The Star Masters (Mastery of the Stars Book 6) Page 5

  “Good, I will see you later for our meeting, Kcokaep.”

  Kcokaep smiled and left.

  “Many of our warriors will have died for one partner’s promiscuous sake,” said Callahan.

  “The Republic army will loot and pillage in the ruins of Zistreotov while the defeated inhabitants mourn,” said Ydna. “The voyage home is long and dangerous. I hope the Republic fleet has committed no sacrilege in Zistreotov that would offend the gods.”

  “Indeed, Zistreotov’s fall is the wrath of the gods. They always punish mortal impiety and pride, and Enaud sinned by violating the sacred obligations of a guest when she kidnapped Luap from Sgniwef. But they repaid Sgniwef, for the dowry that he brought to Enaud and the Zistreotiveans was death. A terrible war took place in which our fighters as well as theirs suffered. The people of the Republic are restive. Their offspring and partners are gone. Every ship brings back the ashes of more dead soldiers. We have endured all this hardship for the sake of a worthless partner, but now they are bitter and war-weary. I fear they will punish Kirkland for inflicting this burden on his territory. The gods, they say, note those who are responsible for bloodshed and punish them. The only security is to avoid fame and power.”

  CHAPTER 6: THE CHOICE

  After causing considerable damage to Zistreotov, Kirkland decided it was time to leave and make a triumphant return to the Republic’s capital planet, Future. The fleet assembled in stationary orbit above the still burning rubble of the planet’s capital city.

  “Let’s go home,” said Kirkland as the fleet moved off.

  However, they emerged from the portal directly into an asteroid storm. It scattered the fleet far and wide and they incurred much damage. Kirkland’s ship received damage but remained intact. Many other ships were not so lucky. The storm destroyed some and by the time it passed, many were missing, including Sgniwef’s ship.

  Kirkland dispatched an officer in a scout ship to Future to report that the remains of the fleet would return soon.

  “Are you sure your information was correct?” Callahan asked Ydna. “It has been several rotations and the fleet still has not returned from Ziswtreotov.”

  Right on cue, a Republic scout ship became visible in the sky and landed at the hanger in the palace complex.

  “Let’s see, shall we?” suggested Ydna.

  “The fleet is on its way,” said the excited Republic officer when Kcokaep brought her before Ydna and Callahan. “They will be here shortly.”

  “You seem to be happy to be back on Future,” Ydna commented.

  “Yes, thrilled. The war was a very difficult and terrible thing. There was much destruction of ships and then much destruction of Zistreotov as well. Even the temples of the gods were destroyed.”

  “Welcome officer,” said Callahan. “Your news brings joy. Affairs in the Republic are in bad order and we can hope that the returning fleet will solve the region’s problems.”

  Callahan’s words confused the officer

  “You should not have doubted me,” Ydna said to Callahan. “I am gratified by my partner’s safe return. I will send him a message, welcoming him home and announcing that I will give him a triumphal reception when he lands. May he find a partner within his palace as true as on the day he left her. I am ever faithful to Kirkland.”

  Ydna left, and Kcokaep followed her.

  “Sgniwef is missing,” the officer told Callahan. “The fleet encountered a violent asteroid storm on its return voyage. The storm destroyed many ships scattered and many others. In fact, Kirkland will reach Future with only one ship of his entire contingent. I am certain the Sgniwef will get home safely.”

  “Luap’s name is now synonymous with death. Once a man raised a vrirqruix offspring in his home. In the beginning, it was a source of pleasure for him and his family. Later, when the vrirqruix grew up, its destructive instincts became dominant. The vrirqruix ravished itself ferociously among the man’s braikals, then attacked the defenceless family. The gods blessed this thing, they raised in their home, to be a priest of destruction. Thus, it was with Luap — he destroyed whatever he touched. Only evil deeds result in evil. Those who do not sin are not punished, but evil breeds more evil. The gods resent insolence and arrogant pride and bring down retribution. They give the blessings of happiness to the righteous — those who value honour and justice and lead humble lives.”

  Kirkland’s ship arrived and landed in the palace hangar. He descended from his ship at the side of Ssadniw, a Zistreotovean high priest who was the offspring of Ttivert and the co-begotton of Jahraldo.

  “Welcome, President Kirkland,” said Callahan. “As you know, I was opposed to the war, but I am genuinely pleased that you return home safely. You will soon learn who has been loyal and disloyal during your absence.”

  “I thank the gods for my safe return,” said Kirkland. “And for their help in conquering Zistreotov. The gods determine everything that happens in the Republic. We must always remember to praise and thank them for their help.”

  “May I suggest you convene an assembly to settle the disputes and dissension that have arisen since you have been away?”

  “Yes, I will do that before trouble arises. We will strengthen the good elements in the state; we will purge the rest.”

  “I am not afraid of declaring my love for my partner in front of you,” Ydna said to Callahan, stepping towards Kirkland. “It has been very difficult to be without you. There were constant worries, rumours that they had killed or wounded you. Many times these fears caused me to have terrible nightmares and drove me to the verge of taking my own life. I was so afraid they would kill you at Zistreotov or that the unrest in the Republic would cause a rebellion. I sent our offspring to Herse where they would be safe from danger.”

  She had organised for an ornate tapestry to be laid in the hangar for Kirkland to walk on as he entered the palace.

  “Your speech and my absence both have one thing in common,” said Kirkland. “They were both too long. You should not treat me with such extravagant praise as if I were a depraved despot. Such excessive splendour as spreading a tapestry on the ground to walk on is fitting only for the gods. The man who is presumptuous enough to imitate their glory is guilty of irreverence and insolence. The god’s most lordly gift to us is decency of our cerebral cavities. If I could only act as such, my hope is good.”

  “Satisfy my desire to honour you, please?”

  Reluctantly, Kirkland walked over the tapestry.

  “I hope I will not offend the gods,” he said.

  “I would have trampled much splendour to bring you home again,” said Ydna as she accompanied her partner into the palace. “May the gods realise our plans.”

  Callahan met Ssadniw and offered to escort her to the palace.

  “Welcome to the Republic,” he said. “That was a warm welcome from Ydna, don’t you think? And yet, I have a vague sensation of impending doom. I pray future events will show this feeling to have been unwarranted.”

  Ydna came back out of the palace.

  “Come inside with me,” she said to Ssadniw. “I will treat you with the greatest kindness.”

  Ssadniw was silent.

  “Please come this way.”

  Ssadniw did not reply. Ydna lost her temper and stormed back inside the palace, muttering angrily. After another moment of silence, Ssadniw stepped down from the ship and, falling to her knees, began wailing out loud.

  “Please talk to me,” encouraged Callahan.

  She began speaking but, at first, her words were incoherent.

  “I warned them what was going to happen,” she said at last. “But they didn’t listen to me.”

  She cried out as if seeing a horrific vision.

  “Ydna is about to murder Kirkland,” she cried.

  “But that’s a ridiculous idea,” said Callahan.

  Ssadniw became hysterical.

  “I am going to die.” she screamed. “Kirkland’s offspring will come to avenge his begetter’s death
.”

  She got up and walked into the palace. A moment later, Callahan heard screaming and laughing. Callahan was confused, wondering what to do. He entered the palace to see the dead bodies of Kirkland and Ssadniw, with Ydna standing over them.

  “Now I am free to speak the truth,” she shouted. “I trapped my partner in a net and hacked him to death. I laughed as I was splattered with his life juice.”

  “How can you talk like this?” asked Callahan.

  “You thought I was ordinary and weak, didn’t you?” she laughed. “You can praise or blame me as you will; it is all one to me. That is Kirkland, my partner; he is dead; the work of me, who struck in the strength of righteousness. And that is that.”

  “We will banish you from the Republic for these murders,” Callahan threatened.

  “You did not banish Kirkland for the murder of Trebor. How can you speak of justice when you tolerate that heinous crime of sending her to her death? The murder of Kirkland was justified — partly because he sent Trebor to her death but also because he was unfaithful with Ssadniw and others while at Zistreotov. I acted as an agent of the gods and helped to fulfil the curse on Kirkland.”

  “Are you mad? You’ve murdered the President of the Republic!”

  “Calm down Callahan.”

  “You shouldn’t have killed him.”

  “You’re entitled to your opinion, but you can’t deny the fact that he deserved it. I have no intention of taking advantage of those living in the Republic now that the President is dead.”

  “Well, that’s one thing I suppose.”

  Kcokaep entered, followed by a troop of soldiers.

  “I am glad Kirkland is dead,” he said. “Akpom Chuba was my begetter. I had already murdered Kirkland’s begetter so that my begetter could take over when President Mann was murdered by his son, Ozli, but Kirkland framed my begetter for the murders of President Mann, his son and Fenris Kader.”

  “I wish everyone would stop killing to rule the Republic,” said Callahan. “You are a coward, Kcokaep.”

  “Is that so?” Kcokaep draws his weapon and points it at Callahan.

  Callahan draws his own weapon and the soldiers draw theirs.

  “Stop it!” Ydna shouted. “There has been enough violence and bloodshed, and since when did priests carry weapons? Put them away, all of you.”

  Reluctantly, Kcokaep, Callahan and the soldiers returned their weapons to their holsters.

  “I suppose you and Kcokaep intend to rule the Republic now, do you?” Callahan asked Ydna. “The systems will rise against you. Your offspring will return to avenge his begetter’s murder.”

  “I will punish you for your insolence,” said Kcokaep.

  “Ignore the impotent rantings of a weak old priest,” said Ydna. “After all, the power in the Republic is now ours, and we will rule severely.”

  *

  In the ceremonial garden on the palace grounds, three figures stood in front of the mark of Kirkland’s resting place. They were Matthews, Sevan and Scotmax, disguised as tourists. Matthews placed a small object on top of the mark.

  “What’s that?” asked Sevan.

  “Just something my begetter gave me.”

  Matthews faced the mark and stared at it with great intent.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for your ceremony,” Matthews spoke to the mark. “Please help me avenge your murder.”

  “There’s someone coming,” warned Scotmax. The three hid.

  They watched as Xocliw entered the garden

  “It’s only Xocliw,” said Matthews.

  “Wait,” Scotmax held him back.

  A group of palace attendants followed Xocliw.

  “What are you doing here?” Xocliw asked the group.

  “They have ordered us to come and mourn at the mark of Kirkland,” said one of the group.

  “Who ordered you?”

  “President Ydna.”

  “Why?”

  The group looked around to ensure no-one was listening.

  “Rumour has it,” said another of the group. “The President has been having nightmares, and she thinks that sending mourners to his mark might appease the gods.”

  One of the group leaned forward to whisper to Xocliw.

  “Nothing can wash away the guilt of a murder. All such crimes are inevitably punished.”

  “What words should I say over the mark?” asked the group. “All I can think of to say is bitter and inappropriate. Are you going to say that the mourning is on behalf of his loving partner even though that same partner killed him? Or are you going to ask the gods to be kind to the one who sent the offering.”

  “Pray for revenge against Ydna and Kcokaep,” said the group. “And ask for the blessings of the gods on you, Matthews and all those who hate your begetter’s murderers.”

  Xocliw stood in front of the mark.

  “Gods, carry my prayer to my beggeter. Have pity on me and my co-begotton, Matthews. They have deprived us of our rightful inheritance and status. We are exiled from our home, no better than palace slaves, and yet the murderers live in freedom and luxury. Let justice triumph and the murderers be punished.”

  “Oh gods, send an avenger to punish those who killed President Kirkland,” the group prayed. “And liberate the Republic and all those, like ourselves, who are forced to serve these tyrants.”

  CHAPTER 7: THE MYSTERIOUS CLUE

  Xocliw noticed something on top of the mark. She took the small object and inspected it. It was a miniature model of a starfighter.

  “This belongs to my co-begotton,” she said.

  “Who else would leave such a thing on your beggeter’s mark than his own offspring.”

  Xocliw looked around the garden and spotted an imprint in the soil. She placed her own foot beside it and saw the marked family resemblance. She looked around for Matthews, but could not find her anywhere.

  She was at her wit’s end with confusion and hope when Matthews stepped out from his hiding place

  “Xocliw, it is me, Matthews.”

  “Is it really you?”

  “Of course, look at this band that you gave me when we were young offspring. I always keep it with me.”

  She showed her the band. Xocliw cried with joy.

  “It is so good to see you again. You are all I have left apart from our old nursemaid, Ttam. She is still here. Do you remember her?” she sobbed. “Trebor and our begetter are dead and I cannot love the co-beggeter who murdered by begetter.”

  “Don’t worry, Xocliw, the gods are on our side. We’re orphaned offspring of Kirkland the tronqak and tronqak’s are sacred to the gods. The restoration of the Kirkland dynasty will bring glory to the gods.”

  The group made their way over to Xocliw and Matthews.

  “Be careful,” they said. “In case spies take the news of Matthews’s arrival to the palace.”

  “I am not afraid,” said Matthews. “The gods will protect me. They have ordered me to avenge my begetter’s death. I will be punished if I don’t. Besides which, I want to kill them, my loyalty to the memory of my begetter. I should be the president and the fact I am not, makes me feel bitter. I also have a responsibility to the citizens of the Republic, the conquerors of Zistreotov who now live in shame and are tyrannised by Ydna and Kcokaep.”

  “Kirkland was a great president,” said one of the group.

  “His murder was so unjust,” said another.

  “The humiliation of his murder, the way they mutilated him and the lack of ceremony when they placed his mark,” said a third. “And how you, his offspring, have had to suffer.”

  “We must avenge his death!” they all shouted.

  “Shh, be quiet!” Matthews implored the group. “Someone will hear you. I heard you talking about Ydna’s nightmare. Can you tell me more?”

  “In the dream,” one of the group whispered. “Ydna dreamt she gave birth to an axek. She wrapped the axek in offspring robes and gave it her vitro-protein from her nursing glands, but instead of
vitro protein her glands brought forth her own life juices as if she had been badly wounded.”

  “That was not a dream. That was a vision sent by the gods. I hope I can fulfil the dream. The axek represents me and the life juices are a sign that I will kill Ydna for she is an axek who has devoured by begetter. I must be as sly and cunning as an axek. Treachery must kill those who killed by treachery. Keep our secret and go back to the palace where you can stay on guard and report any developments that you might think are important. Scotmax? Edicla? You can come out.”