Phoenix Rising: The Covenant (Phoenix Rising Infinitology Book 1)

by Angela Timms

  Don’t worry; I have no intention of eliminating the Prince. But your presence here is a complication I had not foreseen.”

  Kyla smiled and looked up at him. “We really do know how to mess up don’t we?”

  Joniel bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “It may not be all bad but you are going to have to play it careful and if I ask you to do something you are going to have to trust me. I’m guessing you are not going to want to leave without your colleague so a swift evacuation isn’t going to be likely. I’m not even going to ask for that as I know what your response will be. You are warned and I’ll help however I can but obviously this is a very touchy situation. I have to keep low key and stay with the Brotherhood of the Kelaraskian.”

  Kyla looked confused.

  Joniel smiled. “A Brotherhood of rich kids who are seen at all the best parties and of course this being the best party around it is totally appropriate that they should be here. They thankfully wear all engulfing robes as they don’t believe that mere mortals should see their great style. It is an easy way for me to cavort around the Universe being seen at all the best parties without anyone knowing who I am.” He pulled the robes back to reveal the suit. He smiled for a minute then his face turned serious and he looked down at her in earnest. “We can turn this to our advantage if we can keep Kel alive. At least the Emperor will have shown his hand. I am guessing that is what the Prince is counting on. The Prince is no fool and I am certain he has realized the danger of the man he is sitting beside. He knows I am here; I made sure he saw me, but as I said he is a supreme strategist. I wouldn’t put it past him to be playing the Emperor to get him to overstep his power as well. The Prince knows he has nothing to fear from me as he and I have spoken in the past. He already has set up and paid handsomely for a running contract against the person who puts any contract on him. We have also discussed general matters and I have decided to join the Prince to help him. This is political and personal. I have known the Prince for a number of years and it would aid him greatly if I were to join him.

  This has made it even more important that I introduce the Prince to your Mission Command to ensure this sort of political nightmare doesn’t happen again. For now, be careful my love. Whatever happens, it is going to get very dangerous around here. There are no others here who are able to officially take contracts on Kel but that doesn’t preclude the Emperor’s own people. Oh, and another thing. Either way I know that the Emperor will try to eliminate me as I know too much. Should he succeed I’ve now given you enough information and I trust that you will relay this to Mission Command. I would like to think that my death would at least cause him some inconvenience.”

  Kyla looked horrified, reached up and put her arms around his neck. Her eyes were slightly tearful. “Be careful.”

  Joniel smiled. “You almost said safe there didn’t you? At least if I work for the Prince and he is allied with Mission Command we may well be able to see a fair bit more of each other. Being apart is becoming too heavy for me to bear as the years go by.

  Be careful little one. You are wise and I trust your decisions. Don’t let the orders from Mission Command get you killed.” He bent down and cupped her chin in his hands looking into her face as if committing it to memory. He bent down his elegant neck and kissed her passionately. She responded and for a moment they put the world aside. Then he stepped away from her and the hologram that had been confusing the camera overlaid itself onto him. Her one did the same, the slight tingling feeling was there again, and he bowed. “I wish you a good night madam. I must return to my companions as there is much to be consumed this very night.” He stepped back and bowed extravagantly.

  Kyla smiled and curtseyed as best she could. He escorted her to the door of the hall but they entered separately. He having pretended to take a look at a statue placed conveniently beside the door.

  Kyla went back to her seat and picked up her spoon and finished her dessert in silence. The others were too engrossed in the show to even notice her.

  When Kel did he leant closer to her. “Are you alright?” He looked worried. There was a serving girl behind them, taking away the plates. Kyla leant back and let her reach over between them. The girl hesitated, sorting out the spoons on the plate as Kel looked as though he was going to speak again. Kyla glared at him which silenced him then watched the girl until she had finished what she was doing, ran out of excuses to stay there and was forced to move along to collect the next plates.

  Kyla smiled, “I am well and happy with this dress, it fits well and I am enjoying myself but there is a small problem.”

  The serving girl carried on with her duties and was now out of earshot. Kel looked mystified. “And…”

  Many in the room were beginning to get very loud and a small fight had broken out which was quickly dealt with by the servants. Kyla leant on his shoulder and he looked down, surprised. She turned and looked up at him. She whispered. “We have trouble. That honoured guest is supposedly the Prince and the Emperor is trying to have him removed. If they kill you and make it look like an accident then the Emperor can claim me and then by right of blood he can claim the throne.”

  Kel put his arm around her and pulled her head back and leant down over her. Rennon looked stunned; Samson was watching the dancing girls. “We have right royally messed up this time haven’t we?”

  He bent to kiss Kyla but a loud explosion and the release of some doves distracted him. Kyla was able to pull away and look in amazement at the display. She cast a sideways glance and watched Joniel who had been covertly watching them before reaching for her goblet. She then reached over to Rennon and laughed at a joke that Rennon had not spoken.

  “Rennon, we’ve got trouble. The Emperor wants to kill his guest of honour.”

  Rennon took out his book and flicked through it. “Well it won’t be tonight, these banquets are legendary and it would be a disaster for him if anything happened to one of the guests at his table. My guess would be it would be either during the night or tomorrow.”

  Hours later the music still filled the hall, they had eaten their fill and drunk the excellent wine. The floor was beginning to spin from its effects as Kel helped Kyla to her feet and the four of them staggered their way back to their rooms.

  Rennon leant forwards and kissed Kyla on the cheek and giggled drunkenly before disappearing into his room, throwing his robes onto the floor and sinking into the comfortable bed. They closed his door and left him sleeping.

  Dr Samson stepped towards his door and missed it. Kyla opened it for him and Kel helped him inside, shutting the door while he put the staggering doctor to bed. This done he shut the door and joined Kyla in the corridor. She staggered slightly as they went to their own room. He opened the door and she stepped inside, he followed her.

  The morning dawned bright, the sun streamed through the window and Kyla was already sitting at the dressing table brushing her hair. Kel was pulling his robe on. He walked to the window and looked down into the street below. “Everything looks pretty peaceful down there. You would never know. I think that must be it, they are attacked, they get over it.”

  Kyla stopped brushing her hair. “They get by, like we all do.” Kel smiled. “So what do we do now?”

  Kyla smiled. “We go and see if we can trade what we have for what we want while avoiding any diplomatic incidents.”

  There was a sharp knock on the door. Both of them jumped and looked at each other. Kyla put her hair brush down and stood up. Kel opened it and they relaxed as they saw the Guard who stood outside. He bowed slightly. “If you are ready I have been sent to escort you to your audience with the Emperor.”

  They fell in behind him and after being joined by Samson and Rennon they followed him down many corridors and through rooms until they came to an ornate metal door. The door was carved with images of stars and moons. The center of it being a huge sun. It was guarded by two muscular guards who stood to attention as soon as they saw the group coming. They were ornately dressed i
n a livery which reflected the carving on the door and was green and gold. They nodded to the guard who was leading them and stepped aside to let their comrade and the guests past.

  The guard knocked three times and opened the doors wide so that they could walk through into the opulent room beyond. It was draped with green velvet curtains and painted in a similar style to the banqueting hall but the designs were of nobles sitting on an ornate gold throne draped with green. Each panel showed a different noble around the domed roof. The lower panels and the remaining three panels along a painted set were painted a plain green. The Emperor they had seen the night before languished on a couch and they were shown to chairs which had been moved into a line in front of the Emperor for them. Close up he was still a tiny man with pointed features. He almost disappeared in the mountain of his silk robes. He sat up as they entered and waved them inside. “Come in, sit, sit, we will talk. Now leave us.” The guard scurried away, bowing.

  Kel looked at Kyla and turned as if to speak.

  The Emperor pulled himself up to his full height and rearranged his robes. He wriggled slightly, making himself comfortable. “I must first thank you for your assistance yesterday evening, most impressive. I trust that you are now rested and feeling no ill effects from the events. As you will have seen we are more than able to deal with incursions here but as with other planets these incursions are becoming more and more frequent. We are therefore willing to discuss trade and other agreements in light of these difficulties. Indeed, as you will have seen, we are strongly supporting any efforts to rid the galaxies of the threat known as the Followers.” He waved his hand as Rennon was about to speak. “It is about this matter that I would speak to you and invite you to speak with an honoured guest who is visiting us at the moment.” He rang a small bell that had been almost unnoticed until he touched it; it hung on the end of his chair but was part of the decoration.

  The door opened and the Prince strode in. He cut an impressive figure in his black tailored leather armour and flowing black cape. His black hair was spiked, his face handsome, his beard neatly trimmed to a goatee.

  The Emperor stood up and they followed suit. “I would like to present to you Prince Anathorn of the Northern Planets. He is born of the ancient dynasty of kings. I am indeed greatly honoured that he is staying as a guest on my planet.”

  Anathorn sat down casually on the proffered chair. He smiled at them, his voice like liquid velvet, deep, reassuring and eloquent. The words were carefully pronounced, clear and somehow welcoming. “Please, be seated, it is indeed an honour to meet all of you. Your deeds and efforts towards the war have made a great difference and we all have a lot to thank you for after last night.

  As you may have already realized I am here to discuss alliances and to ascertain which planets wish to come under one rule in order to present a united front against our most formidable enemy. For my part my credentials are well known throughout the planets in this system and I was happy to accept the invitation put to me by leaders such as His Excellency the Emperor. I am at your service.” He bowed his head slightly, smiling kindly.

  Kel grunted. “So you want to take over.”

  Anathorn smiled broadly. “Succinctly put. But not by force and I welcome only those who voluntarily wish to be part of the Union of Planets.”

  The Emperor coughed. “According to one of our legends a great leader will come to us in the time of our greatest need. Born of the blood, honorable of spirit, firm in resolve and destined to wear the quadruple crested crown on his brow.”

  Anathorn met Kyla’s enquiring glance. “That may well be a long way off. There is so much to do and a long way to go before that happens. I intend to fight. Would you join me?” He was looking directly at Kyla although the question was directed at everyone.

  She blushed slightly and felt electricity running down her spine as he spoke. His voice was velvety, commanding, imploring her to agree with him. Her mouth opened and then closed again.

  Kel stood up and was about to state that he worked for Mission Command when he remembered his cover story. “My wife is busy with her own matters. I’m sure we will help all that we can and aren’t there organizations for that sort of thing?”

  Anathorn smiled. “I know star and moon bases which are command centers for the galaxies. But, ask yourselves, how was Mission Command set up? By the money of an eccentric millionaire? I am sure you will say that is a familiar story.”

  Kel and Kyla turned to Rennon and he nodded. “There was a bequest many hundreds of years ago which led to setting up a base camp in the stars and waiting for a coming threat.”

  Anathorn crossed his legs and relaxed. “Keriak thiantho leanthenon. I give for the future.”

  Rennon thought for a moment. “That is what is engraved on the foundation block. But anyone could know that.”

  Anathorn rested his hands on his lap and closed his eyes slowly and then opened them again. “Indeed. You will know the truth of it. It was my ancestor who set up bases in different galaxies, each to defend that galaxy. A gift to the planets he felt would be most likely to be the superpowers at a time when the galaxy needed them. He was completely correct in his evaluation; each base is perfectly placed to have the maximum effect.

  Each base had people allocated to it. Not always people from that galaxy but people who were most suited. He went looking for them and we are led to believe that he spent his whole life creating them. These original occupants have since had children and grandchildren of their own who still live on the bases.

  Although my beginnings were humble I had the option to carry on the family legacy and since then I have dedicated my life to becoming the man that I need to be.”

  Kyla met his gaze and felt a warm feeling. She smiled and her mouth felt dry. She needed to speak to break the silence as he looked at her. “I can’t begin to imagine what that must have been like.” It was like there was nobody else in the room and he was speaking only to her.

  The Prince smiled. “Your own history is known to me. Where is the difference? What is being born to duty other than following a path that is pre-ordained? That is the same for many people. That we can understand those that we seek to guide is all we can ask for. Whatever mistakes they make and however misguided they may be.”

  Kel grunted. “So what? What makes it right that you take over? We all are born to duty. You want to be Prince and you can do the job then I’m sure that there will be some sort of diplomatic arrangement. If you mean with us then that is unlikely as we’re just traders.”

  Anathorn turned to him, his gaze intense, concerned. “Indeed. I would speak with your Commander. It is also true that you have not as yet been able to find your team member? I think we can dispense with the bartering and subterfuge here. You came to recover your team member who has been here since she was recovered from the wreckage of her Planet Hopper. You may have brought something to trade. Am I correct?”

  Rennon looked confused. “That is correct. If she is here as a slave under the laws of this planet then we would like to buy her back. We believe we have something of suitable worth.”

  The Prince turned to the Emperor who looked a little sheepish. “Is this true? Do you have the person they are asking about on your planet?”

  The Emperor took a deep breath. “It would help if I knew who she was but I have a fairly good idea. We have a woman here who is an excellent translator. You didn’t need the subterfuge if that is what you are here for. We have slaves here but we also have those who work for a living. Slaves are generally born here. She came here when we recovered her from the wreckage of a crash. She has been content to work in our Library and indeed she seems to enjoy her work. Her translation skills are second to none. It would take something very special to match her in value. Do you have such a thing?” His beady eyes looked bright and darted around expectantly as he involuntarily grasped his hands together and fidgeted slightly in his seat.

  Rennon looked the Emperor in the eye. “We would like to speak wi
th her first.”

  Kel snapped. “Why was she not allowed to contact us?”

  Anathorn was watching the Emperor out of the corner of his eye while appearing to be looking at Rennon and the others. “It couldn’t hurt for them to speak with her. If she is content to stay then they may be content to leave her with you.”

  Kel spoke slowly, his voice measured. The obvious relief showing on his face. “That would be a good idea.”

  Anathorn looked to the Emperor.

  The Emperor bowed his head slightly. “Yes my Prince, they may speak with her. I will arrange for them to be taken to her after our audience is completed.”

  Anathorn bowed his head. “I thank you.” He turned to Kel. “Will that be acceptable?”

  Dr Samson shifted in his seat. “She is a very emotional person and has been greatly distraught over these past few months after the death of what she believed was the last of her people. If she is in a situation where she also feels trapped I would not continuing health and stability.”

  The Emperor looked concerned. “I mental stability but she is not the last of her race. She is with another. I can only suggest that her present circumstances will bring a stable and reliable aspect to her life. She has been provided with a comfortable residence in the Scholar’s Quarter and of course employment. Keltar, our Chief Librarian is indeed a very level headed individual who has the respect of all who know him. He will make a most suitable mate for her. You must understand that she is but one of my subjects. That I know so much about her is due to her excellent skills in the field of translation.” He looked over at Anathorn as if passing the lead on to him.

  Anathorn met his gaze and took a deep breath. “It is one of my ambitions to attempt to protect some of the lost races and to promote their regeneration. It is early days but it may at least mean that one race recommend it for her

  cannot comment on her will be saved. I am sure that the Emperor would also wish this. Whether they are under his jurisdiction or elsewhere in the galaxy they need to be protected.” He looked directly at the Emperor. “There has to be a future, we have to focus on that and that is what we are fighting for. If one race can be brought back from the edges of extinction then that is a precious thing.