In the Shadow of Mountains: The Lost Girls

Chapter Forty-Eight

  The End of the Treaty

  Paula was now in tears. She ran to Rolf and Soo-Kai and grabbed and pulled at them both.

  “Jai-Soo isn’t here!” she said in despair. “Why isn’t she here? What’s happened, Soo-Kai? Find out for me, please!”

  Soo-Kai nodded. “I will do as you ask. Wait.”

  Rolf hung on to Paula while Soo-Kai called out to her mother.

  Kai-Tai emerged from among the other Destroyers, who now began to slump down against the walls around the alcove. Even El-Vin sat down with a very muddy looking Mai-Ra. Only Nan-Po followed Kai-Tai, still scraping the mud from her ears.

  Kai-Tai held a long piece of torn cloth in her hands. She held it out to Soo-Kai when she came up to her.

  “It is as I feared,” Kai-Tai explained. “The way is not clear. All below is in darkness. Many of the lower compartments of the ship are crushed or flooded. And the soil from the great cavern of the arboretum has turned to mud. Something dwells in that mud, something that has learned to adapt and to hunt in the darkness and the silence.”

  Soo-Kai took the piece of cloth from her mother. It was covered in the same black mud, but it was also stained red. She sniffed at it, but the smell of the mud masked everything.

  “From whose uniform has this piece of cloth been torn?”

  “Yan-Lai. She was to the left as they crossed the cavern. They heard her cries of warning but could detect no enemy. The mud hides them. It drowns their smell and the very heat from their bodies. Only by sound can you detect them, and they have learned to move silently. They hunt by sound and are attracted to it. The more Yan-Lai struck at them with her sword, the more of them were attracted to her. You hold all that could be saved. Nan-Po was forced to turn back before all were consumed.”

  “They could not cross the cavern?”

  Kai-Tai shook her head. “Nan-Po says that the walkways have collapsed. The only way is across the soil and the mud, where those in the cavern hide and wait.”

  “What about Jai-Soo?”

  “Nan-Po believes that she left the cavern with the rest. But many of the lower corridors are filled with the same wet mud, and the range of these creatures is unknown. They heard nothing, but when they returned to the hatch and left the ship, she was no longer with them.”

  Paula burst into tears. Rolf hugged her and did his best to console her, but she cried louder than ever. The other girls all stared at her. They seemed embarrassed. It was as if they didn’t understand how Paula could have become so attached to someone she hardly knew. But Anne understood.

  She felt sad, too. She didn’t know Yan-Lai, but she had known and liked Jai-Soo. Jai-Soo had been the first person Anne had met after Prince Carl who wasn’t trying to harm her. She had tried to help them in the staircase under the courtyard, and it was obvious to Anne that she had helped Paula in some way, too. It wasn’t fair. They had all lived through an exceptional experience, and although events had been brief, a friendship made during this time would have been one that lasted. Paula must feel robbed. Many of her classmates had been killed, and now even Jai-Soo was gone.

  Anne joined Rolf in trying to console Paula while Prince Carl put his hand on Emile’s shoulder. The French boy looked up at the Prince with tear-filled eyes, doing his best to keep control of his emotions. He wasn’t doing very well.

  Kai-Tai turned to Prince Harold. “The time has come. You must decide my future. Complete your bargain or abandon your life for mine. Either way, the other Destroyers must leave. There is nothing for us here now.”

  Prince Harold tried to delay the decision. “You are wounded. Should you not wait until you are healed?”

  “I am a Destroyer. My wound has been dressed and I will heal quickly. And those I travel with will give their support. Like El-Vin, I will not be abandoned.”

  The Prince nodded. “Then the time has indeed come. I will not forget you, Kai-Tai. I will keep my bargain, and I hope we do not meet again. But if we should, I will do my best to avoid any conflict.”

  “I understand your meaning, but I cannot say the same. If we should meet, I must fight. But if the memory of you survives the compression of my mind, then I will fight with sadness.”

  Even though Kai-Tai spoke with the usual haughty tone in her voice, Prince Harold could sense that she meant what she said. There was still a chance to prolong the bond; all he had to do was take it. For a moment he almost changed his mind, but in his heart he knew it wasn’t to be. So it was with regret that he called out to L’Barr.

  “Send word to Sir Malcolm that the Destroyers are leaving and that they are not to be harassed or delayed. We will follow shortly.”

  L’Barr nodded and shouted up to one of the servants in the chamber above. The servant quickly ran out with his orders.

  Prince Harold now spoke to Kai-Tai for the last time, and there was a hint of sadness in his voice. “Our liaison has ended, and our treaty is over.”

  Kai-Tai didn’t reply. She turned away from the Prince without a word. She no longer looked at him, nor acknowledged him. Instead she spoke quickly to Nan-Po, and Nan-Po called to the other Destroyers. One by one they climbed to their feet, Mai-Ra helping El-Vin. When they were all gathered around Kai-Tai and Nan-Po, Kai-Tai turned to Soo-Kai.

  “We go now, my daughter. We will return to our dens and our territories. I may not see you again until the next coming of the ship. If your bond should die before then, seek me out. If not, stay away. I know what you do. I can smell it and taste it in your body. I despise you for this, but I know that when your bond is at an end you will put right what you do. Until that time I will not speak with you or bear your presence close to me. If our paths should cross, it will be as enemies.”

  She knows.

  Of course she knows! They all know! They know and detest you! You should purge your body now! Rid yourself of this abomination!

  No! What I do I do for my bond!

  It is because of this that they cannot act against you! But when your bond is over those you have created must be destroyed!

  I will not return to the Purpose once Rolf dies! I will not do what my mother did! I will not!

  You must! Kai-Tai warns you! They know!

  I will not do it! I will not!

  Then they will kill you and the evil you create! And your mother will follow! Act now! Purge your body! Vent them! Discard them! Save yourself and your mother!

  Stop it! Don’t make me do this! Rolf will hate me! I will hate me!

  Purge them!

  No!

  Idiot! Fool! When your bond dies, your rebellion will die with him! Then you will do what has to be done!

  Never!

  Maybe not then, but after, when your memory is lost and you are nought but a shell, then you will kill them!

  Soo-Kai had remained motionless as Kai-Tai spoke, her expression filled with a mixture of sadness and fear. Now she merely lowered her head in acceptance.

  Rolf was shocked. Shocked and angry. Not just by what Kai-Tai had said to Soo-Kai, but also by the way she had said it. He saw how much it hurt Soo-Kai, and he couldn’t let it go without a challenge. He spoke loudly and angrily to Kai-Tai.

  “How can you talk like that to Soo-Kai? You know how she loves you! You are cruel and heartless! You don’t deserve a daughter like Soo-Kai! She’s worth ten of you! No, fifty!”

  Soo-Kai took his hand and tried to stop him. “No, my bond. Please!”

  Rolf refused to listen. He hadn’t finished yet. “It has to be said!” he told Soo-Kai, and turning back to Kai-Tai he went on, “You’ve been against us from the moment you knew about our bond! You’ve always hated me for it and I know why! You’re jealous! You think I’ve stolen Soo-Kai from you! Well, maybe I have! But I’ve never stopped her from seeing you! I’ve made you welcome in my house, I’ve given you food and drink! I’m willing to compromise, why can’t you? Soo-Kai’s happy with me! Can’t you understand that? She’s happy! Can’t you be content w
ith that? Not even for her sake?”

  Her bond speaks for her. He is blinded by his love, but even in this he is incorrect. Listen to his arrogance and ignorance. He accuses you of human attachments and emotions, his very words casting doubt on your integrity and on that of your seed.

  He is a fool.

  As are you.

  I said what had to be said!

  You said what had to be heard! I know you! You fear for your seed like a Navak! Her bond maybe a fool, but his accusations have merit! Once before you acted to save your seed, spilling the blood of one to save the others!

  Po-Kai was incorrect!

  As were you and your seed!

  We were not! Not then, and not now! Our integrity is pure! We have all followed the Purpose with vigour! Those you speak of all fell in its pursuit! Only Soo-Kai is left! You cannot chastise me! There are none greater than I in following the Purpose! Soo-Kai will do what is required!

  Are you so sure?

  Calm came with acceptance of fate.

  Soo-Kai is in the thrall of this Navak. When she is free of the bond the truth will be known, one way or the other. Only the life of the Navak delays the answer! And I will seize any opportunity to cut that life short!

  Kai-Tai waited for Rolf to finish, but when she looked at him, it was with the same look of hatred that he had come to know so well. And her reply was far harsher than even he expected. Harsh and very cold.

  “Remember this, Navak. I detest you. The very smell of you in my nostrils brings forth the contents of my stomach. If it were not for the bond you have with my seed, I would strike off your head this instant. And so it is for all those that surround you. They live through the advantage gained by my liaison with the Navak Prince. That ends with the rising sun, when the urge to kill created by the Purpose within me will return. Only you will remain safe. But I tell you now that there will come a day when your bond no longer protects you. And on that day I will send Nan-Po in the night to pin your brains to a tree.”

  Kai-Tai then turned to the other Destroyers. “Cha! Sun lak!”

  A moment later and she was climbing the debris to the chamber above. Nan-Po helped her climb while the other Destroyers followed after them.

  When Kai-Tai had reached the upper chamber, Vanessa stepped forward and called out to her. And her voice was angry and bitter.

  “Kai-Tai! Remember me, Kai-Tai! One day, I’m going to get even! I promise you! It’ll be my purpose in life!”

  Her words carry such strength. The Atlantian heritage is as strong in this one as it was in Bern-E.

  How can you admit this now? You chastised me for my attachment to Bern-E, and now you voice your admiration for her sibling.

  The Atlantians are dead, only their blood lives on. Like them, she no longer matters. She is both incorrect and your enemy. If she seeks you out you will kill her despite her genetic heritage.

  That heritage is both Atlantian and Klysanthian. This was why her appeal was so strong.

  It still means nothing.

  You think so? Then we will see.

 

  Kai-Tai looked back at Vanessa. It was a look of disdain. For a moment it seemed that she would ignore Vanessa’s threat, but then she reached into her tunic and produced the red device Nan-Po had returned to her. With a sudden movement she threw it down to Vanessa. Nan-Po tried to stop her, but it was too late. The device landed on the floor in front of Vanessa. Vanessa stared down at it as Kai-Tai spoke.

  “Before you is the key to our escape,” Kai-Tai told her. “Discard it, and you are meaningless. But if you truly wish to face me, if your anger and need for vengeance does not wane, then keep it safe. In twenty-eight years time, I must return to retrieve it. If we both still live, and you still hold it, I will seek you out.”

  Vanessa didn’t hesitate. She quickly picked up the red device and tied the thong it was attached to around her own neck. “I’ll be waiting.”

  Kai-Tai almost smiled. But a moment later and she had turned and was gone. Nan-Po followed her, glancing back at Vanessa with an expression of pure hate. One by one, the rest of the Destroyers squeezed through the narrow gap in the doorway and disappeared. Everyone watched them go.

  As soon as they were gone, Craig said in Groucho Marx’s voice, “Well, I can definitely say that’s the best mother-in-law I never had.”

  Amy elbowed him. “Shut up!”

  “Well, it’s true! Can you imagine having her to Sunday lunch? You’d never know who was going to get carved!”

  “Craig!”

  Most of the times when Craig made humorous comments Rolf would be annoyed, but on this occasion they were a welcome relief. The girls sniggered, Vanessa went back to her place by the wrecked car and even Rolf relaxed a little. But he was still upset by the way Kai-Tai had spoken to Soo-Kai, so it was with some surprise that he found himself being told off by her for his comments.

  “You should not have spoken to my mother in that way,” Soo-Kai told him. “You antagonised her, it was not right.”

  “Not right?” Rolf repeated incredulously. “What about the things she said to you? She was rude and callous! She was the one in the wrong, not me! I was speaking up for you!”

  “I know, my husband, and I love you dearly for it. But you should not risk my mother’s anger. I worry for you, and you heard my mother’s threat.”

  Soo-Kai’s concern began to transfer to Rolf. “Do you really think she could do that?” he asked her.

  “She cannot interfere in our bond in normal circumstances. But if the chance to escape should return, if the Purpose could only be met by my inclusion, then her threat would be real. In any case I worry. You mean everything to me. My life will end without you. You should not have antagonised her.”

  Soo-Kai’s words brought a tear to Rolf’s eyes and he quickly hugged her.

  After the Destroyers had left, Rolf and Soo-Kai weren’t the only ones to relax in one another’s arms. Amy hugged Craig, and as she rested her head on his shoulder, she saw Anne and Prince Carl do the same. It made Amy smile.

  Amy knew Anne better than all the other girls; she spent hours with her in the early morning when Anne would train with her. Amy was sure that Anne wanted her to do well in athletics more than she did herself. It seemed to mean a lot to her. She was always urging her to do better, to run faster. Yes, Amy was glad to see her and the Prince together. She had known straight away that Anne liked him.

  Prince Carl had stayed close to Anne all the time they had sat and waited in the chamber, speaking to her constantly. It had been obvious to Amy what he was saying to Anne by the way she had kept shaking her head. He had wanted her to stay when she still thought about going home. It would be just like their teacher, she always thought of them first, even if it meant her losing out. She had always been like that. But the girls had ambushed her. They were staying, and that was that. She had no more excuses, and the Prince had finally won.

  But if the sight of Anne and Prince Carl in one another’s arms had pleased Amy, the sight of Sophia and L’Barr doing the same surprised her. But as she watched them hug, the difference in their ages faded once she remembered their natures. They both had one big interest in common: Food. Sophia and L’Barr were made for one another.

  Becky had gone to sit next to Vanessa. For a while they didn’t talk. Becky watched Vanessa toying with the device tied around her neck.

  “Are you scared?” she asked her.

  Vanessa looked up at her friend. “Of Kai-Tai? No.”

  “She’ll kill you to get it back. That’s what she meant, you know.”

  “She’ll try.”

  “You actually think you could win?”

  Vanessa shrugged. “In twenty-eight years time, who knows? Anyway, whatever happens, I’ve nothing to lose. There isn’t anything Kai-Tai can take away from me that I care about.”

  Until now, the steps down the darkened tunnel that eventually led to the ship had been forgotten. But the way was still
open, and something suddenly burst out of the steps behind them. It was black and shiny, and it seemed to explode and spill out all over the floor in a dozen pieces.

  Rowena and Jemma both screamed, and everyone jumped out of their skin. They all quickly backed away, but their fears were unjustified, because what came out of the tunnel was not at all what they thought it was.

  The black and shiny objects that were scattered over the floor revealed themselves to be transparent plastic packages containing some sort of black material. They were about half a metre square in shape, and they weren’t the only things to appear. Several boots suddenly flew out of the tunnel and bounced off the walls of the alcove. Emile had to dodge out of the way, as did Prince Harold. The arrival of the boots was accompanied by the sound of annoyed muttering in the Destroyer language. Then someone emerged from the tunnel.

  It was Jai-Soo, and she indeed looked most annoyed. She threw the last of the boots to the floor and looked around at them all in exasperation.

  “I think I drop more than I bring!” she announced. “I lose them in the dark, so I stop and search for them. Some I find. I am pleased, but then I drop some more. Now I lose count. I think the boots are odd in number.”