Shadowland. Spider World 06 by Colin Wilson

Niall experienced a surge of delighted relief. He could hardly believe that he had solved the problem that had worried him most.

“Thank you. I would be deeply grateful.” It was a phrase he had learned from Simeon, but he meant it.

The girl came back carrying a tray, which she placed on the table. It contained an oval plate full of tiny fishes, and a dish with slices of a yellow fruit that Niall did not recognize.

Typhon asked the captain: “Can we offer you food?” Niall was impressed that he spoke with the same courtesy as if addressing a human being.

The captain said: “Thank you. I am not hungry.” After seeing him gorge himself on lake fish, Niall could believe it.

As the girl was bending over the table, the wooden serving fork fell on the floor, and her mouth fell open with dismay. Niall was shocked to see that she had no tongue. She glanced nervously at Typhon, but he only smiled at her.

Typhon said: “Please eat.” He took a plate and helped himself to some of the fishes, then to the yellow fruit. Niall did the same. The fishes were warm, and had a flavor that was slightly oily and salty; the fruit had an acid taste that complemented it. Niall ate hungrily, washing down the fish with wine.

Typhon said: “Forgive me saying so, but you seem very young to be the ruler of a great city. Do you mind telling me how old you are?”

“I am not certain. About eighteen.”

“Ah, just a third of my age. I envy you. And how did it come about?”

Niall realized he was being invited to tell the story of his life, but he felt no inclination to do so. He was tired, and it would take too long. Besides, he was the ruler of a city, and Typhon — as far as he could make out — was merely the second in command of the Magician. So he confined himself to saying: “I was appointed by the goddess.”

If Typhon was disappointed by this strange reply, he did not show it; he was clearly intelligent enough to see that Niall did not wish to be patronized. He said: “Then you must be a remarkable young man. As to rne, I was appointed prefect because my father and grandfather held that office before me.” He refilled their glasses, saying: “Then let us drink to a closer friendship between our cities.”

Niall had not drunk a toast since he was in Kazak’s underground city by the salt lake. He raised his glass and drank. The wine was causing a pleasant glow in his stomach, and the knowledge that he had saved his brother’s life made him feel almost lightheaded. He asked: “Would the karvasid wish to make peace with the spiders?”

“Why not?”

“I was told that he hated them.”

“By whom?”

Niall smiled faintly. “Cheb the Mighty.”

“Why do you smile?”

“Because you must think I am insane.”

Typhon shook his head. “On the contrary, it is obvious that you are telling the truth.”

Niall acknowledged the compliment with a smile. He was beginning to like Typhon. There was something about him that reminded Niall of Simeon. He said: “But after all, the spiders drove the karvasid from his home.”

Typhon shrugged. “That was a long time ago. Hostilities cannot go on forever, and neither would we wish them to. Our citizens would be glad to travel freely.”

“Can they not do so now?”

“Of course. There is nothing to stop them. But most of them are afraid.” Niall raised his eyebrows. “Of being killed by spiders.”

Niall knew what he meant. A hungry spider would eat first and ask questions later. But he only said: “If we had a peace treaty, that could never happen.”

Typhon smiled. “Good. That is what I was hoping you would say.”

Niall asked: “When could I meet the karvasid?”

Typhon looked embarrassed and cleared his throat. “That is difficult. . .” He hesitated, obviously looking for the right way of putting it. “He is old, and rather set in his ways. He dislikes meeting people. So I run this city for him, while he remains absorbed in his work.” He sensed the question in Niall’s mind. “He is a philosopher and a scientist. You have seen the animals who draw our carriages?”

“Yes.”

“He made them.” He laid special emphasis on the word “made”. “They are precisely adapted to the conditions in Shadowland. Once we had horses, but they were afraid of the lightning. So the karvasid created the gelb. He is a very great scientist.” His tone carried sincerity and conviction.

Niall said: “And those strange men who can breathe underwater?”

“The yobis? They are not men. They are machines — machines made of flesh.” He sent out a signal, and the girl came in. “Send the moog in.” A moment later, the door opened, and a huge creature came in. Like the fishermen Niall had seen by the lake, he was naked and baldheaded. But his muscles were immense, and his shoulders looked as if they could have supported the weight of a horse. His hands must have been a foot wide.

Typhon addressed him telepathically: “Show them.”

The monster went to the door that led outside, and grasped the doorknob with a finger and thumb, opening it with a gentleness that was almost feminine. He vanished outside. Moments later, he returned, carrying a balk of timber six feet long and six inches thick; it must have weighed a hundred pounds. He advanced to the center of the room, and grasped the timber in the center with his huge right hand, then squeezed. His fingers sank into the wood as if it was made of sponge. Then, having created a groove, he grasped the timber with his hands apart, and snapped it in half like a dry stick. After that he stood like a great statue, awaiting his next order.

Typhon said: “Show him,” indicating Niall.

The giant held out half the broken beam, and Niall reached out and touched it. It was undoubtedly solid wood.

Niall said: “But surely his flesh must be softer then the wood?”

Typhon smiled. “Show him.” The moog held out his hand, palm upward, and Niall touched it. It was as unyielding as hard leather. After that the giant held out his hand to the captain, who touched it gingerly with his tarsal claw.

Typhon said: “The karvasid is a scientific genius. He is one of the greatest inventors the world has ever known.”

Nial stared up at the moog’s powerful face; the hard blue eyes were obviously able to see, yet stared ahead as if made of glass. Typhon nodded to him, and the moog went out. Niall came to the subject that was at the forefront of his mind.

“When can I find out about my brother?”

“I shall speak to the karvasid tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“When did this accident happen?”

“Just over a week ago.”

“Then there is more than enough time to spare. The poison of the trekuta tree takes twenty-eight days to do its work.”

“Is there an antidote?” Niall was thinking how long it would take him to return home to administer it.

Typhon shook his head. “It is unnecessary. The karvasid can cure your brother from a distance.”

“By magic?”

“No. By a science based on thought vibrations.” He took another of the fishes. “Perhaps you might be able to meet the karvasid tomorrow. In the evening we have an assembly for members of the council, and the karvasid will be present. I shall ask him if you can attend.”

“Thank you.” But as he spoke, Niall felt misgivings. He remembered his last meeting with the Magician, when he had experienced the sensation of a crablike creature clinging to his chest and making him gasp with pain.

The door opened, and a young man came in. Niall was instantly struck by his resemblance to Veig — the same beard and dark curly hair, the same round, cheerful face. He looked startled to see the captain.

“Ah, Gerek.” To Niall he said: “This is my assistant, Gerek. Gerek, this is Niall, who is the lord of the spider city. And this” — he indicated the captain — “is his escort and guard, the captain.”

Niall stood up, and he and the newcomer clasped arms. Niall noted that, like Typhon, Gerek was wearing a gold armband with a clock on it. Gerek had a cheerful grin, and smelled of machine oil; he also had a black smear on his nose. After clasping Niall’s arm, he turned and inclined his head toward the captain. Again, Niall was struck by this courtesy.

Typhon said: “Wine?”

Gerek said with feeling: “Please.” He accepted the full glass and half emptied it, then smiled cheerfully at Niall. “Oof, I needed that.”

He flung himself into a chair and helped himself to a handful of the small fishes.