by Reiter
“Oh...” Jocasta huffed as she hit the switch to merge her goggles with the console.
“… no…” As soon as the systems merged, she sent a comm-pulse, alerting the Bralkians that her ship was about to enter their atmosphere. While Zhok-Tarr was a homeworld, the Bralkian did not have the resources to thoroughly police their sky. A lot of the non-human systems were that way. One could come and go as they pleased; it was just common courtesy to knock on the atmospheric door.
“… you…” Jocasta secured all stations, but she was not about to wait for confirmation. Anything not nailed down was going to need either medical insurance or replacement.
“… did…” She primed the engines for maximum output, but again, she did not wait for any acknowledgement of the system.
“… not!” Jocasta barked as she pushed the yoke and the throttle control forward. She howled as the shuttle hit turbulence and incredible heat. The shields did hold, but that did not keep Dungias from taking and keeping a tight grasp of Alpha.
As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport.
William Shakespeare
(III)
Nothing was said as the estate staff quickly went about their duties. There was no time for such things as meaningless conversation. Allowing distractions and a lack of discipline was not how he had earned nor maintained his position as Master of the Staff for the estate.
“There has been too much time,” he thought as he dusted the fine woods and cleared the chairs. “It has been far too long since this place was last used, and we were not given nearly enough of a notice to bring it up to standards. We will all be blessed to live through the event!
“Faster, children!” Renaldo commanded as he could feel a change in the air. “Make your motions quick, but make them sure!”
“And for the sake of the night sky, will someone please get to those windows!” the woman barked as she entered the large circular room. A bright smile was stretched across her lovely face as she removed her cloak. Her long, thick black hair fell over her left shoulder as her black-spotted orange eyes gazed upon the only thing she missed about this place: Renaldo. “Really, old man, have you learned nothing in your years of service?”
Touching the index and middle finger of her left hand to her lips, the woman muttered words too softly for them to be heard, and then she lightly touched the same fingers to the doorframe. A spark of golden fire erupted from the point of contact and quickly spread over the interior of the room. It burned away the dust and dirt, and in its wake were clean and sparkling surfaces along with the slight scent of lemon and jasmine. Smiling at her handiwork, the woman handed her cloak to the closest servant.
“Forgive me if my aid did not replenish the wood in the fireplace,” the woman said, bowing to the eldest staff member.
“We can see to that much, milady,” Renaldo replied, snapping his fingers at three young men who jumped to complete the task. “I cannot thank you enough.”
“For one who is as gifted as you, I am surprised you did not use your talents, Renaldo.”
“If a Master or Mistress of the Affiliation wishes to use spells to clean this chamber, then so be it,” the old man quickly returned. “… it is not my place to question them. But as Master of Chambers for this estate, I will consign myself to the foulest fate before I put anything but a personal touch on this room or any other in my care.”
“You make it sound as if it was not personal MajiK that was used,” she argued.
“Your MannA, I will give you… but did you weave the spell, or did you simply read and master an incantation that was given to you?”
“As it is the case with most casters, the latter,” the woman admitted.
“Fine for you to wield then, but not nearly personal enough for my tastes,” Renaldo concluded.
“Speaking of personal touches,” the woman insisted, “tell me my name… my true name, that is… and tell me of the first time we met in this room. The hour grows dark and the enemies of this Affiliation are many.” The woman set her eyes on the old man and the breadth of her stance increased to just over the width of her shoulders. She was ready to move and quickly.
“I understand, milady, and I am happy to comply,” the old man replied, bowing his response. “You are S’Vrili, a human female of both Terran and Fazerian blood. It is of some interest that your most helpful incantation does not address the fireplace, as that is where I found you so many years ago, trying to effect an escape from what you called a most evil place. Not long after we shared sugarbread wafers and milk, you began your studies in the craft with–”
“That is enough, Renaldo,” S’Vrili said, lifting her hand. She would just as soon not hear that wretched woman’s name if she could help it. She shook her head in disbelief and smiled at the elderly man. “You know, I would have accepted a response claiming it was too long ago for you to fully recall, seeing as it was a time when I still aged as a mortal.”
“We all age as mortals, milady,” the old one argued. “Some of us pay attention to time; others have more important things to do!”
“It seems I have timed my arrival perfectly,” Marnsai declared as he strode into the room, choosing that moment to allow sound to come from his footfalls. His tall, slender frame moved well under a cape that he chose not to remove. He did not plan on staying long, and his green eyes looked around the room before settling on the very comely Witch. “Because if this is not a total waste of time, I don’t know what is.”
“Given your lack of vision among the Stars, Hulvidon Marnsai,” another voice intruded on the scene. “… you will understand if I am not surprised!” He was old, older than the room, and the tremble in his voice led many to the assumption that along with his age there was debilitating weakness. For those who truly knew Stydonn, his voice was the balancing facet to his incredible power. He had chosen to appear in the room, as was his right as Master of the Affiliation. Unlike Marnsai, Stydonn was not well groomed. He had lost most of his hair before S’Vrili and Hulvidon were even born, and only a few patches of thinning white follicles remained. Little of the hair could be seen, however, from under the purple and black crystal skullcap that he was very fond of wearing. His soft brown eyes were incredibly sharp as they stared coldly at one of the most powerful merchants in the Terran Triangle. “But to answer your poorly-worded inquiry, might I suggest your continued participation with this body as a more precise definition of a waste of time, should you need an example in the future.”
“Master Stydonn, please f–”
“Do not put before me a request that stands the chance of having you escorted from these premises, merchant,” Stydonn said as he turned to approach the center of the room. “I am already tempted to unleash my ambition on you… if only to ask why you did not see my attack coming, since you claim to be one of us.” Stydonn laughed as he took the first step up toward the large circular platform. “Where are the others?”
“They are en route, Master Stydonn,” S’Vrili informed.
“The hell with them then,” the old man spat. “Fools who call themselves in tune with the Stars, and can read the very face of Fate, yet they are late when the Stars summon us! It is beyond foolishness, and Hulvidon, your stock has just improved. You are a fool, but at least you are disciplined enough to respond when you are called.”
Hulvidon smiled and started to speak… but his eyes met with those of Stydonn.
“Do you truly wish to make that gambit?” the ancient one inquired. “I can look at you and actually find reason to smile. We can mark the number of times that has happened with one hand and still have plenty of digits left to scratch our heads… but this one instance of fleeting tranquility you wish to press, eh?”
“Let us join Master Stydonn in the Circle,” Marnsai directed the Fazbred female who managed to keep from laughing aloud as she walked to the platform. She knew to move quickly, because it did not look as if Stydonn was going to wait for anyone or anything. As soon as he r
eached the center of the platform he stopped walking as bright white light shone from his eyes. “Good lord!”
“Stydonn was right to want to move things along quickly,” S’Vrili presumed. “The Stars have been waiting for us!
“But I have felt nothing for months now!” she thought as she prepared herself to receive the vision that had already taken hold of Stydonn. “Not even the slightest whisper!
“Take a breath, S’Vrili,” she directed herself, taking a deep breath; watching as Stydonn prepared to take the platform to the most sacred of places. “Remember your training and the counsel of the Stars. So many ways to explain things; for both what I’ve felt and what Stydonn is saying to be true. The answers have already been given, you just have to ferret out everything else until the truth is all that remains!”
The roof above them began to crack. S’Vrili knew the actual roof was still intact, but that did not lessen the impact of the transformation. Chunks of the brick, mortar and stone gave way, revealing a starry sky that seemed to reach down and take hold of the three gathered members of the Affiliation. S’Vrili was used to the experience, but this occasion was different; she knew the place she was going, but it felt as if she had taken a different conveyance. Taking advantage of her breeding, S’Vrili did not need to lift her eyes to look over at Marnsai whose face openly registered what the Fazbred Witch now tried to suppress.
“Our masters have called to us and we have answered!” Stydonn cried out, calling the Chorus to the platform. Though there were stars to be seen, the Chorus was absent from these proceedings. Only one body approached the Circle. While S’Vrili knew of many male figures among the stars, it was normally a female that spoke. This man looked to be Terran in nature, tall and slender, possessing an air about him that felt far too mortal for her taste.
“So few?” he asked and S’Vrili focused her concentration to keep her face from twisting. She could feel energy of a sort around his form, but she could not recognize it.
“I thought it best not to keep you waiting, oh great celestial wonders,” Stydonn explained. “What you give to me I will give to my followers, my Master!”
“Followers?!” Hulvidon Marnsai questioned. “You might speak for the Affiliation, old man, and you are a powerful entity in your own right, but you are hardly an unquestionable leader!”
“Concern yourself with my power then!” Stydonn snapped back, leveling his hand toward Marnsai’s chest. The merchant took in air to breathe and fuel his actions, but his body seized as his heart stopped. Marnsai dropped to his knees as he felt himself slowly and very painfully dying.
“Master!” S’Vrili cried out, taking only one step forward before she prostrated herself in front of Stydonn. “I know Hulvidon has tried your patience. It would seem to be his lot in life. But if you kill him, there will be repercussions. We will be unable to move quickly and efficiently.”
“How would you know the manner in which things must proceed?” the star-clad man asked, and S’Vrili could feel the weight of his stare. She lifted her head and put her eyes to his, allowing him to see her face and the advantages of the gown she wore.
“Stydonn does not move quickly without just cause, heavenly Master,” she replied.
“No,” the man replied, contemplating her perspective. “You are indeed one of vision. Stydonn, release your grip on his heart!”
“A command?!” she thought. “In all that I have read, felt, and witnessed, I have never known the Stars to issue a command! And Stydonn obeys!” she monitored as Marnsai fell to the platform unconscious, but still alive.
“Both time and opportunity grow short, my friends,” the star-clad man stated, ignoring Hulvidon. “This gathering is without precedent, and so are the events of your realm! One has come to the Rims and the aim of this wanderer cannot be seen, neither can the entity itself, not by the eyes of my kind. I have called you here to ask a boon.”
“Tell us what must be done,” Stydonn said as he lowered to his right knee.
“That is not Stydonn!” S’Vrili concluded. “The old Healer spends most of his time reading Fate! If this matter was so pressing, he would have gleaned it during a reading!
“But why?! Why the façade?! What can be the aim of all of this?!” S’Vrili contemplated as she took hold of her talisman, a bone necklace with a black metal centerpiece sculpted to form a dragon’s head.
“While I contend with the matters set askew among the Chorus,” the man stated. “… you must engage your vision and seek out this entity. When it is found, report all that you have discovered to me. Can you do this?”
“Stydonn will answer this quest!” the old man cried out as he stood up. S’Vrili rushed to get up from her knees.
“I am S’Vrili Thakkelwing,” she shouted. “… second voice of the Imanian Order. All that I have with which to see will be engaged to find the truth of this matter. I swear it!”
“Then return to your realm and be about your task,” the creature said as he faded from sight. S’Vrili blinked her eyes rapidly as she was returned to her body. She turned to see a very concerned Renaldo looking at her.
“I will tend to Hulvidon, Master Stydonn,” she volunteered. “Your vision is sorely needed on this endeavor.”
“As is yours, S’Vrili,” Stydonn quickly replied as he started for the door. “Remember that and do not allow yourself to be too distracted by that fool.”
“I will not, Master,” she declared as she bowed. Renaldo examined the downed Affiliate as S’Vrili watched the Master of the Order take his leave. She did not move until she could no longer feel his presence. Taking hold of the necklace, she looked around once more and could find nothing out of place.
“Hold, old one,” S’Vrili directed and Renaldo looked up at her. “Forgive me addressing you in such an abrupt manner, but I cannot say how long we will have this privacy. You taught me much over the centuries, my friend. Do you recall our first lesson?”
“Of course I do,” Renaldo answered as a soft golden light was born inside his eyes. Drawing focus on S’Vrili, the aged servant saw things that caused his face to twist.
“As much as I expected,” S’Vrili quickly stated. “You see that I have been in the presence of an entity, don’t you?”
“Yes, milady,” Renaldo replied softly, relieved that she suspected something was amiss. “You have been in the presence of demons!”
“Demons!” S’Vrili whispered, twisting the talisman in her grasp and cleansing herself of any residue, while marking the power that Renaldo had seen. Smaller and much weaker samples were found in the wake of Stydonn’s exit. “What is at play here?”
“Milady, that is not all that is wrong here,” Renaldo said as he looked around.
“Yes, the matter of attendance,” S’Vrili remarked. “Why is it only Hulvidon and I answered the summons?” She thought for a moment as a familiar twinkle flashed in her eyes. “Because we were the only ones the summons was sent to, Renaldo. One of the weakest of our ranks and me, the one they believe to be gifted.”
“You are gifted!” Renaldo argued.
“Perhaps,” S’Vrili replied. “But they do not know my full measure.” She smiled as she looked down on Renaldo. “Yet another lesson I managed to pick up from you over the years.
“You and the staff were alerted to help set the stage,” S’Vrili said, returning to her thought processes. “Demons!” S’Vrili shook her head, frustrated in her contemplations. “I do not know which is worse: their infiltration of the Affiliation, or that they see something that none of my brethren have glimpsed. An organization of watchers that has been blinded.
“If that was not Stydonn,” S’Vrili thought aloud, “then it is safe to say that they are looking to me to make the next move.”
“Which might suggest they have some estimation regarding your ability after all, milady,” Renaldo added.
“That it does, Renaldo,” she admitted. “They know something is about in the Rims, but they are blind to the specifics. That ca
n’t be a particularly good feeling for them, to say nothing of how new the sensation must be!
“Renaldo, please see to Marnsai for me,” S’Vrili said as she looked at the door leading out.
“And yourself, milady?” Renaldo asked. “Unless I am out of place.”
“That you can never be,” S’Vrili smiled as she looked back at the man, touching her hand to her talisman. “To put it simply, I swore to an action.”
“To demons, milady!”
“I can’t let that stand in the way of keeping my word, can I?” S’Vrili flashed a grin and laughed as she exited the room.
** b *** t *** o *** r **
It was a cool and quiet evening. She could still hear the music from the band she had hired and, despite the lack of recommendations she had been able to procure, the young musicians were really doing well. That made her departure more painful. The importance of keeping her life just seemed to outweigh the significance of celebrating a successful product launch.
“Let’s not merge with the normal traffic lanes,” Aleesha suggested. “Just keep up the velocity, and remember, the craft is registered to me; this will not reflect on your name at all.”
“As you wish, milady,” the driver replied as he took hold of the throttle and eased the lever forward. It was not long before the speed exceeded the capacities of the wind buffers and her long, silver-gray hair blew behind her. She could remember a time when there had been a contingent of brown that seemed determined to remain. But that was years ago, when she was a member of The Five, before she could afford the regimen of having her hair treated to keep its current silvery hue.
“My lady,” Edwarn stood up as he spoke. “Tonight was an occasion of celebration for you! Why are we leaving in such haste?”
“Give the word choice a rest, Eddie,” Shanvah remarked as she too checked their rear. “You’re a Gallant, we get it. Now go sit down somewhere and try to contain thine errant tongue!”
