Spacer Clans Adventure 3: Naero's Fury (14 page)

I got it! Oh, no, Om. I smashed it. I didn’t mean to.

Yep. It’s dead all right. The Lifespark you put into it has fled.

Can I make it alive again? Breath more of the Lifespark into it?

I do
n’t think so. There’s nothing in the replication process that describes anything like that. It appears that once something is dead, death is not reversible. You could repair this insect’s physical form, but once its Lifespark has become part of it, and then left it, it will not return, nor will it accept another. Each lifeform–even replicants, apparently–are in some way unique therefore, and can only exist under certain parameters. It appears that death is in fact, final.

I’m going to try anyway. Just to see what happens.

Naero did so.

Nothing.

She made the attempt several times. Each time, nothing happened.

See? Life is finite, somehow. Absorb or disperse the raw components and then try to make another replicant.

Naero took a breath and did so. She hadn’t taken the raw components from herself, so she merely dispersed them.

Next, she concentrated, and formed another new replicant, just as she did before. She breathed a new portion of the Lifespark from herself into the tine creature.

And like before, it buzzed its wings, and flew off.

This time, she caught it and reversed the process quickly, feeling the tiny sli
ce of the Lifespark return to her, and the raw components disperse.

Congratulations! Now we can replicate. We ca
n’t bring anything dead back to life, but we can quicken a replicant, and cause it to function. In the days ahead, we will replicate larger and more complex lifeforms as we go along. The final test–will be to replicate yourself, Naero.

Sheesh, Om. The universe can barely handle one of me. What would it do with two or more?

Om laughed also.
I shudder to think, Naero. But we should still find out. Remember, you will be the primary being still, the original. Any of your replicants will answer to you and you will be able to control and command them. They are still just matter and energy, filled with whatever purpose, power, thoughts, or ability you give them. Imagine being able to summon an entire army of replicants, at will. That’s the kind of thing the greatest among the Kexx could do.

I do
n’t know if I’ll ever be able to do any of that, Om. I don’t know if I want to. But we’ll see where it takes us, for now.”

You will always have the power to re-absorb or negate their existence, Naero. Your replicants will not be able to do so to you.

That’s a relief.

Her wristcom chimed. Uh-oh. Gotta get back for sparring practice. Oh, crap. I still have
n’t filed my report with the High Masters. They transported back to the Mystic stronghold, after a good morning’s progress.

16

Naero took on seven adepts at once in sparring and held her own against them.

She didn’t win–but neither did they.

You’re improving, Naero. Each day, your power and skills are increasing.

That’s what I’m worried about, Om. Am I growing too fast? Will I be able to control it all? That’s what the High Masters are concerned about as well.

After her workout with the Change
Adepts, Naero checked on the status of the artifact statue. Still methodically searching Nashara, by all reports.

Relentlessly.

Next she filed a brief report on her first actions in Thanarra as Mediator, promising a more detailed report later. The Changs probably covered everything in minute details in their reports anyway. The twins would stay with the king and queen of the Thanes, on their own mission.

After lunch, Naero and six other adepts, a pair from all three orders, would go down in
to Thanarra, and take a ship out to sea for a meeting with King Haikoda of the Kall, the sea people.

Today her companions would be: Misha Aztec and Allon Nelson, from Order. Lii Yin and Trevor Elkins, from Chaos. And Ilura Romanov and Danikan Konrad, from Change.

As they traveled, Naero had Om feed her the information on the sea people and their king from the Changs’ reports.

Haikoda
is in his late thirties, and a widower. His wife, Vaxxanna, was slain by an arrow from the Maedo during a raid. She died in his arms. They only had one daughter, Vaxxalla–wild, fierce and beautiful, taking after both her parents. She is only thirteen years old, but she is destined to become a mighty Sea Queen, after her father’s reign.

Interesting. More, Om.

Haikoda also has an extended family of three younger brothers: Nokarro, Yeshida, and Jigan–the latter, as we know, was recently killed by Emperor Vauk, of the Vaedo. All of Haikoda’s brothers have been loyal to him…unto death.

As
is his younger sister, Kutira.

They paid a trade barge
at the docks to ferry them out into the Bay of Thanarra, to meet with Kutira, the king’s sister. She would take them from there to meet with her brother. Kutira apparently enjoyed the company of holy people, unlike her brothers, who trusted no one outside of the Kall.

Princess Kutira’s cutter,
The Blue Vixen,
swept in quickly, a mid-sized, fast-looking ship with a blue fox painted on black sails, and a figurehead of a leaping blue fox on the prow–above a wicked-looking iron ram, used in both war and raiding.

The vessel
slipped up quietly and docked with the barge.

Naero spotted archers in
The Vixen’s
rigging, javeliners, fighters poised to board on command. She could smell the burning braziers where crew with naphtha and pitch firebombs waited to hurl them against any sign of an attack or betrayal.

The Kall lived and moved in a treacherous world.

They took no chances.

Princess Kutira appeared
at the port, midship rail–keen gray eyes, olive skin, curly, shoulder-length, dark brown hair. She wore form-fitting, blue and black leather armor with, a blue scarf headwrap, and a silver filet set with black pearls. Several thin, silver rings hung in her ears, and one in her nose. Armored leather gloves and high boots completed her rakish look.

A fox-headed, silver-hilted cutlass hung on her left hip. Several matching, silver
fox head daggers were sheathed all over her person.

She was short, and very pretty at twenty-one.

Naero’s exact size and build, in fact. They could probably share clothes.

She admired the princess’s style.

Kutira caught her eye. “You are the mediator?”

“
I am. These are my brothers and sisters.” Naero motioned to the other adepts.

The princess kicked a rope ladder with wooden rungs down to them with one foot and smiled.

“Welcome aboard.”

Once they climbed
up on deck, the Kall ship and its crew worked quickly to finish its trade with the barge. Goods in crates, barrels, and sacks were swapped in crane nets and swing winches, back and forth.

Once their deals were complete
d, any other terms and payment were completed. Kutira’s second, a large, dangerous-looking brute of a man, rippling with muscles, saluted the barge master and shoved off.

Kutira raised both palms and bowed her head. “May the gods favor us all, holy sister. I am Kutira Asharra Nahavanel Ta’Kall. Wellmet.”

She held out her hand. Naero took it, and matched her strength. “I am Sister Naero.”

Kutira’s eyes widened, and she grinned even wider. “Such steel in the eyes and arm of a priestess? I feel like I’m looking into a magic mirror–at an image of myself, had I joined the holy ones.”

Naero nodded. “We do seem much alike. I hope that we may be friends, Your Highness.”

Kutira flung and arm around her and laughed. “Let it be so.
Call me Kutira. Come, friend Naero. Allow me to show you
The Vixen
–my beloved ship. I helped build her. My brother, the Sea King, had her designed especially for me.”

“
A generous gift, indeed. It is a fine vessel.”

The ship got under way and put up all its sail, making exceptional speed. Kutira took them on tour below decks, just before Naero and the other adepts could get their bearings in the bay. Perhaps that was on purpose.

The place they were meeting the Sea King was supposedly a cleverly guarded secret among the Kall.

Kutira offered them all excellent wine in her quarters. “I hear tell,” she said
, “that part of your gift as a mediator, is a power from the gods to read people’s hearts. Forgive me, if I must test this for myself. Can you tell me what is in my heart and mind?”

Naero nodded. “I will try. The ability comes and goes at the will of the gods. I cannot always summon it–like a trained bear.”

The princess chuckled. “All good tricksters and fakirs say the same thing. If their powers should fail them, then it is the fickle will of the gods.”

“
Just so,” Naero said. “If you wish me to attempt a demonstration, I will need to touch your face with my hands. It should not hurt. Permit me?”

Kutira set her feet and nodded.

Naero made the mindlink.

“
You are mourning deeply for, your favorite older brother–the youngest of them–Jigan. He was always very kind to you. Your favorite.”

Kutira stiffened, and for the briefest instant, tears came to the brink of her eyes.

She recovered and shook her head. “Ahh…anyone with such knowledge of recent events could guess such things.”

“
I can tell you the course we are taking to the hidden cove to meet with your king. I can show you on your charts where the cove is, even though the maps do not show it. I, myself, have never been there.”

Kutira folder her arms in front of her. “Spies may
still know of it; that is possible.”

Naero paused, surprised herself at what she discovered. She leaned in close and whispered in the princess’ ear. “You are deeply in love with a man–a great warrior–yet he is not of the Kall, your people. No one but yourself and he knew of this…until now. Shall I tell you his name?”

For the first time, Kutira paled and pulled away, staring at her in wonder, and a little fear.

“
No, Sister Naero. Speak not. I do believe you now.”

A horn signal sounded
above them, and they went back on deck.

Five other warships moved in to escort them.

All began to put out smoke screens to hide their movements.

When the smoke cleared an hour later, they were at the hidden cove,
while several clouds of smoke moved out across the waters of the bay.

The
Blue Vixen
pulled alongside a larger warship, its black sails decorated with a scarlet sea lion–half-fish, half-lion rampant. Some of the ship’s rails were decorated with ornate silver engravings. The Sea King’s ship bore a silver figurehead of a matching, rampant sea lion.

Boarding ramps were extended between the two ships. Naero and her party went over, with Kutira leading them.

They went down into the large vessel and into what Naero guessed was a large meeting room–or war room. It was decorated with tapestries and charts. There was a large, polished wooden table and chairs.

A powerful looking man sat in the shadows at the end of the table, Two
other men similar to him stood on either side of him.

Naero saw the family resemblance with Ku
tira and guessed them to be the other princes, Nokarro and Yeshida. The ages seemed about right. Nokarro’s symbol was the white sea eagle, Yeshida’s the silver swordfish.

They wore garb similar to their sister, but tailored for men. They were armed with similar weapons. Yeshida appeared to be an archer. Nokarro bore a
pole arm weapon, similar to a naginata.

King Haikoda leaned into the lantern light, his sharp, intense face impassive. Black beard and moustache, shaped and oiled. His black eyes were withering, like drills. His skin was ruddy, even sitting he was tall, and he had large, strong, dexterous hands.

The Sea King cut quite the dashing figure himself.

“
Welcome, Mediator. I am Haikoda, Lord of the Kall.”

“
My name is Naero.”

“
An odd name, for an odd gull. Such violet eyes you have. They are indeed rare. Kuti, tell me what you have learned from this one?”

Kutira went and stood behind the king. “She indeed has the gift to read the heart and mind. Do not let her touch your face or head, brother. She cannot read you unless she touches you.”

Haikoda narrowed his eyes. “Good to know. Tell me,
Mediator
. What is there to mediate these troubled days? What do the gods care if we all kill each other? They have never cared so much before?”

“
Would it not be better if there were less war, less slaughter on all sides, less disruption of trade? Population growth, instead of misery, plague, disease, and famine? Which do you enjoy more–the laughter and happiness of your people and your children–or their lamentation and despair?”

“
And I want a a herd of unicorns from fabled Nashara to sing to my daughter,” Haikoda laughed derisively.

“You mean a glory or a radiance of unicorns, milord...not a herd.”

He stared at her and his mouth fell open slightly. “You speak like a fool, about childish things no one can bestow. When the angels go to war, and unicorns race across the beaches, sing to the stars, and call to our children–then the Kall will accept the dream–nay–the fairytale of peace. You ask ignorant questions, for a less unpredictable and bloody age. You speak of a time such as our world has never known. Are the gods even real? If they care about us all so very much, why do they not put and end to such things?”

Naero smiled. “This is not the world of the gods, milord. This is the imperfect world of people.
Of us, we foolish mortals. In the end, the gods can only guide and advise, but it is we who must make things change–for the better or for the worse. The responsibility for your world and your choices…remains yours.”

“
Well spoken. You are correct. Our evils are our own. We are indeed at fault, not the gods. Yet still, why have they not helped us?

Naero looked around at
her comrades and then back to the king.” We are not unicorns, but are we not here, milord?”

“
Then let me hear you speak. What is it that you advise?”

“
What do all the four peoples want?”

The king laughed. “To vanquish the other three and wipe them out.”

Naero shook her head. “I do not think that is so. If you really asked your people, most of them would want peace. All peoples live to thrive, not to merely murder and be murdered. People wish to be free, to live their lives, work the labor of their choice, and raise their families in peace. They would live in peace with each other, given the choice. Given the chance. We must work together to make such choices and chances real and possible.”

Haikoda laughed.
“Hah! You talk of angels and unicorns again. Holy ones always make everything sound so easy…if everyone just did the right thing, the world would be perfect, a paradise.”

“
It is not easy. It is never easy. Peace is the hardest thing in the world–to withhold the desire for vengeance. To not kill or ravage others, after they have done so to you. To not take what others have and make it your own, simply because you have the power to do so.

“
Oh, great king, hearken to me. Once begun, the cycles of hate, killing, and retribution become like a prison of iron, and perpetuate violence in thought and deed throughout each generation. None of it shall end, until you all choose to make it end. That cycle of death and hate must be broken. It is so very easy and seductive to destroy anything. Building and sustaining anything is the infinitely harder task–especially peace.”