The Silk Map (66 page)

Wrapping myself around it, I wished myself inside.

Thus it was that I flopped out of the sky of another world and splatted upon a mountainside. It was raining, which did not much help things. But a kindly fellow, looking rather ratty in a torn robe and bark hat, took me to the pagoda near the mountain's top.

He squeezed me out at the doorstep and set me beside a fire.

I dreamed. I saw cities burn. Oh, if you must know? Qushkent. Riverclaw. Palmary. Archaeopolis. Anoka. I forget all the names.

When I awoke I perceived many people. The ragged man who'd carried me. A girl of perhaps twelve with piercing brown eyes. An old monk with gold in his teeth. An equally old man in impeccable robes who carried a staff. And a boy around the same age as the girl, a pale lad who seemed somehow familiar.

At first they were talking amongst themselves, and I waited for them to address me. Then it occurred to me they had no way to know I was conscious. Indeed, this was the topic under discussion.

“It must be sapient,” the ragged man was saying. “The Sage Painter specified that only intelligent creatures could enter the scroll.”

“It's a rug,” said the girl.

“A magic carpet,” said the man with the staff.

“Underneath all that gruffness,” said the monk, “you're really a wide-eyed boy, aren't you?”

“Nothing of the sort,” grunted the staff-man. “She is right; it is a rug. And he is right; it must be sapient. Therefore: magic carpet.”

“It seems somewhat un-lively,” said the ragged man.

“It's a gift,” said the boy, in a devout tone. “It stinks of salt water, the way books describe the ocean. It was sent through the waters to us. Someone is trying to help us.” He looked at the girl. “Maybe our parents.”

They batted the problem around for a time. I saw no reason to enlighten them. They decided to maintain their watch upon me, but one at a time for now. The boy, whose name I now knew, chose first watch. He slept upon the floor beside me. I slid closer, awakening the power within me. A red glow suffused the room.

“Hear me in your dreams, Innocence Gaunt. Learn to trust me before you meet me while awake. I am Deadfall, and I am your truest friend. Your parents abandoned you. But I will free you and show you the greater world.”

The light swelled, as I absorbed a tiny fraction of his chi.

“But first, there is so much I must teach you.”

“I cannot believe you talked me into this.”

“So that's how you'll tell it.”

“Be serious, Art. Our friends are fighting for their lives up there.”

“One friend in particular, eh?”

“You're more than a little fond of Zheng.”

“That's more of an ad hoc mutual loneliness society. . . . Ah, here's where we can cross.”

“Furthermore, if the Iron Moths find us, our guts will be scattered from here to Qushkent.”

“Precisely! Which is why now, when they and everyone else are busy elsewhere, we must be here. Don't tell me you aren't a little awed by the incalculable wealth that surrounds us right now.”

“I'm awed that I let you talk me into this.”

“Nothing odd about it. Do you have the bags?”

Gaunt ran ahead of her companions, fighting her way through the possessed Iron Moths in her way.

“Bone!” she was shouting. “Bone! She has the scroll! Bone!”

“Eh?” he was saying and looking up at the shadow of the magic carpet passing overhead.

For a moment Gaunt saw Jewelwolf landing beside the very maw of the Bull Demon and scrambling up to the teeth.

In the next moment, her view was blocked by more Iron Moths.

A voice scratched at her mind.

<< nullification of former brood-mates undesirable >>

It made so little sense, she simply swung with Crypttongue, trying to batter her way through to Bone.

<< alternative method desirable >>

“What!” she gasped. “Are! You saying?”

<< you saying: nzzt vlkzzt rzznnt >>

“What?”

<< nzzt vlkzzt rzznnt >>

“Nzzt . . .” she attempted to render the strange sounds. “Vlkzzt . . . ?”

<< rzznt! rzznt! >>

“Rzznt . . .”

Whatever she said, the nearest Iron Moths understood it. They visibly struggled against the grip of the Charstalkers. This moment of consternation allowed Gaunt the chance to slip through. She did not think anyone else followed.

Bone was engaged in speaking with one of the Fraternity, but he followed Gaunt wide-eyed. The one-eared woman stared after them, but Gaunt had no time for her.

“Is it?” he managed.

“Yes,” she said.

“How?”

“I don't know. Ask later.”

They did not know what to make of it when Jewelwolf reached out with her hand—until the scroll was thoroughly inside the maw.

A figure manifested within: a boy. Gaunt might not have recognized him but for seeing a vision of him in the garden of Mentor John.

“Innocence!”

The boy looked out between the ruby teeth and blinked. “You?”

Red light erupted within the maw. Innocence staggered.

“No!” Gaunt somehow found the strength to run even faster, but then she was slapped aside by a corner of the carpet Deadfall.

“Do not interfere,” came the carpet's voice. “This is what he needs.”

Bone dove around the carpet but found himself confronted by Jewelwolf's sword.

Gaunt yelled, “What, to be devoured?” She was on her feet and ready to cleave the carpet in two.

“No,” said Deadfall. “The Bull Demon is not the one who will do the devouring. . . . Wait, this is not right . . .”

Innocence was on his knees. He seemed to be resisting whatever the Bull Demon was doing, but losing. Bone was prepared to leap into that maw, but even Dolma was hesitating now. He suspected whatever the boy could struggle against would extinguish the likes of Imago Bone. He needed a weapon, something a demon would feel . . .

He remembered Katta reaching for his bag.

Bone rushed to the wanderer, who still shivered in the grip of the Bull Demon's power, and grabbed the sack.

Into the maw of the Bull Demon flew Katta's bag, a few blessed sweetcakes tumbling out as it arrived.

The entity roared in agony. Innocence cried out, sounding only a little less pained.

Jewelwolf yanked the boy out of the maw and onto the flying carpet. Strange crimson energies trailed from Innocence as though the boy were an oil-soaked torch. Yet though his face twisted in pain, his flesh was whole.

Before he could fully escape, the Bull Demon's jaws clamped over Innocence's leg.

The boy screamed. His leg was not severed, however, only trapped. The Bull Demon meant to keep him.

“No!” Gaunt and Bone shouted at once.

Jewelwolf tried to pull Innocence free, calling upon Deadfall to rise with all its might.

Bone reached between the vast teeth, trying to force them apart with the strength of his body.

Gaunt was there in the next moment, adding her strength.

“Help us!” Bone cried to the warrior named Dolma. “He's our son!”

“But . . . it is clear they seek to steal him away . . .”

“He'll die!” Gaunt said.

Dolma was there, then, also trying to force the teeth apart.

“Deadfall,” Jewelwolf said, “add your strength. Pull him free.”

The magic carpet shifted beneath her, until it wrapped itself around Innocence. It tugged.

It seemed impossible to Gaunt that Innocence could scream more terribly, but he did.

“You'll tear his leg off!” Gaunt said.

“If necessary!” Jewelwolf said.

Gaunt snarled and gave up with the teeth. She raised Crypttongue and eyed the teeth holding Innocence.

Sword, we are bound together. Swan, forgive me and guide my aim. I will not lose him now.

Steelfox had wanted to aid Gaunt against Jewelwolf, but if Gaunt was certain the mineral sliver was important, then deliver it to Snow Pine she would. With Widow Zheng and Northwing beside her, she strode into the heart of the fray, passing Xembalans battling the Charstalker-possessed Iron Moths. Many times Zheng or Northwing drove back a Moth; Zheng with a gesture, Northwing with pained concentration.

Steelfox threw the Iron Moths her best Karvak stares, and Qurca shrieked, but she knew it was the oldsters who were keeping her alive just now. She promised herself never to forget to honor her elders, if she could get through this.

At last they were beside Snow Pine. This woman of hated Qiangguo fought like a Karvak. Blood flowed from her nose and mouth, and her robe was soaked in sweat, yet onward she battled against half a dozen unearthly foes.

Steelfox said, “I care nothing about our differences this day! You are my sister-in-battle!”

“Shut up and fight!”

“That's not why I'm here!” Steelfox held up the crystal splinter. “Do you know what this is?”

“I can't even stop to look at it!” Snow Pine whacked a fresh opponent. “You tell me!”

“I have no notion myself!”

“I have—no time—for Karvak riddles!”

“I have no time for your haughtiness! Gaunt wants you to have it!”