Rebel of Antares (28 page)

Authors: Alan Burt Akers

Tags: #Fiction, #Science Fiction, #Fantasy

BOOK: Rebel of Antares

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Slowing that mad pace, I reflected on my future.

Jaidur, the King of Hyrklana, was now the man who must set in motion at least the most important stages of the coming campaign. He would have assistance. Also, I must entrust to him the promulgations of the two measures I knew he concurred with. Neither would be easy. Both would be diabolically difficult. But we must stamp out slavery in Hyrklana. And we must close the Jikhorkdun.

What two tasks could be more difficult?

Perhaps, just perhaps, what I faced in Hamal would tax the old nerve and sinews a trifle more. I did not know.

All I knew as I rode back to Huringa, the capital of Hyrklana, where King Jaidur and Queen Lildra reigned, was that I must once again say good-bye to Delia. Through the streaming mingled rays of the Suns of Scorpio I rode, the emerald and ruby lights falling about me, and the sweetness of the air intoxicating. This time, I vowed, the parting would not be long. This time I’d do what the Star Lords desired, and then I’d take Hamal to pieces and deal with mad Empress Thyllis as we had dealt with fat Queen Fahia.

And all this, all this, not because the Star Lords had commanded, but so that Delia and I might be together again.

Notes

[1]
Jikai: A word of complex meaning. Used in different forms means: “Kill!” “Attack to the death!” “A warrior.” “A noble feat of arms.” “Bravo!” and many related concepts to do with honor and pride and warrior status. A.B.A.

[2]
The Kregish word Prescot uses here is tikshvu, which I have translated as missy with that word’s ominous connotations of reprimand and temporary superiority threatening a girl who, powerless, yet insists on rebelling.
A.B.A.

[3]
Vax Neemusbane (or Neemusjid): Name Vax taken by Jaidur in the Eye of the World. Cognomen from defeat of Athgar the Neemu.
A.B.A.

[4]
Fanshos: “Comrades.” “You guys.” “Friends.”

[5]
Here Prescot gives in loving detail a list of all the wedding guests. It makes brave reading.
A.B.A.

About the author

Alan Burt Akers was a pen name of the prolific British author Kenneth Bulmer, who died in December 2005 aged eighty-four.

Bulmer wrote over 160 novels and countless short stories, predominantly science fiction, both under his real name and numerous pseudonyms, including Alan Burt Akers, Frank Brandon, Rupert Clinton, Ernest Corley, Peter Green, Adam Hardy, Philip Kent, Bruno Krauss, Karl Maras, Manning Norvil, Chesman Scot, Nelson Sherwood, Richard Silver, H. Philip Stratford, and Tully Zetford. Kenneth Johns was a collective pseudonym used for a collaboration with author John Newman. Some of Bulmer’s works were published along with the works of other authors under "house names" (collective pseudonyms) such as Ken Blake (for a series of tie-ins with the 1970s television programme The Professionals), Arthur Frazier, Neil Langholm, Charles R. Pike, and Andrew Quiller.

Bulmer was also active in science fiction fandom, and in the 1970s he edited nine issues of the New Writings in Science Fiction anthology series in succession to John Carnell, who originated the series.

More details about the author, and current links to other sources of information, can be found at
www.mushroom-ebooks.com, and at wikipedia.org.

The Dray Prescot Series

The Delian Cycle:

1. Transit to Scorpio

2. The Suns of Scorpio

3. Warrior of Scorpio

4. Swordships of Scorpio

5. Prince of Scorpio

Havilfar Cycle:

6. Manhounds of Antares

7. Arena of Antares

8. Fliers of Antares