by Reiter
“I’ve never seen anyone be able to fool the Stars,” S’Vrili countered.
“I was aided by one whose touch with the Stars is greater than my own,” Nugar explained.
“And who would that be?”
“My Queen,” Nugar said as he turned and bowed. The Malgovi woman lowered her veil of light and smiled at the Desert Witch, but she did not walk alone. The one who walked with her kept the hood of his cloak over his head, but the breadth of his shoulders could not be masked. A soft green glow shone from where his eyes should have been. “Allow me to present Galvasti Thuuna BaKedia.”
“Your Majesty,” S’Vrili said, quickly bowing to the woman.
“She is lovelier than you described, beloved Osur,” BaKedia commented, using Force Energy to make the woman stand. “And I know it is out of respect for our Star Chaser that you kneel to me. I thank you for your graciousness, but this is not the place and we do not have the time.
“Our Chorus came to me when they prevented the one called Poma from coming to our region and reading the light here,” BaKedia stated and S’Vrili frowned in confusion.
“Why would they need to come here to read the light of the Stars?” she asked.
“Because all light that shines from these stars passed through a field erected by the Founders,” BaKedia answered. “It is a field that prevents the light the Rims Stars wish to read.”
“That’s some filter!”
“It was designed by one of our most promising students,” BaKedia said, gesturing toward the hooded figure who moved with her gesture and pulled back his hood. Long, black hair had been pulled tight into a ponytail. The glow in his green eyes subsided as he nodded toward S’Vrili. “This is MeJeal Viktor Endigun, Vu-Khan of Dungias. The filter is of his design.”
“Actually, the design was given to me by the Chorus of Stars here around The Campus,” MeJeal clarified. “They wanted to cover the tracks of their champion… at least until his Star Quest was resolved. In their effort to read this system, the Rims Chorus has shown me how to read their light. We have a lot of work ahead of us, Affiliate. The question that remains is, whether we will have to engage this matter with or without you.”
“That is not the only question,” S’Vrili stressed. “What you’re saying… what you’re telling me… this is madness!” S’Vrili shouted. “Dungias is in the Rims trying to save humanity! Why would the Stars be against that?”
“Why indeed?” MeJeal returned.
“Well, I will take this as a good beginning,” Nugar stated. He bowed his Queen and nodded to MeJeal. “I will leave you to explain and prepare whilst I cover our tracks. We must substantiate our fiction with a bit of fact.
“BJ,” he called out, “it would seem that I am going to need that body after all.”
BJ appeared in the room, carrying a dead but exact copy of S’Vrili. The Witch did not know what she was surprised by more: seeing one so young who did not have the feel of youth anywhere but upon the surface his form, or seeing herself dead in the arms of the iconic entity. “Which is why I went ahead and cooked one up for you. Things can get pretty thick once you start messin’ around with entities.” Closing his eyes, S’Vrili could feel his senses pass over her body and that of the corpse. “I think I got the DNA sauce just right. Won’t know until we try though.”
“Indeed, my friend and mentor, you are right again. Now, if you will excuse me, there is something I must tend to.” The Osamu gave a bright flash of light and Nugar was away, taking with him the makings of the bedchamber and the false S’Vrili.
“Gotta love the way that old guy gets around,” BJ muttered. “Nothing in the Cosmos like the Jump-Stride!”
“Indeed,” BaKedia agreed, smiling as she turned. “I shall have to suffice with light. MeJeal, please keep me posted. As you said, there is much that must be done, and that includes engaging the Throne. We can’t expect Dungias to save every system on his own power! Trek well, S’Vrili.” By her second stride of walking, BaKedia’s body had been converted to light and she flew out of the chamber. S’Vrili turned to look at MeJeal and BJ. She was so confused and very much afraid.
“What to do with you?” BJ asked, licking his lips.
“What to do with me?” S’Vrili gasped. “Don’t I have some say in the matter?”
BJ sighed, folding his arms. “If you have to ask, the answer is generally ‘no’!”
“BJ’s sense of humor takes some getting used to,” MeJeal said as he stepped forward. “I’ve only been at it for seven years, and he still wigs me out.” Offering his hand, a soft smile broke across the young man’s face. “Come with me. First we’ll get you refreshed… then we’ll see to those questions… after that, hopefully, you’ll be able to answer mine. I’m sure it is all very confusing, but we’re both dedicated to helping Dungias.”
“I’m not so sure it’s Dungias who needs our help,” S’Vrili offered. “I think he’s made his mind up on how he’s going to help humanity. I think that’s the person we should focus on helping.”
“Oh… you mean my sister?”
– Fini –
For the Eager Reader, look for the in-between action in the Bridge Novel
Rising Gods & Falling Crowns
Beyond the Outer Rim will continue in Starflight: The Prism Baronies
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This may be the end of the book, but there is much more to discover
BEYOND THE OUTER RIM
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