the only signs of age.
'Welcome to the other side of Paradise, Jim,' she said - and held out her hand. Her handshake was firm and quick. I opened my mouth but could not think of anything relevant to say.
'I know that you have many questions.' Her words filled the gap. 'All of which will be answered. But it would be wisest to postpone our little chat until we are out of this place. A moment, please.'
She took a very efficient-looking hypodermic from the reticule hanging at her waist. Uncapped it and bent to brush aside the thick hair on his leg to give Iron John a quick injection.
'He will sleep the better,' she said. 'Bethuel - will you lead the way?'
The guard raised her spear in a quick salute, then marched resolutely past the throne and into the opening. Madonette touched Steengo's cheek, then waved Floyd to her. 'Help me carry him. Jim will have enough to do just moving himself.'
I resented the remark - a blotch on my masculine pride - but before I could stumble over they had lifted him and were following the guard, Bethuel.
There were no lights in the tunnel behind the throne. At least none until Mata had entered behind us and sealed it once again. Pale illumination flickered into existence. More than enough to see by. Nor was it a long walk to the open door at the far end. We emerged into a large, red brick room that could have been a mirror-image of the one that we had just left.
Just in physical size, though. Here the walls were covered by pleasant hangings, tapestries of sunshine and floral landscapes. Instead of the swords and shields that adorned the other. The stained-glass windows here depicted scenes of mountains and valleys, villages and forests. Unlike Iron John's windows which featured the clash of battle, spackle of gore. This was altogether more civilized.
As was the murmur of concerned voices from the women in attendance here. They tenderly carried Steengo to a couch where another woman, dressed in white, ministered to him. I dropped into the nearest chair and scowled around at all the female bustle. My voice, louder and more censorious than I had intended, cut through the peaceful scene.
'Now would somebody, anybody, tell me just what the hell is going on.'
The way I was ignored was comment enough in itself. Though a smiling girl did bring me a glass of cool wine - on the way to serve the others. Madonette sat next to Mata, where they put their heads together for a moment before Madonette spoke.
'First - and most important now that you all are safe - is the fact that the artifact is here and is being looked after. In addition there is - '
'Excuse if I interrupt,' I said. 'A matter of priority.' I clamped my jaw twice. 'Did you hear that, Tremearne?' His answer buzzed in my jawbone.
'I did, and… '
'Priorities, Captain.' I spoke quietly so only he could hear. 'Mission complete. Alien artifact returned. Antidote for me on its way down. Nine days is close enough to come. Do you understand all that?'
'Of course. But there is a complication…'
'Complication!' I could hear the squeak of fear edging my voice. 'What?'
'I sent for the antidote to the thirty-day poison as soon as I heard about it. I had no intention of waiting until the deadline to administer it. However there was an accident in transit.' Sweat suddenly beaded my forehead and my toes tapped anxiously on the floor. 'These things happen. I've sent for a second batch and it's en route now.'
I cursed viciously under my breath, then realized that I was the object of more than one concerned glance. Smiled woodenly and snarled my answer.
'Do it. Get it. No excuses. Now. Understood.'
'Understood.'
'Fine.' I stopped whispering and called out. 'I'm most cheered to hear that the artifact has been found. Now, if you please, an explanation of what all this is about.'
'Seems obvious,' Madonette said undoubtedly miffed by my surly behavior. 'It looks like the ladies have saved your bacon and you should be grateful.'
Which did nothing to clear the air. 'As I recall,' I recalled. 'It was the gentlemen - at some physical cost I must add - who polished off that russet rottweiler before you all came onto the scene. I also remember that we were watched all the time during the life-and-death struggle by one of your lot who did nothing to help.'
The tough answer sprang to her lips and I snarled around at the female company. Tempers flared on all sides but Mata cooled things down.
'Children - there has been enough tribulation and pain, so do not cause yourself any more.' She turned to me. 'Jim, let me explain. The soldier who aided your escape, Bethuel, is one of our spies who keeps us informed about all the masculine meanderings beyond the wall. I ordered her to help you escape your guards, which she did. I also ordered her not to reveal her presence to Iron John. The men beyond the wall have no idea that we watch them closely and I wish it to remain that way. She aided your escape and you should be grateful.'
I was, and I should have admitted it, but I was still bullheaded and angry and settled for a surly mutter and growl. Mata nodded blithely as though I had communicated something of importance.
'See how well everything has worked out? You are here and safe, your friends safe as well, and that for which you seek, the strange artifact, is secure and close by.'
I only half listened. Fine for the troops. But there were other forces at work that did not bode well for my future. Accidents in transit did not happen by accident. Someone in the bureaucracy that was manipulating me - did not like me. Perhaps had never liked me and never had any intention of supplying the antidote. I would certainly be less trouble to them if I were safely dead. And there were only nine days left to sort the whole thing out.
I had touched my computer controls automatically while these thoughts were whizzing about my tired brain. The number glowed before me. I really had had a longer sleep than I realized.
Eight days to go.
Chapter 20
I looked around at the peaceful female bustle - and suddenly felt very, very tired. My side hurt and I felt sure that a couple of ribs were broken. I sipped the wine but it didn't help. What I really needed was a couple of Blast- off pills to restore me to something resembling life. In my pack.
'My pack!' I shouted hoarsely. 'My equipment, everything. Those masculine momsers have all our gear!'
'Not quite,' Mata said in soothing tones. 'As soon as you left we saw to it that the porter, Veldi, was rendered unconscious and both your packs are here now. Your associate Steengo's equipment was not in your residence so we can assume that it is now in the possession of Iron John or his associates.'
'Not good.' I worried a fingernail with my incisors. 'There are things there they shouldn't see… '
'Might I interrupt,' Tremearne's voice spoke through my jaw-a-phone. 'I was waiting until things quieted down to tell you. Steengo's pack as safe.'
'You have it?'
'Rather I should have said 'made safe.' All of your packs are boobytrapped with a canister of rotgrot. Which, when released by a coded radio signal, causes the contents of the pack to instantly decay to their component molecules.'
'Nice to known. A lot of secrets are being revealed of late, aren't they?'
There was no response from my jaw. I held out my wine glass for a refill. 'Some simple answers, to some simple questions, if you please.' My anger had been blasted by fatigue, excoriated by fear of imminent death. Mata nodded in response.
'Good. On a historical note - how come guys over there, girls here?'
'A union of convenience,' Mata said. 'Many years ago our foremothers were forcefully relocated to this planet. This inadvertent transplantation had a sobering effect on them. Whatever excesses of zeal they had displayed on other worlds were not repeated here. Peace, cool-reasoning and logic prevailed. We became then as you see us
