“A generous gift, indeed. It is a fine vessel.”
The ship got under way and put up all its sail, making exceptional speed. Kutira took them on tour below decks, just before Naero and the other adepts could get their bearings in the bay. Perhaps that was on purpose.
The place they were meeting the Sea King was supposedly a cleverly guarded secret among the Kall.
Kutira offered them all excellent wine in her quarters. “I hear tell,” she said, “that part of your gift as a mediator, is a power from the gods to read people’s hearts. Forgive me, if I must test this for myself. Can you tell me what is in my heart and mind?”
Naero nodded. “I will try. The ability comes and goes at the will of the gods. I cannot always summon it–like a trained bear.”
The princess chuckled. “All good tricksters and fakirs say the same thing. If their powers should fail them, then it is the fickle will of the gods.”
“Just so,” Naero said. “If you wish me to attempt a demonstration, I will need to touch your face with my hands. It should not hurt. Permit me?”
Kutira set her feet and nodded.
Naero made the mindlink.
“You are mourning deeply for, your favorite older brother–the youngest of them–Jigan. He was always very kind to you. Your favorite.”
Kutira stiffened, and for the briefest instant, tears came to the brink of her eyes.
She recovered and shook her head. “Ahh…anyone with such knowledge of recent events could guess such things.”
“I can tell you the course we are taking to the hidden cove to meet with your king. I can show you on your charts where the cove is, even though the maps do not show it. I, myself, have never been there.”
Kutira folder her arms in front of her. “Spies may still know of it; that is possible.”
Naero paused, surprised herself at what she discovered. She leaned in close and whispered in the princess’ ear. “You are deeply in love with a man–a great warrior–yet he is not of the Kall, your people. No one but yourself and he knew of this…until now. Shall I tell you his name?”
For the first time, Kutira paled and pulled away, staring at her in wonder, and a little fear.
“No, Sister Naero. Speak not. I do believe you now.”
A horn signal sounded above them, and they went back on deck.
Five other warships moved in to escort them.
All began to put out smoke screens to hide their movements.
When the smoke cleared an hour later, they were at the hidden cove, while several clouds of smoke moved out across the waters of the bay.
The Blue Vixen pulled alongside a larger warship, its black sails decorated with a scarlet sea lion–half-fish, half-lion rampant. Some of the ship’s rails were decorated with ornate silver engravings. The Sea King’s ship bore a silver figurehead of a matching, rampant sea lion.
Boarding ramps were extended between the two ships. Naero and her party went over, with Kutira leading them.
They went down into the large vessel and into what Naero guessed was a large meeting room–or war room. It was decorated with tapestries and charts. There was a large, polished wooden table and chairs.
A powerful looking man sat in the shadows at the end of the table, Two other men similar to him stood on either side of him.
Naero saw the family resemblance with Kutira and guessed them to be the other princes, Nokarro and Yeshida. The ages seemed about right. Nokarro’s symbol was the white sea eagle, Yeshida’s the silver swordfish.
They wore garb similar to their sister, but tailored for men. They were armed with similar weapons. Yeshida appeared to be an archer. Nokarro bore a pole arm weapon, similar to a naginata.
King Haikoda leaned into the lantern light, his sharp, intense face impassive. Black beard and moustache, shaped and oiled. His black eyes were withering, like drills. His skin was ruddy, even sitting he was tall, and he had large, strong, dexterous hands.
The Sea King cut quite the dashing figure himself.
“Welcome, Mediator. I am Haikoda, Lord of the Kall.”
“My name is Naero.”
“An odd name, for an odd gull. Such violet eyes you have. They are indeed rare. Kuti, tell me what you have learned from this one?”
Kutira went and stood behind the king. “She indeed has the gift to read the heart and mind. Do not let her touch your face or head, brother. She cannot read you unless she touches you.”
Haikoda narrowed his eyes. “Good to know. Tell me, Mediator. What is there to mediate these troubled days? What do the gods care if we all kill each other? They have never cared so much before?”
“Would it not be better if there were less war, less slaughter on all sides, less disruption of trade? Population growth, instead of misery, plague, disease, and famine? Which do you enjoy more–the laughter and happiness of your people and your children–or their lamentation and despair?”
“And I want a a herd of unicorns from fabled Nashara to sing to my daughter,” Haikoda laughed derisively.
“You mean a glory or a radiance of unicorns, milord...not a herd.”
He stared at her and his mouth fell open slightly. “You speak like a fool, about childish things no one can bestow. When the angels go to war, and unicorns race across the beaches, sing to the stars, and call to our children–then the Kall will accept the dream–nay–the fairytale of peace. You ask ignorant questions, for a less unpredictable and bloody age. You speak of a time such as our world has never known. Are the gods even real? If they care about us all so very much, why do they not put and end to such things?”
Naero smiled. “This is not the world of the gods, milord. This is the imperfect world of people. Of us, we foolish mortals. In the end, the gods can only guide and advise, but it is we who must make things change–for the better or for the worse. The responsibility for your world and your choices…remains yours.”
“Well spoken. You are correct. Our evils are our own. We are indeed at fault, not the gods. Yet still, why have they not helped us?
Naero looked around at her comrades and then back to the king.” We are not unicorns, but are we not here, milord?”
“Then let me hear you speak. What is it that you advise?”
“What do all the four peoples want?”
The king laughed. “To vanquish the other three and wipe them out.”
Naero shook her head. “I do not think that is so. If you really asked your people, most of them would want peace. All peoples live to thrive, not to merely murder and be murdered. People wish to be free, to live their lives, work the labor of their choice, and raise their families in peace. They would live in peace with each other, given the choice. Given the chance. We must work together to make such choices and chances real and possible.”
Haikoda laughed. “Hah! You talk of angels and unicorns again. Holy ones always make everything sound so easy…if everyone just did the right thing, the world would be perfect, a paradise.”
“It is not easy. It is never easy. Peace is the hardest thing in the world–to withhold the desire for vengeance. To not kill or ravage others, after they have done so to you. To not take what others have and make it your own, simply because you have the power to do so.
“Oh, great king, hearken to me. Once begun, the cycles of hate, killing, and retribution become like a prison of iron, and perpetuate violence in thought and deed throughout each generation. None of it shall end, until you all choose to make it end. That cycle of death and hate must be broken. It is so very easy and seductive to destroy anything. Building and sustaining anything is the infinitely harder task–especially peace.”
The Sea King interrupted her. “Do you know your ancient history, good sister? There used to be seven city states, not four, if you recall. The three lost peoples were from Loxos, Pelenarra, and Shukai. At one time, all three had their golden age, where they were the mightiest and most populated. Now they are dust, their peoples slaughtered or absorbed as slaves. The Kall are partial
ly descended from a remnant of the Shukai, those who took to the safety of their ships in order to survive.”
Naero grinned slightly. The Kall survived and thrived, much like Spacers did. “You have but one choice, milord. To wallow in an age of murder that wears all down to naught in the end, or seek an age of wisdom and reason–an age of peace. The gods hope that you will choose the ways of life, not death. All of the senseless warring has sickened even them.”
Haikoda frowned, and the sorrow in his deep eyes seemed very great for but a moment. “Indeed. I can well believe that. We are all sick of it. Yet how do we proceed? For myself, I trust no one but my kin and my closest people, and with good reason. That has kept me and my people alive through many betrayals and treacheries. How do I seek peace, when there is none?”
“Peace does not exist until it is made. Peace can only be made with one’s enemies. Then, once it is made, it must be maintained.”
“Again I ask, how do I begin, without making myself or my people vulnerable?”
“That is why I am here, milord. I have spoken with the king and queen of the Thanes. They feel much the same way, and they are also willing to try.”
“They would take my head in an instant if I were in their power.”
“Would you do the same to them?”
“Perhaps…but perhaps now, I would not. The Thanes are our strongest trading partners, for the present. They trade hard with us, but fairly. They can be trusted, in most things, but not all. In the past, they have seized our ships and cargos without payment, when the need arose. And they have held my people for high ransom.”
“Just as you have raided their coasts, and taken who and what you would in your need–as all the lands do. Raiding, kidnapping, and ransom are nearly a profession in all the lands.”
“I do not deny it. Fire is combated with fire, at times.”
“Yet when will it end?”
“So, King Arrok and Queen Liita are of like mind. What of the others?”
“This is only my second day, milord. Arrangements are being made to speak with the others.”
“I must withhold my judgment, and my hand until you do so,” King Haikoda said.
Naero grinned and crossed her arms in front of herself. “That is easy for you now, since you have just completed successful raids against both the Vaedo and the Maedo.”
The Sea King smiled right back at her, knitting his fingers together. “In all things, timing is the essence of discretion.”
Kutira suddenly leaned in and whispered something to him. Haikoda looked aside to her in surprise. “You are certain of this?”
Kutira nodded. “See for yourself, brother.”
He turned back to Naero and held out both of his large hands. “Sister Naero, show me your hands, please. Come, I will not harm you.”
Naero raised both eyebrows, but came forward and placed her hands in the king’s. “This is a strange request, milord.”
“No stranger than what I see with my own sharp eyes. Holy sister, these are not the soft hands of a priestess. These are the hands of a warrior. I thought there was something about the way you moved. Feel the strength in you! By the heavens, these hands have known skill with a blade, or I am a landwalker.”
Naero allowed herself to blush slightly. “As a holy one, I do not like to speak of it. My greatfather was a Thane and a swordmaster, who instructed all the family in the swordarts. I learned from a young age, and was no exception.”
Haikoda slapped the table and made it shake. “I knew it! I knew it to be so. Come, little sister. The Kall love the swordarts like the milk from our mummies’ teats. We must have a demonstration of your skill. I demand it. The Kall love demonstrations of blade skill. It will make us think better of you–better than we already do.”
Naero immediately tucked both hands within her sleeves. “I’m afraid that is not possible, milord. I took the vows of the holy ones. It is unfit now for me to make use of or even handle weapons of war.”
Haikoda stood, rising up to his true height, and his face looked hard, as if he were about to become angry. “You refuse me? I’m not asking you to kill anyone or even shed blood for sport. Just a brief entertainment of your blade skill. Nothing more. It will amuse us. You ask much of me. I ask only a little thing from you.”
Naero nodded in assent at last. “Very well, milord. A brief demonstration of skill, then.”
Now Haikoda’s eyes twinkled merrily. He was obviously just beginning to enjoy himself.
“Up on my table then! Square off with my sister Kutira. She is the poorest fighter among us.” He glanced aside.
The princess flashed her brother a quick, dirty look, obviously offended.
More than likely, Kutira was exceptionally skilled.
“Give the priestess a cutlass! Have you ever handled one, Naero?”
Some one tossed one her way. Naero caught the spinning, flashing weapon, plucked it out of the air, and saluted with a flourish.
“I may have…on occasion.”
The Kall began to laugh and chortled and placed eager wagers.
Even a few of the adepts calmly took odds.
On their first pass, Naero gave ground, measuring Kutira’s skill. She was strong, fast, and tricky–an excellent fighter.
Kutira halted, they saluted, and matched blades again.
This time Naero pressed her attack, and the crowd roared even louder.
Kutira held her ground. They dueled back and forth. Naero could have drawn blood if she wished, but did not.
Naero sped up slightly, with a touch of Mystic quickness that Kutira could not match. She performed a powerful disarm on the princess, that knocked her silver fox sword free.
With a speedy flip, Naero passed over Kutira and landed behind her, reaching out and extended hand for the streaking blade.
She grasped the hilt just in time, and caught it.
The blade point halted, not thirty millimeters away from the startled Sea King.
Even he gasped.
Naero held the two cutlasses up behind her, hilts and hand guards thrust back out.
Kutira took them.
“You asked for a demonstration of skill, milord. Does that suffice?”
Haikoda stared and rose up laughing and clapping. “By the gods, yes, holy sister. Your greatfather trained you well. What a Kall you would make. You’re a very devil with a blade!”
“I will not be doing so again. I am a mediator, not a warrior.”
“What a pity.”
Kutira was shocked but obviously impressed as well. She was not angry, just surprised. The princess embraced her. “Now we are indeed friends, holy sister, Naero. I will indeed think much better of you, after this.”
“We all will,” King Haikoda said, still clapping. “You may be a mediator, but at least now we know you possess the heart and soul of a warrior. You will understand all of us better.”
Kutira used her fast cutter to return them to the docks of the Thanes later than night, after the celebration.
17
For once, Naero got back, filed her report on time, and got to sleep at a decent enough hour.
She had to wake early again for more secret training with Om, her regular sparring session–this time with the Chaos adepts–and then another afternoon and evening with the locals, this time with the Maedo.
That was going to be a full day for anyone.
Om got her going at five bells.
They returned to the desert, at another location, and Naero tried startapping into Thanor-4’s sun again.
Better this time. She could read the flows slightly before they overwhelmed and stunned her briefly. No crater this time, just a ten meter circle of fused black glass. She even managed to hang on to a modicum of the energy she took in.
She used that energy to fuel her subsequent replication attempts in the uninhabited forest they transported back to. Naero replicated larger insects and reabsorbed them. Earthworms. On a whim, she tried plants. Plants were surprisin
gly complex and difficult in some ways. She tried to replicate a wild flower and nearly exhausted herself. Finally she tried a tiny rodent, somewhere between a mouse and a vole. Why couldn’t she get the tail right? There were quirks and complications to each and every lifeform. It was rather maddening.
She thought of the Kexx and their godlike mastery of such things, and couldn’t imagine replicating herself, let alone doing so multiple times. All of her duplicates could have minds of their own, able to function according to her will and design, and do what she told them? She could form them out of energy, or make them actual flesh and blood duplicates.
It all seemed so impossible, but that was the kind of mastery they were working toward.
Sheesh, were the High Masters going to be surprised when she sprung that little trick on them. Part of her couldn’t wait to see the looks on their faces. Part of her was afraid.
But for right now, she was still having trouble with flowers and mice.
A sudden idea struck her.
An energy form could be used as a weapon–like a microbomb.
She put the last of her Cosmic star energy into an energy mouse. Who cared if the bloody tail was too short?
She willed her little servant forward, imprinting a simple order on its mind, triggering it with Chaos energy.
Run under that small red maple tree and explode.
The glowing little energy mouse scurried over to obey.
The detonation obliterated the small tree, and left a smoking crater ten meters wide in the dark, rich soil. The blast knocked Naero back on her butt.
Whoa, she had to remember that little trick.
It’s just a variation on the exploding Chaos construct, Naero. The theories and principles are very similar.
But if I do it with replicants, they become my little smartbombs. And if I use Cosmic star energy, Om–I don’t have to channel it directly through me like Chaos energy from my reserves. It won’t exhaust me the same way. That’s going to be a huge improvement.
Spacer Clans Adventure 3: Naero's Fury Page 14