Sergun's Mission Read online

  Their junior Keratha which came up to their waists said slowly and carefully, ‘rest now.’

  They walked up slopes and around corners. There were few Keratha visible. Their room was without any windows or furniture.

  ‘No place like home,’ said Kall.

  ‘They really tried to make it like a cave,’ said Sergun.

  There was no obvious door but a sheet of the dark substance was next to the entrance which was as heavy as a hardwood door. There were metal fixtures embedded in the thick sheet. It was primitive but they were able to ‘bolt’ the sheet into the entrance. When they tapped and hit the sheet it felt strong.

  Sergun smiled. ‘I will sleep better this time. It’s a stronger door than before and it locks!’

  There was fresh slightly metallic tasting water which came from a tube in the wall. Kall brought a pack of cards and they played to pass the time. Sergun refused the offer to gamble for money which bored his companion. Sergun went over to the opposite side of the room, took out his sword and practised. He wanted to take his shield down to the meal but realised it would look cowardly. Later there was a tapping at the sheet covering the entrance which gradually became louder and frantic. The small Keratha was calling to them. There was to be food in their honour.

  They followed their guide down slopes, through the gloom and went a different way than they entered from earlier. There was no glimpse of the outside. They came to a large chamber into which Sergun’s large home would fit many times whose entrance was guarded by several fully armoured large Keratha armed with long spears and short handled maces. The little Keratha chattered to the large guards and they stepped aside.

  Along the back wall were large seats created out of the dark substance. They were escorted into the centre of the chamber and Sergun was relieved to find time to examine the room and check for other exits. He carried his sword and wore light mail, knives were in his jacket and though he felt warm he was safer than without such protection.

  It was an impressive room with a ceiling too high for them to see. Sergun wished it was lit better. The Keratha functioned in sunlight but he knew they preferred semi-darkness. Their guide said ‘here’ and it walked to a smaller cut out which was apparently theirs. From behind they heard people talking – it was the Minister and his son, the doctor and the four bodyguards with a small Keratha leading them. Minister Shilhard nodded at Sergun and Kall. The doctor greeted them both while the bodyguards said nothing and looked intently around. They were asked to be seated and did so. It was Sergun’s first look at the politician and the man was lithe and graceful, handsome with youthful features and clad in black trousers and a purple shirt.

  ‘I’m hungry, do they serve good food?’ Kall asked.

  ‘We’re valued guests; the food should be good.’

  Sergun was glad their seats were built into the solid inner wall as it meant nothing could attack them from behind. He found all conversation gone from him. He took deep breaths and shut his eyes for a moment to concentrate. Right into the enemy lair, with no hope of escape if they tried anything bad.

  Kall was excited because this was new to him. Facing Sergun and Kall from out of the darkness came four large, fully armed Keratha in a line. They stopped and parted as men would in a parade but their movements made them look like mechanical creatures. After a pause through the gap appeared two Keratha. They were as large as the guards but carried no visible weapons. They stopped and were as motionless as a wall.

  All humans looked at them and conversation ended.

  ‘I am Spear Thrower Champion,’ said the one on the right in a deep and slow voice. ‘My friend is Valiant Warrior,’ we are leaders of the Keratha on this land. It’s good to have visitors from Tharne after so many years.’

  Spear Thrower walked towards Sergun on four of its legs. Its front claws were free of weapons. ‘I recognise you. Welcome back to our palace, General Sergun.’

  ‘Hello, Spear Thrower.’

  Spear Thrower stood next to one of the large seats and went into a position with two of its legs under it and on the floor with its four remaining limbs free. Its tail was curled around its body, and the barb was uncovered.

  Valiant Warrior walked towards Sergun and stopped. ‘It’s good to meet another valiant warrior again.’ Its voice was higher than Spear Thrower’s and strained.

  Sergun nodded and said his greeting. It ignored Kall and took a seat next to Spear Thrower in the same position. Sergun stood up slowly and introduced the Minister and his son, the doctor and General Kall. The Keratha leaders greeted the others pleasantly. Sergun noted a junior Keratha sat motionless next to the adults.

  ‘Bring on food for our guests and us!’ Shouted Spear Thrower in standard. Then he spoke in his own language and movement was visible among the shadows.

  Female human slaves served the food and drink. They were clad in short cloth around their waists, wore open sandals and tight black collars around their necks. They displayed the mark of the Keratha burnt upon their backs. Sergun knew better than to offend his hosts though the sight of some of the slaves both attracted him physically and repelled him intellectually. The slaves didn’t’ try and speak. Slavery had long been abolished in Tharne.

  He wanted to speak to the young slave who came with food but her eyes were cast down as were all of her kind and he knew the Keratha would punish her if they thought she was disloyal. The food was roast pig and salted potatoes. It was surprisingly good. There were many drinks to select but Sergun wanted to remain sober and selected only water as he wasn’t sure how powerful their alcoholic drinks were. Kall was shocked and whispered. ‘This is wrong my friend. We don’t keep them as pets and they should not do this to our kind.’

  Sergun nodded. ‘The food is good.’

  ‘General Sergun. Have you been fighting many battles since the last time you visited us?’ Spear Champion asked.

  ‘Since the end of the Deep East War, I’ve been raising crops and a family. I killed enough people and it was time to bring some new ones into the world.’

  Kall laughed.

  ‘Have you yet managed to sire enough to replace all those you killed?’ Spear Champion asked with a grating chuckle. ‘Your partners must be exhausted!’

  Sergun laughed bleakly. ‘I do not have the stamina or money to sire enough to replace all those I killed. The aim is not quantity but to raise the right children.’

  ‘I am glad such a champion now is a breeder and not dead.’

  Sergun knew his wife would share the sentiment but not how it was expressed. ‘The Keratha remain stable? It was a peaceful as a ride at night in the still air coming here.’

  ‘We’re stable, we’re powerful. We fear no one in this world and nothing.’

  Sergun knew it was no boast. Humans would hardly threaten them unless they marched with more men than they had ever gathered before and were prepared to lose many. The thought of war against them was impossible.

  ‘Tharne triumphed in the last war. Though the Raiders have not been defeated. They still trade with us; those who dare!’ Rasped Valiant Warrior.

  ‘I’m not privy to such decisions which face us. The Minister should speak for Tharne; Minister Shilhard what is the policy towards the Raiders?’

  The Minister stood with a cup in his hand and confidently said, ‘the Raiders are scum and will be fought against. To keep them from our lands is our current aim. None may threaten our people and live. Minister Thorne, my brother in law sends his greetings to you.’

  ‘We greet the empire of Tharne as among the most powerful of humans. We welcome you to our lands,’ said Spear Thrower who remained seated.

  Sergun hoped the Minister’s threat wasn’t seen as a threat against the Keratha. He wanted to leave their city behind as soon as he could. He would rather face fifty human warriors than ten Kerathas.

  The slave girls who brought their food waited a few metres away with their heads bowed down.

  ‘Young lady, water please.’ Sergun said.
r />   She bought the jug and filled his mug. He found it uncomfortable to see such a poor creature. She was young but her face was hidden by long unwashed hair. From her paleness, it appeared she was from the Raiders’ lands. It wouldn’t surprise him if they sold their excess girls to the Keratha. Male lives had greater value for them.

  ‘Bring in the human girl that screams,’ ordered Spear Thrower.

  There was silence from the human guests while they anxiously waited to see what the girl was going to do to entertain them. She walked in with greater confidence than the other slaves. She stood, faced the assembled audience and sung a Raider’s love song to her loss of her man. Her voice was exquisite and feminine and the power of her words and emotion sent shivers along Sergun’s spine. There was light applause from the humans when she finished.

  ‘Sing again for us,’ declared Spear Thrower.

  This time she sang a slower, melancholy song without the call for vengeance at the end. Unlike the other slaves, she made eye contact with the men and Sergun thought she hated both her owners and his people.

  Sergun stood. It was the right time and Kall agreed. ‘The food has been excellent and the entertainment fine. We have a specific reason for coming here. We have come to find a young woman. She was captured by Raiders and is of importance. We are told she was taken here. We’ll pay for her return.’

  ‘Your Raiders always love to sell their own kind to us. I think they’re happy something they value so little can fetch a good price from us!’ replied Valiant Warrior.

  ‘That is true enough. The Raiders are not lovers of human life.’

  ‘And you are not lovers of the Raiders!’

  ‘We only defend our land and peoples against invaders and thieves.’ Kall stated.

  ‘We know when the slave came in so we wouldn’t need to see any who came in last season.’ Sergun explained.

  ‘This can be arranged later. It’ll take time. They’ve work to do,’ replied Spear Champion. ‘Why is this one so important?’

  ‘She is related to me,’ The Minister said.

  ‘Can we look around while the slaves work?’ suggested Kall.

  ‘This is our world and you are not permitted to explore it like it’s yours.’ Valiant Warrior replied. ‘We did not know we had a member of a Minister’s clan, if she is here we will sell her to you.’

  Sergun said, ‘when you’re ready let us know.’

  ‘How will you identify her?’

  ‘She has yellow hair and a birthmark on her right shoulder. We’ll pay more than the price you paid to the Raiders. She is an important lady and loved by many people.’

  ‘If she is here, we will come to an agreement for her return.’

  The human singer left and Keratha musicians entered. They used drums, and small instruments they held to their mouths which produced an intense alien sound, powerful when combined with fast drumming. Sergun was glad when the music was finished as it wasn’t to his taste. To his ears, it was like tin cans being ferociously struck while loud out of tune whistles were played. Sweet food was served this time, while additional drinks were produced and different slaves danced. Sergun noted the boy was fascinated by them. Many were appealing but lustful thoughts and the close proximity of the Keratha wasn’t a combination which worked for him.

  ‘Tomorrow you can examine the recent slaves. But before then we will have extra entertainment and you will witness a hunt.’

  The slaves were sent from the chamber. The remaining humans and Keratha hosts stood up. ‘We’ll see you tomorrow at the hunt. Do you wish for company tonight? Any of the slaves will join you if you desire.’

  Minister Shilhard said in an excited voice. ‘The offer is very generous and tempting but we must refuse. We need our strength for tomorrow and our journey back.’

  ‘Are they not suitable?’ Valiant Warrior asked.

  ‘I’m faithful and the men have wives,’ explained the Minister with greater composure.

  ‘Sergun; sleep well. We’ll have the whole guard’s clan ritually executed if one attacks you this night. The door should protect you as well!’ Spear Thrower.

  Sergun thinly smiled as they walked back up the dark slopes and tunnels to their room led by the unspeaking small Keratha. Thankfully it displayed no poisonous tail barb. He assumed they had been allocated a junior as their guide as they were less threatening. They put the door on the room and sealed it.

  ‘What’s wrong? Did the food disagree with you?’ Kall asked. ‘Did you want a slave girl?’

  ‘No, it’s the hunt. They won’t just hunt animals; it’ll be humans as well.’

  ‘Don’t they understand how horrible it is to us?’

  ‘They don’t care. They’ll say we kill one another and they bought them. We can’t criticise them, they hunt like we exercise and talk. It’s their way of life.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have minded a slave girl if they washed them first. I hear Raider women can be wild.’

  Sergun didn’t respond. His stomach was full, he could do nothing for the slaves and even if they were all freed, they weren’t wanted by the Raiders and would not want to live on Tharne lands. They had no future. His party came for one young woman only and that was what mattered. He tried to not think too much about the hunt the next day. He would imagine the humans being hunted were criminals and deserved their punishment.

  6. The Hunt

  They woke the next day, washed and readied themselves. No attempt was made to attack them while they slept and it was an improvement over the last time for Sergun. The hunt took place in an arena with areas for spectators. There were few watching which came as a relief to Sergun and Kall. Selected Keratha demonstrated their skill hunting goats without weapons. The arena was at least three hundred metres long with a small copse of trees in the middle. Unless the killings were close up he was relieved he could not see any detail.

  ‘Are you enjoying this General Sergun?’

  ‘Your hunters are skilled but I cannot see very much from here.’

  Valiant Warrior screeched something in his own language and within a minute Sergun and Kall were provided with eyepieces. He wished he hadn’t been able to see what was happening.

  The mass killing of animals wasn’t a pleasant activity to watch. Sergun hoped in honour of their guests they wouldn’t want to kill the same number of humans, even if they were Raiders.

  ‘Sweet God Alay, I’ve never seen anything like this before,’ Kall eventually said. ‘The strength of that hunter, he’s just ripped apart about fifty goats with his claws and no tools! He hasn’t even bothered using his tail weapon.’

  ‘Using their tail barbs is a sign of desperation so they try to avoid using it. Soldiers must learn to use weapons before being permitted to use their tails,’ explained Sergun.

  Combat between Keratha occurred next. To ensure the humans could watch the fight properly it took place less than ten metres from them. They fought with spears and defended with shields, each searching for the gap in their opponent’s armour. They moved fast and looked highly skilled. They fought to the death.

  Finally, human slave thieves were bought in. Three women and a man. The man’s arms were tied behind his back but the women’s were free and they held knives. They were clearly terrified. The Keratha hunter stalked each one, cut off their limbs and disembowelled them. In Tharne they hung some criminals and prisons were to be avoided for those seeking a comfy life but such murderous executions had long been abolished.

  ‘You can see why we were most impressed with

  General Sergun’s killing of one of our warriors; usually, humans are pitiful opponents.’ Spear Thrower said.

  Sergun knew he’d won because his attacker was unable to get inside the room. It hadn’t been able to use its full limbs against him and he was fortunate his sword was tough and sharp enough to cut in a way few other blades could. He’d practised many times and still wasn’t certain he would easily defeat a Keratha warrior in open combat single-handed.

  Human
slaves were not used for heavy, physical work as they were considered too weak. They were used for tasks that the powerful Keratha considered too demeaning for them such as cleaning, serving food and games.

  Sergun, the Minister’s lad Turner and his bodyguards were escorted to the lower level of the city. Minister Shilhard sent his son in his place. It was gloomily lit which helped explain the paleness of the slave women he’d seen. The chamber was as large as the one the food and entertainment was carried out in. To the right and left there were doors every ten metres. A junior Keratha was with them and spoke good standard. They approached a large alien adult armed with a spear with hundreds of needles at the end. The tip of its tail was uncovered. The young alien chattered and the larger one responded. The junior told Sergun the boy and he was welcome, but the bodyguards must leave. Turner nodded and dismissed his guards. The larger creature moved past the humans and opened the first door on the right. ‘Come out now. Slowly!’ It ordered in standard.

  The smell from the dark cell was of waste and unwashed humans, the boy stepped back, and covered his nose and mouth, while Sergun grimaced. The slaves walked out with their heads down, some covered their eyes, while others blinked in the light. They wore no clothing except for black soft shoes and collars with hooks on. There were ten women, of various heights and body shapes, all had dark hair, were pale skinned and in need of a wash. Sergun asked if the women had their hair changed to black. The junior was confused until Sergun asked if there were any yellow haired slaves. The answer was that no slaves changed their hair colour.

  The larger Keratha ordered the women back into the cell at the point of his spear weapon and they quietly obeyed. The guard opened up one cell at a time and each was full of humans, not all were as dirty as the first group.

  Turner enjoyed the display most of all, making many crude comments on the size of the female slave’s breasts, hips, the prettiness of their faces or their ugliness. It was funny briefly to Sergun but he felt pity for them. He only needed to think of his female servants let alone the love and passion of a woman to feel uncomfortable at the boy’s comments.