by Reiter
“Happy to join the ranks... milord,” Larry said, managing a smile.
“Have Kethgeegan fit them with locator bracelets, if you would, please,” Valian said before walking away.
“It will be a personal pleasure, my lord,” Annodia said, glaring only at Larry. “And then we have your laborers.”
“Hmmm, seven of them,” Valian noted.
“Yes, my lord,” Annodia said. “We were instructed to retain at least four.”
“They appear to be young and strong,” Valian observed before turning to face his trainer. “Lady Gilestra, we’ve added seven more to the class!”
“Then my lordship had best fetch a HealeR,” the woman replied.
“Right!” Valian said, remembering that he had forgotten to do something. “Keth, Lori, could you join us for a moment, please? And, Keth, please bring Boris along.” He walked away from the rest of the group as the others rushed to gather up with him. “You’re probably wanting to know where I was and what I did, aren’t you?”
“I knew you would eventually get around to it,” Kethgeegan stated.
“Indeed. Give my best to the Keeper when you see it. And remember... keep an open mind.” Valian stepped back from the three and opened his mind. He could feel the presence of the Keeper of the Nexus almost immediately.
“These are the ones?” it asked.
“They are. And if you have any promising HealeR students looking to put their skills to the test, send them with my friends when they are done.”
As the Keeper of the Nexus took hold of their bodies, it projected, “I shall, young man... though it may take a bit longer this time around. There is not much to the pathway the Thousand-Mind Monk provided.”
“No, they will take as long as I did,” Valian insisted. “And there is more than enough of the energy vein K’Torru created to perform this task and still leave you enough to sample.” Valian smiled at hearing the Keeper sigh. “For what it is worth, it was a very good ploy.”
“But obviously expected,” the Keeper returned.
“The side-stride through Time and Space gave me the opportunity to receive five years’ instruction in seconds, but it also gave me a few glimpses into the immediate future... including your ploy.”
“What else did that troublesome Monk do?”
“Keeper, I don’t have to tell you... information of that nature is costly. We will speak on this when I see the results of the ones I am sending to you.
“Very costly,” he repeated once he could feel the Keeper close the rapport between them. “I gained my instruction into FantasioR and instruction in two other Energies... but I lost the mind K’Torru had placed inside my psyche... just as he predicted... he did not remain with me for too long.
“But now I have a new front to face, don’t I?” Valian muttered. “So much to do... and so little time.”
We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.
Vorz Laldeer
(Rims Time: XI-4805.15)
Pirion laughed so hard that he started falling out of his chair. His sister’s hands caught him and brought him back to sitting upright. As soon as she was done saving him from the floor, she wiped her eyes of laughing tears.
“So that was my first Charger riding lesson,” Valian said, giving a pressed-lip smile.
“Oh my, Valian,” Shonsatah cackled. “Did she really hit you on your head?”
“That seems to be Lady Gilestra’s chosen spot,” Valian pondered. “That stick of hers just doesn’t miss. She even threw it off a wall once. Damn thing ricocheted and caught me right on the forehead. BAM! I think everyone laughed... I’m not sure... it took a while before I woke up.” He smiled to see the two of them enjoying the slightly exaggerated rendition of his training regimen. In truth, Lady Gilestra had made her stick bounce off of two hard surfaces before it struck Valian in the face, knocking him from the saddle.
“Ah, but the saddle is another consideration, isn’t it?” he thought, hearing his newfound friend whinnying for him. “N’Char didn’t oversell the ability of the Great Mother. Thunderstar is a fine horse, and I haven’t the slightest idea how he came to this house. I have yet to meet N’Char’s goddess, but my opinion of her far exceeds that of Zorkaysha.
“And who am I,” Valian asked himself, “to be getting mixed up in the affairs of the gods?! Damn, I’d rather be back at a time when my greatest concern was a young man I called brother, but could never call me the same. Speaking of which...” Valian looked back up at the monitor to see that Pirion was still laughing but Shonsatah was sitting there, staring at him.
“Are you back with us?” she asked.
“I am now, Sister. I’m sorry. I suppose I have a lot on my mind.”
“Like when to duck!” Pirion cackled.
“Yes, that too.
“How are you, Sister?” he asked, looking intently at the young woman.
“And now, of course, she’ll lie,” he thought. “It’s been a month and–
“Goodness!” he thought, maintaining his face and composure. “So much has happened in only a month! Of course, when you’re fooling about with Time and Space, all sorts of things can happen.
“But I digress,” Valian thought, resuming his mental freeze-frame inspection of Shonsatah. “Even if I couldn’t read her body language and feel the impressions of her thoughts that reach even over this comm-link, there are the reports I’ve read from Uncle Travis.
“Yorlson, I used to wonder to what level of idiocy you could attain... now that answer scares me. It’s bad enough you snubbed Father’s schoolmasters in the name of pursuing Wizardry over Sorcery, but now you’re even entertaining the notion of marrying Shonsatah off. Have you forgotten what a pit of vipers the Imperial Court can be? Did it slip your memory of just how many enemies Father has?!”
“I am well,” Shonsatah said with a smile that would have fooled anyone who did not know her. “As per your request, I convinced Yorlson to take in the servants you advocated. And you were right; he used the fact they had disabilities to his advantage. He was even interviewed by a local Media Outlet for taking in battered and broken outlanders to show what he calls ‘Imperial Grace’.”
“I am going to be unwell,” Valian thought.
“It’s been interesting, getting to learn how Tacita and Thomas communicate,” Shonsatah continued. “... but Travis is a fine teacher. Isn’t it amazing that a blind man has learned this language of hand signs?”
“He knew the alphabet of that language before he lost his vision,” Valian stated. “Don’t let that warm and buttery speaking voice allow you to forget that the man was an Ardrian Marine who earned a discharge.”
“Days long behind him, Brother,” Shonsatah argued. “Besides, whatever he might have been in the world before, Gwendolyn has changed him. That woman is a force of nature!”
“That I’ll give you,” Valian agreed.
“And she always seems to know when Travis is up to no good,” Pirion added before Shonsatah gave him a sharp nudge with her elbow. She then looked toward the camera and smiled.
“He’s also been helpful with Pirion and some of his lessons,” she testified.
“And what did Yorlson do with Thomas?” Valian inquired.
“He’s working in the kitchen!” Shonsatah said with an airy quality to her voice. “Surbara says he’s the best Prep Chef she’s ever worked with.”
“Yes, I was told he was rather good with a knife,” Valian commented.
Shonsatah reminded her younger brother he did not have long before he was to meet his Praeceptor. Pirion waved his goodbye and ran out of the room. Shonsatah then entered in one of the codes Valian had given her to secure her end of the link.
“We’re already secure on this end,” Annodia advised.
“Thank you, Annodia.”
Leaning toward her monitor and whispering, Shonsatah conveyed, “I’ve been speaking with Nokeyesh. That was a mos
t excellent addition to your list of agents, Brother.”
“That reminds me, how are Siadri and Anzun?” Valian inquired.
“They are both House Guard Trainees,” Shonsatah advised. “I don’t see much of Anzun, but Siadri had told me that they have received your Care Packages and they are very much enjoying your instruction.
“But getting back to Nokeyesh... did you know about him?”
“The man is very tight-lipped. When you get as old as he is, you’re allowed. A very important thing to remember, not even Father knows about our groundskeeper.”
“Then how did you find out?” she inquired.
“I asked,” he said plainly. “It started with how he made grass grow where no one else could. One thing kind of led to another after that. Next thing you know, he tells me that he’s almost five hundred years old!”
“Well, he’s also a genius!” Shonsatah exclaimed. “... and with more than just plants! He’s been working with me on my private studies and–” Shonsatah caught herself and it was clear doubt had come to the forefront of her mind. “Are you certain I should be doing this?”
“That question is not for me to answer,” Valian quickly replied. “But I do feel the option should be maintained for you. The way you work a charm is exceptional, Shonsatah. It would be foolish to turn your back on that kind of a gift. Tomorrow Nokeyesh will have another lesson for you.”
“He will?!” she said, betraying her true feelings and Valian gave himself a moment of just staring at her. The excitement in the young girl’s eyes lessened as she came to the beginning of realization.
“I think we have our answer, eh, Sister?” Valian said softly. “And yes, he will have a lesson and a little something that was picked up for you. It’s a surprise, and yes, you must wait until tomorrow. You risk our veil of secrecy if you are impatient.”
“You are too cruel to be my brother!” she huffed, throwing a pillow at the monitor.
“That’s because he isn’t your brother!” Yorlson said as he barged into the room.
Valian’s hand clenched into a fist and he felt movement to his right. It was his squire.
“Contain yourself, my lord,” Annodia stressed as she entered commands into the console. “Remember... your greatest strength and your greatest weakness.”
Valian sighed before he whispered, “My family!”
“What are you doing in my room?!” Shonsatah barked.
“I am the master of this abode,” Yorlson announced. “You would do well to remember that. Your console was suddenly isolated from the house system.”
“You’re listening in on my communications?!”
“You go too far, Proxy,” Valian said, barely holding on to his anger. “One simple message to the Duke might find you in an awkward position if he hears you have established surveillance on his daughter’s comm-link network. You control the systems there, but as his Ward, please know I too have a code that will put me in contact with him... if I feel the need to use it.”
“Shonsatah has her studies, Ward!” Yorlson said, glaring at the young man. “Run and tell my father that!” The screen went black before the New Eden Technologies logo could be seen slowly spinning in the center of the screen.
Valian stood up so fast that his chair fell back to the floor. His fists were on top of the table, pressing down on the surface of the desk. The metal construct sang a soft song of distress at receiving the extra force. With his chin dropping to his chest, Valian closed his eyes and brought his hands up to his hips.
“These past few days have taught me that skill-wise, I have a lot of work to do,” Valian started, turning his head to look out of the window. “But that little fop-”
“Is your brother and, more importantly, your father’s chosen Proxy,” Annodia asserted. “And furthermore, as a KnighT of the House Jhormynn, your place is to first support him. Yes, the safety of the Duke’s children is also a priority, but I don’t have to tell you which one comes first... or do I?”
Valian gave a half-hearted chuckle, shaking his head ‘no’. He reached for Annodia’s shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze. “You do realize that you are the brains of this outfit, right?”
“Only when it comes to matters of your family,” she replied with a smile.
“You’re part of my family.”
“Yes, but I’m on the more reasonable side of things,” she smiled. “Let’s get back to it, Valian. We have a combat riding lesson waiting for us.”
“From one kind of pain to another,” Valian commented, following behind his squire.
Gilestra was the first to walk in from outside. She was the only one who could walk regularly. Her steps were slower and her strides not as long, but she was still upright and able to reach the door in order to hold it open for her students to hobble through.
“And I thought I was the oldest one here,” she commented. A soft smile formed on her face, hearing the moans and groans of the young people who were on their way to the baths.
“You are!” Kethgeegan exclaimed as he rolled into the building, followed by a silent Quilori. “So old that you no longer feel pain!”
“Ah, that must be it then,” Gilestra smiled, pushing both of them along their way. She then turned to look at Valian who was also bent, but only because he was assisting one of his retainers into the house. Fessural was his name, and the man-at-arms in question was barely walking. His arm was across Valian’s shoulders and the young KnighT was managing his own body and that of the fatigued man. “Your people have willing hearts and minds, my lord. Once they learn the proper techniques, and a better measure of endurance, they will be ready to stand at your side.”
“I am sure you will get us there, Lady Gilestra,” Valian huffed as he walked. “Moaning to the moons and smelling of soaking salts, perhaps... but we will arrive. My thanks for today, my lady.”
“Jorkethian did not oversell this one,” she thought, looking at Valian take the stairs. “He insists on having everyone call me Lady, and he thanks me for every lesson no matter how difficult I make it for him. It’s a fool’s errand: trying to break this one. Something has already broken him... and whatever it was, it folded him, and forged him like sure steel. He might be misled into losing his edge, but I do not think he will break again.
“And like any good squire,” Gilestra noted, watching Annodia assist another of the retainers, called Kwebb, into the house. “... this one follows after her KnighT.”
“Feel free to pitch in at any time,” Annodia panted. “... after all, there are a few more, and this really falls to being your fault.”
“So it is, Annodia. Good point.” Gilestra walked out of the house toward the gathering of aching students. She frowned at the laid-out people and her eyes squinted as she looked at them, walking from the front door of the house.
“What... was... the point... of all that?” Larry shouted from his back in-between panting. His body trembled with his heartbeat and his lungs stretched for air.
“I find that a person is a more effective rider when they’ve been made to walk a few miles in their mount’s hooves,” Gilestra said as she approached. “So, it seemed appropriate to have each of you strapped down with proportional weight and made to run, fight, and jump the way you will make your mounts run, fight, and jump. You’d be surprised how enlightening it can be.” Gilestra offered her hand and Larry looked at before taking it.
“I guess that just leaves you with one,” he said softly as he stopped panting. His grip tightened and Gilestra could hear movement behind her.
“Kayjoe!” she thought, hearing his footsteps. It seemed that he too was not exhausted. Slightly winded, perhaps, as was she after running alongside her class... but certainly not to the point of fatigue that would make the mammoth of a man weaker or slower. “And it’s not just the two of them.”
A blaster bolt exploded near Kayjoe’s right foot and nearly everyone jumped. Heads turned to see Valian holding a smoking weapon. “Release Lady Gilestra... now!” he comm
anded in a hissing voice.
Larry did as he was told, holding up his other hand as he got up to his knees. Kayjoe and two of the other men also put up their hands.
“My apologies, my Lady,” Valian said softly as he started down the path from the house to the yard. “I assure you this is not an act of delivering a damsel from distress. I have every faith that you would have resolved the situation in your own way.”
“Then what would you call what you are doing, my Lord?” she asked.
“Big Brother has to clean his house,” he whispered, handing her his gun as he walked by her, headed toward Larry. He motioned for the man to get up and then he cut his eyes over to Kayjoe. “Stand with him.” Valian pointed at the two men with their hands up and gestured for them to join Larry and Kayjoe. “You two as well.
“But especially you,” Valian said, pointing at one of the remaining two retainers. Both were women, but Valian had designated the black-haired female. “... the one who wishes to press her advantage even further.”
“Let me stand with you, my Lord,” K’Vatti, the fair-haired female retainer, requested.
“Do so by doing as you are told,” Valian replied. “Report to the house. The soaking salt baths await your beleaguered bodies.”
“But they aren’t tired!” K’Vatti stressed. “They put anti-gravity generators under their saddles!”
“So, is it ‘they’ aren’t tired... or ‘we’?” Valian asked. When his answer was not immediate in the coming, he nodded. “Then report to Lady Gilestra regarding her response to your unwillingness to engage in her teachings. See to Bef’Lurro and help him into the house. Go now. Lady Gilestra, please see K’Vatti safely inside.”
“If that is your wish, my Lord,” Gilestra returned in an almost pleading tone.
“It is,” he confirmed, stretching his neck and shoulders. “I am sure as a KnighT you have seen things... but I will not have this event add to such a distinguished listing. I have spoken.”