Charlotte Stone and the Children of the Nymet (21 page)

*

The air was thin inside the caves of the Vorla, so much so that Charlotte was struggling to stay awake. She couldn't decide if the glow of the walls around her was real or just a hallucination and the smell of hot rocks and minerals swirled in the heat currents that flowed through the narrow corridors like lava. It all felt strangely familiar though Charlotte couldn't imagine why and she hoped she would manage to get back into the fresh mountain air before she passed out.

*

After what seemed like hours, Charlotte had lost track of what direction they were going but it felt like they were heading into the bowels of the earth. The ceiling above them started to vault upwards and the air was cooling; there seemed less fumes too, for which Charlotte was grateful.

Ahead, the corridor opened into a large vaulted cavern with pillars carved into the walls. Alcoves housed busts of what Charlotte assumed were infamous Vorla leaders and the floor was carved into a pattern of hexagonal tiles. A single empty throne stood at the far end to each side of which were circles of opaque stone. These stones housed a cold fire of blue flame.

The most incredible item was the stone table on the bank of a bubbling silver lake. The table, had it been wooden, would have been in danger of collapse under the weight of all the glittering jewels. Hammered silver plates overflowed with bunches of amethyst grapes, ruby and jasper cherries and polished emerald apples. Danburite plums and peridot pears were piled high in tarnished golden bowls, and various kinds of rough gems filled the gaps between the dishes. As far as it was possible to read the face of a Vorla, Durga was delighted.

‘The Banquet Hall,' she announced, hands hovering over slices of calcite watermelon and garnet strawberries.

‘I remember the days when we used to dance,' she whispered wistfully. ‘The banquets, the tributes. We were respected once. Such glorious days.' Sighing, Durga daintily ate a sliver of calcite while deciding between a sparkling pear or a deep red strawberry.

‘It's rather dusty,' Tar'sel said, dragging his finger over one of the huge quartz points.

‘It's been here a very long time.'

‘I guess it's not likely to go off,' Tar'sel laughed.

‘Quite, and we eat very little; this will last me over a year.' Durga indicated to the garnet strawberry.

Charlotte was still running through the dizzying array of jewels. She had become quite familiar with so many of them over the last six months as Clarissa used many of these stones in her healings. A memory of a warm Andalusian night and Madame Cortes stirred, something about diamonds. ‘I don't see any diamonds.' she murmured absentmindedly.

Anger flashed in Durga's eyes.

‘We don't eat diamonds,' she replied coolly. ‘Time is pressing on, come.'

Durga guided them up a wide flight of stairs that led off the upper side of the grand hall. A long corridor and more twists and turns brought them to the mouth of another room.

‘The audience is only for one young Tree Weaver and the Rani would speak with her.' Durga waved at Charlotte. Tar'sel smiled weakly.

‘I guess I've got you as far as I can. Doesn't seem right though, you being the one fighting for my world.'

‘I kind of guessed it would come to this… I had a tip off,' she said with a humourless laugh. ‘I'll fight as if it were my own, I promise.' Charlotte hugged him for her own comfort as much as his.

‘Be sure to present yourself well, human, the Rani does not react well to… outbursts.' Charlotte blushed as she remembered her behaviour in the main hall but looked at Durga defiantly.

‘I should be more like a Vorla,' Charlotte said.

‘It wouldn't hurt.'

Sweet-smelling fumes like incense wafted through the thin air and a soft cream glow mingled with the gloom.

‘I must leave you here.' Durga squeezed Charlotte's shoulder. ‘But before I do, I give you this parting gift, Charlotte of Stone; your sister's story is not yet over in your world of Albion. Now, off you go, and probably best not to mention Morrigan. Good luck,' she whispered before she led Tar'sel back down the passage. Charlotte was reeling with questions.

Charlotte took a deep breath to calm herself, then immediately wished she hadn't as sulphur filled her lungs. Coughing violently, she stepped into the sanctum of the Rani Johari.

The cave was vast, the walls studded with points of light which, Charlotte guessed, were more of the glowing stones that had lined the walls of the mountain corridors. It took her eyes some time to become accustomed to the light after the dimness of the passages, but it was at least cooler here and her head felt less woolly.

Ahead of her, Charlotte could see a figure seated on a plain, roughly hewn basalt throne carved straight out of the cave floor. The figure was as still as a statue, dressed in flowing ivory stone robes embellished with delicate designs in gold and silver, similar to the patterns on Tar'sel's arms, its white hands folded in its lap. The face was hidden under a veil of glittering clear jewels that hung from an ornate silver diadem. Charlotte straightened her clothing and was wondering how best to announce her presence when the figure suddenly spoke.

‘Well, well, an Earth creature in a Sylurian body? And to what do we owe the pleasure of such an unusual occurrence?' The voice was feminine and barely a whisper that bounced off the crystal walls.

‘I am Charlotte Stone and I seek an audience with the Rani Johari to request assistance for the peoples of the Nellpa Barra.' Charlotte was hoping to project an air of authority but her voice cracked and she practically squeaked out the last part of the sentence. Not a good first impression; she had to pull herself together, she couldn't afford to fluff this.

‘It should be obvious an audience has been granted otherwise you would still be trekking across the Morsea'a plains, no doubt a breakfast for that herd of Rheadak by now,' the Rani spoke again, still completely motionless.

As the Rani finished speaking, three pedestals rose out of the stone floor, each one baring a single stone goblet.

‘A test. Choose one only… and drink.' The Rani's voice was as deadly as a snake.

‘Then you will help me?' Charlotte asked, moving closer to the goblets.

‘I make no promises yet, child of Albion.'

‘And if I choose the wrong one… will I die?' Strangely, she did not feel afraid, just curious.

‘Drink,' came the reply.

Charlotte examined each goblet in turn searching for clues. One was filled with a noxious dark brew, the second contained a grey smoky concoction and the final goblet was full of a sweet-smelling pink liquid.

Each goblet was identical and they were old but, like the stone from the cave, she sensed nothing – until the third one nearly slipped from her hands.

A wave of emotions rushed over her without warning. She felt the guilt that she had been the cause of her parents' fate, the fear that they were dead, doubt in her ability to live up to The Morrigan's expectations, the emptiness of not having her sister by her side. Emotions that had been bottled up for so long washed over her relentlessly and she couldn't control it. This was Edessa's skill not hers.

‘You've got the wrong girl,' Charlotte's voice faltered again as she slammed the goblet down. She had to fight the urge to run.

‘Pity.' The voice was empty of any feeling. ‘But the test is begun, you must still drink.'

You must overcome your innermost fears… trust the diamond heart.

Madame Cortes' words came to her from nowhere but in that moment they gave her courage. Taking a deep breath, Charlotte brought the cup to her lips.
I still don't do pink,
she thought as she drank.

The intensity of the emotions, her emotions, coursed through her body like fire and she thought her heart would break. The pain was almost too much to bear. Anger replaced hopelessness, which in turn gave way to betrayal and Charlotte sobbed till her whole body convulsed. After what seemed like an eternity, the torrent subsided leaving her drained and weak.

‘If you have finished having fun with me, let's get down to business,' Charlotte said once she had recovered, her voice as cold as a Vorla. She could sense the Rani smile.

‘What do you want of the Manush de Bar?'

Charlotte took a deep breath to steady her nerves. ‘The Nymet tree of the Manush de Rukh is dying and in danger of being destroyed, I have come to appeal for your help to save it.' She decided it was safest to keep a formal tone.

‘And why do you think a tree means anything to me and my kin of stone?'

‘But without it, an entire forest dies,' Charlotte protested.

‘The Verses are in constant flux and life ebbs and flows through them all. Do you imagine it would be the first forest I have seen disappear?'

‘But all those people, the Manush de Rukh, they are tied to their land, to their trees. At best they will be homeless, and all the Nymet guardians and Fey will die.'

‘Then as one of the order of the Nymet Draoi, you plead for your own life too, Earth creature. Since my sister anointed you with the Mother's Kiss, if the Nymet dies, so do you.'

The silence was deafening as Charlotte absorbed the full understanding of the Rani's words. She hadn't thought for a moment that her own life might be in danger.

Rani Johari spoke again. ‘They are not my people and if they expire, this is not necessarily a bad thing.'

‘How can you say that?' Charlotte couldn't keep the indignation out of her voice.

‘Because I know more than a mere human, a mere human of only thirteen years at that. You dare to question me?'

The voice was thunderous now and shook the walls of the small cave. Charlotte had to cover her ears, afraid she might be buried in an avalanche of rock.

‘I made a promise and you are preventing me from keeping that promise,' Charlotte persevered once the tremors had subsided.

‘Then I suggest you do not make promises you cannot keep,' came the terse, but thankfully less forceful reply.

Clearly logic was not working but Charlotte had an idea.

‘You're made of stone and you're old, right? What you don't know about me is I can read artefacts. I could read all your secrets right now, I could just take what I need.' Charlotte advanced slowly towards the statue.

Despite the Rani's lack of movement, Charlotte could feel her recoil and the air was heavy with anger.

‘Knowledge is not always enough – and what I know would drive you mad, human.'

This told Charlotte what she needed to know. Her theory was sound, but the Rani's warning stopped her in her tracks. She had a potential ace to play but only as a very last resort. For the time being it was a stalemate.

‘Please. Tell me what it will take to win your help, I know there must be something I can do for you. Why else would you have granted me passage to your kingdom?'

The Rani clearly did not hurry in anything she did or said but the long silences were driving Charlotte mad and this one was proving to be the longest.
Stay calm and be patient
, she chided herself; she knew she had found a way to get through to the Rani.

‘There is… one thing. Information. You have, no doubt, heard tales that the Vorla love to gather knowledge. Tell me something I do not know, something useful… and you shall have whatever help we can give.'

‘The Nivasi tried to stop us from reaching you and it turns out they work for your sister.' It was the first thing that came into her head but she knew as soon as the words left her mouth it was a mistake.

‘You insult me, human. You think I don't know who are the puppets of that Lady of Death?' The Rani still sat there motionless but Charlotte could sense she spat the words out in disgust. ‘I have a mind to dismiss you here and now…'

‘There is an unreadable stone…' Charlotte blurted out. She was greeted with yet more silence but she could feel a sense of anticipation. ‘We found it in the mountains of a place called Spain, in my world…'

‘Go on…' It was barely audible but enough to tell Charlotte she had gained the Rani's attention.

‘This stone has no history. It's like it has appeared from nowhere.'

‘And what, pray tell, is your own theory on this stone without a voice?'

Charlotte hoped the Rani couldn't read minds and so know her personal opinion of Neva's theory. The Benu was a myth, pure and simple, and Neva had yet to convince her otherwise. Still, here she was in another dimension, almost drowned by mermaids and talking to a statue. Perhaps she ought to reserve judgement.

‘Some say it is the egg of the legendary Benu. The bird of creation.'

The figure remained motionless and silent. Charlotte wondered if she had actually blown her chance when the Rani eventually spoke again.

‘That is indeed interesting news… I would see if it is true. You will bring it to me then you will receive our help.' This last comment left Charlotte reeling.

‘I… I can't… I, don't have it. Even if I could get it, I could never bring it to you in time to save the Tree Weavers,' Charlotte stammered. ‘Besides, you said information only.'

‘Quite right… no matter…' the voice whispered. ‘Very well.'

It was only a slight movement, and inhumanly slow, but it made Charlotte start all the same. The Rani took a sparkling jewel from the end of one of the threads of her veil between her thumb and forefinger and plucked it free. She reached under her veil and a piercing sound rent the air while her whole body glowed so brightly it hurt Charlotte's eyes and she had to turn away. After what seemed like forever, the sound ceased and the glow faded. The Rani was frozen once more, but her hand was held out towards Charlotte, a silver vial in her upturned palm.

‘Take this. Give it to the Undine of Fargale, and only to her. Instruct her to give this to Davlin; he alone will know what to do with it.
Hai Shala
?'

‘I understand.'

‘I also have a message just for you, Charlotte of Stone, a message from the Sleeping Mother herself. She sees the unsung question in your heart. To find them, you must heal the Golden Root. This alone will lead you to your destiny… and those who have been lost.'

‘They're alive?'

Rani Johari remained still and silent. Charlotte knew this was the last she would get from her and there was no point pushing for more. She would literally be banging her head against stone.

‘
Gestina
. Thank you.'

Charlotte bowed respectfully to the Rani before passing out on the crystal floor.

*

Charlotte woke to a banging headache and Clarissa sitting by her bedside while Luned was impatiently striding up and down her windowsill. As soon as the Undine saw Charlotte was awake she jumped onto the bed and marched up to Charlotte's face.

‘Well?' she said sharply.

‘How exactly did you get me back?'

Luned looked sheepish and avoided Charlotte's stare. ‘We had to disguise you as a neagale. You might find yourself craving pond weed and raw stickleback for a week or so… it's all perfectly normal.'

Charlotte groaned.
Maybe for a fairy
, she thought.

‘Do you have it? Time is running out.' Luned was back to her officious self.

‘I got it… though I'm not sure what “it” is exactly,' Charlotte replied groggily. Luned was clearly in no mood for pleasantries. She showed Luned the vial and noticed for the first time, the silvery, shimmering contents that floated inside. The little Undine's face was awestruck.

‘I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes,' Luned whispered. She reverently took the bottle from Charlotte's open hand and folded it into gossamer as if it were the most fragile thing in the world, before putting it in her wing bag.

‘What is that stuff?' Charlotte asked, as she passed on the Rani's instructions that the vial be given to Davlin.

‘A rare and precious liquid indeed,' said the Undine, eyes welling up with emotion, ‘and a sacrifice that shouldn't have to be asked of any living thing.' She marched back to the windowsill and stepped outside.

‘Let's just hope it wasn't given in vain,' she barked.

‘A “thank you” wouldn't go amiss,' Charlotte grumbled. ‘And don't think I've forgotten about our little talk.'

Luned didn't respond and simply stepped into the rain, disappearing in a streak of water.

‘Luned told me about the Norn Interface.' Clarissa finally spoke.

‘She gave you the heads up, you mean.'

‘I understand you must have so many questions,' Clarissa persisted. ‘I didn't keep you in the dark to hurt you, believe it or not, it was for your protection. The less you knew the safer you'd be. Syluria is a dangerous place, especially for the likes of us.'

Just as Madame Cortes had foretold
, Charlotte thought to herself. ‘Did my mum know about… all this?'

‘She did,' Clarissa replied. ‘And she wanted nothing to do with it, didn't want you girls to know either. She wanted a normal life for you.'

‘Yet here we are.'

Clarissa just nodded.

‘What exactly is the Golden Root?' Charlotte eventually asked.

‘It is us, Charlotte. Our family,' Clarissa began. ‘Every family everywhere has their own root in the Great Tree.'

Charlotte's head was spinning and all she wanted to do was sleep, but there were a few things she desperately needed to know.

‘Who is Uncle Peter?'

‘My brother,' Clarissa replied flatly. ‘Over a century ago he did something very bad and sealed the fate of all of us.' She rubbed her eyes wearily. ‘He was punished severely by the Fey. Like them or not, they are the law keepers for all of the Triverse. Peter was sent to the Chambers to be bound by the roots of the Great Tree and that's where he is to this day.'

‘That's where they were going to take me till Luned broke me out.'

Charlotte recalled the cramped iron cage and dank walls dripping with foul goo and shuddered. What could be worse than those cells? She had one more question that she was afraid to ask.

‘Am… I… an Echo?' she exhaled the words, hardly daring to say them aloud.