The Unsaid

A Novel by Michael P. Bates

A pre-publicised version....

Against a bleak and cavernous night I shift vision as much as hope and outlook but I still hold an image even if I can't see it.

From a marsh which was destined to the mist of Nature and the riddle of good earth the morass was giving birth.

The landscape was a mass dirt -scraped and pock-marked with a myriad of earth pieces. Each one was the size of a large man's head or more which was in particular a head helmeted for warriorship. From the mists of the terrain and the flat marsh where no-man entered in these days the scene was a dirge in the thoughts of tale-singers and bards. This was the crux of it, the bearer on the gusted darkened morass where the ground stank with some sort of life but not the fertile soil of the farmer's tilling field. This was Morabin.

The reason for such a name to which the stranger could be induced to disregard any importance of it was to be exemplified now.

Today a figure would appear. Today and then tomorrow would give up the harbinger of danger and fear and spew forth from all its morbid and strange fertility more than a child, more than a young helpless creature of innocence but a creature of gravity, peril and threat.

There was no-one to hear the crack of earth like the bursting of skin. Slowly through this mysterious dew which remained permanently from the bottom of the earth a head arose. A helmet dome rose first. In the lack of illumination in this Morabin a helmet gave forth to a breastplate and metal-guarded shoulders then a stomach until the torso was complete.

To the reckoning of time of this era the sight was mortally new. In the urge of the ground in all its exaggeration of this dark ominous creation, the representation of the deeper markings of the mind was given up as a warrior.

As it rose and the slime eked away from its huge frame there was little sound only the creak and slush of this marshland giving forth its perilous offspring. This warrior which appeared to discard the wastage of the earth stood as the earth receded and thus was born Chronomesis.

Morabin was seemingly in these days a scene of desolation but in one time it had been the beautifully abundant point of the Oaken- cross. The Oaken-cross was the familiar ascription given to this tract of extant life but isolated now like an island by a vexatious coastline. So much had passed that only the tale -tellers by their songs recalled the time of Connection.

Connection was when the Oaken-cross was part of a larger tract of mainland in a sea of easy and pleasant winds. Now due to the action once sung as the act of a fool so wretched that the earth had to part for his idiocy. This was of the past which survived the unkind and virulent elements only through the secret passage of story to story of man to boy and the boy became a man. There were no women to tell the stories now but there had been. In the onset there was before parting this, unwisely or no like many tapered thoughts became a man's predominance.

Morabin on this cruel day to the history of the Oaken-cross, the weather was of a familiar drabness. A long-time pressing of elements which exemplified the ills of the land. Then out of its crux of central birth the legend as tellers would have dubbed it, be they male or female, was created. For this Chronomesis which was to become a name even so dangerous with the voice and lips made its progress and progress forbidding to think of.

Morabin where it stood on this desolation was the crossing-point of the whole of the misty shrined island of Oaken-cross. Morabin was where the lines of longitude and latitude crossed in the relief of the land. The land itself was cruciform, a cross of unmeasured extent where the vertical length of longitude crossed the lateral. In the downward south, if familiar was long and straight down, and for many ranges of mind was not, southward was deemed not a human place to abide.

In the land to the North lay Sorority. Sorority was Sister's land and finished the apex of the island-cross. Above Morabin by another trail the track was seemingly tranquil the more one left Morabin. Sorority the Sister's land was one where the distaff side, female side of women's pre-eminence existed and reigned.

Two rulers existed in the Sorority and exalted they were not for their physical potency which like the body jaded and weakened by time but they were revered for their knowledge of lore. Magus and Mugali-female first-were joined in mind and body both but the corporeal was as shell but the strength of spirit was the real vibrancy of Sorority.

It was a day like this that the students of the followers of the marque of the Lemon Bird had gathered to appreciate their battle-hardness and skill with the ethos of the Yellow code.

In the palace unlike Morabin it still gleamed with the sun conveying the august. Although it was achieved with difficulty it continued to hold sway. The sisters who came this way were the prospective elite of the Northern code-the Yellow code. They had trained in the physical arts of combat in this primeval island but now they were on the last and final task-the preparation of the Sorority's mind. As the females, bedecked in resplendent sheen of their sun-hued armour entered within this palace where before only the potency of their force was needed to proclaim their pre-eminence in their own land. The prospectants filed into a chamber they had only been told of in the secrecy of awe and time-aged creed.

Of the forty trialists who had initiated their training almost some way of fifteen years ago, the women of warriorship were now in the twenty-fifth year of their bodily age. Among these only three young female heroines remained in conduct and today after this there would be one elected, tested and chosen.

The three in expectation which rose in natural anxiety entered the inner-vessel of a palace which had been their home and place of endurance for fifteen years. The Dome of the Yellow Bird was set in one of the Northern territory’s oases. These were welcome plots of terrain where the frugal amount of earthly goodness still set in these places remained as an icon to an enduring belief. This complied with their reason of life and the nature of the surroundings.

The Dome to the onlooker outsider was an hemisphere erected by those in memory by the people who exalted their past and endeavoured to keep it present or at least the belief.

Order in the Dome was as strong as the stone- walls which with their lustre and brilliance gave the appearance of burnished metal. What with colour of radiance the normal inhabitant or the witness outside deemed it a place where the eyes were glazed and lowered in sight.

Inside this place there were three levels or circles of court. In the outer was the guard of Sorority's rounded palace. Then further inside was the place of priestesses for in this place no man could take their holy vow. The women of this order were recognised by their square-cut tunic dresses which were as luminous as any article of their revered colouring.

The priestesses lived here with a purpose. Theirs was to observe the long-existing doctrine but not just that. Their purpose which was more than mere ambition was to be a Lady-sister and serve in the inner-sanctum where dwelt Magus the most esteemed and her male Mugali.

The three who now for the first for the first time were about to enter the core and spiritual essence of Sorority strode in their battle-dress in a splendour which dared to match the immaculate. However old the temple was though as the trio continued inward their impressiveness seemed to turn to second-place. Their pristine armour although brilliant to the eye held little to contest against a force and light of force and held here within.

The three women were led in slow ceremony by one they had come to revere in fifteen years as well as fear. To the common and uninitiated Paulis was just a small almost diminutive man. Yes, a male, yes small-statured but thickset and those who had the experience to know in struggle, agile, strong and entirely adept to the battle.

The three hardly knew what was to follow although Paulis knew by the matter inside his rounded large head on a worthy strong -muscled body. Thus into the circular ring they entered and stood at the tight enforced order exacted in the air by Paulis. He was the one responsible for these three and the others who had followed the way of the most revered in the land chiefly the temple of Sorority.

The trio stopped before a drop in the ground. As they stood before what was an incline like a food-bowl in extended magnitude which now was the origin and source of Sorority's reason and divinity. There in pre-eminence were two in thrones. To the right Mugali the seed of the land and to the left Magus matriarch and bearer of all which was to procreate and kindle the emblazoned Yellow.

Suddenly as the three stood in obedience, who after the course set in memory and delivered to fruition, like a growing plant, they were fearful in a way which even after all this time still reached the hardened Paulis.

The short stalwart Paulis looked to the thrones of exemplary light and declared in a voice which tried to flush forward but was stirred like a thick treacle in the making of words,

"In the tradition and line of respect the three have arrived to be the most absolute of servants."

A pause ensued as Paulis stared or rather looked just enough and with respect at the regal heads of Sorority.

"They are here as ever-long requested"

Instead of words to reply, as any other would expect Paulis knew in all his gruff and strict disciplined manner the response if these the hallowed rulers were satisfied.

Thus a voice filled the air. None would see the speaker speak but for all present knew as fact it was Magus the highest of the belief. Her body which lifted from its throne in one single sharp action proclaimed the words from a mouth which moved slowly for all expectation weakly and invisibly but this was not the sound. The air was strong with her voice.

Paulis for all his grittiness and surly temperament stood erect which transmitted to his three charges to do the same. As Magus spoke through pursed lips from a radiant and matured body it seemed almost gold to the predominant hue of yellow.

"Followers and disciples" the matriarch began in a voice which cut the atmosphere of silent orderliness,

"You have trained for fifteen years. Is that right Paulis?"

The question was more rite than inquisition. Paulis replied in words which seemed to spring from his entire physical presence,

"They have our Magus"

"And you the three our servant of the discipline of outer combat has deemed the elite three from the forty who engaged the way and doctrine of Sorority and her vigilant sisters-are you prepared?"

Although cocoooned in apprehension as they stood above the tier which looked down on the scene, they were set and prepared but not entirely confident.

Magus spoke again. Paulis above with his charges looked to the prospective children of the land to be honoured here.

Magus then raised her hands and arms aloft but palms upward.

The doubter might consider this an act of mere trickery and entertainment of common show magicians but at this crux it was not so.

The air become light and if possible brighter. Paulis like he did every time at this rite of prestige and high protocol winced and momentarily was blinded by the burst of energy.

All seemed in the cascade of kaleidoscopic light and one could hardly see but Paulis knew the ceremony. Mugali the male also rose in such a manner which overreached his secondary appearance. This was his rite.

What came from this man in the golden finery was an interplay of light. Then through the intensity came a noise and sight together which tricked the brain. From sisters gathered who for a brief second gasped and let their presence known the rest was more than stagecraft.

Paulis saw the bird as his senses and eyes keen and whetted by his fighting profession gave him the first edge. From Mugali, seed of Sorority and holder of a potency which the distaff side yearned and existed for, rose from his throne and raised his hands as Magus had.

The effect still affected as imagination, wisdom and experience rolled and intertwined to form a sense of reason. Then no, there was no answer in Paulis' conditioned mind but respect of a true wonder.

It appeared that the head of Magus the man or whatever cracked open until his face was unsighted to those in attendance. Paulis for his part felt more sure for he knew the procedure and had been present at such a rite many times. From Mugali's cleaved head rose a hard fluttering escaping sign of astonishing configuration. This as had been seen many times was the Lemon Bird.

As the flying creature rose it reached the air in a grand display of its strong plumage. All ordinary eyes present looked at its circling movement. Paulis the instructor and holder of the bodily power felt the tingle and expectation of the honouring of his three prospective charges in the fifteen years of his instruction. His adeptness was indicated in the making of knowledge pass onto their mind and into their body.

Attention to the glory below was suspended as the view and the draw of expectation was undeniably fixated on the Lemon Bird. Paulis for his part looked sidewards and partially in front at the three mortal projections of his duty- the three out of whom one would be chosen. The responsibility and election of the one of three whom had started fifteen years ago from forty such was now at a crucial and radical point of conclusion. Paulis' mind gripped his muscular and doughty frame and set.

As this display continued Paulis' eyes glazed with the bright sheen of almost blinding illumination. At this point the fifteen years of instruction plied through his head.

The forty candidates who had been chosen fifteen years then were another batch. This had been Paulis' charge many times, which led to mystery. How old was Paulis? How old even deeper Mugali and Magus? The Sorority? Life in these criteria was only finite by the death-blow of an adversary's weapon.

Paulis, a blunt but skilled honour of Sorority candidates had mystery and mystique about him also No-one really knew of his past but they did of his present and his expected future as much as Sorority remained.

The discipline and instruction he instilled and worked into his charges was a command of necessity. In the spiritual apex of the flowing ascendancy of the Lemon Dove Paulis looked with those endless pit eyes and waited for the dedication.

The dedication was where the Lemon Dove or Bird in brightness and illumination cut the air. It was here that the magical bird-magical as extending over trickery of women or man- would pick its honoured and august Prime Lady.

Paulis had arranged the three in order with his ordination of rank set in their positions. Here in front of the spearhead of three was Lucana at the fore. This was Paulis' choice as her stature ordained. Next in equal but withdrawn bearing forming the tri-form of prospective seekers were on one side Monise and especially notable to Paulis was Amalana. The Lemon Dove hovered in a high circle the tension which called for spiritual, mental and bodily strictness was apparent to all but a short muscular Chief of Dissension as his art and craft were grandly titled Paulis waited. His choice Lucana was at the apex thus nearest the source of burning eye-lowering light. The Lemon Dove itself was turning and turning in aerial procedure above. Then it landed on the metal-framed head which was its decision.

Paulis was mortified for the one Lucana had been slighted as primary choice and with it a large amount of Paulis' worth as guide and instructor. The Lemon Bird had ceased its swirls and landed upon the battle-helmet of Amalana. Paulis although ingrained by his own dedication to discipline felt the fury of being for the first time in years-eternal wrong in his choice. The prime sister for the Sorority was Amalana.

For once Paulis was furious where before in other ceremonies the vindication of his particular choice was a pain to where his eyes shone. Thus it happened the Lemon Dove rested on what it chose and slowly like a charge of melding the Lemon Dove disappeared as a real creature and formed as the burnished symbol of high preference on Amalana's head-piece. The wisdom which was too deep for the gauging of most minds had chosen and set its standard upon the head of Amalana. Paulis could feel his veins and sinews tighten. Then the audience ended. These three sisters were to travel the thoroughfare in the direction of that place Morabin.

The scene changes as passing of seconds comes minutes comes hours. Paulis was in his apartment which was spacious for the near clone-like cloisters of the Sorority's inner rooms He Paulis possessed as was greater his honour a two-part chamber. The first was his sleeping and cleansing quarters with a bed to match his dimensions as if moulded for head to body to feet. In fact as was the way of wood-workers in Sorority a high-ranking commission was set by measurements.

By the side of the bed was a smaller alcove which was fronted by a wooden "modesty-screen" for the able exponent of the finder of Prime Lady. Behind was set a rectangular tiled-in white bath. Meanwhile as the water churned through an inlet pipe running beneath a flow like the passage of more than many fifteen years pursued its course.

Paulis as would be, was in the manoeuvres of cleaning his body but not primarily that of dirt. By the ire that still coursed his body he was vigorous in his bathing. He was on the accentuated pique to want to scrub off the anger, and wear off his dissent.

Now dissent in the Sorority, especially in one so close to its divined authority was not looked with tolerance but Paulis was adamant. He was adamant even incensed in a hearth of rage causing such discontent.

Paulis' attempts to sluice or even drown his rebellious feelings were not successful in the water's flow. He had considered it and he knew the risk to his reputation and position but he was determined. Tonight he would seek Intercession. To request audience with Magus and Mugali out of their bidding had been given this emotive description. Then however he scrubbed or cleansed his body, determined as he could, the need for some mental thus physical salve was too much

Once set Paulis left the rush of cleaning waters and gathered the circular thick towel on the hook by the other end of this swirling pool. He took it and by the turbulence he wished to rub off and divest himself in hard contrast he wished to dry quickly and dress for the session he desired-Intercession.

In the other half of Paulis' living apartments he was now almost ready. In the procedure which governed by the grip of obedience of all who served the Sorority, Paulis checked his garb. He wore on his strong squat frame the Civil Coat which was in fact a dress uniform of tabard-like overcloth adorned in golden thread like a reminder of the hue and distinction which ruled this part of the Oaken-cross. For his legs which in comparison to his upper-body were short but also muscularly developed; he looked in the dressing mirror on the side-wall and studied.

Paulis' frame was all about concentration of power.

His body extolled it, his arms were visible and the thews and sinews were bulging by the innumerable passing of sword and weapon strokes. The sight was discerning and provoking. From his short-cut boots to his straight-hewn hair he was indeed all that his position inferred.

Then he looked with mainly anger but also as this emotion often inspired a fear too .He felt an opening of ideas primarily secreted and covered like the robes he wore now. For a little even Paulis was scared, not for long but enough to bear witness in his deep-pit black eyes.

In diversion to this Paulis studied the features of his face. They were stern, but also fretful like the patterns of his mind were coming to the surface. Then he said it, aloud, alone but adamantly "Daggit!"he swore, as was his way. His language he knew had better improve if he were to embark on the way to Intercession. Then in reflection he studied the make of his face. His features were stern with a harsh-set nose, which was curt and truncated like his manner. Then on his manner like his face wore the scars of combat and a contortion of a spirit, which stayed alive for this purpose above nearly all others.

In this reflection Paulis' mind which he could not detract from the skins of memories preserved in his head. Paulis himself was the family of immortal times but however back ancestry and his own small iota of it, there was Magus and Mugali-the existing wisdom and structure around which the discipline reigned. Therefore as Paulis stared himself down in the mirror he could not divine a strength or even composure to outdo the overall potency of the feted and obeyed Ones.

Paulis was almost ready. Only one act of adornment was missing-the sword of regalia-which although striking and illuminated, even in this modestly lit domain the illumination which was present defined the devotion of diligent cleaning stroking and deep application.

The sword of regalia was hoisted to his waist by a large belt tight enough to hold to a measured waist but loose enough to hold to hold a certain dash and style. In the lore of the Sorority the weapon was to be used only in the direst of situations. Paulis in all the time this symbol of following had been by his side he had yet to unsheathe it. Furthermore to brandish the blade without valid right was almost deemed a death-wish on oneself or just about near to it. For seconds as had been before Paulis studied the weapon he then looked himself over to assume a presence.

Underneath this capital enclave the tunnels ran in such a complexity it was said that only Magus and Mugali could reckon it fully. What Paulis was already aware of was that these honoured two were quite completely aware of him coming.

Paulis had called for Intercession by the act of the light passing by the hands of the asker. This meant making a message in sign-language around a flame which was lit continually in a niche which occurred in every apartment. There were several acts and rites differentiated by the different hand motions but Intercession took a strange boldness and nerve. It was the link where the warmth of reaction to near hands was answered by a message to the brain- not spoken or heard but entirely and plainly understood by those who applied it.

Paulis' stride was as long as his legs as he left his chambers. He was less nervous now but still instilled with an inkept feeling, which ran through his throat like nausea. There were no others to pass in the channelling. Paulis had experienced the atmosphere when Intercession was applied for and how the corridors and walkways would empty as if all others knew of the deed in action. By his short-booted feet Paulis continued then took the circular then straight then circular arc again until he arrived at a door. He hesitated not, for the motion was upon him where lesser servants of Sorority might quaver. He grasped the diamond-shaped black handle, which hung pendulous to turn the lock. He did so and entered in confirmed brave style.

Then there was darkness but only briefly. This was an entrance to the private abode of the respected Ones. Like nearly all else light pervaded in most of everything in this citadel and Paulis just followed a trail by those adamant and guided feet.

Then it arrived. The singing ringing high-pitched stress of song which pricked the ears to attention and caused the nerves to emit sensations of entrancement. The voice although expected still jarred Paulis; it was the dual speech in unison of Magus and Mugali from somewhere then.

"Paulis, why have you entered Intercession?"

The man implied an answer, which was in keeping with rite,

"For satisfaction" expressed Paulis raising the voice expected and girded by his own demeanour and strength of thought. "Then what is your claim" came the female-cum-male echo of words. Paulis was still steeled in answer,

"I seek Dissension".

The coldness of his body inside amid the light was unstoppable and Paulis much to his self-pride's disconcertion was almost trembling. This was only halted by the taut control of worked and applied muscles Paulis answered,

"I implore the right of Dissension to the decision of the Yellow Dove," his voice was remarkable enough to challenge the belief of its affirmed confidence.

"Then what is your Dissension?"

This let open a flood of thought processing,

"My premier choice for the decision of the Lemon Dove for the Prime Lady was not elected. I seek reason."

There was a pause like the tearing open of the air and a gulf where one end of the trail of courage ended and yearned pitifully to engage the other which seemed to be too far-off

The waiting was enormous but Paulis stood his position. By now the trickery had passed and Paulis was genuinely unsure and worried.

The return of the dual voices was an echo again but firmer less resonant-more solid and intrusive,

"Paulis," it said with blatancy, " You have been our closest servant since the counting of sands or the blades of grass. You are of the earth and ground but not quite the farthest extent of sky,"

Paulis shivered when the message delivered," That is yet to come."

What is yet to come raised the pride and fear which together held Paulis' spirit and faculties secure. He listened attentively. The voices spoke again in tandem through a blaze of fire-like intensity,

"Remember Paulis you are of the flesh still. Are we? The message strained then finished "That is yet to come." Paulis blinked.

The voices continued, "It is true that in times ago your judgement and entrenched knowledge have offered the best for duty among the candidates. Then each time we have found your place of reason beyond recall."

This statement increased Paulis' confirmation of himself, his choice and like a haunting spectre his arch grievance.

"Quiet strong Paulis. You must be told."

The effect of this raised the fear in Paulis, well as much as he let it encroach upon his composure.

"You know your duty," came Magus and Mugali's speech-like recitation.

"I do" was the almost challenging reply in Paulis' straightened larynx.

"You have performed well, as well if not better than your predecessors since or yet we feel in our minds to come. Yours is the perilous duty of sustaining the four bridges, which hold Oaken-cross together. Remember Paulis we have not doubted or taken unappreciably your devotion, dedication, knowledge and skill."

This raised the rub in Paulis' discontent but the voices interrupted before his mouth was latched agape and noiseless.

"It is true in every term of the fifteen years of training fixing and discarding of the unprepared or unworthy that we have felt and found great agreement in your three prime choices and of course Prime Lady."

Again Paulis tried to speak but once more he was deterred by a turn of mind which numbed his tongue to a lolling inertia.

"Paulis, announced the reverend Ones, "See into where the eyes meet but know no background but the end of sight."

Paulis was not sure what they meant but as he engaged their words in his thought processes the words drew pictures.

In his mind Paulis saw the Oaken-cross hewn in a distinct outline. (Illustration)

At the top was the land and citadel of the Sorority. They were the most northerly of an island set in a compromising ocean of unchallenged waters. Then to each lateral apex were the bastion cities of Red and Blue. These connections had held the island of Oaken-Cross together for beyond the existence of the parting from World. The importance of these was paramount and in every fifteen years it had laid upon Sorority for the upkeep of these connections.

Three riders, women, were chosen for their potential of nerve, control and desirous intensity to train every fifteen years to work in conjunction with the bastions of Red and Blue. This was a dangerous task and could eke out courage to the stretched limits of living.

Paulis knew like everyone the content of the Ones' assertions.

"Paulis, once again you must visit and dare the reaches of the tract of Morabin, but here in all our transactions lies a new peril. A threat of unknown gravity.

The obvious question of what was the threat to an eternal idea was out before Paulis' tongue had moved an iota in speech.

"The Black-Ravens are on Total Bridges-Morabin is not safe or settled. You Paulis"- the man straightened his teeth in readiness-"are to find the meaning of this our time-ever warning."

Then just before the depth of gravity could be reached in Paulis' atmospheric head the light disappeared. Paulis knew his audience was over but he also knew the information to be given was not.

He turned, toed his way to the side entrance only merely discernible by a single candle which Paulis noted had never wasted down an inch of it's length as he had seen it. He left by the corner exit/entrance.

What he did know was that he was to let his mind come to a sort of gravitational rest - let the thoughts come from where he had just experienced Intercession.

His mind was as black as if he had eye-lids firmly sealed within his head.

His feet and in-built knowledge led him through the domed passages-rolls of stonework to a cavernous city. "It had happened" transmitted in Paulis' head as his steady tread followed its draw.

The Black Ravens were more than omen then less than explanation of fact. Paulis walked disturbed. Then he saw in what he had only ever noted in all his and his clan's devotion was danger and near threat at Morabin thus the apex of Oaken-cross - their life.

This was enough to abrasively work in Paulis' head then as he felt the appropriate urgency the frustration of his unfulfilled Intercession caused a contortion of mental will. "Why had the Lemon Bird rested on her, Amalana to lead by Service the long travelled mission? Amalana as a creature was certainly a beautiful female in such matters but for the role of Prime Lady, Paulis felt the bitten sleight of his choice Lucana being relegated.

By the extent of pace from the auditorium of Intercession to his quarters the nagging, itching, crawling, discomfort plus the newly parted news had worked to churn a hardening substance in the strong man's head.

As the door closed and what seemed his property of mind upon flesh he swore, "Daggit, Dig Culla Dag."

The expletives were burning in his head and on his tongue.

"Daggit!", he swore again in the tribal language of his ancestry turning to another niche with an open arch where hung and lay Paulis' possessions of wear. However as he removed his ceremonial piece of weaponry its profundity did still hold sway and to his dutiful action Paulis held firm when removing it.

The problems of life had built up like the cooking-cans in those their communal kitchens. What Paulis thought was that they were about to blow and explode enough to crack his skull.

Then as soon as soon as he had divested himself of weapon and ceremonial belt he brought himself out of the alcove dressed only in small but supportive loin-cloth and another belt. His legs and upper-body in all their ridges of muscularity were bare to the atmosphere. Then upon this wide-sided belt was a circlet, an overlarge ring at his mid-stomach and on this circlet was a chain which linked to carry two metal blades.

The sharpness of the blades, and by their formation and craftsmanship, did cause Paulis to stride in a respectful manner. Then he paced and opposite the alcove on the other wall was his more than full-length shining metal dressing-mirror.

Paulis' mood was not one of calm but not of frenzy or uncontrol either. He walked angry with the chain held and almost leg-length swords each in one hand. In a rite which maybe wilder than Intercession Paulis held an anger. It was an anger of conscience, a blow or strike or stroke to his confidence. Then thus it showed itself. Paulis made his position in reflection of the looking-mirror then grasped each handle of the hanging-swords on the ridge of preparation.

For seconds he stood rigidly scouring the reflection in his distinctive attention. The muscles which were prominent showed like the ridges of maps of the island of Oaken-cross. He then studied his squarish head upon a proud neck, which was like his body very tight and neat with work of one sort or the other. The black seam of his eyes showed fuel to be divined and he felt connected to the link of mind and body. His black hair on head and heavy eyebrows were exaggerated on a nigh sharp-shaven face. Then all in all like an image of his forebears as the imprint fashioned and stamped, his was a pristine image of past singularly run to the present.

With the connection of mind to body and thought he pondered then felt it right for the gorge of passion to rise throughout.

In a firm steady roll of his right arm sword on that side began to circle on that side. It ensued slowly at first with the fluted blade circling around his side from leg to shoulder in a backward anti- clockwise direction. Then the other arm moved in a clockwise direction thus showing a dexterity of movement marked by the sound of steel-blades scything the air in a ringing tune.

Paulis then as the momentum gathered began to extend the reach of his movement backward and forward. Then in an almost imperceptible way he reversed the circular direction in both swinging arms and simultaneously extended his arms outward widening the radius of movement. The whirr was the outset of a stimulant of the physics of body and mind uniting.

Then as it seemed the chain on his sturdy leather belt was extending Paulis was caught in the momentous trance. The blades now rotating and differing in orbit around his head and body were gathering speed to accumulating speed, strength and dexterity.

By now Paulis' conscious and awareness was possessed by his actions. The swords on chain were now at their fullest extent and were by his grasp of chain stretched to the limit above his head from the points of metal to the upper height of the roof to the lowest ground. Then in a flurry Paulis feet moved back and forth to the bend of his knee and the slide of his feet. Then as the mayhem of flashing steel seemed at its orbital zenith Paulis moved again this time daring to turn in half-circular motions of his toughened worked muscles. The mien of his expression was of determination and the distillation of savagery to a disciplined finesse, a potency of drawn and elicited threat.

The next set of motion was the actual sword-play of making blatant thrust and the parries in order before and behind by both sides with the satisfaction of holding a thrust in the imaginary slaying of a fiend or foe to Paulis' sharp conception of it.

Paulis was moving now with swords on chains and the air around awash with the whirr of steel or something else in their make-up responding to his mental exhilaration, The coup de grace of this spectacular exhibition was even when the squat strongman's grip released on the handles of the swords and by the rhythm of his trunk hips and torso the swords moved without hand guidance.

If this was the purest display of control and domination of his art, Paulis began to turn, half-spin to the left then turned again to the right. Now as this seemed miraculous Paulis with those deadly blades instilling the mind narcotically by the juices of his body leading to mind pictures formed fleetingly but perceptibly inside his head.

It was sublime now how he moved back and forth, side on one side and back again. The stimulation of the senses and the white flashing steel of his weapons and taut control the clink of linked chain on the handles thus realised a crescendo.

Now Paulis in what seemed an extreme dexterity where his inside arms seemed to be most in danger still relayed an avalanche of potential danger in the whirr of killing metal. Paulis as the two blades met at the top of their round movement grasped the hardest and the highest control and held the blades until silence reigned but two swords met in arm's-length in front of him the tips extraordinarily in front just above the level of his head and stopped, apex to apex, point to point and more than naturally with light which could have been more than steel friction. Paulis stood rooted and curled his lips in cruel conclusion.

In the mists not so far away in actuality but long in the fear of the place asserted the creature which went by that unsaid name now stood in a complete non-movement and surveyed. He stood over ten feet tall. His face was almost completely covered by the dark of concentrated blackness. What did show of his face was too shaded to be discerned but as a whole it seemed as if the skin was armour or hardened hide of some bestial animal.

On the ground of the marshland which by now was given to the weight of such a giant figure the creature now paced. Although emotion which was hard to show or even study to find in the monstrous warrior, there portrayed a large influence of fear to the mortal soul. This was Chronomesis- the bringer of wretched retribution.

In Oaken-cross in this situation, the land of Morabin was a timely contrast to those who were alive to remember it. Once when the island had been of the mainland the desolate darkened eerie terrain had been so different and so had the people. The ultimate warrior who stood now was the near-final culmination of the evils which covered good like every figure has a dark shadow.

The scrubland around Morabin which like a wasting disease was spreading on a once luscious terrain. Before long Morabin the beautiful would be completely overtaken like the hideous growth of an inflicted face.

The unsaid warrior was by now some way from his birthplace and although not quite human it felt hunger in its own way. This was satisfied by the devourment of the land by just the extent of its stride. Where the warrior who by even the mention of its name caused peril and depth fed on the root and goodness of a once paradisal centre.

The livestock which were now little more than scattered animals perished and the rotting carcasses of sheep and cattle lay about Morabin scaled to the bone.

The ultimate warrior on this inexactly numbered day of its time of eruction to the surface surveyed the extent of its desolation. If the mind of this could be seen into it was pleased in an evil manner moreover morbidly and evilly hungry to the point of having a perpetual lack of satisfaction. Evil had this craving and evil in the form of a warrior continued unabated.

It was with this ambience and character that the unsaid warrior stalked the land now itself with the hunger of need but the slavering of greed. Thus as the circle of razed life and vegetation met another boundary the warrior met its mark.

Its armour although mighty and grandly applied to the body was, when in the stealth of hunting, almost silent. This moment's prey was a group of three or four wild-haired sheep grazing on its borders where the limit of good land met bad. The unnamed did not carry forbearance and most certainly not a sense of appreciation or heart of mercy tracked the sundry animals for all its bulk, silently. The sheep which at nearer inspection numbered four were unknowing. Then when the tide of air of the dreadful creature's large sword was unsheathed the ingenuity of some dark artifice showed in the blade's formation. Where the handle and hilt fitted it was visible but the blade itself was a forged vacuum where the outline marked was not apparent but as a void in the eye of witness.

The grazing animals looked up by instinct or even by the most acute sound of a fully perceptible creature, a shape lacking form. It was too late, simple creatures would not know their despatch in sensible terms instead the blade struck and in two motions - one left, one right, four animals had been severed and the flesh of their bodies were sucked into where the outline of the sword appeared to occur. All that was left were skeletons and matted fibre, which were strewn unconsumed; and desolation was extended.

Now along the lateral line of Oaken-cross the four bridges were each connected to form a continuous circle. Since the time where the island had been deserted of Earth to maintain what was left of this terrain stood these four quarter-circle links. This had been the way since human or beast had risen in the present and past. However from the pioneers who mapped Oaken-cross the crux of Morabin and its land around had to be strengthened. For here was a fulcrum where land could sever and the bridges for their strength denied it.

Nevertheless maintenance was needed which became a task assigned to two more enclaves of population. They went unlike Morabin, Sorority or water, plainly under the titles of, to the left-Red and along the line to the right-Blue.

The names may have been basic but this designated a simplicity, which allowed a singularity of accentuated title. In this case the two, Red and Blue, stood in a compromise.

The enmity between them was as plain as the difference in colours. However what stymied headlong aggression was another wonder in this land.

Red and Blue were two areas pin-pointed by citadels. Each turreted bastion was similar and strong in the scale of its worlds but the naming had a descriptive purpose.

The inhabitants of Red came from a clan collective, which was marked in the people's physicality.

At first one ruddy-cheeked inhabitant of this country was not peculiar. Except however when the notable point was that to a lesser and greater degree reddened cheeks and similar hair of varying concentration. This gave an impression when brought together of a phenomenon of life.

It was if in the strands of existence that the people Red stayed that way by isolation. Although Blue too was restricted to its boundaries and barely ventured further than their own lands except for now in this era of another fifteen years.

For the settlement city of Blue the people were neither blue-skinned or blue-headed. They were as diverse as any collective of people. In the time when Oaken-cross split from Earth, Red went to left and the right was Blue. Thus the groups flourished and citadels built those of Red to one side those of Blue to the opposite on the lateral stretch of this island.

Now as Red had the social binding of physical copy, Blue had a miscellany of different sorts. In an arch rivalry with Red along the horizontal borders on either side of Morabin and its hallowed land, Blue needed an identity. This was signified by the cosmetic applicated of a line of blue plant pigment vertical to the face.

This pigment was applied to each and every adolescent in its time of puberty. So when adulthood was at its initial onset the cosmetic of blue was applied in a line down the fledglings face. Thus the daily routine of every matured inhabitant of Blue was each morning to apply on the right side of both male and female face the cosmetic blue.

Thus the distinction was apparent and in all the history of the enclaves of Red and Blue neither met nor mingled. This may have seemed divisive and potentially hostile but the towering and expansive enormity of their differences were needed as an incentive. This spur was to bring a common incitement to keep Oaken-cross together. For this purpose the bridges in the circle were built. How many times previous this was kept was by two characters to be mentioned later but the diverse settlements of Red and Blue were the hands which gripped like strong grasping fists of connection. Nevertheless however grave and essential to the minds and ethics of two peoples, Red was Red and Blue was Blue. What their task planned was to shore up and give maintenance to the bridges. This was where the bright beacon of Sorority had its purpose to maintain the singular purpose of two peoples and keep their exertions and endeavour to the construction and appointed calling.

The designated time for this reassertion of the fortification of the Oaken-cross was as regular to the dictates of time. What was different was the appearance of the Black Crows or Birds along the lengths of the connections. Black Crows were not welcome, not by their look of foreboding and ominous presence but what the Notes said. The full title to the whole of the people of Oaken-cross were the Notes of Order. These notes inscribed by learned scholars of all denominations were the mystic instructions of all. It was said that this intelligence originated from the first generation of those who had separated from the Mainland. Thus age and time gave it an august leaning and man and woman followed it learnedly with directions from the Sages of Descent.

For Sorority who maintained a Royalty this was Magus and Mugali. For Red it was Idis, for Blue it was Nagem. What made these supposed wise-people the One's they were, was not only a knowledge and learnedness but the power of telepathy.

This extraordinary phenomenon was accepted as many things were by the power of mysticism and in any possible criticism they each had one. To add reverence Idis for Red and Nagem for Blue and of course the regality of Sorority, towers were formally and expensively built.

For this purpose in the swirling awkward irascible way of Nature all three communities had some sort of connection, where their honoured representatives had the power to give and take messages. This was the only exception where one side had to read the other's mind.

As it was relayed and not without concern the Black Crows were present on the ring of Bridges. This was "read" by all three regions as what it was stood for. There in around the focal point Morabin, the earliest and perhaps most revered of all Oaken-cross , danger was mentioned like the grasp of a person's spirit and by it the choking and stifling of constant easy demeanour.

While in the citadels of Red and Blue the news was not officially given but the rumours from the odd traveller persisted. These travellers were tolerated but did not please the authorities of Red and Blue. From the Notes the only authorised explorers were those of Sorority control and their work every fifteen years to oversee the refurbishment and upkeep of the four corners of the bridges around Morabin. This was the task laid upon the responsibility of Paulis. Every fifteen years he trained the forty most acceptable and worthy of the females of Sorority. This was a task of such gravity that the name of Paulis almost brought, well sometimes did, bring a lump of apprehension and reverence to Sorority dwellers.

As for the powers of telepathy, the peoples of Sorority and Red and also Blue built towers of Order where these marvelled and revered triad of peoples could discuss in their heightened positions loftier subjects.

To the south which might bring animosity was laid for further reading.

Now the friction and difference between Red and Blue was such that when the fifteen years transpired and the Fettlers (the trained bridge engineers) were sent out their segregation was to be maintained. As in any craft but more so in the polarised camps of the two colours Order was stipulated and if not too proudly described Order was ordained.

Although no actual physical altercation had accrued by the presence of Paulis and his three trusted trained and tested warrior agents; they were given the responsibility as laid in the Notes. The telepaths, all Red, Yellow and Blue could only see what the extraordinary told them thus accordingly enact what they deemed as correct.

Thus it was then that the workers of Red and Blue were setting outward from right and left laterally for the bridges around Morabin. Then these around the severance and insertion of the day's first light Paulis and his retinue set on and out.

It was a dark day leaving Sorority which in some way matched Paulis' mood. Not that he was much given to looking as clear and radiant as a sun-filled sky but this more than anything was not to his liking.

They rode atop their horses the three chosen- Lucana, Monise and of course the contested Prime Lady-Amalana. Discipline for Paulis in most things was easy enough or at least tolerated without too much excess of his testy temperament. This morning on the day of reckoning for them all Paulis was not at all contented. The horses they rode were the finest befitting the best chosen in fifteen years exercise and training.

Paulis could remember the time of these young creatures initiation. They were three of forty chosen not by the height of their social standing but as a proper candidate from all social elevations of Sorority.

From the start Paulis had favoured Lucana. She was as a ten-year-old already a proud and imbued in that noble almost haughty bearing. To add she came from a family line which had already produced many a Prime Lady. Paulis was not easily denied or contradicted in his decisions especially this one but this exception to his will, this favour for Amalana rankled like a sore on his rump where a saddle which met the rub of it and each step forward was a painful way to progress.

Admittedly Paulis in a short way tried to seem fair and balanced about contentions. She was in physical beauty the pick of all forty. Then pretty faces thought Paulis made pitiable corpses and what with the black crows and a latent natural sense of unease, pretty faces were the direst refuge of strength in safety.

Paulis saw Amalana on her steed, one of the yellow animals bred especially under Sorority's officialdom. Their bright coats were pristine and the nap of their hides were brushed and regular.

The other two elite also rode horses of this hue while Paulis rode Nula his grey bond-horse of some time. Now, time was time and age was age but in the realms and notables of Oaken-cross time was stretched to meet the needs of considered action. Nonetheless fifteen years was a long time for training, Paulis by his pride and duty wasted not a day. From the age of ten forty young females were elected by a calling which was titled Ordinance day. Here among a festival which concentrated on the centre of Sorority's there was a gathering of all the eligible ten-year-olds of Sorority.

Now to be chosen by the rite of Ordinance was not only an honour in prestige, kudos and renown but the monetary reward was a gift for a family to live on wealthily. Such were the benefits in all ways; doting parents would plan the conception of a possible female to Ordinance with admirable control and bearing.

At this point it may seem appropriate to mention the man's role in Sorority. To this was a small lesson of history,

When Oaken-cross as it was told first separated from Earth there was panic, distress and deep fundamental terror in the souls and minds of these people.

The first sign was the gathering of clannish sides notably later dubbed as Red and Blue. Here the male sides contested their fear by blaming each and gathering in their territories. Numbers against the unknown could be fundamentally reassuring. That was what transpired as the great severance of a land not even named yet was cleaved from Earth. Amid the tumult both physical and mental some did not resort to the enmity of sides thus gathered the women who travelled North. These were the forerunners of Sorority. Men did join them-husbands, single-men and younger siblings for they could see the upshot of what was happening. Thus begun the conception of Sorority.

In the Sisterhood against the reality of trepidation about the unknown the women set about a community. The women who seemed the more strong-willed railed against the bone-headed stance of Red and Blue. Such were their criticisms that there rose in these most Northern of the island the spirit and creation of Sorority. All those years ago, still an ocean of long waves crashing; Magus became Queen and Mugali her husband King. As for the belief in the Yellow Dove this was more believed than rationalised.

It seemed that at the coronation of these the rulers of the renegades of more stubborn quarters lower in the island that their regality needed an affirmation of some sort. The need was satisfied and as it came to pass as mysterious or without reason as ordinary thought could bring to explain.

In the time of this novel dynasty when Magus and Mugali and the notables of this starting kingdom here the scene was set.

A young princess and her consort were in attendance of a ceremony which being new was stimulating for a new era and order but lacking a stateliness, which would convey authority and the mark of proper dignity. Paulis could remember the scene now. The proceedings were continuing in the ordered way but all could feel the lack of righteousness and semblance of due respect to be given to the young King and Queen.

Before Sorority, before the name Oaken-cross was either resolved or instigated there were four tribes in the main who inhabited this part of Earth. Added to the newly acclaimed Sorority and the naturally borne tribes of Red and Blue there was one other. These were, to give them a more colloquial name, not as seemingly assured proud or august as was appreciated. These were those of the Black Veil or plainer-Shadow people. These as had been said before had their own insertion and mark to read in the history of Oaken-cross.

Paulis remembered the time before the separation from Earth. He like characters as Magus and Mugali remembered the authority of a much more profound and force of stronger bearing. It was in search of this past where order was a standard raised to rally disorder to calm and rest to the panic of the islanders. However doubt still pervaded and nothing in what pomp or splendour was extracted from thin strands of belief could really seem bona fide.

It was in this air of doubt and suspicion that the enthronement had been hastily arranged. Already the two factions of Red and Blue as they called themselves from not only their appearances but from the colours of the rising and setting of the sun had divided in order Red and Blue. This left the rest of the inhabitants who neither went either side in birth or decision. These left were those to be mentioned as a meeting of intertwined souls in no discernible shape or continuity, to dwell temporarily in what was left of the old country's capital Morabin.

Morabin was at the conceptual centre of this part of Earth. It had been seen as the bastion and quarters of headmanship among such peoples. This held an ingrained melancholy and fate about it. In the separation of the island from Earth the land of Morabin, the lost capital was to be razed to the ground.

Paulis remembered in a sadness, which the covers of time could never properly heal or exactly camouflage. In fact the leading family who presided over the land which took its title as Morabinus were at a point of actual desolation. Thus the head Ones, the wisest and strongest of the lands between Red and Blue deemed safety and construction to be found in North. Their authority was matched by the doubt and rebelliousness, which came to be when naturalness and its thought of respect of authority had been so utterly destroyed.

Thus after a while a trek to the Northern parts ensued as the only regulated form of answer. What was needed was more than fear whether it be treachery of Nature or the blow of weaponry.

There, Paulis remembered the regal Ones' coronation. Just as the rushed situation occurred the dubiety of the ceremony came to an undistinguished crowning of two young people of a lost people's hierarchy. However, something creative and unconsidered arrived for the complete astonishment of all.

Paulis in the present on his grey horse could see now in his memory in contrast as if his will was for hope as it appeared then.

Above the throne dais where Magus and Mugali faced stood a miscellany of their people chosen; this newborn sect of populace on which the sun shone - or was it more than appreciably mere sun. Out from the uppermost window portals came the blazing crescendo of flapping and rushing wings. There through the inlet a bird appeared then another of the same set-yellow-coloured Doves. These were later to be conferred as Lemon Doves for no other reason that Yellow smacked too much of Red and Blue. Thus to a strained order looking for stability and status they were assigned as the Lemon Doves or Birds.

Paulis like the host, which witnessed paused to hold the clench of his throat. What happened next was enough to burst lungs in astonishment. It seemed in the blazoned light above and around the two in attendance that this Lemon Dove landed on the head of the new king Mugali. The crowd swallowed their disbelief in some acceptance until another bird of the same description emerged from the blinding explosion of sheer illumination. This bird of Lemon kind rested on the head of Magus while an audience of gawping unsettled witnesses stared at the crescendo of light. Then just as the entourage standing off could find words more astonishment was to follow. While simultaneously perched atop the figures of Magus and Mugali it seemed their heads-as Paulis and the rest conceived-cleaved open and closed again to engulf the winged creatures. For what speciality the people of Sorority wished or inwardly needed to add regality this was no mere passing of ceremony. Paulis now could still feel as an ache in his memory and the part of the brain and body it mostly affected the sense of divinity needed for Sorority.

As memories often do, this part of the past re-enactment drifted again. This was due to the arrival of rain upon these travellers of purpose.

Paulis out in front felt the rain stubbornly persist but it trickled off the leather hide-like substance of his face without it seemed permeating the skin. In respect though Paulis was in the motion of reaching for a coverall cloak for he was not one to travel foolishly unprotected. It was the motion of turning his head that first made Paulis see.

On their path they were surrounded on both sides of the two-horse breadth road by a movement of discernible noise. Paulis' instinct rose like an emission of air and steam from the pressure-cooker of his alert senses. "Brigands" he thought and robbers they were. While Paulis and charges were setting steady pace they were surrounded by what must have been twenty or so men united by their disreputable appearances and common bearing of menace. Paulis and the three behind were stalled by these men spewing from the dark echoes of woodland about them.

There was a pinpoint acuteness to the scene. Paulis knew these brigands' purpose and they as their notoriety and lack of hiding their intent to steal he knew what each was about.

Swords and spears, and initially, most notably, a speciality of these thieves, a throwing cudgel came at a rapid, oscillating instance aimed at Paulis' head. The leer from one particular brigand seemed to extol it for the rest as the missile turned over in the direction of Paulis. The brigand's relish was instantaneously removed as Paulis, by the clasping hand - guards he always wore outward travelling deftly and keenly deflected the air-borne cudgel to the ground. Then by the mere use of his lower body Paulis dismounted while calling to his charges for "chain-spears."

The women, all three reached for the flanks of their warrior-steeds and produced exactly what Paulis had commanded with the crack of his voice arresting the situation. In a rapidity which seemed an immaculate drill practised over countless times; the three females produced each from their mounts' sides a spear, which appeared to be connected to an extendable chain.

There was no hesitation as all three Lucana, Monise and Amalana pivoted on their mounts and sent the shafts of sharp steel off into the daylight. The act was almost symmetry as three brigands each received the piercing blow through the neck close as Paulis had trained them to the jugular vein. Paulis in arch spite saw three of the attackers clutch with hands of near uselessness then emit the choking sound of their demise.

Thus just as the villains fell and before Paulis could summon the command as he once did in training the shafts of weaponry retracted on the steel chain back from gory necks to repositioning and held again in these females' hands.

Paulis' voice was correct as an undoubted instruction-"Again!" he cried as the three women again sent the shuttling metal essentially to three more targets- three more of the ravaging band stalled in despair and grasped their throats- three more to fall unto death.

By now the six who had died sent waves of panic between the spirit of the brigands left to these fateful opponents.

Paulis was a man of order and reckoned another fourteen of the horseless highwaymen were stranded by fear to inertia. Now efficiency or effectivity had commanded Paulis for all of his life and by the workings of battle-play his charges could have thrown their now retracted spears on chains once more. However there was logic to his next command. Paulis in the hiatus of excitement held the need to see if his charges did him well in combat.

"Dismount!", he cried, and the three of them like Paulis had done by the simple but strained exertion of their bodies slid from their mounts.

"Retie spears and take sword effect!" Thus like the moment of Paulis' show of his own craft of the double-blade the three were now ordered to take their swords from the saddle-flank bags and flourish the blades. Paulis himself was feeling a morbid glee as the three Lucana, Monise but firstly Amalana came to face the enclave of robbers and set about Paulis' work.

The first to strike was Amalana and sweetly thought Paulis in his satisfaction. There in the duration of seconds lay a decapitated body. For the stimulation of the moment there was a feeling of satisfaction in Paulis, which was furthered by the enactment of the same by Lucana and Monise. Then Paulis himself could not allow the devilry in him to be checked. From his own grey's side he produced his own double- blade and with the weapon in hand he approached the brigands. The blood-lust or to Paulis in his way and that the way of his ancestral grounding it was when he first and last felt alive. Although originally Paulis had considered to let charges perform, the thrill was possession.

Thus with four of them the decimation and the singing shafts of blades in the air the carnage was rapid and to Paulis highly and delightfully pleasurable.

The brigands for which Paulis sarcastically praised in his thought as "game" became the ceased beings of life so easily. The three women and the urging Paulis split the attacking vagabonds in striking lights of death and damnation. The blades on chains swung perilously to those who did not appreciate until the stroke metal ripped through face and body and left the life-force to flee from their now defunct bodies.

Paulis by now was too stimulated to carry on fighting and stood with his weight on his blades. There as if the light and power and nonetheless intuition of what Sorority meant to him the effect was like a man's desire to a woman. It was his bonded mistress and for the time the heart pumped the course of his body. Paulis was by now incensed. So much so in one section of his amply stretched armour there was a contortion of discomfort.

At the end of moments the skirmish had seemed to be finished. Only three of the bloody twenty who had chanced to waylay them unknowing of such martial prowess these few three were left. Then these felt the proposition against them and bloodied and gored as they were the last remaining brigands ran as best they could mortally summon and charged into the woods.

There was a pause. Lucana, Monise and most notably Amalana seemed stopped in their desire to continue. However something of the heat of lust still remained in Paulis. Then looking at his charges, all handsome women especially the most attractive Amalana the fluid of energy in Paulis needed sating.

In a rapid interruption to the charms of beauty Paulis was ready and mounted. With his own double-blades now rotating on his waist in a sort man-horse choreography of a scene of murderous passion Paulis on his steed stalked across hoof -thuddered ground.

The brigands once menacing and now exhibiting their reflected intentions were literally running for their lives.

Paulis and his grey steed were chopping the ground in the impetus and Paulis' blood seemed to teem from a strong organ by veins of pulsating excitement.

The air to breathe was now almost lacking in the pursued. Their fear was extracting a diminishing amount of stimulation. Paulis meanwhile was on full lungs until he met the least forward of the trio of brigands. His life was over in the slash of metal as he looked finally and starkly back. The second not so far removed was reached and run through by the other blade in his chest. That left one. One of twenty whatever they were in the high and low of the estimation of men. Paulis pursued further until this finale was approaching so soon.

Paulis breathed more in but not more as his prey breathed out. The hounded victim was now at the point where air stretched too far and failed to reach his lungs. All the desperate creature could do was to reach a tree in exhaustion and turn with his back to it in aid and support and await his foe.

Thus Paulis reached some eight feet from the densely respiring once-would-be assassin and robber. The muscular creature alighted in exaggerated pleasure again, as had been taught merely by the turn of his lower body.

The pursued brigand was trembling as the approaching Paulis strode from the horse in a cruel nonchalance eking out the pleasure of the moment. Then when it seemed that the breathless wretch had recovered, the brigand with his back to a tree reached for his waist. Thus he secured in his left hand one of those throwing-clubs. It seemed there was danger for Paulis but just as the man raised his ready hand Paulis' stroke of his left-hand blade swam the air and in a movement of extended circularity the blade on chain pivoted. Then as it swung the full hand and potential weapon of the brigand was sliced. Then Paulis moved as his quarry waited seconds for pain to arrive and Paulis with that same blade pinned the brigand with the side of that sword forcing him horizontally to the tree by his throat.

There for the prospective climax stood Paulis and his wounded victim cast in scene against a tree. Blood poured copiously from the handless limb of the brigand's arm. The left blade of Paulis' left sword was now already creasing a streak of blood on his neck. The would-be bandit was now the last of a decided twenty. The air was stifling in his lungs, neck and nostrils. Paulis for himself was breathing rhythmically until his flushed face not with exertion or fully enraged senses but with a steady macabre fascination.

The seconds nearly made half-a-minute as the two faced each other. Paulis was in his full bodily developed height while the man was balanced between fear in his body and utter exhaustion in his legs.

Then it struck. Not the left blade suspending the intended at the neck but the right. The manner now was almost at its apex. For in a strong unquavering moving of the right blade on chain Paulis rammed the cutting steel, still holding and viewing the helpless brigand, and with a grunt of high enjoyment sent the steel stiffly through the man's genitals.

The scream which rent the atmosphere was as horrific as heard in any battle scene but even more despotic in its lack of humanity. All good thought and sense of honour screamed in the brigand's outcry. The volume of emission was, startling and found little to recommend it to any warrior except a transfixed Paulis

So startling, horrendous and far-reaching was the cry that Paulis' trio of charges were instantaneously possessed and began an induced impetus to run before the scene. They did not fear for Paulis' life for this was not his scream. Their run was for the sound of agonised wretchedness.

There in the arrival of Amalana, Lucana and Monise, a helpless victim was suffering the most hideous death.

For his part Paulis was facing still in the same forward position reaching further and further to discern the disappearing emission of breath from his victim.

The women were horrified. Even Lucana, Paulis' favourite felt the rise of nausea in her leader's action. Of the other two Monise half-turned away while Amalana felt an emptiness of vanishing spirit in her body and was left to feel an escaping rush where humanity and all things human once existed. She too felt to reach up in stimulation of vomiting but instead uttered a pitiful plea to her master,

"Let him be."

Then as much as the extremity of the situation caused discomfort just as surprisingly the rapidity of Paulis' compliance left a cascade of fear.

The three women watched the dispatched victim fall to the ground or rather to half-slide from the red-stained bark of the tree. Paulis then turned with a face fascinated by what he had just carried out.

Paulis looked up at his charges, saw their eyes then swore "Daggit," and by that rendered oath and two more beside "Calt" and then "Deng" he prepared to sluice his chained blades of once vital liquid. This he did by the order which was almost ceremony and ironically enough almost a satire of what he had performed. Along the length of double-swords ran a groove where blood ran and poured off to the ground. Such was the keenness of a well and finely maintained set of swords that no obstruction lay in the blood's cleaning. Then with a swift flourish Paulis delivered the final lees of a man's life to the ground and resheathed his weapons.

There was no talking but the dark heavy-browed countenance like an unrepentant beast set upon the trio again. Then just as Paulis could see their anxiety there broke a leering smile on his thick square jaw while his eyes of blackness accepted and acknowledged the look he had elicited from his charges.

"Now then let us be away." he said with stone calmness and walked.

"With me now" he said and gesticulated.

"We have time to travel in the light."

Then he stopped and turned once more. Without a reason in the women's minds Paulis reached down to a severed hand and with some work from a small dagger removed the still fast clenched throwing-stick and announced, "Cumla" as they departed.