Girl from the Stars 4- Day's Journey

by Cheree Alsop

  “Yes?”

  His smiled faltered, then faded completely. “I’m sorry about Tariq.”

  The name hurt almost worse than her back. Liora drew in a shuddering breath and let it out again.

  “Thank you,” she finally said.

  “He was a great guy,” Brandis continued. “I wish I’d had a chance to get to know him better, but the way he watched over you made me like him right off. He was brave.”

  “He made me whole,” Liora replied. Tears filled her eyes and she closed them before the tears could fall.

  Brandis crossed back to the bed and gently touched her shoulder. “I’m here for you, Liora. We might still be getting used to this brother and sister thing, but this is what family is for.”

  “To hold someone together when they’re ready to fall apart?” Liora asked.

  She opened her eyes and the tears spilled down her cheeks. She realized Brandis’ face was wet as well.

  “No,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. “To fall apart with you so that you know you’re not alone.” He gave her a small smile through his tears. “You don’t have to always be strong.”

  The words gripped Liora’s heart. “Tariq always used to say that to me.”

  That brought a sob from her chest. The agony that flooded through her back stole her breath. She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing through the pain until it subsided.

  When she opened her eyes again, Brandis was still there. He held out the cup of water. She took another sip.

  Liora wiped her eyes on the pillow and let out a slow breath to center herself.

  “I’m going to be alright.”

  The corner of Brandis’ mouth quirked. “I’m not so sure about that.”

  Liora played along, happy for anything that would distract her from the pain. “And why is that?”

  Brandis held her gaze. “In order for you to be alright again, you’re assuming you were alright in the first place.” He tapped his brow. “That’s questionable.”

  A chuckle escaped Liora. She winced and fixed him with a mocking glare. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts too much.”

  “Sorry,” he replied with a grin that said he was anything but. “That’s what brothers are for.”

  “Life was easier when I was an only child with a Damaclan for a father,” Liora shot back.

  That brought an answering laugh from Brandis. “I should have left you stranded in space.”

  Liora nodded. She felt the need to sleep whispering at the back of her mind. “Yes, you should have. Your life would be much easier.”

  Brandis waved an arm. “I wouldn’t be here.”

  “You wouldn’t have been sucked nearly to death by moss,” Liora agreed.

  Brandis nodded. “Who would have thought moss could be so scary?”

  Liora’s smile fell. “The Ketulans.”

  “We need to find who gave them their orders.”

  Liora’s attention sharpened. “It was the moss.”

  Brandis opened his mouth, then shut it again.

  “What is it?” Liora asked. When her brother didn’t respond, she probed, “Tell me. It’s better than not knowing.”

  Brandis sighed. “The Ketulans are still out there. They’re attacking ships. The Nines have them under control, at least as far as destroying as many as appear, but they haven’t stopped.”

  Ice flooded Liora’s veins, combating the weariness she struggled against. “Someone else is sending them, or they’re doing it on their own.”

  Brandis nodded. “We’re entertaining both possibilities. Their concerted efforts show organization.” His forehead creased. “They attacked the woman, uh, Her Grace’s ship when she left. Pilot Zanden said it took all of their force to let her get away.”

  “Do they attack other ships that leave?” Liora asked. Exhaustion was winning the battle, but the answer felt extremely important.

  “Some,” Brandis replied. It was obvious by his tone that the answer bothered him, too. “We haven’t figured out the connection.”

  “I’ll help,” Liora said. She couldn’t keep her eyes open.

  “Take the time you need to recover,” Brandis told her. “You must regain your strength.”

  Liora wanted to reply, but exhaustion took over and she gratefully let go of her pain with the embrace of sleep.

  Chapter 18

  “Are you sure you want to stand up?” Brandis asked.

  “I need to,” Liora replied.

  “Take your time,” Malie urged. Her webbed hands steadied Liora as she inched carefully toward the edge of the bed. “We’ve got you,” she continued. Her lilting voice was filled with encouragement.

  Malie had been with Brandis the past two days when he visited the chamber Liora borrowed from the silver-haired woman. Liora found herself liking the young woman’s quiet ways. She was patient, unassuming, and the fact that she cared for Brandis wasn’t lost on his sister.

  Liora didn’t know what the two had shared during their imprisonment, but they had obviously relied on each other to get through it. Sometimes it hurt to see them together. Liora shoved those feelings down deep, telling herself she was glad her brother had found someone.

  Liora had slept on her stomach since she awoke in the white chamber. The inability to do anything more than stare at the wall was enough to drive her mad. The books Malie brought her couldn’t keep her attention, and even Brandis’ seemingly never-ending patience had a limit. When he started pacing the room, Liora forced him to leave so he could stretch his legs running the way that he liked. A day later, he told her that Malie enjoyed running as well. The smile on his face when he said it made Liora happy for him.

  Liora couldn’t remember being forced to hold still for so long. Even in the cage in Malivian’s circus, she had kept busy with pullups, practicing defensive maneuvers, and shadow boxing. Now, any movement at all caused such intense agony she could do little more than breathe and wait. But she had waited long enough. It was time to talk to her father and to Devren. She had put off both until she felt she could face them with some dignity. She bit back a whimper when lifting one arm made her entire back throb. Perhaps dignity wasn’t the word she was looking for.

  “We really can just do the conference here,” Brandis said for the hundredth time. His face showed his worry as he did what he could to help her.

  “I’m tired of Dad seeing me on the verge of death,” Liora replied. The words gave her strength. She made it to the edge of the bed and Malie helped her lower her feet to the floor.

  Brandis turned away when Liora pushed up to a standing position. She locked her jaw against the protest of her muscles. Her back felt like a raging fire, and it burned with greater wrath every move she made.

  “Here’s your robe,” Malie said.

  She lifted the soft white cloth robe she held and slid it gently over Liora’s arms.

  “Are you sure this is alright?” Malie asked.

  Liora refused to consider returning to the bed like her body so desired.

  “I’m sure,” she replied.

  Up to that point, nothing had touched her back other than the salves Susa brought. She shut out the thought of those agonizing sessions spent with her gripping the edges of the bed as hard as she could and biting her pillow to keep from crying out.

  The soft presence of the fabric felt like thousands of needles piercing her skin. Liora held perfectly still as Malie tied the robe shut. The Creetian then looked into her face.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  The worry in the young woman’s light blue eyes made Brandis turn around.

  Liora nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Brandis asked.

  “Because you know me too well,” Liora replied with a self-deprecatory smile.

  She took a step, then another. The jar of walking couldn’t be softened no matter how she slid her feet. She could feel Brandis’ hands hovering on one side and Malie’s on the other as she made
her way slowly into the sitting room that had been turned into a makeshift meeting area to contact her father.

  Liora had to lean on Brandis for support by the time she reached the backless bench in front of the screen. Her brother helped lower her down carefully. She sat on the bench waiting for her breath to return while her brother worked to reach Senior Commandant Day.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Brandis asked, his tone gentle.

  Liora let out a slow breath and nodded. “It has to be me.”

  Brandis pushed a button and the screen flickered on. Liora’s heart slowed at the sight of Devren standing next to her father.

  “Hello, Liora,” Senior Commandant Day said. “I’ve been unable to rest thinking of you hurt at the other end of the Macrocosm. Your brother said you didn’t need me there during your recovery because there is nothing I can do, but I like to think that sometimes being a father who’s available can be enough.”

  That warmed Liora’s heart. “I’ve missed you, Dad. I’m recovering fine. Brandis has ensured that everyone here treats me like some sort of magistrate or something. It’s a bit ridiculous.”

  The senior commandant nodded at his son. “Well done.” He smiled at Liora. “I’m glad you’re in capable hands.”

  The image of two hands pressed to each other with a piece of glass in-between surfaced in Liora’s mind.

  Her throat tightened, but she turned to Devren. “I wanted to be the one to tell you.” She paused, then said, “I needed to be the one to tell you.”

  “Tell me what, Liora?” Devren asked. His tone was gentle and the kindness she always recognized from him showed in the lines of concern on his face.

  Liora couldn’t get the words past her throat. She tried, but no sound came out.

  “Would you like some water?” Malie offered.

  Liora nodded. She kept her gaze on the pair while she took a long pull of the life-saving liquid.

  Her eyes filled with tears just from thinking about what she needed to say.

  Devren stepped closer to the screen. “Liora, it’s okay. You can tell me anything.”

  “Tariq’s dead, Devren.”

  Devren’s face washed pale and he took a step back that was more of a stumble. It was clear that was the last thing he had expected her to say.

  Liora wanted to lean forward and sob into her hands, but leaning pulled at the healing skin on her back. She was trapped sitting there, watching Devren struggle to control his emotions while the tears ran down her face.

  “Liora, are you sure you’re alright?” her father asked. “I think you need me there. I’m going to leave right now.”

  Liora shook her head. It was a minute before she could calm herself enough to speak. “No, Dad. Please. I can’t do anything but rest and heal right now. I know you have a lot to do there.”

  Senior Commandant Day glanced at Devren, then leaned closer to the screen. “Liora, you just lost someone very special to you. That’s going to require a whole different type of healing.”

  There was understanding in his eyes. Liora remembered that he had lost Brandis’ mother. He knew what she was going through and wanted to be there to help. The problem was that she wasn’t ready to deal with it.

  She hoped he would understand. “I’ve got to heal from one before I can even start with the other.”

  “I understand,” he replied. His voice lowered with compassion. “When you’re ready, I’m here. Please don’t hesitate. The moment you let me know you need me, I’m there.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me,” Liora told him. She wiped her eyes.

  Devren was hunched over in a chair with his face hidden in his hand. Liora could see the sobs wracking his body even though she wasn’t able to hear them. His pain pushed against her, tearing at the raw edges of the emotions she had dealt with over the past several days.

  “Devren, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice cracking.

  He calmed himself enough to wipe his face on his sleeve. He looked up at her and tried to say something, but the tears filled his eyes again.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. He ducked out of view. Liora heard the sound of a door slide shut.

  The sight of him unable to speak hurt.

  “Dad, will you…?” She didn’t know what she wanted to say.

  Her father nodded. “Of course. I’ll make sure he’s okay. I know his family’s going to take the news hard. Devren mentioned they were close. I’ll take care of them.”

  Liora didn’t know how to express how grateful she was that her father could handle such things. Fresh tears welled up and she couldn’t speak.

  The Senior Commandant’s gaze shifted to Brandis to give her a moment. “I miss you both. When am I going to see you again? If you’re waiting for Liora to travel, I can send our most comfortable ship.”

  To Liora’s surprise, Brandis shook his head. “I need to make sure Malie gets home safely.” Malie ducked underneath his arm and gave him a warm smile.

  Her father’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re escorting her to Cree? I’ll tell the pilots to make sure you get there without trouble. They can bring an extra Nine to carry you home.”

  Brandis shook his head again. “I think I’m going to stay there a while.”

  Liora could tell the statement caught her father off guard. He looked from Malie to Brandis. It took a moment for an accepting expression to cross his face.

  “Let me know when you leave. It would be nice to keep in touch.”

  “Definitely,” Brandis replied. “Thank you. I think I just need to get away from everything for a bit.”

  His father nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”

  Brandis turned to Liora. Malie smiled at her from his side.

  “What do you think, Liora? Do you want to come with us?”

  Liora looked from Malie to Brandis. The invitation took her by surprise.

  “Cree is a mostly water planet,” Malie said, her lilting voice warm with her smile. “But we’ve created apparatuses where you can breathe under the water and our homes have oxygen pumped to them. You will be comfortable.”

  Brandis’ words about getting away from everything for a while wrapped around Liora. As much as she hated the thought of possibly being a burden to someone else, the chance to escape anything that reminded her of Tariq felt so necessary she couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

  “I would like that,” she finally replied.

  “Really?” Malie said. “That’s wonderful! I’ll let my family know.”

  Liora realized her father was still watching. “Is that alright?” she asked, turning back to him.

  Senior Commandant Day nodded. There was an expression of pride on his face. “That’s more than alright. I’m glad you will have somewhere to recover that’ll be easier on you.”

  Liora wondered if he guessed how she felt. The entire crew Tariq had worked with on the SS Kratos was at Corian. The thought of facing them and Devren’s family was overwhelming. She needed time, and Brandis was giving her that.

  “Please keep in touch, both of you.” There was a longing in her father’s voice as though he wished he could go with them, but Liora knew his duties on Corian made it impossible.

  “We will, Dad,” Brandis promised.

  Liora nodded.

  “I love you both. Be safe and come home when you can.”

  “We will,” Liora said.

  ***

  “Liora Day, you have been pardoned by the Council for the Unification and Order of the Cosmos.”

  After three long weeks of learning how to cope with the pain of moving and healing, Liora was able to stand in the great hall again. Though the huge room had been cleaned and repaired from the damage caused by the Ketulans, most of the stands were noticeably empty. The absence Liora felt the most was that of the silver-haired woman.

  “The role you played in saving vital members of this Council has been taken into consideration in this decision,” the green-scaled man said. “We would like
to show our appreciation by giving you a ship to wherever you would like to go. You will also have the opportunity to ask a favor of this Council if you are in need of assistance no matter where you are in the Cosmos.”

  “Thank you,” Liora replied.

  She felt like there was so much more she should say. The expectant expressions on the faces of the Council members above and around her echoed the sentiment. Liora took a steeling breath and felt the familiar painful pull along her back.

  “I’m not one for talking to crowds.” She glanced behind her and saw Brandis watching from the door. Her brother gave her an encouraging nod. She turned back to her audience. “But I want to say that I learned one thing while I was on trial here. No matter your galaxy, no matter your race, we all want one thing. We want to live away from terror, away from danger, and we want to keep our families from harm. The Council for the Unification and Order of the Cosmos has that one goal in mind, and I am willing to do what is necessary to help them achieve that goal.”

  She forced a smile. “While being handcuffed and put in a cell might seem like a bad thing,” chuckles went through the crowd, “I am grateful that the Council cares about the survival of planets and the races that call them home. Thank you for what you do.”

  Applause followed her out of the door. She walked with Brandis and Malie down the hall to the hangar. A ship stood ready with a pilot and crew. They wouldn’t be required to do anything but relax and enjoy the trip to Cree. It was something Liora was looking forward to. It scared her how quickly her body shook with fatigue.

  “I didn’t know you were joining us,” Brandis said when the door to the lounge opened and revealed Rist waiting for them.

  He stood at their entrance. “General Ludow offered to reduce my last two months of service in gratitude for my help in restoring Liora’s health.” He met Liora’s eyes. “Though I didn’t do much. If it wasn’t for Susa, you’d have bled out the day of the Ketulan attack.”

  “I appreciate what you did,” Liora said. “I’m feeling much better.”

  He gave her a searching look. “Are you?”

  She didn’t like him recognizing the weakness in her. The Damaclan side of her heritage rebelled against it.