02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
Kane managed to whisper.
"Go in peace, my son!"
Kane watched him as he walked through the sand towards the line of Schwarm
brush, which marked the ridge beyond which was a camp preparing for war. It was
nearly on this spot that they had first met. It seemed an eternity had elapsed but it was
only a matter of a few weeks in his measurement. Kane watched him until he was out
of sight. He was tall and supple, a man, four thousand years old but with the body and
the sentiments of a twenty year old.
Kane didn't fear for his son. He knew that he had correctly predicted his
destiny. He wouldn't fall in the battle that was almost certain to take place. Hammadi
vanished into the scented Schwarm and he was left alone with the Bole. The Ship
would come soon. In the meantime, the battle would take place. Hammadi would soon
be in the midst of the preparations for war in Obeid's camp. Nuraghe was already
filling Eridos' ears with what he had heard, Kane wondered if he would still come to
the Arch.
Kane slumped down again and stretched out. He was too alert and watchful to
sleep. The ocean lapped against the rock of the Arch, it was deceptively peaceful. The
red star flared out its substance towards its hidden companion. The planet was bathed
in a lurid, flickering glare. From the direction Nuraghe had taken, came a solitary,
black cloaked, unmistakable figure. Kane spoke a quiet command.
"Take no action - no matter what he does!"
He didn't rise as Eridos entered the Arch and stood over him. They stared at
each other without greeting. Eridos broke the silence.
"I've come to put an end to our feud."
"There are many ways of doing that. What do you have in mind?"
Eridos allowed the flicker of a bleak smile.
"During the long days I have waited for you, I would have given an immediate
answer to that question."
"And now?"
"Now - you have robbed me of my vengeance and my victory."
"By giving you your son?"
Eridos moved restlessly and then sat on the sand beside him.
"You can't give me what I can't possess. Hammadi hates me and always will!
Obeid did his job well!"
"Why are you here, Eridos? You must know what Nuraghe has told you. Obeid
is preparing for an attack. He could come over the dunes at any second."
Eridos stirred the sand with one finger.
"I have listened to what Nuraghe had to say. It seems we owe our son a vote of
thanks for telling us Obeid's plans."
Kane ignored the implications of the plural fatherhood.
"And your son, Nuraghe showed his loyalty to you by carrying the message."
"Ah! So, Nuraghe claims me for a father? I suppose it is always possible. I
have fathered many sons - no doubt you can say the same? One has a tendency to lose
count after a while. What's another bastard more or less?"
Kane nodded quietly.
"I agree. Bastards are to be found in every walk of life and in every
generation!"
Eridos' smile increased a little.
"Does it trouble you that I consider bastards to be cheap and that I haven't
accepted Nuraghe as my son?"
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