Reality's Plaything 5: The Infinity Annihilator

by Will Greenway

  Hands pressed together, Marna brought her fingers to her nose and mouth. She glanced at her daughter, Dulcere and Corim sitting next to her. “Yes,” she determined. “Yes it would.”

  “Good,” T’Evagduran said. “We can discuss details later.” He leaned forward. “Lady Cassandra.”

  The gold-skinned lady mage straightened up in her seat. “Dom’Ista.”

  “Schools—libraries—that’s you correct?”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  “We have some very old lore in the ghost vaults dating back to the Silcanna era that may help us in finding new venues for magic. It wouldn’t be too onerous if I put you in charge of translating and updating that material would it?”

  Cassandra’s jaw dropped and her eyes grew round. “Uh.” She put a napkin to her mouth. “Uh.”

  “No,” Loric said for her. “She means, ‘no trouble at all’.”

  “Ah, excellent,” T’Evagduran said. “Lady Ziedra?”

  The ascendant of magic looked up in surprise. “Yes, Dom’Ista?”

  “While you are young, your insight and ability in magical matters is without question. When the school is established and the real preparations to fight the Chyrith are begun, we will be gathering together every safe magick we can. That task needs over-sight. I will be opening up a new position in Kul’Amaron—a vizier of magic. It will be an open posting, so any elf can apply. If you wanted that position, I imagine you would be able to out duel your competitors, yes?”

  Ziedra rubbed the back of her neck. “Dom’Ista, is that fair? Magic doesn’t hurt me.”

  “Child, I didn’t ask if it was fair, I asked if you could demonstrate a superior command of magic. I want the best qualified person for the position.”

  “But me?” Ziedra said with a tilt of her head. “I’m not an elf.”

  “You speak elven and can appear elven, yes?”

  “Well, of course.”

  “Would it be difficult or onerous to you to come to work as elven lady of the royal court?”

  Ziedra blinked glowing eyes. “No, I suppose not—but am I…”

  T’Evagduran rolled his eyes. “Let’s put it another way. You need a job don’t you? Legitimate work. Consulting on magic seems a good fit, yes?”

  “Yes, Dom’Ista,” she leaned forward. “I still have so much to learn though.”

  The King shook his head. “Ziedra, I acknowledge that there are others that know magic far better. However, you have telepathy and can consult with them at any time. You, I can afford to pay. Also, you and Wren are close, and can consult on the possibility of bringing magicks out of Starholme for study here.”

  “What?” Wren straightened up in her chair.

  “Though I am no authority on the matter, it is my observation that if there is a single place that might hold the key to our salvation, it would be Starholme, would you not agree?”

  “Uh, yes, Dom’Ista.”

  “I am aware of the dangers that the place poses, and any access should be closely watched and guarded. If it were me holding the keys, I would spend considerable effort toward putting in place procedures that would allow responsible parties to study the artifices and magic there.”

  T’Evagduran sighed. “That’s all I have for official things, Kalindinai has one matter to address. Kal?”

  With a nod to her husband, Queen Kalindinai rose to her feet. The King settled in his chair and leaned back to watch his wife.

  “My business is simple,” Kalindinai said in her heavy clear voice. She brushed back her dark hair and trained amber eyes on Vera. “An acknowledgment.” She gestured toward the little woman who frowned and winced. “Though Vera-sama would rather the matter be forgotten, my feelings go to the contrary. Vera, with the help of my son-to-be, accomplished something truly phenomenal. In fact, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that their action was no less than pivotal. Penetrating to the heart of the enemy installation and gating in our team. True, things didn’t go as planned, but without her, Bannor would not have been in the position to accomplish what he did.” The Queen paused and looked around. Bannor noticed that Vera was looking down, apparently afraid to meet anyone’s gaze. Family members murmured and nodded. Vera was almost universally adored and respected. “Now, I am aware that Vera feels her mission was not successful. That she feels shame over this perceived failure, and that troubles me. Thanks to my new shaladen ability to translate any written text, I was able to do a little research before bed last night. I found some interesting material in the Talumn’Ri Dou traditionally housed in Ghiran-nejiro.”

  Vera’s head came up, her dark eyes wide. Her mouth dropped open in an uncharacteristically undignified expression.

  “Don’t look so surprised, Child,” Kalindinai said in a chiding tone. “G’yaku Ghiran has had a keiyakusho with Malan dating back six millennia. I asked Master Ghiran Telos to tell me where I could find the G’yaku houritsu concerning the completion of a contract. Have you read what the Dou says?”

  Vera blinked a few times. She shook her head slowly.

  “Once oath-bound to the keiyakusho the life of the keiyakushain belongs to the contract owner, and that any keuyakuihan (breach of contract) is decided by me—not you. If there is a keiyakumondai, a dispute, over the completion, meaning if you think you have finished and I don’t, then that dispute is settled by your teishu. Simply put, the task is not complete unless you say you’re done and I agree, or I say you failed. If I say you’re done, and you disagree—that is neither success nor failure. Since a contract can only be ended by either of those conditions that makes you still under contract to me.” Kalindinai thrust both hands flat against the table and stared at Vera. “Understand?”

  Bannor saw Loric lean over toward Cassandra and whisper something. The gold mage nodded. Apparently, this confrontation was not unexpected. He saw other members of the Felspar clan whispering to one another. There was no doubt the family wanted to see Vera’s self esteem restored. The concern of those looking on could not be any clearer.

  Vera’s eyes were wide. Kalindinai was playing a logic game with the absolutes of G’Yakki law. The little woman swallowed. “Yes, Matradomma.” She paused and glanced at Wren. “But the stipulations… I cannot…”

  “Ahht!” Kalindinai pointed a finger at her. “You determined you failed—not me. In fact, you’ve never even stated it to me. You just planned to slink away without accepting your completion fee. Answer now, did you complete the quest as assigned or not?”

  Vera gritted her teeth. “G’yaku Vulcindra interfered—so, no.”

  “Now wait. Were the requirements fulfilled?”

  The little G’Yakki bowed her head. “Yes. We made it to the location and summoned Wren as contracted.”

  “Where in the Dou does it say that you cannot accept outside assistance? I have read through it and find nothing stipulating that.”

  “A mission is a G’yaku’s task alone, unless the conditions stipulate otherwise. Lord Starfist was specifically assigned to assist me, so that was acceptable.” She opened and closed her hands. “To require help or allow assistance is a personal failure.”

  “Did you require Vulcindra’s help?”

  Vera’s head snapped up. Her eyes flashed. “No.” The word came out harsh and hard.

  Kalindinai blinked, surprised at the vehemence of the answer.

  “So, this little impasse is because you allowed her to interfere. You are saying you failed because you couldn’t stop the actions of the one of the most powerful elders in eternity while in the middle of a battle with several veteran Kriar warriors.”

  “Yes.”

  Kalindinai rolled her eyes. Bannor understood her frustration. Advocate Koass himself probably couldn’t have done that. Vera was setting impossible expectations on herself. “All right,” the elf queen growled. “So be it. We’re not done. You work for me until I say you failed, or you say you succeeded.”

  “Aie, but there’s nothing to do,” Vera gritted.


  “Little girl, that’s your problem. We can negotiate new terms… I am more than willing to do that.”

  “New terms?” Vera said in a bewildered voice.

  “You need to read your Dou. In the event that we do not agree on the completion, I can redefine the terms of our contract. You can, of course, ask your teishu to intervene. Do you want to do that?”

  Vera shook her head.

  “Fine, report to my chambers at five bells, and we will discuss our new terms.” She turned. “Bannor?”

  Startled by the mention of his name, he jerked. “Uh, Matradomma?”

  “You were part of the contract and part of the performance, therefore I would like you there as well.”

  He dipped his head. “Yes, Matradomma.”

  “All right, I have only one other thing to mention,” Kalindinai said. “That concerns the wedding plans. Though it will put a knot in many tails, we will be revising the invitation list to include any amongst the defenders who wish to attend. Expect your invitations to arrive by the end of the tenday, please respond promptly.” She dipped her head. “Thank you.”

  The special breakfast gathering continued for another half bell before guests began excusing themselves. During that time Bannor simply felt dazed. So many things were going to be different. At least, they would be good things. Their friends would now be close, so they could work together. Hopefully, there would be time to play and be normal people too.

  At times he glanced up to see what Vera was doing. She was in something of a daze too, but for a very different reason. Her life was centered on her service to the Felspars, and on her previous life as a G’Yakki. He knew from having been in her mind, how much being a part of that family meant to her. At the same time, her former life remained a raw wound.

  “My One?” Sarai’s voice startled him.

  “Hmmm? Sorry, what did you say?”

  She blinked at him with violet eyes. “You’re so quiet. Is something wrong?”

  “You’re not getting scared of the wedding ceremony again are you brother-to-be?” Janai teased.

  “No.” He shook his head. “I was just thinking. In fact, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.” He pushed back his chair and rose. He leaned over and kissed Sarai on the neck. “Star, be back in a moment.”

  His wife-to-be met his gaze for a moment and nodded.

  Bannor moved down the table. Nodding and greeting those friends that acknowledged him. Stepping between the chairs of Octavia and Mercedes he stopped at the back of Vera’s chair. The little G’Yakki was slumped in her seat, shoulders slack and head down. She looked like she’d been run over by a rhinotaur. She didn’t even seem to feel him standing behind her.

  He frowned. He glanced further up the table to Wren. He saw the blonde ascendant had her glowing blue eyes trained on him. He rocked his head to indicate she should join him. Wren pushed back from her plate and rose.

  Though Vera had seemed completely dead to the world, Wren’s movement seemed to activate her. She straightened and started to push back her chair. She didn’t finish the move because Bannor stood in the way of her chair.

  The little woman jerked and looked up at him with wide dark eyes. “L-lord Starfist.”

  “Hello, Vera,” he said with a smile.

  The woman brushed the hair back from her face. He saw her gaze dart toward Wren who was coming around the far end of the table. She looked like blackhorn caught in a hunter’s lantern. “Aie, excuse—I…I…”

  Bannor raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Mercedes and Octavia who were looking up at him with expectant expressions.

  “You need to run away,” he responded. “So you can avoid Wren?”

  Vera swallowed. “Aie.”

  He reached down and held out his hand. “Vera, you’re my sister right?”

  “Hai.” She glanced from his face to Wren who was in no hurry, strolling down the table side. Vera’s expression was akin to terror. She did not want to confront Wren.

  He took hold of the chair and pulled her back from the table. He held out a hand. “Vera take my hand,” he said.

  Bewildered, she took hold. He pulled Vera to her feet, just as Wren stepped up. Vera tried to jerk away then, but he held on. “Sis, I think the three of us need to talk.”

  Wren folded her arms and glanced at Vera who looked down. “Brother, I think that’s an excellent idea.”

  The sound of Wren’s voice made Vera wince.

  Other people were taking notice, and Bannor saw Felspar family members looking at one another. He glanced to Loric who was focused on him. The gray-haired elder rocked his head to indicate for them to leave. Bannor nodded in acknowledgement. “Come Vera.”

  “Aie,” Vera dragged her heels and leaned back. “Lord Starfist, I—”

  “Vera!” Wren snapped. “Come.”

  The G’Yakki froze and stared at Wren.

  The blonde ascendant took her other arm. “No more nonsense. Come on, Bannor, the back balcony should be good.”

  Together the two of them escorted the tiny woman toward the main balcony overlooking Green Run. When they had stepped out into the sun-light, Wren drew the cantilevered doors closed behind them. Brushing her long blonde hair back over her shoulders, Wren planted herself in front of them with her arms folded. She stared at Vera with glowing eyes like a stoic guardian spirit.

  Vera leaned against the rail and tried not to meet Wren’s eyes.

  Bannor let out a breath. “All right, Vera, this has got to stop.”

  When the woman didn’t look up, he touched her shoulder. She shuffled back away from him not meeting his gaze.

  “Vera, are you trying to hurt Wren? Is that what you intend to do?”

  His words made the woman jerk but she didn’t meet his eyes.

  “Do you want Wren to stop loving you?”

  Vera twitched like she’d been poked with a hot iron. She didn’t look up. “Wren not love me.”

  The blonde savant rocked her head back against the doors and stomped her foot on balcony so hard the structure vibrated. “I do too!” She said in an exasperated tone. “Vera, I would never stop loving you!”

  Vera’s head snapped up, her eyes locking on Wren’s face. “But—”

  The G’Yakki woman was interrupted as Wren came across the balcony and clasped her face in her hands. “Vera, I love you. You have always been there for me, and I will always—always—be there for you. I could not ever be disappointed in you except when you try to hide and try to keep yourself from being happy. I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to hide from me.” She let go and engulfed the smaller woman in a hug. Vera rocked her head back and trembled. After a few moments she leaned into it and clutched Wren tight.

  Bannor let out a breath. He stepped over and patted Wren on the shoulder. “I think you can take it from here. I’ll give you some privacy.”

  Wren nodded. Her eyes were dewy. “Thanks, Brother.”

  He inclined his head, went to the balcony doors and let himself out. He rocked back, startled to see almost a dozen people hovering around the opening, including Cassandra and Desiray.

  “Well?” Cassandra prompted.

  He made sure the door was tight behind him. “Uh,” he cleared his throat. He glanced over his shoulder even though he couldn’t see Wren and Vera. “I think we made progress.”

  “See,” Desiray said with hands on hips, blowing her white hair out of her eyes. “I told you we needed to lock those two up together.”

  Cassandra snorted. “Des, you can be so inelegant at times.” She bowed to him. “Thank you, Bannor, for caring about our Vera.”

  “Are you jesting?” he said. “She’s a hero and my sister—of course I look after her.”

  Sarai walked up. “So, how did your diplomacy go?”

  He rubbed the back of his head. “I guess we’ll know this afternoon.”

  “Ah yes, Mother’s audience,” Sarai said with a nod. “Well, please pardon us,” she said to the group. “I need my One here, we have
a lot to accomplish today.”

  “We do?” he said perplexed.

  “Yes,” she growled. “We have a moon’s worth of wasted itinerary to catch up, and we need to start—now.”

  “Oh,” he groaned.

  “And now that you speak fluent Elvish—you can help me.”

  “Ah,” he brightened, that prospect was better. No more demeaning classes and no more sitting on display for the gentry unable to understand what was said. “Ladies,” he bowed. “Gents,” he nodded. “Good day all.”

  Everyone gave their courtesies back and he let Sarai drag him off to their chambers to change.

  They dressed and started into their day. Kalindinai already had what seemed to be an inexhaustible supply of errands for them to do. Much of the work precipitated by the moon-long siege of the citadel, the new guests, and making preparations for three new noble families to be in residence in the crown of Malan.

  With Senalloy in tow, they made their way out into the bright late morning light. A stiff breeze rattled the tree leaves and pearly clouds rolled in slow procession across the face of the sky. The city was alive with color and buzzing with activity. News of the T’Evagduran family being out and about had already spread and passerby waved and greeted them as they walked down forest paths toward the circle of the high houses.

  Bannor found the whole experience to be different from the past. He had half expected their first day back to be a painful endeavor with Sarai having to make apologies and excuses for the royal family’s score-day long ‘plague’ hiatus. He knew she hated such things and diplomacy was anything but her strong suit. However, as they went from house to house carrying messages and negotiating it went far different than he expected.