King V’ming said, his words rolling out from speakers all over, “My beloved people, I am proud to present to you our visitor from across the galaxy, her exalted leader of the expedition, Lorelei, the Sky Lady of the Planet Earth.”
On the parade field below more shouted commands arose, flags raised, music boomed, and masses of natives began to move. The first unit marched past a moment later, saluting them, all faces turned upward. At each salute, the King raised the massive staff. More followed, on foot, on wheels, some large and heavy tracked vehicles, then more loosely formed blocks of people, each carrying a banner with writing on it, which an Anawoka translated for her, various groups, organizations, most dealing with trade, or exploration, then governmental units, on and on for a long half hour, way longer than Lori expected. She endured. As the units went by, the king began a dialogue of sorts, pointing to the marchers, and telling something about them. But Lori only half listened, wanting this part over with soon.
As the last group passed, the band marched away, and an illi-illi fireworks display filled the sky across the field, colorful streamers and bursts of thunder and noise rolling around in the valley.
“Ah, our own salute to you, King V’ming, from one of the races here represented,” Hunter said.
V’ming waved and yelled in appreciation.
As the smoke drifted away, V’ming led the way back and into the tent, and guided Lori to a low, raised, wooden platform, covered with cushions and short tables. Flowers filled vases and containers behind her and all around, and a low wall to the rear cascaded water and greenery. More soft music played, glittering lights and streamers hung from the roof, and a crowd of notables awaited them at a respectful distance. The TV cameras were to the rear, too, with her own cambots hovering just below the streamers.
V’ming clunked down on a nest of pillows, next to Lori and she saw the strain the ceremony placed on him. Attendants brought him something to drink, and a Kobi did the same for Lori and her group. The king looked at Lori, those unblinking eyes, darkened with age. And sorrow, she thought.
Lori stood, to introduce the members of her party, starting with her husband, and prompted by the Anawoka, everyone else. Soon the tent filled with guests, both native and from the expedition. She sat again, on a low, cushioned bench, large enough for her, her husband, and Tarue and the kits. Her face, now as before, remained fixed, her gaze away.
She awaited the welcoming entertainment. Later, she suspected that someone had tipped the natives that she liked children, and they might please her to see some. And they did.
A small group of very young natives shuffled in, guided by two adults, and stopped facing her a dozen meters away. Lori saw their multi-colored eyes sparking as they jostled a bit, and then began to sing, their high pitched voices rising in the tent. A sporadic translation played in her ears, not making a lot of sense, but she knew the song was one of welcome. She found the young kits charming, and their voices captivating, and never took her gaze from them.
Finished, they bowed, and in a loosely coordinated way, moved off to the right. Another group walked in, more disciplined, older natives, yet still young, eyes clear, movements more confident, but very obviously nervous. They too began to sing, another song of welcome, the volume of their voices higher, and again, Lori watched them. They too bowed upon completion of their song, and moved away, behind the younger set.
A third group arrived, adults for sure, showing a certain confidence the second chorus did not. Their voices fairly boomed in the tent, and a low drum and a higher pitched reed instrument, like a flute, played, too. The music and song were sophisticated, even complicated, with some voices singing, while others waited, then rushed in, deeper, maybe male voices, coordinating with others, almost in waves of sound, moving from one section to another of the group, in fine harmony, and pleasing volume. As the voices finally faded, the instrument held a note for a moment, and faded away.
The third group bowed as did the first, and Lori, quite impressed, stood and applauded, knowing they were all familiar with that gesture, and in fact, used it themselves.
“We have some small gifts to give the singers, if you want,” her earphone said.
“Enough for all?” she said, as she hesitated to return to her seat.
“Yes. And age appropriate.”
“OK, good, bring them in,” Lori said, and turned to sit down again.
“Wouldn’t you like to present them?” Hunter said, standing next to her, looking to his right, as two Kobi brought in some boxes.
She looked at him, her expression ready to show exasperation at being manipulated, but decided it might be OK, and said, “Yes.” She started toward the first group, the smallest ones, and crouched down before them. The Kobi held out some small, stuffed animals, and she gave one to each of the kits, who accepted them quietly, if hesitantly. Standing, and moving to the side, she presented more gifts to the teenagers, as she thought of them, flashy pins with a holographic image of Earth on the surface. These were well appreciated. The adult singers received star spangled writing sets, both a pen and a pencil in red, white, and blue. The entire group said something that translated as “Thank you, Star Traveler,” and bowed deeply in unison, and slowly walked away, their low voices chattering as they examined their gifts.
Lori returned to the reception area, to find servants holding trays with fancy crystal ware, embellished with gold filigree, and filled with what her earphones said was a native champagne-like sparkling wine. King V’ming stood near her, held his glass up toward her, and said, in evidently memorized English, “Welcome to my kingdom, Sky Lady Lorelei.”
Lori, impressed, took a glass held for her, and clicked it against the King’s. Hunter did the same, then clicked hers, and together, they took a sip of the sparkling wine. It tasted tart, and a little fruity, not unlike Earth champagne. Lori sipped it again, as a servant guided them back to their seats.
The king turned to her and said, his words in the earpiece on her head, “The trading goes well now, my people appreciate the many wonders arriving from your amazing ships. I truly regret their arrival was so delayed, and yourself so badly treated by my misguided son. May his essence rest peacefully.”
“I am sorry for the loss of one dear to you,” Lori said, not sure what the protocol was on this planet.
“You need not be. Cutting sharp and deep, indeed, is the wound of one’s offspring gone bad,” the king said, with a droop of his head.
“On my world, we say, ‘Sharp as a serpent’s tooth, is the cut of the ungrateful child,’” Lori said, leading to a discussion of animals, and sayings, as the king waved, and platters of refreshments arrived.
King V’ming began introducing some of his party, starting with his daughter, Princess Tarija, and her two kits, Nagorji, the girl, and Sredne, the boy, who arose, and bowed to Lori. She motioned before her, and the princess and her kits came closer, and squatted there. The young ones were already eyeing Nif and Dayue, and once Lori introduced Joshii and Tarue, as ambassadors from the planet Uta, the kits began talking, shyly at first, and gradually more and more animated and friendly, and soon were racing around, followed by several royal attendants.
The foods, all pre-approved by careful analysis, looked interesting, and Lori sampled each. One, a thin, somewhat crispy vegetable, not unlike potato chips, tasted nice, and Lori began picking out the crispy, most cooked pieces. She fingered through them, but the king said something the Anawoka did not translate, and a hesitant servant snatched the bowl, and hurried away.
Her mood soured, Lori wondered what royal protocol she’d violated. She stared ahead as a brief musical performance began, thinking she could leave as soon as it was over. Good, enough of this. She glanced at Morales, hovering nearby, as a warning. But within moments, the servant returned, with a bowl now filled with the vegetable again, but all well cooked and crispy, like the few she found to her liking. She looked at King V’ming with softer eyes.
Their elaborate glasses were refi
lled once, no more, and when empty, servants arrived with a padded, white box, in which the crystal would fit.
A voice in her ear said, “The stemwear is over 400 years old, is from the collection of the Castle Comfort, and is given as a memento on this important event.” The servant took their glasses, wiped them dry, placed them into the box, and then sat the box at Lori and Hunter’s feet. She saw each of her party received the same gesture.
Again, she was impressed.
Chapter 26 - Where are you from
Morales, watching her, tapped his watch, a question in his look. She shook her head, indicating she’d stay just a bit longer, and the music faded and ended. Before she could do anything else, V’ming stirred himself erect, and looked at her. Trapped anyway, she guessed. She’d have to remain for a while. She was glad she did.
The king now held a small, dark wooden box in his hands.
“Just so you know we are not all uncivilized, and some still have honor about them, here is something of yours now returned with deep regrets for the manner in which it was lost.”
One of the princess’ kits stepped over, took the box, and handed it to Lori with a bow. The box, a centimeter thick, no more, and maybe six by eight in length and width, was closed by an elaborate catch. The edges and corners of the dusky, deeply patterned wood were gilded and reinforced in metal, gold metal, it looked like. Lori figured out the latching mechanism, and eased the box open. There, pinned to a fine, deep maroon velvet like material, lay her gold necklace, clean and bright, and below, her wedding band and engagement ring. A small box held the melted remains of her watch, damaged beyond repair or use. She stared at her jewelry a moment, and without moving her head, her eyes flicked up to the king. “You found them,” she said, her voice low.
“Yes, the items are recovered, and now returned to the rightful owner. With my apology again. I regret deeply for the manner in which they were taken, and for which you suffered unnecessarily.”
Lori’s eyes dropped to the chain again. “It is a gift from my mother,” she said, “and was a gift to her from hers, and from her mother as well.” She showed it to Hunter. “Look, Hunter, they found Stephanie’s necklace.”
“Yes, I’m quite impressed.”
“Would you put it on?”
Hunter slowly unfastened the small pins holding it in place. The clasp had been replaced, the old one no doubt broken when it was yanked off her neck. She turned, and he looped it around her neck, and fastened the clasp. She smoothed it there, opened another button on her shirt, and patted it in place.
“I thought I would never see it again. And I thank you for finding it, King V’ming.”
“This is how you wear it, about you neck? For all time?”
“Yes, always. And when I do, I shall remember you.”
She took the two rings, one at a time, and slowly, carefully, slipped them onto the finger of her left hand. The wide golden band, and the thinner one with the diamond. Holding her hand out in front of her, she looked down at her fingers. They were all healed, and she felt intact, whole, complete. Again. Her eyes found the king’s, and she told him that. No one else in the area said anything, even the kits quiet, watching.
“You value the glittery gemstones?” V’ming said.
“Oh, yes, for their beauty, and value. But this one is more sentimental. It represents our commitment, our marriage, my mate and I.” She flashed it toward V’ming, and looked over to Hunter, sitting there, smiling broadly. “It is given to me on our wedding day by my husband.”
“I am most pleased you enjoy its return to you. Is anything else of value missing?”
Lori thought, trying to remember. It all seemed so long ago, almost a different place, a different time. She’d gotten everything else of value, her radio communicator, pack, other items when she escaped, her clothing pretty well burned up, gone. “These are what is important.” She said nothing else, just eased back, still looking at her rings, and holding the small locket at her throat.
Her attitude now completely softened, she was growing more and more at ease with this king fellow, and would stay a little longer, and Lori told Hunter that he could bring Eric into the tent, to meet the king. Hunter relayed the information to Tari. The king’s party heard, and hurried to him with the news.
“You present your son, Sky Lady?” he said, “Your first-born?”
“Yes, he is here, in my air car. With your permission?”
“In a moment, please,” he said, waving in for an aide. The aide departed in a hurry, and soon the king said, “We are ready now to receive your son.”
Another booming salute began, and Lori saw Tari stepping down from Eagle One with a child in her arms. Four cannons fired, a salute for a prince, Lori learned later. Then musicians trumpeted a herald, a brief, loud salute as Tari walked into the tent.
Tari brought Eric to Lori to present to the king. He stood, and made suitable kindly comments on the cuteness of the young one, and the princess doted on him as well, shaking a small, golden bell-like rattle, that the baby reached for, and she gave him. He immediately inserted it in his mouth, but Tari pulled it away.
“I am honored that you present your son to me. Long may he live in glory in honor of his mother and father,” the king said.
Some music began again, softly, hardly heard in the vastness of the tent.
“Where are you from?” the king asked as they settled back into the cushions. “Tell me of your home planet. Is it like this one?”
Lori expected the question, and had prepared for it in some detail, using the best of the Koya’s video staff. She pointed to the small black container, and a servant hurried to bring it to her. He placed it where she indicated, on the low table before her.
Man, I could get used to these servants, she thought as she opened the device with the remote, and clicked it on. A small, intense, white point of light appeared in front of her, off to the side from where King V’ming sat.
“I will show you, though you may not believe me,” she said.
V’ming pointed to the video crew nearby, and Lori motioned them forward. They brought their lenses around to aim at her, and she pointed to the light. When they settled on it, she pushed one button on the device’s remote control.
The point of light expanded, the holographic image, facing the king, turned into an aerial view of the summer palace, complete with the golden tents, but lacking the crowds surrounding them. Lori had not anticipated that. The scene slowly shrank, and the world took shape before them–first the local area, then the whole subcontinent, draped with drifts of white clouds, then the shape of the globe formed, the wonderful curved ball of blue, green, white and tan. The world revolved for a time, and the scene shifted slightly, the allow the sun to peer over the rim, a blindingly bright orb, that soon dimmed, as the scene shrank further. A narration told the obvious–what they saw. That would soon change, she knew.
“You are familiar with the many other suns, stars great and small, that constitute your universe,” Lori said.
The view suddenly presented the suns, hundreds, thousands, all accurately depicted as to size, color and position, filling and flooding the background, which slowly rotated as the viewpoint shifted around the globe, giving the impression it was in the center of the cluster. But it was not.
The globe slowly shrank, as the view point drew away. Soon, the planet was lost in the glare of the sun, and that in turn faded into the midst of those around it, and stars streamed along, dropping in from the edges of the holovision as the view moved on and on, and finally on out of the cluster. When it filled the scene, a bright blob in the center, the individual stars only visible, like a halo, all around the edges, the movement stopped.
Lori held the view, and said, “This is your home system, a compact mass of stars, suns, a few planets, and one intelligent species. So far as we know. But others exist elsewhere in the universe. Your system is large to you, and in real terms, it is large indeed. Very large. But in terms of the rest of the
universe, it is small, minute, a speck, hardly noticeable in the great void, and invisible from any save the other nearby systems.”
“There are others?” the king asked softly. He leaned forward, intensely interested, the kits at his feet, everyone staring at the display.
“Yes, there are many.”
The viewpoint moved out only a little now, and the globular cluster dimmed. Instantly, more lights appeared against the blackness–specks, lines, flattened ovals, a few circular, hazy places.
“These are the great galaxies, the huge mass of stars, countless masses of stars, in which your cluster would fit and be instantly lost, a tiny glow in the great array. They are far away, so far as to be beyond the ability of even our fastest ships to ever visit, in countless lifetimes. Yet another lies nearby.”
The view slowly moved again, keeping the cluster in the lower center, it revolved to the right. Soon, a wispy wave of light appeared, easing in from the edge. The light brightened, but nothing much was discernible. Increasing steadily, the band of light expanded, thickened, and now, here and there, a few brighter spots appeared. After long minutes of the growing glow, the hologram suddenly expanded, quickly doubling in size, then again, and again, until the king faced a seemingly solid wall of black, in which the cluster now resembled a tiny clump of lights, with the curtain of the Milky Way over and behind it, totally dominating the entire scene, beyond the limits of the TV cameras, Lori noticed, as they panned back and forth trying to capture it all, and could not, she knew.
T-47 Book II (Saxon Saga 6) Page 51