by J Battle
She raised her left VT and called her subjects to her; her right VT cried out her joy and hunger.
With the honoured five thousand gathered around her, made up of one thousand serene sur-wives and a mixture of sub-wives and sub-husbands, she spoke.
‘We will feed for two days and then, when we are fully satiated, we will begin our long journey across this wide sea, to our final resting place, where there will be room to feed, and breed, and where there will be another foe to defeat.’
Her right VT developed its theme of joy and hunger, with a rhythm that suggested the glory of victory.
‘Whilst we achieve our rightful success, those left behind will awaken the sur-husband. They will subject themselves on the altar of his hunger, and then when they are ready, they will join us and we shall be complete.’
The sur-wives all around her waited for her to splash into the cold water and begin to hunt before they followed her, their mouth frills rippling with hunger. The sub-wives and sub-husbands waited a little longer before they entered the sea, concerned that they might become prey themselves.
As the last of the Succ-y-Rist disappeared from view, a fine cloud of black ash settled on the beach, and on the already discoloured globe that had carried them all the way from Earth, and lightning crashed across the boiling black clouds that filled the sky, breaking helplessly against the mass of the huge volcano.
Chapter 34
‘What should be done with them?’
‘You’re glorious highness, I am the lowliest of subjects, the dullest of catkind, the humblest creature this side of the river.’
‘Dutus! Do we have to go through this charade every time I seek your council? For that is what you are, my councillor.’
‘I beg your pardon, my exalted Lord. It is such an honour for me even to be in your famed presence, that my poor brain is befuddled.’
‘Perhaps if I had one of the guards box your head, it would clear the befuddlement?’
‘No need for that, Lord Mayor, I can feel my mind clearing already, thanks to your legendary patience.’ Dutus lifted his head from the floor, and smiled at Heraldus.
‘Thank the Twin Gods for that, may they bless the sky and the land.’
‘My Lord, these creatures appear harmless, in themselves, but I think we should be wary of them. After examination of their craft, it is clear to me that they must be far more intelligent than they seem. We have no way of knowing where they come from, but it is probably from a land far to the west of The Wall. It is also my judgment that they are related in some way to the apes; distant cousins perhaps. Which is why it is important that we keep their presence secret.’
‘Why do we need secrecy? If they are apes, we may as well just send them across the river. That way, they’ll be their problem.’
‘My Lord, if you will permit me to express an opinion that does not exactly match that of your most intelligent person, we absolutely must not let the apes have these creatures. The apes have already won four consecutive wars. We should not offer them the opportunity to continue that sequence indefinitely.’ He paused, hoping that the Mayor would understand his meaning without the need for further explanation.
‘Are you suggesting that we eat these creatures and then carry on as if they had not arrived? They look a little scrawny and are hardly likely to provide a tasty meal.’
‘Obviously your Lordship is correct; as ever. It would be foolish to just eat them and not take the advantage they may represent.’
‘So we’re not going to eat them. So what do we do with them?’
‘If they have the technology to fly through the air, they may well be able to show us how to win the next war.’
‘I don’t understand what you are trying to say, Dutus. They hardly seem capable of fighting in the Thousand, so I can’t see what contribution they could make.’
‘Lord, they may have weapons which will help us defeat the apes.’
‘What difference will their swords make? We have plenty of swords, and plenty of cats who can wield them much more skillfully than these ape creatures. Perhaps you will need that box around the head, Dutus. Your thinking is clearly below your normal adequate standards.’
‘Lord, I believe that I have made this suggestion before. If we fight the next war the same way we fought this war, and the last one, and the one before that, then we can hardly be surprised if we achieve the same result.’
‘Is this that ’change’ idea you keep coming out with?’ Heraldus started to groom his luxuriant striped fur.
‘Yes, it is. But this time we have the new apes. With their help, we can overcome our old enemy, completely, forever. There will be no need for further wars.’
‘No more wars? Then, what would we do with ourselves? How would we show our worship to the Twin Gods, may they bless the sky and the land? There would be no need for law and order, no need for a Mayor and his councillors, no need for us. I don’t see any benefit from this, at all. Throw them in to the street at dusk. Let the clickerclackers take them.’
‘Lord…’
‘I have spoken; it is law.’
Heraldus turned from his scowling councillor and continued his grooming. His level of ease increased a little when he heard Dutus crash his way through the door.
After what he felt was a suitable pause, he turned to one of the guards curled up beside the door.
‘Sorus, follow Dutus. See that he obeys my instructions. I expect he will want to delay their implementation. I will allow him one day, just to humour him. But, if the newcomers are not dealt with by the end of tomorrow night, then I will hold you personally responsible. Is that understood?’
Sorus lifted his great white head and allowed his lower jaw to drop open, exposing an impressive array of sharp teeth.
Heraldus took that as a yes.
Chapter 35
Lus was crouched low on the landing, the rain lashing down on his unprotected body as he hid from view. There was no real need to hide, as the apes seemed to avoid the rain at all costs, and were mostly taking shelter beneath canopies that he assumed had been built for that single purpose. He’d never noticed this aversion to water before, and didn’t really understand the problem. When the rain came, you got wet. When it stopped, you shook yourself dry. It was as simple as that.
The landing he was hiding on protruded from the wall of this tall building, about twelve legs from the ground, and led into a wide doorway. It was reached by means of several poles sticking out horizontally from the wall. Lus had not found it a difficult climb, though he was concerned that the poles might be slippery now that they were wet.
A little below him, through the window of the tavern across the street, he could see the left arm and shoulder of the tiny ape. He had followed the creature for most of the day, but had not been able to find him alone or in the presence of his master. He was a patient hunter, however, and was prepared to wait until the time was right.
As he watched, the door behind him opened.
‘What are you doing there?’ The voice was gruff but not threatening.
Lus turned his head to look over his shoulder at the large brown ape that was now blocking the doorway.
‘Just enjoying the weather,’ he said.
The ape struck a match against the nearest wall and started the slow process of pipe lighting. After two or three attempts, he managed to get it going. The scent drifted slowly through the wet air to the sensitive nose of the damp cat.
‘What are you smoking? Is that..?’
The ape coughed. ‘Yes,’ he answered; a wheeze in his voice. ’Only twenty percent, but strong enough for me.’
Lus wondered how an ordinary ape could get hold of Heavenweed.
‘Would you like to try a pull?’
Lus tilted his head to one side and padded towards the doorway.
The ape handed over his pipe and watched closely as he drew a lungful of the powerful stimulant.
‘Whew. That’s something.’ Lus gasped; his head already sp
inning.
The ape laughed and took back his pipe.
When he felt more able to link words together coherently, Lus asked the ape why he’d come out into the rain to smoke his pipe.
‘Have you ever tried to smoke the good stuff in a room full of apes? We may be clever, and good with tools and weapons, but we’re a long way from being civilized; I’ll tell you that for nothing. They’d be pushing to get close enough to steal my smoke from my very mouth. No, you need to smoke this stuff alone.’
‘I’ll leave you in peace, then.’
Lus returned to his original position at the edge of the landing, picking out the little ape as he supped his beer below.
After a long period of silence, the ape grunted.
‘I’ve had enough of this pissing rain. If I stay out here any longer, I’ll never get dry again. I’m ready for another drink. Why don’t you come down to the bar and see if you can get as wet inside as you are on the outside?’
Lus was tempted. He wasn’t a big drinker, but the apes were famous for their strong ales. He studied the clouds above him; they weren’t going to let up for hours yet. The little ape wasn’t going anywhere soon, so there was no harm if he tried a couple of pots. And he might learn something from this friendly ape.
‘That’s very kind of you to offer to stand me a drink, kind ape,’ he said, easing to his paws. When the ape had stepped back out of the rain, he shook himself vigorously and followed him inside.
‘There was no mention of buying a drink for anyone, you cheeky puss. But, if you have a story, I might fall into a fit of generosity and buy a little fellow like you a half pot.’
The bar was filled with a mixed bunch of apes in all possible sizes and colours, together with a pawful of cats. The air reeked of damp hair and poorly digested food, with an underlying smell of stale sour ale and dried fish. Still, his new found friend was able to find them a free table that sported a chair for the ape and a squatting stool for the cat. Within less than five minutes a foaming pot of ale was delivered to each of them by a skinny black ape with enormous hands.
The ape held up his pot.
‘Bless the sky and the land,’ he said, then threw half of the ale down his throat.
Lus was made a little uncomfortable by the abbreviated blessing, so he used the full version in his head before he took his first taste.
‘My name is Elmdor,’ said the ape, patting his left shoulder in a manner that was extremely difficult for a cat to replicate. ‘Elmdor Lizack.’
‘My name is Pan-Gus-Lus. Most people just call me Lus,’ he replied.
Elmdor studied him for a moment.
‘You were one of the Thousand?’
Lus tilted his head to one side.
‘And you?’
‘Not this time. Much too old now.’
‘I understand. I won’t see many more myself.’
‘At least we fought. Let us drink to all us old soldiers, what do you say?’
‘I say drink. And then drink again, my friend.’
The ape punched him in the centre of the chest in a firm friendly way, not quite knocking him off his stool.
‘With your strength, you should still be fighting,’ said Lus, as he rubbed one paw across his bruised chest.
‘Not when you see my boys, I shouldn’t. They’re big and strong and fast. We call them super-apes.’
‘You’re boys?’
‘Yes, I train them. They won the war for us.’
Lus thought about the super-apes that Handus had despatched, but he kept his council to himself.
‘Let me buy you a drink,’ he said, when he’d drained his pot.
‘They’re already on their way,’ laughed Elmdor.
Several pots later, they were leaning against each other for support at the table.
‘Who’s that ape with the paint? The big red one; with a shaved chin,’ asked Lus.
‘Oh, you must mean that bastard, Beschlick. He’s the adviser to the generals. He’s very important, in his own head at least.’
‘I think I have a message for him. Where would I find him? If I really had to give it to him?’
‘You’d be better keeping your distance; trust me on that. He’s trouble, and you don’t want anything to do with him.’
‘But, say I had to?’
‘That wouldn’t be easy. He lives in the palace. Now that the war is over, he doesn’t come out very often. You could leave your message with one of the guards’
‘Have you ever seen him with a really small ape?’
Elmdor stared at him for a moment; his brow furrowed.
‘He has a small servant…but why would you want to know about him? What is this about?’
‘Nothing, really. I just saw them together at the Riven Rock.’
‘Who are you? What is this all about?’
Lus reached one paw out and rested it on Elmdor’s shoulder.
‘I’m just talking rubbish, friend. The ale’s addled my brains; that’s all. Nothing to get het up about. Let’s have another drink.’
Elmdor shook his paw off. ‘No, I think I’ve had enough ale. And I’ve had enough of your questions.’ He reared up a little unsteadily to his feet and lumbered away.
Lus watched him go. He now knew who he wanted, and where he could be found.
He finished his ale and weaved his way through the ground to the ground level exit. He wasn’t surprised to find that it was still raining, and that the little ape was still sheltering in the tavern opposite.
Chapter 36
‘Can you ask him about the washing facilities?’
‘Yes, Sir.’
Jones turned to Perdus, who was relaxing, curled up on a flat round stool.
‘Is there anywhere we can wash? We have been travelling for quite some time and need somewhere to freshen up.’ He spoke in a mixture of English and cat-talk.
Perdus considered his words for a moment, then he began to lick the area between his right foreleg and his chest. When he was happy with the results, he looked up to see if his response had been understood.
‘Why doesn’t he answer you? Didn’t he understand what you asked?’ asked Helen,
‘We need running water to wash. We can’t lick ourselves clean.’ Jones demonstrated with a half-hearted attempt to lick his own armpit
Perdus watched the performance.
‘If you want running water, step outside in the rain. It won’t get you very clean, though.’
They were all together in a large round room with three windows set at shoulder height giving a view of a long narrow piazza. The only items of furniture available to them were six low stools, two of which were occupied by the cats.
There was an open doorway through which they could see the white back of one of the guards, curled up a little further down the corridor.
After several hours waiting for something to happen, there was a stir in the corridor and the grey cat glided into the room.
Perdus raised himself to a sitting position.
‘Perdus, have you learned how to communicate with these creatures? Can they say proper words yet?’ Dutus snapped at him.
‘Yes, Sir. I believe that, given time, myself and Jones will be able to converse adequately to suit your needs.’
‘Good, but we don’t have much time. Ask it where it comes from?’
There was conversation between the two, only a few words of which Dutus could catch.
‘He says he comes from a place called Earth, but it is not clear to me where this place is.’
‘Is it to the west of The Wall? How long would it take to get there?’
A long detailed conversation followed.
‘Sir, it is still not clear to me where they come from. He uses words like space, stars, solar systems, worm-holes. I have no idea what they are. Well, I know what worms are, of course. But I don’t see how they apply.’
Dutus looked exasperated.
‘Perhaps you don’t understand their language as well as you think. Worm
-holes? Could Earth be underground? Do they have big worms there and that’s how they get to the surface? Ask it again?’
After further questioning.
‘Earth is not underground, Sir. And they don’t have giant worms. He said it was a planet, which is a large ball that floats in space near a sun.’
‘A sun, you say. Not the sun?’
‘No, it seems that there are lots of suns. Ours is only one of them.’
‘This is getting us nowhere, Perdus. This Jones creature is just saying the first thing that comes into its head. Ask it what weapons they have?’
‘We have no weapons.’ Jones’ words were clear to Dutus.
Dutus took a step closer to him and sniffed.
‘If you have weapons, we might spare you.’
He noticed the quick glance between Jones and the ape with the golden fur.
‘We have no weapons. We come in peace.’
Dutus turned to Perdus.
‘Explain to this creature that I am trying to save its life. If I cannot find some advantage that I can offer to the Mayor, then they will all be food for the clickerclackers. And we don’t have much time.’
‘But what do you expect from them?’
‘They have a craft that can fly. Can you imagine what ten ships would be like, attacking the apes with new weapons attached to them?’
‘New weapons? You mean swords?’
Dutus hissed and turned away, only to find Sorus filling the doorway with his white, muscular bulk.
Caught by surprise, Dutus felt his body responding automatically to the physical threat of the big cat, his belly sinking low to the ground, his ears flattening against his skull. It took a real effort of will to make himself stand upright.
‘What do you want?’ he hissed.
Sorus let his lower jaw drop, just to show his teeth, for a second.
‘His Lordship sent me. To make sure that his instructions were obeyed.’
‘His Lordship knows that I am no more than his obedient servant.’
‘If that is true, then I can just relax and watch you obey.’ Sorus lifted one massive paw and began to lick it slowly. ‘Off you go then and obey your Lord.’
