Tally Road Original Story- Chapter 29

Rai kept a careful eye on the fuel gauge. He was uncomfortably aware of the bottomless drop below him. It was curiously disconcerting to be at risk of falling and not hitting the ground. After all, hitting the ground would normally be the bad thing about falling from a great height, and avoiding this would appear to be a good deal. Bouncing off treetrunks the size of continents would tend to sour that deal.

It couldn't be very far. Finn might be desperate, but he was no fool. There would have to be a dwelling, gathering place, even a hole or nook where a cagey Runge might hide out...

There.

It was a dwelling, far above Grand Promenade. There was light coming from it, and the edge was painted an eye-searing red with aqua spots. Rai earflattened slightly at the visual pain this produced, and headed toward it, first rising level with it, and then moving closer. A check on his fuel gauge told him there was enough remaining to get back down, but it was closer than he really wanted to cut it.

He swooped in closer, gratified to see another Nerre personal transport visible through the opening, and flew into the dwelling without hesitation, stepping off the transport's light tubular base and moving clear of it immediately- because there was a Runge right in front of him, and it could only be Finn.

Rai quickly glanced the fellow over. Finn looked harassed, and his ears were back. His hands were visible. There were no weapons visible within his reach, or within half a second's lunge. His stance was well balanced. He was not reacting, and wasn't about to move as long as Rai wasn't moving either. This was an opportunity not to be wasted.

Rai studied the Runge more closely. Finn's eyes were very sharp, and they were studying him back with grim seriousness, but not a muscle moved apart from that. He was tall for a Runge, and Rai recognized the wiry muscle of an active wolf, not a bodybuilder but the dangerous sort that was all bone and sinew and could startle you with unexpected strength and agility. Rai's ears flattened very slightly.

Finn still did not react, and that concerned Rai greatly. The wolf was waiting for something, and it wasn't to talk or to surrender. Rai couldn't imagine what he intended to do against a trained and alert Hse-Nerre, but wasn't enthusiastic about finding out. It really didn't look as if he had any concealed weapons, but it also didn't look as if he was going to come along quietly. Finn was tensed for something, and that was very bad- mostly because his next move was far from obvious. He was trapped in a small Aintar dwelling overlooking an infinite drop, with Rai between him and the door, and still he was not turning submissive.

Rai gave up, and had to admit that possibly killing Finn was the only option. Perhaps he could restrain the instincts enough to only hurt the wolf and render him helpless. It was always hard, when you were moving on the edges of your fighting nerves. Under his breath, out of deeply ingrained habit, Rai began to say the protocol word that would warn other Nerre to get safely away from him if they weren't involved.

"Vrir..."

Finn dived. Rai lashed out instinctively, but he was off balance because he could not resist continuing to say the protocol word "..ronste!" and when he struck at Finn, the wolf was not where he had to be. Finn would be either charging at Rai, which was suicide, or trying to reach a position behind him, and as Rai whirled he realized the wolf was moving too fast, too fast...

And the dwelling was emptier. Stunned, Rai realized that Finn had used extraordinary speed and agility to fling himself to his death in the infinite depths of the Ainte.

It was not more than a second before Rai realised what else was missing.

Rather, Finn had used extraordinary speed and agility to fling himself out the door while diving, rolling, and grabbing Rai's personal transport.

A peacock-green Aintar appeared from deeper in the dwelling. "Who are you?" it asked. Rai wasn't listening. He moved rapidly but cautiously to the entrance, and looked down. It was just possible that he could see the glimpse of a Nerre personal transport as it sank out of sight. Rai dared not lean out farther. Trembling with unreleased energy, he stepped daintily back into the dwelling.

"Who are you?" asked the Aintar. "What's happening?"

Rai opened his mouth, but the Aintar backed up, fluttering.

"Your eyes! Don't hurt me!"

Confused, Rai blinked, and realised he was still gritting his teeth with tension. Shamed, he closed his eyes and made a great effort to relax and calm himself, and when he was ready, repeated the all-clear word. "Vranorche."

"What is an orche, and why is it happening in my house?"

"No no... that means I am calm and no danger to you now."

"Thank you, then. But who are you? What has happened to Finn?"

Rai earflicked in chagrin. "He's jumped out of your house."

"Why?"

"I imagine it was to get away from me. I want to ask him some questions."

"You'll have to shout them very loudly, then. He must have fallen quite a long way by now."

"No," said Rai ruefully. "I think not..."