Fortuna

by E G Manetti

  “Yes, Master Fletcher, that is it exactly.” Lilian is pleased by the comparison. “Master Nickolas and you will destroy the SEV1 many times in the next two years so that once in the beaconless expanse, you will live.”

  Unwilling to dim Nickolas’ renewed enthusiasm, Lilian forbears to mention that this first exercise is relatively simple. She will require additional assistance to develop a complete set of exercises, but it will work. Enough practice and sufficient variations, and Nickolas will be able to make decisions as reflexively as he spars with milord. When the true trials come, there will be little time for detailed analysis.

  »◊«

  Entering the training chambers at fifth bell, Lilian is not surprised to find they are filling rapidly. The transport’s crew is well aware of the first mate’s spiritual commitments and has often seen her execute the Balance Way of the Universalists, but never with a partner. The uncommon demonstration has also drawn many of the passengers.

  It has been years since Lilian practiced the Balance Way. Her match with the first mate has more in common with the stylized ballet of a festival Duet than the violence of her training sessions with Trevelyan and Maman. The movements of the Universalist discipline seek to strengthen body and mind in self-mastery. To use physical, mental, and spiritual discipline to control passion and its tendency toward chaos.

  I am the sum of my ancestors. She knows herself to be clumsy compared to the refined movements of the first mate. I am the foundation of my family. Lilian focuses on gliding into the next sequence, ignoring the increasing press of observers. Honor is my blade and shield. Finding the flow, Lilian represses a small smile at the thought that Andreas would be horrified to know she calls on the Five Warriors to execute the Balance Way.

  At the front of the crowd, Lucius is fascinated. The carefully crafted sequence is as complex as a festival Duet. Beautiful, but containing a kernel of violence. He has no difficulty imagining the refined movements translated to true combat as the festival Duet mirrors actual battle. He also wonders if Lilian ever performed a similar Duet with Andreas Chiang and if the activity ended as it would with Lucius. Trevelyan had been clear that the scholar was no weakling. Lilian’s short-lived affair with the man may have been significantly more than the intellectual connection Lucius thought.

  “For all they refuse violence, that discipline certainly lays a proper foundation, does it not, Monsignor?” Nickolas is riveted.

  Dismissing thoughts of the banished ancients scholar, Lucius turns to his protégé. “Universalists lack not the capacity for combat. They refuse to engage in it. They hold to the belief that any form of violence feeds the forces of anarchy. Such is not my experience. Anarchy is not meek. It must be dealt with forcefully. Darkness is never defeated, only contained.”

  »◊«

  Other than the coverlet being gold rather than blue, the bed in milord’s chamber is identical to the one on the Shimmering Horizon and exceedingly comfortable. Relaxed from the wine she enjoyed with the evening meal, Lilian slowly unwinds the sheer silk wrap. Holding it as a curtain before her, she stretches out on the satin coverlet, enjoying the slick texture and excited by the rising heat in milord’s eyes. Crawling on the bed after her, milord reaches for the silk.

  “What is this, Lilian?” Milord drags the long length of the silk wrap across Lilian’s breasts. The sensitive tips pebble and harden in response. The provocative sheer silk wrap has fascinated Lucius from the first. Watching the sea-green veil tauten Lilian’s nipples generates a corresponding tightness in Lucius’ groin. “Does it come in other hues?”

  Six for certain, should one count black as a color. Do not. Do not. “I imagine so, milord.”

  The tantalizing drag ceases, and the dark visage turns from examination of her breasts to interrogation of her face. Lilian has answered only the second question. Yielding to the inevitable, Lilian suggests, “Imagine it in Sinead’s green, milord.”

  It is only a matter of moments before milord’s eyes widen and his lips twitch. “A shrine wrap, woman? Sacrilege in addition to blasphemy?”

  “If milord pleases, until it is blessed, it is but a length of silk,” Lilian defends her choice. “The color is off. Maman could not use it, so she gave it to me. Does it offend milord, I will use it no longer.”

  Lilian has enjoyed the versatility of the wrap and that it covers far more than a sarong, for all the coverage is an illusion. She regrets that milord thought to inquire about its origin.

  Lucius’ mind is working along different lines. Lilian is correct, unblessed it is but another length of silk. Mulan’s flame and Sinead’s peridot will not serve. He views Lilian in enough black. Royal blue and hunter green will suit, as will Socraide’s midnight. With a satisfied smile, Lucius draws the last foot of silk across the taut peaks. As his warm breath tightens the tips further, Lucius murmurs, “I am not offended.”

  18. Return to Crevasse City

  The dagger worn by warriors has it origin in the Anarchy, when the open display of weapons was a deterrent to unprovoked attack and a defense against the raids that were a part of daily life. As the Five Warriors consolidated their territories, they limited the right to carry arms to their armies and retainers. These measures limited the ability of those who might be disloyal to act, and it ensured that there were sufficient weapons when needed. The only exception was a personal blade, sufficient for self-defense but inadequate for armed rebellion.

  In the centuries following the Anarchy, the need for constant self-defense faded. By the third century, only those of warrior descent or members of the militias were permitted arms larger than a personal blade. Concerned that with the rise of Order, warriors would fall into complacency, the Shrines established the competency and mastery rites to ensure that a warrior blade would always be capable of serving as a weapon in honor of the Five Warriors. Eventually, longer blades yielded to belt daggers for daily display, with swords reserved for festivals. To ensure that those deemed competent remained so, the Shrines determined that competency must be demonstrated every few years. ~ excerpt from The Foundations of Order, a scholarly treatise.

  Sevenday 99, Day 1

  The towers of Crevasse City sparkle in the post-midday sunlight as Lucius’ luxurious transport shoots away from the stellar transit center. In less than half a period, they will enter the city limits. A period later, Lucius will be home. An unmistakable sense of homecoming floods him as the tower of his penthouse appears in the distance. Lucius is well satisfied with the success of the Bright Star summit, somewhat less so with his apprentice’s well-being.

  Seated next to him, her head bent over her slate, Lilian’s fingers tap lightly as she works on the Bright Star decision trial. Not only has she has exceeded his commerce expectations, her loyalty and resilience were completely unanticipated. The shadows that marked her eyes at the beginning of the voyage have dissipated. To the best of Lucius’ knowledge, her rest has been uninterrupted since the evil dream on Fortuna. Nonetheless, he is not pleased. The dreams indicate that Lilian has yet to recover from her ordeals at the hands of Grey Spear. It will be well when he has a chance to confer with Chin.

  Under George’s capable guidance, the transport turns into the Commercial District and passes quickly beneath the shadow of Serengeti Headquarters. There will be no further commerce this day. Lucius is eager to see Estella, and Lilian will be better for a few periods of extra liberty. As the transport crosses into the Garden Center District, Lucius lightly taps Lilian’s shoulder. “We are almost there.”

  With a start, Lilian’s head flies up, confusion replaced by awareness as she releases whatever pattern held her so enraptured.

  “My thanks, milord.” Lilian’s fleeting smile testifies to her pleasure at being home.

  A few moments later, the transport glides to a stop in front of the shuttered house. As George escorts Lilian to the entrance, Lucius examines the graceful structure, noting the signs of neglect. The stone rail along the steps is crumbling in places, the pigme
nt along the door and window frames blistered and peeling. The decay is far beyond two years of poverty and neglect. Lucius wonders if the roof is sound and the interior similarly neglected.

  A flash of movement distracts him from the house. The blur of green topped with red sorts itself into Lilian’s young sister as she catches Lilian in a fierce embrace and then George. Surprised by Katleen’s affection for George, Lucius is even more surprised when the gruff driver awkwardly returns the embrace. At a comment from Lilian, Katleen turns toward the transport as if trying to penetrate the darkened windows. She cannot see Lucius, but he can observe her bright face. With a flash of a smile, the girl turns back to Mr. George for one more quick hug before dancing into the doorway where Lilian waits.

  “George?” Lucius questions when his driver returns to the transport.

  “She is a very exuberant child,” George mumbles, ducking his head to hide what Lucius is certain is a blush. Two sober shrine attendants pass the transport without a glance and continue on their way. Their duty is complete for the day. Recalling Lilian’s account of the warrior acolytes escorting Katleen to the Universalist Academy, Lucius laughs as the transport pulls away from the house.

  »◊«

  Delighted by the small Fortuna water art, Katleen insists on placing it in the bowl of the dry courtyard fountain, and not on her balcony where Lilian had expected it to go. It takes almost a bell to collect enough rocks from the gardens to fill the bowl so the small sculpture can rest securely. At Lilian’s nod, Katleen starts the water flowing. In moments, the gurgling water is tinted amethyst by the Fortuna minerals, and the sharp, pleasant tang drifts on the air.

  “It is beautiful, Lilian,” Katleen says in hushed tones. Settling next to Helena on a stone bench, she gazes enthralled as the light plays across bronze and crystal surfaces glazed with pale purple water. “The courtyard is no longer so cold.”

  Meeting her mother’s eyes, Lilian shrugs. Katleen’s joy is well worth the sacrifice of new training garb. “I am glad it pleases you, sweetling. The bell advances, we should prepare our meal.”

  “Of course.” Katleen jumps up. “I have a surprise for you, too.”

  Following Katleen down the walkway to the kitchen, Lilian asks, “Tell me how you fared in my absence.”

  Before Katleen can answer, Gloribelle drops from a tree at the far end of the garden and races over. With a frown, Lilian demands, “Have you been bringing your pet into the house?”

  “Of course not,” Katleen denies. “She knows it is time to prepare the evening meal. She was waiting for us.”

  As soon as the kitchen door opens, Gloribelle darts inside. Lilian was not happy agreeing to let the creature into the kitchen, but she does provide Katleen with companionship and could do little harm to the spartan structure. To Lilian’s surprise, after a few incidents, the little tree wombat learned to return to the gardens before creating a mess.

  “If you will chop greens for a salad, I will prepare the waterfowl.” Katleen reaches into the foodkeeper.

  Collecting a bowl, knife, and cutting board, Lilian starts the task. “You did not answer me. Tell of your past few sevendays. How fared you with Mistress Rebecca?”

  Rebecca’s reassuring alerts were all very well, but the lack of serious trouble does not mean all went as it should. Rebecca would not have reported aught that might distract or distress Lilian. As it happens, the two sevendays were as uneventful as Rebecca reported. As Katleen finishes the recitation of her studies, Helena joins them and begins to set the table.

  Asked about the progress of her training, Katleen shrugs. “Third and Seventh Days were forms only for Adelaide’s Avoidance.”

  “Maman did not spar?” Lilian wonders. For several seasons, Lilian has augmented Katleen’s training in Sinead’s Discipline with the avoidance movements of Adelaide’s on Third and Seventh Days. In Lilian’s absence, she assumed Maman would use the bells for Sinead’s Discipline.

  “Maman said I should practice the forms so I would not lose the conditioning.” Katleen peers into the cooker.

  “Reasonable enough,” Lilian agrees, setting the table. “What of Rebecca?”

  “Mistress Rebecca was beyond blunt.” Katleen laughs, carefully pulling the fowl from the heat. “She said she could not offer sufficient martial instruction in two sevendays as you can in a day.” Placing the fowl on a serving plate, Katleen grins. “She showed me how to gloss my nails, curl my eyelashes, and add face pigment so one cannot tell it is there. She said they are secrets all women should know and now that I have started my cycles they are my secrets, too.”

  Lilian decides to forebear mentioning that she has no notion how to curl an eyelash and wishes to remain ignorant.

  “Seventh Day race training did happen,” Katleen goes on to assure Lilian as they take their places. “Maman accompanied us and Seigneur Trevelyan joined us.”

  “Quite a crowd for a bell of racing.” Lilian smiles, doing her best to hide her shock that Helena willingly ventured so far from the Garden Center Warrior Ring.

  “We toured the botanical gardens, too,” Katleen reveals. “Rebecca had not been.”

  “Even Seigneur Trevelyan?” Lilian is surprised the busy spymaster could give so much time to Katleen.

  “There is a time for combat and a time for respite and renewal,” Helena joins the conversation. “Battle will come again, soon enough.”

  “Maman?” Lilian sends her mother a sharp glance. Does she refer to Trevelyan’s Universalist background or something else?

  “Were the gardens of Fortuna lovely?” Helena replies as Katleen reaches into the foodkeeper once again.

  “The colors are very different, the plants are more blue than green, and the bay is a deep purple,” Lilian responds, eyeing Helena warily. Was there a hint of ‘prophecy’ in her mother’s remarks? “For all the oddness, once I became accustomed, I found the landscape soothing.”

  “Lilian,” Katleen sings, holding out a bowl. “Guess what came into season?”

  Strawberries. Smaller than the prohibitively expensive hothouse version available year round, the seasonal berries are deep red and the scent is as rich as the color.

  Eyes bright with excitement, Lilian reaches for the bowl. “They look wondrous.”

  “I told you I had a surprise for you,” Katleen returns smugly.

  »◊«

  “What a lovely fountain.” Estella curls into Lucius’ embrace, her legs twined with his on the chaise. “It is perfect here.” The narrow, intricate work of silver with gold and crystal rises almost six feet among the lush plantings Estella has used to turn the balcony off their suite into a private garden. The amethyst water is already yielding its unique sharp scent as the late-after-midday light makes the crystals shimmer and sparkle. “I adore it.”

  “I am pleased you enjoy it, my star.” Taking his wife’s hand, Lucius strokes gently across her palm. “The minerals are purported to promote health and well-being.”

  “Well they make a lovely color.” Estella smiles wistfully. Refusing self-pity, she turns the topic. “Did you have your will of Horatio? Is the SEV1 marvelous?”

  While Lucius relays the momentous events he would not trust to alerts, soft-footed servitors provide a meal. Strawberry and cream parfaits accompanied by sweet wine complete the meal. Spearing a strawberry, Lucius confronts his spouse. “Distract me no further. What is the news of Raphael?”

  With a bright smile, Estella announces, “Raphael has been in a brawl.” At Lucius’ glower, the smile becomes a grin. “Frown not, my love. Raphael did well in this, and he has learned to choose his companions more wisely.”

  Relaxing against the back of the chaise, Lucius wraps one arm around Estella. “Tease me no further. Tell me the whole of it. Who are these noble companions and what was the cause?”

  “They were Rachelle’s Chrys and that brilliant stork of an associate, Simon. Yes, Simon. According to Raphael, the man is amazingly fierce when provoked.”

  »◊« />
  “Maman, the wrap was wondrously successful,” Lilian says as she escorts Helena to her chamber. “Milord was well enough pleased that he wishes it in other hues.”

  “Fine feathers, fine birds,” Helena responds cryptically, her fingers twisting in the folds of her skirt.

  “Maman, what troubles you?” It is not Lilian’s imagination. Helena is on the verge of one of her ‘prophetic’ episodes.

  “Fine feathers, strong wings,” Helena replies, entering her chamber.

  Foreboding rising, Lilian quickly scans the vision panels. Naught is amiss in milord’s—the final few snake vines have not expanded and hold no buds. Turning to the Lilian panel, fear rips through her in an icy blast as she meets the gaze of a yellow-eyed wolf. The evil creature with matted hair, darkened teeth, and reddened gums can only be Seigneur Fenrir. The Fenrir wolf is hunting though Lilian’s panel, and it is hunting Lilian’s raven.

  For a wild moment, Lilian considers racing to milord with a visual. And voice what? ‘If you please, milord, the seigneur clearly wishes me ill. It is right here in the renderings of my Shade-ridden mother.’ He will think me as mad as Maman. Looking from the wolf to Helena, Lilian is attempting to form a question when her mother answers.

  “Fly straight.” Helena’s hands lock on Lilian’s shoulders. The seer’s eyes are wide, the pupils expanded, leaving only a rim of gray. “Fly straight or the wolf will consume you.”

  “Maman, please, be at peace.” Lilian places her hands over her mother’s, attempting to calm her.

  “Straight and fast,” Helena insists. “Fly straight and fast.”

  “Yes, Maman. As you will, Maman,” Lilian agrees, taking Helena’s hands and leading her to the bed. There is no purpose in pointing out that Lilian lacks wings.

  Sevenday 99, Day 2

  Waving off tea, Chin sinks into one of the comfortable chairs in Lucius’ office, “Evil dreams notwithstanding, Lilian does not show undue signs of strain. In fact, the symptoms are much reduced from what they were before the Fortuna trip. You did well in that.”