by L M Lacee
Netta said. ‘One thing you should know as Madam’s pilot, any ship you command you will be responsible for. Madam has one of each at her disposal.’
‘Also, we should warn you it could and probably will be dangerous.’ Darby added as she entered.
Melody also pointed out as she walked in behind Darby. ‘Because people want to kill her, we are sure you won’t, but others will. You will have to remain armed at all times.’
‘I do not think I will want to kill you Madam!’
Grinning, Darby said. ‘You say that now and did you notice, she said, think?’
Darby’s eyes snapped with laughter as Melody flung herself into a chair, saying. ‘The word is yet. I keep telling you all that.’
‘I noticed, why are you here?’ Peyton asked them both.
Netta placed her head in her hands as she slipped onto a chair. ‘Must we have that discussion again?’
Hawk shook his head as Peyton stared at Netta while Melody and Darby just ignored her. Netta said, looking at the bemused female.
‘As it stands Ipeara, there are only three pilots qualified to pilot Madam. You, Nikolas and June. No one else and the other two are only back up, for those times you are unable to pilot.’
Hawk told her. ‘The Command structure is Madam then Commander Netta, myself, Commander Jorge and Commander Reeve.’
‘We should add Marlo to that, just for insurance.’ Peyton murmured.
Hawk looked at her and nodded. ‘As you wish, Madam, also Commander Marlo. There is no one else. Do I make myself clear, pilot?’
‘Yes Commander, completely.’
Netta asked her. ‘So are you willing? There will be a three lunera trial.’
‘Yes, I would like to be Madam’s pilot.’
‘My suggestion,’ Darby advised her, ‘is find something to do in your off time, training, study, crafts.’
Ipeara nodded as Peyton welcomed her to her new position. ‘Welcome to my guard, Captain.’
‘I am a Captain?’
‘Yes, the position comes with a promotion.’
‘That is so cool.’ The expression proving she was mixing with Terrans.
The females laughed as Hawk said. ‘I will take my leave.’
Peyton smiled at him. ‘Thank you, Hawk.’
Ipeara asked Hawk before he left, and the answer mattered very much to her. ‘Commander Hawk, are you disappointed in me?’
They all heard the youth in her question as Hawk smiled softly at her. ‘No Ipeara, I am pleased to have you back. I now know our Madam will have a competent, well trained pilot when at home and on away missions. I know your skills extend to more than just piloting. I do however wish for you to train with Commander Netta to hone other skills. Are you willing?’
Grinning, she nodded. ‘Yes Commander.’
‘Ahh, another vid watcher I see!’
Ipeara grinned wider. ‘Yes Commander, I and everyone on board Maikonia III.’
He shared a smile with Netta, then saluted Peyton with a casual wave before leaving and saying. ‘We are good.’
Netta told Ipeara. ‘You need to get your gear and move into your apartment. You know about that?’
‘Yes Commander, Jean and the others comm’d me before I returned.’
Peyton asked her. ‘Does Peneria know about you returning home?’
Ipeara hesitantly shook her head. ‘No Madam, not yet, I wanted to talk to you first. I thought you would send me back to Patamoglian.’
Peyton looked stunned as she stared at Ipeara. ‘Why, you are ours. Your home is here.’
‘I guess I was confused.’
‘I thought I had made that clear.’
When Ipeara said nothing just looked uncertain. Peyton said. ‘Netta, please see to her for me.’
‘Yes Peyton, come on Ipeara, let’s go get you squared away and look at the ships.’
‘Belay that for a min.’ Melody said as Penny walked in, saying. ‘I have comm’d her.’
‘Ladies, it seems as your Tivna, I have been remiss of late.’
‘Or slacking? Your choice.’ Peyton muttered loud enough for all to hear.
Darby said. ‘Hush verbose female.’
‘That was so rude.’
As Melody gave her the evil eye. Peyton sniffed in disdain and mumbled. ‘So not scared and you realize this is my office?’
Darby hushed her before Melody could. ‘Again, I say hush.’
Peyton moved to the dispenser where her cup of coffee waited. ‘Fine, tea anyone?’
‘No, now again hush or you will have to leave.’ Netta told her.
Peyton took a sip of her coffee and then said. ‘So rude!’
With a look from her sister that promised retribution. Melody finally said. ‘As I was saying. I seem to have been remiss; we have a Prowler waiting for a match. She has been waiting for you, Ipeara.’
‘Really, are you sure?’
‘See doubts.’ Peyton pointed out to Penny, who looked her in the eye and said. ‘Hush!’
‘Really, I am your boss.’
‘Do we need to bring the contract out again?’
Just as Peyton was going to comment. Salmah walked in, followed by a tiger striped kit with brown eyes.
Salmah said. Tivna I have come with the kit.
Melody smiled. ‘Salmah, thank you for your help.’
It is what I do. She said with a smile in her voice, Beloved, I greet you.
‘Salmah, are you well?’
I am, I have been asked to be Fanharr’s second.
Peyton along with everyone else congratulated her, then Peyton said. ‘Fanharr has chosen wisely and is most fortunate to have you. There is no one I can think of who is so well suited for the position.’
Thank you, Beloved, I am happy.
Peyton could see she was. ‘I hear Karen’s cookies have vanilla baked in. Is this true?’
She laughed as she answered. Yes, and they are delicious.
‘Did you know Netta bakes cookies regularly?’
I did not. Netta, do you use the vanilla?
‘Sometimes and other times I use other ingredients. You should come for morn tea and try my cookies.’
Thank you, I will.
‘Does Rave like cookies?’ Peyton asked. ‘Oh, by the way, I am pleased about you and Rave.’
Thank you, Beloved, and he likes cookies as much as I do.
‘That is good. So Ipeara, introduce us to your bonded.’
Ipeara had a dazed expression on her face as she stared at the kit, Melody took her by the arm and gently walked her to a chair. ‘I am thinking today has been a little too much for you.’ She asked Penny. ‘Comm her sister, please?’
‘On it.’
Within seconds they could hear running feet and Peneria was demanding as she entered the office. ‘What has happen, Ipeara why are you here. I do not understand?’
Willian walked in behind his mate with Boaks. He spied Peyton and asked. ‘Madam, what has happened?’
Peyton grinned and started to explain. ‘Ipeara has...’
Darby cut her off. ‘Dearle stars no, let me explain.’
Peyton raised her eyebrows. ‘Fine, but she is sad.’ She pointed to the sad looking Prowler.
Melody turned around and seeing the kit, cooed to her. ‘Oh, little one, come here, sweetie.’
In a few brief sentences, Darby explained to Peneria and Willian what had occurred and Ipeara’s decisions.
Peneria nodded and whispered. ‘I see and the Prowler?’
Melody told them. ‘She is for Ipeara.’
Peneria grinned. ‘Oh, got it.’
The kit had taken only a few steps, then halted once more. Boaks stood in front of the young female and asked. What is your name, little one?
Mina, I am five.
You speak well for a kit of five.
Thank you, we were all educated.
I see, and who are we?
My sisters, they have not found their bonded yet.
You a
re all from the same parents!
No, we share the same mother.
I see.
After our mother was killed, the pride chased us away. Our mother’s sister Salia brought us here. She whispered sadly. Now my bonded does not want me.
Boaks nudged her compassionately as he told her. Mina, what you see as unwanted. I see as someone who received something they wanted very much and is shocked that her dream has come true.
Salmah gently nudged her. Dearle go to your bonded. She does not believe you are real.
That is interesting, I am here.
I know, just go, all will be well.
Melody got Ipeara to sit down before Mina placed her head on her knee. After a few mins, she wrapped her arms around the startled kit and cried.
‘Did you hear Peneria, Willian? I am bonded. Do you see Madam, everyone I am bonded.’
As they watched, the kit stopped trembling and let go a deep breath, relaxing her entire body.
Melody dusted her hands before saying. ‘My work is done here.’
Peyton spluttered in amazement. ‘Seriously, you are going to take that as work, Salmah and Boaks did all the work, and it is my office.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘I think you know.’
Darby even agreed with Peyton. Her tone was disappointed as she said. ‘Really, Melody.’
‘Do not judge me. I have maternity brain.’
Peyton said with disgust as Melody sauntered grinning from the room. ‘Go away, maternity brain, unbelievable.’
Penny followed her, asking if that was a thing!
TWENTY-FIVE:
The following day, as everyone sat down to first-meal. Peyton walked in with her children, followed by her kits, who were larger than they had been the day before.
‘Greetings, well done kits, you are looking impressive.’ Stated Netta.
We thank you, Sister Netta.
As Peyton passed Keylan to Darby and helped Rayvan, then Draykin into their highchairs, she said. ‘You can imagine my surprise when Hope and I woke this morn, and found two large kits sitting on the end of my bed. We were amazed, were we not Hope?’
‘We were Mama.’ She smiled at the kits and said. ‘They are very large.’
‘And yet they are still unwilling to tell us their names, right Rayvan.’
‘Yep.’
Draykin banged his spoon on his tray. ‘Me.’
Peyton grinned as she took her seat. ‘Oh, I know Draykin, you were surprised too.’
‘Yep.’
Everyone hid their smiles as he looked around, proud of himself. Just then Fanharr and Rage entered. Greetings.
They all replied in kind. ‘Greetings.’
Fanharr looked at the kits with disapproval and scolded them as she asked. Is it true you still have not told our Beloved your names?
They both nodded and ducked their heads when they noticed Rage eyeing them both. He stated in no uncertain terms. Arta Kate has assured me, you have grown enough to start training. However, I refuse to train you without names. So think carefully about how long you want to remain nameless.
Apparently he was scarier than Peyton or his threat not to train them worried the twins. They could not tell him fast enough what they had decided on for their names. The black kit with moss green eyes was named Briark, which was Tuarillian for golden night. The snow white kit told them his name was Leiark, which was Tuarillian for golden day. They told their audience that as they grew, so would their gold markings, which identified them as pure blood Tuarillians.
Another piece of information they imparted, surprised not only Rage but everyone else. Any Prowler with full white or full black coloring as in Rage, Rave, Midnight and Bacon were direct decedents of the Tuarillians.
Rage was pleased to have an answer to his and Rave’s coloring. He stated it had never occurred to him that he and Rave were the same as Midnight and Bacon.
Peyton told them the gene had selectively been passed down in its purest form in the past to the chosen of the Star Daughter or Sons. But this was the first time someone had brought into being true Tuarillians.
‘What does that mean?’ Darby asked. ‘Bring into being.’
Peyton looked off into the distance as she thought over how to explain what she meant. ‘It is like they were birthed on another plane of existence or in another time of existence. And someone brought them here into this time and place and put them where and when we could find them.’
‘Oh well... okay.’ Darby said faintly, as her mind spun in different directions, trying to comprehend what Peyton had just disclosed.
Kate distracted her from her thoughts as she asked. ‘Why?’
Peyton suggested with a shrug. ‘Who knows, because I am picky or needy or it was time or it is something they do?’
Avana shook her head. ‘No, it was time. Pride Leader Rage has another path to follow. He can no longer take the place of the Star Daughter’s bonded. The twins will fulfil the role of guardians and will command much respect when they reach maturity. All Prowlers and Turqualls will acknowledge the might of the twins. Until then, treat them as you do all Prowler kits, but do not be surprised at the rate they mature. They have waited for millions of yentas for the Star Daughter.’
Rave said as he entered with Harm. We will have to keep them secured until they are adults.
Rage told them. There are some who would do almost anything for true Tuarillians, and I do not mean just bipeds. To have their blood line would be a jewel in any Pride.
Peyton said. ‘Rage you just described you and Rave.’
He stilled as he thought over what was said and lifted his head to look at his mate as she said fearfully. We must be more vigilant.
‘Although no one will know, unless we broadcast it everywhere.’ Larson said, calming the fear in the room instantly.
Rage rubbed his head against Fanharr as he assured her. Larson is correct.
Peyton sipped her coffee, then said. ‘So let’s not discuss this again, unless it is necessary. Do we all agree?’
Everyone did, Kate asked as she rubbed Kitolin’s head. ‘Are we having a meeting this morn?’
Peyton smiled and told her. ‘No, we don’t need one. We are thinking of reducing them to once a weken.’
‘Oh okay.’ She smiled at Kitolin as he leaned against her. He sat between her and Carrick after his visit with Telfor, he was more settled and radiated quiet happiness. Telfor advised him to talk to Kate and his brothers, to ask for their understanding and advice, which he did.
Rage had reinforced the need for training, which Kitolin applied himself to diligently. As a future Pride Leader, he needed the mental and emotional strength to lead. He had taken the news of Kate’s mating with a sense of wonder that morphed into pleasure when he spent time with Carrick. So within a short time they had become a happy family unit.
Kate said now. ‘They threw away the best of you, when they let you go.’
Rage agreed. They did, and they still do not realize it. Sevna Avana, what do you see for the future of the Turqualls?
Avana shook her head at the new title. She had not even known the Stars had elevated or ascended her until everyone started calling her by her new title. She felt a great sadness well in her heart as she foresaw Rage’s request.
‘It is not good Pride Leader, you must seek and rescue those in need. Save as many as you can, then you must work on changing the minds and hearts and the hardest of all, the beliefs of the more stubborn of the Turqualls. The old ways are slowly ending and if they do not embrace the new way, eventually the twins will have no choice but to administer the justice of the Tuarillians.’
‘What does that mean?’ Kate asked her.
Peyton explained. ‘They are the arm of justice for the Tuarillians.’
Darby said. ‘If I am understanding this right, the Tuarillians like the Star Child have decided the Universe must change, and want the Turqualls to change with it.’
Kate asked. ‘So, they
want them all to become Prowlers?’
Rage corrected her. No, there is no need for them all to become Prowlers. They wish for them to embrace the Tuarillian way of living. To not distinguish between colors. To cherish and love what our ancestors left us.
‘Oh the Prowler attitude.’
He smiled, Yes, Kate, the Prowler attitude.
‘Well yeah, that is good.’
Darby shook her head as she looked over at the kits. ‘It is hard to believe, or maybe I just don’t want to see them as anything other than kits.’
They all looked at the adorable kits as they played with a ball. As if they felt everyone’s regard, they stopped playing and sedately walked to Peyton stating. Mama Star, we are hungry.
‘Okay, go find one of the ladies, you know they will feed you anytime.’
Kay.
Kay.
Peyton followed their departure with her eyes as she told the room. ‘I am going to Terra today, Esther needs to come home, as do Suna and the twins. Netta please have Marlo advise the five they are coming. It is time for me to…’
‘Have a come to a Star Child meeting.’ Darby chortled, as Brenda laughed before saying.
‘Oh, that is funny.’
‘Good adaptation Darby, I love it.’ Jean grinned as she noted it on her tablet to share with Miko later.
Helen stated. ‘Now, that’s adorable.’
Zenerra asked. ‘What does it mean?’
Jean gave the non-Terrans a quick explanation, which had them all smiling.