The Last Portal (8 page)

‘You alright?’
Susie was peering closely at him.

‘Yeah, just
watching those big guys,’ Chris replied, still trying to
concentrate.

‘They’re weird
alright,’ she agreed, trying to tuck the tangled mass of her hair
under the hood of her jacket. ‘I’ve been talking to Sasli about
them. They’re called Taal and they were the last of the human-like
species to communicate with the others.’

‘What
others?’

‘According to
Sasli there are seven humanoid species on this planet that have
written and spoken languages. Isn’t that amazing?’ Susie beamed
back at Chris. ‘Imagine if the same thing had happened on Earth.
Homo habilis, Neanderthals, Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis and all
the other species that we only know as fossils, still around.
Wouldn’t it be exciting?’

Susie was
something of an archaeology buff. The thought of so many different
species was obviously exciting for her. For the first time in over
a week, she was smiling and there was a definite buzz to her voice.
Despite everything, Chris also felt good. He was above ground and
about to embark on the adventure of his life on a totally
unexplored planet. Every schoolboy’s dream, he thought mildly.

‘Yeah, it’s
pretty cool isn’t it?’ Chris smiled back.

A short
distance away, they found Joe sitting on a rock with his head in
his hands.

‘What’s up?’
Chris asked, as they approached.

Joe only
grunted, not bothering to look up.

Susie crouched
down to Joe’s level. ‘You okay?’

‘I just don’t
feel right,’ Joe said after a long sigh.

Chris looked at
him more closely. ‘Are you sick?’

‘No, no… I
don’t feel… I don’t think I fit in,’ he replied, searching hard to
find the words to explain. ‘Look… you can read people’s thoughts.’
He waved his hand in Susie’s direction. ‘Susie can understand
strange languages. What can I do? Where do I fit into all
this?’

‘The key
changed colour in your hands so you must be one of us,’ Chris
replied.

‘Maybe the key
was wrong? Maybe I’m a huge mistake?’

‘Remember what
Batarr said. You survived the trip here, so you must be one of us,’
Susie added.

‘Then why
haven’t I got any powers? Why can’t I make it rain, or move things
with my mind?’

‘Maybe your
powers take longer to develop,’ Chris suggested.

‘And if they
don’t?’

‘Then we’ll
protect you,’ Chris said with a smirk.

Joe's head
jerked up. ‘I don’t need your protection!’ he spat.

Shaking his
head, he stood up and walked off.

Soon
afterwards, the company began their descent to the lake. As Altac
had suggested, the three Mytar walked in the centre, flanked on
either side by soldiers. Scouts had been sent ahead to organise
transport across the lake with the fishermen from one of the local
towns. The route down was steep, but the ground was even and they
made good progress. With Joe largely keeping to himself, Chris and
Susie spent their time trying to catch sight of the local wildlife.
There were flying creatures that looked a lot like the birds of
Earth, while others were covered in fur, or had transparent wings,
and hovered rather than flew across their path. One such creature
landed on a nearby log. It had a set of seriously sharp teeth, a
bony horn on its forehead, and when it flew off it sounded like a
nest of bees. There were also slow-moving creatures, shaped rather
like flat spiky bath mats, that clung to many of the larger trees.
During one of their rest periods, Altac peeled one of these
creatures from a tree and turned it over. Underneath was a series
of suction pads and a circular set of teeth for grinding holes in
trees to suck sap. Other creatures, similar to squirrels on Earth
and too fast to catch more than a glimpse of, ran up and down trees
at will. Even the ground was alive with life. Small furry creatures
would pop out of nowhere, run a short distance, then vanish again
in a flurry of flying dirt and rocks. Then there were the sounds of
the forest, strange whistles, raucous calls, squeals which started
low and quickly climbed in pitch. All these sounds spoke of myriads
creatures lurking just out of sight.

By late
afternoon, the land flattened out and the tree canopy was replaced
by grasslands. They reached the lake at dusk, and the company
started setting up camp for the night. A gentle breeze was blowing
and the sun, larger and redder than Earth’s, was setting over the
mountains in a blaze of purples and reds. Chris stood on the shore
of the lake, looking at the sunset. He couldn’t remember seeing a
more spectacular sight.

‘Wow, this is
cool.’ Susie slapped Chris on the back playfully. ‘Race you along
to the beach.’ She brushed past him, almost knocking him over.
Despite being nearly a head taller than Chris, Susie was a terrible
runner, all flailing arms and legs. It didn’t take him long to
overhaul her. He raced past her and sprinted into the shallows.
Susie arrived moments later, but was careful not to follow him into
the water.

‘Now you’ve got
your shoes wet,’ she taunted. ‘Can’t change into another pair
around here. Poor little boy will have wet shoes tonight.’

‘Well, you’re
going to have wet clothes.’ He chased after her with every
intention of crash-tackling her, when he noticed several groups of
soldiers watching them. He read curiosity, and an aura of respect
and admiration in their thoughts. He slowed, and then ground to a
halt. A week ago he would have thrown Susie into the water,
regardless of what people thought, but somehow he doubted the sight
of two Mytar, rolling in the mud of a lake trying to drown each
other, would be very impressive.

A short
distance away, Batarr was standing next to the three large fishing
boats that were waiting to take the company across the lake. Sasli
fluttered down next to him and immediately engaged him in an
animated singing conversation. Of all the languages Chris had heard
since his arrival, this one still sent a smile across his face, a
man and a bird-creature singing to each other. Sadly, no one would
ever believe him back on Earth.

‘Can you
understand what they are saying?’ he whispered to Susie, as they
crept closer.

She motioned
for quiet. ‘Sasli is giving Batarr news from the town,’ she said.
‘Um… sounds serious,’ she frowned, ‘a few days ago there was
fighting across the lake where we’ll be going. There was also a lot
of smoke and fires.’

There was a
pause while Batarr considered this information.

Sasli burst
into song again.

‘Also something
about a storm approaching,’ she whispered.

Batarr called
Altac over, and after a few words, Altac issued the orders to break
camp immediately and board the boats. This was not a popular
decision with Chris or Susie, who were just starting to enjoy
themselves. Joe, who was nursing his sore feet by dipping them in
the lake, was even less impressed, and said so, muttering several
obscenities under his breath.

It was nearly dark by
the time the company set sail. The trip across the lake would take
the night and most of the next day. Batarr had placed them on the
largest of the fishing boats; a wooden-hulled vessel that had both
a sail and an engine. The engine, like the soldiers’ weapons and
most machinery on Cathora, was powered by the same blue crystals
and was completely silent. A fact completely lost on Chris until he
noticed the boat was gliding through the water without any
sails.

The sea was
calm, almost glassy under the beams of two blue lights situated at
the bow of the boat. Chris, Susie and Joe sat on the deck staring
up at the stars. This was the first time they had seen the sky at
night and the sight left them awe-struck. Not one, but two moons
circled this planet. The smaller one was silver in colour, and
across its surface ran hundreds of what looked like tiny
orange-coloured cracks, which gave the impression it was made of
glass and could shatter at any moment into a thousand pieces.

‘The smaller
moon is called Sarous,’ Altac said. He had been watching them as
they gazed into the sky. ‘In our ancient stories it is said that a
huge storm once engulfed the whole planet.’ He walked over and sat
down next to them. ‘The storm was so large and powerful the whole
land was thrown into darkness. Huge hailstones destroyed villages
and towns, and massive lightning bolts started forest fires. One of
these lightning bolts was so powerful that it struck the moon and
shattered it.’

‘Yeah, right…’
Joe said.

‘It’s
folklore,’ Susie scolded. ‘It’s not supposed to be true.’

‘In our ancient
language Sarous means ‘shining path’,’ Altac continued. ‘When it is
full, like tonight, you can walk by its light without needing
lanterns.’

‘Awesome,’
Chris whispered under his breath.

‘The larger
moon is called Heoans,’ Altac continued.

Heoans was much
larger than the Earth’s moon, and plastered with impact craters.
Beyond this moon was the reason for its appearance - millions of
rocks circled this planet in a tight glittering ring that spiralled
across the sky before fading into the mountains beyond.

‘It’s lovely,’
Susie said softly, not taking her eyes off the sky.

‘Any of those
rocks flying around up there ever crash into this planet?’ Joe
asked, somewhat spoiling the mood.

‘We have had
occasional meteor impacts,’ Altac replied, ‘but they’re rare.
Although there have been more meteor showers than usual.’

‘Many more?’
Chris asked.

‘Yes, in recent
years. There has been strange weather too. High winds and more
violent storms.’

‘Like the storm
that’s approaching?’ Chris asked, at the same time realising he had
never been on the water in a storm.

There was a
brief pause before Altac answered this question, and Chris read
apprehension in his thoughts.

‘We should be
across the lake by the time the storm hits,’ Altac replied.

Chris looked
towards the mountains in the distance. Already, some of the peaks
had been engulfed by a large black mass. ‘So... is this a
particularly bad storm?’ he asked, realising he actually hated
boats and was nearly always seasick.

‘I don’t know
what you call bad,’ Altac said, ‘but small craft will have some
difficulties if caught in the open.’

‘But we’re not
small, right?’ Joe asked.

Altac rose to
his feet, his large form blocking out most of the lantern light. ‘I
can assure you, we’re in good hands. Batarr doesn’t make these
decisions lightly,’ he said, his voice strong and resolute. ‘Now if
you would excuse me, I must go and secure the boat.’

With these
words he began to move off, but after a few steps he turned back.
‘Remember, Mytar, from now on you all must be very careful. The way
ahead will not be easy.’

Chris tried to
probe Altac’s thoughts as he left but only received impressions of
all the supplies he was thinking of strapping firmly to the deck of
the boat.

‘What’s that
supposed to mean?’ Joe said. ‘And what does he mean; “we’re in good
hands?” Whose hands? Not Batarr’s, I hope.’

‘Keep your
voice down,’ Susie hissed.

‘Why should
I?’

‘Because you
will be overheard and these soldiers are very loyal to Batarr.’

‘Just because
you can read their language and Sasli has told you a few things,
you think you’re an instant expert.’

‘I don’t think
I’m an expert,’ Susie replied indignantly. ‘I’m just not as rude as
you.’

‘I’m just
honest.’

‘You’re rude
and insensitive.’

‘And you’re a
know-it-all who can’t keep your nose out of other people’s
business.’

‘Not when it
makes us all look bad.’

Joe glared at
Susie a moment. ‘Well, anyway, I hate water and I’m not very good
at swimming in mountainous seas.’

‘It won’t come
to that,’ Chris said.

‘And how do you
know?’ Joe replied.

‘I’m sure
Batarr has a plan if the weather turns bad.’

‘Yeah, we all
swim.’

Chris could see
Joe was in one of his stubborn moods. ‘There are probably something
like life-jackets around here, or a life boat if something really
bad happens.’

‘Where?’

‘I don’t know,’
Chris replied, trying not to allow his irritation to seep into his
voice. ‘All I’m saying is Batarr wouldn’t take unnecessary risks.
Not with all that’s at stake.’

Joe didn’t
answer. He just turned back to looking over the water.

The activity on
the boat had increased markedly after Altac left. The soldiers were
busy stowing away, or strapping down, anything that could cause
damage in bad weather. Altac reappeared and suggested they should
get a few hours rest while the weather was still calm. This
suggestion was eagerly accepted. They followed him below deck to a
cabin with several rows of bunk beds, some of which were already
occupied.

Despite the
excitement of the day’s events, everyone felt tired and accepted
the beds gladly. Within minutes, Chris fell fast asleep.

Chris woke with a
jolt. He had landed on the floor of the cabin after rolling off his
bunk. As he rose to his feet, another wave hit the boat and toppled
him back onto his bunk. It was light, and he could hear rain
pounding on the deck above. Joe and Susie’s bunks were already
empty. He noticed a light coming from his trouser pocket and pulled
out the key - it was glowing.

More waves
crashed into the boat, sending him sprawling across the floor for a
second time. Mainly by crawling on his hands and knees, he managed
to reach the hatch to the main cabin. When he opened it, he found
Susie and Joe clinging to a series of benches in the corner of the
cabin with the rest of the crew. There was no sign of Batarr or
Altac.