by H. M. Clarke
The beak full of sharp teeth or the foot long claws that clicked nosily on the flagstone floor did not frighten Kalena. She just did not like being stared at. Kala did not like being stared at either.
‘Parker, that little one is cocky. She will make a fine Wing Commander one day.’
The voice whispered on the edge of Kalena’s awareness and she saw Parker look up at her and smile.
‘She has a right to be cocky. Provost Thurad says that she is the strongest Gift he has ever seen.’
The reply whispered again on the edge of Kalena’s awareness. Kalena felt the blood rise in her face. She did not like to be talked over.
“I am not cocky and I think you are both rude for talking as if I wasn’t here!”
Kalena’s childish anger was soothed a little by the look of shock that passed across Parker’s face and Fanta stood stock still, his eyes fixed unblinking on Kalena and Kala.
After a moment, Parker shook himself and rose from his desk. Giving Fanta a knowing glance, he walked slowly over to Kalena and pulled out a chair to sit across the desk from her.
“Did you hear us speaking?” Parker asked carefully. He sat with the back of the chair against his chest, his chin resting on the top of the chair back.
“Of course I could,” Kalena said with a little arrogance. Parker must think that everyone is deaf. Kalena placed Kala in a sitting position on the tabletop. “Kala did as well.”
“Kala’s the doll?” Parker asked uncertainly.
Kalena nodded. Kala is more than a doll but Kalena did not want to argue the point. She was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable under Parker’s gaze. It was then that she noticed that the rest of the group had stopped touching the Hatar and was now watching her and their teacher.
‘What do you think Fanta?’
‘Speak to the Commander, she will need to be tested further.’
“Tested further for what?” Kalena began to feel a sting of fear deep in her gut.
“You heard us again,” Parker mumbled to himself.
“I want my mama.” Kalena then broke into tears.
That afternoon Kalena was taken from her classroom to an open enclosure and placed in the centre of a circle of Wingmen and their Hatar Partners. She was then told curtly by the Freeman Infantryman who escorted her to the gathering that she had to repeat aloud whatever she heard the Hatar Kalarthri say to each other. Kalena stood there in the centre of the circle for nearly three hours repeating everything before a strange voice from outside the circle shouted, “Enough!”
Kalena was then rushed quickly back to her dormitory by the Infantrymen in time for dinner. She was left, bewildered and confused to eat dinner and go to bed. The other children avoided her as if she had caught the Plague.
The next morning Kalena did not feel she could face the coming day. She remembered the circle of Hatars and people from yesterday and shivered. The Hatars themselves had stood impassively around her, glittering like a jeweled rainbow in the afternoon sun. But their human wingmates…. Over the course of the testing their faces slowly turned from annoyed boredom to outright horror as they realized that she could hear their every private thought.
Kalena hated being the focus of that horror. She was glad that the Freemen did not know that she could read their thoughts as well. She just did not choose to listen to their boring thoughts. Also Kalena thought it a little rude to eavesdrop on someone while they are thinking.
She sat up in bed and hugged Kala to her. It was then Kalena realized that she was alone in the dormitory. The others had left without waking her for breakfast.
Tears began to trickle down her cheeks. Kalena seemed to have an endless supply of them and this snub by her dormitory mates broke her final straw. Kalena hugged Kala to her chin and the rag doll’s worn face slowly soaked up the salty drops as they fell.
It was then that Kalena heard a soft whispering on the edge of her hearing and she lifted her head to try and hear it better.
The whispering stopped. Kalena crinkled her eyes in annoyance, now she was being whispered about.
“Hello. Is anyone there?”
Kalena pushed out of her blankets and crawled to the foot of her bed to have a better look through the main doors that lead out of the dormitory. She saw and heard nothing.
Backing away from the edge of the bed, she sat back on her feet, thinking. Kalena was sure that she heard something.
‘Hello little one.’
The masculine voice in her head made Kalena jump in surprise. Mindspeak, she had heard Mindspeak right in her head.
‘Why are you crying? We would like to know.’
‘We.’ The voice sounded a little distant to Kalena and as it spoke, she was sure that she could hear the whispering of others behind it.
‘Because I’m scared and I want my Mama!’ she replied. This is the first time she had actually spoken to someone with her mind without speaking the words aloud.
‘You are the one that can hear Hatars and their Wingmates talk?’
Kalena’s tears slowly began to stop flowing as she forgot about her fears. This person sounded nice.
‘Yes, I can hear them. Can’t everybody?’
Kalena heard some excited whisperings and a female voice echoed quickly above the whisper.
‘The four were right, the four were right!’
‘Please, quiet.’
Kalena heard the male voice say and she now knew that several other people were listening as well. Suspicion flared in her mind. What if this was another test?
‘What’s going on here?’ she asked. Kalena heard the background-whispering drop to silence.
‘We have heard that you will be joined to a Hatar earlier than expected,’
‘Am I?’ Kalena interrupted excitedly. That means she will know what it is to fly!
‘Yes,’ said the male voice patiently. ‘And I have been chosen to be your partner. My name is Adhamhma’al’mearan. Humans call me Adhamh.’
‘Really, you’re a Hatar?’ Excitement ran down Kalena’s spine. Her tears were now completely forgotten.
‘Yes, for I am like you. I can hear the other humans as they Mindspeak, though the humans do not know this.’
Kalena frowned at this.
‘Do you mean that the others cannot hear me speak to you? They cannot hear you either?’
‘Other humans will only hear me if I want them to,’ Adhamh replied.
That was why they were all interested in her. That was why the soldiers that tested her yesterday did not like her. Because they now knew she could hear every private conversation they spoke with their partners and know their every private thought.
Kalena shivered as she felt Adhamh quickly withdraw from her. How rude, she hadn’t finished speaking with him yet!
Then suddenly he was back.
‘I’ve just been told they are coming for us right now…’
‘Who’s coming for us?’ Kalena interrupted but the Hatar ignored her. Adhamh just forced his voice over hers.
‘Don’t be afraid, we will meet soon enough in the flesh but remember one thing. Once the Krytal has been performed, pretend you can hear only my voice – do you understand?’
‘Yes but…’
Then suddenly Adhamh’s presence was gone from her, leaving Kalena sitting stunned on her bed. It was as her mind cleared that Kalena gradually heard the marching of booted feet on the flagstones as they came for her.
“Mama…” she said softly, hugging Kala to her.
Chapter Three
The Krytal
Kalena stood quietly in between the two freeman infantrymen who had come to collect her. She held Kala close to her chest, afraid that the two men might take the doll from her. They had remained silent as they took Kalena from her bed and marched her out of the dormitory enclosure into the rabbit warren that was Darkon.
As Kalena walked, her eyes zoomed everywhere. It was dark the day she had arrived here with the Provosts and she had seen nothing of her surroun
ds before going into the dormitory enclosure. But now she could see the outside.
Scattered around the area were several more enclosures like the one Kalena had just left. Some were small like hers; others were larger. They arced away in either direction, skirting the central buildings and grounds. Even now as she walked quickly pass them Kalena could hear the sounds of children’s voices. But of the people outside the enclosures, she was the only child. Everyone was either an adult in uniform or a Hatar and Kalena dared not speak to either after Adhamh’s warning.
As they passed Hatar Kalar, Kalena could hear the faint whisperings of their mind speech. But she kept her thoughts forwards and ignored them. She was very glad that her escort was freemen. They cannot speak with their minds – at least Kalena hadn’t met one who could. And private thoughts are easy to screen out from her mind’s ears, it is something Kalena instinctively did otherwise her head would be continually full of noise and chatter.
Even with all her gawping, Kalena was virtually made to trot to keep up with the two infantrymen. They did not seem to realize that she had shorter legs than they did. The men looked gruff and unfriendly otherwise Kalena would have complained. But concentrating on keeping her feet moving fast enough to keep up took Kalena’s mind off what lay ahead – The Krytal.
Adhamh sounded as if he did not like this thing much. Actually, Kalena thought he sounded a little frightened. Kalena’s thoughts would run this far before one of the soldiers would place a rough hand on her shoulder to hurry her along. Distracted, she would then forget her chain of thought and start them all over again.
Kalena made no effort to speak to the soldiers and they made no effort to even acknowledge her, moving her along as a butcher would lead an animal to the block.
The three made their way out of the ring of the Kalarthri enclosures and entered the central administration area of Darkon. Most of the buildings were large, one storey affairs with neat signs hanging above their main entrances telling outsiders what its duties were or the buildings purpose. Interspersed between these buildings were large rectangular open areas, some grassed some not, where freeborn infantry and cavalry men were lining up for the morning parades and drills. The green grass contrasted strongly with the rusty color of the bare earth.
It was the first time that Kalena had seen firsthand the many different uniforms that they had been taught in the classroom.
They passed through the parade grounds and finally turned off the main thoroughfare towards a large building with a large sign above the door that Kalena could not read. On either side of the door stood two armed Infantrymen who swept the three of them with a glance before deciding to ignore them.
Kalena was then ushered down several corridors before being marched through a set of large double doors that opened into a gigantic hall, the sight of which stopped Kalena in her tracks.
Everything was painted white, including the stone floor and the wooden benches that lined the walls. The dark uniforms of the people that occupied these benches stood out like a beacon against the white of the hall. The hall was filled with the murmuring of people. There were a lot of uniforms lining the benches and Kalena’s recent education told her that these are high ranking freemen. It was then that Kalena realized that she had not seen any Kalarthri soldiers on her way through the inner ring and there were none in the hall.
A rough hand about the back of her neck bought Kalena’s attention back to the Infantrymen standing next to her. Keeping his hand where it was, the man left his companion to lead Kalena into the centre of the hall.
Kalena did not resist him but the sight of all those eyes upon her made Kalena extremely self-conscious. They stopped before a large white block made of a material Kalena did not recognize and the murmuring of the uniforms around her instantly stopped.
The hall now sat in silence and it was now that Kalena noticed the two men who stood on the other side of the white block. They were dressed completely in white, from the leather of their boots to their rough woolen tunics, vests and trousers. They both wore their hair and beards long and had them intricately braided with bells that tinkled and flashed as they talked quietly together. One of the men held a small plain wooden box carefully in his hands as if the slightest movement could destroy it.
A man rose from the bench closest to them and his boots echoed around the quiet hall as he walked towards them.
The infantryman immediately removed his hand from Kalena’s neck to thump a salute onto his chest. Kalena rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. The soldier’s fingers had hurt, but she kept an eye on the man who had approached them. He did not look very friendly.
“Captain Jerant Sir,” the Infantryman spouted as the Captain stopped smartly before them.
“This is the girl then?” The Captain asked without any pleasantries.
“Yes Sir.”
The Captain stood silently a moment and looked at her, making Kalena feel like a horse for sale at market. In response Kalena stared back at him like she did to the Hatar, Fanta. Kalena made sure that Kala started hard at him as well.
Captain Jerant was tall and thin and his uniform hung loosely about him, but was pressed and neat. His peppered hair and beard was cut short and his brown eyes stared out from under thick bushy brows and seemed to miss nothing.
Kalena’s courage began to fail under the Captains sterile gaze and she made an involuntary step backward to stand behind the solider with her. Kalena relaxed when she was out of the Captain’s full gaze and used the shielding of the soldier’s back to poke her tongue at the Captain. She did not like him.
Captain Jerant turned his impassive face away from Kalena and turned to look to the far side of the hall, where two huge entry doors were being opened. At the first creak Kalena poked her head out from behind the Infantryman’s back to see what was happening.
The large doors opened to admit two rather large infantrymen who paused and gave a curt salute to the Captain before moving aside for those coming behind them.
Slowly stepping out from the darkness of the outer corridor came a large black Hatar, his black glossy wings held close to his back so as not to hit the entry door. The black feathers glinted green and blue as they caught the light from around the hall. The Hatar’s underbelly was such a vivid blue that it reminded Kalena of a clear spring sky. His eyes were also a vivid blue with slitted black pupils that reminded Kalena of cats’ eyes.
The soldiers lead the Hatar to the centre of the hall, stopping on the other side of the white stone from Kalena. The Captain moved forward to meet them and he exchanged a few curt words with one of the infantrymen before running his gaze over the Hatar.
Since Captain Jerant had his attention focused elsewhere, Kalena stepped out from behind the solider and tried to look pass the stone and surrounding people to get a good look at the Hatar. Kalena thought him the finest creature she had ever seen. Tucking Kala into the belt of her skirt, Kalena started to creep forward to get a better look but in a quick motion she felt the soldier’s hand on her neck again.
“Stay where you are,” he said quietly. “You will get your view of the beast soon enough.”
Kalena glanced up at him, saw the man’s stony countenance and decided against making a run for it. She could even vaguely imagine the spanking she would get for doing so.
It was then that the Captain looked away from the Hatar and turned to the two men in white. Giving them a respectful bow he said in ritualistic tones, “Let us begin for we are glad that the Pydarki have consented to release their charge into our care. We are humble in our gratitude and hope are most deserving of your gift.”
To Kalena the Captain looked anything but humble and the man in white not holding the box moved uncomfortably on his feet.
‘The Ritual of Giving is old – the Pydarki are uncomfortable because they are as much slaves to the Suene Empire as we are. Their ‘Gift’ is not given freely – but the words of the old ritual still remain. They have also argued against implanting the crystal
in one so young but they have been forced into this.’
The sound of Adhamh’s voice in her head made her jump in surprise and it was only the increased pressure of the soldiers hand on her neck that stopped her from replying to him.
Kalena looked across the room and saw the Hatar looking at her. That must be Adhamh!
Both the Pydarki gave Captain Jerant a deep bow in return, a bow that they retained until the Captain had seated himself with the rest of the uniforms. The two men then approached the white stone block.
Carefully, the man not carrying the box touched the stone with the tips of his fingers, caressing it as he would the finest silk cloth. Slowly, as if due to the Pydarki’s attentions, the white stone itself began to glow.
Kalena stared at the block in wonder, excited beyond belief that she was here to see the stone glow. Any fear she harbored now was quickly forgotten as the stone’s light bathed her face in warmth and comfort.
The Pydarki stepped back from the stone with a reverential bow and quickly gestured to the soldiers on either side of the stone.
His hand still tight on the back of her neck, the solider pushed Kalena forward. She saw that the two soldiers on the other side did the same with Adhamh. Both of them were being lead to the two Pydarki, the tinkling of their braid bells now drowned out by the sounds of booted feet and the scrape of Adhamh’s claws against the floor. The uniforms seated around them remained silent.
The soldier halted Kalena before the stone and on the other side Kalena saw Adhamh’s head rear up from the light. They stood starring at each other bathed in the light from the stone. It was the first time they had really seen one another.
“Place her on the Pyter,” the man in white said.