by Dale Furse
‘Cool,’ said Nell, still staring at the ship Kale had described to her. ‘I’d love to go on one sometime.’
‘Kale will take us for a tour on one when he signs up,’ Sam said, as if it was already settled. He followed Tanat inside the skark as the ston ascended without as much as a hiss into the sky.
Nell hadn’t spoken to Kale that morning and hoped his mother wasn’t too hard on him. One day she would be watching a ston take off with Kale on board. She shook her head. All things change. She boarded the skark.
***
A Kroll waited for them on the only flat ground in view. Mountains of varying heights covered the landscape. Green vegetation covered the lower half of the mountains and rocks in all shades of brown and red encrusted the top half to the apex. Nell squinted in the brightest sunlight she’d ever seen. The mountain they had landed on was high, but some of the mountains in the distance were even higher. Moving to the edge of the landing area, she could make out a narrow stream meandering around the base of the mountains. Green plants and blue flowers grew wherever they could take root.
Nell hurried towards the Kroll and rubbed its neck. It honked a small bleat. The sensation was no different to any other Kroll she had touched. She moved back to give Sam room.
Sam climbed onto the Kroll. ‘I should have packed some sunnies,’ he said, a hand shielding his eyes. ‘I forgot you have two suns.’
‘I can only see one,’ Nell said.
‘Our smaller sun can only be seen at sunrise or sunset,’ Tanat said. ‘The larger one outshines it at any other time.’
‘I might go blind,’ Sam said, making crossed-eyes.
‘Rubbish,’ Nell said, as Tanat’s iridescent green wings appeared behind him. ‘You’ll get used to it.’
Nell unfurled her majestic, purple appendages and followed. ‘Come on, slowpoke,’ she called over her shoulder to Sam.
They flew over the smaller mountains and around larger ones. Most of the smallest mountains, more like hills, had blue and green vegetation growing right to the top. Krolls, some with children on their backs, flew amongst adult s. While the s flew to their destinations, the Krolls without passengers stopped every now and then to feed on the vegetation. The smell of pineapple filled the air. Nell slowed and looked around for the source. The Krolls munched on the masses of blue, trumpet-like flowers as the sweet perfume wafted up to her nose. She could almost taste the thick essence.
Soaring higher, Tanat headed west and they made their way to a rust-coloured peak. Rising higher and higher through the clean, crisp air, Nell lost the flowers’ perfume.
They set down on a small landing bay carved flat out of the side of the mountain. A large opening stood at the end of it.
Sam hopped off his mount and looked around, nodding to a small shed in the corner. ‘Aren’t we gunna get him something to eat?’
‘Not right now. The choice of food here is abundant at the moment,’ said Tanat. ‘He’ll find what he wants when he wants it.’
Sam patted the animal’s neck. ‘Thanks for the ride.’
Nell rubbed the Kroll on the neck before continuing to the opening. It would have been useless to try to connect with the animal. The fact that she couldn’t had come through loud and clear. If they were sentient ... ‘If you’re blocking me, I want to know why.’ Another bleat then it took off.
Just inside the opening was a metal door set into the rock face with huge, golden, metal hinges that were bolted into the stone. Tanat knocked twice. He smiled at Nell as if to say not to worry but it didn’t stop her nerves from jangling. What would her grandmother be like? Her pulse quickened as the seconds passed.
The door finally opened and Nell stayed still as Tanat stepped forward.
‘It’s about time,’ the female inside said with a frown. She stepped forward and wrapped plump arms around Tanat, and hugging him, moved him from side to side.
‘Hello, Ma,’ Tanat said with a laugh, and kissed her on the cheek. He had to squirm to get out of her clasp. ‘This is Nell. Nell, this is your grandma.’
Nell started. Ma? She was his mother? Nell’s uncle?
Brown eyes regarded Nell. The woman smiled widely. ‘You can call me Lesel,’ she said. Her eyes moistened as she said, ‘You have Asisa’s colouring.’ She took Nell in her arms. ‘And you’re just as beautiful.’
Nell returned her hug. So much happiness filled her, she couldn’t think, let alone ask any questions. Lesel raved, ‘You are so like your mother. Asisa would be proud of you. You’re too skinny. Doesn’t Dar-Tern feed you?’
Self-conscious, Nell smiled and drew back.
Tanat interrupted them, ‘This is Sam. He is Nell’s friend and a Human.’
Lesel raised an eyebrow in query as if she hadn’t noticed Sam.
‘Ah, yes. You don’t look like a Phib – similar, but your colouring is too dark.’ Lesel looked at Sam seriously. ‘Are you comfortable with meeting so many different species?’
‘Yeah,’ Sam beamed. ‘I haven’t had so much fun, ever.’
With a slight frown, Lesel cocked her head.
Tanat smiled. ‘Humans are a likable race, as you will learn.’
Lesel drew Nell in front of her and looked at her face again. ‘Come through, we have much to discuss.’
Nell couldn’t make out the expression on her grandmother’s face. Perhaps it was concern, but Nell had the awful feeling that it was more like sympathy. She would have to make it plain that she was happy with who she was, not ashamed.
Six low chairs surrounded a lower, gold metallic-looking table that nearly filled the sitting room. The metal mined on Gramlax was okfor, the same stuff that was in everything from furniture to spaceships. Embossed, blue silk cushions covered the chair seats and when Nell sat on one, it was soft and comfortable.
Sam was quiet as he sat in a chair next to her. She gazed at him and figured he was wondering why Tanat had called Lesel ‘Ma’ too. Nell studied Tanat. Why hadn’t he told her?
Tanat sat and returned Nell’s thoughtful gaze. ‘You’re wondering why I called Lesel, Ma?’
Nell nodded and Sam leant forward.
‘During the great war, Lesel found me searching for my parents in one of the many restorations set up for casualties. I was fourteen and once she had discovered my parents were dead, she took me home and has been like a second mother ever since.’
‘And I’ve only regretted it a few times,’ Lesel chuckled and handed out large metal cups of cold, brown liquid.
Taking the beverage, Nell’s nose detected pineapple, reminding her of the blue flowers.
‘Don’t lie, Ma.’ He gave her a little-boy look. ‘You love me.’
She tossed a wave of her hand at him. ‘Of course, I do.’
Nell liked the way he called her Ma and she hoped, calling Lesel Grandma would feel just as natural one day. She took a cautious sip. It tasted like pineapple juice too. ‘Yum,’ she said.
‘It’s grop, made from gropils and is good for you,’ Lesel said.
‘Are they the blue flowers we saw on our way here?’
‘Yes. Don’t you think they are beautiful?’
Sam spoke for the first time. ‘The Krolls seemed to be enjoying them.’
‘Yes,’ Lesel said, then abruptly changed the topic. ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but I would like to spend some time alone with my grandchild so drink up your grop and Tanat will take you to the roof and tell you all about Gramlax.’ She turned to Tanat. ‘You can point out some landmarks for him.’
Tanat eyed her suspiciously. ‘Have you had a vision?’
Nell’s eyes widened. ‘Vision?’
‘No, not a vision,’ Lesel said. ‘Thoughts enter my head. From where, I do not know.’ She regarded Tanat, ‘I have learned to listen.’
‘Wow,’ Nell gasped. ‘That sounds like a Wexkian ability to me.’
‘It could be,’ Lesel said, though Tanat didn’t look convinced. ‘Don’t look like that, son. Since Nellen found that book of Wexkia, I have t
hought seriously about the origin of those thoughts.’ She eyed Nell. ‘Evidently, our family has a special connection with the people of Wexkia.’
Sam shot Nell a grin.
‘I don’t want you scaring Nell with speculations,’ Tanat said, placing a hand over Lesel’s.
‘They are not speculations, young man, and I don’t intend to scare anybody,’ Lesel huffed. ‘Go. Take Sam to the roof.’
Again, Nell’s eyes widened as Tanat bowed his head and stood up. ‘Yes, Ma,’ he said, and waved to Sam to follow him.
Sam shrugged at Nell before he followed Tanat out of the room.
‘Tanat’s a good boy,’ Lesel said after they left. She sat back in her chair and gazed at Nell.
Her cup empty, Nell placed it on the table and waited for Lesel to speak. She bit her cheek. Her grandmother didn’t seem to be in any hurry.
‘You are looking for a book?’ Lesel asked abruptly.
‘Yes,’ Nell said. ‘Do you know where it is?’
‘No, but word has reached us from Linque that you believe there is a second copy.’
Nell’s smile fell away. She had hoped Lesel had received some thoughts of the book’s whereabouts.
‘Now that you have translated the writings of the first book, copies are now being distributed to s.’
Nell kept quiet as Lesel again struggled for the right words.
‘If you find what you are looking for, Dar-Nellen, a great sorrow will infect an entire nation of people.’
‘Who?’
‘That I do not know, but there will be dire consequences for every soul in that race.’ She stood and walked behind the chairs opposite Nell to stand before a painting of Gramlax’s twin sunrise. The two suns rose, one was much larger and brighter than the other.
If what Lesel said was true, why hadn’t Nell seen the sad people? Her visions of The Book of Wexkia gave her a sense of urgency to find the missing last pages. She searched her mind for the sadness her grandmother spoke of, but couldn’t find anything. ‘Are you sure?’
Lesel walked slowly around the chairs towards Nell. ‘I am convinced. If the vision, for want of a better word, is of the people of Gramlax, I know we can deal with it. However, I am uncertain how the Phibs or Corls would handle whatever is revealed.’ She pulled Nell out of her chair and hugged her. ‘I can almost feel the fire in you.’ She sighed and drew away. ‘I realise that nothing I say will stop you searching for your place in the universe.’
Nell smiled and nodded. Love flowed from her grandmother’s eyes. Relief expanded Nell’s smile to a grin. Her grandmother liked her in spite of her vision. Nell returned the cuddle and revelled in the woman’s warm softness. Her family had grown by one more. ‘Is there anything else you can tell me?’ Nell asked.
‘I am frightened for you and the decisions you make. However, I am proud to have you in my family and I know you will do what is right.’ Her smile was slightly crooked as she added, ‘I’m afraid Tanat can be overprotective at times.’ That was true, Nell thought. ‘Come, sit and tell me all about you,’ Lesel said. They sat again and she told Lesel about where she grew up, describing Cape Hollow and Mount Grief.
‘Your father has kept me apprised of your life. It sounds wonderful,’ Lesel said. ‘I would like to visit this Earth of yours and meet with Dar-Tern again.’
Nell wished she hadn’t talked so much. ‘Why did you let me go on like that if you knew already?’
‘I wanted to hear about it from your viewpoint.’
‘You didn’t mind my mother being married to Dad?’
‘No. He is a fine man and your mother loved him. That was enough for me.’
Nell never tired of hearing that. Lesel asked many questions about Nell’s life and the first time she visited Corl. She answered as best she could without worrying her wonderful grandmother more than she had already.
‘Perhaps we should join Tanat and Sam,’ Lesel said after they had caught up with each other’s lives.
As they made their way to the roof, Nell accepted her grandmother’s hand and said, ‘Do you know about Shahs?’
‘Yes. I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t heard of her. Why?’
‘I was wondering if you knew of any physician who would be prepared to examine her.’
Lesel stopped walking. ‘To what end? I’m sure many physicians already have.’
Hoping she could trust her grandmother, Nell told her about her meeting with Shahs.
Shaking her head, Lesel said, ‘I don’t like it. If what you say is true, and I believe that you believe it is, you should report to the Corl Council and leave them to deal with the situation.’
‘How do I know who to trust?’
‘The information will be safe with Jenker. He is acting Lead Councillor in Kandar’s absence.’
‘I don’t know. Many on the council are out to get me and anyone like me.’
‘He isn’t out to get you as you put it. He was chosen by Kandar because he was worthy of the position. Please give me your word that you will go to him with your suspicions.’
Nell didn’t know what she expected from her grandmother but she hadn’t expected that. Suspecting Lesel would try to stop her, she nodded. ‘I promise.’ They continued on their way to the roof where Tanat was pointing out one of the sites to Sam.
‘Can we go and see one?’ Sam asked.
‘Of course. Mount Hote is the closest. I’ll call the mine administration. I can arrange a tour tomorrow morning.’
‘We’re going to a mine?’ Nell asked.
‘Yeah,’ said Sam. ‘That’s where they get that okfor metal.’
‘I know what they mine.’
‘Don’t you want to go?’
‘The mine will be interesting.’
‘That’s settled then,’ Sam said. ‘The mine it is.’
Nell shivered as he spoke. There was a cool evening breeze blowing from the east.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THEY LEFT FOR MOUNT HOTE EARLY IN THE morning.
Lesel’s wings were a pale shade of lavender. On the ground, she was slow and deliberate, but once in the air, she was as agile as any other . It was early and already the sky was bright with white light. Nell chanced a quick look. The huge sun glowed white as a new cotton sheet, but the smaller sun still fought to gleam through its brother’s light. Lesel pointed to parts of mountains as they flew, naming some of the families who lived there. Several of the mountains belonged to other races, including Corls, but Phibs weren’t mentioned.
‘Don’t any Phibs live here?’ Sam asked.
‘Phibs do visit and some stay for short periods. One day we will live as one again,’ Lesel said.
Every now and then, they flew close to and around the mountains. The slopes were dotted with doors, some single like Lesel’s and some large, double or triple. Nell wondered what was behind the bigger doors. She imagined luxurious mansions there.
Once at the mine, they waited at the entrance while Tanat disappeared inside. He returned with a whom he introduced as Zenez. Zenez proceeded to hand out hats that were similar to Earth’s hard hats except these had three spikes on top and full face shields with mesh so fine, they were almost invisible.
Lesel held waved her hat away. ‘No thank you.’
‘You know the regulations,’ said Zenez.
Lesel huffed, ‘There were no such regulations when I worked the mines.’
‘You know they are now, Ma,’ Tanat said. ‘Stop being difficult.’
Lesel kept the hat.
Zenez shook Sam and Lesel’s hands but declined Nell’s. ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he said, face flushed pink.
She shrugged. She supposed she would have to get used to that. It wasn’t as if he was rude, he was only frightened of something he knew nothing about. He was taller and skinnier than Tanat. His metal eyeteeth glinted when he smiled in apology. Nell tried not to stare. Okfor was used for everything.
Sam didn’t seem to think Zenez was rude either because he hurried ahead so
he could walk beside him, straining his neck every now and then to look up at him.
The mine was like an open-cut gold mine on Earth except it was inside a giant mountain. An underground, open-cut mine. Nell grinned. Cool. They followed a narrow path down. Above them was an okfor roof. Zenez said the workers’ accommodation and amenities were housed on the highest levels.
The path was wide enough for two people to walk side by side and spiralled around and down the sides. There were no safety rails between them and the ground far below. s only had to flap their wings to stay safe from a misstep. They passed doors in the wall of rock at regular intervals. Outside the doors, the path widened into a viewing platform.
When they stopped at one such platform, Sam stayed a step back from the edge. Nell guessed he had gained some respect for heights after his fall from a Kroll.
Huge elevator pallets moved up and down the centre of the mountain carrying giant machines. Some machines looked like drills, some like scrapers and others carried chunks of metal.
Men and women worked side by side. Nell guessed there were hundreds, if not thousands, working far below. It wasn’t nearly as noisy as she had thought it would be. The pallets moved silently. The clattering of equipment echoed through the mine and every now and then one or more of the workers yelled out orders.
Nell stopped at a door. That old familiar knot lodged deep in her stomach. Be careful, her intuition whispered. She touched her palm to the cool metal as Zenez continued to speak.
‘All s work the mine for ten years,’ he said, stepping onto the viewing area.
‘You, Tanat?’ Sam asked, pressing himself against the wall.
‘Yes, and Lesel,’ Tanat answered.
‘Wow,’ Sam said. ‘No wonder you’re all so fit.’
Nell took her hand off the door and tried to turn her attention back to the guide.
She found Lesel gazing at her with knowing eyes.
Zenez continued. ‘After that the workers choose what field they would like to work in. Some continue mining, most either build or design structures and the rest find alternative work.’
