20 Smugglers’ Cave

ENTERING THE CAVE, the crash of surf nearby, Desool paused as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. There was no sound, and he began to wonder if he’d made a mistake. He’d told her to wait there, and he’d been certain no one would find her. However, he had to admit he’d been worried since he’d left. It was a system of caves near the coast, which was rarely visited by his people, but it wasn’t impossible for someone to come this way.

‘Where is she?’ demanded Nanel by his shoulder, but he didn’t answer. If anything had happened to her ...

Zane was a human female who had entangled herself in his life. Not long ago, he would’ve thought such a thing impossible. Adal had been partly to blame, but he knew he could’ve left Zane behind had he wanted to. He doubted she would have followed if he’d made it clear he didn’t want her. The problem was, he did want her and it confused him.

What was their relationship? Was it friendship? Something else? Humans and Nephilim rarely mixed, and it was considered taboo by most clans, except perhaps the Horim, to become involved in a relationship with one. The Horim, most agreed, were at least part human anyway.

After all, he might well reach eleven or twelve feet in height, whereas she would remain as an imp by comparison. I am a fool, he thought. I will see her safely returned to her people when this is over.

He halted inside the cave entrance, when he felt something sharp at his throat. He smiled. ‘Thought you’d disappeared on me, woman.’

‘Same here,’ said a female voice, as the long spear left his neck. ‘Hang on a minute.’ Sparks and then a flare of light as she lit one of the torches, mounted to a rusty bracket on the cave wall. She then went to light a second one.

An old smugglers’ cave from long ago, used by the humans of Raddhon during the human-Nephilim wars six hundred years ago. A black period of history best left forgotten.

Zane turned and gave him a long look up and down and then frowned as Nanel appeared from behind him. ‘Who’s the woman?’

‘Nanel,’ said his sister holding out a hand in greeting.

‘Not what I meant,’ said Zane, not offering hers. She had a strange look on her face, and then he realised why.

He let out a ragged sigh. ‘Oh, for the love of the angels, she is my sister.’

‘Oh,’ said Zane, looking sheepish, ‘well in that case, welcome to my humble home from home.’ She took Nanel’s hand in hers, and they smiled at one another.

Desool shook his head.

There was an old log to sit on, and some drift wood for lying down. A fire, for now unlit, occupied a position closest to the cave entrance, surrounded by small animal bones. It was hardly comfortable, but he’d had nowhere else to hide her along with the Shathra Stone. Until now.

‘Where is it?’ Nanel demanded looking around, and her brother knew exactly what she meant. She spoke in Icarthian, which surprised Desool at first, until he realised their uncle must have taught her. Strange, but he did not see why Volo would have done so, unless he had foreseen a time when she would need it.

‘Not one for conversation, then,’ Zane noted, her face impassive. She always got that look when feeling stubborn. She was as immovable as a mountain when she got like that. One of the things he liked about her.

‘We don’t have time for girl-chat,’ said Nanel, giving her a look of her own. Her Icarthian was near flawless. Better than his. ‘We must take the Shathra Stone to the Keeper. Now where is it? I assume it is hidden here somewhere?’

Desool gave Zane a nod. ‘She’s right. If we are to stop Gog, and achieve the impossible, we need the Keeper and he needs the Stone. We must move fast.’

‘Well,’ said Zane, with a look all innocent, ‘why didn’t you just say so?’ She went further into the cave, where there were several clefts in the wall. There was the sound of running water from far below. She dug around with both hands in one such opening, and withdrew a large bundle of rags. She returned, and held it out to Desool.

With reverence, he took it in his hands and began to unwrap it. Not all the way, but enough for his sister to see it.

The artefact shone with colour and light, alive, and filled with all existence. An impossibility, to help him achieve the impossible.

‘I have never actually seen it before,’ whispered his sister, hovering close until her nose was almost touching it.

Desool wrapped it again, and heard Nanel utter a long-ragged sigh. People always reacted that way when they first saw it. ‘Yes, it is a wonder, and something one could gaze on from dawn until dusk. Worse it can take your soul. It is dangerous, Nel. You will not handle it without me. Soon, we will give it to the Keeper.’

‘You both sure you can trust this Keeper whoever?’ Zane did not look convinced.

‘He is the Keeper,’ said Nanel. ‘Trust does not enter into it.’

‘Right then,’ Zane, grabbing her cloak from off a rock. ‘I’ve had enough of this stinking hole. I want to see this Raddhon of yours.’

‘You’d be better off remaining here,’ said Desool, and instantly knew he shouldn’t have.

A cold hard stare confirmed his mistake. ‘By that I assume you mean, I shall be accompanying you, because you surely would not leave me in this place a moment longer. Your conscience just wouldn’t allow it.’ She grabbed her spear too, and looked ready to use it if he disagreed.

‘Human traders enter our cities all the time,’ said Nanel and Desool knew he was beaten. Both were set against him, as was the way of females, human or Nephilim.

‘Yes, but none that look like her,’ he pointed out.

‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’ demanded the human female in an eerily calm voice.

‘Yes, her skin is brown and her hair dark,’ said Nanel, ‘but there isn’t much we can do about it. Where are you from exactly?’ she asked Zane.

‘A city called Paldan, in the imperium.’

‘We’ll just claim she was taken captive from Paldan some time ago, and was sold to a Raddhon human trader. It’s not impossible, brother. Gog did return with slaves.’

‘I know, Nel, but her standing out puts her at risk, and our entire plan along with it.’

‘I’m coming.’ This time, Zane said it with a warning in her tone.

Nanel smiled at the Paldanar. ‘I knew I’d like her.’

‘Very well,’ Desool said, but stabbed a finger at Zane. ‘However, you do what we tell you. No wandering off, and no speaking to anyone.’

‘What, even this Keep—’

The expression on Zane’s face told him he was too late. He whirled, drawing his scarap blade. It clanged against the blade of his assailant, who was growling and spitting in his face. Desool headbutted the other Nephilim who staggered back.

It didn’t matter. Others already held Nanel, one with a blade to her throat, while two guards shoved past him to grab Zane.

Anak bent low as he entered the cave, which was fast becoming crowded. A Horite priest followed behind him. ‘Ah, my little brother. I thought I might find you here. Why so surprised? You thought I was too preoccupied to pay attention to you?’ He shrugged. ‘Well, you were right, but not so busy as to ignore dear Nanel. How have you been, Nel? Well, I hope? Although, not for much longer, I expect.’

For her part his sister stomped on her captor’s foot, scratched, and spat, trying everything to get free.

‘Let them go, Anak. If it’s me you want, you’ve got me where you want me.’

‘You promised to return with my ship. You promised me a return to Raddhon that would guarantee my taking our father’s throne. Remember? We drank on it.’

‘No, you drank on it.’

Anak waved a hand. ‘Details. You betrayed me, is the point I’m getting at.’

‘Fine, you’re angry with me. I abandoned you and broke my promise. Now, let them go. You have me. I won’t try to escape.’

Anak grinned as he took in Zane, and then the wrapped bundle in Desool’s hands. ‘Now, why would I do that? I can just bring all of you before your new king.’

Desool frowned, wondering what game Anak was playing. ‘We don’t have a king, and since when would you agree to bow before anyone?’

Anak clapped his hands and barked a laugh. ‘Gog will be crowned within hours. We reached an agreement, for the ... um, prosperity of the Nephilim nation shall we say. In return, I will become his general and second. On his death, I then become king.’

‘I doubt Gog will just let you assassinate him anytime soon.’

‘Oh, you never know,’ and then he gestured to Zane as though to a dear friend. ‘Come, you are invited to the ceremony too. All of you are.’ He glanced at the bundle of rags. ‘And you’ve brought a gift. I’ve no doubt it’s a nice one. No doubt at all.’