Liquid Diamond (23 page)

“
On Earth they’re lizards. They disappear into the background by changing their colour. You could walk by them all day and not even know it,” said Natalia.

“
Yeah, that's something like what the Glimpse do, except I think they just have all their colour fade to invisible and you can see right through them. That's why you think you've seen something,” said Catalyst. “Why, did you think you saw something out there?” he asked, smiling.

“
Yes I did, then I met Manday and he scared me more than I already was,” replied Natalia.

“
Well you did insult him yesterday, so I'm sure he was just getting even with you. But as for the Glimpse, had you caught sight of them before they saw you, they would have left you alone,” said Catalyst kindly, not wanting to provoke an argument.

“
How are you feeling now?” asked Natalia as she looked around, making it obvious she didn't want to spend the night in the makeshift graveyard.

“
Almost as good as new, so how about we get out of here. I don't want to spend the night here,” said Catalyst as much for his sake as for Natalia’s.

Without hesitation, Natalia pulled Catalyst to his feet, put his arm over her shoulder and started walking.

Lying in his new pet’s hole doing his best to chew the meat of the arm bone of the Blemmye, knowing it would speed up his natural healing power and mend his jaw, the Elf looked down at the wound on his arm where his pet had bitten him. Pulling out a tooth that had stuck in his flesh, the Elf squeezed it so hard he opened another cut. Since the meat wouldn't help heal his flesh the way it helped heal his bones, the Elf now had one more cut to repay Natalia and Catalyst for.

“
I'll save that for the girl and see how she likes it,” said the Elf looking at his pet spitting and coughing blood. With the scent of fresh blood in the air, the Blemmye grew hungry. He was under the control of the Elf and the Blemmye’s hunger was of no concern to him. Having eaten enough of the arm, he threw what was left to his pet.

Watching the Blemmye devour the arm and crunch the bone, the Elf stood up, slapped the Blemmye hard on its back and left with the Blemmye following.

Walking the trail left by Natalia and Catalyst with the scent of blood from Catalyst’s wound, the Blemmye ran straight for the spot where he had been attacked and licked the blood from the ground.

The Elf followed the scent of Natalia’s perfume in the air and walked to the spot where Natalia and Catalyst had been resting.

Picking up the pus-filled wrap from Catalyst’s wound the Elf knew one of them had been wounded badly and with just a few sniffs he knew the blood wasn't Human.

Looking ahead, the Elf searched the skyline for his prey. His eyes widened with surprise as he felt teeth as sharp as knives sink into the back of his right leg.

He let out a scream so loud and shrill it sent chills down Natalia’s and Catalyst’s back as it echoed around them.

Ripping the Blemmye spawn from his leg with its mouth full of his flesh, the Elf shoved it into the mouth of his pet and just like that, the spawn was gone.

“
Meanwhile...Spawn,” said Natalia, looking at Catalyst as he smiled in agreement.

“
We need to hurry, Catalyst. Let's put some distance between us and that Elf. How is he still alive?” asked Natalia. Catalyst did not reply.

Taking the gross wrap that Catalyst had discarded, the Elf wrapped his own leg with it as he seethed yet again with hatred for Natalia and Catalyst, but mostly for Natalia.

Never in his whole life had he had such a hard time catching and killing simple prey and the shame of losing two children was more then he could bear.

As Natalia and Catalyst continued to put space between them and the Elf, Catalyst turned to Natalia.

“
You know I don't feel sick any more so why not climb up on my back and we'll put some real distance between us and that wretched old Elf?” he suggested.

“
If you’re sure you can carry me, okay,” replied Natalia shoving the fitsall out of her way one more time and jumping on his back before he could change his mind.

Moving as fast as he could, Catalyst still only ran about as fast as Natalia could if she was awake and well rested.

Stopping every now and again so he could catch his breath, Natalia woke and asked, “Are we there yet? How much further?” Catalyst just pointed ahead.

“
See those trees over there?” replied Catalyst.

Looking ahead, Natalia saw a village in the treetops. It was spectacular! From what she could see, it was very modern, which surprised her because it looked as though it was made entirely of wood.

“
Oh I see it,” replied Natalia happily.

“
Well, that much further,” said Catalyst.

“
What is this place?” asked Natalia as they walked closer.

“
It's the home of the Mugwads,” replied Catalyst.

Tired from the day’s events, Natalia couldn't have cared less if it had been a cave as long as it was safe. But what cave could compare to such a wonder as this? The closer they got, the more Natalia realized it wasn't just a few homes built on a couple of limbs, but in fact it was a fully functioning town.

“
Come on, let's hurry,” said Natalia, tugging Catalyst by the hand.

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE MUGWADS

They walked up to a tree as wide and round as a house is square. It stood at least one hundred and fifty feet high. Natalia stood there quietly exhausted, as Catalyst reached for a leaver so well blended with the tree it was barely visible. He gave it one good pull and without so much as the tiniest sound, it crept back into its resting position.

“
Sh, I can hear someone coming,” said Catalyst, moving to stand on the other side of Natalia.

The sound of spinning of cogwheels and gears coming from inside the tree was intriguing, and as a hidden door began to open up, it offered relief enough that Natalia sighed as she thought that finally she would get some rest. But she stiffened up at the sight of the almost Human being standing there. Catalyst pointed to her as though she was the one that had pulled the leaver. Even though this creature was nothing like the Hybrid Natalia had seen on the plateau, she felt as though her thoughts about rest had been premature.

Standing in the doorway was a woman wearing a beige knee-length suede dress that hung off her shoulders. She had high-heeled boots to match and finely carved jewellery that could easily have been made from bone with a ridge that stuck out right above her eyes.
It went straight across her forehead carrying one finely groomed eyebrow that was almost hidden by her rich dark haircut scowl that Natalia could easily have envied it.
She expected the woman’s voice to sound like rocks grinding together, but she was amazed that the woman spoke so beautifully and was so well mannered.

“
Hello Catalyst, how are you?” asked the woman, clearly happy to see him.

“
I'm fine. How are you, Pepper?” replied Catalyst.

“
I'm well. Thank you for asking,” replied Pepper.

“
Pepper, this is my friend Natalia,” said Catalyst, sounding almost proud.

“
Natalia, that's a beautiful name. Don't worry, I know it was Catalyst who pulled the lever,” said Pepper, shaking Natalia’s hand. They looked at each other wondering what the big deal was for doing that. With a quick glance at him, they both just accepted the fact he's a boy, leaving him feeling awkward.

“
Well don't just stand
there –
come in, come in, let's get this door locked,” said Pepper, ushering them inside. With the spin of the tiniest knob Natalia watched in amazement as she saw the gears and cogwheels spinning. A click locked the door just as the ones from the Gallows did.

Natalia could hardly believe her eyes. The floor was made out of one huge block of wood that had been cut into pieces depicting a group of people gathered at a ball. It was stained in every colour that a painting would have been. Never had Natalia seen such a work of art. It matched the perfectly crafted staircase that wound one hundred feet up to a semi-open-concept second floor sitting room that one could just see from the entrance, as the ceiling held a perfectly polished metal plate that reflected better than a mirror.

Pepper stood off to the side holding her hand up to show them to the lift, and with the switch tripped, everyone was hurled to the second floor.

“
Catalyst, does your Mother know where you are?” asked Pepper as she sat them down.

“
Of course,” replied Catalyst once again explaining their quest for the locking crystals and diamond ring.

“
My, my, my, what an awful King, sending you children on such a dangerous mission and not even one guard to watch over you,” said Pepper, having listened intently to the story.

“
Well as long as your Mother knows where you are and what you’re doing I guess that's good enough, but I don't think she would be very impressed with me if I didn't offer you a place to rest for the night. So come on, let's get you something to eat and a bed for the night.” Pepper heading for the stairs that led to the third floor and kitchen of the tree house.

Reaching the top of the stairs and panting from their climb, Pepper left Natalia and Catalyst sitting in another one of her sitting rooms while she went off to make them all an evening meal. She returned before they knew it and took them to the only spot she enjoyed eating.

Walking out onto her overlook that sat high above the village, Pepper pulled Natalia to the edge and waved her hand at the sights, showing Natalia the walkways and shops.

“
What do you think of my little hideaway, Natalia?” asked Pepper. Natalia stood looking at the most beautiful cityscape she had ever seen. If anything came close to this beauty it would have to be the waterfalls of the plateau.

Faces were carved into the sides of trees telling stories of adventures. One tree connected to the next, some by tree trunk tunnels, some by open tree trunk walkways, each one leading to and from the shops and cafes filled with carefree Mugwads as they went about their business. Lanterns filled the evening with a soft glow. Natalia felt Pepper’s hand as she gently guided her to the table for their meal.

“
I love this so much and I've only been here five minutes,” replied Natalia to Pepper’s question.

“
Well not to worry, Natalia. Almost all of it can be seen from the table –
that's the reason why I love eating here on the overlook. You see those faces carved onto the sides of the trees? They’re the faces of those who have meant a lot to us over the years. We honour them by reminding the world they once existed. Some are still alive and only ever came here once but because of what they gave, they’re up there too,” said Pepper with great respect.

The flavour of the food was like nothing Natalia had ever had before. She ate in silence, enjoying every single bite. With the long day behind her now, Natalia nodded off before her plate was half finished.

Taking Natalia to where she would sleep for the night, Pepper returned to Catalyst.

“
Not tired, Catalyst?” asked Pepper.

“
No, I slept last night and today,” replied Catalyst more interested in savouring his meal than anything else.

“
Must be nice being Krusnik and not having to sleep every night. I would love to spend more time up here looking out over all this,” said Pepper as she stood and gazed out into the night.

“
But I'm not, so I'm off to bed. There's a blanket on the couch should you need one,” continued Pepper smiling as she turned and left.

Taking the blanket from inside along with another helping of dinner, Catalyst returned to the overlook only to realize he was as wide awake as he was alone, but with the view and Pepper’s cooking he didn't notice the hours as they slipped by.

“
I love to watch the sunrise from here,” said Pepper as she placed her hand on Catalyst’s shoulder, scaring him right out of his daze.

“
Yeah, but you only just went to bed a while ago and the sun won't be up for hours,” said Catalyst, wiping the leftovers from his plate off his shirt.

“
I went to bed seven hours ago, Catalyst. One of the reasons I love this overlook so much is that it’s hard not to get lost in the beauty of it,” replied Pepper with a smile as she pointed Catalyst’s head towards the faint pink of the rising sun.

Standing and sipping their tea, Pepper pointed out to Catalyst all the differences in the village since his visit a year ago and watched the smile on his face grow at the sound of Natalia’s feet coming from behind them.

“
You slept too long, Natalia. You missed a gorgeous sunrise,” said Pepper.

Saying nothing, Natalia just stood there looking at Pepper. Her appearance was now so noticeably Neanderthal that any sunrise was worth missing just to see her. Natalia couldn't bring herself to ask how.

Looking out over the treetop village as it woke, only silence filled the air until Natalia started to ask questions.

“
Are all these trees homes, Pepper?” asked Natalia knowing that Pepper already knew she knew that there were cafes and shops down there.

“
No, only the ones that circle the outside of the village as mine does. The ones in the middle are shops of all kinds, cafes, lunch counters, libraries, clothing stores, fruit and veggie shops. There's a couple of schools, mind you they’re not big but they work for our needs and there are dance and meeting halls, things like that,” replied Pepper wondering what the real question was Natalia wanted to ask.