TKC 217 and 218
After Kay declares there is no opening overhead to reveal us
in a flyby, we move into the lake cave, using the niched space for sleeping. He
says the light passes along tunnels cleverly constructed for the very purpose. We
are safe from view. We discover an ablution facility also, which is a godsend. Someone
definitely created this space for long-term habitation.
Food is an issue. Soon a team will have to into the outside
world to hunt and gather. I dread that day, for we will then be exposed.
While everyone settles into a routine – which is now able to
mimic familiar day-night cycles – I am often huddled with Hal as he attempts to
make contact with Damin. At the moment I cannot bear to speak to Kay, and
therefore Hal at least diverts my attention … and offers an excuse to use. Kay does
not deserve my anger, but I cannot erase Attis’ death from my mind.
Kay knows. I see him watching. I see him waiting. Soon. Maybe.
He leaves me alone, for which I am grateful. It really is not his fault, but
Attis was special.
“Siri, tell me more of the topography inside Arc,” Hal
prompts.
We sit near the exit where it is quieter and can speak
without interruption. I describe the slopes, the mountains, the valleys, but
also tell him it is but a small part of what there is. Other than retrieving Lyra,
we did not venture far.
Hal frowns. “The dips and rises interfere, I think. I sense
Damin moving swiftly, but he is less accessible by the hour. He may be entering
hillier country.”
“They are running, or staying on the move in order to hide,”
I whisper. “What do you see?”
“Flashes of colour, but no specific image.” Hal gazes at me.
“Except one.”
Snakes roil in my belly. “Tell me.” My hands clench into
fists.
“A shield. I see an odd-looking shield and it glows green as
if made of something otherworldly. I see it often, but can’t explain it.”
“Horin,” I murmur. Only Horin fits that description.
“The Warrior who was a mere boy only weeks ago?” Hal
grimaces. “Siri, I don’t sense humanity in this ‘shield’. Are you certain it’s
Horin?”
I nod. “Then he is no longer Horin. He has become Enris
Makar once more.” Before I am able to explain what I mean, a shriek erupts, a
malevolent sound that raises even the hair on my head. I jerk around to see Kay
running swiftly towards me, his expression grim … and petrified. What? I see others slap hands over ears,
falling to their knees. Standing, I shout, “What is it?”
Kay halts close to me and looks up. “There is a ship up
there.” He lowers his gaze. “Something triggered something …” He silences
himself, realising he makes no sense.
Except he does. To me. Something
triggered something.
The name ‘Enris Makar’ has been heard by whatever listener
is waiting to hear it. By the stars, they will … “RUN!” I scream.
I grip Hal’s arm and drag him with me. I hear Kay in my wake.
As we enter the dry cavern a deafening blast obliterates the
cave behind us and sends us headlong to earth, scraping every exposed bit of
skin. A wave of fire wafts over us. Water erupts as geysers and everywhere there
is screaming … and then silence falls.
Absolute silence. Dead silence. Even the rocks are without
sound.
I howl my grief as Kay’s arms enfold me. We scrabbled
together into a huddle of fear, Hal included, and hold onto each other.
Everyone, young and old, is dead.
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