(eng) Michael Scott Rohan - Spiral 03 by Cloud Castles

Author:Cloud Castles [Castles, Cloud]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

I reached into the cockpit and switched on the navcom. It wouldn’t work here any more than the radio, of course, but the integral pager should have recorded the C-Tran computer’s last check-in automatically. I tapped in a number and checked the new page that opened on the screen. What came up gave me a sudden rush of satisfaction – and, to be honest, sheer relief. ‘Stuttgart!’ I said. ‘Thought it might be. It was sent off just before we came here.’

‘I’m beginning to understand …’ said the dark woman, slowly. ‘But … if you just sent it there, wouldn’t that be too easy to trace?’

‘Here, there, and everywhere,’ I said, enjoying the suspicious glare she gave me. ‘You’ll catch on. But we’d better be going.’ I turned to Mall and Jyp. ‘You’re sure you don’t mind?’

Jyp’s chuckle was drier than ever. ‘Steve, there’s places I’ll never have to buy another goddamn drink ever when they hear I’ve been here. You think I’d let a chance like this slip? I know guys who’d sell their souls t’ be in my breeches this one minute!’

To my surprise the woman grinned at him. ‘Tell them no sale’s needed – gratuities at the option of our guests, rather. Anyone of goodwill’s welcome here, if they can reach it. You do understand you’re not hostages? Normally you’d be free to wander, but as things are …’

Mall smiled back. ‘Certes. I also, I’m not unmindful of the honour done me, lady. But, Steve, there’s peril in this enterprise, it tickles my bones. I should not leave your side.’

I shook my head firmly. ‘I’m not risking either of you again in this, not if I can help it. And this’ll be quick – just there and back. You’ll see.’

The captain and two of the biggest and ugliest guards were attempting to cram themselves into the rear seat; the other four, detailed to escort Jyp and Mall, were rather nervously weighing up their charges. The woman swung her sword out of the way and hoisted herself into the front seat, very gracefully, reminding me – I couldn’t help it – of another lissom rear view. But I caught Mall’s sardonic eye, and hastily pulled on my helmet and waved everyone back from the rotors. The motors grumbled as we lifted off, but there were no warning signs on the panel; she seemed to be taking the extra weight. ‘I can find my way out of here well enough!’ I said into the helmet link, as the tree-tops and the waving figures fell away. ‘It’s getting back that worries me!’

The woman twitched her lips faintly and swung the mike-stalk down to them. ‘It shouldn’t! In or out, it’s the Graal that opens the way. With its will, you can come and go as you please; without it you could search for a million years and never find it.’ Her face clouded. ‘Unless you’re a great adept, like the Stryge, damn him! He’s been prowling around on our borders for years, him and his creatures!’ Her fingers knitted impatiently, and she fell silent.

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