by Reiter
“I wasn’t thinking anything!” Valian snapped, coming short of admitting that thinking straight was something he was having a hard time doing at the moment. “That’s what you said!”
“I didn’t think you would actually say it to the woman!” Kethgeegan claimed. He engaged the drive and pulled away from the estate. “I think it’s fairly obvious that she wasn’t armed.”
“Don’t be too sure,” Valian muttered, adjusting the neck of his shirt.
“What?”
“No, I don’t think she was,” he spoke more clearly.
“I suppose you’re done thinking about what you’re going to do,” Kethgeegan concluded.
“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Valian said in a regretful tone. “Short of a miraculous change of heart with Yorlson, he’s always going to compete with me. It’s a race he should have never started... and one he can never win.”
“Uh oh, you’re getting philosophical again,” Kethgeegan grumbled. “Before I lose you altogether... how did she rate?”
Valian took in a deep breath before blowing out slowly.
“That good, eh?”
“I’ve had better.”
Kethgeegan smiled, knowing to whom he was referring. He just nodded in agreement and continued to drive.
“Let’s get back to the house as quickly as we can.”
“You expecting a delivery or something?” Kethgeegan asked.
“Yes I am,” Valian admitted. “More of Lady Gilestra’s training. I just made a very serious claim to my ability. I think I should be about the business of being able to back it up.”
“Don’t worry, Brother. You won’t stand alone.”
“Yes I will, Brother,” Valian thought. “Before it is all said and done, I will definitely stand alone!”
The shell game takes on new dimensions when the one who’s guessing realizes that they are, in fact, the pea.
Freund
(Rims Time: XI-4809.02)
Valian was very still as beads of sweat rolled down his face, neck, chest and back. His feet remained in the special chairs Gilestra had made specifically for this exercise, though ‘torture’ might have been a more accurate description.
His arms extended out from his sides, his hands continued to manipulate the weighted rods as they randomly shifted their weight. The weights on his shoulders and the ones that hung from his thighs continued to pull him down, but his breathing remained even and slow.
“Two minutes,” Gilestra noted. “Your concentration is beginning to drift.”
“Someone’s coming,” Valian said softly. “... and they’re running.”
Lady Gilestra stepped forward and took the weights from his hands, turning them off as she smacked the catches of the leg weights. Valian removed the shoulder weights and then caught the towel his trainer tossed to him.
“I still don’t like keeping things from my family,” he stated, sounding agitated.
“And we’re only following Jorkethian’s instructions,” Gilestra replied. “When you are ready to assume the mantle of knighthood, you may do things entirely your way. But not one moment before.”
Valian sighed, nodding in agreement. “Understood, Mistress.”
“Still, it’s good that it aggravates you.”
The door to the room opened as it was being knocked on. Bef’Lurro put his fist to his mouth in surprise, quickly apologizing for opening the door.
“It wasn’t fully closed, Bef,” Valian explained. “But please, come in. What warrants you running all the way up here?”
“One of the Rammodior Platform technicians sent you this,” the man said, holding up a data crystal. “She said you would want to view it.”
“Take it to the War Room,” Valian instructed. “Please, have everyone join me there.”
“At once, milord,” Bef’Lurro said with a bow. He turned and started running to complete his task.
Lady Gilestra looked to the floor before turning her eyes to Valian who was putting on his shirt. “That didn’t take long,” she said.
“You presume this is a report that Yorlson was at the platform,” Valian stated before smiling. “... but what else could it be, yes?”
“What else could it be?”
“Is it too much to hope for a surprise?”
“Once more I will say: it is good that it aggravates you.”
Valian had outgrown his distaste for calling the chamber the War Room. The more he engaged with his studies, the more he could see that even a peaceful existence among other people would require a certain mastery of combative tactics and abilities. For every mind that could be reached with reason, there were ten that would never be willing to begin the process unless they had something to fear from the one bringing reason to the discussion. Knighthood presented a fearful enough face. Mastery within its community would indeed afford Valian a measure of peace. But that was still a long climb, and he had a number of obstacles between where he was and where he wished to be.
The data crystal was activated and the face of one of the befriended technicians appeared. There was some light applause as congratulations were conveyed upon Kethgeegan.
“I take it this is one of your contacts, Keth?” Valian inquired.
“She was particularly taken with how our little group managed to restore order so quickly,” Kethgeegan admitted. “I believe she thinks we’re members of the Imperial Guard.”
“Technically speaking, while we still stand for the Duke, she is right.”
“Then I don’t feel half as bad for what I told her,” Kethgeegan revealed. He smiled at Valian as the young KnighT turned to look at him. “Yes, you would rather not know.”
“As you wish,” Valian said, folding his arms.
“This is Soldavia,” the woman said as the recording was allowed to play. “It happened just as you predicted: the Duke’s Proxy arrived early this morning and demanded to review the surveillance data crystals. I was in the room as he looked through them.” The woman shook her head as she looked around. “I don’t know what unit you’re with, my Master, but know that I am your loyal servant.
“The Proxy reviewed each of the crystals,” she continued. “... growing more belligerent with each playback. You and your group didn’t even show up on the screens until you started firing! How did you manage that?!”
Quilori waved her hand over the console holding the crystal, pausing the playback. “Yes, how did we manage that?” she asked, staring at Valian. “I gave you the charged gemstone that allowed for the Invisibility Spell... but that only fools the eyes of the living. Electronic devices are still able to see me when I use that spell.”
“I know,” Valian said, looking over at Sandra. “But the Gorrie Twins long ago perfected the range and capability of the Ardrian Scrambler Field. Using that in concert with the gem you gave me rendered our group unseen and unheard. We entered the chamber and climbed up to the rafters about two minutes ahead of Quybron’s entrance.”
“But how did we know the attack was going to happen?” Larry asked, standing up from his seat. “Sorry. Excuse me, sir, bu–”
“It’s alright, Larry,” Valian said softly. “Let’s just say that my family has long since had the ability to take a peek into the future and see some of the more pivotal moments in time. I took a peek and saw that the Duke and Duchess were going to be attacked.”
“And did you see us thwarting that attack?” Larry asked.
“What you’re trying to ask is did I know if we would all walk away from the engagement,” Valian stated, looking at the floor. “The answer is no, I didn’t know. I had faith in our ability, but my peek doesn’t let me see what’s going to happen the moment I interfere with that point in time.”
“So you saw dipstick here–”
“His name is Yorlson Gurguy Jhormynn, first-born of Duke Vaiyorl Teego Jhormynn,” Valian said sternly, locking his eyes on Larry’s. “He is my brother, the Duke’s Proxy, and neither stated fact will you be allowed to overlook
again!”
Larry took in a deep breath, holding up both of his hands. “Right. He’s your idiot and no one else’s.”
“Exactly.”
“Got it. But did you also take a peek to see him going to the platform?” Larry asked.
“That wasn’t necessary. Some things do not require an eye that can see through time,” Valian stated. “I need to speak with my Counsel and Trainer. Annodia, Champanna, Sandra, if you would also remain, please. The rest of you, make sure your go-packs are up to date and ready. There’s simply no telling when we might have to engage the field.
“And if you would be so good to keep an eye on them, Quilori,” Valian thought after relaxing his normal mode of mental defenses. “Can you do that and maintain our rapport?”
“That I can and will do, Master,” Quilori projected.
Valian began pacing as many in the room took their leave.
Lady Gilestra followed them to the door to close it after they departed. She turned to look at her student and lord. “Is there anything you want to share with us?”
“That was the point,” Valian muttered, as he continued pacing. “When I put my hands on him... that was the point of no return.”
“Yes it was,” Annodia said, stepping into his path. “When you put your hands on Yorlson to help him up the Test Tower, you passed the point of no return.” Her emerald eyes stared up at him and they did not waver. “As I recall, you put your hands on a number of people that day.”
“He can’t help it,” Kethgeegan added. “If he sees something in trouble, he’s got to touch. He can’t not touch!”
“You are all disturbed,” Champanna frowned, watching the three interact with one another.
“And what do you think you’ve been doing, helping me teach martial arts to the other retainers?” Lady Gilestra asked rhetorically. “This is a very pervasive contagion you’re dealing with, woman. One moment, you’re living what you think is a very good and adequate life. Superlative even! And then, you see something or do something and the person you thought you were has been dismissed, replaced by a fanatic, ready to give their life to the cause.”
“As far as causes go, at least I like this one,” Champanna added.
“Good. Then you’re ready to die for it,” Gilestra concluded, turning to Valian. “Tell the young fool how she’s going to court death.”
“I have a mission for you,” Valian started. “... a very difficult mission. Some might even call it foolhardy. But I’m hoping that will be one of its saving graces.”
** b *** t *** o *** r **
(Rims Time: XI-4809.05)
“What were we thinking?!” Champanna shouted as the wind whipped harshly across her face.
“I can’t say that we were really thinking at all,” Kethgeegan admitted. “It’s one of his affects. You stand close to him long enough, and before you even realize your way of thinking has changed, you’re saying yes to a mission to infiltrate a floating fortress!”
The robot drone banked into a tight approach vector, flying into a tunnel where there was little room for piloting error.
“We need to make sure we don’t stay in the same room as that man in the near future,” Champanna stated, holding on tight to her hand grips and closing her eyes.
She had been told many times that while she would be riding on the outside of the drone, she would not be outside of its outermost dimensions. Where sections of the tunnel had come together, the securing framework jutted out from the wall, coming within centimeters of the sides of the drone. Which also meant it came within centimeters of her.
“This freedom thing is highly overrated,” she thought. “I might have been better off as a slave!”
“Time to play dead,” Kethgeegan signaled.
A beep came from his chest and two more came from around the drone as it passed through the last three joined sections. Only here, each securing framework generated an energy field designed to eliminate all living matter. When the drone flew through the first field, they could hear the squeal of dying rats and the popping sound of insects that were being eviscerated.
“Sixty-nine percent,” Kethgeegan thought, reading the display in his goggle as they flew through the first barrier. “Thirty-four percent,” he winced, flying through the second. He gritted his teeth as his body grew tight. If the third and last barrier was as strong as the second, Sandra’s protective field would be overwhelmed, and she had promised that would be a very painful experience... provided anyone was alive to feel it. He opened his mouth and blew out slowly as the drone began to slow down. It had already passed through the third barrier and he closed his eyes after seeing his readout drop to two percent. Electricity was still arcing over the drone, and their bodies, when it came to a stop and initiated the process of collecting the garbage receptacle.
“Is it me or did it get a little warm?” Kethgeegan asked, hopping from the drone to the closest wall. “Switching over to stealth field.”
“Acknowledged,” Champanna said softly. “My field is only reading eighty-seven percent integrity.”
“Eighty-three here,” Kethgeegan reported. “The primary function of these fields is to keep us out of sight. We need to be extra careful to keep it quiet.”
“Then we might want to start with shutting up, right?” Quilori said as she bound from the drone to the wall, landing without making a sound.
“And maybe send our thoughts to the only person who could pass for a telepath in this little group,” she projected as she started up the garbage drop shaft. The others had special boots and gloves that Sandra had given to them. The Olasson woman hopped up to the first seam in the shaft, landed on the three-centimeter wide ledge, and jumped up to the next seam.
“I don’t think you really want to hear my thoughts right now, Lori,” Champanna thought as she started her climb.
“I’ll go along with that,” Kethgeegan thought. “... but if you think we’re in a bad place, how do you think the others are doing?”
** b *** t *** o *** r **
Her ample bosom pressed against his flesh, but the tide of passion had come and gone. The elegant woman was now asleep with her head resting on his chest, her right arm and leg draped over his body in a nocturnal embrace.
Evard Bruntelior’s left hand came out from under the satin sheet, catching the wrist of his assailant. The wet dagger froze centimeters from Lusorra’s flesh.
“Nay, coward!” the man boomed as he squeezed the wrist.
Lusorra awoke with a jump, gasping at the sight of a man, clad in black leather armour, in her bed chambers. He was both hooded and masked, and though he had managed to penetrate the Countess’ security, her KnighT seemed to have matters well in hand. She took the top sheet to cover her naked body while moving to the far side of the large bed.
“You’ll not have an easy conquest whilst I breathe,” Evard vowed as he twisted the arm he held. The struggle was brief and the dagger was dropped.
A second figure stepped out from behind the first, jumping to land a powerful cross to Evard’s chin. His grip was spoiled as his head was sent back to the pillow. His attacker landed on the foot of the bed, turning to face the Countess.
“Away with you!” Lusorra commanded, using her free hand to gesture toward the bed. The fitted sheet on the bed ripped in half with the lower portion wrapping around the body standing on the foot of the bed and rolling them onto the floor.
“Sword!” Evard called, reaching out for his weapon. The weapon responded instantly, coming out of its scabbard and flying to its master’s hand.
“Not so fast,” the black clad figure whispered, his voice sounding synthetic as he stepped forward, kicking the hilt of the blade. The pommel was lifted up and over Evard’s hand and he missed the catch. The sword continued its trek, now tumbling in air. It finally came to a stop in the wall with the Countess screaming at how close she had come to being struck by the blade. With her concentration broken, the sheet was no longer able to hold the second figure capt
ive.
“Countess!” Evard called to the woman.
The first black-clad figure lunged forward, driving his fist into Evard’s crotch. “That’s both of your swords, KnighT!” A quick strike to the throat further inhibited the large man.
“Well, this is going well,” Valian thought, smirking underneath his mask and taking hold of Evard’s head and shoulder. He could hear that they were about to have company.
“Master?” Wunkran called as he entered the room with sword and shield at the ready.
“Right here,” Valian huffed as he pulled on the large mass he had taken a hold of. He snatched Bruntelior up out of the bed and sent him across the room, colliding with the eager KnighT that had just come into the room.
“Oh, no you don’t!” Annodia hissed from underneath her mask, drawing and firing her blaster before the Countess could get off an incantation. She fired three times, each time to miss, but she did not miss by much, and the blaster bolt explosions made Lusorra scream in fright again.
“Slay them!” Evard’s voice was strained, and he was unable to stand or see clearly. His head had met with Wunkran’s shield and he was still doubled over from the blow to his crotch.
Briash, the second of Evard’s two-KnighT escort entered the room, though he did not appear to be as awake as the first. Valian almost hated landing the blindside tackle he put to the man’s side, driving his head into the wall.
“For my Master!” Wunkran yelled, getting up from the floor and lunging with his sword. His thrust just missed Valian’s back as the black-clad KnighT ducked and spun around, smacking the overly-extended weapon away.
“Some KnighT,” Valian hissed, lunging forward.
Wunkran met Valian halfway, placing his bodyweight into a ramming attack with the shield. A sliding Valian tripped the charging Wunkran who stumbled to the floor.
“Kill her already!” Valian yelled as alarms started sounding.
