* * *
"She's coming," Master Jarvis said as he tucked away the message.
"Yes," Humbry said. "I heard. Wendel has not always been my favorite person, but he always seemed to have good sense. It would be good to see him reunited with his daughter. You had Catrin as a student. Didn't you?"
"I did. She was an average student. If I remember correctly, she was easily bored, but she was a good girl overall. I don't think she would hurt any of us. Well, except for maybe Edling."
Humbry chuckled. "Has Beron been at you to side with Edling again?"
"He never stops."
"I thought he might follow me here," Humbry said. "I don't care what they say, Jarvis. I think we should try to make peace with Wendel and his followers."
"They disobeyed a council edict," Master Jarvis said. "Though it was an edict I was tempted to go against myself. I just don't see how we can convince Beron or Baker Hollis."
"I'll do what I can," Humbry said. "A day doesn't go by that one of them doesn't show up at the farm and talk until my ears hurt. Maybe, this time, I'll do all the talking."
* * *
"No one's ever going to believe this," Kenward said as the Slippery Eel skimmed across the water.
"Perhaps it's a tale best not told," Nora said.
"The best ones always are."
"On that we agree," Nora said.
"I worry about them, though," Kenward said. "They've been at this for weeks, and Catrin is becoming more and more reluctant to take time for rest. It will do no good to reach the Godfist in time if she has no energy left. The physical exhaustion alone would be enough to put most men abed."
"Women are tougher than men," Fasha said.
"Prios doesn't seem to be faring poorly," Kenward countered, but Fasha just rolled her eyes and walked away. "Hopefully he'll not have to endure much longer. It's impossible to say how much time we've saved, but I think we should be getting close."
"I agree," Nora said.
Walking to where Catrin and Prios stood, in what looked like a deep meditative state, Kenward cleared his throat and spoke softly, hoping not to startle Catrin. The thought of his ship suddenly dropping from the air made his stomach hurt. "Can I talk to you while you work?"
"Yes," Catrin responded, her eyes still closed. "It's more difficult when I divide my attention, but I can do it for a short time."
"We should be nearing the Godfist," Kenward said, and he would have sworn the ship surged ahead with his words. "Normally we would only dock at the cove or along the southern coast, but I can't say what things are like on the Godfist these days, and I want your opinion."
"It would take too long for us to travel around the desert, but I also agree that we should probably avoid the harbor."
"Besides going to the harbor," Benjin said as he approached, "landing on the northern tip of the Godfist, where the Zjhon built their lift system, may be the shortest and safest route."
"I agree," Catrin said.
"It's settled, then," Kenward said.
* * *
With their destination set, Catrin felt a renewed sense of urgency. The duration of their voyage and the additional burden of propelling the ship had dulled her panic, despite knowing her father was in no less danger. There was simply no more she could do, and she made herself accept it.
Beside her, Prios made no complaint, but she could sense his exhaustion as poignantly as her own. Cold weather made their task even more difficult. Still, Catrin could not relent--not yet. Every moment brought her closer to the Godfist, closer to her father and her home, and she doubted she could sleep even if she tried.
"Sails to port, sir!"
The lookout's call sent a thrill through Catrin as she realized they must be getting very close. The vessel on the horizon had the look of a fishing boat, and it seemed unlikely that they would be more than a day from shore.
"Catrin," Kenward said. "I don't think we should let anyone see us sailing like this; it might cause a panic. We should make the rest of the trip under sail alone."
Though she agreed with his sentiment, Catrin was loath to release the energy that flowed through her, and when she did, her exhaustion became acute. Still, she refused to leave the deck, despite the icy winds that drove in heavy cloud cover. She didn't want to miss the first sighting of the Godfist, and she remained at the prow, straining her tired eyes. Prios showed that he had better sense and went to his cabin to rest.
* * *
"You can't be thinking of going?" Jensen asked. Wendel unrolled the message and read it once again.
Wendel,
The people have suffered enough. Let us put an end to this struggle. Come to the Masterhouse immediately so that we might settle this matter peacefully.
This letter will serve as notice to all guards. Wendel Volker is to be assisted on his journey to the Masterhouse, and he is to be treated with respect.
I will await you.
Master Edling
"It's obviously a trap," Jensen said.
"We must at least make an attempt at peace," Wendel said. "I owe that much to Catrin."
Jensen looked angry and frustrated. "You'll go alone? Into the hands of those who've already tried to have you killed?"
"I know who we're dealing with," Wendel said. "Edling is not all powerful. There are others who remain that have good sense. I'm sure if I could talk to Jarvis or Humbry, I could convince them to truly make peace."
"This entire meeting is on their terms. I don't like it. We should request neutral ground."
"I don't like it either, but I'm saving my energy to fight for peace instead of territory."
"I suppose you have a point, but I still don't like it," Jensen said.
* * *
"Land!" Catrin called out, proud to have been the first to see her homeland in the distance, and the sight of it was agonizingly sweet. She longed to raise the ship up and fly, but she honored Kenward's wishes. Chase and Prios came to stand by her, just as she caught a whiff of cold but stale air.
"We're almost there," Chase said, but there was something else in his voice and stance. Looking to the sky, he sniffed. "Do you smell that?"
"I smell something foul," Catrin said. "It smells like the shallows did before the mountain exploded."
Chase stayed a moment longer then went in search of those he wanted to thank for all they had done for him, which left Catrin and Prios alone.
"We're nearing my home," Catrin said, "but I doubt I'll be welcomed. There are more dangers ahead, and I'll not ask you to take any more risks. You've done enough. You deserve to live the rest of your life happy and free."
I go where you go. No matter what dangers we face.
"Thank you," she said, unable to find words that would express what she truly felt.
Clouds gathered and darkened the late afternoon, and the foul smell grew stronger, as if the clouds themselves were rank. Cold wind descended and drove the Slippery Eel through choppy surf. Catrin went to her cabin in search of warmer clothing. In her pack she found the jacket that Rolph Tillerman had given her, and she pulled it on for the sake of sentiment as much as warmth.
Benjin entered the cabin. "Chase, Strom, and Osbourne are waiting in the galley. I think we all need to sit down and plan out our next moves. We're not out of danger yet."
"Let's go."
The heat of the galley was a welcome change from the frigid air on deck. Catrin sat next to Chase and made eye contact with Strom and Osbourne, but no one spoke a word as they were faced with fears they could no longer deny. Catrin wondered if her father and uncle were alive, or if Strom and Osbourne had family left to go home to. Fear knotted her stomach, and she began to sweat.
Benjin must have sensed the mood as he entered the galley. "Whether good or bad, the time has come to get the answers to the questions we've had. Though I hope we can all be reunited with our loved ones, we must prepare for the possibility that we may have suffered losses as well." No one else spoke. A pall of sadness hung in the a
ir. "Do not mourn what might not be lost. Be strong for a short time more, and then we'll know. Get your packs ready. Kenward has given me coin and some supplies in case we have need."
As if summoned, Kenward entered. "Sorry I'm late. We're not far from what looks to be the new northern harbor. There're plenty of lights. We can come in, quietly, at the very last dock and probably not be seen, but it's doubtful. Most likely they'll know you're coming. We can go farther east, but not under darkness. The reefs are simply too dangerous to approach after dark."
"What do you think?" Catrin asked everyone gathered.
"This is our homeland," Chase said. "I say we land tonight at the new harbor."
"We need to be careful," Benjin said.
"I agree with Chase," Strom said. "I say we land now."
"Me too," Osbourne said, and everyone turned to Catrin, waiting for her vote.
"We land now," she said.
"Gather your things," Kenward said with an enthusiastic smile. "You will be home soon."
* * *
Only a few lights remained as the Slippery Eel glided into the harbor. Catrin had already bade farewell to Kenward, Fasha, Nora, Brother Vaughn, and the rest of the crew, and already she missed them. Three fishermen watched the Eel with fear and suspicion as she glided into a slip. The crew scrambled to secure the ship and drop the gangplank.
Tears filled Catrin's eyes as she waved a final farewell; then she walked down the plank. Not liking the way the narrow walkways along the docks moved as she walked, she held her breath until, once again, she placed her feet on the firm soil of the Godfist. Ahead, the three fishermen stood at a long table cleaning fish by torchlight. Even in the darkness, seabirds gathered around to fight over the scraps. The men stopped and watched as Benjin, Catrin, Chase, Strom, Osbourne, and Prios walked by. All three had the look of the Greatland about them, and none chose to speak.
"Good evening," Catrin said as she passed. The men just stared back, seemingly frozen in fear. "How do we get up there?" she asked, pointing to the lights that still illuminated the lift. One of the men pointed to a wide path that led to the lift, and she supposed she would just have to find out when she got there. Her heart raced at the sight of shadowy forms moving at the base of the lift and voices that floated from the shadows.
When they reached the torchlight, the area was clear, and a man was extinguishing the remaining torches. The other people were packed into one of the large wooden boxes that were attached to massive lift ropes. Like oversized crates, the lift boxes could transport people and goods to the tops of the steep cliffs.
"Wait," Benjin said as the man approached the last torch. "We need to get to the top."
"Not tonight you won't," the man said. "This's the last trip up for the day, and we're full up. You'll have to come back in the morning."
"Who goes there?" a voice called from inside the box, and the door flew open. Catrin recognized Cattleman Gerard before he managed to squeeze out of the crowded box. "Benjin? Is that really you?"
"Greetings, Gerard, it's good to see a familiar face," Benjin said. "Where's Wendel?"
"He's gone south of the Wall for the peace treaty. Won't be back for days."
"How about Jensen?"
"He's in Lowerton."
"Where?" Chase asked.
"Ah, yes. Sorry," Gerard said. "I forgot. Lowerton is the new settlement, south of here but north of the Wall." He turned back to the people in the box. "Hey! You all get out of there. These people need to get up top right now. Hurry up!"
A debate raged briefly within the box; then Catrin heard someone say her name. A moment later, people poured out. Watching Catrin and her companions as they boarded the now empty crate, no one said a word. Cattleman Gerard entered the giant crate, which could easily hold forty people, and closed the door behind himself. Catrin watched through the cracks as one of the men yanked on a long rope that hung down from above. Slowly, the crate began to rise into the air, swaying gently at first, but sudden movements often sent it swinging into the timber framework, which groaned in response. Catrin and the others held on tightly to loops of rope that hung on the walls at regular intervals.
A platform came into view, and the crate stopped above it, making them step down as they disembarked, but Catrin didn't care; she was another step closer to her father. The others could go to Lowerton and search for their families, but not her. She was heading south. "What is the Wall you mentioned?" she asked.
"Edling's Wall is what they call it," Gerard said, and already Catrin didn't like it. "They built it after we fled the cold caves. They hit us while we were vulnerable and drove us as far north as they could, and since then, they've held us here. They've been building the Wall to divide north from south ever since. But now there are talks of peace. Your father's gone to the Masterhouse to end the fighting."
Determined, Catrin grabbed a nearby torch and began marching south. The others scrambled to catch up.
"Have you seen my mother or Miss Mariss?" she heard Strom ask, and she slowed a bit so she could hear the answer.
"They're in Lowerton, 'long with Jensen and Osbourne's parents. They've had no end of worry over you, and it'll be an honor to escort you to them."
Catrin nodded, her heart lightened to know no one else stood to lose a parent. Quickening her step, she challenged the rest to keep up.
Chase reached her side and cast her a sidelong glance. "You're going to the Masterhouse."
"I can't risk losing him," Catrin said. "I have to go."
"I'm going with you," Chase said as he grabbed her by the arm, making her stop.
"I coming too," Strom said. Benjin crossed his arms over his chest, and Osbourne did the same.
"I can't protect all of you. I can only protect myself. I must go alone."
"No," Benjin said. His stance and that of the others told Catrin that none of them would back down, and she relented. Somehow, she would have to keep them all safe.
Gerard led them along a well-trodden roadway, and after a series of sweeping bends, they gained the shelter of the valley. Ahead waited a bizarre town. "Welcome to Upperton," Gerard said.
Along the dirt roadway stood cylindrical, wooden buildings, and Catrin gasped. The others turned as she stopped, her hands covering her mouth. There stood what remained of the mighty greatoaks, and Catrin was filled with gratitude that they would live on as shelter from those in need. It seemed a fitting tribute. "Why did you use the greatoaks?"
"It was cold," Gerard said. "We needed housing. Your dad suggested we use the fallen greatoaks. It was a lot of work getting them here, but we used the ships we had to tow them to the lift. Took all our ingenuity to get them up here, but a couple of Greatlanders came up with a way to do it. Heck, they dragged a bunch of 'em to Lowerton as well."
Men and women gathered in the streets despite the cold, and Catrin guessed news of their coming had preceded them. No one spoke as she and her companions walked into town. Just as Catrin could make out faces of the townspeople, a cold wind gusted, bringing with it the foul smell. Everyone watched in horrified amazement as snow began to fall, for it was no ordinary snow. As if dipped in blood, each walnut-sized flake was a deep crimson.
The people of Upperton moved back into their homes, driven by fear. Surely this was a bad omen, and Catrin felt a wave of futility wash over her. What could be worse than having the darkest possible portent coincide with her return to the Godfist? The storm intensified, casting a filter of red over the entire landscape. Soon snow began to accumulate, making it look as if the land were bleeding.
The sound of wings caught Catrin's ear, and she turned to see three birds flying south. Everywhere she went, it seemed, someone was watching and waiting.
"We can't make the journey to Lowerton in this," Gerard said, "whatever it is."
"I doubt we'll be welcomed into anyone's home now," Strom said.
"I don't know how you do the things you do, Catrin," Gerard said, "but I don't believe this has anything to do with you. I wa
s there when you were born. You're no threat to me or any other right-minded person. You can stay with me tonight, and we'll set out for Lowerton with the sunrise. By then the snow should've stopped."
The insides of the greatoak buildings were remarkable. Much of the furniture was carved directly from the walls, and the furniture that was freestanding was obviously made from the same wood. With the exception of the stone hearth and chimney, the mighty trees provided all the needed materials.
"There's not much food these days," Gerard said as he brought out a wooden platter covered with nuts and dried berries. "Next year'll be better. When the terraces are complete, we'll have all the food we need. The Greatlanders have it all figured out. Until then, we just have to squeeze by."
"I thank you for sharing what you have," Benjin said. "It was a long journey, and it's good to be home and with friends."
"That's prob'ly where ya should stay," Gerard said.
"Catrin believes her father is in danger."
"That he is," Gerard said, "and he went there knowin' it. He went 'cause he believes there's a chance to end the fighting. If you go south of the Wall, you might just ruin our best chance for peace."
Catrin sat, staring at the fire, conflicted. How could she be certain her vision would come true? How could she put everyone else at risk on the basis of something she did not understand? In her gut she knew. She had to go south; every instinct agreed. "I'm sorry, Gerard. I mean no disrespect, but I must go. I know my father is in trouble, and if he's in trouble, I doubt peace will follow."
"Sometimes, we must follow our feelings," Gerard said, thoughtful. "If you're goin', the best place to get over the Wall would be the eastern guardhouse; there're no breaks in the wall near there, but the wall is not very high. We keep a close watch on the guards, and the two fellows stationed there are terrified of you: Carter Bessin and Chad Macub. Their only job is to make sure no one comes over the wall, and they seem to be getting a bit complacent."
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