"What are you doing here?"
"To do what I can."
Resting folded hands on the table, Meekta nodded curtly. "Speak, Ravnor."
The elderly man met his eyes steadily. "Dana of Reeka has saved many lives, myself and these others included." He gestured to his companions.
"As a bodyguard does."
"Yes, but it wasn’t just our lives but thousands of others. Her actions prevented wars. For example, if I’d been killed, my kinsmen would have fought for my throne, to lead Rashmar."
"Her actions are known but that doesn’t--"
"I haven’t finished."
Meekta’s jaw tightened.
"Uh-oh." Byron rubbed his brow anxiously.
Ravnor was undeterred. "Twelve people she has guarded from death and at least eight of those have prevented wars."
"So you said before."
"Wars that would have involved the Intergalactic Peace Council, for those would have occurred on planets that are members of this Council."
"Your point?" Black eyes narrowed.
"She is being punished for trying to prevent one more war. Is that not wrong?"
"Orkra is not a member of the Council, and as such she had no right to interfere."
"We paid her to interfere for us. Is blood kin any less of a reason?"
Meekta’s nostrils flared but Karion spoke first. "An interesting point of view but the laws are clear. Those who are not members receive no assistance, those that are abide by the laws. Dana knew the law, broke it, and must now face the consequences."
For all his good intentions, Dana thought, it was all in vain. Hearing the clink of chains, she felt strong fingers curl around hers and glanced up, but Garret’s steady gaze hadn’t shifted from the Council Members.
Indignation sparked in Ravnor’s eyes. "How many more consequences must she accept for the actions of others?"
"I don’t appreciate your tone," Meekta said, annoyed. "Perhaps you’d care to explain further?"
"She was outlawed because of a twisted plot for revenge that had nothing to do with her, she was abandoned by a father who believed the lies, nearly died beside her cousins while getting evidence of the Reekas’ innocence, and finally is outlawed once more while trying to save the lives of her brother and father."
"Outlawed because she broke the law, may I remind you?"
"The first time she turned to the law for help, they let her down!" Ravnor flared. "Did you truly expect one who saves lives by loyalty to stand by and allow her blood kin to die? I think not!"
"Your attitude leaves much to be desired--"
"As does yours!"
"That’s done it," Coran predicted grimly.
"You go too far, Ravnor!" Furious, Meekta stood up angrily.
Alarmed, Dana watched her enraged former employer point to the Council Member.
"Do you want to see how far I go in my conviction that Dana of Reeka and her loyal friend are being treated unfairly?"
"Ravnor--" she began.
"If they are not pardoned, I withdraw Rashmar’s membership to the Intergalactic Peace Council!"
An audible gasp swept the room.
"You what?"
Proudly his chin rose. "As the Imperial Ravnor of Rashmar, I have spoken."
"The same goes for my country of Eiga on Brezna." The woman beside Darvk stood up also.
"And the planet Comll." The plump man behind her also rose to his feet. "It’s the least we can do, considering the many atrocities carried out on the Reekas there."
One by one the newcomers stood, some planet leaders, others country leaders, until all were on their feet.
The Intergalactic Peace Council and the other various leaders and advisors were stunned.
Karion was the first to recover. "You would all withdraw?’
They nodded.
"For one warrior, you would leave the safety of the Council, be open to war and attack with no hope of support?"
"For one Reeka and one Daamen," Ravnor amended. "And we planets will support each other."
Dana’s heart thudded heavily when once more they all nodded in unison. Going by Meekta’s thunderous expression, there was no way he was going to allow the Council to be forced into such a corner. Wildly she looked at Garret.
"Seems there is loyalty where you least expected it, lass," he said.
Tension filled the room, soldiers stiff and watchful, anger and disbelief in dozens of faces. Shock, bewilderment and even admiration in dozens of others.
Reya stood up and announced icily, "The Reekas will withdraw as well."
Meekta glared at her. "What of your husbands?"
Maverk stood up beside his wife. "Those who choose to will go and live in the Reeka settlement on Comll."
"This is absurd!"
"Aye, ’tis," the Daamen leader, Grezel, agreed from where he sat behind Meekta.
"At last, some sense!"
"Can’t have our people divided. Guess we’ll have to withdraw as well."
"This can’t be happening," Dana whispered, dazed.
"I never dreamed it would go so far." Garret looked across at Grezel, who grinned lazily back.
"Silence!" Meekta roared above the rising voices in the room.
Immediately everyone stopped talking.
"Do you realize what you have started, warrior?"
"You’re going to face the consequences of what I’ve done?" She shot back.
The barb hit home. He physically jerked back.
"As she’s faced the consequences of other’s actions." Ravnor drove the barb further in with relish.
Black eyes bored into her. "For you, planets and nations are threatening to withdraw membership, and thereby weaken the Intergalactic Peace Council and peace itself. They have made themselves vulnerable because of you. What do you say to this?"
Anger burned inside Garret. "You’re laying a guilt trip on her, Meekta!"
"What do you say, warrior?"
"Do you accept our terms or not, Meekta?" Ravnor pressed.
"I want her reply."
"Decide now, or membership will be withdrawn without further discussion!"
Dana’s alarm grew at the division showing between the leaders and advisers, the peace known for years being rocked and threatened. The angry murmurs and discord amongst the races previously friendly.
Only one man said nothing but continued to gaze at her. It was to this man she had to answer, this man who held the fragile links of peace in his hands. The man who headed the Intergalactic Peace Council. A man merciless in ensuring peace was kept.
She stepped forward. "No!"
Those nearest heard her, those farthest saw her. The babble of voices stopped and everyone watched the tall blonde warrior with a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, admiration and resentment.
Meekta didn’t speak but waited with cold composure.
"For more than a hundred years there has existed peace in this galaxy, and protection from the Outlaw Sector and those seeking war. Meekta is correct, to weaken the links will cause the solid foundations to crumble. The links are made of memberships, the strength of many. I will not be the one responsible for the disintegration of a lawful system that enables its members to live happy, secure and peaceful lives."
"Dana--" Ravnor started to protest.
The clink of chains preceded her upraised hand, and he found himself looking up into hazel eyes that regarded him with gratitude before switching to her supporters.
"Your loyalty means more to me than you could ever imagine. It’s more than I ever expected and I will never forget any of you. Please understand, if I allow you all to withdraw membership, everything I have ever fought for, your lives that I have saved, it’ll be all for naught."
"Oh, no." Reya closed her eyes briefly. "Don’t do this."
Connie paled and Tenia gripped Darvk’s hand so tightly her knuckles went white.
Garret stood firm, pride for the warrior he loved filling him. Even though she was sealing his f
ate, her honor shone like the sun. He wouldn’t have her any other way.
"In return for your lives that I have saved, I ask you all to withdraw your threats. One life in exchange for so many millions in the future isn’t a fair bargain. If you wish to repay me and show your loyalty, respect my decision."
The woman from Brezna started sobbing.
Ravnor took her hand. "My dear, don’t make us do this."
"Make the right choice, friend."
Tears filled his old eyes and his shoulders slumped. Squeezing her hand, he looked towards his companions. Slowly, one by one, they bowed their heads and resumed their seats.
Except the Reekas and Daamens.
"Would you ask your sister warriors to forsake you, cousin?"
"No, I ask them to support me in this. We know what war is, Reya, the killing and heartbreak. What would it make me to bring it to this galaxy? After all we have been through together, do this for me."
For long seconds they gazed at each other then the fiery-haired warrior nodded and sat.
Dana returned her gaze to Meekta’s unreadable face. "There is one condition to my complete surrender."
He raised one brow but was no fool, knowing she held the power to wrench peace away. "Speak."
"It was my choice alone, and only I am to face the consequences."
"What?" Garret stared at her.
"I alone, Meekta. Garret will be pardoned and set free to resume his life. Agreed?"
"Dana! Are you insane?" He grabbed her arm and swung her around to face him, fear pounding through him. "You can’t mean this!"
"Agreed, Meekta? Answer me!"
"I won’t let you do this! We’ll be together regardless of what happens!"
Their gazes locked, hers sad but determined, his desperate, angry and bewildered.
"Agreed, warrior. Garret of Daamen is pardoned."
"Nay!" He looked wildly at the Council leader. "I chose to go! I broke the law--"
"The decision stands and let it be recorded. The trial is now for Dana of Reeka alone."
"Nay, damn you! I won’t let you take her--"
"Neither will I!" The doors slammed open.
"What the hell is going on here?" Meekta roared. "Who are you people?"
Dana and Garret stared in shock at the silver-suited women, and the men dressed in knee-length tunics and long pants, that entered.
"I am Diago of Northland, Orkra."
"Dana’s father?"
"Correct. This is Rominac, my son."
"Who are you, then?" Meekta growled at the pale-faced woman.
"Zar of Southland, Orkra, and Cina, my daughter."
"I don’t understand," Dana whispered uncertainly. "What are they doing here?"
Unable to hold her, chained as he was, Garret nevertheless portrayed his protectiveness, standing partly behind her but so close the warmth of his body seeped into hers. Catching Rominac’s nod, he had a feeling he knew.
"I’m near the end of my patience with these constant interruptions and unpleasant surprises." Meekta frowned. "What do you want, Diago?"
"A pardon for my daughter."
"Let me guess, payment for services rendered?"
The Northlander’s nostrils flared. "Your comments are insulting."
"You abandoned her and your wife fifteen years ago." An edge of steel sharpened the words. "Do you expect me to believe you do this for love?"
Diago strode over to his stunned daughter and disregarding the threatening scowl of the towering Daamen behind her, gazed up into her eyes.
"Diago." She moistened her dry lips. "What are you doing?"
Regret and sadness filled his eyes and his reply was loud enough for every straining ear to hear. "I abandoned you once, I won’t do so again." Turning, he faced the Council Members. "Since I was the cause of her breaking the law, I will take the consequences for my child."
"Is that so? Well, I regret to inform you that it’s totally unacceptable--"
"Then take me as well." Zar strode forward to stand beside Diago. "I am partly to blame."
"Don’t any of you listen?" Meekta gritted.
"Diago, Zar, this isn’t necessary," Dana began, her voice trembling.
"Quiet, daughter. It’s time I paid for my betrayal."
"Your offered sacrifice is admirable," Karion cut in suddenly. "But the law stands. Orkra, by the choice of yourself and Zar, is not a member of the Intergalactic Peace Council, and therefore the law was broken."
Taking Cina’s hand, Rominac walked to Dana’s side and placed his hand upon her shoulder. "My sister did it for me. It was my love for Cina that caused my disappearance and subsequently, Dana’s involvement. If not for that, none of this would have happened. We are equally to blame."
"Are you all wanting to be outlawed or punished in some way?" Meekta thrust one hand through his hair in uncharacteristic exasperation.
"She prevented war--"
"The warrior is a paragon in that field according to many," he snapped. "It changes nothing!"
Karion placed one hand soothingly on his arm while directing her attention to the group before her. "The circumstances change nothing. If we break the constitution for one, we have to do it for another and so it goes on. Orkra comes not under our jurisdiction and therefore actions on your behalf, and against our orders, have broken the law."
Garret’s heart fell, hope draining away. For a short time, he’d dared to hope that everything would turn out all right, but now...
"Then there is only one thing to do." Diago knelt down before the Council, Zar beside him. "We pledge ourselves to the Intergalactic Peace Council. Orkra and its people, Northlanders and Southlanders, will come under your laws."
Murmurs broke out in the gallery.
"On the condition you pardon my daughter."
"What the hell are all these conditions?" Meekta barked. "What makes you think that by becoming members, we will pardon her? She disobeyed us!"
Hazel eyes, so eerily like the warrior’s, pierced him. "And by that she strengthened the links. In exchange for one life, you will have gained thousands. Is that not a good enough reason?"
"He has a good argument." Karion sat back.
"You agree?" Meekta glanced at her, his jaw tight.
"I do," the Morican Member on his other side stated.
Several members nodded in agreement while some frowned uncertainly.
Drawing a deep breath, Meekta said curtly, "It appears that discussion amongst ourselves is necessary. The trial is adjourned for one hour." He stood up to leave. "The outlaw is to be returned to the waiting cell. Unchain Garret of Daamen. He is free to go."
"I won’t leave her," Garret said immediately.
"Go," Dana said.
"Nay." He glared at the soldiers approaching to lead her away. "Don’t touch her or so help me--"
"Easy, friend." A heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
He met the vivid blue eyes. "Darvk, I can’t--"
"She doesn’t go far and will return." Lowering his voice, he added, "Whatever the outcome, trust me."
"But--"
"Have I ever let you down?"
Tortured eyes saw the soldiers take the warrior by the arms. "I can’t lose her."
"You won’t. Come, let these chains be removed and sit with us."
Seeing the pleading expression on Dana’s face, and not wanting to cause her more suffering, he relented. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.
"Good." Darvk touched Dana’s cheek lightly and smiled reassuringly. "We’ll be here for you, lass."
The lump in her throat rendering her incapable of speech, she nodded.
Bending down, Garret rested his cheek against hers. "I love you."
There was time only for a tremulous smile before she was led away.
Twenty one
Standing chained and alone, Dana faced the Council Members. Outwardly calm, inside she was a mass of nerves. There was no way the Council would let her go unpunished.
/> Meekta stood up, his piercing black eyes sweeping the occupants of the room. "This decision wasn’t easy. Much discussion and argument have preceded it. We have taken into account the threats, the pleading, and the sacrifices offered in exchange for the outlaw’s pardon." The hard gaze settled on Dana. "For everyone to hear once more, do you accept the final decision of the Council?"
Oh, God. "Yes." Don’t let me cry.
"You have caused great upheavals."
This was getting worse.
"You’re the only person to have nearly brought the Intergalactic Peace Council to its knees."
They were going to lock her up and throw away the key.
"The only person to have shaken up cordial relations between Council Members."
They were going to execute her. Her mouth went dry.
"Dana of Reeka--"
Her palms were wet with sweat.
"--by the powers invested in me by the Intergalactic Peace Council--"
Don’t let me pass out, God, I beg of you.
"--I hereby--"
Here it came. Her fate was sealed.
"--pronounce you pardoned."
At first the meaning didn’t register and, white-faced, she stared at him. "What?"
A roar of approval rose from the listeners, who jumped to their feet. Not one person remained seated, and the cheers were deafening.
Meekta inclined his head and swept out through the side door in a swirl of black robes.
Everyone was around her, hugging and calling out their congratulations. A soldier removed the steel bracelets and chains from her wrists and ankles and actually smiled at her.
Her sister warriors hugged and kissed her, their husbands doing the same, followed by Rominac and Cina, but she was numb with shock.
She’d been pardoned. She wasn’t to be separated from Garret.
The thought pierced the numbness and desperately she looked around for him, her heart hammering. Then she didn’t have to look anymore, for strong arms encircled her in a heartachingly, familiar way and she was hugged fiercely.
"Dana, ‘tis over. Oh, my love, ‘tis all over!"
And he was kissing her, tears in his eyes although she couldn’t see through the blur of her own. All she could do was hold on tight and cry unashamedly.
~ * ~
"You’re leaving."
Diago looked up at his daughter. "Yes."
heartofthebetrayed_195-8e3.htm Page 28