Red Rocket wandered off and sniffed around the large stone, Thyman followed the Tasmanian tiger; observing the thin animal as it searched the ground with its nose. Red Rocket watched the tiger out of the corner of her eye but continued to sniff at what interested her. Hanniver too was watching very carefully, he had come to trust the tiger for the most part, but that was overridden by the fact his pet was worth a year’s wages and that he had a breeding pair and wished for them to produce at least one set of pups.
The stop was brief, and when they were mounted again Pan’arden forced them to move quickly, with the horses changing periodically from a canter to a trot. Many of the Earthmen struggled with the changing pace. Shayne in particular appeared to lack the balance skill to remain in his saddle, but his horse was a clever beast and it would counter his movements allowing him to better correct his sitting position, he also looked and felt smoother than the other human horses. Kíe came to his side after watching him struggle with the new pace.
‘Do not grip the horse so hard with your legs,’ he tried to advise, ‘and use the stirrups to lift yourself off the saddle.’ Shayne looked across but immediately felt himself slipping. ‘Relax,’ Kíe smiled in encouragement. ‘Try and move with the horse, if you do not and the horse spooks you will fall off.’ Shayne attempted to follow but with little success and he found himself stiffening up. ‘Keep trying,’ Kíe added. ‘You can raise yourself on the stirrups and let your legs take the movement but it is not a good position for travelling all day.’ After experimenting and learning the movements of the horse Shayne found the new pace easier to manage and the ride enjoyable though trotting proved difficult and awkward regardless of his efforts.
Thyman, Red Rocket and the robots were left to run alongside their masters’ horses. Two pack horses were offered to the droids, but trying to explain to the natives that these machines were not programmed to ride horses was incomprehensible to them. The robots had no issues keeping up; their straight posture changed as they ran along the ground with the grace no man could match. Their ease of movement was a curiosity to the natives; but there was something disturbing in their movements; a slightly unnatural element and it took time to grow accustomed to.
Within a couple of hours they had reached the river. It was fast flowing and wide, with orchards stretching out on either side. The road passed through a village that stood upon the river bank. It had a defensive trench and a palisade of thick wooden stakes that were enforced with stone at the base.
The party stopped very briefly in the settlement to allow their horses a drink and to obtain some food. The townspeople, who were made up of both human and lionmen, gathered to see them, talking amongst themselves excitedly. Their small part of the world was not used to such company but rumours of the Afra’hama had somehow even extended to these insignificant reaches; the very idea was inconceivable without technology, but the knowledge of the star people had sent a ripple throughout the land. When Shayne approached the tight crowd parted before him; they all bowed their heads and kept their eyes fixed to the ground as he passed.
This was the Earthmen’s first encounter with the shytarda guards, they looked nothing like the guards of Bohaníde, they wore the same armour that a typical skilled soldier wore; not the simpler second rate equipment of a lowly town guard. Their duties were not much different from guards, but they also held the expectations of a soldier. Their training was more intensive and they were expected to care for their communities: repair structures and police the people as well as defend the lands. Their manner and pride were equal to any warrior and there was great respect given to them. Their shields had the national Kérith-Árim symbol of the blue dragon on a white background and their uniform held the town’s crest and colours. It seemed rather glorified relative to the standard Bohanese armour, a product of a land once ruled by different people.
They did not stay long in the village; Pan’arden spoke briefly with the guard commander before they left. On the other side of the town their road made its way between the orchards and river. As they gained height the fruit trees gave way to open lands and farming homesteads. They passed a small wooden watermill with an inefficient horizontal wheel; it was an uncommon design but perfectly suitable for the needs of the region and more easily controlled with diversions from the powerful river.
The bridge to cross the river was further north. They followed the broad road from the plains into a lightly forested gorge. The river became more wild and turbulent as the hills forced it into narrower channels. The overpass was not far or high up the valley face, but it was steep and the road wound around as it made its way up. By the time they reached the top the horses were panting from the effort and Red Rocket exerted herself trying to keep up. They walked through the ruins of an ancient fortress to access the bridge. Very little of the building remained, over the years the stones were used to repair the ancient bridge until all that was left was the foundations and a few blocks defining the walls. The bridge itself was not a grand structure in beauty or design, made for a few local townships either side of the river. It was built at the narrowest point of the river; the middle support joined a natural island protruding from the depths below.
They crossed in single file. When Dominic came to the middle he looked over the edge. From the lowlands the bridge did not seem very high up, but he suffered a wave of vertigo when he peered at the torrent thrashing violently below, he suddenly felt vulnerable with the walls of the bridge being inadequate and a mental image of himself falling to his death. He felt himself slip and he gripped subconsciously to his horse, forcing himself to look ahead, clutching at the saddle with all his strength until they had safely crossed.
Once on the other side the road wound around following the cliff’s edge. The track was wide and well maintained with a wooden fence following the cliff face. A few kilometres along their path turned into an incoming gully that rose at a gentler angle than most of the others they had passed. As they moved up the valley the roar of the river gradually faded until they climbed over the top and down the other side. Occasionally they caught the faintest sound of water when the wind changed direction, or as they rode over a hill crest. They navigated through a few valleys before the trees dwindled and the landscape once again opened up.
They were now some distance away from the river, looking south they could see the lowlands covered in orchards and farms. Open grasslands stretched out in the North, much like in Bohaníde, but they no longer had great mountain ranges in the background, instead the fields seem to disappear into the horizon.
The road they travelled turned north-east; stretching out into an endless straight line. The time passed slowly with little change in the landscape. They still travelled between a trot and a canter and occasionally they walked their horses, allowing them to rest. The varied pace of travel was the only thing that broke the monotony and the only interesting thing that happened since leaving the river was when a flock of running birds, half the size of an ostrich, scuttled across the road in front of them and Red Rocket chased after them into the long grass. Hanniver called out for her to return several times. She only started to make her way back after the Brigadier resorted to loud and angry threats. All that could be seen of the Tasmanian tiger as she trotted back was her tail as she navigated the grass to return to the road. The lionmen watched the chase with some shock, one even questioned the word for pet, but when the animal returned with a very satisfied look upon her face they lost interest and continued on down the road.
It was growing late by the time they reached the main highway, with the brilliant colours of the sunset dominating the landscape. The road connected the capitals of Bohaníde and Kérith-Árim and had many large cities and towns situated along it. As they turned onto it they could see a couple of trains with lanterns mounted on the carriages making their way along. Not far north the lights of a small establishment could be seen and everyone rode gladly towards it. They made it to the merchant’s camp just before sunset. All that it c
onsisted of was two homesteads and an inn. The Brigadier’s Tasmanian tiger found a water trough by the inn’s front fence and stuck her head into it for a good long drink before she contemplated following the party into the noisy tavern.
A small troupe of servants came out from the back and tended to their horses, Shayne dismounted Ulossa, handing over the reins to a stable hand, who also took the hides to hang for the night. They walked through the open doors of the building where the cool night air met the cramped and musty tavern. The Earthmen were surprised to see it so full of people, they did not realise that even a traveller’s inn, with barely a house in sight would be so busy with traders and pilgrims.
The merchant inns were scattered all through the eastern half of Dífrun, placed a day’s march apart by Ta’Orian horse standards on all of the main highways. In open areas these were accompanied by a small grove of trees with some basic camping infrastructure, marking the typical distance travelled on foot.
The sound of cheerful patrons drifted into silence when the company entered the tavern. The natives all carefully watched as Pan’arden addressed the innkeeper. Lionmen had the greatest fascination provided they did not have to go out and seek it. When something came to them their curiosity was stirred. Lionmen did not stare for too long at each other unless it was a challenge, but when it came to humans they watched freely and without shame and the present company bearing strange alien clothes and accompanied by weird metal-like people drew their attention all the more; it did not take long for the news of the Diakean-wolf hides hanging out the back to pass through the crowd which only added to the fascination of the new guests.
The inn was dark and musky, and the wooden floor was sticky underfoot from beverages that had been spilt over the long years. The air was filled with the smell of smoke, alcohol and roasted foods. The best seats were willingly relinquished to the newcomers. There was a deep respect for the military and scholars in the middle kingdoms, but that was not the only reason for their curiosity, they also heard rumours that the Star Ta’Orians has arrived and were expected in their capital. Kíe and Pan’arden were the first seated and the female lionman innkeeper bowed deeply to them. Next Shayne was given a seat at the command of the High Captain and then the Earthmen. The remaining native soldiers mingled at the bar or accepted invitations from the other patrons. The other Starborn’s sat silently while the Earthmen enjoyed themselves. Hanniver made it clear they were once again barred from alcoholic consumption now that he was of sound mood again. So instead the innkeeper supplied them with cool fruit juice and ordered the best meals for them.
Their table had a lamp placed in the centre, lighting up their faces. When seated Shayne saw the glint of many curious eyes aimed at the Earthmen and the two robots. The presence of a scholar excited them and they called for entertainment; requesting the drinking songs. Kíe insisted on singing a couple of teaching songs before he serenaded them with casual entertainment. While he sang the songs, the more intoxicated guests joined in, singing loudly and after his second teaching song had finished they called loudly for the Lionmen song. Kíe smiled broadly as he began to sing and the crowd cheered and joined in nosily, they sang so loud that Shayne was only able to gain the last verses.
See him standing in the night,
watching the shadows until sun’s light.
His head is bent and his back is straight,
he is a warrior mighty and great.
Hear him call, his roar of fright.
His challenge can be heard all night.
‘I am strong and I am proud,’
‘my mane is long so fight me now!’
He watched the shadows but they never strayed,
for his enemies were too afraid.
Forever he stands strong and tall,
Calling, ‘fear me, for I am the Lion-man Lord!’
After half-an-hour when the meals were laid out two human merchants from Kíbaroth were brave enough to request a look at the robots, a request that the Brigadier reluctantly agreed. The star ranked officer watched them very closely. The two natives’ actions brought a procession of onlookers to come and touch the machines. Kíe also turned their encounter with the beasts of the forest into a story, embellishing the battle with the wild, making it sound romantic and heroic. He told all there was to tell, except when it came to the weapons of the Earthmen; there he carefully avoided any description, merely describing the courage and strength of the Star Ta’Orians. The crowd marvelled at the tale and roared loudly with appreciation.
As the night progressed and their meals were eaten, some of the Earthmen and the native humans began communicating through the robots. The privates and Dominic were taught how to play a common gambling game, while the second machine; 73B-GMSR was bombarded with a constant flow of questions about the universe and the planets that the Earthmen inhabit. The androids were a military standard colony interacting class and were therefore equipped with the ability to communicate with the more primitive natives. Every time a native asked a sensitive question the machine gracefully directed the conversation in another direction. Shayne overheard some of the conversations that passed between the two parties; he was still impressed by the natives’ acceptance and understanding of science and foreign customs and beliefs. They seemed very amused by the wide variety of faiths that Earth and many other worlds possessed and were eager to learn about them. Even those with lowly jobs were well educated; their understanding ranged from literacy, religion and a basic grasp of physics and mathematics. Education held a central role in their culture and with the coming of the Sky Ta’Orians most of their natural inclination was to understand and learn, it was a refreshing attitude to the Earthmen.
The lionmen in the tavern were not as open as the native humans, though they were curious. At first their hesitation restricted them from interacting but as the night progressed they relaxed and became more social. Most of the natives were primarily interested in the droids; their metallic and plastic bodies standing out in the fire light. At first the lionmen were suspicious of the machines and did not communicate to them, but their curiosity eventually got the better of them; some touched and inspected the robots themselves but they refrained from talking to them. Many sat apart from their human counterparts, half hidden in the darkness as they listened to the conversations that took place: that was as close as they came.
The lionmen were more interested in Shayne, the humans too were equally curious of him but they were more afraid to talk to the Starborn than they were to the machines. Despite their hesitation a few lionmen ventured from their exclusion and greeted him formally. One zealous female lionman sat for a long time with Shayne and Kíe and spoke freely with him about their religion, Shayne did not really know how to talk to her so he spent most the time patiently listening. After a while he became greatly confused as she disjointedly moved from one subject to another, something Kíe was careful to avoid. Shayne did not know what to think or how to approach her questions and explanations; he found the whole concept of faith complex enough without her random insights. The Astronauts never thought to explain religious behaviour and his planet-side education was at the hands of an agnostic physicist and the practical training of the military. His very first exposure came from their first contact with the lionmen and their reaction to him. Often he wondered about their position, the lionmen seemed highly rational yet they believed in their faith without question. Kíe and Pan’arden believed it so intensely that it just increased Shayne’s confusion; though Kíe practiced critical thinking more than the others he still held the fundamental belief of the legends and to Shayne this felt like a contradiction.
He was interested in their faith and scriptures; one thing he quickly grasped with the discussions of religion between the Iraqians and Earthmen was that it always held an important key to society. Most of the Western Empire considered themselves as: Atheist, Agnostic or simply non-denominational. Only a small percentage belonged to organised religion and an even smaller number held ont
o the more traditional values, with the most conservative followers forced underground. Many forms of religion were either banned or forced to change in regards to human equality rights in the Western Empire; only the moderates were allowed free passage, anything that preached inequality of any standard, or tried to impose dominion had long since been banned; those who wished to openly follow those lifestyles were welcome to practice it outside the Empire. It was not uncommon for Empires and independent nations to negotiate resettlements of willing citizens, but what is presented in theory rarely works out in practice. The nations of the Empire still held a fair amount of their foundations within the old faiths; religion provided insight into the history and cultural evolution of a race. Faith made a people, and to Shayne it was worth having an interest to understand their structure and behaviour.
Late that night a sober merchant gained enough courage and approached the main table and bowed deeply to Shayne and those present at his table.
‘May I beg a moment of your time, Afrada ala Hama,’ the human formally bowed a second time. ‘I could not help but admire the fine Dikean’armada hides hanging out the back.’
Kíe brightened with a smile and Pan’arden answered, ‘We were ambushed by a large pack on our way to see the good UeVarda.’
‘Ah, as the master storyteller told us earlier. An inspiring story I am sure will be the beginning of many more.’ The man requested a seat with a hand gesture, when granted he quickly sat down and pulled out a folded piece of cloth. ‘I overheard that they will be made into cloaks and I could not help but think Hama Ta’Orian’s and possibly yourselves, do not yet own clasps to properly adorn them.’ Shayne glanced at the others, unsure about the strange little merchant sitting next to him.
The Book of Ominiue: Starborn Page 17
