Sentients Of Orion: Transformation Space Part 25

She looked up at him. Her skin had dried out and regained its papery texture now she was spending less time in the water, and he could see traces of blood and bruising.

'Youve been injured?

She leaned back from him. 'And you, Principe... your face and hair. She reached up to touch the clotted mess. 'Did you fall?

'I was pushed. He couldnt keep the angry tremor from his voice.

'Innis? she whispered.

He gripped her arms and pulled them both down onto a rock. 'How do you know that?

'He came back to the caves some time after you left. He told us hed gone out looking for food, and on his way back heard a noise and saw you fall. He said that your body was lost, that you were dead.

She began to cry, soft noises and tiny, spare tears, as though her system could barely stand to lose the water.

'Did you believe him?

'Juno was suspicious. He insisted that Innis show them.

'And you came alone, the other way?

'Not alone. Joe is with me. He went higher, to look for you there. She pointed.

'Joe Scali is with you? Trins relief abated, and suspicion replaced it. He hated the thought of Joe alone with Djes again.

She felt the change in his manner, his stiffening.

'Trinder?

He nearly told her how he felt-the jealousy born from seeing her with Joe on the beach that night-but pride and wariness stopped him. He was Principe.

'We must get back. Innis Mulravey will be called to answer. And I have news.

'You found water? Her voice lifted.

'Si. Water and something- He broke off as little rocks began to tumble down from above.

'Joe, Djes called out. 'Ive found him! The Principe is here.

They waited in silence as more rocks skittered past them, and Joe Scali slid and climbed his way down to where they sat.

'Over here, Trin called him closer.

'Principe, gasped Joe as he reached them. He threw his arms around Trin with relief. 'I knew he lied.

Trin grasped Scalis shoulders briefly and then pushed him away. 'Lets hurry or the light will beat us.

Djes stood and took his hand. 'Lean on me, she said.

He dearly wanted to. Every part of his body hurt, but the worst was his head. With each movement, shocks of pain shot up from his neck and shoulders. Yet leaning on Djes was something he couldnt do. He must never do. As it was, too many of them saw her as his strength.

They reached the caves as Leah lightened the sky from a warm black to a heat-heavy grey. Tivi Scali was on sentry duty and shouted to all those settling for daytime sleep.

By the time Trinder, Djes and Joe had reached the shady protection of the overhang, everyone had a.s.sembled.

Trin interrupted exclamations and questions with an abruptly raised hand. 'Where is Innis Mulravey? he demanded.

'He and Juno have not returned, said Tivi.

'My brother said he saw you dead, added Ca.s.s Mulravey. She pushed her way to the front of those gathered, Mira Fedors 'bino in her arms. The baby had an unworldly look about him: overly thin, like the rest of them, with large serious eyes. Even now, with so many concerns on his mind, the 'bino made Trin uncomfortable.

'Your brother stole up behind me and pushed me from a rock, Trin declared with vehemence.

'No! The denial ripped from the woman in a way that sounded part apology.

Trin glared at her. 'At first dark the carabinere will look for them both. He glanced at Tivi. 'Take the spears.

'No- This came from Ca.s.s Mulravey again, but another voice drowned out hers.

'Principe? What of Juno? asked Josefia Genarro. She squeezed through the crowd to stand alongside Tivi. 'What if he is- 'Juno can care for himself, Josefia, said Trin firmly. They could do nothing about it during the light but hope that Juno was safe and had found shade.

'You cant jus accuse Innis of tryin to murder you, said an angry voice.

Trin located the source of it, standing behind Ca.s.s Mulravey: the tall woman, Liesl, whod been sleeping with Innis.

'He aint even here to defend himself, Liesl added.

Trin touched the crust of blood in his hair. 'And I was not able to defend myself when he pushed me from behind, hoping to murder me.

'Dont say that about him! she shouted.

Ca.s.s Mulravey grabbed her wrist, twisting it, urging quiet.

But even Mulraveys action didnt stop the wave of righteous anger that poured from Trin. 'I am Principe! he roared back at Liesl. 'I do not lie!

Hed never shown them such raw anger before, but this womans bald accusation inflamed him beyond thought.

A tension overtook the group; wary eyes glanced around.

Djes put a calming hand on Trins arm. 'We should all rest. The Principe is injured and hungry, and must be tended.

Liesl looked as if she wanted to say more, but Ca.s.s Mulravey stepped in front of her. 'Well bring some food in.

Ca.s.s and Djes nodded to each other, and Trin felt a swell of misgiving-as if they indeed lead the survivors, not he. Their complicity worried him, and yet he was too exhausted to think more about it.

Instead, he walked stiffly into the cave, mollified by the fact that that at least the refugees parted respectfully to let him through. Inside the cave he turned and looked back at them. Most were watching him still, except Mulravey, who was looking at Josefia Genarro. 'Ive found more water, he said. 'We need no longer carry it up the mountain and risk the ligs.

A small cheer rose.

Trin found his spot in the cave and sank gratefully onto the brush bed, knowing he had been right to give the news of the water last.

Djes followed him in with some berries and dried fish. As he ate, she tried to tend to his head wound, but he waved her away. He needed sleep first.

She woke him later by gripping his hand, her hot breath close to his ear. 'Trin.

He rolled towards her, reaching to pull her closer.

She resisted, speaking again. 'Liesls made trouble while youve been resting. A group of them are leaving.

Trin struggled to sit up, his skin stinging and his head aching.

Djes handed him a sh.e.l.l of water, which he swallowed quickly to ease his sore throat. The cave was dimmer than when hed laid down to sleep, and he could see the pinp.r.i.c.k lights in the night sky through the opening.

'Whats happening? he asked her, to be sure.

'Innis is back. He and Liesl have persuaded some to leave with them and find another part of the island.

'Juno?

'Innis says they became separated.

Fury coursed through Trin in an instant. 'Is Ca.s.s Mulravey siding with him?

'No, not yet, but you should come now.

Trin used the wall to help him to his feet. He felt hot and dizzy and his tongue seemed swollen. A fever?

'What is it? whispered Djes.

He pushed away from the wall. 'Nothing.

There was no one else in the cave. The whole group was outside, standing in a ragged circle.

As he drew closer, a wave of nausea beset Trin. He turned his head and swallowed the vomit that rose up his throat.

No one seemed to notice; they were too concerned with their argument.

'You cant take our food, said one of the Pablo miners.

'We worked for it. Were ent.i.tled to some, said Liesl. Trin could see Innis next to her, gaunt and belligerent and filthy. He held a spear in one hand and a club in the other.

The 'esque on his other side was one of theirs. Marrat was his name, Trin thought; hed been a bullish type in earlier times. Now he was as lean and weak as the rest of them.

Several of the women stood behind Liesl, including Tina Galiotto, his madres servant. Just under a third of their females-too many to lose.

Kristo stood opposite Innis, with Ca.s.s Mulravey next to him.

'Theres too few of us for this, Innis, said Kristo. 'Use yer brains. We need each other to survive.

'Im sick of being kicked around, Innis shot back.

'Lennie. Ca.s.s used her pet name for him. 'Whereve you been?

'Ive been thinkin and lookin around on my own. Not because Ive bin told to do it. Crux, Kristo, aint you had enough? Orve you gone soft on aristos, like you did with that high and mighty b.i.t.c.h Mira Fedor? I shoulda st.i.tched her up proper back in Ipo. Then she wouldnt have gotten away and left the rest of us here to fr- Kristo launched himself at Innis, taking him full in the chest. They fell together, tumbling into Marrat and the women behind him.

Trins madre, Jilda, screamed, and suddenly everyone was moving-pus.h.i.+ng, shoving or shouting.

Its been coming. The thought hit Trins consciousness as he stepped into the melee. Now weve stopped running.

'Tivi! Joe! he bellowed. 'Arrest Innis Mulravey.

Both men detached themselves from the melee and hastened into one of the caves. They reappeared within a few heartbeats, armed with spears and clubs of their own.

Making weapons was a mistake. Another glancing thought. No, he thought again. This was coming.

Someone knocked him forward to his knees. Josefia Genarro moaned and cursed in his ear, scrambling to get off him. Trin twisted and took her arm, helping them both up.

Liesl stood, glaring at them, fists half-raised. She kicked out at Josefia, catching her in the thigh. Before Trin could intervene, Josefia threw herself at the taller woman in much the same way as Kristo had at Innis.

Trin jerked his head around. Kristo had his hands around Inniss throat. Marrat was kicking Kristo.

Tivi and Joe ran across, shouting, readying their spears.

Trin looked back. The korm had intervened, pinning Liesl to the ground at Djeserits instruction. Josefia was bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Trin gazed between the groups, caught by indecision. Then Juno Genarro burst back into the clearing.

'Principe! He tried to kill me! Innis tried to kill me. Blood smeared his robe and his face.

Before Trin could respond, Tivi Scalis voice rose above the rest. 'Let go, Kristo, he bellowed. 'Let go, so I can stick him.

Kristo let go of Inniss throat and rolled away, but Innis responded by rolling after him, clawing at him.

Tivi Scali raised the spear. 'Let go of 'im, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Tivi screamed.

Ca.s.s Mulraveys ragazzo bolted from behind his mother to throw himself across his uncle.

'Tivi! roared Trin.

But it was too late. The young carabinere brought the spear down in a two-handed stab.

It pierced the child below his ribcage. Though the ragazzo never uttered a noise, Ca.s.s Mulraveys scream pierced through every other sound.

'Carol she cried. She broke away from where she knelt over Liesl and ran down.