The Crystal Curse

by Gin Hollan

  "You were going to tell us about the different political influencers and power divisions over here. Do you have a map we can work through?" Arabeth asked. "And who would you think our most likely suspect would be?"

  "This is where I tune out. Do you have any food in here?" Graham asked.

  "Apples, in the cupboard over there," she pointed. "There may be other food. Help yourself."

  "Mmm, I'm hungry, too," Melanie said walking over.

  "Tell me what we need to know," Arabeth said to Clara, sitting at one of the tables.

  "First, coffee," Clara said. "Or tea?"

  "Tea would be great. I don't like over-using painkillers and that’s what coffee is... also, it puts me to sleep."

  Clara gave her an odd look.

  "It's related to being an overly active child," she said, wishing they could get back on topic. "I suspect something in it over-whelms my system and I shut down."

  "Is there a map?" Sam asked this time. "One we can take with us."

  "Oh, right. A map." Clara went and pulled a couple maps out of a drawer filled neatly stacked and folded, each labelled for a different region.

  She laid one out flat on the table between the three of them and handed two others to Arabeth. "Put those in your satchel. They're city maps."

  "Oops, and coffee." She stood back up again and went to the counter. Pushing a button, a whirring sound preceded a circle in the counter opening and a coffee maker rising up out of it. The reservoir sat on the left side and was already filling with water as a clockwork mechanism on the other side scooped grounds into a bowl on the top. The cap shut down over the bowl, making a sealing sound. Soon water was rushing through a narrow hose as if pressurized, into the top where the grounds waited. In less than two minutes Clara and the others had their coffee.

  It seemed like a waste of technology, but the others looked impressed.

  "Where can I get some tea?" she asked.

  "Ah, right here," she pressed another button. A similar setup rose up out of the counter, but this one was simpler, with a bag of tea dropped into a mug, spoon to one side and a kettle already steaming. Arabeth poured the water, using the spoon to stir. Once the weight of the mug was gone, the kettle sank back under the counter top and a cover slid out to hide it again. "All the conveniences of home," she said softly, stirring the tea bag.

  "Milk is in the refrigerator," Clara pointed to a small white appliance sitting on the far end of the counter.

  With their drinks in hand, they returned to the map, ready to learn what they could. Arabeth pulled her notepad and a pencil out of her bag.

  As forgetful as Clara seemed, she had the politics down pat, giving a nuanced over-view of regional struggles, power-players, and potential motives for wanting to get to the Blastborn side of the mountain.

  Two political groups said it wasn't smart to lock them away by themselves, where they could plot and scheme revenge, and should have been wiped out. Others agreed, but thought there should be oversight. Only one group thought they should be left alone, suffering enough by being separated from the rest of civilization, and living in the fabricated fear of plague and war. And then there were several with hidden agendas, many claiming to give Blastborn no second thought. No one trusted those opinions, Clara was sure.

  The people of their own country held all of these views as well, but stronger, and it caused rallies and protests in small amount.

  "The man claiming responsibility for the automaton said it was sent as an experiment on us, using us as nothing more than guinea pigs," Arabeth said.

  "Hmm, that would imply he was part of a group from Talran, Radburn, or Kethwent," Clara said. "They are keenly interested in mental sciences and don't think of Blastborn citizens as human. You can find them here, here, and here." She used a pencil to circle the areas.

  "How is it you have the same blood as us, but you're here?" Sam asked.

  "That's a long story. Suffice it to say that I take great care to not bleed in front of other people and I have people here who are loyal."

  "Frog in a frying pan, right..." Melanie said. "You're accustomed to the risk. Trust is easily broken - I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing anyone who knows can turn with the right motivation."

  "Thank you for your concern," she said dismissing the thought. "Now, back to the plan. The three groups - in order of likelihood." She wrote their names along the side of the map. "Start with the Bartons of Kethwent." She circled a large spot. "I can get you to the next city over."

  "Send Graham and Melanie home first."

  Silence hung in the air a moment.

  "That's great," Graham said. "That's exactly perfect. I have a couple experiments in progress that I may be able to salvage."

  "Not me. I'm not going back." Melanie crossed her arms and sat. "Now that we have a direction, I want to see this through."

  Graham glared at her as though betrayed but said nothing.

  "I can unhook one of the cars and send you on your own. It's alright," Clara said with a smirk. "One of you should go back to let friends and family know you're safe, anyway."

  "There's no conductor?" Sam asked.

  Clara smiled. "These are run by switches and paths. Once it's set and the train is in motion, it's won't stop unless there's a track interruption somewhere along the route."

  Just then a train with four cars raced in and came to a whistling stop. Steam poured out from both sides and when it stopped, a door to each car opened to reveal two rows of double-seats.

  "Do you know what you're going to do once you find them?" Clara asked.

  Arabeth paused. 'Stop them' was a weak plan, but that's all she had right now.

  "I think our objective should be to gather evidence and take it to our government. We don't want to start an actual war, but we need them to take some form of action," Sam said.

  "Always the cop," Melanie said. "I hope you have a plan B."

  "Spies," Arabeth said softly. "My family sees me as unsuited to work as a spy. If I trust them, I need a more 'me' way to do this."

  The others stopped and stared at her.

  "What would that be?" Melanie asked. "You can't mean..."

  "Prove they are vulnerable too, and use that to motivate a cease-fire," Arabeth said. "What is the point of my gadgeting and work as a Bail Enforcement Specialist if I can't stop the occasional high-level criminal as well as the low-lives?"

  "That's like a Process Server saying they are going to negotiate an International Treaty based on marshmallow revenue shortfalls," Clara said. "You need a real plan."

  "We're miles ahead of where we were, but we still lack the information needed to formulate a solid plan," Arabeth said, sighing.

  // Chapter 23 //

  "Have any of you ridden in these before?"

  "I have," Arabeth said. "It had unmatched speed and a smooth ride. I was nauseous the entire time."

  "But wait, why is Kennen coming with us?" Melanie asked.

  "He's as good as dead after his fire alarm stunt," Sam reminded her.

  Arabeth smiled wryly at Kennen. "It's a good thing you are predisposed to adventure."

  He simply nodded.

  "Graham first," Clara said as she went to unhitch the first car.

  It only took a moment to uncouple the car and slide it forward.

  "In you go," Clara waved him in. "Do up the safety strap."

  She walked to the front of the car and unlocked a panel. Curious, Arabeth walked over to watch. The panel was a maze of flexible copper lines and valves, with an alphabetical labelling system.

  "You have this memorized?"

  "I use it a lot," she explained. "And there's a diagram in one of the other drawers in the kitchen, if you need one later."

  "That seems like a given," Sam said.

  "Here's the part you won't like..." Clara smirked. "To get it started, you have to bleed into this diode. Two drops, so don't go stabbing yourself to do this. It just has to get down to the base to complete the ignition connection
."

  "Whoa, that's pretty specific," Melanie said.

  "It's the silver, right?" Arabeth asked.

  Clara nodded. "Climb in Graham. It's ready. Sit in the middle, since you're travelling alone."

  Graham didn't look at the others as he climbed in, looking determined as he strapped himself into the seat. A moment later the door shut on it's own and he raced away, into the tunnel.

  "Okay, now to get you the diagram and send you on your way."

  "What about Davin?" Arabeth asked.

  "Her transport is a little trickier," Clara said. "She'll travel a bit slower, so I'll have to send you all first, then her. Wait when you get there."

  "Yes," Arabeth said as she did up the safety strap.

  "Okay, close your door. I'll see you another day, cousin." Clara did a mock salute and led Davin to the end of the shuttle cars.

  The tinted window made it difficult to see, but a shape that could only be Clara walked to the front of the train.

  This was the same thing her that her God-Grandfather had done on her first voyage. There must be a control panel up there.

  A moment passed and nothing happened. As that stretched, Arabeth unbuckled her seat belt and went to see what the problem was.

  Clara was muttering and occasionally cursing. Arabeth walked to the front of the train.

  "What's the matter?" she asked.

  "I can't select Kethwent. It's been blocked or removed from the system, somehow."

  "How far is Sharadaon from there? I rode this train system from Blastborn to Sharadaon less than three weeks ago."

  Clara's head snapped around to look at her. “Sharadaon? What possessed you to go there?"

  "It was a mercy mission. Someone had been kidnapped and I brought them home. I can't help wondering if there's a connection."

  "I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but these two incidents might be related. Nothing goes on for decades, and then in the space of a few weeks this happens. I'm a little disappointed in you. Let's get you close to Sharadaon. That'll put you on native soil, least."

  "No, the others need to go home first. I am accustomed to relative danger. Other than Sam, everyone else would be a liability."

  "Including Kennan?"

  "I don't understand his motives. Trust is going to be difficult for me."

  "Well, none of you can stay here. Strap in. I'll try to get you close."

  "You can't fix it?"

  Clara shook her head.

  "It's supposed to be hardwired into every train. I don't know how they altered it. Or whom. I'm hesitant to trust it at all, truth be told."

  "Wait. Whoever changed this will expect you to send us there. Send us somewhere less likely, but still reasonable. Even if it takes us a week to walk home, it's better than riding into a trap."

  "True. Good thinking. Get in."

  "Where will you send us?" Melanie asked.

  "I won't know until I get a better look at the options. Get in. I have to go work on my alibi. You figure out the connection between the kidnapping and the automaton incursion."

  That was the question, Arabeth knew. How were the kidnapping and attacks related? They needed more information.

  "Where are we?" Arabeth asked. "Can anyone see a sign?"

  The others simply shook their heads. They'd stopped walking to let Davin graze and Marble hunt and no one felt like talking. The long ride to the middle of nowhere was certainly time for reflection. Isolated in those small train pods with nothing but a sheet of tempered glass between them and the occasional burrowing rodent and rushing wind simply amplified current confusion or clarity.

  She'd trusted Clara when she said Zebakiah would send them into serious trouble, but wasn't she sending them to somewhere civilized? It was supposed to be another city, or at least a town. This place wasn't even on the map as far as she could tell. Flat land. There was nothing as far as the eye could see. Even her mountains were out of sight.

  Maybe she was looking at this wrong. She opened the map and looked for Kethwent.

  "Melanie, you say you can hear conversations that are way outside your physical range. Can you try that, varying the distance?"

  "I can try. You want me to start close and move out? I'm not sure I can tell direction."

  "I know this is all new to you. If it doesn't work out, that's fine. Just imagine what you want to have happen?"

  "I have to try. I know, I know." Melanie sighed and stood very still, closing her eyes. As Melanie turned slowly in place, Arabeth imagined her as a radar dish seeking a signal.

  Facing the same way as Melanie, Arabeth noticed a glint on the horizon. It shone for a few minutes then passed.

  "What was that?" she muttered, stepping forward.

  "Do you see something?" Sam asked.

  Arabeth pointed. "I'm not sure. There was a light or something for a moment."

  Melanie opened her eyes, frowning. "I think I may have done that."

  "What? How?" Arabeth asked.

  "There were voices coming from there, but they shut a window."

  "Does that even make sense?" Sam asked.

  "No, of course not, but that's what happened."

  "Then that's the way we go. We're just looking for civilization at this point," Arabeth reminded them.

  Nodding, Sam lifted his pack. "Let's get to it, then."

  "This heat is insane. How did they get used to it?" Melanie said, picking hers up as well. "I'm assuming they are accustomed, since they live here."

  "Frog in a frying pan - turn the heat up slowly and they don't notice it," Sam said.

  "Mel, what were they saying before they shut the window?" Arabeth wondered, picking up Marble and putting her on Davin's back as they started walking.

  "It was really hard to understand. It was still our language, but with a really strong accent and a lot of strange words thrown in."

  "Try," Sam said.

  "I am trying," she snapped back.

  "Is it easier when you stand still?"

  "Easier when I don't have to look where I'm going."

  "Hmm, I wonder if Davin is broke to ride," Arabeth said. "There’s an easy way to find out. Hold my pack, Sam."

  "You're going to climb on a strange horse?" Melanie sputtered.

  "We're not unknown to her, and she's short. If she bucks me off, at least it's flat and relatively rockless."

  Arabeth set Marble on the ground with a quick pet then took Davin's lead rope and tied the end to the halter, making reins. Flipping the rein over the mare's head, she stood near her withers and pulled the line to turn Davin's head to her. The mare responded immediately, understanding what to do. Arabeth pulled the far side, and was pleased that Davin again understood without hesitating. Next, she pressed her fingers into the mare's side, where her legs would be, checking if Davin would give to the pressure, or follow the instinct to push into pressure. Davin stepped away.

  "What are you doing?" Melanie asked, frowning.

  "Improving my odds," Arabeth said. "Even a trained horse needs to know you understand the cues from the ground, too." She lifted both reins together and slowly pulled them back towards Davin's tail, as though she were sitting. Davin took a step back. "She's trained for riding - rudimentary riding, at least. I won't know more until I'm up there."

  "You're going to do that later, right?" Sam said.

  "Well, yes...." She took up the slack in both reins, and adjusted them so the near rein held Davin's head turned toward her slightly but not enough to put her off balance when Arabeth got on. She hopped a couple times, watching Davin's expression. No change. She took a bit of mane in her left hand along with the reins, and jumped up, hanging across. Davin's ears twitched, but again, she stayed calm.

  Arabeth swung a leg over and sat up slowly. "Walking is all we need," she said to Davin, rubbing the side of her neck. She squeezed her legs lightly and again Davin knew what she meant by it. Walking slowly ahead, she grinned. She felt good, being back on a horse.

  "Hey, wa
it up," Melanie called as she and Sam walked faster to keep up.

  Arabeth lifted the reins and leaned back slightly, cuing Davin to stop.

  "You're glowing," Melanie laughed.

  "Instant happy, just add horse," Sam laughed too.

  "Alright Mel, hop up." She pulled the lead rope over Davin's head and stepped back.

  "Hop where now?"

  "Then think of her as the exception to the 'all ponies are mean' rule. Davin's a sweet heart," Arabeth said.

  Sam folded his hands together and stood palms up at Davin's side. "Put your foot here. I'll lift you."

  Melanie waved him off. "I'm not that short." She hopped a few times and jumped up, laying across Davin's back before she slid her leg around and sat up.

  "Try to 'hear' things while we walk," Arabeth said.

  Melanie took hold at the base of Davin's mane, belying her nerves. "I'll try."

  Within half an hour they'd gotten close enough to tell that their destination was a small town. "Kethwent," Sam said, pointing out a sign.

  Fruit trees started to dot the landscape. as well as a small lake.

  A group of three people walked towards them and as they drew near, they went directly to Melanie.

  "Are you well? Why are you on the back of a beast instead of using a convenience?" they asked Melanie, completely ignoring Sam and arabesque.

  "I'm fine, just a little sore."

  "We were concerned. Gregor said your speech was stilted," a tall, thin blond man said.

  "It's hard to concentrate up here. I'm not keen on horses."

  With a smile, Arabeth stepped up to introduce them.

  "Is there a place we can rest, and get food and water for the horse?" she asked.

  "Yes, of course there is," said an older woman, dismissively. "Let's get you to the castle. A room is being made ready, and it's not safe out here."

  Arabeth looked behind them, wondering what could be a hazard in the wide open, dry-dirt flats aside from tripping and knocking yourself out, then wondered if the hazards were in the fruit trees they would soon be surrounded by.

  "A place is being readied for your people as well, of course."

  Arabeth frowned then nearly laughed. Melanie being on horseback, still dressed in her city clothes was a good deal more regal than either Sam or Arabeth, who dressed for convict chases and, in this case, spelunking and wilderness. Her rough manner was tempered by a perpetual headache.