by Mari Collier
Laten rolled out of bed and aimed a slap at her backside. “I'm House. Remember? Only the Abs nay worry about morn's light. Tis shower time.”
She made a face and aimed a playful kick back before rising. “He tis worse than a Slavey.”
After a shower, they pulled on their clothes and walked down a hall. “Do ye ken where a kitchen tis?”
“Aye, Dolo, I was here often as a laddie. We take a right turn and pass a couple doors, turn right, pass through the Keepers section and we are there.”
They found Lorenz balefully eyeing the contents of a built-in cold cabinet. “Where the hell is something to grab for eating around here, and what do y'all have to drink that's hot and quick?”
Laten shook his head. “Laird, I have nay been here for years. Tis possible the corner cabinet will be stocked with some quickbars for sustenance, and there should be some pina tea.”
“Get them. We're wasting daylight.”
While Latin located the items and handed them to Dolo, Lorenz poked at the circles on the communication screen set in the wall over a small desk.
“Red, are y'all up?”
A blurry eyed O'Neal appeared on screen. “Hell, no. It's not daylight yet.”
“I'm going on a scouting expedition in ten to fifteen minutes. It'll be from the position we gave y'all for landing last night. Alert Melissa that I'm in the air. Papa and I will be flying to the Maca's Tower by eight. He's sent messages to the Directors of the Centers to meet him there. That means three small flyers will be going there. When I return, y'all better have a pot of coffee going or I'm going to be in a foul mood. There's nothing like it here.” He broke the connection and looked at Laten.
“How long does it take to fix that tea?”
“A couple of minutes after I locate the cups.”
“We'll get some when we're back. Did y'all find those bars? What's in them?” Lorenz was thinking of Earth's nineteen-forty's candy bars.
Laten shrugged. “Different grain proteins, pina nuts, and a sweetener. It works as a snack. We should leave a note for the Keeper that we have taken some of their stock.”
“Let's go. I'll tell them when we get back.”
He led the way towards the outside while pulling on his jacket. He stopped at the door and looked at them. “Hell, you all need some coats.” He pulled open a door. “Papa said extras were kept here.”
“Laird, those are for House and Tris. Dolo is still Ab till she fulfills the work season.” Laten was convinced the man needed a Keeper.
“The hell! Papa took y'all back into House last night.”
“Me, yes, but Dolo must complete the time. She tis Ab.” Laten's voice was patient.
Lorenz looked at him puzzled. “Look, we're wasting time. I don't care what she wears and there's no one else here. Now put on these damn coats. We have work to do.”
Laten's face softened. He had lost his prejudice against Abs long ago and this man really didn't care whether one was House, Tri, or Ab. Laten wonder what was driving this being from another world. Both of them put on the dark blue jackets and followed Lorenz to the padport.
Laten found the answer to what was driving the man when they flew over the plains of Don. Lorenz swept the craft low over the meadows, small stands of oaks and dwarf pines, draws, gullies, rivers, and creeks. Excitement was building in all of them as they watched the loose kine feeding.
“There they are! Look down there. There must be at least fifty in that bunch.” Lorenz jabbed a finger at the coordinates every time they spotted a herd. Most were still on the ground, their legs folded under them as they chewed on their cud. Lorenz estimated the number of each herd before transmitting all the information to the Maca's headquarters.
Dolo was puzzled. “I thought Rurhran had taken all on this side of the mountains.”
“Papa told me that kine had ranged over most of Don and weren't penned until fattened for processing. Unless they rode out here and checked every draw and shady spot, they were bound to miss a few, and kine will do the same here as they do in Texas: propagate.” Lorenz turned to her.
“What do y'all mean on this side of the mountains?”
“The Justines left some herds for the land Abs. It would have been cruel to leave them without work or food.”
“How many kine were left?”
“I dinna. Whenever we stayed there over the winter months, meat was plentiful. Laten will agree.”
A huge smile lit Lorenz's face and the grey eyes gleamed with joy. “And how many land Abs are there? What kind of a society do they have?”
Dolo shook her head in puzzlement.
Laten answered for her. “There tis nay way to count the land Abs as they come and go with the seasons. There are some fishing clans that settled along the coast. I have heard of groups of Abs and some Tris that have built homes with logs and are surrounded by high walls to fend off the raiding Abs, but I have nay seen such places. Then there are the Abs that move from place to place.”
“A fly over will answer the question, but right now we need a place where the kine can be slaughtered and butchered. What about where Lavina lives. Would it have such a place? And where is she located? Y'all would probably like to see your brother again too, right?”
Laten smiled. The man was a bundle of energy. Thalia hadn't seen the like for years. “Aye, Laird, I would like to see Luman again. Ye need to swing two degrees to the south and head to the southwest coast, but the Laird's and Lady's Station of Don has pens and slaughtering facilities. They have nay been used since the time of the occupation.”
Lorenz nodded and continued to fly low over the plains. He took a quick swing by the foothills before turning west when something caught both his and Laten's attention. He slid the cairt nearer the grove of trees that blanketed the land turning into hills.
“There tis a fliv down there under the trees, Laird.”
“Aye, we'll check it out.” As he lifted over the trees, the scanner showed a land combo (LC) rolling towards the fliv. Five black clad Sisters were in the vehicle. The scanner picked up three people hunkered down behind the trees and shrubs.
“Laird, that tis my brither and family.”
“How'd they get there in a fliv without being shot down?”
“If Lavina skimmed the ground, she would nay have been detected, but here she would need to go higher.”
As the LC came to a halt a man emerged from behind a shrub, his hands clenched into fists and a woman joined him. The Sisters were out of the LC, hand stunners aimed at the group.
“Damn! Laten, can y'all fly this thing?”
“Aye, Laird, but tis been twenty odd years. I'm apt to be a bit rough.”
“Take it and fly over the Sisters heads and then between them and the people down there. How high will the energy level of those stunners be?”
“The Kreppies disabled most of their stunners to stun. Those canna kill a being.” Laten moved into the seat as Lorenz vacated it.
Lorenz moved back one row and reached overhead. He brought down his canvas bag and pulled out his Winchester and shells. He inserted the shells and asked, “Where's the gadget to open these windows?”
Dolo was staring at him and Laten gave a brief look. A 30/30 might not look like their energy weapons, but the shape was similar. “That tis but one weapon against their five, however, we've given them pause as two are looking up. Where do ye wish to land?”
“I want the damn window open.”
Laten pushed at one of the circles on his left, and the window on Lorenz's side slid down into the wall.
“Swing along side of them so that they are directly in front of my sights.”
Laten almost protested, then did as directed. The sound of the rifle surprised them both. Dolo bolted upright, thumped her head as the cairt turned, and went to her knees, her hands clapped over her ears.
Lorenz fired again.
“Now land right beside them. There's two of them down, and you all stay behind me.”
Dolo
later swore the man's eyes were ice. When she glanced out the window, she realized that primitive weapons could kill. Two Sisters were down on the ground, and red was spurting from one Sister's leg. The other Sisters were scrambling to get into the LC when the Laird shouted, “Stop right there. The next one to move takes the next bullet.”
The whole thing became surreal to Dolo as the morning breeze blew Lavina's hair across her face and two birds flew over the newly leafed out trees. One Sister sat up moaning as blood spewing from the other Sister began splattering across her face and upper torso.
Lorenz stayed at the window. “Everyone toss their weapons, now!”
The black stunners landed on the ground. “Lavina, y'all and your man use a tree limb and get those stunners back out of the way. Don't walk in front of them or my rifle. Once that's done I can tend to those two before they bleed to death.”
His words goaded the two at the trees into action. Lavina and Luman found the needed branches and swept the stunners within their grasp. They turned the stunners on their attackers, but held their fire.
Lorenz strode up to them and motioned at the Sisters to move back away from the LC. “Keep those things trained on them.” He stripped off his shirt and used a knife stowed in his boot sheath to cut off one of his sleeves. Then he knelt beside the Sister whose leg spurted life's blood, wrapped, and tied the sleeve. He pressed down with his hand and looked up.
“Somebody get me a sturdy, small stick.”
Leman, Lavina's laddie bent and found what the Laird wanted and brought it over.
“Walk behind me.” Lorenz's voice was quick. He took the stick and used it as a brace while he finished tying off the sleeve.
He looked at Lavina and Luman. “Are there any suggestions as to what to do with those three?” He nodded at the Sisters still standing as he moved toward the one holding her shoulder, the blood from her wound seeping downward to mingle with that spewed from the badly injured woman.
When no answer came, he continued. “Watch them while I contact Red and the doctors.” Lorenz stood up and looked at five baffled faces. “O'Neal and Medicine,” he said as an explanation and strode to the cairt.
He was back within minutes. Laten and Luman were standing next to each other, Laten had his arm around his brother.
“We'll take these two with us. If it's not safe to return to the Zark Station with these people running around, you all can ride with us. It might be best as that arm of yours looks like it might need a doctor.”
“Nay, Laird tis stiff, but I can move it, and I dinna trust Medicine. I am male,” he added by way of explanation.
Laten removed his arm and turned. “Laird, if ye would permit, Dolo and I will go with them. We can take the LC and Lavina and Luman the fliv. We'll leave the Sisters out here to find their way back. The zarks at their station need tending.”
“Tis nay a solution,” shouted one of the Sisters. She moved a step closer and stopped as the stunners were trained on her. “I challenge ye now, ye so-called, Laird.”
Lorenz looked at her. “Another time, ma'am, I have to be back at the Maca's side within the hour.” He turned back to Laten.
“I'm going to need you and Dolo later tonight. Don't get too exhausted in your reunion.”
“Laird, my counselor, my laddie, and I would lay our heads on your shoulders.” Lavina bowed as she intoned the words.
“As long as someone keeps them covered.” Lorenz could think of no way to refuse that would not have offended them. He heard the Sisters gasp as the still Ab clothed Laten took the stunner from Luman. Lorenz realized that this society was far more stratified than what his father had told him.
After the greetings, they tied the wounded Sisters to the seats and Lorenz headed for Donnick and the House of Medicine. He was on their padport in eight minutes.
They were waiting for him and rushed forward. Melanie entered the cabin, set down her scanner and the stretcher, reached back and pulled up an eight-year-old Timor. Marta, eldest daughter of Magda, followed Timor.
Lorenz wondered why the boy, but said nothing as Timor sat quietly out of the way. Melanie knelt to examine the two. “Med now,” she muttered at seeing the woman with the tourniquet around the leg. The two sisters sliced the ropes and hefted the Sister onto the stretcher and carried her to the door. Willing hands grabbed the stretcher and placed it on a hover carrier and rushed towards the doors.
Lorenz untied the other woman as Melanie and Marta returned. The Sister was white-faced, but stood unsteadily. They supported her to the door and helped her onto the stretcher placed on another hover carrier. She too was whisked away.
“What did ye use to cause such wounds? I must ken for treatment.” Melanie's distressed face showed disbelief. A stunner set to stun would knock an opponent down. Set to kill, the stunner did, but no one arrived at medical with loss of blood and so much damaged tissue from being stunned.
Lorenz held up the rifle. “I used this, a rather primitive weapon by your standards. It shoots lead bullets.”
“Dear Gar, I must attend.” Melanie turned to Marta. “Are ye sure ye wish to do this?”
“Aye, Melanie.” Marta walked closer to Lorenz. “Laird, we have heard that Troyner tis at Don. This tis our laddie, Timor.” She smiled at the solemn, brown-eyed boy.
“Tis nay safe here for him. My mither's Directors, Keepers, and Tri workers of House hate him. They hate me for bearing and keeping him. Please, take me to Troyner. I beg ye for the friendship your fither and Troyner had as youths.”
Lorenz realized the pleading in the brown eyes was real. He didn't need to dip into a mind to see that.
“Tis true, Laird,” Melanie spoke. “Two of the Medical were completely hysterical at the thought of a laddie in our home. More were spiteful in their sayings. If Mither had not intervened, they might have refused him food. As tis, I worry that they may poison him.”
Shock went across Lorenz's face. Someone harming a child went against everything Papa had told him of Thalia. Could one hundred and twenty some years make such a difference? He doubted it.
“Of course, it will be my pleasure.”
Melanie threw her arms around him and laid her head first on one shoulder and then the next as her tongue made the tsk sound in each ear. Like the others from the House of Medicine, Melanie was shorter than most Thalians, just six feet in height; and she was but eighty-five years of age. Her body was feminine, not hard and muscular like his grandmother or the rest of Don's House. Even the slender Dolo was hard and muscular. He hugged her back with pleasure.
“Go,” muttered Marta. “The others are coming this way. We must leave.”
Melanie extracted herself and jumped from the cairt to hurry towards the coming Medical women. Lorenz closed the door, went into a climb, and then leveled off.
“I will lay my head on your shoulders, Laird, as soon as we land.” Marta had seated herself and taken Timor onto her lap.
The House of Medical was located but a mile or two from the Guardian's home and they were there in seconds. Lorenz opened the doors and used the communicator to inform Red he was back and the coffee had better be ready.
As they stepped onto the tarmac, Marta bowed formally and went through the ritual. The years as an Ab had not made Marta slender. She is the second Thalian woman to feel like a woman, thought Lorenz as he hugged her in return. Marta lifted Timor and he shyly did a childish imitation of his mother's hug, his eyes remaining wide and solemn.
“Where tis Troyner?” Marta asked the attendant who stood at the door.
“He tis in one of the upper rooms, Lady of Medicine. They have taken breakfast to him.”
“I remember the way.” Marta turned to Lorenz. “My thanks again, Laird of Don.”
Lorenz headed for the room where he'd left the boys. They were sitting on the floor with sad faces and stood and bowed as he entered.
“Have you all eaten?”
Pi was their spokesperson. “Nay, Laird, we canna enter the kitchen and th
e keepers will nay serve us.”
Da decided the Laird's face became an interesting shade of red.
Lorenz sucked in air to keep from swearing. Da, he decided was looking too intently at him.
“Follow me,” he commanded as he stripped off his shirt and grabbed another out of the closet. He whirled out of the room heading for the kitchen. At least eggs and fat meat had the same smell whether on Earth or Thalia, he thought.
“Who the hell didn't follow my orders to feed these kids?”
The various cooks and helpers (mostly short haired women) stared at him. His abrupt entry into their domain had nay precedent.
“They are Abs,” was the disdainful answer.
“Either they are fed now or by God, I'll throw everyone out of this room.”
Mouths dropped.
A well-muscled woman in a dark blue uniform rose from the table and announced. “Ye are outnumbered.”
“Right, but it just takes the word of the Maca to empty this place. Want to test it?”
Lorenz noticed two of them shifting back and forth on their feet.
“Dish up three plates.” He turned his back on the group and looked at the boys. “There's a small table over in that alcove, or would you all rather eat in the room?”
Pi was stunned and his stomach growled at the smell of food. “I think mayhap the room would be better, Laird.”
“All right. Bring the dishes back here when you all are finished and then wait at the padport for me. It'll be awhile before I'm back.”
Lorenz looked at the man who was slowly filling the plates. “Someone get a pitcher of milk or juice to send with these three.” With that he turned and made his way to what he considered the dinning room as he had seen a huge table there last evening.
Llewellyn, Lamar, Beatrice, and Tamar were seated at a massive round table. His father was in the middle of one side. Lorenz noted an empty place next to his father's right, slid into the chair, and smiled at them.
“Good morning, you all.” He turned to his father.
“Papa, I was right. The cattle are there, pockets of them. We logged over a thousand head and didn't have time for a full sweep. There's probably even more on the other side of the mountains.”
