While the nobles were predictably suspicious and leery, Sarai made short work of reassuring them. The battle his wife-to-be normally experienced in negotiating with gentry was all but non-existent. At first, he attributed it to their huge silver-haired sentinel who shadowed them throughout the excursion then he realized it was Sarai herself. Males and females alike seemed to be mesmerized by her appearance and the sound of her voice. Attitudes toward him were different as well, although for that he knew the reason. The sour expressions usually directed at him changed to smiles when he returned their courtesies in proper elvish fashion.
Well past mid-day, they had worked through all of their gentry negotiations and had moved on to catering and supply errands. After taking their leave of the fifth awestruck and tongue-tied citizen Sarai stopped in the shadow of the boughs of a huge ironwood and looked at Bannor with hands on hips. “All right,” she said. “What’s going on? Why is everyone acting so weird?”
Bannor studied his wife to be. She was the same fine elven lady he had been battling along-side for seasons; tall and graceful with silvery blonde hair and glowing lavender eyes. Her silver-chased blue court robes hugged her curves nicely with a gold sash carefully arranged to hide the little bit of bulge of the baby. Still, there was a bit more, a glow that hadn’t been there before. Part of it was the shaladen on her arm that lent confidence and stolidity. Perhaps it was just the joy of not being in the middle of a war anymore. Maybe she and little Vhina were simply getting along better. Whatever elements were involved, it created a pleasant aura around her.
“I think you feeling good is rubbing off on the people around us,” he answered.
She smiled. “I do feel good. I feel great actually.”
“It helps that you smile,” Senalloy said. “I’m guessing, but I don’t think people saw you smile much before.”
Sarai’s brow furrowed. “Smile?”
He focused on Senalloy. “Sarai has always been very serious.”
Senalloy shrugged. “Power of smiles I guess.”
“You’re toying with me,” Sarai said.
“No,” he said. “She’s right. You’re more confident. You’ve been calm all morning and haven’t raised your voice once.”
“Nothing they think surprises me anymore,” she answered. “I didn’t even find it annoying.”
Senalloy chuckled. “That’s probably some of the shaladen’s influence.”
“Well, whatever it is, I like it. I’m usually ready to collapse after this many negotiations. I don’t feel tired at all.”
He put his arms around her. Conscious of the elves passing by he kissed her on the cheek. “I like it too.”
She grinned and rubbed against him. She reached into her sash and pulled out the scrap of parchment with the list of chores assigned to them. “Well, if we hurry, we can get this done before your audience with mother.”
“Lead on, my Star,” he said giving her shoulder a squeeze.
With a nod, Sarai led the way with confident and energetic steps. They charged through the remainder of the things on the list, and actually completed everything with half a bell to spare.
Back at Malbraion hall Janai and Daena were lounging in Sarai’s conference circle, drinking nectar and eating sweet cakes. The elder princess was still dressed in her gold court robes with half the ties now undone and the staff of state lying on the floor. Daena reclined next to her, half in and out of her gray ward’s habit, her auburn hair undone and spilling across the couch in a gleaming cascade.
Sarai frowned at her sister. “Don’t you two ever do any work?”
Janai waved her hand in front of her face. “I finished everything Mother gave me half a bell ago. I’ve had a marvelous day. Don’t ruin it by being a grouch.”
Sarai sighed. “Okay, peace. It went well, eh?”
“Better than I could have imagined. Even the ones I thought I would have a hard time with. I didn’t even need to use any shaladen tricks. I just had to smile and be patient.”
“She was awesome,” Daena lauded, munching down another cake.
“I experienced much the same,” Sarai confided. “Perhaps, that’s the eternals paying us back for our support.”
“Works for me!” Janai said, stretching. “So, Brother, ready to brace Mother in her den?”
“It’s nothing bad,” Bannor said. “I’m just there to support Vera.”
The elder sister grinned. “If you say so.”
“Well, we’re going to change,” Sarai said with an arch expression. “Why don’t you two help yourselves and get comfortable?”
Janai raised her goblet in a mock toast to her younger sister. “We’re good, thank you.”
“I’ll go keep Ryelle company,” Senalloy said. She nodded to Janai. “Jan, Dane, I should think you two will stay out of trouble.”
The older sister rolled her eyes. “We’ll manage.”
With a nod to them, Senalloy vanished in sparkle of colors and thump of inrushing air.
They went back to their rooms and changed into more casual clothing. Sarai unbound her hair and brushed it out.
They returned to the common area in time to hear the announcement of guests at the door. The steward led in Gaea flanked by two of the elven elite. The all-mother had changed to a frilly white shift, her dark hair loose and flowing around her like an inky shadow.
“Good afternoon, Mother,” Sarai greeted.
Gaea smiled. The room grew warm with her pleasure. “To you as well, Daughter,” she said in an echoing voice. She nodded to him and held her arms out a little at her sides. “My Son.”
He bowed a little. “Mother.”
Gaea raised an eyebrow and made little coming motions with her fingers.
He sighed and walked over and leaned into the all-mother’s dizzying embrace. He pushed back a moment later to find Daena next to him, obviously not waiting to be chastened into sharing in the all-mother’s affection. The auburn-haired ascendant embraced Gaea fiercely.
Gaea cooed and ran her hands through the girl’s hair and eventually pushed her back. “Ah better,” she said with a satisfied sigh.
Daena leaned back, eyes fluttering and a dreamy smile on her face.
The all-mother rubbed the girl’s shoulder and focused on him. She brushed back her hair as she spoke. “My Son, I thought I would accompany you to Kalindinai’s meeting.”
“Well, of course, you’d be welcome,” he said with shrug. “Don’t you think Kalindinai can resolve it? She seemed to be doing a good job.”
“An excellent job,” Gaea agreed with a nod. “I just want to make sure it gets resolved so that Wren can move on.”
“Huh?” Bannor’s brow furrowed. “I don’t follow.”
Gaea reached up and patted his cheek. “Wren and Vera share very close ties, and in the days to come Wren will need Vera’s full strength. At the same time, Wren can’t focus to do the things she needs to do if she’s worrying about Vera. Clear?”
“Yes,” he answered with a nod. He glanced to Sarai. “Well, we better start out then, otherwise we’ll be late.”
Sarai led the way and the three of them headed toward Kul’Amaron’s northern wing. Bannor knew in a general way where Kalindinai’s private sitting room was, but had not yet been in it. Sarai and Gaea were both quiet. Sarai seemed to be thinking about something. The All-mother was simply enjoying the walk, touching the flowers and statuary along the path, and studying the art and other elvish artifacts along their way.
As they entered golden run, Bannor noticed that security was still being kept high with the mecha of the sub-net standing watch in every corridor. Despite their presence though, the atmosphere seemed light. The gentry had not yet been allowed back into the citadel but it appeared that some staff had been brought in.
Kalindinai’s private sitting area adjoined the bed-chambers she shared with the King, there being a separate access for guests. The large chamber easily rivaled the size of the outer commons in Malbraion hall. Deep plush divans
lined three of the walls, elaborate tapestries and crystalline mobiles adding vibrant color and motion to the otherwise static setting. Kalindinai had a single massive audience chair by the door to her chambers. Unlike the stiff rather uncomfortable looking thrones in the main citadel hall, this was padded and rounded, covered with felt and other soft materials.
Hair down, and dressed in blue satin after-dinner robe, the Queen was already sitting in her chair, stacks of documents and papers on the elbow table on her right, and an assortment of refreshments arranged on a tray that fastened to the opposite arm of her seat. Hair down and apparently relaxed, Wren sat on the divan closest to Kalindinai dressed in a black and red surcoat with a griffin head and hammer crest stitched in gold. Dressed in her gray G’Yakki robes, Vera stood at Wren’s knee with her arms behind her back in the rigid posture of a soldier in a formal ‘at ease’ stance. The little woman’s expression gave no outward sign, but her threads betrayed extreme discomfort. Honor and the values of the G’Yakki were as absolute as life and death to her and this situation obviously clouded a lifetime’s worth of beliefs.
Kalindinai smiled as they entered. “Ah, Mother, greetings,” she bowed her head. “Good evening, Mimi and Son-to-be.”
Gaea placed a hand over her heart and inclined her head.
“Mother,” Sarai said nodding.
“Matradomma,” he greeted.
The Queen glanced at Wren, who was smiling. Vera had her eyes closed and jaw clenched. Even though she obviously knew the green mother loved her, she still seemed terrified of the goddess.
“So,” Kalindinai said. “High Mother, you are welcome, but what brings you?”
Gaea smiled and moved to stand behind Vera. The goddess towered over the tiny warrior, who winced and obviously held herself in check from stepping away. The green mother looped her arms around Vera’s neck and pulled her shoulders back against her stomach.
Body trembling, the G’Yakki made a little moaning sound and rocked back.
Gaea kissed the top of Vera’s head. “I am just here to smooth things out.”
“Smooth?” Kalindinai raised an eyebrow. She flipped a few strands of dark hair from her eyes. “Well, if that’s what it takes.” She sighed. “I am simply trying to do right.” She lowered her chin and her gaze went to Wren. “Arwen, what success, if any, did you achieve.”
The blonde savant uncrossed her legs and straightened up. She puffed out her cheeks, glowing blue eyes fixed on Vera. “I think we cleared up some important understandings between us. The mission thing, she just does not want to let go.”
“Leave us understand something,” Gaea said in her powerful voice. “This isn’t really about Su’Ko’s mission. This is about Su’Ko punishing Su’Ko. A penance that has no bounds because being alive is considered itself a sin.”
Vera squirmed in Gaea’s grasp. “Motherrr…” she moaned in an anguished voice. “Please…”
“Daughter, hush,” Gaea said. “Your protest has been noted. Much of this whole issue is a result of ignorance and blind fealty without understanding the reasons why certain policies were made.” The green mother rocked Vera. “The G’Yakki custom of a wife following the husband into death was instituted because of the savant ability to capture spirits and taos. When there is a strong tie and close physical proximity, when a loved one dies their essence is captured. The G’yaku saw this as a wrong thing, that it prevented that person from moving on. They also felt that death was kinder than being forced to give up a loved one twice.”
Bannor saw Wren wince as though she had been through such an experience.
“The truth of it,” Gaea said. “Is the ritual of kuma’hari is a custom, not a law. The elders of her clan simply chose to see it that way. When you confronted them about this practice, they were unwilling to let go of their dogma.” She leaned down. “However, it is not the elders that cling hardest to this belief, but Su’Ko herself. Despite everything people say, actions they take, even the thoughts that she heard as Shael’Dal she would not believe or accept her worth.” Gaea took hold of Vera’s shoulders and yanked the smaller woman around. A fire flared in her jewel like eyes. “To be honest, I tire of it.”
Vera’s jaw dropped as she stared into Gaea’s angry visage.
“Daughter, do you accept my authority above the G’yaku Hoshuhana?”
The woman’s eyes went wide. “I—”
Gaea frowned. “Vera, this not require dissembling or qualification—a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ is sufficient.”
Vera’s lip trembled. “Mother, but—”
The green mother closed one eye. “But—?” She sniffed and raised her chin. “Perhaps I was mistaken. Is not G’yaku Vulcindra my child? Do I not rank above her?”
Vera gritted her teeth. “But the fallen one is only our inspiration…”
Gaea growled, the whole room vibrating with her irritation. Gaea was usually quite careful not to let the massive energies at her command leak out but now they were thick in the air.
The little woman swallowed and bowed her head. “Mother, you are first among G’yaku.”
“Thank you for acknowledging that,” Gaea said. “G’yaku Su’Ko Tai, I have reviewed the edicts of G’yaku Hoshihana Kisho and G’yaku Hoshihana Etsu and have found them wholly wrong and without merit. Therefore your status as shishou dan nijuu is restored immediately and without condition.”
Vera shook her head violently. “You can’t do that!” she yelled.
Gaea narrowed her eyes. “Pardon?” she rumbled. “Could it be you think Kisho or Etsu would argue with me?”
“Mother!”
“Vera…” Gaea said with a scowl. “You say one more word… I will call them here and I will make them and every member of clan Hoshin dogeza to you.”
The little woman’s dusky skin bleached out. Her mouth dropped open.
“I would choose your next words very carefully, Child,” Queen Kalindinai advised.
Tears trickled down Vera’s face.
“Vera,” Bannor said. “It’s time. Really. It’s time you had pride in yourself again. Everyone wants you to be happy. Let yourself be again.”
Wren rose from her seat, being even bigger than Gaea she loomed over Vera. Putting her arms around her, she put her cheek on the top of the smaller woman’s head. “Please,” she whispered.
Bannor saw the swirling knots of confusion roiling inside of the G’Yakki the resolve to continue punishing herself had all but melted. One couldn’t out-stubborn the mother of all, nor could she continue hurting people she professed to love.
With a wrench she turned in Wren’s arms and slammed a full force hug on the blonde ascendant. “Hai,” she muttered, her voice muffled in Wren’s chest. “I—I—accept.”
“See, that was easy,” Sarai said, rolling her eyes. She rubbed his back. “It only took a goddess hitting her in the head a half dozen times.”
“This is all fine and well,” Kalindinai said in a solemn tone. She fingered a few strands of dark-hair as she studied Vera hugging Wren. “However, by Vera’s own words, she owes me a completed mission.”
Vera straightened and looked into the Queen’s eyes. She swallowed and bowed. “What would you have of me?”
“Him.” Kalindinai pointed a finger at Bannor.
He flinched as though stabbed. What did he have to do with anything?
Vera turned her gaze to him and then to Kalindinai. Her brow furrowed.
“He is your mission. You have one cycle of seasons to teach him disciplined warrior’s skills. You will share that duty with Lady Senalloy. Between the two of you, you might be able to make him a passable fighter.”
“Hey, now!” he growled.
Sarai put a restraining hand on his arm. She was smiling though. He frowned—it must have been her idea.
Kalindinai raised an eyebrow. “Seems I heard you complaining that you didn’t know ‘fancy fighting’.”
“I—well, yes…”
“Excellent,” Kalindinai said with a nod. �
�Vera?”
The G’Yakki looked at the Queen. “This is a mission?”
“Do you know how stubborn that man is? Pray you are up to the challenge.”
She drew a breath and glanced at Wren. She made a little smile and nodded. She bowed. “Hai, I accept your mission.”
Bannor rubbed the back of his head. “Don’t I get a say?”
Kalindinai raised her chin and looked at him through her lashes. “Do you object?”
He felt an icy shiver go through him. He sighed. “No, Matradomma.”
“Good,” she responded. “It’s settled. Su’Ko we will have to renegotiate a price as Gaea took away what I was offering.”
Vera bowed again.
Kalindinai sniffed. “Vera there is one other thing—a request.”
The G’Yakki woman raised her eyes. “Request?”
“Yes,” Kalindinai responded. “I would like you to be one of Sarai’s bridesmaids.”
Vera looked like she’d been hit in the head with a hammer. “Pardon?”
Wren frowned. “Matradomma, you aren’t expecting trouble are you?”
“I hope none are foolish enough to trouble my daughter’s wedding, but it is better safe than sorry. I think having a few experts in covert matters among the party would avert in unfortunate occurrences.”
“Hai,” Vera said with a nod. She stepped around Gaea and bowed to Sarai. “I would be honored.” She turned to the Queen and bowed again.
“Well, now that we’ve resolved that,” Gaea said. “My children, if you please, I would like some time alone with Kalindinai to discuss some private matters.” She turned her head and leaned forward. “I located what you were looking for.”
Kalindinai straightened in her chair and her expression brightened. “Did you? So quickly?” Smiling, she clapped her hands. “Sarai, Bannor, Wren, Vera,” she nodded. “Thank you. We look forward to morning breakfast.” She gestured toward the door.
With nods to the Queen and Gaea, the four of them filed out and shut the door.
The four of them stopped in the corridor, listening as someone slid the bolt closed on the heavy iron-wood portal. “What was that about?”
Reality's Plaything 5: The Infinity Annihilator Page 69
