Read Online The Book of Ominiue: Starborn by D.M. Barnham - Free Book Online Page B

of its existence before, but now it grew louder as he turned his attention to it. He became conscious of sound and he decided that this was the sound of voices. They were human voices like his own: intelligent and reasonable.
     
    ***
     
    Shayne snapped out of his daydream with Pan’arden regarding him, expecting an answer.
    ‘Sorry?’ Shayne looked upon her.
    She shook her head. ‘It must be hard, not to know who you are.’
    ‘It does not bother me,’ Shayne replied.
    Pan’arden’s eyes searched him sceptically. ‘Are you not interested in your home world at all?’
    ‘No,’ he simply replied. ‘I do not see why I should be interested in something I shall never see again. I would have thought that Kíe informed you of my nature.’
    ‘The Journeyman did, but I wanted to see for myself.’ She then let a small smile escape her lips before adding, ‘I should retire. It will be a long day tomorrow, goodnight Afra’hama.’ Shayne watched her bow before heading back to one of the outer dwellings, the place she was residing while stationed in this town.  After she disappeared into the night he looked up at the stars again. Contemplating them a while longer before he too retired.
     
    ***
     
    Morning brought with it an overcast day, but the clouds were high and the horizon showed that the cover was clearing. Many of the Earthmen woke up feeling sorry for themselves. The Brigadier staggered out and lowered himself to the steps, holding his head in one hand, he had taken an effective cure, but had to wait for it to take hold. Red Rocket trotted across and lay at his feet looking just as sad and miserable.
    The town centre was bustling with busy lionmen. The warriors were back in full armour, with those of the original search party now wearing the same standard light dress and armour as the others. Warhorses were brought in from the stables that were situated at the northern gate. The horses, just like the lionmen were great masses of muscle with thick necks and strong broad hoofs. Their heads had an oddly shaped curved ridge on the upper-half of the nose; defining the unique genetic divergence for that planet. They were so tall that Shayne did not think he would be able to get up without help.
    There were a couple of horses that were a finer and gentler breed; these proud creatures followed their lionmen companions around like loyal dogs. There were also a few creatures that were built like an Elk but with curved horns like an antelope, and they also followed their owners around. The smaller horses and elks were by far the finest creatures there; they were more agile than the warhorses, and walked with a level of pride that the fighting horses could not match.
    ‘Do they expect us to ride these elephant half bred freaks?’ Medical Officer Lieutenant Rae Wong stated rather than questioned as she looked up at the creatures with apprehension. She was from the planet Mir which was in the 82G. Eridani system. Mir was just as densely populated as Earth and recreational activities such as horseback riding on these worlds were mainly practiced by the wealthy.
    ‘Only until we can acquire human size horses,’ Shayne replied.
    Just then Pan’arden and a couple of other lionmen came from another building. Following Pan’arden was a great feline that looked much like a tiger, whose eyes keenly observed the quickly retreating Earthmen as it neared them. Red Rocket growled fiercely, but she also shook violently, hiding behind her master. Even Shayne’s heart leaped as they came within metres of them. Pan’arden greeted Shayne with casual calm, but her face was knotted with confusion at the humans’ apprehension; none of the other lionmen were remotely phased by the presence of the predator. The tiger itself showed nothing but curiosity at the Earthmen who were backed up to the closest surfaces, ready for flight. The tiger’s yellow eyes focused on Shayne and he realised it was the same creature he saw in the house the