"A novel means of transport,” Symbol said.
"Your premonition: could it refer to a problem with the track, so that we might wreck during a fast descent?"
"No. I fear something living, or maybe demonic. Maybe whatever took out that Amazon, though I did not know of that before you told me."
"I have learned not to take premonitions or intuitions lightly. But it would help if I knew what to guard against. We will not see demons here; the zone is as dead for them as for magic, by no coincidence. What about a sexual spirit—an incubus? They can go beyond the zones."
"Not an incubus. Maybe a crazed animal—I don't know. My apology for being so vague."
"Some of the worst dangers are vague ones. An animal I could dispatch with my sword. I will expect you to keep alert watch while I am pushing."
"Be sure of that,” Symbol agreed. “I think we shall simply have to brave it, hoping I am wrong."
Symbol climbed into the smallest cart, which had one seat in the center, with foot room front and back. She faced forward, while Lucent got behind, put her hands on the back rail, and pushed forward. As the cart moved on its tracks, she pushed harder, until she was running.
It came to the rise, and slowed, but the Amazon kept pushing, and in a moment it topped the rise and started down the hill. Lucent jumped up, swinging her feet athletically over the rail without letting go of it, and landed neatly in the cart. She sat on the seat, facing back, her body bracing Symbol's as the cart accelerated down the slope.
"Exhilaration!” Symbol exclaimed as the wind took her hair.
"There's as much uphill as downhill."
The cart whizzed past bushes and trees, shaking as it crossed irregularities in the track. It swung around the side of a hillock, leveled out, and slowed.
"First free ride done,” Lucent said, jumping out. She resumed pushing, moving the cart along a roughly level stretch.
Then came a formidable hill. “Here you must walk,” the Amazon said.
Symbol appreciated the need. She scrambled out, fell behind, and followed cart and Amazon up the incline. She looked around—and saw something as it disappeared behind a tree. She kept looking, but it did not reappear.
Until she looked away. Then she caught another motion from the corner of her vision.
Was she imagining it? Or could it be a curious bird, tracking them until they left its territory?
"Something's alarming you,” Lucent grunted as she pushed the cart.
"It's probably nothing. I'm just not much used to the country, being a city girl."
"You're one nervy, experienced city girl. You don't spook easy."
"You can read minds out of your Chroma?"
"A little, if I am in contact with the subject. But I don't need mind reading for this. You're looking around nervously."
Oh—her Amazon training. “Something keeps disappearing in the bushes. I can't quite see it. Maybe a bird."
"And maybe something stalking us."
"I didn't want to say that."
"I don't want to overwork you, but maybe you should push while I look. I don't like mysteries."
"Agreement.” Symbol took the Amazon's place and started pushing. The cart was heavy, but she could handle it for a while. She put her head down and pushed it on up the hill.
"There's something, and its no bird I know of,” Lucent said after a moment. “Nor any other animal I recognize. I know the creatures of this zone. None move like that."
"You saw it?"
"No. Just the disturbance of its passage.” The woman joined Symbol behind the cart, and her added power made it move much faster. “You sneak peeks right, and I'll look left. Maybe we can get a full glimpse of it."
They continued to push, and soon reached the crest of the hill. “I didn't see it,” Symbol gasped.
"Neither did I. But it's still pacing us."
"How can you tell?"
"The mind trace. It's just a fuzz at this range, like a little sour smell, but it's there. If it gets closer, I'll get a better notion."
Symbol tried to suppress a nervous chill. “Do you think it's dangerous?"
"Can't tell. We can't afford to assume it's not, given that it's non-native and is stalking us. It would attack if it thought it could take us, and go away if it couldn't. It must be waiting for us to sleep."
"And we do have to sleep, sometime."
"We can do it in relays."
Symbol nodded. “So we can get through."
"Agreement."
They were standing by the cart, looking around as they spoke, but not seeing the thing. “Maybe we can outrun it, rolling down a long slope."
"Let's find out."
They climbed into the cart and started rolling down into the next valley. The grade was steeper than the initial one, and the speed was formidable. “Will this thing stay on the track?” Symbol asked, concerned.
"Oh, yes, as long as we don't lean out too far to the side. All the slopes and curves have been tested."
"Then the faster the better! Let's leave our stalker behind."
The cart raced downward, and swung around several curves, before coasting to a stop three quarters of the way up the opposite slope of the valley. They clambered out, and Lucent pushed while Symbol gazed nervously around—and saw the faint motion of something hiding.
Lucent picked up her reaction. “I was afraid of that. The thing's fast; we can't outrun it. Must be an alien bird of some sort, flying across the crevices. But it's too small to be a man-hunting raptor. This is weird. I don't like it."
Symbol had a dreadful thought. “That dead Amazon—something like this?"
"It is possible,” Lucent agreed grimly.
"Maybe she went to a cave to hide from it, so she could sleep—and it caught her anyway."
"Possible."
"She was alone, and had to sleep. But we can take turns. So it can't get us."
"Maybe."
That was not reassuring. “Why not?"
"We're just guessing about the Amazon. Maybe she went to meet a man, and he killed her."
"But—"
"By treachery, of course. If he had a stasis spell, or poisoned her water bag. Maybe she trusted him, but he had found one of those slick soft creatures—"
"Like me."
"No offense."
"None. A woman like me could have taken him from a woman like you. Men are idiots."
"Contempt!” Lucent agreed vehemently.
"Do you really think that's what happened?"
"Negation."
"So we may be in real danger."
"Acquiescence."
They reached the top of the rise. Now the valley ahead contained a winding river. The track went right down to it. “We'll get dunked,” Symbol protested.
"Negation. There's a trestle bridge."
They got in and started down. Symbol peered to the side, trying to see what stalked them, but there was nothing.
The cart raced down to the river. Now the bridge was evident, a thin series of wooden towers projecting from the water, supporting the tracks. The framework hardly seemed solid enough to bear the weight of the cart. Then they were on it, the surface of the water close enough to touch, and the pylons were firm. They raced across the river and mounted the far slope, slowing as they ascended.
"There,” Lucent murmured, looking back at the water.
Symbol saw a faint flicker of something just above the water, streaking across beside the track. Then it disappeared into the foliage. She felt a chill. “I couldn't make it out, but it's not a bird."
"Concurrence. An insect. Maybe thirty pounds."
Symbol's chill intensified. She hated big bugs. “A bloodsucker?"
"No. No type I know. But the wings are insectoid."
"Why would a non-biting bug be stalking us?"
"That I would like to know."
"Could it be one that feeds on refuse?"
"It could. But there is bound to be plenty of animal manure around; it shou
ld have no need to wait for ours. We may not even leave any here."
"So we still don't know its business,” Symbol said, quite unreassured.
"Affirmation. But I think we had better discover that business. It surely has reason to follow us, and I don't like mysteries of this nature."
"Agreement."
They labored up another hill, and scooted down the other side. By this time it was getting late in the day, and they were tired. “We had better stop the night at the shelter,” Lucent said. “We could push and ride the cart at night, but would be unable to see if a tree branch has fallen across the track, and could crash."
Symbol had to agree, though she was quite nervous about the stalker. “You said we can take turns sleeping."
"Acquiescence. If it had the power to attack us openly, it would have done so by now. It must seek to come upon us unaware, and perhaps sting us into submission so it can feed. Some insects do that."
"But you said it wasn't a bloodsucker!"
"None I recognize. But it could be a variety of dragonfly, chewing out chunks of flesh. It may subsist on living or fresh-killed flesh, and we look fleshy."
"Because we are women,” Symbol said with a shudder.
They arrived at the shelter. This was an open structure, providing a roof, fireplace, blanket, candles, and latrine section, but little else. They could not enter a cell and shut the insect out.
They made a fire and foraged for edible roots. Symbol wasn't good at this, but Lucent was. “You did your part bedazzling those men, getting us food and fast transport,” she said. “This is my turn."
The roots looked unappetizing, but proved to be tolerable when cooked. They ate and used the latrine trench as dusk came.
"Now for our shifts,” Lucent said. “How well can you remain awake when you have to?"
"As long as I stay on my feet and walk about. But I'm tired."
"Then take the first sleep shift. I'll wake you in two hours.” She lit a candle and set it on the floor. Its flickering flame provided a surprising amount of light.
"Gratitude.” Symbol lay on the pallet, covering herself with the rough blanket. But the moment she did so, she realized it was no use. “I can't sleep. I'm tired, but apprehension has taken me."
Lucent considered. “I do not relish this sort of siege. My inclination is to fight it. Maybe we can pretend to sleep, and dispatch the thing when it comes close."
"Maybe,” Symbol agreed gratefully.
The Amazon lay down beside her. “Lie on your back or side, and watch your half; I'll watch mine. If you see it, touch my foot, slowly, under that blanket, so.” She poked a toe into Symbol's ankle. “Do not move; when it is upon us, I will strike. Trust me to do that."
But Symbol had doubt. “Insects can move fast. Suppose you wait too long?"
Lucent reached out of the shelter and plucked a twig from a low shrub. She pressed it into Symbol's hand. “Toss this up."
Bemused, Symbol flipped it over the pallet. The twig jerked in the air, separating into two pieces that landed on either side of them. Symbol fetched back the one on her side. It was cleanly cut. The Amazon had used her blade so swiftly Symbol had never seen it or the motion, and scored perfectly on the twig.
"Apology,” she said, reassured. “I forget your calling."
They waited, but nothing came. “It is too canny,” the Amazon finally muttered. “It knows that while the light is on, we are feigning sleep. But we need the light to spot it; I doubt it will make a sound."
Symbol had a bright idea. “Inattention,” she said. “Could we fool it into thinking we are oblivious?"
"How so?"
"My illusion shows. I have a small library of them. Folk normally sit quite still while watching, for considerable periods."
Lucent nodded. “Comprehension. You promised to show some, but we got distracted."
"By men and insects,” Symbol agreed, rummaging in her purse for her Air stone. Then she thought of something. “Possible liability: the illusion covers reality. The bug could approach and we would not see it."
"Negation. I will feel its mind as it closes. I got a whiff at a distance, and that will strengthen inversely proportional to distance. It may think I am oblivious, but I will score on it if it comes in range."
"Relief.” Symbol selected a show. “Do you mind sickly sweet sentimentality?"
"Affirmation. Do you have one of thwarted love or conflict?"
"I think so, though all are resolved by the end."
"That can't be helped, it seems. How about with an Amazon?"
Symbol considered. “I do have one such. ‘Reversal’ features use of passion spells on innocent victims, leading to mischief. Will that do?"
"Enthusiasm."
"However, this is a feel illusion. For example, when there is sexual activity, what can't be seen can still be felt. Some folk consider this effect to be indecent."
"Physical or emotional?"
"Physical. You have to provide your own emotion."
"That's fine, then. I want sex without the burden of emotion, as we had it with the Green trio."
Symbol wondered at the Amazon's taste in romance, but did not question it. She selected the show and projected it.
The illusion spread out from the stone, forming a three dimensional picture of a handsome young man in a fancy hat walking down a path. The scene covered over the two real people and the shelter; only the flame of the candle showed through when it flickered. “On Planet Mystery there once lived two families at feud,” an unseen announcer announced. “The Hats and the Coys. Each was eager for a pretext to quarrel with the other, to attack and gain advantage and settlement of ancient grudges, but each was careful to give no such pretext, so as to appear to have the right of whatever case developed. At present, there is a difference about a particular piece of farming land. It has been decided that one representative of each family shall be sent to negotiate."
The man continued down the path. It was traditional to identify the locale of any story as Mystery or Counter Charm, so as to avoid offending any local Chroma or region, and sometimes to free a story of the Chroma framework entirely, so that folk of any Chroma or nonChroma could enjoy it alike. The man's hat identified him as a member of the Hat family. That made orientation easy.
He came to the edge of a field. There stood a rather pretty young woman in a close-fitting cape. “Greeting,” he said gruffly.
"Acknowledged,” she replied coldly.
"Observation: you are an Amazon."
"And you are a warrior,” she retorted.
"This is supposed to be on Counter Charm?” Lucent asked. “Yet they look like regular nonChroma folk, and they speak our same language and share our conventions?"
The scene paused, the characters frozen in place.
Symbol was surprised that the Amazon was not up on the illusion conventions, but probably she had spent much time in the field and had not had the chance to view many such shows. “For convenience we assume that there are human beings there, and that their language is translated to ours. Likewise their conventions. These are mere details; it is the essential story that counts."
"Comprehension."
The scene reanimated. “Introduction,” the man said. “I am Hero Hat, sent to negotiate on behalf of my family."
"And I am Coma Coy, sent likewise. We have agreed that if you and I can work out a compromise without killing each other, our family will accept it."
"Affirmation."
There was a pause before she spoke again. “Candor."
"Accepted."
"This is however academic, as we are not prepared to compromise. This land belongs to Coy, and no part of it may be occupied or used by Hat. No matter how many misnamed bumpkins may be sent to argue their feckless case."
"Candor,” Hero said, his jaw clenching.
"Accepted."
"I agree only that there can be no compromise. This is Hat territory, and shall remain so. No matter how many unscrupulous sluts
may be sent to plead otherwise."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Candor continued."
"Continued,” he agreed.
"I should be pleased if you give me a fair pretext to slit your flabby belly, provided your gross guts do not foul our pristine land."
Hero's belly was anything but flabby, of course. “I do not like your words, but am sure they would seem sweet in comparison to your body, were it not guiltily hidden.” No Amazon had a flabby body, either. But for the purpose of a suitable exchange of insults, certain assumptions could be made.
"Obscenity!"
"Precisely."
Her sharp knife appeared in her hand. Simultaneously a short club appeared in his hand.
"Make your move,” Coma hissed.
"Make yours."
They stared at each other a moment, their mutual hostility fairly radiating around them. Neither attacked the other, because they knew they were being watched, and the one who started the bloodshed would be at fault, giving the opposing family a pretext for justified vengeance mayhem.
Then something odd happened. There was a faint flash of magic, noticed by neither party. Nothing physical changed, but their expressions did. Hero's face lost its anger and became flushed with another variety of passion. Coma's attitude shifted from cold rage to something else.
"Truce,” Hero whispered, licking his lips.
"Granted,” Coma agreed.
"I have conceived sudden irrational passion for you, and must either have you or flee this moment, ending the negotiation. What may be the price of you, setting aside the question we came for?"
"And I for you,” she said. “Similarly inexplicable. No fault?"
"No fault,” he agreed.
"Take me this instant.” She put away her knife and ripped open her cape to reveal a splendidly formed torso.
Hero put away his club, ripping open his own clothing. He clasped her to him, standing. She caught his shoulders and heaved her legs up to circle him as the two of them cooperated to make the intimate connection. It was done in a moment, explosively.
She lifted her face to his, without unwrapping her legs or breaking the connection. “I am not yet done."
"Neither am I."
They kissed passionately as their bodies labored to produce another climax. This time Coma came first, leading Hero into a powerful second performance.