[The White Raven, Chapter 23, Feathersmith] [House Eagle, Eagle Cliffs, Planet Darai] Moeth and Raen stood in the center of the chaos that was the construction of House Eagle’s main street and waited for the Demonian Ship to land. This would be House Eagle’s first State visit, and likely the oddest one in history. There was no Palace to receive the Royal Envoy that was arriving and the State Dinner would be spaghetti served in tin field-kits on top of whatever crates they could find to sit on. Spaghetti was the only food left, they had a small surplus of the noodles given by the Commonwealth Senate. The supplies from House Raven hadn't arrived in weeks. House Eagle didn’t have an industry, and didn’t have any means to make money and purchase food. Any possibility of royalties from the movies House Swan was making wouldn’t be seen for many more months, and the cattle wouldn’t arrive for months either. Even then the herd would take years to produce enough surplus before they could begin selling beef to the mainland. House Eagle was in trouble, they didn’t even have a sufficient adult workforce to perform the simplest construction projects. Raen had the oldest eagle ‘orphans’ helping at each building site, but they had no experience and the construction was a mess. The Demonians were in just as bad shape as House Eagle, they had no industry, no money, no food, and a startling announcement had been on Grackle News late last night. The Demonian Republic Senate collapsed and after a short brutal fight among the remaining Demonian Houses, Prince Vengeance had suspended the Demonian constitution and returned the Demonian government to a monarchy. But that hadn’t been the end of the short conflict. The Demonians were facing a further civil war and the collapse of the last shreds of their civilization. Prince Vengeance had taken the throne years before by force from Prince Destroyer, and many never considered him a rightful Prince of Demonia. That was when the true shocking news of last night’s events were announced. Prince Vengeance abdicated the throne and passed the crown to Prince Malice. Prince Malice was the son of Emperor Sionnach, the rightful ruler of the Empire, and a true Prince of Demonia. The rebelling Demonians had immediately laid down their arms and sworn allegiance to Prince Malice. “It’s an injustice,” says Moeth standing next to Raen. “Prince Vengeance was a good Prince, even if he does hate me.” “I know, but during his rule Demonia was destroyed, his population devastated, and now sent into exile on an alien world. His people blame him and have lost faith in him, it was bound to happen. History will villify him as the Prince that destroyed Demonia.” “But a boy Prince,” says Moeth. “That can’t go well.” “I’ve heard strange things about him,” says Raen. The Demonian Royal Transport came in over the desert and landed next to one of the cargo ships. Moeth and Raen waited for the engines to shut down and then walked out to meet the Royal Envoy. The ramp lowered and several guards rushed out of the ship and took positions at the bottom of the ramp. Prince Vengeance, a large and fierce looking Demonian, in an odd mixture of Demonian and Gunslinger attire, came out of the ship next. Two small boys followed behind, Raen recognized them from photographs, it was Princes Malice and Mischief. A young Demonian in Tarlock robes came next, with Master Gaevin walking beside him. “Prince Vengeance, welcome to House Eagle,” says Moeth. “We had not expected you to be in the Envoy.” “I have been named Regent by Prince Malice,” says Prince Vengeance, his glare one of open hatred towards Moeth. “I have nothing to say to you, Master Raven Moeth, we are here only at Prince Malice’s insistence.” Raen understands the Prince’s hatred, but he had hoped the Prince would have forgiven Moeth for the deaths of the two Gunslingers six years ago. “I am no longer a Raven,” says Moeth maintaining her calm. “I am now Mother Eagle.” “Put any wings on you like,” says Prince Vengeance. “You are still a murderer in my eyes.” Prince Vengeance waves Prince Malice forward and the boy steps up next to Prince Vengeance. Raen can see in an instant that not everything is exactly as it might appear. Prince Vengeance is still the ruler of the Demonians, he only propped the boy up on the throne to quell the rumblings of the Demonians. “Malice, you may use your gift now,” says Prince Vengeance, and then steps back, leaving the boy smiling politely at Moeth. “Then can I go play?” asks the boy Prince. Raen isn’t sure what a small hatchling could possibly have to say of any importance, unless Prince Vengeance has already coached him. “Use your gift, then you can go play,” says Prince Vengeance, his tone much softer with the boy than he used on Moeth. “Where’s Cody?” asks Prince Malice. Moeth glances to the side at Raen. “Who’s Cody?” “Master Gaevin’s son, remember,” replies Raen. “Oh, yes of course,” says Moeth. “Here I am,” replies a small voice. The hatchling boy runs out from the gathering crowd of hatchlings, and runs up to Prince Malice. The boys lock arms in an embrace and jump up and down in that universal greeting of all boys. “Raen, look at Cody’s harness,” whispers Moeth. “Yea, looks like it’s come undone from the wings,” whispers Raen. “I'll have Master Gaevin look at it before he goes to play.” “No, it’s something else,” whispers Moeth. “Hmm… yea, I see what you mean, looks odd,” whispers Raen. “Don’t worry, Master Gaevin will take care of it.” The boys break their embrace and Cody turns around before Moeth can get a better look at the harness attachment. Prince Malice steps forward and looks Moeth in the eyes, then he closes his eyes for a moment and… …Moeth takes a step back. The expression and demeanor of Prince Malice changed completely. The little boy that was there a moment ago was gone now and something else was gazing at her with an almost amused expression. “Greetings, Mother Eagle,” says Prince Malice. “Where is Doctor Mergan?” Mergan had been waiting with the crowd of hatchlings watching and now walked forward and joined Moeth and Raen. “Greetings, Prince Malice,” says Mergan. “I have come as you asked. Do you have the authority to negotiate for House Eagle?” asks Prince Malice. Moeth glances at Raen. That solved the minor mystery of how this meeting got arranged, Mergan has been busy. “Raen, I need you to appoint me House Eagle Ambassador to the Demonians and give me the authority to negotiate trade agreements, says Mergan.” Raen looks at Moeth and shrugs. “Sure, okay, why not.” “Very good,” says Prince Malice. “Doctor, do you have the design?” Mergan hands the small Prince a rolled up set of blue prints. The Prince hands them to Prince Vengeance and waits while he unrolls and inspects the blue prints. “These are superior to anything that has come from our forges previously,” says Prince Vengeance handing the blue prints back to Prince Malice. “Brother,” says Prince Malice, calling Prince Mischief forward. Prince Mischief steps up and hands a packet of documents and a pen to Prince Malice who then hands the documents to Mergan. She looks the documents over quickly and signs several of the papers. “Mergan, could we read what you are committing us to?” asks Raen. Prince Mischief takes half the signed documents and steps back while Mergan hands the other half to Moeth. “Holy ancestors,” says Moeth. “This is a loan for one-hundred million from the Princedom of the Moons of Kitsune.” “Moeth, please wait until I’m finished here,” says Mergan. “We should discuss this first,” says Moeth. “I’m sorry, but no,” says Mergan. “Fantasy cows on the other side of the continent, we’ll starve to death before they get here, if they even do get here. And royalties from a movie that hasn’t been made yet. We are hanging by a thread, and you two have been running in circles doing nothing real. Now, do I have the authority to continue, or not?” Moeth’s face turns bright red with anger, but Raen lays a hand on her arm. “She should have discussed this with us first,” says Raen. “But, she’s right, we’ve been managing this poorly. Let her continue, I want to see what else she has up her sleeve.” Moeth shoves the documents into Raen’s hands. “Continue, Doctor, you have our full confidence,” says Moeth. Mergan turns back to Prince Malice. “We accept the loan.” “Wise choice,” says Prince Malice. “You have no credit rating and nobody else will extend a House Government with no industry a line of credit. Now it’s your turn, Doctor.” “We grant the Demonian Monarchy three-thousand feet of shoreline, the rights to build a shipyard, and a twenty-year exclusive right to all fishing off the coast of the Eagle Province. But we maintain first rights to purchase product at fair market value.” Raen’s jaw dropped open and he turned around to look at the vast ocean beyond the Eagle Cliffs. Demonia had oceans and the Demonians did fish, but no Daraian would have ever thought of fishing. The food they so desperately needed was right there the entire time. “We give thirty-five Feathersmiths, and will build three forges to produce the wing design you have proposed, reserving the right to fifteen percent of gross profits,” says Prince Malice. “We give exclusive easement rights across Eagle Province to transport product from your shipyard,” replies Mergan. “We give three-hundred construction workers for your commercial property development, one-hundred fifty workers for private housing, and seventy-five Blacksmiths to build irrigation pipes and other metal works,” says Prince Malice. The High Priestess had joined them and listened for awhile before commenting. “Well, it’s about time someone started managing this crises,” says the High Priestess. “Doctor Mergan, do you think you could negotiate for some stonemasons to help build the Temple?” Prince Malice nodded. “We will provide one-hundred stonemasons, at a fair market wage to build your Temple, but reserve exclusive right to stone quarries. Stone to be sold at fair market value.” Mergan hadn’t counted on this, what could she give in return? “We offer water rights to the river,” says Mergan. “You already gave us that for free,” says Prince Malice. “Lets move this negotiation to my medical ship,” says Mergan. “We will be more comfortable than standing out in the sun.” The negotiations grew in complexity until sub-committees were formed and the rest of the Moeth Alliance found themselves in fierce negotiations with a Demonian counterpart. The negotiations continued for the next four days as House Eagle and the Demonians formally joined their resources to build Haliae City; a city that would co-habitat both the Eagles, and a fair population of Demonians. Cody never got a chance to play with his friend, Gaevin said they couldn’t neglect the farm any longer and it was time to go home. Cody watched from the Dart ship as the Eagle Cliffs receded away and they sped for home. Cody would never see the Eagle Cliffs again. ***** [House Raven, Raven Airport, Planet Darai] “Clear to runway 3 north, switch to 234.4 for final approach, be advised, heavy cargo ahead and behind you.” “Negative ATC, need an approach to Raven Temple,” replies Vas. “That is restricted airspace, maintain course, runway 3 north, you will be going to gate 17,” orders the Raven City Air Traffic Controller. “Gate 17 is customs,” says Vas. “Are you not receiving my transponder?” “Your transponder code has been revoked,” says ATC. “We are aware of who you are, General Vas. House Eagle does not have a treaty with House Raven, you will stay in the public air lane or we will deploy fighters to escort you to the ground.” “Vas, we’re not Raven citizens anymore,” says Peli over the ship intercom. “ATC, understood, runway 3 north on final approach,” replies Vas. Vas slows for a horizontal landing approach and lines up on the runway markers. “Peli, this is ridiculous,” says Vas. “We knew the consequences of what we did,” says Peli. “They just want to smack us on the wrist for leaving the nest.” “Landing gear,” says Vas. Peli lowered the rarely used horizontal landing gear and Vas brought the ship down with a screech of the tires. Something off to the side of the runway caught Vas’ attention. “Emergency wave-off,” shouts Vas to the ATC. “Debris on the runway.” Vas pushes the thrusters forward and pulls the ship back into the air. “I didn’t see any debris,” says Peli. “There wasn’t, but did you see those trucks on the side of the runway?” “I didn’t see them.” “Those were Raven ground troops.” “Eagle flight one, emergency crews are checking the runway, you are clear to circle to runway two south,” says the ATC. Vas tips the Dart on it’s side to see the ground better as he circles around. “Look, the ground troops are racing for runway two,” says Vas. “What are they up to?” asks Peli. “I’m going to find out, watch out for that heavy cargo behind us,” says Vas. “Eagle one, you are off glide path,” says the ATC controller. “Correct to 148.9, clearing all traffic, land immediately on runway two south.” “Vas, we are way off the glide path,” says Peli. “I know, hold on,” says Vas. “I want a good look at gate 17.” Vas violates every rule of an airport and races past the terminal, and then flips the fighter Dart upside down to watch the ground. “I see gate 17,” says Peli. “What’s all those trucks doing there?” “Look there, just under the edge of the terminal,” says Vas. “That’s a stealth stripper. House Raven wants their technology back, they were planning to strip down our ship and leave us with a farming Dart.” “I guess we made them mad when we left the House,” says Peli. “Two fighter Darts leaving the runway now.” “Activate our stealth,” says Vas. The black armor deploys around the ship and over the cockpit. “On stealth,” replies Peli. “Those fighter Darts are in the air… no… I just lost them… they went to stealth.” Vas pushes the thrusters to maximum and tips the Dart up on end and races for orbit. “Get ready for TDS,” says Vas. “We’ll lose them in deep space and then come back down over the Struthio Continent.” “I think we just made enemies with House Raven,” says Peli. “We already were, they just didn’t bother telling us.” “I guess we should have known they wouldn’t just let Master Ravens walk away from the House.” “We’re in orbit, going TDS now,” says Vas. “They’ll be sending a Raven Alliance to Struthio,” says Peli. “Yep, we’ll be ready for them, looks like we are about to have our first House war.” The stars disappear from view as the ship slips into TDS. ***** [Cassoway Province, Planet Darai] “I think you’re supposed to sit in the saddle,” shouts Caedon. “Very funny, you’re a comedian.” Sander was lying across the horse, his head and feet dangling over each side. His hat had blown off and he had tried to retrieve it by leaning over the side of the horse, everything went down hill from there. Aliaen rode calmly past the struggling Sander and gave him a little wave. “Oh, you’re just hilarious too,” Sander grumbles. “How come you’re so good at riding?” Aliaen was the only one in the group that took immediately to riding as if she had done it her whole life. Her mate, Caedon, was still chasing his horse down the trail. Kit, the groups medic, was trying a different approach and was trying to reason with his horse, but every time he approached the beast, it just walked back out of his reach a few paces. Teal and Willet were the worst off in the group, Willet was being chased by his horse, and Teal looked like she was having a lethal melee with the beast. Rip and Tear wouldn’t be riding a horse, there wasn’t a horse born on Darai that was large enough to support their weight, and it would have been senseless for them to ride anyway. Demonians were humanoid, but with some very distinct differences, their horns and tails being the most obvious. Rip and Tear were half-breeds and didn’t have tails, but they did have horns, and incredibly powerful legs and cloven hooves. A Demonian could easily out-run, and out-distance any horse. Rip and Tear would be running the entire distance back to the Eagle Cliffs. But, that’s where Rip and Tear’s advantage over the others ended. The drover sitting up on the fence of the corral assigned the two Demonians to lead the relief horses; the relief horses wanted nothing to do with the two Demonians chasing them around the corral. Rip cornered one of the relief horses, the beast’s eyes were wide and the whites of it’s eyes showing. The horse whipped it’s head in every direction looking for an escape. Rip spread his arms, lowered his horns at the horse and roared loud enough to be heard on the other side of Struthio. The horse collapsed on the ground, rolled onto it’s side, and lay there twitching. The other horses bolted for the gate Caedon had left open and scattered in nine different directions. The drover jumped down from the fence and looked down at the poor beast. “Don’t think I ever seen a horse pass out from fright before,” says the drover shaking his head. “It’s worthless now, and I’m adding the cost of that horse to your bill, and if my men can’t find the ones you scared out to the desert, you’re paying for them too.” “Solves that problem,” says Rip unconcerned. “Figured this would happen,” says the drover. “Our Hatchery Tarlock tried his hand at horsemanship once, we never found the poor beast.” “I take it you mean the horse?” asks Rip. The drover shakes his head. “Demonians do not make good cowboys, what were you’all thinking. Well, you can take herd rear position, at least there won’t be any stragglers.” “Couldn’t we just put the cattle in cargo ships?” asks Rip. “Cattle don’t fly very good,” says the drover. “That’s you mainlanders problem, you’ve become too reliant, and lazy, with all your ships.” It took another hour before everyone could manage to stay on top of their horses without falling off. The drover led the column of greenhorn cowbirds out of the corral and into the desert. Rip and Tear took up a leisurely pace behind the column. If nothing else, it gave the horses the motivation to keep moving forward. The ride out to the camp lost it's festive atmosphere and six hours later the group arrived just after dark. Several drovers were getting dinner from the chuck wagon, the smell of the food was not particularly appetizing. “Woo hoo! We made it,” shouts Willet. A tall wiry man runs over and yanks Willet down from the horse. Willet lands in the dirt and then scrambles away, the man looks like he wants to punch someone, and Willet’s jaw was still sore from the first punch by Lord Cassoway. “Shut your yap, you damn fool,” whisper shouts the man. “What?” asks Willet. “You trying to spook the cattle?” whispers the man. “All of you listen up, there will be strict silence, no unnecessary talking and absolutely no noise. You’ll be paired up with a drover, obey every word, or we’ll leave you out here and you can wander around in circles until you die.” “And you would be?” asks Rip, his patience thinning for these Cassoways. “I’m the Trail Boss,” says the man. “My name is Trail Boss, you can call me Trail Boss, and maybe in a couple weeks if you show some signs of being anything more than a mainlander, you might earn the right to call me Boss.” “Roger that, Trail Boss,” says Rip. “And you, lizard hoofs, stay away from the cattle,” warns the Trail Boss. “Who the sun blazed cow puddles sent a Demonian on a cattle drive?” “My name is Rip,” growls the large Demonian, he was getting tired of being called a lizard. “Is that so,” the Trail Boss pokes a finger at Rip’s chest. “Do you suffer from that medical condition called ‘thin skinned don’t know what’s going on greenhorned big mouth know it all’ itis?” “I have never met a group of Daraians so disrespectful to Demonians,” says Rip, his eyes growing dangerous. “Let me rephrase that for you, lizard hoofs,” says the Trail Boss. “You have never met a group of Daraians that won’t kiss your backside just because we share some common ancestry with a dinosaur, and from the looks of it, you got the ugly dinosaur. You want respect, you have to earn it.” The Trail Boss walks away and Rip helps Willet up. “What’s his problem?” asks Rip. “Beats me. Dang my butt hurts, riding a horse isn’t very comfortable,” replies Willet. “Hey, I’ve never seen a lizard, do they have hoofs?” “Shut up, you mainlander fool,” says Rip shoving Willet slightly.