by Shana Rae
"Now on to important matters. The meeting I was in when you returned, was to discuss whether to make the CyberTelepath implant available to some of my Clan. Only a select few, what are your thoughts?"
"Well to make an informed decision, I need to know why?"
"Because I can sense there will come a time when someone needs to maintain order in this galaxy, preferably as peacefully as possible, not military style with big weapons. I feel my Clan are the most suitable because of our warrior training, which as you know, involves meditation."
"I agree with you on all counts Vysani, I could sense it when I was on Kalocia. Like an undercurrent, that could at any moment swell up into a tidal wave and consume everything in its path."
"I knew you'd understand Evahlia, thank you."
"However, there is one major problem, Dumarrak still has the data to create the implants, what is to stop the IceWarrior Clan doing exactly the same thing?"
Vysani held up a disk.
"He did have the data."
"How did you get manage to get hold of that, and does he know? And can you be sure he didn't take a copy?"
"One thing you can guarantee with the IceWarrior Clan is they like to drink. During celebrations after the war, I took advantage of one drinking orgy to liberate this disk and check the system for back-ups, all without leaving a trace."
"Very impressive…so we create our CyberTelepaths, Dumarrak goes to create his own, finds the data missing and…?"
"We make sure that he suspects one of his Clan of taking the disk to sell to the highest bidder on Kalocia. That won't be too difficult, they've had security lapses before. Another reason why they can't be trusted to maintain order in this galaxy."
"I like the way you think Vysani, so when do we start work on the project?"
"I start work tomorrow, you start warrior training. Now I suggest you get some rest, Katagh will expect you to be ready at dawn."
"Who will be training the CyberTelepaths?"
"You and Katagh between you, that is why you need to start your warrior training so you can work together."
"Then I shall get some rest and make sure I don't disappoint him."
Vysani watched Evahlia as she left the office, he knew that she'd expected him to want to sleep with her, but with her starting her training, his energy was the last thing she needed right now.
21
In the morning, Evahlia woke just before dawn. She quickly got dressed and tied her hair back into a plait. Then she headed for Katagh's office.
"Evahlia…"
Katagh walked over to her and took hold of her plait. He undid the tie she'd fastened round it and slowly shook her hair loose.
"Our Clan never have their hair tied back, wearing it loose is a sign of strength and one we wear with pride."
"My apologies Katagh, I didn't realise."
Katagh ran his fingers through Evahlia's hair.
"Beautiful…there now I have released your strength…we'd better get on with some training. Come with me."
Evahlia followed Katagh out of the building and across the square to a large building in the centre. As she stepped inside, Evahlia gasped in surprise. There was a large open area with columns running down either side. The only windows were around the top of the room near the high ceiling, the light streamed through them creating pools of light that seem to define different areas of the room.
It reminded Evahlia of the temples on Earth, it had a very deep mystical feel to it.
"Impressed Evahlia?"
"Yes…very…"
"Well if I can get you to focus on your training…"
Evahlia turned to face Katahg and realised another Clan member had joined them.
"Evahlia, this is Xacalei, he'll be your training partner. He has already completed his warrior training."
Xacalei looked at Evahlia closely.
"So you're a Telepath?"
"Yes Xacalei, but I won't use it during training, I wouldn't like to have an unfair advantage."
Katagh clapped his hands together loudly.
"All right, let's get started, both of you please sit on the floor. We'll begin with meditation."
Xacalei walked into the middle of the room and sat down. Evahlia hesitated for a moment, then sat down facing him. She looked at Xacalei, he had steely grey eyes which seemed to pierce right through her. He grinned at her before he closed his eyes and slipped into meditation. Evahlia closed her eyes and breathed in slowly.
It was a struggle for Evahlia to keep her telepathy under control. Instinctively she wanted to reach out with her mind and touch Xacalei. On the edge of letting go, Evahlia quickly opened her eyes and came out of meditation. She looked up at Katagh.
"I'm finding it hard not to use my telepathy."
"Then try harder, no one said warrior training was easy, now back into meditation."
Closing her eyes, Evahlia forced herself to restrain her telepathy and once again started to meditate. She knew that although Xacalei wasn't a Telepath, he would still have a level of awareness. In meditation, she opened her eyes, and battled to keep her telepathy under control. She saw Xacalei stood in front of her, her telepathic instinct was to reach out to him, but she managed to pull back.
Slowly Evahlia opened her eyes, came out of meditation and took a deep breath. Xacalei opened his eyes.
"I look forward to trying that again once I'm a Telepath."
Evahlia realised what he was inferring and smiled at him.
"Right, you two, there's no time to sit around talking, on your feet."
Looking up at Katagh, Evahlia saw he was holding two metal poles. As she stood up, he handed one to each of them.
"Evahlia, these poles are known as Vorins, the art of fighting with them is called Vorin-dra. Observe."
Evahlia stepped to one side as Katagh and Xacalei removed their jackets. Evahlia was surprised that neither of them wore anything underneath their jackets and was glad that she wore a vest. For a moment she was transfixed by the sight of the two of them half-naked, then they turned to face each other.
She watched as they engaged each other in a series of moves, they seemed evenly matched. Then Katagh caught Xacalei off-guard and swung his Vorin against the back of Xacalei's legs causing him to fall over backwards. Katagh thrust the end of his Vorin into Xacalei's chest. Then Katagh stepped back as Xacalei got to his feet.
Evahlia could see the bruises he'd sustained during the fight and started to feel extremely apprehensive about whether she'd get through Vorin-dra. Katagh turned to face her.
"Evahlia, I'm not expecting you to engage in a full fight, just work through some of the moves with Xacalei, get a feel for the Vorin. Now take off your jacket."
Evahlia did as instructed, Katagh handed her the Vorin. She stood facing Xacalei, then raised her Vorin as he took a swing at her.
Katagh watched closely.
"Keep further back Evahlia, don't get too close."
Every time Xacalei tried to out-manoeuvre Evahlia, she managed to respond. She was starting to feel the pain from the blows she'd taken. Then Evahlia stepped too far back, Xacalei swung his Vorin round and deliver a crushing blow into Evahlia's ribs.
Despite the pain, Evahlia managed to remain standing, but Katagh stepped between them. He turned to Evahlia who was struggling for breath. Xacalei put his arm around her shoulder.
"Pretty impressive for your first Vorin-dra, not too much pain I hope?"
"I can handle it."
Katagh took hold of Evahlia's arm and took her to one side.
"Don't try to be so brave…"
He put his hand on Evahlia's ribs and pressed.
"Go and see Corin, I want you checked out."
"It's just bruising…"
"Don't argue with me, go…"
Evahlia picked up her jacket, she tried to put it on, but the pain was too much, she threw the jacket over her arm and left the building.
When she got outside, she leaned against the wall and took a few de
ep breaths, the pain was getting worse. Xacalei came out to join her.
"Let me help."
He put his arm around her waist and took Evahlia over to the medlab. Corin was with Vysani, they both turned round.
"Corin, can you take a look at Evahlia, she took a blow in the ribs during Vorin-dra."
Without saying a word, Corin took Evahlia through to a small room. Vysani turned to Xacalei.
"Apart from sustaining an injury, how did she do?"
"Very well and the injury didn't stop her, I'm sure she would have carried on if Katagh hadn't intervened."
"And would you have carried on?"
"Of course, I wasn't aware I was supposed to show any mercy because of who she is."
"Evahlia doesn't get any privileges, she trains the same as all of us. Return to your training, I'll go and see if she's fit enough to rejoin you."
As Xacalei left, Vysani went through to the next room, Evahlia was lying on the bed.
"How bad is it Corin?"
"No broken ribs, just severe bruising."
Evahlia sat up.
"That's what I told Katagh, so I can carry on with training?"
Corin glanced at Vysani.
"Leave us alone for a moment Corin."
Vysani sat on the bed as Corin left the room.
"Are you sure you want to carry on training today?"
"Yes, and I'm not trying to be brave, if it was anyone else would you be asking them that question?"
"No, but you're not anyone else…"
"Just let me get back to training Vysani, I've never asked for special treatment, and Xacalei certainly didn't give me any."
"All right, carry on."
Vysani stood up as Evahlia slowly got off the bed and picked up her jacket.
"I'll talk to you later Evahlia, Corin and I have been making preparations for the implant. How suitable do you think Xacalei is to be the first to have it fitted?"
"Very suitable, he's got excellent control during meditation…and then I can really challenge him to a fight."
"That's what I like to hear Evahlia."
Evahlia smiled as she left the room.
When she returned to the training hall, Katagh walked over to her.
"Corin has given me the all clear Katagh, it is just bruising."
"Fine, well if you're ready…"
Evahlia put her jacket down, picked up her Vorin and walked over to Xacalei.
"I won't show you any mercy Evahlia."
"I don't expect you to."
Katagh watched closely as Evahlia and Xacalei started to fight. He knew Evahlia was in pain, but she wasn't showing it, and neither was Xacalei giving her any respite.
Suddenly Xacalei stepped back, swung round and caught Evahlia on the back of her legs. She fell over backwards, Xacalei stood over her and pushed his Vorin into her chest. Then he held out his hand and helped her to her feet.
"You put up a good fight Evahlia."
"Thank you Xacalei."
Katagh picked up Evahlia's jacket and handed it to her.
"That's enough training for today, both of you get some rest, we start again at dawn tomorrow."
"Actually there will be no training tomorrow."
They all turned round as Vysani walked into the room.
"Xacalei, you'll report to Corin first thing in the morning to have your implant fitted. Evahlia, I want you to be present to assist Corin, I have to go to Kalocia on business."
"Understood…"
Evahlia was struggling to put her jacket on, Xacalei helped her, then turned to Vysani.
"I'll be ready, thank you Vysani."
Without saying another word, Vysani left the building.
Xacalei turned to Evahlia.
"It's traditional after a days training to celebrate with a drink, would you care to join me?"
"Of course."
Evahlia glanced at Katagh.
"You two carry on, I've got some work to do."
Evahlia followed Xacalei out of the building and across the square to the accommodation building.
"Where are we going?"
"To my quarters for a drink."
"Oh, I assumed there'd be a bar or…"
"There is outside the walls, trust me, my quarters will be safer."
When they got to Xacalei's quarters, Evahlia sat down as he poured two drinks.
"You can drink Pure Proof can't you?"
"As long as I don't drink it all in one go."
Evahlia looked at the glass and took a small sip.
"Can I ask you a question Xacalei?"
"Of course."
"Why haven't I seen any females?"
"Vysani hasn't explained?"
"Obviously not, would you prefer I ask him?"
"I think that might be a better idea."
"Then if you'll excuse me, I'll go and see him now, thanks for the drink."
Evahlia put her glass down and slowly stood up.
"I didn't expect you to leave so soon Evahlia, but maybe another time."
"Indeed Xacalei."
Evahlia left his quarters and headed across the square to Vysani's office.
"If you're not busy…"
"I thought you'd be having a drink with Xacalei."
"You know the effect Pure Proof has on me, I had a sip and that was enough. I asked him a question, he said it was best to ask you, so here I am."
Evahlia sat down.
"Vysani, why haven't I seen any females here?"
"I was wondering how long it would be before you asked, I'm not sure you're going to like the answer."
"Then maybe I should have had another drink…"
"You've seen the dwellings outside the walls, I believe Katagh told you that is where most of our Clan live. Actually it's where the females live…"
Vysani hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"Let me emphasise they are all treated respectfully, but their role is purely for pleasure and breeding."
Evahlia was speechless.
"You are the first female to undergo Shi-kelryn and warrior training."
"Why me?"
"Because it is your destiny, your grandfather never told you the whole truth about your parents, or their death. They were not of the LightStar Clan, they were of the NightStorm Clan."
Evahlia stared at Vysani in disbelief as he continued.
"Evahlia, your father was one of our best warriors, then he fell in love with the woman he was only supposed to breed with. The rules of our Clan are that only male babies are allowed to grow to full term. I know how callous that sounds, but at the time resources were limited and we believed that only males could fight as warriors. So when your mother discovered she was carrying a female baby, she and your father went on the run."
Vysani stopped for a moment to let Evahlia absorb what he'd told her.
"Your grandfather gave them sanctuary and for a few years they were safe. The day they died, they'd gone out for supplies, unfortunately for them, the warehouse they went to was in the process of being raided by a member of the NightStorm Clan who recognised them and…"
"Killed my parents…please give me a moment Vysani…"
Vysani could see Evahlia was badly shaken, he went and sat beside her and held on to her hand.
"You survived Evahlia because they didn't know about you and the matter was soon forgotten, the war was at it's height and the Clans were preparing to leave Earth. I took over as leader after my father died in the last battle we fought on Earth and bought our Clan out here. It wasn't until that moment in Zareli's warehouse that I realised who you were. When I took your hand and you linked to my mind…"
"Why didn't you tell me all this then?"
"Because before I did, I wanted to find a way to make amends for what happened to your parents. I got the rules changed on us accepting the dispossessed, then after many debates and arguments, I finally got the Clan to agree to allow you to join us, providing you could pass Shi-kelryn. It hasn't been easy keepi
ng the truth from you, but now maybe you understand why I was so angry about you and Zareli…it was never about jealousy…your place was here with the NightStorm Clan."
"It is going to take me some time to come to terms with all this Vysani. Can you tell me my father's name?"
"Attarran, and as I said, he was one of our best warriors, he would be so proud of you Evahlia."
"Does anyone else in the Clan know the truth about me?"
"No, when I argued that I wanted you to be a part of our Clan, it was on the grounds of the part you played in the war."
"Then maybe it is time the truth was told, I know what my father did was wrong but that is now so far in the past. I want people to know who I really am, there are many who doubt that I truly belong here."
"I agree Evahlia, would you like me to prepare a report detailing what I have told you?"
"Yes Vysani and make sure it goes to all the Clans, if that is all right with you…"
"Indeed, I did make a start on writing a report, just need to finish a few more details."
Vysani went and sat at his desk.
"Would you mind if I went back to Xacalei for a drink?"
"Go ahead, and tell him to check the network shortly, this report won't take me long to finish."
Evahlia left Vysani's office.
When she got to Xacalei's quarters, she hesitated a moment before knocking on the door.
"Evahlia…I didn't expect you back…"
"Pour me a drink, I need one."
Walking past Xacalei, Evahlia sat down on the couch.
"Was it such a shock what Vysani told you?"
"More than you can imagine, once we've had a drink, you might want to check the network."
Xacalei poured two drinks and sat down next to Evahlia.
"Sounds intriguing…"
"It is."
Evahlia knocked back her drink and handed the glass back to Xacalei.
"I think I've just discovered that I can handle Pure Proof, another please."
"Maybe I should check the network first…"
"Not yet, Vysani won't be ready."