Free the North! (Free Trader Series Book 5) Read online

  “We’ve always said that people should be able to become the best version of themselves. I’m sure there are people here who would want to learn about the stars, work on building the spaceship, man it whenever it’s ready to launch. We’ve held them away from the Old Tech long enough. I think it’s time we have to trust them, trust that Aadi and Holly have come up with a test that worked.” The Council of Elders had been established using that standard, but it depended on G-War and Aadi together looking deep within each person, looking into their very souls.

  It would work as long as they always had a ‘cat and a Tortoid available to act as honest brokers.

  Maybe it was that easy. Hillcats would be the final arbiters of someone’s fitness to visit New Sanctuary or to be on the Council of Elders. They needed Hillcats in the south.

  ‘We’ve been down here for three cycles of the seasons and you’ve just now come that realization?’ G-War said with a sneer in his thought voice. ‘And to think the other humans consider you the smart one. Humanity is doomed, so the sooner we can get some lady Hillcats down here, the better off I will be as I assume my rightful place as the leader of the free world. Hahahahaha,’ he laughed forcefully.

  Braden and Micah looked around, finally spotting him on a tree branch near Skirill and Zyena. His four legs dangled as he sprawled, looking as if he were asleep. The Hawkoids had been privy to the conversation and bobbed their feathered heads as they chuckled.

  “You are such an ass! I know an old lady with a broom who’s still looking for you, little man,” Braden suggested, drawing his finger across his throat. The ‘cat struggled to lift a paw and shake it at Braden. The human returned the one-finger salute. Then Ax and ‘Tesh started waving their middle fingers in the air, while Shauna and Klytus stood on their back legs trying to look over the cart’s tailgate.

  Micah raised her eyebrows at him and nodded toward the children. “Okay, you two, enough of that craziness. We don’t do that in public,” he scolded with a half-smile.

  ‘You just did,’ ‘Tesh stated clearly over their mindlink.

  “That’s a special way that G and I communicate. You aren’t old enough yet because it looks bad.” He gave the twins a stern look, but they could see into his mind. He was embarrassed and they caught him. They giggled while their ‘cats used their long claws to latch onto the wood of the gate and pull themselves up, perching precariously on the narrow board. Shauna was small and was able to stand on top, while Klytus was much bigger and not as agile. He toppled out the back of the cart, leaving a long scratch down the wood of the gate. But he landed on his feet as if he meant to do that. Braden scooped him up and tossed him back into the cart before Ax climbed out after him.

  “Hey! Watch that,” Braden yelled as the thin line scratched across his wrist started to bleed. He heard G-War’s soft laugh in the back of his mind. “Time to leave! Everyone in who’s going,” Braden barked as he wiped the blood on his pants.

  The Hawkoids leapt into the air, gliding downward over the cart and beating their wings once past as they headed for the rainforest road. Aadi floated upward until he could swim into the back of the cart with the twins and their ‘cats. G-War ran down the tree, bounded to the wagon and with one leap, cleared the back gate and landed softly inside the cart. The young ‘cats immediately pounced on their father, the three becoming a single rolling fur ball.

  Brandt stood nearby, ready to travel with them. It had been a long time since he pulled a wagon. None of the other Aurochs would allow it since he was the King. He enjoyed his status, but with the additions to his herd came more responsibility. His people were spread along the Plains of Propiscius from nearly one coast to the other. They’d organized themselves into sub-herds out of necessity. A single Aurochs could eat a lot of grass, and nearly four hundred of them could strip a valley bare in no time.

  The Wolfoids established a settlement west of New Sanctuary at the edge of the rainforest where they were able to gather hogs, hunt wild game, and plow fields. With the transfer of all the Wolfoids from the Livestock Level of the Traveler, they’d built something far greater than just a village. Bounder and Gray Strider had founded the first modern town in the south, which they decided to call Livestel in honor of their roots. Holly helped by providing Development Units to aid in construction of the town and fields. An expanded trade route that included the Wolfoids would benefit the entire south.

  Braden wanted someone to develop the trade route west to the coast from the Wolfoid settlement. As much as he wanted to do it himself, it would be better as a test for the southern traders. When the existence of New Sanctuary was announced, he’d ask Candela and Tanner if they wanted to develop the route. They’d kept up their rudder and were doing everything Braden could have asked of them. They were the first Free Traders native to the south and deserved the opportunity.

  As much as Braden and Micah enjoyed the company of the Rabbits, only two recently matured from the newest litter joined them for this trip. They hadn’t traveled before, but two females, Heloysis and Luciana, had volunteered to join the Wolfoids and help with their fields. The rest of the Rabbits were scattered among the villages, with a few remaining in New Sanctuary.

  Ferrer and Delavigne had taken a number of young Rabbits to Trent and Cornwall to establish fields nearby. The coastal plain had many challenges for growing food, but nothing that the Rabbits couldn’t overcome.

  Micah thought the Rabbits had joined them for a different reason, as they seemed taken with the twins. And that was also the only time she’d seen G-War angry with his children. He caught Klytus bullying the peace-loving Rabbits and immediately taught the younger ‘cat a harsh lesson that he would never forget. The bullying stopped that instant, and G-War made sure that they became friends and that Klytus and Shauna looked out for the others.

  Ax and ‘Tesh cuddled with the fluffy white Rabbits while the three ‘cats wrestled and play-fought. Aadi hovered above it all. Braden and Micah joined them inside the cart and propped themselves up on the makeshift seat, leaning against the leather strap as they asked Speckles to get underway. Max’s lead was tied to the rear so he would follow. The twins could talk with the horses, just like Bronwyn, so it made traveling very easy.

  After the battle for the Amazon, Bronwyn greatly matured. Braden thought it was a result of G-War’s help in removing the Overlords’ influence from her mind.

  Brandt’s new Queen had come from the south and with Bronwyn’s help, had become the King’s ambassador traveling east and west with a small entourage of other Aurochs. Bronwyn rode the Queen and traveled wherever she went. The teenager worked with the Aurochs to help them speak more clearly, air their concerns, and live better lives. Bronwyn ensured that there was no conflict between the Aurochs and other living creatures. She made sure they all lived in harmony.

  They missed her, but she was doing what she loved–caring for the creatures they all shared the south with.

  The Hawkoids had nested and raised three hatchlings. An exceptionally large male was with Bronwyn, watching over her. The other two had gone to the Eastern Ocean, where they were becoming quite spoiled getting fed a daily diet of fresh-caught fish.

  Brandt jogged ahead of Braden’s caravan, encouraging Speckles to run to catch up. The familiar bounce of the cart, the wind through his hair, tossing his signature braid behind him, and his expanded family along for the ride combined to make him feel what his parents must have felt as they plied the northern trade routes. This was the life he was raised to love.

  He smiled watching their horse Pack, now called Speckles, pull the cart, faster and faster, and the others smiled with him.

  Meeting Old Friends

  They traveled easily the first daylight, still entering the rainforest around midday where they rested at the usual trade site for McCullough and the Amazonians. They were pleased that two Amazonians were there. Aadi spoke with them, confirming that Zalastar had ordered his people maintain a presence at all times, just in case. Traders passed w
ith sufficient frequency that it was important to be ready.

  There was a rough shack built to keep trade goods out of the weather. It was only about half full, but the Lizard Men expected another supply would arrive shortly. Braden traded venison jerky for a length of Amazonian rope, an item that always seemed to come in handy whether to use or as he’d often done, trade to others so they saw what was out there.

  Always the Free Trader, Braden was much refreshed when he climbed into the cart to get the caravan underway. The others fed off his good humor as they talked. The young Hillcats had been to New Sanctuary one time, barely past when they’d been weened. They probably didn’t remember much, but some of the twins’ fondest memories came from New Sanctuary and time there with the companions. Brandt also looked forward to enjoying time grazing the fields. The Aurochs did not enjoy that luxury with the human-tended farms north of the rainforest.

  Skirill and Zyena flew ahead until the rain started, then they joined the others in the cart. Braden was surprised that he remained in good spirits even with the continuous rain. He waved happily when two Lizard Men walked into the road and stopped the horses.

  Aadi swam out of the cart and moved agonizingly slowly toward the front where he could meet with the Amazonians. Once there, it seemed that they talked for only a few heartbeats before the Amazonians departed.

  ‘It appears that Pik Ha’ar and Tup Dal are ahead and waiting for us. They have news that we need to hear,’ Aadi said cryptically. ‘And before you ask, that was all they said.’

  With the mindlinked encouragement of Ax and ‘Tesh, Speckles picked up his pace until he was running, but slowed when the rains grew heavy and reduced visibility. The Hawkoids used their amazing eyesight to try and see through the rain, but they were as helpless as everyone else.

  Brandt ran ahead so he could let them know when to slow the cart. He disappeared quickly into the constant drizzle. Braden and Micah pulled their cloaks more tightly around themselves while the others huddled in the cart, doing their best to stay out of the rain.

  Brandt’s bugling was the first indication that something was wrong. The cart was already going as fast as they dared. While Braden pulled his bow and started digging for his blaster, Micah tried to contact Brandt over the mindlink, but he wasn’t answering.

  ‘He is occupied. We should hurry,’ G-War suggested as he climbed into the front of the cart between Braden and Micah. Without hesitation, Speckles began to run and since the road was well maintained, it was difficult to tell how fast they were going. Max ran behind, trying not to be dragged.

  The Hawkoids took to the air and powered ahead through the rain until they disappeared in the bank of rain as Brandt had done.

  “What’s going on,” Braden yelled, but at that moment, Speckles tried to stop and started sliding. Max ran into the back of the cart. Brandt danced out of the way as black shapes flitted around his head. He swung his horns trying to impale the creatures. G-War jumped onto Speckles back, ran to his head and with a mighty leap, landed on the King’s haunches where he went after the nearest Bat-Raven.

  The hackles rose on the smaller Hillcats as they hissed and clawed at the empty air, hoping to strike enemies that were too far away.

  Braden hadn’t found his blaster before they reached Brandt. He had stopped carrying it on his belt, settling for keeping it in his pack. Same with Micah, but she had her sword and he had his bow.

  “Protect them!” Braden yelled at the ‘cats in the cart, pointing to the children and the Rabbits as he and Micah leapt from the wagon and ran to their friend’s defense. The Hawkoids appeared out of the rain, each latching onto a Bat-Raven and dragging them off Brandt’s back. G-War dispatched his third. They looked for more of the foul creatures, but found none.

  Braden and Micah had been no help at all, but G-War and the Hawkoids had been there when most needed.

  The whites of Brandt’s eyes showed with his rage as he stomped and snorted. A group of Lizard Men came running from the trees, staying back as the King finished venting his fury.

  ‘Calm, my large friend. This is a great day!’ G-War exclaimed. ‘Those were the last of the Bat-Ravens. They were dying, and this was their last chance for revenge.’

  “No more Bat-Ravens?” Braden asked dully. Micah put her sword back in its scabbard and pulled her partner into a hug, then she asked the King of the Aurochs to lie down so his wounds could be tended to.

  G-War was completely soaked, but remained on the King’s back as Braden dabbed numbweed on the few wounds. Max didn’t have to donate any tail hairs as nothing needed stitching. Pik Ha’ar, Tup Dal, Akhmiyar, and two other Amazonians watched Braden wrap things up, slapping the great King on his massive shoulder to let him know the work was done. G-War assumed his position on Brandt’s head as Pik and Braden shook hands.

  ‘I heard, and it is a great day indeed. We’ve been trying to track those creatures back to their roost but have had no luck. Had we gotten here sooner, we may have chased the Bat-Ravens away, delaying this final battle. It was fortuitous, fate has guided us to a successful conclusion once again,’ Pik said mystically.

  “Pik, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that you are spending too much time contemplating your wet navel,” Braden replied. Pik’s expression was unreadable, but Braden thought he saw a slight cock of his head. Maybe he was rubbing off on the Lizard Man.

  Micah lifted the clan from the wagon so everyone could stand in the rain. Despite not being able to read the expressions on their faces, Pik’s and Dal’s joy at seeing the twins was obvious as they picked them up and held them while the group talked. Two small ‘cats rubbed against the Lizard Men’s legs and two Rabbits, heads thigh high, leaned against the humans.

  The group talked about things past and present. They talked about everything and nothing as friends do after a long absence. The companions made camp, sleeping in a pile under the cart in the middle of the road where the ground was least wet, while the Lizard Men stood watch over them. When they awoke, more refreshed than usual when sleeping in the rain, Pik and Dal had a small fire going under the large branch of a nearby tree where they cooked a large lizard that they’d killed nearby.

  Braden looked at Micah. She shrugged and shook her head. They had both spent a full moon in the rainforest and didn’t know such lizards existed.

  No one seemed to care that it was a lizard as everyone happily dug into the strips of cooked meat. G-War avoided it entirely, and his furry children followed their father’s lead in turning up their noses. The Rabbits shied away too, never eating meat. The Hawkoids were happy to try the lizard and enjoyed it, then scoffed at G-War’s refusal.

  Even Aadi tried some. Despite the rain and the damp of the rainforest, good friends always bring sunshine.

  Pik, Dal, and Akhmiyar were traveling back and forth between all the villages along the rainforest road to help them integrate the Overlords’ warriors back under Zalastar’s leadership. It required their constant attention to prevent violence by one Amazonian against another.

  Another thing they were doing was taking a census, getting an idea of how many Amazonians there were. From Pik’s initial counts, he suggested that there could be five thousand Lizard Men scattered throughout the Amazon, most of whom avoided contact with others.

  Maybe someday they’d let themselves be seen and join the community of their brothers. Pik was singularly focused on one nation of Lizard Men, working as he’d never done before, to unite his people, as Braden had done with the humans and all intelligent creatures. Pik exuded hope in his mission to improve all their lives.

  Reunion at New Sanctuary

  The rain accompanied the caravan the rest of the way through the rainforest, and that was the extent of the excitement. It took five turns to complete their drive, before they saw the sunshine again. Max and Speckles couldn’t pull as fast as an Aurochs, unfortunately.

  They were surprised that no other Amazonians made an appearance. Akhmiyar suggested that some would like to greet
Aadi and his companions, practice trading, and get used to interacting with the other intelligent creatures of Vii.

  Pik had told them it was their destiny to be equals with the humans. To help themselves, they needed to show they weren’t afraid. Braden told him that they were already equals, which Pik agreed with, but said they the Amazonians were holding themselves back. They all laughed when Pik suggested to Brandt that he try to look less intimidating, although Pik knew the source of the Lizard Men’s angst. They were created by the humans to do their bidding.

  It seemed that they weren’t quite over their innate mistrust and fear of the humans.

  Braden shook it off. Pik would keep at it and eventually, they’d overcome their hesitation. Then they would truly be equal.

  The companions were always overjoyed when the rain stopped. It meant they were close to leaving the confines of the rainforest. It was also the point when the Hawkoids flew the green tunnel to the freedom of the open skies.

  Even Max and Speckles hurried toward the sunshine ahead. Brandt ran at full speed, pounding away from the caravan until he basked in the bright light of day, stinking as only a wet Aurochs could.

  As the cart raced onto the rolling plains leading to the Sanctuary ruins, the twins politely asked Speckles to stop so everyone could dry out. Braden and Micah appreciated the break as they were soaked to the skin. Ax and ‘Tesh started taking off their clothes before they were helped down from the cart. G-War took Shauna and Klytus hunting, insisting that each of them get a squirrel before they could return.

  Braden and Micah stripped bare, knowing that before long the children would be too old for such displays. But until then, they did as they always had.

  The Rabbits bounded into the plentiful greenery that existed at the edge of the rainforest, looking for anything fresh to eat. The Amazon’s torrential rains were always such a trial for any of the Rabbits. Ferrer and Brigitte were already legends among the Rabbit population for their exploits in the rainforest during the War for the Amazon, being able to survive for a full moon, keeping the child Bronwyn safe, and returning without a scratch.