Fern had pulled her tired body out of bed and stood looking about the room. Feeling goose bumps rising on her skins she looked down at her body. All she had on were the black underwear. Her breasts plumped up like rising bread out of the confines of the black bra and the tiny panties covered very little, a thread of material over each hip. She quickly grabbed the blanket and threw it over her shoulders feeling indecent even though she was alone.
Her stomach was grumbling wildly and she looked to the small table and the empty bowl that had contained the broth Elm had fed to her the night before. Her face flushed at the thought of the night. She’d slept in Elms arms and she’d enjoyed every moment of it! Shamefully, she pulled the blanket tighter around her.
A light tap intruded her thoughts and she stared at the door for a moment wondering who it could be. She said nothing, she knew who it was and he’d enter without her words.
The door quietly opened and Elm stepped through toward her. His face showed surprise at her standing silently in the middle of the room. He scanned her face and body. He took in the large blanket that draped down to the floor and the hand that held it tightly underneath her chin presenting a floating head and nothing more.
“How are you Fern?” He asked with gentle, loving eyes that brought tears to her own as she remembered the love that had stared at her in Ensign Jones’s eyes too.
She dropped her head in shame. “I’m fine. I’m the one that lived.”
Elm was across the room before she knew it, his arms wrapped around her as she fell onto his chest and let her tears fall quietly upon him. He gently stroked her hair bringing back memories of the Captain and his own ploy of gaining her trust by gently moving pieces of it from her face. This was not the same; this was Elm, genuine, true and caring. Elm with a face that was so ugly it was laughable. His boyish features contorted into a goblin but not his eyes, his eyes were beautiful, soft, generous and comforting. She was staring at them now, surprised by how they made her feel and she could feel Elm stiffen and move away from her slightly. She was confused as to why for a moment but then it dawned on her and her face flushed to the deep red of the setting sun.
He moved away to a chair at the table and directed her to join him. She obliged pulling the wool blanket even closer to her body as she did. She sat down heavily and almost laughed that she was still ungainly Fern who managed to break the more delicate chairs they owned in their camp in Elanclose. She looked up to see Elm’s puzzled face looking back at her.
“What happens now Elm?” His face became more awash with confusion and she realized what thoughts were going through his mind as his eyes raked over the grey blanket.
“Does the Captain now kill us both?” She asked and saw the relief that flooded Elm’s face almost making her laugh. He’d wanted her for so long and now the thought that she might think they were joined as partners was terrifying to him.
“No one dies,” he replied. “We’re both to live. The Captain is in the brig and Lieutenant Rostin now takes on his role.”
Fern could feel her eyes go wide and a smile move her taught skin upward.
“I’m so glad!” She cried, whilst Elm looked back at her once more confused, obviously wondering if she had become deranged from her horrific experience.
“He’s a wonderful boy, Lieutenant Rostin.” She blurted out and noticed a slight shadow pass over Elm’s face but she ploughed on. “He knew that I knew the defenders were on board. He was concerned and advised me to be careful, warned me of the Captain and how dangerous he could be.”
Elm remained quiet and Fern wondered if her words were badly said. Did they say that he was enamoured with her and she him? Elm said nothing so Fern went on.
“He and Ensign Jones were my only friends.” Still, there was no response. She realized Elm wasn’t saying anything because of the emotions that were going through him and she knew what they were. Ensign Jones had given up his life for her and Lieutenant Rostin had looked out for her. Now Rostin was Captain and in control.
“If you think there’s something between us you’re wrong. He’s in a relationship already with a horrible girl called Simone. She’s very beautiful and very cruel.”
Elm looked interested. “Perhaps the new Captain will choose to discard her. They’re not like us, they don’t hold to the bond that is formed between a girl and boy as a relationship forever. The Captain proved that by tossing his own girls aside in a very unorthodox and nasty manner.”
Fern cringed at his words, remembering what could have happened to her and did happen to the unfortunate girls before her.
“Lieu…Captain Rostin is a good person. He will not get rid of Simone, he’s too honourable.” She watched Elm relax at the word honourable.
She suddenly became aware that all she felt about Oak and Willow and their feelings toward one another, the anguish that it caused her, was probably close to what Elm felt about her and any boy that might have an interest in her. She felt sorry, sorry that she was causing him distress. She was sorry that she’d caused anyone distress and she came to the realization that that was all she’d done to Oak over the past year and he was quite right to be disenchanted with her.
There was a knock on the door and in walked Pine, her clan clothes in his hands.
“Pine!” She cried as she leapt to her feet and threw her arms around the broad shoulders. She heard a small laugh and looked up into the eyes that looked fatherly down upon her.
“You look well recovered Fern.” He said holding her away from him so he could cast his eyes over her and confirm his statement.
“I am,” she replied dropping her head slightly in thought. She turned briefly to Elm and then back to Pine, she knew her own eyes had become colder and more serious.
“It’s all thanks to Elm that I am here today.” The grey blue eyes bored into hers. She saw various thoughts flash through them.
“If Elm had not been on the deck the Captain’s anger might not have flared up!” He retorted his body stiffening as his eyes bored into Elm.
“What? I should have waited until it flared up another day! Is that what you mean? A day when there would have been no one there to save me?”
Pine’s eyes spiked with ire as he looked down at her. He’d been willing to leave her to the Captain for his pleasure; she had every right to be angry with him now. He should realize that.
Elm’s voice behind her surprised her in its calmness. It was so unlike him that she had to turn to make sure the words had actually come from his mouth.
“Why go over what has passed and what could have been? What is the use? We’re on a journey, we’re all safe and we have a goal to attain. Let’s keep to that and leave the terrible experiences behind us.”
Her mouth dropped as she stared at the serene face before her, she turned to Pine who also looked confused for a moment. His stare suddenly became cold with distrust and dislike.
“Just what goal is it that you’re out to attain Elm?” The name was spat from his lips and Fern was shocked at the intensity of hate behind it. She stared at Pine, trying to understand. He caught her stare and dropped his own to regain composure. A voice floated over them.
“There is only one goal for all of us, to find Oak and Blackthorn and bring them both back to Elanclose.”
The surprised look on Pine’s face flashed briefly as he asked. “Then Blackthorn is still alive? You lied about his death!”
Elm dropped his eyes to the table as he stared at the open palms that lay before him.
“Barely alive,” he softly replied.
“What do you mean?” retorted Pine.
“After the Citans trapped Blackthorn they made him walk without rest. He wasn’t fairing too well when I saw him. Oak was almost carrying him.”
Pine pushed the clothes he had in his hand to Fern. Elm was dismissed from further inquiry as he strode to the door. He stopped with his hand upon the knob and slowly turned his head, his face tight, almost cruel as he took in Elm and ignored Fern’s presence.
“Should you ever cause me doubt or concern for our safety, anyone’s safety,” he emphasized. “You will not have the comfort of the brig but will bring comfort to the stomachs of the envillions or feel the discomfort of my sword. Don’t doubt me on that!”
Fern stared at Pine in horror, kind Pine, who so lovingly played with little Savannah and kissed Lily with such gentleness was unknown to her now, as he stared with unhidden hatred at Elm. She looked over to Elm, his face was quiet; there was no movement upon it, no retaliation. Quickly she took her gaze back to Pine but he was gone, the door was shut hard behind him. She felt herself shivering but she didn’t understand why.
**********
Oak knew Denver had left the room without needing to turn and look. He’d been aware of everything that went on between him and Detroit and he knew why Denver had done it. Oak was to gain information, he was a seasoned traveller of the forest and difficult terrain; he could judge what the lay of the land was and consider how it may change on the journey ahead. Any kind of knowledge would help them to plan.
He saw the shape of Detroit moving toward him in his mind, his body was lumbering, he was apprehensive. He slowly turned his eyes to the large ignorant boy, taking in the worried look and distrust.
“You’re coming with me!” he exclaimed thumping a finger to his own chest.
“Where?” asked Oak even though he knew every detail.
“To the ground, we’re to fetch food. You’re a gatherer; you can help us find edible food.”
Detroit gave his shoulders a shrug, uncomfortable and unsure. Oak sensed he wished Denver was going with him and regretted not asking him. All of a sudden his thoughts swung differently as he remembered his uncertainty of Denver and how little he and Rancor could trust him. Oak almost smiled at the confusion that went on in Detroit’s head.
“When do we leave?”
“As soon as we set down. You’ll stay with me until we disembark.”
Oak looked out at the approaching land. It’d be good to feel earth beneath him again. He slowly stood up and noticed that Detroit almost jumped back a little. He was looking at him with a bit of a panicked look so Oak smiled. It didn’t alleviate Detroit’s fears just heightened them.
He stepped out from the bench and indicated that Detroit lead the way. He sensed Detroit was apprehensive about turning his back but he did so anyway. He called to the other boys that were to be in the group to join them and they eagerly leapt up from their seats and stepped alongside with excitement upon their faces. He felt a smugness run through Detroit at leading the party and his concern over Oak trying to escape was dispelled momentarily.
They were through the corridors and into the hold before Oak could consider anything else. He didn’t want to consider anything else anymore; he’d had enough of the visions of Fern. They were stronger now and it bothered him. Her feelings toward Elm were evident in them, his own feelings about the visions he didn’t understand. If someone had taken a club to him and beaten him the night before he would have understood how he felt, but this tired, pained body of his, the turmoil that swirled like an eddy in his head, he didn’t think he could handle much longer.
In the hold they were tussled and jostled by the descending airship, they grabbed hold of the securing ropes and tethers to keep their balance. The last jolt sent them all off balance except Oak, who remained upright and ready to leave the ship. The ramp opened slowly and seemed to take a painfully long time to touch the ground. Where had his patience gone? Where was the calm that was always so readily at his fingertips?
Detroit grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him down the ramp that they both had nearly fallen from into the evening sky only a short time ago. It felt like many days had passed and once again Oak wondered at his disjointed reaction to everything. Once on the ground Detroit let Oak’s arm drop from his higher elevation and Oak gave it a bit of a twist to bring the blood flow back. Detroit looked down at him sternly and Oak smothered a smile at the bossy face that was staring at him. He could see that Detroit still held concerns at letting him off the ship even though he had warned him that Blackthorn would die should he escape.
“You go and look for the food; we’ll follow you and make sure there is nothing around that will harm you.”
Oak wanted to laugh at the very idea of Detroit protecting him. He’d know long before Detroit if there was any danger out there. Instead he nodded his head and scanned the brush before him.
It was a sad looking land, devoid of the bright green that Elanclose held. A little green tried to raise its troubled head but mostly the bushes and grass were yellow and brown. He had to pick a direction but they all seemed to hold the same sparse vegetation. His senses were pulled west, so he followed them and the Citans followed him.
They were all carrying large bags which at present were empty. The boys behind him gave sighs of disappointment as they looked around and one commented that there wasn’t enough food to feed ants. He went abruptly quiet when Oak sensed Detroit spin around on him and he saw Detroit’s flash of anger go through his head toward the boy. The other boys kept quiet, deciding that Detroit’s wrath wasn’t worth causing.
Oak’s nose twitched as he smelled something different in the air, he picked up his step to find out what it was and the boys following did the same, their excitement spiking a little at not knowing what they were going toward.
They were all clambering up a hill, it wasn’t very high but it was enough to cause several of the boys to be slightly out of breath. Oak’s breathing remained even as he reached the crest and stayed regular even at the sight in front of him.
The boys behind him were making noises of surprise; their heartbeats had even risen by the sight. Oak knew they had good reason to.
Before them lay edible vegetation, rows of food carefully planted and walking through them were girls gathering fruit and vegetables in baskets. They looked up at them and stopped what they were doing, then without a word they all moved away in the same direction leaving the crops behind them.
“Quick let’s get down there and grab some food,” yelled Detroit as he rapidly scrambled down the hillside with the other boys in pursuit. Oak stayed where he was scanning the land and then he followed too.
By the time they reached the crops they were not alone. Oak placed a hand on Detroit to make him stop and he in turn slung his own expansive arm out to the stop the other boys.
“Wait or else you’ll be in danger.” Oak said as Detroit widened his eyes in fear of what was to happen. He quickly looked around him and caught sight of the boys that were approaching rapidly toward them.
“You can’t take from them. If you do they’ll fight but you can offer an exchange.”
“An exchange of what?” grumbled Detroit under his breath as he scanned their numbers and went through his head as to how many he himself could take down.
“Tell them that we need food and if they come back with you to the airship they will be rewarded with other goods that they may be in need of. The hold is full of items that could be useful to them.”
Detroit gave a snort but he dropped his body in a submissive manner anyway.
There were ten boys, smaller than the Citans but armed with pitch forks and shovels.
“What do you want here?” asked a curly haired boy who was looking them over carefully to see if they were armed.
“We need food,” answered Detroit. “We can trade goods for vegetables, something that you may need.”
The boy was inquisitive; he looked Detroit up and down. “What kind of goods?”
Detroit was stumped; he hadn’t paid attention to what was in the hold.
“In the ships hold there are many items, blankets, flashlights, pots, pans, I’m sure there are many things there that you will find useful.”
The boy booked Oak over as he talked, he looked puzzled. He turned his attention to Detroit, who had the look of a person in charge.
“He’s not like you, where’s he from?”
“He’s no concern of yours,” said Detroit, to which the boy swung upon him lifting his pitchfork in threat.
“He is if he’s on our land!”
Oak stepped forward. “I’m Oak of Elanclose forest. These boys are from the Citan city. We travel with the Aviatilians and find we have run out of food supplies, we would make the exchange well worth your while.” He gave him a non aggressive look and detected that the boy judged him as not being a threat. He did however, consider Detroit a huge threat.
“My name is Richie. We’ve lived in this area since the Devastation. It’s been difficult cultivating the land but we’ve received some good harvests these last few years.” He gave them all a glance over and decided that courtesy wasn’t required any further. “Come with us and take what you need. We’ll escort you back to your airship but one of you will stay here until the rest of my own return.” He looked at Oak. “He’ll do! That way we can be sure of a safe exchange.”
“He will not stay!” roared Detroit, outraged that this curly haired boy was calling the shots.
“If you want food, yes he will!”
Oak put a hand upon Detroit’s arm. “I’ll be safe.” He heard a ridiculed laugh run through Detroit’s head at not caring then the concern at what Rancor would say if he didn’t return with him.
“I have nowhere to go. Blackthorn is on board and I’ll return for him.”
Detroit’s mind flashed with yes, but when?
“As soon as these people are satisfied with the exchange I’ll be back on board the Avila Rose.”
He saw Detroit’s look of surprise at his answer to his thoughts and then his assent to give up arguing as he motioned to Richie and the other boys that they go ahead with gathering the food.
It didn’t take long for the hungry boys to fill their bags. Their faces were bright at the thought of a good meal tonight, making them eager to return to the ship. Only Detroit was dragging his feet.
“Don’t worry,” Richie offered. “He won’t be harmed.”
Another snort was returned as Detroit stomped away with the rest, leaving Oak with a long haired boy bearing a three tined pitchfork, the prongs looked sharp even with the dirt that lay upon them.
“May I take a walk?” Oak asked catching the boy’s eyes as he looked from the retreating boys to himself to the retreating figures again.
“Where do you want to go?” he replied startled.
“Just over there.” Oak pointed to another hill. “I know it’s high but I think we can get to the top and back in time for their return. I’m curious to see what is on the other side.”
The boy gave him a sideways glance in assessment. He wasn’t as easy to read as Detroit but it seemed Oak was correct there was something of great interest on the other side of the hill. With a fake bow he let Oak pass him and picked up his stride beside him. They were both quiet as they climbed the base of the hill. Oak looked up and wondered whether he was right that they could make it up and back down in time.
As they walked the uneven terrain Oak sensed the boy studying him but Oak didn’t pay attention. His own thoughts were busy elsewhere and unfortunately for Oak, Fern was in them. Fern with her red hair cascading onto a grey blanket, making her look more vibrant against the drab material. He could see clearly her pale face blushing red and his heart rate increased at the knowledge of why. His hands were clenched, his fingers locked close together, his body muscles tight as he automatically moved upward, one foot in front of the other but he didn’t see the land before him. He had a brief glimpse in his vision of Pine before he realized where he was and that they were approaching the crest of the hill. Dispelling the images and increasing his speed he strode on, keen to see what lay on the land below. His companion was still quietly watching him; he was waiting to see his reaction. Oak threw his head up to see what he was to react to.
They topped the brink of the hill and Oak halted, his eyes widened and his brain faulted his eyes for not working properly. He stood in disbelief aghast, amazed, and abhorrent. The Aqueous Passage stood before him. The massive span of concrete reached up on thick legs to the gigantic chute. The grey crane concrete legs repeated again and again, never ending. The depth of the chute above, standing high almost toward the sky was horrific in size and to Oak’s eyes it was repugnant. He’d never seen anything so ugly, so obtrusive and decidedly wrong for the landscape around it. He couldn’t break his focus upon it, couldn’t stop staring at the object before him, he felt sickened.
He’d heard of the Aqueous Passage as a child. The long years that it had taken to build, the deaths that it had caused and the land it had obliterated with its presence. So many had opposed it and they’d all failed. When the Regime had wanted to do wrong they’d done it to the extreme.
The boy was looking at him in surprise.
“I thought you knew it was here and that was why you wanted to climb the hill. But I can see you didn’t know.” He scanned Oak’s face and Oak stared back still in shock.
“No, I didn’t know.” He moved his eyes to the Aqueous Passage and back to the boy. “I’d heard of it. I didn’t know that this was where it was.”
“Horrible isn’t it?” He looked Oak over again as Oak gave a slight nod in agreement. “But it is good for us,” continued the boy.
Oak gave him an incredulous look, thinking he must be insane.
“As ugly as she is when we don’t have rain we’re thankful for what she can do for us.” He looked up at the monstrosity like it was a friend and Oak could feel himself cringing inside at the very idea that anyone could be indebted to this terrible feature.
The boy was looking back down the hill and gave Oak a nudge to get his attention.
“We have to go.” He started to move away. “They’re coming back.”
Oak looked over his shoulder and saw Richie and the other boys moving down the other hill. He gave one last look at the Aqueous Passage and descended toward the crops once more.
He returned to the angry glare of Detroit who didn’t like the fact that he had wandered away. Oak ignored him and gave his thanks to Richie and the others, including the long haired boy who was still staring at him with a querulous expression. He turned to Detroit who was already leaving, he was angry at once more being usurped in the conversation, and Oak couldn’t help smiling as he followed him away. Oak sensed he wanted to get back as soon as possible because Rancor had been on the rampage at his having taken Oak off the airship. Oak’s smile broadened enjoying Detroit’s discomfort and he purposefully walked slowly to cause him more anxiety.
They approached the ship to find Rancor, Captain Rumello and Denver at the base of the ramp. Rancor was stomping around like a toddler that had had his toys taken away from him. When he saw Detroit Rancor’s mind became ablaze with thoughts. Oak pushed the nasty evil visions that pervaded Rancor’s mind from his own head. He’d let Denver deal with what Rancor was thinking instead. He’d had enough horrific scenes to last him for a long, long time.
Denver nodded to him in understanding as he passed and they all followed him up the ramp. He felt like the pied piper as Rancor and Detroit filed in behind him, two rats that deserved the confines of the underground.
Once inside, with the ramp closing everyone dispersed to the corridors of the ship. Captain Rumello hung back grabbing Oak and Denver by their arms. They stopped to give him their full attention, as he gazed around the empty hold giving it a brief scan before he returned his eyes to theirs.
“I know along which route we are to travel,” he said his eyes swinging from Denver to Oak and back to Denver again. They both silently waited for him to continue.
“We are to follow the Aqueous Passage.”
Oak’s gaze flew to Denver as he moved his own from Captain Rumello to Oak. Oak knew Denver could see everything that he’d seen. The Aqueous Passage was just as clear in his mind as it had been in Oak’s.