第111节

From the looks they had given him during the colouring of their skins,

it was clear they were aware of the irony of the situation. It had

forced them to reconsider their own comforting beliefs and

prejudices.

Not an easy thing to do after a lifetime of relentless indoctrination

as Steve had discovered for himself.

The existence of clear-skinned Mutes had been their first big

surprise.

The fact that someone with Cadillac's skills was actually a Mute had

been even more unsettling - and Clearwater had knocked them sideways.

The power she had unleashed against the Iron Masters had left them

bewildered and more than a little uneasy - a reaction that led to the

awkward silences between them.

Steve understood this problem too. He had felt the same way when he

had witnessed her powers as a summoner for the first time. Jodi and

Kelso found it hard to reconcile the vengeful, almost superhuman figure

who had held the Iron Masters at bay while they worked frantically to

load the rocket trays, with the young, slim-bodied, blue-eyed girl who

nestled against Steve's shoulder.

But they did not know her as he did. They did not know the depth of

feeling she could inspire, nor the warmth of her response. They saw

only a death-machine who, for the moment, had dropped into neutral

gear. They did not know she was merely a channel through which the

power of Talisman entered the world.

Clearwater had been drained, physically and emotionally, by the

ferocious nature of the forces that had poured through her. The

enforced delay before boarding the wheelboat had given her a chance to

rest and recoup her energies, but she remained quiet and subdued.

Steve put an arm round her shoulder and drew her close. 'You pleased

to be going home?"

She settled against him, her forehead touching his cheek. 'I am happy

to be with you."

'That's not a real answer. What about your clan sisters and

brothers?

And Mr Snow."

'They are not forgotten. But it is hard to think beyond this moment.

When we are together, the world ends with you and I."

'Yeah,' murmured Steve. 'I've felt that too."

But not now. Decision time was coming up fast... 'When will this

journey end?"

'All I can tell you is that it takes about a day and a half to reach

Bu-faro. That's on one of the lakes your people call "the Great

River". Once we get across that, we'll be in Plainfolk territory with

a long walk ahead of us." The prospect caused him to knead the wound

in his thigh.

Well done, Stevie. What a brilliant piece of timing that was.

Clearwater straightened up a little, so that she could see the whole of

his face. 'The man who met us on landing, the others who brought us to

the wheelboat. What do you know of them? Who are they?"

'Friends,' said Steve.

'How can that be? They are Iron Masters."

'So?"

'And the Mute, who watches over us, but who is not of the Plainfolk.

Is he a friend too?"

Steve took hold of her hands and gripped them tightly.

'Now listen! It doesn't matter who he is, or who they are!

I'm the only friend you need!" He dropped his voice. 'I promised Mr

Snow I would bring you both back safe and sound. To get this far I've

had to lie and cheat and kill and I'm ready to do it all over again!'

'And I have killed for you,' she whispered. 'Many times over. Why

will you not tell me the -' 'Don't ask me what the truth is! I don't

know what the word means any more! This world is a mirage conjured out

of shifting sand! The only thing that is real for me is the power, the

feeling - or whatever it is that