Chapter 9: The Black Pyramid
Note: As said earlier in the last chapter, I had to make some decisions early as to who landed up with who, and who is still alive. Obviously the story is going to differentiate from the canon on some things, but that is what fan fiction is for.
Rated R for sexual content and violence. Much of this is from Grune's point of view, so you've been warned.
The plunder of the cat kingdom arrived in a massive convoy to the Black Pyramid. It was a cargo of gold, jewels, scrolls, wheat and above all: slaves. A section of the lizard army served as its escort, under the command of one of Slithe's lieutenants. That lieutenant did a remarkable job, Mumm-Ra noted. He brought the cats in chains, with minimal casualties. Once at the Black Pyramid, he set them to work immediately.
Mumm-Ra looked out over the foundations that surrounded his starship. A great city was being built, along with mighty walls to serve as its defense. Behind him stood the lizard lieutenant who captured the Everliving's interest, waiting further instructions. He was unlike many of the lizards under Slithe's control. Those former slaves were a degenerated lot. Ignited in tribal warfare and barely above using clubs before the Everliving sought to reestablish control over them. They wore little on their hunched bodies as they scurried about following his orders. Weapons or not- most lizards were laughable compared to their far more useful and evolved ancestors.
But the lizard in his presence now, reminded Mumm-Ra that there had once been a far better time. And it would come again. The lieutenant in question was neat, and wore a clean pilot's uniform. He stood upright, with his hands behind him. His stance was not unlike how Captain Tygus used to stand when awaiting orders.
"What is your name, lieutenant?" Mumm-Ra asked.
"Lt. Talvin, my Lord, special forces unit 11A."
"I understand there were few casualties of our living cargo."
"There were, my Lord. A few had to be disposed of for attempting to escape, but I tried to keep the losses to a minimum."
"How did you dispose of them?"
"I felt being stranded in the desert environment would serve as both punishment and further deterrent to the others, sir."
The desert was cruel, and abandonment in it was even crueler. Mumm-Ra was beginning to like this lizard.
"You brought me a great work force."
"The gate around the city should be able to be brought online soon, my Lord. I left the set up of the power grid to our lizard forces, as cats seemed to be inept with technology."
Mumm-Ra chuckled at the irony of this.
"Indeed they are."
"I felt using them for manual labor would be more an efficient use of them. I hope I did not overstep myself in making this decision, my Lord."
"You did not. And your results were favorable. What tribe did you come from?"
"Before the Reformation I came from the Northern tribe of the Shimmering Waters, my Lord. But as you know, the Reformation made such things null and void."
"And provided a place for military professionals such as yourself to flourish." Mumm-Ra said. However, this was a test, one Mumm-Ra found the most effective. The weak loved hearing their superiors flatter them.
"My only concern is how to be of use to you, my lord." Talvin replied.
This was a much better response than Slithe or Grune had given, Mumm-Ra decided. The Everliving decided to provide even more temptation.
"I will speak to General Slithe about promoting you. Your actions have merited recognition of Captain."
"Thank you, my Lord." Talvin gave a quick bow of the head.
"I have given permission to my generals to collect some of the spoils as their own personal property. I now give you permission to obtain a personal servant from our new work force. You may not find the cats to be of you're liking, but I am sure they will provide good service none the less."
"My lord, I am a soldier, first and foremost. Therefore, I have little need luxuries. I keep simple enough quarters to have no need of a slave, though your generous offer is appreciated. Besides..."
Here Captain's voice trailed off.
"Continue," Mumm-Ra commanded.
"It is my opinion that relying on slaves too much can make one lose his edge... "
"Soft." Mumm-Ra responded.
'"I did not say that, my Lord."
"You did not have to, Captain. Though I do find it interesting you superiors did not share your view. General Slithe and General Grune both requested a significant number of slaves for their personal quarters."
"Yes. I processed their requests, my lord. As much as I could."
"As much as you could?"
"General Grune wanted to personally select his own servants. So I formed a group for him to choose from."
"Of young females, no doubt."
"I did not say that, my Lord,"
"Again, you did not have to."
A black Desert Runner began its approach to the city. It pulled up in front of the
Black pyramid and Grune dismounted. Mumm-Ra had seen it necessary to provide decent transportation to his generals, and some select soldiers. Still General Grune was supposed to have brought a substantial cargo of Thundrillium with him. No cargo ship appeared behind the Thunderan traitor. Mumm-Ra also recalled the images he had seen of Grune's battle in the Clouds Peak Mine.
Such incompetence had to be punished, Mumm-Ra decided.
"General Grune's request is denied." Mumm-Ra instructed.
"Yes, my Lord."
"He has much more important things to do than chase slave girls."
"My Lord."
"You are excused, Captain Talvin."
"Thank you, my Lord."
The lizard gave a slight bow then left. Yes he was much like Tygrus, Mum-Ra decided. He was pleased. Mumm-Ra did not need to use the seduction of power to be rewarded with Captain Talvin's loyalty. The lizard gave his loyalty because it was the order of things, and asked nothing in return.
Captain Tygus had also done this.
Whatever happened to Tygus Mumm-Ra had never bothered to find out. He suspected that the loyal captain was either killed in the crash landing, or executed by the Brotherhood.
The Brotherhood.
The very memory made the Everliving seethe. Formed by the turn coat Leo and his guttersnipe Panthera, they were quickly joined by Rezard and Shen. The Brotherhood bought the eternal to his knees. After the crash on third earth, the Brotherhood flourished. Its ranks were open far and wide with animals from every species, and even some inhabitants on Third Earth. The founding members died, and became dust. Younger members replaced them. But as the generations passed, the number of cats in the brotherhood became less and less.
Mumm-Ra smiled at this. He knew how to control his ex-pets. He knew what promises they liked to hear. And the one that worked best was the one he had used before: the promise of power, the promise of dominance.
Across the desert Mumm-Ra called to them, for though imprisoned he was not without awareness. For unlike his mortal subjects, the Everliving did not need sleep. He did not ever sleep. And what he could not do physically, he did by weaving lies and promises into their slumbering minds.
With whispers, Mumm-Ra had persuaded the few remaining cats to leave the Brotherhood. They rose to dominate the other species, and the Great War began. The Brotherhood was driven underground, and became increasingly more secretive. To find them and their center of operations was impossible. Mumm-Ra suspected they had taken some of his 'misplaced' technology with them. That small loss troubled him little, for the cats were back where they belonged- in their chains.
If Leo was alive, he would weep. Mumm-Ra thought.
The very idea made Mumm-Ra's husk fill with joy.
Grune maneuvered the halls of the Black Pyramid with ease. He felt anticipation rising within him as he strode to his quarters. But he was puzzled. His brain was thinking of the enticement that awaited him, of those naked female bodies. And yet there was no physical reaction. No quickening of the pulse, no movement in the loins, nothing. He frowned.
"The trip must have worn me out." He thought. "Well, I can have fun tomorrow. At least I can pick them out."
He thought of his quarters full of Thunderan slave girls, and he smiled. He wasn't king yet, but at least he could live like one. Like a king should live.
He thought about the female courtiers of the Thunderan palace. They were always demurely attired, and none of them was the king's harlot. Claudius himself was without any female company for many years. He eternally held the torch, pining after someone, dead and gone.
Grune snorted in contempt.
"Claudius was as much of an old man as Jaga was."
Grune had told Lieutenant Talvin to bring the most attractive female thunderans to his quarters. Like Slithe, Grune had been given the permission to have twenty thunderans as his personal attendants. Slithe had picked as Grune expected him to- with his fat lizard stomach. In addition to maids and butlers, the royal cooking staff had been Silthe's main procurement. Even the king's winemaker now belonged to the reptile general.
"Just like a stupid lizard to think with his stomach." Grune muttered to himself.
But not me, Grune thought.
No. He knew exactly what he wanted, what he had always wanted.
To be king.
And here he was, close and yet so far away from it. He was at a loss of how to over power Mumm-Ra. It seemed impossible. He shook his head. But for now Grune could enjoy himself, and the spoils of conquest. He pushed in the security code at the panel to his quarters. Maybe if there was one he especially liked, he could house her in the separate room next to his bedroom.
One with dark hair, he thought. Yes, long dark hair.
The number pad buzzed and whistled at him. The massive doors slid open, revealing his quarters: well furnished and empty.
Grune roared in rage. He stormed over to the central living room's wallcom and pounded his fist into the call button.
"General Slithe!" he fumed.
There was the sound of beeps and whirring, and Slithe's voice hissed over the intercom.
"What is it, General Grune?"
"You need to draw and quarter that idiot lieutenant of yours!" Grune yelled.
It took Slithe a moment to reply.
"I assume you are speaking of Captain Talvin, yesss?"
"Captain! What a joke! If he were under my command, I'd have him hung for gross negligence of duty!"
"I was informed of his promotion when I arrived." Slithe said, he sounded slightly annoyed. For a moment Grune thought Slithe might be aggravated with the lizard they spoke of. But his next words proved otherwise.
"I must say I find his work, exemplary. And if he has captured Mumm-Ra's attention, then I will be sure to use him where he is more useful, yesss."
A nervous voice sounded in the background from Slithe's end.
"Master Slithe, the first course is ready."
Slithe grunted.
Grune frowned. Slithe was already enjoying the services of his reward, and yet here he was in an empty room, frustrated.
"My quarters were empty when I got here." Grune seethed. "That incompetent fool was to have-"
"It is my understanding Grune that Captain Talvin needed to speak to you about the privileges Mumm-Ra bestowed on you."
Grune stopped mid-sentence. This did not sound good.
"Contact him about your petty complaints." Slithe said, and then burped. "I don't have time to bother with you."
Without a word, the call was dropped.
Livid, Grune smashed the wall com to pieces in a blind rage. He stormed out of his quarters and down the central control of the pyramid.
Central control was always buzzing with noise. There were lizards there, pouring over maps, looking for both the power stones and Lion-o's party. Weapon experts were there arguing over which upgrade to initiate first, and to whom. The specialists were also there; Slithe's elite squadron of warriors, hand picked from the rabble. They did not bother to hide their contempt for him. One of them turned their back on him as he passed an open insult. Ignoring it, Grune pushed his way through the busy area, to a door closed tight. He looked on the digital plate, and it now read: Captain Talvin.
Not bothering to use the call button, Grune slammed his fist on the door.
"Open up!" he bellowed.
"General Grune, right away sir." The voice of the new Captain rang on the small intercom. Grune hated the sound of his voice.
The doors opened and shut behind the former general as he entered. There was that upstart lizard, standing behind his desk.
"You incompetent fool!" Grune said, smashing his paws on the stone desk. "Where are they? My quarters were empty!"
"General Grune," the voice replied. "I take it you are speaking of the boon Mumm-Ra allowed to you have."
"Yes you tail kisser! Where are they! I told you I wanted to come home to find women there, and there's not one!"
"Sir," the captain cleared his throat. "I understand your frustration in this matter, and of you desiring female companionship. But I regret to inform you, the offer has been withdrawn."
"What!"
"The offer has been withdrawn, sir."
"By who!" Grune roared, his fur standing on end.
"By the only one who as authority to do so, sir. By Mumm-Ra."
Grune hesitated, but only for a moment. He thought he saw the corner of the captain's mouth rise in a self satisfied smirk.
"I'm gonna rip your spine out!" Grune said, as he began to come around the desk. Captain Talvin strategically backed up, as Grune knew he would. No lizard could match him when it came to brute force. He was going to have release tonight, one way or another. If he could not have it with pleasure, then he would have it with satisfaction of killing this upstart.
Grune, come to me at once.
It was Mumm-Ra. His thoughts felt like a knife in Grune's brain. The Thunderan bent forward, clutching his skull in agony. The Everliving was upset at him, and Grune felt it.
"General Grune, are you-"
"Shut up!" Grune ordered. The pain was excruciating. He felt for a moment like he could not breathe. Time seemed to slow, and the lizard looked at him stupidly. Then as sudden as the agony began it ended. Grune steadied himself, and tried to calm his panting down. He felt his strength returning. Without a word, he turned about and answered the summons. The door to the Captain's office slid shut behind him. He knew the lizards were looking at him as he crossed the common area. Grune did not care. To him they were all the same, to be used and then gotten rid of at the first opportunity.
The stench of the Everliving's throne room was something Grune never got used to. The smell of decay assaulted his nostrils every time he had to enter the place. If watching Jaga squeal hadn't been so entertaining, he would have been physically sick from the odor. But watching the old cat scream was interesting enough for him to push his nausea aside.
The air of this place felt significantly different than the air outside the door. It was thicker, denser and always cold. Grune could see his breath in clouds before him. He strained his eyes in the darkness, and saw the bent over form at his scrying pool. The distorted image of Tygra floated in the waters, and for a moment Grune wondered what the undead might want with his former pupil.
"You wished to see me, my-" Grune began. He never got to the word 'Lord' for suddenly the dead figure pivoted to face him. The hollow eyes glowed and lightening flew from its fingertips, pouring into Grune's body. The general screamed in agony, losing his footing and falling to the floor. He thought he had felt pain before when Mumm-Ra touched his mind. But that was nothing compared to the volts that were conducted through his organs and bones. Grune gasped for air, when the attack stopped. Every breath in his lungs was agony.
"You fool!" Mumm-Ra hissed. His voice was as cold as the tomb he stood in. "You had the Sword of Omens within your grasp! And what did you do?"
Again dead thing released another bolt of lightening. Grune screamed again. He had heard Jaga scream like this but he never thought he could offer up such a pitch.
The thing stopped, and asked again.
"And what did you do, General Grune? Speak!"
"I...I" Grune stuttered like a malformed cub. Every word was agony, and the general shook violently. "I...returned here, with the thundrillim like you ordered."
"I ordered you to hollow out the mine and bring me enough thundrillim to allow the
Black Pyramid to be fully operational. But instead, I have been told you have returned with a pittance! And as for what you did, why General Grune! I am told that you...ran away!"
"I did not!" Grune lied.
Again another lightening storm hit him, and he felt as if his organs would burst. He screamed again, higher this time. He soiled himself, and felt tears running from his eyes. Even Jaga had not had to bear up under such torture.
"You're incompetence is only matched by your stupidity in thinking I would not find out. You should have fought for the sword, died for it if need be- in serving your master. For you owe your existence, your soul to me. And you will do as I command."
Then the lightening stopped.
"Fortunately, there is continued use for you." Mumm-Ra said. "You will depart back to Clouds Peak mines in the morning. You are to take the equipment in your convoy and you are to dig out the mine."
"That could take years!" Grune gasped.
"For your sake, see it does not. Now leave."
Grune made to rise, but he found his quaking legs would not support his heavy bulk. So rather than exiting as he entered, the once proud general crawled out of the throne room. As he got to the door it slid opened and he saw a pair of reptile feet. Grune looked up. Slithe looked down at him in open surprise for a moment. Then a smile danced across his lips. Grune felt himself shake with rage and humiliation. He turned his gaze away. He grabbed hold of the door frame and pulled himself to his feet.
General Slithe looked at the shaken general and the soiled armor. He clicked his tongue in a knowing fashion. Grune promised himself he would rip that reptilian, Disipid speaking tongue out of his mouth some day. He retreated from the throne room, hearing the door shut tightly behind him, and leaning on the wall for support as he descended the stairs, praying not to fall.
The journey back to his quarters was the longest walk he had known since coming to the Black Pyramid. He had to lean against the wall several times, and catch his breath. But once he was safe behind his own closed door, out rage filled him. He smashed his sofa to pieces. He stripped off his soiled armor and left it lying on the floor of his living compartment. He went to the bath, and cursing cleaned himself. Grune took then the longest bath he had ever taken, soaking until he was no longer shaking.
He dried off and got dressed in a black robe. It was silk finer than he had ever seen in the Thundera palace. Even Claudius never wore anything so fine. Grune smiled at this small compensation. He sniffed and frowned at the stink from the living room. He rang the servant's bell. He was denied his boon, yes. But he knew there were now slaves attending to the black pyramid's general needs.
A frightened Thudneran girl with a thin face and eyes that had seen too little sleep came to him. He guessed her age was sixteen, in that awkward state between cub and woman.
"Take my armor and have it cleaned. I need it back by morning's light. And if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll have you gutted...in front of your parents." Grune growled.
"No" the girl said, biting her quivering lip. "I'll...I'll do as you ask." Shaking, she picked up his armor, and his right shoulder plate fell on the floor.
"Watch what you're doing you numb skull!" Grune yelled.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The girl squeaked, then dropping more pieces.
Grune watched her shake as she picked them up. His armor made a clattering sound in her arms. Grune felt some satisfaction in her terror, as the tears began to cascade down her face. She bowed several times and practically fled from his quarters. When she left he found some wine, and went to sleep.
Grune dreamed of Thundera. He was sitting on the central throne, and he was flanked by two other cats. To his right was a queen, his queen. He did not know her name. But it was unimportant. What mattered was that she was pleasing to the eye, and his. To Grune's left was Tygra sitting at ease in his throne. A female cat sat at his feet, fawning over him. The sight made Grune feel almost paternal pride.
Grune left the throne room and began walking to his private chambers. He noticed many scantily clad courtiers as he passed. Every luxury was present in the palace, every desire satisfied. In the central courtyard, warriors were engaged in open contest for a cheering crowd. He saw Panthro besting another cat. The masses went wild with his finishing blow, and he saluted him. Warrior to Warrior. General to King.
King. I'm King. Grune thought. Finally, things are as they should be.
Grune went to his private chambers. Rather than the stately blue with white marble of Claudius' day, they were draped in scarlet. A large oil painting dominated the main wall. It was a portrait of himself, holding the Sword of Omens, victorious in some nameless battle. The carnage of battle blended in with the red from the walls and chairs. The entire place boasted of his prowess in battle and other more intimate matters.
There was a figure in front of the massive painting. He had not noticed her before. A feeling of vague familiarity came over him. Grune approached. She was female. Again he was pleased, for a female here in his private chambers had but one purpose. His loins stirred with anticipation.
As he came closer he saw this was no Thunderan. She was a naja.
It's her! He thought. It has to be!
The blue of her skin was the same youthful vibrancy he had seen ten years ago. Her long hair cascaded to the floor, like a waterfall. She was wearing a kimono bright gold, with the back of her neck was exposed, vulnerable and soft. She turned to him.
Upon the front of her lapel was the insignia of the Thunderan throne. The meaning of this was clear to him. She was the royal concubine, his royal concubine.
"Hello, Your Majesty."
These two last words inflamed his lust. He shuddered as he felt their effect immediately. Mad with desire, he did not care if she belonged to someone else, she had to be his! Right here! Right now!
Without a word he threw her down on the bed. He tore at the golden kimono, his paws shaking with excitement. Upon the unveiling of her breasts, he clamped his mouth down upon her right one. He sucked hard. She was as soft and warm as she had been those years ago. Her smell was the same. He would leave teeth marks on her this time, and he was glad of it. It only fanned his arousal. It would be his personal mark on her. He flung open his royal robes and-
All desire fled from him as he beheld his own flesh, rotting before his very eyes. He heard the naja scream in horror and pain. And the entire dream came crashing down upon him as he sat upright in bed, sweating in raw panic.
It took Grune a moment to realize where he was and that he was alone. The dream was so vivid he expected to have the naja beside him in the bed. But there was no royal concubine, and no Thundera when he awoke. All that was gone, back to the oblivion from which it came.
Thankfully the disintegrating disease was also gone. He breathed a sigh of relief, glad it was only a dream and that no one was here to witness his weakness.
"Lights! He barked. The lights automatically flickered on. He rubbed his face with his heavy paws. He got out of bed and thew the robe over his naked body. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the remainders of the dream. Perhaps a drink would help. Yes, that would do the trick.
He rose and walked out into the hall way. He stopped short, looking at the small room that faced his. It was a simply furnished room. He had no need for it now, and honestly had been too busy to think about it. But now in the middle of the night, the image of her came before him again. This might have been a good place to keep her, he thought. Yes, it would have been a good place for her, or any other female companion. It close to his bedroom, giving him easy access. But most importantly, the door was locked from a keypad on the outside. Anyone in there, Thunderan or Naja would not be able to leave the windowless room except through him.
Grune smiled. He liked that idea.
Grune hadn't thought about her in years. Why would he think of her now?
She was the first to call him "Your Majesty." He remembered how those honeyed words inflamed him, aroused him, and persuaded him to show mercy. He hardly ever showed mercy to anyone. It was for the weak, and lead to nothing by trouble. Grune respected strength and power, and lived by these two principals. For her, for her words, he had made the one exception.
He thought back to that time. It was over ten year ago. He was a different cat then, though many of his dreams were the same. If he had his way, he would have brought her back to Thundera. He would have found somewhere to keep her. After all he expected to be given command of Thundera's army. That meant power, and a far larger salary. He could afforded a house in the noble district to put her in.
But paused back then, as he looked down in her face. How would he explain bringing a naja concubine with him, when he had been sent to shut up the whole affair? Claudius would not have been pleased. And that might threaten any chances he had of promotion. So Grune left her there in Talam. He promised himself he would collect her later when he was king.
When his coup was successful.
For there was a reason he coveted the position over Thundera's armies. There was no better position to with which to stage a coup from and annihilate all opposition. With the entire army behind him, it would have been quick work. They would have stormed the palace and slaughtered the royal family, with the exception of Tygra perhaps. His former pupil was guiltless of Claudius' interfering, and strong, unlike Lion-o. Tygra should at least be given a chance.
Grune would set himself upon the throne of Thundera, for the strong should lead. It was the natural order of things. The obsession with bloodline had made the cats weak. He knew this to be truth. He would set the kingdom on the righteous path.
But Claudius did interfere again. Some how, some way, he had gotten wind of what Grune was planning. Grune was sure of this. Knew this in his bones. What other reason was there to deny him his earned position, and set him upon an impossible task. He knew Claudius hoped he would die in the wilderness. The coward did not even have the courage to challenge him openly, as a warrior should!
Frustrated, Grune shook his head hard. He went to wash closet. He splashed some water on his face, then looked at a mirror mounted on the wall. He did not see the face of a king. No, instead, this was the face of a fool, running in circles.
He roared and smashed the mirror to pieces.
As glass cut his clinched fist, he smiled at the pain. Pain was good, it told him that he was awake and this was real. That Claudius and Thundera were dust, and he still lived. That was real. It made him feel a little better. He had the last laugh. And now with Mumm-Ra's steady rise to absorb all kingdoms of Third Earth, Grune found stability. He could turn his mind to more intimate things.
Though he was too tired now for rutting, he found himself loney for female company. He was surprised at this. He wanted...her. Not because of her beauty, but because she spoke those two words he wanted to hear. She made him believe that those dreams, his dreams, could come to pass.
"Your Majesty."
But where to find her after ten years? Talam was on the other side of the world. He did not want to risk Mumm-Ra's wrath a second time by leaving for the neutral town. He tried to think about what his plans were that lifetime ago, before Claudius ruined them. He had told himself back then to do something when he got back to Thundera after Talam. But Grune's own rage made it difficult to concentrate. It had something to do with buying something...buying her. He assumed Roj would not want her afterward, and so would have-
Put her up for auction.
But how to find the auction of a naja pleasure slave from over ten years ago? Grune felt like tearing his quarters apart in frustration. If Thundera were still standing, all he had to do have some pencil pusher look in the House of Records. And then Grune thought of that tail kissing lieutenant that had been in charge of bringing the booty to the Black Pyramid. He was they type who followed every command to the letter. And General Slithe had instructed him to take everything from Thundera- Everything. That would include the records as well.
So where would the records go? Grune struggled to think. Then the answer came to him.
He dressed in his civilian clothes and left his apartments immediately.
Mumm-Ra's archives housed records belonging to his worlds of conquest. Every civilization conquered, their history was housed here. Knowledge was not to be wasted. There were rumors that the archives were somehow larger on the inside, than on the outside. For the archives appeared to be located in a large room in the bowels of the Black Pyramid. But upon entering the doors, Grune saw what looked like miles upon miles of shelves. It stretched on into the horizon until it dropped out of sight.
Wraiths, part of the Everliving's consciousness over looked the managed the archives. they floated about, their grotesqueness only accentuated by their transparency. Grune was almost glad to see the cowardly records clerk from Thundrea. He was surrendered along with all of Thundera's records to Mumm-Ra's archives, to work. Grune grabbed the yellow house cat by the arm, and he had to watch himself that he didn't dislocate the weakling's shoulder.
"You." Grune said. "You used to work in Thundera's house of records, didn't you?"
The sniveling cat pushed back his glasses. "Well, yes commander Grune-"
"General Grune!" Grune snapped. "Now you listen to me. I need for you to find something for me, and I better have it in an hour, or you'll end up like these ghosts here!"
"Wha- what is it, sir?"
"I need for you to find the sale of one naja pleasure slave from about ten years ago."
"All right," the clerk said."Do you know where the sale took place?"
"No."
"Okay, uhm who was she sold too?"
"If I knew that I wouldn't be asking, would I!"
"Well you haven't given me much to go on!" the clerk argued, lifting the hair on his back. "Do you have a name you can give me?"
Grune paused. He had to think. What was her name again? Finally after a full minute he spoke.
"Nagita."
"Well at least that's something." the clerk frowned.
"In an hour, I'll be back in an hour. You better have the answer then!"
Grune left in a huff. He would not stay in that place any longer than he had to.
"Impossible!" Grune fumed at the clerk.
"Look I looked in all tax records in a range of five years around the date for you gave me. And I did not find one hint of this Nagita, nor of any other naja."
"Tax records?"
"Two percent of all sales, private and public had to be given to the crown for tax purposes. And no one kept their records better than the royal treasury, so I looked there. And I did not find this Nagita you speak of, or of any like her. So I can tell you there was no sale. Not on Thunderan soil at any rate."
"You probably over looked something. Where's the royal treasurer? I'll ask him!"
At this the sniveling clerk's hair rose on end. He shuddered to contain his fury.
"The royal treasurer- Lady Mau was killed in the taking of Thundeara! So if you wish to find this..this serpent whore of yours.. then you are plain out of luck!"
Without a word Grune back handed him, sending the clerk falling to the floor. He stormed out slamming the door behind him.
The clerk spat out a tooth, and sat up. He heard the door open again, and he was afraid to look, terrified he might turn to see Grune lifting a heavy mace to crush him. But the sound of his walk, was heavier and there was the low swish of thick tail Slowly the clerk turned to see the countenance of General Slithe.
"What was he looking for?" Slithe demanded.
The clerk was mute with horror. His mouth was dry and he could not speak.
"Talk, slave! Or I'll have you're tongue ripped out!"
"He was looking...for the sale of a naja female. There did not appear to be one listed."
Slithe put one long finger on his temple for a moment.
"Inform me if he comes here again. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes..Master Slithe." these last words came as a struggle. But to Slithe that only made them that much sweeter. He patted the clerk on the head, like a cub, and smiled at the barely contained rage this nameless cat showed. Slithe relished it. He left the archives and met his informant on the stairs.
"Captain Talvin." Slithe said in Disipid. "You did well in alerting me to Grune's unusual activity. Send someone we can trust to keep an eye on him. I hear he is to depart for Cloud Peak mines. Keep me informed."
"Yes general." the lizard replied and left.
Slithe's eyes narrowed. A cat had no business being a general in Mumm-Ra's army. NONE.
He had not begun the Reformation of the lizard tribes to share power with this barbarian. He joined with Mumm-Ra on the promise that his people would rise to their rightful glory, and have the cats under heel. Now he was having to playing politics with one? It infuriated him.
But Mumm-Ra seemed to think this traitor was of some use. But if the Everliving could be persuaded that that usefulness had been out lived, then Slithe could be rid of the blight. In fact he just might get the chance to show Grune why his own people called him "Voltok ". It was a beautiful word, and Slithe loved hearing his title screaming from dying lungs. He liked it so much that he decided he would carve it into Grune's skull, and keep it as a decoration.
"Voltok "
In common tongue it meant "The Butcher."
The Thundearn girl looked at the floor as Grune dressed himself. She had brought his armor back, and looked almost new. Her paws were raw, and on some fingers bloody. Without a thought he suited up before her. It felt good be back in his armor again. He felt like a warrior, and he liked at how it shined. He was surprised his masculinity did not rise. He blamed it on fatigue from a long night. He could rest at his camp outside Clouds Peak mine.
The sun should be up, Grune thought.
He picked up his power mace and made to leave. He paused by the door. He reached out and grabbed the girl by the forearm, dragging her behind him. She made little pleading sounds he ignored, as he always did. He ignored her tears as well. He was good at ignoring female tears.
He dragged her to a cargo ship, where a new batch of lizard recruits were gathering. He threw her in the back and shut the door behind her. She was way to skinny for his tastes now. But with a few weeks of good eating, she'd fill out. She was not his first choice, but it seemed he rarely got his first choice now a days.
He mounted his Desert Runner. He was glad for the solitude. He could think, and he would not have to listen to any female whimpering.
A memory stirred.
She had whimpered too. He had forgotten this. He shrugged. A momentary weakness all females did when taken.
All females cry. He thought. It means nothing.
What had meaning was what she had called him: Your Majesty. He recalled the curve of breasts and the darker blue of her nipples. They were like apples from the tum-tym tree, but she had been far far sweeter.
He smiled. Again he was surprised there was no physical reaction to the memory. And again he blamed fatigue.
But her master's actions puzzled him. Why didn't Roj sell her? It made no sense to Grune. He thought he remembered the traitor saying something about the naja being his wife. Grune at the time thought it a joke, now he wondered.
Some how, some way I will be king. Grune thought. She will call me "Your Majesty" like she did before.
He gunned the Desert Runner to life, and tore into the desert.
She will be mine again.
Slithe and Captian Talvin watched Grune and his convoy leave.
"You placed our spy in his personal guard, yesss?" Slithe asked.
Captian Talvin gave a short nod.
"Good! Good!" the lizard general smiled. "I'm beginning to see why Mumm-Ra promoted you. I will not have a cat trying to upstage me. The sooner we can show our lord the cat's uselessness, the better."
"Yes, General."
The newly appointed Captain Talvin sat in his quarters. He breathed in deep and cleared his mind. His quarters were small but they were clean. Clean not in the usual sense, however.A fellow lizard had taught him how to look for bugs and hidden microphones in his belongings. If it was bugged, Kai could find it. Talvin learned well, and could rest assured that General Slithe was not listening in.
"All seeing, all hearing all knowing, General Slithe." the captian said, his voice full of venom.
From the hiding place, he brought out the small communicator. It was encrypted three times over, and the codes were changed after each use. He punched in the sequence, and the hologram of a female dingo appeared. Her eyes were hard and no nonsense.
"Commander Carm." Talvin said, bowing his head. "I have discovered that General Grune is being dispatched to finish his assignment at Clouds Peak Mines. General Slithe has had a spy accompany him , and I am to keep Slithe informed."
"Good work, Brother Talvin." the dingo responded. "Any progress with Mumm-Ra."
Talvin smiled.
"I have been promoted to Captian, for my work on the slave convoy."
"Excellent." the dog nodded. "We picked up the stragglers you left behind. Well done. Have we heard any news on the whereabouts of our target?"
Talvin shook his head.
"An operative in Talam says he may have found him. We have sent both Brother Kai and Brother Roj to investigate."
"I hope they find him. The army needs someone to lead it."
"Any other findings."
"General Grune was poking around the archives."
"Unusual?" the dingo asked.
"Very unusual. He's not the intellectual type."
"Do you know what he was looking for?"
"No. I could not get close enough with out risking my cover."
"You're cover must remain intact of course. If comprised we will not be able to assist you, and you jeopardize all The Brotherhood has worked for."
"Don't worry, Command Carm. I'll be just who they expect me to be. Nothing more. And please give my thanks to the operative who made my passport. It bore up under close inspection, Slithe's inspection of all things."
"He was checking you out then?"
"The Butcher checks everyone out."
"I'll pass it on to her. Nagita has always done fine work. As do you. Await further instructions and keep us posted."
"Understood Commander" Talvin saluted the hologram. "For the Brotherhood."
To be continued...
