The Entean Saga - The Complete Saga

by C B Williams

  “Stop! Lady Spur!” Eloch shouted. “You must let me speak with you. I am the Champion of Entean. She sends Her greetings to Her Sister! Please! I have nothing but peaceful intentions.”

  Was Little Sister hesitating?

  Hope flared.

  “Oh, lovely Lady,” Eloch continued, using the courtly manners Entean had instilled in him. She called it the Language of Planets. “Your sister sends Her salutations. I am to present them to You. Please allow this!”

  Little Sister stopped her struggles but remained coiled and ready.

  Eloch remained just as ready and waited.

  Entean? A voice spoke in his head. It has been millennia since any of My sisters has sent salutations. And from One so far. “I apologize.” The gentle, melodious voice said, no longer in his head. “You may rise and deliver Entean’s salutations. Your creature will not try to harm you.”

  Eloch slowly released Little Sister and used his staff to help himself up. Little Sister whined and got to her feet as well, then licked the blood from his hand, blood from her bite. He glanced down and smiled at her, hoping she knew he understood the attack was beyond her control. Then he looked up and his smile faded.

  Before him stood a Woman, ethereal in Her beauty, who shimmered within a gossamer gown.

  Eloch went down on one knee, bowing low. “My Lady, you have awakened. I am most glad.”

  “So it was you,” she said. “You who have been calling me. You who sent the hungry beast for me to nurture.”

  Was she angry? Were those accusations? He could not say.

  “It was,” Eloch said. “For I cannot return until I ask Entean’s question of You and receive Your answer.”

  “Then rise, Champion, and ask.”

  Eloch rose but still kept his head lowered.

  “You hesitate. Are you afraid?”

  “I am, Lady, yes. I do not think You wanted to be awakened, nor do I think You will like the question. I must lay emphasis on the fact Entean has been concerned about You. And I, as her Champion, feel no judgment toward You. You may search my soul if You choose.”

  The lightest touch on his shoulder filled him with blistering fire. He bit his lip to keep from crying out. It was never clearer to him than in that instant; he did not belong to Spur.

  “Your heart is pure, Champion. Entean has chosen well. Please do not fear Me,” she soothed. “Perhaps at first I did resent your interference, but I was glad to feel the joy I rediscovered in caring for this beast. I created all sorts of creatures for her to feed upon. And then I created even more creatures, just for the pleasure. What does my Sister wish to know?”

  Eloch took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts, grateful for the vine which flourished inside him and held him. Claimed him. Reminded him he was not alone. “I am here for two reasons. The first is to ask the people of Spur to cease their plans to colonize Entean.” He hesitated and groped for the proper wording. “The second and more important reason is to learn why, my Lady Spur, You would allow any of Your creatures to leave You.”

  As the silence grew, so did his fear.

  When he finally lifted his head to face his fate, what he saw filled him with so much sadness he ignored the burning pain as it seared through him when he gathered the weeping Being to him.

  A part of his mind witnessed in disbelief. How could this powerful Being be so filled with despair as to accept comfort from someone who did not belong to Her? Yet, here he was, stroking Her back, and here She was, weeping in his arms.

  Little Sister threw back her head and howled her grief. From the cracks and crevices and out of the shadows of the little oasis came all species of creatures. They created a circle around the pair, predator and prey alike.

  “Where is your Champion, my Lady?” Eloch asked softly. “Your Champion should be administering to You, not I.”

  “I have none,” Spur sobbed. “I am forgotten. Only here, in this tiny part of Myself, am I known. All others turned their backs on Me. They abandoned Me.”

  Like a summer storm that came and went in an instant, Spur ceased Her grieving. When She looked up at him and smiled, no evidence remained of Her tears.

  “Thank you, Champion, I am much better now.” She stepped back, gently releasing Herself from his care. “I have caused you pain!” She exclaimed when She saw him flinch.

  “I believe it is because I am not of You, my Lady.”

  “I can adjust Myself. I am sorry.” She reached out and touched him again. This time, it soothed, and they both smiled as Little Sister’s bite marks disappeared from his hand. “It seems I have forgotten so much. I truly have been asleep.” She turned and shooed the creatures back to where they belonged. “Come, Champion, bring your beast friend and rest beside the waters with Me.”

  Eloch fetched his staff and followed Spur, Little Sister trotting ahead of them both. They stopped at a sandy beach. With a sigh, Eloch slid the pack from his back and leaned it against a tree in the full leaf of summer, his staff beside it.

  Spur had settled Herself on the sand. She glanced at Eloch and patted the sand beside Her. “Sit, Champion, please.” She smiled.

  He sat, leaned back on his elbows, and stretched out his legs, enjoying the warmth of the sun, a vibrant sun, on his face. “This is a beautiful creation, Lady,” he told her.

  She smiled and leaned back on Her elbows, emulating him.

  “Tell me,” She said after a time. “Will you return to Entean now you have your answer?”

  Eloch hesitated. “If You will, my Lady, I desire to stay a little longer, serve as Your Champion, and help You find a Champion born of Spur whom I can train.”

  Her face shone. “You are so very kind. Entean has chosen well.” She repeated with a sly smile. “And I feel She guessed you might wish to do this. The plant I sensed growing within you makes a perfect conduit between us.”

  She sat up straight again. Eloch followed suit. “I told you it has been millennia since I last had contact with any of my Sisters. It has nearly been as long since I had a Champion.”

  He masked his shock. “What happened?”

  She shook her head. “I do not know. Or, if I did, I have forgotten, as I have forgotten so many things. What is your name?”

  “I am called Eloch.”

  “Eloch, Champion of Entean, will you serve as My temporary Champion?”

  “My Lady Spur, I will.”

  Suddenly Spur was standing, lookdown on him, Her hand outstretched.

  “Then rise, Champion of Spur, borrowed from and to be returned to Entean.”

  He grasped her hand and stood. Spur’s power filled him as he rose to his feet.

  Once again the power of a planet surged within his being, filling him, knowing him, consuming him. As the power seeped into each cell, he exalted.

  I am born for this!

  This is why I breathe! This is why my heart beats! This is why I live and I move and I speak!

  This!

  Eloch raised his arms, threw back his head and cried out his pledge, cementing the bond.

  “I am Eloch, Champion of Spur and Champion of Entean. Spur, I carry Your sweet power. Spur, I am Your will. Together, we serve and nurture. Together, we guide and teach. Together, we return the balance. This I do pledge.”

  Eloch opened his eyes. Spur was no longer before him. She was within him, as Entean had been before their connection was severed. He felt Spur as he had felt his Entean.

  As Eloch rejoiced, so did Spur. She giddily explored each thought, each memory, each action and word within his mind. I have yearned for this, Champion. I had forgotten how much I have yearned! In this small amount of time, you have become quite precious to me, my Champion. I shall take good care of you until you are returned. From your memories with Entean, I now know how.

  Eloch felt her sifting through those memories. Champion! You love! The delight She took in Her discovery shimmered through his body. And she is one of My own!

  Eloch laughed out loud, her joy contagious. “I
do love. And I don’t know what to do about it.”

  You love, Champion. You love. That is all.

  “It is that simple, isn’t it?” Eloch laughed again. He promised himself when he saw Wren again, he would do exactly that. Love her. She would know how he felt.

  Now rest, My Champion, and let Me feed you. We have much work to do, much planning. I want My people back. I must reclaim them. Some will need punishment. Some will need care. All of them will know Me.

  The days flew into weeks while Eloch shared with Spur what he had learned of Her surface. He quickly realized the difference between Entean and Spur. While Entean spoke with him in all different ways, using all six of his senses to get Her point across, Spur was direct and very verbal.

  An argumentative, impatient, and quick-to-anger Being who questioned almost every suggestion. Yet She listened to reason and was quick to forgive.

  I wish to walk among them, My creatures who have forgotten me.

  “And You should, My Lady. They need to remember You, feel gratitude for Your presence. Taste Your power.”

  Perhaps destroy and begin again.

  “I serve You, My Lady,” Eloch replied. “But I do believe there are many who deserve to keep their lives.”

  The one You love?

  Eloch smiled. “And others. Many good people. And, perhaps many driven to do bad things out of desperation and ignorance. They need to love You, respect You, but not fear You.” As he was speaking, Little Sister had wedged her muzzle into the palm of his hand. “Little Sister loves and respects. Otherwise, she would be very dangerous.”

  I must tame these creatures, then.

  “I think it would be a good way to begin. I have an idea.”

  What is your idea, Champion? She could have searched his mind for the answer but had discovered Eloch preferred to keep his thoughts private until he was ready to present them to Her.

  “We prepare a new habitat for a group of these people, the ones yearning to escape from their unbearable lives. Because they have forgotten, they do not realize they can remain here on your surface and be fulfilled.”

  A habitat such as what I’ve created for My new creatures? She searched his mind for the images he projected for her. Ah, I see. This exact place.

  “Yes, Lady, and perhaps a barrier so only those You choose will be able to come here.

  And the others? I will destroy them.

  “But perhaps they can learn?”

  He opened his mind and felt Her searching his memories and learning how Entean brought situations into balance.

  My people are not as settled as Your people, Champion. I believe some will be destroyed. And some will be able to learn.

  “I agree with You. We may have to cause fear until the respect is achieved. We will have to make a point in order for You to regain control, I believe.”

  Let us return, Champion. Have you rested sufficiently?

  “I have.”

  Let us begin.

  Chapter 13

  Returning

  “I need a break,” Wren gasped.

  “Wouldn’t mind one myself,” Aiko puffed.

  Wren sat heavily on the bench and sighed as she took off her sparring gloves and wiped her face with the towel she’d draped around her neck. After little to no exercise for months, not only was she teaching her new leg how to respond to the signals from her brain, she was slowly getting back into shape. Slowly being the crucial word.

  Aiko handed her a glass of water before joining her on the bench.

  Wren nodded her thanks, tilted back her head, and drank deeply.

  “That’s good. Wow, I am still out of shape.”

  Aiko raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m rather glad you are. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be a fair fight at all.” She rolled the water glass along her brow.

  Wren snorted. “Oh you’d do just fine. You’ve still got those Sub-City street moves.”

  “The only good thing that comes from that place.”

  Wren nodded. “Unfortunately.”

  The two sat in silence while they regained their breath and rehydrated.

  “May I ask you a question about Eloch?” Wren said.

  “Of course. Not that I know very much about the man. You’re the one who’s been with him the most.”

  “What do you mean? Doesn’t it take a year to travel from there to here?”

  “It does, but most of that time he was in a coma.”

  “He called it hibernation. But I know him as Eloch-on-Spur. You saw him on Entean. What was that like?”

  “Frightening. He still frightens me. That man is chock-full of knack, the likes of which I have never seen before. There we were, the three of us—Genji, Etsuo…who is still on leave with the rest of the crew or you’d know who I was talking about…and me. We’d just touched down and were only yards from the shuttle when this giant man comes out of the woods carrying that staff of his, the plants and trees shifting out of his way. And then strange, unexplainable things happened.”

  “What kinds of things?”

  “Things like our firearms turned into piles of dust, took ’em right down to their individual elements, he did. And in just moments our shuttle was covered with vines. And I gave him a translator which he gave right back to me. And then suddenly he had his own. Frightening. Then he tells us we can’t leave. And that he will be back and we should eat. He turns and walks away as trees erupted from the ground and surrounded us, a living cage. I’ll never forget it. And the food he tells us to eat? It’s right there with us in the cage, hot and steaming and delicious.”

  Wren was silent for several moments.

  “So, it’s all true, then,” Wren finally said. “What he’s been telling me. It’s all true.” She laughed suddenly. “I thought he was a crazy man with a knack for animals. Harmlessly sweet and crazy. I just humored him, went along with it. After all, he took me in, patched me up, and helped me. But he’s everything he says he is! Gods, I feel so stupid.”

  “How could you not think he was crazy? If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought him as nuts as some drugged-out person in Sub. Of course you thought he was mad. Any sane person would have.”

  “Thanks,” Wren said. “I was a little frightened at first. He’s big and I was helpless. But he was so patient and kind to me that I relaxed. During the trip back here, he said he ate a seed that contained all the knowledge Entean had gathered from your shuttle.” Wren decided to leave the matter of waking Spur for another conversation. Even better, let Eloch tell it if he wanted to.

  “Is that what happened? One of my crew took him to the shuttle, where he had some sort of choking fit. She gave him water and then then left him at a table in the ship’s galley. We found him there, lying on the floor. Thought he was dead. Decided his species couldn’t survive being separated from the home planet.” Aiko huffed. “Turns out he was in a coma. Genji pulled him out of it. And when he came out, he could talk to us. In our own language. And he knew things like he’d lived on Spur all his life, yet it seemed all jumbled in his head. I had Genji work with him to sort it out.”

  “Genji. He’s an interesting character.”

  Aiko laughed. “I think most who sign up for interstellar exploration are interesting characters. I think Genji walks around with a head filled with one giant question mark that he lives to satisfy. A valuable asset.”

  Wren frowned thoughtfully at her. “I think we’re more alike than I first realized. Not because we’ve survived Sub-City, but rather because of what Sub-City made us become.”

  “You mean cautiously nice?”

  Wren laughed. “That’s a good way of putting it. And appreciating the worth of worthy people. I miss mine.”

  “Your worthy people?”

  “My Kin, yeah. I think I’m nearly ready to come back to life.” She hesitated. “There’s one more favor I need to ask.”

  “And that would be?”

  “Can you help me get Eloch back to Entean?”

 
“Already working on it, although why you’d want him to leave is beyond me. It’s obvious he’s become one of your worthy people, the worthiest of them all, is my take.”

  Wren went still.

  Aiko watched the telltale flush rise from her neck up to her cheeks as Wren’s expression changed into one filled with wonder. Aiko sat back with a grin. “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “I could see it.”

  “You knew? I didn’t realize just how…um… worthy until right this very moment.”

  Aiko reached out and touched her hand. “Well, as I said, I don’t know Eloch well, but I do know there’s something very special about him. And frightening. So much knack stuffed inside that handsome exterior. But good. His knack isn’t the kind that hurts people.”

  “So you’ll help me get him home? We can combine our resources?”

  “You still want to send him back?”

  “I don’t want to, but it’s where he belongs, like I belong back with my Kin.”

  “I suppose it is, Wren, but for your sake? I sure I wish it weren’t.”

  Wren looked at her and shrugged. She set down her glass and reached for her gloves. “I suppose we should get back at it,” she said and tugged on a glove. “Oh, and the matter of Eloch’s worthiness to me? Can that be our secret?” she asked as she tugged on the other.

  “Of course.”

  Over dinner, Aiko resumed their conversation. “You say you’re going to return to your Kin. Do you have a plan?”

  Wren reached for a slice of bread and buttered it slowly. “I first need a new ident,” she mused. “Although I haven’t figured out who to ask. There’s someone I can ask, but I’d rather not have to. He’ll want a favor in return.”

  Genji looked up from his meal. “What if we provide her with ident?” he suggested.

  Wren looked at him and then at Akio, who nodded.

  “You could be a new crew member we picked up on Talamh.”

  “That’d work,” Genji mused. “You’ve got the look. You could have been born and raised there,” he eyed the bone on his plate and picked it up. “Gonna need a new name.”