Methras was well versed in the skills needed to converse with Touchstone. ‘Let me understand you,’ he said. ‘What you saw was two objects in the sky that were like moons?’
‘No. One moon. Same moon. Twice. Same time. One rise one fall.’
‘Perhaps it was not a vision. Perhaps it was just a dream,’ ventured Methras.
Touchstone considered this, then shook his head. ‘Vision it was. Two moons coming.’
‘Was that the whole vision? You mentioned big seas?’
Touchstone nodded. ‘First one moon in sky. Then same moon appear in different place. Two moons. Sea rise up. Big wave. Big as mountain. Land cracks and fire-blood flows from wound. This I see.’
Methras fell silent. The moon, he knew, exerted an enormous gravitational pull on the seas. If a second moon were to appear then tidal waves were likely, as indeed would be volcanic eruptions. However, the idea of a second, identical, moon was preposterous. ‘Have your visions ever been wrong?’ he asked the savage.
Touchstone nodded. ‘When young. Before medicine bag was full. Not since.’
‘I think you are wrong now.’
‘Hope so,’ said Touchstone. ‘How soon we home?’
‘Late tomorrow. After sunset. Are you anxious to see the city?’
Touchstone shrugged. ‘Hate city,’ he said. ‘Land I love. Under feet. Firm. Solid.’
Methras leaned on the rail and watched the last of the sunset and the birthing of the stars. They were so bright out here, so clean and sharp. Suddenly he laughed. ‘There are your two moons,’ he said, pointing at the horizon. One moon hung in the sky, the second was its reflection on the surface of the sea.
‘Could be,’ said Touchstone. He seemed relieved.
‘The dolphins have gone,’ added Methras.
‘They take message to Suryet. Tell her I come home soon.’
‘Is that another vision, my friend?’
‘No. That is hope,’ said Touchstone sadly.
* * *
Methras completed his rounds and returned to his small cabin. He found Talaban waiting for him there. The tall warrior was seated on the cot bed, staring through the narrow window and out across the western sea.
‘Good evening, sir,’ said Methras, surprised.
‘And to you, sergeant. How is the mood of the men?’
‘They are worried, sir. They wonder about the security of their roles aboard the Serpent. Especially the rig-climbers and the sail-men.’
‘Did you reassure them?’
‘As best I could.’
‘Good.’ Talaban rose. ‘Follow me,’ he said. Together the two men made their way up to the high deck and the circular control cabin. Here Talaban showed the Vagar the correct way to open the triangular gold plate on the door, and the correct code for the seven symbols beneath it. The door opened. Both men stepped inside. Methras found his mind racing. No Vagar was allowed within this place. Talaban seemed unconcerned. ‘There are few men left alive who know how to handle ships like the Serpent,” he said. ‘So watch me closely, and if you have questions, ask them.’
‘I have one question immediately, sir,’ said Methras. ‘Why are you showing me this? This is Avatar knowledge, and merely being in possession of it could cost me my life.’
‘Times are changing, Methras,’ Talaban told him. ‘Now watch and learn.’ Talaban moved to the controls, a series of handles and levers, wheels and studs. ‘As you can see,’ he continued, ‘the controls were designed for the ambidextrous. Come stand beside me. This lever controls forward motion …’ One by one he explained all the principles by which the Serpent was powered. Methras absorbed the information easily. Finally Talaban stepped back. ‘Take the ship through three hundred and sixty degrees,’ he said. Methras took a deep breath then placed his hands on the two most prominent levers, black metal with moulded hand grips. The Serpent swung. ‘Not too sharply!’ warned Talaban. ‘Feel the craft as if it is your own body. You are the Serpent’s heart.’ The ship slowly made a long circle. ‘Now bring her back on course, in line with the Fangs of the Hound. Methras glanced up through the glass window, and located the Hound star. Smoothly he swung the Serpent back towards the north.
Despite his fear at this forbidden knowledge Methras found his excitement growing. He felt energized and curiously powerful. Turning, he grinned at Talaban. Then his eyes scanned the panels before him. ‘What does this one do?’ he asked, pointing at a closed black section with golden hinges.
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