: Is the Aikko your space ship? : she asked.
: One of them. It is the one we travelled here in. There are four of them. Three, the Aanvallenino, the Assalireino and the Atacarino are verusta, defence space ships. The Atacarino leads us :
: Who are Belu, Rsya and Jvldr? And what is a Brai? :
The explanation took a very long time and Paula got a lot of practice using the telepathic mind-link.
* * * * *
Back at the cavern Mikey was dutifully carrying out Artem’s orders to watch the four remaining members of the ‘Dragon Wulf’ group and for a wonder was not incorporating any additions of his own.
He was talking to George who also for a wonder was not sitting around with his eyes closed.
“My family are of German extraction,” George was saying, settling his body comfortably against the cavern wall.
“German? What’s that?”
“Germany was a country back on Old Earth.”
“What is it like?”
“I said ‘was’, not ‘is’. The Community abolished countries about a hundred or so years ago and turned them into numbered provinces. Those that continue to live there call it Germany but only in private. Nationalism is not encouraged. They speak another language too, not only Standard. It is also called German. For instance,” he continued, warming to a subject close to his heart …
“Go on,” Mikey urged.
“My name is George. In Standard it is spelt G-E-O-R-G-E but in German it is spelt S-C-H-O-R-S-C-H. It sounds the same though.”
Lost in his story, he didn’t see Mikey’s start of surprise.
Mikey was desperate to go and tell Christel about this interesting development but he curbed his impatience and continued to listen to George reminisce about the country of his ancestors.
At last though, George got tired of talking and told Mikey to scram.
Mikey scrammed and with seeming nonchalance made his way in the direction of Christel.
“Christel,” he said. “I need to tell you something urgent like, over there.” he pointed to the necessary corner and Christel got the point immediately. She drew Mikey away towards the relative privacy.
He began whispering as soon as they were out of earshot. He told Christel about the Germans and about the spelling of George’s name.
“So that message tablet they found does belong to George,” said Christel.
“What do we do?”
“Nothing for the moment. Samei and I will tell Tavin, Max and Whufflya.”
“What about Tancred, Astrid and Marcel?”
“Not yet, so keep your wits about you,” she warned. “Don’t let any of them even suspect that we know.”
“But we have to do something about it,” insisted Mikey, the boy of action.
“Definitely not! We watch. You keep watching and listening. Tell one of us adults if you find out anything more but don’t do anything. I mean it Mikey. Any foe is dangerous if cornered and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
Christel knew Mikey. She repeated the warning two more times until she was sure he would obey her. Then she sent him off first to fetch some water and then to sit close to the entrance to keep an unobtrusive eye on the four rebels.
She even sacrificed her oldest knife to the cause, telling Mikey he could keep it if he sat quietly polishing it until it shone like glass.
A contented and secretly ecstatic Mikey took up a position close to the entrance with something approaching glee. He sat there for two bells and didn’t move from his spot once, which was quite unheard of. His mother and brother wouldn’t have believed their eyes if they had been there watching.
* * * * *
Their return to the cave where those left behind were waiting was one of quiet jubilation. No one had been killed and Ail, although badly injured, was bearing up.
As they clattered inside, a sombre scene greeted them and their light-heartedness came to an abrupt halt.
Two bodies covered with blankets were lying inside the entrance. To the left of the figures sat Astrid and Marcel beside the Orumcek who were crawling around investigating their surroundings. They were making little chirruping noises when they saw something that interested them although they were not going near the bodies. To the right stood Christel, Samei, Max and Mikey. They had passed Tavin and Whufflya standing guard at the entrance. Max had a bandage round his head. It made him look rather raffish.
After they had made Ail comfortable, he was beginning to run a fever, they demanded to be told what had happened.
Following Christel’s instructions to the letter (he really wanted to be allowed to keep the knife), Mikey had watched George like a hawk, ably supported by Christel, Samei and the others who had been shocked at Christel’s disclosures about George.
The first two days had been without incident, but today Mikey had experienced his most horrific experience so far.
Mikey told the tale.
“I was watching George and it was funny peculiar. I was watching him for ages and ages and he didn’t move, not once, so I went closer. He was all white and, and still.” He shivered at the memory then pulled himself together. “He wasn’t breathing and I knew he was dead. I called Tavin over and he said he was dead too. We noticed a dribble of blood running from his mouth and looked down to the middle bit of his body, I can’t remember what it’s called.”
“Torso,” said Artem. “Continue with your story Mikey.”
“Someone had stuck a knife in him and killed him. So Tavin and me looked round to see who was missing. It was Max’s turn to guard outside so he wasn’t there. Marcel was with Christel. Whufflya and Astrid were with the Orumcek. They were talking to them and Astrid was brushing them. They absolutely love being brushed. Astrid has promised I can help tomorrow.”
“Mikey,” warned Artem. “Tell the story. Don’t get side-tracked.”
“Oh, sorry. Anyway, I couldn’t see Tancred anywhere. He’d been sleeping in the corner or so I’d thought. I only took my eyes off George for a moment or two honest. If I hadn’t he wouldn’t be there lying dead.”
He began crying.
“What’s happened has happened son,” Artem advised. “It wasn’t your fault. What came next?”
“I decided I should look for him and when I peeked out the entrance I saw a shadow moving around in the foliage. Max was lying on the ground and his head was all bloody. Bright red bloody. I thought he was dead too and I got angry, really, really angry. Tavin had gone to get his firearm and to tell the others. Whufflya was already moving. I followed Tancred ‘cos I’d worked out that he must be the shadow. I thought Tavin was right behind me honest.”
He began to look uncomfortable.
“He was but he was further behind than I thought. I ran down to where I saw the shadow. It was him.” Mikey pointed at the body on the left, the smaller one. “It was definitely Tancred. He had sneaked out after killing George. I didn’t really like George but he didn’t deserve to be a dead person. I followed Tancred to the tall tree at the bottom of the slope. He was there when I got there. He tried to climb up it and I grabbed on to his foot so hard that he lost his grip and he fell and knocked himself out. This fell out of his pocket.”
Mikey fumbled around in his tunic and brought out an object.
It was a signalling mirror.
“It is mine,” Tavin admitted. “I hadn’t realised it was missing from my pack. Only the Lai know when he took it. I should have been more aware.”
“No point worrying about spilt milk,” said Artem. “Go on Mikey.”
“Then Tavin came and he said a word that mother never allows me to say, ‘bastard’ (he spoke the word in a whisper and Artem was tempted to a faint smile) and kicked him in the ribs. That was funny. I’ve never seen Tavin lose his temper before. Tavin said that Tancred would have used the mirror to signal the baddies. Why did Tancred kill George?”
“Perhaps George was suspicious of Tancred? I wondered why he was so eager that Paula go with the others
to the hilltop but it would make sense if he wanted to keep an eye on Tancred. If Tancred realised George was getting close to finding out who was the Community spy, he would have killed him.” Artem could offer no other explanation.
“We should have guessed it was Tancred,” said Marcel, walking over to join them. “It was Tancred who suggested we take the Orumcek for their acclimatisation then. Astrid wanted to take them later but he insisted. He knew when the attack was to occur. With all the excitement later I’d forgotten that.”
“Why is he dead?” asked Thalia. “Mikey said he was unconscious, not dead.”
“We don’t know.”
“He took something, a wee white thing. I saw him,” said Mikey. “Christel and Samei were watching him but I was too.”
“I wonder why he did it?” pondered Marcel.
“Killed himself or betrayed you all?” asked Thalia.
“Neither … both.” Marcel shrugged.
“We’ll probably never know,” stated Artem.
“I’ll organise the burial detail,” said Thalia with a sympathetic look in Mikey’s direction. She had never seen him look so shaken.
“Mikey,” she said. “Go and help Paula with Slei, will you? She needs help learning about how to care for her Lind.”
The diversion worked.
Mikey blinked.
“Paula has vadeln-paired with Slei? I’ll go help her at once. I’ve got a lot of experience.” He nodded wisely, smiled and sped off, delighted and forgetting about the day’s events, at least for the time being.
* * * * *
They left for Belu’s tunnel complex the next evening.
Thalia and Paula’s friendship was growing and by now Katie was included making it a threesome. Mikey called them ‘The Three Warriors’. They had a lot in common. Their sense of humour was bright and witty and all shared a deep concern and compassion for their fellow-beings.
“I can’t wait to see your face when you first see Belu,” said Katie.
“Belu the dragon, yes, Slei told me. I know what a dragon looks like. I’ve seen illustrations.”
“He’s a Brai, not at all like, well I’ve never seen a picture of a dragon but you’ll see what I mean when we get there.”
“Do they bite?” asked Paula, half in jest.
“Only if you annoy them,” Thalia answered with a wicked look at Katie who was trying not to laugh. “Seriously though, don’t step on their tails.”
Paula blinked and wondered if Thalia was being serious.
Slei wasn’t helping. He was enjoying the teasing.
“The Brai are bipedal, like you,” Katie took up the tale. “Well, perhaps not exactly the same but you know what I’m getting at. They stand on their hind legs and use their tails for balance. “
“They fly and breathe out flame,” Thalia added. “They don’t mean to hurt anyone but the flame can come out if they’re surprised or angry.”
“Like if someone stands on their tail,” Katie added.
“So be sure to remember to keep in front of him,” finished Thalia with an innocent look at Paula.
“I’ll remember,” said Paula, determined to do just that and looking very serious.
“We sit on chairs,” Katie said then. “The Lind sit on raised platforms …”
: Tell Katie not to spoil it by going too far : Thalia warned Josei but it was too late.
“… and the Brai sit on huge red, soft, round cushions that emit strange noises if they’re not blown up enough.”
Realisation hit Paula.
“You beasts!” she cried and all three rolled around in their saddles laughing.
* * * * *
They reached Belu’s underground complex three days later. The distance was not so very far, but they had to travel slowly. The Lind took turns taking an extra rider on their backs and also turns carrying an Orumcek who sat as quiet as a vuz inside their quilted bags on a rider’s lap. Mikey rode with Hael the entire time, much to his inner delight. Artem and Thalia were his heroes but Hael was an interesting companion and kept him amused.
Their only real worry was the deteriorating condition of Ail. He was unconscious and Iya was very concerned. It dampened their joy about finding a place of safety and from looking forward to their reunion with Belu.
Rsya came out to meet them, bounding down the path with her tail wagging nineteen to the dozen.
“Dedta,” she welcomed them formally and led the way through the foliage. “It is very warm and snug,” she told them as they weaved in and out. “There is plenty of food around. We call them doodies. They are large and slow and very stupid. They are much tastier than the brbstas. Two of us can bring one down with ease and that one feeds one Brai, one Larg and one Lind for three whole days!”
“Have you seen any signs of the enemy looking for us?”
“Not since you took out their Quorkos and not before either.”
“They’re waiting for the return of their star ships and reinforcements,” decided Artem.
* * * * *
Ail died that night and Iya followed him not long after. Ail had lost so much blood and then wound fever had taken its deadly hold.
With Anne and Lastair dead and the Holad supplies burnt to ashes, there was little they could do for them except ease Ail’s passing.
Paula saw at first hand how strong her life-bond with Slei would become. As Iya took her last breath he tried to explain.
: It is always so. One cannot, does not, wish to live without the other :
: But Iya wasn’t injured. She could have stayed, found another person to bond with :
: It does not work that way. Once you are life-bonded you cannot live without the other :
Paula gulped. She was beginning to understand the deeper issues behind what being one half of a vadeln-pairing was about.
: Do not fret : Slei told her : I am young and healthy :
: So my incipient death is not on the horizon : she quipped in an attempt to lighten the direction their conversation was going.
: One can never plan for death. While we wait for Ail’s Vadryz to prepare their bodies for burial; it is their honour to do so; perhaps you would like to hear about what the Vada does? :
: Very much :
Slei didn’t need any more prompting. He settled down and began the story
“The Vada was founded during the first year of landing …”
* * * * *
The days passed uneventfully, if you didn’t count the time when Mikey fell into a stagnant rock pool and had to be rescued or the time when Max nearly blew his hand off trying out one of the firearms after he had serviced it.
They spent a lot of time discussing what had happened and speculating about what would happen next.
Artem was very interested in what they could tell him about Tancred.
“Tancred?” queried Paula when he and Thalia asked. “I didn’t know him all that well. I don’t think any of us did. Did you Marcel?”
Marcel replied in the negative. “He joined our rebel cell, must have been a month or so before we ‘liberated’ the Orumcek,” he added.
“Perhaps he wasn’t the real Tancred at all,” mused Thalia.
“An imposter?” exclaimed Paula. “I never thought of that. I’m sorry about George. I never did suspect there was anything wrong about him if truth be known. We were in the same cell for some time, years and never did he do or say anything to make me suspect he was anything but loyal.”
“What happened was certainly a shock,” admitted Marcel.
“I did wonder if there was what’s known as a ‘sleeper’ amongst us,” said Paula. “That’s a spy who lived and works among a foe, he infiltrates their cell and gets accepted by them. Then one day his employer ‘wakes’ him up and he goes to work but even that went against the grain when I considered George. I never even contemplated that it might be Tancred.”
“George was to be Tancred’s scapegoat in case he needed one,” said Artem.
“P
oor George,” Paula added. “I will miss him.”
“Right,’ said Artem getting to his feet and holding out a helping arm to Marcel. “What about me and you going to see how Max and Tavin are getting on trying to repair these heat-packs of yours?”
“I gave them very detailed instructions,” Marcel began and both men laughed.
After Artem and Marcel left them Thalia watched Paula’s eyes as they followed Marcel as he negotiated his way through the bundles, bags, people and Lind on the floor.
“You like him, don’t you?” she asked.
“Marcel? A long story of unrequited love I’m afraid. He much prefers Astrid to me. What about you and Artem? He’s very handsome in a rugged sort of way. Are you both an item?”
Thalia, blushing a deep, rosy red, nodded.
* * * * *
Artem gave Paula her first lessons with a sword. He also continued to teach Tavin and Mikey. The latter was proving to be a natural with a fluid ease and balance seldom seen.
Artem told Thalia he couldn’t wait to get him back to Tak and start his training properly
“I believe his mother might have something to say about that,” she said. “He’s not vadeln-paired so the right is to her.”
“Perhaps during the school holidays?” he ventured and Thalia laughed, telling him that she believed Mikey’s mother might be relieved to have him out of her hair then.
“I’ll ask when we get back,” said Artem, contentedly leaning against her.
“The Vada is going to have to change you know,” he said conversationally. “It’s already started.”
“The firearms?”
“Mmm. That’s just the beginning. This meeting with the Dragon Wulf and the threat from the Community. They know we are here now and we’ll have to be able to defend ourselves like with like. From what the rebels have told us, the Community will do anything to make a profit and that will include trying to force us to accept their rule. Their star ships are so fast.”
“I expect the Diaglon will deal with it. Move over a bit Artem, you’re hogging all the cushion.”
“Cushion? You call this rolled up blanket a cushion?”