The Quest - Smith Wilbur (читаем книги онлайн бесплатно TXT) 📗

One of the temple maidens was dragged down from behind Hilto's saddle and her throat was ripped out by a single bite before Hilto could smash in the brute's skull. By the time Nakonto had speared the last trog many of the horses had been bitten: one had been so gravely savaged that Imbali had to despatch it with an axe stroke through the crest of its skull.

They formed up again, rode out of the valley, and when they reached the fork in the track they turned eastwards towards the mountains and the Kitangule Gap. They rode through the night, and early the next morning they saw a dustcloud rising above the plain ahead of them.

Before noon they had caught up with the tail of a long dense column of refugees. That was riding with the rearguard, and as soon as he saw them coming he galloped back to meet them. 'Well met, Colonel Cambyses!'

he shouted. 'I see you have saved our girls.'

'Those who have survived,' Meren agreed, 'but they have had a hard time of it, and are near the end of their tether.'

'We will find places for them on the wagons,' That said. 'But what of you and your party? Will you come out of Jarri with us, or are you determined to go back to find the old magus?'

'You already know what our answer must be, Colonel That,' Fenn replied, before Meren could speak.

'Then I must bid you farewell. Thank you for your courage and for what you have done for us. I fear we might never meet again, but your friendship has done me great honour.'

'Colonel That, sir, you are the eternal optimist.' Fenn smiled at him.

'I warrant you shall not be rid of us that easily.' She pushed Whirlwind

up beside his mount and planted a kiss on his whiskery cheek. 'When we meet again in Egypt I shall kiss the other,' she told him, and turned Whirlwind back, leaving That staring after her in pleasurable confusion.

They were reduced to a tiny band now, only three women and three men. For once Nakonto and Imbali had chosen to ride rather than run, and each led a spare horse.

'Where are we going?' Fenn asked Meren, as she rode beside him.

'As close to the mountains as is safe,' Meren answered. 'When Taita comes we must be able to join him swiftly.' He turned to Sidudu, who rode at his other side. 'Do you know of a place near to the mountain where we can hide?'

She thought for only a moment. 'Yes,' she replied. 'There is a valley where I used to go with my father to collect mushrooms when they came into season. We camped in a cave that few know of.'

Soon the shining white peaks of the three volcanoes rose above the western horizon. They skirted round the village of Mutangi, and looked down on the burnt-out ruins from the low hills where they had hunted the wild hog. The smell of ashes and charred bodies wafted up to them.

No one said much as they turned away and went on westwards towards the mountains.

The valley to which Sidudu took them was tucked away in the foothills. It was so well concealed by trees and the folds of the land that it was not visible until they were looking down into it. There was good grazing for the horses and a tiny spring that supplied sufficient water for their needs. The cave was dry and warm. Sidudu's family had left a pair of battered old cooking pots and other utensils in a crevice at the back, with a large pile of firewood. The women cooked the evening meal, and they all gathered round the fire to eat.

'We will be comfortable enough here,' Fenn said, 'but how far are we from the citadel and the road that leads up to the Cloud Gardens?'

'Six or seven leagues to the north,' Sidudu answered.

'Good!' said Meren, through a mouthful of venison stew. 'Far enough to be unobtrusive but close enough to reach Taita swiftly when he comes down.'

'I am pleased that you said when and not i,' Fenn observed quietly.

There was silence for a while, except for the clinking of spoons in the copper bowls.

'How will we know when he comes?' Sidudu asked. 'Will we have to keep watch for him on the road?' They all looked at Fenn.

'There will be no need for that,' Fenn replied, i will know when he comes. He will warn me.'

They had been continually on the move, riding and fighting, for many months. In all that time this was their first chance for a full night's sleep, broken only by their turns on sentry duty. Fenn and Sidudu took the midnight watch and when the great cross of stars in the south dipped towards the horizon they stumbled half asleep into the cave to wake Nakonto and Imbali for the dog watch. Then they fell on to their sleeping mats and dropped into oblivion.

Before dawn the next morning Fenn shook Meren awake. He started up so violently that he woke the others - and when he saw the tears on Fenn's cheeks he reached for his sword. 'What is it, Fenn? What is amiss?'

'Nothing!' Fenn cried. Now he looked properly at her face, and realized she was weeping for joy. 'Everything is perfect. Taita is alive. He came to me in the night.'

'Did you see him?' Meren seized her arm and shook her in agitation.

'Where is he now? Where has he gone?'

'He came to overlook me while I was asleep. When I awoke he showed me his spirit sign and told me, 1 will return to you soon, very soon.'

Sidudu leapt up from her mat and embraced Fenn. 'Oh, I am so happy for you, and for the rest of us.'

'Now everything will be all right,' Fenn said. 'Taita is coming back and we will be safe.'

' IT have waited through the aeons for you to come to me,' said Eos, I and although he knew that she embodied the great Lie, Taita could JL not help but believe her. She turned and walked back into the mouth of the grotto. Taita did not try to resist. He knew that he could do nothing but follow her. Despite all the defences he had raised against her enchantments, there was nothing he wanted to do more at that moment than follow wherever she might lead.

Beyond the entrance the tunnel narrowed until the lichen-covered rock brushed his shoulders. The spring water was icy as it burbled over his feet and splashed the hem of his tunic. Eos glided ahead. Under the black silk her hips moved with the undulating motion of a swaying

cobra. She left the stream and went up a narrow stone ramp. At the top the tunnel widened and became a roomy passageway. The walls were covered with lapis-lazuli tiles carved in bas-relief, depicting human fdrms, and beasts both real and fabulous. The floor was inlaid with tiger's eye, and the roof with rose quartz. Large rock crystals the size of a man's head were set on brackets on the wall. As Eos approached each in turn they emitted a mysterious orange glow that illuminated the passage ahead.

As they moved on, the crystals faded into darkness. Once or twice Taita glimpsed the shaggy black shapes of apes as they moved away into the shadows and disappeared. Silently Eos's small bare feet flitted over the golden tiles. They fascinated him, and he found it difficult to take his eyes off them. As she moved on she left a delicate perfume on the air.

He savoured it with intense pleasure and recognized it as the scent of sun lilies.

At last they reached a commodious chamber of elegant proportions.

Here the walls were of green malachite. Shafts in the high ceiling must have reached up to the earth's surface for the sunlight spilled down through them and was reflected from the walls in a glowing emerald effusion. The furniture of the room was of carved ivory, and the central pieces were two low couches. Eos went to one and seated herself, folding her legs under her and spreading her cloak so that even her feet were concealed. She gestured to the couch facing her. 'Please be at your ease.

You are my honoured and beloved guest, Taita,' she said, in the Tenmass.

He went to the couch and sat opposite her. It was covered with an embroidered silk mattress.