Crossworld of Xai

by Steven Savage

  “You are welcome. Be happy, and I think, with the passage of time, you can come back to Xai.”

  “I don’t know. I’ll see. Look, I’m sure it’d be great to have a real touching moment, but … can you guys go early? I’m gonna change my mind if I keep gettng reminded. I’m gonna be OK, but right now I want it gone, I want it all gone forever. Please. I’m sure an Order Navigator could help.”

  Jade blinked, and then felt icicles penetrate her heart. She’d remembered when she’d left Colony, all the things she’d thought of taking, and all she’d left behind so the memories were gone. Funeral offerings to her past.

  “We shall.” HuanJen reached into one of his many pouches and brought out a small book. With no ceremony, he pressed it into Derek’s hands.

  “A compendium of important sayings and concepts, a kind of catechism if you will. I’d say it’s worth memorizing, but I have no doubt you can do that.”

  “Thanks.” Derek flipped through the pages. “Thanks.”

  “Take care,” Jade managed to say, “you’ll be OK.”

  “I’ll … try.”

  “I wish … I’d known him.” Jade said as she and HuanJen walked down the streets of the Order, towards the gate that had brought them inside the complex.

  “It’s not a movie with happy revelation scenes and touching moments of contact.” HuanJen was a bit grim. “It’s us sending a young man to yet another Earth not his own so he’s no longer a political and social liability, and so he can have a life of his own.”

  “Yeah. Do you think he’ll be happy?” Jade asked.

  “He’ll be alive, and he’ll be educated, and in time, his secrets will mean less. It is not bad, as I see it.”

  “And not good?”

  HuanJen shook his head. “It is not his choice. It is the best we could do, I feel.”

  “Hey, er … this isn’t giving you like flashbacks to your father, is it?”

  “Actually … no,” HuanJen answered. “I expected it would, but my father abandoned me without reason given. We took him there with reasons given. I am sad for him.”

  “Well, then lets hope he lives in blessed obscurity, and someday returns to Xai or goes where he wants, meets an absolutely gorgeous Vulpine woman of the highest intelligence, and settles down, and the great cycle of life will continue.”

  The Magician-Priest looked up at Jade, and smiled at her benevolent smirk.

  “Well, you did make me happy, so let us hope for similar results for him … and Jade, ‘highest intelligence?’”

  Jade shrugged. “I’m in love with you, I think it shows I’m pretty damn smart.”

  “Ah, yes, I spend months teaching you to transcend the ego, and yet you appeal to mine. Jade?”

  “Yes.”

  HuanJen stared into space. “Do you ever think about us getting married, having children?”

  “I …” Jade scowled. “Yes and no. I haven’t had time to think much lately. It’s something we’ll have to think about. I do love you, I … I can’t imgine not doing it.”

  “As for me. Of all in the worlds I know, you alone treat me as myself. I cannot say what that means to me. Especially now.”

  Jade put her arm around HuanJen’s waist. “We’re going to have to ask ourselves where it’s going, love.”

  “I know. But at least wherever it’s going, we’ll go there together …”

  June 26, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar

  Dean Challman was a busy man.

  The pudgy Historian had always been busy ever since he’d come to the University. He was one of those people who got things done in non-obtrusive ways, and got them done well. It meant that few people caused him any more trouble than making extra requests, and he enjoyed it that way.

  Now, he was Dean of the Historians. He expected more requests.

  He had not expected Cardinal Byrd, however. A lot of people showed up at his office lately, but so far he had been blessed, as it were, to avoid anyone from Guild Esoteric after the initial investigation concerning Paldayne.

  “Cardinal, how can I help you?” Challman tried to smile. Naturally pudgy, he felt he had the edge in the cheery rosy-cheeks department, but didn’t want to rely on it.

  “It’s about Riakka Bale,” Byrd said politely after closing the door to the office.

  “I figured,” Challman answered, “She’s in a difficult position, Cardinal.”

  Byrd nodded sagely. “I’m sure you won’t let anything happen to her. You are now Dean of Historians after all.”

  “I … yes.”

  “I expect she can be given a good position, and after awhile negatives and inconvenient positives may be forgotten?” The Cardinal’s question was a question that verged on the rhetorical. Challman felt that, somehow, the Cardinal was getting taller, as if from an odd camera shot.

  “Yes, that would be a good prediction.” Challman entertained an argument for the sake of argument, then discarded the idea. There were times you just didn’t argue, and this was one of them.

  “Good, good.” Byrd smiled, stood, and stretched his massive frame. “I’m glad to hear everything is well, I just wanted to check.”

  “Yes. In fact, I … suspect things could be moved a long to put her back in her old quarters.”

  “Good. I hope you’ll be at Mass Sunday, Mother Kirella is in from Edgeway. She’s quite good.” The Cardinal said conversationally.

  I will be there,” Challman asnswered with a half-smile. “You know me, I enjoy special events …”

  June 28, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar

  Riakka Bale’s apartment was a mess. Boxes and misplaced furniture and dust were eveywehre.

  She was ecstatic.

  She was home, at her University apartment, with her friends, with her job. Back to normal. The University had even taken care of things with her landlord.

  The young Historian plunked into a cusioned chair ina flutter of brown and red robes. Home. Same place, same locations, near all the places she knew, her home for years.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Who is it?” Riakka asked tiredly, but happily.

  “HuanJen.”

  Riakka bounded out of the chair and rushed to the door. She thret it open, yanked HuanJen in, and hugged him tightly.

  “I’m back! Oh, I’m back! How did you do it?”

  “I … didn’t.” HuanJen gave Riakka a quizzical smile. “Rake talked to Byrd, I think. Actually, the speed does have Byrd’s handiwork written all over it, he’s marvelously convincing.”

  “Then thank him for me.” Riakka released her hug. “I’m back, HuanJen, I’m back. It’s over.”

  “I know. I just came by and …” HuanJen rifled through his satchel, producing a small package, “brought this.”

  Riakka took the gift and opened the box. “Candles?”

  “Representing the five elements, they’ll help freshen up the place at least.” HuanJen smiled. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

  Riakka nodded frantically. “I … HuanJen?”

  “Yes?” Riakka’s eyes locked with that of the mystic’s.

  “Thanks for staying with me, thanks for helping, thanks for believing, thanks for … not forcing things. I wish I could say it better.”

  “I did my part, Brownmiller …”

  “No.” Riakka shook her head. “You could have done a lot worse with me, you could have … you never stopped being concerned. Thank you.”

  HuanJen seemed vaguely uncomfortable. “I am glad you are well.”

  “Huan?”

  The Fang-Shih raised a hand, making a calming gesture. “I have heard praise for my actions enough. It wears thin. But … I am glad you are well. You were very brave, you were indispensable. I am greatful to you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “It’s over.” HuanJen said calmly.

  Riakka nodded. “I got the letter today. I’m back at University, and, interestingly enough, I’m going to be in the Urban History area. Fancy that.”
<
br />   “Yes.”

  Riakka looked up at the cleric gratefully. “HuanJen, thank you, thank …”

  The Magician-Priest raised a single finger to his lips. “No. It was many of us and your own. It is over.”

  The Historian nodded. “Over. I won’t be in your Zone, now.”

  “You have my number and email. I … am always around one way or another. You can drop by the Nax.”

  Riakka leaned forward and gave the cleric a kiss on the cheek. “Nice to know.”

  HuanJen touched Riakka’s chin. “And for now … I have to get some sleep. Tomorrow is busy day, I am sure.”

  “Yeah, take care.”

  Riakka watched HuanJen walk silently out the door and back into his life. She smiled to herself, looked out the tiny window in the living room, and into the moonlight.

  “Aren’t they always busy …”

  July 4, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar

  The Orchard was an active adult entertainment establishment, a place of good drinks and food, with lively, floral decorations, and fine entertainment for mature tastes.

  In other words, it was a strip bar. The owner of the Orchard hated the term, but was a term that people from many earths used. Language had its common currency, like it or not.

  For four people sitting at a corner table, close enough to see the performers and far enough away for privacy. One large, blond-haired man, a small red-furred female Vulpine, and a tall woman with short dark hair.

  All of them somewhat intoxicated.

  “Well, this beats the Fourth of July celebrations back home.” Lorne Thompson poured a multicolored concoction down his throat. “I never figured out how to feel about that, really.”

  “Lorne, you said that last year,” Clairice Bell commented, “Now … ah, crap, it’s intermission.”

  Garnet hiccuped. “There’s always more nudity where that came from. Jeez, this stuff is powerful.”

  “You had one drink,” Clairice noted.

  “The cup was the size of my frickin’ head.”

  “True, true.” Clairice rubbed her mouth. “What is taking Jade so long? She missed the Outrider’s Return.”

  “You should have gone with her,” Lorne said with mock seriousness, “aren’t you violating a tradition by …”

  “Not another ‘women-go-to-the-bathroom-in-pairs’ joke,” Garnet spat out, “what happened to your sense of humor?”

  Lorne smiled. “Alcohol poisoning. Hey, sorry, I am trying to … well you know.”

  “Yeah.” Clairice put an arm around her friend for a moment. “He’ll be back soon. You seem to be cheered up.”

  “The guys helped,” the huge Gendarme nodded to himself, “Rake and HuanJen felt like shit you know.”

  “They … feel bad dropping the ball,” Clariice said.

  Garnet leaned on the table. “It’s the holy man thing, guy. I know HuanJen. The biggest way to make him feel bad is to feel like he … well wasn’t himself, got distracted. And Rake, well, yeah …”

  Lorne nodded. “I miss Xianfu. It was just starting out …”

  “I know.” Clairice looked down at the table. “Hey, um, … you ever think we weren’t too supportive when …”

  “Like we understand HuanJen and Jade?” Garnet asked. “That is what you were going to ask.”

  Clairice nodded.

  Lorne shook his head. “To support them is to … respect their individuality. And, I thought you were over the guild of ending up rooming with them. It did help you and Jade patch things up.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh, cheer up.” Garnet bounced in her chair. “Do you realize Jade’s been here just over a year? She’s fine!”

  “She has matured,” Lorne noted. “I remember when it seemed she’d rip your throat out with her teeth.”

  “When she’d told HuanJen he was her ‘partner,’” Garnet added.

  “I’m glad he has her,” Clairice said, “as unusual as he is, it works for them. I hope … attention isn’t too much. He’s got Jade working the field more so he can keep a low profile.”

  “They’ll survive.” Lorne said with a somewhat tipsy authority. “They’re survivors. Those two and you Garnet and Slate, that big … person, you remind me of what’s possible. They’ll make it. You’ll make it.”

  Garnet’s brow furrowed. “Huh?”

  Lorne waggged a finger. “We talked a lot earlier. He loves you. He loves you a lot. Relax.”

  “Thanks.” The red-pelted woman smiled. “Thanks. We’ll be fine. Jade will be too. She’s gonna make a hell of a holy woman someday.”

  “Amen,” Clairice winked, “and …”

  “Ladies, gentleman?”

  A waiter looked down at the trio. He was apparently a waiter as he was carrying a small notepad for orers. The rest of his outfit made him appear to be a scantily-clad fantasy for a anyone with a thing for tight leather pants.

  “Please don’t breathe very hard,” Lorne said slurrily, “My boyfriend is offworld and … I’m going to just look away, OK?”

  “Of course,” the waiter said, “A friend of yours had a bit of a mishap in the restroom involving … let us just say she got her foot unstuck. She may need some assistance getting home.”

  A moment of silence lowered on the group like a black silk sheet.

  “I said something about fine holy woman and stuff,” Garnet asked.”

  “You did say ‘someday’” Clairce noted.

  July 9, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar

  Ahn had returned to his original life, somewhat.

  The young Runner sat in his single, spartan room, reading a letter. He had always needed few things, and as part of Xai’s small Buddist commuity, felt material posessions were usually snares. Life was not about posession.

  Though it was about change.

  He set the letter down. Guild Esoteric official stationary, complete with the strange circular emblem of the guild.

  Ahn was moving up in the world.

  He had received an offer from the Guild, to use his talents beyond his work within his own community. The young priest figured that, all things considered with the communicants, the Guild was better off with its own messenger system, and he could be part of it.

  Of course it was a reward for his involvement in the Historian fiasco, but he figured he could do more without rejecting it. Besides, he admitted he was enjoying working more with people; he really did need to get out more.

  Ahn foled the letter up carefully, and tucked int into a tiny filing cabinet. He sat on his cot for a moment, then leaned over and turned on his television. He had always felt such a device was a necessity on Xai.

  ” … unconfirmed.”

  A blink. The newscaster on “Channel 4 Metris Evening News” looked pale, shocked.

  ” … and in related news.”

  Ahn changed channels, to 5, the news and weather channel of Xai.

  ” … we are confirming with the Gendarmes. Again, several heads of the communicant’s Guild are dead. The letter left with each body indicates, apparently, that they were assasinated by their own Guildmembers …”

  Ahn sighed, and shut off the television. He dug the letter out of it’s storage place, checked his dagger and ceremonial robes, and headed for the door.

  He had a feelng he’d be needed.

  July 10, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar

  Shard Tower was quiet.

  The Guild representatives spoke among themselves in small groups. No meetings weree called. No great statements or plans.

  A Guild had several of its own leaders killed. Deliberately. Admittedly. The Charoinites, the strange guild of assasins-for-charity, claimed full responsibility. Still, someone had to hire them.

  The Guild Representatives, many of them leaders in their own Guilds, had little to say.

  Statements released by the Communicants surviving leaders were rather clear; they plan to accept any solution the Guild promises. The arguing, their stonewalling, has cost lives. Resi
gnations and admissions have begun.

  The terrible feeling drifted among the representatives that something has passed, something cannot be anymore.

  And Helena Hixx, leader of the Traveler’s Guild, sat most discussions out. Now and then, she listened in on a meeting, or talks to a fellow representative, but that is all. She can tell.

  Blackouts and chaos and arguing and higher prices. Things build up to a certain point and then end. All things end.

  She looked out a window …

  “Hello, my friend,” the head of the Traveller’s Guild said.

  “Hello.” A black cloaked figure slid up to the stately woman. “It is not unexpected.”

  “No, M, it is not. I wish it had not come to deaths,” Helena said.

  M nodded beneath his black hood. “It is a learning experience. The blackout, the Hisgorian, all those things, now this. Learning what was lost when we forgot our way.”

  “Forgot?” Helena smirked. “The Powersmiths are doing everything but turning over their holiday mailing lists. I’ve had the representative of the Communicants, that … ratty little guy … tell me he thinks some of the guild conflicts were encouraged to wear out the Council. We all forgot.”

  “We remembered. It’s easy to remember that which is holy.”

  “And what, my mysterious friend, is that?”

  M gestured to the city below. “First, find me something that is not.”

  Helena elbowed her companion where his ribs should be. M didn’t budge.

  July 13, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar

  Dealer Zero was going to an actual social event.

  To the scruffy seer, this was a major event. He’d never been the most social person, and his recent falling-in with HuanJen, Jade, and their group of people had altered his life. Admittedly he’d fallen in with the odd group because HuanJen had originally been tasked by the Guild to observe his activities, but things had improved.

  Much to his pleasure, it seemed that he was invited to a special event. The invitation didn’t say why, but it was a gathering at HuanJen and Jade’s apartment instead of the usual get-together at the Nax. Nothing suspicous.

  Unless, of course, you were a man with a very special deck of Tarot cards and the inclination to use them. He had a suspicion.

  When he’d arrived at the apartment, everyone he knew associated with HuanJen or Jade was there, and a few faces he didn’t recognize. It was oddly comforting - if he didn’t fit in, no one would notice.