abrupt gesture. Capac
let out his pent up breath as silence fell and all eyes turned to
the Elder.
"I have heard your point, Lopare. Our race has fought
its own battles for centuries and our tribe has stood as a proud
race. But now it is different, the Sunlords make it different. They
threaten to destroy us all."
Capac's multi-faceted eyes gleamed in thought. The
more he thought about it the more he wanted to embark upon this
spearhead mission against the invaders. Ashian would be invaluable
in getting them aboard the Fiery Craft in the Sky. Experience as a
hunter told him that this was his chance.
"We are fortunate Ashian has come to us," put in
Capac firmly.
The Elder paused. "I agree that something decisive
must be done. Individual hunting raids are destined to meet with
failure if we continue fighting the old way."
"And you propose to fight the new way?" muttered
Oiop, one of the wives of the Elder. As a wife she was responsible
for nursing the ill and wounded and her opinion weighed heavily in
the council. Her views were often ones of common sense and
rationalism. "We cannot change so rapidly," she continued. "With
those fire breathing toys are people will be massacred."
"But Ashian can work the weapons, and he can teach
us," countered Capac.
C'hio came back into the argument. "The Currach
cannot kill."
"Exactly. He is useless without our aid."
"Useless all right," quipped Oiop.
A silent pall fell over the gathering. Many long
seconds passed as the Elder thought. At last he came to a
resolution. "Capac, take those who are willing with you on this
journey. Our weakened tribe can afford only three hunters, so
choose wisely. Never in my long life have I seen the Eloprin take
commands from the Currach but I see mutual cooperation is crucial.
We will aid you as best we can and our hearts lay in your success.
Bring pride to our tribe Capac, we look forward to the day of your
safe return."
* * *
The Vizier was startled from his reverie by a
call.
"...ian. Ashian!"
He realised it was his name, he hadn't gotten used to
it yet and his mind always seemed to lapse back into calling
himself the Vizier. But his childhood name seemed more fitting in
the forest environment, the city and his city title left far
behind.
He put his empty bowl aside and scrambled to his
feet. He made his way through the darkness to the glowing embers of
the council fire. The Elder sat alone on a mat, the rest of the
tribe dispersed to go about their duties.
As Ashian approached the Elder put down his pipe. "We
have come to a decision. Capac and two other hunters are to
accompany you along your journey. I hope you meet with
success."
Ashian bowed low. "Thank you, Elder."
"Where do you intend to start?"
Ashian stopped in thought. "I have been thinking. If
we could go to the place where Capac killed the Sunlords we should
be able to get one of their craft."
A wry smile split the old Eloprin's lips. "You just
make sure you do your job and rid this earth of those Sunlord
scroch. I suggest you go and prepare you things. Take all the food
you like from my hut, and get Oiop to help you pack. The party will
leave at first light."
"I am in your debt."
The Elder watched as Ashian backed away from the
feeble firelight. He put his pipe back to his lips, praying that he
had made the right decision.
He knew not how long he sat there mediating in the
silent night, listening the sounds of the forest. He was rudely
awoken by a voice in his ear.
"Elder, I must speak with you."
His large eyes snapped back into focus.
"Why, Myshia, what is it?"
"I must go with Capac and the Currach."
The Elder was dumbfounded. "What? Are you sure, my
child. It may be a suicide jaunt and I don't want you hurt."
"I must go," the supple Eloprin pressed.
The Elder became suspicious. "Has your dream
extended? What is your dream spirit telling you."
Myshia shrugged uncomfortably. "I...I saw the
Currach's face clearly. In the dream he took my hand and together
we floated
let out his pent up breath as silence fell and all eyes turned to
the Elder.
"I have heard your point, Lopare. Our race has fought
its own battles for centuries and our tribe has stood as a proud
race. But now it is different, the Sunlords make it different. They
threaten to destroy us all."
Capac's multi-faceted eyes gleamed in thought. The
more he thought about it the more he wanted to embark upon this
spearhead mission against the invaders. Ashian would be invaluable
in getting them aboard the Fiery Craft in the Sky. Experience as a
hunter told him that this was his chance.
"We are fortunate Ashian has come to us," put in
Capac firmly.
The Elder paused. "I agree that something decisive
must be done. Individual hunting raids are destined to meet with
failure if we continue fighting the old way."
"And you propose to fight the new way?" muttered
Oiop, one of the wives of the Elder. As a wife she was responsible
for nursing the ill and wounded and her opinion weighed heavily in
the council. Her views were often ones of common sense and
rationalism. "We cannot change so rapidly," she continued. "With
those fire breathing toys are people will be massacred."
"But Ashian can work the weapons, and he can teach
us," countered Capac.
C'hio came back into the argument. "The Currach
cannot kill."
"Exactly. He is useless without our aid."
"Useless all right," quipped Oiop.
A silent pall fell over the gathering. Many long
seconds passed as the Elder thought. At last he came to a
resolution. "Capac, take those who are willing with you on this
journey. Our weakened tribe can afford only three hunters, so
choose wisely. Never in my long life have I seen the Eloprin take
commands from the Currach but I see mutual cooperation is crucial.
We will aid you as best we can and our hearts lay in your success.
Bring pride to our tribe Capac, we look forward to the day of your
safe return."
* * *
The Vizier was startled from his reverie by a
call.
"...ian. Ashian!"
He realised it was his name, he hadn't gotten used to
it yet and his mind always seemed to lapse back into calling
himself the Vizier. But his childhood name seemed more fitting in
the forest environment, the city and his city title left far
behind.
He put his empty bowl aside and scrambled to his
feet. He made his way through the darkness to the glowing embers of
the council fire. The Elder sat alone on a mat, the rest of the
tribe dispersed to go about their duties.
As Ashian approached the Elder put down his pipe. "We
have come to a decision. Capac and two other hunters are to
accompany you along your journey. I hope you meet with
success."
Ashian bowed low. "Thank you, Elder."
"Where do you intend to start?"
Ashian stopped in thought. "I have been thinking. If
we could go to the place where Capac killed the Sunlords we should
be able to get one of their craft."
A wry smile split the old Eloprin's lips. "You just
make sure you do your job and rid this earth of those Sunlord
scroch. I suggest you go and prepare you things. Take all the food
you like from my hut, and get Oiop to help you pack. The party will
leave at first light."
"I am in your debt."
The Elder watched as Ashian backed away from the
feeble firelight. He put his pipe back to his lips, praying that he
had made the right decision.
He knew not how long he sat there mediating in the
silent night, listening the sounds of the forest. He was rudely
awoken by a voice in his ear.
"Elder, I must speak with you."
His large eyes snapped back into focus.
"Why, Myshia, what is it?"
"I must go with Capac and the Currach."
The Elder was dumbfounded. "What? Are you sure, my
child. It may be a suicide jaunt and I don't want you hurt."
"I must go," the supple Eloprin pressed.
The Elder became suspicious. "Has your dream
extended? What is your dream spirit telling you."
Myshia shrugged uncomfortably. "I...I saw the
Currach's face clearly. In the dream he took my hand and together
we floated
Similar Books
