The Mullinix Book 1: Ascension

by Rodney Mountain

  Chapter 99 - Separation Anxiety

  Following the speech the three Mullinix retired to the palace for an elaborate dinner. They all knew that they didn’t have the time for a party like they had had the night Tali died, but they figured they could spare the time to eat together for the first time as Mullinix.

  The house staff put together a veritable feast, a rather large one considering that half of them had been co-opted into running the registration booths at the ceremony. The service was quick and the meal a simple staple one, mainly because Medoferro wouldn’t have the luxury of sleeping off a large meal before getting on the trains.

  "You pulled it off, Medo," Insegniferro said, "Massimaferro would have been proud of the way you convinced them to join."

  "I only told the truth," Medoferro said, "That makes a whole lot of difference."

  "I still don’t like this," Trinaferro said, "I mean, isn’t it dangerous for him to go down to Cirrus?"

  "It is," Medoferro said, "But I have to go, otherwise none of the people we need will."

  "I don’t like it either, Trina," Insegniferro nodded, "But he’s right. We’ve let things go too badly for too long. This is the only way we can get the trust back in time to get this squared away."

  "That takes care of him," Roland said, "What about the rest of us. Are we sticking to the earlier plan?"

  "I’m going with Medoferro," Simon said, "That’s non-negotiable. He and I work well as a power team, which will be good for self defense."

  "I’ve got the most recent knowledge of the area," Paulus said, "I’m going as well."

  "Stacy and I will travel north tomorrow morning," Insegniferro said, "I’ll handle the Siraqi king and Stacy can do the security arrangements."

  "When are they due?" Stacy asked them, "Nobody ever bothered to tell me that."

  "They work on Siraqi time," Roland said, "Since they’re probably nervous as hell right now, they’ll probably be early or on time. Most likely they’ll be there sometime tomorrow."

  "Good," Insegniferro smiled, "I’m actually looking forward to this one. We’ll be there before they are."

  "That leaves Trina and I sitting here on our hands," Roland said, "Right?"

  "Someone has to stay here," Medoferro said, "Besides, you two will be the important communications link between us and the people."

  "So I get to face the press?" Trinaferro asked, making a face, "I think I’d rather face the Mavelans or Siraqis."

  "We all have our crosses to bear," Medoferro said, "Let’s just hope that we can do this quickly and get it done right."

  "Amen to that," Roland nodded, "I just wish we’d get a longer rest time."

  "We can rest when it’s over with," Medoferro told them, "I just want to get this mess cleaned up so that when it’s done I can take a vacation."

  "A vacation huh?" Insegniferro chuckled, "Sounds like wishful thinking to me."

  "We can but dream," Medoferro said, "I’ll settle for making sure that Cirrus doesn’t become a problem again. How’s that?"

  "I think we can all drink to that," Simon said, raising his glass, "To the end of messes everywhere!"

  "Or at least the ones we know about," Insegniferro agreed, "The rest we’ll deal with when they come up."

  The rest of the dinner went quickly, as none of them particularly wanted to talk much. They knew they had some rough times ahead, but they all felt like they had talked enough, at least until the dinner was over and everyone started to move.

  "I can’t convince you to stay the night," Trinaferro asked her man when they got each other alone after dinner, "Can I?"

  "If I don’t go then it won’t work," Medoferro told her, "You know that as well as I do."

  "I know," Trina sighed, "We’ve been over it over and over again. I know why, doesn’t mean I have to like it though."

  "I’ll be back before you know it," Medoferro promised her, pushing her dark hair aside, "Just make sure that there is a place for me when I get back."

  "You know there will be," Trinaferro smiled, "When do you have to go?"

  "As soon as the trains are ready," Medoferro told her, "Probably another hour or so. Suvorov is overseeing that so I don’t have to."

  "Good," Trinaferro smiled, "Show me to your room then. You mind if I stay there until you get back?"

  "Just so long as you stay there when I do get back," Medoferro grinned, "My home is yours."

  "Of course," Trinaferro agreed, "Wouldn’t have it any other way."

  They walked together hand in hand and went up to the chambers. Trina had been there before, but this was different. It was the first time she’d been there since she had assumed the position of apprentice. They were still pleasant to look at, but it felt more confining for her now, something Medoferro sensed as they approached.

  "Welcome home, Miranda," Medo said, deliberately using her real name, "It’s that for both of us now."

  "You know," Trinaferro said, "There’s only one thing that makes it home for me, and that’s you."

  Medoferro hugged her tightly, kissing her softly as he silently admitted she was right. It did feel more like he was going to be leaving home this time. Not like the last trip with Massimaferro felt at all. She looked into his eyes and pulled him over to the couch with her.

  "I don’t care how important this is, Copeland," she told him, the sadness evident in her eyes, "It isn’t worth your life. You had better come back to me safe, got it?"

  "Don’t worry," Medoferro smiled, tracing a finger down her cheek, "You won’t get rid of me that easy. Now give me a long kiss so I have a taste of what I’m coming back to."

  "You’ve got nearly an hour," Trinaferro reminded him, "If you wouldn’t mind spending it with me, I will give you more than just a taste…"

  "You sure?" Medo asked her, "I mean it would have to be a quickie, not much to it?"

  "I think there will be plenty to it," she smiled, "Come on, don’t think about it, do it…"

  "Well," Medoferro nodded, scooping her up and bringing her into the bedroom, "If you insist."