The Lost Star's Sea

by C. Litka

  03

  'Captain Litang and I had a very interesting and enlightening conversation this morning...'

  Naylea shot me a dark, questioning look.

  'I dislike secrets, even ones dictated by sensible policy and since you're a special case in several respects, I believe it is best just to give you the complete picture of the Laezan Order,' began Malin, after we had all gathered in his office. He then began to outline the extent of the Order within and without of the shell reef of the Tenth Star concluding with, 'I trust that you agree, like your white-sashed brethren, to keep this knowledge to yourselves. I must ask for your word of honor on that.'

  'I am honored,' said Py. 'You have my word of honor, and my thanks!'

  We all echoed Py, including the dragons, ever the humorists.

  'Good. As for your return, our regular courier ship is expected to arrive within the next dozen rounds or so. You can travel on that, if you care to tour the province. It makes a circuit through the Aeracartia Islands and the Tinsar Islands before calling on Saraime Island. You'd not reach the Dontas for some 270 rounds or more. However, if you're in a hurry I can get you to the Dontas in less than 50 rounds. I happen to have a special courier shuttling between here and the Dontas that should arrive shortly as well. You might be familiar with it, TrinNatta. It's a survivor of the Cimmadar battle - a small transport. As such it has outside technology on it, making it unsuitable for all but our most senior members. In fact, you might be familiar with it's captain, one LyeCarr, late of the Imperial Navy and the old regime...'

  'LyeCarr!' Trin exclaimed, breaking into a rare wide smile. 'Carr and I went through the Imperial Officer's Academy together. I am so happy that he survived,' she exclaimed, and turning to Py added, 'We became the best of friends, though we were fierce rivals at the Academy. Carr was always so social, so bold, so daring - reckless, even - and so successful in everything he did, while I was none of those, save successful, and that, only in my career. Our approaches could not have been more different. I believe our instructors took wicked delight in teaming us together because we'd argue about every little detail in a plan, or in Carr's case, lack of any details in his plans. I thought it cruel at the time. Perhaps they may've hoped that Carr would become a little more cautious and I a little more bold. If so, it didn't work. Still, in the end, it welded us into great friends. And though our operating styles never changed, we always managed to succeed in every mission we were assigned, both in school and in the resistance. Oh, I am so very happy Carr survived! You'll like him. He was always cheerful and fearless. Much like you.'

  'I'm delighted for you and your friend. I'm eager to meet him,' said Py sincerely. Clearly, they'd come a long way in understanding each other during our two round walk in the woods. Though what that understanding was remained a mystery.

  Malin laughed. 'I can assure you that LynCarr hasn't changed. He's still as social, bold and daring as ever - though we don't give him much scope to be bold and daring. Currently I have him running routine errands between the Donta Islands and The Hermitage.'

  'How did he survive and find his way here?'

  'I should let him tell you his story - he makes quite an amusing epic of it. Suffice it to say that at the battle, he was in command of a rocket battery on one of the islands that the rebels hoped to draw the Empress's forces into. The battle was settled before it ever reached his island, but the battery was eventually attacked by the small ships, forcing him and his surviving crew to withdraw inwards in a small boat, as many others did as well. The great storm that many also experienced caught his boat in the open sky and wind-driven debris battered it to pieces. Carr ended up being blown along with all the other debris. As the wind died, he managed to climb onto the back of a Grey Scavenger dragon that was too battered and discouraged to care. The dragon carried him to one of the Cataria islands where they amiably parted ways. He then made his way to Martia Peak Community where he settled as a teacher of martial arts until he showed a talent for fixing steam engines. His sort of talent is rare in these parts, so we invited him here to join our staff, and, as I said, now commands our ex-Cimmadar transport.

  'And now, if you care to follow me, I believe I still have even more surprises in store for you. Though perhaps we should make our first stop the infirmary. We're equipped with a full med unit that should be able to finish the healing of LinPy's shoulder in a few minutes. And perhaps, while we wait, you can tell me more about the unbelievable items you left out, last round.'

  'Lead on,' Py said cheerfully. 'Wilitang told me about these machines. I would certainly like to get back to full strength again.'

  Chapter 46 The Secret Hermitage