by Various
“I am a leader that in a strange place is trying to protect my Family, keep them safe and make them strong.”
Ardam understood this, but it did not change the problem.
“I am sorry for your… difficulty, but our seedlings are under this ground. They must be born.”
There were more sounds from the crowd. The appearance on their faces was so mixed that Ardam didn’t think they were all feeling the same way. Why would they?
“Ardam, we are not able to move. We used all of the resources we were given to settle here.” Toumani exhaled heavily. “We have been here six months. There was no sign of habitation when we arrived.”
Months? Surely he didn’t mean seasons. His energy was not strong enough about the issue for the Barter to interpret the meaning. That no one was here when they arrived, he must have been referring to the rainy season.
“We were in the south, where it is warm and dry.”
“Yes, the rain was vicious when we arrived,” the Mayor said.
Ardam studied Toumani’s face. He needed to determine the words that would sway him. “Do you not care about our children?” Only a most evil adversary would not. If these beings were evil, it would make his choice of actions much clearer. While Ardam’s Family were not warriors, their allies, the Nemek Family, were. He could call upon their contract and have an army in a few days’ time.
Mayor Toumani Shaw extended his hand toward someone off to his left. A small child was handed to him. She looked at Ardam and buried her face against the Mayor’s shoulder. “We have our own children to worry about.”
Not an evil answer. Maybe he could use the Nemek for intimidation. Maybe there were possibilities he hadn’t seen yet. This was not beyond talking, but no more could be accomplished now. Since the Mayor had been honorable in his dealings, it was only reasonable that Ardam be honorable about his intent.
“You should prepare to leave. I will not allow you to stay and harm our children.”
The light one with the stick stepped forward. “Look, we’re here and we have the blasters to hold this land.”
Ardam felt anxiety from the Mayor and while the word blasters was not entirely clear to him, he had no doubt the statement was a threat. It was obvious where the danger with the two-legs resided. But Toumani had the power. He set the child down, put his hand on the other’s shoulder and pulled him back.
“Let us evaluate and discuss the situation amongst ourselves. We do not wish to harm your children but I am at a loss for a solution.”
It seemed he and Mayor Toumani Shaw were not so different; but if they were equally determined, there would be conflict.
“Yes,” Ardam said. “I will return in three days. Let us hope we can come to an accord.” Three days would be enough to call the Nemek, enough to give Ardam some options.
The Mayor surprised him by extending his hand. It was a significant show of faith. Ardam took it and did not extend the barbs. “I hope we can be friends,” Toumani said.
At that moment, Ardam did not want to summon the Nemek—but he had to protect the seedlings. Whatever plan he came up with, he hoped he did not have to hurt these beings. As long as Toumani Shaw remained in control he knew violence would be a last resort. He did not know enough about their society to guess whether that was likely to happen.
Ardam turned and retraced his steps out of the cavernous structure, the caucus followed silently behind. There was much planning to be done.
• • •
Late in the night the moons sat low in the indigo sky. The caucus sat in a rough circle in the middle of the Family’s camp. Two dozen branflee sticks surrounded them. The sticks were dipped in the insect’s own jelly; the luminous bugs let off a green glow and a cacophony of clicking sounds while they gathered and ate. It not only provided light for the gathering, but a screen of privacy. No one outside the circle would hear them unless the debate turned into a shouting match, and Ardam had not yet allowed that to happen.
A skin of klem wine was passed around and each member poured their own cup. Ardam was trying to put the caucus at ease. He didn’t think they were going to like his idea of taking the young ones to the next meeting with the two-legs. To have them relaxed when he introduced this would be much better.
They drank and the skin was passed around again. Raychit looked at him and from the curl of her ear and the set of her rightmost eye, it seemed his friend had figured out his plan to loosen them up. It was a knowing look, but Raychit had enough faith in him to let it pass. The third time the wine went around he noticed that Raychit poured little more than a swallow, much like he himself had been doing. His friend was not going to ruin his plan but she would not succumb to it either. If it landed to her when Ardam passed, Raychit would make a good Paramount.
“Mayor Toumani Shaw is to be respected in our dealings with the two-legs. With that in mind, what are your thoughts?” Ardam asked the group.
Raychit spoke first. “With all respect, we must summon the Nemek. While the Mayor has been honorable, I do not trust his cohorts, especially the pale one.”
The group grunted assent.
“I have already considered this and I regretfully agree,” Ardam said. “My friend, will you be the messenger that brings them here? But I must ask that you do it with my fourth heart, the one that holds my compassion. Make them understand that they will not attack unless called upon. They are truly our last choice of action.”
“We will owe them whether they fight, or not,” Ezcar said.
“And if they stay too long we will have to protect our spouses,” Hefkot added. Ardam knew that long in the past, when the last Paramount held the post, Nemek fighters took Hefkot’s first spouse. Even though she was returned, he was never the same.
Terron spoke. “They will not need to stay long. The fate of our seedlings will be decided before the little moon rises again.” He huffed and a low growl rolled from his throat. His words were far calmer than his language.
“I will summon the Nemek with your fourth heart, Paramount,” Raychit said to Ardam.
“And of the next meeting, what do you feel will sway the two-legs? For it does not seem that Toumani Shaw stands alone when making decisions,” Ardam said.
Kaliff had been quiet all this time, two of her eyes closed in thought. “He said their resources were limited. Why do we not extend a charitable hand and give them what we can to help them on their way? We have food to spare and there are several members of my Family that would serve as willing guides to help them find a new home.”
Having the second largest Family, Kaliff had always been a generous soul. In some ways, that generosity might have been what kept her from being on Ardam’s left, but Kaliff never seemed to mind her post.
The caucus responded with huffs and whistles, some from surprise, some from dissent.
Ezcar spoke first. “Why should we share our bounty when they threaten our seedlings?”
Raychit ground her disapproval deep and low in her throat.
Then Hefkot said, “They are troublemakers! We should not help them.”
Kaliff responded. “They did not arrive with malicious intent. Until today, they did not know we existed. Since when are we not a generous Family?”
Ardam liked the suggestion. It fit nicely with his strategy and being Paramount, he had final say. “I agree with Kaliff. We will donate a portion of our goods to help them relocate.”
Once the decision was handed down, the debate was over. The mood however did not return to calm. Ardam usually liked having more agreement within the caucus, but this time he truly felt he knew what was best. He understood Toumani Shaw in a way the others could not. He had to trust his mind and his hearts.
Ardam stood. By raising himself above those in the circle he was removing his words from discussion and making them a mandate. “In three day’s time, I will take our children to meet with the two-legs. The caucus will remain here.”
For the first time, the branflee chatter was not enough to q
uell the uprising from the caucus. They were beyond words. Chuffs and chattery whistles and keening notes broke over the secluded circle. Members of the Family stopped and stared at them. A wave of nervous twitters ruffled through the crowd. Ardam growled a low note but the caucus paid no heed. All the Family became restless though they didn’t know why. His anger stirred.
Ardam changed his pitch to a warning wail. Some quieted but still the rants continued. He stood taller and filled his torso with air. Anticipation alone dropped more Family members into silence. Then Ardam let out a rippled bellow that rumbled full force through his throat pouch, vibrating from deep in his body.
Even the branflees went silent, their lights dimmed.
He waited and let the silence stretch until it was clear that he held control. Ardam did not yell but spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “The two-legs understand the importance of children. In three days I will call upon our children to save their unborn siblings. I do not believe I will be putting them at risk.”
Raychit interrupted. Indeed, she was the only one that could at that moment. “Are you willing to pledge your life on that?”
It was the Ferrago Challenge. If Ardam didn’t accept, his decision could be overturned by the caucus. If he accepted and any of the children were injured, his life would be forfeit. He focused three eyes on Raychit. Was this a play for power or was she testing Ardam’s resolve? Either was within her right.
“Yes.” Ardam said. He didn’t fear Toumani Shaw’s response, but now his life depended on how the two-legs responded. He would have to consider his approach carefully.
The Family waited for more. He whistled a calming note, one of the primary tones from the Family’s song. “Every one of you is my child. I will protect you.”
After a long pause, Raychit sang the first note. It would be wrong for her not to honor her Paramount, regardless of whether she agreed with him. Kaliff added the second note, as was proper, and the sequence descended through the caucus. Then the rest joined in with their pitches that made up the Family song. Ardam had demanded their obedience and he was getting it. When they were all singing he added his note, the one that unified them all, and with a final pitch change, brought the song to an end.
In that silent moment, the stress of the day dissolved with the song and Ardam realized he was exhausted. He would not show it, of course. Stepping past the branflee sticks he strode out of the circle and toward the top of the ridge where he could observe the town. He settled and entrenched his toes deep in the comforting soil. No matter how tired he was he needed to appear strong. He had a promise to keep—and the Family needed to believe that he could do it.
• • •
Ardam watched the town from atop the ridge. There was not a two-leg to be seen outside of their rigid structures. The warm morning would turn into a blazing hot day. That they were not making use of prime working time was foolish, but then, maybe the heat did not affect their simple bodies so greatly.
All thirty children were lined up behind him. Each carried a pack or pushed a cart laden with food, seed and supplies. Kaliff’s Family even offered up a share of their finest farming tools. She said they would make more during the breeding season; Ardam knew it would take more than one season to replace what she gave.
This was the first time he had acted without the Family’s general approval. It saddened him not to have their faith. They stood back from him now, anxious ruffles wafting through the group as they watched their children prepare. Ardam had spoken with the young ones and told them what to do. It was a good generation; they would not react in fear. He would win the two-legs over with kindness. Ardam looked back. Beyond the Family stood rows of Nemek warriors lean and ready at his call. If kindness didn’t work…
With a huff and a whistle, Ardam started the descent. The trail of children chittered in excitement. If they were truly training he would have insisted on silence, but they were too young for that. Besides, he was counting on them being children to win over the two-legs. It was best to let them act naturally.
When they were partway down the hill, the two-legs emerged from their structures. They spread out, forming a rough line across the front of the town, a little ways back from the tiled edge. It was not dissimilar to the line Ardam’s Family had created a few days before; except he saw that only adults were present. Once again, Mayor Toumani Shaw stood out front, flanked by his two advisors.
Ardam did not hesitate in his approach. He stepped up to the Mayor and extended his hand. “Hello, my friend.”
Toumani Shaw took his hand. Ardam noticed that the cloth around his arm was smaller and clean, and the swelling had diminished significantly. He was glad the Barter had not had lasting ill effects.
“Hello, my friend. What is all this?” He bared his teeth in that gesture that Ardam had figured out was something good and not the danger his gut told him it was.
The children fanned out but stayed behind Ardam, awaiting his signal. “I thought you should meet last year’s seedlings. These are the strongest, the ones that survived. They were born here.” He stopped before he made any accusations. Let the Mayor derive his own meaning.
“I feel like I am one step behind you, Ardam. First I come to you with my staff and you bring me your Family. Then I bring you my Family and you bring me your children.”
“We also bring an offer of assistance.” Ardam whistled and the children stepped forward. They approached the two-leg adults slowly. Those with packs extended them in their arms, and those with carts pushed forward. They spread out along the line, each choosing one subject to bestow their gift upon.
Ardam hadn’t known the two-legs would come out like this but his instructions to get close to them were being carried out beautifully. The adult two legs did not recoil in fear like when he entered the meeting hall. They took the packages and even allowed exchanges of touch. A combination of two-leg murmurs and young Cranther chatter ran throughout the crowd.
Ardam continued. “You said that your resources would not allow you to move your town. We offer the supplies you need and will make guides available to help you find a new home.”
The Mayor’s mouth hung open but Ardam did not know what that meant. The fur-faced advisor spoke first.
“This is incredible.”
Then the pale one. “We still can’t leave. Do they expect us to live in straw huts? This is ridiculous.”
There was no discipline amongst Toumani’s advisors, but maybe none was expected.
Three of the children stepped forward, making their offerings to the Mayor and his advisors. Ardam marveled at the instincts children had. He couldn’t have asked for better timing.
It was one of Kaliff’s females that approached Toumani. She handed him a tied sack filled with ripe, yellow fenter fruit, which he took with one hand. Then, like Ardam had done, she extended her hand to him. It was then Ardam was sure her mother had instructed her. Now that he looked, the two that approached the advisors were from Kaliff’s Family as well. Quiet support. Ardam would not forget this.
Toumani bent down and took the young one’s hand. She pulled herself up, climbing his legs to his torso until he was gently forced into holding her in his arms.
“Whoa,” Toumani said. “I didn’t expect that.” He bared his teeth and… laughed. The Barter was still teaching Ardam new words. He found that for the Mayor to laugh was a good thing. Ardam was proud that his Family had created such good contact.
The Mayor shook his head. “Ardam, you are both sneaky and honorable. I don’t know many leaders that would make an offering such as you have.”
The pale advisor accepted the package given him but would not touch its giver. Fur-face was kneeling and exchanging touches and sounds with the child who handed him a bag of seed.
“The memories of two hundred generations reside in this ground. Each generation requires the memories of the last in order to be born. This will be the last generation of my Family if you do not move.”
Toumani’s s
houlders sagged. His mood suddenly reversed from the pleasantness of a moment before. “You make a powerful argument and I wish I could do as you ask. But even with your generous offerings, it is not enough. There is a geothermal source nearby that we use for power and the majority of my people see that as a necessity. My people cannot live as simply as your Family does.”
The child in the Mayor’s arms squirmed and wrapped several of her arms around his neck. His expression changed to one that Ardam didn’t visually recognize but because of the Barter he could feel. Toumani’s heart hurt. Ardam knew what it was like to have one or two of his hearts hurt from compassion, but the thought of the two-leg’s only heart hurting seemed unbearable. He did not like what he had to say next.
“I am still unable to allow you to stay. I must make sure our seedlings are born. Please prepare to leave.”
The pale one stepped forward and snarled in a way Ardam didn’t think was possible for the two-legs. He was sure the meaning was not the same as the Cranther mating request it sounded like.
“Are you threatening us again? I told you we’re here to stay.” He pointed the black stick in the air and it squealed three times. Streaks of red light shot out of it and disappeared into the sky. Ardam didn’t know exactly what it was, but it held power and menace. Then the word “blaster” came to him strong through the Barter. The Mayor responded immediately.
“Stand down, Captain!”
Ardam looked at the Mayor and before they could exchange words, he let out a loud, short screech that ended in a growl. In a matter of moments the two-legs were staring up at the ridge, their mouths agape. Ardam knew the sight of four-hundred armed Nemek warriors would have the necessary effect.
He whistled and the children drew away from the two-legs they had been interacting with. It only took a small huff for them to know to fall in behind him. Mayor Toumani Shaw stared at Ardam. He could feel the disbelief, and the fear. This was not the way Ardam wanted it.
“I make this promise to you, my friend. I will not harm any of your Family if you do not harm mine. If I do, you may take my fourth heart, because it will already be dead.”