by L M Lacee
Dinas asked. ‘How did you stop him reporting that to Uthar?’
Hawk raised an eyebrow. ‘Would you… if you were him? Positive you were secure behind your layers of protection, which happened to be my Warriors. Also, I threatened him with death if he retaliated, he believed me.’
Dinas shook his head. His brother had changed so much, once he would never have thought to do such a thing. Now, not only had he done so, he seemed to be proud of his actions. Then he looked into his brother’s eyes and saw not pride, but regret.
Hawk softly told him. ‘Willian has scars to the bone on his back, arms, buttocks and legs, or so I am told. How he survived is a miracle.’
Dinas asked as something seemed wrong with what he had just said. ‘Why was he not immediately treated?’
‘When the Warriors returned, they were told he had been loaned out for a guarding position. I think the family were hoping he would die. When he was finally discovered, it took time to smuggle him from the world. We were three luneras to late. In truth, even if we had found him earlier, it would not have mattered the damage was done.’
Dinas whistled behind his teeth, he like Hawk knew it was usually only in extreme circumstances that a Warrior scarred. The few like Kerol or Jorge who did wear scars, received them from blades covered in a poison that was designed to kill most people. For Warriors, the poison seldom caused death but would scar if not treated immediately. To be so badly damaged without the aid of the poison meant Willian had suffered tremendously. How he had survived Dinas could not fathom, maybe he thought, that was Willian’s gift. If so, he wondered if the young Warrior thought it was worth it. ‘Will he allow me to treat him, maybe I can make a difference?’
Hawk shrugged. ‘I do not know. Heather managed to get him to allow her to do an assessment when she first came on board. Her report is labeled Willian.’
Dinas opened his tablet and read her report. ‘Dayam she is thorough,’ he looked at Hawk, ‘she said there was nothing she had found to lessen the scar tissue. He has limited movement, and she thinks this will not improve unless the scarring can be removed. At this time she knows of nothing to do so, other than extensive surgery which Willian has declined.’
Hawk shook his head and sipped his drink, then looked at his brother. ‘He can no longer train or go on missions as he can no longer carry a sword. I have assigned him to my squad to keep him safe, and if I am truthful, because I feel guilt over what he endures.’ He sighed and rubbed his face as he told Dinas. ‘He is a fine Warrior, and now Madam has discovered Willian’s past. You know Kardan’s rule?’
Dinas grinned. ‘If you cannot keep the Warriors safe, remove them from their assignments and face the consequences later.’
Hawk also grinned. Dinas had sounded so much like Kardan. ‘Exactly, after Willian. I had the remaining Warriors secure several cruisers, and I placed navigation escape codes in the ship’s comps. I also have a recall code for the Warriors.’ He looked at his brother and asked. ‘How does she know I can recall the Warriors? I secured a data drive with that information on it, in my vault for when I died.’
He swallowed more of his drink as Dinas emptied his own glass and shrugged when he finished and quietly said. ‘Hawk, she is the Star Daughter and now she has asked you to recall indefinitely the Warriors from this world. Does she realize what will happen, if you do this?’
Hawk looked at his oldest friend, his heart brother and said. ‘There is no if, my friend, she is our Star Daughter and we owe everything to her. Search your download and see what she has already given us and what she intends for us in the future. Then tell me the answer to your question.’
He then crouched down in front of his desk and thumbed his vault, releasing the lock. Withdrawing the data drive, he placed it on his comp and started the recall of the Warriors and simultaneously programmed the waiting ships with the coordinates to Maikonia. He returned to his chair with the half-filled bottle of Ale.
Dinas, his eyes shining at the discoveries he had made said. ‘We owe her our allegiance for the Huntaway alone.’
Hawk answered. ‘For that alone she has it, for the rest she has our hearts and needars.’
Many hours later just as Hawk was to retire for the night, a message appeared on his screen.
Message: First Commander Hawk. Please start a health check to ensure all Warriors are safe and well on the worlds listed below and any other worlds not listed. Star Daughter.
A list of over a hundred and ten planets scrolled on his screen.
EPILOGUE:
‘Go for it, Darby.’
They were all gathered in Peyton’s favorite lounge. She stood on a small raised platform in front of the window, which showed the passing blackness of space as her backdrop.
She was dressed in a one shouldered, beautiful, floor-length gown made from the Waetera, her long white hair flowed down her back almost touching the floor. Her position as Star Daughter demanded her rope of Star Crystal fashion itself into a crown of stars which now adorned her head.
What gave people pause was the Star Crystal had turned from the soft blue color it had taken when her hair turned white to the color of space… black. The same color as her cloak, which was so black it was almost too painful to look at. Instinctively, people knew the cloak was a gift from the Star Child.
Esther, Helen and Brenda were dressed in beautiful gowns, ranging in colors from silver to gold. The traders were dressed in their new clothes, depicting the color they decided on for their trading house. A deep navy blue with long coats of dark gray, with purple piping.
When asked, why purple. Rose had shrugged and said she did not know, it just seemed right.
Darby, Heather, and Jean along with all the other females wore colorful party dresses. Melody and Netta, along with all the Warriors present wore their new dress uniforms and long trench coats, they looked startling deadly.
Standing in front of Peyton were Kerol and Penny, as well as Jorge and Amelia and around thirty other couples. On other ships in the same position were over five hundred couples, including Fern Jones and a Warrior named Renta, with Nina in attendance.
Peyton did not know all the couples, but she was pleased and delighted to see so many coming together, it eased her heart to know they were finding love.
They all stood waiting for her to speak at this the first Maikonian joining ceremony. Darby nodded to Peyton to let her know she was almost ready, and a few seconds later she gave her the signal to begin.
‘Greetings to everyone on this momentous occasion. I am pleased and proud to officiate for our first joining ceremony. So celebrants if you are ready, we shall commence.’
She waited for Darby’s signal, as the screen was only one way, they therefore had to wait for the other ships to notify Darby they were ready. She nodded when she heard from all the other ships.
Peyton grinned as she said. ‘Thank you all for coming to witness this ceremony. This celebration of love, it is said that to love and be loved is to feel the stars warmth from both sides of the whole. Only then do we understand how truly blessed by their divine light we are. Starlight illuminates our true hearts and needar, it is a light that shows us the path to true love and gives life to every cell of our being. We give thanks for the love that has gathered us together today, as we celebrate the friendship and commitment between these two people. Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share, it is the great unifier. We all have one universal truth which states no matter who we are, where we have come from and what we believe, love is what will hold us together. These couples united today have the promise of possibilities and the expectation of joyful surprises, as they traverse this wonderful union of two diverse species and cultures. So it is now my task to ask each of them a very special question. Do you courageous Ladies and Warriors of Maikonia. Wish to join your hearts and needars to each other at this time, before these witnesses with love and understanding. To create a family together whatever form that takes and do you swear to
enrich each other’s lives for as long as you both shall live?’
‘Yes.’
Peyton’s eyes were twinkling with delight as she looked at the two couples directly in front of her and said. ‘Celebrants, if you would please.’
Brenda, Helen, and Esther wove strips of star-studded dark blue ribbon around the hands of each of the couples joining them together. Darby signaled that the other celebrants were doing the same.
Peyton told the couples. ‘We take these ribbons and bind your hands together as your hearts and needar are bound. May the binding of your love last a lifetime.’
They waited for the okay from Darby to say all the celebrants were finished. She waved and Peyton said. ‘Thank you, Celebrants.’
She looked at the females before her and said. ‘Ladies, please repeat after me. In all the Universe there is no heart for me like yours.’
They all heard the voices that joined with the females on her ship as they repeated the words.
Peyton then addressed the Warriors. ‘Warriors repeat after me. In all the Universe there is no love for you, like mine.’
The Warriors repeated the words in their deep voices. Peyton smiled as she raised her hands and said in the singsong voice of the Star Child.
Congratulations, you are now joined under the Light of the Stars, take with you the blessings from us all.
Outside of the ships, stars zipped across the darkness of space so fast they looked like exploding fireworks. Gasps were heard across the comms as everyone watched the delightful display.
Peyton turned and bowed to the star filled space beyond the window, as did every person there and on every ship.
She straightened and clapped her hands, laughingly saying. ‘Let’s parrrteeee!’
When she stepped down from the platform, Brenda took the ribbons from the two couples and handed them to her. She placed them into small wooden boxes while several of the other ladies did the same for the other couples. Peyton told the two couples standing with her.
‘These are for you, a small memento of your ceremony.’ On the lid of each box was a carving of two people entwined in a loving embrace. ‘The boxes are a present from the Leesungha family.’ Brenda told them as Penny traced the engraving with awe, saying. ‘It is so beautiful.’
Kerol said for them all. ‘We will thank them. They are truly a beautiful gift. Madam Peyton, thank you for the words you spoke, they were truth and beauty.’
Amelia agreed. ‘Graceful and loving.’
Peyton inclined her head. ‘I thank you. The celebrants created the ceremony. The words were a combination from ceremonies on Earth and from the histories of the Star Child, which reflect our new lives. I am delighted you liked them. The ceremony will hopefully be added to and changed and gifted with more words as many more unions occur. I am so happy for you all.’
She hugged them all over again, then they were passed from female to female. Finally, ending with Esther, who touched the face of Kerol in a gently caress as he held Penny’s hand in his. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, whispering. ‘I thank you Lady Esther for believing in me.’
‘It is what we do.’ She told him as she returned the salute. ‘Love each other that is all that matters.’
Then she was holding Amelia in her arms as Jorge with a smile on his face held her hand. Esther said tearfully. ‘I am so very happy for you both.’
Amelia laughed through her tears as she whispered. ‘I thought I would never have what you and your Harry had and look Esther, I do!’
‘Oh sweet girl, you were always destined to be loved and Jorge is a good and honorable male, love him well.’
‘I will Esther, I will.’
Jorge leaned down and kissed her cheek, saying. ‘Thank you, Lady Esther.’
Hawk stood waiting. Once Amelia let the misty-eyed Esther go, he took her hand in his saying. ‘Esther come, I have found a bottle of vintage Fenteric wine. Helen says it will put hair on your chest. Dinas does not understand what she means. I explained it was an expression. He is asking Helen to show him her chest, so he can find out why it would do so to your species, as it does not to any others.’
Esther’s peals of laughter ricochet around the room, causing the happiness to escalate. Hawk grinned as Peyton gave him the thumbs up. Esther and her Harry had raised both Amelia and Karen after their parents had died. Esther’s grief for her husband overwhelmed her especially on occasions such as this. So Peyton asked Hawk to distract her from her sadness if he could. It seemed to have worked as another peel of laughter rang out.
Penny hugged Peyton again and asked. ‘Did you see our markings?’
Sure enough, around the wrist of both females and males were bands of blue and black a half-inch wide. Each had the script of the stars written between the bands.
‘Do you know what it says?’ Darby asked Amelia, who nodded enthusiastically. ‘Oh yes, as soon as they appear, the translation is in your mind. It is as though you always knew it.’
Jorge agreed. ‘It is like a memory.’
Kerol nodded. ‘Exactly.’
‘It didn’t hurt, thank goodness. I was a little worried about that.’ Penny whispered to the others standing with her.
‘Good to know.’ Heather said, as all the females present sighed in relief, they had been concerned as well. Darby took Amelia’s hand in hers and traced the words with her finger.
Jorge stilled and then gently lifted Darby’s fingers away from Amelia’s wrist, saying in a husky voice. ‘Please Lady Darby stop. The marking is connected to mine. What touches my mates touches mine.’
‘Oh!’ Darby blushed. ‘I apologize.’
Amelia hit Jorge. ‘Don’t growl at her; she did not know. I did not know. How do you know?’
He leaned over and whispered in her ear for a few seconds, she turned bright red. ‘Oh... Oh well, yes, I see.’ She glared at him as he raised an eyebrow at her.
‘You should have warned me.’ She growled at him with a head toss as she walked over to Penny.
Jorge murmured. ‘Where would the fun of that have been?’ He grinned unrepentantly at his mate as he swaggered over to her.
Peyton was laughing so hard her face was pink. Darby and Netta asked her why she was laughing, but she mimed a lock and key refusing to tell them. She hoped they would all find out for themselves one day.
In the very early hours of the following morning, the party was over and Peyton’s viewing lounge was returned to its previous state with couches, chairs and tables scattered around. She sat curled up on her favorite couch as family and friends new and old wandered in and found seats.
Hawk and Dinas sat with a tipsy Esther, Brenda and Helen between them, still drinking the wine from earlier.
Rose, Frand and Miko found themselves with Heather and Melody. Darby and Netta sat together and were very drunk. They had indulged in a whiskay drinking competition, which had ended in a draw, much to the amusement of the Warriors.
They sat near Peyton, who glowed a soft gold of happiness and contentment. Esther sighed, resting her head on Hawk’s arm as she said. ‘It was a great day.’
‘It truly was.’ Several voices agreed with her.
Peyton let them sit and bask in the success of the day as they all relived the parts they had enjoyed the most. The happy couples, the food and gifts as well as the amazing cakes Helen and several of the bakers had made for each ship.
Personally, she had enjoyed the dancing that the females had made the Warriors try with mixed results.
Mostly they talked about the fun of watching the Warriors and the Leesungha family at their first Earth party. When they had talked themselves quiet and sat sleepy and contented.
Peyton said softly. ‘A day to remember.’ She stood and walked to the viewing window and said. ‘My family and friends behold our new home.’
They all stood to take in their first view of Maikonia Prime as the ships passed through the barrier that shielded their worlds from the rest of the Universe. Just as it had done
for millions upon millions of yentas.
The Star Child’s voice rang out to every person on every ship.
WELCOME HOME PEOPLE OF MAIKONIA.
‘Oh, my stars. It’s purple!’
BOOK TWO: Destination home
By L. M. Lacee
Quote Book 2
Home is where my feet return me to. My heart is what calls me away.
— Heather Wilson.
Characters – Destination Home
Adee = Living malleable unknown substance
Amahka = Mate to Star Daughter
Ambassador = Ambassador
Anult woue = Attack Dog
Artar = Veterinarian
Assaen = Assassin
Basterads = Bastards
Bitchre = Bitch
Cabu = Cow
Cassuam = Engine
Castque = Out Cast
Chinsee = Goatee beard
Circlet = Made to work as a whore
Comparium = Engine
Data drive = Flash drive
Data Flick = Data Chip
Darma = Trader word for mother
Dayam = Damn
Dearle = Dear
Desoul = Demon
Devlish = Devil
Empirer = Palace
Falears = Faders
Feelons = Felons
Funta= Joke
Furin = Fuck
Furiner = Fucker
Genea = Geneticist
Gesovo = Vow
Gravatron = Force or traction
Greeting = Hello
Guardiod = Adopted
Guardio = Adopted parent or Guardian
Guardioan = Adopting/adoption
Hayda = Hell/Hades
Healers = Doctors/ surgeons
Hiesie = Conmen
Hikaran = Chess, four levels played in 3D
Hoay = Gay Male
Hutell= Motel/Hotel
