Free Trader Complete Omnibus

by Craig Martelle

  He hesitated and looked at the ground. Turning, he met the eyes of each of their companions, who paused their eating. He didn’t say it, but Micah heard his thoughts.

  “How will the villagers feel about them? How will my parents feel? You’re thinking they’ll try to run us off as freaks.”

  “But I didn’t say it,” he countered weakly. “It’s what you thought before G-War opened your eyes.”

  “Then that’s on them. Look at these two.” Micah reached for ‘Tesh. “How can they not fall in love with them? Maybe we can go in first, on horseback with G-War, Skirill, and Zyena close by. The others can join us later. Someone has to protect us, watch our backs. The Lizard Men can’t touch us in Trent, but there might be other threats. With this group, I don’t think anyone will be stupid enough to try something.” They looked to their stalwart companions and closest friends.

  Brandt stopped grazing and looked back at them, grasses and weeds falling from his open mouth. Bounder’s tongue lolled out of his mouth as he was falling asleep while eating, and his mate Gray Strider looked at the fire with unfocused eyes as she digested her huge meal. G-War licked his paw to scrub his face clean from the fresh deer heart he’d just consumed. Skirill and Zyena perched on a branch above the fire, looking statuesque and regal. They were probably both asleep. The Rabbits were curled in a pile of fur. You couldn’t tell one from the other. Bronwyn and the twins were in among them, only evidenced by their heads sticking out so they could breathe. Aadi floated above, watching and blinking slowly, the fire reflecting in his eyes while the Android repairs on his shell glistened as if wet.

  “They strike fear into the hearts of the stoutest men, you said?” Braden parroted his mate, then turned serious. “Will we be able to kill the Overlords?”

  ‘Depends,’ G-War interrupted without elaborating.

  “And there you have it. We’ll give it our best,” Micah said softly. “Because we don’t know any other way to do it.”

  Peace couldn’t come soon enough for Braden and Micah, so they could spend more nights like this and fewer bandaging wounds, healing from the last fight, preparing for the next, or worse, burying the dead as they had done with their friend Pik Ha’ar.

  Settling the Refugees

  Something Old Tom never wanted came too soon, his forge had been turned into a weapons factory. He made steel tips for arrows, sword and knife blades. He wanted to make plows and tools for farming, trade, but the war enveloped them all. They had to be ready.

  People were everywhere. The final count found close to one hundred and fifty people packed into the confines of Village Dwyer. The resources would be taxed to breaking. The Council of Elder humans exerted control, establishing dictates so the disparate villages could live in harmony.

  By accepting the Council mandates, the various villagers gave up some of their freedoms for security, the first step down the slippery slope. The grumbling began and people like Gravenin of Village Dwyer, the sole remaining brother of the militant clan that ruled before Braden arrived, took advantage and fomented discontent.

  Braden and Micah watched closely to keep things from getting out of hand, but they had the help of the three leaders of Dwyer: Destiny, Fen, and Mick. Braden and Micah couldn’t see the village leaders through the smoke of Old Tom’s forge, but there was something else they wanted to see first: G-War’s triumphant return.

  Before the refugees arrived, G-War planned a special treat for the dog population of Village Dwyer. Flanked by Bounder and Gray Strider, he strolled into the heart of the village, his ‘cat tail held high, flicking slightly as he looked back and forth. It didn’t take long before the pack raced to greet the newcomers. G-War was sickened by the overpowering smell of wet dog, but refused to puke as he was making the statement to end all statements.

  The dogs raced around the rock pile that dominated Dwyer’s Market Square. Out of control, they fell over each as they tried to stop, incensed by the brazen presence of the ‘cat. Many growled as they were confused by the smells and the appearance of the strange canines who walked upright.

  Bounder and Gray Strider dropped to all fours, showed their fangs, and growled back at their diminutive cousins. Their sound originated deep, vibrating the ground as they slowly stalked forward. They barked and yipped in the Wolfoid language. G-War stood proudly between Bounder and Gray Strider, watching. Ears flattened against the dogs’ heads. One, bolder than the others, bolted forward with bared fangs. Almost too fast to follow, Bounder swiped one paw, slapping the challenger into a rolling ball of fur. Bounder jumped to the prostrate dog and lowered his muzzle to bark and spit a mere finger’s-breadth from the challenger’s eyes.

  The other dogs backed away. More Wolfoid barks, and the dogs barked back with wagging tails and bowed heads.

  ‘You will have no more problems with them, my friend,’ Bounder said over the mindlink. The ‘cat strolled forward to test the Wolfoid’s claim. One dog growled, but Gray Strider stared him to silence. The dogs let the ‘cat walk through the middle of their pack. G-War coughed twice and hacked up part of last night’s meal onto the head of a cowering dog.

  ‘All is right with the world, again. And now, I’ll be on my way. I simply can’t stand the smell in here.’ G-War wanted to run away, but having just won his imperial status over the dog population, he wasn’t about to squander it by running. He showed plenty of ‘cat butt as he took his time walking away. The Wolfoids watched him go, chuckling.

  Braden and Micah had unhooked Brandt and settled their wagon by the time the remaining refugees arrived. The group stayed outside the town as Tom’s forge was working overtime making the weapons they’d need to defend themselves. The smoke from his fires blackened the air.

  Mick, Destiny, and Fen joined them at the edge of the village, their hands and faces smudged black from being near the forge.

  “We’re sorry about the smoke, but the Council left us little choice. Old Tom is working himself to exhaustion. Is there something you can do, maybe get him to slow down?” Destiny spoke for them all, before the three of them waved and continued past to meet the refugees.

  “I’ll talk with him,” Braden said to their backs, then turned to his partner. “What do they expect me to say?”

  “How about ‘slow down,’ or maybe, ‘we have all the weapons we need, so take a break’?” Micah offered, raising one eyebrow to emphasize her point. Ax started squealing about something and Micah was off like a shot. Then ‘Tesh chimed in. Bronwyn tried to separate them as they fought over something unseen.

  Once the Rabbits got involved, the twins calmed instantly. The Rabbits didn’t tolerate fighting among the children, as each couple had dozens of little ones back on the Resettlement Vessel Traveler and were professionals when it came to breaking up fights. The Rabbits planned on having many more children, once the war was over. Unless the war took too long, of course, because they were still Rabbits at heart, and their genetics gave them certain gifts when it came to procreation.

  The twins were more like Bronwyn than they were like their parents. They could talk with any creature, although they were still only a cycle old.

  When Micah arrived, the wagon was completely silent, but she could hear the conversation as Ferrer and Brigitte, one of the Rabbit couples, scolded the twins.

  ‘Why fight? If there is only one then neither will have it. I think we need to find some nice vegetables and discuss how we want to play our next game. That is important. The rock you both seem to want, doesn’t matter,’ Ferrer said with nose and whiskers twitching. He nodded to Bronwyn who picked up the contested item and threw it from the wagon. Ax tried to reach for it, but Brigitte’s furry paw quickly, but gently. tapped his hand down.

  ‘No one can have the rock. That is our answer when you fight over something. As soon as you figure that out, then you’ll realize fighting will guarantee that you don’t get what you are so willing to fight for. You must learn to share,’ she said in her dainty Rabbit thought voice.

  Pat
rice wiggled her ears at Micah, letting her know that everything was okay. She called to her children, who both jumped up and toddled toward her, their baby thought voices squealing in delight.

  Micah heard G-War in the background trying to shush them. Bronwyn talked with the Rabbits, while the Wolfoids were asking Braden about where they might be able to hunt. Once food had been mentioned, the Rabbits became singularly focused on visiting the fields. The Hawkoids had already gone to hunt ground squirrels in the open fields. Micah was amazed she could keep all the conversations straight, but she’d never been alone with her thoughts since she met Braden. She’d gotten used to the voices in her head, and as any person can do, she tuned out the background conversations and listened to one at a time.

  “Okay, you two, come here. Let’s see what trouble you can get into,” Micah said aloud. She lifted each toddler out of the wagon and put them on the ground. Bronwyn jumped down. Although the Rabbits could leap into the wagon easily, they had a hard time getting down. They lined up and put their arms out like the children had just done so they could be lifted out of the wagon, too. This wasn’t as easy as it sounded since the Rabbits were all muscle beneath the soft fur and their heads were just above Micah’s waist. She braced her legs and kept her elbows in as she lifted them out, one by one, lifting with her legs and not her back to deposit them all on the ground. They hop-walked after the children.

  Micah watched the seven of them disappear toward the fields. As long as Bronwyn was with them, everyone would leave the Rabbits alone. They wore harnesses and carried laser pistols, but shooting someone was the last thought in their minds.

  “I have no control of my own children,” she lamented as Braden joined her. They unhooked Brandt so he could run to the quarry and check on his people, grazing along the way. He thanked them in his booming thought voice and jogged away.

  The Wolfoids were headed in the same the direction as the children and Rabbits because deer stayed in the trees near the fields to sneak fresh vegetables when no one was looking. Braden and Micah sauntered away from the crowd of newcomers as Mick, Fen, and Destiny had things well in hand, directing the refugees to various locations around Dwyer where they could make themselves at home, even if only for a short while.

  Braden pulled his recurve bow and flexed it. He hoped to bring down a deer or two to help the village with their food supply.

  Snakes in the Grass

  Bronwyn led the parade into the fields, walking between the rows of beans and tomatoes. The Rabbits chattered excitedly, talking about how to improve yields with spacing and better soil. They took turns sniffing the ground and nodding to each other.

  Braden and Micah had no doubt that with their help, the crops would greatly increase in size and quantity. They stood at the edge and watched as the Rabbits shared their knowledge with the children, showing Ax and ‘Tesh how to pick a ripe vegetable without harming the plant. All of them sampled a number of beans.

  In the distance, the Wolfoids ran on all fours, disappearing into the woods. Braden had his bow and arrow ready in case a deer running from the Wolfoids came into range. It had been a while since he made a good shot at a running animal. He liked to keep his skills sharp. Micah watched all of them, listening to the wind rustle the trees.

  A dark shape crept through the field, barely visible.

  “What’s that?” Braden asked as Micah squinted and then Bronwyn screamed.

  The shape stood. A man reared back with one arm and launched a three-pointed spear. An ear-piercing scream came from one of the Rabbits. The man ducked, but Braden’s arrow still found him, burying itself deep in his body. He stood up straight for only a heartbeat as Braden’s second arrow ripped into his throat. Braden was afraid that his missing fingers would prevent him from shooting well, but he was still able to make the shots. War cries came from the woods as two men jumped into the field and high-stepped their way through the rows toward the Rabbits and the children.

  Three Rabbits fired their laser pistols together at the man in the lead and he staggered. They fired again, and he fell.

  Two furry shapes bounded from the forest and overtook the third man who had hesitated after the other went down. He stopped and raised his hands.

  His act meant nothing to Bounder who crashed bodily into him, locking his jaws on the man’s throat and shaking violently as they went down. Braden lowered his bow and jogged down the row toward the Rabbits and his children. Micah was close behind, keeping her eyes on the field in case another threat appeared.

  The last man thrashed a final time as Bounder continued to shake him while Gray Strider ripped off one of his arms.

  Brandt bugled in the distance, his hooves could be heard pounding the ground as he raced to join the battle. ‘Calm, my friend, the battle is over, but one of the Rabbits is hurt,’ Braden said over the mindlink as he ran forward.

  Ferrer was on the ground, writhing in pain. The trident had not embedded in his body, but it tore a gash along his side. His white fur was clotted with blood. Braden pulled a wad of numbweed from his pouch and placed it gently on the wound. Ferrer winced. Braden felt the Rabbit’s rib cage. One of the ribs had been broken and was out of place.

  Brigitte shivered and hopped as she helplessly looked on. Braden stroked Ferrer’s head and ears as the numbweed started to work. The Rabbit’s breathing slowed and his pink eyes lost their wild look. “You’re going to be just fine, Ferrer. We’ll get you back, but no hopping for you anytime soon. It’ll be a moon before you’re back on your feet.

  The twins hugged Brigitte and she almost collapsed into their small arms. Bronwyn helped hold them all up. Delavigne’s and Patrice’s ears were back as they seethed with anger. Braden looked at them. “Me, too,” he snarled. Micah remained while Braden plowed through the field to discover who did this, although he already knew.

  “Gravenin!” he spit at the first corpse. “Give me my arrows.” Without any trace of respect, he ripped his arrows from the dead body, using Gravenin’s own clothes to wipe off the blood. He continued to the next body. The Rabbit laser pistols had left small holes in the man’s abdomen and chest, but it was plenty to kill him.

  The Wolfoids stood over the third man who was unrecognizable, their muzzles dripping with blood. They stood and howled as their ancestors used to. Braden put his hand on them both and thanked them for watching over his children and all the companions. Bounder looked down at Braden and put a fingered paw on his shoulder. Gray Strider followed suit. The three of them stood as Delavigne and Patrice elbowed in but quickly turned away when they saw the torn flesh of the last attacker.

  ‘How is the Rabbit Ferrer?’ Bounder asked. Braden smiled and nodded.

  Micah answered, ‘He needs special care, but I think he will be fine. Between Bronwyn and the numbweed, he is no longer in pain. I think we’ll need to sew up this wound. Braden?’

  “We need to get these bodies out of the field. We still need the vegetables to grow and we don’t want scavengers coming after the bodies. Well, not here anyway.”

  ‘We will take care of it,’ Bounder said, waving Braden away so he could attend to Ferrer. Braden had tried to teach others how to stitch a wound, but they had no stomach for it. He was the resident wound seamstress, a responsibility he took seriously.

  Brandt arrived in a cloud of dust as he slid to a stop just outside the last row of plants. G-War jumped from the King’s head and wove his way between the plants to get to the children. Braden and Micah were surprised at how well the two youngsters held up during and after the attack. They only seemed upset seeing their friend in pain.

  Aadi was on the other side of the village watching the forge work and enjoying the heat. Since leaving the Great Desert, he’d found that it was always cooler than he liked. Tom’s fires warmed him up nicely. Although he heard the Rabbit’s distress and the companions’ call to action, there was nothing he could do. He felt helpless in how slow he was, but he sent positive thoughts to all involved. The others had things well in hand
only a few heartbeats after Gravenin’s attack.

  As Braden carefully sewed up Ferrer’s wound, the twins’ little voices caressed the minds of the others present, in the way that Bronwyn did to help people forget about their pain. Then they tottered off in search of more beans to pick. Micah shrugged as G-War joined his namesakes, Axial and De’atesh. They could hear him talking with the two, but it was faint, as if from far away.

  The Hawkoids dove over the fields and flew past the humans working with Ferrer, then climbed and flared, landing on a branch overhanging the field. They stayed there and watched, deciding that they shouldn’t hunt together. One of them must always be near the companions to watch for enemies.

  With nearly all of the conversations taking place over the companions’ mindlink, no one from the village knew of Gravenin’s treachery. When a crew showed up to work the field, all they saw were the Wolfoids dragging bodies into the forest. Their screams could be heard clearly as they ran back to the village.

  “Oh, no!” Micah yelled and ran after them. But it was too late. When she arrived, men with spears were already lining up to go after the Wolfoids. Micah had to pull her sword and stand between the men and the field to keep them from charging forward.

  “Listen, all of you! Gravenin and his two evil friends attacked the Rabbits and my children! We killed Gravenin and the other. That was long past due and your misunderstanding is Gravenin’s last stab at us. One of the Rabbits is hurt. Maybe that will convince you that we didn’t start this. The Wolfoids were only doing as we asked. We didn’t want to leave their bodies in the field,” she pleaded in her loudest voice.

  “Of course that’s what you’d say. Those beasts are with you!” someone shouted.

  “Who said that?” Micah shot back, looking into the crowd for the malcontent.

  “Everyone calm down, let’s see what’s going on here,” Destiny said as she pushed to the front. Everyone started talking at once. Micah tried to make her point, but the women who’d seen the Wolfoids dragging the bodies away were closer and yelling more loudly.