Doona Trilogy Omnibus

by neetha Napew

  Teddy threw rocks, too. His pad-fingers were too big to fit inside the trigger-guard of a needler, but the stones he threw had the force of a bullet. He hit one snake broadside with a hand-sized stone that opened a bleeding wound on its back. At the smell of blood, several larger snakes swarmed over their unlucky mate and it was torn to pieces.

  “Good shot, Teddy!” Jilamey called. He was reloading his crossbow. “Look out, someone! Get that one!” Attracted by the new rich musk from Gringg fur, a four-metre tiddler made for Teddy’s horse.

  No one was nearer than Jilamey. Not stopping to think, he spurred his horse forward until he was nearly on top of the reptile before he struck at it with his quarterstaff. The snake evaded his blow and wound up the shaft on to the saddle before he could drop it. Jilamey went for his knife, but the snake trapped his arm. Jilamey let out a roar of pain just as the snake opened its huge maw to engulf his head.

  “Morra! Chilmeh!” Teddy cried. The little bear leaned over towards Jilamey’s saddle and grabbed the hissing snake around the throat with one hand. Hauling the head away from Jilamey’s body, he began to batter the snake with his other handpaw, his claws rending the thick scales as if they were no more than cotton. Blood spurted and the snake hung limply in his grasp. Jilamey, rubbing snake spit from his face, stared down at it. Teddy raised his eyes to the Havuman, almost surprised at what he had done as Jilamey.

  “Thank you,’ Jilamey said, sincerely. As he scrubbed at his face, he could feel his heart racing at his narrow escape and his pulse nearly knocked through his neck.

  The muscles of his squeezed arm tingled, and he wiggled the fingers to ease them. “Thank you very much.”

  “Rehmeh,’ Teddy replied.

  “I am sorry I got blood on your coat.”

  “Think nothing about it,’ Jilamey said, shaking his head in wonder. “You saved my life. You’re a real hero, little bear!” He gave a shaking laugh. “People have always warned me about losing my head over snake hunting.” A roar from Grizz attracted their attention. The two adult Gringg had caught the Mamma Snake that Hrriss was chasing. Grizz had caught it by the tail and was now working her claws up its back to the head. Meanwhile Eonneh tackled its wide open jaws, attempting to shut them. The Mamma had been all set to swallow the War Boar it had stunned. The immense snake writhed in a furious attempt to dislodge one or the other of its attackers.

  “DON’T LET IT GO, GRIZZ!” Robin roared. “It’ll be twice as dangerous now it’s tasted pork blood.” All the farm hunters converged upon the scene, peppering it with quarrels, all the while Eonneh was closing its mouth by the simple expedient of locking his claws right through its tough skull and jaw. Gradually its frenzied thrashing subsided to an occasional twitch. Only then did the two Gringg let go, without noticing the very respectful expressions of the other hunters.

  “Great kill, Gringgs. Thanks. But that’s one down and still one to go,’ Wayne said, grimly.

  The remaining Mamma Snake had turned at bay. It was coiled in a huge knot at the corner of the sty, ready to spring on whatever puny creature dared to attack. Todd estimated the snake at a good twelve metres or he’d lost his eye. In that posture and cornered, it would be a bitch to kill. It could strike out in any direction and even if all of them charged, it was capable of inflicting considerable damage.

  He and Hrriss signalled to the team to form a circle around the snake. If there was any way to get it moving, they might be able to drive it downhill into the marshes without killing it.

  Just then, Jilamey’s horse buckled to its knees and sent him over its head, right into a mass of squirming tiddlers trying to brave the bloodstained barriers around the olive grove. The horse got up and, squealing, fled its immediate danger. Hailing arms and legs, Jilamey desperately sought to get to his feet. Like living ropes, the snakes impeded his efforts, tripping him until he was up against the light metal blockades. With a cry, he slipped again into the midst of them.

  Todd spurred Gypsy into the tiddlers, brandishing his quarterstaff from side to side.

  That distraction gave the Mamma Snake its opportunity. It launched out of its coil at the smallest creatures it could see: the children. Trained in evasive actions, the Alley Cats and Hrriss’s cubs scattered their horses, in their mad dash leaving Teddy behind on the old and slow Rock.

  While Teddy tried to urge Rock to move, the powerful snake skimmed the ground towards him, as relentless as lava, as fearsome as lightning. Todd and the others wheeled and hurtled towards the vulnerable cub. Teddy let out a deafeningly squeal that startled old Rock more than the approaching snake. He reared, adding his own scream of terror and walked backward on his hind legs right up against the wall of the grain barn. The Gringg cub had learned his lesson about holding on. His legs were locked firmly on the packsaddle, but he didn’t know what to do except hang on.

  “Mama!” he cried. The voder at his throat made it a weak, high-pitched whimper.

  Horses were fast, but Gringg could move with astounding speed when necessary.

  “Weddeerogh!” Grizz cried, streaking forward to fall on the snake’s back.

  It dragged her for yards, then strained to a halt as the Gringg clawed her way up its back, repeating the tactic that had been so successful with the earlier creature. She threw one massive arm around its neck, wrapped the other one across her wrist, and squeezed. And squeezed. And squeezed.

  The snake’s long body whipped dangerously from side to side, too perilous for anyone to approach to help her.

  The Gringg hung on, rolled over and over in the dust by the muscled strength of her prey. As Todd and the others watched in astonishment, the serpent’s frenzied movements grew weaker and finally ceased. The great coils gave one more convulsion and then lay still.

  Shakily, Grizz rolled off the dead snake and lay on her back.

  Eonneh rushed forward to help his mate to her feet.

  Teddy dismounted and hurried to his parents, dragging the unwilling horse behind him by the reins.

  “That,’ said Robin Reeve, the first to regain his voice, “was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

  Ever.

  “I warned you how dangerous Barnstable began, then stopped, aware of the sudden, almost hostile repudiation of his audience. He cleared his throat and began again. “You are correct. It was an astounding feat of strength. The Gringg make formidable hunters.” Todd leaned over and slapped the Spacedep man on the back. “Now that admission has made my day, Admiral!”

  “You may be sure, Reeve, that I never intended that,’ Barnstable said, eyeing Todd warily.

  “Oh, I’m sure,’ Todd laughed. Nevertheless, he offered Barnstable his hand and the Admiral accepted it. “Well done, Grizz,’ he called.

  The Gringg, clutching her cub and mate close to her massive chest, beamed at him, showing all her fangs.

  “Isn’t anyone going to congratulate me?” Jilamey called, rising to his feet from the dust. “I’m going to pass my Coming of Age Ritual at last!” He held up not one, but three snake bags, tightly tied and wriggling.

  “You young fool,’ Boncyk said with a groan, bowing over his saddlehorn in despair. “You’ve flattened half my new olive trees!” A beaming Hu Shih took his place of honour on the dais at the Snake Hunt feast that evening in the Assembly Hall. His wife Phyllis, tiny and exquisite, sat beside him in a Hrruban robe of red silk tissue spangled with gems.

  Presentations for successful hunters had taken place, with a special round of applause for Jilamey Landreau and his bag of three.

  But the roar of approval when Grizz was given her medal was deafening:

  deservedly so.

  Then the servers began distributing the dishes of the feast which had been tantalizing everyone with their aromas. Jilamey sat at the Reeve family table in the front row below the dais, proudly showing off his Coming of Age medal with four wiggly ribbons to everyone.

  Hu tapped his water glass with the side of his fork, and waited for silence.

&n
bsp; “Thank you, friends,’ he said, beaming. “I’ve been asked to say a few words. This is a triple celebration. Today we celebrate yet another successful Snake Hunt, a festival I have always enjoyed, as it marks the climax of New Home Week, the very first of the traditional Rraladoonan festivals. Rialadoon - the name has passed through many changes over the years: Doona, Rrala, Doonarrala, Rialadoona. It is really time we settled on one designation to be used by everyone.

  Rraladoon demonstrates our unity as one people, despite our different biologies. “We be of one people, thou and I,” as an ancient poet once said now and for ever.

  “The second reason for celebration is the historic Trade Agreement signed with our newest allies, the Gringg. I welcome their captain, Grzzeearoghh-‘ The name set him coughing. “Dear me,’ he said when he recovered, “I hope I said that right, and all her crew, and hope they make many more trips here to visit us and enjoy the beautiful new residence on Treaty Island.”

  “Here, here!” Ken Reeve shouted from his table near the dais. Pat Reeve raised her glass to clink against her husband’s. Jilamey, and Commander Frill, seated at Ken’s particular request at the Reeve family table, joined them.

  Teddy, urged on by his parents, came forward with a heap of tissue-wrapped bundles. He stopped next to Hrriss, waiting with pleading, scared red eyes until the Hrruban took the top bundle.

  “Zonk you, young Zeddy,’ Hrrestan said, gravely.

  The young bear sketched a clumsy half bow, made all the more endearing by the roundness of his figure, and moved on to Todd, then one by one to each of the original party visiting the Gringg ship.

  Commander Frill was delighted to be included, and patted the cub on the shoulder. Teddy’s last delivery was to Greene, sitting at one of the front tables with Grace Castleton.

  “What is it?” Greene asked, handling the package as if it might explode in his hands.

  “It is a collar,’ Teddy replied shyly, “like mine.” He scooted back to his place on the dais beside Grizz and Honey.

  “That’s sweet,’ Grace Castleton said, with a warm smile for Teddy and elbowed the unresponsive commander.

  “Put it on, Jon!

  “This is in recognition,’ Grizz announced in Middle Hrruban, the voder raising her voice to a tolerable pitch for the guests present, “of our first friends here on Rraladoon, and in hopes for the many yet to be made.” She waved gradously, acknowledging the pandemonious applause and cheers. Todd immediately unwrapped his gift and put it on, preening. Gringg-sized, it hung over his shoulders like a shawl.

  Hrriss donned his. Each collar was beautifully and individually decorated. Grinning at one another at the tableau they made, they leaned over towards the Gringg leaders.

  “Beautiful,’ Todd said, fervently. “Thank you.”

  “It is our pleasure,’ Honey said. “You have given us many gifts, most treasurable of all being the gift of friendship.” Hu Shih smiled, and pur up a hand for attention.

  “And thirdly, we celebrate, a little prematurely, the fortieth birthday of Todd Reeve. I know it’s two weeks away, Todd, but surely you’ll forgive an old man for rushing things a little.” The crowd chuckled, and Hu continued. “He is the very calendar of our life here on Doona, and the symbol of our unity, our friendship with our neighbour, the Hrrubans. I am proud that he is my successor as Colony Leader. He has secured my safety and my enjoyment in retirement. Let me swear now that I’ll continue to vote for him any time he comes up for re-election. Happy birthday, Todd, and long life to you.” Hu Shih sat down amid applause and cheers.

  The Alley Cats left their seats between their two sets of grandparents and mounted the dais, joined by Hrriss’ children. Alison pushed Alec, who presented a giftwrapped box to Todd.

  Alec cleared his throat. “We have a special present for you, too, Daddy.”

  “It was our own idea,’ Alison added.

  “Why, thank you,’ Todd said, really touched by the gravity on their faces. He opened the box.

  “It’s from us, too,’ Hrrunival said. Hrrana, behind him, nodded vigorously.

  “What is it?” Hrriss said, noticing a suspicious hint of moisture in Todd’s eyes. Todd held up a rope tail, unmistakably braided together by small, inexpert fingers but colourful with ribbons interwoven with the sisal.

  “It’s beautiful, kids,’ he said, his voice husky with emotion. He tied it around his waist and tugged the knots taut. “What do you know?

  It fits!” The children gave him kisses and hugs made shy by the onlookers and hurried off to return to their places by their grandparents.

  “Speech, speech!” Hrriss cried, clapping his hands together. The cry was taken up by the rest of the room.

  “Speech!”

  “My friends,’ Todd began as he rose. He pointed at the collar and the rope tail. “If my age is the calendar, then this is the composite picture of the make-up of Rraladoon part Hrruban, part Hayuman, and now part Gringg but all very, very happy and grateful.

  Thank you so much.”

  “Lions and Hayumans and Bears, oh my!” Kelly chortled. Everyone laughed.

  Overwhelmed by a deep feeling of joy, Todd sat down. Kelly, Hrriss, and Nrrna raised their glasses to him. “Happy birthday, my love,’ Kelly whispered. She was dressed in a glowing, green silk dress that fitted her slender form to a degree that was almost illicit.

  “My present’s waiting for you at home.” She raised her eyebrows wickedly, and Todd grinned.

  Second Speaker Hrrto, seated at the end of the dais, rose. May I speak, Mr Hu?” he asked politely.

  “But of course, Speaker,’ Hu Shih said, startled, but in perfect High Formal Hrruban. “We’d be honoured by your words.”

  “It is I who am honoured,’ Hrrto said, bowing. Then he altered to the Middle Hrruban most in the room would understand. “I have a most important announcement to make. I do not wish to diminish the last presentation, but there is a fourth reason for celebration tonight. You are aware that our beloved First Speaker Hrruna became one with the Stripes some months ago. We have all mourned his loss, I more than I knew at first.

  An election was held last night for his successor. The results affect you, more, and he dropped his jaw slightly in the equivalent of a Hayuman grin, “than you might think.”

  “Old Hrrto looks almost happy,’ Todd whispered to Hrriss. “He must have won the election after all.” “Finally,’ Hrriss replied, with a grin of relief. “He’d be a better First Speaker than most, not that there was a lot of choice.” Silvery mane gleaming in the lanternlight, Second looked noble and somewhat fragile, except for the totally uncharacteristic gleam in his eyes which gave his appearance a spurious youth.

  “This is a most happy day for me as well,’ he went on in Middle Hrruban. “I am proud to announce that the Hrruban who will pass into the First Speakership is revered for his wisdom. He is known to have trod a difficult but just path in the best interests of both Hrruba and Rraladoon. He is well known to you all. It is perhaps as well,’ and again that brief amused drop of the jaw, “that he is not a member of the High Council at present, which I believe is one reason why many of my fellow Councillor felt able to vote unanimously in his favour.” His smile broadened as he deliberately tantalized his breathless audience.

  “By that admission, you know that it is not I who won such an honour.

  I find myself content to remain Second Speaker and serve First.

  But I did sincerely believe for some time that I was the only suitable candidate.

  “Over the course of the last two months, I have watched and been impressed by another whose achievements I presented to the attention of the High Council. They have seen the merit of my arguments.

  Consequently I can announce to you that the duly elected First Speaker of the High Council of Hrruba is and he paused to turn to the recipient, “Hrrestan, son of Hrrindan.

  The surprise was so complete that gasps rippled through the room before yells and cheers broke out and the entire assembly r
ose to its feet, clapping hands raw and making the Gringg cringe away from the wild whistlings.

  A dazed Hrrestan got to his feet, shaking his head at Hrrto as if he could not believe such an honour would fall to him. Then with a snap of his head and a straightening of his lean shoulders, he held up his hands. As silence finally fell in the hall, Hrrestan seemed unable to find words. Into the stillness, tiny Hrrunna who could have no recognition of the honour just bestowed on her grandsire, purred a childish question. “Rra?” Hrrto chuckled at the baby’s reaction. “It is auspicious that Hrruna’s namesake also approves.

  rhen, with a formal bow of unusual humility, Hrrto presented Hrrestan with a small box. Hrrestan opened it, his eyes widening whitely. The audience gasped as he held up the great blue sapphire which had been Rraladoon’s present to Hrruna.

  “Where’s Mrrva? She should be here,’ Todd murmured to Kelly and started to beckon Alec to him.

  “She is here,’ Hrriss said, drawing his attention to the rear of the dais. The graceful Hrruban woman, her mane whitening slightly around her sweet face, was clad in the most exquisite of diaphanous red. She joined her mate, looking up at him with great pride as she adorned him with his new badge of office. Another round of cheers and applause followed that little ceremony. Todd was so affected by the tableau that he could feel involuntary tears starting in his eyes.

  Hrriss wound his tail around Todd’s knee and gave him a companionable squeeze. Todd threw his arm over his best friend’s shoulders. Kelly and Nrrna joined the hug, insinuating themselves into the embrace and clasping their hands across to one another. The baby sat in the middle, gurgling happily.

  “What a splendid tribute! So long deserved,’ Kelly whispered.

  Todd nodded and sniffed surreptitiously. All his life, he’d respected the Hrruban who was, in many ways, a second father to him.

  Without Hrrestan’s guidance, Todd might not have grown up to take over the responsibilities that had been predicted as the fate of the exuberant, disobedient six-year-old colonist. Hrrto was right. There was no one else of all the high-ranking wide Stripes that Todd had met during his nearly forty years who was better suited, or trained, to accept the First Speakership. He overcame his thickened throat and added his cheers to the prolonged accolade.