The Lodestone Trilogy (Limited Edition) (The Lodestone Series)

by Mark Whiteway

  “I didn’t know how you would react to seeing me again,” he said. She retrieved her pack, located her tinderbox and set about resurrecting the fire, waiting patiently for him to elaborate. “At the beach, after I found out that Sakara had fallen and that everyone I knew and loved was now fighting for their lives, I…I guess something in me snapped. I blamed Lyall for stranding me here in this benighted place. All I knew was that I had to get back somehow. So I walked off on my own. For a while I simply wandered, not knowing what to do. I saw their strange flying machines from time to time, but there were no people, no roads, nothing to indicate what I should do or which direction to travel. Then I came across a narrow valley–a gap in the mountains.”

  “The Meurig Divide,” she informed him.

  Patris looked at her strangely, but continued. “Anyway, I noticed that a number of the flying craft took a line through that valley, so while I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet the people who inhabited things like those, I was running out of options, not to mention food. So I crossed the valley and carried on eastward, following the course of the flying machines. Eventually I reached one of their towns. It was…well, peculiar. Nothing like the towns in our world. Strange lights and weird floating carriages. I was scared, but I was also cold and starving. So I just knocked on one of their doors until they opened up. Their speech was strange and they didn’t understand me at first, but they must have taken pity on me because they took me in, gave me food and allowed me to stay. They told me their town was called Lechem. They were a kindly family, with three lovely children. Anyway, after several days–”

  “You stole from them, didn’t you?” she interjected.

  Patris frowned. “How did you know that?” Keris looked at him askance. “All right, yes, I stole from them. Redistribution of wealth is essential in any healthy society. It stops exploitation and counteracts poverty. I would have thought that any society as advanced as this one is supposed to be would appreciate basic economics.”

  Keris looked up at him. One side of her face was bathed in the yellow-orange glow of the revived campfire. “Let me guess. They didn’t appreciate your reasoning.”

  Patris huffed. “You’re right there. I tried to explain it to them, but it was hopeless. ‘Look’, I said, ‘I arrived here with nothing but the clothes I’m standing in, through no fault of my own, I might add. I have no money or whatever it is you people use for money. I have the same right to life as you do. So how am I going to live? Theft. Basic wealth redistribution. I set up a business and make so-called profits. Buy low, sell high. What’s that? Theft. I make someone work for me, pay them for a part of what they produce and pocket the rest. What’s that? Theft. It’s all the same thing, whatever you call it. It’s the way every civilised society works.’ I told them straight, ‘You should be thanking me,’ I said. But it was like trying to lecture a bunch of ignorant children. They were incapable of seeing the obvious.”

  “Imagine that,” Keris said dryly.

  “Exactly,” he continued. “Well to cut a long story short, they summoned a pair of their watchmen–drach, they called them. Surly fellows. No sense of humour whatsoever. There was a lot of chit-chat. In truth, I don’t think they knew what to do with me. Finally, they escorted me across town to a basement room–a kind of jail, I suppose it was. I’m not sure what they had in store for me, but I don’t think it was anything good. So I let myself out and escaped.”

  “You stole the key.”

  Patris shrugged. “Naturally. For all their advancements, they seem pretty slow on the uptake. During my discussions with the family, I’d learned of an ancient ruined city to the north. They seemed pretty irrational about it. Rumours of fearful sights and dire warnings to stay away. Sounded to me like the perfect place to go into hiding. So I headed here. Figured it would allow time for the hue and cry to die down and for me to work out what to do next. Then I spotted you moving through the ruins, and…well the rest you know.”

  Keris pursed her lips. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what I can do to help you. I am in the middle of a very important investigation right now. I can’t afford to take the time to straighten out your mess–assuming that’s even possible. I’m afraid you’re on your own.”

  “You could take me with you,” he suggested.

  Keris weighed the alternatives. Her first reaction was to turn him down flat. Leaving aside for the moment that she normally worked best on her own, he was by his own admission a wanted criminal in this world. If they ran across the drach, her association with him would mark her as an accessory after the fact, which could seriously compromise her mission. In a worst-case scenario, she might have to fight her way out of a situation and end up being branded a renegade by the people of this world. Then again, what would she say to Lyall and Alondo when she got back? “Did you see anyone on your travels?” “Sure, I ran across Patris.” “Where is he?” “Oh, I just left him out in the wilderness.”

  She cursed under her breath. “Very well, do what you want. Just…don’t get in my way.” She set about reorganising her blanket and her pack.

  “Have you heard any more about what’s happening in Sakara?” he asked.

  “When I left, Oliah was still in daily contact. There is a strong resistance movement, headed up by the Thief Guild. They have the distinct advantage of knowing the city, with all of its nooks and crannies. According to Oliah, they’re running rings around the new administration.”

  Patris grinned. “My people will make them rue the day they ever set foot in the free port.”

  “Lyall appears to agree with you. He believes that taking Sakara may have been a tactical error on the part of the Prophet, that the Prophet’s forces may have bitten off more than they can chew. I hope he’s right. I need time to pursue this investigation.”

  “So…what is it you’re investigating?” he asked conversationally.

  “I am attempting to determine the whereabouts of the Chandara in this world,” she said. “I am also trying to find out where a certain ancient artefact is hidden.”

  His black eyes narrowed. “You’re serious. Well, you lost the Chandara you brought with you. Although what you would want with those primitives is beyond me. An ancient artefact. Hmmm. Is it…valuable?”

  “I don’t know,” she replied honestly.

  “And after you find these things, you and the others intend to return to our world?”

  Keris had to admit that she hadn’t given much thought to how they were going to get back. “That’s the general idea, yes.”

  “Sounds as if you could do with my help,” he offered.

  Keris forced herself to be polite. “I’ll manage. Thank you.”

  “Are you sure?” He sat down across the fire from her and began laying out his bedding. “You know, in Sakara, most people who are in need of something unusual approach the Thief Guild. We specialize in securing those…hard-to-locate items.”

  “I don’t think I need that kind of help.”

  “Well, you know, that’s interesting,” he said, “because it happens that if you’re in the market for an ancient artefact, I might just know of something that could help you.”

  Keris felt that he was testing her patience. “What are you talking about?”

  “I discovered something here. It’s a…library, hall of records, information archive–something like that.”

  “You mean a place with books?”

  Patris grimaced. “Not exactly. To be frank, it would be easier to show you than to try and explain it.”

  Keris felt her practised scepticism reasserting itself. “I’m warning you, Patris. I’m not in the mood for your fabrications.”

  “Oh, I assure you, dear lady, the information is quite genuine,” he insisted. “I would never attempt to deal in information unless I could personally guarantee its veracity. Honesty is a core principle of the Thief Guild. We have a reputation to maintain.” Keris snorted, but he ignored her. “The library exists. I cannot guarantee that it will provide you with w
hat you are seeking but I can show you where it is…for the right price.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” she cried.

  Patris shrugged. “If you prefer, you can scour the ruins yourself. I would be happy to accompany you and share your fine company. I imagine it would take a number of days for you to make the same discovery. However, if I understood you correctly, then time is of the essence.” Keris was beginning to fear that allowing the thief to accompany her might turn out to be the worst mistake of her life. “I ask for little enough in return,” he continued. “Protection from the misguided law enforcement agencies of this world, passage home when the time comes, plus…a modest amount to reimburse me for my time, expenses, that sort of thing.”

  Keris lay down, turned her face away from him and pulled the blanket over her savagely. “We’ll discuss it in the morning.”

  Behind her, across the dwindling fire, she sensed him grinning expansively. “Outstanding,” he said.

  <><><><><>

  Chapter 20

  Shann yawned and stretched, then pushed herself up from the cold stone floor. Early sunlight filtered in through the gap at the top of the rough barricade and splashed over her. Next to her, Rael was still sleeping. They had worked together late into the evening and had managed to cobble together four lodestone grenades from the canisters Rael had found. He had wanted to test one to make sure they worked, but she had vetoed the suggestion. Wasting one would cut down their chances of a successful escape, she argued. However, the truth was that even if none of them worked, a quick end would be preferable to the lingering death they would endure at the tower. She refrained from sharing that possibility with him, however. Better to keep hope alive until the last possible moment.

  By the time they had finished their nocturnal labours, they had both run out of energy and words. The heat from the furnace had dissipated rapidly, and by the time they returned downstairs and bedded down, Shann could feel the cold night air enveloping her. So when Rael had drawn closer, sharing body heat, she had not objected.

  She looked back at Rael’s sleeping form. Boxx was lying motionless in the far corner, although she wasn’t sure whether it was asleep. They would make the attempt to reach the avionic this morning, weather permitting. Already, she could feel herself growing weak from lack of food. Any delay would leave them weaker still and reduce their chances of survival even further. It was now or never.

  She bent down and touched his shoulder. The boy stirred. “Hey, time to go,” she said in a tired voice.

  Rael sat up and ran a hand through his tousled hair. “Is it morning already?”

  Shann ignored the question. “Come on. You’ll need to gather your stuff and give me a hand with these.” She indicated the cabinets that formed the heart of their hastily constructed barricade.

  Rael got to his feet. “Are you sure about this?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, maybe we should wait a little longer,” he suggested. “There must be people out looking for us.”

  “How many of those avionics of yours have you heard passing overhead?” she challenged. Rael shook his head. “This place has lain undiscovered for what…three thousand turns or more?” she continued. “What do you think the chances are that two different sets of people would accidentally run across it, two days in succession?”

  “You mean mathematically?” he asked.

  “Whatever way you want.”

  Rael paused. “Not very likely. Well nigh impossible, in fact. It’s just that…” The gangly youth was looking down at his feet again.

  Shann knew enough about him to know that that was not a good sign. “What? What is it?” she demanded.

  “Shann, you have to understand that we put these grenades together crudely, using antique equipment and untested ancient materials. They may not produce enough of a blast to deter the murghal. Or they may blow up in our faces. They may not even work at all.”

  What would Lyall and Alondo do in this situation? Rally the troops with a little humour, no doubt. “Well if we don’t make it out of here alive, I’ll never speak to you again.” She turned to the far corner. “Boxx.”

  The creature raised its head. “We Go Now?”

  “Yes, that’s right,” she said. “When we leave here, stay close to us. Don’t get lost.”

  “Do Not Get Lost,” it trilled. Shann couldn’t tell if it was agreeing or giving her the same advice. However, she had no desire to get into a pointless discussion with it. She carefully gathered up the canisters and handed them to Rael.

  “You’re giving me these?”

  “Sure.” She smiled at him encouragingly. “You designed them. You know how they work.”

  “Of course, but–”

  “And you can throw, I take it?”

  “I…I’m not very good.”

  “Well if these things work as they’re supposed to, then you won’t need to be very accurate,” She began tying on her pack. “Just don’t throw one at me, all right?”

  Rael was looking at the floor again. “I…I’m not sure I can do this, Shann.”

  “Nonsense,” she said briskly. “I and my staff will be the first line of defence. Anything that wants to reach you and Boxx will have to get through me. However, if you can use our grenades to blind–stun them–whatever, then it will make my job a whole lot easier. If I should go down…then throw a grenade, run for the avionic and don’t look back.”

  “Shann–”

  She shut her eyes. “Do you understand me?”

  “Yes,” Rael looked as if he was going to be sick.

  “Then let’s go.” She went to the barricade and motioned for him to assist her.

  Rael walked over slowly, as if he were having a battle within himself. “At least Boxx will be all right. It can always roll up into a ball.”

  That’s no guarantee it’ll be immune from attack by the murghal. Still, he doesn’t need to hear that right now. “Sure, it’ll be fine.”

  In a few moments, they had shifted enough items to squeeze through. Shann poked her head outside. There was no sign of murghal. The sky was overcast; a light snow was falling. Farther up the mountain, darker clouds were gathering. The weather was closing in. They could be looking at a blizzard by late morning, and from discussions with Rael, she had learned that this high up, snowstorms could last for days. There was no chance they would be able to find their way to the avionic in such conditions. They had to go now. “Follow me and stay close,” she instructed.

  They hurried through the whirling white flakes of snow and squeezed through the fissure in the rocks where they had first stumbled upon the tower. Shann helped the others through the gap, then her heart froze. A distant growling. She glanced back and saw the terror in Rael’s eyes. “Come on. Quickly,” she urged. It was like trying to run in a dream state. Her boots sank into the covering of fresh snow, impeding her every step. Behind her, Rael trudged and Boxx scrabbled through the gathering snowstorm. Shann cut an oblique trail across the mountainside in the direction where she knew the avionic lay. Maybe it was buried in snow by now. Or maybe it wouldn’t start up. Too many things that could go wrong with this plan. She tried not to dwell on them.

  The brutish growls gathered in intensity. Once again, they seemed to be coming from every direction. Shann dug her staff into the deepening drifts of snow and ploughed on. A hibernal wind whipped around her, depositing flakes of snow in her hair and on the shoulders of her cloak, as if claiming her as its own. There was a gentle pressure on her shoulder. She glanced around to see Rael pointing off to their right. Several of the creatures were shuffling rapidly toward them, jostling with one another in their urgency to absorb…heat. Time to give them what they wanted.

  “Use a grenade,” she urged.

  Rael grabbed a pair of the canisters from his pack, flicked open the connecting valve and tossed it toward the approaching murghal. The grenade landed on the snow directly in front of the shambling beasts and began to hum. The hum rose in pitc
h to a whine, then almost immediately died away. A small plume of useless smoke wafted from the device. Shann cursed and waded forward, flaring her cloak in search of lodestone.

  “Shann.” Rael’s cry sounded behind her.

  “Don’t stop. Keep going,” she called over her shoulder. She pushed off a small deposit to her left and leaped to her right in an effort to outflank the murghal, and at the same time draw them away from the others. Hold the beasts back as long as possible. Every moment she bought increased Rael and Boxx’s chances of survival. Shann landed on a black stone outcrop that jutted from the snow, slipping on its rime covered surface before regaining her balance. The murghal were ambling toward her through the snow flurries. She swung her staff in a wide arc. The blade connected with what she took to be the head of one of the things and almost bounced off. A bludgeon would be more effective. Their guttural sounds filled her ears. She made a direct thrust at the middle of the nearest creature, then leaped backwards, twisting in the air as she did so. Her boots made contact with the snow once more and she began backing away slowly, staff held out before her. The murghal resumed their relentless advance.

  All of a sudden, her foot gave way. The covering of snow behind her disappeared and she felt herself sliding, then falling backwards. Her back struck something hard and she jerked to a halt. She was wedged between the sides of a narrow crevasse. Walls of ice stretched above, framing a narrow strip of sky. She tried to shift position, but appeared to be stuck fast. She could still hear the murghal snarling with frustration, deprived of their prey. Right now, they were the least of her worries. She would never know whether Rael and Boxx had made it to the avionic, but at least she could die in the knowledge that she had done everything she could. Shann closed her eyes and waited for the remorseless cold to claim her.

  ~

  Sleep. The body divesting itself of the burden of pain and slipping into the solace of unconsciousness. But there was something that would not let her sleep. A noise. A high-pitched warbling that drilled into her brain and re-intensified the agony in her back and her ankle. She forced her eyes to open. A round head peeked over the top of the crevasse. In the middle of the head, a wide mouth rippled.