Crossworld of Xai

by Steven Savage

  “Indeed we do,” HuanJen stated simply. “And if you don’t mind …”

  “Sure, no problem.” Zero shrugged. “I’ll see you guys around, maybe at the Nax. Later!”

  Jade watched the diviner go, his hair fluttering in the wind.

  “He knew?” the Vulpine asked.

  “Yes.” The young sage answered curtly. “By the end of the day, it will be all over the mystic and entertainment subcommunity. Now it is only partial.”

  “I don’t doubt it. Garnet had an idea. Garnet! Well, we’ll see how it goes.”

  “Indeed.” Huan_Jen smiled. “No hello kiss?”

  “You needed your mouth to deal with Zero.” Jade gave her lover a short, but passionate kiss and a much longer embrace. “Ready?”

  “More or less.” HuanJen lifted a briefcase with an indicative gesture. “And you?”

  “Eh, ready. Still not sure about this.” Jade scowled. “I mean … eh, let’s go, I’ll pick it up as I go along.”

  “As always my dear …”

  Hixx’s convention center was one of the older buildings in Metris, one of the holdings of the powerful Hixx family. The Hixxes had been part of Xaian high society for over a century - the most well known of the family being Helena Hixx, the recently retired president of the Traveler’s Guild.

  Where Helena had gone into politics, her sister Genvira had stayed with some of the family land holdings. In general, though fewer people knew about Genvira, most people agreed she seemed to be the more relaxed of the sister.

  Jade had to wonder how relaxed she was with the Panoramic League crashing in the west wing of the Convention Center. Entertainer-mystics, diviner-artists, word-dancers, all stuck in one place known for its order. She speculated how Helena’s army of ushers, maintenance men, cleaning staff, and concession staff were handling it.

  When Jade and HuanJen entered the ballroom given to the League, Jade began to speculate much faster. She could speculate far faster than the average person, it seemed to come from her suspicious side.

  Helena had apparently given one of her larger ballroom over to the League. In one corner was a communal cooking area. Strange equipment was scattered about. People were setting up beds, room dividers, and less identifiable equipment.

  The Panoramic League had set up housekeeping, if it could be called that.

  Colorful costumes and strange hairstyles were everywhere. The people didn’t dress in the style of natives - no beaded braids or the often colorful robes. Instead everything was a riot of styles and non-styles - hair of different colors, outfits that seemed to be culled from hallucinations, and no small amount of interesting earrings or body piercings.

  It made Jade feel rather dull, which was a rare sensation for her.

  HuanJen passed through the crowd, seemingly unnoticed. Jade followed behind, hoping to remain within that odd sphere of unseeability HuanJen manifested. There was something very harmless about him that, at times, made people ignore him.

  Besides, she and he were technically here to help end the Panoramic League, and maybe not being seen was a good idea …

  . .. it had been Cardinal Byrd’s idea. The Panoramic League had grown tired of people wanting to see Guild membership, of suspicion, of being left out of Xai as it had changed and as the Guilds reigned. So, its leadership had decided to end the League and ensure its members had a place in the current culture. She supposed that it was better than a slow undignified death of the organization.

  Hundreds of years of tradition were ending. Jade looked around at the people and found she couldn’t imagine what that meant. The Vulpines themselves were at best two centuries old, when a rather perverse scientist armed with technology from other Earths had gotten creative.

  The Panoramic League was older than her species. It was an odd thought to turn over in her mind.

  HuanJen was going to help then settle in effectively. Quietly. Because HuanJen, as the leaders of Guild Esoteric knew, was a mixture of harmless and effective and that he liked quiet. Of course if they needed someone harmless but effective, she worried why such traits were needed.

  Jade reminded herself that the reason Huan had accepted a position as a troubleshooter for the Guild was to keep out of the public eye - as long as he worked on jobs for them, people didn’t seem to care. It was what was expected. So it couldn’t be too bad.

  Jade wondered if she was lying to herself.

  HuanJen led her to the back of the wing, towards a series of small, clearly-labeled meeting rooms. Genvira made sure she had space for every need a customer could have, and as much privacy as needed.

  Two hundred people composed the Panoramic League, Jade remembered. Two hundred of them all here to watch their lifestyle end. Jade couldn’t help but feel a kind of odd sympathy - worse, she’d barely heard of the Panoramic League before. Whatever their traditions, now they were at best a curiosity, at worse, obscure.

  It was every time her duties with HuanJen had led her to dealing with someone she barely knew, amplified two hundred times.

  HuanJen knocked on a door, a door hung with a strange multicolored symbol Jade didn’t recognize. She assumed it was the Panoramic League’s logo or emblem, but it could have been the result of a person having a drug problem and spare paint. There was so much she didn’t know …

  “Come in!” said a cheerful voice, “I’ve been waiting for you.

  The door swung open, and a wiry figure was framed in the doorway, posing rakishly.

  “I am Jape, the Mock. I will be your representative, your assistant, your go-between for this endeavor. Welcome.”

  Jade looked over the person in question. He was wearing green. All green. Admittedly many different shades of green, but it was still a lot of green. A great deal of green. There was definite green.

  Once you got over the mono-color scheme of Jape’s clothes, he wasn’t that remarkable looking - thin, dark hair, rather small nose and pale skin. There was something odd in his eyes, however - like he got a joke you hadn’t even heard and never would.

  Jade decided to dislike him on general principle. She felt it would save time.

  “Hello, Jape.” HuanJen extended his hand, and Jape shook it with some enthusiasm. “Are they ready?”

  “In a bit. Who, who is ready for their world to end? They can but be prepared. But who ends the world must be doubly so!”

  Jape looked at the two of them. The Mock received two stares back - one of resignation from HuanJen and one of annoyance from Jade.

  “The Mock’s specialty …” HuanJen began.

  “I know, parody and insightful commentary,” Jade answered didactically. Something made her feel strange.

  “You’re gifted.” Jade added, looking at Jape. She pronounced the word carefully - it was one of the terms Esotericists used for those who had unusual talent, mental abilities, or similar traits sometimes called “powers” by those looking for a simple term, or had read too many comic books.

  Jape focused on the Vulpine, ignoring an odd look from HuanJen. “Yes, how can you …”

  “You learn to tell.” Jade grinned, but there was little humor.

  “Well, what an interesting team we have to help us. I look forward to working with you.” Jape bowed slightly. “Please, come in, the meeting room is prepared, we await the others.”

  Jade and her mentor/partner walked into the room. It was set up as any meeting room would be - tables, a few pitchers of water, and a blackboard. Here, her partner was going to help end a cultural institution.

  Jade thought of the people in the convention hall. Their lives were going to change. It would start here.

  “And how are you two? I have heard about you, Court Master Tradell has told me much. The exorcist and his lovely assistant. The master of spirits and the wielder of … a Lakkom, correct?”

  Jade reached to the harness on her back and drew the weapon in question. The Lakkom was an odd, blackish staff with an end topped by an emerald sphere and a short blade. Jade had acquired it
some time ago, and found it to be useful - it was essentially a device that a bolt of force as a weapon - not the most powerful thing, but having a mystical weapon went far in helping her reputation. A good reputation meant not having to use it.

  “Bingo.” Jade didn’t know why she’d drawn the weapon. HuanJen gave her an innocent look - innocent to anyone that didn’t know HuanJen. She knew it as a “put away the mysterious psychic weapon, dear” look.

  “Fascinating.” Jape tossed himself into a seat. “I look forward to seeing what is to come.”

  “We shall do our best.” HuanJen nodded pleasantly. “I think we can work together quite well.”

  “You seem to be relaxed, considering.” Jade felt herself comment.

  Jape sighed. “Things end, things change, my place is to comment. It is my gift and my goal. But, my job is to help you. Before we meet Father Sun, Sister Moon, and Tradell, can I do anything else for you?”

  “No.” HuanJen nodded. “Can you fetch them? It would probably be more efficent than waiting.”

  “Of course.” Jape rose, seemingly a bit dejected, but then he bowed playfully. “If all is ready, let us begin the final show.”

  The man flounced out of the room. HuanJen sat at the table and opened his briefcase. Jade sat next to him, close enough to feel the comfort of his body heat and scent.

  “What a prick.” Jade whispered.

  “It is what the Mocks do. In some cases they’re quite sought.”

  “People find it therapeutic to be abused and pissed off. It’s like psychological whips and chains?”

  “An accurate assessment,” the cleric conceded, “Hopefully this will go smoothly.”

  “At least we won’t have to talk to their entire leadership,” Jade shook her head, “OK, I get the tradition of the one male and female leader, Sun and Moon. But this whole Council of Mirrors thing?”

  “They oversee daily functions,” HuanJen shuffled some papers. “They guide and advise and take care of that which does not trouble the Father Sun or Sister Moon. They have a Court Master who speaks for them and that’s Tradell.”

  “Well its only three people, not the whole Council. I …”

  “… have been analyzing this, haven’t you?” The magician-priest smiled .

  “As best I could. I’m still trying to ‘get this.’ I mean … one, why can’t they just give it up? But they want to make sure their members are integrated into society. Two … let’s face it, the Panoramic League is old stuff. Why didn’t they just give this up before?”

  “The two are one reason.” HuanJen finished his shuffling. “It is a tradition, centuries old. People do not let go of such things easily. If they do, let us do so in a final manner.”

  “Yeah.” Jade smiled. “At least it doesn’t involve the Historian, exorcisms, or any other crap.”

  “Exactly … to us, this should be a vacation.”

  One of the doors to the conference room swung open and four people entered. Jade felt an odd chill in the air - not a physical one, but one that was more spiritual.

  The first person was Jape, who managed a combination of striding, purposeful walking, and prancing that hurt Jade’s eyes. His legs didn’t seem to move in three dimensions.

  The second was a tall man in golden robes. He wore an odd headpiece of bronze that suggested a sun by it’s radiating points. His beard was graying, and had once apparently been black.

  The third was a younger woman dressed in blue, wearing a silver mask. She seemed graceful, almost ethereal.

  The fourth was a serious-looking gentleman in a green robe. Blonde ringlets framed a blue-eyed face - he seemed young but it was hard to judge his age. He appeared uncomfortable, as if confined within something.

  “Father Sun, Sister Moon, and Tradell of the Court of Mirrors.” Jape said respectfully, almost reverently. He sat off to one side of the table, and was disturbingly quiet.

  “Good day.” HuanJen rose respectfully, Jade following his example. “I am HuanJen of the Order of Sanctum, member of Guild Esoteric. This is my assistant and apprentice, Jade Shalesdaughter. Today is a basic fact-finding mission so we can resolve issues as quickly as possible.”

  “And with the least amount of publicity?” Sister Moon’s voice seemed to waft out of nowhere, though it was edged in blades. Her silver mask gave the impression of a great watching eye.

  “And the most dignity.” HuanJen replied as he and Jade sat. His tone was pleasant, though Moon’s wasn’t.

  Jade sensed some tension - but none of it came from HuanJen. She felt herself reach under the table and give his hand a quick, loving squeeze. He felt as solid as the foundations of the sky, and it was damned comforting.

  “We hope for the same.” Father Sun took a seat at the conference table, steeping his long-fingered hands. “You will understand if I am unsure of where to begin?”

  “What is it your people need?” HuanJen asked politely.

  Tradell looked at Moon, who looked at Sun. Sun sighed.

  “Not what I was told, what you want,” the mystic added.

  Father Sun nodded. “Jobs for our people. Living quarters. Privacy. And we stay together until all of this is settled.”

  “Guild memberships.” Tradell added. His eyes seemed fixed on a point to the left of nowhere. Jade recognized his breathing - he was doing some kind of exercise, probably to remain relaxed.

  “That … we assume is a given.” Sun replied, still looking at HuanJen.

  HuanJen nodded. “I understand. Now …”

  “We have the files.” Sister Moon produced a few computer disks from the depths of her robes. “Two hundred and twelve members, some still arriving. We will update you on any … retirements.”

  “We suspect at least twenty, maybe forty,” Tradell added.

  Sun nodded. “They will not be considered. You and the Guild will not be responsible. They understand what is happening.”

  “Good.” HuanJen took the disks from Moon and handed them to Jade. “I will attempt to give regular status reports. This may take a month or so as best I can estimate. I …”

  Father Sun raised a hand. “We have time. You have the data …”

  “Yes. Also, Jade and I provide emotional counseling if needed.”

  “We can handle that, Magician-Priest,” Moon said, “we only need social integration.”

  “I understand, but …

  There was a knock at the door. Tradell rose to answer the knock, talking briefly with someone outside.

  ” … and we have concerns among our Troupe to address.” Tradell interrupted, his voice echoing with weariness of bureaucracy. “We must cut this short. Father, Sister, there is a question of space.”

  ” … of course.” Sun appeared dejected. “Please look at the information and give us a more informed estimate. And … if the two of you? I will be along.”

  “Understood.” Sister Moon stood, followed by Tradell. They left the room, Jape in tow. The Mock closed the door, but only after directing a salute and a wink over Father Sun’s shoulder.

  “Your apprentice …” Sun began.

  “Can stay. Anything I hear she hears. We are inseparable.” HUan-Jen stayed polite. Sun smiled a bit. His eyes twinkled behind his mask.

  “Of course.” The leader of the Panoramic League stood. “I don’t like this, I want you to know that. None of us do, so this won’t be easy. In fact, I don’t know if I’d be doing this if Tradell and the Court weren’t backing it.”

  Jade looked over at HuanJen. He seemed rather sad.

  “Is there anything I can do to put your mind at ease?”

  “No.” Sun was frank. “I want you to understand this. We have a tradition. We have one centuries old. We wander, we make people think, we spin poems and dances and jokes and creations to explore and heal and find and inspire. Or we did.”

  Sun looked down at his hands. “But over the last few decades, everyone has begun to ask why we aren’t members of Guild Esoteric, or why we aren’t part of the En
tertainer’s Guild. Even in the outlying areas. The Guilds have left us no space. So we are giving up. We are disbanding so … we can end with some dignity.”

  “You’ve considered this for some time.” HuanJen queried.

  The older man nodded. “For over a decade. That is how long it took. We are giving up and joining your Guilds. I don’t want you to assume we will like it.”

  HuanJen closed his briefcase. “Sun?”

  “Yes?”

  “If I may,” the cleric said simply, “I don’t think the problem is with the Guild. I think the problem is yours.”

  “Really?” Father Sun asked bitterly “And what is that problem?”

  “If you think working for the Guild negates who you are, then you are already lost.”

  The aged entertainer looked at his guest. HuanJen didn’t seem arrogant or full of himself. He actually seemed sad.

  “And how did you learn that?” Sun inquired.

  “The hard way.”

  “I see.” Sun nodded. “Well, I think I may like working with you. Later?”

  “Later. When I have more to report.”

  Jade and HuanJen walked back through the convention center, past the gathered Panoramic League members going about their daily lives. Or what would be their daily lives for a few more weeks.

  Jade felt strange looking at them. She wanted to say something, ask something …

  … and when they got outside, HuanJen started the conversation for her. He had a way of doing things like that, of doing what was appropriate right when it was appropriate.

  “They are ending,” HuanJen said with some sympathy.

  “Yeah, why is it my reaction is half ‘good-riddance,’ half ‘I’m sorry’?” Jade mused as the two of them headed toward the nearest Trolley stop.

  “Why do you think?”

  Jade felt a moment of odd fear. She hadn’t felt like being speculative lately, and usually when HuanJen used that tone of voice, it was meant to teach her something.

  She’d been learning too much lately in her hunt for the identity of M …

  Jade clutched her lover’s hand.