Solstice 31: The Solstice 31 Saga, Books 1,2,3

by Martin Wilsey

  Both the Trackers bowed their heads slightly at the mention of their Keeper’s name. Ann left her head bowed and eyes averted. It seemed awkward to Barcus.

  Barcus made his decision. “Welcome to Whitehall. Have you had breakfast?”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Pyke and Ann

  “The Emergency Module in survival mode was learning from these trackers. They lived their whole lives in survival mode.”

  --Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Emergency Module Digital Forensics Report. Independent Tech Analysis Team.

  <<<>>>

  Barcus immediately saw in his HUD a flurry of activity that encouraged him to slow down a bit. Olias ran to the kitchens at the same time Po was flying down the spiral stairs, unslinging the AR as she went.

  “What brings you this far north?” Barcus asked.

  Pyke looked at Ann, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.

  “We were doing our annual winter business run for Keeper Ronan to Greenwarren to confirm our midwinter timber order and perhaps add a few things.” He swallowed hard before continuing. Ann encouraged him with another nod. “The village has been...” He swallowed again. Barcus knew why. “Greenwarren has been destroyed.”

  “Yes. We know. Keeper Ulric has been there with Grady,” Barcus said, causing one of Grady's eyebrows to rise slightly.

  “You have a Keeper in residence, then.” He looked at Ann again at this point, as Barcus pulled the huge door open for them to pass.

  “Yes. Do you have horses? You must have more gear than this.”

  “They have a camp, not far from Whitehall. Olias and I will be happy to collect their gear and bring it in while you have breakfast.” They were looking at Grady, non-verbally thanking him for his discretion.

  Just then, Olias came through the open door to the courtyard on the gatehouse side and skidded to a stop. He looked first at one Tracker and then the other, his hand on his knife handle as if ready for a fight. He seemed so small to Barcus in that moment. He had filled in so much during the previous weeks that Barcus sometimes forgot he was just a boy.

  “This is Olias. Olias, this is Trackers Pyke and Ann of the East Isles,” Barcus said.

  Olias tried to take a formal stance and make a head bow without looking comically formal. He almost pulled it off.

  “They will be having breakfast,” Barcus instructed.

  “Right. Follow me, miss.” He turned, and Ann followed him through the arch toward the kitchen.

  “Please,” is all Barcus said and entered the gatehouse. Before the door was closed, Olias was back with a tray of tea and warm wet towels. Pyke picked one up without thanking Olias or even acknowledging him. Barcus poured tea for them both. He saw Grady and Olias exiting the south gate to go retrieve their gear.

  Pyke was talking as he washed his face and hands with the towel. He seemed uncomfortable with how dirty he had made it. “Was it Keeper Ulric that brought you here? Inside these walls?” Barcus could sense his discomfort, knowing why the idea helped him.

  “Yes. There are Telis Raptors about, and the walls seemed sensible.” Barcus knew that Keeper’s desires could override the prohibitions this far north.

  “Telis Raptors?” His tea mug had stopped half way to his mouth.

  “Yes. They were eating our goats,” Barcus said, matter of fact. “There’s one hanging in our meat locker now. Do you know if we can eat it?”

  Pyke choked on his tea.

  ***

  Po was in the kitchen, collecting trays and dishes rapidly for breakfast. She already had a basket of fresh, warm bread and crocks of plain butter, honey butter, crushed nuts, chopped dried fruit, honey and thick cream ready. She was about to ladle hot oatmeal into a warming bowl when Olias entered.

  “Po, this is Ann. Ann this is Po, our head of house. Ann is a Tracker, Po,” Olias added, as if to explain some social issue. He left without another word. She bowed her head to Po in sincere respect, even though she was far taller and older than Po.

  “How may I help, mum?” It was a formal greeting.

  “You can put your things there. We will bring them breakfast in the gatehouse, then we can talk.”

  Ann took off her cloak and over-dress. Together the women assembled two large trays without a word. Ann looked puzzled at one of the trays.

  “There are only two bowls,” Ann said.

  “Yes. This meal is just for Pyke and Barcus. We will eat here.” Po gestured to the large kitchen work table.

  “All this food?” Ann asked, incredulous. Po suddenly understood what her question was. She had grown accustomed to the amount of food they consumed.

  “Yes. Now take that tray.” Po picked up the other tray and with practiced ease moved through the doors, down the covered walk to lightly knock and enter the gatehouse with Ann right behind her.

  ***

  Pyke was choking on his tea as they entered. Barcus laughed and was patting his back. Forgetting himself, Pyke spoke directly to Ann.

  “They have a Telis in the meat locker!” he blurted out.

  She tried to communicate to him with her eyes, but Pyke seemed to be the only one in the room that didn't understand her. She looked directly into Barcus’s face for the first time. He realized then she was as tall as he was. He raised an eyebrow.

  “Forgive me, my Lord,” she said and suddenly was on her knees with her forehead on the flagstone, her hands clasped at the base of her spine. It was as if she expected him to stomp her head flat.

  Barcus was clearly furious now. His jaw muscles seemed to highlight the scar on his face.

  Pyke realized what happened, and before he could say a word, Barcus spoke.

  “Po, I don't care what you must do. But explain it to her clearly so this never happens again.”

  Po grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to her feet and to the door. She risked a glance at Pyke as Po led her out. It was an apology this time.

  “Barcus, my Lord. I...” Pyke stuttered.

  Barcus held up a hand that cut him off. “Do not worry, Pyke. No offense was taken.”

  Pyke seemed embarrassed and dumbfounded at the same time.

  “I'm hungry. Let's have breakfast. Then we will talk.”

  ***

  Po was still dragging Ann back to the kitchen by the elbow.

  “I am so sorry, mistress. I shouldn't be allowed indoors.” Po pushed her down onto a bench at the long table.

  Po let out a barking laugh as she set two bowls on the table with spoons. “He likes you already.” Po added a basket of bread to the table, more crocks of butter and honey and other items. Ann was about to speak when Olias came in, running as usual.

  “Likes me?” Ann stammered.

  Olias rushed in, “Ann, Grady wants to know if you want one or two rooms for your gear?” Her mouth hung open.

  She nodded holding up one finger.

  “Just tell him. I will explain over breakfast.” She turned to Olias, “You and Grady are to come get some oatmeal as soon as you're done.”

  “One room. Please.” Ann said.

  Olias grabbed an apple slice off the table as he ran by with her warm clothes in his arms.

  Po set a full bowl of oatmeal in front of her, then dished one up for herself.

  Ann recoiled from the bowl, as if it was full of snakes.

  “At Whitehall, we all eat from the same larder.” To punctuate the fact, she poured in some honey, cream, a scoop of crushed nuts and folded it all in. She grabbed a small loaf of bread, tore it open and buttered it. Then she added honey and took a big bite.

  “We have so much honey,” Po said between bites.

  Just then, Olias rushed in and went for a bowl.

  Ann started to rise and was stopped by a gesture from Po who held Ann's eyes locked as she spoke to Olias without looking at him. “Olias, wash your hands before you touch another thing in my kitchen. You too, Grady.” Ann was visibly mortified for sitting with food before her with men present. She had not eve
n heard Grady enter.

  “Eat.” Po pointed at her bowl, reconsidered, and traded bowls with her, adding honey, cream and nuts to that bowl as well.

  As Po dug into her oatmeal, Grady set mugs of tea down on the table for the two of them, before collecting two more for himself and Olias. Olias dished up another large helping of oatmeal for himself, then handed the ladle to Grady, who did the same.

  Grady spoke to Ann as he settled next to Po on the bench. “Get used to it, lass. Eat up or you will be in trouble.” Olias was eating noisily as Ann lifted her spoon and took a mouthful. Her reaction was immediate. It was wonderful.

  They all ate in silence for a while. She was bold enough to take some bread and even butter it.

  Po finished as Olias was helping himself to a third bowl. Grady pushed his empty bowl away and cupped his mug in both hands. He spoke first.

  “You know what it's like to be days away from the nearest village? Sitting around a fire with a full belly of rabbit stew and a story fresh told? The way Pyke will speak to you then.” Grady spoke directly to Ann. “I see it in him. He'd not treat you poorly. He respects you. You know how you both see work that needs doing, and it gets done. No wasted time on groveling.” She nodded. “Whitehall is that very thing.”

  She said nothing.

  “He will want to speak with you. When he is done speaking with Pyke,” Po said.

  “Don't worry,” Olias added in common tongue around a mouth full of breakfast. “You'd be dead already if he didn't like the truth of you.”

  “Is he the Keeper then?” Ann asked Po.

  All three answered at the same time, “No.”

  “Don't make the mistake of calling Barcus that. We have a Keeper. His name is Ulric.”

  “How many people live here?” Ann asked, looking around at a kitchen that could support hundreds.

  “You have met everyone except Keeper Ulric,” Olias blurted out, earning a scowl from Po.

  Suddenly Ann's manner completely changed. She had a kind of fear in her eyes. She quickly rose and took her bowl to wash in the sink, a bit overzealously. “I am sure we will be on our way by noon.” She didn't notice Po walking up beside her until Po placed a calming hand on her arm.

  “What's wrong, Ann?” Po asked in a low voice.

  Before she could reply, they heard Barcus call for Olias, who ran out in a blur. Ann looked over her shoulder, but Grady was gone as well.

  “I cannot lay with another Keeper. I'm sorry. I'd rather take my chances naked in the snow,” Ann whispered through clenched teeth.

  Po realized what she was thinking.

  “Ann, hear me.” She reached up and touched Ann's chin making her look into Po's eyes. “Within these walls, no man will ever touch you without an invitation. Not Keeper Ulric, not the High Keeper himself. I promise.”

  “What is the word of a woman worth?” Ann asked, fear still in her face.

  ***

  “Please, sit and have some breakfast as we talk,” Barcus sat and gestured for Pyke to sit as well. “Po makes the best oatmeal.” He served himself and handed the ladle to Pyke to do the same. Pyke followed Barcus’s lead, and was soon hungrily eating the excellent breakfast.

  Em was speaking to Barcus in his head. “I'm sorry Barcus. I don't know how they got so close without detection. I will step up perimeter surveillance right away. I have no idea how Grady found them before I did.” Barcus said nothing.

  “Greenwarren and most of the eastern villages have all been destroyed, burned down by mercenaries, the villages abandoned. All the people were killed. It's genocide.” Barcus popped the last of the bread into his mouth.

  Pyke replied, “It's more than that. There is something else. We've seen it, seen them.”

  “Seen what?” Barcus asked.

  “Some kind of beasts, down from the mountains, bigger than anything I have ever seen before.” Pyke had stopped eating. “We carefully tracked them to Greenwarren, and from there to here. They have been here. We have seen the signs. Does your Keeper protect you here?”

  Barcus was caught short by the question. “Keeper Ulric explains very little to us. But we are relatively safe inside these walls. I will take you to see Keeper Ulric before you resupply and go. Where will you go?”

  “We will need to go to Langforest Keep. Keeper Volk can let Ronan know what has happened and dispatch a shuttle for pickup. We normally do that from Greenwarren, but Keeper Malcom is gone like the rest.”

  Barcus remembered then that Langforest Keep is where Po grew up. It was directly south and a bit east of The Abbey and across the Salterferry Bridge, just south of the gorge.

  “I believe Grady has a map that will show you the fastest way to the Salterferry Bridge. We can also provide horses.”

  “What is Keeper Ulric doing here? It's the north end of the world,” Pyke asked.

  “I honestly don't know. I am just the gatesman.”

  “Barcus, Ulric is awake,” Em notified him.

  “I will see about meeting the Keeper. In the meantime, Olias will take you to your rooms to clean up and rest.” Barcus got up and opened the door, calling to Olias.

  The boy came around the corner in a rush.

  ***

  Olias skidded back in, directly in front of Ann. “Barcus would like a moment to speak with you.” He didn't wait for a reply, but ran deeper into The Abbey.

  “Leave it.” Po began leading her to the gatehouse. Ann was speechless, but went without protest. Po and Ann entered without knocking. Barcus was at the hearth, refilling his mug from the kettle there.

  Po literally pushed her down into one of the overstuffed chairs. Barcus turned towards her as Po walked up to stand beside him.

  “Barcus, I will make this conversation easier. Please correct me if I say anything that isn't true.” She turned to Ann with hands on hips as if she was about to scold her.

  “Within these walls, no one will touch you without your leave. Ever. No beatings, no beddings, not so much as a tug on your braid to get your attention.” She savagely tugged her own braid to prove the point.

  Barcus sipped his tea.

  “Not the Keeper. Not Barcus. No. One. Would. Dare.” Her voice was fierce.

  She looked at Barcus then. He simply nodded.

  “She has figured out that Ulric was sleeping alone,” Po said to Barcus.

  The realization dawned on Barcus then.

  “You are a very good Tracker, Ann. Perhaps the best I have ever met,” Barcus said. “I have no idea how you managed to get so close to us without detection. Well done. How long has Pyke been with you?”

  She averted her eyes and replied, “We have been teamed for three years now, my Lord.” She looked surprised and a bit sad with this answer.

  “Barcus, easy,” Po said, knowing Ann's “my Lord” would chaff.

  Ann looked older in that moment, as if the weight of some sadness aged her just then.

  “You were with another Tracker before then?” Po asked.

  “Yes, mum. For twenty-two years. He taught me everything I know,” Ann replied, her sadness evident.

  “What happened?” Barcus asked.

  Ann looked up then. It was as if she had made a decision. “He was defending me. It cost him a trip to the anvil. His name was Brice.” She stood and walked the few steps to stand right before Barcus. “All for the vanity of a Lesser Keeper.”

  It was as if she expected to be struck. What Barcus did had a far more devastating impact. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke.

  “I am so very sorry for your loss...” His faced showed that he meant it.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  The Audience

  “Major data loss occurred during this temporal segment.”

  --Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Emergency Module Digital Forensics Report. Independent Tech Analysis Team.

  <<<>>>

  Olias came skidding into the gatehouse without knocking, and with his usual complete unawareness
of things that were happening that he was interrupting.

  “Barcus, Keeper Ulric is awake and waiting in the main hall.” It was in rapid common. Em’s subtitles helped so much.

  “Oh really?” Barcus raised an eyebrow.

  “Shall I get Pyke?” Olias asked.

  “Yes, please. We shouldn't make the Keeper wait,” Ann said.

  Olias was gone in a flash, and Ann was looking down at her clothes.

  Barcus looked at Po and shrugged with his eyes. “Po, please wait here with Pyke and Ann. I will go to the Keeper to find out what he would like to do this morning.”

  ***

  Barcus left the gatehouse and crossed the courtyard to climb the steps up to the main hall. He entered the vestibule and then the main hall. Grady was busy lighting the last of the fires in the six fireplaces.

  Ulric sat on the throne of the dais. The bags under his eyes were deep, and there was an uncharacteristic look of seriousness on his face. His head was recently shaved, but his beard was tangled, which gave him a slightly crazed, intense look.

  “Ulric, what are you doing?” Barcus said, as he slowly began to climb the steps to the dais.

  “Barcus, you need to send these Trackers on their way. Today. Now,” he stated.

  “Why? Do you know them?” Barcus asked.

  “They work for Ronan, the Keeper of the East Isles.” He pointed to the floor map, and Em highlighted it for Barcus. “People go to the East Isles and are never seen again. His Trackers are more than Trackers.” His voice was escalating in panic. “They are probably assassins and spies. How did they find this place? We need to get them out of here!”

  “We will.” Barcus was approaching Ulric like he was a spooked horse, palms open and moving slow. Ideas were forming in his head. “Keeper Ulric,” he said formally, “I will bring our guests before you and you can best send them on their way by offering assistance - horses and supplies.” His words were calm as he stopped on the top step. “I recommend that you do not engage in any other topics. You are a busy man. You owe them no other explanations. Let us do the rest.”