01. Lords Of The Middle Dark by Jack L. Chalker

Author:Jack L. Chalker
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-01-31T22:52:59+00:00

Chief Roaring Bull knew his section of the river like the old hand he was, and

he knew balances, shifts, and other ways to manage an overloaded canoe through

occasional rough water and tiny whirlpools. They learned a great deal from him

and crossed the area where the mighty Missouri dumped into the Mississippi with

no more than minor incidents. Hawks kept him aboard for extra safety, but the

man was quickly passing from an asset to a liability.

Twice they had been hailed from shore or intercepted by canoe, and twice the old

chief had done himself proud talking them out of any potential dangers. It

wasn't that the strangers weren't suspicious; Hawks had the distinct impression

that the four warriors in the canoe knew or at least suspected exactly what was

going on. But the barely suppressed snickers on their faces showed that they

only took bribes from Roaring Bull; they really didn't like him any more than

anyone else did, and in the absence of a general alarm or big reward, they

really weren't that upset to see the old boy embarrassed and compromised.

Besides, they could always claim later that they weren't really sure and that

the chief had had ample opportunities to cause his captors trouble, yet had not.

They passed the site south of the confluence of the rivers where once, Hawks

knew, a mighty complex of cities had stood. Nothing was there now; the forests

on both sides looked virgin and ancient, and even the foundations of ancient

bridges had long ago succumbed to the power of the river.

It is now time to bid you farewell, he told the old chief. Stand up and do

not topple the canoe.

Stand up? But you said you would let me off when we passed the Missouri!

1 intend to keep my word. You may leave now.

The old man looked around. But we are in the middle of the river!

I did not promise any more than this. You can swim. Sooner or later you will

make it to shore just by floating and letting the river carry you. By then we

will be long gone.

The old chief glared at him. A curse on you all, then! I might never know who

got you or why, but I look at three of the walking dead here. Sooner or later,

perhaps in hours or days, you will encounter someone whom you cannot take. Then

it will be over.

Jump, fat man. That is our problem.

With a last angry glance, the old chief jumped into the river and was soon left

far behind.

With his weight gone, the canoe became far more manageable and almost enjoyable

to use. Little effort was required except to steer away from snags and keep

within the current.

Where do we go now, my fierce warrior? Cloud Dancer asked.

Keep an eye out for men digging on a bluff to our right. It might be any time

but will probably not be for some hours. I overheard the traders at the village

say that there was a team from Council doing some digging along here, and I want

to find them.

Digging? What sort of digging?

They are finding the remains of nations that were here not only before us but

before the ones who were here after our ancestors.

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