man couldnt be blamed. The larger rules of the world were broken, the Lords rules. But the simpler rules that guided the heart of each man were intact. These were the rules that never changed. Knowing right from wrong. Surviving and letting others be. Maybe even lending a fucking hand.
Conner? someone asked, as he approached the outhaul tunnel. It was Ashek. He mustve been on his way down from dumping his buckets, as his pole was held casually across one shoulder. Where you been, man?
The two boys clasped hands, and Conner lowered his ker. They had to strain to see each other in the flicker of torchlight. The moon would not be up for hours yet.
Been helping my mom, Conner said, not wanting to explain any further. Hey, have you seen is everyone else here? Everyone okay?
Yeah, except for the kids who didnt show up for class. But most of them werent around yesterday either. Off diving for Danvar. So Im sure theyre fine. I just passed Gloralai on the way down. She was taking a haul up to the ridge.
Uh yeah thanks. Conner tripped over his words. He hadnt mentioned looking for her, didnt think anyone knew he liked her, not even Gloralai herself. He thanked Ashek again and headed up the ridge. Dark shapes blotted the stars on the path up, and Conner felt naked without his haulpole and buckets. A large figure ahead, a familiar voice. Conner saw Ryder huffing his way down the sand path. The two boys stopped and looked at each other. Ryder tugged his ker off his mouth.
You okay? he asked.
Conner nodded. You?
Fuck no. I should be out diving, not doing this shit.
This is just as important, Conner said. He kept himself square to Ryder and hoped the boy didnt see the tank on his back.
Yeah, whatever.
But there was something different as Ryder went past him and strode down the sloping sand. More of what had seemed significant falling away from yesterdays cares. The things at the center of Conners universe no longer were. The world had wobbled; its axis had shifted; the core was now at the periphery and vice versa. But there, higher up the ridge, a slimmer hole stood out in the dense constellations, a familiar form, the memory of a beer and a bowl of stew, of thinking that running away might not be the answer. Conner joined Gloralai on the top of the ridge just as she dumped the last of her sand into the wind. When she turned and saw him, there was a gasp. She dropped her pole. Arms around his neck, nearly knocking him over, the feel of her sweat on his skin and not caring. Enjoying it. A sign of her toil. The embrace letting him know she cared. That he wasnt alone.
Ive been so worried, she said. And Conner realized why Ashek had told him where she was. She had been looking for him . She pulled away and brushed the hair off her face. Everywhere she had pressed against him cooled in the breeze. The sand in the air stuck to the sweat shed left on his skin, and Conner didnt mind. Someone said you pulled Daisys kids out of the courthouse. Is that true?
Conner wasnt sure. Thered been dozens of people. Theyd all looked the same in his red dive light. I remember the courthouse, he said.
Gloralai placed a hand on his arm and turned him, looked at the dive gear on his back. You went camping. You didnt come back. I thought
Conner reached out and placed a hand on the back of Gloralais neck. He pulled her close and kissed her, staunching her worry and his as well. She kissed him back. The tank fell to the sand, arms snaking around one another, her lips on his neck, a classmate dumping his buckets in the nearby dark and saying, Get a fucking room.
Laughter against his neck. Her exhalations. Conner kissed her cheek and tasted salt. Im sorry I wasnt here, he said. But what he wanted to apologize for was thinking of leaving. For taking the wrong chance. The wrong chance. And now Ive gotta leave town for a while. My sister needs me.
Your sister. Gloralai studied his face in the starlight. Buckets rattled on a haulpole as a silhouette left them alone again on the ridge.
Yeah. The same people who attacked here might be heading to Low-Pub. I dont want her going alone.
Youre gonna sail there? Tonight?
We go at first light.
When will you be back?
I dont know.
Then Ill come with you. I have a brother in Low-Pub
No, Conner said. Im sorry. But no.
Her hands fell away from his arms. I understand.
Ill find you when I get back, he promised. And it suddenly became very important that he got back.
What about your hauls? she asked.
Conner looked down at her pole and the two buckets. Ive carried all I can today,
he said. Theyll have to understand.
You staying at your place tonight? Can I come see you?
Conner thought of the family in his home. No, he said. Im camping with my sister on her sarfer.
And you leave at first light.
Yeah.
Gloralai took his hand. Then stay with me tonight.
52 A Pillar of Smoke
You said first light, he told her.
Vic nodded toward the horizon where a bare glow could be seen. Maybe.
Aw, cmon.
Man the jib, she told him. But first, get your suit plugged in so it can build a charge. You probably drained it yesterday. And make sure that gear is lashed down. Its gonna be windy today.