by Eve Langlais
“A machine? On Avhallonn?” Nemmuu’s lips pursed. “Have you touched it?”
Mother interrupted before Nema could reply. “What is it?”
“Dangerous.” Grandmother’s claim was almost as ominous as the whispers that followed, too many and too quick to grasp except for one feeling repeated over and over.
Fear.
Nema frowned. “What is the Lake afraid of?”
“This.” Nemmuu held aloft the metal disk, and the entire Lake shivered.
“It’s alien tech. We must destroy it.” Veevii would drop it in a lava vent without a qualm.
“We don’t even know what it is yet,” Grandmother interjected.
“It obviously poses a threat to the Lake. There is only one recourse.”
But the High Lady shook her head. “It is not enough to just destroy it. We must find out where it came from. How did it find its way here?”
Their planet wasn’t supposed to appear on any maps and was invisible to those who happened to pass by. The Lake hid them from those that might invade their land.
“It’s only one machine,” her mother stated. “And I don’t see what’s so dangerous about a broken piece of metal.”
“It wasn’t broken when I found it,” Nema admitted.
Her grandmother’s gaze fixed her. “Explain.”
It didn’t take long, and she finished it by holding out her hand, the scar from where she’d sliced her flesh still healing.
“It spoke to you? You’re sure?” Nemmuu asked.
“Yes, and it was like hearing from the Lake, but not at the same time.” The sensation unpleasant. Slimy almost.
“A sentient metal,” Grandmother mused aloud. “And it asked you to bring it here.”
“Metal can’t think.” Her mother snorted.
“Not the kind we’ve encountered. But our world is but a tiny speck in the universe.”
“Small enough that we’ll probably never see another one.” Veevii kept arguing.
“Or it’s just the start,” Nema interrupted. “We never even knew it was there. I happened upon it by chance. What if there are more? What if the next one finds a willing host to bring it to the Lake?”
“And do what?” scoffed her mother. “Sink?”
“You think it’s so benign. Then toss it in.” Nema snagged the cog and thrust it at her mother. “Do it.”
“I will not.” Veevii pursed her lips. “I think you’re both overreacting.”
“And you’re not grasping the danger. This is more than just a simple metal cog,” Nemmuu exclaimed.
“Cog?” The word sounded odd on her tongue. She glanced at her grandmother. “You recognize what it is?”
“I know of them. It’s a mecha part that forms a machine, which means there will definitely be more pieces.”
“Then we’ll tell the handmaidens to comb the mountains and sift the sands in search of them.”
“That’s not enough.” Nemmuu shook her head. “We must root out the source of the evil.”
“Evil?” her mother repeated with high-pitched incredulity. “That seems a tad dramatic.”
“Tell that to the Lake.” The waves frothed in agitation. “One of the handmaidens will have to leave Avhallonn and find the source of the sentient metal.”
“Are you insane?” Veevii gaped. “You cannot seriously mean to send a handmaiden off-planet.”
Because they usually served only on Avhallonn.
“I don’t mind going.” A spurt of excitement lit within Nema at the very thought.
“Not you.” Mother never even looked at her.
“Why not me?” Nema snapped.
“How do you propose to leave our planet? It’s not as if we have a vessel capable.”
“Don’t lie to your daughter. We have the means to send her.” Nemmuu took Nema’s side.
Mother’s lips flattened. “Those are for an extreme emergency.”
“What is? What are you both talking about?” Nema sighed with exasperation.
“I was referring to the fleet we keep.” At Nema’s blank look, Nemmuu explained. “We have spaceships. Several of them actually.”
“Vessels capable of leaving Avhallonn? To travel the stars?” Nema knew of the concept, but it wasn’t thought to be possible. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to understand. But it’s true. For a long time we’ve maintained a secret fleet that can be used in an emergency or for defense.”
“But how did you get a fleet? We don’t build machines.”
“We are capable of buying, though. Then there’s the occasional intruder that strays too close.” Nemmuu shrugged. “Really, I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”
“So you actually have the means for me to leave here?” The very idea had her heart pounding.
Problem being Mother wasn’t ready. “Nema can’t leave. The handmaidens aren’t trained for off-planet duties.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. The Lake will look after her.”
As if Mother would give in so easily. “How are we supposed to remain hidden if we suddenly make waves poking our noses in alien affairs? There is a reason we limit outside interaction. It’s for Avhallonn’s protection.”
“And I’m telling you that Nema must go to protect our sacred waters.” Her grandmother paced. “We must find the origin of that cog.”
“Where would I even start?” Nema asked.
A question that took a few days to find an answer. Days where she received a crash course in the world outside her galaxy, a much vaster place than she realized.
During that time, they set Avhallonn’s librarians to work. When they reconvened by the Lake, it was Nema who reported what they discovered.
“That thing we found is definitely known as a cog. Or a gear. A few have even called it a sprocket. Whatever word you use, it’s a mecha part and is considered very basic tech of the lowest sort.”
“So it’s junk,” her mother said smugly.
“Not entirely. It is valuable to one race known as the Siyborgh.” She struggled to pronounce the strange word she’d seen in the book.
“Metal people?” Mother didn’t have to fake the skepticism. Nema had felt much the same way when the librarians brought her the first reference.
“Not entirely metal. They start out biological and appear much like us.”
“Why would they bond themselves to machines?” Grandmother sounded perplexed. With good reason. Nema didn’t understand it either.
“From the little I’ve gleaned, it is to repair or enhance the original host.” Again, not much was said about why they did it. Their histories and knowledge of other races was woefully lacking.
“If they’re injured, why not just visit a Healer?”
“I don’t know.” Nema shrugged. “I’m just telling you what I discovered.”
“But they are collectors of cogs?”
Nema nodded. “Yes.”
“What of the one you found? Did you destroy it as we discussed?” Grandmother asked.
“I did. I dropped it in the fissure.” A crack in the planet that always bubbled with lava. Despite the cog being broken, once it hit the molten rock and began to sink, it spoke, begging for her to save it. Then it uttered a final scream before disappearing from sight.
“Good. If we find any others, we’ll do the same.”
“What am I to do if I find the origin of the sentient mecha?” Because Nema was doing this. Leaving her planet.
Her home.
Everything familiar for the unknown.
It almost made her sick.
“If you can, cleanse the taint before it can infect the Lake.”
“Who says it would hurt the Lake?” Mother argued still in her attempt to keep Nema at home.
“The Lake itself. The waters roll in fear and weep. They fill my dreams with a future full of darkness.” Grandmother knew how to make a bold statement, and it sounded authentic and frightening.
Unless you’d been pr
actically raised by her. Nema rolled her eyes. “You act as if you think this alien tech can get to the Lake.”
Their talk had taken their steps round the spiral surrounding the basin, drawing them closer and closer to the water itself.
“It would have had you been weaker. Do you think everyone would have had the bravery to slice into their own flesh?” Grandmother asked but didn’t wait for an answer. “We must stop the evil before it spreads.”
“Evil? Really?” Mother’s sarcasm emerged rich and mirth-filled.
“You mock the gravity of the situation?” Grandmother hissed. “You’re not ready to take my place if you can’t see the danger.”
“Who says I want to be High Lady of the Lake?” Her mother arched a brow even as she obviously lied. “Maybe we should let cousin Gwnn be the heir incumbent.”
“She’s too soft.” Nema could have winced as she admitted the blunt truth aloud.
Nemmuu snorted. “Observant. Perhaps we should ask Nema who among my three first ladies is worthy. Let her decide who will inherit the mantle.”
She shook her head. “Oh no. I am not getting involved in this argument.” This wasn’t the kind of thing she could win. Which meant they needed to get back on track. “Sorry, Mother, but I agree with Grandmother. We shouldn’t wait. If you’d felt what I did when that thing touched me…” She rolled her shoulders. “I don’t know if I’d call it evil, but there was something wrong with it. I don’t think it should be ignored.” Nema stopped by the glittering rim of the lake, staring out across its still waters. The surface—despite the clarity—did not reflect anything around it and appeared to absorb the single beam of daylight that came from a hole in the ceiling.
Nema resisted the temptation to slip off her sandals and dip her toe in the liquid. A handmaiden, especially of the fourth rank, had to earn the privilege to bathe any part of the body or drink from the Lake.
“It is not just the Lake that is restless. There is a disturbance in the universe,” Nemmuu uttered in her gravest voice.
“Then let the universe handle it.” Her mother remained stubborn to the bitter end.
“They might not know it’s happening yet. It is subtle and yet building pressure so that when the strife explodes most will be taken by surprise.”
“We can’t save everyone,” Mother warned.
“Perhaps not, but we can try and act before too many are affected. If we don’t…” Grandmother trailed off. “Stretch for the truth, Veevii. Let it enter you and you’ll understand why I fear for our family and Avhallonn.”
Gifted with sarcasm, Nema’s mother had a quick reply. “Probably on account Nema won’t do her duty and ensure the continuance of our line.”
Nema sighed. “Not this again.”
“Other mothers have the joy of grandchildren to spoil.” The pointed glare at her belly brought Nema’s shoulders back.
“Then borrow a couple from someone who has a few too many. I’m not ready yet.”
Might never be ready. Especially since she’d yet to meet a male she could tolerate. She doubted she’d ever find someone who didn’t bore her to tears. She once suggested artificial insemination—not something they did on her world—only to receive backlash. It was considered blasphemy against the gift of life. She kind of tuned out as they explained her duty for the umpteenth time. There was a strange law that demanded all progeny be the product of a physical union. Apparently, it was the only way to ensure all the gifts of a parent were passed on.
“One does not borrow the children of others.” Said haughtily by her grandmother.
“Why don’t you harass Lns for a grandbaby.” Her brother was a touch younger than her but perfectly capable of seducing a lady with fine pedigree.
“Your brother is not yet ready for the responsibility.” Because Lns preferred to imbibe and fight and spy. Her lucky brother enjoyed being a scholar many, many days of travel away in the less civilized parts of their world, separated from his family by a few mountain ranges. Which meant he could indulge in his favorite pastime: debauchery.
“It is so unfair you let him get away with his…his…” She struggled for a word that didn’t convey her jealousy.
“Don’t whine. It’s unseemly of a handmaiden,” Grandmother rebuked.
“I didn’t come here to get a lecture on having a baby.”
“Perhaps you need instruction,” was her mother’s tart reply.
Nema blushed. “I know how it’s done.”
“That’s a relief, but the continuation of your lineage will have to wait. Nema must leave, and quickly,” Grandmother stated.
“I’m ready.” She rolled her shoulders in agreement.
Her mother barked, “She’s needed here.”
“To do what?”
Veevii’s gaze fixed on her. “Your job.”
That brought a roll of her eyes. “Anybody can take over my daily task.” Up the mountain to make sure no one and nothing really bad lurked in the woods. Kind of boring most days.
“We don’t have enough handmaidens here as it is. We should send someone else. Someone older, with experience.” Mother kept arguing.
“There is no one else, and you know it,” Grandmother stated.
Nema reached out to touch her mother. “I can do this.”
“You’re too young.” Now the stupid excuses emerged.
“Lns left when he was much younger than I am now.”
“Only because I didn’t have a choice.” Mother had eventually forgiven him for running away. He’d claimed he needed to spread his freedom wings. More like he wanted fewer rules.
“Don’t force me to make the same decision Lns did.” Dropping the threat, Nema faced her mother boldly.
“Stop trying to stifle Nema,” Grandmother stated. “She is older than I was when I became High Lady of the Lake.” Much older as a matter of fact. Grandmother had inherited after an unfortunate accident in the mountains. A wild beast had been missed by patrols, and it took out the upper echelon in one fell stroke.
Mother paced as she wrung her hands. “It’s dangerous in the universes, especially some of the alternate ones. She isn’t ready for the treachery. You know females—especially those considered fleshy and fragile—aren’t taken seriously.”
Nema snorted. “Then I’ll show them to not mess with me.”
Both Nemmuu and her mother gasped. “You mustn’t.”
Grandmother grabbed her hands and hissed. “No one can ever know your strength. You are a handmaiden of the Lake, one truly blessed. You must guard our secret. A ship has been readied. You are to leave before the sun sets.”
Leaving so soon? Despite the fear of the unknown, she couldn’t stop the grin that tugged her lips.
“You don’t even know where to send her!” Mother exclaimed.
“Actually, because of Nema’s research, we do have a place to start.” Grandmother faced her. “You must seek out the people who like to put the metal inside their bodies. Discover if it the same as the sentient mecha piece you found.”
“How will I find them?”
“The ship is equipped with maps and requires little guidance from you. My advisors say you should make your way to marketplaces, as they are often where you’ll find the most rumors. And you know what to do when you find the mecha’s origin.”
Rather than elaborate, Nemmuu faced the Lake. They all did. The liquid within rose, millions of drops suspended in the air, silent and yet she heard them as if they all shouted at once.
Save us.
3
Some time later...
Zak awoke in a room on board his ship, the Solar Eclipse. Lying prove upon his bed, to be exact. Even the rope binding him hand and foot belonged to him.
Which made the humiliation complete.
“Release me at once!” he yelled to an empty room. It did nothing for his situation. Or his temper.
He wiggled on his bed, managing to roll awkwardly, the knots binding his wrists behind his back also tethered to his ankles
. But more annoying than that, his strength, enhanced by a series of cogs in his arms, failed him. His gears wouldn’t respond no matter how hard he strained.
I’m broken.
She broke me.
The she being Nema, the female he and Ray had stolen from a slave market. Not exactly one of his best plans.
Yet from the moment he heard the story in a tavern at a space station, where he’d stopped to refuel, he couldn’t resist.
“…she can see the future and the past,” warbled a tentacled Mnoa, his arms waving around with excitement, slopping the brew from several mugs.
“So what. Only kings and queens and power-hungry rulers give a sheee-it about that kind of stuff,” drawled his companion, the spurs lining his mouth giving his words a burr. “I’m more about the simple stuff like, where is my next ale coming from? And I know that answer.” He tapped the counter. “Right here. Right now.”
“You’re thinking too small,” the Mnoa replied. “Someone who sees the past knows secrets.”
“I don’t need secrets. I need treasure,” chuckled his friend.
“Exactly. If she can see the past, then she knows where things are hidden or have been lost.”
That statement was what gave Zak the idea.
He listened to their tale only long enough to decipher the location of the so-called seer before tracking down his friend Ray—who watched, with a rapier gaze, the roll of a ball upon a spinning wheel—in a gambling den.
Bounce. Bounce. Clack. A simple game of chance and yet it drew an avid audience and plenty of players.
Bounce. Spin. The wheel slowed down. Judging by the glare Ray tossed at the hand scooping the pile of treasure, he’d lost, making this the perfect time to interrupt.
“Ray, we need to go.”
“Kind of busy,” he remarked, waving a hand, the yellow linen sleeve drooping from his wrist and the laces over his chest partially undone.
“You can come back and play later. I need to talk to you,” Zak said, grabbing him by the arm and feeling the reluctance as he tore Ray away from the establishment for vice, thick with smoke and the despair of those who’d lost everything.
“This couldn’t wait?” Ray complained. “I was on a roll.”
