Chapter 368 (2/2)
”She has such a long life ahead of her,” Sangbre said. ”She shines so brightly to my eyes.”
Captain Manners nodded, knowing that she referred to her new eyes. Matron Sangbre had entered the Cathedral of Endless Night, where the Daughters of Chrome Baba-Yaga dwelled. When she had exited, Captain Manners had seen that the experience had left marks on the Tnvaru matron.
She had warsteel eyes now, matte black featureless orbs surrounded by white fur. A red streak went from the tip of her nose, up her face, between her eyes, up between her ears, then all the way down her back to vanish at the top of her buttocks.
She had also placed her hand, the palm gashed and bleeding, against the salt crystal encrusted skull of a long dead human, one of the Childless Ones.
Captain Manners had done the same.
Together, Captain Manners and Matron Sangbre had carefully removed the skulls they had touched from the elevator wall and taken them to be interred in one of the cathedrals. Captain Manners had never considered himself to be a superstitious man, but the ritualistic actions had been seared into his memory.
”Are you all right, Matron?” Captain Manners repeated.
Sangbre nodded slowly, breathing slowly and heavily. ”I am.”
After a moment she passed her right catching hand over her face, taking a moment before opening her eyes.
”Who's next?” she asked.
Captain Manners checked his datalink. ”Va'anitmu'u. A Lanaktallan female with four calves. Two colts, two fillies. The Caverns of the Blessed Trumpet.”
Sangbre began moving toward the door, the sparkling field over it keeping in breathable air. She lifted her breathing mask, fitting it over her nose. ”What is her concerns?”
Captain Manners followed her, not bothering with the mask. He had needed it at first, but as of recent events he no longer needed to worry about the toxic air. ”She refuses to leave the side of the wounded of the Tuvan Warsteel Horde. She cares for them, but knows that her calves need to go topside.”
”She is torn by duty,” Matron Sangbre said softly. ”A feeling I am familiar with.”
Captain Manners just nodded.
The mare stated her case to Sangbre softly, eloquently. She had been the wife of a high ranking Most High and felt responsibility keenly. While before she was only interested in parties, in galas, in social events, she had left it all behind. Now she was concerned with the pain and suffering of others and sought to ease their discomfort.
Sangbre closed her eyes then opened them slowly. She stared at the Lanaktallan female for a long moment, then nodded slowly. ”I understand,” was all she said.
Once she had left the chamber, Captain Manners following, she made a slow wandering path to the living quarters.
”So, I take it, her destiny?” Captain Manners asked.
Sangbre nodded slowly. ”It is difficult to explain.”
The matron's sister was waiting. When Sangbre explained what the mare had said, she simply nodded.
”My sister has been changed, down here, as have we all,” the mare said quietly.
Captain Manners followed the Tnvaru matron as she slowly made her way to one of the elevators. They were both silent as the elevator slowly rose.
”I dream of my daughter,” Matron Sangbre said softly.
Captain Manners stood quietly.
”I see her dancing among the stars, a gleaming trail behind her, my people cautiously, nervously following her. She often carries a flaming chainsword in one hand and an astrogation log in the other,” Matron Sangbre said. ”A part of me cannot believe I gave birth to and nursed her.”
Matron Sangbre sighed and leaned on her gripping stick. ”She seems so much larger than life,” she said quietly. ”She will be a legend, a mythical being who may or may not have existed, to those who come after.”
Captain Manners nodded.
They were silent the rest of the ride.
As the elevator doors opened Matron Sangbre looked up at Captain Manners.
”Let's go see if D-Mee3 has anything to drink,” she smiled.
She stepped out into the warm sunlight.
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MANTID FREE WORLDS
You're really going to let them stay?
---NOTHING FOLLOWS---
TERRASOL
The Tuvan Warsteel Horde gave them succor. Several of them have learned salt carving, some of them have joined the choruses, others care for the cyborgs.
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MANTID FREE WORLDS
Still, they attacked your world.
---NOTHING FOLLOWS---
TERRASOL
Not those ones. They were refugees from a Precursor attack that annihilated an entire world.
Besides, do you want to tell one of the Warsteel Cossack Hordes that they have to break their vows of blood and honor?
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MANTID FREE WORLDS
Uh... no thank you.
---NOTHING FOLLOWS---
RIGELLIAN SAURIAN COMPACT
Good plan.