Echoes from the Lost Ones (4 page)

“What did he say?”

“That answers would be forthcoming.”
 

“Nay more?”

“Nope.”

“Ye are yet of youth. To be travelling alone is not without question.”

“I have years enough to clear me for solo duties. And I am well trained from my Santy Breanna.”

“A S.A.N.T. gave ye school?”

“For many a moon and sun. Twelve to be exact.”

“And how old when ye started?”

“Five and three-quarters.”

Aiken wolfed down his grog and stifled a mild “Ha, ha, ha.” Brennus changed his look of threat to one of kindred and slapped me on the shoulder. Sending my camouflaged Synthbag to the floor. I quickly scooped it up before they got a glimpse. Everyone, despite their choice of dwelling, knows about the goodies contained within and I did not want to be severed from their comfort.

“Very well, little warrior, very well. To bed and rest for tomorrow ye will be sorely set to test. We will feast upon the meat ye provide for many a long day.”

I did not like the last part of his speech. It indicated my stay would not be brief. “I cannot give vent that much. I am bound to limit the numbers lest there be no more to dine upon.” Brennus did not respond. “If I were to annihilate too many birdybirds that would mean extinction, and extinction means…no more meat. Ever.”

“We shall see. There are more than enough to go round in these parts. Our kin have not had taste of flesh since before my coming out. The Agros have slimmed our rations too. Nay so long past, a gaggle of Agro brutes swarmed into the women-folk’s camp and set about smacking and slapping. My own comfort mate was gashed about the head and legs. When word reached our ears we fled quick as quick to find all manner of tears and sighs, our homes all broken and soiled. Kiddles and old ‘uns shivering in fear as they washed away the blood from their wounds. The women fought back as best they could, but they have no proper weapons and young ‘uns were took.”

“Yep, sounds about right. Agros only attack those least able to defend themselves. The cutting back of foodstuffs is a coward’s way to weaken those they wish to overcome. Provisions have dwindled in Cityplace too, and when I left all means of power had been severed.”

“I cannot say how ye and yers will manage, but if me and mine are to survive their nefarious scheming, we have to live by our wits and yer talent. I think ye will be staying long. Ye will bring a swarm of relief to our plagued peoples.”

Not on your turgid waste, I wanted to shout for all to hear, but all I did was grunt in way of acquiescence. But then an image of Deogol flashed into my noggin and I blurted out, “And yet, I must retrieve my stolen bro.”

“There will be time for that and more. Do not fret for yer lost one. There is feeling in the wind that those that have been took are not damaged.”

“This is something feasible?”

“Word from those who know would say it is.”

“Then I must take your side of things as truth.”

“Good. All is set. The cot up high where the ladder rests is to be yer space whilst ye are here. Sleep without thoughts,” he said and bowed.

I gave a curt nod and headed towards the ladder. I do not like the highness of things especially when I can see no enclosure to stop a drop. I scanned the sleeping teens all wrapped up like babybubs and climbed the long, long ladder. The highest place I’d ever been was the middle of an info board in the main plaza, and then I’d taken an antivertigo pill. This ascent was more than four times that height and my legs wobbled all the while.

The platform reached, I wiped my brow and tried to not look down. The bed to my relief was secured with massive clamps. I gave it a goodly shake to make sure it was safe, then climbed between the Flexisheets and relaxed a little as they moulded into shape around my body. I breathed in deeply, closed my eyes and opened them again. Thoughts of sleep in this shifty place sent a wave of hot and cold up and down my spine.

I moved my head to the side and looked down the rungs of the ladder for signs of teen. All was clear. I did not doubt that Brennus meant me no harm, but I feared that once he was dream-filled, my safety would be in jeopardy. I vowed to stay awake lest a creepy Nearly ascended and fiddled with my bits whilst I slept. I stared at the hole in the roof, at the swirling smoke and embers that drifted through and felt my lids grow heavy. I lifted them half way but gravity had other ideas. They fluttered briefly, and then fell.

Chapter Four

The Day Of Getting Even

I thought my head was somewhere else when I awoke. It swam and tumbled as though I were hanging upside down. I squeezed my eyelids together, and the up and downess faded. Altitude sickness. I fumbled amongst the tight sheets and came upon my Synthbag caught around my feet, which I unravelled and nimbly opened up. I took out a Soother, placed it on my temple and sighed as it sank into my brain. It was not quite time for the moon to be forgot and in the dimness, I gave myself up to curiosity. I wriggled free from the constraining bedclothes, knelt, gripped onto the edge of the platform, and saw row after row of snoozing teenbulls. In the flattering light, they looked all innocent and noble.

I came over all-woozy, leant against the wall to compose myself and got a feel of its texture. Several knots dug into my back and I moved myself over their gnarled surface, positively sighing with relief as the knobs scratched itch after itch I didn’t even know I had. I let out a sigh, then remembered Wirt’s anguished face and the marks of ruffing up upon his soft flesh. Out there all a-cosy and sleeping the sleep of the blameless, were several males as guilty as an Agro filching a bub.

I bit my tongue before a yell of “sissy’s all” escaped from my lips, and noticed a grey-bearded figure mosey towards the sleeping Nearlys. My high position made it difficult for me to see exactly where he was headed. I raised myself slowly, so as not to allow the altitude to get the better of me again, and stood. I inhaled the smell of corruption that swirled around the room like smoke from a dreampipe. The ‘dult fairly reeked of skank design as he scuttled amongst the resting teens. A red-hot anger began at my toes and crept up and up my limbs until all I could think of was revenge.

Time for me to keep my promise and fetch them all some beastie flesh.

Quiet as a Monk’s fart, I slithered down the ladder and tiptoed outside. Gaining in belief of my unseen exit, I hid behind a tree, dug a hole in the dirt and made a much-needed plop. This outdoor toilet doings was not something to be relished, but there being no indoor means of relief. I hardened my finer sensitivities and thought it good experience for when I began training as a Backpacker. I kicked some dead leaves over my droppings, took off my Synthbag, pulled out a Moister and refreshed my sleep-blocked face. Then unplugged myself, noting that my sponge was dry and the reddiness a thing to not think about until next month.

The ground had a light frost upon it and a hazy mist twisted around my legs. I would have to wait until the sun sucked it up before I sang my song. I could not afford said fogginess to stick upon my vocal chords and diminish the intensity of my tune. They named me well although I do deny it. I am ‘The Catcher of Birds’ and as it is my calling, I must do right by it and poor Wirt. They would have their meat and choke upon it.

I headed back to the Oakhome and saw Wirt dart from the entrance. Aiken chased after him, his skirt all hanging loose.

Son-of-a-Peado!

I raced after, taking one of the vombombs that Orva had given me from my trouser pocket. I hurried close enough to see Wirt stagger and fall. Aiken, mitts all ready, kicked him in the ribs and spat upon his face.“Coward!” I shouted and threw.

The tiny ball landed on his neck and burst. Aiken swatted at the entry point thinking it perhaps a gnat. But I knew better and so did Wirt. When Aiken’s mouth dropped open and he squirted up his guts, I ran to Wirt and pulled him up. His nose was all bloodied and there was a gash across his cheek. I turned to Aiken who by now was lying on the ground twitching and clutching at his belly. He groaned and writhed and I spat upon his face.

“What have ye done?”

“Nothing that won’t wear off before too long.”

“They’ll come for me. They’ll teach me a lesson. They”ll...” Wirt didn’t finish his speech. He fell to his knees and blubbed and blubbed. I knelt beside him and took his shaking hands in mine.

“It’s nearly time for me to get some meat. When I do, stay close. So close we are as one. You will do this?” By way response, he laid his head upon my shoulder.

“Good. Now we must go back.”

“But they’ll know. Aiken will be missed.”

“Not so much. If they ask, I’ll say I saw him go for plops.”

Wirt raised his head and despite the muck and spittle that ran down his chin, he gave a whisper of a smile to me. I wiped his face with the sleeve of my tunic, rummaged in my Synthbag and handed him some Sterichoc.

“Ye sure ye want to part with such a treasure?”

“Keep stum about this. It’s Sterichoc.”

“I believed that to be a lie.”

“No, all true. Self-replicating choc. Or it would be, if I had the DNA and the 3D imaging device. But I have enough to keep me indulged for a while, I think.”

Wirt sniffed the sweetness and gulped it down in one.

“Such meltiness and sweet-sweet flavour. This truly is a wonder of wonders.”
 

“Time for glorifying later. Up we get,” I said and we walked back to Oakhome, the groans of Aiken fading in the mist.

We paused outside the entrance. I peered in through a small gap in the cloth hanging and saw the males sitting around the cauldron, eating. I squeezed Wirt’s hand for a sec and went inside. The great fire whooshed with warmth when we entered and a pleasing smell of oatlys wafted towards us. Both our guts grumbled with hunger. Wirt took his place next to a hairy-faced teen, grabbed himself a bowl and ladled a great splat of the porridge into it. Brennus lifted his head and gestured for me to sit.

“Welcome, Adara. Here, eat our humble chow. Then set to work.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” I said all bold. He handed me a large portion. I took it, sat next to him and scoffed down the proffered goo.

“What tune will ye sing to bring down the birdybirds?”

“The only one I know. Not much to choose from since their voices are not so often heard, what with them being so aloof. They tend not to hover close to where those that would capture and eat them dwell. Santy Breanna told me once, that birdies used to land and folk would put out food for them to feed upon.”

Brennus laughed and slapped his thigh. “Today we eat meat! Today we frolic with the knowhow of having ourselves a real life birdy catcher. Others will take note and our tribe will be great and honoured. Ladies will flock to our abode once more!”

A great cheer and clanging of bowls ensued to Brennus’s false claims. I caught Wirt’s eye and gave a look as if to say “Get ready” and stood. All rose with me, and Wirt, clip-clopped to my side. I waved my hand in the air and hurled my breakfast bowl against the wall. It smashed in two and all gave out an excited whoop and walked towards where I stood. I stayed them with raised open palm and began to sing.

I warbled loud and clear, a savage sound that came from beneath my bowels. The fire retreated back inside itself, as though scared of what was to come. I backed away towards the opening, felt Wirt’s fingers grip tightly at my pants and raised the volume. The males turned white when my singing reached an almost scalding intensity. I stepped outside and felt the cold air bite into my skin

The sun had risen and dried up the ice and haze revealing swirling black dots high above our heads. I softened my trills so as to listen to the song of the gathering birdybirds. I gazed upon their swirling shapes, free and boundless and wished that I could see them all up close and watch them peck and frolic.

My sentimental musings ended when the males appeared armed with clubs and nets. Eyes wide with eagerness, they tilted their faces up towards the sky and for a moment all stood still and silent, ears tuned to the birdy voices peep-peeping above. But the sweet sound was torn apart by a roar of joy as the males became aware of the enormity of what they were witnessing. A mighty flock of birdybirds circling overhead. They raised their weapons and one by one began to chant the word, “Meat.” They stamped the ground, clapped their hands and shouted into the air. Almost too loudly, for it nearly drowned out my soft singing. When I was sure that they were near to fever point, I switched my frequency.

The slavering males, blind to all but their own impending gratification, did not notice the increased size of the big-beaked things that began to descend, or the retreat of the smaller, edible ones. I pulled Wirt close to my side, waited until the sky was almost black with wings, and then gave forth a sound most pure in its intent. A note that caused the predatory birds to dive.

My mouth ran dry and I held onto Wirt with all my strength as raptor after raptor plunged into the gathered males. Their talons tore, their razor beaks slashed, and I swear I saw an ear or two come off. Despite attempts to fend off the resolute birds of prey with their sticks, the Nearlys and ‘dults fell heavy under the weight of so many. I gave in to gloat at the sight of these big proud males, that only the night before saw fit to defile a gentle creature for their sick needs; squealing like a girlygig with a tangle in her hair.

I smirked as they lay huddled in one great lump of fear, all weeping like the yellow-bellied brutes that they were. Their hands were torn to shreds from paltry attempts at shielding their faces from the relentless strikes of owlets, buzzards, eagles and smaller raptors. Only Brennus remained standing, swishing his great cudgel this way and that, hitting nowt but air.

The ground became red with their blood and I moved my feet away from its sticky flow. Wirt trembled and I gripped his wrist. He took in a shuddering breath and whispered into my ear, “I cannot bear to watch.” I let him turn away and stood steady for a while longer.

How pitiful and shrill were the shrieks from these less-than-males. How satisfying to witness their downfall in all its glory. “Let us away from this scene of carnage.” Wirt nodded and headed towards the woods. I followed and amidst the cries and sobs, heard Brennus yell in defiance.