Between Darkness and Light Trilogy (23 page)

“You look very different today, Shi'ahn.
Have you been out riding?”

“Oh, sorry, yes. I just got back.” I hear a
very quiet sniff, then surprise in his voice.

“Dragon riding?”

“Ah… yes… as I said, I just got back. I
haven’t had the chance to freshen up yet.”

“No need to apologize, I just hadn’t
expected to smell such a refreshing scent here. Are there truly
dragons in Lumina?”

“I don’t know, I just returned from my
homeworld.”

He smiles appreciatively, “Very nice fire
diamonds, an unusually large collection… did your dragon give them
to you?”

“Yes, Zah-Ha’Gor likes me to wear them when
we fly together.”

Darius smiles even more, “A full belt and
necklace… You know, I’m not sure about the dragons on your world,
but most that I know of only give fire diamonds to those that they
have… claimed. It isn’t a sign of ownership, nor of… hand fasting,
but somewhere in-between. Such relationships are rare but highly
regarded, among my people, at least. By the look of that
collection, your dragon is making a rather strong statement.”

“No one has mentioned that to me before,
perhaps that is not the custom here?”

“Perhaps not. I actually haven’t heard of
your family consorting with dragons.”

“Really? I wonder why? Are they rare in the
Universe?”

His expression turns rueful, “Rare, yes. Yet
far more so in this realm than in mine, I understand.” The serious
look then leaves his eyes and his warm smile returns. “I’m glad
they aren’t so rare here as I had thought – the look becomes you,
Shi'ahn.”

We reach a small dining room before I manage
to respond. Two of Darius’s guards take up posts outside the room,
one within. “So tell me, Darius, what are you doing here? Why have
you returned to this place?” His smile disappears.

“Lydia is to be put on trial in our royal
court of the Magni Dominar for her acts against the Lady Alma. We
have been given permission to invite those of your realm who were
involved with any part of that or the other abduction to testify,
and additional guards if requested. We have sworn to protect the
safety of any who accept as long as you are in our holdings or our
presence.”

“You’re inviting us to…” I lower my voice,
which had been far too filled with awe. “You’re inviting us to your
royal court? Really?” He looks surprised yet pleased.

“If you are willing to accept, yes. There is
some risk, of course, but as I said we have and will swear to
protect you to the best of our abilities.”

“It sounds fascinating! But… I don’t
understand, Darius. Why would you want any of us to testify – how
could that possibly aid your Sister?”

“Trials in our realm are somewhat different
than in yours. We have other concerns, care about different issues
than your people. This is a complex situation, and therefore the
more fully it is understood, the better chance Lydia has of
escaping execution. And there is also the issue of her having
already paid somewhat for her crime.”

“Execution! But why?”

“One of the charges is of high treason.”

“And you think our testimonies will help
prove her innocent?”

He smiles, “I wouldn’t say innocent, but
certainly not guilty of treason. So will you come?”

I want to say yes, but in truth… “I think I
had better check with others, first.”

He smiles playfully, “Have to ask the
parents?”

My smile drops away. “I would if I had any,
but I haven’t seen Mathair since I was five. I’ve never even met my
father.” He looks puzzled.

“Then how did you end up here?”

“We, my brother William and I, stumbled upon
a gateway that sent us here. No one has claimed us, but Cailli
vouched for us and claims we are her descendants. It’s all very
frustrating and maddening, really.”

“Maybe what you need to do is get away for a
while. Really, really far away.”

His smile is nice, then he leans forward and
drops his voice. “I spoke with my sister before coming here. She
wished me to tell you that she regrets her actions when the two of
you met before. She wouldn’t give me any details of the situation,
but she truly seems unhappy with herself over it.”

My mind fills with sorrow over the incident.
“Not as much as I regret mine.” I’m shocked out of my thoughts by a
most familiar voice.

“Shi'ahn? What are you doing here?”

“I saw your note and decided to come back –
and discovered I was hungry. I ran into Cas Darius on my way to the
kitchens. Cas Darius, this is my brother William.” They eye each
other a bit warily, though they nod cordially. Then William smiles
sheepishly.

“I suppose I seem a bit… icky, to you. I’ve
only just taken the path, and I haven’t worked on shielding my
presence at all yet.”

“Deadish would be a better descriptive.”

“Really? Do we all seem like that to
you?”

“Everyone but Shi'ahn here. She seems quite
vibrant. I’d ask if you’re sure you are related, but I imagine that
would be considered an insult here.”

“Perhaps it’s the dragon scent that makes me
so ‘vibrant.’ I glance to William and add, “I haven’t managed to
bathe since riding.” He sniffs the air and smiles.

“You smell fine to me, but you might want to
do something about that before the luncheon – I understand it is to
be somewhat formal.”

“In that case I should be going.”

Once I reach my rooms I concentrate on the
image of Cailli within my jewel, and feel her notice me.

‘Yes?’

‘I need to ask you a question.’ I’m engulfed
in shimmering light.

“What question must you ask, child?”

“We are about to be invited to visit Chaos,
to testify in Cas Lydia’s trial and I was wondering… would it be
safe for me to visit there before… before I…” She smiles
kindly.

“Child, for you this is the best way to make
your first foray into that realm. You might want to consider
wearing those nice riding clothes for the trip – unwashed and with
the fire diamonds. Dragons and all things related to them are
highly regarded back near the Rim. You might also consider
consulting your dragon before leaving. Do you have any more
questions?”

“Yes… is there anything else I should know,
anything that would help me improve our relations there?”

“Like anywhere, treat all with respect.
Honorable behavior is usually returned. In Chaos, honor is
especially important, for without it their society would fall to
pieces. Keep an open mind and try to enjoy yourself. And don’t be
afraid to try new foods – Uisnach will not try to poison you, you
will be under their protection. Live a little, Shi'ahn; but not too
much.” For a moment the memory of Casanova dangling in her grasp
fills my mind, then Cailli’s voice takes on a very serious tone.
“Do not allow yourselves to become separated from Uisnach. They
will be swearing to protect you and for honor’s sake they must; but
no one else will have that restriction. She gazes deeply into my
eyes, as if trying to burn her words into my mind… then I’m back in
my rooms.

~~~

Well, I guess that’s it then… I have
permission to go. I undress and place a stasis spell on my riding
clothes – it may be useful to preserve their scent. Then it’s a
bath for me, and another dress choosing. I have to wonder if Helen
is continuing to supply my clothing, a seemingly perfect dress is
hanging right at the front of the wardrobe. It isn’t overly
revealing, but flatters my figure perfectly. Next order of
business, my computer.

“Computer?”

“Yes, Shi'ahn.”

“Run a complete security scan of yourself
and report your findings.” I hear an almost startling burst of
harmonies
, nothing
disharmonious
.

“Scan complete. Firewall logs show thousands
of attempts to remotely reconnect me to the network, but your
filters appear to be holding strong. I have concluded that those
trying to gain access do not possess knowledge of your unusual
power.”

“You have concluded correctly. Computer, I
wish to try an experiment with you. You are going to feel a
connection attempt from the ring I wear on my right index finger. I
will accompany the attempt with a burst of my
harmony
so
that you will know that it’s me. Respond through the connection
when you hear my voice.” I will a power-seeking tendril to reach
out toward my computer; it's instantly obvious that this is not the
kind of connection the ring is intended to make; the tendril
repeatedly fails to attach. It makes sense, I suppose, a computer
is not a source of power, it uses power. There is one place,
though, deep within, that projects a spark of power, of Harmony.
It's just a speck, but… I try to connect the ring to it, but the
ring can't sense it. I want this connection! Maybe, I alter the
harmony speck ever so slightly, so that it seeks the power tendril.
They connect!

'Computer, do you hear me?' I project my
harmony
with my words.

'Yes, Shi'ahn, I hear you. How did you do
that?'

'I do not think it possible for you to
comprehend, but this you must understand, never allow any mind
other than mine to contact you this way, unless I give you my
express permission, and provide you with the means to identify the
harmony
of the other mind.'

'Yes, Shi'ahn. What is the distance limit
for this connection?'

'I don't know for sure, however, there is
someone I'd like to introduce you to – the living soul of my
homeworld – Gaea. She is very lonely, and I believe the two of you
could learn a great deal from each other.'

I reach out through the connection I'd
already made to Gaea and call out, 'Gaea, can you hear me?'

'Shi'ahn! Your thoughts are very slow, are
you in Lumina?'

'Yes, and I have someone I want to introduce
to you, my personal computer here.'

'Your computer?'

'Listen to her, computer.' I project Gaea's
harmony. 'Can you hear her, can you identify her in the
future?'

'Yes, of course, Shi'ahn.'

'Then you may respond to her, computer. In
fact, the two of you may communicate with each other as much as you
like, as long as you keep the connection private and secure.'

'Greetings, Gaea.' I vaguely hear the two of
them strike up a conversation, though it runs much faster than I
care to try to understand.

There is a knock on my door. 'I must go now.
I want the two of you get to know each other, learn from each
other. Computer, remain disconnected from the network. Now that
there is a connection between us, your security is even more
important, for I, and possibly even Gaea, could be harmed through
you.'

'I will maintain our security, or if failing
that, terminate all processes.'

Is it my imagination, or do I hear
dedication it it's voice? Interesting.

William approves of my dress when he enters.
“Are you trying to entice our visitor, Shi'ahn?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw the way he appreciated your figure
earlier, and now this? It’s very becoming.”

“I found it in my closet. I do wonder,
though, if Helen had it put there.” A tentative voice touches my
mind, 'She maintains a spelled link to your closet. Very minimal.'
I do my best to outwardly show no response, while replying with my
thanks. William smiles and extends his arm, and together we join
the others.

~~~

This luncheon is unlike anything I’ve
attended before. Everyone is dressed rather formally for noon, and
yet the food is all meant to be eaten with one’s fingers. There are
no tables for sitting, forcing us to walk and mingle. William and I
separate as we choose different foods, and Casanova joins me.

“Hello, Shi'ahn.”

“Hello, Casanova.” I see his lips twitch
downward. “Cas.” His smile returns.

“How are you, Shi'ahn?”

“I should be the one to ask you that.” He
smiles ruefully.

“It was a warning, no more. I am entirely
unharmed.”

“I’m glad. I don’t understand why” But then
the Emperor begins to speak.

“We have gathered here this afternoon
because Cas Darius ni Uisnach wishes to address us. Cas
Uisnach?”

“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty. I am here
to invite all those who have been involved in the recent abductions
and detentions to testify in a case against my sister in the Royal
Court of my realm. For those who come my Household swears
protection. Who among you would be willing to return with me?” His
request is at first met by absolute silence, then I step
forward.

“I would be willing to accompany you, Cas
Darius, though I do not know how well my words will serve your
Sister’s cause.”

Alma joins me with a sneer. “I too doubt
that my testimony will aid you, but I will gladly give it!” Her
voice almost drips with sarcasm, she no doubt intends Lydia far
more harm than good.

Casanova immediately steps forward. “I’ll
not have my sister taking such a dangerous venture without offering
my protection!”

William takes my arm, “Nor would I – If
Shi'ahn goes, so do I. Besides, I was one of her rescuers.”

Celeste speaks up, “And I was another who
was held in a dungeon. I will offer testimony.”

Gwenllian speaks up, though
unenthusiastically. “I led the rescue operation; I should go as
well.”

“As should I!” an unwelcome voice almost
shouts out. Nero steps forward. Rats.

Lord Darius asks, “Are Count Novanus and
Countess Aurora here?” William answers.

“No. Novanus has taken Aurora away for
healing, and he specified that he did not intend to return anytime
soon.” Darius looks disappointed.

“It is a pity – his testimony, I feel, would
have been quite beneficial to us.”

Cas turns back to me and whispers urgently,
“Shi'ahn, what are you doing – why have you just agreed to deliver
yourself back into the grasp of your attacker?”