The ledge they were on also continued in that direction, making a sharp bend onto the wall of the twin caldera and giving them an unimpeded view down an abyssal cone. The road below wound back and forth on only the northern half of the cone. The southern half, from the rim down as far as they could see, gleamed blackly, smoothly, its surface interrupted by occasional vertical ridges, softly rounded, that ran convergently into the depths. The rim of this chasm sparkled as though set with gems. Questioner extended her sight to make out huge lenses and mirrors that reflected light down the black surface into the pit below.
“Well,” said Madame to D’Jevier, turning her attention from this enigmatic vision. “We seem to have arrived, wherever this is. What’s going on down there?” She pointed to the lake below, where a cluster of persons was being marshaled upward on the road.
“I see Ellin and Bao,” announced Questioner. “My Old Earth aides, but I don’t see the rest of my people.”
“You do not sound concerned,” said Calvy.
Questioner sighed. “I do not wish them ill, I simply don’t mind if they’re elsewhere. They are political appointees, presumably serving a kind of internship. Occasionally the committee gives me someone sensible, but that is not the general rule.”
“What is that with your two aides?” asked D’Jevier. “That’s not a Timmy.”
“That is a Corojum,” said Questioner. “According to it, the last Corojum, and he tells us the extinction of his ilk means our extinction as well.”
“Now, then … “ said Onsofruct angrily.
“Hush,” said D’Jevier.
Onsofruct fell silent, fuming as D’Jevier said in a cautionary tone, “Let them tell us what’s going on. It’s sure somebody must, for we are at a loss.”
“Do you know what’s going on?” Onsofruct demanded of Questioner.
“More or less, yes. In a moment or two, Ellin and Bao will be here, and then we can put our heads together. Meantime, since we may be here for some time, let us look about this place with a view to occupancy.”
Though unwilling to defer enlightenment, the eight of them scattered into the caves that backed the ledge, finding them already equipped for persons, with bedplaces piled with soft twigs and covered with blankets; a small, private cave set aside for a privy; water jars hung in the cool air, and flat trays of fruit and bread set nearby. Calvy, Simon, Ornery, and Mouche took possession of one cave, the three women settled themselves into another. When Ellin and Bao arrived, Bao joined the men and Ellin the women.
Questioner took no part in this bustle, instead continuing her examination of the abyss, noting now that the black, glossy surfaces seemed to quiver from time to time as though alive. Which, she thought, would explain a great deal. After a short recess of nibble, sip, lie down, and get up again, the Newholmians trickled out to join her at the rim of the ledge, where they were soon joined by Ellin and Bao. When they were all present, she gestured them to find a sitting place, studying them closely as they did so.
Mouche and Ornery, Ellin and Bao gravitated toward one another and sat to one side wearing faces that were almost copies of one another. Interested but wary and mostly uncommitted. Bao was perhaps a little more engaged in what was going on. Ellin was refusing to become involved. Ornery was merely cautious, and Mouche … Mouche had the appearance of someone who had removed himself as far from the present as possible and was existing on another plane by will alone.
The Hags and Madame looked merely weary, the men no less so. Calvy maintained an alert expression, letting his eyes wander, seeing all that was to be seen. Simon hoarded his gaze, seeing only one thing at a time, not moving on until he’d dealt with it. They sat in silence. The air around them moved gently. Flying creatures glinted by, occasionally uttering calls that were not unlike bell sounds, their various pitches contributing to a slow and wandering melody. From below, Timmy voices rose in song, underlying the bell sounds, supporting them. From on high came another voice, and they looked up to see one of the large, four-eyed birds circling high above them.