The Mutant World (59 page)

Stragg too stalked out onto the field. He too was armed with a sword and shield. Much to his annoyance, his scouts had informed him via relayed telepathy that Jawara had sent out long range ground scouts and flyers to prevent the Barratians from using the very same trick he had used during this duel. There would be no bands of warriors sneaking behind enemy lines while the Jawarians and their allies were focused on the duel…which indeed was what Stragg had plotted. Jawara chuckled again. His scouts had telepathically informed him of Stragg’s people’s movements. Of course, Stragg had made similar precautions to protect himself from this trick as well.

Both men faced each other and then turned to face where the banners of the Bellasarian royal house were displayed and approached. Two people were there whose long snow white hair and garments clearly marked them as elders of truly great age. Bellasaris the Great and High Lord Cato were seated below the sign of the royal house of Illyria, the Black Panther claw. Both men were shocked to see these two elders instead of the empress and her lord. It took only a moment for them to guess who they were.

“I am pleased to finally meet you, young man,” said Bellasaris to Jawara who swallowed and nodded.

“And I you, Great One,” said Jawara.

Then the beauty looked at Stragg. Her eyes were cold. “So you are the one who murdered King Roc and raped and murdered Lady Ayala? I am so disappointed in you. Never fear, you shall not escape justice.” Quickly Bellasaris sent out her mind to Lord Jawara.
“I want this swine alive, beloved kinsman! If at all possible DON’T kill him!”
Jawara mentally assured Bellasaris that this was not his intention. A cruel smile briefly appeared on her face.

Stragg couldn’t look the beautiful woman in the eyes and he dared not look at Cato. He knew now that whatever the outcome of this duel he was doomed to lose the war…and eventually his life.

“I am pleased that you have both decided to go this road,” said Cato. “Chief Stragg, this may be your chance to redeem a tiny piece of your honor in my eyes.” The shaking Stragg dropped to his knees before Cato, but despite his awe, Jawara stood, which Cato liked. “We will speak later,” said Cato to Jawara. It was obvious who the retired High Lord thought was going to win this fight.

“Let’s get this over with,” said Bellasaris. Stragg stood up and they returned to the field and face the Bellasarians again.

“Fight with honor!” cried Cato, and both men saluted.

The two men backed away from each other and Bellasaris cried, “FIGHT!”

Jawara and Stragg came together with a thunderous crash. After a brief sharp exchange, they leapt apart. Stragg swung the edge of his shield at Jawara’s head who ducked and thrust with his sword. Stragg parried quickly spinning and simultaneously leapt into the air in a circular motion bringing his own shield down on Jawara’s upraised shield with such force that they both shattered. Jawara, his arm smarting, delivered a front kick to Stragg’s midsection that sent the big Barratian on his ass. Quickly Jawara freed his arm from the remains of his shield and pulled his short sword. Stragg, scrambling to his feet, did the same. Princess Miko and others watched the match in genuine surprise and concern. Stragg had long claimed that the only reason Miko had defeated him so easily at that feast was because he had underestimated her. She now believed this was true. On the field of McGrath the warriors of the empire, Barrat and beyond were now witnessing fifteen minutes of perhaps the finest display of swordsmanship ever seen. Swords and short swords now whirled and flashed in a blinding blur of ringing steel. No one breathed as the two warriors seemed evenly matched. By the end though, both men, their blades either broken or expertly disarmed, were now fighting hand to hand and Stragg was now clearly being bested. Jawara, who now had some respect for Stragg, had managed to get the larger man in a chokehold. His intention was to kill Stragg honorably, mercifully, and feign it an accident, but that’s when Elder Terrence interfered.

He suddenly appeared on the field right next to the combatants and from within his cloak produced a firearm and pointed it at Jawara. There were cries of alarm and outrage from the assembled warriors.

“Release him!” ordered Terrence.

“A forbidden weapon?!” gasped the choking Stragg in horror as Jawara released him.

“More treachery?” said Jawara in disgust. “Just when I believed you had
some
honor.”

“What a mighty king you would have made,” said Terrence to Jawara, “but now…”

Just as the elder pulled the trigger Stragg jumped in front of the plasma pistol and shielded Jawara from the blast. An arrow then pierced Terrence’s shoulder. His hand quickly shot to his belt and he vanished as several arrows imbedded themselves in the ground where he had been standing. Immediately Bellasaris and the other rulers were on the scene. Jawara looked at the dying Stragg and knelt beside him.

“Prince Jawara,” gasped Stragg, who before now had rarely called him anything other than bastard. “I…I…swear! I…I had nothing to do…with…” Stragg then coughed blood and shook.

Jawara placed his hand on the man’s chest gently and nodded. Stragg’s body shook in one final painful spasm and he was gone. Jawara gently closed the dead man’s eyes and stood.

“The big man had his faults,” said Jawara sadly, “but he left this world with honor.” He looked at Stragg’s sons, still splattered in blood from battle. Considering Stragg’s crimes, his body would normally have been dismembered after death and scattered to wild beasts. However, Jawara motioned that they should take him away for honorable burial. Quickly they came and gratefully claimed the body. The Barratians let out a great cheer.

“A pity,”
said Bellasaris in private telepathy.
“I wanted to see him flayed alive over a mound of ants and his head put on a stake.”

“His deed earned him honorable burial at least,”
said Cato.

“I know, my love,”
said Bellasaris.

“What is this?” said Jawara picking up Terrence’s fallen pistol. “It was able to put a hole in a mutant like Stragg and kill him. I’ve heard of such weapons, but I’ve never
seen
one.”

“Few have,” said Bellasaris walking up to Jawara and holding out her hand. The pistol was handed over. “To think that a Bellasarian
mutant
would stoop to such a cowardly weapon!” she spat in disgust. “And how would one of these people come by a weapon like this or teleportation technology?”

“That puppy Terrence could only have gotten it through someone with connections within the empire,” said Cato.

Bellasaris nodded and turned to see Jawara now being hugged and pounded on the back by his siblings and mate. No…mates. It would seem that Jawara and Miko had to make certain sacrifices to get the western queens to support him. One being that Queen Shanis got her desired match between Jawara and her granddaughter, Princess Jayna. There were also promises concerning the daughter of King Kona and the daughter of Queen Atepa.

A group of chiefs from the opposing Barratians approached the group. Jawara looked at his younger brother Tidor, the eldest of Roc’s legitimate children, who nodded and stepped forward.

The battle is done,” said one of the men. “We are here to make peace with you and ask that you accept us into your ranks.” Then they looked at Jawara. “You allowed Chief Stragg honorable burial despite his offenses against your family. For this and to atone for Lord Terrence’s disgraceful treachery, we are now
your
men.” The chiefs then knelt. Tidor looked at Jawara, whose face registered some surprise.

“Wait, Brothers,” said Jawara raising his hands. “Prince Tidor is the late King Roc’s eldest legitimate son. You will give him your allegiance, not me.”

“With all respect, Sire,” said a chief, “we will not. You are the eldest son of King Roc and you have proven your character and leadership abilities. You are the one we will serve and none other.”

“Sire?” said Queen Shanis in irritation. “Oh, you want him now? I recall you people in the east calling him ‘Bastard’ or ‘Bastard Prince’. Oh and how’s about this one, ‘The King’s Bastard’!”

“This is none of your business, woman!” growled one of the men, but none could deny the accusation.

“Really?” said Shanis with a grin. “You are right! Perhaps I’ll take my warriors and go? But if I go, HE goes with me! He is the mate of my granddaughter! I’ll never give him over to you scum!”

“Wait!” cried Jawara trying to make peace. “This is not helpful to our cause! I-,”

“I agree,” said Bellasaris moving in quickly. “This war is not finished yet. Stragg is dead, but the villain behind Stragg, the
real
villain, has escaped and may yet have some supporters in Barrat. And,” said Bellasaris holding up the pistol, “THIS proves that this bastard will sink to any level to achieve his goals. A mutant warrior resorting to a weapon even a frail
human
girl can use?! Do any of you want to let
him
escape?”

“He must be destroyed,” said Cato walking up to the group. All the Barratian men immediately bowed and Queen Shanis backed away a little, the shock of who this man was slowly setting in, then she and all the other leaders fell to the ground as well…almost all of them anyway. Cato looked at Jawara. “You don’t bend the knee to anyone, do you boy? Oh, you’re one of mine for sure!”

“I…I meant no disrespect, sir!” stammered Jawara.

Cato chuckled, and gave the young man a playful slap on the shoulder that would have sent a lesser man sprawling.

“I’m your great, great grandfather, boy!” laughed Cato. “Or something like that. You don’t have to be so formal. Besides…you showed proper respect.” Cato looked down and saw a very large girl kneeling with her head bowed low. He smiled and said, “You’re a real beauty. Stand up.”

The Princes Miko stood and was now towering over Bellasaris, Cato and Jawara, but she still couldn’t look her ancestors in the eyes. “I…I am truly honored to meet you, Great Ancestors,” said Miko, with her eyes averted.

“Stop that,” said Bellasaris. “I’d like to see your face.” Miko raised her head and nervously looked at Bellasaris. “So,
you
are the princess this brute carried off?” She gave Jawara a wicked smile, who then squirmed uncomfortably. “You’re built just like her,” said Bellasaris with a chuckle.

“Who, honored ancestor?” said Miko.

“Your ancestor,” said Bellasaris, “the Lady Gorgo.” Bellasaris walked around her and looked her over. Chuckling she said, “Yep, almost the same height, tits, legs and ass. No wonder the boy grabbed you and ran!” Cato and Bellasaris laughed, along with several of the other elders and chiefs. However, Jawara and Miko were embarrassed and even a little afraid.

“I swear, Great One,” stammered Jawara, “I…I…I didn’t truly mean to take her by force. Well, not in the beginning.”

“It wasn’t his fault!” cried Miko. “He…That is…I…”

“I know what happened and why,” smiled Bellasaris. “All of it. Still, you didn’t go willing no matter the end results.” Then she looked at Jawara and grinned. “I’m not letting you off, Son…Bonding or no Bonding. I’ll find
some
way for you to make it up to my house.”

“I will do whatever is within my power to make this right, Great One,” said Jawara, kneeling for the first time, head low in apology. Many of the Barratians were a little surprised that Jawara would bow before a woman when he had not for the mighty Cato himself, but then this was not just
any
woman. Even in Barrat, Bellasaris the Great was revered as the savior of the mutant race. Besides…technically, Jawara had indeed wronged her family. An apology was appropriate and expected.

“I’m pleased to hear it,” smiled Bellasaris. “Now, let me look at you. We’ve never really properly met.” Jawara stood. “He has your eyes,” she said to Cato, “like almost all of your descendants. He’s built much like you too.” Then she grinned. “You actually picked
that
girl up and ran…in this form? You’re very strong.” Then she winked and said, “And you’re still alive and in one piece after…you know. You’re VERY strong. Good!”

Bellasaris looked at the warriors under Jawara and the various banners of their kings, queens and chiefs. “Princess Miko has chosen well. I am so very proud of you,” she said. Then she looked at him and placed her hand to his face. “Your father was too. He couldn’t hide his pride when he spoke of you. He really loved you.”

“Thank you,” said Jawara. His voice shook with emotion.

“Right,” said Bellasaris becoming serious. “This story isn’t over yet. If you really want to avenge your father and his consort, then you must get the man who set Chief Stragg to his deeds. The mastermind of this shit has escaped and may even have an arsenal of forbidden firearms! Who knows what else he has in his arsenal that no honorable Bellasarian would use. Where do you think is the most likely place he has fled?”

Jawara rubbed his chin and shook his head. “The capital Dinos was the only city where you had the proper coordinates for a direct safe teleport. But Elder Terrence knows it cannot withstand a siege by the forces now massed against him.”

“But if he has allies within the empire who have been supplying him,” said Cato, “then he has most likely acquired the means to defend against even a million warriors armed with swords.”