They were aware of A'pelur's destruction—Zaria ensured that there were news vids and other connections to the worlds outside Sirena, although no communication was allowed. And, if anyone wished to leave, they'd have to leave all their memories of Sirena behind, too.
So far, they were happy enough to be alive. I'd asked for employees for the palace, and currently it was fully-staffed, with a wait-list if more were needed. Zaria had seen to everything.
"Is everything ready?" Zaria appeared as if called, with Bleek and Ilya at her side. The Blevakian gave me a huge grin—he and Ilya were Ar'pex—they held coins, too.
"Everything is prepared, my love," I told her.
I bow to the Vhanaraszh, Revalus sent to her. He and I bowed, as indicated.
"Revalus, there is no need to bow," she smiled at me—and him. "We're in this together, you know."
At that moment, they came.
Twin Falchani brothers appeared, chests bare, medallions and Ar'pex coins proudly displayed. Miz'Sandar Keel and his new mate, Chief Markus, set their feet on the floor before us. Zanfield Staggs, one of his arms wrapped around Perri Ironsmith's shoulders, came next. Others arrived—the entire crews of BlackWings X and XIII, except one. The engineer had been collected from X by Kooper Griff, before the ships were sent to the hidden space station housing the rest of the BlackWing fleet.
Last of all, Randl Gage, Reviendus, Ar'pexi and Soul of the Universes, appeared with Dori, his beautiful mate, at his side.
"Welcome," I stepped forward to greet them, my arms held wide. "Here on Sirena, reclaimed from the dust of its destruction, are places for all of you. The planet is hidden from all except you, a few of the most powerful, and the Larentii. You will remain concealed by the bones of many Sirenali, buried beneath the planet's surface eons ago by their descendants. This is your safe place—to rest and enjoy. I imagine that you'll need it—the Prophet still lives."
"Will we still be the BlackWing Pirates?" Jincus asked. He'd enjoyed his new job; that was quite clear.
"We'll get the ships back," Randl told him. "Just not right away, for obvious reasons."
"Right now, the others think we're dead, so the Prophet will think we're dead, too," Vik explained.
"Then we may need a new name, to go with the old one," David pointed out. "Zanfield already named us, actually."
"What's that?" Randl frowned at him.
"We're the Formidables, a very special division of the BlackWing Pirates," David grinned, as if everybody should have known it already.
Epilogue
Randl
Soon enough, V'dar won't have to make excuses to kill—it will become too much of a pleasure for him, Bennall, my female Ar'pex, informed me.
He has too much of his father in him, Kev'Ril, my Chief Ar'pex, agreed. That, combined with a gift of rogue gods to inhabit him, makes V'dar a terrible threat.
"Who are you talking to?" Dori asked. She and I had just left our shared suite, to go to dinner in the dining hall. She knew I was having a mental conversation with someone.
"Bennall and Kev'Ril," I replied.
"Oh. Hariki says they're strong."
"While Hariki is made of stealth and cunning, Bennall tells me," I smiled at Dori. "Perfect for you, they both say."
"I think she's perfect, too," Dori sniffed.
"Come on, you, I'm starving." I pulled her against me and folded space to the dining hall.
Travis
We're fine, Mom. Really.
Tell me where you are. I want to see you.
We'll see you soon enough, stop worrying, I tried to console her. Half her sendings contained tears, that was easy to tell. We can't tell you where we are—for obvious reasons. You have to keep this information quiet—share it with our dads and grampa only, all right? Zaria says she'll tell you where we are soon.
Vik, too? Is he okay?
Mom, Vik is, well—I've never known him to be this strong and confident.
What about Trent—and you, too? Are you strong and confident after that fiasco on A'pelur?
Mom, stop worrying, I repeated. Bro and I—we're formidable.
Le'Vestar Limn
It had taken some convincing—by Randl and Zaria, but Mae and I were together. Randl explained it to Miz in this way; Mae and I were infected with the Prophet's disease, so the very act of sex with any other would infect them, too.
I doubted anyone else would wish to carry that burden, as it was heavy and came with a terrible price. Mae and I had destroyed the Prophet's ship, which resulted in the ASD destroying the other ships. That, in turn, precipitated the Prophet's hasty engagement with Randl on A'pelur.
Randl considered our interference a blessing rather than a curse, because the Prophet may have been caught off guard. Either way, Randl said, it prevented a drawn-out battle, with no certain victor.
I still felt the total destruction of a planet was a terrible price to pay for that interference. Too, there was always the chance that the Prophet could command us again, if he were ever close enough to retake our minds. That meant we would be forced to stay far away from that possibility.
That's why we were now on Sirena, protected beneath layers of shields and hidden from the Prophet's meddling. The Or'myr High Council would have to understand—eventually—or choke on their own bile, as Randl pointed out.
For now—Mae and I shared separate-but-connecting suites, although our plans were to be together. The appearance of separate suites would placate Miz—somewhat. "I love you," I squeezed Mae tighter against me and whispered against her hair.
"Dinner," Miz rapped on my door, interrupting the subsequent kiss.
"I love you, too," Mae smiled up at me. "Now we just have to convince Miz to love you."
"He doesn't?" I teased.
"Stop it—I'm hungry," she patted my stomach. "Come on—before they eat it all."
"We'll be right there," I called out to Miz and kissed Mae again.
Palace Library, Sirena
Zaria
He didn't look comfortable—probably because of the deep frown I wore. He looked just a bit guilty, too, which supported my theory.
I already knew that what was happening now had happened in the distant past—in other timelines.
Too many of them, actually.
"You and the other two closed the door and walked away, didn't you? Every time." I struggled to keep the accusation out of my voice.
"Those multiverses were all dying—or dead, and if we'd left the door open, as you say, then the perpetrators would have reappeared in every new multiverse we built. You wouldn't be fighting a single version of it now—you'd be fighting multiple versions, like a body infected with dozens of fatal viruses."
"Here's the problem with that statement," I pointed a finger at him. "It only takes one fatal virus. Any way you look at it, the body will still die."
"I see your point, but you're not seeing mine."
"Right." I shook my head at him.
"Things are different now—because I never had children before. Plus, you already know that the multiverse has never gone to war to protect itself. You had a hand in that, I believe."
"I imagined the multiverses were weary of dying—over and over."
"I never told you who your mother was," my father changed the subject.
My father. Also known as Charles, or Wisdom, or the Mighty Mind, thought to distract me from the topic at hand.
It was working.
"Are you going to tell me?" I demanded.
"I will—if you and Randl are successful in protecting this multiverse and keeping it alive."
With that carrot left dangling, he disappeared, leaving me silently cursing his strategy. Which, as it turned out, was successful in the extreme.
The End
List of Characters/Places Appearing in the BlackWing Pirates Series
(Characters from other series will be indicated by the series name for their first appearance. Those series will be listed in parenthesis after the na
mes)
Adam Chessman: From Old Earth. Former chief of enforcers for the Vampire Council. Chosen to become a member of the Saa Thalarr. Mated to Kiarra. Also a member of the Al'Riyu. (Blood Destiny Series, Saa Thalarr Series)
Alken Wilker: Fourth-level Karathian warlock, and Uncle to Perri and Pauley Wilker-Ironsmith. Abused both children after they were abandoned by their parents (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Akrinn Lemm: Native of Jaledis, best friend of Fergue Bing. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Amlis: Prince of New Fyris, a kingdom established on Harifa Edus after Siriaa's destruction. Father: King Tamblin of Fyris-deceased. Mother: Queen Omina of Fyris-deceased (First Ordinance Series)
A'pelur: Campiaan Alliance world and home to criminal kingpin Mebbers and his hidden fortress (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Ardis: Avii Captain of the Guard for King Justis. Mated to Dena, Queen Quin's personal bodyguard. Daughter: Dara. (First Ordinance Series)
Ar'pex: A nature spirit which has chosen to bond with another being, giving that being their power and cooperation (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Ashe Evans: The Mighty Hand, or Strength. Owns SouthStar Groves on Avendor, which houses many. SouthStar is a haven, and those who reside there will never age because of the power wielded by Ashe. Mated to Kay and Breanne. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series)
Astralan Starr: Fifth-level Karathian warlock, one of four brothers who protect Teeg San Gerxon. Mated to Queen Reah. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Aurelius: Vampire from Old Earth. Turned Gavin Montegue. Mated to Queen Reah. Member of the Saa Thalarr and Mil'Karha—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series)
Ba'Moru: Small vacation resort on Pyrik and home to Caille Morr.
Bargel: President of Pyrik. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Barkins: Charla Dare's fluffy, white canine best friend (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Barra Kend: Wife of Ruther Kend, mother of Sabrina Kend. (First Ordinance Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Bekzi: One of eight reptanoid brothers who are lion snake shapeshifters, although their births were manipulated by a criminal element to create assassins. Bekzi and his brothers had slightly slitted eyes, preventing them from passing as fully human, and therefore they were never forced into the role of assassins. Instead, they became well-versed in farming and the repair of mechanical things, providing maintenance and such to their criminal masters until they were freed by Reah and Teeg San Gerxon. Bekzi is mated to the Mighty Heart and to Zaria. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series)
Bel Erland Morphis: Crown Prince of Karathia. Fifth-level warlock and skilled at scrying and spells. Father: King Rylend of Karathia. Mother: Queen Reah of Kifirin. Mated to Queen Quin of the Avii. (High Demon Series, First Ordinance Series)
Bennall: A Campiaan Alliance world orbiting the same star as Kev'Ril.
Berel Charkisul: Son of Edden Charkisul. Mated to Queen Quin and serves as a liaison/ambassador for her after he was granted the blue wings of an Avii scholar by Zaria. (First Ordinance Series)
Bornelus: Non-Alliance world taken by the Prophet and guarded by mutant Ra'Ak.
Borell Gant: Patriarch of a family chosen randomly by the Prophet for his experiements in employing food to spread the Prophet's disease; deceased (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Brakkus: A Campiaan Alliance world, and chosen meeting place between Alken and Gillen Wilker (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Brandl Gage: Father of Randl Gage. Homeworld is Vogeffa II, until attack by Vardil Cayetes forced the population to relocate to New Fyris. Employed by Prince Amlis and later by Queen Lissa of Le-Ath Veronis and Queen Quin of the Avii (First Ordinance Series)
Breanne: The Mighty Heart, aka Love. (God Wars Series)
Bryan Riley: Vampire from Old Earth. Head of the News Conglomerate on Le-Ath Veronis. (Blood Destiny Series)
Caille Morr: Trail guide at a mountain resort on Pyrik—one of many hidden servants of the Prophet. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Ca'Lex: Abandoned world; David's Ar'pex (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Calezia: Capital city of Fren'Ell, a Reth Alliance world, where Jewl Yarro had a home and a better reputation (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Campiaa: Small planet and home to the Founder of the Campiaan Alliance (Blood Destiny Series, High Demon Series)
Carek Prime: A non-Alliance world ruled by King Devarr, until it was destroyed by Vardil Cayetes. The population was subsequently moved to Cloudsong (First Ordinance Series)
Caylon Black: Falchani warrior and the best Falchani blademaster ever produced on that world. Caylon Black trained Dragon, Crane and Salidar DeLuca. Member of the Saa Thalarr and the Mil'Karha—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Blood Destiny Series)
Celestan Starr: Fifth-level Karathian warlock, one of four brothers who protect Teeg San Gerxon. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Charla Dare: Wealthy Campiaan resident who has been working as a smuggler and committing other crimes quietly while passing as one of the planet's elite. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Cheel: Resident of Gis, a non-alliance world (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Chloe: Naturalized Amterean Dwarf, originally from Old Earth. Owl shapeshifter. Mated to Morwin Quiffilis. Sister to David Hiboux. (Latter Day Demons Series)
Cleaster Leech: Campiaan space station employee who has been infected with the Prophet's spreading obsession. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Cloudsong: A world recently accepted into the Campiaan Alliance and ruled by King Devarr. Has a spotty, checkered past, and was once rendered barren and useless by a rogue warlock who tapped the core. Restored by Zaria and others, to become home to all the refugees from Carek Prime.
Connegar: Larentii. Mated to Queen Lissa. (Blood Destiny Series)
Cord'ilus: An empty world, devoured by Ra'Ak long ago.
Cori Anderson-DeLuca: Panther shapeshifter and Co-Captain of BlackWing VIII with her husband, Marco DeLuca. Mother: Lavonna Anderson. Father: Nathan Anderson. Sister to Dori Anderson. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dara: Avii—daughter of Dena and Ardis. Named after Daragar of the Larentii. (First Ordinance Series)
Daragar: Larentii. Mated to Queen Quin of the Avii. (First Ordinance Series)
David Hiboux: Naturalized Amterean Dwarf, originally from Old Earth. Southern Boobook owl shapeshifter, who works as the ship's engineer for BlackWing X, before transferring to BlackWing XIII. (Latter Day Demons Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dena: Avii bodyguard for Queen Quin. Formerly a yellow-winged castle servant. Now has multi-colored wings, like most Avii. (First Ordinance Series)
Devarr: King of Cloudsong. Husband to Hulce. (First Ordinance Series)
Derik: Prime Council of the Sirenali. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dori Anderson: Ocelot shapeshifter from Old Earth. Captain of BlackWing VII. Mother: Lavonna Anderson, a lioness shapeshifter. Father: Nathan Anderson, a vampire. One sister; Cori Anderson, a panther shapeshifter. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dormas: Ancient vampire who raised Gavril/Teeg after Kifirin removed him from Le-Ath Veronis. Taught Teeg woodworking, building and architecture. Now serves as Teeg's assistant in the Campiaan Alliance. (High Demon Series)
Drake Tatsuya: Falchani, serves as co-commander of Queen Lissa's army on Le-Ath Veronis. Father: Dragon Tatsuya. Mother: Devin of the Saa Thalarr. Mated to Queen Lissa. Twin brother to Drew Tatsuya. One son: Travis Tatsuya. (Blood Destiny Series)
Drew Tatsuya: Falchani, serves as co-commander of Queen Lissa's army on Le-Ath Veronis. Father: Dragon Tatsuya. Mother: Devin of the Saa Thalarr. Mated to Queen Lissa. Twin brother to Drake Tatsuya. One son: Trent Tatsuya. (Blood Destiny Series)
Edden Charkisul: Former High President of Kondar, a large continent on Siriaa. Now serves as an Ambassador for
the Avii, after he was given the blue wings of a scholar by Zaria. (First Ordinance Series)
Edward Pendley: From Old Earth of Elemaiyan ancestry. Now owns EastStar Groves, producing gishi fruit on Avendor. Mated to Queen Reah. Member of the En'Nurifi—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series, High Demon Series)
Erland Morphis: Father of King Rylend of Karathia. Mated to Lissa, Queen of Le-Ath Veronis. Fifth-level warlock with strong spell-casting skills. Member of the Ba'Mirha—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Blood Destiny Series)
Ex'ero Plumb: Crillie resident of Horlak, and owner of seventy-six scrapyard warehouses. Formerly a business associate of Jewl Yarro. Crillie men have two functional penises, which is often the source of sexual jokes (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Farisa: Avii guild master who has persecuted Quin in the past. (First Ordinance Series)
Fergue Bing: Former boyfriend of Sabrina, native of Jaledis. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Flavio: Vampire from Old Earth; took over as Head of the Vampire Council when Wlodek vacated the position to join the Saa Thalarr. Now a high-ranking Council member in Queen Lissa's court on Le-Ath Veronis. Mated to Kyler. Auxiliary member of the Saa Thalarr. (Blood Destiny Series)
Flyer: Falchani warrior, member of the Saa Thalarr and member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series)
Franc: One of two trusted bodyguards and emissaries who work for Zanfield Staggs (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Fyris: Small continent on Siriaa, a planet destroyed by Vardil Cayetes. (First Ordinance Series)
Galaxsan Starr: Fifth-level Karathian warlock, one of four brothers who protect Teeg San Gerxon. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Gant Family: First family to turn against and kill one another in the Prophet's experiments with tainted food (BlackWing Pirates Series)
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