The Gravitational Leap. Darrell Lee

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      Chapter 3

      Timo and Alyd waited for the guard to open the metal door that led outside. Once it was opened enough for passage, he waved them through.

      They heard the timing bell being rung in the Tower courtyard. Out of habit, Timo and Alyd looked at the watches on their wrists and they corrected them to read 12:00. They turned toward home, without really thinking about it. The snow fell heavier than when they had entered the chamber. Fat, lazy flakes meandered down from the sky and stuck to everything. Mercifully, the wind had eased; when they stood on the lee side of the street it actually felt calm. Smoke billowed from chimneys and drifted and curled its way down the streets and alleys.

      “A reactor is what they called it,” Alyd said once they were a block away. “That’s what makes the electricity that powers the lights inside the Tower and on the wall.” Alyd stopped and looked back at the Tower. “I bet that’s what makes steam come out of those vents.”

      “Wow, did you notice how warm it is inside the chamber? I bet the Tower is the same way,” Timo said, trying to judge Alyd’s level of anger.

      “Just shut up! I can’t believe you lied to the High Council,” Alyd said.

      Yep, pretty damn mad.

      “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell them everything. What difference could that knife make anyway?” Timo said, vainly attempting to defend a position he knew he couldn’t.

      “Evidently, they think anything that scout carried is important. Maldor even had the radio in his pocket.”

      “That is strange. Usually intel goes to Bartel’s office. Why would he have it?” Timo asked.

      “Because it’s important. Really important. We don’t have to know why; we are just supposed to give the leaders all the information we have and let them decide. Clearly the Denock and Asus have joined together—they far outnumber us. That radio was new and different; either they made it or they stole it. The same thing applies to any weapons they may have. Just like that knife!” Alyd struggled to keep her voice calm.

      Timo didn’t respond. Alyd silently fumed as they walked without talking. The fresh snow crunched under their boots. Children came out of their dwellings and began their walk to the school near the center of the village. Unhappily, they trudged through the snow, stopping at street corners to gather in groups of three and four and then head down the street, leaving tiny footprints behind them.

      At the end of the autumn season, as the threat from the Denock appeared to increase, the High Council ordered all the families that farmed to move inside the wall for the winter, along with their cattle, horses, and poultry. It made a crowded situation that much worse. Timo and Alyd could spot the families that had just moved inside the walls. They were always clothed in drab, soil-stained clothing and worn jackets that had spent a lot of time in the elements. The children played about in the street, not yet enrolled in the school. They were enjoying their holiday and exploring their new surroundings.

      A horse-drawn cart passed them, going in the same direction they were. The clopping horses’ hooves kicked up snow behind each step. In the back were a half dozen wooden crates. The driver stopped a half block ahead. A barrel-chested man, who made the cart squeak and sink to whichever side he stood, got out and took one of the crates into a café. By the time Timo and Alyd got there, the man was coming back out.

      “Good morning, Jacob,” Timo said, smiling broadly.

      “Timo! I haven’t seen you since graduation.” He shook Timo’s hand and looked at Alyd. “I heard you got married. They told me she was beautiful, those liars. My horse is beautiful—she’s gorgeous! I don’t have to ask how married life is treating you. I can see it’s very well.”

      “Jacob, this is my wife, Alyd. Alyd, this is an old friend from school, Jacob.”

      Jacob extended his meaty hand, which swallowed Alyd’s. “It’s a pleasure.”

      “Thank you.”

      “And you, Jacob—have you found a wife?” Timo asked.

      “Not yet. I am conducting oral interviews as often as I can, though.” Jacob gave a sly wink, and they all laughed. “Well, I must be going. I have five more deliveries to make this morning.”

      “What are you delivering?” Alyd asked.

      “Eggs. Fresh eggs just laid yesterday. Since all the farming families are inside the wall now, we have an explosion of eggs. I buy them from the farmers and sell them to the café owners.”

      Timo’s and Alyd’s eyes widened. “They have fresh eggs at this café?” Timo asked.

      “Yes, they do.” СКАЧАТЬ