02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
"Just beyond the hill, you can see it from the sand line."
As he had suspected, he was equidistant from each camp. Kane felt like the
meat in the sandwich.
"When will he ride?"
"When he's over the worst of the mauling he got from the Krain. It won't be
long, perhaps a little more than one of your sleeps."
Nuraghe blurted out.
"I'm going to warn Eridos!"
"And get your Gens fired up, I suppose?"
"He must be warned!"
Kane was saved the bother of arguing. Other forces intervened. They were
flung from their feet by one of the most violent earth tremors he had experienced
whilst on Jubal. For a moment, he thought the Arch might shatter. There was a further
succession of jolts but their strength diminished. When it was over, Kane looked up at
the Arch, it was still standing and little had been shaken loose. Hammadi's Picun had
taken off in fright. Nuraghe was missing. He spied his distant back striding
purposefully towards the rise which hid Eridos' camp from him. Kane swore luridly, it
was all he needed! He turned to Hammadi.
"I suppose you want to go back to your camp?"
He shook his head.
"I would like to stay a while - not to talk, unless you wish it. I want to sit with
you, my father. I want to sit in peace, I think it will be for the last time. It will be
something to remember when the Ship moves between the stars. I don't believe that
even Quetzal can separate two enemies as bitter as Obeid and Eridos. In a short time
there will be the last battle. I will ride with the grey cloaks and Nuraghe will ride with
the black cloaks. Perhaps, we will fight and one of us will die. Many will die in the
battle, but as long as Obeid and Eridos both live, the battle will continue. These are
things which weigh on my heart, I don't want to think of them. Let us not talk of
battle, my father - let us sit in peace."
Kane put his arm around his shoulder and felt like weeping - but Quetzal
doesn't weep, he cannot afford the luxury. It was quiet, even the ground was still. The
old expression came into his mind. This was the calm before the storm. Jubal was
waiting for the last act in her drama to be fulfilled. It was like the gathering of
strength for the last breath of life. The ocean lapped quietly and high above, the black,
silent wings of the Sentinels continued to pulse slowly, as, distant from one another,
but still One in their Flock Mind, they continued in their determined path.
Suddenly, Kane understood. His task was not finished with the departure of
the Ship. The forthcoming battle between the forces of Obeid and Eridos, was not the
final act. Even the departure of the Ship with the survivors, was only another event in
what was to unfold. The People of the Ship were not the only sentient beings on Jubal.
Quetzal would also save his Flock!
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