Damia's Children Read online

  Laria would remember this scene, this moment, forever. She knew it, and sighed deeply.

  * * *

  Her sisters, Zara, Kaltia, and even five-year-old Morag, helped her pack while the ’Dinis watched. They didn’t have more to take home than a small pouch apiece, oddments that were valuable only to them: pieces of pretty rocks and sea-shells, beaded panels of unknown usage and uncut gemstones which were their particular favorites. When their fondness for jewels had been noticed, Afra had located a lapidary among the Aurigaen miners but, while the ’Dinis displayed keen interest in the process, they were not at all intrigued with the formality of cutting their gems. The ’Dinis on Earth had evidently cornered the market on pearls, nacre and other iridescent marine shells, items not available on Aurigae.

  Leaving Saki was the hardest part although Laria knew that Zara, who would inherit the amiable horse, adored her. She would be leaving Saki in the best possible hands. Zara’s pony would now pass to Morag who was just old enough to manage. But once Laria had accepted that necessity, she began to get excited about the adventure. For it would be one. She felt it from both her mother and father, including a touch or two of envy that she would be having an experience that they couldn’t. Thian was particularly strong in his envy aura but he’d only a year or so to wait before he could come, too, so Laria didn’t mind him. Rojer was the most unhappy because he hadn’t been part of the ’Dini exchange and he really, really wanted to be. Laria tried projecting soothing thoughts to him but he caught her at it and disappeared on one of his solitary hunts. Dismayed, she kept a light touch on him, but though Rojer might only be twelve now, he was clever and eluded her.

  Sometimes Laria felt like the ’Dinis, leaping about with excitement; at others, she wondered just what she was getting into. Whether or not the ’Dinis had had similar trepidations, she didn’t know but she received such supportive dreams from Tip and Huf, that gradually anticipation became wholly positive. She almost couldn’t bear the wait until the hour she was to depart.

  As several other ’Dini pairs were making the trip home, a large carrier was to be used. Almost too keyed up to contain herself, Laria hugged each of her siblings, her mother and father, and practically dove into the capsule.

  As he closed the hatch, her father winked in such a conspiratorial fashion that she was startled.

  Glad you stayed around to go by carrier, love, he said. You looked about ready to make the jump unaided. She wriggled with her impatience and grinned radiantly back at him.

  She had felt that way. I’ve got more sense than that, Dad!

  If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have considered sending you, Laria, he replied in his droll fashion. When in doubt, use that good common sense of yours, coonie, and you’ll be fine.

  Calling her ‘coonie’ was his especial endearment and a flood of prideful love enveloped her. She widened an already cheek-breaking smile and he completed the closure, slapping the roof of the carrier as the cargo handlers always did.

  Laria wiggled again, scrunching herself more comfortably onto the padding. Then she turned her head to be sure that the ’Dinis were all secure in their specially made hammocks.

  Ready? her mother asked.

  Ready, Laria answered, dying for the protocol of sending to be finished so she could GO!

  For all of her excitement and anticipation, she couldn’t help hanging on to the mind touch of her parents as they inaugurated the lift. So she knew the second in which the personnel carrier was taken from the cradle, as it hovered and, with a split second to prepare herself, was thrust across the void in the teleportation that would end at the Mrdinis’ world.

  Clarf, which was the nearest that humans could come to the sounds which Mrdinis made for their homeworld, was in the usual third position of a oxygen-hydrocarbon world about its primary. The system, however, was in the midst of a very populous area of the galaxy. It was no wonder the Mrdinis had achieved star flight, with so many near, bright and sparkling neighbors to encourage them to explore other worlds. Clarf’s position in such a teeming cluster also gave the Mrdinis some protection from the encroaching Hive: there were many other worlds to attract that species’ interest.

  When the transfer of teleports occurred, Laria was involved in the exchange.

  Hi there, small stuff, a cheerful baritone voice said. Allow me to introduce ourselves: Yoshuk is me, and Nesrun is my happy otherself. There was an alto chuckle.

  Yoshuk has his joke, the alto voice said. Be welcome, young Laria. And there! You’re landed. Quite a welcoming committee so be ready.

  Since the capsule’s controls were for human manipulation, Laria unsealed the hatch and cracked it. The blazing light that poured in made her squint while the ’Dinis sneezed, honked, crackled at a high level of joy and excitement. Shielding her eyes, Laria pushed the hatch back, and then stood aside. Tip and Huf were most insistent in sign and sound that they emerge first. Noise poured in on them as well as light, and the noise was almost as violent as the assault of light on her eyes. But she couldn’t see well enough to locate the source. Then the other Mrdini filed past her, clicking softly with polite appreciation of her courtesy. The moment they stepped out, they added their own sharp barks and shouts to the external din. She blinked furiously to adjust her eyes. She wondered how the ’Dinis had been able to see at all on Aurigae if this brilliance was constant on their world.

  Ooops, said Yoshuk, try these. A pair of wraparound lenses floated in through the open hatch to her. Someone should have warned you.

  Laria put the glasses on and the light abated to a much more comfortable level. The noise outside, however, crescendoed and, just as she peered outside, four pairs of ’Dini paws reached in toward her. The clicks and squeaks of welcome were abetted by signs of “come out,” “come here,” “join us,” and “where it”—meaning herself.

  Laughing at the conflicting salutations, Laria stepped out and had her first view of Clarf. Or rather the Tower complex, reassuringly familiar despite the alien sky, the incredible sun making the flat apron a heat-trap. She was right beside the Tower which had been one of the first such installations on the Mrdini-controlled worlds. The shapes of the Tower and its auxiliary buildings, even the cradles, were familiar but the materials from which they had been made were most unusual. Rock, orange slashes with black and red, had been used for the walls: some deep blue material slated the roofs. The cradles were iron black, not alloy blue, and the plascrete was a greeny-black—and the yellow-white of sun soaking up light and throwing back glare.

  Laria had only the merest glance at what panorama lay beyond—low and layered buildings of complex geometric design, great triangular mounds which she assumed were entrances to immense hibernatories and, overhead buzzing like so many angry insects, the unmistakable figures of airborne ’Dinis, using their personal lift belts. Occasionally a vivid orange line shot across the sky and a flying figure veered abruptly out of its way. There seemed to be uncluttered air space over the Tower Complex.

  We’ll be with you as soon as incoming traffic eases, Yoshuk said. They may paw you to death but it’s an enthusiastic way to go.

  She could see what he meant for she was now surrounded by a horde of ’Dinis of all sizes and colors, all wanting to touch her, as if to reassure themselves that the Human child they had been promised had actually landed.

  A very loud crack and the ’Dinis crowding about her stood still, with only one or two small noises of what Laria interpreted as dismay. Another crack and the ’Dinis made a respectful corridor as the largest ’Dini she had ever seen made its way to her. It had great loops of pearls about its neck and an incredible tiara sort of construction ornamenting its poll eye which was tilted in her direction.

  Just as she was wondering what sort of movement she should make to indicate respect to this superior ’Dini, she felt paws lift her two hands and bring them forward. Tip and Huf had become her escorts? sponsors?

  The big ’Dini lowered its upper section so that the liquid, pur
ply poll eye was level with her face. The eye began to twirl slowly. The ’Dini brought both of its paws forward to touch her outheld hands, folded them to its chest and said firmly PLSGT! the ’Dini way of exchanging names with humans.

  Laria copied that gesture and said LR!, well pleased that she had managed both the liquid “l” and the rolled “r” sounds.

  Recoiling in what was a very good approximation of Human surprise, Plus (which she decided to call it in her own mind) gave the burbling noise that signified ’Dini pleasure.

  Well done, Laria, Yoshuk said. They’ll love you here with those ells and arrs. Another alto chuckle from Nesrun.

  Beyond her a second large personnel carrier glided gently to rest in a cradle. Behind her an almighty thunder shook not only the air but the ground and, whirling around, Laria saw her first self-propelled spaceship take off. It was far away, probably ten kilometers or more, despite the tremendous sound. The flames from its massive rockets grew longer and longer as its upward movement proceeded. Laria couldn’t help but stare and wonder why such an antiquated and wasteful method was still in use when Clarf had its own Tower. But it wasn’t, she reminded herself, a Prime Tower. Yoshuk and Nesrun were T-2’s, not T-1’s, and would be unable to thrust such a behemoth on its way. Beyond it, a second, then a third and fourth spaceship rumbled skyward.

  A little shake of one of her ’Dini-held hands and Laria recalled herself to her surroundings. Tip and Huf had gathered attendants: much the same coloration as they were so that Laria figured they might be related. No one knew how many constituted a ’Dini family group.

  Plus now tucked her hand under its arm, against its warm silky side, and turned, so she followed. Unobtrusively Tip gave her a quick sign that this was an honor—which she had already gathered. She lengthened her stride just as Plus shortened its and she didn’t know if she should laugh at their cross purposes. Then she saw Huf make amusements signs and so she felt able to grin up at the big ’Dini.

  Oh, my dear, you are landing on your feet, Yoshuk said. Led out by Plsgt himself.

  What’s going to happen now, Yoshuk?

  You’re to be escorted to your new quarters by Plsgt who’s always been the strongest proponent on this planet of the experiment. Then you’ll be part of the welcome home banquet for your pair. Tip and Huf? Yes, and we’ll meet you there. We won’t leave you unsupported, Laria.

  Not unless we want our ears singed off by the Rowan or the Raven, added Nesrun, coloring her tone with a mock malicious grin.

  Plus handed Laria into the open-air passenger compartment: Tip, Huf, and several of their color group joining them. The vehicle moved smoothly forward on airjets, the driver carefully maneuvering through oncoming traffic that was mostly crated, bagged, and boxed materials, piled high on floats. How inefficient it was to have no kinetics available, Laria thought. Her presence distracted one or two drivers to near accident situations. Surely, since their two species had been in contact for more than sixteen years, the sight of Humans was not that unusual for ’Dinis. Tip and Huf wiggled with amusement at the near misses and flicked signs at her, crackling at their kin who apparently were more concerned about the situation.

  Then the vehicle turned out of the space port facility onto a very broad “roadway,” teeming with traffic of all kinds: pedestrian, vehicular, and a single-wheeled affair that riders handled with exceeding skill and daring, darting in and around slower, more cumbersome road users. Laria was so fascinated by their antics that Tip had to whistle a warning to her. Plsgt was signing and she’d missed its opening remarks. She shot a frantic glance at Tip who repeated it behind Plus’s back. Fortunately, Plus was only identifying the buildings they were passing.

  The space port was, quite rightly, surrounded by support and service agencies. Then their vehicle pulled into the center of the road to allow the passage of a block of what Laria had to identify as “soldiers” though she had never seen any. Unlike other ’Dinis, these wore heavy bandoliers, with tubes and other ominous-looking devices slung across their backs. They looked tougher and many had odd cicatrix along their bodies and limbs, suggesting healed wounds. At least, that’s what the marks appeared to be to her. Sometimes one didn’t need familiarity with a thing to recognize it.

  Then Plus was pointing out apertures on either side of the broad roadway, and smaller avenues leading off the main thoroughfare. These were the domestic quarters of the space field technicians. These residential facilities formed the usual ’Dini quadrangle about the work place. Separating the various dwellings were the great slanting mounds of hibernatories. No one had far to go. Where did food and other commodities come from, Laria wondered, but Plus evidently didn’t feel it necessary to comment on such particulars.

  Behind them came the roar of more ships taking off, and the air was once more filled with the smell of hot metal and fuel exhaust. Really, Laria thought, it was too bad there weren’t enough Talents available to loft the ’Dini vessels, and reduce noise and air pollutions. Maybe she should concentrate on fitting herself for that. With no immodesty, Laria knew that she’d be a Tower Prime when she’d finished her training.

  The journey to her new home took over an hour, as Plus’s vehicle drove them steadily deeper into the capital of Clarf, a sprawling metropolis: past flat open spaces whose purpose was not mentioned. At one point, she also caught the unmistakable odor of rotting vegetables and the cloying sweetness of fruit. She couldn’t isolate from which building of the many small structures they passed such smells issued and it amused her that Plus seemed either oblivious or unwilling to comment on that side of ’Dini ecology. It was tactful of Plus not to show her the downside of life on Clarf. It did point out plinths and columns, or pillars, with a great deal of pride and an explanation which she couldn’t quite grasp and which neither Tip or Huf could.

  Between the air pollution and the intense sunlight, Laria began to develop a fierce headache and did her best to dampen it. She would have liked to close her eyes to rest them. Plus wouldn’t notice if she had with the dark lenses covering her from brow to cheek but she had to watch its signings or be rude. She was overwhelmingly grateful when the vehicle came to stop before a large and new looking building—new because the intense sunlight had not bleached it—with an odd annex perched on the roof.

  It took her only a moment to realize that the annex was odd because it had windows, a feature which no other ’Dini building had, as well as a door, some sort of a glassed-in porch and potted plants. Or, at least, that’s what she thought they must be. That’s when she realized she had seen nothing, absolutely nothing, green, growing or vegetable-looking on the long ride from Tower. There was probably an explanation for that. Being of a practical turn of mind and having hunted for the table for years, Laria did sort of wonder about food resources and distribution. Maybe hunger was part of her headache.

  Now Plus opened the panel in the vehicle and stepped to the ground, turning to assist her in the most chivalrous fashion. Then she saw a double file of ’Dinis come out of the building, poll eyes bent respectfully in the presence of Plus and herself. Tip and Huf became a close-drill escort behind her, their flippered feet aligned with hers as if, and Laria managed to suppress a grin, they were to make sure she didn’t put a foot wrong!

  The file reached them, proper greetings accorded Plus and then the lead pair turned to her with carefully enunciated sounds which she understood perfectly, so that she could respond in kind to their welcome and good wishes. She, and Plus, were invited inside to enjoy guest hospitality and she and Plus accepted. She waited a second to see what Tip and Huf would do and felt their pressure on her feet. She could move forward, staying slightly to the rear of Plus, as they progressed to the building.

  She clicked and clacked to either side of her, nodding politely to each poll eye, saying either YOUR WELCOME HONORS OR PLEASED TO MEET YOU with an occasional THANK YOU.

  It was her passage up this gauntlet that she suddenly realized something which she felt was significant. Though
there was considerable variety in the ’Dini pelts, they were all the same basic hue. Plus, however, was covered in a fur of a shade that almost fought with theirs . . . having an orange hue whereas theirs had a bluishness to it. She glanced furtively at Tip and Huf and realized that they were “blues.” So “color grouping” was more critical than anyone had known.

  Good girl! Got it the first day! Yoshuk’s tenor was triumphant. Many are still trying to find the connection.

  It is significant?

  As you’ll discover now you’re here. Don’t let it worry you. You’re above the color bar, being Human. And Nesrun’s alto voice was cynical. You might be more cautious with broad generalizations when in mixed colors, though I really don’t think you’ll be unduly troubled by this little quirk.

  Color bar? Laria found the concept disconcerting.

  Then Tip’s foot trod heavily on her heel and she stopped making tangential conversation. They had passed the portal and were now in the usual broad foyer where appurtenances, single-wheeled bikes, and fly belts were in a state of inspection readiness.

  The Mrdinis had been on a war-basis for centuries now so she shouldn’t have been surprised by the military flavor, even if she wasn’t all that familiar with it: undoubtedly one of the adjustments she would have to make.

  The place was spotless—not that one could see too many details in the semi-light in which all ’Dini accommodation were kept. Laria was glad that she had been such a frequent visitor to the Aurigaen village. And this, of course, was the reason she had been encouraged.

  She followed in Plus’s wake as the official tour continued, to the bathing rooms on both sides of the main entry, to the apartments, and finally to the standing lift that gave her access to her own. Plus would not fit on the two-person affair . . . no more than a piece of flooring and the central shaft that lifted the floor up to her quarters or down to the level. It was an ingenious amenity. Tip gestured for her to take her place, it took the other side and made a big show of pressing the control button. There were two, each labeled with luminescent paint—one marked D, and one marked U. Laria signed her approval and appreciation.