第13节

between Roz and Wallis.

'Well, he's bound to look upon it as a set-back, but it's not a major

disaster. Thanks to Roz, I will at least be able to tell him that

she's alive and in good hands."

'But will he support Cadillac's plan to go for Red River?"

'He has to. The clan won't attack a wagon-train if he isn't there to

lead them."

Parsons insisted. 'Yes, but how do you know he will?" 'Because he's

old. He's near the end of the line, with maybe only a couple of big

shots left in the locker.

Summoners die a little every time they call up the power.

These guys don't get a free ride. Each time they pull down the really

heavy shit, their own lives are on the line. I'm not kidding. I've

seen it. Their eyes are dead, their bodies are empty shells. It takes

time to recharge the batteries.

'The M'Calls will make an all-out effort to rescue Clearwater because

she's Mr Snow's successor. Without a summoner, they can't hold onto

their position as the paramount clan of the She-Kargo bloodline.

They're finished.

That's why he will lead them against Red River."

Steve smiled. 'And as honorary member of the Plainfolk, I'll be right

alongside him."

'Haven't you overlooked something?" said Nevill, clearly underwhelmed

by Steve's assurances. 'Something you told us a while back? About

your friend Mr Snow the Storm-Bringer? Isn't that the name the Mutes

give to someone who holds seven of the nine so-called Rings of

Power?"

'Yes..."

'Terrific. This is the guy, who according to you, could have blown me

out of the sky. And you're suggesting we just let him loose inside Red

River. You must be out of your fuckin' mind!" 'Red River won't be in

any danger." His kin-sister's mouth was closed but Steve could her her

other voice whispering to him. 'Roz is not just a telepath. She has

the power to completely disorientate Mr Snow's mind put it into neutral

gear, if you like - so that he can't use it to channel the power he

draws from the earth and sky."

'Oh, yeah?" scoffed Nevill. 'Since when?"

'Ask her,' said Steve.

Wallis, anxious to take the heat out of the situation, adopted a

conciliatory tone. 'If this was true, it could be a very interesting

development. Is there, ahh - any way you could validate the claim your

kin-brother has just made?"

Roz looked a little nervous. 'You mean. now?"

'Well, yes. I realize we're not under threat from a summoner, but if

you could give us some tangible demonstration of the, ahh - mental

powers you would use on such an occasion it ' '- would be very

helpful,' said Steve.

Nevill laughed. 'For crissakes, ClanI You don't really believe this

bullshit, do you?"

'Jake - just shut your mouth, okay?" Wallis nodded to Roz. 'Is this

how you want to do it? With us sitting around the table?"

'Yes, that's fine." Roz placed her hands on the table, shut her eyes

and breathed deeply. 'Move your chairs as close in as you can."

'Do we have to shut our eyes too?" asked Wallis.

'No,' said Roz. 'I want you to enjoy the view."

And with that, the room dissolved around them. Steve felt a stiff

breeze on his face. Looking up, he saw a clear blue sky above his

head, stretching away to an incredibly distant horizon rimmed with

clouds. They were sitting around the table in the open air! It was an

hallucination, of course. But one they all shared, and the detail was

absolutely amazing. So real! It was fantastic!

Roz looked incredibly tranquil, in marked contrast to the task-force

who sat paralysed with terror. Looking down, Steve saw why. This

hallucination was not only fantastic, it was absolutely horrific. He

and the other people seated round the table were perched on top of a

narrow pinnacle of weathered rock at leas