Black Water

EELONG

(CONTINUED)

Gunny was right. They had witnessed the birth of a new civilization.

Once the multitude of gars completed their journey to Black Water, their hosts took on the huge task of settling them down, giving them a place to sleep, and providing meals. The logistics were staggering, but the Black Water gars had been preparing for years. They were ready. The bigger challenge would come next, as they worked to educate their primitive cousins and set them on a course toward a civilized life.

But this alone wouldn’t be enough to cure Eelong. The gars still had to confront their enemies, the klees. Though some gars wanted revenge for the history of horrible treatment, those with a larger vision understood that for Eelong to prosper, the two races had to coexist.

Gunny and Bobby went a long way toward mending fences by explaining to Aron how one single klee was responsible for the attack on Black Water. Timber. They convinced him that once Timber was thrown out and the klees were shown how the gars could help end the food problem on Eelong, the klees would no longer feel threatened and begin to look at the gars as equals. It was a good theory, one that Aron hoped would prove true.

Aron never told any of the gars how close they had come to destruction. He wasn’t entirely sure he believed it himself. He wanted to look forward, rather than worry about the past. Aron would prove to be a wise leader. But the task still remained to confront the other side-the klees.

That job tell to Kasha and Boon. The Travelers and the acolytes made the long journey back to Leeandra, along with Aron and a few of the Black Water leaders. Kasha and Bobby were still fugitives. Boon was too, for having stolen the zenzens. They didn’t want to arrive back in the city only to be arrested, so they returned with an impressive show of force that the klees could not ignore. No less than fifty gars marched on Leeandra. Each rode on zenzens (even Mark), wearing dark cloaks and body armor. They also carried spearguns. They had no intention of using them; they wanted to put on a show that would prove to the klees that they were a force to be reckoned with.

Leading the group were the klees, Kasha and Boon. They boldly led the others into the wippen stadium to demand a meeting with the Council of Klee. What they found was something they never could have predicted.

Leeandra was a city in shambles.

Once the gars fled, the klees discovered how integral they were to running the city. The gars had done all of the menial jobs the klees weren’t interested in. Now that they were gone, the elevators and trams broke down; the flow of water was stopped because the elaborate system of pipes wasn’t kept clean; and worst of all, food was becoming even more scarce because the foragers weren’t willing to risk their lives to go outside Leeandra without the gars to protect them. Leeandra was paralyzed.

It was the perfect situation for Kasha and Boon. Together with Aron, they went immediately to the Circle of Klee to find Ranjin, the former viceroy. Ranjin was quick to grant them an audience. The group learned from Ranjin that after the failure of the attack on Black Water, Timber disappeared. (No big surprise.)

Kasha told Ranjin the truth about the gars. He listened closely as she explained how the gars were actually intelligent beings. She described how the gars had developed advanced farming techniques that could mean the end of the food shortage. Aron made sure that Ranjin understood the gars would help feed the klees, but only if they were treated as equals. The klees would have to put aside all their old prejudices and accept that the gars were not animals.

Ranjin listened to all that Kasha and Aron had to say with keen interest. Kasha said that for the gars to begin helping the klees, they needed a show of good faith. A symbol. Without it, they would leave the klees to starve.

“What is it I can do?” Ranjin asked.

“You must once again become viceroy of Leeandra,” Kasha said. “You have proven to be the lone voice of reason. That voice must be heard again.”

Ranjin agreed to once again wield the staff of viceroy, and do all he could to forge an alliance with the gars.

After that, events happened quickly. Aron and Ranjin spent days talking about the future of their two races, and of Eelong. They found common ground in the technology that each race had created. The link radio would prove to be an invaluable tool to coordinate forages and track the movement of tangs, so the danger of surprise attacks would be diminished. The link could also be used aboard gigs, allowing the helicopters to travel greater distances without fear of losing power, for they could receive information about clouds and storm patterns. Of course, at the center of their plans was the gar invention of virloam. Using this remarkable substance for farming would guarantee enough food to meet the needs of a growing territory. Neither Aron nor Ranjin expected the road ahead to be without bumps, but each felt certain that traveling down that road was in the best interest of all.

Four weeks after the failed attack on Black Water, Eelong was on its way to becoming a safe, peaceful territory with a bright future.

Bobby and the Travelers stayed on Eelong long enough to make sure the healing process began. At first Bobby wanted Mark and Courtney to return home, but they asked to stay. They had risked their lives to help save Eelong and wanted to see the payoff. Bobby didn’t argue. They had earned that right. After the Advent, they first spent two weeks in Black Water, marveling at how the gars quickly adapted to their new lives. Mark was fascinated with the technology the gars had developed, and spent days at the Center, learning about virloam and the link radio. Courtney had a great time teaching the gars how to play soccer. She got Spader involved and the two formed a small soccer league, with Spader and Courtney the captains of opposing teams.

Two weeks later they made the trip to Leeandra for the historic meeting with Ranjin. While the important meeting and negotiations were taking place, Mark and Courtney stayed at Seegen’s house. They explored the town, marveling at the incredible city built in the trees. They did this with no small feeling of pride. Since Bobby first left on his adventure, they had longed to play a more important role in protecting the territories. On Eelong their wishes came true. If not for them, Saint Dane would have destroyed Eelong. Courtney’s self-confidence had returned, and Mark finally got the adventure he had longed for.

But it was time for the adventure to end.

One evening the three visitors from Second Earth were in Seegen’s home, sharing a meal. Mark had appeared nervous all night. When they finished eating, he said what was on his mind.

“Guys,” Mark said, “I think it’s time to go home.”

Courtney hadn’t expected that. “Why? It’s awesome here!” She asked, “What’s at home? School? Homework? Parents ragging about school and homework?”

“Well…yeah,” Mark answered. “I miss that.”

“And what are we going to tell our parents? ‘Sorry we’ve been missing for a month, folks, but we had to flume to another territory with Bobby Pendragon and stop a race of cat people from destroying a secret village in the mountains. Pass the salt.’ I don’t think so!”

“We knew that was going to be a problem when we left,” Mark countered.

“Yeah, but that was before we kicked Saint Dane’s butt!” Courtney shot back. “If it weren’t for us, Eelong would be a giant litter box. The war is just starting. Bobby needs us. Right, Bobby?”

Bobby didn’t answer. Courtney didn’t like that. “You do want us to help, don’t you?”

“You’ve been helping since day one,” Bobby said calmly.

“We’ve been librarians!” Courtney shouted, jumping to her feet. “We can’t go back to that now that we’ve had a taste of the action!”

“But you have to,” Bobby said with no emotion.

This stunned Courtney. “What? Why?”

“Because I need you to,” Bobby said. “You’re right; you saved Eelong. If it weren’t for you guys, I don’t know what would have happened. You were amazing. But I don’t know what I’m going to find next and-” _

“And what? You don’t think we can hack it?” Courtney said, insulted.

“I don’t even know ifIcan hack it!” Bobby barked so quickly that it made both Mark and Courtney jump.

“Something’s been bugging you, Bobby,” Mark said. “What is it?”

Bobby tried to put his thoughts together before answering. “Something’s not right,” he finally said. “Eelong is safe. I believe that. But still, I’ve got this horrible feeling that I’ve missed something. I know that everything you guys have done was to help, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough. But I’m still trying to figure out the rules here, and if they’re really changing, and what the hell I’m even doing here in the first place!”

By the time he finished the sentence, he was shouting. Courtney sat back down, surprised by Bobby’s outburst. They hadn’t realized he was such a raw nerve. He hadn’t shared his worries with anyone since Black Water was saved. He never even told anyone about seeing Saint Dane in the form of the little blond girl. But it had been weighing on him, and now he was letting the emotion spill out.

“Please don’t give me a hard time about this,” he continued. “I’m barely keeping my head above water here. I can’t watch my butt and yours too. So please, go home. I’ll take you to the flume tomorrow.”

Bobby stormed out of the hut, leaving Courtney and Mark stunned. Neither said anything right away; they had to let Bobby’s tirade settle in.

“Well,” Courtney finally said. “That’s pretty ungrateful. We nearly get killed about twenty times over and all he says is ‘thanks’ and then sends us on our jolly way? That’s bull-“

“It’s not,” Mark said forcefully. “He’s right. We’re not Travelers, Courtney. We don’t belong here.”

“Who says?” Courtney argued.

“Well, Bobby’s uncle Press,” Mark answered.

“Press is gone!” Courtney shot back.

“Yeah, but I think Bobby is still hanging on to him. Press was the guy Bobby trusted above everybody. He was the one who brought him up to be a Traveler, and the only one who knew what it all meant.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Courtney said grudgingly.

“Think about all Bobby’s been through. I couldn’t have done it. And I’m sorry if this is an insult, but I don’t think you could have either. Bobby is a special guy, but he’s just a guy. I think when things get scary for him, he thinks back to what Press taught him about being a Traveler. And us coming to Eelong and bringing the antidote doesn’t fit.”

“But if we hadn’t come, Saint Dane would have won,” Courtney countered.

“It seems like that, but who knows for sure?”

“I do,” Courtney said quickly. “There was no other way. And you know what else? Spader wants us to stay.”

“Does he?” Mark asked. “Or does he just wantyouto stay?” Courtney snapped Mark a surprised look. Mark added, “I’m not an idiot. He likes you.” Courtney didn’t argue.

Mark stood up and said, “But it doesn’t matter. Spader isn’t in charge. Neither is Gunny or Kasha or you or me. Bobby’s the guy. And you know what? As much as I want to go home, if Bobby asked me to stay, I would. But he wants us to go, so I’m going. And you should too.”

When Bobby left Mark and Courtney, he walked onto the balcony of Seegen’s house to calm down and breathe some air. He jumped back when he saw a dark shape climbing up to the platform, but relaxed when he realized it was Kasha.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Kasha said. “Please, come with me.”

Kasha led Bobby to the far side of the balcony, where a ladder stretched farther up into the tree. Bobby followed the klee higher and higher until they emerged onto a small platform that was so high it swayed with the breeze. Though it was a frightening perch, it offered a spectacular view of Leeandra.

“It’s beautiful,” Bobby said as he looked down on the night lights of the city.

“This was my father’s favorite place,” Kasha said. “He often slept here. He used to say that from up here he felt like he could reach out and hold Leeandra in his hands.”

The two looked out over the beautiful city.

“I’m not good with change,” Kasha finally said. “I like things orderly and logical. I thought my father did too. He was a brilliant klee. A visionary. But more than that, he could get things done. I wanted nothing more than to be like him. But when he started telling me about Travelers and Saint Dane, I couldn’t accept it. Nothing he said fit with anything I knew about Eelong, or about him. I thought he had gone crazy. But now I realize he hadn’t changed at all. He was the same dedicated, concerned klee he always was. He had simply adapted to what life threw at him, where I couldn’t.”

“But you did,” Bobby said. “It just took a little longer.”

“Yes, too late,” Kasha said with sorrow. “I turned my back on him. He died thinking I had lost respect for him, and it couldn’t have been further from the truth.”

The two stood in silence for a moment, then Bobby said, “When my uncle Press died, he promised me that we would see each other again. I really can’t say what he meant by that, or how it would happen, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a Traveler, it’s that just when you think you’ve got it all figured out… you don’t. When things get tough, I think about those last words of his. If what he said is true, and I believe it is, then you’ll see your father again.”

Kasha said, “I want to believe that too.”

“Then do,” Bobby said. “It sure makes things easier.”

Kasha said, “I don’t know what other territories are out there, or what more a klee Traveler can do, but I’m with you, Pendragon. Not just for my father. For you.”

Bobby smiled and nodded in thanks. He noticed that Kasha held a small, wooden box. “What’s that?”

Kasha said, “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to do this. My father’s life was about Leeandra. He’d be proud of the changes that are happening. I want him to be a part of it, forever.”

She opened the box and tossed its contents into the air. Carried away on the breeze were Seegen’s ashes. They quickly spread and were taken away to settle over the jungle village.

“He would have liked you, Pendragon,” Kasha said. “I’m glad you were here to share this moment.”

Early the next morning the team of Travelers and acolytes made one final journey together. They walked across the sky bridges of Eelong, back to the huge tree that held the flume. There was a feeling of finality to this trip. They had saved Eelong. They had defeated Saint Dane. And now, they were splitting up.

“This is tough,” Bobby said to the group as he stood in the center of the underground cavern, outside the flume. “We’ve beaten Saint Dane. All of us played a huge part. I wish this were the end, but it isn’t. I know I’ve said this before, but no single one of us has a chance against him. It’s only the strength we have together that gives us hope. If you need proof of that, remember what happened here on Eelong.”

“So that means we’re staying together?” Spader asked.

“Yes,” Bobby answered.

“Hobey! That’s what I like to hear!”

Bobby added, “But not you, Kasha, I’m sorry to say. You wouldn’t exactly go unnoticed on other territories.”

“I understand,” the klee Traveler said. “We’ve plenty to do here on Eelong. But you know if you ever need me…”

She didn’t finish the sentence. Bobby knew.

“Where to, shorty?” Gunny asked.

“I think it’s time to pay Loor a visit,” Bobby said.

“Zadaa!” Spader announced happily. “That Loor’s a handful, she is.”

Bobby turned to Mark and Courtney. Neither looked happy, especially Courtney. Bobby pulled them aside so they could have a private moment between friends.

“I’m sorry about last night, guys,” Bobby said. “I was way out of line.”

“It’s cool, Bobby,” Mark said. “We get it.”

“But?” Courtney asked.

“But I still want you to go home.”

Mark nodded. Courtney looked away, peeved.

“Can I still count on you guys to take care of my journals?” Bobby asked.

“Are you kidding?” Mark said quickly. “Bring ‘em on.”

“I need to know something else,” Bobby said. “This isn’t over. If I ever get to understand things a little more, will you guys come back?”

Courtney’s face lit up. “So you’re not closing the door entirely?” she asked.

“How can I do that?” Bobby said. “I’m winging this. I’ve got to keep every option open.”

Courtney threw her arms around Bobby and hugged him tight. “We’ll be waiting,” Courtney whispered into his ear.

Bobby looked to Mark over Courtney’s shoulder. Mark said, “Just say the word.”

Courtney pulled away from Bobby. Bobby gave Mark a hug. “Thank you, guys. I don’t know what else to say.”

“That’s enough,” Mark said, nearly in tears.

Mark and Courtney made their good-byes all around. When Courtney hugged Spader good-bye, she said, “So you think Loor is a handful, aye? Isn’t that what you said about me?”

Spader backpedaled, saying, “Oh, well, in a different way. I mean, she’s a warrior, trained and all, and you’re, uh, you’re really smart and-“

Bobby burst out laughing. “Spader, this is the first time I’ve seen you nervous.”

“It’s the first time I’ve everbeennervous,” Spader said with an uncomfortable chuckle.

“We’ll see each other again,” Courtney said. “And then we’ll see who’s a handful.”

Gunny gave them both a big hug, then they made their goodbyes to the klees.

“Thank you for everything,” Kasha said.

“Absolutely,” Boon added.

“Hey, it goes with the job,” Mark said cockily.

Courtney gave him a playful shove. “Yeah, right. Let’s go.”

Bobby walked the two of them through the curtain of vines and stood with them in the mouth of the flume. “What are you going to tell your parents?” he asked.

“Good question,” Mark said.

“Any suggestions?” Courtney asked.

“Yeah,” Bobby answered. “Lie.”

The three joined in one last hug, then Mark and Courtney backed into the flume. “Write soon,” Mark said. “You know it,” Bobby answered.

“See ya, Bobby,” Courtney said, then she and Mark turned to face the tunnel to infinity. “Ready?” Mark asked.

“There’s no place like home,” Courtney replied.

“Second Earth!” Mark called out. And things were never the same. The flume began to collapse.

The light appeared in the distance, along with the usual musical notes, but the stone structure of the flume was crumbling.

“Wh-What happened?” Mark shouted.

The stone flume writhed and shuddered. The sound was deafening. Giant chunks of rock fell from overhead. The whole tunnel shifted. Mark was knocked off his feet. The light grew brighter. Bobby ran in and helped Mark to his feet. All around them, the rock lining of the flume came tumbling down.

“Run in!” Bobby shouted over the roar. “Meet the light!”

He gave them both a shove, sending them running into the flume. A crack appeared between Bobby’s feet, opening up a deep chasm beneath. The flume was breaking apart. Bobby dove to his right, hitting the floor of the tunnel with his shoulder. Above him, another rock broke loose and fell. Bobby rolled out of the way, and right to the edge of the crack that was now a chasm. He glanced back into the flume to see that Mark and Courtney were nothing more than silhouettes running into the light. Above him, rocks continued to break loose and rain down, crashing all around him. He crawled away from the edge of the chasm in a desperate attempt to get out of the flume, when the floor beneath him crumbled.

An instant later Mark and Courtney were gone.