Preacher Man

Zeer awoke from his nap. He found Sheel asleep in her chair by the door. She jumped at the sound of the door latch, “Ahhh, Padre, did ya git a good snooze?”

  “Aye, Lass, I am right and proper ready for me duties.”

  She snapped a salute, “Aye, aye, cap’m! Tring, let’s get this church set up.”

  The sheriff had parked them well. He had placed their bus in between two buildings. They had been in shadow almost all of the day. Now. afternoon shadows were giving way to early evening gloam. Tring came out with a small tray and cups.

  “Your tea, Father. I am following Mrs.Tren’s instructions. I’m ta keep thee well hydrated and up on your snacks.” He set the tray on an umbrella table and adjusted the umbrella for best comfort. “Sit! Sit!”

  Zeer chuckled at the long reach of his Rectoress. He shrugged, “I could eat.” He sat and enjoyed his snack. He watched Sheel and Tring deploy the awning out from the side of the bus and set up chairs stored under the bus. Boring of that, he looked up and down the street. In every shaded nook and cranny, there were people sitting out of the heat and waiting patiently for services.

  Zeer stood and brushed the crumbs from his lap. “Come…” he said, waving the people closer. Shyly, they moved silently forward and began to fill the chairs. Some had brought folding chairs and simply moved them from their shady spots into the new shade created by the awning.

  Zeer moved among them, asking questions and getting to know them. Once the crowd stabilized, Zeer moved to the front to lead the miners and their families through the Even Song Vespers. It was clear that these miners were hungry for the Word. After the service, Tring served a late supper for Zeer, Sheel and the Fra. A deputy came and gave a note to Little Jim. He read it and handed it to Zeer. It was some kind of code. Zeer looked puzzled.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I fergit sometimes that we have a few crazy codes. Father, can you come to the Hall of Justice at 2130?”

  "Why yes, my son.”

  "This note tells me that you have a scheduled viddy link call coming in for you from Emeswan…”

  “Okay…”

  “Ya see, coomunications up here are sketchy. Satellites come into range to beam down into these canyons only two or three times per day. We have to schedule calls like this.”

  “I see now. I shall be there. Thankee.”

  After he had finished with confessions, Zeer hurried over to Little Jim’s office. He feared that something was wrong with Par or the kits. The building was little more than a shack. Inside was a beehive of activity. Zeer was recognized at once. People bowed or saluted in his direction and went back to their duties. "Who'd have thought you'd be walking into a Hall of Justice without cuffs and collar, Sonny?"

  "Aye, Dad. It makes me rather nervous. These people think I am a humble Preacher Man."

  "They'd all drop a gold tooth if'n they knew the infamous jewel thief and pirate, Zeer Mactarn was in their grasp, wouldn't they?"

  "That's ex-jewel thief, Dad. I never really was a pirate."

  "Ex... oh, you're givin'up the high life, are ya?"

  "I like this life, Dad. I have a place here and honest work."

  "I admit that these are attractive people."

  Just then,a Tritonian female ushered Zeer into the office of the Justice. "Good evening, Father." said Fra.

  "Good evening, Fra. Has the message come through yet?"

  "Not until 2140, Sir. We still have a few klicks."

  The link viewer crackled. A wavy shot of Paris and the boys swam into view. Zeer was overcome with relief just to see them. "What is it, Par. Are you all right?"

  "Yes, Preacher Man. The babies will not go to sleep without their Dad ta sing ta them."

  "Well, ya scared me, Missus. But, here goes. Now, tape this cuz I’m moving further into the canyons and canna do this again.”

  “I already thought of that. I have a cam tech here and she’s gonna tape ya.”

  Zeer's clear voice sang the boys' favorite bedtime songs. They immediately relaxed. She handed them off screen. She reverted to pidgen Standard when she spoke out loud, "When you come home, Preacher Man?"

  "I dunno, Missus. There's more lost souls out here than we imagined. I will hurry, though. I promise ya that."

  "It is so good to see you at least. The new mayor here at Emeswan, Zzarrat, has said we could do this any time we want."

  "I'll be out in the washoes for a couple of days or so. I will call you when I return from the Askirabim village."

  "All right. Please hurry home." and the image broke up into wavey diagonal lines.

  “I am sorry, Father. The high canyon walls only allow viddy contact for a few klicks a couple of times per day when the satellites are right overhead. That's why the smugglers like this area so much.”

  Zeer looked back at Jim. Sheel was standing behind him with her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. He had rested his head back onto her chest. They had never spoken a word. Their silence spoke volumes.

  Zeer knew that they were deeply connected. Oh, if only I could teach them to really connect. They all left together. Fra gave a few instructions to the deputies that were on duty that night. Zeer went in to bed. Tring set up the roboguards and lay down inside the console to sleep.

  Sheel and Jim returned to her room. That night's love making was calmer than the one before. Still, she knew that this man had touched the very center of her being. She lay in bed and watched him as he slept. She was startled by his beeper.

  He sleepily reached shut off the beeping. He clicked another button on it, set it down, and began dressing. "Speak," he said.

  Both people heard the dispatcher. “Little Jim, get over here, quick. There’s been a raid by smugglers!”

  “Smugglers? Where?”

  “The little canyon between P-6 and P-7. Shots fired...”

  “Damn! Anybody hurt?”

  “Some scratches…”

  “Okay!” He kissed Sheel. “Darling… You heard him. I gotta go!” He dressed quickly, kissed her again, and left.

  “When will I see you again, Jimmy?”

  He placed his palm on her sternum. It burned with a warm flame, “In two days, you and the Preacher man are headed for the Namu Dan to meet the Askirabim head mother, right?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Until you see me, I’ll be right here with ya.” She covered his hand with hers and pushed hard. He continued, “At the latest, I’ll catch up ta yas at the Washoe. You’ns will never git in there without me. I gotta translate for the Father any ways.”

  “I’ll be looking fer ya…”

  “You take care, Mister. I have plans for your big carcass later.” One single tear dripped down her whiskers. He picked it off with a giant finger and put it in his mouth. He kissed her again, slowly and soundly, taking her breath away. He rubbed her furry cheek like a giant house cat, “Count on it, Missy.” No one but her father and Zeer had ever gotten away with calling her that. It gave her a warm feeling to hear it again as she drifted back to sleep. She awoke early. On this morning, almost sixteen thousand people of all races gathered to view the call of Mishwatan, the Two Headed Fire Eagle.

  The sky dawned clear as Zeer climbed the ladder to the top of the bus. He spread his arms in the crisp morning air as if to gather the very flames of the two suns. Again, the people fell to their knees before the Power of the Master's Word. Zeer began singing in that high clear voice. The crowd joined in singing the Morgen Tide songs and prayers. The power of their joined voices filled the canyon with a roar that drowned out the wind.

  After the service, it took several hours to gather all of the new souls brought to the Living Word by the power of their experience.

  Tring had lunch waiting for them in the traveler when they were done. Zeer plopped wearily into his chair, "Thank you, my son. Thee are a treasure."

  Tring knelt and kissed his hand. "Thank you, Father. I am inspired by your kindness."

  As usual, Zeer was embarrassed. He spread his fingers, pointing to their
seats around him, "Sit, children... Eat..."

  Sheel kept jumping up and looking out of the window. No one came.

  "He'll be back, dear."

  "I hope you're right, Father...but when..."

  "You haven't eaten for two days, my dear. You'll make yourself sick."

  "I caint eat if'n I aint hongry, Father. That man done tore me up. I swear that I aint never felt like this before. "

  "I understand. Please eat something for my sake. As soon as we get clearance, we are going into the mountains to find the Askirabim. You will need your strength."

  She sat and ate a little. Tring made her a protein drink that would sustain her. She drank it without noticing. Zeer noticed and winked at Tring. The young soldier winked back.

  Then there was a knocking on the exit portal. Sheel dove at the opening switch. She jumped out before it had hissed all the way open. Her shoulders drooped as she saw that it was not Little Jim.

  The man saluted, "The Fra's compliments, ma'am.”

  She returned the salute, “Yes?”

  “We's here ta take you all ta the Scrubb village."

  Zeer saw over her shoulder that there were several men with small grounders set high for rough terrain. One was pulling a covered cart. He asked, "Good Sir, we were expecting the Justice to be our escort."

  "There are reports of smugglers and some shootings over near P-7. I am your humble servant, Under-Justice Fra'ad Mireen. Little Jim’s me brudder..."

  Zeer climbed out of the traveller, "That will be fine, Sir. We will be ready in a few ticks... ummm... Tring...?"

  Tring bustled around the corner of the traveller craft, "As you requested, Father, I've prepared food and drinks for three days," he showed him the vacu-paks, "and these are our clothes and the tents."

  "Looks like you thought of everything, as usual, me son. Load up." Everyone scrambled around Sheel. She just stood there looking at the ground. Zeer took her arm and helped her into the tough looking P-grounder. She went along as if her mind were a million klicks away.

  They bounced and rolled up the rutted trails into washed out canyon. It was hard, sweaty work. Sheel walked, pushed, and pulled like a zombie whenever of the vehicles got stuck. Nearing sundown, they found a nice stream and set up camp.

  Sheel picked at her dinner, saw to the placement of the guards, and went to have her evening cuppa with the Father.

  "Ah, little Sister, I wondered if ya was comin' this evenin'. I was about ta start without ya."

  "I wouldn't miss this, Father. These evening chats are the highlight of my day."

  "Oh, sure, I was beginnin' ta think ya had come up with other highlights."

  She knew he was trying to kid her gently. She smiled a pale smile and tried to play along. Her heart wasn't in it, though.

  "Don't be jealous, Father. Yer spoke fer. "

  "Aye. I was just tryin' ta tease you out of yer mood."

  "I appreciate the effort. Only, I just caint git him outa my head, Father. I don' like being so attached so quick. But, he is somethin' else."

  "Aye, lass, I would imagine that you've not seen too many men like that one."

  "I've never seen any, Father. And, he's so wonderful, so much better than I am." Saying that, tears began to fall silently onto her vest, "I`m no good to ya tonight, Father. I think I'd better be alone. Pleasant dreams."

  "Good night, Sheel. Don't be too hard on yerself. If you get him, then, he's just what you deserve."

  "How did you know what I was gonna say?"

  Ignoring her question, Zeer tried to take her hand, "He'll be back. You'll see." She had already turned, head down and was trudging back to her tent.

  "She's got it bad, that one."

  "Dad, where have you been?"

  "I've been chasin' smooglers. We near ta caught'em, too."

  "You what?"

  "I hitched a ride with the Fra and his boys in the mind of one of the pack animals. We've been all over this district this day."

  "Well?"

  "Well, what, bucko."

  "You know what I’m asking. Is he here?"

  "He was na in the group that we chased. I have almost felt him several times since we arrived here in P-6."

  "I canna feel like you do, Dad."

  "If you've no felt him before, ya wouldna know what he felt like. Until ya have felt someone for the first time, he could walk right past ya on the street and ya would na know him."

  "I see. Well I'll not be much good ta ya, then, will I?"

  "As Zeer Mactarn, ya won't, but, as Roan Taflick, Sheppard of this District, you can get us into and out of spots that we might not ever see. Like that Scrubb village tommorra."

  "Well, at least I'm not a total wash."

  Sheel went into her dark tent. Without turning on the light, she undressed. Passing by her cot on the way to hang up her side blaster, an arm snaked around her hips and pulled her onto the bed. She fought with all of her strength: but it was no use. She got one hand free and grabbed onto his beard. Her cat eyes told her this man was big. She pulled hard.

  "Ahh,... Owwww…" and the vice grip let her go. She rolled away. "My furry one likes to play rough, eh?" said a muffled voice.

  "I'll show you rough," she grabbed her blaster from where it had fallen and turned on a hand light in front of the muzzle. “I likes ta see what Im blasting.” She shined it at the bed.

  "Please don' shoot, my sweet, sweet woman," said a familiar voice, "Ya can't kill a boy fer wantin' a leetle fun."

  "Jimmy," was all she said. Down went the blaster and the light. She launched herself at him.

  "Easy, momma, I've had a hard day."

  Sheel snuggled into the massive chest. Once again, she marveled at his power over her. "I was so worried," she began kissing him and talking at the same time,"I wondered where you were. I was scared to death over whether you were alright. I kept wondering who you were sleepin' with."

  "I couldn't stay away, my sweet girl. I aint sleepin' with anyone. I thought I would surprise you."

  "You certainly did that. You scared outa my next set of kittens. Boy, don't ever do that to me again. You nearly turned me into a widow before I'm even a wife."

  "Ohhh? Are you marryin' someone that we know?"

  "Yeah..." She punched him in the chest. "My cooker boy said he would be faithful and never leave me."

  "That's a good offer, if I ever heard one. Oooph," he said as she hit him again.

  "Now, shut up and kiss me you Tyrolian buzz gwump."

  Sheel was glad that she had moved the tent out away from the rest of the sleepers that night because they got a little noisey.

  The next morning at breakfast, Zeer watched them walk up to the cook tent.

  "Well, well, well,” said the old ghost in his mind’s ear, “she seems much recovered. Could it be because her dance card got filled last night?"

  Ignoring his father's remarks, he just grinned at them. "Sheel...you look improved over last night. Good morning, Fra, did you catch any smugglers?"

  "Ummm, no, Father. We chased them most of the day in a circle out of P-7. Suddenly, we lost them and ended up here."

  "Interesting, I hope you found some sand hill or other to sleep on?" Sheel nearly spit her morning java all over the table.

  Little Jim played it easy, "I’ll have ya ta know that I slept quite nicely, thank you, Father. Once I got to sleep that is." Sheepish grins were exchanged between Jim and Sheel.

  "Since this is the only trail, perhaps we are headed the same way, Sir."

  "Yes, Father. We will follow this trail as far as we can. It is possible that they are living with the Askirabs. It may be worth checking that sector out. I will feel safer for you if I am along. It wouldn't do to have the new Shepherd bush whacked in my District."

  "I think that certain members of this party will now be a lot better off if you did stay." Fra grinned at Sheel and she kicked him under the table.

  Zeer looked at Sheel wolfing down another stack of hot cakes from Tring’s pan
s, "I see that you have found your appetite, dear." She just nodded and kept eating. Little Jim laughed and kept eating.

  She emptied her mouth, "Yeah, well..." she just blushed and kicked Fra under the table again for laughing.

  “I think she’s recovered, sonnie…”

  “Aye, Dad. It is good to see her happy. It makes me miss being at home even more, though.”

  There came a knocking on the door of the tent. It was one of Jimmy's men, "We're ready to go when you are, Sir."

  "Jando, merge our gear with this party. We will be going on together. Place our vehicles front and back of theirs."

  He saluted smartly, "As ordered, Sir."

  As the two suns crossed each other at the highest point of the sky above them, they merged for a few ticks into one bi-colored star. At this point they stopped for a mid day meal and got under double layered tents for a siesta. Out here, unless some one was under ground in a mine, this was the only way to spend the time during the hottest hours of the day. The suns split back into two stars and continued their trek across the sky. Once the first sun reached the canyon rim, they continued and pulled into Tarrad Washoe just before supper.

  The vehicles went slowly in the treacherous terrain. In the thin, mountain air, even with a nap, Zeer was easily tired. He was resting as best he could in the bouncing grounder as they made another sharp turn. Jim walked up and yelled above the motor noises, “Tarrad is just up here and around one more bend…30 ticks more…tops…”

  “That is good to know, my son.” As Jim stopped walking to wait for Sheel’s grounder running slowly behind Zeer’s, the Preacher Man sat upright. He began to hear a strange word in his mind... or was it whispered on the wind... ‘Namu’."

  He saw bird-like creatures sneaking from rock to rock. They were pointing at the caravan. He heard, "Namu..." clearly in his head over and over in multiple voices.

  He climbed out and walked quickly to the back of the little caravan. There. he found Jim and Sheel walking along holding hands. Sheel was sniffing some wild flowers that Jim had picked for her. Little, red bird children jumped around him talking in a chirpy language.

  "What are they saying, Fra?"

  "Namu… It is their word for Nest-Parent. The word has spread about you, Father. None have seen the viddies, but, many were present the other night. They saw you call the Fire Eagle. They know that you are the new Father coming to see them."

  "I see..." Zeer looked at the small groups of the bird-people that shyly began to walk along side of him as he entered their washoe. The adults were as tall as Fra, but, weighed half as much. Their skin was like bright red leather. Their hair was a carrot color. It grew in tight curls against their heads. They had no facial hair.

  Zeer smiled at the children. They smiled back showing sharp, pointy teeth and a long thin tongue. Their noses were were long, wide, and pointed, dominating their faces. Their chins angled up to meet the same point. Their eyes were close together and raised up from their face, allowing them to look in any direction that they chose without moving their heads.

  One of the little children took Little Jim's hand. The child had thin, well muscled shoulders sticking out of long flowing cloaks which ended in wide hands which had two fingers and an opposed thumb. Their fingers were thin and boney with a wide soft fingertip ending in claws. Their cloaks hid any further inspection of their bodies, or gender. She knew that a thin wing-like membrane went from hand to feet.

  "Have you seen them before, Sheel ?"

  "Oh, sure...they are everywhere in these canyons. The Commandant sent me up here many times to trade for Quallium. They don’t mine it exactly…It’s layin’ around up here and they sort of collect it…”

  “Hmmm…”

  “So, yeah, I have traded with them bunches of times since I arrived."

  "How do you tell male from female, Sheel?"

  "I never cared to find out, sir. I don't even know if they have two genders."

  "I see..."

  "I can find out if you'd like, sir."

  "No, it can wait. "

  Off to the side was a pool of water where young Askirabim were playing. "Fra, from this distance, they kinda look like featherless birds."

  "That they do, Father. The Science Federation believes that they descended from a bird ancestor. Perhaps they could even fly way back. No one ever said and they don't know."

  "Where are we headed now?"

  "To the Namu Dan, the home of the Ta-Namu, their head Parent."

  "Yes, that seems appropriate."

  They were lead to a wide, low building constructed of what appeared to be mud bricks.

  "Jim, are those mud bricks?"

  "Yes, Father. That's how they build. They refuse to live in Terraplast buildings. They say that when Tara-Namu wants these buildings, he just takes them and they build more."

  "Take them?"

  "You know, earth quakes, flash floods, whatever...they say it is the work of Tara-Namu, the Father of Fathers."

  "I see? I think."

  Zac jumped in, "I've got a feelin' about this Tara-Namu feller, maybe we oughta go see him, sonny."

  "All in good time, Dad."

  They were ushered into the low door way. It was remarkably cool inside the dark room. The thick walls and small windows and doors kept the canyon's heat out. Once inside, Zeer's eyes accustomed themselves to the gloom. He saw that the building was half built under ground.

  "That explains where the dirt for the bricks came from, eh son...?"

  "Aye, Dad..."

  From out of the back of the building an older Askirab was making his (or her) way forward lead by two children. These had much the same appearance as the others. Still, Zeer got a feeling that these two were females. It was just a feeling. Maybe he would find out later without hurting anyone's feelings.

  Little Jim nudged Zeer, "Just follow my lead." He walked over to the leader. "Ta-Namu..." he said, kneeling on one knee. He pressed the old bird's hand to his forehead. The others followed him one after the other.

  "Jim-samu..." said the old man.

  Little Jim rose and they embraced. He turned back to his own guests, "Father... this is the leader of all of the Askirabim... he is known as the Ta-Namu."

  Zeer bowed grandly, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

  The old man bowed in return, "Zeer Namu, welcome to my nest."

  In a moment, they were seated with cool drinks. Little Jim continued his story, "The Ta-Namu and I have been friends for most of my life, Father. My family lived up in the back canyons when I was a boy. My dad was always looking for a mine of his own. He often left me here for days. I grew up playing with his kids. I learned to speak with them almost before I ever learned to speak Standard. There was no one else around in those days.

  "What a different life you've lead, Jim."

  "Yeah, I didn't really think of them as any different from myself until we moved down to the lower canyons. My Dad used me as his spokesman when he decided that trading with `Scrubbs' was easier than mining."

  "Makes sense..."

  "Yeah... Although many people can talk to them, I am the only Justice that can talk with them. If there is trouble, even in another nest, I'm called in to translate."

  "What does Samu mean?"

  "Samu means child of the nest. They all are parents to each other's children. All children are called samu until they become parents."

  "I see. Good friends are hard to find, me son."

  "It's more than friends, Father. I am a member of this nest."

  The old man looked at Sheel sitting next to the Fra, "Jim-samu, di ma wadu cani?"

  Jim turned to Sheel who was standing behind his shoulder, "Ta da misha, Sheel."

  "Sheel-samu..." the old man smiled at her and took her hand. He held it a moment, looked deeply into her eyes, and laughed a gasping, barking laugh. He then gave her hand back to Fra. He pulled Jim over and whispered quickly in his ear, "Sheel-samu." was all that they could hear. Zeer was stunned to hear every
word clearly in mental speech. He was so made no indication that he understood any of it. Fra laughed and squeezed the shoulder of the old man. He put his arm around Sheel and whispered in her ear.

  She gave a short, embarrassed laugh and punched him in the chest, "In your dreams, Mister."

  "Thee are my dreams, Sheel, awake or asleep."

  Her anger softened. She looked at the ground, "Oh, Jimmy."

  Fra looked at the puzzled Preacherman. "Oh, sorry, Father. He told me that we are on a dream journey, bound to love and be loved."

  Sheel punched his shoulder lovingly, "Tell him the rest."

  "Ta-Namu said that he could give me a potion that would bind her to me for life if I liked."

  Zeer had to laugh at that one, "Too late fer that, me son. I think that Thee both are already bound. You may already be stuck with her, me son."

  "Father!" the hair of her face turned brighter red than before.

  "Just kidding, Sheel." he winked at Fra. Sheel smacked Little Jim's shoulder again.

  Fra held his shoulder as if she had broken it, "We had best discontinue the introductions before I am unfit for duty."

  Ta-namu looked deeply into Zeer's eyes. The connection was electric. The joining of their minds was powerful and instantaneous. The old bird's eyes opened wide with surprise for a fraction of a tick in fear, then, he quickly recovered. Luckily, Fra and Sheel were looking only at each other and missed it.

  Zeer heard a voice in his mind, "You... you are the Namu Kalik..., the Outer Father from Within."

  "I don't know nothin' about that, my friend. I'm only a humble traveler." he mentally replied.

  "We have been waiting a thousand lifetimes for thee." He embraced Zeer.

  "No, Ta-Namu. I am an Emerish prince with a gift for mind speech, no more."

  "And thee carries a burden."

  Zac entered the conversation, "Now, see here! I aint no burden. I'm this pup's Namu."

  "Ta-Namu, this is my father. We called him Zac. When he was alive, he was the king of my people."

  "Welcome, Zac-Namu. My birth name is Ka-lo-Prim."

  "Good ta meet ya."

  "Ka-Namu. Can we talk later, away from these children."

  "I would like that. Now, we will eat, then, we will play."

  Ta-Namu rattled off a few short sentences to the Fra in Askirabim. Little Jim translated. "He says that he would be honored if we would eat with them. I personally guarantee that the food here is excellent. I grew up on it and see how big I got." They all laughed.

  Zeer nodded and they followed the old man further into the dark building. In the next room, was a table piled with small roasted birds on piles of colorful vegetables and sweet, white grains. They were served on leaves of flaming orange.

  While they were eating, Ka spoke to Zeer’s mind. “I have a gift for Thee.” Images and sounds poured into his mind. Noises became sounds. Sounds became words. Words became simultaneous thoughts. He spoke aloud to Zeer in Askirab. It made sense. Halting at first, then, with a steady presence, he is able to join the conversations around him.

  Jim was shocked, “Father. You speak Askirab?”

  I found some tapes in the library. I have a fascination with languages. I thought if I was ta be their Sheppard, I should be able to speak ta them. How’s my accent?”

  “Like a native.”

  “Thankee.”

  Jim turned his attention back to Sheel.

  Zeer nodded to the Namu, He spoke aloud, "This is the best meal I have ever eaten, Ta-Namu.”

  "A meager repast for so great a visitor, Namu Kalik."

  When they had all eaten and were enjoying something sweet to drink, a young Askirab female came up to Ka-Namu and tugged his sleeve. She appeared to be whispering in his ear.

  Zeer knew that they were not whispering because he heard the message in his mind. However, the images were too fast and too foreign for him to understand. "Mirwana..." was the only word that he understood although he didn't know what it meant.

  "Fra-samu, ka gila da Mirwana..."

  "Ya ta dana agon...?"

  "Be ga Mirwana..."

  "Ra gala Namu... ka gala Sheel-samu..."

  "Ah, so desu..." The old man nodded and left abruptly. They all looked at Fra for explanation.

  "Mirwana is a game that they play. It is part religion, part politics, and part war, but, mostly, I understand, it’s a race. I have seen them play it for days without stopping. We interrupted Ta-Namu's playing before and now it is his turn to throw the bones. He has asked us to come and watch. I have watched many times, although, I have never played."

  When they caught up with Ta-Namu, they were deep within the building. Light came from some plants that glowed with a light green light. This moss appeared to glow on the cool, damp, inner surfaces of the room. Zeer went closer to look. He saw a coating of Quallium stones on the wall. These plants sank shallow roots into each stone and glowed. There were dark pathways where no Quallium was found. The area of the game itself was lit with tallow sticks. The flames blew around in the breezes within the building. Askirabim were seated on pillows scattered on the floor around a large square. Carved figurines of pure Quallium were set in groups, or lines, and even, individually around a central mound.

  Fra leaned over and whispered to Zeer and Sheel, "What little I know is that they are racing to the mound in the middle that they call the Pra-Namu's home, Mirwana. The winner of the race gets to be leader for a cycle."

  "Zeer-Samu?"

  "Yes...Ka-Namu?"

  "Yes, we can talk now, without disturbing the children or the game."

  "You are truly wise."

  “Do you wish to join the Mirwana, the quest?"

  "I would be honored, sir."

  "Would you father like to join the quest?"

  Zac said, “Aye, could be fun."

  "The winner may ask any question of the Pra-Namu."

  "Can she help me find my son?"

  "Perhaps, I cannot speak for her."

  "Her? Fra said that Pra-Namu meant Father of Fathers?"

  "Yes, it also means Mother of Mothers. The outers do not understand the Askirab ways. We have no attachment to gender. We change genders whenever we choose. I, myself, have born seventeen young ones in my female cycles."

  "You call yourself Askirabim?"

  "This planet that you call Tarra, we call Askir. When the outers first came to our planet, we sensed danger in their ways. We hid out in the deserts and canyons. They were trying to farm. They needed water and cool air. We did not. The places we liked best, they liked the least. Thus, hundreds of lifetimes had passed before they realized that we were even here. "

  "Well, that's all fine; but, I'm ready to go see the Pra-namu boys."

  The dinner party moved together into a room deeper in the Namu-Dan. There was a group of Askirabim lying on pillows. Jim only knew a few of them. He exchanged chirpy greetings with several of them. The players were the Dan-Namus, Dan leaders gathered from nests all over the planet for the annual game. Although he never understood the game completely, he knew that the winner would lead all the Dans for ten moons, a lunar cycle.

  Then, Fra saw something that he had never seen before. A non-Tarrian, Zeer, began to play Mirwana. A strange, two headed carved figure was taken from an old carved chest and given to the Preacher Man. The child who would assist him placed the figure beside Ka-lo-Prim's. The Preacher Man began playing as if he knew what to do. Jim watched with fascination, as hour after hour, the figurines slowly made their way in semi-circular patterns through the colored spaces toward the center of the board.

  "How do you do it, Father?" he leaned over and whispered.

  "It is easy, my son. I just roll and the children know where to move me. I think they are letting me win because I am a guest.

  "I have never seen a non-Askirabim play this..."

  "As long as I stay with Ka-Namu, I am fine. He is doing all of the strategy. I'm just along for the ride."

  This explanation s
eemed to satisfy the Justice and he laid back into Sheel's arms and watched. Between plays, Zeer rested. He lay back like the other players on the piles of pillows brought to him by the children who ran the game. Fra had seen many players do this. He assumed that this was how they were able to play for so long.

  What Zeer saw was entirely different than what the non-Askirab saw. Jim only saw a large square of soft leather with colored splotches in an irregular pattern that got smaller toward a raised center. In Zeer's merged mind, he clearly saw The Valley of Mirwana, the "Quest." He saw lush jungle. He heard wild animals growling and slinking in the trees. He and the others moved back and forth across a central grassy area, the Field of the Quest.

  What the Fra saw as groups of carved figurines, the Preacher Man saw as small clearings in the jungle with strategy meetings.

  The Preacher man appeared to be sleeping. When it was his turn, his playing child would touch his sleeve, he would awaken, throw his numbered bones, watch how the child made his plays and then return to sleep.

  Then, the next player would rouse, throw their bones, and return to sleep. With nearly thirty players, some taking more than one turn, the game progressed very slowly.

  "What kind of game can't even keep the players awake," she mumbled to herself. Yet, she felt some increasing tension in the room, but, not enough to keep her awake either.

  Within the merged minds of the players, things moved rapidly. There were alliances made and broken, patrols and Portal Guardians to avoid, and grand strategies to plot. In the world created in their minds, their figurines were alive. They were traversing jungle paths and crossing raging rivers. What the non-Askirabim saw was Zeer and Zac’s figurine moved with Ta-Namu’s.

  In the created mental world, Zeer got his first shock. He turned to find himself standing next to his father. They embraced, "Good to see you, Dad."

  The old man smiled, "Good ta be seen, boyo."

  Zeer turned to the old Askirab, "Thank you, Ka-Namu. It is good ta touch my dad. I have not seen him like this for decades."

  "I can imagine. If we win, it will be good to see my parent, as well." Then, he looked around them and motioned them to follow him into a jungle trail. They took off at a jog after the bird-man. Ka-Namu was a skillful player and bluffer. The strategies that he constructed showed his partners how he had remained the Ta-Namu for these many cycles. Political skill is the greatest weapon. His ability to build coalitions and pit them against the other strong players had held them off when they had tried to take the title.

  Ka-lo-Prim kept a running commentary up with Zac and Zeer. He told them about the traps called portals and the Portal Guardians. They must be avoided. Teams formed and reformed. Promises were made and broken. If the Portal Guards captured you, you were transported out of the valley and disappeared from the melded minds. If that happened, you were done for the day and your player was removed from the game.

  Sheel and JIm watched small groups of playing pieces form and reform as single players or teams chased other players or teams back and forth across across the large green center square. Sheel grew bored and began to nap. Jim leaned over and whispered to Zeer, "Why have you got a two headed player, Father?"

  "Oh, it’s nobody. Maybe it’s a pretend player, a strategy."

  "I'll nobody, ya wee pup."

  Zeer ignored his Dad, "I think it’s somebody to carry our weapons. Maybe a ceremonial guard."

  "You're the worst child ever."

  "Oh..." Little Jim leaned back and continued watching. He absently stroked the soft fur on Sheel's back. She was asleep. Zeer looked at his dad. The man next to him was the middle aged Admiral that he remembered from his youth. "What should I have said, Dad, was that you're me poor dead Pere?"

  "No. I guess not."

  Ka was motioning to them, pointing to one of the disguised portals. Zeer began running after Ka. "Come on, ya old fart. Look lively, now. There's one of them trap thingies, Your Majesty."

  "Aye! Say, you just watch that old fart stuff."

  "Remember, the closer we get to the Mound of Skulls the more Guardians and Portals there will be." They headed out into the central plain again, moving across it and into another jungle trail.

  More and more players fell into the traps. Jim and Sheel only saw figurines being moved to the edge of the leather square, wrapped, and replaced in the carved chest. In the center of the game board, they saw a small mound of dirt with a circle of iron resting on top. To the players, this was the Mountain of Skulls that must be climbed to reach the resting place of Pra-Namu, the Keeper of Truth.

  As Zeer's group broke through the last bit of jungle, he saw the mountain. It rose above himwas a tall pile of Askirabi skulls. Avoiding the last group of players and portals, they began to climb.

  Near dusk, a messenger came to get Fra Jim. On an orange leaf was written:

  Fra,

  We have a smuggler’s trail. Please advise.

  Fra'ad

  Fra got up and left. Sheel got up quietly and followed him out, "What's goin' on, baby..?"

  He showed her the note, "I've got to go, sweets. My little brother has picked up the trail of some smugglers."

  "Well, what about us?"

  "You'll all be safe enough. You have Tring and I'll leave Mireen and some justices ta help. Nobody messes with the Pra Namu. Everyone out here fears the Askirabim. They are sneaky fast and, when mad, can rip the eyes out of a humanoid in a heartbeat."

  "When will you return ?"

  "I’ll try to be back before full dark, Sheel. I'm not chasing crooks on their turf in the dark. We'd be Gray bird meat in two ticks."

  She held him tightly, "I wish I could go, too."

  "Well, you can't. You gotta stay with the Preacher man. You have your duty and I have mine." Seeing the look in her eyes he held her close," I'll be careful, Missy," he said softly.

  She stepped back, looked him in the eyes, and said softly, but intensely, "You'd better, Mister. I've got big plans for you tonight."

  "Oooh? I will hurry, then." He kissed her and trotted off to catch up to his posse.

  She went to find Tring. "Get the boys that remain organized. Work with them to set up the security perimenter around this Namu Dan. Stay here with them until we come out or Fra comes back."

  Tring saluted, "Yes Ma'am." He set about his duties. The perimeter alternated between live and robot guards. When it was to her satisfaction, she nodded to him and went back into the Mirwana room. Things looked as if they had changed very little.

  You see, Zeer-Namu, this struggle is held at the death of the tenth moon. The winner is to be Ta-Namu through the life of the next ten moons. I have been Ta-Namu for nearly nine hundred moons."

  Zeer remembered reading the science reports on the local aborigini. From those reports, he knew that Askirabim live for several hundred cycles, "Ka, thee must have been young when thee first become Ta-Namu."

  "Yes, Zeer-Namu, the one who is now Pra-Namu was my parent. She taught me well. I have been beaten several times, but, never in the annual game."

  Again today, they were successful. She turned to Zac, "As my guest and my ally, I give to you the first question, Zeer-Namu."

  "And I give the question to my father, with your permission, Ka-Namu." (as his ally, They were all jointly Ta-Namu.)

  His virtual self bowed "As you wish..."

  They went into the cave of the Pra-Namu, knelt together, and waited to be noticed. A cough was heard and they rose to their feet. Before them was an incredibly old female Askirabim. Zeer was now able to tell them apart easily, though he could not say how.

  "So, My child, you win again, Ka-Samu?"

  "I was blessed, Mother. Please, let me introduce."

  She interrupted. The bird-woman looked surprised, "What is the meaning of this, Ka? These are outsiders."

  "These are not ordinary outers, Mother. I wish to introduce the Namu-Kaliks of song and story, the outers from within."

  "I see. Well, the stories must be true,
for here they are.”

  "Yes, Mother..."

  She smiled that toothey smile "Alright, who will ask?"

  Zac stepped forward, "I seek a child, Pra-Namu."

  She looked at him. She walked over and touched the top of his head. She closed her eyes, looked up a moment, and moved her hand to his shoulder, "I sense no body attached to this one."

  Zeer knealt again, "He is my dead parent, Pra-Namu. I carry him within my body out in the light."

  She looked closely at Zeer. "And you, why do you hide your face within another's face."

  "Oh, You’re asking me about the makeup."

  "Yes, I am puzzled by the face paint."

  "If they knew who I really was, I would be killed by the green ones, Pra-Namu. My old face has a death sentence attached to it."

  She touched his cheek softly, "We have no love for the green ones. We will keep your secret." She looked at Ka-lo-Prim. He nodded.

  "Zac, why do you not merge with the Master?"

  "Like yourself, I have children to deal with."

  She smiled, nodded, and closed her eyes in deep thought. The three questioners sat on the floor and waited. Finally the old woman opened her eyes. "The one you seek is near. He seeks you, also." She closed her eyes, “You will see him soon.”

  Zac sat on a chair, buried his face in his hands and cried. Zeer put his arms around his father. There were tears in his eyes also.

  Zeer bowed to the old woman, "Thank you, Pra-Namu. We will go now."

  "You do not ask a question?"

  "Not at this time, Pra-Namu."

  She turned to Ka, "He shows wisdom, my son, you have made a good choice."

  "I did not choose him, Mother. He chose me."

  She nodded as they left, "He may be the one we have waited for." The old woman returned to sleep and to dream safe dreams.

  Zeer and his two companions made their way down the montain of skulls and returned to their starting grids.

  All appeared to wake up at once. The children removed the game pieces, wrapped them carefully and placed them back in the boxes. Zeer woke Sheel, “C’mon, child, dinner awaits.

  Chapter 13