Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace (11 page)

C
OME, CHILD
.”

Chloe left her dream and hurtled through the sky. Flit's talon drew her deeper into his feathers, and she pressed against his warm body. Flit circled high above Medahon, finally alighting on the edge of another nest. Chloe swept large feathers from her face and strained her neck forward to see through the thick mass of fluff.

“Get up, Yizash.” Flit slapped the sleeping dragon across the face.

The creature slowly cracked an eyelid. “Away with you, feathered one.”

Flit hopped to the other side of the nest, balancing on one talon. “You stole my human. I want the girl back. You already have your prize.”

“All I have is the lame boy.” Yizash closed her eye. “I caught him fair, at considerable pain to me.”

“And it clearly wasn't enough for you.” Flit slapped her again. This time Yizash rose.

“If you strike me again …”

Flit bent over the smaller dragon. “I'll do more than that, sister, if you don't hand her over.”

Yizash's great eyes narrowed. She drew her body up, slowly beat her wings, and lifted into the night sky. There she hovered, her eyes fixed on Flit. “The human has been anguish to me all night.”

In the bottom of the nest lay Scout, curled up with eyes open wide.

“As you see. Just the boy.”

Flit stretched forward and his body tensed. Chloe's did too. “Yes,” Flit whispered, “just the boy.”

Flit launched, ducked beneath Yizash, snatched Scout, and dived toward the city, all in one smooth stroke. Behind him, Yizash gave a hideous shriek, and within moments more shrieks filled the air. Flit missled straight down, gaining speed. Chloe braced and watched Medahon's lights fast approach, but she felt no fear. She sensed what was coming.

Whoosh!
Flit skimmed the street and wove between buildings at tremendous speed before spinning to the
right, where he released her and Scout an arm's length from the inside of the wall.

“Into the crack!” With that Flit and his words quickly disappeared.

Scout grabbed Chloe's hand and yanked her into a crumbled gap between loose wall stones. She landed on her backside and tucked in her legs, rolling forward as four dragons screeched by. She and Scout lay motionless, side by side, until the sound of dragons vanished in the distance. Chloe's breathing slowed, and she propped herself up on an elbow.

“What just happened? Oh, Scout, I didn't think I'd ever find you. I mean, there were thirty Nicks and I ran for the tents and then a Quint — have you ever seen a Quint? — saved me from —”

“Stop,” he said. “Are you sure it's me?”

Chloe squinted hard. “Well, yeah, I think — Oh. I don't know anything.”

Scout smiled and sat up. “Ask me something only I would know. Something you told me in private.”

She frowned. “When I first met you, you told me something —”

Scout thought a minute. “Don't stray to the left or to the right. The ground is evil.” He winked. “At least most of it.”

Chloe hugged him. She couldn't help it. But Scout pried her loose.

“But the Quint line is gone. They are no more. Whoever told you of them is filled with wishful thinking. Clearly, your day's been hard. Now sleep,” he said, his face haggard. “We should be safe here tonight. Tomorrow we take to the Path, where Vaepor will be watching. It may already have Nick, and if so you become Its desire. But that's a worry for a different day. Tonight, rest easy. I'll watch.”

Chloe pressed deeper into the wall and found a nook where she could stretch her legs.
The Quints didn't seem gone. Maybe I am crazy
. As she settled in to sleep, Scout sat and hummed. A song she'd heard somewhere in a different world.

Drumbeats.

Chloe woke to drumbeats.

“Time to leave,” Scout said.

She yawned and stepped out from the wall. She'd seen Medahon at night and beneath Vaepor's cloud, but it looked quite different in the light of day, filled with color and song and smile and song.

“They look happy to begin the trip,” Chloe said.

Scout was quiet.

“Did I say something wrong?”

He paused. “They are happy — happy and deceived.”

Chloe and Scout pressed into the crowd exiting out a back gate Chloe didn't remember creating. There, the road widened, and the cobblestones had been sanded smooth. As Chloe set foot outside the town, her face brightened.

“A carnival!”

On both sides of the broad, one-way road, street vendors handed treats to children. The smells and colors were irresistible. Chloe ran from booth to booth, and then skipped back to Scout.

“Brownie-like things and doughnut-shaped stuff right over there!” She held up a chewy cookie. “And it's all free!”

“It's not what it seems.” Scout tipped his head and focused on a point farther down the road.

Chloe followed Scout's gaze to an old man hobbling alone. He seemed out of place as he fought his way back against the sweep of the crowd.

“I saw him before I was taken away.” Scout bent to her ear. “No scar. That man has all his memories, and from the looks of things, he doesn't want to lose them.”

The man reached the edge of the road, looked both ways, and slipped between two booths. When
he emerged he ran straight toward the city. The drumbeat quickened, and two giggling children directly in front of Chloe released their balloons and sprinted after him. The moment they stepped off the road, their bodies morphed into strong young men. They quickly caught up with the gentleman, struck his back, spun him around, and hoisted him onto their shoulders.

“Escorts,” Scout whispered. “Senseri in training. A good reason to keep our voices low.”

“Why are they so cruel?”

“They dread that man. He knows who he is, and isn't afraid of his pain. He also knows how evil they are.”

Chloe glanced back and the three were gone. Scout gestured toward the booths. “They function like a fence. Once you start on this path, there's no way off.”

She stared at her cookie and dropped it to the road. She used the free hand to grab Scout's neckline and pull his head down. “Then what are
we
doing here?”

Scout straightened and flattened his shirt. “Nick. We need to follow. He could be right in front of us.”

“No, he couldn't. The elves said the trees set him down in the river.”

“Which he hates. He would quickly disembark, head for the easy road.”

Forget about Nick. Find Scout. March toward the pool and don't run from your father —

There was no use bringing Qujan's words into the argument, not with Scout. Silence fell, and Chloe searched for words to fill the space.

“Scout, tell me about your family.”

He said nothing.

“Can I ask you … is your father still alive?”

Scout's face twitched. “Yes.”

“Does it hurt you to speak about him?”

“Yes.”

I sure get that
. “Does he ever hurt you … I mean, the way he acts … Is he proud of you?”

“My father gave me this.” He rubbed his limping leg.

Chloe's eyes widened, and she rubbed her neck. “My dad gave me this! Tell me about your accident.”

“The only accident was he didn't strike me higher up, through the heart.”

Chloe winced.

Scout grabbed her arm. “Do not place our fathers in the same sentence. I know of your father. What happened was tragic, but it came from love, his desire to share his discovery —”

“How do you know —”

“I told you, I have been many places. Your father took nothing from you. Strength, beauty, it's all still there. My father took my usefulness. My father took my speed. An able-limbed guide might have fought off Vaepor, might have reached Nick before he set off.” Scout's fingers squeezed so hard, Chloe's arm ached. “When your father attempts to run you through with his staff, we will have something to talk about.”

Scout released Chloe's arm and turned away.

Chloe massaged her muscle and whispered quietly, “Okay, you know what? Let's avoid family small talk for now.” She breathed deeply. “And maybe, since Nick doesn't mind being on his own, we should let Nick go too — for now, I mean. Let's just get to the pool …” Chloe's voice dropped away. No matter what the Quints said, leaving Nick didn't feel right.
Don't let him go, Chloe
. Wasn't that what Grandpa Salvador said?

Scout furrowed his eyebrows. “We should find Nick first. Always, Nick first.” He thought and nodded. “Let's try something. Keep walking.” Scout left Chloe's side and pushed into the middle of the street. And from his direction, a chant began to the drum's steady beat.

“Nick. Nick. Nick.”

Others joined in, and Scout scooted to another group. They, too, took up the chant.

“Nick. Nick.”

Those around Chloe erupted in the one-word chorus. “Nick. Nick. Nick. Nick.”

Hundreds turned to thousands. The tent vendors stared at each other, shrugged, and joined in.

The chant was so loud that it quickly overshadowed the drums. The noise was so intense, in fact, Chloe barely noticed when Scout returned to her side and said, “There. That will bring It.”

“It? The Vaepor thing? I don't want It here!” She paused. “And how did you get them to say that?”

Scout shrugged. “If you've forgotten what's normal and good, you'll do anything.”

The sky darkened as a shadow stretched over the road. Scout's lips tightened. “Vaepor.”

The shadow slowly covered the land, changing blue sky to murky gray. The air weighed down on Chloe and breathing became difficult. “How could anybody want to follow that hideous cloud?”

“That fact, dear Chloe, has saved this land more than once. If Vaepor had an appealing form, I fear every human would already be under Its control.”

Thunder clapped, but the thunder had a voice. Deep, clear, foreboding. “Silence.”

The road fell quiet except for the cries of children. Even the drumbeat stopped, though it pounded on inside Chloe's head.

“I heard your calls for Nick. You all would like to see him again. And you will.” Vaepor gathered, thickened, and then rolled over the road. Men gasped and cowered. “At the pool, you will hear Nick Secholit speak. There, do exactly as he says.”

Vaepor spun into a funnel cloud, and, with a roar that knocked Scout and Chloe to their knees, vanished toward the east.

The drumbeat began and the march resumed.

“That was Vaepor? And what did he mean?”

“I don't know. Nick Secholit? It makes no sense.” Scout rubbed his face, hard. “I do believe It's found Nick, and if so, Nick is beginning to change. I'm too late. I arrived too late.”

Chloe stood, and a large man collided with her back. She regained her balance and the sea of marchers parted around the pair. “You mean we're both too late.”

Scout closed his eyes and shook his head. “This was my job.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. “Don't stop. It draws attention.” He puffed out
air as they plodded with the crowd. “We're of no use to him now.” Scout appeared to drift into thought for a minute. “But you already knew that. You just told me. How did you know he was lost?”

Chloe glanced down. “I know a lot of things about this place. But about Nick … There's something else I need to do before I find him, that's all. I'm not quitting on him. I won't leave him here.”

“Who said quit?” Scout grimaced. “But if Nick's already with Vaepor, we'll need lots of help, and I fear I've led you astray. Now you're stuck on a dangerous path.” He bumped her shoulder. “But you can't quit, not if Secholit gave you a task. And remember, glorious failures are often much more wonderful than easy victories.”

Losing your friend sure doesn't feel glorious
.

T
HEY WALKED THE REST
of the day in silence. By evening, all that remained in Chloe's head was the constant drumbeat. Steady. Always steady. The entire procession marched in step to that unnatural drum, all except for Scout. Chloe tried to break free from the beat, but her feet quickly fell back into the easy rhythm.

Finally, the drumbeat slowed, and the march stopped. The travelers had reached a bulge in the road. It resembled a huge cul-de-sac, except the road continued out the other end. But with the urging thump gone, the entire parade spread out blankets and lay down on the cobbled street. Minstrels wandered among them playing soft, sleepy music.

“There are ten of these stops,” Scout said. “Ten days of walking until we reach the City of Reckoning, through which runs the only road to the pool.”

Chloe nodded. Suddenly she was very tired and lay down, her back cool against the smooth stones. “Are you serious? We're ten days from this pool? Nobody will leave the road for
ten days
?”

“They widened it to make us comfortable. People have no reason to leave.” He paused. “What are you thinking about?”

Chloe propped herself up on an elbow. “We can't stay on this road for half that long. We're too visible. I've already bumped into Vaepor three times. We're going to get off, no matter what it takes.” She glanced at his leg. “How well do you swim?”

“Not my strong suit, actually,” Scout whispered, and gave Chloe a sideways glance. “No, Chloe. No, and no. The lake is not an option. Escorts line the road across its entire span.”

Chloe barely held back a grin. “Okay, not a lake.”

The next morning carried the feeling of a camping trip. As she stretched and wiped the sleep from her eyes, Chloe held on to a dream about Mom and Dad and an autumn trail ride, back when Dad's eyes sparkled and his hugs felt big and safe. Dad hadn't invaded her dreams for years.

She and Scout rose and joined the other pilgrims marching down the road. As the day grew long, the procession broke up, with older folks falling toward
the back and younger couples and families taking the lead. Chloe and Scout's limp settled into the drumbeat's pace somewhere in between.

Scout's limp was more pronounced. Chloe watched him grimace, and the words fell out.

“Why did your dad do it?”

He breathed deeply. “I was injured in battle.”

“Battle?” she gasped. “You're too young to be in a battle.”

Scout glanced at her. “Everyone is, but battles come anyway.”

Boom. Boom
.

Burble
.

The thumping so filled her brain, it was hard to focus on Scout's voice, much less a tiny gurgling. But the sound was unmistakable. Water flowed ahead.

“You'll do better if you kick off your shoes.” Chloe said. “I knew we'd cross this soon.”

Scout leaned in. “I don't understand.”

Their pace slowed as thousands of people bottle-necked, squeezing forward on the thinning road.

“Ah, the short bridge.” Scout jostled about as the crowd converged. “The most uncomfortable ten seconds of the entire trip. Everyone squeezes across it.”

“We won't.”

“We won't?”

The river's babbling turned rushing torrent. Chloe pressed her way onto the bridge and surged forward, carried by the tide of pilgrims at her back.

“Listen, Vaepor's looking for us here. I say we swim up the Green River, follow its bank through the Northern Mountains, cross the Safelands, find a way across the bay to Shadowton, and pick the road up right there. It's more a longcut than a shortcut, but maybe safer, right?”

Scout's face was blank. “And this knowledge of Retinyan geography comes from …”

“Algebra. That's mainly where I drew the maps.”

“Right.” Scout cleared his throat. “May I simply tell you that a successful traverse by your route exists somewhere between crazy and impossible?”

Chloe nodded. “Crazy and impossible.” She bit her lip and thought. “Which one is it closer to?”

“It is … it is both!” He shrugged his shoulders. “Hear your history. You followed the girl onto the grass, not heeding my warning. You now wish to journey where tragedy certainly awaits, not heeding my warning. You never read to the end of the script, not heeding my warning. Of all the travelers I have led —”

Chloe stared at him. “What did you just say? About the script!”

Scout opened his mouth, and then let it shut. He shook his head. “We'll go, but let it be known I had nothing to do with this. Lead on.”

“You're going to tell me how you know about the script.” Chloe grabbed Scout and yanked — dodging, ducking, but always moving forward. After minutes of painful pinching from all sides, they reached the rail and Chloe poked her head over the edge.

“Ow!”

“No.” Scout released her hair, which he'd practically yanked from her scalp. “Don't look. If you wish me to follow you into this madness, you must promise not to look. When I say leap, jump the railing. You will fall, but not far. I'll be right behind.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “Fine. You like to be in charge, don't you?”

“One. Two.” Scout peeked over the edge as they walked forward slowly. “Last step. Right here! Ignore what you see, and jump!”

Chloe had leaped fences many times at home. It was an easy enough maneuver, made easier because she could see through to her landing. This was altogether different. Chloe flung her legs and body over the top rail, glanced down and, like a frightened cat, clawed for the lower crossbar. She caught it and
hung, her dangling feet fighting to find footing back on the road.

Hundreds of feet below, huge rocks jutted upward as water crashed in angry white foam against them.

“Scout!” she screamed. “Pull me —”

He peeped over the fence, grunted, and smashed her whitening fingers with his own.

“Aaahh!” Chloe fell. For two seconds. Her feet struck water and she plunged beneath, surfacing quickly. There were no rocks, only a peaceful river, and ten feet above her was the bridge.

Ignore what you see
.

She drifted away from the bridge.
Come on. You said you would —

For a moment, Scout's limp leg appeared over the rail, but the drift of people knocked him to the ground. Above, a dragon shrieked and dived down toward the bridge.

“Scout!” Chloe screamed. “The sky!”

Then he came all at once, rolling over the edge, breaking free of arms and legs and landing on his side in what must have been a painful splash. His head popped up. The dragon circled not two feet above him. It snarled and searched the width of the river.

Scout winked at Chloe and dived — she watched anxiously as Scout's shape tracked the dragon beneath the waterline, each stroke labored but quick. Then, with a tremendous splash, Scout burst up, knife raised, and plunged it into the dragon's belly.

The dragon recoiled as Scout and drops of black blood crashed down together into the river. The beast clawed at his stomach, screeched, and vanished from sight.

“It's not often that you get such a chance against one of Pindle's children. How I hope it was the same one with whom I shared a nest! You can believe that a wound from that blade will sicken her for days to come.”

“She couldn't see us?” Chloe called.

“Vaepor's illusion is so great his own Senseri can't see through it anymore. She saw the gorge, the rocks —”

“But I sees you jest fine, lad.” A strong hand grabbed for Scout's collar and hauled him onto a flat raft of logs.

Chloe breathed deep and dived. It was instinct, but one that made little sense. The water was clear and cool and shallow. There would be no place to hide below.

Above, she saw the bottom of the raft. She couldn't leave Scout. Yet something below the waterline felt comfortable, safe. Like home. Inside, she felt a twinge of longing.

It was her father who first taught her to swim. Her father who brought her to the Melmanie pool for practice. It all changed with the accident, of course, but even now he would be proud of how strong a swimmer she'd become.

Chloe kicked hard and glided beneath the logs. Her air supply was running low —

Glurp
. An arm rounded her waist, hauled her upward, and pitched her onto the raft. Scout grabbed Chloe under her arms and pulled her away from the edge.

Scout hung his head. “I thought you'd drowned.” His legs buckled and he sat with a plop.

A squat fellow with giant forearms leaped out of the water and landed feetfirst on the raft. It was a strange sight, and despite her exhaustion, Chloe started to giggle.

“Well, I never known a human to stay near two minutes under water. You be part fish.”

“No.” Chloe breathed deep. “But what are you?”

“River dwarf,” he and Scout both said, though Scout spoke through a scowl.

“And what have I done, other than rescue a cripple from certain death, that you would frown at who I am? I am Tuftunder, from the proud line of Tunders —”

“Proud line?” Scout repeated. “Thieves.”

“Borrowers.”

“Liars.”

“A creative lot. And who be you to speak? The river pirate's life never lacks for adventure, and” — he winked and fixed his gaze on Chloe's scar — “we even remember it.”

“And what makes you think I don —”

“I agree, wise dwarf.” Scout kicked her foot. “We were on the Pilgrimage.”

“And fell off the bridge? ‘Tis the first time in my two hundred years that I've seen such a thing,” Tuftunder said. “Lucky you are that my mood was generous and my fortunes favorable.” He walked over to a chest and opened it.
Mountain stone!
Chloe stared at the treasure, and Tuftunder slammed the lid. “Foolish elves.”

“How did you get those?” Chloe asked.

Tuftunder picked up his pole and rafted them faster down river. “You wouldn't be rememberin', so there be no harm in bragging a bit. See, lass, the
Green River stretches deep into the Unknown Forest, a place you would not dare go.”

Chloe bit her tongue.

“Go on, noble dwarf.” Scout leaned in. “Tell of your exploits.”

He smiled broadly. “If you insist.”