Broken Circle by John Shirley Read Free Book Online Page A

for them to know that,” Ussa observed, watching the silvery mist undulate, a low, hot fog churning in the lamplight over the milling clans. “What does that suggest to you?”
    â€œPerhaps we were not as careful in our relocation as we had hoped?”
    â€œThat is a possibility. Another is . . .” He looked about them—no one was nearby. But he gestured for Ernicka to follow him to one side, close against the wall. There was a good deal of noise from the clans, and the sounds of springs; now that they had moved away from the ramp, no one should be able to overhear them. But even so, Ussa lowered his voice and Ernicka could just barely catch his words. “Another possibility is there are spies among us, with some means of transmitting messages.”
    â€œHow shall we deal with this?” Ernicka whispered urgently.
    â€œI’m pondering that.”
    â€œIt would be a hard thing to interrogate our clansmen . . .”
    â€œYes—and which ones would we interrogate? Where are the suspects? Everyone? We have no time for such matters. And I would not lose the loyalty of innocents by torturing them—or their clanfellows.”
    â€œThen what are we to do?”
    Ussa paused for a moment, thinking, and then asked, “How close are we to having the transports loaded and fueled?”
    Ernicka scratched thoughtfully at a battle scar on his chest. “All three are nearly prepared—indeed we could go now, leaving some supplies behind. But—we cannot go with spies aboard.”
    â€œWe might be able to bring at least one of our hypothetical spies out into the open. Perhaps there is only one, after all. That’s more than enough. Ernicka, if we leave quickly, taking everyone with us, we can see to it that no one reveals where we’re headed. Only three of us know the route. The San’Shyuum aren’t aware of it; those loyal to the Covenant among the Sangheili also do not know of it. The spies will not be given a chance to transmit from our destination . . . if any of them survive what I plan now.”
    â€œAnd what is the plan, Ussa?”
    He leaned close to Ernicka and whispered something. Then he added, “Stay within a few paces of me. Defend my back.”
    Then Ussa turned to the crowds below the natural stone balcony and held up his arms, calling out in a carrying, resonant voice, “Clansfolk! I speak to all!” His words echoed from the stalactites jutting from the curved ceiling; below, mist-blurred faces turned toward him, their murmuring now silenced, all listening raptly as he went on. “Males! Gather up the armaments and convey them to the transports! Females! Those of you brooding eggs, take them up in your arms and do likewise!
    â€œWe will go quickly! I have a means with which to strike at those loyal to the Covenant! I will strike at the high clans who would force us to crawl for the San’Shyuum! Then we will take to the skies; we will conceal ourselves in the dark places of the galaxy, and we will create a new Sanghelios! We will restore the prideof our people! We alone will embody its pride! We alone will fight for its pride! Clansfolk—do your hearts beat with mine?”
    The final invocation had a ritual response, as ancient as sunlight warming eggs.
    And the response was given.
    â€œWith your hearts do ours thunder!” they cried out, in ragged but deeply felt unison. For Sangheili, with their binary vascular systems, each had two hearts working in tandem.
    â€œThen I come to walk among you, and I will help you prepare for the journey! I will use my own hands to work beside you!”
    Cries of joy and mutters of trepidation arose then, but already Ussa ‘Xellus was descending the ramp of stone from the balcony to the floor of the cavern. He smelled the happy reek of small offspring running about their brooders; he heard more cries of “With your hearts do our hearts