‘I’m sure there is a lot you don’t know about our people.’
‘I’ll have to ask the others,’ Jack said, buying time.
‘I’ll wait.’ Loomis settled back down against the rock. Jack stood over him, thinking that perhaps he should say something else but in the end decided it would be better to speak to the others first. If they agreed, then they could all question Loomis. Together. Jack jogged down to the campsite and called them over.
‘Loomis is up there,’ Jack said, when they were settled. ‘He wants to come with us.’ All eyes studied Jack. He could feel their scrutiny burning against his skin as he repeated everything Loomis had said.
‘He’s a Fire Elemental,’ Cali said, throwing a frightened look at the hill top.
‘We should leave now and set up camp somewhere else,’ Brayden said.
‘He can track me, there’s no point changing camp. If he wanted to hurt us, why not just do it instead of asking to come along,’ Jack said.
‘He wants the Amulet,’ Brayden said.
‘Maybe, but if we let him come then we can keep an eye on him,’ Jack said. The rest of the group weren’t convinced and they sat discussing Loomis for over an hour.
Cali agreed first. Brayden refused to even consider the idea.
‘He’s a spy and a Salamander,’ Brayden said and shook his head, refusing to take any further part in the discussion.
Jack looked at Esther last.
‘It’s down to you Esther, if you don’t want him to come then I’ll tell him no,’ Jack said. Esther looked around at the three of them, her green eyes lingering on Brayden.
‘I-I-I think he sh-should come,’ she said and immediately got up and vanished into her tent.
‘You’re making a mistake,’ Brayden said to Jack.
‘You’re outvoted,’ Jack said.
‘You can’t trust him,’ Brayden said flatly before he got up and disappeared into his own tent. Jack jogged back up the hill, not entirely sure that they had made the right choice.
‘You’re in,’ he said.Jack hesitated for a moment before he asked the question that had been burning in his mind since Loomis had shown up. ‘How did you know?’
‘Know what?’ Loomis asked.
‘About the Earth Elementals turning on us.’
‘I was there,’ he said, and that was all he would say.
The night passed without further incident and the next morning they set off quickly, keen to reach South Point and the next stage of their journey.
Chapter 11: Neptune’s Bellows
South Point was like much of the rest of the island – black sand, endless sky punctured by jagged rocks, the icy Antarctic Ocean.
Jack stood at the water’s edge and stared across the ocean. His sister was there, somewhere, colder than here. Alone. The wind blew the cloak from around Jack’s shoulders, but he only felt the wintry blast from far away. Cali folded the cloak back around him and he looked at her and smiled.
‘What now?’ Brayden asked as Cali and Jack walked back.
Jack settled on a nearby rock and started unpacking his ration tin.
‘Lunch,’ he said.
‘What that’s it?’ Brayden asked, stepping up to Jack. Jack looked up from his tin at Brayden. The gnome was determined to have an answer this time.
‘Brayden…’ Jack began.
‘Leave the boy alone,’ Loomis spoke. His voice was low and pleasant but underneath was unbending.
Brayden looked resentfully at Loomis and there was a long moment where gnome and salamander stood, almost nose-to-nose. Jack was sure that he would soon be pulling them apart. To his surprise, Brayden backed off and sat a little way away from the rest of them occasionally throwing thunderous glances their way. Esther unpacked the small electric cooker and busied herself trying to make a warming lunch with what little food they had.
‘I take it we need to cross to the Antarctic,’ Loomis said quietly to Jack. Jack nodded. ‘In that case, I would suggest that we travel east.’
‘Why?’
‘There’s a small settlement of Water Elementals there – they live close to Neptune’s Bellows.’
‘Neptune’s Bellows?’ Jack said.
‘It’s the only way into the cove,’ Loomis said. ‘It’s secluded and they rarely get visits from others of their kind.’ Jack didn’t trust Loomis, but he didn’t see any reason for Loomis to be lying either.
‘You think they’ll help us?’ he asked.
‘They’ll be suspicious, but if we can make them trust us they might give us passage to the Antarctic. Or at least tell us how we can get there.’
‘If it’s so secluded, how do you know about it?’ Cali asked.
‘I travel,’ Loomis said. Jack looked at Cali and they reached an unspoken agreement. They would go, because it was the only option, but they didn’t trust the Fire Elemental.
During lunch Jack shared the plan with everyone. Soon after Brayden took him to one side.
‘Sorry about earlier. I guess I’m just tired or something,’ Brayden said. He looked tired, his eyes were dull and his hair and skin were dry and uncared for.
‘Let’s call it even,’ Jack said smiling and holding out his hand. Grinning, Brayden took it.
‘Ready?’ Loomis asked.
‘Yes, we’re ready. At least, I am,’ Jack said, looking over his shoulder at where Brayden had been only moments before. He was gone.
‘Let’s go then,’ Loomis said.
‘What a second,’ Jack said and called over to Esther, who was hoisting her bag onto her shoulder. ‘Where’s Brayden?’
‘He’s gone to wash out his ration tins,’ Esther said yanking the straps tightly across her chest.
‘Why not wash them in the sea?’
‘He likes to clean them in fresh water.’
‘Why?’ Jack asked, but there was no need for her to answer as Brayden appeared around a rock and strolled up to them.
‘Ready?’ he asked. Jack nodded, hoisting Gordy’s bag onto his back.
‘I’ll lead the way,’ Loomis said and began walking at a brisk pace along the black, gritty shore. Brayden and Esther followed close behind leaving Jack, Cali and the ever present Keeper to bring up the rear.
‘Curious weather isn’t it?’ Cali said casually as they began to walk.
‘What?’ Jack said, surprised that Cali wanted to talk about something as mundane as the weather.
‘The weather. It’s mild, don’t you think?’ she asked, raising her voice to be heard over the whistling wind.
‘Mild?’ Jack asked incredulously. ‘Cali, it’s July and it’s freezing!’
‘Jack! We’re south of the Equator. That means it’s winter here. It should be colder. Much colder,’ she said.
‘Right. Obviously,’ Jack said, feeling foolish.
‘Do you think Leofwen knew where we were going?’ Cali got straight to the point.
‘I think so,’ he said. ‘I think it was thought out and discussed before you and I even arrived at Five Oakes.’
Cali nodded. ‘The only surprise was the location of the Black Prince’s headquarters.’
‘You noticed that too?’ he asked.
‘Yes. The thing is, if Leofwen knew the plan…’ Cali began.
‘She definitely knew the plan.’ Even Aloysius couldn’t have kept something like that from the Empress.
‘Do you think she could be behind this unseasonably mild weather?’ Cali asked, glancing at Jack and speaking quietly so none of the others could hear.
‘It couldn’t be anyone else. At least, without her knowing,’ Jack replied slowly.
‘That’s what I thought,’ Cali said. The two of them walked together in thoughtful silence until Loomis stopped about half an hour later.
‘We’re nearly there. I’ll go on ahead and prepare them for your arrival.’
‘No,’ Jack and Brayden spoke at the same time.
‘You can camp here for the night and wait for me to get back,’ Loomis continu
ed as if no one had spoken, though his eyes flashed and flickered.
‘No,’ Jack said firmly, on his own this time.
‘What do you suggest?’ Loomis asked calmly though his eyes revealed his impatience.
‘I’m coming with you. The others can stay if they want,’ he looked around at the others. One by one they shook their heads.
‘This isn’t a good idea.’
‘I don’t care. You’re not going on your own and I won’t make the others stay behind.’
Loomis frowned. ‘On your head be it. The settlement is another half hour hike from here.’
The wind was bitter and Jack was grateful for the charmed cloak, but it didn’t protect his face which was numb.
‘What’s going to happen? When we get there?’ he asked Loomis.
‘They won’t trust us,’ Loomis said quietly. ‘Undoubtedly the first thing they’ll do is take us to their council.’
‘All of us?’ Jack asked.
Loomis shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’
‘OK. Then what?’
‘It will be up to the council whether they offer help,’ Loomis said. Jack sensed hesitation in Loomis’ voice.
‘What if they don’t?’ he asked
‘They could refuse aid and turn us out,’ Loomis said.
‘Or?’ Jack asked, knowing there was more.
‘They may decide to take more drastic action.’
‘Like what?’
‘It depends what they know.’
‘Tell me,’ Jack said.
Loomis hesitated.‘They could keep us there as prisoners. At worst they could turn us over to someone else,’ Loomis said his voice heavy.
‘How likely is that?’ Jack’s hands were clammy. He felt sick.
‘I don’t know. That’s why I wanted to come alone.’
‘And what do you think we would have done if you didn’t come back?’ Jack asked. Loomis shrugged again.
‘You would have options.’
They walked down the hill towards the vast cove at the centre of Deception Island. He could see no settlement, no trees or shelter of any kind. The sand leading down to the water was black.
‘Where is it?’ Jack asked.
‘Do you know anything about the island?’ Loomis asked. Jack shook his head.
‘It’s an active volcano,’ Loomis said. Jack heard Cali gasp and Brayden rushed towards Loomis.
‘Traitor!’ Esther shouted. In the silence of the island, her voice echoed. Brayden held Esther back – her eyes were wild green fire and her long mossy hair, tossed by the wind was a reflection of the flame. Loomis didn’t move.
‘An active volcano?’ Jack said, cold all over even beneath his cloak. Aloysius had told them the Black Prince’s headquarters was a volcano in the Antarctic. What if he was wrong about the location?
‘Is he here?’ Esther shouted over Brayden’s shoulder as he held her back. ‘IS HE HERE?’
‘Loomis,’ Jack said.
‘The Black Prince isn’t here,’ Loomis said. ‘Look,’ he pointed to the water. Right in front of them the water parted and a woman stepped onto the sand.
‘Welcome. I am Lynn,’ she said, her voice light, flowing into Jack’s ear like a cool glass of water. As she spoke a steady stream of elementals walked out of the inlet and onto the sand.
‘She’s a Water Elemental,’ Cali said quietly.
‘How does Loomis know about a Water Elemental camp?’ Jack asked as Loomis touched his forehead and chest, and then held his hand out, palm up.
‘I don’t know,’ Cali whispered.
‘We come in search of aid,’ Loomis said. Lynn held out her arms and addressed the entire group.
‘You are welcomed and invited to sit with our council,’ she said. The crowd of people grouped behind Lynn parted forming what looked like a welcoming party. Jack knew it was really a guard, though a friendly one. He didn’t want to change that so he silently followed Loomis to the water.
Lynn walked into the lake without removing the light, green slippers she was wearing. She leaned over it, her long, white hair brushing the surface, and spoke quietly. The water parted and they followed Lynn into the depths of the cove. As they walked deeper the water closed over their heads, forming a tunnel. Though there was no light the walls of the tunnel glowed an unusual bluish green and provided enough luminosity to see by. It was odd seeing fish and the occasional seal or penguin swimming around over his head. Strange and eerily beautiful. He thought he might be able to reach through and touch them. Once he thought he saw a face, a human face, laughing.
They walked for a long time. Knowing that these people were as likely to turn them over to the Black Prince as help them made the journey feel endless. The party came to an abrupt halt after what felt like miles.
‘Only the man child may continue,’ Lynn said.
‘No,’ Loomis replied, his voice flat.
‘The Keeper has to come. We are bound,’ Jack said, ignoring Loomis.
‘The Keeper may continue,’ she said. Loomis shook his head.
‘No. Jack!’
‘I’ll be OK,’ Jack said.
‘This is a mistake. You must not go alone,’ Loomis said, his orange eyes flamed in the dim light.
‘I’m going,’ Jack said. Cali grabbed his hand.
‘Please don’t go alone.’ Brayden and Esther didn’t have to say anything; their doubt was stamped on their faces.
‘I have to. It’s not like any of us have a choice,’ he said, letting go of her hand. The water tunnel separated into two. Jack and Lynn took the left hand turning, the Keeper following closely behind; Cali, Loomis, Brayden and Esther accompanied by the ‘welcoming party’ had no option but to take the other.
The water tunnel didn’t go much further; it ended in what looked like a dazzling piece of flawless glass. As Jack got closer he saw that it wasn’t glass; it was water. Through it Jack could see a large circular table, several people were grouped around it.
‘Do I just… walk through it?’ Jack asked hesitantly, Lynn nodded. Jack walked cautiously through the sheet of water. It sent a warm feeling through his body – it felt like ripples travelling from the outside in. To his surprise it didn’t send founts of water shooting off in all directions; when he emerged on the other side he was completely dry. He blinked and looked back. The water was still there; it still looked like a piece of glass. When he turned back to the table a tall man with long steel grey hair rose.
‘Greetings Jack,’ he said.
‘How do you know my name?’
‘We know many things. Please, sit.’ Jack looked at the other people at the table. They stared back. Jack touched his forehead and chest, and then held out his hand palm upwards. The eyes of the stranger who had spoken to him smiled and he returned the gesture.
Jack walked to the only empty seat at the table and sat, his back facing the door through which he had entered.
‘Welcome to our dwelling,’ the man said ‘I am Dax, head of our council and leader of this settlement.’
‘Thank you for your warm reception after our long journey,’ Jack said.
‘My apologies for our much restrained welcome. Your companions are now being given hot food and drinks. They will be given warm beds for the night,’ Dax said.
‘Thank you,’ Jack said. ‘Now, what do you want from me?’ Dax looked at him with deep, navy eyes for what seemed to Jack a long time before replying.
‘Why are you here?’
‘I need passage to Antarctica.’
‘Why?’
‘I have business there.’
‘What business do you have there?’ Dax asked, though he showed no surprise.
‘I’ve lost something. Something important to me. I have discovered that it’s in Antarctica.’
‘If you tell me what you have lost we may be of help.’
‘I’m sorry I can’t tell you,’ Jack said, fearing that he was doing all the damage Loomis thought he would.
Jack looked aro
und the rest of the table, more faces to remember, more ordinary or extraordinary lives that may help him or try to stop him. He put his elbows on the table, the friendship bracelet Sophie had made him peeped out of his shirtsleeve. He could still remember her running back into the garden after she’d given it to him, glancing over her shoulder as she did – the last time he’d seen her. Unexpectedly he felt the Amulet slide out of his shirt and with mounting horror heard it bang against the surface of the table. He covered it with his hand and hurriedly stuffed it back in his shirt but not before Dax had seen it. Jack saw his eyes widen. He glanced around the table to see if anyone else had noticed. He was sure it had been only Dax who had seen it.
‘Very well,’ Dax said in a low voice. ‘You will be taken to join your companions. We will discuss your request.’ There was muttering around the table, but no one challenged Dax. Jack stepped from the room through the same watery door. He looked back as he did and saw Dax deep in conversation with another Water Elemental.
The man – he had yellow hair and a stern expression - looked up straight into Jacks eyes; it felt like he was searching Jack’s brain. Jack looked away quickly.
Lynn was waiting on the other side of the door. The tunnel was open in another direction. Jack followed her, no longer curious, his feet dead weights and his stomach screaming for food.
It took less than five minutes to reach the others, who were still eating. Jack pulled up a chair and began to help himself to what was on the plate nearest to him, which turned out to be some kind of fish. It was delicious. As he ate he looked around the room curiously.
There were no walls or ceiling, simply water pushed back by some kind of force. As Jack watched he could see fish and other seacreatures speeding past. Though it was striking, Jack felt exposed. Anyone could be watching from the dark water. The table and chairs in the bubble were made of weathered driftwood cleverly shaped into furniture – there were no cuts or nails, the wood was locked together. Five hammocks and supports were standing in a corner - the beds that Dax had promised. He turned back to the table and saw his friends looking expectantly at him.
‘What?’ he asked. Cali rolled her eyes, Brayden made a disgruntled sort of snort, Esther stared and Loomis’s eyes flared.
Elemental: Steele Stolen: Part 1 and 2 Page 13
