Conflict and Courage

by Candy Rae

  The Ryzck was to run south after warning the mining camps that they would be responsible for their own defence for the time being.

  The thirty-five vadeln-pairs were securing the cabins and freeing the kura to roam until their return.

  In a hurry, Tina gathered together Eitel’s and her possessions, a change of uniform, some small things and toilet articles. Daltei and his fellow Lind were partaking of a meal, the last they would get for a while unless they came across a stray beast or two on the run to Afanasei.

  She carried her pack outside and dumped it under Daltei’s armour and harness that sat on the racks on the outside wall of her and Eitel’s cabin, her mind in a whirl.

  Was it just a bell ago that everything had turned upside down?

  Ryzcka Richard knew only that they were being recalled.

  “Are the Larg attacking?” asked Satirya’s Grant. As a newly promoted Vadryza he felt it his business to know. Grant took his duties seriously, too seriously Tina thought, glad that she wasn’t in his Vadryz as the individual troops within each Ryzck were called.

  “I have not heard nor has Maronsaya.” Maronsaya and her vadeln Victor were responsible for the Ryzck’s communications. “She has heard some faint ‘sendings’ from the west, but nothing clear.”

  That was to be expected this far north. Mountains interfered with telepathic ‘sendings’, no one knew why. The recall had been relayed via Tarmsei, Susa of pack Afanasei’s Lindar.

  “Something’s up,” Eitel had muttered, “you go get our things together, I’ll see to Jilya and Daltei.”

  Tina busied herself settling Daltei’s harness on his back, a delicate operation when travel packs had to be attached to the cinches.

  They were leaving unnecessary possessions behind, Richard having ordered that they travel as light as possible. A duty posting normally lasted four months and the vadeln-pairs usually took with them various leisure items and hobbies, which made life more bearable, especially in a cold mountain posting such as this one. This time Eitel’s books and Tina’s woodcarvings would remain, also the heavy, double-lined, cold weather clothing.

  As she readied Daltei, Tina noted that Sharon, their medic, was in the process of attaching not one but two large medpacks to Anlei’s harness.

  : We’re riding to war : she thought with a surge of panic as she watched Grant inspect armour and weaponry with more than his usual zeal, adjusting fittings here and there and sending Mark back to the equipment shed for a replacement chest-guard for Aya.

  Daltei was tense.

  The command came to move out and the thirty-five vadeln-pairs left their base at a steady lope, one guaranteed to eat up the miles without expending too much energy. They would reach Afanasei domta in four days.

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 31 - ARGYLL

  Peter and Radya returned to the Eighth Ryzck.

  He was welcomed with a considerable amount of good-natured banter and teasing about Tara but the teasing was short-lived.

  “We’re on alert,” his Vadryza informed him.

  Peter glanced over at the fortifications.

  “The Garda are forming up and’ll be here soon,” the man finished.

  “Other Ryzcks?” asked Peter.

  “On their way, those who aren’t already. Quarters will be pretty cramped so best claim a bed-space before all those with roofs that don’t leak are gone.”

  “I’ll do that,” promised Peter.

  “When you’re settled, Kim and Slei want to see you. She seems to think that, as you have come straight from Jim Cranston, you’ll likely know more about what’s happening than we’re being told.”

  “Which is?”

  “Muster here and wait for orders.”

  Ryzcka Kim Douglas was waiting for Peter in her quarters. This being the first Vada patrol base built, they were sturdy and very extensive. She was studying a detailed map of the coastline, a worried frown on her face.

  She looked up as Peter entered.

  “Glad to see you back,” she said and being Kim came straight to the point, “perhaps you can shed some light on the rumours that are going around. Are the Larg attacking here?”

  She stabbed at the map with her index finger, “orders said to wait and that an attack is probable in six to eight weeks.”

  “I don’t know much,” began Peter, taking the indicated chair with relief. He was stiff and sore after his ride.

  “You’ve been at Afanasei. What does Jim say?”

  “I was at Holad Winston,” Peter corrected her, “but I did speak to Jim.”

  “And?”

  He said that we will be at war by midsummer. All the intelligence gathered from the southern continent backs this up. I know we must have someone in Murdoch otherwise Jim would not be so certain. However, Fernei of the Avuzdel does not agree with Jim, he thinks sooner than midsummer, possibly in a few weeks.”

  Kim nodded. She was not surprised.

  “Did Jim confirm that they will be attacking here?” she demanded.

  Peter lifted his hands helplessly. “I think, myself, he doesn’t know. The kohorts are moving but where? Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “The convicts? Do we know where the regiments are?”

  “On manoeuvres … in Brentwood.”

  “Brentwood? Are you sure? That’s a fair step from the island chain.”

  It was Peter’s turn to nod.

  “That is Jim’s dilemma. A mass of conflicting information and intelligence.”

  “So we wait,” Kim concluded, “at least the slavers are giving us a break; no attacks anywhere the last few weeks.”

  “Why doesn’t that fill me with confidence?” asked Peter.

  Kim looked at him.

  “Point taken. They could be anywhere, couldn’t they? They’ve never let up before. I wonder what they’re up to.”

  Kim stood up.

  “That’s all for now Peter. Stay close by though, when the rest of the Ryzcka arrive no doubt they’ll have questions.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Peter saluted and left.

  Kim Douglas watched him leave, resolving to make enquiries of her own. The best people to ask, she decided after some thought, would be Alan de Groot and her own Slei’s litter-mate Kiltya. The pair had been under her command until a scant few months ago when Francis and Asya had recalled them to the stronghold. They had rather lost touch in the intervening period; Kim thought it might be a good idea if Slei made contact again.

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 32 - VADATH

  “What kept you?” asked Kath of Tara as she and Kolyei arrived at her daga deep within domta Afanasei. “You usually come and visit us long before this.”

  So Kath Andrews-Rybak welcomed her friend as she dismounted.

  “Well,” Tara temporised, then blushed.

  “Oh come on in,” laughed Kath, “I was only teasing you. Matvei told me you were on your way and I know you’ve had other fish to fry. Peter gone back to his Ryzck then?”

  “He left last week and I’ve been indulging in a streaming cold in the head. Janice told me not to come and see you until it was better,” answered Tara as she followed Kath into the large inner room; it had to be large, as well as housing Kath and James, it was home to their four foster-children (James and Kath had been looking after them since the deaths of their parents during the Battle of the Alliance), the Lind of Kath and James and their large family.

  “Janice told me you were expecting a baby,” said Tara eyeing Kath’s rounded tummy, “I’m so pleased for you and James.”

  “It was a surprise,” admitted Kath with a laugh, “all the medicos had said I couldn’t and now ...”

  “Here you are,” finished Tara.

  “Here I am,” Kath agreed, “but if I’d known the process would be so uncomfortable ...”

  “You’d have done it anyway?” ventured her friend.

  Tara knew from Janice that Kath wasn’t having an easy time of it and had hinted that the time was fast ap
proaching when bed-rest for Kath would be necessary. For now, Kath was taking it easy, any exertions having been forbidden to her.

  Tara waved Kath to the huge couch in the corner of the room.

  “I’ll get the kala.”

  Soon the two old friends were sitting gossiping. Kath and Tara had always been close, ever since they had bonded with their Lind Matvei and Kolyei, the first two humans to do so. Now that Tara was grown up, their friendship was closer than ever.

  “Tell me about your adventures in the west,” pleaded Kath, “and about Emily and Brian’s little boy, his name’s Alexander isn’t it?”

  Tara smiled, “he’s gorgeous. Haven’t you seen him yet? I’d have thought Emily would have brought him over since you can’t ride anywhere at the moment.”

  “Not allowed to walk anywhere either. In fact, she’s bringing him round to see me the day after tomorrow. She would’ve come today but I wanted to see you first. Matvei says Ilyei sounded a bit edgy when they spoke.”

  “I think Emily feels that if the south do attack, as Jim thinks they might, she should leave Alexander with her parents and join Winston and the Holad at the stronghold, she’s a qualified Vada medic, remember. That’s what’ll have unsettled Ilyei.”

  “You’re probably right,” said Kath, “you always could get to the root of things. I’d have thought Holad training would have been right up your street as well as Emily’s. I was surprised when you didn’t.”

  “I don’t like the sight of blood,” grinned Tara, “some medic I’d be fainting away every time I had to tend a wound.”

  Kath changed the subject and Tara was soon regaling her with tales of the journey west. Caught up in the story she managed to put out of her mind the threat of war and Kath listened fascinated. Tara told good stories; they were always guaranteed to keep her listener’s attention.

  She didn’t notice James and the three youngest foster children arrive and settle down at her feet to listen.

  When her story came to an end she was urged to tell more but claimed she couldn’t speak another word until her throat had had a rest.

  “Which is what Kath should be doing right now,” said James with a merry twinkle at his wife, “Matvei will be home soon and Rozya and the ltsctas are on their way in too.”

  Engrossed in her reunion with her oldest friend, Tara hadn’t even asked where they were.

  “Hunting lesson,” said James by way of explanation, “they are almost three summers old and Matvei said it was time they learned.”

  “You’ll stay for supper?” enquired Kath.

  Tara was only too happy to agree, her and Peter’s daga was a lonely one with Peter and Radya gone.

  “You can tell me about the others,” she agreed, “it seems that I’ve done most of the talking today. Now it’s your turn. What of Alan and Kiltya?”

  So began yet more extensive gossip.

  Eleven years prior to this day, only months after the WCCS Argyll had landed on the planet, twelve Lind had ‘persuaded’ twelve children, Kath and Tara among them, to run away with them. Those twelve pairs had become known as the ‘Children of the Wolves’, the first to form lifelong mind-to-mind bonds. They had formed a tight-knit family unit, with Kath, as the oldest, at its head. The survivors were all grown up but they still made the effort to visit Kath as often as they could, duties permitting.

  “Alan and Kiltya are fine,” said Kath, “they’re with the Second Ryzck, they were transferred a few months ago.”

  “When did you see them last?”

  “They passed through on their way to pack Jalkei where, I presume, they still are spending their leave time.”

  Tara’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

  “Pack Jalkei?”

  “Alan,” continued Kath, “has formed an attachment with a young lady in his Ryzck. Luckily Kiltya and Enlei feel the same way and the four of them intend to spend their time with Enlei’s family. I can see the news pleases you.”

  “Relieved more like,” admitted Tara. “I was worried about how Alan would react to the news of me and Peter finding each other so to speak.”

  “No need to fret about that now. He was ecstatic when they left.”

  “I’m glad for him,” was Tara’s simple comment.

  Ever since the first months, when the children had ‘left’ Settlement and Tara had helped him come to terms with his grief at the death of his family and siblings, Alan had kept a barely concealed deep adoration for Tara within him; one that, with the passing years, had not diminished in the least despite the fact that Kiltya and Kolyei had repeatedly expressed a sexual disinterest in each other. Kolyei’s heart always had been in Radya’s keeping.

  Kath knew that Alan had been deeply unhappy about the situation.

  “Have you met her?” urged Tara, “will she make him happy?”

  “They are very much in love, she’s quiet, introspective, much like Alan, but her feelings for him are genuine – yes, I believe they will be happy.”

  “What about the others?”

  “You heard about Brenda?”

  “Yes,” answered Tara with a gulp. Out of the original twelve ‘Children of the Wolves’, five were now dead. The twins Bill and Geoff, Thomas and Moira had been killed at the Battle of the Alliance and Tara had learned of the more recent death of their fifth while she and Kolyei had been in the west, “how is Yvonne taking it?”

  Yvonne, Brenda and the long-dead Moira had formed an inseparable threesome in these early days.

  “Not well,” admitted Kath, “she’s with the First Ryzck; they’re in Argyll at the moment. She feels Brenda’s death and fears she’ll be next.”

  “When this emergency is over I’ll have a talk with her,” Tara promised, “I might be able to help.”

  “If anyone can it will be you, you were always the one we went to with our problems.”

  “And Mark; what of him and Aya?”

  “He’s with the Tenth, has been from the first.”

  “I’ll see him soon then,” said Tara with satisfaction. “Word is their Ryzck is on their way here. I like Mark, he’s always been fun to have around.”

  The Tenth Ryzck arrived at domta Afanasei the following day. They had made good time and were eager to set down their travel packs at the dom and go visit their friends and relations.

  For none was this more true than for Tina, Eitel and Mark and their respective Lind partners. Tina couldn’t wait to see Tara again.

  “Lets go over now,” she suggested, shoving arms and armour on to the racks all higgledy-piggledy, in such a manner it is safe to say that, if Grant decided to hold an inspection, she would be in deep trouble. But fate was kind to her for once and Grant merely remarked that it would be best done before morning assembly as he dismissed them with a laugh.

  “What’s up with him?” queried Tina as she, Eitel, Mark and their Lind sped hotfoot and hotpaw for Tara’s daga.

  “Don’t you know?” gasped Mark as he panted to keep up, “he’s got a girlfriend here.”

  “Grant has a girlfriend? And who was misguided enough to pitch on him? Is she by any chance both blind and deaf?”

  “Neither,” was Mark’s reply with an answering grin.

  “Do I know her?”

  “Violet Randall.”

  “She’s only a kid,” exclaimed Tina.

  “I believe she’s almost eighteen.”

  “Never! How the time flies. I remember her as a knock-kneed little girl in pigtails.”

  “She’s blossomed, believe me.”

  “I never heard she’d paired with a Lind.”

  “She hasn’t, she’s training to become a vet like her dad.”

  The reunion between Tina and Tara was full of tears and laughter. Eitel and Mark stood well back from the effusions until the first raptures were over, only then did they provide Tara with the opportunity to welcome them in their turn, submitting to being hugged tight.

  “It’s good to see you all,” Tara declared, her eyes sparkling. She g
rinned at Tina and Eitel,” and to see you both together at last. When did it happen and what took you both so long?”

  “Last summer,” declared Eitel with an answering grin, “and look who’s talking. Took you and Peter longer than us. What’s your excuse?”

  Eitel believed in carrying the war into the enemy’s camp wherever possible.

  “There were reasons,” she answered with dignity, “but ‘nuff said,” she drew them into the daga, “tell me all your news. Kath is expecting us tomorrow by the way, she can’t manage over to us, doctor’s orders.”

  “Is she hurt?” was Mark’s concerned enquiry.

  “You’ll see,” was Tara’s enigmatic comment, she didn’t want to spoil Kath’s surprise.

  Mark grunted, but he knew better than to press the issue when Tara had that certain secretive gleam in her eye.

  Tina glanced over at their Lind as they entered. Their reunion was in full swing, Kolyei’s welcome was not perhaps as demonstrative as Tara’s but they were clearly enjoying themselves. Soon, Tina knew, Kolyei would take his friends off to hunt and they would probably not return until dusk fell, maybe not even then. She hoped Tara had spare bedrolls. She didn’t much fancy a night tramp back through the unfamiliar woods to the dom.

  The sun was high the next morning when the four made their way to James and Kath’s daga. As they rode, Tara pointed out changes in the domta since Mark’s last visit.

  Tina and Eitel had been a tad diffident about accompanying them, not wanting to intrude but Mark shushed them. “Kath asked me and Aya to make sure you came. There’s only seven of us originals left now and with Peter, Alan and Yvonne away, Tara feels the deaths of the five keenly and Emily and Ilyei still don’t like thinking about Thomas and Stasya so please come and help keep up the numbers. Emily is bringing Alexander and I know you’d like to meet the little chap. I certainly do. Tara says he’s the spitting image of Brian and that’s something I want to see.”

  “Freckles and all?” laughed Tina.

  “Freckles and all,” he affirmed.

  “Heard from Duguld lately? Has he found his mother yet?”