Chapter 116 – EVO
***Tirnanog, The Mycelium***
***Astra***
It took a few minutes of contemplative silence among the group until Ginevra confidently announced, I cant sense Nishas presence any more.
Is it safe to talk now? I asked, addressing my question towards Balthasar.
The ancient shrugged. Who knows? Among all the ancients, Nisha was always the one with the keenest senses. But I can confirm that she left the village which is as much information security as you will ever get with her around. Though I dont believe she would risk spying on me after I made clear I wanted nothing to do with this conflict.
I tilted my head, considering what I had learned of Gurneys ancients so far. It looked like the bioengineer had been going for excellence in specialized fields with his personal guards. If Nisha was the ancient version of a sensor, then was it even possible to keep secrets while she was in the same general area?
Balthasar rolled his eyes at our hesitation. You can talk. Nisha is good, but she isnt omniscient. As long as you keep your voices down, your secrets should be safe enough. Even she shouldnt be able to pick out our voices from among the villages background noise.
I nodded and began explaining how events played out from our point of view, and as per Marys advice, I left nothing out. It looked like Balthasar already knew most of what we had to say, though there were a few things which were new to him.
Having learned that there was a possibility of Nisha listening in, we didnt share that Aerie had a working wormhole. However, we assured Balthasar that Jengs collapse was far from as inevitable as Nisha believed.
which is why I think that even if you hide in this village, some party will come for you sooner or later. Whether it is Earths government, Thichs slavers, or Viers ambitions, I ended my explanations with an inviting gesture after having revealed as much of the current political situation as I thought to be safe. If you ask me, after the attack on Jeng this conflict is already way past the point at which things can return to normal. No matter the outcome, it will affect all the Clans.
Balthasar seemed thoughtful, but not convinced he had indeed stakes in this conflict.
I understand your plight, but it changes nothing for me. Mary was always a good friend and I wouldnt hesitate to talk with her. Sadly, I have my responsibilities here and cant leave. Balthasars eyes landed on his daughter who was playing with a ball, using the house wall to bounce it off and catch it. The villagers and my daughter need me.
Can you explain why you are still here? Magnus asked. From what I have seen, I would have already packed my things and left. This is no place to live. The atmosphere among the villagers is toxic, to say the least. Your village is badly guarded aside from the protection your roots provide. Dont take me wrong, those roots are impressive, but you clearly arent omniscient with their use or you would have stopped us upon entering the village.
Balthasar looked irked, but he nodded. I am actually very sensitive with them, but its hard to discern one bug from another when there are hundreds of them crawling over your body.
He sighed and looked off into the distance. This place was better, once. We founded this settlement with our hopes and dreams, you know. We just wanted a place away from the other humans. Somewhere where we wouldnt be drawn into the conflicts of others. Just like this one. And even if the villagers wanted to leave, its hard to let go, even if living here is no longer tenable. I see it as my duty to protect this place till the last of them is gone.
Thalia shook her head. Thats a morbid conviction.
And unfair towards the child, Magnus added. Having a kid in a place like this is criminal. Are there even other kids around, or is she the last surviving one? Cant imagine the survival rate is very high if they are allowed to play at the wall.
I elbowed him trying to be inconspicuous while I messaged, Whats wrong with you? Poke him some more and I wont care if he smacks you to kingdom come.
Just trying to get him out of his comfort zone. Am I the only one who noticed that this stupid, old hermit has a serious mental problem? The villagers too, but he seems apathetic towards the world. If we dont get a rise out of him, he will just stay in his garden watching the herbs grow.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com
What else do you expect me to do? Balthasar gestured angrily at our surroundings. You have seen my power. Its not like I can uproot myself and transport everyone to safety or I would have done so. And without the root system, I am not strong enough to protect them. Charmaine doesnt have the power to make the journey out of the Mycelium. I have already lost her mother to this fog. I wont risk losing Charmaine too. And I forbade her playing at the wall several times. If she doesnt listen, there isnt much I can do aside from locking her up for her safety and I am not willing to go quite that far.
I bit my lower lip, remembering what Magnus had done to quell Isaacs rowdy behaviour. It was dark psychology, but I couldnt argue with the result. Isaac hadnt run off a single time since that day.
Thalia whistled appreciatively. And there is the root of the problem.
I raised a hand. Balthasar, what if we could get your daughter to Mount Aerie for you? She would be safe there with a whole clan between her and any monsters.
Balthasar shook his head. I dont trust anyone else with my daughter.
Magnus leaned forward and grinned. But it would just take an instant, you know. No risky journey between here and there. Since we can teleport.
Thats some claim. Balthasar scoffed. Next thing you tell me is you have a way back to Earth!
Maybe? Magnus gestured for me while he got out of his chair. Come on, lets set up a jaunt point and get Charmaine a playmate to prove our point.
I hesitated, wondering for a moment what he meant before I caught up. Do you think thats a good idea? What about the fog and the spores?
I looked towards Thalia.
Isaac will be fine if you give him the fungicide and limit his visit, but are you sure this is a good idea? Thalia replied.
Charmaine instantly stopped playing with her ball and turned towards us. It was clear where her attention had been the entire time. Not with her game, but listening in on the adults. You can get another kid to come here?
Magnus set Isaac down in front of the girl and our boy looked up to her, holding out his hand in greeting. Hi, I am Isaac. What is your name? I may be a toddler, but I am way smarter than you. Dad told me that he met you playing with monsters and that I shouldnt copy your bad behaviour. Playing with monsters isnt very smart. Hasnt anyone told you that monsters can be really, really dangerous? They eat people!
He looked around with wide eyes and towards the sky. Is this the surface? I thought I could see the sky, but its all white. The words spilled out of Isaacs mouth just as fast as most kids would have needed for a normal introduction.
Charmaine and Balthasar stared at Isaac. The former lost for words with her mouth open and the latter with both eyebrows raised so high they almost touched his hairline.
I coughed and glared at Magnus.
Sensing my disapproval, he shrugged his shoulders and tried to look innocent. I just told him about the shroom-things and that he should stay in the garden, I swear. Be more polite when talking with girls, Isaac. You are going to be a big brother once your sisters hatch.
I groaned inwardly and couldnt help myself. Please, Magnus. Can we not use the term hatch?
How else do you want to call it? They are eggs.
Balthasar looked flustered, which was embarrassing.
Kiera said they arent truly eggs. Its more accurate to call them incubation pods, I corrected somewhat sourly.
Meanwhile, Isaac was shaking Charmaines hand enthusiastically.
Balthasar cleared his throat. While thats all very interesting, Isaac, did you really come from Mount Aerie?
Yes! the boy zipped over, looking at Balthasar with big, round eyes. Why are there roots coming out of your ears!?
I covered my face. We really should have thought this over a little more carefully before committing. Isaac! Its not polite to call out others on their mutations. Its the same as asking you why your skin has neon-coloured patterns. I am so sorry, Balthasar. We have been keeping him very sheltered within the family. Aside from Frosts and Tates, he hasnt met anyone else.
Its fine, the ancient waved a hand. They are a part of my mutation, Isaac. I am more plant than human at this point.
Wow! Does that mean you can live off water and dirt alone?
Isaac! I admonished.
Balthasar pursed his lips. I guess I could? Though, that wouldnt be very pleasant.
Isaac nodded sagely. I knew it! Then he zipped back to Charmaine, pulling two decks with cards out of his pocket. Do you want to play a game?
Seeing the cards, Charmaine shook her head. I dont know how to play.
Isaac wasnt deterred in the slightest. Then I will teach you.
I turned back to Balthasar. So, how is it?
Balthasar blinked. I will have to think about this proposal. Why dont you stay for a day or two?
Sure! Thalia joined in. There is no need to make up your mind right now. Why dont we switch topics to something less controversial? On our way here, we were stalked by a creature. It looked like an albino night terror, but we came to call it the white stalker. Do you know anything about it? Humanoid with claws? Arms and legs have two joints instead of one. Elongated snout?
Balthasar nodded. We call them just whites. Very smart. Very dangerous. Aside from the stalkers, they are the apex predators around here. They cost us more than a few lives in the early days until they smartened up to my presence and stopped raiding the settlement. Why do you want to know?
I want to hunt one for its mutation, Thalia announced.
We do? Mark asked, apparently unaware of the plan.
Are you sure? I cautioned, worried for my friend. Shouldnt you aim for an easier target for your first hunt together?
We already have a night-terror mutation and its not like we will go at this alone, Thalia replied confidently. You are going to help us.
But thats against tradition, I protested.
You mean your family tradition, Thalia corrected. I am a Tate and I see no reason to risk my life for an improvement if I can recruit the right hunters for the job. Having already seen how dangerous these creatures are, I am sure you wouldnt let Mark and me go out there alone. Especially not when my most potent ability can’t affect animals?
I wanted to reply something but couldnt come up with a fitting argument. Thalia was right. In the heat of the moment, I had forgotten that the ‘joined hunt’ to celebrate a partnering was primarily practised by members of the twelfth strata.
Thalia returned her attention to Balthasar. So, what else do you know about the whites?