The Entean Saga - The Complete Saga

by C B Williams

  “I also must warn you that in the next few days tremendous shifts will occur in the City. It will be dangerous for a span. Listen to your leaders. Prepare now to leave for your new home.”

  When he finished speaking he scanned every face in the crowd, all of them still gaping at him in disbelief.

  “Who are you, an alien, to tell us these things? Where’s our proof?” a woman demanded. Her voice trembled as she tightened her grip on the child huddled in front of her.

  “How can we trust something we can’t see?” another of the Kin piped up.

  “How far south? We need to stay close to the City for food and clothing.” An old man with white hair exclaimed. “We’ll starve and freeze.”

  “You will do neither,” Eloch told him and waved his staff at the man, who looked down to discover he was now wearing a thick, woven cloak. In his hands, he clasped two loaves of bread.

  The Kin gasped. Eloch again waved his staff and every one of the Kin found themselves wearing woven cloaks of different patterns and colors. Eloch joined in their delight when he saw the cloaks Spur had created for them.

  From within his memories, Spur must have located the weavers’ clan patterns of Entean.

  Flick rejoined Eloch and addressed the crowd. “As you can see, Spur is very present. It is time we all acknowledged and welcomed Her back into our thoughts, our hearts, and our lives. But tonight, we feast. And tomorrow we get ready to move.”

  “I thought you’d do more,” Wren told Eloch when he rejoined her.

  “The Kin needed to know they would be cared for. That’s what I demonstrated for them. If I had done more, it would have instilled fear, and Spur wants love.”

  Wren nodded thoughtfully. “As Flick said, Spur’s Champion is a KinLord, a very powerful KinLord.”

  “Exactly. He put it well.”

  “And will this very powerful KinLord be providing all the Kin with some of that lovely ale at tonight’s feast?”

  “I think he might do even better,” Eloch mused.

  Chapter 15

  The Reckoning

  Eloch had walked this corridor before, gone through the glass doors that hissed so softly when they closed behind him. He had faced the same bored faces before, faces marred by greed and malice. Imbalanced faces. Last time he was thrown out. This time there would be a more satisfying conclusion.

  This time he was not as alone.

  Not only was Aiko standing beside him on the right, his Wren and Flick were on the left, Genji and Etsuo behind him, and behind them, Spider and Mouse.

  And within simmered Spur.

  The Chairman scowled at Aiko. “Who are all these people?” he grumbled as he scanned the group. He caught sight of Eloch. “Oh, it’s you again, the Entean fellow,” the Chairman drawled. He leaned his elbows on the table, as if to keep himself awake. “What did you call yourself? Champion, I believe?”

  The woman sitting next to the Chairman snickered.

  The Chairman scowled. “Aiko, why have you brought him back? We have finished with this…what did I call him? Bone puppet?” He chuckled. “Bone puppet, that was it! We’re finished with you, Bone Puppet.”

  “But I have not finished with you,” Eloch said. “You did not listen before. You will hear me now.” He paused and scanned the six board members’ faces. “I am Eloch, Champion of Entean,” he said again.

  The woman tittered.

  Eloch ignored her. “But I come to you today as the Champion of Spur.”

  “Enough!” The Chairman shouted. “I will hear no more of this madness. This man is seriously delusional and needs help. You have wasted enough of my time.” He adjusted his glasses and glanced at the agenda at his place. “Who’s next?” he asked his neighbor.

  “For too long Spur has been ignored. Mistreated. You have spurned Her and decimated Her, and it ends today,” Eloch continued. He pointed his staff at the agenda. It turned to dust.

  The woman gasped.

  As did Mouse.

  Wren glanced back at her friend and winked.

  The Chairman’s face reddened, and he jumped to his feet. “Cheap parlor tricks! I don’t have time for this. Take him away.” He flapped his hand at the two Martials guarding the doors. He glowered at Aiko. “And you,” he jabbed a finger at her, “no more of this, or I will ground you. Confiscate your ship.”

  Aiko gulped.

  Satisfied, he’d made his point, the Chairman sat.

  “I have not finished,” Eloch said calmly. He pointed his staff at the guards aiming their weapons at him.

  The weapons dissolved in their hands, returning to their basic elements. Their faces froze. They cried out when the metal flooring snaked up and trapped their legs.

  Etsuo nudged Genji. “This is what I’ve been waiting for,” he whispered. His eyes glimmered while he grinned hugely.

  Mouse’s hand crept into Spider’s.

  Eloch swept his staff across the four other guards who had only now realized their companions were being attacked. Their weapons dissolved. Metal snaked up their legs and trapped them. He aimed his staff at the intercom the Chairman had slapped into life. The man’s eyes widened when it dissolved. He went white when the arms of his chair wrapped around him, forcing him back into his seat.

  Cries of alarm went through the boardroom as the rest of the Board members were gripped by their own chairs. The snickering woman’s scream was high and thin while her chair captured and held her securely, despite her struggles.

  “You have imbalanced your planet. You have imbalanced yourselves,” Eloch said, his voice filled with power. “Look south,” he commanded, gesturing with his staff.

  All eyes gazed out the huge window that commanded a view of the City’s skyline.

  A rumble began in a range too low for their ears to pick up, but they felt it in their chests. It built to a crescendo until the very ground swayed and bucked beneath them.

  Wren gasped, trying to keep her balance, and she reached for Flick, whose eyes were alight with excitement. Genji stumbled to one knee while Etsuo leaned heavily on Genji’s back for support. Spider and Mouse clung to each other and grinned. Aiko grabbed whatever was closest to steady herself. It happened to be one of the imprisoned Martials.

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” Etsuo hooted.

  Outside, toward the south, a mountain range formed, huge, jagged peaks like teeth surging out of the ground. It pierced through Rubble and formed a barrier, ringing the City.

  “Here is where you will stay,” Eloch said, “behind that wall, until you have learned to honor your planet and her Champion. Those who already understand this will be allowed passage through the mountains. Spur will know who they are. Spur will provide for them.” Eloch pointed his staff at the spaceport. They watched as the light from the conning tower flickered and went out. “As of today, colonization is no longer an option. Trade between planets is allowed, but colonization is abolished, and self-government is now the order of the day.” He looked at the Chairman. “This Board is dismissed. Permanently.” He glanced at Flick and nodded. “When the time comes, I will return to Entean. But know this. When I leave, it will be because Spur’s new Champion will be ready, and that Champion will also, as I am doing now, wield the power of this planet.”

  A movement caught Wren’s eye. “Eloch!” she said urgently.

  He ducked, preventing his death, but the knife sank deep into his back. He groaned. The staff clattered to the ground.

  Flick and Wren caught Eloch as he slumped and eased him to the floor.

  The Chairman barked out a laugh as the chair arms relaxed enough for him to free himself. “Get more Martials,” he shouted to the one who had thrown the knife.

  The Martials had already kicked free of the loosening metal and rushed to the doors.

  “And sniffers!” The Chairman called after him.

  “I can’t get out!” the Martial said while he hammered on the door panel.

  A worried Martial peered in and began to pry the
door open from the outside. It didn’t budge and he ran off to get help.

  Eloch’s unconscious form stirred.

  Wren glanced at Flick and back at Eloch. She watched, fascinated, as a shimmering, golden mist lifted away from his body, and knew Who was about to appear. The fog solidified into a woman.

  A very beautiful Spur.

  A very angry Spur.

  “How dare you!” Spur snarled, her power crackling around her. Her usually melodious voice rumbled like the earthquake had moments earlier.

  The room dimmed and transformed into an impenetrable vault.

  She pointed a finger at the Martial who had thrown the dagger. “How dare you attack my Champion! You do not deserve to live.”

  In an instant, a pile of carbon lay in a puddle of brackish water where the Martial had been standing seconds earlier.

  She pointed a vengeful finger at the Chairman, who held his hands up in surrender, his mouth a dark hole in his ashen face.

  “And you! No respect. If you value your life, you will learn respect. I will see balance restored to Me. I will have harmony again. I will be loved once more.” She crossed over to Eloch and gracefully knelt beside him. “This beautiful and brave soul has reawakened Me.”

  Spur reached out a hand and lovingly caressed Eloch’s pale face. She smiled when it began to regain color.

  Eloch opened his eyes. “My Lady.”

  “Are you healed, Champion?”

  “I am.”

  “Then rise. We still have much work to do.” She smiled up at Flick and allowed him to assist Her to Her feet.

  With Aiko and Wren’s support, Eloch got to his feet and stood between them. Catching sight of Wren’s expression when she handed him his staff, he put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I am well,” he whispered.

  She leaned against him and tucked her head against his chest.

  Spur turned and looked at the Board members. “Your ignorance is not entirely your fault. I accept some of the responsibility. However,” she gestured to the newly formed mountain range, “I believe it will be many years before I see any of you on the other side.” She touched Eloch’s shoulder. “This Champion,” She touched Flick’s shoulder, “and My future Champion, are under my care. I will allow no harm to come to them. You will do as My Champion bids, because he speaks for Me.”

  With that, She shimmered and dissolved, again merging with Eloch.

  Eloch sighed and briefly closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked directly at the Chairman.

  “What do you want?” The Chairman asked, his face still ashen.

  “A ship with a shuttle,” he nodded at Aiko. “This pilot and one other. Freedom to take supplies across the mountains to those living beyond until they have learned to work harmoniously with Spur and prosper on their own.” Eloch became aware of growling and scratching coming from beyond the vault Spur had created. “Freedom for all sniffers.” He paused. “In order to restore balance, I will be in command. And when the time is right, Flick will be in command.”

  Flick straightened, locked his gaze with the Chairman’s, but said nothing.

  The Chairman nodded at Flick before returning his attention to Eloch.

  “And when balance is restored?”

  “You will be free to self-govern as before, with one exception—from this moment and through eternity, you will do everything you can to maintain balance on this planet.”

  Eloch directed his staff at the walls, which became as before. He pointed to the doors and they opened.

  Hackles raised, the pack of six sniffers walked stiff-legged and growling toward Eloch’s group.

  “Stop!” he commanded.

  They stopped.

  “Sit,” he told them.

  They sat.

  Not one of them growled when he approached them. Eloch smelled like Spur. And a bit like Little Sister. The pack’s leader caught the scent, cocked his head, and let out a happy woof, his tail curved elegantly around his haunches.

  With his mind, Eloch directed the sniffers to go to the newly formed mountains and hunt.

  In unison, they leapt upon him, slathered him with grateful licks before they darted out through the doors and scrambled down the building’s halls toward freedom.

  Genji grinned and nudged Aiko when he saw the sniffers’ dark shapes wend their way through the City, racing toward the southern peaks.

  Eloch motioned his companions to follow him as he strode toward the exit.

  “Where are you going?” the Chairman called after him.

  “To Sub-City,” he answered. “There are souls who need rescuing.”

  “What do you want us to do now?”

  “Dissolve this Board of Colonizers. And the Board of Culls. We will put someone else in charge of your government.”

  Wren hurried to keep up with Eloch. Although she had promised herself she would never step foot in Sub-City again, this was one promise Wren was happy to break.

  He glanced at her, gave her a quick smile. “Who controls Sub-City?”

  “The KinLords. You know that. Slow down a little, Long Legs,” she puffed. “You’re losing your posse.”

  Eloch slowed to the pace she wanted. “But who controls the KinLords?”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to find out. I suspect it’s got something to do with the Board of Culls, but this is all new to me. Obviously, since my Kin were massacred, I was out of the loop. Why? What are you thinking?”

  Eloch stopped to allow the others to catch up. “I’m considering how to resolve this situation. Sometimes it’s best to find the key players and neutralize them. Sometimes, it’s best to neutralize their minions.” He gazed at the crowds around the entrance to Sub-City, and at the teams of Martials stationed at various checkpoints. “Are there normally so many Martials?”

  “Not until Wren was ousted.” It was Mouse who answered, having arrived in time to overhear Eloch’s question.

  “And is it normally this crowded?”

  “Not at this time of day,” Flick said as he joined the group.

  “I suspect the new view has got something to do with the frenzy,” Wren commented dryly as she tilted her head in the direction of the towering, jagged peaks now separating the City from Rubble.

  Eloch grunted.

  “Looks like there are more people trying to get back into Sub-City than ones wanting to get out,” Spider said uneasily. “I’m wondering if it was a good idea for me to come here.” He tightened his cloak’s hood closer around his face.

  Mouse looked up at him and looped her arm through his, giving it a little squeeze. “I know you’re without a disguise, but I doubt very much people are looking for you, considering the circumstances. Looks more like they’re concerned for their families.”

  “I’m going in,” Eloch decided. “I think Sub-City could use some modifications.” He glanced at Aiko, Genji and Etsuo. “Perhaps you three should return to The Stardust.

  Aiko shook her head. “The ship is fine. I radioed. The port is nearly vacant. Everyone’s heading to the City’s center to see what’s going on. I’m staying with you. My brother and sister are down there.”

  “If there are injuries, I can help,” Genji said. “I’m coming, too.”

  “And I have got to watch the show,” Etsuo grinned.

  Eloch nodded. “Then follow me.” He aimed his intent focus on Sub-City. They could feel his power beginning to build.

  “Wait,” Wren said and waited for Eloch to refocus on her. “What is your plan?”

  “I am going to open Sub-City to the sky.”

  “But—”

  “No one will be injured, Wren,” Eloch said gently.

  Eloch swept his staff in front of him and strode forward, the others hurrying in his wake. The crowd parted for them just as readily as the trees and shrubs back on Entean. He loved the feeling of Spur’s power rushing through him. But Spur wasn’t Entean. Where Entean was patient and nurturing, Spur was dramatic and impatient, nurtu
ring in a less subtle and more up-front manner. He understood, then, that her people would be much the same, like Wren. Or Flick, who had been so good at providing Wren the balance she needed. Flick was the perfect choice for Spur’s Champion. Eloch could imagine the kinds of conversations he and his planet would have. It made him smile.

  His mind felt full of clamor. His thoughts were being shoved around, yanked apart, and reorganized by Spur, who wanted her own Champion, and She wanted him NOW. Eloch understood her impatience, and her need to move forward after so many centuries of disappointment. She was like a person dying of thirst, but—“Now is not the time for this, My Lady,” he muttered. “Let me finish what we have planned.”

  Wren’s hand stole into his and he gave it a squeeze. He glanced back and smiled at her before he released her hand. “I’m fine, my love,” he told her. “It’s just Spur and I have different timetables.”

  Spur had heard him and understood. He felt Her pressure lessen, and it allowed him to collect himself for the next confrontation with the imbalanced peoples who governed her planet.

  They had reached the gates.

  “Halt!” a Martial commanded. “Get into line with the others.” He punctuated each word by poking his weapon at them.

  “I think not,” Eloch replied mildly.

  The weapon disintegrated into dust.

  Before anyone could react, the Martials or the crowd, Eloch again swept his staff. “Sleep!” he commanded.

  The people of the City crumpled where they stood.

  Eloch strode forward toward Sub-City and the first set of stairways.

  “But aren’t they going to get cold?” Wren asked, picking her way through tangled limbs.

  “They are Spur’s. She will care for them,” Eloch replied as he crossed through the checkpoint and pressed on into the Sub-City’s shadows. “Some she may wish to keep asleep.”

  “You mean She will kill them?”