by Shana Rae
"When Toruk-lor arrives, tell him I'm in the Vaults, he wants to come and see me for some reason. You were right when you said he's an enigma."
"Evahlia, may I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure go ahead."
Brykesi took a deep breath.
"Last night, were you and Zareli…"
"Making love? Yes, passionately, why?"
"I really didn't need to know the details, it's just that as I left the office last night, I saw what I thought was a light on in your quarters. Then I realised the light was outside your quarters…a softly glowing white light all around your quarters in fact."
"Are you saying that Zareli and I generated some kind of energy field?"
"Well that's the only explanation I can think of, you are both Telepaths."
"How strange, I know that it is a very intense experience when we join our minds in that way…it didn't cause any problems did it?"
"Not that I am aware of."
"I'll have a talk with Zareli later see if he has an explanation."
"I hope you didn't mind me asking?"
"Not at all, I'm glad you did. I'll let you know what Zareli says. Now I'm off to the Vaults to await Toruk-lor."
Evahlia left the room deep in thought about the phenomena that Brykesi had seen.
When Evahlia got to The Vaults, she decided to contact Zareli straight away.
"Zareli, I've just spoken to Brykesi, he witnessed something strange last night. He saw a white light surrounding our quarters while we were making love. Have you got any explanation?"
"Is he sure it wasn't just the light from inside?"
"Yes, he said that's what he thought it was at first, but it was all around the building. I said I thought it might be some sort of energy field generated by our telepathy."
"That sounds the most plausible explanation to me. I'll give it some thought, we'll discuss it later. What do you have planned for today?"
"Toruk-lor is on his way over to see me, I don't know what about, probably wants some more data."
"Remember to ask him about the ScorchedCrimson Clan, I've never been able to find out anything about them, or even where they're based."
"That's rather worrying, but I don't sense he's a threat of any kind."
"Me neither, but see what you can find out, without scanning him, I think that would be very inappropriate unless he causes any problems."
"I agree Zareli, I'll see you later."
As Evahlia ended the communication, she sensed someone entering the Vaults, she knew it was Toruk-lor. She stood up to meet him.
"Decided you need some more data Toruk-lor?"
"Yes, but not about King Arthur, something far more important."
"Before you tell me what you want me to find, I'd like to know more about your Clan."
"Please sit down Evahlia, we have a lot to discuss."
Once they were seated, Toruk-lor took hold of Evahlia's hand.
"Firstly, the ScorchedCrimson Clan is not the true name of my Clan, neither is it truly a Clan. And we are not from Earth."
Evahlia gasped.
"My race are called...well actually you wouldn't be able to pronounce it, but it roughly translates to The Old Ones. We are very similar to the LightStar Clan in that we preserve knowledge. But our knowledge is of this galaxy and the races who once lived here, now all sadly gone. We have existed longer than you could possibly imagine…"
Evahlia could sense the sadness in Toruk-lor's thoughts.
"We have travelled to Earth in the past and knew it was inevitable that humans would end up here. The first attempts failed because they were led by your military, we did not want to see any more wars in this galaxy. So when the Clan's started arriving, we were hopeful of a new beginning. Sadly, once again, the military quickly followed. Their demise is no great loss."
"I'm finding this quite a lot to comprehend Toruk-lor…all those years that scientists on Earth spent looking for aliens and you were observing us all the time. But you look very human to me."
"This is not my true form Evahlia, that you shall see in time. Before the LightStar Clan chose Iosera, there was another planet they considered wasn't there?"
"Yes, but we felt it was too small…that was your planet?"
"Indeed, we know it as Paora."
"We didn't detect any life forms on the planet."
"Your scanners wouldn't be able to detect our life forms."
"Is that because you're some kind of energy beings?"
Toruk-lor smiled.
"I knew you'd understand Evahlia. Now about the story I want to write. As I mentioned before, we have always preserved the knowledge of this galaxy and now it is time for me to document your story."
"But surely I'm not that important?"
Toruk-lor placed his hand on Evahlia's stomach.
"You are with child Evahlia, the first to be born in this galaxy in the ten years since humans arrived from Earth. That makes you very special and worthy of having a story written about you."
"How do you know I'm pregnant, it was only last night that…"
"Didn't Brykesi bear witness to an unusual event?"
"Toruk-lor, with all due respect, this is beginning to sound like a fantasy, it's too surreal."
"You're a Telepath Evahlia, can I share a vision with you?"
"Well…yes…"
"Then close your eyes and see."
Evahlia closed her eyes, she saw a vision of her and Zareli, he was holding a baby in his arms.
"Your son, Evahlia."
"But…I don't understand…how can you show me this?"
"All I can say is that is the way of my people, it is a gift we have acquired over many centuries. Now do you agree that I can write your story?"
"I need to see Zareli, I want you to tell him what you have told me."
"Then ask him to join us."
Evahlia sent a telepathic message to Zareli.
"You've been through so much Evahlia, we need to make a record for the future."
"I know, it just seems so strange to have my story written when so many people have played a part."
"It will all be documented, everyone will be included."
"So tell me, why did you choose King Arthur to write about originally?"
"Just because it's a wonderful story and one that shouldn't be forgotten. It will be written, after I have told your story."
Evahlia and Toruk-lor waited quietly for Zareli to arrive. It wasn't long before he came running into the room.
"Zareli, I want you to listen to what Toruk-lor has to say, prepare yourself, it's quite a surprise."
Zareli sat down next to Evahlia as Toruk-lor repeated what he'd said to Evahlia. When Toruk-lor linked to Zareli's mind and showed him the vision of his and Evahlia's baby, Zareli put his arm around Evahlia's shoulders.
"Our son…"
He kissed Evahlia.
"I don't know what else to say, I am speechless."
Evahlia rested her head on Zareli's shoulder.
"I think Toruk-lor should write the story don't you?"
"Yes, this is truly a momentous occasion."
Toruk-lor stood up.
"Then I shall make a start straight away, I will have lots of questions to ask you Evahlia, but for now, I shall leave you and Zareli alone."
Telepathically, Evahlia said thank you to Toruk-lor as he left the Vaults.
"It's very emotional Zareli, I never expected this, how do you feel about me being pregnant?"
"Deliriously happy Evahlia, we are going to have a son…damn I feel like standing in the middle of Glevyn and screaming out loud…we're having a son!"
"If you don't mind, I'd like to keep it a secret for now, until I get more of a sign that I am pregnant."
"You don't believe Toruk-lor's vision?"
"Yes, but…I still want to feel it growing inside me before I can accept it."
"I understand, but it doesn't stop me feeling excited."
"Well try and c
ontain yourself or you won't be able to keep it a secret."
"It will be a struggle Evahlia, would you be angry if I let it slip out…"
"Zareli, you are impossible, well I guess there's no stopping you the way you're feeling. No, I won't be angry, I'll just deny any knowledge of ever having slept with you!"
They both laughed.
"Well I'd better get back to security…"
"Can't wait to tell Gabriel?"
"Well you want to go and tell Brykesi, I know, I can sense it."
"All right, you tell Gabriel, I'll tell Brykesi and let's see how quickly the news spreads."
As they stood up to leave, Zareli put his arms around Evahlia.
"I've never found it easy to say this before…I love you Evahlia."
"Zareli…I love you too…"
Evahlia held his hand against her stomach.
"And here's the proof…our son."
"Did I say I was going to security?"
"Yes."
Zareli kissed Evahlia.
"I can't bear to let you go."
"You can't walk around security holding on to me."
Zareli grinned as he let Evahlia go, she playfully thumped his arm.
"Now go to security before I take your place and tell Gabriel myself."
Evahlia followed Zareli out of The Vaults, she watched as he walked over to his fighter, once he'd launched she went to Brykesi's office.
"Brykesi…I don't know where to begin…"
Evahlia sat down.
"All right, I'll start with what Toruk-lor told me first, then I'll get to the really exciting part…ready?"
Brykesi nodded and leaned back in his chair and Evahlia told him about Toruk-lor.
"Well that sounded exciting enough…so what's next?"
"I'm pregnant."
"But how…I don't mean how, I mean how do you know so soon?"
"The light you saw last night, that was apparently a sign. Toruk-lor showed us a vision of our future. I saw myself and Zareli and he was holding a baby…our son."
"Just what kind of baby are you having Evahlia?"
"What do you mean, what kind?"
"The first child to be born in this galaxy has to be a very special kind of baby, especially with all that light around your quarters last night."
"I think it's just the fact that he will be the first born, no more than that. Though he might be a natural Telepath."
"Well we'll just have to wait and see Evahlia, I am so happy for both of you. After everything you've been through, it's the least you deserve."
"Thank you Brykesi. Do you mind if I use the office next door to send a communication?"
"Of course not."
Evahlia walked through to the next door office and put a call through to security.
"Zareli, do you think you ought to tell Dumarrak what's happened?"
"I'm still trying to calm Gabriel down, you don't know of his family history do you?"
"You appear to have forgotten to tell me."
"Sorry, well he's called Gabriel because it's an old family tradition. A lot of his ancestors had connections with religion in one form or another. So he's named after an angel, if you believe in such things."
Evahlia started to laugh.
"What's so amusing Evahlia?"
"Just the thought of someone who used to be in the military being named after an angel."
"Yes, I suppose it is quite ironic. But anyway, he's extremely excited about our baby, he feels there is a deep significance to it."
"Brykesi felt the same way, are we missing something Zareli?"
"I don't know, maybe you should ask Toruk-lor."
"No, I think I'd prefer to assume that it is our first son, and that makes him special enough without any pseudo-religious significance."
"Then we're in agreement. Would you mind contacting Dumarrak, I'm sure he'd like to hear from you anyway."
"All right, I'll speak to him. I'll see you tonight."
Evahlia finished the call and accessed a secure outside link to Aquagius.
"Evahlia, it is good to hear from you, how are you?"
"Pregnant."
"What?"
"Zareli and I are having a baby, a son."
"I think I would have liked to hear the beginning of the story before you got to that part…there is more isn't there?"
"Yes Dumarrak."
Evahlia explained about Toruk-lor and what Brykesi had seen the night before.
"That is quite a revelation Evahlia, I don't know what to say except I am pleased for you and Zareli. I never thought you two would end up doing anything except killing each other. Can you clarify for me that we are talking about my brother, there isn't another Zareli you know is there?"
Evahlia laughed.
"One and the same Dumarrak."
"Well if you've got no objection, I'll go and share the news with Pharran…though he may not want to hear he's about to become a grandfather."
Dumarrak roared with laughter.
"And you're going to be an uncle."
Dumarrak stopped laughing.
"Oh, I'd not thought about that."
"Well bear that in mind when you tell Pharran!"
"Thank you Evahlia, I'll let you know his reaction."
Dumarrak ended the call.
Evahlia slowly stood up, left the office and walked over to her quarters. She took a shower and thought about lying down for a rest, but instead slipped on her robe and went and sat down on the seat outside. She smiled to herself at the thought of Pharran being a grandfather. Leaning back, she closed her eyes and relaxed.
"Evahlia…"
She opened her eyes, Zareli was stood in front of her.
"Oh, I must have fallen asleep."
Zareli sat down next to her and put his arm around her.
"How did Dumarrak take the news?"
"He asked if I was talking about his brother or another Zareli, and was rather amused about the thought of telling Pharran that he's going to be a grandfather…until I reminded Dumarrak that he's going to be an uncle."
"But he was pleased for us?"
"Of course he was, didn't you expect him to be?"
"I never know with Dumarrak how he's going to react, especially as he's the leader of the IceWarrior Clan and I'm the one who's going to have an heir."
"I see what you mean, but I didn't know Dumarrak even had a partner."
"He doesn't, well not the same one for long."
"Well he seemed happy enough, so I don't think we need to be concerned. Did you manage to calm Gabriel down?"
"Yes, he didn't like the idea of being relocated to Kalocia."
"You didn't threaten him with that did you?"
"He threatened me with much worse when I was drinking."
Evahlia laughed as she got to her feet.
"I wonder how you two manage to maintain security sometimes."
"Where are you going?"
"To bed…"
Zareli held on to Evahlia's wrists and pulled her on to his lap. He opened her robe and held her tightly.
"If we're going to create a light show, we might as well do it out here."
Epilogue
My intention was to have this story finished in time for the birth of Evahlia and Zareli's son. So as I bring this book to an end, I am pleased to announce that Evahlia has now given birth to a healthy boy, just as I predicted. They have named him Attarran in honour of Evahlia's father. And it appears that he is a natural born Telepath.
Now as I finish this history of what happened after the end of the Earth Wars, a new story begins. What that story will be you will have to wait and see. I may have visions of the future, but I cannot write about what is yet to be.
In peace
Toruk-lor
2299 AD (Earth Time)
ks on Archive.