“You all know Blanca Chevalier and Peter Krol, of course–”
“Of course,” Cat said brightly.
“During the tournament you would not have had a chance to meet another very important member of the LiGa team–” Xavier gestured towards the unfamiliar man sitting beside Blanca. “Please allow me to introduce our chief of security, Orion.”
Upon hearing his name, the man with the blue eyes briefly rose from his seat in one fluid movement, rather like a cat, thought Father Griffith. One of the large, predatory ones, though, he added as an afterthought as the man flashed an amiable smile towards each of them.
“Orion manages the security for all of our tournaments, but it is not possible or necessary for him to be present at any one location. Indeed, he was not present during your tournament, but he was assisted ably by Peter Krol–” Xavier continued, gesturing towards Peter, who was in the seat next to Orion. As Peter nodded in acknowledgement, the weak late December sunlight glinted off his glasses.
“Peter’s role in our tournaments is two-fold: he assists both Diarmid Tanner in the running of the games, and Orion in security-related matters.”
“A man of many talents,” Bruce quipped.
“Oh yes!” Orion laughed. “Peter’s a treasure, aren’t you old thing?”
“As you say,” Peter countered with good humor.
“You will all have plenty of time to get to know each other–” Xavier said, looking at Cat who was regarding Orion thoughtfully, “but I would like to say a few words about Orion right now.
“In the first instance, he is remarkable in that he is the first – and thus far only – person who has been permitted to enter a LiGa tournament – in his case, chess – without an invitation. In fact, it was Orion who approached us. This is not unusual in and of itself as many people who have not been invited seek entry to a LiGa tournament, but Orion is the only person who was accepted–” Xavier paused and nodded in Orion’s direction.
“Orion is not, by his own admission, a particularly accomplished chess player, but he has the unusual ability – of which he apprised us when he first approached us – which allows him to win almost any chess match, against even the highest-ranked players. As you might imagine, if true, this was an intriguing concept for us and we asked him to elaborate. Orion explained that the secret to his success lies in his highly empathic nature.
“Orion is, in fact, a true, pure telempath. He has the ability not only to feel the emotions of those around him, but also to read their thoughts–” Xavier smiled, looking pointedly at them. “Yes, it is disconcerting, at first, but you will grow accustomed to it, for it is most likely part of you too.”
I will think of nothing, absolutely nothing right now, thought Father Giffith.
“He could read his opponents’ thoughts…” Bruce said thoughtfully studying the man with the carefree smile.
“Exactly,” Xavier nodded. “As an attribute, it is not nearly as unusual as you might think. Indeed, a large number of people have varying degrees of empathic abilities, what we call ‘the sense.’ Orion’s additional talent lies in the fact that he can fully control this ability. Many people find it confusing, frustrating and even depressing at times, to feel the emotions of others simply because they are unable to extricate their own feelings and thoughts from those of the people around them. Orion, however, learned early how to distinguish his thoughts and emotions from those of others. This is why we call him a ‘pure’ telempath: he knows exactly the thoughts and emotions of another, and he acts accordingly.
“Orion has many other talents and characteristics that make him such a valuable member of LiGa, but for now, I want to discuss only his telempathy. Firstly because it provides some insight into this unique man, and secondly because you, too, will need to understand, develop and eventually control your telempathic abilities, for it is our preferred, and at times only, mode of communication – especially under certain circumstances, which you will learn later.
“After confirming the truth of his assertions, we set out to find a suitable opponent for Orion. It was not easy, for most people have a natural aversion to playing a chess match for their lives against one who can read their thoughts. Nevertheless, we were able to find a person willing to play against Orion: a person, who was also a gifted telempath. The result is obvious–” Xavier gestured towards Orion. “Since winning his LiGa Chess tournament, Orion has been charged with the telempathy training of all new immortals.”
“Don’t worry: it’s usually painless.” Orion flashed a magnetic smile around the room.
“Now that we all know each other, I would like to say a few words about why you were invited here today…” Xavier continued to explain that now, six months after the LiGa Bridge tournament, their physiology had finally settled into its new immortal state.
“As you are well aware, your body is no longer aging, and this will remain so, as far as we have been able to ascertain, indefinitely. As you are also well aware, this new immortal status does not make you invincible. Indeed, you may be harmed, or even killed, by the same instruments that affect other humans. For instance, you will get sick, although you will not suffer from autoimmune disorders, but your illnesses are likely to be of shorter duration and less severe due to your enhanced immune system.
“The same poisons that harm others will also affect you. Since you are of stronger, more resilient constitution due to the life transfer, you may suffer less harm, but it is by no means certain. For instance, it may take a stronger dose to kill you. Speaking of injury: anything that can harm a mortal will also harm you.” He paused. “Why do I make these rather morbid, and obvious, remarks? Because, you see, you and I, and every other LiGa Immortal, made an unwritten pact on the day we entered the LiGa tournament.
“We all forsook the right – you may call it a luxury, even – to die peacefully in our sleep, of old age.
“A LiGa Immortal can be killed. And the truth is that that is the only way of ridding the world of a LiGa Immortal. Because it is the only way, be assured that it will be used against us. Any one of us. And not only by mortals, but by any one of us.
“So, we are all fallible immortals, and we must live with the full knowledge that if anyone wishes one of us permanently removed from this world, such a one will not have the luxury of waiting for us to die, or to grow old and senile. And if one of us commits a crime, particularly one that causes great anger or outrage, such a person would in all likelihood not be imprisoned, for the laws of any land cannot truly bind us as those laws are, for the most part, temporal.
“The punishment for crime in mortal societies is bound by time. But time does not exist in the same way for us. If we are jailed for ten years, we will indeed be imprisoned for those ten years, but we will not have forsaken up to a tenth of our free lives to pay a debt to society. The societies we inhabit know this. They know that they cannot truly punish us with their temporal tools. Therefore, just as we are not fully bound by the law of the land, the land too, will not feel it necessary to be so bound towards us.
“What can society do?” Xavier paused.
“They will kill us,” Bruce said.
“Yes,” Xavier nodded. “Be aware that if you break a law of significance in any society, you may be facing not jail, as mortals in your situation might, but, quite possibly, death.”
The specter of a violent death looming over us is the compact we made, thought Father Griffith.
“Well! That’s a nice way to welcome us to immortality, darling!” Cat cried reproachfully. “How awful. We might die! Well, maybe we’ll get lucky and actually live a long time as promised!” She sniffed daintily.
Xavier laughed. “I did not mean to upset you. I merely wanted to add a word of caution to what will, I am sure, be a long, illustrious and healthy life!”
“That’s better,” Cat said approvingly.
“On to more pleasant topics… At this point, we have traditionally taken our new members to a remarkable place, for a brief holiday. We under
stand that you all have busy lives and commitments, but if you can spare a month – or longer if you wish – you will travel to a place that you will not be able to find on any map of this world.”
“I’m not all that busy, as it happens, darling, but if I can’t even find this place on a map, how on earth am I to go? You are not suggesting a course of drugs or some such nonsense, are you?” Cat regarded Xavier dubiously.
“My sentiments exactly,” Bruce seconded.
Xavier shook his head. “No. It is a real place,” he assured them. “One that can be reached by some of the usual means – by ship, for instance–”
“Xavier, may I?” Orion interjected from his seat next to Blanca.
“Yes, absolutely,” Xavier said, withdrawing a step.
Orion rose and walked towards the three new immortals. He moved forward, his hands in his pockets, exuding an air of easy confidence. Approachable. Attractive. Familiar.
“Now let me first assure you this place – it is called Pera, incidentally – exists, and it is one of – no, it is the most beautiful, vibrant, and free place you will ever know. It has perfectly real people whom you will be able to understand, solid buildings, air that you can breathe – with the tang of the sea because it sits on water,” Orion added wistfully.
A mischievous smile flitted across his features. “And the beauty of it is that it is completely hidden! It is entirely obscured by what we call the Light Veil. No one from here can see beyond the Veil, nor can they cross it. No one, that is, except the occupants of a very special ship–” Orion paused and turned to Peter. “Why don’t you bring Patron, Peter?”
Peter nodded and left the cube, heading towards the building to the left.
“You will love Patron. She is, without doubt, one of my favorite people!” Orion grinned. “While we wait for her to arrive, I will–”
“Um, excuse me, darling–” Cat interrupted, “I don’t need to know about this woman. I need to know about this thing you called the ‘Light Veil’. Come along, now, be a good boy and tell us the truth. You are trying to give us some mind-altering drugs, aren’t you?” She looked at him meaningfully.
“Unfortunately not, governor,” Orion replied looking contrite. “The Light Veil is as real as LiGa.”
Cat regarded him narrowly. “It seems you think you are telling the truth.”
Orion laughed. “Didn’t LiGa’s promise of immortality seem like science fiction when it was first announced? But we all know now that it’s true.
“The Light Veil can’t be seen. It is not something you can feel. It is similar to a camouflage, if you like. And what it protects is very dear to us.” He paused, grinning. “Ah, but here is Patron!”
As the glass slid aside, a woman of smallish stature, clad in a long oilskin coat and heavy leather boots, strode forward swiftly, followed by Peter. An enthusiastic, honey-colored cocker spaniel bounced ahead, waving her plumed cream-tipped tail like a silken banner. The little dog wore a woolen jacket in fetching lilac and white, and a necklace of colorful beads. She skipped eagerly to where Orion was now kneeling to welcome her.
“Come here, pretty girl. Come here, Hazel!” He stroked the dog’s caramel colored neck and ruffled the creamy tuft on top of her head. Hazel happily threw her front paws on this favored human, delightedly licking his hands and face.
Her mistress threw her head back and laughed. It was a loud, bombastic sound that rather startled Father Griffith.
I wonder who she is exactly? Father Griffith noted that this middle-aged woman was unseasonably tanned, and sported a shock of blonde hair with definite straw-like effects. The roadmap of wrinkles covering her face would have seemed more at home upon one several decades older, but the enormous greenish yellow eyes that laughed at the world out of that beleaguered landscape were ageless.
“Xavier!” she cried, trouncing over and giving him a big hug, startling Father Griffith, who had so far not connected Xavier with displays of affection. But after all, even he must have had a mother and a father, the priest thought philosophically.
“Hello Patron,” Xavier smiled, his tone warmer than anything the new immortals had ever heard him utter. For the first time I see Xavier as a human being, mused Father Griffith. Patron had turned her attention to the elegant form of Blanca, who had once again risen gracefully from her seat and had gone so far as to plant an ephemeral kiss on Patron’s weathered cheek.
How different they look, thought Father Griffith, regarding the two women together, and yet how similar they seem…
“Orion! How are you? How is the hunting?” She gathered him in a tight embrace. “You look wonderful,” she said, pulling away to look at him. “As always.
“Patron, I can’t tell you how happy I was when Shadow told me you were on your way.”
Patron gave him a searching look. “Shadow told you? I haven’t heard of this–” She turned to glare at Xavier. “What’s going on? I arrived this morning and no one tells me Shadow told you I was coming–”
“Patron, you were tired,” Blanca said gently. Father Griffith stared at her in disbelief. Aloof and cold, yes, glacial even…these were the qualities one expected from the glorious Blanca Chevalier! Gentleness and concern? I clearly know next to nothing about these people, he thought.
“We wanted to let you sleep for a few hours,” Blanca continued in the same soothing tone. “There’s no harm done. Shadow knows it will take some time to get back to Pera.”
Patron’s stern look had softened, and her snort did not hold all the contemptuous anger it might have. “Well… still… Blanca, at least you might have mentioned it,” she chided without anger.
“And I am telling you, Patron,” Blanca said. “We were waiting for you to get your rest, as I said. Shadow told Orion a few days ago. We were awaiting your arrival. There was nothing you could do on the way–” She paused.
“Well, I might have come quicker if I’d known. I took a bit of a detour, you know. I had to get a bit of sun.”
“Of course,” Xavier said.
“Naturally,” chimed in Blanca.
“Excuse me,” Cat interjected, raising her hand and smiling prettily. “Would you mind? Do tell us what’s happening. Are we going on a trip or not?”
“Yes, of course,” Xavier said. “Orion’s duties in Pera are not related to your trip. He will accompany you – if you decide to go – on Patron’s ship. But this is your holiday.”
“And who is Shadow?” Cat asked.
“Pera’s soul,” Blanca replied promptly.
Cat frowned while Bruce looked merely puzzled. Father Griffith sighed resignedly. Pera’s soul?
“Pera’s soul?” Bruce and Cat both asked.
“Yes,” Blanca replied simply. “Orion will show you, I’m sure. Shadow is Pera’s soul. Her spirit if you prefer.”
Soul? Spirit? Wondered Father Griffith. What is the soul of a land? Perhaps a great leader. A spiritual leader. That would make sense.
“Like the Pope, perhaps,” he ventured tentatively.
“No,” Blanca said. “And yes, if you wish,” she added with an enigmatic smile.
Cat tilted her head to one side. “I see,” she said brightly. “There you go, Roland, this is all very much up your alley. You’re not even going to need a rose garden at this rate. Personally, I’m not sure I want to see Pera’s soul. I want a vacation. Is that too much to ask?”
“You will want to see Shadow,” Patron said robustly. “By the way,” she turned her attention to Blanca, “aren’t you coming?” she demanded.
“I’m afraid not, Patron,” Blanca replied, shaking her head sadly. “Shadow specifically asked for Orion and besides–” Her flow was interrupted by Patron
“But you promised,” Patron said, eyeing her sternly. “One of these days, we’re going to go sailing together, and I’m not taking no for an answer. And not just back to Pera. We have to find some of that water silk for dresses now that I have my own club, and it is not dark like some places I could mention�
�� but won’t!” She threw her head back and let forth a bellowing laugh that sounded like the crashing of waves, thought Father Griffith.
Blanca shook her head regretfully. “You know, there’s nothing I’d like more, but there’s always another game to organize… too many things to do. But–” she continued, looking determinedly at Patron, “I promise I will make time. This year. I have heard such great things about your new club.”
“It really is very nice.” Patron beamed with pride. “And none of you have seen it!”
“By the way, Patron, you haven’t been properly introduced to our new immortals–” Orion gestured towards Bruce, Cat and Father Griffith.
“Ah, yes. My crew,” Patron laughed. “Hello crew.” She waved.
Father Griffith rose from his seat and came forward. “Madam, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Roland.”
“Very well, Roland. Please call me Patron.” Patron looked around, and then at her feet. “And this here is Hazel,” she added, introducing the little dog who was now sitting patiently at her side. “Hazel, this is Roland,” she said, addressing the dog.
“I think she nodded!” Father Griffith laughed.
Patron looked at him with mock affront. “Hazel is a very bright girl,” she said. “Of course she nodded. She has now met you.” Hazel completed the introduction with a round of obligatory sniffs, after which she turned her attention to the two strangers who had also risen from their seats.
“Patron, this is Catherine Trahan,” Orion explained. “Cat, Patron.”
“Delighted to meet you, darling,” Cat said warmly. “But please, call me Cat.”
“Good, good. Delighted to meet you. And you must be Bruce Saber, am I right? Peter has already told me all about you,” Patron said.
“Absolutely correct,” Bruce said. “It’s great to meet you, skipper!”
Patron let out one of her bellowing laughs at this. “Hazel, come here!” she cried, as the small dog appeared particularly intrigued by Bruce’s scent.
“It’s ok,” he said gently, stroking the dog’s head. “I have one too. A dog, I mean. She must smell Sofia. Incidentally,” he looked worried, “I can’t leave her behind during such a long trip.”
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