In answer, I put my hands on his shoulders and squeeze gently, feeling the hardness and tension of his muscles underneath his shirt. He leans into my touch, and for a moment I experience a sensuous current of energy coursing between us.
I let go reluctantly, only after he places his own hand on top of one of mine and his touch sears me and at the same time gives me strength.
Oh God, the Wedding cannot come fast enough. . . .
And now, these impossible ships. . . .
Aeson gets hardly any time to consider these new developments because the arrival of Darumet Azai, the First Priest of Amrevet-Ra, is announced. Aeson turns to me, and we both rise and head to the antechamber where an elderly priest awaits, together with his assistant. It’s a situation parallel to my own experience the night before.
The First Priest Darumet is not quite as old as the Venerable Therutat, and considerably less threatening. He is a thin, slight man with a kindly expression and sparse, greying hair lacking any dye or other adornment, clad in a dark expensive robe similar in style to the Priestess’s outfit. His young assistant is a self-effacing youth with gilded short hair and a clay-red tint to his dark skin.
“My Imperial Lord and Imperial Lady.” The First Priest speaks in a mild voice and bows deeply to us. “Allow me to look at you both for a few moments, before I ask my Imperial Lady to leave us to our work.”
Standing next to Aeson, I glance at my Bridegroom with encouragement, and smile at his awkward expression.
“You are a radiant couple,” the priest says after a long pause during which he examines us closely. “I am satisfied to see that this will be a good union between you. And now that I’ve met you, My Imperial Lady, I ask you to depart this room, because this is Bridegroom business.”
I give Aeson’s hand a light squeeze, and leave him to his ordeal.
I return to the workroom and spend the next hour absentmindedly watching the TV feeds from the sofa and periodically glancing at Oalla and Keruvat as they scan and discuss the incoming SPC data, while Anu and Gennio work on computer equipment nearby. My sympathetic thoughts constantly return to Aeson and his personal Bridegroom business. This additional pressure on him worries me, because I know how seriously he takes his duties in general.
At some point my wrist comm emits a tone. I open my mail and discover it’s a curious official message addressed to me personally, as a Champion of the Games of the Atlantis Grail.
Champion Gwenevere Lark, your presence is requested and officially required in order to fulfill the formal conditions of a Champion Wish of your fellow Champion Kokayi Jeet, the message says. Please be at the location described below, at the date and time specified, wearing appropriate attire.
I read further, and it says:
Location: Themisera, Junction of Crooked Circle and Main Circle
Date: Redday, Green Ghost Moon 5
Time: Noon Ghost Time
Attire: Festive Casual
And then, just below, is a strict warning:
Failure to appear will result in the delay or forfeiture of your own Champion Wish fulfillment.
I open my eyes wide, thinking. Okay, now that’s just weird. What in the world does Kokayi want with me? And so soon? Because whatever this is, it’s happening tomorrow.
Where and what is Themisera?
I get my answer as soon as I mention this to the others in the room.
“Oh dear. . . .” Oalla raises her brows. “Are you sure that’s what it says?”
“I believe so.” I show her the message, just to make sure my Atlanteo reading is correct.
“Yes, Themisera indeed,” she confirms.
“What is it?”
“Not the best part of town,” Oalla says tactfully.
At the other desk, Anu makes a stifled grunt noise. “It’s a slum hole!” he says when I glance at him. “Also known as Sky Tangle City. It’s right next to Fish Town, but more inland. Fish Town is seriously nicer.”
“Yes, unfortunately, that’s one of the poorest urban areas of Poseidon,” Ker says. “Very rundown. Old houses, abandoned buildings, not very safe—street crime.”
“Okay,” I say. “And what is Crooked Circle and Main Circle?”
Oalla, Ker, and Anu exchange glances, while Gennio raises his thick brows with the effort of keeping his face blank.
“What?” I say. “What is it?”
“I believe that’s the first big street junction leading into the Sky Tangles—that’s what the street circles are called there, Sky Tangles,” Oalla says.
“Yeah,” Anu adds. “All those houses have ropes and cables strung across from one building to another, like a huge web of netting, and there’s all kinds of junk up there. People use them as tightropes and clotheslines. You look up, and it’s a tangle of crap.”
“I see.” I shake my head, growing more concerned.
“Sky Tangles go on for about fifty circles in all directions, and it gets to be more of a dump the deeper you go inland,” Anu continues. Apparently, he’s rather familiar with the area. “Most hover vehicles avoid it, because of the ropes everywhere. So, since there’s no public transport, the residents either get around on hoverboards or use ground crawlers—like your Earth carts.”
“Okay, now that I know what it is, why would Kokayi ask me to show up there tomorrow?”
Anu makes another mocking grunt. “He’s either crazy or he knows a great restaurant. I gotta say, they have some pretty decent places to eat there, if you don’t mind the rest of the crap and if you watch yourself. I bet he’s found an excellent and cheap hole-in-the wall for a dea meal party!”
“You’re serious?” I shake my head.
“I have no idea.” Anu shrugs. “But whatever it is, make sure you don’t get ripped off on the street.”
Oalla sighs. “Unfortunately, Themisera is known for a lot of crime and shady dealings. Be sure to have your Imperial personal guards close to you. In fact, Gwen, when you go, please take additional ones.”
I let out a deep breath. If I knew Kokayi’s number, I would call him right now and ask what in the world he’s got planned, but I don’t. I suppose I could ask Gennio or Anu to look up his contact information, with their vast access to population records, but it’s not that big of a deal—I can wait to find out in person. So, looks like I’ll be visiting my first less-than-desirable Poseidon neighborhood tomorrow.
When Aeson gets back from his time with the Amrevet-Ra Priest, I tell him about Kokayi’s bizarre Champion wish. Aeson immediately grows serious. “I don’t like this,” he says. “Are you sure you must attend this event, Gwen?”
I show him the official invite message.
Aeson exhales loudly.
“Is it that bad?” I say, biting my lip. “Oalla mentioned I should bring guards. . . . Would that come across as impolite to Kokayi and whoever else might be there?”
“You are the Imperial Bride, so having security protection is the norm, and is expected by everyone,” he says. “However, I don’t want you to travel to this unsafe area without me, especially so soon after the Games, and with everything else going on—so let me clear my schedule for tomorrow—”
“Oh, Aeson, no!” I exclaim, placing my hand over his arm. “You don’t have to come! This is silly, I can handle myself, and you have so much to do. I’ll be fine with the guards—and besides, this is Kokayi! He’s a great guy, he wouldn’t invite me to anything unnecessarily dangerous. I know he wouldn’t harm me, so it’s probably something fun—”
“If you want, I can go with her,” Anu says. “I know the area, so will make sure she—I mean, Imperial Lady Gwen—doesn’t get ripped off—and her guards too. Little pickpockets love big security guys bristling with needle guns and expensive fire-tech.”
Aeson glances at Anu. “Very well. If anything happens, I will hold you responsible, Vei. Take the least conspicuous vehicles. Be careful and stay out of sight. Call me at the first sign of trouble.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Anu says, but
immediately adds, “Yes, My Imperial Lord.”
It occurs to me—this will be the first time that I’ll be venturing out into the city casually. A silly, momentary excitement grips me. It might turn out to be an adventure! In fact, nowhere in the invitation does it say that I can’t bring other people. And the attire is “festive casual,” which is a good sign.
“I’ve an idea,” I say to Aeson, with a smile. “Let me call Gracie and some of my friends and see if they have some free time tomorrow. Maybe we can go as a group!”
He nods, and his own expression lightens, seeing my sudden animation.
“Now that it’s settled, tell me how was your meeting with the First Priest?” I say teasingly.
Aeson’s suddenly pained expression is priceless. “You really don’t want to know.”
I run my fingers up his arm. “Oh, but I do, so tell me!”
He chuckles. “You will be very sorry, im amrevu. Very, very sorry.”
But I punch Aeson on the arm.
Behind us, I hear Oalla and Keruvat laughing.
Chapter 26
The next morning, I remember to draw the curtains, so my coming awake does not include blinding light. It does include a strange happy excitement—the kind I haven’t felt for a very long time.
It’s the anticipation of a day of unprecedented freedom.
I might be wrong of course. Kokayi’s Champion wish could be something ridiculous and vaguely disturbing. But most likely it is something benign and wonderful—judging by the positive nature of the energy he exudes, the kind of spirit that I’ve known him to have throughout our tough experience in the Games.
Kokayi, I believe, is a light soul.
And so, encouraged by this good feeling, I go through my Palace closet and pick out an outfit that’s prettier than usual, glittery dark-blue pants and top made out of a shimmering fabric of several gauze-thin layers. I rush to shower and dress, once again to avoid dealing with my assigned Imperial maid. Since I’m likely going to be outside in the bright daylight for some time today, I put on a pair of dark shade contact lenses—a convenience I’ve come to appreciate in the Games. And then I open a jewelry box and grab a pretty wide collar necklace of gold and violet jewels—a lovely piece that contrasts with the royal blue color of my outfit.
For a moment, a cautious thought flickers—should I be dressing up at all, or putting on such expensive jewelry, considering the poor neighborhood I’ll be visiting?
But then I remind myself, the invitation specifically instructs me to dress festively.
And so, I give my loose hair a few more brushstrokes, examining myself in the grand mirror, and then decide to be brave and use a kohl pencil to give myself “Kassiopei eyeliner.” I finish off the look with a little bit of noohd—dark rose lip gloss.
When I emerge in the workroom between my and Aeson’s bedrooms, it’s after eighth hour of Ra. I find Aeson, Gennio and Anu, talking intently over the half-eaten remains of an eos bread service, while a few servants stand waiting patiently at the food tables with more dishes steaming and ready.
None of the daimon are here this morning, at least not yet—or maybe they’ve come and gone already.
“Ah, Gwen!” my Bridegroom says to me warmly. “I was just discussing your safety arrangements with Anu.”
“Not again! Please don’t worry,” I say, leaning in to stroke his cheek. “It will all be absolutely fine.” And then I add, “You worked so late last night, Aeson. I am worried about you right now. Any news on the moon situation, or anything else?”
He shakes his head. “Tell me instead, who is coming with you today—which of your friends?”
“Well . . . let me see.” I check my wrist comm for any new messages and see a quick note from Chiyoko, saying she has been assigned a big project and can’t make it, and a similar one from Hasmik. Gracie’s note says that she probably can’t, depending on her dea meal break and flight shift schedule. Blayne is stuck with LM Forms demos for several classes in a row and sends his polite excuses, and Gordie bows out altogether.
So that leaves Laronda and Dawn, who’d promised me last night that they will both be here.
“Very well,” Aeson says after I explain who’s coming. “Be sure to keep close to your friends, and don’t stay at the event any longer than necessary.”
I smile and pick up a steaming hot mug of lvikao.
After I finish my eos bread, I kill time for the next few hours. I watch Aeson analyze data and make calls, watch people come and go in the workroom.
Finally, around twelfth hour of Ra, I get an unexpected visitor.
A familiar tall and huge man is admitted by servants into the room. He has dark eyes, dark bronze skin, prominent muscles, and very long black hair gathered in a segmented tail. He is dressed in a conservative gray jacket and black pants, and wears a wide firearm belt, reminiscent of security personnel.
It is Tuar Momet—fellow Games Contender and former member of Team Lark, who was gravely injured in a sha attack during Stage Three of the Games, barely survived the ordeal, and is now apparently healed and completely recovered with the generous help of Aeson.
The man bows and salutes both Aeson and me.
“Tuar!” I exclaim, rushing toward him. “Oh my God, Tuar! You’re okay! Your arm and shoulder—”
Tuar’s expression is warm, and he again inclines his head in a slight courtesy nod and gives me one of his rare smiles. “Very good to see you well also, Imperial Lady Gwen. Congratulations on winning Vocalist Champion! My profound thanks to the Imperial Lord for arranging my treatment.” He glances at Aeson, then down at his side and flexes one arm. “As you can see, it has healed perfectly.”
I peer closer at him, and it’s apparent Tuar has regained the full use of his arm, not to mention his shoulder and upper torso—images of horrible torn flesh and blood everywhere come to me as I flash back to the Games. . . . No, stop.
“Excellent,” Aeson says. “Are you armed as instructed?”
“Yes, Imperial Lord.” Tuar raises one side of his jacket to reveal a row of guns. “I must thank you for this, and for arranging my conditional release from Correctional.”
Aeson raises one brow with satisfaction. And then he looks at me. “Gwen, meet your new primary personal guard. Momet will be accompanying you today in addition to the four guards.”
“Oh!” I allow my jaw to drop, but in a good way. “Tuar, this is amazing! I am—I don’t even know what to say, this is so great!”
“My pleasure. Working for you in my professional capacity will be an honor.”
We chat, catching up while we wait for Dawn and Laronda. Tuar tells me he still has not been officially pardoned for his crime of amrev seki, or mercy killing, of his former employer. However, because of Aeson intervening, he is conditionally released to serve me, but must report to Correctional regularly until his case is re-examined, which can take months.
“I never thought I would work again, or get a second chance,” Tuar says thoughtfully. “To be honest, the Games were my only hope, until the Imperial Lord’s intervention.” And he throws another grateful look at Aeson, who’s now back to work at his desk.
I nod and smile, and decide not to tell Tuar yet about my own Champion wish request on his behalf—not until it’s approved and finalized by the Games officials. . . .
Minutes later, Dawn Williams arrives.
“So, what’s the mysterious event, do you know yet?” she asks as soon as she walks in. I notice she’s wearing a pretty top in a flower pattern over nice slacks—since I did tell her to dress up a bit.
“Don’t know, not until we get there,” I say. “Wow, you look nice.”
“Thanks. And you look fairytale-fabulous in that deep blue. By the way, I can’t stay too long.” Dawn checks her own recently acquired wrist comm. “This is my extended dea break. I promised to work late tonight to make up for any additional time missed—”
“Thank you so much for sticking around as long as you can!” I pat he
r on her arm, then introduce her to Tuar and explain the new arrangements.
As we talk, Anu keeps looking up from his business at the other desk, then finally says, “We should be going now, if you don’t want to be late to your thing. Where is the annoying Earth girl? Is she coming or can we assume she is lost as usual?”
The same moment, the door opens and Laronda walks in, sharply dressed in her parade-white Fleet uniform and formal yellow armband. “Nefero whatsit,” she says to the room in general, after smartly saluting Aeson at his desk—who looks up to give her a friendly glance. “What is happening? I flew down from orbit just for you, girl. All by myself. Let me repeat, all by myself. This better be good. Also, my solo shuttle is hovering in some unauthorized Imperial Palace parking spot, so—”
I laugh at her exaggerated eye roll. “Laronda, thank you! And I am sure they can check that you are parked properly. Gennio, can you make sure, please? And Anu? We’re ready to go now.”
“Sure,” Gennio replies.
“Yeah, okay,” Anu says rudely, snapping his computer components down with a clank against the desktop. “About time.” And he glares at Laronda.
“Wait, what?” Laronda glances at me meaningfully, then mouths, “Is the jerk-boy coming with us? No!”
“Uh-huh,” Dawn says.
“He knows the neighborhood,” I explain.
Laronda makes a sound of disgust.
As we head for the doors, to meet up with the rest of the Imperial guards who are stationed outside the Quarters, Aeson gives up all pretense of working. He stands up, looking at me with a serious expression, then gives a hard, meaningful stare to Tuar and Anu. “Be safe, Gwen. Watch over her, everyone.”
Once outside in the Imperial Palace airfield, we take a large six-seater hover car, plus two additional smaller ones for the guards so that they can flank us safely during flight. And then we rise like swift birds into the white burning sky, and join an air traffic lane. Anu drives in the front seat, and Tuar is next to him, while I occupy the middle row, with Laronda and Dawn behind me in the third row.
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