The Army Of Light (Kestrel Saga)

by Fender, Stephen

  Toyo smiled lovingly, as a father would to a daughter. “She will show you to your room, Miss Graves, and attend to your every need while you are my guest.”

  Melissa bowed slowly, and somewhat awkwardly, to Keiko in return, then turned to Toyotomi in confusion. “My room?”

  Toyo’s face took on a look of seriousness. “It’s much too late for you and the Captain to return to Minos tonight. Please, I would be honored if you would accept my humble accommodations until the morning.”

  Melissa looked to the captain, who only nodded in response. She wasn’t sure if that meant that they would be accepting Toyo’s invitation, or if it meant that it was okay for her to verbally accept the request at this time. When she narrowed her eyes at him, the captain gave her a warm smile, and something told her that this was going to be different than what had happened on Minos. His eyes said to her ‘It’ll be alright’, and, for some unfathomable reason, this time she believed him.

  Besides, Melissa dreaded the thought of sleeping onboard Sylvia’s Delight or worse—on the torturous military cot back in Shawn’s office—and was pleased better lodgings had suddenly come her way. However, Melissa wasn’t sure if she felt up to mingling at a stranger’s party. There seemed little point in arguing that fact now, and decided she could easily decline the offer after she’d freshened up. Besides, a shower would do her a world of good. She bowed towards Toyo, more gracefully than before. “Yes, of course. Thank you.”

  Shawn turned to Melissa and noticed a swath of her hair had fallen to obscure her left eye. He instinctively reached out to brush it aside, but withdrew his hand at the last moment before he touched her. He cleared his throat and instead gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Don’t get into any trouble.”

  “I won’t.” She smiled kindly, then moved to follow Keiko up the carpeted staircase.

  Shawn’s eyes followed her as she ascended to the second floor, not realizing Toyo was also doing the same. The two women turned towards the east wing of the house and, when they were out of sight, Toyo stealthily crept up behind the captain.

  “She’s more beautiful then even William could have described. Be careful, my old friend,” he whispered into Shawn’s ear.

  “I don’t recall him ever describing,” Shawn said, finally turning his eyes from the empty staircase to Toyo. “Besides, I hadn’t noticed.”

  Toyo shrugged noncommittally. “As I said, be careful.”

  “I have rules about how far I’ll stick my neck out for people.”

  “Yes, and I see they apply to everyone except for ones named Graves.” It wasn’t a question.

  “You of all people should know why that is, Katashi.”

  Toyo’s playful smile faded and nodded his head sharply. “Ōku ni taishite, ikutsu ka no. The few against the many.”

  Shawn nodded slowly in affirmation. “Yeah.”

  Toyo put a firm hand on Shawn’s shoulder and his smile quickly returned. “First we shall deal with the present—then we will remember the past. Come. Let me show you to your own room. We must make you presentable.”

  Shawn fanned his faded flight jacket open, revealing the tropical shirt beneath. He looked down to his broken-in, exceedingly comfortable black trousers and well traveled nearly knee high boots. “What’s wrong with my appearance?”

  “Nothing. That is, you look perfectly presentable for someone looking for a fight at Jack’s Place.”

  “Oh, you heard about that, huh?”

  Toyo smiled a toothy grin. “Come.” He began walking up to the west wing of the house, Shawn following close behind.

  *

  Fidgeting nervously, Melissa’s felt as if she were in a small apartment rather than a bedroom. Resembling the rest of the house in decorative tastes, it was lavishly furnished in art from multiple planets in the Beta Sector. She stood in the center of the space, turning slowly and admiring every square inch of the opulent room.

  Keiko, who had disappeared briefly through what Melissa assumed was the servant’s entrance, returned carrying a white box. Based on its size and shape, it wasn’t hard to surmise what the contents were.

  “Mister Katashi would appreciate if you wore this for his party,” Keiko said after a diminutive bow.

  Melissa smiled kindly as she took the box from Keiko’s hands and placed it on a nearby lounge chair. “If I may ask, Keiko, what kind of party is this?”

  The corners of the young woman’s mouth turned upwards. “It’s a gathering of all the major financial investors in the region. Mister Katashi has recently completed the merger of the two largest banks in Beta Sector, and has invited everyone of importance to celebrate.”

  “I see. And where do Captain Kestrel and I fit in? We’re not exactly the crème of the financial elite.”

  She smiled meekly “The Captain and Mister Katashi are old acquaintances. It has been said that the captain once saved Mister Katashi from a fate worse than death. Because of this, he has earned a place of high honor in this house. As far as why you are also invited, I was told that you were his Suītohāto.”

  Melissa narrowed her eyes and shook her head in confusion. “I’m sorry. His what?”

  Keiko’s cheeks reddened slightly as she brought a hand to her mouth in embarrassment. “Forgive me. I have said too much. The party will begin in just over an hour. If you need anything, you have but to ring this bell,” she then gestured to a thick, golden pull cord hanging near the bed. “Someone will attend to you shortly.”

  “Thank you,” Melissa replied sweetly before Keiko left the room.

  She retrieved the box off the couch and walked it into the bedroom, then placed it on the large four-posted bed. Opening it, she found a beautiful white silk gown and matching shoes in precisely her size. How Katashi had managed it was of less concern than why he’d done it. Melissa suddenly felt the cool, inviting evening breeze flutter through her hair. She followed its source to a set of French doors that opened out to a beautiful garden. She could smell orchids just coming into full bloom mixed with a hint of the distant ocean breeze. Turning to look at the dress once more, she couldn’t help but wonder how any of this was going to help her solve her fathers disappearance.

  *

  Less than an hour after Keiko had left Melissa’s room, Shawn was ready for the evening. Toyo had lent Shawn a black tuxedo that he kept in reserves for just such occasions. Shawn had both showered and shaved, and was left alone in the well-stocked second floor library. There must be a thousand books in here, spanning dozens of different cultures. He knew from experience that Toyotomi, an avid collector, had probably read them all. There was an antique brass telescope at one window, an ancient sextant lying on an oak desk in the center of the room, and several paintings of tall sailing ships on the walls in cubicles between the rows of books. Very nautical.

  Through the closed doorway, Shawn could hear the bustling of people down in the lobby. The party had begun only a few moments ago, and the captain recognized the sounds of laughter and glasses clinking in the background. Never one to enjoy the ritualistic formalities of high society, the captain usually shied away from accepting invitations to things like this—not that many had come his way lately. So, why was he nervous? In fact, he hadn’t realized that he’d been pacing the room until Toyotomi slipped through the doors a moment later.

  “My apologies,” Toyo bowed slightly, then reached out to firmly shake Shawn’s hand. “You look well, Captain.”

  “I feel a bit out of place.”

  “Nonsense. You look quite dashing,” Toyo smiled genuinely. “Most of my guests are bankers and investors, to which I’m sure you’ll find the conversation stimulating to no end. If any of them corner you into a conversation, simply continue to nod your head until they take a breath, then excuse yourself to the bar. Trust me, it works every time.”

  Shawn couldn’t help but smile and laugh at the remark. “I’m sure.”

  “Believe me, the reward I will grant for your momentary agony will be well worth it.
Come, let’s get you a drink.”

  After wading through a sea of well-dressed guests—each pair looking like an oversized cake decoration—and about a dozen handshakes and introductions by Toyo to people Shawn immediately forgot, the duo made it to the bar near the back of the house. Toyo slipped behind the counter and began to pour Shawn a drink as the captain looked at the colorful spectrum of illuminated bottles lining the shelves behind his friend.

  “What are you putting in me?”

  “Ah,” Toyo grinned from ear to ear. In the blink of an eye he’d already mixed the ingredients and was shaking them over ice. “This is an old family recipe. It is called a Hokkaido Cocktail. You’ll love it.” He poured the diamond-clear libation into a glass and handed it to Shawn.

  Shawn inclined the glass in a toast before taking a timid sip. The sweet and sour flavors bathed his tongue in warmth. He then inspected his glass before announcing his verdict. “It’s good. Domo.”

  Toyo nodded. “Dou itashimashite.”

  “So tell me, what was with that welcoming comity down at the docks? I wasn’t expecting an armed escort.”

  Toyo bowed his head slowly. “Later.”

  Shawn was impatient for answers, but decided that he could hold his tongue a while longer. The captain took a moment to finish off the second half of his delicious drink. “Okay. So, tell me this: where’s my passenger? You didn’t recruit her into your harem, did you? And don’t tell me ‘later’ this time.”

  Toyo smiled at Shawn and went back to masquerading as a bartender. “You know how women can be, Captain,” he said as he absently wiped the inside of a clean glass. “You can never really know completely. One day they’re here, the next…well,” he made a whistling sound, then yanked back the towel to reveal the glass underneath had vanished. “Then they’re gone. Disappeared.” He chuckled at Shawn’s amused expression. “Who can explain it?”

  Shawn had to admit that he’d always had a soft spot for gimmicky tricks. “So, you’re an amateur bartender and magician?”

  “Amateur?” he scowled with mock disdain. “I’ll have you know that I’m highly regarded around this quadrant. I’ve even been known to perform at children’s parties, from time to time of course.”

  Shawn sensed the irony of it all. Toyo, arguably the wealthiest man within twenty star systems, playing the lovable clown for his subjects. “Gulliver and his Lilliputians.”

  Toyotomi chuckled to himself softly, then looked at his watch. “You know, if I were a betting man, I’d say Miss Graves would be here…now.” He smiled, then locked his eyes on something over Shawn’s left shoulder. With a nod of his head, Shawn turned slowly on his stool and followed his friend’s gaze.

  There, standing at the top of the small stairway that led down into the ballroom, was a true vision of beauty. Melissa had on—by what every being with blood pumping through his veins would agree—was the most beautifully ornate Japanese dining gown in the history of history. Its satin-like finish caught the light in just the right places, giving her a soft glow as she slowly descended the steps. The shimmering white dress was tied loosely around her waist, and had a delicately flowing bottom that barely touched the tops of her white heels. Her auburn hair was curled tightly above her head, and she wore a diamond necklace that sparkled like a ring of stars around her neck.

  “I’ll, ah… I’ll be right back, Toyo.” Shawn deftly reached behind him, trying to place his empty glass on the bar without looking, not realizing he was about to miss it by over a foot. Toyo, noticing the captain’s attention was focused elsewhere, quickly reached for the glass and averted the minor disaster.

  Locking eyes with Melissa, the captain quickly waded through several guests, nearly impacting with two arguing Quizonian diplomats before intercepting Melissa in the center of the room. Shawn saw what could only be described as a look of approval on her face.

  “You look…um, you look good.” he stammered, and then inwardly kicked himself over his lack of vocabulary skills.

  Melissa smiled grandly. “I feel a bit out of sorts, but thank you, Captain,” she spoke up over the din of the other guests and the music that had just started playing. “You look very… clean.”

  The two stood within arm’s reach for what seemed like an eternity before Shawn broke the stalemate. “Would you… I mean… would you care to…” He continued to falter like an idiot, knowing full well that if he tried to stop he’d just put his foot in his mouth in the process.

  “Yes, Mister Kestrel?” she teased. “You’re leering like a school boy, so I hope you have something more substantial to say.”

  He took a breath before opening his mouth. “Well, it’s just that… beneath the rough exterior it’s hard to believe there’s a beautiful woman in there.” Open mouth, insert foot. Tasty.

  She smiled. “Your flattery is… kind. Unusual, but kind. And unnecessary. This was in my room.” She waived her hands at her dress. “I was told that I’d be attending a party and I should put it on. It’s no big deal.”

  His first thought was to say ‘Have you looked at yourself? You’re the biggest deal in the room!’, but he bit his cheek to stop from saying anything. However, her appearance had stirred something he hadn’t expected, and he approved of it. “I see.” He realized he hadn’t blinked once since he’d laid eyes on her.

  “Please, Captain. Stop staring at me like I grew a third eye. I’m still your employer, you realize.”

  Shawn managed to regain some of his lost composure and smiled confidently. “That may be, but I’m sure your money entitles you to at least one free dance.” He wasn’t sure if that was any better than anything else he’d said up to this point, but once it was done it was done.

  “There’s no music playing.” But, as soon as she’d said it, classical music began playing through concealed speakers. She pursed her lips and she absently scanned the crowded floor. “Well, there doesn’t seem to be anyplace I can escape to, so it looks as if you’ve cornered me.”

  “The last time I checked, dancing requires me to be in some form of physical contact with you,” he said as he held his arms out cautiously. “I’d appreciate it if you refrained from striking me this time.”

  She wrinkled her nose and laughed, far from how either of them had expected her to respond. “I promise, no more striking out unjustly.”

  He carefully stepped in closer to her as he looked down into her emerald eyes. “Then I guess we’re all out of excuses.”

  Shawn reached out and took Melissa’s right hand in his left, slipping his other around her waist and applying gentle pressure to her lower back as they began to waltz. The softness of her dress under his fingers felt electric. They didn’t speak the entire dance; they simply looked at one another for the duration of the performance, and for a few fleeting moments after the song had ended.

  *

  Once the guests had finished celebrating and had departed for the evening, Shawn, Melissa, and Toyotomi retired to the expansive backyard terrace adjacent to a meticulously manicured Japanese garden. The three were seated around the interior of a replicated twelfth century gazebo, and Toyo was just concluding the tale of how he’d met Melissa’s father.

  “—and just like that, it seemed, the war with the Kafaran’s was over.”

  “Amazing,” Melissa said breathlessly. “It’s hard to see how one man could have been so pivotal in such a large chain of events.”

  “When your father came to me, he was merely a soldier in the right place at the right time, and with the right information,” Toyo said as he looked down to a nearly half empty glass. “The Unified government was very appreciative of my efforts. It provided me with the means to have a very comfortable life here.”

  “They may’ve provided you with the means, but you made this place what it is Toyo.” Shawn said to his friend.

  “It has taken a lot of hard work to get here, but your words honor me, Captain. Domo.”

  “So,” Melissa said after a pause, “what do you need that shi
pment of weapons for? You seem relatively unchallenged here on Persephone.”

  “It is not the present that concerns me, Miss Graves. It is the future that gives me pause.”

  Shawn watched as Toyo’s face took on a look of severity. “I think it’s time we had that conversation.”

  “Conversation?” Melissa repeated in confusion.

  “First,” Shawn continued without responding to “I’d like to know how you knew the Admiral was missing.”

  Toyo contemplated his nearly empty glass before proceeding. “I will try to answer as best I can.” He shifted his eyes from Shawn to Melissa before he continued. “I’d overheard rumors that the Admiral was missing not long before you arrived, Captain. Seeing you at my doorstep and with Miss Graves at your side confirm those same reports.”

  “Why didn’t you say something before today? There’s no reason you should have kept this from me.”

  “As I said, I only heard about it recently. I would have mentioned as much to you when you delivered the weapons to me. In any case, it seems that the foreboding that has concerned me for the last several months now appears to be fully justified.”

  “What does that mean?” Melissa asked guardedly.

  Toyo’s face became like stone. “It means something ominous is on the horizon.”

  Melissa leaned back in contemplation, but Shawn respectfully pressed his friend for more. “Like what?”

  “I can tell you only what I know… and what I’ve seen with my own eyes,” Toyo set his glass down as if to emphasize the weight of his next words. “The information I offer here will not leave this house,” he moved his eyes to Shawn. “I know you understand, Captain.”

  “I do.”

  Toyo nodded sharply, then turned to Melissa. “I know your father was working for your government on a special assignment,” Toyo began.

  “That much I already know.”

  “But, you aren’t familiar with the nature of the assignment, or who exactly he was working for, do you?”