Shima jerked. “No. Not that.”
“It’s important to the Blind Hunter’s story.”
“But he’s not even there anymore. Nevin took him back to the grove. His ashes were mixed with those of his ancestors.”
“I know, Shima. I was there with you.”
Of course he was. Nevin had wanted them there to witness the ceremony of leave-taking. Normally, only close family would be present, but they’d grown close on the trail. Living together on the run in the wilderness, Nevin had trusted her and Kazim with his cubs’ lives.
She forced herself to listen to Kazim’s ideas, and hoped Merrick could forgive her for using his death this way.
* * *
10 ~ Show Time
Zuleika, Child of Harmony
It took almost half a season, and a lot of hard work, to realise Kazim’s plan. He did most of it by handling the choice of locations, and thinking up questions; Shima simply followed his orders. Despite her playful jests, she knew he was an expert in his field. His choice of the arts was well chosen.
One of the first things he’d done, was charm Hamal out of her most decrepit air-car. Shima had called him an idiot for not choosing one with an intact canopy, especially when it rained, but he laughed it off and said he didn’t want to film a prosperous looking hero. He wanted to tell a story of hardship endured.
Shima had rolled her eyes, and let him move her around like a puppet. She’d helped Chailen care for feral younglings in Zuleika’s ruins, and let Kazim interview her there. That interview would raise a few hackles. As intended.
Kazim filmed her scavenging various ruins, and visiting sites where she’d fought the Merkiaari with James. She tolerated more interviews in all those places, and the impertinent questions that went with them; she didn’t snarl even once. Kazim had been impressed with her forbearance; he’d said so. Finally, satisfied with all they’d done, he submitted his work to his supervisor, and they waited.
Come the time, Shima and her family gathered to watch the result of all their hard work. Chailen made a feast, and between delicious bites to eat, they chatted excitedly while they waited for the broadcast to begin. The screen was on with the volume low. Shima glanced at it, but nothing interesting was on.
“I told everyone I know not to miss the broadcast,” Varya said between bites. “And asked them to spread the word. I think every warrior not on active patrol will see it.”
Chailen flicked her ears in agreement. “Sharn and I spread the word too. Healers are a chatty bunch. My entire caste will be watching.”
Shima chuffed. “Huh. I knew I kept you four around for a reason.”
“Glad you didn’t just shoot me?” Kazim said with a laugh.
“Maybe,” she admitted. “You’re not as annoying as you used to be—”
“Hush. It’s starting,” Chailen said, and turned the sound up.
The show began with Chailen caring for the ferals in Zuleika’s ruins. The younglings had no family, and most were traumatised to one degree or another. Many had gathered together into makeshift groups, not based upon blood ties, but rather upon location. They barely tolerated strangers in their territory, but they loved Chailen. She was like their den mother. She listened to them, advised them, and offered a little food when she had it to spare. She was something they all had in common.
Shima watched herself answering Kazim’s questions, and felt flickers of anger building. Healer caste would explode when they saw two of their members grubbing in the dirt, trying to help younglings the elders and Tei had abandoned. That was fine with her. Let the fur fly where it would.
The broadcast ended after a seg with a powerful image that any Shan would recognise. It showed the guardians sitting outside the gates of Nevin’s clan grove, with the sun low in the sky. Beams of light speared the trees to illuminate them. Kazim had delayed leaving for segs to capture that moment. The huge wooden statues, one male and one female to represent balance, were always carved from ancient trees cut from the groves they protected. With eyes closed and hands loose in laps, they contemplated the Harmonies.
The image faded, and a few lines of text brightened to replace it.
Interviewer: “What was your first reaction when you heard the Human ship had returned to Snakeholme empty?”
Blind Hunter: “Anger. These younglings have no family, no homes, and no hope. Tei’Burgton has offered them all three on Snakeholme, but the elders don’t care.”
Interviewer: “What’s your opinion of the warrior caste’s inability to participate in the war games on Pandora?”
Blind Hunter: “I was horrified when I heard. The warrior caste must go to Pandora. I’ll take their place, and go alone if I must. It’s a matter of honour.”
The quotes faded, replaced by a final message.
“We can shed tears that Merrick is gone,
or we can smile as we remember he lived.”
—The Blind Hunter.
Chailen shut off the screen.
Shima touched Kazim’s arm. “Thank you.”
Kazim shrugged. “It’s not like I didn’t enjoy myself, and besides, the Blind Hunter doesn’t give interviews to just anyone. I’m special.”
Shima growled.
Varya and the others laughed.
“I’m the best,” Kazim was saying. “I’m—” the chime indicating an incoming call silenced him.
No one moved, and silence fell over the room again. Before anyone could speak, the chiming started again. This time the tone indicated a message being downloaded. Chailen went to read it on the computer, but before she could, the incoming call chime began again.
“Well,” Varya said. “I think you gained their attention.”
“We,” Shima said. “We did.”
“Should I answer?” Chailen said.
Everyone looked to Kazim. It was his show. He thought about it long enough for the caller to give up, and send a message instead. That decided it.
“The Blind Hunter is unavailable for comment,” Kazim said. “All of us are unavailable.”
Chailen returned to her place at the table, and drank some tea. Shima refilled everyone’s cup, and then ate some of the delicious meal her sib had prepared. The incoming message signal chimed again, and again, and again, but everyone ignored it.
The cycles following that meal were busy ones. Thousands called or sent messages of support, while hundreds sent queries and angry questions. Did she want to cause a crisis? Did she want to cause a rift between their people and the Humans? Did she really want to disrespect the elders by mocking the choices they’d made?
Shima had been furious when she read the messages from the dissenters. Most were from Tei. She researched them, and all were either staunch traditionalists, or members of the Harmony-First faction. The fools were being wilfully blind to the needs of their people, and she told them so in no uncertain terms. Their outraged rebuttals were personally satisfying, but ultimately pointless.
Kazim’s employer happily replayed the show regularly, and messages of support continued to trickle in. He watched the viewing numbers closely, and the content of the messages. At some signal that made sense to him, he released Shima’s pre-recorded statement. It denounced all the angry-message-sending-Tei, by name, and demanded an audience with Kajetan.
The messages stopped, and Shan everywhere watched.
And waited.
* * *
11 ~ Summoned
Hall of the Elders, Yangsho, Harmony
When Shima left Harmony, and Tahar took a job on Hool Station, she’d never expected to return. Her father had made a new home for them on Child of Harmony, and she’d been prepared to live out her life there in happy obscurity. No, she’d never expected to return, but here she was, summoned for an accounting by the elders.
Summoned she might be, but she’d come of her own will. Nevin hadn’t forced her to accept his advice. It was her choice, and her plan she followed. No matter what came of this meeting, she would remember it had bee
n her choice.
Like Zuleika, Yangsho had been badly mauled by the Merkiaari, but unlike Shima’s home, the Viper Clan hadn’t arrived in time to save it. The damage was so bad, it shocked her and the others into silence during the ride from the spaceport. They’d all seen pictures, but seeing the devastation with their own eyes was something else. It was so much worse than Zuleika. Honestly, there wasn’t much left of the ancient city.
Shima stared out the side window of the car, and noted the signs of new construction. She wondered why the elders didn’t just choose a new site, but answered the thought almost immediately. Continuity and tradition.
The Great Pact began at Yangsho, and the council of elders had been hosted in the city ever since its inception. The gates of Yangsho were spoken of in the sagas about The Great Leveller, the patron of Shima’s clan. His story, Jasha at the Gate, was still taught to younglings. She wondered if he’d hated his title as much as she hated hers.
The new Hall of the Elders was a replica of the original building, and it was sadly obvious despite the attention lavished upon the replacement. The wood and stone gleamed like new, which it was. It should have been weathered, and lovingly cared for by generations of crafters. Instead, it looked like a brash impostor. Like the Markan’deya back home, rebuilding it was given a high priority. It stood as a monument to the Great Pact, and for unity between the clans. Kajetan lived there, and the highest councils were conducted within its walls. It wasn’t simply a residence. It housed most of the government. There it stood, new again, as if someone had pushed a hidden reset button on the world.
The car stopped opposite the entrance, and Shima climbed out to greet the reception committee. She recognized Elder Amara, Clan Jasha’s representative at the council.
“She doesn’t look happy to see you,” Kazim said quietly.
Shima shrugged. “She’s too important to be running errands.”
“The Blind Hunter outranks her.”
She stared at him in surprise, and forced her ears to stay erect. They quivered a little, but didn’t clamp themselves to her head. Amara was a clan elder; she’d been appointed by Shima’s own clan to represent them on the council. Only Kajetan outranked her, and only Tei or other elders equalled her.
“She represents my clan on the council,” Shima protested.
“And there are dozens just like her in Yangsho. There’s only one hero. You.”
She winced. She doubted she would ever train herself out of the need to deny her special status, but Kazim was right. She had to use it, unwanted though it was. It was too late to back out.
She bowed. “Elder. Very kind of you to greet us. May you live in harmony.”
Amara glared, but she inclined her head. “The Blind Hunter honours me.”
“I know,” Shima said. “Who are these worthies with you?”
Chailen sucked in a shocked breath, but Sharn gave no indication he’d noticed. Kazim was much less politic. He chuffed, stifling a laugh, and the elder transferred her glare to him. As he’d intended. In the meantime, Shima had already greeted and touched palms with the others.
“This is Tei’Halina,” Varya said. “He and I fought together at Shoshon.”
Male. Warrior caste. Strong in the Harmonies.
Shima bowed as she assessed Varya’s friend. He was a powerful figure. Strong in the Harmonies as well as in body, he was in his prime and must rank high in Tei councils.
Amara’s other companion was an aged healer caste female; Sharn introduced her as Elder Renzarn. Bows and greetings were exchanged.
“Have you found your way since last we met?” Renzarn said gravely to Sharn. “Have you used my teachings to prosper?”
Sharn’s ears wilted under her regard; his unhappiness clear to the Harmonies. Renzarn knew he hadn’t prospered. Forcing him to admit it to her, was cruel and humiliating.
Shima interrupted. “My sib and her mate will gain all they deserve at this meeting. They will prosper. I’ll see to it.”
Renzarn focused upon Shima. “Indeed? Claiming to know what another deserves, is very bold of you.”
“The Blind Hunter is bold,” Kazim said.
“And she is just,” Varya added. “Her honour cannot be questioned.”
Tei’Halina’s ears flicked in agreement. His support was very welcome. Shima hadn’t expected to gain allies here, she’d expected to make enemies, and the Harmonies revealed she’d made two already. Amara and Renzarn weren’t happy.
Well, too bad.
“Shall we?” Shima said, indicating the entrance, and not waiting.
Tei’Halina overtook her, and led the way to Kajetan’s apartments. It surprised her. Shima had expected to be received in a government office, or the council chamber, not Kajetan’s private rooms. There was already a crowd of people waiting.
Shima stopped in the middle of the room, and the others joined her expecting some kind of ceremony, but the spectators weren’t waiting for them. They stood in quietly whispering groups, and didn’t take any notice of the newcomers.
“Wait here,” Tei’Halina said and went through another door. Renzarn and Amara left them, and mingled with the others already waiting.
“Something’s wrong,” Kazim whispered.
Shima’s ears flicked in agreement. The Harmonies revealed the whispering people were worried. Her ears pricked and swivelled when they recognised a Human voice. Two Human voices, trying to speak Shan, and doing so poorly.
“Please, you must make her listen. I swear we mean her no harm,” the male Human said desperately.
“If she would only visit with us aboard my ship for a short time. I can show her what we promised is true,” the female said.
Kazim noticed how distracted Shima was, and looked for what had caught her attention. He raised his camera when he found the Humans, and mumbled happily about his luck being in.
Shima didn’t know about luck. The Harmonies revealed the Humans were desperately upset. More than their voices revealed. Their mind glows were flaring erratically, and the colours were so rich, she wondered everyone wasn’t staring at them in awe. Humans were always very different in the Harmonies, but not usually like this.
“This feels important,” she said slowly, and tugged Kazim along with her. He grumbled about ruining his shot.
“I feel...” she muttered.
She didn’t know what she was feeling, but the Harmonies were warning her. The last time she’d felt anything like this, Merrick’s kah had appeared to her. She looked hastily around for the youngling she’d failed to save, but sadly, he didn’t make a grinning reappearance.
“Tei’Halina told us to wait,” Chailen protested, but she followed.
“We aren’t leaving,” Shima muttered, concentrating upon the Harmonies to locate the Humans. The warning settled into her bones. “This is important.”
“More important than your meeting with Kajetan?”
Kajetan’s name shocked through the Harmonies, and Shima knew whatever she did next, would have lasting consequences for her people.
“Can I be of service?” Shima said in perfect English. The Humans’ relief was obvious. “I am Shima, and these are Kazim, Chailen my sib. Her mate Sharn, and my close friend Varya. Do you need help?”
The Human female bowed briefly. “Thank God. I’m Commander Frisko, and this is my ship’s surgeon. Doctor Isaacs. May you live in harmony.”
Shima bowed. “May you live in harmony also. I can translate for you if it would be of use?”
“Yes! Please. Tell him that we must take Kajetan to my ship. Tell him she’ll die if she doesn’t come!”
Shima turned to Elder Hallan, one of her father’s friends, and bowed in respect. When she straightened, she found Kazim filming the meeting, a look of utter joy on his face.
“Honoured elder, the Humans are very upset. They say Kajetan is dying, and must go with them to their ship. The Harmonies reveal they’ll burst if you don’t listen.”
Hallan laughed. “I’m well aw
are of that, Shima. My English is not the equal of yours, but I understood their attempts to explain. It’s their misunderstanding, not mine.”
“And what don’t they understand?”
Hallan studied Shima for a long moment. He glanced at Kazim and the camera he held. “What they say is true. Kajetan knows her death approaches, as does the council. She accepts it. Only the time is in doubt now.”
“The Humans say they can save her. Can they?”
“Who can say? Our healers say no, but the Humans swear they can. Perhaps you can persuade her to let them try.”
“Me?”
“With Kazim’s help. There are no guarantees, but you’re an example of what Humans can do. Your new eyes, and the tiny machines swimming through your veins, are amazing.”
Shima flicked her ears. She agreed with that. “You expect her to refuse treatment?”
“She already has.”
“What does he say?” Doctor Isaacs said. “We must see Kajetan. You have to make him understand!”
“He understands,” Shima said to calm him. “I’ll speak with Kajetan for you.”
Frisko and Isaacs looked relieved.
Shima wasn’t relieved. Kajetan was notoriously hard-headed. She’d needed to be to lead their people for so long, and to navigate the treacherous waters of clan politics. There was good reason the position of Eldest was created by the Great Pact. Nothing would ever get done without it.
The door across the room opened, and Tei’Halina stepped out. He raised a hand and beckoned to Shima’s group.
Shima entered Kajetan’s presence first, allowing Kazim to film her doing so. Chailen and Sharn entered next, followed by the others. Tei’Halina re-entered and closed the door.
Shima hadn’t been sure what to expect. The news of Kajetan’s impending death had surprised her. What she hadn’t expected, was the elder to be sitting in a darkened room working at a computer. Kajetan was very old, but seeing her in the flesh, it hit home. The Harmonies revealed a tired and lonely Shan female at the end of her life. She had outlived her mate by over a decade, and her sibs had joined him around that time. The Harmonies whispered that Kajetan would join her ancestors soon. She wasn’t sick, just tired of living too long.
Incursion: Merkiaari Wars Book 5 Page 8