* * *
“Do you understand me? I want this job finished...and soon! That little bitch-woman is not going to give us trouble. Do what you need to get her. Do what you please with her as long as you don’t kill her. Offer those monkeys of yours whatever they want. Just get her, so I can leave this miserable place!” Godenn slid another bird’s wing into his mouth. With a slurp, he pulled it from his lips, flinging the naked bone across the table.
Salak grinned. Reaching for some roasted meat on a platter, he asked, “I hear there may be one of those off-world creatures going to be traveling with her. Mind ...I say, do you mind if I chance upon ‘em, to have myself a little fun?”
“Do be careful, you!” Godenn snorted, as he grabbed hold of another bird wing. “That fellow will cut off your balls and serve ‘em up hot for you! He’s more dangerous than that witch-woman who’s taken up being field marshal. I’ve seen into his eyes. The cold black of Hell is all was there. The cold black of Hell....”
“Not going religious on me now, are ya?” Salak chuckled. “I mean with the Therioskotia and all those other ghosts…”
Godenn’s anger flared, his eyes wide. “Shut up, you, or I’ll roast you for tomorrow’s dinner! It’s no laughing matter. Those things are real, I tell you! Too awful real..!”
Salak pulled a piece of gristle from his mouth, sucking off the remaining flavor as it passed through his lips, grinning while wiping his hand across his mouth. Looking into Godenn’s reddened face, he offhandedly replied, “There’re lots of real things out there, my Lord. It’s just, in my line of work, I got to keep all that stuff in perspective. Now I believe you when you say that little bitch-girl is one a’ those Therioskotia.” He patted Godenn on the arm. “But I think they can be put down. I think they can die!”
Godenn’s eyes went wide again. “Nooo...!”
Salak reached for more meat. While chewing on another morsel, he offered, “Tried to kill herself, she did! Yup, right in front of everybody.” He burped and hit his chest with the side of his fist. “After you ran...you went to check on other matters...that creature took a big knife and tried to stick herself. Poor thing fainted. Anyhow, seems to me if a Therioskotia couldn’t die, it wouldn’t try to kill itself.” He swallowed. “And I’ve got other news, too...”
Godenn stopped reaching for another bird wing. “What? Tell me! What?!”
“Well…” Salak smiled like a Cheshire cat. “that little bitch-girl might be a Therioskotia, but she’s also a real girl. Youngest of Erithia’s children, they say, and cracked in the head, too. Got her a close boyfriend, high up in the ranks. ”
(Author’s note: Zadar was, in fact, the youngest of the children. But Asotos and Godenn were not aware of Zadar’s birth, as it took place after the Rebellion started. Salak knew but chose to keep it a secret for the time being.)
“Went out of her bonnet not long after bein’ born.” He waved a piece of meat toward Godenn. “Something with the Rebellion and all...”
Godenn stared blankly at the half-filled platter. Salak smiled, slipped the meat between his teeth and happily grunted, “I’ve got eyes all over. They watch her all the time. Seems that Michael had her put aboard the Shikkeron to do duty far away from trouble to keep her safe, so to speak, just like she did Sirion.” Salak let loose a wicked laugh while he rubbed his crotch. “She was good, wasn’t she, General.”
Godenn smiled back, thinking more about the beatings and tortures he heaped upon Sirion than the release of any lustful passions, then quickly frowned. “That giant oaf was an off-world creature. He was strange…” He pointed his two fingers toward his face. “His eyes had no fear, like he didn’t know who I was or didn’t care. Then Legion was threatened by him.” Godenn shook his head. “They’re dangerous, I tell you! That off-world creature with the girl, he took a steel bolt, you know. Point blank! Right in the heart! I saw it!” He gripped Salak’s arm. “Ardon’s with her - the traitor, bastard! Erithia’s cooking something up. I smell it. You keep a wary eye out. She’s up to no good. If you’re not watching, she’ll throw your skinned hide into the pot, too.”
Salak’s teeth filled his smile. “I know the old fool’s aboard, know all ‘bout it.” His fingers on one hand involuntary closed tight, then slowly released. “He’s where I want him…just where I want him.” He put his hand over Godenn’s and looked him in the eye. “I have those monkeys of mine in my hand. They’ll do as I say. You just keep the trade goods comin’ like you promised. I have a list of the colonies where the Shikkeron’s supposed to go in the Trizentine. I’ll bring the bird into the trap. You just be there to spring it.”
Godenn grunted in protest. “Don’t tell me any lies! Things aren’t right out there. I have my own eyes and needn’t always rely on you. They tell me your monkeys are faltering. Ships aren’t coming home and nobody knows why. Some of ‘em are gettin’ spooked.” He pulled his hand away and stood. “You get back there and fix things up! The big man wants no mistakes and I won’t take kindly to his electric prods because of you. If I go in the stew, you’re goin’ into the fire! Understand?!”
Salak’s language was polite, but he seethed inside for being called a ‘liar’, warning, “The hunter who has to trust the falcon with his prey is wise to remain kind to it when on his arm. I’d like to believe you’re jesting with me in good humor.”
He stared at Godenn, pulling a dirk from a sheath strapped to his leg. While slowly cutting another piece of meat from the large roast, he cautioned, “There are many ways a person could fail with this operation you’ve requested. If a man were to feel insecure about his value, or possibly threatened regarding his life…well, you know how much that could press on his mind. Mistakes might get made.”
His dirk suddenly slipped as he cut, crashing to the platter, smashing the dish. Salak jumped back in surprise and exclaimed, “Oh, my! Sorry. I must have gotten distracted.” He looked up at Godenn, expressing his sincerest apologies.
Godenn’s shocked look was quickly masked by one of unconcern, but he had gotten the point. Wearing a broad, toothy smile, he jovially replied, “I warned the cook about using such fragile crockery. Of course, I was joking! Never would I imply any harm to such a close and loyal friend and confederate. Still, the need for success is paramount to our own goals.”
He walked a few steps away before turning back to address Salak. “Do what you wish with any off-world creature you may find. The girl and Ardon are the prizes that offer us greatest reward. Bring them to me and I shall allow you some personal time to settle your score with the man. Just don’t damage him badly, for I think we might receive a huge reward from our Master if we deliver Ardon alive to him.”
Salak slid the dirk back into its sheath and then stood to stretch, yawning. Taking advantage of the moment, he pressed, “I don’t want to disappoint my monkeys, and I know you wouldn’t, either. Maybe I should load my ship with some more supplies just to be sure I have sufficient goods to offer these ape-children. Oh yes, it would be so soothing to my mind if I should be able to share the evening with your lieutenant. He has such a way about him, you know.”
Godenn was displeased with Salak’s requests, but considering, grudgingly permitted them both. Salak thanked him and then, reaching into a huge waist pocket, removed a finely jeweled, soft leather purse with a gold hasp at the end of a wide cover flap. He handed it to Godenn. “A gift, my friend...”
Godenn’s eyes lit up. As he fondled the supple material, he asked, “Where did you get this?”
Salak smiled. “Let’s just say that the fellow who possessed that little pouch no longer has any need of it.” He turned and, whistling, walked from the dining room.