Still Falling: Book 1: Solstice 31 Saga (30 page)

Barcus repeated the words without hesitation, and they both rose and seemed to relax. The man spoke, “Well met, Barcus.” He reached out to actually shake his hand. Barcus took it firmly, smiling at the gesture. “My name is Pyke, and this is Ann, Trackers for Lord Keeper Ronan of the East Isles.”

Both the Trackers bowed their heads slightly at the mention of their Keeper’s name. Ann left her head bowed and eyes averted. It seemed awkward to Barcus.

Barcus made his decision. “Welcome to Whitehall. Have you had breakfast?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Pyke and Ann

“The Emergency Module in survival mode was learning from these trackers. They lived their whole lives in survival mode.”

--Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Emergency Module Digital Forensics Report. Independent Tech Analysis Team.

<<<>>>

Barcus immediately saw in his HUD a flurry of activity that encouraged him to slow down a bit. Olias ran to the kitchens at the same time Po was flying down the spiral stairs, unslinging the AR as she went.

“What brings you this far north?” Barcus asked.

Pyke looked at Ann, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.

“We were doing our annual winter business run for Keeper Ronan to Greenwarren to confirm our midwinter timber order and perhaps add a few things.” He swallowed hard before continuing. Ann encouraged him with another nod. “The village has been...” He swallowed again. Barcus knew why. “Greenwarren has been destroyed.”

“Yes. We know. Keeper Ulric has been there with Grady,” Barcus said, causing one of Grady's eyebrows to rise slightly.

“You have a Keeper in residence, then.” He looked at Ann again at this point, as Barcus pulled the huge door open for them to pass.

“Yes. Do you have horses? You must have more gear than this.”

“They have a camp, not far from Whitehall. Olias and I will be happy to collect their gear and bring it in while you have breakfast.” They were looking at Grady, non-verbally thanking him for his discretion.

Just then, Olias came through the open door to the courtyard on the gatehouse side and skidded to a stop. He looked first at one Tracker and then the other, his hand on his knife handle as if ready for a fight. He seemed so small to Barcus at that moment. He had filled in so much during the previous weeks that Barcus sometimes forgot he was just a boy.

“This is Olias. Olias, this is Trackers Pyke and Ann of the East Isles,” Barcus said.

Olias tried to take a formal stance and make a head bow without looking comically formal. He almost pulled it off.

“They will be having breakfast,” Barcus instructed.

“Right. Follow me, miss.” He turned, and Ann followed him through the arch toward the kitchen.

“Please,” is all Barcus said and entered the gatehouse. Before the door was closed, Olias was back with a tray of tea and warm wet towels. Pyke picked one up without thanking Olias, or even acknowledging him. Barcus poured tea for them both. He saw Grady and Olias exiting the south gate to go retrieve their gear.

Pyke was talking as he washed his face and hands with the towel. He seemed uncomfortable with how dirty he had made it. “Was it Keeper Ulric that brought you here? Inside these walls?” Barcus could sense his discomfort, knowing why the idea helped him.

“Yes. There are Telis Raptors about, and the walls seemed sensible.” Barcus knew that Keeper’s desires could override the prohibitions this far north.

“Telis Raptors?” His tea mug had stopped halfway to his mouth.

“Yes. They were eating our goats,” Barcus said, a matter of fact. “There’s one hanging in our meat locker now. Do you know if we can eat it?”

Pyke choked on his tea.

***

Po was in the kitchen, collecting trays and dishes rapidly for breakfast. She already had a basket of fresh, warm bread and crocks of plain butter, honey butter, crushed nuts, chopped dried fruit, honey and thick cream ready. She was about to ladle hot oatmeal into a warming bowl when Olias entered.

“Po, this is Ann. Ann this is Po, our head of house. Ann is a Tracker, Po,” Olias added as if to explain some social issue. He left without another word. She bowed her head to Po in sincere respect, even though she was far taller and older than Po.

“How may I help, mum?” It was a formal greeting.

“You can put your things there. We will bring them breakfast in the gatehouse, then we can talk.”

Ann took off her cloak and over-dress. Together the women assembled two large trays without a word. Ann looked puzzled at one of the trays.

“There are only two bowls,” Ann said.

“Yes. This meal is just for Pyke and Barcus. We will eat here.” Po gestured to the large kitchen work table.

“All this food?” Ann asked, incredulous. Po suddenly understood what her question was. She had grown accustomed to the amount of food they consumed.

“Yes. Now take that tray.” Po picked up the other tray and with practiced ease moved through the doors, down the covered walk to lightly knock and enter the gatehouse with Ann right behind her.

***

Pyke was choking on his tea as they entered. Barcus laughed and was patting his back. Forgetting himself, Pyke spoke directly to Ann.

“They have a Telis in the meat locker!” he blurted out.

She tried to communicate to him with her eyes, but Pyke seemed to be the only one in the room that didn't understand her. She looked directly into Barcus’s face for the first time. He realized then she was as tall as he was. He raised an eyebrow.

“Forgive me, my Lord,” she said and suddenly was on her knees with her forehead on the flagstone, her hands clasped at the base of her spine. It was as if she expected him to stomp her head flat.

Barcus was clearly furious now. His jaw muscles seemed to highlight the scar on his face.

Pyke realized what happened, and before he could say a word, Barcus spoke.

“Po, I don't care what you must do. But explain it to her clearly so this never happens again.”

Po grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to her feet and to the door. She risked a glance at Pyke as Po led her out. It was an apology this time.

“Barcus, my Lord. I...” Pyke stuttered.

Barcus held up a hand that cut him off. “Do not worry, Pyke. No offense was taken.”

Pyke seemed embarrassed and dumbfounded at the same time.

“I'm hungry. Let's have breakfast. Then we will talk.”

***

Po was still dragging Ann back to the kitchen by the elbow.

“I am so sorry, Mistress. I shouldn't be allowed indoors.” Po pushed her down onto a bench at the long table.

Po let out a barking laugh as she set two bowls on the table with spoons. “He likes you already,” Po added a basket of bread to the table, more crocks of butter and honey and other items. Ann was about to speak when Olias came in, running as usual.

“Likes me?” Ann stammered.

Olias rushed in, “Ann, Grady wants to know if you want one or two rooms for your gear?” Her mouth hung open.

She nodded holding up one finger.

“Just tell him. I will explain over breakfast.” She turned to Olias, “You and Grady are to come get some oatmeal as soon as you're done.”

“One room. Please.” Ann said.

Olias grabbed an apple slice off the table as he ran by with her warm clothes in his arms.

Po set a full bowl of oatmeal in front of her, then dished one up for herself.

Ann recoiled from the bowl as if it was full of snakes.

“At Whitehall, we all eat from the same larder.” To punctuate the fact, she poured in some honey, cream, a scoop of crushed nuts and folded it all in. She grabbed a small loaf of bread, tore it open and buttered it. Then she added honey and took a big bite.

“We have so much honey,” Po said between bites.

Just then, Olias rushed in and went for a bowl.

Ann started to rise and was stopped by a gesture from Po who held Ann's eyes locked as she spoke to Olias without looking at him. “Olias, wash your hands before you touch another thing in my kitchen. You too, Grady.” Ann was visibly mortified for sitting with food before her with men present. She had not even heard Grady enter.

“Eat.” Po pointed at her bowl, reconsidered and traded bowls with her, adding honey, cream and nuts to that bowl as well.

As Po dug into her oatmeal, Grady set mugs of tea down on the table for the two of them, before collecting two more for himself and Olias. Olias dished up another large helping of oatmeal for himself, then handed the ladle to Grady, who did the same.

Grady spoke to Ann as he settled next to Po on the bench. “Get used to it, lass. Eat up or you
will
be in trouble.” Olias was eating noisily as Ann lifted her spoon and took a mouthful. Her reaction was immediate. It was wonderful.

They all ate in silence for a while. She was bold enough to take some bread and even butter it.

Po finished as Olias was helping himself to a third bowl. Grady pushed his empty bowl away and cupped his mug in both hands. He spoke first.

“You know what it's like to be days away from the nearest village? Sitting around a fire with a full belly of rabbit stew and a story fresh told? The way Pyke will speak to you then.” Grady spoke directly to Ann. “I see it in him. He'd not treat you poorly. He respects you. You know how you both see work that needs doing, and it gets done. No wasted time on groveling.” She nodded. “Whitehall is that very thing.”

She said nothing.

“He will want to speak with you. When he is done speaking with Pyke,” Po said.

“Don't worry,” Olias added in common tongue around a mouth full of breakfast. “You'd be dead already if he didn't like the truth of you.”

“Is he the Keeper then?” Ann asked Po.

All three answered at the same time, “No.”

“Don't make the mistake of calling Barcus that. We have a Keeper. His name is Ulric.”

“How many people live here?” Ann asked, looking around at a kitchen that could support hundreds.

“You have met everyone except Keeper Ulric,” Olias blurted out, earning a scowl from Po.

Suddenly Ann's manner completely changed. She had a kind of fear in her eyes. She quickly rose and took her bowl to wash in the sink, a bit overzealously. “I am sure we will be on our way by noon.” She didn't notice Po walking up beside her until Po placed a calming hand on her arm.

“What's wrong, Ann?” Po asked in a low voice.

Before she could reply, they heard Barcus call for Olias, who ran out in a blur. Ann looked over her shoulder, but Grady was gone as well.

“I cannot lay with another Keeper. I'm sorry. I'd rather take my chances naked in the snow,” Ann whispered through clenched teeth.

Po realized what she was thinking.

“Ann, hear me.” She reached up and touched Ann's chin making her look into Po's eyes. “Within these walls, no man will ever touch you without an invitation. Not Keeper Ulric, not the High Keeper himself. I promise.”

“What is the word of a woman worth?” Ann asked, fear still in her face.

***

“Please, sit and have some breakfast as we talk,” Barcus sat and gestured for Pyke to sit as well. “Po makes the best oatmeal.” He served himself and handed the ladle to Pyke to do the same. Pyke followed Barcus’s lead and was soon hungrily eating the excellent breakfast.

Em was speaking to Barcus in his head. “
I'm sorry Barcus. I don't know how they got so close without detection. I will step up perimeter surveillance right away. I have no idea how Grady found them before I did.
” Barcus said nothing.

“Greenwarren and most of the eastern villages have all been destroyed, burned down by mercenaries, the villages abandoned. All the people were killed. It's genocide.” Barcus popped the last of the bread into his mouth.

Pyke replied, “It's more than that. There is something else. We've seen it, seen them.”

“Seen what?” Barcus asked.

“Some kind of beasts, down from the mountains, bigger than anything I have ever seen before.” Pyke had stopped eating. “We carefully tracked them to Greenwarren, and from there to here. They have been here. We have seen the signs. Does your Keeper protect you here?”

Barcus was caught short by the question. “Keeper Ulric explains very little to us. But we are relatively safe inside these walls. I will take you to see Keeper Ulric before you resupply and go. Where will you go?”

“We will need to go to Langforest Keep. Keeper Volk can let Ronan know what has happened and dispatch a shuttle for pickup. We normally do that from Greenwarren, but Keeper Malcom is gone like the rest.”

Barcus remembered then that Langforest Keep is where Po grew up. It was directly south and a bit east of The Abbey and across the Salterferry Bridge, just south of the gorge.

“I believe Grady has a map that will show you the fastest way to the Salterferry Bridge. We can also provide horses.”

“What is Keeper Ulric doing here? It's the north end of the world,” Pyke asked.

“I honestly don't know. I am just the gatesman.”

“Barcus, Ulric is awake,” Em notified him.

“I will see about meeting the Keeper. In the meantime, Olias will take you to your rooms to clean up and rest.” Barcus got up and opened the door, calling to Olias.

The boy came around the corner in a rush.

***

Olias skidded back in, directly in front of Ann. “Barcus would like a moment to speak with you.” He didn't wait for a reply but ran deeper into the Abbey.