by Candy Rae
“Friend?” challenged Zeb, his voice filled with suspicion.
“Travelling companions are by definition, friends,” Thalia informed him, “you’ll be coming with us.”
“Where to?” Zeb’s nose was twitching, with a peculiar mixture of suspicion and excitement.
“The Island of Galliard. You did say you wanted to chase down Chadwick Smallhide did you not?”
“Yes, yes, I did,” replied Zeb, his face brightening, “can I really come wif you? I ain’t got a horse.”
“Horses are too slow. You can ride pillion behind me on Josei. You’re all skin and bone, Josei’ll make nothing of the extra weight if we shift the saddlebags around a bit.”
Daniel had been thinking ahead.
“How much will it cost for passage?” he asked, jingling the few coins that inhabited his belt-pouch.
“I’ll sign a chit. Vada’ll honour it,” replied Thalia, “as long as it is on an Argyllian or Vadathian vessel.”
“And later?”
“We’ll pick up coin at Port Lutterell. Me and Josei know the vadeln in charge of the Supply Station there.”
“An ex-comrade-in-arms?” Daniel hazarded.
“My elder brother as a matter of fact,” she replied with an impish grin as she turned to redistribute the bags attached to Josei’s harness. “We’ll pick you up a better sword too. You might need a good one where we’re going.”
“Me too?” asked Zeb hopefully.
“Small boys don’t fight with swords,” she informed him.
Zeb bristled. He no longer thought of himself as a small boy. In his profession one emerged into manhood after one’s first successful theft.
“I’m ten,” he argued, “eleven ‘most.”
“Wait a couple of years or so,” Thalia advised, “then I’ll teach you, if you’re still around.”
* * * * *
“Up you come,” Thalia ordered, holding out a long arm to assist Zeb as he clambered on to Josei’s back. “Hold on tight.”
“I will,” Zeb acquiesced with a gulp. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that one day he would be riding a Lind. Of course, he was sitting behind Thalia. Perhaps it didn’t count riding pillion. Still it was better than nothing, more, more than better than nothing if he was honest with himself.
“Let’s go,” said Thalia and Josei loped off, Vya barely a paws breath behind him.
To say, like Daniel before him, that Zeb was in a seventh heaven of delight would have been an understatement. He could barely contain his excitement. Both Thalia and Josei felt it.
: Another convert! He’s not scared at all : Josei telepathed. He sounded surprised.
: Perhaps it is because he is young : Thalia surmised.
: Young? This one has never been young as you and I understand it :
The days, as they ran towards Port Lutterell were the most tremendous of Zeb’s young years. They were life changing. For a boy raised in the slums of Stewarton, who had been taught to regard stealing as a way of life and to not consider what effects such thefts might have on the victims; it was a revelation.
Both Thalia and Daniel had been brought up to consider others, with a respect for property; especially for those who had worked hard to buy their possessions. Without saying anything specific about his life so far to Zeb, they managed, with Josei and Vya’s help, to transfer this ethos to Zeb.
And there was more.
Thalia, once she had vadeln-paired with Josei, had taken this respect for others much further. The Lind believed that they had been born on their planet for a purpose; to protect and care for others, especially those who needed their care and protection. It was deep-embedded in the psyche of each and every Lind. This was why, in times past entire Lindars had laid down their lives to defeat the Larg of the southern continent when they had attacked the northern; to save their rtathen and those of other rtaths. Thousands, even perhaps millions had died throughout the eons of Lind history so that others could live.
When man had arrived and some empathic men, women and children had mind and life-bonded with Lind, this psyche had transferred to those so mind-linked. The members of the Vada too were pledged to lay down their lives for others if the need arose.
There hadn’t been a large battle, with its associated large casualties since the Battle of Duchesne two centuries before; that day which had marked the ending of the eons old hatred and war between Lind and Larg but still Lind (and the vadeln-pairs of the Vada) died, fighting against predators, bandits, pirates and saving life after natural disaster.
The Vada, the Lindars and the Avuzdel were institutions of self-sacrifice, so three of Zeb’s new companions were incapable of not aiding those in need. Even Daniel, son of a noble of the southern Kingdom of Murdoch and thus brought up differently, had been raised to think that serving his duke and sovereign was the natural way to live his life. He too would lay down his life for his country and the people who lived within it and like Zeb he was learning to expand this concept to include everyone and everywhere.
Zeb kept quiet as the five of them ran east along the caravan route towards Port Lutterell. He was finding that he had far too much to think about to ask the questions which had so irritated Chad Smallhide.
Every evening they prepared their campsite, raising their tents (Zeb shared his with Daniel; he wasn’t very big so there was plenty of room) and cooked their food. They stopped at Supply Stations twice along the way where Zeb was equipped with a sleep bag, spare clothes, a pair of boots (his were in such a bad state that one could see his toes) and some everyday utensils. Thalia also obtained a book of reading and a book of arithmetic when she found out how patchy his education had been and began to teach him his letters and numbers. Daniel also taught him from time to time and Zeb found that he much preferred Daniel as a tutor. Daniel had not forgotten that a boy often became restless at the need for study while Thalia was far more insistent and focused. Her lessoning time was often twice as long as Daniel’s.
His speech patterns were also changing. Both Thalia and Daniel spoke in an educated manner. Zeb found himself copying how they said their words and minding his p’s and q’s.
It may be noted in passing too that Zeb never even considered stealing anything from the Supply Stations, the farms and the villages they visited.
At one of the Supply Stations Daniel was provided with a new sword, one more suited in weight and balance. He was also provided with a Vada uniform. He wasn’t quite sure why but he knew Thalia must have her reasons for insisting that one should be issued to him.
As their journey progressed Zeb changed, almost without him becoming aware that it was happening.
* * * * *
The night before they arrived at Port Lutterell Vya received a message from one of her fellow Avuzdel which she was quick to pass on to Thalia, Josei and Daniel. They were all eating together round their campfire so Zeb was listening too. That was something else that was different from his previous life. Back home the grown ups would always send him away if they wanted to discuss something important. Here, the adults (and here Zeb included Josei and Vya) let him stay, in fact, they encouraged him to stay; they also listened if he had any comments to make.
Uncle Nonder used to treat me like a vuz-beetle and not nice to know. This is much better.
Vya cleared her throat.
“They have located Chad Smallhide,” she began. Everyone was staring at her, their faces intent. “he has, as we suspected, gone aboard a merchant ship which goes to the islands.”
“Which one?” asked Daniel.
“Galliard, amongst others,” Vya answered, “at least I am told there is the first ‘port of call’. I do not know the term.”
“Means Supply Station, except in the sea,” answered Thalia, explaining the phrase in the way she thought Vya could understand. “He might not get off there but Galliard must be our first stop. At least we can find out if he did disembark. Now, get your brains to work folk. How do we get there? A merchant s
hip?”
“A naval vessel, like a frigate would be faster than a merchantman,” said Daniel. He turned to Vya. “Can you enquire? Also try to find out the exact route the merchantman is planning to take if you can. Also the name of the ship.”
“I can.” Vya answered, “to all of your questions. I will also attempt to arrange for a frigate. What is a frigate?”
“It’s a very fast ship,” Zeb explained to Vya after a moment’s pause once he realised that Thalia and Daniel were thinking too hard about the news to answer. “You know what a ship is?”
Vya assented, her large eyes fixed on Zeb’s face.
“Well,” continued Zeb, marshalling his thoughts and taking his cue from Thalia he tried to form an answer in terms Vya would understand. “A frigate is a fast ship and is used by the human Lindars of the sea. Do you understand?”
“I think I do,” answered Vya, “you paint very clear pictures. I think we understand each other very well.”
Zeb looked confused. He also got the impression that he had missed something significant but at least Vya understood, that was the important thing.
* * * * *
-34-
PORT LUTTERELL – ARGYLL’S EAST COAST
At the Supply Station outside Port Lutterell Thalia asked for her brother.
“Was told you’d be here today,” he greeted her with a nod to Josei. “Got the coin Josei asked for too.”
“Thanks Hal, I appreciate it.”
“Like to tell me why you’re going into the islands?”
“No, not yet,” Thalia answered.
“Orders came with the sghail of the Avuzdel too. I don’t know what’s happening Thalia but it must be serious if the Avuzdel’s involved. Be careful out there.”
“Ship?” enquired Thalia, deftly evading Hal’s incipient questions with one of her own.
“Argyllian naval frigate no less. You have friends in high places. Better that way anyway. No point advertising your presence to all the merchant houses in the country and beyond. Who’s the boy?”
“He can identify the person we’re chasing and thanks again Hal. How are things here?”
“A bit tense, much as usual these days.”
He was looking at Daniel, “now you look after her, you hear me? if she gets hurt me and Aya will come after you and carve out your tripes.”
“With my life,” promised a fervent Daniel.
Hal handed a hefty looking saddlebag to Thalia. It jingled as she took it.
“Coin. Argyllian and Murdochian, all denominations though mostly of high value ‘cos of the weight. Also letters of introduction and safe conduct. They’ll be accepted in most of the islands, Galland, Randall, Eilidon. Got your cover story ready?”
Thalia nodded, “Josei told me.” She laughed. “Seems that one dark night a nefarious person crept into the Inner Sanctum at Vada and stole a most precious historical legacy, the sword of Susa Francis. We’re chasing the thief.”
Hal nodded, “not bad at all as long as no-one goes into the Inner Sanctum and finds out that it’s there after all.”
“Nope, it’s actually gone,” grinned Thalia. “Susa Malkum is very thorough. When does the frigate leave?”
“It’s in harbour now, taking on provisions. Should be able to sail when the tide turns tomorrow, which will be,” he paused and glanced at his Lind Aya, “at about Noon Bell. Captain has been fully briefed. He’ll wait at Galliard and take to elsewhere, within reason, if your ‘thief’ has fled the roost. Think about it, you’ll be safer aboard a warship than on one of those pesky little trading vessels that island hop. Lastly Thalia, keep in touch, Josei can reach Aya if he tries hard enough.”
“I will Hal, we will, I promise.”
“Going to see Father before you leave? There’s time.”
“Perhaps,” Thalia answered, trying to sound non-committal.
* * * * *
Next morning the five met with Thalia’s brother again.
“Are you intending to drop in on Mother and Father before you go?” Hal enquired again in a nonchalant manner, conveniently forgetting that his sister had refused the previous day but Thalia wasn’t deceived.
“Why?” was her suspicious answer.
“I think they’d like to see you, that’s all.”
“Why?” she demanded again. “Why should I? He made it perfectly clear in his last letter, over two years ago, I may add, that I wasn’t to darken the family doorstep again. You know what he thinks of me. Don’t tell me you’ve been back.”
“He’s mellowed a bit in recent years, at least with those of us who’ve made a success of their lives. I think he’s secretly rather proud. I’ve heard he brags about his Garda officer son to his cronies at his club.”
“Us?”
“Told you he’s coming round. I believe he brags about us as well though I’ve not been privileged to hear him.”
“Tomas still the blue-eyed boy I presume? And what about young Tara? How is she?”
“Not so young these days. She’s incredibly bright too you know. Heads her class lists in all her subjects, she’ll be off to Stewarton as soon as he can arrange it.”
“So what’s Tara saying about it?”
Hal shrugged, “nothing, seems quite happy about it.”
“About going to the university or leaving home?”
Hal shrugged again, “neither, both, I simply don’t know Thalia. Tara doesn’t talk much.”
“Perhaps I should stop by,” mused Thalia, “to see Mother and Tara if nothing else.”
“I think you should,” he agreed but refused to say anything more.
* * * * *
The greetings between mother and daughter were intense and as full of rapture as were those between Thalia and her sister Tara.
Josen Joshson’s greeting was more reserved. His eyes lit up though when he saw Thalia in her best uniform (donned for the occasion and not too crumpled) he even, much to Thalia’s surprise, requested she accompany him into his study for a quick chat before she left.
Greatly wondering, Thalia complied.
Once there, he didn’t open his mouth to utter pleasantries, he launched straight into the reason why he had called her in. “I’ve heard something about what has happened,” he began without preamble.
Thalia was on her guard in an instant.
“Something?”
“The artefact that has been stolen,” he explained, “don’t ask me who told me.”
“It’s supposed to be a secret.”
“A certain person sent word, thought I might be able to help. Now don’t panic, it’s not common knowledge, I haven’t told anyone else.”
“And can you help?” For the life of her Thalia couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
“As it happens, I might be able to. You know what it is that you seek?”
Thalia nodded.
“The Argyll’s power core. The mate of the one that was used to destroy the spaceship of the Dglai in AL 608. Well, I am a historian as well as a mathematician and I was understandably nervous about the news. It is a very dangerous object.”
“I’d gathered that.”
“But have you wondered why its disappearance is such a secret, why you and one other, with your Lind of course, have been sent after it, in secret and on your own? Why a general alert wasn’t called? Why the Vada and the Avuzdel aren’t scouring the continent for it?”
Thalia looked blank.
“Well, I’ll tell you. The theft of the power core is possibly the most dangerous event ever to have graced the planet.”
“More dangerous than the Dglai invasion? I still find that hard to believe.”
Her father ignored her. “I’ll tell you why it is so important it is retrieved and retrieved without any fuss. It should have been left where it was, in the WCCS Argyll, where it belonged. Out of reach out of mind.”
“Why?”
“Because if an unscrupulous or ambitious person got his or her hands on it they might us
e it, and more to the point, threaten to use it to gain their own ends. There are many men of ambition on our planet Thalia, who, not to put a fine point on it, would like to rule it all. The Electra’s power core was used to blow up the Ammokko and it devastated the surrounding area.””
“Like the King of Leithe,” Thalia breathed, “he’s ambitious.”
“So you’ve got that far, have you? Not that I’m surprised. You’ve got a fine brain inside that head of yours.”
“But I don’t understand, apart from threatening, what use would it be to anyone? Oh, Vya told us about the document being stolen from the university but no-one knows for certain they pertained to the power core. Actually they could have been anything from, oh, I don’t know, mathematical formulas perhaps.”
“The copy taken from the university archives was not the only one. We are quite certain of this now.”
“But the King of Leithe wouldn’t use the power core, couldn’t, could he?”
“A valid point. Have you heard of something called ‘the print-outs’?”
“I don’t think so, no.”
“The print-outs contain information our ancestors brought with them. They were hidden for a long time. In AL 607, with the Dglai invasion imminent, they were found and the information they contained used to learn how to convert the Electra’s power core into the weapon that destroyed the Dglai. It was the Master of the Technicians Guild, one Annert de Gras who led the team that discovered the way to do it.”
“What happened to the print-outs?” asked a Thalia whose heart had just sunk into her boots.
“Master Annert kept them for a time then they vanished again. I believe the Lai had something to do with the second disappearance, the first too for all we know.”
“That’s all right then,” said Thalia in relief.
“Not so fast Thalia. I said that Master Annert kept them for a time. It is documented that some parts of it were copied. A Professor Angus, the finest mathematician of his day took at least one copy of some parts that interested him with him when he returned to the university. They have been retrieved, were retrieved, a short time later but bits keep popping up here and there; nothing to do with the schematics of the power core but who’s to say that other copies don’t exist somewhere out there and that the King of Leithe or someone else doesn’t have it? It is suspected that the stolen data related to some calculations Professor Angus made at the time. So, that’s our fear in a nutshell. If the King of Leithe has the know-how and the power core nothing can stop him. Through fear, he’ll take over the islands and then move on the mainland, us. If others find out that the power core has been stolen they’ll start looking for it too and the copies of the data. Anyone who has the power core and the know-how could work out how to use it.”