by Maia Starr
“Yes,” I said, closing my eyes. The first time I had met the Old Ones had been one of the scariest experiences of my life. I had grown up with crippling claustrophobia that had rendered it difficult for me to be in hovercrafts or spaceships very long. And so going into the dark black tunnels to meet the Old Ones, who seemed more reptilian than anything, had been quite difficult for me.
“Is there anything else I should do?” Melinda asked. “Like…to honor them? I don’t want to do anything wrong and make you look bad.”
“No, just follow my lead and be yourself. These are the Old Ones. We do not have to pretend in front of them. They are wise; tapped into a stream of consciousness that our kind evolved out of. But they have never steered us wrong before.”
“All right,” Melinda said. I could feel her relax beside me and cast her a comforting smile.
“It’s going to be fine.”
We continued walking quietly until finally, I saw the large tree that marked the tunnel that would lead to the city below the surface of Jenal’k.
“All right,” I said, inhaling deeply. It was still difficult for me to go into these caves, but I had been putting it off long enough. “It is time.”
***
“Greetings to you, Leader of the Thressl’n. Greetings to you, human.”
I bowed and nudged Melinda, pleased to find she was already bowing. It was still taking some time for our eyes to adjust to the dark. It would probably take my eyes much longer, as the Thressl’n had terrible night vision. I probably should have mentioned the darkness to Melinda, but she seemed to be taking everything in stride.
“You may rise.”
We stood into the cave, and I was shocked when a small blue lantern was lit in the vast tunnel where we were standing.
“For the human’s benefit,” one of the Old Ones explained.
“Thanks to you,” Melinda said with another deep bow.
“It is our pleasure. Quite an honor to meet a human at last!”
I was both thankful for the light and bitter that the human was shown special favor. What good a light would have done for me that first time visiting!
But it was the Old Ones who had insisted on the dark visits and who had cured me of the overwhelming claustrophobia that had taken hold of me early in life. It had been quite a learning experience, and it was because of that difficult journey that I’d been entrusted with some of the teachings of the ancient scrolls.
“It is an honor to meet you as well,” Melinda said.
I had never seen an Old One in the light, and studied them curiously now in the blue glow of the lantern. They had distinct Thressl’n features, broad and muscular, but their eyes were much smaller, and the cool, metallic colors were difficult to make out in the dark. But their eyes glittered in the light, giving them an eerie appearance that I hoped wouldn’t startle Melinda.
There were Old Ones of all ages, all crowded around the small tunnel to view Melinda.
“Now tell me, Aloitus, how are things progressing?”
“As expected,” I said, reluctant to speak too freely in front of Melinda. She still didn’t know just how extreme the situation was, and I couldn’t bear to take a moment of peace from her mind.
“That is good news, is it not?”
“Yes. I am hoping to have our head engineer work on a project that will turn tides in our favor.”
“Jora Lollo?” the leader of the Old Ones asked, his withered nose wrinkled in distaste.
“No. The man Jora’s family stole the title from. Laike Ostra’ki.”
The Old One smiled, a toothless but delightful sight.
“Ah, so you’ve figured it out at last.”
“Not entirely,” I admitted. “But I do know enough. If I…if all goes well, I am demoting Jora. His family will be shamed for their dishonor.”
“They have been dishonorable for generations,” the Old One said dismissively. “It wouldn’t be the first time they were forced to take accountability for their actions. Somehow, they always manage to come out looking like the victims though. It is their fate to tempt vengeance.”
“I see,” I said. If it was vengeance they wanted, then pay they would.
“So, human, what do you think of Jenal’k?” the leader of the Old Ones asked, fixing his charming, toothless smile upon Melinda.
“And don’t bother lying to spare their feelings,” I said. “They will see right through it.”
Melinda laughed, a sound that seemed to delight everybody in the tunnel. A comfortable clamor sounded through the tunnel and soon quieted down so that Melinda could answer.
“It is quite beautiful here,” Melinda said softly. “I enjoy the Thressl’n people and customs a lot.”
I was shocked to hear this. I had assumed that she hated everything about the Thressl’n and Jenal’k. Perhaps I had been missing something.
“But?” the leader of the Old Ones prompted.
“But this is not my home. I do not like the idea of never being able to return home.”
“Have you not informed her?” the Old One asked me accusingly.
“No, Old One,” I said, feeling mildly ashamed of myself. But the fact was that I was doing what I felt was best.
“I see,” the Old One said, thankfully letting the issue go. “I suppose that is one way to do it.”
Melinda looked at me, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. I shifted uncomfortably before the Old One continued speaking.
“Well, in that case, human, I hope you will be able to enjoy the whole of Jenal’k while you have the chance.”
“Aloitus mentioned I might be able to be stationed back on Earth at some point.”
“Yes, this is the fact,” the Old One said, glancing at me curiously. “Would that be your wish?”
I expected Melinda to shout yes to the rooftops with such a force that nobody would ever doubt her distaste for me and the world I had stolen her away to, but to my surprise, she hesitated. I had found that it was always very difficult, if not impossible, to lie to the Old Ones, and if you did, they were quick to ask you to dig deeper into the truth of your intentions.
“I…don’t really know,” Melinda admitted, surprising me deeply. “There isn’t anything for me on Earth. But I resent being brought here against my will.”
The Old One cast me a look that implied he knew something that I didn’t. An annoying, knowing look that made me second-guess everything I had been doing thus far. If I had simply told the human of her importance from the get go, would she still be so reluctant to spend time with me and enjoy the beauty of Jenal’k before it was potentially destroyed? Was it too late to tell her now?
“You fear the Vellreq,” the Old One said.
Melinda furrowed her brow and nodded, and I was stricken by her vulnerability. I wished I could go to her, hold her close to my body and let her know that I would do anything to remove the threat they posed to her and the people of Earth.
But I had doomed myself with my dedication to secrecy. And besides that, she would not want me near her. Not after so many of my tired outbursts. I didn’t deserve the time of day, and I would not pressure her to give it to me. Besides, if she did still enjoy my company, she might very well be loving a dead man.
“There is hope,” the Old One said, as if he had been able to hear my thoughts. He was speaking to Melinda, but his eyes were fixed on me. So many of their messages had double meanings. But the Thressl’n were the lower life forms. Our ability to read between the lines was as limited as our night vision.
“Yes, there is hope,” another Old One repeated. Until all of the Old Ones surrounding us were chanting it. It was strange, and surreal, and overwhelming, and suddenly I felt light-headed. I reached out to grip the wall to steady myself, but I found only more darkness. I let out a little cry of surprise when my body grew heavy, and the world became suddenly dark. I felt my legs give way to the weight of my torso and soon I was on the ground, blacked out.
Chapter 9
Melinda Je
fferson (Daughter of the Prime Minister)
I was shocked to see Aloitus fall to the ground in a heap. All of my memories of him involved such fierce strength. To see him lying vulnerable on the floor was probably the most alarming thing I had ever seen.
The Old Ones began to murmur amongst themselves, and I ran to Aloitus, touching his broad, handsome face and stroking it, begging him to awaken. But nothing I did seemed to help, and soon, the Old Ones were gently pushing past me and lifting Aloitus’s massive body onto their frail-looking shoulders and carrying him down a long, dark tunnel.
I followed blindly, having no concern whether there was light or anything down there for me. I had to be with Aloitus. Nothing was more important to me than finding out whether or not he was all right.
“Calm yourself, human,” one of the Old Ones said softly as I rushed down the tunnel, nearly knocking down the group of men carrying Aloitus. “The Fates will determine the proper outcome to this situation. You can always trust in the Fates to lead us to the greater good. They govern this land and always have.”
I wasn’t so sure. Fate had never been a very good thing on Earth. Many people with too much power had used “fate” and divine providence as a way to control others. I was skeptical of anything bearing the name of predetermination. Especially when the life of the man I loved…or at least, cared deeply for…was on the line. I would have to figure out the love thing later. What mattered most now was seeing to it that Aloitus was all right.
It seemed to take ages before I found myself in a huge room with an arched ceiling. The Old Ones had brought the blue light in for my comfort, and I watched as they laid Aloitus on a tall bed and wiped his face with cool cloths.
“How long has it been since this boy has slept?” the leader of the Old Ones exclaimed. Everybody looked to me for answers.
“He has not been taking great care of himself. And he won’t tell me what’s going on.”
Nobody seemed eager to acknowledge the latter part of my statement, and bustled around Aloitus, propping him up on comfortable pillows and administering tonics into his mouth.
“Is he all right?” I whispered. I felt terrified that I would never get another chance to look him in the eye again, or that he would somehow slip into a coma and leave me alone and defenseless in this strange world.
Yes, I had Kirk, and I would always have Kirk, but could I love him? The passion I had felt toward Aloitus had been singular. How could I ever hope to replicate that with someone else? Especially somebody who felt so much more like a friend than a lover? I didn’t think it was possible.
“He is going to be fine, human,” the leader of the Old Ones said gently. “He is just over-worked and not listening to the decree of the scrolls. Skipping sleep and meals is terrible for the Thressl’n system. Why don’t you come have a meal with us and let him get some rest.”
“All right,” I said, reluctantly leaving the side of the bed. Aloitus seemed to be sleeping soundly now, and there were Old Ones standing on either side of his bed speaking in a language that my translation device just couldn’t get a handle on. It was a beautiful language though, and I could see where the pleasant, lyrical quality of the Thressl’n’s voices came from.
“Good, this way,” the Old One said, walking slowly down a tunnel that led me further and further away from Aloitus. I didn’t like the distance between us, but the best thing for him right now was sleep. There was nothing I could do now but wait.
***
“You care deeply for Aloitus, don’t you?” the leader of the Old Ones said, smiling knowingly at me from across the table. I blushed down at my plate and said nothing. How could I even begin to answer that question? We could hardly be in the room for five minutes without arguing lately.
“You know, when men are in that state, there are warning signs. Irritability. Short tempers. Cruel words that might leave a lasting mark on those they care for…”
I sighed, raising an eyebrow at the Old One, who chuckled to himself. “He was harsh with you, wasn’t he?”
I pursed my lips and frowned at my plate of food, and again, the Old One chuckled.
“Please, human, do not hold him too accountable for those words. There are certain ways the Thressl’n must conduct themselves to remain harmonious with those around them. I can tell that Aloitus is fond of you. Do not let this scare you off.”
I considered the Old One's words and looked back down at my meal, sighing inwardly. Whether Aloitus was lashing out at me because he was feeling unwell or not, the fact was that he had still abducted me from my home. I was still little more than a commodity to him, as much as I wished he could legitimately care for me.
I had opened myself up to him, body and soul, even after knowing that he had stolen me from all of my friends and family, and he had repaid me by turning around and biting my head off when I tried to make myself vulnerable and apologize for being distant with him after the fact. It was the kind of wound that stung and made me re-think having anything to do with him from that point on.
There was no way I could let the Old One in on the depth of my thoughts, and he seemed content to let the issue drop.
After the meal, I was led back to the room where Aloitus was sleeping. The Old Ones left us alone and dispersed throughout the other tunnels. I gazed at Aloitus’ chest rising and falling, a torrent of emotions overwhelming me. Why did things have to get so complicated?
Seeing Aloitus vulnerable was alarming, and I wished more than anything to see him open his eyes again and get up, acting as he had when we had first met. I felt hot tears begin to pool in my eyes and sighed, squeezing my lids closed. The tears snaked through, and soon I was legitimately crying. I was crying about leaving my home; I was crying that I didn’t even know if I wanted to go back home; and I was crying because I was so unbelievably worried about Aloitus.
“What are you doing?”
Aloitus’ deep, lyrical voice rumbled at me from the darkness, and I gasped as his strong finger swiped one of my tears away. I opened my eyes to see him examining it in the dim blue light and raise his brow.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have woken you up,” I said, wiping the tears off my face.
Aloitus sat up, staring down at his shimmering finger. “Is this cry?”
An involuntary bubble of laughter burst from me, and Aloitus looked over at me, his eyes wide.
“I was crying, yes,” I said with a sigh.
“Strange,” he mumbled, looking back at me. “What is it? Are you unhappy? Or exceptionally happy?”
“Exceptionally unhappy,” I replied, standing up to touch his face. “I thought something terrible was going to happen to you.”
Aloitus’ face darkened suddenly, and I was overwhelmed with presentiment.
“Nothing terrible is going to happen to you, is it?” I demanded, stroking his dark hair away from his eyes.
Aloitus was silent, brooding out into the darkness. At first, I thought he was just going to ignore the question, but he looked up at me, his purple eyes gleaming in the dim blue light.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “It could.”
“Why won’t you tell me what’s going on? I could help you. I would do anything…” I trailed off. It could be dangerous to show too much emotion to a man like this. A man who could use me and harm me at will. A man who thought nothing of kidnapping me and using me as a bargaining coin.
“I’m afraid for you, all right?” Aloitus said, his voice strained. “There are things out there that are best left to powerful men to handle. It is my job to protect.”
“I don’t want you to protect me,” I stated. “I want you to be honest with me. We can’t do this if you’re not honest.”
Aloitus frowned down at his hands and finally took a deep breath.
“The Vellreq are coming here. After you. King Korta and his strongest troops. There is going to be a war.”
He stopped speaking suddenly, and I had a feeling there was more that he wanted to say. But I was
too busy trying to process what he said.
“A war? On Jenal’k?”
Aloitus nodded. “The Vellreq are a threat to the universe. It is time for us to stand up and do something about it. But it will not be safe. You and the citizens of Jenal’k who are not trained for combat will have to be relocated briefly.”
“And he is coming here…because of me…” I whispered.
The Vellreq were going to attack, and possibly kill, the Thressl’n just because King Korta was going to be pissed off that they had stolen me away. I was going to be responsible for a mass slaughter. All because Aloitus had kidnapped me.
“How could you do this?” I exclaimed. “I can’t believe this!”
“Melinda, I—”
But I couldn’t stand to hear anything else from Aloitus.
“I’m not coming back with you. Just leave me here.”
“I can’t do that,” Aloitus croaked, his eyes wide.
“You’re going to have to,” I said. “I want to stay with the Old Ones!”
“They’re not going to let you do that!” Aloitus exclaimed. “You are to come back to the palace with me at once!”
“You don’t control me, Aloitus! You never have, and trying to is your biggest problem. Don’t you get that?”
Aloitus opened and closed his mouth, attempting to formulate a response. Unfortunately for him, there was nothing he could say, and I stormed out of the room.
“They won’t let you stay here!” Aloitus bellowed after me. “We are going home!”
I turned to face him, fury deep in my chest. “No, Aloitus. I told you, I am not going anywhere with you.”
“Young ones, what is the issue?” the leader of the Old Ones asked, walking quietly into the tunnel. “Your voices are carrying throughout the settlement. It is startling the children.”
“Apologies to you, Old One,” Aloitus said through his gritted teeth. “But the human is being belligerent.”
“Aloitus,” the Old One said, taking a deep breath. “The human deserves the best of you, not the worst. If she wants to stay, we shall allow it. She will be safer here with us anyway. You know that. If the Vellreq land, the palace is the first place they will come to look for her.”