by C B Williams
“Kalea told me She thought Longwei had deliberately blinded her in the smoke plume so she would fly into our shuttle,” Genji said.
“Interesting,” Spider said thoughtfully. “You’re describing an artistic temperament. My mother is an artist. She’s always fussing with her projects, never happy with her results, destroying and starting over again. And when a project isn’t going the way she wants, I learned at a very early age to stay out of her way. But if a project was going well and her inner vision matched her creation, she was all sweetness and light. And look out if you ever stepped foot in her studio without her permission. I did it once and was literally thrown out.”
Wren chuckled. “It does sound a bit like what we’re experiencing down here.”
“Wait,” Aiko said. “Let’s back up a minute. Genji, did you say Kalea flew into the shuttle that day we found her? Do these people have technology? Then why don’t you see any signs of it?”
Genji looked wildly at Eloch.
“Some of the people on this planet can actually fly, Aiko,” Eloch said.
Aiko snorted. “What, like a bird? Flapping their arms?”
“Something like that,” Wren said. “You know those flying lizard things you love so much? They’re called Nuri. Kalea and some others can shift into them.”
“No,” Aiko responded after a pause. “I can’t believe that. Shape-shifting people? That’s fiction.”
“Sorry, Aiko, it’s not fiction,” Wren confirmed. “But I admit, seeing is believing. Remember how Kalea nearly caught the Stardust on fire when we first brought her on board? That was pretty unbelievable, yet it happened. You saw that. We all saw that.”
“Those reptilians who attacked the shuttle were Kalea’s brothers, trying to rescue her from us,” Genji added.
Aiko stared at him through the vid screen. She barked out a laugh. “And I thought they were going to eat her!” she said, and grew quiet. “I think this is the strangest planet I’ve ever visited.” After another several moments of silence, she spoke. ”Are you three safe down there?”
Wren glanced at Eloch and Genji. “For the moment, we are. We’ve been treated very well. And they respect Eloch’s capabilities. And mine. I’m making it a point to demonstrate my skills whenever possible, and to as many people as possible.”
“Genji? You feel safe?”
He shrugged. “I’m planning to conduct my research and keep to myself. I don’t think I can get into any trouble if I do that.”
“Don’t forget we’ve got Little Sister. We’ll look out for each other,” Eloch assured Aiko. “Just don’t come down here until I can promise you it’s not a trap.”
“Okay, then. Since that’s sorted, I suppose we should address Flick’s concerns. He wants you to contact him as soon as possible, Eloch. Spider’s been keeping a channel open. I can patch you through now if you’d like.”
“That’s fine. We’ll wait.”
The screen went blank.
“You sure you’re okay, Genji?” Wren asked as they waited. “You don’t seem like your usual self.”
Genji scratched his cheek. “It’s not what I’m used to, you see. Most planets I’ve visited were either one of our colonies or we were scouting for the Ring Colonizers. I study them, but never mingle with the inhabitants.
“Longwei is neither a colony nor a potential colony.” He gave a halfhearted smile. “I’ll feel better once I start my research. I want to see if I can find plants with a chemical makeup close enough to the ingredients I use for the healing ointment I brought with me. Sort of a peace offering to the locals.”
“After this call, why don’t we help you look?” Wren suggested. “Safety in numbers and all that. I’ll be working with Pika later, but he’s been coming and going at odd times lately.
“I’d appreciate that, Wren.”
“Maybe—“
The screen flickered back to life.
“I’ve got Flick,” Aiko said. “Going to patch him through. You’ll lose my vid, but I’ll be listening in. Go ahead, Flick.”
The screen went blank, and when it glimmered on, Flick’s familiar square features were beaming at them. “It is so good to finally reach you! Having too much fun? Forgetting your friends?”
“Flick!” Wren said happily. “You look great, even through all this static.”
He grinned broadly through the fuzzy screen. “It is a pretty bad connection, and I’m afraid we’ll lose it, so I’ll be brief.” He sobered. “Eloch, Spur has informed me Entean senses danger and is unnerved.”
Eloch straightened. “Danger? What kind of danger?”
“One of Her sisters has gone suddenly silent, apparently in the middle of a conversation.”
“Can you tell me more?”
“Entean said Her sister felt She was under attack, an invasion, but unlike anything She’d ever experienced. Then She did a complete about-face. Completely changed Her mind when something landed on Her surface. It wasn’t a ship, She said. I personally think it was some sort of probe. Entean’s sister was enthralled. It lured Her.”
The connection sputtered, and Flick’s image blinked in and out of focus before the screen went blank. When it came back on, the sound was spotty. They saw his lips moving, but couldn’t understand what he was saying, could barely make out every other word.
Genji played with his equipment.
The sound came back but with very little volume.
They leaned forward.
“.... She was describing its beauty when it happened,” Flick was saying. “Spur says Entean felt something she couldn’t understand, ‘an entrapment’ were the words She used. It was as if the invaders had captured Her sister’s very essence. Entean feared the worst and called to Her sister several times. When Her Sister finally answered, she sounded...different. Sluggish, is what Spur said. Not sure if that’s really it, though.”
“Entean wants me to investigate, doesn’t She?” Eloch said.
“Sooner the better. New mission. This takes priority now. But they both want Longwei involved.”
Wren looked worriedly over at Eloch, who lifted an eyebrow.
“Flick,” she said, “is Spur just as concerned?”
He nodded. “She’s distracted by it. Is planning on reaching out to other Sisters in that particular galaxy, as is Entean.”
“A galaxy? Won’t it take us years and years to get there?” Wren wondered.
“Not if you find the right wormholes,” Aiko interjected. “But it will still take time, depending on how far away this galaxy is. Not sure how that’d be received by my crew.”
“I’m game,” Spider said. “Count me in.”
“Listen, the signal is fading again. Interference from somewhere,” Aiko said, “Best wrap it up while you still have a signal.”
“Could be because we’re on Longwei,” Eloch said. “Flick, tell Spur to tell Entean we will keep in touch.”
“It’s frightening when planets are scared,” Wren commented after Genji ended the transmission.
“I truly wish I could communicate directly with Entean,” Eloch said.
Wren squeezed his arm, put a hand over his fist. “Nothing we can do about that right now, unfortunately. Why don’t we forget about things for a little bit and help Genji find his ingredients?”
Chapter 15
A Queen in Need
Queen Ululani disrobed and immediately felt the cold pucker her flesh. It never failed to surprise her how cold it was this far up the mountain. She folded her garments and left them to await her return.
Next she tied a ribbon offering to the Goddess Tree and began the ritual, reciting the words to center her, to make herself worthy of an audience. When she was ready, she climbed the steep trail to the top of the volcano. As she walked, she realized how much older she was than the last time she had climbed. Since Kalea took over the role of Priestess, there had been no need.
Until today.
She averted her eyes from the summit and focused on placing
one step at a time instead of how far she had to climb. The cold wind blew hard, and the queen resisted the temptation to rub her hands together, fold her arms for warmth. That was not how one approached the Goddess.
She could have easily changed into her Nuri form and flown to the summit…as Nuri, she would be oblivious to the cold. Again, not how one approached the Goddess.
Not today. Not for the guidance she so desperately needed.
In time she did reach her destination. The warmth from the caldera was a welcome thing, and the smoke plume shifted, yet did not turn in her direction. Another welcome thing.
She raised her arms. “Oh, Longwei!” she cried. “Oh, Mother of us all! Please come speak with one of Your own. One who is desperate and alone. One who seeks Your wise counsel.”
She lowered her arms and waited, clearing her mind of all thoughts, as her long-ago training had taught.
The air shimmered. She gasped when she felt the softness of a feather cloak draped around her shoulders. It tickled her calves for a moment, until she got used to it. Such a relief to feel warm!
“You do not need to sacrifice your health to see Me, Ululani,” Longwei said as she materialized in front of the queen. She was wearing the face and body of the Old Wise Woman. “What is it you seek?”
Ululani bowed low. “I am humbled by Your beautiful gift. Even more, I am humbled You have answered me.”
“What is it you seek?” Longwei gently repeated.
“I have learned my children are in rebellion. My daughter, Makini, conspires against her sister. My son, Haku, conspires against me. Together, they are making plans that have yet to be revealed.”
“Why do you think I would wish to be involved? This is a Nuri matter. Such events happen all the time. This has nothing to do with Me.”
The queen hung her head, afraid to look at the goddess’s eyes. “Makini conspires against Kalea, Your chosen priestess, the one You also chose to succeed me as queen. Thus she conspires against You.” The silence was so long Ululani looked up. As she had feared, the old woman’s eyes were red and smoldering.
“You are right, Daughter. This is not merely a Nuri matter. Makini must pay.”
Ululani dared to reach out her hand and touch the goddess. “Please, Goddess, I merely come for advice. When Ali’iKai died, I chose to focus on my people. His death enraged us all. Even before the funeral, a war party was being organized. It took all my powers of persuasion to keep them from exacting revenge. If we had, Ali’iKai would have died for nothing.
“Unfortunately, I overlooked the needs of my children. Left them to their own devices while I led my people toward peace. For whatever reason, Makini and Haku have always been unhappy and dissatisfied. Now, even more so. I am forcing Makini to marry against her will. It will seal the peace my husband died to make. And Haku is a young man mourning his father. He rages. He plots. He refuses to listen to reason. I need guidance. That is all. I call upon Your wisdom, Goddess.”
“And I will answer. You made the proper choice. Acted as a queen should. It is a pity these two cannot see this. I will honor your request and not take action against either of them, but neither will I lift a hand to protect them from the results of their folly. I shall come back with you to your village as a beggar woman. I shall see for myself what is happening, and offer My advice while I keep you and My priestess safe.”
Ululani bowed low. “I did not expect this, Goddess. I am deeply honored. But You do not need to be a beggar woman. Come as my guest, so I may honor You. The Ancestors have returned, and word is spreading. Many are traveling to visit them. In a few days we will host a celebration with competitions and dancing.”
Longwei nodded. “Then I shall be your guest. I shall be a priestess from across the water.”
Ululani bowed. “I am honored, My Goddess.”
Strolling around the village, Longwei was amused. It had been at least a century since she had lived among Her people in this particular disguise. She usually enjoyed the drama Her young woman form inevitably created, especially when She danced. Men lusted. Women admired. But as an old woman, She was viewed very differently. She was scarcely noticed, which was perfect, because she was here to notice others. People tended to show their true colors in the presence of an ugly old woman.
Spur and Entean’s ambassadors, for instance. They were respectful of Her, concerned for Her welfare when She pretended to fall. They helped Her up and asked if She needed to rest, offered an arm to lean on.
She had to admit, She was impressed. It encouraged Her and confirmed the wisdom of Her plan for these ambassadors to educate Her people into a more modern lifestyle. Already they were making themselves useful. Helping with the fishing and the hunting; offering timesaving suggestions.
The beast they brought with them was a marvelous creation. And intelligent. It knew exactly who She was. She suspected the Entean did as well. But he kept his own counsel, which She also liked and respected.
Most of the villagers were kind, but did not go out of their way to see to Her comfort, with the exception of Kalea.
And then there was the sister, Makini. Longwei grinned when she thought of that meeting! The twin looked her up and down with disgust, turned, and hurried in the other direction. Longwei toyed with the idea of aging Makini prematurely. Such very different girls birthed from the same womb. How did such things happen? How could they be remedied? Was there a way to design personalities while one designed their form?
Which made Her think of Pika, who had a pleasing personality and a pleasing form. She looked forward to transforming back into a young woman and slipping into his hut. Perhaps this very night. She was surprised how much he excited Her. She usually picked fiery males for Her consorts. She liked their pride and their lustful enthusiasm. Pika was gentle and caring, allowing Her to be the fiery one. She wondered when Her preferences had changed.
“Something needs to be done about Haku,” Wren told Eloch as they prepared for the evening’s banquet. Apparently the Nuri would use any excuse to celebrate. This time, it was to honor an old priestess woman who had come to see The Ancestors. “I hate the way he treats his mother. He needs to be taken down a peg. So different from his brother. Pika is becoming a fast friend, though. We are learning a lot from each other. That’s how it should be, don’t you think?”
“It is a nice balance,” Eloch agreed. “But I’m not sure you are in a position to do anything about Haku. You’re not his KinLord. This isn’t even your world.”
“I know, I know. I’m merely someone he thinks very little of. Which makes me just the person to teach him some humility. He needs to experience something that will force him to think. Reminds me of that smoking volcano up there, all puffing smoke and earthquakes. I get tired of seeing him embarrass his mother. He’s the embarrassment. No respect. Just a cocky bully looking to cause trouble.”
“He’s also a grieving son,” Eloch reminded her. “A boy who lost his father.”
“I know that, too, Eloch. I’m sorry for his loss. But that doesn’t justify the way he treats his mother.” She fisted her hand. “Plus, he’s got so much potential, Eloch. That’s why he needs a lesson in humility, so he can become the man his father would be proud of, you know? Right now, he’s just wasted potential. It’s sad. And it makes me mad.”
“It’s not our responsibility, Wren.”
“I can’t really argue with anything you’re saying.” She peeked sideways at him and shrugged. “Although that’s exactly what I’m doing. It’s hard for me to not fix things when I know I can.”
Eloch chuckled and wrapped an arm around her to draw her close. “It’s your KinLord nature, Wren, to want to fix. Perhaps he will be better tonight.”
But he wasn’t.
Just as he’d done at the other feasts, Haku drank too much Ferment, became angry, embarrassed the queen, and stormed off.
“He needs a challenge,” Wren said abruptly to the queen as she watched him stalking off into the shadows. “Your son Haku. He n
eeds a challenge. Something that wouldn’t be easy to accomplish.”
The old woman seated beside the queen snorted. “You think that will fix him? What do you know of challenges? You and with your technologies and tricks.” She spat. “They’ve softened you.”
Wren glanced at the old woman. She seemed to be as angry as the young man who’d just left. “I think I’ll challenge him to a match. There’s been a lot of that going on lately. Best three out of four wins,” Wren mused.
Ululani gaped. “You think you could win over my son? He’s twice your size. And strong.”
Wren shrugged. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Isn’t that right, Eloch?”
Eloch nodded but didn’t seem very happy with her.
Ululani looked at them both. “Surely this is a jest.”
“It wouldn’t be to the death,” Wren said. “And to make it fair, he can’t shift into Nuri, and I can’t use my knives.” She sat back and folded her arms. “We will have to have some rules. And I don’t think there should be a crowd. We don’t want him to be humiliated in public. That would make him angrier, I think.”
The old woman grunted. “Not only is she soft in the body, she is soft in the head. I say let them fight, and it is a good thing they have a healer with them.”
But Wren knew she wasn’t soft in either her body or her head. She’d been studying Haku the way she used to study her assassination targets, the way she’d study an enemy.
She knew Haku’s strengths and his weaknesses, and she’d discovered two weaknesses she could easily use to her advantage. The first was his temper. If he got angry enough, he’d stop thinking. Get him angry enough, and she’d have him exactly where she wanted him. The second weakness was he relied too much on his Nuri form. Take that away, and he wouldn’t stand a chance against her street fighting skills.
Caution First had always been her motto. She knew her enemy. She had no intention of losing.
