Fall and Rise of the Macas

Chapter 4: Brendon

Chapter 4: BrendonThree months later they hovered over Brendon and waited for official landing coordinates. They had explained their situation and the alien being in the Medical section. The Brendons sent the coordinates, but asked that the alien remained sealed in the ship's Medical while repairs were completed in the Bio area and water transferred aboard.

Crew members that weren't chosen to be among the first to bathe in Brendon's cool, green waters were promised the Brendon brew that was on its way to the ship. They hadn't fared too badly, although all had lost weight and slept ill in the warm cabins. The grumblings against Kahli's parsimonious ways turned to cheers when the Brendon ship dock with a new supply of food and brew.

Jarvis detested the polite diplomatic maneuverings of landing on another planet, but the process went smoothly. There were times he regretted not having his Mither Jolene's or Elder JayEll's devious tongues and their ability to move among the different political groups. The Brendons remained the same staunch allies they had been during the Justine War. They had suffered much from the Kreppies during the Justine rule. The ambassadors from Thalia were from the House of Rurhran and had taken care of all the rituals. As Maca, he outranked them, but he was grateful for their skills and laid his head on both their shoulders, lingering a bit mayhap, on the soft expanse of Rollan's milky opulence.

“What ails ye, man?” laughed Rollan as she pushed him back.

“It tis thanks I owe ye for the ear blustering ye have saved me.” He grinned at them. “I believe the Brendon's speeded up the ceremony to speed me on the way to a proper cleansing.”

Rollan crinkled her nose. “It would be a relief for all,” she agreed and gestured toward the back of their home that was built in the rounded Thalian manner.

“Your room tis the first to the right, complete with the shower and a robe. The crew has been given accommodations at Complex Two in the Visitors section. The Brendon's are quite picky about who may step foot on their soil.”

“Aye, and as Captain of Flight, I thank ye again.” He nodded and hurried down the hall. He liked Rollan and her counselor, Rhode, as he had kenned them nearly all of his life. Like most from the House of Rurhran, they were tall and heavy though without the heavy, corded muscular physique of Ayran, Don, Breton, or Troy. Few of the House of Rurhran went into Flight. The exception was Rollan's brither, Ribdan. Nay did Rurhran produce many Warriors, but perhaps that was the way of farmers everywhere.

The water, wonderful cool water, splashing over his body was savored and almost as refreshing as a bedding. Gar, how he had missed both. Lillie had become snappish with the heat and the stench from bodies and refused to let anyone near her. In truth, there was more pleasure when circumstances were normal. He pulled on his dress uniform. The officials of Brendon would expect it. He added a brilliant, red sash denoting the color of Ayran and headed for the front room.

“Are ye ready for a brew, Jarvis?” Rhode was handing him a mug twice the normal size. “We heard about your deprivation.”

Jarvis tipped his head and swallowed long and well. “It was worse than being on Krepyon,” he admitted.

“Rollan's changing for dinner. Lillie and Malta will be joining us. Kahli was asked, but he has excused himself claiming he has an old friend here to consider.”

“Aye, I saw him slapping some poor, green and tipped with orange-haired Brendon on the back and dragging him into the ship when I left. I think they roomed together when they studied at the Justine Refuge.”

Rhode considered. “Ye are probably right. There tis someone at their University who went to Justine and attended the school set up by the Laird of Don's Earth laddie. He would be entering the half-way point of a Brendon's life span.”

“How long do we remain in the clutches of Brendon officialdom this evening?”

“Just for the evening banquet. We scheduled the official visit for tomorrow afternoon.”

Jarvis finished his brew and waggled the mug for a refill as Rhode continued. “Nay only ye, but all the officers from the ship if they can be spared. The Brendons wish to honor ye.”

“I'd meant to leave nay later than tomorrow afternoon. All we need are supplies and fresh water. The rest of the repairs can be done at Thalia.” His jaw tightened. “Those beings are still out there and they may ken that we have caught one of them. Mayhap they are ready to attack the De'Chins' home planet.”

Rhode nodded. “Jarvis, I ken, but we may need Brendon's support at the Justine League meeting. We canna go it alone. The Guardian of Flight has pushed through a new ship in your absence. If it becomes a true emergency, even the Justines will use their Golden One. Ye and the rest must attend. It would be offensive to these gentle, wee ones.”

Jarvis's elation was rapidly changing to frustration. It seemed society demanded a certain level of political relations and keeping some powerful individual soothed.

Rollan appeared in the classic white tunic of the diplomatic corps over the gold, form-fitting leggings, her dark hair descending in loops over her chest and back, and the gold sash of Rurhran draped over the left breast, tied around the middle and floating halfway to the floor.

“If Pillar attends, ye will instruct him nay to give a graphic account of the battle while we dine. Ye might also try to restrict the brew he gulps into his gullet.”

Jarvis raised his eyebrows. “Since when have ye kenned Pillar's ways so well?”

“Since his brawling days at the Flight Academy ere he was tossed out on his backside. That cooled his temper enough that they let him join the Army.”