Bilrak stood in front of her, shaking his hand, his lips curled downward. “Your sword has a bite to it.” He gathered himself. “I’m sorry. I just had to touch it. Sol is a legend. I’ve never seen it away from its guardian statue. When Sol glowed moments ago, it was brilliant.”
“Can I have my water and rest now like you promised?”
“I didn’t promise water.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
Maybe they rationed water here. She eyed the waterfall and the small river flowing through the city. From the looks of things, they had plenty.
Shae stepped forward. “Sir, give her water. I’d give you the same courtesies were you in the same position as us.”
Bilrak grunted, standing still and not budging.
Chan clapped and rubbed his hands together. “Right, well, I’ll give her water from my supply. After all, Bilrak, water freely gives itself to you. Wouldn’t you think it’d freely give itself to all?”
Bilrak snorted, then turned and walked away. “Show her to a bed. Shae, follow me. We have much to discuss.”
Ali grimaced. “My Guild, that guy is a grump.”
Shae stepped toward Bilrak after gently squeezing Ali’s forearm. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Be careful.”
“Will do.”
Ali watched as her dad made his way to Bilrak’s side. They walked toward an immense palace-like structure, its white casing and golden roof shining.
“It's their personality,” said Chan.
Ali turned to face the Anunnaki. “What?”
“The Bawn are usually grumpy, but I find it strangely charming. You get used to it after a while.” Chan stretched his arm outward, motioning down a cobblestone road off the main street. “Shall we go to my dome? You can sleep there, and I’ll wander the streets until you wake.”
“Sure.” Ali needed some shut-eye. Her eyelids were becoming heavy even though the sword seemed to give her a bit of energy.
They made their way down several roads, past metallic statues, and to a large, circular stone dome.
“My home away from home, as the Bawns say.”
Ali walked into Chan's dome, ducking under the short archway. She flopped onto a bed, too tired to investigate the dome and its windows, furniture, kitchen, faucet, and more.
She scrunched up a pillow at the head of the bed, patting it to make it fluffy. “Good night, Chan.”
“Good night.” He walked out of the dome, closing the door behind him.
She stretched her body and laid her head on the pillow. She closed her eyes, smacking her lips. “I need this sleep so badly.” Her hands and legs twitched as a vision flashed in her mind. A Knights Templar statue, the very statue that held the sword that Ali rested on the bed by her side. She attempted to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like five-ton weights.
“Alison,” said the Templar, his body again now flesh, the statue’s stone shed from his body. He bowed. “You and your father are the Chosen Ones, that is true, but let your father go, let him experience his way, his truth, his journey. Let him go, Alison. Let him go.”
Ali’s eyelids shot open, and she stared at the dome ceiling, her breaths coming fast from the sudden vision, her stomach fluttering with nerves. Her heart pained, and she rested her palm on her chest. “Let him go?”
What did that mean? Was he going to die? Did Bilrak take him to the slaughter? Were they going to throw him out of the city?
She closed her eyes, wanting to talk with the Space Templar, wanting to ask dozens of questions that entered her mind.
Blackness filled her vision. “Space Templar, where are you?”
“Let him go, Ali. They will not allow him to remain in the city. Let him go.”
She squeezed her eyelids, doing her best to focus. “He’s leaving? Why? Please tell me. Please.”
No response.
“Tell me.”
Silence.
She let out a big gush of air and bolted to a sitting position. She pushed out of bed and stood, adrenaline giving her a blast of energy. “Dad, you’re staying with me.” He’s not thinking of leaving me, is he? She shook her head. No way he’d do something like that. They’d just reunited.
She straightened her lips and tightened her jaw muscles. If Bilrak had plans other than to welcome her father into this grand city, then she’d find the king, and stop whatever those plans may be.
She grasped Sol and rushed toward the door. She wouldn’t let Bilrak or anyone harm one hair on her father’s head or force him to leave.
Not now. Not ever.
4
Shae
Eos—Mount Gabriel
Bilrak crossed his arms, leaning back as he walked into his large palace. “Welcome.”
Fancy stone chairs with intricate patterns sat in the foyer, the floor some type of glossy, smooth dark rock. Stairs on both sides of the foyer led up to a large landing. Beneath the landing, and on either side of the entryway, it split into several hallways, leading to places too dark for Shae to see.
“Have a seat.” Bilrak gestured toward the middle of the room at two short chairs with a round table in between them. A lantern on the table glowed brightly, the rest of the room lit by lanterns attached to the white, bare walls.
Shae took a seat and a male Bawn servant with a long silver beard, pale skin, and a dark green dress-like robe, waddled from a hallway with two steaming mugs in his hands.
He placed the mugs on the table and walked out of the large room in a hurry, keeping his eyes off both men.
Bilrak sat and motioned to the drink closest to Shae. “Root tea. Drink. It revitalizes the soul.”
Shae took a sip, his nose wrinkling on its own. It was bitter, yet it felt good going down, the liquid tingling inside his mouth.
He let out a satisfied, “Ah,” and dipped his head. “Thank you.” He folded his hands in his lap, straightening in his posture. “Now, what is this about?”
Bilrak snapped his fingers, his face like stone, his eyes penetrating Shae’s soul.
The same servant rushed back in the room with a large book in his hands and dropped it on the table. A cloud of dust parted upward from the book, and Bilrak leaned forward, blowing more dust off the book’s cover.
Shae leaned forward, studying the large item.
Worn by age, framed by wood, the middle of the cover bore a picture of a man in armor, perhaps a Bawn. The figure held a bright sword edged in purple.
That must be Sol, thought Shae.
Bilrak inched forward, licking his finger, and flipped through the book. He read several passages, his lips moving, though no words escaped his mouth.
He turned the page, then paused and grunted. His finger moved down several lines. “Yes, right here.” He tapped his finger on the page. “Yes, yes. This was what I was looking for.” He looked up. “I used to read this every day, so I have a lot of what’s written here locked away in storage.” He patted his head. “But as I age, my memory locks more into the storage without letting it out.”
Shae leaned in further, his brows furrowed. “What exactly does it say?”
Bilrak closed the book, and shifted in his seat, resting on the chair’s backrest. He stroked his beard, again staring deeply into Shae’s eyes. “I’m afraid you have to leave.”
Shae cocked his head to the side. “Excuse me?” He shook his head. “Leave to where, exactly?”
He’d just met his daughter after twenty years of feeling an emptiness he couldn’t pinpoint, and now for the first time he could remember, he felt whole again. He wanted more than anything to speak with her, enjoy her company, and get to know her more.
Leaving was out of the question. At least, not yet. He planned on helping her with her mission to help Sirona, not duck out of here the first chance he got.
“It speaks of two Chosen Ones in this prophecy book.” Bilrak laid his hand on the cover. “This book is known as the Bawn Seer and has never steered us wrong.”
Shae crossed
his arms and sat straighter. “Go on.” None of this sounded promising, and he held down the anger that wanted to rise.
“Yes, yes.” The Bawn King bobbed his head up and down, then took a long, hefty drink. He set the mug down and belched, patting his stomach. “Drink more.”
Shae would rather not, but to appease the man, he took another sip, swallowing the strong concoction. “Like I said, you need to give me more information. I will not leave for the sake of leaving.” In fact, he wouldn’t leave at all, not without Ali. Perhaps the guy didn’t like another strong leader in his presence. Maybe it made the king feel less superior.
If that was the case, then Shae would give him more leeway, would stay a few paces back. But ending his and his daughter’s reunion was not happening. Shae had his sidearms holstered around his waist and would stand up to anyone trying to break his new, growing bond with his daughter.
“You run a group called Star Guild, according to the prophecy book. Is that correct?”
Shae nodded. “It says Star Guild?”
Bilrak leaned back more, sizing Shae up and down. “Don’t question the Bawn Seer.” He continued. “One Chosen would choose Sol, the other Chosen would not. The one without the sword belongs to Star Guild, the one with the sword belongs with us. You, my friend, are a strong leader, and according to the great book, now stronger after reuniting with the one with the sword. Your daughter, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Your Star Guild.” He snorted. “It’s such a silly name, but your Guild won’t survive long without your leadership. You’re a missing piece in their puzzle right now.”
Shae pushed out his lips, his gut falling to his knees. He didn’t like the sound of Star Guild not surviving. It tore at his insides, and he shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “You’re sure this book is accurate?”
“You’re questioning the great book?” Bilrak shook his head. “The great Goddess spoke through our scribes long ago, scribes without names, for they don’t take credit for the goddess's work.” He straightened his lips. “No one questions the Goddess.” He shook his head and let out a huff. “Your starbase, one the book calls Matrona, hovers near a green planet at this very moment?”
Shae swallowed hard. How the hell would a book know something like that? “Yes.”
Bilrak threw his hands out. “So, it is not wrong. You must go.”
Shae closed his eyes, his gut suddenly sparkling with nerves, not wanting to leave Ali. “I’m sorry, but if I leave, so does my daughter.”
Bilrak shook his head. “No, that will not happen.”
Shae stood, his hand on his holster, his nostrils flaring. “How would you like me to take one of your sons?”
Bilrak gazed at Shae’s hand that rested on his gun. He stood quickly, the chair tipping and falling, crashing on the floor. “You plan on killing one of my sons?”
Shae relaxed his hand, letting it fall by his side. “Of course not.” He stood, eyeing the small man. “But I tell you now, I’m not leaving until Ali leaves.”
Bilrak took a step forward, shoving the table into Shae’s knee. “What kind of leader would leave his people to the dogs?” He stepped back, shaking his head and picking up his chair. “Star Guild doesn’t deserve you. Your daughter doesn’t deserve a coward father, either.”
The man had a point. It pained Shae to no end that Star Guild needed him.
“One more thing,” said Bilrak. “Who is Helen?”
Shae froze, a hitch in his breath. “What do you mean?”
“The Seer Book mentions a Helen. She is your wife, isn’t she?” Shae nodded. “I can see it in your eyes, and your breathing is quickening.” He looked away, rubbing his knees as if he were getting antsy and bored with this meeting. “She will die if you do not go back to Star Guild.”
Shae stepped back, almost involuntarily. “How…would you know any of this?”
“Do not question the Bawn Seer.”
Shae crossed his arms, glaring down at the man. “Tell me how you would know any of this.”
“Do not—”
Shae put his hand up. “Yes. Do not question the Bawn Seer. But you don’t know how this book is so accurate, do you?”
The king looked away. “No.”
Shae sat, his insides turning, having a hard time with the information presented to him. That Star Guild may be in trouble, and his wife, Helen, may perish. “I can’t take Ali, no matter how much I ask, can I?”
Bilrak rested his index finger on the book. “She is ours until she fulfills her own prophecy.” Bilrak looked away as if hiding something.
“There is more to it, isn’t there?”
“There’s a reason my son, Harak, has a distaste for outsiders.” His eyes lowered. He quickly raised his chin, perhaps catching himself showing weakness. “But we are Bawn. We are strong, no matter what comes.”
“What’s coming?”
“With the sword bearer’s arrival, two changes occur. We leave the mountain for good, never to return, and a death in the family.”
Shae sucked in, not liking the death part, fearing for his daughter. “Who dies?”
“Someone of royalty. Harak believes it’s one of my own, either him or Thun.”
“Why doesn’t he think it’s you or the queen?”
“He believes his mother and father are gods and nothing can kill us. He’s wrong, but there isn’t any changing his mind. We do not dwell on that. What comes, comes. What happens, happens. We are strong and do not fear death. But you must go, please. Leave before I force you out.”
Shae wiped his hand across his forehead, wishing he could wipe away this conversation and the reality of it all. “So, I have to leave and rejoin Star Guild.” He exhaled sharply. “And I can’t take my daughter.” He bit his cheek, nodding. “I guess I’m between a rock and a hard place.”
Bilrak grinned. “As are all leaders.” He grunted again. “The great book, the Bawn Seer, is demanding you take your place back on the Star Guild throne.”
Shae dipped his head. His job description called for saving humanity above all else. An oath, a life mission. “How quickly do I have to leave?”
Bilrak stood. “Now. There will be no compromise. We stick to the prophecies. If you don’t leave on your own free will, like I said, we kick you out.” He extended his arms out wide. “There are more of us than there are of you. We won’t hesitate to hurry your exit.”
The front door flew open, and there stood a heaving Ali, Sol in hand, purple flames sparking off the sword’s edges.
Shae stood.
Bilrak went for his belt, pulling out an axe, holding it up at his ear, ready to heave it at the intruder.
Shae put his hand up. “Stop.” He walked to Ali and stood in front of her, his back to Bilrak. “Are you all right?”
Ali loosened her grip on Sol, her eyes drifting from Bilrak to Shae, the sword’s purple flames dying down. She lowered her head. “I-I had this…” She looked down, her eyes to the floor, her voice soft. “I have to say goodbye to you, don’t I? I have to let you go.” She bit her bottom lip, her chin quivering. “But I just found you. We just met again after...” She sniffed. “…Dad. Please stay.”
Shae wrapped her in a hug. “I’m sorry, Ali. If this was a perfect world, I’d have my life with you and Helen, always. But right now, I have to join Star Guild, and it’s immediate.”
“But we just—”
Shae pushed away, grasping her shoulders and crouching slightly to see eye to eye with her. “We’ll be together again soon. Do you understand? We just have some kinks to work out, then you and I will not only reunite, but we’ll reunite with your mother as well.”
Ali cringed and took a long step back. Her eyes shifted to Bilrak, the sword sparking up again. It diminished in strength as she lessened her hold. She looked up at the ceiling and let out a big sigh. “Okay, but let me escort you out.”
Shae forced a smile. “I’d like nothing more.”
5
Di
ana
Eos
Diana glanced out of the transport ship’s window.
She didn't know the Anunnaki ship's exact class type, though it seemed a more advanced Star Guild Starjumper design. The designers for this ship made large seats for the Anunnaki, a race twice a human’s width and height. The rest of the craft screamed bigger as well, made for giants.
“I assume you're still pleased with our agreement?” said Enlil.
Diana looked at the man across the aisle. Strong arms and broad shoulders, a long beard covered his cheeks and chin, matching his flowing red hair. He wore a black coat with yellow trim that draped to his knees and coordinating black pants.
“I’m still pleased with the contract,” she replied.
A portion of the agreement within the contract guaranteed, and gifted, Starship Sirona, Captain Diana Johnson, and her nearly ten-thousand-member crew a habitable moon in another system. All in exchange for disabling her race’s weapon’s array, scrambling her race’s radar when the Anunnaki first attacked, and making it as difficult as humanly possible for Star Guild to defend themselves against Enlil’s rookie fleet.
“And you’re fine with the agreement we had with Sirona?” he said.
Said contract stated that Enlil would use Sirona for a short time as a shooting target for his rookie pilots and novice infantry. Nothing more, nothing less. Once training ceased, Enlil would allow Diana to turn Sirona’s engines back on and fly to the promised moon.
She bit her tongue. The agreement had taken a lot longer than she originally estimated. “I’m fine,” she lied.
Enlil slammed his fist against his seat’s armrest, wincing in obvious pain. “You didn’t kill Chief Petty Officer Alison Johnson.” He bared his teeth. “Why?”
Diana’s hair stood on end, her eyes widening. “I don’t know. I tried, but she had help. She knew what I was about to do.” She swallowed, her nerves trying to rise.
He peered into her eyes. “Are you nervous?” Enlil swept his hands through the air, wincing again. Clearly, he was fighting against an acute injury. “Everything went as planned.” He glared at her. “Except for one tiny little thing.” He patted his chest. “That little thing almost killed me.”
Backlash Rising Page 4