by Reiter
“Yes,” Annodia said, drawing her second blaster. She fired both weapons at Lusorra who had just erected a personal shield... she had also released her hold on the sheet as bronze light sparked alive in her eyes. “No!”
“Terrace!” Valian shouted, landing a side-kick to the side of Briash’s head. He dropped to his knees, struggling to remain conscious, and Valian turned for the terrace doors. He dropped a small black cube just as he cleared the bed.
Annodia reached the doors first, wrapping her fist in Power energy before punching into the doors. With only a slight twinge of pain registering on her hand, the double sliding doors exploded away from the wall and out onto the terrace.
Under the protection of her shield, Lusorra summoned her armour. Yellow fire burst from her center, burning around her body, and quickly forming into black and sapphire armour. She stood up out of her fading shield, smacking away Evard’s sword. Bronze electricity flowed over her armour, concentrating itself in her hands and around her eyes.
“Remember, more out than up,” Valian huffed as he ran behind Annodia. He watched Annodia jump far too soon to clear the terrace. Power Energy had been wrapped around her feet and it exploded when she landed on it, sending her away from the terrace like a rocket. “Of course... that works too!”
“Maelstrom!” Lusorra yelled, throwing both arms forward. She generated twelve massive MannA Bolts that streaked across the room. The bolts flew with more rage and power than any measure of precision. But still, there were ten separate missiles. The first missed the black-clad man, but not the second, third, or fourth. Each bolt delivered its explosive power and just before her target could explode, he faded.
“Impressive spell,” Valian said, dropping his veil of invisibility at the same time his fist hammered into Lusorra’s jaw. She spun to the floor, contending with the incredible power of the blow and the backlash of the spell she was holding. “Don’t die on me yet,” he said, focusing on his body as he broke into a run.
By the time he reached the edge of the terrace, he was running at his best speed and he pushed from the edge. His body sailed out before gravity took hold. Valian held his form and continued moving away from the floating domicile. His body cleared the foundation ring by two meters as he entered open sky. He smiled when he heard the engines of the sky-bike coming from above him. He looked to his left to see K’Vatti on the back of the vehicle and Annodia already in her position on the right runner of the vehicle. Valian took hold of the wing of the bike and pulled himself into the left runner position. A belt wrapped around his waist as the main engine fired for full thrust. K’Vatti swerved to her right. An explosion going off to the left told Valian why, and he patted her leg in acknowledgement.
Feeling a little anxious, Valian looked back. “Just about any time now will do,” he thought, looking at the Countess, her bent-over KnighT, and his two staggering aides. “Any time right about now will do!”
“Countess!” one of the guards came running into her room.
“You’re a little late, guardsman,” Lusorra whined, putting her hand to her head as she was still dizzy. “... and where is my supposed Chief of Security?! Didn’t he hear the alarm?”
“Hear it? Milady, Captain Drolov was the one who set it off!”
“What?” Lusorra asked.
The guard looked at the destruction, looking very confused. “What happened here?”
“Where is Drolov?”
“He’s in your study... where the break-in was.”
“The what?!”
“This... was... a diversion,” Evard winced.
A small shuttle came around the side of the estate. It was black, very sleek, and with the oversized engines it was clear it had been built for speed. It flew around the floating estate and rendezvoused with the sky-bike before firing boosters, climbing to break atmosphere.
The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.
Ernest Hemingway
(Rims Time: XI-4809.06)
It was a bright and sunny day on this side of the moon. Though it was closer to midday for those who were walking about, it was morning to the cliffs. Valian put his hands on his hips and breathed in deeply. The cool, thin mountain air was almost cleansing and he smiled at the duality of the warm sun versus the cold air.
“Are you certain you wish to do this?” Valian asked, turning to look back at the Duke.
“What is there to question?” Vaiyorl asked. “What you have been using as a residence is insufficient for your needs. The horses will enjoy running over the hills to the east and south...
“But not the north,” both men said together, repeating what the pilot of the transport had said at least half a dozen times. Valian smiled and Vaiyorl laughed as he approached his Ward, taking hold of his shoulder.
“And don’t forget, the network of caves in these hills,” the Duke continued. “If I recall correctly, they lead up into the mountains.”
“Do they, seriously?” Valian asked with a slight frown, turning his head to look at the mountains that looked closed enough to grab from where he was standing.
“At least two tunnels I’m told,” Vaiyorl replied. He turned to face the mountain range. The castle had been built at the foot of the range and actually into the rock. In truth, the man had always thought the property was ugly, but at least it could be of use to Valian.
“Two. Hmmm.”
“Now that one I heard,” Vaiyorl said, pointing at Valian.
“I’m just waiting for you to get to the meat of the matter,” Valian smiled. “I did notice a small township on our way in.”
“Yes, that is Bulrayne,” Vaiyorl informed. “It is a shipping hub.”
“Because Imperia is to the West, right?” Valian inquired. He turned to look out into the ocean. He could not see the floating Mega-City from where he stood, but he knew its location.
“And Loffolk to the East,” Vaiyorl added.
“Yes, I remember reading about some of the colleges of Loffolk. Before anyone mentioned the word KnighT, I was allowed to entertain a fantasy or two about going to one of them.”
“And now you can,” Vaiyorl said, trying to add light to a dark moment.
“It’s obvious you don’t negotiate with the Middle Rimmers like this,” Valian concluded. “By all accounts you’ve been nothing but successful there.” Valian walked around a bit as Vaiyorl’s head fell to his chest with a heavy sigh. “Well, at least I get to stay in the Melreth System. On a clear night, with the proper equipment, I might catch a glimpse of Calrios.
“The property of the Duke wedged in-between the provinces of other members of Court,” Valian stated. “I knew you had these...properties of one kind or another... at least a dozen of them. Aside from the mines, is there one further away from the estate grounds?”
“Before I answer that question, tell me what passed between you and Yorlson,” Vaiyorl demanded. “Because I know my sons... and this is wake matter; rocky seas after ships have passed. He won’t speak of it and you’d rather punish me with verbal stabs.”
Valian frowned, shaking his head. “That is not my wish, Father. The property is simply glorious, and you’ve already commissioned construction. Might I ask what you’re building?”
“I spoke with Lady Gilestra,” Vaiyorl said softly, drawing closer to his Ward. “She made me aware of your needs. It will take a few months, but she assures me that your training will not be too greatly impacted.
“Valian, why are there spies and cameras in my house?”
“Damn,” Valian thought, closing his eyes.
“Did you think that I would miss them?”
“You were supposed to be resting,” Valian argued. “It wasn’t too unreasonable a hope.” Valian looked at the Duke; his staring eyes clearly conveyed what he thought of Valian’s response. “Ok, yes, very unreasonable.
“I have to say,” Valian sighed, looking around what was to become his home. “... I didn’t see this coming. The moon of D’Quarr. Yo
rlson is getting craftier.”
“Shall I presume that you are not going to answer my question?”
“Neither this son nor your KnighT should answer that question truthfully,” Valian admitted.
“By my fathers!” Vaiyorl thought, taking a step back.
“I have no harm intended for Yorlson,” Valian said, “though that is not the impression I left him with.
“And do not ask me to say any more,” Valian quickly added, waving his hand as if to wipe away the possibility of inquiry. “Simply know that I am about the business of my fathers, and trust me to maintain both.”
“Then tell me what you believe the business of your fathers to be,” Vaiyorl requested.
“My first parents died protecting the wife and children of True Lord Vaiyorl Jhormynn. He and his wife became my second parents, and it is their position to serve the Inner Rim Empire. So long as that does not bring me into conflict with the wishes of my First Father, I will hold to that cause.”
“And what of my son?” Vaiyorl said, placing his hands on Valian’s shoulders. “How does my son live his life seeing to the lives of so many others?
“And these shoulders feel more like stone!” Vaiyorl thought.
“I live the life of a privileged man,” Valian replied. “My father has just given me a castle, a mountain range, and a small city! And it’s not even my birthday!” The two laughed together as Vaiyorl ushered them back inside the castle. “Now, tell me... how did my brother arrange this minor miracle?” “First, he released the governor previously assigned on the grounds of subordination. Apparently not attending my reception is sufficient grounds for such an action.
“And I would argue that the governor has stated he received no such invitation,” Valian guessed, knowing it was incorrect.
“No, he received one... but when he did not hear of a ship being sent for him, he thought his attendance was not imperative.”
“The gall of some people,” Valian hissed.
Vaiyorl chuckled at the jest as he nodded. “And then a summons was received from the Imperial Minister of Affairs.” Valian stopped walking as his face grew stern. Vaiyorl quickly patted his Ward’s shoulder. “It was a request for information, but I was reminded how it might look to the Empress if one of her most trusted directors didn’t have his house affairs in order.”
“And so it was decided that since you have a KnighT, why not give him a castle!”
“Actually, I don’t think Yorlson knew exactly what was on the property,” Vaiyorl returned.
“Not after what I had done to his computer,” Valian thought. “Though in the end, it was unnecessary. He didn’t research this place... not like I did before I put it into play.”
“But the castle does have a room designed for the use of teleportation,” Vaiyorl pointed out. “I’m told it will be ready within the week.”
“Tomorrow, actually, Father. But once more, something you and my brother do not need to know!
“Then show me the rest of my abode, if you please, Father!”
“Right this way, son.”
“You couldn’t have known,” Annodia said as the Duke’s transport pulled out of sight. “There’s no way you could have known!”
“This castle has been under my father’s control for years, Annodia. It’s thousands of years old! Before the advent of spaceflight, this place was a coastal fortress fortified by both hand and energy.
“There are gemstone stores of EnerJa that have been embedded into the foundation. I don’t know their full functionality, but the castle has withstood attacks from atmospheric fronts as well as from those in orbit.
“Right next to those gems are stones dedicated to the wielding of ElemahntiA, specifically Air, Water, and Irongem.”
“He’s made you stronger,” Annodia concluded. “You made him... make you... stronger.”
“This is not a simple game we’re playing,” Valian said, walking to meet Sandra who was coming to give him a report. “Can the castle withstand an attack of energy weapons?”
“It can’t,” the woman answered plainly with a smirk on her face. “... but it doesn’t have to. Right now we’re in full presentation mode. This castle will actually crank further into the mountain and you can best believe these mountains can take a blast. But that’s your trump card defense. It will take some time and a little bit of elbow grease, but you’ve got shield emitters and weapons batteries that are just sitting around collecting dust. This place was made to service an army, and I’m talking in upwards of fifty times the numbers you have now.
“That landing pad your old man just used,” Sandra added, scratching her head. “... it’s a platform. Drops right down into the hill where there’s a service tunnel wide enough to march a regiment through. This isn’t a castle... it’s a fortress!”
“Get a list of the things you’re going to need to Quilori,” Valian stated. “... including personnel. I suppose it’s a good thing the Duke has allocated funds to the renovation of this quaint little barony. Annodia, if you would get Kethgeegan and meet me in the garage, please. Be sure to armour up.”
“And where are we going?”
“Why to introduce ourselves to the common folk, of course,” Valian said as he started for the stairs. “The second treasure nugget of this place: it’s a shipping hub in-between a Mega-City and a collegiate complex. There’s simply no telling what all we’re going to find there. But at the very least we should find the Black Market.”
Annodia stopped cold in her tracks with a frown on her face. “And that’s a good thing?!”
“It’s better than a good thing,” Kethgeegan claimed as the hover car sped down the road. “Tapping into the Black Market is like tapping into another world!”
“What all did Lyndreesa teach you?” Annodia asked.
“Not much in the last fifteen minutes,” he answered, smiling over at the woman. “But she did give me a name of where we can start. She also told me to make sure I knew what you were up to,” he said, looking back at Valian. “Is that a possibility?”
“I am the new governor of this region,” Valian stated. “It is my duty to uphold the law and the Duke’s good name.”
“The law?!” Kethgeegan barked. “Annodia, stop this thing right now!”
“Belay that,” Valian laughed. “You should see the look on your face right now, my friend.”
“That wasn’t funny,” Kethgeegan claimed as Annodia started laughing. “You’re in on this?” he asked her.
“No, but he’s right... that look on your face is priceless. So, what is your intent, Valian?”
“I think we need to let the head villain-in-charge know there’s a new hero in town; one with serious expenses and even more serious ambitions. If our person in charge wishes to remain in charge... they will have to work with said hero.”
This time it was Annodia’s face that twisted. She shook her head in disbelief, but managed to keep the hover-car steady. “I think we might have been better off with the law-enforcement approach.”
“Did you say might?” Kethgeegan said softly, looking at the small city rapidly approaching. “Bulrayne, eh? Sure, why not? We need to go to an establishment called The Focal Pointe. That’s where we will find the contact Lyndreesa gave me. There is some good news... this place is not on the radar of the guilds. Whatever operators we find will be relatively small time.”
“Hmmm,” Valian said as the hover-car came to a stop. “It seems we already have our first point of contention.”
Kethgeegan’s eyes closed as his head slowly lowered.
“Does that mean what I think it means?” Annodia asked.
He nodded. “Yes, our KnighT is going to put this place on the guild map... or at least he’s going to try!” He sighed, unlocking his seatbelt and getting out of the vehicle.
Annodia moved slightly quicker, getting to Valian’s side as he approached the doors to the ‘establishment’. “What exactly is this place?”
Without breaking stride
, Valian spoke. “From the smell of things, I’d say it was a combination of a casino, bath house, massage parlor, fighting pit, brothel, and opiate den.
“Good afternoon,” Valian addressed the two men standing outside the main entrance.
It was early yet, so Suttara was not worried to see so few people on the main floor of her establishment. For her, it was the calm before the storm. It was a fight night, after all, and she had a new crop of courtesans fresh off the transport. It was shaping up to be a very good day.
The banging of her door as it burst open – along with the breaking of the glass of the small window – made several of her patrons jump, and one of her servers even spilled their tray. Fortunately he had just bussed a table, so the glasses were mostly empty and the plates held only crumbs.
Suttara slowly turned her head to identify that it had indeed been Grelvus, her front door man, who had come flying through the door. A failed pit-fighter, the man had a loyal heart, and he could be trusted around the courtesans. He was also something of an able bodyguard and more than fairly efficient at keeping the riff-raff out of The Focal Pointe.
“Good day, everyone,” Valian said, stepping inside and flashing a bright, warm smile.
“What do you want here, pallid?!” a waitress spat at him.
“Not in my house, Karlia!” Suttara barked, drawing everyone’s attention. Suttara looked at the man. Yes, the stranger’s skin was indeed pale in comparison to her own and that of most of her patrons. But there was the matter of what she saw in his eyes... and the fact that Grelvus had yet to get back up.
“This is not what I expected,” Valian thought, looking at the woman. She was tall and curvy. Some might have called her big, but her wide face made everything seem proportional and her yellow eyes were very alluring.
“Karlia, look at him,” Suttara said, fanning herself. “He’s already had to bear the burden of an existence devoid of fine brown skin. Let us, first, not rub salt into that wound, and second, demonstrate a little more grace to those who supply your meager and highly replaceable salary. Now... apologize to the man.”
