Homage and Honour by Candy Rae Read Free Book Online Page B

eastern seaboard of
the Northern Continent as well, seeking victims with whom to feed
the vibrant slave trade of the Kingdom of Murdoch. The people of
Argyll and Vadath had learned to be wary of strange ships
approaching land, especially at dawn and dusk.
    This was
Jessica and grey-striped Mlei’s future. Her family had not been
surprised when Mlei had arrived to claim her at last. Only death
would part the two of them now.
    The duo were
about to embark on their Vada Cadetship, four years of intensive
training to prepare them for their chosen life.
    “Jiggery jig,”
said Jessica aloud, “I’m so excited, aren’t you Mlei?”
    : I have to
admit to a certain degree of this excitement to share : he
answered : I have not felt like this since I was fourteen
summers old and joined my Lindar for the first time :
    Mlei was older
than Jessica by three summers. The Lind became adult at fourteen
and were expected to join their rtath’s Lindar, rtath being the
Lind name for pack. Although the North had not had to face the Larg
of the South in battle for many seasons Mlei had already patrolled
the mountains with his Lindar and had faced the gtran in combat. He
had the scars to prove it.
    Indeed, some
said that the Larg would never return, that they were no longer a
threat. The pestilence which had hit them over a century before had
decimated their numbers considerably.
    Great battles
some said, were a thing of the past.
    The two of them
passed through the township of Vada and approached the Stronghold
walls. Jessica could see figures on the parapets; even in these
peaceful times the Vada never diminished its guard. A figure was
waving.
    : It is the
man of Siya : Mlei sounded pleased and gratified : it will be
good to rest :
    : Do you need
to hunt? :
    : Not yet
: Mlei answered : I rest first :
    Jessica
wondered what the training would be like. Uncle James had described
what she should expect but Jessica knew that reality might well be
a lot different. Uncle James was old and very frail, he was over
seventy and his memories of his cadet years were blunted. Indeed,
he had told her mother that he was intending to remain at Vada only
for so long as the time it took Jessica and Mlei to settle in. He
and Siya would then formally retire from their duties and leave for
her rtathlian, there to spend what remained of their lives. What
was it her father had said?
    “ Enter the
training with an open mind and you won’t be disappointed. It won’t
be a bed of dalina flowers. A Vada Cadetship is a preparation for a
war we all hope will never come and above all remember that truth
and honour are of paramount importance.
    Remember too
that some of your ancestors were amongst the first twelve to pair.
They were called the Children of the Wolves. As you know Jess, I
never wanted to pair, though I did get the chance once. I always
wanted to be a farmer. The Vada motto is ‘Truth, Duty, Courage and
Honour’ and, when you become a cadet and for the rest of your life,
you will follow these four tenets. Truth will be easy. You are
mind-linked with Mlei and I do believe that the Lind are incapable
of telling a direct lie, it is not in their psyche. Duty, well,
that should be clear to you. Courage will come as will honour.”
    Jessica hoped
that she could accomplish all four.
    The evening
before she left her father had added another piece of wisdom, to
trust Mlei’s judgement and a last piece of advice, to make friends
and enjoy herself. Jessica intended to do just that.
    She and Mlei
trotted through the gates and there was her uncle, Siya by his
side, a welcoming smile lighting up his otherwise dour face,
“welcome to the Vada, Cadets Jessica and Mlei,” he cried out in a
voice hoarse with age.
    The next few
bells were hectic ones, Jessica was issued her cadet uniform, Mlei
his harness then Jessica and Mlei were escorted to the cadet
barracks, their home for the next two years.
    They were put
in the charge of an older cadet pair.
    “You are one