The Maedo leather battle harness had numerous pouches and pockets. Their lightly plated, scaled, or studded armor covered their arms, legs, and feet, with additional padded armored caps at their elbows and knees. Each Maedo warrior carried what looked to be a long coil of black rope, and several, iron climbing hooks and grapples.
“If they fire upon us again,” Naero said quietly, “we stun the entire lot of them. Then we revive the queen.”
Queen Aijarri approached them without weapons in her hands, her countenance roiling with emotions–anger, mixed with surprise, and even fear. Her nostrils flared wildly. Dozens of warriors with drawn weapons waited only for her command to attack.
In fact, all of her people seemed to be expecting an attack at any moment.
“What are you doing out here?” the queen demanded. “How did you find us? By what right do you delay us?” Her golden eyes flashed as if on fire.
Naero met her gaze calmly and spoke. “As I have said–before you attacked us–I am the mediator of the holy ones. My name is Naero. I chose to keep my meeting with you this day, and persuade you to give up this errand, one that you have been tricked into by Emperor Vauk.”
Upon hearing that name, the queen looked sickened, and spat on the ground in front of her. “You are in a war zone, Mediator Naero. My warriors thought you to be some surprise trick or trap of our enemies to ambush, and kill us all. The Vaedo have posed as holy ones before, in order to do such things. They are devoid of all honor, and the Darkheart–The Emperor of the Vaedo is not a man, if he ever was one. That murdering bastard could not have been born of woman. We believe him to be a piece of some devil’s bloody shit, animated by demon wizards, and sent to plague our world with his evils.”
Naero grinned. “No one seems to like him very much.”
Queen Aijarri blinked, and then laughed. Then her war face snapped up again. She folded her arms in front of her.
“If you know why Vauk sent us, you know where we are going, and why we must do this thing. I cannot let anyone stand in our way, Mediator. I cannot do so, even for the holy ones.”
“Let us speak of these matters,” Naero said.
“No. There is no time for such talk. The emperor holds my only son’s life in his blood-soaked hands–curse that Vaedo devil!”
“I promise you,” Naero said. “Tavul will not be harmed. He is under the protection of the gods and is safe, even now. My sisters and brothers and I shall return him to you this very night. You have my word.”
Om, please get me confirmation of that from our spyfixers. Tell me that the others have rescued him.
Will do, Naero.
A look of pain and fear came over the queen’s face, and she clenched both of her fists at her sides in frustration. “I do not even know you. We have not ever met before, you and I. Even the gods have abandoned me and my people. Why would they help us now? What is my son to them? How can I trust you when I cannot trust anyone? How can I believe you when you tell me that he is safe, and that he will live out this night?”
“Because I am asking you to do so. I will prove what I say.”
“Oh, and that is supposed to be enough? When last I knew, my youngest was in the filthy hands of that bloody, golden, murderous bastard!”
“Great Warrior Queen. Stay thy wrath. Only the power of the gods can save Tavul. But you must break off this attack and return home. I promise you, upon my life, your son will be waiting for you if you do so.”
The queen paused to ponder her words.
Naero. The other adepts have the youth. He is safe and unharmed, although there were a few slight…complications.
I don’t care about that, Om. Are they on board the ship again?
I’m afraid that’s one of the complications. Agents of the Vaedo, posing as Kall, attacked the ship we hired with fire and sank it, killing everyone on board.
They meant to kill us as well. What else?
Prince Tavul was poisoned, and he was being given just enough antidote in his water to stave off death. It took a while for the other adepts to fully neutralize that poison. He is fine now.”
That’s good, because I just put my life on the line. Locate The Blue Vixen. Have Pharrah contact Princess Kutira for help. If she agrees, have her help them bring Prince Tavul to the Maedo cliffs tonight, when I signal them. Tell me when all is ready.
I will, Naero. Your friends think they are speaking with you when I contact them through the spyfixers.
They don’t need to know otherwise, Om. You’re my secret weapon.
You know I love you, Naero.
Om, don’t start all that again. We don’t have time. Please. Just help me.
“I don’t know what to do,” Queen Aijarri said. “If I do as I you say. If we do not do as the Vaedo emperor commands us. How do I know my boy will live?” The queen was obviously in torment.
“Your son is already safe,” Naero said. “We have but to go to him at the Maedo Cliffs, overlooking the Bay of Thanarra.”
“No, I will not trust you, or anyone with the life of my child. If you are truly from the gods, you will use that power to prove it to me. Right now. This very second. If you do not–if you cannot–then you are not of the gods, and this is some devil’s trick. We will roll over you, and burn that Kall lumber mill and shipyard to the very ground, this very night!”
“Very well, my queen. Let me pray. You shall have your proof.”
Naero knelt down, and went through the motions of praying.
Om, link me with Pharrah through the spyfixers. This is urgent.
The link snapped open, and Naero heard Pharrah’s voice through the comdots in their ears.
Naero? This is Pharrah.
Pharrah, the queen is demanding proof of life. Project a holo of him to me here through our comlinks and I’ll do the same, so that they can talk briefly. That should be enough.
Hololink will be open in five seconds, mark.
“My queen. The gods will give you a vision of your son, Tavul. You can speak to him yourself and see that he is well.”
The holo of Tavul appeared instantly.
The Maedo gasped in wonder and drew back.
“Mother, mother!” Tavul cried.
“Tavul, my boy!” the queen nearly sobbed and reached out to her child.
Naero rose up quickly and shouted. “Do not touch the vision or it will vanish! I can only sustain it for a short time. Speak quickly!”
“Tavul, who are you with?”
“The holy ones, mother. They saved me somehow. I fell asleep, and the next thing I knew, I was here with them. Truly, it is a great miracle.”
The queen’s mouth fell open, and no words came out. She dropped to her knees. “Are you all right, my boy? Have you been hurt?”
“I was sick, but the holy ones gave me a potion that healed me. I’m fine, now. They say they will bring me to the cliffs of our people. I can’t wait to get home, mother. I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Forgive me, my son. But I must know if this is truly you, or merely some sorcery. What day is today?”
“The tenth day of the fifth month, mother.”
The queen closed her eyes, obviously wanting to believe. “You have a scar on your right elbow, my boy. How did you get it?”
“Father grazed me with an arrow, when he shot an assassin trying to carry me off.”
Aijarri gasped slightly again. “We will be together again, shortly, Tavul. Tell the holy ones to take you to our cliffs. I will be waiting there.”
The holo vanished.
The queen turned where she stood, and called aloud to her fierce warriors. “There shall be no attack on the Kall, this night, my people. We return to our cliffs, and the Darkheart can go rut himself to death!” She spat once more.
Aijarri offered Naero her hand. Naero took it and held it.
“You are quite strong, and very young for both a holy one and a mediator, holy sister.”
Naero smiled and shrugged slightly. “I have always
been full of surprises.”
The queen laughed. “I’m guessing that. It is a long way back to the cliffs. Run with me, holy sister, and let us speak on many things.”
Naero bowed her head. “That is why I have come, my queen. To speak with all the rulers of the city states, and attempt to mediate a peace among the lands.”
Aijarri raised both eyes wide. “You have not spoken with Emperor Vauk, yet?”
“Briefly. I will see him tomorrow.”
“Beware then. Your status will not protect you in the least with that devil. He is a sick, twisted fiend. If only the gods would see fit to remove his rotting head from his festering body.”
Naero thought of the lives of everyone on that ship that they had hired. None of those people deserved to die.
Talking with the queen was a real eye-opener, to say the least, confirming much about the Maedo and the entire situation that Naero had read about in the reports.
None of the lands were blameless in the constant strife.
But it became very clear, that the emperor of the Vaedo continually used his large armies and his extensive spy network to play all the lands against each other for his own gain and benefit.
In two cases that Naero knew about already, Emperor Vauk had kidnapped the children or kin of the other royals, and forced them to attack one another. And it did seem that the Maedo had suffered much more than the other three combined.
If something did not change, simply by attrition, there would soon be only three great city states, and not four. Anyone could see that the Vaedo were preparing to wipe out the Maedo, and then focus their growing powers on the other two.
It was well after sunset when they reached the Maedo Cliffs.
As Naero planned, The Blue Vixen appeared out of the fog to return Prince Tavul.
Then two other Kall ships swept in out of the fog as well.
Naero! Those are the two ships that sank our chartered vessel. They are filled with enemy agents from Vaedor, only posing to be Kall. Now the princess is signaling them. They do not know the correct replies.
Stun blasts, Om. Have the adepts nail those vessels with Cosmic stun blasts, before they can attack.
Already, Naero’s keen eyes spotted the flaming braziers and oil bombs being readied and uncovered.
The three adepts on The Blue Vixen lifted their staffs and hands to the stars.
Bright flashes of light enveloped both enemy warships.
In a matter of instants, the false crews collapsed and sprawled stricken upon the decks of those two ships, above and below decks.
Several Kall ships roared in the next moment–surrounding the two renegade ships–including the large warship of King Haikoda, himself.
There was no escape, and no battle, since the imposters were already stunned.
Naero rode a lift on chains and ropes down to the deck of The Blue Vixen. She embraced Kutira and her adept friends, thanking them.
Prince Tavul stood by nervously. He looked over at Naero with his large golden eyes, trying to be brave.
“You are the mediator?” he asked.
Naero offered him her hand. “I am, Prince Tavul. My name is Naero, and I am your friend.”
Tavul looked around at the Kall, and sighed.
“So, I am to be ransomed, then?”
Naero laughed and shook her head. “No, my friend.” She reached up and touched his young, handsome face. Sheesh, even at thirteen, the kid was taller than her. “There shall be no ransom.”
Naero led Tavul to the lift and winked back at Kutira.
Now it was the princess who sighed. “You are right, Naero. Even if my brother doesn’t like it. It is the right thing to do. If only you had come to us sooner. Perhaps we could have–” Kutira looked away.
Naero took Kutira’s hands. “I’m sorry. I wish we could have saved your brother, Jigan.”
A fierce light lit Kutira’s fair face, burning with tears, as the wind swept through her hair. “I know very well who is to blame. I shall never forget it, nor forgive.”
Tavul smiled happily as he rose up into the air. He waved at them. “Farewell, Princess Kutira, my pretty friend. My good holy ones. Thank you all and the gods themselves for rescuing me. I owe you my life.”
Kutira smiled through her tears and waved up at the handsome boy. “Go in peace, my friend. Let us pledge never to harm each other.”
“You have my word, Kutira.”
“And you mine, Tavul. Let all witness it.”
The Sea King and their two remaining brothers strode up quickly to join their sister.
A brief squabble was settled quickly, concerning the loss of ransom.
“My lords,” Naero pointed out. “You have just regained control of two of your lost warships, completely unharmed, undamaged, and fully loaded for war. You have captured two large units of villains, posing as your people–and perpetrating murder, rapine, piracy, and war–falsely in your name. I suggest you question these spies and assassins thoroughly before bringing them to justice. I’m certain you shall learn many interesting things.”
Kutira knelt at her oldest brother’s side and kissed his hand. “The mediator has done very well by us, my brother. By freeing Prince Tavul and returning him to his mother, Naero prevented an attack on our secret lumber mill and shipyard, a loss that would have set us back decades!”
King Haikoda asked for a seat to think in, and one was brought up on deck for him.
He listened to all that was said, and then looked at Naero in wonder. “Is all of this true? Why have you done all of these things to help us?”
“I am here to help all toward the ways of peace,” she said. “For that is the will of the gods. There has been enough blood. Even the warrior gods grow sick and tired of seeing their beloved children constantly butcher each other for no reason. It is time to put an end to such folly and madness. Peace and reason will serve you all better.”
Even the mighty Sea King was at a loss. “We have never known such. How do we even proceed?”
“The holy ones will advise and counsel you all, if you would only listen to us. Both the Maedo and the Kall have seen fit to make no war this night. It is a start. It is only a beginning, and must be continued, no matter how hard it becomes.”
“I am listening, child. You force me to listen.”
“I am listening as well,” a mighty voice called down from another lift that had been lowered from the Maedo Cliffs. “Haikoda, mighty King of the Sea. Queen Aijarri of the Maedo thanks you for the freely returned life of her youngest child, Prince Tavul. And I thank the holy ones for his miraculous rescue from the clutches of Emperor Vauk.”
Haikoda stared at Naero in wonder. “But how? How was this achieved? No one escapes with their life from the very teeth and claws of the blood-soaked, golden dragon?”
Naero clasped her hands together. “The gods wished the boy to be spared and set free, and so he was. Yet they seek not to meddle in your affairs directly. That is not their way or wish. You world is your own for you to rule. If you count on them to do what you should do for yourselves, they will surely turn away. They but give you all these few chances to solve your problems on your own–between one another. For that is the way things should be. They placed you all in charge of your world. It is not theirs. You are all responsible for what comes of your world–peace and life–or death and destruction. The choice remains and always will remain yours to make. Make the right choices long enough, and you will have no need of the gods.”
Queen Aijarri called down from her lift. “For too long, the Darkheart has set us all at each other’s throats, Haikoda. Our peoples grow weaker, while he only grows stronger. This night I owe you the life of my son, and offer you safe passage. Will you not come up to us, great king, and let us speak of peace, with the mediator of the gods between us?”
“I wish that I could, great queen. But I swore a great oath–before the gods and all that exists–to never set foot on land, and to stay on the ships of my people, unt
il the Kall are safe and secure in their freedom. I cannot break such an oath.”
“I understand. Keep your great oath. Then, if you swear my safety upon the lives of your blood and your people, great king. I shall come down to you, alone and weaponless. And we shall speak of such matters on any ship you name.”
“How can I refuse such a brave offer, that I cannot meet myself? Come down then, weapons or no, as you are, Queen Aijarri. Upon my life and my honor, you shall remain both safe and free among us.”
The Queen signaled for the lift to be sent down, and she stepped out to take the hand of The Sea King in greeting.
“Ware! In the port rigging!” Kutira suddenly cried out.
A Kall archer bent her bow at the Maedo Queen. None could stop her from firing.
Haikoda himself stepped before the queen to take the shaft in his own breast, protecting her according to his vow.
But at the last instant, Naero leaped in. The arrow struck her in the back, and protruded out the front of her chest. She gasped in agony and felt her eyes roll up.
Haikoda caught her in his startled arms. “No…no, little sister. That shaft was not meant for you!”
The assassin crashed to the deck the very next instant–dead–riddled with arrows, javelins, and even a few well-thrown knives.
Kutira rushed forward to examine the body.
“Was she one of us?” Haikoda asked in disbelief.
Even Kutira stared in shock, before she nodded. “She…was. Gevana and I were playmates. Yet see what I find in her pockets…Vaedo gold coins!”
The princess flung the bloody coins into the sea in fury.
Naero felt the adepts examining her. She trusted in her friends. They would heal her.
Naero. Poison. The arrow was poisoned, with the same blowfish venom meant for the Thanes!
I’m getting dizzy Om. Help them neutralize it.
I’m trying.
“Poison,” Naero muttered. “Blowfish…poison–”
The Sea King paled. “If that is true, I’m afraid…she is gone. There is no known cure for such poison.”
“Lay her down,” Pharrah insisted.
Spacer Clans Adventure 3: Naero's Fury Page 16
