The Ice Fortress (Frozen World Book 2) Read online

  “Annette, what the hell are you doing?” Scott called out in horror as he watched her pick up two of the Antarctosaurus hatchlings and stride toward the door. “Don’t go out, are you out of your –“

  But Annette wrenched the door open and strode out, and the calls of the young reptiles in her arms became more urgent, just as the high-pitched responses from above intensified. There could be no doubt now – it was a dialogue, a communication between creatures of the same species.

  Ne Tarveg, making up his mind, picked up another two hatchlings, one under each arm, and went out as well. The bitter cold whipped into the building, and Scott got to the door, taking its handle and preparing to shut it at the first sign of danger. “This is insane,” he whispered in awe. “What are they doing?”

  One of the dark winged shapes fluttered downwards, and the sounds it was making were almost like a song. The young ones responded, neither fearfully nor anxiously, but in a rhythm that clearly meant to communicate something.

  And then the wild flock soared up above, still making the distinctive communicative call, made one last circle above the station, and flew away. For a few minutes, everybody waited in silence. Then there could be no more doubt – the flying reptiles were gone. If they had any intention to attack the station, something had obviously changed their mind.

  “It’s the young ones,” Ne Tarveg said, looking at Annette in wonder. “You think they go away, leave us in peace because young ones?”

  Annette’s face split into a wide, uncontrollable grin. “Yes, I’m sure of it! They refrained from attacking because they realized this place is home for some of their own kind!”

  “Still, it seemed to me you took an awful risk there,” Scott said, chivvying everybody back inside. “Come on, let’s get away from the cold.”

  They all stood inside the brooder house again, slowly getting warm, but still shaking with cold and nerves. “I wonder if this is something we can rely on,” Omrek said quietly.

  “Only time will tell, I guess. When we learn more about these creatures and understand them better.”

  “You were right,” Ne Tarveg said, looking at Annette. “I think you wrong, but you right. Raising these little lizards was the right thing. We can know more now. We can… maybe we can protect our people… with no shed blood.”

  “Bloodshed,” Omrek corrected almost automatically.

  Chris produced a hip flask. “I don’t know about you, but I sure feel we deserve a drink.”

  “You decided to take a leaf out of Lindholm’s book?” Scott smirked.

  “Say whatever you like,” Chris said, unstoppering the flask with shaking hands. “Anyone wants a nip?”

  Chapter 17

  The test results, along with a 50-page-long research paper, came from the University of Bilbao just before the First Dawn. Scott printed it all out at the station and took it to the valley to show to Tahan and the elders, though the latter could not read a word of English.

  The results were conclusive. The Anai DNA showed significant resemblance to the Basque genetic patterns, and there could be scarcely a doubt the two peoples had been, at least in some point in history, closely related. Linguists who compared the two languages confirmed this hypothesis. How it happened that a prehistoric European tribe embarked on a sea journey that landed them in Antarctica, however, remained a mystery.

  “It is a gift from the Spirits,” Tahan said, her face glowing, “to find out something about the First Anai… don’t you think so, Omrek?”

  “What? Oh… yes, certainly,” her brother replied.

  Scott watched his brother-in-law. Throughout the winter, Omrek had been distracted, as if there was something on his mind. “Is everything alright?” he ventured.

  Omrek took a deep breath. “I was going to tell you later, but… well, why not now? Manari and I, we are going away.”

  “Going away?” Tahan sounded confused. “Away where?”

  “When the people who are related to the First Anai came here, I had a talk with their leader, and he invited me to visit their country, and I… I cannot deny that I want this very much. I want to see the world. I want to live in the world. All I’ve learned since I met the foreigners, it’s… it’s teasing me, like a great magical land that’s hanging just beyond my reach. I must see it.”

  “And what does Manari think of this?” Tahan asked.

  “Manari was frightened at first, but she understands. She knows I will not be happy until I do this. And she doesn’t want us to be apart, so she and our son will be coming with me. We will leave soon after the First Dawn, just as the great birds of steel begin to fly again.”

  Overcome, Tahan threw her arms around her brother. “Oh, Omrek… I can only wish you a safe journey, but… you are my only brother. It will be hard, staying behind without you.”

  “I will come back, Tahan. The valley is my home, and I cannot imagine staying away forever. But I must do this. Who knows? Maybe it will open a window of discovery for all the Anai people.”

  Scott gripped his brother-in-law’s arm. “Our thoughts will go with you.” He could hardly find words. Ever since the Anai first arrived in the valley, none of them had ever left. Omrek was a trailblazer. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He has been fascinated by the outside world ever since the point of first contact.

  ***

  The first sunrise after the long winter came and went, and days have been growing rapidly ever since, nearly vanquishing the night. Light was winning, and soon it would be one entire long day for the whole season again. The Anai were used to it, but Scott still longed sometimes for the soothing interchange of day and night, the daily sunrises and sunsets that made it so easy to follow the passage of time. Sometimes he would wake after a long sleep and, in his first half-conscious moments, wonder why everything is still dark all around. At other times, he would fight off sleepiness because the sun was high in the sky and it just didn’t feel right to be so tired. The Anai were perfectly adapted to this light and darkness pattern, though. They slept more during the long night, and were more wakeful during the long day, but overall, the routine at the settlement went on as usual year-round.

  “We will get to see the sun rise and set so very often?” Manari said incredulously at the First Sunrise celebration, while most of the Anai were swaying to the sounds of sealskin drums and ivory flutes. “Truly?”

  Omrek nodded and put an arm around her shoulders. “I can’t wait. Hundreds of sunrises and sunsets in a year – imagine that!”

  “But no dancing lights across the sky,” Scott put in. “Not unless you travel much farther up north than the Basque country.”

  “It’s a new world, Scott. We are prepared to face it.”

  Scott shifted Niri on his hip and watched his wife dancing with the women. A longing stirred in him as well. It would be good to see the old country again, he thought. A small, rational part at the back of his brain berated him for being so unreasonable. There is no old country to speak of. USA is in chaos and ruin. Better keep the home of your childhood intact in your memory. Yet Laura was still there, going on with her husband and their children at the farm as if nothing happened, as if the world wasn’t left in cinders… it would be good to see Laura.

  Tahan would like her… but she is chieftainness. Would she be able to leave the valley for several months?

  “You come back soon and tell us all about it, Omrek,” Scott said, clapping his brother-in-law on the shoulder.

  Not far from him, the rhythm of ivory sticks beating over a sealskin drum sent a giddy, invigorating resonance through his entire frame. It was a melody of gratitude and life, of hope for a new, productive season, of yearning to live to the fullest. With surprise, Scott saw that the one playing was Ne Tarveg. Omrek seemed to follow his gaze. “I never thought I’d say this, but the man has changed.”

  That was true. People were still giving Ne Tarveg a respectful berth – there was just something about his tall, imposing figure and grave expression that did not e
ncourage familiarity. But it was now possible to talk to him without getting one’s head bitten off. “I’ve thought about it long and hard, Omrek,” Scott said, “and I’ve come to the conclusion that people don’t change. It’s just that we keep seeing a different side of them every time.”

  A different side of Ne Tarveg certainly appeared when the helicopter landed at AN-85 twelve hours later. Ne Tarveg waited at the bottom of the trail, in full battle gear, his bow and spear and sharp flint axe at the ready, to welcome the research party from McMurdo.

  If I were a little less careful, I might have suggested he is trying to impress someone, Scott thought.

  “Arahak,” Ne Tarveg spoke unexpectedly, “do you think I shouldn’t have painted my face?”

  Scott was startled. “Uh,” he said, frantically searching for the right words, “I’m not sure, but… isn’t this battle paint? We aren’t going into battle, I hope?”

  Ne Tarveg nodded. “I hope so as well, but the results of what Annette is trying to do may be unpredictable.”

  Unpredictable indeed. They heard footsteps coming down the trail, accompanied by talking and laughing and the purrs, whistles, shrieks and rumbles of the juvenile Antarctosaurus the party led. Ne Tarveg stood straighter and, when the party came into view, walked forward.

  “Journey go well, I hope?” he asked, his dignity making up for his imperfect grammar.

  “Oh, couldn’t be better,” Annette assured him, her eyes sparkling. “The big question now is… will this work? Have you seen any specimens from the adult colony lately?”

  “Two days ago, not far from the settlement,” Scott said, “but pretty high up. They haven’t risked another attack since that last time… they might have grown more cautious.”

  “Should we wait here, then? Or should we go a bit further?”

  “Make up your mind, Annette,” Adam said a little impatiently, tugging on the leash to which one of the hatchlings was tethered. Actually, ‘hatchlings’ was starting to become a euphemism. The reptiles were growing rapidly, and were now roughly the size of their caretakers.

  Annette stopped, hesitating. “Well,” she finally said, “it might as well be now.” She bent down and, slowly, undid the collar on one of the reptiles’ necks.

  “Wait… what are you doing?” Scott asked with rising nervousness. “You aren’t letting them go free… here?”

  Annette straightened up and looked at him. “These hatchlings grew up with people. They will not hurt anybody. The valley is their natural habitat. I’d say they deserve a chance to live in freedom, don’t you think?”

  “Have you cleared this with the Antarctic Committee?”

  “Yes, we have all the permits. We have also implanted surveillance chips, so that we can keep following and monitoring these young ones. We can never learn about their natural behavior if we keep them caged.”

  Scott was speechless. He turned to Ne Tarveg. “My wife needs to know about this.”

  “I will tell Ki Tahan, certainly. But I do not think she will object.”

  Scott blinked. “You don’t? What about you? Do you think it’s a good idea to let these creatures loose here?”

  The warrior knelt and, with deft fingers, undid another collar. The two freed hatchlings did not run or fly off, but milled about, staying affectionately close to Annette. Ne Tarveg stroked a scaly neck, and the hint of a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

  “I am not afraid. Annette says they can be caught later if there is any trouble. I am willing to take responsibility.”

  The Antarctosaurus sniffed at Ne Tarveg’s fingers and, surprisingly, butted its head against his palm as if wanting to be petted.

  The collars were removed. The hatchlings were free. One of them ambled around and, finally sensing the lack of restrictions, batted its wings and stood on its hind legs.

  “Fly, little one,” Annette said gently, “fly.”

  The Antarctosaurus soared and, with a triumphant cry, called its siblings to him. It made a circle in the air and, looking pleased with itself, landed at Annette’s feet.

  “It doesn’t look like they want to get away from you,” Scott observed.

  “Of course not. They are imprinted on me… which is why I’ll be staying here in the valley for a while.”

  Scott wasn’t sure he heard that right. “Here? But what about… accommodations?”

  Annette shrugged. “I was kind of hoping Tahan might be able to help me. And there’s your brother-in-law’s house… it’s empty now, isn’t it?”

  Scott stole a sly glance in Ne Tarveg’s direction. Is it just my imagination, or is this man happier than I’ve ever seen him?

  “Well,” he said to Annette, “good luck.”

  Two or three of the hatchlings rose into the air, and were followed by the rest. The flock soared up above, frolicking in the air, gliding, truly testing their wings for the first time. Their cries brought back an ancient, primordial time which could not be repeated anywhere but in this valley. Yet they came back to the small group of people once more, friendly as puppies and seeking reassurance.

  “I wonder how the wild colony would react to this,” Chris muttered, observing the scene.

  “We might just find out,” Scott said, “one of these days.”

  Disclaimer

  Writing this book has involved a great deal of reading and research on the geography, topography, climate, ecology, flora and fauna of Antarctica in general and Ross Island in particular. For a while, I virtually lived at the McMurdo research station, wishing to make my setting as realistic as possible. It is important to remember, however, that this book is a science fiction novel, and as such, there are some things I naturally bent to fit the plot and premise.

  I cannot conclude without expressing my admiration of all the brave men and women living and working out there on the edge of the world.

  A Call to Readers

  If you enjoyed this book, I would really appreciate it if you take a few minutes to review it on Amazon or Goodreads, mention it on your social media, and recommend it to your friends. Reviews and word of mouth are incredibly important to authors, being the one most genuine and reliable vehicle of helping a book reach more readers.

  For further updates and new releases:

  Visit my blog, hannahrossfantasy.blogspot.com, and subscribe to my newsletter.

  Look me up on Facebook as Hannah Ross Author.

  Follow me on Twitter as @hannahrossbooks