"Oh no, of course not. Don't be ridiculous," Somnu replied. His eyes met Graeber's. Although they'd known each other since Colonization days, Graeber and Somnu had never been close.
"Then please accept the coincidence and have some sympathy for the plight your friends find themselves in, and my efforts to help ease their discomfort. We can't know what the Juggernaut are doing or how long they've been doing it. Perhaps if the Matriarchs are able to initiate a dialog with the Juggernaut envoy, we will learn more. Until then, it's best to continue on with things as normal and reserve idle speculation for things like marriages, births, and crop harvests," Graeber stated authoritatively.
"Yes, yes, the Guardian is right," Somnu replied. "Surely it's just the shock of the news that has us all on such poor behavior. Such a visit hasn't occurred in the life of our colony, so folks are just trying to make sense of it." Meik and Laan nodded in agreement, neither willing to speak up to the Guardian. "So, tell us, were you able to get special permission to continue your trip to Raven's Call and return the Durmah to their home?"
"Indeed I was," Graeber replied. "We'll leave once everyone has had a chance to get some sleep," he said, looking right at Meik and Laan.
"Good, good," Meik said, swigging down the last of his beer. "Laan and I will just be heading up to our room then. Night to both of you." Laan followed close on Meik's heels, disappearing up the stairs towards their room.
"Sleep well you two," Somnu called after them. He turned to the Guardian. "Well, you know how to clean out a room."
"They need their sleep," Graeber replied, his voice devoid of all emotion.
"I'm sure they do," Somnu agreed. "Would you like to take a seat?"
"No, thanks," Graeber replied. "I won't be staying long."
Somnu shrugged. "Tell me, do you have any reason for taking them along the Northern Pass? Or, for that matter, why are you bothering to take the Durmah back home during a colony-wide lock down?"
Graeber held Somnu's gaze unflinchingly. "You can wait to hear all about that side trip at the meeting like everyone else. I'm escorting the Durmah back home because it's convenient for me and on my way to the meeting."
Somnu smiled and poured himself the remainder of his beer. "Ahh, you're going to grace us with your presence this time? What's the occasion?"
"I have something useful to share. A few things, actually," Graeber stated. "I guess I've just been a bit busy lately."
"Haven't we all?" Somnu smiled, his lack of his sincerity evident in his disinterested gaze. "Say, since you're on your way to the meeting I don't suppose you'd mind if I tagged along?"
What a phenomenally bad idea, Graeber considered, but how could he deny Somnu's request without stirring suspicions from the Durmah? Obviously, Somnu was up to something, and Graeber was determined to find out what. "That'd be okay," he replied, gritting his teeth. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get a little sleep myself."
"Sure, sure," Somnu smiled broadly. "Have a good night!" he replied altogether too cheerfully, toasting Graeber.
Graeber wanted to knock Somnu squarely upon his self-righteous ass, his confident attitude needed to be knocked down a few pegs. Graeber walked back to the Guardian Sept house and an available bed, wondering how he was going to manage this new twist to his plans.
A few hours later he awoke, refreshed but the solution still eluded him. He returned to the Cheote Waystation's guest quarters and, with the direction of the innkeeper, knocked on the door to Rai's room.
She answered, still bleary-eyed from the late night. "Can I come in?" he asked.
Rai motioned for him to enter. "When do we leave?" She pulled a comb through her wet hair, her fluid movements the same as they were before ... all of this happened.
"As soon as your uncle and cousin awaken, but I have to warn you about something first."
"What, that Tinker Somnu is one of your Core buddies?" Rai asked.
Graeber stared at her. "How did you know?"
She shrugged. "Somnu's given me the creeps from day one, even though he's supposedly this long-time friend of the Sept. And last night he tried to read me."
"What did you do?" Graeber asked.
"I thought about cleaning sclern guts off the wagons and left the room," she replied. "You know if you'd taught me how to shield against such things I would have been better prepared."
"Well, I'm afraid there isn't the time or the opportunity right now," Graeber replied. "He's coming back to Raven's Call with us."
The color drained out of Rai's face. "What!"
"He asked, and I didn't want to raise the Durmah's suspicions. Besides, I want to keep an eye on him and find out what he's got planned, which will be easier if he's within dart range."
"Then we'll be within his sights too! Fantastic! So, what do we do now?" she asked.
"You play the role you were supposed to be playing all along. Do your best not to make Somnu take further interest in you, and keep well away from me. Don't try and talk to me for any reason, understand?" Rai nodded. "I'll do my best to keep him busy and away from you. We'll be traveling as fast as possible, so the likelihood for long conversations is minimal."
"I understand," Rai replied. At that moment Ponar walked in the door, having just returned from the bathroom. Graeber then noted how both beds had their sheets wrinkled. He couldn't help but wonder at Rai's choice of roommates.
"Uh, hey," Ponar said, running a hand through his still wet hair. "What's up?"
"The Guardian was just saying we need to be ready to leave as soon as possible," Rai replied.
"Yeah, that's the impression I got. Would you two like another few moments alone?" Ponar offered.
"That won't be necessary. I've said all that needs saying," Graeber replied, putting his hand on the doorknob. "I'll be waiting downstairs when you're ready to go."
"We'll be right down. Thanks," Rai said, her eyes pleading with Graeber to understand.
"Make it quick," Graeber replied. He closed the door and walked out to the street.
As he waited and pondered the situation, the way out became apparent. At this point, there was only one option left.
Removing her memories hadn't worked. Hiding her was not going to work for much longer. The only option left, if they could manage it, was getting her off Az'Unda. It was an extreme solution, but at this point, Graeber had to consider all of the options available if he was going to keep from losing his Kilawren forever.
Chapter 10
“Do you want to talk about it?" Ponar asked, watching Rai finish throwing her dirty clothes into her backpack.
"No," she replied. "Look, I need to pick something up, so I'll meet you downstairs."
Rai walked out the door, and Ponar was left wondering what the Guardian had said to her. She'd seemed to be in a better mood this morning, and he'd hoped for an opportunity to talk about her fear of the Tinker. But, predictably, the Guardian had spoken to her and shut Rai up, yet again. Ponar knew Rai trusted this Guardian, but the more he watched the effect the man had on Rai, he'd grown more and more suspicious of Graeber's motives.
Ponar met up with the rest of the Durmah and Somnu at lunch, or was it breakfast? Rai was conspicuously missing, but he didn't dare ask in case he was supposed to somehow cover for where she was and didn't know it. Everyone ate quietly, exhaustion dampening their interest in small talk.
The Guardian arrived, looking about as sour-faced as usual. "Everyone ready to go?"
"We're just waiting for Rai," Meik replied.
"Well, there's no time to waste. It looks like we'll hit some rough weather by tonight. We'd best get the wagon's ready to go," the Guardian said.
Ponar, Meik, and Laan all rose and headed towards the stables. Somnu followed, walking alongside the Guardian.
"I'm looking forward to this trip," Somnu said, smiling broadly.
"Good for you," the Guardian replied, a grim expression pulling down the corners of his mouth.
If Ponar didn't know any better, he'd swea
r those two knew each other. Nothing else was said, but the tension this morning was palpable. He was aware that Meik would never outright say he was scared to travel with the Juggernaut roaming around the planet, doing who knows what, but just because you won't admit to something doesn't mean no else one notices.
Rai returned right as they were leading the wagons out of the Cheote Waystation's courtyard and onto the street. Without a word, she clambered up onto the seat next to Ponar and stowed her backpack under the seat.
"You got back just in time," Ponar said. Rai stared off into the distance, not meeting his eyes. "Where did you run off to?"
Rai shrugged. "There was something I had to pick up."
Ponar waited for more explanation, but she sat quietly, face unreadable. Better to give her some time, he reasoned.
A few hours south of Resounding Cliffs, the rain began rolling in off of the ocean and pouring down upon the wagons. The small canopy above their seat provided little protection, and Ponar was glad he wasn't riding on horseback like the Guardian. The roads here were well constructed and high above the marshlands, so the horses and wagons were able to keep a steady pace without being bogged down in the muck.
Ponar looked over at Rai whose expression was still one of mild disinterest. "You know if you want to talk I doubt anyone else could hear us over this racket."
"There's nothing to say," Rai replied, her voice flat.
Ponar had to bite his tongue to keep his frustration from boiling over. Rai had always been so open with him in the past. He knew this silence couldn't be of her choosing; surely the Guardian was behind it. That's how the Guardians and Temples worked: no one could talk about what went on inside those hallowed walls, just like Rai wouldn't talk now. It's why he never knew what had happened to his mother, Kait, and why she was so sickly now.
"He never has to know what we've talked about. I'll keep secret anything you confide in me. For your own sake you need to get it off your chest," he said.
Finally, Rai looked at him. "I can't," Rai replied, her words slurring together. "He'll kill me."
"The Guardian threatened to kill you?"
Rai shook her head violently. "No, no. The Tinker, if he finds out about me ..." Tears welled at the corners of her eyes.
"The Tinker?" Ponar asked, scoffing at the ludicrous idea. "That doesn't make any sense, Rai. I can assure you, Somnu is our friend."
Rai looked at him, finally meeting his gaze. "He's one of them ... us ... whatever. The point is, I know what he is, and soon he'll figure out what I am. Whatever it is I am? Well, he'll know I know. And then he'll want me dead. It's inevitable. Don't you see?" Despite her disoriented state, Rai's undeniable anxiety assailed him.
Ponar couldn't make sense of her rant but did notice how dilated her eyes were and the worsening slurring of her speech. "What did you take?"
Rai shrugged. "Just a little faown."
"A little!" Ponar exclaimed. "Dammit, I wish Jessie had never introduced you to that crap! How much?"
"Two packets," she replied.
No wonder she was gibbering like a fool. Ponar was amazed she was still awake. "Give me the rest." He held out his hand, but Rai made no move to comply. "Now!" he ordered.
Rai frowned, but even in her drugged state, she seemed to understand that his demand wasn't negotiable. She pulled out her bag and handed over about a dozen more packets, which Ponar threw down onto the drenched road.
"I'm sorry," Rai replied. "I didn't know what else to do. Once he knows who I am, he'll kill me, and I don't even know why. At least on the faown, I can barely feel anything, so hopefully, he won't either. Right?" She hid her face in her hands and sobbed.
Ponar drew her to him, encouraging Rai to cry on his shoulder. He didn't understand what she was talking about, but he suspected it had a lot to do with the faown messing with her mind. He'd heard that in excessive doses the general calming effects could instead cause agitation or even paranoia. There was no way Somnu would hurt Rai; Ponar had known him practically his whole life, and he was a decent guy. She must have meant the Guardian...that had to be it. He must be the one threatening Rai. But why? Ponar resolved to confront the Guardian directly and find out what was going on. Rai was family, and he wasn't going to let either the Guardian or the Tinker hurt her.
He'd wanted to share the conversation he'd had with Meik before they left Resounding Cliffs this morning with Rai, but he decided it would be best to wait until the faown had worked its way out of her system. Meik remained determined to confront Rai on the Harper's Sorrow incident and the conversation he'd seen Rai have with the Guardian. Meik was convinced Rai was keeping something from her Sept, and Ponar worried Meik was not going to let it go. Ponar had argued that it'd be best if they gave Rai time to reveal the truth herself, but Meik had held his ground, claiming she'd had plenty of time.
Eventually, Rai's tears stopped and then her body grew limp as the faown overtook her. Ponar laid her head in his lap, hoping that when the faown had worn off and she woke, things would be clearer for both of them.
It was dark and still raining when they pulled into the small outpost known as Jeweled Cove. This time Ponar wasn't surprised to watch the ease with which the Guardian secured their entrance into the high-walled compound. There were a few Guardians' stationed here, and they proceeded to inspect the wagons and cargo for anything unusual. Happily, the Durmah had been able to scour the sclern parts off the wagons and ensure no living beasts had hidden away within any nooks or crannies. If any of the live vermin had made it into town, the effects could be disastrous, as they had voracious appetites.
Ponar had spent the night here a few times while he was first learning the merchant's art from Meik, back before he'd been given his own route along the western coastline. From what he could see of the city through the dim torchlight, not much had changed.
The three-story fort was built of massive rectangular blocks in the old style; much like the other Guardian outposts that he'd seen in his travels. The structure stood right at the cliff's edge, its single distinguishing feature a tall tower reaching up into the darkness. Ponar imagined you could watch for pirates, like in the childhood folktales of old, except there were no pirates on Az'Unda. From the maps, he'd seen there weren't any islands or continents besides the one they were on now, so there should be nothing out there to look at. The mystery of why the Az'Un ancestors had built such a high tower, overlooking nothing, never failed to stir his imagination.
Ponar waited until the Guardian's inspection was completed before rousing the still-sleeping Rai. She awoke, rubbing her eyes. Her features drooped, the lingering effect of her sedative overdose.
"Where are we?" Rai asked. Her voice was hoarse and dry, so Ponar offered her his water bottle. "It looks familiar somehow."
"This is the Guardian's outpost at Jeweled Cove," he replied, climbing down and securing his horse's reins.
"Jeweled Cove?" Rai asked, looking alarmed. She slowly climbed down the wagon steps to the ground, appearing not altogether steady on her feet.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Ponar asked.
"It's just ... this is that place I remembered, where I dreamed of being down on the beach." She shivered and drew her cape tighter around her body.
Ponar could only hope the faown wasn't making Rai overly paranoid. "Oh yeah, I remember you mentioning it. Did you ever remember more, besides the nightmare?"
Rai sighed and shook her head, but said nothing. She had a resigned look in her eyes that worried Ponar. He had to find out what the Guardian had said to her.
"Perhaps being here will jog your memory, if we're lucky," he said. Ponar saw Laan and the Guardian go inside the outpost's door, no doubt to arrange their accommodations for the evening.
Rai looked around, her eyes fixing upon Meik and Somnu talking at the other end of the courtyard. "Now that would be phenomenally bad timing."
Ponar didn't want to argue with Rai, especially when he knew her mood must still be altered by the faown. "Why
don't we head inside and get some dinner?
She nodded and walked into the outpost with him. Perhaps after eating she'd be clearheaded enough that they could discuss Meik's comments from this morning and how best to handle his continuing curiosity. Hopefully, Meik would heed his request to wait until Ponar had a chance to speak with her on the subject.
Chapter 11
“You getting cold feet?" Somnu asked as he walked up to Meik.
Meik shifted uneasily. "Who wouldn't in weather like this?" He laughed, and his friend Somnu smiled broadly, showing his appreciation for Meik's sense of humor. Meik appreciated how Somnu seemed to always understand him, which spoke volumes to the depth of their friendship.
"Well, you've had some time to think about the plan today. Did you come up with a better idea?" Somnu asked.
Meik shook his head. "No, she needs to know we're serious, and that we Durmah don't keep secrets from each other." Rai's lack of honesty was like a kick in his gut. "It's like you said, up till now she'd been behaving like honesty is optional. We need to show her we're not taking no for an answer."
"And you're prepared to be firm with her if need be?" Somnu asked.
"I don't want it to come to that, but yeah, sure, if that's what it takes."
"Your elder brother Stoi would be proud of you, taking charge like this," Somnu replied, clapping Meik on the shoulder. "I bet you can get this whole matter cleared up today. Then when we get to Raven's Call, you can advise the entire Sept on the next step to helping Rai."
"When do you think we should try this?" Meik asked.
"After dinner. I'll do my best to keep the Guardian occupied while you, Laan, and Ponar talk with Rai," Somnu said.
"I sure appreciate your help," Meik replied. "It means a lot to us that we can count on your help."
"Anytime!" Somnu said. "Hey, you sure it was a good idea to tell Ponar about the plan? Those two look pretty thick." He motioned towards the outpost.
Dreams Manifest Page 9