The Black Pod Read Online Free Page A

meters thick, based on
the arch where they entered and there was a walk around the
battlements at the top. Everything was covered with vines.
    The courtyard was about thirty meters
across and overgrown with scrub. All of it was intact but
overgrown. The vines and scrub were untouched by the
fire.
    The tower made up the
entire east end of the Keep. The top was about thirty meters higher
than the wall. Where the walls met the tower was the only
access to the upper
part of the wall.
    “ Box, are you seeing
this?” Tony asked the air.
    Yes. Are you thinking what
I am thinking?
    “ Do it. No rush. Conserve
all the maneuvering thrusters you can.” He said. “I need to
sleep.”
    I will be there by
dawn.
    Adams discovered that the tower was
empty except for dry leaves and cobwebs. Wynn lived here alone and
occupied a small kitchen off the side of the smallest building. He
would later learn it was the night servant’s kitchen.
    The Fly patrolled and mapped the Keep.
Tony slept.
    ***
    The next morning, thirst
drove Adams out of the small warm room. His canteen was empty, so
he headed to the
fountain to refill it. Box had landed
the Black Pod so quietly inside the walls that not even Lane
had stirred in the predawn. He lay on the floor in front of the
fireplace’s embers. Wynn was nowhere to be seen.
    The Black Pod looked like
it belonged there. Like it had always been there. The dome of it
sat among the tall grasses and struggling saplings. Its ramp came
down neatly to the edge of the cobbles and managed to balance
architecturally with the tower at the
other end.
    Adams drank an entire canteen and then
refilled it again.
    “ Good morning, Box. How
are you feeling today?” he said as he walked up the broad staircase to the massive doors at the base of the tower. One
of the doors was ajar.
    When he entered, the avatar of Box was
waiting inside. Adams knew he had to be careful talking to Box this
way because he was the only one that could see her via his personal
HUD.
    “ I’m feeling much better.
You?” As usual, she stood at parade rest, examining the
room.
    “ The nanites are going to
drive me mad with the itching. Fever isn’t too bad though. I’ve had
worse.” He looked at his forearm; the sleeve had been cut
away.
    “ This room is really
something.” Box said, “It’s half cathedral and half throne room.”
It was empty except for a raised dais at the far side with a great stone throne at the top of thirty wide steps. There was
no dust. No cobwebs on the finely carved seat.
    Tony climbed the steps and
sat.
    A light autumn breeze came
in through six tall, high windows that faced the dais. Outside wind
blew in and the dry leaves stirred. This room was designed around
this chair. He was surprised how comfortable it was. The biggest
fireplace he had ever seen was directly opposite the throne, across
the vast room. It had a carved wooden mantle that must
have been a meter thick and five meters wide. It was flanked by
massive doors. The door on the right must have been covered with
vines outside. He had not noticed it from the courtyard.
    Box waited.
    She climbed the stairs and sat on the
top step. She also faced the six tall windows. Sun was beginning to
peak over the wall and through the windows.
    “ It’ll do.” Tony had a new
tone in his voice. It was noticeable enough that Box turned her
virtual head toward him. The look of confidence on his face showed
he knew the road ahead may be long, but he had trained for
it.
    Just then, as the sun
reached him, Wynn entered the room, Lane right behind her. Adams
did not say a word as she approached the base of the stairs. She
glanced up at him and bowed formally, not setting foot on the steps.
    She straightened up and held her head
high, looking him straight in the eye. She spoke in English.
Clearly and slowly.
    “ Lord Keeper Adams, the
Raptor.” It sounded like a pronouncement. She reached around and
took off an
enormous bag that had been slung over her back, upending