Angel of Storms (Millennium's Rule, #2)(39)

PART TWO


TYEN





CHAPTER 1





The bigger of the insectoids bore down on its rival, the snapping of its huge foreclaws echoing in the classroom. A low murmur of anticipation and dread escaped the ring of watching students. Known as The Kraw, the insectoid had snapped the last combatant in half with one of those claws–and nearly nipped a finger off the victim’s creator when he’d leapt into the ring to retrieve the pieces.

This time the target was a short, round-backed insectoid–a dimpled dome with a stubby, armoured head and many small legs tucked underneath. It had a body too large for The Kraw’s foreclaws to get around, Tyen noted with approval, and if some of the legs were removed it would still be able to move. But where were its offensive weapons? To win, it must disable its opponent.

As The Kraw attacked, leaping on top of the new insectoid’s back and trying to prise off the head, the dimples turned black. No, Tyen corrected, they’re holes. Spikes bristled from the metal dome. Most skittered off the thick shell of The Kraw, but one found a weak spot between the body segments and penetrated within.

Two more broke free of the domed back and shot upwards to implant in the ceiling. Tyen frowned. The watchers were protected by an invisible wall of magic, so he was not concerned anyone would be harmed, but the use of projectile weapons would instantly disqualify an insectoid. These battles were supposed to encourage invention and ingenuity, not be an exchange of missiles and explosives. Yet the other spikes had withdrawn into the dome so if, on inspection, it was clear they weren’t intended to fly free of the machine, the creator could remain the victor.

The rest of the students were cheering now as The Kraw, winner of the last three insectoid tournaments, rolled off the dome and twitched helplessly on the floor. Once the victor reached a circle drawn in the far corner they erupted in shouts and whoops, some crowding close to the blushing creator to slap her on the back. She looked at Tyen, trying to hold back a grin as she waited for confirmation of her victory.

Tyen waited until his silence caused them all to quieten, then he grinned. “We have a new winner! Dalle Brokeer is First Maker of the Twelfth Insectoid Tournament.” Cheering broke out again.

“I told you. If anyone was going to do it, it’d be her,” a voice said at his left. He turned to see Dalle’s brother, Zeke, approaching. The young man’s arms were crossed, but his eyes shone with pride.

“You did,” Tyen replied. “You couldn’t hold the top position for ever.”

“Not with The Kraw,” Zeke agreed. “I’m surprised it lasted this long. Dalle’s design won’t be hard to beat, though. It’s too single-purpose.”

“I’m not so sure of that,” Tyen disagreed. “I expect she will modify it to suit a greater range of opponents before sending it in to fight again. She has a few design issues to fix, too.” He looked up at the spikes embedded in the roof, and Zeke chuckled.

A distant clanging cut across the noise in the room, marking the end of classes. Breaking away from the other students, Dalle scooped up the insectoids and brought them over.

“Sorry,” she said as she handed The Kraw to her brother. She didn’t sound at all apologetic, Tyen noted.

“Congratulations,” Zeke replied, as convincingly.

Tyen chuckled. “On your way, you two. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with in your next cycle.”

Contrary to what he expected, the pair exchanged a worried look.

“I don’t think he knows,” Zeke told his sister.

“Knows what?” Tyen asked. He looked from one to the other, noting their grim expressions. “Are you two leaving?”

“Well…” Dalle began. “What of this rumour that the Raen has returned?”

Tyen shook his head. “The who?”

Dalle’s eyebrows rose. “You’ve never even heard of the Raen?”

“No.”

“He is the ruler of all the worlds,” Zeke said. “Or he was until twenty or so cycles ago, when he disappeared.”

“It’s probably another false sighting,” Dalle told Zeke. She glanced over at the other students, who were standing in a group, waiting for the pair to join them. No doubt they had plans to celebrate her win. “Every few cycles another rumour spreads through the worlds that he’s come back, and people panic.” She stepped back and away. “Come on, Zeke. I’m hungry.”

Zeke shrugged and followed her to the group. Tyen watched them go, then tidied up the room quickly and set off for his room.

The corridors were busier than ever. Small groups of students blocked the way, so intent on their conversation he had to clear his throat loudly before they noticed him and stepped aside. Lone students hurried back and forth, which was normal, but all looked distressed rather than happy that lessons were over for the day.

When he ascended to the floor above he found teachers also blocking the way, talking in hushed tones. If they noticed him as he approached they fell silent as he passed by. When they didn’t he listened carefully, and heard the name Dalle had spoken.

Whoever this Raen is–or was, he thought, he must have held a great deal of power to still scare everyone this much.

Reaching his room, he settled into his usual post-class routine, changing out of uniform and into clothing more like what he had worn in his home world. He opened the large cabinet that held his books, various insectoids and other mechanical creations he’d made since joining Liftre. A large timepiece stood at the centre. The first set of hands showed the time and date in Leratia. He’d come to refer to his home world by the country of his birth, since it did not have a separate name as most worlds did. It was only because some of the components of Beetle were normally used in making watches that he’d been able to create a timepiece that showed Leratian time.