thinned out in the approach to the river. 'If we can get to the boat-' An enormous shadow fell across them. Caitlin turned to face the creature. It was a boar, but supernaturally large and hideous, its features alien, its tusks stained with gore.
Crowther blanched. 'Twrch Trwyth.'
Triathus knew it by another name. 'The Waustig.'
Yet it didn't attack. It cast one brief look in their direction and then lumbered back into the trees, the deep bass rumble of its voice sounding like an industrial machine. Something was amiss with the great boar. Caitlin noticed it was unsteady on its hooves, occasionally blundering into nearby trees, while its blazing eyes roamed as if it were drunk. A black liquid dripped from its razor teeth and inky lines spread out from around its snout into its dark-brown bristle.
'You know what it is?' Caitlin asked Crowther.
'The boar was a totem animal of the Celts, something of incredible power,' Crowther said. 'In the myths, Twrch Trwyth was supposed to be an evil king transformed into this shape by God. It can't be killed.'
As the thing disappeared into the green depths, relief flooded them and they hurried on. Breaking out of the forest felt like being released from a terrible weight. They all came up hard at the sight of the river. It was much bigger than they had expected, at that point almost a quarter of a mile across, and majestic in the dying sun's crimson glow; a river of blood. It flowed slowly, the trees hard up against it on either bank.
The path ran alongside it for about twenty yards and ended at a roughly constructed jetty. Moored to it was a boat of breathtaking beauty, silver and gold, decorated with a mass of intricate carvings of fish, waves and birds. A graceful swan's neck formed the prow. It was the size of a cruiser, big enough for all of them.
'That is amazing,' Matt said in quiet admiration.
'It'll do,' Crowther said. 'Can we board it?' He glanced nervously over his shoulder in the direction of the forest. 'It is at your disposal,' Triathus said. 'Simply say what you would like it to do, and it will obey. Its name is Sunchaser.'
Mahalia traced her fingertips gently along the hull and then withdrew them in surprise. 'It feels like… skin — warm.'
Triathus led them on board. Below were cramped quarters and some meagre stores of water, bread and cured meat.
'Did you bury the bodies of your comrades?' Caitlin asked.
Triathus stared across the water towards the setting sun. 'There are no bodies. When my people die, they return to Existence.'
'I'm sorry for what happened to you,' Caitlin said.
'I think we should set off as soon as we can,' Jack interrupted. He had been watching the tree line. 'It's getting dark.'
He didn't need to say more. Triathus spoke a word that none of the others could understand, and which made their ears ache even though it was spoken quietly. In response, Sunchaser moved slowly and eerily away from the jetty and into the current. It swung around until it was facing upriver and then set off.
'That was a very brave thing you did, firing on that boar.' Matt silently joined Caitlin at the rail where she had been watching the trees.
'I've got something very important to do. Nothing's going to stand in the way.'
Her words were forceful, but Matt could see she was troubled. 'What's wrong?' he asked.
'I don't know… something about the boar. I just have a bad feeling about what lies ahead.'
Night fell quickly.
Chapter Nine
'I do not wish them to have power over men; but over themselves.'
Caitlin washed her hair by moonlight in crystal-cold river water pulled up from their wake by a silver bucket. As the grease and dirt came out, she felt a little better, but the exhilaration of the new world and the feeling of passing through a fascinating dream was gone for good. It had all felt so fantastic: a trip to a mystical realm to find a magical cure for something so devastatingly human as illness. Now questions were beginning to pile up. Why was the Lament-Brood hunting her? Why were the Whisperers so desperate to get her that it seemed they would never give up? Why did she feel she was playing an important role in some vast, unknowable scheme? She hoped it was all part of her fragmented state of mind — paranoia and megalomania building — and that everything really was as pure and simple as she had originally imagined. But things were never that simple, were they?
It didn't help that Brigid was chattering incessantly in the back of her head. Caitlin had stopped listening to her a while ago — it was the only way Caitlin could go about her life — but the old woman was certainly concerned about something.
While fumbling for the cloth she was using as a towel, it was pressed into her hand. Carlton was there.
'Hello,' Caitlin said, as she dried herself off. 'Aren't you on lookout with Mahalia?'
He smiled and nodded to the prow, where Mahalia sat with Jack.
'Ah, she's got a boyfriend,' Caitlin noted. Carlton laughed silently. 'Well, sit with me a while.'
They settled into a bench seat set against the rail, where the warm evening breeze would dry her hair. Caitlin was surprised when Carlton rested his head against her shoulder; she put one arm around him.
'I wish I knew exactly what was going on inside your head, Carlton,' she said. 'Were you always like this, or did something happen to you?'
He didn't look up, didn't acknowledge that he had heard her at all.
The warmth of his body next to hers brought a sudden swell of emotion, surprising in its intensity after the numbness she had felt for so long. She fought back the tears, somehow managing to control her voice. 'I used to have a little boy — his name was Liam. He used to like books and computer games and music, and his skateboard. I don't know if you like any of those things, but… you're like him in a different way. Quiet, thoughtful… I think he was a good person, and I think you are too, Carlton. There aren't enough good people in this world.' She gave him a squeeze, trying not to sound too maudlin, nor to swamp him with adult emotion. 'I'm going to look after you,' she added softly.
In the quiet that followed her words, there were only the gentle river noises, until somewhere in the distance an owl hooted. A while later, Caitlin made her way to Triathus, who stood at the stern looking out over the moonlit water, deep in thought.
'We appreciate your help,' she said. 'These are difficult times,' he replied. 'We should stand shoulder to shoulder as allies. Perhaps more than that. We are all Children of Existence.'
'If only your people agreed on that.'
'I fear there will be much suffering before the Golden Ones are united once more,' he said sadly. 'That it has come to this fills me with despair.'
'Are the other side likely to attack us here on the boat?'
'Perhaps. I keep watch for any sign.'
'But you never saw them coming before?'
'No.' A shadow crossed his face as he watched the white wake spread out in a V.
'Can you see something?'
'No, but still… Something troubles me, if only I could identify it.'
Caitlin followed his gaze, but could see nothing out of the ordinary.
'I feel… a presence. But I see nothing.' He turned to her and smiled gently. 'And my eyes are keener than yours.'
