In Search of the Alter Dom (11 page)

This information seems to change the Cold-blood’s attitude to a night hunt during the storm. Capt Timasek continues. ‘Please Sir – my warriors need red meat. We are not cold-blooded like the Malis Afar – who can go without meat for a month!’

‘Don’t try my patience Captain,’ replies the Malis Afar coldly. ‘I want your men focused – full bellies make your species lethargic – another inheritance from your distant feline ancestors perhaps! We will continue the hunt tomorrow – give the men an extra ration of tarish tonight. The next man I hear talk of red meat – I will run through with my blade!’

‘Yes Sir –thank you,’ answers Captain Timasek the Na Idriss, humbly.

Blodwyn smelt the Saber-tooth’s unpleasant, tom-cat odour rising up from below her perch. Opening the plastic bag she began to eat the small sweet berries she had gathered; she was hungry. Suddenly the storm hit her shelter! Driving rain, sheet and fork lightning; the like she had never seen before, lit up the blackness – like flashing strobe lighting. The large tree began to sway like a ship’s mast sailing around the Horn in a winter storm. Blodwyn was terrified. If the tree collapsed – she would be at the mercy of the large cat below!

A movement on the game trail attracted Blodwyn’s attention; she strained her eyes – until continuous sheet lightning lit up the scene.

An apparition of horror slowly and meticulously moved along the track – a chill ran through Blodwyn’s entire body! She saw a tall pale transparent creature with large opaque eyes that lacked pupils; she could clearly see the creature’s internal organs functioning – its small brain pulsing – its heart pumping dark surges of blood through the being’s clear see-through arteries.

The creature looked something like a giant preying Mantis – two powerful spiked arms were closely held to the Tamasic’s chest.

She had once seen a preying mantis’ arms shoot out and grab a cricket and immediately the predator began eating the cricket alive – starting at the head! “A blind Tamasic” – it had to be, Blodwyn knew. She began to physically shake as the horror slowly drew nearer. She knew shaking meant movement; movement meant discovery! Taking several quick deep breaths, she steadied her body. The Tamasic’s two large opaque eyes stared blankly ahead, while long double feelers probed from left to right – like a blind man feeling his way with two sticks.

This transparent, subterranean horror was at least ten foot tall, for its large head was level with her perch. However, what Blodwyn did not notice was the Tamasic’s two thin delicate sensory antenna that probed every bush and tree – searching for life!

Blodwyn could now clearly see its throbbing arteries; feeding the small pulsing brain and heart. The Tamasic’s mouth looked gruesome – comprising large serrated mandibles, which constantly opened and closed – dripping viscous slime!

Blodwyn, not a girl easily frightened – was now mortified as this hideous creature drew nearer! The Tamasic’s blindness, its need to feel its way, and its transparent body indicated that it lived in the bowels of the earth in total darkness. “Was the Tamasic totally blind?” Blodwyn wondered.

Terrified, yet mesmerized, she failed to notice two long sensitive antennas from the Tamasic’s head arch towards her position – until it touched her sleeping bag. Blodwyn remembered the Lings’ advice.

“Don’t move – hold your breath.” She guessed correctly that the Tamasic’s antenna was seeking movement, warmth – body and heart-beat. She also knew the sensory antennas were trying to detect exhaled carbon dioxide: just like leaches. Blodwyn took a deep breath and froze – just in time.

The thin fragile antenna explored her sleeping bag with dainty-dabs. Her legs and hips were in the sleeping bag – she could feel the subtle; almost delicate touch of the sensory antenna on her knee! The Tamasic’s antenna stopped: as if unsure!

“Can it feel my pulse?” Blodwyn wonders: her heart galloped. “I can’t hold my breath any longer!” Her lungs were ready to burst – she had to breathe out! Desperate, Blodwyn had an idea that may save her life! Slowly she lifted the plastic bag containing the berries to her nose – making sure not to move her knee – on which the antenna still rested!

Slowly she exhaled her carbon monoxide into the plastic bag – and then slowly filled her starved lungs with fresh air. This slight movement caused the antenna to grip her knee with surprising power – as if feeling for a pulse! Blodwyn then saw the Tamasic’s other antenna moving towards her face as if to confirm life. Blodwyn knew she had been discovered – this was the end! Blodwyn also had to exhale again!

The blind Tamasic moved closer to Blodwyn’s position within grabbing range, and in doing so one of its six legs touched the climbing creepers in which the saber tooth sheltered. The big cat growled and moved. Immediately the Tamasic’s antenna left Blodwyn’s knee, and quickly moved downwards towards the large tawny cat.

At last Blodwyn could release the air in her lungs, and breathe again. Great roars and growls rose from the big cat, accompanied by awful hisses from the Tamasic, heralded the ensuing battle. She could not see below her, for her pebble spectacles had misted over; cleaning them would attract deadly attention!

Blodwyn could certainly hear and feel the violent battle though the creepers. The undergrowth below was being thrashed. Finally silence, except for the laboured breathing of the Tamasic.

“My god,” thought Blodwyn, “would the Tamasic remember where I am now, or can its small brain only deal with one thing at a time?” Awful silence – suddenly broken by the sound of tearing flesh and the splintering of bones – the Tamasic was feeding!

Blodwyn’s relief was short lived. She suddenly sneezed – the sounds of feeding stopped – then deadly silence again! Her heart pounded like a base drum; she could have screamed with the tension of waiting. Then sounds of splintering bone again – the Tamasic had resumed feeding.

The rushing blood coursing through Blodwyn’s veins steadied: she offered up a silent prayer. She realized the Tamasic was also deaf, as well as blind. She remained perfectly still for the next hour, while the transparent horror below fed on the dead Saber-tooth cat.

Blodwyn was not taking any chances even though her nose itched; and by far the worst ordeal, a large hairy spider with shiny eyes, crawled over her chest. She could feel the hooks on the spider’s legs scratching her skin! At last the Tamasic stopped feeding on the carcass of the vanquished Saber-tooth – then deadly silence again. Blodwyn’s spectacles cleared. She looked up – and to her absolute horror, found herself looking into the staring opaque eyes of the Tamasic – only two feet away. It was looking straight at her! She held her breath again.

Blodwyn was paralyzed with fear – and could only stare back. Was the Tamasic not completely blind – just shortsighted – had she been spotted?

She felt herself about to pass out from the strain and tension of the situation. Till Blodwyn realized the Tamasic was now just standing upright; cleaning its manables of blood and flesh, just like a preying Mantis after a meal. Just as Blodwyn’s lungs could take no more – the Tamasic moved away! She was not going to take any chances, and remained perfectly still. “Thank God the large spider had also gone.”

The lightning had stopped, leaving the night pitch black: but the rain grew heavier. Blodwyn modified her shelter and arranged a loop of creepers like a hammock, and began to tie herself in more securely. Protected by the tree’s thick canopy and her waterproof sleeping bag, she fell into exhausted but dry and cozy dreamless sleep.

Birdsong awoke Blodwyn next morning. She felt refreshed and relieved – her night’s ordeal behind her. She ate another pork pie for breakfast and surveyed her surroundings.

The forest was beautiful, flowers draped and fruit-baring trees grew in abundance. The green canopy was also splashed with colourful birds: not a single tree or bird was recognizable. Blodwyn slowly climbed down, first making sure the coast was clear.

The undergrowth had been flattened by the battle. Of the Saber-tooth, not much remained – just a few splinters of bone and scraps of tawny fur. But the Tamasic did not escape injury – a transparent crab-like pincered arm lay on the ground. It made her jump as it opened and closed for the last time. Blodwyn picked up one of the big cat’s saber-fangs discarded by the Tamasic; she was surprised – instead of being round it was flat like a double bladed knife, and sharp. She could use it when cutting a new staff, which she now desperately needed. Blodwyn rejoined the game trail, hoping the Lings would find her soon using their keen noses. She then noticed some fruiting trees just off the game trail; beneath which, small red striped antelope were feeding on fallen fruit. Approaching quietly she was delighted the small deer did not flee at her approach – their presence reassured her. The antelopes’ keen eyesight and sense of smell would warn her of danger.

Plucking a fruit she took a small bite – delicious. But she knew that not everything animals ate, was safe for humans. While she waited for a reaction, Blodwyn cut herself a new stout staff using the saber tooth. The fruit was safe: she began to fill her bag.

Suddenly, the many small antelope dashed away! Blodwyn knew something had frightened them – and that something was behind her! With beating heart Blodwyn turned around slowly. A group of at least ten figures were standing still on the game trail – regarding her. Blodwyn’s heart nearly stopped – she knew who they were – Aliens!!

All except one of the figures was dressed in black robes and headdress. A veil covered their jutting jaws, exposing only a pair of yellow cat eyes – with pin-prick pupils – the feline Na Idriss! Blodwyn found the unblinking stare of the feline Aliens unnerving – it contained malicious intent – like those of a dangerous big cat! One of the Na Idriss, the one following her scent trail, was still walking on all fours. His short legs and long body made this mode of travel easy.

The Na Idriss began sniffing in her direction; like a nasty dog does when sizing up an approaching stranger. The single Malis Afar Cold-blood was even scarier. He was a head taller than the rest, wore a red uniform and boots. His pallid complexion and the palest of eyes were striking.

To Blodwyn’s horror, as the figures closed in on her, she saw the Cold-blood, Malis Afar had the vertical narrow reptilian pupils that one sees on crocodiles: two holes sufficed as ears; just like those of lizards. The Cold-blood’s thin lips struggled to cover long pointed teeth. She could also make out the faint outline of scales, beneath the pallid skin of the Malis Afar. The Na Idriss began sniffing Blodwyn like bloodhounds. All were armed with sophisticated looking weapons, but still carried long-handled samurai swords on their backs.

Blodwyn was trapped. “No point in an ungainly flight,” she decided, there were just too many of them. Plus more importantly, she would lose her dignity! She was determined not to show fear – even though her tummy fluttered with dread – and she adopted her best aloof manner. A distinct smell of tomcat reached Blodwyn’s sensitive nostrils. A black-veiled Na Idriss spoke first, in a gruff tone.

‘I am captain Timasek of the Na Idriss – this is Commander Karak, a Malis Afar. Drop your weapon – remain still – you are now our prisoner. If you are a Changeling, do not think of changing into some fierce creature, or we will use our proton lasers.’

Blodwyn put on her most puzzled face – her: “I don’t understand,” look.

‘This is not a weapon – it’s a stick and I have no intention of running, or turning into a dangerous creature.’

‘Keep your stick,’ says the Cold-blood, in a colder voice, ‘you will not be harmed – don’t be afraid.’

‘I am not afraid!’ lies Blodwyn.

‘Are you Queen Angharad?’ the Malis Afar Cold-blood asks: still unsure.

‘No,’ replies Blodwyn, ‘my name is Blodwyn Jones, but I am under the protection of Grunwalde Angharad!’

‘You fit her description,’ says the Malis Afar.

‘Those lying female Harpies,’ swears Captain Timasek, ‘I have a good mind to….’ The Na Idriss is stopped by a slight gesture of the Malis Afar’s hand.

The whole thing suddenly made sense to Blodwyn now – Grunwalde had used her as a decoy – the Queen of Lings had set her up! “Just you wait Myfanwy Jenkins!” thought Blodwyn.

Blodwyn was now aware it was Grunwalde they were really after.

‘Is the lovely Queen of Lings on Tarrea?’ the Cold-blood asks.

‘I don’t know where she is,’ answers Blodwyn, ‘– I just know she is a lying cow!’

‘A cow – Grunwalde is posing as a cow, Sir,’ says Capt Timasek.

‘Don’t be a fool Timasek!’ the Cold-Blood snaps.

‘Where is your rendezvous with the two Lings?’ barks Captain Timasek, trying to redeem himself.

‘I haven’t the faintest idea,’ Blodwyn replies, striking her most indignant pose.

‘You lie!’ growls Captain Timasek.

Blodwyn put on her best pout: hands on hips, but without protruding bottom lip, unlike Grunwalde. ‘No – I am not lying,’ she replies.

‘Enough!’ the Malis Afar orders; he then whispers something into Captain Timasek’s ear. Blodwyn’s fine-tuned hearing homed in – she could normally hear a whispered secret or juicy bit of gossip at five paces.

‘That’s not the way with Terasils, Captain,’ advises the Cold-blood Malis Afar. ‘They can be stubborn – our race once kept them as a pets when we lived on Earth – kindness is the key – they are gullible – leave this to me.’

‘Sir,’ interrupts Lt Sanger, a Na Idriss, ‘our battleship has picked up a Galla Quall Typhon War Hawk battleship – two thousand miles and closing!’ Captain Timasek looks at the Malis Afar for orders.

‘Signal our battleship to de-cloak – leave orbit – collect the items I have ordered from the Jal-Mar, return tomorrow,’ says the Cold-blood. ‘Gentlemen we will hide in the cave – until the Galla Quall warship leaves.’

Blodwyn was delighted. The delay would give the two Lings time to find and rescue her. She also decided the Malis Afar Karak, their leader, seemed the only one influenced by her Am-dram play-acting. She was sure she could influence him – maybe even squeeze out a tear or two at the right time, to gain his sympathy.