Edmund Cooper - Seahorse in the Sky

By the time darkness came, the air had turned cool; and the three explorers had to put on again some of the extra clothing they had worn to penetrate the mist barrier. There was also the question of a meal, since none of them had eaten for several hours. Besides the supply of canned food, the boat had been stocked with several bundles of small pieces of wood, primarily intended for kindling. But as there were no trees nearby from which wood could be obtained to sustain a large fire, Russell decided to use two or three bundles of kindling to heat the evening meal and to cheer them up.

The meal was a simple one, consisting mainly of beans and soup. It was eaten for the most part in silence. But when it was over, Russell began to talk of the strategy of exploration. It was obvious that for the return journey, they would have to trek round the wall of mist and re-enter their prison where the river entered it in the north. This in itself would be quite a task, since Farn zem Marur had estimated the distance between the river’s point of entry and its point of exit at about fifty varaks, or thirty-five kilometres.

Allowing for the curvature of the mist wall, this meant that the boat/wagon would have to be hauled about forty-five kilometres across unknown terrain before it could be launched once more.

And this could only be done in that distance if the exploration party kept fairly close to the mist barrier, which, in turn, would greatly limit their investigation. The fact that a curious and immense structure had already been seen in the distance—clearly the work of intelligent and technologically advanced creatures—prompted Russell to suggest an alternative plan.

“If we have to take the boat with us wherever we go,” he said, “we shall find it very difficult to do any worthwhile exploration before we run out of food and energy. I think that it might be better to leave it near here, carry out perhaps two days’ investigation, then take the boat north, keeping close to the mist all the way. At least we know that there is something worth looking at near here… What do you think, Farn?”

“Lord, the great tower we have seen is truly wonderful. If, having already encountered some peril to make this journey, we cannot face a little more peril, I think that our effort will have been in vain. We came to learn, therefore let us learn, though the price of knowledge may be high.”

“Well said… And you, Anna? What do you feel? If we leave the boat, there is a chance that it may be destroyed. If we take it with us we will have to keep close to the mist and our progress will be slow.”

“I agree with you and Farn. We have taken risks to come this far. I am willing to take a few more to satisfy curiosity… I think the tower is part of a city. If that is so, at least we should come face to face with our captors at last—” she laughed “—even if they do pop us into the cooking pot. It is so frustrating being a prisoner and not knowing why one is a prisoner or who holds the keys of the prison.”

“Well, that is settled then. In the morning we will try to find some inconspicuous place to leave the boat. Then we will take what provisions and weapons we can carry comfortably, and have a closer look at the beanstalk.”

“The beanstalk?” Farn zem Marur was puzzled.

“In my country,” explained Russell, “there is a children’s story about a very high bean plant on top of which there lived a most ferocious giant.” He saw the look of alarm on Farn zem Marur’s face, and added hastily: “Not that I think that the green bubble will contain any giants. Perhaps it is simply some great machine for collecting or radiating energy… I am sorry, Farn. Forgive me. I speak of things which you cannot understand.”

“Lord, there is nothing to forgive. I am proud only that a great magician should not disdain the company of a humble Gren Li pathfinder on a journey such as this. I have already learned much, and I do not doubt, with the grace of the robe, that I shall learn more.”

The small fire that had been used to heat the food was already dying. In the clear sky above, the profusion of stars—alien constellations which were already becoming familiar in their very strangeness—betokened a cold night.

“Farn,” said Russell, “it is time that we rested. The lady Anna will take the first watch. I will relieve her, then you will relieve me, taking the last watch until dawn.”

“Do you think I should be armed, Russell?” asked Anna, half-jokingly.

“Yes. You’d better have a crossbow and one of the grenades… But if we have any bad-tempered visitors, love, for God’s sake don’t start anything that we can’t finish,”

Presently, with Farn zem Marur and Russell resting in the cabin of the boat, Anna Markova began her quiet vigil. The air, though abnormally cold, was still; and there was nothing in the sounds of the night to cause her any anxiety. Occasionally, she made short patrols. Occasionally she peered through the darkness in the direction of the tower, fancying that she could see its immense shape. Once, towards the end of her watch, she thought she saw an intense flash of green light. But almost before her eyes had registered it, the landscape was in darkness once more.

Presently, she handed over to Russell who, in turn, roused Farn zem Marur about two and a half hours before daylight. The night had been quite uneventful. The three of them might have been entirely alone on this strange planet.

THE CITY—IF, indeed, it was such and not some kind of scientific station—was small and strange beyond imagining. It was deserted. It was like a ghost-town—and yet there was an air of cleanness and use, and the subtle impression of recent occupation. It had, above all, the mood of a place that was waiting for something to happen. That something would happen—something fantastic, or beautiful, or terrible—Russell had no doubt. The signs all pointed to it. All three of the explorers had the uneasy sensation of being watched; and, in fact, all three knew that their progress towards the great column had been watched.

The column was even taller, more impressive and more inexplicable than he had expected. It stood at the centre of the city/ghost-town/scientific station, rising almost a kilometre into the sky, supporting the vast, shimmering green bubble like some monstrous flower on a rigid metal stem.

As he stood gazing at it in awe, the events of the morning flashed rapidly through Russell’s mind, convincing him more than ever that he, Anna and Farn zem Marur were the principal actors (or victims?) of a drama that would shortly unfold.

Shortly after daybreak, they had breakfasted and then looked for a suitable place to leave the boat/wagon. They found it a few hundred metres downstream, where there was a small gully sufficiently deep to conceal the boat from curious eyes. With the harness over his shoulders, Farn zem Marur hauled the boat to its hiding place. Then he and Russell lowered it carefully down the side of the gully. From ten paces away it was impossible to be seen, and even from the river it would have been very difficult to pick out.

They chose the food and equipment to take with them very carefully. It would be folly to weigh themselves down, but it would also be stupid to travel without enough food or adequate defence. With sad hindsight, Russell realized that they should have brought rucksacks or even suitcases—of which there were several at the Erewhon Hilton. But, according to the original concept of the journey, they would have been taking the boat with them wherever they went. As it was, they had to make rough bundles out of blankets. Besides an assortment of clothing, Farn zem Marur carried his sword, poniard and a food bundle.

Anna carried her crossbow and a supply of water in bottles wrapped carefully so that they would not smash against each other. And Russell carried his own crossbow, two grenades, a coil of rope, the binoculars and a can or two of food in his pockets.