The Decade Worlds

by Patrick McClafferty

  The innkeeper chuckled. “That’s rich. A year ago would make you one of the original…” He stopped suddenly, his eyes darting to the jeweled dragon just visible on Gareth’s right forearm, the jewels glowing with an internal radiance that signified Gareth’s dragon blood. Beneath her shirt, on her arm Mairi bore an identical mark.

  Gareth winked at the Innkeeper. “It’s just a coincidence.” He explained calmly. The man in the white apron glanced from Gareth to the painting over the fireplace of a fully armored night riding a white stallion, his silver armor shining and a pennon flapping gaily from the tip of his lance as he rode down a cowering dragon. Gareth followed the innkeeper’s gaze and sighed. “That picture is of Saint George; and the dragons I’ve met are actually pretty nice folk.”

  “Mebby.” The innkeeper replied dubiously. “The story goes that Athena’s knight killed all the dragons in this land so that we could live here.”

  Gareth opened his mouth to object, when Mairi kicked him sharply in the ankle. “Hssst!” She whispered. “Let them have their folklore.”

  “I was never that brave—or foolhardy.” Gareth retorted under his breath.

  Mairi smiled. “No??” She looked up at the Innkeeper. “Can you tell me where we might find Kiang and Shaw Sai-Bo?”

  The man gave the table another wipe with his towel. “The king and queen live in the big house down by the stream.” He leaned close. “It’s said that they even have servants. Ye won’t git in to see them though, unless you have an invitation.”

  Mairi let out a silvery laugh. “I think that they will see us.” She stated primly.

  The morning was cloudy and cold, with wisps of gray clouds clinging to the trees. Occasional sleet pattered on the slate rooftops, and their breath puffed white clouds in the still air as they walked. Although he didn’t need to use it as a cane all the time, Gareth swung his walking stick as he strode along.

  “How long ago were we here?” Mairi asked, matching him stride for stride at his side. They were both wearing similar clothes today; serviceable leather boots, heavy trousers, flannel shirts and a moderate jacket. Not many people noticed the LL Bean logo on the jackets, and Gareth wouldn’t have cared if they had.

  “Eleven months, more or less, since you and I were here.” He observed, nodding to a farmer pulling a load of crops into town on a floating sled. “A lot has changed.” He pulled the collar of his warm coat up as a gust of wind whipped at their clothes. “We haven’t seen your mother since that first time, eight months ago. She hasn’t even touched me mind to mind… but she was always good at blocking.”

  As they took a smaller side road down toward the stream Mairi took his arm. “You always have me.”

  He bent and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks.” He replied in a warm voice. “It means more to me than you could possibly imagine.” They turned a corner, and in the bend of the stream, high on the bank stood the Sai-Bo estate. Gareth stopped dead in his tracks. “Mutter Gottes!” He declared as he stared down at the half dozen buildings sprawled in the clearing he had once used as a tenting site to fight off the results of pollen poisoning. The main building was a full three stories tall and looked to Gareth like a stately white southern mansion, complete with thick white pillars flanking the wide front door. The three stone chimneys all showed signs of current use. The other buildings, also in gleaming white, were spread out to the right and left of the main house. He looked down on his slightly worn traveling clothes. “The innkeeper was right. We may not get in.”

  Mairi smiled. “Have faith, father.” Gareth bit back a sour reply.

  The knocker on the thick front door was heavy and brass, and when he rapped it Gareth could hear the echoes bouncing around the inside of the house. He waited a minute and rapped it again. Finally, the door creaked open. Gareth half expected to see the dour face of I'alen, the Sai-Bo’s former steward, chief butler and Gareth’s friend. The thin young man who greeted them towered over Gareth, and bore his father’s face, if not his demeanor. Looking down his nose at Gareth and his daughter, his lips didn’t quite curl in distaste.

  “The servant’s quarters and the kitchens are around the back.” The man said in a superior voice. He went to shut the door in Gareth’s face, only to find Gareth’s boot in the way. Gareth slowly pushed the door open.

  “We are here to see Kiang and Shaw Sai-Bo, as well as Chiu, if she’s around.”

  The man put his shoulder against the door. “Absolutely not! If you do not cease, I will have you seized and flogged!” Gareth’s eyebrows went up at the word ‘flogged,’ and he was sure that neither Shaw nor Kiang would have authorized that sort of violence.

  Mairi looked disappointed. “He’s not much like his father, is he?” She murmured to Gareth.

  “No, he isn’t.” Gareth grumbled at the black uniformed man, who was still trying to push the door closed.

  “You know my father?” The young man’s resolve to keep them out wavered.

  “He would be somewhat disappointed in you. He was the steward of my household.” Gareth said simply.

  The pressure on Gareth’s foot eased abruptly. “But that would mean…” The young man’s eyes went very large as a voice from down the hall interrupted him. “Gareth!! Is that you… and Mairi too??”

  Gareth was slammed against the wall, and kissed soundly by Shaw while Kiang performed the same service for Mairi. Shaw kissed him once more, before she rounded on the doorman. “Was Tenzig giving you any problems?” The question was directed to Gareth, but her eyes were riveted on the squirming young man.

  “He was the very soul of dedication… Mother.” Tengiz flinched at the word ‘mother.’

  “I’m sure that his father will be very happy to hear that.” Shaw’s voice had dropped several degrees. “Are you still here?” The chastised doorman slammed the door shut and ran. Shaw let out a small sigh. “I apologize for Tenzig. He still has a few rough edges.”

  “That’s what his father said.” Gareth smiled. “We all need to talk. Is Chiu around?”

  Shaw gave him a very long look. “Chiu said that the two of you had broken up.”

  It was Gareth’s turn to sigh. “When I was recovering from my meeting with Lothar, Chiu came to visit. She seemed to hold me responsible for being in a coma and not informing her I was still breathing. Athena showed up and took Chui down a couple of notches by explaining what really happened. Chiu left and never came back, and that was eight months ago.” He glanced at his daughter, smiling. “Mairi was staying with me, helping me to recover. I’m sure that Athena would have let her move in with us, if Chiu had only asked.”

  “You were in a coma?” Shaw asked, her face pale. Kiang had come to stand by her side.

  Gareth’s face was serious. “I was told that for two months it was touch and go whether I would live. I sent word to Chiu the first day I was awake.”

  Shaw’s jaw hardened. “I’ll go talk to her right…”

  “No!” Gareth interrupted. “Let her decide for herself. If you force her to stay with me, she will never be happy.”

  Shaw and her husband exchanged significant looks, and Gareth knew that there was a heated discussion going on in their minds. Finally, Kiang nodded, and Shaw turned back to him. “If Chiu should choose to go her own way, you will still be our son, Gareth.”

  “I don’t really need a title. I would much prefer to be your friend.” He chuckled. “I saw the painting over the fireplace at the inn. Athena’s Knight… really??”

  Shaw laughed. “It was Kiang’s idea. We needed to start a mythology for Puborg, independent of Eldenworld.” She touched his shoulder. “I’m afraid you will find that wherever you go. Athena’s Knight is a universal savior among the Decade Worlds. People look up to your honor, nobility and sacrifice.” Gareth almost choked and Mairi snickered.

  “Fine, we should talk though.” Shaw led them into a sumptuous sitting room, with a crackling fire at one end, and Gareth sat down heavily in an ornate chair as Kiang sent a maid t
o fetch Chiu.

  “Gareth?” Chiu uttered a few minutes later, sounding stunned as she entered the room. Gareth stood, and Chiu approached hesitantly. Her kiss on his cheek was fleeting and perfunctory. He saw a flicker of disappointment on Shaw’s face.

  “I came this way to let you know I’m heading out to another of the unexplored Decade Worlds. Mari and I and a few marines should be gone no more than a few days. I would welcome the company.” He said, pointedly looking at Chiu. “After that trip I am going to head out for one of the two blocked worlds.”

  “How?” Kiang began.

  “Before I came here Ell informed me that several of the museum ships are fully operational. I’ll be taking the Frigate USS Maine. Sergeant Major Chihu is putting together a crew and a small contingent of marines to accompany me.” He looked at Shaw and Kiang. “We should have diplomats aboard, and you two are the best around. We will probably be gone for six or seven months, but things are quiet now, and the evacuations are going without a hitch. Now is as good time as any.” He turned to Chiu. “It might give us time to patch up our differences.”

  Chiu was biting her lip. “Take your little trip to your Decade World.” She said with a sort of weary resignation. “I’ll let you know about the longer trip when you get back.”

  Gareth was more than a little surprised at how much that simple statement from Chiu hurt. “Fine.” He pushed to his feet, surprised to find himself needing to lean on his cane. Both Shaw and Kiang were staring at their daughter, their faces shocked. “We’ll go now.”

  “Nonsense.” Shaw blurted, turning back to face him. “You’ll stay here.”

  Gareth glanced at Chiu’s expressionless face. “I don’t think so, Shaw, but thank you for the offer.” With that he and Mairi turned for the door.

  The tankard of ale clunked to the table in front of him, the dark foamy head spilling over the edge and onto the scarred wood of the table top. “So, how did yer day go with the royals?” The innkeeper asked, wiping the spilled beer.

  Gareth looked up. “About as well as I expected, but not as well as I had hoped.” He picked up the mug and took a long drink as the innkeeper departed to wait on other tables.

  “What’s the matter with mother?” Mairi asked, setting her glass of cider down.

  Gareth chuckled bitterly. “I have no idea.”

  A chair scraped as it dragged on the floor, and Athena sat down beside Gareth. Mairi gave her a wide grin. “Chiu is scared.” Athena said softly. “Before she met you, she saw her close ‘friend’ die. Then Lyndra died. Then she thought she lost you too. She’s not sure if she wants to watch you die again, or someone else that she loves.” Her gaze flicked to Mairi.

  Gareth stared down into his foamy tankard, watching the bubbles pop. “Life is all about life and death, and life and death in an endless cycle. I miss Lyndra terribly, but I don’t belittle her death by ignoring it. She did what she felt she had to, just as I tackled Lothar knowing that it was something I had to do. I still do what I have to do.”

  Athena reached out to pick up Gareth’s tankard, and took a long swallow. Her nose wrinkled and she made a face. “How can you drink this stuff?” She nearly gasped.

  Gareth chuckled. “It is a bit green, but it’s all they have. It takes time to brew good beer.”

  “It’s not all I have.” Athena retorted, handing Gareth a crystal goblet filled with a golden liquid that seemed to actually glow. She set another goblet in front of her, and then after giving Mairi a speculative look, set a glowing goblet in front of her.

  “Is that wise? Gareth asked, looking at his daughter with a little concern.

  “She is sixteen now, and close to seventeen.” Athena murmured. “She’s old enough, and I would never endanger her.”

  “What is this stuff, Daddy?” There was a nervous quaver in Mairi’s voice.

  “This is Ambrosia, Mairi. It is said that Ambrosia is the drink of the Gods. While it will not harm you, it will not leave you unchanged.”

  “Have you had it before?” She asked, picking up the goblet.

  “Yes I have, at least twice before.”

  Mairi raised the goblet to her lips and took a long drink. Her hazel eyes were wide when she set the glass down, and reflected her wonder.

  Gareth raised his own goblet, and waited until Athena had done the same. “I didn’t make this up, but it seems appropriate. Good friends are like stars; you don't always see them, but you know they are there.” He gave Athena a warm smile. “That applies to goddesses too.” He raised his glass, and like Mairi drained half in one swallow. He felt the warm glow of the Ambrosia course through his veins, changing him as it went. Athena’s glass, like his was only half full when he turned to her. “Were you always called Athena? It that your real name?”

  She laughed. “You had only one name when you were born, Gareth. Now in many circles you are known as Athena’s Knight. What will they call you in a century or in a millennium?”

  Smiling, he sipped the last of his Ambrosia. For some reason he didn’t have to look to know that Mairi had raised her glass also. “So, what was the name you were born with, Athena? Was it Betty, or Abigale, or perhaps Helen?” He cocked his head to the side, studying her classically beautiful face. “You certainly do have a face that would launch a thousand ships. Were you ever in Troy?”

  Her laughter was light and sparkling. “Actually, I was in Troy, but not as Helen. “Perhaps one day I will tell you my name. Entrusting your name to another implies a certain… commitment.” Her violet eyes were intent as they held him.

  “I’ve given my life to you on a number of occasions, Athena. Can you ask a deeper commitment?” He asked in a soft voice.

  “But are you ready to accept that level of commitment from me?” Her reply frightened him, for suddenly before him he saw a yawning chasm where one might lose their very soul.

  No! The voice of Mairi rang in his mind. You will not go without me.

  He nodded. “You heard my daughter. I’m afraid you’ll have to take us both or not at all.” He laughed, thinking that this was the end of the uncomfortable discussion.

  It was, but not in the way he imagined, or intended.

  Athena drained her Ambrosia. “Done!” She crowed. “And freely given at that.” Her smile was wide. “I accept.”

  The mottled gray combat shuttle was waiting on the parking tarmac adjacent to The Yeugate gateway when Gareth and Mairi stepped through into Eldenworld. The sun was still red and dim, and the changes he’d wrought in the solar output probably wouldn’t be noticeable for centuries.

  Mei Yong was standing beside the other marines as they approached, and barked a short command. The marines snapped to attention. Gareth looked at the young woman, knowing that there was something different—and then he had it. Grinning, he held out his hand. “Congratulations, Sergeant Yong. Your promotion is long overdue.”

  Her cheeks reddened as she took his offered hand. “Thank you, Sir. The Sergeant Major thought I was worthy of promotion.”

  Gareth glanced at the energy weapons the marines carried, but said nothing about the awesome firepower. “Are you all set?”

  “Aye, aye, Sir.” She snapped.

  Mairi and I are going to go grab a quick shower, change and pack a few clothes for the trip. We’ll meet you here in an hour. You can fall out for chow if you wish.”

  Mei did her best to hide her smile. “Aye, aye, Sir. Thank you.”

  Mairi had grumbled, until Gareth pointed out that the body armor he wore during his recent meeting with Lothar had saved him from being disemboweled. He helped her into her armor with no further complaints. They both arrived at the shuttle in black special ops uniforms Ell had dredged up from her memory banks, and the flat charcoal colored armor. The nearly form-fitting uniforms were made of tough synthetic fibers able to turn a knife blade, yet they were surprisingly comfortable if somewhat intimidating. Gareth chuckled to himself when he noted that Mairi’s armor was very well fitted, leaving no doubt in the o
bserver’s mind that the wearer was a young and attractive woman. Tossing the small kit bags into the cargo area, he and his daughter clambered to the front of the small craft. Sergeant Yong stopped him as he was about to step up into the flight deck.

  “Ell asked me to give this to you. She thought you might like it.” Thinly concealing her smile, the Sergeant handed him his Colt. He stared at it as if she were handing him a live snake.

  “Where did Ell find it?”

  “There is a planet orbiting Centarus B. You dropped it there.”

  “Yeah.” Gareth recalled. “Before I bounced back to Earth. How did she ever find it?”

  Sergeant Yong turned pale. “Ell asked for a volunteer to go find it. It was sitting in a pool of your dried blood.”

  “Oh.”

  “Ell reloaded it and recharged it.”

  “She thinks of everything.”

  “Someone has to, Sir.”

  “They do indeed, Sergeant. Thank You.”

  “Just doing my job, Sir.”

  Gareth draped the pistol around the back of his seat before he buckled in. He felt much better with the weapon close by. “How are you doing, Shyrrik?” He asked the silver basketball sized AI that sat between the pilot and copilot seats, and actually flew the craft.

  “Very well, Sir. I’m glad to see that you are fully operational and that Lothar creature destroyed. I was getting bored just sitting in orbit counting electrons.”

  Gareth chuckled. “I’m glad I’m feeling better too. Does Ell have the destination dialed in to the gateway?”

  “The gateway is set.”

  “Take her out then, Shyrrik. Transition the gateway at a walking speed. Full sensors.”

  “I know what I’m doing Gareth.” The AI reminded him firmly.

  “Sorry.”

  The twenty-meter shuttle lifted soundlessly from the tarmac, rose to a height of three meters and slowly drifted through the gateway. Gareth blinked at the sleet beating on the hull of the shuttle. With no windows per se, the exterior of the pod was covered with optical sensors that could, with the flick of a switch, turn the entire hull into a giant window. Gareth flicked the switch, operating on the assumption that the more eyes that were looking the better. “Sensor scans?”