by Mari Collier
“I fear ye are correct, Laird. The Sisters have sent warning that all are safe, but if any attempt to fly or approach Donnick, they will destroy them.” Lavina opened the door and led them to the back.
It was the usual rounded room with a circular bed placed towards the far end. Everything was done in varying shades of blue. Blue-grey drapes covered most of one wall, but revealed a rounded patio out the double door inset with peri-glass.
“I dinna if we will have House clothing to fit ye, Laird. I can find Tri clothing for the Kenning Woman and her child. According to Thalian tradition, the Kenning Woman has automatic Tri status in any House home where she resides. The Sisters and the Justines refused to acknowledge her.”
“Right now, I don't care, but if I make it to Donnick, Tri clothing would be a good disguise. These clothes shout alien.”
Lavina nodded. “Aye, they do.”
“I want Daniel to shower elsewhere. He's too old to see his mother nude.”
Several pairs of uncomprehending eyes blinked at him.
“It's my custom, not yours.” His voice was testier than he meant to be. Daniel was too old. Antoinette would never have allowed their sons to see her, but in truth he wanted to be alone with Di.
Lavina's face cleared first and amusement sparkled in her brown eyes. “Of course, Laird, I'll bring the clothes in discreetly. Do ye think that the Maca would object if I gave Daniel Leman's old outfit? We have nay Tri children's clothes.”
“Why would he object?” Lorenz tossed his hat onto the bed. “He's been wearing that color of clothes at home.”
Lavina shrugged, put her hand on Daniel's shoulder and led him out of the room. “Ye can use the gym shower. The pool tis right next to it if they take longer.” She was certain they would take much longer.
Di looked at him. “Laird, I canna be a woman to ye until the pain decreases.” She knew that he as Laird could take her, but did nay wish to believe it of him.
“I understand that.” His voice was gruff again. “We still need to shower and according to Papa, Thalians manage to find a great deal of pleasure in that.”
“Ye have nay showered with a lassie?”
Laughter erupted and his arms were around her, bringing her close. “My dear, in my upbringing, it wasn't even considered.” His hands were busy disrobing her. When her clothes were on the floor, Lorenz shed his.
“How did your fither survive there?”
“He managed. It was Grandmère that suffered the most; until she found Red. That's the person more or less in command of our Golden One.”
Di shook her head. It was too confusing. She looked at him and drew her breath in sharply. The faint scar that ran down his face and neck became a large, rose-colored line descending from the neckline almost to the stomach area. “Who put that horrible gash in ye? Why hasn't Medicine healed ye?”
Lorenz shrugged. “That was done when I was thirteen. When I was fifteen, Papa found me and took me home. The scar looked worse then. There wasn't anything in my world to take away the proud flesh. It's actually faded some since I drank the Justine nectar.”
Di was puzzled. How old was this man? He had her by the arm and was leading her into the round shower. The door closed behind them and the warm soapy spray shot out from the sides, descending on their bodies. By turning their backs, the spray automatically adjusted for the head height. Then the water gradually cleared and pure water rained over them. His hands were on her and he pulled her close again.
“Di I promise y'all that Medicine will mend what is wrong. If they don't, my grandson, Gary, will do so when the Golden One returns.” His mouth found hers and he tasted the freshness of her while the water sprayed over them.
Chapter 45: The Ride to Donnick
True to her word, Lavina had laid their clothes on the bed while they showered. When dressed they walked to the main part of the home and the smells of food. A Tri silently pointed to the table.
“Where are Luman and Lavina?”
“Luman tis in the Ops room and Lavina tis working with the Zarks. She said that ye needed sustenance; plus I am to prepare more for traveling.”
“Thank y'all. Di sit here and I'll fetch Daniel.”
Di sank into the cushioned round chair, grateful for the comfort. She hadn't used such seating in over seven years. She refused to think about being in the House of Don. It wasn't safe, and yet the Laird claimed that the Maca accepted Wee Da. She kenned as long as she was here she was safe, but Lamar dwelled in Donnick.
Daniel came running into the room, his face flushed from the sun and his hair still wet. Lorenz followed behind.
“Mither, they have a wondrous gym here, and Leman will teach me some of the Warrior moves he has learned. Tis a wondrous place! Almost as good as the one at the Maca's Tower.” He slipped into his chair.
“Fither made me put on my clothes. He says tis wrong to sit at another's table without them. He tis very Justine about such things.” He smiled, beaming at her and then Lorenz.
Di smiled at her laddie as she remembered the Laird's hands on her. “Ye are wrong, Wee Da. In private your fither tis very like a Thalian.”
Lorenz choked on his swallow of milk. “That is not the proper conversation for a child at a table.”
Di's eyes widened and she was about to protest when Luman appeared in the arched doorway.
“Laird, I just heard from Ishmael. He tis pulling into a cove five miles from here to drop off some of his catch. He will have to dump it else. I told him that the fish was welcomed, and that I would like to see him again. I promised to meet him there with help and a lander.”
Lorenz stood. “Y'all did right. I can get to Donnick a lot faster even if he can't enter the port there. I'll grab what I need and meet y'all outside.” He speared a slice of roast beef and slapped it between a roll. Then he saw the stricken look on Di's and Daniel's faces.
“We should go with ye, Laird.”
“No, y'all can't go where I'm going.” His tone was too short, too abrupt, and he gave a half-grin. “You all are far safer here. I'll make sure Luman and Lavina ken how important both of you are.”
He turned, bent and wrapped his arms around Di and whispered. “I swear y'all will be healed when I get back, if not by Medicine then by my grandson.”
Before Di could answer or ask what a grandson was, he moved over to Daniel who was standing with his arms out.
“I could lead ye, I ken where ye go. I am a Warrior.” Daniel's face was grave and his head high.
“Yes, ye are a Warrior, but nay one word about where I go. Promise me.”
Daniel nodded his head. “Aye, fither, I ken.”
Lorenz picked him up and hugged. “Someday, yes, y'all will be with me, but today y'all have to stay with your mother and help her.” He left the room at a run.
It took but seconds to pick up the supplies the kitchen Keeper had put together and he ran out towards the building housing the vehicles. Luman had the lander out and was coming to pick him up. On the seat was a Tri's hat.
“If ye put on the Tri hat, ye will fool all.”
Lorenz grinned. “Why? Do y'all expect a Sister to fly overhead or be on board?”
“I trust nay anymore.”
They rode in silence the last of the distance. As they drove into the cove, a small boat bearing Ishmael and another man approached. Once they docked at the metal pier, Ishmael swung ashore and ran towards them.
“Lorenz, they claimed the land Abs had killed ye.” His Thalian greeting was enthusiastic.
“Have ye heard? The Maca of Rurhran has issued her Maca's Call. They have finally come to their senses.”
Lorenz smiled and greeted him. At least this man called him by his name. “I need a ride as close to Donnick as possible, Ishmael.”
A huge smile lit Ishmael's face. “I was about to suggest the same. I canna sail into the port, but it will be close. If the Sisters spot us, they will have a hard time trying to decide who they should follow with their scanners.”
>
He turned to Luman. “I hope the part about needing the fish was nay serious. There tis enough for two meals for all here. We've spent little time trolling. I canna explain. I do advise ye and your family to be ready for any event.”
“We had already planned on that. The Laird claims he can rejoin the Maca.”
Ishmael's eyebrows elevated, but the other person, clothed in Ishner's Tri aqua, had brought up the box.
“Give my best to all. We will see each other at the next Council of the Realm.” Ishmael and Luman performed the Thalian ritual.
“Luman, please keep those two safe for me. Lavina realized the importance of the Kenning Woman to Don and to Papa.” They too exchanged the Thalian embrace.
Chapter 46: Plans
“I thank ye for nay asking questions till now.” Ishmael pulled out two brews and set them on his desk. They were in the Captain's cabin. To Lorenz, this ship was strangely silent. No sounds from engines, no sounds of a crew, and yet the ship sliced through the waters like a rocket through space. The interior was in various shades of teal and aqua: teal and aqua walls, floors, curved desk, and cushioned, round chairs. The illusion of colorful fish swimming in the walls was the Thalian idea of art. At least, thought Lorenz, the fish aren't teal colored.
Ishmael looked at Lorenz. “Will ye join me? Tis an excellent Rurhran brewing.”
“I'll take one.” Lorenz knew there was no whiskey here and Thalians valued their companionship over a brew.
“As a precaution, I did nay wish to speak while Ikean, the seaman, was with me. He kens what tis happening and the others have guessed. However, some things are better said where nay else hear.” He settled himself into the captain's chair.
“There are one hundred and twenty troopers from Betron and Ayran aboard. LouElla was visiting Bretta when the attack occurred and she tis here.”
“Grandmère, here? Why didn't she greet me?”
“She tis resting right now. We will pull into a cove at nightfall for the troopers to disembark. The distance to Donnick from there tis about seven legs. They will march on Donnick and are armed and wear the armored clothing. I intend enter a submersible and get as close to Donnick as possible. I will be wearing light-water proof clothing and have a supply of oxygen. I've been given this to deliver to the Maca.”
Lorenz had straightened when Ishmael mentioned the troopers. Now he leaned forward as Ishmael slipped out the blue crystal.
“Jolene gave me this and assured me it was for Don Tower's defenses. The Justines took all the red crystals, but somehow Jolene has configured a new one in Don's color. Medicine was the only House the Justines permitted to retain any defenses and they have the yellow. Jolene dinna say, but I'm certain she has equipped Ayran's Tower. Tis nay any other reason she would risk giving me this.”
Lorenz picked up the crystal and a wild light appeared in his eyes. “Just how did y'all plan to hand this to my father? Walk up and knock on the door?”
“Nay, Jolene also gave me this map. There tis a tunnel that leads into the Tower.”
“And directly into the gym.” Lorenz added. His face grew grim. “Jolene's been busy prying secrets out of Jarvis and JayEll. At least she used the knowledge for a good cause.”
“Do ye ken if it tis still open?”
“There wasn't time to seal it. We had just found out about it the day before Daniel disappeared. We were scheduled to fill it when I left and the Sisters attacked Papa. The tunnel is still intact. By the way, I'm the one going up the tunnel.” A smile lit his face.
“I'll need a weapon wrapped in something to keep the water out, and the food I brought with me. Papa may or may not be running low. Y'all have put on weight since that night at the Guardian's Council. That tunnel is a tight squeeze for Jarvis according to what Daniel told me. Jarvis was scratched the last time they raided the larder in the Tower.”
Ishmael took a deep breath. “I think we both shall be going up the tunnel. If we make it anywhere near the opening, the Sisters are apt to spot us. A disabled submersible tis an agonizing death.”
“If y'all can't fit in that tunnel, the Sisters will be waiting if y'all go back up.”
“What guarantee do ye have that ye will fit?”
“I doubt if I'm wider than Jarvis.”
Ishmael shrugged. “It tis a risk for both of us. Why nay stay on board?”
“I've already said why. That's my father in the Tower. If I have to blow the entire planet apart and use my mind on people, he's getting out of there.”
Ishmael nodded. “Ye nay look Thalian, but ye are a Warrior.”
“There's no need for y'all to risk your neck, Ishmael.”
“If the Sisters win this one, I am already dead.”
“I'm beginning to regret I avoided saying more at the landing.”
“Why tis that?”
“I've found two reasons for staying here; the land and a woman. I wasn't going to give y'all a chance to change things.”
“What are ye talking about?”
“Do y'all have any idea why I was in that part of Don?”
“Nay really, we thought ye were checking on stray kine.”
“Bi, an Ab seafaring man, had kidnapped Daniel, Wee Da as y'all know him. I went after him. I found Daniel and his mother.”
Ishmael's eyes widened. “She lives then. Ye mentioned the Kenning Woman at the cove, but I thought it had to do with the prophesy. How did the Handmaiden manage that? She was nigh death.”
“That's true, and she still cannot walk without a crutch. It looks like the pain is constant. She needs medical and that's not possible until Papa is back in control.”
Ishmael was puzzled. “That will nay help. She tis Ab born.”
“The hell with that, I'll have my grandson and the Justines work on her when the Golden One returns.” Lorenz leaned back, his eyes narrowed. “Are y'all saying ye aren't interested in her? I thought y'all were living together when the Sisters tried to kill her.”
Ishmael shook his head. “We were nay always together, just when we needed each other. She was helping me on the theory that if I returned to good standing, I would be House again. Di tis an ambitious woman.”
Lorenz looked at him for a moment remembering Antoinette. His wife had no intention of ever being poor. Perhaps she had chosen him over his brother for that reason. It didn't matter. He had had her all those years. If he was truthful, he would have to admit to being ambitious and he smiled.
“Ishmael, y'all are talking to man from a land of ambitious people. I couldn't hold that against anyone. All I care about is that y'all are not interested in her.”
“Have ye nay been listening to the gossip of Thalia? Melanie and I have been seeing each other. We are too young to Walk the Circle, but that changes in less than a decade. Tis very important to us that the Maca of Don wins this fight.”
“Captain, we are approaching the fishing area ye selected.” The voice came over Ishmael's com.
“Aye, I'm there.” Ishmael stood.
“This tis where the troops will disembark. It will take about twenty-four hours for them to reach Donnick. We will sail out far enough to cast nets, haul in fish and sail closer to Donnick during nightfall. I dinna wish to attract the Sisters' attention. If they send a fighter, we will start to sail towards Troy. That tis when we lower the submersible. We will need to supply ye with one of our suits for underwater. One of mine should fit. Tis nay Don's color, but I dinna think ye care.”
“No, I don't.”
Ishmael nodded and they headed for the deck where over one hundred people were milling back and forth while others were being loaded aboard five smaller floating units. They were waiting for their turn. As they emerged, LouElla grabbed Lorenz and pulled him close.
“Ye must come with me.”
“I can't, Grandmère, I've something I have to take to Papa.”
“We are going there.” Her voice snapped out.
“But I'm going into his Tower.”
“Through
the Sisters? How?”
He raised his head from her shoulder and grinned. “I know how. I'll get by them, but how is my secret.”
She stared at him and pulled him close. “Ye are wise, my younger. I must leave now in the first boat. Gar go with ye.”
“And with ye, Grandmère.” He touched her face.
One of the Ayranians walked over to Ishmael, her dark Warrior clothes made it difficult to see her physical outlines until she was almost next to them.
“We all offer our thanks to ye, Ishmael. Balen of Betron tis among the first group landing. He tis third in-command and will run the scanner while we march. Do ye have any instructions or suggestions?”
“Do y'all have maps of Donnick?”
“Aye, plus, LouElla will help guide us. We are nay sure how many of the Centers remain open.”
“They were all three open when I left. I don't know what the Sisters have done since they've been there. The largest population is in the second Sector. The people there support the Maca.”
She nodded. “If we come through the first or the third Sector, the Sisters would wonder at the jump in population. LouElla,” she nodded at her,” selected the second Sector to hide our arrival.”
“Your biggest danger is from their fighters. Can they swoop in between the streets?”
“Aye, if the Captain piloting tis very good.” She turned away as someone called to her.
“I must go. Gar go with ye.”
“Via con Dios.” Lorenz grinned. “It means the same thing.”
“I can have one of the Keepers show ye to your cabin. Ye should get some rest ere we head inland.”
“And what about yourself?”
“I shall continue to give orders here and man the scanners. Would ye like a brew sent to your cabin?”
“No, thanks, I still don't care for it that much.” He grinned. “I'm not much for resting. I'll follow your schedule.”
Chapter 47: Underground
Lorenz looked at the submersible and gritted his teeth. He had assumed it would be like the submarines of Earth. It was an underwater craft, but its capacity was no more than six or eight Thalians. He could feel the sweat building under his arm pits and on his chest. The crystal, dried food, a lume, a hand com and small hand stunner were strapped to his chest and back underneath the tight fitting suit. To him, the underwater clothing felt binding. They were meant to shed water and minimize drag.
