by Candy Rae
“Not far,” said Wlya, “but we have to pass through the ‘streets’ of the domta which will seem strange to you, especially underpaw. The ‘streets’ are the name the humans have for their trail paths between their dagas and are made of stones fitted together.”
“How remarkable,” pronounced Sadei but he did not elaborate, it was just yet another strange habit of the humans. The look on his face however, spoke volumes.
: Humans are peculiar creatures : he passed his thoughts on to Hanei, Brisnei and Ranlei, the commanders of the second, third and fourth ryz of the Lindar respectively : why would they want to cover the good ground with stone is beyond my comprehension :
: Humans do not have useful paws with which they can walk on trail paths such as ours : noted Hanei : and it is their misfortune to possess only two. Perhaps it is easier for them to walk on stones :
: That is one explanation : old Ranlei replied : personally I think that they are all slightly mad and they just like to change things :
: Perhaps but I think we should move on. I should like to reach the dom and rest my weary legs. The crossing over the stone circles with water outside was not the most easy and I am not the only one who wishes to rest and to catch up on my sleep : (‘Stone circles with water outside’ was the Lindish name for the Island Chain.)
“If you would come this way?” repeated Wlya who had not been privy to this conversation. She turned and led them up the path towards the break in the sand dunes.
“Perhaps you should warn your Lindar that the humans of the domta will come out from their dagas to welcome you as you pass. Their shouting can be somewhat irritating to the ears but my vadeln tells me that they mean well. He says it is their way of showing their thanks for our help in defending them from the Larg.”
Sadei passed the warning and was thankful he had.
The stone trail paths were indeed noisy and crowded, filled with cheering humans on either side and who were waving what Wlya identified to the curious Sadei as flags and banners which bobbed around, sometimes right in the faces of the columns of Lind who were trying to push through.
Sadei laid his ears back. Wlya had been right, the noise was very irritating.
Wlya’s ears remained cocked forward and she advised Sadei in an undertone to do the same, telling him that he would look less threatening.
: Horses lay their ears back when they are upset and nervous, also when they are about to kick and bite :
Sadei instantly pricked his ears forward, trying to ignore the noise : how long will this take? :
: We shall reach the barrier soon. Tell your Lindar to relax :
Charles was waving to the crowds as he passed by, shouting, “Lindar Hanei has come, a thousand strong to fight the Larg.”
The crowds cheered at his words.
Sadei concentrated on keeping his ears forward and tried to ignore it.
At last they emerged from the gates that ended the sprawling town and Sadei and the others felt turf under their paws once more. He breathed a sigh of relief and increased his gait, trying to get as much distance between himself and the stone domta as he could.
“Thank the lai that is over,” he said to Wlya.
Once at the staging area, Charles and Wlya took Sadei to see Davin and Razdya who as 2IC Vada were in charge of the area until Julia and Alyei got there.
Davin informed him of his Lindar’s assigned place on the battle lines. He found out that his Lindar was to be stationed to the very right of the ridge on which the army would make its stand, under the command of the Duke of Duchesne.
Sadei was more than a little perturbed when he heard this. He would have much preferred to fight with the majority of the other Lindars in the centre but he accepted the Susyc’s decision with a resigned face.
: Charles and I will be there too : Wlya informed him : it is an important position. Julia and Alyei must believe that you are good enough and brave enough to receive this honour :
: I am very proud to be so thought of : he was worrying about it though. Like most Lind he had never fought with human soldiers and was unsure of how to handle it.
Wlya sensed this unease and communicated it to Charles who promised Sadei that all would be well.
“I know what needs to be done,” he said, “the Duke of Duchesne is a good man and an experienced soldier. He has fought the Larg before. We will take you to see him soon and when you meet him I am sure that most of your fears will be laid to rest.”
“Thank you,” said a partly relieved Sadei. He was feeling his responsibilities as Susa of the rtath Hanei Lindar very heavy all of a sudden.
* * * * *
Niaill
“I have never met any Lind before now,” said Duke William when Niaill and Taraya reported to him about the progress of the northern army’s arrival and that Susyc Julia and Alyei were expected any bell. “What do they think about the Larg and do they have a reason why they are always attacking us?”
Taraya could answer that for herself.
“We Lind hate war,” she informed him. “We Lind do not kill except to eat. Volat we call the killings in which the Larg excel.”
Duke William’s full attention was on Taraya.
“It is our tragedy,” she continued, “that we have had to defend ourselves against the Larg for many generations. Once, a very long time ago, it was different but that was before the seas came and we were split into the northern and southern continent. None of us can remember these happier seasons when the world was young and the Lind and the Larg were one. Perhaps one day there will be peace between us again, that is my hope and the hope of my brothers and sisters and all of Lind. It is also the hope of the Lai who have come amongst us once more.”
“Perhaps it will happen,” said the Duke.
“It has been promised,” Taraya answered.
* * * * *
The Brothers
Maura and Zilla were not the only ‘rank and file’ who had heard the rumour about ‘dragons’. Speculation was rife. The Lindars and the Vada knew about the imminent arrival on their planet of the Dglai.
Of the Argyllian Militia and the Garda only the officers had been informed officially, the decision having been taken to tell the ‘rank and file’ only when the army had assembled in the staging area in Duchesne.
The officers knew that it couldn’t be kept a secret for much longer. Army grapevines were very efficient, stewards in particular believing that it was their god-given right to find out what their officers were thinking and to impart the news to their comrades.
Aboard the FS Larya was Ansell, one of its officers. Ansell was the youngest brother of Robain Hallam and had been delighted that Doctor Liam Hallam (the middle brother) was travelling south on his ship.
As the frigate made her way to the southern continent, Liam and Ansell discussed the situation at length.
“So where is Robain?” asked Ansell. “Nobody seems to know. He was supposed to take up his appointment with his battalion months ago but never did. When I was last in Settlement I went to the Academie and saw Major Bellahouston, him being Robain’s last commanding officer and all that. He told me was that Robain was on indefinite detachment. Wouldn’t tell me more.”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Liam answered.
Ansell continued, “you know he’s been seeing that Officer Trainee, Hilla Talansdochter, I asked her but she knew little more. Fact is, she admitted that she was getting worried about his non-appearance. Know what I think?”
“What?”
“Robain’s mixed up in all this and has been for some time. Wouldn’t surprise me if we were to learn that he’s already in the southern continent. You know him, he’s a positive genius at getting himself where the action is. Look at the time he just happened to be passing through that village when the pirates just happened to attack. Covered himself in glory too.”
“Don’t think there’ll be much glory to be found where we’re going,” said Liam. “Just about every medic and doctor w
ithin travelling distance of the ports has been called up and this is only the first group. They’re gathering personnel and supplies for the next. This is a huge campaign, mark my words, the likes of which this planet has never seen before.”
“You’ve been told then,” said Ansell.
“Medical General Zhukov told us this morning,” Liam answered. “He sounded as if he couldn’t quite believe it. Invaders form another planet, I mean, I ask you.”
“We came from another planet,” said Ansell, “no reason to believe we are the only species out there capable of space travel. It has to be true. The privateers have come in on our side. Captain said that the pirate in charge had actually seen one of the advance space-ships of the Dglai. It took out one of his galleys, a great metal flying thing about half the size of the Larya and which spouted a great belch of flame.”
“I saw no galleys around the port.”
“You wouldn’t. They’ve been set to patrolling in the Great Eastern Sea, protecting the islands from the slavers who have not seen fit to volunteer their services. Many of the islands are sending contingents of soldiers leaving their island defenceless. That’s where we’re going once the army has been transported. We’re taking some women and children to the safety of the islands and staying there on patrol.”
“So what did you think of Robain’s intended?” asked Liam, changing the subject.
“Nice girl,” he answered, “a career officer I should say though that may change. She comes from a large family out Dunetown way. The father is an innkeeper. Five daughters and one son. Eldest sister is married and lives in Stewarton and another who is a Journeywoman Technician. I got the impression that she’s the clever one in the family. Hilla’s one of triplets, she’s the eldest, the middle one is with the Vada, joined about a year ago now. She’ll be here with the army - somewhere. Don’t Vada Cadets always fight with the main contingent? The youngest triplet is still at home.”
“That’s where your toes turn in,” said Liam with a grin. “She’s one of my volunteer nurses, a pretty little thing with masses of blonde hair.”
“Not like Robain’s Hilla then. She’s attractive in her own way but no one in his or her right mind would call her pretty, strong rather. I got the impression that the youngest one is a timid creature.”
“She’s quiet and confident but in no way is she timid and she is showing the makings of becoming a very good nurse. Now I’d better go, let you get about your duties.”
“I’ve got watch in half a bell,” admitted Ansell. “I’ll see you before we dock, we can say our goodbyes then.”
With that the two younger Hallam brothers took their leave of each other. Liam went below deck to check up on some medical stores and Ansell made haste to grab a bite to eat before reporting for duty on the bridge.
* * * * *
The Quorko
Quoi the Dglai was waiting, he had been waiting for some time to hear if the Ammokko was close to the planet. In fact, he had been here, on the planet for a number of months, gathering in the information collected by the Nahoko then neutralising the said five Nahoko, the fact-finding probes sent out by the Ammokko. He did not think any but the Larg knew about his presence.
His meeting with the Larg had been an added bonus. His brothers and sisters would not have to fight for control of the planet, the Larg; by destroying the other sentients (who might prove troublesome) would do that for them.
Now that the kohorts had gone northwards, leaving their old, females and young behind, he could start his survey of the southerly part of the southern continent, identifying the areas where could be found deposits of oils, minerals and more importantly the food and water sources which would be gathered in to fill the Ammokko’s empty holds once all resistance was at an end.
Quoi was most optimistic that this time could not be long away. He might even have the opportunity before the Ammokko arrived to begin to explore the smaller of the northern continents that, he had been assured by the Largan, was uninhabited.
Quoi laughed to himself. Let the creatures that lived here fight each other. If both armies were destroyed in the process, good. They were simple creatures, he thought with contempt, with primitive weaponry, no match for his and the other Quorko who would arrive with the mother ship. Let them kill each other. We Dglai can gather in the corpses when it is over. In the ship there were machines that would metamorphose the remains into edible proteins. The Dglai were masters of putting to good use everything they could lay their talons on. The dead were no different than say, the leaves from the trees and the ores in the ground.
Only in the seas was there a habitat inimical to the Dglai. Only the creatures that swam in the ocean depths were safe. The Dglai had found to their cost on other planets that the pressures found under the oceans were lethal. However, this planet had sufficient land masses and resources for their purpose.
Quoi was in fine fettle.
* * * * *
The Prince-Duke
King Xavier of his new-founded Kingdom of Southern Murdoch was taking his ease in the royal apartments. Everything was well with his world. As promised by the Largan, no kohort had infringed, even by a paw, over the borders of his new Kingdom, they had even left the Duchy of North Baker alone. Perhaps its Duke would be persuaded join him. Xavier filed that idea away to think about later.
He began to plan his coronation.
It would be a sumptuous affair, he decided, with a pomp and circumstance never seen before. His wife would not be present. Xavier hated the mother of his children with a deadly hatred and intended that her remaining days be numbered. He would find himself another wife.
He was sitting, revelling in this pleasing contemplation when he heard running feet. The door bucketed open and one of his men leapt into the room.
“How dare you,” thundered Xavier, rising to his feet.
“My Prince, My King,” the man shouted back, his face filled with panic. “The Larg! The Larg are attacking Cocteau! They’ve crossed the borders and are killing and destroying everything and everyone in their path!”
“You lie,” shouted Xavier. “It can’t be! The Largan promised, he promised.” These last words emerged from Xavier’s mouth in a disbelieving whine.
“It’s true, it’s true! We are under attack. What are your orders My Liege?”
Xavier paid no heed to the question. He fell back into his chair, his face one of horrified terror.
“The Largan promised, he promised,” he muttered, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Xavier had forgotten that he was not alone.
The retainer watched as Xavier lifted his head to look out of the window to gaze unseeingly at the flowers in the courtyard. Xavier’s mouth opened but no words came out. Tears of angry frustration began to trickle down his pale face.
“Your orders My King?” the retainer asked again.
“Go to Hell,” said Xavier as he continued to gaze out of the window.
“Go to Hell!”
* * * * *
The Crown-Princess
In the palace all was confusion, like a ship without a rudder. Retainers, servants and slaves milled around, not knowing what to do. On the top floor of the old Citadel the imprisoned royal women and children listened and wondered.
Then of all people, one of the palace slaves, an elderly man who had spent his entire life in royal servitude opened the door of their prison and fell to his knees in front of the Dowager Crown-Princess Susan.
“The Larg are attacking,” he managed to get out.
“Prince-Duke Xavier?” asked Susan, looking every bit a royal princess.
“He has run away,” he replied in his quavery voice. “What must we do?”
Susan straightened to her full height. She knew her duty. Her husband Paul might be dead but she was not the daughter of a Duke for nothing. Paul would expect her to do something, even if it was only to declare their son Elliot king.
She caught the eye of her mother-in-law, the Dowager Queen, who nodded.
“In the dungeons,” he answered.
“Go let them out,” she commanded, “and send the senior surviving officer to me in the throne room.”
She turned to the ex-Queen. “Mother, take the children back to their nursery, then if you would join me there? We have a lot of work to do. I think the time has come for the women of Murdoch to take control of their own destiny.”
* * * * *
The Archbishop
“Father?” Archbishop Tom Brentwood, Primate of Murdoch interrupted Chaplain Romauld’s prayers.
Father Romauld, Chaplain to the royal family turned and, recognising his visitor made haste to rise from his knees. He would have approached his superior to give proper obsequies and to kiss his ring but Tom Brentwood stopped him with one hand.
“No time for that,” he said.
“Archbishop, thank God you got here safely!”
“I have indeed,” he replied, “and my thanks for sending your messenger.”
“I couldn’t think what else to do,” confessed Romauld. “With the King and the Crown-Prince dead and Princes David and Ian too.”
“You did right,” answered the Archbishop, settling himself on a nearby pew, “now, come sit by me and tell me what has been happening. So bizarre have the rumours been that it is difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. They are dead then?”
“These thirteen days past,” answered Romauld. “I have been praying for their souls.”