A Cat Among Dragons

by Alma Boykin

“Yes, Imperial-Majesty.” Which means that if your successor is incompetent, and if the nobles take advantage of it, then your people are screwed. Blessed Bookkeeper, what have I signed on for? Rada said none of that aloud, nor did she ask to whom Shi-dan reported. She’d learned enough about Azdhagi religion not to speculate which deity the current King-Emperor venerated.

  “Good. You are dismissed. Ko will return your instrument to you.” With a mental shrug Rada bowed very low, backed the required distance, and took herself off into the bitter chill of the clear night, leaving her liege alone on the battlement. She had a great deal to contemplate but she paused and glanced back over her shoulder. Shi-dan stared into the cloudless heavens, a darker shadow against the glittering white swath of stars the Azdhagi called the Royal Highway. Rada’s shiver had nothing to do with the midwinter cold as the Lord Defender hurried down from the wall.

  High Waters

  Rada studied the map of Zhangki City, thinking to herself that she hoped she would never, ever have to fight in it or for it. The port city had all the hallmarks of age—a core of narrow, crooked streets that had once followed the Zhangki’s southwestern bank, more twisting roads leading into newer (only 400 years old) parts of town, a sprawl of suburbs, and several hundred thousand residents who worked at or fed off of the harbor. The Defenders’ post at Zhangki City perched on a bluff to the northeast of the city and looked down over the seaport, while the municipal administrative center remained in the heart of the old city. As she looked at the depiction of the cramped urban core, Rada’s mind played back images of the nastiest street fighting she could remember, followed by scenes of the dubious charms of port towns all over the galaxy. She finally glanced up at her new second-in-command. “Well, Captain Breet, it looks like an interesting place to visit and this is a good time for it.”

  The low-slung reptile nodded in agreement. “Just watch out for this area here, my lord,” and his talon circled some neighborhoods at the far southwest tip of the peninsula at the Zhangki’s mouth. “Really old fashioned, hate strangers and foreigners. The families were once old merchant money, ruled almost like nobles until the Great Relocation upset everything.”

  The Lord Defender blinked. “Paymaster’s Purse, that was what, over three hundred year-turns ago?”

  “Yes, my lord. We have long memories,” he reminded her. “However, things are changing, Lord Mammal. The city installed sewers ten years ago.” Rada realized that he was joking a little, if she read his body language correctly, and she decided to risk a sally of her own.

  “And indoor plumbing will be coming soon?” She’d guessed right and the medium green reptile’s tail twitched with suppressed laughter.

  “With every flood, Lord Mammal,” Breet replied. “Still haven’t figured out one-way valves.” Since he was considered what Rada had learned to call a hayseed, from a small agrarian estate southeast of the capital, it was doubly funny and she chuckled dryly.

  “I’ll take my tall leg covers then. Thank you Captain.”

  On the flight down to Zhangki City, Rada thought about the past few sixts. She really needed to get away from the Palace more. Despite its technologies and inter-stellar Empire, Azdhag society depended to a large extent on face-to-face contacts and personal loyalties, and Rada wanted to be sure the reptiles in the Defenders knew who she was and knew to obey her. For the moment, she suspected—no, she knew—that the majority of officers and men followed her orders only because King-Emperor Shi-dan told them to. However, that would come to an end at some point and she needed to be known and respected for herself by then. It would be even easier if we get a small, weak invasion and the Defenders terminate it. I earn my reputation and problem solved, she mused, then stopped thinking about much of anything as the plane abruptly dropped a hundred meters.

  It was the end of storm season and apparently one of the smaller monsters lurked between Rada’s flight and its destination. She triple checked her safety harness and fastened the chin buckle on her helmet. Around her, Azdhagi took firm grips on the extra seat holds with all four feet, some shutting their eyes and probably addressing their deities. The aircraft lurched again and Rada clenched her teeth against nausea. She was not fond of atmospheric flight unless she was in the cockpit. It was a common malady among pilots of all sorts. Ah well, at least I can’t brood over last month’s events of interest while I’m yipe! and the aircraft dropped another fifty meters or so.

  No one kissed or licked the ground when the plane landed at the Defenders’ airstrip, but there were some very rapid departures from the vehicle. The Lord Defender had not gotten ill, although she’d come close. “We clip the edge of something?” she inquired as she passed the copilot.

  “Yes, m’lord,” he replied. “It dropped a twist wind about five kliqs from where we passed through, just after we left.” Rada realized that the Azdhag’s entire body trembled lightly and she sent thanks to whichever deity had been watching over them.

  “Well flown,” she said, ducking her head as she exited the plane. OK, that does it. I’m getting my own aircraft. Rada adjusted her weapons and strode over to the greeting committee. “Lieutenant Skeeker?” she inquired of the soldiers drawn up at attention.

  “Here, Lord Defender,” a nondescript medium brown reptile approached her and saluted. She returned the courtesy and he continued, “Welcome to Zhangki City base, Lord Ni Drako. How was your flight?”

  She smiled a little grimly. “It was interesting. Let’s leave it at that, Lieutenant.”

  He nodded, twitching his muscular tail. “Understood, my lord. This way, please?” and he led her between twenty Azdhag soldiers.

  Rada inspected them as she passed, stopping in front of one private. Something about his kit seemed a little odd and the Lord Defender studied it. “Private, tell me about your equipment,” she ordered.

  He stuttered a little until a voice growled, “Private Kissk, display your gear.” Kissk rose on his hind legs and removed his carry harness. He quickly and neatly laid out a long coil of rope and carabiners, thick-palmed webbed forefoot covers, and a neck float, in addition to the usual gear.

  Rada thought for a moment. “High water rescue?” she inquired.

  “Affirmative, Lord Defender,” the private replied.

  “Excellent! Glad to see that, Private Kissk. And I’m pleased to see a good, neat equipment display,” she nodded, looking around at the others before moving out after the waiting officer.

  As with most Defender bases, Zhangki City’s compact facility had been arranged in a grid. One of Rada’s long-ago predecessors had decreed that all the bases must conform to a certain basic pattern so that a soldier arriving at a new post already knew where to find the important things: barracks, mess hall, weapons storage, infirmary, and so forth. Not all bases matched the layout, but enough did that Rada could find her way with a fair amount of confidence. Zhangki City’s facility appeared to be in good shape, but appearances could be deceiving and Rada’s personal guard would be inspecting things as much as protecting her. One thing bothered her already and she inquired, “Lieutenant, what’s all this mud tracked all over?”

  He ducked and hunched his shoulders. “We got a hard rain last night, my lord, and I decided it was more important to make certain everything was set for your arrival than to have the trackways washed.”

  Rada wasn’t certain what to make of that, so she settled for a noncommittal “I see.” Then she ducked her head and entered the main building. The ceiling height in most buildings on Drakon IV averaged two meters, since most Azdhagi stood one meter or less until they rose on their hind legs. Rada claimed just over 1.6 meters and the lower ceilings felt a bit claustrophobic. Maybe after a century or so I’ll get used to it. You’d think low bulkheads would feel better, since I grew up in space, but no. She looked around her quarters as one of the soldiers brought in her kit bag and stowed it neatly beside the sleeping platform.

  * * *

  As the Lord Defender got acquainted with Zhangki base, a me
eting came to order on the other side of the river in the city’s main administration building. Mayor Blish glanced around at the guild and ward representatives and sighed. “I’ll be brief. The new Lord Defender wishes to meet with us this sixt.” He could hardly choke out the pronoun, “She is visiting the Defender post here and apparently intends to discuss security matters with us.” The councilors looked appalled and Blish nodded.

  “Is there any way to put the Lord Defender off?” the head of the local woodwrights’ guild asked.

  “I’ve not thought of one. Master Kishkee suggested claiming plague, but unfortunately the Lord Defender is immune to our diseases, so that wouldn’t work,” the mayor explained. “Rumor has it the mammal might even be more interested, for some reason.”

  “Why meet with the creature at all? That thing’s presence is an insult to every one of us!” Sharti of House Sharti complained, and a few tails thumped the floor in agreement.

  Mayor Blish rapped the table with his talons for order. “Because the Lord Defender is currently in his Imperial Majesty’s favor. Do you want to draw his attention down here? Especially now?”

  The ensuing silence answered his question. “Here’s a list of proposed days and times. Which is the least inconvenient for most of you?” Half an hour later, the grumbling council settled on the next day, just after nooning. “If there is no other business, this meeting is adjourned,” and Blish hit the knocker closing the assembly.

  * * *

  The next morning Rada awoke before dawn as usual, took her sword, and went to the practice yard. She inhaled deeply, smelling the rich blend of decay, damp loam, a hint of vehicle exhaust, and a faintly musky suggestion of Azdhag that blew up from the city and river. She centered, finding her internal ground, and then began running a series of drills and exercises. The darkness made little difference to her and Rada quickly lost herself in the stylized patterns of blade combat. As the mid-summer sun approached the horizon, a few other ambitious or masochistic souls began filtering into the yard for an extra workout and when the Lord Defender brought her blade down in a sweeping two-handed cut, it hit steel. She brought it up in a defensive block as someone swung up and forward and even though she was unarmored, Rada took the challenge without a word, twisting around to try and slip in while her opponent repositioned after her parry. After four more attacks and parries, the Lord Defender disarmed her opponent, ending the bout with her blade touching his throat. “Good bout, Sergeant Bees,” she said, nodding to the whip-thin noncom.

  “Thank you, Lord Mammal,” he panted lightly.

  “Anyone else?” Rada inquired, but no one took up her challenge, so she left the practice area to the soldiers and returned to her quarters to get cleaned up. I hate humidity she grumped as she rinsed off. It made her fur frizz, exacerbated the southern heat, and irritated her temper. The Azdhagi throve in moist heat, she’d already learned, but the Lord Defender did not. Not that she could let her discomfort show. Especially not in hostile territory, which Zhangki City might prove to be.

  Lt. Skeeker had warned her the previous night. “My lord, the mayor and city council don’t care for us. We don’t give them proper respect, we interfere with their running of the port, and we occupy valuable real estate that could be put to a better use,” the base commander informed her over evening tea.

  “Is that a direct quote?” she’d inquired and he made a forefoot gesture of affirmation.

  She sipped her tea before asking, “How do the Defenders interfere with the port? And what use is preferred for this bluff?”

  Skeeker studied the top of the table. “We occasionally drill against amphibious attack or ship-borne attacks, Lord Mammal, in conjunction with the port security people. We’re careful to time our practices so we don’t interrupt scheduled shipping, but the Mayor and Master Sharti got caught in one of our drills and took offense.” He looked up, “And the proposed improved use for this location is two town palaces.”

  Rada could see where the mayor might have gotten his tail in a twist. “By any chance would either the mayor or Master Sharti be interested in a bluff-top residence?”

  “Affirmative, Lord Mammal.” The lieutenant didn’t volunteer anything more and she didn’t press. After all, he was the one who had to deal with the locals after she left.

  So now Rada put on her lightest uniform and after some consideration left off her body armor, trusting her guards to keep trouble away. Corporals Eeksk and Xhilee knew their business and also knew urban areas, having served with local police forces before joining the Defenders. Lord Ni Drako, her guards, and Sergeant Bees took a ferry across the river an hour before nooning. The current was fast and the river up, but Rada saw reptiles on the natural and artificial islands in the river, basking, fishing, and doing other things, including pulling a body out of the stream. “Another stupid wader,” the ferry captain said, indicating the waterlogged deceased.

  Some cargo vessels fought their way upstream, but Rada didn’t see any of what she would call pleasure boats. Apparently the Azdhagi didn’t sail or boat for fun, unlike some species. Rada studied the banks, identifying possible avenues of attack and off-dock landing areas. Despite the captain’s skill, Rada felt relieved when their boat docked and the quartet disembarked onto solid ground.

  “Lead on, Sergeant,” Rada ordered and he assented with a grunted “Yes, my lord.” He slithered through the usual workday crowd and Rada and her guards followed, eyes up and alert for trouble. The city folk seemed to be in a decent mood and no one harassed or importuned the quartet as they made slow progress through the busy street. Of course, being armed and alert tends to discourage most predators the Lord Defender mused, ducking under an elaborate, hanging sign. “Flood peak, 233 A.G.R.” she read, then glanced over her shoulder towards the river. They were a good two meters higher than the docks and Rada noticed that the sign was not the highest that she could see. Well, that was the risk of living by a river, sort of like forest fires and small earthquakes at “her” estates.

  It appeared that most residents of Zhangki City were used to strange and exotic things strolling the streets, because the Lord Defender and her escort didn’t attract the attention she usually did. The soldiers left the busy riverside area and moved into a quieter commercial-residential part of the city, en route to the municipal hall. City regulations banned motorized transport in this area, outside of certain delivery hours, because of the narrow, curving streets and large numbers of pedestrians. As they walked, the Lord Defender studied the closely spaced buildings. The ground floors contained stores, small businesses, and workshops, while people lived in the floors above. Females could be seen indoors doing domestic things, while their male offspring, siblings, and mates conducted business, worked on crafts, or shopped.

  “Sergeant Bees, question,” Rada said, and the lean quadruped stopped in an out-of-the-path doorway.

  “Yes, my lord?”

  “I’m curious about something. These workshops seem to be doing non-mechanized craft work. Is this all for the luxury trade, or for local use?”

  The Sergeant rubbed his muzzle. “Both, Lord Mammal. The merchant Houses prefer old-made goods and some are sold elsewhere. Average people buy a few talon-cut items, but more factory-made goods. The true manufacturing and industrial area is to the west, on the back of the Refuge Hills.”

  “Interesting. Thank you,” and Rada gestured for him to lead on. Now away from the river and dockside area, her presence caused more of a stir, but no one challenged the quartet with more than hostile looks. Rada stopped and caused some consternation by dickering for some dried fish. Nobles as a rule did not do their own marketing and they most certainly didn’t haggle. As usual, the Lord Defender ignored protocol and bought the fish, getting a bargain when the shopkeeper became so flustered that he accepted her second offer. She almost felt guilty for such an easy take, but business was business.

  The corporals didn’t twitch a tail at her behavior, but the sergeant couldn’t restrain himself. “My
lord, what are you doing?” he asked once they were back underway.

  “I’m supporting the local economy and getting extra meat, sergeant. I need more animal protein than the standard ration provides,” she explained after tucking her purchase away in her carry sack.

  He made a strangling noise, then decided to pretend that nothing untoward was happening. They turned a corner and entered the main city market square, where the city temple and town hall were, along with several inns and guildhalls. Rada looked up at the overhanging balconies and bay windows and hid a shiver. Too many places to drop things from, too easy to ambush in the narrow streets. Yeech. Then they reached the city hall and a junior, perhaps thirteen or fourteen year-turns old, opened the carved wooden door for the Lord Defender’s party.

  Rada brushed a bit of invisible lint off her sleeve as she followed the green junior up a treaded ramp to the council chamber. The mayor should have come to meet her, but she decided to ignore the mild insult for the nonce. The junior rapped on the door. He pushed it open, announcing, “Lord Ni Drako Mayor Blish, Councilors,” as Rada and Sergeant Bees walked into the well-lit and airy room. Paintings of business and historical scenes decorated the walls, while computer monitors displayed shipping schedules, tide charts, and other information. Rada’s eyes focused on two of the thirteen reptiles sitting on benches around a long table with more built-in computers. One wore a heavy golden chain that matched the gold metallic trim on the collar of his light blue robe. He sat at the head of the table, facing the door. The other reptile of interest wore pale pink, as if in mourning for a close relative, and frowned as he studied her in turn.

  The dark green reptile in the pale blue looked her up and down. “Welcome to Zhangki City, Lord Ni Drako. I am Blish, mayor of Zhangki City and head of the city council. I hope your journey has been calm?”

  Rada smiled a little and nodded. “Yes, thank you Your Honor. It’s always a pleasure to see new parts of Drakon IV and to gain first-hand knowledge of the cities. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with me, honored council members.” She sensed uneasiness at her words and wondered why.