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QUETZAL'S FLOCK<br />
Surely, during the thousand years, he hadn't lived like a monk. Nuraghe<br />
flushed and nodded.<br />
"I have found a mate. We have had children."<br />
Kane nodded and clapped him on the shoulder.<br />
"A man should have children. You should be with your family now."<br />
He shook his head.<br />
"I have been made responsible for you by the Tepe Eridos."<br />
Kane stared at him.<br />
"He must hold you in very high regard."<br />
"I hope so, Lord Quetzal. The Tepe Eridos is my father!"<br />
Kane's eyes widened. Nuraghe continued with some bitterness.<br />
"It isn't a great asset to be Eridos' bastard! I'm one of many - it's the way of our<br />
people."<br />
The conversation lapsed for the want of anything constructive to say. There<br />
was one of those long drawn out embarrassed silences. Nuraghe broke it.<br />
"The Tepe Eridos has told me to tell you that he will rest and then come here<br />
again."<br />
Kane nodded and hoped his Companion of the Image would come in a more<br />
conciliatory frame of mind. He was still no closer to bringing about a status of<br />
peaceful coexistence between the two arms of the people of the Ship. The river of<br />
hatred ran very deep in the leaders of both sides. They were like old war horses,<br />
scenting the smell of battle. Four thousand years of hatred was a formidable barrier.<br />
Nuraghe jumped to his feet, his hand already reaching for his sword. A rider<br />
was approaching from the direction of the other camp. Kane knew the figure too well,<br />
there was no mistaking Hammadi.<br />
"Relax, Nuraghe. Your brother comes in peace!"<br />
The inner man was beginning to assert himself, a germ of an idea was forming<br />
which might solve their problems. Nuraghe glared from Hammadi to Kane.<br />
"Is it really so? Could this grey cloak really be my brother?"<br />
"Eridos has acknowledged him as his son."<br />
"I heard him! I didn't believe it! If you say that it is true - then I have to<br />
believe it."<br />
"It is true!"<br />
Hammadi dismounted, apparently not as nervous as his half brother. He<br />
looked casually unconcerned and nodded a greeting to Nuraghe. Kane felt quite<br />
detached - an onlooker watching the scene. It was as if he was watching a play and he<br />
wasn't part of the action. Quetzal was coming to the surface, smothering the tension<br />
and the stress brought about by the denial that Hammadi was his son. It had been nice<br />
whilst it had lasted, but now it was over.<br />
"I greet you, my father!"<br />
"I am not your father, Hammadi! Your father has acknowledged you and it is<br />
as it should be. Eridos has claimed you as his son!"<br />
Hammadi ignored Nuraghe, the pain was obvious in his eyes. He whispered<br />
defiantly.<br />
"You are my father! You, Quetzal, Kane Ashford, gave me life - not Eridos! I<br />
will not accept him as my father!"<br />
Quetzal came to the fore - he was rough.<br />
"It is not for you to accept or decline! The Masters of Psi have decreed that<br />
you will be the next Leader of the reunited People of the Ship. It will be you, who<br />
takes the Ship away from Jubal. It is your destiny, as the son of Eridos and the son of<br />
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