“Thank you, High Prince,” Saige said formally.
“I thank you as well, High Prince,” Summer added. “Darleen will be extremely grateful for your generosity in this matter.”
Garen nodded, but withheld his thought that a grateful Darleen Flowers was not within the scope of his imagination.
“That matter being concluded, we need to discuss a few other issues,” Garen said. “The first issue being one that Arima Katre brought to light, and which we are grateful for. I am not certain how we managed to avoid realizing something so obvious, but it is true that human women who leave here and return to Earth apparently do not reveal any of the things they learn about us while they are here. Specifically that we are shifters, and that we use magic.
“We have been in touch with our most reliable Earth contact, the Director. He has informed us that he is very short handed right now and cannot put any teams on investigating this matter at this time. However, we are talking about human women, and the Director is concerned enough that he wants this matter looked into. Therefore, he has invited us to send a male-set to Earth to investigate, and he has promised to assist them in any way that he can.
“We need to send a male-set who is versed in both interplanetary protocol and standard investigational procedures. With that requirement in mind, I am open to suggestions.”
“We have an experienced Vulpiran male-set that I believe would be perfect for this assignment,” Maxim suggested. “They are a bit young, but I believe they are fully capable of handling this task. There is also a Falcoran male-set who meets the requirements, and who are a bit older.”
A startled gasp drew everyone’s attention to the sofa where the Lobos were sitting. Garen leapt to his feet at the sight of Saige slumped over onto Faron’s lap. “What happened?” Garen demanded as every other warrior in the room took up instant defensive postures.
Faron eased Saige into a more comfortable position and shook his head at Garen. “There is no cause for concern,” he said, though the underlying tension in his voice was clear for all to hear. “This has happened before. I believe that Riata has summoned her.”
That was not a statement that caused Garen to relax. He had known Riata quite well, and he could not imagine her interrupting a meeting, even an informal one such as this, without good reason. Unless the spirit Riata was very different from the living Riata, he thought it likely that something serious was coming.
Everyone waited tensely for several minutes, the only sounds in the room coming from the corner where the young princesses were playing. When Saige finally opened her eyes the tension in the room was so thick she immediately went still.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing, amada,” Faron assured her quietly. “We were just waiting for you to return to us.”
Saige sat up and ran her fingers through her short brown hair, as she mentally reviewed everything Riata had said.
“Would you like some water?” Dav asked.
“Yes, please,” Saige replied, offering him a grateful smile.
Dav went to a cart near the door and poured a tall glass of cold water which he brought back and handed to her. While waiting, the rest of the warriors in the room retook their seats and tried to appear as though they weren’t staring at her.
“What happened, Saige?” Lariah asked, unable to wait any longer.
“Riata had a few things to tell me,” Saige replied. “Are any of you familiar with Greece?”
“Grease?” Garen asked with a confused frown. “Do you mean the lubricant?”
“No, Greece,” Saige repeated, then spelled it for him. “In the history of our world, the ancient Greeks were very important.”
“No, I’m afraid I have never heard of it, or them,” Garen replied, looking to Trey and Val who both shook their heads. Saige waited until the Katres, the Gryphons, the Bearens and even her Lobos all shook their heads as well before looking to Lariah and Summer.
“I know of Greece, of course,” Summer said. “I’ve had a few friends here and there that claimed Greek heritage, and I have studied their history. That’s about it.”
“Same here,” Lariah said. “Why?”
“I’m not really sure,” Saige said. “That was the first thing that Riata asked me, so I thought I would ask all of you as well. Then she asked me if I knew the Greek language, which of course I don’t. I don’t believe I’ve ever even heard it spoken before.”
Saige took another sip of her water and set the glass on a nearby table. “After that, Riata told me to say this: The Consuls of Clan Bearen must go to Earth. The bearer of hope will bestow upon them, and only them, a gift beyond price for the Jasani people. Should they fulfill their destiny, they will be rewarded with a blessing of hope for themselves. No other can take their place. If this opportunity is lost, it will remain lost forevermore.”
“I don’t really understand a lot of that, but it’s clear enough that we must make the journey,” Jackson said when Saige was finished. “I suppose if we work quickly, we should be able to line things up so that it won’t be too much of a hardship for us to leave in a few weeks.”
“I’m sorry, Jackson,” Saige said. “I asked Riata when you had to leave and she said at once. She also said that events are moving at their own pace, and will not wait upon your arrival.”
“What events?” Garen asked.
“I have no idea,” Saige replied. “That is a question she would not answer.”
“What else did she say, Saige?” Lariah asked. “Did you ask her my questions?”
“Yes, I did,” Saige replied. “She repeated that the Bearens had to go to Earth, and then she said me that there was both sadness and hope to be found there. She also said to tell you this; Tò peproménon phygeîn adýnaton.”
“What does that mean?” Lariah asked, a bad feeling beginning to gather in her chest.
“She did it again,” Saige said with a sigh. Everyone in the room was staring at her expectantly. “Riata told me something that I didn’t remember until it came time to repeat it, and which I didn’t understand until Lariah asked me to explain it. She’s done this before.” Saige turned to Lariah.
“The language is Greek, but thanks to Riata, I know what it means. It is impossible to escape from what is destined."
Lariah thought about that for a few moments, then nodded slowly. “Thank you,” she said.
“I do not understand what that means,” Garen said.
Saige looked at him, then back to Lariah.
“Neither do we, Prince Garen,” she said. “But it does seem to be a warning of sadness to come.”
Garen frowned, not liking the expression of worry in Lariah’s eyes. But now was not the time to address that. It would wait until they were alone.
“Jackson, I think we should follow Riata’s advice,” he said.
“As do I,” Jackson replied. “With your permission, Highness, we will leave now and begin preparations for an extended absence. I suggest Ternin be asked to fill in for us. He and his brothers have been handling planet security for several years now.”
“True, but their experience is in times of peace,” Prince Trey pointed out. “This is not a time of peace for Jasan.”
“I know, Prince Trey,” Jackson replied. “I do believe that the Falcorans can handle the job during our absence though, or I would not ask it of them.”
“Your judgment is trusted, Jackson,” Prince Garen said. Trey and Val both nodded in agreement.
“I thank you,” Jackson said with a bow. “I will contact Ternin then.”
“We would be pleased to handle that for you,” Olaf offered. “From the sound of things, it seems most important that you leave for Earth as soon as you are able.”
Jackson nodded. “We thank you, Olaf,” he said. “Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. We will pack and leave on the first transport to Badia.”
“What ship will you take?” Garen asked.
“The Kontuan,” Jackson replied.
“We’ll vox the Captain at once. It should be ready for departure by the time we get to the skyport.”
“If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let us know,” Garen offered.
Jackson bowed to the princes and Lariah, then turned toward the door, already making lists in his head of things he needed to do before leaving.
“Wait,” Saige called out. The Bearens stopped and turned back.
“Yes?” Jackson asked.
“Remember this: Kaì gàr hoîs állo medén, aúte paréste.”
“What does it mean?” Jackson asked.
“I’m sorry, but this time I don’t have a translation,” Saige replied. “Those words just popped into my head and I knew I was supposed to say them to you.”
“Will you say it again so Clark can record it?” Jackson asked.
Saige opened her mouth to repeat the phrase, but it was gone. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t remember it now.”
“I can repeat it for you,” Summer offered.
“You understand that language?” Jackson asked.
“No, not a word of it,” Summer replied. “But, I remember everything I hear or see, so I can repeat what she said.”
Jackson turned to Clark who reached up and tapped his vox, then nodded.
“If you would, please, Arima Katre,” Jackson said.
Summer repeated the words that Saige had said, her voice low, but clear. When she was finished Clark replayed the recording to be sure they had gotten it.
“Thank you, Arima Katre,” Jackson said, bowing to her. He then turned to Saige and thanked her as well.
Jackson glanced toward the princesses still playing quietly in the corner of the room, and stifled the urge to tell them goodbye. He knew that they would grow and change much before he, Clark and Rob saw them again, and he regretted that they would miss their first words, and other milestones. He also regretted that they could not say farewell to them, but experience had taught them that saying goodbye did not bring out the best in the little girls. He turned instead to Princess Lariah.
“Please give them hugs for us,” he asked. “Tell them we love them.”
“I will,” Lariah said. “I promise.”
Jackson, Clark and Rob bowed their thanks to Lariah, and took one last look at the girls before turning to leave.
“The next order of business is the Xanti,” Garen said after the Bearens were gone. “I am not sure that you ladies really want to discuss its appearance, so we will leave that out for now.”
“Thank you,” Saige said with feeling. Summer had told them it looked like a gigantic spider and that was more than enough information for her. Spiders gave her the creeps.
“It will be several more days before the scientists have any real information on the biology of the Xanti and the reptilian male which referred to itself as a Brethren. What we do know is that its DNA indicates that it is part Narrasti and, perhaps, part Jasani.”
“Jasani?” Summer asked.
“Perhaps. Evidently it contains a genetic anomaly much like what Riata indicated Lariah and Saige had,” Garen explained.
“Yes, that makes sense,” Summer said.
“It does?” Garen asked in surprise. “In what way?”
“It breeds with berezi,” Summer replied. “According to Shali, one of the Falasian females we brought back with the women from the compound, William Winicke had no interest in the women being held there. She also said that he had tried to breed with women who were like me, but not.”
“Like you, but not?” Garen asked. “What does that mean?”
“I think it means that he tried to breed with women who have some Jasani genetic markers, and it didn’t work,” Summer said. “Probably because having markers which indicate a distant Jasani ancestry does not necessarily make one a berezi.”
“How do you know this?” Garen asked.
“I don’t know,” Summer replied with a shrug. “Sometimes these things just pop into my head. It’s been happening a lot lately. Even though I don’t know where the information came from, I do know it’s correct.”
“If that’s true, then it makes berezi even more difficult to find than we imagined,” Garen said. “It also makes it more difficult to understand how the Xanti were able to identify Saige as a berezi when she was abducted.”
“I wasn’t aware of that,” Summer said. “That’s interesting though. I think we need to get a sample from someone who we know has the markers, but who is not a berezi.”
“Mara Winicke,” Saige said.
“What about her?” Garen asked.
“I think she may have the markers, but is not a berezi,” Saige explained. “If it’s true that William has a bit of Jasani DNA, and if Summer is correct, that means that his mother had to have been a berezi. Therefore, he got the Narrasti DNA from his father. If Mara is truly his sister, and I believe she is, then unless Mara has Narrasti DNA, the two of them must have the same Mother. Mara has lived on Jasan for over 500 years. I think if she were a berezi, some male-set would have found her in that time.”
“There are several big ‘ifs’ in your reasoning, but unless we are making a huge mistake somewhere, I think you may be correct,” Garen said.
“This makes it even more important for Saige, Summer and I to try to get Mara to talk to us, and to agree to give us a blood sample,” Lariah said.
“I don’t like it, but I agree,” Garen said. “But only on the condition that Saige and Summer promise that they will remain on guard at all times and not allow Mara near you.”
“Of course,” Saige replied while Summer said, “Certainly,” and Lariah said “I don’t see why that is necessary,” with a scowl on her face.
“It is necessary, little love, because we do not want the woman to harm you,” Trey said.
“Do I have to remind you that I am dracon?” Lariah asked. “If the woman tries anything, I have every confidence that my dracon will handle the situation well enough. I don’t need protectors.”
“No, sharali, you don’t need protectors,” Garen agreed patiently. “However, we do need for you to have protectors so please, indulge us in this.”
Lariah narrowed her eyes at Garen for a long moment, then gave in. “Fine, but just so you know, I am not the least bit fooled by this tactic.”
Garen grinned at her, but the look in her emerald eyes indicated that she was not amused. He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“The last thing I want to discuss before we go have lunch is Arima Katre’s revelation concerning the destruction of Ugaztun and Narrastia,” Garen said.
“We have not heard of this,” Olaf said.
“Nor have we,” Faron added.
“I think it would be best if Arima Katre explain this,” Garen said, looking at Summer expectantly.
Summer took a deep breath. She had known Prince Garen was going to do this because Maxim had warned her earlier, but she was still a little nervous. She wasn’t shy by nature, but she was still trying to get used to being around so many people.
“When Maxim, Loni and Ran told me the story of Ugaztun being destroyed, I remembered something I had seen as a child on Sheara 3. It was an ancient scroll that told of a double explosion in the heavens. The scroll was dated and, after taking into account the amount of time that has passed since I saw it, and the distance between the two systems, the event the scroll documents took place three thousand, two hundred and sixty-four Standard years ago.”
“That’s the same amount of time that has passed since Ugaztun was destroyed, by the way,” Trey added.
The room was silent for long moments as everyone considered what Summer had said. Suddenly everyone began speaking at once. Garen held up one hand and the room fell silent again.
“The biggest question is, of course, was Ugaztun destroyed by magic, or by technological means,” he said.
“The answer to that question is that we do not know,” Eldar Hamat said tiredly. “The escape pods did not have windows. We
always assumed our world was destroyed by Narrasti magic, and that we did the same to Narrastia. But now, I think we must consider a different explanation.”
“You were there,” Faron pointed out gently. “Can you not tell us what really happened?”
“I am no longer sure that I know what really happened,” Eldar Hamat replied. “I wish to take some time to meditate on this matter. I believed events happened as you have been taught. We all believed that. Now, I think that I must go back and reexamine my memories, and the events leading up to the end of our world. I am not as quick as I once was, so I fear this may take some time.”
“There is no rush, Eldar Hamat,” Garen said. “Take as much time as you need. When you are ready, we would be most grateful to you for any light you can shed on this matter. In the meantime, we have sent a request to Sheara 3 for images of the scroll, along with copies of all translations and any other information that may be connected to it. We will forward copies of whatever we receive to all Consuls, and the council as well.”
“There is one thing I do not understand,” Lariah said.
“Just one, sharali?” Garen asked with a smile.
“For the moment,” Lariah replied archly before turning her gaze to Eldar Hamat.
“Grandfather, is it true that Ugaztun and Narrastia were at war with each for many years, and that there were no other races involved?”
“Yes, Granddaughter,” Eldar Hamat replied. “It is true, though the war lasted much longer than many years. It went on for centuries. During that time, neither of our races stretched out further into the stars. We were too focused on destroying each other.”
“Then, if you and the Narrasti did not destroy each other, who could have done it? And why?”
“That is a very good question,” Eldar Hamat replied. “The answer is, we do not know.”
Chapter 7
Space, The Kontuan
“Jackson, do you think that what Saige said means that we’ll find our Arima?” Rob asked as they walked toward the ward room for dinner. It had been a long and busy day for the Bearens, but now that they were aboard their ship and on the way to Earth, they could relax a little.
The Bearens' Hope: Book Four of the Soul-Linked Saga Page 5
