by L M Lacee
‘We have shuttled all that were here. Kate and Heather are managing, due mainly to Citri, she is wonderful. We just sent the last shuttle off, and Nikolas has just landed to take us. Then we will be done.’
‘Okay, so we are going to call for any stragglers. Rage you first, people I advise you to cover your ears now.’
Putting an action to her words, she covered her ears and watched as the others hurriedly followed suit. Then a mighty roar sounded throughout the caves. They could feel it climb up their legs from the soles of their feet. The vibrations made their teeth rattle and their hearts race, causing their fight-or-flight reaction to kick in. Each of them had to clamp down hard on the instinct to run in the face of that threat.
Rage roared once more, softer this time, and when after several minutes the sound faded away. They could hear the solid thumps of running feet. Fifteen to twenty dusky pink female Turqualls rounded a bend and headed straight for them. Rave said. I do not believe it. They are leaving?
Peyton asked. ‘Who are they?’
The Chosen females, they are sequestered at the start of their breeding cycle until they are inseminated. It is an old traditional and barbaric practice. Fanharr said as she rushed to greet the females. Greetings… welcome, the shuttle awaits.
Trina asked. ‘Why are they pink?’
Fanharr replied as she finished greeting the last ones to arrive. It is the color this Pride has to signal when they are ready to go into their cycle, the breeding cycle is a tremendous burden for them. It is thought they are directly descended from the Tuarillians, and unfortunately, whether they wish to or not, they are bred as soon as they are of age. The Prides challenge for the rights of the females.
Melody’s expression hardened. ‘Are you saying the females have no say in this? They are bred regardless of their feelings.’
Yes, Commander. As I said barbaric.
Melody’s voice was ice cold and her eyes challenged anyone to disagree with her. She told the pink Turquall’s staring at her. ‘Ladies, this will no longer be a problem. You will only ever have a partner when and if you wish to. No one will insist you breed ever again, you have my word on this.’
‘And mine.’ Peyton told them.
They all bowed to Melody then Peyton, together they said. We thank you.
‘Is this going to cause problems?’ Peyton asked Fanharr as she squeezed Melody’s hand reassuringly. Slowly the dangerous expression left Melody’s face, but her eyes remained hard.
Fanharr shook her head as Rage answered in a disapproving voice. No, Fanharr will stall their cycle.
Within seconds of Fanharr touching noses or rubbing against the females, they returned to the normal tan color. When she was finished, the females ran to the shuttle.
Impressed, Trina said. ‘Wow that is amazing.’
Fanharr told them as she came over to where they stood. I can only halt the cycle for twenty-one days. Hopefully, by then they will have found their mates or we will have to separate them again.
Darby said as she tapped on her tablet. ‘Do not worry, I have contacted Artar Kate.’ At their bemused looks, she said. ‘The Artar, said they can make a serum to halt their cycle until they wish it to resume.’
There was a relieved sigh from Fanharr, who admitted. I cannot wait to meet this Artar, she sounds most wonderful.
Peyton affirmed. ‘She is wonderful and loves her vocation very much.’
Rage could no longer halt the words from escaping as he accused Fanharr. You planned for them to come.
Fanharr stamped her foot. Yes. Why would I leave them, why would we?
Before he could answer, two more Turquall raced around the bend and came to a stop. Fanharr smiled as she greeted them. Retder, Yewta, I worried when we did not see you in the chamber.
Yewta told her as he rubbed against her. We waited with the sequestered for the signal. I am sorry to have worried you, sister.
It is of no matter, now you are here and safe. Retder are you well? Fanharr asked as they rubbed against each other in welcome.
Fanharr, I am happy to see you. Thankfully, all went as planned. They are all here and we will join you, if we may?
Of course you can, you are family after all. What of your parents?
Yewta sighed as he told her. We can no longer remain under these conditions. We have spoken to both our parents; they accept our decision and in truth we are seldom here, anyway.
I do not know what to say; I am sad but happy you are coming.
Do not worry, sister, they knew I would never let you go without us.
Oh Yewta, thank you.
Peyton grinned. ‘Fanharr you devious female, you set this up?’
Fanharr ducked her head. We had to make it look like we were arguing with each other. So they would be ordered to go and find you, when we heard you had arrived in our Universe. Getting caught by those disgusting people was not in the plan. But thankfully you rescued them, and it was the perfect opportunity for Yewta and Retder to find out what kind of Star Daughter you were. Retder told us how kind you and your people were. Yewta was impressed with the honor of your Warriors. So we knew we could trust you.
Trina said. ‘Well, that makes sense. No one wants to jump from the fire into the frying pan, now do they?’
No one wanted to admit that they did not have the faintest idea what she just said. Although Peyton nodded and said wisely. ‘Uh-uh.’
Other than giving her a suspicious look, Darby said nothing. Rage ignoring the Terrans chastised Fanharr. Fanharr… I am at a loss as to know what to say.
Hawk slapped him on the shoulder and advised. ‘Say nothing my friend, your mate is a devious and amazing female and she makes a great mate for you and Pride Leader for the Pride of Maikonia. Do you agree with me, Madam?’
‘I do Commander Hawk, I do, and if anyone knows about being sneaky, it is Commander Hawk.’
‘I am not sure if that is a compliment?’
Melody laughed. ‘Just take it as one. It is wiser.’
Trina asked Yewta and Retder. ‘So you are not olesho’s then?’
They stared at her for a full minute before Retder laughed. No, we are not, and I will take your words as a compliment. We obviously were very good at our disguise.
‘Well, it fooled us.’ Confirmed Darby.
The mates laughed together like kits as they jauntily raced to the shuttle. ‘Hard to believe the uptight Retder is just like us.’ Trina observed, which had everyone smiling.
THIRTY-EIGHT:
Peyton moved apart and raised her hands, sending out three pulses of power. Silver waves of light glided through the walls of the caverns and dusted the air, slipping slowly through the tunnels and into the caves. All the while a song hummed from her and found its way into the ground and the very rocks the caves were created from. Turquall everywhere stopped what they were doing and listened to the haunting beauty of the lullaby.
Tears entered Melody’s eyes as the song touched her needar and hurt her heart. As if she was in a trance, she moved toward a tunnel. Confused to what was happening, Rage still recognized the danger Melody was in. Lightning fast, he blocked her way.
Hawk wrapped his powerful arms around her as tears flooded her voice and she begged for release. ‘Hawk, I have to go. Release me, someone needs my help, they are alone… so alone. I have to find them and bring them home… please brother let me go.’
Fanharr said softly. She should not understand this. It is a song for Turquall. Who is this female?
No one answered her. Darby and Trina were just as confused by what was happening as the Turqualls seemed to be.
Hawk placed his mouth close to Melody’s ear and softly called to her. ‘Melody, my friend, my sister. Listen to my voice, hear only my voice. This song is not for you, listen to me, and hear only my words. This song is not for you.’
Melody jerked in his arms and then heaved a long sigh as though she was releasing something from deep within her. She rubbed her face and asked. ‘Hawk, what h
appened?’
He let her go and smiled. ‘Nothing, you were confused for a min that is all. It is probably the heat. I am thinking you have not had enough to drink.’
‘Oh!’ Melody shivered and shook her head, she knew it was more than that. Something had called to her, but she smiled and said. ‘Okay, yeah sorry, you are probably right, thanks.’
Hawk smiled and shrugged. ‘You are welcomed.’
Peyton witnessed the exchange but could not break her concentration. She placed the concern for Melody away to puzzle over later. For now, she had Turqualls to call. The lullaby was a memory gifted from the Tuarillians. Every Turquall recognized the song which was embedded into their DNA, a song that called the Chosen home. The ruling four held a tight grip on the Prides as the wave of light and song passed through tunnels and caverns calling to the Castque. Sadness and despair rode the parents hard as the time for their young to leave drew near. After the last echoes of the song died away, Peyton lowered her arms and with a sad smile to the Turquall surrounding her, walked toward the shuttle.
Just as they made the opening she had made, four Turquall hurried into the cavern, carrying baskets of plants between them. They dropped one basket at Peyton’s feet and the other in front of the three Turquall. A female stepped forward and spoke to Rage, Rave and Fanharr, passing on a message from their parents.
In a voice filled with sorrow she said. Your parents wish you to have these trees as a token of their love. They hope when they take root on your new world, you will remember them fondly. And regardless of what has come to pass. Their hearts will remain heavy at your leaving. They wish you a long and healthy life.
Fanharr sobbed in a breath as Rage and Rave bracketed her with their bodies. The female’s voice was filled with despair as she continued. We also wish you well my friends and hope to meet you in the future.
All four Turquall bowed as Rage replied. Please tell our parents we will tend the memories well and will never forget who we came from. We also hope we will meet again one day.
Fanharr pleaded. Tell them we receive them with love and gratitude.
Rave said to the four Turquall. Do not take too long to decide to join us. You heard what our Star Daughter foretold. Time is passing. You, our friends, will always have a home with us.
Thank you Rave. The female stepped back.
A male came forward and addressed Peyton. The Ruling female has gifted you the Ludenera plants. They are the scented flowers you asked for.
Peyton smiled with pleasure. ‘Thank them for me.’
He stepped back, and they all bowed their heads in a reverent display of respect, then turned and ran from the cavern.
Peyton looked at Darby and said in English. ‘What you perceive as cold and heartless, is in actuality anguish so poignant it has broken their hearts. I believe they will never forgive those that have made this happen and will never recover from today.’
Darby frowned, trying to understand. ‘Do you mean they will not forgive each other?’
‘No, the Prides.’
‘Then why do it, family is important, we all know that?’
‘You are right, but they are fighting yentas of duty that dictate their decisions. The whole is far more important than the few. Even if that few are their own young.’
‘What would you do?’
‘I could ask you the same thing.’ She replied and moved to where Lukkas waited.
Melody and Trina picked up the basket and Willian with Kent scooped the other basket from the floor. Melody’s wide smile told everyone how pleased she was Peyton had asked for the plants. She sighed happily as the scent wafted across her nose.
Peyton swayed a little and Melody nodded to Lukkas and told Peyton. ‘We will wait in the shuttle, it is too hot in here.’
‘Kay.’ She mumbled as Lukkas lifted her into his arms, growling softly, something he never would have thought to do luneras ago. ‘You do too much Madam.’
Sighing, Peyton leaned her head against his wide chest. ‘I know, but we must make sure they all come. I will not be able to come back here for many luneras, if at all. I have explained to the Ruling Pair they must in future send the new ones to the moon we are going too. Which thankfully is close to here, and we will pick them up from there. They tell me there are other planets with Prides of Castque on them. They will spread the word, but it will be slow and not all will receive it. So we will have to keep doing sweeps for them.’
Lukkas carried her to the waiting shuttle, but turned when he heard scampering feet running behind them. Four young kits, all different colors ran and jumped into the shuttle, just making the floor with their two front feet. Fanharr and Rave grabbed two by the scruff of their necks and hauled them inside as Darby and Willian pulled the other two in. Fanharr took them to the back of the shuttle with Trina, who went to help her secure them.
Lukkas placed Peyton in her seat and Melody buckled her in. Tiredly she sipped the tube of water Darby handed her and said to Melody. ‘Have Nikolas wait fifteen mins, then leave, just in case.’
‘We will do that.’ Melody assured her as Darby wiggled in next to Peyton, yawning, she leaned her head on Darby’s shoulder and whispered. ‘I would have found a way, I did… we did.’
Before Darby could respond, Peyton let the darkness that had been hovering around the edges of her consciousness envelope her. Several older Turquall arrived mins after Peyton passed out.
Then ten minutes later two kits about the size of house cats were lifted into the shuttle by Willian. Fanharr secured them with the others at the back of the shuttle as she told Trina. Their parents passed back to the stars only two luneras ago. We are not sure what happened or why they left their Prides, if they came from any. All we know is they sent the kits to where we could collect them. It was very sad.
Trina quietly asked. ‘The kits have not said what happened?’
No, sadly they have not. In fact, they seldom speak. We hope the Artar will help them. I thought they were already on board.
Rage told her. Rave and I will search the nesting caves. There may be more kits hiding in fear.
Hawk asked him. ‘Is it possible some are being secreted away?’
Rage answered soberly. The Ruling Pair searched. None can hide from their call. The Star Daughter called also, and none can remain hidden from her song. Unfortunately kits can become confused, so we will search.
‘We will wait for you.’ Hawk assured him.
The brothers raced from the shuttle and were back after twenty minutes shaking their heads. Rage answered Fanharr’s worried expression. We found none.
Hawk took Rage’s assurances for a guarantee, but still had Nikolas wait another ten minutes after their return. When the time was up and no more Turquall arrived. Nikolas finally lifted them off the planet of Porquiel.
Watched had they known it by one lonely juvenile, whose heart resolved to find his brothers, when the opportunity arose regardless of his mother’s displeasure.
From another part of the world, four parents also watched the shuttle. Knowing they would see none of their young again and hoping they had made the best of a dreadful situation. They wept silent tears and hoped that not only their young but all who went with the Star Daughter lived long lives. Filled with happiness and love, but most of all with freedom.
THIRTY-NINE:
Two days later, the Warship arrived in orbit around a small yellow moon. Within an hour, they had erected a small settlement made from expandable shelters. The Warriors explained the shelters were a staple of any well-maintained shuttle in case of emergencies. And Warriors always carried a one man shelter in their packs, when on hostile planets. They protected against the heat, rain and wind.
Warriors took turns hunting for the Turquall who could not hunt for themselves and for the ladies who were thrilled with the meat. Securing it away in the ship’s stasis rooms or storage coolers with the help of the Warriors for distribution at home.
A particular fruit found its way onto the sh
ip. It was a multi-colored smooth skinned berry, the size of a plum. The berry grew on trees resembling short oak trees, and the fruit hung in bunches, similar to grapes. The berries made an amazing tasting spread very similar to honey. The Warriors fell in love with the taste and just about every tree was stripped.
After Brenda asked if it would be possible to transplant the trees. A comm home to Nina for advice on acquiring the plants took place.
‘Computer on.’
On...
‘Connect to Captain Netta please.’
Connecting...
‘Peyton, are you all right?’ Netta was a little surprised. She had not expected to hear from Peyton for a few days, knowing they were busy with the Turquall.
‘I am Netta, how are you?’
‘Umm, I am well.’
‘Oh, I am sorry. Are you busy?’
‘No… no, I am good.’
Peyton smiled and asked. ‘So have you trained?’
Netta eyed her with a thoughtful look as she replied. ‘Yes, this morn. I train every day. I am sure I told you that.’
‘Oh, did you, I must have forgotten so…’
Netta hastily asked. ‘Can you hold for a min?’
‘Oh sure, after all I am disturbing you.’ Peyton said with a smile.
Which raised a few eyebrows, more because of her overly sweet tone than the words. Netta blanked the screen and turned to her friends. It was girl’s night, and the alcohol had been flowing for the last two hours and they were all a little tipsy. That did not stop Netta from posing the question.
‘So what do you think?’
Her brain trust which consisted of Rose, Miko, Jean, Penny, Nina and several others that could make it tonight, all grinned. Nina said as she stood. ‘Well, it seems very suspiciousisis, was that too many siss?’ She demanded of Jean, who shook her head.
‘Nah!’ Although her assurance may have been believable if she had not slid off the chair to the floor.
‘All good, meant to do that!’ She called out, holding her drink high in the air so as not to spill any.
Karen agreed. ‘Seemed the right amount to me.’
