Randur gave a shrug, pushing back a lock of his black hair, and turned his attention to the Hanuman once again. A moment later, the creatures squawked and flapped off to one side, out of sight.
Randur needed to know what they would be doing next. This lack of purpose and clarity was unsettling.
Suddenly Artemisia strode back towards them, carrying a massive metal container in one hand, displaying her immense strength. In her other hand she held two ends of some metallic rope, which trailed away to a part of the ship he couldn't see. She dumped the container on the deck and declared, 'Come over, if you wish to see.'
The three of them knelt by the side of the tub, which was about four feet wide, and peered into the shallow pool of water it contained. Carefully, Artemisia draped the two pieces of metal rope into the water. Numerous sparks began skidding across the surface. A sizzling sound came and faded, and before long images with the consistency of a reflection began to form in the water.
'This is in my world,' Artemisia declared, standing a distance away as if she couldn't look at it herself.
An apocalyptic landscape.
Structures that Randur could barely identify: metallic and ivory alien architectures.
Lumbering creatures engaged in abstract warfare which was barely possible to imagine.
Skies suffocating from smoke? No, there was merely a sun scarcely as potent as a moon.
Races similar to Artemisia's, many humanoid, some like rumel, others possessing a square spine that revolved as they walked.
Occasionally the flash of explosions.
Swarming numbers of inhabitants.
'Who's fighting who exactly?' Randur asked.
'The enemy is led by the Akhaioi – your own mythology calls them Pithicus – who possess potent military might. I have served on these battlefields and tried to combat their finest warriors. They are constantly attacking us – we, perhaps, who are the last free culture. I cannot remember for how long, precisely, but we estimate this current set of campaigns began all of ten thousand years ago. At this current stage, the Akhaioi lay siege to our greatest city, Truwisa, having seized the outlying beaches long ago. Our two cultures have been engaged in combat for so long it feels as if we are wedged in some epic cycle, destined never to end, apart from when the earth dies, and even then…'
'Enough,' Randur said, pulling back. It hurt him mentally to contemplate the phenomena he'd seen. 'Why don't you just invade our world like the other lot? What's a few more deaths to someone from your world?' He indicated the vision in the water, which was now stuttering out of shape, losing its clarity. Soon it had become simply water again.
'Because, Randur Estevu, if we wiped many species from this world, it would create an unstable system, which would inevitably lead to our own collapse. Your human cultures have done so again and again, wiping out biological systems that were depended upon. Among all things, we Dawnir cannot be accused of thinking about the short term.' Something flickered across her expression, a smile perhaps, or something darker.
'If I could be Empress again,' Rika said, 'would you wish me to help?'
'It is, perhaps, the only option I can see. We need you – or an equally trustworthy leader – to mobilize your people effectively.'
'I feel… it is the right thing to do.' It was as if the very presence of this woman had intoxicated Rika. A true seduction by the gods. There was something about Rika's manner, a glimmer in her eye now, which indicated she had regained her determination. Perhaps she felt this stranger was still a deity, and would do anything requested by her.
'Hang on,' Randur said. 'What's to say you're not representing evil, in all of this? How can we trust you over the other lot, the Pith-wotsits?'
'The Pithicus, the Akhaioi. And to answer your question, you're still alive aren't you? That should be sufficient indication. And, remember, across the outermost islands – our enemy, are they not wiping out your people?'
'I've not seen it.'
'There were intelligence reports, Randur,' Rika offered. 'Indeed there has already been genocide on Tineag'l. That's why the Night Guard were dispatched to the north – it wasn't a simple military mission. They were to investigate what could have destroyed the settlements.'
'Good,' Artemisia finished. 'It is settled. Let us rest for tonight. You have, I feel, witnessed enough for the moment. Please, absorb what I have said. I will get a couple of the Hanuman to guide you two to some comfortable quarters. In the meantime, Jamur Rika, I invite you to my bedchambers to discuss the future.' It was said so matter-of-factly, but Randur couldn't help but think she had designs on Rika in some way, although he hoped she was sensible enough not to be swayed by such attentions.
'Yes,' Rika said, 'it would be an honour.'
'Rika!' Eir exclaimed.
'Easy.' Randur held her arm, and whispered a reminder of just how many soldiers Artemisia had killed.
'Eir, I will be perfectly fine,' Rika said.
Artemisia and Rika strolled away from them, leaving Eir seething. Randur held her but she shrugged him off.
He raised his hands in despair and muttered, 'She's a grown lass.
Dammit, she's older than you, and Empress, and can do what she wants.'
'Not now!' Eir snapped.
Two Hanuman fluttered down to his feet and began screeching something, and with little hands they waved emphatically for them to follow.
*
Through the night and through the walls, the groans of a woman filtered in gently. Eir lay there awake, trying to discern if it was Rika's voice. A candle flickered in the bedchamber, casting a warm light across its wood panelling. There was a constant dull hum somewhere below.
'Get to sleep,' Randur mumbled into the pillow.
'It's her,' Eir said. 'She's doing something to her. It sounds like they're having… you know. Sex.'
'Least someone's enjoying themselves.'
She slapped his back and he grunted. 'Not Rika. She's never done anything like that. And, anyway, Artemisia isn't even human. It's wrong, and it sounds as if Rika's in pain. What if she's torturing her?'
Nothing was to be heard for a moment. Then Rika's voice penetrated the night like a muted banshee, then a moan that was sensual and deep. Eir made to get up but Randur placed a restraining arm across her, then leaned nearer, squinting in the candlelight. 'Eir, it doesn't sound like torture. If it's sex, then yeah, I'm surprised too, but I'm sure Rika knows what she's doing. The fact that Rika is not yet dead suggests that Artemisia doesn't hate the lass. And if they've developed some form of bond – then I reckon that it bodes well for all of us. Look at us – we were betrayed by that arsehole Munio. We were about to be dragged off and at some point executed, and then this… whatever she is, fell out of the sky and saved us. She needs us alive – or at least Rika. So as long as we're on her side, we're safe.'
'Maybe you're right.'
'I'm always right.'
'What about Munio?'
'Well, nearly always.'
She softened at the sight of his face. He was trying to smile, but by now she'd learnt to see beyond his bravado. She turned over and attempted to sleep, but the noises her sister was making continued to disturb her.
Dozing off, Randur wondered, too, What is Artemisia doing to her?
*
Morning, and red sunrays spilled across the ship's deck. A wind buffeted them, and the massive ship groaned under the elemental forces, yet the vessel maintained its stability. Hanuman drifted around the ship, a flock of oversized gulls silhouetted against the sun. Randur really wanted one for a pet, he decided. They seemed pretty nifty, couldn't do any harm, so he would ask Artemisia for one, at some point.
'Where're the others?' he asked.
Eir hadn't slept well at all, and had kept him awake for half the night. She was now leaning against the railing, peering down across the cloud-base.
