Wandering Spark - Part 55
Varan looked downwards. Through the cracks between the stones he could see an overturned sky and a gray-white carpet of clouds.
"You're too brave for a man who cannot fly," Varan said unexpectedly to himself.
Clover smiled:
"This is a flattery? Or a warning?"
Varan grunted. From the constant wind his ears began whining and scratching.
"There are no strong streams during the season," mouthed Clover.
Varan nodded.
"There are no strong ones, but at night the island draws water under itself. In the afternoon it "exhales"... Where there are large internal tunnels, the movement of water is felt more strongly. And here under the rocks is the Western Worm, it's not a very large tunnel, but still..."
"Maybe a cache in Worm?"
"There's no getting in there. Earlier there were air traffic jams, and in the season it was possible to come across the pals told. And then there were collapses, well, cracks... The air all went out."
"And in the off-season?"
Varan shrugged reluctantly.
"I'm a pod... In the off-season, I have other concerns."
"It's true," Plantain agreed absentmindedly.
Varan watched as he moved from the eaves to the stone and from there to the other ledge. How he chooses the slit is more comfortable, how he drives an iron crutch into the crack, as he whispers over the fastening - probably witchy words, providing strength...
"Fuck two," Varan said.
"What?"
"It is necessary to have two fastening points... Better more. But at least two."
"Then help..."
Varan measured the distance to the nearest stone. I jumped, slipped, lost balance, pulled out a clump of dry algae, frightened to cold sweat. He froze, huddled against the stone, listening to the howling wind far below. Again it began to darken before my eyes - there was not enough air ...
From the dark crack high above the jumped out a legged creature. Noiselessly swept along the steep rock, dropped a white lump of litter - fortunately, not on the head. She broke off the shell from the wall, again disappeared into the cracks, and from there she heard a crunch.
"To Shuu's ass," Varan snapped.
The magician threw down the loose end of the rope:
"Well, I go..."
Varan found the strength to nod.
The magician easily slid down - Varan didn’t fully believe that he would do it. His head disappeared, and a scratched hand with a finger on his index finger disappeared from the field of his vision. Varan overcame dizziness and moved closer to the place where the magician started the descent.
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