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  “Then I’m coming and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

  Before Callen could say a word she moved to find herself a place to sleep.

  Callen sat quietly, staring into the patterns of the burning embers, trying to sort out what to do. Before long Eve was sound asleep and he was able to watch her. He allowed his head to rest to one side as he pushed his back into a nearby boulder for support. It was in this position he woke to daylight. Lien was carelessly flicking earth onto the last few coals of the night’s fire. Eve was no-where to be seen.

  “Morning,” Lien said. There was the sense some of his anger from the night before had lifted. Callen’s neck ached as he worked the stiffness from it.

  “Do we need to talk about what I said to you last night?” Lien asked.

  “No, sir,” Callen respectfully replied.

  Lien nodded, glad they had an understanding.

  “Why did you argue to let me go?” Callen asked.

  Lien paused for a brief moment, then got back to work leaving the question unanswered.

  Eve arrived back at the site with wet hair. Lien was almost finished saddling the horses and tried to ignore Eve’s return. She treated Callen nonchalantly, letting him know she’d had a very enjoyable swim in the river and thought it a shame he wasn’t awake to join her. Callen felt they’d caused enough problems without provoking Lien further. Eve didn’t share the view and planted a passionate kiss on Callen’s lips in full view of her father. Callen was so shocked he did nothing to stop her. When Eve stepped away, Lien was staring at them. Eve walked to her horse to re-pack the last of her things. Callen didn’t know where to look. He began kicking dirt onto embers Lien had already covered. Lien called to ride out as he mounted his horse.

  As the horses walked the trail, Lien dropped back to Callen. The small rocky track up from the river was barely big enough for two horses riding side by side, but Lien needed a private word.

  “I’ve met a lot of city dwellers who’ve let me down. I hope you’re not going to be one of them.”

  Chapter 14.

  It was just short of midday when the three arrived back at camp. The camp looked a little more regimented with many people busy with chores. Ky had been given the responsibility of running things in Lien’s absence and his over enthusiasm was showing.

  Lien asked Callen to make a list of things he needed for the journey back to the City. Callen’s only request would be suitable clothes to enter the city and go unnoticed. Eve was growing more annoyed as details of Callen’s trip were discussed and she walked defiantly to her quarters.

  “She still thinks she’s coming with me,” Callen said to Lien.

  “I’ll deal with her. You make sure your ready.”

  Callen nodded and headed away to his dorm to pack for the journey ahead.

  Eve busied herself in her room. She too was packing for the journey and was doing so with little regard for being found out. Lien opened her bedroom door and watched her go about her business. She didn’t miss a beat, nor did she stop to acknowledge his presence.

  “I’m not letting you go with him,” Lien said with compassion in his voice.

  “Too bad.”

  Lien shook his head, before quietly backing away and exiting. Eve looked at the door as it clicked shut. It was a curious look. She knew she hadn’t won approval, but Lien had given up too easily and that worried Eve.

  Lien summoned Ky to his office and began by thanking him for stepping in to command the post. Ky graciously accepted the praise but wanted to know what had happened at the Elders. Lien was worried how Ky would react to the truth so he only told him that Callen had been given permission to travel through the Outlocked land. Ky was shocked. Lien feigned sharing Ky’s shock.

  “I spoke at the hearing, but the Elders gave him permission.”

  “Why would they take such a risk?”

  “They don’t think it is a risk.”

  “You don’t think he’ll try to go back?”

  Lien wasn’t prepared to lie outright to Ky’s face so he deflected with more pressing news.

  “Eve wants to go with him.”

  Ky wasn’t happy to hear it.

  “Why?”

  Lien said nothing, but fixed Ky with a stare.

  “I was right about them, wasn’t I?” Ky said.

  “Yes. I’m sorry. I know you like her.”

  Ky took a moment to gather himself.

  “What do you want me to do?” he asked.

  “Eve thinks it’ll be some kind of adventure. I don’t want her going.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  “Twenty four hours, Ky. And that means I’m giving you permission to watch her twenty four hours. Don’t listen when she complains. If it gets too bad bring her to me and I’ll speak to her.”

  “Yes, sir.” Ky was delighted to be the one to make sure Eve’s contact with Callen ended.

  Eve drew breath ready to continue the argument with her father as her door opened. Before she could begin she was defeated. Ky entered.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  Ky reacted with a hurt look.

  “What sort of greeting is that after not seeing me for two days?”

  “Sorry.”

  Eve knew Ky would be missing her, but she also knew she had to find a way to let him know whatever chance they had of becoming closer had come to an end when Callen arrived. She decided, given the circumstances, now was not the time. She continued packing.

  “Your dad told me what you want to do.”

  Eve stopped what she was doing and looked to Ky.

  “So you know he’s going; with the Elder’s permission?”

  “Lien told me. And I know why you want to go with him.”

  Eve went back to her packing, trying to avoid the issue, but knowing exactly what Ky was referring to.

  “I miss the way we used to talk, Eve.”

  Eve smiled sympathetically.

  “I do too,” she said diplomatically.

  Ky moved closer with an outstretched hand and placed it gently on the small of Eve’s back. Eve flinched at the contact. She spun around.

  “Why so jumpy?” he asked.

  Eve regained her composure. She had a trip to pack for and was well aware her father would try to stop her, now she feared Ky would as well. She grew nervous about his presence.

  “I need some time alone, Ky”

  Ky stood where he was and looked awkward.

  “Ky?”

  “Your father asked me to stay with you.”

  “What?”

  “He’s concerned about you. He wants to make sure you don’t do anything silly.”

  Eve stood staring at Ky with annoyance. She turned and began to pack, throwing clothing into her bag with force.

  “And you agreed to watch me?” she spat at Ky.

  “I was ordered to watch you, so I don’t have a choice.”

  “You do have a choice, Ky. We all have choices, unless you’re the daughter of a man born in the city.”

  Ky didn’t respond and Eve didn’t slow her packing.

  “You’re not going to stop me”.

  Ky found a chance to return Eve’s sympathetic smile. Eve knew what it meant.

  “You can’t watch me all the time.”

  “Yes, I can. That’s what we’re trained for, remember?”

  “I need to change,” Eve said staring at Ky, hoping at least this would give her a moment alone.

  Ky didn’t move. Eve showed her disgust.

  “Ky!?”

  “I’m not leaving.”

  Eve flared, deciding to meet the challenge full on. She tore off her shirt and her trousers. Her undergarments went last, leaving her naked in front of the one man who’d been dreaming of the sight. Ky didn’t know where to look as Eve threw her arms out defiantly.

  “Happy?!”

  Ky looked to the mantle and began to inspect the items on display. It was a pathetic attempt to look distracted, bu
t it was all Ky could think of to do.

  Eve dressed in fresh clothes, never once abandoning her annoyed state. Once clothed, she demanded to know why Ky would do this to her when he claimed to love her? Surely someone going with Callen who could report back was better than letting him go alone? Ky’s response was simple; Lien had asked him to watch her and he was going to do as asked. Eve shook her head.

  “Dad’s the one who talked the Elders into letting Callen go.”

  “He must have had his reasons.”

  “And when he goes back to the city to tell them what’s out here, I hope they listen to him.”

  Ky looked confused.

  “He won’t be going back. We still have patrols to stop him if he goes anywhere near the border.”

  Eve realised Ky didn’t know where Callen was heading.

  “He’s going back. That’s what they gave him permission to do.”

  Ky was sure Eve was making up a story to try and stop him watching over her.

  “If he’s going back to the city, why do you want to go?”

  “Do you think it’s a good idea to let him go?”

  “Of course not, but I don’t think that’s where he’s going. The Elders would never allow it.”

  “Why would I lie, Ky?!”

  Ky paused. Eve wasn’t about to let his mind rest.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea either. But I can’t stop him from this room, can I?”

  The two stared at each other. Eve knew she had Ky thinking and she also knew gaining his support was the only hope she had of joining Callen. Ky was close to believing Eve. The only thing standing in the way was how Lien felt about news of their world getting back to those within the city. Ky couldn’t believe Lien would support such a journey.

  Eve strode confidently to the door of Lien’s study and flung it open. Lien was lying on his leather couch, boots off and eyes closed.

  “I’ve told Ky about Callen going back to the city. He doesn’t believe me.”

  Lien swung his feet from the couch and slipped them awkwardly into his boots, before walking calmly to his desk.

  “It doesn’t change his orders”

  Lien looked to Ky trying to gauge his mind.

  “You’re not going to jeopardise your career over this, Ky, are you?”

  “No, Sir!”

  “I don’t believe this.”

  Eve headed back to her room. Ky followed, but was caught by Lien’s final words.

  “Don’t let me down, Ky.”

  Ky nodded giving his assurance and then left the room. Eve was back at the bed packing her case. Ky closed the door. Controlling his rage he began to swear and insult Lien with no regard for the fact that his daughter was right in front of him.

  Ky thought the trip Callen was being allowed to make risked everything they and generations before them had built. He’d heard Lien talk about guarding against this very thing and yet, here was that same man, going against everything he’d ever said. He couldn’t believe the Elders had allowed it. And the final straw, as far as Ky was concerned, was Lien’s comment questioning his sense of duty. Ky was livid and stalked the room, trying to dispel the aggressive energy that was threatening to choke him. Eve stood watching him. She knew she had her ally.

  Callen and Lien emerged from the small barracks where Callen had been preparing his pack. He was wearing an odd assortment of city clothes, gathered to compliment the clothes he’d arrived with. The outfit was finished off with a long coat, covering the mismatched colours and patterns of the windsealer, pants and newly replaced shirt. He also carried a water bottle and some biscuits, neatly packed in a small back pack he wore with ease.

  Lien signalled to those on the gate that their young traveller was ready to depart. The gate opened, not fully, but enough for a single person to pass through. There was little left for Callen to do but leave and he and Lien shook hands before he left the grounds of the camp to begin his trek to the gateway between the two worlds.

  Lien arrived back from seeing Callen away and went straight to Eve’s room. Ky met him at the door and ushered him in playing the role of Eve’s guard perfectly. Eve had taken up a suitable position on the bed with a furious, although defeated look on her face. Lien looked around. There was nothing out of place. Contented, he nodded his head and left the two alone, satisfied Eve’s presence and lack of fight signalled her surrender.

  “Now we can go,” Eve said, almost as soon as Lien’s footsteps moved away from her door.

  “Think,” Ky warned.

  He wanted to wait. Callen had at least a four hour trip ahead of him, but they knew the land better than he did and Ky was certain slipping away would be easier if they bided their time. Eve could see the sense in it. She was relieved to have someone so competent on her side and very happy it was Ky. She’d been part of his boarder team many times and knew he was a skilful tactician. If anyone could track Callen down, it would be him.

  “If I have to kill him to stop him I will,” he said.

  Eve froze. She knew Ky was fanatical about the city, but she never considered how far he would go if he felt a genuine threat existed.

  “You’re no better than them, if you do that.”

  Eve was only thinking of Callen.

  “I never said I was,” Ky said coldly.

  Eve tried to press the point, but Ky wasn’t moved and argued that he’d been trained to protect against people from the city discovering the truth of the Outlocked lands. It was a task that until recently Lien had shared with him. Ky now felt, when called to act, only one of them had what it would take to carry through. If that meant Callen had to die, then Ky was ready to make sure that happened.

  Eve was faced with a torturous decision. Her only hope of joining Callen was with Ky’s help, but accepting that help would result in Callen’s death. Ky could tell she had reservations and Eve realised, if her support was questioned, she’d be left behind. Callen would be more vulnerable facing Ky alone. She acted quickly, doing the only thing she could think of. She walked to Ky, placed her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  “If you think that’s what we need to do then I won’t stop you.”

  Ky smiled. Eve’s long overdue advance was welcomed.

  Ky went through his plans in detail. They’d leave just before nightfall. Eve forced a smile, but her mind was already planning how to stop any harm coming to Callen and allow her to travel with him back to the city.

  Chapter 15.

  Callen was again on his own. His thoughts were of Eve. He felt sad to be without her and worried his return couldn’t be guaranteed. Away in the Outlocked land for almost two weeks his return to the city would cause confusion and dismay. The news he’d deliver about what he’d found would only add to this. He knew speaking up could put him in danger, but he never once considered changing his plans.

  Back at camp Ky and Eve were biding their time. Lien was trying his best to appear calm – but he wasn’t. He made a number of trips to his daughter’s room to check on all matters trivial. Almost two hours slipped by since Callen had left the camp and Eve was now getting a little agitated by the wait. She pressed Ky into action. The two began a cautious journey from Eve’s room out to the grounds of the camp. They relieved two junior ranked guards, who were hard at work grooming the horses. Once alone they saddled up. Ky came to ground level from the stable door. He looked around the camp grounds. All was quiet. Returning to the horses he took out a gun. He clicked on and off the safety to check it was ready. Eve stared at the weapon.

  “I’ve only got the one, sorry.”

  Eve made a final adjustment to her mount’s girth, before following Ky to the stable doors.

  “We’ll walk them out,” Ky said, “That way no-one’s going to think there’s a problem.”

  Eve nodded. Her mind had yet to leave the gun by Ky’s side. She looked to Ky. He smiled at her as if they shared a deep emotional connection. Ky was almost right. Eve was looking to him wondering, when the time came, if sh
e’d be able to kill him.

  They walked with horses in tow, towards the gate.

  “Has anyone been down to check how the river’s running?” Ky asked as he reached the guards. Both guards looked puzzled.

  “Why do we need to?”

  “They want to start felling in the regrowth areas as soon as it comes to a decent level.”

  The guards nodded in understanding and the large wooden gates opened to let the couple through. One final glance over her shoulder was all Eve allowed herself, as the two let their horses have their heads and in a light canter found a melodic beat to accompany them on their way.

  Callen came to the top of a hill. Well off in the distance he saw what he’d now come to claim as his own mountain. It was a grand title to give a hill that formed a natural protective outer wall to the city beyond. Climbing the hill would be little problem, but the electronic security above them and for some kilometres beyond, made the city impenetrable to the wayward traveller. Callen knew only too well that his only hope of re-entering his homeland was through the same tunnel he’d travelled a number of times before.

  Above, a roar shattered the natural solitude. Callen traced the sky and finally found the source of the noise. A plane passing well above, trailing a white line as if carving the sky apart and letting the heavens bleed cloud. Callen watched. Families heading to coastal holidays, he thought, having once been in the same situation himself. He thought of his parents. First and last.

  Lien had his boots off and had fallen into a mid afternoon nap on his couch. He still had a great deal to take care of, given his recent absence, but for the moment, the work remained unfinished. Finally stirring, he woke brighter and more refreshed than when he lay down. With his boots back on, he wandered to his daughter’s room and knocked. He waited before knocking again. He registered concern. He opened the door to find a deserted room. Lien moved through the room to the outer door, then to the camp, frantically looking around. The camp continued as if it were any other day. No-one had any cause for alarm, except Lien.

  “Where’s Eve?!” he bellowed to a young man carting grain into the store nearby. The young man hadn’t seen her.