The Book of Ominiue: Starborn

by D. M. Barnham

  ‘How so?’ Shayne inquired. Pan’arden looked at him momentarily; she sometimes found his choice of words strange and needed to think about his sentences; trying to understand the question. Shayne usually worded himself carefully, but sometimes his responses were automatic, replying in the abstract Earth manner. He saw his fault as soon as he made it but he knew that Pan’arden was smart enough to understand his meaning.

  ‘They told me that there was a little girl who seemed rather ordinary,’ she answered him. ‘If not lesser than the others, but within a few months under Kíe’s care she turned out to be a wonder child herself. I hear that she is in a training hall in Taríth now. If not for the scholar no-one would have known her talent and it would’ve gone to waste. They say there is something special in Kíe. He can see through people, he knows what they truly are and he can bring out the best within them. When the guards told me about him I did not believe them, the way they described him, I thought they were talking about an Afradian wizard, but now that I ride with him, I can understand what they mean. One cannot help but be uplifted while in his presence.’

  At noon they stopped at some ruins, they were the remains of a building long abandoned and what was left was quite striking. The building looked to be an ancient monastery of some sort. Parts of the structure still stood two stories high, including a stairwell. It was an inviting sight; with the sun reflecting off the masonry. Over the years, trees had taken root in the stones creating a shady canopy as the branches wrapped themselves through the floors and walls, taking hold in the cracks and becoming a living mortar that held the stones together. The Earthmen marvelled at the beauty and took photographs and recordings. Omar was overjoyed by the stop, never before had he seen ruins and he explored the area with the enthusiasm of an archaeologist. Dominic followed, laughing at his friend’s child-like joy and taking pictures as they went along.

  Not long after they had sat down to eat Pan’ardan’s tiger unexpectedly stirred, her large head snapped up from her resting place as she let out a low growl, glaring through the ruins. Everyone was on their feet ready to fight including the Earthmen. Hanniver had his arm to his thigh, resting on the hilt of his weapon; his mind calculating the time it would take to reach and activate his railgun-rifle that was hanging from his horse.

  What emerged was an elderly human male, he was bent with age and he had a long grey beard with some streaks of black. He smiled at the company with a wide, toothless grin; his dazed expression casually regarding his new visitors. Kíe approached him and gave him a roll of bread. The man praised him with blessings of the Kéaran and he sat down near two of the Bohanesse warriors and went into disjointed murmurings as he ate. When he had finished his bread one of the warriors gave him part of her share plus some cordial she had in a waterskin. His expression grew brighter with each minute. When it was time to leave he openly cried, he followed the company out a little while; hobbling on a stick before retreating back into his ruins.

  ‘I thought nobody lived in poverty in a lionman country?’ Shayne asked Kíe after the man had vanished from sight.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Kíe looked at Shayne; genuinely confused.

  ‘That human back there; that Ta’Orian, why was he living like that?’

  Kíe made an expression of detached uncertainty, ‘I do not know, maybe he chose to live that way.’

  ‘Why would anyone choose to live like that?’

  ‘Why does anyone choose any way?’ Kíe replied. ‘There is always a reason, no matter how small; there is always a reason for everything.’

  ‘Did you choose to become a scholar?’

  ‘Not at first and I understand why you would consider this thought. I can leave anytime I want to, but I do not understand why anyone would. It is a privileged life.’

  ‘Privileged for those born into it?’

  ‘Never assume Afra’hama. My parents were farmers,’ the journeyman replied in frustration. ‘Kíe, my cub name, and is one of the old names, inherited by generations of my ancestors. It is associated with the farmlands of the lake. My parents died when I was only small from a sweeping sickness, as did my sister. The guards took me in and gave me to the teaching halls. There I was fortunate enough to receive what I may not have been given if they had lived. If one day I am blessed with children then my son will take my cub-name and maybe oren will become associated with the teaching halls, maybe he shall return to my father’s lands. The point is positions are not necessarily inherited, especially that of a scholar. Talent serves where talent is found.’

  ‘Regardless, your society isn’t sounding very socialist to me,’ Shayne responded in English.

  ‘What did you say?’ Kíe tilted his head at the Starborn, though Shayne and Hanniver had taught him some very basic English words, many of the terms Shayne used were beyond him. Generally, Kíe knew what was meant by the context of language, but only when it was used in reference to the topic, even if he could not always predict the meaning behind some of the sentences spoken.

  ‘You profess that the Fa’Orian, the lionmen, is better than the Ta’Orian, because there is no poverty, yet you have aristocrats.’

  ‘Somebody has to run the country,’ Kíe pulled a face as he was trying to understand what Shayne was saying, ‘and we have never said that Fa’Orian’s are better than Ta’Orian’s.’

  ‘But you have implied it.’

  ‘When?’ Kíe was growing defensive.

  ‘The entire time we have interacted. You have emphasised the grandness of the kingdoms run by the Fa’Orian and the dangers of those that are not.’

  ‘I have merely mentioned facts, and it is not true when you say all Fa’Orian countries are better: Isradia is one of the great countries, so is Endaran, and they are both Ta’Orian. Endaran has no Fa’Orian’s at all; and let us not forget Zeathlan. Besides Afra’hama, you have forgotten what I have taught you, and that is that Kérith-Árim was once a Ta’Orian nation, and it was just as grand then as it is now, if not greater, for it was ruled by Ta’Orians in the great wars, and though the Ta’Orian are weak and small, they are clever fighters, some have proven to be great tacticians: Anótole was a great war leader, as was Lethagon, and both were Ta’Orian.’ Shayne vaguely nodded, more to silence the journeyman than anything else. Kíe then remembered another point and lifted his hand and pointed, ‘and, Níurthan currently holds the Crown of Elió and he is Ta’Orian. He is the greatest fighter in all Dífrun, no Fa’Orian has ever matched his skill.’ Kíe seemed satisfied after that and his body relaxed as he let his frustration pass.

  Lionmen were rational, but they did have flaws. As a race they were logic and law dominated, but they were known also for their ferocity and merciless nature to those that broke their laws, an action that could become so intense that they might be overcome by irrational behaviour to see the return of order, even if it meant complete destruction to themselves. Once there were two dominant religions in Dífrun that opposed each other: The Lions of the Kéaran and the old religion of Jahaarah. For the lionman species the war was so deadly that the other religious faith was wiped out amongst their kind in early history and they have had a unified faith ever since. The human and Afradian side of the religious wars were a lot more complicated, but the remaining lionmen tribes continued on and proved a loyal and strong force against their ancient enemies; a loyalty that they still held today.

  ‘What about equality?’ Shayne finally asked after a short pause. ‘Is there equal rank between men and women, Fa’Orian and Ta’Orian, and I guess from the Afradians, and between the Varda’s and the common people?’

  ‘As far as I understand you, there are no issues. Some people are greater than others; these people lead and create; teach and do, and they are rewarded for their hard work. They may receive more than someone who is not considered as important, but none are disadvantaged in anyway. I can tell you that from working in the remote villages, they may not have much compared to a lord, but they are happy and they are well looked after.’
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  ‘What about women?’

  ‘I am Fa’Orian, I do not understand why it seems to be such a problem for Ta’Orian’s, but that it is, and it seems to be for the Sky Ta’Orians too by the way you speak.’

  ‘No it isn’t,’ Shayne said thinking of the many females in the colony, including full military battalions who were considered better and more reliable soldiers than men. The Astronauts were considered an equal society, though positions of authority were more likely to be fronted by women than men, ‘but it has taken a long time for us to reach that position, I am just curious because with many Ta’Orian peoples and at your technological level it is generally a problem, it is rare to have them equal.’

  ‘In countries where Fa’Orian are, female Ta’Orian’s are treated just like Ta’Orian males, though very few choose to be warriors; Ta’Orian men tend to be warriors, their women spend their time trading and in politics. The countries outside of Fa’Orian kingdoms are different from each other, to tell you their roles would require me to talk about many different places and customs.’

  ‘What about Fa’Orian females?’

  ‘Them?’ Kíe laughed. ‘I am not sure if you have noticed but the Nida Kushnalor who is accompanying us is female.’

  Shayne did not appreciate this obvious statement. ‘I was hoping you would be more descriptive, there seem to be a lot of females that are in the military, but from what I hear there are not many who are in any other high ranking roles.’

  ‘Arh,’ Kíe said. ‘That is just the will of the Kéaran. There are many female rulers and leaders, including Pan’arden. You just managed to hear and see ones that are male; you are fortunate to witness that.’

  ‘Why?’ Shayne regarded Kíe on his proud horse.

  ‘Well, because unlike Ta’Orian who have an even amount of men and women, Fa’Orian have one male to three females.’ Shayne had observed this discrepancy after his exposure to their towns and cities.

  ‘In all Fa’Orian nations except for Kérith-Árim the rule goes to a royal child elected best to rule, there are many factors one would consider: there is the firstborn choice, war, sickness and the discretion of the parents, they all play a role. In the end the ruling Varda can choose which child to take the throne. Most nations have their own defining rules for ascension. Here in Bohaníde and in Nakáda it usually falls on the firstborn; that title can be given to two children, for Fa’Orian are likely to birth twins whereas Ta’Orians are not.’

  ‘Is that so?’ Shayne interjected.

  ‘We have more twins than single children, and sometimes they will take up the throne together. It is not uncommon. Na’káda has two female Varda’s, tribal descendants of the great warrior, Tain. Kérith-Árim is different, they have the “UeVarda” the successor is carefully chosen and can be anyone, even a commoner from another nation, the heir apparent to the UeVarda does not often come from the same family; it is a model adopted from the Ta’Orian nation of Isradia, except for in Isradia the new ruler is a holy oríde[10] and the title cannot be passed to another family member in a single generation.’

  ‘Then how is it that the next successor is the young daughter of the current UeVarda?’

  ‘She is the selected one and the only candidate chosen so far, to choose someone is a great affair and to test them is a greater one still, it does not happen very often. The current candidate cannot be coronated, and she may not be able to take the throne if the UeVarda is to die prematurely. She must first prove herself. The Board of Chancellors have chosen her because she is great of mind and a natural leader, but she still needs to establish herself as a worthy heir. It is very rare to select someone so young; usually the selection is of an adult who is already accomplished. Even the current UeVarda is young by typical standards. It is definitely an interesting time to live in.’ Kíe smiled broadly.

  ‘What about your armies? Why so many females compared to males?’

  ‘I thought that to be self-evident,’ Kíe frowned at Shayne.

  ‘I do not see a three to one ratio.’ Shayne scratched the side of his beard with his free hand, there were far more women warriors present than men.

  ‘A male must have a male heir before he is allowed to fight. It is the law for all lionmen.’

  ‘So I am guessing you cannot join then?’

  ‘No,’ Kíe admitted, ‘but Kérith-Árim does not have an army to join, so even if I wanted I could not.’

  ‘Kérith-Árim does not have an army?’ Shayne said displaying a hint of shock in his otherwise steady voice. ‘How do you defend yourself?’

  ‘There are defences: we have the loyalty of our neighbours and the watchmen who guard the villages and cities. Instead of an army we have the UeVarda and we are the home of the largest and oldest teaching house. It is considered important, it means that even though our Varda rules over the external affairs of other countries in Dífran, he cannot enforce his decree with his own might, for the UeVarda to be successful he must have cooperation of many countries. It is a measure to keep the ruling nation fair.’

  ‘And does it work?’

  ‘For the most part, yes’ Kíe admitted. ‘Sometimes the other nation representatives do not agree, but overall I think it is the best for Dífran. Not all are a part of it, but they are still subject to it, I do not think I can explain it any deeper than that.’

  ‘Our system is very similar to yours,’ Shayne informed, ‘in that rulers are elected. There are only few differences and they vary from nation to nation.

  ‘So I am assuming that if Kérith-Árim requires assistance then other nations are obligated to help?’

  ‘We are not completely defenceless. We have what we call shytarda. One could define them as an army of guards, and each village and city has their own trained shytarda’s. They are not like the guards of other nations, they are taught like armies, but they are also given roles in guard-ship and maintenance. They are highly trained and skilled in the art of war, but they are not allowed to march beyond the border. Finally, every Fa’Orian and Ta’Orian in Kérith-Árim are required to learn the ways of the sword and the bow. Once a week, on any chosen day, each civilian puts down their tools and picks up a weapon and trains for the entire day, then the following day is a day of rest.

  ‘If violence is brought upon our nation each town is prepared to defend themselves. In desperate times they can be summoned to fight, each township representing a unit within the armed forces.’

  ‘And are you trained also in this way?’

  ‘Yes, but if you were to put me up with one of these warriors here I believe that I would not last too long,’ He gave half a laugh, ‘but I have also spent almost a year in Bohaníde and barely trained with a blade in that time. I am still well skilled with the bow; the Bohanese villagers love their bow craft.’

  As they rode on and the discomfort of hours riding began to overcome Shayne again, they saw tree clad mountains slowly rise again in the south as they approached the Wayel-Éaa forest; their horses slowly veering closer as they continued south-east. They had ventured a long way, but the expanse of the forest was so great it would continue on for days, reaching down to mark the northern border of Kérith-Árim, always accompanying them on the journey. The flat plains gave way to winding tracks that followed the contours of least resistance. They traversed around increasingly higher country where ancient volcanos had once erupted, leaving behind gentle rounded hills and rocky lava fields. The occasional grass covered mound towered over the rest and between them herders roamed with their flocks. This time of the year wildflowers covered the hills and as one species was ending its season and another two were just beginning, covering the rock crops in patches of blue and white. Shayne looked long upon the landscape which was strange to him; thinking about the small confines of Astronaut life; he understood why many of them were afraid to be planet-side, even the largest of space stations could not compare. He remembered all too well the awe he experienced when he first stood upon Iraquis.

  ***

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nbsp; ‘Finally! About time we were cleared to board!’ A very excited and impatient palaeontologist cried out while virtually jumping up and down. ‘Come on and hurry up!’ she called out to the doors of the transporters. Shayne and the other Starborns that the Oxford carried stood in formation at the loading bay. They were to be the first to land, along with other soldiers suited up in exoskeleton battle gear. The precautions were over the top and everyone knew it, but procedure must be followed regardless of practicality. The leading scientists and some politicians were also in the first human landing party; they insisted upon accompanying the military down. The scientists were often first because they were always eager to begin their work, even with the robots already planet-side creating a proximity catalogue, and the politicians wanted to be the first because even though the mission is basically under military law they still felt compelled to exert their authority, or so the military let them believe.

  ‘Why’s it taking so long?’ complained one of the bureaucrats. He looked increasingly impatient as he crossed his arms and looked about the large hanger. The soldiers stood at attention; their military training keeping them motionless while the civilians shuffled uncomfortably.

  General Thorn Hendingson and the Air Vice-Marshal Danto Williams walked passed. The Brigadier was on the Manhattan with another high ranking officer, there was also another Star-Officer on the Eureka. Every ship had cross specialists in case of disaster. Williams glared at Shayne as he walked by. The Air Vice-Marshal never tried to hide his hatred for Shayne; the fact that he was given partial Earthman rights angered him all the more. He was a well-loved character to those who fitted the correct profile; it all depended on who you were lucky enough to be.

  There were many other people in the bay, most of which were made up of members of the military force. They all waited to be loaded onto the five transport ships ready for them, but it would take many trips to transfer everyone. The two star officers and two other high rank soldiers proceeded to do a role check of the first transport; they looked in disdain at the undisciplined nature of the civilians accompanying them. After the check they were ordered according to position onto the transports before they went to the next ship to watch over proceedings. The Starborns were the second last to enter, followed by the exoskeleton-armoured suit soldiers.