02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
which told him that there was something obscene in coupling with a woman who had
an over seven and a half thousand year old edge in experience. How many, he
wondered, was he being compared to?
When the time came that he had to leave her, she protested lazily. After so
long, did he have to leave so quickly? Wasn't he able to sustain his potency? Couldn't
he manage to satisfy a woman anymore? It had been different before Hammadi had
been born - then, he had been more of a man. She impugned his virility and manliness
with sly mockery. The sensual man was goaded into proving otherwise and his
departure was delayed longer.
Eventually, she let him go and watched as he pulled his tunic over his head
and swung the Kous across his shoulders. She didn't attempt to dress, laying on the
couch as he had left her. He didn't say anything, as he lifted the tent flap and left.
He stood for a moment and breathed the hot, dusty air. He felt unclean - used.
It had never felt like that before when he had left a woman - even when he had left a
whore. On those occasions, it had been functional, a business proposition, a
satisfaction of the appetite. This had been different, he felt punished. Ajanta had set
out to punish him for the long millennia of neglect, for Hara and Maia and the others.
He walked back to his tent.
He ignored the pointed stares of the three young men who waited for him. He
tossed his tunic to one side and remained shrouded in the Kous. Dagh and Motya had
joined Hammadi. They knew what had happened, either that, or they were still wet
behind the ears. He said brusquely.
"I'm glad to see that you're still with me."
They said nothing but eyed him uncomfortably.
"It would not have been an easy decision - to remain loyal to me, despite all
I've done."
Hammadi's face was wooden, Kane stared at him, mentally urging him to say
what was on his mind.
"Obeid is recovering from his - injury. The others injured by the Bole, are also
making progress. We have just buried the one who was killed. He was two and a half
days old."
There was a wealth of suppressed accusation and hostility in his voice. The
inner man surged to the surface, Quetzal's response was harsh.
"When you are a leader, you have to expect casualties. You are to be the leader
of your people very soon, Hammadi. Not only those within this Encampment, but also
those within the Encampment of Eridos. You had better start thinking and acting like a
leader and not a child! For a man of two days, it is surprising that you haven't learned
some of the hard facts of life. When a man is attacked, he will defend himself with
whatever means are available. The Bole defends me, because it is a machine which is
designed to defend its master. It would kill you all if you were unwise enough to
attack me. The fact that you are my son would not save you!
What happened to Obeid is another matter. His injuries are due to his audacity
in trying to stand against the will of those who are the Masters. They will be obeyed,
Obeid is not permitted to defy them. In the complexity of their plan they have
designated Eridos to be one of my Companions of the Image. They take no notice of
your private wars on Jubal. Their purpose is far superior to your petty squabbles!"
Hammadi had gone pale, whilst Dagh and Motya had that gaping look, which
meant that their ears were open to matters usually reserved for their betters. Kane
surfaced and sighed mentally, he had, without a doubt, lowered Hammadi's prestige in
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