02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
His legs were sagging with weariness, he collapsed on to his bedding and
succumbed to exhaustion. He was confident that he wouldn't be disturbed. The Bole
was the ultimate deterrent and its reputation had preceded it. Kane discovered on the
next day, that Nuraghe was the only one who had the courage to approach him. He
appeared with breakfast, at the precise moment when Kane thought he had been
forgotten.
"Intruder approaching, prepared for action."
"Be quiet, you bloody fool! Unless you want me to starve to death!"
Nuraghe poked a wary head into the tent and eyed the Bole speculatively.
Kane beckoned him in.
"My Lord Eridos has instructed me to care for you."
"Thank my Lord Eridos for his generosity."
It sounded a contradiction in terms. In all likelihood, Eridos wanted to keep a
close eye on him. Nuraghe was informative.
"In one more of your sleeps, we must break camp. The herd is already far
ahead of us and it is time to move closer. One can never tell if Obeid's Shartas will
attack the try to steal them! The Lord Eridos is going to give a great feast - in
celebration of the high honour of your visit! He has said that it has the purpose of
recognising the coming of such a distinguished visitor from the High Lords of Psi!
Kane could almost hear the lacing of sarcasm Eridos would have infused into
his comment.
"He is most generous when he honours Quetzal and the Masters of Psi."
Nuraghe's eyes were wide with interest.
"We know so little of the Masters. We never speak of them! Will you show
them to us?"
"It isn't possible, Nuraghe. They are unknowable except when it is their will to
manifest themselves - in the way that I now manifest myself!"
His eyes dropped.
"Of course, Lord Quetzal - I should not have asked."
"You are always permitted to ask, Nuraghe - but you will not always be
answered. I will tell you this. The Masters of Psi do not have a physical form, that is
why it is not possible for me to show them to you. Under normal circumstances, they
have no need to reveal themselves in a finite shape, but occasionally, when it fits their
purpose, they take the body of a man and merge together with him. This they have
done in my person. I am Kane Ashford, I was born on the planet Mars and have lived
the life of a man. I am also Quetzal, who is one with the Masters and who has entered
into the physical form of Kane Ashford. Sometimes I am a weak human being, at
other times I manifest the power and authority of those who must be obeyed. Tell this
to Eridos and let him know that he has need to be cautious!"
Nuraghe's eyes were like saucers. He licked his lips nervously. He nodded and
made a hasty exit from the tent. Quetzal smiled and subsided back into his inner
resting place. Eridos would be cautious, or he would suffer the consequences.
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