The Sands of Argurumal (Argurma Salvager Book 3)

by S. J. Sanders

  “Rest, anastha,” he ordered quietly.

  Her smile widened, and a soft sound of amusement escaped her.

  “Only because I’m exhausted and because you asked so sweetly,” she replied as she lay back against the head rest.

  Veral slid his hand along the controls of the arm, and the seat tipped at an angle to help her rest more comfortably. His eyes lingered on her, watching as her features softened and her eyelids fluttered tiredly. Within seconds she had dropped off to sleep, and it was only then he realized that he had been crooning to her even as his mandibles purred to ease her into rapid slumber. It was something that he had never thought to use against his mate, since it seemed too much like a violation of another’s will, but in that moment, he wanted nothing more than for her to get the rest she needed and forget for a short time her narrow escape from death.

  Harahna also slept, her mouth still working even in her sleep.

  Tarik slipped into the seat across from her. It was a bit close, but Krono ignored it and the medic did not so much glance at the animal. That was odd enough, but more so was the absence of his own dorashnal to accompany him into dangerous territory. With rules in the compound to ensure safety, it was not odd for dorashnals to be absent from the main corridors, with certain exceptions where their presence was required. The quarters and private courtyard were spacious enough to give the animals plenty of privacy and freedom to move. But they always accompanied their bonded Argurma outside of the safety of the compound. While there were females who did not bond to a dorashnal, it was rare for a male to be seen absent of one. It always spoke of tragedy.

  “Where is your dorashnal, medic?” he inquired.

  The male met his gaze briefly.

  “Died,” the male replied. “When I was young, I was attacked by a razithihis. Vagirith killed it, but he could not be saved. My father terminated him before he was in too much pain. We endure the weight of our actions doing what we must for those we are bonded to.” His eyes looked meaningfully at Terri and Harahna. There was no judgment in the male’s expression. Instead, his mandibles twitched with approval.

  “You made a wise choice,” the medic commented, closing all further discussion of his dorashnal.

  Veral grunted to indicate his understanding and allowed his gaze to rest on his mate and daughter.

  “I do not want her to be anxious. Her emotions tire her. And Harahna as well, even though she seems adept at keeping herself secure to her mother. Will it present any damage being engaged so long?”

  Leaning forward, Tarik swept a scanner over the offspring to gather more data than the simple bio-scans that warrior and medic-class Argurma possessed.

  A soft grunt escaped the male, and he settled back into his seat.

  “It takes less energy for a symbiont to protract and remain that way rather than constantly fluxing as Terri tends to wield it. The nanos are compensating for the energy draining, pulling from her fat reservoirs. She will merely eat more while they are engaged. I see no reason to be concerned, but I will monitor her. It is possible that her symbiont, being a second-generation production, has modifications that were made by the parent symbiont to counter possible deficiencies. It is fascinating to see such bioengineering. Other than our nanos—a technology we acquired and implemented from an elder race—our technology is far more limited. Even our nanos, while capable of multiplying and being passed organically to our mate through insemination, are incapable of improving on themselves to such degrees.”

  Whereas not too long ago Veral would have found the depth of the medic’s scientific fascination annoying and suspicious, it now amused him. The male was devoted to his females’ welfare, and so Veral no longer possessed any issue with Tarik’s endless curiosity. If that kept his mate and daughter well provided-for, then he was pleased.

  A small flurry of activity surrounded the flyer at that moment, drawing Veral’s attention as several guards peeled away to safe zones away from the flyer. The vessel vibrated slightly as Larth stepped in, a brute of a dorashnal close at his side. Larth ducked his head to clear the entrance and dropped into the seat closest to him. He was immediately followed by Malraha, who did likewise across from him, her own dorashnal, a thin, rangy thing that was still clearly growing into her paws, sitting awkwardly at her side. Navesha slipped in alone just after them, her expression tense as her mandibles flared.

  “I regret to report that I will not be traveling with you. Featha is remaining behind to investigate what occurred here, and I have decided to do likewise,” she growled. “We will also be watching for any sign of movement from the council. The registrar’s presence coinciding with the attack is too convenient. Someone knew that male was coming and likely is in communication with Ki’karthilan.”

  It seemed that he and his cousin were of a similar opinion on the data presented. That was something that Veral was also worried about and why he agreed with Featha’s judgment to leave immediately. Not only because it was an obvious direct attack with deadly intent, but the timing was too close to his departure and the arrival of the representative of the registrar’s office too convenient.

  “Noted. Comm if you have any updates to our situation.”

  The female nodded stiffly and departed, the hatch door sliding shut behind her. The drone of the engine increased as the flyer began its final preparations for liftoff. He caught a glimpse of Navesha before she disappeared behind the safety barrier. They were all clear for departure. From his peripheral vision, he could see the tension radiating through Malraha as her hand tightened on her spear and her other gripped her dorashnal’s vibrissae tight enough that the animal whined and turned her head in warning. Malraha immediately loosened her grip, though her body vibrated with tension.

  “Speak your mind now while you have the opportunity, Malraha. There is no returning after we leave if you have concerns.”

  The female expelled a hard breath and met his eyes.

  “I think this is foolish. If the council is involved, there is no escaping them for long,” Malraha’s replied. “Fleeing may only mean delaying the inevitable. It would be wiser to take a stand here at the compound where we have defenses we can utilize.”

  Veral met her gaze, his jaw hardening.

  “My task is not to defeat them. Whatever victory we gain in direct confrontation would only be short-lived before they destroy us completely. It will take more than our household to effectively fight against the strength of the council and all the united forces of Argurumal under their yoke. My only intention is to delay discovery until it is safe to depart. With my absence, the council will lose interest in the house of Monushava. As of now they have no direct proof of your complicity against them and I will keep it that way for as long as possible. Featha has orders to deny all accountability and knowledge of our status and to renounce me formally to preserve the standing of our house. Tarik and Dreth are fully aware of their risks by joining with us. You are welcome to remain with the rest of the household if you are concerned,” he replied in a firm voice that invited no argument.

  The female flinched, but she did not speak further, nor did she leave her post. Despite his annoyance, he did not fault her for being concerned and so did not reprimand her further. The offer was a reasonable one, not one born of resentment. Those who did not wish to be entangled in their fight with the council should remain behind. He did not begrudge anyone who wished to look out for their own safety and those of their immediate line.

  Veral glanced over at Larth. Even the large male appeared on edge, his vibrissae flaring aggressively as his eyes snapped everywhere, never staying in one place long. It was the look of a male readying for formidable battle.

  “What of you, cousin?”

  Larth grinned from his seat, the points of his fangs and a hint of the edge of his sharp teeth showing between his lips.

  “It has been revolutions since I have practiced stealth maneuvers against war droids on the edges of the Galithilan. They do not operate well in those con
ditions for the same reason it is too risky to take flyers beyond that point, but they still will be set regardless of how many are brought down. I would not wish to miss participating.”

  Veral smirked. An expected response from a war-blooded male. With all advanced programming set as a warrior, it would never depart him, regardless of his post. Nodding in approval, Veral turned and slipped into the seat beside the pilot behind the emergency flight controls. Dreth glanced over at him, and at Veral’s signal the engines roared as the flyer lifted and snapped forward to dart out of the entrance.

  “Inputting coordinates for the eastern holdings and increasing speed,” Dreth relayed, the flyer maneuvering through the air at a sharp angle as it adjusted its course. “Projected arrival three hours, twenty-three minutes, and five seconds.”

  Veral grunted in acknowledgment as he settled into his chair.

  Silence filled the ship. There was no need for useless chatter, and he suspected everyone was resting however they could manage to do so. Dreth leaned back, dozing with the AI hooked directly to his temple to rouse him at any change in their path.

  Veral could not sleep. Instead, he watched the dark sky stretched out ahead of them, his eyes falling on the dunes as the faint operational light of the flyer reflected off the sand. The view gradually brightened and became more vivid as the sun crested the horizon framing the tall, dark structure of the compound that rose up before them.

  As their flyer drew in on its approach, Dreth immediately straightened and wordlessly fell into procedures to initiate landing. Just behind him, he could hear the subtle shifting of Argurma and dorashnal through the flyer as everyone slowly awakened. Terri sighed, the sound making his civix tighten, but he ignored the sensation as he spun around in his chair to face his mate.

  Her face was flushed with sleep, but she gave him a drowsy smile until she woke enough to recall where she was and straightened, her seat sliding back into its primary position. She glanced down wryly at Harahna, who didn’t seem to be inclined to release her breast anytime soon, but had merely at some point switched to the other one. A gentle pat at their daughter’s back, however, had the tendrils of their offspring’s symbiont retracting promptly. Harahna shivered slightly as they withdrew back into her skin, but she did not otherwise wake.

  The minor household did not have a secured, hidden docking bay such as the primary household possessed, but it was still in a well-sheltered position between the household and a long artificial wall that shielded one side of the compound to keep the dunes from encroaching. There the flyer and any other vessels were not readily visible, and the area around it was constantly monitored.

  It took them only a few minutes to gain the necessary clearance and land. The alert had been raised upon their departure and the entire eastern holding was on alert and readied for them. Veral was not surprised when he and his mate were greeted by Hitani and Vand the moment they exited the flyer. Although the pair wore steely expressions, they inclined their head in formal acknowledgment before their gaze strayed to Terri and finally landed on Harahna.

  “So it is true,” Hitani murmured, a fleeting look of wonder on her face. “A daughter of the line was born to the Ahanvala and his alien mate, and successfully survived her first tiani days.”

  Her eyes turned to Veral, her expression easing into one of respect and something like warmth—something he never would have recognized if not for his mate-bonding with Terri.

  “What are tiani days?” Terri whispered at his side.

  Hitani regarded Terri with an inscrutable look, and Veral bit back a growl. Terri would not know such things and should not be judged for it. The female did not comment on the lack of knowledge but answered the question in Veral’s stead.

  “Tiani days are those in which our offspring, while more advanced than weaker and less developed species, are most vulnerable. The tiani, whom we call the spirits of fate, may take them during that time and so we call the days after them and ask their mercy that they do not steal our young to replace their own that they lost to eons of time.”

  The female’s attention snapped back to Veral. “We have prepared a convoy as directed, including the special instructions you requested,” she said. Her head tilted at a very slight angle. “It seemed unnecessary at the time, but it is evident that your female can use the rest and time to re-establish necessary bonding with her mate after such trauma that we were only recently made aware of. This I understand and approve of.”

  Veral did not really care if she understood or approved of his plans or not, but he inclined his head all the same in acknowledgment of her words.

  “And our transport?”

  The first hint of a smile appeared on the stern female’s face.

  “The sand dragnar are being readied as we speak.”

  29

  “Flyers and other vessels do not operate well in the Galithilan,” Hitani said as they approached several animals gathered in front of the entrance gates of the compound. “To travel deep into the Galithilan, we do as our ancestors before us have done. The sand dragnar carry us safely to and from the abode of our far-kin, and so they will carry you.”

  Terri swallowed nervously as she stared at the creatures that were supposedly going to carry them across the sand.

  That was a sand dragnar?

  It didn’t look like a tame mount, but almost like images of mythical dragons she had seen, except that it was smaller. It had a single thick pad set just above its first pair of legs that was just barely big enough for two people to ride it. Unlike any dragon she had ever seen illustrated, its body was longer, like a snake, with eight short legs and a head pointed like a wolf or a fox, though with mouths filled with rows of small teeth that made its entire jaw look like a serrated weapon.

  Despite is ferocious appearance, the dragnar closest to her made a bassy crooning sound as it dropped its head to eye-level. The blue slitted pupil expanded in its flame-red iris as a billow of its warm breath swept over her. Terri gasped when the dragnar nudged his huge nose toward her, ignoring the anxious growls from Krono. With a soft chuckle, Terri pushed its nose back so she could admire it.

  Like many lifeforms on Argurumal, it seemed, the dragnar was covered in scales and shockingly fine vibrissae that crowned its head and ran down its body. They were very thin and seemed to be constantly moving about it. At the tail, the vibrissae were thicker and longer, forming what looked like a fanned fin. That tail rose, the vibrissae expanding outward for a moment before it slapped back down to the sand with a soft thud.

  “Sankal likes you,” Hitani observed, a faint smile of approval pulling at her lips. “She will serve as a good mount for you and your male.” The female gave the sleek neck a pat before addressing the rest of them as she made her way around to the largest of the beasts. “You will ride in pairs. Mount and hold on. The dragnar are trained to follow their alpha female, Girshwin. They move fast, so be prepared.”

  At a dual octave chirp from the Argurma, the dragnar lowered flat against the sand, providing an easy mount for Hitani and her mate as they slid onto the padded seat. The moment they were secure, the dragnar rose to her feet at another one of the chirps, her proud neck curving.

  “Mount up,” Hitani ordered. “We have far to go to make it to shelter before sundown. You do not want to be caught on the Galithilan after nightfall.”

  The sound was apparently an Argurma thing because everyone around her effortlessly made it. Larth called out to one, chirping at it so that it lowered for him to mount. He offered a hand to Malraha, and the female looked like she would rather chew nails than ride with him, but she ignored his hand and vaulted up onto the dragnar’s back behind him. From the stiff way she sat behind the male, Terri was certain that there was no love lost between the two and wondered if there was a story there, but she was promptly distracted from her musings when Sankal dropped in front of them in response to Veral’s command.

  The big eye watched her, a resonant croon echoing from the female dragnar’s
throat as they walked down the line of her neck to the padded seat. Veral lifted Terri easily, setting her in the front before launching himself into the spot just behind her. The contact sent a delicious thrill through her, which only grew in intensity as his arms wrapped around her to grip the vibrissae fluttering just in front of them. Moments later, the padding shifted again as Krono scrambled up, his retractable claws digging into the padding just behind Veral, his whip-like tail coiling around her mate’s waist. Terri could feel it between them, and as strange as it felt, it put her at ease knowing that her entire family was securely together.

  Sankal surged to her feet then as he gave another chirp, and the startling shift beneath her might have been concerning to Terri if she hadn’t felt so secure in her mate’s arms. Even Harahna rested quietly in the sling across Terri’s chest that served to hold her daughter close even when the baby’s symbiont was inactive. No doubt the slight ease of weight from one foot to another as the dragnar tested her passengers was a soothing motion to their offspring.

  With one of his free hands, Veral drew the light blanket completely over their daughter, fastening it to the strap of the sling. His hand then lifted inside Terri’s hood and drew out a stretch of fabric from the layered material there within the shafna. This he wrapped around her lower face, tucking and pinning it in place before doing the same for himself.

  Despite Argurma’s vents and high tolerance for sand, apparently the Galithilan was troublesome even for them without some extra protection. His eyes fastened on her, dulled by his secondary membranous eyelid with a look of affection as he tugged a visor over her eyes. It was not unlike her goggles back on Earth but made of metal and had a technical enhancement that brought their surroundings into sharp relief. Enjoying the novelty of not having to squint against the grit, Terri sat up straighter, winding her hands in the dragnar’s vibrissae with Veral’s.