by Lucy Kelly
I won’t have much longer to wait. Arjun, Kylan, and Rune will join with me and the Goddess will surely bless the union. Then everything will start to go right again, she thought.
She was starting to finally relax, revising the plans for her upcoming joining in her head, when her emergency communicator went off. Reaching over, she picked it up from the chair she’d placed it on next to her bathing pool. Blocking the video portion, she answered.
“What could be so important I’m not even allowed a proper bath without interruption?” she questioned her assistant.
When she got her answer, she dropped her communicator into the water. She didn’t bother looking for it. Instead, she leapt from the water and grabbed a drying cloth. Dressing quickly, she left her rooms, and strode hurriedly down the hall to the main audience chamber.
“I understand my great uncles have returned and they’ve brought some others with them?” she asked Bren, her main assistant, along with his brother, Glen.
“Yes, their shuttle landed twenty minutes ago. There are three women and one man with them. One of the women is with child,” he said excitedly in a rush.
“Pregnant! Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s been verified. They’ve arranged transport and are on their way here. The hover-cars are expected at any moment, Lady Malpha,” he said.
“The man―is he one of the HeVanian brothers?” she wanted to know.
“No, he appears to be mated to the pregnant female. What’s more, one of the other two women is an older child of the joined pair. I’m afraid I wasn’t able to get any more information,” he said.
Malpha was surprised and a little worried. Where were the ships? Her musings were cut off when the outer door to the chamber opened and a group of people entered.
Malpha watched her Great Uncle Rale stride into the room with an older woman by his side. She was the youngest female HeVan-born, so all women were older than she―but this woman looked older. Rale’s brothers, Rufan and Recca, walked just behind them with another shorter man, a woman and a young girl. Two warriors flanked the girl―and well they should, as she was of an age to find her joins.
“Uncles, you have news for me?” she asked, trying not to show the nerves jumping underneath her skin. All of a sudden, she had a very bad feeling.
“We would like to introduce you to our join. She is of HeVanian descent; her name is Glynnis. However, rather than having us follow her to her House, she has decided to stay here in our House,” he explained.
“This isn’t the custom of our people. It contravenes the laws of our culture,” she said.
“Nevertheless, it is the culture of my people. I’ve made as many changes as I’m going to make, young lady. Now, this discussion needs to be moved to a less public location. Before we do, let me introduce Sergio and Michelle Olivetti and their daughter, Cassandra. I’d appreciate it if you could arrange a meal and rooms for them,” said Glynnis.
Malpha immediately saw the implications of what the woman―Glynnis―was saying. She was being replaced. The person, an off-worlder, was planning on taking her place as regent. Outwardly calm while inwardly in turmoil, she gave the instructions.
“Bren can make those arrangements, if your guests will go with him. The rest of us can go into my office to speak,” she said, before turning to lead the way to the office adjacent to her private quarters. She was going to need another glass of brandy.
As she walked down the hall, she continued to hide the shock and anger at what was occurring. All her years of service to her people and it looked as if she were going to be usurped. She vowed to not go down without a fight. But she knew better than to jump in without all the facts. She would wait and hear what they had to tell her.
Reversing her earlier steps, it didn’t take long for them to reach her office. She saw the surprise in the eyes of the guards at her office door before they blanked their expressions. She knew it was the presence of the woman with her uncles, which had broken their composure.
Entering the office, she turned and told the guards they were not to be interrupted. After closing the door, she turned back to face her future, whatever it may be.
“I take it the Nam-Nin has been found?” she asked.
“Yes. We have some memory savers for you to view. I suggest you watch them before we speak,” said Glynnis, in a matter-of-fact tone that brooked no argument.
“Alright,” said Malpha, taking the memory savers from her. She went behind her desk and put them into her viewer. Glynnis and her Ankida found chairs and sat quietly while Malpha learned of the treachery of her grandmother. When she had finished viewing them all, her anger was gone. She passed a shaky hand over her face.
“What sentence has the Nam-Nin passed on the House of Purgat?” she asked, wanting to know how she would pay for her ancestor’s sins.
“Aditya―or Addie, as we call her―is perfectly aware of the backlash against this House which will occur when this becomes public knowledge. And it will become public knowledge now. We won’t allow it to be buried the way the Council did when it happened. There were reasons for it at the time, which are no longer of any concern now. All the Houses were represented on the ship you sent out. They have all seen these recordings,” Glynnis said, pausing before she gave Malpha the real blow. “Addie thinks your future lies away from HeVan.”
Even though Glynnis believed Malpha to be a manipulative and scheming woman, she had been holding this planet together for hundreds of years. She could easily see how pale and shaken Malpha was. And if her feelings were what she was showing, she could only imagine what she was holding back. Taking a closer look at the woman, Glynnis could tell that her years of service were wearing on her; she was too thin and seemed brittle.
Malpha paled even more on finding out she was to be banished.
“You made an agreement with King Ben KowLer. Addie feels, since she cannot, you should fulfill the role, which was arranged for her,” Glynnis quickly spit out the last of the message.
“You mean I am to be―?”
“Queen of the KowLer? Yes. It won’t be easy. They are a male-dominated society. They feel women are without enough intelligence to make decisions harder than what they are going to wear. I think you’re just the one to teach them of the error of their ways. At the same time, you can recruit women to emigrate to HeVan if they so wish. While we have some three hundred women on their way, all of whom are pregnant with baby girls, the men of HeVan deserve women now and not in twenty years,” said Glynnis.
Malpha took a few deep breaths to compose herself. Standing up, she walked over to her wine cabinet. Bringing over a tray holding glasses and a decanter, she poured for everyone, giving herself a few minutes before she spoke.
“You should be aware we are on the verge of a civil war. It’s likely the Nam-Nin’s arrival can prevent this war from happening. Two months ago, there was a rape―the first in recorded history. There is a growing movement of hatred against women on HeVan. Many, of the male populace, blame the women for the way things are now. As you’ve so clearly pointed out to me, my House is to blame for our current situation. I concur with the Nam-Nin’s assessment. There is no longer a place for me on HeVan. It would only exacerbate the situation. When do I leave? I presume the queen has changed the law on females leaving the planet?” she asked.
“Yes, as the women who are arriving will need to visit their families back on Earth from time to time. We have a base there as well and are finding more and more descendants of the Nephilim. We have a vision matcher who can use images of the Nephilim here to find their matches back on Earth. We have plans to encourage other women to come. Earth has an abundance of women; they outnumber the men by a large margin. Addie has requested you leave immediately. Can you be packed by tomorrow?” Glynnis asked.
“It seems you have everything well in hand. Let me write down the codes you will need to access my personal files. Yes, I can be packed by tomorrow. I don’t plan to take much with me. Now, if y
ou’ll excuse me, it’s quite late and I need my rest if I’m going to be packing and leaving in the morning,” Malpha said in a cold, stiff voice.
Standing, she left the room. She realized her last words showed she hadn’t rid herself of all her anger, after all. Saying nothing more, she moved to the door separating her office from her own quarters and left. She knew she should have seen to it they were given a meal. But this was their home now; they would find their way easily enough.
Locking the door and not really seeing the room around her, she walked toward her bed. Then, after standing still for a moment, threw herself down and burst into tears. Her world, the only one she knew, had just come crashing down around her. There was no one left there for her—no one.
****
Glynnis looked at the door through which Malpha had left and then looked back at her Ankida.
“It seems Arjun and his brothers have made a mistake of large proportions. I’m not surprised; they are men, after all. Well, we’ll tackle all of this in the morning. Right now, I’d like you to show me where I’m going to be living. Tomorrow, we’re going to start straightening out this mess.”
“What do you mean by mistake?” asked Rale. He didn’t understand what Glynnis was talking about.
“You’re a man, too, so you wouldn’t understand either,” she said, shaking her head. “Never mind; I’ll explain it to you tomorrow. Let’s go to our rooms and have our own meal. I need to think.”
The four of them left the office and walked to Rale, Rufan, and Recca’s wing of the compound. They walked in silence because they didn’t want any conversation they had about what they were planning to be overheard. Until they knew which guards were loyal and trustworthy to their agenda, they would have to tread carefully. Upon arrival, Rale rang for a meal to be brought to them.
“Don’t forget to find out where Cassandra and her parents are,” Glynnis said, as she walked over to her suitcase. She opened it up and pulled out a negligee. Then she went into the bathing chamber to wash and change.
When they were all comfortable and seated around a table having their late meal, Glynnis finally spoke of what was on her mind.
“Do you have memory savers of when Malpha was a young girl? I’d like to see how she grew up,” she said.
Rale gave her a sharp look. He was getting to know her moods. “What are you hoping to find out?” he asked.
“I would like you to think of one thing. Growing up, you three had each other. You were companions, warriors together, always watching each other’s backs, always having others to trust and rely on. Who did Malpha have? Who were her companions, her confidants?”
She looked at her Ankida. She saw confusion, sadness, and acceptance flash over their faces.
“You know what? I can’t watch them tonight. I’m going to bed; I’m tired,” she said, getting up from the table.
The three men stood and watched her go. Then they sat back down. They knew and understood her tone of voice. She was angry. They would give her some time before they joined her.
“Why is she so angry?” asked Recca.
“I don’t know,” said Rale.
“I know,” said Rufan, and the others looked at him.
“She came here to defeat a dragon and there isn’t one,” said Rufan.
The three of them thought about it for a little while.
Then Rufan spoke again. “Or―more accurately, the dragon she intended to fight isn’t a dragon, after all. Only there is still a dragon and it’s a bigger, uglier one. The one, who has been fighting it for us, is now leaving. She is leaving without receiving a thank you and she will never be welcomed home again,” Rufan said. He realized he was angry, too.
Chapter Fifteen
Glynnis got up early. She realized it was going to take her a while to get used to being on land again, not feeling the vibration of the ship’s engines on the deck beneath her feet. It was very subtle. After the first couple of days on board, she had never noticed it again. Now here she was on land and she felt the lack.
Stepping out of the room, she saw the two guards outside her door; they hadn’t been there yesterday.
“Good morning. I’m a little turned around. Would one of you direct me back to Malpha’s rooms?” she asked.
“How should we address you, lady?” asked the guard on the left.
“For now, you may call me Glynnis. I’m mated to those three reprobates snoring away back there,” she said, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. “What’s your name, young man?”
“I am Lando and this is my brother warrior, Larsk,” he answered.
“Thank you, Lando. Now, can you give me my directions?” she asked.
“We would be happy to escort you, Lady Glynnis. My brother and I will be your personal guards when you’re not accompanied by your Ankida.”
“Why should I need guarding?” she asked, getting straight to the point.
“There are very few women on HeVan. Some of the warriors have tried taking women when they don’t think they’ll have one any other way,” he said gently.
“Let’s talk as we walk,” she said, gesturing for them to lead the way. “Tell me what HeVan has been like. From your point of view, what are the main problems facing our people now?” Glynnis asked, wanting to know.
The two men were surprised. They were guards and normally didn’t converse with the dignitaries and administrative personnel who worked in the Regent’s palace. When she insisted, they began telling her stories and rumors, as she had asked. She knew those working around the compound would know just as much, if not more, than anyone else. By the time she’d reached Malpha’s rooms, she’d learned quite a bit. Stopping in front of the door, she shooed her guards away. They reluctantly split to opposite ends of the hall. The two guards who had been in front of Malpha’s office the night before were gone. Two new guards were there now. Glynnis gently knocked.
“Go away, I don’t wish to be disturbed,” said Malpha from inside the room.
“Malpha, dear, I would go, but I’ve sent my guards away and I’m afraid I’d only get lost if I tried to go someplace in this huge place all on my own,” Glynnis said in a soft voice.
She’d raised two teenage girls. She could tell when one of them needed a little mothering. A few moments later, the door opened.
Glynnis pretended not to notice the signs of tears on Malpha’s face. She knew Malpha would be horrified to know they showed. She took Malpha’s hand and led her over to a pair of chairs.
“Now, dear, I know everything you saw last night was a real shock to you. Why don’t we sit down over a hot breakfast and I’ll answer all your questions. I know you must have hundreds. We can have a nice woman-to-woman chat. At least, I thought you might have some questions about King Ben. I can tell you he really needs a strong queen. He may not know it, though. I’m sure you’ve noticed men are quite simple, emotional, and are often muddle-headed creatures.”
Malpha couldn’t help it—she snorted out a small laugh. Glynnis was pleased to see Malpha was getting some of her gumption back.
“I have some advice to give you, young lady. The first is to start as you mean to go on. You can change your clothes, but don’t change who you are. The second thing is to never go to bed with anger between you and your husband. You aren’t going to have to split your attention between three husbands. You’ll be able to focus all your attention and smart brain of yours on one man. He has a false impression of you. It’s up to you to let him believe it or to change it.”
At the shocked look on Malpha’s face, Glynnis rushed to console her.
“No, dear―what happened in the past is not his business. You were not complicit and not guilty of anything more than having a great love for your people and your culture. Whether you tell him about the history of your family is your decision and yours alone. Now, my third piece of advice is to become friends with his sister, BianCa. Her father forced her into a disastrous marriage. Her husband attempted to murder her and kill the Nam-
Nin. Well, Natalie killed him, saving everyone on board. We married BianCa off to one of the Nephilim officers. I understand they’re very happy together. BianCa can be your confidant and your greatest ally in helping the women of KowLer find the freedom to choose their own futures,” she explained.
Malpha interrupted her, “Why are you telling me all this? Why do you care about me?” she asked. “I am Purgat, the scourge of HeVan,” she spat out.
“I think we should leave that title to your grandmother. She was a crazy, murderous bitch. You, on the other hand―while you’re not as pure as the driven snow, you do have honor and integrity. I could tell that about you in the first five minutes after we met. You will make a great queen. I know, had you been given the opportunity, you would have been a great Nam-Nin, as well,” said Glynnis.
“A great many people would disagree with you,” said Malpha in a rueful voice.
This woman was very sympathetic and Malpha wondered for a second if it were a ploy of some kind—then dismissed the thought. She would have no need for ploys; she was now the Regent.
“It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, so long as you believe it. Now, while I haven’t been married to your uncles for very long, I was married to one man for nearly sixty years. So, order us the breakfast I mentioned; we’ll eat it together and then I’ll help you pack your things. While we’re working, I’ll try to pass on to you as much wisdom as I can,” Glynnis said.
“I’ve been dealing with men longer than you’ve been alive,” said Malpha in a dry voice.
“First lesson―husbands are not men; they’re husbands―different kettle of fish altogether. For instance, a man might admire your breasts; your husband will think they belong to him,” she said and once again Malpha was shocked into a short laugh.
Glynnis went over to her purse; she still never went anywhere without it. She pulled out a picture of herself; it was taken at the retirement home where she had been living. Eighty-five years old and looking every year of it.
“They’ve adjusted my genes a little, set back the clock to give us another few hundred years together. However, I’m not coming in to start a new House of Purgat lineage. The line will end with your uncles. I’m not saying this to hurt you. I just want you to understand that if there is anything here you want to take with you, you should have it. It could be family artifacts, jewelry that’s been passed down, a wine cellar of aged Seraphian brandy,” she said with a wink, causing a longer laugh out of Malpha; her preferences were well known.