The Map Maker's Daughter Page 18

  The huge stone began to move. It slid forward revealing at first only a thin dark streak in the ground. But it continued to rumble along. The Five Sisters shivered behind them. An opening was appearing, a dark passageway leading down. Lightning flashed again and they saw steps leading down. When the stone had slid almost its width forward it stopped. Then very slowly, it began to reverse back into place.

  ‘Come on!’ said Sharra. ‘Quickly!’ She ran forward and headed down into the darkness.

  The stone was increasing in speed now. She had no idea if Maven made it through behind her. She could see nothing. Then the lightning flashed again and she could see the steps going on and on, down and down. Sharra quickened her pace, trying to retain an image in her mind of what the storm had shown her. Down and down she went.

  The stone rumbled into place above her and all was still. It was pitch dark. ‘Maven?’ she breathed.

  ‘I’m here.’

  ‘This must be an emergency access. If it took my blood to open it only a Map Maker could come this way. Your gran must have been right. The original way in is lost.’ Her ears rang from the storm and her voice sounded unnaturally loud. After the fresh sea air the passageway smelled musty. Dust caught at the back of her throat.

  ‘You mean this is an escape route?’

  ‘I hope so. If only I’d thought to bring a torch.’

  The words were hardly out of her mouth when a dim, but adequate yellow light sprang up around them. Now, they could see the passage led down a further twenty feet or so before stopping at a large, wooden door. Shallow, yellow domes of light at waist height on the wall glowed softly. The steps beneath their feet were smooth, neat and perfect in stark contrast to the roughness of the stones above.

  ‘We should move,’ said Sharra. ‘We don’t know how long these lights will last. They must be very old.’

  Close to the wooden door was not unlike a smaller version of the library door. It was carved with the same tall tree. Eagles swooped between its branches and fawns and dogs lay down side by side at the roots. Sharra put out her hand and felt the door warm to her touch. She pushed and it swung open freely.

  Stepping through she and Maven were blinded by light and noise. The door closed behind them. What they noticed first was the warmth. As their eyes adjusted to the light they could see they were standing on a small platform. A huge series of pipes curled round and round below them. Strange silver shapes turned, rolled and clunked. Steam hissed in sudden spurts from around the contraption.

  ‘It’s still working!’

  ‘You want us to get in that?’

  Sharra shook her head. ‘We need to find a hatch.’

  ‘A what?’

  The steps clanked oddly underfoot as they hurried down. At the bottom they could see the passageway opened out into darkness.

  ‘There?’ asked Maven.

  ‘Yes. The tubes travel fast. You don’t want to get in front of one. Even the small ones can kill a man.’

  ‘You want to catch one?!’

  ‘They catch them at the Holds.’

  ‘This isn’t a Hold.’

  ‘I never said it was going to be easy,’ snapped Sharra.

  ‘Hang on. The floor looks different here.’ He bent down to examine it. He used the edge of his cloak to wipe away the dust. ‘Look! There are markings. Arrows and letters. C – for Camden?’

  Sharra crouched down where she was. ‘Here’s an M.’

  ‘So what do we do? Your tubes don’t come flying down through the open air, do they?’

  ‘No, there are hatches and seals and doors.’

  ‘You don’t know how this works, do you?’

  ‘Not exactly,’ said Sharra.

  Maven sighed. ‘Do we follow the Ms?’

  ‘Sounds like a plan.’

  ‘But not necessarily a good one,’ muttered Maven.

  The passage ended in a hatch in the wall. It was about six feet by six feet and situated about two feet above the ground. A short flight of steps led up to it. On the wall beside the hatch was a lever next to a picture of several small, interconnected squares. Maven went up the steps. ‘How does this work?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Sharra sat down against the wall.

  ‘You have no idea how fed up I am of hearing that from you.’

  ‘I know this is all strange to you, but it’s strange to me too. I never dreamed we caused Shift.’

  ‘I know you didn’t. But you’re one of them. You can do it too.’

  ‘Yes.’ Sharra failed to meet his gaze.

  ‘What do we do now? Can we summon a capsule?’

  ‘I don’t think so. We have to wait. There should be some warning sound before one arrives.’

  ‘We should rest then.’ Maven sat down beside her. ‘You can hardly keep your eyes open.’

  Maven’s shoulder was at the perfect height, so Sharra rested her head on it. Maven frowned, but said nothing.

  Sharra awoke – she had no idea how much later – to find Maven’s head resting against her. His breathing was slow and heavy and she realised he was asleep. She also noticed, for the first time, that he had a distinct scent. She didn’t have words to describe it. It was Maven and it was good. His body was warm against her, and she sighed deeply, feeling relaxed for the first time in days. She felt safe. However, her sigh woke Maven. He lifted his head quickly and muttered an apology. Sharra noticed by the dim glow of the globes that bristle had begun to grow on his chin. She thought it suited him. His eyes met hers and she realised she was staring. Sharra scrambled to her feet.

  Far away in the distance there was a faint whistling noise. Maven cocked his head to one side and looked inquiringly at Sharra. The whistling grew louder. The wall behind them began to vibrate. There was a noise like the crashing of a thousand waves. Both Sharra and Maven felt their ears pop. Whatever it was passed and all that was left was a faint whistling noise coming from far away in the distance. Sharra went white.

  ‘I take it that was a tube and we missed it?’

  To her annoyance Sharra found she was shaking. ‘It goes very fast.’

  Maven went up the steps. ‘Next time we hear one I’ll throw the switch.’

  ‘But you don’t know what will happen.’

  ‘That’s why I’m doing it. How often do these things come?’ asked Maven.

  ‘As often as they need to.’

  ‘Great.’

  ‘But it would be usual for them to send stuff out in groups . . .’ She had barely said this when the whistling started again. Sharra pushed past him and pulled down hard on the lever. It moved easily. There was a loud thunk. The lever stayed down. The hatch stayed closed and sealed.

  The sounds in the wall become louder and louder. Sharra’s head felt tight and tingly. The noise reached fever pitch. Then there was a terrible shrieking. Both Maven and Sharra clasped their hands to their ears in pain. The sheering noise went on and on. The wall in front of them grew hot. Then suddenly it was silent. After a beat there was a low rumbling of something being pulled back towards the hatch and then the sound of several bolts popping. The hatch opened.

  Cautiously, Sharra peered into the opening. Beyond was a much narrower passageway. Where the hatch had opened was a small recess and in it, hovering in the air, and caught by a glowing golden net, was a huge tube. It was clear with a golden band running along the length of it and one in a loop over the top. It was as long as a tall man, and the width of two thin men. It was filled to the brim with smaller tubes. Tentatively, Sharra touched the gold band, it was warm, but not hot. She leaned forward a little and felt the edge of the current of air from the main passageway. It was so strong it made her eyes sting. She immediately drew back. She pushed and poked at the tube until the side sprang open.

  ‘We’ve got lucky,’ called Sharra. ‘It’s a big one. Help me unload it.’ Then she began to shovel out the smaller tubes. Handing them behind her to Maven.

  ‘What am I meant to do with these?’ he asked plaintively.

&
nbsp; ‘I don’t care,’ answered Sharra. ‘We need to move fast or another tube will come along and when we launch we’ll be smashed to smithereens.’

  ‘Isn’t there some kind of safety thing?’

  ‘Maybe. I don’t think anyone has opened this hatch in a long time. It’s empty. I’ll get in and you close the hatch.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ said Maven, his voice suddenly stern with authority. ‘You’re not going in that alone.’

  Sharra stepped back. ‘For the world’s sake! I said I needed you to help me work the mechanism. There was never going to be any way we could both go.’

  ‘No. I’m coming with you. We’ll have to be quick.’ He pushed past her. ‘I’ll get in first. I’m larger.’

  And before she could protest he was in the tube. ‘Maven, there isn’t room for two!’

  ‘No, there isn’t, is there? I can’t let you take all the risks, Sharra. It’s not like I’ve got a lot to live for.’

  ‘Maven, get out of there. My father won’t listen to you.’

  ‘If you’re right and he is a good man, he will.’ Maven reached up and tried to pull the lid down. It wouldn’t move. Sharra pelted back through the hatch to the lever. She pulled it and the hatch began to close. She threw herself forward. The edge of the hatch skimmed her ankles as it closed.

  But the golden net was already moving. Sharra ran, jumped and landed half-in, half-out the capsule. Maven grabbed her and pulled her to him.

  ‘You fool. I can’t close the lid.’

  Slowly it inched the tube back towards the main passage.

  The net began to unfurl. Sharra and Maven pulled at the lid. It would not budge. There was a loud roaring and suddenly the lid snapped down.

  The net inched over and stopped. The tube lurched. The net was pulling them out into the main transit. The tube began to rock wildly. Sharra pressed hard against the transparent sides but could only watch in horror as the net above unfurled on one side only. The pod tilted down and to the side. Turning her head she caught a glimpse of the dark, grimy surface of the passageway looming beneath her. It looked far too close. Then the tube was over the airstream. It twirled once, striking the passage wall. Sharra screamed as the shock rippled around her. Maven’s arms tightened. She was lying now on top of him. His body warm beneath her.

  A tiny crack formed in front of her right eye. Frantically she beat against the sides of the tube. If they could get out now perhaps she could drop below the stream. One more strike against the wall and the tube would shatter.

  The net mechanism made a grinding sound. The tube levelled as it was caught by the airstream. The other side of the net broke away from its moorings and wrapped round the front of the tube. The tube, and net, launched.

  Sharra’s stomach lurched and she felt desperately sick. The tube was bouncing up and down on the air current. The crack in front of her face was there, but it wasn’t growing. Beyond the glass was darkness. There was faint light within the tube but nothing beyond. They were hurtling through blackness.

  A noise startled her. Dimly she saw a Map skittering across the top of the tube. It was one of the Maps Maven had unloaded. She caught a glimpse of the High Mountains, inked in a brilliant green, then it vanished into the darkness. Sharra felt a vague pang of guilt. A crash sounded by her right ear. Sharra turned her head quickly. A Map in a tiny tube blurred past her. It was gone in a moment, but in its wake came a strange noise. Before Sharra’s frightened eyes another small crack appeared in the side of the tube.

  ‘Close your eyes.’ His breath hot against her ear. ‘There is nothing we can do now, but trust.’

  Sharra pushed up on her hands and craned her neck backwards in an attempt to see behind her. At first there was nothing but darkness, but as she watched part of the blackness changed, reformed, and she became aware of a cloud of Maps flying behind her.

  There was nothing she could do. She closed her eyes and sank into Maven’s arms. She thought of his kindness to her – a sullen, sulking kindness, but a kindness all the same – and the concern on his face when she collapsed at his home.

  Then the cloud was all around them. Maps large and small attacked like a flock of angry birds. The crack in front of her eyes grew another inch. There was a series of sharp, popping noises and she knew new cracks were opening up across the tube. Sharra kept her eyes closed. This was it. Whatever was to become of her world they would not be there to see it.

  The swarm overwhelmed the tube. She felt herself buffeted backwards and forwards. Then suddenly the tube gave a great lurch. Sharra opened her eyes. A golden net surrounded her. They were being swung into a station. As the tube was set down, there was a hiss as the top released. She sat up, shaking, and tried to command her quivering limbs. She half climbed half fell out. Then Maven was there, helping her, cradling her.

  He picked her up in his arms and carried her through the hatchway into a lit passageway. It closed with a smooth sliding noise behind him. Laughing and crying, Sharra threw her arms around his neck. The smile on her face was reflected in his eyes. Before she knew what was happening they were kissing.

  ‘Sharra Milton!’ Gareth’s voice ended the moment. Maven put her down and sprang away from her as if he had been stung. ‘I . . . I –’ he stammered.

  Chapter Fifteen

  ‘Young man, move away from Sharra this instant!’

  Maven’s face settled into its usual frown, he stepped away, folding his arms and slouched against the wall. Sharra ran across to her father’s clerk.

  ‘It’s all right, Gareth. I’m fine. Maven saved me. We came through the tunnels and we’ve been to the Isle of the dead and –’

  ‘Sharra!’ Gareth’s voice was knife sharp. ‘I don’t want to hear any of your tales.’ He moved over to a bell on the wall. ‘Do I have to call for help or will you coming willingly?’ he asked Maven.

  ‘What are you talking about? Didn’t you hear he saved me.’

  ‘Yes. I saw that.’

  Sharra blushed. ‘He didn’t . . . that was the first . . .’

  ‘I’ll come,’ said Maven.

  ‘Good. it will be much better for Sharra’s sake if we can deal with this as quietly as possible.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘Please, Sharra, no childish tantrums. Follow me. I’ll take you somewhere we can talk and sort out this mess.’

  ‘What do you mean mess? Someone has been trying to kill me!’

  But Gareth didn’t answer. Instead he lead them quickly through the passageway and into a sorting office Sharra had never seen before. Arranged on all sides were a series of racks and shelves filled with Maps and tiny tubes. On each tube was stamped the Milton symbol. Sharra reached out and touched one. She was home. Her father’s clerk, in his usual dusty crimson robes, stood before her, his face a mask of anger.

  ‘Gareth, I have to see my father.’

  ‘And he wants to see you, young lady. What the world are you thinking off messing about in the tube ways? You could have been killed. Did you think we wouldn’t notice this activation? Whatever you’ve done you should have known there was no need to sneak back to the Hold like this. Your father would have sent you an escort.’

  ‘Whatever I’ve done?’

  ‘I don’t think they understand what has been happening to you,’ said Maven.

  ‘Who is this man?’

  ‘This is Maven. From Frangelli. His people helped me and now they need your help.’

  ‘This is pointless. He’s not going to believe you.’

  Sharra looked from one face to another. Maven’s sullenness was doing them no favours, but Gareth had to understand. She cast around for something, anything to make him listen.

  ‘I know Map Makers can cause Shift. So can I.’

  ‘She can,’ said Maven. ‘I’ve seen her.’

  Gareth swallowed several times. ‘What did you see?’

  ‘She and my grandmother drew a Map in flour on our kitchen table. Then she changed it. We heard the
rockfall it caused and my sister, Scarlet, saw it.’

  Gareth pulled up a stool and sat down. Sharra started to speak, but Gareth held up his hand and addressed Maven. ‘What did you see when she did this?’

  ‘She closed her eyes, moved her hands through the flour. Then there was a flash of light and a smell of burning and the table was all scorched, the flour gone and Sharra had fainted.’

  ‘Wasn’t a blackwood table then,’ murmured Gareth. He looked at Sharra. ‘So you are like your mother, after all. Your father was always afraid you might be. This changes things.’ He thought for a moment. ‘Do you care for her? Would you be willing to take her away?’ he asked Maven. ‘She’s in great danger here.’

  ‘I’ve nowhere to take her. Sharra was trying to tell you there is a mercenary band camped just past the rockfall, led by the assassin who has been hunting Sharra. When they get through I imagine they will be intent on destroying my village. We came to you for help.’

  ‘Sit down. Both of you. This is going to take some unravelling.’

  ‘Ivory tried to have me killed.’

  ‘Well, of course she would if she thought you were like your mother,’ said Gareth.

  Maven pulled out a pair of stools and gently pushed Sharra onto one. He took the other. ‘So now you believe her about the assassins?’

  Gareth nodded. ‘Sharra’s mother had something we call the wild talent. It’s very rare and powerful – and extremely difficult to control. Only women ever develop it and it always overwhelms them.’

  ‘What did my mother do?’

  ‘She and your father tried to steal the True Map.’

  ‘I know that.’ Gareth went white. ‘We went to the Isle of the Oracles and she told me about it – or some of it. Her memory wasn’t all there and she didn’t seem to know when it was.’

  Gareth blinked several times. ‘I suppose that is no more unbelievable than you having her talent.’ He sighed deeply. ‘When your mother came close to the True Map she lost control. She couldn’t stop herself from changing things. The power misleads. It makes the wielder think they can do anything, but without the science to understand what causing Shift can do it causes chaos. Many people died, including the last Lord Camden, Ivory’s husband.’