02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
Kane shook his head.
"I am not destined to die on Jubal, Dagh. It was necessary for them to find me
alone. I gave them a message for Eridos. It was the will of those who must be
obeyed."
They fell silent and then caught up with his wandering Picun. They made their
way back to the caverns at a slow pace. Kane had had enough of the great outdoors.
He looked up at the red star and its increasing prominence. He had the feeling that
there was a lot of hard riding to be done in its heat, before he was much older.
It was good to be back in the coolness of the flare-lit caverns. He was almost
willing to ignore the constant tremors and trickles of dust which shook down from the
walls and roof. He was shaking from reaction but he didn't let Hammadi see it. Soon
after, Nijah brought them food. For once, Kane didn't have much of an appetite. He
picked at it and listened to Hammadi's casual question.
"Are the other visitors still here, Nijah?
"No, Lord Hammadi. They left in great haste, when they realised that you had
also left."
"They followed us?"
"It is possible, Lord."
Kane interjected.
"Were they wearing Black Kous?"
There was an awkward silence. Hammadi said softly.
"In the Community of the Wraiths, one is not measured by the colour of the
cloak, my father. This is neutral ground, all men of Jubal may come here without fear
of the Enmity. This is one of the few Places of Sanctuary."
Nijah looked pathetically relieved that he had not been called upon to provide
the information. Kane answered abruptly.
"You must remember that I have no memory of your customs."
There was another silence. His lack of memory was another embarrassment. It
wouldn't get better, he would meet people who would know him from four thousand
years in the past. He would have formed relationships with them, perhaps intimate
ones - and he would not remember. The meeting he dreaded most was with Ajanta. He
asked the inevitable question.
"When will I meet the Tepe Obeid - and the Tene Ajanta?"
Hammadi brightened up.
"As soon as my father wishes to make the journey. It will take two of your
alert periods to reach the Encampment."
The ball was in his court. All he had to do was to give the word and the next
links in the chain would be forged. He had no reason to delay - except for his dread of
meeting the woman who had mothered his son and whom he had deserted four
thousand years earlier.
"We will start after the next rest period."
The three young men brightened up considerably. It was good to please
somebody. Kane had hoped for an early night, it was not to be. Urartu wished to
receive him once again. No doubt, word had been carried to him that the Lord of the
Flock was about to depart from the Crag Caverns.
The Master of Dreams greeted him with deference and gestured to the pile of
hides across the brazier. As always, it took time for him to express the reason for the
interview.
"My Lord of the Flock is destined to seek out his Brother of the Cloak and his
sister, the fair Ajanta."
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