by C A Ardron
He sighed. He’d been misleading the Predgarians for the last few years, but this was low. Eagle wrapped the girl in her woollen blanket, she was only wearing a simple nightdress, wouldn’t want her to get cold.
Picking her up, Eagle hoisted her onto his shoulder. The Unicians would be livid and would most likely blame the Predgarian Order for their lax security. Well, guess that wasn’t his problem now. Not after this.
Eagle left and headed back to the fire escape. What was so special about this girl? Surely she wasn’t worth throwing aside all the rules for?
Well, maybe he’d find that out tomorrow, if he didn’t get arrested and executed first.
* * *
A sharp rap came at the door. Tigermoth ignored it, remaining sat at her dressing table. She combed her ash-blonde curls and glanced once at her left hand, a faint scar running over the top of it.
After a moment she forgot it, running the hand over the skin of her perfect, unblemished face. She didn’t look a day over twenty. That’s the age she’d been when the moth medallion had first been placed about her neck. Thirty-four years wasn’t a long enough time for her to age whilst wearing her beloved silver amulet every day. It was more effective than any anti-aging cream.
That annoying tapping came at the door again.
‘Come,’ she called, putting on her best bored tone.
Watching through her mirror, her eyebrows arched when along with her trusty Elite, Blue Chameleon, another Reptile warrior stepped in.
She turned in her seat. ‘Bronze Cobra,’ she purred at the short, middle-aged Unician. ‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’
Tigermoth ignored Chameleon for now. Still in his heavy, blue plates and ugly Reptile helmet, the tall, muscular man stood straight, saying nothing.
Tigermoth knew the blue warrior disapproved of how much time she made for Cobra - which just made her do it more. It galled her how little interest in her as a woman Chameleon took. At least Cobra made the effort.
‘General Silver Tigermoth,’ Cobra gave an extravagant flourish, ‘you’re looking lovely this evening - a new dress?’
Tigermoth smiled, giving Chameleon a pointed stare as she stood to properly show off the silvery velvet.
‘Why yes, I’ve missed you, Cobra. Between Chameleon’s dull eyes, Weasel’s drinking habits and Swallow’s complete lack of style, it sometimes feels a waste buying nice things for myself.’
‘Cobra’s eyes must be duller than mine,’ Chameleon grunted, ‘considering how many drugs he takes.’
Cobra waved a finger at him. ‘Now I do indeed take MES to stop a certain sclithe from finding out about my visits here, but only on the way back.’ He flashed Tigermoth a sly grin. ‘I keep myself alert for visiting Sharglin’s esteemed general, so I can keep up with her sharp intellect.’
Chameleon gave a small groan. Tigermoth was pretty sure he was rolling his eyes inside his helmet.
Returning to her chair, she decided to stop the pleasantries. She knew Cobra would always play along but they both had better things to do. ‘What do you have for me?’
Cobra gestured to a spare chair in the corner, ‘I may be seated?’
Tigermoth barely had time to nod before he was obliging himself.
‘Is Swallow not around this evening?’
‘She’s in the mines,’ Chameleon supplied, ‘sentry duty.’
Cobra chuckled, ‘oh-ho, has she been misbehaving?’
‘No,’ Tigermoth told him, her frown hard. ‘She’s cost us a prime position.’
‘Ah, being outed as a Sarpien,’ Cobra mentioned with a small smirk.
Tigermoth gaped. ‘How do you know about that?’
‘I have my sources,’ Cobra’s face turned lofty but only for a moment. He shrugged, ‘well, I don’t mind telling you. Good news for me, bad for you, unfortunately. During Swallow’s time with us in West, she was grooming a Predgarian within her unit. Very young, only nineteen – but good. He’s already a green, you’ve probably seen him around.’
‘Are you talking about Blue Dingo’s partner?’ Chameleon asked.
Cobra pointed at him, ‘that’s the one. Young, idealistic, more than a bit naïve and very, very powerful. Swallow did well in slowly subverting his opinions and morals, but when he finally snapped, he didn’t come to you, he went to Jackal.’
Tigermoth’s teeth clenched. ‘Jackal,’ she spat. ‘Someone needs to push him out a hopper.’
Cobra chuckled again. ‘Not likely to happen anytime soon, most of his Sarpiens are afraid of him. Gecko is the culprit behind the Predgarians finding Swallow out. It really was nothing to do with her. Jackal fed Gecko the information and sent him on his way.’
‘So the kid’s a Sarpien now?’ Chameleon asked, his voice betraying mild surprise.
‘No, not yet. Jackal’s giving him a bit of a run-around, seeing just how far he’s willing to go to get what he wants.’
‘What does he want?’ Tigermoth asked.
‘Fame, respect, power – the usual.’
Tigermoth leaned back in her seat, crossing her bared legs. ‘If Jackal hasn’t reeled him in yet, we could take him.’
‘I’d prefer you didn’t,’ Cobra replied.
Tigermoth arched an eyebrow at him.
‘He’s strong, and has many abilities similar to my own,’ Cobra explained. ‘He may even have an aptitude for the arcane. He’ll be a formidable Sarpien – but not yet. He needs training and experience. Trust me, Tigermoth, it’s better to leave him in my hands for now. I can properly turn him into a warrior a general would pay handsomely for, but right now, he’s really not worth much.’
Tigermoth nodded. ‘Fine, I’ll trust your judgement – but I’ll be keeping an eye on him. I could do with another green.’
‘Well,’ Cobra said, scrubbing at his short hair. ‘I can’t offer you that, but I can tell you the reason I’m here – which is just as good.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘There’s a small plot currently on-going which I’ve only recently become aware of, but it’s an interesting one.’
Tigermoth grinned. ‘I’m always happy to muddy up the waters for Jackal when I can.’
‘This one isn’t Jackal’s, though he has involved himself in it, so I guess it amounts to the same thing. You’re no doubt aware of the reds in North Sector?’
Chameleon groaned, making Cobra chuckle.
‘I haven’t had much contact with them,’ Tigermoth admitted. ‘They’re keeping to themselves, for now anyway. They may be settling in before trying to carve up more territory.’
‘Perhaps so. From the things I’ve heard Jackal say I think he shares your opinion. However, one of the red Sarpiens hasn’t been staying put in North Sector. He’s been out and about in West – attacking Predgarians.’
Tigermoth frowned. ‘Why would they do that?’
‘Well, I suppose they could have all manner of reasons. Jackal thinks this is a veiled challenge in his direction.’
‘It could well be,’ Chameleon noted. ‘Attacking Predgarians or Dakkonin in another sclithe’s domain is always a good way to get a general’s attention.’
‘The interesting thing about this little play, is how the red Sarpien’s gone about it. He’s kidnapped the Predgarian, Bronze Hawk and left a message stating that if his unit wants him back, then his partner has to come get him – alone.’
‘Who’s his partner?’ Chameleon asked.
Cobra’s smile was evil as he looked across the room at Tigermoth. ‘Silver Falcon.’
Tigermoth sucked in a breath before releasing a low laugh. ‘Has she been upsetting the reds? That woman doesn’t know when to stop.’
Cobra shook his head. ‘No, this time I think the blame has to be laid directly at Jackal’s feet. The last six months he’s been offering out rewards to the Sarpien which brings him the silver warrior.’
‘He wants her alive?’ Chameleon asked.
‘She’s very good,’ Cobra admitted. ‘Fast on her feet and has a
n excellent grasp on the Power. Jackal wants to pair her with Harrier.’
Tigermoth grunted, ‘of course he does. Two silver Avians would get people talking.’
Chameleon gave a slow nod. ‘Yeah, he’s already a popular subject because he’s got you, Cobra - and Mantis and Harrier. A second silver, Avian or not, would make even more Sarpiens want to work for Trine. What has this got to do with the red Sarpien though?’
‘Everything. There’s nothing that annoys a general more than another sclithe swooping in and stealing away a warrior they’ve got their eye on. This newcomer obviously wants to take Falcon for his own general before Jackal gets the chance. Jackal knows this of course and has already set plans in motion to make sure Falcon’s meeting with the Sarpien tomorrow afternoon gets interrupted. Here’s why I’ve come to tell you about it though. I know you’ve had some past dealings with Falcon, Tigermoth. I don’t know how much of a grudge you’re holding but this is your big chance.’
Tigermoth raised her eyebrows at him again. ‘Go on.’
‘The Sarpien we’re discussing is a green, the Silver Falcon will most likely walk away free if Jackal’s got anything to do with it, but perhaps not unharmed. Striking at her after she’s returned to West Sector, when she’ll be tired, is the best chance you’ll get to steal her for Sharglin.’
Tigermoth rubbed at her chin, thinking it through. A slow smile crept across her lips. ‘A silver Avian of my own,’ she purred. ‘I like the sound of that.’
Chapter Nineteen
Falcon decided not to fly to Central Sector. It would’ve been faster but didn’t want to give the Green Python the chance to see her arrive.
She’d hoped she might’ve breathed a little easier once on the bus heading into Central Sector, but only felt worse.
Falcon checked her watch. It was still early morning but couldn’t have stayed at the Centre a moment longer. Every second which passed she’d become more and more afraid Dove was going to sense her duplicity.
She didn’t want to lie to Dove and Lion but had to do this alone. Her eyes closed, trying to calm the beating of her heart as the scenery zoomed past the bus window.
How much did Python know? He couldn’t be singling her out simply because she was a silver. There were far better warriors in Steiron than her. He must know she was walking dead.
What if he said something in front of Hawk? What if he already had? Would Hawk ever look her in the eye again if he knew the things she’d done?
Falcon blew out a long, slow breath. Don’t think about that, just think about surviving. Would there be Emissaries waiting for her?
She looked down at the deep creases in her brown leather gloves as her fingers clenched. Taking a deep breath, she stretched them out, trying to get her muscles to relax.
One Emissary and she might be able to work it, make them kill her by accident. Two and it wouldn’t be plausible. If there were three…no, that was ridiculous, they wouldn’t send three after her.
Emissaries or not, she had to try and get Hawk out alive. Maybe they’d just let him go? Not too likely. Maybe if she agreed to surrender? Falcon closed her eyes again. To get Hawk out, it may come to that.
The bus ride came to an end and Falcon left her seat. Looking around, she could see the square complex which made up the Steiron Council, beyond it, seeming far away was the oblong tower of the Dakkonin temple, its scarlet sigil indistinct in the distance.
Turning, Falcon realised the marble dome of the Predgarian temple was also in sight. It looked far nicer, its four narrow towers reaching up to the cloudy sky.
She’d heard there was a Pharollin temple in Central Sector too but gazing at the tall buildings rising up in the distance, Falcon couldn’t see it.
She remembered Ishetta, browsing the maps for her next location before moving to Steiron. Central Sector was a tourism highlight with its three temples, ornate gardens and marble architecture. Pausing at the bronze arch leading into the warehouse district, Falcon placed a hand on the low marble wall, the top inserted with a tub of colourful plants.
Architecture inspired by Unicia. She wondered what the Unician Order thought to the place.
Moving through the arch, Falcon sighed, taking in the mob of people shopping at the various open-fronted warehouses. The place was huge. Glancing down at her watch, she saw it was still a couple of hours until noon, so looked up at the hanging signs, trying to locate the way to the Eastern Warehouse Yard.
Falcon weaved through the crowd, feeling tiny in amongst the average but taller Aljurians.
She found the right avenue after a while, but the crowds didn’t dissipate. When she spotted the big sign marking the entry to her location, she stopped, staring at the avid shoppers, many of them dragging small children along with them.
‘Python wants to meet here?’ she whispered. ‘Why?’
Falcon kept to the wall as she stepped further into the place, her eyes darting. She shook her head, wondering what to do. When noon arrived was he just going to activate out of nowhere, spreading panic? The crowd would stampede, and the Predgarians and Dakkonin would be here within minutes.
Wait. She stopped her train of thought, her eyes coming to rest on the warehouse right at the back. Moving a bit closer she saw the boarded doors and windows. There, that must be the meeting point.
Falcon checked her watch again. Well, might as well give the place a look over. Maybe she could get a look at the layout before the Sarpien showed up.
Making her way towards it, Falcon tried to pinpoint the best way to approach. The sides definitely but…
She looked over the throng of shoppers. Falcon shrugged, confidence was key, after all. She adopted a confident saunter, grinding her teeth when she realised it belonged to Jackal. Falcon didn’t stop though, she strode through the gates and ventured up the side as if she belonged there.
When out of sight of any civilians, Falcon came to a halt by the nearest window. Guess it was time. She reached down and pulled the medallion from beneath her leather vest. Clutching it, she concentrated, closing her eyes as the silvery light washed over her.
She rolled her neck, massaging it with one hand as her feathered wings fused into her back. Feeling her leather and steel armour settle in place, she pushed a tiny bit in her head, making the three sharp prongs of her claw slide out the top of her right gauntlet.
She sighed and began to attack the nails holding the board across the window in place. When did she become reduced to this? She was a Predgarian, not a criminal.
Falcon shook her head as she loosened the first nail. Had anything really changed? She was still on the run from the Sarpiens, even if she wasn’t physically moving around. She was a criminal, and anyone in their right minds would have her executed.
The board shifted a bit. Falcon kept working at it and caught the heavy wood when it began to fall.
Placing it on the floor and folding her wings tightly onto her back, Falcon climbed through. Her lips pursed, finding herself in a small kitchen area. Glancing behind at the window once, she moved towards the door.
Falcon strained her ears as she stepped out into the corridor. Now the staffroom door was closed she couldn’t even hear the babble of the crowd outside. Stopping at the heavy door at the other end, she grasped the handle and opened it a crack, listening again – nothing.
Falcon sucked in a breath and opened the door wider, her claw still drawn. Her eyes flickered about the surprisingly light room before roving upwards towards the large, plastic skylights. Not electrical then, just daylight.
For a moment she watched the pockets of lavender light, dust motes drifting through. It was so quiet, she would’ve expected the Sarpiens to be here early too, to set up the ambush properly.
Then again, did Emissaries need that much prep time? Falcon unfurled her wings, once again noting the high roof of the warehouse. The heavy metal girders and tough wooden boards making up the shelves would be troublesome, but the aisles were wide, she’d be able to make use of her w
ings a little when the fighting began. All the shelves were empty too, making it easy to traverse across the warehouse.
Falcon could see a fair distance across the warehouse floor. It seemed like she was alone.
Heading towards the middle of the floor, she gasped, spotting Hawk. For a second, she moved forwards but then made her feet stop. Idiot, just run in like they want?
Falcon took a deep breath, giving the area a look over. She met his pale grey eyes. Now he’d seen her he was struggling against his bonds. His captor had only used coarse rope to bind him to the steel girder. Still, it was enough to hold a prisoner unable to use the Power.
Hawk was trying to say something, but the gag was stopping him. He was acting panicked. Falcon’s eyes narrowed, glancing about her. He knew this was set up for her and knew she was in danger. His captor was there with them right now.
‘Show yourself,’ Falcon spoke, letting her voice ring out. ‘I’m through with waiting.’
The air shimmered besides Hawk and the warrior was revealed. Falcon made her intake of breath shallow, not wanting Python to notice it.
His emerald armour was vivid and only drew attention to the scarlet, horned snake winding up his left arm. For a moment she studied it, noticing the way the thick bone curved like a ram’s horns. The back was decorated with spiked ridges.
Apart from the arm, the warrior was encased head to foot in steel plates, there was no indication of the man’s mood or confidence.
‘You’re early,’ the Sarpien noted.
Falcon regarded him, her eyes drifting to the snake on his arm again. She hoped she was wrong, but there was only one sclithe living that had a headpiece like that. She pointed with her claw to her partner. ‘Let him go.’
Python chuckled, the sound rattled, grating in Falcon’s ears. ‘And why would I do that?’
Falcon swallowed, ‘of course. What other way would it be?’ She spread her hands, gesturing at the empty warehouse all around them. ‘Well, I’m here. What do you want with me?’
‘I want you to die.’
Falcon only had time to draw a single ragged breath before he charged, a jade beam erupting from his gauntleted fist.