Return of the Maca (Chronicles of the Maca Book 4)

by Mari Collier

“Rise and shine, gentlemen, the sun's lighting the world and breakfast is almost ready. I'm expected in Donnick, and you all have work assignments.” Lorenz's voice boomed over the com into the boy's room.

  Pi nearly tripped as he flung himself out of bed in his anxiety to please the Laird by his speed in being present for a new day. Ka sat up confused by the soft comfort of the bed they'd slept in. His elder must realize he was missing from the Ab camp, and Ka wasn't sure how to explain to anyone that he had no business here. Wee Da, however, blinked his eyes, frowned, rolled over, and pulled the pillow over his head. Nay had he worked so hard cleaning one room. Could the Laird nay see that he, the Kenning Woman's laddie, was a Warrior and should be honing his muscles and movements? Besides he was to be the Laird's laddie. Mither had said so.

  Pi and Ka pulled Da out of bed. Da bellowed his protests at the rude awakening. None of them were clothed and between them Da was pulled into the shower. Ka closed the door while Pi turned on the water. Who cared that work awaited them when they had spent the night sleeping like House and had eaten food fit for House? Ur had made a bad choice when he sought a better opportunity.

  * * *

  Ur had not slept on his usual pallet at the Ab Compound and had missed the Ab breakfast: fat meat or porridge, bread, milk, and some sort of fruit from the orchards of Rurhran. At least, he reflected sourly, the pallet would have been warm and the breakfast filling. He watched glumly as the sun rose. He had tried to find Pi in the usual hiding places, but they were empty. For some reason he had not seen any of the three since the Maca of Don arrived. Had Wee Da found refuge with the man the Abs whispered was the blind-eyed Laird the Kenning Woman had predicted? He shivered against the cold and looked over the crumpled fence wall of what had once been a prosperous Tri home. Since all he heard was silence, he urinated against the stone fence and trotted down the street. Yesterday had started out much more promising.

  He paced the streets to see if there was something to steal or to sell. By midmorning, it seemed Donnick was coming to life. Vendors were being allowed to set up their stands, and more people than usual seemed to be heading for the First Sector's Center. He watched the two Kreppie vessels lift upward, and like everyone he cheered at the departing Kreppies. Even the black suited Sisters waved and cheered. He watched until the crafts disappeared into the Golden One. With that came the realization that he had missed an opportunity to snatch pina pods or one of last season's brools. Ur imagined his teeth sinking into the later: crisp with sweet juice under its red skin.

  He set off to find another opportunity when one of the Kreppie crafts returned, landing within the Don Compound. For some reason, the Maca seemed intent on arousing the wrath of the Sisters. They would nay take lightly the thought that a male controlled such a huge vessel. That they possessed nay skills in navigation would nay matter. It was wrong for a male to yield such power. A member of the squad could be seen running for the Guardians' Compound.

  Ur shrugged. He needed to find a customer and made his way towards the brew halls that lined part of the waterfront. They were convenient for those coming by sea; whether House or Ab. The brew halls were also close to the padports for incoming flivs and cairts from other Houses. Tomorrow they would all be here for Signing Day. Surely some were early and would need a companion. He needed a place that served those with credits, but were too crude for House. He would need to deal with one of the Sisters for the Tris of Don had few credits. He strolled towards the water, hoping one of the food vendors would set up by a brew hall. Mayhap the Sisters would close it down as a joke and distribute the food for free. They had a rare sense of humor.

  He stuck his head into one doorway to check out the crowd and saw the Keeper frown and start towards him. He backed out. Had he angered the woman in some way, or was it the fact he was male? The day was warming rapidly and Ur flexed his muscles, feeling the warmth. Noises were coming from one establishment. That meant someone was celebrating or spending freely. He smiled to himself and walked behind the building to see if people were using the back entrance, but the alleyway was deserted. It would be a good place to return later when those inside had drank their fill and were looking for something new. He really wished all or one of the three friends were here. It was easier to grab something when they were there to distract the vendor. He sauntered back up the street.

  Ur returned as the temperature began to decline and the sun began to move leisurely westward. It would be cool this evening and he needed credits or it would be another night of listening to Martin instructing him in the ways of Gar. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. From here he could watch the people entering or leaving and make his offer. He preferred more darkness, but the coolness said he would need refuge tonight, and there was barely time to accomplish a bargain and a snatch. His eyes studied anyone that came near. Some seemed to admire his frame, but he wanted nay of that. Far better to force someone else to play the pretty, and he cursed all the times he'd missed filching something today. For some reason the vendors were standing straighter while bargaining with the few people who had something of worth for their merchandise. It was as though they were watching for him. He was almost ready to leave when he saw a Sister being pushed out of the door.

  “Your insults are nay wanted here, Mafy. This tis a brew hall, nay a home for pretties.”

  The Sister snarled something at the Keeper vanishing into the interior, straightened her cap, and glanced towards the waterfront. She then shrugged, turned, and watched Ur swagger toward her.

  Ur bowed. “Good evening to ye, Sister. Mayhap I can supply something the hall lacked.” He could smell the brew coming off her and noticed the uniform stained on the upper sections. Someone must have thrown a brew with great effect.

  Mafy's hatchet face grew intent as she studied him. “I prefer lassies, young lassies, nay laddies.” She reached out a hand and stroked his arm, feeling the massive muscle. “If ye cut off that below, ye would be acceptable.”

  Ur's stomach contracted, but his smile remained. “Sister, I did nay mean myself. Mayhap I could bring ye someone to please ye; someone young and soft since that tis your preference.”

  Mafy stepped closer, practically rubbing against him, keeping the stroking motion going, moving it over his back and buttocks. “Ye are young also. Mayhap ye would join us.”

  Ur's smile was set, his eyes hard. “First I must have a place to bring ye what ye wish. The House of Army would nay admit us.” Now he could feel her thin, hard muscles against his body and she put her mouth to his ear.

  “Can ye remember the fifth building past the sunset side of the Army Compound? Knock three times. Nay will bother us.”

  “Aye, Sister, and the price will be five credits in coins for two of us.” He felt her hand starting to investigate certain places and felt his nerves beginning to respond, the male musk rising from his body.

  Her teeth found his ear and nipped. “That tis to remember me. Five it will be.” Her hand clamped on his male part and she started to squeeze. “And that tis a warning as to what will happen if ye cross the Sisterhood.”

  She released him and strode down the street to disappear around the corner leading towards the Army Compound. Ur took great gulps of air. Somehow he would have to get the credits without entering her lair. First he must find a suitable offering, one that would make her pay on arrival and keep her occupied while he ran. Ur turned back to the vendors' area, running swiftly. The light was perfect as it was enough for him to see, yet almost dark enough to cloak his true age.

  Running increased his awareness and he began to look everywhere for a lassie less than twelve. Mayhap the vendor with the carved wooden figures was still there. He had seen such a lassie nay more than ten years with swinging black hair, the plump white cheeks of Don, and her girlish figure nay yet ready to muscle. Ur began edging closer to the buildings, slowing his pace. He did nay wish to draw attention to himself as he neared the vendors. Most of the Tri vendors had left; the few rem
aining were packing away their merchandise for the evening, hurrying to avoid the dark to be safely at home, and their goods locked away.

  Ur was relieved to see that the girl was not at the stand. Good, mayhap she was down at the waterfront watching the clumsy wood Ab boats bobbing among the few sleek House vessels built by Ishner. He picked up his stride to check the piers and found nothing but Abs leaving or returning to their sea crafts. Mayhap she was looking at the goods offered at the few remaining stalls.

  Nightfall began its creep downward and he hurried, but once again he saw nothing, nor did he see anyone that looked like a replacement. There was one last place to check. He'd seen her once at the little pool and fountain behind the First Center. He trotted towards the Center and ran to the back of the building.

  There she was! She sat cross legged, stirring the water with a stick, her black hair hanging down over her shoulders. She did nay see or hear him move behind her. He reached down, his left arm going around her chest and underneath her arms, his right hand clamping over her mouth. He hefted her off the ground and began running back towards the street when a lad of about her age appeared and started to yell.

  “The Snatcher has Lida! Help!”

  Ur almost stopped, his eyes seeking an escape route. Caught. Trapped. He dropped the girl and ran towards the street, not stopping for the lad in his way. The boy fell to the side, but his legs went out and Ur tripped. He fell, his face toward the cement, but he was able to block his fall with his hands. His knees felt the skidding impact and began to burn. He jumped up, ignoring the pain in his hands and knees. He charged out into the street and started to turn towards the Ab Compound. The girl's fither and other vendors were running towards him, staves and tubing in their hands. He whirled and ran towards the north, pushing for speed, knowing he had to find a side street and a hiding place soon.

  The chasers were older; their legs longer. As he dashed into the street leading back through the homes someone threw a club at him and it struck his ear, threatening his balance. He stuck out his hand and pushed against the wall to regain his traction and ran harder. Dark was cloaking everything, and he prayed he would nay trip. The men behind him did nay ken this area as well as he.

  His heart was pounding when he turned into the street where homes were filled with broken doorways and windows. He dove through a window of a home with a sealed front door. He rolled on the floor, hoisted himself up in the darkened room, and walked towards where the backdoor would be with arms outstretched. Now was no time to hurry. Steady, steady, his outstretched hands felt the opening and he headed for the back, following the night air blowing towards him. His hand felt a counter and he kept his steady pace. He could hear men yelling outside.

  “I dinna see him.”

  “He's in one of the homes. Search them.”

  The siren, a shrill warning of the coming curfew, sounded to remind the inhabitants to be home within the next half hour. Twice more it would sound and any found outside were subject to detention.

  Ur hoped the vendors lived far enough away to give up their pursuit. Instead, he heard banging on the walls and the sound of someone landing on their feet inside. As quietly as possible, he squeezed through the backdoor and stepped outside, his lungs pulling in the fresh, spring night air. He ran for more than a block and then headed towards the hills on the West side of Donnick; an area devoid of population where dark would thicken into blackness. Too late now to return to the Ab Compound for Martin would lock the doors when the next siren sounded. He'd have to find a hole or cellar to spend the night. He gnashed his teeth in frustration. Mafy would be looking for him tomorrow and so would the vendors. Ur doubted they were able to see his face, but they would remember his muscular body. If they complained to Martin about an Ab being the Snatcher, he would be in more trouble.

  He was trotting now; more to keep warm than to evade the ones chasing him. If he swung back to the town area too soon, he would be discovered; too late and his night would be cold and miserable. He cursed at those who had thwarted his plans for credits to provide a warm meal and a rented bed. Tomorrow he would need to find a place to hide from all. How he wished he had asked Pi where he was sleeping. At least another body helped to keep one warm. All he could do now was hope Pi was as miserable as he.

  Chapter 17: Signing Day

  The morning sun rose above the pink and peach streaks lacing through the clouds to wash the streets of Donnick with light. The streets in the deserted sections were still littered with debris, but those from the waterfront to the First Center had been picked clean by Tris. Lorenz had been right. Employment had been so meager for the Tris many of them were ready to work anywhere at anything for a chance to earn food or credits.

  The spring air slowly warmed the earth and the sun sent blue sparkles bouncing off the blue micaceous glass of the Maca's rounded compound. Tents dyed in the color of each House lined the area between the beach padports and the green area around the First Center. The smell of delicacies wafted from the tents overpowering the smell of the ocean. Tables set in front of the tents were draped in matching House colors. Flivs and cairts in the House colors rested on the padports signifying that all the Houses attended. Rurhran made certain their golden table was as far from Don's dark blue as possible.

  Laten, dressed in House blue, set up the table and recorder outside of Don's tent. He brought out two blue chairs and smiled at a frowning Tri blue clad Dolo as she returned.

  “Did ye nay find Ki?”

  “Aye, I found her, but Martin has warned the Abs that to sign with Don means nay food when the work tis over.”

  “Did ye tell Ki the terms at the Laird's Station and she could have Ka there as her helper?”

  “Aye, but she says she needs to dwell on it.” Dolo looked at the Abs starting to line up at the tent of Rurhran as she slid into the other chair. “I did buy her another brew ere I left,” she added. “At least she accepted that.”

  A squad of Sisters marched down the thoroughfare towards their area, wheeled as they came abreast and lined up on the edge of the green facing them. If Martin's orders failed to keep the Abs away, the Sisters intended to ensure that Don would have no workers.

  Laten grew somber as he watched the Abs line up in front of Rurhran's, Troy's, Ishner's, and Betron's tables. Ayran lacked any volunteers, but there was sure to be a fight before the afternoon wore away, and Ayran would have extra workers from the condemned.

  They watched the Laird approach the Guardian of Ayran and bow. For some reason neither laid their head on each other's shoulder. They were too far away to hear what the Laird was saying, but they could see the Guardian of Ayran's face darken. She put her arms akimbo and snapped something back. The Laird grasped the brim of his hat, tipped it to her, and stalked back to Don's tent, his face set and hard.

  Dolo looked at Laten. “What was that about?”

  “I dinna, but the Laird tis nay happy.”

  The Tri's of Don were gathered behind the Sisters, watching the Signing process. Some were hoping the Houses would distribute the uneaten food and some were there to watch any unforeseen show. Street vendors were openly working the crowd. From somewhere, people must have scraped up spare credits or found goods to trade. Their Maca was at Betron's tent visiting. The other Guardians and Macas were also visiting each other and sampling the provisions and brew.

  “Mayhap I should get us a brew.” Laten suggested as he watched the crowds grow around Rurhran.

  “Nay now.” Dolo was watching the broad shoulders of Ur making his way towards their table. His face looked wary and he was making short dashes between the assembled crowds. He sauntered around the last of the Sisters and headed straight for Don's table.

  One of the Sisters sprang after him. “Stop ye abominable Ab! Ye are wanted.”

  Ur didn't bother to look behind as he increased his speed. He had spent the night hidden in the lower region of a deserted building. He'd foregone breakfast on the theory that someone would be looking for him at the
Ab Compound. His vantage point this morning had been behind the serpentine wall of the First Center. Abs were around all the Houses' tables but Don's. He'd seen the strange Laird stalk away from Ayran. So far only one or two extremely well-built Abs had approached Ayran's table, and when the Maca of Rurhan approached Jolene, Guardian of Ayran, both she and her Counselor left the table to confer with Ravin. It was his opportunity to disappear into Don as a signed Ab. Whether he would actually go or not hadn't entered his mind. He could remain hidden in the tent and there would be food.

  Ur stopped in front of Laten and Dolo, and wet his lips before he trusted himself to speak. He was banking on the fact that his hard, sculpted body meant people thought he was older. Since he was nay born in the Ab compound, none were sure of his age.

  “I wish to sign with Don as a general helper.”

  “Ye canna sign him,” screeched Mafy. “I want that miserable Ab condemned.”

  “What offense has he committed?”

  Laten halfway turned in his seat and then straightened. He should have kenned the Laird would see and intervene. He saw that Lorenz had beaten Lamar out of the tent, the Guardian of Don red-faced at being last.

  Ur stood as straight and tall as he could, hoping his stomach would not growl from hunger and fear.

  “He did nay fulfill his obligation.” Mafy had her hand on her stunner.

  “What obligation was that?”

  “One that ye should ken well, mutant.” Mafy's face contorted into hatred.

  “Sign him, Laten.”

  Laten shrugged at the Laird's command and entered symbols on the screen and handed the stylist to Ur.

  “Abs canna enter data! He tis a miserable thief.” Mafy was shouting.

  “What did he steal?” asked Lorenz.

  “A good time and ye should be grateful I left his man appendage. Stand back.”

  Ur stood straighter and the Laird looked at him. Hard those grey eyes were, hard like the grey slate of Ayran.