by L M Lacee
Teelu raised a dark brown eyebrow as she looked at Darby. She was unsure of this small quiet female, her intuition told her she was dangerous. She hesitantly nodded. ‘I will do so.’
Darby unaware of the older female’s thoughts nodded and just stared at her while her mind churned over other problems. Like her cyber-hackers who needed a new name, and she wondered if they had found out any more about the world of Jenersar for Peyton.
Hawk shifted slightly in front of her, cutting off the staring, he said soothingly. ‘Lady Darby is grateful.’ Teelu nodded again and could not help smiling as she heard Darby say. ‘I said that!’
‘Yes but he said it without freaking her out!’ Melody told her.
‘Oh, sorry, I was thinking about my data-collectors, which is not a bad name for the cyber-hackers.’
This seemed to break the tension that had been gathering in the room, smiling Teelu realized she had been allowing her imagination to run away with her. Clever and dangerous Darby may be, but far too innocent to be a threat to her or her family. She shook her head and asked Melody what cyber-hackers were.
Peyton growled. ‘I want to know what happened.’ She fixed her eyes on Savo and asked. ‘So what happened next?’
Netta mumbled. ‘Such a nosy female.’
Peyton blew her a raspberry which had Netta scowling and opening her mouth to retaliate in kind, when Savo hurriedly started his story up again, he too had young and knew when an argument was beginning.
Instantly every eye was on him as he said. ‘Well, it is obviously they did not dissolve the houses as we still have them both.’
Teelu took up the tale. ‘The other option proposed, was to join both houses together. The heads of the houses after much debate, decided on option two.’ She snorted in disgust. ‘As if there was a choice. Savo and I were already in an arrangement.’
Netta asked her. ‘They could not have broken it?’
Teelu looked at her and smiled without humor. ‘You think Netta that would have been wise of them. My former house was and is the second biggest in the universe, I would not have liked that at all.’
‘No, I can see that.’ Netta nodded, knowing blood would have been spilled if they had tried.
Peyton asked. ‘Who is the biggest house now?’
Teelu answered. ‘Then it was Undinly, now it is Leesungha.’
Peyton fist pumped the air. ‘Yes, knew it!’
‘Ignore her.’ Esther said as they all looked at the happy Peyton and could not help but smile as well.
Melody asked. ‘So where is Undinly house in rankings now?’
Savo replied. ‘They are ranked fourth, still a worthy house.’
Teelu added. ‘When both Savo and I declined the offer to dissolve our betrothal. It was decided the next in line of both families would join in contract. Which happened to be your papa and your darma.’
‘It was never a love match?’ Miko asked Teelu, who shook her head as Peyton placed a comforting hand on Miko’s shoulder.
Savo stated. ‘No, sweet one it was not.’
‘They had the three of us?’ Said a bewildered Rose. Savo raised his eyebrows. ‘One has nothing to do with the other, lust is lust and love is love, totally different.’
Teelu grinned as she looked at her mate. When she saw the speculative looks of her offspring, she sighed and told them. ‘You should be well aware, we have love, much love.’
Savo grinned as he waggled his eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner. ‘With lust, plenty of lust!’
There were embarrassed groans from his children which made them all laugh. Teelu told her nieces and nephew. ‘Well, that is the tale of the life of your papa and darma.’
Savo told them. ‘You must decide what you wish to do now. We will remain your family, nothing changes that.’
Rose nodded and stood with her sister and brother on either side of her. ‘We are Leesungha, Papa’s next in line.’ She asked Peyton. ‘Are we under the protection of the Star Daughter?’
Peyton shook her head to gasps of surprise. ‘No, if only it was that simple. You are under the protection of the Star Child, which makes this much worse, believe me.’ She told them with a grin. ‘Also, you should remember at the signing of the contract you became Maikonian, you are ours now as well.’
Rose gave her a small smile. ‘Thank you Peyton, I think we should leave and talk.’ The siblings bowed to Peyton and then to everyone else and said. ‘Good eve.’
Very shortly after that, the gathering broke up so they could all retire for the night. Peyton fell into her bed, she was exhausted and slept until morning without dreams for the first time in wekens.
Two days later they said goodbye to Rose’s family, there were many hugs and just as many promises made. The day before that, Reeico and his sister Teenarlo after a long discussion with their parents and cousins decided they would finish their rotation with their family, giving them three or four luneras to buy the equipment they would need. Then they went into tortuous negotiations with Rose, Darby and Teelu, who decided she would negotiate for her son and daughter. The meeting had gone on for three hours, only coming to an end when Peyton stepped in and said they were to give Reeico and Teenarlo anything they wanted. Just get it done!
After that Teelu drew up the contracts that Peyton and Hawk duly signed. Frand and Reeico’s agreement took thirty minutes and one bottle of whiskay, as well as a hand shake. Frand would be the only cargo carrier for his cousins.
Savo told Peyton credits from the trades would be released within twenty-four hours. She had smiled when he told her, causing him to wrap her in his strong arms and hug her, which she adored.
With a laugh in his voice, he growled. ‘Welcome to the universe Madam Peyton. It will be amusing to see what you do with the place!’
FIFTY-NINE:
The following night after the Leesungha family had left, Peyton spoke to Hawk, who was in his cabin which he now shared with Dinas.
‘Comp’ connect to Commander Hawk.’
Connecting…
‘Greetings this eve, Madam Peyton. How may I help you?’
‘Greetings this eve, Commander Hawk. I wish for all the Warriors on Patamoglian to be recalled please.’
‘Madam! Patamoglian is home to the Pattamogytes. The jewel and precious metal dynasties, for the entire universe!’
Unmoved Peyton said. ‘I understand.’
Hawk stared at her for a minute then said. ‘You wish for me to recall all the Warriors?’
‘I do so wish Commander Hawk.’
‘As you will, Madam.’
Peyton asked and her eyes told him she already knew the answer. ‘Do you need anything to accomplish this?’
‘No, Madam, I have codes and ships in place.’
‘Then I will leave it with you.’
‘Madam, may I ask, for how long will they be without Warriors and why?’
‘For the foreseeable future and I am sure you already know.’
‘Thank you, Madam.’
‘Sleep well Commander. Comp’ off.’
Peyton dropped her head in her hands and hoped she was doing the right thing. It felt right, and this was so much better than her first thought, which had been to completely obliterate the planet from the universe.
Dinas handed Hawk a glass of Jenersar Ale as he sat heavily in his chair. ‘Hawk, my brother explain what has disturbed you.’
‘Madam Peyton has recalled all the Warriors from Patamoglian.’
‘I heard, I do not understand!’
‘They own and operate the jewel houses for our universe. No precious metals or jewels are purchased or traded without firstly going through them.’
Dinas said slowly feeling his way. ‘So, recalling the Warriors is not good.’
Hawk drank his ale in one swallow and stood to refill his glass. ‘No, my brother it is not. Someone told her… told her about the Warrior, it has to be that.
How else would she know and be doing this?’
He stared at nothing
while his mind churned over all the possibilities and repercussions of this action.
Dinas said. ‘You are not making sense, tell me what Warrior, what about him?’
Hawk jerked back to the here and now, turned and sat placing his elbows on his knees. He leaned forward, his glass dangling from his fingers as he told Dinas. ‘Willian, his name is Willian Devet. I do not think you have met him yet, he is on my squad. We… I sent him to Patamoglian.’ He looked up at Dinas. ‘He is from after the fire.’
Dinas nodded. ‘I have met him fleetingly; he seems to be a quiet, introverted young male.’
Dinas stared at his brother and asked even though he really did not want to know what caused his brother such heartache. ‘Hawk my brother, what happened to him?’
‘So young.’ Hawk whispered to himself more than to Dinas, who nodded and drank his own drink giving Hawk time to settle his thoughts as he asked. ‘That would make him Kerol’s brother, Lukkas’s age.’
Hawk took a swallow of his own drink and said. ‘I think younger as you know we sent out thousands to hide them, to place them so they would be assimilated under older Warriors. Willian was sent to Patamoglian, a world we considered safe, guarding people and shipments. He was there for five yentas before he was singled out.’
Hawk shut his eyes and took in a deep breath as the feelings of anger, disgust and hatred bled though his mind and into the pores of his skin. Dinas placed a comforting healing hand on his arm. ‘Breathe Hawk, let it out and let the poison leave.’
Hawk took in more breaths and allowed the negative emotions to wash through his system. He had not lied when he told Peyton every part of his body could be used to kill, even his emotions.
Once more in control, he continued his narrative. ‘Willian was presented as a gift to the first daughter of the House of Pentamogytes. Twenty-five yenta is the first yenta Pattamogytes are considered adults. It is a very important party to celebrate the beginning of adulthood. Twenty-three of her close personal friends or at least her parents close personal friends, from level four and five houses attended.’
‘Or those the parents wanted to align with or be aligned with.’ Dinas murmured, having seen the same on other worlds.
Hawk nodded. ‘Probably.’ His voice became slightly husky, the only sign now he was moved. ‘Sometime during the party, Willian was strapped to a pole and then the young females of the houses took turns whipping him.’
Shocked Dinas felt the bile rise in his throat, he pushed it back down and hurriedly asked. ‘How were they able to manage that, did they incapacitate him?’
Hawk nodded. ‘We believe he was drugged.’
‘A drug that can make a Warrior senseless, that is some powerful drug.’
‘Yes, we are looking for it or any trace of it. So far we have not found anything, but we will.’
‘No doubt we will. Nothing stays hidden forever. I am an example of that.’ Dinas said trying to lift Hawk from the dark place he seemed to have dropped into.
‘Yes, you are, and I am thankful for that. We also have our own weapon, the Star Daughter.’
Dinas agreed, then asked. ‘Yes, we do. I have one question though, how did they manage to do this without the other Warriors knowing?’
Hawk grimaced as though he tasted something bitter as he explained. ‘Conveniently the Warriors from the house were sent on a shipment run.’
‘I see, very convenient, go on.’
‘From what I have been able to find out. It appears that the blood lust, the nation was known for in their brutal past, overtook the daughters of the jewel houses and they lost their minds.’
Hawk swallowed the remainder of his drink, Dinas refilled it for him as he continued. ‘The society of Patamoglian is run on a system of jewel houses. The lower the number as in one or two the closer to the seat of power the house is and the more say they have in their world.’
Dinas nodded. ‘I see.’
‘The Pentamogyte house belonged to level four which was five from the royal family. Apparently it was the best party of the yenta, it was so good the house was promoted to level three. Which means now the head of the house has an enormous say in their world and of course they are closer to the royal family.’
‘When was this?’ Dinas asked feeling anger eating at his stomach.
‘Two yentas, three luneras ago.’ Hawk sipped his ale, swallowing the disgust he felt as he blandly told him.
‘In fact, I have heard another house has a daughter ready to turn twenty-five in six luneras. I have heard whispers that she is in the market for a party just as good as the Pentamogyte house’s party, or at least her father is.’
‘No other house until now has tried since that party. I am amazed I assumed there would have been a repeat performance, considering what it did for the Pentamogyte house.’ Dinas asked amazed that they had not. If it worked before to secure a higher placing for the family’s house, it seemed strange they had not repeated the party again.
Hawk looked at him grimly. ‘No, I paid a visit to the Emperor and asked him politely to not allow it to happen again.’
Dinas asked. ‘How did you ask?’
Hawk grinned as only an Elite could. ‘I stole into his palace in the middle of the night and dragged his court magistrate out of his bed. Then I poisoned him in front of the Emperor with my touch. He agreed to my demands, but I have heard he is ill so…’
He left the sentence hanging, maybe he thought Peyton was right. Maybe this was the right thing to do and the right time. Regardless, if it was or not, he would do as she asked.
Dinas asked. ‘How did you stop him reporting that to Uthar?’
Hawk raised an eyebrow. ‘Would you… if you were him? Positive you were secure behind your layers of protection which happened to be my Warriors. Also, I threatened him with death if he retaliated, he believed me.’
Dinas shook his head, his brother had changed so much, once he would never have thought to do such a thing. Now not only had he done so, he seemed to be proud of his actions. Then he looked into his brother’s eyes and saw not pride, but regret.
Hawk softly told him. ‘Willian has scars to the bone on his back, arms, buttocks and legs, or so I am told. How he survived is a miracle.’
Dinas asked as something seemed off. ‘Why was he not immediately treated?’
‘When the warriors returned, they were told he had been loaned out for a guarding position. I think the family were hoping he would die. When he was discovered it took time to smuggle him from the world, we were three luneras to late. In truth even if we had found him earlier, it would not have mattered the damage was done.’
Dinas whistled behind his teeth, he like Hawk knew that it was usually only in extreme circumstances that a Warrior scarred. The few like Kerol or Jorge who did wear scars, received them from blades covered in a poison that was designed to kill most people. For Warriors the poison seldom caused death but would scar if not treated immediately. To be so very badly damaged without the aid of the poison, meant Willian had suffered tremendously.
How he had survived Dinas could not fathom maybe he thought, that was Willian’s gift if so, he wondered if the young Warrior thought it was worth it.
‘Will he allow me to treat him, maybe I can make a difference?’
Hawk shrugged. ‘I do not know. Heather managed to get him to allow her to do an assessment when she first came on board. Her report is labeled Willian.’
Dinas opened his tablet and read her report. ‘Dayam she is thorough,’ he looked at Hawk, ‘she said there was nothing she had found to lessen the scar tissue. He has limited movement, and she thinks this will not improve unless the scarring can be removed. At this time she knows of nothing to do so other than extensive surgery which Willian has declined.’
Hawk shook his head and sipped his drink, then looked at his brother. ‘He can no longer train or go on missions as he can no longer carry a sword. I have assigned him to my squad to keep him safe, and if I am truthful, because I feel gu
ilt over what he daily endures.’
He sighed and rubbed his face as he told Dinas. ‘He is a fine Warrior, and now Madam has discovered Willian’s past. You know Kardan’s rule?’
Dinas grinned. ‘If you cannot keep the Warriors safe, remove them from their assignments and face the consequences later.’
Hawk also grinned. Dinas had sounded so much like Kardan, he said. ‘Exactly, after Willian. I had the remaining Warriors secure several cruisers, and I placed navigation escape codes in the ships comps’. I also have a recall code for the Warriors.’ He looked at his brother.
‘How does she know I can recall the Warriors? I secured a data drive with that information on it, in my vault for when I died.’
He swallowed more of his drink as Dinas emptied his own glass and shrugged when he finished and quietly said. ‘Hawk, she is the Star Daughter and now she has asked you to recall indefinitely the Warriors from this world. Does she realize what will happen, if you do this?’
Hawk looked at his oldest friend, his heart brother and said. ‘There is no if, my friend, she is our Star Daughter and we owe everything to her. Search your download and see what she has already given us and what she intends for us in the future. Then tell me the answer to your question.’
He squatted down in front of his desk and thumbed his vault releasing the lock. Withdrawing the data drive he placed it on his comp’ and started the recall of the Warriors and simultaneously programmed the waiting ships with the coordinates to Maikonia. He returned to his chair with the half-filled bottle of Ale.
Dinas his eyes shining at the discoveries he had made said. ‘We owe her our allegiance for the Huntaway alone.’
Hawk answered. ‘For that alone she has it, for the rest she has our hearts and needars.’
Many hours later just as Hawk was to retire for the night a message appeared on his screen.
Message: First Commander Hawk. Please start a health check to ensure all Warriors are safe and well on the worlds listed below and any other worlds not listed. Star Daughter.
A list of over a hundred and ten planets scrolled on his screen.