Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
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"Hello, gentle - <strong>and</strong> not-so-gentle-folk.Nye'yingi ." Yeoli for hello. She spotted two Arkan warriors<br />
sitting in a dark corner. Different from a few months ago; not swaggering. And wearing their swords<br />
peace-bonded; the Benai could enforce that with them again, now.You dog-suckers will have lost a<br />
whole war , she thought,if Yeoh-es made it to their border . She smiled. Many others in the bar looked<br />
as if they were going to enjoy this, too.<br />
"As our dear friend Nikolakiaj says, I do indeed have news," the bard said happily. "Unexpected,<br />
indeed unprecedented news. News beyond your wildest conceptions, <strong>and</strong> you will see I do not<br />
exaggerate. Good Nikolakiaj said I would give news <strong>and</strong> song, as is customary. But this information so<br />
inspired me, dear listeners, that you will have the rare good fortune to hear both in one." Suddenly his<br />
face sobered <strong>and</strong> his voice dropped. "Tragic <strong>and</strong> pathetic news, I bring. In fitting with its somber nature, I<br />
must adopt a somber mien…" Anticipatory snickers echoed, including one from Shkai'ra. "My ballad's<br />
title: A Lament for the Empire of Arko."<br />
More snickers. Shkai'ra grinned like a wolf. Megan peeked at the two Arkans, who looked as if they'd<br />
rather not hear this, more inclined to hide behind their tankards. The bard strummed a rich cord, <strong>and</strong><br />
sang.<br />
Pity the day when the Eagle of Arko<br />
First cast its eye on Yeola-e's plains.<br />
When battle is finished twixt Eagle <strong>and</strong> Circle,<br />
The world will count up the losses <strong>and</strong> gains.<br />
Long long ago, a great sage of Yeola-e<br />
prophesied gravely, that this century,<br />
His people, who'd lived so content in their borders<br />
The conquerors of a great nation would be.<br />
Now storming to Kaina, led hard <strong>by</strong> Chevenga,<br />
They'd won to the edge of the l<strong>and</strong>s bought so dear.<br />
New risen from shackles, <strong>and</strong> calling for justice,<br />
They cried to each other, "Why should we stop here?"<br />
"We know what it is, to be conquered <strong>by</strong> Arko.<br />
The world is not safe, while the Eagle still flies.<br />
Now that it runs, we should chase it down flaming<br />
For our l<strong>and</strong> burned, our loves raped, our children's death-cries."<br />
Debate raged like fire, all over Yeola-e<br />
Until in Assembly, a Servant asked this:<br />
"Our precious Chevenga, no one has worse suffered<br />
By Arkans than you have. What is it you wish?"<br />
"What wishes a demarch," he said, "does not matter."<br />
Refusing to answer, though uproar they made.<br />
E'en strode from Assembly, was dragged back <strong>and</strong><br />
fin'ly On pain of impeachment, replied, "To invade."<br />
So chalk went the vote, to strike down the great Eagle.<br />
Four ten-thous<strong>and</strong>s heed the Invincible's call-