Nuworld: The Saga Begins

by Lorie O'Clare

  Tara came at him full force. The two flipped out of the other side of the jeep.

  Gowsky twisted his body and landed on top of her. He slammed her hand against the ground and the laser fell free from her fingers. She completely relaxed her body underneath his, which caused him to relax his grip on her, although he watched her warily.

  Instantly, Tara brought up her leg and kneed him hard in the crotch. He lunged forward, fell to the side, and she squirmed out from underneath him.

  “You insult my fighting abilities and mock Crator,” he snarled, doubled over on the ground from pain. “Do you really think our Crator would protect a Runner from a Neurian bullet? Crator protects Neurians—not Runners!”

  “I’m not insulting Crator, Gowsky. But I am protected from your gun. A Runner’s outfit is bulletproof.” Her deep blue eyes shot daggers.

  Gowsky raised his gun toward her.

  She jumped into the air, kicking him straight in the chest,

  He fell backward, and she pushed him to the ground.

  This time, she was on top of him. She grabbed the laser with one hand, while her other hand leaned on his chest. Raising the laser to his face, she snarled, “I could kill you out of spite, and it would be completely justified.”

  “I can’t just let you walk away.”

  She shoved the laser into his nose. “Then you’ll die.”

  He looked at her eyes and could tell she meant it. “We’re not prepared to be at war again.”

  She jumped off him. “Are you going to let me go?”

  Gowsky scrambled to his feet, staring at the laser in his face. It was way too close for comfort. “I don’t have much of a choice. You’ve disabled my jeep, and you have a gun pointed at me.” He gave her one of his charming smiles which didn’t faze her a bit. “Tara, I wish we could have known each other under different circumstances.”

  She backed off, but kept the laser pointed at him. She walked through the campsite backwards, looking at what was left, continuously glancing at Gowsky to make sure he didn’t try to stop her again. The tent poles were bent and broken. Most of the food was smashed and scattered. She reached down, maintaining her watch on him, and picked up the grate that had been over the fire and one lone pot that had been on the grate.

  Securing the grate and pot to her motorcycle, she straddled it and started the engine. Tara moved the bike slowly until she was next to Gowsky. “Good luck with your Southland.”

  Tara left him in a cloud of dust.

  Gowsky brushed dirt out of his face and aimed his gun at her, firing several shots. To no avail. Her motorcycle soon disappeared from sight as he stood at the ruined campsite with a disabled jeep and an injured shoulder.

  * * * * *

  Tara continued to drive at high speed for several hours. She mentally tried to calculate the distance she would have to travel to reach Gothman. Yes, she would go directly to Gothman. Her children were there, she was sure of that. Patha would not oppose Darius in raising his own children, especially if Patha thought their mama was dead.

  It had taken her a day and a half to drive to Semore in much slower transportation. However, she didn’t know the best way to drive north. As she tried to determine her route, Tara’s mind flickered to her children, Patha, Reena, Hilda, Torgo and Syra. And Darius.

  She wondered if he’d claimed another woman. It was a recurring thought she’d had ever since Gowsky had told her how long she’d been unconscious. Night fell and Tara continued to drive, lost in her thoughts.

  Tara imagined Andru and Ana walking. Her pudgy infants would now have legs strong enough to stand on. Which one had taken their first step? Tara imagined Ana would have taken the first step—she was the one who appeared more daring, putting everything in her mouth. But Andru would run first, she guessed, because he had to be fast to take everything from Ana and inspect it. Her heart constricted with pain at how much she had missed in her children’s lives. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe from the pain. With a deep inhalation, she told herself she would see them in the next day or two, and then work to make them know her again.

  And what of Darius? If he had another woman in his life, perhaps she had attempted to make the children her own. Tara scowled at the thought. She would not allow someone else to raise her children. Not even Darius would be able to prevent her from being with her children, no matter the current circumstances.

  She set up a makeshift camp when it grew too dark to drive safely, tore it down the next day, and drove through the wilderness without being disturbed by man or beast. Late that afternoon, she was riding along a high prairie trying to remember if she had been this way before. The hills and trees appeared in more abundance the farther north she drove, but after traveling for hours, all hills and trees appeared the same. She worried she had somehow altered course, although she still drove north.

  Then she saw it. Ahead in the distance, several trails of smoke filtered slowly up to the sky.

  Tara slowed her bike, her senses alert to the oncoming situation. Her body stiffened as instincts kicked in. The smells around her became more apparent. Any movement to the right or left caught her eye immediately. She heard every bird sing, every rock pop under the wheels of her tires.

  She wasn’t familiar with people living this far south of Gothman in Freelander territory. This land had always been uninhabited. There was no reason she would be considered an enemy unless these people knew of Runners and feared them. Still, caution was in order. Tara veered out of the prairie and decided to approach the camp through the trees bordering nearby hills.

  She was ecstatic when she realized the camp was a Runner clan, though she didn’t recognize the clan flag flying high from the center trailer. The black outfits of the men and women walking through camp were a welcome sight.

  Several Runners noticed her approach and pulled their lasers. She knew they were skeptical because their equipment would not have acknowledged her as a Runner without her landlink.

  “Hold it right there,” the closest Runner approached her motorcycle as she slowed within yards of them.

  Tara stopped her bike and held her hands out to show she came in peace but did not speak until questioned. She knew the routine.

  “Runner, where is your landlink?”

  “I’ve been to Southland. It was stolen. I’m lucky to be alive.” She dismounted to show her non-warrior intentions as was customary. “I’m glad to see a Runner clan.”

  “You’re welcome to hear the stories at the fire.” This was the usual greeting offered to a visiting Runner, and Tara smiled her appreciation.

  “I’ve got much to catch up on. I’ve been traveling for awhile.”

  “Come back for the test, have you?” They were walking now, and the two Runners led.

  Tara pushed her bike. “The test?”

  “Well, you have been out of circulation for awhile. No landlink, too. You navigate well.”

  “I wasn’t sure I was, to be honest. What test?”

  “The Test of Wills.”

  Tara stopped walking and stared at the Runner who had just spoken. The Test of Wills was given when the leader of a clan died or stepped down and had no heir.

  “We will be continuing north in the morning. Most clans are headed that way, I’m sure. You’re more than welcome to travel with us. We’ll take you to Rolko, but I’m sure he’ll give consent.”

  As Tara walked, her mind raced with questions. Why was the Test of Wills being offered? What happened to Patha? She decided to remain silent. If she made her presence known after the Test of Wills had been issued, it would stir up a commotion among the clans. Tara hoped she would learn more when she listened to the stories around the fire, later that evening.

  She was accepted into the Four-Circle clan as a traveling warrior. This meant she could sleep by the main fire, use their water supplies, probably be fed, and if she still had her landlink, use their main board to transmit. To refuse their acceptance of her as a traveling warrior would dishonor the clan,
especially since they were going in the same direction. So even though she would arrive at Gothman much sooner if she traveled alone, she graciously thanked Rolko for his hospitality.

  Tara was left alone to move through the campsite after leaving Rolko’s trailer. She decided to go immediately to the main fire, hoping for food and, if she was lucky, the offer by a compassionate soul to let her take a shower.

  “Hey, wait up!” The voice came from behind Tara. “I’m Male, Rolko’s daughter.” A girl several winters younger than Tara hurried up. “Papa asked me to come get you and offer my hospitality. My trailer’s over here if you’d like to clean up or anything.”

  Male’s trailer was simple. The floors were bare; a wooden tile covered the kitchen and living area. The countertops were spotless, and two overstuffed matching chairs with a rectangular oak table between them, provided all the furniture for the small living area. A folding table extended from the wall of the kitchen and a shelf mounted on the free wall of the living area housed her landlink.

  Male moved into her kitchen area and pulled a ceramic pitcher out of the small cooler in the wall. Handing a chilled lemon drink to Tara, she sat in the one chair at the kitchen table. She gestured with her cup to the matching chairs. “Sit. Be at home.” She smiled and loosened her head cloth, revealing dark curls. “I hear you have no landlink. And that you’ve come all the way from Southland. Where are you going?”

  “North, for the test,” Tara lied.

  “What were you doing in Southland? My papa will probably report you, you know.”

  “Report me, why?”

  “Why? Because it’s forbidden, that’s why.”

  Tara wasn’t sure what to say. What was forbidden? Male saw the confused look in her eyes and squinted at her. “How long have you been without a landlink? You do know Runners are forbidden to enter Southland, don’t you? Patha of the Blood Circle Clan passed the law himself. That’s why we’re having the Test of Wills. His daughter died down there.”

  So Patha was alive. At least, it sounded like he was. If he had officially announced her death, she guessed her login number would be detached from the system. She would need a new number in order to access a landlink, any landlink. How would she explain no login number without revealing who she was?

  “Would you like to contact your family?” Male asked.

  “Would it be all right if I took a shower first?”

  Male jumped up and walked down the six-foot hallway, opening the first door and turning on the light. She entered her room and returned immediately with a thick cotton towel.

  The shower felt good. Afterward, Tara decided to walk around the camp. As she approached the main fire, she saw ten to fifteen Runners surrounding it, sipping ale and chatting among themselves. A large woman dipped wooden mugs into a barrel and handed them out. Tara slipped in inconspicuously and accepted the mug of ale offered to her.

  She tried to remember the last time she’d enjoyed this Runner tradition. Gatherings around the evening fire at the end of a day, listening to the old Runners tell their tales of victories and places traveled—these were good memories. She recalled hearing the news from travelers of other clans, enjoying the screams and chatters of the younger children as they ran and played on the outer edge of the circle. These were the parts of her childhood of which she was most fond. This clan made her feel right at home.

  The stories she heard that night shocked her. It was Rolko, himself, who explained the latest conflicts between the Gothman and Runners. Lord Darius wanted to be part of the judging for the Test of Wills. Rumors also circulated that several Gothman wanted to partake in the test. Many Runners had complained loudly to Patha. The test was for Runners only. Rolko felt safe in assuming that Patha would not allow Gothman participation.

  Tara wanted to say this was true. She knew her papa, and he would want a Runner to succeed him. They had an alliance with Gothman, but she knew he wasn’t ready to integrate the two nations that quickly. Chaos would result if they did.

  Tara was called upon to tell her stories of Southland. She found herself telling the Runners about Crator. She explained that the Southerners believed that Crator made the planet and all races on it. She told the myth of the Guardians, saying that they brought messages to the people from Crator and could take the form of animals. The Runners loved her stories and applauded as they refilled her mug.

  She sat at the fire well into the evening, sipping the ale and catching up on the tales of the Runners. She felt relaxed, at peace and very much at home as she walked slowly back to the trailer later that evening. In a few days, she would have her children in her arms again. Then there was Darius. Would she make peace with him? She wondered once again if he’d found another woman. What would she do if he had? Probably kill her. Tara giggled to herself and realized the ale had hit her.

  Tara knew no other woman would be able to prevent her from returning to her life. She hadn’t asked to be gone for six cycles, and she never intended to be separated from Andru and Ana. It tore into her like a jagged warrior’s knife that her children might not recognize her. Every time she thought of how the twins might react to her, she filled with trepidation.

  Male was working at the landlink when Tara slowly pulled open the door to the trailer. “Did you catch up on all the latest gossip?” Male didn’t turn around as Tara entered.

  “It was great to sit at a fire once again and hear all the stories.” Tara sat in one of the stuffed chairs and glanced at the monitor.

  She leaned forward as she realized Male had logged onto the Blood Circle Clan site. Tara quickly scanned the screen, trying to see what the clan was broadcasting. She tried to sound nonchalant as she looked over Male’s shoulder. “What are you looking for?”

  “I’m going to submit the written part of the Test of Wills.” Male glanced up at Tara and smiled meekly. “I don’t expect to win or anything. Papa thinks it would be good experience. You’d have to understand what it’s like to be the daughter of the clan leader, I guess.”

  Trust me, I do understand. “Why don’t you print one off for me too?” she said instead. “There’s no harm in trying, right?”

  “Sure, as long as we don’t get killed in the confrontation part.” Male groaned. “I can handle the first part of the test, I think. But, I don’t know about the second portion. Papa has never been too satisfied with my warrior skills.”

  “Maybe I could help you.”

  “If you want to take the time. It couldn’t hurt.”

  Male printed two ten-page tests and handed one to Tara. She clicked through the information on the Blood Circle Clan and stopped on an article with a large color picture of Darius.

  Tara’s heart skipped a beat.

  “Isn’t he handsome?” Male leaned back and breathed deeply. “I hear he’s an incredible warrior. He was able to defeat Patha’s daughter, Tara.”

  “When did he do that?” Tara asked the question without thinking.

  Male turned to stare. “I guess not everyone follows this news as closely as I do. That’s how he claimed her as his wife. She couldn’t tame him, though. So she left.”

  Tara couldn’t help smiling and had to stifle an uncontrollable giggle that climbed within her. “Has he found another woman?”

  “No. I hope to see him in person when we arrive at the Blood Circle Clan,” Male said. “I wonder if he’s as good-looking in person.”

  Tara wanted to say that he was much more handsome. She gazed at the picture of Darius on the monitor. Her body warmed as she studied the blond curls and deep gray eyes. She hadn’t realized how much she missed him until that moment.

  She wondered if she could trust him again. But then, only Darius could answer that. He would have to show her, through his actions, that he could be trusted. And that would take time. Tara’s heart told her that now, she would offer him that time.

  She smirked. Darius definitely had his work cut out for him, if in fact, he still wanted her to be his claim.

  At least
now she knew she wouldn’t have to kill anyone.

  Chapter Twenty

  The sunshine seemed a little too bright the next morning as Tara wiped down her bike and prepared for the day’s journey. She had declined breakfast, but eagerly worked on her second cup of coffee. The camp was dismantled, and everyone appeared ready to leave.

  “It’s just occurred to me that I don’t know your name.”

  Tara looked up to see Rolko speaking to her as he and two other Runners approached. “Good morning.” She tried to sound polite as her mind raced for a response. “I’m Leetha,” she decided quickly.

  “Leetha, we’ve brought a landlink for your bike.” He gestured to one of the men with him, and he produced a small flat black panel. “Which clan are you from?”

  “The Blood Circle Clan.”

  “Well, we really are taking you home, aren’t we?” He smiled, but the look in his eye let her know he had more to say.

  She stood silently, showing her respect.

  “You violated our law by entering Southland, Leetha. Male has told me you plan to enter the Test of Wills. I can’t permit you to do that. I’ll turn my report into Patha and make him aware of your violation. You’ll have to approach him personally to argue your case once we arrive at our destination, before your entry can be accepted. I’m sure you’re aware of the laws.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you for the landlink, sir.” Tara stood perfectly still until the men were finished with her bike and had left her. Her heart sank. The only way she could enter the Test of Wills now was by using her own login number. Furthermore, she knew the second Patha received a transmission saying a Runner named Leetha—from his clan—had just come over the border, her cover would be blown.

  There was no Leetha in the Blood Circle Clan that she knew of. She could only hope Patha wouldn’t review the reports from the clans right away. After all, there was a lot going on to distract him.

  Somehow she needed to remain undetected until the Test began. She knew she could prove herself in battle. In fact, unlike Male, she looked forward to that part of the test.