CITY OF BRIDGES

27

More Revelations

I return.

Startled, Dianah and Brendon both looked up from their work.

“Bren— Roland, you hear that? Styx survived!”

“I can, yes. He feels… jubilant.”

“Jubilant? I’ve not heard that characteristic given to rollos before.”

“Perhaps not, but the fact he’s broadcasting is a positive sign.”

Styx rolled into camp shortly after his announcement. Many, if not all the camps inhabitants, gathered to greet him and cheer him on.

“Welcome back, Styx. I gather you had success.” Brendon stepped forward with Dianah right behind him in her heavy cloak.

It would depend on how you consider success – has the l’ith threat been averted? Yes, but only for a time. Unfortunately, the queen died in the process. As you said, the l’ith do not negotiate. It is a sad reality, one cannot converse reasonably with the insane.

“We can both vouch for that. For what it’s worth, you have our gratitude. You saved hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives.”

They might become a concern when they produce a new queen. I am convinced the previous queen was insane, possibly a combination of her nest being severely damaged during the Power Wars and coming out of hibernation several centuries prematurely.

However, I find the phrase ‘for what it’s worth’ curious. Does it mean you believe your gratitude is of little regard, or that I might perhaps not value it?

“Not at all. We are extremely grateful for your efforts today. This was not something asked of you, and you have probably estranged yourself from your people.”

The estrangement is manifest. Perhaps your gratitude could extend into sharing knowledge. I find humans on this world in general, intriguing and difficult to fathom. I wonder if I would find those not of this world as difficult to comprehend?

Perhaps we could discuss this in private? Brendon answered. “Shall we retire to our tent?”

Of course.

Dianah lead, Styx followed. Brendon spoke briefly but eloquently to the gathering about the reprieve. An eruption of cheers and applause followed him as he stepped into the tent. The once-farmers now soldiers, celebrated.

Styx started immediately. I mentioned in my initial visit, I am not your usual hroltagh. For instance, I know who you really are, Lady Dianah and Lord Brendon. These things cannot be hidden for us. With my previous communications with you, it did not serve any purpose to reveal your true identities to your colleagues. Humans are strange and mostly deceitful, and always have been.

Dianah and Brendon looked to each other in alarm.

Fear not. Your pretence is not my concern. Now, with regards the situation we all face, I believe I now have a higher calling than before.

A higher calling? Brendon echoed. You found religion?

Inconceivable. Before, I was an ambassador. True, it is an important station, however, with recent prophecy coming to light, I am to take necessary actions to ensure certain events transpire. One of those events was for me to go rogue, but there are other events requiring attention.

Dinah looked at Brendon, then back to Styx. Are we in a sharing mood?

Styx shrugged his stubby shoulders, a human trait he picked up. I am here, am I not? To continue. When I entered your mind earlier, Brendon, I detected many things, many memories. Some of those visions – those landscapes, the strange devices – are not of this world. One of our prophecies – and I believe your Zander, or should we call him Alexander – knows of this. Your depicted as ‘high ones’, and not being from this world. Some choose to believe you are divine, however the indications are that, while you do possess certain powers and abilities far beyond our understanding, this does not make you divine. You are as mortal as I am. You are no doubt aware the watchers knew of your arrival from similar prophecies. This is why there was a tower on the headland when you arrived. They were waiting for your arrival, and have been in Zander’s service ever since.

So, Styx continued. To put a value on your gratitude for ending the l’ith problem, I require further knowledge?

“Is there anything in particular you care to know?” Brendon offered. “About the studies I’ve done of this world, perhaps?”

Yes, Brendon, that is part of it. Styx turned his attention to Dianah. While there is much I am curious about, not all of it concerns my current task. Tell me what you can of these experiments – particularly in relation to a half-rrell by the name of Leonie.

*

“I have a headache,” Dianah complained.

“Is it any wonder, with Styx in your head for so long? Does he know everything?” He held his head at his own discomfort.

“I can’t be sure. I did what I could to compartmentalise the worst of it.”

“That’s a relief. You’ve one of the strongest minds I know. I’m sure if there was something you wanted hidden, it would stay that way,” Brendon affirmed.

“I’d like to think I would notice his in-depth probing. I had absolutely no chance on penetrating his defences. I’m stunned at the news Leonie is still alive though.”

“I thought you’d lost everything in the fire. You know what this means? You can use her to obtain more samples and continue your work.”

“We’ll definitely have to keep an eye out for her. Maybe Magda can be of use again?” she said.

“At least we can relax now that Styx has gone. We still have our minds intact, and our immediate problem has been nullified for now. I’m glad we don’t have Alexander to deal with when we return to Delta. The last time we were together it didn’t end well.”

“We left because the only other option was for either him or us to die. I don’t hate him that much, and prefer to live.” Dianah shook her head. “Is it just me, or are these events, this prophesy Styx mentions, now involving us? A rogue hroltagh turns up and prevents a potential catastrophic swarming; news of Leonie’s survival; Zander’s convenient trip allowing our return to Delta.”

“We can’t be certain, but either way, we need to take the chance. We both need the medicomp on the Skydancer, and you need Leonie to finish your life’s work,” Brendon said.

“Then we have no time to lose. We better get to Delta and grab the Skydancer before he gets back, otherwise we’ll have no leverage over him whatsoever. I’ll send a pigeon ahead to let Magda know of our arrival.”

“And I’ll send our troops back to their farms. They can take whatever supplies we can spare, and our thanks.”

* * *