The Crystal Curse: Arabeth Barnes, #2

By Gin Hollan

Arabeth and her friends are alive, but now what?

Stranded on the far side of the mountain range that divides Blastborn from the rest of the world, they are in the country of Vensay. As the progeny and relatives of exiles who were killed for unspeakable war crimes, Arabeth and her friends are soon targeted for death. The only thing keeping them alive is that the country seems to be falling apart, with power struggles and forces of nature keeping everyone distracted.

Arabeth and her friends have their own problems. She wants to find the ones who sent the mind-altering automaton that set the people of Blastborn against each other. 
 
Sam discovers the real reason they seem to pass unchallenged - there is no unified military or police force, instead relying on a regional Sherriff system and the politics that go with it, and he feels compelled to interfere.
 
Melanie is altered at the chemical level by a field of crystals and can't wake up.
 
Graham doesn't care about any of that - he has time-sensitive projects back home requiring his return and is willing to share the only secret protecting them in order to buy transportation out.

And their one true ally is a teenager claiming to be the Heir Apparent and needing their help to unite the country.

It'll be easy - they just have to put aside their individual goals and learn how to wield a forbidden power in a land that already wants them dead.
 
Still, they have to ask - why stay when, if they unite, they are still the progeny of a banished people with unknown enemies and the hangman's gallows swings only one snitch away? The world has abandoned them – shouldn't they do the same?
 
Arabeth would like to help, but she may be on her own for this one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gin Hollan
• Release date: Jan 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393154389

Book preview

Chapter 1 

ARABETH STOOD AND STRETCHED. The long, uncomfortable night of not-quite sleeping on the hard-packed forest floor left her with kinks and aches that only a hot bath cured. Marble, her pet fox, copied, standing and stretching. She pulled her pocket watch out and wound it, staring at the action of the miniature gears a moment out of habit.

Had the others made it out of the cave before the bombs went off? Darn Graham and his inclination to solve everything with explosives! At least it was... solved. The tunnel was definitely closed now.

She hadn‘t been able to inspect the area last night. She put her watch away. Now, in the early sun, she took a long look around. The cavern exit was now rubble and dust. A portion of the mountain had collapsed, adding to the debris, as though to protest and protect. Oddly, beside the former exit stood the body of an automaton exactly matching the one she’d caught and broke, right down to the missing head. If this was the same one, that head sat on her home workshop table. It was no threat now.

One narrow dirt road led into a forest of thin, tall trees, reaching great heights, but with short pointy needles where broad leaves normally were. These were the trees of true wilderness, Arabeth thought.

As a feeling of helplessness tugged at her she blocked it, preferring to think through the logic of this problem. She sighed. If getting back home was the goal, she needed to follow the mountain north and east, but the only path out was a long dirt road through the trees, northwest away from the mountain.

If her goal was something else... well, she didn’t have enough information to do something else yet. Still, that was the open path, and she was no woodsman.

Her gut tensed a moment - had Sam, Melanie, and Graham made it out of the cave? They must have. They were the ones who collapsed the cavern, setting explosive charges off to prevent an enemy incursion. They must have gone out the other way, toward home.

Marble looked none-the-worse for the experience, at least. Arabeth reached down and picked the little fox up, curling her arms around to hold her close, petting her a moment before setting her back down, her nerves calmed now. The little fox looked leaner these days, but she hadn’t gotten lighter.

They had a few provisions, due to her habit of packing dried chicken for Marble, and fruit for herself. Her stomach grumbled at the thought. Not yet, she grumbled back.

On this side of the mountain was a country called Vensay, if she remembered her grandfather’s map right. She hoped that Tanner Stein’s plot had died with him. He was most likely from this country. Having to travel on this side of the mountain meant more than the danger of being in a strange land if there were more here who thought as he did. There was no pity for his kind, and she was not in a forgiving frame of mind. Rationalizing violence against others was a sign of a weak will, a weak mind.

Ready Marble? Marble looked up as she stood. Years together had taught her a few words, but tone and body language were her main cues.

Enemy territory or not, she’d prefer to face other people than dodge bears and wolves and other creatures of the wild. Those would be the least of her worries if stories about life on this side told of a vast, roaring land were true. There were no giants here, laying waste to towns and villages, right? It was only stories, fairy tales.

Home felt continents away suddenly. Did her family think her dead? Even Maralise, as antagonistic as she was toward Arabeth, her only sister... she shouldn't wish her dead, right?

Then again, Maralise had the singular view that her opinions were the only correct ones, and hated Arabeth pointing out truths she found inconvenient. She'd probably feel nothing short of relief.

That didn’t matter. She had to protect them from Betsy’s fate. The technology behind the implant put in Melanie’s head came from this side of the mountain. What if Arabeth could find a something that would bring truth back home? She needed to find a way to heal the chaos and distrust that had become part of Blastborn.

This was the perfect opportunity to find out who was really behind the attack on Blastborn. She hated to pass it up. Delayed justice meant Tanner’s cohorts had time to regroup and rethink... and that meant they might try again. She couldn't let that happen. Hefting her satchel strap up, over her head, she shifted into a traveling state of mind.

Walking, the dusty, rough road wound out through the trees, making it seem forever.  The sun sat high overhead when a sound deeper down the road drew her out of her thoughts. She ducked back into the tree line. Distant voices, arguing. The cadence of their speech seemed familiar, but she couldn’t pick out any one voice at this distance.

Chapter 2

A rabeth! Melanie screamed , running to pull her into a quick hug. Sam’s eyes were glued to her as though she might vanish if he looked away. The second Melanie let go, Sam pulled her into his arms and held her tight.

We couldn't find you. Some of us thought the worst had happened, Melanie said, half-turning to scowl at Graham.

The moment stretched into two and Graham cleared his throat.

Sam stepped back, looking her over. Are you alright?

Arabeth nodded, clearing her throat. Rattled, but unhurt. You?

A little deafer than we used to be, he said, glancing sidelong at Graham.

We waited for you, but it started to get dark, Graham's smile was weak but steady.

When we saw the cliff face, we knew this was where to wait, at least for a while, Melanie said, smiling.

I had to agree. If there is art, you'll be magnetically drawn to it, Sam said, eyes fixed on her as he ran a hand down one side of her hair in an unexpectedly intimate caress.

Well, it's all good now. We can concentrate on finding a way back, Graham said.

I was thinking... she hesitated. They had unusual bad luck for anyone that came with them, though. The fact they were separated from her when the cave fell in was proof they were safer apart.

We can follow the mountain east to the ocean. The mountain drops off a mile before that, so we can go around... unless anyone has a better idea? Arabeth asked, then inhaled slowly holding it a moment before letting it out. Tracking the automaton took second seat to risking her friends. If it was just her and Marble, that was different.

I know that look, Sam said.

Me too, Melanie added. You’re not planning to go home with us. You’re going to explore. I can tell.

Me? Arabeth laughed. No... I have no money, no map, and now that the cave is closed, no good reason to stay.

But... Sam prompted.

We know there’s a ‘but’ coming, Melanie added as Graham nodded, scowling.

You want to chase that automaton, don’t you? Melanie continued.

No, it’s just that... It’s been a couple centuries since anyone from Blastborn was on this side. I’m... curious. It’s been generations.

At least three, Sam said. My grandparents were the last people to move over.

Doesn't that strike you as odd? No one new moves in, no one leaves. I mean, don't you want to know why? The mountain range has the toxic gas problem, but we get shipments every month, so there has to be a way around. That’s why I think it’s by the ocean, where the mountains drop down.

Graham shrugged. There's nothing interesting over here.

What? You've been on this side before?

No, but as a kid, I pestered the train conductors, he explained. Their stories were many and dull.

This road turns and follows the mountain for a while. We can follow it until we find a way back through or find civilization, Sam said, petting Marble this time.

Wait... what art? Arabeth asked, realizing she'd been too happy to see them to think about that.

Oh, you'll love this - there are painted images carved into the cliff. Some of them look real, Melanie shuddered. Like people were trapped in the stone.

I hate to ask, but is there a chance you have food? I'm starving. Graham wondered.

A little, she pulled out a small, round yellow pear and gave it to him. I'm sure we all have a little coin on us. Do you know where the next town in? I'm sure there's someone who will take our coins in exchange for supplies.

I hope so, too, Melanie said, eyeing Arabeth's satchel. Let's eat by the cliff.

Arabeth hesitated a moment before she opened her satchel wide. She packed her sling satchel before she left the house for more than an hour. Her job meant there was no way to guarantee food or water, sometimes for hours at a time. Bail Enforcement was a good profession, but criminals ran on their own timetable.

She looked for a flat surface. A large rock would work, but the only thing here was the road. Sighing, she pulled out a thin sheet of baby blue fabric. Lily gave it to her as proof that a thin weave could also be a durable one. No time like the present to test it. She took one edge and swung the rest high into the air, unfolding like a bed sheet. It covered about six square feet, she guessed. It would have made a nice table cloth.

Squatting at the edge, she pulled the food she carried out into a small stack in the centre. Three more pieces of fruit, several nut-filled oat bars, and a package holding about eighteen crackers. It didn't seem like much when four hungry people stared at it.

We'll take turns. Graham has already taken his first. Melanie, you're next.

Her friends hesitated.

It's this or tree bark. Hurry before some wildlife sees this as an offering, she snapped.

When you put it that way.... Melanie knelt at the pile and picked her first.

After the sorting, Arabeth picked up the fabric and tried to get the dirt off. It was a little reluctant. She folded it top-side out before putting it in her bag again. She hadn't pulled out Marble's chicken, instead, sneaking some pieces out for the fox to take in quick portions. Arabeth hoped Marble would hunt for her own dinners, for the most part. She'd done it before.

It's awfully quiet here, right? Sam said.

There is a distinct lack of aviary life. One would think every forest had at least a bird or two.

The four of them looked around and Arabeth quickly packed up the fabric. We better get moving. He said there was a cliff he wanted to show me? She looked at Melanie.

Yes, right. You're going to love this. It looks like seeing... Actually several seemed have been captured artistically in this cliff wall.

A brief history lesson might be useful right now, Sam added.

Yes, I for one don't buy Graham's 'bored to sleep' story. People move. There's even a town on the south east end of our region now.

Even in the silence, a nervous anticipation filled the air around them. As one, they all started walking down the trail. It did seem to explain the lack of paths in the undergrowth that would've been created by deer and other wildlife. That was judging by her experience in their own woods.

Arabeth pulled out her pocket watch and checked the time. It’s early - not even breakfast time back home, she thought.

I was sure I heard animals yesterday. Last night, as I was trying to sleep. I could hear the sound of branches rustling and little animals, like squirrels, Arabeth nearly whispered to herself.

It's only a few more minutes until we get back to the cliff.

When the cliff came into view, Arabeth stopped a moment. She thought Melanie was exaggerating when she said the artwork was lifelike. This was eerie. Colours, shapes, even textures were as though frozen in time. She noticed the others looking at her and started forward again.

How can this be? The nearer she got the more realistic they seemed. They seem a little too real, right?

The tallest depicted was a foot shorter than Sam, but no less detailed than a real person. The images stood as a group would when having their photo taken. Arabeth shuddered but drew closer anyway. She reached a hand out to touch the sleeve on a woman's dress, half certain the stranger would turn to scowl at her. Of course there was no reaction. Arabeth backed up again, looking for more of this peculiar art.

At least it doesn't look like their eyes are following me, Graham clucked.

Let's keep moving. We can come back after we have re-provisioned and come up with a plan, Sam to took a light grip on one of Arabeth's elbows, trying to guide her away.

It took a moment, but slowly she nodded. We have to come back. I need to understand what I'm looking at.

Which way should we go? Melanie stared off toward a wide dirt road. And why is there a wide dirt road coming this exact spot? How many people travel here, and why?

It could be a simple memorial, and the road is maintained out of respect for those engraved in the cliff. Graham gave a shrug.

Still, it's eerie quiet. Let's get moving, Melanie said.

Looking ahead, the road lay out in front of them in a precisely straight line, up and down hills, looking as though it eventually went off the end of the world.

It was different than looking off across fields to the ocean. It felt more final.

Yes, let's.

They chose an easy pace, not wanting to break unless they had to. Arabeth checked her pocket watch, thinking to gauge their distance by time.

Within a half hour, the forest thinned and began to drop away. The air here seemed to crack and pop around them, but the air continued to be temperate and slightly humid as they stepped out of the trees.

Arabeth paused to make a note in her pocket journal then jogged to catch up. When she reached them, they were standing still, each staring ahead.

What is it? Arabeth said as she drew near.

The road narrowed to a simple path. On either side lay acres of stone crystals of varying shapes, sizes, and colours, standing up as though they grew up out of the ground. The stones started out small and well-spaced, but looked to grow in both size and quantity as the path went on.

Amazing, she said, pulling her journal out again. When she looked up, Sam had taken a few tentative steps down the single-file path.

The ground seems stable, he called back. The air is unchanged. He turned to face them.

It's not like we have a choice, Graham added, But I need a minute.

Arabeth looked out across the horizon, seeing trees resume about an hour's walk away. Each side was about the same distance left and right. She sketched it, making distance estimates, noting colours and shapes. They were in a graduated pattern, it seemed, with only a few intermingled. The field went from one end of the colour spectrum to the other, varying by hue but staying within their colour.

Melanie walked in, pushing past Sam.

Hey, careful! These look sharp, he said.

Melanie continued walking another twenty paces, slowly raising her arms out as she went.

What are these things? I feel amazing, she said, turning back.

The look of bliss on her face was made stranger still by the slow wash of a coloured mist that wafted toward her from the nearest crystals. Soon she was shrouded in a swirl of sparkle and haze. She knelt down and touched the crystal closest to her. Such beauty, she sighed as her fingers ran down the side of a foot tall purple crystal. As she did, her face went blank. When she didn't move again after a few minutes, Arabeth became concerned.

Melanie, snap out of it. We have places to go, Sam said, tapping her shoulder. A moment later Melanie sat down on her heels and yawned.

Wow, I'm.... She drooped as she sat the rest of the way then fell over on to her side, barely missing the crystal with her head.

Arabeth couldn't shake the feeling that the crystal had seen her coming and leaned away, just in time.

Chapter 3

M el! Arabeth shouted and ran forward. Sam reached her first and checked her wrist for a pulse.

She's alive, he said. But her pulse is really soft.

Mel, stay awake! Arabeth yelled, shaking Melanie's arm.

Just a little nap, Melanie muttered then rolled to her other side.

You'd better get her out of there, Graham called from the edge of the field, still not going in.

Agreed. Sam stood and inched his way past Arabeth. You have that polyester on you? The one Lacy wanted you to test.

Arabeth didn't respond at first then Marble nudged her hand. The what?

Fabric. I want to make a stretcher.

We can't carry her for long, even with a stretcher, Graham said. He furrowed brow made it clear he wanted to go back, follow the tree line instead, along the cliff.

She needs a doctor, Arabeth said, pulling out a roll of thin material and handing it to Sam. And help is that way. She pointed down the road past her.

Drag her out of there to the other end, Graham wasn’t really asking. I’ll start walking around.

There’s no reason to worry, Graham, Arabeth said. Sam and I are fine. Marble is fine.

Sam moved past Arabeth, walking back out of the field and into the trees.

Fine, but I want some of that fabric to use as a face mask. Graham still stood at the edge of the field. Maybe those crystals only need a bit of time to recharge, he insisted. We need to get out of here before it... comes for... for another of us.

You can’t breathe through polyester. Just stop, Arabeth snapped. If you don’t want to go this way, then go another way, by yourself.

Sam tore a strip one foot wide down the length of fabric and pushed it into Graham’s hand as he went past. Rip this into quarters. And get a grip on yourself.

Graham pulled out a short knife and ripped a quarter off and wrapped it like a face veil, tying it behind his head, before tearing the rest into thirds.

Arabeth understood his worry but it was working against them. Her recent experience with knock-out gas should have made her cautious, but somehow, a gas she could see worried her less. If it was a gas.

Mel, can you wake up? Sam will catch up, but we need to get you to a doctor, she pulled Melanie to a sitting position, hoping she'd rouse enough to walk. It was more to comfort herself than get Melanie moving, she knew. A few steps... can you do a few steps?

Melanie mumbled but didn't try to stand. Arabeth crouched down and pulled one of Melanie's arms up across her shoulder. Trying to stand them both up, she struggled a moment. This wasn't working.

Graham, a hand? She called out.

He stared a moment. Sorry, what? You're wanting me to go in there?

You have a mask now and we can see when the vapours move, she snarled. He was being such a baby.

Arabeth tried another way to get Melanie standing but they both wound up on their bottoms on the ground before Melanie flopped back to lay the ground.

Fine, I'll drag you. Arabeth muttered with a sigh. I hope those are sturdy trousers.

I’m back, Sam called out, smiling like a Cheshire cat. He held two wrist-thick branches, each taller than himself by about a foot, with the fabric swung between them.

How did you fasten it?

I made a series of cuts near the two edges and wove the branches through. It should hold long enough. This fabric seems to resist tearing.

She moved to Melanie’s opposite side as Sam laid the makeshift stretcher down beside Melanie. Arabeth rolled her to one side as Sam snugged the nearest branch as close as possible to Melanie's back. Together they rolled her back and over to her other side, then pulled the other branch out to flatten the fabric. Once it was flat, Arabeth rolled Melanie onto her back again. Ready.

Right, Sam said.

Moments later they stood with Sam at Melanie's head, Arabeth at her feet. The catch was going to be Graham. He still hadn't come into the field.

It's time, Graham, she called out to him.

Don't mind him, Sam said, softly. He'll come along.

He took a deep breath, his chest inflating several times as though preparing to hold his breath. He held out the other cloth squares in front as he walked in. You need these.

We're fine, Sam said.

As Graham neared, Arabeth thought she saw an extra bit of shine in his eyes, as though he may cry. He was genuinely scared, she realized. She took one square and lay it over Melanie's nose and mouth, but put her own square in a pocket.

With Sam holding the ends by Melanie's head, they made good progress. She didn't check for Graham. Melanie was lighter than Arabeth expected, but the effort over time became harder. She was tempted to ask to stop, but Graham would have had a meltdown, she was certain.

The edge of the field came near and the trees started up again, in an oddly precise, almost planned line. The crystals didn't enter the tree-line, and the tree seedlings didn't grow among the crystals at the edge. The path had widened to a proper road again once they were in the trees.

A break, Arabeth said. Let's take a short break. I need fuel.

Ah, right, Sam stopped and together they lowered Melanie gently to the ground. We haven't actually eaten.

Arabeth pulled out her pocket watch and checked it. It's two pm. She said. At least, back home it is.

Good to know. Are you mapping? he asked, munching on an apple.

Yes, she said, sitting on the little square Graham had given her. She pulled out her notebook.

Good idea, Sam agreed.

Graham crumpled onto the ground near them. At least I hear birds now.

Arabeth's head shot up. It was true. This forest was actually quite busy, now that she paid attention.

That's a good sign, she said. If only I could trap, hunt, or track, she laughed. She made a quick outline of the broken automaton next to the mountain cave, hoping there weren’t more of them ahead.

We're going to need water soon, Sam said. Listen for that.

She finished her notes and pulled out an apple, chewing it slowly to keep the moisture in her mouth longer. Marble used her nose to bump for a treat. Smiling, Arabeth pulled out a medium sized strip of dried chicken and gave it to her.

Wait, you have meat, but you're saving it for a pet that can hunt for her own food? Graham said.

Arabeth ignored him. He could stand to skip a few meals.

I doubt birds will fall from the sky for her, Sam said.

With a grumble, Graham leaned back against a tree and closed his eyes.

She gave Marble a scratch between the ears. The fox