Lucian's voice tears my concentration from the battle. “Shi'ahn, what have you just done?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don't play games with me. I am certain you had something to do with Cas Darius' change in strategy.
I look into his eyes and see that I won't be able to evade this. “Look, there is no reason for him to go against Llywelyn, Llywelyn had nothing to do with the murder.”
“Llywelyn would not have been in much danger.”
I try to turn away, but he takes me by the shoulders and gazes penetratingly into my eyes. I simply must elaborate, “I can't help it, I like Darius. He of all people has far more reason to fight this battle than most, I don't want him to throw his life away against the wrong target. Besides, this has taken him out of the battle temporarily as he repositions himself. Overall, lives may be saved.”
Lucian looks deeply concerned, “Shi'ahn, it is one thing to aid one prince instead of the other, but it is quite another to send troops against one of our own kind.”
“It was merely a redirection, and besides, if Vespasian is a worthy Prince of Lumina, he should be fine.”
Lucian's expression becomes almost understanding. “Perhaps, but I suspect the seed did not fall far from the tree.” He releases me and we return our attention to the battle.
Llywelyn does not appear to need further assistance, the Chaosians still before him flee toward the safety of their reserves, and no new forces arrive to bolster their lines. (Varuna had surrounded the Passage entrance with exceedingly large and hungry sea creatures and all new forces were devoured until finally the Chaosians had quit sending troops through.) Darius and his men are the only enemies to continue their attack – he seems to be concentrating solely on reaching Vespasian, who, realizing his plight, transports away. Recognizing that the only really worthwhile target is beyond his reach, Darius and his men retreat to where the rest of their army has formed close ranks, then cast extremely strong shields around themselves just as the other remaining Chaosians have. None of our efforts seem able to penetrate them, which seems odd, so I listen to their shields. The very outer shield, which I'm certain emanates from a magical item, is based on Harmony! I hear another shield that keeps the Chaosians from transporting away – they are trapped. Llywelyn pulls his forces back and silently regards our attackers.
~~~
If this were the only sight of the war, we would have won; but it isn't. Out in space we have lost countless worlds, and while those forces are completely unable to aid these in Lumina, they still hold worlds that we quite frankly need.
A horrific beast advances forward, leaving behind a small group of creatures that, aside from Darius, seem even more frightening than it is; it changes into a more humanoid form with each step. His voice rings out strongly, “I am Dominar Cas Ab Dietrich esse Spica, and I speak for those who survive. Your Emperor is dead by our hands, though more nobly than our Magni Dominar died at the hand of your Nero. There is nothing further to be gained by our continued fighting. We offer a truce.”
Llywelyn steps forward, “I agree, there is no reason for us to continue this battle. We will accept formal peace negotiations beginning tomorrow.” I hear a shift in the Lumina based shield around our attackers, it now encompasses the entire battlefield, except those areas near those of Lumina blood. “Collect your dead and do with them according to your custom. You may move freely to collect them, but you cannot leave Lumina until after we have negotiated certain terms. Any attack on our peoples will be interpreted as an end to this truce.”
I sigh in relief; it is done. I expect Cailli to collect me, but she does not. With the assistance of the Emperor's servants, I secure the crown for the night and return to my rooms for the first time in days. As soon as the door closes, Lucian's food server opens, revealing a sumptuous meal fit for five. I don't even pause to think, I attack it. I do realize, as I near the end of my meal, that the server being in my rooms is proof that Cailli expects me to spend the night here. Next a bath, and then relaxation, I play my mother's flute. It has been a long day, though, I actually feel tired!
Lying in my bed I can't help but think about the day, the exhaustion, and the losses. I wonder… why didn't Cailli break the Chaosian shields? She could have, I'm certain of it. Does she want the enemy to hold some of our lands? And that last conversation with Augustus… his look of peace. It was as if he knew and accepted his fate. And why, after hating me so much, did he entrust me with Croi'Solas?
I'll never get any rest like this! I decide once again to meditate on the strange, shifting toy Cailli gave me, and fade into what passes for sleep these nights.
Chapter 27
First Day of Negotiations
Knocking on my door draws my mind up out of near slumber. A servant, looking rather concerned, says that I have a visitor – a Chaosian. “A moment, please.” It is past midnight… a strange time to visit. I dress as fast as I can so that seemingly without pause I continue. “Yes? Come in.” A man steps in, large and… impressive, in a frightening way. I've seen him before. He closes the door behind himself and immediately takes my hand, kissing it slowly. “Greetings, Lady Shi'ahn.”
I try not to gape in surprise, I would hardly have expected a Chaosian to kiss an Avatar of Order! “Good evening…?”
“Ishme… et Akkad.”
The head of one of the Houses that holds Shiral! “Ah yes, Dominar Akkad.”
“Ishme, please. There is no need for titles between us – ever.”
“Of course, Ishme. To what do I owe this… pleasure?”
“I wish to discuss Shiral, of course.”
“Ah, are you then willing to discuss your withdrawal?”
“That, my dear, depends upon you.”
I don’t know exactly how to respond, “And just what would you have of me?”
His smile is disconcerting, “May we sit and discuss it?”
My music room, decorated with innumerable plants, books and musical instruments, doubles as a sitting room, and I realize belatedly that I have left my flute on the table next to my favorite chair. Ishme takes another chair, moving it closer to mine as he sits.
“What a pleasant space. I see that you like musical instruments… do you play many or do you merely collect them?”
“I play them all.” As I speak I attempt to place my flute out of sight, but it has already caught his attention.
“That one looks rather interesting, one rarely sees opalescent blood-black wood… did you find it in some distant galaxy?”
“It was Mathair’s.” For some reason he seems very intrigued.
“Really. Would you do me the favor of playing something on it? It looks as though it may sound rather… exotic.”
I find myself growing agitated by his constant ability to take me off guard, so I decide to surprise him. Assuring through Harmony that the acoustics of my room resemble that of a concert hall, I begin to play a piece that Mathair had taught me – one in which I take full advantage of her Flute’s ability to play more than one note at a time. It is both amazingly beautiful and highly intricate, bringing to mind all that is good and joyful in life. That should put him in his place. Instead of eliciting surprise, he looks even more intrigued, then reaches up, takes down my violin and begins accompanying me! I had been about to stop, but now I find myself curious to see how well he can keep up. His skill takes me by surprise, it is almost as though he knows the piece, but of course he can't.
At first the music he plays is primarily accompaniment, but then it changes… it becomes it’s own song, complementary and yet very different. While mine is a song of beauty and harmony, tranquility and love, his is of struggle, joy and sorrow, ecstasy and pain. Conquest. It threatens to overwhelm my song, making mine an accompaniment to his. I redouble my efforts, drawing on all my love for Mathair, all my memories of her and the beauty she represented. I project these feelings into my flute as I play and can almost feel a response… feelings of joyful love echo back into me and my
song becomes the most beautiful I have ever coaxed from an instrument. I regain control of our duet, but only temporarily; Ishme’s song strengthens again, and like a demon it tries to bring me over to his side, to join with him in the exquisite ecstasy of adversity.
This is a competition I suddenly realize I dare not lose. I must do more than play like never before, I must be utterly sure of myself, in the absolute rightness of my song. Oh Mathair, I wish you were here with me once again! Loving strength flows into me from the flute, reminding me intensely of the feel of Mathair’s arms around me. I feel almost as though she begins playing along with me, and I know in my heart that it is right, that my song is stronger than Ishme’s. But I sense not only tremendous skill in him, but ages upon ages of experience; he has done this to others before. Well, I am not simply a child trying to play with the adults… I am Shi'ahn! I haven’t been using my natural accompaniment, fearing it wouldn’t be fair, but that’s silly. I bring it to bear, along with my Harmony, making my music perfect in a way that mere notes cannot achieve. Truth be told, I have never heard such beautiful music before, let alone performed it myself. Ishme’s theme takes on a vanquished tone, and fades away, leaving me to finish our duet alone.
The song ends, and he gazes at me for a moment in silence. His expression isn’t threatening at all, and yet I find it frightening; his opinion of me has changed, intensified. I feel like a small creature that has found itself in the cross hairs of danger. His expression changes then, as though he shakes off a compulsion. “I see why you are so protective of it – that is a very special instrument. It may even be… priceless.”
I realize I’m almost cradling it, I always find myself thinking of Mathair when I play it, but this time the feeling is far more intense. I’m holding it much like I wish she were now holding me. He continues looking at it speculatively, and dread grows in my heart.
“Do not worry, Shi'ahn, as a personal favor to you, I will not ask for you to sacrifice your flute in our negotiations.” Relief rushes throughout my mind and I carefully place it on the floor on the far side of my chair where it is now out of his sight, and quietly cast a shield spell around it. Composing myself as best I can, I face him with renewed strength.
“Now, you wished to discuss your terms for leaving Shiral?”
He pauses. “Actually, I would like to end our first meeting on this rather harmonious note. You are a truly accomplished musician for one so young and… inexperienced, Shi'ahn; it was truly a pleasure to play with you.” With that he gets up, and I accompany him to the door. Without a word he reaches for my hand, and this time turns it over and lingeringly kisses my palm. Smoke begins to rise from him, but he continues as though nothing is wrong. As I begin to worry that I may start trembling, it seems as though he begins to pull back, but instead he lightly draws his tongue along my lifeline, and ends by kissing my wrist. When I regain my senses I find myself alone, staring at the closed door.
~~~
Meditation is beyond me after that, there had been something so odd about the interaction with Ishme. I feel deeply disturbed… caught somewhere between curious, frightened and intrigued. Just before dawn I give up my struggle to rest and, deciding I need company more than perfect food, head to the kitchen for a much needed breakfast. I must not be the only one having trouble sleeping, William and Gwenllian are already there.
Gwenllian continues to speak to William as though I have not joined them. William tries to draw me into the conversation, but I don't really feel like talking, I just eat in silent thought… until a servant approaches us.
He seems nervous, “Lady Shi'ahn, The pleasure of an audience with you has been requested, by Dominar Akkad.”
“Ishme?” My heart floods with concerned surprise.
“Yes, my Lady. He respectfully invites you to join him in the Morning Gardens at 9:00.”
I pause for a moment, “Tell him… I will see him at 9:00.” With that he leaves.
Sounding concerned, William asks, “Shi'ahn, you seem awfully nervous, is something wrong?”
Gwenllian adds accusingly, “Since when did you come to be on a first name basis with Dominar Akkad?”
“He visited me last night.”
Gwenllian suddenly seems upset, “Last night?”
“This morning, technically, he came by soon after midnight.”
“Observing the letter of the agreement, not the intent… from one such as him, it does not surprise me.”
What surprises me is that she is actually talking to me. “It seems odd. Last night I assumed he was attempting to catch me off guard, and sound me out. For further interactions though, I had expected that I would have to seek him out, not him me… I am the one who wants something, after all.”
Gwenllian looks at me, “Astute of you to notice. I would say that he likely wants something from you. It is also interesting that he wishes to meet you in the Morning gardens – they receive more Spire light than most of the surrounding areas, you will be at a distinct advantage. Perhaps he is trying to be nice, in order to lower your guard.” She pauses in thought, then continues. “Shi'ahn, those of the Akkad Dynasty are hunters, perhaps the greatest hunters in existence – and as leader of that Dynasty, Dominar Akkad will be the greatest hunter of them all – that's how they select their leaders.”
“Oh dear.” I feel icy cold spread in my heart; last night begins to make frightening sense.
“What is it, Shi'ahn?” William sounds terribly concerned.
“Last night…”
“What did he do?”
“Well, do you remember how nicely Dominar Ultor greeted us when we visited Uisnach?”
He pauses, “Do you mean when he greeted the women?”
“Ah… yes. Ishme could give him lessons. Frankly, I’m surprised he didn’t lose some of his tongue.”
They both almost burst out, “Tongue?” William continues, “But Shi'ahn… you’re an Avatar of Order… he kissed you???”
“Only my hand, William. And my wrist.”
“With his tongue? And he wasn’t harmed?”
“I didn’t say that. Smoke rose from his mouth, but… it did not seem to give him pause.”
Gwenllian disparagingly states, “One of those.”
“The way he looked at me sometimes, I suspect he may view me as… prey, though I do not think killing is his aim.”
She looks at me speculatively.
William sounds resolute, “Shi'ahn, I will monitor your meeting, secretly, if you don't mind?”
“That would be wonderful, brother – thank you.”
Gwenllian rather surprises me then, “Shi'ahn, I suggest that you avoid leading Dominar Akkad to underestimate you. You will want to appear as strong and self assured as you can with him.
“Hunters exploit weaknesses, I know, Gwenllian.”
She stands, “I have to be going, there is a lot happening today.”
She's right, there is a lot going on today, I also beg my leave and return to my rooms. What does one wear to a garden meeting with someone like Ishme? Something that will allow a hasty retreat, if necessary. My leather riding clothes from Shiral, they should be appropriate, and would give me confidence. Perhaps the scent of it will remind Ishme that I am a dragon friend, I do not stand alone. The fire diamonds should add to the effect. I leave my hair down – it gives the impression that I am not concerned… he would have no idea how quickly I can invoke battle-braids, and it leaves me looking more formal, as though I’m wearing pants only because we are meeting in a garden, not because I don’t trust him.
I walk to the garden, and first sight Ishme at precisely 9:00. My punctuality seems to please him, as does my attire, judging from the way his eyes quickly scan my figure and his following smile.
“Shi'ahn, thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. I was hoping you would join me in a game of croquette.”
“Good morning, Dominar” His eyes glint with displeasure. “Ishme. Excuse me, but, what is croquette?”
/> “I’m sorry, I thought they played it on Shiral…”
“They may, I don’t know everything that happens at home. Tell me, how does one play?” He looks at me a little oddly, but explains.
“The object of the game is to navigate your ball through each hoop, continuing through the course of the game until reaching the final goal and striking the post just behind it.”
“That sounds easy… what is the course path?” He points to each goal in turn. “May I practice a little?” He simply nods, so I use Harmony to mimic the telekinetic form of sorcery, and move a ball through the correct hoops. Before I get far at all, he places a shield in front of the ball.
“No, Shi'ahn, you must move your ball by striking it with a mallet.” He holds a mallet out for me to grasp.
“A mallet? But then… what skill does this test, simply one’s understanding of trigonometry?”
“This isn’t a test, Shi'ahn, it is a game.”
“But what is its purpose?”
His smile seems both untrustworthy and playful, “Why, the interaction of the individuals playing, of course.”
“I don’t understand.”
“No, I see that you don’t. Shi'ahn, what do you do for entertainment, on Shiral?”
“Entertainment?”
“Hmm… What do you do for fun, when you are not working on some important task?”
“I study.”
“And when you are not studying?”
“I… immerse myself in music and dance, explore beautiful places, and fly with Zah-Ha’Gor.”
“And Zah-Ha’Gor is?”
“My dragon friend. A magnificent blue, we used to explore the most amazing things together.” He glances at my jewelry, then redirects the discussion slightly. I can’t help but wonder, is flying with dragons such a strange pastime?
“What did you do with the people, Shi'ahn? How did you socialize with them?”
I take a deep, slow breath. “My people are not comfortable with the concept of ‘socializing’ with me. They are fine with William, but me they tend to… well…”
Between Darkness and Light Trilogy Page 38
