Spacer Clans Adventure 3: Naero's Fury (16 page)

“Yes, milord.”

“
And why would my radiant kin fail to inform me of such a mission?”

“
I’m certain they know how very busy you are, milord.”

“
Well said. You are polite enough, at least, Mediator. I give you that. But so young…and a pretty thing, too.”

Naero did not enjoy the gleam in Emperor Vauk’s eyes as he appraised her form and face.

“Mediator, it is said that you can read the hearts and minds of mere mortals. Surely you could not do so with a god.”

“
I would not dare to do so, lord. Lest I be overwhelmed by your great splendor and magnificence.”

“
Oh,” he said with a grin. “Oh, yes. I do like your ways with words. But I warn you, Mediator. Many others have tried to flatter me. They now hang from my walls along its full length, and feed the crows and gulls–both the short-lived, and the dead. They die, singing to my name for forgiveness. Sometimes…I take mercy on a few of the wretches, and have them dropped into the sea or onto the rocks for a quick end. Other times, I give them water, and keep them singing and praising my name for weeks at a time–or until the birds strip them clean. The crows and gulls always go for the eyes. Eyeballs must be a delicacy.”

Naero bowed. “It has been a pleasure speaking with you, milord. But our chartered ship awaits.”

“Why don’t you let my ships take you to the Cliffs of the Maedo, Mediator? We can dine and talk more along the way. I assure you. You will not gain audience with Warrior Queen Aijarri and her Amazons this day. I am certain of it.”

Naero was curious. “And why is that,
milord?”

“
Because I have convinced them to go on…let us just say, a tiny errand for me. One that will benefit us both, greatly.”

Om, get our cloaked spyfixers all over that area. I want to know what is afoot.

Will do, Naero.

“
I thought the Vaedo and the Maedo were currently in a state of perpetual war, since the fall of the Maedo lowlands to your illustrious armies, milord?” Naero said.

Emperor Vauk grinned again. “I see
that the gods do indeed keep you surprisingly well-informed, Mediator. Yes, we are still at war. But I happen to have the queen’s second born–her young son Tavul as one of my guests. My agents just happened to capture him, recently. He is currently still alive, but only at my whim. He hangs from a golden cage, thrust out from my very own balcony. My guards keep the birds away from him…most of the time, for now. If the warrior queen serves my will well enough–I may even keep my own word…and let him go free. Or, since he is a shapechanger, perhaps I will see if the young prince can turn into a bird, and fly away.”

“
You must excuse us, great lord,” Naero said. “But our word has been given, and we must keep it or be dishonored. If we cannot meet with the Maedo today, we will do so this evening. And then with you upon the morrow. This I promise.”

“
Very well, then. We shall return here to pick you up around this same time, tomorrow…Mediator.” He gave her his back and walked out of sight. His guards closed in behind him.

Naero and her people
reached the Maedo cliffs in less than two hours.

The Maedo lowered a message to them, saying that the queen had taken ill, and would need to meet with them another day.

Naero and her people had their ship move further down the coast, out of sight.

Word came to her from Om.

Naero, a warrior matching the Maedo queen’s description is leading a large band of warriors secretly through the dense trees along the coast.

Where are they heading?

The Kall have a secret shipyard less than three hours away, on the coast, near the backside of the Maedo mountain forts. The Maedo are carrying many crude incendiary bombs.

They mean to burn the shipyard and the partially constructed ships there.

And a large quantity of cured lumber, that the Kall have been hiding and preparing there for years.

The Kall need ships to survive; one of their weaknesses.
The Vaedo must have found them out somehow. Emperor Vauk’s spy network seems to be very extensive. Why waste their forces on taking that shipyard out, when they can blackmail the Maedo into doing it for them? Om, do you have eyes on the captured Maedo prince, Tavul?

Yes. These coordinates, you can view the area directly through our spyfixer vidlinks.

Naero went below decks and made plans with the other adepts.

“
Three of you cloak, transport, and use gravwings and stun needles as needed–but rescue Prince Tavul and bring him safely on board our ship.”

Pharrah nodded. “Will do; leave it to us. See you back here
…N.”

Naero turned to the other three adepts. “You guys with me. We’re going to stop that attack. We’ll flash stun both sides if we have to.”

“Why are we interfering?” Kenden asked. “Are you certain the High Masters would want us to do this?”

Naero shook her head. “The
y sent me here to attempt to negotiate a peace. I am acting as I see fit. How can I do anything if these people are constantly at war? If we rescue Prince Tavul, there is no reason for the Maedo to attack the Kall, and Vaedor’s plot will be foiled.”

Naero
transported and placed herself directly in the path of the Maedo Queen, and her eleven hundred Amazon warriors. The vast majority of them were in fact, women.

Why were there so few men among the Amazons? How
could they possibly maintain a breeding population?

We have not had time to go over that, Naero. The Maedo are indeed near-human shapechangers. Some of them in mated pairs can change into male form, as needed, for purposes of procreation. Some few are
actually born male and prefer to remain so. The vast majority of the population, however, is normally female.

Very…unusual.

The reptilian sentients on Shongo-5 have a similar ability, if males are needed. But they actually transform by shedding their old forms, like a husk.

Anything else I need to know?

The Maedo are extremely warlike, much like their other Thanoran cousins. They are acrobatic, they are expert climbers in trees or mountain rocks. They travel very quickly along swing and zip lines maintained throughout their forests and mountains. They use poison-tipped javelins, arrows, and blowgun darts, both to stun, and to kill. They have long fighting knives, and curved sabres with handguards, that can be used one or two-handed. They move quietly and only wear light, leather armor at most. Their laminate bows have the longest range of any bows on the planet–over a klick on a windless day.

Thanks, Om.

“Here they come,” Hanta Cheyenne whispered.

Naero strode forward and raised both hands over her head. She
openly called out. “I am the mediator, sent by the gods. I have come this day to speak with Aijarri, Warrior Queen of the Maedo!”

Numerous poison arrows and blowguns darts, firing right at you all!

“
Shields up!” Naero cried.

18

Naero and the adepts
deftly deflected arrows and javelins with their arms and hands.

The Maedo blowgun darts bounced off their
personal shields.

Queen Aijarri stepped out of the shadows of the forest, as her warriors quickly encircled the four adepts, train
ing weapons on the four all the while.

Naero nearly gasped
, seeing these people for the first time, other than descriptions in reports.

The Ma
edo warriors were all breathtakingly beautiful. They were also tall–damn them–none under 1.83 meters. The queen herself was 1.91 meters, about the same height as Naero’s good friend, Chaela.

They had finely
chiseled features, and their skin was jet black–blacker even than the near-human Naivatch. Even the lips of the Maedo and their palms were black.

But their eyes were most
ly golden and amber in color, like the eyes of lions–predator eyes. Their hair was various shades of blue, from pale blue to midnight blue, so dark it seemed blue-black, much like Naero’s own hair.

They wore their long hair in low ponytails, with ornate
wooden, metal, and lapis hair bands, set at the base of their neck in back, or in a knotted bun. The Maedo were long of limb, slender and athletic, with narrow hips and broad backs. Soft leather gloves and moccasins or sandals covered their hands and feet, which looked slightly larger, possibly from them being climbers.

Their clothing and armor consisted of a leather tunic, belted at the waist. They wore studded leather battle harnesses or baldrics for their gear and weapons–and what looked to be padded leather arming caps. They had small bedroll packs on their backs, and each carried several weapons. The laminate bow seemed to be the predominate weapon. Next came a slender bamboo spear, that was socketed and could be broken down into two equal pieces. One piece could double as a blowgun. Then came
various javelins, the sabre, and numerous fighting blades–even what appeared to be a small tomahawk or fighting axe.

The
Maedo leather battle harness had numerous pouches and pockets. Their lightly plated, scaled, or studded armor covered their arms, legs, and feet, with additional padded armored caps at their elbows and knees. Each Maedo warrior carried what looked to be a long coil of black rope, and several, iron climbing hooks and grapples.

“
If they fire upon us again,” Naero said quietly, “we stun the entire lot of them. Then we revive the queen.”

Queen Aijarri approached them without weapons in her hands, her countenance roiling with emotions–anger, mixed with surprise, and
even fear. Her nostrils flared wildly. Dozens of warriors with drawn weapons waited only for her command to attack.

In fact, a
ll of her people seemed to be expecting an attack at any moment.

“
What are you doing out here?” the queen demanded. “How did you find us? By what right do you delay us?” Her golden eyes flashed as if on fire.

Naero met her gaze calmly and spoke. “As I have said–before you attacked us–I am the
mediator of the holy ones. My name is Naero. I chose to keep my meeting with you this day, and persuade you to give up this errand, one that you have been tricked into by Emperor Vauk.”

Upon hearing that name, the queen looked sickened, and spat on the ground in front of her. “You are in a war zone, Mediator Naero. My warriors thought you to be some surprise trick or
trap of our enemies to ambush, and kill us all. The Vaedo have posed as holy ones before, in order to do such things. They are devoid of all honor, and the Darkheart–The Emperor of the Vaedo is not a man, if he ever was one. That murdering bastard could not have been born of woman. We believe him to be a piece of some devil’s bloody shit, animated by demon wizards, and sent to plague our world with his evils.”

Naero grinned. “No one seems to like him very much.”

Queen Aijarri blinked, and then laughed. Then her war face snapped up again. She folded her arms in front of her.

“
If you know why Vauk sent us, you know where we are going, and why we must do this thing. I cannot let anyone stand in our way, Mediator. I cannot do so, even for the holy ones.”

“
Let us speak of these matters,” Naero said.

“
No. There is no time for such talk. The emperor holds my only son’s life in his blood-soaked hands–curse that Vaedo devil!”

“
I promise you,” Naero said. “Tavul will not be harmed. He is under the protection of the gods and is safe, even now. My sisters and brothers and I shall return him to you this very night. You have my word.”

Om, please get me confirmation of that from our spyfixers. Tell me that the others have rescued him.

Will do, Naero.

A look of pain and fear came over the queen’s face, and she clenched both of her fists at her sides in frustration. “I do not even know you. We have not ever met before, you and I. Even the gods have abandoned me and my people. Why would they help us now? What is my son to them? How can I trust you when I cannot trust anyone? How can I believe you when you tell me that he is safe, and that he will live out this night?”

“Because I am asking you to do so. I will prove what I say.”

“
Oh, and that is supposed to be enough? When last I knew, my youngest was in the filthy hands of that bloody, golden, murderous bastard!”

“
Great Warrior Queen. Stay thy wrath. Only the power of the gods can save Tavul. But you must break off this attack and return home. I promise you, upon my life, your son will be waiting for you if you do so.”

The queen paused to ponder her words.

Naero. The other adepts have the youth. He is safe and unharmed, although there were a few slight…complications.

I do
n’t care about that, Om. Are they on board the ship again?

I’m afraid that’s one of the complications. Agents of the Vaedo, posing as Kall, attacked the ship we hired with fire and sank it, killing
everyone on board.

They meant to kill us as well. What else?

Prince Tavul was poisoned, and he was being given just enough antidote in his water to stave off death. It took a while for the other adepts to fully neutralize that poison. He is fine now.”

That’s good, because I just put my life on the line. Locate
The Blue Vixen.
Have Pharrah contact Princess Kutira for help. If she agrees, have her help them bring Prince Tavul to the Maedo cliffs tonight, when I signal them. Tell me when all is ready.

I will
, Naero. Your friends think they are speaking with you when I contact them through the spyfixers.

They do
n’t need to know otherwise, Om. You’re my secret weapon.

You know I love you, Naero.

Om, don’t start all that again. We don’t have time. Please. Just help me.

“
I don’t know what to do,” Queen Aijarri said. “If I do as I you say. If we do not do as the Vaedo emperor commands us. How do I know my boy will live?” The queen was obviously in torment.

“
Your son is already safe,” Naero said. “We have but to go to him at the Maedo Cliffs, overlooking the Bay of Thanarra.”

“
No, I will not trust you, or anyone with the life of my child. If you are truly from the gods, you will use that power to prove it to me. Right now. This very second. If you do not–if you cannot–then you are not of the gods, and this is some devil’s trick. We will roll over you, and burn that Kall lumber mill and shipyard to the very ground, this very night!”

“
Very well, my queen. Let me pray. You shall have your proof.”

Naero knelt down, and went through the motions of praying.

Om, link me with Pharrah through the spyfixers. This is urgent.

The link snapped open, and Naero heard Pharrah’s voice through the comdots in their ears.

Naero? This is Pharrah.

Pharrah, the queen is demanding proof
of life. Project a holo of him to me here through our comlinks and I’ll do the same, so that they can talk briefly. That should be enough.

Hololink will be open in five seconds, mark.

“My queen. The gods will give you a vision of your son, Tavul. You can speak to him yourself and see that he is well.”

The holo of Tavul appeared instantly.

The Maedo gasped in wonder and drew back.

“
Mother, mother!” Tavul cried.

“
Tavul, my boy!” the queen nearly sobbed and reached out to her child.

Naero rose up quickly and shouted. “Do not touch the vision or it will vanish! I can only sustain
it for a short time. Speak quickly!”

“
Tavul, who are you with?”

“
The holy ones, mother. They saved me somehow. I fell asleep, and the next thing I knew, I was here with them. Truly, it is a great miracle.”

The queen’s mouth fell open, and no words came out. She dropped to her knees.
“Are you all right, my boy? Have you been hurt?”

“
I was sick, but the holy ones gave me a potion that healed me. I’m fine, now. They say they will bring me to the cliffs of our people. I can’t wait to get home, mother. I can’t wait to see you again.”

“
Forgive me, my son. But I must know if this is truly you, or merely some sorcery. What day is today?”

“
The tenth day of the fifth month, mother.”

The queen closed her eyes, obviously wanting to believe. “You have a scar on your right elbow, my boy. How did you get it?”

“Father grazed me with an arrow, when he shot an assassin trying to carry me off.”

Aijarri gasped slightly again. “We will be together again, shortly, Tavul. Tell the holy ones to take you to our cliffs. I will be waiting there.”

The holo vanished.

The queen turned where she stood
, and called aloud to her fierce warriors. “There shall be no attack on the Kall, this night, my people. We return to our cliffs, and the Darkheart can go rut himself to death!” She spat once more.

Aijarri offered Naero her hand. Naero took it and held it.

“You are quite strong, and very young for both a holy one and a mediator, holy sister.”

Naero smiled and shrugged slightly. “I have always been full of surprises.”

The queen laughed. “I’m guessing that. It is a long way back to the cliffs. Run with me, holy sister, and let us speak on many things.”

Naero bowed her head. “That is why I have come, my queen. To speak with all the rulers of the city states, and attempt to mediate a peace among the lands.”

Aijarri raised both eyes wide. “You have not spoken with Emperor Vauk, yet?”

“
Briefly. I will see him tomorrow.”

“
Beware then. Your status will not protect you in the least with that devil. He is a sick, twisted fiend. If only the gods would see fit to remove his rotting head from his festering body.”

Naero thought of the lives of everyone on that ship that they had hired. None of those people deserved to die.

Talking with the queen was a real eye-opener, to say the least, confirming much about the Maedo and the entire situation that Naero had read about in the reports.

None of the lands were blameless in the constant strife.

But it became very clear, that the emperor of the Vaedo continually used his large armies and his extensive spy network to play all the lands against each other for his own gain and benefit.

In two cases that Naero knew about already, Emperor Vauk had kidnapped the children or kin of the other royals, and forced them to attack one another. And it did seem that the Maedo had suffered much more than the other three combined.

If something did not change, simply by attrition, there would soon be only three great city states, and not four. Anyone could see that the Vaedo were preparing to wipe out the Maedo, and then focus their growing powers on the other two.

It was well after sunset when they reached the Maedo Cliffs.

As Naero planned,
The Blue Vixen
appeared out of the fog to return Prince Tavul.

Then two other Kall ships swept in out of the fog as well.

Naero! Those are the two ships that sank our chartered vessel. They are filled with enemy agents from Vaedor, only posing to be Kall. Now the princess is signaling them. They do not know the correct replies.

Stun blasts, Om. Have the adepts nail those vessels with Cosmic stun blasts, before they can attack.

Already, Naero’s keen eyes spotted the flaming braziers and oil bombs being readied and uncovered.

The three adepts on
The Blue Vixen
lifted their staffs and hands to the stars.