Reality's Plaything 4: Savants Ascendant

by Will Greenway

  Sarai’s hand pressed down on his chest. “On their own Homeworld!”

  “Right. The Baronians have been fighting Karanganoi Kriar for millennia on their Homeworld. It’s familiar, defensible territory. If the Daergons let them on board, they could disappear, the place is so huge you could search for a thousand years and never find them.”

  “It’s such a brazen move.”

  “You admit it sounds like the Baronians though, doesn’t it?”

  “We have Senalloy as our model, it’s definitely something they’d do.”

  “See, all along it was bothering me. The more I saw of the Kriar artifices, the more I wondered why they hadn’t been able to find a million man army. Then Cassin and Annawen brought out this thing with Kriar insurgents helping the Baronians. Then it just occurred to me… all that unused space—whole cities just standing empty. To effectively hide the Baronians, all they had to do was bring them on board.”

  “I doubt any of the Kriar thought the Daergons would be crazy enough to ally with the very people that enslaved the Karanganoi Kriar. To invite them in… that’s just…”

  He opened his eyes. “It doesn’t matter what it is. What we have to do is convince the Kriar to search there—and figure out a way to find them if they’re using that magical stealth to cover themselves.”

  “So, what do we do?” she asked him, green eyes gazing into his.

  Bannor reached up and touched her face. He really had changed, not just on the outside. “Right now, we’re going to rest here together until Mercedes calls us.”

  “After that?” Sarai asked.

  “After that…” Bannor’s voice trailed off. “I’m going eat something. I’m hungry!”

  “That’s it?”

  “No, I think I’ll go back to our quarters and get all this dread blood off me… I stink.”

  “What about the Baronians?”

  “Oh, I suppose I might call Wren in there someplace and see if I can’t convince the Vatraena to start an investigation.”

  “I don’t understand. Why are you suddenly so relaxed about it?”

  “Star, they’ll be back, but they won’t be back in a hurry. That commander saw me punch out that dread. I saw his threads, I shook him—and these Baronians don’t shake easily.” He stretched out, crossed his legs, and put a hand behind his head. “This citadel is already a tough nut, and there’s elders and Kriar out there putting their minds together to make it even tougher. The Baronians threw what they thought was total overkill at us, and we stopped them cold. They stuck their hand in the larder and pulled back a bloody stump.”

  Sarai looked down at him. “You’re scaring me, Bannor. Why are you confident all of sudden?”

  He drew a breath and pressed his face into her middle. “Star, the known I can deal with, it’s the unknown that scares me. The Baronians may have worse things in store, but Marna gave me something I’ve never had in all the fights we’ve had before this.”

  “What’s that?”

  “An advantage.”

  * * *

  Chapter Twenty

  Kriar Confession

  « ^ »

  Maybe being in that first one body made me cocky, but it’s hard not to feel a little bit of confidence when you can kill a rhinotaur with a single hit…

  —Bannor Nalthane Starfist,

  Prince Conjugal of Malan

  Bannor roused to the feel of someone pushing against his shoulder. The waiting room was dark, and all he could see was a silhouette and a pair of glowing amber eyes. He heard Sarai murmur and he realized she had stretched out next to him and had her head on his chest and her legs tangled with his.

  “Brother-to-be, come, you and Sarai must be hungry.”

  It was Janai’s voice.

  “Hmmm?” He blinked. How long had they been asleep? He ran a hand through Sarai’s hair. “Star?”

  She moved. “Mmmm comfortable.”

  “Sister,” Janai nudged her. “Mother and Father are waiting for us in the banquet chamber.”

  “Uhmm?” Sarai pushed herself up. “I must—urrr,” she stretched. “I must have fallen asleep.” She pushed a hand through her hair blinking in the darkness. “Damn, I can barely see anything. What time is it?”

  “Around seven bells.”

  “Seven?” Sarai let out, disentangling herself from around him.

  Bannor sat up and rubbed his face. The time came as something of a shock to him as well. “Why didn’t someone call us?”

  Janai snorted. “This would qualify as a call.” The princess went to a wall sconce and uncapped the mage-light, bathing the room in a golden illumination.

  The second princess was dressed in a Malanian military uniform, complete with armor and sword. Her dark hair was battle braided and set with diamond combs.

  “Ewph.” Sarai flinched away from the radiance, shielding her eyes. “He means why not earlier?”

  “You two were exhausted, so Mother said to let you sleep.”

  Sarai stood up and eyed her sister. She fingered the rank insignia on Janai’s shoulder. “A militia uniform? Since when?”

  The princess put hands on hips and glared at her. “Since we started fighting for our lives inside the walls of our own citadel!”

  His fiancé tilted her head. “Is that all it took? Father should have arranged for an invasion sooner.”

  Janai stuck out her tongue and made a puttering sound.

  He stretched and unkinked his neck, then smiled at Janai. “Sister, I think you look stunning in a uniform.”

  Janai made a little bow to him. “Thank you, Brother. At least, somebody appreciates the sacrifices I make.” She cast a look at Sarai.

  Sarai rolled her eyes.

  He started fastening his armor back on, and the two sisters helped him.

  “These straps are interesting,” Janai said, snugging up his shoulder plate. “No catches, just tighten and fold it over.” She picked up the other pauldron and weighed it in her hand. “And this armor is so light, it’s like leather.”

  “The Kriar make some wizard equipment to be sure,” he said.

  He sheathed his weapons and made sure he had everything, then held out a hand to Sarai. She stepped close and put her arm through his.

  “Lead on,” he said with a nod to Janai.

  The princess led the way back out to the council chamber that now looked completely untouched. Nothing about the broad audience hall indicated that it had been the site of a vicious battle. Every piece of cratered stone, ripped cloth, and broken furniture restored to their original state. The mecha were nowhere in sight.

  “So, did Mercedes bring Wysteri back?” he asked.

  “Yes, about a bell after you went to rest,” Janai answered, looking back. “Mother has been keeping her and Mercedes busy. They’ve been acclimating our new—” The princess paused. “Our new retainers.”

  They turned down the hall. It looked like in the bells they had been asleep that all the renovations had been completed. He felt guilty. He should have been assisting.

  “Mercedes is helping?” Bannor asked.

  “Yes,” Janai said. “Mother cornered Bronawyn, and said that for a seat in the front row that we should get Mercedes for the day.”

  “And I missed it?” Sarai groaned. “I so much would have liked to have seen that!”

  “Mother had on her best spurs too, let me tell you. With Cassandra there, Bronawyn just couldn’t squirm out of it, not with half their family looking on.”

  “So, is Wysteri happy?”

  “Oh, she’s preening like a newly crowned princess,” Janai answered with a flip of her hand. “Something about being class eight. All the mechas are bowing and scraping like she’s their new savior or something.” The princess rubbed her cheek. “I must admit though, she is a potent healer. Although, upon seeing them work, it’s considerably more than healing. More like a shape former.”

  “We only saw a little of what Mercedes could do,” Bannor said. “I think we both
got the idea of what she was capable of.”

  As they headed down the stairs, Bannor heard the murmuring of a large crowd of people. The smell of baking bread and roasting meat touched his nostrils. He tilted his head back and sniffed. His mouth started watering. “Food,” he murmured. “Damn, that just reminded me of how hungry I am.”

  Sarai licked her lips. She rubbed her stomach. “My One, I will join you in that vote of hunger.”

  Janai took them in through the west entrance of the same tiered hall where the party had been held the night previous. Tables had been set up on the various stepped levels and from appearances everyone involved in the defense of Kul’Amaron was present. There were at least a dozen elves that he did not recognize that he assumed were the mecha in their new forms as retainers. Though they looked like elves, he saw from their threads that while they looked like flesh and blood, they retained some of the characteristics of artifices. There were some mecha that still looked like artifices, but their shapes were now more stylized with flourishes that made them look like Elven constructs.

  With valkyries, elders, Kriar, and the Felspar clan, it was a full hall indeed. With none of the non-combatant staff present in the citadel, the gathering was a serve-yourself affair with a huge buffet of different foods. Bannor didn’t know who cooked the feast of breads, cheeses, and other dishes but it smelled just fine.

  Having spent time with the Millicent, Kylie, and Jhord, it was no surprise to Bannor that the valkyries were having a good time. The hall echoed with their laughter. The Aesir maidens of battle fought and partied with equal intensity. What surprised him was the Kriar men and women. The ancient creatures were so reserved, it seemed a stretch for them to even smile. Not tonight, not only were they smiling, they were laughing. More than one of the males had the female companionship of a valkur maiden. Scattered through the assemblage he saw other faces he recognized. Corim, Senalloy, and Luthice sat together with Cassin, Annawen, Sindra, and Drucilla. Cassandra, Dorian, and a blond man he didn’t know, Elsbeth, Gabriella, Megan, and Ryelle sat at a table with the King and Queen. Bannor noticed three empty chairs probably meant for them.

  Bannor nodded to Corim as they walked by and the burly warrior raised a cup to him. The dark-haired fighter had his feet up and seemed to be enjoying himself.

  Bannor looked around. Perhaps he wasn’t the only one that had come to the conclusion that they had some time to recoup their strength.

  The three of them turned to climb up to the King and Queen’s private table, and Bannor felt a tug on his arm.

  He looked back and saw Wysteri. The gold-eyed, purple-haired mecha was dressed in a glossy red silk court robe with silver chasing. Though there was no actual visual difference in her appearance there was definitely a new shine in her glowing eyes.

  “Bannor?”

  He nodded to her. “Lady Wysteri.”

  He noticed Mercedes, dressed in a lavender colored wrap, was still with her. Four rather formidable looking elves hovered just a few steps behind her.

  “I wanted to thank you for helping my subnet and I.” She lowered her head. “I tried to deceive you, and you didn’t get angry with me.”

  He shrugged. “It was a white lie.” He lowered his chin. “Just don’t do it again.”

  Wysteri focused wide eyes on him and nodded solemnly. “After the meal or any time you’re ready. We’re ready to consult with Sarai. We have already discussed at length with Matradomma what she wants.”

  Sarai put hands on hips. “What about what I want? Do I get a say?”

  Wysteri colored. “Of course, Arminwen. I—” She glanced up to the platform where the King and Queen waited. “She is your mother and the Queen. If we fail to listen quite attentively it could be—unpleasant.”

  He nudged Sarai. “She’s been here less than a day, and she knows exactly how things work around here. Do what you’re told and you don’t get hurt.”

  “Bannor,” Sarai growled.

  He leaned close. “I understand about Matradomma. She scares me too.”

  Wysteri colored again.

  “Brother,” Janai said with a shake of her head. “You’re funny.”

  “Janai, someday I hope you get a mother-in-law half as scary so we can compare notes.”

  Sarai slapped his shoulder.

  “Ladies,” Bannor nodded to Wysteri and then to Mercedes. “Sarai and I will talk about it during the meal, and decide when is best to consult with you. Thank you for your courtesy, I hope you enjoy the evening.”

  Wysteri bowed. “Enjoy your meal.”

  The three of them climbed the stairs to the platform.

  “You are getting better at your manners, Bannor,” Janai remarked. “To hear you speak them in Elvish is something I never thought I would see.”

  “I had a lot of help,” he answered as they took the last step. He bowed to the King and Queen, took Sarai’s elbow and led Sarai to the second position from Ryelle.

  “Ladies, Lords,” he greeted everyone.

  “You look much better, Bannor,” Kalindinai said to him as he seated himself carefully.

  “Thank you, Matradomma, I feel much better. I guess there are limits even for an ascendant.”

  “Bannor, Arminwen Sarai,” Dorian said. “Let me introduce my husband. This is Archmage Brin Ishtarvariku.”

  The blond man rose part way from his chair at Dorian’s right and made a little bow to them.

  He and Sarai greeted the new individual. Who, if Sarai’s expression were any indication, was extremely handsome. He looked somewhat girlish to Bannor, not enough angles to him. He did have a broad set to his shoulders and corded arms that suggested strength.

  Bannor looked around. “This is a pretty amazing show of strength isn’t it?”

  “It is indeed,” the King said taking a sip from his goblet. “I had thought the party yesternight to be a memorable assemblage, this one is its equal if not its better.”

  “I am just thankful that we did not lose anyone,” Ryelle said at the Queen’s side. “It is quite amazing that we did not.”

  “I think we can thank the teaming for that,” Megan said, making a little salute with her cup. “And the warning given to us by Bannor.” She nodded down the table to him.

  “Simply trying to do my part,” he answered. “In keeping with that, while I was resting, I think I may have an answer to location of our adversaries.”

  “That must have been inspiring rest!” King Jhaan said with smile. “Pray, what is the answer?”

  Bannor took the cup beside his plate and took a sip. His throat was parched. They had already brought some things to eat from the buffet for them. He was eager to get to it. “I think the Daergons are hiding the fox in the henhouse.”

  “On Homeworld?” Megan said. “Talk about clasping a snake to your breast. Can even the Daergons be that crazy?”

  “I thought about what Bannor said,” Sarai offered, swishing wine around in her chalice. “The Daergons may not even know themselves. Bannor rightly told me that these Baronians are experienced at combat on the other Kriar Homeworld. They know their artifices and weaknesses. If this world of theirs is as big as he says—they would be virtually impossible to find.”

  Cassandra chewed on a lacquered nail. “It may even have occurred to the Kriar military advisors, but they wouldn’t conduct a serious search—not without stronger evidence—it would panic the populous.”

  “You know,” Dorian said. “We’ve never really dug out of Luthice how they took Karanganoi Homeworld. It may have been something like this. Hide in plain sight, fight from the inside and strike at vital locations. The fact that the Kriar tend to spread themselves so thin makes the tactic viable.”

  “So,” Kalindinai asked. “What evidence pointed you in this line of thinking?”

  “No evidence really, just the fact that the Kriar can go anyplace and anytime they want. There’s this giant army being ferried around on these titanic void craft. How could the Kriar not find them unless they were s
omewhere the Kriar didn’t want to look?” He looked around the table. “From Marna’s description their ruling council is in denial about this threat. I doubt their leadership is ready to face the idea that the enemy are not only at the front door but already in residence.”

  Red-haired Elsbeth who was sitting next to Megan put a hand on the air-maiden’s shoulder. “He’s right, they are so confident in their defenses, they wouldn’t seriously entertain the thought. It would bring too many things into question.”

  “The question is,” Gabriella said, twirling a finger in her dark hair. “How do you conduct a search in a place where you can hide a hundred million planets? Especially when the keepers are conflicted and even have insurgents who would actively work against the process.”

  “A hundred million, Lady Gabriella?” Kalindinai said with a frown. “You jest, where do you get such a preposterous number?”

  “Research. If you go entirely by volume, it’s more, but there’s the necessity for artifices that make the different sections habitable. That and even after millions of generations the Kriar simply haven’t been able really utilize the space, so there are probably still vast areas that are just empty voids.”

  “She’s right,” Cassandra said with a shake of her head. “It’s so huge it’s ludicrous. It really reinforces Bannor’s theory. The Baronians can hide anywhere in the universe, but under the noses of the Kriar is one of the safest because of the silly politics of the situation, and the fact that their Homeworld is practically a universe unto itself.”

  “Shall we call up Tarkath Chauser and inquire?” the King asked.

  “Yes,” Queen Kalindinai said. “I want to hear his response.”

  The rest of the people at the royal table nodded.

  “I’ll call him,” Megan said.

  The air maiden didn’t visibly move or do anything, but the Kriar officer stood up from one of the nearby tables, nodded to the two valkyries with him, and floated up to their platform.

  He nodded to the King and Queen and to the others.

  “Tarkath, might we consult with you a moment?”