D & D - Red Sands (26 page)

"I'm going to introduce you to my friends .you'll like them; they're mad, too."

High noon, and the 'strelli rested. Tamakh and Uramettu did likewise, he flat on his back under the canvas, she curled up beside him. Whenever a snore threatened to break free from his throat, Uramettu's foot came back and thumped the priest. Her eyes remained closed.

Marix and Jadira were practicing their climb. They chose a pair of flues in sight of each other and worked on the technique. The task proved safer than Jadira had feared, for the rough surface of the flues held the wide straps fast, and didn't allow them to slip. On the other hand, that same roughness made moving the straps up or down difficult. Each pull left tufts of fiber sticking to the abrasive rock.

From the top of the ten-pace chimney, Jadira could see far and wide. The black crater walls, so omnipresent on the ground, receded to a simple border on the horizon. She shaded her eyes from the sun and breathed deeply. She hadn't realized how much she missed the open spaces of the Red Sands until she'd reached the top of this flue and looked about.

Bubbles of gas had risen through the liquid lava eons ago, creating fantastic blowholes and tunnels. The crater wall above the level of accumulated ash was a honeycomb of these holes, and from her high perch, Jadira could see thousands of openings around them. The sun slanted in. As she followed the perimeter of the crater, a flash in one tunnel caught her eye. She looked back. It flashed again.

"Marix," she called. "Over there: do you see something shiny?"

He pushed his Faziri helmet lower on his face. "Yes. There's something in that cave."

"What could it be?" she asked. He leaned back against the strap and shrugged. "Let's find out."

"We ought to get some rest. There's a long night ahead of us," said Marix.

"It will only take a blink of a dove's eye. Where's your curiosity?"

"All right—race you to the bottom."

He won. Jadira got her strap twisted trying to slide it over the widening girth of the flue. By the time she stepped on solid ground again, Marix was waiting for her. He squatted in the gritty soil, a smug look on his face.

"Yiu're a prize hound, aren't you?" she said.

"Ah, merely skilled."

"On your feet, O Skilled One. We've a hike to make."

They wended their way through the sleeping village. Twice, they saw a 'strelli deep in the grasp of the god of dreams, fall out an open door of its chimney house. So light were the 'strelli, they could fall a score of paces and not be hurt. Often they did not even wake up. Just a soft
plop
in the cinders, and they slept on.

Jadira and Marix cleared the cluster of flues. A band of open ground perhaps one hundred paces wide separated the 'strelli village from the crater wall. Out of the shade of the chimneys, the cinders underfoot had grown hot in the sun. They walked gingerly to where the curved crater wall met the hot cinders.

"It's like glass," said Marix, running a hand over the fluted wall. "We'll never be able to climb it."

"The hole I saw looked close to the ground," said Jadira. "This way, I think."

They peeked into a number of openings without success. Most of the holes were as clean as a Zimoran gutter, which is very clean indeed. The holes joined the galleries of other hollows, rising through the solid rock to the outside of the crater. Wind whistled mournfully through them.

One hole, larger than normal, did not whistle. Jadira could just barely reach it. She felt the edge of something cool. "Give me a boost," she said. Marix cupped his hands and stooped over. Jadira stepped into his hands, grabbed the rim of the hole, and hauled herself up.

She bent double into the opening and landed facedown in a heap of gold. "Strike me blind!" she said, her voice echoing oddly in the tunnel. The floor of the blowhole, as far back as she could see, was laden with coins, chains, baubles, and bricks of gold. There was silver, too, blackened by age, and jewels lay scattered about like hen feed. And more: glass beads, shiny tin cups, brass and bronze ornaments of every size and description; panes and chips of lapis lazuli, jade, opal and agate. No wonder the tunnel glowed with its own light!

Jadira gave her hand to Marix. He rolled ungracefully into the tunnel and sat up. "By Tuus!" he gasped.

"Have you ever seen the like?" said Jadira.

"Not even in the arsenal of Prince Lydon," he said.

"There's no order, no discrimination," she said. "Why do you suppose the 'strelli put it here?"

"Who says they did?"

"Who else could easily get into this little space without a ladder? They must have been collecting this hoard for years and years."

"I have seen no use for money among them."

"Nor have I. Hmm . . . you know, crows and eagles gather bright stones for their nests. Could it be that our winged friends collect pretties for their own sake?"

"They have a king's ransom here; nay, an emperor's!"

Jadira drew her brows together and frowned. "Or a sultan's undoing," she mused.

Marix scooped a double handful of gold and jewels. "With but a small portion of this treasure, we could live like dukes for the rest of our lives," he said.

"'We'?"

"Of course 'we'. You and I, Jadira, and not a fig would we care for the world's disdain."

"And Tamakh? Uramettu?"

"There's plenty for all."

"And the 'strelli?"

Marix's fevered expression faded. "You're right," he said. "We can't just take it from them. And yet, if they don't appreciate the worth of it—"

Jadira said, "I won't cheat them."

"No, never, but if we ask for payment for the services we're about to perform?"

"Which we would do for nothing. Really, Marix, you begin to sound like Nabul."

He dropped a shower of gold into the pile from which it had come. "I am ashamed," he said quietly. "I, a son of a noble house of Dosen, swooning over money like a tradesman." "Never mind," she said, patting his arm. "Gold has turned higher heads than yours."

They dropped down from the hole and started back for the village. Twice Marix looked back regretfully. Such a temptation for a young, landless man! Jadira linked her arm in his and drew him along.

Tamakh and Uramettu were awake when they returned. Marix described in breathless detail the accumulation of riches in the 'strelli's cave.

"Interesting," said Tamakh.

"Nice," said Uramettu. She crossed her legs and stretched her arms until the joints cracked.

"Well, hang me if I understand you!" said Marix. "Is worldly wealth of no interest to either of you?"

"In truth, my young friend, I am very interested in this treasure find of yours. It may explain why the war-band of Ubrith Zelka has stayed so long in these barren mountains, and why he squanders so many soldiers on wide-ranging patrols."

"You think he seeks the treasure?" asked Jadira.

"Just so. His other depredations are merely foraging forays."

"Strange that Elperex didn't mention the treasure to us," said Uramettu.

"I'm sure they know the greed gold inspires in men," said Tamakh. "That's why they made their request of us in terms of compassion and honor."

"Honor doesn't fill the belly," Jadira said.

"Now
you
sound like Nabul," said Marix.

With night, the 'strelli roused, but this night they did so in eerie silence. No trilling swarms filled the sky. No swish of wings threatened to drown out ordinary speaking. The ground around their house-flues was crowded with walking 'strelli, hopping about on ungainly feet.

Elperath and her consort joined the companions. '"Ionight the light returns to our sky," she said. Most of the shrill accent was gone from her Faziri. "All the pip-'strelli in the crater have heard what is to happen this night. They wait, and watch the horizon, for the new dawn to break their darkness."

Elperex said, "My heart boils! I cannot wait to begin!"

"Patience, my winged friend," said Jadira. "It begins all too soon."

A warrior 'strelli wheeled overhead, jabbering a high-pitched warning. Elperath whistled a quick reply. Her mate translated: "Two walkers come down the crater. One wears iron like the rapa.'"

Jadira shot a look at Uramettu. The Fedushite woman hefted her spear and loped off with the 'strelli warrior (lying ahead of her.

A few anxious moments later, Uramettu's voice rang out: "Hail, good friends! The thief has returned with a prize!"

"Nabul!?" exclaimed Marix.

In a few moments, the thief strolled into view with Fu'ad walking before him.

"I thought we'd never see you again," Marix said.

"It's a pleasure to see you, too, foreigner."

Fu'ad shuffled forward and stopped. "What in Dutu's name is this?" said Jadira.

"An Invincible that I caught in the mountains. A captain, no less," said Nabul. He puffed out his scrawny chest proudly.

"Invincibles? Here?" said Tamakh. "You there, Captain; what are you doing so far from home?"

Fu'ad stared at each of them in succession but didn't answer.

"He and his men were searching for us," said the thief. He kicked Fu'ad in the rump. "Isn't that right?"

Jadira walked slowly toward the Faziri soldier. When they were face to face, she peered into Fu'ad's eyes. Then, like a cobra striking, she spat in his face.

"Murderer! Filthy, bloody killer! You are the one! You!" Her fingers went for his throat, but Marix restrained her. "Let me go! Don't you understand, this is the jackal who attacked the Sudiin! This is the man who killed and enslaved my people!"

"No, no!" said Mark. He wrestled her away from Fu'ad. "This one is only the instrument of a larger body. The
sultan
ordered the destruction of your tribe. This man only carried out the orders."

"Only carried out?" she sneered. Marix finally got her turned around in his arms. Nose to nose, she tried to free her wrists from his grasp. Her angry tears flecked his face. "Stop it," he said. "Behave like the strong woman you are."

"I want vengeance," she said haltingly. "Vengeance for all the Sudiin."

"Then lake it on the one who deserves it: the sultan."

Fu'ad laughed. "What fanciful rot you speak," he said. "Do you suppose a band of ragged criminals can harm His Magnificence?"

Nabul snatched at the chains, sending Fu'ad to his knees. "We can harm
you
right enough, so hold your tongue."

"My death isn't important."

"We don't have time for this now," said Uramettu. "It is nearly time to go."

"This is true," said Tamakh. "Put the Faziri aside, and we'll deal with him later."

"Elperex? Elperex!" Jadira called. The little 'strelli alighted by her side.

"So there are flying men," said Fu'ad. He wondered: and treasure, too?

"You call, walking friend?" said Elperex.

"This man"—she waved contemptuously at Fu'ad— "is an enemy. Can you spare some of your people to watch over him while we go light the sacred fires?"

"It shall be as you wisb, Jadira." Elperex ululated to his comrades. A pair of robust warriors armed with ankle scythes landed. Elperex explained the situation to them. The 'strelli folded their wings and took up positions on either side of the kneeling captain.

Jadira addressed him. "You speak Nomadic?" she said in that language.

"I do."

The others looked on curiously. Jadira went on. "Then hear me, Faziri. Pawn or king, you will pay for your crimes."

"If you return. \bu go to meet the beast-men, do you not?" She nodded curtly. "Then you are going to die."

"I have been counted dead many times before."

"No doubt. Y^u are a clever and resourceful wench, I grant, but the odds are running out on you. The beast-men will have your heads, all of them."

She took a half-step toward him but paused, mastering her fury. "Wait for our return, Faziri butcher. For we shall come back, with heads or without, and then I shall settle you!"

They gathered up their arms and equipment. Jadira hastily outlined their plan to Nabul. Marix strung the efreet bow and offered it to the thief. "Will you stay on the ground and aid Uramettu?" he said.

"Me? Stay on the ground? I'm the best second-story thief in Omerabad! I'll climb, you stay on the ground."

"Then switch tasks with me," said Jadira. "I can draw the bow, and you are a better climber than me."

They agreed. The final dispensations were made, and the reunited companions set out for the Joj Xarar under the waiting, hopeful eyes of thousands of 'strelli.

The Fire on High

The air was still when the companions reached the rim of the crater. Clouds crept slowly over the moon's face, dimming and brightening the night at irregular intervals. Once they'd gathered at the top, Elperex and half a dozen 'strelli swooped in, dropping heavy coils of rope. Tamakh waved wordless thanks as the winged forms climbed into the murky air again.