02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
"Integrity."
Nuraghe went pale. He hadn't been present when the Bole had scorched his
five companions at the Crag Cavern.
"Full alert."
"In full retaliatory mode."
Nuraghe retreated to the furthest point he could find. It wasn't easy, there
wasn't a great deal of room in the Arch. He kept Kane between himself and the metal
cube. He was happy when he was given another task.
"I want you to take the Picun back to the camp and escort Eridos."
"He doesn't need escorting!"
"Do as I say! You'll even up the numbers. Obeid will come with Hammadi, it
will be a sign of equality if Eridos had a companion as well. And Nuraghe - make sure
you leave your sword with the Picun!"
He looked even more unhappy but he nodded agreement. Kane watched him
disappear over the ridge. He began to feel the heat, despite the Kous and realised it
was the building tension. The better part of another hour passed and then the Bole
sounded a warning.
"Two figures approaching from the direction of the Hammadi Encampment."
Kane wondered if the Bole knew something he didn't about the status of the
leadership of the Gens Obeid. Two men emerged from the heat shimmer, at first, they
were like insubstantial phantoms. Two were visible, but they could well have had an
army hidden beyond the dunes.
"Two figures are approaching from the Eridos Encampment."
They too, seemed to be alone. They too might have arranged a little backup.
Kane sighed, it was going to be a difficult interview. It was either perfect timing, or
sheer coincidence, but all four men reached the Arch at precisely the same moment.
Hammadi looked equally unhappy. Kane stared into Obeid's face, his return stare was
icy. His voice was as cold.
"I see you choose to show your true allegiance, Quetzal. The dress of the
enemy suits you!"
"Would you prefer I go naked?"
"In preference to that - yes!"
Kane untied the throat knot and allowed the black cloak to drop. Eridos
purred.
"Is that the extent of my cousin's intelligence? He measures a man by the
cloak he wears? I commiserate with you, Quetzal. You appear to have a bad choice of
friends."
Obeid responded bitterly.
"I never knew that the Predator had a voice! I thought it was all arms and
tentacles and slime. I wasn't told about the voice!"
It was not a good start. Eridos ignored Obeid, he turned to Hammadi.
"And how is my cousin's nephew?"
Kane looked at him sharply, just for an instant there was a hint of human
emotion on his face. It might have been the flickering light of the flaring star - in a
second, it was gone.
"I am well, my uncle's cousin!"
Kane felt a surge of emotion. He hadn't called him 'father'! It was time to
interpose.
"If the greetings and insults are at an end, it is time for decisions."
Obeid growled.
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