“I’m still returning to the camp.” By herself, alone in the wilderness, for septhours. She swallowed her own incipient panic. This had to be done. She’d lectured Jace about facing his shortcomings, time for her to do the same. Only the celtaroon nest had been a threat in all the septhours they’d traveled.
We will be with you, FamWoman! Lepid said.
You’ve never been on the trip to the Deep Blue Sea, she said to her Fam.
I have. Jace remained calm. The path is always visible.
Del was speaking, “I’ll contact my HeartMate first, then my guards. Then we’ll decide what to do.”
“I’m leaving as soon as possible,” Glyssa said.
“I’m going with her,” Camellia said.
“No.” Del looked straight at Camellia. “You are a FirstFamily GreatLady, I dare not take any chances with your health. I forbid it.”
“That’s strong language,” Camellia said, taking Glyssa’s hand. “Glyssa’s my best friend.”
“I will not allow you to leave, D’Hawthorn. If you force me to take measures to keep you here, I promise you, neither you, your husband, nor any of his investors, settlers, whoever is associated with him, will be welcome in this part of the world. None of you will get the aid you will need from us.”
Glyssa turned and hugged her friend. “Stay safe with D’Elecampane.”
“I’ll worry about you.”
“I know, but we have a bond. As I do with the Elecampanes. Everyone can advise me.” All the voices in her head could drive her mad, too.
“Glyssa is barely able to make this trip on her own,” Del said. “She doesn’t know the area. She has no survival skills in traversing or camping in the wilderness.”
Glyssa suppressed a wince, stood tall. “You can’t talk me out of it.”
“So I see. At least you are accustomed to the camp and the area. You know, in general, any dangers.”
Glyssa wished Del would stop talking and feeding her imagination. “Yes,” she said.
Del examined her from top to toe, sighed. “You don’t have any weapons.”
“Nothing physical. I assure you I can defend myself with Flair.”
“And I have taught her a few self-defense moves,” Camellia said. That was true, though from the evidence a while back with Sanicle—the last time she’d needed self-defense—Glyssa hadn’t recalled a thing.
“We’ve only been gone a few septhours.” Del waved a casual hand. “The path is well marked. You should be fine. Shunuk will accompany you.”
Del’s FamFox yowled in protest. Del frowned at him. “You will go with Glyssa. You know the way back to the camp as well as I do.” Del slid her gaze to Glyssa. “And Glyssa will pay you with special foods for your gluttonous nature.”
The Fam was reasonably thin, but Glyssa had heard that he liked his food.
“I have some particular fox treats that Camellia brought me from Danith D’Ash,” Glyssa informed Shunuk. “Fresh treats.”
His tongue swiped over his muzzle and he walked stiffly to one of the stridebeasts—not the one she’d been riding.
Del sighed. “You’re right, Shunuk. Glyssa should take the steadiest beast, and the one who likes the camp the best. The mare will be happy to head for the stables.” Del gestured to a groom. “Transfer Glyssa’s light gear to Millie.” Del met Glyssa’s eyes. “The provisions you have for two and a half more days on the road, we will keep.”
“Fine,” Glyssa said. “I’ll be back in the camp well before dark. You will inform your HeartMate of everything?”
“You can be sure of that.” Del’s mouth twisted. “We’ll probably be talking about this all afternoon, and coordinating with the guards back at the camp.” With a jerk of the head, she walked away.
Shunuk bounded away from the stridebeast, headed over to the log where Glyssa had been sitting and snarfed up her food. He grinned as he masticated.
Glyssa’s stomach gurgled, but she had no appetite. Jace and Lepid were trapped in the ship and she was about to ride alone, except for a FamFox, into the wilderness . . . not to mention that Trago was still at large. Anything could happen. The earth could swallow the ship once more and her HeartMate and Fam could die. A grychomp could get her. She could stumble into a celtaroon nest. She gritted her teeth and stopped a shudder.
“The stridebeast is ready,” the groom said.
Camellia wrapped tight arms around Glyssa. “I love you. You can do this. I love you.”
Glyssa let herself rest against her friend for a moment, bask in the warmth of love given and returned, in the loyalty, the deep faith they had for each other. “I’ll see you in a little while,” she said.
“Yes.” Camellia squeezed until Glyssa hurt. “As soon as I can talk someone into flying me back to the camp, I’ll be there. Blessed be.”
“Blessed be.”
A large sneeze and a snort. COME ON, said Shunuk.
Glyssa reluctantly let go of her friend, dredged up a smile then, but steel sincerity in it. “I’ll get to camp, save the guys, and see you later.”
“Later,” Camellia said with a strange perky smile.
Shunuk nipped Glyssa’s ankle. “Hey!” she protested.
He turned and ran toward her new stridebeast, jumped to his pad behind her saddle. Sighing, Glyssa shook out her legs . . . then there was a short line of people from camp to hug that had prickles rising behind her eyes. They all wished her well, gave her blessings, and wore extremely doubtful expressions.
And then Del was there to help her into the saddle. “No problem going back. Nothing to worry about,” the explorer said. Her mouth flattened and her gaze shadowed. “We’ll do all we can to help.” She muttered, rubbed the back of her neck. “Any deaths, especially in the ship, will put an end to this project for generations. Raz pointed that out to me. Damn curse and bad luck nonsense.”
“Merry meet,” Glyssa said.
Del blinked, smiled. “And merry part.”
“And merry meet again.” With that last word, she nudged the stridebeast toward the dirt path between grasses. The mare trudged unenthusiastically.
BYE FAMWOMAN, I WILL BE CAREFUL. I LOVE YOU, shouted Shunuk.
Glyssa winced and turned the stridebeast back the way they’d come a few minutes ago. The mare wuffled, her ears pricked up and she went faster. Glyssa could swear she got smudged images from the beast’s mind of food and warm stables and no stupid big water close.
As soon as they’d rounded a curve and lost sight of camp, Glyssa contacted Jace and Lepid. I am on my way back and making good time. I’ll be there as soon as possible.
We’ll be here, Jace said, still too calmly. He hadn’t narrowed their bond—his only bond with the outside world?—and she felt how the atmosphere pressed upon him, how he controlled the panic skittering along his nerves. How he petted her Fam, grateful for the fox.
She swallowed hard.
We are in the dark, Lepid whimpered. And we are not moving around and it is cold.
The temperature in the ship, like most caverns, was steady, but not nearly as warm as the earth touched by sun. Glyssa bit her lip.
Shunuk and I are coming. The Elecampanes know of your plight.
She felt Jace wince.
Suppose that was necessary.
Snideness would not help the situation. I prefer to have all the support that I need. Where’s Zem?
I am here, FamWoman, said the bird’s cool voice in her mind. I did not descend into the ship. To him the ship symbolized a deadly bird, ready to kill, and now he felt both vindicated and fearful. I am not with my beloved FamMan.
Jace choked. His fear rose, then settled. I am glad you are free and in the open.
FamWoman, Trago shot at me with a blazer, singed some feathers, but I am not much hurt.
Oh, Zem!
Zem said, Everyone in camp is running around, looking for Trago. He is not to be found.
Do you know where he is hiding?
I am watching, but I do not see, th
e bird said.
We are only two, we can go faster than the whole band. Glyssa pushed enthusiasm at Jace and Lepid and Zem.
Two? asked Jace.
Del sent Shunuk with me. Shouldn’t he have sensed that, her conversations with others? She scowled, straining to read all the nuances of their bond. Both of her loved ones were tired, and she didn’t know what the future might hold, but it was sure to need action on all their parts—energy and Flair. Maybe you can sleep? she advised.
The older fox is coming back? Lepid said.
Yes, Glyssa replied.
Oh, Lepid said, but she heard the pout in his tone.
* * *
In the ship, Jace yanked out the cover on the bed and rolled under it, holding it up for Lepid.
Old, old smells, the fox grumbled. Of woman, maybe a trace of man. Not Celtan. Don’t like this cover. He scrabbled at it.
“Get under here,” Jace ordered wearily.
With a low growl, Lepid did. I don’t wanna sleep.
“Nothing else to do,” Jace said, except worry, and that was never productive.
Their body heat began to warm them, and the cover was unexpectedly efficient at keeping the warmth in. He was wondering what kind of material it was made of when sleep took him into dim and anxious dreamtime.
* * *
Glyssa shifted again on her stridebeast, refusing to be intimidated by this stretch of path through towering trees. Jace and Lepid weren’t the only ones who were sleeping, the FamFox Shunuk snored behind her and she was glad. Shunuk was not as fun to travel with as Lepid. The older FamFox—a spy on her as well as a guide—complained a lot.
Two-thirds of the way back to the camp, it rained and she used the stingiest of weathershields. A feeling deep in her bones told her to conserve her energy and Flair, that she’d need it later.
Finally, with better time than she’d expected, not quite midafternoon, the camp came into sight and the stridebeast loped toward it.
I’m here! Jace heard Glyssa mentally. I’ll be there to get you out shortly!
Jace had been thinking. I don’t think we have a tool to break open the door. You wouldn’t have the strength for a lever. He nearly shuddered as he thought of his boots sliced in two. And I’m not sure a blazer-type tool would work on the metal in a . . . in a timely fashion.
All right.
Just come and we’ll figure it out, he said.
All right.
And, Glyssa?
Yes?
Please go to the Elecampanes’ pavilion and retrieve my HeartGift. He thought he sensed her gasp.
Are you sure?
Yes. I want it . . . it’s a powerful object. And now he knew she felt disappointment. He was almost sure he wanted to give it to her, but wouldn’t commit to it yet.
I will do that, she said. The Holly commander is here. I’ll be there as soon as possible.
Lepid wiggled next to Jace and sighed. FamWoman comes.
“Yes.”
She didn’t sound too mad.
“Not yet. She’s worried.” Hell, he was worried, despite telling himself not to be. “I bet when we’re all safe, we’re going to get a scolding.” But Jace smiled. They’d be out soon, all of them together. Lepid’s ears drooped against Jace’s arm. I will never get to explore this ship by myself again.
“That is very true.”
* * *
Glyssa, Zem whispered in her mind. She thought he was close, but didn’t turn around to see.
Yes, Zem?
I want to go with you. My FamMan needs me. Hesitation. And I need my FamMan. I am no longer a part of the hawkcel community here, whether mere birds or potential Fams. I would pine without my FamMan.
Underground can’t be good for you, Zem, Glyssa said, probably more chidingly than she should have.
I want to go. I will fly down and latch on your shoulder once you are on the girder.
Her stomach tightened with nerves. Going down into the ship didn’t feel exactly right to her, either, though she thought she’d prefer it to being lost in the woods. She gave in. A companion will be welcome.
Thank you.
Glyssa stood at the entrance down to the ship, the break that had occurred during landing, closer than she’d ever been before. The long rust-colored beam angled down a good three stories to the actual opening into the ship. The other levels were sheered blank walls whose thickness couldn’t be measured.
Thirty-eight
You go down first, alone,” the Holly woman said. “I have not been authorized to allow anyone else in there with you at this time.” Her expression was warrior-stern, but compassion lived in her eyes. Glyssa hadn’t expected that. She got the idea that the Holly woman and her compatriots would volunteer to help if they were allowed. Maybe they were curious, too, and Lady and Lord knew they might be more disciplined than the adventurers in the camp.
“Here’s an air mask.” Cornuta Holly handed it to Glyssa.
The woman had been helpful, greeting Glyssa as she’d reached the site, handing her off the stridebeast, accompanying Glyssa to her pavilion where she picked up a recordsphere and a datasphere that held the volume of Hoku’s journal that dealt with the ship.
Holly had even opened the safe in the Elecampanes’ tent and allowed Glyssa to take Jace’s HeartGift. The spellshielded envelope was about as long and as wide as both of Glyssa’s hands and seven centimeters deep. Flat enough that she could tuck it into the outer tunic she donned over her shirt.
Trago still hadn’t been found. The guards believed he was hiding in the forest, and couldn’t guess whether he would return to the encampment. He’d had help with his revenge against Jace, and no doubt had enough artifacts from Lugh’s Spear to buy anything he wanted. So he could go to another secret landing field like Myrtus Stopper had and be whisked away to Druida City or Gael City or anywhere else on Celta.
FamWoman, FamWoman, RUN! Zem shrilled in her mind.
Several explosions hit the camp, roaring flames into the sky, concussing sound punched her ears. The guard assigned to the hole swore, didn’t move. The others—the Holly commander—ran for the main camp.
Mouth hanging open, Glyssa watched tents collapse, flattening so she could see past the gathering circle. She turned in the direction of her pavilion, gasped. It was gone.
RUN! Zem yelled in her mind again, swooped down to land on her shoulder, pecked at her head. Trago comes!
And there the man was, skin tightly pulled over his skull, sweat gleaming on his face, spots under his armpits, along his shirt, desperate looking. He held something in his waving hand, raised his arm as if to throw. He was at the edge of the forest, long meters from her. Surely the projectile couldn’t reach her, even with Flair.
DOWN! Zem flew into the hole, skimming along the glider.
Without thought, Glyssa followed, feeling the odd metal under her shoes, heard the rapid thump of her steps. The descent took longer than she’d anticipated, rushing at an angle down three full stories, using Flair to balance herself as she ran down into the gloom. She tripped at the end of the beam and over rocks at the bottom.
Here, here! Zem said. Even before she could see him, she stumbled toward him, hit her head on some sort of metal.
Move right, RUN! He flapped away into darkness. Panting a word she lit a spellglobe and hurried after.
Whoosh, bang! and glass broke behind her and another explosion at her back pushed her down the hallway. She attempted to stay on her feet, but lost her balance, fell and skidded along the floor, and screamed when something hot seared her scalp.
* * *
A huge bang reverberated throughout the ship, followed by a roaring, rushing of . . . earth? And Jace just knew, that the girder had fallen into the ship, the entrance filled with dirt.
He sent his mind questing to see the area beneath the breach in the ship, the hole. To no avail.
It seemed as if the walls of the huge ship pressed on him. He gasped for air, claustrophobia squeezed his mind.
They were trapped. He and Lepid. No easy way out. His heart hammered in his chest. Trapped and dying, slowly dying.
Could they possibly last the days, weeks maybe, until rescue?
He didn’t think so.
Grabbing onto all his control, setting his teeth, he beat back fear.
Then he heard Glyssa scream. Close. Here in the ship.
Glyssa! Undisguised panic raged through their link from him to her. Glyssa! He didn’t have a shred of quiet in his mind to check the link.
FAMWOMAN, Lepid shrieked mentally. His claws dug into Jace’s chest. Zem!
“ZEM!” Jace yelled telepathically and out loud.
I . . . I’m fine, Glyssa sent, though he sensed her coughing.
I, too, am fine, Zem said. I am down the corridor away from the explosion. I sensed the top of the corridor and FLEW. I have perched upon a large box. I am in the dark.
Be right with you, Zem, Glyssa called.
Make a spell light! Lepid cried. Jace got the sense that the fox was more disconcerted by the lack of light than he.
I think we must save all our Flair energy, Zem said. Though he sounded calm, Jace knew from his link with his Fam that Zem could barely move from the panic coursing through him.
Lepid was accustomed to being in holes, underground dens. Jace was human and used to living in houses or tents. Zem had neither of those experiences. That he’d decided to come with Glyssa to save Jace humbled him.
I love you very much, Zem, Jace said, sending his Fam great love, composure.
I love you, too, FamMan, Zem said.
I LOVE MY FAMWOMAN! Lepid shouted.
We love each other, Glyssa said. I am making a tiny, dim light. I am accustomed to threading through the underground storage areas of the PublicLibrary with such a spellglobe. But Jace sensed her mouth was dry and she swallowed.
He rose from the bed and took hesitant steps toward the door, stopped when his foot nudged against Lepid. Jace couldn’t help it, he could no longer stay on the bed. Like a boy waiting for his girlfriend to come, he sat cross-legged before the door.
Heart Fortune (Celta) Page 34