The Mischling

By Keith Cribbs

The year is 2512, and man has destroyed their earth. Through connections with the trading planet federation, man has relocated to a planet called Elstaad; a planet in the Beta Aquarii system. At first, the creatures of the planet Elstaad, called Ven, allow Man to inhabit their home planet, but soon war breaks out between the two races. Thayne, a child of a human mother, and a Ven father, is a trader between the two races. Finding himself caught up in the war, and fighting for the Ven, he strives to unite man and Ven with help from “The Fathers”; a branch of the trading federation, his fiancé; a Ven named Alaisiagae, and two humans. Fighting through opposition from both sides, treachery, and natural disasters, will they ever succeed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keith Cribbs
• Release date: Sep 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301347285

Keith Cribbs

Born and raised in Chicago, Il. Veteran Viet Nam War Graduated Northern Il.Univ. B.S. Management Two Minors Computer Robotics related Married, One Daughter Favorite Authors: Anderson, Asimov, Zelazny Hoping to break into the Scifi market with a series of works to be completed in the future.

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The Mischling

Keith Cribbs

Copyrighted 2008

Smashwords Edition

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Elstaad is the seventh planet circling around the stars of Beta Aquarii. It is divided into four continents with several islands spread about on either side of its equator. An isthmus joins two of the continents while the other two are independent. On the Northern independent continent our story takes place because most of the Human race had been deposited there after the migration. All continents and several island chains are self governed by clan lords with elected overlords who answer to the religious and education center of Myrovyn. Myrovyn is the place where the planetary government of the Ven, the indigenous race of Humanoids originally inhabiting the planet, is set and the Martians’ delegation deals with the Ven at this location. The Martians were a colony of earth but broke away to form an alliance with a Trader confederation of various planets from other star systems that offered better opportunities in trade and education. Now the Fathers a delegation of scientists, engineers and anthropologists from Mars Have transported Man and other life forms from a dying Earth to Elstaad till Earth could regenerate its systems to life sustaining capability. The Federations has bankrolled this experiment in hopes of giving other life forms the chance to grow into full culmination of societies the Federation can incorporate. But Man is Malevolent and belligerent. Myrovyn which is in the center of it all both by location and relation to both Man and the Federation Representatives has the choice to end it or take the chance to grow and evolve into a greater part of the larger picture.

Chapters:

Rae 1

Thayne 2

Myrddin 3

Astrid 4

Conversion 5

The Ambush 6

Off to Myrovyn 7

The Capture 8

The Dilemma 9

Alaisiagae 10

The New Year 11

War 12

On to Carpe Fortuna 13

The Removal 14

Home to Myrovyn 15

Island Troubles 16

Judgment 17

Famine 18

Fall Out 19

Decisions 20

New Life 21

The Plan 22

Hunting 23

Intrigue 24

The Federation 25

Unity 26

Rae-Chapter 1

Back when Man first moved into the valleys of Myrovyn there lived a Ven of great age named Oryd. He had helped the Fathers plant the forests of Myrovyn. Now these forests had stood for a millennium or more and the lands beneath were as a park. Oryd could remember when Myrovyn was desolate and bleak. The time before the Fathers came to Elstaad when the Ven, as they called themselves, had fought destructive civil wars and cut down the forests for their personal enhancement. The animals had retaken their place in the scheme of things; all was in place within their world. After a time the Fathers had asked if they could introduce a new race of people into Myrovyn and other parts of Elstaad. After much deliberation the Ven agreed to this. But to the new people the Ven were as the Elves of their mythology. The Fathers said that they would help with the assimilation of these people. They too had lost their home to war and over exploitation of the land and had not learned why it was wrong. The Ven grumbled among them selves, but accepted the people hoping that these newcomers would learn this lesson before it was too late for both.

One day Grnehl, the dragon was hunting and chanced upon a village of Man. He raided the place and took away an infant and a yearling bull. The bull had the misfortune of becoming his meal but the infant he dropped into the forest because she wriggled too much and pierced the air with her cries. The dragon had hopes of killing the infant with the fall and would have if not for the stand of pines the infant fell into. The trees broke its fall and gently laid the infant on the ground. The infant sensing that silence was her best defense stayed silent. The pines covered the ground and wafted their sent into the air to protect the infant so the dragon couldn’t find her. It was there on the forest floor that Oryd found the infant while hunting for Grnehl using a pair of Drachuns and raised her as his own.

The infant he named Rae, and as the years went by she grew into a beautiful young maiden of medium height, athletic frame, Reddish Gold hair and Blue-Green eyes. Her skin glowed though not as pale as the Ven, the Ven looked like Man, but there were differences easily noted in color and feature. For the most part Ven were fair with pale skin and hair, their eyes more almond shaped and slanted, their ears pointed at the tops. Man was mostly dark of complexion and hair, with rounded eyes and ears. Rae learned the ways of the Elves and the forest. Magic was always about her giving protection and knowledge. From the Ven she had the knowledge of spells and weapons. Their wisdom throughout the ages gave her the ability to do many things that seemed impossible and mysterious. The animals gave her their sight and hearing. She learned to hunt and avoid being hunted. They gave her knowledge of the best fruit, seeds and grasses. All the animals had to give provided Rae with clothes and nourishment. To Rae, all in the forest were brothers and sisters. She revered Oryd as her father and the elder Ven as wise teachers. She loved and was loved by all who knew her.

Legends began to circulate around the edges of the forest about a cunning huntress and warrior living within the forest. The Ven had fought battles with Man over rights to the forest. Man wanted the wood to build and heat his dwellings and the Ven wanted the forest to dwell and hunt in. The Ven were stronger and swifter winning the war most of the time. Man fought with himself and his sons only, the Ven threw everything into the war whether male or female they fought side by side.

Also the Ven used Drachuns as war dogs. The Drachun was a dog like creature with a barrel chest, strong legs, a thick neck, and long sharp external canine fangs. It also had sensitive ears and nose. The Drachun had the appearance of a dangerous oversized Bull Terrier. Tales of Man were fraught with great exploits from both sides, but the fair one among the Elves stood out the most. She was the greatest fighter in each battle. The Elves with her used Rae’s name as a battle cry. Thus it was that her name was known to all of Man. Many who saw her coveted her as a prize to be won in battle, but she always defeated them and walked away with prizes of her own.

The time had come, as Oryd had put it for her to be told of her origins and to choose her future among Man or the Ven. They told Rae of how Grnehl had dropped her into the forest to kill her and of the trees who saved her. She was told that she is of the house of Man. It was her decision to go back to Man or stay with the Ven. If she chose to stay with the Ven she must choose a mate from among them for Rae was old enough to marry. After a week by herself in the woods among the animals Rae returned and chose Alfreyd, Oyrd’s great grandnephew, a handsome young bard of tall frame and well muscled, who entertained his Ven kindred at meals with ballads of great wisdom and love. He also was a gallant warrior who stood beside Rae in many battles. They were married with great ceremony in the height of summer, and she bore him a son in the next spring. They lived together unto great age, and had many adventures eventually retiring in Myrovyn.

She bore him several Childen and never lost her beauty or grace. But Man was never meant to live as long as the Ven. One day Alfreyd knew that he would lay his bride to rest among the trees that had saved her in her youth, he would take no other wife. Till the time of his passing he would join the elders carrying on as He had before both as a teacher and leader. His efforts to be spent showing the younger Ven their ancestral ways that governed himself and others. In the future when his time comes, he thought that he would ask to be laid beside her so that together they might enjoy the other life as they did on this side.

Their Childen excelled in the arts and wisdom of the Ven. They became the greatest artisans and crafts persons among their people. The eldest, Thayne was a great musician like his father and a great warrior like his mother. He also knew the skills of the forest and could hunt like a wolf or hide like a deer. His knowledge of the sciences was unsurpassed among the Ven. He desired to know his mothers people, so he slipped into the world of Man. There he found a superstitious people who trusted no one and nothing. Each town and village protected themselves with hedges and walls from each other or outside influences. They all had a standing armed squad or weapons in each dwelling. Thus they took care of their own lives and property. He found this to be ridiculous since Ven did not live in walled towns but were free to build a dwelling anywhere they chose. They knew when to band together to protect themselves and where to be in case of attack. Since Ven no longer warred upon themselves or their kindred there was no reason to wall in anything, though certain outposts served as forts. Their sense of community could take care of any other defense.

Thayne– Chapter 2

Thayne looked like his mother in color and feature and his father in build so other Men did not see him as anything else, though some thought of him as an Elf. This was to his advantage allowing him to pass between Man and Ven to his liking. To his people, he was a brother, and to Man, he was a singer and teller of tales to entertain as his father did at the meals. His other skills brought him welcome at the towns and villages he came to. Many times he provided his and their dinner in the form of game with good fruit and seeds thrown in. Sometimes he would trade or sell Ven goods to men. His fighting skills kept him out of trouble with the surlier in the crowds, and bandits avoided him a second time if they lived to meet him again. Thus a reputation grew about him and in some places he was welcome, others he was not. Where welcome he brought joy, where not there was sorrow and pain.

One day Thayne rested under a tree singing a song while he accompanied himself on a harp. Before long a Man tall and slender though muscular looking, wearing clothes quite dashing and colorful came upon him. The Man had long dark brown hair and hazel eyes in a narrow face. With a cheery hello, the stranger sat down next to him and commented on his playing and content of the song. The stranger found them enjoyable and asked if he could sit and listen to Thayne’s songs. Thayne, happy to have company agreed with the request and they talked between verses.

The stranger named Myrddin AP Gryffud, a wayfarer and bard from Man’s holdings in the southeast corner of the Sa-fenric Islands across the seas had come to look over the lands to the East. He had heard from traders of his own people that there were wonders to be seen. Great Mountains and Forests, plus men had built wonderful monuments to their abilities. So he came over with a load of metal ore and departed the quays to journey inland to see what there was to be seen. Throughout the years, he had traveled to the four corners of the planet doing many things and had seen men start great building projects, but decided that he, a country boy needed more open space to breath in. So on the way back home, he headed north to see the great forests and beyond. As evening approached, they decided to bag some game and head to a nearby town to find an Inn. After bringing down a deer, they carried it between them on a pole into town. They found the Inn a large closed building near the town gate. Thayne introduced himself to the Innkeeper, a small swarthy Man in dirty apron and clothes, as Thayne Alfreydsen and his companion as Myrddin AP Gryffud. They had brought meat to the evening meal to which the Innkeeper said if they would dress it he would cook it and give them a room and meal for payment of the carcass. Thus they had a meal of meat and bread with vegetables washed down by ale. After a few songs and ballads from both Thayne and Myrddin. everyone was happy and sleep began to overtake all who sat there. The men turned in for a good night’s sleep with intent to leave on the morrow.

As they slept noises could be heard about the room. Thayne awakened and looked at Myrddin who looked back at him. They both jumped upon a figure searching among their property. The noise brought the Innkeeper into their room with a torch. Between them they held a female of medium height who reminded Thayne of his mother and whom the Innkeeper recognized as a thief. The girl was rather comely with light colored hair but for the gleam of anger in her deep blue eyes. The Innkeeper asked what should be done with her and Thayne brought out a rope of braided leather to bind her. Myrddin looked at him and wondered what the rope was for! Thayne reasoned that the constable would not like to be roused at this hour, so bind her and turn her over in the morning. The innkeeper agreed and they bound her and left her on the floor for the two men to watch. Shortly after the Innkeeper walked out, they unbound and questioned her. Finding her an orphan as well as a thief, they left her to fend for herself, and let her sleep in the corner on an old mattress. The next morning the constable, a man of same complexion and build as the innkeeper but in gaudy colored clothes, came around to get a breakfast at the Inn, as was his custom. Hearing that the thief was caught he decided to take care of it then enjoy his meal. But Thayne had other ideas He got into a fight with the constable and shoved him over a bench against the fireplace thus knocking him out. After paying the innkeeper to repair the broken bench plus a loaf of bread, they lit out of town with the girl between them. Later the males both agreed that the town would be off-limits for a while maybe forever.

They stopped at a stream and caught some fish for their breakfast to eat with the bread and plenty of fresh water. Finally asking the young woman her name they found it to be Astrid. When asked of her family and history, she would not answer them. After breakfast, Myrddin wondered what they should do with their spoils from the events past. Thayne said that among his people females were taught to fight and forage, as were their males, since they lived mainly in and off of the forests. Myrddin agreed because his people though farmers did likewise to augment their fare. Thus the female became a student of combat, the foraging she had down to a science from years of thievery and deprivation.

The three of them became a fighting force to be reckoned with when there was trouble. They tried to avoid causes for fighting such as wars and territorial skirmishes, but they were there for the helpless in their ability. A song was always to be heard at meals and laughter came in healthy servings. Thus their life was always mirthful, even when there seemed to be too much trouble.

Myrddin – Chapter 3

Myrddin was born into a family that prized itself on its ability to produce Aes Dana artisans and Fenian warriors. He was trained to be a poet and a black smith. His father, a black smith himself saw the poetic side of his wife’s family in Myrddin early but wanted a tradesman in the family. Since Myrddin was the only male born into his family, to him fell the task of heritage.

Still he learned poetry and to use a harp from his mother’s brother who resided in the same village. Thus he became a worker of iron and a bard. The warrior in him came about as being in a village that came constantly under attack from marauders wanting to settle the area. The region had a wealth of minerals and good farmland. Others felt that the present inhabitants could share or be removed forcefully from their properties. He carried with him a harp and a long two handed sword, both prized possessions. The harp was his uncle’s who had left it to him upon an untimely death. The sword was something he had crafted himself on his father’s forge. They got him through life safely in that he either sang or fought his way out. When he came upon Thayne, he was overjoyed to find a fellow musician and storyteller. He became a traveler to see what the world had to give him in the way of material for his stories. But little did he know what this meeting would bring. To align himself with an Elf, even an Elf that was half Human would bring on a whole new world of adventures and learning.

It seemed as if he learned new things in his travels with this new pair of friends. From Thayne, he got the knowledge of what the fields and forest provided in food besides game so that he would never go hungry when there seemed to be nothing to eat. Foraging was simpler now the fruits and seeds were there all the time but easier to find. From Astrid he learned stealth and how to evade an enemy who was greater. He no longer had to just rely on his sword for defense and finishing his enemies. In fact, the three of them introduced their own fighting styles to form a martial art that was practically impenetrable. The Elves tended to fight without any weapons at all so Thayne used hand – to – hand combat most of the time. He used his sword and dagger when necessary but tended to avoid them otherwise. His bow and arrows were mainly tools for hunting sometimes used to lessen the strength of an overwhelming enemy. Astrid was basically a wrestler who never overlooked an aid when necessary. This was evident when she was losing a bout with someone of greater size and strength as the other two had learned the hard way.

Astrid – Chapter 4

Astrid was a very comely woman slightly taller than medium and athletic of build with short blond hair. Her blue eyes flashed when she was angry or when adventure came upon her. Of parents she had very little knowledge. Her mother died in the streets of unknown causes when she was about ten. She never knew her father or her heritage. The life of a beggar, a thief or worse was all she could look forward to. Astrid had heard her mother called many names and accused of many unsavory professions. There wasn’t any reason that she wanted to be treated the same way. The choice of weapon for her was anything she could lay her hands on and in most cases a stout staff or club of wood. She had also learned to use a rope for anything from restraint to walking over it to get from place to place. This ability made movement more stealthily available when dealing with most problems and conditions. Most people did not want to look over their heads at something that might be up there. Thus Astrid got around with no trouble when doing her work. This suited her since no one was supposed to know about it anyway. She very often dressed as a Man only wearing a skirt when it suited her purpose on the job. Then she would hide her short hair under a Shaw and behave meekly as one of the local commoners. This gave a false impression to anyone whose purse or other possessions she wanted to steal. Breaking and entering was a thing that Astrid had learned from other thieves who unfortunately got caught at it. But she had perfected the art and it kept her out of trouble till she was caught that one fateful night. Now her associates were using her abilities and training her to be a fighter for herself and an unknown cause. What did Thayne know that she and Myrddin didn’t? Where was he leading them and to what purpose? Astrid could only guess that he would reveal that when the time was right. Now life passed with a speed that seemed to be hastening toward an end and she was glad that the past is just that.

Conversion – Chapter 5

As time went on Thayne would disappear for a while when they came to towns near the forests. He said that he was visiting relatives, who wished to remain anonymous and that he would grant their wishes. One day, they came to a town near the base of the mountains. These mountains had a deposit of Elfbane, a yellow mineral that smelled like rotten eggs. The inhabitants of this town did not like the smell, but other minerals were within easy availability for mining. Elfbane, it is said was dangerous and to mine it meant a strange disappearance in the night or so the story went. Thayne advanced the argument with examples of known cases of people who did indeed disappear. The green glowing spirit appeared and told others that mining the mineral was forbidden and that those that mine the mineral must pay the consequences. Then the miners and anyone who is associated with them would be gone. The Elves knew that the Fathers would remove anyone mining the mineral to another place, but even they did not know where. The spirit was a manifestation that the fathers had made and projected to Man after they removed the offenders. A secret that only the Fathers and the eldest Elves knew was that Elfbane had another name, Man called it sulphur. This substance when mixed with charcoal and nitrates produced a powerful explosive. With decaying natural material everywhere nitrates could be commonly extracted from it by a simple process. Thus the Fathers and the Elves did everything they could to discourage the advancement of research in this area.

The Elves had evolved on a similar path to Man with the advent of fire and stone tools, eventually learning to work metals. Being non-aggressive, the elves didn’t make weapons of their tools but slowly destroyed their environment with overworking. As they advanced the resources at their disposal were depleted by their population’s needs. The Fathers found them in a dying state of decline that bred warlike malice toward those who hoarded necessary reserves by those who hadn’t. The hoarders had built fortifications to protect themselves and the rovers went about trying to get the reserves away from them. Since this yellow powdery substance did not prove to be of major use as a resource it was left for the rovers to do with as they pleased. It was purely by accident that a rover camp discovered black powder. They had come across several dead animals in a place where sulphur lies on the surface. As they came near the place and the smell was sickening so they decided to burn the animal carcasses. The charcoal from the fire mixed with the decayed flesh and the powder coating the skins and fizzled in the fires. A healer/religious leader in the group thought it might be used for healing and religious purposes. Since decaying animals weren’t so easy to come across he tried the dried dung that they used in fire building when wood was scarce. As the group intermixed with other rover groups the idea began to spread.