The Kindred

By Girad Glacy

In a far away land on a planet ruled by nomadic tribes, comes a special hero. Trained in all form of known martial arts, a young member of the Zhite tribe learns the true nature of his gift and his destiny when foreigners arrive. The foreigners, bristling with superior technology and military might land on the planet Schmek in the Aknord system. Within days, these people, called Jalkchans, take over the planet and soon learn the meaning of teamwork. Tral, the young hero of the Zhite tribe, pulls the nomadic tribes of Schmek together for a war. Once the battle has been won, the Jalkchan Supreme Commander, General Ruhl, invites Tral to Aknord for a special sports event. General Ruhl tells Tral, fight for your planet and your children. You win and Ill leave Schmek, you loose and I take it all. Tral agrees and the battle for good and evil is on once again; failure for Tral is not an option.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 9, 2001
• ISBN: 9780595874392

Girad Glacy

This is Mr. Clacy’s third book. His other books are Los Angeles: 2020 and The Dark. Mr. Clacy plans to publish more of his books including a trilogy.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The sun was warm on the planet Schmek. There was a slight breeze blowing through the forest trees. They gently swayed back and forth as Huttous and Tral were riding the family’s tugar. Huttous, the son of Hito, and Tral were going to see an old friend who lived in the Schmekian forest outside the village.

Huttous had been trying to make a decision. This decision concerned what was going to happen to Tral when Huttous died; Huttous was getting along in years. In fact, Huttous had outlived most of his friends and relatives. Tral’s mother had died giving birth to him. Huttous, having no other relatives to turn to, was making a decision to see Zintara.

Zintara was an elderly man of perhaps more than 100 years. His facial features were different from the rest of the village people from Huttous’ nearby village. So, Zintara stayed out in the forest away from everyone else. Zintara was also a Master of hand to hand combat techniques. Huttous had decided that Tral was going to be taught Schmekian hand to hand combat and that was that. Tral had never argued with his father and now wasn’t the time to start.

As they made their way further into the dense forest, Huttous was trying to figure out how to say what he wanted to say to Zintara. Soon, the trees parted, showing a small stream running by a tiny hut. The hut was made of the local shrubbery and grasses. Zintara was a legend in this part of the forest as he lived off the land. The way nature intended it to be done.

There was smoke coming from the hut as it made its way to the top of the forest trees, Huttous brought the tugar to a halt in front of the hut. Upon a small tug of the head harness, the tugar knelt down so that it was easier to get on and off of it. Huttous and Tral walked up to the front door of the hut.

Huttous knocked on the door. The doors’ surface was weathered, looking somewhat in decline. Since there was no answer the first time, Huttous knocked again, this time louder. The door opened without a sound, as Zintara looked his guests over.

Zintara, my old friend, said Huttous.

Huttous, it is good to see you. I have been in touch with the spirits and know why you have come. Please come in.

The hut, though small, had many things in it. The wall just inside the door and to the left was covered with sis, shrikens, and tonfas. The forward facing wall had swords of all sorts and types hanging on it. Some of the swords were long and narrow, while others were wide and short. The wall to the right of the door had something that intrigued Tral. The wall had hanging on it a very special piece of cloth. A Gi as it was known.

This Gi was a very special Gi indeed. Zintara had made it for Tral, before Tral was born. Many years ago, Zintara spoke to the spirits. They told him that Huttous was going to have a son. This son was going to be a very special person. The spirits instructed Zintara to make this Gi for him. In turn, Huttous would bring Tral to Zintara when Huttous’ time had come. That time was now upon Huttous.

The spirits had also instructed Zintara that Tral was to be taught all the forms of Schmekian hand to hand combat. This training would also include the use of weapons and about knowing when to fight and when not to fight. Righteousness was what Zintara was expected to teach Tral.

Zintara knew full well that only the spirits were allowed to teach right from wrong.

Huttous and Zintara left Tral alone in the living portion of the hut as they entered a special meditation chamber on the other side of the hut. The meditation chamber was made of the local shrubbery as well. The ceiling was triangular in shape with a small hole at the top. The center of the chamber had a small fire going in it.

The fire was burning a bright blue hue. Zintara and Huttous sat down around its edges. As they were seated, Zintara threw some herbs into the fire, turning the flame from bright blue to an angry red color. This angry red color was so that one could talk to the spirits. The herbs were kept by the fire at all times so that Zintara could speak to the spirits anytime he wanted.

Zintara picked up a hollow root of a local tree. This hollow root had a flat spot on the end of it. Zintara placed a small amount of herbs on the flat spot and placed the root into the fire. The fire ignited the root and herbs. Both of them relaxed when they inhaled the herbs’ smoke. These particular herbs were used when one wanted to talk to the spirits. Huttous spoke first.

Zintara, many years ago you trained me in Schmekian hand to hand combat. You said pass on what I have learned. I am going to do just that.

Indeed you will. Now, Huttous, son of Hito, the spirits want to talk to you.

There was a strange silence about the meditation chamber. Not a sound was audible in the chamber. The occasional crackle of the fire was even hushed as voices suddenly filled the chamber. These voices were as deep as any ocean yet as peaceful as the forest. These voices were as clear as a mountain stream but as forceful as a mountain. When the spirits talked to you on Schmek, you listened to what they had to say.

Huttous, son of Hito. Your son possesses the ability to read minds and bond with them. In time he will learn how to use this ability. Your son Tral will lead the people against a new enemy when the time comes. We have seen the coming of the enemy and know who this enemy is. Zintara, teach Tral well and you will be rewarded beyond your greatest dreams. Son of Hito, may you find eternal peace when you reach us here.

With that, the flames reached higher and higher into the chamber. Then, as it was about to burn the hut up completely, the flames receded back into the fire pit. The flame returned to its bright blue color. Both Huttous and Zintara were still for awhile afterwards.

Zintara, Tral will come to see you in three days. I must go now and make one last stop.

Why are you going?

A week ago I saw the Great Tugar where I work at near the mine.

I see and it was this vision of the Great Tugar that brought you here to me. I am truly blessed by your presence. Remember, friendship is a lifelong commitment.

Yes, I remember very well Zintara. Tral will be back here in three days. I promise you that.

They came out of the meditation chamber, seeing Tral looking at the centerpiece of the hut. The centerpiece of the hut was a head harness and saddle for a tugar. Only this head harness was adorned greatly in precious gemstones mixed with gold and silver. The saddle was well-tanned leather, looking as though it had never been used.

Tugar’s are large pack animals used for transportation on the planet Schmek. These animals stand about 10 feet high at the shoulder and weighed over four tons. These creatures command respect wherever they went.

Dad, what is this thing? asked Tral.

A head harness and saddle for a tugar just like the one we have been riding on.

Neat.

Zintara, remember, in three days Tral will be with you.

May the spirits bless you with a safe journey.

Huttous and Tral left the hut. At a command from Huttous, the tugar knelt down, making it easier to get onto its back. Once they were on, the tugar stood back up and started moving towards its home in the nearby village.

The tugar, with its impressive weight of over four tons, is a muscular and sure-footed animal. Its feet are like talons for gripping rock faces on mountainsides or when travelling in terrain that is slippery or uneven. The tugar does have to primary disadvantages. First was its weight limiting its speed to no more than 36 miles an hour. The second is it doesn’t do very well on flat land or in the desert because it also drinks large quantities of water.

Huttous looked around at the trees, an occasional branch, slapping him in the face. This was another problem, though minor, with the tugar. The animal respected Huttous and his son Tral. Although Tral sometimes teased the animal by poking berries in his ears or putting ants on its hind legs. The tugar didn’t seem to mind the teasing and put up with it.

Tral, you will be seven years old soon. I am not going to be around forever, said Huttous.

Dad, what’s wrong? asked Tral very much concerned.

I have seen the Great Tugar. That tells me that my time is about up here with you. I loved your mother and I love you with all my heart. Remember, she died bringing you into this world.

Why are you telling me this? said Tral with tears starting to form in his eyes.

Zintara will be your new father. He will teach you the ways of nature and how to be a leader of the people. You don’t know it yet, but you have a very special gift. In time, Zintara will teach you how to use that gift and train you in all the forms of Schmekian hand to hand combat arts.

I don’t wanna. I want you dad.

Tral, you must learn to be strong. Your mother was strong right up to the day she died.

Dad, I want you, not old wrinkles man.

Zintara will be your new father and that’s that. I have one more stop to make to see the local swordsmith. I have a promise to keep to an old friend.

Huttous looked at the large, brown, burlap bag resting on the back of the tugar’s saddle. The bag contained a special gift for the swordsmith. This gift was to be passed on to Tral when the time came. The gift was a strange metal that Huttous had discovered at the mine where he worked. No swordsmith had ever seen the likes of this metal. The metal was shiny and lightweight. The metal came from the more industrial and populated mining areas of the planet.

Huttous parked the tugar in front of the swordsmith’s shop taking the burlap bag in with him. He asked Tral to watch the tugar while he went inside to talk to the swordsmith. Huttous walked into the sword-smith’s shop, closing the door behind him.

The shop was medium sized, displaying the goods that the swordsmith made. These items were completely tanned leather scabbards and other accessories to go with the various swords, knives and harnesses he made.

Good day, sir, said a voice coming from behind a small door that lead into the back room of the shop.

The backroom was where the swordsmith made his swords, knives, harnesses and tanned leather goods for accessories. The back room was also very hot. There was a seething inferno of a fire going at all times. This inferno was needed to melt the metal, pouring it into various forms. Once into these forms, the metal was cooled slightly before being beat into the beautiful items on display in the shop. The back room also smelled of tanning solution for the leathers.

Yes, is the swordsmith in? asked Huttous.

You mean Zah ‘Jhora?

Yes.

Just a moment, he is busy right now.

Huttous sat down, waiting a long time before Zah ‘Jhora showed up. As Zah ‘Jhora shook Huttous’s hand, Huttous handed him the burlap bag. Zah ‘Jhora took it, smiling at Huttous.

Years ago we met during the Zihnke Wars. Do you remember? asked Huttous.

Yes. Your name is Huttous, son of Hito. It is indeed a pleasure to meet with you again. What brings you to me, you need a new knife, sword or a harness for that tugar?

No my good friend. The harness you made for him hasn’t failed yet. My friend, hold this burlap bag for my son. He will come for it one day. Give this bag to no one except my son. Zintara will tell you what to do with this metal.

Why Huttous?

I have seen the Great Tugar where I work at.

I understand, but what is in this bag, steel?

No, a metal from the mine that I dug up a few years ago. As a miner we are discovering new things daily. I took this metal to the alchemists. They called the metal Krodium*. They considered it a worthless metal since it melts at a very high temperature and is very light weight.

I will hold it. Is your time that near?

I know it is. The Great Tugar doesn’t show up until it is your last days.

May the spirits bless you on your golden journey to the Promised Land.

Huttous came out of the swordsmith’s shop, climbing back onto the tugar. He directed the tugar towards home. As they neared the village cemetery, Huttous talked to Tral again.

Tral, when I die, this is where I want you to bury me.

Huttous pointed at a tree he had planted about a year ago. The tree was now four feet tall. The village cemetery wasn’t too far from the village and it was right along the path to Tral’s house. Huttous showed Tral exactly where he was to be buried. Huttous had already taken care of the funeral arrangements. When Huttous died the coffin maker and the tombstone maker would be his pallbearers since Huttous had outlived everyone else. Huttous was now 83 years old.

Dad, you aren’t going to die; you can’t.

Tears were forming once again in Tral’s eyes. His dad went on about his talents and gifts that Tral would learn to use one day. Tral’s greatest gift was telepathy. His mind could bond with anyone else’s’.

When I die, you will go with Zintara. He will teach the ways of the Old Ones.

As evening time came, Huttous put up the tugar. He came back in, sitting down in front of the fireplace. The crackle of the fire was relaxing. It started again, like it had every night for the past six months.

The pain started in his left arm, moving up into it his chest area. Finally, it entered his right arm. The pain tonight, though, was worse than ever before. Huttous stood up from his chair, making it painfully to his bed. The pain was getting worse and worse. Huttous started to sweat, getting short of breath. As he looked out his window, he saw the Great Tugar standing there.

Huttous knew it was his time tonight. As the pain got worse and worse, it suddenly stopped getting worse. The pain was no longer ravaging his body like it had. He was now free of the earthly delights. As he climbed onto the back of the Great Tugar, he was to begin a magical ride to Heaven. From Heaven, he would be able to help out Tral far better than ever before. For Huttous, he was now one with the Great Ones.

The next morning Tral found his father had died during the night. Frightened and scared, he ran into the village to tell the coffin maker that his father was dead. The coffin maker got the tombstone maker and they both went up to Huttous’s hut. They gingerly picked up Huttous, placing him in the coffin that he had purchased six months ago.

The small funeral procession carried Huttous to his grave sight, the foot of a tree that Tral remembered his dad had pointed to earlier. As they lowered him into the ground, Tral finally realized what his father had been saying to him all this time. As the coffin maker and the tombstone maker said their farewells to Huttous, the gravedigger started to throw soil in on top of the coffin. At seeing this, Tral finally realized that his father wasn’t coming back and that he was on his own.

Tral was asked what he was going to do now. He told them that his father wanted him to live with Zintara in the forest. Tral was going to learn from Zintara how to live off the land and start practicing Schmekian hand to hand combat techniques. Tral ran home crying all the way. Tral cried for several days before packing up his belongings and saddling up the tugar.

Tral rode the tugar to Zintara’s hut. As he got off the tugar and walked up to the door, Zintara opened it before he knocked. Zintara greeted Tral warmly, giving Tral some herbal tea. It smelled really good, so Tral drank it without protest. All Zintara said to Tral was that training was going to be very hard and long. It also required clear thinking.

You must never strike out in anger. Anger is a sign that Satan is becoming too strong for you. Remember that you must always have control of your emotions at all times. You must also meditate frequently, that keeps a mind and body strong.

I will try Zintara, replied Tral quietly.

There is no try; it is do or do not.

Yes, Zintara. I am tired now, where will I sleep? asked Tral.

Here in a room that I added to the hut just today. Finish off your herbal tea.

What’s in here?

A special herbal tea that makes the pain of certain memories diminish as time goes on. Death of family member can be very hard on some people.

Yes it can be. Dad was all I had in this world.

But you have so much more, Tral. In time, you will learn to tap into this power that emanates from you. Right now, it is time for you to go to bed. Training begins early tomorrow morning.

Yes, Zintara.

Tral went to bed as Zintara merely levitated himself above the floor in the meditation chamber. Tomorrow was going to be a big day for Tral.

Krodium-a metal found on the planet Schmek. It is very similar to Titanium found on the planet Earth.

CHAPTER TWO

In the days and weeks that followed, Tral was learning the various forms of hand to hand combat at a surprising rate. The Old Ones had told Zintara that Tral would be able to learn at a faster rate because he was sixth generation in his family. In the sixth generation, those children learn at a faster rate than others of the same age do.

Every morning, Zintara would train Tral for several hours before sending him off to