by Mari Collier
“Llewellyn, by your words ye condemn yourself. Arrest him.” The guards below loosened their metal bars at Beauty's command and started towards the stairs when another voice yelled.
“People of Don: To the Maca!” Lorenz was yelling as he, Laten, Luman, and Dolo strode towards the guards and the Tris of Don streamed from the stands. Lecco and Linan were in the foreground, their metal bars already swinging, the prospect of revenge against the Sisterhood sweet in their mouths.
The floor became a mass of whirling light blue and black. The outnumbered Sisters sank under the weight of the Don fighters. From the floor a woman screamed.
“My ear! Medicine!”
Llewellyn's bellowed out his command. “Attend, people of Don.”
They stopped at his words. What had he bribed them with Betta wondered. She had heard rumors of extra meat being delivered, but how had Llewellyn procured it?
“Llewellyn, don't be a fool. Ye will isolate Don. From where would ye get your meat, flour, and grains if nay from Rurhran?”
“Great,” and somehow the Great became a sneer, “Betta, mayhap ye will pay Don in grains and flour. I have found the people of Don are very resourceful.”
“Llewellyn, ye have but Tris. Ye had best leave as ye will nay be allowed to vote.”
“Betta, if ye were younger, I would challenge ye.” LouElla stood.
Brenda was on her feet. “This tis a travesty. The Counselor of the Realm acted without a vote. Ye are trying to start a war with the House of Don. What tis wrong with ye?”
Jolene remained seated. “She tis right, Guardian of the Realm. Ye are acting like the Sisterhood controls every voice on the Council. They do nay. Ye have nay right to arrest Llewellyn for an offense that has nay occurred. I have nay heard of a Justine headache afflicting anyone, however, I do have questions for Llewellyn. If the Council of the Realm ignores all the false charges, do ye promise nay to use your Justine mind?”
“Both my laddie and I will swear to that.”
Jolene swallowed. “I had nay realized he was capable.” She switched the subject.
“Do ye intend to follow through with your threats or do ye intend to work within the Council.”
“Guardian of Ayran, I have always meant to work within the Council of the Realm, but on the matter of Don's beasties, Rurhran tis leaving us little choice. I dinna ken why the Guardian of the Realm wishes to destroy Don. Mayhap she wishes revenge for Bobinet.”
Betta was hiding her face in her hands.
Beauty swung to face him. “Ye mentioned a Corporation and gaining credits for it. Tis that the government from your land of refuge and ye intend to give them Thalia's credits? It sounds like ye wish to bleed us as dry as the Justines or Kreppies.
Llewellyn smiled at her. “A corporation tis a business founded under the laws of the country where the necessary legal papers are filed. It has nay to do with governing people. If this Council throws me out, I will remain Maca of Don.”
“Ye are a mutant!” Beauty yelled.
“Guardian of the Realm,” she continued in a normal voice, “I request that we consider him excluded and vote on a new Guardian for Don. I suggest someone from Medicine.”
Shouts of Nay erupted from the Don's Tris.
Betta looked up. “Llewellyn, will ye step down for peace in Thalia?”
“I will nay. I am Maca!”
Jolene's face remained bland as she spoke. “Guardian, I suggest ye give up this idea of appointing someone else as Maca or Guardian of Don. If ye persist in this, I will leave with Don.”
Brenda leaned forward. “I remind ye, Guardian of the Realm, that I am Maca of Betron. Betron owes a great debt to Llewellyn. He and his House rescued my laddie, Benji, Laird of Betron. If ye recall, Benji tis your younger. I insist ye stop this farce.”
Ravin stood. “I thought ye meant it when ye said the males would be welcomed in the Houses and Council. For the first time, my Counselor and I let our younger attend this meeting. Now I regret that we were so foolish. If he tis nay safe, we will leave.”
Beauty saw her mother's face sag as Betta sank back into her chair.
“My fellow Guardians, I did what I thought best for Thalia. Mayhap we should close our meeting until after the Feast of Beltayne.”
“I suggest we vote on whether Thalia operates under our laws ere the Justines changed them. If we are nay clear, the Guardian of the Realm would have extraordinary powers to send the Army after anyone.” Jolene smiled at Betta. “That tis the vote ye delayed at the last meeting.”
Betta swallowed. “Very well, that will be our business this evening. The other matters such as Troy and livestock can wait until after Beltayne. The Arena banquet will be this eve. I regret to say Belinda is still in mourning for her mither. Out of consideration for her Counselor, Beauty will nay attend. The bouts will be short.” She dared nay say, “I grow weary and the eve too long.” They would accuse her of entering her decline and elect Ravin as Guardian of the Realm.
“There will now be a discussion about our laws. Ayran, ye may start.” She kenned Llewellyn would win and remain Maca.
None saw the grey eyes of the new Laird grow hard and he motioned to Laten and Dolo to follow him.
Chapter 19: The Naming
“There are over one thousand kine missing from the Northeast pastures, Mither.” Rocella announced as she entered the room where her parents were breakfasting. “Your plans to isolate and starve Don are nay maturing in the direction ye envisioned. They have nay begged for mercy.”
Raven was startled. “Were the Keepers nay alert? Where were our scanners aimed?”
“If ye recall, ye said they would try for the fatted kine or for the processed meat.”
“One thousand head will nay feed Don for long. How do they plan to supply the grains and produce?” Rollie was perplexed. Why had Lamar nay alerted him of any impending raid?
“It seems Martin 'stored' a goodly portion of the foods allotted the Abs over the years. Llewellyn has ordered all Abs transported as he will nay accept charges for their food or clothing. Martin, like a fool,” Rocella's voice rose in anger, “tried to ship the stored food with them. Llewellyn confiscated every ounce of it and confined Martin to quarters until the last Ab tis shipped out, which will be soon. In the meantime, our efficient systems have continued to deliver the food allotment to Martin for all of the Abs. Don tis retaining the foods since the Council tis charging Don instead of paying Don to feed and quarter the Abs that remain. Folly!”
* * *
Lorenz looked up from his breakfast as the console sitting on the counter came alive and Llewellyn's voice filled the room.
“Are ye ready for visitors?”
“Aye, Papa, I'll meet y'all and Lamar outside.” He stood and looked at Pi and Da.
“I promised them a tour of the barns and processing plant. Pi, bring brews for the Maca and his Guardian, and then do a physical inventory of all the Ab clothes in the warehouse. We'll dispose of any that are rotted and then decide what to do with the rest.
“Wee Da, y'all take care of the dishes and make the beds. Then start cleaning the great room.” He swallowed the last of his coffee and headed out the door.
Llewellyn and Lamar were at the padport waiting for him. He walked over and formally greeted them. The ritual was as expected as shaking hands on Earth.
“Pi's bringing two brews if you all care to wait.”
“Aye, laddie, a brew would be tasty.”
The three men turned as they heard a shout from behind the wall. Lorenz saw Wee Da dash out the front carrying a tray with two mugs of brew. Pi emerged from behind the wall, mouth open and his eyes focused on Da.
Da looked up at Lorenz and bellowed, “I'm coming, Laird.”
Lorenz yelled, “Slow down and look where y'all are going.”
Da ran to the padport pathway and his foot stumbled on the rocks outlining the walk. Wee Da, tray, and mugs went airborne before he skidded over the gravel filling the path.
&n
bsp; Pi started towards Da who was pushing himself up and looking at the spilled contents of the tray with crestfallen face and wide eyes.
All Da could think was I've failed my Laird.
Lorenz reached Da before Pi and lifted him up by grasping him under the arms.
“Fool kid, what did y'all think y'all were doing running with two full mugs of beer?”
“He needs a burning,” came Lamar's voice.
Wee Da was staring at Lorenz with remorseful brown eyes, his mouth open but no sound emerging. Lorenz looked down and saw the ripped trousers and blood seeping through. He released Da and turned up Da's hands to show the embedded gravel.
“It looks more like he needs some medical attention.”
“He tis Ab.”
Lorenz ignored Lamar. “Papa, why don't y'all and Lamar take a look at our set up? Laten can show you all around until I get there. Pi can bring the brews.” His accent was thicker than usual.
Llewellyn gave a brief smile. “Aye, Lorenz, Lamar and I will make a quick survey. I need to return and check with Andrew and Linan if they can use the spare Ab clothing and furnishings ye found. We still need to survey factories and I have yet to set up the tower's defenses.” They walked off and Lorenz could hear Lamar protesting.
Lorenz looked down at Da. “Can y'all walk or do y'all need to be carried?”
For a moment Da's face softened like a boy's and then it hardened. “I can walk. Tis the place for the burning at the dispensary like all the other Houses?” He started to limp towards the warehouse.
“I meant to the home. My possible bag's in the pantry. I mean to clean that gravel out of your hands and knees and put some salve on them. Y'all are headed the wrong way.
“Pi, pick up the tray and mugs and then get the Maca and his uncle, ah, Guardian another brew.”
He turned and Wee Da was running towards him, his arms outstretched. Within a foot of Lorenz, Wee Da leaped and landed on Lorenz with a thud, then laid his head on one shoulder, and then the next, sobbing. “I sorrow, Laird, I sorrow.”
The sorrow washed over Lorenz like a grey shroud, a sensation he had not experienced since Papa and Grandmère had let the sorrow of their isolation on Earth pour into him so many years ago. It tore at his soul then and it tore at it now. Why did this boy grieve so? He could feel Da trembling, and he hugged him closer and whispered, “Ssh, ssh, tis all right, laddie, ye are safe.” He walked towards the house carrying the boy.
Pi ran past them with the empty tray and mugs and palmed the door to open it for them. Lorenz nodded at him.
“Pi, get the black bag out of the pantry and set it in the kitchen. Then take the replacement brews out to Papa and his uncle. After that start on the surplus Ab clothes.”
Pi deciphered his words and hurried inside to comply before carrying the brews to the Maca and his elder.
Instead of the kitchen, Lorenz walked directly into the backyard to the river's edge and set Da down on the sandy beach.
“Hold still.” Lorenz pulled the trousers down and off. “This may hurt.”
He proceeded to wash out the gravel from knee and hands. Wee Da did not make a sound.
“Now we'll get that salve. Y'all okay?”
“I can walk.” Wee Da set off at a steady pace, his shoulders rigid. He was certain there would be a burning for the spilling of the brew and the ripping of the pants. He would nay act like a child. Yet the Laird had held him close and taken his sorrow. The man did nay make sense to Da's young mind.
In the kitchen Lorenz sat Da on the counter, opened his bag, and smeared on the salve.
“Now, y'all get another pair of britches and do the chores I outlined earlier. I've got to catch up with Papa.” He smiled at Da and turned to go. At the door he paused.
“Why are y'all sitting there? There's work to do.”
Stunned Wee Da jumped down and headed for the bedrooms. What manner of man was this? Mayhap Pi could tell him. It looked like another busy day for the Laird had decreed learning should be done after the evening meal.
* * *
To fill the long evening hours, Lorenz had set up impromptu classes for Pi, Ur, Ka, and Da. They had been studying for two hours when he decided to call a halt.
“Time for bed, boys.” Lorenz changed the viewer. It was surprising how much Pi and Ur knew for two who weren't supposed to have access to any schooling. Ka and Da at least knew their alphabet and the number system for math.
“Mither taught us some, and some of the Tris were instructors before being Abs.” Pi had explained their abilities. “Ur learned from the instructors in his sector.”
“They had nay else to do.” Ur yawned as he spoke. He used yawns to hide any expression. He had to get out of here before the Laird asked more questions. The man kept looking at him and when he did those grey eyes narrowed as though he kenned every secret hidden in his mind and heart.
“Same time tomorrow, lads. If something comes up I'll let you all know.”
Ka stood and bowed. “Thank ye, Laird. Ki insists we rise early.”
The rest bowed to him and left, Ur beating everyone out the door for the nearly barren Ab barracks. Da, as usual seemed to dawdle, but Pi grabbed his left arm and almost pulled him from the room. Pi was certain that there was never a man as kind as the Laird. This was a safe haven. The work of cleaning the processing plant had been hard, but nay like Ayran. The Laird even permitted him and Wee Da to sleep here in the main home. He would nay let Da spoil it.
Lorenz went to the built-in cabinets and slid the door open. He took out the whiskey and poured a drink. Danger he did not sense this evening, but he knew it would come. Rurhan would not take losing one thousand head easily. He wasn't sure when he would see his remaining Earth family again and he was thankful for the presence of the boys. On his ranch there had always been some visiting friends or neighbors. Relatives arrived for long visits. There were the workers, their families, and the people in Schmidt's Corner. Here he knew no one but his father, Grandmère, and Andrew. He was beginning to understand the loneliness his father experienced on an alien planet; both his father and biological father.
He had tried to bring some of his world's music, but there had been so little time to put everything together. Somewhere on the Golden One Melissa had the crystal with the inscribed music. When they returned, he'd have the technicians here replicate it. Until then he was left with the choice of singing the ballads and hymns he knew or attempt to hear them in his head. Reading what the Justines had left of the history of this world would be a better choice. He returned to the viewer and searched for any entry on the geography, climate, and various trades. He must have sat there for an hour when he felt or heard movement behind him. He picked up the empty glass and turned slowly as though going for a refill.
Da was leaning against the doorway, his arms clasped over his chest, and clad only in his thong. He was staring at him with sad, sad eyes. He looks, thought Lorenz, like a lost puppy dog.
“Aren't y'all suppose to be in bed, fella?” And he saw a look of disappointment and hurt fleet through the boy's eyes.
“Okay, Wee Da, what is on your mind?” He sat the glass back on the desk.
Da took a deep breath and stood straighter. “Mither said.” He waited expectantly.
“Said what?”
“That I should go to ye.”
“Aren't y'all here?”
“Well, aye, but ye have nay named me, nay taken me into House. Sometimes ye call me by names that nay make sense.”
Lorenz coughed to keep from laughing. “Da, I'm not House.”
“But ye are!” Da protested. “Ye are Laird! Mither said!”
“Wee Da, did your mother, mither, tell y'all this before she died?”
“Well, nay, but tis like she comes to me when I'm sleeping.”
“Y'all mean a dream?”
“Nay, I would sleep and she'd be there, then gone. Mayhap I ken too.”
“How old were y'all?”
Da shrugged. “I d
inna, mayhap six or seven, the first time, but I have seen her many times.”
Lorenz studied him for a moment. Children, he knew, could garble things. His own had been masters of garbling. Could Da really remember his mother and her instructions or had he dreamt it and then continued to have the same dream?
Da gave him one last resentful look and turned to go.
“Wait a minute, Da.” Lorenz considered. He knew what it was like to have one's mother torn away when too young to understand. The beatings and no food were nothing compared to the empty gut feeling of too little affection.
“I thought that kind of naming came after the work season, but if I'm wrong, my apologies to y'all and Pi. I cannot be House until the Council of the Realm approves my father's request.”
Da turned and held out his arms to Lorenz.
Lorenz lifted the boy and Da performed the Thalian ritual, but instead of letting loose he clung to Lorenz, his body shaking. There were no sobs, but he could hear Da sniffing. Stunned, Lorenz stood there and felt the loneliness sweep from Da's being into his. He knew this ability of Thalians from the first time his father had bent and pulled him close for no reason other than Earth had no Thalians.
“Shush, laddie, shush, tis all right.” He used the Thalian speech to comfort Da.
Finally Da raised his head and looked at him, the boy's eyes still pleading, but lips were trying to smile. “See, ye are my fither just as mither said ye would be.”
“Dear God, when did she tell y'all that?”
Da's lips became a straight line as though daring him to dispute it. “Dinna ye shake the first time your fither held ye?”
