"2568-07" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jerome Bigge - Warlady 6 - In Harms Way)"IN HARM'S WAY" AN ADVENTURE IN THE SECOND DARK AGE OF MAN By Robert J. Simmons Chapter Seven "You don't build something like this overnight," I whispered to Lorraine as we were led into what appeared to be a large for- tified village that no doubt was "home" to a thousand people at least. Those who stepped out of the houses to watch us pass by were all women, young, old, all ages in between, it being obvious that the people of this area lacked the "anti-aging" serums of the southern civilizations. We had crossed over a small river, the water dark against the snow on either side of the bridge. I smelled the odor of wood smoke, the odors of a culture like this. Even Arsana with its sewer system "smells" a lot in hot weather due to the droppings of horses and unicorns as well as other ani- mals. One soon gets "used" to such smells however, I might note. No doubt there is much less "air pollution" than there was in the 20th Century with automobile exhausts and factory smokestacks. "Women are as capable as men of building civilization," the Warlady answered, now tossing back the hood to her coat, looking about as we were now led in on our tethers behind our captors. The torches here and there giving enough light to see clearly. I could tell that these women were a mixed ancestry, no doubt the result of interbreeding with the Eskimos and such who lived to the north. Their weapons, appearances however indicated that it was likely that they had trade relations of some sort with a more "advanced" people, a number of the women armed with light swords. Dularn has trade relations with nomadic barbaric peoples to the east, much like the Nevadas to the south. Their ruler is married to a Dularnian noblewoman as is mentioned in Darlanis' own book. Such people roamed over a good portion of south western Canada as well the north western portions of the United States. They call themselves "Wyomings", although such a name does not mean that they are from what was once that State back in the 21st Century. "Not a man in sight," I mused, talking more to myself than to Lorraine just then, who was doubtlessly drawing her own con- clusions here. I knew she still had her Martian blaster pistol hidden underneath her outer clothing, but that would hardly do us any good in this situation even if she had her hands free to use it. A number of the giant wolves wandering about much like dogs might in another place. I had no doubt that they would be fear- some foes in battle, especially due to their great size, the ani- mals being the size of full grown ponies, say five hundred to six hundred pounds in weight. As such animals are omnivorous to a considerable degree, I supposed keeping them "fed" wasn't as "im- possible" as it might first seem. The houses were log cabins, as one might expect given the nature of the area. They seemed well built, there being no evidence that these women were in any way more "primitive" than any other group living in this snowy land. "Keep your mouth shut and your `opinions' to yourself," Lor- raine answered in a harsh whisper, having overheard. I supposed that was "wise". "I'll do all the `talking' for us both," the Warlady then added, the tone of her voice leaving much "unsaid". "Admiral Simmons!" Shari cried, dashing to my side. She didn't look "harmed" in any way, although no doubt she'd just had herself an "experience" that few teenage girls her age ever had!! "I am Valeris, Queen of the Free Women," the woman said, her dark eyes burning into ours as she sat there on her skin covered throne. She was a brunette like Lorraine, but coppery skinned, her appearance reminding me somewhat of that of the late San-sha who had herself headed a band of ex-slave girls called the "Free Women". I guessed Queen Valeris to be actually about fifty years of age, although by the standards of the "south" she would be considered close to death due to her physical appearance. Her "palace" was just a large log structure that reminded me much of the "long houses" once built by the Vikings of northern Europe. A number of the women of this land now gathered about, whispering among themselves. The walls were decorated with hunting trophies of the sort that is rather commonplace in this era everywhere. On the other hand I saw no evidence of slaves, either male or fe- male. Such was rather surprising, as slavery is now commonplace. "You lack the anti-aging serums of our civilizations," the Warlady smiled back, "Along with many of the wonderful things I can give you," Lorraine added, no doubt having planned all this. "In return I ask only that you assist me as you can in the recov- er of my daughter from the evil men living to the north of you." "It is far, many days ride from here," Queen Valeris said, obviously "impressed" by this "Warlady" from distant California. Unlike me, Lorraine had come obviously well prepared to "deal"... "I will `pay' well for your help," Lorraine answered back. "I can extend the lives of everyone living here in this village." A "buzz" among Valeris' women leaving no doubt that her words had been "overheard" as no doubt the Warlady had intended they would. Lorraine is a very skillful politician, a very "competent" Queen. "I will give you my decision in the morning," Valeris said. "Did they mistreat you, Shari?" I asked my first lieutenant. "I think they took me so that you would come," she smiled. We were in a bedroom somewhere off the main throne room of the Queen's "palace", if you could call this place by that "title". The smoky fire in the fireplace took some of the chill off things now. Lorraine going to it, using the poker to rearrange things. "I was hoping to find `allies' here," Lorraine said to me. "You are truly `what' you are, aren't you?" Shari said then. "I am a `woman of peace', who has been `forced' to be other- wise," Lorraine then smiled, sitting down on one of the two beds. "On the other hand one who wishes to live in peace must be always be prepared for war." I had to "smile" a bit at that, as it is very much like the philosophy behind the Dularnian militia idea. "It is said by some that you are the greatest Warrioress of all time," Shari answered, going to the small window, and looking out through the semi-transparent material that now covered it. I suspected that the material was from the afterbirth of some large animal, such being transparent enough to let it light through it. "I am a woman `good with a sword'," the Warlady smiled back. "The greatest swordswoman of all time," I smiled at her now. "They `keep' men here," Shari suddenly blurted out, "Like we do dogs." Lorraine looking up, nodding to herself. "And the boy babies are usually killed and only the girls are kept!" she said! The tone of her voice leaving no doubts what she thought of it!!! "That would be a sensible way of doing it," Lorraine spoke. "And you want to make `friends' with these women?" Shari re- torted. Obviously she was rather "upset" by what she'd seen or been told, the latter more likely I felt than the former here... "We keep slaves in our societies, and infanticide is legal," the Queen of Trelandar answered back. The Priestesses of Lys de- stroy deformed and defective children at birth. Such prevents the spread of undesirable mutations and relieves society of the "burden" of caring for those who can never be "self supporting". The concept of a "right to life" is unthinkable here in this era. Abortion on the other hand is very rare, and is usually only done if the child will be defective and would have to be destroyed in any case. Such "decisions" are rightly those of the Priestesses. Also "unwed motherhood" is virtually unknown, I might add here, all women being implanted with a contraceptive device at puberty. This is of course "true" only in the more civilized societies... "You think this sort of a society is `good'?" Shari chal- lenged Lorraine like some "radical" from the 1960's. I wondered why she was so "upset" about it anyway here? She certainly had- n't impressed me before as being "political" to any degree here. On the other hand I really didn't "know" her that well, most of the conversations I'd had with her being about running the ship. "These women do not make war on their neighbors, although I suspect that they have defended themselves in the past; they are not a `threat' to anyone, and if this sort of a `life' pleases them I see nothing wrong in letting them live as they see fit," I heard Lorraine reply, the Warlady's back turned to us as she now drew back the bedcovers, having removed only her heavy fur lined boots and her coat before slipping in beneath the roughly woven hair blankets. She had worn heavy wool hose, with a heavy sweat- er for warmth. Her pistol was "concealed" beneath her clothing. "They kill `innocent babies' just because they are boys!" Shari protested. I advised her then that perhaps Lorraine had no wish to continue this conversation, which was leading us nowhere. My "advice" having come as "Admiral" of the Royal Dularnian Navy. "Baby killers!" Shari snorted under her breath, sounding much like some Twentieth Century "RIGHT TO LIFER" from our time!* * I once discussed this matter with Queen Maris, who said that she didn't feel such matters were a proper concern of government. In any case the Priestesses of Lys do have the final say in this. "There are two beds, and three of us," I said to Shari. I saw her nod, smile a bit in reply. I didn't think she wanted to sleep with Lorraine, especially after the "argument" she'd had with the Imperial Warlady over the sexual practices of Queen Val- eris' women. I supposed that most of them were lesbians, much like the Women of Mars, such being quite commonplace in this era. "I'm no match for your wife in a duel," Shari laughed, her eyes as green as the sea glowing with affection into my own then. ***************************************************************** "She's as `strange' as they are!" Shari whispered to me in low tones as we followed Lorraine and Queen Valeris back to our encampment on the seashore the next morning. Shari having taken a strong dislike to both these women and the Queen of Trelandar. "It would be `wise' on your part to keep such `opinions' to yourself until we are back on the ship," I pointed out to her. I personally didn't find these women all that "objectionable" my- self. They certainly had the "right" to live their lives as they saw fit, and if they practiced `infanticide' as Shari claimed, it was their own concern, and none of ours. I also understood that they had little to do with the Priestesses of Lys, perhaps due to the fact that they practiced "witchcraft", which of course the Priestesses do not ever tolerate among their own followers. Such "witchcraft" was nothing more than hypnosis along with the use of certain herbs and plants, much like what was practiced by the American Indians of an era now mere myth and legend in this time. "Aye, aye, sir," Shari muttered, not delighted by my order. "That ship isn't mine," Lorraine replied, lowering the tele- scope. It was square rigged, and appeared to be much like the Athena, even to the trail of smoke now escaping from its funnel. "Looks like Darlanis decided to put in an appearance," the Warla- dy explained, explaining that Darlanis had been building a steam frigate much like hers and must have completed the vessel now. I had no doubts too that the big blonde was concerned about Sharon, Darlanis looking upon Sharon much as any mother might about a daughter, especially as Sharon herself saw Darlanis in that way. "Sarnian Queen," Shari said, lowering the telescope. Queen Valeris regarding the ship with a bit of awe, the vessel no doubt almost as strange to her as a Lorr saucer might be to any of us. "The most beautiful woman of all time," I now teased Shari. "If you `like' that kind," Shari muttered back in return. "We are not at war with the Imperials," I pointed out then. "You trust `her' too much, sir," Shari answered back. The "her" she referred to here I knew was not Darlanis, but Lorraine. "She is the woman who was `responsible' for Janet Rogers." It is true that Lorraine is generally considered in that light, but it is also quite likely that Janet Rogers did things mostly as she felt they should be done, and not what Lorraine would have done. Lorraine herself is considered to be a very "competent" monarch. A certain amount of this may be due to Sanda Talen, a very capa- ble woman who is the Prime Minister of Trelandar, but Lorraine is thought of as being a "good" Queen, even by those opposed to her! "Leave such matters to `wiser heads'," I answered back, a bit annoyed now at her, taking the telescope from her and focus- ing it again on the Sarnian Queen. I saw the Empress, her golden hair and height unmistakable, and then another woman with her. A shorter, somewhat smaller woman, a beloved brownette who I'd left there in Arsana less than ten days ago! I held the telescope up to my eye, paying no note now to Shari or anyone else just then as the emotions flooded through me at the sight of my own wife... "IN HARM'S WAY" AN ADVENTURE IN THE SECOND DARK AGE OF MAN By Robert J. Simmons Chapter Seven "You don't build something like this overnight," I whispered to Lorraine as we were led into what appeared to be a large for- tified village that no doubt was "home" to a thousand people at least. Those who stepped out of the houses to watch us pass by were all women, young, old, all ages in between, it being obvious that the people of this area lacked the "anti-aging" serums of the southern civilizations. We had crossed over a small river, the water dark against the snow on either side of the bridge. I smelled the odor of wood smoke, the odors of a culture like this. Even Arsana with its sewer system "smells" a lot in hot weather due to the droppings of horses and unicorns as well as other ani- mals. One soon gets "used" to such smells however, I might note. No doubt there is much less "air pollution" than there was in the 20th Century with automobile exhausts and factory smokestacks. "Women are as capable as men of building civilization," the Warlady answered, now tossing back the hood to her coat, looking about as we were now led in on our tethers behind our captors. The torches here and there giving enough light to see clearly. I could tell that these women were a mixed ancestry, no doubt the result of interbreeding with the Eskimos and such who lived to the north. Their weapons, appearances however indicated that it was likely that they had trade relations of some sort with a more "advanced" people, a number of the women armed with light swords. Dularn has trade relations with nomadic barbaric peoples to the east, much like the Nevadas to the south. Their ruler is married to a Dularnian noblewoman as is mentioned in Darlanis' own book. Such people roamed over a good portion of south western Canada as well the north western portions of the United States. They call themselves "Wyomings", although such a name does not mean that they are from what was once that State back in the 21st Century. "Not a man in sight," I mused, talking more to myself than to Lorraine just then, who was doubtlessly drawing her own con- clusions here. I knew she still had her Martian blaster pistol hidden underneath her outer clothing, but that would hardly do us any good in this situation even if she had her hands free to use it. A number of the giant wolves wandering about much like dogs might in another place. I had no doubt that they would be fear- some foes in battle, especially due to their great size, the ani- mals being the size of full grown ponies, say five hundred to six hundred pounds in weight. As such animals are omnivorous to a considerable degree, I supposed keeping them "fed" wasn't as "im- possible" as it might first seem. The houses were log cabins, as one might expect given the nature of the area. They seemed well built, there being no evidence that these women were in any way more "primitive" than any other group living in this snowy land. "Keep your mouth shut and your `opinions' to yourself," Lor- raine answered in a harsh whisper, having overheard. I supposed that was "wise". "I'll do all the `talking' for us both," the Warlady then added, the tone of her voice leaving much "unsaid". "Admiral Simmons!" Shari cried, dashing to my side. She didn't look "harmed" in any way, although no doubt she'd just had herself an "experience" that few teenage girls her age ever had!! "I am Valeris, Queen of the Free Women," the woman said, her dark eyes burning into ours as she sat there on her skin covered throne. She was a brunette like Lorraine, but coppery skinned, her appearance reminding me somewhat of that of the late San-sha who had herself headed a band of ex-slave girls called the "Free Women". I guessed Queen Valeris to be actually about fifty years of age, although by the standards of the "south" she would be considered close to death due to her physical appearance. Her "palace" was just a large log structure that reminded me much of the "long houses" once built by the Vikings of northern Europe. A number of the women of this land now gathered about, whispering among themselves. The walls were decorated with hunting trophies of the sort that is rather commonplace in this era everywhere. On the other hand I saw no evidence of slaves, either male or fe- male. Such was rather surprising, as slavery is now commonplace. "You lack the anti-aging serums of our civilizations," the Warlady smiled back, "Along with many of the wonderful things I can give you," Lorraine added, no doubt having planned all this. "In return I ask only that you assist me as you can in the recov- er of my daughter from the evil men living to the north of you." "It is far, many days ride from here," Queen Valeris said, obviously "impressed" by this "Warlady" from distant California. Unlike me, Lorraine had come obviously well prepared to "deal"... "I will `pay' well for your help," Lorraine answered back. "I can extend the lives of everyone living here in this village." A "buzz" among Valeris' women leaving no doubt that her words had been "overheard" as no doubt the Warlady had intended they would. Lorraine is a very skillful politician, a very "competent" Queen. "I will give you my decision in the morning," Valeris said. "Did they mistreat you, Shari?" I asked my first lieutenant. "I think they took me so that you would come," she smiled. We were in a bedroom somewhere off the main throne room of the Queen's "palace", if you could call this place by that "title". The smoky fire in the fireplace took some of the chill off things now. Lorraine going to it, using the poker to rearrange things. "I was hoping to find `allies' here," Lorraine said to me. "You are truly `what' you are, aren't you?" Shari said then. "I am a `woman of peace', who has been `forced' to be other- wise," Lorraine then smiled, sitting down on one of the two beds. "On the other hand one who wishes to live in peace must be always be prepared for war." I had to "smile" a bit at that, as it is very much like the philosophy behind the Dularnian militia idea. "It is said by some that you are the greatest Warrioress of all time," Shari answered, going to the small window, and looking out through the semi-transparent material that now covered it. I suspected that the material was from the afterbirth of some large animal, such being transparent enough to let it light through it. "I am a woman `good with a sword'," the Warlady smiled back. "The greatest swordswoman of all time," I smiled at her now. "They `keep' men here," Shari suddenly blurted out, "Like we do dogs." Lorraine looking up, nodding to herself. "And the boy babies are usually killed and only the girls are kept!" she said! The tone of her voice leaving no doubts what she thought of it!!! "That would be a sensible way of doing it," Lorraine spoke. "And you want to make `friends' with these women?" Shari re- torted. Obviously she was rather "upset" by what she'd seen or been told, the latter more likely I felt than the former here... "We keep slaves in our societies, and infanticide is legal," the Queen of Trelandar answered back. The Priestesses of Lys de- stroy deformed and defective children at birth. Such prevents the spread of undesirable mutations and relieves society of the "burden" of caring for those who can never be "self supporting". The concept of a "right to life" is unthinkable here in this era. Abortion on the other hand is very rare, and is usually only done if the child will be defective and would have to be destroyed in any case. Such "decisions" are rightly those of the Priestesses. Also "unwed motherhood" is virtually unknown, I might add here, all women being implanted with a contraceptive device at puberty. This is of course "true" only in the more civilized societies... "You think this sort of a society is `good'?" Shari chal- lenged Lorraine like some "radical" from the 1960's. I wondered why she was so "upset" about it anyway here? She certainly had- n't impressed me before as being "political" to any degree here. On the other hand I really didn't "know" her that well, most of the conversations I'd had with her being about running the ship. "These women do not make war on their neighbors, although I suspect that they have defended themselves in the past; they are not a `threat' to anyone, and if this sort of a `life' pleases them I see nothing wrong in letting them live as they see fit," I heard Lorraine reply, the Warlady's back turned to us as she now drew back the bedcovers, having removed only her heavy fur lined boots and her coat before slipping in beneath the roughly woven hair blankets. She had worn heavy wool hose, with a heavy sweat- er for warmth. Her pistol was "concealed" beneath her clothing. "They kill `innocent babies' just because they are boys!" Shari protested. I advised her then that perhaps Lorraine had no wish to continue this conversation, which was leading us nowhere. My "advice" having come as "Admiral" of the Royal Dularnian Navy. "Baby killers!" Shari snorted under her breath, sounding much like some Twentieth Century "RIGHT TO LIFER" from our time!* * I once discussed this matter with Queen Maris, who said that she didn't feel such matters were a proper concern of government. In any case the Priestesses of Lys do have the final say in this. "There are two beds, and three of us," I said to Shari. I saw her nod, smile a bit in reply. I didn't think she wanted to sleep with Lorraine, especially after the "argument" she'd had with the Imperial Warlady over the sexual practices of Queen Val- eris' women. I supposed that most of them were lesbians, much like the Women of Mars, such being quite commonplace in this era. "I'm no match for your wife in a duel," Shari laughed, her eyes as green as the sea glowing with affection into my own then. ***************************************************************** "She's as `strange' as they are!" Shari whispered to me in low tones as we followed Lorraine and Queen Valeris back to our encampment on the seashore the next morning. Shari having taken a strong dislike to both these women and the Queen of Trelandar. "It would be `wise' on your part to keep such `opinions' to yourself until we are back on the ship," I pointed out to her. I personally didn't find these women all that "objectionable" my- self. They certainly had the "right" to live their lives as they saw fit, and if they practiced `infanticide' as Shari claimed, it was their own concern, and none of ours. I also understood that they had little to do with the Priestesses of Lys, perhaps due to the fact that they practiced "witchcraft", which of course the Priestesses do not ever tolerate among their own followers. Such "witchcraft" was nothing more than hypnosis along with the use of certain herbs and plants, much like what was practiced by the American Indians of an era now mere myth and legend in this time. "Aye, aye, sir," Shari muttered, not delighted by my order. "That ship isn't mine," Lorraine replied, lowering the tele- scope. It was square rigged, and appeared to be much like the Athena, even to the trail of smoke now escaping from its funnel. "Looks like Darlanis decided to put in an appearance," the Warla- dy explained, explaining that Darlanis had been building a steam frigate much like hers and must have completed the vessel now. I had no doubts too that the big blonde was concerned about Sharon, Darlanis looking upon Sharon much as any mother might about a daughter, especially as Sharon herself saw Darlanis in that way. "Sarnian Queen," Shari said, lowering the telescope. Queen Valeris regarding the ship with a bit of awe, the vessel no doubt almost as strange to her as a Lorr saucer might be to any of us. "The most beautiful woman of all time," I now teased Shari. "If you `like' that kind," Shari muttered back in return. "We are not at war with the Imperials," I pointed out then. "You trust `her' too much, sir," Shari answered back. The "her" she referred to here I knew was not Darlanis, but Lorraine. "She is the woman who was `responsible' for Janet Rogers." It is true that Lorraine is generally considered in that light, but it is also quite likely that Janet Rogers did things mostly as she felt they should be done, and not what Lorraine would have done. Lorraine herself is considered to be a very "competent" monarch. A certain amount of this may be due to Sanda Talen, a very capa- ble woman who is the Prime Minister of Trelandar, but Lorraine is thought of as being a "good" Queen, even by those opposed to her! "Leave such matters to `wiser heads'," I answered back, a bit annoyed now at her, taking the telescope from her and focus- ing it again on the Sarnian Queen. I saw the Empress, her golden hair and height unmistakable, and then another woman with her. A shorter, somewhat smaller woman, a beloved brownette who I'd left there in Arsana less than ten days ago! I held the telescope up to my eye, paying no note now to Shari or anyone else just then as the emotions flooded through me at the sight of my own wife... |
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