Haladras Read Free Page B

get any worse? Skylar thought
as he peered out across the desolate landscape, now mottled with long shadows
of rocks and outcroppings. The sun had lost much of its intensity as it sank
into the horizon. A cool breeze streamed across his face as they sped along.
    “You’re lucky to be alive, you know that?” said Rasbus in
the quietest voice Skylar had ever heard him use. “If Kindor hadn’t caught you
with that lift...” he shook his head. “What were you thinking? I never saw
anyone do something so stupid.”
    “Kindor caught me with a lift?” said Skylar.
    “Quick thinking on Kindor’s part. He broke your fall by a
good ten meters.”
    “Kindor’s alright, though, isn't he?”
    Skylar, feeling suddenly very curious, forgot to whom he was
talking—the man who spoke, but was not spoken to.
    “He wasn't injured, no. But I’ve discharged him from duty. I
can’t have officers making idiotic decisions like that. You had no business
manning that winch.”
    “I knew what I was doing. Kindor felt confident I was
ready.”
    “Kindor was wrong!” boomed back Rasbus in a way that made
Skylar’s bones rattle. “Do you have any idea what could have happened if that
cable had not been released?”
    “Of course I do!” said Skylar, feeling his anger rise. “Why
do you think I did what I did?”
    “It shouldn’t have come to that. It wasn’t your job—”
    “There wasn’t enough time to deliberate the situation in a
committee. I had to act.”
    “Don't get impertinent with me. I have half a mind to
terminate your apprenticeship. A trained, experienced winch operator would know
exactly what procedure to follow and how much time he had. You weren’t ready,
Skylar.”
    Rasbus sighed and his hardened features gave way to tired,
careworn lines. When he spoke again his tone was calmer.
    “How do you think I felt when I learned it was you who had fallen?
I thought you were dead, Skylar—we all did. What would I have told your
mother?”
    Skylar made no reply. For the first time in the years he’d
known Rasbus, he’d never seen Rasbus express any emotion but irritation. The
moment quickly passed. Rasbus resumed his mechanical state.
    Skylar stared back out at the desert.
    “Dr. Beezin,” said Skylar after a time. “He told me Captain
Arturo left the docks in a hurry. Do you know why?”
    “That’s Captain Arturo’s business, not yours,” snapped
Rasbus.
    “But—”
    Skylar broke off. He could tell from the taut muscles around
Rasbus’ jawline that he ought to keep quiet. Neither spoke for the remainder of
the trip.
    Like most inhabitants of Kaladra, Skylar’s home was on the
side of the rock walls that formed an immense gorge. The homes were carved into
the wall, like grottos. The temperature of the stones helped keep them cool, in
spite of the scorching Haladrian sun. It was a singular sight to behold those
walls at night, all aglow with soft amber lights emanating from square windows
like a mosaic of gold tiles.
    Rasbus docked the transport outside Skylar’s dwelling and
helped Skylar out onto the narrow landing. Before Skylar was on his feet, his
mother rushed out, her face full of concern.
    “I’m alright,” said Skylar before she could begin fretting.
    Little good it did after she saw him grimace with pain when
he tried to stand.
    “What happened?” asked his mother, hastening to his side to
help.
    “I just had a little fall—nothing serious.”
    “A fall! It was that jetwing of yours. I knew I shouldn’t
let you...”
    “Mom—”
    “Let’s get the lad inside, Dahra. Then I’ll explain the
whole matter,” said Rasbus.
    Once inside, Rasbus made good on his word, explaining the
entire incident to his mother, taking care to leave out a few ugly specifics
here and there. Thus he saved her from unnecessary distress and Skylar from
having to convince her that he really was fine. Rasbus had impressed Skylar for
the second time that day. The iron port master was nearly a different