Widderkin - 33. Chapter 33

Chapter 33.

Kieran kept watch as the first rays of sunlight caught the snow-covered mountain tops and worked their way steadily lower in a breathtaking contrast against the darkness of all the lower reaches, and wondered why Woorawa hadn't yet called for a stop. Their extra early wake-up had given them at least an hour of walking without Monster attacks and a good start to the trek round the flank of the closest mountain.

"Are the Monsters on the move yet, Kieran? I thought we might keep going till the first attack but it's getting a bit too long."

"... Not yet, but we’ll see the sun in the next few minutes and that was when they got active yesterday."

"How far’s the closest one?"

"... About ten minutes. We’ll stop then."

Rhys laughed.

"We’ll get them later, Tan. They’re making us walk because they love being slave drivers."

"It's not a problem, Rhys. I haven't even noticed my feet since it got light enough to watch the mountains. I can't believe I'm saying this but that light on the snow makes Dead World look completely beautiful."

Woorawa pointed to the second mountain.

"It does looks unreal, Tan, but we’ll run out of water today and you can see how far it is to that snow line."

Tan looked back to where the long line of the cliff wall now looked low and less significant.

"It's not as far as we travelled yesterday."

Woorawa made his own comparison.

"No, but the terrain will change because of the pass thing Kieran told us about, and then we have to find our way far enough up the side to be in reach of the snow."

"We stop in five minutes, everyone. The first Monster’s on its way."

***

After the first delayed stop Woorawa went back to the usual regime of carefully timed hourly rest breaks and the group made its way with a sense of progress lifting their spirits. In the late morning the steady trudge slowed when the change of direction as they skirted the mountain took them through a jumble of rocks and boulders. Woorawa was a marvel though, clambering the highest vantage points to scout the way for the best path forward for more than an hour till the raggedy way cleared to open plain again and they finally stopped for a meal break.

"It's another old river flat, Kieran, much wider than the last one. You can even see the depression where the bed of the river was."

"Ha! I wish we had a bed instead of sleeping on solid rock every night."

No one took any notice. They were all looking to the distance where the plain narrowed and disappeared.

"Is it the pass Ranevargar showed you, Kieran?"

"It must be, Woorawa. It's right where his mind map tells me to go ... How long to get there?"

"Not even three hours. Our packs are lighter, we’re all walking better, and it looks like open going all the way. When we finish our snack you should put us all to sleep for thirty minutes."

Kieran focused his Monster sense.

"We won't get that much time unless we leave it all to Krol. There are three fairly close Monsters."

"Use some power to draw them in, Kieran. You've got it worked out well and we’ve been on the go for seven hours so real sleep will be the best pick up."

Kieran did have it worked out well, after all the aggravation yesterday of having to stop five times for attacks just ten minutes apart had prompted him to experiment with the knowledge that his Opal power acted like a beacon.

"Yes, that’s a good idea because that way I can put Krol to sleep too, after he clobbers them. Get the food and drink ready and I’ll charge up his aura."

"And heat the water at the same time please."

"This is quite amazing."

"What do you mean, Mr B?"

"Three Monsters, so powerful each of them could rip us all to shreds with hardly any effort, are about to attack and we’re more interested in the food and drink Tan’s getting. Krol’s a complete wonder."

Krol, who had landed when the group stopped to take off their packs, gave a querying scrark when he saw five sets of eyes regarding him.

"Three Monsters arriving in a while, Krol. Mr B says thank you for being a wonderful protector and we’re all agreeing with him."

Krol's head lifted proudly then scanned the sky.

***

"What happened, Kieran? Is Ranevargar okay?"

Kieran pulled his mind to the here.

"He is okay, Rhys, but puzzled about how his mind shields are surviving. Maynor just bashed them with the biggest amount of power yet and tried to persuade him it was time to give in and tell him where his Pearl is."

"Persuade? You said that in a funny way."

"Yes, it was weird, sort of like a Medusa look except charming instead of scary. Ranevargar knew what it was though, and told Maynor that glamour was kid stuff."

"Wow! Kid stuff?"

"Not in those words but that's what he meant. Maynor was surprised but then he got annoyed which was exactly what Ranevargar wanted."

"You see Maynor clearly enough to read his expressions?"

"Ranevargar taught me that the first day we met him, Mr B, but his thoughts tell me more so I rely on them the most."

"Two viewpoints coming in at the same time. That could be confusing, Kieran. Would it be possible to work through Ranevargar and control one of the attendants when Maynor’s not there and make him take that golden helmet off?"

"I wouldn't have a clue. I can work with the hosts and Guardians because of the Pearl network but I wouldn't even try with Maynor's attendants because all I’m meant to do is watch."

"How are his shields holding up? This big attack must have drained extra energy."

"It did, but not too much because it only lasted for ten minutes."

"Did you learn anything new about what’s going on?"

"No. He wasn't happy about his Coursers getting chased off, but the rest of it was trying to charm Ranevargar and asking about the Pearl."

"Is he still looking for us in Ranevargar's Realm?"

"This was the first session with Ranevargar where he didn't even mention us, so who knows what that means. He’s no danger to us, Rhys. He won't believe anyone’s crazy enough to come to Dead World with all these Monsters."

"How’s Ranevargar coping with being paralysed all this time, Kieran? It’s been four days and all he can do is think."

"The confidence boost we worked out won't stop till he’s himself again, Tan, but I can hardly believe how active his mind is."

"What about his body? So much time without moving is really bad."

"The attendants look after him really well with massages and body rubs, Rhys, and keep him clean too. That's one good thing about Maynor."

"That is amazing. I’ve kind of been expecting Ranevargar might get tortured to make him give in."

"I don't think they do that, Rhys."

"Like it’s a taboo?"

"Yes, even the Spooks only wanted us helpless."

"Something doesn't fit, Kieran. Ranevargar told us about that other Realm Lord studying the arts of conflict and it would have to be a weird war if no one gets hurt."

"Hmm! You’re right, Rhys, but weird’s normal here."

Woorawa laughed then pointed to the cliff walls on one side of the pass they were approaching.

"On! On! On! Everyone. That pass looks weird and we can talk while we walk."

***

Uirebon watched Aglaron's brow, furrowed with intense concentration.

"Trouble, my Lord?"

"Indeed, Uirebon. Maynor seeks to have me drain our resources and hasten the fall of the High Castle. Do you have knowledge of how many trained Chaos Masters Narello can command?"

"I know she has a major Centre dedicated to the study and use of Chaos energy but little more."

"We currently have seven Chaos Incursions, four close to the High Castle, two in your Realm and one in Ranevargar's domain."

Uirebon was shocked.

"Simultaneous? My Lord, every one of them will wreak endless destruction until it is stopped. How can we possibly cope?"

Aglaron took an aspect of power and determination Uirebon had rarely seen.

"If I must I will cope, Uirebon. The cost would be great and hasten the downfall of the High Castle but ..."

The grim look now softened with a hint of a smile.

"... My Lore Master’s fore-warning has allowed me to prepare a suitable response."

"Against seven Chaos Incursions?"

"The number now stands at nine and precludes any possibility other than direction and purpose. Show me the location of Narello's Centre for Chaos study."

Uirebon came to the wrong conclusion.

"You wish to attack the Chaos Masters before they direct more incursions against us? The state of our resources doesn't justify such a course of action, My Lord. I advise you to reconsider."

"Good advice, Uirebon, but you misunderstand. Watch with me while Maynor discovers what Chaos Incursions can do."

Uirebon watched. Aglaron's stricture against portals collapsed, power transferred from their defences and focused on every Incursion, peaked for transmissions to two separate locations, then returned to the High Castle Wards. With a nod of satisfaction Aglaron restored the portal ban and turned to Uirebon.

"Do you approve, Uirebon? The incursions are no longer my problem."

"More than approve, My Lord, I..."

Uirebon's expression of admiration was forgotten because the assault against the High Castle defences stopped, the first moment of relief since the Challenge was made.

Uirebon watched quietly while Aglaron used the bonus flow of free energy for renewal and greater defensive strength.

He watched Aglaron reach to sense the great flows of power surrounding Maynor's Castle and the Chaos Master’s centre.

"Will he cope, my Lord? He has no experience."

"He will cope. He controls all the free Nexus energy and he has observed the banishment methods on several occasions."

"Against a single incursion, yes, but you transferred five incursions to his Castle and five to Lady Narello's Realm."

"And I did it without compunction, Uirebon. He faces only what he himself unleashed and in doing so has gifted us with a time of respite. We will make the most of it."

***

"We’re going up there?"

Ahead was a huge rock face, an unexpected barrier which, according to Kieran's scan through Krol's eyes, was the easiest way to reach their target plateau.

"We have to, Tan. It looks bad because it’s so far, but it’s all scrambling rather than real climbing and we’ll only take you where it’s safe."

Tan grimaced. The rock face might only have an incline of about 40° but it would be a first time experience and very different to the steady trudge of the last three days. Woorawa was looking apprehensive too, which was kind of reassuring. Rhys put a comforting arm across his shoulder for a moment.

"You’ll be okay, Tan. Kieran’s brilliant at finding the easiest way and you can follow right behind him so you know exactly where to put your feet. Mr B’s nearly as good, so Woorawa can follow him and I’ll be last."

"What happens when a Monster comes? We’ll be helpless."

"No we won't. Krol’s ready and he’ll protect us the same as always. It was good thinking to mention it though, so we’re all ready to react properly."

"Properly? What does that mean, Rhys?"

"Well, we’ll have warning from Kieran so there’ll be time to make sure we’re standing or sitting securely, and then we don't move, not for one step, till we know the Monster’s been clobbered, and until the Monster’s gone we lock ourselves in place like we’re part of the rock."

"I agree, Rhys. Any movement which might distract a Monster could be very dangerous. Maybe Kieran could even lock our muscles in case we panic."

"I won't need to do that, Mr B. We’re all experienced enough with the Monsters to hold a ‘keep still’ command in our minds."

Rhys gave one of his snorts.

"Ha! If one’s only a few metres away and coming straight at me I won't be."

"That’s not going to happen, Rhys ... Tighten your packs straps while we do this and let's go.

When Kieran moved a few steps sideways and clambered for about five metres up a natural staircase Tan followed close behind, concentrating intensely to match the guiding footsteps. Kieran paused to give Tan a smile for this achievement.

"You did that easily, Tan, and the next bit’s even easier."

It was too. This time they climbed at least twice as far and, when Kieran stopped to check everyone and survey the next section, Tan realised he'd been focused so much he’d forgotten to be nervous. He looked past Mr B to see how Woorawa's was going and shared an understanding smile.

Mr B saw the look.

"Is the adrenaline rush subsiding, Tan? It must be if you can manage a smile."

Tan relaxed even more.

"Okay, Tan. This next bit's slightly tricky but then it's an easy walk along that ledge. Watch where I hold with my hands as well as where I put my feet."

Tan's steadily increasing confidence took a blow when, about ten minutes later, Kieran gave warning of two approaching Monsters and made sure everyone was in a secure position.

"Hold still! Krol’s taking off and we’ll have a spectacular view."

Every view of Krol fighting Monsters was spectacular as far as Tan was concerned, but he decided that one episode of watching from an exposed perch on a rock face while holding every muscle locked rigid was more than enough.

Krol's victory call sounded and he soared to his waiting spot above.

"No more for a while. Let’s move."

Kieran was right, and the zigzag path went all the way to the top with only one strange moment when everything stopped for a few minutes.

"What's the hold up?"

Tan answered Rhys's call.

"It’s his concentration look, Rhys. He’s not here. We’ll just have to wait."

When Kieran stirred he laughed at everyone's concerned looks.

"Whoo! That was major but I think it must be good. I’ll tell you when we stop at the top."

On! On! Up! Up! The group clambered their way till the rock face levelled to a platform where they dumped their packs for the well earned break. Tan stood for a moment looking down with amazement and pleasure at what he’d just achieved, then moved quickly to join the others and hear what Kieran was saying.

"I'm not sure why but I had a feeling, and when I checked on Ranevargar his mind was racing with ideas about why all the pressure against his mind shields was gone. His strongest idea is that the High King and Maynor might be having another Challenge against each other, and Maynor’s using all his power for that."

"Could it give Ranevargar a chance to escape?"

"No, that damn helmet stops everything, and Maynor’s done something so he’s the only one who can take it off. Ranevargar’s enjoying not having the mental storm raging against his shield and he’s expecting other things might start happening."

"Can you tell where the energy is going, Kieran?"

"I’d need to be there to do that, Mr B."

"As you did when you took the Pearl I suppose. How long will Ranevargar's shields last if they're not being attacked? You might be able to postpone renewing his reserves."

"I hope so. We’ll just have to see."

Kieran turned to look across the plateau.

"The mental map says we’ll find traces of an ancient road we can follow all the way up to the caverns."

"How can there be a road in Dead World?"

"It wasn't always dead, Rhys. The road might be hard to see because it’s wrecked in Ranevargar's memories and they’re from 600 years ago. Who knows how much it's broken down since then."

***

Trudge! Trudge! Two more hours and seven more Monster attacks took them across the plateau but also brought the concern of approaching dusk and the much bigger worry of finding a safe place to shelter.

Apart from one emergency water skin, all the water would be finished tonight and the plan was for Kieran to fly with Krol to the closest snowfield. A big worry was that getting the snow into the water skins meant the power used to melt it would draw Monsters from everywhere. In all probability Kieran and Krol would be the focus for every attack but Kieran didn't want to accept that. Woorawa's solution was for Kieran to use Krol's superior vision to scan for something like a cave or some other suitable shelter. This turned out to be a double bonus when the view from aloft revealed a long section of raised rock which was clearly too ordered to be natural, as well as a promising cleft between some fluted columns of rock which might suit as a temporary haven.

"I hope this works, Kieran. It’ll be awfully scary if anything happens while you and Krol are away. I wish we’d had more practice with the Spook ropes."

Woorawa looked back.

"Don't be a pessimist, Rhys. Think of a nice big cave with a little spring of water trickling into a pool big enough to wash ourselves as well as beautiful soft moss to sleep on even if a hoard of Monsters is waiting outside."

"Dream on, Woorawa."

Mr B added his bit.

"Woorawa’s got a point, Rhys. A negative attitude gave us Dead World every time and a positive attitude gave us good things."

"We need the Wall for that Mr B. There’s no Wall here."

"Anything could happen, Rhys. We’re in the Realms now, not back at home."

Rhys laughed.

"No way! We’ve been walking since before the sun came up and all we’ve seen is rock and dirt."

"Oh yes? How many Monsters have we seen? Twenty? Thirty?"

"They don't count. You know what I mean."

Now it was Mr B who laughed.

"I do, Rhys, but four or five metres of fury and destruction dissolving to nothing at the touch of a mysterious purple aura counts as unusual in my view."

"Well..."

"Give up, Rhys. Mr B got you this time."

Rhys nodded as if agreeing then grinned cheekily at everyone.

"Open sesame!"

"What?"

"I am being an optimist, Woorawa. When we get to those rock columns I’ll say that and a cave will appear with all the good stuff, plus piles of treasure and a helicopter to carry us the rest of the way to Maurice."

Four heads shook in mock disgust.

"That’s a curious expression of optimism, Rhys. I hope it doesn't mean we also get captured by forty angry thieves."

Rhys yelled in delight and raised his arms in a victory gesture.

"Be positive, Mr B! Be positive!"

Fifteen minutes of smiling and chuckling later the packs were shucked and everyone followed Woorawa to the opening between the columns of rock.

"It is perfect, Kieran. It goes for at least ten metres before it gets narrow. Even Krol couldn't get at us in there ... Hey, wow! There’s even a sign at the end which says ‘magic door’. Rhys has done it again."

"You’re a total dork, Woorawa."

Woorawa made a rude sign, which he’d learned from Rhys, at Rhys, and moved aside.

"Head off while there’s still enough time to see, Kieran. The earlier you get back the sooner we can get settled for the night."

"Hey. I just realised. Without Kieran we won't have any warning if a Monster finds us. We should stay in that gap till he gets back?"

Woorawa looked round.

"I’ll find a good place to keep watch, Rhys, and we’ll be all right for another fifteen or twenty minutes. It won't hurt us to do nothing for a while, and it’s also good because it means one less thing for Kieran to be worrying about."

Rhys nodded and turned to watch while Kieran put on his cloak.

"I wish I was going with you."

Kieran leaned close to give him a shoulder bump then climbed onto Krol's back and attached the harness.

"So do I, Rhys. Look after everyone."

Krol rose from his crouch, spread his wings for the takeoff, and with a switch of focus Kieran was in his mind and using superior eyes to scan the way.

"Head for the top of that big spur, Krol. Do you think we’ll get there before it's fully dark?"

The destination registered, Krol's wing beats strengthened with purpose, and in just over ten minutes they were coursing above an extensive snowfield.

"Look for somewhere with an easy takeoff, Krol. There might be lots of fighting for you."

Anticipation thrilled and, after an automatic terrain scan, Krol veered then landed beside an island of rock protruding from the surrounding sea of snow. In a great rush Kieran unclipped six water skins, scooped the billy full of snow, heightened his Monster awareness, and called on the Opal to charge Krol's aura to the maximum.

Hmm! Five Monsters in close proximity and another eight likely to be drawn by the amount of power he was about to use. Why so many? Well, Krol could cope with up to three at once and their single-minded aggression would almost always mean a staggered arrival.

"Incomings, Krol. Wait till I’m about to light the first one up before you take off ... And stay close please."

Kieran was using his own eyes now and he could just make out the fierce ruffle of Krol's neck feathers. A straightforward glow lit up the immediate surroundings and with a burst of concentration Kieran directed heat into the snow-filled billy. Whoo! A full billy of snow became less than half a billy of water. Top it up? No, the snow was too hard and too cold for bare hands. Warning flared.

"Go Krol! I’ll light up the first one as soon as you’re in the air."

As quickly as he could Kieran poured the melted snow into the first water skin, scooped up the next billy full, then paused to watch Krol make his first aerial encounter and veer towards the next glowing Monster.

Scoop! Melt! Pour! Scoop! Melt! Pour! Opal power surged with every burst of heat, surged with every recharge of Krol's aura, and flowed steadily to light up every incoming Monster. When three water skins were full Kieran stopped to make a complete situation check. Krol's mind was raging with triumph, aggression, and an almost overpowering urge to fly in search of more encounters so, along with a message of praise and admiration, Kieran sent a calming command.

"Marvellous work, Krol! Can you keep going? There are more Monsters on the way."

Gods! The flares of power were reaching further than expected and the eight count had now become eleven. Kieran made a new, very quick reach.

"Yo, Rhys! We’re crazy busy but okay. Krol’s unreal and I've got half the water skins filled. See you soon!"

"KIERAN!"

Kieran winced at Rhys's happy mental shout, sent a burst of reassurance, cut the contact and melted a new billy of snow. Ten minutes later the sixth water skin was full and after an aura top up the power flares were all finished. After another five minutes Krol had vanquished the final two Monsters and was able to rejoin Kieran.

***