Children of the Colony: Book One The Spirit Wars

Table of Contents

Prologue

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1   The People Of The Blood

Chapter 2   Of War And Healing

Chapter 3   An Unexpected Commission

Chapter 4   A Yielding Pledge

Chapter 5   A Love Bemused

Chapter 6   The March To The Hollow

Chapter 7   The Dark Encounter

Chapter 8   Awakening Beyond The Veil

Chapter 9   The Bright Captive

Chapter 10   A Dark And Ancient Presence

Chapter 11   Weaving Evil Against Light

Chapter 12   Visions Within Captivity

Chapter 13   The Gathering Of The Blood

Chapter 14   The Voice Of Sepp

Chapter 15   Shades Of Shadow And Light

Chapter 16   A Liaison Of Discovery

Chapter 17   A Sacred Circle

Chapter 18   Shadows At The Plows Inn

Chapter 19   A Secret Trice

Chapter 20   Death Stalks The Hills Of Prevarus

Chapter 21   Gath Awaits

Chapter 22   Fear And Impatience

Chapter 23   A Swift And Vengeful Journey

Chapter 24   A Birth Of Evil

Chapter 25   The Harvesting Of Memories

Chapter 26   Dark Storm Rising

Chapter 27   The Descent Into Slearia

Chapter 28   The Dark Throne

Chapter 29   Epiphany And Judgment

Chapter 30   Dark Edge, Crystal Light

Chapter 31   A Brief Reunion

Chapter 32   Discovery

Chapter 33   An Honour Bestowed

Chapter 34   The Cauldrons Test

Chapter 35   A Sister Of The Blade

Chapter 36   Old Hate, New Love

Chapter 37   The Fortnight Of Sepp

Epilogue

Glossary

Prologue

In the end days after the Mythos Wars, the two races, Adu and Tolthian were forced to work together. They had created a horror so deadly it threatened the entire humanoid species. Because of the constant wars fought upon their planet, several other original races no longer existed. Only the Adu and the Tolthians had survived. The Adu had used their science to survive and the Tolthians their technology. For centuries, the middle and most feared powers were those wielded by the quasi-spiritualist, red robed priestesses known as Gamauralist. As powerful empathic, they were also capable of wielding the power of their Gamma irradiated mind power for healing or death by directing it through diadems of pure crystal. Some were corrupt and were used by both races to each of their advantages. When the great armadas left the planet in search of a new and habitable world to escape their impending doom, many generations passed and the once feared Gamauralist were purged of their political and corrupting influences. Since the beginning of the Mythos civilization, only Adu women were born with this power and the births of females with these abilities were rare.

After thousands of years steeped in hatred, war, bigotry, peace, cooperation and trust were not easily acquired or kept. During the first few generations, there were uprisings and rebellions when they were confined in close proximity aboard the star ships. As time past upon the great ships, tolerance, trust and rare friendships were formed by many. Peace accords were formed between the two houses of power, the Queen of The Adu and the Warlord of The Tolthians. The mother ship which became known as the Central ship, housed the families of both royal courts. This new order was later to be reflected on the knew world. Each ring of star ships, outward of centre, reflected the social status of those portions of both Adu and Tolthian society. Upon arrival on the new world, the Adu and Tolthians suffered great losses. Many of the great ships crash landed and tens of thousands were lost. Many of their archives and histories were also lost in the burning wreckage. Many died from unknown deceases and ingested plant life which was poisonous to their alien metabolisms. Worst of all were the horrific creature’s native to the new world. These creatures devoured and ravaged the survivors, dragging their young, unprotected and defenceless to their deaths.

The native humanoid population called Tungali, were also in a battle against these creatures for the survival of their own species. Their gods were at war and it had reflected down upon the people for over a thousand years prior to the coming of the Mythos colony ships. The great star ship landings and crashes were thought to be the herald of hope and aid from their gods. The Tungali believed them to be celestial beings come to fight with them against the evil beast who had ravaged and destroy their great civilization. When they tried to come to the aid of the two alien races, they were attacked and slaughtered as planetary hostiles. When the Tungali realized that the aliens were not sent by their gods, they were merciless in their blood feud. These actions set the stage for the relationship between colony and native for the next two thousand years. The colony established their society in a vast and rich valley close to their crash site and not far from the ancient ruins of the once great civilization of the Tungali nation.

Bordered north and east by what would come to be known as the Gershan Sea, south and west by great mountains. The colony began to build fortresses in the high passes to keep the Tungali out of their acquired lands. As the generations passed, the Adu and the Tolthians settled into a growing yet vigilant society, once again at constant war with another race of beings. However, this time in their long history, the two alien races were at a disadvantage. Although the monstrous creatures had begun to fade into legends and fables used to frighten children, the indigenous Tungali tribes were numerous and prolific in growth. The alien Adu and Tolthians had long since realized that something about the new world had adversely affected their birth rate. Not all being born were healthy and many did not survive birth. Our story takes place after nearly three thousand planetary years occupation, a time when the colony must expand to survive. They must consider crossing the boundary of the great Saltash River into traditional lands which is a time of great change.

Acknowledgements

This book is dedicated to my mother, the true Rhima, my children, Cene and Chi, who sat near the wood stove in winter before bedtime and listened to my stories with innocent and active imaginations. To Evelyn, my partner and friend, who had to put up with my procrastination to finish it after so many years. To Brenda, the mother of my children, who supported my early beginnings of this book. A special thanks to my son-in-law, Duran Bodasing for his beautiful cover design and to all my family and friends who have been there for me over all the years of struggling. I would not have been able to do this without the encouragement from all of you. Although you are located out across two continents and three countries, you will always be a heartbeat away. You will always find a little of yourselves in my stories. May the holy light of Gamaura shine ever bright on all of your journeys.

C. F. Turner

Eastern Ontario

1

The People Of The Blood

Ages before the arrival upon Rhubis of the Tolthian and Adu races, the Tungali people had ruled a mighty civilization of cities, agriculture, art and peace. A great war between the gods polluted the land, leaving it torn with mutation and the residue of evil. The Tungali had been driven out from their golden age, forced to roam the face of Rhubis in wandering tribes. Beyond the desert-like tundra known as The Cauldron of Sepp, lay Gershan, The Garden. The Cauldron itself was a vast, semi-barren area, spottily covered with desert-like vegetation, sand, gravel and rock. The Gershan, far from comparable to the severe conditions the Tungali were accustomed to, was far from their nomadic routes and steeped in dark forbidden legend. This caused the People of The Tungali Blood to avoid its vastness. The tribes knew of the Gershan, yet shunned it, believing it to be frequented by the Jinn and other creatures that would prey upon them and their live stock.

Lartian, the elder law speaker of the tribes, stood before the people and recited the laws of the ancient lore. All great gatherings were ended this way and all could hear his words within the vast box canyon, called the Citadel. Give your praise to the gods of light, for it is they who have preserved us as they did from the beginning. In the dawning ages of light, the Trungloid nearly destroyed our people. Trung forgave us our trespasses, when we kept our faith in the light and prayed for his forgiveness. The law speaker paused to look about the vast canyon, as he stood upon a high outcrop. There was a mighty sigh from the thousands of the people, stretched out upon the Citadel floor. The sound was as a sudden and rushing wind and then silence. Lartian continued, The gods created the Orbs of Power and aided our people in the defeat of the Trungloid. Only the powers of light directed through the Orbs of Power, brought about the defeat of the brutes. Only with the power of the Orbs, did our people begin to drive the creatures out and destroy them. Lore tells us it was at great cost to the People of the Blood, leaving our numbers greatly depleted in the end. The lore tells us that even though Sepp, the seed giver, watches over our people, we must ever be vigilant of the deceitfulness of the Dark God. Lartian paused again to hear the great sigh of acknowledgement coming from the people. When the law speaker could only hear the sounds of the desert winds, snapping tent flaps and ringing Ort bells, he continued.

Now know this, of which the lore speaks, The Horned One yet strives to be free of his chains. We were told to stay away from the ancient lands until such time as the gods purify them for our return. Know you that the Dark God has set hidden places all round and placed evil guardians one place to another so that when we break the laws of the lore, our Kai will be devoured to feed his power. Know you also that a time is approaching when the people must once again do battle against the Dark Gods minions. Law will meet law and all shall be changed. We will once again bend the knee within the temples of the gods of light and give praise for our salvation, prosperous harvest and the blessings bestowed. Raise now your voices in praise to the Seed Giver, who is one with Tredun. Tens of thousands of voices rang from the walls of the vast canyon, young and old with arms raised to the heavens. OLUVA! OLUVA! OLUVA! The thunder of the voices shook the walls of the mighty Canyon ringing out across the desert from the Citadel’s door. When all was quiet, the law speaker continued, "Know you that the lore speaks of the coming of a redeemer tied to the people by blood, who will walk this world and seek out the Dark God’s children and destroy them. He will council with the first born, known as the Faerthing and wield the sword of light. By his hand shall the Dark God be returned to the Great Source.

Sepp, the seed giver of life, has looked into the dark places of the evil one’s children and sensed their impatience to steal the Kai of the people. The lore says that the skies shall darken and the Twin Suns will weaken in their light, giving way for them to walk upon Rhubis once again. Fear not, for the gods of light shall not abandon us and shall fight along side us during the time of the Great Trial. The lore says, laws shall bend and change yet we know not what this may mean and trust that it represents great change for the good of the light. Lartian paused. A great OLUVA! OLUVA! OLUVA! went up from the Citadel floor. Lartian raised both arms to the sky and all fell silent again. Lartian continued, Be not deceived, the Dark God intends to walk the face of Rhubis in triumph and only our faith and strength will see us through. I say to you now, warriors of the Kai, gird yourselves in the power of the light. Lo! The Great Trial comes," the law speaker concluded. The light of the Twin Suns had begun to sink beyond the eastern cliffs, as their planets Twin Suns rose from west to east and the Tungali people began to disburse to their cooking fires. The law speaker began to descend to the Citadel floor and seek his own tent and cook fire.

From the praise that was given on that turning, the gods of light were once again filled with love and grace for their mortal children on Rhubis. They knew the generations of long suffering and sacrifice which had befallen the people. They knew it had been because of their own strife within the god head. Now the Dark God stirred once again, threatening to suffocate Rhubis and all its life form in darkness. When Tredun, The Creator foresaw these events, he called all to his celestial council. Our children must receive salvation from the coming darkness. We cannot hold back our evil brother for much longer. Sorga’s strength grows and soon we must face him in open battle. Council with me now so that we may find a way to defeat him and bring eternal peace to this lowly realm. If the light goes out on this sphere, he will have gained the strength to consume many others in his path to control this galaxy. Sepp, The Seed Giver of Life questioned, There are other gods of light in control of other galaxies. Can we not call upon them to assist us with this threat?

Tredun answered, The laws of light and life are strict, although indeed there are our brothers and sisters who rule other galaxies. They are strong, even with mighty host at hand. It would create a toppling effect for them to turn their backs upon their charges. No daughter, this is not the solution and at the very least it would open a portal for Sorga’s invasion and possible escape to another realm. Sepp thought on this and advised, We must call forth our own host to fight him. We yet have mighty children of light, who would rally to the call of the ancient bright Crystal of Power.

Trung spoke with great sadness, It is much my doing that has placed the realm in danger. Sorga has stolen my power over the mighty Trungloid, thwarting any chance of using them in the coming conflict. If he destroys the seals, he will no doubt turn them against the people to eliminate any defence they may attempt to mount. If only we had time to create a mighty adversary to stand ready in the defence of the realm, focusing hard on some solution. Tredun sensing his despair, trying to give encouraging words, Even the Trungloid have their weaknesses and our dark son may not be in total control of them. Their dominance by the Dark God may not be so easy. As regards the first, we have used up most of the essence of our gene pool to create our mortals of time and this leaves us with very little to create others or enough time to do so, Tredun concluded. This however, does not prevent us from triumph in this late turning. We must think in terms of the restrictions of this time locked realm. It is possible that the answer to their salvation is within their own hands. Time is now something that must be put to use on their behalf. Remember that Sorga lusts for the pleasures of time and thus restricts himself, to be locked therein. We must manipulate this and find our advantage, Tredun explained. Questing further, with, Could we not then slow the turning of our orbs to give better council to our children and give more time to develop better strategies of defence and war against him?

Trung answered by gazing down on the world and requesting, Behold. Sepp joined the God of Strife to look out upon the battles between the Tungali peoples and the aliens as they struggled for control of the lower Salt Ash River Delta. Sepp had to accept that the Tungali, though peace loving beings, had now been honed in war and through tribulation. They were exceedingly capable of holding their own in battle. The council was a millennium long. All facts and evidence were reviewed until a solution was found. When the council completed its findings, there was only one possibility.

Tredun declared, We must create a Demigod imbued with a combined portion of the powers of all the gods. Bound by the powers of light, the Demigod would become the mortal vessel of tri-une light, capable of wielding the three powers of light. This half mortal must derive a portion of its essence from an untapped spring of life. Trung, thinking long and hard on strategy, stood and announced, It is I who have helped to lay the foundations of these vile actions of Sorga. I request the approval to enter the realm of time. With help of sister Sepp, I will remove the spirit of strife for a time and deliver a virion of our essence into the wine of a suitable warrior of the Tolthian alien race. Sepp must create a libidinal virion of attraction and balance for a female, born with dormant gifts of power of the opposite alien Adu pool. They must be singularly attracted to one another in order to unite the two pools.

Tredun although knowing, remained silent to allow for a tri-une embrace of their decision. I understand the outcome of this proposed union, brother. The alien races have a celebration they call The Great Banquet of Renewed Truce. It is one of the only times they are not secretly diminishing one another and a perfect time to seed the future. There is only one female of the Adu capable of carrying this seed. Have you chosen a Tolthian warrior suitable of carrying this virion? the goddess inquired. There is like kind, only one who could deliver this divine, seminal fertility. Only one warrior of Tolthian blood repeatedly stood in the midst of numerous battles with the slain warriors of the Tungali heaped around him. His mighty frame often stood as a rallying beacon to the warriors of the alien colony. In the heat of battle, I watch as his bladed staff spun with the speed of lightening bolts and reaped instant death wherever it struck. With his complexion as dark as the blackened bark of the Bruekwood and his amber eye ablaze in battle rage, the Tungali call him The Black Leypa, Trung informed her.

There was much debate concerning this idea and many reasons for opposing it. In the end it was accepted as no other alternative, all was set and Trung made ready to descend. Sepp concerned for the people of Rhubis, descended in an attempt to reseal the places of darkness. At the Great Banquet of The Renewed Truce between the Tolthians and Adu, Sepp imbued the wine of Rhubis within the chalices of Talatus and Muira with the combined virion of fertility. Muira was a lady in waiting to the Adu Queen and she held the suppressed gene of the Gamauran power. Talatus of the Tolth and Muira of Adu, met that night and within time fell deeply in love, secretly pledging their forbidden love. It was the season of planting and the warmth of the Twin Suns flooded the chamber of the queen with scintillating light. The young queen Tricea was seated at her dressing table and attended by Muira. The light that poured down from the Zhecar plate dome and slanted through the balcony doors, seemed to glistened and refract from every polished object. It brought feelings of happiness and well being. With the scent from the gardens and her impending vow taking, the young queen was happy to have her best friend brushing her silken hair. Muira was unusually quiet and she noticed in the mirror she was a bit pale and trembling. Muira, are you not feeling well? You look as though you will faint at any moment. Should I summon the Nan? You look terrible, Tricea questioned, now very alarmed for the health of her friend. No! No! Mistress, I am just a bit tired, Muira replied. But just at that moment, she swooned and threatened to topple over. Tricea was quick to her feet and grasped Muira by the shoulders, guiding her to a nearby divan. What in the name of Gamaura is wrong my dear? I will summon aid. Before she could call out, Muira placed a hand on her arm and began to cry while shaking her head negatively. Tell me what matter is this, Muira? I love you as a sister and will do anything to help you? the young queen asked again as she embraced her friend. I am morning ill from Bearing, Mistress, Muira whispered. Queen Tricea was taken aback. She looked deeply into Muira eyes to assess the full meaning of this revelation.

How is this possible, Muira? You are not Vowed and the laws are clear, the queen asked. Muira went to her knees in tears, begging forgiveness and confessing her secret love and pledge to Talatus. Tricea though very disconcerted by this complete revelation, was yet a queen and now she put thought to how she could save the life of her friend. There was only one way, You must enter the Ac’adame immediately. I will arrange the secrecy of this and you must stay there until well after the birthing, this is my command, the queen ordered. And from the union of Talatus and Muira, Rhima of Tolth was born, the first of full power amongst the women of the Tolthian race. This secret was kept by the Gamauralist Nan’s and the Alphus throughout nearly all of Rhima’s early life. The first seasons were given to her mother, but Muira’s place was within the palace and at the queens side. Rhima’s powers were unknown until she reached maturity of first blood. She had been given over then to the care of her father, which belonged to the War Lord and her change had come at just twelve seasons old. Within the bigoted society of Adu and Tolthians, Rhima’s mother was forced to secretly disavow her own child and could only see her mate in strict secrecy. In a short period of time the sadness was overwhelming. Heart broken, Muira died from grief and loneliness and Talatus was never the same.

2

Of War And Healing

Fighting was fierce at times between the Tungali warriors and the colony troop detachment from the Zebon fortress. Although for the most part, it was skirmishes and minor raids on crops and livestock near the frontier farms just north of the Salt Ash River. The river named for the ash-like salt along its shoreline, was used in its refined state by both colony settlers and Tungali tribes alike. The river began close to the southeastern inlet of the Gershan Bay and flowed southeast for four hundred miles before turning more easterly as it made its way towards its outflow into the Iberion Sea, more than twenty-five hundred miles from source to exit. About three hundred miles beyond the road to the Zebon pass, the river was fed by the many streams that flowed out of the Iberion mountains and gradually turned to fresh water for the remainder of its journey. The colony had been in existence for nearly twenty-nine hundred cycles. It had only secured this region in the past nine hundred cycles. The soil was awash with Tungali and colonist blood alike. The Tungali roamed their ancient hunting and herding grounds south of the river and the colony troop detachments of Primtala and the Zebon fortress called The South Gate, patrolled the north side in early warning units, vigilant against sudden attacks. The Zebon being a breaching pass to the inner colony realm, had held against the hordes attack, time after time in the first century of alien colonization. It was now breached with a massive wall, fortress city and standing army of thirteen thousand regular troops, with a muster of thirty thousand auxiliary troops settled in the mountainous areas.

The Adu and Tolthian colonist, were a rugged often hot-tempered breed prone to blood feud. Further west backed against the skirt of the Dirge Mountains, was the city of Primtala. There was a smaller detachment there, about five thousand troops regularly relieved by the fortress at Zebon. Between the two locations several hundred miles apart, there were a few hamlets and isolated farms which had to be patrolled and policed because of the Tungali and outcast bandits in and around the mountains. The bandits were considered either abominable half breeds or exiles from society. There had been mutant creatures like the Kreppus in the Dirge and Iberion mountains in earlier times but none had been actually seen for over a thousand cycles. Recently some claims had been made of sightings and disappearances on the rise. Most were likewise blamed, on either the Tungali who were known to take captives, or the bandits.

It was approaching the dry season and unusually warm. If one glanced quickly enough at Zaon, the largest of the Twin Suns and then looked away, one could see the thermal explosions on its surface. Rhima now a Prime of Primtalas’ Habital, grasped the hand of a soldier and reassured him of his improved condition. She made her rounds among the sick and wounded in the Habital where she had been assigned for her internship. In two more seasons, she would be returning to the Ac’adame, in the Queen’s capital city of Choam. There she would receive her commendation for five cycles of work on the frontier, healing the sick and wounded. It had been quiet in and around Primtala for most of the past two cycles. There were mostly minor clashes with the nomadic tribes, with the odd wounded border guard and such. Primtala was a town that always watched its river border. Although hunting parties of the hill tribes were seen across the various narrows from time to time, it seemed there was more trouble from the small roving groups of bandits that often came down from the Iberion or Dirge mountains to raid, rape and rob the innocent settlers in the lower hills north of Primtala.

There was a petition she was told, from the Primtala Chancellor that awaited hearing by the Defender of the Hearth, to deal with the matter. There was need for a small garrison in the northern hills to secure the small villages and hamlets. Primtala was growing and as a frontier town it attracted many unsavoury types, looking for easy Ducreds by gambling, theft, and rising corruption. At mid-rising, Rhima made her way to the rear of the Habital building where the gardeners were busy tending, clearing and carrying soil here and there for the central courtyard. It was cooler there among the trees and shrubs, away from the mid-turning heat of Rhubis Twin Suns. Often, she would sit here studying her healing manuals or she concerned herself with the recent findings of the elite Inner Circle of the Nanhursh in Choam. At times she sat enjoying the moments of quietude that the recent two cycles seemed to have offered a little more frequently. As she sat on one of the garden benches, she recalled to memory the first few turnings of her novitiate beginnings at the Ac’adame in Choam. Rhima had learned well her skills in those turnings of major offensives by the tribes. Many attempts were made to retake the hills and bottom lands from the frontier fortress government at Zebon. Horde after horde they came, turning the Salt Ash River red with the blood of the dead and dying, attacking and retreating until the Habital overflowed with the wounded and dying.

Rhima remembered the first time she had encountered a Tungali warrior, young for battle she had thought. Possibly only a year older than she at the time, maybe fifteen dry seasons old. He had been terribly wounded by a Borken staff and had been taken as a prisoner of war. A strong and proud race they were, faces and bodies painted in runes. Crystals and other precious minerals were often embedded into the hilts of their weapons. These crystals were one of the main reasons, so history read, that Rhubis was colonized in the beginning. Similar crystals had been an important part of both Adu and Tolthian Science and Technologies on their home world. If she thought only of the crystals uses in her work as a Prime, they were indispensable. Even the small Kheval blades, used to open and cut away festering flesh, were pure crystal. With the help of Tolthian techs, the Adu were able to retrieve their crystal shaping science. They were also invaluable when used to focus the healing powers of Gamauran Light.

The Blessed Light of Gamaura was a kinetically projected force of pure spiritual energy, the Tungali called it the Kai, which when focused and amplified through the purest of crystal, could heal and bring inner peace. The knowledge and use of this power had been common in ancient times according to the memories of her people, the Tolth and the Adu. Certain writings had been recovered from the abandoned wreckage of their star ships and were now studied within the Ac’adame. Because Gamaura could also be used for the purpose of binding mental and spiritual resolve in situations of extreme physical exhaustion or pain, its use had been corrupted on the home world for purposes of war. Gamaura was a power being rediscovered by its people in all its intensity, particularly by the elite Circle of Inner Studies within the Ac’adame. From her studies of healing, Rhima had learned that upon the ancient home world of Mythos, there had been huge Gamauran energy chambers where armies would march through on their way to battle. Small hand-held Anulgene crystals, attached to weaponry, were somehow capable of causing the rapid destruction of the building blocks of life itself when engaging the enemy. Huge Antacrystals were recorded to have brought about devastating destruction upon the surface of the planet. This had been the legacy of the constant warring between Adu and Tolthian states. Yet in spite of those terrible histories, a number of Tolthian techs, occupied with conquest of the Tungali and certain Adu scientists who agreed, continued to try and remake those terrible weapons on Rhubis. This was particularly in the recent decades of colonization.

Her thoughts now turned sadly to the young Tungali warrior. He had seized a surgical Kheval blade from a tray and cut his own throat, rather than be caged. All the others captured, either attempted the same, something similar or refused to eat and thus starved to death. They maintained incredible strength under torture and could never be enslaved. In many ways the Tungali were much like her people, stern and often unyielding. In battle they were merciless and cruel. This could also be reflected in their domestic life.

Rhima sat and recalled how her father had been a dedicated soldier of the Warlord’s Elite Guard, fighting for the twin crowns and had been killed in battle against the hordes when she was thirteen dry seasons old. Her mother had died in childbirth, so she had been told, along with what would have been a twin brother. None seemed to know very much about her, and her father refused to speak of her. Rhima had been told by others, that after her mother’s death, her father had become suicidal in his bravery on the battlefield. He saved the life of Drayus, the Shield Son to the Warlord, twice in combat. When he was finally killed, the Warlord exhibited his appreciation by impaling twenty Tungali warriors in a ring of fire around his cairn. It was an example of reflective cruelty on the part of her own people. Rhima was raised by the servants, called Sculdreg, within the Warlord’s household. She sat now and recalled the first sign of her burgeoning gift of healing.

*   *   *

Adara!!, Adara!! Rhima called out, as she came running into the kitchens of the Warlords household. What are you shouting about now, child? Adara said as she came walking out of the larder with hands full of herbs. It was a warm day of the dry season and the Cressentess and the Sentessa wanted their afternoon meal in the garden court yard. It was Adera’s job as head cook, to make this so and having to assist raising the commanders’ daughter did not make it any easier. Have you seen Ploofy anywhere? I’ve been looking for him all over the court, that silly Boo. Adara looked at Rhima standing in the doorway, her hair like a voluminous night sky that sparkled in broad day light. She held a hand full of Iteran blooms, loved by the Booabab. She certainly was a beautiful child Adara thought, even if she was a typical girl of nearly fourteen cycles. The Twin Suns shining through her thinly woven Halnt fibre Saassta, told Adara that all other aspects of Rhima’s beauty was evolving as well. Her father would soon enough have to beat off the suitors. Some of the younger warriors were already peeking and whispering of their lust for her.

I’m sorry child. I have not seen him for a few days. I’m surprised he is not along side you. Now find yourself something to do or I will put you to work here in the kitchens. I have a mid-turning meal to prepare for the Cressentess, Adara explained with just a hint of frustration. With a big sigh of her own, Rhima turned around and called, Ploofy! Ploofy! Ploofy! as she began searching the grounds of the palace once again. It was near the setting of the last sun, that she found him in a shadowy niche beneath a portico to the great green house of the Cressentess. Come on out of there, Ploofy. I’ve been looking for you for two risings. What are you doing lying there? Are you too hot? she questioned. The creature lay there immobile, its eyes barely open and trembling slightly. Rhima realized that something was wrong and reached in to take hold of her pet. The creature released a loud cawing sound and lay trembling in her arms. She tried to tempt him with the wilted herb, but to no avail. What has happened to you? she asked now beginning to worry. The green house guard came running over, after hearing the loud cry of the creature and by this time Rhima was beginning to shed tears. Another guard had come to relieve him of his duties and he turned back to Rhima to suggest, Lets take him back to Adara. Maybe she will tell us what’s wrong.

Taking the Booabab from Rhima, together they walked back to the kitchens. It was full eventide when they walked through the courtyard door leading into the kitchens. The soldier lay the Booabab on a pile of soft rushes in one corner as the Sculdreg went to and from. It was the evening mealtime and the kitchen was busy. I think he will be fine here until Adara has a chance to look at him, Rhima. The guard tried to comfort her concern. Rhima now had tear stains running down her face as she watched the laboured breathing of her best friend. Much later when Adara was finished supervising the servers at the Warlords table and the Sculdreg were busy pouring scalding hot water into the Zhecar washing bins, Adara had time to look at the Booabab. At this time, she found Rhima lying on the floor next to the creature. Her tears had dried but still streaked her young face. She looked up at Adara with grief in her eyes and never said a word. Here, lets see if we can find what’s wrong with him child. Adara was wise in the ways of husbandry and had saved the lives of many of the courts live stock. The Booabab’s faceted eyes were growing dim and its tongue had swollen so as to create a horrible death rattle causing some of the Sculdreg to gather round in sympathy to Rhima. Rhima watched intently as Adara examined the creature thoroughly. With true sadness she finally turned to Rhima. It appears that he has ingested Maggle Moss, possibly from chasing rodents in a patch and ingesting it with his catch or he has ingested a rodent with freshly eaten moss in its intestine. The rodents are immune to it and use it as a food source. I am so sorry Rhima. I know how much he means to you. But it will not be long now and his suffering will be over.

Out of fear for its pain, Rhima had not touched the creature since it had been brought into the kitchens. She had left it alone after picking it up by its belly and it had screamed in pain. Rhima knew what death was and that none returned from its embrace. Now with soundless choking sobs, she gently picked him up to draw him close stroking his head, neck and back. There was a sudden warm and sparking glow when she scratched his neck. Adara and the others stepped back in surprised shock when the creature’s eyes began to brighten and the laboured breathing began to ease. Rhima set it down on the floor and within moments the Booabab was shaking out its ruffled fur and rubbing against Rhima’s legs. The creature had been healed by her touch. The Booabab had a small crystal collar round its neck. Her prayer for the return of health and her burgeoning powers, had made contact. When Adara saw this, she immediately sent word to the council. This seeming miracle caused great excitement in the colony as the news of it spread. Rhima was just as perplexed with the attention given her. She was immediately enrolled in the Ac’adame to study the healing arts. She was the first Tolthian female in the history of her people, to have this ability.

Rhima remembered everyone whispering of how lucky she was not to have become a Sculdreg. The occasion of a brief audience before the Warlord and Cressentess had been to remind her of the responsibility she held to honour her father’s dedicated military life and his heroic death. The Warlord had commanded her to return in kind, her own form of dedication by healing the wounded soldiers that followed in her fathers’ footsteps. As time passed, Rhima had done more than this, not because of her father whom she got to know only when he put her through the Kathos of martial exercises and made her commit them to memory, but rather for her love of the Gamauran spiritual studies. She was the consummate healer out performing her peers at the Ac’adame and in later cycles, seeing actual distribution of her thesis on the treatment of festering wounds on the battle field. Rhima also pioneered the research for curing newly discovered frontier infections. This even brought her notoriety and recognition from the League of Scientist, quite unheard of for a Tolthian. She had been quickly raised to the prestigious position of assistant to the Nanhursh of Habital Primtala and would soon be ending her term here with high honours. Her future in service to either the house of the Queen of the Adu or the house of the Tolthian Warlord was in hot dispute between the two ruling houses.

As she sat thinking of these events in her life, on this warm mid-turning, she was tapped lightly upon the shoulder, bringing her quickly back to full awareness. It was Caira, a young novice transferred to Habital Primtala from the Ac’adame two seasons earlier. She reminded Rhima of herself nearly five cycles ago, young and inexperienced, although she would soon learn. I’m sorry Prime, but I was told you might be here in the garden and to deliver to you this missive from the Nanhursh. Rhima responded by inquiring, Thank you Caira. How are your studies going? Caira looking a bit crestfallen, answered with disappointment, Begging your pardon, Prime. I failed my pre-exam on the introduction to Suturing of Internal Battle Wounds. I think it may have been the timing between applying the binding powder Kryprin and focusing through the Suture Crystal. And the Habital tour of Primtala Mining villages? Rhima asked. Having to actually treat some of the miners and their families took a bit out of me. Instead of studying, I fell asleep exhausted on the eventide before the exam, Caira finished sounding a bit disheartened. Rhima understood her disappointment and tried to reassure her by saying, I wouldn’t let it worry me, Caira. There will be a retest before your final exam and I have a feeling you’ll do just fine. Caira seemed to relax visibly. As if suddenly remembering, she handed the unsealed note to Rhima. Your pardon, Prime. With a curtsy, she moved off down the corridor of the courtyard.

As Rhima stared after her, she wondered if she would ever get used to the deferment of rank and class she was now experiencing more regularly, not only from the newly arriving novices, but even from some of her own inducted class. She was not a vain person requiring recognition for the work she did. What she accomplished was for the good of the people who lived, struggled and often died on the rugged frontier of the Central ships colony. Oh, there was jealousy as well, the strongest from Sabella of the Adu and sister of the High Councillor. It was a long-standing rift with its roots in bigotry and her early seasons back in the Ac’adame. It all started when Sabella, the sister of an Adu nobleman, found out that a Tolthian child of a common soldier was being inducted. After her discovery of this fact, Sabella would from time to time bully Rhima and remind her of her disadvantage of blood rank. She was two cycles older than Rhima and Adu, therefore feeling entitled to embarrass her in front of others by painful pinching and demanded unreasonable respect from her. Rhima possessed an introspective nature, yet she was not reticent and held much of her father’s nature. Having her fill of this treatment from Sabella, she walked into the Ac’adame bathes late one eventide to find no one was there except Sabella. As Rhima began to prepare for the bath, Sabella walked over to her and shoved Rhima against the wall. It was the breaking of the last thread of Gamauran peace.

What do you think you are doing here Tolthian filth? You may not follow behind me into the latrines or bathes, understand? You will hold your water all within until the next rising. You are born of filth and nothing you could do will wash it off. Now get out of here while you can, Sabella ordered with strong intimidation. Sabella had her palm pressed against Rhima’s bodice pinning her to the wall. Under the calm of Gamaura, Rhima whispered in Sabellas’ face, The maiden reaches out to invoke clarity. At the same instant, trapping the hand to her bodice and pinning Sabella close then whispering, The maiden uplifts the essence of knowledge. At that instant, painfully thrusting the trapped elbow vertically just short of breaking it with her other hand. Sabella screamed in pain as Rhima cut short the exercise by gazing steadily into her eyes. Sabella looked back at her with painful pleading in her eyes. Rhima whispered, The maiden imparts prudence in all things chaste, as she lifted her right shin high in between Sabellas’ legs watching her release her water and crumble unconscious to the floor. Rhima bathed and watched Sabella finally awaken and rise, stare at her in fear while limping from the bathes.

Sabella and Rhima kept their distance from there on, Sabella giving her the occasional glance of hate. Rhima did not like violence but she had been educated in the history of it and was not afraid. She determined that Sabella never spoke of this incident to anyone out of either embarrassment or to protect her great ego. When Rhima discovered that they would be interning together at the same Habital, she accepted the circumstances of what happened was a long time ago and yet knew they would never be friends.

Rhima stopped her musing and looked down at the note. A quick glance showed there was no wax seal indicating its unofficial nature. Opening it, she read a simple invitation to share the evening meal table with Nanhursh Tantia. Looking out across the garden at the shadows cast by the mid-turning light, she stood and tucked the note into the pocket of her purple robes and returned to her Rounds. Although she wore the purple of a ranking Prime, she realized that this invitation was once again an honour being afforded her. Rhima knew that soon she would also wear the crimson robes of a fully ranking Nanhursh. The halls of the Habital were wide enough for six stretchers abreast and Rhima took a deep breath of the welcomed smells of cleaning agents, medicrols and herbs used daily within those walls. She would miss this place which had presented so many challenges to her throughout the many seasons of her internship. As she rounded a corner and entered the corridor of her assigned unit of chambers, she heard a loud commotion in the second room on her left. Turning into the door, she watched the unfolding of a conflict and composed herself for the confrontation she knew would be forthcoming.

The larger chambers of the Habital held an average of fifteen to twenty pallets, this one held ten. There gathered round the pallet of an old miner named Martof, were Sabella, several of Rhima’s new novices assigned to her unit for frontier training and two of her own inducted level Hursh making up her small staff. A few of the other ills who were able, looked on with distress in their eyes. Martof was yelling, cursing and refusing to hand over his smoking pipe. He had hidden it beneath the pillow on his bed, while Sabella was attempting to find it and letting everyone know that she was acting in authority since Rhima was not present. One of the novitiates was trying to explain quietly that she had only mentioned him having the pipe as something sentimental that old people do, hanging on to things that seem unimportant to anyone else and that the Prime, one Sabella, had not over heard a registered complaint.

Another was trying to tell Sabella that the old man never had anything to smoke in the pipe and that her Prime, one Rhima, was not going to like the interference in how she ran her unit. With that, Sabella rounded on her with a vicious glare. Pel, you never could think for yourself, so why try now? If Rhima was half the Prime she should be, the major breaking of regulations such as this would not be allowed, she finished hotly to the disapproving whispers of the other staff. Rhima had heard enough and stepped in to resolve the issue saying, A regulation that is completely within my jurisdiction to bend as I see fit, is exactly what this is. She approached the group and continued, And exactly what are you doing breaking a standard regulation of the Habital? Namely, no Prime will use her authority within the unit of another, without authorization from the Nanhursh, the Prime of the unit or the next senior staff person requesting emergency help.

Everyone froze, even old Martof. Well!? Do you have either, Sabella? Sabella straightened her carriage and raised her chin ever so haughtily and spoke, "I’m surprised Rhima and I’m sure the Nanhursh shall be as well to find that