False Horizon - Alex Archer [44]
“You have played a part in bringing Tuk back to us. For that, we are beyond grateful.”
Annja shook her head. “It wouldn’t be right for me to take any credit for what has happened. Any part of mine in this has been purely coincidental.”
Tuk’s mother smiled. “I know that one such as yourself doesn’t truly believe in coincidence. You have seen things—done things—that defy such an explanation as simple chance.”
Annja said nothing. Tuk’s mother was right. Annja didn’t believe in coincidence, but that didn’t mean she’d helped bring Tuk back, did it?
“If anyone deserves your gratitude, it is Tuk himself,” Annja said. “Although I’ve only known him for a day he has impressed me in ways I could never imagine. Your son is a force unto himself. He saved my life and the life of a dear friend of mine. Were it not for Tuk’s help, we would have certainly perished.”
Tuk’s mother smiled. “And yet you were the catalyst for bringing him home to us, so please do accept my gratitude.”
Annja bowed her head. “Thank you.”
“You mentioned your friend. This is the one called Mike?”
Annja looked up. “Yes. He was badly injured out on the mountains.” Did it make sense to mention the airplane crash? Did they know what airplanes were here? Annja decided to keep things as simple as possible.
“He is no longer injured,” Tuk’s mother said. “He is resting now comfortably. I believe he will awake within the hour if you can wait.”
“His rest is more important than me seeing him,” Annja said. She smiled. “So, it was your people who took him from the cave while we slept?”
Tuk’s mother nodded. “When we learned that someone had found the portal, we sent people to investigate. As you can imagine, we are much more guarded about our existence as a result of what happened to our son so many years ago.”
“Understandably so,” Annja said.
“While you slept we were able to observe and see that Mike was badly injured. We brought him through first since he would have died had we not.”
“I am indebted to you for that act,” Annja said. “And I’m sure I speak for Mike when I say thank you.”
“We have spoken to Mike. It was he who told us about both you and our son. It’s how we knew that there was a chance our boy had returned to us.”
Tuk’s father coughed once. “As you can imagine, we were beside ourselves with hope. And I apologize for the manner in which you were transported. But we’ve found it’s best if no one knows quite how they get here.”
“The perfume,” Annja said.
Tuk’s father nodded. “A slight sleeping gas derived from some of the flora that grow here. It’s quite harmless except that it does produce a nearly complete state of slumber. It wears off with no adverse effects after a time.”
“It was a beautiful scent,” Annja said. “But I suppose that’s the point, isn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
“How should I address you both?” Annja asked. “I’m assuming that you are both rulers of this incredible place. Are you the king and queen?”
Tuk’s father nodded. “Officially, we have those titles, but we are known by much simpler names. I am Guge and my wife is known as Vanya.”
“Guge?” Annja frowned. “There was a monarchy of kings in Tibet known as the Guge. Are you related to them?”
Guge nodded. “I am a descendant of that dynasty. I am Guge XXV. Tuk is actually Guge XXVI.”
Tuk blinked. “I rather prefer my own name, actually.”
Vanya laughed and Annja was surprised at how musical she sounded. “We will call you whatever you wish to be called, my son. It does not matter so long as you are here with us.”
Guge nodded. “It is as your mother says, Tuk. However you wish to be known is acceptable. You were named Guge at birth, but if Tuk suits you better, then we will make the alteration accordingly.”
“Thank you.”
From the left side of the pavilion an attendant swept up toward Vanya’s throne. She hurriedly whispered something in the queen’s ear. Vanya turned and looked at Annja.
“Your friend Mike, is he rather a stubborn sort?”
“Mike?” Annja frowned. “Well, I guess you could describe him that way. When he gets his head wrapped around something,