Legion's Riddle Trilogy Box Set

by K R Sanford

  “I represent the Riddle,” said Vito.

  “That means you are a member of the Riddle,” said Pawdell. “You are a type four being. Why am I not surprised?”

  “You have seen the other side, Paw,” said Vito. “We will go by way of the castle. We are ready if you are, Paw.”

  “You think it is important for me to go with you now?” Pawdell replied. “You must have your reasons.”

  “We will be helping each other, Paw,” said Vito. You have made the clear choice by remaining mortal. This is the key to realize your mission. You have chosen to stay and find out what that is. This is a great sacrifice. I am here to guide you with points of power for what you need to do.”

  Pawdell sat up in his chair as if a light went on. “I’ll be at the castle. These clothes don’t fit right. He turned without ceremony then marched out the door.

  Marco looked on. “Was that expeditious enough for you, Vito?”

  Vito laughed. “He looked like a man who got hold of his mission, sure enough. We will see if that holds true for the Vallian.”

  “No sense standing around,” said Marco. “Tildanfin, you will need to send riders round where the dome settled last time. I will tell the Amedans the dome is to fall in the same location.”

  “Then, I will have riders ride clockwise and others counter clockwise. When they meet, it will be safe to drop the dome.”

  “This is a good plan,” said Marco.

  “And where will you two be?” said Tildanfin.

  “We will be at the three ships by days end,” said Marco. “Vito doesn’t know it yet but he is going to guard the dome until the Festival is over.”

  “This must be Marco’s new scheme for recruiting members,” said Tildanfin.

  “We will make our plea on opening day,” said Vito. “I am expecting the Emperor to give a passionate rally call for recruitment. We depend on our workers. Without workers this galaxy becomes a lost galaxy.”

  "Do the Elite know that?”

  The Elite have hid themselves from the needs of the galaxy. The Elite do not have the mind of the galaxy at heart. They only want to protect their quality of life.”

  “This new civilization is going to threaten the Elite,” said Tildanfin.

  “Everything threatens the Elite,” said Vito.

  “Therein lays the heart of the problem,” said Tildanfin.

  “Fear,” said Vito, “True.” He nodded signaling to Marco. “We should get started.”

  Marco nodded. They turned and hurried out the door.

  Their hike back to the castle took them on the path through the trees along the edge of the game field. They stopped to study the two figures in the distance.

  “This is odd,” said Marco.

  “Right,” said Vito. “Devin is standing in the middle of the field with someone dressed like, well, Devin.”

  “Yup, it’s a younger version of the King,” said Marco.

  “It’s Pawdell,” said Vito with surprise.

  “Well, I’ll be,” said Marco. “We better find out what they’re up to.”

  They walked up to Devin and Pawdell smiling in curiosity. Vito spoke first.

  “Nice night for a stroll, don’t you think?”

  “Paw, your new uniform looks sharp," said Marco.

  Oh, yeah,” said Pawdell. “Devin has a plan.”

  “Well, this is interesting,” said Vito. “First, Pawdell had an idea. Now, Devin has a plan. What’s going on fellas?”

  “We are here to quell a mocker, Mister Vito,” said Pawdell.

  “Why here?” said Vito.

  “I wanted to speak to you gentlemen before we get within ear shot of the castle.” said Devin.

  “I see,” said Vito. “Why do you have Pawdell dressed up like a royal guard?”

  Devin nodded. “I have promoted him to Herald of Arms in Ordinary. He will deliver messages in my name.

  “This is the reason for the coat of arms on Pawdell’s tabard. This suits you very well, Pawdell. Congratulations,” said Vito.

  Marco offered Pawdell his hand. “Congratulations Paw. I’m proud of you.

  “What’s this plan, Devin?” continued Marco. “You are serious about quelling a mocker. Did I hear you right?”

  “It’s about standing up for the rights of the Crown and the citizens of Shrine Lake,” said Devin. “It’s Lao’s breach of protocol. It’s about his demands. These demands are that Vallians support his treasonous policy is against the empire. And, it’s about his public threat to Vallian sovereignty should we not comply. Not to mention his threat to the Corsi Star System.”

  “Yes, I heard his speech,” said Vito. “We are going to Marillia right now. Come with us and you can defend this position yourself.”

  “If it comes to that,” said Devin. “I will send an emissary to conduct our business in the Emperor’s name. I trust your interests will be clear to Lao. Your request to move the dome will be of great service to Shrine Lake.”

  “We will work to that end, Your Majesty. Pawdell is a fine representative. He will be a great asset. Good bye then,” said Vito. He turned and headed for the shuttle.

  Chapter 7

  _________________________________________

  THE THREE STARSHIPS

  If you want to make peace with your enemy,

  You have to work with your enemy.

  Then he becomes your partner.

  Nelson Mandela, 1918 - 2013

  A violin sounded three C# notes. The landing pads sunk into the lawn on the castle’s baily. The hatch of the Eagle II raised vertical. The gangway descended. Red stripes illuminated the outline of the steps. Inside the shuttle, the cockpit glowed blue.

  “Take any seat you want gentlemen,” said Marco. “There’s only the three of us.”

  The upholstery was creamy white. The floor mat was spongy flat black. It extended the full width and breadth of the shuttle.

  Pawdell and Vito ascended the steps. They sat in the seats next to pilot's command chair. A body harness inflated. The passengers were pulled up snug against their seat. The ship raised vertical. They sailed round to the back of the Shrine. The large wooden doors of the tunnel swung open. Marco reset the autopilot and the shuttle accelerated.

  “It’s not difficult to operate this model, Paw,” said Marco. “The controls are intuitive. A driver can’t error without the (Pilot Assist) suggesting an option, which is usually better. Still, we try to watch for that rare system failure.

  “Okay,” said Pawdell. “Admiral, look.” He pointed through the side viewer. “It’s Chief Spierd. We should pick him up.”

  “Yes, let’s do that,” said Marco. He hit the (Neutral Descend) and the shuttle landed in front of the tunnel entrance. The hatch raised and Marco shoved his thumb at the rear seats. “Get in John we’re going for a ride.”

  Chief John Spierd jumped inside. The body harness inflated and the shuttle bolted through the entrance. They descended down into the mountain. The tunnel was dark as pitch. The up and down rolls were unsettling in the darkened cabin. Marco activated navigations.

  Blue topographic outlines were now visible on the viewer. The views extended to all sides of the shuttle fore and aft. The Shrine Mountain Range was overhead. The fresh water aquifers could be seen deep below. An orthographic view was displaying the shuttle’s twists and turns. The Grand Ballroom was now visible up ahead.

  Marco switched on the running lights. They dimmed automatically to soften the white light off the rock walls. The viewer filtered through the dust settling over the rough road. He adjusted the viewer to compensate for their last high speed run. The tunnel was now as clear as the Amedan starlight.

  “That’s nice right there,” said the Chief.

  “It takes a bit to get used to the lighting,” said Marco. “How about you, Paw?”

  “Oh, I’m good,” replied Pawdell in a snit. “What I can’t get used to is Lao’s crap.”

  Chief Spierd frowned and nodded. “Can’t we have a pleasan
t ride through the mountain and forget all this Lao business for a while?

  “For the moment, Chief,” said Pawdell. “We are going to talk about this shit stick, Lao.”

  “Lao has lost control of his senses,” said Marco.

  “But why?” asked Vito.

  “What does he want? This is the question,” replied Marco.

  Pawdell turned to Chief Spierd. “Lao has stirred up a hornet’s nest, Chief. And, we’re going to find out why.”

  The Chief rolled his eyes. “What’s he done this time? Is he demonstrating for the eco rights of Emerald Sea again? Last time, he restricted fishing to set up the Bureau of Fishing Affairs?”

  “Almost,” said Pawdell. “In short, he’s grand standing to be the sole authority in the business affairs of the Liometo people.”

  “These are the refuges everyone is talking about?” said the Chief in a disinterested tone. “You know,” he continued. “We need to frame their arrival as if they are customers, not refugees.”

  “This is good, Chief,” said Vito. “You have brought up a primary talking point with Lao.”

  “Well, this is obvious,” said the Chief. “Anytime things happen around the castle I hear about it. I still live in the Shrine, you know.”

  “Everybody knows, Chief,” said Pawdell. “Ask the Chief, they say. He’ll tell you. ‘Hey, he'll say. I live in the Shrine. So, we know already. You’ve been telling us this for the last ten years.”

  “I don’t sound like that,” said the Chief. “And, what’s this costume you’re wearing?”

  “I’ll tell you, John,” said Pawdell with a taunting smirk. “May I call you, John?”

  “I don’t know,” said John. “Are you going to kiss me next?”

  “I should,” said Pawdell. “I know it gets lonely up there in the Shrine. You have folks wondering.”

  “Nonsense,” said John. “Let me out. I’m going to walk.”

  Marco turned around in his seat laughing. “It’s his promotion from the King.”

  “What?” said John, “Are you the new Court Jester?”

  “He’s promoted to Herald of Arms in Ordinary," said Marco. "He will deliver messages in the King’s name.

  “What kind of messages?" said John, "You mean like: Excuse me madam, I have a nine inch message from the King.”

  “If I want,” said Pawdell. “It’s better than looking down the front of the girl’s dresses walking by. I’ve seen you run to the east portal every time there’s a noise. It's embarrassing. To watch the Chief ogle the women going to market gives me the willies.”

  “Oh Paw, you exaggerate,” said John raising an empty hand. “Besides, everyone needs a hobby.” He scoffed, “I have admirers.”

  “Okay,” said Marco. “I don’t think this subject is a talking point with, Lao. It might be with Shanna. So, how about we focus on the prick we’re going after, if he has one. Do they have pricks, Chief?”

  The Chief replied laughing. “I don’t know.”

  “What’s his motivation?” asked Vito. “What do we know about this guy? What’s he thinking?”

  The Eagle II flew over the rise then dove into the ravine of the Grand Ballroom.

  “Slow one-third,” said Marco.

  They jolted forward in their harness. The shuttle glided over the florescent river. The stalactites and stalagmites shaped massive arms of organ pipes. They changed to theater curtains then flowed into the white whiskers of Father Time.

  “That’s something I never get tired of looking at, even when I do a flyby in the shuttle. It’s as if the Grand Ballroom had a life of its own. It beckons me,” said Marco.

  “Yes it does,” replied Vito. “For me, it’s romantic. I could imagine myself being one with a beautiful lady next to the fluorescent river. What do you think Paw?”

  “This place,” said Pawdell. “I already know gets to my sweetie’s imagination. It’s in her sole to be part of this majestic side of nature.”

  “What’s in Lao’s imagination?” continued Vito. “What beckons his sole?”

  “You mean like his heart,” asked John, “his every breath?”

  Vito looked over at John but said nothing.

  Marco turned to John. “Let’s not look at Lao,” advised Marco. “You have studied the Amedan’s more than anyone, John. How do they discipline members who go astray?”

  “Okay, this is government,” said John. “If any member breaches the Rule of Law, a committee gets formed. This is an ad-hoc local group familiar with the landscape of the breach. The group then goes to the member and surrounds that member. The member is subject to the local group. For a time, Lao would defend the details in the case, which only the local group will know and will ever know.”

  “So his piers become his crucible,” said Marco.

  “Humm, I guess so,” said John. “I’m not sure how that would work with humans.”

  “How long do they usually hold a member? I mean; is their some criteria?” asked Marco.

  “Right,” said John. “When the fit passes, or like when the hysteria settles down, the member can reset his priorities.”

  “I guess it’s like sitting on a member but not taking his authority away,” said Marco.

  “Restricting him for his own good,” said John.

  “Right,” said Marco contemplating. So, we still need to deal with Lao and his group?”

  “No, you said there was only three Amedans. That’s not a pivotal consensus. They need a full consensus to report back to the colony before any resources get committed.

  “Oh, okay,” Marco raised his eyebrows and smiled. “This doesn’t sound too bad. We can talk to the Amedans like neighbors.”

  Vito nodded and pointed to the blue grid. “We’re coming into the borehole.”

  “Increase speed one-third,” said Marco. “That’s the two minute warning. We will touch down under the arches. The Chief can pilot one of your ships. I can pilot one and you can pilot the other.”

  “This was my thinking,” said Vito. “We have certified captains all over the planet. Still, I felt relieved when the Chief came onboard.”

  “You can call down your people from the ship after you find a place to park,” said Marco. “Most might already be here to get rooms for Festival.”

  “Yes, they are busy trying to get a good view of the game field,” said Vito. “The Chief knows the terrain over the mountains, and he knows the village. There will be enough traffic as it is. I would like to get things settled as soon as possible.”

  “The sooner the better for me,” said Marco.

  The Eagle II shot out the borehole. They flew for several miles along the outskirts of Marillia. They glided back over the river and came to rest under the Arches of the Amedans. The side hatch opened vertical. The gangway touched down on stone landing pad.

  They gazed at the five Amedans resting on the gold saucers round the Emperor’s Throne. The throne was a gold sphere in the center of the urn.

  The arches above the throne buzzed and crackled with each waking sphere. The Amedans emerged from the recesses of their chamber. They presented themselves in unison. Their energy bolts interlocked. Their collective core illuminated a deep blue hue.

  Vito walked up to the urn. The others followed. They circled round the throne. Vito spoke. “I am Vito. I am in league with the Riddle. Do you know why we have come?”

  “I am Asher, Vice High Council for the Amedan High Rulers. I understand you wish audience with Lao, our High Council.”

  “This is not necessary,” replied Vito. “You, Asher can set the dome from Emerald Sea to the place over Shrine Lake Village as you have moved it once before.”

  “This is a simple matter,” said Asher. “It will be my honor to move the dome if that would suit your needs.”

  “It does, Asher, with our gratitude. And, we trust, High Council Lao feels better soon.”

  “Yes,” said Asher. “We will pass on your well wishes. This is coming from everyone, no doubt.”


  “Yes," said Vito. "We are going to prepare the three ships for your tractor.”

  “We will make this happen, Mister Vito," said Asher. "Will the Emperor be at Festival this year?”

  “Yes, he will make his greatest effort," replied Vito. "We will see you there as well, I trust. It would be our intention to meet with your delegation in the Shrine the day of the Grand Ball.”

  “You honor us with your kind invitation, Mister Vito. We will also guarantee our presence in the Shrine as it has become our tradition. As well, we will be in service to King Devin all week.”

  “And, Pawdell,” said Vito. “Herald of Arms in Ordinary, will deliver messages in the King’s name.”

  “Oh,” said Asher. “This is a fine appointment for you, Pawdell, my congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Asher,” said Pawdell, “The King will welcomes your support.”

  “Fine, fine,” said Asher. “To Emerald Sea, we make our leave.”

  The five Amedans lifted themselves. They vanished in the arches of the High Rulers.

  “Well,” said John. “What do you make of that?”

  “Let’s discuss that later,” said Vito with a gleeful smile. “For now, I’d say it’s time we go and pick up our ships, don’t you?”

  “That Asher didn’t so much as say hello to me,” said Marco turning away in a sulk.

  Vito leaned into Marco and whispered. “He’s still sore about your cat taking a swipe at him. He’ll get over it. The way I heard it, he was the aggressor.”

  “New money,” said Marco. “I’m seeing a pattern here.”

  Vito shook his head. “You don’t have a pattern with two examples. You need three to five examples to establish a pattern depending on the mass of energy. You can say; you are seeing a set or a pair, if you like. But, you need a flow of examples to prove a pattern exists. I see something else, but since you are genetically inferior, I’ll save it for later.”

  Marco crossed his eyes. He twisted up his face as if sucking a lemon. “I thought we agreed Lao was the psychopath. They get that way when they work out of the hive to soon. What’s your excuse?”

  “We don’t agree on the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath,” said Vito.