The Orphaned Worlds (79 page)

So now all we have to do is find Catriona,
he thought.
Then what?

THE KEEPER IS THE GATEWAY TO A GREAT WEAVE OF BEING
THE KEEPER CHANNELS THE ZYRADIN TO EVERY ROOT AND BRANCH AND EXTREMITY

As Greg climbed out of the strange pit the air grew noticeably smokier and he coughed as it caught the back of his throat. It was woodsmoke. Somewhere, trees were burning.

You’re avoiding the question. What happens to her?
Suddenly he was angrily speaking out loud. ‘Is she still human afterwards? Tell me – I’ve a right to know!’

I CAN ALREADY SENSE THAT SHE HAS MOVED BEYOND HER OWN LIMITS
WHAT YOU THINK OF AS HUMANITY CANNOT SURVIVE INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE MULTIFACETED PRESENCE OF SEGRANA

Greg shook his head but made no reply as he half-staggered through the shadows, along a low passage, and round to where a wide door led out to the smoke-hazed green gloom of the forest. Ominously, from far off came the sound of gunfire. The temple was situated on a bushy rise, looking down at the huge bulging, twisted roots of the massive trees that towered over the forest floor. And even as he emerged from the doorway, a figure stepped into view from behind a mass of foliage, and Greg’s heart suddenly began to pound as he recognised it as a Brolturan trooper. It saw him at the same time, bringing its heavy rifle to bear even as he reacted, half-turning to throw himself back inside …

A darkened form suddenly flew down from above, landing on the Brolturan’s shoulders, joined by another half-dozen diminutive Uvovo wielding clubs with vicious rapidity. In seconds the invader was subdued, and an older Uvovo clad in pale brown folds appeared from round the side of the temple and hurried towards him.

‘I am Scholar Rinavi. Forgiveness is begged, visitor,’ he said. ‘Are you the Benevolent scholar Gregory, leader of the freedom-seekers on Umara?’

‘That’s me.’

‘I am to take you to the Keeper immediately. Please follow – we must be swift, as this area was overrun just hours ago and we had to fight hard to push both the Brolturans and the Spirals back.’

‘I can appreciate your problems,’ he said, pacing the scholar as he set off. A moment later, his legs suddenly felt weak and a wave of dizziness assailed him.

‘Do you require assistance?’ said Rinavi.

I CAN NOW PROVIDE YOU WITH SOME ENERGY