by Susi Wright
Army supplies of lubio and food from the Capital or Splendo were due to arrive late in the afternoon, as they had nearly every time. Nonetheless, food rations were small, shared between the hundreds of recovering victims, the homeless, and the volunteers, in that order. This was exacerbated two days ago by one complete shipment being ambushed and stolen by raiders, the military escort murdered and left for the crows. By the time word had reached the Capital, and replacements were sent, the volunteers had been left with one meagre meal of beans in two days.
The urgent movement of uninjured but simply homeless people to the city was going to have to be addressed without delay, as they were straining the limited resources unnecessarily; even though the stronger ones had been set to helping where they were able, many were elderly or children and not capable of the work, or of making the journey to the capital on foot. To that end, requests had been sent for a dozen extra wagons to transport them. They should also be arriving soon.
Everyone was exhausted from the rigours of the work, even the Gaians, who naturally needed less food and sleep, still taxing their energies to the utmost. None of them had time away from the toil, only briefly freshening up in the nearby stream on rising each morning, and collecting a clean apron from the laundrywomen who washed each day the piles of those soiled with blood and ooze from burns. The laundry tubs were kept at a constant boil, requiring an endless supply of wood and clean water. This was the task of the soldiers, to keep one fire or another constantly burning and fetch water supplies.
Prian, and the gentle ministrations of Gaian and human nurse alike, had already worked its magic on many. Some had even recovered enough to ride the empty supply wagons back to the city. But hundreds still remained, suffering and cold, and more had been arriving every day. Fralii prayed to the Ancestors every night, before collapsing exhausted upon her pallet, that no more would come.
Chapter Thirty-nine
The streets of the Capital had been abuzz that afternoon with excited onlookers vying for a view of the heroic Gaian lord and his entourage, as they toured the city with Governor Rand. City folk everywhere were decorating buildings with colourful banners and celebratory bunting, preparing for the evening festivities.
Their progress through the crowded streets had been necessarily slow, taking a tedious number of hours on samblar-back. So it was with some relief that Luminor’s party finally returned to the relative peace of their quarters for a brief respite, before being obliged to ready themselves yet again for the shorter official evening parade along the brightly lanterned main street, immediately preceding the feast.
Luminor sincerely hoped that all the pomp and grandeur might find its end soon, so he could attend to his unfinished business. Nevertheless, as he bathed and dressed in his ceremonial garments, which had arrived just in time, and walked the grand corridor leading to the street with his men, he felt not a little pride to be representing his people on this historic occasion, the beginning of the long-awaited alliance between Gaian and human.
A cheer went up as they descended the steps of the council building and mounted the waiting samblars, all tacked up in bejewelled saddles and bridles glinting in the torchlight of evening. The shouts and applause were almost deafening as they rode across the square and along the main street, flanked by the remaining Gaian warriors on foot, and a state guard of fifty richly uniformed Capital soldiers. Trumpet bands played, following them, adding to the cacophony surrounding them, for the hour it took to complete the parade circuit and return to City Hall.
There, Luminor and his men leapt lightly from their steeds, facing the crowd. Luminor raised his hand in acknowledgement to the audience congregated in the square, and the forty-six Gaians, as one, turned on their heels, feather cloaks sweeping out behind them and ascended the steps to the city hall, disappearing inside to yet another swell of cheering.
Suitably announced, they entered the dining hall, where invited guests and officials had assembled awaiting their arrival. More applause. Once they were shown to their tables and seated, the courses of lavish and sumptuous fare began to arrive. Luminor and his company were astounded by the richness and quantity of food that arrived in front of them. They had never before seen the like. Luminor, with his controlled and serious nature, found it excessively indulgent, while the fun-loving Altor and the majority of the other warriors tried in earnest to sample as many of the tasty and unusual delicacies as they could manage. When Luminor quizzed Altor, with a disapproving look on his third helping of sweets, ‘Are you truly that hungry?’ he was answered by a wide audacious grin. ‘Someone has to be polite. I am doing it for the Alliance… my lord! It is a sacrifice!’ Altor held his elder brother’s gaze, his eyes twinkling with mischief, as he popped the last sweetmeat into his mouth and licked his lips.
Conceding a small defeat, Luminor dragged his attention from his incorrigible brother. The governor, seated next to him, was making conversation, between mouthfuls of roasted swan and sips of fermented pekunis juice, already well into his cups and merry with it. ‘Lord Luminor,’ he continued, after some slightly slurred small talk, ‘I have a proposal for you… from the assembly . . .’
Suddenly alert, on his guard, Luminor looked at him intently, searching for something possibly devious in the man’s mood. Finding nothing in particular, he waited for the governor to finish what he was saying.
‘. . . That you personally take up a representative position on the council. You would be paid a handsome wage for it, I can assure you! We need you to co-ordinate your people and their skills, to the benefit of Baram society. You would liaise directly with the government. I think this is what you wanted, is it not? Should you accept, we will call a meeting—say, first thing in the morning—to begin planning numerous projects that now promise to become possible…’ Rand smiled expectantly. He definitely wanted to secure Luminor’s loyalty to the council. This would be a way to ensure it. It would work both ways.
Luminor pressed his lips together in thought. Had he not envisioned this very detail, so valuable to his people, becoming a reality? He could not refuse, but feeling the weight of the responsibility, the long-term commitment that this implied, he sighed. By the Ancestors! Why did events conspire to keep him from his heart’s desire?
He would need all the hours available to him this night, for meditation on how best to deal with this latest delay. Slowly, seeing no apparent choice, as realistically this was the way forward, Luminor turned back to the governor to give his reply, with a polite and resolute smile. ‘I will accept.’
‘Wonderful!’ exclaimed Rand, almost gleefully. ‘Wonderful! We meet tomorrow morning!’
And Luminor, with slight distaste, watched him polish off a second serving of sweet berry trifle and labis cream.
* * *
Luminor had spent the entire night contemplating. First the morning meeting to be dealt with, then the order of business that would hopefully lead to his eventual reunion with Fralii. Always in his mind, since that first disastrous meeting with Chadren, had been the knowledge that in order to successfully woo Fralii, he would first need to gain approval and permission from her father. He decided on a peace offering, in the form of retrieving and returning Chadren’s stolen gems, then a pledge to return Fralii home a second time. In order to track and bring about the arrest of the thieves, he would have to move quickly. So many days had passed and hopefully they had not already sold the contraband. He was aware they had been in the vicinity when he had returned Fralii to Splendo. The raider whose boot Luminor used as a token must have reported back to someone in that city. Once the arrests were made and the gems returned, he could leave to search for Fralii, with Chadren’s blessing. To do any of this, he would have to take leave of his office on the council for a period of time. There was no other way. He was done with waiting!
As the rosy glow of dawn started to become visible through his chamber window, Luminor was already dressing for the day, extremely tired but prepared. He made his way to Altor’s room and
tapped lightly on the door. Altor opened it quickly, also up and about and expecting Luminor’s visit.
He smiled, ‘You are going. Today.’
Altor was becoming quite proficient in his perceptive skills. Luminor was glad. He would need this talent in particular, when dealing with human beings. Many of them were duplicitous.
‘Yes,’ said Luminor. ‘You must take my place, for a while.’
Altor met his eyes, smiling without jest. ‘Yes… my lord.’
They both attended the meeting, which was set early. It was quite obvious a few of the councillors had sore heads from the previous evening’s excesses, and one was still missing, sending his apologies for his indisposition. This was the first meeting of the Alliance, to initiate dialogue and to outline plans for the city. Luminor hoped the ones who had attended had their full wits about them for this important meeting.
After the welcoming and other protocols, Luminor had a chance to speak. ‘I am willing to help the progress of Baram. My people will arrive soon to receive citizenship. Our women are already serving in the medical camps in the north. My warriors are at the service of the government, under my command, for the time being, but in due course, they may choose other employ. For myself, I have one request… some personal leave before I take up full duties on the council.’
Rand seemed somewhat irritated, then thought better of it, but inquired anyway in a polite tone, ‘How long, and may we ask, for what reason? After all, this is an important position we are offering you.’
‘I am aware of a serious crime. A robbery. I have a duty to bring the thieves to justice. We are excellent trackers. I will need you to send two marshals to Splendo to carry out the proper arrests,’ explained Luminor. Several councillors exchanged glances. Tracking was another very useful skill!
‘I must return the stolen goods to their rightful owner…’ then to explain his interest, ‘my friend… then go north to find that man’s missing daughter.’
‘But, Lord Luminor… that will delay our plans for the city!’ said the disappointed chancellor for building works. For Luminor, it was easy to see the possibility of Gaians being exploited in all these future plans. They would have to be on their guard.
‘I leave my captain, Altor. I would trust him with my life. He is capable of organising our people in my absence. It will not be for long,’ assured Luminor.
Apparently satisfied that their exciting plans for the city would go ahead soon, the assembly voted in Luminor’s favour, with the proviso that his leave would not exceed a week. He would be free to go this very day. Thank the stars!
The meeting was closed, to be reconvened the following day with Altor, to start the planning. Luminor was assigned two marshals who would leave immediately for Splendo. Luminor and three Gaians would cloak-fly ahead to track and catch the thieves, the marshals travelling by samblar, arriving in time to make the arrests and to escort the rogues to the city prison. Then Luminor would go his own way to return the goods to Chadren, and search for the daughter.
As Luminor took leave of his brother outside City Hall, he put his hand on Altor’s shoulder. He had an uneasy feeling about one of the assembly, the one he had been watching, Commander Stavis. Luminor knew Altor’s perception was quite good, but for emphasis, he spoke. His words were few, but weighty, pitched low for Altor’s ears only, ‘Brother, be careful… Watch Stavis!’
Chapter Forty
The brisk tailwind carried the four Gaians quickly to Splendo. Choosing to enter through the main gates, posing as traders, they split up to form a tracking net, using a combination of walking in the busier streets, and surreptitious breeze-assisted leaps when in quiet back-alleys. They had all agreed the old boot would provide a clue, a starting point. They headed in the general direction it implied, towards the far side of the city.
Luminor himself was quite surprised at how much stronger his feelings were regarding the raiders, now he and his men were inside the city walls. He thought immediately of Fralii’s necklace, nestled in his pocket, made of the unique blue Chuli gems, the attractive aura unmistakable, more so in a large number. It had been that very attraction which had gotten Altor into trouble, when they were younger. Yes, the gems were still here, hopefully together with the thieves in one place!
He joined up with his men, who all ended up heading the same way, and led them to a large locked-up warehouse on the edge of the city. He was almost certain this was the place where the gems were hidden. There was no one around; the majority of buildings were for storage or empty shops, some derelict with broken windows, and there was no through traffic, so they settled into the shadows of a narrow side-alley opposite the warehouse to stay out of sight, waiting for someone to appear. They would all feel the approach of a couple of humans easily in this deserted part of the city. They had patience.
Luminor sent one of his men back to the main road, to lead the marshals here, but they would not return until nightfall, several hours away. In the meantime, one of the warriors scouted the building for skylights, prising one open for later access, before returning to their cover in the shadows of the alley.
The wintry sun was starting to give up its claim in the afternoon sky, the weather luckily fine and not too cold, as the three men had waited several hours. The expected approach of two men became audible, two voices arguing, as they neared the warehouse, about some overdue payment. One of them was complaining he wanted his share, the other trying to assure him he would be paid that night. The exchange was becoming quite heated.
Luminor peered from the shadows, making out a balding, obese man, richly dressed with that superior air of being accustomed to being in charge. The other much taller, beefy, and scarred individual, with a very rough appearance, turned to face the fat one. ‘I don’t believe you still have them all, Charl! You owe me! I have risked my neck for you! I deserve more than a pittance! I’m not waiting any longer! Now I have found you, you devious dog, you will pay! I want to see them. I want my fair share! Now!’
Luminor recognised that one as the leader of the gang who had put Fralii on display at the slave market. The long, ugly scar running down the left side of his face and the large gold earring in his ear confirmed it. A knife glinted in his hand. He jabbed it threateningly towards the one named Charl, whose face had become ashen with fear as he glanced furtively up and down the street. ‘Shut up… keep your voice down, you fool!’ He was fumbling with a parchment, clearly procrastinating. ‘I will show you, here’s the inventory. It is correct! We could go to my office, and work out a better deal for you!’ It was obvious, at the last minute, he had second thoughts about disclosing the location of the entire haul.
‘Show me the goods! I know you have them around here, somewhere!’ the big man barked, as he shoved Charl further along the street. At the entrance of each building, he jabbed the blade again menacingly hard, prompting Charl to give in and nervously produce a key from his pocket to open the padlock on the very next door. The two men disappeared quickly inside.
Luminor and his two men moved simultaneously, airborne, to their vantage point on the roof. Through the dusty glass of the skylight, they could just see the two men below in the main warehouse. The strong threatening one had obviously accosted Charl and was forcing the issue at knifepoint, possibly intending murder, more so now he had the gems within his reach. Through the open skylight, the exchange could easily be overheard. Charl was opening the cover of the wagon to show his abductor the contents, saying, ‘You cannot kill me! You will never be safe! I have men everywhere, loyal because they need my business. My bodyguard will soon find you. You are just lucky he was not at my office this afternoon. Within the hour, when he discovers I am gone, with no appointments, he will come here first, I assure you. He will smell a rat! You have no time! You cannot take the wagon without samblars! The gems are heavy!’
The thug snarled derisively, ‘You must think me stupid, Charl… I have men too! Of course, I did not risk bringing them here! But I have samblars. Yes, I do! Wa
iting not far from here. I have not decided yet, whether I will kill you… or take you hostage, you cheating dog!’ With that, he punched Charl square on the face, knocking him to the ground. Grabbing a length of rope from the wagon, he tied Charl’s hands and feet together, as Charl lay there, his nose bleeding profusely, shaking and whimpering pitifully.
Luminor signalled silently to his companions to go deal with the man, or men, who held the samblars. From the air they would find them easily, just a few streets away. It would be child’s play to dispatch them to their Ancestors, but unnecessary in this instance, as the marshals were on their way. Simply overpowering them, tying them up, and chasing off the animals would suffice.
Luminor watched the burly thief stuff some gems in his pocket, he guessed, to pay for the samblars, turning to head out to fetch them. Luminor was coiled for action, ready to swoop on him as he exited. But before the man reached the door, he stopped, as if he had an afterthought, and wheeled around, striding purposefully back to his prisoner. ‘On second thoughts… no one will pay to get you back, you probably owe them all! I’m better off getting rid of you! They will all thank me!’ And he plunged the knife into the fat man’s belly, twisting it, with a mean snarl. ‘That’s for all the times you have cheated me, old man! Now you won’t tell who did this!’
