The Book of Ominiue: Starborn Read Online Free PDF Page A

their long spears as walking aids; the three foot-soldiers were stooped over using the change in their centre-of-mass to encourage forward momentum. Their disadvantage was not noticeable beforehand; the terrain has been difficult on all and required time to navigate, allowing the lionmen to trudge along happily. This was a comforting thought, considering how imposing the lionmen were to look upon.
    They had another rest in the afternoon, a break that was well received on both sides.  As they were sitting the Brigadier suggested the androids carry the lionmens equipment, revealing that he had also observed their deficiency.
    Kushnalor Madan’rah came over as Shayne translated. ‘I believe we will be fine, Afra’hama,’ he said with some level of pride. ‘We came in with our provisions, we can walk out again.’
    ‘We Star Ta’Orians carry very little,’ Shayne replied. ‘We do not understand why you should make it hard for yourself. Let the droids carry your packs until we pass the borders of the Wayel-Éaa, then you can carry your burdens again.’ Madan’rah looked uncertain and wanted to say no so Shayne continued to try and persuade him, ‘If you and your warriors carried only the armour on your backs than that would be a burden still greater than ours.’
    ‘I am happy with that,’ Kíe announced. ‘It would make me feel much better if Dunkol’mire did not have to carry my share upon his back.’ Madan’rah still looked apprehensive but nodded in agreement. The lionmen put all their external equipment into a pile, while the androids organised a proportion that the machines would carry. After a brief argument between the machines and the captain the androids took away three quarters of the load to distribute between the two robots and the pack mule. The remaining gear was evenly split up and given to each of the lionmen, including Kíe who insisted that he should carry his share. In the end all the lionmen felt much lighter, except for Kíe who ended up regretting his stubbornness. Leaning heavily on his staff as he trudged on.
    After hours of walking they finally stopped in another clearing. Charcoal remains of a campfire was clearly visible, left there from when the natives spent the first night in Wayel-Éaa a couple of months earlier. Madan’rah looked pleased. ‘This is good. Tomorrow afternoon we will be in Bohaníde.’ Spirits were high now, they knew they were nearly clear of the forest. The natives were much friendlier that night, exchanging some rare conversation and happily talking amongst themselves.
    The night deepened and the light faded, leaving only the flickering light of the fire reflecting off Bohanese armour. The lionmen sat in one corner of the camp; a couple of soldiers were sharpening and oiling their swords, while the Earthmen casually talked amongst themselves. One of the lionman called out for Kíe to recite a legend of Ominiue and Anótole. It was a scholar’s primary duty to tech and entertain, which he did while at the Earthmen Colony, but avoided while they travelled through lands that brought the unnatural silence upon them. Kíe stood, a smile gapping from ear-to-ear and he began to speak. The other Earthmen listened through remotely linked earpieces connected to the androids’ translation matrix. Some of the magic of a storyteller was lost with the droids’ flat voices talking over Kíe’s baritone accent, but he still held the power of a speaker who easily immersed the listener.
    Shayne was interested in their mythical figures. What he had learned in the time given was enough to spark his interest. Their histories were full of interesting characters, Anótole was one of their favourites; he was their most recent legendary figure and their last great one. The teachings that Kíe had shared with Shayne showed that others before him were far more interesting. Legends full of great heroes and villains. There was the Ádin-Harnarder , The Second High King of the