Free The Book of Ominiue: Starborn by D.M. Barnham

day before.
    Shayne was the first to recover, followed closely by the Brigadier who trusted Shayne’s assurance that the animal was harmless. The Tasmanian tiger on the other hand was still not impressed, with its long thin tail between its legs it continued to cower behind the Brigadier.
    ‘Afra’hama,’ Pan’arden greeted. The tiger sat at her side and looked up at Shayne. ‘This is my Maltat, Thyman. He has only recently recovered from a bout of over indulgence and is eager to be on the road, as we all are.’ The tiger’s eyes danced as if it was saying hello and it even looked like it was smiling in agreement.
    Pan’arden reached out and stopped the closest lionman. ‘Are the horses prepared?’ Shayne looked across at several horses with the Earthmen backpacks tied onto the saddles, and their railgun-rifles carefully slung over them. The Bohanese basically knew what the rifles were, the Earthmen told them early on.  Madan’rah said they should carry them only while travelling, so they agreed leave them behind when requested. The Earthmen were happy to comply, the devices had a signal identification lock that required the correct signal from an implant in a soldier’s hand to be functional; so they did not fear a native accidently firing them. None of the native creatures knew of the handguns that were strapped to each soldier’s leg. When asked about them they were told they were multipurpose tools; they even had a couple of specially made props to fulfil the function in case a demonstration was requested.
    ‘Where is the journeyman?’ demanded Pan’arden after seeing that the horses were well tended and ready to depart.
    ‘The scholar is waiting at the stables,’ the same lionman soldier answered.
    ‘We are ready when you are, Afra’hama,’ Pan’arden said. Shayne looked back at his companions, most seemed to be recovering well from their nights drinking adventure. Pan’arden then went to a horse set aside for her, flicking her cloak as she effortlessly jumped up. The creature was a magnificent grey warhorse adorned with some metal plated armour. Other horses had the same arrangement, but they were not quite as impressive as the High Captain’s.
    Shayne approached the Brigadier who was now alert after meeting a pet tiger. ‘They’re ready when we are.’
    Hanniver nodded, he still had a slight headache and winced a little at the pain. ‘Ok, men, pick a horse.’ As they stepped across to the waiting line a lionman signalled him. The best spare horses were for him and Shayne. ‘You better be right about the other horses, Forrester.’
    ‘Sir!’ Dominic’s worried face lingered on the giant beasts, ‘I’ve never ridden before.’
    ‘You think you’re the only one?’ he glared at the Corporal. ‘Show these balls of fluff that you’ve some guts!’ With that he stood at the side of his horse, a lionman offered his hands to give the Brigadier a lift, but he rejected the offer. He took the stirrup in one hand and with a fluid motion he jumped and grabbed the saddle, easily lifting himself up and into position, the lionmen present showed their approval. 
    Shayne went to his selected horse and tried to jump-up by himself, but the creature was wider and higher than he expected. He was forced to suddenly grip onto the saddle with all his might in a very awkward position. He lost his footing on the stirrup and groped blindly but failed to relocate it. He hugged the horse as he tried to lift himself up but all he managed to do was slip further down, threatening to fall off. The lionman who offered Hanniver a hand then took his stray foot and pushed him up on to the saddle. The Earthmen had a bit of a laugh before they went to their own horses and tried to mount: with a mixture of success. Rae was the only sensible one who accepted a lionman’s initial help. The medical officer was lifted by the waist by a tall male soldier, she blushed as he easily placed her on the saddle and he smiled