by Reiter
“My tenure as your Praeceptor began on the first day of Mityar,” the man stated, getting up from his chair. “That day is exactly one and a half months away... or it will be... in four days. The Duke has given me permission to alter the teaching format in any manner I deem fit... or, in this case, necessary.
“You and your friends had better pack your things,” Ulreejun said when he reached the door. “Your transport will depart shortly after the Duke’s. But I think you would be well-served in saying your farewells as soon as you can muster the strength to do so.”
“Thank you, Praeceptor,” Valian said softly.
“Thank you, Phytos. And I meant what I said, aside from your awareness, that was a near-perfect application of skill, strength, and speed. And is the warning code always going to be spiders?”
“It never fails to get Annodia’s attention... and true assassins would not know the code we used last time.”
“There is a point to that... you hope.” Ulreejun stepped out of the room, nodding his head at the two students who had opted to wait in the corridor. “Not so questionable a tumbler anymore, are you?” he said, beaming a smile at Kethgeegan. “Not many make me miss, boy. I’d be sorely put out of place if you allow others to hit you.”
“No, Master. I will see to it the list is short but distinguished,” Kethgeegan returned.
The KnighT nodded before shifting his eyes to Annodia, all the while maintaining his smile. “Kesurgi,” he sighed, chuckling.
“It felt like the right word, Master,” Annodia explained.
“Indeed. And I shall ask your Praeceptor if he has any argument in seeing to it that when next you use the word, you will have the option of engaging actual Chi.”
“Thank you, Master,” Annodia smiled, trying not to show her excitement.
The two waited for Jorkethian to be out of sight before they returned inside the room, receiving an assault of pillows and a shouted reminder to knock before walking into someone else’s room.
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
Plato
(Rims Time: XI-4804.13)
Stretching after his morning workout, Valian was bringing his mind to a place where he believed he could withstand saying farewell to the Duke and Duchess. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he needed to separate the impulse from the sentiment. It was imperative he say the right thing as there was no telling when he would see them again.
He looked up when the doors to the exercise room burst open and he did not have to wait for the culprit. Annodia rushed inside, looking flushed and aggravated. Right on her heels though was one of the Estate Guards who came running in after her, grabbing the young woman by the arm.
“Whoa! That’s not a good move,” Valian thought as he watched Annodia take hold of the hand, plant a back kick to the man’s knee. She then sank her elbow into his stomach and turned around, lifting her knee into the man’s face.
As the first guard fell back, another came rushing into the room. His fist swung into Annodia’s face and she fell down, back-rolling up to her feet before the man could press and jump on her while she was on the ground. He continued his charge, swinging down. Annodia timed her spin perfectly and his fist just missed her face. Her spinning backfist hammered against his face, stunning the man long enough for her hand thrust to find his neck. The man choked as Annodia jumped up and forward, coming down with a hammering fist that broke his nose.
Valian shuddered and frowned in sympathetic pain. “Hold!” he commanded, getting up from the floor.
“We are following the orders of the Duke’s Proxy!” a third guard cried, running up to swing at Annodia. His fist was caught before it had an opportunity to fly forward.
“Then we must ask ourselves... how committed are we to our chosen paths? Will you be loyal to and through your visitation to the HealeR? Or do you think the will of the Proxy will keep me from finishing my morning workout on your person?!”
A fourth guard came into the room and took hold of the third, pulling him back from Valian.
“Now... might I know the trouble here?”
The first guard sat up and pointed at Annodia. “She-” his voice choked in his throat seeing the Duke’s ward quickly snap his head around to glare at him.
“Ladies first, guard,” Valian said softly. When he was assured of their silence, he stepped back and looked at Annodia.
“I went to the field for my morning ride,” Annodia began, flexing her hands. She was ready to continue the fight; the landed punch had only elevated her anger. “The horses have been moved to the other side of the estate... and they are dismantling the field!”
“Dismantling?”
“The test track has already been removed,” she continued. “... and they are taking down the obstacle course. I asked them to stop and explain themselves.”
“We don’t answer to her!” the guard spat.
“Why?” Valian quickly asked, knowing the particular tone he was hearing coming from the man. “She is a guest of the Duke, and for the past four years this house had been her home. So tell me how it is now that you cannot answer the lady’s question?”
“They were about the business I put them to,” Yorlson said as he entered the room. “Unless you question my position, boy.”
“Boy?!” Valian thought, glaring at Yorlson. He turned and walked over to the young man, pulling free of Annodia’s grasp.
“Is this the best you can do?” Valian asked. “These men have no oil, no soil, no signs of labor on their persons. Are you going to contend that they were actually doing the work of dismantling constructs? I would challenge that assertion, taking the matter to a point of verification, and you would lose.
“They are guards and the task they are meant to perform is one of protection and service, which means they are in a position to answer questions, especially to the residents of this estate! So my claim is that they were out of line just as you are in this pitiful effort to support their position with your authority. I am no Proxy, but I am the ward of the Duke and therefore this estate... and as such I can challenge any and all improprieties. So what say you, Proxy, shall we take this to the level of a challenge? Have a care... I won’t be there to save you this time!”
Yorlson stared at the Duke’s ward. They had both grown, but the advantages Valian held when they were thirteen had only been increased over time.
“The domed facility is off limits!” Yorlson declared. “It is to become my training area.”
“Training, Yorlson?”
“As Proxy of this estate, I cannot leave my post, so I am having my instructors join me here. They require that area for my training.”
“You will find it to be good soil for such things,” Valian stated in a softer voice. “The blood, sweat, and tears of real students have been spilt on those grounds. Mayhap those components will inspire you. Annodia, with me.”
Valian turned and started out of the room, Annodia walking right behind him. The two made it into the corridor where Annodia could see Valian relinquished his anger.
“Your morning rides are getting earlier,” he commented.
“So they are.”
“It was the horses, wasn’t it? How did you come to know something needed investigation?”
“Why I went to the dome is immaterial to what happened when I got there. They were looking to be troublesome... so I gave the some trouble.”
“How many before those four?”
“Only three others,” Annodia admitted.
Valian snorted a laugh as he looked at his friend. “And to think I was getting worried when that one landed a punch on you.”
“My concern was with the one I put down before him,” Annodia replied. “He didn’t fall well and I thought I might have hit him harder than I meant to.”
Valian put his arm across her chest as he frowned. “You were pulling the force of your attacks?!”
“Well of course!” Annodia quickly
returned. “Those men work for the Duke!”
“Good morning, Annodia.”
With the way he had spoken and turned down a hallway, Annodia knew she was not required to follow him. She watched Valian walking away, feeling Kethgeegan’s approach to her back. “Tell me again that was the right thing to do.”
“That was the right thing to so,” Kethgeegan said, sounding incredibly supportive. “You heard Jorkethian two days ago, just like I did. The weakest point in Valian’s armour is his family. If he isn’t made to face it and resolve his feelings, it will remain a liability.”
Annodia turned, smiling at Kethgeegan. “And when did you become the philosopher?”
“You’d be surprised how well thieves understand people,” he replied, ushering Annodia to the kitchen. It was time to get something to eat... and they had all worked up an appetite.
“Would I?” Annodia coyly asked.
“I know I was!”
The triple knock at the door told the Duchess that their breakfast had arrived. The Duke had already stretched, shaved, and showered. He was tying down his robe and looking out on the terrace.
“It certainly is warm enough,” Guysorla said. “If that is your intention.”
“You would not mind?”
“It has been a while since we have taken our breakfast together out on the terrace,” she smiled.
“You can cut your statement off at ‘out’ and still be accurate,” Vaiyorl said, opening the doors and taking in the fresh air and sunlight.
“My husband is a Duke, and the Director of Development and Acquisitions at New Eden Technologies. He is a hard-working man and his wife has no complaints.”
“None?”
“My husband still saves his hardest work for me,” she returned, blushing a smile at Vaiyorl.
“Woman, get the door while we both can still walk!”
“Valian!” Guysorla gasped. “You brought us breakfast?”
“Uhm, no,” he admitted, carrying the tray into the room. “I’m afraid it is a matter of fortunate timing, actually. But in hearing your surprise, I apologize. It has been too long since I last brought you your meal.”
Guysorla smiled, remembering how sweet the boy could be. “Valian, you’ve spent more time in the library and the infirmary than anywhere else. The absence is understood. But do come along. The robots were designed to carry those trays. I’d hate to think what you’re doing to your back.”
Valian barked a laugh as he walked through the bed chamber and out on the terrace. His eyes met with Vaiyorl’s and Valian smiled. “Father, I trust you slept well.”
“The night was very calming,” Vaiyorl said, pulling a chair out for his wife. “My wife.” Guysorla took her seat and Vaiyorl adjusted her chair. “Would you care to join us?”
“The trays are set for two, sir.”
“Yes, a shame the robots can’t return to the kitchen and fetch more food,” Vaiyorl said, clapping his hands once. The robots turned and started back to the kitchen. “I forgot we were being rationed!”
Valian smiled, remembering how easy it was to be in the presence of the man. “Thank you,” he answered, pulling out a chair for himself.
“So, what brings you to my doorstep so early in the day?”
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior in your study two days ago.”
“Did I miss something?” Vaiyorl asked.
“It was nothing I said, sir,” Valian clarified. “But my thoughts were far beneath my station.”
“You take exception to my decision?” Vaiyorl inquired.
Valian nodded ‘yes’. “I did, sir... at first. I have since come to a better understanding. That doesn’t excuse what I was thinking and feeling.”
“Valian, we can hardly hold a person-”
“I am responsible, sir,” Valian interrupted. “... responsible for my thoughts and feelings as much as I am responsible for my actions. You gave me a home when it couldn’t have been easy to. Your position with regards to the Throne... the expansion of New Eden... along with the normal responsibilities of being a loving husband and father. I’ve had a good home in comparison to most, and both you and the Duchess have been a blessing to me.
“And on second thought,” Valian said, getting up from his chair. “... I will not be joining you for breakfast. I don’t know what condition I’ll be in when your transport is departing. My Praeceptor seems pressed to make the last month and a half worth aching over. I simply wanted to say that I love you. I was born to incredible parents!”
“Yes you were,” Guysorla said, getting up and holding out her hand for Valian. “I knew them briefly... but they were at the very least... incredible!” Valian was brought into an embrace and Guysorla was surprised to feel the tightness of his hug.
“Thank you... but I wanted to add that I was entrusted to equally incredible people who had no obligation-”
“We had every obligation!” Vaiyorl insisted.
“Father, we’ve both seen otherwise. Love given does not mean love will be returned.” Both the Duke and Duchess lowered their eyes from his. “And whatever debt you feel you owed my parents, I am here to tell you that debt is paid. It has been overpaid and I shall spend my life seeing to the balance.”
“Valian... son, you don’t owe us anything!” Vaiyorl declared. Guysorla batted away forming tears as she nodded in agreement.
“Perhaps not... but I do love you... I love this family... each and every piece of it... and in one measure I can say I agree with my parents: you’re worth it!
“Now, if you will excuse me... there are matters I must see to before you leave. Father, I will have a number of requests on your desk first thing in the morning.”
“I will make sure to look at them before I leave, son,” Vaiyorl said calmly.
“Thank you. Mother... Father... enjoy your day.” Valian turned and walked back into the bedroom on his way to find his Praeceptor.
The Duchess looked at her husband and allowed the tears to fall from her eyes. Vaiyorl wrapped his arms around her and held her until the crying stopped.
“What are we going to do with all of this food?” The two laughed together, holding on to one another. It was not the familial resolve that either wanted, but it would serve for a time.
A man never knows how to say goodbye; a woman never knows when to say it.
Helen Rowland
(Rims Time: XI-4804.15)
The transport was nearly out of sight and two of the children were still waving. Dressed in their formal attire and standing oldest to youngest – Valian, Yorlson, Shonsatah, and Pirion stood in front of Valian’s friends and five Praeceptors, the household staff assembled in a third line as the Duke and Duchess of Jhormynn made their departure. The two youngest children continued to wave as the two oldest slowly lowered their hands to their sides.
“Valian,” Yorlson said as he turned to go back inside the house. “I will need you to clear the pad as soon as you can. I have materials arriving shortly.”
“There are other pads you can use!” Shonsatah said bitterly. “Like the one closer to your project, perhaps?”
“What did you say to me?” Yorlson asked, stopping and turning to look at his sibling.
With the fire of a Jhormynn, Shonsatah took in the breath to repeat her words if not choose a few more colorful ones.
“Young Mistress Shonsatah, you are out of line!” Valian barked.
Nearly everyone present was shocked into silence. Ulreejun pressed his lips together and put forward his best look of surprise.
“What?” Shonsatah asked, barely able to speak.
“You are addressing the Proxy of the Duke Vaiyorl of Jhormynn. He has been chosen to care for this estate in the Duke’s absence. Do you question your father’s judgment?!”
“Of course not.”
“Then apologize and make your withdrawal,” Valian commanded.
Shonsatah’s eyes welled up with tears, but she kept to her station and turned to face her older bro
ther.
“A thousand pardons, my lord,” she said, bowing to Yorlson.
“Forgiven and forgotten, Sister,” Yorlson said warmly. “Attend to your quarters.”
As she walked away, Yorlson looked at Valian who stepped closer to him. “I think we can agree that my position as Ward of the Duke obligates me to my service of this very fine House.”
Not sure as to what he should say, Yorlson nodded, muttering, “Agreed.”
“My lord,” Valian said, taking hold of Yorlson’s hand.
Several of the guards jumped with his movement and even Seranos readied himself. All of those intended guards had their attention stolen away by one clearing throat. Jorkethian glared at Yorlson’s Praeceptor, reminding the man how all Finishing Masters felt about their Phyti. One Praeceptor smirked, moving into a position to protect his Phytos, the latest Champion of the Test Tower, young Pirion Jhormynn.
Valian put his forehead to the back of Yorlson’s hand, completing the salute of station. Yorlson frowned in confusion until Valian lifted his head. He licked his lips and nodded his head. “Indeed. I will still need the pad.”
“Have your ships make their approach, my lord,” Valian said confidently. “I will have mine redirected at once. Kethgeegan, have our things moved to the Southeast Lawn!”
“I will see it done,” Kethgeegan said, bowing his head.
“Even better, Ward.” Yorlson turned and walked back inside followed by his Praeceptor and the guards.
“Developing that long-term vision, Phytos?” Ulreejun asked.
“My father is a long-term thinker,” Valian replied. “I am merely following his example. This family is not the chink you mentioned, Master. But like all things, it has the potential of being used against me... if I allow it.”
“Well done, indeed!” Jorkethian said, clapping his hand down on Valian’s shoulder. The three Praeceptors all wore smiles walking back into the house while Annodia and Kethgeegan stepped closer to their friend.
