putting the thing together. It has taken many years. And over those years, our workers have fallen prey to the Night Runners.'
'Well, they must have been careless,' said Max bluntly. 'Those things only come out at night, so surely all your lot had to do was stay inside until the sun came up?'
Aaron shook his head sadly. 'It's not quite as straightforward as that, I'm afraid. True, the Night Runners cannot venture into the sunlight – the touch of it destroys them. But they can lurk in dark, windowless rooms waiting for careless people to come foraging for food or fuel. And there are many places like that in this city.'
Max snorted. 'Remind me not to go into any of them,' he told Sebastian.
Cornelius was strolling around the model ark, inspecting it closely. 'It certainly looks imposing enough,' he said. 'Where did you get hold of the plans?'
'I had to design it,' said Aaron. 'Another reason why it's taken so long. And I'll admit I didn't get it right first time. But as I'm very fond of saying, you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.'
Max brightened a little. 'An omelette,' he said. 'That would go down very nicely!'
Cornelius glowered at him. 'He's talking about a hypothetical omelette, you nitwit!'
Max frowned. 'Don't think I've ever had one of those,' he said. 'A bit of cheese would do me – I'm not fussy.'
Cornelius did his best to ignore Max. 'We came down that river on a raft,' he said. 'The river Sleed, I think you called it? We passed through some horrendous rapids. We even came over that huge cascade upstream and were lucky enough to survive the fall. You really believe this heavy craft can handle such rough treatment?'
Aaron smiled. 'It won't have to,' he said. 'There are no rapids between here and Veltan.'
'Well, I appreciate you followed its course upriver when you first set out, but that was a lifetime ago – you can't be expected to remember every detail.'
Aaron shook his head. 'Oh no, you misunderstand. I found some old charts that mapped the course of the river. According to them, the great waterfall is the last obstacle. From here it's a nice calm stretch all the way to Veltan. It's simply a case of going with the current.'
'That's what I was told,' said Max.
'We didn't have charts,' said Cornelius defensively.
Aaron smiled. 'It ought to be simple enough,' he said. 'A lot easier than the journey down river you have already endured. And somebody must take up the challenge! My life is nearly over but those children will arrive in Veltan with great riches at their disposal. They will be set up for life.' He looked shrewdly at his companions. 'And so, of course, will you.'
'Us?' Sebastian looked at him blankly.
'Well, I wouldn't expect you to change your plans without seeking some kind of reward. Shall we say twenty per cent of the value of the treasure to share out as you wish?'
Sebastian and Cornelius exchanged glances.
'That seems a most generous offer,' said Cornelius, 'if, as you say, what is in this room is only a tiny part of the treasure . . .'
'Oh, it is! Trust me when I say that if you undertake this task, you will be rich men indeed. I don't know what this Thaddeus Peel has offered you but—'
'It's not a fortune,' said Cornelius. 'I can tell you that much.'
'But you know nothing about us,' said Sebastian. 'How do you know you can trust us?'
'I don't,' admitted Aaron. 'But I consider myself a good judge of character; and I simply have no other choice. I am coming towards the end of my life. These children will be all alone in the world – they are orphans. And you, good sirs, represent their one chance of escaping from this hell on earth and finding a new and prosperous life in Veltan. I hope you will agree to help them.'
'Well—' began Cornelius, but Aaron lifted a hand to silence him.
'No, I don't want you to decide here and now. This enterprise has been so many years in the preparation, what difference can a few more days make? Have a think about it. Later, Phelan will take you to look at the ark so you can judge for yourselves how robust it is. And he will show you the treasures that are stored down in the hold. When you have considered everything carefully, then come back to me and tell me your decision.'
He sat back in his ornate throne and his narrow shoulders slumped with exhaustion. 'I swear, these days even talking seems to wear me out. I pray you will excuse me and allow me to rest a little. We will speak again soon.'
'Of course.' Cornelius bowed his head and he and the others followed Phelan back out through the huge doors.
Just before he left the room, Sebastian glanced back once again at the frail, skinny old man on his fabulous throne, surrounded by riches that he would never be able to spend.
He tried to imagine what kind of life he must have endured in this place while he drew up his plans for escape. Sebastian thought that it was one of the saddest stories he had ever heard; and he knew in that same moment that he would have to help the old man to achieve his dream.
CHAPTER 23
AARON'S ARK
They headed for the communal room, but Cornelius hung back and told Phelan to go ahead without them.
'We have a few things we need to discuss,' he said. 'In private.'
'That's all right. I'll see about sorting you out some breakfast,' said Phelan.
'Oh goody, what are we having?' asked Max excitedly.
'Well, for us it's generally rusa stew, but I think I know where I can lay my hands on some fruit,' said Phelan. 'After we've eaten we'll go and have a look at the ark.'
'Good, we'll look forward to it,' said Cornelius as the boy made his way towards the big room. The Golmiran swung round to look at the others. 'Well, what do we think?' he asked them.
'I think my stomach's gurgling,' said Max.
'Your stomach is always gurgling,' said Cornelius. 'I'm speaking of Aaron's request.'
Sebastian frowned. 'I don't really see how we can refuse,' he said. 'Those poor children – we can hardly leave them to their fate.'
'True. And it ought to be easy enough. If Aaron's right about the absence of rapids, then it's plain sailing all the way to Veltan.'
'See, you're doing it again,' complained Max. 'Whenever you say something like that, it turns out to be anything but plain sailing. Look at that ruddy raft.' He mim
icked Cornelius's hearty voice. 'All we have to do is point it into the current! No mention of rapids, waterfalls or ruddy great dragons!'
'You're such a pessimist,' observed Cornelius.
'No, I'm a realist,' said Max. 'There's a big difference.'
Cornelius gave a dismissive wave of his hand. 'If Aaron hasn't exaggerated about the treasure – and judging by what's up in that throne room, I've no reason to believe he is – then we could come out of this rich beyond all measure. There'd be no need to think about returning to Callinestra's island. And of course, once we're in Veltan, what's to stop us from chartering a ship round the coast to Ramalat? Then we can deliver Aaron's book to Thaddeus Peel and we'll have another payday from him.'
'Oh yes, it all sounds wonderful, doesn't it?' said Max. 'I seem to remember you saying similar things about that pirate treasure. And what did we get out of that? Nothing. Nowt. A big fat zero. Things are never as easy as you make out, Golmiran.'
'I hate to admit it, but he's right,' admitted Sebastian. 'It's not straightforward. For one thing, what about Keera, Cal and Salah?'
'What about them?' asked Cornelius.
'Well, they only signed on to help us find the lost city. We've done that now. What are they going to say if we tell them we're moving on down river to Veltan?'
Cornelius shrugged his shoulders. 'They don't have to come with us,' he said. 'They're free to head back to their village any time they like.'
Sebastian stared at him. 'On their own? For goodness' sake, Cornelius, what chance would they have out there?'
Cornelius laughed. 'Those three were raised in the jungle – they'd handle it better than we would.' He thought for a moment. 'Anyway, if they decide to come with us, we could offer them a share of the treasure. That would be an incentive.'
'You clearly didn't learn much about the Jilith during our stay, did you?' Sebastian shook his head. 'Offering them gold and jewels would be meaningless. You may as well offer them the wind or the sun.'
'Well, we'll just have to tell them we're going and it's up to them to decide what to do. I mean, they're adults, aren't they?'
'Salah isn't,' Sebastian told him.
'No, but . . . she'll probably go along with whatever Keera decides. And Cal – well, I'd say he'd do the same. That man is devoted to her. It's a shame she's so intent on being with you.'
'That's not my fault,' protested Sebastian.
Cornelius sighed. 'At any rate, we'll have to go in and face the music.' He gave Max a warning glance. 'Whatever happens, you keep your big mouth shut. This is sensitive stuff and I don't want you putting a ruddy great hoof in it.'
'Charming,' said Max. 'I'll try not to mess things up for you.'
They moved on along the landing and in through the open doorway. Sebastian scanned the room and saw Keera and Cal sitting on cushions in one corner. Their expressions were blank, as though they were already bored with each other's company. Salah was playing a game of tag with a crowd of other children. She was laughing delightedly and as Sebastian watched, Phelan ran up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and looked at him, her eyes flashing with excitement.
'Well, at least Salah seems to have made some friends,' said Sebastian thoughtfully.
As they approached, Keera looked up and her expression changed to one of delight. She jumped to her feet and hurried towards Sebastian.
'There you are,' she said. 'I was beginning to worry about you. I'll go and get you some food.'
'Oh, that's OK, I can—'
But she had already rushed off towards the fireplace, where a cauldron of stew was bubbling over the flames. A moment later, she was back with two bowls and a couple of pieces of flat bread, which she handed to Sebastian and Cornelius. She indicated a bucket of fruit standing a short distance away. 'Phelan left that for Max,' she said.
'Oh,' said Max, 'things are looking up!' Plunging his snout straight into the bucket, he began to eat noisily. Sebastian and Cornelius settled themselves down on some cushions and started on their breakfast.
'What about you?' Sebastian asked Keera.
'We have eaten,' she said. 'Or at least, I have. Cal didn't seem to have much of an appetite.'
Cal glared at her. 'Can you wonder?' he snarled. He looked at Sebastian. 'I'm sick of all this waiting around. What news from this mysterious Aaron? Do you have the proof you need?'
'Umm . . . not yet,' said Sebastian, chewing a chunk of gristly meat. 'No, not . . . not quite.'
'I've told you before not to question the Chosen One,' said Keera.
Cal laughed at her. 'There you go again,' he said. 'I'll question who I please!'
'You forget yourself. Remember, I am Maccan's daughter. He would be most displeased to hear you speak to me in such a way.'
'He'd be even more displeased if he saw how you've been carrying on,' snapped Cal. 'But if you want to speak with your father, I'll gladly escort you home. Just say the word.'
There was an uncomfortable silence before Cornelius weighed in with more information.
'Aaron wants a favour from us first. He is dying, but he has asked us to take the children down river to a city called Veltan. He fears for their safety when he is no longer around to look after them.'
'Veltan?' Cal sneered. 'Never heard of it. Nobody said anything about it when we undertook to help you.'
'No, I appreciate that,' said Sebastian. 'But . . . well, we can't leave the children to their fate, can we? So once everything is prepared, we will be sailing down river. Aaron has a boat and—'
But Cal was shaking his head. 'It's out of the question,' he said. 'You may do as you like but me, Keera and Salah, we'll be heading back to our village.'
Keera glared at him. 'That's not for you to decide,' she told him. 'My place is with Sebastian.'
'No,' roared Cal, loud enough to turn heads all around the room. 'Your place is with the Jilith! You think I'm going to go back to your father and tell him that you have decided to carry on down river with . . . him?'
'If that's what I decide, that's what you must tell him,' snapped Keera. 'Don't you dare presume to speak for me!'
Cal's eyes filled with tears of frustration. 'Keera, don't you see, these people are no good for us. Look what's happened since we fell in with them. Galt has gone and you've completely lost sight of reality. You're coming back with me if I have to drag you by your hair!'
'Can we try and keep things a little cooler here?' said Sebastian. 'We only want the best for everyone. Nobody is going to be made to do anything they don't want to do.'
'Keep out of this, elfling,' said Cal, 'or by Okrin, I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget.'
Sebastian could feel his own temper beginning to fray. 'Cal, nobody made you come with us. As I recall, you volunteered to come, mostly so you could keep an eye on Keera.'
'Yes, and a fat lot of use that's been to me. She's been bewitched by your fanciful words ever since she first laid eyes on you. She thinks there's something special about you, but I can see you for what you are.'
'You see nothing,' Keera shouted at him. 'You're so full of envy you cannot recognize true greatness when it stands before you.'
Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers Page 21
