by Candy Rae
“Method not madness is the way to success,” he chided, shaking his finger at her in mock admonition.
“Just a quick peep. You never know.”
She reached over and perused the spines of the volumes on the shelf.
“It’s this one,” she announced and pulled it down. She began turning the pages. “If I can just find the date. Yes, here it is. Look, Lokrhed Thirteen, AL187. Will I read it out?”
She didn’t wait for Robain’s answer.
“‘Today our new Guildhouse was opened by Denise Knott, last living descendant of our first Guildmaster’, that’s nice isn’t it to get her to open it? ‘The apprentices pushed the trolley on which the remnants of our oldest artefact sits, the contrap’, wonder what that was? ‘with right goodwill from our old House in Holland Street to here’. Look Robain, Holland Street. How strange that it was in the same road as where Matt and Zala’s house is now.”
“We’ve found it,” she cried out. “We need a map. Master Annert, do you have a map?”
“It’s an old one,” he warned, going towards a cabinet where sundry papers were kept and peering inside a dusty drawer. “Don’t know how much use it will be.”
“The older the better,” Tala cried, leaping over to help.
“Here it is,” Annert said at last, placing the map-roll in her eager hands.
“Wonder when it dates from,” she said as she unfurled it on the table, pulling record volumes over to hold the corners down. Robain, Danal and Annert crowded round.
“There’s a date at the top,” Danal pointed. “Look, AL234, less than fifty years after this place was built, how miraculous.”
“It’s more miraculous than we deserve,” said Robain with a grin of triumph. “There’s Holland Street, next to France Street, strange names they gave them these days. Anyway, Holland Street, looks the same as it is today, it’s not long, only six buildings.”
“Are they marked?” asked Tala who had been pushed aside by Robain in his eagerness and was trying and failing to see over the heads of the three men.
“Yes. Yes. It’s the second house, the writing’s very faint but I’m almost sure it says, wait, Old Tech House, the one beside it Waiver House.”
“Weaver it would be not Waiver,” said Annert. “The weavers would need mill wheels to turn their looms, we used water power too in the old days. Is there a river marked?”
“No,” said Danal, running his finger up the map, “but the dam is there. We know the dam was built around AL200 to cater for the increasing population. With the workshops moved to this area there would be no need for the stream and its mill wheels.”
Tala squeezed herself in then and gazed at the map as if she couldn’t quite believe what her eyes were telling her.
She looked up at Robain.
“You see it don’t you? Second house on the right. It’s the same house too, it must be. There, the main bit and the two wings and that outhouse that’s been converted into the stables. I’ve always thought it an odd shape, now I know why, it’s because it was once the wheelhouse.”
Comprehension was dawning on Danal though Annert still looked utterly mystified.
“You know the house?” he asked in amazement.
“I live there,” Tala grinned. “I actually live there. My bedroom is in the left wing. See? The shape on this map is exactly the shape of my sister’s house. Even the wee pokey-out bit on the map is there, it’s the laundry room and the house is old, Matt doesn’t know how old, he’s always complaining about having to replace bits like the roof timbers. There’s an old window in one of the attics too, it has glass in it that isn’t glass, it’s some see-through substance which lets in light and can’t be broken.”
“There’s some like that in Settlement,” said Robain.
“I must see that,” said Master Annert, “what it is made of?” and Danel threw a sharp glance his way. They had leave to find the print-outs but the other standing orders to the Avuzdel still stood, the inventive curiousness of mankind must be steered only towards unwarlike pursuits.
: Leave it be : telepathed Asya who, although at the Supply Station at the other end of the town knew exactly what was going on : I will report it but I think not that glass that is not glass is a danger to us :
: In itself : warned Danal. : It’s where it might lead that is the problem :
Tala was talking again. “But I don’t know where the hall is. There aren’t any halls in Zara’s house, only rooms.”
“If the Old Guildhouse became an ordinary house,” suggested Danal, “there would be no need for a large hall. It’ll have been split into smaller rooms.”
“But which one do we look in?”
“Find the fireplace, find the spot,” grinned Robain, “and I think I know which room too. The library.”
He turned to Danal. “We were actually standing on the spot when you told me about all this. How’s that for coincidence?”
“Uncanny. You sure about this Robain?”
“Library fireplace is a completely different style to the ones in the other rooms.”
“I agree,” interrupted Tala, “it’s smaller, not so decorative.”
“These were simpler times,” offered Annert.
“Not simpler, simply different,” said Danal, “so what now?”
Robain pointed outside. “It’s getting dark again. I think we should tidy up in here so that Master Annert’s apprentices don’t get suspicious when they turn up for work tomorrow. The Hall?”
“Already taken care of,” answered Annert. “I had help.”
“Yes,” beamed Danal, “we ‘persuaded’ the ceiling to fall in above where we were working, no one will guess it’s so covered in plaster.”
“How much of the ceiling?” asked an intrigued Robain.
“A corner and a bit.”
“It’s a wonder you didn’t bring down the whole of that side of the building.”
“I’m a technician,” Annert said with dignity. “Grant me credit at least to be able to bring down a corner of my own hall in safety.”
“We must go home,” said Tala, “and dig up the floor in Matt’s library. The box will be there, I know it.”
“Feminine intuition?” teased Danal.
Tala gave him a withering look.
“Logic dear man, pure logic,” she answered with a return twinkle and then a wink.
Danal felt his heart give a lurch. He suppressed the feeling. Now was not the time for romance.
“When are Niaill and Taraya due to get here?” asked Robain of Danal.
“Evening tomorrow perhaps but more likely the next,” Danal answered, “he’s bringing with him Tara and Kolyei’s writings and also the journal. He says there might be something in them he has missed. He knows what we’ve been doing and thinks we are correct in our assumptions.”
“We’ll find it tomorrow,” said Tala with confidence.
“There is the little problem of the other people in the house,” warned Robain.
Annert shook his head.
“Tomorrow is Election Day,” he reminded them, “schools are on holiday, most servants get at least an extra half day holiday.”
“Perfect diversion,” noted Robain. “I know Philip is intending to take the three lads into the town tomorrow so they can see what an election day is like. There’s nothing like it where they come from. In the evening they’ve all got an invite to a soiree at their ambassador’s mansion.”
Matt, Zala and the children?” queried Tala. “The servants?”
“We’ll have to tell Matt,” decided Robain. “It’s his house. Only he can give the servants the day off and make up a reason to get Zala and the children out of the house. I can speak to Philip; get him to arrange to get their change of clothes for the evening sent on to their ambassador’s place. With no servants at home; including the coachman it makes sense.”
“Good,” said Danal. “So we go now, get some rest and meet at the Old Guildhouse in the morning. When?”
/> “Midday Bell,” said Tala.
“What about me?” asked Annert.
“You stay here and rest,” said Tala. “Wait for Niaill and Taraya in case they arrive early.”
“Asya can bespeak Taraya and get them to come here direct,” offered Danal. Annert was looking disappointed; Robain suspected that he wanted a look at the strange glass in the garret window, “to be perfectly honest Master Annert, you’ll be of more use here. Once we have the print-outs your real work will begin. Asya can be here to keep you company and if Niall arrives she can let me know.”
“If you think that’s best,” a glum visage Annert said. He looked disappointed.
“You are the Guildmaster, if anyone is going to understand what the print-outs mean it will be you. Get some rest Annert; tonight might be the last you’ll see of your bed for many a long night.”
* * * * *
Matt listened to what Robain had to tell him in silence, his nostrils flaring with each deep breath he took as each unpalatable piece of information hit.
When Robain’s tale drew to a close he sat back in his armchair and closed his eyes.
Tala cast an anxious look in Robain’s direction.
“It’s not that I don’t want to believe you both,” said Matt at last, eyes still closed, “it’s just that the whole thing is so unbelievable that it’s unbelievable.”
“I felt rather that way myself,” admitted Robain.
“There is no doubt that these Dglai creatures are coming?”
“Very little. The Nahoko are here. Fact. The Lind of the Avuzdel are guarding those that have been located. The Lai tell us that they wouldn’t be here unless the Dglai were not at least heading in this direction. We will know more when the, gods, I can’t remember the word Niaill used, the scout space-ship arrives to strip the Nahoko of the information gathered.”
“The Dglai may still pass us by.”
“Do you want to take the chance?”
“No I don’t,” admitted Matt. “You’ll be wanting to dig up the floor under my feet to find this box then?”
“Covertly,” said Tala, “as Robain says, we want to keep this under wraps for as long as we can.”
“Servants talk,” agreed Matt, “so we must get them away. Luckily it’s election time and they were getting a half day anyway. I don’t suppose they’ll mind if I extend it. How long do you need?”
“Perhaps three to four bells,” answered Robain.
Matt thought for a bit, “it’ll take time to get them all out of the house. Zala and the children can go to my cousin’s place in the country. My cousin is overdue a visit and Zala has been pressing about it. Our coachman will take them in the morning. Philip will take the three boys out, he was planning to anyway and if I tell him that there will be nobody here, including the coachman who won’t be back from the country until later, he’ll understand if I offer to send their evening garments over to the ambassador’s mansion by carrier. They can easily go direct to there from their observance of the elections.”
“Seems a workable plan.”
“Thanks. When the coachman returns he’ll not come into the house. He’ll just settle the horses and get away. I’ll make sure he knows what bell he is to pick Philip and the others up. Some of the servants will be back by then but we’ll be finished the excavations. I’ll just lock the library; it won’t be the first time. I often keep private papers in there that I’m working on. They’ll not ask any questions.”
“You said we?”
“I’m staying to help,” Matt replied.
At noon the following day the house was empty except for Matt himself, Robain, Tala and Danal.
The four went into the library and removed the carpet, rolling it up and placing it in a corner.
They began to dig. There were two layers of tiles, the ones underneath were cracked and brittle, evidence that they were very old.
They found the box in the third hole. Danal’s shovel hit it with a clang of metal against metal.
“Got it,” cried out Danal, gazing into the hole. Robain had the longest arms. Lying down on the floor he grasped the end of the box whilst Danal helped by using the shovel to prise it up.
At last the metal artefact lay revealed and it took only moments for Danal to prise open the lid and look inside.
“It’s them,” he said with satisfaction.
“We’d best get it out of here before the servants get back,” said Tala, “Philip and the boys too. Did you not say that the coachman will be picking them up from the soiree?”
“It’s not heavy,” agreed Robain, “get me a sack or something to cover it with and I could carry it. I’ll not be happy until its safe with Master Annert.”
He looked at his future brother-in-law, “you coming?”
Matt shook his head. “No, you three go. I’ll clear up here then I think I’ll go and join Zala and the children. I’ll not say anything. You think the Militia will be called soon?
Danal nodded.
“Thought so. If there is a war, if these Dglai do invade us I’ll probably see you where the fighting is. I’m in the local Militia although in this area there’s nothing to fight, hasn’t been for years now. Militia Officer’s Mess round here is more like a gentleman’s club than anything else. Still, if I’m called I will go. Tala, you coming to Cousin Dangfrids with me?”
“No Matt, my place is here.”
He nodded.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned. “Zala’ll have the skin off me in an instant if I let anything happen to you.”
“I’ll try not to,” said Tala with the hint of a grin.
“Our southern friends?” Matt enquired, shaking Robain’s hand in solemn farewell while Tala went in search of a sack.
“I’ll tell them tonight,” replied Robain. “They’ll be gone when you get back.”
“I understand.”
Robain smiled.
“Would you like to know who exactly has been enjoying your hospitality these last months?”
“Now I definitely don’t understand.”
“The Prince-Heir of Murdoch.”
“Never!”
“I cannot tell a lie,” said Robain with a straight face.
“This is amazing news. What will Zala and the children say when she hears? She’ll probably never forgive you. Wait, I know which one it must be, it simply has to be young James.”
“Wrong, it’s Walter, but is real name is Elliot. That’s why they’ll be gone when you get back. His people will need him.”
* * * * *
The Quorko
The Quorko, the scout ship of the Dglai, had arrived on its mission to locate the Nahoko.
The first Nahoko it dealt with was the one in the uninhabited area of the southern continent.
As the churned up dust settled after landing, the Quorko’s occupants got to work, digits flicking over the touch pads, instructing the computers to strip the Nahoko of its data. That done an aperture appeared in the nose of the scout ship and a metal rod emerged. There was a sharp flash and the Nahoko exploded in flames. The Larg of the Avuzdel reported what they had seen to the Susalai.
This exercise was repeated at the next port of call, the Nahoko that had landed in the woodland at the southern fringe of the smaller northern continent where the Lai lived.
The Dglai crewmembers again did not see the watchers hidden in the woods and would not have worried if they had.
The Lind stayed still and silent until the Quorko took off then also reported what they had seen to the Susalai. He warned the other group of Lind sentinels, those waiting in the northern mountains.
They hid inside some nearby mountain caves and did not emerge until they heard the engines of the scout fade away into the distance. They reported that this Nahoko had also been destroyed.
Divesting the fourth Nahoko of its information was to prove more difficult for Quio, the Kran (Commander) of the Quorko. He tracked the faint entry emission trail of Number Four to the Island
s but then it disappeared. Quio surmised, correctly that it had sunk under the water and that it was unlikely that any information it held would prove to be of any value.
He had just ordered that his scout ship should depart to find the final Nahoko when the external sensors reported that there was an object in the water.
It was a privateer and it was her misfortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Quio had his orders; his scout ship was not to be seen.
The aperture in the Quorko’s nose cone opened once more and the rod emerged. Quio pressed the button that would send forth the killing light. The galley exploded in a gigantic ball of flame. The scout ship hovered over the area for a while, making sure everything was destroyed. There was not much wreckage left and what there was charred beyond all recognition. The Quorko headed south.
Two blackened heads bobbed to the surface. Treading water, the two pirates grabbed hold of some of the floating wreckage.
Quio was not to know that the privateer had not been prowling the seas on its own, nor that the men on board her sister ship had seen the flash of light and were rowing as fast as they could towards the spot.
At nightfall, the crew of the rescuing craft were still rowing as hard as they could, but this time heading in the opposite direction, west towards Argyll. Her Captain was an astute and clever man.
He may not have understood what had happened (the story the two rescued men had told was unbelievable) but instinct told him that they were telling the truth.
A ‘flying thing’ had arrived in the skies that could destroy a ship in the blink of an eye and if it could do that what other damage could it do?
Captain Rand had decided to take the news to the one person on the mainland who might be able to help.
The Quorko flew back to the southern continent in search of the last Nahoko.
* * * * *
Robain, Tala and Danal
It was dusk by the time Robain, Tala and Danal walked through the holidaymaking crowds to the Technical Guildhouse. The noisy atmosphere pervading in Stewarton should have been infectious but the three took no notice. They went round the back to Master Annert’s private entrance.