Valour and Victory (13 page)

Jilmis turned
to Fastia.

“In that field
over there.”

“I’ll get them
settled in,” she agreed, “then get them started on marking out the
areas where each group is to go when they march in.”

“Do that. They
can do the escorting when they arrive. Arrange it will you?”

“I thought that
was my job anyway,” she quipped, hiding a smile. Weaponsmaster
Jilmis was apt to repeat himself at times, especially when he was
under strain.

Fastia began to
lead her young charges in the direction of the field Jilmis had
indicated. There were some Vada there already, members of the First
Ryzck who had been a part of the vanguard into Duchesne.

Rilla and
Zawlei, Shona and Danei at their side, followed at the Vada
Weaponsecond’s heels.

As she and
Zawlei staked their claim to a vacant spot of ground and she began
divesting Zawlei of the myriad items attached to his harness, Rilla
was in a reflective mood, wondering where Hilla, Zilla and Zak
were.

* * * * *

The Lindar

Lindar Hanei
splashed ashore the evening after the cadets. They were one of the
first Lindars to arrive in the south.

They were met
by Cadet Charles and his Lind Wlya who approached Sadei, bowing
their heads in greeting.

“Dedta,” they
greeted each other and the conversation continued in Lindish. “If
you would come this way? We are your escorts to the dom where our
army gathers.”

“Thank you,”
Sadei answered. “Is it far to the dom?”

“Not far,” said
Wlya, “but we have to pass through the ‘streets’ of the domta which
will seem strange to you, especially underpaw. The ‘streets’ are
the name the humans have for their trail paths between their dagas
and are made of stones fitted together.”

“How
remarkable,” pronounced Sadei but he did not elaborate, it was just
yet another strange habit of the humans. The look on his face
however, spoke volumes.

: Humans are
peculiar creatures :
he passed his thoughts on to Hanei,
Brisnei and Ranlei, the commanders of the second, third and fourth
ryz of the Lindar respectively
: why would they want to cover
the good ground with stone is beyond my comprehension :

: Humans do
not have useful paws with which they can walk on trail paths such
as ours :
noted Hanei
: and it is their misfortune to
possess only two. Perhaps it is easier for them to walk on stones
:

: That is
one explanation :
old Ranlei replied
: personally I think
that they are all slightly mad and they just like to change things
:

: Perhaps
but I think we should move on. I should like to reach the dom and
rest my weary legs. The crossing over the stone circles with water
outside was not the most easy and I am not the only one who wishes
to rest and to catch up on my sleep :
(‘Stone circles with
water outside’ was the Lindish name for the Island Chain.)

“If you would
come this way?” repeated Wlya who had not been privy to this
conversation. She turned and led them up the path towards the break
in the sand dunes.

“Perhaps you
should warn your Lindar that the humans of the domta will come out
from their dagas to welcome you as you pass. Their shouting can be
somewhat irritating to the ears but my vadeln tells me that they
mean well. He says it is their way of showing their thanks for our
help in defending them from the Larg.”

Sadei passed
the warning and was thankful he had.

The stone trail
paths were indeed noisy and crowded, filled with cheering humans on
either side and who were waving what Wlya identified to the curious
Sadei as flags and banners which bobbed around, sometimes right in
the faces of the columns of Lind who were trying to push
through.

Sadei laid his
ears back. Wlya had been right, the noise was very irritating.

Wlya’s ears
remained cocked forward and she advised Sadei in an undertone to do
the same, telling him that he would look less threatening.

: Horses lay
their ears back when they are upset and nervous, also when they are
about to kick and bite :

Sadei instantly
pricked his ears forward, trying to ignore the noise
: how long
will this take? :

: We shall
reach the barrier soon. Tell your Lindar to relax :

Charles was
waving to the crowds as he passed by, shouting, “Lindar Hanei has
come, a thousand strong to fight the Larg.”

The crowds
cheered at his words.

Sadei
concentrated on keeping his ears forward and tried to ignore
it.

At last they
emerged from the gates that ended the sprawling town and Sadei and
the others felt turf under their paws once more. He breathed a sigh
of relief and increased his gait, trying to get as much distance
between himself and the stone domta as he could.

“Thank the lai
that is over,” he said to Wlya.

Once at the
staging area, Charles and Wlya took Sadei to see Davin and Razdya
who as 2IC Vada were in charge of the area until Julia and Alyei
got there.

Davin informed
him of his Lindar’s assigned place on the battle lines. He found
out that his Lindar was to be stationed to the very right of the
ridge on which the army would make its stand, under the command of
the Duke of Duchesne.

Sadei was more
than a little perturbed when he heard this. He would have much
preferred to fight with the majority of the other Lindars in the
centre but he accepted the Susyc’s decision with a resigned
face.

: Charles
and I will be there too :
Wlya informed him
: it is an
important position. Julia and Alyei must believe that you are good
enough and brave enough to receive this honour :

: I am very
proud to be so thought of :
he was worrying about it though.
Like most Lind he had never fought with human soldiers and was
unsure of how to handle it.

Wlya sensed
this unease and communicated it to Charles who promised Sadei that
all would be well.

“I know what
needs to be done,” he said, “the Duke of Duchesne is a good man and
an experienced soldier. He has fought the Larg before. We will take
you to see him soon and when you meet him I am sure that most of
your fears will be laid to rest.”

“Thank you,”
said a partly relieved Sadei. He was feeling his responsibilities
as Susa of the rtath Hanei Lindar very heavy all of a sudden.

* * * * *

Niaill

“I have never
met any Lind before now,” said Duke William when Niaill and Taraya
reported to him about the progress of the northern army’s arrival
and that Susyc Julia and Alyei were expected any bell. “What do
they think about the Larg and do they have a reason why they are
always attacking us?”

Taraya could
answer that for herself.

“We Lind hate
war,” she informed him. “We Lind do not kill except to eat. Volat
we call the killings in which the Larg excel.”

Duke William’s
full attention was on Taraya.

“It is our
tragedy,” she continued, “that we have had to defend ourselves
against the Larg for many generations. Once, a very long time ago,
it was different but that was before the seas came and we were
split into the northern and southern continent. None of us can
remember these happier seasons when the world was young and the
Lind and the Larg were one. Perhaps one day there will be peace
between us again, that is my hope and the hope of my brothers and
sisters and all of Lind. It is also the hope of the Lai who have
come amongst us once more.”

“Perhaps it
will happen,” said the Duke.

“It has been
promised,” Taraya answered.

* * * * *

The
Brothers

Maura and Zilla
were not the only ‘rank and file’ who had heard the rumour about
‘dragons’. Speculation was rife. The Lindars and the Vada knew
about the imminent arrival on their planet of the Dglai.

Of the
Argyllian Militia and the Garda only the officers had been informed
officially, the decision having been taken to tell the ‘rank and
file’ only when the army had assembled in the staging area in
Duchesne.

The officers
knew that it couldn’t be kept a secret for much longer. Army
grapevines were very efficient, stewards in particular believing
that it was their god-given right to find out what their officers
were thinking and to impart the news to their comrades.

Aboard the FS
Larya
was Ansell, one of its officers. Ansell was the
youngest brother of Robain Hallam and had been delighted that
Doctor Liam Hallam (the middle brother) was travelling south on his
ship.

As the frigate
made her way to the southern continent, Liam and Ansell discussed
the situation at length.

“So where
is
Robain?” asked Ansell. “Nobody seems to know. He was
supposed to take up his appointment with his battalion months ago
but never did. When I was last in Settlement I went to the Academie
and saw Major Bellahouston, him being Robain’s last commanding
officer and all that. He told me was that Robain was on indefinite
detachment. Wouldn’t tell me more.”

“Your guess is
as good as mine,” Liam answered.

Ansell
continued, “you know he’s been seeing that Officer Trainee, Hilla
Talansdochter, I asked her but she knew little more. Fact is, she
admitted that she was getting worried about his non-appearance.
Know what I think?”

“What?”

“Robain’s mixed
up in all this and has been for some time. Wouldn’t surprise me if
we were to learn that he’s already in the southern continent. You
know him, he’s a positive genius at getting himself where the
action is. Look at the time he just happened to be passing through
that village when the pirates just happened to attack. Covered
himself in glory too.”

“Don’t think
there’ll be much glory to be found where we’re going,” said Liam.
“Just about every medic and doctor within travelling distance of
the ports has been called up and this is only the first group.
They’re gathering personnel and supplies for the next. This is a
huge campaign, mark my words, the likes of which this planet has
never seen before.”

“You’ve been
told then,” said Ansell.

“Medical
General Zhukov told us this morning,” Liam answered. “He sounded as
if he couldn’t quite believe it. Invaders form another planet, I
mean, I ask you.”

“We came from
another planet,” said Ansell, “no reason to believe we are the only
species out there capable of space travel. It has to be true. The
privateers have come in on our side. Captain said that the pirate
in charge had actually seen one of the advance space-ships of the
Dglai. It took out one of his galleys, a great metal flying thing
about half the size of the
Larya
and which spouted a great
belch of flame.”

“I saw no
galleys around the port.”

“You wouldn’t.
They’ve been set to patrolling in the Great Eastern Sea, protecting
the islands from the slavers who have not seen fit to volunteer
their services. Many of the islands are sending contingents of
soldiers leaving their island defenceless. That’s where we’re going
once the army has been transported. We’re taking some women and
children to the safety of the islands and staying there on
patrol.”

“So what did
you think of Robain’s intended?” asked Liam, changing the
subject.

“Nice girl,” he
answered, “a career officer I should say though that may change.
She comes from a large family out Dunetown way. The father is an
innkeeper. Five daughters and one son. Eldest sister is married and
lives in Stewarton and another who is a Journeywoman Technician. I
got the impression that she’s the clever one in the family. Hilla’s
one of triplets, she’s the eldest, the middle one is with the Vada,
joined about a year ago now. She’ll be here with the army -
somewhere. Don’t Vada Cadets always fight with the main contingent?
The youngest triplet is still at home.”

“That’s where
your toes turn in,” said Liam with a grin. “She’s one of my
volunteer nurses, a pretty little thing with masses of blonde
hair.”

“Not like
Robain’s Hilla then. She’s attractive in her own way but no one in
his or her right mind would call her pretty, strong rather. I got
the impression that the youngest one is a timid creature.”

“She’s quiet
and confident but in no way is she timid and she is showing the
makings of becoming a very good nurse. Now I’d better go, let you
get about your duties.”

“I’ve got watch
in half a bell,” admitted Ansell. “I’ll see you before we dock, we
can say our goodbyes then.”

With that the
two younger Hallam brothers took their leave of each other. Liam
went below deck to check up on some medical stores and Ansell made
haste to grab a bite to eat before reporting for duty on the
bridge.

* * * * *

The Quorko

Quoi the Dglai
was waiting, he had been waiting for some time to hear if the
Ammokko
was close to the planet. In fact, he had been here,
on the planet for a number of months, gathering in the information
collected by the Nahoko then neutralising the said five Nahoko, the
fact-finding probes sent out by the
Ammokko
. He did not
think any but the Larg knew about his presence.

His meeting
with the Larg had been an added bonus. His brothers and sisters
would not have to fight for control of the planet, the Larg; by
destroying the other sentients (who might prove troublesome) would
do that for them.

Now that the
kohorts had gone northwards, leaving their old, females and young
behind, he could start his survey of the southerly part of the
southern continent, identifying the areas where could be found
deposits of oils, minerals and more importantly the food and water
sources which would be gathered in to fill the
Ammokko’s
empty holds once all resistance was at an end.