‘After the Hunt.’
‘I will gather what I need and seek you in your nest.’
‘Good.’ Indira would be able to learn Vøtkyrnai and explore the galaxy at large by accessing the intergalactic information frequencies.
‘May I offer this gift to my breeder?’
‘Yes. Administer the implant to any who ask.’
‘Generous.’ Ohx dared a look in his leader’s direction, expression turning thoughtful.
‘Breeders deserve care,’ Bhyr said as explanation.
For the first time, it tasted foul on his tongue.
They reached the forest borders. The taste in his mouth dissolved as the scent of fresh sap and clean dirt swirled into his nose. Fog rolled along the ground, hip-high, its tendrils creeping between the trunks until it faded and a dense tree canopy spread beyond sight.
Ohx peeled off to greet Bihter and another young male called Kov Drayg, who stood apart from the gathering.
Bhyr scanned the crowd.
Some five hundred had come. A better turnout than expected at short notice, and he spotted all but a few of his chiefs. Good. The topics broached during the council would be disseminated swiftly through the Horde.
Apart from Ohx and one other, Bhyr stood a head taller than the males of his Horde.
He lifted his spear and a roar of approval met it.
The Hunt began.
22
Bhyr
Breathing hard, Bhyr stalked the feathered spurbeast across the tundra. Its two-toed hooves left divots in the ground, and its sweaty odour further marked its trail. A spine-chilling caterwaul rose above the snowcapped treetops as it announced his presence to its fleeing herd, Horde males giving chase.
Clicking to signal the warriors closest to his position, Bhyr broke cover and plunged into the shaded hinterland.
Ice became black soil carpeted in purple moss. It muffled his quickened pace.
Air crisp with the scent of evergreen leaves rushed cold into his lungs as he urged his body to run faster. He skidded around a giant tree, then used his free arm to hurdle a fallen trunk. The tree boughs were thick enough to obscure all but the faintest shaft of moonlight.
What should have appeared an impenetrable tangle seemed a delicate embrace, as if the forest had closed its arms around the night.
With a twitch of feathers, the spurbeast vanished, its camouflage hiding it amongst the plentiful foliage.
Bhyr slammed to a halt and sent up a silent curse. He crouched. Listened. Scurrying below. Frightened chirrups high above. Leaves rustling. Flat thuds approaching from the rear. Mouth downturned, Bhyr glanced behind and caught a glimpse of Bihter and Ohx closing the distance. They slowed. Bhyr gestured to Ohx to send the rest of the hunting party further abroad. The prey he stalked wasn’t worth diverting the rest from the main herd. Bihter slinked to his side, head cocking.
Bhyr jerked his chin to the last place he saw the spurbeast then flared his nostrils.
The creature tricked their eyes, but it couldn’t disguise the pungent musk its glands released during the mating season. It was off to the right amid a chaotic twist of vines.
Bihter’s joints turned liquid. He flowed over the ground, cutting off egress.
Bhyr crept forward.
Vzzt. What is…?
Blurred movement in his peripheral vision sharpened.
Ohx slipped into formation, blocking another path through the trees.
Smaller creatures fell silent as their predatory intention smothered the area.
Bhyr barked a rough noise that startled the spurbeast into a bleating, flapping run.
Teeth bared in snarls, Bihter and Ohx hemmed the creature.
Slowing his breath to steady his aim, Bhyr tracked its erratic hop. It darted for the sole free path. Bhyr hurled his short-hafted spear. It cleared the trees and sliced through the air in a moon-limned arc.
It pinned the spurbeast through its rotund middle.
Ohx strode forward and grabbed its gangly neck, breaking bone, ending its suffering. He looked it over then nodded. ‘Good kill.’
Bhyr grunted, yanking his spear free. He scooped snow from a tree branch and scrubbed the blade of blood.
Unsheathing a long knife, its handle worn smooth, Bihter skinned the creature. He parcelled out the sweetbreads and choice cuts onto waxed sheets of hide, folding them tightly to avoid seepage.
‘Feathers?’ he asked. ‘There is enough for a pillow.’
Bhyr waved him off.
Ohx finished gulping from his waterskin and belched. ‘I need the skull horn.’
They rejoined the main party. Many warriors were flush with success, laden with meat, bone, gut and pelts. Bhyr clapped shoulders and exclaimed over fat kills.
There would be new goods for trade within a cycle.
‘First.’ Sah Rahm secured his haul then sauntered over. ‘Styng and I brought down a raptorbeast migrating to its nesting grounds.’ He preened.
‘Impressive,’ Bhyr said.
The birds were scarce inland. His boast was earned.
‘Styng told me of your visit to Vayhalun before I replaced that doddering idiot Ogan.’
Bhyr flexed his claws.
Erd Ogan had been brutish, set in his ways, but he’d been unfailingly loyal. Devoted. Not like this Second, who sought to take the place of First.
‘I am concerned.’ Rahm’s voice rose. ‘We have yet to respond to the insult the Great Alpha and Zython’s Avatar paid the Horde on that backwater rock they call Earth.’
Discussions quieted, and gazes were drawn. Clumps of warriors shifted closer, awaiting his response.
Rahm straightened, mouth stretched with a nasty smile, lapping at the attention.
Bhyr kept his expression cool. ‘Insult?’
‘They threatened to unite with humans against us.’
‘Earth is not a conquered Horde domain. ThunderClaw and Venomous did nothing but what they openly warned.’
‘So nothing.’ Rahm straightened. ‘We answer their insult with nothing.’
Bhyr suffered whiplash from how fast the “concern” switched to criticism.
‘I am not insulted.’ Done with the topic, Bhyr moved his gaze on. ‘Before I declare this Hunt done, I would speak with you of humans. Our humans.’ The warriors’ attention abandoned Rahm to focus on him. ‘Our Laws have served us for generations. But I believe it is time for me to change them.’
A sea of blank faces peered back at him.
Gaze roaming, he caught sight of Bihter, who stood with his arms crossed, hope creeping over his features.
It was enough to bolster his courage.
‘An argument was made that the Horde should consider taking life mates. I rejected the notion in favour of treating the human females as we treat Aztekan females.’ He paused. ‘This decision must be revised. Human females are different to our species and should be treated as such.’
‘What are you saying?’ Rahm’s expression formed belligerent lines.
‘I consider repealing all laws that prohibit a male from taking a female breeder as a permanent life mate.’
The Horde froze.
Bhyr pushed through the blockage in his throat. ‘It would apply to human females, and only to males who agree to treat them as they wish to be treated. I also consider allowing the generations who have failed to breed in the past to court a life mate. In the meantime, I expect each male who has a human breeder to treat her with respect and kindness. A warning. Should I discover my advice ignored, the offender will face a Challenge from me.’ That had them gaping in shock. He nodded. ‘In closing, I will no longer enforce the Law of Keeping nor the Law of Testing. These are two of the main laws I hope to abolish along with the Law of Sacrifice.’ His chest expanded, lighter in spirit. ‘Think on it. I welcome all council. This Hunt is done.’
With those words, the Horde dispersed into smaller groupings to discuss the proposed amendments to Law.
As Bhyr headed over to Ohx to remind the m
ale to deliver Indira’s holosphere, he overheard Rahm, Wyrm and Styng in heated conversation.
‘–the preference he shows an unranked male is wrong. As First, he is to be impartial.’
‘You do not think he is?’ Erd Styng, a grizzled warrior who had lost an eye during the extermination of Od, asked.
‘Look at what happened here.’ Rahm spoke in dark tones. ‘Who do you think put these things in his mind?’
‘It should not matter what one idiot male says.’ Wyrm cut a hand through the air. ‘He is supposed to put the Horde first. He is mad to consider letting the females run wild. My own breeder was crazed. Look at what it did.’
Resentment rising to choke him, Bhyr stared, restraining himself from tearing the males to pieces.
I invaded one world and destroyed another.
He committed acts that would never wash clean, and the males dared insinuate Bhyr failed to put his people first?
Wyrm sensed his scrutiny and lifted his head to look about. He jolted when their gazes met, expression taking on a surliness too bold for Bhyr to ignore. He joined the group. He stared at Wyrm, unblinking. He stared until it seemed his eyes were empty voids that would raze life to ash and devour a world. He stared until every male present averted his gaze, broken, fearing he’d look upon them next. ‘I hear you airing a grievance. You have gained my attention.’ His tone made it clear it was not a good thing.
‘My breeder is dead. I need another.’ Gathering himself, Wrym surveyed the crowd. ‘Hel Bihter has two. You gave Rahm’s human breeder to him.’ He threw his shoulders back. ‘That could be changed for the betterment of one such as me.’
Bhyr’s jaw clenched. ‘Rahm’s breeder died along with his spawn. He did not have permission to keep a human and she was confiscated.’
‘My breeder was defective. I deserve another.’
‘What of the males who lost their breeder during the Testing? They deserve another attempt to gain a fertile female, and they do not mewl at my back.’ Bhyr thought of the horror he’d witnessed in Wyrm’s nest.
The little human sawed her own neck to escape this male.
‘Unlike one who lost his breeder due to neglect,’ Bhyr finished, wintry.
Wyrm’s skull paled, nose slits sucking tight. ‘There are billions of human females a moontide away. Unguarded. Ours for the taking. You say Earth is not a conquered Horde domain? It should be. If you were a stronger First, it would already be done.’
Sharp intakes of breath erupted from the gathering.
Bhyr advanced until they stood nose to chin. ‘It is easy to insult me when eyes are on you. Is it worth it? Will those you look to impress help as I tear the innards from your body?’
Glancing at Rahm and Styng, the male bared his teeth. ‘You have no right to–’
Bhyr feinted.
Wyrm leapt back and covered his middle, eyes wild as he looked for a spray of blood that never was. The male bristled at his own cowardice, gaze flying about as lower ranked males glimpsed his fear and circled him like prey.
Chin lifting, Bhyr asked, ‘Are you done? Or must I make a further example of you?’
‘You are wrong to deny me.’ Spittle flew from Wyrm’s mouth. He edged forward. ‘That female should be mine.’
By the Gods’ Burning Blood, the male still beat his chest. ‘The answer is no. Accept it. You were given a fair chance the same as every male here. You are not special.’
Rahm snorted. ‘Yes, we know only certain males are your favourites.’
Bhyr eyed him. ‘I make no apology for acknowledging the value of those who set themselves higher through hard work and discipline. Nor will I fail to humble the ones who tarnish our honour with infighting and malingering.’
‘Males who set themselves higher?’ Styng snorted. ‘You mean Hel Bihter? Who disobeyed and left Vøtkyr putting us all at risk? No? You must mean Kov Ohx, who speaks to his breeder as if it is equal. Or Kov Drayg, who fawns over his breeder and refuses to leash it, endangering us all. Are these the males you speak of?’
Bhyr was silent.
The gathering was silent.
‘What I do in the privacy of my nest is my business alone.’ Anger washed from Ohx in a choking wave. ‘When I discover the craven beast slit who betrayed my trust, I will break his skull.’ The last was said with a trace of his Gift and the ground quaked.
Drayg chose to remain quiet, eyes boring into those who dared meet his gaze.
‘I was punished for my actions.’ Bihter stood very still, too still. ‘As well you know, Wyrm. I was stripped of rank before the entire Horde.’ His tone turned bitter. ‘It is a shame you were not punished for your wrongdoing.’
‘Wrongdoing,’ Wyrm asked, sneering.
‘For breaking the Law of Care. Breeders deserve care. Many of us witnessed your performance in the Gathering Grotto. It damaged the breeder beyond saving. The rumour is that it was not the first time. You drove her to her death.’
‘It was insane.’
‘You are unfit.’ Bihter drew himself up. ‘I call Challenge.’
‘I will not fight a slit tamed weakling such as you.’
‘You fear me.’
‘Shut your mewling throat!’ Wyrm’s eyes grew dark around their edges. ‘Fear you? Does a hunter fear a crawling thing? Why should I bother? You have nothing I want.’
‘Not even the female?’
Wyrm stilled. He looked at Bhyr. ‘Does the First agree? I claim the victory, and the female is mine?’
Bhyr allowed a moment of worry to trouble his mind, then huffed. ‘I agree.’
Bihter will not lose.
If Wyrm possessed less greed and more foresight, he’d remember Bihter had been Third on ascension to Second.
A circle was cleared, while the males stripped naked.
As soon as they stepped within the ring, Bihter dropped the cloak he hid beneath. A feral creature unleashed from where he kept it caged within, and he leapt forward with a roar that sliced through the gathering like a blade. Then Bihter sank into a silent focus, and with a savage swipe, tore into Wyrm’s flank.
The male stumbled, the lurid splash of his blood and a flap of severed flesh steaming on the snow. He paled, agog, and then yowled as Bihter returned for another blow, too slow or too shocked to stop the strike to his knee, knocking him off balance.
From there, the fight was short. Brutal. As Bihter raised his fist to land the killing blow, he stilled. ‘Death is easy. Live with your failure.’ He looked at Bhyr, gaze flat and cold. ‘This hunter demands this crawling thing be exiled.’
Bhyr met his Second’s stare. He hoped to see the support he was owed, but instead, resentment shone from Rahm’s eyes. Very well. What happened next would remind the male actions had consequences. There were other males who might take his place.
Bhyr’s lip curled. ‘I accept his exile.’
Wyrm lay sprawled, covered in dirt and blood. His expression lit with shame as he began to fully comprehend his ignoble fate. His wounds would heal, and he would wander the solars of his life shunned, in infamy.
Bhyr felt no pity. ‘You have until first sunrise to collect your possessions and leave Last Mountain.’
Wyrm scrambled onto all fours. ‘No!’
‘A hunting party of your peers will run you down if you stay.’ Bhyr paused. ‘You do not want that.’
‘Rahm!’ Wyrm pushed onto his knees, eyes wheeling as the Horde drifted away. ‘Speak for me!’
Turning his head aside, Rahm left, shoving Drayg aside.
Styng hesitated, then followed after the Second.
Raking his claws through the ice, Wyrm howled, cursed them all, but was ignored, left to his snarling fit.
Bhyr reaffirmed his plans with Ohx, took his share of meat from his victorious warrior, and then left, no longer in the frame of mind to socialise and a moment from losing the tenuous hold on his temper. The journey home was uneventful, leaving him time to heap curses upon Arj Wyrm, Sah Rahm and their troublesome ilk. Upon sight o
f the entrance to his nest, his mood improved. He stabled his mount with feed then ducked inside, calling Indira’s name.
She sat on a pile of furs next to the rock pit. Her tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth as she threaded a needle.
Patches of hacked up, half stitched material littered the space around her.
‘One second.’ She knotted the gut then set her work aside. She didn’t jump to fling her arms around him as he hoped. ‘Welcome back.’
He squatted and pushed her hair back to see her face. ‘You are upset.’
‘I’ve been alone with my thoughts all night and day. My head is not a healthy place to be.’ She picked up her work and tried a stitch. She made a screaming noise when it went awry.
He reached for it. ‘I will do it for you.’
‘No.’ She threw the scraps down. The gut unspooled and the needle broke into pieces. ‘Shit, fuck.’ Her head dropped back on her neck and she scowled at the ceiling. ‘I don’t need you to do it for me.’
He straightened, stiff. ‘It is my pleasure to provide.’
‘Yes, but….’ She puffed. ‘This is hard for me, Bhyr. I own a house. A beautiful house I bought with money I’d earned. I have a nice car, a huge inheritance and an investment portfolio people would kill for. The ability to buy whatever I want at whim. I’m on the list for the first commercial flights to Mars, for God’s sake.’
‘Mars? I have not heard of this planet.’ He blinked. ‘Is it a human colony world?’
‘It’s the fourth planet from our sun.’
Bhyr lifted his chin to regard her from a different angle. ‘We scanned the planets of your star cluster. There were no planets other than Earth that supported sentient life. Traces of bacteria but nothing more. Why would you wish to visit a barren lump of rock?’
‘It was going to be the experience of a lifetime.’
‘I do not understand.’ His eyes widened. ‘Do you wish for some rock? I can get you some.’
‘No rocks.’ She slumped. ‘Mars doesn’t matter. I had all these… things. Coming here and losing it bothers me. Maybe I should be grateful to reject the material and become one with Gaia, but I’m not. It’s hard. Being here alone brought home the fact I depend on you for everything. I have so much to learn, and even then, I don’t know if I could survive here by myself. I don’t know if I can live like this for the rest of my life.’
Bhyr Page 20
