by Alma Boykin
«Hold me?» He barely heard her whisper into his mind. He turned enough to see her, and she repeated, «Hold me, please? The nightmares are winning, Joschka, and I’m too weak to fight them alone.»
Her admission scared Joschka more than anything he’d heard thus far. After a quick check to make certain that they were still alone, he held her. Her entire body shook, and he rested one hand on the back of her head, pulling her against him, taking her weight as he’d done before. He didn’t try to talk to her, just kept her within his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Thank you,” she whispered at last, and he released her. “I will do as you ask, sir.”
It required a little stagecraft and a touch of cosmetics, but Rachel had to admit that it worked. They’d arranged for the scene to play out in an old warehouse belonging to the temple, rather than within the temple itself, lest the Power decide to become involved directly. And the location gave Captain Ahkai and Dr. Fujimori more space. As they prepared the “reception room,” Joschka became aware of an additional presence, watching, just barely close enough for him to sense. Rachel, in full cat form, snarled at everyone except for the already-terrified soldier tasked with putting cosmetics on “the Austrian Branch’s special project.”
At the appointed time, military police brought the three civilians into the very dark room and left them. As the trio peered around, trying to see through the blackness, a light grew brighter, revealing an old, white-bearded man seated on a throne-like platform. His eyes seemed to glow golden yellow as he glared down on the miscreants. A katana in a crimson and black lacquered sheath rested across his lap, while his left hand draped over the head of a black jaguar-like feline. The cat’s ears, whiskers, and paws glowed a sickly foxfire green. A crimson-eyed dragon loomed over the seated figure, its body filling the space to the right of the seat. Before the three humans could regain their balance, the dragon and cat flowed forward, off the hidden platform, and took places in front of the old man. He raised the weapon from his lap and as he did, two ghostly warriors appeared to either side of the living animals. “Who are you?” one of the young men gasped, while his partner and their lady employer dropped to their knees in fear.
The old man replied with a thunder-touched voice, “My business is none of yours, mortal humans. The things you have seen and tried to touch are beyond your ken.” Fujimori’s teleconverter, wired through Joschka’s hidden microphone, made it seem as if he spoke Japanese. Joschka pulled a silvery hologram projector out of the shadows beside him and triggered it. The samurai and the animals advanced on the terrified figures cowering in the center of the dark room, their silence further unnerving the young humans. Rachel “smiled,” as did Dr. Fujimori. She took the humans’ fear, augmented it, and fed it back into them until they were about to wet themselves. She was careful to keep the level such that they didn’t try to strike out in their panic—instead making them feel helpless and overawed by the ghostly figures.
The woman babbled something about the god Susanoo, and the dragon signaled to Joschka, who nodded his understanding. “You name me right. Now go and leave my shrine untouched and my possessions unplundered, unless you wish to face my wrath!” Lightning crackled down behind the white-bearded figure, and Rachel no longer had to do anything but look fierce as the humans gasped and cried, convinced that they were in the presence of the god of storms, brother to the founder goddess Amaterasu. A shift in the lighting revealed the door at the far end of the room. The trio bolted to it, found it unlocked, and fled whispering frantic vows never to return and promising to warn everyone else away. Rachel and Leiji followed the youngsters almost to the door, then stopped. Akahi turned off the projector, and after thirty seconds or so enough light came back on that Joschka could see to get off the platform.
“I don’t think I will continue impersonating gods,” he sighed, carefully laying the old sword on the seat of the stool.
«I don’t know, my lord,» Rachel sent as she sat and washed her paw, or started to. The cosmetics tasted foul, and she hung her tongue out for a moment before closing her mouth. «You seem quite natural as a short tempered, powerful, arrogant deity.» She stalked over to where he stood frowning and she rubbed against his hip, her back arching, inviting him to scratch or pet it. He obliged without thinking, and the rumble of Rachel’s purr filled the dark chamber.
Dr. Fujimori stroked his whiskers in a very human gesture and looked smug. «I doubt that the individual currently worshiped as Susanoo will object to your borrowing his identity for a few minutes,» the True-dragon gloated. «In fact, I think our little charade strengthened him quite nicely, which means that he will be more willing to cooperate in the future.»
His observation drew a speculative glance from Rada, but she remained silent.
Joschka took off the stage hair with a grimace at the sting. He was going to regrow his beard and that was that! The HalfDragon glanced down at the audibly happy feline beside him and buried his hand deeper in her short, thick fur. It felt very soft. He enjoyed the sensation and wondered—well behind his shields—if her pelt covered her in her true form as well, and if it was as pleasant to the touch. If it was, and if she was willing . . . He yanked his mind back to where it belonged before a pleasant distraction could turn into an embarrassing one.
The next day, in a secluded part of the Japanese Branch’s facility, General Takahara nodded and an assistant very carefully set a lacquered black box on the mats between the officer and Commander Na Gael. “You are familiar with the Way of the Sword, Commander,” he stated, nodding at the box.
“Yes, sir. Sword, fan, and honor,” she replied, wishing that she had her favorite blade at her side. She was more comfortable armed. He’d invited her, and her alone, to see the temple’s treasure, but she wasn’t permitted to bring any of her usual armaments with her aside from her bahn’leh, the bone-handled honor dagger.
“Then you will recognize this.” With careful, gloved hands, the man untied the crimson cords on the long container and opened the top, bowed to the object, and then reverently unfolded silk and cloth of gold to reveal an ancient blade. He lifted it out of the case and Rachel bowed from her seated position until her head almost touched the floor. “One of the three treasures.”
Rachel seriously doubted that the sword came from the hand of the goddess Amaterasu, but she knew a powerful weapon when she saw one. Especially one that had been the object of reverence that approached worship, present at coronations and combats for over a thousand years. Immersion in so many emotional energies over the centuries would empower almost anything, and she sensed that there was more than just Terran steel in the blade. It ‘felt’ almost identical to the psychoactive meteorite she’d tangled with in Britain, and the Wanderer regarded the item with healthy respect. She had no desire to touch it with either hand or mind. “A work of the finest art and power,” she murmured.
Takahara did not offer her the weapon. He held it aloft for another minute, then returned it to the box, rewrapped it, closed the box, and bowed. “It is without price.”
“Indeed, General. Without price indeed.” She wondered why someone from the underworld wanted it, and shivered at the thought of what the Power might do to that individual. Burn them to bits, she suspected—if it was feeling merciful. Although, given some of the less romantic bits of Japanese history and tradition . . . She needed the tea that followed the presentation, if only to warm hands that had gone icy.
Rachel tried to stay awake during the secretary’s comments. It wasn’t his fault that he spoke English in a monotone, or that she was tired. She’d been up all night writing her after-action-report so she wouldn’t have to do it on the plane. And it would embarrass Sergeant Weber terribly if she fell asleep on his shoulder. He’d been embarrassed enough already this evening, after the secretary’s effusive praise for his actions during the Battle of the Tunnels. “And in conclusion, I just wish to reiterate my thanks for your hard work and effort . . .” She pinched the back of her hand to keep fro
m dozing. “. . . Now, with one final remark, General von Hohen-Drachenburg.”
Joschka thanked the Secretary and scanned the gathered personnel, hoping Rachel had not left yet. No, there she sat, beside Wolf Weber. “I will be brief. After much consideration, I have decided to retire, effective January one. The secretary and council have agreed, and Lieutenant General Helmut Eszterházy of the Hungarian Branch will take over as military head of the Global Defense Force. Again, thank you, and you are dismissed.” As he spoke, he watched Rachel. Her eye sprang open, and for an instant he caught an expression of surprise and consternation on her face before the mask returned. Three months, my love, he thought at her. Three months and then we shall see what transpires. After two hundred years, he could force himself to wait a little longer.
Alma T. C. Boykin was born in the Midwest, moved to the Great Plains, and after a brief period living in places where trees almost outnumber people, returned to the plains. She escaped college with a BA, worked for a living, then returned for an advanced degree some years later. When not writing or rotating the cat, she teaches and does a few other odds and ends. Hobbies include cooking, reading, hiking, geology, astronomy, and music.
Visit Alma’s blog at AlmaTCBoykin.Wordpress.com
Elizabeth of Starland
Book 1 of the Colplatschki Chronicles.
Stubborn as a mule? No, stubborn AND her mule.
Colonial Plantation Ltd. abandoned ColPlat XI, writing the planet off as a tax loss after a series of severe Carrington-type events. Now, four hundred years later, Laurence V of Frankonia wants to write Elizabeth von Sarmas out of his kingdom, but like her Lander ancestors, Elizabeth refuses to roll over and die.
To survive, she needs to cross the continent, thread her way through a holy war, and find friends in the Eastern Empire—an impossible task for a sheltered gentlewoman. Or is it? Never underestimate a woman with a mission and a mule.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Starland-The-Colplatschki-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00HFEWKXY/
Elizabeth of Donatello Bend
Book 2 of the Colplatschki Chronicles
Elizabeth grows into her duties as colonel and lady of Donatello Bend, and makes a fateful enemy.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00KKY2G1M
Elizabeth of Vindobona
Book 3 of the Colplatschki Chronicles
Ten years after Elizabeth reaches the Empire, court politics and military command aren’t the only things she has to deal with. A marriage proposal, an assassination attempt, and a siege on the Imperial Capital bring new challenges... and new opportunities.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNE7D2U
Elizabeth and Empire
Book 4 of the Colplatschki Chronicles
Twenty years after the events of Elizabeth of Vindobona, an untried emperor sits the throne while courtiers scheme. Elizabeth must navigate politics, religion, her relationship with Lazlo, and the Frankonians’ wrath in this fourth book of the Colplatschki Chronicles.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Empire-Colplatschki-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B00PNW640U
Peaks of Grace
Book 5 of the Colplatschki Chronicles
Margurite deSarm knows that she cannot govern the Sarm lands alone. But her husband, Gregory Berlin of Louvat, refuses to fulfill his duties. As Marta attempts to undo her marriage, Odile Rheinhart discovers her own unique calling. In their own complimentary ways, over ten years the two women work to keep the Sarm Valley free from the machinations of Phillip of Frankonia while balancing family, duty, and desires.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1XGJSA
Circuits and Crises
Book 6 of the Colplatschki Chronicles
The Turkowi begin their advance from the south as a fight between brothers threatens the Empire.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00UZP7QFM
Blackbird
Book 7 of the Colplatschki Chronicles
Charles Malatesta will defend his inheritance or die trying.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YHXJ3A4
Marie’s Tale
Novella
Another side of the story of Duke Aquila Starland.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00MW7YODI
And more...
Keep up with all the latest books by Alma T C Boykin on her blog: AlmaTCBoykin.Wordpress.com
(Listed in chronological order from the perspective of Rada Ni Drako.)
Hubris: The Azdhagi Reborn
Book 1 of the Cat Among Dragons prequel series.
When the Azdhagi overreach the limits of their science, only a few individuals stand between them and chaos. Three interlinked disasters start a chain reaction of tragedy and triumph leading to the re-creation of Azdhag society.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Hubris-Azdhagi-Reborn-Alma-Boykin-ebook/dp/B00J8UCN9O
Renaissance: A Novel of Azdhag Survival
Book 2 of the Cat Among Dragons prequel series.
When the Empire calls, dare an Azdhag disobey? Two generations after the Great Relocation and the Azdhag Empire threatens to pull apart as Great Lords, colony residents, and Freetown inhabitants struggle to control their worlds. A ghost from the past forces the King-Emperor to send the Prince Imperial and a most reluctant Tartai of Tarkeela to the colony on Pokara. Trouble, madness, and carpentry await.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Azdhag-Survival-Alma-Boykin-ebook/dp/B01E0CKMX8
A Cat Among Dragons
Book 1 in the Cat Among Dragons series.
They started it. Rada Ni Drako just wanted to do her job, but her father’s people declared her a corrupt half-breed, one unfit to live. Now she’s on the run and in need of a new identity and a job. When she fled back in time to join an interstellar mercenary company, she did not anticipate becoming the Pet of House Nagali, becoming the student of a mysterious but very well connected Healer and diplomat, and fighting her way into power as the only sentient mammal in the court of a reptilian empire. And falling flat on her face several times in the process.
This collection of short stories, the first in the Cat Among Dragons series, begins the saga of Rada Ni Drako and her odd assortment of allies. Join the adventure as Rada takes on her father’s people and tries to keep her head, and the rest of her, intact.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/A-Cat-Among-Dragons-ebook/dp/B00AMNB0N6
Hairballs
Short fiction from the Cat Among Dragons series.
Rada, Yori, and some of the other Scouts are unwinding from a mission when they hear that the Division is testing new battle armor. Yori gets the idea that someone needs to put the armor through its paces, and against Rada’s better judgment, Yori ropes her into the adventure.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Hairballs-Among-Dragons-Story-ebook/dp/B00B1DR544
Justice and Juniors
Book 2 in the Cat Among Dragons series.
A collection of short stories following the exploits of Rada Ni Drako in a universe full of danger, excitement, and strange alien species.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Justice-Juniors-Among-Dragons-ebook/dp/B00CA95AP4
A Double-Edged Wish
Book 3 in the Cat Among Dragons series.
Rada Ni Drako soars to a new height—a moment of carelessness brings her crashing down. Rada and her business partner Zabet survive a King-Emperor’s anger, a contract that leads to plague and discovery, and motherhood. But when inattention, famine, and a conspiracy from Earth’s future combine against her, Rada proves once again that there’s nothing so deadly as a cornered cat. Especia
lly one who already lost her soul.
A Cat Among Dragons short story collection, including the novella Famine, Fortune, and Justice. 92,000 words.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Double-Edged-Among-Dragons-ebook/dp/B00FP46K96
Revolution from Above
Novella
It takes a mammal to save a planet. Caught away from her soldiers when mercenaries invade Drakon IV, Rada Ni Drako must find a way to reconquer the planet. Help comes from a strange quarter, but even that might not be enough when treason slithers into view. Lord Ni Drako needs all her wiles, luck, and dirty tricks just to survive. When a mammal fights a mammal, even dragons duck for cover.
Available from Amazon.com at:
www.amazon.com/Revolution-Above-Among-Dragons-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JRDA7SQ
Promises and Powers
Book 4: Short Stories in the Cat Among Dragons series.
Don’t threaten a HalfDragon’s family: he’ll change the world in order to protect them.
Alien invasions only exist in bad movies. Earth’s militaries know better. That knowledge forces Joschka Graf von Hohen-Drachenburg to make a choice. Will he remain in hiding, or will he risk losing everything in order to protect his family and House Drachenburg? His decision pulls Rada Ni Drako back into his life. She in turn receives an offer she probably should refuse, from a creature as old as Earth itself.
