Return to Went

Chapter 7

Chapter Three

BRIEFING

The room in the Explorers Guild smelled of old wood and stale adventures, but as the team began to arrive there was nothing stale about Huldar’s nerves.

He rearranged his notes again.

Andel’s pulse of reassurance was spiced with a little humor.

Their marriage bond was a wondrous thing, a constant two-way conversation of the mind, but although it had been some weeks since his meeting with Pieru, he still had not shared with her his knowledge of Daric Enna’s past, nor Pieru’s fears.

His reply was a self-deprecating image implying his preference to deal with cyclones or even tectonic upheavals rather than a round of briefings and introductions. Despite everything, he was surprised to sense overtones of excitement in the thread of his sending, and mind itself could not lie – that was what veils and screens were for.

She countered with a vision of the Uri’madu, battered and worn, the last ones standing before a pristine planet still untouched by greed.

And the rest of the host?

Fed to the Went? she suggested.

They’re vegetarian.

We don’t know enough about them …

She paused as the door opened. Casco and Daric gave half-hearted waves.

“I see they’ve recovered from last night,” she said.

Huldar grinned. “Only just, by the look of it.”

“The others aren’t far behind,” Casco said.

True to his word, it was not long before Cobar and Gento sauntered in, followed by Sari, Bush, Topper and Tam. When the Naghari, Alis and Ubaid, arrived, Ubaid studied her with wise eyes, brushed her haze with knowing care and searched the veils beneath.

“Your healing has progressed,” he said.

She nodded. “Since working with you and Alis, things do seem easier.”

“No more nightmares?” Alis asked gently.

Andel shook her head and made a small bow. “Ready for the next challenge.”

“No need for that,” Ubaid smiled. “We are family – remember?” He looked around as if counting heads. “Arko?”

“Still a wee bit delicate after that Tiamäti swill!” joked Bush.

“As if!” Tam retorted. “You’ve forgotten, haven’t you – or maybe it’s your own constitution that’s suffering.” He raised his eyebrows and waited. “With Nachiel and Ronnin, remember …?”

“Oh yes,” Andel said. “A new tea-house in Sirdar?”

“The Beach House,” Tam said. “All done up with an ocean theme. Wonderful seafood in little containers so you can eat wherever you choose – like a little picnic.”

“Any good?” Sari asked him.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Casco said, and gave her a wry smile. “I’ve been working with him.”

“With who?”

“Mirashael of Cantori. Provisioning … and you’d never believe who he’s married.” His mind furnished an image of an archangel with a plain yet sensible face.

“No,” Sari exclaimed. “It can’t be!”

“Yes it is,” he assured her. “Leahät Gok, once wife to a certain Overlord.”

“Really?” said Tam.

“The very same,” Casco assured them. “Chief in charge of catering for the Host.”

“So, may we hope that Duvät Gok has rejoined the Breath?”

“He has.” Casco gave Daric a quick glance. “Justice blown to some, at least.”

“Host?” A suspicious frown formed on Topper’s face. “What Host?”

“Ahh.” Casco nodded. “I’ll leave that for the boss to explain.”

Huldar had been observing Daric Enna during the exchange. There was a certain reticence about him. He was constantly attuned to Casco’s whereabouts, almost as if they were lovers – but Huldar was fairly certain they were not. And that was it, he realised. Fairly certain? Once, he would have known.

You’re just jealous, Andel said.

Huldar sighed. Maybe a little. But concerned was closer to the mark.

He looked around as Nachiel flounced in with Ronnin and Arko close behind. Between them were several trays with rows of small, steaming packages, and above those, heat radiated from the contents of a large brown paper bag.

There was a dash to clear space on a table at the side of the room, then Arko ripped open the bag and a mound of curly-fried kosh spilled out.

“Come and get it!” Nachiel crowed.

The Uri’madu dived in like a pack of hunting zek.

You’d better hurry! Andel said to Huldar.

Not hungry, he replied, but even as the thought left him, Topper approached with a folded-paper bowl of steaming fishy morsels garnished with a fist-full of kosh.

“Here ya go, boss,” he said. “Get your choppers round this lot, eh!”

“Enjoy good eatin while we can, mates.” Bush grinned. “Be downin Tam’s efforts soon enough!”

The spinner’s comradery was impossible to resist, but anxiety still wound tightly in his chest. The majority of the team had yet to find out about Duvät Gok and the Eyes of Bel Nishani, or even the circumstances of their return, and he hated to be the one to tell them. So many things would change.

He’d met the new Overlord, Radätel Gok – pedantic as only a Gok could be, and doubted he’d see his role as a token one. According to Pieru, he’d worked with remote assignments before, but nothing as primitive and isolated as Went. How he would cope remained to be seen – and how would they cope with him coping?

“Uri’madu! Listen up!” The team turned to him in surprise. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover before the others get here, so pay attention.”

“Right you are, boss,” said Bush with a good-humored wink. “We can eat and listen, eh, mates?”

“Others?” Sari echoed.

“Three things,” said Huldar, “then we’ll take time for questions … Firstly, the Imperium has ignored normal protocols regarding Went. Our mission parameters have altered. The major part of this assignment will be to shepherd an advance Host as they set up for several fully functional mining operations.”

The Uri’madu looked at each other. Eating slowed.

“It’s the nacrite, isn’t it?” Tam said dourly.

Huldar held up his hand. “Questions in a moment. Secondly, we’ve been allocated several new team members to help with the pressure: some Lethians, a Rukh, and our Enna here to take Lind’s place in the team. All are experienced and extremely well qualified. They’ll be joining us later this morning and I know you’ll make them welcome. We’ll meet the new Overlord, Radätel Gok, at a special briefing tomorrow. Something to look forward to,” he added wryly.

Daric bowed. “I know of Lind’s death,” he said, “and of the circumstances.” He turned to the others. “I realize I can’t replace her in your hearts, but I hope to be a valuable member for the Uri’madu, just the same.”

Huldar returned his bow. “I’m sure you will be.” He returned to the Uri’madu. “Daric Enna’s not one to sing his own song, so be aware that he is especially gifted with personal screens and knowledgeable about the manipulation of portals. He’s also a more-than-competent charm-singer and comes highly recommended by our Guild-Lord.”

“So what’s the third thing?” Tam asked.

“Now we get to it.” Huldar sighed. “Duvät Gok had a secret – he was more evil than we knew. During our time on Went, somehow he managed to kill some sea-creatures and take their eyes.”

“Their eyes?” The Uri’madu looked at each other. “Real eyes?”

Huldar grimaced. “Yes, it is as gruesome as it sounds,” he said. “The eyes … removed … become gems of immense beauty. Lind discovered what he’d been up to, and that’s what spurred his behavior toward her.”

His friends sat for a moment, faces grey or flushed with shock.

“How did he keep that from us?”

“‘Duvät Gok has eyes’ … her death cry” Sari said hesitantly “… that’s what it meant?”

“That’s what it meant,” Huldar said.

“What it meant …” There were tears on her cheeks. “We thought it was because he’d been watching her.”

“As did I.”

He saw Andel reach for her hand, but hesitate at the last moment. A pulse of self-loathing slipped through her defences and he sent a surge of sympathy. They both knew she would not inadvertently harm anyone, but after the terrible events in the cave on Frith, her psyche had suffered.

“These artefacts, the so-called Eyes of Bel Nishani,” he continued, “have become the property of the Imperium, and it is my deepest concern there will be an attempt to harvest more.”

“Kill more creatures – for their eyes?” Tam said.

“Exactly … except that the creatures won’t necessarily be killed. The eyes make brighter gems if taken while their owners still live,” Huldar said flatly.

The room went silent.

Fried kosh spilled from the bag and skittered to the floor.

As if a screen had been lifted, the uproar began. Huldar stood back and waited. Eventually the din subsided.

Casco glanced at Daric. “I should tell you, there’ll be Ashik among the secondary host.”

“Where did you hear this?” Huldar asked him.

“Haaseen,” Casco replied. “A sort of parting gift from Embar of Rukh.”

Huldar paused to think. If it came from a Rukh, and Casco repeated it, the intelligence was likely to be valid. He gave a nod. At least they’d be prepared. “They’re not listed for the first phase,” he told the others. “I’ll do some checking, see exactly who’s on the manifest for the second. No need to panic just yet. In the meantime, Cobar and Gento, can you please make sure we have capability to defend ourselves – should it come to that?”

The Rukh nodded soberly.

“Weaponry?” Tam scratched his head.

“Ashik?” Sari said. “Why would they send Ashik? The God-Emperor is the protector of the Realm, the direct representative of El. There’s no way he could condone … anything like what you’ve been saying. I don’t believe it.”

“He’s already spurned eons of tradition,” said Tam. “Who knows what else is for the scrap heap?”

“Scrap heap?” Sari echoed. “I’m not so silly that I can’t see there might be problems. And if there’s a risk of permanent damage we’ll have to … to go against them. I can see that. But …”

Her eyes searched Huldar’s face. He wished he could tell her it wasn’t true. “Peace, Sari,” he soothed. “I will find out what I can, and remember, we won’t be alone. There are four new team members besides Daric Enna. We’ll meet them a little later on. Also, the navigator and her spinners will be remaining with us for the duration; they’ve also been assigned to us.”

“What about the new Overlord?” Tam asked. “Have you met him? What’s his stance likely to be – us or them?”

“I have met Radätel Gok.” Huldar pictured their new Overlord’s craggy face. He was tall and lean with a gravelly tone. “There’s more depth to him than there was to Duvät … but he is a Gok. You’ll have time enough to make up your own minds. And as to his loyalty? One can only hope at this stage.”

Bush nudged his brother. “Jolly times ahead to be sure!” He threw a twist of kosh in the air, caught it in his mouth and crunched down with relish.

“Kisha’s favorite,” Daric muttered.

Casco gave a gentle smile and reached for a handful also.

Huldar saw the smile pass between them and wondered who Kisha was, then a saying came to him – Breath gives time its voice … he could almost hear it on Inshogi’s lips. He let go his regret and let pride tighten his chest. The Uri’madu had taken the changes in their stride, as if new Overlords and greedy miners were everyday occurrences. He only hoped their new members would come to feel as confident.