Chapter Thirty-Seven
The hunt had been costly, not just in terms of time and life lost, but to the plans for leaving as faint a trail as possible.
The next two days, the skies threatened rain that never fell. Initial gratitude for the dry conditions soured; yes, the formation was moving more quickly, but the site of the kill, and the tracks leading away, would still be there like signposts.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the grey skies meant the sun never shone and the raw dustkine could not be dried: the only means of preserving it while moving. But even if they had been stationary, smoking was all but unknown on Bactradgaria: a relief since almost all fires were fueled by dung. And although salt curing was common, it was only done along the coasts.
As a result, whereas two days of sun-drying would have certainly attracted carnivores, it could then have been wrapped and the tantalizing scent largely smothered. But with grey skies, the kill scent kept following them. And if it went on a day or two more, there was an excellent chance that, despite the freezing nighttime temperatures, their hard-won meat would begin to spoil.
Fortunately, the third day dawned clear. The F-class star that kept Bactradgaria a desert in the wake of the apocalypse that had denuded it now helped dry the meat. The smell was not pleasant to nostrils accustomed to meat on Earth; Miles insisted that it made roast possum smell like prime rib. But on several occasions, Caine saw locals literally drooling in response to the scent.
Unfortunately, they were not alone. Carnivores and scavengers made several appearances, each requiring the persuasion of the group’s seven crossbows and four bows to drive them off. By the time the shafts had been retrieved, more hours had been lost and it wasn’t long before the next group of uninvited diners arrived. When the locals and even some of the Crewe obliquely suggested that this might be an excellent time to put the Dornaani weapons to use, Caine and Duncan pointed out that until they could forge iron with sufficient precision and purity, they were limited to the magnetically refined projectiles that had come with the weapons. If used for routine hunting, they would soon regret having been so profligate with resources that could turn the tide of a battle.
When the column finally made camp at the end of the second day, the meat had dried enough that it could be swaddled in multiple layers of permanent wrapping. However, before the job could be completed, predators began loping closer: quadrupeds that several of the Crewe had seen before.
“Entelodonts,” Newton grumbled.
“Hell pigs,” Miles translated for the locals, who shared their own, very similar label for the beasts. The Crewe feared that they might be non-bipedal x’qai but the locals convinced them otherwise. One look through a “magic” monoscope at ten-times magnification confirmed their opinion: these were not x’qao, merely the animals which gave rise to x’qiigh when infested with their spores.
The entelodonts proved as stubborn as most porcine breeds. The stun grenades were simply annoyances they punted aside. Yaargraukh suggested that they might be more easily dealt with if given a few kilos of the dried meat. Despite dubious glances, Caine authorized the attempt.
He didn’t realize it would involve the Hkh’Rkh snatching up his battle-ax in one hand, the meat in the other, and charging directly at the lead entelodont. He stopped one hundred meters from the big leader, roared at it, and then turned about to race back for the group. The entelodont, challenged by a now-fleeing adversary, responded predictably: spirited and thunderous pursuit.
Until, that is, Yaargraukh dropped the meat only fifty meters from the formation. He kept running, but the creature, now far ahead of its companions, once again reacted as its breed usually did: it stopped long enough to snatch up the easy meal.
That was also long enough for the gathered bows and crossbows of the formation to aim carefully and unleash a murderous volley of poison-tipped projectiles into it.
The entelodont jumped, squealed in rage, started charging the group, then began tilting sideways: the poison was taking effect. Discretion rapidly became the greater part of its valor and it swerved away, stumbling. It collapsed approximately seventy meters away.
Also, in keeping with the breed, the remaining pair of entelodonts slowed when they reached the point where their two choices were as stark as they were equidistant: charge the numerous beings with their backs securely to the river, or make a meal of their former leader. They chose the latter. Of course.
Caine turned away from the grisly scene, nodded toward Yaargraukh who looked on, impassive as ever, battle-ax hanging in his hand. “Watch them until they’re done. Hopefully, their leader’s carcass should be enough. If they start acting like we might be the next item on the menu, scare them off with a few bolts.”
“Yes, Commodore. But if they do not respond to that persuasion?”
Riordan glanced at the axe and Yaargraukh’s clearly eager posture. “More volleys and then lead in the warriors.”
“As you wish, sir. Where will you be?”
“Getting more information about x’qai.”
“Very good, sir.” The Hkh’Rkh turned and, grat’r eagerly in tow, gathered those waiting with melee weapons.
Riordan had walked about twenty meters when the slap of bowstrings told him that the entelodonts were either unsatisfied with the poison-fouled carcass of their leader, or preferred the more enticing smell of the sun-dried dustkine. Grunting and guttering snarls were their reply to the shafts and bolts that had struck home.
Twenty meters further on, Caine heard Yaargraukh’s roar joined by the chorus of his combat team. Moments later, the grunting was replaced by roars and shrill squeals of desperation.
Riordan sighed. Guess the leader wasn’t enough after all.
***
Caine found Bey where the sole male urldi told him she’d be: crouched down among the packed meat, checking that the wrappings were as scent-proofed as possible.
She stood when she heard Riordan approach. “Leader Caine, what do you wish?”
He waved them toward a cluster of low rocks that had already become the de facto “sitting room” for the formation. “Some time ago, Ulchakh told me that you might know more about x’qai than anyone else.”
She was shaking her head even as she lowered herself to one of the rocks. “I understand why he might expect I do. Living in Forkus and having a reputation for being observant, it is a logical guess. But unfortunately, I saw less of Forkus than most of my peers. When my mother arrived there, the leader of the gang at that time was careful to keep her from being seen by x’qai or their agents. He was even more careful to hide me.”
Riordan frowned. Okay, so I’m not going to get any additional data about x’qai, but maybe I’ll learn something almost as valuable. “Why did he hide you both?”
Bey shrugged. “Our kind is deemed risky to keep in thrall. We are too likely to seek out contacts among humans. And nothing worries x’qai, or a slow-witted city trog, so much as that.”
“Because your mother and you were both clever enough to make your own plans and agreements? And possibly use contacts with humans to threaten his leadership of the gang?”
The way she tilted her head indicated Riordan had been only half correct. “I was no danger to him, for neither I nor my mother could ever replace him. Females are almost never allowed to be leaders.”
It was a logical extension of what Ulchakh had said, but another source always meant another perspective. “Why?”
Bey looked at him as if a second head was beginning to sprout from his shoulders. “To answer such an . . . unusual question would require much more time. However, you are correct that the leader you slew in Forkus—Jzhadakh—had concerns about the speed with which I learn and think. But not as a threat to his leadership; none of his gang cared that his ideas and plans mostly came from me. I was his counselor; it was expected. His worry was that an x’qao liege might learn.”
“And, er, remove you?”
“If by ‘remove’ you mean ‘kill,’ then no, Leader Caine; that was not the risk. But if any x’qao learned how much of his success had come from my counsel, they might have taken me to serve them directly. This was why I was never allowed to be part of the negotiations, but was always in a place where I might hear and later advise.”
Hoping it wasn’t another inquiry into the obvious, Riordan asked, “But if the x’qai fear that you are more likely and able to seek alliances with humans, why would they risk bringing you into their seats of power and making you aware of their plans?”
Even before he finished the question, Bey was smiling. “Leader Caine, you are a warrior. You wish to wield as keen a blade as you can find, yes?”
Riordan simply nodded.
“But such blades are rarely without risk to their owners, if they are wielded carelessly. The x’qai see those of my background as just such a blade. They keep us as war planners and furnish us with much wealth and many privileges: more than humans can usually afford. But that wealth is not merely payment; it is to ensure that other praakht are envious and come to hate us almost as much as our masters.”
“But if they are so confident that they can maintain control over you, why would they fear your contact with humans?”
Her smile became crafty. “Because no matter their background, the more clever praakht often come to realize that there is a still greater treasure to be had: freedom and respect. Even though few humans consider us their equals, they do not require that we grovel at their feet. That Jzhadakh used Sho as his courier when dealing with humans.”
“But didn’t that risk losing her to them?”
“Yes, but he had to choose between that risk—”
“Or risk losing his best counselor,” Riordan finished, nodding meaningfully at her. And reminding himself for the hundredth time that though x’qai kept trogs ignorant, they remained quite shrewd.
Bey was smiling at him again. “His fear of losing me to a human liege was almost as great as his fear that an x’qao liege would take me to serve directly under his banner. Still, it was a hard choice for Jzhadakh to make.”
“Why?”
Bey shrugged. “He was . . . fond of Sho.” She frowned. “Too much, perhaps.” Her expression almost became sad. “She could have been very happy among you, I think.”
The comment was so unexpected, and yet so vague, that all he could do was ask, “Happy in what way?”
Bey looked sideways at him. “Sho became very interested in one of your number.”
What? One of us? “Who?”
“Leader Miles. But she saw no way to act upon her attraction.”
Riordan was surprised enough that trogs were sexually attracted to humans, but Miles “Little Guy” O’Garran? “I—he did not know of Sho’s interest. I am sure of that.”
Bey nodded, her frown deepening. “I must tell you, Leader Caine, that your group’s mating behavior—I should say, your lack of it—has concerned your praakht captives. Despite your kind treatment, none of you have shown the least interest in any of our kind. Considering that most humans do not, eh, avoid us, many fear that you do not consider them worthy to swear an oath of fealty.”
Well, this just keeps getting stranger and stranger.
“It might be helpful if I knew the reasons for this avoidance, either to reassure them or tell them what will happen to us once we reach Khorkrag.”
“These matters require, and deserve, careful consideration,” Riordan replied, trying not to appear as disoriented as he felt. “Understand that we have very different traditions and rules that guide our behavior.”
“Ah!” Bey said brightly, but with less enthusiasm in her eyes than her voice. “So it is as two of the urldi guessed: that you are a league of warriors that have foresworn mating as part of your oaths to each other! Such bands are said to exist, but before now, none of us had met—”
Riordan held up his hand. “And you still haven’t met such a group. We take no such oaths to each other.”
Bey was frowning again. “So is it that you find all praakht repulsive? That your kindness is . . . is pity?” A hint of simmering anger began to creep into her tone.
This time Caine did shake his head. Emphatically. “No. Pity is not involved.” Well, I don’t think so. “As I said: we have traditions and rules about, er, intimacy. Particularly with captives.”
Bey spent several seconds pondering this. “Your ways are very strange. I will try to allay the urldi’s fears, but without details, I do not know how convincing I can be.”
Riordan finally found enough presence of mind to smile. “Perhaps if I understood more of your ways and, er, expectations, I could provide a better explanation.”
She nodded. “I agree. But—meaning no disrespect, Leader Caine—it might be best if I describe the ways of city-praakht as if you were a complete stranger to them.”
How ironically apt. “I believe that is wise.”
“Sho’s attraction to a human such as Leader Miles is not at all unusual, particularly among female kajh. It is prudent and wise. Whereas x’qai do whatever they can to remove clever praakht from the common gangs, they prefer and favor humans of greater intelligence. So, smarter praakht, but particularly female kajh, appreciate that with humans, they will not have to conceal or deny their intelligence and will probably live longer, safer lives.
“The reverse is often true, among human warriors. The greater spirit, intelligence, or both of female kajh is of interest to them. However, this mostly occurs among the less well-bred human troops, the ones the x’qai do not so carefully pair with chosen mates. But even if these humans are of lesser size and wit, they are still attractive mates for female kajh, at least those who are able to overlook—” Bey stopped so abruptly it was as if she’d swallowed back a word that had half emerged from her mouth.
Riordan raised an eyebrow. Now comes the really interesting part. “Go on. This is very helpful.”
“Leader Caine, I . . . ” She mastered what appeared to be a mix of fear, dread, and embarrassment before starting again. “Most praakht females must learn to overlook the . . . the frail bodies of humans in pursuing such mates. That may be why it is female kajh who are most likely to seek human males. They more completely perceive the species’ other values: their unity, their talent for amassing wealth, their knowledge, their skill and cunning as warriors. This does much to offset any disappointment in their lighter bodies, which do not quicken a breeding response as strongly and readily as do the sturdier shapes of male praakht.”
She stopped when she saw that Caine’s initially amused smile had become a wide grin. Her tone was a mix of caution and disbelief. “You find such words . . . amusing?”
Caine almost laughed out loud. “I consider them a fine lesson in humility.” He forced the smile off his face. “I also consider it a fine proof of your truthfulness, Bey. Clearly, that was not easy to say to a human. Particularly a male.”
Bey’s long, steady exhalation was almost certainly a means of covering a deep sigh of relief. “You are correct, Leader Caine: it was not easy.”
He began to stand. “You are an excellent leader for your people. I will speak with the other leaders about asking for their fealty. If you will serve as the leader for those of your species.”
She stared at him. “When you say ‘those of your species’ . . . what do you mean?”
Another moment of abject confusion. “Why, all the praakht who are with us.”
She blinked, looked more insulted than confused. “Can you not see that I am different? That I do not look like the others?”
“Well, yes, I do. But among my people, it would be . . . well, rude to inquire why.”
“Here, you will find such ‘rudeness’ is a way of life! I look different because I am. I am only part praakht. I am whakt. I am from a Free Tribe, not a ‘Wild Tribe’ as many resentful praakht name us. That is why the city-praakht do not trust me.” She stared at him, openly incredulous. “Do I truly not look different to you?”
As if we’ve had the time or opportunity to make a study of how speciate variations might be distinct from hybridity? “Well, yes, you do look different, but we just presumed that was common among the Free Tribes. And because you grow up, eh, healthier, not being slaves to the x’qai.”
“That is part of it: we are our own tribes. We have families. We are not broken to the brutish ways the x’qai insist upon our kin in the cities. Mind you: I am not saying that the true praakht, whether from cities or otherwise, are lesser, but their masters punish everything other than victory and ruthlessness.”
Riordan realized he’d sat down again. “You do not seem particularly ruthless.”
She huffed over her shoulder: southward, toward Forkus. “You are not the first to say so, but you are one of the first to mean it as a compliment.” She tossed her head, tightly woven braids flying to underscore her rejection of the city behind her. “Besides, even the praakht that chided me for it knew I had skills which offset that ‘failing.’”
Riordan nodded. “Your skills, as a leader and a warrior, are obvious to all.”
She glanced sideways at him. “I have less obvious skills that I could not frequently use in Forkus.”
Riordan shrugged. “Then I have that much more to learn.”
She nodded somberly. “Leader Caine, I am a good teacher of the skills I have, of passing on the knowledge I possess.” She paused, lowered her chin very, very slightly. “Even to those above me.”
He nodded. “I am not surprised to learn that.” Considering you’ve been doing it for me since we met. “And although you are my subordinate, I am not ‘above’ you. Those are not the same things, in our language.”
“No?” Bey’s brief expression of intrigued curiosity was pushed aside by hard-jawed practicality. “Leader Caine, that is another thing you—all of you—must learn. My people do not understand the way you lead. Even I do not fully grasp it, yet. You most resemble the Mangled, who like to say they make a strength of their weakness. But from what I have seen, your people possess both kinds of strength. It is very strange.” She smiled. “I, also, have a lot to learn.”
“Then we can teach each other.”
Bey’s smile had started widening before she firmly inverted it into a serious frown. “Yes. That is what we shall do. I wish to become a better leader for those who depend upon me.”
Riordan smiled. “That is excellent common ground from which to start. Now, tell me what you know of Khorkrag.”