by Lucy Kelly
Tulia, Nintu, and Fonia had returned to the dais. They contributed some ideas and agreed to help. As the first three called, they had become leaders and representatives of all the others.
The three of them approached the women of Earth, and explained they were allowed to leave and see to their children in groups of twenty to thirty at a time. Many of them needed to use a restroom, as well. A rotation of witnesses was approved and put in place. They were all determined to see the end of this spectacular display.
Next, tables and chairs were quietly brought in so all those who had been standing for so long, could rest.
The time lengthened and the day progressed into afternoon. Sometime in the second hour, Jett got the idea to broadcast what was happening on the world-wide news net. Grace agreed, since Addie was unable to do so. In the third hour, many started to become restless. Glynnis saw to the preparation of food—not only for the people on the floor, but also the ladies still arriving. The tiers of seats were half full now—so many women!
More than once, Grace tuned out from what was happening to listen to her com-link. She was still getting updates on various investigations. The broadcast became a boon. People were more cooperative with the questions asked by her investigators. At one point, she left to feed her own infants. Between all the new mothers, they found enough volunteers to feed the six princesses belonging to Addie.
Jett had a small table placed on the dais, with comfortable chairs for Grace and Jalen to sit. They hadn’t been healed for very long and still tired easily.
They had started this meeting between the Nam-Nin and the council mid-morning. The end of the sixth hour was minutes away and nearly every seat in the tiers was full. Grace felt Addie would stop soon. During the day, shuttles from all around HeVan had come to the palace. The back part of the floor, which had been empty, began to fill.
Finally, Addie stopped. The golden aura surrounding her began to dim until she was visible again. Arjun turned back to her as she began to collapse and helped her to sit down. Rune gave her a glass of water to drink. The cessation of her voice brought everything to a standstill, the room had gone silent. Even Councilwoman Braza said nothing. Everyone was completely amazed over what had just occurred in front of their very eyes.
The council was shocked and dumfounded. One of the councilwomen wept, chastened, as she understood what she had done, the damage she had caused. All of them would be vilified by their people; there was no way to salvage their reputations now. All of HeVan must be witnessing the unfolding drama.
After drinking down an entire glass of water, Addie stood again with the aid of Kylan. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at all the women crowding the upper seats, then let her gaze travel down to those below. Arjun leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“Welcome, thank you all for coming when you were called. The need foreseen by Hursag the Seer has come to pass. Aruru saved you and I have called you. It has been over twenty thousand years since you went to sleep,” she said in the ancient tongue. Arjun had reminded her, the new arrivals wouldn’t understand English yet.
Many loud exclamations, moans, and some crying were heard after that announcement from all over the room. Addie raised her hands until there was silence again.
“I’ve been informed shuttles have arrived from all the Houses of HeVan. It is your choice to stay here or go to the Houses of your birth now or later. I would prefer you remain for a few days so I may greet you all individually. I look forward to hearing your counsel and thoughts—both on what was and what we would like for our future,” she said.
There was a huge sound of cheering which filled the room. Every warrior present knelt and pledged loyalty and lives to the Nam-Nin and then also bowed low to the women.
Addie looked over at Grace and saw her small nod.
“Before we can proceed with our future, we need to complete the business of the day, the dissolution of the old council. The Arbiter of HeVan, Lady Grace Rephaim, will now speak,” Addie said, before gratefully sinking back into her chair.
She had purposely used Grace’s full title. The ancients, especially, would expect it.
Grace stood from the table and stepped forward to the edge of the dais. She was tired; when she started out this day, she didn’t think she’d be addressing such a large group. While she dressed with care, she wanted to be able to take action. Her black leather pants and boots, combined with a black turtleneck, were fine before. In front of the new ladies, she felt like the ugly stepsister. With any luck, this would be over soon, and she could leave.
Grace followed the lead of Addie and Arjun. She spoke Nepha. All the women of Earth had learned it.
“We gathered here today to move forward with a plan for the rebirth of the great Nephilim people. In addition, we’ve been given a miracle,” she said, waving at Addie, who waved back and let out a light, gurgling laugh
“Before I go back to our prior discussion, let me give my own welcome to all our new citizens. All of HeVan has been blessed by your presence.”
Grace had been sure to include both the women of Earth and the ancient Nephilim in her welcome and blessing. She then went back over the events before they were interrupted by Addie’s call.
“We were discussing the joining of Paq Morrack, of the House of Seraph, and Branca Braza, of the House of Celestia. It is the first new Nephilim joining in nearly five hundred years,” she said, to emphasize the importance of this particular joining Ceremony.
“Councilwoman Tulia Braza accused our Nam-Nin in forcing the joining to hide the fact Paq Morrack had raped Branca,” Grace summarized.
Many of those present were shocked and the women up in the tiers leaned forward to hear everything. This was a serious accusation against their queen. The councilwoman was doing all she could, using every weapon in her arsenal, to keep her status of power in her House.
“While my sister was calling forth all of you,” Grace said, gesturing with a wave of her arm, “life went on, my investigations progressed. Many new witnesses and informants have come forward. As the time passed, the seeds of truth came to light. The entire plot to accuse Paq Morrack has come undone. Another, more heinous crime has come to light, and the root of the false accusations has my full attention now.”
Grace began to glow silver, her voice deepening to pass judgment.
“Narva Braza, after your own Ankida died in a shuttle accident, you conspired with Harq Morrack to kill your own daughter, Tulia, and her Ankida. You were present and watched them die. You wanted to remain young and at the death of your Ankida, were no longer eligible for the gene therapy, which would prolong your life.
“You and Morrack had corrupted a medical by the name of Folken. He altered your body enough so you could pass as your daughter, Tulia. Your granddaughter, Branca, was but a child of three. The accident was easily used as an excuse for any small inconsistencies in your looks. Many years later, when Morrack and you realized Branca and Paq would join, you acted again. As a joined pair, they would likely rule over one and perhaps, both Houses. You were both jealous and did everything you could to prevent them from joining.”
Before she could continue, Harq Morrack stood. “I never claimed Branca was raped. I always supported my son and backed him up in his belief that he was her join. You can’t include me in this conspiracy,” he shouted.
Councilwoman Braza could have argued against this but she said nothing. She was finally aware she wasn’t going to talk her way out of this. Instead, she shared a look with Councilman Hend, her lover for the past twenty or so years. He didn’t look like much, but he had a devious mind. Surely he would have a plan.
“You forget,” said Grace, “we have Folken. He has admitted to giving you a poison, which would cause your son to become ill. Then when he slept, you drugged him and Folken surgically removed his wings!”
She had to stop talking, as the roar of disapproval was deafening. Morrack knew the likelihood of his living past the end of the day was slim. He sat back
down and began making plans. When the room quieted, Grace spoke again.
“The Nam-Nin was able to heal him. Within moments of being healed, his wings erupted and the proof of his and Branca’s claim to be joined was proven. We are still gathering evidence and Arbiter Lord Justyn Rephaim, my Ankida, has claimed the right of Mok-Tar. If you are proven to have been the one who sent the rocket against my transport in an attempt to end my life and the lives of my Ankida, you will face him on the battleground in the Arena of Justice.”
Grace suddenly wanted this whole ordeal over with. She wanted to hold her babies and make love with her Ankida. Turning off her power, she stopped glowing.
“I was planning to reveal all of your sordid crimes. Now, I’m too disgusted and too tired to spend another moment in your company. A list of crimes and the available proofs will be posted to the News-Net. Other than the punishments already listed, more penalties will be levied as my investigations continue. Morrack and Braza will be taken into custody and held to prevent escape,” she said, before turning to sit in her chair.
Grace had only uncovered white collar crimes against the others. Stripping them of all wealth and position would do for now. The nano-patches planted on all of them would enable her to track them and gather even more evidence.
Morrack jumped from his seat and sprang forward. Two others from the council sprang up, as well. They each pulled out concealed weapons and turned to attack the queen.
The crowd screamed. The warriors, who would have come to her aid, were hampered by all the tables and chairs that had been set up. The six warriors protecting Grace went to defend the queen.
Rune and Arjun stepped forward and swung their bladed staffs. The fight didn’t last long; the three former council members lay dead on the floor, in pieces. Like Justyn, Arjun, Rune, and Kylan had a message to send. Rune spat on the remains. The six warriors had formed a wall between the queen and the brief skirmish.
Sounds of distress could be heard coming from all around the room.
“On Earth, we call that suicide by cop,” Grace said under her breath.
Tulia, the ancient Nephilim, heard her and gave her arm a squeeze in support. She admired this short, alien Nephilim, who had given up her home world to help save HeVan.
During the commotion, Narva Braza, who had called herself Tulia for so long, reached down to a strap she had tied to her calf under her skirt. All thoughts of escape with Hend were gone. She knew she wouldn’t be able to kill the queen. Instead, she planned to finish the job the rocket failed to do. She would kill the one who had brought her down.
Grace knew Addie’s Ankida would protect her, but she couldn’t help taking a step in Addie’s direction, her police instincts taking over. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Narva Braza rise slightly and raise her arm. Grace turned to face her fully, as Narva threw something. In a split second, she saw what seemed to be a short, thin spear. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to dive to safety in time, when a weight knocked into her from the side, and she went down in a tangle of limbs.
The ancient Nephilim Tulia and her two sisters had returned to the dais after helping the other returned Nephilim women. They wanted to be available in case they were needed for anything else. All the women had volunteered to leave their families, never to see them again, to serve their Nam-Nin and their people.
The three sisters looked with anger on their descendant. Narva had brought shame on their House. Tulia was especially angry because Narva had killed her daughter and Tulia’s namesake, and then stolen her name. Nintu and Fonia turned their backs and only Tulia saw Narva stand and raise her arm. She was already moving, when the thin blade was thrown.
Grace looked up into the eyes of her rescuer. Tulia, the original Tulia, who had returned to the dais to confront her descendant, pushed her down before Narva’s blade reached her. Now she was sprawled on top of Grace. Even as she looked, Tulia’s eyes started to glaze over.
“Addie!” she called out, but she wasn’t heard over the shouts of the crowd. Concentrating, she transported herself and Tulia to the nursery. Giving herself a mental slap for not doing so earlier, she rolled out from under Tulia, her new best friend.
Natalie, sitting beside the cribs, cried out, causing Peet and Reeko to run into the room.
Cara and Dilys woke, as if sensing they were needed.
“Hand me a cloth,” Grace said to Natalie.
She could see the thin, spear-like weapon sticking out of Tulia’s back. As she felt for a pulse, she used the burping cloth to pull the sharp spear from her back. Aelwen was also awake, she helped her sisters float out of their crib and down to the floor. All three of them gave off a golden glow.
“The wound isn’t serious or deep. I think the spear is poisoned,” she said, looking over at Natalie.
The com-link at her ear was going off, she answered it and quickly reassured Jett and Jalen, who were both frantic. Thinking Grace to be safe, they had both stepped away to take reports, and were not by her side when the attack occurred.
Moments later, Tulia began to stir. She sat up and looked around.
“How did we get here?” she asked.
“You needed to be healed quickly, Addie was unavailable. I transported you here to be healed by two of the Nam-Nin's daughters,” Grace explained.
“How was it possible?” she asked next.
“Sorry, I can’t explain it right now. I also must ask you not tell anyone where you’ve been when we get back. No one knows of the gifts the princesses have,” Grace said.
She held Tulia’s hand, and waited for reassurance.
“I would never betray my queen or her children. You have my word,” Tulia said, and bowed her head.
After Tulia agreed, Grace transported them back, straight into a scene of chaos.
Since the spear had been thrown, Hend had stepped up behind Councilwoman Braza and, using his own concealed blade, slit her throat. He was being hailed as a rescuer.
Grace took a sharp look at him, not fooled. He could have stopped Braza before the spear was thrown.
Addie, upset at all the bloodshed, called the meeting to a close and dismissed everyone. Glynnis and her Ankida stepped forward and explained to the new Nephilim women that rooms had been arranged. She let them know guides were standing by at the exits of each tier to aid them.
The remaining eight former council members rose and, pulling whatever dignity they could around them like a cloak, left the chamber to go home. All of them were wondering what they would find when they got there.
*****
Hend, knowing it was only a matter of time before all his schemes came to light, took the fastest transport he could back to Celestia. He had been responsible for the explosives on Malpha’s shuttle. He and his lover, Narva Braza, masquerading as her daughter, Tulia, had launched the rocket against the arbiter and her Ankida. While Narva had spread her legs for many, using their needs for her own gain, he was the one she came to for her own pleasure. She never realized, during all that time, he was using her for his own ends.
He never had much use for women except for the pleasures they could give him. He believed the time of women’s rule was over; he had been planning to become the first king of HeVan. Now he would see what he could do to have his revenge against those who had made that impossible.
As usual, he’d researched all his opponents thoroughly and had a good understanding of Jett’s capabilities and inventions. He had coated his exposed skin with a clear compound, which would detect and destroy any nanos coming in contact. When the council members were allowed to leave, he was sure they were being tracked. He had to act fast to elude capture.
As soon as he got home, he accessed wealth he had hidden in the form of precious metals and jewels. In addition to his council duties, he was commander over the garrison stationed on the HeVanian moon. Upon reaching the garrison, he commandeered the fastest long-range three-man star-ship and left the planet’s surface and Nephilim space. Within six hours of leaving
the palace, he was gone from HeVan.
Hend was sure the Nephilim were being duped by Arjun and his brothers in accepting a false queen. All the women from Earth were supposed to have been pregnant and had children. The queen was rumored to have six babies. He knew it to be a lie. Because, while many of the females he saw in the throne room had been heavy with child, the queen and most of the other women had the slender figures of young girls!
Obviously, the three Azazyel brothers had hatched their own plans to be kings and had been more successful in implementing them. He scoffed at the light show the queen had put on. Clearly, she had hidden additional women from her home world. Using advanced technological tricks, she had made them appear. He intended to expose her.
Hend was planning on going to Earth and uncovering the truth. When she and her Ankida had first arrived, he quietly spoke to some of the warriors, asking general questions about the planet the queen had come from. He decided it would be easy to win over the more male-dominated society. He would either come back to HeVan in triumph, or he would become a man of immense power on Earth, bartering the advanced technology of his people. He suspected Arjun—and to a lesser degree his brothers—of being the power behind the throne. No alien woman could ever be the true Nam-Nin. He knew if he were to return from Earth, he would also need to bring women. Since Arjun had brought back some three thousand, he would bring ten thousand!
It was against all the laws of the Nephilim to interfere with the cultural advance of lesser civilizations. However, Hend had already proven he didn’t care about Nephilim law. He only cared about his own pleasures. When he started planning how to steal women from Earth, he knew he would need help. As he flew through space, he considered various mercenary races from other worlds. He could use some of his wealth to hire them to take the women. By leaving so quickly, he was ahead of any pursuers. He had time to refine his plans.
*****
A few days after the meeting at the palace, Justyn was able to find proof it was Hend—and not Morrack—who had attempted to kill Grace. When he went to confront Armus Hend and have him taken to a place where the Mok-Tar battle could commence, he found out the former councilman had fled.