Outlanders 37 Rim of the World by James Axler

Author:James Axler
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

INSIDE THE BUNGALOW, Princess Pakari ordered her soldiers to make sure Laputara and his troopers withdrew completely from the vicinity of the village. DeFore and her three friends quickly exchanged stories. The four of them sat cross-legged on the floor around a low table next to an open window.

DeFore insisted on examining Grant's leg wound. Pakari fetched DeFore's medical kit from her room and assisted her as she applied a fresh dressing. Grant affected not to notice the young woman's attention, although Brigid and Kane exchanged raised eyebrows.

When she was done, DeFore smiled at Brigid approvingly. "You did great."

"I had a good teacher," Brigid replied.

A servant entered, placing small dishes of sliced groundnut bread and m'bazzi peas on the table, as well as cups of cold fruit tea. The repast was intentionally light, due to the oppressive heat. Pakari handed Grant a cup of the tea, permitting the others to help themselves.

"Utu was there, in the Sudan?" DeFore asked, sipping at the sweet, slightly acidic beverage. "He really gets around."

Grant shrugged. "Those scout ships are pretty damn fast."

"I don't mean that," the medic said irritably. "What does he have going on here on African continent? Do we know anything about Utu?"

"He used to be Baron Snakefish, if that's any help," Kane interposed.

DeFore sighed. "I mean as an Annunaki overlord."

Chewing a piece of banana bread, Brigid said, "Utu was among the top pantheon of Sumerian gods, a member of the royal family. He was the twin brother and rival of manna, a civilizing goddess, also known as Ishtar.

Utu was often confused with Shamash, the Akkadian sun god, but who as we know is also one of the nine overlords.

"According to myth, Utu visited the underworld once a month during the waning of the new Moon where he judged the souls of mortals. He traveled through the sky in his silver chariot, drawn by four elemental forces. He was also something of the armorer of the Annunaki. That role corresponds roughly with Hephaestus in the Greek pantheon, who acted as the weapons forger for the gods of Olympus."

Kane nodded. "Even Enlil said Utu was a genius in all things mechanical."

DeFore frowned thoughtfully. "When I talked to Lakesh a few hours ago, he said something about Cerberus having an infestation of metal spiders."

Brigid angled a quizzical eyebrow at her. "What did he mean by that?"

DeFore shook her head. "He didn't elaborate and I was too hot and worried about you three to ask much about it. He told me the problem was solved, though. You can call him later and get the details."

"I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Utu was responsible," remarked Grant.

"Me, either," Kane agreed. "It's my guess he's going around digging up things here in his former estate that might be of use to him in the future. The overlords might not be at each other's throats right now, but territorial disputes are sure to start."

Princess Pakari spoke for the first time since entering the bungalow with them. Apologetically,

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