An interesting switch the crew noticed was the reversal of gender roles. The warriors all appeared to be female, while the Felidae who were preparing food and watching after the children were all male. Liran led the crew and their garrison escort through the town, earning stares from the villagers. The children appeared baffled by the visitors, but the adults looked suspicious and some didn’t even bother hiding their hatred, baring their teeth and growling as the outsiders walked past.
“To Felidae, only two groups—Felidae and not-Felidae,” said Liran. “Only one is trusted. Many have never seen not-Felidae.”
“Where are you taking us?” asked Zarim.
“To see Chieftain,” said Liran. “Not-Felidae will explain their purpose in these lands. She will make judgment.”
As they moved through the town, they saw no doors on any of the homes. The entrances were wide open to accept any Felidae visitors. In the center of town was a ring, with stone marking the edges. The ring itself made of ice. In the ring, two Felidae squared off each other, while the others watched. The two female warriors circled each other, taking careful steps on the icy surface. One, with graying streaks in her fur, had her mane braided in an elaborate fashion , while her challenger’s mane was wild and untamed, her fur pure white. Clearly the challenger was the younger of the two.
Roaring, the young lioness sprang at her elder. The elder braced herself, and when the young one struck she took hold, spinning the two of them on the ice. The elder released, throwing the youngster across the ice. She slid, going over the edge of the ring and tumbling into the snow. Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered around the ring, and the elder held her arms up to the air, unleashing a victorious roar from her lungs.
As she stopped, she noticed Liran and the garrison, as well as the newcomers. The elder slid across the ice and gracefully hopped from the ring, walking towards the group. She stared at Liran, her gaze a mixture of anger and confusion.
“Why are not-Felidae in Felidae presence?” she asked.
Liran first bowed her head in reverence to the Chieftain. “She found them in the wild. They are skilled warriors.”
“More reason to bring them death,” said the Chieftain.
On that word, the garrison readied their weapons. Liran roared at the troops, and they relented. She stared down the Chieftain. “She means no disrespect. They say they are not here for Felidae.”
The Chieftain hissed. “Not-Felidae have said so in past. They always betray Felidae.”
“They discovered something in cave,” said Liran, gesturing to the Soulstone in Zarim’s hands. “They say they shall leave with it, never to return.”
The Chieftain found herself enthralled by the glow of the Soulstone. She gently pushed Liran aside and stepped up to Zarim. Her height was easily seven feet, and she dwarfed the cloaked pirate as she stared down at him. Zarim simply stared back at her, the ethereal glow of the Soulstone present in his eyes. She hissed once more.
“What is this sorcery?”
“This stone is important to us, we’re on a mission,” said Zarim. “Without it, there are forces that could threaten you and your people. If we don’t take it away, they will come for it.”
“Of what forces does it speak?”
“An empire,” said Zarim. “Led by a mad sorcerer. If you don’t let us take this stone, they will come for you. And they won’t come with a small group like we did, but with an army.”
“He ain’t fibbin’,” said Swul. “Last time this threat sent out some foot soldiers, they broke the defenses of the faerie kingdom. An’ that was only three of ‘em. Imagine what they’d do here with a whole lot more.”
“It speaks of war between Felidae and not-Felidae,” said Liran. “She believes this is bad for Felidae.”
“The Chieftain agrees.” She turned her back on the group and gestured to a larger reed home up on the slope. “Bring them to Chieftain’s hall. There it will be discussed.”
The garrison and Liran followed the Chieftain as she walked towards her home. One of the troops nudged Swul along with the blunt end of her spear and he grumbled in response. Ekala moved as close to Zarim as she could get and began to whisper to him. “We should’ve just killed that cat-woman when we had the chance. If not for that pacifist we picked up...” She shot a glare at Reyche. The vampire could hear her, and Ekala no doubt knew that. But Reyche didn’t give her the satisfaction of an acknowledgment.
“We were surrounded, just didn’t know it,” Zarim whispered back. “If we killed Liran, those Felidae would probably have killed us on the spot. Reyche inadvertently gave us a fighting chance.”
“So now what?” asked Ekala. “Gonna use the Soulstone power or whatever to get us out of this?”
“And go from fighting a dozen Felidae to fighting a whole village?” Zarim shook his head. “Uh-uh, we try diplomacy first.”
The Chieftain’s home, like the others, held no door. She simply entered and Liran followed. Zarim and his crew walked inside, but the garrison remained outside, barring their escape. Reeds were also used in the construction of the floor and a round, wooden table sat in the middle of the room, very close to the ground. Further in, they could see rolled mats, but no other furniture. There was a rug that appeared to be made from the fur of an animal. The Chieftain sat on her knees and Liran by her side, who motioned around the wooden surface.
“They are to sit,” she said.
They did just that. Reyche sat on her knees like the Felidae, folding her long dress beneath her. Tanus sat on one knee, with Swul plopping down beside him, knees held to his chest. Both Zarim and Ekala sat with their legs crossed.
“What power does this stone possess?” asked the Chieftain.
“It’s one of a set,” said Zarim. “When all five are gathered together, whoever has them will have the power of the gods. The man who’s after them, our enemy, he’ll use this power to plunge the world into darkness. Remake it in his own image.”
“And what will it do?” asked the Chieftain.
Zarim paused for a moment to decipher her meaning. “What will we do with them? Well, we’re going to make sure they don’t pose a threat to anyone.”
“It will destroy them?” asked the Chieftain.
“They can’t be destroyed, but they can be hidden,” said Zarim. “Make it so they won’t awaken for thousands of years.”
“What certainties does it provide?”
“Umm, certainties?” asked Swul.
“Power is dangerous. If it gains all stones, how can she be certain it will not be corrupted by the power?”
“Who else you gonna trust?” asked Ekala.
Zarim smacked her knee. “Forgive her. You have my word that we’ll see to it they never pose a threat to you again.”
“Hmph,” she huffed. “It gives its word. She has heard this promise before. From others of its kind.” The Chieftain rose to her feet. “The stone remains with Felidae. Felidae shall keep it safe.”
Zarim stood as well. “Sorry, but I can’t allow that.”
The Chieftain’s eyes narrowed. “It wishes to challenge the Chieftain?”
“Your people attacked us. We just wanted to get in and get out,” said Tanus.
Liran stood, staring at the Chieftain. “She believes their tale. Chieftain should release them.”
The Chieftain’s barely-restrained anger now directed at her subject. “She will obey the words of her Chieftain. The words of her mother.” Her head turned towards the door. “Remove them.”
The garrison entered the room, pushing the points of their spears against their prisoners. Before Zarim could react, the Chieftain pulled the Soulstone from his grasp and shoved him to the ground. Zarim sighed as looked up. “You’re making a big mistake here.”
“If it speaks the truth of this empire, then she shall deal with them if time comes,” said the Chieftain, staring at the stone. “But these creatures shall be removed from her presence.”
“Just remember we gave you a chanc
e,” said Tanus.
The Chieftain laughed. “It thinks itself a threat.”
The garrison escorted the crew from the hut and the Chieftain was left alone with Liran. The younger Felidae scowled at her leader. The Chieftain took notice of this and finally addressed her subject. “Liran will explain her thoughts.”
“She believes their story,” said Liran. “This threat feels genuine. It was she who attacked first, not them. They hold no danger for Felidae.”
The Chieftain held up her head. “She questions her Chieftain? Questions her mother?”
Liran nodded. “She believes her Chieftain—her mother—is wrong.”
“Liran should take care how she speaks,” said the Chieftain. “If she still desires to remain Felidae.”
“She does,” said Liran. “But for that, there must be a tribe. Her Chieftain’s actions may mark the end of Felidae.”
Liran dropped low, sweeping her leg across the ground. She kicked her mother’s legs out and the Chieftain toppled. The stone hovered briefly in the air and Liran reached out, her clawed fingers tipping it towards her and allowing her to catch it in her grasp. Liran moved to the door, but heard a fierce growl behind her. She turned to face her mother, just as the Chieftain leapt at her, knocking the two of them through the wall. They rolled in the snow and down the slope, the garrison and the crew stopping to watch.
Liran got up first, still holding the stone. But the Chieftain was up in nearly an instant, her form slightly larger. Liran tossed the Soulstone away and engaged her mother, jumping to meet her head, her arms slashing at the Chieftain’s body. The Chieftain used her superior size and strength to her advantage, batting away Liran’s left hand then right, and throwing her arm at her child’s neck in an effort to bring her down.
The younger Felidae rolled with the blow, swinging her body low and trying to come up at the Chieftain’s back. Liran dug her claws into her mother’s flesh, slicing down and spilling first blood over the white field. The Chieftain attacked with more ferocity, her mouth wide, trying to clamp down on her daughter’s skull. Liran squirreled out of the attack, springing into the Chieftain’s midsection and throwing her down.
The Soulstone fell not far from the dozen soldiers and the crew. Tanus swatted one of them with his artificial arm, and it transformed into its gun-form as he turned and fired a pulse into another Felidae. Ekala took advantage of the surprise caused by Liran and the Chieftain’s fight and managed to wrestle a spear from one of the Felidae. She drove the spear’s blade into the Felidae’s abdomen and, out of the corner of her eye, saw Swul intercept another Felidae who was lunging at her. Reyche mostly maintained a defense, batting away spear points, her strength and speed more than enough to counter the attacks by the warriors.
As his crew took on the warriors, Zarim made a move for the stone. He jumped into the snow, his fingers reaching out and snatching it up. Holding the stone to the sky, he concentrated on its power and let it flow through his body. He could feel a connection between all of them as the Soulstone’s power surged through him, emanating a bright, blinding flash. It stunned them all, but Zarim now moved with a lightning-quick speed. He almost single-handedly scattered the remaining guards, armed with nothing more than his bare hands. His fists hit like boulders, knocking enemies from his path.
Liran had gotten the better of her mother, and the Chieftain lay stunned in the snow, battered and bloody. Her breath was short and she studied her daughter with anger. However, there was some pride in her gaze as well— pride at her daughter’s skill in battle, and in her ferocious instincts to fight for what she believed.
“Liran has grown powerful. Strong,” said the Chieftain. “But if she insists on this course, she will experience exile.”
Liran closed her eyes while shaking her head. “No, she will not. By Felidae tribal law, she is now Chieftain, having bested the previous in battle.”
The Chieftain growled at this, but it seemed more like a futile whimper of discontent. “She cannot betray her people.”
“She does not, she goes with the not-Felidae so she may protect her people,” said Liran. “And upon her return, she accepts the position of Chieftain. Is there an understanding?”
The Chieftain struggled with this turn of events. She couldn’t very well speak out of turn now. The only course of action she had was to submit, and so she simply nodded her head. “Understanding there is. The law shall be honored.”
Liran bowed slightly and walked towards the group. “They have a ship, they said?”
Zarim nodded. “We do.”
“Then she believes now is time to depart.”
“What makes you think you’re coming with us?” asked Ekala.
Liran glared at her and pointed to Zarim and the Soulstone. “She gave them what they sought. She will ensure he honors his word. For good of Felidae.”
“Look around, girl,” said Swul. Ekala did and noticed what he did. The rest of the tribe were now approaching and none of them appeared pleased by what had transpired. But Liran held up her hand and they all paused.
“By Felidae law, she is now Chieftain. And she commands Felidae to stand down.”
Sure enough, the Felidae did as they were told. They kept their distance, but it was obvious that at the first word from their new Chieftain, they would attack the crew with relentless abandon. Liran fixed her eyes on Ekala. “If not-Felidae would rather fight, then Felidae can do so. Many Felidae anxious for the chance.”
“Don’t think we got much of a choice, do you?” asked Swul.
Ekala mumbled some colorful words under her breath. “Just don’t complain about it bein’ too hot.”
CHAPTER 21
“We sure we can afford a stop-over?” asked Tanus.
He stood bent over the maps, his human hand holding his upper body from the table. The former Dreadnought’s head was slightly raised, staring at Zarim as he steered the Excalibur. The pirate didn’t seem too pleased with the idea of veering off-course, either.
“Can we afford it? I’m not sure. Do we have much of a choice? That’s a different story.”
Tanus stood upright. “What’s that mean?”
Zarim switched on the autopilot and moved away from the helm. “Remember the guy who helped us get into Serenity? Well, he radioed a message while we were dealing with the Felidae, said he needs his payment. And given that it’s been a while since we stopped by, he’s not liable to be very pleased. Especially given what meager offerings we’ve got.”
“So why waste the effort?”
“Because he can track the ship,” said Zarim. “And between Vortai and the Dreadnoughts, the last thing we need is Gax sending mercenaries after us.”
Tanus’ countenance grew more grim. “You mean the self-appointed kingpin of Delfor? He’s who you’re indebted to?”
Zarim gave a disheartened nod. “That’s right.”
“But how can he track the Excalibur? Unless...” Tanus sighed. “He owns it, doesn’t he?”
Zarim stayed silent, which was all the confirmation Tanus required. He walked towards the helm, staring at the wheel as the autopilot kept it steady. Zarim had moved away, his eyes now staring at his boots.
“Do Ekala and Swul know?”
“No.”
“What would make you think getting in bed with a man like Gax be a good idea?”
“It wasn’t long after Ekala and I met,” said Zarim. “We were still small-time, mostly snatching whatever we could carry. Pick-pocketing, the occasional hold-up, that sort of thing. Soon enough, I stole from the wrong person, that person happened to be Gax. He gave us a chance to not only make it up to him, but also make some more money and gain some valuable skills.”
“So a criminal internship,” said Tanus.
“More or less.” Zarim chuckled a little. “When we had made peace with him, I thought we’d scrounged together enough to get our own ship. I’d had some pilot training in the past and Gax provided me with a little more. But ships don’t come cheap, a
nd when I first saw the Excalibur, I knew she was the one. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford it, so I kept looking.
“Then about a week later, I get a message. The seller was willing to drop his price. Told me to come down and meet him. Of course, once I got there, I found Gax instead. He bought the ship and offered to give it to me, provided we give him a share of our earnings.”
“In for a penny, in for a pound,” said Tanus. “Men like Gax don’t get to where they are through fair dealing.”
Zarim nodded. “You’re telling me.”
“So how does a pirate in debt end up working for a group of monks?” asked Tanus.
“Well, Xanadar is where Zarim was born.”
Tanus was confused by the pirate suddenly referring to himself in first person. He narrowed one eye and shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. Your accent is definitely that of someone who comes from one of Ra’kad’s dominions.”
“I said Xanadar was where Zarim was born,” he said. “Before that, I was someone else.”
“And who might that—”
Zarim put a finger to his lips. “Remember our one rule, Tanus.”
Tanus gave a nod of understanding. The one rule on the Excalibur, which Zarim had instructed him in shortly after he arrived, was that the people onboard had histories they wanted to leave behind. Everyone was to respect that.
“You’re right, it’s none of my business.”
Zarim nodded and gave another look over the instrument panel. “So I can trust you to monitor things while I head down to Delfor?”
“You’re going alone?” asked Tanus.
“It’ll be easier to explain if I go alone as opposed to all of us going, and easier to leave in a hurry if need be. I’ll take the sky-cycle, you just keep my girl in the air.”
Once leaving the bridge, Zarim walked down the corridor to the common area. Swul and Ekala were inside, once more playing a game of cards. The faerie held his cigar in one hand and his cards in another. As for Ekala, she twirled one of her daggers between the fingers of her free hand. Zarim stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His two oldest friends nodded to him.
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