The ghost felt the fear, in Asane and Rautos. But in Taxilian, who slowly straightened from the exposed machinery, there was wonder, curiosity. And then… excitement. He stepped forward.
The drone was studying the chamber, as if searching for something. At the incessant clanging from above, it cocked its head. A moment later there were shouts of triumph from Nappet and Sheb-the door had opened, but the ghost knew that the surrender of that barrier had not come beneath their sledges. Sulkit had simply unlocked it. A moment later, he wondered how he knew this.
Breath reappeared from a side passage. ‘Blueiron,’ she whispered, staring at the drone. ‘Like a… a Fulcrum. Taxilian, go to it-we need it.’
‘I know,’ he replied, licking dry lips. ‘Rautos, go up to Sheb and Nappet-keep them occupied up there. I don’t want them charging down here with swords out. Make them understand-’
‘Understand what?’ Rautos demanded.
‘That we’ve found an ally.’
Rautos’s eyes widened. He wiped sweat from his face. A moment later, he backed up, then turned and set off up the ramp.
Taxilian spoke to the drone. ‘Can you understand me? Nothing works. We need to fix it. We need your help-no, perhaps it’s the other way round. We’d like to help you bring all of this back to life.’
Silence. The K’Chain Che’Malle seemed to be ignoring everyone in the chamber, its tentacled fingers writhing like seagrass at the ends of its arms. The rows of fangs glistened in its broad slash of a mouth. After a moment, the drone blinked. Once, twice, three times, each lid distinct. Then it walked in a hitching gait to where Taxilian had been working. It picked up the panel and deftly replaced it. Straightening, it turned and faced the ghost, eyes fixing on his.
You can see me. The realization stunned him. And all at once he could feel something- my own body -and with it jarring pain in his hands, the ache of abuse. He could taste his own sweat, the acrid exhaustion of his muscles. And then it was gone.
He cried out.
Help me!
Sulkit’s reptilian eyes blinked again, and then the drone set off, quickly crossing the room and vanishing down the ramp that led to the domed carapace-the chamber that housed this city’s mind.
Taxilian barked a laugh. ‘Follow it!’ He hurried after the K’Chain Che’Malle. Breath fell in behind him.
Once the three were gone, Asane ran to Last and he took her in his arms.
Rautos, Sheb and Nappet arrived. ‘We got the door open,’ said Sheb, his voice overloud. ‘It just slid to one side. It leads outside, to a balcony-gods, we’re high up!’
‘Never mind that,’ growled Nappet. ‘We saw someone, way out on the plain. Walking. Seems we’ve found another wanderer.’
‘Maybe,’ said Rautos, ‘maybe he’ll know.’
‘Know what?’ snapped Sheb, baring his teeth.
Rautos gestured helplessly.
Nappet was glaring round, hefting the sledge in his hands. ‘So where’s the fucking demon?’
‘It means no harm,’ said Last.
‘Too bad for it.’
‘Don’t hurt it, Nappet.’
Nappet advanced on Last. ‘Look at the stupid farmer-found an animal to pet, did you? She’s not much-Breath looks a damned sight better.’
‘The demon isn’t even armed,’ said Last.
‘Then it’s stupid. Because if I was it, I’d be swinging the biggest damned axe I could find. I’d start by killing you and that hag you’re holding. Then fat, useless Rautos there, with the stupid questions.’
‘The first one it’d kill would be you, Nappet,’ laughed Sheb.
‘Because I’m the most dangerous one here, aye, it’d try. But I’d smash its skull in.’
‘Not the most dangerous,’ corrected Sheb, ‘just the stupidest. It’d kill you out of pity.’
‘Let’s go and prepare the meal,’ Last said to Asane, still guarding her with one thick, muscled arm. ‘Sorry, Nappet, there’s not enough for you.’
The man stepped closer. ‘Try and stop me-’
Last spun. His fist hammered into Nappet’s face, shattering the man’s nose. In a welter of blood he reeled back. Teeth bounced on the floor. The sledge fell from his hands. After a moment he fell down, and then curled up, covering his broken face.
The others stared at Last.
Then Sheb laughed, but it was a weak laugh.
‘Come on,’ said Last to Asane.
They left the chamber.
After a moment, Sheb said, ‘I’m heading back up to the balcony.’