by Ian J Miller
After what seemed to be an eternity, but was only a few minutes, he heard chatter coming down the stairs.
"My God! What's been going on here?" The voice was from a youngish Ranhyn, and it was clear from the surprise in his voice that he was having his first view of the seedier side of Ranhynn life.
"At a guess," came a slightly older, somewhat bored voice, "judging by the stains, drink; from the claw marks on the walls, drugs; and from the feathers, fighting. Welcome to the shitty side of life."
"I've never seen anything like it."
"No, you wouldn't," the tone remained bored. "Guarding a Cardinal doesn't exactly set you up for this. After all," the tone now became somewhat sarcastic, "Cardinals can afford fresh bedding."
"I suppose not," came the doubtful reply.
"Well, are you going to get on with it?"
"I suppose."
There was a sound of some prodding of rubbish.
"Nothing!" came the young voice. "I suppose I'd better check these two rooms."
"Yes, it'd be a bit embarrassing if he was hiding behind a door," came the sarcastic comment.
There was more noise of rubbish being thrown about, then Kazyn's heart almost skipped a beat. The sound of the next cupboard door. Then there was the sound of rubbish falling out, a cry of "Shit!" then more rubbish being thrown around.
"Now what d'you think you're doing?"
"All this rubbish fell out. I was . . ."
"Putting it back?" There was a howl of despair. "Yes, a tidy mind's a great thing, but . . . Oh never mind. Come on! Let's get out of here!"
"But . . ."
"Come on. You don't seriously think anyone's hiding in a cupboard do you?"
"Well, I . . ."
"I know. Keen for your first kill. Sorry, son, but not today. Our bird has flown."
There was the gradual sound of retreating feet, then silence.
Kazyn waited, and waited, and finally gently opened the door. Nobody. He crawled out, and straightened his legs.
This was serious. They had been Conclave guards, and they appear to have orders to kill him.
Why?
Chapter 18
"Excuse me!"
Natasha turned to find a young Ranhyn tapping her on the shoulder. He or she was dressed in a resplendent uniform, which Natasha now recognised as that of the most junior of staff. "Yes?"
"You have a visitor who wishes to talk to you."
"That's funny," Natasha said to Gaius, without thinking. "Hadell said she wasn't coming today."
"It isn't Kuyrill Hadell."
"Oh?" Natasha said in surprise. "Who can it be?"
"Why don't we go and find out?" Gaius shrugged.
They made their way to the reception area, where, besides three groups of Ranhynn who were talking with great agitation, there was a lone, relatively drab Ranhyn, clearly a female. They were led to this female.
"I am Baht," the female bowed her head. "I have a message. In fact I have three messages, except . . ."
"Then why don't we hear them," Gaius smiled.
"The first is from Kazyn," Baht said. "He wants me to tell you he is alive and well, but he has a problem. Somebody seems to be after him."
"Does he know who?" Gaius asked.
"That's the second message," Baht explained. "The reason it's a second message is it's not really for you, but you're allowed to know. In fact I was hoping you might pass it on for me. It's for Seppet Methrell."
"Why is it easier for me to get to Seppet Methrell than you?" Natasha frowned.
"That's the third message," Baht explained quickly. "Seppet Methrell wants to see you. If you say yes, it will happen."
"Then we'd better see this Methrell," Gaius shrugged.
"Um . . . not you," Baht said, in an embarrassed way. "She specifically said, only Kazyn's honorary nestling."
"That sounds dangerous," Gaius said quickly, before Natasha could answer.
"I do not think so," Baht replied. "Seppet Methrell promised me you would be safe, and said it would be a matter of honour. For her," Baht added as an explanation, "to make it a matter of honour and be treacherous would mean she would never be able to have a senior position in a Curia." Her voice dropped as she added, "She might as well be like me, unacknowledged."
Natasha stared at this young Ranhyn, and suddenly understood the pain of this lower caste. "I'll see this Methrell," she said, "and somehow I'll see you are looked after afterwards."
"I doubt that will be possible," Baht shook her head.
"You'd be surprised," Gaius said softly. "Anyway, if Natasha is to get a message to Methrell, you'll have to tell us what it is."
"Oh, yes," Baht brought herself back to the present. "He is being pursued by members of the Conclave Guard. That is a very special group of soldiers that are only answerable to the Cardinals." She paused to let this set in, then she added, "Apparently they have orders to kill him on sight. He learned of this while hiding from them. They were within meters of him, or at least so he says," she added. "Furthermore," Baht continued, "the two who put that carcass in his larder were paid to do so from one of the unacknowledged sons of Cardinal Sender."
"A Cardinal has unacknowledged sons?" Gaius mused.
"Cardinals may not have official offspring," Baht explained, "but they still have offspring. They are somewhat prolific so they have many unacknowledged offspring." She paused, and added, "Mind you, they don't know what it's like to be really unacknowledged."
"So what does all this chasing after Kazyn mean?" Gaius asked softly.
"What Kazyn wants," Baht added, "is for you to tell Methrell this, and watch carefully her reaction."
"Kazyn wants to know whose side this Methrell is on?" Natasha nodded.
"I assume so," Baht said.
"Then you will come too," Natasha said softly. "You must be the one to judge Methrell's reaction."
"I can't," Baht said. "I'm too unimportant to –"
"You can, and it's important to me," Natasha said. "You will sit in on the discussions."
"But Methrell will throw me out," Baht protested.
"Then I follow straight after," Natasha said.
"That would insult Methrell. She might –"
"In which case I will definitely need you to show me places to hold up or hide until help can arrive."
"I don't think help is practical," Baht said. "If –"
"If the Ranhynn government wants to kill us, there isn't much we can do about it," Gaius agreed, "but I promise you, it won't be a free ride. But let's not go down that track. We have absolutely no reason to suspect that Methrell will be dishonourable, and if it's status you need, I'll make you an honorary Ulsian consul."
"What?" came a bemused response.
"You can have diplomatic protection," Gaius grinned, "and the status of a representative of the most powerful civilization we know. Now, I think you should take Natasha to see this Methrell."
Chapter 19
Natasha was pleased to see that the meeting place was not very far away, and getting to it involved nothing more than a pleasant walk. She was struck at first at how many similarities there were with Terran cities, although there were also clear differences. Shops looked like shops, with glass windows and advertising, but what was for sale was somewhat different, with a significant number of small butcheries offering tasty delights. A "Take-away" was usually something still wriggling.
They then entered a large open area in the form of an octagon, and the buildings around this appeared to be more of a commercial area, because the open shops declined, and entrances had lists of tenants, and these included lawyers, accountants, priests, and various purveyors of "personal services". Natasha had no idea what these could be, and she decided it was probably wise not to ask. The buildings were usually four floors high, and these were somewhat lower than in the part she had come from, which appeared to be mainly dedicated to hotels. The city was apparently divided into "use – related" sections. The open area had a central sectio
n that was used to grow a variety of flowers, and Natasha was impressed with the display, so much so that she stood staring at it. It was then she felt a tug on her arm, and Baht indicated a door.
The sign indicated "personal services" and at first Natasha was both intrigued and concerned, but it turned out that the service was that of supplying "rent an office", the offices specifically designed for holding confidential meetings. The rooms were guaranteed to be sound-proof and free of listening devices, they were comfortable, at least for Ranhynn, and there was a food and drink ordering service, where the ordered food would come by means of a small trolley that ran along rails in a cavity within the wall.
Natasha and Baht approached the reception desk, and Baht was asked to leave by the receptionist. Baht seemed only too willing to comply, but Natasha insisted. There was a pause, a conversation was held over a communicator, and to Baht's surprise, she was immediately permitted to accompany Natasha, and the receptionist gave a forced apology. It was obvious that annoying Seppet Methrell was a very bad idea.
They were escorted to a room, the door was open, and it was suggested that they enter. Natasha did so, and noticed that this room was most definitely rented. The furniture was basic, although there were full computer facilities along one wall. There was a desk, but that was empty. To the left of the room were several chairs, not surprisingly designed for the Ranhynn, but to Natasha's surprise, one seemed to be designed specifically for her. Opposite this sat Seppet Methrell.
Natasha could immediately see that this Ranhyn was very familiar with command, and while her reading of Ranhyn expressions was still somewhat rudimentary, Methrell seemed to be quite relaxed as she sipped from a large mug.
"Thank you for coming, Natasha Kotchetkova," she said. "As you may guess, I am Seppet Methrell, of the Military Curia. Over there," she said, pointing to a cavity in the wall, "you should order refreshments. Baht, please show Natasha how to do it."
Natasha followed Baht, and to her surprise, found a menu in English, and another in Latin. The two were not identical, for the Latin one had items that she had only seen before from Gaius' ship. She quickly decided to opt for one of these.
Methrell nodded, and gave what Natasha interpreted as a slight smile, then she looked at Baht, who was returning empty-handed, and insisted that Baht order something.
"Order something expensive," Methrell smiled. "Something you wouldn't ordinarily have. After all, the military is paying. Get something for your taxes!"
"It seems as if you are suggesting that in Ranhyn society taxes are an issue just as they are back home," Natasha smiled.
"Oh, from what I've heard there're many similarities," Methrell said. "The major difference is bureaucracy. Here it's much worse."
"I find it hard to believe," Natasha smiled, "that a Terran official could be considered as a source of advice on reducing bureaucracy."
"There are many surprises in the galaxy," Methrell shrugged. "You like your drink?"
"It is very . . . interesting," Natasha said.
"Interesting?" Methrell frowned.
"It's not quite what I expected," she explained. "Gaius makes this, and I assumed this would be the same."
"Yes, I suppose it should be," Methrell nodded. "It looks as if the recipe's changed a little."
Natasha stared at Methrell for an instant, then immediately returned to her drink. Changed? How could a Roman recipe change on Ranh?
"Anyway, I like it," Natasha quickly added. "It was just a bit of a surprise. But I assume you did not bring me here to comment on recipes?"
"I'm glad you like it," Methrell said, "and you are correct. You have come to Ranh, and quite appropriately have approached the Space Curia, but I have heard nothing from them. I would appreciate it if you would tell me what's going on."
"Then I'm going to disappoint you," Natasha replied, and noticed that Methrell was not at all pleased by that phrase. "I have no idea. They haven't been back to me, and if anything, I was hoping you might be able to enlighten me."
There was a frown, then almost a laugh as realisation dawned. "So," Methrell said, "they haven't got back to you. Why haven't you pushed them?"
"Because Kuyrill Hadell advised me to wait and see," Natasha replied. "She is the only one I have to advise me on Ranhyn protocol, now that Kazyn has, well, I'm not sure what he's done, but I have a message from him to you."
As Natasha gave her message Methrell was at first unmoved, but when she heard the "kill on sight" order, and the uniforms, she frowned.
Suddenly, there was a sharp noise, and a canister of some sort came through the window. In a flash, Methrell picked it up, and threw it back out.
"Quick! Back to the reception area." She held the door open, for Natasha and Baht to exit. They ran down to the reception area, to see a small but voluble crowd outside the main door.
"What do they want?" Methrell growled at the receptionist.
"The . . the human," the receptionist replied. He was clearly frightened.
"Baht," Methrell said softly. "Would you please go outside, and tell them to go away. Don't let them get too close to you." When Baht looked doubtful, Methrell added, "I'll protect you, but I want time to get my boots off."
Baht was clearly unhappy, but she strode towards the door. Natasha was at first somewhat puzzled at why someone would want to remove their boots, but when the very powerful seemingly razor-sharp claws on the toes and above the heels became visible, she began to understand.
"You should go away," Baht announced, as firmly as she could. She was a little surprised that her voice was so even.
"Oh!" came the sneering reply from one of them. "We should go away should we? Well, you've got that wrong. You'd better run off while you've still got feathers."
Three of them began to advance on Baht, and she found herself discarding her nice fashionable shoes, almost by instinct.
It was then that Natasha noticed the receptionist hold open the door. As one of the would-be assailants was reaching with his jaws towards Baht, clearly intending to take a good bite, there was a grey brown streak through the door in an almost straight horizontal line, head, neck, back, tail. Two massive jaws sunk into the neck of the leading assailant, then Methrell's body swung around in a grand circle, and the claw on the left leg slashed across the throat of a second one. At the same time, the point of the tail thrust into the throat of the third assailant, who fell to the ground, gasping. As her feet came to the ground, she spat out the head, while the body of her first target flapped helplessly before falling to the ground, blood gushing. The second stood gurgling, blood flowing, then also fell back.
Two others charged forward, and Baht, to what she described later as to her own complete surprise, leaped, and managed to get on the back of an attacker. She held on for all she was worth and raked as hard as she could.
The other tried to do the same to Methrell, but just as he leaped, Methrell leaped sideways, and brought her powerful tail around to strike the throat. The Ranhyn fell, and was slightly stunned, which left a clear opening. Again the jaws tightened around the throat as Methrell threw her body over her victim's back. Another headless body flapped around.
At this point five soldiers came running, and the small group of Ranhynn threw fearful glances between them and the bloody face of Methrell. A scream then rang out, and Methrell turned to see the Ranhyn beneath Baht fall to the ground, his intestines flopping out.
"Line them against the wall," Methrell ordered the soldiers. No questions were asked, and the Ranhynn formed a neat line, with the soldiers in front, weapons pointed.
"I think I might have killed him," Baht said, almost apologetically. "I suppose that was wrong."
"I think you did very well and were fully justified," Methrell smiled at her, "but let's ask this crowd." Methrell turned to the line, and snarled, "Would anybody here challenge Baht's right to self defence? Does anybody challenge her right to have gutted that wretch?"
Nobody did.
"I ordered her
to stand for me," Methrell said. "The responsibility is therefore mine, and as a matter of honour, I stand for Baht. Does anybody challenge me?" Her bloodied expression showed that any challenge would result in instant death.
When nobody replied, she waved to Natasha to step forward.
"Natasha Kotchetkova was a guest of mine, and as a matter of honour she must return unharmed, and untroubled. Does anybody wish to trouble her?" Methrell's expression almost pleaded for the chance to let more blood.
"Then," Methrell continued, "you will tell me who ordered you to come here like a bunch of egg-eaters to do what?"
The victims stood, petrified.
'You are in greater danger. Assassins!' The message came to her from Katya. She looked around, quickly, for cover, then down both streets. Nothing. Then up. On the other side of the street, on the top of the building, something that looked like a weapon.
"Take cover!" she yelled. "Top of opposite building!" At that moment, as she was moving towards the two Ranhynn, she saw a small blue light on the wall that moved across the ground and headed towards Methrell. She dived across and pushed Methrell away and to the ground as the beam weapon spat. Baht stared for an instant as a chunk of wall vaporized then she too dived for cover. Two soldiers opened fire at the roof, but then the target changed to the line-up. Within two seconds, the two soldiers were dead.
The remaining soldiers began ineffectual fire, although it did have the effect of stopping the fire from the building. Methrell bounded to a dead soldier, picked up his weapon, and gave a series of orders to the soldiers. Then again in that rather strange action where head, neck, back and tail formed a straight line, she bounded across the open ground to towards the building directly opposite. Some of the soldiers maintained fire towards the top of the building, while others ran to cover the rear of the building. When Methrell reached a door, the remaining soldiers ran across the open area to enter the buildings adjacent to where the assailant had fired. As Natasha realised, if those assassins came down the elevator and out the front door, there would be nothing to stop them killing her.