‘Quite the contrary.’ Noah was happy to second his wife’s opinion.
Gazelle had never known good fortune before and her pending initiation into the ranks of the Chosen Ones seemed too good to be true. ‘But the witch said —’
‘Mahaud lies,’ Rebecca politely interrupted and approached the young woman to reassure her.
The Head of Genetic research on Kila seemed to float more than walk, and exuded such a healing energy that even Gazelle was aware of the lady’s calming effect. The Nefilim half-breed was so charmed by the red-skinned Rebecca, with large dark eyes and hair so long, black and smooth that it appeared like a sheet of silk, that Gazelle couldn’t help but trust her. Trust had never been one of Gazelle’s strong points, but the Chosen Ones inspired a faith in her that she had never had the chance to enjoy prior to contact with them. The Chosen seemed to Gazelle to be a race of angels manifest in the physical world and now she was being invited to become an angel too.
‘I am one hundred and fifty percent positive that the light of the Cosmic Logoi shines through you. Your genes are far more receptive to gold Orme than its dark counterpart,’ Rebecca claimed.
The hard-faced warrioress dared to smile. ‘So, perhaps there are others among my kindred who are light beings as well?’
‘That’s what we’re hoping,’ Noah agreed.
‘You still care what happens to your kindred, even after what they’ve put you through?’ Sparrowhawk queried, as he stood to join the conversation.
‘They’re not all bad,’ Gazelle defended, realising she’d planted the misconception in her guard’s mind. ‘Take your sister-in-law, Cordella, for example,’ and found herself blushing, remembering how she’d envied Cordella’s fairy tale romance and marriage to the ruler of Lura. Now Gazelle had been touched by one of the Dragon’s sons also and just like magic, good things had begun to happen to her.
‘We must deliver the righteous from the crone.’ Sparrowhawk committed himself to Gazelle’s cause and was surprised to see the joy fall from her face.
‘And you would grant me and my people life everlasting, just like that?’ She clicked her fingers.
‘Lahmu has agreed to consider the fate of your people on a case by case basis,’ Sparrowhawk answered. ‘Lahmu’s rulings will be based on the same simple tests you’ve undergone this day.’
‘There is some compulsory schooling involved,’ Rebecca let Gazelle know that there were conditions attached, ‘which is mainly to help you hone the psychic skills that accompany immortality and get rid of all your negative belief patterns.’ Rebecca paused, as their prisoner was looking a little shell-shocked.
‘If Viper had only put our case to Lahmu in the first place …’ This thought made Gazelle seethe with frustration. They had raised that evil creature for nothing.
‘I suspect that our council, unable to foresee these sad events, would not have been prepared to grant your request at the time,’ Rebecca told the young woman as honestly as she knew how. ‘But now Lahmu is prepared to allow it, proving that much good can come from a little evil.’
‘Unfortunately, I have seen the flip-side of that coin.’ Gazelle had an awful feeling that this beautiful dream was going to be snatched from her and she would descend into the nightmare once again. ‘My brother is going to be more powerful than he was before and he will not forgive my betrayal.’
‘Viper will be no stronger than any of the Chosen Ones, and, soon, yourself included,’ Sparrowhawk pointed out and then smiled confidently to dismiss Gazelle’s fear. ‘We are more skilled at wielding our psychic talent and there are many more of us.’ The Falcon ruler neared Gazelle and gently took hold of her hands. Gazelle seemed a little awkward about the event, but Sparrowhawk pretended not to notice. ‘I will not let any harm befall you ever again … believe it.’
Gazelle suppressed the embarrassed giggle that was welling in her throat; had any other man spoken to her so sweetly she would’ve spat in his face and called him a liar and a pervert. She was accustomed to playing the tough nut, needing no man’s protection, for she had become her own protection. But the expression on the Falcon ruler’s face made her frosty heart melt and go completely gooey. It touched her that this paragon of manhood would give a damn about a woman as wretched as she. ‘I believe you, lord,’ she managed to say graciously, without a hint of scepticism.
‘I know what a big ask that is for you, Gazelle,’ he said. ‘But your blind faith will be rewarded.’ He let go of her hands, and stepped away. ‘And, please, call me Sparrowhawk … unless of course you would like me to start calling you Nin, Lady or Madam, perhaps?’
Gazelle cringed at the selection. ‘I’ll take the first option, thanks.’ She jumped down from the consultation bed. ‘So, I’m off to meet the mighty Lahmu?’ She drew a deep breath for courage. ‘I’m up for it,’ she bluffed.
‘Of course you are,’ Sparrowhawk encouraged, turning back to Noah to inquire, ‘Are you coming, En?’
Noah smiled, amused by the question. ‘Oh, I don’t think Gazelle is in any great hurry to escape from you, Sparrowhawk. I’ll await your return here.’
‘Right you are.’ Sparrowhawk waved, trying to smother the cheeky grin on his face, as all present were.
As Gazelle was not yet comfortable with teleportation or even holding hands with another to execute the task, Sparrowhawk had been walking her from place to place in Chailida. It also gave him a chance to show her around their fair city.
As the young couple departed, Rebecca took hold of her husband to give him a hug. ‘That will be another wedding on the horizon for the Chosen Ones then.’
Noah had to admit, ‘The Tablet of Destinies agrees with you there.’
The first person Maelgwn went to see after assuming his role as a muse was not one of his sons, but Doc Alexander — the Chosen guardian of Gaia. Doc’s real name was Cadwaladr, he was Maelgwn’s great, great, great grandson and he’d been the last of Maelgwn’s line to rule as a King in ancient Gwynedd.
He found Doc in one of the many rooms of Taliesin’s Otherworldly labyrinth, which Gaia’s guardian and his wife, Vanora, had occupied since the rest of the Chosen Ones had departed for Kila. The couple had prospered here; Doc sat in conference with about twenty men and women, all of whom were sons and daughters. Among those gathered were the heads of the ICA (International Crisis Agency), the IFC (International Finance Corporation), UN, CIA, a few presidents and a handful of prime ministers as well. In fact, everyone present played a vital role in world development, being leaders in the fields of science, technology and so forth. Doc Alexander had staged his death and dropped out of the public eye after seventy years of service and he now ran the whole show from the Otherworld via his descendants. Of course no one knew that all these world leaders were related, as they’d assumed different nationalities and personalities to suit the position they sought to secure. In the world view, the people and the press were happy that all these leaders cooperated so well.
After sitting in on a very interesting meeting, Maelgwn finally found himself alone with the secret world leader. ‘Hello, Cadwaladr.’
Doc placed aside the virtual reality headset through which he’d started to view reports. He’d clearly heard his ancient name invoked but everyone on Gaia knew him as Doc Alexander, even his closest family. He ventured a guess at who was haunting him. ‘Dragon? If you are here, feel free to show yourself.’
Maelgwn manifested his ghostly form on top of the long conference table at the opposite end to where Doc was seated. He was able to project an image of himself that Doc would recognise, because Taliesin’s labyrinth was located in the etheric realm where all forms found expression including thought forms.
Doc had never known Maelgwn Gwynedd take a subtle form before. ‘My word, Dragon, are you ascension bound?’
‘I am,’ Maelgwn verified, ‘but I have a quest to perform beforehand and I am going to require your assistance to complete it.’
‘Yes.’ Doc stood, rather keen to learn mo
re. ‘I was just about to say the Count advised me that you would be paying me a visit. He said that your appearance would mark the beginning of the holy war that preceeds the Great Judgement and he recommended that I assist you in any way I can.’
This was all news to Maelgwn.
‘So what has been going on out there in the big wide cosmos that I’m not aware of?’ Doc, being largely influenced by the first Ray of Will-Power, liked to get straight to the point.
‘I’m here to fill you in,’ Maelgwn advised, ‘before my sons arrive.’
Doc was well aware that Maelgwn’s sons were all part of the intergalactic senate of Lahmu and thus he considered their pending arrival a very drastic measure that must have an equally drastic cause. ‘I’m all ears.’ Doc took a seat to get informed.
Lahmu decided to meet with Sparrowhawk and Gazelle in the senate chambers, as until he viewed Rebecca’s report on the prisoner, he could not risk allowing Gazelle to enter any of the restricted areas of Government House, which was where his private office was located. Brian realised the large chamber was very impersonal and would be a rather overawing venue for Viper’s sister’s first meeting with him, so Brian made a point of dressing casual and seating himself at the side of the large round conference table that was closest to the door.
Sybil, the Secretary of State, announced the Falcon ruler’s arrival and showed Sparrowhawk through to Lahmu. Gazelle was asked to be seated in the waiting room until summoned.
‘I won’t be long.’ Sparrowhawk encouraged his charge to take a seat and relax, as he entered the council chamber and Sybil closed the door behind him.
‘Hello there.’ Sybil smiled as she introduced herself to the waiting female. ‘I’m Sparrowhawk’s sister-in-law … I’m married to the Dragon’s first son, Rhun —’
‘Then you are Sybil,’ Gazelle concluded, having taken an interest in the Dragon’s family — she knew the whole family tree.
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Sybil prevented her smile from broadening, for she knew why Gazelle had such a good knowledge of the Dragon’s family. Besides being Secretary of State, Sybil was also a Seer, and had foreseen Gazelle’s coming and involvement with Sparrowhawk.
‘Are all of the Dragon’s sons so …’ Gazelle’s eyes drifted to the double doors through which Sparrowhawk had passed, as she tried to find a word that described all his fine qualities, ‘… chivalrous?’
Sybil laughed. ‘It’s in the genes … their father, Maelgwn, was without doubt the most chivalrous man I’ve ever known and their mother, Tory, the most chivalrous female.’
Gazelle looked back to Sybil, her interest struck. ‘Was, you say? You make it sound like they are deceased and I know that can’t be?’
‘No, not deceased,’ Sybil assured, feeling she should be more careful with her casual comments. ‘They have simply moved away from Kila to pursue missionary work elsewhere.’
‘I see.’ Gazelle nodded, noting that Sybil was careful not to mention where the famous couple had moved. As Viper’s sister, Gazelle could not be trusted with such information and that hurt.
Sybil picked up on this and sat down on the chair beside Gazelle’s. ‘After your meeting with Lahmu, I shall be able to speak with you more freely.’
Gazelle was touched that this woman, a stranger, would give two hoots about her feelings. ‘That’s completely understandable … I’m surprised that my case has made it this far, this fast.’
‘I know you can be trusted,’ said Sybil, surely, gently nudging Gazelle’s shoulder with her own. ‘And moments from now Lahmu will make that official for all to know. Once that happens, there is not a Chosen soul alive that will doubt his word … your past shall never again be held against you.’
Gazelle had not shed a tear for as long as she could remember and she swallowed hard to prevent herself from doing so now — she badly wanted to be accepted and trusted by these wonderful people. ‘I trust you are right, Nin.’ Gazelle had her first stab at positivity; being around the Chosen made one very aware of negative attitudes, for they seemed so out of place in the company of the Chosen Ones.
Sybil. Brian’s voice came through the intercom pinned on the left shoulder of Sybil’s robe. Please send our guest on through.
‘It’s time.’ Sybil stood to show Gazelle in.
‘What’s Lahmu like? How should I act?’ Gazelle started thinking of all the questions that she should have asked the secretary.
‘It is imperative that you be yourself,’ Sybil advised, before rolling her eyes, ‘because Lahmu certainly will be.’
Upon entering the large chamber, Gazelle did feel a little daunted, but Sparrowhawk was at her side in a second, wearing a huge smile of support.
‘Gazelle, I’d like to introduce you to Lahmu, the Governor of Kila and the Head of the Intergalactic Senate.’ Sparrowhawk motioned to a rather unassuming figure of a man, who rose from his seat at the conference table.
Lahmu sported a warrior form, but he was not at all the ominous figure that Gazelle had expected. Appearing to be in his early thirties, she knew the leader was much, much older than he looked, as were most of the Chosen. Lahmu was very attractive for a Homo sapiens, with his long blond hair neatly pulled back into a braid. This made his eyes, of a magnetic blue, all the more apparent — and the cute dimple on his chin. Lahmu stood shorter than Gazelle and it felt funny to be looking down upon the legend as he shook her hand, when she’d expected it would be the other way around.
‘Gazelle,’ he greeted her warmly, ‘you would not believe how many of my prayers were answered when you came to the defence of my kindred on Numan.’
The girl was literally stunned speechless by his confession. It was so unexpected; she had suspected a judgement not a compliment.
‘My daughter was returned to me unharmed. I have been supplied a means to divine the righteous ones among your kindred and Sparrowhawk here looks cheerier than he has in ages.’ Brian let go of his guest’s hand and winked at his dignitary, who was trying not to look embarrassed.
Gazelle rarely smiled and yet she found her mouth stretched to aching point; the leader of the known universe was hinting at matching her up with Superman. I must be dreaming, she decided on the quiet.
Lahmu’s attention suddenly swung back to her, and as if having read her mind he pinched Gazelle in the top of the arm.
‘Ouch!’ She rubbed her arm; she was definitely awake. ‘What was that for?’ Gazelle wondered if he had read her thoughts.
‘Ah, you do speak?’ Brian jibed informally and made her smile again.
Lahmu was so odd for an intergalactic leader. His personality was more like a court jester — the intelligent kind, not the fool. ‘Majesty, I —’
When Lahmu laughed at the first word that came out of her mouth, Gazelle became self-conscious and clammed up.
‘Forgive me.’ Brian calmed himself. ‘My kindred are a disrespectful bunch and thus I am unaccustomed to being venerated so highly.’ He clarified his thoughtless outburst. ‘Please feel free to call me Governor, as you are hereby granted residency on Kila.’
Tears sprang from Gazelle’s eyes as the emotion of true joy choked her for the first time. ‘I’m a citizen!’ she spluttered, brushing away the offending droplets quickly.
‘Obviously you will be required to vow allegiance to my senate.’ Brian returned to his seat at the conference table. ‘Then, not only will you be a citizen, but I have granted you your own apartment on Chailida’s central Isle of Parliament. You shall work for me until you find another vocation you feel more compelled towards.’ Brian was tempted to glance at Sparrowhawk but managed to refrain.
Gazelle covered her gaping mouth, having never felt so overwhelmed by generosity.
‘Not that you’ll have much time to enjoy your new abode, as you’ll be accompanying Sparrowhawk and his brothers, and my daughters, on their forthcoming mission.’ When Brian noted tears tumbling down Gazelle’s face and over the fingers that covered her mouth, he raised both brows to conce
de. ‘It’s a scary thought I’ll grant you, but I think you’re tough enough to cope.’ The comment was intended to make her laugh, but she only cried more, shaking her head slowly and laughing between sobs.
‘Are you all right?’ Sparrowhawk inquired, keeping his distance to prevent making her feel awkward. He materialised a handkerchief and gave it to Gazelle, who couldn’t seem to decide whether to laugh or cry.
‘You are all so polite and considerate and welcoming.’ Gazelle drew a deep breath and managed to prevent her voice from wavering, although her body had begun to tremble and she couldn’t control it. ‘I am not used to such kindness and it seems to be having a very odd effect on me.’
Brian had forgotten this girl was only mortal. ‘When is the last time you ate or slept?’
Gazelle thought about it and then shrugged. She was too tired to recall.
Brian picked up the orb containing Gazelle’s case files and his authority to activate her immortal gene and tossed it to Sparrowhawk. ‘See to it that Gazelle gets something to eat en route to see Rebecca, and after her immortality is taken care of, show Gazelle to her new apartment, where she can relax a little before you’re both due to meet with Rhun. We can run through her vows to the senate before you leave tomorrow.’
‘I shall make sure we report to you a little early then, Governor.’ Sparrowhawk was delighted to have Lahmu’s permission to be at liberty with Gazelle for the rest of the day; a day that would turn out to be the most important of her life.
‘I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity to better myself,’ Gazelle sniffled, knowing this wasn’t one hundredth of what she wanted to say. Lahmu was granting her immortality and a life worth living along with it.
‘There is no need to better what is already perfect, Gazelle,’ Brian assured her, which only served to inspire the girl to tears once again. ‘Lunchtime.’ He prompted Sparrowhawk to go get the girl fed.
When Rhun, Zabeel and Bast arrived in Doc’s conference room, they found Doc Alexander alone and absorbed in the transmissions he was viewing inside the sleek headgear he wore; this encompassed his eyes and connected to a set of sensor-gloves.
The Cosmic Logos Page 22
