The Lord of the Plains

by Sarah Chapman

Chapter 39

  When they reached Coastside it was early morning. She met the two other members of the squad at the Coastside tunnel entrance. There was a woman, Leili Artis, from the Astar Internal Defence Forces and a man from the Internal Order Forces, Gepis Ugen. Captain Turis was from the Astar Home Defence Patrol, like Riley.

  Other people were with them too. Some were coming to Coastside for routine reasons. A surprising number were there as part of the Coastside mission.

  Riley was no longer a Captain. Unit 16 was now led by Batar Krope.

  Coastside was spread out before her. The bay was covered in morning mist. The city was still asleep, only a few people were about.

  The first stop was a place called the Square. Looking at it was rather jarring. It looked like a piece of Astar had been dropped on top of Coastside.

  They went inside.

  There were desks, mostly empty.

  Riley spotted a vase full of flowers. Something within her lightened at that.

  They were led upstairs to an office with a window.

  Talking, talking, talking.

  They were told they would be staying in the Blocks, but not in the submariners’ dormitories. There were rooms at the Blocks for guests. Gepis and Alann would share a room, and Leili would share with Riley.

  She felt a moment of curiosity. She wondered what the submariners did, what the subs were like. Then she dampened it. She didn’t want to be here.

  A surprising length of time had passed while they’d been in the office.

  The desks on the lower levels were all filled. The mist burnt off the bay and the day looked like it was going to be beautiful and sunny. The wide, warm streets were filled with people. They were all very tanned.

  The Square was at the top of the hill, everything went down from there towards the bay. She glanced around disinterestedly as they walked down the hill towards the Blocks. Her mind was filled with thoughts of the Plains.

  Then something caught her eye. A flash, like light striking off something shiny. She turned.

  A man, ash blonde hair. Golden tan. A sling. He was walking up the hill.

  She studied him, not aware the rest of the squad had gone on.

  He had a sure stride, like he knew who he was and was fine with that.

  Before Peitar, Riley had never really noticed how human men looked. After though she had found herself bitterly, and against her will, noticing that sort of thing. She had thought of various men, ah, I see, he has nice eyes, smile, hair, whatever. But all together, she hadn’t found them attractive. Perhaps that was Peitar’s fault. She thought of him whenever those thoughts came.

  The man’s back was to her now. She turned to follow him with her eyes.

  She didn’t think of Peitar as she stared at the receding back of the blonde haired man.

  ‘Meilis!’

  Startled, she turned. Captain Turis was giving her a hard look. Or perhaps all his looks were just like that.

  Without a word, Riley caught up with the squad.

  Food was available in the Blocks. There were set meal times, but as patrols went in and out at irregular times something was always available.

  There was a long counter with food displayed on it. Servers stood behind in, refilling trays of food and chatting with the submariners. The hall was filled with long tables and backless seats that ran the length of the tables.

  When they entered to get some breakfast the hall was mostly empty. Why that was, Riley didn’t know or care. She didn’t want to be here.

  But at least cave mould wasn’t offered. Mostly it was seafood.

  Riley was actually enjoying the fish she was eating when a man came up to their table. Riley took no notice. She had discovered sharp little bones in the fish.

  ‘Hey, there. I haven’t seen you guys around before.’

  ‘We’re from Astar.’ Captain Turis answered.

  ‘Well, welcome to Coastside. I’m Ketar.’

  Alann introduced himself and they shook hands. Then Leili, then Gepis.

  Riley’s turn.

  She shook his hand. He held on to it for a moment.

  ‘So, do all the girls in Astar look like you?’

  There was something about the way he was holding her hand, something in his tone and the way he looked at her that made Riley feel suddenly ill.

  Peitar.

  ‘She’s a gemeng.’ Alann said in that hard way of his.

  ‘Really! Wow, best looking gemeng I’ve ever seen! Hey, why don’t I show you around Coastside? I know this great little place to eat, I know the food in the Blocks sucks-’

  ‘No.’ Riley nearly shouted. She backed away so fast she bumped into Gepis, who was sitting next to her.

  Crestfallen, his smile vanished.

  Before he could say anything Alann said to the squad. ‘Depraved wasn’t the half of it. We have a lot of work to do here.’

  Lunch didn’t go any better.

  Riley watched in disbelieving shock as men came up and offered to show her around Coastside. Then when she said no, another came up.

  Gepis had a sick look to his face. Leili’s expression changed between outrage and horror. Captain Turis merely looked determined.

  ‘I’m a gemeng.’ Riley said weakly for the umpteenth time. What was wrong with these people? She couldn’t eat. Peitar’s face, sickened by her unintended deception, swam before her eyes.

  ‘Do you have scales?’ the current one asked levelly. ‘Because if you have scales, you need to tell me now.’

  Riley stared at him.

  ‘Is that a yes? Ok, where are they? Are we talking big scales, little ones?’

  ‘She’s not going out with you.’ Alann interrupted, his face dark.

  ‘Wasn’t asking you.’

  ‘Go away.’ Riley said, ‘just go away.’

  As soon as he turned to leave another man had jumped up, ready to come take his place.

  That night Riley ate dinner in her room. She couldn’t handle any more attention today. She just considered herself lucky she wasn’t staying in the dormitories.

  Alann brought her dinner. He thought it was a good idea she spend the night inside too.

  ‘We have a lot of work to do here.’ was all he said as he left.