02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
red star behind them and they cast long shadows ahead of the Picun. The heat haze
made the images dance and it unsettled them. Kane's mount became skittish, Dagh
grabbed his bridle and managed to control Kane's mount as well as his own.
They travelled in a sweeping circle whose epicentre was where they judged
the egg-womb to be located. Kane would like to have seen it. He bowed to the
wisdom of his escort and their determination not to offend the 'ancient one'. A
complication arose before they could complete their semicircular detour. They were
now facing the star and the Picun were noticeably quieter. Hammadi held up his hand
and they halted.
"Myrc."
It sounded like a touch of indigestion.
"Myrc - as my Lord Quetzal is aware - is unforgiving. We must ensure that we
do not touch the Myrc plant with any part of our flesh."
Kane wasn't aware but he nodded. He was prepared to cover anything
suggested. They moved forward in a cautious single file. Hammadi was first, then
Kane and then Dagh. Motya brought up the rear, leading the spare Picun. Above the
noise of the wind which blew off the ocean, there was a harsher sound. The Schwarm
foliage had given way to something more silvery. It didn't move like the Schwarm. It
was rigid, almost petrified - yet, it was living. Like the Schwarm, it grew from a
single stem, but there were no leaves or gourds - it was all branches and twigs. There
were a few gnarled shapes on the branches, which might have been seedcases. In its
own way, it was very beautiful.
They moved into the paths between it cautiously. Kane followed Hammadi's
example and shrouded himself within the Kous. The Picun laid back their ears, they
didn't like it. Kane prayed that they didn't take fright, he would have no hope of
controlling an animal with ideas of its own. He assumed the plant was poisonous. The
wind gusted a little and two of the branches ahead of Hammadi shattered together.
There was a scintillation of lights, as the crystal structures fell to the ground.
Eventually, they emerged into the safer Schwarm. Hammadi halted and
allowed the Picun to graze.
"I've seen the unwary torn to shreds by a reckless ride through a Myrc forest."
"They must be almost pure silica."
His escort looked doubtful.
"Are they put to any use?"
Dagh answered.
"Without the Myrc, the ancient ones would never be able to renew. How
wonderfully have not the Masters of All, provided?"
It looked as if they had a homespun philosopher in their midst. His
companions nodded in solemn agreement. Kane changed the subject.
"When do you intend to camp?"
Hammadi looked startled.
"To camp, my father?"
"I'm getting tired, Hammadi!"
"Tired, Lord Quetzal?"
"Yes, tired! Also hungry - and my backside is numb!"
Hammadi looked at his two companions.
"As my Lord wishes. We have food if my Lord wishes to pause - "
"I do - for at least twelve hours."
"We do not understand the word hours, Lord Quetzal."
"What do your people call the divisions of the day?"
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