The Mutant World (63 page)

“The fruit is tempting,” said Jawara truthfully, “but my mates would not approve and I might not live to see even fifty if they did. My brother Tidor however is nearly as strong as I. He-”

“No!”
snapped Gorgo mentally, barring her fangs.
“He spurned my descendant for a human, worse…a human slave!”

“None of the women of the great houses will share their man with a human girl!”
snarled the empress, also using private telepathy so Jawara’s wives and allies couldn’t hear. Tidor’s behavior was not widely known yet and the empress wouldn’t reveal it except as her trump card in the event that Jawara should prove difficult. Jawara sighed sadly. This would be a shame his family would be trying to live down for some time. “But don’t concern yourself with that,” said Beral III, verbally. “Miko did much better in the end…and so did the empire.”

Jawara sighed again. “They approach the walls,” he said. “I should be leading the assault.” Saying this, he turned and along with his chiefs and wives, left the empress’s presence.

“Brave boy,” said Gorgo grinning.

“I really do feel sorry for him though,” chuckled the empress. “He thought he was free to follow his own path and become a great founder or at least
free
. Now…” Beral chuckled. “Life is never easy for men of his stature and lineage. Doing what was right has put him in a position that, one way or another, has him tied to many rulers and unable to flee.”

“I don’t think he’s given up yet,” said Gorgo. “He’s just pushed his personal issues to the back for now while he deals with the problem at hand.” Gorgo chuckled. “I’d be sorry for the Merkels right now. He’s going to unleash his aggression on them for what their leader cost him.”

******

“Take them down,” roared Jawara as the enemy catapults sent stones smashing into the siege towers and ballista. Immediately a storm of arrows and spears impossible for human arms to throw began showering the enemy engineers and archers. Bellasarian catapults and Ballista targeted their war engines with devastating results and accuracy.

Elder Terrence watched in horror and dread as he saw the destruction and enemy siege towers coming ever closer to the walls of the lower defenses. Bodies were falling from the sky as winged mutants or warriors mounted on Naka’s, engaged each other in the air or were shot down by defenders from the wall.

Nakas are large flying reptiles used primarily by some rural people for transportation and hunting. They were also used in war for scouting and harassing an enemy. These beasts were not widely domesticated though and were used limitedly for any purpose. This was the first time anyone could remember them being used in such numbers to actually attack a town. Terrence didn’t like the looks of it. These mounted flyers could make things very difficult for him if the lower defenses were taken. The higher defenses would make an assault hell for warriors attacking from foot, even hold them off indefinitely until their food ran out, but obviously Jawara and the Bellasarians meant to keep the defenders busy from attacks from the air. This normally would not have been as serious a threat for Terrence except that the town was undermanned with real warriors and his own flyers were now being decimated. A sharp pang of dread ran through his body as he saw the first tower reach the wall.

“Tear them apart!” roared the now semi-transformed Jawara forcing his way into the ranks of the stone warriors charging up the ramps and engaging the defenders. Arrows fired by human defenders made little impact on his densely muscled form, but missiles fired by mutant warriors managed to flesh themselves shallowly in his body. These were easily brushed off. The Bellasarian warriors were being held back to some degree though until another tower reached the walls, and then another. Soon the defenses were being overrun and then everything went to shit for the defenders as elements of their own forces began fighting against
them
.

Confusion reigned as the attacking Bellasarians tried to make friend from foe in this chaotic fight. Finally, powerful minds began ordering all who were for the former king’s family and the empire to withdraw from the fight. This allowed many still loyal to Terrence to escape to a stronger location, and after savage fighting, they fled the town proper and retreated to the upper keep covered from fired from above.

Jawara and his brothers looked at the town and shook their heads sadly. The slaughter there was terrible. The fight here had been hard for them in many, many ways and on many levels.

Still, the first stage of the siege ended unexpectedly in their favor. Terrence, who was shorthanded in fighting men, had offered the slaves freedom providing they fight for him or death if they didn’t. So they did, until the Bellasarians and their allies began swarming over the walls. Then they turned on their former masters and the lower levels and town were quickly taken.

The upper levels would be another story though. These were defended by people who had either fanatical resolve or really no choice but to fight on. The Barratian royal family would probably have them all put to death for treason anyway. The battle up to the final keep was a hellish task for the Bellasarians, even with aerial support. The Merkels’ archers and other missile men kept the winged and mounted warriors at bay to some degree allowing their warriors to rain death from above on the warriors on foot, but they were now finally at Terrence’s main gates. The end was near and everyone knew it, but the defenders would fight to the last man, woman and child. These were not humans, but mutants. They would take many with them to the other side. Only a miracle could stop the slaughter before thousands died.

******

The gates to the keep opened and Elder Terrence, his sons and other ranking men of the city came forth. The Bellasarians had sent heralds under sign of truce, much to Terrence’s surprise. The elder had not expected any type of civility from the empire and especially his former king’s children. He fully expected for them to smash down his defenses and slaughter him and every single defender within. What would come next would surprise him even more.

The Bellasarian Empress, her lord, and several very old elders were some distance away from the wall waiting. Lord Jawara, who would probably be “King” Jawara when this was all over, was there as well. But then a tall beautiful woman with long black hair streaked with white came forward and Terrence was speechless. He hadn’t seen this woman for at least two centuries. She was wearing a simple white dress with long sleeves that fell to her ankles. The woman was barefoot. Such conservative clothing and demeanor spoke of penance and grief.

Retired Queen Mavie approached the rebel leaders and looked Lord Terrence in the eyes and sadly shook her head.

“I remember you,” she said. “You’re the boy that came with Lord Barrat to Mavie City, the one called Terrence.”

“I remember you too,” said Terrence, now getting over his shock. “So, you’re still alive and well. That’s more than I can say for your offspring and descendants.”

“That is more than I’ll be able to say for you and
yours
if you don’t stop this madness now,” replied Mavie seriously without pleasure. “Your children and clan are in danger. If this continues to its bitter conclusion, you and your entire line will be destroyed forever along with most of these people and thousands will die in the process.”

“What do you want?” said Terrence, looking beyond Mavie to the Bellasarian leaders and their allies.

“This began with me,” said Mavie, “it will end with me.

Elder Terrence and the others looked uncomprehendingly at Mavie and then to the opposing leaders. Their faces were like stone.

“What means this?” said Terrence hesitantly.

“I will atone for what I have created with my life,” said Mavie, kneeling.

“What trickery is this?” snapped Terrence.

“No trick,” said Mavie. “I willingly offer myself to you for your vengeance. But in return, you must swear to lay down your arms and surrender. You will answer for your crimes against the Barratian people and the empire, but all others here will be spared and pardoned for their parts in this rebellion. That is the conditions. Do you agree?”

There was a long pause and then Terrence began to laugh until tears ran down his cheeks. Everyone who had begun to wonder if this man was off his egg was certain now. And those who didn’t question his sanity were beginning to.

“Do I agree?” said Terence, wiping his eyes. “Never! Slink back to your masters. Killing you would be a mercy, bitch. And I’d see every one of my people dead before I see them kneel under a woman’s heel.”

Behind Terrence his chiefs were appalled. Lord Byne shook his head sadly. He had suspected it for some time, but the old human couldn’t dismiss it any longer. As Terrence ranted at the stunned Mavie his chiefs and kin whispered amongst themselves. It was now clear that despite being given a chance for not only personal justice, but to save the lives of his clan and vassals, he’d see them all dead just to spit in the face of his enemies. There were some fanatical loons among the men who might feel the same way as Terrence, but not the chiefs.

“You can’t be serious!” cried Mavie horrified. “All of your people and even your offspring will be killed!”

“A great sacrifice and one I’d gladly make!” snapped Terrence.

“You perhaps,” said a voice, “but not us.”

Terrence spun around and saw Lord Byne behind him along with two very powerful chieftains. “What is the meaning of this?!” cried the elder.

“You are unfit to lead, my lord,” said Byne. “Yield peacefully.”

“Coward!” cried Terrence whipping out his sword. “Are you so afraid of death that you would turn on me?!”

“I do not fear death, my lord,” replied Byne. “If you wish to kill me strike.”

Terrence raised his sword, but could not strike. Slowly he lowered the blade. “I never believed that you could betray me,” he said wearily, “even my sons.”

“My lord,” said Byne. “You raised me after my father was killed. You have been like my own father. I love you. But your actions have brought Barratia to ruin. You are obsessed with the Mavie’s destruction.”

“They murdered my mate!” screamed Terrence. “They deserve to be destroyed!”

“I know,” said Byne, “but that was a long time ago. My father was just a pup when it happened. Also, those Mavie are dead, most of them. And the ones who survived have seen the results of that treachery. Worse, because of your actions, they are not the ones who will be destroyed now if you continue, we will.”

“How can someone with a life as short as yours hope to understand?” said Terrence.

“How can one with a life as long as yours not?” said Byne. “You planned the murder of your king, your best friend’s descendant, and put a man as incompetent as Stragg on the throne in his place. You acquired weapons no honorable Bellasarian warrior would touch willingly, human or mutant. You interfered in a duel of honor and used such a weapon. Is this something you would have seen yourself doing before? And now you would willingly sacrifice your city and all who have been loyal to you, even your children, out of spite. Don’t you see? You are not as you were.”

For a long moment Terrence could not speak. Then he said, “I…I did what I did for the sake of the Barratian people…to preserve our ways. My friend, my brother, founded this land. I…I couldn’t…”

“She did the same thing,” said Byne nodding to Mavie. “To stop her society from changing she did many dishonorable deeds. She, the self-proclaimed protector of women, became the accomplice and even mastermind of rape to frame your closest friend, which brought about her own grandsons death. She did succeed in saving the old Mavie order, at the cost of her family and honor though. But was it worth it in the end? You and she are the same.”

Terrence now seemed to finally see what he’d become and the results of his actions. He hadn’t saved Barrat; he’d brought it to the brink of ruin. A look of realization and anguish appeared on his face. Slowly the sword fell from the elder’s hand and he slumped to his knees. Lord Byne looked at Mavie and said, “We accept your terms, but keep your life.”

******

With Merkel’s surrender the Barratian War was finally over. Now the empress could concentrate on other matters, like bringing Barratia back to order and into the mainstream Bellasarian social order. But her first priority was making sure her youngest daughter’s husband was legitimized and neutralized as a possible rival to the empire sometime, somewhere, in the future. If all went well, she would have the late king’s most gifted son and the nearest western tribes beyond the Barratian Mountains in the bargain. However, Jawara Mason (his mother’s surname) was just as sharp and wary as the empress had warned.

“Why must I go to Ramia to go through this mating ceremony?” asked Jawara. “I do not understand this wedding thing that you speak of either. Miko and I are bonded. She is my principal mate. Everyone knows this. So why—?”

“It is just a formality, Prince,” said Beral. “Once, we were as you. But now it has become our tradition to have great celebrations and many witnesses when people take mates. Or, as they are called now, wives and husbands.”

“Why Ramia?” said Jawara. “Illia is your capital. It is where most of the main house of Cato lives. Also, Illia is even closer to Barrat than Ramia.”

“Don’t trust them, my lord!” cried Princess Coahoma of the Red Stones. “If you go to that place you’ll never return!” Inside, Beral III groaned. It was the copper skinned, thickly made girl that they’d seen before. Beral knew she’d be trouble and she was right.

“You dare to insult your empress!” cried Princess Miko jumping to her feet.

“She is not
my
empress,” said Princess Coahoma, “but
he
is my mate! And I mean to keep him!”

“Aye,” agreed Princess Nandi of the Matabe, the tall brown girl, “our sister is right. Where is Ramia anyway?”

“I understand it is far, far away from
our
domains in the very heart of Illyria,” said Princess Jayna of Borrenqi, Queen Shanis’s granddaughter.

“My women are right,” said Jawara looking at Beral III. “With your technology it would be a simple matter to just teleport any close kin and important people to Dinos. Also, it would be just as easy to visually transmit the entire ceremony throughout your empire. There is no need for me to go so far. I have no intention of doing so. This wedding ceremony can be held right here. Or better yet, in my old domains and Castle Fang. I was happiest and have many friends there.”

“Your principle
‘Bonded’
mate is Illyrian and a Bellasarian Princess,” said the empress. “This is a great honor, my son.” Jawara looked at Princess Miko. “I feel offended that you would suspect treachery after all we’ve been through,” continued Beral III, knowing all along that she was plotting to keep him in her land indefinitely. Jawara though seemed a little ashamed.

“Why Ramia?” said a tall black warrior. He was recognized immediately as Princess Nandi’s father, King Kona. The empress’s sharp eyes noticed Queen Shanis looking at the large Matabe King. Both of their mates were dead, and from the looks of her daughter, Sada, he was her type.

“I suggested Ramia,” said Bellasaris, entering the great chamber along with Cato, Gorgo and several other ancient elders. Immediately all the kings and queens stood and bowed.

“Welcome, honored ancestors,” said the empress. The other rulers straightened themselves and the elders took their places in the chamber. Bellasaris then addressed the Matabe King again.

“Because of the summit and even the war, there were many bondings among the great houses and imperial family. Ramia is indeed in the center of our realm making it ideal for the unions to be formalized in one great celebration. Believe me, there are others who will be just as far away from their homes as you. Besides,” said Bellasaris turning to Jawara, “you are joining my family. What reason would we have for trickery?”

“Indeed,” said Beral III, “I negotiated the marriage with your father myself. You are of
my
house now.”

“And as a member of our house,” said Bellasaris, “you should be thinking of the empire as your home. Before his death, your father pledged you to us.”

“His father?!” cried a
very
dark skinned woman who looked like she could be Jawara’s sister. “My son was not recognized by that man! If you wanted to make a binding contract you should have come to me!” Mother Rainy looked around at the various Barratian chiefs and spat. “So you all want him now,” she said in disgust, “well you can’t
have
him. And as for the empire, my son is not bound by that man’s word!”

“Slave!” snarled one of the Barratian chiefs. “You dare to open your mouth here and dictate to us?! You were nothing but the king’s plaything!”

Angrily, Jawara jumped up and the man leaped forward, but before anyone could intervene, and with blinding speed, they were just there.

Roxanne, the busty redhead, had her blade to the man’s throat, and the black girl, Carrie, had another at his privates. The stunned chief didn’t dare move, much less speak.

“No one attacks our lord or disrespects the Great Lady,” hissed Roxanne.