by Nesa Miller
Etain found herself seated between her brother and Aramis, chieftain of the Dragon clan. Inferno and Linq, at the head of the table, sat on either side of a man in unusual garb. She leaned toward her brother and quietly asked if he knew the strange man in red, white, and blue robes.
Robert whispered, “That's Cappy, an Alamir Ambassador.”
“Really? How do you know him?”
Catching Cappy's eye, she flashed him a dazzling smile. He tipped his head, smiling in return. A man on the other side of Inferno drew his attention away. Etain recognized Thoric, all in black, engaged in a lively conversation.
“It’s important to business,” Robert said.
On the other side of Aramis was a beautiful young woman dressed in robes in shades of blue. Etain couldn’t tell the color of her hair from the blue scarf wrapped around her head, but her brows were dark and her eyes turquoise blue. Etain politely asked the Dragon chieftain for an introduction.
“Etain, may I introduce the Lady Ambassador Rhapsody. Rhaps, this is Etain of the LOKI clan.”
“Nice to meet you, Lady Ambassador. Welcome to Laugharne.” Etain smiled at the woman. “But I’m afraid the LOKI boat sailed a long time ago.”
Aramis raised a brow. “Sorry, Etain. I hadn’t heard. Perhaps I can finally convince you to join the Dragon clan.” He leaned toward Rhapsody. “I’ve been trying to entice this young lady to our ways for some time now.”
“From what I hear, she would be a valuable asset, Aramis,” Rhapsody said, a smile on her lips. “Etain, lovely to meet you. Please, call me Rhaps.” She offered her hand in friendship.
Etain accepted the gesture. “I didn’t realize I had a reputation.”
The man seated on the other side of Rhapsody leaned forward. “We’re Ambassadors. It’s our business to know the Alamir, especially those in close contact with our Krymerian friend.” His robes of white surged with electric light.
“Oh, stop it, Ohms.” Rhapsody waved him off. “Etain, this is Ohmslaw,” she said, introducing the fourth and final Ambassador. “He may not sound like it, but he and Dar have been friends for many years.”
“I don’t know that I would call our relationship…friendly,” Ohms grunted.
“Then shall we call it cordial?” Rhaps raised her brow.
He acknowledged her question with a slight nod of his head, then focused his dark eyes on the stunner in the red dress. “Good to meet you, Lady Etain. Congratulations on your recent marriage.” He smiled, searching the room. “Where is the big man? Don’t tell me the honeymoon’s already over.”
“Not at all.” She chuckled. “He had business elsewhere but should be back soon. I took the opportunity to catch up with my brother.” She motioned to Robert. “We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
From somewhere up the table, someone coughed. “Typical.” It was said just loud enough for Etain to hear. She turned her head, but everyone appeared engrossed in other conversations.
Ohms seemed not to have heard the remark as he carried on their conversation. “He must have lost his mind to leave your side. I see what attracted the man, but for the life of me, I cannot fathom the reverse.”
An uneasy feeling crept over Etain, as though she had entered a viper’s den. She’d not noticed it before, but the growing sense of hostility became hard to ignore. “Deeper than you can imagine, milord. Thank you.” He raised a brow at the unusual response, but another conversation pulled him away. She leaned toward Robert. “All these dignitaries... I feel so out of place.”
He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “You fit in fine.”
“This girl will never fit in,” a boisterous voice declared. Robert shot a virulent glare at a wall of a man looming on the other side of the table. “Look at her,” he said, grinning at a stunned Etain. “A damn sight for any sore eye.”
Her brother came to her defense. “Who are you to insult Lady Etain?”
“Me?” The big man laughed. “Why I’m-”
“Master G!” she exclaimed, vaulting most unladylike out of her chair. He watched her graceful dash around the table with an appreciative eye. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Need to know basis, E.”
Her eyes sparkled, drinking in all six-foot-five inches of her former chieftain. “It’s been such a long time.” Memories of her early Alamir days with this impossible man and her first clan, Darth, rushed in.
“It has been a helluva long time, but it looks like it’s been good to you.”
“I can say the same for you, Master G.” She grazed a hand over his nearly bald head. “Keeping it close to the cuff these days. I like it.” Etain was certain there was a hint of a blush in his cheeks.
Master G’s laugh rumbled throughout the room. “Glad you approve. It keeps the kiddies in line. But you… Hell.” His green-blue eyes appraised the once ragamuffin duckling, now a graceful, long-legged swan. “There’s nothing left to the imagination tonight. Good thing you didn’t dress like this when with the clan. I never would’ve let you run off.”
“I didn’t run off.” She feigned hurt feelings. “Besides, I know for a fact you weren’t interested.”
“Hmph. Dirty jeans and raggy t-shirts… Yeah, not a big turn-on.”
She lovingly punched him in a muscular arm. “I would’ve kicked your ass anyway.”
“Not in a million years, E.”
“How is the ragtag bunch of heathens?” she asked.
“We’re damn near respectable nowadays with a good-sized base of operations. I wish they could see how well you’re doing. You’ve been missed.”
“It would be good to see the boys again. Come, sit with us.” She pulled him to the table and pushed him down into a chair across from hers. “You stay right there.” Etain joined her brother and made the introductions. “I guess you know everyone else.”
“We are all well acquainted,” he laughed.
During the meal, Master G entertained those nearby with stories of the early days, interspersed by many a teasing joke. Etain laughed and joined in on a few of the tales, making sure he didn’t exaggerate too much. Robert sat back, watching and listening in silence.
Accolades to Swee for her imagination and culinary talents followed the successful dinner. With dessert served, the conversation moved to serious matters. The various chieftains expressed their concerns, offering opinions in the hopes of gaining a solution to the Bok'Na'Ra issue. The Ambassadors did what they did best…moderated, keeping everyone on topic and tempers in check.
Thoric broached a sensitive subject. “We must ensure the stones are secure.” He eyed each of the powerful chieftains as he spoke. “Have precautions been taken?”
Etain leaned toward Aramis. “What’re they talking about?”
“The stones of the Alamir,” he whispered.
“They must be awfully important.”
Rhapsody overheard her. “They’re extremely important, Lady Etain. Without them, the Alamir would not exist. They are the source of our powers.”
“Seriously? All this is based on a bunch of rocks?”
The Ambassador smiled. “They’re more than a bunch of rocks. Actually, the stones they speak of are all pieces of one.”
“Where’d it come from?” Etain lifted her wine glass, fascinated by the story.
“It was given to the original Alamir ages ago,” Aramis said. “No one knows from where it came. Only that it was given to Leictreacha.”
Rhapsody picked up the story. “In the beginning, it was passed from clan to clan every five hundred days so no one clan could claim a monopoly. It remained whole for many years, but when the clan wars began to rage, it was broken in an effort to weaken the storm. Not long after, the Council was formed and the pieces entrusted to the five strongest clans for safekeeping.”
“What happened to…? What was his name?” Etain asked.
“Leictreacha,” Robert said.
She gave him a curious look. “Leic…treacha. What happened to him?”<
br />
“He died.”
Etain blinked in response to her brother’s response. “How?”
Rhapsody explained. “Some believe it was the breaking of the stones that took his life.”
“Others say he lives in the pieces of the stone.” Master G leaned back in his chair. “The red piece is the fire of his heart.” He looked at Rhaps. “The blue represents the windows to his mind.” The green-blue eyes moved to Aramis. “Brown is the earth that grounds the body.” He came to Robert. “Green represents the wind that breathes life into the soul.” The last bit he saved for Etain. “Then there is the fifth piece, the silver shard…the unknown.”
She squirmed under his gaze. “I-I didn’t know you were so well-versed in the history of the Alamir, Master G.”
He shrugged. “It became a necessity.”
Intrigued by his statement, Etain leaned forward, elbows on the table. “History is good to know, but you seem to have gone beyond mere common interest. Why haven’t I heard all this before?”
Rhaps spoke before Master G had the chance. “Although we are Alamir, we are still human, and many have defected to the Bok. Only those in possession of the stones know of their existence these days. I suggest that whatever you learn tonight be kept in the utmost of confidence.”
“You said the pieces were given to the five strongest clans.” The Lady Ambassador nodded. “Then why are Dragon and Darth here? Sorry, Aramis, Master G,” Etain apologized. “And where is LOKI? Even I know they’re one of the five.”
“Lady Etain,” Thoric said, joining in the conversation. “Inferno explained the situation between Dar and his clan. We felt it best Aramis act as liaison to avoid complications.”
“And Master G?” She looked at the man himself.
Master G’s gaze roamed from Etain to her seemingly disinterested brother, then back to her. “Circumstances demanded someone step up as historian for the Alamir, someone to chronicle our past in order to better understand our future.”
His look at her brother told her there was more to it, but the day had been a long one. “Sounds like politics to me.” She pushed up from her chair. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll retire for the evening.”
“You make sure what was said tonight stays here,” a gravelly voice warned.
Etain looked toward the top of the table. Unfamiliar with the voice, she wasn’t sure who had spoken. “Excuse me?”
A rugged man with dark, close-cropped hair, sitting next to the FWH chieftain, stood. “Personally, I think we should follow the Krymerian’s selfish example and watch out for ourselves, leave the humans to their own demise. They have no appreciation for our intervention. But, as it seems to cause such distress among some of my colleagues…” He motioned to the others around the table, “I play the game. However, I believe they’ll all agree it’s best to keep Alamir business amongst the Alamir.”
“Tonos. Not cool,” Thoric said. “We’re not here to-”
He turned to the Ambassador. “It is the perfect time to address the failings of a man who struts through life as though he’s not responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Alamir.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Etain asked.
“It’s no surprise why he’s not here tonight to face the five clans. He knows all too well the reception he would receive. Instead, he sends his girl to spy and report.”
Etain felt a flush of anger warm her skin. “Are you talking about Dar?”
Inferno, several chairs up, came to his feet. “Our lass is no spy.”
Etain’s hand lingered over the steak knife at the side of her plate. “Who the hell are you to insult my husband?”
Aramis touched her arm. “Etain…”
The arrogant man laughed. “I am Tonos of the .com clan, and my point of view is shared by many in the Alamir. Even his own clan demands his extermination. If you ask me, we would all be better off.”
Her teeth clenched. “My husband has never killed an innocent.” The knife’s wooden handle felt smooth, cool to the touch, and fit comfortably in the palm of her hand.
“Tell that to my dead sister and her family,” he retorted.
Etain gauged the distance between herself and the hateful man. She also took into account the various obstacles standing in her way. Her eyes flashed as she disappeared in a blue shimmer, reappearing behind him. “Your clan isn’t part of the five. Why are you here?”
Arrogance shone in his eyes. “And you have no clan. Why are you here?”
“This is my home.” Her violet gaze held him fast. “Again, why are you here?”
Angel, Chieftain of FWH, turned in her seat. “It has been a long journey for some of us. Tonos was chosen as my escort to ensure my safety.”
Etain eyed the woman with honey-blonde hair. “One of your own wasn’t good enough?”
Indignant, she answered, “If you must know, .com is one of the best clans when it comes to combat.”
“Maybe we should see how good he really is.” Etain’s fingers twitched.
Tonos laughed. “You going to prick me with your little stick, girl?”
Etain looked at the weapon in her hand, then cut her eyes at Tonos and lunged. Inferno and Linq scrambled around the table.
“Etain!” Inferno yelled.
Robert shot up from his seat. Master G, the closest of them all, reached for Etain. The knife spun in her hand, light gleaming off the sharp tip as it neared Tonos’ heart. Robert arrived just in time to pull Angel out of the way.
Tonos sidestepped just as the blade breezed past his chest, Etain slamming the knife into the tabletop. “That was for effect.” Her breath rasped in his face as five talons extended from her knuckles. “These are for you.”
Master G leaped forward as Linq yanked Tonos away. The deadly talons stopped centimeters from G’s face, Etain’s wrist caught in his fierce grip. “I think it’s time you called it a night, E.”
“Let…me…go.”
“The murdering bastard’s taught you well, girl.” Tonos continued his taunts.
“I…am…his…wife!” A blue charge shot from her free hand, hitting Tonos in the chest and throwing him into Inferno, knocking both men into the other guests. Chairs, people, and dishes clattered across the floor.
“Shut him up,” Master G yelled. “Release these things, E,” he commanded, tightening his already firm grip.
Her focus was on the big-mouthed man struggling to get to his feet. “Dar is not a murderer.”
“Neither are you. Now put ‘em away,” Master G ordered. The lethal projections slipped out of sight as she pushed away. “Where the hell did those come from?”
“Will you be here in the morning?” she asked, too wired to answer his question.
“If Inferno doesn’t kick us out.”
“I will see you before you go.” She turned to her former dinner companions. “Rhaps, Ohms, it’s been a pleasure. Aramis, it was good to see you again.” Each murmured a good night. She opened her mouth to utter a general good night when a new face stepped through the doorway. Dark brown eyes held hers for a long moment as he walked into the dining hall. Etain felt strange, like nothing she had felt before…not even with Dar. She watched the young man approach Master G and whisper into his ear.
21
Flashes of light
Alamir, we have a problem,” Master G announced.
At that same moment, two dark-skinned young men appeared in the doorway of the dining hall. All eyes turned, watching them enter the room.
“Krz,” Angel said. “What’re you doing here?”
“Pardon the interruption, folks, but the situation is critical. Timing is crucial. We’ve acquired a new entry that will get us into the human realm faster and should prove a lot safer for our people.”
“Where?” Tonos asked.
Kane stepped up next to his brother. “No time to explain now. We have to move.”
Inferno shot Tonos a warning glare as he passed by the man. “What the hell is it n
ow?”
“Bok agents have been spotted in the human realm, and in too many locations to be random,” Kane said.
“How long ago?” Thoric demanded amidst the bustle of people hastily preparing to depart.
“Within the past hour,” Master G said.
“Hour?” Thoric looked at Ohms and Rhaps, who came around to join him. Cappy took over command. “Angel, Tonos, how soon can you get people on the move?”
Angel snapped on her utility belt equipped with throwing stars, nunchaku, a set of sai, and two butterfly knives. “We have a bigger problem. The COL fortress has been breached.”
Tonos pressed the communicator in his ear. “Ant and Tim are on their way to COL with a crew.”
“Is anyone hurt, Natas?” Thoric asked the COL chieftain.
“Too early to confirm. The Don says the east wall has fallen. It’s total mayhem.”
Cappy looked at Natas. “Let us know if you need more.”
“Will do,” he said on his way out the door.
UKElyte and S-A-F advised they had teams waiting for further instructions. All they needed was to know where to go.
“Kane can meet UKElyte and take them through,” said Krz. “I’ll go to S-A-F-”
“By the time you’d get there, they could already be in place,” said Thoric. “Get UKElyte. If your location proves itself, we’ll consider it for future use.”
Etain approached Thoric. “I can be changed in five.”
“No, lass. Stay here with yer brother.” Inferno lifted a hand at her intended rebuke. “Ya had a long few days and need yer rest. Linq, make sure she stays put.”
Thoric shrugged. “Sorry, Etain. If it helps, we Ambassadors are staying here, too.”
“Keep us informed on all fronts,” said Ohms. “In the meantime, we’ll contact those clans closest to COL to send in reinforcements.”