Empire's Advance: Corelian Guard series, #2

Empire’s Advance

By

Prudence MacLeod

Book two of the Corelian Guard series.

Copyright, Prudence MacLeod o6/11/2013

All rights reserved.

Lost

ALLARI SAT QUIETLY, watching the slow moving water as it worked its way along the valley floor. She didn’t know whether to jump back in and finish what the rapids had started, or to try finding shelter from the approaching storm. The throbbing pain in her head was matched by the ache in her heart and the rumble in her stomach. Frozen by indecision and the horror she had witnessed, Allari sat and waited for some other power to decide her fate, for she could not. 

She sighed, then raised her eyes towards the sky as though to pray or curse the gods and the cruel fate that brought her to this desolate place. Again the vision of Jared as the jaws of the beast closed around him and dragged him below the surface of the raging waters filled her mind. She’d been trying to save him, but wasn’t able to get to him. She relived the terror of going over the falls and the rapids below.

Allari had no idea how she had managed to survive. She had awakened, wet and cold, on that river bank a few hours ago with no idea how she had gotten there. Allari returned her gaze to the river and wept bitter tears as the rain began to fall.

A woman’s voice broke through Allari’s wall of emotional pain, startling her. She leaped to her feet and turned, her hands flying to her mouth. A short, muscular woman holding a number of dead animals stood before her. Did you hear me, Allari? We must hurry. Come.

The small woman started out towards the nearby cliff, but soon stopped as she realized Allari wasn’t following her. Come on, woman, she said in exasperation. I didn’t fish you out of that river just to watch you drown on land. You said you’re a healer, so come on. There are people who need you.

That did it; Allari’s nurturing instincts took over and she rose to her feet. The woman was moving away swiftly, but Allari stood six feet three inches tall, and her long legs had no difficulty catching up. They reached the trail at the base of the cliff at the same time. The skies opened up and rain fell in torrents as they struggled up that trail. They reached the ledge then had to crawl through the mouth of the cave out of the storm.

Inside the cave opened up into a large room with a spring of fresh water bubbling up through the floor. It was warm and dry inside, and the woman soon had a fire going. There was plenty of wood, so she built it up then stripped off her leather clothing to dry by the fire. Allari shivered as she stripped off her thin uniform and laid it out to dry. The woman threw a large fur over her and Allari gratefully snuggled into the warmth of it. This felt good and she decided to live. The fates had spoken.

As Allari warmed herself, she became aware of the woman watching her closely. This woman was definitely a Nander, yet tall for a Nander. She might even be over five foot six, Allari mused. Who are you? she asked aloud.

Don’t you remember?

No. Who are you, how do you know my name, and what happened that you know me?

The woman smiled and her face changed as she did. She was young, that much was apparent as the lines of worry disappeared in that smile. I’m Lorana, she said. "We met earlier this day. I was fishing when I saw a body caught in a tree in the river. I had never seen such a person before, so I dragged the body out of the water.

"You began to cough and sputter so I knew you were still alive. I pushed on your back until you coughed up the water and could breathe. You thanked me and said your name is Allari. You said a lot of things that made no sense, but you did say that you are a healer. My clan is far from here and in need of a healer. I asked you to come with me when I return, and you agreed.

Just then a beast rose from the water to grab you. You leaped away, but fell and hit your head. You said you were alright, so I left you in a safe place while I went hunting. Why did you return to the river?

I have no memory of these things, Lorana, sighed Allari. The water called to me. Jared’s face haunts me and he called to me from the river. I thought about joining him. It might end the pain and sorrow.

It will also end all you have done. All you have done, all you have learned, must be passed on to your clan or it is lost forever. This is how the people survive, grow strong, and prosper.

I don’t understand.

Allari, you say you’re a healer, not a hunter. I can hunt and make fire, but if I get injured who will help me? Together we can hunt, gather food and fuel, carry heavier things, heal injuries, and do many more things that one person cannot manage alone. Healing skills have great value to a clan. I will teach you to hunt if you will teach me those skills.

I don’t want to hunt. I could never kill an animal.

Don’t you eat meat?

Yes, I confess until now I have eaten meat, but no more.

Why?

Jared was taken from me by a beast that has probably eaten him, said Allari, as she burst into tears and covered her face with her hands. It was so horrible.

You are not of this world, are you Allari? You are from a world of great cities where food and clothing are brought from afar.

Startled, Allari took her hands away from her face. How do you know of these things?

"When I was younger, I was captured by demons who walk unseen, and they took me to their world. I was put in a cage and their people would come to stare at me and torment me. One of the trio of keepers befriended me and secretly educated me.

Eventually we were discovered, and I was taken away. I was given to a man named Vorth and trained to be an ambassador. They wanted me to act as their agent on worlds with people like me, and I agreed.

Why?

"To escape them. Three years ago they brought me here to act as interpreter for them. It was to be my first field test. In the night I killed one of them and escaped. I have lived alone since that time. Vorth and his other two have been here several times looking for me, but I have remained free.

There are clans who will trade with me, but none will take me in. They don’t trust one who has lived with the demons. Now it is your turn; tell me of yourself. How did you come to be floating down the river where I was fishing?

I can’t remember, sniffed Allari. It’s all so fuzzy. All I can think of is Jared being pulled under the water by that creature. Oh, Jared... she began to weep again and Lorana scooted over to take the distraught woman in her arms. She cooed and sang a strange lullaby as she gently rocked the tall woman and stroked her hair. Exhausted and distraught, Allari fell asleep in the Nander woman’s arms.

I KNOW OUR MOTHERS didn't want to call us back early, but I'm glad they did. Tracy said, dodging a tech with a clipboard as they hurried through the corridor.

Something has Mr. Common spooked, or he never would have gotten Nana to agree to call us back. August rounded the corner with a calculating frown.

Just the same, those two are our friends. We recruited them and now they are in trouble. I'm glad your skills are available for the hunt. A door slid open as they approached.

August and Tracy entered the armory and began gathering weapons. Where are you headed, Hunter? asked the tall Corelian attendant.

Retrieval mission. Cal and Lekki’s last known location please.

Okay, I’ve got those coordinates on the memory here somewhere...ah...there we are. Ready. This is a primitive world, ladies. Aren’t those weapons a bit modern for this?

This isn’t a spy mission. It’s a retrieval. I have no idea what we’ll face, so I want to be prepared, replied August.

What she said. Tracy agreed. Ready, August?

Ready, replied August. On three and back to back. Tracy nodded the counted aloud. On three they both leapt through the barrier and vanished.

The attendant just shook his head and chuckled. I sure wouldn’t want to face those two, he mused. Bring ‘em back alive, girls.

AUGUST AND TRACY LANDED back to back in an open grassland. The place was deserted and peaceful. Dropping to a crouch, Tracy let her senses scan the area. She touched the minds of small animals and a few birds, but nothing else.

I get nothing, August, no Vorlox, no Nanders, and no Cal or Lekki.

Okay, sweetie, but don’t move from that spot just yet.

Huh?

Something happened here not too long ago. See how the ground is all churned up? I want to see if I can make sense out of all the tracks.

Do your thing, wild woman, grinned Tracy, as she sank to a cross-legged position. I’ll see if I can pick up anything farther out.

Tracy couldn’t find any traces of them, but August did. Okay, I think I’ve got what happened here, and I don’t like it.

Tell me, said Tracy, as she rose to her feet.

It looks like two different hunting parties butted heads here; probably from two different clans. Lots of blood was spilled and our people were right in the middle of it for some reason. I think they were part of the small hunting group. Anyway, when the battle was over Cal followed the larger party towards those mountains. There’s no sign of Lekki. That means she was probably carried off, either by her friends or, more likely, by the others as captive female.

Why do you say that?

If she was just hurt Cal wouldn’t have left her to follow the others.

You’ve got that right, my love. So, how come our people couldn’t track them?

Beats me, replied August, as she continued to study the ground, I’m no techie. She began to move slowly towards the mountains and Tracy followed. A short while later she spoke again. Cal has some backup, she said, as she straightened up to stretch her back. Looks like a few of the boys from his hunting group have joined him for the hunt. They’ll be young ones.

Oh?

A young male who helps a hunter recover his stolen mate is big mojo. They’ll get lots of points with the girls if they show they’ll never abandon their mates.

Gotcha. So, can we go any faster?

Sure, we just have to follow the arrows.

What??

Look, grinned August, as she pointed at the ground. There was an arrow formed out of small stones pointing the way.

That’s Cal, laughed Tracy. He’s done this just in case anyone comes looking for them.

Smart boy, our Cal, grinned August. Let’s go. She set a hard pace, but Tracy had been training and was able to keep up. Two days and a hard climb up to a mountain valley later, they found Cal. He was wounded and tied upside down to a tree.

Tracy and August ran to the man hanging limply from the tree branch just as a small animal leaped to get a free meal of meat. To the beast’s surprise, the man came to life and grabbed it by the neck. There was a snapping sound and the man dropped the dead carnivore to the ground before he went limp again.

Tracy whipped out her first aid kit as August cut the leather ropes and gently lowered him to the ground. She began to apply bandages as August contacted the ship, calling for healers. They appeared near the tree in moments.

Jared, Allari, over here, called August. He looks bad.

So do you, August, groaned Cal, your hair’s a mess.

Hush now, big fella, you can tease me later after Allari has you all patched up. Come on Tracy, let’s go find Lekki. They can’t be far.

No, August. Cal gasped as he tried, and failed, to sit up. No. Hundreds of them. Cannibals. Need troops. The effort of that speech sent Cal into unconsciousness.

Tracy and August locked gazes and nodded silently. Tracy activated her communicator. Tracy to ship.

Tracy, report, came her mother’s voice.

We’ve found Cal, and the healers are working with him now. Lekki has been taken captive by a large tribe of cannibals. Requesting backup.

Stand by. A few moments later they began appearing in the clearing. Two more healers, a Corelian sharp shooter, and a number of Nander shock troopers armed to the teeth. Annon was leading them.

August was already on the trail as Annon sent Cal back to the ship in the care of the two new healers. She then led her troops after August with Tracy, Jared, and Allari bringing up the rear. It was nearly dark when August returned.

I’ve got them, she reported. They’re in a tight valley with a river running through. The waters will cover the sound of our approach. They’ve butchered their male captives, but the females are still alive. I don’t think we should wait.

This is your hunt, O-Goost, replied Annon.

August nodded and turned to the Corelian sharpshooter. How’s your climbing skills, Sniper?

Where do you want me, Hunter? he grinned.

See that out cropping there? she asked, pointing at a spot partway up the cliff face. You can see their whole camp from there. The three women are tied up at the far end near the river. Once you see me enter the camp, keep everyone away from them. Can you remember my signals? Have you got a night scope?

Got it, and yes, I remember, he replied and set out at a lope. He was soon scaling the cliff face with ease.

August watched until he reached the ledge then she turned to her troops. I’ll go in first, see if I can talk sense to them, she said. Be ready in case I can’t. If you have to come in, swing along the right flank and push them into the river. They may take to the water to escape and we shouldn’t have to kill too many. If we push them against the cliff we’ll have to kill them all.

Would that be such a bad thing? asked one of the Nander troopers.

The fewer people I have to kill the fewer people I dream about at night, replied August as she turned to Tracy. Honey, you, Jared, and Allari bring up the rear. We need our healers so keep them alive.

Aye, aye, Captain Bly, grinned Tracy.

August grinned and turned to the sharpshooter in his nest. The tall man signalled that he was ready, so she set out for the encampment, her troops close behind her.

As August reached the camp she could see three humanoid forms roasting on spits. Her bile rose in her throat, but she fought it down. The cannibals were celebrating their victory with drums and dancing. Suddenly the drums stopped as a lone female was spotted approaching the camp. They surged toward her, but she pointed to one man and he fell dead to a sound like thunder. They froze in place.

Hear me, she shouted as the drums fell silent.

What do you want? asked a large male as he stepped towards her.

Release your female captives to me and I will leave. No more people need be harmed.

I have a better idea, said another male as he stepped forward. I’ll eat your heart myself while you watch me. He charged at August. She gestured and he fell dead to another clap of thunder.

Everything was silent for a moment, frozen in time. August prayed this would work as there were at least two hundred of them in the camp. Her prayers went unanswered. They suddenly charged en masse.

As the cannibals charged, so did the Nanders. They swept past August and opened fire, following the flares in; cutting down the opponents by the dozens. The cannibals had no idea what they actually faced, and they kept coming, right into the hail of gunfire. The pure carnage was horrifying.

Reality began to set in and there was general panic. Some managed to get past the guns and reach the troops, but the found they faced something they had not faced before. These were highly trained warriors, and they were as deadly in hand-to-hand combat as they were with weapons.

The cannibals at the front tried to flee, but they were pressed ahead by those from behind. They began to fight each other as some tried to escape while others pressed forward to attack. Finally they turned and tried to flee into the river.

In all the battle, Tracy and the healers managed to work their way around to the captives. They cut their bonds and began to bandage the wounds, but the battle swung around and reached them. August cut a path towards them, and Tracy fought like a tigress, but they were momentarily overwhelmed.

It was in that moment that Allari saw Jared get knocked into the water. She watched in horror as a huge beast surfaced and closed its jaws around him and dragged him under. She screamed and tried to run to him, but she was struck from behind and knocked into the river. Half stunned from the blow; she was swept away by the current.

Tracy was standing before Lekki’s unconscious body, her guns empty, and her daggers red with blood. One attacker screamed and grasped his head, then attacked his companion. Two more fell to the sniper on the ridge. Another felt the bite of her blade and backed away.

August had arrived just as Jared had been forced into the water. She was in the river an instant later, her knives biting deep into the sides of the beast. It opened its jaws to fight and his limp body floated free. Annon was also in the water and when the creature felt the sting of her blades as well, it fled. Together the two women managed to drag Jared back from the current and get him to land.

The battle was over and the Nanders were mopping up as the two women pulled the wounded man to the riverbank. Allari, get over here! He’s hurt bad, shouted August, as they brought Jared out of the water.

She’s gone, said one of the troopers. She was swept away by the current. I’ve already sent for more healers. Even as he spoke they began to appear and retrieve the wounded. Tracy watched as Lekki was gently carried back to the ship, then she approached August. She had tried to find Allari, but failed.

I’m so sorry, August, but I can’t find her. She must be too far away.

Or dead, said one of the troopers. August shot him a look and he found something else to do.

August and Tracy followed the river for a ways, hoping, but all they found was the falls and the rapids below. They stopped hoping and returned to the ship with the others.

Recovering

Allari awakened slowly . Her head was pillowed on something soft and warm and there was a distinct sweet scent in her nostrils. It was quite arousing, and she inhaled deeply. Suddenly her mind realized where she was and what that sweet aroma was. Her head was on Lorana’s thigh and her nose was right by the woman’s pubic mound. She had awakened to the delightful scent of woman. Still only half awake, she let her long graceful fingers trace the thigh on which she rested her head.

So, you’re awake at last, are you, asked a rich feminine voice.

Blushing furiously, Allari sat up. I’m sorry.

For what?

Allari recognized the innocence of the question. This woman had no idea how aroused she