- Xark’on -

I want to swim up from the sticky grayness. I must. There is something I have to do. Something of vital importance.

Part of me wants to just sink back down, but I can’t. I’m needed.

Then there’s light, and I try to get up. But I can’t move.

I lie still for many heartbeats just breathing.

My head hurts, and thinking makes it hurt worse. But I’m needed. That’s all I know. I can’t stay here in the soft darkness.

I open my eyes, and immediately my head is filled with more pain. The light is too bright.

I close them again, then open them, braving the blinding pain. I’m needed.

Ah. The tree house. Dark. Just Yrf in the sky.

I close my eyes once more, knowing that next time, they have to stay open.

And they do, although it takes all the willpower I have to not give in to the pain and just sleep.

The tree house. Dark. Night. But moonlight.

I’m on the floor. Caroline must be in the hammock.

But no. The hammock is empty. Nobody there.

I sit up and almost faint again from the pain and the dizziness.

Where is Caroline?

I know I can’t stand up. Something is holding my legs tight together. And my arms are behind my back. But I have to find Caroline. She’s not here.

I turn over with my face to the floor and raise my hips, dragging my knees forward until I can bend my torso backwards and get up on my knees.

I sway there looking for Caroline.

A feeling of deep concern starts to grow. Where is she?

I get back on the floor and roll over onto my back. Then, I place my feet flat on the floor and push myself forwards. It’s slow, but it works.

Slowly I make my way to the part of the house where I paint. The large picture of Bune is there complete with the blue color she got me.

I want to smile, but now my worry is reaching a very high level. Something is very wrong. Caroline is not in her hammock.

And, I realize, I’m tied on hands and feet.

I get the little painting knife that Caroline suggested I make, hold it behind my back, and easily cut through the rope.

Then, I free my legs.

I try to stand up, but I have to settle for holding on to the railing, bent over like an old man. My head is not in good shape.

Roti’ax.

In a flash, I remember. Roti’ax was here. And Yru’zan and Eser’ex and Opi’ax.

And Caroline was down on the ground. Alone! Holy Ancestors, maybe she’s there still!

No. All the tribesmen are gone.

Why were they here and Caroline not?

I went up the rope. She waited.

I frown, trying to remember.

And then I came up here, and Roti’ax was here with his friends. And they asked me about the trap. And I said that it was finished. And they said that I had only to bait it, and then it would be complete.

I got worried, and I said that I didn’t have bait yet.

They laughed and said that I did.

I grabbed my hammer and said that I really didn’t.

And Roti’ax told me that of course Caroline was the bait that had been given to me.

I said that there was no way on Xren I’d ever use Caroline for anything that would get within a mile of causing her the slightest little harm, and if they thought she was the bait, then they were completely and dangerously mistaken.

But they held on to their opinion that Caroline should be used as bait for Troga. And if I wouldn’t do it, then they would. And they would do it now.

And then there was a fight, but they were four, and they were prepared. Someone hit my head from behind, and then I was out of it.

Until now.

I briefly panic and stagger around the whole tree house hoping to see her. Caroline!

But no. There’s only me here. She waited on the ground. And I got the impression from Roti’ax that there were more men down there.

Well, that makes it simple enough. I will go to the trap site and find her. And then I will murder Roti’ax. I don’t care if the tribe will cast me out. If they took Caroline, then they must die.

My hammer is on the floor, and I attach it to my belt.

There’s a gleam of light on the horizon. The day is about to start. Troga may not be in this part of the trench now. It might take a while for them to find her.

There may yet be time.