02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
Ajanta. Meet your brother, Hammadi - embrace him! Eridos has not declared him to
be his son - but he is!"
Hammadi continued to stare at Kane, long after he had finished speaking.
Kane felt as if he had kicked him in the face. Hammadi's pain blazed out of his eyes.
It demanded that things said must be retracted. Kane kept his mouth clamped shut in a
thin snarl. He let his own pain show a little, it was the most he could allow. Hammadi
turned to Nuraghe. They stared at each other, assessing, debating. Without putting too
fine a point on it, it was probably one of the most critical meetings in the history of
their race.
"Quetzal talks of me leading the people and commanding the Ship. What do
you say?"
Nuraghe shrugged slightly.
"I'm not one of the leaders of my Gens. I ask the question, how will Eridos and
Obeid be persuaded?"
Kane interjected.
"Eridos is bound to me and the Masters of Psi. Like me, he isn't master of his
own destiny. He will leave Jubal with me in five days. He has no choice but to obey
and whether he tries to resist, or whether he agrees, is of no consequence. As for
Obeid, I cannot answer. I am certain that he will not be allowed to obstruct the will of
the Masters."
Hammadi answered softly.
"Then, my father, you might have to kill him!"
"If necessary - yes!"
Nuraghe retreated a step.
"I can't believe this conversation is happening. Just listening to it is as good as
treachery to our lords."
Hammadi reached out tentatively.
"When you know Quetzal, brother - you know he is serious."
He thrust out his hand in greeting. Nuraghe eyed it and after a moment's
hesitation, responded. Kane let the air rattle out of his lungs. He had a bad habit of
holding his breath when under stress. They weren't exactly falling around each other's
next in an expression of brotherly affection - but it was a start.
Hammadi turned to Kane.
"I came to tell you that Obeid will not come here again. He is preparing for
war!"
Nuraghe jumped back like a startled Picun.
"Steady, boy. Hammadi didn't say that he agreed with the idea."
Hammadi continued.
"Obeid is wild with jealousy and anger. My mother has been talking to him,
Quetzal. She told him what took place between you. Obeid has sworn to kill you if he
has half the chance and he's determined to take the Ship by force and make sure that
the black cloaks remain here to be destroyed. There's enough hotheads among the
people to follow him. I came to warn you to move from the Arch, my father. Obeid is
going to come after you first. He is determined to kill you and destroy the machine, no
matter how many get killed doing so. Then, he will sweep on and meet the forces of
Eridos!"
Kane couldn't hold Nuraghe any longer, he jumped forward with drawn sword.
Kane bellowed.
"Sit down, you bloody, young fool! What do you think you're going to gain by
killing the messenger? Hammadi, where is your camp?"
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