Bright Star

by E G Manetti

  Fletcher takes a hard blow to the ribs. Martin closes eagerly and is abruptly disarmed by a sharp blow to his forearm. The hateful protégé has no choice but to yield. Grudgingly, he bows to Fletcher.

  “Probably naught broken,” Rebecca remarks with disappointment as she and Chrys turn away.

  They leave Nickolas standing with his empty water vial, contemplating a now-empty match chamber and his honor.

  »◊«

  Lucius assesses his fellow governors as they lounge in the comfortable seating area of his office. It has been but two days since they last gathered. Sebastian is complacent. Elenora is unyielding. It matters not. Lucius had his will two days gone and he will have it this evening.

  Considering the Iron Hammer governor, Lucius detects a hint of discomfort. She does not believe her associate’s version of events, but Elenora will not quarrel with Sebastian and shame her house over the abuse of an apprentice. If Lucius leaves her cartouche unblemished in this, it is likely Elenora will yield.

  “Sebastian, I understand that Martin is consecrated to Sinead.” Lucius’ pleasant smile does not reach his eyes. “He will benefit from attending the Festival on Sinead’s World. He should leave immediately and remain for several sevendays.”

  “Martin cannot exit the planet,” Sebastian protests. “He must attend to the Bright Star formation.”

  “Martin has no place in Bright Star,” Lucius returns coolly, savoring his ability to thwart his rival. With the thwarting of Sebastian and Elenora’s shares intrigue, Lucius is in full control of Bright Star. He has absolute say over the members of the Serengeti contingent. Lucius intended to deny Martin a place all along. He but sought a convenient cause. He needs to seek it no longer.

  “Lucius, you cannot force me to exile my protégé,” Sebastian contradicts angrily. Lucius’ denial of a Bright Star role for Martin is a significant assault on Sebastian’s prestige. He will tolerate no more.

  “Wish you a Cartel protocol review, I will indulge you,” Lucius counters, steel entering the conversational tones.

  At the moment, Martin’s assault on Lilian is a matter of gossip, not Serengeti record. A Cartel protocol review might not prove the indictment of assault. It will publicly expose Martin’s dishonorable behavior, damage Grey Spear prestige, and hinder the protégé’s career far more than the lack of a Bright Star assignment.

  “Martin will return in time for the reception,” Sebastian states.

  The Bright Star reception is three sevendays hence. It is beyond custom for a protégé to be absent from his mentor for a longer duration. By then Lilian’s ribs will be sound and she will be less vulnerable. Lucius has achieved all he can for the moment.

  Turning his attention to Elenora, Lucius continues to work his will. “Master Roger will benefit from extended exposure to the Iron Hammer operations on Metricelli Deuce.”

  The Metricelli Deuce Vistrite seigneur is a man of rigid warrior principle and close kin to Lucius. Does the associate violate the most minor of strictures, his contract will be forfeit.

  Roger owes his place to kin ties with Serengeti Legalistics Seigneur Herman, also of Iron Hammer. The associate’s work is sound. His temperament is unreliable. After this latest debacle, his political sense is also in question. A season on Metricelli Deuce may teach him to be more careful in his actions. His absence will distance Iron Hammer from this disgraceful episode. Elenora can concede to Lucius and benefit her house at the same time. “Roger is scheduled for advanced associate training on Metricelli Deuce. He will be absent headquarters until Socraide’s Festival.”

  Socraide’s Festival occurs shortly after the new year, almost five months distant.

  7. Canon Recitation

  As each of the Five Warriors stepped into eternity, their descendants and chief retainers established an annual festival to celebrate their great achievements. As those who knew the Five Warriors began to journey to the Shades, the few remaining rushed to document the Five Warriors’ deeds and teachings.

  The collected and annotated records of the defeat of anarchy and the rise of order became the Five Warrior canons. While all five canons agree on the central events, each canon has a distinct viewpoint and includes segments unique to the history of its Warrior. Comparison revealed conflicts in the histories, particularly in references to Adelaide Warleader, who appears in all five canons.

  Dedicated to preserving the Five Warriors’ legend, archivists congregated to share their records and resolve canon conflicts. By the early decades of the second century, the shrine centers emerged. By the third century, these became the Warrior Sects and the Warrior Rings. ~ excerpt from The Foundations of Order, a scholarly treatise.

  Sevenday 27, Day 6

  Adelaide’s thorn! An incautious gesture turns a dull ache sharp. In the privacy of her chamber, Lilian has not bothered to dress as she attempts the contemplative movements of Adelaide’s Discipline. As the pain recedes, she begins anew and more carefully. I am the sum of my ancestors. Better.

  Absent of rugs, the floor is cold beneath Lilian’s feet. The chill fern-green and silver tiles hamper the warming of her muscles while helping keep Lilian alert. Located at the top of the entry stairs, Lilian’s chamber is small in comparison with Helena’s and Katleen’s. A single glazed double door opens to a small barren courtyard balcony instead of the two in Helena’s and Katleen’s larger, but no less spartan, chambers.

  I am the foundation of my family. I will not fall. Compared to the graceful movements Chrys witnessed at Lilian’s consecration, her efforts are slow and clumsy. Sweat runs along Lilian’s back and dampens the blue-black tattoo between her right hip and the base of her spine. Adelaide’s Mark, sometimes known as Socraide’s Kiss, was applied at Lilian’s consecration some months gone. Dedicated to Adelaide Warleader in her fourth year, Lilian could not be undedicated with the ruin. At the end of the dry season, Lilian executed the consecration ritual with Chrys and Katleen as witnesses. She does not know that happenstance placed Trevelyan in the shrine or that he reported all to Lucius.

  Lucius, in turn, finds it surprisingly pleasing that his apprentice’s tattoo, a stylized version of the marks Socraide left on Adelaide after two periods of combat, resembles a raven’s wing.

  Honor is my blade and shield. Adelaide’s contemplation forms are not the strenuous exercises of battle conditioning. They are designed to foster control of mind and body. Honor knows not fear. As Lilian’s ribs and back resist her movement, she abbreviates some motions. Honor endures. Lilian promised milord and Master Chin she would be cautious. She will not be foresworn. Some movements are omitted entirely. Honor acts as duty commands.

  Deep in her discipline, Lilian works her damaged body. I will not fall.

  Controlling pain and careful of the Master Medic’s instruction, she is oblivious to the chamber’s few furnishings. A worn silk coverlet of faded celestial blue trimmed in rose and bronze covers a bed that lacks headboard and footboard. Next to the bed is a small table with a record strip box and her Cartel slate on a steel stand. The chest of drawers covers a small section of the wall near the chamber entrance. On its cracked and pitted jade surface rests Lilian’s personal slate from her university days. A worn cordovan leather chair, retained for its comfort, is set to the far right of the balcony doors.

  With steadfast determination, sweat streaming, Lilian works stiffened muscles and bruised flesh until they surrender to her will.

  Under shower jets of hot water, a number of the yellow ointment patches dissolve to reveal lightly discolored and tender flesh. The master medic’s potions are amazingly efficacious.

  »◊«

  “George?” Lucius sets aside his slate as George expertly navigates the congested roadways between Lucius’ Garden Center home and Serengeti. Having worked through his morning alerts, Lucius will use what remains of the half-period transit to learn what he can about Lilian’s home. Despite Trevelyan’s considerable efforts, George remains his only agent to have penetrated the shuttered h
ouse.

  “There is little.” George sighs. “I carried Mistress Lilian into the house and up the stairs to her chamber. It is the first at the top of the stairs, and I could not penetrate the gloom of the corridors shadowed from the courtyard covers.”

  “Lilian’s mother? Her sister?” Lucius presses.

  With a smile, George replies, “The seer was certain in her will and attended by three of Sinead’s acolytes. They escorted me to Mistress Lilian’s chamber, supervised as I placed her on the bed, and all but shoved me from the house. Sinead’s adherents are fierce.”

  Fierce? Devious and vicious are Sinead’s traits. Shaking his head to dismiss the stray canon reference, Lucius continues his interrogation. “Naught more on the household or its leanings?”

  This was George’s third entrance into the ancient house. For the first two, he was unable to explore past the entry hall. This day he has little additional to offer. “Mistress Lilian is not self-pampering. Her chamber holds a bed with a side table, a chest with drawers, and a chair with a side table. All are of excellent quality, now worn past resale. Lilian’s chamber is secure.”

  Interesting. Lilian’s personal habits are as austere as her Raven persona. Adelaide’s consecrated adheres to the old ways. Holds she true faith? It is a thought for another day. Headquarters nears; Lucius can continue this later. For now he will know, “Mistress Katleen?”

  “She was not present when I returned Mistress Lilian to her home,” George says, his smile deepening with recall of the blithe redhead. “She has been diligent in communication, wishing to assure her sister’s well-being.”

  “What concerns her about Lilian?” Lucius demands sharply.

  “Mistress Lilian wished to attend Sinead’s Festival, insistent she had your leave, Monsignor,” George explains.

  “I did grant her liberty,” Lucius concedes and then becomes grim. Lilian is intelligent enough to know that is no longer his will. “That was before Martin’s assault.”

  “It is well, Monsignor,” George hastens, correctly interpreting Lucius’ burgeoning ire. “Master Chin granted permission for Lilian to attend the canon recitation. She was forbidden to rise at the dawn or remain for the festivities.”

  By tradition, the Warrior’s Shade arrives at the shrine with daybreak and departs at dusk. Those who would greet the Shade arrive at fourth bell after dark of night and kneel in vigil until sunlight touches the shrine.

  “Well enough,” Lucius replies, knowing Lillian will not defy his order that she must obey the master medic. Relaxing into his seat, Lucius adds, “I will review your communications from Mistress Katleen.”

  »◊«

  The elaborate pentagonal structure of Sinead’s Shrine in the Garden Center is rapidly reaching capacity as Lilian and Katleen enter with the eighth-bell chimes. Within the shrine, each wall supports a gallery where tableaus will proclaim one of the five quintets that comprise a canon. Including the intervals between quintets, the recitation of Sinead’s Canon requires three periods.

  After acknowledging Helena, who is attending the sacred flame, Lilian and Katleen slide into an obscure corner of the section reserved for Sinead’s acolytes. A courtesy rendered them as daughters of Sinead’s Seer, and for the convenience of the Sinead’s Shrine Keeper, who will not risk disruption to the Fifth Warrior’s sacred rituals by those who revile Remus Gariten’s tainted offspring.

  Knowledge of the keeper’s purpose does not lessen Lilian’s appreciation of the well-concealed position. Concealed is not the same as invisible. A number of Serengeti seigneurs are consecrated to Sinead, and several of those are of Grey Spear. One kneels or stands during a canon recitation. The infirm are permitted seating that Lilian has refused. Tired by the short walk from Katleen’s house, Lilian accepts she will spend most of this observance on her knees.

  As the first quintet completes, Katleen whispers, “Use my shoulder to rise.”

  In the intervals between quintets, it is customary to stand while prayers are offered and the sacred flame renewed. It is well Lilian worked the forms this morning. With Katleen’s shoulder aiding her balance, Lilian’s limbs and ribs protest but do not halt her rising. To any observers, Lilian’s light touch to Katleen appears no more than a quick gesture of affection or guidance.

  Lilian enjoys the canon recitations, intrigued by the sect variations on the events that created modern society. Except for the challenges of finding her knees and then her feet, Lilian is unaware of discomfort as she contemplates the legend of the Five Warriors through the prism of Sinead’s Canon.

  »◊«

  “Maman is in good spirits,” Katleen remarks happily as the sisters wait for the shrine to empty. They will not risk Lilian being jostled by chance or design.

  Maman is remarkably lucid. When Mr. George carried Lilian into Katleen’s house, Helena was waiting with three shrine attendants. Under Helena’s direction, George settled Lilian on her bed and then was forced to retreat. The shrine attendants aided Lilian in disrobing and in the use of the freshening closet. One remained in attendance until after Lilian’s evening meal.

  It was a remarkable courtesy, for which Lilian is grateful. The Shrine is careful of the seer but offers Lilian little aid due to resistance from those who disdain her and the sentencing protocol that will send Lilian to the Final Draught if she is given special consideration.

  “I regret I could not greet Sinead with the dawn,” Lilian replies, “although Maman was serene enough when we arrived.”

  After Helena’s wildness two days gone, Lilian worried that the strain of the early rising and the pressure of the festival observances would overset the seer.

  “Maman has not failed to greet Sinead since she was consecrated,” Katleen muses. “I think she finds it reassuring, not strenuous.”

  Lilian nods in understanding. She recalls being unsettled the day her apprentice duty took her to the Cartel instead of greeting Adelaide at Jonathan’s Festival. She does not truly believe the Shades arrive and retreat with the sun, but something about the ritual is reassuring.

  “Lilian, why do the Shades only come with the sun?” Katleen could have been reading Lilian’s mind.

  “Katleen, the Shades are not limited by the sun.” Lilian’s face softens in response. At eleven Katleen is questioning traditions that most never even consider. “The daylight tradition is a symbolic counter to Anarchy. All action that is true to Adelaide and the Five Warriors can be done publicly and in the full light of day.”

  “So truly, the Shades do not depart with the sun to hunt and devour the Servants of Anarchy,” Katleen follows the thought.

  “As there are many Servants of Anarchy that require devouring during daylight, I doubt the Shades hold their justice in deference to the sun,” Lilian suggests, shifting to ease aching bones and sore muscles. “Such was not their nature when they lived. The tradition that the Shades depart with the sun is to remind us that while the Shades offer grace, they will not carry us.”

  “We must walk the path we are given and work the snares as we must.” Katleen dutifully recites a canon stanza that Lilian has heavily reinforced since their ruin.

  “As your path holds a tomorrow with the company of Master Chrys and Mistress Rebecca, I think you should be brighter,” Lilian gently teases. She is rewarded when Katleen’s somber expression is lit by a sunny smile at the reminder.

  “Katleen, will you assist in the pavilions?” A senior acolyte approaches the sisters.

  After a canon recitation, pavilions erected on the shrine’s grounds offer refreshments to the devoted of all stations. For the elite, special entertainment is provided in the Shrine Quarters, with the junior acolytes and the prelates’ minor children acting as escorts. It is an honor to receive such attention and equal honor to provide it. Both Katleen and Lilian have served as escorts. Now even the commoner pavilions will not receive Lilian.

  “Maman wishes my escort for Lilian,” Katleen politely refuses, swallowing her distress. Smile. Lilian would inst
ruct a smile. The acolyte is well intended. As much as Katleen regrets the loss of the festivities, she could not bear the humiliation of being a pavilion attendant, having once been an escort.

  Laying a hand on Katleen’s shoulder, Lilian forces a small smile. “The seer is adamant that Katleen remain with me this day. Serengeti’s master medic has forbidden me the festivities.”

  Lilian’s voicing of Helena’s will is accurate without being specific. The seer’s exact words were, “Sinead has overtasked Adelaide. It is time to yield a liege’s protection.”

  Avoiding the festivities suited Lilian’s inclinations as well as adhering to Master Chin’s strictures. Even had matters been other, Lilian would have yielded to her mother’s clear instruction to rest. Shade-ridden and erratic, Helena is Lilian’s mother and eventual ancestor. She will be honored to the best of Lilian’s ability.

  Nor does Lilian wish Shrine entanglements to add to her challenges. Her mother’s ‘prophetic’ announcements about Adelaide and Sinead reflected canon history and suggested Sinead’s Shrine owed a duty to Lilian.

  Adelaide Warleader was kinswoman to Sinead Standingbear, served as Jonathan Metricelli’s battle general, and eventually became Socraide Omsted’s consort. At one time or another, all three Warriors claimed a liege’s privilege to command Adelaide’s duty and owned a liege’s obligation to protect her.

  Lilian is not about to suggest to a shrine attendant that Sinead’s Sect is somehow responsible for Martin’s dishonorable attack or that it owes her protection. Nor can Lilian fathom how it could be true. Truly, Maman is incomprehensible.

  »◊«

  “Lilian, the master medic will not be pleased does he learn of this,” Katleen scolds.