Read Online The Icerigger Trilogy: Icerigger, Mission to Moulokin, and The Deluge Drivers by Alan Dean Foster - Free Book Online
Authors: Alan Dean Foster
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began, “but it seems to me that your natives, no matter what their makeup, wouldn’t be abroad on a night like this.” Another gust rattled the door, as though in support of the schoolmaster’s theory.
“This could be a tropical evening to them,” Ethan countered. “But if we’re as far away from the settlement as we seem to be, then the locals couldn’t be familiar with flying craft. We can’t tell how they might react. We might have come in over the local metropolis, too, and scared the populace half out of their wits. In which case they might declare this section of ice forever taboo, or the local equivalent. I’ve seen it happen before.”
“Let’s hope not,” said September fervently. “I’m beginning to think we’re going to need outside aid if we’re ever going to see the inside of a brandy snifter again. But that’s not why I think we should stand watch.
“And it has nothing to do with him .” He gestured at Walther. A thin whine from the kidnapper’s location was the only reply, a mouse of a snore. Already sound asleep.
“Although, as long as he entertains thoughts of attack, and as long as we still have one operational beamer”—he patted his vest pocket—“it would be a good idea if everyone didn’t drift off to slumberland all at once.
“No, my main concern is keeping that fire going. If that goes, it’s liable to get downright chilly in here. And we might never wake up.”
“Quite so,” agreed Colette promptly.
“I usually remain awake late at night,” Williams informed them. “If no one objects, I would be pleased to take the first, uh, watch.”
“Very well … and I shall take the second,” volunteered Colette. “But you will have to excuse my father from such duties … he’s not up to it, I’m afraid.”
“But my dear …” the elder du Kane began. Colette kissed him perfunctorily on the forehead.
“Hush, old man. Lean on me.”
“But your mother would think—”
Colette’s eyes grew suddenly so wild that Ethan missed a breath. She looked about to scream, but instead her voice came out under airtight control—barely.
“Don’t mention that woman to me now,” she snapped out.
“But—”
“Don’t!” There was more than just a hint of warning in that voice. Ethan thought about putting a subtle question to her, took another look at those penetrating green orbs, and decided against butting in. Mind your own business, stupid! He rolled over twice, facing the fire.
It seemed he’d only just put his head down after concluding his two-hour watch when he was suddenly awakened. He was facing the fire a half-meter away. For a moment something very primitive deep inside him was badly startled. It did wake him quickly, though. He rolled over and found himself almost nose to nose with Williams.
The schoolteacher held fingers to lips. Ethan sat up slowly and stifled his questions. Across the glow of the fire he could see Colette du Kane. Her expression chased the rest of the sleep from his eyes. She was chewing on one set of knuckles. Her father was kneeling tensely next to her, an arm around her shoulders.
The Hephaestean form of Skua September, outlined by the fire, stood to one side. He was staring intently at the door. The remaining beamer was clutched tightly in his right fist. It hadn’t grown much colder inside, thanks to the fire, but you could feel the alien darkness pressing close on all sides.
Ethan was aware of something new and unpleasant in the tiny cabin. Humans are not as adept as their dogs at smelling fear, but they can recognize it in each other.
“It was during Mr. du Kane’s shift,” the teacher whispered softly. “He woke Mr. September, who thought it best to rouse the rest of us.” Ethan turned just enough to see Walther sitting alertly in his corner, hands twitching uncontrollably.
“It seems Mr. du Kane thought he heard something moving around outside,” Williams continued. “And while he confesses to a lack of
“This could be a tropical evening to them,” Ethan countered. “But if we’re as far away from the settlement as we seem to be, then the locals couldn’t be familiar with flying craft. We can’t tell how they might react. We might have come in over the local metropolis, too, and scared the populace half out of their wits. In which case they might declare this section of ice forever taboo, or the local equivalent. I’ve seen it happen before.”
“Let’s hope not,” said September fervently. “I’m beginning to think we’re going to need outside aid if we’re ever going to see the inside of a brandy snifter again. But that’s not why I think we should stand watch.
“And it has nothing to do with him .” He gestured at Walther. A thin whine from the kidnapper’s location was the only reply, a mouse of a snore. Already sound asleep.
“Although, as long as he entertains thoughts of attack, and as long as we still have one operational beamer”—he patted his vest pocket—“it would be a good idea if everyone didn’t drift off to slumberland all at once.
“No, my main concern is keeping that fire going. If that goes, it’s liable to get downright chilly in here. And we might never wake up.”
“Quite so,” agreed Colette promptly.
“I usually remain awake late at night,” Williams informed them. “If no one objects, I would be pleased to take the first, uh, watch.”
“Very well … and I shall take the second,” volunteered Colette. “But you will have to excuse my father from such duties … he’s not up to it, I’m afraid.”
“But my dear …” the elder du Kane began. Colette kissed him perfunctorily on the forehead.
“Hush, old man. Lean on me.”
“But your mother would think—”
Colette’s eyes grew suddenly so wild that Ethan missed a breath. She looked about to scream, but instead her voice came out under airtight control—barely.
“Don’t mention that woman to me now,” she snapped out.
“But—”
“Don’t!” There was more than just a hint of warning in that voice. Ethan thought about putting a subtle question to her, took another look at those penetrating green orbs, and decided against butting in. Mind your own business, stupid! He rolled over twice, facing the fire.
It seemed he’d only just put his head down after concluding his two-hour watch when he was suddenly awakened. He was facing the fire a half-meter away. For a moment something very primitive deep inside him was badly startled. It did wake him quickly, though. He rolled over and found himself almost nose to nose with Williams.
The schoolteacher held fingers to lips. Ethan sat up slowly and stifled his questions. Across the glow of the fire he could see Colette du Kane. Her expression chased the rest of the sleep from his eyes. She was chewing on one set of knuckles. Her father was kneeling tensely next to her, an arm around her shoulders.
The Hephaestean form of Skua September, outlined by the fire, stood to one side. He was staring intently at the door. The remaining beamer was clutched tightly in his right fist. It hadn’t grown much colder inside, thanks to the fire, but you could feel the alien darkness pressing close on all sides.
Ethan was aware of something new and unpleasant in the tiny cabin. Humans are not as adept as their dogs at smelling fear, but they can recognize it in each other.
“It was during Mr. du Kane’s shift,” the teacher whispered softly. “He woke Mr. September, who thought it best to rouse the rest of us.” Ethan turned just enough to see Walther sitting alertly in his corner, hands twitching uncontrollably.
“It seems Mr. du Kane thought he heard something moving around outside,” Williams continued. “And while he confesses to a lack of
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