by C A Ardron
Inside his helmet, Lion’s eyebrows rose. Here he was thinking Unicians were all pacifists.
The procession halted outside the Predgarian Temple and the gigantic horn sounded again. Lion gritted his teeth; the sound was deafening.
He stared at the horses stood a few feet away at the bottom of the steps. They were paying no mind to the sound of the horn at all. They must be able to hear it – or was this more Unician magic?
Martial Eagle descended the stone steps in a formal manner.
‘We welcome the Unicians to Steiron,’ he proclaimed, his voice ringing across the square. ‘I am Martial Eagle, area commander of the Steiron Predgarians. As ever has been the way, our Order extends the hospitality of our temple and with joyous enthusiasm, vows to protect and guide you while you remain in Steiron.’
Lion smirked, sure Martial Eagle was feeling anything but joyous – the man had been born with a sore tooth.
A lone Unician stepped from the procession. Lion recognised him, it was the same frail-appearing man from the TV. The high ambassador shambled more than walked towards the Predgarians. His medallion was clearly inactive, evident by his traditional Unician robes and the ornate priest staff he held upright in one hand.
Lion’s glance at the elderly man’s thin frame, snowy hair and yellow-tinted skin was brief. His gaze lingered a longer moment on the pale silver wood of the man’s staff, a translucent crystal mounted atop it. Then Lion’s attention latched onto the Unician man’s medallion, and just as five years before, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Larger than usual, Lion was enchanted by the way it glittered in the sunlight, seeming to be made of crystal, not metal. In the centre stood an elegant unicorn, rearing on its hind legs, horn reaching upwards.
Lion marvelled all over again at not just the legendary unicorn, a medallion only Unicians had the right to wear, but at its grade. No other warrior in the Five Orders had such a colour. The man was unique.
The high ambassador stopped in front of the steps and rapped the butt of his staff on the stone slab beneath him three times.
‘I, Crystal Unicorn, high ambassador of holy Unicia, hear your words. We, of the Unician Order, thank you for your welcome and gratefully accept your invitation.’
Lion heard Owl sigh next to him.
‘Oh good, he kept it short.’
Lion stood to one side with the others as Martial Eagle accompanied the old Unician up the temple steps.
For a moment Lion saw the ambassador’s eyes rove across him, his gaze surprisingly sharp for a man he knew was over six-hundred.
Then it was gone, the famous dignitary moving on towards the temple. Lion watched as the four lines of Unicians stepped forward, beginning to march up the steps.
Lion studied the Unician warriors with interest as they passed, noting they seemed no different in appearance to Dakkonin or Predgarian warriors.
His eyes sharpened, the sunlight glinting off the silver armour of a winged warrior as they came down from the sky, daggers drawn.
Lion shot forward, his hand reaching behind him for his golden sword. He saw the Unicians jerk back, looking about for the danger they knew he’d seen.
Even as his mind was reeling from the shock of who was attacking, Lion realised he wasn’t going to get there in time.
Caracal sped past, flying upwards in a Feline Roll-Kick. She connected with the silver warrior, forcing the hostile woman back, despite her buzzing, gossamer wings.
Lion arrived as the Silver Locust charged back towards them, using her Insecta speed to zip around Caracal.
Realising she was heading for the Unicians, Lion intercepted, swinging his heavy sword in front of her.
The pale-haired woman bared her teeth at him but retreated. The Unician warriors now joined the fight as well as the other captains.
Lion followed her with his eyes as she shot upwards. He grunted as she swerved, aiming for the back of the Unician line.
Locust threw a small dagger towards the healers but to Lion’s relief, he found they were not defenceless.
One of them raised a hand, a shimmering oval shield covering them. The knife bounced harmlessly off it.
Grey Owl dove upon her, forcing her back again. With an audible growl which echoed across the yard, Locust hovered a moment before flying off, and was lost to sight amongst the buildings of Central Sector.
Caracal gave a growl of her own. ‘Ooh, the audacity of a Sarpien attacking us this close to the temple!’
‘She wasn’t a Sarpien,’ Lion said, voice quiet.
‘What?’ Caracal asked.
‘You knew the warrior?’
Lion gave a start at the deep, strong voice. He turned, seeing the high ambassador at the top of the temple steps.
Lion was surprised the old man had heard him; saw everyone looking in his direction and realised he couldn’t withhold the information now.
Lion sheathed his great sword. ‘Yes, your Excellency,’ he said, trying to ignore the sudden hostile stares of the nearby Unician warriors. ‘She’s the Silver Locust, captain of the West Sector Dakkonin.’
Chapter Two
Blue Dingo looked down at the meagre traffic from his vantage point, four storeys above. He leaned forward, inspecting the pothole on one side of the road.
He wasn’t supposed to be on duty this morning. Red Kite and Magpie were on patrol, at least that’s the last he’d heard.
When his captain had told him what needed doing, Dingo hadn’t known whether to be happy or go hide in a hole.
White Dove was coming to South Sector. The ageless, wise, powerful and incredibly beautiful healer had a task to complete in his Sector and he was actually getting the chance to work with her.
Dingo tried to recall the last time he’d seen her. It was probably the incident on Lister Road about six months ago. Dove had been amazing, as always, managing to bring a civilian back from the brink of death.
They said the daggers of the Sarpien assassin, Praying Mantis, were lethal – but not for the White Dove.
His sky-watching paid off, and he saw the two Avians making their way towards him.
Of course, that was right, the Silver Falcon was coming from West Sector too. Dingo didn’t know much about her. She’d joined the Order just prior to Golden Lion’s foray into Jackal’s territory – a bold move.
Dingo had heard she was very good, but a little on the cold side. He really had no idea what that could mean, but the thought reminded him of his former team mate, Green Swallow.
She’d been sharp-tongued and unfriendly to him most of the time. Dingo fervently hoped Falcon wouldn’t be the same. He cast the thought of the nasty woman aside, that’s something that would be dealt with later.
Dingo saw the silver bird of prey descend first, dropping in a break-neck dive. Her pale, silvery wings spread wide, slowing her descent as she glided towards the top level of the car park.
Dingo backed a few steps, giving her room to land. He studied her as she found her feet and folded back her wings.
Her skin was almost impossibly pale, the long strands of her hair matching the hue of her feathers. Dingo’s eyes narrowed a little on her silver armour. He was used to seeing the light plates of the swift Avian, but Falcon’s went to the extremes. Dingo eyed the smaller steel plates on her legs and arms, the rest guarded by a tough, darker leather.
His attention shifted as Dove landed. Dingo’s throat tightened as he took in the healer, her bare arms decorated with shining silver runes, her large wings blindingly white.
She wore the less common battle kilt as opposed to the close-fitting greaves most warriors preferred. Her light breastplate was the norm for an Avian though.
‘Hello, Dingo,’ Dove greeted with her charming smile.
Dingo smiled back, marvelling at her breath-taking face and long white hair. He remembered quite suddenly he was wearing a helmet and she couldn’t see his smile.
‘Hello, White Dove,’ he greeted, cursing himself for his boyish haste.
‘It’s good to see you again.’
Dove gestured to her team mate. ‘This is Silver Falcon, though I doubt she needs the introduction.’
Dingo nodded at the second, taller woman, once again noting her ridiculously light armour. ‘Isn’t that dangerous?’ he asked, pointing out the gaps in her steel plates.
‘Hm?’ she asked, revealing her deep voice. The serious-faced woman looked down at herself. ‘What?’
Dove giggled. ‘I think he’s talking about your leather, Falcon. It is rather uncommon.’
Falcon grimaced. ‘With Sarpiens like Mantis and Harrier around I need the lighter armour. I can‘t be caught napping.’
‘It might make you a bit faster,’ Dingo conceded, ‘but it won’t stop them sticking blades in you.’
‘They have to catch me first,’ Falcon replied.
Dingo couldn’t help the strangled sound in his throat. Was she serious? Fighting Sarpiens wasn’t a game!
Dove laughed. ‘Don’t worry about Falcon, Dingo. She can look after herself.’ The beautiful healer frowned a little and turned to her friend. ‘We should disarm as soon as we can. We shouldn’t forget that Tigermoth and her Sarpiens are in this Sector.’
Dingo was relieved to see the silver warrior turn serious.
‘True enough. The less attention we can attract, the better.’
Dingo waved for them to follow. ‘Let’s head down, there’s plenty of little nooks and crannies in this parking complex for us to disarm.’
‘Have you been told the mission?’ Dove asked, keeping her voice soft.
‘No,’ he replied. ‘Owl just said you wanted someone who knows the area to back you up.’
‘Sounds about as close-mouthed as Lion,’ Falcon snorted.
Dingo didn’t like the way she’d said that. Golden Lion was a great warrior, Falcon should give him the respect he deserved.
Don’t judge her at face value.
Dingo tensed as Dove’s voice spoke in his mind.
She takes a bit of getting used to, but always puts her duty first.
‘We have reason to believe Jackal’s Sarpiens are supplying weapons to a group in this Sector,’ Dove said out loud.
Dingo grunted, ‘Caban.’
Falcon chuckled, ‘he’s quick.’
Dingo scowled, he didn’t think he liked her very much.
‘He’s been causing trouble in West,’ Dove continued, ‘but Captain Grey Owl says he’s too short-staffed to do anything about it.’
Dingo nodded. ‘Yeah, there’s only six of us. I can’t remember the last time I had a day off.’ He tensed, waiting for Falcon to make another jibe, but she remained silent.
Striding down the broad ramp leading to the lower level, he threw out an aura sweep before stepping into a gap between two of the cement pillars.
Grasping his medallion, he deactivated, closing his eyes as the fierce surge of blue surrounded him, removing his armour.
Dingo stepped forwards, left in his baggy jeans and plain black t-shirt. He stopped, seeing Dove smiling at him.
‘What?’ he asked, putting one hand through his thick, black hair. Just to be safe, he ran a hand quickly through his short beard as well.
‘Nothing,’ Dove assured, ‘I just sometimes forget how unassuming you are beneath all that armour.’
‘Hold that thought,’ Falcon said as she took hold of the silver coin resting against her chest, ‘I’m about to out-do him.’
Dove giggled as she made ready to deactivate as well. ‘Brace yourself,’ she told Dingo with a wink.
Dingo only had eyes for Dove as the two women deactivated. He watched as she disappeared, glowing incandescent for a couple of seconds.
Dingo felt his throat tightening again at her more average appearance, if it could be called that. Her long hair was golden now, her face as pretty as before, off-set by her sparkling blue eyes. He smiled at her smart pearl-grey trousers and white, long-sleeved blouse, Dove always looked perfect.
He cast the barest glance over at Falcon and stopped, staring open-mouthed.
The short, dark-haired woman gave that sardonic twist of the lips again, letting him take a good look at her.
Her straight jet hair was only shoulder-length now, and her pale skin had darkened, revealing the yellow tint of the Unician. Falcon wore some every day blue jeans and a matching denim jacket. Her hands were covered by close-fitting, brown leather gloves and upon closer inspection, Dingo noticed her black shirt was leather too. What was this woman’s thing with leather?
He frowned at her narrow features and brown eyes, a stab of recognition filling him. ‘You!’
Falcon’s face grew wary. ‘You know me?’
He shook his head. ‘No, but I recognise you. You’re the Unician Dove saved on Lister Road!’
Her sharp eyes shifted to Dove, questioning. ‘He was there?’
Dove nodded. ‘He was in the hopper. You remember the hopper?’
Falcon frowned, her eyes growing distant. She shook her head, ‘no, sorry.’
Dove gave her an encouraging smile. ‘Don’t worry about it, it was a hard day for you.’
‘A hard couple of days,’ Falcon murmured. She turned to Dingo, ‘thank you. If you were there, you obviously played a part in saving my life.’
Dingo returned her serious gaze, swallowing – those eyes were so sincere.
‘It was a pleasure,’ he found himself saying, unable to believe this was the same sarcastic woman he’d disliked moments ago.
Falcon smiled, but there was no irony this time, just friendliness and gratitude. Dingo felt like he’d passed some kind of obscure test.
The Unician looked away and as her gaze lowered to the ground, Dingo got the impression she might be embarrassed.
‘Shall we go?’ Dove asked with a smile.
Dingo kept his face straight, knowing she was covering for her friend. ‘Sure,’ he said. He led the way down towards the ground level. ‘So you two have been sent to deal with the problem for us?’
‘In a fashion,’ Falcon agreed. ‘What with current events, Lion doesn’t want to step on the Dakkonin’s toes right now.’
Dingo grimaced. ‘Yeah, I hear they’ve been a bit short-tempered since Silver Locust went crazy.’
Dove sighed. ‘I hope they find her soon, the Unicians are irate over the attack. That isn’t really our concern though, Caban is. Lion wants us to try and get some solid evidence that Caban is in contact with Jackal’s Sarpiens.’
Dingo nodded, ‘so the Dakkonin can go in and clean them out.’
‘Easier said than done,’ Falcon grunted. ‘I still think this is a bad idea.’
‘You worry too much,’ Dove waved her friend off.
Dingo smiled at the interaction, realising he’d been right. He had passed a test, Falcon was acting differently now. Her jibes and sarcasm had been a shield, a defence mechanism of sorts. He was given sudden insight to the stories he’d heard of her being cold and intimidating. That was probably just how she was with people she didn’t know that well.
‘So what’s the plan?’ he asked.
He blinked in the daylight as he strode from beneath the roof of the ground level car park and onto the street.
Dove began speaking but was cut off by Falcon’s strangled exclamation.
‘What is it?’ Dove asked.
Falcon pointed at the road sign across the street.
Dingo grinned at her. ‘This your first time in South Sector?’
Dove sighed, ‘it’s despicable.’
Falcon’s eyes were still locked to the offensive street name. ‘Gavelgash,’ she spat.
Dingo’s eyes widened at her vehemence. ‘Harold Pion designed these estates. You know, the famous artist? He thought sclithe names were poetic. There’s a Trine Avenue a few streets over.’
Dingo stared at the name, trying to remember his military history. ‘I think Gavelgash was a purple.’
‘Yeah,’ Falcon replied, her voice sounding dead. ‘I know.’
&nbs
p; Falcon’s reaction made Dingo think there might be something personal for her in the name, but what could it be?
He gave a small grimace. Gavelgash had often sent Sarpiens far and wide on killing sprees, it was easily possible Falcon or her family might’ve fallen prey to an attack. After all, it had only been a few years since the Dakkonin had managed to kill the sclithe.
‘I intend to go in under cover,’ Dove explained, changing the subject.
Dingo kept a tight lid on his facial reactions. That was the second time Dove had smoothly covered for Falcon when she was obviously uncomfortable. He found it odd she would be so protective of a silver warrior, but then, it’s not like he knew anything about Falcon really.
He nodded, playing along for them. ‘To try and get them to say something incriminating?’
Dove nodded, ‘yes. I’ll be posing as one of Sawyer’s people.’
‘I know that name,’ Dingo murmured with a frown.
‘Caban’s competition from North Sector,’ Falcon supplied.
Dingo drew a sharp breath. ‘You can’t do that, Dove! What if they find out?’
‘I’ll be fine,’ Dove assured him. ‘I’ve done covert missions like this before.’
He shook his head. She’d obviously already made up her mind, but he didn’t like it. ‘What do you need me to do?’
‘Keep watch with me,’ Falcon told him. ‘We really don’t want Sarpiens showing up while Dove’s in there. I’ll be keeping a sharp eye, but you know South a lot better. You might pick up on things I miss, and anyway, I’ll need you to keep watch for me as well.’
‘You?’
Dove nodded. ‘When I give the signal, I want Falcon to follow me in. She’s pretty good in a scrape. She’s going to cause a bit of a commotion in the bar to distract Caban so I can get out safely.’
Dingo nodded. ‘You’ll need me to keep an eye out while you’re both in there.’
‘Yes, can you do that for us?’ Dove asked.
‘Sure, I’ll activate my medallion and loiter on the street corner. That way if you need me I can get in quick.’
Falcon nodded, ‘good idea.’
