Prosperine: The Adventures of the Space Heroine Hickory Lace: Books 1, 2 & 3 (The Prosperine Trilogy)

by PJ McDermott

  When they came to a lightly wooded area, they decided to camp there and forage for what they could find. Jakah remained by the fire while Jess and Gareth searched the area. Jess returned first with a scant handful of wild mushrooms and then Gareth, his arms full of an orange colored pendulous fruit.

  “Found these on a bush not far from here. A few birds were nibbling at them, so I figure they’re safe to eat,” he said, dropping the fruit beside the fire.

  Jess picked one up and sniffed at it suspiciously. “I don’t recognize it from the vids on the ship, but that doesn’t mean much. It might be okay and it might not. I suppose if birds were eating it, we could take a chance.” She took her knife and cut the fruit open. The flesh looked clean and firm, and she cut a piece off and ate it. “Hmm. Not bad. It tastes a bit like a peach. Well done, Gareth.” She smiled at him.

  They split up the fruit and mushrooms between them and ate. Gareth sighed. “That’s the most full my stomach has been in days. Feeling quite sleepy now.” He looked at Jakah, who had already nodded off, and pulled a blanket over himself.

  Jess’s head drooped. “So tired... Why so tired?” she murmured to herself. Her vision blurred and she shook her head to clear it. “Gareth…?” She blinked rapidly as she saw Gareth and Jakah already fast asleep. “Not right…something wrong.” Abruptly she felt her stomach rebel, and a raging thirst consumed her. She reached out for her water bottle and fell onto her side. She felt numbness creep into her hands. Poison. The thought did not alarm her as it should have, she realized, and she stretched to pull the bottle close. She fumbled with the top but eventually released it and tilted the bottle, pouring the liquid down her throat. Much of it splashed over her face and into her eyes. She choked and gagged. Pushing herself onto her hands and knees, she forced her fingers down her throat and brought up much of what she had eaten earlier.

  “Gareth…Gareth!” she called weakly and crawled over to her friend. She shook his shoulder, then flapped her hand at his face trying to wake him. She emptied the water bottle over his face, attempting to make him swallow.

  Gareth choked on the liquid and his eyes flickered opened. He croaked feebly, “What’s the matter, Mother?”

  Jess shook him more vigorously as her strength improved. “Get up—you’ve been poisoned. Get on your feet. You need to empty your stomach.” Her head thumped with the sound of her own voice.

  Gareth struggled to a sitting position, looking wooly-headed and feeble.

  Jess said, “Oh, hell.” And pushed her fingers down his gullet.

  Gareth’s stomach heaved, and he ejected a foul-smelling stream of half-digested fruit and mushrooms.

  Jess stumbled to where Jakah lay comatose. She shook him and called his name, and he mumbled faintly. She poured some water into his mouth, but most of it trickled down the side of his face.

  “Jess?” Gareth staggered to her side. “Is he alright. My God that was foul. I dreamed you put your fingers down my throat.”

  “Don’t mention it again and I won’t,” she said, screwing up her face in distaste. “He seems to have it worse than either of us. He’s breathing pretty heavily and I can’t wake him. I’m afraid if I try to make him vomit, he’ll choke.”

  Gareth grabbed Jakah by the collar and propped him up. “We don’t have much choice. We need to risk it. He might die otherwise.” Gareth tried to make the Dark Sun vomit, but only a thin stream came from his mouth. They dragged him close to the fire and wrapped him up in his sleeping bag.

  “I don’t know what else to do,” said Jess, holding her hands over her face.

  “We’ll just have to wait it out. We don’t know how virulent the poison is. Our bodies recovered pretty quickly once we threw up, which is a positive sign.”

  They built up the fire and huddled around it, watching over Jakah.

  Despite the sweat soaking his head, Jakah shivered uncontrollably.

  Jess woke with a start. What was that? She and Gareth had agreed to take two-hour shifts watching over Jakah, and Gareth had volunteered to take the first one. She sat up and glanced around. Gareth had nodded off, his back against a rock. She heard the whisper again and realized Jakah was talking in his sleep. His head snapped sharply from side to side, and he moaned. She left her sleeping bag and crept over to his side.

  “Million credits, enough … retire on,” he muttered.

  He’s delirious. She reached out to touch his forehead, then paused as Jakah laughed harshly.

  “A million and a half…no go…Admiral.”

  What’s he dreaming about—the admiral?

  “Why kill him…a good sort…none of my business.”

  Jakah tossed his head from side to side.

  Sounds like he’s having a disagreement with someone.

  “Not my business…Teacher…million credits. No Saurab…”

  Jess gasped, and her stomach clenched as she realized the meaning behind Jakah’s ravings. Reluctantly, she left his side and went to wake Gareth.

  Gareth woke with a start and looked at Jess, guilt on his face. “Sorry, I—”

  “Never mind that now,” said Jess, darting a look at Jakah. “Come with me. Don’t make any noise.”

  “Wha—”

  “Shh!” said Jess. “Be quiet or you’ll wake him. This is important.”

  The look on Jess’s face was enough to convince him, and he followed her stealthily. He listened intently, his eyes wide, as Jakah’s delirium continued.

  “Come here,” Jess whispered, signaling with her arm for him to follow her. She went far enough away so that Jakah would not hear them should he wake up.

  “Well? What do you make of it? Am I crazy or are Saurab and Jakah intent on killing the Teacher,” she asked, her face pale.

  Gareth shook his head. “It’s a plot by the admiral. Why would he want the Teacher dead?”

  “I don’t know, but I bet it’s a lot to do with his dealings with the Avanauri government over the crynidium,” said Jess. Her lips pressed closed and she balled her fists.

  Gareth let out a long breath. “Yonni- Sѐr-Abelen, that bastard! I wouldn’t put anything past him. God, Hickory is gonna be mad as hell.” A look of pain crossed his face, quickly followed by one of determination. “We have to put a stop to it.”

  “That means we have to get to the capital. If somehow Hickory escaped that avalanche, she and the Teacher are both in danger.”

  “What do we do about Jakah?”

  “Yes, what do you do about me?”

  They started as they saw the Dark Sun, haggard, but standing with his sword in his hand, staring blankly at them.

  Reunion

  “Kandromena.” Albetius couldn’t keep the pride from his voice. “The jeweled city, seat of the Vistiore family, rulers of Elrach for a thousand years.”

  Hickory rummaged in her pack for her spyglass. The city was impressive to look at. It sparkled a multitude of colors in the noon sun, dazzling to the eye. Atop its circular walls, six high towers climbed into the sky with flags and pennants flying. Each tower was spanned by an arched bridge, giving the impression of a gigantic crown beset by jewels. At the base of the walls, the arched main gate was bracketed on either side by a smaller postern into the city. Only the right-hand postern was open to accommodate the throng of people coming and going.

  “Sequana has closed the gate,” said Albetius, his voice cracking. “Not in a hundred years has the gateway of Kandromena refused entry to visitors to our city.”

  “He has made it into a fortress,” said Hickory, examining the walls through her spyglass. “There are armed Erlachi soldiers everywhere. Wait…” She adjusted her glass to get a clearer view. “Dear God—there are corpses strung from a gallows. Three of them.”

  Albetius took the glass and trained it on the scaffold. He collapsed it and handed it back to Hickory. “Xeroz, Querast, and Rome. My three dissenters. They have paid dearly for their treachery.”

  Hickory scanned the walls again. “Sequana’s nauris are in comm
and. I’m not sure either of those would be a joyful sight for your people.”

  “Sequana means it as a lesson, a warning, but this is a mistake. It would not be welcomed by my subjects, or the city guards,” said Albetius, his face ashen. “Such a thing is a disgrace and a personal slight. The only thing that will keep them from revolting is the power of the Sword.”

  “All the more reason for us to take it from him,” said Hickory grimly. She scanned the walls once more and nodded, satisfied. “What time do they close the gates?” she asked.

  “At the setting of the sun, when the Aurora sets in. About three hours from now,” said Albetius, looking at the sky.

  “Good, that gives us just enough time. We need to find a stream so I can bathe.”

  At worst, I will go to my death clean. Hickory tugged the comb through her tangled hair. She had washed and changed into dark brown trousers and a tight-fitting tunic over a white blouse, the only change of clothing she possessed. It will pass if I swagger enough, and if my hair behaves. She screwed up her features and grunted as the comb came free.

  “Albetius, can you hold up this looking glass. The one thing Sequana’s nauris are vain about is their hair. They wear it long and raised into a tail at the back.” When she had finished, she stood back and asked Albetius, “How do I look?”

  The purple flashes on the sides of her neck and the dark pigment around her eyes dominated her glowing face and the fine black curls pulled back from a widow’s peak shone with health. She straightened her tunic and stretched to her full height, her hand on the hilt of the sword she carried in her belt.

  “If I were an Avanauri male, I would be at your feet,” he said, smiling. “You are a very attractive nauri indeed.”

  Hickory’s face filled with color. “You are very kind, but will the gate guards take me for one of Sequana’s warriors?”

  “I think yes, although it has been a long time since I saw these particular nauris. But you have the bearing—perhaps be a touch more haughty.”

  Despite Albetius’ assurances, Hickory’s heart thumped loudly in her ears as she approached the postern. The nightly aurora had begun, and the green, gold, and red of the ionosphere reflected off the city walls. A bell was striking the hour, and two guards were ushering the stragglers through the gate.

  They saw Hickory approach and beckoned her to hurry. “Be quick, nauri, or you will spend the night outdoors,” said one. His companion sniggered.

  Hickory slowed as she reached the two and looked coldly at the one who had spoken. “Offer such insolence again, paeysanne, and I will rip the tongue from your head and feed it to the pigs.”

  Immediately, both soldiers stood to attention. Perspiration stood out on their forehead. The one who had spoken first opened his mouth to respond but closed it just as quickly. Hickory strode past and the two let out a long breath. “Touchy,” said one, “Deadly,” said the other.

  Albetius had drawn a rough map of the city on the ground, which Hickory had memorized. Once past the postern, she must turn right then work her way into the town past the artisan section, letting at least an hour pass before heading back to the other postern. Otherwise, she risked being spotted by one or both of the nauris on night duty who habitually met between rounds in a shelter outside the main gate.

  She passed many Ezekani citizens, but if they thought it strange for one of Sequana’s nauris to be wandering the streets, they did not show it, averting their eyes. Only once did she need to hide in the shadows of a house doorway to allow two carousing nauris to pass by without seeing her.

  She approached the second postern cautiously, crouching behind a cart until the guard atop the wall had passed. She stayed hidden until the second guard and the nauris supervisor had also gone before she scuttled to the gate. Quickly, she undid the three bolts and pushed.

  The gate creaked and then was dragged open from the other side. Albetius looked through the gap, saw Hickory, and squeezed through. He clasped Hickory’s hand, held up a finger to his mouth to indicate silence, then pointed at the door.

  Hickory mouthed “what?” and then saw several shadowy shapes come through from the other side. She grabbed for her sword, but Albetius stayed her hand. She looked from him to the figures, who now removed the cloaks from their heads. Jess, Gareth, and Jakah grinned at her. Hickory’s pulse throbbed furiously in her temple, and she grabbed Jess and Gareth and sniffled into their necks. “Alive,” she whispered, “Thank God you’re alive.”

  Jakah lingered behind Gareth’s shoulder. He nodded to her and she nodded back. I’ll sort you out later.

  Albetius tugged at her sleeve and pointed to the town. “We need to get going,” he mouthed.

  They traveled in single file, making sure they were unseen before dashing across roads and between buildings. Eventually, Albetius reached his destination. It was a large house in comparison to many they had passed, white and cubist in the modern style with high windows through which lights flickered.

  Albetius signaled to the others to wait, crept up to the door and knocked quietly. He waited, then rapped a little more loudly. There was the sound of bolts being drawn and the door opened inwards. The Erlachi standing in the doorway held his lamp high and peered at his visitor. He gasped, and his free hand went to his heart. “You!” Quickly he looked up and down the street and then ushered Albetius through the door.

  “Not a great welcome, eh?” Gareth spoke in hushed tones. “Should we be worried?”

  “He’s a blood relation, his cousin. Such things are considered to be of high import around here,” Jakah spoke into his ear.

  They waited ten minutes and then the door opened again, and Albetius signaled for them to come in. The crept across the road and hurried up the path. Albetius was smiling.

  “This is my cousin, Portus.” He introduced each of them by name. “I have discussed our plans and he has agreed to help.”

  Portus looked sideways at his cousin. “I will do what I can, but it will be dangerous for you—and for me.” He sighed. “But Albetius was ever the troublemaker when we were young. I am happy to see he has recovered some of that spirit of late.” He clapped his cousin on the shoulder and smiled. “This Avanauri usurper has been here too long. He is not well loved. It is time to return you to your throne, Majesty.”

  Portus gestured to a sideboard on which stood a flagon of wine and some glasses. “Please, enjoy some wine while you wait. Albetius and I will return in an hour. The guards change at midnight, and we must pass the word to those loyal to the king to prepare for battle.”

  When Portus and Albetius had left, the group could at last celebrate their reunion. “One glass only,” said Hickory laughing. “We will need clear heads tonight.”

  They each had a hundred questions. Hickory told them how she had escaped from the cave and about meeting the Teacher and the skirmish with the soldiers when he and Saurab were arrested. “And now, you must tell me your story. How did you survive the storm and how did you meet up with Albetius?”

  Gareth and Jess took turns telling their tale. When it came to the part where they had all survived ingesting the poison, Hickory gazed at Jakah. “I am interested to know why you still live, Jakah, but first you must tell me about my father.”

  Jakah nodded slowly. “I will tell you that tale, although I am not proud of it. It began when the admiral’s agency police interrupted Saurab and me as we were concluding a lucrative deal with the Sauntaran hegemony. We were delivering a crate load of crynidium we’d been fortunate enough to acquire.

  “The admiral threatened to put us in jail for twenty years—a ridiculous sentence for the crime—but he said he would release us on the proviso that we undertake a mission for him. We were to accompany you to Erlach, help you find the sword of Connat, and kill the Teacher—in his words ‘eliminate’ him.”

  “And you agreed?” said Hickory.

  “It was a big incentive, but we declined. Said we would take our chances in jail. So he sweetened the deal for us—one poi
nt five million credits—enough for Saurab and me to retire on.” He shrugged. “If he’d said ‘no’ we would have given in anyway.”

  “I never took you guys for murderers.” She shook her head.

  “We’re not. At least we weren’t. The trouble is I couldn’t hack doing jail time again. I’ve been there once and I’d never survive a long sentence. Even so, I would never kill to stay alive, but Saurab…Saurab knew how I was. He said we should agree to the deal, so as to keep me out of jail and then we could disappear into another part of the galaxy. The money was just his way of having fun.”

  “My father wouldn’t take your word for it. He’d want some guarantees,” said Hickory, her face blank.

  “Yeah.” Jakah turned and lifted the hair on the back of his head. “It was done while we were in maquillage. A tiny explosive connected to the cortex which can be detonated anywhere in the Eridanus system. If we try to get away—phuttz!” Jakah clicked his fingers.

  Hickory stared at the scar. Once again, the admiral had played her for a fool, plotting all along to kill Kar. The needs of the corporation! And this monster calls himself my father. Her face shone and a tear escaped the corner of one eye. She stood abruptly and her chair clattered to the floor.

  “Hickory?” said Jess, placing a hand on her arm. “There’s more. Saurab overheard a conversation between the admiral and Yonni, the High Reeve. They have a deal going. If your father returns the Sword and ‘eliminates’ the Teacher, he gets an agreement to mine and export crynidium from a remote part of Avanaux.”

  Hickory shook her head slowly. “Why doesn’t that surprise me? He’d sell his soul to secure the crynidium for the Aligned Planets.”

  “Yes, I’m afraid he would,” said Jess. “And from what Albetius told me, Saurab saw an opportunity to fulfill his part of the bargain and release both him and Jakah from his control.”