Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers (30 page)

They headed for the communal room, but Cornelius hung back and told Phelan to go ahead without them.

'We have a few things we need to discuss,' he said. 'In private.'

'That's all right. I'll see about sorting you out some breakfast,' said Phelan.

'Oh goody, what are we having?' asked Max excitedly.

'Well, for us it's generally rusa stew, but I think I know where I can lay my hands on some fruit,' said Phelan. 'After we've eaten we'll go and have a look at the ark.'

'Good, we'll look forward to it,' said Cornelius as the boy made his way towards the big room. The Golmiran swung round to look at the others. 'Well, what do we think?' he asked them.

'I think my stomach's gurgling,' said Max.

'Your stomach is
always
gurgling,' said Cornelius. 'I'm speaking of Aaron's request.'

Sebastian frowned. 'I don't really see how we can refuse,' he said. 'Those poor children – we can hardly leave them to their fate.'

'True. And it ought to be easy enough. If Aaron's right about the absence of rapids, then it's plain sailing all the way to Veltan.'

'See, you're doing it again,' complained Max. 'Whenever you say something like that, it turns out to be anything
but
plain sailing. Look at that ruddy raft.' He mimicked Cornelius's hearty voice. '
All we have to do is point it into the current!
No mention of rapids, waterfalls or ruddy great dragons!'

'You're such a pessimist,' observed Cornelius.

'No, I'm a realist,' said Max. 'There's a big difference.'

Cornelius gave a dismissive wave of his hand. 'If Aaron hasn't exaggerated about the treasure – and judging by what's up in that throne room, I've no reason to believe he is – then we could come out of this rich beyond all measure. There'd be no need to think about returning to Callinestra's island. And of course, once we're in Veltan, what's to stop us from chartering a ship round the coast to Ramalat? Then we can deliver Aaron's book to Thaddeus Peel and we'll have another payday from him.'

'Oh yes, it all sounds wonderful, doesn't it?' said Max. 'I seem to remember you saying similar things about that pirate treasure. And what did we get out of that? Nothing. Nowt. A big fat zero. Things are never as easy as you make out, Golmiran.'

'I hate to admit it, but he's right,' admitted Sebastian. 'It's not straightforward. For one thing, what about Keera, Cal and Salah?'

'What about them?' asked Cornelius.

'Well, they only signed on to help us find the lost city. We've done that now. What are they going to say if we tell them we're moving on down river to Veltan?'

Cornelius shrugged his shoulders. 'They don't have to come with us,' he said. 'They're free to head back to their village any time they like.'

Sebastian stared at him. 'On their own? For goodness' sake, Cornelius, what chance would they have out there?'

Cornelius laughed. 'Those three were raised in the jungle – they'd handle it better than we would.' He thought for a moment. 'Anyway, if they decide to come with us, we could offer them a share of the treasure. That would be an incentive.'

'You clearly didn't learn much about the Jilith during our stay, did you?' Sebastian shook his head. 'Offering them gold and jewels would be meaningless. You may as well offer them the wind or the sun.'

'Well, we'll just have to tell them we're going and it's up to them to decide what to do. I mean, they're adults, aren't they?'

'Salah isn't,' Sebastian told him.

'No, but . . . she'll probably go along with whatever Keera decides. And Cal – well, I'd say he'd do the same. That man is devoted to her. It's a shame she's so intent on being with you.'

'That's not my fault,' protested Sebastian.

Cornelius sighed. 'At any rate, we'll have to go in and face the music.' He gave Max a warning glance. 'Whatever happens, you keep your big mouth shut. This is sensitive stuff and I don't want you putting a ruddy great hoof in it.'

'Charming,' said Max. 'I'll try not to mess things up for you.'

They moved on along the landing and in through the open doorway. Sebastian scanned the room and saw Keera and Cal sitting on cushions in one corner. Their expressions were blank, as though they were already bored with each other's company. Salah was playing a game of tag with a crowd of other children. She was laughing delightedly and as Sebastian watched, Phelan ran up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and looked at him, her eyes flashing with excitement.

'Well, at least Salah seems to have made some friends,' said Sebastian thoughtfully.

As they approached, Keera looked up and her expression changed to one of delight. She jumped to her feet and hurried towards Sebastian.

'There you are,' she said. 'I was beginning to worry about you. I'll go and get you some food.'

'Oh, that's OK, I can—'

But she had already rushed off towards the fireplace, where a cauldron of stew was bubbling over the flames. A moment later, she was back with two bowls and a couple of pieces of flat bread, which she handed to Sebastian and Cornelius. She indicated a bucket of fruit standing a short distance away. 'Phelan left that for Max,' she said.

'Oh,' said Max, 'things are looking up!' Plunging his snout straight into the bucket, he began to eat noisily. Sebastian and Cornelius settled themselves down on some cushions and started on their breakfast.

'What about you?' Sebastian asked Keera.

'We have eaten,' she said. 'Or at least, I have. Cal didn't seem to have much of an appetite.'

Cal glared at her. 'Can you wonder?' he snarled. He looked at Sebastian. 'I'm sick of all this waiting around. What news from this mysterious Aaron? Do you have the proof you need?'

'Umm . . . not yet,' said Sebastian, chewing a chunk of gristly meat. 'No, not . . . not quite.'

'I've told you before not to question the Chosen One,' said Keera.

Cal laughed at her. 'There you go again,' he said. 'I'll question who I please!'

'You forget yourself. Remember, I am Maccan's daughter. He would be most displeased to hear you speak to me in such a way.'

'He'd be even more displeased if he saw how you've been carrying on,' snapped Cal. 'But if you want to speak with your father, I'll gladly escort you home. Just say the word.'

There was an uncomfortable silence before Cornelius weighed in with more information.

'Aaron wants a favour from us first. He is dying, but he has asked us to take the children down river to a city called Veltan. He fears for their safety when he is no longer around to look after them.'

'Veltan?' Cal sneered. 'Never heard of it. Nobody said anything about it when we undertook to help you.'

'No, I appreciate that,' said Sebastian. 'But . . . well, we can't leave the children to their fate, can we? So once everything is prepared, we will be sailing down river. Aaron has a boat and—'

But Cal was shaking his head. 'It's out of the question,' he said. 'You may do as you like but me, Keera and Salah, we'll be heading back to our village.'

Keera glared at him. 'That's not for you to decide,' she told him. 'My place is with Sebastian.'

'No,' roared Cal, loud enough to turn heads all around the room. 'Your place is with the Jilith! You think I'm going to go back to your father and tell him that you have decided to carry on down river with . . .
him
?'

'If that's what I decide, that's what you must tell him,' snapped Keera. 'Don't you dare presume to speak for me!'

Cal's eyes filled with tears of frustration. 'Keera, don't you see, these people are no good for us. Look what's happened since we fell in with them. Galt has gone and you've completely lost sight of reality. You're coming back with me if I have to drag you by your hair!'

'Can we try and keep things a little cooler here?' said Sebastian. 'We only want the best for everyone. Nobody is going to be made to do anything they don't want to do.'

'Keep out of this, elfling,' said Cal, 'or by Okrin, I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget.'

Sebastian could feel his own temper beginning to fray. 'Cal, nobody made you come with us. As I recall, you volunteered to come, mostly so you could keep an eye on Keera.'

'Yes, and a fat lot of use that's been to me. She's been bewitched by your fanciful words ever since she first laid eyes on you. She thinks there's something special about you, but I can see you for what you are.'

'You see nothing,' Keera shouted at him. 'You're so full of envy you cannot recognize true greatness when it stands before you.'

Cal stood up suddenly and made a dismissive gesture at Keera. 'You know what? Do what you like. I wash my hands of you! You can go on this fool's errand if you wish, but me and Salah, we are heading back right now.' He glanced over towards the group of children and got to his feet. 'Salah,' he said. 'Come with me. We're leaving.'

Salah stared at him, her eyes wide. Then she shook her head.

He glared at her. 'Come along, Salah, none of that. I am responsible for your welfare. You're to come with me now.'

Salah opened her mouth and grimaced, as if trying to take a breath, then began to gesticulate. Suddenly she stopped.

'No,' she said; and everybody turned to look at her in complete amazement. Salah lifted a hand to her mouth as though she couldn't quite believe it herself. Then she laughed incredulously, and it wasn't her usual silent laugh but a loud chuckle. She looked at Cal and spoke again, with only a little hesitation. 'No, C-Cal. I'm . . . s-s-staying here . . . with Ph-Phelan.'

There were gasps and exclamations all around the room. Phelan ran over to Salah and hugged her, and Sebastian understood the look he had seen in her eyes earlier. He turned to Keera and the two of them shared a laugh of disbelief. Cal muttered an oath, turned on his heel and strode out of the room. Sebastian started to go after him, but Cornelius pulled him back.

'Let him go,' he said.

'You think he'll leave?' asked Sebastian.

'By himself? I doubt it. I imagine once he's had a chance to simmer down a bit, he'll realize that he may as well come with us. But you know, it's up to him. Tell you the truth, I almost wish he
would
leave. It would improve the atmosphere around here no end.'

Salah and Phelan came over, beaming delightedly. Sebastian saw that they were holding hands like sweethearts.

'What happened?' he asked Salah.

'Phelan happened,' she said. 'He told me . . . I w-w-would speak . . . when I was r-ready, and finally . . . I was!'

'It's wonderful news,' said Keera. She reached up and clasped the girl's free hand in hers. 'I only wish we had some way of telling Joseph what has happened. He would be so thrilled to learn of it.' She looked at Salah intently. 'So, you wish to go with us down river?'

Salah nodded and glanced at Phelan. 'I go . . . w-where Phelan goes.'

Phelan grinned. 'That's settled then,' he said. 'Now, you'd best finish up your food. We have some way to travel if you are to visit the ark today. And we must be back in Sanctuary before nightfall.'

They set off a short while later – Sebastian, Cornelius, Max, Phelan and another boy of perhaps twelve summers, a red-headed, freckled lad whose name was Olaf.