Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  As they drank tea and tasted samples of traditional Raparthen food, the Pack leaders revealed that over yentas they had become reclusive. Especially when their numbers fell, and the packs had been small and unable to defend the pups from raiders.

  Peyton had already worked most of that out, as testified by the lack of knowledge of who and what the pups were by the Warriors. She encouraged the leaders to announce themselves to the universe and align with her and her people. She promised protection if they needed it. Huju had grinned and kindly thanked her for the offer of protection but said there was no need. As the Raparthen Nation had increased their numbers exponentially over the yentas and were large enough now to protect and care for their people.

  Before they arrived for the meeting, Peyton had Darby make a copy of the recordings of the interrogations of the housekeeper and the Jenerika family. As they sipped their tea Darby played the recording for the pack who listened with growing anger.

  When Peyton explained who else had been kidnapped, they were stunned at the audacity of the Jenersar family. They explained the packs had assumed their pups had lost the trail left by their parents, and unfortunately died on the stardust, returning to the star packs as was custom. In other words Peyton explained to her people, they thought the pups had forgotten how to find their way home and passed away.

  Huju had nodded at her description, saying for a non-Raparthen she had the feeling of the pack about her. Pewtara the pack's female leader had explained being a Raparthen in the past had been a hard existence for pups, but what had happened to the pups who were stolen was not a lesson any Raparthen should have to learn.

  Therefore, it must be avenged to show the pack their nation was strong once more. Huju’s features had sharpened becoming more animalistic than human as he harshly stated.

  ‘I am enraged, now I know unskilled pups have been kidnapped and then hunted, this will not soon be forgotten.’

  Pewtara explained two of the pups they had returned to them, were her and Huju’s pups and the others were the young of his brothers. They had mourned the loss as the whole nation had. Now they knew what had befallen their young, blood was called for. Pewtara told Melody and Hawk when one Raparthen world warred, they all did and there were many Raparthen worlds. As Huju was the pack leader of the entire Raparthen Nation, he would call for a quelling to commence immediately.

  Peyton told them quelling meant culling of those responsible for the deaths of their pups. Hawk had looked at Peyton as they realized Sether, had sealed the fate of the families from the royal houses on Jenersar by taking the pups. Peyton had shrugged at his raised eyebrows, saying without words. That even if she felt inclined, she could not have called a halt to the retribution the Jenerika’s had brought on themselves.

  Heather fell in love with the pups, and with permission she called Patty and the Artars down to the surface. Where they spent a few hours in the afternoon with the Raparthen healers learning all they could about the Raparthen and other races like them.

  The Raparthen seemed in awe of Peyton and treated her with a reverence that bordered on fawning which she tried to gently discourage. Amazingly, that was not the case with Hawk, Melody or the Warriors. When they were alone for a few minutes, Peyton voiced the thought that maybe the reason for this was they were all Warriors. Hawk agreed that was probably the reason, although he said it could be, as she was the Star Daughter an Entity unseen for millions of yentas. The pack could just be overwhelmed by her presence. Which Darby had snorted at, Peyton was sure the snort was derisive but she refrained from saying anything.

  Especially when Netta pointed out how much attention Darby was receiving from the Raparthen pack, who seemed enthralled with her curly hair, which came in for lots of attention. Huju especially seemed enchanted by her.

  Netta stayed close to Peyton throughout the day and interacted very little with the Raparthen, she told Peyton later they unnerved her; she did not know why.

  Peyton suggested it was because she was a cat person. Netta agreed she could be but as she had neither a dog nor cat as a pet while growing up, she did not know. She said she would have to wait to find out if this was a possibility.

  Huju the pack leader, assured Peyton when she asked. That the Raparthen Nation would track for sleepers on their hunts. He also promised to contact the Solverea family as they had a way of getting a message to them. Darby gave them their contact details. He said it may take wekens or even luneras before they were able to hunt them down, as the Assaens were a formidable foe and hid as good as the Raparthen.

  Peyton had nodded and said it was not urgent, the girls were safe and settling in nicely with everyone.

  No one considered the girls a burden, once they got over their fear they had made themselves at home on the Warship. They were happy and contented to stay with Heather who had become their surrogate auntie, which she did not mind. She enjoyed the girls, and they seemed to soak up her calm loving care.

  After a full day of visiting and establishing a relationship with the Raparthen leaders and after the pack females had presented everyone with several containers of tea. They left the Raparthen with a promise to stay in contact. Hawk was pleased that they had made their first allies and what allies they were.

  The goodbyes were long and heartfelt, Peyton was sure she saw tears as Darby boarded the shuttle. So to make her feel better, she and Melody gave her all their tea. It was the least they could do for their sister.

  FORTY-EIGHT:

  The Turquall traveled with them for a few more days until they came in range of a planet they wished to visit. Yewta and his mate Retder were back to what appeared their normal standard of weight, he told Darby the Turqualls uniqueness allowed their return to health once the drug passed through their systems and they received proper food.

  Yewta was huge, standing at least three and a half feet tall at the shoulder and had to weigh at least twelve hundred pounds. Trina said he had allowed her and Jean to measure him and he was a staggering eleven foot long but that did not include the tail which Jean said had to be at least three foot long if not more and was fluffy.

  His mate Retder, Trina said stood about the same height as he did but weighed less, around eight hundred pounds. She measured nine foot in length and her tail was around two feet long and it too was fluffy.

  Peyton still knew very little about their species as they seemed very reticent to talk to her. It was not that they rebuffed her attempts to converse, in fact if she broached a discussion they were quite happy to talk to her. It was more that she got the feeling they were watching and evaluating her, as if they were deciding something.

  She often saw them questioning the females and Warriors, never her sisters or Helen, Brenda or Esther although they talked to Trina, Jean, Amelia, and Nina.

  She thought they probably had their reasons, and as they were not asking about anything other than what humans were like and how did they like mixing with the Warriors and then asking the same of the Warriors, it seemed harmless. Although she could not shake the thought that it had a purpose.

  Then on the day they were to be shuttled to the planet they asked Peyton if she would ever allow Turqualls to settle on Maikonia. Her answer was an emphatic.

  ‘Yes, very much so.’

  Darby gave the Turqualls the codes to communicate with them. They had thanked her and told Peyton that she was concerned for nothing, as they would contact the Star Child when they needed to. Peyton had nodded and assured them she would make that clear to Darby, then she had looked sternly at the pair and mind-sent.

  I think you are playing a game that may be the death of Turqualls.

  Yewta bowed his head and replied. We assure you Star Daughter, there is no game.

  I hope you are right because if whoever you answer to leaves it too long and there are deaths. I will be most annoyed. I do not like waste and to lose the Turquall. I would consider a waste. Tell your people this.

  Yes Star Daughter!

  Trina asked when t
hey had gone. ‘Peyton do you think we will see them again? I mean they were a bit snooty, well she was, he was okay.’

  Peyton grinned and told her. ‘Yep, snooty they were and I feel we will see them sooner or later.’

  ‘I hope we do, I enjoyed them.’ Melody said with a faraway look in her eyes, as though she was deep in thought.

  Peyton asked her. ‘You okay hon’?’

  ‘Oh sure, just you know unsettled, probably need to train.’

  Netta stated. ‘I liked them too. I am fairly sure I am a cat person.’

  Peyton crowed. ‘Told yah!’

  Darby sighed. ‘I really do hope we see them again. I liked them!

  ‘Really, as much as the pack leader Huju?’

  ‘Shut up Peyton, he was nice and is a friend.’

  ‘Sure he is, watch out for his mate she could eat you, literally!’

  ‘Eww! That was just so gross. Why do you say these things?’

  ‘No idea, they just come to me. It’s a gift!’

  ‘Enough, impossible female.’

  Netta, Trina and Melody entered the lift laughing at the two sisters, especially when Peyton started to sing as they neared the lifts. ‘Darby and Huju up a tree…’

  ‘Shut up!’ Darby yelled as she disappeared into the other lift. Peyton laughing turned and came eye to eye, with Esther who asked. ‘Was that Darby?’

  ‘Uh-uh!’

  ‘Were you torturing her?’

  ‘Uh-uh!’

  ‘I see and you think this is a good idea when she runs all the tech on the ship?’

  ‘Huh!’ Peyton looked at Esther, then to where Darby went. ‘Possibly not.’

  Esther grinned as she observed in her straight forward manner. ‘Although, now I think on it, the teasing probably keeps her balanced. Otherwise she will take herself too seriously. I have noticed she is happier than I have ever seen her. Heather and Melody say the same, so maybe for a smart female you can be clever at times!’

  ‘Possibly, also true.’

  She grinned as Esther smiled and said. ‘I have chocolate cake and fresh coffee.’

  ‘So great. I love chocolate cake.’

  FORTY-NINE:

  Early the following morning after a hilarious night of introducing the Solverea twins to cartoons and popcorn. Peyton’s computer announced an incoming call.

  Madam Peyton, incoming comm` from Master Hananva:

  ‘Comm Sene Avana and have her hooked in please.’

  Connecting.

  ‘Put the comm through please.’

  Connected.

  ‘Where is my sister?’

  ‘Master Hananva, I presume?’

  ‘I am.’

  The male was not what she had expected, she thought he would be like Avana. Where she was nut brown and delicate, he was tall, well-muscled and was only slightly tanned. Although he had the same colored eyes, but his were hard brown as opposed to Avana’s soft ones. There was nothing delicate or otherworldly about this male. Except maybe for his hair, it was almost completely bleached golden. Avana had told her all masters were born with brown hair but as they gained power and used it the more their hair changed. It was the only outward indication of how powerful the Master was.

  Peyton had purposely spent time with Avana forging a relationship and as slow as it was, she felt they were becoming friends. She enjoyed Avana’s sharp wit and shy humor and Avana enjoyed Peyton’s honest views and sense of humor, something she was not used to.

  Sadly Avana had no experience with friends, so she was very guarded with all the overtures of friendship that came her way. But having gone through the same experience with Darby, Peyton and the others were used to easing someone into accepting their overtures.

  Avana had confided, that friendship of any kind was not encouraged on her home world even between family members. Although her family was the exception, her parents had actually reinforced the need for not only friendship but love between the siblings. She also admitted she was enjoying her stay on the Warship, mainly because she was treated as a normal female who happened to have a gift.

  If she had to say she had one constant irritant, it would be Peyton, who constantly battered at her beliefs. Causing her to re-evaluate everything she had been taught, but every time she smiled or found herself laughing she knew she had chosen well, for herself and her family. Her worry that her brothers would be rejected seemed to lessen daily as she mixed with the people on the ship. Peyton often assured her; they would be as accepted as she was, but then Avana knew the humans had no idea who or what a Master was. Although the Commander and his Warriors did, and they still treated her with courtesy. She had not heard they opposed the inclusion of her brothers to Maikonia, so maybe her hope for a better future for her family, was not in vain.

  Without the color of the male’s hair, Peyton would have known he was powerful, and that Avana had not just been boasting, she had been right. He should have been elevated to an Elder many yentas ago. Avana had told her the Elders feared him and her other brothers, which is why they had remained Masters, she had quietly assured her, they had reason too.

  ‘Your sister is well. I have comm’d her, she will join us shortly.’

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘On a Warship.’

  ‘Who are you?’

  ‘I am Peyton St. Hill, the Star Daughter.’

  ‘Amazing! We, my brothers and I felt your emergence into the universe.’

  He looked her over as Peyton waited unoffended, she knew this male was of importance, as was his sister and brothers. She would wait for him to realize it as Avana was slowly doing.

  Finally, he inclined his head. ‘Greetings, Star Daughter.’

  ‘Greetings to you as well, your sister has obtained residency on my world for her and her family. If you are agreeable.’

  ‘Why would you do that, what is it you wish in return?’

  ‘Ahh well! There is that… here is Avana.’

  ‘Jarrod, I did it, we are safe.’ Avana smiling told her brother as she came online.

  ‘Are we Avana, did you stop to ask what it is these people and the Star Daughter wish from us?’

  ‘No, I did not. Brother Jarrod, these are good people, they have treated me with dignity, kindness and not once have they asked anything from me. You cannot judge these people by ones that we know, because they are not them.’

  They both heard him sigh as he said. ‘I see, so I will ask then,’ he looked at Peyton. ‘Star Daughter what is it you want from us?’

  ‘What do I want Specialist Jarrod?’

  ‘That is not how I am addressed!’

  ‘I know but it is nicer and does not scare anyone. You are a scary male Jarrod and I will not have you frighten the people who will be your neighbors.’

  She along with Avana who was secretly amused, watched his face go through several expressions, finally settling on bemused. Peyton thought it could have been disbelief as she said.

  ‘I want you to live in peace, to fall in love and find a mate, have young. Watch your remarkable sister laugh and your brothers enjoy living free. I swear I will never ask anything of you or your family, other than you try to have a happy life.’

  Jarrod sat and watched her for a few minutes, his disbelief and cynicism leaving slowly as he looked at his brothers when they came into view and both said.

  ‘We accept.’

  He nodded. ‘We do.’

  Peyton smiled. ‘I will have Avana and some Warriors meet you. Jarrod, Malchol, Telfor, do not get yourselves killed or hurt, it upsets me. Also, I realize your first instincts may be to protect yourselves and Avana. I would prefer you refrain from doing so. Please do not kill or maim my Warriors. I also find that upsetting. Now I will leave you with Avana. You probably have lots of yelling to do, especially when she explains how she was captured and almost hunted.’

  ‘Avana!’ Jarrod growled. ‘What is the Star Daughter talking about?’

  Avana said with a frown. ‘Madam Peyton, has a big
mouth!’

  Peyton laughed a sweet sound if she had only known it, which lightened the hearts of the males and female listening. ‘You spend too much time with Netta now.’ She told Avana as she inclined her head saying. ‘I am leaving, good morn to the family of Maikonia’s Sene Avana. Comp’ off!’

  When they were alone, Jarrod allowed the worry he was feeling to show in his voice as he asked her. ‘Avana, sister, are you safe?’

  ‘I am, let me tell you what happened.’

  She spent the next hour talking with her brothers, assuring them she was well. Then explaining who and where the people they were to align themselves with came from. Also, why they had no concerns about inviting them to live on their home worlds. She did however refrain from telling her brothers that she was now a mother.

  The following morning Avana said farewell to everyone on the Warship. She and three squads of Warriors were taking a cruiser to meet her brothers and to Peyton’s sorrow she was also taking the baby with her. Avana told her they were still bonding, and it was it too early for them to be separated.

  In the departure bay, Peyton hugged her one last time saying. ‘Keep safe, I will be most upset…’

  Avana quickly pulled away, saying. ‘I know and I will. My brothers are very fearsome.’

  ‘Alright, goodbye and hurry back, I will miss you.’

  Avana smiled. ‘I think you mean that?’

  Darby said. ‘She does, we do.’ Then she gave her a quick hug.

  Melody and then Netta fist bumped her as Netta told her. ‘See you soon and keep safe.’

  Melody had taught her the fist-bump, when she realized that hugging was still very hard for the reserved Sene. She had explained to Melody that casual touching was discouraged on her home world. She hoped in the future it would be easier for her to accept the easy touching these females indulged in, without feeling every muscle in her body tensing. She wanted to embrace this part of her new life and show not only her brothers but her daughter that touching was not only allowed but enjoyable.