Widderkin V. O. E. - 17. Chapter 17

WIDDERKIN VOE.

***

"I couldn't resist checking, Kieran, and Harris was here for a while but then he left."

"Three of the delegates want to talk to the Cultural Centre staff so we’ll be with you soon, Corey. Are there any clues about where he might be now?"

"Not really. The receptionist told me he was asked to arrange a minibus tour so that’s one possibility. Otherwise I would suggest checking the accommodation places."

"Hmm. That could be anywhere. Any other ideas how we might find him?"

"Well ... He’s an executive, so he might want to eat at a high class restaurant. No, that would be out of character if he’s presenting as a government official, and he is clever ... I'm not thinking right, Kieran. He’ll have a priority to know what's been happening with the Department officers today. If you stay with them he’ll come to you."

"Problem solved. Good thinking, Corey. In fifteen minutes we’ll be at the Centre with three of the delegates, so if he’s got some kind of network he’ll turn up there."

"Have those delegates been using their phones?"

"The one with us has, for about ten minutes, making stacks of arrangements."

"Could any of the arrangements be useful to us?"

"Whoo! I’m the one who’s not thinking, Corey. All the delegates are meeting at the Mining Office tomorrow morning to hear proposals about infrastructure, then they’re being taken to inspect the plant and facilities. If he doesn't turn up at the Centre we’ll see him there."

"If it’s a whole delegation thing then you're sure to. I'm going outside to the mural area so I can watch the car park."

"Good thinking. See you soon."

"You look deep in thought, Kieran?"

Malcolm's head was turned as if waiting for a response.

"What did he ask me, Woorawa?"

"If College has a good reputation for business studies."

"Sorry. I was a long way away. I haven't really been interested in business studies. I don't know much about it but our college is one of the top ones so I’m sure they’ll be as good as anywhere else. Are you looking for good students?"

"Some of our appointees haven't got a clue, but what about yourself? Would you be interested in a managerial position of some kind? I could fast track you to a successful career in my department."

"What you mean? I’m a college student. I’ve got at least three years of study before I make decisions like that."

"You’re a college student, yes, but you are also an enigma. All these extraordinary people, your companions, the rangers, and even the elders, look to you for guidance. It’s very subtle, a curious pause in conversation then a glance in your direction before they resume speaking, and the strange way you can be in the background and still be the centre of their attention. It leads me to think you’re a natural leader."

No one said anything for a moment while Kieran recovered from his surprise.

"I can see why he’s head of his department, Burrimul. What will I say? He’s too clever."

"And this pause is confirming his perception. Offer a polite refusal then decide how you want to treat with him."

"You like shock tactics don't you, Malcolm? Your offer came out of the blue and threw me a bit. It’s very kind but it’s not part of my future."

Malcolm nodded.

"Well, it was worth a try. Did you know much about the culture before you met Woorawa?"

"Practically nothing. Mr B told us things he knew, and then when we were in the mountains in Victoria Burrimul gave me a message stick as a welcome to Mparntwe and I’ve never stopped being amazed."

"I was wondering because you and your companions joined in with most of the chants."

"Woorawa learns them from Burrimul first, then teaches us the ones that help him practice his dancing."

"Do you see him dancing very often?"

Kieran laughed.

"Nearly every night, and he makes us all join in, even Rhys who says he’s got two left feet."

"Rhys is particularly close to you isn't he?"

"Gods! This guy picks up on everything."

Before Kieran could respond Woorawa spoke.

"Malcolm, I would like you to join us tonight for a ceremony with my friends. You can help Rhys with his two left feet, and Uncle will teach you your own chant."

Malcolm's face lit up.

"A chance to see you dance again? I wouldn't miss it for anything. Thank you, Woorawa. When and where will I present myself?"

***

The friends watched Malcolm's transport depart then went inside to clean off the single ochre stripe Burrimul had put on their foreheads.

"He went a bit emotional when you made him an honorary associate of your family, Burrimul. I didn't know you were going to do that."

"That was Woorawa's idea, Mr B. He told me I had to."

"I just got in first, Mr B. Uncle would have done it anyway. We got to see how special the day was for him while we travelled in the four-wheel-drive and Kieran said he was completely genuine."

"Did you check his thoughts, Kieran?"

"Only the surface, Mr B. He was overwhelmed with wonder, and that’s saying something because he was so clued in. He had such unreal discussions with Burrimul about culture I kept thinking the professor should have been with us."

"Who’s the professor?"

"You haven't met him yet, Michael. He’s the anthropology lecturer who arranged the college trip that first brought us here."

"All the delegates were overwhelmed, Kieran. What was different about Malcolm?"

"He spooked us in the four-wheel-drive when he offered me a career in his department. He thought I was everyone's leader."

"You are."

"We all are, Mr B, at different times and situations."

"Sprung again! That means more practice. I vote we put Corey in charge."

"Me? How come, Rhys? I’m way behind the rest of you with telepathic skills."

"And that's exactly why I think it should be you. You’ve got the best chance of an outsider’s viewpoint."

"That does make sense, I guess."

"And you’re our super spy so that’s another reason."

Mr B started to protest but Corey had the measure of Rhys’s stirring and took it in his stride.

"He’s right, Mr B. Surveillance techniques are part of my training ... He turned to Rhys and tapped his nose ... But don't worry, Rhys. I’ll keep all that stuff I’ve found out to myself."

"What? ... What stuff?"

Mr B compounded the moment.

"Guilty secrets, hey Rhys? Who’d have thought it?"

Tan nodded knowingly.

"We have a dark horse in our midst. I’ve always had my suspicions."

Woorawa caught on now, and tapped his nose in a copy of Corey's gesture.

"You can tell me, Rhys. I won't blab to anyone."

Rhys instantly checked Kieran's reaction.

"Give up, Rhys. He got you good."

"He sure did ... I’ll be ready next time."

Rhys made a chalk up gesture with his finger.

"Good one, Corey."

Mr B interpreted the cheeky grin perfectly.

"Oh no! A stir offensive. Watch him, Corey."

"Nothing to worry about, Mr B. He’s young and quite innocent. I am worried that we didn’t find Harris."

"We’ll get him in the morning when they gather for the plant tour, Corey. Mr B will drive us there."

"He knows what you look like, Kieran. He’ll be suspicious if he recognises you."

"No he won't, as soon as I see him he’ll pass me off as a casual bystander."

"He will? ... Yes, of course. I’m still adjusting to your capabilities. Did you use them on Malcolm at all? If he blasts the mining proposal like he says he will, it will make waves when he gets back to Canberra."

"They’re all his own decisions, Corey, and Woorawa and Burrimul are the real influencers. The animal actions just reinforced what he was already thinking."

"He might moderate his views when he gets back to Canberra."

Kieran shook his head at the same time as Woorawa. Burrimul spoke up.

"He won't, Tan. We got to know him with our talks in the four-wheel-drive drive and he’s a force to be reckoned with."

"He’s a public servant so it doesn't matter what he recommends. He has to do whatever the government instructs him."

"We asked him about that, Corey, and he says he’ll recuse himself."

"What’s recuse?"

"It’s getting someone else to do your job because there are reasons you shouldn't do it yourself, Michael."

Kieran looked to Mr B for confirmation he’d got this right.

"Well, I hope he doesn't lose his job."

"We asked that too, Corey. He laughed and said it wasn't likely. He didn't exactly say it, but I got the impression he’s too valuable. Woorawa, I know you and Tan want to do computer stuff but Corey’s got an early start tomorrow, so don't let him work late. I’m having a snack and an early night.

What’s your agenda for tomorrow, Burrimul? You must be proud of Woorawa and pleased how well our day went."

"I am proud, in my heart and my mind, Kieran. Tomorrow we will share our dream walker’s story with auntie, then help her tell it to our people at the showground."

***

After almost half an hour of mounting curiosity Corey welcomed Kieran's questioning look as he swapped from trance like concentration to awareness.

"Two taxis arrived and their passengers went inside, but that’s all. You said it was your morning checkup, Kieran, but what exactly does that mean? I’ve never seen anyone think so deeply."

"Too much has been happening to give you the time you deserve, Corey. One of the things I did was check on Benton and he’s booked a tour bus for nine-thirty this morning."

Corey glanced at his watch.

"That’s another thirty-five minutes. No wonder hardly anyone’s arrived."

"Well, come on a tour while with me while we wait."

"A tour?"

"A mind tour, and I’ll show you where my checkups take me.

First I contacted Maurice for an update on my Realm. He’s always awake and he knows how to give me loads of information very quickly, so that’s a short visit."

"My mind rebels at the idea of a dragon being real. Tan said Maurice is totally inspiring."

"Will I put an image of him in your mind. I should, because it’ll help prepare you for the first time you see him for real."

"Yes, please."

"Brace yourself."

Corey yelled in utter shock then stared at Kieran in disbelief.

"Kieran, no one could prepare for that. You said image so I was expecting something like a picture. My brain saw a living dragon."

"Not quite, Corey. I’m getting better but you’ll see the difference when you meet Maurice for real.

Now I’ll show you little Rhys."

"What? … Oh my God, that’s what the Griffins look like?"

"That’s Rhys, and he’ll be far more imposing when he grows up."

"Rhys?"

"Yes, our Rhys bonded with the leader of the Griffin Guardians and Krol named his offspring after him. It’s a huge honour because there haven't been any grifflings for hundreds of years.

… This is Gryl. Racing through a Realm Tree grove on a Panther’s back is unbelievable."

Corey received a series of images; Kieran's memory of the High Castle, magnificent and awe-inspiring with its glowing translucent Wards; the friends with joker birds perched on head and shoulders with cheeky bobbing crests; Uirebon restoring an ancient manuscript with a pass of his hands; waddling penguins, seen through Pegger's eyes as he made his morning trek from burrow to beach; and an underwater view of orcas gliding with concerted purpose.

Corey was startled and disappointed when the wonderful images abruptly ceased.

"Don't stop, Kieran. That’s the first time I’ve seen an orca."

"Are you forgetting why we’re here? Three taxis just arrived. We need to check who gets out."

"Sorry, I’ve got a one track mind and I was lost in what you were showing me."

Harris wasn't one of the gathered group.

"Was everything you showed me memories from your check, Kieran? The last two felt different."

"You could tell? That’s interesting. Yes, I linked directly to Pegger and Norkus and relayed their perceptions. It’s one of the skills Ranevargar likes me to practice."

"That was real-time? You can go into animals’ minds from thousands of kilometres away?"

Kieran laughed.

"Sort of. If they’re in my Opal network then distance doesn't seem to matter, otherwise I have to be reasonably close."

"How big is your network?"

"Now, or potentially?"

"Both."

"That’s complicated. For people it's fourteen, but it’s thousands and thousands with other animals."

"How does intelligence factor into joining your net?"

Kieran stared.

"What are you getting at, Corey?"

"I wasn't very specific, was I? You asked for permission to put me in your network, but animals don't have the same kind of awareness."

Kieran had to think.

"I do ask permission, Corey. I project a message of welcome and so far it’s always been accepted."

"What would happen if you projected that message to groups of people, everyone at the showground for example? You could travel from country to country and city to city and become the most influential person in the world."

Kieran was instantly uncomfortable.

"I don't know, Corey. Wait till we’re in the Realms and we’ll talk to Ranevargar about it. He’s been using his network for centuries and he’s got –"

Kieran stopped because Corey, his attention fixed on a passing taxi, was no longer listening.

"I think I saw Harris in the front seat. I’ll know when he gets out."

The taxi pulled to the curb, the back door opened and three people moved to join some earlier arrivals.

What was the front passenger doing? ... Oh, paying the fare. A slim figure appeared and the fierce grip on his arm startled Kieran so much his attention wavered.

"It's him, Kieran. That’s Harris."

Corey's excitement was contagious and Kieran reached with a boosted sense of purpose.

Get the pattern, easy at this distance, and lock it in so he could be located anytime in the future, check the surface thoughts for an understanding of his immediate frame of mind - watchful, wary, angry, assessing everyone gathered for the bus.

This was an active mind, in stark contrast with the quietly composed physical presence its owner was presenting.

Why the anger?

Using the skills transferred and developed through every merge with Ranevargar, Kieran probed for information. First he accessed memories, then understandings, and then deeper still to the level of motive and purpose.

Of course. The anger, tempered by puzzlement, was directed at the five delegate leaders and their unaccountably positive reaction to the protesters.

Kieran, his distaste growing, gathered every pertinent bit of information and fled the amoral domain of Harris’s mind. Ranevargar would chide him gently, later, for his hasty retreat and demonstrate a way to probe dispassionately.

"Drive back to the Cultural Centre, Corey. There’s good and bad news but I want to have a careful think before I talk about it with everyone."

Corey turned the ignition on.

"Could you tell why he came here in person?"

"Yes, the big boss sent him to see how well their strategy of pushing the government to respond to the protests is working."

"How mad is he after yesterday?"

"A bit, but it was you on his mind more than anything else. He was looking for you when he was at the centre yesterday."

"That’s interesting. He hardly knows me so he was probably following orders."

Kieran gave Corey a surprised look.

"He was, and he’s wondering why."

"Morrison probably suspects I’ve disappeared because I’ve been passing you information."

"Really, well I don't know about Morrison, but Harris has a growing suspicion there’s some kind of mastermind messing with their plans."

Corey laughed.

"Rhys would say it sounds like a spy thriller. It’s serious, Kieran. These people are dangerous."

"From what I’ve seen, very dangerous, Corey. Just as well we’ve got you out of their clutches."

***

"Okay, everyone. As I said to Corey, there’s good news and bad."

"Give us the bad news first, Kieran, so we can leave on a high note."

"Sorry, Mr B, the good news is that the Mining Company is leaving it to the National Government to take any action, and that gives us a kind of break."

"A kind of break? You mean you’re not sure?"

"The Harris guy knows the Federal government is going to make the mining project a national priority when it meets in three weeks time."

Mr B broke the stunned silence.

"That’s really bad news, but how can he know what the parliament’s going to do before it’s even been debated?"

"His boss has some kind of control and he’s made a deal with three powerbrokers who can dictate the party line."

Tan shook his head in disgust.

"Have they got secret arrangements with the Mining Company like the senator at the public meeting?"

"I looked, Tan. Harris takes it for granted that there are because it’s one of his bosses specialties, but he doesn't know any details."

"That means we’ll have the National Government against us as well as the Mining Company. They’ll use the police, and then the army, if we resist too strongly. It’s exactly what the professor predicted."

Mr B explained to Michael and Corey.

"The anthropology professor at our college said right from the start that we’d end up clashing with the government."

"That’s not fair. You should go to Canberra and uncover the secret deals."

Corey agreed strongly.

"Michael’s right. It would cause huge problems for any bill if the public found out it was based on secret handshakes between the Government and the Mining Company. Morrison would know everything but getting access to him would be tricky."

Kieran became the centre of attention.

"It’s good thinking, Michael, but we’re going to the Realms on Sunday afternoon and Ranevargar will help us plan our best course of action then."

"The Realms? On Sunday? Wow!"

"Yes, Rhys. We won't have much time there so the sooner the better."

"Let’s go now. Well, as soon as we can get organised."

"That was my thought too, Rhys, when I saw in Harris’s mind that Woorawa needs to be nullified and could be in danger, but there’s stuff we need to do first."

"What exactly does nullified mean, Kieran? It sounds weird, as well as scary."

"I can't say for sure, Tan. It's a keyword that Harris links with Woorawa. The company sees Woorawa as the symbolic leader of the protests and Harris is certain they’ll do something about it."

"Like what?"

"Harris doesn't know. Any ideas, Corey?"

"Yes. Nullified is like a codeword. It usually means being stopped in a way that seems natural. It could be induced sickness, an accident of some kind, or pressure to locate overseas. The ways are endless."

The whole group stared wonderingly at Corey.

"That’s pretty heavy, Corey. How do you know so much?"

"I was exclusively tech and surveillance, Rhys, but whenever I had to work with a team I'd hear the hard operators arguing about the merits of different methods.?"

"Are hard operators like the ones who threw vegetables at Woorawa?"

"They’ be minor versions, Tan. I was in Melbourne putting bugs in your house at the time but I heard about that. They were so slack they got their instructions wrong and compromised the whole team ... Is that funny, Rhys?"

"They didn't get anything wrong, Corey. Kieran changed their orders to help Woorawa."

"It wasn't actually me, Corey. Ranevargar was controlling my mind when that happened."

"You let him take control? I thought it was more like sharing."

Kieran gave a resigned nod.

"Sorry, I haven't given you enough explaining time."

Rhys spluttered with laughter.

"Get used to it, Corey. We spend half our time not knowing what’s going on. It can be chaos when Kieran and Ranevargar go into action."

Kieran made a rude sign at Rhys.

"It’s not that bad, Corey, and you’ll learn a huge amount while you’re with Ranevargar and Uirebon."

"Uirebon? I thought Corey was staying with Ranevargar."

"Not all the time, Tan. Corey’s got special abilities and Uirebon has places that can help them develop."

"This is all very strange for him, Kieran. If he leaves Ranevargar’s Realms he might feel isolated."

Corey turned away and when Rhys went to say something his mouth wouldn't open.

"No jokes, Rhys. Mr B's comment struck a chord and Corey needs a moment."

Corey turned back and the little moisture tracks beneath his eyes made his apologetic smile all the more poignant.

"Sorry, everyone. Feeling like I belong somewhere is so powerful the thought of leaving is kind of confronting."

Rhys leapt to give him a hug. Michael followed suit and everyone else gave a nod, a touch or some other sign of support and understanding.

"Remember that we’ll always be as close as a thought, Corey. You understand that because we talked about my Opal Network this morning, and we’ll practice linking while we’re in the Realms."

"Can I link with Corey when I’m back at Phillip Island, Kieran? I want to know how he is."

Kieran laughed at the intense group scrutiny and because it was the right moment also.

"I don't know, Michael. It’s an interesting idea. We’ll ask Ranevargar.

Mr B, Corey will be with Ranevargar till he thinks he's ready for other things. You know how welcome he’ll feel there."

"Don't be too sure about that, Corey."

There was a group groan and Corey saw the expectation of a Rhysism.

"Why not, Rhys?"

"Well, Gryl will frighten the life out of you and Krol is even scarier."

Seeing all the head shaking Corey told Rhys to get to the point.

"Well, Gryl will bare his fangs then lick you to death, and Krol will loop the loop or do a barrel roll when he takes you flying."

Corey, looking for an explanation, got only smiles till Kieran spoke up.

"He’s being a goose again, but he’s right really. Welcomes in Ranevargar’s Realms are so full on they’re overwhelming. You’ll be too amazed to think about much else for a while. It will be different in Uirebon’s Realm, and Ranevargar’s organised a companion to help you through everything that happens there."

"See what we mean about being left behind, Corey? When did you hear about this, Kieran?"

"Maurice told me this morning, Rhys, and this is the first time we’ve been together since, so don't get your knickers in a knot."

"Fair enough, but we don't really know anyone in Uirebon’s Realm except for Uirebon himself."

"Yes we do. It’s Bantellar from the scriptorium and evidently he’s really excited to be helping."

"Ban! That's brilliant! ... You’ll like him, Corey. He’s interesting and really friendly."

All the smiles and positive reaction brought Corey back on keel as well as piquing his curiosity.

"What’s a scriptorium?"

"Like archives for a library. Ban fossicks through them for his research. Kieran, how about organising for Ban to come to Ranevargar’s Realm so we can all see him?"

"Hey, good thinking, Rhys. It's a bit awkward with the time rates, but I’ll get Maurice to set it up."

"Why not Ranevargar?"

"Ranevargar’s asleep and Maurice would have to fly to Uirebon’s Realms to pick up Ban anyway. Hang on a sec ..."

Corey watched what looked like several seconds of introspection turn into a big smile.

"Maurice copies Rhys’s cheeky ways sometimes. Ban will be at the High Castle when we arrive on Sunday afternoon and after some time with my father we’ll fly to the Central Grove."

Corey's puzzling about the short time frame for so much planning was interrupted by Michael's interesting question.

"Can the Dragon carry eight people at the same time? He must be very powerful."

"He is power, Michael. Even a giant Gryphon is nothing compared to him. Now, let's get going. We have things to do."

***