On Chessman Cliff

Late that day Astra landed at an obscure part of the coast known as Chessman Cliff. This point was ideal for their purpose. Chessman Cliff had been eroded by the pounding surf and weathered and polished by the winds over the years. The cliff was named by mariners looking up at the facade of the cliff from the sea. Bits of rock jutting out of the surface of the facade looked like chess pieces. The top of the cliff was inaccessible by sea, and practically speaking, inaccessible by land as well. There was no trail leading into the interior, and craggy, barren hills effectively walled off Chessman Cliff from prying eyes. And yet this was a good place to camp. The wind blew steadily, but did not prevent them from working. There was an open, flat area that allowed for place even for Astra to sleep in relative comfort. While the open area on top of the cliff was treeless, there was some inflammable tinder within easy flying distance, so a fire for cooking, light, and heat could be kindled without danger of discovery. A heavy fog shrouded the sea. Although the colour of this part of the world appeared to have been washed out by nature, there were signs of life. Weeds grew in the crevices of the rocks. There were patches of vegetation further in - even a special treat of some small berries that both Solbert and Fred recognized as being edible.

The moon was just starting to wax at this time, so the light of the fire was welcomed. The company started to talk about the adventure ahead.

Fred asked Checkers, "Once we cross the ocean, do we have far to go to get to your homeland?"

"I crossed to ocean to the south of the way we are are taking, so I do not know how wide the ocean is at this point. If we can take this river of air further east, then that will help a lot. The Dolomite Range is deep into the interior of the Morninglands. If I remember from some traders that I traveled with, there are cities of men on the north coast, but the weather gets cold, windy, and damp as you move farther in, and the land is either thinly settled, or a waste. You will want to move south after you cross at least one hundred leagues. The one thing that I can tell you about the area near the Dolomite Range is that there is a huge lake in the interior. Once you find that, there is a big land where there are lots of men who grow, bake, and eat grass. [Checkers was describing grain farming and bread making.] Once you cannot see the ground because of the trees, that is the bounds of the league. There will be two big rivers toward the southeast. The northern one is White River. You will probably want to land there."

"Why?" asked Sartoma.

"From the city of White River, it is an easy flight to Celestial Mountain. That is where the House of Burgesses, the head council of the League, meet. If everything goes well, then they can send some people to White River to treat with us."

"But could we not just fly to Celestial Mountain directly?" asked Astra.

"We would probably be seen, and they would think the worst. If you waited outside the League bounds, the way Minestus did after the wars, then there is less of a chance that you would be seen as a threat."

Solbert then said, "That makes sense, Checkers. However, as we are coming in from the north, could we make our contact at another place?"

"You are talking about the Catfish Lake area, or Wagon Wheel Gap if you overshoot our land and come in from the east. Wagon Wheel Gap is going far out of your way. White River would be more convenient."

"And how about Catfish Lake?" asked Solbert.

"Catfish Lake is very remote. There is no road between it and the main body of our cities, and its dependent villages are isolated as well. The land to the north is very harsh, with firemountains [volcanoes]."

"Are the firemountains dangerous?" asked Sartoma.

"They can be. When they are active, hot rock and deadly smoke can steam from them."

"But is there a firemountain near Catfish Lake?" Sartoma replied.

"Well, I do not remember. I have never been up there. But I think White River would be better. I am more familiar with that area."

Sartoma and Solbert exchanged quick glances. Solbert said, "We have to get across the ocean first. Once we see the coastline, we should land in as isolated an area of the coast as possible."

Later that night, Solbert and Sartoma talked, away from the others.

"What do you think?" asked Sartoma.

"Catfish Lake and the surrounding area sound most promising," Solbert replied. "It is small, and isolated from the rest of the Gliders towns, and is a community where we may be more easily accepted. Isolated places, on poor land and without roads, tend to have more needs, and we may be able to win their favour."

"I agree. And if they are uneasy, then the League militia or whatever they have for protection is not going to be able to reach us for a while. I do not see the need to engage their central council right away. From what Checkers said, Catfish Lake is the main city of the north, although it is small. It is important because they send what they call a Burgess to their combined council. So if we can find the important Gliders, and get that Burgess on our side, then we will have someone to speak for us."

"Checkers seemed reluctant to go to Catfish Lake. She had her heart set on White River."

"Maybe because it is closer to home?"

"Maybe."

At the time that this conversation was taking place, Checkers had just awakened, and was staring at the stars. She had mixed feelings. She would be going home. In four days she might be there! But would she be welcomed back? They were bringing back a dragon, and one that seemed well-disposed, but had flashes of temper. Bringing back a dragon was not exactly what she was charged with doing.

And then there was the bit about Catfish Lake that made her a little nervous. Surely they would not stop there.

Catfish Lake was not a bad place, Checkers reminded herself. The land was inhabited by Gliders, the same as herself, and she would be glad to see them, but ....

Astra, Sartoma, Solbert, and Fred were important to the future happiness and security of her country. She wanted the League to make a strong first impression on them, so that they could see the loftiness of the Glider ideal in action, see the fine and well-drilled militia, the lofty, soaring flight of the hunters, the polished performances of the chorus and theatre, and the gravity and wisdom of the Glider elders. She wanted the others to fully understand that hers were a great and noble people.

Having these strangers gawk at Catfish Lake was not the way to achieve this.

Checkers' view of Catfish Lake was no different than that of many Gliders. Catfish Lake and its citizens were saddled with a certain reputation that was a product of geography. The area around Catfish Lake was the only part of the League that was in a relatively low-lying area that was riddled with numerous lakes, out of which there was a rich catch of fish. The towns were isolated from each other and from the rest of the League by both distance and a difficult terrain. Volcanoes would belch forth ash and hot rock from time to time, and fog rolled across the land.

Because of the fish, the hunt and the martial traditions that arose from it played a smaller role in the life of the Gliders of Catfish Lake than it did in the lives of other Gliders. Where the other Gliders most prided themselves in their flight skills, team spirit, and courage, the Gliders of Catfish Lake valued patience, endurance, and prudence. Most of the Gliders of Catfish Lake could swim, and some even enjoyed it as a sport. This was unheard of amongst the Gliders of the rest of the League. Even their landscape of their land seemed less than Glider- like to their fellow Gliders. Instead of the lofty heights and clear air of the lands of the South, the land around Catfish Lake was lower, murky, with an almost otherworldy touch from the frequent fogs and the occasional rumble of a volcano.

In short, to a Glider of Lightning Pass or Celestial Mountain, a typical Catfish Lake Glider could not fly well, was disorganized, was timid, and was prone to doing silly things. Yet the Gliders of Catfish Lake were still a part of the Glider community, cherished for all their quirks. But the idea of the first contact of Astra with the Glider community coming through Catfish Lake was something that Checkers wanted to avoid, if possible.

At dawn on the next day, they set off.

1. They enter the jet stream without incident.
2. There is an unexpected storm.
3. They see a noteworthy island, and decide to stop.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree