“Are you happy?” she asked.
“Completely happy, Zeta” Kirk said. “And awed. In the past few hours we’ve gained everything we ever wanted. Everything we’d given up hope of having. It’s shocking, but in a good way.”
“What he said,” Cade said with a grin. “Thank you, Glory.”
“For what?” she asked.
“For everything,” Cade said simply. Then he leaned in, kissed her gently, and climbed off the bed.
“Lie down now, Sendola,” Kyerion said. “We’ll tend to you now, as is our right, and then we will all sleep.”
“Or, you could let me take a shower,” she said before yawning again. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so tired.
Kyerion scowled sternly, but she saw the humor in his eyes. “This is tradition,” he said. “Would you deny us this ritual?”
Glory rolled her eyes, an expression, she was learning, that conveyed much more than she’d ever guessed possible. She laid back down and relaxed, deciding she was too tired for a shower anyway. By the time Kirk and Cade returned from the bathroom with warm washcloths, she was sound asleep.
***
Two days later…
“We’ve received a message from High Prince Garen,” Kyerion said as he, Kirk, and Cade joined Glory in the Pinnacle where she stood watching Ramouri shrink in the distance. As much as she wished Pusan-Lo had come with her to Jasan, she was glad that he’d accepted the post of Royal Advisor to King Lorence. Bashir had left a mess behind, and Lorence needed someone as wise and calm as Pusan-Lo to help him clean it up.
“A message?” she asked.
Kyerion placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Do you regret your decision to leave Ramouri?”
“Not for a moment,” Glory said. “I wish I hadn’t had to leave Pusan-Lo, but I know things will be good for him there now. He’ll be useful, and needed, and that’s important to him. I’m Clan Jasani now, and you are my Rami. Jasan is where we belong, and where our children will belong.”
“Whenever you want to visit, you need but say the word, Sendola,” Kyerion promised. “And Pusan-Lo knows he will be forever welcome in our home.”
“Thank you,” Glory said, reaching up to pat the hand on her shoulder “What does High Prince Garen have to say?”
“A special Enclave has been called by the Three,” Kyerion replied. “All Clan Jasani are requested to gather in the Hidden City in three weeks.”
“What is Enclave?”
“Enclave is an ancient tradition,” Kyerion replied. “It’s when all Clan Jasani gather to celebrate, and the leaders, or consuls, of the different clans meet to discuss any problems. It was also a time for unmated male-sets to search for their berezi from among the women of other clans. In our time Enclave was held by the women, but it’s different now.”
“Then it’s something to look forward to,” Glory said, smiling. “I’m also looking forward to seeing Lariah, and Saige and Summer. All of the other women. I miss them. It’s going to be a long three weeks.”
“Perhaps learning to shift will help to make the time pass more quickly,” Kyerion suggested.
Glory spun around to face him, her eyes lighting up. “Oh, I’d like that very much.” She paused, frowning. “Is it safe, though? Lariah told the women who were pregnant not to shift that day in Badia when we were attacked.”
“After the first couple of months it can be dangerous,” Kirk said. “But you are safe for now.”
“Great!” Glory exclaimed, her face lighting up again. “Come on, let’s go do that now.” The Pinnacle filled with male laughter as Kyerion, Kirk, and Cade hurried to catch up with their Arima.
Chapter Thirty Nine
“What is this place?” Kyerion asked Garen as they walked through the Hidden City. They’d arrived on Jasan that afternoon, barely in time for the Enclave scheduled for that evening after a long jump point delay. The Dracons had speed traveled them directly to the palace and, after a quick bite to eat, Glory had been hustled off by the other Arimas to prepare for the evening’s event.
The Tigren would be formally introduced to the Clans later in the evening, but other than that, the men had little to do except show up at the arena on time. Kyerion, Kirk, and Cade disliked being parted from Glory for so long, especially since they didn’t know where she was or what she was doing. It wasn’t long before they began pacing nervously, the need to seek out their Arima and check on her growing rapidly. They were glad when the Dracons offered to leave early and walk to the arena so they could see the Hidden City.
“When the first pods landed here, on Jasan, this planet was little more than a barren rock,” Garen said. “The male-sets who were soul-linked had enough magic to carve this cavern from the solid rock of the mountain, providing the survivors with a secure place to live while they terraformed the planet. Without their Arimas, the strong magic soon faded, so it took several hundred years to create a breathable atmosphere.”
Kyerion shook his head as he strained to see the distant walls and ceiling of the enormous cavern. Even with strong magic, it was an astounding feat.
“The Hidden City is now considered the capital of Clan Jasani,” Garen continued. “This is where we hold Enclave, regular consul meetings, and other important events.”
“Like the meeting called by the Three?” Kirk asked.
“Exactly,” Garen said. “Although, from what Lariah has told me, this meeting has been called by Riata, through Saige Lobo, and the Three.”
“Riata?” Kyerion asked.
“Riata was an Alverian Empath Healer,” Garen said, smiling sadly. “She was an exceptional being who did so much for our people. As you know, during the time we were without Arimas our race was kept alive only because we were able to mate with human women, who bore Jasan sons. But the bearing of Jasani triplets is not easy for human women. Their bodies cannot shift to accommodate the infants. We lost many women, and many sons, to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, which was tragic not only for those snatched untimely from this plane, but also for the male-sets left without their mates to live out the rest of their lives companionless and childless. Riata’s skill and gifts saved the lives of countless women and children, reducing mortality from these causes almost to zero. Not only that, but it’s doubtful that our attempt to convert Lariah would have succeeded without Riata’s aid.
“After she passed to the next plane, she became Saige Lobo’s Spirit Guide. No one knew what that meant, having never heard of such a thing before, but we soon learned the value of Riata’s advice and guidance. Whenever Saige shared a message from Riata, we listened.”
“Spirit Guides are always to be honored,” Kyerion said.
“You’ve heard of Spirit Guides then?”
“Yes, though I won’t say they were common,” Kyerion replied. “The last that we know of occurred long before our time. He counseled strongly for peace between Ugaztun and Narrasti when the peoples of our two worlds first met. He warned that a time would come when brotherhood between us, or lack thereof, would determine the future existence of both races.”
“He was correct,” Garen said, then sighed heavily. “It’s sad to think of how much was lost when Ugaztun was destroyed.”
“Then do not think of it,” Kyerion said. “It does no good to look back, Highness, and as you know, I speak from experience. Our feet are currently planted in the now. Tomorrow stretches before us. There is value in the lessons of the past, of course. But it is tomorrow that you must lead our people toward, not yesterday.”
“Your counsel is wise, Kelt Kyerion,” Garen said. “For the first time, I feel as though our people have a future to look forward to. It is a good feeling.”
“And yet, you are worried over what this Riata has to say,” Kyerion said. Garen looked at him in surprise. “Since becoming soul-linked, our Druid gifts have grown stronger than ever, Highness,” he said with a shrug. “You hide it very well, but we sense your feelings. Why are you worried?”
; “I don’t know,” Garen said. “Perhaps it’s because I want our people to have a time to rest, relax, and enjoy life for a time, Kyerion. The Xanti are gone, more male-sets find their Arimas every day, more children, both male and female, are born all the time, and the nine clans are reunited.”
“And you think Riata will deliver bad news of some sort?”
“It concerns me, yes,” Garen said. “I trust Riata. Completely. Whatever she says, good or bad, I will take seriously.”
***
Glory paced steadily before the crowd of people lining the street toward the arena, very glad that she’d practiced shifting so much on board the Ugaztun. Lariah walked beside her in her dracon alter-form, somehow managing to look both stately and fearsome at the same time, while the women too pregnant to shift, Saige, Honey, Hope, and Aisling, walked behind them. Summer and Faith, also in their alter-forms, brought up the rear of their little procession, a small strip of bright red fur draped around the back of the falcoran’s neck.
Glory knew that most eyes were on her, but Lariah had warned her that would be the case. It wasn’t her really, that they were staring at. It was her tigrenca. A creature that no Jasani had ever seen before. For once, Glory didn’t mind being stared at. She was twelve feet at the shoulder in her tigrenca form, and immensely powerful. She also felt beautiful with her metallic bronze stripes, and the shiny black horns behind her ears. She held her head high and her step even, doing all she could to give a good impression of Clan Tigren to her new people.
Her reunion with Lariah and the other women had been even better than she’d hoped. She’d received hugs, kisses, and happy tears in response to her announcements that she was fully Clan Tigren, and pregnant. These women accepted her without condition or hesitation, and she treasured their friendship so much she didn’t even know how to put it into words. Just thinking about it now, as she crossed the Hidden City before all Clan Jasani, made her glad that she was in her tigrenca alter form so no one could see her happy tears.
Glory scented her men before she reached the dais in the center of the arena, but the crowd was so thick that she didn’t see them until she and Lariah stepped onto the dais and shifted back into their human forms. Then she smiled at them, the tears overflowing when they all three blew her kisses at the same time.
The other women joined them, Summer and Faith shifting after stepping onto the dais as Lariah and Glory had, according to ancient custom. Glory tore her eyes from her men, and focused on what she was supposed to be doing.
The eight women formed a circle on the dais, then reached out and clasped hands with their neighbors. Lariah had told Glory that this meeting had been called by Riata, and that all they needed to do was provide the Spirit Guide with enough energy for her to appear and say what she had to say. Glory had very little practice so far with channeling power, but Lariah had told her not to worry about it. Between the other seven of them, there would be more than enough energy for Riata. Taking Lariah at her word, Glory relaxed and tilted her head back as the other women were doing, and cleared her mind.
***
Garen stood at the edge of the dais, Trey and Val beside him, just as the rest of the Clan Consuls stood close by, watching their Arimas. He was unaccountably nervous, but no one would have known it to look at him. Except perhaps, for the Tigren. He smiled to himself, then gave his head a shake and watched the women on the dais before them. When they formed a circle and tilted their heads back, he tensed, knowing what was coming.
Sure enough, a bright white light began to grow in the center of the circle. The crowd was completely silent now, every eye in the Hidden City focused on that light. The light expanded until it was twice the size of the women holding the circle, large enough for everyone to see clearly. Then it began to transform into the figure of a woman with snow white skin, large, luminous purple eyes, and, short, reddish orange feathers on her head. She wore a dark purple robe with esoteric designs embroidered in gold thread along the front and down the sleeves that appeared to shift and flow with her movements.
“Greetings, Clan Jasani,” Riata said, pressing her palms together and bowing politely to High Prince Garen, Prince Trey, and Prince Val.
“Greetings, Riata, Friend to Clan Jasani,” Garen replied, returning Riata’s bow with one equally deep. “We would thank you for all that you’ve done for our people.”
“It is mine to heal, High Prince,” Riata said with her familiar smile. “It has been my greatest honor and privilege to aid in the healing of Clan Jasani.” She turned slowly as she looked at the women holding hands in a circle around her, meeting the eyes of each in turn. “For the first time, the Nine Lehen-Arimas of Jasan are gathered, signaling the beginning of a new age for all of the Clans,” she said, her purple eyes sparkling.
“Riata,” Lariah said, “there is some mistake. There are only eight of us.”
“It is the spirit, the soul, that matters, my friend,” Riata said, turning to face Summer directly as she spoke. “I assure you, the souls of all Nine Lehen-Arimas are present.”
Summer gasped, meeting Riata’s gaze with tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Riata,” she whispered hoarsely. Then she glanced over to where her men stood, and smiled brightly at them, but even though the women in the circle seemed to understand, the Katres did not.
Maxim frowned and shook his head in confusion. Garen took pity on the man and leaned over to whisper loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. “Your Arima carries your daughters, Consul Katre, and one of them will be Lehen Arima of the Owlfen.”
Maxim didn’t wipe away the tears that burned his eyes before streaking his cheeks. He had to force himself to remain where he was, and not leap up onto the dais. Instead, the three Katre Consuls beamed at Summer, barely hearing Riata’s next words.
“As joyous as this moment is,” she said, turning to face Garen again, “I’m afraid that I have one last duty to perform as Spirit Guide to Saige Lobo, and through her, Clan Jasani. I must speak to you of darkness, and of sadness.”
“We shall hear you, Riata, as we always have,” Garen said.
Riata nodded in acknowledgement of the promise, then seemed to brace herself. “Clan Jasani, once called the Klanaren, have suffered great tragedy, this cannot be denied. But it must also be said that there are many worlds, many peoples, who are not as fortunate as you have been. They continue to suffer, caught as they are in the chaos brought by the Xanti.”
“Chaos?” Garen asked, a shiver racing down his back. That was a very strong word, and this wasn’t the first time he’d heard it recently
“As you are aware, forces outside your knowledge, not of the mortal plane, have gone to great lengths to aid you in your efforts to vanquish the Xanti. Now, you shall learn why.”
Garen glanced quickly at his fellow Clan Consuls, then back at Riata. He had, in fact, often wondered why his people had received so much help in recent years. Now he would learn the answer and, if there was a price to be paid for the assistance they’d received, they would pay it. He bowed his head to Riata, indicating his acceptance of whatever she was about to say.
“The Xanti were an aberration,” Riata said. “The evolution of their species was a failure. Due to their own limitations, they were never meant to leave their own world. They were certainly never meant to have power, or to interact with so many worlds and civilizations. In taking that first step off of Xantara, they moved outside the cosmic order, and began wreaking havoc and chaos among the cosmos.
“Everything they touched, every people they interacted with, caused further confusion. The Creators could foresee neither their actions, nor the results of their actions. The only thing they knew for certain was that, should the Xanti continue unabated, they and the chaos they spread wherever they went, would end in the destruction of all life.”
“The Creators couldn’t destroy them?” Garen asked tightly.
“No, High Prince,” Riata said gently. “The Creators do not destroy. They create.”
G
aren nodded in silent acceptance, and Riata continued. “It took much time and patience for the Creators to find paths of possibility through the ever growing darkness left by the Xanti wherever they went. Many efforts were made to rid the universe of the Xanti using those paths, and all failed. Until now. Clan Jasani accepted the guidance and aid offered, and held to their path despite its many twists and turns. Had you faltered in the slightest degree, had you allowed your emotions to gainsay reason, or doubt to cloud belief, Clan Jasani would now float within the emptiness of the otherworld instead of the Xanti.”
Garen’s eyes widened. “That’s why we were warned not to destroy them, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Riata admitted with a deep nod. “Such an action would have pulled all of you into their chaos, and ripped you from the Creators’ arms.”
“Is that what happened to the Garakai?” Garen asked, suddenly worried. “If so, we must return to the LMC at once.”
“No, Highness,” Riata said. “Tek, Ming, and Ri acted without the knowledge of their own government or people. Their sacrifice was great, but it was their own, and did not touch the Garakai as a whole.”
“We will not allow their names to be forgotten,” Garen declared. He paused for a moment to think on all that Riata had said. He was starting to understand where she was going with this. “Now that the Xanti are gone, is the chaos they created gone as well?”
“No, High Prince,” Riata replied, shaking her head slowly. “The damage these aberrant beings have wrought is too deep and spread too widely across the stars to heal on its own. While the exact shape of the future cannot be seen, it is known that, unless a supreme effort is made, over a great span of time, by a people of great courage and constant purpose, much darkness and pain will lie ahead for the peoples of the Thousand Worlds—perhaps, even, their destruction.”
“Is it within the ability of Clan Jasani to be the people who make that effort?” Garen asked.
The Tigrens' Glory (Soul-Linked Saga) (Volume 9) Page 39