Читать книгу Rise to the Rahz - Erik van Mechelen - Страница 3

Kaydin closed his eyes and considered the darkness on the inside of his eyelids. It was a space crowded with floating colored shapes from his just-viewed vantage of Growing Room One. The clusters of plants lit by crimson earthlights were the centerpiece to a shadow-cornered cave.

With turma brought from his chest to his head, he lit Retain. The shadow images behind his eyelids sharpened. It was the only way Kaydin knew to ensure the ability was working. Now he would be able to Reflect on his upcoming conversation with the worker. Every sensory detail of it. Even some of his own thoughts. When combined with Heighten it was quite useful.

Kaydin poked his head around the corner. The worker appeared like any other. About his age. Small nose, almond eyes like his own. But hairless. Plain smock matching his skin. Trousers down to his ankles, unlike Kaydin’s, which cut loosely at the shins and was colored slate to blend with the darkness. A belt of lizard skin. Weak arms, active fingers.

What are you doing here so late? Maybe he was curious how the bulbs had made their big turnaround since Director Dimah took over from his predecessor. Kaydin frowned; Haven still didn’t know why Director Leber was so suddenly sent to his death in the Abyss.

“Growing fast, aren’t they?” said Kaydin, approaching the worker.

The worker started, but turned the attention back on Kaydin. “Why are you still here?”

Of course, Kaydin should have assumed he would be taken for a worker. “I’m new, so I was a little slower today.”

“Wasn’t your training sufficient?” He kept glancing down at the leafy folds of the turma plant at their feet.

Kaydin tried to calm him. If nothing else, he imagined the worker might find his stubbled beard intimidating. “I think I’ll learn fast. But maybe they will give me a new uniform tomorrow?” Kaydin laughed to diffuse the tension.

“Perhaps Director Dimah will provide you another back at quarters.”

“Sure,” said Kaydin. “So, what was it you were looking at?”

“I think I should be going.”

“It’s okay,” said Kaydin quickly, “I’m not a director in disguise. I’m curious, too.”

The worker turned back to face Kaydin. “Quickly. The toll will ring soon.” He lifted a leaf to reveal the bulbs huddled around the stalk. “Normally the turma plants have five bulbs. But this one has six.”

“Interesting,” said Kaydin casually. But this was fascinating. With his knife he cut the entire bulb from the plant.

The worker gasped. “You can’t do that, it’s not ready for harvest!”

“You mean I wasn’t supposed to do that?” He flashed a sly grin.

The worker was distracted, felt his nose, sniffed, and looked down as he wiggled his toes. Kaydin knew he'd caught a whiff of the turma powder. He was going to make a comment about it, but he was interrupted.

A low tone echoed through the walls around them: the first toll.

“We should go,” said the worker urgently. “You’re new aren't you? Do you know the way back?”

“I’ll be alright,” said Kaydin, smiling again, brushing his hair from his eyes. The worker grimaced, confused.

“But you should probably go now,” said Kaydin. As the worker continued to stare at him, Kaydin raised his eyebrows. “If I were you, I wouldn’t want to be out past the second toll.”

“Well…then, goodbye, and," the worker searched for word, "may you descend in peace.”

Kaydin watched as the adolescent strode quickly to the front of the small cavern, only making noise as he replaced his tools in the alcoves lining the entrance wall. Kaydin shook his head. The poor boy thought I couldn’t handle himself when the sentinels came out to play.