The Lord of the Plains

by Sarah Chapman

Chapter 87

  Sometime after Adila’s visit, Aerlid came to Riley’s cave to speak with her.

  ‘Riley, I’ve been thinking.’ He began. ‘I see that you want to find a way to end the fighting. The scouts have still not found the ehlkrid?’

  Riley shook her head. ‘No.’

  ‘They may be hiding themselves during the day. I might be able to find them.’

  Riley thought about it for a moment. He would be gone and return within one day. It was far too dangerous to be outside the caves during the night. ‘Alright. When would you like to go?’

  ‘Two days should give me enough time to prepare.’

  ‘Fine. But don’t try and fight them, Aerlid. Finding them is enough.’

  In amused irritation Aerlid said, ‘Yes, Riley, I know that.’

  When Karesh arrived not long after and asked permission to go with Aerlid Riley had to think a bit harder.

  Riley frowned. She glanced at him. At his wings. He had not fought since he had rescued her, though his strength was returning. If he had not come and tried to move her away from the jellyfish, the acid would have hit her instead.

  ‘Very well.’ She said, hiding her reluctance. ‘You understand there should be no fighting, don’t you, Karesh?’

  ‘Yes, Master, I know. But I would like to assist Aerlid.’

  ‘Yes, I know.’ It was a bit more than that, she knew. But he ought to be in no danger. And besides, even if the ehlkrid attacked, Aerlid could likely deal with them better than she could.

  Two days later, Karesh, Aerlid and nine other gemengs left the caves. The scouting party was bigger than usual, perhaps because it was more likely to be successful. Perhaps because Riley didn’t want to have to find a new second in command. They started out across the Plains, moving at an easy pace. Aerlid was humming all the while. The day was warm. The sounds of insects and the movement of the grasses were loud.

  It was pleasant, relaxing in a way. Every now and then Aerlid would gesture in a certain direction and they’d change course.

  Around noon they stopped by a stream. They had not been moving so fast that a rest was necessary, but they did drink and pause for a moment.

  Karesh turned back towards the caves. It was good to be outside again. It was good to be doing something useful again. He had rescued the master, yes. Despite that, the gemengs he commanded looked at him differently now that he couldn’t fight.

  It won’t be forever, he thought. I don’t need my wings to fight. I can be useful even without them. He had lived so long without his wings, it wasn’t so hard to go back to them being useless. He didn’t think of the freedom, the bliss of flying. He did not think about that at all.

  He turned back to the group. Aerlid had a slight frown on his face. His singing stopped.

  ‘I’m not familiar with their feel any more. I don’t think they are too far. They’re hiding themselves with the same power that allows you to fly.’ He said to Karesh.

  Karesh said nothing.

  Suddenly a dull boom rolled across the Plains. Startled, Karesh looked at the sky. Was it thunder? The sky was blue and clear.

  A horrendous, booming, cracking sound screamed through the caves. Riley had time for one startled look around before the whole world collapsed to the tune of rock breaking and shattering.

  Sometime later, she awoke to darkness and pain. The pain of having her stomach ripped open by the jellyfish ehlkrid was nothing compared to this. She couldn’t move. A gasp escaped her and the crushing intensified, she couldn’t breathe in. All around was a rumbling sound, and beneath that, cries, gasps and screams for help. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. She gasped again, scared, confused, hurt. She was pressed tighter, her breath whistling out. She couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t help them. Time had no meaning in the darkness. She didn’t understand, couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Her mind recoiled from what was happening to her body. This couldn’t be real, this couldn’t be happening. Her face was wet, blood, tears or both she didn’t know. It hurt so much. The sounds of her people diminished, until they were gone. It was quiet, and she was alone. Her brief, painful, panicked awareness was fading quickly, but it felt so slow.

  Let me help you

  She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, it hurt so much…

  Let me help you

  The other gemengs looked around in confusion. Karesh’s eyes flicked from them to Aerlid.

  ‘What was that?’ he demanded.

  Aerlid was looking towards the cave. His face was very pale. Karesh looked too. Dust was rising from the mountain.

  He stared, not quite understanding.

  Aerlid took a few hesitant steps towards the mountains. Karesh noticed. That was enough.

  ‘Back to the caves!’ he ordered, the cautiousness gone from his voice. The gemengs obeyed immediately.

  They ran towards the mountains.

  Karesh kept one eye on Aerlid the entire time. They moved much faster than they had going out. Soon they were halfway back. Then Aerlid started slowing, stopped.

  Karesh halted next to him. ‘What’s wrong?’

  He shook his head. ‘It’s too late.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I can tell.’ His voice was hoarse. ‘It’s too late. There’s nothing… nothing there…’

  Karesh kept his eyes on him for a second. Then he grabbed his arm and began dragging him on.

  He resisted at first but then let Karesh pull him.

  Soon they were at the mountains.

  Karesh stared up at the slopes. He was starting to feel ill. He couldn’t understand, but he was starting to. And he wished he wasn’t.

  The gemengs around him looked how he felt, their worry and fear plain on their faces.

  Karesh resolutely started up the slope. The gemengs trailed behind.

  The air was very dusty. The slope was covered in gravel and boulders. Karesh stopped. He looked around. There was supposed to be an entrance here. He was sure there was supposed to be an entrance here. He knew there was supposed to be an entrance here.

  He felt numb.

  The entrance was completely gone, covered in rocks and gravel.

  He was vaguely aware of the gemengs behind him. Nine.

  Nothing there. Aerlid had said nothing there.

  As if gripped by a sudden energy, Karesh started ripping the boulders away. The gemengs joined him. There couldn’t be nothing.

  More rocks were below. The rocks shifted, burying what they’d uncovered. Karesh didn’t know how long they worked, but they never seemed to get anywhere.

  Only when a shadow passed overhead did he suddenly pause. He looked up. The sky was still bright and blue. The shadow had been that of another gemeng. He looked over at the nine.

  He swallowed. ‘We need to find shelter before night comes.’

  Nothing.

  He glanced back at what had been an entrance.

  He looked over at Aerlid. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper.

  Aerlid nodded. He was pale and trembling. How he was still standing, Karesh didn’t know.

  He didn’t know how he did it, but he turned and walked away, down the slope. He heard the other gemengs stop what they were doing and follow. As he passed Aerlid Karesh heard him say something under his breath, ‘Seta…seta…’ he kept repeating it.

  Karesh didn’t know what it meant. He needed to think. Where could they go? He took Aerlid’s arm again. He followed, did not seem aware.

  Where could they go?

  How could there be nothing?