Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace (14 page)

“But it comes to this: It is time for both of you to live in the present. To finish the task Secholit gave you. Do not run —”

“I know, don't run from my father.”

“No. From yourself. For you, my precious one, are beautiful.”

Qujan gently kissed Chloe's head and disappeared.

Beautiful
. Chloe touched her face.
Could it be?

They broke camp and set out, finishing the last section of downward slope in excellent time. To the right, the river bubbled and beckoned, but Scout made straight for the first of Groundspeaker's footprints that led through the desert.

I don't want to be trudging through this wasteland. I want to be near the gentle waves
.

Nob bumped Chloe's shoulder with his. “Do you remember, lady, where those waters came from?”

Chloe frowned. “Why does everyone around here know what I'm thinking?”

“You've been staring at the river for a minute, maybe more. That river flowed beneath the mountain,” he continued. “Evil, dark thoughts accompany those waters. They have not changed.”

She exhaled hard and pushed her hand through matted hair.
Oh, for a bath
.

“Okay.” Chloe pried her gaze off the river. “Through the sand.”

T
HE TINY BAND SET OUT
slowly across the dunes. It wasn't hot; it wasn't that type of desert. But it was dry. Dry and brown and forever. Despite Nob's warning, Chloe couldn't take her eyes off the river and its bank, where fish jumped and rabbits played.

“What would happen if we left this path?” Chloe asked, her gaze fixed on two squirrels playing tag around a tree.

Nob glanced around his feet. “I don't know anymore. There was a time when we ran across these sands. We lured our enemies here and …”

“Go on,” Zophira called. “Tell her.”

Nob shook his head, so Zophira continued. “The Sands would do the rest.”

The sand looked like ordinary sand, not that they had much in Minnesota. Chloe bent over and
scooped up a handful, and let it sift out between her fingers. As it filtered down, she had to stifle a gasp. “This is Snake River sand. Dad and I used to build huge sandcastles from this stuff back home.” She leaned forward to pull an armful nearer. “Of course, you need water.” She leaned forward again, stretched too far, and thudded softly on her belly with a laugh.

“Get up, Chloe!” Nob grabbed her leg, but she kicked free.

“There's nothing here to — Oh!”

Sand shifted beneath her and the firm desert floor gave way. Below was nothing but endless dark. Above, lips — giant, sandy lips — closed over her.

“Quick!” a voice called from beneath her. “Digest it. It's been too long.”

Burning liquid covered Chloe's ankles.

“Oh, Nob! Scout! Secholit!”

Her mountain stone blazed blue, and with its glow the cavernous stomach heaved, the lips opened, and Chloe shot back into daylight, landing hard on a sandy mound.

Nob bolted toward her, dodging sand mouths that opened and closed on both sides of him.

Scout shouted, “No, Nob! You're off the path!”

“My legs! They're burning!” Chloe threw her arms around Nob's neck.

Nob swept sand over her feet, her calves, and her knees, until soon the burning lessened. “I can't say there may not be a mark, lady.”

Chloe closed her eyes. “It's all right. I'm okay. You came for me.”

Nob nodded, lifted Chloe, and sped her back to the path, where Scout took her and lay her down.

“Nobody comes back out of the sand. I thought we'd lost you.” Scout bent over, his brow furrowed. “And you, Nob. Lead and protect, but don't be foolish, brother. What if you hadn't reached safety?”

Zophira smiled. “Then he would be like you, O great designated protector of Nick. Am I not right?”

Scout's teeth clenched. “He left on his own accord.”

“And you did not follow him?”

“I couldn't reach … He refused to be followed.”

Zophira walked on leisurely, following Groundspeaker's trail. She paused, but did not turn. “You failed, Scout.” Then, calmly, she continued her walk.

Scout gasped and reached for his stomach. Chloe reached over and squeezed his arm.

“She's just —”

“Correct. This time she is correct.” He rubbed his bad leg. “I was to lead him.”

Chloe stood and brushed the sand off her legs.
“Grandpa Salvador always says you can't lead a man who won't follow. Guess that goes for kids too. Especially now that Nick can see.”

Scout turned toward Chloe slowly. “Yes. Back home, he's blind. It's suddenly so clear.” He pulled Chloe forward. “We need to find him.”

“But didn't you hear Secholit? I need to reach the pool.”

“When you reach the pool, you'll need Nick, not me, at your side. I've heard that unseen creatures lurk there … Creatures only the blind among us can see. It was the blind of Old Retinya who first sensed them. They alerted us of their presence, described their faces, told us of their forms. The blind of Old Retinya were highly honored.”

Chloe thought on that. “But Nick's not blind anymore.”

“Isn't he?”

They walked in silence, their padded, mile-after-mile shuffle interrupted only by the Sands' occasional roar. Chloe nudged nearer to Nob.

“In a different time, this desert swallowed entire enemy armies.” He gestured across the plain. “The Sands were selective, loyal at heart. They took the invaders. They left us.”

Sand shifted beside Chloe, and Nob lifted her
away from the gaping mouth. “Where is your allegiance?” he yelled, and the sand slammed shut.

“Now they take whomever they will. These are no longer the Safelands.”

Chloe stared at the tatters of her jeans and red marks on her ankles. She couldn't imagine what the crossing would have been without Groundspeaker.

Nob cocked his head slightly. “Do you taste salt?”

Chloe licked her cracked, bleeding lips, and they stung.

Nobody answered. They didn't need to. On the right, the river they'd traced forked and then forked again. A cool, wet breeze caressed Chloe's face.

“Oh, that feels so — Grass!” Beneath her feet, the shuffle of sand gave way to the crunch of dry grass, then soft grass, then lush green sprigs.

“We've reached the delta,” Nob whispered.

They weren't the only ones. Beaten trails became worn paths and finally small streets lined with huts and shops. Stern-faced people lost in their own affairs moved about quickly, without giving the four a second glance.

“Seafarers all, come to trade with Shadowton across the bay,” Nob said. “Mostly Calainians.” He whispered conspiratorially and nodded toward an
approaching group. “Their pale skin has earned them the name Palainians.”
Pale
did not approach it. Their skin was nearly white, while their hair and eyes were flame red.

“They came from lands in the west and settled in the delta when Old Retinya vanished. But I think this is as far as they will travel, what with Vaepor ruling the land.” He thumped his chest. “We water rats are a superstitious sort.”

Nob kept speaking, but Chloe couldn't focus. The smell of cooking fish filled the streets and her nostrils. She hadn't eaten well since her meal with the Quints, and this would more than do.

“Can't we stop for food?” Chloe begged, peering through a restaurant window.

“Not here.” Scout called back. “Better to slip through.”

“Through to where?”

Nob pointed.

Ahead, on the coast, rose a sprawling city, and beyond the many buildings clear blue water sparkled. Not river water, but open water. The kind Chloe'd never visited before. Dad never took her on those kinds of excursions.

Her mountain stone shone, and Nob stopped. “Where did you meet me?”

“Up there. High above.”

The glimmer died.

“It would be better if your stone were not noticed.” He raised his eyebrows. “We would be less … desirable.” He glanced at Chloe's confused face and continued. “This town deals in many things — stones, weapons, slaves —”

“Like people slaves?”

The scent of salt sharpened, as did the harsh words on the streets. Sailors cursed and caroused, catcalling in Zophira's direction.

She is beautiful
, thought Chloe, who stared straight ahead, tucked closely between Nob and Scout. They wound their way onto a main thoroughfare filled with horses and carts, people, and dwarfs. She felt safer among the masses, and they quickly wove their way down to the docks.

Directly in front of Chloe, strongmen unloaded cargo from huge ships. Elsewhere, crates and barrels and chests stacked high on the wharf, waiting to be carried aboard. Shipmen and dockworkers argued with fishermen bobbing in tiny boats. Chloe smiled at the sight.

“We have a big port in Duluth, not far from my house.”

Again, the stone glowed. Zophira spun. “Are you
… Is she going to be doing this the entire journey? Give me the stone. I'll silence it.”

“It fell to her.” Scout stepped between them. “It is connected to her memories. She will carry it.”

A small crowd gathered around them, staring at the blue light.

Scout glanced up from his sister. “Does anybody have a ship? We need a berth to Shadowton.”

“Just a small skiff will do,” added Nob.

“Aye. I have your ship.” A river dwarf pushed to the front. “The price will be one blue mountain stone.” He never took his eye off Chloe's pocket, where the now-dull rock rested.

“That is not in the barter.” Scout turned. “Though I have something else to offer.” He limped up to Zophira and stared. “A year of favorable winds.”

At first, there was silence. Then a chuckle that gave way to laughter. “You offer what no boy can possess.” The voice belonged to a sailor dressed in gray, who now parted the crowd. “I have a ship. I will not sell it, but I sail to Shadowton in the morning and I have plenty of room.”

“Well,” Chloe said, “that settles tha —”

Nob slapped his hand over her mouth and leaned over. “Slaver.”

“My offer still stands,” Scout shouted. “What
would a year of tailwinds be worth to you? Think of it. A quick skip to Shadowton. One less day sailing in the Terror's domain.”

Terror?

“Prove you have it to offer!” a lone voice called.

Scout turned again to Zophira, whose eyes narrowed. “I am no circus clown who performs for the bidding of these whistling apes!”

“Then do it for Chloe.”

Her jaws tightened.

“For Nob and me.”

Nothing.

Two more gray-clad sailors pressed in.

Zophira looked to either side. “I'll do it out of hate for a quest so beneath me.”

She raised her hand and then turned her palm to the sky. For a moment, all was still; a strange still as the steady, salty breeze fell calm. Then the winds came. They moaned in from the desert, bearing particles of fine sand. Chloe shielded her eyes and turned her back, eyes stinging.

“A witch! She's turned the wind!” a voice called.

People fell to their knees and bowed. “Who are you that the winds obey?”

“Don't bow!” Scout yelled. “She's only a —”

“Oh, let them fall on their faces.” Zophira squinted. “It won't hurt them.”

“Don't do this,” Nob said.

Zophira frowned and raised her hand higher. The wind howled, blowing everything not tied down toward the open water. Oars and nets and people tumbled down the docks. Scout lost his balance. Nob grabbed Chloe's hand and let the wind have its way.

Within seconds the three crashed into one of two posts at the end of the Great Pier.

“Don't you three need a ship? Isn't this what you wanted?” Zophira yelled. “Go! Take your precious Chloe and leave.”

“No.” Scout took a limping step into the gale, gaining a few feet before tumbling backward. Nob caught his shoulder, but others weren't so lucky. Hundreds of men, women, and river dwarfs shouted and splashed into the water.

“Friends, here!”

A young Calainian held tightly to the mast of his small skiff. “Take it before we all perish!”

They jumped in and Nob quickly made ready.

“Zophira!” Scout hollered.

Crack!
The post to which the boat was tied gave way and they washed out into the bay. Hundreds of unmanned ships joined them in a makeshift flotilla.

An hour later, and many miles from the coast, Zophira's wind had calmed to a gentle breeze. Chloe stared at the endless waves, but didn't feel like speaking.

“Will she come back?” Nob asked, without emotion.

“No,” said Scout. “She is too bitter.”

Chloe looked down. “Was it me?”

Scout nodded. “She couldn't bear to look on one more important than herself.”

“I'm not more anything. I mean, she can control the wind.”

“But she can't control her own anger.”

Chloe thought of Dad, at how long she'd been angry.
If they only knew
.

T
HE
C
ALAINIAN BOAT
pitched and rolled for three days. Chloe passed the time whittling with Scout's knife. She carved little animals and little inventions out of the trader's small stack of snakewood, some of which seemed quite ingenious, at least to her.

They'd reached the bay, which rested on the edge of her map memory; she'd only sketched in points east. Chloe envisioned a road that led to the palace, a road reached from the far side, but the harder she tried to picture it, the more it eluded her. Not that it would matter. If Qujan was correct — if Chloe had written a world hundreds or thousands of years in the past — what good would her knowledge be? For the second time since Nick had ventured off, she felt completely alone.

Nob sat down beside her.

“Are we near?” Chloe focused on shaving a thin slice of wood from her block.

“Perhaps a day out,” Nob answered. “Which is good, given what lives beneath.”

Chloe made another smooth cut.

“I'm sorry, lady, this whole adventure isn't what you expected, is it?”

“No.” She smirked. “I thought my school year would go differently.”

“Tell me about school.”

“Well …” Chloe set down her piece of wood. “We leave home and cram into a yellow bus that takes us to a green building where we learn math and literature and geography —”

“I don't suppose they teach about Retinya.”

Chloe laughed and placed the knife on the deck. “No. Just real places. I mean, real to us … er … no, they don't.”

“I wish you could have come before.” Nob leaned back. “When Retinya was beautiful. When Blind Secholit walked the ground and everywhere you looked — Well, it was a time. The three of us were royalty, you know. We acted a lot more like Secholit back then.” Nob sighed. “Hard to believe. Look at Zophira now. Look at me. We don't resemble him at all. Maybe Scout …”

“Tell me about the man you saw in the wood elves' mirror.”

Nob didn't answer, and Chloe waved off her question. “You don't need to —”

“We lived near Shadowton.” Nob turned toward Scout, who grabbed and held tightly to his knife. Nob peeked over the ship's edge, took a breath, and peeked again. Chloe hadn't seen him nervous before.

“Scout and I have always been brothers — brothers from birth — though it's a fact we don't share much,” Nob continued. “Even before we were forgotten. Before Dad changed.

“Secholit called Zophira from a different family. From a different land. I don't know where.” He paused. “I fear she forgets who she has become. To forget is a dangerous thing.”

Chloe paused. “Then remind me. What am I doing here?”

“Only you know, but I think you are leading the wildest rescue mission I can imagine. Vaepor's palace is well-prepared for an army's attack. It may not be so ready for a girl like you. Either way, your arrival, and what has happened since, means Secholit wants Retinya back.”

“And that's why I'm here.”

Nob raised his eyebrows. Chloe gazed down.

“Lady? Did I offend?”

“No. Nob, will you be honest with me?”

“Always, lady.”

“Since I've come here, people have been calling me … Let me start over. Do you think, I mean, do you think I could be, maybe …” Her face flushed. “This is so not a big deal compared to saving a world, so it shouldn't matter, but it does, because in my life at home it does, and I'm totally embarrassed to ask, but … Do you think somebody, not you, it doesn't have to be you, because I don't want you to feel like you have to say this or that or … And I completely understand if you can't answer me, or don't want to answer me, or —”

“Yes, Chloe. You are very beautiful.” Nob grinned. “Does that answer the question you didn't ask?”

Chloe bit her lip and looked away. She let the words wash over her.
Yes, Chloe. You are very beautiful
. She touched her scarred face, and a lightness filled her.

“Thank you, Nob, I —”

“Ship ahead! Cloud above!” Scout called, and Nob jumped to his feet.

“Slaver.” Nob sat back down. “Sailing away from us, thank goodness. Probably left a day before we blew out of port.” He glanced up. “It's the cloud that doesn't look right.”

Chloe lowered herself into the bottom of the boat. “Do we need to catch up to that ship?”

“No.” Nob smiled. “We'll slow down. They aren't interested in … us.” His voice dropped. “They're turning. What would make them turn?”

Scout exhaled slowly and pointed beyond the ship. “That'd do it.”

Three funnels descended from a puffy white cloud directly in front of the ship. As they struck water, three waterspouts sprung to violent life, dancing and skipping and forcing the slavers straight toward the smaller vessel.

“In the Safelands, the land was too arid for Vaepor to materialize. Here It has plenty of water from which to draw strength.” Scout ran his fingers along his blade. “Can you identify the ship, brother?”

The hulking boat closed in, and Nob squinted into the sun. “River dwarfs. Greedy little things. If it comes to fightin', we could do worse.”

“I just found worse.” Scout slumped. “Behind us.”

Another ship closed in fast. It bore the same markings but was even larger than the first.

Caught between two slave ships? Perfect!

“So what's the plan?” Chloe asked.

The brothers looked at each other, then away.

Thunk!

A grapple hook from the first boat landed near Chloe's feet. Scout dropped his knife and yanked Chloe back.

Thunk! Thunk!
Two grapple hooks from the second boat landed in the aft. Nob lunged at them, but both pulled taut. The deck of the Calainian vessel creaked and groaned. Scout looked at Nob. “This is a strange end.” He pointed to the sea. Vaepor's spouts sucked beneath the waterline, and the waves churned. They rocked the big ships mercilessly; the oncoming surge would easily capsize their small craft.

“They will either board us or pull us in two,” Scout said. “And even if they fail, Vaepor will see us drowned.”

As the two boys stared at each other, Chloe nibbled her lip.

“Chloe.” Vaepor's voice was unmistakable. “I'm above you. I'm below you. I see you.” A wave crashed into their mast and ripped the sail from the boom.

Scout and Nob dived into the bottom of the boat, and inside Chloe, fear gave way to anger. “Well, that's fine, because I see you back!” She stood up in the gale. “And we're just going to wait here?”

“Our options are somewhat limited, lady.” Nob grunted and pounded at the grapple.

I'm so tired of hiding from this thing — from everything!

Chloe cupped her hands around her mouth. “All right then.” She stepped up and balanced on the boat's edge.

“Stay out of the water!” Scout shouted. “You don't know who rules this bay or what lies —”

Splash!
She dived and swam toward the first slave ship.
If I'm so important, and it's me everyone's after, fine. Nob and Scout have done nothing but guard me. It's my turn to protect them
.

Fifteen seconds passed underwater.

Ahead, a school of fish approached, and for an instant Chloe forgot her predicament and smiled at their choreographed dance.

Thirty seconds.

The first fish came into focus and Chloe squinted. It was no fish, but rather a river dwarf; make that an army of swimming river dwarfs with Tuftunder leading the school.

She dived deeper, swam harder, and swallowed.
I must be nearing a minute
. The dwarfs, who had at first pursued, now watched. Then scattered.

They're probably scared of Vaepor's waves. Or they're running out of air
.

Chloe peered down.

A huge, scaly hand wrapped around her and pulled. Deeper she plummeted, then deeper still, until all light vanished from above. Her lungs burned and her lips parted.

She opened her eyes, surrounded by brilliant light.

“Dead. I'm dead.”

“No.”

“Where is this?”

“A place where I ask the questions.” There was a pause. “You are in the Sea Shepherd's domain. Why did you come so close to me?”

Chloe sat up and blinked. She assumed the bottom of the bay would be cold and dark. But resting on the bed, the opposite was true. Warmth and light flooded around her and she sat, breathing in water as if it were pure oxygen.

I'm using water for air
.

“Yes, you are.”

“A person can't do that.”

“No. But you are no ordinary person, Chloe Lundeen.” The Sea Shepherd walked toward her. Rainbow fish swam about him and shells hung around his neck. Ribbons of multicolored coral flowed from his hair. He was a beautiful, terrible sight. “Tell me what brought you here.”

She winced. “No. I mean, I was given a task.”

“No?” Echoes shook the water and the rainbow fish scattered. “You intrude and tell me no? Who gave you an unspeakable task?”

“Secholit.”

The fish paused and the Sea Shepherd hinted a grin.

“Blind Secholit has returned … The world is indeed changed.” The Shepherd took a deep breath. “No, then I suppose you mustn't share. But perhaps you can tell me what is happening here?”

He pointed to a giant conch shell. It darkened then lightened and then turned clear. Two men appeared on the shell's face. They bailed frantically as huge waves swept over their battered craft.

“Nob! Oh, sweet Nob! And Scout. They're friends. They're helping me!”

“Hmm. It does not appear so.” The Shepherd swiped at the shell and the image disappeared.

“You've got to help them!”

“I don't have to do anything, Chloe.”

Chloe closed her eyes and squeezed her hair, like her dad did whenever an idea got the best of him. She jumped to her feet. “You — yes, you — have to help my friends. Without you they won't live!”

The rainbow fish scattered again.

“There are many things that have never been done in my domain, and you have just done several.”

“Okay, sorry, but haven't you ever had friends who really needed help? Please.”

The shepherd pointed to the shell once again. The first slave ship appeared, covered with wet river dwarfs clamoring up its side.

“That's Tuftunder and that's his crew.” Chloe pointed. “Slavers.”

“Slavers, you say. I must have startled them.” A wry smile worked across his face.

Chloe thought. “Well, maybe it was you, but they're probably more afraid of Vaepor.”

The Shepherd scoffed. “Afraid of a wispy cloud? In the bay, I alone require reverence.”

“Oh, I hear you. I'm just saying that the dwarfs don't seem to think so.”

“They don't. Then they will be taught.” He glanced sideways at the shell. “Their ship carries an awfully small galley of slaves.”

The Shepherd swept away the image, and the hold of the ship appeared. In the center, a young boy lay shackled by the hands to a pole.

I know that face …

“Nick!”

“You know this boy?”

“I've been looking for so long … Please help him!”

“And this other boat?”

“Another slave ship. But I only need Nick and Nob and Scout.”

“And why has Vaepor stirred my waters?”

“I think he wants me.” Chloe quieted. “He's so cruel … Help us —”

The Shepherd pointed toward the sky. “I care little about surface comings and goings. Vaepor draws from my strength, but I don't feel the loss.

“And as far as your friends, this is my domain, not yours. I do as I please. I take who I wish to take, and leave who I wish to leave.” The Sea Shepherd blew a trail of bubbles toward the surface. “Your courage, Chloe, is great. Foolish anger is not. And so I will aid your friends.
Two
of your friends.”

“What? What do you mean two?”

“Nick, Nob, Scout; two will survive this crossing.” The Sea Shepherd turned and walked away. “And you may choose.”

I see heartache ahead for you, Chloe
.

Chloe stared at the shell. The small boat listed badly. Nob gripped the mast and held on tight to Scout, who bobbed in and out of the water. Chloe whipped around.

“Please,” she cried. “I beg you, please! I'm sorry I was so demanding.”

“The next name you say is mine for the taking. Or say none and save none.”

She rubbed her hand over the shell. Her tears burned and floated away. “I can't. I can't choose.”

The scene on the surface worsened. The tiny boat capsized. Scout thrust his crippled leg out of the water and toward the boat.

“Oh, Scout,” Chloe whispered. “You can do it.”

“Done!”

The giant fist grabbed Chloe and thrust her upward. She shot out of the water and landed with a splash beside the broken mast. Once her eyes adjusted to the surface, she stared as the scaly hand wrapped its fingers around Tuftunder's boat and yanked one hundred screaming dwarfs beneath the waterline.

Chloe swam toward Nob, who clung to a plank. “Chloe? Oh, lady! I thought — Lady, I lost Scout. I lost my brother. I couldn't hold on. It's my fault.”

“No,” Chloe cried. “It's mine. It's all mine.”

A wild scream. She looked up in time to see Nick splash into the water. He sputtered and thrashed.

“Help me!”

Without hesitation Chloe swam to him, gripped
him beneath the arms, and wrestled him over the mast. “Nick, stop fighting. It's me.”

He turned his head. “Chloe? You're not a look-alike? Tell me something only you would know.”

She thought a moment. “Front row, far on the right.”

Nick's body went limp and he leaned his head on her arm. “I didn't think I'd ever see you.” Coughs racked his body. “What's happened to us?”