by Vi Voxley
"I've been thinking about this a lot," she said with a self-deprecating grin. "From the moment I found the stone and ever since. Do you see the box? Touch it, but be careful with the stone."
Braen gave her a stern look, but his mood was so much better that Naima was starting to forget he could be anything but cheerful and passionate around her. As cheerful as a Brion general could be, anyway.
The general ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the little box in her hands. Naima nearly dropped it when his touch skimmed over her skin, only for a heartbeat. The pleasure such a short contact sent through her was overwhelming, but she pushed it away.
"It's only a box, though. I'm not sure what you want me to feel."
"When I took the lifestone, this was a wooden box from Terra," Naima explained. "A memento of my childhood. Roughly carved, but it was the first one I found and I was in a hurry. I threw the lifestone in it and didn't check it for a while. Now look at it. It's still wood, but it's flawless, polished. And then there's this."
She shut the box with a quick snap and threw it on the floor as hard as she could. Braen's eyes flashed again as he was about to give her a lecture, no doubt. Something along the lines of being more careful with priceless treasures.
"It's alright," Naima said, picking the box up and showing it to the general to prove her words. "Not a scratch, not anything. The stone is fine too, don't worry."
"Very well," he said carefully. "So the stone has enhanced the box. It's not surprising. We knew it does that. It's the reason why it's so important."
"Yes, but hear me out," Naima continued, feeling her cheeks burn as she grew more certain with every second. "We know the lifestone magnifies, amplifies whatever it touches, right? I think it does more. Take this box. It was made of wood before it came into contact with the stone. Therefore, the lifestone should have made it better, but even the most perfect version of a wooden box is still wood. It should break or at least chip when I smashed it. Yet it didn't. The lifestone added that quality itself."
"You speak of it like it's sentient," Braen said seriously.
"I don't think so," Naima argued at once. "Not in the way we perceive sentience, at least. I believe it's just... very specific. It doesn't only enhance the material it touches, but the thing itself. The stone somehow understood the function of a box and compensated for its shortcomings."
Braen’s brows hiked up as he looked at her with an expression as close to surprise as she’d ever seen on him.
"That is incredible," the general said, suddenly looking at her like she'd solved all the mysteries of the universe. "If this is true, it's an amazing breakthrough in our understanding of the stone. I will report it to the Union's council at once."
"Do so," Naima agreed happily, "but make sure they understand it's a working theory for now, General. We need to test the concept and I think I have the perfect object to test it with."
"What do you have in mind?" Braen asked.
As an answer, Naima raised the hand that wore the beautiful Palian bracelet.
"This," she said. "My connection to the lifestone has brought me so much pain. Let it protect me now, from itself."
20
Braen
Laveden welcomed them with mixed emotions.
On one hand, the Palians were clearly disappointed that he hadn't set the fastest course to the Fearless. On the other, of all the species, they understood the concern Braen had for Naima's health and they were more than excited about her new theory.
Thankfully, the Palians had been in no hurry to argue with Braen about finding treatment for her first and dealing with the Fearless second.
The dropship descended smoothly, but Naima looked pale and her expression spoke of clear desire for the trip to be over. She was sitting hunched over on a seat, strapped with belts while Braen chose to stand nearby in case she needed him. Seeing her so distressed, the general frowned, checking to see if the bracelet was properly closed. It was.
"Are you alright, my gesha?" he asked.
It said plenty about Naima's condition that she didn't have the strength to raise an argument about her not being anything of the sort. Instead, she shook her head. It seemed like the conversation they had had after the Fearless’ attack had taken what little energy she had left right out of her.
"I think I'm going to be sick," she managed to whisper, leaning her head forward and moaning in silent pain.
"Is it the Fearless?" he demanded, aware that his voice grew rougher when he spoke of the monster.
"No, I don't think so," Naima said. "It just feels like I've been put on a carousel and they switched it to turbo. My insides want to jump right out of me. Perhaps we should have taken Alona with us. It could diagnose me, see if I've eaten something that didn't sit well with me or something."
"The android had to stay aboard the Benevolent," Braen insisted seriously. "I can't risk that it finds out what we're trying to do. And you have not eaten at all, per the android’s report. If it works, Alona will be able to tell anyway. Until that time, I don't think we should share your theory.
“Hold on, my heart, we are almost there. This is a Palian world. I'm sure they have diagnostic equipment built into the landing bay."
Naima laughed, but even that simple action seemed to cause her difficulties. She was starting to look so sick Braen seriously considered stopping the ship mid-descent and waiting for her to be better.
When he offered that to Naima, her reaction was immediate and horrified: "What? No. I – ugh, I just want this thing to land. I want it to be over as quickly as possible. Tell them to speed up."
The general chose to take that as joke, looking on as Naima struggled. It made him feel incredibly helpless, an emotion he was not familiar with and had no desire to be. Instead, he spoke into the comm link.
"Pilot, alert the Palians. Tell them Miss Jones is very ill and needs medical attention. She claims it doesn't have anything to do with the Fearless, but we need to be sure."
"Yes, General," the warrior replied.
Braen cut the link, regarding Naima with growing unease. It didn't make any sense. The last few days after Naima had confessed possessing a lifestone had been entirely peaceful. Their fights still hung heavy between them, but there was a new level of familiarity as well that was somehow even better than the initial – and prevailing – desire he felt for her.
After the attack, the Fearless hadn't show its face again, although both Naima and Audrey Price confessed to feeling it growing stronger. For a while, it had even seemed that Naima would recuperate on her own. Then, her appetite had waned and her strength seemed to evaporate.
He reluctantly agreed with Naima – the symptoms she was experiencing didn't resemble anything either her or Audrey had been through after connecting with the lifestone and the monster. The general was glad she wasn't in danger, but it raised the question of what else could it be?
"It could not be the food, even if you had been eating properly," he said, feeling as the ship around them began to shake as it entered atmosphere. "Humans have never had any problems with our meals. The ambassadors at Briolina eat the same as us, all their staff as well. None of the other Terran geshas have ever complained about it."
"I'm not complaining," Naima said, trying to smile.
No matter how brave she tried to be, Braen was infinitely grateful when they finally landed and there was a true smile on his gesha's face. He offered her his hand in support, suddenly sharply reminded of Naima's warning never to lay a hand on her again, but the simple gesture didn't seem to count.
She leaned on him, daring to show a bit more vulnerability than she would have admitted to. The general didn't mind. All that mattered to him was that she would be okay.
They walked out of the dropship together, to a world of glittering, blinding whiteness.
Laveden was almost the exact opposite of the Benevolent. Every surface was clean and transparent and shining. And, most important of all – well lit! The landing platfor
m under their feet looked to be made of pure glass, but the general knew better than to think it was fragile. Palian architecture was second to none, true perfection achieved.
To those who liked living with a constant headache and being half-blind, that was. Even Braen's amazing eyes struggled a little with the first impression of the Palian world. The three suns weren't helping. By his side, Naima blinked quickly, her eyes watering.
"They really don't like darkness, do they?" she asked with a small grin as the Palian delegation approached them.
"No," Braen admitted. "I suppose it must be a relief for you after the eternal night of my ship."
There was a curious expression on Naima's beautiful face and the gentlest smile flashed by like a shadow on her lips.
"I wouldn't say that," she said quietly. "I've come to like the twilight. I guess it was just a matter of getting used to it."
Her last words were spoken so seriously that the general had to wonder if they referred to something else, other than light. He did not have time to ponder this as the Palians arrived.
There were three men, all tall and very thin to the point where it looked like a stronger gust of wind could blow them off the platform. Their large lidless eyes were as unreadable as ever, but Braen had had dealings with the species before and knew how to read even the most miniscule reactions.
It was amazing how different they looked from their warriors, however. The Palian paladins certainly did not make Braen think that a breeze could vanquish them.
The Brion genes in them help with that, he concluded.
"General Braen," said the leader, dressed in a long white robe and bearing the markings of Palian politicians. "I am Horol, the governor of this world. You are most welcome on Laveden, as well as is Miss Jones, of course."
Turning his sharp eyes back to the general, the governor continued, his voice betraying nothing of his feelings.
"We understand that you don't have much time. Palians respect the traditions of other species and we know Brions don't like to make big words when there are larger battles to be held. Laveden is at your command, General. Whatever you need."
That was the problem with Palians and dealing with them, Braen had found. The hints and chiding were so subtle you had to listen very attentively to hear it.
Right now, the governor had respectfully told him to get on with his task and not waste time. Apparently he wasn't trying to be very convincing, because even Naima noticed, judging by the way her hold around Braen’s arm tightened.
The general had never hated his armor more, wishing he could feel her warmth.
If he'd been the man he was a month ago, Braen would have taken a lot of time to make the Palian understand just how much Brions were willing to waste their time when someone dared to talk down to them like that. Yet that man was gone, vanished without a trace in the second he laid his eyes on Naima. His gesha's presence forced Braen to put that argument aside for the time being.
And the Palian was right, worst of all.
The Fearless was out there somewhere and it was a direct threat to Naima. If nothing else, that warranted hurrying.
"Very good," he said. "I trust you received our message about Miss Jones' theory."
"Yes," Horol said and the Palian's eyes were full of excitement. "We are very anxious to investigate it. If you are right, Miss Jones, this is a major breakthrough. Did you bring the stone?"
Naima nodded, handing the small box to the one of the Palians who'd stepped forward. She gripped it a little too tight for a moment, making the Palian almost yank it out of her hands. Braen set his big palm on her shoulder, trying to ease her mind.
She hadn’t spoken to him, but it was clear that the attachment went two ways. It was hard for her to let go of the stone.
“It will be safe with them,” he whispered to her, before the Palian spoke again.
"Excellent," Horol continued with a very characteristic smile. "This is Gelo, our lead scientist in the matter of the lifestone. He built the bracelet I can see you wearing right now. If you will wait a moment, he would try out Miss Jones' idea."
"Of course," Naima said and Braen could see how the hopefulness of the Palians carried over to her.
When Gelo had left, walking as fast as he dared, Horol pointed to the other man.
"And this is Fosh, my personal healer. You also messaged us about the health of Miss Jones."
Ignoring the sharp look Naima gave him, the general gave the healer a slight nod.
"Yes," he confirmed. "She was feeling ill on our way down. It might be the lifestone, but she claims it's not."
Before Fosh could say anything, Naima cut in.
"She can speak for herself," his gesha said, although Braen was glad to hear she was more amused than mad. "It was just motion sickness, that's all. I'm fine now."
"With respect," Fosh said, giving them a small bow. "The general is right. At such a time, facing the dangers you have to deal with, there is nothing more important than your well-being. If you don't mind me saying, Miss, this is a Palian world, equipped with everything you might imagine. I could find the cause of a toothache you had when you were a child."
"That's hard to argue with," Naima admitted, "but don't worry. I won't drop dead before I've helped the general bring the Fearless down."
Both Palians glowered at the implication, but it was Fosh who spoke.
"That was uncalled for. We are Palians, Miss Jones. We believe all life is sacred and should be preserved, if possible."
"All life?" she asked to Braen's surprise. "Even the Fearless'?"
"Yes," the Palians chorused together without hesitation, and Horol went on: "If it was prepared to honor lives other than its own, we would honor its life as well. Regrettably, it is a monster and has always been. All we hope for the beast's sake now is a quick death, which is why we asked the Brions for their aid. They don't torture."
An interesting compliment, but true nonetheless, Braen thought, seeing Naima's eyes flick to him for a second.
"I'm sorry," she told the Palians then. "I didn't mean to be rude. I know your beliefs and everything you do for the galaxy. I've just felt like a pawn for the last couple of weeks, like I'm less of a person and more of a conduit for the lifestone. And, of course, a compass for the general."
The words poured out of her mouth like they'd been held back for a long time. Braen felt his hands shaking like they had when he’d witnessed her nearly frozen to death and had to bite his tongue not to start another fight with the little Terran.
His gesha, who was his reason for living, and who thought she was nothing more than the circumstances that had brought her to him. It was as close to unbearable for the general as he could imagine.
She was right, in a way, as well. The course changes were required often and each of them caused Naima great pain. It truly was like she was being used as some sort of a twisted targeting and GPS system, though Braen had not really thought of it that way so far. His desire to reach the Fearless seemed to be at times too great to consider what it might be doing to his gesha.
Is it selfishness on my part?
The expressions on the faces of the Palians changed instantly from slight annoyance to kindness, which was their default emotion.
"That is understandable," Fosh said softly. "We live in troubling times. I believe every man and woman who is in a position of power, who has the opportunity to change the great galaxy sometimes feels like that. Fate drives us all, like the Brions say. It doesn't mean we're powerless to make our own choices, quite the contrary. They just weigh more.
“Now, Miss Jones, shall we go? I promise to you, I will find the reason for your illness before Master Gelo has finished the bracelet. A little friendly competition, if you will. We even gave him a head start."
Smiling, Naima allowed that with a nod. They headed for the best med bay in the galaxy, but Braen's heart still raged at whatever or whoever had made his gesha feel the way she did.
He wondered if the blame lay
solely with him.
Naima was sitting on a high-raised chair, resting comfortably against the soft surface with a cold drink in her hands. Her legs were dangling over the edge far from the ground and she looked so happy it brought a smile to Braen's lips as well.
"I remember times, back on Terra," his gesha was saying between sips, "when going to get checked up meant getting poked with something all the time. Cold, metallic spikes and weird gadgets and whatever else. Ugh, I get shivers down my spine even from thinking about it.
“It’s better now, of course. We're implementing Palian technology as fast as we can, but still. This was so nice! I just laid here, didn't even have to put my drink down and the scanner did the rest."
"The healer said these were the simplest diagnostics," Braen added, hating to bring her good spirits down, but he thought it was better if she didn't get her hopes up so fast.
After all, he expected to stay for a while, since neither of them could think of a reason for Naima's sudden illness, other than troubling increases of the Fearless’ presence, which she seemed to deny.
"Even so," she smiled at him. "It might just be the comfort of knowing. I've spent the last three weeks thinking whether I'm crazy or not, wondering if the images in my mind are real or not. I was getting used to my mind breaking down on me, but now my body as well? I’d like to retain control over something at least."
Braen didn’t add that whether she wanted to or not, she certainly controlled him, to an extent.
Something about the way she said that brought Braen crashing back to reality. He'd kept his silence while Fosh worked with Naima, but now that the healer had left them alone for the moment, all the emotions rushed back.
Seeing his valor squares pulse faster, the smile fell from Naima's face.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The thing you said before," the general said. "That you felt like a pawn, a tool for my mission. Not a real person."
Naima didn't reply, looking at the floor instead of him.
"I know it's not like that," she offered at last. "I just wonder what would have happened if Janey had dived into that cave instead of me. What then? She'd have touched the stone. She would be here instead of me. Everything I did to get the spot on Doug's team – that was all me, all my hard work, doing what I loved. I am here by accident."
