by K R Sanford
“Thank you, Gonquin.” said Marco. “You heard our discussion?”
General Hodges stepped forward. “Admiral; Yes, and may I congratulate you on your promotion.”
Marco nodded and replied, “Well, thank you, General. That’s kind of you.”
“Yes,” continued General Hodges. “The Amedans have studied the landscape long enough. They know the players. Lao is the number one choice to represent the Liometo. He is a showman. And, he likes to capture the hearts and minds of the masses. Yes, we get behind him.”
“Okay,” said Devin. “All that remains is the consensus from the Liometo.”
“The Liometo, who?” said Gonquin stepping closer to the table. “Can you repeat that?”
“I will show you, Gonquin,” said Marco, “With your permission, Cybil.”
Cybil stood and offered Gonquin her hand. She began to speak, “Pleased to
Gonquin took hold. He turned over her hand. Bowing, he kissed the back of her hand with the faint escape of a warm breath.
Cybil’s hand morphed in Gonquin’s grip. He felt her bones strengthen. Her finger tips changed to claws piercing his skin. He pulled away. Her razor sharp claws sliced effortless into his flesh. Blood trickled down his hand. Gonquin pulled a napkin off the table and wrapped it around his hand.
“My apologies, Cybil,” he offered with his most sincere smile. “I would not have kissed a Vallian Lady like that. I over stepped my bounds.
Cybil glared into Gonquin’s eyes. Her irises flashed yellow. She hissed. Her fangs protracted. The pressure nerve in her canines detected his carotid artery. She sensed the blood bobbling in his neck. She turned her head away. Then, brushing passed his shoulder; she scolded him with a warning eye. She stepped from the banquette hall and disappeared out the back of the castle.
Pawdell and Shanna were leaning against the Hallway of Clocks. “Hello, Cybil,” said Shanna. “Is everything alright?”
“I hope not,” replied Cybil.
“That’s an interesting comeback,” said Shanna.
“This should be good,” said Pawdell with a wink.
“After traveling all those miles, then to have that feathered flirt tickle my pinky, how rude!” Cybil fanned her face.
“Come, Cybil. Let’s get you some fresh air. You have been trapped inside that starship too long. Then there’s that twisty mountain.” Shanna shook her head.
“She’s right,” said Pawdell. “You’ll be much happier outside where you can see the horizon.”
“Can we go to the lake?” said Cybil.
Clorissa and Marco were walking toward them.
“Don’t forget me,” cried Clorissa.
“We were going outside, Dad,” said Shanna. “I want to show Cybil the lake.”
“Brilliant, let’s go,” said Marco “I could do for a nature walk myself.” He led to the back of the castle and sprung open the back door. He stepped to the edge of the patio and looked over the game field. They followed.
He turned to Cybil and motioned his hand circling one hundred-eighty degrees. “This is where they joust on horseback. This field and the fields beyond will be full of contestants from every corner of our galaxy.”
“How many,” asked Cybil, “How many people?”
“I don’t know, a hundred thousand, or more.” Marco looked to the shuttles circling in the sky, "a lot more.”
“Where are my people staying?” asked Cybil.
Marco pointed to the front of the castle. “The Liometo can stay on the farmlands. Do you recall seeing this when we few in?”
“Oh yes, Lady Lucia’s place,” replied Cybil with a probing smile.
Marco tilted his head and walked down the steps to the grass. He raised his chin to the row of tall pine at the edge of the field. “We will take the trail to the village. It’s on the way to the lake. You, did want to go to the lake?”
“Yes, I want to drink the water. And, I want to look at the pretty fish,” said Cybil.
Marco chuckled. “Okay, we can do that. The command team will each have a room on the top floor of the castle. This is where the King and Queen live. Amedans patrol the roof tops and the castle grounds. There are some rules during Festival. First
Shanna smirked. “He won’t let you walk away from the castle without a guard.”
“No Shanna,” retorted Marco. “Cybil doesn’t need a guard. She needs a chaperone. Someone who is competent to escort and provide safety in case, that’s all.”
“A guard,” said Shanna smirking at Cybil.
Marco held up his index fingers. “Now you girls, you’re being nutty.”
Shanna jumped on Marco’s back grabbing him around the neck. “I know who’s being nutty. Help me, Cybil.”
“No!” screamed Marco. “Cybil bites!”
Cybil reached her hand around Marco’s neck. She hung with her feet off the ground, until finally they tumbled in the grass on top of each other.
Marco groaned. “Not fare,” he cried, “Two against one.”
Pawdell, getting into the spirit of things looked up at the seven foot Ziltairian. Clorissa lifted her eyebrows inviting Pawdell’s challenge. She smiled. Pawdell backed away. She took a step forward and reached her velvet arm around Pawdell’s chest. She picked him up.
Looking up at Clorissa’s eyes he squeaked a pathetic, “Help.”
“Oh, you can cry louder than that Paw?” chided Clorissa. “We can hear you from the Castle window shtupping Shanna.”
Pawdell struggling for breath, “I can’t breathe.”
Clorissa set Pawdell down long enough to hold him by his collar. She held him up on his tiptoes. “Is that better?” she said.
“You’re killing my dignity,” said Pawdell.”
“What dignity?” Clorissa reached down and grabbed Pawdell by the seat of his pants. She held him four feet off the ground. He spilled out onto the ground. Pawdell twisted on the grass trying to find a hole to crawl into. Clorissa was holding Pawdell’s pants in her hands.
“Can I have my pants back, Clorissa, pretty please?”
“You can’t wear these anymore, Paw. They’re completely ruined,” Clorissa shook her head. “No good. I’ll see if I can find someone to fix them, Paw. You stay here.”
Clorissa walked off toward the village with Pawdell’s pants in her hand.
Shanna, on her feet, leaned into Pawdell. “Caught out in the buff is unacceptable, Paw.” She distained him then walked after Clorissa.
Marco, passing Pawdell said, “One day, Son, you’ll look back at this as a learning experience.”
Cybil turned to Pawdell. “Who needs pants anyway? Sometimes, I don’t were anything at all.” She turned and marched after the others.
Pawdell got up. He stripped off his shirt, pushed his legs through the sleeves of his shirt. Then with a twist of his wrist, he cinched a knot tight around his waist. His golden hair flapped every which way as he dashed across the game field.
Shanna greeted Pawdell with a look of shock. “You are going to set a new fashion, Paw. Oh look dear, you have grass all over your butt. Here let me fix that.” she said giving him a loud slap across his rump. “Only a clock maker’s son would wear his shirt upside down. How do you feel about that now, Paw?”
“Ridiculous,” said Pawdell. “But I’m starting to like it, if you want to know the truth.”
“Good, very good,” said Shanna condescending. “I like it when you’re vulnerable. Let’s go to my place and shtup like the criminals.”
“I’m going to the Inn to discuss Lao’s plans,” he said recoiling from her suggestion.
“Didn’t you hear? They already did that, Paw. We wait until the Amedans make their move.”
“I’m uncertain,” said Pawdell. “Do you think aggressive species wait? If life onboard a starship has taught me anything, it's our value to other civilizations? Our own planet, for example: The top species live under ground. We live on the surface with toxic sunlight. We get exposed to high energy particl
es. Some can kill if you get hit in the head.”
Shanna looked to the sky. “Will Skynet protect us from cosmic rays, Paw?”
“It can,” said Pawdell reflecting. “I remember the dome dropping on the village.”
“Right,” said Shanna. “You’re thinking we should let that happen?”
“What say, if Lao wants to commit Ameda to the interstellar traffic, okay. He first needs to protect Shrine Lake Village.”
“How does he do that?” asked Shanna.
“Easy,” shrugged Pawdell, “We bring the dome back from Emerald Sea.”
“Then we get trapped, Paw?” said Shanna.
“I don’t see it that way, Shanna. The dome will circle over part of the lake, giving us fishing and swimming. It will also give us part of the forest, and the castle and the village.”
“What about Festival,” asked Shanna?”
“And all those shuttles over there,” said Pawdell. He pointed to line of shuttles next to the vendors tents. “Well, they won’t be there will they?”
“But Festival is in five days.”
“Then there’s no time for shtupping,” said Pawdell. General Hodges will have to move them to a different location. The Amedans will need to bring the dome back over.”
“Is it even possible?” asked Shanna.
“It’s a good idea, Paw,” said Marco. “It’s bold and simple.”
“Oh, now you’re making fun, Dad,” chided Shanna.
“No,” replied Marco. “I like it. I like it because when the dome isn’t needed it can be moved back to Emerald Sea. Let’s talk more about this at the Inn. That way, we can learn what the Vallians think. Paw, you can find a pair of pants there until Clorissa makes another for you. I take it, that’s why she’s holding them so close to her chest.”
“I’m holding them because they’re still warm,” said Clorissa handing them back to Pawdell.
Pawdell tucked them under his arm. He turned to Marco and asked, “What about the three starships under the dome, Admiral?”
Marco nodded his head several times. “I’m going to trade those ships for the Mastodon. Marty is the new commander. Now, the Mastodon belongs to the Interstellar Forces. And, the three ships on the sand will be Vito’s to do with as he pleases.”
“Wow,” said Pawdell. “He is going to need a crew and everything.”
“Yup,” said Marco. “Did you want to be a sailor, Paw?”
“No, I’m going to stay in the castle and help Devin.”
Marco shot a smile at Cybil then continued. “This is a good opportunity. The Liometo can work with Vito. I expect he’ll want a staff for those vessels as soon as possible.”
Pawdell ran on the Castle Road clutching his torn pants. He disappeared through the gate at the back of the Village Inn. He stepped through the rear hallway to where Saralil was working at the front desk.
“Oh, for land sakes boy, what have you been doing? Paw, do you want a change of clothes?”
“No, I’m fine,” said Pawdell.
“Fine!” questioned Saralil, “Goodness, Paw, how did you get so filthy?”
“I got beat up by a Ziltairian monster.”
“Are they here already?” Saralil shook her head. “Paw, take the room at the foot of the stairs. I’ll set some clothes next to the door. Go on now, and get yourself cleaned up.”
“Yes ma’am, and thank you, Saralil. Is Tildanfin around?”
“You go on now, Paw. She shooed him away like a dog. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”
Soon after, the others came through the back door.
“Shanna,” said Saralil. “Marco, you’re back. And, who’s this fine one with you?”
“This is Cybil, Saralil. She is a Liometo from another galaxy.”
Saralil gave Marco a suspicious eye then nodded. “Hello Cybil, welcome to Festival,” she said out of habit. “Clorissa dear, we have missed you. Are you that big bad Ziltairian monster that beat up Pawdell?”
“That would be me,” said Clorissa.
“He made it sound like the death squad caught him, the braggart.”
“Paw is inventive,” said Marco.
Saralil swallowed hard. “He got that from his father,” she said.
“Yes, old Mondell,” said Marco, “May he rest in peace.”
“You know, I can still see him in his shop with his beautiful clocks.” Saralil bit her lip. ”It’s not the same, you know?”
Marco, at a loss for words, patted Saralil’s hand. “And the others,” he asked. “Are the others in the Great Hall?”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” She whispered pointing to the door next to the stairs. “Will you tell Tildanfin, Pawdell is here and wants to see him?”
Marco nodded. “Yes, I’ll do that right now. You say they’re in the Great Hall?”
“You know the way, dear,” said Saralil. “I have to stay here; the guests and all?” she winked without thinking.
Marco patted his hand on the counter then departed with the others. He led to a heavy set of doors and stepped inside.
The Great Hall was a high ceiling room with massive wood beams. Every kind of ancient sword, spear and weapon of war hung on the walls. Bows and arrows were hanging with their quiver ready for use. It was the Great Hall and made for war at a moment’s notice. In the center of the room was a stout wood table. Tildanfin, Master at Arms was sitting with the Vallian warriors.
The warriors looked up. Tildanfin sprang to his feet. He clutched the air. “Marco, you’re back! Clorissa! Are you and Grantham staying with us? You have to stay with us. Promise me you will.” Tildanfin’s gray bushy hair shook when he spoke. “Who is this beautiful creature?”
“This is Cybil,” said Marco. “She is a Liometo Elite, a symbiote. She’s a changeling.”
The oohs and aahs of the Vallian warriors spoke volumes.
Intrigued, Tildanfin probed. “I see. If you’re friends with Marco, you are welcome anytime. My brothers will support you. Are there others like you here?”
Cybil gave a slight bow. “You are a kind people. Is this your house or is it the Village meeting house?”
“It is both. Have a seat, Cybil," said Tildanfin. "Make yourself comfortable. Tell us about your journey.”
“If I may have a moment,” said Marco. “Pawdell is in the first room by the stairs cleaning up. He wants to see you about his idea.”
Tildanfin straightened. “Pawdell has an idea? How does that apply here now?”
Marco pursed his lips. “His idea is timely. I would recommend giving him a listen.”
Tildanfin nodded. “I’ll do one better. Chertog, will you get Pawdell and bring him in here. Let’s all hear this idea of Pawdell.”
“He’s in the rat room?” balked Chertog.
“Chertog, we tiled that entire floor three years ago. There aren’t any rats in that room.”
“Oh, that’s the room we tiled. I forgot,” replied Chertog.
“I don’t think you forgot, Chertog,” retorted Tildanfin. “You and Arnockel drank your fill of Gonquin’s Mountain Ale. That’s what happened.”
Chertog nodded. As if recalling the job of work needing plenty of grog, he smiled. “I’ll get him.” He sprang to his feet and marched through the door.
Tildanfin placed his hand on his heart. His voice boomed again. “Forgive me, Cybil, You were about to tell us of your journey,”
“You’re kind for allowing me to speak. It will have to be another time. I am tired. I will need a day of rest to answer all your questions. Right now, Clorissa and I have plans to see the lake. We will do that while you hear Pawdell’s idea.”
“Well now,” said Tildanfin, “I am intrigued. But, there are rules. Someone will have to go with you ladies.”
“Yes, we know the rules,” said Clorissa.
“I’ll go,” said a short scruffy man with a brown bedraggled beard, “I am William,” he said, “Your humble guide.”
“This is perfect,” said Tildanfin as the double doors
sprung open. “And perfect timing. Don’t be gone too long now.”
Marco pointed his finger at the door. “Go with them Shanna. We have to discuss Pawdell’s idea.”
“I wasn’t going to stay here by myself,” she replied, “no offence, Paw?”
“None taken, Shan,” said Pawdell. “I can’t shtup with Festival coming. You have a good time.”
“You’ve said that already, Paw. I’ll see you later.”
“Right,” he said taking a seat at the big table. He pulled a mug of ale off the table. In the time it took to hoist the mug to his lips, the ladies departed out the front door.
“Pawdell,” said Tildanfin. “I hear you have an idea. Would you mind sharing it with us here today?”
“Of course not,” said Pawdell. “It’s nothing you haven’t thought of before. We ask the Amedens to set the dome over the village during Festival. We can secure our peoples that way. And, Marco wants to use the three ships for something.”
“Yes, we have thought about those things, Pawdell. But now you have given us new reason to secure our Village. With the refugees coming, not to mention the travelers from every corner of the galaxy, we agree. Pawdell, you will put it to the Amedans for us. Okay?”
Pawdell wiped the froth from his mouth with the back of his hand. “Okay,” he said. “We only have five days.”
Marco and Vito found there topic for conversation then stepped to the end of the table.
Chertog and Arnockel gathered with the Mountain Riders in hurried discussions about supplies.
Tildanfin leaned into Pawdell. “The quickest way to the Amedans is through the caverns. Someone will have to drive the shuttle.”
They turned to Marco and Vito.
Marco and Vito both turned to Pawdell. Vito spoke. “We’re going that way, Paw. You want a ride?”
“We came that way,” replied Pawdell. “What if Lao blocks the road?”
“We have leverage, Paw,” said Vito.
“What leverage, Mister Vito? He’s High Council Lao; the most powerful being in the galaxy besides the Riddle.”
