“So I heard. I’m thinking that Shazzuk would make a good Governor for M’zull when the dust settles. His family’s descended from the last governor, after all. I’m sure he’d be able to work with the Touibans and the rest of us.”
“They’ll certainly need a local contact who has his real memories. Have you treated them so they do?”
Kusac nodded. “I did it today; got us all, Cheelar, M’yikku, and myself as well.”
“What about the other villages?”
“No, only this one. Rezac and I discussed this. These are the only people I trust. The fewer left with their memories, the fewer there are to deal with in case anything goes wrong. And their memories won’t be genetic—they can’t pass them on.”
“Makes sense. How long are we staying after the nanites kick in and send everyone to sleep?” she asked.
“Assuming that’s what happens, we wait until we’ve handed over command to the seniormost Touiban present, then we can get off here and head back to the Prime world with Toueesut on the Couana.”
Carrie sighed. “I can’t wait to get back to the cubs, and then back home to Shola! It seems forever since I’ve seen our little ones back home. The children will have grown so much!”
“They will. It’ll be good to finally get home. And get our new cubs settled in their permanent home at last.”
“I hate to ask you to move,” said Kushool, “but I’m on cooking duty and it’s time to start preparing dinner. You won’t believe how much better the food is since Annuur began sending us fresh supplies!”
Kusac got to his feet, holding out his hand to help Carrie up. “We’re going,” he said. “Yes. It’s been a lot easier all round since Annuur and the TeLaxaudin have been helping us. Just don’t lose sight of what that help has cost us in past wrongs.”
“I won’t, Captain,” said Kushool, all seriousness. “They still have to answer for what they did to us.”
* * *
“No!” This time Carrie’s cry brought her to wakefulness. Still groggy with sleep, she lay there trying to orient herself as to where and when she was.
She heard the closure on her tent being pulled open, then Kaid’s head poked in to regard her in concern.
“You all right?” he asked, flicking his ears in her direction.
“Just a nightmare,” she said, passing a hand across her sweating face.
“About what? Sometimes nightmares can be prophetic.”
“The Zsadhi legend,” she said, propping herself up on an elbow.
Kaid crawled into the tent, sitting down at the foot of her bed. “Worrying,” he agreed. “I don’t like all this Avatar thing. It’s too mystical for me. Given the choices, I’ll take Vartra any day.”
“You haven’t mentioned Him in a long time,” Carrie said.
“He’s been quiet for some time now,” agreed Kaid. “I’m surprised He’s taken such a backseat for so long. Not like Him at all. What part of the Zsadhi legend did you dream about?”
“The duel between Tashraka and Zsadhi. I saw it as if I was Tashraka. I’m afraid it means something. Don’t say it,” she added hurriedly as Kaid opened his mouth. “Even mentioning it could make it happen.”
“Then we won’t,” said Kaid. “I can’t see any reason it would if the nanites activate as planned. Annuur says they should have finished spreading within two weeks.”
“The sooner the better,” Carrie said.
“I’m sure it’s only because you were given a replica of the Queen’s crown that you had the dream,” Kaid said, picking up the bronze crown and turning it around in his hands, admiring the workmanship.
“I’m sure it is,” she agreed. “Thanks, Kaid. I’ll be able to go back to sleep now”
Kaid put the crown back on the pile of clothing where it had rested. “I’ll say good night, then,” he said, getting up. “Kusac should be back soon, just a minor emergency in the village.”
* * *
“That’s Tashraka’s crown,” said Kusac an hour later as he flopped down on the bedding beside her. “How did you get it?” he asked, picking it up.
“One of the villagers, a female, gave it to me when we were there yesterday in Valtegan form. It’s not the real crown; it’s a replica.”
“Looks real enough to me,” he murmured, putting it down again. “Sends cold shivers down my spine.”
“It definitely feels as if there’s some of Tashraka in it, which is silly when it’s not the original.”
“I can sense what you mean,” he said, reaching out to pull her close. “What do you plan to do with it?”
“Ask Connor to check it out and if it’s okay, give it to King Zsurtul as a museum piece.”
“Sounds good to me. Maybe we should pack it away rather than leave it here to trouble your sleep.”
“Might be for the best. When I’m in the tent, I feel I have a connection to it,” she said, resting her head on his chest.
Prime world, same day
“How on Shola did you get them to let us take the cubs out to one of the riverside work camps?” asked Jerenn as he slung the extra clothes and weapons’ cleaning and sharpening kits into his large backpack.
“By pointing out that at one of the nearby camps we’d be close enough to call for help if needed, yet isolated enough that only those on the detail with us would know the cubs were there,” said M’Nar, doing the same. He looked up at the other with a wide grin. “And I got N’Akoe on the detail with us.”
Jerenn’s ears flicked forward in interest even though he tried to cancel their involuntary movement.
“Aha! I knew that would interest you!”
“She’s part of our detail now,” he said, feigning mild indifference. “Of course she’d be on the docket to come with us to help deal with the young djanas, Gaylla and Vazih.”
“Sure she would,” M’Nar purred, fastening his backpack and picking it up. “Well, I’m done. Last one to the lounge is on latrine digging duty!”
* * *
N’Akoe, Jerenn, and M’Nar stood watching as Dzaka and Kitra herded the younglings into an aircar on the rooftop landing pad.
“They make it look so easy,” said Jerenn as little Gaylla finally scampered up the ramp and allowed herself to be secured in the seat next to her brother Shaidan.
“It’s pretty easy,” said M’Nar pushing himself away from the wall and heading up the ramp. “You just have to keep emphasizing the fun things they’ll get to do and not mention any rules.”
“But we have to have rules or . . .” exclaimed Jerenn, following him.
“Yeah, but they don’t need to be reminded of them every two minutes!”
“Brother Jerenn, sit with me!” squealed Gaylla as soon as she saw his gray pelt.
“No, me!” said Vazih. “You can’t always sit with her. It’s my turn today!”
“Now, Vazih, you know it’s first come, first served. Brother M’Nar or N’Akoe would be happy to sit with you today.”
“Sure I would,” M’Nar said, mouth dropping in a wide grin as he took the seat beside her. “It would be my pleasure.”
Vazih gave a small huff of annoyance, but as soon as M’Nar was beside her, she began to cuddle up against his side.
“Where are we going?” asked Dhyshac.
“Right now, we’re headed for the shuttle port outside the city walls. Once there, we’ll transfer to G Company’s troop transporter and fly out to Base Camp Two. We’ll be berthed there for two nights before returning to the Palace,” said N’Akoe.
“G Company will provide security for you as well as carrying out their normal duties,” said Jerenn as the whine from the aircar rose in pitch prior to takeoff.
He grabbed for a handhold as the cubs, in a flurry of excitement, leaned forward to try and look out the windows.
* * *
It took abo
ut an hour for the troop transporter to reach the base camp. The camp was basic in design, having half a dozen tents, a latrine, a fire pit, and a cooking area.
“What is a base camp?” asked Shaidan as the transporter landed just north of the fire pit.
“It’s a camp where you base yourselves when working in an area. It’s your main camp,” said M’Nar. “From there you go out to where you are working and, if necessary, you can set up other campsites.”
“Did your Aunt Kitra tell you what you’d be doing here?” asked N’Akoe.
“She said that we would be helping plant grasses and wildflowers by the side of the river,” Shaidan replied.
“Why do we need to put plants in beside the river?”
“I know!” said Gaylla, bouncing up and down, her tail flicking excitedly from side to side. “They do it to stop the earth getting blown away in the storms.”
“Exactly, well done, Gaylla,” said N’Akoe, reaching out to ruffle the mop of hair that framed her face. “As Gaylla said, it stops the erosion caused by the wind and the river itself. Also, where there is grass, the herd beasts and the wild animals we’ve been releasing can graze.”
“Not just wild animals and herds,” said Jerenn, gesturing to them to release their seatbelts and line up behind the troopers to get out of the transporter. “Once an area is stabilized, then the Ch’almuthians in the town camp are able to occupy the area. Sometimes it’s a ruined village, other times, the Ch’almuthians have to build themselves a new village. This one here was the remains of an older village, so they only had to repair the ruins.”
“Why do they live in tents outside the city?” asked Dhyshac.
“Well, long ago, this world was the prime one for Valtegans . . .” began M’Nar.
“An’ why we calls them Primes,” said Gaylla.
“Yes, but then they had three worlds that belonged to them, one being M’zull where your papas are now.”
“But long ago they found Shola, our world,” said Jerenn, “and they fought a war with us which we lost. However,” he said, smiling as the cubs all dipped their ears and looked sad, “we fought back and finally beat the bad Valtegans.”
“We beat them so badly that all our worlds lost space travel and were set back hundreds of years,” said M’Nar. “The Prime world was worst hit, being the leader, and because most of the people were in space, or on other worlds when they got stranded.”
“I bet it saw the worst fighting, which is why there’s ruins,” said Shaidan.
“That’s right,” said M’Nar, patting him on the shoulder. “And when a world has very few people and loses all its technology, then it ends up like this.” He waved an expansive hand out at the bare ground outside the window. “This is why we have to plant grass and other plants to make K’oish’ik green again.”
The dozen Prime soldiers and the two Sholan Brothers with them began to file out to form a line outside.
“Ooh, tents!” said Gaylla excitedly, pointing. “Will we get to sleep in the tents?”
“Not this time,” said Jerenn. “We’re getting to live in this transport vehicle, but we will be eating our meals round the campfire.”
Shaidan noticed the approving glanced M’Nar threw at the other Brother.
“The villagers here have arranged for a small feast for us,” said M’Nar. “After we’ve eaten, it should be great fun sitting around the fire, toasting some of the special kind of soft candy the Ch’almuthians make.”
“I think that they’re roasting a young herd beast for us,” said Jerenn, leading them off the transporter. “They’ll already have begun cooking it in the village, and they’ll just bring it down here later in the day to finish it off.”
The troopers, under the orders of their Sholan officers, were already stowing their kits in their tents.
“Once the boxes of young plants have been unloaded, we’ll have a snack and then start planting them,” M’Nar said. “If you like, we can have a look around while we wait.”
There was a loud chorus of “Yes, please!” and the three adults grinned at each other.
Their camp was in a dry area, a quarter of a mile from the river. Broad and fast flowing, the Nezoa wound its way down from the mountains a hundred miles to the north, to the small inland sea about forty miles south of the city.
As they approached the shallows at the side of the river, M’Nar called them all toward him. “I will only tell you once,” he said. “The river Nezoa is the lifeblood of this area of K’oish’ik. It’s deep and fast flowing. If you fall into it, we will be unable to save you. You’ll drown and be swept away down to the sea.”
Shaidan shivered slightly as he watched the Brother look at each one of them in turn.
“So you will not go near the river unless one of us is with you. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Brother M’Nar,” Shaidan chorused along with the others.
“There is a small inlet where you can paddle in the water. Brother Jerenn and I will take you there for a play session if you’re good.”
“Stay back from the edges of the riverbank. They’re just wet soil and would give under your weight,” said Jerenn. “All right, let’s get moving! There’s a lot to see before lunch.”
As they began to get closer to the riverbank, Gaylla slipped her small hand into Shaidan’s. “It sure is dangerous out here,” she said, moving closer to him.
“It’s only dangerous until we learn the rules,” he replied. “Once we understand how things work, it won’t seem so scary.”
“Uh-huh,” she said nervously, slowing right down and taking small, cautious steps.
“It’s safe where we are,” reassured Shaidan, giving her hand a gentle tug. “It’s by the edge that we might have to be careful. Look,” he pointed to the front of their line. “Brother Jerenn has only just stopped.”
Gaylla nodded, clutching her doll more tightly in her other arm. “I see. So we’s are safe where he is?”
“Yes, so long as we don’t go any closer, we’ll be fine.”
This close, the river seemed so wide to Shaidan that he wondered if this was what the sea looked like.
Not far from the bank, the brown water churned and gurgled over rocks set into the side of the riverbed. M’Nar bent down and picked a small stick from a long-dead plant. He showed it to the cubs.
“When I throw this into the water, you’ll get an idea of how strong the current is,” he said. “You can come a little nearer.” He gestured them closer.
They stopped about two feet from the edge.
“I’m going to throw this into the river, so keep your eyes on it.” M’Nar carefully stepped nearer and threw the twig. A slight breeze caught it and whirled it farther out before unceremoniously dumping it into the water. There it was swept rapidly downstream toward the rocks.
“Now imagine that was you. We’d have no chance to reach you before you were swept onto the rocks, then away down to the sea, so pay attention to our warnings. We’re not trying to spoil your fun, only keep you alive,” M’Nar finished. “Now follow me to the safe inlet.”
Here, the crystal-clear water gently lapped at a shore of small tumbled pebbles and sand. It was shot with the silver glint of tiny fishes darting between the green-and-red water plants and the larger stones.
“Oh!” exclaimed Shaidan, kneeling down to better see them. “They’re larger than the ones in the temple!”
“Different fish usually grow to different sizes,” said Jerenn. “The temple ones are particularly small and chosen by the priests and priestesses for that reason.”
“Back home on Shola, I take my cubs fishing every four weeks,” said M’Nar, crouching beside Shaidan. “Of course, we’re after bigger fish than these, ones large enough to eat. I’m sure we’ll see some of those here if we’re lucky.”
Gaylla reached out to touch the fish near
est to her, disturbing the water and making them dart away in fright.
“If you disturb the water, they will swim away,” said N’Akoe in answer to her exclamation of dismay.
“But the fishes are so pretty! I want to hold one,” she said, shaking the water off her hand.
“Fish can’t live out of water,” said M’Nar sympathetically. “And you can’t touch them like you can the young herd beasts.”
“Perhaps we could ask for one of the glass cubes of fish and plants that the Primes have in their temple,” suggested Jerenn. “You could have it in your bedroom. They are completely self-contained, so you wouldn’t even need to feed them.”
“Would you like us to ask for one for you?” asked N’Akoe, getting up.
“Yes, please!”
“Then I’ll ask when we get back. Time to go see the village now.”
* * *
The village was an eclectic arrangement of adobe huts that housed some forty villagers. The central area was crowded with people, all heading purposefully one way or another. Heads bobbed politely in their direction when they saw them.
A fire pit had been dug, and over it roasted a young herd beast. The smell of bread baking in the communal ovens mixed with the aroma of cooking meat, creating an irresistible scent that had all of their mouths watering.
The village headman came to greet them. As M’Nar ushered the cubs toward the central ovens and roasting pit, Jerenn took on the job of talking to him.
“So these are the Sholan young I was told about,” said Mazul, watching as the cubs stood round the pit asking a million questions. “They seem very like our own young. Curious about everything.”
“I think younglings are all the same no matter what species,” said Jerenn. “We’ve seen a fair bit of Mayza, General Kezule’s daughter, and—age aside—she’s very like our cubs.”
Mazul nodded. “Such closeness between our kinds is good for us all. As you see, the roast is almost done. I’ll send four of our folk up to your base camp to get the fire started so we can move it over there to finish cooking.”
Jerenn nodded. “I see you’ve even cooked fresh bread for us. Thank you for all this kind consideration. We really appreciate it.”
Circle's End Page 28