The Lord of the Plains

by Sarah Chapman

Chapter 76

  When Riley went to the human camp next morning she saw Vann was happy.

  She did not comment on it. Inside though a little voice was saying, why not me? why not me? Why will he risk those feelings he tells me he doesn’t like for her and not me…? She wasn’t angry though, just disappointed. And perhaps a part of her understood; he hadn’t made a fool of himself for Rose, he hadn’t made any promises to her, he wasn’t supposed to be finding out if she was planning an invasion.

  The day proceeded as usual; Messenger with Aerlid, Vann with her.

  It was some time in the afternoon when Vann said with a grin, ‘so, are you going to try and teach me again?’

  ‘Oh, you want to?’

  ‘Sure. I need to show you how to teach properly, after all.’

  ‘I’m an excellent teacher!’ she cried indignantly.

  ‘You’re terrible. You just need to stop doing it that way and start doing it properly.’

  Riley narrowed her eyes and frowned at him.

  ‘Annoying, isn’t it?’ he said with a smile.

  ‘Well you haven’t shown me the proper way, Vann.’ she said primly, but a smile was curling her lips. ‘And I have shown you how to move through the grass.’

  ‘Let’s go then, and we’ll see who’s the better teacher.’

  ‘What are you going to teach me?’

  ‘I’ll show you how to use a lightning rod.’

  At that Riley’s eyes immediately lit up.

  ‘So now who’s the better teacher?’ Vann asked late that afternoon. They were relaxing by the stream, the light of day fading.

  ‘No.’ Riley said. ‘I’m just a better student.’

  ‘Riley.’

  ‘And I’m teaching something much more difficult than you are.’

  ‘Riley.’

  She grinned at him. ‘Ok, I see I could improve my technique.’

  ‘Did you get the urge to beat your head against a rock?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Well, darling, that’s how I feel when you try and teach me.’

  Riley said nothing.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Vann said, embarrassed. ‘Just when Lillia and I talk like this…’

  ‘Oh!’ her smile came back. ‘When you’re insulting her painting you call her darling?’

  ‘Something like that, yes, though Lillia’s a much better painter than you are teacher.’

  Vann was relieved that Riley’s mood was better than yesterday. He understood her concern. But at the same time he felt.. he felt Rose didn’t affect him as badly as Riley had. And he thought that was probably because he knew now, that it wasn’t quite right. Vann liked talking to women and going out with them before sleeping with them. Rose had made it very clear she didn’t want to talk to him. Well, that wasn’t quite true. She did like being complimented. The quiet pleasure she took in being complimented would almost have been charming if she hadn’t made it so clear any other conversation was unnecessary and unwanted. The fact that he was able to be annoyed with her relieved Vann to no end.

  ‘It’s not so bad.’ he began, breaking the comfortable silence. ‘I haven’t had the urge to start making any promises to Rose.’

  Riley said nothing.

  ‘I think it’s because I know there are others like her. When I met you I thought you were.. I’d never met anyone like you before.’

  Slowly Riley smiled. ‘So you’re saying you’re just as fickle with valkar women as human women?’

  ‘Fickle?’ he said, his smile fading. ‘I’m not fickle.’

  ‘And now you know there are more of them out there, you’re inability to commit extends to valkar as well?’

  ‘Riley! Now you sound like Lillia!’

  She laughed.

  ‘You know, considering my job, I really can’t commit- I’m gone four weeks out of every five! You try having a serious relationship like that!’

  She laughed even harder.

  As usual, Riley spent some time that evening at the human campsite with Vann, Messenger and Mr Briggs.

  ‘Yes,’ she was saying, ‘I’ve been trying to teach Vann to be more stealthy. You know, he complains more than the gemengs did!’

  ‘The gemengs?’ Mr Briggs asked warily.

  ‘Well when I taught them what I learnt in Astar. You know, how to fight as a team.’

  ‘You… you taught the gemengs that?’ the colour drained from Mr Briggs face.

  ‘For the ehlkrid.’ Riley explained. ‘That’s the only way we’ll stand a chance. And they learnt much faster than Vann.’

  Vann, who had been glaring at Riley, stopped. Clearly, she had not brought him up to make fun of him.

  ‘For the ehlkrid. Really.’

  ‘Mr Briggs.’ Riley said, fixing her clear gaze on him. ‘The only reason I would ever attack Astar was if they attacked me first. Unless you’re planning on doing that, you have nothing to fear from me.’

  When Riley left that night the atmosphere was tense.

  ‘The one advantage we had over the gemengs is gone.’ Mr Briggs said quietly. ‘Thanks to that woman.’

  ‘It’s not good.’ Messenger agreed. ‘She might have an ulterior motive, but I believe what she has told us is also true.’

  ‘Well, it better be, Messenger, because I don’t think we can protect Astar against her and her tribe. We’ll be leaving very soon. We have what we came for.’

  Leaving very soon meant leaving in about a week.

  Arrangements had to be made to keep communication between Astar and the gemengs open. Vann knew Mr Briggs had given Riley a radio, and some preliminary plans had been made about further visits.

  During that week his relationship with Rose continued. But he quickly realised he wouldn’t really miss her; Riley, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. The worst part was, he didn’t know when he would see her again.

  Before they left Messenger insisted on talking to Adila, he wasn’t going to let a chance to have some questions answered get away.

  And so Aerlid contacted her, and she came.

  They were not in either camp, but in the land in-between. Adila would have been uncomfortable going into the human camp, and Mr Briggs wanted to be present, and having the Commander of the Astar Military directly inside the tribe, far from his soldiers, was deemed too great a risk.

  ‘So,’ she began, looking over the group. ‘What questions do you have?’

  ‘Is it true humans and valkar used to be allies?’ Messenger asked quickly, his eyes bright, barely able to contain himself.

  Adila nodded. ‘It is.’ her smile faded. ‘We lived side by side, as neighbours, for hundreds of years. Then they attacked us.’

  Vann saw Riley was listening intently.

  ‘Why?’ Messenger asked. ‘And does that mean we can never be allies again?’

  ‘Why? I don’t know, Messenger. But yes, it does. We will not take that risk again.’

  Aerlid fixed Messenger and Mr Briggs with a cold look that silenced any further questions on that topic. Mr Briggs gave Aerlid a hard look in return.

  ‘My people have never harmed yours.’ Mr Briggs said.

  ‘That is true,’ Adila agreed. ‘But you are still human, and human nature has not changed in all this time. So were we to be allies, one day you would attack us again.’

  ‘I don’t see how we could.’ he said stubbornly. ‘This man sang and the moon changed!’

  Adila smiled softly. ‘I’m not going to tell you how they hurt us last time, Mr Briggs.’ she said gently. ‘Better the way is never known.’

  Messenger glanced at Mr Briggs, who had a stubborn set to his jaw. But he was silent, so Messenger hesitantly asked his next question. ‘The valkar helped the humans last time the ehlkrid came, right? So couldn’t you do that again?’

  ‘We did. But there is no need, Saris. The shields we gave you still work. They will protect you. We will do no more, and please do not ask.’

  Another cold glare from Aerlid.

  ‘Alright. B
ut why help people who attacked your kind?’

  ‘Because we are different from you.’

  Messenger looked at her, waiting for her to go on. She did not.

  ‘And was there ever a time without gemengs?’ he went on. Most of these questions had already been answered by Vearla in Cavachi, though Messenger wanted to see if Adila would answer any differently.

  ‘There was. And a time without humans too.’

  Messenger nodded, her answers had so far matched with Vearla’s. ‘Vearla mentioned she stayed when the other valkar left. Where did they go?’

  ‘That I will not tell you.’

  ‘Ok, I understand.’ he sighed and leant back. He exchanged a glance with Mr Briggs. Matters of state were now dealt with. Anything else he asked would just be to assuage his own curiosity. He wanted to understand the valkar, but it was difficult- and perhaps impossible- to do it without spending time among them. And that obviously wasn’t going to happen. ‘Adila,’ he began, ‘what role do judges play in valkar society? Do they rule?’

  ‘That’s a complicated question. It depends on whether we have… an active Queen. If we do, then the Queen makes the decisions. If we don’t, then the Judgement Master will hear what the valkar want and make a decision, which the other valkar will generally follow. But the role is still not quite the same.’

  ‘What do you mean by an active Queen?’

  Adila just smiled.

  Messenger smiled back. ‘Alright. How old are you?’

  Adila raised her eyebrows. ‘How old am I?’

  Messenger flushed. ‘I gather that valkar live much longer than humans.’

  ‘We do.’ she smiled.

  She said no more. Adila turned to look at Riley. ‘Do you have any questions?’

  Riley shook her head. She did, but she felt it would be better to ask Aerlid. Her questions might reveal something Aerlid didn’t want Adila to know.

  Adila gracefully rose to her feet. ‘I understand you are concerned about Riley’s intentions.’

  Three surprised human eyes were now fixed firmly on Adila.

  ‘The valkar have only ever wanted peace. If Riley agrees, I can judge her for you.’

  Aerlid cleared his throat, ‘Adila.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Perhaps Rose should do that.’

  ‘Mm, you may be right.’ Adila looked at Riley. ‘Would you accept Rose’s judgement?’

  Riley pressed her lips together as she thought. She would much prefer any judging of her be done by Adila. But at the same time annoying the Judgement Master further probably wasn’t a good idea.

  ‘Excuse me,’ Mr Briggs was standing too, his face stony. ‘What exactly is a judgement and why should I trust it?’

  Messenger hurriedly began explaining.

  ‘Mr Briggs,’ Adila said slowly, ‘you yourself have noted the unusual abilities of my kind. Is this so hard to believe?’

  ‘When the safety of my people are concerned? Yes.’

  ‘Well, I or Rose can give you our judgement of her. Whether you choose to believe it is up to you.’

  ‘I will accept.’ Riley said reluctantly, ‘You or Rose may judge me. If Mr Briggs thinks it’s worthwhile.’

  ‘I see no harm.’ He crossed his arms across his broad chest. ‘Proceed.’

  ‘I will get Rose. I doubt she’s far.’ and she shot Vann a smile.

  Adila wandered off to find Rose. The others stood in silence.

  ‘Perhaps Mr Briggs should also be judged.’ Aerlid said suddenly. ‘If Rose gives you her assessment of you, perhaps you will be able to trust her judgement of Riley.’

  Mr Briggs eyes’ narrowed. ‘I’m not sure that’s necessary.’

  Messenger, alarmed, softly began making an argument in favour of it.

  Riley sighed. ‘If you don’t want to, Mr Briggs, then fine. I will still let Rose judge me.’

  True to her word, Adila soon returned with Rose. Rose strode towards them, her back straight, her face as grim as ever.

  Mr Briggs’ expression noticeably softened when the Judgement Master approached. Messenger’s eyes lit up. Vann turned to look at her. Any change in him was minor, maybe he straightened a fraction, perhaps his attention was slightly more focussed. Even the soldiers around them seemed to be paying far too much attention to Rose.

  ‘You wish to be judged?’ Rose asked, her attention on Riley.

  ‘Wish? No.’ she had to force herself to stop there. ‘But I will allow it.’

  Rose nodded curtly. ‘Very well. Hold out your hand.’

  Riley, confused, did so. She had been preparing herself for Rose to hit her with something. But instead Rose just placed something in her hand. Riley looked and saw it was a seed.

  The seed wobbled, cracked. A green shoot appeared. Riley gazed in wonder as the shoot began growing. It grew leaves, grew longer. Soon she held a small plant in her hand, vines and leaves spilling over her hand. The vines were soon dangling near her knees. Little white rose buds began to sprout from the plant. The petals unfurled. The thorns grew. Rose frowned. She made a noise that was almost irritated. And then she reached out again. Riley felt her place something on her head.

  Whatever it was it grew heavier. Soon green leaves and orange roses were swaying in front of her eyes. She felt leaves brushing against her back. Her skin was being pricked and stung by thorns, but the pain was mild.

  ‘Hold out your other hand.’ Rose commanded. Riley did so. Another seed was placed. This one grew differently. Instead of spilling over her hand the vines curled along her arm and grew up towards her shoulder. They spread, winding around her body, neck, face.

  She heard Vann say behind her, ‘Is she alright?’

  ‘Yes,’ Aerlid’s voice came, ‘she’ll be fine.’

  The roses that sprouted from this seed were fantastical, multi-coloured. The smell was strong and sweet. The other roses had little odour.

  Rose sighed. Her frown was deeper than ever.

  ‘I have judged her.’

  Riley could not see the faces of anyone but Rose, and even she was hard to see. Leaves and roses were hanging from her head, obscuring her vision.

  She heard someone say, awe in their voice, ‘and?’ it sounded like Mr Briggs.

  ‘She genuinely wishes for peace.’

  ‘You seem upset.’ Messenger was saying carefully.

  ‘She’s part human.’

  ‘And?’ Messenger prompted.

  ‘Humans are violent.’

  Mr Briggs grunted. ‘I assure you, Astar also wants peace.’

  ‘No. Astar wants to eradicate gemengs from the Earth.’ Rose replied, her eyes flashing, her back straighter than ever. ‘I do not have to judge you to see that.’

  ‘Gemengs are violent. Peace with the gemengs has never been possible, it will come only when they are gone.’

  ‘Now that,’ she said, the corners of her mouth curling up, ‘is a very human thing to say.’

  ‘Mr Briggs.’ Vann said coolly. ‘I think we know now that isn’t true. The fish people have never harmed us, they are our allies. We have a chance we’ve never had before, to make peace with gemengs. We can’t throw that away because of what happened in the past.’

  Mr Briggs grunted again.

  ‘Um, excuse me.’ Riley said. She felt six sets of eyes on her. ‘Mr Briggs, I don’t ask you to trust me. I’m not asking you to do anything except prepare Astar for the ehlkrid and to not attack me. Let me show you I mean Astar no harm, that I have not lied to you. And Rose, can you get these roses off me now?’

  ‘I think they look very nice.’ she replied.

  ‘Of course you do.’ Aerlid muttered. ‘Take them off Rose, go plant them somewhere.’

  ‘I don’t need your advice, Moonsinger.’ But she stepped forward anyway and gently began untangling the plants from Riley. Well, she was gentle with the plants, not so with Riley.

  When she was done Vann came up to Riley and touched her elbow. ‘Are you alright?’

  ‘Yes. I thi
nk I would have preferred it if she’d just hit me.’

  He smiled. ‘It feels kind of strange, doesn’t it?’

  She shrugged and wriggled her shoulders. ‘Kinda.’

  Vann looked back to where Messenger was waiting for him. Mr Briggs had already left.

  ‘Goodnight, Vann.’ Riley said. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Right. Goodnight.’

  They parted ways.

  As he walked back to the camp with Messenger Vann had a pensive expression on his face.

  ‘What are you thinking about?’ Messenger asked. ‘What Mr Briggs said?’

  ‘No. His views don’t surprise me. As long as he doesn’t actually attack her, I think in time he’ll be able to see she’s not an enemy.’

  Messenger sighed. ‘I hope so. I think it’s a chance we can take, have to take. With this ehlkrid story we have a reason to fortify Astar and Coastside anyway, even if she’s lying.’

  Vann nodded. ‘If she was planning on attacking, why would she be telling us to improve our defences?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  There was silence.

  ‘Messenger,’ Vann began. ‘What do you think of Riley?’

  ‘What do I think of her? What do you mean?’

  ‘I mean, you think Rose is lovely.’

  ‘She is. Even Mr Briggs thinks she’s lovely.’ This had not been Mr Briggs first meeting with Rose. She had, a few times, come to get Vann right from the human campsite. She had stalked in, head held high, back straight. Vann had thought Mr Briggs might invite her to stay for dinner. But he hadn’t, and had given Vann permission to leave with her. ‘It figures a Coastsider could seduce a valkar.’ and Messenger sighed. ‘You lucky ass.’

  Vann bit back a smile. ‘Come to Coastside some time, Messenger. I’ll introduce you to women nearly as lovely as Rose.’

  ‘Hah, I don’t think there’s any such thing! But I think I might take you up on that offer.’

  ‘But Riley, what about her?’

  ‘Hm, I don’t actually know. Sometimes I look at her and she seems human. Other times I don’t know what she is… I don’t quite know what to think of her.’

  Vann sighed. ‘I don’t know what she looks like.’

  Messenger shrugged. ‘Maybe it’s better that way. Could you be her friend if you did?’

  Then the day to say goodbye came.

  Riley and Aerlid stood watching the convoy as it got ready to head back to Astar.

  Mr Briggs and Messenger had already said their official goodbyes. Riley had extended a personal invitation to Messenger to return whenever he chose. He’d seemed pleased.

  Last night Rose had already said a terse farewell to Vann. He wouldn’t miss her, and he didn’t think she would miss him either. But now it was time to say goodbye to Riley, and Vann didn’t know what to say.

  Aerlid walked out of earshot, giving them some privacy.

  ‘Riley.’ he began.

  ‘Vann.’ Riley said with a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  ‘I… I don’t know when I’ll be able to see you again.’

  ‘We’ll see each other again.’ she said confidently. ‘And until then, we can still talk.’ and her smile widened.

  ‘The radio is supposed to be for official business only.’ he said, smiling back.

  ‘Well, Mr Briggs agreed it would be better if I could talk to you or Messenger, any other Astarian might not listen so well.’

  ‘So I’ll hear from you.’ he said with relief. He realised then he did not want to leave. He wanted to be a part of what she was doing here. But not just a part of it, he wanted to be able to listen to her and help her and know what she was thinking. And maybe share something of himself too. He thought then of Zap Zap. Well, it wasn’t as if he’d be doing nothing in Coastside. I’ll be able to talk to her. It won’t be so bad. ‘Maybe you should come and visit Coastside. You really missed out last time you came.’

  ‘Would you show me the leapers?’ she asked, her eyes lighting up.

  He gaped for a moment before recovering, he’d been thinking more restaurants, not dangerous, leaping monsters! ‘Well, maybe. I guess if you can hold your own out here you can handle a leaper.’

  She nodded seriously. She pulled something out of her pocket then. It was the leaper claw he’d given her, Vann couldn’t help a small smile that she’d kept it. ‘I look forward to it.’

  ‘Maybe I can show you some other things as well.’

  ‘Can I go on a sub?’

  ‘Um, maybe we’ll talk about that when you get there.’

  ‘Ok.’ her eyes were glittering, as if it was already promised.

  ‘Goodbye, Riley.’ he said. He reached out and touched her arm. ‘Good luck.’

  She placed her hand on top of his for a moment. ‘Goodbye Vann. Say hi to Zap Zap.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘And… be safe.’

  ‘You too.’

  She withdrew her hand and he let go of her arm. He walked back to the truck. He turned. She waved, he waved back. He got into the truck and she was hidden from view.

  He sat next to Messenger, the door was shut behind him. Inside it was closed and dark- but very safe. Or so he was told.

  ‘You know, I’d like to spend more time here.’

  ‘Really? Why?’

  ‘I like getting to know other people.’ he smiled. ‘There’s so much to learn Vann, so much more than what’s in Astar.’

  ‘Well, while you’re waiting, Coastside is always available.’

  ‘Hah! I’ve already made up a few excuses for why I need to get transferred there!’

  Soon after the humans left Riley’s tribe was also on the move, heading quickly towards the mountains. Gakra and Karesh were waiting.