Dakkonin's Grudge

by C A Ardron

  ‘Oh no. The girl was picked out by the royal bloodline?’

  ‘Yes,’ Dove confirmed, ‘and now she’s gone missing – on our watch.’

  ‘Okay, that is worse than I thought, but why have Lion and the others gone to Central?’

  ‘Area Commander Martial Eagle is also missing,’ Dove told her. The pale, armoured woman hesitated, ‘there’s talk he might be involved.’

  ‘What? How?’ Falcon asked.

  ‘He’s been giving the units misleading and contradicting information. Now he’s disappeared at the exact same time as Jenna Mar’Corri. Some people are suspicious, even going so far to accuse him of being a Sarpien.’

  Falcon ran a hand through her long, silvery hair.

  ‘Captain Golden Baboon of Central Sector has had to take charge of the situation in the area commander’s absence.’

  Falcon nodded, that must’ve happened literally minutes after she’d seen the captain. He wouldn’t have been in the middle of Central Sector if he’d known about any of this.

  ‘All spare warriors have been called to Central Sector,’ Dove continued, ‘to try to stop the rogue before it does any more damage. Captain Baboon has asked Lion to go to the Dakkonin temple.’

  ‘Huh? How come?’

  ‘To try and persuade them to lend a hand, and to sound out any motive. When Jay met Jenna yesterday, the Dakkonin were showing interest in her. Baboon wants to see if they’ve had any involvement in her disappearance, but it has to be done discreetly – and it has to be someone the Dakkonin commander would make time for. Baboon said it had to be a gold warrior and since he’s busy that means either Lion or captain Caracal of East Sector. She’s busy too though, the red Sarpiens from North have taken the opportunity to try and expand their territory into East, and Jackal’s Sarpiens hold sway there. There’s been conflict.’

  Falcon began a low laugh.

  ‘Falcon, this isn’t funny!’

  Their radios buzzed. Falcon took the communicator from her belt and switched it on.

  ‘Falcon,’ a seductive female voice purred. ‘Come on out, my blades are getting itchy. You wouldn’t want me to use them on some poor passer-by, would you?’

  Falcon’s mirth faded away to nothing. She ended the transmission and placed it back on her belt.

  ‘I know this isn’t funny, Dove, but if I don’t laugh I’ll probably just cry.’Chapter Twenty-Three

  Jay tried to remain calm as Falcon’s emotions washed over him. He’d never seen her like this. She was on the edge, on the verge of tears.

  ‘Falcon,’ Dove said, her voice soft. ‘It’ll be all right, you’ve handled Jackal’s Sarpiens many times before now.’

  Falcon shook her head. ‘That wasn’t one of Jackal’s, Dove. That was Tigermoth.’

  Jay held his breath, feeling Dove’s growing fear as well.

  ‘I can’t do this,’ Falcon bit off. She pointed vaguely in the direction of Central Sector. ‘Python tried to kill me today. Silver Locust threatened me at gunpoint.’

  ‘What?’ Dove gasped.

  ‘Komodo Dragon shows up on Jackal’s orders to save my life and then attacks me – now Tigermoth’s at my door?’

  Dove grabbed Falcon’s shoulders. ‘Calm down, Falcon. Please, just breathe.’

  Falcon shook her head. ‘I can’t do this, Dove. I’m tired out, I can’t fight that many and I don’t want…I don’t want…’

  Jay looked away as Falcon’s eyes filled with tears.

  Dove shook Falcon a little, ‘no one’s taking you today,’ she whispered, her voice fierce. ‘I won’t let them, I promise.’

  Jay watched the two women. He could feel Falcon’s sudden shock.

  As the women’s eyes remained locked to each other Jay realised they were speaking telepathically.

  ‘That’s crazy,’ Falcon said out loud. ‘We’ll both be suspended – if we don’t get dismissed from the Order completely.’

  ‘Even if Hawk’s in range of our radios now,’ Dove replied, releasing Falcon. ‘He won’t be able to help us. There’s too many out there. We need someone with a strong grip on the Power.’

  ‘Do you have a plan?’ Jay asked. ‘There has to be some way to fight back!’ He stopped short at Falcon’s wry grin.

  She turned to him and Jay could feel her regret.

  ‘Jay,’ Falcon said. ‘She’s talking about you.’

  Jay blinked at her. ‘What?’

  ‘It’s a bit unorthodox,’ Falcon told him, ‘but how would you like your first day as a Predgarian to start now?’

  ‘I…I can’t. I haven’t finished my training. I…can’t fight twenty Sarpiens.’

  Dove placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘You’re very strong, Jay,’ she told him. ‘A medallion will boost that power, give us the edge we need to scare the Sarpiens away.’

  ‘We’ll be with you,’ Falcon added. ‘I know this isn’t ideal, but you’ve proven to us you can hold your own in a fight, and I know you have a competent grip on your Power now.’

  Jay swallowed. He hadn’t told them he’d lost control yesterday at the department store. He shook as Falcon’s fear and hope coursed through him. ‘All right, I don’t want them to take you away. I…want to fight with you.’

  Falcon smiled at him. ‘We’ll watch each other’s backs today, and we’ll come through this.’

  Jay nodded, trying hard to keep his features under control. Her words were hollow, she didn’t believe them.

  He watched as Dove went to the large cabinet at the back of the room and took out some trays lined with medallion cases.

  Falcon raised her radio and opened up a frequency. ‘Hawk, come in.’ She grimaced when there was no answer, ‘looks like it’s just us.’

  Jay bit his lip, ‘Hawk will be okay, won’t he?’

  Falcon glanced at him, her face severe. ‘There’s nothing we can do for him now,’ she muttered. ‘Dove, start the Choosing.’ Falcon clicked her radio over to the open frequency. ‘I’ll stall Tigermoth.’

  Dove shook her head. ‘No, Falcon, you should do it.’

  Jay felt a surge of excitement at Dove’s words. He’d be given his medallion by Falcon? that would be brilliant!

  Falcon stood speechless but switched her radio off.

  ‘You have all you need to perform a Choosing, and no one’s been more dedicated to Jay than you.’

  ‘Dove, it’s the Councillor’s job to oversee the Choosing,’ Falcon objected.

  ‘I know, and I’m making the decision to pass it to you in this instance. I also have that authority should I ever deem it necessary.’

  ‘But I-’

  ‘Please, Falcon,’ Dove cut her off, ‘we’re pressed for time.’

  Jay looked into Falcon’s eyes when she glanced at him. ‘Please, Falcon,’ he begged. ‘I’d love for you to do my Choosing.’

  A smile tugged at the woman’s lips and she nodded. Falcon stepped over to the trays and Dove backed away.

  ‘Draw near,’ Falcon told him.

  Jay nodded. He’d wanted this so much – but he’d always thought he’d feel ready when the time came. He remembered with a start his encounter with Wasp the day before. Please, anything but a worm medallion.

  Falcon began to remove some of the squared, silver boxes from the trays. After a minute or so she’d removed all but three. Falcon put them together on one tray and pushed it forwards.

  ‘These three are compatible with you,’ she murmured. ‘You must choose one of these as your medallion.’

  Jay nodded and looked down at them. How did he choose? There was no telling what was inside any of them.

  After a second, he felt emotions not his own but neither were they Dove’s or Falcon’s. He inhaled, these emotions were primal, not human at all. All three medallions were reaching out, as curious about him as he was them.

  Jay tried to remember his lessons about medallions, trying to decide what he really wanted from his soul-partner. Did he want the calm nature and evaluation the third seemed to offer
? or the lightning quick mind and reflexes of the middle one?

  Jay breathed out, feeling the intensity and wildness of the first. That’s what he wanted - something that could keep up with Tiger and Falcon, something that could keep him safe from Jackal.

  He reached out for the first medallion box, feeling its elation at being picked. He smiled, this one would be his perfect fit, he was sure of it.

  Falcon extended her hand and Jay gave her the box. She stared down at it with a faint frown and the lid bounced open.

  Jay held his breath as she lifted the glassy-looking coin out. A virgin medallion, it had never been worn before.

  ‘Huh,’ Falcon muttered, ‘another one.’

  Jay frowned, what had she meant by that? Falcon moved from behind the desk, bringing the coin to him. She let the chain dangle from her fingers, the coin swinging out as she began to raise it to place about his neck.

  Falcon paused, her eyes growing wide as the coin burst into life, burning furiously before settling into a burnished red.

  The silver Avian looked over at Dove. ‘I thought medallions only did that once they touched the skin.’

  ‘That is the case, usually,’ Dove agreed, ‘but it can occur with the very powerful.’

  Falcon turned back and placed the chain about Jay’s neck. ‘Welcome to the Predgarians, Red Lynx.’

  * * *

  Tigermoth scowled at the Predgarian Centre across the street. Was the Silver Falcon going to ignore her? Did she think the threat hollow?

  Stood in her light silver plates, her mottled wings ready for flight, she peered up and down the street. Why were there never any people about when she wanted them?

  ‘Wild Cat,’ she rapped, snapping her fingers. ‘Go get me someone to kill. It seems they need me to set an example.’

  The Feline woman began to obey but Tigermoth held up a hand as her radio buzzed.

  ‘Tigermoth?’

  ‘Falcon,’ the general replied. ‘I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me. Are you ready to come play?’

  ‘What can I say?’ the deep-voiced Avian spoke again, ‘you’ve got me.’

  Tigermoth’s eyebrows shot up.

  ‘Is she giving herself up?’ Chameleon muttered.

  ‘I hope not,’ the shorter Weasel told him, ‘it’ll ruin my fun.’

  ‘A request, General.’

  Tigermoth’s eyebrows rose even higher. The woman was actually being respectful. ‘I’m listening.’

  ‘If I’m to die today, I want it to be as a silver warrior. Face me in battle, just you and me. I want you to take me out, not your stealther-cowards.’

  ‘Ooh,’ the blonde-haired Weasel exclaimed. She drew her daggers, ‘I’ll make her pay for that!’

  ‘Come on out, Falcon,’ Tigermoth answered. ‘We’ll play, just the two of us.’ She clicked her radio off.

  ‘You’re not going to go along with her?’ Weasel grated.

  Tigermoth grinned at the warriors gathered around her, ‘for a few minutes. Swallow.’

  The tall sorceress stepped closer, her pale, pea-green wings rustling.

  ‘Give me five or so minutes, then I’ll back off. At that point I want you to bind her.’

  Swallow nodded, ‘of course, General.’

  Tigermoth stepped into the road and drew her daggers. After a minute or so the doors of the Centre opened, and the Silver Falcon appeared.

  ‘Wow,’ Chameleon murmured from behind Tigermoth. ‘Cobra wasn’t lying, that Avian’s hard to miss, isn’t she?’

  Tigermoth shot him a glare. He made comments on Falcon’s appearance but not hers?

  As she gave the Predgarian her full attention though, she couldn’t help admiring the woman’s long legs and hair again.

  ‘I’d forgotten how pretty you were, Falcon,’ Tigermoth said, her grin evil. ‘I might have to lock you in my bedroom for a few days when we’re done here.’

  Tigermoth studied the warrior’s impassive features. The woman’s silver claw unsheathed with a steely whistle.

  Weasel barked a laugh. ‘I don’t think she likes that idea.’

  With a chuckle Tigermoth sped forwards in the Dragonfly-Lunge, her daggers stabbing forwards.

  Her eyes widened as the ground underfoot in the space of two seconds became covered in a thick layer of ice.

  Tigermoth slipped across it, her teeth baring as the Avian slid towards her and into a Spinning Claw.

  As Tigermoth rolled across the ice and off onto solid ground, she shook her head, barely able to believe Falcon could pull off that kind of manoeuvre on such a slippery surface.

  She found her feet, the Predgarian already closing with her. The woman was faster than she remembered.

  Tigermoth gathered her energy and launched a sizzling lightning ball at her. She heard Falcon mutter under her breath.

  She chuckled as the sphere hit, her charged attacks were how she’d brought Falcon to her knees last time. She formed another in the palm of her hand, she might not even need Swallow’s assistance.

  Falcon hurled an orb of energy of her own. Tigermoth noted the icy blue tinge. She backed away as the Predgarian’s sphere collided with hers. The aura shot had been nowhere near as potent as the last time they’d fought.

  A smirk tugged at Tigermoth’s lips when she saw Falcon’s heaving shoulders. The woman was tired. Cobra had been right, the green Sarpien she’d had to fight in Central Sector had taken a lot out of her.

  Hold off, Tigermoth told Swallow using telepathy. I don’t think I’ll be needing you for this.

  She rushed back in, it was time to end this. If she could take Falcon off her feet, the Predgarian probably wouldn’t have the strength to fight back, and it would be over once she got her hands on the woman’s medallion.

  Tigermoth gasped as several waist high stalagmites burst upwards from the ground and blasted apart, throwing up shards of ice all around her.

  She let out a yelp, the frosty flecks biting into her face. Swearing violently, Tigermoth dived to the side, narrowly missing Falcon’s small throwing knife as it spun through the air towards her.

  Her drawn breath was ragged as she found her feet and stared at Falcon through the misty haze, tiny shards drifting through the air.

  ‘No,’ Tigermoth whispered, ‘can’t be.’

  Falcon looked completely different, but the claw, the ice. Tentatively, she cast her mind out, feeling out the Predgarian’s aura for the first time.

  Her mind shot back to six months ago, when Falcon had sought her out in South Sector; the ambush, the cold, calculating manner - the voice.

  Panther?

  The faintest glimmer of a smile touched Falcon’s lips.

  Hello again, Tigermoth.

  You…look different.

  I fancied a change.

  How are you even alive? Rajiti was crawling with Dakkonin.

  It wasn’t that hard, I wasn’t the only one to manage it. Jackal’s still with us, after all.

  Tigermoth’s teeth clenched. So now you’re walking dead. No wonder Jackal’s been following you around so much.

  You still want to go on with this? Falcon asked. You know you can’t beat me.

  Tigermoth smirked. You’re tired, Silver Falcon. Right now, I can take you whenever I want. This was just a bit of fun. It’s over, I’m taking you to my Mistress – and then you’ll be taking orders from me.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Falcon tried to hide her violent shudder as Tigermoth said it. The name she never owned, the name she ran from harder than anything.

  Forcing an answer out, Falcon tried to act as if it didn’t matter, as if she didn’t care. Could Tigermoth comprehend? Could any Sarpien possibly understand the guilt, the horror that coursed through every fibre of a walking dead?

  Tigermoth finished her little speech and Falcon knew it was time.

  Dove, Tigermoth’s about to make her move. This is really going to hurt if your timing’s off.

  I know what I’m doing, Falcon.


  Falcon drew breath as Swallow stepped forwards. Another green, just what she needed.

  Tigermoth chuckled as Falcon massaged her neck. ‘What’s this, Silver Falcon? No surprise, no exclamation of outrage?’

  ‘You’re Sarpiens,’ Falcon replied. ‘Of course you’re going to cheat, I would’ve thought there was something off if you didn’t.’

  Falcon caught the faint shimmering to her left. Raising her arm, Falcon sent out a jagged shard of ice. She glanced at the short, brown-armoured female as the ice hit, cutting into the warrior’s stealth unit and blasting her backwards several feet.

  ‘Well,’ Falcon said, giving the tall Avian woman her full attention. ‘At least you’re not a stealther.’

  The woman’s haughty face cracked the faintest of smiles.

  Falcon withdrew her claw as the Avian’s hand began to extend out. She breathed in as the potent surge of green aura energy launched towards her.

  She yelped as the sphere connected, igniting against her breastplate. Falcon had no time to try and manoeuvre or even prepare for impact. The world blurred as she spun through the air. Falcon yelped again as everything stopped, her ears registering the firm, metallic clunk into the side of the Predgarian Centre a good second before the pain of impact began radiating across her chest and sides.

  ‘Ow,’ she groaned, struggling to turn.

  Her armour scraped across the neat stone tiles making up the pavement as she rolled over. Falcon drew a shallow breath, Dove’s white energy barrier had been erected, the Sarpiens blasted away to the other side of the street.

  What was that? Falcon asked the healer as she dragged herself off the ground.

  I’m sorry, Falcon, I thought Swallow was going to power that orb for a second longer.

  ‘Falcon, are you all right?’ Lynx asked, running to her.

  Falcon took his offered hand. She gasped and stumbled forwards when he yanked her up onto her feet.

  ‘Sorry, Falcon, I’m not used to this – I’m so strong!’

  ‘Try not to get carried away. Remember, just stick to the plan.’