Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [79]
‘Someone did.’
‘Who?’
When she didn’t answer he tried another tack. ‘Do you know where the portals lead?’ He kept his voice light, hoping this wasn’t going to be another dead-end conversation.
‘I was told they are pathways to the many-worlds.’
He exhaled. ‘You were told correctly.’
‘Thought so.’ She leaned forward in the saddle, allowing the mare to gallop up a side track. ‘This way,’ she shouted as they ran. ‘It’s nearly dark.’
‘You make it sound like dark is the enemy,’ he said as they crested the rise.
‘It is.’
‘Why? What happens after the sun goes down?’
She looked at him, her eyes gleaming. ‘We get off the road.’
He was about to question further, but her expression changed his mind. They galloped on, dusk settling over them like a thick quilt, the cadent rhythm of the horses’ hooves and their measured breaths a mantra: hurry along, hurry along.
When they crested the last in a series of undulating hills, Jarrod spotted the cabin. The outline was visible in the rising moon. It nestled in a narrow valley and was made from the logs of the surrounding trees. Beyond the small barn was a pasture, knee-high in grass and fenced with wooden posts and slat rails. A creek meandered through the far corner, flowing in a rush towards a dam below. It reminded him of his adopted family’s land in Lividica, except for the massive mountain behind it. He tilted his head. It was jagged and snow-capped, the wind from its slopes icy cold.
He buttoned his collar as they walked the horses down the winding pathway. Not many travellers took this road, judging by the overgrowth. Certainly no wagons or carts would make it.
‘Is this your property?’ he asked Selene when they reached the barn.
‘It was my family’s.’ She opened the wide doors and led them in.
‘Was?’
She nodded. ‘Now it’s mine.’
She lit a few lamps, then tied her horse away from the water barrel until she was untacked and rubbed down. He did the same with his mount, currying the damp coat in brisk, circular motions. After letting them drink, they turned the horses out into the paddock and followed the path to the cabin.
Inside was a cosy home with a high, open-beam ceiling, many windows and central stairs leading to a loft. Selene busied herself at the hearth, making a fire while Jarrod lit more lamps. The main downstairs room had a huge fireplace, tall bookshelves and a long sturdy table surrounded by many chairs.
‘Large family, yours?’
‘Not any more.’
They shared a meal of nut and black rice porridge laced with dried fruit. Selene didn’t talk about her past, but she was very keen to know more of his. Surprisingly, she didn’t ask about his conversation with the Caller. Jarrod suspected that she was one of those spies the other woman had been so concerned about. The wind picked up outside and Jarrod scooted closer to the fire. ‘You never told me why we had to be off that road after dark.’
‘Didn’t I?’ She shrugged. ‘It gets cold at night.’
‘That’s it?’
She turned her face to the fire, warming her hands. ‘That, and the occasional band of thieves.’
‘They’d attack the first marshal of the border scouts?’
‘No, but it wasn’t me I was worried about.’ She smiled. ‘Come. We need to sleep. Tomorrow we find the portal and cross to your world.’
‘Why do I get the feeling you have an agenda of your own, Selene?’
She held out her hand, ignoring his query. ‘You do sleep where you come from, don’t you?’ she asked.
He smiled. ‘And then some.’
‘That’s encouraging.’ She led him to the loft, but didn’t let go of his hand.
EARTH—TIME: BACKWARD
CHAPTER 18
‘Dr Kelly, we need help!’
Everett looked up from his monitor and frowned at his med student. ‘Get an intern, I’m busy.’
‘We need you. It’s an emergency.’
He took off