Level: Novice

“Wait! I need to rest!” Sabrina yelled, fearful to go any further in the red tunnel, whose walls pulsated like the gut of a giant beast.
“We cannot stop, my Lady!” the armoured man replied. “I can carry her.”
“No! It’s alright. Coral’s used to me!”
“We must hurry!” the soldier cried, moving to take Coral from Sabrina.
On cue, Coral burst into wails and pounded her fists on Sabrina’s sleeve.
“It’s alright honey!” Sabrina cooed. “I know, it’s horrible with the loud noise. We’ll soon be out.”
Coral stopped wailing and stared into Sabrina’s eyes with wide-eyed trust.
The soldier’s stern stare eased into concern. He turned abruptly, his pony-tail of dark hair swishing over his shoulder, and led her on. It didn’t take long for the tunnel to narrow and the inexplicable pressure in Sabrina’s head to become almost unbearable.
“We’re almost there!” the soldier cried, drawing his sword.
“I can’t go on!” Sabrina cried. “This pressure will kill the baby!”
Coral’s wails rose to a crescendo, almost drowning out Sabrina’s voice, but the soldier grabbed her free hand and drew her into the neck of the tunnel ahead. When the walls expanded, opening the gap, he pulled her sharply through and out into bright sunlight. She fell, gasping, to wet grass and lay Coral down gently against her.
“We can’t wait!” the soldier insisted. “I can carry you both. Tantor’s son, Tuma, will be on to us any moment!”
“What’s your name?” Sabrina gasped.
“Chaka. Come on!”
The soldier, wearing a thick, leather breastplate over a leather jerkin and skirt but no helmet, reached down to pull her up. Staring up at him she took his gloved hand and noticed the leather vambraces on his wrists. Intricate designs featuring a cup and key interwoven with stylised symbols of fertility such as succulent flowers, fruits and writhing animal forms had been tooled into the polished leather. The vambraces themselves were worn nicked in several places by heavy use. By these signs alone she knew his armour was not for show; this was the equipment of a working soldier, but one from far back in Earth’s distant past.
“Where am I?” she asked.
“I don’t know exactly – on the lower parts of the Urku Muyuksha, the ring of rock that encircles Atalan T’ea Llantu. The tunnels open at random. It took me three days to find it. Inyan saw the Rememberer light that shines around you. He told me where to come, but he could not come himself, and his directions were … imprecise. Merl’a advises Tuma and she sees it more clearly than even Inyan. Tuma will be close.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes. Inyan felt that only a single man could get through. Come on!”
Sabrina let Chaka lift her to her feet and lead the way between the bushes that lay thickly about them. When he turned to whisper to her, she discerned that the grim expression that he wore permanently hid a gentleness that only showed in his eyes.
“We must be silent. Will feeding Coral berries keep her quiet?”
Sabrina smiled at him and cast her gaze down upon Coral, whose soft, blonde curls wafted in a gentle breeze.
“She’s usually very quiet – she’s a very good baby – but berries would be good. We’ve had nothing to eat for days.”
Chaka took off his mailed glove, picked a handful of berries and fed them to Coral himself. After trying a couple, she cooed at him and grabbed the rest, making Chaka grin.
“You have a nice smile!” Sabrina said, laughing.
But Chaka’s expression turned back to one of grim determination immediately, and he went a short distance ahead to check for danger.
“It’s clear!” Chaka said, avoiding her gaze. “Come on.”
A horn blasted somewhere not far away. Chaka put his index finger across his lips and led Sabrina and the baby deeper into thick undergrowth. They walked a long way, Sabrina beginning to gasp for breath, when he finally slowed and told her:
“I think we’re far away enough now to talk. But we won’t be safe for a while. I crossed a stream on my way here. We can lose them there. They may have dogs.”
“You know where you’re going then?”
“Not precisely. If we keep moving toward the sun, we will come to the Spring River, not far from a ford. Once we’re across, there will be men from Puk Jilla to help us.”
“Some of your words are strange. What land is this?”
“This is Atalan T’ea Llantu.”
“I haven’t heard of it. Which continent?”
“Continent? I’m not familiar with the word. Atalan T’ea Llantu means ‘The Shadow of Atalan T’ea. We are underneath Atalan T’ea, under Peroturnakar, to be precise.”
“Peroturnakar!” Sabrina exclaimed. “I have had that name in my head all my life! I have been looking for this place almost as long, along with my … friend, O’Mally – Ome.”
“Om? Omacron? He was with you?”
“Ome was. But I left him. He might come after me, but I hope not.”
“I will return to help him, once you’re safe.”
“Tell me, where is Peroturnkar?”
“In Atalan T’ea! I said it was so.”
“Oh, this is going around in circles. Never mind. But if you’re from a strange land, how come you speak English? Forgive me for saying, but your armour looks as if it’s from a time before English even existed!”
“You’re probably remembering Atalan T’ean Lady Subrisa. It’s the only language I speak. In time you will remember living in Peroturnakar.”
“I think I already do, at times. Wow! This place is really beautiful.”
Chaka had led her into a forest of tall trees, just as strong sunlight burst from behind clouds. Beams of light slanted through the green canopy, reminding Sabrina of a childhood memory.
“Cathedral of trees!” she cried, waving Coral’s tiny hand and pointing with it to the beams of light.
Coral gurgled when something wet touched her nose.
“It’s raining,” Chaka said.
“Look! Oh, it’s fantastic!”
Sabrina put Coral on the ground, where she wobbled on her chubby legs. Taking hold of the toddler’s hands, Sabrina danced with her playfully. Above them, the beams of white light had become shafts of tiny rainbows, dappling the trees with spectrums as if it were slanting through stained glass windows.
Chaka smiled, but his ears picked up a faint sound, and he grabbed Coral from the grass.
“I hear the horn again. Can you run?” Chaka asked Sabrina.
“Not very fast. In fact, no.”
“What’s wrong with your leg?”
Sabrina suddenly drew Chaka’s sword from its scabbard. A reflex made him grab her wrist, but he released it just as quickly.

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