by Reiter
Starflight:
The Prism Baronies
To My Questors: Past, Present & Future –
… Roll me a D30!
A
Novel
In association with
© Lajko Press in association with Quicksylver Publications, 2018
Cover Art by: Thomas Wievegg; Layout Design by: Madolyn Locke
Book Two of the
Beyond the Outer Rim
Series
By Reiter
Table of Contents
Prologue I
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Interlude II
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Interlude III
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thrirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Interlude IV
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Interlude V
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Interlude VI
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Interlude VII
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Interlude VIII
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Interlude IX
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Interlude X
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Interlude XI
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Interlude XII
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Interlude XIII
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Chapter Sixty-Two
Chapter Sixty-Three
Chapter Sixty-Four
Epilogue XIV
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Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer.
Morihei Ueshiba
(I)
(Rims Time: XII-4202.30)
The first gong sounded and the double doors, located at the eight major compass points, opened to allow entry into the massive chamber. Movement into the room was at a pace quicker than normal. Those who could not move quickly enough under their own power were carried by ushers. The sense of urgency was a sure as the marble tiles on the floor.
Light shone from the seven large floating crystals at the center of the domed ceiling, though they seemed smaller in size to many of the patrons of the chamber. Perhaps it had been too long since the room had been used. The Convocation of the Church was a very powerful body, but seldom did it convene in this alcove; the only room of the great temple not built by mortal hands. Priest and Priestess alike moved quietly to their seats; Chevaliers and Chevalierras also took their stations, reminded once more why the word ‘Temple’ was kept in their official title. Zeu Rex had never been recorded as one who would engage himself in matters of faith; still the authors of the Eastern Temple had taken unto themselves the liberty to expand the scope of the Life-Path. Like many of their kindred InvokeRs, they were given to relationships with various entities.
The seating was circular in formation, with only a twenty-meter diameter circle at the base. Each chair was large and exquisitely comfortable, and the patrons took to their seats as quickly as they had made their way into the room. The second gong sounded before those who would take up the seats toward the front could reach their places. They knew they had two more gongs before the event. But again, no one was about to waste time; the reason for the gathering was too important.
By the third gong, the floor at the center of the room was already beginning to glow. There were a few murmurs of surprise that quickly became suggestions of making greater haste to reach one’s seat and to be silent. Unable to procure what he deemed to be a suitable usher, Aebrynn Mulrear used MajiK to teleport to his chair. A soft moan was forced from him as he pushed his body to move quickly. The Lord Enacranite could stand and walk without giving any sign of discomfort, but bending at the back sent sharp pain through his spine, and the muffled whimpering was a heartbeat from wailing. After his divine reassembly, he had been told that he should keep moving to a very strict minimum. For a time he had complied with the directive. This calling of the Convocation, however, could not be ignored. Allowing his body to fall into the chair, Aebrynn put his pain to use, driving his mind to contemplate a means by which he could exact revenge on Freund. Several scenarios had come to mind, but he had yet to choose one to perfect and implement. He breathed out slow and long as the pain eventually subsided.
The light of the floating crystals started to diminish, but that which came from the center of the room kept everything in the room very bright. The backs of the chairs began to lower and soon everyone was looking up toward the ceiling. The glowing light in the center of the room began to ascend into the field of vision and a glowing sphere burst over the audience, yielding a view into the gathering of the Deistic Deputation. The function of the chamber, however, would only allow the devout to see the entity to which they were aligned. All other forms were kept from sight.
“Children of the Light… well met,” a disembodied voice announced to the mortals who were in awe to see and feel the presence of divine power. “Cherished and sacred followers, you have been summoned here to receive what can only be described as troubling news. It has reached our attention that something has come to the Rims! Something possessing the potential to change face of this territory, if not the fabric of existence itself! What is more vexing is this entity has managed to avoid detection on nearly all levels, including divine awareness. Only the Stars have witnessed this event, and even their vision has been veiled. The shape and form of this entity is still unknown to us… and there is reason to believe it is growing in power. If this is so, it follows that the entity must soon reveal itself. Power of incredible magnitude cannot remain hidden for long.
“So, since it can’t be seen, we make the leap that it must possess tremendous power,” Ernestan thought.
“You have not been gathered here to be placed into a state of high alert, but high sensitivity. After all, it cannot be said if this change will be one of a distasteful sort. The purpose of this gathering is to simply
demonstrate that members of the Deistic Deputation are in full agreement, and direct those who claim to follow our ways to work together and ferret out this shadowed presence. In attendance to this gathering are five Star Gapers who have accepted the task of coordinating your efforts.
“You are the eyes, ears, and hands of your deities and you have been called to act as a demonstration of your faith and gratitude for the bounties that you have received over the ages. Go, and let the truth be revealed!” The window closed quickly, leaving the chamber completely dark for a brief moment as the floating crystals returned to their illuminated state. The backs of the chairs slowly came up and conversations began in whispers at first, but it was not long before devout followers started talking over one another.
“Well, that certainly did not take long,” Ernestan thought as he stood up from his chair. He was one of five Gapers, but there were seven people at their table. After a most unexpected meeting with demons, Kannadi had proven herself to be more than a protégé. She and Praseif, an assistant to Groggor Lancashire – who was more a politician than a Gaper, rounded out the last of their grouping.
Looking at Kannadi, Ernestan felt a sense of relief. The Star Gaper had requested a boon from his most mysterious benefactors. The Dark Pawns had not hesitated to go and gather Kannadi who was eager to resume her training. Looking into her brown eyes, he could see her confusion and disgust at what she was witnessing. “There is the simple honesty of the Nalyik,” he considered. “I have half a mind to inquire if she believes we should attack the lot of them. But the likelihood she would respond in a physical fashion, much like her mother, is far too great a gamble.
“If you would be so kind as to get their attention, my dear,” Ernestan requested as he put his fingers in his ears. It muffled the nerve-scathing shrill that was her war-cry, and Ernestan looked up to see all eyes either already on him or turning to add their gaze. “Thank you, Kannadi.
“My masters and mistresses, if I may be so bold, talking over each other when we have been tasked to work together is at the very least counterproductive. My name is Ernestan Geelmus and I am a Star Gaper, one of the five noted by the Deputation. My colleagues and I counseled amongst one another before this convention, and we have already come to an accord as to how we should proceed. This, of course, does not mean we are not open to suggestion, but until a better plan can be offered, we should proceed with the arrangement we have in mind.”
“And what sort of arrangement would that entail, Gaper?!” Illyana Towermunn asked, sounding as if she stood ready to argue whatever was about to be suggested. Her position might have had something to do with Ernestan’s particular fall from Imperial grace. She had arrived earlier than most, and had immediately started to form something of a coalition to root out a solution to their common issue.
“Quite simply that each of us proceeds within our own individual organizations as we have up to this point,” Ernestan replied. “The only change requested here and now would be the appointment of someone to act as a liaison that will bring information to or receive information from this collection of Star Gapers. Please bear in mind we will not be making contact with anyone directly. The Deputation has initiated the construction of a nexus… a mind-bridging hub of sorts, and it will be responsible for the delivery of all information to and from our small committee. Whatever is brought to us will be vetted by our sight with the Stars and then sent out to all those who have aligned themselves to receive transmissions from this counsel.”
“I must first consult privately with my god,” one Priestess proclaimed. “Surely the Etasian Pantheon will be able to shed some further light on the matter.”
“Your God of Light burns out like a candle with too short a wick!” another protested. Another war-cry erupted from Kannadi and Ernestan was not prepared to hear it. He winced in pain as he reached for the back of his chair to steady himself.
“Masters and mistresses,” Kannadi said clearly. “My lord had not yet relinquished his position to speak.”
“Thank you again, Kannadi,” Ernestan said, opening only his right eye as he straightened up. “What you feel you must do need not be voiced or judged! Do what you feel you must and then decide whether or not to assign a liaison. You have ten days to make your decision. The means with which to reach us we will leave with the administration of the Convocation. Thank you, and I bid you all fair journey.
“Kannadi,” Ernestan said in a beckoning tone, not waiting for a response. He took hold of the fabric of his robes and made his way for the closest double doors. He was three strides beyond them when he heard a voice calling out.
“A moment, sebman,” Aebrynn said as he walked quickly, still with a pronounced limp. Ernestan could not say if it was more anger and frustration or simple curiosity that made him stop and turn. Kannadi walked past him so that she could maintain her position at his back as he faced the approaching Enacranite. “If I may have a word.”
“Mine is the honor,” Ernestan said, bowing his head forward. Kannadi followed suit and Aebrynn nodded in response.
“Can you tell me why among your kind that you were chosen to speak?” Aebrynn inquired.
“Perhaps it is because I am the most given to public speaking,” Ernestan replied. “I cannot say it was a conscious decision by the group.”
“So then it falls to your ability to take initiative,” Mulrear concluded, pointing at the Star Gaper. “And that can be of some use to me.”
“The robes you wear clearly mark you as an Enacranite, my lord,” Ernestan said, taking a step closer to the man. “The earring, however, is more subtle. How long have you been a follower of Mehzaya VerJayno?”
“You have a very sharp eye, sebman,” Aebrynn smiled. “I represent my family’s twelfth generation in service to the immortal hostess.”
“Ah, I see,” Ernestan smiled, lifting up off his heels. “It is always best to be in the truest light, is it not?”
“It is indeed!” Aebrynn quickly replied as he extended his hand toward Ernestan, giving him a small red crystal. “When your nexus is complete, use this to create a bridge to me. I would prefer to deal with it and you only. Is that possible?”
“I shall see to it that the necessary arrangements are made, my lord,” Ernestan smiled. As expected, Aebrynn had little else to say and quickly turned to walk away. In his fourth labored stride, he teleported and Ernestan could tell that while it seemed to be an effect of MannA, it was in fact KaA that allowed the feat. Ernestan looked at the empty spot on the floor and shook his head.
“What is it, Master?” Kannadi asked.
“So many houses are not in order, my dear Kannadi,” he answered. “Though I cannot speak too loudly… not until my own domicile has been cleansed.”
“I do not understand.”
“That poor fool serves a Fietasm, one of a race of soul-devouring creatures. She masks herself as an entity and fools many into worshipping her. To feed on an Enacranite makes this one considerably powerful and dangerous. But it is a matter for another time.” With a slight huff, Ernestan turned and resumed his exit.
“Master,” Kannadi called to him, sounding almost desperate.
“Why did I not warn him?” he asked, receiving a quick affirmation. “I kept my knowledge from him for three reasons, my child. The strongest of the three is simple. Did you take note of the facial hair? It has been darkened by incantation. That man is, as they say, long in the tooth and old humans are all too often too set in their ways. He is also a caster, and the fact that he must have utter faith in his ability makes him a powerful InvokeR, but easily used when he makes an error in judgment. He is very proud to say that his family has dedicated twelve generations to a soul-feeder! Just how do you think he would receive my information?”
“His first reaction would be to disbelieve,” Kannadi said softly. “The particular form of that denial might also be troublesome.”
“Indeed!”
“I find it odd you did not mention when he called you a se
bman,” Kannadi pointed out.
“Oh, but I did,” Ernestan argued. “Set in his ways and too old-minded to see that he was being insulting. My concern, however, is the consideration that a Fietasm might be in league with the community of MoGo. It would not be an uncommon alliance.” Ernestan increased the length of his strides as he made his way from the facility. He knew where Shanvah was waiting for him. She and the others were sure to not like this bit of news.
“Dealing with the Stars was troubling enough,” he thought. “Now we must contend with the gods as well. It is a fearful thing indeed when gods are made to fear!”
** b *** t *** o *** r **
It was very quiet in the triangular room, but that was to be expected; seldom did the majestic and towering Nameert sect have anything to say to the twirled, knotted and braided lengths of the Senivi. This, as always, left the third sect of the Tonnogard, the relatively small Gramen, in the middle to act in whatever way they had to in order to keep the peace. Not much would be needed from them this day; there was no divisive argument that had called for this convention. Aside from the preservation of their kind, the Tonnogard agreed on very, very little. They had been of one mind as they entered the chamber, moving to dispatch a messenger... eleven days ago. Not one of them had left the chamber in all of that time. Servants had brought in power crystals for them to feed upon, though each attendant was skilled enough to have their own power reserves from which they could have drawn. The gesture, which had been made by the Chamberlain, was considered thoughtful and polite.
Meditations of various sorts came to a halt when light sparked to life in the center of the room, a tell-tale sign the messenger was returning. It was a yellow bolt of light that appeared at the ceiling of the room and spiraled down to the floor. Yellow fire and blue light burst from the impact point, but the burst of energy did not travel far before the Chamberlain extended his hand and dismissed the burst to the grounds outside the building.