Re: 56 - Returns, reunions and revelations
Danny looks about, as if gaining his bearings. Or possibly looking for approaching trouble, then nods, "Right yer are, then. Over 'ere."
Again the movement through the makeshift camp, which is already evolving its own roads and byways. Past a group of soldiers, who are talking to two men in strange uniforms (from the castle?) while studying a map. Tahirah hears the word "lumber" before Danny's rapid pace drags her away.
Finally, after long minutes of walking, they reach the base of the castle wall, where simple shelters have been erected, no more than blankets or cloaks, pulled tight over frames of branches, and propped against the wall itself.
In one of them sits a man, looking almost older than Charyk, his back against the stone, and his eyes staring blindly towards the sky beyond his shelter.
"'ello, Job, I brung yer a visitor. Tell 'er what yer told me. Yer know? 'bout the voices."
"Eh? What's that? Is that Danny?" the blindman starts, then answers his own question, "O' course it is. Ain't no other kid what'd come an' see ol' Job, is there? Leastways, not without tryin' ter rob 'im, afore speakin'."
"So... yer want's me ter tell yer 'bout the voices, eh? Fair 'nough... "
He shifts position slightly, getting comfortable, then starts to speak again, "Ol' Job were 'idin' see, keepin' 'is 'ead down. Knew there were trouble. Could 'ear it, fallin' stone an' everythin', an' folks screamin' an' cryin'."
"Anyways, as 'e was 'idin', 'e 'ears this voice, but it were more like metal bangin' tergether, see, an' bein' twisted, an' it were sayin' that it di'n' see no point ter destroyin' the city, not when it were takin' their 'tention away from everythin' else. Then the other voice, said 'ow the city were 'idin' summat as their leader were wantin'. Some sorta bird what she'd ordered them ter find, they said. Soon as they were finished at Charyk, they were plannin' on goin' back to conqu'rin' everythin', 'ccordin' ter their main plans."
"So... "
"D'yer see, Ladyship?" Danny interrupts, "They'll come after us. Charyk were only part of it. From what Job 'eard, we's not even safe 'ere. They's goin' ter come after us one day. It might take 'em some time ter find us, but they will, in the end."
"What'll we do, if'n they comes after us?"
"Don't butt in, boy. I were jus' gettin' ter the bit 'bout their Big Secret... "
In the main hall of the castle, Chance plays his song, as promised, and those who hear it can sense the deep sadness wrapped in the music... The servants, clearing the dishes away, do their best to hide that they have noticed the dark undertone, but they are not entirely able to do so...
Elsewhere, his companions bathe and relax, recuperating from the trials of the day...
Jonnee raises one hand, to give Meredith a lazy wave. He grins as he says, "Missed you, Babe. Only sorry I'm not coming back with you, but somebody's got to hold the brints' hands while they practice."
"James, next time you need them, I'm hoping that they'll be able to make more of a difference. Those death rays should make things harder for the Archons, at least."