02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
"Get through the Arch, you bloody young food - and stay there!"
He accompanied the order with a ferocious glare. The young black cloak
complied unhappily. Kane stripped off his Kous and stood in the frame of the Arch.
Nuraghe hovered expectantly behind him. Kane stood and waited for a group of six
grey cloaks to pull up before him. They eyed him warily and then glanced down at the
black cloak. One made a move, the sight of the hated enemy garment was enough to
dispel caution. Kane lifted his hand and pointed his finger. The rider stopped,
memories of what had happened to Obeid were still recent.
"What do you want with Quetzal?"
He stared back at him, not sure what to do next. His troop moved restlessly,
Kane gave them the benefit of a direct look, it was enough to make them still.
"Tell Obeid and Hammadi to come here in five thousand heartbeats. Tell them
to come without weapons. Now, go!"
For a moment, he wondered if they were going to call his bluff. The results
might have been unpredictable if they had. The pointing finger made them think better
of it. The first one raised his hand in a kind of salute and the troop followed him back
along the sand in the direction from which they had come. Kane breathed a slow sigh
of relief.
Nuraghe started to babble congratulations. Kane cut him short.
"Go back to Eridos and tell him the same thing. Then, lead the Picun carrying
the Bole very carefully. I'm sure you will be very careful, won't you?"
He nodded glumly, Kane could see that he wasn't enthused about either part of
his errand.
"Tell Eridos that I will not camp with him whilst he has thoughts of the
Division and the Enmity. Tell him that Quetzal is for all of the People of the Ship, not
for one side or the other. Tell him that Quetzal camps in the Arch. It belongs to the
Masters of Psi."
Quetzal had come to the surface. He watched Nuraghe trudging back the short
distance to Eridos' camp. He felt no sorrow for him. Eridos had used him as his spy
and a spy had to take the consequences of his actions. He hoped Eridos wouldn't be
unwise enough to try to hold the Bole as a hostage. The Bole would react predictably.
He replaced his cloak, the heat was getting to him, even though he was in the
limited shade of the Arch. Nuraghe took his time to return, Kane began to think that
Eridos had succumbed to rashness. He saw the young man approaching over the rise,
leading a Picun on a very long halter. No one followed him.
"Eridos will be here. He told me to tell you that he will be delighted to meet
his cousin and his cousin's nephew. He will not be armed."
Kane relaxed slightly, Eridos' response had not been provocative. He turned to
the Picun and off loaded the Bole.
"You'd better go back to the camp, Nuraghe."
The youngster's face dropped.
"I'm thinking of your future. You have to live with your people. Very soon, I'll
be gone and so will Eridos! I'm trying to make it easier for you."
His eyes widened at the reference to Eridos. He breathed.
"Eridos goes with you?"
Kane nodded.
"It's your decision - You can stay if you wish."
It wasn't the most gracious invitation but it was accepted. Kane addressed the
Bole.
"Status."
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