by Dale Furse
Nell realised they were trying to push Brarb to the ground. She hit Sam's arm. ‘Get something to tie him.’
Tanat's blows weakened, and the bird's strikes seemed to only make Brarb more aggravated, though some of those strikes drew more blood from his forehead and shoulders. The bird had to keep breaking off the attack to fly up and circle before re-entering the conflict again.
Nell was terrified Tanat might be killed. ‘Sam,’ she screamed.
Tanat swung his leg around, his talon poised to gouge Brarb’s side out. Brarb ducked. His claws were so close, Nell could reach out and grab them. No. She needed a rope. He’d still have his hands to fight with and she’d have nothing. But no vine-covered trees grew on the hill. She wished she could change into Wintar at that moment.
‘Here,’ Sam said, as he dragged over what appeared to be a roll of heavy rope.
She grabbed the end and began unwinding it. It wasn't rope at all, but some kind of pliable light metal. She gazed up at Tanat just as Brarb's talon sliced into one of his wings. Tanat let out an agonizing groan, exhaling loudly, his body thumped hard against the rocky ground. There was blood all over him. Brarb followed and kept clawing at him. Tanat was going to die.
Holding the cable behind her back, she shouted at the Wintar. ‘Hey, you big oaf! Leave him alone. It's me you want.’ She wagged her head and sang, ‘Come and get me.’
She must have caught his attention because he stopped lunging at Tanat and turned on her. ‘So we meet again, cursed child.’
‘You will be cursed, you and your children's children.’ Nell knew she was raving but she wanted to keep his attention averted while she pulled the cord into a loop behind her back. ‘Through the generations, a blight will set on your family. I have cast this spell and none can un-cast it.’ She tried to sound like one of the many witches she'd seen in movies. It seemed to be working until the Wintar, a vile cast on his face, darted forward.
Tanat managed a cry of anguish. ‘No, Nell!’
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sam's horrified face. If she had time, she would have laughed. She would never have thought a brown person could turn so white.
She stood her ground as the Wintar leapt into the air and brought his talons down on her. She flung the noose as hard as she could. It met his claws. Nell pulled so hard, she lost her footing and fell back. Dozens of small sharp stones jabbed her back but she didn’t care. The oaf dropped hard at her feet. Reminding herself that he still had hands, she jerked her feet up under her and scrambled to stand before he regained his senses. Hauling at the wire, she yanked his hands together and twisted the metal as tightly around his wrists as she could. She didn’t care if it blocked the flow of his blood.
Sam came alongside, looked at her as if he’d never seen her before, and took the wire off her. ‘Help Tanat,’ he said urgently. ‘I'll finish up here. Cay-Meka. Get over here and help me.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
NELL WAS SO FOCUSED ON THE WINTAR, SHE'D almost forgotten about Tanat. He moaned and Dar-Seldra shouted at Nell to free her. She hesitated, unsure whom to go to first.
‘Nell! Quickly,’ Dar-Seldra called, ‘I am a physician.’
With a sigh of relief, Nell went to the crate. She inspected what she thought looked like locks.
Dar-Seldra said, ‘Brarb has the key.’
Sam was already wrapping their prize as Nell joined him. She glared at her mother’s murderer. ‘Where’s the key?’ she demanded. In another place and time, the Wintar before her would have been almost as handsome as Tanat. His dark caramel hair was just as long but not as curly as Tanat's. A nice, ugly scar would suit his nature. She fought to control herself from kicking him in his unblemished face. Instead, she hissed, ‘Where’s the key, you murdering pig.’
Sam said, ‘He's not too talkative. I've been trying to have a chat with him.’
Brarb turned his head away. A metallic rope hung from his neck.
She pulled at it. An oval-shaped piece of gold metal dangled from it. The key. ‘Roll him over, will you? I need to reach the clasp,’ she asked Sam.
Cay-Meka finally arrived on the plateau. She ran a wide arc around Brarb to Dar-Seldra's prison.
Nell took the necklace off and threw it to Cay-Meka. ‘Here, make yourself useful.’
‘I don't know how to open it,’ Cay-Meka said.
‘Slide it in the side of that square,’ Dar-Seldra said. Her eyes were full of admiration when she gazed at Nell.
A flush of hot blood prickled Nell’s cheeks.
Once freed, Dar-Seldra hugged her daughter before she ran to Tanat's side. ‘He's lost a lot of blood,’ she said after examining him. Directing her words to Nell, she almost whispered, ‘I will need falchors if I am to save him.’
‘What are falchors? Nah, don't tell me,’ Nell sighed. ‘Whatever they are, they're in a hospital in the city?’
‘I'm afraid so,’ Dar-Seldra said, her sad face gazing down at Tanat.
Sam took the gate off the crate and hauled it to Tanat's side. ‘Here. It won't be too comfortable but we should be able to carry him on it.’
It took all four to manhandle the injured Tanat onto the gate. He clenched his teeth in a grimace and beads of sweat formed along his forehead but he never made a sound to indicate they hurt him.
Sam stood with his back to Tanat's head. ‘You help me,’ he said to Nell. He spoke over his shoulder to Dar-Seldra. ‘You and Cay-Meka take that end.’
Although it was awkward lifting the gate from behind, once they raised it into position, Nell could carry it easily.
Sam glanced at Nell. ‘How are we gunna get him down from here?’
Nell was puzzled for a moment. The only suggestion that came to mind was to tie him onto the gate and push him down the steep embankment. Even if they were able to get Tanat down somehow, no one knew the way to the city. She spun her head around and saw the bird was still there, perched on the crate. Were they still connected?
As if answering her unspoken question, the bird took flight, circled above them and flew to the side of the hill.
Might as well give it a go. ‘That way,’ Nell said with a nod in the bird’s direction.
‘What about Brarb?’ Dar-Seldra said.
Glancing at the Wintar, Nell said, ‘He can stay and wait for the police to pick him up.’
Although she didn’t look too happy about it, Dar-Seldra didn’t say anything.
They had to walk up a small slope to get there. A narrow path wound its way down to the bottom. The hill was higher on that side and it would be a long, hard hike, but they had no choice. On the horizon, the city’s walls were just visible. Nell sighed. Tanat would die for sure before they made it even half the way.
No one talked as they negotiated the path. It was a steep decline and they had to concentrate because the track was really only wide enough for the laden gate to pass. Nell and Cay-Meka were on the upper side and Sam and Dar-Seldra were on the side that dropped away sharply. One wrong step and they would fall, taking Tanat with them.
It took over two hours to inch down the mountain. Once on even terrain, Nell was surprised her arms didn't ache at all and she was eager to go on.
‘We have to rest,’ Sam said, lowering Tanat to the ground.
Nell was about to disagree but she noticed the strain on his face. Veins throbbed in his neck and she supposed the other two were as exhausted as he looked. She groaned and pretended to be just as tired. ‘Yes, let’s rest.’ Nell had decided to keep any new abilities to herself.
After Tanat was deposited on the grass, the others collapsed beside him. There were fewer trees and shrubs that side of the mountain, and the grass was thick and soft. Nell found a small tree nearby. It was similar to a mulberry, with large green leaves and awash with black, green and red berries. The leaves were sticky to touch and the fruit was bland, but her stomach had again let her know she must eat.
Everyone had their eyes closed except Cay-Meka, who was eyeing Nell closely.
Nell let her shoulders slump, lowered her body to the ground with a groan and closed her eyes. She hoped her acting had improved.
A few seconds later, she opened them again to find Cay-Meka asleep with her mouth slightly open. The sun had already passed over and was well on its way to the horizon. It would be dark again soon and hard going with another Phib relative unable to see in the dark.
The bird landed on one of the lower branches of a tall tree. Nell smiled, guessing she had made a friend. The tree had numerous branches from ground level to tip. All the branches and trunk were as pink-orange as the Corl sun. Many of the lime-coloured leaves had fallen around its base. Nell frowned at them as they lay there waiting to go into the earth and nourish the tree. It was a normal cycle Nell envied. Even the leaves knew what to expect in their cycle of life.
So much had happened since the previous morning. Was it only yesterday? It was hard to know with the Corl nights being so short. She checked her watch. Last night, they had left Earth but they would soon spend their second night on Corl. Was it her birthday tomorrow when the sun rose? She wished she was back at the beach and riding through the rainforest. Everything was simpler there. No aliens and no new worlds, just living a quiet and uneventful life.
But she was on Corl with the worst problems she could have ever imagined. They couldn’t go on in the dark and they couldn’t risk being captured again by staying still. It was possible Brarb and his cronies could escape and Tanat needed help. Nell thought about everything and shook her head slowly as she made up her mind.
She trotted over to the bird. I need you to go and get help, she said without words, as she stroked his soft feathery head. While they were walking away from the hill, Cay-Meka had told Nell and Sam, Corls could travel like skarks did. Through some kind of personal wormhole to anywhere they wanted in seconds. She drew pictures in her mind of all different Corls including Kandar. She hoped the bird understood the pictures. She removed every Corl from the image except Kandar and zoomed in on him. Please understand. I need him to find us. Like playing a movie in her mind, the pictures moved to the city’s walls, inside and along the trading corridor they had used to the council building. She visualised Kandar standing in front of the doors.
The bird extended his wings, squawked and flew off in the direction of the city.
Nell hoped he understood that she meant him to fetch Kandar. She thought the bird was easily as intelligent as a dog and dogs could fetch all sorts of things, even people.
She made sure she didn't wake the others while she checked Tanat was comfortable. Her hand brushed away feverish droplets of sweat from his forehead. He needed to be in a hospital. She sighed and curled up on a patch of grass next to him. A while later, she fell into a fitful sleep.
When Nell opened her eyes, Kandar stood over her with worried eyes.
Nell sat up. ‘How long have—’
‘Not long, child. Are you well?’
‘Yes, but Tanat needs a doctor. How did you find us?’
He pointed to the bird perched on the same branch he used before. ‘That bird found me in one of the trading corridors. I wasn’t sure what he wanted, but it appeared, from his squawking and hits on my head with his talons he wanted me to follow him, so I thought I’d oblige if only for my own curiosity. I waited on the wall until he circled this area then jumped.’ He smiled. ‘I have to say I wasn’t expecting … actually, I don’t know what I was expecting.’
At the sound of their voices, the others awoke. Sam rose first and rubbed his eyes. ‘Huh? How long have we been asleep?’ He looked up to the pink dawn sky.
Cay-Meka and Dar-Seldra had huddled together and both sat up at the same time, wiped their eyes, and pulled at their hair trying to un-knot it as best they could. Nell thought how alike mother and daughter were. Their movements appeared choreographed. She wished she had known her own mother more at that moment than at any other time in her life.
Kandar said, ‘Nell, you can tell me how and why you are here when you are safely in the city. I'll take you back but I can only take one at a time.’ He gazed at Tanat. ‘Tanat must be the first.’
‘Yes,’ Nell said. ‘Of course.’ Excitement welled in her at the thought of travelling with Kandar. That experience was one she was looking forward to.
Sam leapt up and peered down at Tanat. Frowning at Kandar, he said, ‘How are you going to carry him?’
‘I don't need to,’ Kandar said, showing his pointy teeth. ‘All I need to do is hold him reasonably close to me. Lift his shoulders for me, Sam.’
Nell helped Sam. Tanat didn’t open his eyes.
Kandar knelt down, wrapped his arms around Tanat’s shoulders, and they were gone. No sparks, no sounds. Where he and Tanat were a second before – empty space.
‘Wo,’ Sam exclaimed. ‘I can't wait till it's my turn.’
A few moments later Kandar was back. Sam reeled back. Losing his footing, he almost landed on Dar-Seldra and Cay-Meka.
‘Watch out,’ Cay-Meka shouted.
He scrambled back onto his feet and moved beside Nell.
‘I apologise for taking so long,’ Kandar said. ‘The physician assessed Tanat's condition.’
Dar-Seldra stood gracefully. ‘Is he going to be all right?’ She spoke with a tremor in her voice.
‘The physician was content with his health.’
Nell grinned at her aunt. Dar-Seldra had a thing for Tanat. Nell turned to Cay-Meka. Ha, she wasn’t too happy with her mother's obvious concern for the Wintar. Sam grinned at Cay-Meka.
‘Take Cay-Meka next,’ Dar-Seldra said quickly, appearing uncomfortable at Cay-Meka's resentful glare.
Kandar nodded and advanced towards Cay-Meka.
Nell wondered if Cay-Meka had ever travelled with a Corl.
Her eyes widened. The apprehension on her face shifted to eagerness. ‘Oh, yes please,’ Cay-Meka said, and took Kandar's hand.
Nell guessed it was Cay-Meka’s first time also.
Not more than two minutes passed before Kandar returned and, one by one, he took Dar-Seldra and Sam. When he returned for Nell, she hesitated and searched the branches of the trees. The bird had moved high on the tree. ‘There you are,’ Nell said aloud with a relieved sigh. ‘I thought I would have to leave without saying goodbye.’
It coasted down to a branch about Nell's head height. She talked and stroked the bird. Out of the corner of her eye, Kandar watched her with undivided interest. Blast. She would have to remember not to expose her talents so freely.
The bird soared high into the sky and flew away.
Nell watched him disappear and wondered if she was doing the right thing by going with Kandar. He probably still wanted to put her away. What about her father? Even if he didn’t put her in that restoration place and even if she did help save Dar-Seldra, he would be really angry with her. She gazed in Kandar's direction. He was smiling broadly. He would have looked scary except there was a definite twinkle in his kind eyes and he seemed to be content to wait until Nell was ready.
She had to get back to the city. That mean Corl had the book in an urn at his place and his house must be in the city somewhere. Maybe Cay-Meka knew where he lived.
‘Okay,’ Nell finally said to Kandar. She'd have to think of a way to slip away with Cay-Meka. ‘Let's go.’ She stepped beside Kandar and he put his arm around her shoulders.
Just like the skark, all the colours of the rainbow surrounded them, whirling and eddying. A moment later they arrived in a room that smelt like disinfectant. Tanat lay on a bed in the middle of the room. Dar-Seldra was holding his hand. Cay-Meka looked resentful and Sam stood by the window, which was as wide as the wall and half as high. There were no curtains or blinds on or around it. Through it was a vista of the tops of the forest trees they had just left. The building must have been high because she was able to see meadows of green grass to the north.
A white robed doctor asked Nell to follow him. As the doctor opened the only door out of the room, Sam spoke quickly. ‘He's a
nother one of your rellies,’ he said.
‘What? Who?’ Nell asked, confused.
‘Him,’ Sam said, and jabbed his index finger in the doctor's direction.
‘He is not related to you,’ Cay-Meka said to Nell. ‘He is my cousin. On my father’s side.’
Nell shrugged and followed the doctor out of the room and into the one next door. There was no way she would tell the doctor anything. He probably thought that she was cursed too.
Glad the doctor didn't ask any unusual questions, Nell watched him as he examined her with an instrument the size of a CD case. He concentrated as he passed it over the front of her body.
‘Turn,’ he said.
Nell turned around, and assumed he passed it over her back.
‘You are well,’ he said with a small smile. ‘You can go.’
Each rescued member was examined in turn.
Back in Tanat's room, two Corl policemen questioned them extensively. One had skin the colour of a lime and the other's was lemon-coloured. Neither Corl wore capes. They recorded each of their stories in their bracelets. The thin gold bands must have held really miniature digital recorders of some sort.
Nell didn't think it wise to mention the book or Nadar again and she was thankful no one else did either.
‘The Rangers will collect Brarb and the other Wintars,’ the lemon-skinned Corl policeman said. ‘All of you will be called before the councils as soon as Tanat is able.’
