“That is what these markings are?” Trey asked. “A spell?”
“Yes,” Eldar Hamat replied. “It is difficult for me to tell, but did this man lose a lot of weight quickly?” he asked.
“Very much,” Faron replied. “He was quite fat a few weeks ago.”
“I have seen this before,” Eldar Hamat said. “It is a spell of the Narrasti which makes the victim much like a puppet to the caster. It does not always work as intended.”
Garen had stepped forward to examine the body himself when Eldar Katre was finished, and now stood back so that the others could look if they wished.
“If this man was a puppet, why then did the Narrasti risk stepping foot on Jasan?” he asked.
“From his condition, it appears he was deteriorating quite fast,” Eldar Hamat replied. “I would imagine that he was unable to be reliably focused for more than an hour or two at a time. The Narrasti would have had to escort him as close as possible to his victim. Otherwise the man would have just wandered off aimlessly until he eventually died.” Eldar Hamat paused a moment, then looked at Garen. “Did this man have a reason to dislike you or your Arima?” he asked.
Garen nodded and explained the incident of Lariah rescuing Tiny, and his banishment of the smelly human male. He then added the information Faron had uncovered, that the man was a bully and a tyrant.
“That tells me much,” Eldar Hamat said. “The shape changer has magic, but he does not have strong magic, or at least, he knows not how to use what he does have. The markings on the body are not clear. I believe it took weeks for him to manage what he did. Even so, he needed someone who was willing to harm you or your Arima to begin with. Otherwise, this never would have worked.”
Garen thought about that for a moment. Then an idea occurred to him. “If the shape changer had approached someone who was not willing to come back and accost Lariah again, that person would have been no use to him. Is that right?”
Eldar Hamat nodded. “I believe so, yes,” he replied.
“I think that explains what happened to our security guard,” Garen said. Eldar Hamat looked at him blankly. Garen quickly explained what had happened to Lariah when she landed on Jasan, and the disappearance of her abductor, Barc Landon.
“I think that the Narrasti got him out of the cell, and then found out that the man was not willing to come back here. So he killed him,” Garen finished.
“It sounds logical to me,” Eldar Hamat said.
“I wonder if you might be able to help us with another puzzle we have,” Garen said.
“I will try,” Eldar Hamat replied.
“Lariah has had a couple of incidents in which she had a foretelling of danger to herself. But in this instance, when this man attacked her, she had no warning at all. We find that troublesome.”
“Yes, of course,” Eldar Hamat said. “Even though this human wanted to harm your Arima, he was not acting on his own desires. Rather, he was a weapon that the shape changer used to attack your Arima. But, the shape changer could not physically gain access to the property. Such psychic abilities focus on intent, and a weapon has no intent. Her real attacker could not come close enough to her to set off her internal warning system.”
“Ah, I see,” Garen replied. “That makes sense. It is a relief to know there is a reason, and what it is.”
“I am glad to have been able to solve that puzzle for you,” Eldar Hamat said. He looked at the body again and sighed. “We searched for signs of our own people, and for Narrasti for centuries and never found either. Now, out of nowhere, comes this.” He shook his head. “As much as I would prefer to burn this and scatter the ashes to the winds, it is best that I return it to the council scientists. Perhaps they can learn something useful from it.”
Faron pulled the stasis bag back up, covering the body and sealing it within. The men exited the gardening shed and breathed deeply of the fresh air, all of them relieved to be away from the remains of Frith Yanger.
“Though we searched for centuries, we must now begin searching again,” Garen said. “We now have proof that the Narrasti still exist and we must find them. The question is, where do we begin?”
Eldar Hamat frowned thoughtfully. “Since we have always preferred to keep our history to ourselves, we cannot simply release the news that our ancient enemy has suddenly shown up,” he pointed out. “However, we do have many ambassadors scattered throughout the Thousand Worlds, and we are a party to many treaties. I don’t think it would be so difficult to begin making discreet inquiries about a little known race of reptilian humanoids.”
“That is a good place to start,” Garen agreed. “Just recently we have had the opportunity to converse with one of the top security men on Earth. I think Trey, Val and I should contact him directly and enlist his help with this matter. He owes us a favor.”
“What about planet security?” Faron asked. “That a Narrasti was able to land on Jasan at all makes my hackles rise. We must find a way to prevent further incidents such as the one that occurred yesterday.”
“That’s easy,” Val said. All eyes flew to him but he just shrugged. “Pater gave us the answer to that,” he reminded them.
Garen grinned, followed quickly by Trey. Faron and the rest simply stared at them.
“For some reason our barrier prevented the Narrasti from crossing,” Val explained. “All we need do is set up a smaller version of our barrier tower at the entrance points on the skyport and spaceport.”
Eldar Hamat smiled. “Yes of course, I had all but forgotten. Narrasti magic is the opposite of our own. Our magics repel each other.”
“Excellent,” Trey said. “We need to set up magic barriers at every entrance point to Jasan.”
“I think we should put one around the council headquarters and the Hidden City as well,” Maxim added.
“Good idea,” Garen agreed. “Although, it should be remembered that such barriers do not necessarily safeguard those behind them. Don’t forget what happened to Lariah.”
All of the men nodded solemnly at the reminder.
“How is your Arima?” Eldar Hamat asked. “I received word that she was injured quite severely, though I assume since you are all three standing here calmly that she is out of danger.”
Garen smiled. Not even the Narrasti could dampen his happiness for long this day.
“She is quite well, Eldar Hamat” he said. “Would you like to meet her?”
“I would indeed,” Eldar Hamat replied. His gaze sharpened as he glimpsed something unusual peeking from the edge of Garen’s collar. His eyes widened suddenly. “You are soul-linked?” he asked, his voice suddenly hoarse with excitement.
Maxim, Ranim and Lonim gasped in surprise at the question, all eyes pinned on Garen as they waited anxiously for the answer.
Garen bowed, as did Trey and Val. “We have been so honored, yes,” he replied with a grin.
Eldar Hamat’s eyes closed and his body trembled, such was the depth of his emotion. “At last,” he whispered. “At long last, our people have hope.” His eyes opened and he swallowed hard. “Yes, I must meet your Arima, please,” he asked.
“We ask that we be allowed to meet your Arima as well,” Maxim asked formally, his voice rough with his own strong feelings.
“It is our honor,” Trey replied formally, granting both Eldar Hamat’s and Maxim’s request. Lariah was important to all of their people, and many would wish to meet her. It was best that she become used to the attention gradually, with small parties like this.
Garen led the party toward the house where Jackson Bearen and his brothers were on guard duty. Garen didn’t think they would be able to leave Lariah out of their sight without a guard for a long time to come.
As they drew nearer to the house they heard the sound of Lariah’s soft, husky laughter coming from the back garden. Garen switched directions and entered through the back gate, noting the expression of awe on the faces of the Katres, and the knowing smiles on the faces of the Lobos.
G
aren grinned as he stepped aside so that the others could pass through the gate, turning to watch as Lariah threw a large stick across the garden for Tiny to retrieve. The gigantic dog lumbered good naturedly across the garden, picked up the stick in his mouth, and returned it to Lariah. In his mouth the stick looked little, though when Lariah took it from him, it looked large. She was a stunning sight, her red-gold hair glinting as though it were throwing off sparks, her smile so bright it dimmed the sun.
She turned to them after she removed the stick from Tiny’s mouth, grimacing as she shook the slobber off of it before laughing again. Tiny turned to watch the visitors, placing his body directly in front of Lariah, though he did not growl or bare his fangs. Garen glanced questioningly at Faron and received a tiny nod. Garen knew that Faron had been working with Tiny, using his own ability with animals to enforce the dog’s protective instincts as well as gaining the animal’s trust. Faron had just confirmed that he had warned Tiny that they were coming, and that there was no need to threaten the visitors.
Garen closed the gate and took a step forward, turning toward Eldar Hamat to introduce him to Lariah. He stopped at the expression on the older man’s face. He looked as though he had been hit by lightening. Garen frowned with concern. “Eldar, are you well?” he asked.
Eldar Hamat shook his head a tiny bit, his eyes never leaving Lariah.
Lariah hurried forward, her delicate brows drawn into a concerned frown. She immediately reached out to touch the older man’s shoulder, concern and worry in her eyes.
“Please sir, come and sit down over here,” she said, her soft husky voice gentle and soothing. Eldar Hamat placed his hand over Lariah’s, allowing her to lead him toward the patio. Riata had been sitting there, watching Lariah play with Tiny, and she now stood up to slide a chair over for the man.
Eldar Hamat did not sit down though. Instead, he stood and gazed at Lariah intently for a long moment. Garen, Val and Trey stepped onto the patio and took up a position near Lariah, while the Lobos and Katres remained on the garden path, near enough that they could see Lariah, but out of the way.
“I apologize for staring,” Eldar Hamat said at last. “It is just that you are the very image of my Arima.”
Everyone stared in shock. “Really?” Lariah asked, nonplussed.
“Oh yes,” Eldar Hamat replied with a smile. “I could never forget a single freckle of her face. You are her exact image.” The old man blinked hard a few times, then cleared his throat. “I no longer have strong magic, but there is one thing I am yet able to do,” he said. “It is the reason I have been able to endure alone for so long.” The man stepped back, focused on a space next to Lariah, and waved his hand.
Everyone gasped as the figure of a young woman dressed in a long golden gown appeared next to Lariah. They could have been exact twins. The only difference between them was that Lariah’s red-gold hair hung to her hips in soft waves, while the other figure’s was a deep flame red, and hung in long spiraling curls down her back. The woman smiled Lariah’s smile and reached out as though to take someone’s hand before slowly fading away.
Eldar Hamat wavered on his feet, and Riata stepped quickly to his side, lowering him into a chair.
Lariah did not know what to say. Was it possible, she wondered, that this man’s Arima had escaped to Earth, and was a distant ancestor of hers?
“Riata, I would like to ask for a favor please,” she asked. “I know I shouldn’t since you’ve already done so much for us, but if you wouldn’t mind?”
Riata smiled at Lariah. “I am pleased to help if I can,” she said.
“Garen told me that you were able to take a mental image of my genetic code,” she said.
“And you would like me to see if there are similarities between yours and Eldar Hamat’s,” Riata guessed.
“If you would not mind, yes.”
“I do not mind,” Riata replied. “In truth, I am curious myself. If you agree?” she added, turning to Eldar Hamat.
“Yes, I would very much appreciate it,” Eldar Hamat agreed at once.
Several minutes later, Riata lowered her hands. “Though Lariah’s genetic code is now dracon, while Eldar Hamat’s is katre, there are yet enough similarities that indicate a clear familial relation between them,” she said. “Although more than a hundred generations separate them, I believe that Eldar Hamat is Lariah’s ancestor.”
Eldar Hamat was without words. He stood up, and bowed low to Riata. “You have given me back something I thought forever lost to me,” he said, his voice trembling. “A connection to my Arima.”
“I cannot take such credit,” she argued. “I only looked at what was there to see.”
Eldar Hamat merely smiled at her. Then he looked to Lariah. “I am pleased to learn that you are my granddaughter from across the ages,” he said. “I hope you do not mind if I claim the kinship.”
Lariah returned his smile, then, impulsively, stepped forward and hugged him. “If you don’t mind, I certainly don’t,” she said. “I have very few to call family. To have another is a blessing for me that I would never turn away.”
Eldar Hamat returned Lariah’s hug, smiling down at the top of her head. Suddenly, he gasped, his eyes widening once more in surprise. Lariah leaned back at once, looking up at him with startled eyes. Eldar Hamat reached out and lifted a lock of Lariah’s hair from her shoulder, staring at it intently. He released it slowly, turning toward Garen and opening his mouth to speak. Nothing came out, so he swallowed and tried again.
“Your Arima is Nahoa,” he said hoarsely. He sat abruptly.
“Nahoa,” Garen said the word softly. “The word is not familiar to me.”
Eldar Hamat shook his head slightly, nearly overwhelmed by his discovery.
“Nahoa is a difficult word to define,” he explained. “It is more than a word, it is, in a sense, a title. It refers to one most rare, most unique, most glorious of all.” Eldar Hamat paused a moment, then met Garen’s gaze once more. “I would ask you a personal question,” he said.
Garen nodded in acquiescence.
“During the soul-link triad, there was a point at which all four of you witnessed a glowing light within Lariah. I would ask, what color was the light?”
Garen’s eyebrows rose. “Golden,” he replied at once. Val, Trey and Lariah all nodded in agreement.
Eldar Hamat’s eyes closed as he whispered softly to himself. When he opened them again, they were alight with joy. “The two signs of a Nahoa-Arima are hair cut with glimmering gold, and a soul of golden purity,” he said. He looked up at the blank stares surrounding him, and smiled.
“There is a legend among our people, of an Arima that is…more. As you know, once you are soul-linked, your magic together becomes stronger by a thousand-fold. As you also know, females, whether they be Arimas or not, do not own their own magic. Unless the Arima is a Nahoa. The male-set lucky enough to have a Nahoa for their Arima will have magic ten thousand times stronger than before they are linked. And the Nahoa-Arima herself will also have a sort of magic of her own.”
“What sort of magic?” Garen asked, astounded by this new information.
“It varies,” he replied. “But in general she will be able, by her very presence, to bring peace and calm to those around her. She may be able to heal hurts of the heart and soul. She may be able to draw others to her.”
“Why have we not heard of this before?” Garen asked.
Eldar Hamat smiled. “My Prince, as you know, I am a Past Seer. As such, I am perhaps the only one of our race who even owns this knowledge. Even I cannot tell you much more than I have already since Lariah is the first Nahoa-Arima since at least a thousand years before the Dark Time.”
There was a stunned silence among those gathered on the patio, broken only by the distant music of the birds singing in the garden. Suddenly, Garen chuckled. All eyes flew to him, but he hardly noticed as he only had eyes for Lariah.
“Apparently your wish to avoid being called Lehen Arima has been
granted,” he said with a grin. “You will have to settle for Nohoa-Arima instead.”
Lariah scowled. “I prefer Lariah,” she grumbled.
The tension broke as everyone laughed, and even Lariah was unable to maintain her scowl. After a few moments she smiled shyly and looked for a reason to get the attention away from herself. She spotted the Katres standing on the garden path near the Lobos and flushed red with embarrassment that she had forgotten they were there.
Garen noticed Lariah’s blush and quickly determined its cause. “Forgive my manners,” he said to the Katre male-set.
Maxim bowed slightly. “There is no need,” he said graciously. “Much has happened in the past few minutes that we are most blessed to have witnessed.”
Garen nodded, then introduced Lariah to the Katres. Once the introductions were complete, Garen waited for Lariah to bite her lip. He smiled when she did it within moments.
He freed her lip from her teeth. “What would you like to ask?”
Lariah grinned at him. “Would it be rude to ask if I might see your katrenca?” she asked Maxim.
Maxim smiled back. “We would be honored,” he said at once. Without being asked, Lonim stepped back and called his katrenca.
“How amazing!” Lariah exclaimed as she gazed at the giant cat, nearly 9 feet tall at the shoulder, with thick tawny colored fur that exactly matched his hair when in his human form. Aside from the color and the two large horns protruding from the animal’s head just above the ears, the katrenca looked very much like an old Earth panther.
Suly appeared with a large tray of snacks, Pater at her heels with another large tray of glasses and two pitchers of iced juice. As the party gathered around the table, Garen noticed that Eldar Hamat made a point to sit near Lariah. Lariah smiled at the man and placed her hand over his on the table.
Garen looked on, happy for both Lariah and Eldar Hamat that they had found each other. He had a feeling that Eldar Hamat would be a regular visitor to their home in the future. He also realized the far reaching implications of the familial relationship between them.
The Dracons' Woman: Book 1 of the Soul-Linked Saga Page 32