Quest For Earth (40 page)

At last, the deluge of debris ceased.

Maaka eased his weight from her and, with a careful touch, lifted her into his lap.

‘Do not cry so, my Sherise. 'Tis done and you have been so courageous.' He stroked away the wetness from her cheeks, his fingers trembling as they touched her skin with such gentleness; she cried even harder.

‘I was so afraid I would lose you,' she said in a choked voice.

Loud, gulping sobs engulfed her as she flung her arms about his neck and held tight. The pain in her ribs ignored. She needed his strength against her, his warmth, the firm touch of his hands, to remind her that he still lived. His familiar scent, now mixed with sweat and the pungent stench of battle, filled her lungs as she snuffled into the curve of his neck.

Maaka eased her away from him. ‘You are injured; I have felt your pain these past hours. Tell me and I will tend to you.'

She battled her tears and smiled. Her lips trembled for a moment then settled as the adrenaline surging through her bloodstream dissipated, overwhelmed by joy.

‘One very sore rib, cuts to my skin and bruising; I will be fine. But you, have you sustained any damage?' She reared away to run her hands over his arms and pat down his torso.

He grinned but his eyes remained dark with concern as he studied her. After unhooking a bladder from his belt, he offered her a drink. ‘Nothing that cannot be mended.'

The last of her anxiety slipped away, leaving her feeling giddy and with a crazy urge to laugh. She took a large mouthful and enjoyed the cool liquid as it slid down her parched throat. ‘Do you think there is any chance of a long sleep far from this madness?'

‘No rest for me as yet, but for you I may make an exception.'

Before she could respond to his gentle teasing, she heard the pounding of booted feet over the earth. Alarmed, she tried to activate her knife before remembering it remained buried deep in the body of the Priestess. She wanted to retch. She shuddered and swallowed.

‘Do not be alarmed, Sherise, 'tis our men.' Maaka lifted her gently onto the ground. His hands slid from her body and he stood, feet braced apart, one hand near the battle axe strapped to his belt.

Sherise marvelled at his endurance. He looked more than ready to re-commence the battle. There was more carnage to come and her stomach baulked in protest. She fingered the bones of her rib cage. She had taken more than one life today. Would Cercis forgive her for such destruction? And how could she fight when standing seemed to be a feat of immense magnitude? A few hours curled in a ball on the ground would be a blessing.

By Cercis's clock, I am so tired.
She fumbled in her medie bag and found a lone tab of pain meds. She placed it under her tongue.

‘Thank the goddess, you are alive lady.' Kondo's harsh voice interrupted.

Sherise struggled to her feet. Maaka gripped her arm and she leant on him, grateful for his strength as her legs shook like twigs in a windstorm.

The shock on Kondo's face made her aware for the first time of her appearance. She had no doubt that blood, dirt and gore coated her face and her armour; such a far cry from her usual attire. Her tears had dried on her face leaving tracks of salty residue that tightened her skin. Her nose would be red from crying and her eyes sunken from exhaustion and pain. She spared a brief longing for her colourful embroidered tunics and the silken feel of the soft garments against her body, before she banished the thought.

Such needs were no longer a part of her life.

A Darkon female always remains at her mate's side.

‘Transmit a message for the medie tubes. I want them here immediately and Sherise will be admitted first,' stated Maaka. He waited while Kondo barked instructions into his compu.

‘They will arrive in ten sectons,' said Kondo.

‘Good.'

The taut muscles beneath Sherise's hand relaxed.

‘She needs to rest. Look at her, a battlefield is no place for a Darkon highborn.' Kondo pointed at her.

Sherise raised her brow and regarded the Relic warrior. Was he reluctant to relinquish his claim over her or still focussed on maintaining his vow to see her safe? It was time he realised she no longer needed his services. And well past time for him to look to his own future. ‘I thank you for your concern, but I no longer require your protection. Your service as my bodyguard is over.'

Kondo opened his mouth to speak, but she carried on, ‘We require your report on the battle, Kondo.'

‘Yes, do not keep my mate waiting, Kondo,' said Maaka, amusement smooth as honey in his tone.

Sherise darted a quick glance at him. Devilry danced in his glowing indigo eyes, sparking a need that tingled and unfurled in her lower belly like the petals of a flower when kissed by the sun.
Surely, I am not so wanton that I could lie with him in the midst of a war!
And yet, the hunger so clear in his eyes and the sharp leanness of his face ignited a fire that energised her. She skimmed her fingers over the short rough hairs covering his arm, relishing the contact that caused heat to sizzle over her skin.

Kondo snuck a quick glance from her to Maaka and back again. He quirked an eyebrow, that supercilious smirk that annoyed her so much twisting his lips. ‘The Half-dead have retreated. Their hover crafts have been destroyed. We would have been over-run if the Darkons had not appeared and given assistance.'

‘Hover crafts?' Sherise said sharply.

‘Yes, manned by Puridean peacekeepers.'

Maaka growled. ‘A clear indication the Corporation considers the Half-dead their allies.'

‘Perhaps. Or they could have been acting on the High Priestess's orders.' Sherise quickly updated Kondo on what had occurred in the barrows, then pulled out the stealth-signal jammer.

Kondo whistled.

‘What is it?' Maaka frowned.

‘This tech is responsible for jamming our signals. We must turn it off as soon as possible.'

‘I'll get one of my men onto it,' said Kondo.

Sherise handed the device over to him. ‘You mentioned Commander Dyrke. Is he here?'

‘Affirmative. He turned up one rone past with a contingent of men and well-armed shuttles.' He slipped the jammer into a pocket.

Maaka smoothed a tangled strand of hair from her eyes, careful to avoid her bruises. His gaze cut to Kondo. ‘What news of Junta and my men? There were prisoners within the barrows. Did they make it to the surface?'

‘The shuttles commanded by the Darkons chased the Half-dead towards the ruined city. Your men follow on foot.' Kondo shrugged. ‘I know nought of who still lives. As we speak, my men deal with stragglers and are securing a perimeter around the battlefield so we can attend the injured without fear of reprisals. I will send out a scout to search for the missing. Some Half-dead have broken through our lines and run towards the Freebers' settlement. Not many, but they will need to be intercepted.'

Sherise sucked in a short breath, her fingers dug into Maaka's arm. Would he continue to hunt down what remained of his enemies?

Maaka scraped his hand over the dark bristles along his jaw and stared into the distance. How far could he see? All the way to the ruins of the city to where the Half-dead retreated in a desperate attempt to find sanctuary? ‘Do you have contact with Commander Dyrke?'

‘Affirmative.' A speculative light glittered in the Relic's eyes.

‘Call them back,' said Maaka. ‘Tell the Commander to provide an escort for my men, and have all return to the battlefield. We will tend to our wounded and dead, and then return to the Freebers' settlement.'

‘I disagree!' Kondo snorted. ‘We should continue the attack. They are on the run. You and Sherise have destroyed their nests. With our technology and the Darkons' assistance it will be easy.'

‘My mate is injured and many wounded are in need of assistance.' Maaka gave a wry smile that did little to loosen the tense lines of his face. ‘We have bathed in enough blood this day. I will offer terms to the Half-dead who still live. If they agree, the war will be over.'

Kondo spat onto the ground. ‘You will trust their word?'

‘I will give them a choice of life or death. If the High Priestess was indeed their leader, with her death they may listen to reason.'

‘That is more than what they would have offered you.'

‘Yes, but I am resolved on this matter and, Kondo, my word is law.' Maaka's voice rang with steely resolve.

The Relic shook his head, swore, then swung away to speak into his comms. Sherise heard him pass on the orders to Commander Dyrke and she smiled up into Maaka's intent face. Joy blazed in her heart; she had not been mistaken in her belief in him. His struggle with his need to appease his guilt over the past and his desire to demonstrate his respect for her convictions would have been immense.

‘We will need to seek an alternate solution for the addiction that drives them,' warned Maaka.

She nodded. ‘You fear the turning, don't you? That perhaps one day you won't need to be bitten to experience the change.'

Maaka shuddered.

She recognised that look. The shadows in his eyes mirrored the loathing she held for her own past actions. Together they could help each other forgive themselves for what they had done and what they might yet have to do to survive.

Her hand tightened over his arm and she admitted, ‘I understand, but you are a strong race and once we are blended as one, you will be even stronger.'

An answering smile tugged at Maaka's lips and Sherise stood on her toes to capture its tenderness, her heart swollen with a pride so vast it made her chest ache.

Now, I am bound to you.

Until our last breath,
Maaka's vow lingered in her mind as he swept her into his arms and carried her across the blood-soaked earth towards the waiting shuttle.

Chapter 26

The following hours were arduous and sorrowful. Back at the Freebers' settlement, Sherise supervised the rotation of the injured in and out of the medie tubes. Together with the Freeber healers, they worked on the wounded and did whatever they could to ease their suffering. Shuttle after shuttle lifted off the plateau and headed to the battlefield, returning soon after with another load of warriors requiring attention. After Maaka had deposited her safely at the settlement, he'd given her a quick kiss, then departed to supervise the aftermath of the battle.

She understood and made no move to detain him. There would be time enough for themselves once they had seen to their people.

‘Sherise?'

She turned around and discovered Liu had entered the shuttle and stood near the doorway.

‘Please, come inside,' she said.

But he shook his head. ‘Your Commander has arrived and wishes to speak with you.'

She nodded and, after checking the data on the tube, followed him out of the shuttle. The sun had sunk behind the mountain throwing welcome shade over the plateau. She'd had little time for reflection over the events of the day but now she was eager to learn how Dyrke had learned of their need and why he'd decided to assist.

She tugged at her grimy clothes and crossed over to where he stood, waiting beside a newly arrived shuttle with Maaka by his side. ‘Commander.'

Dyrke inclined his head. ‘I am pleased to see you still breathing, Sherise.'

‘And I you, Commander.'

Maaka walked forward and took both her hands in his. ‘How are you feeling, my sweet Sherise?'

‘My injuries are small compared to others. I will be fine.' She smiled at him then peered eagerly around his bulk. ‘Is Bree safe on the
Quinnie
?'

Dyrke shifted his weight and Sherise's gaze snapped back to his face.

‘What happened?'

‘Two days after you assisted Maaka to escape, Lord Barid and my men were imprisoned. I was issued a decree—hand you and Maaka over or face the consequences. Guards were assigned to ensure I did not leave the city. However, Bree slipped unnoticed into my dwelling and we came up with a plan,' he said. ‘We had limited success.'

‘By the stars.'

Maaka dropped her hands and hugged her close. She leaned into his strength.

‘Bree was to make for the landing area and use the shuttle to apprise you of the latest developments. I was to locate Barid and my men and free them. But Barid had been moved to another location and Bree never made it to the shuttle,' Dyrke said.

‘You left her there.'

‘It was not an easy decision. My communication devices would not work.'

‘So you came here and found we were engaged in a battle.'

‘Affirmative.'

Fury and fear hammered through her. She pressed her face to Maaka's chest, breathed in his familiar scent.
Bree. Trapped, possibly imprisoned again.
By utilising tremendous control, she pushed back her heartbreak and turned to Dyrke. ‘Your assistance was timely and sorely needed.' In a cool voice, she updated him on her fight with the Priestess and the finding of the stealth-signal jammer. ‘Kondo will ensure it is deactivated.'

‘Where could it have come from?'

‘Others like us,' she said crisply. ‘The jammer is an early model, similar in age to the weapons we found on the Half-dead. This leads me to believe that they have been here for many cycles. What is more important to find out is who has been operating the jammer. Such complicated technology is beyond the knowledge or skill-set of any of these people. And that includes the High Priestess.'

‘You think someone from our time is alive,' the Commander said slowly.

‘Yes, and trapped here, like us.'

‘Another after our technology.'

Sherise nodded. ‘Maintain high security levels on the
Quinnie
at all times, Commander. Whoever it is will have our ship in his sights. She is the only chance any of us have of returning home.'

Maaka ran a hand down her arm but remained silent, as if waiting for her to continue. She took a deep breath. ‘I will remain here.'