The Rift Walker (16 page)

Someone shouted across the way at the young lovers. A bemused river captain cruising his own boat waved at them.

Adele laughed with embarrassment and sat back. “I guess we should be watching where we're going. And keeping an eye out for pursuit.”

Gareth relinquished the tiller. “When did you last eat?”

“A little this morning. Not much. The thought of marrying Senator Clark made me nauseated. What about you?”

“I can go for a time without feeding.”

“How long?”

“Don't worry. We have always survived on infrequent feedings.”

“Really? When I was in London, it seemed like your people fed constantly.”

“They do now, but they don't have to. Since the Great Killing, we've become fat and debauched.”

“Well, you don't need to be an ascetic for no reason,” she said firmly. “You can feed on me.”

“Yes. But I won't dare weaken or hurt you irreparably.”

“What about animals?”

Gareth shook his head. “Their blood is not suitable. It is nothing more than water to me.”

“So without human blood, you will die?”

“Let's not be overly melodramatic.”

“But it's true, isn't it?”

“Well, yes.”

“How can we manage this?” Adele lamented wearily. “There are no willing humans save me to help you.”

“Don't worry. I'll make do.” He didn't elaborate further, but assumed the implications were clear enough. He would feed on unwilling humans if necessary.

They sailed through the night utilizing Gareth's exceptional nocturnal vision to navigate. The night air held a chill that he relished, and he finally breathed easier as his internal temperature dropped back to comfortable levels.

Adele held a small gemstone that she had torn from her wedding gown. She concentrated with her eyes shut.

“What are you doing?” Gareth asked.

“It's a geomancy exercise Mamoru taught me. I'm tasting iron.” She took a deep drink from their freshwater supply, rinsing the taste from her mouth. Yawning, she slipped the stone back into her pocket, then nestled deep in Gareth's embrace, drawing his cloak closer around her. “I'll try the others later. Hopefully they come from tastier surroundings.”

“I'm sure,” Gareth remarked, amused.

Despite her determination to stay awake, she finally succumbed to the weariness of the day's events and her eyes closed. Gareth watched her sleep, observing how the resolute face of a future empress melted away as her muscles relaxed and allowed the young girl to once more emerge. Where Adele had shown strength of character and perseverance during her time in Europe, the months back in Alexandria had wrought another change in her. She stood straighter; her decisions came sure and fast. Uncertainty was gone. Adele's confidence in herself was intoxicating. His fingers brushed at a wayward curl that chose to rest over her eyes. Her breath deepened at his touch, but she did not wake.

Gareth knew that he and Adele were in a desperate situation. Romantic it may sound, but he doubted their relationship, whatever it was, could ever work. She was human and he wasn't. It was as simple as that. Still, the pain of being apart was apparently too great for both of them. They deserved to try. This undertaking was immense and could prove to be terrible folly, especially for him traipsing around in a desert, but he felt no dread. He was at peace now. Regardless of what his future held, he knew that it would always be at Adele's side. He simply would have to be even more like a man, and less like a monster.

Hours later, the first rays of light were spreading out over the horizon to Gareth's left. He could feel the change in the air and the temperature rising. His chest immediately tightened as he attempted a deep breath. He could only hope that the sun would not gain too much strength since there was much to do once they reached Cairo. Word of Adele's flight was certain to have reached there and, no doubt, soldiers and police would be swarming the streets. Though Gareth knew Adele could look after herself, the thought of not being able to help her ate at him.

The banks of the Nile River grew more crowded as the green shores gave way to tan stone and bricks, and then grey steel and iron. The occasional shepherd or villager became mobs of people hurrying on foot leading camels and oxen, and finally carriages and trams. The river itself seemed suddenly clogged with boats and barges, tugs and feluccas. On every side were whistles and horns and shouting men. The sky turned yellow with the haze of humanity.

Then, beyond the jumbled buildings crowding the river to the west, Gareth caught sight of the Great Pyramids. Even from this distance and shimmering through the filthy air, the pyramids towered like something that belonged in another world. Their sheer mass was astounding. Gareth had read that kings were buried inside them. All that effort for just a tomb. How great those kings must have been.

Adele roused at the noise of the river traffic. Her gaze found his and she smiled. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

Her arms stretched out as her back arched, easing muscles stiff from the unfamiliar position. “Have you been awake all night?”

“Of course.” He quickly straightened the tiller again, narrowly avoiding a small boat with a wide-eyed man at the helm.

“You should have woken me. I could've helped.”

Gareth said nothing but continued to watch her with crystal-blue eyes. Bemused, his head bobbed to his left and Adele turned.

“Oh Cairo! We're here!” She rose and made her way forward, intently watching the traffic passing close by the dahabiya. Then she turned to the other bank. “The pyramids! Can you see them?”

“They are hard to miss.” He regarded the fading giants again. “Human ingenuity is amazing. I'd give anything to take wing and fly over the structures.”

“Maybe someday. Let's keep flying to a minimum, shall we? Unless you take me with you.”

They passed under a massive steel bridge, and the steady hoofbeats of hundreds of brougham carriages and wagons thrummed overhead. The waters off the docks of Bulaq were choked with steamers and cargo ships. Tiny vessels, some smaller than their own, darted daringly between the behemoths competing for the river road. Swarms of people crowded the immense wharf.

A River Guard patrol boat drifted past and Adele stiffened. Gazing upward she saw airships hovering high above the city. She checked her veil, fashioned from cloth she had ripped from the hem of her wedding gown, and came back to Gareth, taking the tiller, which, given their proximity to towering vessels, he gratefully relinquished. She steered toward a crowded wharf, purposefully keeping a barge between their dahabiya and the patrol.

“Is it safe?” Gareth asked.

“As safe as it's going to be. We have to take the chance. We need supplies. There's less of a chance my jewels will raise an uproar here than in a small town.”

“Surely your father will come to the same conclusion.”

“Maybe, but hopefully they are still looking elsewhere if Colonel Anhalt came through. And besides, Cairo is a very big city. It would be impossible to scour every inch for only two people. We'll keep to the crowds, and just get in and out with what we need. We should be fine.” Adele braided her hair while Gareth removed his military tunic and stood in a white linen shirt. She eyed him enviously. “That's the good thing about you having a secret identity already. No one knows who Greyfriar truly is, and you can easily pass for a human as long as you keep your gloves on and don't smile too much.” Adele laughed weakly at her strained wit.

“I'll get my weapons.”

“No. People don't carry weapons in the streets here. We're very civilized.” She put an arm around his waist. “Just stay near me, and let me do the talking. Unless you speak Arabic, of course.”

“I don't. But likely by the end of the day, I will. I learn your languages quickly. It's a facility my kind has.”

Her smile faded as her head tilted up at the strengthening sun. “Speaking of your kind, are you going to be able to take this heat?”

“For several hours at least. If we keep to the shade and stay indoors when possible, I should be fine. But let's stop wasting the coolness of the morning.”

Adele was in agreement. The boat glided to the wharf, and she waved to a dockhand to catch the bowline Gareth tossed.

Now they were committed.

A
S THE TWO
entered the city, Gareth was amazed to see even more people than in Alexandria. They jostled one another at every turn, paying little heed in their rush. Never had he seen so many humans at once. Cesare would literally be drooling at the vast numbers. Such herds as these were only to be imagined by the northern clans.

Thankfully, Adele knew where she was heading, so Gareth let her take the lead. There was so much activity, he couldn't decide what to stare at first. Beautiful medieval buildings rose several stories above the crowded streets. Glass windows shone in the sun's rays despite the industrial filth on the stone walls. Modern buildings towered over those. As they neared a busy intersection, the rumble of metal wheels on tracks combined with the hiss and cloying heat of steam announced the passing of a trolley.

“Where are we going?” Gareth asked.

“We'll head for the common bazaars and look for a pawn shop. We should find what we want in the old Suk es-Saigh, the gold market.”

Adele tried to watch where she was stepping to avoid broken glass or animal waste, but occasionally she'd fail and step in something unpleasant but at least not dangerous. Only a low curse would cross her lips as she hopped for a moment on one foot, but for the most part she was agile enough to dart over the worst of the urban obstacles. A water-bearer stalked past in his flowing burnoose and heavy load and chuckled at her.

Adele scowled in his direction. “I'd like to see him walk barefoot through the city.”

The deeper into the old neighborhoods they went, the more Cairo churned like a barely contained madhouse. Mobs of children played happily in various nooks and corners near little shops with ragged awnings and fly nets drawn across the doors. A goose vendor drove his sizable flock before him, guiding them unerringly with a palm branch among the trolley cars, steam wagons, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Soon Adele and Gareth passed into the frantic bazaar district. Vendors shouted at them, reaching for them, plucking at their arms, fighting for their attention. Yards of brightly colored material stretched between the buildings, offering poor shade from the glare of the sun. Nonetheless, Gareth was thankful. Already the temperature was extreme, making him sluggish and distracted.

“Here!” Adele called out, and pulled Gareth into a shop. A number of people waited for attention, but luckily, in this case, Gareth was a strikingly noticeable man.

“What do you need, sir?” the merchant asked in Arabic, eyeing Gareth's vintage clothes curiously.

Adele stepped in front to indicate she was the customer, and said in English so Gareth could follow, “I'm interested in selling this.” She carefully drew out one jewel. A diamond. Through her touch, she felt the heat of the sun and tasted the dry soil she knew was the great diamond reef of Cape Province.

The dealer's eyes immediately widened, and he eagerly reached out, more than a little dubious that it was real. The gem was quickly brought up to his loupe for further study. The man knew better than to coo over such a gem. Instead he
tsk
ed at the merchandise in his hand.

“It is very subpar,” the merchant muttered. “Regretfully, there are many imperfections.”

“There are none. Trust me, I know.”

“Well, they are small,” he graciously conceded. “But visible to the trained eye of a professional. I can only offer you a meager price. It is only just.”

“If she says there are no flaws then it is so,” Gareth intoned, stepping forward.

With alarm in his eyes, the dealer gave ground. Gareth was a menacing figure even when not dressed as Greyfriar.

“I came to your shop,” Adele lied, “because I was told you were honest. I did not expect to be robbed.”

“Robbed? I am aghast. Aghast! Please allow me to make an offer.” The merchant smiled tightly at her. “After all, I would not have you scuffing your poor bare feet on the marble floors of some fashionable jeweler in Heliopolis.” Clearly he knew a woman such as Adele appeared to be would not risk parading such a fine diamond to mainstream dealers and invite the interest of the Cairo metropolitan police.

“Very well,” she replied. “We both know it is flawless. So I do not expect to be made of a fool of.”

“No doubt, mon petite.” The merchant beamed his good fortune as he once more scrutinized the diamond. His tongue darting out to wet his lips was the only indication he was contemplating his next decision. “Two hundred pounds.”

Adele raised an eyebrow and finally allowed her scowl to appear. She reached for the gem. “You insult me and my family.”

The merchant pulled it closer to his chest. “Eight hundred pounds!”

Adele threw up her hands. “I should call the police.”

Gareth held out his hand. The merchant gazed longingly at the stone, but gave it to the man.

“One thousand pounds.” Adele folded her arms sternly across her chest. She was still greatly undervaluing the diamond, but they needed the money, and quickly. Plus, she still had more gems.

“One thousand?” The merchant wiped his brow. “Would you have me remove my son from the university where he is studying to be a doctor so that I may pay you for this one rock?”

Adele whirled on her heel.

“Done!” The merchant shouted loudly, making everyone in the shop glance their way to Adele's dismay. He ran toward the back room. “A moment!”

Grinning at Gareth, Adele began to browse the rest of the store. Her eyes spied a welcome piece of wardrobe. “I'll take these boots also,” she shouted.

“Of course,” the merchant called back through the partially open door. “Take whatever you want.” He paused. “I will give you the same discount I give my parents.”

Adele whispered to Gareth, “That stone could buy this storefront a hundred times over. I wouldn't be surprised if the shop closes permanently and the merchant retires to a villa on the sea.”

She procured an extra pair of smoked glasses for Gareth as well as a new wardrobe for both of them, several canteens, and by sheer luck, a heat-reflective blanket that she quickly snatched up. Gareth added a few lanterns to the growing pile as she slipped on the soft leather boots. They were nearly a perfect fit, well worn so the leather was supple, but with a great deal of mileage still left on them. Gareth watched her as she sighed in sheer pleasure.

“Never underestimate a pair of good boots,” Adele told him wistfully.

His voice dropped to a whisper. “Is that man trustworthy? He could be calling for the police in the back.”

“I don't think we need worry about that.” Adele glanced around the room, relieved that most of the customers had gone back to what they were doing rather than watch them. “Hopefully he will be content about his good fortune and not brag or question where it came from. Or at least we can be gone from Cairo before he does.”

Finally the merchant came out, never so happy to hand over so much cash on one purchase. He didn't blink at the pile of supplies they had gathered, nor at the fact that she refused to pay for them. The exchange went smoothly, and soon Gareth and Adele left with their arms full.

As Gareth stepped out in the sunlight, he was rocked back on his heels. The sheer weight of the heat hit him like a wall. He could feel the difference between Mediterranean-based Alexandria and desert-bound Cairo. The stone buildings seemed to capture the heat and radiate it out.

“Are you all right?” Adele's worried gaze was on him.

“I can manage.”

“We'll stick to the shade as much as possible.”

The traffic was still shoulder-to-shoulder in the narrow lanes. Voices filled the air as everyday conversation competed with merchant advertising. Hands shoved objects in front of them, pleading for a sale. They proceeded to another vendor to stock up on cooking utensils, blankets, and a variety of goods. Soon they had more than they could carry.

Rescue came in the form of a small urchin on the corner of the street holding the lead rope of a drowsy donkey. The boy's clothes were rumpled, but his eyes were bright, studying all the passersby like potential customers. Most ignored him. Adele stepped in front of him. His small, dark head bobbed warily. She held up two coins, and immediately his suspicion faded.

“Do you need help, lovely miss? Clearly you are too cultured to walk to your destination. Please ride my donkey in style.” He gestured grandly to the small, bored donkey that wasn't as excited as the boy by the prospect of work.

“Actually,” Adele said. “I need you to transport my goods to the harbor.”

“He lives to carry your wares! He is very strong. Do not judge him by his small size or lazy attitude.”

Adele patted the dozing donkey on his head. “For these two coins take all that,” she pointed to the sizable pile under a shaded alcove where Gareth stood, “to Bulaq. Slip Fifteen near the end of the Blue Wharf. Stay and guard it until we return later today and you will get five more just like these.”

Eyes wide, the boy nodded eagerly and reached for the money, but Adele held it back.

“However, pray nothing is missing from our wares. My friend over there is a vampire, and I will order him to chase you down and eat you.”

The boy's mouth gaped open as he stared at Gareth in his dark glasses and dour mien, but then he scoffed. “You are very funny, Miss. Don't worry. You won't regret hiring me. Your supplies will be under my protection!” He tapped his chest firmly with his right hand.

“I tip very well for hard work and loyalty,” Adele promised him with a glint in her eye.

The urchin bowed low. “I am Nasir at your service.”

Adele dropped the two coins into his outstretched hand. “I'm glad to make your acquaintance, Nasir. I am Pareesa.” Her mother's name was common enough and made a comforting alias.

The boy dragged his reluctant business partner toward the pile of goods. He eyed her tall companion warily as Gareth stood protectively over the merchandise. The two males stood staring each other down until Adele motioned Gareth to follow her. He frowned, glancing down at the boy sternly before stepping up next to Adele.

“Are you sure he can be trusted?” he asked as they headed north along the avenue.

“Sure? No. But the promise of more money is a great motivator. And all the professional porters probably follow the news, and will wonder about us.” She veered toward the shaded part of the busy street.

“What more do we need here? The more we linger the greater our chance of being discovered.”

“I agree. But we still need food…or at least I do. The produce is at the northern market. It's not far. If you want, I can take care of that. You return to the boat and make sure Nasir doesn't rob us blind.”

“I won't leave your side.”

“Even if you're miserable?”

“A discomfort at present, nothing more. And I feel better with you in my sight.”

“All right. We'll finish up as quickly as we can.”

Adele tried desperately to keep to the shade, but they had to dart across open streets where the sun beat down mercilessly. While she moved as quickly as she could, Gareth actually slowed as if he were wading though something physical rather than just warm air. She ran back and grabbed his arm, hurrying to the other side of the oven-baked pavement.

“You're scaring me, Gareth.”

“I don't mean to. I'm not in pain, Adele. Don't worry. I'm just tired. It takes great effort to move in this heat.” He straightened from his hunched position, regarding her reassuringly, but there were beads of sweat on his brow, and lines of distress furrowed his face. “See, I'm fine.”

“Stay here. I won't be long.”

He nodded, slumping against the stones of a building.

The smell of spices and cooking oil wafted into the air, though the heat only let it rise so far, so instead it settled over the customers. Adele browsed quickly through the produce stalls, each laden with fruits, vegetables, spices, and various meats, dried, smoked, and filleted. She chose items that wouldn't perish quickly, mostly dried or smoked. One vendor had baskets for sale, so she purchased one to more easily carry her load.

Then she spotted a magazine rack filled to the brim with penny dreadfuls and potboilers, many of them featuring herself and Greyfriar. With a grin, she bought one and stuffed it in the basket.

Barely fifteen minutes had passed when she ran back to Gareth. He was where she had left him, but he was surrounded by merchants and hawkers, all shouting at him for attention. He stood stone still. Adele waded into the crowd, screaming at them to leave him alone, he had no money, he was sick. She shoved several men away. Some laughed, some cursed, but they continued barking their silks, cottons, jewelry, shoes, and cameras.

Gareth just stood there, his gaze locked on some distant point.

“Gareth,” Adele called to him, fear bubbling up in her throat. She dropped her basket and grabbed his arm.

There was no response and his breath was shallow.

Panic gripped her. “Gareth!” She shook him.

Finally, he blinked, his eyelids lowering slowly and then back up.

“Gareth, can you hear me?

His gaze lowered until he found her. He drew in a deep breath. “I'm sorry. I was…,” but his voice trailed off as if he couldn't remember.