Chapter 6
Jed balanced unsteadily on a hard ebony wave. Dirnll had told him that the tiny, red hooves of the rarely seen ibiline had cut the narrow path he followed. It was less than the width of his foot.
The crest of each wave was joined somewhere along its length to the one slightly above it. If he fell, he would be trapped in the smooth troughs, for they were deeper than he was tall. Of course, Dirnll had a rope with which to pull him out, if he survived the fall. The first time he had tried this madness he had fallen where the troughs were shallow. He had no wish to repeat the action.
With a frown, he pushed thoughts of falling from his mind. After three days of practice he was surely as nimble-footed as the ibiline. Now he would attempt the full climb.
Plump beetles and flesh of the thorn-plant had restored his strength and Dirnll's companionship - though he was still wary of the man - had given him hope.
Last night he had received Dirnll's knowledge so knew exactly which crest to follow, where they joined, and where he had to jump across troughs to reach the next one. Dirnll waited at the base of the cliffs for his return, but he could not look back. He needed all his concentration for this task, for sometimes the edges would crumble under his feet and throw him off balance.
Jed steadied himself by holding his arms out wide, then paused and looked around. Ahead, the cliffs soared black and menacing. Behind, they gave way to powdery sand and the treacherous lake. All was still. The only sound was that of the wind as it keened over the rocks. His foot moved a fraction. A tiny pebble fell with a clink into the trough below. Best to keep on.
At last, panting and relieved, he reached the final sharp-edged cliff. This pathway was easily two hand-spans wide, which seemed to make up for the fifty-meter fall on the far side. Down there, the jagged rocks reached up and beckoned him. He blinked and tore his gaze from the dizzying drop.
The way down was to the right, for the sheer rock face that was visible from the lake blocked the left. It soared into the vermilion sky above him. Not even the ibiline could traverse that. The narrow summit he was now on led, in a series of steps and jumps all the way down to the walled valley below, and from there out to the Plains of Zarr.
No sunflyers buzzed through the evening sky. No one but he and Dirnll knew it was possible to reach the plains from these cliffs. Or so Dirnll said.
He had agreed to Dirnll’s suggestion that he start his journey in the morning, after this last practice, but in the back of Jed’s mind was always the possibility of foul play from the old man. Now that he had successfully reached the summit, he would keep going, even though darkness would overtake him before long. Then if Vexson expected to catch him here tomorrow he would be disappointed.
Once he had reached the palace and made sure that Jyari was still safe, he would work out how to take the Badge of Ruling from his uncle. Plans crowded into his mind. Maybe he could arrange to have his uncle’s evening drink drugged, then it would be an easy matter to unclip the Badge from his chest. He grinned at the thought. Easy was probably not the right word to describe it. His foot slipped and he pushed aside all thoughts that interfered with his concentration. Plans would be useless to him if he fell.
The cliff at his feet drew his fascinated gaze. In some parts it seemed to bulge out slightly for a small part of the way down, while scrubby bushes and round boulders jutted out from the surface, like whiskers and warts on an old man’s face.
On the valley floor below, needle pointed rocks beckoned him. He was almost mesmerized by the way they appeared to sway gently in the shimmering air. Further back, the air did not shimmer and rise as it did just here. Was it caused by the air-currents or something? Dangerous air-currents would certainly impede sunflyers.
A shout stopped his slow progress. He looked back. Dirnll had climbed up after him. The old man strode with almost careless ease along the path, his cape billowing in the breeze.
“Wait!” he called.
Suspicions reared ugly heads. “For what?”
“For Vexson!”
Bitterness welled up in Jed’s heart as he balanced on the narrow path.
“So you are Vexson’s ally after all? Why didn’t you take me in the desert?”
“Because you’re too heavy to carry out – and I am reluctant to tell anyone else of the paths. But when Vexson decided you should stand trial, we made a bargain; you, for Zarine’s freedom.”
Before Jed realised what was happening, Dirnll’s arm thrust out quickly and coils of rope hissed through the air towards him. He would be lassoed and led a prisoner down the path. It was too humiliating. He couldn’t allow it, not even for Zarine’s freedom.
He ducked, lost his balance and tumbled over the edge of the cliff with a cry.
The weight of his sliding body dislodged every rocky outcrop and handhold that he grabbed for. Right on the brink of the last steep drop a gnarled, twisted root stuck out from a niche. Sharp splinters drove into his hand as he grabbed it, but it held. His boots scrabbled for a toehold. With his free hand he clawed at the stubby growth on the cliff face. The vegetation suddenly gave way into a shallow cavity. If he could get into that...
For an awful moment he teetered on the edge, rocks and gravel sliding past him in a mini-avalanche. His hand slipped, but his toes found a knob that held his weight. With a desperate effort he lunged forward and in. He was safe! Heart still thudding with fright, he peered out. He was even safe from Dirnll - for the moment. The rock above him jutted out slightly. He could not be seen from the top path. Dirnll would think he had fallen right to the base of the cliff.
Dusk was descending. How long did he have before his uncle showed up, accompanied by soldiers? Even if they arrived soon, they would have to wait until dawn to capture him. When the moons rose enough to shed light, he would attempt the climb down. Dirnll would never expect that. He would surely wait up on the top path to direct Vexson. Which was the best way down? He inspected the face of the cliff below him as well as he was able. It seemed to be honeycombed with holes such as this. That would make the descent easier.
The air below still shimmered in the dusk. Jed frowned. There was something on the edge of his mind about shimmering air. Yes! He had it now. Shimmering air was caused by the invisi-shield of a starship reflecting off a nearby cliff or barricade. But why would a starship have landed just here when there were plenty of landing bays in Jeddon’s spaceport? Could it truly be a spaceship below him?
Curious, he scratched pebbles from the edge of his niche and tossed them at the shimmering air, straining to see in the gathering gloom. They bounced! It was definitely a starship. Pebbles didn’t just bounce off thin air. It had to be the ship’s force field that they had hit.
He threw a few more to estimate the perimeters. It wasn’t such a big starship. Probably about the same size as those he had been trained to pilot. He shrugged and settled back into the cavity to wait for moonrise. There was nothing he could do about the starship.
In fact, he forgot all about it as he balanced on the edge of the niche, ready to begin his perilous descent. There was barely enough light to see his way properly, but how could he wait any longer when each passing moment surely brought his uncle closer? It was a wonder he wasn’t here already. Perhaps Dirnll had lost his telepathic ability with old age. That happened sometimes.
Easing his legs out over the drop, Jed sought for the toehold he had used before. Yes, there it was. He tested it gingerly with his weight, while his heart began a thud-thud of dread. If he should fall from here….
The rock held him. Now he had a firm grip on the root that had stopped his slide earlier. Slowly he let his body slide down over the edge. There had to be another toehold below him. He found one, tested it and eased his full weight down. It held. Now he had to transfer his handhold from the root. It was so secure he didn’t want to let it go. What could he hold instead? The bottom edge of the niche? That would be solid.
Slowly, carefully, Jed continued his descent, his face pressed hard against the cliff. Sometimes, gravel dislodged and fell away into the dark void below him. He forced his mind to ignore it. Often, he could use holes in the cliff to balance on while he found a new handhold. Perched on the face of the cliff like a large insect, Jed looked over his shoulder across the Plains of Zarr. There were no telltale lights. No droning of hoverers. He was almost down now. He was going to make it - so long as Dirnll was not down there, waiting for him.
So intent was he on the last part of his descent, that he hardly noticed the strange tingling sensation in his body. The feeling became stronger and he paused, clinging to the cliff, not fully understanding what was happening to him. Was he going mad? It seemed like a giant hand was plucking him from the cliff! He gasped as the cliff face suddenly faded from his sight and grasp. In the blink of an eye he found himself standing on the beaming disc of a starship.
He stared open-mouthed at his surroundings, the shock of his sudden transference numbing his senses momentarily. Of course, this must be the starship at the base of the cliffs. The one he had thrown pebbles at.
Before he could move or speak, rough hands seized him and he was hustled over to a metal stanchion. He tried to tear himself away from them, but it was useless. Cold metal clicked into place around his wrists.
“What are you doing? Who are you?”
No one took any further notice or answered him. They were concentrating on what looked like repairs. Obviously they were not Jeddonites, since no silver lines gleamed in their arms. But they must be enemies to have bound him.
He had once seen a feral chained to a pole like this. The beast had struggled so frantically it had broken its own neck. A similar wild, unreasoning panic swooped through Jed. In despair and anger, he slammed his handcuffs uselessly against the cold steel of the metal stanchion that held him, then threw himself against the pole, shaking it in a furious attempt to be free. He was sick with rage and pain and betrayal. Would he never be done with it? What was the use of his life?
He was about to crash against the pole once more, when a hand fell on his shoulder. He twisted around with difficulty and glared into the face of an alien boy about his own age. The boy’s eyes were kind – though slightly apprehensive - as he held out a flask.
It was the kindness that brought Jed back to sanity. He took the flask and drank awkwardly. The boy reached out to ease the handcuffs away from his bleeding wrists.
“What’s your name?” he asked, in Universal language.
“Jed.” Jed glared at him sullenly. “Who are you?”
“I’m Darien. This is the starship, Voyager. Here’s my father, Admiral Andrass,” he added, as the admiral came over to them.
Jed was unimpressed by the gold epaulettes on the shoulders of the admiral’s red jacket.
“Why have you captured me?” he asked angrily. “Am I a criminal?”
Andrass surveyed him coolly. “You certainly look like one.”
“I am Prince of this planet and should be Ruler,” Jed cried furiously. “Only for my wicked uncle, I would be. You have no right to imprison me like this! You must be enemies of Jeddon.”
“Prince, eh.” Admiral Andrass looked sceptical. “No, we’re not enemies. We crash-landed after a virus entered our computer and allowed a meteor to hit us. Not that I need to explain anything to such a ragamuffin.”
“If you are not Jeddon’s enemies, why did you capture me?”
“We saw you on the cliff. We know you discovered our presence. If you report us to your authorities it could take eons to get clearance for departure.”
“I won’t report you. Just let me go and I’ll be on my way.”
“You think I should trust you?” Admiral Andrass folded his arms, his expression scornful. “There are soldiers approaching. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were searching for you.”
“If they are and I am found aboard your ship, you’ll be in more trouble.”
“Our ship will not be found and neither will you. I’ll order food to be brought to you.” He strode away.
“Sorry,” Darien apologized. “It is important that we make repairs and leave as quickly as possible. Our mission is to return to the planet QE2-10 and make it fit for people to live on. This delay will be costly.”
Jed nodded, not really interested in Darien’s mission. His own was more important. At least he was safe from Vexson’s men for the moment. He looked at Darien. The boy was younger than he and obviously disposed to be friendly. That could be useful. He mustn’t do anything to alienate him.
“What – is your birth planet?” It was an effort to seem friendly.
“We are of Earthling stock,” Darien told him. “But most of our time is spent elsewhere, restoring life to ancient planets.”
“Earth? I’ve heard of that planet. It’s just in the next galaxy, isn’t it? Not so very far from Jeddon.”
Darien nodded. “We don’t go there much. Supplies are usually sent to the nearest way-station.” He looked at Jed curiously. “What were you doing up on those cliffs? I saw them as we landed and thought only a mountain goat could traverse them safely.”
“Soldiers chased me into the desert,” Jed admitted. “Dirnll showed me the secret way out, but betrayed me as I escaped. I fell over the cliff when I dodged his lasso. You should know all that since you watched me,” he added.
Darien nodded. “Except for why the soldiers were chasing you. Look, here is food. Tell me about it while you eat.”
Jed ate ravenously from the laden tray, then he began to tell Darien the whole story.
“Wow! So you really are the Prince of Jeddon!” Darien exclaimed, examining Jed’s golden armbands.
“Of course I am.” Jed frowned. “I must get into the city and take the Badge of Ruling from Vexson. And rescue Zarine, if it’s not too late.”
“But my father won’t let you go.”
Jed’s eyes narrowed. “You could help me escape.”
Darien looked startled. “I – I couldn’t do that, Jed.”
“If I don’t get the Badge of Ruling, Jeddon will be plunged into chaos. And Zarine could die. Lives depend on you, Darien.”
“I’ll talk to my father,” Darien said, uneasily. “Maybe I can persuade him to let you go.”
“Tell him that when the Prince of Jeddon gives his word, it is his bond. I swear I won’t reveal your presence.”
Jed watched as Darien approached the Admiral and spoke to him earnestly. Would the Admiral change his mind? It was not likely. People like that, didn’t. Darien would have to be persuaded to free him.
Darien soon returned and shook his head. “Dad says he’ll free you as soon as we are ready to leave.”
“When will that be?”
Darien shrugged. “It could be weeks.”
“Weeks?”
“Seven earth days make one week.”
Jed sighed. He could not wait that long. It was time for the next step.
“Am I to be kept chained here like a feral?” he asked. “Are earthlings known for such cruelty?”
“Of course not,” Darien replied quickly. “I’m sure my father will allow you a cabin.”
“Locked, no doubt.” Jed forced a smile.
Darien grinned sympathetically, and went back to his father.
It didn’t go quite as well as Jed had hoped. Two men escorted him to a cabin, but handcuffed him by one hand to the metal part of the bed. They left the key hanging on a hook by the door, well out of reach.
“This isn’t necessary,” he complained. “You know I cannot escape from your ship.”
“My father doesn’t trust you,” Darien explained apologetically. “At least I can come and go freely, now.”
There was that. Jed subsided onto the bed, weariness suddenly consuming him.
“I’ll bring the first-aid kit,” Darien went on. “You’ll feel better with those scrapes and splinters attended to.”
“I can’t worry about a few scrapes when my friend’s life is in danger,” Jed said, when Darien returned. “Your father hasn’t thought this through. When Vexson realizes that I’ve disappeared, he will suspect why. After all, I can’t just disappear into thin air, can I? Your ship will be discovered during his search. Then you will be in worse trouble, for Jeddon has great military power. It is really safer for you to let me go than to be accused of hiding me. But the Admiral won’t believe us if we tell him that. It may be up to you to save your ship.”
“I – can’t, Jed. I’ll be in terrible trouble if I free you.”
He swabbed Jed’s hand and gently eased the splinters out.
Jed grimaced. “No trouble could be worse than being captured by Vexson.”
“Even if you recover the Badge and rescue your friend, what will you do then? Is there a safe place on Jeddon for you to live? Won’t Vexson be after the Badge - and you - all the time?”
“When I am fifteen, I’ll be able to challenge him for the right to rule.”
“If you live that long.”
Darien was right. Hiding out until he turned fifteen would be dangerous. Jed frowned. What else could he do? Leave Jeddon? Even as he thought it, Darien spoke.
“If you escaped to a neighboring planet you could ask for their protection.”
“But Vexson will have the spaceport well guarded. The only starship he doesn’t know about is this one.” Jed paused, a plan forming quickly in his mind. “Would the Admiral give me safe passage off Jeddon?”
“I don’t see why not.” Darien brightened. “You’d be safe then. Vexson would never know where you were.”
“But I couldn’t go without my sister and Zarine. Or the Badge of Ruling. I must go and get them! You do understand that, don’t you?”
Darien glanced uneasily at the key.