Sergun's Mission Read online

  ‘The great general has been tamed?’ Kall teased.

  ‘Only in love. In combat, I feel my fury is still inside me.’ Sergun said. ‘I don’t know if it’ll ever hideaway for good.’

  ‘These girls are among the finest which can be found. They’re well paid and clean. Any hair colour you like, any age apart from juveniles. Whatever you enjoy you can have. I promise not to tell your wife.’

  ‘I’ve been faithful to Sharis since we married and in my life now I value loyalty higher than such pleasure.’

  Kall nodded. ‘I apologise for my soldier’s ways. If you prefer to drink with me tonight I won’t go.’

  ‘I’m not your conscience.’

  They changed the subject and contemplated the mission ahead before reminiscing about their fighting together. That night he slept and thought of Sharis alone in her bed while he lay alone already several days away and for how many more? But duty must come first. If he succeeded they would be rewarded. He didn’t consider failure; how hard would it be to track one girl?

  The following day Sergun attended a meeting with Kall and Captain Terril, presided by senior General Toleda. They were permitted entry to a large room on the ground floor of the officer’s mansion. There was a large polished wooden table with places for many to sit than were present. All but Sergun were dressed in military uniforms. Toleda greeted them all. He was a strongly built man of over fifty with a puffy face, red cheeks and receding hairline. Captain Terril was to lead the men following instructions from Sergun and Kall. The Captain was a tall, strong looking figure with a serious expression, jutting chin, blue eyes and dark hair to his ears.

  Toledo bought out a map of the areas to the north of Tharne and pointed well to the east of Edge City as the last known place Jannesse was going to.

  ‘What were they doing in those lands?’ asked Sergun.

  ‘I’m not privy to such information.’

  ‘Did they have guards with them?’

  ‘Of course but it wasn’t a military operation; less than twenty soldiers with them. They should have been home sixteen days ago or at least have sent a message.’

  ‘This area is Raider territory, why do we go to the Keratha capital?’ Kall asked.

  ‘Raider bands operating there sell slaves to the Keratha. We have information she was sold to them.’

  Toledo would not reveal how the information was known. Sergun wondered if it was a trap but if so there was no need for such a ruse. If Jannesse wasn’t in the claws of the Keratha then she might be anywhere within the southern Raider lands, an area which would take them many days to explore. If she had been moved beyond the southern areas then she was likely lost to all but a large army and Sergun was sure the government wasn’t willing to risk so many lives for one.

  ‘This is an unusual mission I admit. The aliens have not shown any hostility towards us in a long time. If they have Jannesse they’ll sell her to you,’ Toledo said. ‘If the girl has been killed then we don’t expect you to take revenge on them.’

  The senior General explained the numbers of men accompanying them and answered questions before he departed.

  ‘How do you feel about going so far north?’ Sergun asked Terril.

  The Captain smiled and replied, ‘I like an adventure, sir.’

  ‘This isn’t a punishment for lack of duty then?’

  The Captain frowned slightly and replied, ‘no Sir! I have an excellent record. It’s my privilege to go north.’

  ‘Well, don’t go killing any Keratha unless we give the order,’ Kall said. ‘We’ll inspect the men this afternoon and leave early tomorrow. You may leave us now.’

  Captain Terril closed the door, leaving the Generals alone. Sergun stood looking at Kall. ‘So, a mystery of information; at least we can come back if the poor girl is dead. The Captain looks tough.’

  ‘He’s a good man.’

  ‘Has he experienced real combat?’

  ‘He’s helped put down rebellions in the east.’

  Sergun agreed it was better than no experience.

  The party formed to enter the Keratha territory wasn’t entirely pleasing to Sergun. He would only have been truly happy if most of the northern army of Tharne was accompanying them. Instead, besides General Kall, Captain Terril and their bodyguards, the escort was twenty riders and four bodyguards for junior Minister Shilhard and his youngest lad who was coming with them. Sergun thought the boy was attending because either his father wanted him dead or to terrify him. When his own son grew up he would never send him to the Keratha lands. Humans and the alien species were best kept apart. They were taking a supply wagon with them which meant they weren’t going to have to hunt for food. He asked Kall why they were travelling with them.

  ‘Because the last time they wanted to meet a champion of ours. This time they want to meet one of our leaders.’

  ‘They might be disappointed at how unlike a warrior one of our leaders is.’

  Kall assured him each of the soldiers coming with them was specially selected for bravery and skill. They were going to be escorted by the best soldiers Edge City could provide. Sergun’s horse was replaced by one of the army’s. He was given the latest steel armour breastplate, a General’s strong helmet, and a bodyguard. He took the horse for a ride and found it had been well trained and was obedient. There would be forty people travelling, with only three non-fighting passengers – the Minister, his son and a doctor. He was confident against any encroaching Raiders they would be able to defeat easily enough since this far south at this time of year the main bands never came. If the Keratha became nasty on their own territory and in their own city then having a thousand extra men wouldn’t do anything but prolong their deaths for a short while. He hoped they could trust them this time.

  4. Land of the Keratha

  They passed over the large swing bridge early in the morning and there was a small ceremony in honour of their expedition with only military personnel present and the head of Edge City’s army. There were no traders or other people wishing to travel further north. The Minister and his son were hidden in the second wagon with the doctor. Heading out to the north made an impression on everyone. Looking back to the enormous walls of Edge City and the towers was a warm feeling of comfort and power. The sun was a large dull red ball in the sky, clouds covered much of the western skies but ahead it was clear, and the air smelt fresh and clean. For the first hour when they looked back the powerful city was still visible and they knew at a gallop they would be back inside a short time. To the right lay the Dark Mountain Range with their snow-capped peaks. Later in the morning as they descended into a valley the great city was out of sight and everyone knew they were too far away to reach it quickly. The absence of visible life but for a few birds was a sign what lay ahead wasn’t inhabited by humans. There were no villages or isolated farms to be seen or other travellers. A scout went ahead but there was little fear of Raiders inside Keratha territory. The aliens were predatory meat eaters. They built areas where they honed their instincts and hunted as their ancestors did. They regulated their population to keep out the impure and cripples. It was known they also hunted captive humans at times. The extent of this had never been established. The Keratha were the intelligent monsters of the world and human children were told stories of their cruelty to warn them what happened to those who strayed or disobeyed.

  The men wore the grey battle uniform of Tharne and were now fully armed with swords, spears, quivers of arrows and a bow, while for defence they wore steel helmets, breastplate covers and carried shields.

  They rested just after the sun was at its peak in the shade of leafy trees. They set guards and broke out rations. There was an air of expectancy and trepidation. The Minister’s bodyguards stayed close to the wagon. Sergun’s bodyguard was a taciturn person. Pledged to defend Sergun’s life above all else. It was like he had a live shadow.

  ‘One day I hope we come back with many divisions of troops and crush them once and for all,’ Kall said as they r
ode in the afternoon.

  ‘I cannot imagine the day. We lack the strength to fight them in such numbers with our borders so extended and Raiders to the northeast.’ Sergun replied. ‘They have the technology we lack.’

  ‘Tharne grows stronger than any other power on this land. We should not fear the Keratha for long and with our new cannons we’ll smash their defences.’

  Sergun thought cannons had their place but they were too slow to transport, too heavy and only effective in fixed positions. Cavalry ruled the battlefield. Tharne horsemen were second only to the best Galls. The Keratha, however, used powerful weapons; poison they fired into the air and flame torches which burnt anything in their path, as well as being ferocious and deadly fighters in combat.

  They made camp on open land as there was concern in the forests the Keratha might sneak upon them. They set guards but were not large enough in number to dig a trench around their camp or erect good defences. Captain Terril reported to them all was quiet and took one drink with them.

  The Minister wanted no contact with Sergun. Kall and Sergun shared the same tent which was large enough to stand up in and there was a portable table for them as well as sleeping bags.

  ‘You’re one of the few humans to have travelled to the capital of the Keratha and return. How do you feel about going back?’ Kall asked.

  Sergun felt he could be candid in front of Kall. ‘The sooner we find the girl and get away from them the better. The Galls I like, I miss some of them; they have humour, honour and great courage. The Keratha I wouldn’t miss if they all disappeared.’

  ‘No horse shit from General Sergun.’

  Sergun stared at Kall. ‘I wish it was the Raiders who held her. I’d rather face a hundred of them than twenty aliens.’

  ‘You make them sound like monsters. You’ll use them to scare your children when they grow up.’

  ‘I’m sure most parents use them to scare their children. Them or whipmen, swamp lions and giant Galls. You wait until you see them tomorrow. Be on your guard. They tried to kill me last time; sent an assassin to finish me as I slept.’

  Kall took out his sword and began sharpening the blade. ‘There’s a young lady who wants to marry me, so I’m going back home.’

  ‘Remember to strike them in between their armour if attacked or go for their eyes.’

  ‘They’d be mad to attack us with even a junior Minister coming along. It would surely mean war. They have no desire to provoke that surely?’

  Sergun said nothing and saw Kall’s expression of discomfort. It was before Sergun was born when the last wars were fought between humans and the Keratha. They were savage times with numerous villages, towns and cities laid waste by the enemy creatures.

  ‘How about my handgun?’ Kall asked, taking the heavy looking black metal barrelled weapon with a dark wood grip from inside his coat. ‘More reliable than the previous models. Effective range increased.’

  There had been a fashion for such weapons among the wealthiest officers while Sergun was in the army. He noticed only the officers and bodyguards carried them. Few civilians were permitted to own them. ‘Against a Keratha it’ll be useless.’

  ‘They’re for emergencies. Too cumbersome to reload in time but as a short-range shock weapon against a person they’re excellent.’

  ‘These heavier shields defend against the balls the handguns fire I was told.’

  ‘They should do but I don’t expect we’ll meet many Raiders with such weapons and they wouldn’t stop a Keratha flame cannon!’ Kall said.

  ‘True, but they’re sporting enough to save their heavy weapons for large-scale combat or sieges.’

  ‘You should carry a handgun; it’s an extra layer of defence and offence.’

  ‘I’ve a fine rifle at home, personally made for me by Lord Chromosol. I’ve used it to great effect but it feels like cheating and I prefer the bow.’

  ‘I know what you mean.’

  Sergun nodded. ‘If I see handguns being used in battle to our advantage then I shall carry one,’ He examined the pistol Kall handed him. ‘It looks well made.’

  ‘I’ve practised with it many times, but I’ve not yet fired it in combat.’

  While Sergun now felt relaxed in the company of Kall, he sensed a distance between him and the men. He doubted he would ride with them for long enough to earn their respect. Kall was a man from his past. He was confident and physically fit. Sending the Generals at the head of a mission was symbolic, and showed respect to the Keratha rulers.

  They set off early in the morning, the banner of Tharne flying red and gold with the emblem of three men on horseback. They had not raised the banner when they left for fear of spies informing their masters of the Minister’s presence. In the afternoon they saw Keratha to their right. Six alien soldiers silently escorted them from a distance. They were the size of horses only they had six legs rather than four and the front two of their legs were used for holding weapons and tools. They could run as fast as a horse but not for as long. Their bodies were covered in armour plating and were normally black in colour. Three strong claws were on the front limbs. Their heads were much wider than a horse’s and flatter. Two eyes on their heads faced the front and they had sharp mandibles for ripping apart prey and biting. Adult males used a poisonous tail barb deadly to humans. Females were generally smaller than a male with less armour and aggression. They would defend their young or territory but rarely went beyond their territory as the male soldiers did. The Keratha language was alien to nearly all humans but fortunately, a small number of the aliens taught themselves the most common human language: standard. They spoke in a rasping voice in contrast to their loud clicking and grunts of their own language. Adults were believed to be on average smarter than a normal educated human.

  The Keratha guards approached fast. ‘Why here?’ The lead male asked. ‘Who are you?’

  Sergun explained.

  The Keratha advised they were welcome but must follow their lead and any deviation would bring swift retaliation.

  The huge walls and buildings were built for giants but no one knew where they had gone to. They lived among the ruins of the better past. The Keratha capital was constructed like Tharne’s capital of Lenhar on a site they called the city of the gods. There were three such cities on the continent; each had walls fifty metres tall with battlements so high the human occupiers needed to build platforms in order to see over. It was a city with walls stretching round for nearly twenty kilometres but only three buildings originally stood within the mighty walls; nicknamed God’s Temple, The Tower and Castle of the Emperor. God’s Temple was the second largest construction inside the walls, and like the walls it was constructed out of the tough black Saer stone, there were no images or depictions of the makers of the temple but from the size of the doors, seats, and throne it was assumed they were at least four metres tall.

  The Castle of the Emperor was the most impressive structure; none had been breached for generations and they were captured through betrayal. The castle was surrounded by mighty walls of its own and the only gate which permitted entrance was solely passable by crossing the two hundred metres long bridge. Long hidden spikes protected the castle’s walls and at the entrance to the bridge, they were shot out when under threat. Inside the buildings modifications were evident and they no longer appeared as they once did. The human rulers made their builders add floors to the rooms, decorated them and made them acceptable to humans without reminding them it wasn’t their place. Only the entrance hall and ruler’s chamber were kept in the original size and layout to impress upon visitor’s their insignificance. God’s Tower was the tallest construction and afforded the best views from those able and permitted to climb

  The Keratha wore no clothes – their armoured bodies protected them from both attack and the weather. Their warriors wore military markings on their body shells and wealthier ones wore jewellery. Females wore no special clothing or adornments; their chemical scent and physical prowess were all. Adult mal
es had a poison barb at the end of their tails but most of these were covered in red material. The guards at the leader’s Castle displayed uncovered barbs. The toxin was fatal to other Keratha and deadly to humans through gradual paralysis. There was no known cure and radical immediate removal of the infected area of the body was the only way of surviving.

  ‘Do you really think they have the Minister’s niece here?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Sergun replied. ‘I hope they do, we can offer them money and leave.’

  ‘I would feel better if we bought an army to bargain with rather than just a few men.’

  ‘Spoken like a true army man. The problem is we have the Raiders, remnants of the eastern armies and the powerful independent cities in the northeast. We can’t fight them all, and the Keratha are the toughest of the lot.’ Sergun advised.

  ‘I know you’re right but bowing before these aliens is against my nature.’ Kall stated.

  5. The Capital

  It took them several days to reach the Kerathan city which was an alien place, though the walls and outlines of the three largest constructions resembled those of Tharne’s capital. There were more Kerathas than Sergun had seen before. More than any but an insane human would want to exist. Strange plants grew and there were parades of the creatures. No other humans were visible. Eyes looked towards the visitors but no words were said to them, and no threats were made.

  Outside the mighty castle gates, armed guards stood. The group was allowed entrance and greeted by and shown to their chambers by junior Kerathas. Not all were permitted into the castle. Sergun and Kall’s bodyguards were not allowed to enter. The rest of the men were told they would have to rest in another part of a different building. Sergun knew this was in keeping with Keratha culture as the leaders and commanders of the Keratha didn’t sleep or eat with their juniors.

  They were escorted to their rooms by junior Keratha rather than fully grown warriors. The inside of their castle was dark and alien, and the interior was covered in a dark substance which appeared to have been brushed on thickly before setting. It was hard to see but the ceiling was always higher than their head.