Shadows Beyond

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Zeff watched his brother giving away his hammock and animal skins for the night and wondered why Tagg was being so kind to her. Such generosity would leave him cold tonight. He hoped this behaviour could be put down to politeness, but feared it was something more. He would have to keep an eye on Nye’s younger sister.

Nye.

Zeff could not bear to think of Nye, so full of life when they last met, dying in agony from the poison he would have encountered in the rat-tank, and so he forced himself to concentrate on the rock-rabbit. It tasted good. Zeff had caught it expecting to eat alone. As a result, there had been barely enough for two. Had the girl wanted some, they would all have gone hungry.

Tagg finished his meal and settled back.

‘I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard your signal,’ Zeff said.

‘I knew it was a risk, considering you weren’t expecting me.’

‘Ears like a moonbat,’ Zeff said, tapping them. Soft sleeping sounds came from Emtani. ‘She’s out like a light.’

‘She’s had a tiring day.’

‘She’s not very much like Nye.’

‘I think she is. Their eyes are exactly the same.’

‘Her accent’s so country,’ Zeff said ungenerously, settling back and drawing up one knee. ‘His wasn’t. I mean it was, but not like hers.’

‘Nye got about more. Met more people.’

‘And what’s she doing out here dressed in his clothes?’

‘The Rooters raided the village and nabbed her little sister.’

Zeff’s brow clouded. ‘Galeena?’

‘Yeah.’

He leant his elbow on his knee and leant forward, ‘How many others?’

Tagg shook his head. ‘Just her.’

Zeff was puzzled. ‘Isn’t that a bit odd? There’s not much profit in one.’

‘The village was in turmoil after Nye’s “accident”. They were probably disturbed and took off with whatever they had.’

‘Poor kid.’

‘It’s why Emtani left the village, without a permit I may add, to rescue her.’

‘But the Rooters will have her half way to the City by now. It’s the only place around here to sell slaves.’

‘That’s where Emtani intends going.’

‘Really?’ Zeff asked before dismissively adding, ‘Then she’s off her head.’ He leant back. Zeff had no time for foolish girls.

‘I told her I’d find Galeena for her.’

Zeff stared at his brother questioningly, a feeling of foreboding dragging at him. ‘Are you trying to impress this girl?’

‘We ought to try.’

‘We?’

‘You know the City even better than I do.’

‘And I have never heard of a slave being rescued alive.’

‘Galeena’s a nice kid,’ Tagg said and, casting his brother a calculated look, added, ‘she’s got a lot of character. A bit like Nye.’

Zeff shook his head slowly, ‘Don’t do that,’ he said, standing up and walking away from the fire.

‘If he were sitting here now, would you be saying it’s not worth trying?’