 
## THE PEERS OF BEINAN

# THE LEGACY OF PRINCESS ANLEI

## By Laurel A. Rockefeller
The Peers of Beinan Series books and novellas are works of fiction by Laurel A. Rockefeller primarily set on the planet Beinan. All characters are works of fiction without direct reference to any real person, living or dead. While inspired in part by the real life challenges faced by historical persons, any names or characteristics similar to any person, past, present, or future, is purely coincidental.

Love this book? Share the love of this book and the Peers of Beinan Series by kindly reviewing this book on your blog, website, and on major retailer websites. Your review not only offers this author your feedback for improvement of this book series, but helps other people find this book so they can enjoy it as well. Only a few sentences and a few minutes of your time is all it takes to share the love with those who want to enjoy it too.

Copyright © 2015 Laurel A. Rockefeller

All rights reserved.

# Table of Contents

PART ONE: THE GREAT SUCCESSION CRISIS

Prologue

Chapter One: At the Great Council

Chapter Two: A Knightly Education for Princess Anlei

Chapter Three: Bevin's Royal Challenge

Chapter Four: Anlei Unmasqued

Chapter Five: The Great Masquerade

Chapter Six: Queen Isabelle's Fateful Ruling

Chapter Seven: A Long-Awaited Wedding

Chapter Eight: Healing Old Wounds

Chapter Nine: The Crisis' Unresolved Resolution

Epilogue

Long Live the King

PART TWO: THE GHOSTS OF THE PAST

Prologue

Chapter One: The Mystery of Keelia and Devon's Sacrifice

Chapter Two: Cathryn's Shrewd Seduction

Chapter Three: Journey to Nan-li

Chapter Four: A Stalled Investigation

Chapter Five: Lady Elita

Chapter Six: Choire Ar Cerridwen

Chapter Seven: Ghosts of the Past

Chapter Eight: Kendric's Lament

Chapter Nine: Ascent of Queen Constance

Chapter Ten: Birth of Princess Anyu

Chapter Eleven: Foreboding Dreams

Chapter Twelve: Janus' Long Awaited Coup

Epilogue

PART THREE: PRINCESS ANYU RETURNS

Prologue

Chapter One: Journey to Another World

Chapter Two: Enter Anyu Wen

Chapter Three: I Love New York

Chapter Four: Princess Anyu Returns to Beinan

Chapter Five: A Tale of Aisin and Rhisiart

Chapter Six: Journey Back to the Palace

Chapter Seven: Resistance is Not Futile

Chapter Eight: Tyranny's End

Chapter Nine: A Revolutionary New Era

Epilogue

ABOUT THE SERIES

THANK YOU GIFT

Part One: The Great Succession Crisis

###  Prologue

"Your Majesty, are you sure you want to do this?" asked Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar protectively, his red-fielded heraldry barely visible among the steam and smoke of only recently extinguished fires.

"What else can I do?" replied Queen Anyu. Against her will tears filled her eyes from more than just the toxic bilast in the air. At 58.67 cun 寸 tall and a mere forty yen-ars age, the fair skinned and grey eyed adolescent queen felt the weight of her journey heavily. How many died in this war of vengeance and why? Her mind struggled to find the answers as she carefully navigated the dangers of her half-destroyed royal office adjacent to the sovereign's personal apartment. Against her will her hand caressed the remains of the same conference table her mother Queen Constance so often sat at and where the queen gave permission to her to study with the engineers of house Xing-li, training that saved her life even more than the countless shir-ors mastering fencing.

At length, the noble Elendir whose own journey of loss and pain in this war exceeded hers managed to activate the interstellar communications system. Finding a single chair among the ruins, he dusted it off for her and helped her sit down, "Is there anything further I may do for you, Your Majesty?"

"Wait a shir-or, then send for my husband and children, please," commanded Queen Anyu politely.

"You do not need to send this message now, Your Majesty. There is so much that needs to be done. We do not even know how many are dead yet!"

"We will mourn, Old Friend. But right now I owe those who preserved my life an explanation. Maybe I did not have a choice – or not much of one – but I still lied. Allow me to make amends. I will never see these people again; I do not wish to part without telling the story to them."

Lord Elendir nodded, his own heart heavy, "As you wish." Bowing, he left the queen to attend to taming the chaos around them.

Saying a small serenity prayer in her mind, Anyu steadied herself before raising her voice to the computer, "Computer, begin recording and transmit to coordinates 23978 by 29458 by 5492. This is Queen Anyu to my friends and loyal allies throughout the known universe. My greatest apologies for not writing sooner. Many of you know of some of my adventures during my exile. Few of you know what happened after I returned home nor of the history behind my story. Forgive me for my many deceits during my exile. If I had revealed my true identity my life most certainly would have been in greater peril than it ended up being.

"Much has happened to me since my return home. Much remains to be done. But one thing is for certain: with hard work and determination we shall rebuild and restore the beauty of Beinan to its former glory. The road is long and hard. But now I have ascended to my mother's throne, I have little doubt the lessons of my exile will serve my people well.

"That is the future. The past still remains veiled. Forgive me for this and allow me to tell you the full story of my people. Understand that the deceit that kept this story from you before truly was necessary to preserve my life. Fault me not for wishing to neither perish from the differences in our biology nor from the threats from home that inevitably came to destroy me. Here, now, I shall tell you all."
Chapter One: At the Great Council

"Are you certain you want to do this, Your Highness?" asked Lady Gillian of house Ana nervously, trying to match the quick strides of Lord Prince Bevin through the corridors of the Great Hall of the Assembly.

"Can you think of any one better to propose my amendment?" stared Lord Prince Bevin, slowing his pace slightly.

"Perhaps someone from one of the other houses?" quivered Lady Gillian. "Forgive me, Sire, but as the queen's consort, I fear the Council will consider you...biased!"

"Who do you aide for, Lady Gillian?"

"My lady is none other than Lady Councillor Juliana, head of our humble yet equally noble house Ana!"

Bevin met her eyes, "Would Lady Councillor Juliana propose my amendment? House Ana was, after all, one of the houses who forbade the ascent of daughters to their mother's positions of leadership back on original home world! Gurun and Miyoo never held such a rule. We have no problem with female leadership!"

"And yet you are a knight of Ten-Ar and therefore subject to the tradition of your house," countered Gillian. "How can you claim innocence on the matter when Ten-Arian blood flows through your veins?"

"I was not born of Ten-Ar, Lady Gillian. My knighthood is a matter of merit, not heredity. House Balister, recognizing the prowess of female archers, stood against grandfathering this...custom into our laws. Or so the records state," asserted Bevin, his patience with this aide waning even as he turned the corner and approached the assembly chamber.

"Then who will you represent in chambers, my lord?"

"I represent the interests of all Beinarians, as is my duty as prince consort, particularly when I appear as her majesty's proxy. I do so now to express our royal opinion regarding the succession," declared Prince Consort Bevin, opening the heavy wooden doors separating the corridor from the council chambers.

A herald noted Bevin's arrival, crying, "Please rise for Lord Bevin, prince-consort of Beinan and knight of Ten-Ar." With a thunderous pound of one hundred ninety feet, the councillors all rose in Beinarian precision and unison, falling suddenly silent in their voices.

Formally Bevin processed into the council chamber, his head held high and his face stern. He bowed to the herald at the waist as he approached the podium used to address the assembly. The Honourable Lady Kalar of house Cashmarie bowed slightly to Bevin, the metallic white threads making up the sails on her green heraldic kirtle sparkling like silver upon the golden masts of the Cashmarie ship emblem, "Welcome, Your Highness, to council."

Bevin acknowledged Honourable Lady Kalar with a bow from his neck and shoulders, "Your Honour, it is a pleasure to see you again. How fares the efforts to redact replica sailing vessels such as were used on original home world?"

"The efforts go well. Soon we shall master once more the ancient sailing arts, grounding ourselves in that which ennobled us long ago," smiled Lady Kalar.

"Your Honour, may I address the council?"

"Of course," bowed Honourable Lady Kalar, stepping aside for him.

"Wise councillors of the Great Council, I come to you now concerning the royal succession. As all of you know, five yen-ars ago, on BE 6321, beinor 1 Isabelle of house Gurun became our sovereign queen following the resignation of the crown by King Ejen. Her coronation came after our son, Anwell, legally ceded his right to become king after her in favour of our first born, Princess Anlei. This was well known across Beinan at the time of her majesty's coronation. For five yen-ars this council has failed to solidify the succession. I come before all of you to ask for a vote to resolve this matter. Will you accept Princess Anlei as heiress to the throne of Beinan?" questioned Bevin resolutely.

Lord Esreile of house Shem approached Prince Consort Bevin, "We have postponed that vote, Your Highness, out of deference to her majesty...and her position as equal heiress to house Miyoo. High Priestess Wehe is no one to trifle with; her reputation precedes her as highly skilled in arts house Shem refuses to dabble in."

"This matter concerns the future of Beinan. Let us not use the debate as an excuse to advance religious causes. I understand that house Shem disagrees with the high priestess on matters of religion and spirituality. However, her grace is not the focus on this discussion, nor are the differences in theology espoused by houses Shem and Miyoo," asserted Bevin. "Rather, let us examine why a custom that predates the Great Migration and arose out of our bloody past should abide in this yen-ar of peace and diplomatic resolution of our many disagreements?"

"Very well," conceded Lord Arthur of house Xing-li, "I am happy to entertain such debates. After all, we lose nothing by discussing the matter."

"Thank you, Lord Arthur!" acknowledged Bevin with a slight bow to his head.

Lord Knight Eisiq of house Ten-Ar rose, "I have no personal grudge against Princess Anlei. All reports regarding her indicate a highly educated and politically engaged adolescent. She is perhaps one of the best candidates among us for the throne of Beinan. House Ten-Ar also approves of her bloodline among three great houses: Gurun, Ten-Ar, and Miyoo. She is the logical choice to ascend the throne."

"Perhaps," debated Lord Arthur, "but the law is itself quite clear on the matter. No noble woman may pass her power and authority to a daughter except for among the clergy. House Miyoo refuses to relent on that matter."

"Perhaps wisely," affirmed Lady Priestess Alicia, younger sister to High Priestess Wehe and a councillor from house Miyoo. "War and bloodshed are the pitiable heritage we are forced to endure from a time of virtual lawlessness and savage blood feuds. Let us always put aside our violent impulses in favour of adult discussion and logic."

"A noble goal to be certain, Lady Alicia, but perhaps not always pragmatic. Only our egos truly make us superior to the other races we encounter when we travel through the stars in our star craft. Violence is a way of life...an almost universal quality among humans across the charted universe," observed Lord Arthur.

"Must it be? Must we remain complacent and refuse to change when change is merited? This law from our past was not even a law before formation of the Great Council of Houses. It was a tradition, a custom maintained informally across tens of thousands of yen-ars by specific Beinarian houses, an outlet of patriarchal impulses interpreting females as inferiors leaders of war," defined Lady Alicia. "House Balister never maintained such a custom...and with good reason. Few Beinarians of any house, even Ten-Ar, can match the accuracy of Balister ladies with a bow of any sort – heritage or modern."

Bevin smiled. Alicia's words reminded him of the long forgotten yen-ars he'd spent living with his mother, a house Balister lady of particular skill with a laser crossbow. That was before he met his first knight of Ten-Ar...before he made the decision to attempt to earn his place among Ten-Arians and pursue knighthood. "My mother was such a lady. I can affirm through first-hand experience the skills of the ladies of Balister. They are truly the best archers among our people, earning them leadership roles across our culture's history. Balister is wise to make leadership about merit, not gender."

"No one says that women are not effective leaders, Your Highness," declared Lord Arthur, "but that is not the question for us here and now. Rather it is whether or not this beinor is the beinor to make a dramatic change in our laws. As much as I respect Princess Anlei...I cannot find a solid legal imperative to change the law at this time. Right or wrong...this is a custom, a law, which has stood since before the Great Migration."

"I concur," agreed Lord Esreile. "This is not the time to change this law. Unless house Gurun can find a more pressing reason to overturn the law, I cannot endorse such a change."

Lady Kalar took her place as council chair, "Let us vote on this matter. Shall we overturn the law as requested by Queen Isabelle through her proxy, Prince Consort Bevin? Or shall we retain the law in all its strengths and weaknesses? How vote you on the Gurun resolution? House Ana?"

"Nay."

"House Shem?"

"Nay."

"House Cashmarie?"

"Nay."

"House Balister?"

"Yeah."

"House Ten-Ar?"

"Nay," answered Lord Knight Eisiq.

"House Xing-li?"

"Nay," answered Lord Arthur.

"House Gurun?"

"Yeah," answered Prince Bevin.

"House Miyoo?"

"Yeah," answered Lady Priestess Alicia.

"House Slabi?"

"Nay."

"Resolution denied six votes to three. The law will remain as it was. This council will hear further debate on how to handle the extant succession crisis on BE 6326, beinor 120, shir-or 9.50," proclaimed Honourable Lady Kalar. Bowing, Lord Prince Bevin took his leave of the council. Upon the closing of the massive wood doors, his eyes misted. Lengthening his stride, he controlled his composure until he was able to exit the building before letting his tears flow. The board was now set, the crisis now inevitable. Anlei would pay the price for the council's decision, one way or another.

Chapter Two: A Knightly Education for Princess Anlei

Prince Consort Bevin bent over his computer in his private office off of his private apartment. Though he and Isabelle had almost always shared the same bed since their wedding, it was customary for the sovereign to maintain her or his own spacious apartment in the palace and the consort to maintain her or his own, separate but nearby apartment in the palace. The palace was designed to provide a private garden for each apartment—and a force field screen to prevent consort and sovereign from seeing one another should each choose to be in their gardens at the same time as a means of protecting each one's privacy. In political marriages where neither loved the other, this arrangement of space allowed each to maintain an official, if need be, lover, for those occasions when the sovereign was not interested in maintaining the relationship physically, though of course such practices were frowned upon, though not altogether unexpected—for either side.

Still, in matters of intimacy, the sovereign held power over the consort and yielded power only when it suited her or him. To ensure proper boundaries, even the closest of couples kept their respective personal belongings in their respective apartments and allowed servants to shuttle things like clothing back and forth as needed to accommodate practical use of only one bed for most of the time. This may have seemed inconvenient, but by doing so, each was also guaranteed her and his own space, a sanctum not shared by the other in times of stress.

Important to the design of each royal apartment was the office built into each. Spacious and exceedingly comfortable, the sovereign and consort each held their own work spaces, complete with the latest and best computer technologies and equipment.

Advanced communications equipment inside all the royal apartments enabled the royal family to speak to anyone on Beinan—and nearly any known star system for that matter. The current system had a range of more than two million light yen-ars, easily reaching systems nearby galaxies. On his last meeting with engineers, Prince Bevin was told that within one yen-ar they would be able to more than double the current range to 5.2 million light yen-ars and to expect someone to stop by in about fifty beinors with the upgrades. That was good. The better the communications, the more secure the planet would be. Among the reports on his desk: confirmation that his wife's younger sister's body had, indeed, been found by survey droid sent there to investigate what happened to her some 75 yen-ars ago on D425E25 Tertius, a distant world just under two million light yen-ars from Beinan.

The scans indicated she died when her cipher was removed from her neck. There were neither signs of the cipher nor of any other Beinarian technology for that matter to be found by the survey droid. Bevin knew, as a knight of Ten-Ar, that the princess had not been the first Beinarian to visit this planet on the edge of known space—not remotely. But Princess Anyu visited an unknown region of D425E25 Tertius, a natural move for a dedicated student scientist like Princess Anyu, but hard on High Priestess Wehe, particularly in the beinors following Anyu's final report. For twenty one beinors High Priestess Wehe grieved, deeply depressed. Thirty beinors after Anyu's death according to the droid's report, Wehe returned to palace life to celebrate the wedding of her daughter Isabelle to then Lord Knight Bevin. Remembering back to his wedding beinor, Bevin recalled seeing grief reflected deep in his mother in law's eyes. Only now, with the final report on his wife's little sister's death did Bevin finally understand what clearly his mother in law knew without doubt at the time.

The door chimed. At first, Bevin did not hear it, so lost was he in memory. The chime rang again. Finally, Bevin looked up and commanded the door, "Come."

Lord Culain, an agile warrior 125 yen-ars old and, at 57.6 cun 寸 tall, a rather tall Beinarian, stepped into Bevin's office, his red hair flaming against his green eyes. At his side he carried a sword in an elaborate scabbard. Culain grinned at Bevin and hugged him warmly, "Lord Bevin. By the goddesses...how many yen-ars has it been?"

"It's 'prince' now...you may not have heard, but I married well," smirked Bevin.

Culain explored Bevin's office with a few steps and gave a careful, watchful look around, "Impressive. What girl did you bed this time?"

"Oh, no one important...just some girl named Isabelle. You may have heard of her. You were at her coronation five yen-ars ago," smiled Bevin. "Actually make that at OUR coronation. Or don't you attend official functions of the knights of Ten-Ar anymore? Last I checked it was required for all living knights to swear personal fealty to newly crowned kings and queens of Beinan."

"You know how much I hate courts and politics. I made my appearance to please the knights and slipped away," grinned Culain.

"Oh, I see," teased Bevin.

"So old friend, what work keeps you so far from the monastery?"

"Politics! I have spent more shir-ors at the Great Hall of the Assembly than I ever thought possible. Don't these politicians on the Great Council understand how their decisions affect the rest of us? The way they prattle and posture, seeking power and compliments – it makes me annoyed at best," wringed a vexed Prince Bevin.

"If anyone can handle it, Bevin, it's you. You are so devoted to your wife and children...how can you not fight for what is in the best interests of Beinan. I was at your wedding vow renewal ceremony back in BE 6300, but I was disappointed not to see your son Alastair."

"Alastair died as an infant, just shy of his first natal beinor."

"How?"

"The healers of Gurun and Ten-Ar said – I can hardly believe their report – poison. Why would anyone want to poison my son?"

"You will never find the answer sitting here. Come, return with me to the monastery. Come home and see your brother and sister knights of Ten-Ar. I promise a grand surprise for you – and your lovely daughter if you can convince her to stop pouting like the adolescent she is...."

"Don't be too hard on Anlei, Culain. She's at that age when she should be thinking about marriage and finding a proper husband. Instead, I feel this anger in her. She doesn't believe in love or romance, only duty, the cold duty of a girl who feels like she must lie down, submit, and tolerate a future husband whose only interest in her is his own carnal lust and lust for power and wealth. I don't see her wanted marriage or children...just accepting that she must endure such things in order to bear enough children to secure the dynasty. She is, in fact, the only adolescent girl her age I have ever met who feels so cold towards her future. She doesn't dream romantic dreams like a girl, but feels...hunted. As a father it breaks my heart to see it."

"Then take her with you to house Ten-Ar, my liege. Do not delay in this. For I think there is someone, a squire perhaps, who may thaw your ice princess and inspire her towards greater optimism," hinted Lord Knight Culain.

"Make way. May way for His Royal Highness Prince Consort Bevin, lord of the knights of Ten-Ar," heralded one of the junior squires, a lad of no more than 14 yen-ars wearing a simple brown tunic and green trousers with a muddy brown leather belt. Confidently, Prince Bevin strode through the main audience hall of the monastery, his bright green tunic with its royal Gurun heraldry embroidered in silver shined under his regal purple cloak. White trousers and red leather belt completed his royal ensemble. On his belt hung the elaborate platinum and gold broad sword of the knights of Ten-Ar. On his brow sat the Beinarian sapphire and Beinarian ruby coronet of the royal consorts of the Gurun dynasty. Behind him, walking just two paces away glided Princess Anlei in modest yet elegant crimson gown, its soft, flowing fabric billowing in the gentle breeze that filled the room from outside. Light touched the blue white gems sewn to her gown's bodice, making it sparkle. The fullness of her skirt trailed behind her as she walked as if she was dancing. Underneath the soft, almost clinging fabric her small breasts and petite waist beckoned seductively in the wind.

As she passed with the wind in her gown, she met eyes with a squire kneeling near the head of the hall, a great sword resting on the floor in front of him, his blue eyes sparkling brightly through his fair face. For just an instant he dared look up at her to touch her soft grey eyes with his own and let her see his face clearly. She felt her breath rush out of her in an instant.

Squire Corann smiled. Closing his eyes he let his mind feel the contours of Princess Anlei's mind and heart, and let his own heart be enraptured for just an instant. He struggled to conceal an outburst of laughter. Who was this fair lady?

Forgetting himself, he ignored his training, his discipline for an instant and let himself explore her with his mind. Wonder and joy filled him, fascination and beauty.

"Squire. Squire," snapped Culain.

Suddenly Corann saw and felt only the present, his master, Lord Culain standing over him expectantly attempting to start the greeting ritual for Prince Consort Bevin and Princess Anlei "Sir! My lord Knight."

"Where were you?" asked Culain, kneeling and taking his hands gently.

Corann took his masters hands softly and kissed his palms like a servant whispering, "The flower of Abka Biya."

Compassion filled Lord Culain. His squire, Corann, was no ordinary young man. Born the bastard son of one of the house's greatest knights, Lord Cariadoc, it was said to a great priestess named Cordelia; he was born very different than most Beinarians. He was born feeling things that most Beinarians outside of the temple never felt and knowing things most outside of the priesthood never knew. Corann was house Ten-Ar by his father and house Miyoo by his priestess mother -- a rare collision of bloodline in patriarchal and matriarchal houses not unlike Queen Isabelle and Princess Anlei themselves.

Youth born to dual or, in Anlei's case, triple house affiliation, must choose as adolescents which house to call her or his house for political purposes. Corann chose house Ten-Ar, knowing full well that as a bastard, his choice would be questioned and scorned by many. Lord Culain, concerned about the young man's studies and social standing made a point to mentor him. When Corann passed his trials and was granted the rank of squire, Lord Knight Culain chose to train him personally, protecting the young prodigy from many dangers that otherwise would have assaulted him.

Lord Culain looked into Corann's eyes, returning both to the present. Pain, awe, wonder all flashed through Corann's mind at the question he sensed from his master. Understanding, Culain whispered back, "The flower of Abka Biya is covered in ice by the political storm around her. This is High Priestess Wehe's granddaughter, Corann, whom you knew before."

Lightning flashed in Corann's eyes. Anlei? How could it be? Had she really grown so much since last he saw her? Had his studies in house Ten-Ar made him forget everything he sensed around him while at the palace studying as Wehe's protégé? Wehe had taught him how to focus his mind instead of being perpetually distracted by the feelings and thoughts around him. But Anlei...she was different. In her presence he could never control his mental powers. To her, his mind was ever captivated, needing the soothing touch of her consciousness near him.

"Shall we begin?" asked Culain, tapping Corann on the shoulder to refocus his attention back to the ritual at hand.

As the ritual began and the usual introductory remarks and speeches made to the assembly, Corann could not help looking at Anlei as often as the ritual allowed. He knew his place and his knew every word of this ritual, of course. He was an excellent student and had no problem doing everything required of him while still studying the beauty in front of him. How beautiful the princess looked in that gown. The fabric shifted ever so slightly over her delicate body when a breeze came up, complimenting the gentle curves of her breasts. Desire filled him, desire he had never known before living among all these men. Why had not the others spoken of such things before? Was this what it meant to want to marry someone? Was this the drive to leave training and take a wife...or at least to bring children into the world? Why did not the knights speak of this to him? Surely feeling what he was feeling for this girl was only natural. Corann suddenly realized...he had grown up as well since last he saw Anlei.

Corann breathed hard, and then restored his mental discipline. No matter the strange sensations filling his body—and his well-trained senses could easily detect the diversion of blood flow to that other part of his body where it had never diverted before—he was a squire of Ten-Ar, able to avoid such distractions with concentration.

These skills he found more useful now than ever before. He looked at her, and then closed his eyes, his fingers moving into the practiced meditative position. Lord Culain looked over at him for 0.7 xiao-shirs and noticed the shift in position to meditation but said nothing—though he suspected, as Corann's master, the cause. If anything, this sudden shift from the ritual to meditation pleased Lord Culain for it showed how well Corann had learned his lessons and was able to apply his training. Putting his attention back on his brother in the knighthood once more, Lord Culain continued the ceremony with Prince Bevin and Princess Anlei as Squire Corann focused and controlled his thoughts.

By the time Lord Culain finished the service and offered his bows to the royals, Corann felt normal again and ready to greet their guests as if they were any other esteemed visitors. With the last words of ritual now finished, Corann picked up the great sword on the floor, cradling it in his palms as he stood two paces behind Lord Culain. Culain put his right hand on his shoulder, "Your Highness, have you met my pupil? This is Squire Corann. Tonight he is to be initiated as a full knight of Ten-Ar. It would do me great honour if you and your daughter would attend the ceremony...and the banquet afterwards. It would also do us honour if you would stay for the next few beinors here at the monastery as my guest. It's been many yen-ars, I think, old friend, since you slept in our humble quarters. Unless, of course, her majesty your wife requires you at the palace right away...."

Ignoring the joke, Bevin turned and positioned his hands in the form of the knightly salute to another brother, "Welcome to the brotherhood, Corann. I look forward to attending your ceremony...it has been a long time since I attended one. It would do me great honour to attend yours if you are willing."

Corann bowed, "The honour is mine, Your Highness. And if your daughter would grace me with her presence as well, it would be a kindness to me. Are all descendants of great kings and queens so fair – or only your daughter?" Corann blushed at the sudden moment of candour. He knew better than to let even a sliver of his attraction show.

Bevin regarded him, suddenly more father than knight of Ten-Ar. Was this squire, about to be a knight, attracted to Anlei? Corann... that name sounded familiar – was he? "Corann, are you the same Corann who spent countless beinors at the palace under the tutelage of High Priestess Wehe?"

Corann bowed, "I am. For some reason she sees something special in me beyond my humble origins."

Lord Prince Bevin smiled, "From what the queen has told me, you are her only pupil since she left residence at the Temple of Abka Biya upon her marriage to King Ejen. The honour extended to you is vast."

The knighting of a squire was one of the oldest and grandest ceremonies for the Knights of Ten-Ar—and proudest. In a cavern-like ceremonial chamber that resembled a temple built slightly underground, Lord Culain, Lord Prince Bevin, and several of the more academically accomplished squires of Ten-Ar processed to flutes, zithers, and the Beinarian version of a soprano shawm, a light, sweet double-reeded instrument. In the amphitheatre-like setting sat Princess Anlei in a place of honour among other dignitaries. Behind her were many of Corann's classmates, all dressed in their finest fabrics and brightest colours. As Bevin and Culain took their ritual places, the music changed to a heraldic tone, signalling those in attendance to rise. Corann glided in his processional in a crimson tunic and trousers, his clothing unbelted and unmarked in any way; even his soft black leather shoes were unremarkable.

Though his heart soared, especially when he dared to look at Anlei in her lavender gown, he maintained the composure of a man who had been in vigil all beinor long and endured many trials and tribulations to reach this point. As much as his spiritual abilities allowed him to survey the soft contours of her soft body, he refused to show anything, though deep in his heart and even reaching his conscious mind, he felt pleased at her beauty. He noticed the way Anlei had braided and ornamented her hair in silver ribbons and white pearls around and through her crown braid. Silver and lavender ribbon streamers fell out of the pins placed in her hair and a white rose-like flower with the softest and most alluring fragrance served as a center piece comb at the center back of the braid, just above it and anchoring just under it.

Anlei was... breath taking.

Almost against his will, Corann smiled at her as he reached his assigned ceremonial spot. Anlei smiled back. Composing himself once more, he knelt and looked into Lord Culain's green eyes. Lord Culain laid his hands on the

crown of Corann's head, "Corann, son of Cariadoc, for many yen-ars have you studied and suffered, enduring the trials set before you of mind, body, heart, and spirit. Now the journey's end has come and a choice lies before you. Do you choose to join the brotherhood of Knights of Ten-Ar as is your birth right by your father, Lord Cariadoc – or leave this monastery for the temple that is also, through your mother, your birth right?"

Corann's grey eyes beamed with spiritual devotion as he grasped Culain's wrists ceremoniously, "Master, hear me now before these witnesses. I choose as I have always chosen all my life: to dedicate my mind, body, heart, and soul to this house and this place. If the brotherhood will have me, I vow myself to be, now and for forevermore, sword brother and peer, a lord of Ten-Ar."

Lord Culain removed his hands from Corann's head and anointed the center of his brow with fragrant sacred oil, "Then in the name of the Knights of Ten-Ar and as your master, I confer on you the rank of Knight and Lord of Ten-Ar." With a nod, one of the squires knelt nearby, bearing a great sword in a gold and silver scabbard and on a strong leather belt in a bright green. Kneeling, Lord Culain girt it about Lord Corann's waist.

Rising, Culain turned to Bevin who in turn turned to a second squire bearing a narrow silver-like circlet on a cushion. At the front center of the very narrow band was a great marquise-like cut Beinarian sapphire with strong, triangular corners that sparkled like an earth diamond and displayed a pattern of light onto other objects when the Beinarian sunlight shone strongly upon it. Lord Prince Bevin picked up this circlet and handed it to Culain who ritually held it over Lord Corann's head, "Lord Corann, Knight of Ten-Ar, this, as much as your sword, is the sacred symbol of our house. As your sword aids in obtaining the peace, let this blue stone of wisdom guide you in keeping the peace. May your soul always travel in harmony with the goddesses and may they always help you find paths that will unite, and never divide, our people," Corann's grey eyes met his as the circlet softly lowered onto his head and into his hair. He felt the weight and the stone's energies at once as Lord Culain kissed his forehead like a father and with his forearm raised him up from his long kneeling position. "Brothers of Ten-Ar, nobles of many houses, I give you Lord Corann, Knight of Ten-Ar."

Realizing he was on his feet and fully initiated, Corann allowed himself to smile, but his gaze quickly wandered to Princess Anlei who smiled at him discretely like a shrewd political princess. As the gathering rushed to greet him and congratulate him, he noticed that she did not, waiting and keeping her gaze as far from the crowd as she could. Lord Corann could not help but to recognize the training and allowed the crowd to thin on him before he made his own moves towards her direction. Food and drink by now were being served as part of a formal reception. Lord Corann grabbed two glasses of something that resembled a sparkling wine and walked to Anlei, extending

a glass to her, "You look like you were waiting for something to happen...or perhaps someone."

"A princess does not need to rush into the fray like some starving creature, but moves deliberately, with a purpose. I did not think for a moment that this gathering would end without you speaking to me at some point," she smiled, accepting the glass and taking a sip.

"You know me well for someone who has only known me a few xiao-shir," smiled Corann.

"You forget, I've seen you around the palace many times. Do you really think that you and grandmother were completely alone during all those meetings? Grandmother let me get away with more things than you realize."

Corann laughed, thinking about times at the palace as a youth when High Priestess Wehe tutored him, "People think your grandmother is the evil queen at times, but she's really not that bad. She can be a real kind and generous soul. I would not be surprised at all if you turned out more like her than people guess."

Anlei laughed, "Who me? Like my grandmother? Her royal priestessness? Perish the thought. I'm a woman of science, not faith. I am not sure any of these goddesses are real at all...and I don't see any point in this religious mumbo jumbo. Why anyone would confuse her and I beyond the obvious genetic similarities is beyond me."

Corann tilted his head and opened his mind psychically, allowing himself to sense her more deeply. This was, after all, his first real time alone with Anlei to speak to her as two people. He blushed from what he sensed. What is it with her to enchant him so? Such a soul. Could any soul be more beautiful? Why did she try to cloak it with this faux atheism? Or could it be that she did not herself realize how much she actually believed in the goddesses? "Maybe on some level you think all that is religious nonsense. But I wonder if perhaps your adverse opinion of religion has more to do with the practice of religion than with divinity itself, Anlei. It's important not to confuse the two. One may see the faults with the way that people worship or talk about religion and see abuses in our religious system—and these are valid. But the system and practice is not the same thing as theology or the beings behind it. They say that on many other worlds, other cultures struggle with these issues. It is not just you remotely."

"You surprise me, Lord Corann. I know you are a student of my grandmother's, but I did not think of theology as the first subject of interest to any knight of Ten-Ar."

Corann smiled softly, "You might be surprised how we knights of Ten-Ar are actually educated. In arts of war, yes, certainly, but that is only perhaps 20% of our education now. Hundreds of yen-ars ago...yes, it was much more about fighting and defence of our people. But now we understand that the best way to defend our people is with clear thought and strong minds. We are a house of peace more than war. It should really not be so surprising my father Lord Cariadoc fell in lust with one of the most powerful priestesses in the temple...well, so they say. "

Anlei smiled back, "You mean as my grandfather fell in lust with my grandmother?"

"Something like that yes. Isn't it strange how we both owe our existence to the lust of some man over some powerful priestess – and that same priestess's willingness to use his desire to attain something she wanted? Your grandmother wanted to become queen and bear legitimate heirs to the throne. My mother wanted to stay in the temple, but bear some powerful son who would merge two powerful lines and still have the right to be part of this noble house. I am sure that even the best efforts to protect the innocence of a princess have not kept you from hearing of that most unfortunate custom among the houses regarding the best way to disgrace a rival house—or rival individual for that matter?" Lord Corann spoke carefully now, particularly of such a delicate subject, no doubt, to a woman now entering prime age to be victimized.

Anlei looked into his eyes, suddenly afraid and vulnerable, "I am aware of it, yes."

Corann met her eyes. Perhaps it was his training, and perhaps it was an immediate effect of his elevation; he felt this overwhelming need to protect her, "Do not fear it from me, Your Highness." Taking her hand, he knelt, "I pledge to you, my princess, ever shall I serve you. The sovereignty of your house is in my heart. I pledge by my life and by my death as a knight of Ten-Ar, never shall a man place a hand on you in violence or hate—or if he should and evade my sword at the time, I swear by my life and death to avenge you." Turning her hand, he kissed her palm to seal his vow, and then kissed her palm twice more very tenderly out of desire. Anlei felt a wave of spiritual energy crawl up her arm from his kiss, stealing her breath. She stumbled by a step. Instinctively, Lord Corann steadied her with his hand softly on her delicate waist. The soft fabric caressed his fingers. The sweetness of her body for just that tiny instant enraptured him.

Steadied by him, Anlei regained her footing and with her hand tugged on Corann to rise again. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear. Resuming a more appropriate distance of two friends talking, she replied, "Your service is accepted, Lord Knight Corann. Gladly will I take you as my protector. Keep your vow to me always, Lord Knight Corann and never let anyone—not yourself, not a friend, not a foe -- common, noble, or royal -- lay a hand on my body except in kindness, friendship, or love. As daughter of Queen Isabelle I charge you with this task for all the beinors of your life and mine."

Lord Corann drew his sword. It gleamed brightly and sharply in the hidden lights, "From this moment until death, I am yours: protector, friend, and servant."

Chapter Three: Bevin's Royal Challenge

"Your highness. Your highness," whirled RK6. "You must get up your highness." RK6 hovered nervously around the modest bed provided to Princess Anlei in the student quarters in the monastery. Comfortable, but very modest, she was put in a two person dormitory with two beds, one each on opposite sides of the wall. In the other bed laid Lord Corann who was already dressed. With his vows made as protector to the princess, his belongings had been transferred to Anlei's room. He was officially a royal servant now and Anlei's aide in particular. RK6 might be the perfect political droid skilled at helping the princess with managing the court, of, course, serving as her constant lady in waiting, but as such, she was strictly civilian and incapable of keeping the princess out of danger like the young knight of Ten-Ar. RK6's programming, of course, saw Corann as both an asset and a political inconvenience. A man sleeping so close to her highness? This was scandalous. A female protector would have been far better. At least then the court would not gossip regarding the princess's chastity.

While RK6 hovered and fretted, Anlei did her best to ignore the droid. Why should she actually get up, even if the damn droid was making too much noise to keep sleeping? Half asleep Anlei decided to pretend she heard nothing.

But Corann suspected the truth from across the room. Perhaps the beautiful Anlei needed an incentive to wake up. Perhaps, if she were attracted to him, a bit of flirtation might be enough to convince her. Motioning to RK6 to be quiet, he slowly crept to her side of the room. Slowly, deliberately, carefully, he moved just enough of his body over her to hover over her without touching her at all – until with a feather's touch his lips lightly brushed hers softly, just barely at first, then more fully into a complete kiss. Still touching her lips to his, he kissed her again, fully and completely, and a third time before backing away, heart racing. Had he dared what he had just dared?

Anlei opened her eyes with Corann simply sitting beside her as if just watching over her as a protector, "Corann. I had the strangest dream."

"Tell me your dream, dear friend," smiled Corann softly, taking her fingers into his own tenderly.

Anlei smiled, her eyes lighting up, and her voice laughing with delight at points, "We were dancing... some sort of ball or masquerade by my father. And instead of being my protector, you were like my prince charming. You were dressed just like royalty or something. Very handsome. We were in the grand ballroom and dancing so happily. And I felt your strong arms around me. Oh, how strong you are or must be after all those yen-ars of training. And somewhere as we are dancing this ancient dance of our people you sweep me up so close and I feel your soft lips on mine. Oh Corann, in my dreams your kiss was the sweetest touch in the entire world. And I knew in that instant that you were so much dearer to me than any friend. You were the only man I could bear to marry. And in my dream, you knelt down to me and told me that you love me. And I never heard such a sweet sound in all my life from anyone. And all I could think about in the dream is how much I wanted to receive the betrothal gift from you so I could – oh, I have never thought that or dreamed I would think that about anyone. It's not logical, nor particularly realistic for me – but it was just a dream...."

Just a dream. Oh how Anlei did not understand her own bloodline, thought Corann. The daughter of the daughter of one of Beinan's most talented priestesses did not simply have dreams any more than Corann simply dreamed. How is it possible her grandmother never explained the Sight to her – or did she merely refuse to listen?

How innocently Anlei related her dream vision to Corann? Corann's training, between High Priestess Wehe and the knights of Ten-Ar, made him rather adept at understanding prophesy and recognizing it. Corann's heart raced at the prophesy, yet he maintained his composure, "What a beautiful dream, my friend, I wish you could see your face. I have never seen such joy or delight in you before. You light up the room this morning – and my heart with it. I can see everything you dreamed so well, you are so happy." A smile escaped Corann's face. He was overjoyed at the joy in her right now. Oh that life would let him bring back the joy on her face again.

"Am I? Maybe it's waking up feeling truly safe. I've never woken up with someone beside me before."

"I was near you, Anlei, not beside you. I slept across the room at a proper distance, remember? The only way I can truly sleep beside you is as your husband and only if you should wish it," corrected Corann.

"Would you wish it?" she asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want to be my husband?"

"Anlei, that's a political decision. I'm not at liberty to make those for you. I haven't even been a full knight for a full beinor yet. And even if I were an established knight of 100 yen-ars old and not just over sixty yen-ars old, it would still not be my place to verbalize an opinion on this matter. Who you marry will decide the fate of house Gurun in the Great Council. I'm no politician. I cannot say who would be good for your house—or for you personally. I find life confusing enough without adding the complications of the Great Council and the nuances of Beinarian politics." Turning to RK6's direction he added, "Besides, you have a political droid to help you in these matters. I'd rather you ask her regarding your options. You don't rely on RK6 nearly as much as you should, Your Highness." Corann started to shift his body to rise from his sitting position.

Anlei stopped him with her fingers, "Corann. What do you want? Forget about my heritage and my name. What do you want?"

"Are you asking me in a perfect world, if our choices did not affect the lives of billions, what would I want? What would I wish if you were truly free? If you were not King Ejen's granddaughter?"

"Yes. For one xiao-shir, forget I'm Princess Anlei. Let me just be Anlei, some ordinary girl, what would you choose? What does your heart say?"

"Anlei if there were no houses, no politics, no games of flesh and blood, I promise you that every minute since I met you would have gone different. I have felt you in my mind since the xiao-shir I laid eyes on you. You are in my very heart and being. Oh Anlei if you were not princess I would dare to say what is in my heart I would dare to be true to myself."

Anlei sat up and stroked his cheek, "But you can't can you?" A tear rolled from Corann's eye into her hand as he shook his head. "If I were not a princess, I would dare to love you too. But I don't dare fall in love, do I?"

Corann shook his head painfully, "Not until you are married, no. If you were to fall in love with someone other than the man you must marry for political reasons, you might put yourself into grave danger, Your Highness. You would not wish your heirs conceived in violence which many husbands would be inclined to do, I think, especially if jealous of another man. And – I probably should tell you that there are legal limits to how much and far I may protect you from your own consort. "

"What do I do?"

"Do you love me, Anlei?"

"No. Not so soon. I like you; you are already a good and loyal friend. And it was a good and beautiful dream. But in love with you right now, no, though I cannot say I would be unhappy if next beinor I learned that my father chose you for me. I think that would please me better than most other possibilities. But that is not the same as being in love."

"No, it is not. Believe me; I value your friendship, Your Highness. Always. No matter what the yen-ars bring us, you shall have it, no matter who is chosen for you...even me."

"But your feelings?"

Corann smiled humbly, "I can handle them, if you can handle a protector who admires you and thinks you are especially beautiful."

"Your esteem honours me and elevates me, Lord Corann. Never leave my side. Since it is possible that perhaps one beinor you will wed me, I would like you to stay closer to my person than is traditional for a male protector. I do not doubt your integrity or your self-control, Corann, towards my person. If you are willing to deal with temptations that few men have ever faced, I am willing to have you closer and nearer than any man save a consort has ever been to a princess. Are you willing?"

Corann smiled, "If you tempt me so, I may fail and offer you affections of my heart instead of merely my sword."

Anlei put his hand on her waist under the blankets. The thin fabric of her nightgown let him feel her soft skin very tangibly. Instinctively he explored a little, finding her belly button and noticing its contours. Oh what a handful she could be. "Well, what are friends for?"

Corann laughed and shook his head, then, feeling daring from her bold move quietly moved towards her lips with his own. She moved forward to meet him. This time it would be no attempts to hide as he kissed her lips tenderly...and she gently returned his. Daring only a moment of kissing, Corann and Anlei embraced in friendship

and almost fear of too much romantic contact with each other.

For Corann, his fear was about losing control of himself and unleashing too much of his feelings, his needs for Anlei into the moment. For Anlei, she was very much afraid of stimulating Corann too much and pleasing him or teasing him to the point of cruelty. Cruel indeed would it be for her to give more of herself to him than her heart truly felt for him—or politics would truly allow. He deserved better, bastard or not. She had no desire to play him physically or emotionally. Yes, she wanted to experience that kiss, to know what it felt like, especially coming from Corann...could anyone be a finer choice for her first kiss?

But she had to be careful about it too, balancing her curiosities about dating and sexuality with her very real situation and with his needs. This was a friend and someone who was becoming a very close friend at that. His feelings mattered very much to her already. And if she knew nothing else, it was that Corann wanted to kiss her too. That much she could give him from time to time. That much, at least until she was married, was a gift she could offer him...as well as that proximity. Perhaps it was not sleeping in the same bed...but moving his closer to hers would keep her very safe. Besides...for the moment, she was a very big target for assassination. Anwell was just a little TOO unready.

Anlei stroked Corann's hair softly, "So was there something in particular that we needed to do this morning, Lord Corann?"

Corann gazed into her eyes, the temptation of her flashing through them as he spoke up, "RK6, the schedule, please."

"Thank goodness. I thought for sure you would never stop your politically unwise course of action. My lady, your father has been waiting for you for 0.0137 shir-ors in the temple where Lord Corann's elevation was held the previous beinor. He said that there is something important he wanted to discuss with both of you," announced RK6 formally.

Taking his eyes off her, Corann addressed RK6 directly, "Thank you, RK6, please go on to see Lord Prince Bevin and inform him that I will personally ensure her highness gets there within seven xiao-shir and please extend our apologies for making him wait."

In compliance, RK6 turned and floated away, leaving their chamber and Corann and Anlei alone. Anlei turned to him, "You do realize that now you will have to help me dress in order to be ready that soon."

Corann embraced her from behind and put his very strong arms around her, clasping his hands around her tiny waist. He kissed her cheek softly and briefly, "That is what you had in mind when you asked me to be even closer to guard you. You knew full well I would have to help you with that as well...and you want me to. You rather enjoy the prospect of that flirtation with me, my young, beautiful princess. If that is your will, Your Highness, I will comply...now let's get you dressed and quickly." Corann put a pastel blue dress in her hands.

Anlei's particular night gown had very long laces from the waist to a high neck, allowing her, in theory, to begin pulling another gown over her head while she undid the night gown and simply pulled it off her body. The blue dress in front of her laced up in back with a modest scoop front and long bell sleeves. The dress body was lined for modesty from the very light fabric, keeping the sleeves sheer. Standing in front of her, Corann held the blue dress up, taut at the shoulders. Anlei stepped into it without putting her arms into the sleeves, and then worked on the laces of her nightgown, Corann looking straight into her eyes and both smiling at each other. The night gown fell and Anlei carefully stepped outside it while still without the boundaries of the blue dress. Navigating Corann's hand, she found the left shoulder of the dress with her left hand and slid her hand into the sleeve completely. Her left hand caressed Corann's right arm to tease him before she raised her left arm to the right shoulder to help Corann. No longer needed to protect her modesty per se, he helped her find the right sleeve and slip into it. The gown started to conform to Anlei's body. Moving behind her, Corann worked at the lacing to fasten the gown and deftly secured it together. Why did it feel almost like an act of worship to dress her? Any other royal servant would consider this a chore. But to touch her, to see her like this...this was no chore, but a pleasure...that she wanted him to do it.

As Anlei dressed her hair slightly, Corann sighed softly, and then belted on his sword...it was time to go see the prince consort of Beinan.

Arriving in the temple of the monastery, Anlei and Corann found Lord Prince Bevin waiting for them with RK6 hovering quietly in the background. Bevin was reading an aged book that looked more than 500 yen-ars old and was probably more than two thousand. The physical archives of Ten-Ar extended back to OW 40,000 with some books dating to as early as OW 10,000 in copied form. Bevin looked up from his book as his daughter and her new protector entered, "My daughter, I do not think you have mastered punctuality yet."

Corann bowed, "My liege, if you will kindly accept my insight, your daughter was experiencing her matrilineal heritage this morning...even if I think she is still in denial that her Miyoo blood has any impact on her life...."

Bevin raised an eyebrow, "Was she? Intriguing, particularly when you realize how often Anlei scoffs at religion and spirituality. Getting Anlei to attend religious services is more difficult than mastering one of house Balister's heritage bows."

"You find Balister heritage bows difficult, lord knight? I would think as someone whose mother is one of the finest archers on all Beinan that you personally would take to archery as readily as a new-born child takes to her mother's breast...." implied Lord Corann.

"How do you know anything about my mother, young knight?"

"Her Grace, your mother-in-law, made a point to tell me when I first came to the palace to study mental control. I believe her remarks at the time were to the effect that she felt you should spend more time on the firing range practicing. You know...less swords, more bows?"

Bevin rolled his eyes, "Beware of mothers-in-law, young knight, you never know where you will find disapproval from them. And just to think I thought I had her grace's approval after I began devoting so much of my time on raising Anlei and Anwell...."

Corann laughed, thinking about all his time studying with High Priestess Wehe, "Oh, I think you have her approval. She just wants you to be perfect, that's all. No less than she demands of herself."

Bevin returned his laughter. For a young knight whose acquaintance he was just now making, this Corann seemed unusually familiar, understanding the subtle family dynamics Bevin lived in as a prince consort as if he were a member of the family, "You are a unique man, Corann. I will give you that. It is almost as if you know my family better than I do."

"Well, I am Lady Priestess Cordelia's son and High Priestess Wehe's protégé. Before her grace taught me how to control my Miyoo heritage I learned a lot about all of you – quite without intension of intruding. It took me ten yen-ars to learn how to shield myself to only sense the minds and hearts of others when I wanted to. Sometimes, my liege, you shout," implied Corann, understanding that the subject of the Sight and his own talent for empathy and telepathy was not socially acceptable outside of house Miyoo. This outward taboo towards sensory spiritual abilities took Corann a long time to understand. Even this beinor he found it illogical. How and why should an ability that all Beinarians possessed to some degree remain contentious among most of the populace simply made no sense to Corann. Were latents really that afraid of learning to control their natural senses?

Sensing Lord Knight Bevin was beginning to get impatient, Corann changed the subject, refocusing to the present and shifting his body physically to a more formal posture, "My liege, you have called this meeting for a reason, I presume. Would you care to enlighten us?"

"Yes, of course," paced Bevin. "I want to know why you suddenly made that vow to my daughter."

"Sir?"

"You heard me."

"Yes sir. And I'm puzzled by the question coming from another knight. You know full well as both consort and knight that any knight of Ten-Ar may make such a pledge to any noble that he or she deems worthy. No explanation is ever required under the code. Not to the person receiving the pledge and certainly not outside the bond. Strictly speaking, Your Highness, your question is illegal," asserted Lord Corann.

"Corann?" exclaimed Anlei.

"RK6, recite the law and Ten-Arian code regarding fealty oaths of protection," commanded Lord Corann.

RK6 floating prominently among them and raised herself up high, "Statute 57325. Enacted GM 97, beinor 5 by Great Council. Proposed by King Tristen the Just of house Balister: 'Oaths of fealty shall be sacrosanct between master or mistress and she or he offering fealty in civil matters where both parties operate in full and complete consent of the arrangement and where neither party exploits nor injuries the person or reputation of the other.' Historical note: King Tristen the Just is a direct ancestor of Lord Prince Bevin, formerly of house Balister and now of House Ten-Ar. Ten-Arian Code of Honour. Article 5 subsection 35 paragraph 612: 'A knight of Ten-Ar shall, at her or his discretion, enter into fealty contracts with other knights or members of any house deemed personally worthy by that individual. The individual has the right of personal discretion in making decisions regarding with whom, under what terms, and for how long such contracts shall endure and may both enter and leave such contracts honourably without explanation towards any individual with whom she or he is not contracted. This rule applies to members of house Ten-Ar, biological family members of the individual, family members of the liege lord or liege lady, and even towards members of the Great Council itself. No individual shall request or require a knight of Ten-Ar to disclose any information regarding a fealty contract without challenging the legality of the contract and permitting that challenge to be answered by whatever method the knight deems suitable to protect her or his charge or her or his honour as appropriate. This article of the code was passed by unanimous consent of House Ten-Ar on OW 7000, beinor 27.'"

Lord Corann made the Ten-Arian gesture of respect towards RK6, "Thank you, RK6." He turned towards Lord Bevin, "Your Highness, I think the law and the code speak for itself."

"I'm still her father, Corann. And I have a responsibility to ensure her safety."

"I understand. To that end, please allow me to assure you that I share your protectiveness. But more than this I cannot disclose without breaching the Ten-Arian code of honour. As a fellow knight, I would think you would respect that code and wish to uphold it."

"You really are not going to tell me what pledge the two of you have between each other, are you?"

"It's not about what is between us or not between us, my lord. It is about the Ten-Arian code and the laws of Beinan which all of us must obey. Has anything transpired between your daughter and I that a father could find fault with? Well, if you find fault with getting your daughter to a royal summons when you request it as opposed to following her own schedule, then perhaps. Is she contracted to wed me or even considering it? Far from it, if that is what you are worried about, Your Highness. Nothing of that nature is remotely in either of our minds, much less in fealty between each other. But we are friends. I think you will find my friendship with her a far more effective tool than anything you have tried before. As Lord Culain says so often, 'a peer induces changes in our hearts that neither parent nor mentor may persuade.'"

"Culain says that? Does he?"

"Yes, of course. He is good mentor and a great friend. It will be strange transitioning from student to friend now. I am so used to thinking of myself as his squire."

"Culain is a good man, as is my friend, Lord Eisiq. You can count on either one of them to guide you on the right path, Corann."

"I know, Your Highness. Lord Eisiq was one of my sword masters. He is very formidable, as are you, from what I understand. I would be willing to give young Princess Anlei a demonstration of our melee tactics in the practice hall with you with as many weapons and of your choice as you desire...if you are up for a nice workout? I'm sure it has been a while," challenged Corann playfully.

"It has been a while, Lord Corann, but I am sure that even at 170.4467 yen-ars, I can still beat a young knight like you with a laser broad sword."

"Any time," smiled Lord Corann, his eyes sparkling like grey chalcedony.

The practice hall in the north wing of the monastery gleamed with more than two dozen floor to ceiling windows on the north and south sides of the huge gymnasium-like room. The opaque clouds of Beinan were all high elevation, leaving the mid and lower atmospheres that were within the range of normal-sighted Beinarians to shimmer green on a clear beinor like this beinor or a grey-red on a stormy beinor. This beinor, the sky was clear and beautiful, casting a field of green as far as the eye could see. In the air, some nearby traffic lanes filled with low-altitude shuttles moved steadily by 1.2 li from the grounds. Princess Anlei looked out the windows for a moment before gliding near her father and Lord Corann as they readied the numerous practice weapons and armour they would need for their training exercises.

The first weapon drawn for their practice looked like a simple quarterstaff or long rod of rattan fitted with a couple metal grips on it that held buttons. Smiling at each other, Corann and Bevin held their staffs vertical to salute each other with the Ten-Arian salute between knights, then picked up their weapons horizontally and circled in the center of the well-defined fighting space. Pressing the center button, a small force field spanning 2 cun 寸 in each direction surrounded the weapon except at the hand holds.

Bevin attacked first, raising his staff above his head to cut down towards Corann. Corann blocked it easily with a hiss from his force fields and redirected the energy back towards Bevin deftly with a short, slicing motion. Whirling in fluid motion from the blow, Corann let his staff follow through, hitting Bevin squarely in the back as he jumped to avoid Bevin's staff. Bevin grunted from the impact, smiling. Regaining his footing, he counter-attacked, carefully working under Corann's defences, almost landing a blow at Corann's heart but missing as Corann brought his stave up at the last second to deflect. The dance of staffs continued for 200 xiao-shirs before switching weapons to heritage spears, both men barely breaking a sweat even though

both attacked and blocked aggressively, sometimes even using unnecessary amounts of motion to show off with both laser quarterstaff and with spear. As the fighting lasted for .064 shir-ors, Corann noticed Anlei growing restless and pacing as she watched. Corann motioned Bevin to cease while he walked over to Anlei, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

"I do not see the point of all of this, Lord Corann? Why are we here?"

"To demonstrate to you that I can protect you from danger and to demonstrate to your father that I can handle whatever dangers may cross your path. This exercise also is intended to show you a little of what goes into becoming a knight of Ten-Ar. From all accounts, I hear you have avoided watching such exercises, even when they are performed in court for the review of your grandfather and your mother."

"True," admitted Anlei. "I am a woman of science and peace; why should I care about these...martial activities? Don't our people have more important things to do than fight one another?"

"A people of peace must not forget how to defend themselves, Your Highness, nor should they lose the discipline of training. Our martial arts are far less about war than they are about self-discipline and mental-spiritual prowess. It takes a great deal of focus to sustain these exercises, particularly for more than 0.4 shir-ors. At that point, the body fatigues, even for those in optimal physical condition. Continuing these exercises means channelling the soul to strengthen the body. Such conditioning becomes important in times of crisis or stress. In such times, life or death often depends on such mastery of the flesh by the soul. We are not immune to the power of our own planet, after all. It takes only one storm or volcanic eruption to test that which we knights, no matter what house we came from, are trained to survive," explained Corann.

Looking up at Lord Prince Bevin and noticing some impatience on the prince's part, he added, "Now, dear friend, I think your father wants to get in more practice. Please sit and forebear the next shir-or or two? Besides, you might even enjoy watching me demonstrate my full physical prowess once he truly puts it to the test...the staff and the spear you saw us battling with so far are only basic weapons...the others in this room are far more deadly, even in practice form."

Striding up to Bevin, Corann bowed respectfully. Bevin assumed the stance of royal consort, "Done flirting with my daughter are you?"

"With all due respect, Sire, I was trying to educate her in the necessity of what we are doing here. She expressed...extreme boredom at the chore of watching our exercises. Is she always this impatient with marital arts?" asked Corann.

Bevin tried and failed to avoid laughing, "Oh. You noticed that? Well, if you are finished chatting, are you up for more?"

Corann picked up two laser pikes from the wall, throwing one to Bevin which he caught easily, "Always! EN GARDE!" Corann attacked. Bevin parried. The fight was on.

For four solid shir-ors, Corann and Bevin fought relentlessly, energetically with first the laser pike, then a practice version of the Ten-Arian laser broad sword. Shifting protective gear from military to civilian, they duelled with first épées, then schlagers and rapiers. During one fierce moment in the many intense clashes, Bevin landed a solid blow on Corann's chest over the left shoulder, cutting through his tunic and into Corann's pectoral muscle. Blood gushed through the wound. Corann kept fighting. Finally, after another shir-or of intense duelling, the pain showed on his face.

Bevin ceased his attack, "Are you okay?"

"Nothing I cannot handle. Shall we continue?"

"Is the target range still where it used to be?"

"I don't think the house elders have moved it in a thousand yen-ars, merely upgraded the targets used," remarked Corann.

"Well then, if you are certain you are truly unhurt, shall we test our skills on the firing line?" proposed Bevin.

"Lead the way, my liege," accepted Corann.

Against Anlei's will, Bevin and Corann lead her through the labyrinth of corridors connecting the Ten-Arian campus. Finally, they emerged into a court yard adjacent to the principle buildings used by the healers of Ten-Ar. The location was carefully chosen; injuries during martial practices were to be expected, giving ample opportunities for student healers to practice their arts on live patients. At the range Lord Knight Eisiq fired a laser cross bow, its bolts discharging deadly plasma upon impact with flesh, its high energy "strings" making the crossbow easier to draw than with a heritage cross bow. Lord Eisiq aimed carefully at a laser cross bow target set up 5 zhang from the firing line, and then fired. The bolt sizzled as it hit near the bull's eye. Putting down his cross bow, he greeted Bevin and Corann warmly, "Congratulations, Lord Knight Corann on your elevation yesterday. How does it feel to be a knight at last?"

"I am already assigned as a protector, Master," reported Corann.

Lord Eisiq looked at Anlei, "Is this your charge, Corann?"

"Yes, my lord, Princess Anlei, daughter of Lord Knight Bevin," replied Corann.

"Your daughter, my liege? It's been too many yen-ars, Bevin. Last I saw Anlei was at Prince Alastair's dedication ceremony in Bira Hecen; you've grown up, young lady," remarked Lord Eisiq.

Bevin hugged his friend affectionately, "Good to see you too, Eisiq. And yes, she's grown a great deal since last you saw her – in most ways, anyway. She still does not respect her grace, High Priestess Wehe. Religion remains a fallacy to her."

"Are you sure she's the queen's daughter? She sounds like a star warrior of Xing-li: all science and no faith...."

"The queen will allow Anlei to go exploring in a star craft about the day our sun turns green. Her sister Anyu perished out on the edge of known space, remember?" reminded Bevin.

"I heard the rumour; it's been confirmed?"

"Yes – Princess Anyu's remains were found on D425E25 Tertius," reported Bevin.

"I-I-I'm speechless," stammered Eisiq. "Please send my condolences to her majesty."

Anlei, feeling bored once more, surveyed the equipment carefully hung on nearby racks. Curious, she picked up a target arrow and started to play with it. Eisiq noticed her, "Do you shoot, Your Highness?"

"N-n-no – I have never seen an arrow up close before in my life. Weapons of war are not fit for a princess," gibed Anlei.

"There was a time, my lady, when bows were the preferred weapons of house leaders, especially female house leaders. Your own paternal grandmother is such a woman. Throughout much of your father's childhood she represented house Balister on the Great Council, her leadership gained through her speed and accuracy with a bow just like this one. It is part of your heritage, Your Highness, even though the connection between your father and his mother are rarely recognized. Here, let me show you how it's done." Eisiq picked up a Balister heritage bow, it's recurve making it stronger and more powerful than simple longbows. Notching an arrow into its string, he drew the string to his ear and fired at one of the heritage bow targets. It thumped five cun to the right of the bull's eye, a good but imperfect shot.

Bevin noticed Eisiq's imperfect accuracy, inspiring him to walk up to them, select a bow and string it, "May I?"

"Please," welcomed Lord Eisiq.

Bevin fired. The arrow effortlessly landed at the center of the bull's eye. Corann picked up a bow and aimed, joining in the demonstration. As he pulled the string to his ear, he felt a stabbing agony in his shoulder. Trained to ignore pain, Corann calmed himself and took careful aim, releasing the arrow as gently as his first kiss with Anlei. The arrow plunged deep into the target, slicing against Bevin's arrow and shaving off the side of it. Anlei's eyes widened in disbelief, "How did you...?"

"Practice," exclaimed Corann, surprised at her interest.

Anlei hugged Corann excitedly. Blood stained her dress. Stunned, she jumped back aghast, "Corann! You're bleeding."

Lord Eisiq looked at the wound with the skilled practice of a warrior accustomed to such injuries. After a xiao-shir, he pressed a button on his belt. Two xiao-shirs later, a refined lady healer 105 yen-ars old stepped out onto the firing range holding a medical scanner in her hands. Eisiq looked at her with surprise, "Lady Healer Cara, what are you doing home? I thought you were assigned to the palace as chief healer?"

Cara raised an eyebrow, "Nice to see you too, Lord Eisiq. I came for Lord Knight Corann's elevation last beinor. Lord Knight Culain is my brother, after all. Besides, my instincts told me one of you knights would get into trouble somehow. These elevations seem to bring out your worst instincts, giving we healers way too much work to do."

Bevin smirked at Cara's witty retort. She was right, of course, that much Bevin had learned in his many yen-ars of close friendship with her brother. Bevin was one of the few knights to observe the sibling relationship between Cara and Culain up close, a merry war of wit between the siblings who were as different in world outlook and politics as their professions were to one another. Cara was the consummate pacifist while Culain gloried in skilfully applied martial arts. Cara's world view tended towards scientific atheism while Culain largely maintained a very spiritual outlook on the world. They were an odd pair bound together by mutual parentage and equal skills in witty debate that often put both of them in the same social sphere. Half against her will, Lady Healer Cara found herself cleaning up the physical messes made by her brother, Lord Eisiq, and Lord Bevin.

Noticing Corann's bloody tunic, Lady Cara scanned his wound, "How did you do this?"

"Lord Knight Bevin landed a solid blow with his rapier," answer Corann as Cara inspected the wound with her gloved fingers, wincing reflexively. Cara eyed him suspiciously. Recognizing her stern countenance, he added, "Then I fired a Balister heritage bow."

"That would do it," scolded Cara.

"How bad is it?" asked Bevin.

"Bad enough – he needs surgery. I suggest something more primitive than your typical laser sutures. Filament sutures will work more effectively given the location so close to his heart, especially since I cannot imagine him actually following my instructions and not moving his shoulder for at least forty-five beinors. It's deeper than it looks; I estimate an extended healing period," assessed Lady Healer Cara. "I can do the sutures now – but he really should come to the palace healing center so I can watch him more carefully. Just a hunch, but I think you end up re-opening that wound before it's healed. Bring him to my office here at our main healing center in ten xiao-shirs. I should have everything ready by then."

Bevin bowed to Lady Healer Cara, "Thank you, lady healer. We will comply with your instructions."

"That would be a change," teased Cara, returning to the healing complex.

As Eisiq and Bevin watched Cara leave, Anlei pulled Corann aside, "I – I am so sorry, Corann."

"You did nothing, Your Highness."

"But you did all this, this display of martial prowess to try to teach me a lesson. You only took me out here to the range because I was so bored with your...whatever you call that."

"You would not be the first princess or noble lady for that matter to fail to appreciate the material arts, my lady. But I do agree with your father that it's only proper for you to educate yourself in martial arts. There may come a time when you need to know at least the basics."

"But isn't that why you took your vows to me last night? Aren't you here to protect me?"

"There are... limits to what I may do, Your Highness, particularly once you are wed. In such a situation, your husband may not welcome my close proximity to you – especially given my attraction towards you."

"What are you saying, he would be worried that one beinor I might indulge myself with you at his expense?"

"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. I care deeply for you, Anlei. That is a powerful thing, especially to a rival for your favours," implied Corann.

"But we are just friends; friends love each other if they are close...."

"Some men see women as trophies of the bedroom, Your Highness. Such men would do anything to have their property and their perceived carnal rights protected. Or have you forgotten the romantic songs of our antiquity?" Thinking hard, Corann began to sing a verse in an ancient tune,

"Lady fair I am yours this morning.

Lady fair I serve you.

In your royal grace,

Illuminate my face.

And grace me with your love.

I am yours my liege;

Serving you to please.

My lady fairest queen.

Anlei smiled at the song. Blushing, she took his left hand, "Do you mean the words of the song, Corann?"

Corann played with a lock of her hair, "I think you know the answer to that, Your Highness."

Anlei blushed, "I do; if only things were different. If only I dared believe that someone like me can have someone like you...."

"Take heart, Your Highness. Your life is not over yet. This great succession crisis has only just begun. Not even the wisest knows for sure how this will end up." Noticing a signal from Bevin and Eisiq to head indoors for medical treatment, Corann bowed, "Now if you will excuse me, my liege, Lady Healer Cara is waiting for me." Anlei nodded her consent and watched him leave.

The next morning the blue-white sun struggled to peak at all through the dense upper clouds, leaving the ground dark and gloomy. As Anlei and Bevin prepared to leave, the sky turned red-grey above them. Thunder rolled through the sky and huge swirling storms filled the sky. A large upper atmosphere hurricane raged above them, descending closer down with high li-per-shir-or winds and torrents of fierce rain. The air crackled as a lower atmosphere storm merged with the hurricane, a storm so large it was visible from space. In the massive Amba Mederi Ocean, the waves responded to the power of storm, increasing tidal waves into almost tsunami proportions. This beinor was not going to be nice – not at all.

With Corann injured and resting in the healing center, it was up to RK6 to help Princess Anlei dress. Anlei felt sedated as she placed a necklace of Beinarian blue chalcedony around her neck to compliment her pale red-violet gown, a regal colour considering the expense of any red or reddish hue or tint. Concerned for Corann, she quietly walked behind RK6 as the droid led her to Corann's room in the healing center and rang the chime. "Come," called Corann's voice from within and the door opened. Anlei entered to find Corann only half dressed with his trousers secured but his shirt off for the inability to figure out how to dress himself.

In all her yen-ars, Anlei had never seen a man naked down to his waist before. For just an instant, she felt shocked, but resisted the urge to say something. Instead, her eyes quickly honed onto his wound. A bandage covered Corann's sutures and most of his left shoulder, partially in an attempt to immobilize it. Her eyes drifted towards the rest of Corann's body, well concealed before under his tunics, strong, athletic, and well-toned without excessive muscles. Pleasure at the sight crept up inside Anlei, catching her off guard. In all her cold academics, she had never looked at a man with any sort of attraction; if anything she always felt disdain towards the male physical form. But not with Corann who seemed someone helpless under all those bandages.

Finally, Anlei found her voice, "I was worried about you. How are you feeling?"

"I was offered help and I turned it down. Now look at me. I'm as helpless as a fabku," he cried in frustration, sitting down once more.

Anlei sat beside him and took his left hand, "You are no fabku. No fabku could have lasted 0.001 shir-ors with that wound and you lasted a full shir-or fighting as aggressively as before. I still cannot believe you did that."

"I had something to prove."

"What good did that do? How can you protect me like this?"

"Nothing negates my vows to you. I spoke to Lady Cara; I will be coming with you in the royal low altitude shuttle when it leaves in 400 xiao-shirs. I'll be under the supervision of Lady Healer Cara – but I will still serve you. I'll just have to do it from my old bed chamber in the palace. Your father tells me that it's still unoccupied. At least until this crisis is resolved, I will be living there, only seventy zhang from your apartment."

"That's something at least. I was afraid this was going to be goodbye."

"You cannot get rid of me that easily, Anlei. Ten-Arian code of honour forbids it." Corann put his right arm around Anlei's shoulders and leaned in towards her, daring to kiss her with a feather touch of his lips. Anlei returned the kiss.

"Thank you, my Anlei."

Anlei shook her head playfully, "I am still up for grabs, you know."

"Yes, I know, the game of who gets to be king and will house Gurun keep control after all. But may I remind you, Crown Princess, that I have one of the best bloodlines of all the nobles," he flirted. "And I have one thing to my advantage that no other nobleman has...."

"And what is that, Lord Corann?" posed Anlei.

"You love me," announced Corann.

"I DO NOT!"

"We will see, my young princess, daughter of Queen Isabelle, daughter of High Priestess Wehe of House Miyoo. Or have you forgotten that not only I am I your grandmother's protégé, but so is my mother? I know what it means to be house Miyoo. For the first fifteen yen-ars of my life I lived in that temple and was trained as a priest before assuming my place in house Ten-Ar. Oh, my dear princess – we will see," challenged the knight.

Blushing, Anlei found the tunic the droids had left for Corann to wear for his trip to the capital city of Hejing and its palace, "I am sure we will, dear friend. However, right now, I think I owe you a favour. May I assist you?"

Corann grinned as she offered him the tunic, "What is good for the fabku is good for the fafiku." Slowly, gently, carefully to avoid reopening the wound, she helped him put first his left arm into the left sleeve then slid the right arm into the sleeve with minimal motion to the left shoulder. Cautiously she pulled the tunic over his head. Corann cringed momentary as the shoulder moved slightly, but his sutures stayed intact. With the tunic basically on, Anlei belted his Ten-Arian sword onto his waist. Corann was, at last, ready for travel. Carefully Anlei helped Corann take his trek to the low altitude shuttle which launched on schedule. Neither would ever be the same again.
Chapter Four: Anlei Unmasqued

The trip to Hejing took six full shir-ors. Dinner was being served at the palace by the time the royal low-altitude shuttle arrived.

High Priestess Wehe called for a family dinner in the family dining room. Everyone was there—Queen Isabelle, Prince Consort Bevin, King Ejen, High Priestess Wehe, all of the servants, and the usual attendant droids like RK6. Everyone except Corann—and Anlei's brother Anwell, only the goddesses could tell where he was off to this time. Though the meal was exceptional and included many favourites, Anlei picked at her food. After the second course of this, Wehe rose and knelt next to her chair, "Anlei, what is it? You aren't eating and you haven't said a word since you returned."

Anlei met eyes with her grandmother, "I-I-I-not here. Not now."

"You've learned. Would you like to pause and talk for moment out in the antechamber?" solicited the high priestess. Anlei nodded nervously. Wehe hugged her affectionately, "It's okay, baobei. I'm here. Let's go." Taking Anlei's hand as if she were only ten yen-ars old again, Wehe rose and addressed the family, "Please excuse us for a moment and continue the meal. Banumu Hehe bless you." Quietly Wehe lead Anlei into the small antechamber used for private conversations best kept away from the dinner table or for private prayers before meals. Soft benches lined three of the antechamber walls. Wehe sat down and guided Anlei to sit beside her, "Baobei?"

"I don't think you have ever brought me in here during dinner."

"You are so strong and strong willed; I knew you would never come. Tonight you are different. What happened?"

"Corann. If it wasn't for me, he would not be hurt at all. Don't you know, this is my fault?"

"That's not what your father says; it was a simple training accident," declared Wehe.

"That's not what he told me; he said he did that for my benefit. I think on some level he must love me in some strange way."

Wehe laughed, "I've known that for yen-ars, Anlei. You think that with my abilities as high priestess I did not see that coming? No, course I did. He's adored you since the first beinor he saw you in the palace."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"And interfere with the visions I've had for all these yen-ars? No, baobei. I would not be so cruel. I've known for most of your life that Corann was going to be important to your future and that if I just let things happen as they were meant to that he would do everything I foresaw him doing. When a vision is positive, Anlei, you try to stay out of history's way. It is too easy in trying to bring about a positive future to utterly prevent it in the attempt. No; it is best to let things happen naturally."

"Corann seems convinced somehow that I have inherited some priestly skills from you, I think – I don't know where he gets that," she snickered ironically.

"Corann's very perceptive, Anlei; don't underestimate him. If he hints at something like that or tells you outright something, you would be wise to believe it, no matter how outrageous it sounds."

"Even something about myself or my own heart that I don't see or perceive?"

Wehe smirked, "ESPECIALLY if it's something you don't see or perceive grand-daughter. House Miyoo desperately wants him to assume the high priesthood. He has all the skills we want in a high priest – and the bloodline. He is Lady Cordelia's only son and heir. The only bloodline from house Miyoo that is stronger in power is mine – which is why the death of your aunt and your uncles is a greater loss than you can possibly understand. Your mother had to inherit the throne when it was hoped that she could have taken over for me as head of House Miyoo. And, what you may not know, Anlei, is that house Miyoo covets lineage by the mother's side, not the father's. To them, you are House Miyoo. Confusing, eh? I bet you did not know you are wildly regarded as the next high priestess of Beinan."

"What? You're kidding me."

"NO. I never kid about that, Anlei. By the rules of House Miyoo, you are supposed to ascend as high priestess. Technically I should be training you to take my place. Since you are so stubborn, I had to train Corann. He does have most of the training for a high priest. Knight or not, he can assume that role with just a little more work from me. If it comes to it, I will defer your training to him."

Shock filled Anlei. She did not even believe the goddesses were real and now this talk of her taking over House Miyoo. What was this?

"Okay, Your Highness, before I completely freak out, I do owe you an explanation why I am not eating...."

"Sitting with you like this, I already know. Shall I send for Corann to join us? Would you eat if he sat beside you?"

"Will it endanger his life to do so?"

"He's had 1.6 shir-ors to rest and settle in; I think he can handle dinner with the rest of us, especially if it gets you to eat. Knowing him and his sense of duty, he probably would be as upset as you are at the separation. You two are becoming a couple of fabku, aren't you, always needing to perch together, crying out if you don't see one another? Yes, I think you are starting to bond like a pair of fabku. Good. Good. I am glad to see this happening at last." Rising, Wehe opened the door and led Anlei out. Wehe whispered to a servant who rushed off to get Corann. Anlei sat down.

In 0.02 shir-ors, Corann entered the room and sat weakly down besides the smiling Anlei whispering in her ear, "I heard you refused to eat until they sent for me."

Whispering back at him, she replied, "Grandmother called us a couple of fabku on a perch, always needing each other. Yes, of course I did. They took you away too abruptly."

"Thank you for caring so much, Anlei. These family dinners are always exclusive to the royal family; no one outside is ever allowed to partake."

"Injury or not, you are my protector. You stay with me. If that means I need to sit near your bed to make sure we stay together, then I will do it. Friends forever."

Corann picked up her hand and kissed it, "Forever. Thank you. Now EAT or I'll have to reopen my wound making you." Corann and Anlei giggled together as they both ate, becoming the world to each other and with Anlei determined to help feed him. Usually so independent minded, Corann let her help however she wanted. She obviously was gaining pleasure from playing nurse. Anything that brought her pleasure should be encouraged, especially if it were within political bounds. From across the table Wehe watch approvingly, watching what was for her another step in prophesy coming to fruition. Ejen watched her watch them and wondered exactly what she saw and knew, what mysteries still abounded.

After dinner, Corann was sent back to his room. Anlei was forced to stay with her family for briefing and debriefing regarding the trip. After such a long beinor...work when all she wanted was to relax and visit Corann whom she felt certain wanted the company. In the throne room there was a formal ceremony and the usual court business. Anlei took it like a proper royal, but felt relieved when the herald dismissed everyone. The shir-or was 12.55 and at last it was allowed for gentles to prepare for bed, or at least, relaxation if she or he wished.

Anlei headed straight to Corann's room and knocked softly, then entered without waiting for a word. The light was still on and Corann was still up, trying to read something, his tunic off and set up for bed, wearing only a pair of trousers. His bandage had been changed to a new one. Corann expressed his surprise at the sudden visit, "Anlei? What are you doing here? Especially this late, RK6 will fret and, most likely, report you to the palace guards. Or worse, tell your mother or half the court."

Anlei sat down on his bed beside him, "Do you want me to leave?"

"No. But I don't want you to get in trouble either. I would not want your integrity questioned or someone thinking you and I had done something that would compromise you politically. Even not doing that, the sheer rumour could cost house Gurun control of the monarchy. I cannot let you do that." Corann took her fingers into his left hand, "You know I don't want you to go. Not now, not ever when it comes to it." Corann leaned forward, his lips parted slightly as if begging for a kiss. She leaned towards him and met his lips, allowing him to kiss her and returning his caress with her own kiss. For a moment they dared to exchange kisses before Corann's political senses stopped his own desires.

"I have a strange confession to make to you, Corann, as my best friend."

"Tell me."

"I enjoy your kisses. I don't know why, I know it's probably political suicide, but I enjoy...I want more," she confessed meekly.

"You have no idea how many yen-ars I have wanted to kiss you, Anlei. I'm a 15.335 yen-ars older than you, you know. I ah noticed you a long time ago and thought about you long before you ever set foot...." Embarrassed, Corann could not finish his sentence.

"Worth the wait?"

"Absolutely," he pulled her with his free arm closer and kissed her again. He felt her yield more to his kiss than ever before. Did admitting that she liked it make her more willing to kiss him? Oh the temptation.

"Corann. Corann," Anlei broke the kiss. "There is something you must know. While my father and I were away, the Great Council debated about the future of house Gurun and the monarchy."

Suddenly pain flared through Corann's lung and shoulder. Did she just say what he thought she said? "What?"

"The Great Council met. My mother attended the proceedings. They proposed that I be courted by all of the eligible candidates from all of the greater houses, no less than seven prime candidates from each house. In fact, they required of my mother or said that summarily they would elect a new king from another house to follow after my mother after she steps down from the throne. My mother said there was no way I could be courted by over sixty noblemen effectively or safely in a roughly five yen-ar period, so at least one compromise was accepted at her suggestion," briefed Anlei.

"Let me guess: some sort of grand ball or masquerade? Bring all of the candidates out to the palace in one night for one big celebration where you can meet each one, dance with each one, and eliminate most of the candidates from consideration in one evening?" described Corann.

"How did you know?" exclaimed Anlei, incredulous.

"You already told me, Anlei; you dreamed this only last beinor, remember? I knew when you told me your dream came from the Sight. No doubt when your mother made the pact you felt it in your mind and your soul and foresaw the details in your heart. Oh Anlei, you already know how this turns out; you know in great detail each phase of this process. And, I think, Anlei, you know who you are going to marry."

Anlei blushed and avoided looking at him, "That's impossible."

"Not for the granddaughter of High Priestess Wehe, it's not. If anything, that's pretty damn likely. You are her heiress and heiress to house Miyoo. You are twice royal, dear friend. Royal as the daughter of a sovereign queen and royal as the daughter of the daughter of our high priestess. You are special beyond your comprehension. Just like me, I suppose, only you don't appreciate your bloodline like I've been taught to."

"You really think I should give this religion thing a chance, Corann?"

"I think you should give your heritage a chance, Anlei, not religion. There is a huge difference. I think you should stop fighting yourself and start learning to listen to your inner heart. Forget about organized religion for a few shir-ors or beinors or even yen-ars if you will. Just learn to listen to your own heart, find your own voice, learn who Anlei the woman is. I do remember you asking me before to forget about politics and titles with you and to see that woman in you...I think you need to discover her for yourself."

"But me – high priestess – Corann – I don't know. I can't see that for myself. I'm the queen's daughter; this makes no sense to me."

Corann closed his eyes and tried to breathe. It was hard through all the pain. His lung hurt deeply. Trying to breathe deeply to meditate and focus spiritually was the most painful thing he could try to do besides, he supposed, pick up a sword. He reached for her fingers which she readily gave him and squeezed her hand. She felt his pain in the tightness of his grip. Corann was not complaining, but serious pain surged through him. Still, he tried to focus, to quiet his mind. He knew the discipline well, this should not matter. Finally, at last, the many yen-ars of practice with Wehe paid off and he felt her mind merge with his. Oh the sweetness of that touch. His physical pain eased as her mind filled his skull and his hand loosened. His expression shifted to pleasure. Anlei kissed him twice as he lay back, almost daring to climb onto the bed on top of the covers to lie beside him. In their joined minds, Corann touched her, explored deeply. Where were the answers she sought? Why did she resist her powers so much and exactly what had she inherited from her grandmother? Why was Anlei so afraid of herself?

In his psychic explorations, Corann's breath grew shallow, barely existent to the untrained eye. He looked deathly to Anlei who began to panic, "Corann. Corann. Abka Biya have mercy on him, please don't let him die." She began to whimper and weep.

Slowly, weakly, Corann caressed the back her left hand, "I'm okay, sweetheart. I'm okay. Oh that somehow some beinor you might kiss me because you know you love me instead of your mind playing this game with both of us." He slowly met her eyes, fighting the pain that started to surge once more through his body, "I was searching for the answers you seek, deep in your mind. I was trying to help you. What are friends for, right?"

Anlei tried to brush away her tears, but the torrent would not stop, "I thought you were dead."

Corann stroked her hair, "I felt that. No, sweetheart, I'm not dead...just too in tune with your mind to care right now about political correctness. Don't tell your parents I called you 'sweetheart,' please and don't mind my lack of protocol. I really do need to sleep and recover from this. Maybe I put on a brave face for everyone, but this is worse than it even looks."

Anlei brushed her tears and looked him in the eye, "Would you like some company, someone to sit with you and alleviate the boredom while you stay in bed rest? I cannot imagine you sitting still for thirty beinors. Actually I cannot imagine you sitting still for five beinors, no matter how injured you are."

Corann chuckled through his pain, "You are really getting to know me, young lady. By Abka Biya you are tempting me to ask for your hand in marriage right now. There is no better friend, no better companion in all of Beinan for me than you. They say if you get to marry your best friend you are extremely fortunate. Ah – maybe it's the pain. I don't feel like repressing my every thought and feeling tonight."

Anlei kissed his forehead, "I noticed."

"Do you mind that I called you that?"

"No. Not at all. I've never been anyone's sweetheart before," she blushed. "Corann, do you wish to be my suitor?"

"Yes. If there is to be some competition for your hand in marriage, then I wish to be part of it. My bloodline is greater than most of those who might vie for your hand in marriage and I think our existing relationship makes me more than suitable for you. I hereby request your permission, Anlei, daughter of Queen Isabelle, to court you as a nobleman of the court and as a Knight of Ten-Ar."

"Then, young suitor, court me and win your prize," she challenged.

"You are no prize, no object to be won for the sake of winning, my Anlei. You are the rarest gift and most precious being any man can hope to have in his life. Being near you is like being in the direct presence of Abka Biya, Banumu Hehe, and Abka Gahun combined. You, my lady, are holy ground and your body is the holy of holies. Let no man touch you unworthily."

Inspired, Anlei kissed him passionately and aggressively...new feelings surged within her. She felt herself bring her body only the bed and start to climb up towards his body to lie upon him, the blankets and her gown between them. Sensing what she was thinking, and knowing the political implications of even kissing him from that position, he blocked her, preventing her body from touching his beyond the kiss, "Don't tempt me. You are a princess, not a wench. Not yet, sweetheart. It pains me more than you know to forbid this, my princess, but NOT YET."

Anlei sat up, then stood next to the bed, deeply confused, "You don't – I was only going to kiss you – I don't understand."

"I do, more than you can know, Anlei. I want your touch, to feel your body in every single way it can be touched more than you can imagine. Oh Anlei, you are so innocent in the ways of men. I told you before I do not dare express myself. I do not dare speak my mind or act on my heart. If we were not nobles, if we were mere servants or cobblers or miners or the most base and simple of folks, don't you know I would have accepted what you offered and given you much more in return? You would have lain in this bed all night with me and felt a sweetness you have not ever known. I would have given you a joy that would please us both to no end...as I have wanted to for more than twenty yen-ars, sweetheart. Oh Anlei, you have no idea what is really in my heart and how much I care for you and your crown. I am not rejecting you...I am protecting you from your enemies, from those who would violate your flesh and do those horrible things you know can happen for political reasons against a powerful woman of great bloodline. Don't you see that? I deny my flesh, my heart, my soul for all these yen-ars knowing that this is the right way to help you. True love protects and sacrifices, always putting the other ahead of self. Can you truly have any doubt of my heart?"

"NO. Oh Corann, there are times in my heart I wish I were just a farmer's daughter or a miner's or someone of no importance so that it would matter so much less whether I stayed so perfectly chaste in appearance and reality before I marry for some stupid political purpose. I cannot do anything, associate with any one; make any choice without it affecting the government in some way. I hate this. I wish I could run away from all of it and just be a woman."

"You could always run away to the temple..."

Anlei laughed, "No, I couldn't. They'd expect me to run the place."

"Not at first...you could spend time as a first level student for a while and even change your name for a bit to be anonymous."

"Dare to dream, Corann"

"I always dream, Anlei...I've been dreaming the moment I laid eyes on you."

Anlei turned and sat back down beside him, "Yes, you have. Maybe I've been too. I'm about..."

"It's okay..."

"Mom's going to kill me if she finds me here...though I am sure she wouldn't be surprised."

"A proper princess should not be in a man's room after shir-or 11.50. It is late, Anlei. I would not create trouble for yourself if I were you, even for me."

"Always the protector."

"Courting you formally won't change that, Anlei. My vows to you still hold. Only death can release me from that promise."

"May you never be injured again on my behalf."

"Now THAT I won't argue with," chuckled Corann.

"As usual, I don't want to say goodbye."

"Then kiss me goodnight, my sweetheart, and check on me in the morning," suggested Corann. Caressing his cheek and running her fingers through his hair, Anlei kissed him repeatedly which he just as eagerly returned repeatedly. Finally, she held him close in a tight embrace before kissing his cheek, then his forehead, and only then releasing him.

Queen Isabelle sat in her bed. Prince Bevin bowed to her, "You summoned me, my lady?"

Isabelle smiled, "Come here, husband and undress yourself, I have not had a wife's privilege in many beinors." Bowing, he removed his sword which he now started to carry again as a knight of Ten-Ar. Smiling, he removed his tunic before approaching the great royal bed and closing the curtains around them.

After a shir-or, Bevin laid back down into the bed, cuddling Isabelle, "How was that? Are you pleased, your majesty – or should I try again to please you better?" He kissed her affectionately and playfully.

"After fifteen beinors without you, it feels like forever since you did that – and yes, I want more, don't you?" asked a mostly pleased Isabelle.

Bevin cuddled his wife, "Well if you would just take a beinor off for a change, I would suggest we stay in this room for the next ten shir-ors and keep practicing. We could even try for number four – what do you say? After all the trouble these two are making for us; let's have another one – or at least practice for one."

"Why Prince Bevin, are you trying to seduce me?"

"Always," cuddled Bevin, his kisses covering her lips and face.

"Oh you – after fifteen beinors – it's working; come here and show me just how well you remember how get me with child," she teased as she felt her husband comply with her wishes and offer her the sweetness of his physical love.

Half a shir-or passed. Bevin kissed Isabelle affectionately as this second round of their physical enjoyment of each other finished. Breathing deeply and holding Isabelle close, Bevin caressed his wife, "Am I improving, your majesty?"

"Ummm, more practice tonight, definitely. I am rather happy where I am," guffawed the queen.

"As much as you want, my love," he kissed her. "Oh to think, Anlei will be feeling this soon. Maybe she already has and she never told us."

"Anlei would never destroy her honour that way. She is too cool and logical for that. Heck, I think her logic is a good part of the reason she and mother cannot get along. She cannot reconcile science with religion or faith."

"Maybe, but she and Corann certainly spend a lot of time together, not just as princess and protector. I've seen things, Isabelle, the sorts of things that make me wonder about him and his motives."

"Mother's protégé? Lord Corann is the most honourable knight of Ten-Ar, Bevin, more honourable than you, even. If he did have an ulterior motive for wanting to be near her, I would bet ten thousand tai-or that he would take the honourable path in his conduct and sacrifice himself and anything or anyone else in pursuit of that honour. No...even if he does want her like that, I would estimate he would do everything in his power to protect her chastity and her honour at all costs."

"I saw them kissing, Isabelle."

"A friend's kiss is no slight on anyone's honour, Bevin. She almost overdue to be kissed at her age. If he wants to kiss her, by all means, allow him that much. She might end up in a miserable match arranged strictly for

politics, after all. If this time with Corann gives her joy...let it be. There is no better steward for her person or her honour than him. He'll die before he'll let anyone touch her inappropriately. I promise you that."

In the beinors that followed, Anlei found herself tending to Corann as often as she could. In light of the new decree from the Great Counsel, Queen Isabelle often put Princess Anlei at new studies, assigning not only RK6, but three legal advisors and tutors to the princess to educate her in the details of Beinarian politics. At first these studies were in Anlei's own office, a sort of a private study where she was customarily tutored for school and where she could do her homework without being bothered by servants or anyone else for that matter. Yet after a beinor or two, Anlei realized that Corann's room also had a similar configuration and, as crown princess, she did have some prerogative regarding exactly WHERE she studied as long as she did it. Assuming she had the authority to set the location of her tutoring, she slyly instructed the tutors that she wished to conduct her work in the study adjacent to Corann's chamber...and with the door between these rooms kept open so Corann could observe her work and still protect her from bed if he so wished. When one tutor questioned her argument, she reminded him that the sacred trust between knight and princess was understood as bi-directional and that she was under a sacred obligation according to the mandates of Abka Gahun to stay at his side as much as he was obligated to stay at hers.

The argument, and therefore the applied lessons of the beinor before, worked and from that time onward, Princess Anlei studied and worked from mere cun 寸 from Corann's bed while he "rested" and took interest in her work.

While Anlei listened to all of her tutors and was put through what felt like the training of some well-disciplined animal, her eyes drifted to Corann periodically whose expression often brought her solace and encouragement. Finally, as the third beinor ended, she was free to attend him directly, "How do you feel?"

"Not nearly as tired as you, my friend. You look like hell, you know that."

Anlei giggled at his candour. Only Corann would dare such brutal honesty. "Of course I do...you heard most of that, didn't you?"

"I did. Your mother is worried about this ball, obviously."

"So am I. A lot is riding on it."

"You know who you'll choose already."

"I don't even know the names of half of the suitors. I know almost nothing about this...competition for my crown. I know I know – but that is what it feels like. They won't want me, Corann, just the power and chance to make policy for our people. They just want House Gurun to not be in charge anymore."

"Jealousy does that. Yes, I am sure to more than half of these men, you are just a sexual trophy, some nice thing to have once in a while to go along with the power your breeding produces."

"House Ten-Ar has never taken this power though...."

"No...and I don't think anyone from house Ten-Ar really wants it, despite the track record of numerous royal consorts from our house...male and female both. I'm sure if you look at your genealogy you will discover many foremothers as well as forefathers were House Ten-Ar and you never knew it. Some were knights, others just sons and daughters of knights who pursued other interests. Not everyone born to House Ten-Ar pursues the training, you know. Every one of the House's healers is born to the house. Many skilled healers are Ten-Arian, actually. Well, Ten-Arian or Slabian. Healers do tend towards the neutrality in war," taught Corann.

"Isn't it strange, my dear dear friend that after all these shir-ors of endless studies I find myself most interested in what you have to teach me? I'm bored with these aggressive political lessons. It feels...forced. But simply sitting and talking to you....I learn so much. I feel...so content with you right here."

"Come here," beckoned Corann with his free arm. Anlei moved closer from her chair next to his bed. Corann held her and caressed her lips with his own in a lingering kiss. Enjoying the feel of his lips, she returned it eagerly. "You know what you want to do, my dear. You know how this ball turns out. Trust your senses. Trust your own heart. You know what you must do. The answer to everything is right before you...trust your spirit and only your spirit. Your soul knows the path you must take, the path that will save all of Beinan from chaos and war...and will bring you happiness for all the beinors of your life," he whispered into her ear.

"What you ask of me sounds like it is personal gain."

"I have no interest in your power or your name, Anlei. If anything, I am sworn to uphold both. In my visions I see House Gurun standing for hundreds of yen-ars more...but only if you and I do what we know we must now. No, my dear...my interest is in the interest of all of Beinan...House Gurun is the only hope for our people. If another house should seize power...it will be the end of all," fear filled Corann's eyes as he uttered his prophesy, as his powers as the chosen high priest of House Miyoo filled his mind, obscuring all else. "I fear for Beinan, my dear Anlei...I see...I see...oh by all that is holy...a man shall rise...from another house, from a blood that hates House Gurun...and by sweet words he shall seduce the people. Anlei...I see a usurper to all we have striven to build. He who hates House Ten-Ar and House Gurun...a personal vendetta, I see not clearly. But he shall rise and he shall strive to wipe out all we have built. And this city...Hejing, shall BURN in the fires of his revolution...unless...unless a Knight of Ten-Ar should stop him," tears poured down Corann's eyes. Anlei had never seen such terror and sorrow in anyone's face before in her life. She began to sob with him and hold him close defensively.

"What do we do? I do not understand. Is this a vision of what will be or only things that may be if we do nothing to stop them?" begged Anlei for a clearer understanding.

"I do not know right now, Anlei, but I think this revolution of this dark one may yet be prevented...I think what you choose to do with this ball of the Great Council's will make a difference in this prophesy."

"You want me to choose you to avoid the prophesy?"

"I want you to do what is right, Anlei. I cannot think of myself on that. I have too much self-interest there. Do I want to be your husband...yes? Nothing in all of Beinan would bring me more happiness. But can I tell you for certain that marrying me will prevent the prophesy...I cannot say? For all I know right now, marrying me is what triggers this dark one to rise to power. But I do know is that if you do not choose wisely, dearest friend, if somehow this other man should wrest power away from House Gurun...there may be worse things for our society than some future dark ruler who means our respective houses ill will. I think if you do not choose wisely now, there will not be a Beinan for this dark one to rise up in. Every bone in my body tells me this. But choosing wisely for this beinor may, indeed, have consequences for the future."

Fourteen beinors passed. Lady Healer Cara checked on Corann and finally cleared Corann to leave his room and resume his duties as Anlei's protector on the condition that he still not try to use any sort of weapon and rested as needed. Eager to leave his room, Lord Corann agreed and agreed to not wear his sword until his wound was sound enough for him to draw it again. Satisfied, the healer released him from his limited movement clearance in the palace. He was, at last, free to move about as Anlei's protector and go about as either he, or she, pleased.

He was also finally able to dress himself again, though granted, it hurt like hell to do so. Raising his arms to put on a tunic pulled too much at the tender flesh trying to knit in his shoulder and in his lung. Inevitably, he would gasp in pain at any attempt to do so.

Some beinors before, Anlei, ever doting upon him to the extent her increasing royal duties permitted, ordered tunics for him with long, front lacing for closure that could be put on and removed with less stress to the shoulder than his higher necked, more simply styled Ten-Arian tunics. She ordered four such tunics for him to begin with almost from the moment his bed rest began, one each in white, saffron, a clear blue that complimented his fair skin and grey eyes, and sky green. These tunics were finally ready in time for his release from bed rest. As Corann returned to his room from his visit to the palace healing center, scratching from the medical examination robe they put over him above his linen-like blue trousers, he found them on his bed with a handwritten note from her...and a bloom from her personal garden on top of them, "Free to serve and be yourself. Meet me in my gazebo."

Pleased, Lord Corann chose the white tunic with gold lacing and discarded the hated medical robe. Carefully and minding the well placed laces designed to be easy for him to manage the wound with, he put his hands through the sleeves, then cautiously pulled the tunic over his body. The fine wool was smooth on his skin and cosy, yet also warm, designed to both retain heat as he needed it, or repel it if he overheated. Finding a common belt such as he wore before his knighting, he glided to a mirror to help him cinch the laces and tie them, and then noticed the fine details on his tunic. It was truly quite princely, the shirt of a consort, not a mere servant. Fine gold piping and bias accented all the edges and seams. Careful embroidery graced the hem and neckline with symbols of house Ten-Ar and house Miyoo. Studying the tunic in the mirror and his own, more civilian look, Lord Corann felt wonder and amazement at the amount of work done on just this tunic alone. How many servants did she employ for this act of devotion?

Lost in thought, he smelled the bloom then strode confidently towards Princess Anlei's apartment and her garden, happy with his gift.

When Lord Corann reached the garden he saw Princess Anlei a vision of lavender among the white wood gazebo nestled among huge white and pale yellow trees with green and orange leaves. Wanting to run among the grass...then remembering how it would tax his lung, he strode briskly, yet carefully among her garden's paths and around its waters. As he reached her he bowed formally and kissed her hand, "Lord Corann of the Knights of Ten-Ar reporting as requested, Your Highness."

Anlei embraced him warmly, "Welcome back, my knight."

Finally able to reach her with both arms, Corann enveloped with both and kissed her as he had wanted to for many beinors, his grey eyes sparkling, "Thank you. Royal gifts indeed."

"Your life and your friendship honours us and pleases us. How could I do less?"

"There is one thing my heart dares to want...if only I dared to think you would grant it," confessed Corann.

Anlei kissed him sweetly, then laid her head on his shoulder. Corann was not saying it, but she knew what he wanted. But how could she grant it when she did not love him like that? As a friend...yes...but though she loved his kisses and the way it felt when he held her, her intellect wondered if that was truly all there was to love and being in love. Physically, she felt curious. On a strictly noblesse oblige level, she felt she owed it to him. Of all the men she had ever met in her life, he was the most kind, the most tender, and the most companionable. But was that enough for marriage? Was she ready to accept his heraldry and lay in that great bed with him to seal that betrothal? Was he the one she wanted for all of her life? What would the political consequences be of such a match? It was still too confusing for her. Life was so much simpler with him as her best friend, even knowing that on some level giving him those kisses and that physical closeness must be maddening to a man whose real desire was for marriage and physical intimacy with her. "Corann, what would happen if I married you?"

Corann stroked her hair and held her close, as if he feared she might melt away in his arms like snow on a hot beinor, "What do you mean what would happen?"

"Beinan, the council, our people? Us? What would happen?" she repeated, her eyes deep in sorrow and worry.

"I have the bloodline to be more than acceptable to the council, Anlei. I am Cariadoc's first born son. That counts for something; should I ever want it, I can assume the high priesthood for all of Beinan, my status as Lady Cordelia's only son guarantee's that. I think the Council would prefer I marry well, that I marry a woman of strong bloodlines, perhaps with a strong Miyoo background who can match or nearly match my credentials with that house. They have not had a suitable high priest in some time, you know. You do have such a Miyoo bloodline, you know. The only Miyoo line better than mine, I think. So on that, we would be the perfect match. Then there is your crown, of course. Should you choose me as your husband, I am perfectly willing to defer the throne to our son, as long as I can do my job and sire one out of you."

'"So you are saying you are the safest choice."

"I'm saying that many of your political problems and concerns would be resolved with me as your consort."

"And what about us? Lord Corann, I still am not sure I love you."

"You don't love the others either, nor do I think you are likely to. This is a political decision in your mind, Anlei. Why are you making this about being in love or not being in love with me when no such issue exists with other suitors?"

"Perhaps I am afraid, Corann, afraid of losing you as you are this beinor."

"Your marriage will change us as we are this beinor no matter what, my sweetheart. Once you are betrothed, I will no longer be able to kiss you again unless it I whom you have chosen. The change will happen...and soon. No matter whom you choose or when, Anlei, things will have to change between us. Nothing can stop that. All either of us can do is strengthen the bond so that come what may nothing may divide us – no one and no circumstance."

Eighteen beinors passed and, at last, the beinor of the Great Masquerade arrived. In preparation for the main event itself, many of the more noble representatives were invited to a private reception in the state dining room to meet with the royal family before facing the crowds of the masquerade itself. This would be Anlei's first chance to meet her most eligible suitors, those with the best political credentials and best pedigrees.

From her private chamber, Anlei paced nervously. Corann walked in wearing his sky green tunic with gold embroidery and edging and his Ten-Arian broad sword. He was absolutely stunning to Anlei's eyes as she looked for a necklace to compliment her blue bliaut. Smiling, Corann moved to her jewellery boxes and found a faceted

blue gem necklace to frame her neck and collar bone beautifully and casually put it on her neck. Anlei smiled at him through the mirror. Corann turned her and kissed her sweetly, "You look beautiful, sweetheart. Absolutely perfect. I could marry you right now if you only bade me to. Just say the word and I'm yours."

Anlei hugged him tightly, "Corann, I'm afraid. What will these men do?"

"I do not think anything dangerous, sweetheart, especially if you introduce me as your protector from the onset. My shoulder is still not one hundred percent yet, but I am perfectly willing to lay down my life to protect you. No one is going to hurt you so long as I am still alive. You must know that."

"Corann...oh my Corann...no one has ever been so good to me. You don't require I give myself to you at all, do you? Your protection is not dependent on my choice...."

"No. Never. I am yours no matter what happens. Do not be afraid, sweetheart. I am here and I will keep an eye on everything. If you feel afraid, edge closer to me; I will keep you safe."

"How is it possible that you should care so deeply for me, Corann?"

Corann smiled at her, "I think you know the answer to that."

"Things are about to change between us, aren't they?" she trembled.

Corann struggled to maintain his composure, his voice almost breaking from his emotion, "As soon as we walk into that room, Sweetheart; I will never again be able to call you that again not unless you ask me to offer you...." His voice cracked. Tears flowed openly now. "You cannot know how these beinors with you have meant to me. Being at your side, even injured as I've been...I have never come so close to something I wanted so much." Corann kissed her cheek with the tenderness of his unrequited romantic love for her. Anlei gazed into his eyes, and then kissed him passionately. Oh, the price of politics. This man whose love for her was forbidden by titles and political necessities did not dare, even now, say the words even though his eyes burned with the need to speak. Honour, dignity, and protocol forbade his speech – unless she could release him.

Instead, Anlei kissed him, passionately, her own fears shaping her behaviour. Corann felt the fear and unleashed some of his own into his kisses upon her. Everything changed here and now. Nothing could be the same anymore even though the flirtations, the kisses, and the cuddles had given them an illusion of a world different than it was. For a few short beinors they had pretended no titles nor Houses nor high stakes ruled their lives and had dared tried to live with some measure of free hearts.

But the hearts of those high born are never free. Their minds, bodies, and hearts are bound in the chains of their societies. Money, bloodlines, and politics dictated for them where the peasant was most free.

They could pretend for only half a xiao-shir more. They were already late. Both were afraid to breathe, to move, to let the moment go. Tears flowed. And then...finally, both remembered themselves, their many yen-ars of discipline and training. They took deep breaths, straightened their postures and, each assuming her or his proper social role, and began the formal procession. They would never be the same again.

### Chapter Five: The Great Masquerade

"Make way. Make way for her Royal Highness, Anlei, Crown Princess of Beinan," cried the herald as Anlei entered the state dining room where the reception for the most important suitors was already in full swing. Lord Corann kept a single pace behind her, visibly protecting her and yet not overly obtrusively. Anlei could feel the warmth of his body near her as she moved and felt glad for it in this intimidating setting filled with so many richly dressed Beinarians representing so much power and prestige.

Gazing around the room, she saw her parents, and then noticed several groupings of young men, many with their fathers. As her presence became noticed, Anlei attended to the posture and disposition of these men. Many of them were richly dressed with crimson belts, embroidery, and trims to their tunics. As a group they seemed to be somewhere between thirty and seventy yen-ars with an air of self-confidence and ego, mostly in their physical appearance, she could tell, by the way they preened and showed off as she passed. These men were obviously interested in a trophy wife, not her.

Overwhelmed by what felt like a wall of men wanting to devour her, Anlei clutched Corann's arm, trying to conceal her fear. Corann put his hand over hers, trying to both comfort her and cover the fear in her hand, transforming the grasp into a secure escorting hold. "Courage," he whispered into her ear.

Navigating away from the first group of young men as far as she could in the crowd, Anlei bowed courteously but did not approach them too closely. Suddenly an older gentleman wearing a Ten-Arian broad sword turned into her path, stopping her in her tracks. His eyes were a bright grey and his hair was a medium brown that curled into wavy locks. He was 56.8 cun 寸 tall and very athletic in build, his muscles well defined under his fine pale yellow wool tunic embroidered in silver symbols. Just as stunning to Princess Anlei was the way his face and the way he carried himself reminded her of Corann. Suddenly she realized who he was, "Good afternoon, my lord. Would I have the honour of speaking to none other than Lord Cariadoc of House Ten-Ar?"

Lord Cariadoc bowed graciously, "Indeed, Your Highness...but it is House Shem that I represent in your fair hall. Many yen-ars ago I gave my soul to the Shemai; though I am a brother of Ten-Ar, it is my devotion to my faith that calls my heart first and foremost thanks to my lady wife. I am blessed, Your Highness, to be the father of and extend my name to many sons and daughters."

"Not all, my lord," corrected Lord Corann from behind Anlei. He knew it was against protocol to speak now, but he was eye to eye with his father for the first time in his adult life. Surely Cariadoc knew from his face who he was. "You have a son, your first born – and he is a Knight of Ten-Ar."

Cariadoc eyed Corann with veiled contempt, "You are Corann, I presume?"

"I am."

"What are you doing here? Are you courting the princess?" demanded Cariadoc.

"I am vowed to her side as knight protector. No man shall harm her as long as I am alive. I have a sacred trust to fulfil, to stand always at her side in friendship and in service to her. Her highness is my dearest friend for whom I would gladly lay down my life if called upon to do so as a true knight of Ten-Ar," declared Lord Corann with pride.

"A beautiful woman of House Miyoo is a dangerous creature, Lord Knight Corann, I would be careful of falling to the magic of your charge. You may find yourself in regret one beinor."

"Is that why you avoid me, Father? You feel some sort of regret that I exist?"

"You have no father, young one. All you have is a witch's spell that entrapped an honourable man into dishonourable lust until you were made of that abomination. "

"I was more than a yen-ar old when you left, Father. You knew me as an infant and yet you chose to leave. Do not blame the prayers of House Miyoo for your actions. No one made you leave. Nor did anyone make you ignore me all these yen-ars. How many yen-ars did I train in the monastery – ever once did you speak to me, did you say my name, or admit that I am your son? I never asked much of you, only that you admit that you sired me."

"The Shemai help us all that such a spell was cast over my body, that I ever laid with your mother, boy. Did I lay with your mother, the Lady Cordelia, until you were born of that lust? You want me to say it? YES. I did – for it there has never been a beinor of my life I have not felt the judgment of The Shemai on my head. He will judge all of Beinan for it; destroy us all because of my lust, because I was too weak to prevent your making. I have sinned and I can never undo my sin. This is why I never acknowledged you. You are a mark of shame upon my flesh, Lord Corann. You are an abomination before the god I worship. I beg my wife every beinor to forgive your making and in penance, I have given her many children, only some of whom have survived. My eldest sons, Kaleb and Janus are here. THEY are the sons of my hopes and dreams," asserted Lord Cariadoc.

Anlei felt Corann's slow temper rising. It was very difficult to stir Corann to anger, she knew, but this time she could tell, Lord Knight Cariadoc was actually insulting him enough to do it. Fearing for her friend for whom she cared deeply, her many yen-ars of training and practice asserted themselves, "Perhaps, Lord Knight Cariadoc, in a less formal setting the three of us may re-convene in a quieter place to discuss the past in more serene and genial environments. Perhaps this is not the best setting for healing old wounds which clearly need to be healed. Not speaking after all these yen-ars have obviously wounded both of you. If you are amenable, I would be happy to serve as arbiter in your dispute and help end this misunderstanding between you. I understand, my lords, that the past is unpleasant for both of you. But we ARE civilized Beinarian nobles, are we not? Have we learned nothing from the beinors of clan warfare when such misunderstandings were resolved at the points of blades and arrows, with generations of clan feuds, endless and needless bloodshed?"

Cariadoc tried to suppress a laugh and failed, his guffaw escaping his lips against his will, "Well, young one, you have trained your princess well. Perhaps this can be settled in more genial environments. That is, if you really do want a few xiao-shirs of clearing the air between us?"

"Lord Knight Cariadoc – father – I have wanted little else from you in all my life. Just to sit and TALK to you for a bit. I am sixty yen-ars old; I do not need a father per se. But I would like to know who you are and how you have lived your life since you left Lady Cordelia and me. And I would like it very much if you would take some miniscule interest in some part of my life. Right or wrong in what she did; I am innocent in this. I had no choice in how I was made or why," answered Lord Corann.

Cariadoc softened, "No you had no choice, you are right. Your Highness, if you are willing to arbitrate, I am willing conference with your protector in, say, ten beinors?"

"Agreed," answered Anlei.

"Agreed," answered Corann.

"Until then," bowed Cariadoc, leaving them both.

Corann and Anlei tried to recover mentally from the confrontation with Cariadoc which, by this xiao-shir, had left them both with headaches. Before either could move from their spot, even to look for refreshments, Prince Anwell, her younger brother, rushed up behind her, "There you are. Where have you been?"

"I might ask the same thing of you, Anwell. You were not at grandmother's dinner when father, Corann, and I came back from the Ten-Arian monastery. I'm surprised grandmother did not have your hide. You know how grandmother feels about those formal dinners. You – you – you...." Anlei could not finish her sentence.

Corann laughed behind her, "My dear friend, can I reasonably presume this is your brother Anwell? You've grown since last I saw you."

"Friend? Or lover boy?" teased Anwell. "Father told me you two were kissing back there in house Ten-Ar. Any truth, Lord Knight?"

Anlei eyed her brother with contempt, "Lord Corann, this is indeed my younger brother by seven yen-ars, Prince Anwell the Unready, 37 yen-ars old and still acting 17."

Anwell returned her dirty look as Corann addressed him, "What is true, Your Highness is that I am the sworn protector of your sister and that it is my job to lay down my life in her personal defence should either honour or physical danger be threatened. I would hate to use my sword on someone as royal as your person, Your Highness, but as I said, my vow to her includes Her Highnesses honour." Corann met his eyes steely, scaring the irresponsible prince.

"You wouldn't...." implied Prince Anwell.

Corann put his dominant left hand on the hint and drew the sword two cun 寸 to demonstrate his intent, "I would if you pressed the matter. Do you intend to keep pressing it, Your Highness?"

Convinced at last, Anwell backed off, "NO SIR!"

Corann smiled and returned the blade to its natural position in its sheath, "I did not think so."

Lord Prince Bevin, from a few zhang across the room, naturally saw the slight drawing of the Ten-Arian sword and joined the conversation, "Is there a problem here?"

Corann answered him, "Your son does not respect house Ten-Ar, Your Highness. I had to teach him a small lesson in...respect."

Bevin laughed, "Well done, my lord. Carry on." He strode off to resume his conversations with the fathers of candidates for Anlei's hand.

Anwell's expression changed, his posture shifting to one of great caution, his voice softening so that Corann and Anlei could barely hear him even after he put his arms around both and huddled the trio close together, "Actually, sister, I do respect your knight very much. But I had to know how trustworthy you are, Lord Knight Corann."

"I don't understand," replied Corann, just as softly.

"I've been in this room longer than both of you and I'm not nearly as 'unready' as I seem to be, Sister. I just don't want the throne in this political climate. After all, it claimed Prince Alastair's life when I was just a toddler. That tells me that someone or something is very interested in seizing power for himself, someone prudent enough to realize that our little brother would have readily made a proper king successor for mother. Anyone with that sort of – political ambition is a danger to us all. I for one am not interested in dying at the hands of some social climber. A knight of Ten-Ar as consort can protect this house better than anyone can—everyone in this family knows that. Why do you think mother managed to become queen? She married a knight. You think our father doesn't have the skills to repel an attack on this palace? Sure he does...and the skill needed to avenge anyone who tries to kill mother, let alone succeeds. That is why; I think the assassin did not try to take mother's life when doubtless he had the chance. The security recordings I've seen show that father was barely two steps away from mother when we were little. No murderer chances getting a knight of Ten-Ar involved like that; they are too fierce of warriors with too many different weapons. Even the knights of Gurun mostly train with modern weapons, not the heritage ones from original home world," explained Anwell.

The fine hair on Corann's arms stood up on end under his tunic. Was Anwell saying was that he was actually playing this political game quite astutely, trying to avoid assassination and trying to keep his sister alive in the process? "How do you know so much about the training of knights of different houses, Your Highness?"

"What do you think I've been doing the past thirty yen-ars? Sister...I know you think I've been doing little more than playing our whole lives...you even came up with that awful nickname that seems to stick with me everywhere I go. But in truth what I've done is infiltrate most of the other houses, learning what they know and don't know – especially what they won't say in Council chambers. Our constitutional monarchy is much more fragile than anyone here seems to realize – or at least, if they know, they are not speaking of it. Taking an interest in martial arts and in technology is the perfect way to learn what they know, Anlei. I've travelled our planet – from Nan-li in Xi-Nan Fang to Belarn to Olos-Mir and beyond.... There is a predator in the fold, one very well hidden. I do not think you will catch him before it is too late. But you might prevent him from striking, Corann – if you can bring yourself to do what you know you must," riddled Anwell. "The time to stop him is now. Do not wait for tonight, no matter what her visions may say. Stop him now, noble knight. He will strike in a way you will not see until too late – but will recognize from your own past, I think." Anwell slipped away and melted into the crowd like vapour.

Anlei stood shocked, "He doesn't..."

Corann's senses from Lady Cordelia carefully marked Anwell's words, "Oh, but he does. He's just as house Miyoo as you are. There is no reason to believe he hasn't foreseen something. He just doesn't want to tell us outright anything."

"Why do I feel afraid?" trembled Anlei.

"I think we both have a good reason to be afraid now, Your Highness," replied Corann. Escorting her gently through the crowd, he brought her to a buffet table and found her a cup which he filled with the contents of a nearby silver pitcher filled with nanla wine. He handed her the cup, then filled one for himself and drank deeply. Both started to sigh a bit of relief and tried to relax.

"Have you tried the kelan fruit, it's quite good?" offered a 55.5 cun 寸 tall bright blue-eyed nobleman with short blond hair. Lord Janus smiled at Lord Corann and Princess Anlei genially.

"No – I – we have not had the chance yet. Too much politics in this room for us to make it to any food," replied Anlei.

"Are you here as a couple?" asked Janus.

"You may not realize this, my lord, but I suppose I am the lady this whole thing here is all about. I am Princess Anlei...this is my protector, Lord Corann, Knight of Ten-Ar. He stays close to me to ensure all of you behave yourselves," she answered.

"Oh, of course. Royalty can never be too careful these beinors. All the rumours of those kidnappings and so forth are enough to make any noble woman nervous. You know the older of my two sisters Lady Ecter had that happen to her. Her child, a daughter, is two yen-ars old now. No husband – and the bastard is quite proud of what he did to her, of course," replied Lord Janus.

"I'm – I'm – speechless," answered Anlei. "I have never met anyone who was affected by such violence before."

Lord Janus eyed Corann, recognizing his looks, "Oh, I am sure that if one looks close enough, one will find these practices are more common than one thinks. But enough of our sorrows. This is a party and, if you will permit me, Your Highness, I brought you a gift that I hope you will honour me by accepting."

Anlei deferred to Corann as Janus brought out a small box from a pocket and offered it to her, "Corann, what do you think?"

"I think you should be careful, Your Highness. You do not know this man and, whatever it is, you should not fully accept it without security fully testing it," answered Corann cautiously.

Janus' pride struck out, "Are you utterly paranoid or is that just your self-interest as a suitor of the princess talking that you don't want her to accept a gift from me? What is it, Knight? Yes, I know who you are, Corann, son of Cariadoc of house Ten-Ar. Oh, I don't dare challenge you by the old rules...you could kill me in an instant and call it 'protecting' her. But what is really at play is that you want her for yourself. Everyone knows it. You've been in love with her for yen-ars." Janus' raised voice judiciously drew the attention of everyone in the room.

Janus' words lashed at Corann. As Lord Knight Culain's squire he had served as his master's aide when the Great Council was in session along with Lord Eisiq and his squire, Lady Elda, the daughter of Lady Cara and her late husband, a knight of Gurun. Together, Corann and Elda had learned to recognize members of the Great Council by sight. In just the seven xiao-shirs since Anlei and his arrival, Corann counted at least twenty such councillors in the room, making Janus' accusation politically damaging to his protection of the princess.

Corann stayed calm, remembering his training and avoiding Janus' flagrant attempts to provoke him. Corann knew palace security protocols as well as any knight of Ten-Ar, a factor of the close relationship between houses Ten-Ar and Gurun. Standard procedure was to never let a royal accept anything potentially dangerous and unknown without certain tests being run. Tests for poisons, for enchantments, for technologies, weapons, and so forth had to be run. This had nothing to do with him. Any palace guard would have insisted upon it. No foreign object could be brought into the palace without first rigorous tests, much less offered to a royal. So how did this gift get past all that security? What had Cariadoc and his family done to bypass these protocols? How many tai-ors had been paid out as bribes to get this far?

Concerned about attention Janus attracted yet even more concerned for Anlei's safety, Corann took the high road, "Anlei... there are rules for these things, basic security procedures that have to be followed in the palace. That he is offering this without my advanced knowledge tells me that something is wrong, that none of these rules have been followed. Your safety could be at stake. I know all of these words are designed to discredit me because he makes it sound like the issue is not your safety, but our friendship and my feelings for you. But I beg you. Listen to wisdom and reason. Do not accept this until all of the normal tests have been run. If you do not believe me, summon one of the knights of Gurun charged with protecting your mother during court. Every knight and guard in the palace can tell you this box is not on our list—and it has to be on our lists before it is allowed anywhere near a royal or a dignitary for that matter. Nothing presented to royalty comes to you without our first knowing about it. This is how we keep you alive in dangerous times. Please, I beg you...let me keep you safe."

Anlei smiled at Corann, taking the box and handing it to him, "As you wish, Lord Knight Corann. My life is in your capable hands. Summon the knights of Gurun charged with palace security and begin testing this at once. If it is safe, I would be most pleased to accept the gift. If it is not, I think we both know what happens then." As Corann moved to a nearby panel in the room to bring in security, Anlei took Janus aside, "That was very badly done of you, Lord Janus. Corann is my best friend and closest confidant. Humiliating him is not the way to win my heart. I know he loves me more than he will ever tell me. He knows I cannot return his feelings. We have...and understanding on this matter. But as friends, I am just as protective of him as he is protective of me. You want to win my hand and possibly my crown? That was NOT the way to do it."

Shamed, Lord Janus bowed deeply, "Forgive me, Your Highness, I did not know. I thought more to play to the crowd – and to impress my older brother, Kaleb. My father loves Kaleb much more than me, you know."

"Your father has given poor Corann nothing but contempt his entire life, something he does not deserve. Corann is the finest example of house Ten-Ar I have ever known. There is no finer man in all of Beinan. If my father had arranged him for me, I would have felt lucky to be his wife."

"Why didn't you marry him? I hear he practically grew up around the palace, that he's your grandmother's protégé?" asked Janus.

"I don't know," she replied. "I guess there is something intimidating about knowing someone is in love with you when your heart is just not there. I grew up in such a political world. I never had a chance to think about love. Corann is so...passionate, so tender. I guess I figured I would be a poor choice for a wife for him, that he deserves better than me."

"Political marriages. Ever we arrange our lives around power and prestige, never love. We bed people we don't want to spend any time with normally out of just pure...physical instinct or political obligation to procreate. And all the time, we feel like we would rather be somewhere else as we feel our bodies just automatically act. What a strange world we nobles live in. You gotta envy House Cashmarie for their ordinariness. They at least get to enjoy sex with their spouses."

Anlei smiled, "You are very perceptive, Lord Janus."

"Well, I am a son of Cariadoc. I suppose some good has to come of that."

"Who is your mother?"

"Oh, the Lady Jebez of House Shem, a very fine but serious woman. She bore Cariadoc ten children, only five of us survived past forty yen-ars. She and father really enjoy being close. Naturally, my father doesn't believe in using technology when it comes to affecting procreation, one way or the other. I think one or two of my siblings would have lived longer if he did...just using modern medicine to heal their illnesses. Instead, when they became seriously ill, we went to our religious house to pray and The Shemai chose to take them in death instead. Unlike your religion, we do not believe we are reborn after this life. We only believe in one life and once only. So my siblings are gone – never their like to be seen again."

"Are you done talking to her?" asked a low voice from behind. It was the grey-eyed Lord Kaleb, the eldest of Cariadoc's children by Lady Jabez.

Bowing, Janus introduced them, "Princess Anlei, may I introduce to you my older brother, Lord Kaleb, first born of Lord Cariadoc."

"Second born," she corrected. "You are the first born of your mother, but you do have an older half-brother, you know."

"Temporarily," sneered Lord Kaleb.

"Indeed?" squirmed Anlei, gliding over to Lord Corann and grabbing his arm. The tightness of her fingers said it all.

Kaleb turned to his brother, "So what was all that about?"

"A setback – for now – but there are a still a few shir-ors before the masquerade, brother. We still have time. See what we can do about that; this is not over, not at all," schemed Lord Janus.

The great masquerade arrived at shir-or 10.00 sharply in the palace's grand ballroom. In more than 500 yen-ars, few gatherings in all of Hejing sparkled more exquisitely nor was the food ever more lavishly prepared for its 293 some esteemed guests, most of them the crème de la crème of Beinarian society. Jewels of incalculable worth glittered everywhere—in the decorations, on the tables, and most especially on both royal and guests' bodies in every configuration, colour, size, and cut imaginable. Some guests chose the small, understated options while others went for the gaudiest of everything. Nothing seen across the known universe could be compared with this, at least on the surface. Royal blue carpets, symbols of status on Beinan, were unrolled and strewed everywhere for guests. This was the night of all nights when maybe, just maybe, some fortunate man may walk away with his token upon the breast, wrist, or throat of the princess – and with her in her royal chamber to consummate the deed. Dreams were in the eyes and hearts of the many eligible men who slowly assembled and waited for the herald to announce them. Who would the princess choose?

As the announcements started, Anlei herself knelt in her crimson gown in her gazebo, this time a heavy fabric brocaded with platinum fibres forming the design of House Gurun as a design. Her gown was modest with a high, Queen Anne neckline that framed her face. The skirt was full with several petticoats underneath; she hoped to deter the unchivalrous man who might otherwise wish to slip his hand under her dress. The midriff of her gown was ruched and decorated with silver rosettes on her left hip. She was a vision of royalty incarnate.

Yet her beauty betrayed her heart full of fear, sadness, and trepidation about the future. Tears streamed down her angelic face. She whimpered in prayer, perhaps her first prayer of her life, a prayer heard, she presumed, only by the flowers around her.

Corann found her, kneeling and praying, weeping uncontrollably. In his white tunic and wearing his sword of Ten-Ar, he looked stunning, his Ten-Arian circlet sparkling regally, almost in conversation with his Ten-Arian ceremonial sword. Against his sword belt he also wore a second belt, this one the standard belt worn by Anlei's palace guards that included a communication device. Press two buttons and the entire hall would be sealed off nearly instantly. Corann stepped into the gazebo and audibly heard her sobs. His hands gently reached her shoulders and began massaging them lovingly, "They are waiting for you, my liege."

"In all our time together, you have never called me that," she cried.

"Can I call you otherwise tonight? You are not mine, no matter how much I want you to be. You have made that clear."

Anlei rose to her feet, "Hold me. Dance with me. Be the first dance."

Tears filled Corann's eyes. Nodding, he knelt and took her hand, kissing it sweetly, "Your Highness may I?" Then he rose and took her in his arms and clasped his hand around her waist with one arm and her hand with the other. In the massive gazebo, he whirled her around in waltz, feeling her heart. After a few turns around the floor, the tears in his eyes overwhelmed him, "Anlei, Anlei, there is something I must tell you." He stopped and sat her upon a perimeter bench.

Falling to both knees, he drew out from his trouser pocket a small necklace with Ten-Arian pendent. Anlei gasped as she saw it. How long had he had that? Finding words, he dared now to speak, "Anlei, I have been afraid to speak to you all of our lives, but now I will. I love you, Anlei. I have been in love with you since the beinor I first walked into this palace. There has never been a doubt in my mind that you were the one I wanted to...offer this to. This is – this is the same one my father gave my mother when he – he – she wore it the first time they were – together. My mother told me to never tell anyone they were legally betrothed at the time. Oh, he doesn't remember, of course, and they never formalized it as a marriage, but...under law, I am in all ways not a bastard."

"Does my grandmother know?"

"Yes. She told me not to tell you until I was ready to—"

As Corann sought his words, RK6 flew through the garden violently, "Your Highness...you must enter the ball room. They have been looking EVERYWHERE FOR YOU. I am afraid a major political incident will begin if you do not come in there to calm things down."

Anlei rose to her feet, "Then tell my father I've been at prayer in my garden, then tell grandmother I've been at prayer and then tell everyone else I'll be there as soon as my feet will carry me. You can hover faster than I can walk. So go be a good political droid and get going."

Corann trembled; it took him so many yen-ars to find the courage to talk to her and now – this. Cheated of his chance to speak his heart, he felt as if the wind had just been knocked out of him and in far more shock than Bevin's sword stroke had created all those beinors ago. His hands shook as he recovered his heirloom and put it back in his pocket, his question unasked. Corann reached for Anlei who gave him a hand to his feet. He genuinely looked visibly shaken. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Corann hugged her tightly, "I don't know."

"We have to go."

"Anlei, did you hear what I told you?"

"I don't have time to think about that."

"The old Anlei would not hesitate to kiss me. Predator in the fold is right. I should have said something before. I am doomed," pronounced Lord Corann.

As Anlei and Corann arrived at the ballroom, Anlei found that the situation had calmed considerably. Apparently rumour had it; Lord Kaleb had started a fight with one of the waiters over one of the dishes and some sort of religious issue. One of her guards came to her and reported that during the scuffled, Lord Janus was nowhere to be found and had disappeared from security cameras.

Anlei herself felt irritated at Corann. How dare he make something up like a proclamation of LOVE right before her big evening? Love? What an idiot's delusion, she thought to herself. Only fools think of marrying for love. And so, as the evening began, rather than staying close to Lord Corann, she distanced herself from him, treating him as a mere suitor in a crowd of them. She smiled and flirted with many of the young men and unfastened her gown a bit to be less conservative and expose her body a little more. She would show that Corann about LOVE. How dare he? And to display that pendant? What did he intend to do? PROPOSE MARRIAGE TO HER? By what right and what authority? Who on Beinan was he?

Lord Corann watched her from a distance, trying to protect her in her obviously reckless frame of mind, but he felt utterly helpless. Prince Anwell strode up to him as he watched Kaja, the grandson of the same Kaja of house Xing-li who had received his sister Beinaer's final transmission from D435E25 Tertius; start to dance with Anlei, pawing at her body inappropriately. Corann's blood began to boil at the attack on her honour. Anwell stopped him, "Until she protests, you can't intervene, my friend. The predator has her."

"What really happened here?"

"The predator unleashed his attack, of course, an attack you should find familiar, my lord knight. That box you confiscated is missing," informed Anwell.

"Is it?" inquired Corann.

"What kind of attack is a latent like her most vulnerable to, Lord Corann?" riddled Anwell.

"Spells and charms, of course. Latents have no defences against them. Their minds are not trained to counter them..."

"House Shem claims to abhor the ways of house Miyoo, but I say 'same dance, different tune.' What is good for the fafiku is good for the fabku."

"Agreed. Now how do I stop this predator before it is far too late?"

"Take it away of course," smiled Anwell, melting away.

Encouraged, Corann moved in Anlei's direction, "May I cut in, Your Highness?"

"No. You may not," she replied.

"Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but I think I should," urged Corann, taking her hand and waist firmly and assertively. Even in her compromised state of mind, Anlei felt some shock. This was most unexpected. Sensing her mind, Lord Corann smiled and whirled her strongly. No one had dared to dance with her like this. Somehow it felt almost exhilarating.

In his anger and frustration, he let forth his passion, taking a strong, forceful lead dancing with her, not speaking a word, only dancing with her formally, precisely, as one well trained in mind, body, and soul. Now, he would be both protector and suitor and show this insolent little creature some manners. As they danced, he led her into a private area where few people gathered and there he stopped to let her catch her breath. She panted under the strength and speed of his dancing, breathless. "Now, maybe, your highness, you will listen to me."

"What is with you tonight?"

"I might ask you the same thing, except I think I already know. Remember your brother's warning about a predator in the fold? Anlei, you have already succumbed to it. Look at your dress!" Looking down, she noticed how she had practically unfastened half of the bodice to her gown, exposing parts of her upper body she had never displayed in public before, very immodestly, like a whore selling her wares. "May I?" asked Corann as her friend. Nodding with shame, Corann gently and lovingly refastened her gown all the way, returning her to proper modesty. "You are under a spell, my love."

Anlei began to tremble and caress Corann's head, "What do I do?"

"Let me protect you. I love you as a man loves the woman he marries when she's fortunate to be truly and deeply loved. Let me show you how much I love you. Oh Anlei, I've held onto my heart for many yen-ars. So many yen-ars I've wanted to show you, to tell you how deeply I love you." Frightened, she stroked his hair. In the privacy of that space, exactly as she had foreseen before, he kissed her lovingly and tenderly and with passionate and need behind his lips than he had never dared before. This was not the kiss of a friend, but a lover, yet he restricted his kiss to just her lips. It felt better than in her dream prophesy. Anlei could not believe how sweet the kiss was.

Yet before she could respond to the sweetness of that kiss, she suddenly felt an overwhelming vertigo. Anlei stumbled, collapsing as if suddenly plunged into a deep abyss. Corann caught her, but with his spiritual senses, he knew the source. Somewhere in the ballroom lurked the predator, prowling with his dangerous toy, whatever it was. Half resigned to the predator and half fighting, Lord Corann kissed Anlei sweetly, almost desperately as he guided her to a bench and helped her sit down. Whoever he was, he would strike soon.

"Self-interest, indeed, my lord," proclaimed Lord Janus from behind, watching the kiss. Corann felt his presence even without seeing him, his hair on his arms standing underneath his tunic as he heard Janus' footsteps on the short steps that were a few zhang from where he put Anlei. There was his predator, none other than his own half-brother. It had to be. His instincts abounded. Had Janus seen that kiss?

His heart on the line, it took all his courage to turn his face towards the gloating politician behind him, eying him like a predator "Is it self-interest to care for one's charge and see to her safety?" asked Corann.

"Convenient lies, knight. You love her. That kiss comes only from true love. A rare thing among our people, I will grant. But futile nonetheless. You cannot win her, Knight. She is much too smart to fall in love," taunted Janus.

"Love is not futile, brother. Love is the only thing worth living for. Maybe neither of us was begotten for love, but she, above all others on Beinan deserves it. You cannot possibly understand her like I do. House Miyoo flows in both her blood and mine. She is a born priestess," asserted Corann.

"Priestess, you say? Then she should simply abdicate her Gurun blood and let the Council choose another House, another more WORTHY house to rule us. House Gurun is stagnant with its own success. No House, no clan has tried to rule for so long. Our people need fresh blood, fresh ideas. She stands in the way of all of that – shame too, such a pretty thing. Yes, she will make a fine trophy for my bedroom."

"Is that all you see?" laughed Corann, disbelieving.

Janus smirked, "You'll never know, Corann. You are not ambitious enough to see my mind."

Corann laughed, "I am the protégé of High Priestess Wehe herself, boy. I am well trained in arts that Father never bothered to learn. Oh, our father is gifted in those and for that reason, my mother chose him to merge his blood with hers...to make the perfect child, the perfect high priest. You think it is a shame I exist, but now you make me proud of my blood. Saying what I can and cannot know. How dare you. I am, by every right, High Priest of Beinan, the chosen of House Miyoo. No Knight of Ten-Ar has ever been requested for such an honour, boy. I am the perfect knight and the perfect priest. I am everything father never could be. Don't you dare tempt me to do all that I can. To protect her, the rules say I can do anything I have to."

All would have been saved and the predator dispatched had not one terrible coincidence risen up...Anlei chose that moment to recover from her vertigo. Not knowing the full context of the conversation and having not heard Janus' words regarding her as a trophy, she saw only what seemed like over-the-top protective behaviour towards her...and against the very attractive Lord Janus, "Corann? Corann? What is going on?"

"He's mad. That's what is going on," replied Janus defensively.

"Don't listen to him, Your Highness. This is the predator we were warned about. He's the one who has affected your behaviour all evening. Trust me, Your Highness. Trust all we have built together," countered Corann.

"You've got to be kidding. Look at him rant and rave. He's obviously insane. You're a better politician than that, Your Highness," mocked Janus.

"Why ARE you attacking him like this, Corann? What grudge do you have against Lord Janus? He is such a kind and generous man...who are you to attack him so?" she agreed.

"Who am I? Who am I? I am offering my life to you to save yours. I am trying to prevent your death and dishonour, My Princess. You must have been unconscious when he threatened your person," defended Corann.

"Threaten you? He's mad. I would never threaten you. You are far too beautiful," flattered Janus, kneeling before her and kissing her hand. With his other hand, he pulled out the box that had previously been taken away by Lord Corann, "I found this for you, please accept it?"

"If it is a betrothal gift, you know I cannot..." countered Anlei.

Janus laughed, "Oh, no such thing." He opened the box to show her. It was a lovely, delicate bracelet.

The moment he saw the gems, a psychic surge hit Corann's mind, "No, Anlei—refuse it. Danger!"

"What could be dangerous about such a lovely bracelet? There are no symbols on it, just jewels. The perfect gift for the perfect princess," slithered Janus.

Anlei blushed, "It IS beautiful." She picked it up and let Janus help her fasten it to her left wrist. The moment it was fully fastened on her body, the light in her eyes went out, as if strongly drugged. Anlei's spirit latently sent Corann a scream. Corann clutched his head, falling back and nearly fainting.

Anlei put her arms around Janus' neck. Seductively, Janus kissed her, first softly, then like a hungry tiger, even undoing part of her dress to re-expose her bosom somewhat. His hand slid down into her gown to caress her breast. She did nothing. Janus smiled at her, "Do you like that, my love?"

"Of course. You may do anything you wish," she replied blankly.

"Then take me to your room," commanded Lord Janus, taking her hand. As they rose, Janus kicked the half fainted Corann on the ground, striking his still healing left shoulder and lung, with disgust. Corann gasped in agony as the blow landed.

### Chapter Six: Queen Isabelle's Fateful Ruling

But Corann was only down, not out; as soon as Janus and Anlei moved 20 zhang from him, he found himself out of range of the bracelet and fully functional. Corann hit the combination of buttons on his belt that allowed him to speak to palace security, "Fafiku to Lord Eisiq. Code fabku. Repeat, code fabku. House Shem, Lord Janus. Cordelia il y a Cariadoc. Vais chambre."

Lord Eisiq answered his alert on his communicator, "Fafiku. Code fabku acknowledged. All is ready. See you there."

Moving swiftly down in concert with many hidden knights of Gurun, Corann raced through hidden corridors that he had mastered thanks to the help of his friend, Lady Knight Elda. Though Janus had a head start on him, Corann navigated the palace expertly and opened Anlei's chamber doors.

He found Janus on the bed with her, starting to move on top of her – and his house Shem pendant of betrothal around her neck.

But under law, no betrothal was legal until Janus had deflowered his prize. Anlei's gown was mostly open, revealing the corset she chose to wear underneath for the ball. Janus was climbing on top of her, his tunic off, his hands starting to slide her skirt and petticoats up to claim his prize, already up to her knees. Janus' hand seizing her inner thigh ravenously with a bruising grip. Corann knew he had to do something – and quick.

Anlei's arms were around his neck expectantly...Corann attacked the source of Janus' power and grabbed the bracelet, causing a tiny cut on Anlei's wrist as he did so and making her cry out in pain as she bled, "Corann!"

Corann threw the bracelet out of the room. Lord Knight Eisiq recovered the bracelet, handing it over to the waiting hands of Lady Knight Elda, but knew not to interfere – yet. Immediately Lady Knight Elda gave the bracelet to a nearby analysis droid.

With the bracelet's effects now blocked by the shielding of the droid, the light in Anlei's eyes returned, "Where am I...what? Lord Janus, how dare you?" Then she felt her neck and the dreaded necklace, noticing her state of undress, "Corann, help me."

Janus slapped Anlei vengefully, "Deny me, will you? I will show you. You are mine."

"Anlei, take off the necklace. Quickly!" commanded Corann.

As she struggled with the clasp, Janus grabbed her wrist to stop her, his body pinning to the bed so tightly she could feel his readiness to claim his prize.

"No, you don't," screamed Corann, grabbing Janus and wrestling him away from Anlei. Janus loosened his grip on Anlei's wrist. Anlei tussled her hand free, immediately working at the clasp to get the house Shem pendant off her neck, rolling away from the battling Corann and Janus.

Corann threw Janus off the bed using a well-practiced deflection technique drilled into him since childhood. Janus rolled, scrambling to his feet. Corann sprang upon him from the bed, knocking him down angrily. Janus threw a punch at Corann's face. Corann evaded it and returned with a punch to Janus' ribs.

A dot of blood 0.16 cun 寸 wide seeped into Corann's tunic as his wound reopened his wound. Janus observed the blood as a sign of vulnerability, punching the wound as hard as he could. "You have no right," cried Janus. "She's MINE."

Anlei removed the house Shem necklace and threw it across the room, "Corann – stop him."

"Forced betrothal? I think she has every right. How dare you try to rape the heir to the throne?" scuffled Corann, determined to keep Janus from getting near the princess again.

"A mere WOMAN. She's NOTHING. She doesn't deserve to rule," shrieked Janus.

Corann turned to the gathered knights waiting outside Anlei's chamber, "Knights of Gurun and Ten-Ar have you heard enough?"

As Lord Eisiq prepared to answer, the assembly bowed suddenly as Queen Isabelle stepped into the room, motioning for Corann to rise off the defeated Janus. Lord Knight Eisiq and Lady Knight Elda followed the queen, seizing Janus and binding his hands. Fury flashed on the face of the queen, "A woman is nothing is she? My only daughter is nothing? Was your sister, Lady Ecter, nothing, Lord Janus? Or are you merely trying to cover the shame that it was YOU who impregnated your own sister to prevent her from marrying my cousin, Lord Priest Adelmar, son of Princess Alicia?" Motioning for Lord Eisiq and Lady Elda to enter the room, she commanded, "Lord Knight Eisiq, Lady Knight Elda, search his person."

Bruised and somewhat battered Corann rose to his feet, binding Janus to prevent him from breaking free. Lord Eisiq and Lady Elda rifled through Janus' clothes, none to gently. From Janus' belt they recovered several strange technical devices and handed them to the queen. Queen Isabelle inspected them carefully, "Husband, do you know what these are?"

Lord Prince Bevin stepped forward, "I do. They are portable fertility devices used to force impregnate a woman after a single episode of traditional intercourse. This particular device here stimulates ovulation, this one here collects the sperm and directs it at the ovum, and this one accelerates foetal growth so that in a few shir-ors time, one night perhaps, the pregnancy can typically be beyond undoing short of risking harm to the mother."

"Lord Knight Corann," addressed Queen Isabelle, "is it your testimony that Lord Janus intended to use these devices on my daughter, that he came into this room with reasonable intent to rape and impregnate my daughter without her expressed and complete free consent to do so and without the benefit of a freely-made betrothal contract?"

"My Queen, Princess Anlei has known Lord Janus not even two shir-ors across two brief meetings. In my experienced judgment as her protector, I can conceive of absolutely no way she could imagine consenting to anything beyond the more formal of conversations with him in Council chambers. It is inconceivable he would be invited to any private meeting, even in the presence of family or friends, and even less likely to desire to be alone with him, without protection from myself. It is a million times more likely your dear sister Princess Anyu will return to Beinan from D425E25 Tertius than this would be so," assessed Corann.

Isabelle smiled at Corann's memorial to her lost sister Anyu, "Point taken, my lord knight. Well then, Janus of house Shem..., he evidence against you is clear. It is the ruling of this court that you be banished from Beinarian nobility. You shall be relocated to Xi-Nan Fang to one of the towns or cities of your choosing, I care not where, so long as you stay there for the rest of your life and never set foot in Dong-Bei again. There, in Xi-Nan Fang, you shall learn the value of hard work as you earn an honest living doing whatever labour you see fit and marrying whoever will take you. Your name and everything you have as house Shem shall be stricken from official records and taken away as you took away these things from your own sister and tried to take them from my own daughter. The child you imposed on your sister, Lady Ecter, shall receive the bounty of what is stripped from you and for your crime; we shall elevate her, giving her grace where you felt women deserve none. You are now, as of this shir-or, of no house, no name. Guards...get this filth out of my presence."

Three knights of Gurun seized Janus, no longer now a lord nor of house Shem. Kicking and snarling, he resisted as Isabelle's heavily armed knights grabbed him, "Xi-Nan Fang is worse than death and everyone knows it. It's a filthy cesspool of disease and slow death. Mercy and royalty? Blah. There's none in you. But you'll regret letting me live. You haven't heard the last from me, Your Majesty. Your dynasty is still doomed, and I will be the cause. House Gurun will fall. Mark my words...maybe not this yen-ar or even in ten...but mark me well...the Gurun dynasty is DOOMED. I will have my revenge."

With Janus now carried out of the room, the betrothal necklace now shined golden on the floor. Sadly, Corann picked it up and offered it to Queen Isabelle, "Your Majesty...here is the dread pendant he used...."

"Lady Elda, will you put this in the evidence file with the rest of the objects we prosecuted him with as proof of his crimes? Let no one object or appeal the wisdom of what we achieved this evening. May posterity ever uphold our right judgment as just. They must know always why we did what we did tonight. This was a good and necessary thing to protect not only our crown princess, but all our daughters. And now, my lords, I ask for a private moment with my daughter; Lord Corann, you may stay." At the queen's command, everyone except Corann filtered out of the room. Anlei still trembled on the bed, bewildered at what had nearly happened. Isabelle the mother pulled up a chair and sat next to her, "Are you okay?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"This is your room, Anlei, and we are in private...somehow I don't think we need protocol around Corann. I think 'mother' will do right now...." answered Isabelle.

"Thank you, Mother. I don't think I could have without Corann. He saved me," cried Anlei, shaking visibly.

"I always will, Anlei. You know that. I promise you," reassured Corann.

"You know I have watched the two of you over these beinors; think he is a lot better to you than you give him credit for," observed Isabelle. "He gives you everything, yet wants so little in return. There is no finer man in all of Beinan, Anlei. As a mother, I would suggest you never take him for granted. The men who are like Janus are far more numerous than those like Corann. Choose wisely, my daughter, how you wish to be treated," hinted Isabelle.

Catching the hint and still shaking, Anlei raised her eyes to her mother, "Mother...would you excuse Corann and I for a while? I think he and I need to talk...." Rising, Isabelle smiled and left. "Corann?" called Anlei.

Corann bent over her from his chair next to the bed and caressed her brow with one hand while moving her skirts modestly back down to their proper positions, "I am here."

"I am so scared. He nearly raped me, didn't he?"

Corann's heart jumped to his throat at the thought, "YES. He did -- almost."

"I should have listened to you. Why couldn't I hear you?"

"You were enspelled, Anlei, just like my father was. Janus was a predator in the fold. Your brother foresaw everything; I think even the part where he was on top of you, starting to...."

"You weren't fooled."

Corann smiled sorrowfully, trying to hold back his tears, "I was trained in the temple by mother until I was fifteen yen-ars old, remember? And then after I became Lord Knight Culain's squire, your grandmother took me as her protégé. I've been well trained to spot these things...and fight them."

"I wish I had learned how to," she cried, weeping and trembling.

Uncertain what to do, Corann wept until he finally dared hold her in his arms. She threw her arms around him and clutched at him like a drowning woman, afraid to let go. "There was never a need for you to learn, my princess. You were the heiress to the throne. If you rejected your Miyoo blood, then that was your right."

"I've been a fool, Corann, a fool in every way. Only now am I starting to remember how he...touched me, he grabbed me. In my dreams I thought only my husband would...touch me in those places. He didn't just dare...he undressed me where all of Beinarian polite society could see. I was nothing more than a whore to him."

"But always my princess, my queen to me.... Oh Anlei, did you hear my heart in the chaos? Do you know how I feel about you?" wept Corann.

Anlei broke his embrace and covered her half bare breasts shamefully, "I am not worthy now. He destroyed my virtue. I am no better than some common woman selling her favours on the street."

Corann's tears ended and with tender eyes he met hers assertively, "No, sweetheart. Not to me. Perhaps to them who do not know who cannot see the truth--but never to me. I know the real you. And know what he did and how. You are as pure tonight in my eyes as ever you were. My feelings for you are unchanged."

"Tell me your feelings, Corann."

"You know them well, Your Highness."

"PLEASE," she begged. "I am tired of taking you for granted. Let me hear the truth, all of it. You started to say something in the garden that I was too enspelled to hear. Tell me now. I beg you. There is...a gift I want of you."

Corann breathed hard, understanding her meaning well, "Are you sure?"

Anlei placed his left hand on her right side, just under her breast and breathed hard, "I am sure. I have never been so sure of anything in my life. Tell me how you feel. Hold nothing back now."

Corann met her eyes, "Anlei, Crown Princess of Beinan, Heiress of house Gurun, I love you. I have been in love with you since the moment I met you and felt your heart in my mind. Your heart burns in my heart. Your mind dances in my mind. In my dreams, I hear your song. In my body, I have desired but one woman for my wife for all of my life. In my heart of hearts, I have known but one truth above all others: that your soul and mine are joined in the sacred dance of the goddesses, never to be separate and never complete until we are fully joined in mind, heart, and flesh. I have needed you since the first moment I gazed into your eyes. I have been in torment every moment you have failed to love me. Anlei, sweetest Anlei, will you marry me?" With his final words he offered the Ten-Arian necklace he had tried to offer her before, holding it up so she merely needed to put her head through the chain if she accepted it.

Smiling and trembling somewhat, Anlei leaned forward and put her head through the chain. Almost weeping, Corann laid the pendant on her upper chest as she answered, "YES, Corann...I will marry you."

Corann let his lips drift near hers, "May I?" Anlei nodded as Corann climbed onto the bed and began to kiss her. She softly received and returned his kisses. These kisses were different now. Now they were kisses to claim her, tender and yet tenuous, as if Corann feared she would change her mind. After a moment of two, Corann propped himself on his arm, being careful in all this time not to lay on Anlei at all, "Anlei...you know you are not truly mine until we...." Corann's hand drifted to her knee to hint at what she needed to do.

"I know...." she breathed hard, understanding what was required and remembering the law. "Corann, are you sure you want me?"

Corann nodded at her and kissed her hand, "I am sure. I've always been sure. But what do you want? Once done, Anlei neither of us can undo it. The law is very specific regarding the conditions that can break a consummated betrothal. Once you take me, we are truly sealed."

Anlei breathed deeply, thinking carefully about her choice. He was right...what she said now would settle the matter of her marriage irrevocably. Once the token was accepted and once she received him physically...her life was sealed as well.

Like a bride, weighing her options, she took the moment Corann asked of her to make absolutely sure of this. The law was strict regarding breaking such a commitment and for a woman of her stature, even after her wedding, divorce would be hard to achieve. This was the moment of decision for her life, the moment she had delayed about for yen-ars.

Corann was right all along...she knew long ago how this night would end, what she would choose. Anlei chose to finally un-masque her heart, "Then seal me to your side forever, my love. Oh Corann...seal me with your body, make me your bride. Make me yours. With all my heart, I want you. I've always wanted you. Corann, sweetest Corann...I love you."

Slowly, carefully Corann climbed onto Anlei and let one hand drift under her skirt. Anlei smiled as she felt the weight of him and felt him start to kiss her. Tugging at his sword belt, she unfastened it. The precious sword of Ten-Ar made a loud thump as it fell off her large bed. Pulling off his tunic and noticing his wound, she knew to touch him gently as she put her arms around him and let destiny seal their fate.

In the shir-ors before morning, Anlei would feel the sweetness of Corann's true love seal her into her new destiny. Enjoying his touch all through the night she wondered if this is what it meant to be a wife as she drifted in and out of sleep in his arms, a sealed bride at last.

Anlei woke a shir-or before dawn naked in her bed and with Corann's arms around her, his body equally naked. Was it a dream? She felt her neck, the Ten-Arian sword heraldry certainly felt real. The pile of scattered clothes around her curtained bed hinted of the previous night's activities. No, not a dream, and she felt nice and warm where she was. Her hand drifted to Corann's wound; it was clearly still a bit tender even after all these beinors. He had never complained about the pain. What a marvel. Had she chosen correctly? The choice was done. She could feel in her body as more and more of her body took a waking mode that certainly she felt differently physically than before. Strange sensations inside her, and yet somehow she did not mind. What was it about him that made her not mind feeling uncomfortable in odd places? Being young and inquisitive, she wondered if Corann felt uncomfortable in odd places too. No...she would not dare ask that. Instead she kissed his brow, uncertain what to do next. She had never woken up in the same bed with someone before. This was a strange, new experience.

As she thought, she heard Corann moan awake, then open his eyes, "Good morning, my love. How is my bride?" Corann started to kiss her. So strange to kiss like this, but she yielded and accepted his kisses.

"Did we? Did we?" she asked, almost confused.

"Yes. Legally, in every way we are fully betrothed, Anlei. You are my bride to be. We are sealed together in this. Nothing can undo what we chose last night," described Corann.

"What happened?" Anlei felt somewhat confused in a way, her body sending out dizzying sensations.

"You let yourself love me completely last night instead of thinking like a politician. You chose with your heart." Corann held her close sweetly.

"I can barely remember."

Corann propped himself up, "Would you like me to remind you how we were feeling last night?"

Anlei simply nodded vigorously. Corann kissed her hand, drew the curtains to the bed, and then tenderly made love to her. From outside the curtains, RK6 could hear Anlei say, "I love you," over and over again.

After a quarter shir-or, Corann had finished. Lying next to her again and cuddling her, he kissed his bride, "Feel better?"

Anlei caught her breath, "Much. Forgive me for doubting you."

Corann kissed her, "There is nothing to forgive. However, sweetheart, I think I should dress and return to my room for a bit. Our engagement has not been announced and I would not want your reputation harmed by someone finding me here before your parents know that you chose me and sealed our engagement. I can hardly have my bride looking unchaste." Corann slide out of the bed, behind the bed curtains, and clothed his lower body discretely.

"I don't want you to go," begged Anlei. "I want you hold me."

Reaching for his tunic, Corann climbed back onto the bed and reached for her, with a sheet and some blankets between their bodies, he held her close, caressing her bare back, "Believe me, I want nothing more than to stay with you and be close. But that wouldn't be proper yet and I must do what is right for you." He kissed her tenderly, "Don't worry, my princess. Soon we will be announced and before you know it, we will be wed. I'm not content just to be your bride groom. You, young lady, are going to be a wife." Embracing her again, he kissed her lips, then her neck, and finally let go, putting on his tunic and his sword as he left for his room.

RK6 floated to her, "Is it true, Your Highness, did Lord Corann spend the night here in your bed? Did I over hear what I thought I overheard?"

Anlei looked at her droid, already missing Corann's touch, "Yes, RK6...he was here with me after the arrest and trial of Janus. He asked for my hand in marriage and I accepted. Once more, a knight of Ten-Ar will marry an heiress to this throne. He and I are sealed in our betrothal. What you thought you heard was correct. Though I do ask you not share the specifics of my intimacy with others, merely that you witnessed it and that my betrothal is fully valid."

"Of course, Your Highness," replied RK6, her programming being very strict on what was and was not allowed to report to others regarding these matters.

"RK6, will you help me dress now?" asked Anlei.

"Yes, Your Highness. Of course, Your Highness. I believe you plan on going to court this morning?'

"I do," she replied.

Being a sensible droid, RK6 put her in a soft green gossamer gown. Anlei decided to go to Corann's room to check on him before heading to the family dining room for breakfast. She rang the chime then entered. Corann had already changed clothes to a pale blue tunic and to black trousers. He belted onto his waist his Ten-Arian sword and, reverentially, lowered his Ten-Arian circlet upon his head. The sight of him in his circlet pleased Anlei. She hugged him warmly, "I missed you."

Corann embraced her and caressed her back, "It's only been a quarter shir-or, my love. Am I having that kind of effect on you already?"

"It's been a rough past twelve shir-ors. I need my knight," she begged, caressing his hair.

"I'm here," he reminded her, kissing her sweetly.

"You know you are royal family now, Lord Corann once we are announced, you become Prince-intended Corann," she teased seductively.

"I don't need a title, Anlei. I have what I want right here, right now. I have you."

"Yes you do. Finally, my prince," she laughed, taking delight in giving that title. "Come, Prince-intended Corann...you get to eat at the royal table for breakfast."
Chapter Seven: A Long-Awaited Wedding

Queen Isabelle's throne room sparkled with the morning sun. At shir-or 5.00, the hall filled with sunlight, spilling dazzling displays of colour onto the floor from the many stained glass windows. In cerulean blue sat Queen Isabelle and Prince Consort Bevin. Wehe and Ejen sat in their side thrones in saffron. It was a beautiful morning. "Make way, make way for her Royal Highness, Anlei, Crown Princess of Beinan and for Lord Corann, Knight of Ten-Ar," called the heralds.

In their emerald green and sapphire blue respectively, Anlei and Corann strode side by side through the throne room confidentially, crossing the many zhang to the proper honouring space for Her Majesty and His Highness. Knowing protocol, both issued the proper reverences, still hand in hand. Princess Anlei spoke first, "Your Majesty, may I approach the throne and address this noble court?"

"You may," granted Queen Isabelle.

Anlei reluctantly let go of Corann's fingers and ascended onto the dais at her mother's side, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, peers of Beinan, I come to you with glad tidings of great joy which I hope will meet with your approval. My heart has chosen and my body has sealed he who shall wed me in the appointed shir-or. I am, in full accordance of our laws, now betrothed to be wed to one of the finest of Beinarian nobles."

"We are well pleased to hear you have chosen," replied Queen Isabelle. "Is this your beloved whose heart and flesh is joined to yours?"

"My people, may I introduce my chosen consort, Lord Knight Corann of house Ten-Ar?" proclaimed Anlei, taking Corann's hand ceremoniously and ascending the dais to the queen.

Isabelle put her hand on theirs, smiling with approval, "Hand to hand, heart to heart, flesh to flesh, blood to blood. May this union bring both of you joy. May your marriage be fertile that the Gurun dynasty may continue after our deaths. And may the One whose faces are revealed as Abka Biya, Banumu Hehe, and Abka Gahun bless you both."

High Priestess Wehe blessed them, "Hand to hand, heart to heart, flesh to flesh, blood to blood, soul to soul. As your souls have found one another, let them never be parted again, in this life or in lives to come. Let your minds, hearts, and souls be ever enriched by one another. May your bodies be blessed with children who thrive and live many yen-ars after you are gone...and may you know only love for one another as long as you both shall live." Smiling, Wehe embraced both in open court and kissed their cheeks.

Bevin then rose and accepted a cup from his steward. Cups filled with nanla juice were handed to each member of the royal family. Bevin raised his chalice, "This is my daughter, the hope of Beinan. Long may she live in love, happiness, and peace. To marriage of Anlei and Corann!"

"Anlei and Corann," echoed the assembled peers of Beinan, drinking deeply. Anlei and Corann linked their arms as they drank the toast, glad for Bevin's approval. Yet one approval Corann knew he would never receive, that of Cariadoc himself. Could Cariadoc ever forget that Corann was the instrument of his son's disgrace? Would Cariadoc ever recognize Janus as the criminal and traitor he was?

Not likely. As the crowds shouted, Corann could not help remembering his own father's hatred of him – and the words of vengeance shouted as the guards seized Janus. Beinan was in danger, perhaps perpetually so. Corann took the first steps in securing Beinan away from that threat, but the road out would still be long and maybe, just maybe, impossible to avoid.

Still frightened for his bride he knew the only thing he could do was wed her as soon as possible and conceive, as naturally as possible, her son and heir.

With the betrothal announced, Corann was able to spend the night openly with Anlei in her room; in fact it was practically required of them by custom for the first seven beinors after the announcement. Anlei found herself becoming more and more eager for bedtime, some evenings even undressing herself completely and sneaking under the covers before Corann could come into the room, forcing him to undress in front of her. As terrifying as the first time had been, with practice, it was becoming easier, this expected conduct between them, almost a habit. She anticipated his touch, his kisses, the way the sheets and blankets felt. Every night, he bedded her at least twice and encouraged her to touch him, explore, feel and express her desires, even if he were asleep when she felt them. Losing sleep was part of being married, she was learning – or at least, being engaged.

On the seventh night, Corann, kissed her very tenderly after finishing the first time and asked, "When should we set the wedding date, my love? How soon can we get married?"

"How soon do you want to?" she asked him.

"It is beinor 167; any chance we can pull off a wedding on beinor 1? Is 30 beinors enough? Can the staff do it that fast?" asked Corann, kissing her lips and neck. "Prince-Intended is not enough for me after all this time waiting for you. I want to be your husband. I love you."

Anlei caressed him softly, well pleased by him, "I want to be your wife. I don't know about my gown, but if you want me on beinor 1, then take me on beinor 1, my love. Marry me."

"Who needs a fancy dress, my love? All we need is each other." caressed Corann touching her seductively and starting a whole round of passion. Anlei breathed deeply, then pulled the covers over both of them as she let the fires of love consume her.

"I Anlei, take you, Corann to be my lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, to seek and to find, to need and to replenish all the beinors of my life. With my first soul's breath I found you and with the last breath of my flesh I will keep you. Ever faithful, every devoted to you and to our family forevermore. So mote it be," vowed Anlei, her pale lavender and white bliaut billowing in her gazebo for the small family wedding.

"I Corann, take you, Anlei to be my lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to seek and to find, to need and to replenish all the beinors of my life. With my first soul's breath I found you and with the last breath of my flesh I will keep you. Ever faithful, every devoted to you and to our love forevermore. So mote it be," vowed Corann. Though it was not a Beinarian custom per se, Corann chose at this moment to also place a Beinarian silver ring on Anlei's hand, "This is the promise of my love, Anlei. Wear it proudly as my true love and wife of my heart."

Turning to RK6 who dispensed a gilded Beinarian platinum ring to Anlei's hand, she placed it on Corann's finger as well, "This is my promise of my love, Corann. Wear this ring of my love proudly as my true love and husband of my heart."

Clasping hands and facing each other, they heard the nearby High Priestess Wehe instruct, "You have made your pledges and your vows as husband and wife and given the tokens of the same in the form of your choosing. Therefore, by the power vested in me as high priestess of Beinan, I pronounce you husband and wife...you may seal your marriage with a kiss." Corann whirled Anlei into a spin, then dipped her and kissed her very passionately. Anlei returned his kisses, lingering and oblivious to the many friends and family gathered in the gazebo and in her garden. Finally Corann pulled her upright, releasing their kiss. The crowd applauded. They were finally wed.

Corann put his arm around his wife and escorted her out of the gazebo. The formal, royal reception was to be held in the state ballroom and hosted for a much larger group of well-wishers. At the reception, they would need to behave as heiress and heir-consort, a role the knight found himself not quite willing to step into quite yet as he felt the soft grass under his shoes. Affectionately he kissed Anlei's cheek and hair as they walked, careful not to undo the elaborate pins used to secure her hair into its curls, braids, and coils. Perhaps there was not much time to create the most regal of gowns for her...but the staff did do a beautiful job working on her soft, fine hair. Whispering in her ear, he asked, "Anlei, do we have a quarter shir-or before they need us?"

"I think they can spare us a quarter shir-or or so...why?" she asked.

"Let's stay here in your room for a bit, just you and I," he beckoned.

"Okay..." she consented, allowing the rest of her family to go on without her. Wehe and Anwell noticed the way the young couple cuddled and understood...the newlyweds needed a few moments alone together before facing that massive reception.

When at last everyone left the garden and her royal apartment, she closed the doors and locked them, "So, my husband...what now?"

"Come here," Prince Corann beckoned seductively. She came. Corann unfastened the back of her gown, kissing her as he did so.

"Corann, what are you doing?"

"I think you know."

"What? Right now?" she trembled, feeling the stirrings that always came from the touch of his hands on her skin.

Corann turned her around and put his hands up her skirt, kissing her passionately, "Do you mind, my wife? May I? Please? I want to be fully yours. We aren't fully married until..."

Smiling, Anlei understood, "Marry me, Corann."

Pulling down her gown and touching her, Corann sealed his marriage and pleased his bride.

Anlei was pleased at the formal consummation of her marriage. Cuddling under the sheets in her bed after he finished, she reached for her fully sealed husband tenderly, "I love you Prince Corann. Always, my husband. Never stop being like this with me."

"Never, my love. You will always have my love, my body, my passion. I am yours," trembling, he finished, kissing her intensely.

"You held back before, didn't you?" she observed, feeling a difference in how he touched her.

"Before now you were not my wife. I was afraid despite the law...now we are sealed completely. I am yours and our duty lies ahead of us, my love. I cannot let that monster carry out his threat. I will not let him carry out his threat," asserted Corann.

Anlei lay back on the pillow, cuddling Corann closely, "Corann, what are you talking about?"

"We are still in danger, Anlei...until we produce a viable heir to the throne under law, one way or another. As long as your womb is empty my love, our lives could be forfeit. But before this wedding, I did not dare try to perform my duty. I could not risk a challenge to the legitimately of our child, even with the law clearly stating a child conceived during the engagement is still legally the same as conceived after the wedding. I was conceived within a legal engagement and yet I was always under the stigma of that label of 'bastard' because my parents never formally married. I could not do that to us. The succession is already on shaky enough grounds trying to force it into house Gurun when technically it should belong to house Ten-Ar. Bevin and I are both Ten-Arian, after all. Legally, Anlei, our son should be house Ten-Ar. Anything else is going to be challenged down the road," worried Prince Corann.

"Was it love or fear that motivated what we just did, Corann?"

"Both, my love. Forgive me for that. But don't you know me by now well enough to understand that if you were killed, I would not be able to live with myself? If Janus carried out his threat—and he still might find a way—I could not bear the agony on my heart. That someone might yet take your life or your honour. Anlei, I love you. I would rather die a thousand times than allow anyone to spill drop of your

blood. He came so close to raping you before you felt his body. Don't you think I worry there might be a next time that I cannot stop?"

Anlei saw the fear in his eyes, the utter terror and understood her husband she caressed him and laid her head on his chest, "What can I do to help?"

"Let me get you with child. Secure our future by starting our family with me? Will you do an heir's duty by letting me do my duty upon you? I promise, the process will be...extremely pleasant," he kissed her affectionately.

"We're late for our wedding reception, Prince Corann, but after – I am yours. Secure my family's future, noble prince. Do your duty to my family and my house. If that should mean confining me to my room for many shir-ors every beinor on end until our heir is quickened in my womb...then so be it," smiling at him and kissing him she added, "Never in my training as princess did they ever teach me that I might enjoy the duty of conceiving an heir to the throne....."

"How do you like your responsibility, princess?" flirted Corann.

Anlei flirted, "I...think I can handle it; how many sons do you want?"

"Oh, I am happy to get you with child quite often, my princess. If you thought you were bedded before during our betrothal, I have not begun to touch you, my Anlei. I plan on taking every yen-ar I waited for you out on you most vigorously."

"You tempt me."

"That is the idea...."

Aroused, Anlei breathed deeply, trying to assert control, "Come dress me, my love...we have a party to go to." Anlei picked up her wedding gown and gently eased herself into it. With a teasing caress Corann refastened her gown, and then dressed himself. In three xiao-shirs they were on their way to the reception. Barely more than a quarter shir-or had passed. No one noticed.

As Princess Anlei and Prince Corann entered the grand state ballroom, they felt somewhat different than before, as if marrying and consummating the marriage before the reception had somehow changed their relationship with their family and the court. Lord Cariadoc was absent from the crowd, but Corann did not expect him either. Instead he found Lord Culain, Lord Eisiq, Lady Elda, and Lady Cordelia talking in a small cluster near the high table. Corann's mother Lady Cordelia, looked stunning in a pale blue gossamer kirtle covered in Beinarian diamonds, her long, thick hair carefully curled and braided into an elaborate hairstyle piled mostly above her shoulders and filled with pearls, jewels, and ribbons, her grey eyes sparkling even brighter as she saw her son and his bride and raised a fluted glass to the couple, "To my son and daughter-in-law!"

Several near her overheard the toast and raised their glasses, joining her and echoing, "To the bride and groom."

Anlei blushed at the immediate attention from her mother-in law. Corann caressed her arm, "Good to see you too, Mother. It's been a while."

"That was a quiet entrance, Son – what took you so long?" asked Cordelia quietly with a wink, her powers obviously sensing the truth.

"Affairs of state, of course," smiled Corann in reply. Well, it was the truth – from a certain way of thinking.

"Already a prince. I'm impressed," smiled Cordelia.

"Well, I do have duties, you know. I did marry into house Gurun, after all and that does make me son-in-law to the reigning queen..." suggested Corann.

"Of course," winked Cordelia.

Anlei looked at both of them, still waiting for Corann to introduce her. Corann caught the hint in her posture, "Speaking of, Mother, you remember Her Highness and my wife, Crown Princess Anlei, daughter of Queen Isabelle, daughter of High Priestess Wehe of House Miyoo?"

Cordelia offered Anlei a Miyoo gesture of respect, then her hand in greeting, "Welcome to the family, Your Highness."

Anlei returned her gesture of respect, "It is pleasure and honour to see you again Lady Cordelia. Corann speaks very highly of you."

"I am glad; I think the Ten-Arian training suits him well. I heard what happened in the palace the night of your betrothal, Your Highness. I think if he had not pursued his Ten-Arian blood, things would have gone very badly for you. So it pleases me beyond words that you had that training. You've done well for yourself, my son. I am very proud."

Corann relaxed and embraced his mother, "THANK YOU, MOTHER. You do not know what that means to me."

Cordelia patted him on the back, "Now you two go enjoy your own reception; there's plenty of food to eat, certainly, and I think the staff is waiting to you to sit at high table before they serve first course."

Corann bowed to his mother, "Of course." Taking hands, he and Anlei took their places at high table. Queen Isabelle and Bevin took their places of high honour next to them on their left while Prince Anwell, King Ejen and High Priestess Wehe sat on their right. Lord Eisiq, Lord Culain, Lady Elda, and Lady Cordelia assumed places of honour at high table. RK6 buzzed around the table and quickly communicated with other droids and with human servants that the first course was ready to be served.

The first plates of food were barely on the table for the servants to begin serving from when young woman with blond hair of barely 40 yen-ars age wearing torn clothing, covered in bruises broke into the state ball room, a tiny, poorly fed infant in her arms. At her arrival, the festive music playing in the background stopped and all gaped at her. Barely strong enough to stand, she ran across the room to the high table, "Is it true? A priestess of house Miyoo is here?"

Isabelle, Anlei, Wehe, and Cordelia all rose, but it was Cordelia who answered first, "We are here. Who calls upon the goddesses of mercy and kindness?"

"You...you are the Lady Cordelia," the girl cried out, smiling weakly.

"I am," she answered.

"I... I am Ecter, daughter of Cariadoc, sister of Janus whose name is no longer spoken in the houses, this is my daughter by Janus, Miriam," replied Ecter. At those names, Anlei gasped, realizing who the child was and remembering the horrors of her betrothal night. Corann was right.

"I am Princess Anlei, whom your brother tried to...assault," confessed Anlei, moving from her chair to the girl in sympathy. Corann feared for her, but could not stop her.

"He succeeded with me, noble one." Ecter handed Miriam to Anlei weakly.

Anlei motioned for a cup to be given to Ecter. She drank desperately. Obviously the poor girl had not been fed or given any basics of life in some time. Once given some drink and some fruits, she was better able to speak, "Forgive my intrusion, great ones. But I knew only you can help me. Right before he left my family responded in vengeance against me and this child for your judgment against my brother. I do not think my father or my brothers will forget your noble and righteous judgment upon him. I fear retaliation against this house and this government. If not now, then another beinor or yen-ar to come, my brother is bound to pursue his revenge. Please, I know my family. They do not feel they must follow the same rules as the rest of our society and are happy to use religion as an excuse when it suits them. I know this is not true, but they see injustice in our world, hatred of our faith in the Shemai where there is none. They make religion an excuse for not taking personal responsibility for their lives."

Cordelia stepped forward, "What would you have us do for you right now, Lady Ecter?"

"Take my daughter Miriam and raise her as house Miyoo, let her forget the shame of her siring. Raise her as a priestess to fight her father. Make her a hand of the goddesses. And if there is a mercy in your hearts, take me to the temple too. Train me in your faith. I am ashamed to be the daughter of Cariadoc and Jebez now. I am ashamed to be the sister of Janus. Let me learn how to fight those of my flesh and blood who would seek to destroy this royal house. Let me pray for the success of this monarchy and this constitution everyone else serves. And Your Highness, my half-brother, I do not know how, but if somehow there is redemption enough to one beinor call me 'sister' that is an honour I would ask of you...." begged Ecter.

Corann walked around the high table and to his half-sister. He offered her his hands which she kissed like a servant, "None of that, Ecter. You have been through enough of that. Come here and embrace me as my sister. I have never had a sister before; it would please me to no end to have one now."

Weeping, Ecter rose and embraced Prince Corann, kissing his cheek, "Bless you, Your Highness and bless your new wife. May your marriage be full of children."

Corann kissed her forehead, "Say those prayers for us in temple, Sister, that we may be safe from the threats made against us."

Nodding and taking his hands, their eyes meeting and understanding one another with deathly seriousness, she promised, "I understand. Every beinor, Brother. Mark this vow. Every beinor."

Queen Isabelle smiled and took over as hostess, "Well done, everyone. So I should ask you, Lady Ecter, no one can take you to the temple until next beinor. We have a wedding to celebrate. If you would like to stay, my servants would be happy to offer you a proper dress so you can join us."

Ecter nodded, "Thank you, I would be most happy to stay and celebrate the marriage of my brother."

From this point, the rest of the reception flowed smoothly. The food tasted superb, the happy couple relaxed, and the dancing continued for three shir-ors. Finally Anlei and Corann had enough and bade the gathering good evening, retiring to Anlei's apartment. Corann took her hand, teasing her verbally, "So, your highness, do you grant me permission to stay here tonight with you? We already fulfilled our requirement, so you could say no, you know."

"What? The bride not spend her wedding night with her bridegroom? Half the court would talk. No, Lord Prince Corann, I command you to sleep here tonight. In fact, I command you to not hold back anything towards me of a marital nature any longer. You, young knight, are required to get me with child as soon as you can. That is, if you think you are man enough to do it...." teased Anlei verbally and with her body.

Corann picked her up and laid her on the massive bed, crawling on top of her, "Didn't I suffer a major wound I'm still not 100% over by trying to show you how manly I really am?"

"That's battle. This is...different."

"Oh is it? So you want me to prove my worth to you as a husband, do you?"

Anlei kissed him, her hands sliding under his tunic, "You think you can get me with child, do you? Prove it. I dare you to try."

"With pleasure," smiled Corann, removing his tunic and sliding the skirt of her bridal gown up.

The next morning, Corann woke finding himself tired, happy, his bride content, but with his shoulder hurting uncomfortably. It was shir-or 3.40 when the pain woke him, a little before dawn. Anlei slept contentedly against him after a full night of lovemaking. Stroking her hair, he hoped he had already quickened her womb with his efforts, but knew not to be quite that optimistic. Touching her bare back, he tried to focus on her, shutting out the pain. She was beautiful, an exquisite woman in every way, her body just as remarkably wondrous as the rest of her. Still suffering despite his best efforts to block it out, he kissed her and caressed her, trying to distract himself with her sensuality.

Anlei purred from his touch, and then stirred a little, finally opening her eyes, "I love you."

Corann met her eyes, trying not to show his increasing pain, "I love you sweetheart. You realize this is the first morning I wake up your husband?"

Anlei purred, "I love that word."

Corann kissed her, "Me too." Anlei tried to caress him...then touched his shoulder. The agony flashed across Corann's face before he could conceal it.

"What's wrong?" her eyes widened, fearfully.

"I need to see the healer, Anlei. There's something wrong with my shoulder still. It should not hurt like this."

"Do you want to go now?" worried Anlei.

"No. It's too early. Your family will be expecting us and if we come late, the whole court will find out and it will hurt us more. No, we will go to the family breakfast, then see Lady Cara. I want no cause for scandal in court. I bring enough of that just by marrying you."

"But you were born of a legal betrothal...."

"Only Lady Cordelia, High Priestess Wehe, you, and I know that, Anlei. My mother sacrificed her honour to protect Cariadoc – remember the law? If Cordelia had told the truth, Cariadoc would have been forced by the Great Council to marry her formally—with no chance of divorce. He offered his token, she accepted, and only then did she accept him physically. If anyone outside the family knew that, it would destroy Cariadoc."

"But Cariadoc and his progeny by that other woman would threaten us!" exclaimed Anlei.

"Well, no one said that life is fair. Two wrongs don't make a right, Love," reminded Corann.

"I can't believe you would protect your father at the expense of...us."

Corann shook his hand, "I'm not. I'm honouring my mother's wishes. This is what she wants. I have to respect that. It is as much about her life and how she wants to spend it than it is about my honour. I would not force her to live other than she wishes. Surely a woman should choose who touches her and how she spends her beinors."

Anlei smiled at her husband's goodwill and kindness, "No argument there. Try to rest a bit; we'll get up soon, see the family for breakfast and then see about help for that wound."

At shir-or 5.5, the extended royal family gathered together in the family dining hall for a wedding breakfast for Prince Corann and Princess Anlei. Invited to the meal were Lord Knight Eisiq, Lord Knight Culain (a distant cousin of Queen Isabelle, as well as Corann's mentor), Lady Healer Cara, Lady Priestess Cordelia, Lady Knight Elda, Lady Ecter, Prince Anwell, King Ejen, High Priestess Wehe, Prince Bevin, Queen Isabelle, and of course Prince Corann and Princess Anlei. RK6 hovered around, communicating the needs of the family to the human staff members. The table was splendidly laid out with several Beinarian juices, a Beinarian dairy beverage, ten different assorted Beinarian fruits including nanla, kelan, and kara berries, a wide range of cold breakfast breads, and numerous hot breakfast dishes, including meats, vegetables, breads, fruits, and combinations of these. There were even hot breakfast desserts and Belarian waffles with kara berry syrup.

On a normal beinor, a family member would have to special request most of these hot dishes, but this beinor was different and the staff had prepared a feast for this large gathering to enjoy. The Beinarian version of cocoa which was placed immediately in front of Anlei and Corann as a special customary "good luck" token for their marriage – and hopeful speedy conception of a new heir to the throne. As the group chatted and sampled the buffet table of goodies, all stood at quiet attention as Anlei and Corann sat at their place of honour in front of the cocoa and raised their cups. Queen Isabelle toasted the couple with a raised glass of kelan juice, "To my daughter and her new husband. May the goddesses shine brightly on your marriage. May happiness fill your lives every beinor, and may you be blessed with children to bring you joy."

Anlei and Corann clinked their cups together and each sipped carefully from the hot cups, enjoying the well-prepared food and time with family. It was a needed respite before the storm to come.

One shir-or later, Corann and Anlei entered the palace healing center. Lady Healer Cara greeted them, "Lord Prince Corann? What a surprise. Have you come just to say hello or is there something I may do for you?"

"Actually, Aunt Cara, I woke up with severe pain in my shoulder. I did not say anything about it at breakfast because I did not want the court gossiping. But I'm feeling some rather stabbing pain in my shoulder still. I know I should have come to you right after I re-opened the wound but I was preoccupied in the xiao-shirs immediately following the attack by Janus. And after that...with the politics of the pronouncement...."

"As your mentor's sister, I understand. As a healer, it's my professional obligation to frown on your delay seeing me. I know my brother spoke to you about the need to seek medical attention after any sort of injury. Just like him, you display a habit of not acting on that knowledge and neglecting your health," acknowledged Cara. Turning to Anlei, she bowed courteously, "My lady... I am very strict about the confidentiality between healer and patient, particularly during diagnosis. I have found that most patients will not tell me everything while someone else is listening. May I ask you please kindly wait in the antechamber over here? My examination will not take long. Thank you." Respecting Lady Cara's professionalism, Princess Anlei stepped into the waiting area indicated and sat down into one of its many comfortable chairs.

Lady Cara directed Corann to a diagnostic scanner and removed his tunic for his examination. She looked at Corann's left shoulder, carefully attending to the healing around his sutures. The scanner showed unchecked internal bleeding. The wound was small, but not healing, "How bad was that fight with Janus?"

"He knew exactly where to hit me. I started to bleed during the combat; yes, you warned me about over stressing the area until it was healed. There was little choice, Cara. He...tried to force Anlei into an unwilling sealed betrothal. I did what I had to in order to protect her life and her honour. He put a contraband device on her to get into her room and suppress her ability to fight him," explained Corann.

"Some sort of drug?"

"More like a subliminal attack, the sort of thing that training in house Miyoo teaches one to counter—High Priestess Wehe must have foreseen I would need that training; it made all the difference. But...there was a physical struggle. I didn't draw my sword, but we fought. It was life or death, Cara...."

"I understand, nephew. Believe me I do; my scans indicate some unchecked internal bleeding, that is why your shoulder hurts so badly."

"What do you suggest?"

"I need to go back in, it looks like. The surgery should only take about 10 xiao-shirs, and then I can release you to bed rest. I will give you a sedative to encourage you to sleep so you can heal faster. If you are a good night and sleep, you can return to duty in ten beinors and resume your responsibilities with regards to your wife," diagnosed Cara.

"Aunt Cara, may I ask you questions about fertility and well, procreation, healer to patient? Before I never felt I needed to understand the details beyond the basics of procreation. Now I am married I require further education. Are there natural techniques that can help Anlei and I conceive an heir quickly?"

Lady Cara sat him down in a regular chair, "Corann, are you worried you can't fulfil your duties with regards to the succession?"

"I'm worried that Janus will strike again before I have the chance to. The only hope for us is to conceive son as quickly as possible. Once she's given birth to our first son, I think the risk of assassination will significantly drop – but until then...." Corann met her eyes, his terror showing, "Can you help me? Can you teach me? I cannot risk civil war, Aunt Cara. I need to give her a son."

"There are natural ways to influence things, both the chances of conception and the gender of the child without resorting to anything that someone might flag as technology or a medical treatment. Our ancestors used these methods to control their family sizes long ago...and learned the best ways of ensuring male and female children in the right numbers and balances...since the proper proportions are so vital for our political and social well-being. None of these constitute real technology in the modern sense...they all predate our arrival on Beinan. So I think you are pretty safe trying them...no promises, but worth your while, I think. Now lay back and relax while I take care of that would. Once I'm finished I will send you home with some materials you will find useful in your family planning."
Chapter Eight: Healing Old Wounds

Ten beinors later, Lady Cara checked on Lord Corann, surprised to find him in Anlei's room. Over the beinors, both Anlei and Corann cooperated with her instructions, speeding the healing. Sitting down besides Corann in a chair set up for the purpose, Lady Cara waved a hand scanner over Corann's shoulder. Unlacing his tunic, she guided her well trained hands over his left shoulder, pushing down occasionally to gauge Corann's reaction, "This is looking much better, more than 90% healed. How is the pain?"

"A little sore; I've kept to bed rest almost exclusively since I saw you and barely touched Anlei – not exactly easy right now."

"That's not hard to guess. In your bed rest, did you ever read what I gave you?"

"Yes, I made a point to read it when Anlei was out of the room – just in case."

"What do you think about the recommendations?"

"I think it's doable – but I don't know anything about her specifics," confessed Corann.

Lady Cara handed him a second tablet, "I pulled Anlei's medical records; her biorhythms have been recorded, of course, for several yen-ars. It's been a matter of planetary interest for certain kinds of records to be maintained regarding the likely heir to the throne. Nothing has been deleted on her. You will find that most comprehensive and useful in your family planning."

"Does she know this data exists?"

"Not likely; they were obtained through standard physical examination scans. Nothing she would notice; just an extra setting on the computer to collect data on. Not everything has to be done with patient awareness, Corann. Particularly with one who has not yet come of age. Strictly speaking, you are the only adult in this marriage until her fiftieth natal beinor. She's of legal age to marry, but she's not legally an adult yet. As her husband, you are her legal guardian, you know since you are of age," informed Lady Cara.

"I was not aware of that; I just assumed that her majesty retained her parental rights...."

"Husband always trumps parent in these things, Corann – unless abuse is involved; I know you. You'll die before anyone touches her inappropriately."

"Yes, I will," affirmed Corann. Corann looked at the data, "So when can I begin applying all this information...when is my shoulder sound enough?"

"It's sound enough right now for intimate activity, but give it another five beinors before you start really trying. Work your way up to your former activity level. I would start with some meditative martial arts for your workout – no swords, no spears, no archery or weapons of any kind. Do not practice with a partner for another twenty beinors. With the weakened muscles in the upper shoulder I am bit concerned about dislocation should you push too hard too fast. Ease into things, work the muscles, but work up to what you are used to. If you can do all that...I think you are fine to return to duty."

"Sounds reasonable to me; may I stop by your office later for a more detailed exercise plan?"

'How does next beinor morning sound?"

"Terrific."

"Good morning, Corann. I have not seen you here before," noted Lady Knight Elda as she attacked and parried with a rapier against a swinging target suspended from the ceiling of the Gurun practice chamber on the far side of the palace. This was Corann's first visit to the practice chamber since moving into the palace. The walls of the chamber were lined with practice weapons. A side door led out of doors to an enclosed courtyard spanning one hundred zhang by eighty zhang in size set up with a dozen different targets for different styles of archery and thrown weapons. A skylight filled the ceiling and fifteen floor-to-ceiling windows brought in natural light, making the room brightly lit in the morning and afternoon – storms notwithstanding.

Corann picked up a practice rapier from the far wall, "May I join you?"

"Of course, it's been a while," acknowledged Elda, walking to the free space at the center of the practice chamber with her rapier pointed towards the floor.

"Lady Healer Cara just cleared me to begin sword work again."

"That bad, eh? I knew Janus hit you pretty hard...."

"Harder than a knight is likely to admit to," confessed Corann, saluting Elda, then presenting his rapier to begin the duel.

Elda saluted Corann, and then engaged him with an attack au fer, "I understand. If someone attacked the queen, I would probably do exactly the same thing – and try to keep face by avoiding the healers after." Corann counter-parried, redirecting with a forward crossed riposte. Elda circled, testing Corann's defences before counter-riposting. Corann feinted, and then lunged. Elda caught Corann's blade with her sword, deflecting it back towards him. Disengaged, the friends circled with the precision of expert martial artists. Elda cut towards Corann. Corann counter-parried.

For an entire shir-or the friends duelled amicably; neither side landed a blow on the other. Finally, with the duel in a perpetual stand-off, the friends saluted one another and disengaged, their workout highly productive.

Corann embraced his old friend, "I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a duel so much. It really has been a long time. Queen Isabelle took you into her direct service just twenty beinors after your elevation; I've barely seen you except in passing since. Even with the wedding breakfast, you were there more to watch over the queen than to socialize."

"Since the death of Prince Alastair, I think her majesty has needed her knights of Ten-Ar and of Gurun more than ever. I think in her heart she is afraid that something will happen to either Princess Anlei or Prince Anwell," admitted Elda.

"But surely Anwell is no longer a threat to anyone; he abdicated when he was twenty-five yen-ars old. I too could have stopped this madness, this crisis, Elda. High Priestess Wehe offered to adopt me and make me king. In truth, she has been a mother to me, perhaps even more than Lady Priestess Cordelia. But I couldn't. You remember my moral dilemma back then; how do you deny the crown to the rightful queen, take her place, as if born her sibling? For me, that was unconscionable. I just could not bring myself to do it. Now I wonder if I have not put everyone in jeopardy for it," mused Corann.

"You cannot blame yourself for not knowing the future, Corann. I am surprised you feel such remorse, as if all of the political firestorm you married into were your fault," reassured Elda.

"That's just it, Elda -- I should have known, I should have foreseen the trouble that has only just begun. I am some sort of spiritual prodigy, at least in the eyes of those in power. I should have done more to stop this crisis. Now, I feel like our planet is on the verge of falling apart...all for my self-righteous pride."

"Make way, make way for High Highness, Lord Prince Corann, Consort to Her Highness, Crown Princess Anlei, heir to the Throne of Beinan," announced the court herald as Lord Corann entered the throne room. Now beinor 40, Corann found himself fully healed from his wound and gaining strength as he followed Lady Healer Cara's recommendations for strengthening his shoulder with exercise. For Corann, his first morning workout duelling with Lady Knight Elda felt exceptionally refreshing, like rain on a drought-stressed garden.

Confidently, yet following protocol to the letter, Corann approached her majesty's presence, "Your Majesty, may I enter your royal presence?"

Queen Isabelle smiled at him, "Of course, Lord Prince Corann. Please approach. My lord, may we continue this later?" she asked of the young courtier in front of her. The courtier nodded then quietly melted into the crowds at court. "What may I do for you?"

Corann bowed and approached, "I come to you to report regarding my health and well-being, Your Majesty, for surely you are aware that in defence of this throne, my previous injuries were aggravated and I required surgery to repair the damage to my already weakened shoulder."

Bevin clutched Isabelle's ringed hand in worry as she graciously nodded, "Please continue."

"It pleases me to report to your most royal of majesties that the head healer of this palace, Lady Healer Cara, has finally released me fully from her watchful care and declared my wound fully healed. I am now 100% able to resume my duties—all of them—as vowed to you and to this family. I come offering my services to you, Your Majesty, as a knight of Ten-Ar."

Inside her heart, Isabelle laughed...duties...Corann knew the duty both of them most desired was not one of a public nature at all, but the most private and personal, familial duty of husband. Like Corann, she was eager for Anlei to conceive, eager to secure the throne and end this succession crisis, assuming a son by Anlei would appease the grid-locked Great Council.

On her face and through her voice, Isabelle, the practiced politician, could not convey her real mind, "Your chivalry honours us, and this house to which you have joined yourself in holy matrimony. Let the family celebrate this evening with feasting, music, and dance in celebration of your return to health and with it, the return to prosperity for all of Beinan."

Lord Prince Corann offered an appreciative bow, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall prepare myself and my wife for the festivities this evening."

"Is it true, Corann?" asked Anlei, rushing into her apartment as servants hastened to lay out a selection of elaborate ball gowns for her consideration.

Corann, finally strong enough, swept her into both his arms, picked her up, and twirled her around the room in a dizzy circle, "It's true, milady. Tonight we feast, we dance, and then we dance all night in here to make our son." Stopping his spiral, he laid her down near the head of the bed, careful not to ruin any of the gowns laid out at the foot of the bed, then climbed on top of her expectantly, kissing her wildly.

"I can't wait. Corann are you really able to--can we?"

"You've never felt me so strong, so powerful, so...vigorous," he replied between kisses.

"Must we wait for tonight?"

Corann remembered the data he memorized, "YES. Tonight we celebrate and until tonight, my precious princess, you will just have to wait."

"Since when do you ever wait to bed me?" she teased.

"Oh, I don't know, since having major surgery on my shoulder and lung...." he reminded.

Anlei thought about the beinors since their reunion at the Ten-Arian monastery, "GOOD POINT. So why are we waiting right now?"

"Because tonight, after I dine and romance you, my love, it will be all the more special. Have I ever really had the opportunity to fully court you before? I cannot recall ever being able to. First the injury, then the great masquerade, betrothal, a wedding; it's all happened so fast. And so...let me court you tonight, my wife. Let me charm and seduce you and your cherished womb into giving me my heart's desire tonight."

"You really want this, don't you?" she asked, starry-eyed.

"I do."

"Just for the crown or do you genuinely want to be a father right now, Corann? Is this just about my safety?"

"I love you. What else can I do but show you my love for you in a way that creates children inside of you? How better can I show you how much I love you than by giving you children to assume your mother and grandfather's throne, then to nurture children out of your womb and then from the moment of birth, show them how much I love them because I love you? I love all that you are, Anlei. What else can I want but to bring new life out of your body, out of our love? In the past my love for you maddened me. Now, through your body, I can give my desires and my needs a clear direction, my life a new purpose. I live for you and the family we can make through your sacred body. Goddesses forgive me, but I worship you. You are the goddesses incarnated for me. I am fed by your breasts as we make love better than any tangible food." He reached for and gently caressed the under edge of one of her breasts through her clothes. Anlei breathed hard, moved and aroused by his words.

"What gown would please you best for tonight, my love?" she asked, caressing him showing him the six gowns laid out on her bed or hung up around the room. A glittering lavender organza and dupioni silk ball gown with white accents with a split skirt and white underskirt caught his eye, its corset like bodice and low, scoop neckline holding particular appeal. He picked it up and handed it to her. She held it against her body and twirled for his approval.

"PERFECT."

The grand ball ordered in Corann's honour may not have been as large as the Great Masquerade of BE 6326, beinor 160, but rarely did a gathering of family and friends sparkle more. In a mere six shir-ors time, Queen Isabelle and Lord Prince Bevin and their staff had arranged for approximately 200 extended family and friends from houses Gurun, Miyoo, Ten-Ar, and even one or two cousins from houses Xing-li and Balister. All of these were dressed formally, elegantly, in their finest fabrics and most expensive clothing. Those who could afford the high cost of red displayed it, if only in ribbons, sashes, belts, and other accent pieces. The purpose of the Great Masquerade had been to comply with the wishes of the Great Council to equitably help Princess Anlei find a suitable husband. This ball, quite to the contrary, was a pure celebration requested by the queen herself and therefore took on a genuine grandness the other lacked. This social affair the queen actually wanted.

Since the announcement, the kitchen staff worked tirelessly on a grand banquet, preparing both white meats and red meat dishes favoured by both the royal family and across Dong-Bei. Fruits, vegetables, cakes, pies, desserts of every configuration and elaboration were prepared with exquisite skill and eye for detail.

The staff knew how to impress when they put their skills towards grand parties. Tonight they demonstrated those skills and artistry fully.

The evening began in the grand dining area with table after table set with the Beinarian version of fine china and elegant place settings on a form of linen-like table covering in royal white, silver, and gold. Goblets and flutes were filled with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices according to the tastes of each guest. Five generous courses filled even the most ample appetite of each guest, each one more sumptuous than the one before, and more daring. It was a banquet to be remembered with the immediate royal family at high table, Lord Prince Corann and Princess Anlei placed in seats of honour, her lavender and white ball gown glittering, the corset under her gown pushing up her small, milky white breasts to expose a pleasing amount of cleavage above the neckline, just enough to frame her almost Elvish-like body perfectly. Anlei was a vision of perfect Beinarian beauty. She wore a delicate necklace of lavender gemstones around her collar bone, completing the effect of perfection.

As the lavish banquet portion of the evening concluded with the numerous customary toasts to the royal hosts and to specific planetary government leaders, including those in the more important committees of the Great Council, RK6 found herself watching the princess more and more. Unlike the humans in attendance, RK6 possessed great objectivity and eyed the festivities with a wider, politically oriented view. The whole sudden and lavish evening felt illogical to her programming. Surely something more than a simple celebration must be at play.

With a calculating eye, RK6 watched as Lord Corann led Anlei onto the dance floor, their eyes never leaving each other's star-filled faces. A Beinarian form of waltz played, something resembling a combination of a Viennese waltz with a foxtrot if viewed with Earthling eyes. The music was soft, orchestral, yet filled with the Beinarian shawms that so dominated the music used at Corann's elevation to knighthood. With almost fascinated watchfulness she watched Corann twirl and spin his wife breathlessly around the ballroom, both laughing and giggling like youths merely thirty yen-ars old. The night was magical from a human perspective, yet RK6 wondered if the apparent beauty and fairy-tale like atmosphere was altogether the point.

As the evening progressed past shir-or 12.65, Corann led Anlei out of the ballroom and towards her private royal apartment. Entering into Anlei's private garden, Corann led her to a well prepared bed of rich fabrics, cushions, and blankets under a massive protective tree resembling an oak tree, so strong and beautiful. There, finally, Corann bedded his wife, pleasuring the princess with not only the beauty of the night air, but what felt like a perfect evening. Well pleased, Anlei forgot about politics all through the evening and through the night that followed in Corann's arms. She would remember it only as one of the most beautiful and romantic beinors of her life, never guessing just how much of all she experienced was by Corann's masterful design.
Chapter Nine: The Crisis' Unresolved Resolution

"Your highness, wake up," urged RK6.

From behind her bed's curtains Princess Anlei barely heard RK6's incessant and worried banter. She opened her eyes to find Corann was gone from their bed, unusual of him. Pulling back the curtains, Anlei found she could barely move, but answered, "What is it, RK6?"

"It is shir-or 6.00, Your Highness."

"Shir-or 6.00, impossible. I never sleep past shir-or 4.00, even when I am sick," she asserted. "Where is Lord Prince Corann?"

"He rose from bed and joined your family for breakfast over three shir-ors ago, Your Highness," replied RK6 simply.

"What? What? Impossible. What is going on? What beinor is it?"

"Beinor 116, Your Highness."

"What? Can't be. It was beinor 112 last beinor."

"Your highness has been asleep for over three beinors," hovered RK6, changing colour from blue to violet. Concerned, RK6 hovered closer to the princess, noting her pallor had changed to an almost deathly white.

Anlei started to panic inside, yet felt too tired to move, "Three beinors? What is happening, RK6?"

"Perhaps I should summon a healer for you?" inquired the droid.

Anlei lay back on her pillows exhaustedly, "Yes. Yes please, RK6."

Lady Cara bowed and knelt at the princess's bedside, her medical instruments whirring around her. After 0.15 shir-ors, she rose and smiled.

Anlei looked at Lady Cara anxiously, "What-what is it, Lady Cara?"

"Congratulations are in order, Your Highness. You are not ill at all. But you are far from your previous normal self. Your body merely responded to the shock on its systems appropriately. You are perfectly healthy for a lady in your condition," beamed Cara.

"Condition? Condition? What condition? What are you talking about?"

"Your highness is expecting a son. Didn't you know? You have conceived, milady. Your body has accepted the baby and he's growing strong inside you," explained Lady Cara.

"Does Corann know?" asked the princess.

"Know with absolute certainly...not exactly. But I would say he has long suspected."

"You knew before?"

"Your...political position is well understood at court, milady," alluded Lady Cara.

Princess Anlei sighed. Of course everyone knew. They must have been talking about it for over a yen-ar. It embarrassed the princess, yet she knew the inevitability of her situation. This was her duty, all of it. She had little choice but to abide by the logical consequences of her royal blood.

"Now my daughter, PUSH. Push with all the strength you have," cried Isabelle. Princess Anlei lay on her soft birthing bed, tired, sweaty, and in agony. Trained well by her priestess mother, the queen coached her through this most difficult moment of her life.

Pregnancy and childbirth had not come easily for the young princess, still an adolescent by Beinarian standards. But through the many beinors, Anlei had barely complained of her many discomforts.

For her part, Queen Isabelle wished beyond hope that the Great Succession Crisis had not forced marriage and childbearing so soon upon her daughter. Yet the memory of Lord Janus—and his threats—clung like a pall over the court and over Anlei in particular, creating fits of melancholy and fear in even brave Lord Corann's eyes.

But politics was hardly the worry of this moment. For three beinors, Anlei laboured her body too young to handle the stresses put upon it.

Anlei pushed with the next contraction, screaming. From outside the birthing chamber, Corann watched, waited, and prayed to the triple goddesses for her safety, begging divinity to help both of them...and begging them to spare the life of his beloved wife.

Finally, with a blood curdling scream, the sounds inside stopped. Lady Cara stepped into the waiting room, a small bundle in her arms, "Congratulations. You have a son."

Reaching for his son and clutching him protectively, Corann's terror stayed in his eyes, "Anlei..."

"Her Highness is alive, but badly torn by her labour. I've put her under heavy sedation to improve her chances. Sleep is the best medicine for her under the circumstances," described Lady Cara.

Corann fumbled for words, "Umm – umm – ummm – of course. Whatever you think is best, Lady Cara. As long as she recovers.... You know I cannot bear to lose her."

"I know, Corann, nephew; she WILL recover. Nature has its ways of dealing with these things. She just needs time."

Corann looked down at the floor, then the ceiling, then Lady Cara, "...I know. Just tell me you will do everything to make sure she fully recovers."

"I give my word," promised Lady Cara.

Ten beinors later, Anlei woke to find herself back in her bed, the curtains drawn to provide her security and solitude as she recovered from childbed. RK6 sat attentively next to her bed, her sensors ever monitoring the princess. As Anlei stirred, RK6 detected her first movements and signalled internally to a Beinarian form of pager. From the grand court filled with people, Corann saw the paging light on his belt. Bowing graciously to those near him, he excused himself, "Excuse me, Lord Jeffery."

Lord Jeffery bowed in reply, "Of course, Your Highness."

Once out of sight from most of the court, Corann rushed through the palace corridors and to the royal apartment where Anlei lay. She was barely awake when she saw him come to her and embrace her. "Oh darling! You are awake at last," cried Corann in relief.

"I don't understand."

Corann kissed her warmly, "You've been asleep for ten beinors, my love."

"T-ten beinors – wh-what – I don't understand."

"Your childbed was hard on you; the healers put you into a deep, healing sleep to help you recover. I was so worried I had lost you."

"So that wasn't a dream? I really did give birth?" asked Anlei.

"Not only did you give birth, my love, but he is strong and healthy. I named him 'Lyr'...if you don't mind?" asked Corann, picking up the infant from his nearby cradle and handing him to Anlei. The prince yawned and cooed at his parents.

Anlei looked at her son, "Didn't I have an ancestor by that name?"

Corann smiled, "Yes. Three Gurun kings have held that name, including King Ejen's own paternal grandfather, King Lyr III whose sudden death I fear to remind you of."

"Remind me the story, Corann."

"He was murdered in the throne room, pierced by cross bow quarrels."

"But the security systems scan for laser weapons; they are contraband except in the hands of the knights assigned to protect the palace...."

"He was not killed by a laser crossbow, Anlei, but a heritage one made of wood. Our security system is not designed to detect such a weapon, which is exactly why that weapon was chosen.

"But that is the past, a sorrowful part of our past. This beinor we have a healthy and strong son, a baby boy the Great Council is certain to accept. An unbroken line sits between the Gurun kings and queens of old and our child. This is cause for celebration," proclaimed Corann.

Anlei nodded, cuddling Prince Lyr, "Yes! This boy will be king, one way or another...."

"Make way, make way for Isabelle, Queen of Beinan," cried the herald as Lord Prince Bevin, Lord Prince Corann, and Princess Anlei, holding her son, processed into the Great Hall of the Assembly, seat of the Great Council of Beinan. The entire Great Council assembled for this meeting with the royal family. Cameras covered the long foyer to the main chambers, many of them broadcasting the proceedings through numerous news channels.

While not allowed inside the chambers personally, journalists operated remote cameras covering the public and assembly spaces of the building which were connected to portable planetary and regional news broadcasting stations located mere li from the building.

As the royal family reached the heavy double doors that divided the foyer from the main assembly hall, each of them paused for a deep breath, looking at one another. Here the Secession Crisis would finally end—one way or another.

With regal grandeur and drama, Isabelle stepped onto the familiar floor. The normal chatter associated with the shir-or or so before a meeting of the council stopped to dead silence with the queen's first footfall. In silence, Queen Isabelle and her family followed the herald to the center of the hall filled with council members representing every corner of Beinan and every house. Huge black pillars lined the circular walls as pastel stained glass windows encircled them, their geometric shapes creating a dance of brilliance on the marble-like floor with its mosaics telling the story of the Great Migration and of the first kings of their civilization. Classical and beautiful, it filled Anlei with awe and wonder. What a grand place to debate the planet's most important issues.

Scanning the costumes of the many council members, Anlei noticed the heraldry worn as jewellery or embroidery on each council member. The stars of Xing-li, the swords of Ten-Ar, the triple moons of Miyoo, the sailing ships of Cashmarie, the books of Shem, the bows of Balister, even the palmed hands of Ana filled her sight as she strove to recognize any of the faces in the crowd. This place was Beinan.

As the royal family reached the central podium where those recognized by the council's chair-person debated and proposed legislation, Lady Kalar, the current head of House Cashmarie, stepped forward to great them, her long, blue-lavender kirtle twinkling with iridescence and the midriff of her ruched bodice embroidered in a silver sailing ship. Queen Isabelle bowed formally to her, "Lady Kalar, it is good to see you again. I hear you were re-elected as chair of this august body."

Lady Kalar returned the queen's polite bow, "Your Majesty, as ever, it is good to discuss the well-being of Beinan with you, though I do not believe you have ever brought any from your house with you – besides your gracious consort, of course," Lady Kalar motioned towards Lord Prince Bevin, acknowledging him.

"Indeed, Your Honour, there has never been a need before now to bring them to chambers. But, no doubt, you are aware of the challenges the conflict between the law and the better interests of Beinan has created. My daughter is prepared to rule when I can no longer do so. Yet the law forbids a daughter from succeeding her mother on the throne," replied Isabelle.

"Indeed. I do see the problem. Our laws are clear on this matter, Your Majesty. Either your son, Anwell, rescind his abdication or we choose a new ruler from another house," declared Lady Kalar. Though only 100 yen-ars old and the youngest council chair since inception of the Great Council in OW 45000, Lady Kalar remained unusually politically astute. Across five terms as chair of the Great Council, she ruled wisely and well. Debating Lady Kalar was no simple matter, a fact known to all who worked with her, including Queen Isabelle.

"Honourable Lady Kalar, House Gurun contests the law on the grounds that it is antiquated and forbears skilled leadership in the form of choosing the best and wisest of Beinarian nobles to lead our world," contested Queen Isabelle.

"Your charge is a seriously one, Your Majesty. Have you forgotten that it is not your place to set or challenge our legislation? You are our chief executive in continuation of our many yen-ars of separating legislative from executive and judicial applications of our laws. You do not instruct this Council; you rule to obey our decrees," asserted Lady Kalar.

"With respect, Honourable Lady Kalar, this law was not directly passed by the Great Council, but by Houses Xing-li, Ten-Ar, Ana, Balister, Cashmarie, and House Shem on original home world over the course of many yen-ars between the yen-ars OW 30,000 and OW 33,000. When the Great Council of Clans formed in OW 38215, they grand-fathered the statute, despite its sexism," countered Queen Isabelle.

"Many of our laws were grand-fathered in our legal and political system as the traditional laws of our society. One of these traditional requires service in the Great Council by each head of each noble house. If not for that tradition, Your Majesty, you would sit on this body," reminded Lady Kalar.

"I yield to the veracity of your history, Honourable Lady Kalar, but it does not change the merits of my argument. House Gurun never ruled against the ascent of any woman to power except by virtue of personal defect. My daughter holds no such defect. She is intelligent and well trained, knowledgeable about our laws, traditions, and history, despite her youth," asserted Queen Isabelle.

"The wisdom of young Princess Anlei has been called into question," reminded Lord Arthur of House Xing-li. "Has she not rejected her own Miyoo heritage, despite being regarded by Miyoo as eligible for election to this Council on behalf of that house? Or has Miyoo rescinded its matriarchy?"

"Miyoo rescinds nothing," asserted High Priestess Wehe. "As High Priestess, I remain head of that house, as are my daughter and granddaughter so regarded in my stead. I grant that Princess Anlei has often questioned matters of religion; she is a gifted scientist, after all, despite this crisis diverting her attention from her passion for physics. Do not hold Anlei in contempt for pursuing her own spiritual journey of reconciliation between the physical and spiritual realms. All of us take that journey. At 45 yen-ars old, the age of decision is not yet hers." High Priestess Wehe's eyes flashed with power as she spoke. Few in chambers could maintain her gaze.

"That still does not change the matter at hand. Whether or not Princess Anlei is fit to rule as sovereign queen is not the center of this debate. I see little evidence to the contrary. But our laws are clear: it is illegal for the daughter of a female sovereign to ascend the throne. By law, it is no different than if you had no heirs at all," voiced Lady Khyber of House Balister.

Queen Isabelle inhaled; this debate was not supposed to be easy. She simply did not expect it to be quite so draining either, "Will this Council change the law to permit Princess Anlei to become sovereign queen?"

"No," asserted Lord Esreile of House Shem, "we will not."

Lady Kalar smiled, "House Xing-li, do you have one among you fit to rule when Queen Isabelle steps down?"

"Honourable Lady Kalar, House Xing-li remembers BE 1301 when power was removed from Xing-li King Caranden in favour of House Gurun's first king, Balar. Caranden forged an alliance against Balar, plunging Beinan into its last great civil war. As a matter of principal and perhaps karma, we wish to avoid a new civil war. Do not forget the power and tenacity of House Gurun. Since establishment of the monarchy on original home world, they have endured the longest," reminded Lord Arthur.

"Does this mean House Xing-li yields the throne?" queried Lady Kalar.

"No. We accept but propose a compromise on this matter, the same compromise that ended the civil war on BE 1301, beinor 118. We propose marriage between the young heiress to clan leadership for House Xing-li to the House Gurun heir, Princess Anlei's son here present in her arms," affirmed Lord Arthur.

Lord Esreile rose, "Who is this child and under what terms do you propose, Lord Arthur?"

Princess Anlei stepped forward, rocking her son back and forth to keep him calm and sleeping, "This is my son, Prince Lyr, born BE 6328, beinor 56. Our line is unbroken from King Balar through the yen-ars to King Ejen, Queen Isabelle to myself, and now to him."

Lord Arthur approached Anlei, "May I hold him, Your Highness?" Anlei nodded and handed her son to the Xing-li head. "Strong is this child's blood, ancient and powerful, the heir to many houses and great power. Your highness, I offer your son my own daughter, heiress of House Xing-li in memory of Princess Cirwen whose blood flows through yours. In BE 1301, she wed your Lord Balar as the price for peace. Balar and Cirwen shared sovereignty until Cirwen, moved by her devotion to raising her own children instead of putting their care in the hands of others, chose to resign her power in favour of her husband.

"Now I present as formal resolution that Prince Lyr wed Lady Eleanor of House Xing-li by BE 6380, beinor 1 and that a formal betrothal be offered in the presence of this Council on beinor 1 of the coming yen-ar. Should Prince Lyr fail to wed my daughter, power shall be hers and hers alone upon the completion of Queen Isabelle's reign. Yet should all be done as I propose, let both of them reign as joint sovereigns as Balar and Cirwen reigned together," proposed Lord Arthur.

"Your terms are logical and reasonable, Lord Arthur. Yet they still transfer power to House Xing-li. The Gurun dynasty ends with Queen Isabelle," responded Lord Knight Corann.

"It could end now," threatened Lady Kalar.

"Queen Isabelle is strong and fit ruler. On judicial matters, she's proven herself willing to take the hard road in favour of justice for all, even and especially when it would be politically advantageous for her to do otherwise," asserted Lord Arthur. "Perhaps a compromise would suit House Gurun. In exchange for the terms I just outlined regarding Prince Lyr and Lady Eleanor, I am willing to regard all their descendants as House Gurun. I ask only one further condition...."

"Name it," commanded King Ejen.

"Both the successor of Lyr and Eleanor and their successor must choose a queen or prince consort from house Xing-li. This will strengthen our position in the royal court and permit us to influence policy in our favour for the next two hundred yen-ars," demanded Lord Arthur.

"We accept your terms, Lord Arthur, all of them. But we warned: this new condition will shape our history far longer than two hundred yen-ars. Posterity may never forgive what is forged this shir-or," warned Queen Isabelle.

"The resolution has been offered and accepted by the Houses involved," summarized Lady Kalar. "How votes this council? House Ana?"

"Yeah."

"House Shem?"

"Yeah."

"House Cashmarie?"

"Yeah."

"House Balister?"

"Yeah."

"House Ten-Ar?"

"Yeah."

"House Xing-li?"

"Yeah," answered Lord Arthur.

"House Gurun?"

"Yeah," answered Queen Isabelle.

"House Miyoo?"

"Yeah," answered High Priestess Wehe

"House Slabi?"

"Yeah."

"Resolution carried. Betrothal ceremony to be held in this chamber on beinor 1. High Priestess Wehe, as high priestess of Beinan, we request you to conduct the ceremony," commanded Lady Kalar. Wehe nodded in response. "This session is adjourned. Long live Beinan."
Epilogue

"For all appearances, the Great Succession Crisis was, indeed, resolved on BE 6328, beinor 129. But appearances can be deceiving. Lord Knight Corann and Princess Anlei's son, Prince Lyr ascended to the throne on BE 6400, beinor 2 as all in House Gurun hoped -- but at a terrible price for all of Beinan. High Priestess Wehe, Princess Anlei, Lord Knight Corann they all hoped in BE 6328 that the future King Lyr would be able to put the tumult of the crisis behind all of them. But their hopes failed. As Corann long suspected, Lord Janus would have his revenge, even from the grave. Hate filled Janus' descendants, triggering the violence that was to come, violence that would grow until it consumed Beinan. What began with a few terrorist bombings grew to civil war with countless innocents murdered. For my own protection my parents sent me to D425E25 Tertius, as most of you know so well. But that, dear friends, is another story that I will tell in my next transmission. The shir-or is late right now. Time for some rest. Watch for my next transmission for in it I will tell you how the violence began and grew, how the ghosts of the past came to haunt us all...." finished Queen Anyu.
Long Live the King

"My lady, it's time," alerted RK6 as she circled the kneeling Princess Anlei in front of her devotional altar in her private sanctum, a small, window-filled half-round tower extension to her third floor apartment in the Temple of Abka Biya in Bira Hecen. On the princess's head she wore the triple moon circlet of the high priestess of Beinan, her eyes filled with an air of solemnity, its previous fire diminished somewhat with sadness, maturity, and responsibility. On Anlei's crimson gown was embroidered the triple moon heraldry of house Miyoo, its silver white threads sparkling against its golden field.

Rising with careful ceremonial practice, Anlei eyed her devoted droid, "Thank you, RK6. Will you please ask his grace to join me in the main audience chamber?"

"Of course, Your Grace," acknowledged RK6, speeding out of Anlei's sanctum.

Without the customary attendants, Anlei strode through the labyrinth of corridors of the great temple, its many towers and spires branching from the foundational trapezoid like tree branches. Reaching the rotunda that was the main audience chamber, High Priestess Anlei ascended ten stair steps to her throne as four hundred nobles and clergy already assembled in the sanctuary rose respectfully. As Anlei sat down reverentially, Lord Knight Corann ascended the dais, taking his seat next to her with a respectful bow.

With a nod from Princess Anlei to RK6 for the ceremony to begin, a retinue of honour attendants filed into the rotunda ahead of gilded white wood casket carried by three knights of Gurun and three priests of Miyoo. Carefully the pall bearers guided the casket onto the stone altar six zhang from Anlei and Corann's thrones as Beinarian harps and flutes played a mournful lament. Prince Lyr and Princess Eleanor promenaded to the altar, both kneeling as they reached the casket.

High Priestess Anlei rose, "Sudden is the death of our most beloved Queen Isabelle, daughter of King Ejen and High Priestess Wehe. Though her reign was short, Queen Isabelle taught us the very meaning of dignity and honour, dedicating her life to peace and prosperity for all Beinarians during the 78.9644 yen-ars of her reign. She took on this responsibility pulled by the powerful political forces of her Miyoo and Gurun blood. As my mother, she taught me the true meaning of royalty, honour, and dignity.

"Prince Lyr, you are more than simply the heir to our beloved queen's throne. You are both my son and her foster son. As we pray for the strength to continue in the difficult beinors of mourning before we celebrate your assent, beinors made more difficult by the disappearance of our beloved father, grandfather, and prince consort, Lord Knight Bevin of house Ten-Ar, I charge you, Lyr of house Gurun, to meditate on all the lessons taught to you across the seventy-one yen-ars of your life that you, as King Lyr IV, may rule with equal wisdom as our beloved Queen Isabelle, guided in judgment by your queen, Eleanor."

With a signal from High Priestess Anlei, Prince Lyr and Princess Eleanor rose. Prince Lyr raised his eyes to his mother, "Your Grace, I am ever mindful of the meaning of our loss and the loss you, noble one, feel with me. It is perhaps a great bitterness that I stand before you as crown prince without first seeing the Gurun crown upon your head, noble one, for you truly deserve to wear it far more than I."

"Your words are kind, my prince," bowed High Priestess Anlei. "You do me greater honour than I deserve."

"No, Your Grace, I understate your value to Beinan. Not just as my mother, but as the successor to High Priestess Wehe. The crown that must be passed through the loss of our beloved queen truly belongs to you, not I. You are Queen Isabelle's one and only daughter, her true heir."

"It is for the Great Council to decide who bears the burden of king or queen of Beinan. The law is clear and their ruling is just. Long live King Lyr and Queen Eleanor!" proclaimed Anlei.

"Long live the king and queen," shouted the assembly in reply.

Princess Eleanor blushed at the shouts, her right hand playing with the fabric of her delicate saffron overdress nervously, "Our queen is dead, our prince consort Bevin is missing. Now is not the time to shout compliments towards either the crown prince or myself. This shir-or we are merely the successors of her majesty as decided by the Great Council in BE 6328. Do not think my heart is not troubled by the sudden death of her majesty and the odd disappearance of his highness so close to her death. Hear me, Beinan, as your future co-sovereign: we not yet your leaders. Defer to Her Grace, Dowager Princess Anlei, our high priestess and successor to the High Priestess Wehe, one of our greatest religious leaders since our people arrived here on Beinan after the Great Migration. I charge you all to defer to her grace and his grace, High Priest Corann. For their wisdom and experience is the greater. Theirs is a place of true merit, chosen by our wisest leaders among house Miyoo for their spiritual insight, wisdom, and intelligence. My husband and I rule at the pleasure of the Great Council of Beinan. But High Priestess Anlei and High Priest Corann rule at the pleasure of the divine. As for me and my husband, we shall follow where they lead, ever mindful of their greater counsel."

Shocked and pleased by her daughter-in-law's proclamation, Anlei stepped down the staircase separating her from her eldest son and daughter-in-law. Eleanor and Lyr kneeled before her. Anlei kissed their foreheads as Corann followed her down the steps, placing his left hand on his eldest son's right shoulder affectionately. Lyr looked up into his father's eyes for approval.

Corann smiled back at Eleanor, "You were not chosen by Lyr or even any of his blood, Your Highness. Yet your words touch me as his father. May this terrible loss for our family bring us all together that you may be the wife of his heart, not just out of the Great Council's bidding, a true member of our family."

A tear fell from Eleanor's eye, "Ever shall I strive to be so, Your Grace. For before our wedding, which you and her graced presided over, the queen told us the story of how all this came to be – all of it – even the pain and treachery that night of the Great Masquerade. Ever do I aspire to have what you have in love, life, and family."

"So mote it be," nodded Corann.

Suddenly a knight of Gurun burst into the assembly from a side door, "Your Highnesses, Your Grace, his highness has been found!"

Princess Eleanor stared at the knight in shock, "Who, lord knight?"

"Lord Knight Bevin, husband to her majesty and father to her grace," cried the knight.

Shock and bewilderment filled Anlei's eyes. Sensing Anlei's mind as well as during their courtship, Corann took the lead, "Where is he? Why does he not come here and now if he has been found?"

The knight's gaze darted around the room, "Your Grace misunderstands. He has not been found injured, but dead, Your Grace. The prince consort was brutally murdered and dumped into the Amur River." Against her will, Anlei fell to her knees, suddenly sick.

"WHERE?" shouted Prince Lyr assertively.

"N-n-near the palace...forty two point six eight zhang from the court yard where royals and the most noble of Beinarians are cremated," stammered the knight.

"Call forth an honour guard to prepare his highness. As her majesty makes her final journey, let her prince and dearest companion journey with her in death as they were in life," commanded Prince Lyr, squeezing Princess Eleanor's hand for moral support. Turning to his mother he offered, "With your permission, Your Grace?"

Anlei tried to re-collect her breath, standing once more, "Granted, Prince Lyr. Our grief is doubled, yet in this at least our souls may be comforted: that in death our prince consort was no less devoted to she who stole his heart than while both lived."

With the sudden discovery of Bevin's body, the smoothness of the royal funeral derailed for two hundred xiao-shirs while knights, healers, and mourners regrouped to adapt to the sudden addition of Bevin to the royal cremation. At length, all was re-readied. In ceremonial silence, Lord Priest Corann lit a ceremonial torch which he passed to Lady Priestess Anlei, her face red with tears and grief, her body shaking perceptively. Corann touched her shoulders, projecting a measure of calm into her mind to buttress hers. With three deep breaths, Anlei stepped to the widened wooden platform upon which Queen Isabelle's casket had been placed. A wooden screen surrounded Bevin's body next to her, concealing the gruesome disfigurements Bevin suffered in his final xiao-shirs. Evidence of torture – and Bevin's own resistance – covered the body.

Touching the torch first to the queen's casket, then to the screen, Anlei watched the flames envelop her parents like a solar flare washing around a planet. Still in shock and feeling overwhelmed with grief, Anlei stumbled as she tried to step back to a safe distance from the raging flames already starting to send out embers and ashes as Isabelle and Bevin's bodies succumbed to the heat. Against protocol, Anlei wept openly, unable to meet anyone's gaze, completely consumed by grief, her hands still clutching the torch. Observing the unsteadiness of her grip, Corann gently took hold of the torch, passing it to Prince Lyr who gave it in turn to a knight of Gurun to extinguish.

Prince Lyr addressed the assembled gathering, "Citizens of Hejing, peers and nobles of Beinan. This shir-or we say farewell to our queen, the noble and mighty Isabelle of house Gurun, and to her consort, my grandfather, Lord Knight Bevin of house Ten-Ar. May the goddesses bless and keep us in these coming beinors of grief and mourning. Mourn we must. Remember we must. For these, our best leaders were true examples all of us must strive to emulate. Our wounds will heal, our sorrow will ebb. As the new yen-ar dawns, we will step forward into the future that is ours to live. But not this shir-or. For loss is something we must all feel, acknowledge, and rise through.

"Soon enough, I shall ascend the throne and take my place as your king, along with Eleanor of house Xing-li, the chosen co-sovereign queen of Beinan. Yet think not that either of us have designs to do this alone. The wisdom of our high priestess and high priest is proven. Ours is yet to be tested. As for me and my queen, we shall defer to them in matters personal and public. If the Great Council is wise, they shall respect our humility in this and honour these, the greatest religious leaders of our time, with the respect duly owed to them both." Lyr turned to High Priestess Anlei, struggling to hold back his tears, "Your Grace, will you lead us now in prayer?"

Anlei stepped forward, her mind calmed in part by Corann's ever present steadiness in her psyche, "Divine of many names unknown whose three faces are known to we limited Beinarians as Abka Biya, Banumu Hehe, and Abka Gahun, we call to thee in our beinor of grief and sorrow. We who are mere mortals do not understand that which is beyond our flesh. Even the wisest of us can only guess, not truly know. We bow to your mercy and everlasting blessings too often forgotten or ignored but always in our short lives. Our hearts are filled with sorrow at the loss of our beloved Queen Isabelle and Prince Consort Bevin. Ripped from us by violence and inexplicable malice, our wisdom fails to comprehend the purpose that surely must exist behind their deaths.

"Holy one that is three, we beg for your strength and understanding for the beinors that are to come, even as we prepare to welcome the new yen-ar and with it, new leadership for Beinan in Lyr and Eleanor. Guide us, Great Mother, and help us feel your presence in our lives. Forbid us forgetfulness that the lessons they taught us may never fail in our collective memory. So mote it be."

"So mote it be," echoed the assembled gathering watching the state funeral.

As if in answer to the prayer, an unexpected wind suddenly descended into Hejing from the upper atmosphere, a fierce gale sweeping through the inner city. The upper clouds broke, revealing a conjunction of Beinan's three moons. The Amur River surged upward in response to the pull of all three moons converging over the city. With a burst of intense wind that blew the gathering away from the cremation, the river swelled beyond its banks and into the already waning pyre, washing the ashes and bits of bone into the river. When at last the Amur returned to its banks and the wind subsided, Anlei's eyes widened. Not one trace remained of the bodies, not even a speck of ash. It was as if divinity had claimed Isabelle and Bevin, returning their remains to greater planet faster than they could have otherwise. In her heart, Anlei heard an unexpected voice, "I am here, daughter of light. Fear not. All is as it should be."

Seven beinors later, Hejing glittered with anticipation. Across the city, heraldic banners for houses Gurun and Xing-li flew from every window and building. After seven beinors of official morning, the city was ready to welcome the new yen-ar and celebrate it to the fullest. Inside the palace, Prince Lyr paced in the same garden gazebo where Corann had first attempted to propose to Anlei, mere fifteen zhang from where he was conceived, a fact carefully concealed to him out of its awkward nature. At last Anlei and Corann arrived. Lyr greeted them nervously, "Mother! Father! I am so glad to see you. How are my little brother and sister?"

"Londthol is sleeping like a good baby," smiled Anlei. "Abigail is at her studies right now...at least she WAS at her studies. Her tutor has a math test in mind for her this beinor...unless she finds some way to use her brother's coronation as an excuse to get out of it. She has been known to do that sometimes."

Lyr laughed, "I recall pulling that trick on you from time to time when you tutored me. If I recall, grandmother and great-grandmother used to get especially vexed at me for it."

Corann rolled his eyes, "Your great-grandmother was a firm believer that royalty should possess the highest possible education and devotion towards learning. It was one reason I think she was so aggressive in her seduction of then crown prince Ejen. She knew she could rule wiser and better than he could and had no trepidation about using her sexual charms to gain power through his bed. If I recall, she had herself declared queen against custom by using her superior power as high priestess to pressure the Great Council into awarding her that title."

Lyr shook his head in disbelief, "I-I never knew that about her. What I remember most about great-grandmother was the way she always seemed so...wise, so in control – unless I was intentionally vexing her."

Acknowledging Lyr's impressions, High Priestess Anlei refocused the conversation, "Is this a purely social visit, Lyr, or is there another reason you asked us to come here?"

"No...no, actually there is something I want to ask you."

"Name it."

"The staff wants to move my belongings out of this room and into the official sovereign's apartment. Though the Great Council regards my rule as equal to Eleanor's, the fact they chose our joint reign to fall under the Gurun dynasty means that my new apartment is to be the one held by grandmother; Eleanor will occupy the consort's apartment. But I...have some trepidation about this...at least about consenting to the move yet."

"What can your father and I do to help?"

"I...want both of you to stay in the official royal apartment tonight...and for the next seven beinors," requested Lyr.

"Does Eleanor know this?" asked Corann.

Lyr smirked, "She was actually the one who first suggested it to me after our wedding. She agrees with me that this whole ascension thing to king and queen is completely messed up. This is your throne, Mother, not ours."

"Long ago your uncle Anwell gave up his birth right; strictly speaking by law he should be taking the throne instead of either of us. But he did not want the throne, even knowing as children that rejecting it would certainly put us through the Great Succession Crisis we all had to work through. Anwell felt that it would make him a target for those who oppose our system of government. He was right."

"What happened to Uncle Anwell, Mother?"

'We don't know. The last anyone heard of him, he launched a star craft out of Olos-Mir, headquarters to house Xing-li. The last that was ever seen of him was on a tracking scanner as he reached the upper atmosphere. Then...his star craft disappeared from our sensors. He's not been seen or heard from since. If he travelled to another world, we have no clue to which one, not even the general region of space he headed for," described Anlei.

"Forgive me, Mother...I did not know."

"That information is classified. My mother disagreed with the ruling of the Great Council, as we all seemed to apparently. She could not openly oppose them – or lose not only her throne but the entire dynasty. But she could do small things like giving me security clearance and access to information generally reserved for the sovereign, consort, and heir to the throne. She did not transfer any such real information access to you until...let me see...three yen-ars ago, I think."

"It pleases me to learn that, Mother, and of the quiet resistance she showed. Now, please, allow us to demonstrate our own quiet resistance to this whole ascension matter. I would like you and father to enjoy the sovereign's bed for these next seven beinors."

Anlei embraced her son, "As you wish...just for seven beinors so you can micro-manage your own move to the big scary room...."

Lyr kissed his mother's cheek affectionately, "Thanks, Mom."

The coronation ceremony sparkled like a Beinarian ruby in the palace throne room filled with courtiers, nobles, friends, and family. On the raised dais stood the four thrones that felt somehow empty without Queen Isabelle. Before them stood Anlei and Corann, watching and waiting for the grand processional of shawms, flutes, harps, and horns. With a fanfare Lyr and Eleanor glided through the throne room with stately grace, their fingers intertwined happily. In the front row stood Eleanor's parents, Lord Councillor Arthur and Lady Viviane of house Xing-li. They bowed at the waist. Eleanor nodded her head in acknowledgement, and then quickly focused on High Priestess Anlei and High Priest Corann. Lyr and Eleanor kneeled before them.

Anlei addressed the gathering, "Peers of Beinan, lords, ladies, and laity, we are gathered this shir-or to bless the successors of Queen Isabelle as they jointly ascend to her throne as king and queen of Beinan. In this, we are reminded of responsibility they are about to assume, a responsibility that transcends whatever material benefits come with their duties. For here, now, they are charged with two important jobs. The first is to enforce the laws of our people. The second is to interpret them as the final legal authority on our world, responsible to our people as represented in the Great Council of Beinan. This authority was first exercised by King Malvyn and his queen, Brigid, high priestess to our people. This shir-or, we bestow the same power upon Lyr and Eleanor with reverence and respect for their office."

Anlei took Lyr's dominate left hand and placed it on her heart, "Lyr, son of Princess Anlei of house Gurun and Lord Knight Corann of house Ten-Ar, do you swear to uphold the office of king of Beinan? Do you promise to rule with mercy, wisdom, and compassion, putting aside the interests of any single house and committing yourself to service to all – rich or poor, healthy or infirm, powerful or weak, urban or rural? Will you swear to protect the innocent while punishing the guilty through justice, not vengeance, ever humble before that which is greater than all of us?"

"By my life or death, I so swear, forfeiting all I possess should I fail to uphold this vow," swore Lyr.

"So mote it be," proclaimed Anlei, moving their joined hands from her heart to his. Lyr kissed her hand humbly with a bow as Anlei put his hand into Eleanor's which she placed onto Lyr's heart, "Eleanor, daughter of Lord Councillor Arthur and Lady Viviane of house Xing-li, do you swear to uphold the office of queen of Beinan? Do you promise to rule with mercy, wisdom, and compassion, putting aside the interests of any single house and committing yourself to service to all – rich or poor, healthy or infirm, powerful or weak, urban or rural? Will you swear to protect the innocent while punishing the guilty through justice, not vengeance, ever humble before that which is greater than all of us?"

"By my life or death, I so swear, forfeiting all I possess should I fail to uphold this vow," swore Eleanor. Anlei released Eleanor's hand.

High Priest Corann held aloft the Beinarian diamond and ruby coronet of the Gurun queens of Beinan so all could see it, "Eleanor of house Xing-li, I crown you Queen Eleanor the First." Gently, Corann lowered the coronet onto Eleanor's head.

Anlei took the king's coronet of house Gurun into her hands, raising it so all could see its Beinarian diamonds and rubies, "Lyr of house Gurun, I crown you King Lyr the Fourth." As Anlei lowered the crown onto her son's head, she felt a wave of pain and sorrow from his mind. Lyr tried to conceal his emotions...yet his mother knew him too well for that. In his eyes she felt his grief and frustration, even if no one else in the throne room, save his father perhaps, sensed it. In response, Corann took Anlei's hand, signally for her to rise Lyr up as he brought Eleanor to her feet. King Lyr IV and Queen Eleanor I faced the gathering as Anlei declared, "My people, it is my pleasure to introduce you to King Lyr IV and Queen Eleanor I. Long live the king!"

"Long live the king," echoed the gathered populace.

"Long live the queen," shouted Corann.

"Long live the queen."

"Long live the Gurun dynasty," shouted Corann and Anlei together.

"Long live the Gurun dynasty."

The grand ballroom shined with all the radiance and glamour expected at a coronation reception. The best and most formal dinnerware covered the dining tables in the dining room adjacent to the ballroom, leaving the main space open for dancing. Gilded carafes poured what seemed like an endless bounty of kelan and nanla wines in a six course luncheon displaying the talents of the palace's many chefs.

There was even hot cocoa, despite the drink's association with weddings and bridal blessings, which flowed out of an ornate fountain luxuriously. Porcelain cups gilded in Beinarian platinum waited in a carefully built pyramid 0.85 zhang away from the fountain for the convenience of those indulging in the cocoa which has a slightly minty taste compared to chocolates consumed elsewhere in the universe with a mellower finish than most other chocolates.

On a special dessert table, guests were treated to delicate layered pastries, custards, cakes, even a tube-like pastry called a "slatko." Resembling Italian-American cannoli, the slatkos had baked pastry tube shells filled with a fruit filling. On the table sat six different types of slatkos. Some had icing on the tube edges. Others were dusted with sprinkles. Each had a different fruit filling to tempt guests. It was a lovely spread designed to please many different tastes.

As guests nibbled at the delicious food, Dowager Princess Anlei and Lord Knight Corann meandered around the dining room and ball room, checking people's reactions to the celebration and towards their new king and queen. In many ways, it reminded both of them of their own wedding reception held in the same ball room. As both turned towards the cocoa fountain, they noticed a familiar face waiting to fill her cup. Smiling, Corann embraced the green-gowned priestess, "Mother...so good to see you. I did not know you planned on attending."

Lady Priestess Cordelia turned to her son and kissed his cheek with a hug, "Corann...how is my beloved son?"

Corann thought for a xiao-shir about his response, "...proud, happy, relieved...sad, disappointed, frustrated. This should have been Anlei's coronation and for that my heart is heavy...but Lyr is a fine young man...he turned out perhaps better than either of us could have imagined. He's more humble than you would think, mindful of the awkward position the Great Council put him in and, I think, equally frustrated about the circumstances of his coronation. But we have one thing at least...now, no matter what anyone else says, our great succession crisis is finally, unequivocally, over."

"Yes, it is. How do you find our new queen? Do you know her well?" asked Cordelia.

"Not well enough," answered Anlei, "but then, nor does Lyr, I think. I can tell by the way he looks at her...I recognize that same look on my own face when I was growing up...before I realized just how much Corann loves me. It's hard to believe now how focused I was on duty, how ambivalent I was towards the idea of marriage or the prospect of spending my life tolerating an unwanted consort's lust or dutiful attempts to get me with child. How odd that at an age when most adolescents are filled with romantic dreams that I was all business.... Your son changed that about me; let me dare to dream of something better...so strange the way things have worked out."

"Strange indeed," agreed Cordelia. "Has Lyr met his little brother yet?"

"Londthol is only two yen-ars old...not old enough to be out in public. I only finished weaning him forty beinors ago."

"Are you going to try for another? How many grandchildren will you give me, Your Graces?" teased Cordelia.

Anlei smirked at her mother-in-law, "One at a time...Londthol is still an infant, after all. Once he's more independent...who knows?"

"Understood," acknowledged Cordelia, brushing back a stray lock of her hair back towards the elaborate braids pinned up with silver and pearl-tipped hair pins. Cordelia raised her eyes towards the faces of those around her, searching for someone, "Have you seen Lady Priestess Ecter yet?"

"No...is she here? Forgive me, but with everything happening with mother's death...I just have not had the time to study the reports on my desk. I thought Lady Ecter was off in Xi-Nan Fang visiting her family...." remarked Anlei.

"What family, Your Grace? Do you think she's forgotten what her brother did to her –and tried to do to you?" referred Cordelia.

"I do not think any of us involved with Janus' attempted coup can forget about it. He did, after all, threaten to destroy the Gurun dynasty. I have no doubt he will find a way to do exactly that...if only through others," added Corann.

"I can hardly argue with that," interjected Lady Priestess Ecter from behind Cordelia's back. Cordelia turned suddenly to see the daughter of Cariadoc a blossoming and rather beautiful young woman 114.061 yen-ars old. "But do not delude yourselves into thinking that everything my brother did was entirely of his own mind and motivation. Unlike our faith which encourages individual initiative and thought, clerics of The Shemai teach absolute obedience to authority, starting with one's father."

High Priest Corann bowed to Lady Priestess Ecter, "Your expertise in this matter is valued, Lady Priestess Ecter, for its uniqueness. Only you possess such insight and understanding into the minds and hearts of house Shem and worship of The Shemai."

"Let's be clear, everyone: they are not bad people. But religion has a way of polarizing people and motivating them towards thoughts and actions that would be inconceivable coming from another context. People will fight and die for their immortal soul as they will not for anything else. It is the politics of the clerics in Shemai temples, not the teachings of The Shemai himself that motivate hatred and violence in anyone. If anything, the Shemai is a god of peace, charity, and love!" explained Lady Ecter.

"If you do not mind me asking you...if you uphold what you were taught in Shemai temples, how and why would you choose to convert, to reject your god in favour of the goddesses?" asked Corann.

"I did not reject The Shemai, Your Grace, but I do reject the organized worship of him. For me, the faith of my family does not stand in contradiction to the faith I vowed to uphold as a priestess of Miyoo. We do not know the real name of that which we call the triple goddess. We do not presume to understand who and what that being or beings are really about. In my heart, there is room for both ways of understanding that which is beyond all of us. It really amounts to how you look at the greater universe; complete objective reality is beyond our abilities as human beings."

"Your wisdom is great, Lady Ecter, perhaps greater than mine. One must wonder why you were not chosen high priestess instead of me," observed Anlei.

"You do me honour, Your Grace. But I would not accept power if everyone in house Miyoo wished it. I was not born to wield it as you were nor do I have your nobility in blood. I serve because I know my brother and want to do my part to prevent him from hurting anyone else," explained Lady Ecter.

Suddenly everyone at the reception bowed as the herald cried, "Make way! Make way for his most royal of majesties, Lyr, king of Beinan and Eleanor, queen of Beinan."

King Lyr smiled as he strode through the parting crowd towards his parents, Queen Eleanor on his arm regally. As he neared his parents and grandmother, Princess Abigail ambled through the crowd and starred into her brother's eyes, "Are you really the king now?"

King Lyr swooped the ten yen-ar old princess into his arms playfully and kissed his sister's cheek, "What do you think, Abigail?"

Abigail shrugged, "I don't know."

Lyr hugged his sister affectionately, "Well, the law says I'm king, but you know what? I think I am still your big brother so you know what? If you need anything, you tell me. You don't have to bow or anything – not for at least five more yen-ars, okay? Do we have a deal?" Abigail nodded vigorously. Lyr squeezed her tight, and then put her down. Abigail wandered over to her mother and took her hand. Eleanor smiled proudly at Lyr as he addressed those in attendance, "Peers of Beinan, honoured guests, I thank you for coming celebrate the new yen-ar with Queen Eleanor and myself. Though our sorrows will remain for a time, I pledge to serve you with wisdom, humility, and respect for all Beinarians, guided by the wisest among our many houses. To that end, I appoint our high priest and high priestess to my privy council. Not only are High Priest Corann and High Priestess Anlei some of the wisest among us, but I have the honour of being their first born son. And so I ask all of you to charge your glasses and salute them with me. Long live Corann and Anlei, High Priest and High Priestess of Beinan!"

As the crowds echoed the king's toast, Anlei felt an odd sensation in her heart, a tranquillity that transcended circumstance and her grief over losing her parents. In that xiao-shir she grasped the future. Lyr and Eleanor were going to succeed where she and Corann could not, guided by the wisdom of house Miyoo, the strength of house Ten-Ar, and the passion for exploration of house Xing-li. In the yen-ars that followed, King Lyr IV and Queen Eleanor were true to their word. As part of the king and queen's Privy Council, they partnered with their son who never lost his humility towards them.

On BE 6458, beinor 33, Queen Eleanor gave birth to their first child, a daughter they named Elaine. Six point eight five two seven yen-ars later, on BE 6465, beinor 4, Prince Pellinore followed. On BE 6470, beinor 49 Eleanor gave birth to their son Gareth who ascended the throne himself in BE 6500. King Gareth II wed his cousin, Lady Lynessa of house Xing-li on BE 6526, beinor 46, despite Lynessa's sealed betrothal to his older brother Prince Pellinore.

On BE 6589, beinor 8, Princess Consort Lynessa gave birth to Gareth's only heir, Princess Darla. Princess Darla wed Lord Healer Torr of house Xing-li, one of house Xing-li's most skilled mind healers. Darla ascended the throne on BE 6749, beinor 185, giving birth to twins Kendric and Cathryn on BE 6750, beinor 22. Prince Kendric became childhood friends with his distant cousin Elendir, son of Lord Healer Devon and Lady Healer Keelia of house Ten-Ar, sweeping the entire royal family into the tumult that followed all the descendants of Anlei and Corann. For Cariadoc, and his children by Lady Jebez could not forget the disgrace of Janus, a name that would haunt Beinan for hundreds of yen-ars to come, a ghost from the past not readily dismissed.

## Part Two: The Ghosts of the Past

Prologue

"Computer, begin recording and transmit to coordinates 23978 by 29458 by 5492," commanded Queen Anyu.

"Confirmed," replied the computer.

"This is Anyu, Queen of Beinan, transmitting to my friends and allies across the known universe. Four beinors have past here on Beinan since my last transmission concerning the history of my people and the "Great Succession Crisis" faced from BE 6326 to BE 6328 by my ancestors, Princess Anlei and her husband, Lord Prince Corann. Following the betrothal of their infant son, the future King Lyr IV, to Lady Eleanor of House Xing-li in BE 6329, both Anlei and Corann retired to Bira Hecen. There, they spent the rest of their lives serving our people in Bira Hecen's temples with their daughters Abigail and Elena, and their second son, Londthol, born in BE 6398.

"Princess Anlei, the one-time atheist, grew spiritually and personally through the Great Succession Crisis until she, of her own free will, took vows as a priestess of house Miyoo.

Not long after, in BE 6380, Anlei succeeded her grandmother, High Priestess Wehe, as High Priestess of Beinan. Ten beinors later, Lord Knight Corann became the first high priest of Beinan since completion of the Great Migration. Both presided over their elder son's wedding and served as King Lyr IV's and Queen Eleanor's closest confidants.

"As the yen-ars passed, Corann's premonitions proved prophetic, though few of us who knew about his visions realized it at the time. Half a planet away, in Xi-Nan Fang, the exiled Janus, his siblings, and descendants plotted their revenge, a revenge that has cost Beinan more than perhaps any of us will ever know. Cursed with the brown eye syndrome that steals the sight of all exposed for long periods of time to argun ore and argene, Janus and his relatives grew in their hatred – until it consumed us all. At first it started out as a few isolated incidents of violence. That would change with the yen-ars

"As with all such broad-scoped violence, their hate would take unintended lives and grow unintended heroes to combat them. The greatest of these heroes were Elendir of House Ten-Ar and his son, Corann...."
Chapter One: The Mystery of Keelia and Devon's Sacrifice

"This is...An-Men Ten-Ar. The next stop is...An-Men gate historical monument" flashed the indicator signs all over and across the light rail cars following an almost invisible monorail along the streets of the capital city of Hejing. On the outside of the twelve light rail cars making up this particular train flashed the train line indicator, "An-Men Xi Fang." As the light rail slowed to its stop called An-Men Ten-Ar, a well-dressed House Ten-Ar professional wearing a blue doublet over a green kirtle and trousers emerged from the fourth car, along with a few dozen other commuters, the emblem of Beinarian healers embroidered on his doublet. As the gentleman stepped off the light rail train car he was on, his grey eyes scanned the over 5000 yen-ar old streets for the familiar street markers that indicated his position. After a few seconds, the gentleman, Lord Healer Devon of House Ten-Ar, found his bearings and began to walk 0.578 li 里 west and 0.687 li 里 south of the light rail station. After a few xiao-shir, he reached his destination, a tall, gleaming pale blue granite-like building complex marked "An-Men Ten-Ar Healing center."

Looking at his watch, Lord Devon hastened into the building and checked with the front information desk located 0.0127 li 里 from the entrance. At the desk sat a blue and green gowned clerk, "Welcome to An-Men Ten-Ar. How may I help you, Lord Healer?"

"Lord Healer Devon of House Ten-Ar...I'm looking for my wife, Lady Healer Keelia of House Ten-Ar..." requested Lord Devon.

The clerk typed in the information provided quickly, "Of course. You are assigned to Central Nan-li in Nan-li Xi-Nan Fang, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," he replied, distracted and worried.

The clerk smiled, "Lady Healer Keelia is in chamber 438, second floor."

"Thank you," hastened Devon, heading down the hall at a fast pace.

"Keelia, are you okay?" cried Devon as he rushed into chamber 438; his wife's healing center room. Lady Keelia lay in bed, her belly swollen.

A small crib stood a 16.29 cun 寸 from her bed. Propping herself up, she looked at her husband, and then picked up the new-born in the crib. The child began to wail as she picked him up. "Hush. Hush. Don't cry little one," soothed Lady Keelia as she held the child to her bosom. Her delivery of the tiny infant had been eased by her waiting until the age of 120 to give birth to her son three shir-ors ago, but he was starting out life as a fussy baby.

"I left the healing center as soon as I could..." explained Devon, suddenly tongue-tied at the sight of his son.

Keelia looked up at him, "I know; Lady Abbess Cara sent me word as soon as the healing center notified her you were on your way back to Dong-Bei. I was worried you might not make it back. The news reports have indicated the situation down there is...tenuous."

"Very tenuous," he replied, his eyes mostly on his son. Smiling, Keelia passed the infant to his father. Devon held his son to his chest and bounced gently, trying to sooth him, "There, there, my little one...you're okay. Everything is fine now," Slowly, the baby calmed, resting his head against his father, "See that was not so hard. You're a perfect nobleman already."

"You have a way with babies, my love," smiled Keelia.

"As many of them as I see at Central Nan-li, you would hope I would be good with children. Oh, Darling the suffering I saw this beinor."

"Where were you assigned this beinor, Devon?"

"Emergency; for the twelfth beinor in a row. I find it hard to believe that in a society that claims to be so civilized and so superior compared to the worlds we trade with that we would still be so capable of the brutality of our ancestors. I fear things will continue to get worse unless we resolve these differences of wealth and power across the houses," answered Devon.

"How bad is the violence now? The news said it's been escalating for the last twenty beinors?" asked Keelia.

"The violence has worsened with each beinor and each yen-ar in the larger cities of Xi-Nan Fang, including Nan-li. If I did not know better, I would say the ancient feuds between houses were re-opened down there. I cannot believe the blood and mutilations I'm seeing as I try to help people at that healing center," Lord Devon began to shake as memories of his last shift filled his mind.

"Can't the healing center give you any leave to help now that we have little Elendir? You know it could be several beinors before I'm fully recovered from the delivery."

Devon shook his head in frustration, "I want to, sweetheart, but I just cannot see them giving me any time off. I know I could choose to help at any healing center or clinic on Beinan, but Xi-Nan Fang is where the need for a skilled healer is greatest. They are really suffering down there. They are angry, frustrated, and feel abandoned by our government. Many of them are house Ana, house Croften, and even house Slabi. I feel their hearts; their grievances are valid. The genetic degeneration from thousands of yen-ars of mining argun to create argene has taken its toll."

"I've seen patients who worked ten, maybe thirty yen-ars in the mines; I cannot imagine someone working longer there. The cost to their longevity and overall health is too great," added Keelia. "You've seen how long the brown eye syndrome lasts, how the only way for these poor people to regain most of their sight is to leave Beinan forever; the upper atmosphere changes our colour spectrum too much. You simply cannot see with only tri-chromatic vision."

"And yet we are willing as a society to tolerate such obvious dangers...in the name of 'progress.' Progress, they say. If we continue on this path, I fear something even more horrible than the disabling side effects of mining on the residents of Xi-Nan Fang will sweep our society," warned Devon.

"Let us pray to the goddesses that such terror never comes," affirmed Lady Keelia.

"Elendir! Come here, Elendir," called Lady Keelia as she walked into the living room of their spacious, middle-class apartment on the twenty-fifth floor of their thirty story apartment building in the Beinarian capital of Hejing, 5.3489 li 里 west of the palace. As Elendir ambled up to his mother's side, Keelia sat into a nearby loveseat to give Elendir a better view of the small bundle she held, wrapped in a blue-lavender blanket. Crawling onto the narrow couch, Elendir peered into the bundle to see his three beinor-old baby sister, Althea. As Elendir eyed the infant with both fear and curiosity, Althea yawned widely with a coo. Keelia smiled, "Elendir, this is your little sister, Althea. Isn't she pretty?" As she smiled encouragingly at Elendir, the soreness of her delivery sent a pang of pain through her body. She tensed with pain. Maybe she should have stayed a little longer in the healing center to recover rather than discharging early.

"Momma?" asked Elendir.

"I'm okay, Elendir. Don't worry. Just a little sore right now. Everything is okay. Don't worry, my little Elendir. Daddy will be home from the healing center soon."

Exhausted from her delivery of little Althea, Keelia put down both Elendir and Althea into their respective beds for a nap, then laid down herself for some badly needed recovery sleep for a shir-or. At shir-or 9.50, her planetary broadcasting receiver turned on as programmed, "And now breaking news from the city of Nan-li in Xi-Nan Fang. There has been an explosion at Central Nan-li healing center, the charity healing center founded by a co-operation between houses Ana and Miyoo. Repeat, there has been an explosion at Central Nan-li Healing Center in Nan-li Xi-Nan Fang. House Ana security is not releasing exact numbers of dead or injured, but we have been told that there were two bombs detonated, one in the emergency ward and the other in the surgical recovery wing of the healing center. As we receive more information, we will release it to you, live, here on the Beinarian Central Broadcasting Network." As the journalist reported the disaster, both her face and voice conveyed her utter shock at the bombing.

Keelia, however, exhausted by her need to recover from child birth, did not stir during the broadcast. She slept another 730 xiao-shirs before waking and hearing the news broadcast, "And now, more information on the continuing tragedy in Nan-li in Xi-Nan Fang. Authorities are reporting over 2700 healers and patients dead at the healing center with some emergency responders telling us that as many as 6000 out of the 9000 total occupants in the healing center – patients, healers, support personal, even maintenance staff are likely dead or wounded. We will, of course, report more exact numbers of dead and injured as we receive more information. We can, at this xiao-shir confirm one casualty: Lord Healer Devon of house Ten-Ar, we are told, was the healer in chief of the emergency ward. He was nearest to the bomb that has destroyed the emergency ward where he was, reportedly, tending a patient at the time of the explosion. Lord Healer Devon is survived by his wife, Lady Healer Keelia, and their two children." As the journalist reported about Devon, a holo-image of the healer flashed on the screen next to the journalist. Keelia's face turned white as she realized the journalist was talking about none other than HER Devon, HER husband—not someone else. As she began to process the news, tears flooded her face.

Elendir, a mere three yen-ars twenty-one beinors old, managed to climb over the protective wall on his bed in the children's room. Suddenly afraid, he ran up to his mother. Keelia scolded her son gently, "Elendir. How did you get out of there?"

"Mamma, make daddy come home."

Keelia's eyes widened as she realized that Elendir had heard and understood the planet-wide news broadcast about the bombing, "Momma wants to Elendir. Momma wants daddy home too."

"Where's daddy, Momma?"

"He's now on a long journey to a new family in a new place, little one.' answered Keelia, her tears uncontrollable despite her best efforts to look strong for her son.

Despite her best efforts, Lady Keelia struggled as a widow and mother. Twenty-five beinors after the blasts that killed her husband, she journeyed with her children to the Ten-Ar monastery and headquarters to all house Ten-Ar located three li 里 from the town of Granta, two point eight nine shir-ors away from Hejing. Upon arrival, she headed to the main audience hall, carrying Althea and holding little Elendir's hand as they walked together. Upon entering the massive, stain-glassed chamber they found Lady Abbess Cara, a matrilineal descendant of the same Lady Healer Cara who had treated Lord Prince Corann in the palace healing center in BE 6326. There was more than four hundred yen-ars between her foremother and herself, yet she looked remarkably similar to the portraits of her foremother kept by each successive generation of her family. She was as fair and as beautiful as the Lady Cara Lord Prince Corann had known. As Keelia reached the front of the hall, she knelt respectively to her mentor, "Good health and prosperity to you, Abbess of Ten-Ar."

"Good health and prosperity to you, Lady Keelia, Healer of Ten-Ar," answered Lady Cara, motioning Lady Keelia to rise. "We have been worried about you, fearing you were among the un-named lost in Nan-li. I am relieved to see you still of this realm of existence, Lady Keelia...but I grieve for your loss and for the burden placed upon by it. How old is your baby now?"

"Twenty-nine beinors, my lady."

"And your son?"

"Three yen-ars, fifty beinors. He seems to be ahead of the developmental curve a bit, if you do not mind my medical opinion."

"Medical opinions are exactly what we are trained to provide, Lady Keelia; why would I mind it now?" queried Lady Cara.

"I find myself unable to think most of the time, if I may be so honest. Althea needs so much and so does Elendir; I find myself at a loss to care properly for both of them without my husband. I am not handling the loss as well as I have seen others do," disclosed Keelia.

"The loss of so many of our numbers is more than I think anyone can cope with effectively. If I did not know better, I would think that they were killed in some...act of terrorism against our house in particular. Whoever it was knew that house Ten-Ar preferentially sends healers to charity healing centres like Central Nan-li Healing Center to serve—which is why most of the healers and healers-in-training who perished in the blasts were house Ten-Ar. No other single house lost so many. The patients were from houses Cashmarie, Ana, Slabi, Croften, Skeinera, Plover, Balister, even a few from house Miyoo.

"But of the healers and healing center staff, our house was the most devastated in the blasts; healers of Miyoo, Gurun, Slabi, and Xing-li mostly sustained variously levels of injury, few of them life-threatening. By contrast, more than half of the healers and healers-in-training killed at Central Nan-li Healing Center were house Ten-Ar – over five hundred Ten-Arian healing professionals," updated Lady Cara.

"But WHY? Why would our house be targeted? Why kill Beinan's best healers?" trembled Lady Keelia.

"If I had to offer a guess, Lady Keelia, I would estimate that we healers are far more vulnerable to such terrorism than our knightly brothers and sisters, making we healers the best choice for one wishing to harm our house. Our knights are great and powerful defenders of justice...more than capable of not only handling such an emergency, but swiftly neutralizing those behind it. We healers have no such defences. We go and serve, helping whoever needs our knowledge. We are the other side to house Ten-Ar which gives it strength and balance."

"Yes, of course. But why target house Ten-Ar at all? To my knowledge we have not done anything to any of the other houses since the old feuds on original home world. The creation of the Great Council put an end to those – so why?" worried Lady Keelia.

"It is possible we offended another house without knowing it; but in those cases, tradition dictates that any grievances between houses be brought to the Great Council for arbitration. If this is about houses and political, then whoever it is works outside of our traditional system or is working, somehow, to undermine that system by ignoring it."

Keelia shook her head in disbelief, "Never in two hundred yen-ars would I believe I would somehow be caught up in this, affected by the events of a distant continent, a distant people's problem—unless I volunteered to go to the front lines of those problems. But the problem has come home: my husband is dead and I do not have the means to take care of my children."

"You did well to bring them here, Lady Keelia. We, as a house, are prepared to nurture them, educate them, and help them grow in whatever paths they choose. I will give you the choice right now whether to have the healers nurture your son – or the knights. He will learn self-defence if he were to begin his education even at this early yen-ar."

Keelia looked at Elendir and straightened his tunic. The boy was mentally gifted and strong in health—just like his father. Yet even for a Beinarian, Elendir was proving to be unusually bright and innovative, perhaps some sort of prodigy even, "If I give him to the knights now, will I still have my parental rights to him? Will he know me as his mother?"

Lady Cara smiled gently, "We would not have it any other way. You are his mother, Keelia. The knights are merely educators and extended family to him. When he reaches the age of decision, he may elect to stay with the knights and become a squire – or choose a different life for himself. We are all family here and as a family, we will stay together—no matter what the politics of our world says."

"Then let him be fostered by the knights. Let them encourage his talents and help him in ways neither of us can foresee right now. Let him grow strong in mind, soul, and body. Let him choose the path that he desires unhindered by the choices of others," evoked Lady Keelia.

"So mote it be, Lady Keelia. Now go, rest. I will contact the healing center in Hejing where you work and inform them of your temporary leave of absence while we get you settled – and while you decide what is best for your daughter as well."

"Blessed be, Lady Cara and thank you," bowed Lady Keelia.

"Elendir, son of Devon and Keelia of the Healers of Ten-Ar, for many yen-ars have you studied and suffered, enduring the trials set before you of mind, body, heart, and spirit. Now the journey's end has come and a choice lies before you. Do you choose to join the brotherhood of Knights of Ten-Ar – or leave for another path?"

Now sixty yen-ars old, Elendir was crimson robed in the ceremonial robes that had become customary over the last four hundred yen-ars. Sumptuary laws regarding what was appropriate to wear at one's elevation to knighthood had changed over the past four hundred yen-ars since Squire Corann's elevation to the knighthood in BE 6326. Now the crimson tunic was considered insufficient in favour of wearing either a crimson or white tunic or doublet and white trousers for men. Lady squires were expected to wear white kirtles underneath crimson bliauts made of konyn wool. Men and women both overlain their choices with heavy crimson cloaks made of a deep piled, lustrous fabric embroidered with the Ten-Ar sword at the center back.

From his neck, Elendir suspended a pendant set with a Ten-Arian star ruby such as those worn in the circlets of healers of Ten-Ar at their elevation, a small remembrance of his mother and her great love in sending him to the knights for training when perhaps ego would have mandated he apprentice with the healers. Unlike many of his sword brothers at their elevation, Elendir chose to wear a simple white tunic for his elevation, a choice that made the star ruby in his pendant shine all the brighter.

As Elendir knelt, his mentor, Lord Knight Malvyn, placed his strong hands on Elendir's crown. But instead of focusing on the ceremony in progress, Elendir thought about his mother, Lady Keelia, with both sadness and thankfulness. He was barely ten yen-ars when Lord Knight Malvyn quietly informed him of his mother's death, the victim of another healing center bombing, this one in the coastal city of Bira Hecen in Dong-Bei, 10,000 li 里 from Hejing. As with the bombing that killed his father when he was three yen-ars old, no one took responsibility for this act of terrorism. The bombing that took the life of his father killed a far larger number of healers of Ten-Ar without injury to healers from other houses. This bombing was different—or appeared to be different. This bombing killed one hundred fifteen healers of Ten-Ar, two hundred twenty Healers of Gurun, and fifty-eight Advocates of Slabi—not nearly the precisely-driven attack on house Ten-Ar that cost his father his life.

Still, right now, Elendir wished with all his heart that his parents could witness this elevation. Instead, the only close family left to him was his younger sister, Althea, who was, wisely, brought into formal training with the Healers of Ten-Ar when she was five yen-ars old. Lady Keelia had originally stayed at the monastery to teach medicine and to raise Althea. Ironically enough, it took more riots against the monarchy to draw Keelia out into the world again – and straight to her death.

As much as Elendir sorrowed now for his parents, he was comforted by his sister, standing 26.83 cun 寸 away from him. Smiling at Lady Althea, Elendir grasped Lord Knight Malvyn's wrists ceremoniously, "Master, hear me now before these witnesses. I choose as I have always chosen all my life: to dedicate my mind, body, heart, and soul to this house and this place. If the brotherhood will have me, I vow myself to be, now and for forevermore, sword brother and peer, a lord knight of Ten-Ar."

Lord Malvyn removed his hands from Elendir's head and anointed the center of his brow with fragrant sacred oil, "Then in the name of the Knights of Ten-Ar and as your master, I confer on you the rank of Knight and Lord of Ten-Ar." With a nod, one of the squires knelt nearby, bearing the Ten-Arian schlager sword in a gold and silver scabbard on a strong leather belt in the bright green used for knighthood elevation. Kneeling, Lord Malvyn girt it about Lord Elendir's waist. Taking his sister's hand, Lord Knight Elendir rose, his elevation complete. He hugged his blue-lavender-clad sister before offering Lord Knight Malvyn his hands in a gesture of respect.

As he rose, a knight at last, he looked at his sister. Lady Healer Althea had grown up; at fifty-seven yen-ars, she was a vision of beauty. Her gossamer bliaut hugged her graceful, petite frame. Long blond hair flowed in waves down to her mid back. Silver eyes sparkled from her fair complexion. Blond hair was rare among Beinarians, but it suited Lady Althea well. Like most Beinarian women, her breasts were high on her body and small, well-balanced on her fine-boned frame. Her blue-lavender bliaut framed her breasts and thin figure. Flowing bell sleeves glided across her arms. Her A-line bliaut was soft, yet substantial enough for the skirt to not cling to her body as she moved. Instead, it flowed in an elegant semi-circle from her hips as she walked.

Elendir could barely believe this vision of Beinarian beauty was his own sister. As the customary reception commenced, he surveyed the other women in the room. His gaze immediately fell on Princess Cathryn, daughter of Queen Darla and Prince Consort Torr and twin sister to his closest friend, Prince Kendric. She was 55.3 cun 寸 tall, unusual for a Beinarian woman, with blue-grey eyes, very dark brown hair that appeared black to races with tri-chromatic and tetra-chromatic eyes. Princess Cathryn approached him, two finely wrought chalices in her hands, "All hail Lord Knight Elendir. Congratulations, my lord."

Elendir bowed his head respectfully, taking the chalice of fragrant wine offered to him by the princess, "Great is house Gurun for sending here such a gracious and beautiful heiress to the throne."

"I am no heiress; the Great Council never changed that ancient law rooted in the blood feuds of original home world which caused so much controversy for our mutual ancestors. No, alas, my brother stands as the sole heir to the throne, leaving me free to pursue my own designs for my life. But I have no doubt you were long aware of that," flirted Princess Cathryn.

Elendir smiled, noticing the way Cathryn used her gown and her body beneath it, to subtly seduce, "I know many things, Your Highness, in particular how you, like our foremother, High Priestess Wehe, are particularly good at using your beauty for political purposes. The question now, it would seem, is why you would care to attempt to seduce me, even a little, right now...."

Princess Cathryn took a sip from her glass, "You are even more astute than your reputation at court, Lord Knight."

Elendir flirted back at her with his eyes, "I have a reputation at court?"

"Do you seriously think that none of us in house Gurun would have monitored your progress over these yen-ars since first your father, then your mother were murdered in the service of our people? Few healers possessed greater skill or compassion for those who need help more than either of your parents. They were role models for our people, even if they never knew it themselves. You know of the strong tie our Houses have, both in blood and on the Council, how few healers across houses have greater camaraderie than between those from houses Ten-Ar and Gurun. We are more one house than two. It would, of course, be logical for my parents to choose a noble, strong, and handsome knight like you to be my consort." As Cathryn uttered the last sentence she found her breath taken away by Elendir whose strong, well-muscled frame suited her to a degree she had not noticed in her previous political flirtations. Here was a man she would truly not mind being matched to, who would no doubt suit her as a lover and companion. Suddenly, the princess realized she desired him very much.

Elendir met her eyes, "You want me to come to your bed, don't you?"

"Yes, Elendir, I do."

"How many others have there been, Your Highness? Do you take all your political interests to your chamber?"

"I have been far too politically astute to take a man to my chamber. But you...Elendir, I think I would like to...if you will have me."

"You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen – next to my sister, of course. If you are asking me now I shall not deny you, Your Highness," offered Elendir, anticipation starting to fill his voice.

Princess Cathryn whispered in his ear, "I command it."

In reply, Elendir raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, then, bowing to all around him as he navigated the crowd around him, lead the princess out of the reception...and to his chamber.

### Chapter Two: Cathryn's Shrewd Seduction

"Did I please you, Your Highness?" asked Elendir, panting and tired. In the humble bed he was assigned in his dormitory, he found that both he and Cathryn could barely fit upon it together.

Smiling, Cathryn pulled him back down to her, kissing him, "Was that your first time as well, my Elendir?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"How did it feel...?"

"Like nothing I have ever known before; I am starting to wonder why I waited so long to bed someone."

"Politics controls what I may do, of course, but not right now though I will have to ask my parents about assigning you to the palace so you can do that much more often."

"You tempt me, Cathryn; I do want more after my body recovers from the last shir-or."

"Your body tempts me; I want more. Oh so much more, a lifetime of enjoying you."

"You would choose me as your consort?"

"I may flirt incessantly to get what I want, but it is you I desire, Elendir. Be, if not my husband, then my lover; don't stop enjoying me or letting me enjoy you as often as possible. Now I've been with you I cannot imagine being with anyone else."

"You and I are both past the age of consent, I realize that. But for all the pleasure I admit this has given me...." Elendir paused to consider his words. Did he enjoy bedding her? Very much. Did he want more? He was a young adult with the same passionate instincts of his age, his hormones raging, the need for passionate release often distracting him from his duties? But he was also an orphan, the son of two healers both killed by terrorists. In his fatigue and euphoria, his delight of her naked body, the training he received and his nightmares about his parents still resonated. "...Cathryn, I do want you, I do want to be in your bed in the palace, to sire on you the royal children I can tell you crave of me, oh how I want what you want." Cathryn kissed him. Instinctively he returned her kiss and caress, and found himself swept up in another way of passion.

For the shir-or, he surrendered to her and let her have all she wished of him. She would need of him many times over the next seven shir-ors, until the light of dawn the next beinor. Whether Elendir liked it or not in his heart, his body, and the princess, won out this time. He was hers.

Dawn broke over the palace in Hejing. Elendir found himself one more waking up in Princess Cathryn's chamber, as he had for the better part of the last twenty-nine beinors, the pale blue curtains of his bed screening out the morning light. Beside him, the naked Cathryn dosed comfortably. Somehow, after twenty-nine beinors of frequent lovemaking, he had pleased her once more. Sitting up and looking down upon her, he noticed her loveliness, the way her face seemed to caress her pillow. Elendir stroked her hair casually; glad that she could sleep past dawn.

Elendir could not. Too many yen-ars of training to become a knight had disciplined mind, body, and soul only too well. Conditioned by the strict Ten-Ar training, both mind and body urged him to get out of bed in favour of the meditative form of martial arts that had become so effortless to him after all these yen-ars. With disciplined practice, Elendir slid out of the bed and dressed himself. Putting on the light shoes Cathryn called slippers but in fact were used by Ten-Arians for their meditative martial arts, Elendir opened the double doors dividing her chamber from her private garden and slithered into the garden. Walking along a smooth, stony path, he headed for a small courtyard circled with benches, a small, formal fountain resting just off the center square, gurgling with green water-like liquid that foamed lavender.

Reaching his usual spot near the fountain, Elendir set his feet parallel to his shoulders and stretched both arms into an arc above his head, slicing them downward, palms facing his feet gracefully in the Ten-Arian gesture of respect. Elendir slid his left leg downward, bending his right knee about halfway, slicing his arms through many arcs and occasionally feather-touching the ground. With rapid kicks, Elendir leapt into the air, seemingly attacking the fountain with his acrobatics. With sometimes extremely slow, then suddenly fast movements and with a persistently deep breath and calm demeanour, he worked his way through the more than fifty traditional martial arts forms he had studied since almost the yen-ar his mother brought him to the monastery for training, practicing the strong discipline of body and singular concentration the knights of Ten-Ar were renown for. For a full shir-or he worked, sometimes feverishly, his muscles rippling under his tunic. A familiar pain of fatigue started to grip muscles in every part of his body, yet the workout continued. This pain reminded him of who he really was, a lord knight of Ten-Ar and helped him forget what he had become since his elevation—the sexual toy of their majesties' only daughter.

Finally, as the Beinarian sun rose higher in the sky enough to cast a shadow over his body, Elendir was forced to stop for a rest. A full shir-or and one half had passed. He had pushed his body to its full limit. It felt good, good to feel like a knight of Ten-Ar. Sweat dripped from his face. He knelt at the fountain, cupping his hands. Dipping his hands into the water-like liquid, he splashed the liquid over his head, neck, and shoulders, soaking the upper part of his tunic in the process and washing away the perspiration. Feeling a bit winded, Elendir sat down on one of the wooden benches closest to him, his hands instinctively positioning onto his knees for meditation. For the next 645 xiao-shirs he let his mind wander and drift, sweeping away his worries in the tranquillity. A fabku chirped. After a xiao-shir or two, she bobbed and hopped, flying down to the bench besides Elendir, her soft chirp evolving into a sweet gurgling melody. Elendir opened his eyes, looked at the little bird, and smiled at the bird.

Finally, Elendir rose, returning down the path he took to the courtyard. Princess Cathryn had finally risen herself. Her political droid, ZC8, hovered around her, the droid's arms extended to her gown which she was lacing expertly in back. Princess Cathryn smiled as Elendir emerged from the garden, "You got up early."

Elendir bowed to Cathryn slightly, "Maintaining my Ten-Arian discipline, Your Highness. Old habits die hard and these I think I rightfully should retain. I am a son of Ten-Ar, after all."

Cathryn adjusted her low-necklined gown around her bosom to fit more comfortably, "That you are – lucky for me." The flash in her eyes conveyed both her appreciation for Elendir physically – and her desire to be pleased again by him.

Elendir caressed her waist, "I am glad you are so well pleased, Your Highness. It is my pleasure to serve you anyway that I may."

Cathryn kissed him, "Your service pleases me well, Elendir. In all the yen-ars of my life, I never believed anyone could please me so well. Men use women of such bloodlines as I have. It is only right that the tables should be turned."

"I never used you, Your Highness, only given freely to you that part of me which you clearly yearn for and desire. Why you would want me over so many better matches for you politically is actually beyond my imagination," clarified Elendir.

"Perhaps I want more than politics. Your physique, the many yen-ars of Ten-Arian discipline has sculpted your body into something far superior to anything I have observed in anyone else. In the face of such...exquisite chiselling, who cares about politics?" flirted the princess, her hands caressing Elendir seductively.

"Then you disagree with our mutual ancestors Anlei and Corann who put the good of Beinan above such carnal considerations?" inquired Elendir, trying very hard to resist the temptations of her caresses.

"They would have served Beinan far better by giving house Xing-li control, instead of compromising and letting the Gurun dynasty continue through political marriage. House Gurun has reigned long enough. Let others take the burden of government – and its limitations on who one may bed," evoked Cathryn.

"With respect, Your Highness, my life is about service to Beinan, as was the lives of both my parents. I care very much what happens on our world and across its continents. My parents both died because they felt that mercy and compassion must extend to all who live in the universe, not just to the elite. They both could have stayed safe, stayed where there was no danger to their lives, healed the rich and politically powerful...Abka Biya knows with our bloodline, that choice was offered to them many times," With the thought of his parents, almost against his will, Elendir's lingering grief filled him for a xiao-shir, breaking through in his voice.

"Then they did you a disservice by choosing to die. They abandoned you with their so-called service to others. Why do you cling to them?"

Disbelief filled Elendir's eyes, "Why do you not? They were the best of our society, the most kind, and the most generous."

"Generosity is pointless if it kills you. What good is anyone to anyone if you put yourself where you are likely to get killed?" reasoned Princess Cathryn.

"Our world is changing, Cathryn. I fear for you, for what I am hearing. In a changing world, no place is truly safe. All we can do with our lives is to give of ourselves with goodness, kindness, and self-sacrifice. Our personal desires, even for life, can never take priority over the good of our world."

"You are here because of my desires, Elendir. The comforts you enjoy, the luxuries, these are all my gifts – as are my carnal favours. You have no reason to complain," asserted Cathryn, sliding Elendir's hand under her gown to caress her thigh.

Elendir felt his body respond to the feel of her, a touch meant to fully seduce him into enjoying her in bed as a way of ending the conversation. She knew what she was doing. Between the provocative dress and the touch, his overwhelming physical instinct was to merge with her carnally, to forget everything in the pleasure of her body.

Elendir gave in, undoing her dress and laying her on the bed. Against the will of his mind, he found himself giving her exactly what she wanted until, in release, he collapsed once more.

Three xiao-shirs after he finished his feelings about her words set in. What was he doing? Was he no more than simply a slave to her body, her carnal lusts? She provoked him, as she always did, and he kept yielding, as if he had no choice in the matter. Every single time she tried the slightest of seductions, he gave in, without any precautions against conceiving a child in the process. What did she want of him? Was it truly what it appeared to be on the surface...simple lust for him over his well-muscled physique?

No, there had to be more to this. She was far more politically astute than she was letting on right now as she purred on the bed from the latest round of physical merging. Panting, Elendir disengaged himself from her and dressed, not bothering to look at her. Something was amiss. He was a knight of Ten-Ar...the mystery needed to be solved, if only as a means of finding a pathway back to his honour. Still ignoring Cathryn, Elendir put on his regular shoes, and then searched the dresser where he kept his possessions in her chamber. In a xiao-shir, he found his sword belt and Ten-Arian schlager sword and fastened them around his waist. A plan ensued regarding what to do next. Still tired from both his workout and the romp with the princess, he fixed his will on ending his role in whatever Princess Cathryn was really up to.

While Princess Cathryn played, Prince Kendric worked, adorned in a white konyn wool tunic and embroidered in gold with House Gurun's diamond-like heraldry. As the only male child of Queen Darla and Prince Consort Torr, Kendric lived in the heir-apparent's chambers, complete with its offices. Kendric studied reports that were scattered across his desk. Not only was Beinan facing numerous issues with violence across three continents, but the reports indicated several diplomatic issues with the ambassadors from Beinan's interstellar neighbours. Worry filled Kendric as he read how was Beinan going to get through all these problems at once?

Frustrated, Kendric paced his office. Fidgeting, he pressed three small buttons on the side of a picture frame hung on the far wall of his office. A small, narrow door running floor to ceiling appeared, opening. Prince Kendric glided through the passage, walking 0.03 li. Inside was shrine-like alcove. In the dim light, Prince Kendric saw his object of reverence: a tawny, heavily carved bow nearly eleven thousand yen-ars old. This was the ancestral bow carried by King Malvyn of House Balister and worn during his coronation in OW 48780. This was the bow Lord Bevin had inherited as Malvyn's descendant.

Though leadership for house Balister had passed to another line following the assassination of King Malvyn's son, King Tristan The Just, in BE 50, Tristan's descendants, like Lord Bevin, retained right of inheritance to the bow. From Bevin to his grandson, King Lyr IV passed the Bow of Balister as it came to be known. It was one of the few relics of original world still kept by the royal family of house Gurun, but a secret relic. Bevin's knighthood removed his bloodline from common knowledge; as far as the public was aware, Bevin was born house Ten-Ar. Yet a few—Queen Darla and her son, Prince Kendric, included– knew the truth. The Bow of Balister was kept as a powerful reminder of Beinarian history way off in another galaxy, of where they came from and the power of hard work in shaping the future of generations to come.

Prince Kendric touched the ancient wood, wood grown on another world, bowed, then headed back to his office, centred.

The doorbell chimed. Kendric looked up towards the door, "Come."

The door opened. Elendir stepped in, bowing to Kendric, "Your Highness, may I speak with you?"

Kendric rose and greeted Elendir with the Ten-Ar salute of respect, "Of course. You are my sister's suitor, Elendir...are you not?"

Elendir rolled his eyes at the description, however politely addressed as it was, "Suitor is probably not the most accurate word, Your Highness. Princess Cathryn commands everything and yields – nothing."

Prince Kendric raised his brow, "Does she? Well I long suspected someday it might come to that. She has used her beauty to obtain her desires for quite some time."

"Your Highness, if I may speak freely, Princess Cathryn is used to getting what she wants – even if it is often for the wrong reasons."

"Has she wronged you, Lord Knight?" asked Kendric soberly.

"...in more ways than I can count. She has wronged herself, her family and Beinan," answered Elendir, his eyes flitting to and from the prince.

Prince Kendric rose and embraced Elendir, "Goddesses can only know what her selfish ways have put you through."

"She is up to something, Your Highness. I do not know what, but I think her...involvement with me has more to do with some other plan of hers than it does with me. She's...used her physical skills to exploit a part of me that I did not know was a weakness."

"We all have vulnerabilities, Elendir; even if we pretend we do not. Sex can be a powerful tool in the hands of the politician. It is a power some would assert over others...to their detriment, as I can see in your eyes it has been used to yours," expressed Kendric.

"I have to leave the palace, Your Highness, this beinor. I cannot let her keep doing this to me. I suspect there will be some fallout for making this choice...but I must restore my honour," affirmed Elendir.

"Where will you go, my friend?"

Elendir paused to consider, "Xi-Nan Fang, to the ruins of the healing center where my father was murdered. I know the official story is that it was a random act of terrorism, but long have I suspected there was something else behind it. I need answers, Kendric."

Kendric considered Elendir's choice. It was logical, particularly for a knight of Ten-Ar. "Then answers you must go find. I will deal with Cathryn on your behalf; tell her that as crown prince, I sent you on a mission to Xi-Nan Fang. The violence down there has gone on long enough. It is time someone well trained dealt with it."

"Then I have your blessing, Your Highness?"

"More than that, I officially command you to go and investigate these outbreaks of violence across our planet. Do not cease until you have solved the mystery of who, what, and why is behind all of this. My sister's carnal interests are irrelevant. Go now, and serve Beinan with all your wit and all your flesh," commanded Prince Kendric with the voice of a sovereign king.

Elendir bowed deeply, "As you wish, Sire."

Half a shir-or passed. As soon as the princess left her chamber to dine with her family for the mid-beinor meal, Lord Knight Elendir opened the valise he had stored under the princess's bed. Carefully folding his clothes and neatly packing them inside, the chamber doors opened unexpectedly. Startled, Elendir drew his great Ten-Arian schlager sword by 2.13 cun 寸. A well-dressed fine lady with blond hair emerged, her gown billowing in the breeze that flowed from Princess Cathryn's garden. Elendir let go of his sword hilt to greet her with a hug, "Althea."

"Elendir," smiled Lady Althea, embracing her brother. "I came as soon as I heard."

"...as soon as you heard what?" inquired Elendir.

"That you are leaving Hejing to go down there, to Xi Nan Fang..." answered Althea, worry on her face.

"What makes you think I'm leaving at all?" eluded Elendir.

"Well for one, you are packing – quickly. Grown tired of courting the princess so soon?"

"COURTING! What makes you think any of this has in any way resembled a courtship, Althea? Cathryn has done nothing but divert me from the plans I made for myself yen-ars before my elevation to knighthood. She's smarter than she seems to be, Althea, and much more willing to use her feminine charms to get what she wants than I think anyone, especially her parents, dares to contemplate. She has absolutely no qualms about using her body for political gain – or any other sort of gain for that matter. There was no courtship, my sister, only exploitation by her for goddesses only knows what ends. Before I met her, dear dear Althea, I had my dignity, my honour. If ever I hope to regain either, I must leave this place, for the honour of Ten-Ar, if nothing else. No knight, no person for that matter, should ever be someone else's toy...." Anger welled up in Elendir's voice at the way Cathryn had played him. No more. Not again.

Lady Althea put her arm around Elendir's shoulders, "...I know. I'm here at Prince Kendric's command. He agrees with you on all counts, save one."

"The part about going to Xi Nan Fang?"

"Yes. Why must you go there of all places in the universe? Why not return to the monastery? You could be a formidable teacher, Elendir. House Ten-Ar needs you."

"I will return there, I promise, but not now, not yet. Since our parents perished I have found that little to no investigation has ever been conducted regarding the terrorist attacks that killed them – either time. Our legal code requires investigation, Althea. I've studied the laws, done the research. No...something odd has been happening down there, something completely out of character for our civilization. But how can we call ourselves 'civilized' if we do not uphold the codes of law that made us what we allege to others that we are? Once, maybe, we were a society that set fair laws and enforced true justice for members of all houses...but now? Where is the justice for those murdered in these terrorist attacks? If people die and we just pretend nothing happened, how can their souls rest enough to move into the next incarnation? As long as we ignore the problem, I fear their souls will be trapped forever at the moment of their deaths. Our parents deserve better, Althea," asserted Elendir.

"But Elendir it's dangerous. I do not want to lose you. You are all the family I have left," bellowed Althea.

Elendir clasped his sister in a tight embrace, "I know. But Althea I have to try. I am a knight of Ten-Ar among the best trained in martial arts of any in Beinan. I learned much from my mentors; now it is time I test myself, test that knowledge in real situations. I promise to use every care and skill to guard my life."

Althea's own Ten-Ar discipline slowly set in, "Yes...yes...you are right, of course. We are House Ten-Ar. No matter what...we shall persevere."

"For the honour of Ten-Ar then?"

"For the honour of Ten-Ar," cried Althea.
Chapter Three: Journey to Nan-li

Elendir finished packing. Heading through the main corridors of the palace, he reached the transportation bay that connected the palace with the rest of Hejing. A guard wearing the official white Gurun doublet embroidered with silver piping recognized Elendir and bowed, "Lord Knight Elendir. I have been expecting you. We've prepared a low altitude shuttle for you...if you will come with me." Nodding, Elendir followed him to a small craft, its blue-white trapezoidal windshield dominating its highly angular surfaces. This low altitude shuttle, at least in general appearance, strongly resembled the small interplanetary space craft once preferred by house Gurun hundreds of yen-ars ago.

As Elendir opened the door to sit down, he noticed the control panel was radically simpler than those he piloted during his training exercises with a more luxurious interior cabin designed for comfort. This was a nice shuttle he was being loaned by the palace. Sitting down, Elendir touched a few controls, adjusting the temperature, the contours of the seat, and of course, the interior lighting. Satisfied at last, he pressed the blue button that closed the shuttle door and sat down in the pilot's seat. The craft began to hover. With one hand on a crystalline lever, he carefully pulled the craft forward, out of the bay...and into the skyways above.

Traffic in the skyways of Hejing, as expected for any major city, was far more congested than Elendir found tolerable. Even hovering 0.68 li 里 above ground in the regular commuter lanes, the traffic around him remained deadlocked. As Elendir waited for his lane of traffic to be given the purple "go" signal, Elendir observed the subway trains moving rapidly below him, free of the gridlock of personal shuttles that surrounded him. On the ground, the sidewalks were dense with families, workers commuting from work, and children. As frustrating as the three tiered commuting system was, at very least it was safe for everyone. Accidents were almost unheard of and the death toll from collisions remained near zero planet wide. The on board computer chimed, "Forward signal. Accelerating."

Elendir spoke to the shuttle, "Computer...set course. Heading: Nan-li City, Xi-Nan Fang. Alert pilot 0.28 shir-ors before completion of program."

"Confirmed. Destination: Nan-li city. Autopilot engaged."

Three shir-ors passed. Elendir's low altitude shuttle slowed from its maximum speed as the craft completed its trek across the Amba Mederi Ocean, changing its course slightly to progress over land towards Nan-li City, 300.384 li 里 from the coast of northwest Xi-Nan Fang. Below the shuttle, Elendir could see the ocean vessels of house Xing-li. One vessel in particular caught his eye. It was a replica of one the ocean vessels used by house Xing-li on original home world. Despite the speed of his shuttle, Elendir tried to study it and guessed it was the same design used about ten thousand to twenty thousand yen-ars before the Great Migration—ancient indeed. A small group of five wearing house Xing-li heraldry crewed the angular vessel. Twelve tourists stood on deck, listening to a lecture from an obvious tour guide. Before Elendir could observe more, the ocean craft disappeared from his sight.

"Approaching Nan-li City," alerted the computer aboard Elendir's low altitude shuttle.

"Computer, navigate towards the center of the city and search for suitable docking ports," commanded Elendir.

"Confirmed," answered the computer, slowing the shuttle and entering the city's local traffic.

Elendir shifted to the co-pilot seat of his shuttle and flipped some switches. A small monitor flashed on. Typing, Elendir searched the city's central information database for the things he would need most upon arrival: lodging, restaurants, subway routes, docking ports for his shuttle, and, of course, the location of the old Central Nan-li Healing Center. He also accessed the locations of public information centres. Someone, somehow, must have recorded the information he needed.

After four xiao-shirs, Elendir found the basics of what he needed. The most convenient lodging establishment featured its own shuttle docking port as one of the listed amenities. "Computer, navigate to the Lan-xing Ulen and dock at docking port."

"Confirmed," replied the computer, changing traffic lanes and arcing to the left. In 3.4 xiao-shirs, the shuttle descended towards a large door. Sensors in the docking port detected the shuttle and soundlessly slid open to admit the shuttle. A lighted path directed the ship towards the nearest and most convenient open parking space. Sensors in the shuttle communicated with the docking port, parking the shuttle into the space. The shuttle lowered to the ground.

Elendir flipped some switches and pressed three crystalline buttons. The shuttle powered down and opened its door. Elendir collected his baggage, stepped down from the shuttle which closed behind him, and followed the floor lights to the lodging entrance.

The lights led him to a modest, well lit lobby. A blue droid greeted him, "Welcome to Lan-xing Ulen. How may I help you?"

"Room for one, multiple beinor occupancy. Prefer intermediate amenities if they are available," answered Elendir.

"Checking availability," chirped the droid, interfacing with the resort's computer system. "We have three room options meeting those perimeters. First option features garden view and luxury bedding. Second option features full kitchen with intermediate bedding. Third option features workout area, basic bedding, and high pressure massage jet pool. Please specify your preference."

"Option two please with the kitchen."

"Confirmed. Price per beinor is ten tai-ors. Do you accept?" queried the droid.

"Confirmed," nodded Elendir, pulling out a triangular payment card.

The droid scanned his card, "Welcome to Lan-xing Ulen. Please enjoy your stay."

"This is...Fiscere square. The next stop is...Central Nan-li Healing Center Old Complex," flashed the display on the light rail train. Elendir adjusted his dark blue cloak to better conceal his light blue tunic as he rose in preparation for disembarking from the train. His heavily embroidered silver and gold belt with its distinctive Ten-Arian knot work peaked out. A cloaked woman sitting in a nearby seat covered her face at the sight. Elendir averted her gaze. She must have discerned the meaning of his belt ... why else would she take greater pains to not be recognized? Elendir closed his eyes and quieted his mind, assuming the discipline of the Ten-Ar knights and trying to reach out with his mind.

Elendir counted Lord Knight Corann as one of his ancestors, but he had not inherited either Anlei or Corann's psychic abilities. Corann, it was said, was both house Ten-Ar and house Miyoo, a sort of prodigy in martial and priestly prowess. Some of Corann and Anlei's descendants had retained the priestly skills, but not Elendir. In his mind all he could discern was, essentially, the obvious—this woman, in discerning him as house Ten-Ar, was uncomfortable with that prospect.

As the light rail train slowed to stop at the Central Nan-li Healing Center train stop, Elendir peered at her as tightly as he could. Brown eyes under black hair peered back at him, something he had never seen. Elendir nodded at her, and then stepped off the train.

Elendir gazed around. Unlike the familiar streets of Hejing which were clean, pristine, and geometric, these streets were considerably darker in colour; dirty in a way Elendir had never seen before. Trash cans were on opposite corners of the block, yet litter was scattered on the sidewalk in several places. As Elendir searched for the healing center, which should have towered close to him, he smelled an odd, putrescent odour coming from a very non-localized source. Elendir checked his small tablet computer for navigation instructions. According to the map, the healing center should be about 0.5872 li 里 from his current location. Alternating his gaze between the map and the street, he tried to follow the map. The odour grew more intense.

Five xiao-shirs passed. The map told Elendir to stop. Elendir looked up and to the left. Something smouldered near him. Elendir turned to approach the burning wreckage.

"I would not go there if I were you, milord," warned a gaunt, 50 cun 寸 tall man with black hair, brown eyes, and sallow skin, his doublet and trousers both a very dark brown in colour.

"Why not?" asked Elendir.

"Bad things happened there...many yen-ars ago. That is the old Central Nan-li Healing Center. The new one was built two li 里 that way fifteen yen-ars ago," pointed the brown-eyed stranger.

"People died here, didn't they?" asked Elendir.

"Many...healers and patients alike. House Ten-Ar lost its best healers, they say."

"I...heard. Even in Dong-bei we've heard...."answered Elendir.

"No, good sir, you have not heard...not unless you live here. I have to assume by the colour of your eyes that you do not."

"No...I do not live here. I travelled across Beinan to find this place."

"No one looks for this place. I...would not expect a nobleman like you from so far away to know...or understand. For over sixty yen-ars this city, this place, has lived in terror. Many people, not just those you heard about who died here, have been killed since that day."

"What about the law enforcers? Have they done nothing?"

"What is there to be done? No one knows when or where the next building will be hit. No one knows who will be targeted or who is behind the attacks. The law enforcers are as helpless here as are any other residents."

"But surely there must be some demands, something whoever is doing this wants."

"You mean more than transforming what was once a glittering city of crystals and gems into a war zone? Sometimes, my lord, the objective is simply to create fear and disorder. Sometimes what a person wants is simply to watch another perish in great pain. If this is what that person wants--she, he, or they have achieved it--well."

"We Beinarians do not seek the suffering of other living beings. We are far too civilized for such things," countered Elendir.

"Perhaps...in the past, they say, this was so. But this is BE 6827. Times have changed since all of Beinan was ruled with justice and democracy by the Great Council and our elected monarchs. We are no longer so...gentile," hinted the sallow-faced stranger.

"You speak of violence and disorder. Are such terrors confined to Nan-li city--or is more of Xi-Nan Fang so afflicted?"

"Some communities escape the chaos here, but not many. It is the argun saturating our blood, they say. Or do you not know about this either?"

"Argun...as in the ore used to create the argene that powers our society?"

"Of course...or don't noble boys like you learn anything about this place I call home?"

"Please pardon my ignorance, milord. I have perhaps spent too many yen-ars sequestered in my education. This is, admittedly, my first time away from Dong Bei," confessed young Lord Knight Elendir.

"So much for the alleged wisdom of house Ten-Ar then," mocked the stranger.

Elendir blinked hard. He had carefully concealed all marks of his house. He had even broken protocol by not wearing his Ten-Arian sword, the clearest mark of knighthood for house Ten-Ar. How did this stranger know? "W-wh-what makes you think I'm of House Ten-Ar?"

The stranger laughed, "You are naïve, young one. Pure logic, of course; who else but the nobles of house Ten-Ar wear such finely woven clothes? Who else but the knights of Ten-Ar wear such elaborately woven belts? You really think we natives of Nan-li know so little of the world just because we are...afflicted?"

"Afflicted? What are you talking about? Your skin seems a little strange to me...and your eyes are a colour I did not know was Beinarian at all...but beyond that—"

"Dear knight...did you not learn even of the sickness that plagues everyone who breathes the argun ore in the air. The disease takes away most of our eyesight...as long as we remain on Beinan, that is. Leave our clouded planet and our sight improves – or so they say; no one has been off world for a generation. The price for mining argun and producing argene is nothing less than disability for all of us who must work the mines or live within five thousand li 里 of one," cried the stranger, half furious.

"There have been...stories. But who could believe such tales...Brown Eye Syndrome is a myth, a story created by those who believe we should find some energy source beyond argene...even if it means confining ourselves to our home planet. Argene is the only known power source capable of propelling our star craft to super-light speeds," debated Elendir.

"Look into my eyes, young knight. Brown Eye Syndrome is no myth; it is a real disease destroying the sight of nearly everyone on this continent. After generations of mining, basic farming is not possible anymore...the mutations argun dust provokes means nothing healthy can grow here, plant or beast, anymore."

"Is it true that houses Ana, Cashmarie, Shem, and Slabi bear the brunt of this here?"

"It is not a matter of houses, Lord Knight, but of economics. The poorest and least noble, least powerful must live and work here, those the rest of our society do not want. Few are the temples to the goddesses; no one in House Miyoo wants to live here and develop Brown Eye Syndrome. Those that do are considered more missionaries than priestesses and priests of the alleged planet-wide religion. No, good Sir, this is a land where House Shem rules far more supreme. We here are God, not Goddess, fearing," described the stranger.

"The goddesses are not to be feared, good sir...but acknowledged and honoured. More than this, on the matter of religion, I feel it is not my place to debate; I am not educated in such things more than any everyday citizen of the north," admitted Elendir.

The stranger nodded, "Religion divides more than it unites. I will honour this."

"Sir...may I inquire as to your name?"

"Call me Mukhtar," bowed the stranger.

Elendir followed Mukhtar back on the light rail subway. Together they sat quietly in the crowded rail car. The display flashed fourteen stations. Finally, Mukhtar rose and headed to one of the passenger doors. Elendir followed silently.

When the odd pair reached the main street, Elendir's penta-chromatic eyes squinted. Here, everything was designed with tri-chromatism in mind. Elendir observed a complete absence of neutral colours in the cityscape around him. No whites, no blacks, no greys, no browns outside of the occasional outcropping of soil. A smog-like cloud filled the air. Elendir coughed. This was like no place he had ever seen or smelled before. Nodding and checking if Elendir were still following, Mukhtar headed towards a poorly constructed apartment building sixteen stories tall. A reddish black dust coated the exterior of the building. Elendir paused to scan the dust with his small computer. Argun dust, the computer concluded...in high concentrations. "This is argun?" asked Elendir.

"Yes. I see it as very red in colour; I am sure your eyes perceive it differently," answered Mukhtar.

"It looks reddish-black to me," confirmed Elendir.

"What is...black?" asked Mukhtar.

"I beg your pardon?" blinked Elendir.

"Black...what is that?"

"It is the complete absence of light being reflected from an object, when all the light is absorbed. You cannot see black?" puzzled Elendir.

"Beinarian eyes have a special cone for perceiving what I understand are considered neutral colours. Exposure to high levels of argun or its synthesized form, argene, over a prolonged time destroys that cone in our retinas. Another cone in normal eyes sees both very high energy and low energy light...this cone too is destroyed in new residents here...or absent altogether in those whose families have lived here for generations. This is what Brown Eye Syndrome entails...well, in large part," detailed Mukhtar.

"Why then have I not heard of this before? I have never heard or read anything mentioning any sort of ocular mutations among our people...."

Mukhtar looked Elendir in the eye, "Then perhaps you should come up and all will be obvious."

Five xiao-shirs passed. Mukhtar rang the doorbell next to apartment 16-23. A dark haired, dark skinned woman 40 cun 寸 tall opened the door, her dark brown eyes looking almost black to Lord Knight Elendir. The woman's waist length hair was braided into four separate sections that were joined together in five different places. A silver and gold pendant featuring an open book with a calligraphic "s" character in the middle hung gracefully from her neck. Lady Durwen smiled, "Mukhtar. Welcome home. How were your errands?"

Mukhtar glanced at Lord Elendir, "Productive...Lady Durwen. May I introduce you to Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar? I found him wandering near the ruins of the old Central Nan li Healing Center."

"Welcome, Lord Knight...please! Come in," beckoned Lady Durwen.

Elendir peered as far as he could as he stepped into the dark apartment. A tint covered the windows, one he had never heard of before. It made seeing anything difficult for Elendir. He stumbled a little as he tried to navigate to the seat offered to him. Another woman, Lady Dell, offered him a glass which Elendir graciously accepted from her. To Elendir's eyes the liquid looked burgundy yet to the lady's eyes it seemed bright red. "Kelan juice?"

"Of course. It's one of the few fruits that grow here in Xi-Nan Fang," smiled Lady Dell.

"The colour of this juice is very unusual," remarked Elendir.

"Argun dust gets into everything—including the foods we attempt to grow here," explained Dell.

"I was under the impression that nothing could grow around here...that the radioactivity made it impossible...," puzzled Elendir.

"Nothing HEALTHY grows here," clarified Lady Durwen. "We have to import much of our food, just to avoid argun poisoning."

"But scientifically...wouldn't long term residents of this place eventually adapt to argun...if the problem is truly that pervasive," reasoned Lord Elendir.

"Argun is too radioactive, young knight," hinted Mukhtar. "We can tolerate only a certain amount of locally and regionally grown food. Consume more than that and the argun in our blood will kill us."

"Argun is that toxic then?"

"Of course it is...yet the location of argun deposits are confined to Xi-Nan Fang, a place so remote from most populations that it is easy to ignore its toxicity," explicated Mukhtar.

"I must confess that I have never heard of any sort of toxicity to either argene or argun. In Dong-Bei we hear only messages of how clean and safe argun and argene are for our planet's energy needs," replied Elendir.

"Politicians," exclaimed Lady Durwen. "They never tell the truth. Not our so-called Great Council, not the royals, not even the leaders of each house. All they care about is holding onto the power they possess. They are corrupt to the core. Not one good kelan in the bunch. Even their healers show preference for the high and mighty."

Durwen's attack felt like a strong kick in the abdomen to Elendir. Ever since he crossed the Amba Mederi, his heart had viciously pondered his parents' deaths. Both had died extending mercy and healing to the poorest and most disadvantaged in Nan li city. Were her words an intentional attack on him? "Central Nan-li Healing Center was hardly discriminatory against the poor. If anything, they turned away the rich in favour of the poor. Well...before...."

"Before someone smart blew it up, you mean?" smirked Durwen. "What do you really know about it? You and your mighty lords of Ten-Ar in Dong Bei? We live here, Lord Knight. You do not."

Chastised, Elendir took a deep breath to control his raging emotions. Every word this woman spoke hurt him deeply as she insulted the memory of Keelia and Devon. Elendir stood up and paced. Finally, he turned to Durwen, "I am here to learn, milady, not be the fodder of whatever wrongs were done to you or your family."

"You mean to you are here to find out what happened to your family –and avenge them," corrected Mukhtar. "We know who you are, Lord Knight Elendir, son of Lord Devon and Lady Keelia of house Ten-Ar."

Shocked, Elendir was suddenly glad he had left his Ten-Ar great sword at home; it would have been too tempting draw under these circumstances. Instead, he applied his training and measured his voice and tone, "Devon and Keelia both died serving our people. They loved the poor, the helpless, and saved countless lives."

"I am sure that is what you have been taught, pagan," slithered Dell.

"You, who all seem to know my name and my heritage, persist in insulting my family and those I love...why? Why so blatantly antagonize me?" countered Elendir.

"To see if you are really what your house is reputed to be. To see if there is honour in you –or merely vengeance. To discover if your quest is sincere or if anger drives it. Anger that your parents whom you naturally see as innocent victims of what destroys this city fell as causalities to another's cause," snarled Durwen.

"I hate no one. How can I? I don't know any more of what happened here than I was told. I am the first to admit that our information in the north is incomplete. That is why I want to see for myself what happened, speak to those who truly know, learn from whatever it is that took the lives of my parents. I cannot find the answers cloistered in the Ten-Arian monastery. Only here can I find the truth and report it," replied Elendir.

"Report it to whom?" asked Mukhtar.

"To the leaders of my house, to Queen Darla if I must or even the Great Council itself if they will hear me. I seek the truth, not some political agenda. Maybe you have not heard, but the knights of Ten-Ar still stand for truth and honour."

"Perhaps. But the mingled bloodlines of Ten-Ar and Gurun are too tightly entwined. You yourself must be descended of some Gurun royal or another. Doubtless your loyalties will be to blood first, then the truth," assessed Mukhtar.

"The only blood that matters to me has already been spilt. I am here for answers, not politics, not debates. Please grant me leave now so I may pursue my quest for truth. Hate builds nothing, reveals nothing, only conceals and destroys," answered Elendir.

Dell bowed to him, "Then go in peace and forget you met us," Lord Knight Elendir returned the bow and quietly strode out of the apartment.

As the apartment door closed behind Elendir, a boy ran out of a back bedroom, "Is he gone, Mother?"

Lady Durwen turned and hugged her son, "Yes, Alatar. He's gone."

"Doesn't he know who we are?" asked Alatar.

"You mean that we count Lord Janus as our patriarch or that your father was mastermind behind the bombing of the old healing center here in Nan-li? No...I do not think he suspects that," answered Durwen.

"I can follow him if you want, Mother. I can make sure he never finds out why father and Aunt Dell destroyed the healing center by pretending to be hurt," offered Alatar.

Durwen smiled, "You are just like your father already. You make us so proud. Yes...go follow the almighty knight of Ten-Ar. Let him share his father's fate...now and for eternity."

### Chapter Four: A Stalled Investigation

"Computer, analyse air quality," commanded Lord Knight Elendir.

"Analysing," replied the small tablet computer in Elendir's hand. In the shir-ors immediately following Elendir's visit to Mukhtar's family, Elendir wandered, disoriented, disquieted, and disoriented. But as shir-or 9.50 approached, Elendir found himself right back to where he had started when he met Mukhtar –literally and figuratively. Ten zhang 张 from Elendir's feet stood the ruins of Central Nan-li Healing Center ... the old one, anyway, with its plume of smoke still rising from an unseen smouldering fire.

As Elendir waited for the computer to collect and process its data he coughed as mildly as he could, his lungs burning from standing near the smoke plum for the 147 xiao-shir since his arrival. "Analysis complete," reported the computer, "Regular atmosphere consists of fifty percent arnile, twenty two percent xylise, eight percent dilast, and twenty percent nirlar. Air sample at this location consists of twenty percent arnile, twenty percent argene, ten percent bilast, fifteen percent dilast, seventeen percent xylise, ten percent nirlar, and eight percent trilar."

"Computer reset and re-run present location atmosphere composition. Check for any deviations in composition and elemental density from previous report," responded a shocked Elendir.

"Analysis complete. Accuracy verified concerning air sample collected."

"Computer, scan wreckage for human remains," commanded Elendir, trying to keep his composure in light of the air sample report.

"Human remains found."

"Computer, compare helices of human remains with those of Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar."

"Confirmed. Match found. Remains of Lord Healer Devon identified. Location fifteen zhang 张 from present location at center of ruined building and twelve zhang 张 below surface."

"State of remains."

"Twenty-four point zero five percent intact."

"Computer, contact New Nan-li Healing Center. Request communication from healing center coroner."

"Confirmed."

"New Nan-li Healing Center, coroner's office," replied a voice from the tablet computer.

"This is Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar," answered Elendir.

"Yes, lord knight ... how may I help you?"

"I am standing ten zhang 张 from the ruins of the old healing center. Can you send a team to recover one of the bodies?"

"With all due respect, Sir, I don't understand the request."

Pain flashed in Elendir's eyes, "What do you mean you don't understand the request? I have located a body that I wish recovered from site and returned for a proper funeral."

"With respect, Sir, that location is too dangerous to risk any of my staff. Look luck in fulfilling your request, but I cannot help you," denied the coroner flatly.

Elendir lost his composure at last. Falling to his knees, he did not mind the filth around him or the toxic air that burned his lungs. His eyes welled with tears and he wept as he had never wept before in his life. Was it truly too much to ask for his father's remains to be returned to Hejing?

As the last rays of sunset faded into the Beinarian night, Elendir was forced to leave the hallowed ruins and head back to his hotel room. Nothing more could be done this night. As he began his trek back to the light rail station, a pale figure with jet black hair and an equally deep black tunic, trousers, and cloak with silver embroidery along the hems caught his eye, his metallic blue eyes twinkling from beneath the sea of black fabric. Quietly, the figure followed him, barely noticed in the night.

Elendir tried to sleep but to little avail, his mind confused by the wanton destruction of the healing center, the complacency of the coroner, and the way that Mukhtar had so quickly located him and led him away from his investigation.

Finally, at shir-or 2.879 he fell into a deep and terror-filled sleep.

The next morning, Elendir headed to the small restaurant adjacent to Lan-xing Ulen for some breakfast. Upon arrival, the hostess quickly downloaded the restaurant menu to his tablet computer, and then offered him a comfortable table adjacent to one of the restaurant's many windows. Elendir scrolled through the menu, pulling up nutritional information on items of interest. After two xiao-shirs he ordered the breakfast buffet and paid the hostess before heading to the seven rows of prepared foods and beverages.

At the buffet table he found kelan juice, its colour tainted by the argun ore dust that infused everything in the area. Pouring some into a glass, he added some cooked nanla fruit that resembled a cross between an Earth apple and a kiwi fruit and some Nara berries. Nan-li Danishes and Belarian waffles with Kara berries smelled so wonderful that he helped himself to a couple pieces of each along with some nanla-kara jam. Behind him at the buffet table slithered Alatar, sight unseen.

Sitting down at his small table, Elendir allowed himself to relax and enjoy his food. This was the sort of quiet xiao-shir he needed before heading off across Nan-li for more answers.

After twenty xiao-shir of relaxing during his breakfast, Elendir scanned his payment card into the payment kiosk to leave a twenty-five percent tip for the restaurant staff and headed back to the gym at Nan-Xing Ulen for his morning workout. Half a shir-or later, fatigued by his martial arts routine, he returned to his room, changed into a business-suitable kirtle, doublet, and tailored trousers, and, with his computer in hand, headed to the nearby light rail subway station.

"Yes? May I help you?" asked the front desk officer at precinct 12.

"Is this the law enforcement office handling the Fiscere Square area?" asked Elendir.

"It is. How may I be of service?" repeated the front desk officer.

"This is Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar. I would like to speak to an investigator, please."

The front desk officer typed into her computer, "Investigator Ristlim is available right now. May I ask what this concerns please?"

"A cold case that is very personal to me," alluded Elendir.

The front desk officer eyed him suspiciously, "I see...you'll find Lady Investigator Ristlim at her desk, chamber 12 – that way."

Elendir bowed and followed where she pointed. Reaching chamber 12, he rang the door chime. "Come in," answered Investigator Ristlim. Elendir entered. "Please...have a seat. What may I do for you?"

"I was hoping you could provide me with some information," bowed Elendir, taking a seat in front of Ristlim's desk.

"Regarding?"

"The old Central Nan-li Healing Center that was destroyed fifty-seven yen-ars ago when my sister was just a few beinors old."

"What in particular are you interested in knowing?"

"Whatever you have in your files concerning its destruction."

"Internal files are confidential lord...."

"Elendir, son of Lord Healer Devon of house Ten-Ar. He was one of the causalities of the bombing," admitted Elendir.

"You want to know what happened to your father then, is it? Running your own independent investigation instead of letting us handle it?"

"I come at the request of Prince Kendric himself. As far as houses Gurun and Ten-Ar are aware, no attempts were made to discover what happened and who caused the bombing," elaborated Elendir.

Ristlim eyed him, "We investigated and we know who destroyed the healing center."

"May I have that information, please?"

"No, you may not. We don't disclose that information to victims. In our experience, disclosure only opens the door to blood feuds. We refuse to be party to whatever acts of vengeance you have in mind for the parties responsible."

"I am not interested in vengeance, only closure. Lord Devon was a kind and generous man who put his life on the line to help others – no matter what house they belong to. He cared most of all for those suffering, for those who cannot help himself. No, my lady...I am not interested in vengeance. Vengeance would only soil my father's name. But I do want answers."

"I'm sorry, Lord Elendir. Perhaps your motives are pure, perhaps not. But I cannot open the door for a blood feud or any sort of retaliation. You will have to find your answers elsewhere."

"Could you at least have my father's body recovered from the site?"

"No...no one is to go there. Now that we are aware of your presence in Nan-li, we will arrest you if surveillance shows you return to the ruins after this morning," warned Investigator Ristlim.

Elendir took a deep breath, "I see. Well...then I hope your resolve in this matter proves the wise decision. I suspect that stonewalling me this beinor will have unforeseen consequences."

"We'll see."

Elendir's eyes flashed, "YES. We will."

As Elendir vanished into the corridor to leave the precinct, Alatar appeared behind Ristlim's desk. Clicking her payment card into Ristlim's computer, Alatar smiled, "Your assistance is most appreciated, Investigator. Expect that promotion to chief investigator to come through within five beinors...along with a nice, healthy raise, of course."

Lady Investigator Ristlim smiled as her computer accepted payment, "Anything for our dear friends and colleagues. Please give my regards to your father...along with my thanks for the encryption protocol. No one will ever know the truth...until your clan wishes it, of course."

"Now...about that mole in the Great Council...," slithered Alatar.

"Already in place. No doubt the brave young Elendir will be heading there shortly...and into our trap," plotted Ristlim.

"EXCELLENT," slithered Alatar as he disappeared once more into the shadows.

"Nan-Xing Ulen, how may I help you?" answered the clerk.

"This is Lord Elendir in chamber 46. Could someone there please collect my belongings and bring them to my shuttle? I am checking out and would like to have everything ready upon my arrival there. You should have my payment card number on file. Please charge my card what I owe you, along with another ten tai-ors for the immediate checkout assistance," requested Elendir.

The clerk typed in some information to her computer, "Confirmed. Your shuttle will be ready and checkout completed in fifteen xiao-shirs. This acceptable?"

"Yes...thank you."

"Thank you for choosing Nan-Xing Ulen. Have a nice day."

"Thank you," smiled Elendir. Looking up from his computer, the light rail train pulled into the subway station near Precinct 12. Elendir stepped aboard the train, found a seat, and closed his eyes.

This is...Fiscere square. The next stop is...Central Nan-li Healing Center Old Complex," chimed the train. Elendir rose in preparation for disembarking at Central Nan-li Center. Fingering something in his left trouser pocket, he contemplated his next move, his eyes lit with an inner fire.

Stepping off the train, he strode quickly to the healing center ruins. Stepping off the sidewalk, he pulled out the sample bottles from his pocket. Opening each one, he scooped up soil and debris samples from across the site, filling a total of five small vials and concealing them back in his pocket.

With the samples collected, Elendir knew he needed to move quickly. Striding briskly away from the site, he hailed a taxi 8.716 zhang 张 from the ruins.

It took only three xiao-shirs for the taxi to bring Elendir to the docking port at Nan-Xing Ulen. Acknowledging and thanking the lodging attendant finishing his shuttle preparations, he checked the shuttle to make sure nothing had been left behind. Satisfied, Elendir closed the hatch, sat down at the controls, and sped away from Nan-li City.

"Computer, location?" asked Elendir after 2.6 shir-ors.

"Approaching the island of Ben-Ar," stated the computer.

"Computer, slow to one half speed. Dock near the Temple of Abka Gahun."

"Confirmed. Estimated time of arrival three xiao-shirs."

As the shuttle descended to dock, Elendir studied the temple castle in front of him. The Temple of Abka Gahun was one of Beinan's oldest surviving structures, built in BE 99, almost as old as the nearby Temple of Abka Biya sculpted out of the cliff protecting Bira Hecen from the Amba Mederi Ocean. Nearly eight thousand yen-ars of wear and tear showed on the exterior walls of the temple of Abka Gahun; little chips and gouges marred the carefully aligned crystal exterior. On a small ledge created by the walls' weathering, a pair of snow white falco albus carved out a comfortable nest for themselves. Three chicks begged for food as the mother landed next to them, holding a small mammal in her talons. Elendir smiled as he watched the mother care for her babies. This family thrived, far away from human meddling.

Disembarking from his shuttle, Elendir located the tunnel arch that led to the temple from the docking area and disappeared into the winding dark path.

"Honour and service to you, Your Grace," bowed Lord Knight Elendir upon reaching the central audience chamber of the temple. Before him sat Beinan's high priestess, Aina, great-granddaughter of Princess Anlei through her youngest daughter, Princess Elena.

Upon her head sat the coronet of the high priestesses of Beinan, its triple moon heraldry one cun 寸 high and 2.2857 wide set on a narrow band. Her delicate crimson konyn wool bliaut danced in the gentle wind filling the audience chamber, caressing her willow-like body seductively. Piercing grey eyes sparkled from across the room. Here was a truly beautiful woman made even more beautiful by the enormous power she weld, a power even greater than that held by Queen Darla, and as shrewdly used as High Priestess Wehe, her foremother.

Acknowledging Elendir's approach, High Priestess Aina rose from her throne, "Your service honours us, Lord Knight. What brings you to Ben-Ar?"

Elendir closed the twenty zhang 张 between himself and Aina's throne, kneeling as he reached it, "Your Grace, I am returning to Dong-Bei from Nan-li Xi-Nan Fang."

Aina drew his eyes into her gaze, "How goes your quest, young knight?"

"The quest has failed. I found my father's remains, but none in Nan-li will recover him for the funeral he due."

"I did not think they would, Elendir. Few near that hallowed ground are willing to touch it. We of House Miyoo – yes – but the customs of House Shem are very different from ours. They do not honour the dead of those they consider pagans and heathens nor do they honour any request that would facilitate rituals done on behalf of those who believe different than they do. Theirs is a curious path, yet one we are all duty-bound to honour. That which is different from us must not be ridiculed or feared, but embraced. For we are all part of the great mystery that lies beyond our mortal flesh," taught Aina.

"Do they hate us for seeing divinity in nature? Do they despise us for seeing birds of prey and recognizing them as divine messengers?"

"Some, perhaps. I have no doubt that the descendants of Lord Janus hate all that deny the divinity of The Shemai and who choose to live lives different from theirs. But most people, no matter the house or religious tradition, are kind and gentle. Most people do not hate, Elendir, despite what you have experienced in Xi-Nan Fang."

"H-h-how did you know?"

"I feel it. I am descended from countless generations of House Miyoo, Lord Elendir. Miyoo blood flows through you as well; we both count High Priestess Wehe as our foremother, after all. Such a bloodline carries certain...talents of the soul, mind, and flesh. You do not know how to use yours. Yet I have no doubt that a yen-ar here would change that. You merely need a nudge in the right direction and the proper training."

"I do not think fate will grant me such leisure as to study here in the tranquillity of Ben-Ar nor do I know of any other path that can take my burden from me."

High Priestess Aina put her hand on Elendir's shoulder, "Hope only fails if you wish it to, Elendir. No matter what adversity life puts in our path to teach us by, all can be overcome if we open our hearts to love and healing."

"Healing...in the face of so much pain?"

"Yes, Elendir, no matter how much we suffer, there is always healing and peace for us."

"But what do you know about loss or suffering, Your Grace? Your line from Princess Anlei and Prince Corann has stayed either in Bira Hecen or in this sanctuary since BE 6338, ten yen-ars after they negotiated the continuation of the Gurun dynasty."

"You were not the only one to lose family when terrorists destroyed Our Lady Healing Center of Bira Hecen. My mother, High Priestess Anlei the Meek, also perished in that bombing. Seventeen beinors later, I was elevated to High Priestess in my mother's stead, the youngest priestess ever so elevated. I was only ninety-four yen-ars at the time, Elendir, and a fully ordained priestess for only 114 beinors when I took my vows as high priestess."

"I-I-I didn't know."

"Not many do, young knight."

"So what now, Your Grace? Every attempt to discover the truth about who is behind the bombings in Xi-Nan Fang has been blocked. No one will help me. It's as if there is an open secret going on down there that is unknown only to those of us who live on some other part of Beinan."

"You came to Xi-Nan Fang openly, did you not? An obvious tourist visiting a place no local will touch. That calls attention to yourself, young knight. No...if the truth is widely known but being concealed from us simply because we do not live there and do not know the local ways, then perhaps another visit is in order –one to another corner of Xi-Nan Fang where your presence will be less obvious," pondered Aina.

"Their eyes are brown there, Your Grace, some sort of genetic mutation relating to argene. Anyone travelling there from Dong-bei is an obvious stand out to them."

"Well then, you will just have to disguise yourself, now won't you?"

"And what about my obligations to Prince Kendric? He sent me on this quest and no doubt is expecting some sort of report."

High Priestess Aina paced for a xiao-shir, "Then we will simply have to attend the next session of the Great Council to make that report. But first, stay here in the temple. Watch and listen to the birds of this island. Meditate a while and quiet your heart for the challenge ahead. My instincts tell me a few beinors here will contribute greatly to the continuation of the quest."

Elendir bowed, "I here and obey. As it is spoken, so mote it be."

The tranquillity of the island of Ben-Ar was addictive to the young knight whose life had been thrown into so much drama since his elevation. Though the Ten-Arian monastery was generally a peaceful place for most of that house, Elendir found it stifling at times, filled with reminders of what might have been and what he lost. In response to his mother's death, he had thrown himself into his studies, trying to fulfil her final wish for him. He even delayed knighthood by studying for six yen-ars with the healers of Ten-Ar and earned a medical apprenticeship towards becoming a full healer. No one in five hundred yen-ars had attempted full training in both pursuits. To become equally warrior and healer seemed a contradiction. Yet Elendir had at least begun the training and was competent to handle many medical emergencies – at least well enough to stabilize someone injured until better trained help could arrive.

These efforts were to honour his mother, even his knighthood was pursued in her honour. In the tranquillity and beauty of the temple, Elendir found himself wandering the halls and gardens lost in thought, wondering about the road not travelled, what he life would have been like had his parents lived.

Yet his quest was not forgotten. After five beinors of rest and relaxation in the temple, Elendir and a priest-in-training named Argul journeyed to nearby Bira Hecen to the rebuilt Our Lady Healing Center, widely esteemed for its cutting edge research and skilled laboratory technicians. There, he handed off the soil samples he collected at Nan-li Central Healing Center to the lab for analysis. Politely the Ten-Arian healer told him to expect results in 3.897 beinors. Bowing, Elendir requested as much of the original material as possible returned to him and returned with Argul to the temple's meditative comforts.

The Great Hall of the Assembly sparkled in blue-white crystal, its conical towers rising up above the trapezoidal central complex. Dormers rose across the clean lower trapezoids of the complex, adding light and brilliance to both interior and exterior walls. Stained glass windows sparkled from each dormer, adding light and beauty through their intricate trapezoidal fractals. Elendir and Aina landed their shuttle in the nearby docking port and readied themselves for what was about to begin.

"All rise for Her Grace, Aina, High Priestess of Beinan," cried the herald as Aina, Elendir, and Aina's retinue of priestesses and priests entered the Great Hall of the Assembly.

Aina's steely grey eyes sparkled, "Blessed be. House Miyoo requests permission to address the Great Council."

Honourable Lord Sacerdos Marcus of House Shem rose, "The Great Council recognizes house Miyoo."

"You are house Shem, are you not, honourable chairman?"

Marcus acknowledged Aina, "I am Sacerdos Maximus of house Shem, yes. My name is Marcus, son of Leonitus, honourable lord and chair of this august council. I am ordained in my faith to lead my house as you are to yours, Your Grace."

"Your presence honours me, Honourable Lord Marcus. How fairs house Shem this beinor?"

"You know the answer to that already, Your Grace. Or does the famous sight of your faith fail you already? Is it possible you see nothing from your temple spire on Ben-Ar save the waste of those falco albus who make their nest on your temple cliffs?"

"Insults are hardly merited, Honourable Lord Marcus. Why throw them so readily now? My faith respects yours, after all."

"In light of the situation in Xi-Nan Fang, Your Grace, I find that claim difficult to believe," countered Marcus.

Elendir eyed Marcus carefully. Was Marcus trying to start formal hostilities between Beinan's major religions by throwing around his political capital as chairman of the council? Hoping to smooth things a bit, Elendir stepped forward, "We are not here to discuss theology, Honourable Lord Marcus. We come to discuss a matter of true importance."

"And that is?" asked Marcus.

"The deteriorating situation in Xi-Nan Fang and the violence that still plagues its residents," answered Elendir.

"You are not a member of this council; why are you here lord..."

"...Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar. I was sent to Nan-li City eighty-four beinors ago on beinor 78 by Crown Prince Kendric himself to investigate this matter, a matter that clearly concerns him," reported Elendir.

"Since when does the crown concern itself about the affairs of the poor and disadvantaged, of those suffering half a planet away?" inquired Lady Elanda of house Ana.

Elendir eyed Lady Elanda, "I cannot speak for the crown, good lady. But I can speak for myself. My father died when Central Nan-li Healing Center was destroyed on BE 6770, beinor 92. Since that time, I have needed answers, as have all who lost family that terrible beinor. Upon arriving in Nan-li I discovered how little has been done since that beinor. Bodies remain buried in the rubble with no effort to retrieve them. The site sits much as it did xiao-shirs after the explosions. In all these yen-ars absolutely nothing has been done. Meanwhile the site still smoulders with poison. Arnile levels are down to twenty percent of the air in the area. Xylise is down to 17 percent from the normal 22 percent found across Beinan. Nirlar is only ten percent of the air there, instead of the twenty percent normally found. Dilast is at fifteen percent—more than double normal levels. In addition, twenty percent of the air is argene, ten percent is bilast, and eight percent is trilar.

"It is a toxic place, one long ago abandoned without any regard for those who died there or those who live in the area ever after," reported Elendir.

"Toxic yes, for over fifty yen-ars, the people of Nan-li have suffered from these poisons. Yet your report fails to answer our central question: what concern is it to you or your prince how the people of Nan-li live?" queried Honourable Lady Alidir of house Slabi. "Ten-Ar is safe and sound from all of these perils. What do you care of any of this?"

"Central Nan-li Healing Center employed many healers of Ten-Ar," asserted Lord Knight Malvyn, rising from his council seat. Walking briskly to the podium at which Aina and Elendir stood, he glared at Honourable Lady Alidir, "I agree with his highness in sending a knight of Ten-Ar to investigate the bombing. It was long overdue. In light of Lord Healer Devon's death while caring for patients in the emergency ward, it is only appropriate for his orphaned son to search for the answers all in house Ten-Ar seek."

Elendir greeted his mentor with the Ten-Arian gesture of respect and whispered to him, away from the podium microphone, "It is good to see you, Master."

Malvyn whispered back to Elendir, "Your quest is not nearly as in vain as you think, young knight – if you have the courage to continue your investigations."

Honourable Lady Alidir glared back at Malvyn and Elendir, "For what reason would Ten-Ar seek answers after so many yen-ars? Revenge perhaps?"

"Revenge is against the will of the triple goddess Abka Biya, Banumu Hehe, and Abka Gahun for it is a personal war, immoral at its core," asserted High Priestess Aina.

"Many who claim religion give its precepts lip service alone. In action, their faith is no more than a whim, a passing fancy of convenience," retorted Honourable Lord Marcus.

"From many, I would believe your claim, Lord Sacerdos Marcus, but to even imply this towards the high priestess of Beinan...I can barely think of anything more treasonous," rebutted Lord Knight Malvyn. "Would you, the head of house Shem wish for your piety to be questioned in open council among so many leaders and peers of Beinan? No...I think not. Your hypocrisy stings with veiled contempt. The real question is, my lord, why?"

"Would it please you to know that I am a descendent of Cariadoc, same as High Priestess Aina? My forefather was Lord Kaleb; I believe hers was named Lord Corann," slithered Honourable Lord Marcus.

Surprised by the revelation, Aina reached outward with her mind. A lifetime of practice and discipline had taught her to shield her mind from the thoughts and emotions of others; such discipline was as trademark to Miyoo as the great sword was to the knights of Ten-Ar. As high priestess, it was particularly hard for Aina to keep out the thoughts and feelings of others, so strong was her talent for feeling the inner minds of others, so great was her Miyoo heritage. Yet now she lowered her massive shields and allowed her mind to do what came most naturally to it. The mental shouts of each councillor came first. Control asserted itself; instead of a cacophony of mental noise, the signal clarified to just Marcus's inner voice. Anger, hatred, bitterness struck her, as powerfully as if Marcus had raised his fist to her face.

Could it be that the descendants of Cariadoc and Jebez still resented Cariadoc's brief coupling with Lady Priestess Cordelia and the child that came of that union, her son by Cariadoc, Lord Knight Corann? Something felt...wrong...a darkness her instincts for self- preservation told her not to touch in the mind of another.

Instinctively, Aina's mental shields re-asserted themselves without any conscious effort by her to keep them lowered. Distracted for a xiao-shir while she contemplated Marcus' revelation, High Priestess Aina blinked, then returned her gaze to Marcus, "If you are of the line of Kaleb, good sacerdos, then we are blood and must not quarrel lest we dishonour the name of our mutual forefather."

"Let not the ghosts of the past haunt us now, my colleagues of the Great Council. Rather, it is far more productive for us to decide here, in chambers, how best to alleviate the suffering of those across Xi-Nan Fang. Surely the fire that still smoulders must be put out. Better safety standards in and around the mines can reduce argene emissions into the atmosphere. We can clean up pollution, encouraging the local ecology to rebound, plant groves and forests of Nara trees to efficiently recharge the atmosphere with nirlar. We have the power to fix this...once and for all. If we only care enough about those who live far away and cope with challenges we are far too sheltered here to face ourselves," pleaded Malvyn.

Lady Elanda applauded sarcastically, "Beautifully spoken, lord knight. Eloquent words indeed. But I do not believe your speech is sincere. Ana, Shem, Slabi, Cashmarie, Plover... we are the ones who suffer most in Xi-Nan Fang. I do not believe for one xiao-shir that you, your beloved queen, her heirs, or the priestesses of house Miyoo care enough to actually do anything. Many in house Ten-Ar died that beinor, yes. Many more common folks from our houses have died as the violence has continued across the yen-ars. If Ten-Ar, Gurun, and Miyoo have cared so much for the poor and disadvantaged in Xi-Nan Fang, I think they would not have waited nearly fifty yen-ars to protest such suffering. No, my lord knights, I do not believe you speak truly."

"Will nothing be done, then?" asked Elendir.

"What is there to be done?" remarked Honourable Lady Alidir. "If this council is complacent, then perhaps it is understandable in light of Ten-Ar's lack of action so far to events claimed to have wounded them so deeply. If house Ten-Ar cannot be bothered to care for fifty yen-ars, then why should the rest of us?"

"If I had the strength and yen-ars to act before, surely you must believe I would have," cried Elendir. "Full knights, not children, are sent for such interventions. My elevation took place just this yen-ar. Surely none here can accuse me of failing to act."

Elanda approached Elendir compassionately, "No, we do not accuse you of failing in this matter, young knight. Prudence sends only those who have already come of age on such errands. Your ardour to investigate warms my heart, even as surely your blood boils more and more as you learn the truth others have known for quite some time."

Elendir met her eyes, "You know, don't you? My reports this shir-or are not news to you, are they? There is no mystery here where you are concerned. You do not act now because you already know everything I could discover through my investigations. Yet you reveal nothing to me nor to my house. How many of you keep these secrets?"

"Time will answer your questions, young knight. I need not say anything further... except to motion we adjourn for the beinor. Return not to this assembly until you discover for yourself what I already know," retorted Lady Elanda.

Lord Knight Elendir bowed, "As the Council commands, so shall I obey." With anger in his eyes, he turned and left the assembly hall.

### Chapter Five: Lady Elita

The throne room in Hejing sparkled with the morning light. Ceremoniously, Queen Darla and Prince Consort Torr processed to their thrones on the raised dais. Two steps behind walked their children, Prince Kendric and Princess Cathryn, all arrayed, like their parents, in white konyn wool trimmed with gold embroidery. Queen Darla smiled at her husband as he offered his hand gracefully to steady her on her step up to her throne. Next to the dais, prince and princess took their places. Turning to the court before them, the royal family sat in their thrones in perfect unison and precision.

Queen Darla raised her head and voice to the herald standing near her, "What business is there before the court?"

The herald bowed, "Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar wishes to come before Your Most Royal of Majesties."

"Bade him come," commanded the queen.

The herald turned to face the fifty or sixty courtiers rummaging around the hall, "Her Majesty, Queen Darla of house Gurun, summons Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar."

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, Elendir appeared out of the shadows of the many columns lining the throne room, his white cloak embroidered in silver knot-work concealing his body until he moved, revealing a long white kirtle and black sleeveless doublet. From his belt Elendir hung his Ten-Arian schlager sword. On his brow he wore the blue gem of the knights of Ten-Ar set in a narrow filet of Beinarian silver.

His was an heirloom circlet, the same circlet gifted to Lord Knight Corann upon his elevation to knighthood in BE 6326. As Elendir moved out of the shadows and into the light cast by the stained glass windows behind the throne, his heirloom circlet sparkled and radiated, as if in reply to a question posed by Beinarian sun streaming through the dancing stained glass. In six practiced steps Elendir floated before their majesties and knelt, "You requested my presence, Your Majesty?"

"Great is the honour of house Ten-Ar as shown in you, young knight. What brings you to my court this beinor?"

Elendir raised his face to meet the queen's eyes, "Your Majesty, I am humbled to be in your presence this morning. As no doubt you know, I was sent to Nan-li in Xi-Nan Fang by Prince Kendric to investigate the bombing of Central Nan-li Healing Center of BE 6770, beinor 92. Eighty-nine beinors have passed since my arrival in that city. I am here to report my findings to you in open court, if you will hear what I discovered."

"I shall hear you...as shall all of Beinan through this place," smiled Queen Darla ceremoniously.

Rising, Elendir turned to face both the royals in front of him and the entire assembly, "Great is the lamentation in Xi-Nan Fang. I found the ruins of the healing center untouched by those charged with putting out the fires and retrieving our loved ones. Time and time alone has touched the site which still smoulders toxic dilast. The atmosphere in the area is radioactive and poisonous to all. Long plagued by outdated mining practices, argene and argun ore dust saturate everything. The residents all suffer from Brown Eye Syndrome, destroying their eyesight and shifting the colours across the city and the continent to help them function – poorly at best. Food is barely produced and that which the residents can grow is infused with argene. The people live in poverty. Hate fills their hearts. It is as if the rest of us have forgotten them."

"So you are confirming the rumours we have long heard concerning the area?" queried Darla.

"The conditions are far worse, Your Majesty, than we ever thought. The residents are bitter and angry. Many I met use religion as a pretext for their hate. I personally received hostility from one family for honouring the goddesses. If I had to guess, Your Majesty, I would say that many do not separate politics from religion."

"Politics and religion are dangerous when combined, Lord Elendir," affirmed Lord Prince Consort Torr. "House Gurun has long asserted such dangers and worked hard to avoid it, even as we have found our best allies among the priestesses and priests of house Miyoo and worked ever long towards humble piety. Can it be any wonder that so much Gurun and Miyoo blood are mingled? You, the queen, our children...all of us count house Miyoo in our pedigrees."

"For this, Your Highness, I fear we are all hated by far too many in Xi-Nan Fang and across House Shem. Five beinors ago, at the meeting of the Great Council, I gave my report. While there I met the sacerdos maximus of house Shem, Honourable Lord Marcus, chairman of the Great Council. Your Majesties... he was filled with animosity against us. As I made my report, I experienced blatant and aggressive resistance towards every effort by both house Miyoo and house Ten-Ar to try to help these people. It is as if they blame us all for some mortal sin that surely must pre-date our births," recounted Elendir.

"Such hate may threaten all our lives, lord knight. Therefore I extend your commission. Go back to Xi-Nan Fang and discover what is behind all of this. Take as much time as you need...yen-ars if that is required. We must know what we are dealing with," commanded Queen Darla.

"As it is commanded, so shall I obey. Yet one barrier remains. I do not look like a native to Xi-Nan Fang; anyone looking into my eyes can tell I was not born there nor am I descendent of anyone exposed to argene."

"You are trained in the healing ways, young knight, honouring your late parents and this crown equally through your studies. Go to the healing center here in the palace and seek out the assistance you require," answered Queen Darla, rising from her seat.

The herald standing next to the dais recognized Queen Darla's cue. Facing the court he proclaimed, "All rise. Make way for her most royal of majesties, Darla, queen of Beinan," Prince Consort Torr rose, offering his wife his arm. Queen and prince stepped off the dais and strode out of the hall while all in the throne room bowed.

"Lord Knight Elendir reporting as ordered," announced Elendir as he entered the palace healing center which had barely changed since Lady Healer Cara of house Gurun treated Lord Corann's shoulder and chest wound there.

From her desk rose chief healer Darah of house Gurun. Picking up her special eye glasses and adjusting the lights around her, she shook Elendir's hand, "Lady Healer Darah at your service, Lord Elendir."

Elendir looked into Darah's eyes and noted the discomfort in her body language from the light of the antechamber, "Lady Healer Darah...your eyes brown."

Darah squinted, "My parents were healers at Central Nan-li Healing Center, Elendir, same as your father – but both of my parents survived. I was born in Nan-li in BE 6774, not far from where Lord Devon died. My parents, Murdim and Devra, knew him well. He was a good friend of ours."

Elendir sighed at the mention of his father, "I am glad to hear he had friends among his colleagues. I have rarely heard anyone speak of him...except in that he died."

"There is more to life than grief, Elendir; I learned that from my mother. It took her a long time to recover emotionally from losing so many dear friends and family. Two aunts and several first cousins died a few cun 寸 from your father. It's been hard on all of us."

"Do your parents have Brown Eye Syndrome, Lady Darah?"

"Yes...I inherited the disorder from my mother while in the womb. Brown Eye Syndrome destroys not only two cones in our retinas, but the genes responsible for creating them in progeny, despite the disorder's generally recessive nature."

"My...sympathies for your condition, milady," sympathized Elendir.

"You sound as if I'm dying, Lord Elendir, not merely inconvenienced. Do you not know that our race was tetra-chromatic on original home world? We...evolved the fifth cone in our eyes only after we came to Beinan."

"I imagine you are an expert in Beinarian vision."

"It...helps me adapt," smiled Darah. "Now... to your problem. I understand that you are headed to Xi-Nan Fang for a prolonged investigation regarding the terrorism that has raged for over fifty yen-ars. Understandably, Queen Darla wants you able to return to Hejing without any long term mal-effects to your health. I honour and respect this, even though I disagree with her assessment that there is anything particularly wrong with developing Brown Eye Syndrome. Nonetheless, even with Brown Eye Syndrome, a native to Xi-Bei and Dong-Bei is ill-equipped to deal with conditions there. Whether you realize it or not, they are adapting physically to the radioactivity... perhaps not in desirable ways, but it is certainly less toxic for them to live there than for a northerner."

Elendir stumbled verbally, "Do... do... are you able to handle it?"

"I have a few health issues created by growing up there without protection... yes. But I can return without the radioactivity and poisons killing me; you cannot survive nearly so long," confessed Darah.

"What remedy is there, then?"

"How do you feel about trans-dermal inoculation?"

"I am a trained knight; if I can handle three shir-ors of combat, surely I can handle trans-dermal inoculation," smirked Elendir."

Darah moved to a medical wall console and pulled out a trans-dermal syringe, "This is a cellular protectant designed to mitigate cellular damage due to argene and argun ore's high radioactivity. Each inoculation lasts only forty-five beinors, so I'll give you several booster syringes to cover the next two yen-ars. After that, you will have to return to Hejing for a physical examination and additional medication." Elendir rolled up the sleeve on his left arm and watched as Darah pressed the syringe into a surface vein on the inside of his arm. Instinctively he cringed from the burning sensation of the shot. Filling up the syringe with another medication, Darah continued her inoculation, "This accelerates cellular regeneration. Argun and argene exposure will destroy many of your cells by their nature. This won't completely stop that process, but you will recover faster and suffer fewer short term and long term ill-effects from exposure. Like the cellular protectant, this will only last for forty-five beinors, so you'll have to give yourself booster inoculations."

Elendir cringed ever so slightly as Darah pressed the syringe into his vein, "What about my appearance? I do not look Xi-Narian."

Darah picked up a small medical scanner and waved it near his body. A green light flashed into his eyes. Elendir blinked. Darah gazed at the read-out, and then pressed a few buttons on a wall console. Three boxes slid out of the console. Darah opened the first box and pulled out a pair of brown contact lenses, "These lenses will help you look more like a Xi-Narian. But they are more than just cosmetic. They contain a filter designed to preserve your sight by blocking argene reactions in your eyes. This box contains some eye drops along with the lenses. I want you to put two drops in each eye every morning and every evening. Since no doubt someone will see you do this, you must tell them that you have a small defect on your cornea that requires a prescription drop to mitigate. These corneal aberrations are common enough among Xi-Narians that I doubt anyone will have a problem with such a claim. Besides, it's mostly true." Acknowledging her with a nod of the head, Darah expertly inserted each contact onto Elendir's corneas.

"Am I all set then?"

Darah shook her head, "One more thing...critical to your survival there. You are likely experience high levels of not only argun and argene, but dilast and other poisons, this cipher will chemically react with those toxins and transmute them into safe elements. Without this cipher you won't be able to breathe the atmosphere there for more than twelve xiao-shirs without experiencing permanent ill-effects. Try to breathe the atmosphere for more than fifteen xiao-shirs without protection and you will asphyxiate." Darah pulled out a Beinarian platinum necklace, its pendant containing what looked like the heraldry of house Xing-li with its translucent Beinarian sapphire sparkling from its faceted surfaces. Darah pulled the thick chain around his neck, "Make sure the metal touches your skin at all times without fail. Only a couple cun 寸 of the surface needs to touch your skin to work, but without at least that much, the cipher will not engage and it will become little more than a piece of jewellery...remember, this cipher is your best protection against the toxic atmosphere and toxic elements that saturate the area. We are experimenting with these devices for interstellar travel, that's why the pendant takes the form of house Xing-li's heraldry; they are the ones who developed it and have tested it. Do not reveal that information to anyone who does not know it already."

"How long will the cipher work?"

"We don't know...no one has tried to use one for more than three or four hundred beinors. It is possible the device will fail after that; you will have to inform us on that matter. Explorer droids sent to investigate the deaths of Xing-li and Gurun explorers to other worlds were not able to determine the effectiveness of ciphers our people were sent with to protect them," admitted Darah. "I believe Princess Anyu, daughter of King Ejen, and younger sister to Queen Isabelle, was one such explorer."

Elendir adjusted his cipher around his neck, "I cannot thank you enough, milady."

"Come back safe, that is all I ask," nodded Darah.

"I promise," vowed Elendir.

The shuttle issued to Lord Knight Elendir was an older design and far less luxurious than the one he flew on his first mission to Xi-Nan Fang. The angular exterior showed wear and tear, particularly on its surfaces. The pilot chair was comfortable, but far less convenient to use. Setting the auto-pilot and programming his chosen navigation across Beinan's surface, Elendir curled up in one of the passenger chairs fifteen zhang 张 from the cockpit, opened up a blanket, and fell asleep while the shuttle guided itself through the long journey across Beinan.

"Now approaching Xi-Nan Fang," alerted the navigational computer. "Changing course to 31589 mark 2489 and reducing speed to 74 li 里 per shir-or."

Elendir rose from the make-shift bed he created in the passenger section and sat down in the pilot's chair, "Estimated time of arrival to the mining town of Amba Narel?"

"Thirty-five xiao-shirs at current speed," replied the computer.

"Computer, interface with local systems. Display known information about Amba Narel on screen," The computer complied, visually displaying Amba Narel's population of six thousand Xi-Narians, primary industry of argun ore mining, and a list of area businesses. A map appeared on his display showing the layout of the town, lodging options, and available light rail routes. For a town of a mere six thousand residents, Amba Narel possessed an extensive public transit network. It was so extensive that the data displayed indicated unusually low shuttle traffic patterns; clearly the population relied heavily on the area trains. Scanning the data in front of him, Elendir spotted a small bed and breakfast about one li 里 from the heart of Amba Narel's business district, "Computer, locate lodging establishment called Seng Morgenmad and dock at nearest docking port."

"Confirmed," replied the computer. The shuttle expertly navigated through Amba Narel and parked as commanded.

Entering the bed and breakfast, Lord Elendir noticed what looked like very simple furniture and simple architecture, mostly made of what looked like a red-brown barked wood. The proprietor of the bed and breakfast greeted him, "Hello, my lord. Welcome to Seng Morgenmad. How may I be of service?"

"Hello. I'm looking for a cosy room where I can stay for at least twenty beinors, or until I can find something more permanent," answered Elendir.

"Travelled far to get here lord..."

"Elendir... and yes. I lost my job as a medic in Central Nan-li twelve beinors ago. I guess they are looking for full healers, not just folks good at first aid," lied Elendir.

"Ah yes... it's a common story, I hear. Big business always wants a bigger and more expensive education or they only want you for a short while. But it takes yen-ars off in grander places than Xi-Nan Fang to get that sort of education. I hear the houses with the best schools don't want no Xi-Narians around. They says it's because of our eyes, you know. But I don't need no problem with being a miner's son, do you?" prattled the proprietor.

"I was hoping to do better for myself than my father...he died you know. Those mines are dangerous places, especially when a man has wife and two young children," agreed Elendir tactfully, distorting the truth.

"Aye... I hear you, young Elendir. Yes, indeed. I hear you. So you went to the big city, hoping to do better for yourself by picking up a trade and now the hoity-totties don't want ya? So you're coming for a new start, a new chance out here, eh?"

Elendir nodded vigorously, "Yes, exactly. I need a new start where no one knows my name or cares who my father was."

"Got any family?"

"My sister... she's staying with our cousin...trying to get an education. Maybe, just maybe, out here I can earn enough tai-ors to keep her in school. She deserves a chance to do better than me."

"Aye, aye," agreed the proprietor. "Well then, let's see what I can do to help you. Do you mind a room on the second floor? Can you accept three tai-ors per night?"

"Three tai-ors per night is more than fine. I saved up a few tai-ors when I was working... just in case this ever happened," smiled Elendir, handing over his triangular payment card to the man.

"All your meals are included with your room, so be sure to come downstairs to this dining area for something to eat and we'll take good care of you, alright," smiled the proprietor.

Elendir bowed politely, "Thank you," Picking up his belongings, he headed to the staircase and up to his room.

Elendir woke from a disturbed sleep at shir-or 4.25. The room around him was humble, but adequate, with its own private restroom and shower. The bed was basic, but comfortable. A large window let light into the modest room. A closet and dresser were placed near the window, along with a full length mirror. A small dressing table with mirror offered simple shaving implements. Sitting down at the dressing table, Elendir shaved contently, picked up his tablet computer, and organized himself for the day. Choosing a blue tunic and dark green trousers, he dressed and noted his appearance in the mirror as he put the prescription eye drops in his eyes, blinking from the slight stinging sensation of the drops. He was finally ready to go.

Breakfast at Seng Morgenmad was modest in quality, but ample in quantity. This family clearly had very little money and resources, but they shared with their lodgers as if each person was family. Elendir poured himself some kelan juice and helped himself to some fresh nanla fruit which he sliced up before eating. Miniature Belarian waffles sat on a plate near him. He took two and ate them without jam. At a far table on the other side of the room dined a young man with jet black hair, rich black tunic and trousers, and with metallic silver eyes. Was he the same man he briefly glimpsed in Nan-li City? After watching the man for two xiao-shirs, he stood up from his table, bowed to his hosts, and then began his long walk to Amba Narel's mine.

"So, my lord..."

"... Elendir. My name is Elendir."

"... Elendir... do you have any experience working in a mine?" asked the foreman.

"No, Sir, none. My last job was in Nan-li as a medic. I'm not a healer, so they let me go after someone with more education came around."

"What did you do before that?" inquired the foreman.

"Nothing... school, a few odd jobs to pay my tuition, but nothing worth mentioning. I tried to get an apprenticeship up in Bira Hecen in Dong-Bei... but they didn't want a lout like me," Elendir darted his eyes as he elaborated on his basic cover story. Deceit like this was completely against everything he believed in, everything the Code of Ten-Ar taught him. But what choice was there? How could he solve the mystery of his father's death and uncover whatever was happening in Xi-Nan Fang if he told the truth? He had tried honesty in Nan-li and learned nothing.

Still, lying to facilitate his quest hurt him deeply, as if someone were physically assaulting him with an ancient sword. His conscience nagged him with each lie.

The foreman eyed Elendir carefully. Something about this young man did not add up, but he could not place what it was... an accent? Elendir's careful grooming? Without any proof that Elendir was lying about anything, the foreman resigned himself with what was before him, "So you want to try your hand at mining then? Well, I will warn you: it's not pretty and not for the lazy , but if you don't mind hard work , I'll pay you five tai-ors per shir-or. Start you off at five shir-ors per beinor, your meal time fully paid since I know the mines thirty li 里 inland from here pay eight tai-ors per shir-or. What do you think?"

Elendir bowed politely, "Teach me and I'll work as hard as I can... you got a deal."

Working in the mine at Amba Narel was the hardest thing Elendir had ever tried. As strong as the discipline was at the Ten-Arian monastery and the many shir-ors on end they had trained him to endure the rigors of combat, nothing could have prepared him for the intense manual labour expected of him. The mine was dark, radioactive, and hard to breathe in, especially for him, even with the help of his hidden cipher. Argun ore saturated everything. It was so thick he could barely breathe, but feared to cough too much lest he give away his secret. When he thought no one was looking, he took environmental readings with his computer, logging his work conditions. How could anyone live like this for even twelve beinors at a time... much less the many yen-ars endured by most of the miners around him?

Processing the argun ore into argene was done at a large facility thirty li 里 away, far from the intense argun dust he was breathing. As the industrial shuttles filled with argun ore, Elendir watched them despondently, wishing he could leave too.

The new yen-ar arrived almost beneath Elendir's awareness. The mine was shut down for the beinor to provide everyone with a needed break. Instead of work, all the miners were invited to attend a social gathering where there would be feasting, music, and dance. Putting in a new set of contact lenses into his eyes and administering the inoculations prescribed by Lady Healer Darah, Elendir donned his dark wool tunic, white trousers, and plain cloak. Dressing, Elendir missed his Ten-Arian sword and knightly circlet which he had left in the keeping of High Priestess Aina on the island of Ben-Ar. Trying to keep a brave face despite his homesickness, he walked to the party and forced a smile.

Inside the hall were many co-workers he recognized. They waved at him. He waved back, but did not speak. Instead, his eyes were transfixed on the petite figure of a young woman wearing a black bliaut and white kirtle which peaked out from beneath the bliaut's wide sleeves. Her hair was raven black and carefully braided on top of her head. Her eyes were dark brown and lips were a soft pink colour. Her gown seemed to float around her body as she moved. She was the most sensual woman Elendir had seen, even more beautiful than Princess Cathryn. Elendir blushed as she met his gaze from across the room.

Smiling, the young woman approached Elendir, "May be the blessings of the Shemai be with you, lord..."

"E-E-Elendir," stuttered the knight.

The woman blushed at Elendir, "You are new to Amba Narel, aren't you?"

"Yes... I moved here on beinor 170... from Nan-li."

"Well, Lord Elendir... it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Lady Elita of house Shem – but I am sure my blessing conveyed that," flirted Lady Elita.

"Y-yes, milady; you seem very devout."

"My father is the sacerdos of Amba Narel; I would hope so. I want to be a good daughter to him."

"Of course. I am sure you are, milady."

Elita took his left hand gently, "How about you call me 'Elita' instead of 'milady?' I am not nearly so grand as all that."

"Yes you are. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," remarked Elendir.

"You flatter me, but kindly. I know my worth... and my heritage. I cannot change my pedigree... but I can live with virtue and honour. I can be a credit to my father."

"Forgive me... but you are a credit to yourself first. You don't need a man in your life to be beautiful or virtuous or any other sort of thing. You set your destiny. You don't need me or anyone else to shape your life."

"You are not religious, I assume, Elendir."

"No, not really. Religion is not a priority for me. I was raised to be religious, of course... but somewhere along the line... I don't know. Maybe I just feel other parts of my life need my attention more than my soul."

Elita smirked, "Then be glad you don't have my father."

"Is he here right now?"

"I am fifty-two yen-ars old... I don't need a chaperone any longer... unless you have intentions towards me that would be... objectionable...."

"A dance?"

"I would be delighted," bowed Elita, taking Elendir's newly coarse hands into hers and leading him into the dance floor where couples were already lined up waiting for the next dance to begin.

Shir-or 11.50 arrived before Elendir realized it. For the last three shir-ors he and Elita danced and talked. Being near her was intoxicating to him. He wanted to take her to his room and make love to her until dawn, yet he hesitated to even kiss her for the first time. His faith in the goddesses made no objection to love making; if anything it was often encouraged. But Elendir knew nothing about Elita's religion – except that they believed the universe was created by a single, male deity – that he did not wish to offend this beinor. Walking hand in hand with her in the night air, his mind raced, uncertain what to do. He wanted her, but dared not touch her.

Elita felt a shift inside Elendir as they gazed together at Biya Gealach, the second of Beinan's three moons, "What is it, Elendir?"

"I...enjoy being with you."

Elita caressed his face, "Why is that a problem?"

"It has been many yen-ars since I attended religious service; I don't remember much about your faith at all. I want to be close to you more than words can tell but..."

"... But you worry you would offend me and those near me by acting on your feelings?"

"YES. Lady Elita... you are the most beautiful woman I have ever been near, more beautiful than even..."

"... the one you bedded before meeting me?" Elita's gaze went straight into his eyes.

"How did you know?"

"Educated guess... I've been in the company of men who have been with women of the night and noticed how they behave around me."

"But... no... it wasn't like that. I didn't pay her... I didn't seek her out... it just... happened," stumbled Elendir.

Elita caressed his hand, "You don't seem to be the sort of man who would... pursue a woman just for your own carnal interests. If I thought that about you, I would not have spent the evening in your company."

"My lady... I don't know what I am supposed to do. I don't want tonight to end without you. I want to wake up in your arms at dawn, pleasing you physically throughout what remains of the night...."

Elita kissed his cheek, "Not yet."

Elendir kissed her lips tentatively. Elita returned his kiss. Encouraged, Elendir kissed her passionately, holding her close, needing her, but not daring to let his lips drift to any other part of her body. Breaking the kiss to breathe, he panted, "What must I do to be with you?"

"Court me, seduce me with love and time... until you can commit yourself completely to me, until you are ready to betroth me."

Elendir kissed her, his body resisting him, "Whatever it takes... as long as it takes... I shall be yours."

"So be it," consented Elita. In the shadows, unseen by Elendir, a dark figure smiled.

"'You are cordially invited to the wedding of Prince Kendric of house Gurun to Lady Lidmila of house Slabi to be held on BE 6830, beinor 196, shir-or 8.00 at the palace in Hejing,'" read Lord Knight Elendir, squinting. He had not been to Hejing since left at the command of Queen Darla almost three yen-ars ago. His contacts had long run out, along with the injections Lady Healer Darah gave him. Reading was becoming difficult. Well... at least his cipher still worked.

Closing the digital mail message on his computer, he dressed himself nicely. Elita was due to meet him in 0.6 shir-ors for their date. Looking in the mirror, Elendir starred at his eyes which had shifted in colour from his silvery grey to a dark grey. Tiny flecks of brown dotted the surface of his iris. If Elita had noticed the change in his eye colour after his contacts ran out, she never said a word. As Elendir headed out of his room at Seng Morgenmad, he wondered why.

All three of Beinan's moons illuminated the night sky – weakly from behind the thick upper atmosphere – but still glowing like soft jewels. Elita met Elendir on the street, 24.934 zhang 张 from Seng Morgenmad. Her gown, previously taken by Elendir to be a rich black, sparkled red-brown with gold highlights. Why hadn't Elendir seen this before?

Pleased to see Elita, he greeted her with a passionate kiss, "How are you, baobei? I missed you."

"It's only been two beinors, my love," replied Elita, kissing him back.

"Two shir-ors is too long. You enchant me."

"I am glad to hear that. I love you too."

"How much do you love me, Elita? I've told you so little of my past."

"What do I need to know of your past – except that it remains in your past?"

"I just received a digital mail message from my best friend from my youth. He's getting married and wants me to come to the ceremony. I haven't spoken to him for over three yen-ars, but I think I should go and help him if he needs anything. We were rather close for a time," informed Elendir.

"Where is the wedding?"

"Dong-Bei – Hejing to be exact," answered Elendir.

"I did not think you were really from here, Elendir. You don't come off as some poor medic dismissed from a bad paying job in Nan-li."

Elendir exhaled nervously, "How long have you known?"

"Since the moment I laid eyes on you at the Beinor 1 party where we met. Yours always was the bearing of a man of education – your lies about your past could not conceal the way you walk or the precision in your speech that comes from a learned man."

"... But you never said anything – to me or anyone else that I know of."

"If I wanted to tell your secret, Lord Elendir, I could have at any time. But why do that? Why ruin you like that? You've done nothing here to merit such treatment. Besides, it would displease the Shemai for me to ruin your life without cause."

"Does this mean you take me for a pagan, some barbarian who doesn't follow your faith?"

"You are many things, Lord Elendir – but not a barbarian – though I suppose some might think so. Do I mind that you are not house Shem or that you don't follow my religion? No. Why should I? You are a good man, no matter what some might think over your adherence to that other religion."

Elendir kissed her, "I love you. If you don't mind learning more secrets about me, it would bring me happiness for you to come and meet my friend on his day of joy."

Elita met his darkening eyes, "I would love to."

The palace in Hejing sparkled and radiated with excitement. Royal weddings were few and far between on Beinan, as they tend to be across the universe. Across Hejing, the people celebrated with displays of the Gurun and Slabi heraldries which flew in every configuration and appeared on public buildings, private houses, even from window apartments. All of Hejing buzzed with excitement. Their crown prince was about to be wed.

Inside the palace, Prince Kendric paced nervously. He finished dressing 0.3 shir-ors ago, but could not find anything pressing he needed to do. The door chimed to his apartment, "Yes?" The door opened to reveal Lord Elendir, Elita with him on his arm. Shock filled the prince's face, "Elendir?"

"I come as requested, Sire," bowed Elendir.

"Elendir! Elendir, it's been..."

"... Too long, old friend. Three yen-ars, eighty-nine beinors since I left your presence," reported Elendir coolly.

Wonder filled the prince's eyes, "You look different, old friend," Kendric approached Elendir and looked intensely into his eyes, "Your eyes, Elendir, your eyes!"

"What's wrong with his eyes?" asked Elita sternly.

Prince Kendric bowed to her politely, "No offense Lady..."

"... I am no lady, Your Highness. I am simply Elita, daughter of Sacerdos Antonius and Mirdur," Elita's eyes burned sharply.

Elendir observed what looked like hate in her eyes, an emotion he had never seen before, "Forgive me, Kendric, this is she whose hand I hope to deserve one yen-ar, Lady Elita. Perhaps she does not use a noble woman's title, but she is truly a lady, the woman I love."

"You never told her, I assume?"

"Who I really am? No, Your Highness. With all due respect to you and your lovely bride, I would prefer to keep it that way. My... work continues," hinted Elendir.

Kendric caught Elendir's meaning, "Of course."

Aware of Elita's presence, Elendir shifted the subject, "So who is your lovely bride, old friend? Who is this Lady Lidmila? I've never heard of her."

"Down in Xi-Nan Fang, you probably would not have. She is the daughter of Honourable Lady Alidir whom you met at your debriefing with the Great Council. Honourable Lady Alidir heads house Slabi. Both mother and daughter are advocates of Slabi and rather formidable in the court room."

"Is that how you met?"

"More or less," averted Kendric, still conscious of the hostility in Elita's body language towards him.

"Is there any service I may do for you now?" offered Elendir.

"Stand beside me during the service?"

Elendir bowed, 'I would be honoured."

The throne room glittered for the wedding of Prince Kendric of house Gurun to Lady Lidmila of house Slabi. Rows of chairs were assembled through two thirds of the massive throne room in three columns. Heraldic banners hung from the throne room's many columns and from the ceiling. It was a grand spectacle designed to awe those who saw it, including Elendir himself. As the companion of Elendir, Elita was seated near the front in a place of honour.

Queen Darla and Prince Consort Torr led the procession, sitting themselves down on their thrones followed by Lord Narvan and Lady Healer Althea, then Lord Knight Elendir and Princess Cathryn to the sounds of Beinarian shawms and flutes. Ceremoniously, Prince Kendric dutifully processed into the throne room. Finally, the red-haired and green-eyed bride herself, Lady Lidmila, took her stately walk through the glittering throne room. Standing at 57.93 cun 寸 tall, her famous grace and diplomatic demeanour flowed through her processional. This was a fiery and confident woman, a shrewd advocate, who knew from birth she was destined to become a royal – and willing to use her knowledge of the law to attain that goal. That Kendric did not love her nor that she did not love him was immaterial. She sought no wooing, only the power attained by marrying the crown prince. He would bed her – if only to keep house Gurun in power as the royal house.

High Priestess Aina appeared from out of the shadows of the many columns in the throne room, a vision of white and Beinarian silver. Aina wore her high priestess coronet with its triple moons reminding all of the magic and mysteries house Miyoo adeptly weld. As Aina opened the service, her gaze went to her older brother, Narvan, a man of great priestly heritage who elected to not pursue the priesthood – as was the right of all in house Miyoo. He chose to remain latent, internally powerful spiritually, but not interested in power. His interest, instead, was in passing his power to his progeny – yet equally insisted on a love match. Aina had no doubt he could achieve both aims. As Narvan took Althea's hand casually, Aina knew exactly where her brother's hopes for a match lay.

Aina read poetry from some of the oldest literature on Beinan, words about harmony, balance, and appreciation for nature. She reminded Kendric and Lidmila that power was not for the sake of power or the promotion of political agendas, but a burden, a mandate to serve society and embrace the down trodden. Blessing them, she asked for their vows which they gave, searching their souls to speak personally regarding their dedication towards the relationship and towards Beinan. Elendir watched Kendric as he cited his vows, the strain of this arranged marriage on the prince's face even as he saw the look of triumph and conquest on Lidmila's face as she said her vows.

Finally, Aina declared them wed and instructed Kendric to kiss Lidmila. Blessing them both, she declared them crown prince and princess-consort. Lidmila had won her royal prize.

At the reception, Elendir's eye was caught by a tall, willow like woman wearing a white konyn wool kirtle with narrow sleeves. Sadness was in her eyes, yet also a fiery resolve. Elendir approached her, "Milady, are you okay?"

"My love has wed another; should I be okay?" she replied.

Elendir took a deep breath, centring himself according to Ten-Arian discipline. "You know Prince Kendric?"

"This would have been my wedding day had the Great Council valued house Cashmarie as much as it values house Slabi; Kendric and I go back many yen-ars, Elendir. Yes, I know your name, of course. Who in Kendric's inner circle does not? I was Kendric's lady companion at your elevation to knighthood; I suppose you don't remember?"

Elendir stopped to think. Yes, he had seen this woman before, but never learned her name, "Come to think about it, I do remember you. But you never told me your name and since Princess Cathryn is, well, Cathryn...."

Lady Aurnia nodded, "Yes, I know. You were put in quite an untenable position that beinor I remember. Allow me to introduce myself formally then. I am Lady Aurnia of house Cashmarie. The Honourable Lady Kalar, chairwoman of the Great Council in BE 6328 during the Great Succession Crisis, was my foremother."

"Impressive pedigree, milady! So impressive, I must wonder why Kendric married this Lidmila of house Slabi."

"House Slabi has more power right now than house Cashmarie. It is as simple as that. Lidmila wanted the power much more than any in Cashmarie. We are a humble house with humble origins among those who worked on and near the oceans and seas of old home world. Despite all our illustrious technology and the egos you see with house Xing-li, we still value the feel of a ship on the open ocean and take pride in keeping commerce on Beinan flowing," detailed Aurnia.

"Do you sail, Lady Aurnia?"

"As often as I can. Few in my house don't know how to handle a sailing vessel of some size. I actually sailed the Amur river to get to the palace for this wedding."

"Do you love Kendric?"

"With all my heart – which is why I am here, despite how this all hurts inside. I know Kendric needs me, even if he cannot show it."

"Have you... been with him?"

Aurnia met his eyes, "No, not completely. He was concerned about his reputation and how it might affect Gurun's standing in the Council. Not for the lack of wanting to."

"What happens now, Aurnia?"

A tear fell from Aurnia's eye, 'I don't know."

As Aurnia wept, the reception sauntered onward for Prince Kendric and the newly proclaimed Princess Lidmila. A carafe of special wine was prepared and now served to prince and princess for the series of customary toasts that inevitably came with such an occasion. As the first of these commenced, Lidmila watched Kendric carefully to make sure he consumed the special wine before taking a sip herself. Confident he was drinking what she prepared for him, she drank deeply across the dozens of toasts offered and made sure his goblet remained ever full.

At the end of these toasts, the light in Kendric's eyes shifted. As he drank more and more, his expression grew more and more blank. Finally, when Lidmila felt he was sufficiently drugged, she ceremoniously excused them both and guided Kendric to the prepared marital bed.

No longer in control of himself, Kendric bedded his wife with a superhuman aggression and ardour, Lidmila smiling and enjoying every xiao-shir of it. The drug had worked on her as well, sending her into fits of ecstasy; no matter how he bedded her or how short a period of time between each round of sex, nothing could hurt her. She felt no pain. Even as dawn rose and light filled Kendric's royal apartment, he found himself unable to rest or stop in his persistent bedding of his bride. After eleven shir-ors of almost non-stop sex, the drug waned, but it was enough to achieve exactly what Lidmila wanted. Now no court in Beinan would deny her place as Kendric's consort, no matter what pretty thing the prince may take to his bed on his own accord. Finally, at shir-or 6.25, Kendric withdrew himself, exhausted. With no sleep in an entire beinor, he collapsed from his effort and fell into a deep but dreamless sleep. Lidmila slipped out of the bed, dressed herself, and headed for Kendric's office where a dark cloaked figure appeared out of the shadows. Pulling back the hood from her guest's face, Lidmila confirmed the identity of her guest – none other than Elita of house Shem. Elita held out a medical scanner, waving it over Princess Lidmila's body, then smiled. Without a word, she administered several transdermal injections, then bowed to the princess, and disappeared.

Elendir and Elita stayed as guests in the palace for several tense beinors. Elendir did not like lying to Elita; he loved her deeply. But here, in the palace, he had little choice but to be Lord Knight Elendir, even at the expense of his carefully guarded and carefully crafted cover story. Staying as the guest of his friends among the royal family put him on the knife's edge between his cover story and his true self, a position he held too much integrity to navigate.

This untenable position forced Elendir to delay his long overdue appointment with Lady Healer Darah. Using a series of indirect messages funnelled through brother knights at the palace who had also been invited by Queen Darla to attend the festivities, he finally, after six beinors, glided himself out of Elita's company and into Darah's office.

"How bad is it?" asked Elendir after twelve xiao-shirs of silent scanning by Lady Healer Darah.

"You disobeyed my instructions, Elendir," scolded Darah.

Elendir bowed, "Forgive me, lady healer. I lost track of time."

"Elendir, I've been hearing rumours that you are courting a young woman there, a Lady Elita?"

"Those are not rumours, Lady Darah. She came with me for the wedding."

"Why would you bring her? Surely you know that she is likely to figure out exactly who you are."

"How would I explain my coming for this wedding to her otherwise? I could hardly say, 'sweetheart, you must excuse me for several beinors while I attend the wedding of the crown prince of Beinan.' Either way she would have found out where I was going and why."

"Where, yes. But not why, not if you were as careful as you know to be."

"I am a sworn knight of Ten-Ar; lying is not something I know how to do, especially towards someone I love."

"I understand that, believe me, I do. But your mission is perilous enough without such complications. Elendir, I know you mean well, but unless you take more care to safeguard against the subtle dangers around you, I fear it will cost you your life."

"What am I to do? I am no spy."

"Unfortunately, my dear knight that is exactly the way you must conduct yourself if you expect to both complete your investigation and survive it. You must not give those responsible for the violence spreading across our planet an easy opening to destroy you. I have little doubt that even with your best precautions someone there knows EXACTLY who you are and who your parents were. I fear the moment you realize who these people are your value to them will cease. When that happens, doubt not that they will strike and snuff out your life."

"How am I otherwise? How bad have I injured myself by my failure to return as specified?"

"Your cells are damaged, breaking down genetically. Your sight... Elendir, you may never see properly again. I'm detecting damage to your tertiary omicron sequence on your corcra braite and your neodrach braite in your retina. Repairing the damage might be possible with gene therapy, but we are talking about twenty or thirty treatments over the course of a single yen-ar. Miss just once during the treatment and none of it will help. Your choices, it would seem, are to either abandon your quest for his highness with an excuse to send your Elita back to Xi-Nan Fang alone – or return there, knowing full well the damage may be irreparable."

"Is there something I can do to slow the progression at all?"

"Not without completely blowing your cover even more than you have. Healers down there should be able to administer some sort of assistance – but then they would know exactly who you are."

Elendir took a deep breath, "I still have not found the answers I seek. What choice is there but to return as soon as possible and discover whatever I may...even if it blinds me?"

"Merry natal beinor, my love," smiled Elita as she entered Elendir's bedroom holding a tray full of Belarian waffles with Nara berry syrup, kelan fruit, and the Beinarian version of hot chocolate.

"Thank you," grinned Elendir, his brown eyes wide with astonishment at the unexpected feast offered to him on the bed tray. "That looks...amazing. All my favourite breakfast foods and more! Wow."

"Seventy yen-ars is quite a milestone."

"Yes...it is," answered Elendir thoughtfully. Had it really been almost ten yen-ars since his elevation to knighthood? What had he accomplished in all that time? Had he let Elita distract him from his quest? As he accepted the breakfast prepared and chatted casually with Elita, his heart sank. Where had the yen-ars gone? Had he wasted his best chance to solve the mystery of Devon and Keelia's sacrifice by working in the mines and courting the lovely Elita?

"I have another surprise for you, my love? I've received approval from Sacerdos Antonius, my father, to wed you should you wish to ask me," winked Elita.

"Do you want to marry me, Elita?"

"With all my heart."

"I am not house Shem, Elita. As no doubt you discovered long ago; I am house Ten-Ar."

"I know."

"I don't have the broach for betrothal I need to formally ask you and seal you," confessed Elendir.

"You don't need it."

"W-what?"

"You don't need it. We aren't in your beloved Hejing; we're in Amba Narel. House Shem doesn't follow the same customs as the rest of the planet. As long as my father marries us, you don't need that broach, only my consent to be married and the requisite bedding of your intended," flirted Elita.

"Then will you?"

Elita removed the tray from his lap and put it on a nearby table, then clasped her hands behind his neck, kissing him, "Of course. But first you must drink your hot chocolate; I made it especially for you."

Nodding, he kissed her, and then took the cup offered him, sipping it contently. Elita watched Elendir consume his drink fully before kissing him, his eager hands quickly finding their way under her skirt to her thighs. Elita unlaced her gown, exposing her breasts to Elendir, then let the drug inside her and now inside him take control.

"Are you okay, Elita? I didn't hurt you, did I?" asked Elendir after six shir-ors of non-stop lovemaking. In his soul, Elendir knew something else was controlling him, but he was unable to assert any sort of personal control over his body.

"More. Give me more," begged Elita. Elendir panted, feeling his body ready to accommodate her, and then continued his lovemaking.

Seven beinors passed. Though Elendir returned to work in the mine, the moment he saw Elita again, he became equally possessed as he was on his natal beinor, bedding her non-stop for all but 350 xiao-shirs during which he slept shallowly. Though physically exhausted and drained from both sleep deprivation and work, the drug would not let Elendir rest. He had to bed his intended every xiao-shir, as if he would die if he failed in the superhuman task of so much intercourse. Each time he tried to rest, Elita seduced him, begging him for more.

Finally, on the tenth anniversary of his elevation to knighthood, the drug wore off, plunging Elendir into a deep and highly exhausted sleep so deep that only a medical scanner could discern that life remained in him.

For three beinors Elendir slept without rousing. When he awoke, Elita was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she too needed rest after so much intercourse.

"Did he fall for the drug, my love?" asked Eletar.

"Of course," laughed Elita. "He drank the drug without hesitation."

"You've done well," smiled Eletar.

"How well?" flirted Elita.

Eletar picked up a medical scanner, "Ummm... let's see." Scanning Elita's body, Eletar could hardly conceal his excitement, "You are with child, my love. Twins from the looks of it, a boy and a girl."

"How far along?"

"Not far, but we can fix that," replied Eletar, picking up several syringes and administering the drugs inside, "These growth accelerants should bring them up to about 200 beinors worth of growth within the shir-or, guaranteeing no one can terminate the pregnancy safely."

"How can I thank you, my husband?"

"I think after five yen-ars of abstaining from your bed so you could dispatch our enemy you know EXACTLY what I want," flashed Eletar, unlacing her kirtle.

"As long as we don't undo my hard work."

Eletar slipped Elita's gown off her breasts and down to her feet, her nipples glistening as her hormones shifted from the new life inside her, "If anything, the hormone shift of your pleasure will only enhance the injections," He slipped his mouth over her left nipple and sucked ravenously.

"Then take me, husband. Make up for all the lost beinors and yen-ars," she cried. Eletar plunged himself into her as the injections took hold, increasing her need to satisfy him.
Chapter Six: Choire Ar Cerridwen

While Elita indulged Eletar, Elendir found the drug that so possessed him before had finally worn off. Almost dazed, he dressed himself, mindful of his duty as Corann and Anlei's descendant. Weakly and still in a bit of a daze, he strode out into the morning air into the largely empty streets. A fabku chirped from a tree branch above his head. Elendir watched the bird dance among the branches.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" asked a young woman in a pale blue bliaut. "I love watching the fabku...it's remarkable a population has found a way to survive here. They are much more common in Dong-Bei of course; well, actually more common everywhere but in Xi-Nan Fang. That makes them precious."

"Life is precious; we strip mine Xi-Nan Fang for its energy selfishly. We can do better, do it cleaner and without brown eye syndrome. There's no reason for people to suffer," agreed Elendir.

"Spoken like a true follower of Abka Gahun," smiled the young woman, pulling out the pendant she hid under her bliaut.

Elendir starred with shock...the pendant was of none other than those given to vowed priestesses of house Brigid, an elite sub-house within Miyoo, "W-w-who are you?"

"Aisling, of the line of Anlei and Corann," bowed the young priestess. "Like Princess Consort Wehe, I was accepted by house Brigid for my...skills in serving the goddesses."

"How did you know I was here?"

"I've been searching for you for quite some time; High Priestess Aina sends her greetings."

Elendir bowed, "Merry meet. May the goddesses bless you."

Aisling looked around her, "It is a pleasure lord knight, but the area is... dangerous. Please. Follow me."

Lady Priestess Aisling led Elendir across Amba Narel to what looked like a small cave on the outskirts of town. Plunging herself 43.758 cun 寸 into the cave, Aisling's deft fingers pressed a hidden button. Three rows of tiny lights only 1.03 cun 寸 in diameter switched on. Aisling looked up to make sure Elendir was right behind her, "This way."

Elendir followed Aisling as she strode confidently through the cave, obviously knowing its passages very well. After traveling 0.8345 li 里 from the cave entrance along several twists, turns, rises, and falls, the cave opened up to a central chamber 17.6345 zhang 张 wide illuminated by bright lights hidden in the irregular cave ceiling. Four smaller passages radiated from the chamber's back wall, the light dimming as each one drifted away from it. In the center of the chamber stood a table hewn from solid rock, its surface shimmering from its natural crystal faces along with five ornately carved chairs padded with a blue-violet cushions embroidered in silver-like thread. Elendir gasped in awe. Aisling smiled, "Welcome to Choire Ar Cerridwen."

Elendir explored the chamber, "What is this place?"

"It serves many purposes. It is temple, archive, refuge, and so much more for those who honour the ways of our ancestors and still believe in the goddesses. Here we keep the records that house Shem would destroy. Here we keep and teach that which others would suppress. Here we search for truth – inner and outer."

"Why bring me here?"

"You uphold your vows given at your knighting, do you not?"

Elendir blinked fiercely, stunned by the question, "Y-y-of...course I do. I may have let time slip away from me, but I'm still the son of Devon and Keelia of House Ten-Ar. I am still of the line of Princess Elaine, daughter of Anlei and Corann's son, King Lyr IV. Corann's own circlet, given to him on BE 6326, beinor 120 at his knighting, is under the guardianship of High Priestess Aina while I am here."

"THAT is why you are here, Lord Knight Elendir. Honouring their memory and living their legacy in manner true to all they believed in...THAT makes this place as much for you as it is the others of house Brigid who have longed toiled here in Xi-Nan Fang. We are descendent daughters and sons of High Priestess Wehe, Priestess Cordelia, and Lady Priestess Ecter, just to name a few."

"Is the legend true, Lady Aisling, that Janus, son of Cariadoc, tested his villainy on his sister Ecter?"

"Yes, it was Lady Priestess Ecter and her daughter Miriam who founded this...special place and sanctified it. She began our work here. It was thanks to her that the records were kept, records I know you must see."

Elendir bowed respectfully, "Then, milady, I am at your service. Show me what I do not know that my eyes, though blinded with brown eye syndrome, may yet see."

Lady Priestess Aisling led Elendir down the left most passage radiating out from the center chamber. After walking 18.045 zhang 张, Elendir noticed the walls around him were filled with niches carefully carved out of the solid rock, each one of them filled with books and scrolls representing a dozen styles of paper, parchment, and vellum. Many of them looked hundreds of yen-ars old. While Beinarian society had long favoured digital media, a tradition of recording history, important government documents, and especially genealogies in physical books and scrolls had survived from original home world. These records were precious, perhaps representing documents and histories surviving nowhere else on Beinan.

Though political data purges were relatively rare in Beinarian history, they were known to happen, particularly when history became inconvenient to a leader or group of leaders. These purges were far more common on original home world than they were on Beinan itself, creating gaps in Beinarian history and loss of certain long revered ancient books and guides. House Slabi was the first house to protest such purges, taking it upon themselves in OW 24783 to transcribe many historical works onto vellum and parchment. Elendir looked at a couple titles passing near him. The name of famous Slabi archivist and historian Istoricar Arhivar appeared on dozens of the books near him.

After three hundred xiao-shirs of walking, Lady Aisling stopped and pulled out from the archive walls three folios, each of them three cun 寸 thick, and handed them to Elendir. Finding another folio forty cun 寸 away on the opposite wall, Aisling motioned for Elendir to begin the trek back to the central chamber.

Reaching the table Elendir had previously noted for its beauty, Aisling and Elendir put the folios down. Pulling up a chair, Aisling rummaged through the first volume, "De filiis Domini Eques Cariadoc," deep in thought. Would Elendir understand what she showed him or would he, as a descendent of Cariadoc, be offended and reject what was in front of him?

After ten xiao-shirs, Aisling put the tome in front of Elendir, "This book is a record of all the descendants of Lord Knight Cariadoc and how they relate to one another in time and relationship. Look carefully, lord knight; you will recognize many names."

Elendir scrolled through the careful genealogical map, finding first his own line from Lord Knight Corann and Princess Anlei through their son, King Lyr IV and Queen Eleanor of House Xing-li to their eldest daughter Elaine and her daughter Morgaine, Morgaine's daughter Keelia, and down to him. Nothing unusual there; except that he had never seen this information on parchment before. Scanning, his eyes went upward to Cariadoc's other children. He noticed Lady Priestess Ecter, Lady Priestess Miriam, Lord Kaleb, and Lord Janus – a name retained in the record as "lord" despite Queen Isabelle's official sanctions against him for attempting to rape and impregnate Princess Anlei. Here, in "De filiis Domini Eques Cariadoc," Janus retained his nobility, passing that nobility down to his son Teber, his grandson Lord Tareen, great-grandson Lord Elinal, and great-grandsons Lord Keleth and Lord Antonius. Antonius? As in Lady Elita's own father? Elita was great-great-granddaughter of Janus? Elendir gasped as he saw Elita's name as the daughter of Antonius, "Elita is a direct descendent of Janus? Does she know this?"

Aisling nodded solemnly, "Of course she does. She's proud of that fact; though I am sure she took care to conceal it from you. Now lord knight, look again at who else is descended of Janus."

Elendir looked at the line of Elita's uncle Keleth. Keleth had a son, Morwin, and a daughter...Dell. Dell? As in the same Dell he had met in Nan-li City? "Aisling, this has to be a mistake. It says here that Keleth, son of Elinal, had a son and a daughter, Lord Morwin and Lady Dell. Is Lady Dell a resident of Nan-li City?"

Aisling opened the book in front of her, "Subcriptio nativitatis," Flipping through the pages she showed Elendir Lady Dell's record of birth, "This record...will tell you what you need."

Elendir looked at the parchment. Dell, female, 66 cun 寸 tall, born BE 6691, beinor 13, shir-or 4.824 to Lord Keleth of house Shem. No mother name recorded. Place of birth: Central Nan-li Healing Center. The healing center address followed – none other than the same address Elendir knew to be the healing center his father Devon had served and died in. Looking back at "De filis Domini Eques Cariadoc," Elendir then noticed the line of Morwin, son of Keleth. "On BE 6767, beinor 48 Lord Morwin wed Lady Durwen of the line of Lord Kaleb." Kaleb? As in the second son of Cariadoc? Was it possible the Lady Durwen whose venom wounded him so much in Nan-li was also of the line of Cariadoc? Elendir read further, "BE 6771, beinor 5 birth of Eletar, first born son of Morwin and Durwen. BE 6801, beinor 12 birth of Alatar, son of Morwin and Lady Durwen. Alatar? Somehow that name felt familiar...but how?

"Aisling, what is the connection between the children of Morwin and all you have shown me?"

"Eletar is a resident of Amba Narel. I know him personally, enough to keep my distance. In BE 6318 there was a grand wedding for him and his bride, a woman I think you know, Lady Elita."

"Elita? So that is why she kept turning my proposals for betrothal down—until my natal beinor, nine beinors ago. She insisted that she did not need the broach of house Ten-Ar to become my bride, that if we simply sealed our relationship physically that would be enough for house Shem. Then... then... it is all blur to me now. Something took a hold of me, Aisling, I could not stop. We were... never intimate before nine beinors ago. I don't know what possessed me. I..."

"... fell prey to Lady Elita and Lord Eletar's plot, I suspect," completed Aisling. "She never told you she was married because you would have never consented to her will otherwise. Look at how you have spent the last ten yen-ars, Elendir. Look at your eyes. If not for their trap you would have found all of this quickly; house Brigid would have helped you solve the mystery within forty beinors of your arrival."

"Why didn't you approach me until now?"

"We couldn't, not without revealing our presence – and our records – to the descendants of Janus."

Elendir collapsed onto the table, "This is all my fault; my lack of foresight, my willingness to believe she really loved me. How could I be such a fool?"

"Believing in others is not folly, dear knight. It's part of your innocence, your virtue. You are a good and kindly man. No one except your enemies in house Shem believes otherwise. But Elendir, I fear for your safety. Elita and Eletar want only one thing: to avenge their forefather for the perceived injustice their line has faced since Queen Isabelle banished Janus to this place. Their revenge began long ago, as I must show you now."

"There's more?" cried Lord Knight Elendir.

"Yes; look and see, young knight," nodded Aisling, opening the final volume and flipping to page 287.

Elendir started from the top of the page, reading aloud, "Record of the demise of Central Nan-li Healing Center. Investigation by Lord Mukhtar, son of Kaleb of the line of Kaleb. On BE 6770, beinor 92 Lord Morwin carried out the first volley of his detailed plans to destroy houses Gurun and Ten-Ar when he and his sister Dell entered the healing center on pretences of cardiac arrest and atrial arterial atrophy. Lord Healer Devon of house Ten-Ar, a known descendent of King Lyr IV was summoned to diagnose Morwin's symptoms. While distracted, Lady Dell planted a time delayed explosive underneath Devon's medical diagnostic station, and then pretended to require refreshment, excusing herself from the diagnostic chamber. While healers under Devon's direction were distracted, Lady Dell planted explosives across the healing center before disappearing from healing center grounds. Upon discovery that Morwin's symptoms were psychosomatic, Lord Healer Devon discharged Morwin. Eight xiao-shirs after Morwin left the healing center complex, the planted explosives detonated, killing Lord Devon and his associates."

Elendir's heart sank. These were the answers he had sought for his entire life suddenly revealed in one candid, if not careless, chronicle. Overwhelmed, Elendir wept, his body shaking with grief.

Lady Priestess Aisling felt for him, but could not succumb to her feelings, "Elendir, Elendir we must leave with this evidence, all of it, before Elita returns to your dwelling. When she discovers you are missing, she will know you have found something and once that happens, your life is forfeit. She will not grant you the quick death of your father or your mother. She will make you suffer for yen-ars, her prisoner, until she tires of the game and kills you."

Elendir met her eyes, and then closed them, his lifetime of Ten-Arian training asserting itself. Nodding, he gathered the books in front of him, and then followed Aisling as she fled Choire Ar Cerridwen. Tapping on a pocket computer, Elendir engaged his low altitude shuttle's engines. As they emerged from the cave, the shuttle slid to the ground in front of them, its hatch opening. Running up the ramp, they disappeared into the shuttle, its hatch closing suddenly and the shuttle itself rising swiftly upward and away from Amba Narel in a single xiao-shir. As he set the navigational controls for Dong-Bei, Lord Knight Elendir thought these yen-ars with Lady Elita were now behind him. He thought wrong.

The temple of Abka Gahun on the island of Ben-Ar near the city of Bira Hecen glittered against the Amba Mederi Ocean. Against its cliff faces a large white bird of prey offered a sort of fish with both fins and tentacles to her tiny, newly hatched chicks, breaking the freshly killed aquatic meal into bites small enough for them, her mate circling protectively overhead to guard against danger before landing on the precipice himself and helping her feed their young. Light twinkled on the green-violet water as waves fuelled by three moons rose up to break upon the small island.

At the temple's docking port two-hundred-seventy-three zhang 张 from the shoreline, low altitude shuttles parked with difficulty. Ben-Ar was a small island with a small population of mostly vowed priestesses and priests and a much larger population of birds and land animals; parking was limited.

Inside the temple, Lady Priestess Aisling dressed in her private chamber, her pale blue bliaut glistening with tiny white gems embroidered onto the delicate fabric. On her head she set the Miyoo heraldic circlet given to her at her ordination, its silver-like metal newly polished. Dressed, she knelt at a small altar in a niche alcove and prayed, sitting in vigil for what was to come.

"Laudate domina luna. Laudate deam terra. Laudate deam albus falcones. De hac benedixit matutinus," sang the processional of priestesses as they filed into the great sanctuary of the temple, the lead priestess carrying the heraldic banner of house Miyoo in front of her face. The hymn continued, "Sea, beidh mé ag onóir an bandia anseo. I fheiceann tú mé a aghaidh naofa. A bheith beannaithe an lá seo ag teacht. Lig dúinn teacht ar gach ghrá."

As the song finished, High Priestess Aina rose from her seat on the raised dais that was the focal point of the sanctuary. The line of priestesses shifted in perfect step to the left and right until Lady Priestess Aisling alone faced High Priestess Aina. Aisling bowed her head respectfully. Aina smiled discreetly, "Lady Priestess Aisling, why do you come before all these witnesses?"

"Your Grace, I come out of the calling of my heart to be joined to one of house Ten-Ar whose love and dedication inspires me as a soul," answered Aisling ritually.

"Then let house Ten-Ar come that the joining shall be forged, that out of love and hope your heart will be glad and at peace," proclaimed Aina. At her signal, flutes and shawms began to play. From an unseen alcove, a second procession commenced, the ornate sword upon a red field heraldic banner of house Ten-Ar emerging from the shadows. A dozen knights of Ten-Ar marched in two narrow columns, their sword scabbards shining brightly in the morning light, their blue-white gemmed circlets sparkling as if answering a question posed by the stained glass around them. Behind these knights strode a single column of healers of Ten-Ar with their ceremonial circlets of Beinarian silver and with four Ten-Arian star rubies evenly distributed around the circle. To nearly everyone assembled, the Ten-Arian star rubies appeared bright red to normal Beinarian eyes, but a reddish purple to Elendir, despite the tinted contact lenses on his eyes intended to help him see in a penta-chromatic world.

Behind the Ten-Arian knights and healers honoured enough to join the procession strode Lord Knight Elendir, his blue-white gemmed heritage circlet that had been Lord Knight Corann's sparkling in the light, retrieved upon his return to Dong Bei from High Priestess Aina's keeping. In honour of Devon and Keelia, Elendir wore the same Ten-Arian ruby pendant worn at his elevation to knighthood upon his white konyn wool tunic.

Though contrary to custom, Lady Healer Althea walked behind him, her star-ruby healer circlet resting comfortably on her head and complimenting Elendir's crimson Ten-Arian cloak, the same one worn at his elevation. Together, brother and sister were resplendent in their formal Ten-Arian attire and circlets, a dazzling array of Ten-Arian glory that outshined even Aisling's own, simple Miyoo beauty.

As the procession reached High Priestess Aina's dais, the columns filed left and right, each knight and each healer taking his or her place next to a Miyoo priestess in a grand spectacle. The heraldic banners were placed behind Aina on the dais, facing Lady Priestess Aisling, Lady Healer Althea, and Lord Knight Elendir ceremonially. With Althea between Aisling and Elendir, the trio joined hands and made a collective bow before the high priestess.

Aina turned to Elendir, "Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar, why do you come to this assembly in this sacred place?"

"I come to join myself to she who captured my heart with her beauty, her wisdom, and her devotion to all that is good and holy," declared Elendir.

"Elendir, son of Keelia of the healers of Ten-Ar, is this lady here in this sanctuary?"

"She is."

"Proclaim her name."

"Lady Priestess Aisling of house Miyoo."

"Do you offer yourself to Lady Aisling of your own accord and in accord with the traditions of house Miyoo? Do you promise that by your life or death to safeguard her and by extension, this house, from all threats the beinors and yen-ars to come may bring? Do you promise to love her more dearly than your own flesh and your own needs for all the beinors that remain of your mutual lives?" queried Aina.

Elendir knelt, drawing his sword and laying it carefully in his upright palms, "By my life or death, I offer myself. May this sword ever guard her and house Miyoo in this life and beyond. May the love I feel this xiao-shir never wane but only wax. I offer all that I am and all that I will become to her and to house Miyoo. So mote it be."

"Althea, daughter of Keelia of the healers of Ten-Ar, do you release your guardianship over your brother that he may take himself she whose love will never compete with yours, but compliment the unbreakable bond of sister and brother?"

Althea knelt, placing her left hand upon Elendir's cloaked shoulder, "With gladness do I release my guardianship that my brother may find joy and peace." Rising, she took a step backward, her role completed.

High Priestess Aina nodded at Althea's eloquence. She focused her gaze now upon Lady Aisling, "Lady Aisling, do you accept the offer of marriage and spoken vows extended to you by Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar?"

Lady Priestess Aisling stepped into the physical space previously occupied by Althea, taking Elendir's left hand with her own left hand while he remained kneeling, "Gladly do I accept the offer of marriage from Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar. In acceptance, I vow to remain ever at his side in heart, spirit, mind, and body. I vow to never permit the fortunes of the beinors and yen-ars to come to ever diminish the love I feel for him this xiao-shir, nor permit the ghosts of our mutual pasts to haunt us or come between us. Now and for always. So mote it be."

Aina turned to Argul, the same priest who had accompanied Elendir to Bira Hecen. Argul gently handed Aina a braided cord in Beinarian silver and Beinarian brass, the triple moon of house Miyoo at its terminals. Aina wrapped the cord loosely around Elendir and Aisling's wrists and joined hands, "Before these witnesses have you made and accepted vows of matrimony. Therefore, by the power vested in me as high priestess of Beinan, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your marriage with a kiss." With the signal made, Elendir rose and kissed his bride passionately. Aisling returned his kisses for a full xiao-shir. Out of breath, they parted their lips and faced the gathered assembly. Aina motioned to the small gathering, "Honourable knights and healers of Ten-Ar, vowed and student priestesses and priests of Miyoo, esteemed guests from across Beinan, I give you Elendir and Aisling, husband and wife."

Their hands still joined by the cord, Elendir and Aisling strode out of the sanctuary together in jubilation as husband and wife as Beinarian trumpets heralded them – and their new life together.

Bira Hecen bustled as the bridal shuttle containing Elendir and Aisling docked near the garden restaurant hosting their reception, Althea's own shuttle just two xiao-shirs behind them. White trellis fences lined the edge of the restaurant garden, the Amba Mederi Ocean visible from the garden's outdoor seating at just 0.2617 li 里 away, its blue sand beaches and green-violet waves easily visible to all. The Beinarian version of roses sprawled upon many of the trellises and along the restaurant's walls in white, blue-white, lavender, and yellow-green. A fragrant cross between sage and lavender grew up between the "rose" bushes, adding to the intoxicating aroma. Blue-grey marble tables formed a trapezoid along the fences and restaurant walls surrounded by chairs whose backs were shaped as isosceles triangles terminated with Beinarian rubies cut into trapezoidal prisms. Heraldic banners for house Miyoo and house Ten-Ar hung behind the high table.

As Elendir and Aisling entered the garden, Althea three steps behind them, they took in the beautiful work done by the restaurant staff. Meandering through the garden were their one hundred forty two guests representing friends, family, mentors, and notable members of the Great Council, most enjoying a wide range of aperitifs served on small tables scattered aesthetically around the garden. At tables along three of the four trapezoid sides, wait staff served a rosé sparkling wine, a golden mead-like ale, and kelan juice as beverage choices. Next to the high table, a fountain bubbled with Beinarian hot chocolate for the customary bridal toast. Elendir looked at Aisling. Wonder filled her face. This was even more beautiful than she imagined and more wonderful than she dreamed it could be. Elendir hugged his wife affectionately.

From among the crowd, a couple approached them: Prince Kendric and his wife, Princess Lidmila, "Congratulations, Old Friend. It pleases me to see you finally wed after all these yen-ars of pain and disappointment."

Elendir ignored protocol and hugged his friend, "Kendric. So glad you could come, Your Highness. It's been too long."

Kendric nodded, "It always is between your work now with house Miyoo and mine as the heir apparent, it seems like we never get much of a respite."

"How are your parents?"

"The queen has been troubled by the worsening conditions across our planet. My father is a kind and compassionate man, a devoted husband and he's been the sort of father every nobleman dreams of, but nothing can take the care away from mother. She's responsible, devoted, and cares about the pain and suffering that seems to be spreading across Beinan inexplicably."

Lady Aisling eyed Princess Lidmila suspiciously, but addressed the prince, "Did you get the report we sent you concerning the investigation on Xi-Nan Fang?"

Kendric nodded discretely, "I did. As a friend, I wept in my office when I read it. These events planet wide have hit you even harder than they've hit my mother."

"We are not alone. We lost one of our greatest religious leaders in Nan-li that beinor," reminded Aisling sadly.

Kendric looked deeply into Elendir's eyes with worry, "Your eyes, Elendir. Must this terrorism cost you your sight as well?"

Elendir straightened his posture proudly, "I am a knight of Ten-Ar, vowed to offer my life in service to others; what is my eye sight in comparison to what we learned?"

Kendric's eyes misted as he continued to look into Elendir's eyes, "It is still not right. The only way you will ever see properly again is to leave Beinan forever, exiled on some primitive world with a yellow sun for the rest of your long life. You deserve so much more than that. To be caught between de-facto blindness and exile; you've done nothing to deserve that."

"Rarely is suffering deserved, Your Highness. Those that do deserve pain rarely feel it, or if they do, they fail to learn from it. Much is gained through sorrow and hardship. When I was a squire, my mentors tried to teach me that lesson. Isn't odd how it takes a disability before I could understand that wisdom."

"Let us not focus on our sorrows this day," declared Princess Lidmila, "but rejoice in your joining as husband and wife. This is a wedding reception, a time for celebration. Shall we not celebrate?"

Prince Kendric smirked; his wife was right, "Of course. In that spirit, I have someone to introduce you both to. Come." Beckoning the bride and groom deeper into the garden, Kendric led them to a boy seventeen yen-ars old with the look of an Earthling eight year old and pale green eyes standing close to Queen Darla, "This is our son, Prince Ohtaraha and heir apparent after me. My mother...I believe you know already."

Elendir bowed, "Your Majesty. It is a pleasure as always to see you."

Queen Darla raised her hand which Elendir kissed chivalrously, "You have served our people well, Lord Knight Elendir...and chosen one favoured among house Miyoo as your bride. This is well done and well deserved after so many trials and losses in your life."

"We are all suffering, Your Majesty, as long as the terror remains, as long as more children lose their parents and more parents lose their children to this...madness that has battered our people for seventy nine yen-ars."

"Perhaps I am the wrong person to tell you and, no doubt, Kendric already has reminded you...put aside the pain and sorrow...just for this beinor. Let nothing further remind you of the past. Your future is bright now. You have found true love, a love that transcends time and space. It is a rare gift. Treasure this day," commanded the queen.

"I hear and obey, Your Majesty. Let us celebrate and enjoy all that so many have prepared," affirmed Elendir, motioning for the royal family to join him at the high table. With the bride and groom seated, their guests took their places at the prepared tables as wait staff served them a feast fit for a prince – or a queen. After finishing this course, the toasts began, starting with the customary toast of Beinarian hot chocolate at the head table. Musicians played. Dancing filled the center of the garden. The hypnotic sounds of the Amba Mederi Ocean filled the background and everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. It was new beinor, a new life for Elendir and Aisling.

Chapter Seven: Ghosts of the Past

"Great comes the morning. Out of quiet jubilation. Wisdom is yours. If you can find the way. Teach the healing arts. Nurture the wounded. It is a great hour. For healing everywhere," sang the assembly in the cavernous central temple at the Ten-Arian monastery joyfully.

As they sang, Lady Abbess Cara led a procession that included Lady Healer Althea and Lord Knight Elendir. Lady Priestess Aisling sat near the front of the large gathering, along with knights and healers of Ten-Ar. Prince Consort Torr of house Xing-li sat in a special place of honour, watching the processional and thinking back to his own youth when the focus of his beinors was on his medical studies to become a great healer of Xing-li. That unusual choice, to pursue healing instead of warfare and space exploration, brought him to Princess Darla in her time of greatest sorrow and need.

While most healers chose to focus on physical healing, Torr made healing the mind his priority, a choice that put him in frequent conference with Beinan's clergy from both Miyoo and Shem. When Darla accepted his proposal of marriage, this experience proved useful, making him Darla's private counsellor in all things – especially after her coronation.

This beinor was not about him, however, but about young Lady Healer Althea, sister to his son Kendric's best friend Elendir. As the song finished, Torr looked at Althea and Elendir wistfully. Althea wore the same white and crimson ceremonial bliaut as Lady Abbess Cara whose age had begun to show in her body. At a mere ninety yen-ars old, Althea was young, but nearly the appropriate age for what was expected of her now.

Cara took her place on the raised dais and addressed the assembly, "Healers, knights, squires, and kin of house Ten-Ar, honoured guests, we come here to this beautiful temple here at the Ten-Arian monastery to honour the work of Lady Healer Althea, daughter of Lord Healer Devon and Lady Healer Keelia, both of our house Ten-Ar. As a healer, Althea has proven herself expert across the healing arts and sciences, willing to use whatever methods are best suited for each of her patients. True to a leader of this house, her heart is for noble and common Beinarian alike, regardless of wealth or class. All who come to her for help are accepted – even those who might begrudge her for reasons known and unknown. Althea is a role model to this house.

"For that reason, I have chosen her to lead and guide us for the remaining yen-ars of her life or until she finds she is no longer of sound mind, body, and heart to continue her journey as abbess of Ten-Ar. Lady Althea, are you ready?" asked Cara.

Althea nodded, "I am, Your Grace." Stepping up onto the dais, Althea knelt in front of Cara, meeting Cara's eyes respectfully.

Lady Abbess Cara laid her hands on the crown of Althea's head, "Do you swear by the goddesses of Beinan and by your soul within to heal without prejudice, study without wavering, teach without reserve, and lead without pride? Do you swear to follow the Ten-Arian code of ethics at all times, harming none while nurturing all? And will you guide our house in prosperity and adversity for the edification of all life – on this world and across the universe?"

"I swear," affirmed Althea.

Lady Cara turned to Elendir, "Lord Knight Elendir?" At Cara's signal Elendir handed Cara the silver and brass circlet handed to him by healer of Ten-Ar, its star rubies sparkling in the morning light. This circlet, it was said, was first made over three thousand yen-ars ago, passed down carefully across generations of Ten-Arian abbesses as the symbol of their office. Althea breathed hard as she felt Cara, abbess no longer place the circlet on her head, "I name you Lady Abbess Althea, Healer of Ten-Ar,"

At a signal from Lady Cara, the newly crowned abbess rose and faced the assembly, "As Lady Abbess Cara has served you, so shall I endeavour to follow in her footsteps, succeeding but never replacing the leadership she has brought to our order," With the ritual complete, Althea relaxed. The coronet felt odd on her head, but she felt ready, especially with her doting brother so near. In a nearby chamber, the healers of Ten-Ar hosted a small but elegant reception for the new abbess. Elendir hovered near Althea protectively, even in the cloistered safely of Ten-Ar. For who could tell what the future would hold and how long any of them would survive?

Prince Kendric paced anxiously at the palace docking port, his eyes stained with tears, his body visibly shaking. A low altitude shuttle carefully pulled into the docking port, its angular exterior glistening from the subtle docking port lightning. Outside, a fierce storm raged. An upper atmosphere hurricane twice the size of the hurricane that raged outside of the Ten-Arian monastery during Lord Knight Corann's "battle" with Lord Knight Bevin descended from the upper atmosphere, bringing rain and elevating the already high tides created by an unusual convergence of Beinan's three moons. This was a dark morning – literally and metaphorically. Thunder and lightning raged just outside the enclosed sections of the docking port. A torrent of green-violet rain pounded the ground which seemed to shake from the impact, flooding the ground foliage across two hundred sixty square li 里 and elevating the Amur River to flood stage.

Hastily, the shuttle hatch opened, opening a new pathway for the flooding rain to enter the docking port and, by extension, the palace itself. With rain coursing around the shuttle, the upper and lower shuttle hatches slid open, its ramp extending painfully slow in comparison to the flood. Lord Knight Elendir leapt out of the shuttle, his left foot touching the flood before the ramp could touch the ground. Rain filled Elendir's humble black leather shoes and soaked his feet and ankles. Behind him stepped Lady Priestess Aisling and Lady Abbess Althea, each of them in their most humble of raiments. On a simple belt Althea clipped a case filled with medical instruments. In her heart, she prayed she would not need to use them. Prince Kendric bowed to his friends as he motioned a steward to close the exterior door to the docking port in hopes of limiting the flood inside the palace, "Thank you all for coming so quickly."

"We hear and obey the command of our prince," answered Lady Abbess Althea.

"I pray I do not need you, any of you, save for moral support. But I fear the worst. Come," motioned Kendric. Obeying, the trio followed the prince, keeping up with him as his walk transformed to a run through palace corridors rarely used by the court or palace staff. Time was of the essence.

Kendric led his esteemed friends to Princess Lidmila's apartment. The doors separating her private garden swung open unexpectedly, admitting the deluge battering the garden from the hurricane into the otherwise beautiful and carefully ornamented abode. Carefully but swiftly Kendric led his friends down the carefully laid out paths to a great tree located twelve zhang 张 from Lidmila's gazebo, a near perfect replica of the same gazebo in Kendric's garden where Lord Knight Corann attempted to propose to Princess Anlei. But unlike the pale white Nara wood of Anlei's and now Kendric's gazebo, this gazebo was stained a pale blue that barely displayed the natural grain in the wood. Green-violet rained poured down from the gazebo roof dolefully, as if mourning what only it and Prince Kendric so far understood.

Between the tree and the lamenting gazebo lay Lidmila, looking as if she was sleeping. As Althea approached, she instinctively pulled out a medical scanner, distressed by the position the princess slept in. As Kendric stopped three zhang 张 from Lidmila, Althea knelt, touching Lidmila's pale skin and opening her green eyes professionally.

Distressed, she pulled out another medical scanner, running a small scanning ball over the skin on princess's arm. Looking at the computerized readings, she carefully restored the lid over Lidmila's eye, worry and sadness in her face, "The princess is dead, my liege."

"How?" commanded Kendric.

"Poison, My Prince. I need to verify my readings with more powerful equipment to know exactly what killed her. But one thing is clear, Your Highness: she was without a shadow of doubt murdered," proclaimed Lady Healer Althea, rising from the body.

Tears flowed from Kendric's eyes, "There is more for you see, Your Grace."

Elendir put his hands on his sister's shoulders as she looked into Kendric's doleful eyes, "Show me."

Kendric led the way to a small pond filled with ornamental fish-like animals. A pair of water birds paddled on the pond's surface, chased by six tiny chicks. In the center of the pond floated Prince Ohtaraha on his back. Careful of her dress, Althea waded into the water which came to chest height by the time she reached the prince. It took only a single touch for Althea to recognize the truth, "Your son is dead, Your Highness. Come; help me get him out of the pond so I can better examine him."

Kendric and Elendir together waded into the water, drawing the motionless prince away from Althea and gently guiding him towards the pond's edge. Together, they lifted Prince Ohtaraha out of the pond and laid him down on the ground nearby. Lady Priestess Aisling knelt next to him, careful of her dress. Touching his brow, she drew the emblem of Abka Biya upon his forehead, "Be at peace, young prince. May the goddesses guide you into your next life."

Althea began her scans of the boy. Footsteps sounded on the path behind them. A rain soaked woman clad in a blue violet kirtle approached, on her breast was embroidered the sailing ship heraldry of house Cashmarie. Lady Aurnia hugged Kendric, "Is it true, Kendric? Are your wife and son dead?"

Althea finished her scans and rose to her feet, "Yes. I detect poison in both. Whoever murdered Princess Lidmila also murdered Prince Ohtaraha by exactly the same method."

A suspicious light glittered in Aurnia's eyes for a brief xiao-shir. Death of Kendric's wife and son meant Kendric was free to marry her. Lidmila, the wife imposed on Kendric by the Great Council, was now gone – along with the son Lidmila imposed on Kendric, conceived during the beinors immediately following their wedding when Kendric found himself controlled by drugs, forced to bed his bride with inhuman tenacity and fertility.

In her heart, she knew Kendric cared nothing for the woman lying dead on the ground, that every time he bedded Lidmila, it had been out of a sense of obligation or artificial compulsion enforced by drugs, not desire. As Kendric's nearest confidant Aurnia knew the shame Kendric felt every time he succumbed to Lidmila's technological, chemical, and even political ruses employed to secure his sexual favours, legitimizing an otherwise hollow marriage of political expedience. How often had Kendric come to her bed after spending a full shir-or each time mindlessly pleasuring the manipulative Lidmila, tears streaming down his face, the light in his eyes flashing despair?

Each night Kendric was forced to bed Lidmila, Aurnia was there for him, cradling his head on her bare breast and making love to him out of tender compassion and affection, soothing him with her perpetual love and physical need for him until he could, at length, fall asleep. Princess Lidmila was Kendric's wife, the woman seated next to him at Queen Darla's court. But Aurnia had spent most Kendric and Lidmila's marriage as the wife of fact, even though forced to bear the title of "official mistress" at court.

Across the yen-ars, it was Aurnia, not Lidmila, that Kendric courted, offering her the passion of his mind, heart, and flesh – along with her own apartment in the palace, queenly gowns, and regular visits to her bed and her garden – as often as his duties permitted. These she accepted eagerly, but with some worry these would get her with child. Three yen-ars after the birth of Ohtaraha, Aurnia gave birth to Kendric's daughter Mitharnilia. Though Aurnia's relationship with Kendric was legal, Mitharnilia could not be called "princess" nor given any advantage as a royal child. Queen Darla could not be her grandmother or treat her with any official act of kindness or love. For even a cherished child of a mistress was still a bastard, ineligible for the throne or even recognition by Kendric as his own.

Following Mitharnilia's birth, Aurnia maintained extreme diligence against pregnancy, trying to avoid adding to the stain on Kendric's reputation created by Mitharnilia's existence lest power shifted away from house Gurun and to another house – or worse – to Kendric's twin sister Cathryn through some shrewd political maneuverer.

Over the yen-ars, Cathryn continued to control men beyond Elendir with her sexual favours and for her own pursuit of pleasure. Cathryn cared nothing about her dynasty – only what she could gain from her lovers – using her intensely sensuous body to her political and personal advantage. In this, Cathryn and the now late Lidmila remained similar, each using her body for political gain.

Returning to the present, Aurnia looked at Lady Abbess Althea, "Who could do this?"

Althea shook her head, "I do not know. The data from my scans are only preliminary. I cannot discover exactly how she died from here. I need the equipment only a full scale healing center can provide before I can give anyone any more information."

Still shocked by the death of wife and son, Kendric struggled to find clarity in thought and words, "Would the healing center here at the palace suffice for your investigations, Your Grace – or do you require a larger facility, perhaps the rebuilt An Men Ten-Ar Healing Center?"

Elendir's heart skipped a beat. The original An-Men Ten-Ar Healing Center was none other than the place of his own birth. But like Bira Hecen's Our Lady Healing Center where Lady Healer Keelia worked and eventually died at, it too had fallen to a terrorist strike when he was a young boy. As an important healing center to the capital, the city of Hejing had quickly rebuilt the healing center – bigger and more technologically sophisticated than before. Indeed, it was a beautiful facility with a memorial garden commemorating the healers and patients killed in the bombing. Even so, the name pierced Elendir's soul like a laser arrow even more than it pierced his sister, the abbess.

A single tear fell from Elendir's right eye as Althea answered her liege lord, "The healing center here is far superior, My Prince. Here Lady Healer Darah and I can investigate more discretely than anywhere else. For fear the court will discover Lidmila and Ohtaraha's fate long before we can discern it if we attempt to move their bodies to any other location. In the interim, the court must be told nothing, though no doubt Queen Darla will summon one of us to her presence shortly."

Aurnia eyed Althea suspiciously, "Will I be blamed for their deaths?"

"Do you deserve blame for their deaths, Lady Aurnia?" answered the abbess curtly.

"No of course not. But you know the court will see it differently. My guilt will be presumed. I do, naturally, have the most to gain by their murders. I am Kendric's official mistress and therefore now freed of that appellation now that Kendric is free. A woman bedded by a married man, especially the crown prince, is a woman without virtue. In court, I have been merely tolerated as the prerogative of a prince to bed whom he will, his sexual toy to play with as a hobby pursued for his pleasure. After 31.5076 yen-ars as his official mistress, I am now able to ascend to her place as wife and princess consort – if you will have me, of course," smiled Aurnia, looking deeply into Kendric's tear-swollen eyes.

Kendric answered her with his eyes and shaking voice, "You know I will, my love. You are right: these murders free me to marry you at long last. If you can handle being wedded to a disgraced prince soiled by the murder of the Great Council's choice, I promise to be your ever faith husband."

Aurnia's worry transformed to passion, "Your bride I shall be at the time of your choosing."

In reply, Kendric enveloped her in his arms, kissing her much in the same way he used to kiss her after shir-ors bedding Lidmila. After a xiao-shir, Kendric and Aurnia meandered back to Lidmila's body. Carefully and respectfully, Kendric removed the heraldic broach he'd given Lidmila at their official betrothal ceremony in the Great Hall of the Assembly before the entire Great Council from her body. Kneeling in the mud and downpour, Kendric offered the broach to Aurnia, "Will you marry me?"

"I will," smiled Aurnia, kissing him. Suddenly, the rain stopped, breaking the clouds all the way through the layers of the Beinarian atmosphere. In the sky above them sparkled the blue-white Beinarian sun, its rays catching Aurnia's heraldic embroidery on her dress, making the sails come alive like the beating of her love-soaked heart.

Lady Priestess Aisling looked at the sky and then the couple, "Abka Biya heard you. As the goddess of sky and the moon declares, so mote it be. When you are ready, my liege, I shall bind both of you in matrimony. May the goddesses favour you with kindness; I fear the court shall not."

The wedding of Kendric and Aurnia on the island of Ben-Ar paled in comparison to his first wedding with Lidmila. This was a secret joining, an elopement both bride and groom recognized could jeopardize the Gurun dynasty held a mere four beinors after discovery of Lidmila and Ohtaraha in Lidmila's garden. Dutifully, Lady Priestess Aisling performed the humble ceremony with only Lord Knight Elendir and Lady Abbess Althea joining them as witnesses. The customary grand reception was reduced to a private dinner consisting only of the five of them. As Kendric and Aurnia drank the customary Beinarian hot chocolate, Elendir tried to lighten his spirits. At the palace healing center, Lady Healer Darah continued the joint Gurun-Ten-Ar investigation on Lidmila and Ohtaraha 's cause of death, concealing at best she might from the court and even Queen Darla the true nature of her work.

The real work would begin after Althea and Darah reported their findings to the queen. As Kendric's oldest and dearest friend, Elendir hoped the prince would charge him with the murder investigation even as the prince had charged him with investigating Lord Healer Devon's murder. Happily wed, Kendric eyed Elendir, "What troubles you, old friend?"

"Lidmila and Ohtaraha are not yet mourned, my friend, why this beinor to begin your new life with Lady Aurnia?"

"What do I care about Lidmila and her child after all she put me through? I never wanted her, Elendir, and you know it. I never consummated that marriage of my own accord. Each time I lay with her it was because she forced me – through drugs and goddess knows what else. You experienced the same thing from Lady Elita. You, above all, old friend, know what that feels like."

"I have no child by Elita, Your Highness. For better or worse, you had a son, a son you do not mourn in the slightest," answered Elendir quietly.

"What good is a child imposed on a man by such methods? He was never my child – he was hers. Always hers. Ohtaraha was a cocktail of drugs and who knows what else? He was a manipulation designed to give Lidmila and house Slabi power," declared Kendric simply.

"Four beinors, Your Highness. You think house Slabi, the best advocates on Beinan, will just let you discard your unwanted wife like this? You know they will charge you with responsibility for her death. This is all too convenient. You discard your house Slabi wife, discard the son you had by that wife, and suddenly your official mistress from house Cashmarie is princess?"

Kendric stammered at the charges laid upon him, "I won't elevate Aurnia, not right away, not until the time when I know house Slabi and the others will accept her and allow her to become queen consort when the time comes. In the meantime, we are free to abort the precautions we took before. Now at last I can bed my love without fearing of creating a bastard on her. Our children will be legitimate. I have Aurnia's oath to not interfere in nature – in either direction – in regards our fertility. Let the next king or queen after me be born of her."

Aurnia flushed at Kendric's defence of her, "There is one at court who needs to know, baobei, Lord Healer Torr. You know you must tell him. Your father at least needs to know. He, above all others at court, would understand. Did he not first meet your own mother under similar scandalous circumstances?"

Feeling his nearest and dearest friends' judgment, Kendric assented, "Okay as you wish it, so mote it be. Let us dine for another 400 xiao-shirs, then return. I will speak to my father in private and see what is to be done next."

The office in the consort's apartment had changed little since Lord Prince Bevin occupied it. Computers and telecommunication equipment had been upgraded, of course, expanding the reach of palace communications to 14.8632 light yen-ars, 2.87675 times further than in Bevin's time, far enough to reach systems in 149 galaxies, and shrinking the universe from the Beinarian point of view. Inside the office worked Prince Consort Torr's political droid, ZB8. The door to the office chimed. Opening the door, ZB8 found Prince Kendric waiting expectantly, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"

"Hello, ZB8. Where is my father?"

ZB8 raised his angular head, "At your mother's side at court. I am surprised you did not come to court to look for him there."

Kendric tried to keep his expression and voice neutral, "Court is so...political. I seek him as my father, not as prince consort of Beinan."

"Do you wish to make an appointment with him?" asked ZB8, increasing the height of his hover to give him better access to a small computer on the conference table.

"Is he busy? Would it be possible to see him here without disturbing others at court or calling attention to anyone?"

"Allow me," answered ZB8, changing hue from gold to orange, his eyes turning inward as he interfaced with palace systems.

At court, Lord Prince Torr caressed Queen Darla's hand. Before them stood Honourable Lady Alidir, leader of house Slabi and Princess Lidmila's mother, "Your Majesty, I require a response. Where is my daughter, Lidmila, the wife of your son, Kendric? I have not heard from her in seven beinors. I demand to see her."

Queen Darla rose from her throne, using the elevation of the dais to overshadow Honourable Lady Alidir, "Demands are not made of the Queen of Beinan, Honourable Lady Alidir. If you have a charge to make, then make it from where you hold some power and authority, from the Great Hall of the Assembly, if you will. But this court holds but one mistress and no master. This is the law; a law forged by our ancestors on original home world, before we fled to the stars to escape our former sun's dying transformation into a red giant and the inevitable supernova that came of that death. Here, my lady, you will not challenge me."

"I am the grandmother of the future king of Beinan. As such, my demands are valid."

"You forget, Honourable Lady Alidir, that the child you speak of is equally my grandson, his importance created by my blood, not yours," countered Queen Darla with veiled contempt.

"As head of house Slabi, I am prepared to challenge you on the law, Darla."

Prince Consort Torr rose angrily from his seat at the impudent address, "You will lose, Honourable Lady Alidir. Short of a unanimous vote by the Great Council to alter her executive powers, you have no authority here. And may I remind you that while I never headed house Xing-li, my bloodline from that house is greater than yours in your house. For my ancestor was Lancelot, son of Lady Viviane and Lord Arthur of house Xing-li, younger brother to Queen Eleanor who was co-ruler with King Lyr IV, son of Princess Anlei and Lord Knight Corann. As such, I am nobler than you and can readily defeat anything you should propose in Council chambers."

"You may be correct, Your Majesty and Your Highness...but it changes nothing. My daughter has disappeared. Someone here in the palace knows what happened to her. I shall not rest until I have discovered the truth...and prosecuted any who caused or is continuing to cause her harm," vowed Honourable Lady Alidir, turning disrespectfully and striding out of the court.

A light on Prince Torr's belt flashed blue then purple then green. Torr observed the code, understanding. Kneeling respectfully at the feet of his wife he lowered his voice, "May I be excused, Your Majesty? There is something I must tend to that cannot wait."

Queen Darla raised him up by her hand and kissed her husband tenderly, caressing his face like a woman deeply in love, "Don't be too long, my love. I want you tonight in my chamber. I command it, Lord Torr of house Xing-li."

Smiling, Torr embraced Darla, kissing her, "I will be there," With a respectful bow Torr discretely disappeared into the shadows near the throne.

Using hidden passages, Torr navigated his way back to his apartment. Near the entrance to his office stood Kendric, his eyes filled with worry, "Thank you for coming so quickly, Father."

"Honourable Lady Alidir seems to think something is wrong with her daughter, Lidmila. In open court she just challenged your mother's authority, charging this family with doing something terrible to prevent Lidmila from communicating with her. Is there something I should know as prince consort?" queried Torr.

Kendric paced nervously, "I was hoping you would come here less as the prince consort and more as the mind-healer that first brought you to the palace all those yen-ars ago after mother's disgrace at the hands of her brother, Leonir."

"That was many yen-ars ago, Kendric. She is healed now, I am glad to say. Why bring up the ghosts of the past now?"

"Because they are still haunting us, Father. I do know how or why or who...but something is happening."

Torr guided Kendric into his office, closing the door, and sitting both of them in adjacent chairs. Taking a meditative posture, Torr returned himself to the mental discipline that had made him a powerful mind-healer in his youth, a discipline in part based on the methods used by student priestesses in house Miyoo to focus their minds and souls, "Tell me."

"Will you...report my words to the court...or mother?" asked Kendric nervously.

"Are you here before me as a mind-healer...or your father?"

"I ask for the advice and counsel of the mind-healer first...and father second."

"The healer code protects the confidentiality of all who would be healed – of flesh or mind."

"Lord Healer, I come needing your help."

"Then you shall have it...tell me what afflicts your heart."

Kendric took a deep breath, "Someone has murdered Lidmila and Ohtaraha."

"Do you know who?"

"No, my lord. I do not. So far Lady Healer Darah and Lady Abbess Althea have not yet discovered how she died...all they could tell from the initial examination was that some sort of poison was involved."

"I see."

"My lord, there is more I must tell you. I have remarried in secret. Surely you know that for the past thirty one yen-ars I have taken the lady Aurnia to my bed as official mistress. I... could not bear not to be with her. She and I were so close to a formal betrothal when the Great Council forbade my union with her and demanded I marry Lidmila. Surely my agony these yen-ars have not escaped your keen eyes."

Torr's gaze softened towards his son, "They have not, Kendric. That is why I could not protest your decisions in this regard. Official lovers and official mistresses are part of the royal tradition, a tradition forged in these...political marriages. You loved Aurnia long before you knew Lidmila even existed. I daresay you loved her ere you first met her. She is a good woman, kind and of proper temperament for you."

"But..."

"But surely you understand that wedding Aurnia before even Alidir knows her daughter is dead was...politically unwise, Kendric. I know it's hard for you care about a woman imposed on you, a woman you only took to your bed because she kept finding ways to compel you, most of them bordering on criminal."

"Don't think I do not know how this looks. It must seem like I murdered Lidmila and her child to make room for Aurnia so we can not only be together, but avoid the scandal of bastard children."

"The court will accuse you...and her, yes, once they know what you have done. Do not think your elopement will remain secret much longer.... The court will find out and when they do, so will the Great Council. They will charge you with murder, both of you; unless you find proof someone else killed them."

"What am I to do, Father?"

"Find out who did it. That is your only hope, the only hope for this dynasty. Unless you find the killer – and soon – the Great Council is likely to dissolve the Gurun dynasty. If they do that, Kendric, there is no telling what house and who they will give power to. We must be very careful now...that leader of house Shem, their Sacerdos Maximus, Marcus, seems only too eager for excuse to remove your mother...and put himself on the throne as king – and dictator. In house Xing-li, it is said that Marcus is a religious radical, a man who believes in imposing his beliefs and his religion on the rest of us. A King Marcus, it is said, would be a theocrat above all. That is why Xing-li is so loyal to your mother...not just for my sake. If house Shem should take the throne out of some...defect among us, all religious liberty will disappear. Already I have heard that the most moderate and liberal members of house Shem have been either executed or driven out of the house."

"My friend Elendir stands ready to investigate the murders...if it is your will, Father."

"Let us all pray he succeeds...for the sake of all Beinan."

Lord Knight Elendir and Prince Kendric stood inside Lady Healer Darah's office at the palace healing center. Entering her office with a small computer in hand, Darah acknowledged them, "Thank you for coming, Lord Knight, Your Highness. As you know, Lady Abbess Althea and I have been investigating the cause of death on Princess Lidmila and her son. Our conclusions are puzzling."

Shock filled Kendric's face, "How did they die?"

"Bilast poisoning," declared Darah.

"Bilast? But how could that be? Neither were anywhere near any of the bombing sites where bilast is a natural toxic gas emitted from such wreckage. Short of spending a shir-or among such ruins, I cannot imagine how anyone could die of bilast poisoning," babbled Elendir, perplexed at the findings.

"Lady Abbess Althea detected bilast residue on her first examination on both of them from the garden. Like you, she concluded the computer was error. Bilast seems improbable at best. It's not something you can simply poison someone with—well, not on this world. Princess Anyu, daughter of Princess Consort Wehe and sister to Queen Isabelle died of bilast poisoning – but she was on D425E25 Tertius, a planet with an atmosphere consisting of 20.95% bilast and no atmospheric nirlar. In such an atmosphere, loss of her cipher was almost immediately lethal at those levels. This was known to Princess Anyu when she left Beinan, of course. But here, bilast is not naturally found. Dilast is, of course, eight percent of our atmosphere, and nearly as lethal to us if breathed in too great of quantities. But bilast – the filtering effects of our atmosphere forbid it in nature. It takes a laboratory to split dilast into bilast, usually through a focused beam of argene under very controlled circumstances," explained Darah.

Elendir thought back to his time working in the mines in Amba Narel, "Lady Healer...would someone very familiar with argene synthesis from argun ore possess the knowledge to perhaps create whatever is needed to synthesize bilast?"

"Perhaps; there is a trace of bilast produced in argun ore processing...as no doubt you remember from your yen-ars in Xi-Nan Fang."

Elendir pondered, tapping Darah's desk with his fingers, "I wonder...what if these murders are somehow connected to terrorism experienced across Beinan? If Marcus, the Sacerdos Maximus of House Shem, is eager for power, the sort of power that would end all the liberties we take for granted as Prince Torr suggests, would he have the authority to order someone involved in argun ore mining to intentionally create enough bilast to kill both Lidmila and Ohtaraha? What if the ghosts of my past are haunting the royal family now as well? What if Lady Elita and her family, descendants of Lord Janus, want more than just to terrorize our planet? What if the real goal is to destroy house Gurun...?"

"What better way to destroy this dynasty than disgracing me and forcing the Great Council to give power to them?" concluded Kendric, his mind clearly seeing Elendir's train of thought.

"That may well be the objective, my lords, but without the murder weapon, you may find it difficult to prove. Your recent marriage, Your Highness, will no doubt also play into the hands of such an enemy."

"How did you know?" asked Kendric.

"I'm chief healer here, Kendric...there is little I do not know, especially after observing Lady Abbess Althea, a guest at your wedding from what I recall."

Kendric conceded to Darah, "So she was."

"Elendir, whoever did this used a lot of bilast to quickly kill each of his victims. I found absolutely no trace of nirlar in either Lidmila's or Ohtaraha's lungs; the bilast had displaced all nirlar in their respiratory systems. This suggests some sort of concentrated delivery system applied to the face without leaving bruising or cellular damage at the entry site. It is possible that both Lidmila and Ohtaraha knew their assailant and perhaps even consented to their own murders."

"Good morning, my lords. Welcome to Amur An-Men Associates," beckoned KE567, extending her robotic arms in greeting to the two nobles in front of her. "How may we be of assistance?"

Elendir bowed gently in greeting to the droid, his pale brown tunic and trousers appearing briefly from underneath his equally plain black cloak, "We wish to consult with one of your advocates, if any are free this shir-or."

KE567 rose five cun 寸, turning her body slightly and visibly interfacing with another computer, "Of course. One xiao-shir, please. Ah – ah – yes. Lady Advocate Miranda of house Slabi is available to meet with you. Will she suit your needs, my lords?"

"Quite suitably," responded Prince Kendric, his black doublet, trousers, and cloak appearing just as plain as Elendir's.

KE567's gold body shifted to a brighter yellow, "Then please follow me."

KE567 led Elendir and Kendric down a modest corridor devoid of the displays of wealth that had become common among advocates of all houses. Instead, the walls were soft in tint, barely perceptible as pale greens and pale blues. Small hidden task lights illuminated the corridor efficiently. After two xiao-shirs, KE567 opened a cherry-like wooden office door with a bow, "May I introduce you to Lady Advocate Miranda of house Slabi."

Lady Advocate Miranda rose to greet her visitors, her red hair appearing black to Elendir's compromised brown eyes. Her eyes sparkled bright Kelly green against her spring green bliaut and silvery white belt. Silver-white embroidery in the pattern of leaves covered the sleeves and skirt of her flowing gown. A simple Beinarian silver circlet sat on her head. She was beautiful in her simplicity, "Thank you, KE567. So...how may I be of service to you my lords?"

Kendric and Elendir exchanged glances from beneath the hoods of their cloaks. Elendir answered first, "A friend was found dead in her garden. We just heard from the healer who examined her; she died of bilast poisoning. I – we – were hoping you might help us determine who murdered her."

Lady Advocate Miranda paced five steps, "This friend, she has a name?"

Kendric met Miranda's eyes, "Lidmila of house Slabi, daughter of Honourable Lady Alidir of house Slabi."

"The princess consort of Prince Kendric, heir apparent of house Gurun, if I remember correctly," quipped Miranda.

Kendric pulled the hood of his cloak down to his shoulders, revealing his face, "Yes, she was my wife. I need to know who killed her before public opinion tries and convicts me as the apparent obvious perpetrator."

"Do you have the medical report for my review, Your Highness?"

Kendric nodded, handing her a small tablet computer, "Of course."

Miranda took the tablet and sat down, visibly reviewing the document. Kendric and Elendir sat down in the provided chairs across from the advocate's desk. After two xiao-shirs, she met their eyes again, "Well, she was clearly murdered. I see a note in here that you suspect she knew her killer. The evidence certainly points that way, Your Highness, otherwise there would have been some further damage. More likely than not, I think she took her own life – and that of her child – with assistance from someone with a lot to gain from her death and that of your son. You have not done anything foolish since finding her body, have you?"

Kendric took a deep breath, "I remarried."

"Your official mistress?"

"Yes; before the Great Council imposed the marriage to Lidmila, Lady Aurnia and I had already made private pledges of marriage. I simply fulfilled the oath I made 33 yen-ars ago to her."

"And therefore you just played perfectly into whatever gambit Lidmila died to implicate you in. She must have known you would marry Lady Aurnia as soon as she was out of the way."

"Lady advocate, I think whoever is behind this is somehow connected to the healing center bombings that have ravaged our planet since BE 6770. My wife and I found evidence of a connection between the descendants of Janus of house Shem and several of the bombings in Xi-Nan Fang. Is it possible that someone of that lineage killed Lidmila and Ohtaraha?" tested Elendir.

"With the right motive, yes. While it's true house Slabi has prided itself in its neutrality, I can well believe that anyone of our house could be given incentive enough to work with terrorists. Your relationship with your late wife was not close, was it, Your Highness?"

"It was a marriage of political expedience, my lady. Her child was conceived through compulsion and drugs that separated my conscious thought from my physical behaviour. I never bedded her willingly. I was a means to an end to her, a source of political power for her and her mother, never a man. Can it be any wonder I never lost my feelings for the woman of my heart's choosing?"

Miranda's gazed softened with empathy, "No one would expect otherwise of you, Your Highness."

Elendir turned to Miranda, "Lady Advocate, it is one thing for us to suspect a connection between the line of Janus and whatever really happened to Lidmila and Ohtaraha. It is quite another to prove our theory. We need your help in this. Will you take our case?"

Miranda nodded, "As a follower of The Shemai, I am deeply disturbed by what I am seeing. Ours is a peaceful faith based on the premise of a single deity with a single consciousness that created the universe and shapes our lives through his consciousness. It is perhaps a very different understanding of divinity than what many Beinarians believe, but I think it is a valid way of looking at the same data."

Elendir looked at Miranda, somewhat bewildered, "But you are house Slabi? How can you follow The Shemai without transferring your house allegiance to house Shem?"

"How can you be house Ten-Ar yet follow the triple goddess? It's really no different. Those born to other houses who become house Shem out of religious fervour do so because they wish to, not out of some mandate by our spiritual tradition. Yet I have observed that the most radical among us are often the ones who have chosen to become house Shem from a different house of birth. Please understand that the descendants of Janus are radicals. Most of us who believe in The Shemai are peaceful, honest disciples simply trying to understand our universe through a different theological lens than the majority. Nowhere in our tradition is violence allowed – particularly the terrorism that the most radical members of our faith espouse. We are, theologically speaking, pacifistic."

Elendir blinked, somewhat shocked, "Forgive me, I did not know that. My experiences so far, living for ten yen-ars in Amba Narel in Xi-Nan Fang, have been quite contrary to what you just specified."

"Amba Narel is a hotbed for terrorists, my lord. Sacerdos Antonius is one of the most radical leaders among house Shem. He resents the ruling Queen Isabelle laid upon Janus for attempting to rape and impregnate her daughter. For him and his kin, it's all about avenging his ancestor. Never mind that legally speaking, the queen was well within the scope of the law. Case law shows us that she was unusually merciful with Janus. Most rulers would have banished Janus to another world – or executed him," clarified Miranda.

"So all this death, all this pain is for nothing; my parents both died in terrorist bombings of healing centres...." stammered Elendir.

"This death is caused by the misperceptions of Janus's descendants that Queen Isabelle exiled him needlessly, creating trials and tribulations for all who followed and loved him. I myself am also a descendant of Janus through Lady Ecter, the sister he impregnated to test his plots. At Lady Ecter's request, her daughter Miriam by Janus was raised by house Miyoo and given respectability, despite the sadness both mother and child felt across their lives. I am of the only line of Janus to remain noble. For Queen Isabelle received Lady Ecter with kindness and love. That kindness has been well rewarded over the yen-ars. Janus was a monster and yet I can see both sides of the matter. I understand how and why such hatred came about, even though my training in the law shows me the error of their ways. I feel your pain, my lord. This is also reason for me to extend my aid and my legal expertise to your cause. For the law reveals the errors that motivate the hate behind all of this. I vow to you to use every resource at my disposal to reveal the truth behind what has long stayed in the shadows," affirmed Lady Advocate Miranda.

Elendir and Kendric rose, bowing respectfully, "THANK YOU."

Elendir spent the next two beinors lost in thought, wandering around the island of Ben-Ar while his wife, Lady Priestess Aisling, worked in the temple, attending meetings and attending to the daily work of the priestesses there. Uncertain exactly what to do with the new information revealed by Lady Advocate Miranda, he watched sea birds hunt for aquatic prey, both in the ocean and on the nearby beach. The waves of the Amba Mederi Ocean ebbed, flowed, and crashed onto the beach, foaming at the edges. A small beach crustacean with twelve legs called a rak ambled slowly across sand recently deposited by the waves. Above, a break in the upper atmosphere revealed bright blue-white sunlight. Near the Beinarian sun danced Biya Xiao-yue, the smallest of Beinan's moons. On this beinor it was in waxing gibbous phase, the largest of its craters visible from the beach. Despite the restful environment that should have soothed Elendir's ruffled nerves, Elendir still felt turmoil in his heart. Finally, at shir-or 6.21, Elendir rose and headed for his low altitude shuttle. Bira Hecen was only twelve xiao-shirs away. Entering his shuttle, he powered it up and headed for the coastal city.

The rebuilt Our Lady Healing Center glistened blue-white against the cracks of blue-white sunlight penetrating the upper atmosphere. Three colonnade citadels formed an equilateral triangle of towers filled with windows and topped with conical spires. This healing center was an especially elegant building designed to show off the engineering and mathematical talents of both house Miyoo and house Ten-Ar. Xing-li architects also contributed to the functional aesthetics of the healing center. Inside the triangle formed by the citadels, carefully designed gardens meandered with flowering plants, herbs, and fruit trees, including nanla and Nara trees. At the center of this garden stood a waterfall-like fountain set with star rubies meandering down its edges regally. Elendir parked his low altitude shuttle, and then headed for the garden's fountain.

Singing welcomed Elendir as he arrived. Near one of the citadel exteriors stood three young women practicing vocal music. A young man with jet black hair wearing that same deep black tunic and trousers with silver embroidery Elendir thought he'd seen in the waning light in Nan-li accompanied the young women on a soprano shawm, his metallic blue eyes sparkling. Lost in thought, Elendir barely marked the musicians, yet could not help notice the way the young man's eyes watched him. The young woman in the middle also watched him with her eyes, though less noticeably than her companion. In response to Elendir's presence, she raised her voice lyrically in song,

"Love for the beauty of the soul. I shall love you always. When the flower of life has gone, ever I shall find you. When all is lost and winter comes, I shall be your spring time. And memory fades and wilts then, I shall always find you.... I shall always find you...."

Almost memorized by the music, Elendir found the waterfall-like fountain. On its rocky edges were inscribed several names, many of them accompanied by a memorial star ruby. Searching, Elendir found the name "Keelia" inscribed in Beinarian characters. Touching the inscription and its star ruby, Elendir the knight fell to his knees as the young woman's music filled his ears. His fingers clasped at the star ruby pendant he almost always wore in memory of his parents. Tears flowed freely. This fountain was built over the few remains located of those who died when the original Our Lady Healing Center was destroyed by terrorists; terrorists Elendir now knew were connected to Durwen and the others he met in Nan-li. As he wept over the nearest that existed to a grave for his mother, his heart sickened at the thought that Durwen might have also been behind Lady Healer Keelia's death. So much death. So much pain. Was any of it worth it? "Oh mother!" cried Elendir.

Almost in response, the young singer glided up behind him so softly that he could not hear her soft leather shoes on the natural stone path leading up the waterfall fountain. "I shall always find you," she sang softly. "Good afternoon, my lord."

Tears still streaming down his face, Elendir rose to face the young woman. Her eyes sparkled blue against her dark brown wavy hair and diamond white kirtle. Her face reminded her...no...it had to be his imagination. But who was she? "Good afternoon, my lady; forgive me this place..." stammered Elendir.

"...is a place of memory and song. Here, in this garden, lay the remains of those who perished on BE 6777, beinor 98 when the original healing center was destroyed. On the sacred waterfall fountain are the names of those who lost their lives, most of them healers helping the poor and sick," finished Lady Fëawen. "That was a dark day, but one that began with sunlight. I remember it."

"B-b-but you cannot possibly be old enough to remember that day. I am only ninety-six yen-ars old, only ten yen-ars old when it happened...yet I barely remember the day itself. I remember my mentors sitting me down and telling me about my mother's death; but the day itself? I can't remember any specifics."

"This flesh was born a mere seventy yen-ars ago and yet I remember the bombing as if it happened in this life. I was handing a two xiao-shir old baby to her mother when there was... a flash, smoke, fire... we could not breath. Bilast filled the halls from the fires. It felt like the world was spinning backwards. I fell; the baby flew from my arms. I never saw where she landed. Pain surged through me; then it was black. I felt heat close to me; then nothing at all," described Lady Fëawen.

Elendir jumped back, shocked at her story, "WHO ARE YOU?"

"I was a healer. House Ten-Ar; Keelia was my name, I think. It is so hard to remember. I had a son and a daughter. What were their names?"

"Elendir and Althea," answered Elendir, understanding.

"You! You are my son, Elendir of house Ten-Ar?"

"Mother?" cried Elendir.

"My son? Has my little boy grown up while I...adjusted to my new incarnation?"

Sensing the truth, Elendir clasped Fëawen in a tight embrace, tears streaming down his face in a torrent of grief and happiness, "MOTHER. MOTHER. OH, MOTHER."

Fëawen snuggled Elendir affectionately, "I was your mother, Elendir. Grieve no more. For I have found life again. In this incarnation, just as I taught you from your first beinors, before your sister was born. Do not be shocked, my child, that this is so. For it is the will of the goddesses that we continue our lives after death in new flesh that our souls may grow ever in wisdom...until the time when the stars cease to be infinite multitudes and become few enough to count. Then we shall assemble with our Creator of many names and gather together to wait for the universe to end and, through the power of Her, be reborn again."

Elendir ceased in his tears and broke the embrace in wonder, "My wife is a priestess of Miyoo yet never have I heard her speak this way of that which is beyond death."

"Those who die in such violence remember better the space between lives. To die in such way is to rip the soul from the flesh unprepared. The triple goddess that is our understanding of what is beyond grants us a span to rest and heal...before our souls settle into new flesh. As a mind-healer of Gurun, I find it ever intriguing how those of house Shem responsible for so much death would, through their violence, ever increase the knowledge of this chasm between life and death in contradiction to their own theology. How can more people believe in The Shemai when so many who live now remember the chasm that stands between incarnations and even more remember at least some of the life they lived before their sudden deaths...as I do," explained Fëawen.

"Mother..."

"...FËAWEN," interrupted the healer.

"Fëawen, someone has murdered the wife and child of Crown Prince Kendric. It was an unhappy marriage formed purely out of the whims of the Great Council and under the demands of Princess Lidmila's mother, Lady Counsellor Alidir. Her body was barely cold before Kendric remarried – to his official mistress and the choice of his heart long before Honourable Lady Alidir imposed her daughter upon him. At court, everything is in chaos. My heart tells me there is a connection between what I discovered about the death of Lord Healer Devon and this murder, but I cannot prove anything. I've tried to get the help of Lady Advocate Miranda of house Slabi, but she's a distant kinswoman to Alidir, and a worshipper of The Shemai. I find I cannot fully trust her to be impartial," confessed Elendir, taking Fëawen's hand and wandering with her through the garden, away from the memorial fountain.

Fëawen nodded her mind half in her present incarnation and half in her memories as Lady Healer Keelia, "Your scepticism is logical – and very Ten-Arian. I will help you solve the mystery, if you wish. Perhaps my memories will help. How do you know the prince?"

"Queen Darla, sovereign since BE 6749, beinor 185, sent Kendric to house Ten-Ar for fosterage. I'm not sure if you remember that King Gareth II, her father, was murdered by bilast poisoning, much in the same way Princess Lidmila was murdered. Understandably, the queen feared for both her children's safety. Therefore both spent most of their childhood away from her and the court, out of reach of would-be killers. I first met Kendric at the age of twelve yen-ars, the start of my formal training to be a squire. Kendric was one of the student-instructors helping Lord Knight Malvyn teach my first laser épée class. He quickly became a sort of big-brother to me and never stopped mentoring me when it comes to fencing; he's always been a formidable warrior with a passionate love of sword-play. Though Kendric left the monastery in BE 6800 upon his coming of age, he and I maintained our friendship which seemed to grow ever closer, especially after my ascension to the knighthood. Through the yen-ars we have remained sword brothers and even closer friends. I am, perhaps, the closest friend he has outside of Lady – er – Princess Aurnia, his chosen bride," recounted Elendir.

"I am glad you have such a friend, Elendir. That reassures me very much. If you wish it, I would find myself most pleased to meet Kendric...along with those whose mentorship has shaped your life."

"That would please me very much, Lady Fëawen."

"So mote it be."

"Sweetheart...may I introduce you to someone special I met this beinor. Lady Fëawen, may I introduce you to my wife, Lady Priestess Aisling," introduced Elendir, beckoning the young healer of Gurun into the sitting room of Elendir and Aisling's modest apartment in Bira Hecen near the temple of Abka Biya. Measuring fifteen by fifteen zhang 张 in size, the sitting room was modest with comfortable albeit not opulent furnishings. On the wall behind the couch hung a painting of a river flowing through the great rain forest in Dong-Nan Fang with a large, brightly coloured bird perched on a nearby rock overlooking the green and lavender river water, its long tail dipping slightly into the gurgling stream happily. On the far wall opposite the couch stood an entertainment center featuring a planetary broadcasting receiver at its center in front of a massive arch-sliding window. Slivers of blue, green, and lavender stained glass alternated with clear glass in the arched window section, spilling dancing colours of light onto the pale wood of the parquet flooring.

Lady Aisling smiled as she greeted Fëawen with a Miyoo gesture of respect, "Welcome to my home, Lady Fëawen. I hope you will find your visit with us pleasing. You arrive in time for dinner. Would you care to join us?"

"Thank you, I would be honoured," bowed Fëawen, her hands in the Gurun gesture of respect.

"You are house Gurun?" asked Aisling, noticing the signal.

"Yes. I am a mind healer of Gurun, to be exact. No near relation to the crown, of course. As a matter of fact, your husband is the first gentle I've ever met who has become acquainted at all with any of the royal family," explained Fëawen.

"Did you know that the prince consort is also a mind healer? Lord Healer Torr of house Xing-li? Long ago, when our queen was a princess, she was assaulted. Our prince consort came to her aid to heal her then, inevitably for such a fair and virtuous princess, fell in love with her. Since he is Xing-li, King Gareth II consented to the match, being still under the ruling made in BE 6328 at the end of the Great Succession Crisis requiring the crown prince or princess to marry of house Xing-li for three generations, beginning with Lyr IV's marriage to Lady Eleanor. In marrying Lord Healer Torr, Queen Darla fulfilled that treaty as the granddaughter of King Lyr IV and Queen Eleanor I," elaborated Lady Aisling, beckoning Fëawen and Elendir to the adjacent dining room. Three courses stood ready to eat on the table. Aisling motioned to Fëawen to sit.

Fëawen sat down at the seat offered to her, "My understanding of the treaty is that Darla has now secured the Gurun dynasty, allowing house Gurun to retain control of the monarchy for at least another three or four generations."

"That is the law, yes. Or at least was the law," agreed Aisling. "However, my investigations of the healing center bombings on behalf of house Miyoo lead me to believe otherwise. I spent fifteen yen-ars in the mining town of Amba Narel, the same locality where I met Lord Knight Elendir. There I noticed corruption and conspiracies that transcend the apparent grumblings of some within house Shem regarding the sentence placed upon Janus by Queen Isabelle. Many there not only believe the queen was in the wrong, but that her ruling represents a fundamental malice against them. They seem to believe that house Miyoo's prominence in religious leadership was behind what they perceive as unnecessary suffering in Xi-Nan Fang – as evidenced by both Princess Consort Wehe and Princess Anlei's elevation to high priestess of Beinan. They, apparently, do not believe that Janus actually tried to rape and forcibly impregnate Princess Anlei, making Queen Isabelle's sentence a travesty of justice."

"What do you know of this, Mother?" interjected Elendir.

"Mother?" queried Aisling.

Fëawen gazed into Aisling's eyes, "I was Lady Healer Keelia of house Ten-Ar. That flesh was destroyed and, by the mercy of the triple goddess, replaced by this flesh."

"You remember some of Keelia's life then?"

Fëawen nodded, "Yes; not all, but I do get feelings, impressions. I recognized your husband as someone I knew in that life. He helped me piece together the details."

"When I was a student priestess, we learned that this sometimes happens; most often if one's death is violent, holding the soul to memory through some great pain."

"Many that live now suffer such, my lady. Many more, I suspect, will be reborn with the same affliction. For what can be harder than remembering the past that is in others forgotten, loving someone as a soul, without logic or reason to connect one flesh with another?"

"Do you still love he who was Devon of house Ten-Ar?" asked Elendir timidly.

"I will always love him I don't know what I would do if I met his soul again, though love will no doubt put me in his path once more. That love gave you life, Elendir. I can only hope that when the time comes, my heart will handle it. It is rare for two remembering souls to recognize each other fully at the time of meeting. Usually one remembers better than the other, creating unrequited affection and much suffering in the end," re-joined Fëawen quietly.

"Your soul is insightful, Lady Fëawen. It surprises me you never pursued ordination as a priestess," remarked Aisling.

"I can use that wisdom best as a mind healer. Besides, I have no interest in formal religion outside of the insights my experience has given me. In my experience, formal religions miss the mark in their attempts to understand and describe that Being which is beyond all comprehension. Far better to say we are created beings of lesser talent and capacity than our pride permits us to ascertain," affirmed Fëawen.

"Your insight is needed now, Lady Fëawen. I thank you for your acquaintance in our time of need," obliged Aisling gratefully.

"I live to serve," bowed Fëawen.

"Good afternoon, my lady. Welcome to Amur An-Men Associates," greeted KE567. "How may we be of assistance?"

"Lady Healer Fëawen of house Gurun. I have a shir-or 7.250 appointment with Lady Advocate Miranda," acknowledged Fëawen.

KE567 interfaced with the scheduling database, "Confirmed. Lady Advocate Miranda is waiting for you in chamber 38."

"Thank you," smiled Fëawen, striding down the corridor to the advocate's office. Knocking on the cherry red wooden door, she stepped into the chamber, "Lady Advocate Miranda?"

Miranda greeted the healer cheerfully, "Yes, Lady Healer, good to meet you at last. I understand you recently met a client of mine, a Lord Elendir?"

"I did. I am here to conference with you on that same investigation. As you know, mind healers such as myself have special access to information, just as advocates do – different data to be certain, but no less confidential. It is my hope that by combining our mutual efforts we may discern the whole from the individual parts our professions reveal."

Miranda motioned for Fëawen to sit, "Very good, then. Shall I review the perimeters of our investigation as specified by his royal highness?"

"No need...I am aware. I have been fully briefed. But more than that, I knew about their investigation into the death of Princess Lidmila before I put myself in a place where I knew Elendir was certain to turn up. His mental health profile indicates a rather prolonged mental health concern related to the deaths of each of his parents in separate healing center bombings. It was not hard to discern where he was likely to go after conferencing with you."

"Is he competent to investigate?"

"Yes, but perhaps with some bias which is understandable given the circumstances."

"Naturally."

"Have you reviewed the security data maintained by the palace?" queried Fëawen.

"I saw nothing peculiar."

"I did. Palace security logged genetic material I traced back to Lady Elita shortly after the wedding of Kendric and Lidmila."

"Lady Elita was Elendir's guest to the wedding. It is not surprising security found her genetic material in the palace."

"Ah, but it is significant. A routine sweep showed genetic material all over Prince Kendric's personal office, including on two discarded empty transdermal syringes found in Lidmila's personal chamber. No doubt the early conception of Prince Ohtaraha is connected to this apparent random visit by Elita who must have administered some sort of fertility treatment designed to augment whatever precautions Lidmila herself used to ensure the prince impregnated her. Under the rules of succession, this child, now dead would never have been allowed to be king after Kendric, thus ensuring a challenge in the Great Council and ending the Gurun dynasty – assuming Kendric produced no other legitimate children to challenge Ohtaraha's claim."

"Granted, but I still see no particular significance in relation to the murder of Lidmila and Ohtaraha. Assisting a couple in conceiving is not criminal, nor does it point to a murderer," assessed Miranda. "If anything, it would be in the interest of anyone wishing to challenge the legitimacy of the Gurun dynasty to keep both Lidmila and her child alive – for as long as possible. Then and only then could a challenge be made in the Great Council."

"Except that after Ohtaraha's birth, Prince Kendric resumed his previous relationship with Lady Aurnia, a relationship perfectly legal, albeit no child from such a union could be eligible for the throne. Would it not make equal sense to discredit both Kendric and Aurnia by killing Lidmila and her child – or at least by making a suicide look like murder, a murder that both Kendric and Aurnia would have great motivation to see carried out? Formal charges against Kendric and Aurnia, if raised successfully, could then be used to impeach Queen Darla herself, transferring power immediately to another house and elevating a new person to the rank of king. Such a crime would fit the psychological profile of any ambitious counsellor on the great council. It's the fastest and easiest way to seize power."

"Perhaps, but if so, what proof do you have that such a conspiracy exists?"

"I was hoping as an advocate, you might have found something in the records available to you," hinted Fëawen.

"What I found was perhaps more basic than your theory. There are records of association between Lidmila, Elita, and Alatar, son of Durwen. Yes, yes I know. Durwen was implicated in bombing of Central Nan-li Healing Center, killing Lord Healer Devon of house Ten-Ar."

"According to what you know from house Shem, how close is Alatar to his mother?"

"Inseparable by all accounts."

"Have you found any evidence of Alatar's presence in the palace within the last yen-ar?"

"They were all friends; of course he was in the palace."

"If Lidmila wanted to commit suicide to frame Kendric, would not Alatar have access to whatever she needed?"

"Alatar is from Nan-li, not exactly a mining town."

"But it is involved in synthesizing argene from argun ore. This process generates bilast by its very nature," concluded Lady Fëawen.

"Are you suggesting that Alatar collected the bilast used, then helped administer it to Lidmila and Ohtaraha?" suggested Miranda.

"That is exactly what I am suggesting," exclaimed Lady Fëawen. "This was suicide intended to look like murder in hopes of impeaching Kendric and house Gurun so the Great Council would be inclined to hand power to another house, perhaps even to Sacerdos Maximus Marcus of house Shem."

"All rise for her Most Royal Majesty Darla, queen of Beinan," cried the herald as Queen Darla, Prince Consort Torr, and Prince Kendric processed into the throne room, assuming their normal place on and near the dais. As the royal family sat down, the herald continued, "Her Majesty calls into court Lady Abbess Althea of house Ten-Ar."

Stately, Lady Abbess Althea glided through the throne room, her brother Elendir walking beside her. Behind them strode Lady Advocate Miranda, Lady Priestess Aisling, and Lady Fëawen. Upon reaching the respectful distance mandated by protocol, the group bowed reverently. Althea took a ritual step forward, "Great is the wisdom of Queen Darla. I come with my companions to serve Her Majesty."

Queen Darla rose, "It is said that the investigation into the deaths of Princess Lidmila and her son, Ohtaraha, has been completed."

"It has, Your Majesty."

"Then what says the evidence?"

"Princess Lidmila committed suicide with the help of a friend and compatriot, one Lord Alatar, son of Durwen of house Shem, the same Durwen convicted in the bombing of Central Nan-li Healing Center which took the lives of both Gurun and Ten-Arian healers," announced the abbess.

"This has been proven by the available facts at hand?" asked the queen.

Althea handed a small touchpad computer to the queen's herald, "The collected evidence and the conclusions of this investigating committee are contained in this report, Your Majesty. We have demonstrated compelling evidence of a conspiracy designed to undermine the validity of the Gurun dynasty and Your Majesty's reign as queen. Lidmila first used illegal methods to compel the crown prince into conceiving her child, and then used the assistance of friends within house Shem to administer foetal growth accelerants designed to ensure the viability of her unborn child. After the crown prince exercised his right under law to take an official mistress, Lidmila herself plotted her own death in hoping the scandal would force the Great Council to choose a new dynasty and a new king, ending Your Majesty's reign. She and her child were willing to die for this cause, knowing her mother would be outraged and assume culpability by the palace. And so she and her child sacrificed themselves for the cause they valued more than their very lives."

"These charges are serious, lady abbess. Are you prepared for this evidence to be submitted to the Great Council?" enquired the queen.

"All of us who investigated the princess's death are prepared to swear by our very lives as to the veracity of our conclusions," vowed Althea.

"Then I accept your testimony and shall review your evidence," declared Queen Darla.

"Long live Your Majesty. Long may your reign be," swore Althea.

"Are you absolutely mad, Miranda?" screamed Honourable Lady Alidir. "MY DAUGHTER KILLED HERSELF?"

"My lady, I honour that you head our house, but may I remind you of the vows that all advocates swear by? House Slabi has been a bulwark of impartiality for over fifty thousand yen-ars. I can no more falsify evidence than I can shoot a laser crossbow with any accuracy. I am insulted you dare charge me with thus, even in your private council chambers," retaliated Miranda.

"Do you know what this means, young Miranda?"

Miranda glared at Alidir, "Yes...it means I'm not your puppet; that I actually care about the proper practice of law. I don't care what deals you have made with Marcus of house Shem. I don't care how much he wants to be king or about his ambitions to turn Beinan into a theocracy for house Shem. The god I worship forbids such ruthless ambition. Love, peace; he calls himself sacerdos, but he wants none of that. He no more follows The Shemai than High Priestess Aina does. He just wants power and does not care who he has to hurt to get it. If he has to use allegations that Queen Isabelle's ruling was illegal; well that is just fine too. Blow up a few healing centres, create planetary chaos; heck, they are not house Shem lives, so why would he care?"

"You are out of place, young one," retorted Alidir.

Miranda laughed sarcastically, "Out of place? Out of place? For thinking the practice of law means something? For believing our house to be honourable, above the petty power grabs that plague the Great Council? For actually caring about the evidence?"

"You forget...she was my daughter."

"No, Your Grace, I have not. If anything, I'm starting to wonder if your reaction to my investigation, and those of other houses who also contributed to the findings at hand, doesn't indicate some guilt on your part. Perhaps you yourself put your daughter in touch with Alatar, knowing he had access to the bilast," Miranda eyed Alidir carefully, sizing up the house leader with well-practiced logic and character assessments developed over thirty yen-ars of training. Suddenly, she understood. "...You. You are behind all this. All along. You are the master conspirator using moles planted across the bureaucracy to facilitate your objectives. You had your own daughter killed for your political gain. By the Shemai. You are the key to this whole thing, how Durwen and the others could get away with bombing so many healing centres. Why no one ever bothered to investigate until Prince Kendric gave Lord Knight Elendir the mandate to put all the records together and find the truth. Kendric got too close to the truth so you – by the Shemai. Why?"

"Why shouldn't I? It was my brother who was falsely accused by that whore Anlei, my family who suffered and died along with him in that hell we call Xi-Nan Fang right alongside him. I died with my brother in those mines because Isabelle did not want either of us to become king. Janus and I deserve the throne. We shall have the throne. We shall have our revenge at last. Corann was warned he had not heard the last of us. Now we shall take what we deserve," hissed Alidir.

"By the Shemai! Your name was Kaleb of house Shem," cried Miranda.

Alidir laughed hysterically, "Smart child. Too bad it's the last thing you'll ever know." With seemingly superhuman strength, Alidir seized Miranda by the throat, slipping a capsule into Miranda's nose. The capsule broke open, releasing a compressed gas down into her lungs. Miranda fainted, gasped, and then breathed no more.
Chapter Eight: Kendric's Lament

"You are absolutely certain Miranda was murdered?" paced High Priestess Aina in her office in the temple of Abka Gahun on the island of Ben-Ar.

"Yes, Your Grace. What else could it have been? We find her dead in Lady Counsellor Alidir's office only twelve xiao-shirs before the start of what would have been the convening of the Great Council to discuss Lidmila's and Ohtaraha's murder-suicide with Counsellor Alidir nowhere to be found? What else could it have been?" plead Lady Aisling.

"Do we have any proof that Alidir is connected with the murder?"

"You mean besides the time of death and location her body was found? We all knew she had a meeting with Alidir. That was on public record; it wasn't exactly a private meeting."

"But why risk killing her? What motive could she possibly have? She's house Slabi, a house long established as highly impartial."

"Maybe house Slabi is not as impartial as we all thought," grimaced Aisling ironically. "Or maybe something else is going on, some sort of personal connection that we are not aware of."

"Like what?"

"I don't know; but some other motive resonates in my soul, at least since meeting Lady Healer Fëawen."

"Is she the young woman who remembers dying during the Our Lady Healing Center bombing?"

"Yes, Your Grace. She remembers her life as Lady Healer Keelia, my husband's late mother. Since meeting Fëawen, Elendir has been less depressed now than he used to be. It's as if a hole that was dug out of his heart when his mother died is now partially filled at last."

"I am truly glad for your husband. He deserves peace in his soul. The real question for the moment is what we should do about Miranda's murder. The palace has been too filled with controversy for comfort. First King Gareth II is murdered, then Princess Lidmila and Prince Ohtaraha, and now Lady Advocate Miranda? It's almost as if some ghost from our mutual past is haunting us, fervently trying to destroy our world and everyone in it. We know that certain descendants of Janus are responsible for at least two healing center bombings, no doubt in some way, all of them. We know there is a connection between Lady Durwen and her son Alatar to Lidmila and Ohtaraha's murder-suicide. But what is the overarching key to this? I understand that Janus was upset to be exiled; but the judgment on him was both legal and merciful; even as high priestess I find myself at a loss to really perceive the master plan behind all of this – which logically there has to be," explored High Priestess Aina.

"Perhaps Lady Healer Fëawen has a suggestion? What would you say about scheduling a conference between her, Prince Consort Torr, and ourselves? Surely mind healers have a different understanding than we do. I think his highness would also be of aid to us, simply out of his political role. He has power and influence tied both to his Xing-li blood and his status as legal proxy to the queen."

"Excellent suggestion, Lady Aisling. Make it so."

"Honourable Lord Marcus, High Priestess Aina, Lady Healer Fëawen, Lady Priestess Aisling, Lady Abbess Althea, Lord Knight Malvyn, I thank you for coming," bowed Prince Consort Torr to the gathering of esteemed nobles seated around the conference table in his private office in the palace. "Most of you are aware that a mere twelve xiao-shirs before the Great Council was to have heard the findings of the committee investigating the death of Princess Lidmila and Prince Ohtaraha, one of the key members on that committee was found dead in Honourable Lady Alidir's counsel chamber, the lady herself not seen since that shir-or. I have called you here as both prince consort and as a mind healer of Xing-li to discuss the next steps to be taken by both the Great Council and the palace. Three people were murdered in only thirty-five beinors. The investigating committee examining Lidmila and Ohtaraha's deaths, which many of you represent, found a connection between their murders and both Durwen and her son Alatar of house Shem. It is the finding of this committee that they gave their lives willingly, knowing their deaths would undermine the Gurun dynasty."

"The psychological profile of Lidmila, Durwen, and Alatar all point to a propensity for martyrdom. If any or all of them felt their deaths would undermine Queen Darla's reign or the future of the Gurun dynasty, all evidence collected during routine medical scans and interviews suggests that each of them would gladly lay down their lives in service to such a cause," reported Fëawen.

"I have seen the same data and I agree," confirmed Torr. "What says the abbess of Ten-Ar?"

"The data is conclusive, Your Highness. Collected brain scans indicate heightened neural activity and elevated heart rates when all three were exposed to positive images of the Gurun dynasty – such as images of Your Highness's and Her Majesty's wedding, as if they were somehow traumatized by seeing such happy images of Gurun dynastic prosperity," reported Althea.

"There is nothing more dangerous than an enemy with a martyrdom complex," affirmed Lord Knight Malvyn. "Such an enemy will risk anything for the chosen cause, fearing neither death nor pain. With your permission, Your Highness, I suggest the knights of Ten-Ar begin specific training in countering such an enemy – in concert with the archers of Balister and the star pilots of Xing-li, of course. Long ago our people waged war upon each other. Perhaps it is time to rekindle those traditions, refocusing them on fighting far more dangerous enemies than rival houses."

"I have no objections," smiled Honourable Lord Marcus.

"But can the rest of the Great Council be also persuaded in this?" contended High Priestess Aina. "My authority as high priestess is not as far reaching as once it perhaps was. People will not do as I direct simply because I order it."

Honourable Lord Marcus's eyes flashed with irony, "Perhaps together we may combine our spheres of influence and create a greater response from the Great Council."

"If it is the will of Her Majesty, I shall comply," bowed Aina.

"Make it so, Your Grace," commanded Prince Consort Torr.

"There is still the matter of what to do about these three murders," reminded Aisling. "We never got to present our findings before the Great Council. Clearly we cannot allow further scandal to permeate our government. Kendric and Aurnia have been proven innocent of these deaths. Miranda remains un-mourned. Action is required to settle all of this."

Lady Fëawen rose from her seat and meandered to Marcus, placing her hands on his shoulders and massaging his upper back flirtatiously, "Perhaps if you, Honourable Lord Marcus, were to take our findings to the Great Council you could negotiate a legal settlement affirming the innocence of the prince and his new wife."

Marcus put his arm around Fëawen's waist, feeling the soft sensuousness of her tender body under her gossamer gown. His fingers caressed her with arousal, "If you wish, milady."

"I do," flirted Fëawen. "As for Miranda's death...perhaps we should agree to say as little as possible – for now, anyway. It is clear she was murdered because she found out something that someone did not want reported to the Great Council. But without knowing exactly what that is...prudence dictates silence. Whoever killed her is most certainly attending to any reports similar to whatever Miranda was murdered for."

"Agreed," affirmed Torr.

"So, Honourable Lord Marcus, what can I do for you this shir-or?" smiled Fëawen from the antechamber to the parlour where she saw her counselling clients. Like many mind healers, Fëawen utilized a group of chambers, parlours, and antechambers connected by a network of doors to her private living space. Loving the water and the Amba Mederi Ocean in particular, Fëawen's home was located on the twenty-seventh floor of a thirty story sky rise apartment building a mere 0.8645 li 里 from the ocean in Bira Hecen. From her apartment's many bay windows the Amba Mederi Ocean was readily visible, soothing away the stress of healing minds. For work, Fëawen wore, as she did this beinor, a simple kirtle with a full skirt sweeping off her hips made of a medium-weight linen-like material. More durable and professional than the gossamer fabrics she wore on more formal occasions, she found these modest kirtles comfortable yet heavy enough to help her retain her professional mental discipline. Around her neck she wore a jewelled pendant fashioned as a variation on the Gurun heraldry – more ornate than the heraldic jewellery traditional for betrothals and sparkling with what appeared to be blue-white diamonds and Beinarian rubies mosaicked together and hanging from a chain of Beinarian silver.

Marcus smiled at the young mind healer, "I was hoping we could talk."

"Of course. Come into my parlour," beckoned Fëawen. As both sat down on the couch Fëawen used for client, Marcus put his arm around Fëawen's waist casually. "So what do you wish to discuss, my lord?"

"Our future," winked Marcus, his fingers exploring Fëawen's thin frame at the waist. Testing her, he let his hand cross over to her belly.

Fëawen pretended to ignore him, "What future is that?"

Marcus put his left hand on her cheek, fondling her face and hair, "I think you know." Slowly, with a feather touch at first, he kissed her. "You know what I want."

"I can't imagine. Perhaps you would care to tell me?"

Marcus slid his right hand to the hem of Fëawen's skirt, slipping his fingers, then his entire hand onto her shin, then her outer thigh. Breathing hard, he slipped his fingers to her inner thigh. Fëawen kept her composure as she felt a finger penetrate her, caressing her inner body. Slowly, then more boldly, he pounded her with his fingers. Kissing her more aggressively he whispered into her ear, "How do you like that?"

"Is that all you plan to do, Marcus?"

Marcus sneered, "NO." Removing his hand, he hitched up her skirt, unfastening his trousers and pulling himself closer to her, his body ready to strike its target.

"Stop. You are not my lover. You are not my husband. What gives you the right to do this to me without my consent?"

"I head the Great Council, that gives me the right, woman."

As Marcus touched his body to hers, she touched her pendant's jewels. The side door opened. Lord Knight Elendir aimed his laser crossbow, "Desist or die."

Angered by the suddenly interruption and the plasma bolt pointed at him, Marcus plunged himself into Fëawen fiercely. Instinctively she yawped in pain. Elendir fired, striking near Marcus's heart. Falling onto Fëawen, he looked up into her eyes even as his blood soaked her dress, "Why?"

"I know who you are, who you were, and what you plan to do. I who was Keelia of house Ten-Ar and Anlei, daughter of Queen Isabelle, remember you, Cariadoc...as you remember me."

Marcus hissed at her, "Yes, Anlei. It is I. You denied my son a place at your side, bedded that bastard of mine and gave him dominion over us all. The least I could do was disgrace you, hurt you once and for all."

"Not this time, Cariadoc. The Gurun dynasty continues. We still prevail."

"One detail you forgot, Anlei, I still had you. I felt you around me like a wife to her husband. Whatever you do now, you are still mine."

"Did you forget that healing parlours are covered cameras? Everything you have done since coming here has been broadcast to healers across six houses. The disgrace is yours," hissed Fëawen, hitting him and knocking him off her with a grunt. Pulling down the skirt of her dress to restore her modesty, Fëawen rose, freed of him at last.

"Soon our revenge will be complete. Beinan is ours," threatened Marcus. Breathing hard, he closed his eyes and released his spirit.

Her enemy dispatched, Fëawen collapsed into the chair where she usually sat to treat her clients. Closing her eyes, she shivered. Her body hurt from Marcus' attack. Feeling her own pain at last, she looked up at Elendir, "Never before has a man violated me."

Elendir knelt beside her, laying his laser crossbow carefully onto the clean swept floor, "Are you okay, Mother?"

"Across all the lives I remember, Elendir, it has never come to this. Janus came close, you recall in our history – but never so far as to...."

"What can I do for you?"

"He went further than we planned, Elendir; he was right: he's had me. Nothing can ever change the way his body seized mine, the way my body caressed him as if I welcomed him, the sensations my body sent through me when his hand... I wish Corann or your father were here. But they are dead and I am cursed to remember as if Anlei and Keelia were alive too. Who am I but a freak cursed with these memories?" wept Fëawen.

Elendir wiped her tears and held her as he did when he was a small child and the flesh known as Keelia still breathed, "You are not a freak. You were brave beyond understanding. You knew what was coming, yet you sacrificed yourself anyway, knowing that by taking that risk to your safety and dignity you were protecting others. If it had not been you, it might have been someone else; for all we know, there WERE others he assaulted before you, women whose screams were never heard, whose blood was spilled without anyone knowing."

"My senses tell me he took others and killed them. It was in his mind as he violated me with his fingers. I felt them, all of them. He relived each one as he enjoyed what he felt was a mere prelude to a greater pleasure and conquest. He did not want me to just feel him take me against my will; he wanted to ensure my body enjoyed it at the same time, confusing the matter and destroying my ability to speak against him later. For how can it be rape if in the act he triggers ecstasy in my flesh?" trembled Fëawen.

Elendir held her close, "Rape is rape, Fëawen. There is no grey between wanting it and not wanting it. No is no. Never let anyone tell you different."

BE 6866, beinor 1 arrived with great splendour at the palace in Hejing. Though winter had come to Dong-Bei, the new fallen snow only brightened the feeling of celebration at court. This beinor would be unlike many beinors the palace had seen in many yen-ars.

At shir-or 5.345, Queen Darla and Prince Consort Torr processed through the throne room to their customary places with the usual amount of fanfare. As they sat, the herald cried, "All rise for their highnesses, Kendric and Aurnia, Prince and Princess of Beinan."

Slowly, stately, and both wearing crimson glided with platinum and diamond belts and circlets, Prince Kendric and Aurnia, now formally elevated to the rank of Princess-Consort, processed through the chamber, a tiny bundle in Aurnia's arms. Elendir strode directly behind Kendric as he walked. Fëawen followed Aurnia as her lady in waiting. The quartet bowed as they reached Queen Darla and Prince Consort Torr's thrones. Queen Darla motioned for Kendric and Aurnia to rise, "What tidings do you bring Beinan on this beautiful beinor one?"

Kendric and Aurnia turned to face the assembly, "Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to present you with our first born child since our marriage, a daughter whose eyes sparkle like the jewels in your crown."

"What name give you to this child, heiress to the throne of Beinan?" asked Darla ceremoniously.

"We name her Constance, Princess of Beinan," declared Kendric triumphantly and handing the baby to Fëawen.

Fëawen bowed, and then ascended the steps to Queen Darla who gleefully accepted her granddaughter into her arms. Queen Darla kissed her granddaughter's forehead, "Constance, daughter of Kendric and Aurnia, I welcome you to Beinan. Long may your reign be when it is your turn to be queen." Playing with the baby for a xiao-shir, Darla rose, "This child is the future of Beinan. In her turn, she shall rule Beinan."

"Mitharnilia. Mitharnilia. Come quick," shouted the thirteen yen-ar old Corann, smiling broadly as he ran across a field covered in wild flowers. With wavy dark auburn hair bordering on a reddish-black and emerald eyes, the boy was lanky, athletic, and agile with the looks of a four year old Earthling boy.

Mitharnilia, by contrast, stood willow-like and petite with golden auburn tresses confined into a neat and regal crown braid laden with a sprig of fresh wild flowers. As Kendric and Aurnia's first born daughter, she retained a regal air, even among the sprawling fields and wild flowers around her. Her manners were as refined as the princess she was in fact, even without the benefit of her younger sister Constance's title and inheritance. Born a bastard to her father, before her parents' eventual marriage, Mitharnilia found herself caught in between the forces that tugged at her little sister whose path seemed so much clearer than hers could ever be. No political duties were put upon her, nor was any pressure to pursue a particular vocation, even at this late yen-ar. In the palace, she was simply the older sister to the princess, nothing less and nothing more. At the age of twenty yen-ars she begged Elendir and Aisling to permit her to live with them in Bira Hecen, away from the gossip of court, becoming a sort of goddaughter to the couple and helping them as best she could when Aisling gave birth to her son Corann. Now, at forty-seven yen-ars, she found herself chaperoning the boisterous little boy.

Corann therefore considered Mitharnilia his sister – and treated her as such. Frustrated by Mitharnilia's lack of response to his calls, he sprinted to the young royal, "Where have you been? I have news. Come, come."

Mitharnilia hugged Corann, kissing his brow, "What is it, Corann?"

"They ACCEPTED ME!" pranced Corann.

"Who?"

"Lord Knight Malvyn and the other teachers at the monastery...Lord Knight Malvyn's going to teach me to be a knight like father."

"You are too young to become a knight, Corann. Do you mean you've been accepted to study to become a squire?"

"Yes. Yes. Can you believe it?" yelped Corann gleefully.

"Only if you've improved your laser crossbow skills! Are you finally hitting the target?"

"Does that mean you want to see?" smirked Corann.

"Lead the way," smiled Mitharnilia.

Corann led the princess 458 zhang 张 to an outdoor target range situated within sight of one of the Ten-Arian dormitories. At the range lay a yellow line 14.9345 zhang 张 across used to demark the 70 zhang 张 between archers and their targets. Two zhang 张 behind this line, Lord Knight Elendir strung his recurve bow as Corann and Mitharnilia approached. Seated on a bench 5.823 zhang 张 away from the firing line relaxed Lady Aisling, Lady Fëawen, and Princess Aurnia who each chatted with one another casually in the temperate clime. Above them the sky glistened a clear green under a calm upper atmosphere that gently softened the bright light of the Beinarian sun. Fabkus chirped in the surrounding trees happily. It was a fair beinor for target practice.

As Corann and Mitharnilia reached the line, Elendir hugged his son warmly, "Ready for your lesson?"

"Can I show Mitharnilia what I can do with the laser crossbow, please?" begged Corann.

"After you practice a few rounds with your nara crossbow," endorsed Elendir. "Do you remember how to draw it?"

"Same as the laser crossbow," smiled Corann, picking up a small, Nara crossbow braced against a tree.

Elendir picked up his Nara crossbow laying on the ground 14 cun 寸 away from Corann's, "No, not exactly. Let's go over it again. Okay, now remember; brace the stirrup with your foot so it doesn't move when you draw the string to the latching clip – like this. I know laser crossbows don't use the stirrup, but you will never draw a Nara crossbow unless you put your foot in the stirrup and brace like this." Elendir put his foot into the stirrup of his crossbow, and then slowly drew his bow string up the stock to the metal latching clip until it locked into place. Watching his son replicate his movements, he picked up a wooden target quarrel as he removed his foot from the crossbow and righted it to horizontal, "Now rotate the quarrel until the flat side is down and rests stably against the stock. Yes. Exactly like that. Keep your crossbow horizontal, sight carefully, and then fire when ready." Stepping to the yellow firing line, Elendir sighted, and then fired at the center most target. With barely any rotation, the quarrel sped into the target six degrees right of the center point. It was a good hit, but far from perfect. Corann stepped to the firing line to address the same target his father fired at. Steading himself, he sighted, and then pulled the crossbow trigger. THUMP cried his quarrel, landing two degrees to the right of his father's, closer to the center. Elendir smiled.

"I want Lord Knight Malvyn to be proud of me. I want to be the finest knight that ever lived," bounced Corann.

Elendir lowered his Nara crossbow and hugged his son, "Study hard and you will be. I could have worked harder on my weapons skills when I was a boy, but chose to divert some my time also studying the healing arts, perhaps to honour your late grandmother and grandfather who were two of the most kind and skilled healers among all Ten-Ar. Both my parents died when I was very young, remember?"

"Why they did die?"

"We don't know why exactly," interjected Mitharnilia. "Your father has spent many yen-ars trying to find out for the safety of us all."

"Maybe I'll help you one yen-ar and we can go together on an adventure," smiled Corann hopefully.

"Study hard and we may yet," hinted Elendir. "Now, would you like to continue our target practice?"

"Yes, please," bounced Corann, picking up his laser crossbow. Elendir smiled, picked up his own laser crossbow, led Corann to the correct target for practice, and resumed his lessons.

"Prona maria adducere validissimo vento aura. Fortis vela quasi falcon alas. Robustus clavumque adfixus mihi puppis. Peritus manus operari semper. Nos perducere domum," sang the crew of the caravel Nenel as they prepared to set sail from the port of Cir Calen. Carved into the Nenel's bow was the heraldry of house Cashmarie, its heraldic field painted bright green against its sailing ship. The Nenel glistened tawny white, its outer hull made of Nara wood, the same tree famous for its delicious berries. Nara trees were the lightest and strongest of Beinarian flora, coveted as much for their lumber as for their fruit. Across every city and town in Dong-Bei, municipal assemblies and private citizens favoured this beautiful tree, lining boulevards, filling parks, and decorating their lawns with it. Public food forests and gardens provided nutrition to the poor even while beautifying their spaces and converting toxic dilast into nirlar.

"GCOMHLACHT AG AIRE," shouted Lord Círlen of house Cashmarie. At once the singing stopped as the crew snapped to attention, saluting Queen Darla, Prince Consort Torr, Princess Aurnia, Princess Cathryn, and Lady Mitharnilia as they processed aboard ship regally, Princess Aurnia clearly feeling more comfortable than her companions whose steps onto the ship deck were far more tenuous.

On the dock nearby watched Prince Kendric, seventeen yen-ar old Princess Constance, and Lady Fëawen. Princess Constance started to weep suddenly, "MOTHER!" Comfortable on board ship, Aurnia looked towards Constance's voice instinctively, perplexed by her apparent distress.

Lady Fëawen stepped up from behind the prince at Constance's cry, "Something is wrong! Call your knights, My Prince. There's danger here."

Almost as if in response, one of the crew members, Lord Yelu, fell overboard with a massive, almost humorous splash. Laughing he cried, "Anyone going to help a hapless sailor?" His cohorts started to laugh. Yelu dived under the water playfully, secretly creating distance between himself and the Nenel.

Smiling at Yelu's apparent mishap, Queen Darla tried to suppress a giggle. Aurnia, an expert sailor herself, was not amused. Recognizing possible danger, Fëawen reached for Kendric belt, touching an alert button to summon his hidden retinue of Gurun, Ten-Arian, and Xing-lian knights. Kendric glared at her for 0.34 xiao-shirs as twelve knights converged on his position anxiously, including the king's knight-protector and champion, Lord Knight Lytsar. Queen Darla and Lady Mitharnilia stepped closer to the central mast protectively while Princess Aurnia tried to reach the side edge of the deck in case she needed to jump.

Beneath their feet, the deck gave way as first one explosion, then another, destroyed the finely wrought planks of the Nenel in a blaze that shot up all the way to crow's nest. The sails of the Nenel burst into flames. Constance wept. In 0.845 xiao-shirs the explosions ripped the Nenel apart completely in a fiery blaze. Bilast filled the air. Instinctively, Lytsar and his fellow knights pulled Kendric, Constance, and Fëawen away from the dock. Pulling their charges into Cir Calen, they allowed them to neither stop nor look back until they reached a full 1.3 li 里 from the burning wreckage that was the Nenel.

Finally allowed to breathe, Fëawen looked towards the smoke rising up from the remains of the Nenel, her eyes wide with remembrance, "Janus is here."

Kendric glanced at her disbelievingly, "Janus?"

"His reincarnation, my king. I don't know who, I don't know where – but he's here," wept Fëawen.

"King?"

"Your family, Sire; the explosion hit only a xiao-shir after they boarded. All that remains are your daughter, your nephew, and yourself. As of this moment, you are king, Sire," apprised Fëawen.

Still in shock, a single tear rolled down Kendric's cheek. He was KING. "Would it do any good to investigate who destroyed the Nenel?"

"We know who did it, Sire: the ghosts of our past," confessed Fëawen.

"They must be stopped, Lady Fëawen, for her sake," commanded King Kendric.

"That, I fear, will be easier said than done."

Two beinors later, on BE 6884, beinor 198 Kendric and a smaller than usual court gathered together in the throne room for Kendric's coronation. Customarily new kings and queens were crowned by their predecessors who rarely waited until their deaths to relinquish power. With both his grandfather Gareth II's murder and now his mother, Queen Darla I's likely murder aboard the Nenel, there was no previous sovereign to place the Gurun royal coronet on his head. At his request, High Priestess Aina performed the ceremony, passing the coronet to Lord Knight Elendir who sat it upon his head. Princess Constance watched with uncertainty, still too young to understand much more than her mother was dead. Her cousin by Princess Cathryn, Lord Lixin, whose father was still unknown by all but his dead mother, fidgeted. Without a father and his mother dead, and with his bastard status denying him a title, Lixin felt lost and confused. A dark cloaked figure noted Lixin wandering. After six xiao-shirs he approached the boy, "Are you okay, my lord?"

"Who are you?" asked Lixin fearfully.

"My name is Alatar. I am a relative of yours on your father's side," replied the cloaked man.

"What do you want?" scowled Lixin sceptically.

"To take you away from court and the palace. I have a home for you where no one will care that your mother never married your father, where you will be honoured and loved as your father's son."

"Do you know who my father is?"

"Of course; he sent me to find you. His name is Nasse, son of Eletar and Elita. Would you like to meet your father and his parents? The rest of your family is dead. Well – except for your cousin Constance and your uncle Kendric, but I think he's too busy now to look after you," slithered Alatar.

Lixin smiled, "I would like that. There is nothing left for me now that grandmother is dead. I never did like uncle Kendric. He's not nice to me."

Alatar smiled, scooping up the boy of nineteen yen-ars into his arms and enveloping him inside his cloak. No one would see Lixin in the palace for many yen-ars.

"And so, on BE 5897, beinor 12 King Lyr III's son, Ingram, was crowned King Ingram I after his father was found dead, pierced with five crossbow quarrels, in the throne room alcove that now bears his name," recited Princess Constance confidently in front of her tutor, Lord Priest Argul of house Miyoo, the same Argul assigned to accompany Lord Knight Elendir to Bira Hecen with the soil samples he collected at Central Nan-li Healing Center, seventy seven yen-ars before.

"Very good, milady. And who was the son of King Ingram?" quizzed Argul.

"Prince Ejen who became King Ejen on BE 6160, beinor 56, along with his new bride, High Priestess Wehe who, it is said, seduced Prince Ejen into marrying her," smiled Princess Constance.

"And what do you think about High Priestess Wehe?"

"I think she was politically astute, a woman who recognized that she could better serve our people through the bed chamber of the king than she could simply as the head of our faith," assessed Constance.

"Do you think it is appropriate for a woman to do so?" asked Argul.

"Why not? Men seek power through marriages to powerful noble women...why should not women do the same? Everything I have read about Wehe indicates she was vastly more educated and intelligent than her husband. Should not the wisest of our people hold such influence?"

"And should a man come whose education and intellect are greater than yours...would you accept him in your bed so that he could rule through you?" quizzed Argul.

Constance laughed, "Well that, my lord tutor, is what you are here to prevent...are you not? And...well...I suppose it also would depend on how well he served our people's interests in my bed chamber. Perhaps I would not care if he were more educated or more intelligent if he pleased me well in private." Spinning around playfully she added, "After all, if my husband is to do a husband's duty upon me and give me children to ascend the throne after me, he had better please me well," Argul rolled his eyes at the young princess, triggering more laughter from Constance.

Suddenly Princess Constance's political droid and lady in waiting, RM7 flew into the palace classroom where Argul tutored Constance, "My Lady. My Lady. You must come."

Sobered by the sudden appearance of her droid, Constance's face whitened unexpectedly, "RM7? What's wrong?"

"Come, you must come, Your Highness. Something terrible has happened," shrieked RM7.

Princess Constance bowed politely towards Lord Priest Argul, "Forgive me, milord. May I please...?"

Argul, understanding, shooed her, "...please, please, Your Highness. You were crown princess long before you were my pupil. Attend to the business at hand."

"Thank you, my lord tutor," acknowledged Constance, following RM7 out of the classroom and through the palace.

RM7 led Princess Constance to the throne room and towards the memorial alcoves built to honour notable kings and queens of Beinan. She stopped in front of King Lyr III's memorial. There, on the floor, lay her father, King Kendric, surrounded by a pool of greenish-yellow blood, his favourite schlager sword enveloped by his blood. Five crossbow quarrels pierced his chest. Constance's eyes widened, "Just like Lyr III." As comprehension slowly reached into her mind who the man on the floor was, tears began to swell in Constance's eyes. Her father was dead. Her father was dead? By the same means as her forefather? How could this be? Why here? Why now? Why in the throne room? Why with a crossbow when Beinan possessed dozens of more effective and more silent weapons over the last twenty thousand yen-ars? Regular crossbows were more for parades and heritage lessons than for real use in war. Why? Why kill him this way?

Constance looked at the sword at her feet and picked it up, soaking the sleeves of her sapphire blue kirtle in blood. No blood clung to the blade itself, only its hand guard and hilt. Memories flashed before her of watching her father duel with Lord Elendir for fun. Her father taught laser épée at the Ten-Arian monastery she remembered suddenly. He knew how to handle a blade, both heritage and laser versions. Killing him by blade would be almost as difficult as killing a knight of Ten-Ar or knight of Gurun with a sword. Understanding filtered through the shock that still filled Constance's mind and body.

Tears fell from the princess's eyes. Looking up and wiping tears off her face, her eyes caught more of the scene around her. Kendric was not the only casualty. Following the path of blood on the floor she found twelve heavily cloaked palace guards sprawled on the floor. Some were pierced with laser spears still stuck through their bodies. Others were slashed by some sort of sword from the looks of the wounds she could see. With so many protectors in the throne room, how could her father fall to any weapon short of a bow or crossbow, weapons used across Beinarian history, even on original home world, to kill the strongest of Beinarian leaders?

Finally, Constance gaze fell upon the single woman among the dead. Kneeling, she turned the body over and gazed into the lifeless eyes of her mentor and friend, Lady Healer Fëawen. Fëawen dead? How? Looking carefully Constance noticed bruises on Fëawen's neck – finger shaped bruises. Had she fallen intercepting whoever killed them? Beside Fëawen lay Lord Knight Lytsar, King Kendric's knight-protector and champion, his body pierced with crossbow quarrels like her father. Constance gasped. Lytsar was a good man, one of the king's most faithful servants and her father's favourite duelling partner.

Not knowing what else to do, Constance raised her voice in song, her notes cracking at first from grief, then growing stronger with courage and regal resistance,

"He was a strong and noble lord with piercing eyes of grey.

He sat upon his noble throne shining like the dawn.

His sword flashed like the brightest star.

He led our people well.

Yet here and now he lays in blood pierced with arrows.

He was the friend of many knights.

He loved the warrior games.

His heart was won by a lady fair for marriage they did wait.

A kindly prince, his duty carried him to another's bed.

And on her death true love returned, finally they wed.

He felt the grief of children lost to murder and to pain.

I was the youngest of his blood.

I'll never be the same.

Here lays my father and my lord.

I know not what to say.

Except my father and my lord was slain here on this day.

Here lays my father and my lord.

I know not what to say.

Except my father and my lord was slain here on this day...."

As the last note faded from her voice, Princess Constance looked up. Twelve courtiers stood four zhang 张 from her, drawn by the sound of her voice. Constance looked into their eyes. The gathering knelt respectfully. Her father's head court herald stepped forward, "All hail Constance, Queen of Beinan."

"I am not yet come of age, my lord. How can I be queen?" asked Constance fearfully.

"Queen you must be, my liege – or the Great Council will choose someone else, someone who craves power, not service to our people," cried one of the courtiers, his jet black hair and metallic blue eyes twinkling from among the crowd.

"Summon High Priestess Aina and Lord Knight Elendir. We will perform the coronation ceremony as soon as they arrive. RM7, summon healers of Gurun to bring our honoured dead out of this place. Let High Priestess Aina perform their funerals as soon as I am crowned. Prepare no reception. This beinor is dark and my heart is filled with sorrow. Let all of Beinan mourn with me, even as I accept the Gurun throne," commanded Queen Constance.
Chapter Nine: Ascent of Queen Constance

High Priestess Aina and Lord Knight Elendir arrived at shir-or 9.0, just two shir-ors after RM7 found King Kendric's body. With minimal ceremony, Constance processed through the throne room unescorted in a simple white konyn wool gown decorated only with the Gurun heraldry on her breast in silver and outlined in part with red thread. Reaching the dais, she knelt before High Priestess Aina, taking her customary vows of service just as her father had exactly 20 yen-ars before to the beinor. At dawn her people would celebrate the new yen-ar BE 6905, beinor 1. As she felt the Gurun royal coronet with its platinum, blue-white diamonds, and Beinarian rubies lower onto her head from Elendir's hands, she knew she could not celebrate the new yen-ar...not now and perhaps never again.

Rising from her coronation, Queen Constance heard the herald cry, "Long live Queen Constance," With tears in her eyes she sat down in her throne for the first time, her heart and soul weighted with the office given to her before her time.

Shir-or 3.25 arrived quickly. The newly crowned queen found it impossible for her sleep. This duty was the one her heart was far more ready for than her own coronation. Lord Knight Elendir steadied the young queen as the small gathering listened to High Priestess Aina's eulogy concerning the wisdom, strength, and honour of King Kendric, Lady Healer Fëawen, Lord Knight Lytsar, and the other knights whose bodies lay concealed in wood caskets arranged together on adjacent wooden platforms on the banks of the Amur River. As High Priestess Aina completed her final prayer, Lord Knight Elendir handed Queen Constance a ceremonial torch.

Shaking and trying to control her composure, the queen stepped to the first wooden platform upon which her father lay. Taking a deep breath, she touched the flames of her torch to the wood platform beneath him, "Goodbye, Father. I do not know how to rule without your steady hand to guide me!" Despite her best efforts, the queen stumbled, almost dangerously, closer to the pyre. Lady Priestess Aisling caught her, nudging her to safety. Taking the torch from her, Lady Priestess Aisling lit first Lady Healer Fëawen's funeral platform, then Lytsar's. Shawms played. Lord Knight Elendir took the torch from Aisling, and then lit the remaining pyres. In three xiao-shirs, the flames co-mingled, merging ashes across the honoured dead. The first of the fireworks for beinor 1 burst into the air. Dawn broke over the horizon. Shouts of celebration could be heard from across the river by everyday Beinarians fully unaware of the proximity of the royal funeral to them. In two shir-ors Queen Constance would tell them what they lost just a few shir-ors before with an announcement on the Beinarian Central Broadcasting Network. She hoped by then she would be ready.

"Her Majesty calls into her court Lord Engineer Kian of house Xing-li," cried the herald.

Auburn haired and green eyed, Lord Kian stepped out from among the courtiers in the palace throne room wearing a dark green doublet and black wool trousers. Gold embroidery outlining the Xing-li heraldic star decorated the center of his tunic; delicate knot-work outlined the neckline. Metallic blue cording laced his simple doublet closed; the same cording piped all of the seams of his doublet. Taking the customary bows and kneeling before Queen Constance on her throne, he dared meet the queen's soft eyes, "Long live Your Majesty."

Queen Constance, now forty-two yen-ars old and on the throne for just over three yen-ars rose, inspecting the young man at her feet, "It is said, Lord Engineer Kian, that you have improved our people's reach into the universe that is beyond our atmosphere."

Kian bowed his head humbly, "I am not certain, Your Majesty, how useful my improvements are, but yes, I have endeavoured to improve upon designs that have endured across thousands of yen-ars. My new engine filters out the radiation created by argene, making the argene power source safer to pilots and passengers alike. My experiments also show that my more efficient design has doubled the speed of my star craft prototype compared to the top speed of existing interstellar craft, allowing us to reach other galaxies in less than a yen-ar of flight."

Curious, Queen Constance stepped down from the dais until she could touch Kian's face. Noticing her proximity, Kian took her offered hand and kissed it chivalrously. Constance smiled, "Come with me. I would have you refreshed from your long journey to my presence." Still holding her hand, Kian rose and followed the queen who led her to her private garden.

Kian looked around at the trees, flowers, and herbs around them, "Is there where you receive all those whose achievements in science you value?"

Constance smiled, "No...just the ones I find especially handsome." Taking him to her private gazebo prepared with food and drink she offered him a chalice of Nara berry mead, "I read your research and examined your calculations. I am truly impressed."

"Thank you," answered Kian nervously, taking the chalice from her hand and enjoying a sip. "Forgive me, my liege; I still do not understand why you wished to see me in such an intimate and private setting."

"You are the first man to truly impress me, Lord Engineer Kian. Since my father's death, my heart has grown cold. My tutors taught me our people's history; not since original home world has anyone led any house while still so young. It fills me with terror and loneliness." Constance measured her next words carefully, hesitantly, taking three sips of mead before she found herself able to elaborate, "I like you. I wish for your companionship, if I may ask for it?"

"You are queen of Beinan; you may command anything you wish."

"Not anything," hesitated Constance, "If I make a mistake, the Great Council will strip me of my throne and give it to someone else, someone older, more greedy, less concerned with the good of all our people." Constance cast her eyes down, afraid to speak, "I need help doing this."

"What is Your Majesty's wish of me?"

Queen Constance paced her gazebo, "I wish for many things, most of which I fear to ask for."

"Name one, Your Majesty."

Constance looked at him shyly, "I wish you would come to me, now, here perhaps, to my bed. I am drawn to you and wish to feel the comfort of you as a man to a woman. I know I am not of age and cannot marry until I do – but you asked my wish..." Constance took another sip of her mead, "...is it too much to desire you to court me, perhaps even become my consort when the time comes? I know I just met you, but my heart dares?"

Kian touched her cheek and whispered into her ear, "Command it and I am yours. If I may comfort you or ease your cares with my touch, then let it be. If you know your heart already, then ask it and I am yours. I will take you now if you will consent to be my wife at the appointed hour."

"I wish it," whispered Constance, trembling and enveloping herself into her first romance embrace.

"I not have the pendant of Xing-li with me now, but if you will wait a shir-or, I will retrieve it from my accommodations. Then let the betrothal be made and sealed. Can you wait for me?" Constance nodded vigorously, shyly. Kian kissed her for the first time, "I shall not be long, my queen." Queen Constance breathed hard from the kiss, her first kiss to the lips in her young life. When his lips parted from hers, he bowed, and then hastened away.

While Kian rushed to secure the Xing-li heraldic pendent that would allow him to form a legal betrothal with the queen, Constance changed her attire. With RM7's help she chose a crimson low-cut kirtle with bag sleeves and a flowing skirt, then processed back to the gazebo, Kian only steps behind. Smiling, she turned and looked at him. Kian's gaze at her gown spoke volumes her to; he was well pleased. Kneeling, he took her hand, "Constance, Queen of Beinan, will marry me at the hour appointed by our people? Will contract to marry me in legal betrothal, sealed to me for all the beinors of our lives by the joining of our flesh? Do you choose me to sire your heirs in the service to our people?"

"Yes, Kian of house Xing-li," smiled Constance shyly. "I call to you to be mine, now and for all the yen-ars to come – until death takes us. Sit beside me as my prince consort. I choose you for this humble service."

"I accept this service, my queen; so mote it be for all the yen-ars of our lives," vowed Kian, fastening the necklace around her neck. The star of Xing-li rested between her breasts which his viewpoint allowed him to observe in their milky whiteness under her gown. Kian slipped his hand down her gown, caressing her right breast. Constance felt her breath change with the touch. Stepping slightly behind her, he worked at the lacings in the back of her gown with his free hand as he continued to caress her seductively. Pulling down her gown off her breasts, he knelt and softly kissed her, caressing her until she trembled. Constance closed her eyes as Kian made love to her, filling her as she never had felt before. Spent, Kian whispered into her ear, "Are you pleased with your choice, my queen?"

Constance caressed him tenderly, "Only if you promise me to never take another to your bed."

"You and you alone shall caress me like this," vowed Kian, beginning another round of lovemaking in the garden. Constance kissed him fiercely as she felt him, felt the wonders of him making love to her. Kian braced himself against her, and then pleasured her once more.

Constance woke the next morning feeling odd inside. She was too young for this by the law and yet she knew what she wanted. Kian roused slightly in the softness of her bed beside her, the euphoria of the night before illuminating both their bodies with a soft glow. With adolescent curiosity, Constance let her fingers drift under the covers to his body. Kian opened his eyes and swept her into his arms, "Are you pleased?"

"Will it be like this when we are married?"

"Better, my queen."

"Constance."

"Mmmm my queen sounds so much more erotic. It pleases me to bed the queen of our entire planet," flirted Kian.

"Is power what you want in exchange for my bed?" teased Constance.

"Power doesn't compare with seeing and touching you naked, my lady. That is all the reward I want for pleasuring you."

"Do I please you, Kian?"

"Yes, oh yes. Better than my late wife ever could."

"You were married?"

"Yes, when I turned fifty yen-ars old; I am a grand-nephew by marriage to your late grandfather Lord Healer Torr, whom perhaps you know had five sisters. Prince Torr was the best of us. I hope I can say his name without grieving you, Constance," expressed Kian.

"You do me honour by your words, but pray continue regarding your marriage."

"Proximity to your grandfather after his marriage to Queen Darla made me a desirable match. My father was a star pilot and an explorer; despite the recent trend in house Xing-li to avoid contact with other worlds. Interstellar exploration and navigation runs in our blood, you might say, a habit and heritage politics cannot override. When I was forty-five yen-ars old, my father met a young pilot from our house just a yen-ar younger than me, the daughter of one of the house elders who serve on the Great Council. Before I could think, I was in front of a bunch of people, important dignitaries and told that unless I married her upon turning fifty yen-ars old, house Xing-li would vote against Queen Darla on some – I don't remember what – but something she proposed to the Great Council. Feeling a duty to my father and a greater duty to my great uncle, I did what they asked. I was handed a broach, said the words I was told to say, and before I knew it, I was... with her, the first time I ever saw someone without her clothes on. I was only forty-six at the time. She didn't appeal to me. It was like my body was doing what it wanted, but without the power of my mind or heart behind it. It felt... empty. So different than it feels with you," Kian reached for Constance and kissed her tenderly.

"Was duty why you, why we?" asked Constance.

"No, my queen; you are lovely to me. When you indicated your interest, I felt this curiosity about you as I never felt towards her, a desire; a need to be with you that is beyond my scientific understanding. Now that I've had you I feel this ravishing hunger to have more of you, as if I will never be full and never fully pleased until I find you quickened with life of my bringing upon you. Forgive me for my candour, my queen, but the image of you quickened with my child is the most erotic and intensely intoxicating concept. I cannot rest until I find you so." Kian kissed her hungrily.

"Once we are formally married, Kian, you may quicken my body as often as you wish. I yearn for the beinor when you hold our first child," flirted Constance. "But you have not yet finished your story. You were married to someone you did not wish to marry – how are you not married to her still?"

"For five yen-ars after our wedding I played the charade expected of me, occasionally going to her bed either out of duty or if she played enough with me to trigger a strong physiological reaction that overrode my natural disinclination towards her. There were times, no doubt, she used drugs to achieve her aims; this seems to be the method of choice among arranged marriages, it would seem, to provoke unwilling partners into intercourse. Finally, her provocations stopped. She came to me one night speaking of a lover she had found, someone with brown eyes named Yelu, I think; I never heard anything beyond that name. She said he was more suitable to her and a far better lover. I was not surprised given my indifference towards her. Then one beinor, she flew to Dong Nan Fang, allegedly to test some sort of experimental low altitude shuttle. Her shuttle blew up over the Amba Mederi Ocean. Once the wreckage confirmed she died in the explosion, I was free. That was on BE 6882, beinor 175, twenty one beinors before Yelu was seen on the Nenel, right before it blew up, killing Queen Darla ..."

"... and my older sister," finished Constance. "Do you think Yelu was behind their deaths?"

"I do not know, but I would not be surprised. Death seems to follow him for some reason, yet while I grieve for your family, I do not grieve for my late wife, especially since she was carrying Yelu's child at the time of her death, a stain upon my honour. If I were still married, Your Majesty..."

"...you would not be here, now, with me."

"I just met you, Your Majesty, and yet I cannot imagine living a single beinor without touching you."

"Nor I with you, Lord Kian. Now, as much as I wish to lay here like this with you, I have a duty to perform – and so do you. I called you to court to show me the prototype of your new star craft."

Kian kissed her tenderly, "And so I shall – after you return to the court and I return to my room to dress in different attire than I wore last night."

"I cannot wear the pendant in public yet, Kian... will you be offended?"

"Our betrothal is sealed, my love. Declare it so at a time of your choosing, my dear, sweet, beautiful queen." Kian kissed her passionately, tempting both of them to ignore their responsibilities with another round of lovemaking neither had time for.

Kian returned to his chamber, changing his clothes and carefully grooming his wavy red-brown hair. Putting a single-blade razor to his face, he shaved, being careful to avoid missing any whiskers. Upon his white tunic he glided on a sleeveless doublet of silvery blue, its weave catching the light to simulate the heraldic star of house Xing-li. At his waist, he girt a belt of white leather, Xing-li stars carefully tooled all around it in silver-blue. Taking a final glance into the mirror, he picked up his tablet computer and a blue-grey cloak and headed for the palace docking port.

At the docking port, Queen Constance waited in front of a low altitude shuttle in a cerulean blue kirtle with bag sleeves, RM7 floating 7.923 cun 寸 behind her. On her breast she wore Kian's heraldic betrothal pendant. Kian smiled as he noticed the pendant, "I am honoured by your presence, Your Majesty."

"The others shall follow us in 2.56 xiao-shirs. By protocol, I should travel with my knights – yet something tells me I have nothing to fear travelling with you to inspect this new star craft of yours. Please, my lord, after you," bowed Queen Constance.

Kian led the queen three zhang 张 to a low altitude shuttle, pressing a code into his computer. The hatch open, its ramp lowering down. The queen entered, followed by Kian, shutting the hatch behind them as the queen found her seat in the passenger row behind the cockpit. Discretely, she moved her betrothal pendant to the inside of her kirtle, concealing it from view. Checking on the queen to insure she was safe and secure, Kian sat down in the pilot seat and engaged the engines. The low altitude shuttle roared to life, rising three zhang 张 before speeding out of the palace docking port and towards the arctic city of Olos-Mir, 14385.92 li 里 northeast of Hejing.

Snow glistened across the crystalline facades of Olos-Mir, the central city to house Xing-li. While bitterly cold, house Xing-li built Olos-Mir in an optimal location. For here, the thick upper atmosphere that typically blocked direct sunlight, moonlight, and star light grew transparent, giving residents an unhindered view of the universe beyond Beinan. Here the night was filled with stars like sparkling jewels in the sky. On most nights at least two of Beinan's moons filled the city with light. At perigee, individual craters on Biya Xiao-Yue shone so brightly that children as young as 18 yen-ars could readily discern and name each one.

Streaming through the clear night sky like a meteor shower sped four low altitude shuttles, led by Lord Engineer Kian. Almost invisibly against the star-filled sky they descended on Olos-Mir like planets creeping across the horizon. Finally, after 0.2 shir-ors, they landed in the docking port adjacent to house Xing-li's headquarters, a community called Xing Jishi.

Lord Engineer Kian guided Queen Constance down the ramp out of his shuttle courteously. Waiting and watching his guests assemble nearby expectantly, he addressed the group now before him, "My noble lords and ladies, Your Majesty, I thank you for coming to inspect the latest innovation in star craft engine decision, Please follow me." Kian guided them in a walk 1.056 li 里 from their shuttles to a laboratory measuring 20 by 47 zhang 张. Inside, they saw a blue-platinum star craft, its angular surfaces creating a pleasing geometry. The cockpit window glowed cerulean blue in an equilateral triangle across the front face of the ship.

Kian stood next to the cockpit's exterior with pride, "This is my prototype, the Liltaél. Please...allow me to show you the interior." Leading them through the open hatch, the group found the Liltaél able to accommodate all of them in the passenger area. True to Xing-lian sensibility, all but three of the passenger seats were convertible to tables and could be readily removed and stored if desired, all without sacrificing safety or comfort.

The cockpit itself accommodated up to three pilots with a highly sophisticated control console representing a clear upgrade from the controls most Beinarians utilized. Understanding each guest's need to explore, Lord Engineer Kian waited quietly in the back of the main passenger area while his guests played with the furnishings and explored the changes he'd made in the cockpit design. Among the most curious in the gathering were none other than Lord Knight Elendir and his son, Corann.

After another 0.15 shir-ors, Lord Engineer Kian raised his voice, "Now...if you will all come with me, I will show you the engine that makes the Liltaél truly cutting-edge." Guiding them around a corner and down a corridor 12 zhang 张 long, Kian showed them his engine, "This, my noble lords and ladies, is the biggest innovation in engine design since the start of our illustrious Gurun dynasty. As with previous designs, it uses argene at its central power source, but now, not exclusively at the core, as it was before. In my design, the electrical generating micro-coils are also made of argene, cycling and regenerating argene to consume only 1/1000th of the argene used in previous engine designs. This not only extends the range of the Liltaél to accommodate intergalactic travel on very small quantities of argene, but also enables the Liltaél to travel up to 7 million light yen-ars in less than a single yen-ar, putting distant galaxies within our grasp. Through its efficient use of argene, this star craft travels further and faster than any design known in our history."

"Impressive," commented Elendir, "Is this design exclusively for interstellar travel or can it be adapted for use on Beinan itself?"

"The design can readily be adapted to planet-wide craft – as long as there is a will within our society to change to cleaner, more efficient options. The engine itself is readily scalable. But because it uses argene differently than we currently use in our planet-wide craft, each one of those designs would have to be worked to accommodate it. It can be done, of course, but not immediately," answered Kian. "There is also the issue of adapting the technology towards argene synthesis from argun ore which, currently, releases toxic levels of bilast into our atmosphere. With the colder temperatures across 40% Xi-Nan Fang limiting plant life in the region, current mining and refining practices far exceed the capacity of existent plant life to convert these toxins into nirlar."

Kian scanned the gathering for evidence of further questions, "Complete schematics for the Liltaél are available in the reception area just beyond this laboratory for those who wish to study the design further. I am certain Lord Knight Elendir is not the only one among you who wish to review the technical data." With a nod of approval from Queen Constance, Kian led the group out of the Liltaél and to the prepared reception.

The unveiling reception for the Liltaél bubbled in ballroom 45 zhang 张 from Kian's laboratory. Apprentice engineers offered guests goblets and flutes of meads, sparkling wines, ales, and both Nara and kelan juice. Trays of sliced fruits and berries filled tables along with a variety of Dong-Bei cheeses, a favourite in Olos-Mir with the cold climate. In a silver-plated punch bowl, guests helped themselves to mulled Nara wine to take off the edge of the bitter cold. On a small dais musicians played Beinarian shawms, flutes, and harps. A small computer kiosk stood in the middle of the room, providing technical information on the Liltaél, its engine, and comparative data demonstrating the benefits of the new design from more than two hundred fifty different designs representing everything from low altitude shuttles to star craft to commuter trains and beyond. Queen Constance listened to the music happily, standing alone as she was not accustomed to being. After seeing to his guests, Lord Kian approached her, "I honoured by Your Majesty's apparent approval of my Liltaél."

Constance met his eyes, "It is a beautiful star craft, Kian. I can tell you worked on it for many yen-ars."

Kian observed her uneasy posture, "Would you care to dance with me, Your Majesty?"

"I would be honoured, Lord Kian."

Taking her by the arm, Kian led the queen to the front of the hall close to the musicians. Observing the queen's intent to dance, other couples quickly filed close to Kian and Constance, lining up in ordered pairs, the men in one column and the ladies in the other. The head flutist raised her head, playing the introduction to the first dance. With a synchronous breath, the rest of the musicians joined her in a slow and stately Beinarian variation of an English country dance with its many crossings and castings between groups of two couples each. With practiced steps, the queen relished the dance, though only her hands touched Kian's throughout the dance's many repetitions. On reaching the final note of the first dance, Kian and the queen bowed to one another politely.

Several more dances followed varying from Beinarian bransles to Beinarian court dances similar to Kian and Constance's first dance to Beinarian waltzes that broke the lines and circles into couples. Finally, Queen Constance bowed to Lord Kian, "Thank you, my lord. May I suggest a respite to enjoy the fine cuisine you have so generously provided herein?"

"Of course Your Majesty." Escorting her away from the dance floor, Lord Kian led her to the banquet tables.

As Constance helped herself to an assortment of berries and fruits, Lord Knight Elendir strode up to her, "Your Majesty, might I have a word, please?"

"Of course, Uncle."

Elendir led her to a quiet, private, and largely unused portion of the ballroom, "May I speak to you plainly, Your Majesty, as the daughter of my dearest friend?"

"I have never known you to be otherwise outside of the throne room's formality, Elendir. You have been a part of my life from the beginning."

"Then be now like the niece you have been in practice though perhaps not in fact, and answer me plainly: are you betrothed?"

"I... thought I had sufficiently hidden his gift by the shir-or of our arrival...."

"You did, perhaps, in the eyes of others. But I observed you, though briefly, while still at the palace when you were less guarded about the pendant's visibility. To whom are you promised?"

Constance blushed, "To Lord Engineer Kian."

"When?"

"After I saw him at court last beinor – it was an instinctive decision, an intuition I cannot explain consciously," confessed Constance.

"Are you sure it was not some adolescent impulse?"

"If it was, Uncle, I am bound to it for the rest of my life."

"Constance, I am not certain how conscious you are of this at this xiao-shir, but since the Great Succession Crisis, the life span of your family line has grown – short. No one of direct royal descent to King Ejen has survived past 300 yen-ars – even 200 yen-ars, middle age, has become difficult. You are the youngest queen crowned in the entire Gurun dynasty, still not of full legal authority over yourself. Be careful, my queen. Your life too many be cut short by whatever it is that is ravaging house Gurun," warned Elendir.

"I know, Uncle, believe me, I know. But there is something about this man Kian; it is as if I've known him in another life or something, as if perhaps he is my soul mate in some way. One look, one kiss on the hand and I knew I need to spend the rest of my life with him," stammered Constance.

Elendir embraced Kendric's daughter tenderly, as if she were his own, "I know, Constance, I know. I felt much the same way when I met my dear Aisling. It's hard to explain when you meet the one your soul needs to be with. But please, be careful. Too many I fear covet your throne – and your confidence. You are still very young, too young to rule, yet there is no other choice for house Gurun."

"Thank you for understanding. You are the nearest family I have; oh, I know, cousin Lixin is closer in blood – but not in heart or temperament. There is something dark about my cousin, Uncle. He keeps secrets and regards the rest of us like animals in some experiment or something. There's an air of mystery and superiority about him that frightens me. For all I know, he had something do with my father's death."

Elendir broke the embrace and looked her in the eye solemnly, "Perhaps he did. Someone inside the palace had to have bypassed security in some way. You cannot simply bring an arsenal of weapons, even heritage weapons, into the palace. Perhaps Cathryn's son is the key to the whole mystery none of us have been able to solve. If he was involved, my queen, you must be careful beyond words. You are the last of the Gurun dynasty. Should you perish before at least one heir of your body reaches the age of thirty, this dynasty ends. And remember: the old law forbidding daughters from ascending after their mothers still stands. You must produce a son to rule after you—AFTER you come of age and wed."

Constance nodded, tears filling her eyes, "Your warning is well taken, Lord Knight Elendir. Please kindly release me to the company of my beloved that this conversation may remain private."

"As you wish," bowed Lord Knight Elendir.

The rest of the evening flowed smoothly. When at last Kian was able to send his guests to their accommodations, he found himself alone with Constance at last, walking together with her in Xing Jishi, "My lady, may I enjoy the pleasure of your company this evening in my humble abode – or must you leave me for more formal lodging with your staff?"

"I am the queen of Beinan; in this I will indulge my personal desires," winked Constance. "If it is your desire to invite me, I would most gladly stay in your abode tonight."

Kian kissed her tenderly, "Please."

Dawn woke the young couple snuggling together in Kian's modest bed. Welcoming the bright sunlight, Kian observed the beauty of sun shining directly on Constance's bare skin and smiled, "Good morning, sweetheart."

Constance stretched and purred contently, "Good morning, my Kian."

"Will you return to Hejing soon?"

"I must. Will you return with me?"

"I cannot, as much as I wish to. While speaking to my guests last night I realized the imperative of adapting my new engine to other applications. Who knows when they may be needed? I am also aware of your private conversation with Lord Knight Elendir. Why does he speak to you so casually?"

"He and my father were best friends. He is family to me in ways that no living relation of mine can be. Not like I have much family left; he's right – the royal Gurun line is endangered. If I should perish before a son reaches the age of minimal legal consent at age 30, the Gurun dynasty ends. Even if we should have a daughter come of age, it's all over without a male heir. The Great Council would not change the law to permit Princess Anlei to come to the throne after Queen Isabelle; there is little or no chance they can be persuaded to amend the law now."

"The only way to guarantee a son is through artificial methods...."

"Which are illegal for the royal family to use," reminded Constance. "A bowyer of house Balister may use such aids, but I may not. The Great Council views it as tampering with the political process."

"And our children must be born in wedlock which we cannot be joined into until your fiftieth natal beinor," elaborated Kian.

"Yes," agreed Constance.

"What will we do, Your Highness?"

"Fall in love," she replied, kissing him and cuddling him tenderly.

Queen Constance ruled wisely and well, relying heavily on the advice and wisdom of her privy council: Lord Engineer Kian, Lord Knight Elendir, High Priestess Aina, and Lady Abbess Althea among them. Elendir and Aisling's son Corann flourished in his studies as a squire of Ten-Ar. As the yen-ars passed, Queen Constance grew more open regarding her romance with Kian. Finally, on her forty-ninth natal beinor, she formally introduced Kian as her intended prince consort, elevating him to the rank of Prince-Intended, and raising his public profile.

For Constance, the hard part of the courtship was now over. Kian formally courted her in public, performing the expected rituals and public displays of affection demanded by the populace of royal couples. Finally, on BE 6915, beinor 148 Queen Constance celebrated her fiftieth natal beinor with a private party held in her garden gazebo, Kian ever at her side watchfully.

The royal wedding of Constance and Kian brought joy and splendour to all of Hejing. Concerned about security, Constance and Kian confined their guests to their nearest friends, family, and the highest ranking members of the Great Council. Certain a threat to her life remained and mindful of her father's assassination in the throne room, Constance tried in vain to relax. Only when Kian held her at last in private and sealed their marriage formally in bed did Constance allow herself to relax and be just a young woman instead of an endangered royal.

That night Constance and Kian conceived a child, a son born to them on BE 6916, beinor 165. Prince Caranden, they hoped, would end the pall of fear that permeated the palace. This hope failed.
Chapter Ten: Birth of Princess Anyu

"Your Majesty, bright blessings on you and our Gurun dynasty. A son. So soon after your wedding," cried Lord Lixin. "You...didn't do something illegal to tilt that in your favour now did you?"

Queen Constance eyed her cousin carefully, "Like mother, like son, I see, Cousin."

"It is bad luck to speak ill of the dead, Cousin, especially give you are likely to join them sooner than you think," smirked Lixin.

"If that be so, my cousin, may you join the ranks of the dead with my lifeless eyes peering into your equally lifeless eyes," countered the queen, watching as Lady Priestess Aisling bounced the queen's new-born son, Prince Caranden, playfully among a group other priestesses. As Constance drifted away from her cousin, she observed Lord Knight Elendir chatting with their son, Corann. At forty-six yen-ars old, Corann had grown into a strong and powerful squire. Taller than both his parents and more athletic, his biceps rippled under his finely woven wool tunic. The boy she had known and grown up with was now a young man almost ready to take his place in Beinarian society.

Pleased by the sight of Corann, she embraced first Elendir, then Corann, "Elendir, Corann. So glad you could come celebrate the new yen-ar with us."

"And miss being with you? Never. It was rare for me to be absent from court on beinor 1; your father and I found it a traditional and appropriate time to catch up," greeted Elendir.

"I remember...those were happy yen-ars. You both became family to me." With a winking smile, the queen turned to Corann, "Corann, you have grown more handsome than words. I am almost surprised you never tried to court me."

"You are the nearest I have to a sister, Your Majesty. Surely you know I cannot see you in any other light," replied Corann.

"May I ask a service of you, Squire Corann?"

"Of course."

"I have heard that our mutual ancestor, Princess Anlei, was guarded by a knight of Ten-Ar, your namesake if I recall. Upon your elevation, I wish for you to become my personal protector. My husband is a wonderful companion, but he is an astro-engineer – his talents and training are in math, science, and their applications. Should danger confront me, I would feel more secure knowing a family friend guarded my life, one who cannot be bought or broken by whatever threat persists across the yen-ars. Would you do me this service, Lord Squire?" requested Constance.

Corann bowed chivalrously, "I live to serve. If my life or death will secure your safety, my queen, then I offer it freely."

"So be it," acknowledged Constance. Returning to Elendir, she braved the question heavy in her heart, "Elendir, is it possible for the knights to elevate him before he comes of age? I know you waited until you were sixty for your elevation, something to do with additional training you chose for yourself, if I remember father's explanation. In light of the danger around me, would they consider my request?"

"Corann has exceeded all expectations in skill and faculties. I think it likely they can be so persuaded, Your Majesty," interpreted Elendir.

Bowing, Queen Constance excused herself, and then headed to Lady Priestess Aisling to check on her son. Lady Abbess Althea meandered to Elendir and Corann, "What was that about?"

"Young Queen Constance has listened to my foreboding, Althea. She wants house Ten-Ar to elevate Corann as soon as possible so he may attend to her safety."

"A wise precaution; would you like me to speak to the master knights? I am sure my position as lady abbess holds some small sway with them," understated Althea.

"Just a little," smirked Elendir. "Corann's become a finer archer than any I know of in house Balister, a credit to our house – just like his favourite aunt."

"You do me honour, brother. May I ask you not advertise my martial skills around court, though? It is considered inappropriate for the abbess of Ten-Ar to exhibit warrior skills."

"Perhaps, Althea, but perhaps your skills simply reflect the times we are living in. Hundreds of yen-ars ago, there was no need of a healer to learn self-defence. Now I fear all healers would do well to know at least rudimentary skills in hand-to-hand fighting, or at least some sort of weapon. One thing I know: mother and father would be proud of you. Do you remember them at all?"

"Not really, no. I was twenty-one beinors old when father perished and not quite seven yen-ars old when they bombed Our Lady Healing Center in Bira Hecen, killing mother. You are the nearest I've had to a father. I remember how you checked up on me when we were growing up every shir-or you could find free. You even enrolled in the many of the same healing classes as I was taking so you could watch over me," remembered Althea.

"What else is an elder brother to do under the circumstances?"

"And now we have become the queen's nearest confidants, just by maintaining the ties of friendship that began so many yen-ars before she was born. We are her family, more precious to her in many ways than her husband."

"When I confronted her regarding her relationship with Lord Kian...Lord PRINCE Kian right after their secret betrothal, she said something to me about not understanding why she chose him and sealed herself to him when she had not known him a single beinor at the time. Something about that reminded me of my conversations with Lady Healer Fëawen. I wonder if she and Kian were not married in another lifetime, a lifetime outside of her immediate memory that still draws her to be close to the same gentles she cared about in the distant past," mused Elendir.

"Your wife would be better qualified to answer that question, Elendir."

"My wife is a woman of great faith and virtue, but she is no expert on reincarnation. For some reason it seems like the mind healers sense this better than our own clergy. Perhaps house Miyoo no longer sees as well or as clearly as once they did."

"Or perhaps something or someone is blinding their sight with a spiritual weapon none of us understand. Your investigation showed father was killed by some radical of house Shem, was he not? What if there are radical forces in that house capable of resorting to tactics our society finds immoral?"

Elendir raised an eyebrow, "Like bombing healing centres and killing those whose calling is to serve?"

"EXACTLY."

"Corann, son of Elendir of the Knights of Ten-Ar and of Aisling of house Miyoo, for many yen-ars have you studied and suffered, enduring the trials set before you of mind, body, heart, and spirit. Now the journey's end has come and a choice lies before you. Do you choose to join the brotherhood of Knights of Ten-Ar – or leave for another path?" asked Lord Knight Malvyn ceremoniously. Corann bowed his head, his crimson robes, the same crimson robes worn by his father at his elevation, fluttering slightly in the gentle breeze streaming through the ceremonial hall.

As he had done with Elendir, Lord Knight Malvyn placed his strong hands on Corann's crown, blessing him. Corann looked up and answered Malvyn clearly, "Master, hear me now before these witnesses. I choose as I have always chosen all my life: to dedicate my mind, body, heart, and soul to this house and this place. If the brotherhood will have me, I vow myself to be, now and for forevermore, sword brother and peer, a lord knight of Ten-Ar."

Lord Knight Malvyn removed his hands from Corann's head and anointed the center of his brow with fragrant sacred oil, "Then in the name of the Knights of Ten-Ar and as your master, I confer on you the rank of Knight and Lord of Ten-Ar." Against tradition, Lord Knight Elendir knelt next to his son bearing the Ten-Ar great sword in a gold and silver scabbard on a strong leather belt in the bright green used for knighthood elevation, girding him. Lord Knight Malvyn stepped aside slightly as Lady Abbess Althea placed the coronet of the knights of Ten-Ar upon her nephew's head, its Beinarian sapphire sparkling proudly. Kissing his brow, Althea and Elendir together raised Corann to his feet proudly. Elendir hugged his son, now more than just his son – his sword brother. Corann relished the pride in his father's embrace. Things would never be the same again between them.

The customary reception began with its normal hugs, salutes, and even some small hazing from his now former classmates. The horseplay stopped with the sound of footsteps on the ground. Glowing with pride and with her belly swollen from the end stages of pregnancy strode Queen Constance. Corann immediately knelt reverentially, his hands bracing his balance on the ground. The queen touched the crown of his head, "Corann, son of Elendir of house Ten-Ar, I call you to service."

"I hear and obey, my queen," answered the newly minted knight.

"Newly made are you a knight of Ten-Ar. Yet only a knight of Ten-Ar or a knight of Gurun may serve as I require this beinor."

"Ask it, Your Majesty, and it shall be done," vowed Lord Knight Corann.

"Guard and protect my person and that of my children that this dynasty may persist, despite the danger that surrounds us."

"I live to serve Your Majesty. By my life or death, I am yours," vowed Corann.

"Then rise, my protector," commanded Constance, offering him her hand. Corann took her hand and rose to his feet. Constance kissed him tenderly on the lips, "Now you shall serve only me." Corann felt fire from the queen's sensual kiss, a fire that bewildered him by its unexpected passion. This was not the kiss of a woman raised as if she were his sister. Uncertain what to do, he bowed his head and took a watchful position, guarding her even in the safely of his own reception, the single kiss burning him as he had never felt before.

Thirty beinors passed. Queen Constance lay in her bed, sweating from labour. Lady Healer Darah attended her with her watchful brown eyes. Pushing hard, the queen screamed as finally the head of her child emerged from her body. With one last gasp of effort, the queen pushed her baby out completely. Darah severed the umbilical cord with a laser scalpel, and then cleaned the infant, extracting the fluid out of the baby's lungs. The baby wailed. Wrapping her in a small blanket, Darah handed the princess to her mother, and then held out a scanner to collect data on the child's size, weight, and health. Constance gazed into her daughter's dark grey eyes, "Leonora I shall call you." Raising her eyes to Darah she asked, "May I see my husband?"

Bowing, Darah opened the chamber door, beckoning Lord Prince Kian. Lord Knight Corann followed a few steps behind. In his heart he felt a pang – was he jealous? Why be jealous? The queen was more like a sister to him than anyone. He loved her, of course, but respected her marriage to Kian like any brother. Why this pain now? From two zhang 张 away, Corann watched as Kian held and cuddled his new-born daughter. Leonora was so tiny, so precious. And yet Corann knew the law: this princess could never be queen. Princess Leonora cooed comfortably. Kian kissed his daughter's forehead, then the lips of his wife and queen. All was as it should be – except for him. Not wishing for his feelings to be evident to others, he approached Queen Constance in her bed, bowing, "Your Majesty, may I be excused for the shir-or? You need this time alone with your family and I feel my time would be most productively spent in your service through research."

Preoccupied by the discomfort in her body, her daughter, and Kian, Constance answered him distractedly, "Of course – return in two shir-ors and do not leave the palace grounds. I may have need of you."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," acknowledged Corann, leaving the family to be alone at last.

Lord Knight Corann strode to his nearby apartment and to the computer terminal panel on the wall nearest the carved wooden doors at its entrance, "Computer. Confirm security clearance: Lord Knight Corann, son of Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar."

"Security clearance confirmed," answered the computer.

"Query: were there recordings made in the throne room from BE 6904, beinors 195 through 198?"

"Confirmed."

"Display recordings." Corann sat down in his dining area chair, watching the recordings. For the first shir-or, nothing unusual showed up. Public servants talked to one another. Some read or edited documents. Things looked very normal until suddenly Corann recognized Lord Lixin meandering about. "Computer, reverse playback at shir-or 4.350 and play in real time. Audio on."

The computer reversed playback slightly, showing Lord Lixin entering the throne room and meandering near its edges. With a jolt, the audio blared with voices. Sunlight reached the stained glass window pane behind King Kendric's throne, casting its dancing light onto the floor. The herald cried, announcing the entrance of Lord Yelu before, unexpectedly, departing the throne room on some "errand."

Lord Yelu bowed to King Kendric, who acknowledged him with the normal formalities before the conversation made an unexpected turn, "Lord Yelu, rumour has it your blood and mine are comingled." King Kendric stepped down unexpectedly from his throne to Yelu's level. Lady Healer Fëawen followed them closely as a sort of retainer, motioning four of King Kendric's guards to join her.

"Indeed, Sire. Lord Lixin is the son of my half-brother Nasse. I suppose that makes your nephew mine as well."

"Princess Cathryn used her charms on many men. No doubt your brother had something of value that she coveted and obtained through him."

"Perhaps she wished to have a son, a prince to assume your father's throne...."

"My father was not king, Lord Yelu, but prince-consort. My mother was Queen Darla; Princess Cathryn, as the daughter of a reigning female sovereign, was never eligible for the throne – nor are any of her progeny."

"Not even if such a son were the only option for continuing your Gurun dynasty?" asked Yelu furtively.

"What are you saying, Lord Yelu?" asked Lady Healer Fëawen suspiciously.

"Nothing, milady," sneered Yelu.

Fëawen furtively raised a small medical scanner, concealing it behind the king's back. It beeped softly. Kendric's champion, Lord Knight Lytsar of house Gurun, noticed the reading and crept closer to the king, motioning his fellow knights to surround Kendric and Yelu. Yelu grabbed Fëawen by the neck, choking her, "Your death was not required, Healer. You chose badly to interfere."

In 0.234 xiao-shirs, Lord Knight Lytsar offered the king his royal blade. Whirling, Kendric drew the offered schlager sword, a heritage sword that allegedly belonged to King Ejen, its pommel encrusted with Beinarian rubies. Throwing Fëawen's lifeless body to the ground, Lord Yelu drew his own blade, a schlager with an ornate hilt and hand guard, and cut down towards the king. Strong and physically powerful, the king easily parried, deflecting Yelu's stroke back towards his face. Lord Knight Lytsar drew his blade, attacking Yelu at a ninety degree angle from the king's position. "Your Majesty! Behind me!" cried Lytsar.

"I can take him myself," answered King Kendric, attacking Yelu.

With his free arm, Yelu pressed a button on his belt. Lord Lixin appeared from out of the shadows and aimed his crossbow. Lord Knight Lytsar fell to the ground, pierced with Lixin's quarrel, yet still attempting to fight and protect the king. Other guards rushed towards Yelu, apparently unaware of Lixin's position. Yelu spun, slashing the nearest guard and disarming another. Catching the disarmed guard's laser spear, he quickly plunged the spear into the guard's heart as Lixin continued to fire with his crossbow.

Finally, after three point four xiao-shirs the king was alone, his protectors all either dead or dying and incapacitated. Together Lixin and Yelu drove the king into the memorial alcove for King Lyr III with a series of attacks, counterattacks, and parries intended to move the fight into the alcove. Kendric smiled confidently, his sword still drawn, "I am one of the finest swordsmen in all of Beinan. You cannot beat me with a blade, Lord Yelu."

Lord Yelu took Lixin's loaded crossbow from him, "I don't have you, Your Majesty." Yelu fired the first quarrel at point blank range.

Kendric fell to his knees, dropping his sword with a loud clang, "Who are you?"

"Yelu the Bastard of house Ten-Ar," yawped Yelu, firing another quarrel as Lixin laughed next to him.

"How – who is your father?" demanded Kendric, feeling the life ebb from him.

"Elendir, son of Devon," shrieked Yelu, firing the third volley into Kendric. With eyes wide open in shock and dismay, King Kendric succumbed at last in death. Loading a fourth, and then fifth quarrel, Yelu fired twice more to ensure the king's death. Lord Lixin kicked the king's body vengefully. Yelu eyed his nephew, "Enough of that; it will not take the palace long to discover the king's death. We must leave and wait for another chance to finish what we came here for." Yelu and Lixin disappeared into the shadows.

The computer recording faded. "Computer, download recording to my personal computer," commanded Corann.

"Confirmed."

"Open a channel to Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar in Bira Hecen."

In a xiao-shir Elendir's face appeared on screen, "Good morning, Corann. How is the queen?"

"With her husband in private. She just gave birth to a daughter, Leonora."

"Happy news," smiled Elendir.

Corann hesitated as he explained the reason for his call, "Father, I decided to go back into the security recordings regarding King Kendric's murder in the throne room. Am I the first person to watch the recordings?"

Elendir took a deep breath. After all his efforts to discover the cause of the healing center bombings, he had learned the hard way regarding the complacency of a people who had grown perhaps too accustomed to terror, "Perhaps, Corann. I am sorry that we must have this conversation. I had hoped to spare you – at least for a while."

"Spare me what?"

"Corann, the real world is not the place of justice and honour that is the Ten-Arian Code. Far from it. Ten-Arian ideals claim that truth and virtue are to be valued and pursued – but rarely does anyone mind those ideas as goals to pursue anymore. Instead, most people do whatever is easiest, Corann, not what is right."

"I don't understand."

"I have worked hard over your life to shield you from the lessons I learned when I was your age, lessons only drilled into me by working the mines of Amba Narel. Back in BE 6827, then Prince Kendric commissioned me to investigate the death of my father in Nan-li. After I returned with physical evidence from the healing center where your grandfather perished, I came with Queen Darla to report my findings to the Great Council. Instead of being welcomed and well received, we were met with hostility. I do not have the same mental talents as your namesake, Corann, but I could still feel it inside that at least some members of the Council were not surprised by my evidence; they were clearly in the know. But for reasons I never discovered, that information, including what I brought before them, was never publically acknowledged or released. Instead, everyone carried on their lives as if nothing had ever happened.

"Concerned by what I found, I returned to Xi-Nan Fang, operating under a cloak of secrecy and lies. There I met a woman named Elita, a descendent of Lord Janus – the very one who attempted to seize power in BE 6326 during the Great Succession Crisis. She used me, Corann, distracting my purpose for ten full yen-ars, hiding her family's role in your grandfather's death. She took advantage of my youth, of my vulnerabilities in judgment that only age and experience can amend. Finally, she played me physically, giving me some sort of drug on my seventieth natal beinor that compelled me...."

"... Lord Yelu told King Kendric that he is your son."

"That is possible given my drugged state that lasted for beinors. I don't remember exactly how long anymore. When I think back to the last beinors I knew Lady Elita, I find myself; I cannot describe it. Maybe a healer knows the exact physical consequences of being given the drug. Kendric's first born, Prince Ohtaraha, was conceived the same way; Princess Lidmila routinely drugged him to compel him into her bed."

Corann's face turned ghastly white, "I – I didn't know."

"It was before you were born, why would you? After the prince married Lady Aurnia, we all tried to put it out of our minds. There was no reason to dwell on the agony of the past when so much possible happiness laid before us. Your mother and I were just starting to feel settled and comfortable in our marriage when Lidmila and Ohtaraha committed suicide by taking bilast; how they received it, we still do not know. Lady Advocate Miranda was helping us investigate that when she was murdered."

"Did anyone find out who killed her?"

"Definitively?"

"Is there any other way?"

"There was no formal investigation, Corann. Everyone suspected Honourable Lady Alidir of house Slabi; Lady Advocate Miranda was, after all, found in her office. But no one pursued it further. House Slabi took Miranda's remains, cremated them, and then pretended she never existed."

"Almost like what happened with King Kendric," remarked Corann casually.

"...And with hundreds of thousands of others who have died since the first bombings in first Xi-Nan Fang, then spread to other parts of the planet. Ten yen-ars passed before anyone outside of Xi-Nan Fang even knew that someone was bombing healing centres and other public places. It feels as if there is a massive conspiracy of silence, one enforced by a growing complacency across our planet. People die violently and no one cares, not even if the victims are rich and powerful. It is as if we are so used to death that no one wants to know how or why, let alone to do anything to stop all of this," professed Elendir.

"No one cares King Kendric was murdered? Not even the queen?"

"Queen Constance is barely of age and became queen at an unprecedented thirty nine yen-ars age. No one has begun a reign so young. I care for the queen deeply, as if she was your older sister, but, as I was at her age, she lacks the judgment she needs to be a strong and independent ruler. With the royal imperative to continue the Gurun dynasty, she is far more focused on her marriage and motherhood than she is in ruling, at least for now. I have never seen a monarch so overwhelmed and absorbed in her or his own personal affairs, no doubt the result of power being forced upon her so many yen-ars before she was ready. King Kendric only ruled twenty-yen-ars, Corann. She had no reason to believe growing up that she would need to assume power before the age of one hundred fifty."

"My time is almost up, Father; I need to return to the queen. What should I do now that I know the truth about her father's death?"

"Watch over her, Corann, very carefully. I would come myself, but my closeness to King Kendric I raises my profile in Hejing, along with my particular history as a friend and confidant of the royal family. To protect the queen, you must utilize what you know and take advantage of your youthful anonymity. Your name and identity is not known in the Great Council as mine is. Use this to improve palace security. Go behind her back, if you need to. As the queen's personal knight protector, you have the authority to do whatever is needed to keep her safe."

Corann hesitated to raise the unspoken subtext developing in his relationship with the queen, "Father, what if she commands me to be alone with her in her private chamber? She is magnificently beautiful, why I did not see this before my elevation, I do not know."

"She is Queen Darla's granddaughter and Princess Aurnia's daughter; of course she is intoxicatingly beautiful." alluded Elendir. "Her aunt Cathryn was the same."

"If she should ask me..." blushed Corann uncomfortably.

"... then listen to your heart and your training. If it comes as a formal royal command, Corann, are you bound to comply, no matter what is asked of you."

Corann fidgeted, "Thank you, Father. I will try to do my duty as best as I may."

"As must we all," declared Elendir formally, disconnecting the transmission.

Fifty beinors passed. Finally fully recovered from pregnancy and childbirth, Queen Constance strode through the palace with a renewed vigour and beauty, her gossamer gowns clinging to her curves. Entering the palace practice chamber, the queen watched two knights spar with schlager swords. Noticing her, they halted and bowed. The queen smiled at them, then opened the door to the enclosed adjacent courtyard used for target practice.

Stepping into the bright sunlight she observed Lord Knight Elendir and Lord Knight Corann on the firing line, each with a heritage recurve bow in their hands. Elendir drew his bowstring to his ear, aimed, and fired carefully. The arrow landed ten degrees off center. "Beat that!" teased Elendir at his son.

"With pleasure," smirked Corann, drawing his bow, sighting, and firing. The arrow landed five degrees off center, directly into the bull's eye.

"Good! Good! You've been practicing," affirmed Elendir.

"Practicing, Father? You are the one who needs practice," taunted Corann playfully.

"I'm not the archer you are, Corann that is for certain. But give me a schlager and I will show you what the protégé of Kendric of house Gurun can do," challenged Elendir.

Queen Constance sat on a bench five zhang 张 from the firing line. A lady-in-waiting approached her with a curtsy. Constance whispered to her attendant who curtsied in response, leaving them. Elendir lowered his bow, resisting it gently on the ground before walking over to the queen, "It is a beautiful morning, Your Majesty. If the sky gets any clearer we will all think we are in Olos-Mir, not Hejing! The sky is so beautiful though not as beautiful as our queen. To what do we owe the honour of your presence?"

"Fresh air, good company, friends; can you think of a better reason for me to join you?" beamed Constance. "How is Lady Priestess Aisling, Elendir? I have not seen her since Princess Leonora's birth."

"She is preparing for the formal blessing of the princess, waiting for Your Majesty's vigour to fully return. Are you now of such health that you are ready for the ceremony?"

The queen's lady-in-waiting returned, holding Princess Leonora. Queen Constance unlaced the front of her gown, exposing her both of her milk engorged breasts and putting the infant to her right nipple. Leonora began to nurse contently. Constance closed her eyes pleasurably as she felt the milk in her breast drawn out of her and into her baby. Corann starred at the queen who seemed to be relishing not only the feeling of feeding her baby, but the excuse to expose her breasts in front of Corann. Instinct drew Corann's eyes to her left breast. His eyes danced at the colour of her nipple, the exaggerated curves and softness of lactating bosom. Against his will, he felt his body respond to the sight. Elendir watched Corann's increasing uneasiness and obvious inner conflict with the wisdom of a man who has learned to recognize a woman's seductions through the hard lessons of repeated failure to avert them himself. Constance, it seemed to Elendir, was trying to provoke Corann into wanting to bed her, glorying in Corann's eyes upon her – and knowing that both protocol and Ten-Arian discipline meant that Corann would not act upon such a provocation by her unless commanded to.

At length, Leonora released her mother's breast with satisfaction. The queen cuddled her baby without recovering her breasts, "Tell Lady Priestess Aisling and High Priestess Aina I am ready for the ceremony that will bless Leonora and bestow upon her the legal title of 'princess.' Tell them to conduct the ceremony in seven beinors, on beinor 90, in the throne room here at the palace."

Lord Knight Elendir bowed, "It shall be done." Exiting with Corann on his heels, Queen Constance smiled, and then recovered her breasts as she refastened her gown while Leonora bubbled and gurgled happily.

"Are you sure you must go, Kian?" asked Queen Constance as her husband loaded his suitcase onto his low altitude shuttle.

Kian put his suitcase down and walked down from the entry ramp connecting the shuttle to the palace docking port, taking a deep breath to collect himself before answering, "Sweetheart, your majesty! Just because I am your prince consort does not mean I stop working. My laboratory is in Olos-Mir – as it should be. House Xing-li has based our work there ever since BE 1352 when Queen Cirwen resigned her co-sovereignty with King Balar of house Gurun, formally establishing the Gurun dynasty. The atmospheric conditions there make it the perfect place to research astrophysics, astronomy, and astro-engineering."

"What if I don't want you to go?"

Slightly irked, Kian rolled his eyes, "Why not?"

Constance glided close to her husband flirtatiously, "I want another child; I think now would be the perfect time to try for one." Constance unlaced her husband's doublet suggestively.

Kian sighed, scooping up his wife into his arms, "Very well, but afterwards, you let me go to work for a few beinors?"

Constance nodded and kissed him as he carried her into his shuttle and closed the hatch.

"So my queen, are you satisfied?" panted Kian from the floor of the shuttle.

Constance tried to catch her breath, "It's a start."

"May I leave for Olos-Mir now? I promise I will be back no more than thirty beinors from now, then I am yours to hold captive in your bed for as long as you desire," suggested Kian. Constance nodded. Kian handed the queen her clothes as he dressed himself. Fully dressed again, Kian swept the queen into a tender embrace and kissed her passionately, "Good-bye; I will return and see you soon."

"But the danger; there was another bombing last night; this one only eighty li 里 from Olos-Mir."

"I am still house Xing-li; my shuttle is armed. If trouble should strike, I can handle it," assured Kian, opening the hatch for his wife. Constance stepped down and out of the shuttle and gazed at her husband mournfully, she hoped not for the last time.

Scared and still very much aroused, Constance returned to her apartment. Lord Knight Corann watched and waited near the entrance, "My lady! I seemed to have missed you this shir-or. Are you well?"

"Not nearly well enough, Corann, thank you! Please come in. I am in the need of company."

Corann bowed, "Of course." Following her into her apartment, Corann noticed the queen's agitation as she paced. "Can I help you in some way, my queen?"

Constance looked him in the eye, and then let her eyes drift. Corann was a truly attractive man four yen-ars her junior. As a newly elevated knight of Ten-Ar, his body was sculpted by a lifetime of hard work and practice learning mastery over dozens of ancient, traditional, and modern weapons. Even his modest tunics and loose trousers could not conceal the ripples of lean muscle moving every time he breathed. It was a stark contrast to Kian's attractive but more average muscle tone. Kian's strength lay in his understanding of science and mathematics that informed his sometimes razor sharp wit. But Corann – this was a truly viral and potent man towards whom she first felt the needles of sensual attraction – against convention and social mores given the relationship between their fathers. Curious about Corann physically, she brushed a loose lock of hair away from his brow, "You can help in many ways, Corann."

"Anything!"

"Kiss me, I command you as your sovereign queen!" Tentatively at first, Corann brushed his lips upon hers. Constance returned the kiss. Emboldened, Corann kissed her, responding in kind to the desire in her lips. Constance locked him into a prolonged passionate series of kisses, "Have you been with a woman, Corann?"

Corann broke the kiss and looked her in the eye, his arousal showing in his breath, "Never! Since my elevation, there has been but one woman I desire."

Constance unfastened Corann's sword belt. Sword and scabbard fell to the floor loudly. Putting her hands underneath his tunic, she pulled the tunic off him, exposing his upper body to her. For yen-ars uncounted Constance had imagined the sight now before her; this was better than all those yen-ars of fantasies. Constance embraced him, exploring his upper body with a bolstered yearning, "Do you know what I want of you?"

Corann breathed hard, "Yes. Command it and I shall endeavour to please you."

"I command it!" declared the queen, unfastening Corann's trousers. Naked, Corann unfastened the queen's gown, pulling it off her and revealing the breasts she had taunted him with during Leonora's infancy.

Corann crawled with Constance onto her bed, confessing, "I do not know what to do?"

"I do..." suggested the queen as she laid back onto her bed, pulling Corann to her.

"How do you like me, Corann?" purred the queen after Corann finished.

"It is nothing like my imagination, Your Majesty."

"Do you like that well enough to indulge me again?"

"I am yours to command, as with all things, I shall grant you all you desire if I can."

"I desire more of that from you, much more! My husband will be gone for at least twenty beinors, probably longer if I know him. You, my knight, I command to fulfil me in his absence."

"As you wish, but may I ask you a personal question, Your Majesty?"

"Constance," she corrected, "Titles are for out there or in my husband's presence. I am no queen in the confines of this bed, any more than I was when we were children."

"Constance – do you love your husband?"

"Of course I do. He is the perfect consort for me."

"Forgive me. I am confused. If you love him – I am not complaining, but – this between us has always confounded me. Ever since that first kiss at my elevation, the question of why has dominated my thoughts towards you. Why did we?"

"Do you not know how attractive you are, Corann? You are every woman's fantasy; ever since we grew up I have been curious about you physically, feeling the pull of my body towards you, wanting to know what you are like as a lover. Can you understand that?"

"I – of course, I guess. Do not think that over the yen-ars I have not noticed your feminine maturity. You are a very attractive woman to me. But then, why did you marry Kian if you were so attracted to me?"

"Kian is house Xing-li, for one. In this political climate it seemed prudent to choose from Xing-li as my grandmother Queen Darla did. Of course my parents provided an excellent example of how one may marry for politics and yet be satisfied by a choice of the heart.

"Kian was the most attractive specimen among suitable candidates for consort among Xing-lians. I knew he could please me enough to sire the requisite heirs while serving as the best political candidate for consort available to me. To ensure I did not change my mind regarding his suitability as a match I made sure he betrothed me before I was of age, securing his loyalty through my bed and making it easier to conceive Prince Caranden. Of course your father was never deceived. But then, it is hard for anyone to conceal anything from him," reminded Constance.

"My father does not think that we inherited any of the traditional Miyoo traits; I have to differ from him on that; he's more astute and more foresightful, intuitive than he gives himself credit for," acknowledged Corann.

"Yes, he is! You are fortunate to have him as your father. That is perhaps part of your attraction to me – beyond just your incredible physique. I know you, Corann, and I know how dedicated you really are as a knight. I knew what I was doing when I kissed you at your elevation, that I was sealing your loyalty to me – and that eventually I would have to give in to my desires."

"So... now that you have what now? I have tasted that which I have wanted for too many yen-ars, how can I ever go back to what was before? I close my eyes and I see you in all your sensuality before me. I crave you now more than ever. I was jealous of you when you were being intimate with him before; I cannot imagine not feeling even more jealous having tasted that which is forbidden."

"It is not forbidden of you, not if I declare you as my formal and official lover," reminded the queen.

"I am not sure I am comfortable being known at court as such, Constance, even knowing protocol as I do. I do not wish to be paraded as some royal sex toy, marring the honour of your husband towards whom I feel so much esteem. I cannot imagine the injury to his ego once he discovers what has been between us in his absence."

"Would it please you more then, my knight, to pursue this in private? The rules do facilitate such privacy. Consorts are traditionally bedded in their own chambers. From this beinor forward, I shall endeavour to satisfy him there. But you, you shall have me here," proclaimed Constance.

"As you wish," he answered.

"If you have the strength now, there is something more I want of you."

"Name it."

"More!" commanded Constance, rolling herself on top of him. He gasped with pleasure as he felt the joining begin with her lovemaking. What had he gotten himself into?

Across Kian's entire absence, Constance indulged herself with Corann, barely appearing in court the entire time. Yen-ars of waiting to bed Corann made her especially needy of him physically as she indulged herself, making up for lost time. Across each beinor she summoned him multiple times to pleasure her – mostly behind the privacy of her curtained bed, but sometimes seducing him in her private garden. It was flood of physical intimacy after a long drought she could not resist; she needed each joining with Corann who somehow seemed to please her more than Kian at his best could.

Upon Kian's return to the palace, Constance came to him, not allowing him to disembark the shuttle until he was spent in lovemaking. In the first five beinors after Kian's arrival, Corann heard, but did not see his queen as she bedded Kian relentlessly enough to cover her relationship with Corann, fully satisfying her husband with the expected passion usually accompanying a long absence between spouses. Finally, at shir-or 12.35 during the sixth night, Constance kissed Kian, "So, my love, are you content?"

"I am spent, my queen! So much lovemaking from you, I have not yet had a chance to unpack my things!"

"Rest then," smiled Constance, getting up from his bed and putting on a gossamer robe that barely concealed her body. "I will see you in court at shir-or 5.50. I will try to get some sleep too!"

Kian nodded exhaustedly from the lovemaking, "Until then, my love." Five xiao-shirs later, the prince consort fell into a deep sleep.

Constance strode into her garden. Corann waited for her near the gazebo. Noticing her sheer robe, he tugged at the belt and nudged the fabric at the shoulders which fell upon the ground, revealing her glowing nakedness. Constance pulled at his robe which fell upon hers. In two xiao-shirs he was joined with her hungrily after almost six beinors of waiting to bed her. Constance indulged his every yearning – and hers – before rising with him, taking him to her bed where they fell into deep sleep in each other's arms.

"So, mein edel what do you think of my design?" frolicked Kian, preening Princess Leonora's golden red hair.

Now BE 6926, beinor 145 the seven yen-ar-old Leonora fidgeted in her father's laboratory, playing with her dress and stomping her feet percussively. Kian eyed her inquisitively. Finally Leonora shrugged her shoulders, "I dunno."

"I do not know," corrected Kian.

"Why?"

"Because you are the queen's daughter and as such must speak with the precision and accuracy of grammar and diction that is expected of the 'high and mighty Princess Leonora.'"

Leonora rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at her father. Kian stared at her disapprovingly. Leonora stomped her feet, "I wanna go! Please! Go outside play?"

"You cannot go outside and play, Leonora. It is too cold."

Leonora whined, jumping up and down, "GO!"

"No!" Leonora whined and wailed. Lord Kian took a deep meditative breath to control his frustration. "Leonora, stop! Right now, this xiao-shir, I mean it!"

Leonora whine, "Daddy!"

"Leonora, you have two choices: either sit down and behave like a princess or you can go back to your governess." Frowning, Leonora sat in a chair. Kian eyed her, and then went back to work. On his computer, he manipulated a graphic of what looked like a Beinarian sapphire with his fingers. With a tap, the crystalline structure shifted. A green light flickered over the three dimensional diagram with details about the proposed change. Rotating the image, Kian's eyes widened. Yes! This might work after all, thought Lord Kian as he flashed a glance in the corner of his eye at Leonora. "Computer, send schematic to Honourable Lord Ian for approval."

"Confirmed," answered the computer. Relieved, Kian exhaled and leaned back in his office chair.

"You are wasting your time, Lord Kian. There is no need to improve ciphers for survival on alien worlds. There is simply no demand for them," scolded Honourable Lord Ian. "Why don't you work on another engine; there's always a demand for faster, safer, better low altitude craft."

"I cannot believe my ears! We are the house that is most proficient at interstellar travel and you are telling me that the elders of our house can care less about interstellar travel? What do we do when this sun starts to die? Are we going to be mindlessly scrambling to preserve our people like we did last time?" protested Lord Kian.

"You are being paranoid, Kian. We have at least another twenty thousand yen-ars before we face such a danger again."

"Maybe, but how do we find our next home if we don't go out there and explore? Space exploration is not a waste of time."

"Kian, you may be the prince consort of Beinan, but as far as I am concerned, you are just like any other Xing-lian engineer. I grant that you serve as her majesty's proxy in the Great Council, but I speak for our house – in council chambers and beyond," asserted Honourable Lord Ian.

"Honourable Lord Ian, I do not contest your leadership of our house, but I have to disagree with you on scientific terms. Our house was built on our capacity to learn, explore, risk things that no other house would. House Xing-li braves dangers in the unknown that no other house dares confront. We were always the ones who made first contact with new species. We were always the one pushing the limits of what our culture can achieve in math, science, and engineering. Why turn aside from our traditions of exploration? Or is it possible you have grown complacent yourself, preferring to focus on the present realities of our world instead of the potential for new challenges out there, where no Beinarian has gone before?" explored Kian.

"How dare you challenge me!" shouted Lord Councillor Ian proudly.

"I can do my research without your approval. House Xing-li is not the only house that values scientific research...but I prefer to continue my work here, in Olos-Mir where I grew up and where I have proudly served our house with my work. There may be a beinor when such research is critical to our survival...when we may owe all our lives to advances in cipher technology. The universe is dynamic and deadly...my lord I do fear for our people if my research is undermined."

"I will not interfere in your research if you are that determined to pursue folly. But I cannot endorse it or recommend grants to fund it. If you insist on pursuing this, you must find your own methods for financing your work," compromised Ian.

"Fair enough, my lord. May I continue to work from my laboratory here – or must I find other accommodations?"

"You do not need to relocate. Stay, if you wish. But remember: your laboratory is only paid for through the end of this yen-ar. To continue using it, you must find 10,000 tai-ors per yen-ar or you will lose the space in favour of another, more pliable scientist."

"May I secure funding from sources outside of house Xing-li?"

"Yes, of course. As many benefactors as you can manage to pay for it."

Lord Kian bowed at the waist, "Thank you, my lord," then strode out of Ian's office confidently.

"So, Lady Healer Darah, what do you think?" asked a nervous Lord Kian as he watched Lady Darah study his cipher prototype with a specialized medical scanner.

Darah adjusted a setting on the scanning computer, "You've made a forty percent improvement on the neutron concentrator and increased power efficiency by eight point one percent. Theoretically, this cipher can be used for up to seven yen-ars straight without replenishing the power supply."

"If I can raise the funds to keep my laboratory, I want to develop a more efficient argene refining process that can be done in at least small quantities at a time on long-range star craft. One of the weaknesses of our existing star craft designs is the lack of fuel replenishment capacity on smaller vessels. The bigger craft have the machinery needed to synthesize argene, of course, but not the small and mid-sized craft used for space exploration and inter-galactic travel. That's one reason I think it took over one hundred yen-ars for our people to find Beinan; our level of technology forced us to use fewer but larger star craft with limited maximum speeds. Even this yen-ar, we are in a trade-off between speed and fuel regeneration."

Darah turned off her computer and handed the prototype back to Lord Kian, "So far as I can tell, your design is very effective, a definite improvement in life support technology. As for your laboratory, why spend so much money trying to keep your laboratory in Olos-Mir? There are facilities here at the palace. Granted, the atmosphere is much thicker here, but you are not working on anything, at least this xiao-shir, that is hyper-sensitive to atmospheric conditions. It's not like you are studying impact craters on Biya Xiao-Yue or anything like that. Why not leave Olos-Mir to the astronomers and work on your astro-engineering from the relative privacy of a lab here? I am certain her majesty would approve such a plan; it does provide you more time with your family."

Kian pondered Darah's idea, "Yes, yes that could work. As chief healer of the palace healing center, would you be kind enough to help me get started? You are, after all, the lead scientist here."

"It would be my pleasure. Oh – has her majesty spoken with you yet?" asked Lady Healer Darah.

"Regarding?"

"You do not know then? Her majesty is expecting another child," announced Darah. Kian looked at her with a mix of wonder, shock, and concern. "Do not worry, Your Highness, the queen is perfectly healthy, as is your daughter."

"We are having a daughter?"

"Yes, a very strong, healthy daughter. I ran a neurological test on her. She seems to already possess many of the neurological structures associated with a strong Miyoo heritage. You may just have the next high priestess of Miyoo on your hands once she is born."

"You think she will be born with the Sight?"

"I have no doubt she will develop the Sight, along with any number of known psycho-spiritual abilities. It's possible she will develop telekinetic abilities. She'll need strong discipline from mind healers, Ten-Arians, and certainly from High Priestess Aina in order to control those talents. Otherwise she could become quite a danger to herself – and anyone who crosses her," brief Darah.

"Does the queen know what you just told me about her likely development?"

"Yes, I've told her, along with High Priestess Aina – at her request of course. We have not seen such a genetic propensity in a single individual for six hundred yen-ars."

"Wasn't that King Ejen's reign?"

"More or less, yes. Ejen's marriage to the ruling high priestess introduced some rather powerful genes to the royal family line – on both sides of the throne. All of Anlei and Corann's descendants have retained the potential to be what I see now in your unborn child."

"We may need such a prodigy now, Lady Darah. Such gifts may be the difference between survival of our society...and its destruction."

"Now Your Majesty, PUSH! PUSH WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH!" urged Lady Healer Darah. Queen Constance panted; her gown and all her bedding soaked with the sweat of a long, hard labour. Neither her labour for Prince Caranden nor for Princess Leonora had lasted more than 1.698 shir-ors. But this child was different – as if she were afraid to formally enter the cold hard, terror-filled world. From across the room, Lord Knight Corann guarded the queen, his eyes filled with worry. Was this child his? He did not know, nor did he notice Prince Consort Kian making any inquiries on the subject.

Still, Corann knew, the Kian must have suspected something personal lay between the queen and him. As one of Beinan's best astro-engineers, Kian's mind was keen and scientific, even by Beinarian standards. Without a formal declaration in court making Corann the queen's official lover, their relationship was technically adultery – grounds for excluding any child he sired onto the queen from the succession. Was this why the prince consort never ran even the most basic genetic tests to confirm his paternity? Without proof one way or another and without a formal declaration by the queen confirming Corann's place in her bed, the law presumed all children of sovereign queens to be legitimate, born out of the marriage bed.

Queen Constance's care to bed both of them within 1.743 shir-ors of each other showed her shrewdness, creating a sexual alibi for her lovemaking with Corann while enhancing her personal enjoyment from each of them.

That pleasure from exploiting her sovereign privilege was far removed this shir-or. As each contraction hit, the queen writhed in agony, screaming so painfully it made the hair on Corann's arms stand up each time.

Outside the queen's apartment, Kian paced nervously, wanting to work to distract himself from the cries of agony yet unable to. Would the queen die in childbed?

Suddenly the queen's political droid, RM7 sped to him in haste, "My lord prince consort, you are summoned to the Great Council as proxy to her majesty!"

"W-what? Her majesty is in childbed right now – can't this wait?" stammered a stunned Prince Kian.

"No, Sire! Come quickly. The council says they doubt her majesty will survive her labour. You are summoned by Honourable Lord Eletar himself," urged RM7.

"There is no honour in 'honourable' Lord Eletar," growled Prince Kian. "He cares only for advancing house Shem and doesn't care if he has to cross the firm boundary between religion and secular government that has kept our society at peace since between we embarked on our great migration to colonize Beinan. Lord Eletar doesn't want democracy; he wants tyrannical theocracy with himself in charge of everything and everyone, just like Lord Marcus did before Lord Knight Elendir killed him defending Lady Fëawen."

"Begging your pardon, Sire, but your personal political vantage point does not negate the legality of the summons. You must appear, Sire, or I fear something dreadful might happen," grovelled RM7.

"More dreadful than what the queen has already suffered? Oh...very well. I will appear. Send a message to Honourable Lord Eletar that I shall be there within the shir-or," grumbled Prince Kian.

"Make way, make way for his highness, Kian, prince consort of Beinan," cried the herald as Prince Kian strode into the assembly chamber.

Confidently, Kian ignored the eyes of the councillors, weaving around them until he reached the podium, "Honourable councillors, I am here as her majesty's proxy. Your summons is ill-timed. Her majesty still labours in childbed."

"That is why I have called you here," challenged Honourable Lord Eletar, newly elected head of house Shem. "Rumours declare her majesty might not survive her labour...or if she should prevail, her life may not linger long afterwards."

"The queen still lives. Why call me to council now?"

Honourable Lady Elanda of house Ana rose, "Your son, Prince Calanden, will be eleven yen-ars old in fifteen beinors. He is too young to become king should her majesty perish."

"Her majesty is sixty-two yen-ars old, a young woman in full vigour. There is no reason to believe she will die in childbed. Therefore any talk of Calanden becoming king – this beinor or another – is premature," countered Kian.

"I do not think so," asserted Lady Elanda. "Three children in eleven yen-ars is hardly normal nor healthy. Surely she is weakened by birthing three so close together. It is out of our concern for her health that we now present you with a proposal: to install Honourable Lord Eletar as king-regent should her majesty fail to survive childbed."

"Since the dawn of the monarchy no one has dared call himself 'king' without first either establishing or continuing a dynasty, nor has any seized power in the name of another. This title you would bestow, 'king-regent' is but a veiled attempt to remove her majesty from office without cause save it be the presumption that her maternity makes her unfit to rule. In such case, I challenge the validity of any such measure as unlawful. For even in our darkest antiquity we always granted women to rule us – even if such elevations were less common in the past than this beinor," denounced Kian.

Lord Knight Malvyn rose, his countenance more troubled than during Queen Darla's reign. There was a look of defeat in his eyes, "Your Highness, some sort of measure needs to be in place. We cannot assume her majesty will survive."

"That, my lord knight, I do believe – but not by cause of her maternity. I love my queen, love her enough to have viewed the security recordings regarding the murder of her father, our great King Kendric that were given to me by Lord Knight Corann. Yes, I know all about it, and the complacency of this council. Why this Lord Yelu who claims to be the bastard unwittingly sired by the esteemed Lord Knight Elendir through deceit and trickery by Lady Elita remains at large is a mystery to me. The man killed our king – high treason at best – yet no one prosecutes him or brings him to justice? Why? Do we tolerate the slayings of royals as if they were mere puppets of this council? Nay, I say! Kings and queens of Beinan are not your puppets, though the power to impeach them is held as a sacred check against royal tyranny. They are not martinets to be destroyed at will. Through the Gurun dynasty we have been ruled wisely and well!"

Lord Eletar mocked Kian, "This comes, of course, from a Xing-lian puppet of the queen herself! Prince Consort Torr was your great uncle, after all! You are biased, my lord."

"And you are not, Lord Eletar? Your bias is greater than mine. For I seek no power – only the freedom to do what I do best – research and design technologies to take us to the stars and keep us safe when on alien worlds. This is noble work, the work of my house. From the queen I have derived no power, only the privilege of her bed and the right to guide of our children. I want nothing more from her. These are blessings enough," asserted Kian.

Eletar applauded sarcastically, "Well played, Your Highness. Yet the question still remains: will you assent to my assumption of power in your son's name should the queen perish?"

Kian met his eyes, "I will not."

Eletar looked over to a dark figure hidden in the shadows. Slowly he raised a laser crossbow, the loaded plasma bolt glowing in the darkness around him. The figure stepped forward and drew the hood away from his face, revealing him as Lord Yelu. Yelu sneered at the prince consort, "Pity. I had hoped to wait a few more yen-ars – but, since you insist!" Yelu started to squeeze the trigger.

Suddenly Lord Knight Malvyn leapt into action, drawing his sword of Ten-Ar, "Run, Your Highness!"

Kian grounded his feet, staring deeply at Lord Yelu, "No, my lord knight. I prefer it this way. Better if I am slain in front of the Great Council than slain in some dark alcove like King Kendric I or on board a ship like the Nenel like Queen Darla. Greater peers of Beinan than I have spilt their blood by this scum, this descendent of Janus, son of Cariadoc. For my lady queen and for the honour of house Xing-li, I am willing to die. Kill me now, Yelu, and every knight of Gurun and Ten-Ar will be roused; you won't get your chance to murder the queen!"

Yelu laughed hysterically, "So be it, Prince." He fired. Malvyn dove towards Yelu. The plasma bolt pierced the knight's heart, killing him instantly.

Yelu reset the crossbow, firing again. The bolt pierced Kian's lung, grazing the heart. Blood soaked Kian's tunic as each heartbeat killed the prince. Kian coughed, blood gushing out of his mouth as he struggled to speak, "Remember: this is not the end, only the beginning. Tyrants shall not prevail as..."

Yelu fired a second bolt into the dead prince consort, "We will see about that, prince!" Yelu rose to his feet, embracing Eletar, "So, are you ready to declare me king?"

Eletar eyed Yelu, his ambition curdled by Yelu's wanton violence, "NO! You are not ready. You do not deserve power. This is still a democracy. Rulers take the throne by consent of the people. You, Yelu the Bastard, are a blood-thirsty predator, kinsman though you are! You will rule over my dead body."

Yelu knelt at Kian's body, laying his hands over the bloody corpse to coat his hands in his enemy's blood. Rising he clasped Eletar's forearm with the blood, staining the wool, "This blood is as much on your soul as it is mine. Do not delude yourself otherwise, my lord! I have no trepidation about doing to you what I did to him. I give you two choices: ally yourself with me, or join that pagan scum."

"You exist because of me, boy; you won't hurt me. I am the instrument of your creation," averred Eletar.

"That only makes me your monster, stepfather, not your puppet. I shall do as I please and take what I want. I defy you or anyone else to challenge me," goaded Yelu. "Since it amuses me to see you squirm with what I might yet do, I will wait to claim what is mine. I have time; I shall wait!"

Lady Elanda confronted Eletar, "He is mad."

"No, he is far more dangerous," reflected Eletar.

"Corann! Corann! Where are you going?" shouted Queen Constance. Pale with childbirth, the queen found she could not rise from her bed. Nearby, Lady Healer Darah held the new-born princess as a healer-in-training scanned her to check her health.

Corann drew his sword hastily, "There is no time to explain, Your Majesty! Forgive me; I must attend to this!" Running through the secret corridors, Corann quickly joined up with Lord Knight Alexander of house Gurun, "Alexander, what do we know? Is her majesty in jeopardy?"

Alexander strode with Corann hastily, "We do not know, Lord Corann. Your father, Lord Knight Elendir has been summoned, along with Lady Abbess Althea. They will meet us at the great hall of the assembly."

"Is he dead?" persisted Corann.

"We think so, but we don't know how or by whom. A slaying in the great hall of the assembly has not occurred since King Tristen the Just of house Balister was slain in BE 50, ending the Balister dynasty. I'm sorry, Corann; I just do not have the answers you seek."

"Goddess help us!" exclaimed Corann as he joined Lord Knight Alexander in the low altitude shuttle bound for the Great Council.

By the time Corann and Alexander reached the council chamber, they found the hall empty – except for the two bodies lying on the floor. Elendir and Althea were already scanning both bodies with their computers. After a xiao-shir, Althea probed Kian's body with her fingers, her many yen-ars of training guiding her practiced hands. Noticing their arrival, Althea rose, "Glad to see you, Lord Knight Alexander, nephew. Both died of laser crossbow plasma bolts. Lord Knight Malvyn received a direct hit to the heart. Prince Kian died of internal bleeding; the bolt hit his heart by just 0.0036 cun 寸 with the rest of the bolt piercing his lung."

"Father, how could this happen? Malvyn was our mentor – and the prince! Who could kill him and why?"

Misty-eyed, Elendir clasped his son by the shoulders, "I found the crossbow used to slay them, Corann. As soon as I saw it, I ran fingerprint and genetic scans. There can be no doubt in my mind who killed them: the same man who claims to be my son by Lady Elita."

"Yelu?" cried Corann.

"Yes! I doubt it not he would be capable of this. He killed Queen Darla, Prince Consort Torr, Princess Cathryn, even King Kendric, my dearest friend. If he had something to gain by killing either or both of them; I have no doubt he would do so without trepidation," mourned Elendir.

"Does he want to kill the queen, Father?"

"I do not know. With the palace alerted, I doubt he will have that chance. Every knight of Ten-Ar and Gurun has been put on full alert. I've even seen reports that knights of Xing-li and archers of Balister are converging on Hejing, offering their skills and support to our queen," elaborated Elendir.

"Father, she doesn't know he's dead."

"For her health and safety as she recovers from childbed, we must keep that knowledge from her – for a few beinors, anyway. This is one royal funeral, my son, she must not attend. A state funeral would be the perfect place for Yelu to strike next. No, Corann, you must keep her from it!"

Two beinors later smoke rose up from the banks of the Amur River near the palace as mind-healers of Xing-li joined the doleful chorus of priestesses and priests from house Miyoo singing prayers of healing for the families of Lord Knight Malvyn and Lord Prince Kian. Flames engulfed the bodies, sending embers high into the air. Two li 里 above them, a small hurricane raged in the upper atmosphere, bringing with it a probability of a thunderstorm close to the ground. The Amur River surged upward over its banks, tidally pulled by the perigee of Biya Xiao-Yue and Biya Eldengge, nipping at the base of the cremation pyre. From inside her apartment, Queen Constance heard the lament through a slightly open window. Tears streamed down her face with understanding: she would never see Kian again.

A knock sounded at her door. Before she could acknowledge it, the door opened, revealing a jet black haired man with the looks of a forty yen-ar old young man, his deep black velvet tunic, trousers, and cloak contrasting against the silver embroidery along its hems, "My lady, is there some service I may do for you?"

Constance stammered at the unexpected and yet somewhat welcome intrusion, "I do not know, my lord."

The young man, Morlong approached cautiously, "You may call me Morlong, Your Majesty, if you wish. It is not my only name, but the one that many seem to favour at the moment."

"Come here!" commanded the queen. Staring at his eyes, Constance felt bewildered. He looked Beinarian but for his eyes. No Beinarian, no matter what the genetic disorder or mutation, had eyes like that, "You are not native to Beinan, are you?"

"I am no more Beinarian than you. Your culture is not native to this world either, but colonized this world not that long ago in the scope of natural history."

"How do you know that?"

"How does any sentient being know anything?" asked Morlong.

"Your people are not my people?"

"No, my queen. They are not. But then, why should it amaze you that someone born elsewhere in the universe should walk among you? Have not your own people explorers as well?"

"Not for a very long time. My husband Kian he –" Constance's voice drifted. Kian was dead. Kian was not coming back. Kian would never research anything again.

"... was an engineer whose life work focused on restoring your culture to the stars again after generations of forgetting how to interact with other beings in the universe," finished Morlong.

"Yes! How do you know?"

"I know many things, Your Majesty. Long have I observed your people, watching in secret, trying to help where I could without interfering. I have worked to conserve life on your world, mostly in that place you call Dong-Nan Fang, but traveling elsewhere from time to time. It is not my people's way to interfere."

"Did your people evolve before mine?"

"Yes, but more than this I may not speak of, Your Majesty – not now. A dangerous predator is nearly finished with his trap. He waits only a few more yen-ars before he springs it; he is patient that way for his current flesh is still quite young. Beware the beinor that is coming. Prepare as best you might. You, Your Majesty, cannot escape that trap and must suffer terrible agonies before the trap can be broken. Yet there is one who may elude the predator – if you prepare the way for her," alluded Morlong.

"My daughter, Anyu. She is only two beinors old!" deduced Constance.

"Yet in her is the hope of your people, a chance to resist without futility when all seems lost and impossible. Use each beinor of remaining freedom wisely, Your Majesty, to secure her escape from this world. If I can, I shall help – not as perhaps you would wish, but help it will be. Look for me when you find me. Speak of my existence to no one. For only unseen can I help you secure your best chance for breaking the trap," implied Morlong.

"I understand, my lord. Yet I fear it is impossible to do as you suggest. No Beinarian has left our planet in generations. We have improved communications, yes, but not our capacity to physically leave our planet. How then can Anyu leave Beinan without a star craft to carry her?"

"When she needs it, it shall be ready," smiled Morlong, disappearing in the shadows like smoke.

Three beinors later, Queen Constance returned to the work of governing her people, resuming court, but mostly working from her private office. Her delivery weakened her, yet in light of the audience with Morlong, a new urgency filled her that trumped her physical pains and weakness. The door chimed. "Come!" answered Constance.

A young lady knight bowed and entered, the Gurun heraldry sparkling on the golden scabbard housing her schlagers sword, "You asked for me, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Lady Knight Aldris. Please have a seat," beckoned the queen.

Nervously Lady Knight Aldris sat down at the queen's conference table, "How may I serve Your Majesty?"

"You have a reputation for discretion, diplomacy, and tact, do you not?"

"Yes; I am not quite as proficient as some of the knights of Gurun with the full range of heritage and modern weapons, but they say I temper my skills better than others with sound judgment...if that is what you are asking of me?" asked Aldris nervously.

"Yours are skills I need most. I need you to teach my son and elder daughter how to protect themselves."

"Against what, Your Majesty?"

"Against a threat to their lives, should it come. Prince Caranden is the most logical target of the terrorists who so far have managed to kill all of my relatives save the one who most deserves to die; they've even killed my consort, Prince Kian. Yes, I know he's dead, even that those closest to me withheld that information in hopes of protecting my health. For this, on some level, they are to be commended." Constance paced nervously, "I and my children are all in danger. Someone clearly wants to end this dynasty – without going through the proper channels with the Great Council.

"Lady Knight Aldris, please! Maybe there is no way to fend off the violence I am certain will come. But maybe there is. Resistance against what feels inevitable cannot be futile. We need a fighting chance. I am asking you to improve our odds of survival so that if we die, it is not helplessly. Yours are the greater skill to teach my children. Will you do so, secretly and without formal praise?"

"O-o-of course, Your Majesty. I am deeply honoured by this duty," accepted Lady Aldris.

"Speak of it to no one – not even my lord knight protector. The fewer who know, the greater our chance at survival. When Princess Anyu is old enough to begin training, I want you to see to it that she can protect herself – with and without weapons," commanded the queen.

"As you will, so mote it be," bowed Aldris.

"One more thing before you go."

"Name it."

"Send for all of my late husband's research from his office at Xing Jishi in Olos-Mir, everything, including the Liltaél. Do not allow my servants to park the Liltaél in the docking port. I have better place for it."

"All shall be done, my queen!"

"Thank you, Lady Aldris."
Chapter Eleven: Foreboding Dreams

"Merry natal beinor, Anyu!" applauded Queen Constance over the specially arranged slatkos prepared for her natal beinor celebration. Now thirty beinors old, Princess Anyu had grown into a willow-like maiden with auburn blond hair filled with black lowlights that she wore in two long neat braids down her back. Her bliaut was made of blue-lavender konyn wool, finely woven and worn over a pale saffron linen kirtle that complimented the princess well. At her party were gathered mostly old friends: Lady Abbess Althea, Lord Elendir and his wife, Lady Priestess Aisling, Lord Knight Corann, older brother Prince Caranden, older sister Princess Leonora, Lady Knight Aldris, and Lady Healer Darah. Hidden among the guarding knights of Gurun watched Morlong discretely and unnoticed by even the knights standing 2.12 zhang 张 from him.

Princess Anyu looked at her mother for approval before putting a kelan-filled slatko on her plate, and then sat down. Lord Knight Corann sat next to her protectively, "What are you thinking, Anyu?"

"I wish my father were here. I never knew him, you know."

"Yes, I know. I was one of the knights who investigated his death."

"Why did he die, Corann?"

"We don't know exactly. For some reason, the security recordings covering the assembly hall were all erased."

"But who could do that? I thought nothing could erase those recordings."

"It is not impossible, but very difficult. Whoever erased them had a very high security clearance that is for certain."

"Does someone want me dead, Corann?"

Corann's gaze shifted from the princess to his father nervously. Lord Knight Elendir sat down on the other side of the princess, "Why think of death on your natal beinor, Princess Anyu?"

"I do not believe for a moment that a proper princess learns how to handle swords, bows, and plasma rifles. Violence is to be abhorred in a civilized society," proclaimed the princess confidently.

Elendir lowered his voice so that only the princess and his son could hear him, "These are not civilized yen-ars, my lady. You, your brother, and your sister are all the family your mother has left. I do not blame her for feeling cautious."

"I don't want to play with swords or learn how to fight hand-to-hand. I want to study. They say my father was great engineer who knew about the stars and galaxies, about the mysteries that wait out there. I want to go to Olos-Mir and see the stars for myself – without computerized graphics simulating what the sky looks like above the upper atmosphere. I want to see stars with my own eyes!"

"There may come a beinor, Your Highness, when all you see are stars in a black sky, when you yearn to see the upper clouds and storms raging above you and miss the feel of the rain on your face," remarked Corann.

"Is there life out there? Are there people like us somewhere else in the universe?"

"We think so. But it has been generations since anyone ventured out there to find out," commented Elendir.

"I want to leave Beinan! I want to go out there and talk to those who are different than us but the same. I want to know everything about physics and astronomy and how things work. What good is my life if I am in a cage?" cried the princess, tears falling from her face.

Her brother, Prince Caranden noticed the tears and came up to her, sweeping her into a protective embrace, "What's wrong, Anyu?" Anyu wept harder. "Hey – hey – it's okay. The world is not coming to an end."

"Yes, it is! I'll never get to leave Beinan. I'll be stuck here forever, tending to duties that make no sense and never allowed to study science!" wept Anyu.

"Maybe your presents will cheer you? I heard from mother you have some good ones," suggested Prince Caranden. "Come; let's open one of your gifts."

"Before the dancing?" asked Anyu, puzzled.

"You will dance better when you feel merry again," reminded Caranden, waving at their sister Leonora to come over to them, "Come, Leonora, let's go find Anyu the best natal beinor gift on the table."

Leonora, now thirty-eight yen-ars old with a face remarkably similar to her father's, met Queen Constance's gaze. With a nod from the queen, Leonora located a shallow blue-silver wrapped box eight cun 寸 wide and six cun 寸 long. Picking it up, she handed it to Anyu, "This one looks promising Anyu. Open this one first."

Smiling for the first time since her friends and family sang to her, Anyu carefully unwrapped the gift, making great pains to not tear the paper. Inside was what appeared to be a jewellery box. Opening it slowly, Anyu could not believe her eyes. There, in front of her, was a necklace, its pendant 1.73 cun 寸 wide in the shape of the Xing-li heraldry. The large blue faceted gem appeared to be a fine Beinarian sapphire of unusually large size, cut, and clarity emulating a twinkling star. Around the edges of the sapphire, Beinarian silver bezeled the "sapphire" in place, circled by Beinarian diamonds each diamond 1.75 carats as measured by Earth humans. Around this pendant circled an intricate necklace 1.2 cun 寸 wide made of what appeared to be Beinarian sapphires, diamonds, and rubies. Just above the pendant and midway down on the left and right sides the gems formed the pattern of the house Gurun heraldry. It was truly a gift fit for a queen – or a future queen. Anyu gasped at the gift, unable to stop studying its mosaic of gems. Queen Constance came up to her with a smile, lifting up the necklace and opening it up. Anyu turned her back to her mother to make it easier for her to fasten it around her neck. Once the queen finished, she turned Anyu around and kissed her forehead affectionately, "Now you look like a queen!"

"You asked to see me, Your Majesty?" asked Anyu, peering her head into her mother's office.

Seated next to the queen was keen-eyed, astute-looking woman two hundred fifteen yen-ars old, a bracelet shaped in the heraldry of Xing-li on her wrist. Queen Constance smiled as she watched Anyu study the woman beside her, "Anyu, may I introduce you to my cousin once removed, Lady Engineer Silmira. Her mother was one of Lord Prince Torr's younger sisters."

"Making you my cousin twice removed," remarked Anyu.

Lady Silmira smiled with her eyes at the young princess, "Correct. Very good, Princess Anyu."

Anyu bowed politely, "Pleased to make your acquaintance. Is there is purpose behind this meeting?"

Lady Silmira cocked her head gently, "I am to be your new tutor, Princess Anyu. Together we shall explore physics, astronomy, and astro-engineering. I will demand much from you and not tolerate laziness on your part when it comes to accuracy, of course."

"O-of course. Why would you? Science requires precision, especially when applied to something like designing a critical piece of equipment for star craft or for survival on alien worlds whose atmospheres and chemistries are likely to be very different from ours."

Queen Constance looked at Anyu thoughtfully, "What do you think, Cousin?"

"I think she will do just fine, better than either of her siblings if I am any judge of aptitude or interest. She wants to learn, to walk in her father's footsteps more than in yours," assessed Silmira.

"Time will tell on that one," augured Constance.

"When can we start, Lady Silmira?" queried the princess.

"Next beinor, shir-or 8.25 in your office," replied Silmira.

"Thank you! Thank you, Mother. This is everything I ever hoped for!" pranced Anyu.

"Study hard, Anyu. I expect to hear all about your lessons at dinner next beinor."

Princess Anyu studied hard indeed, harder than any thirty yen-ar old adolescent in house Gurun. Four shir-ors per day she pursued science and engineering studies, demonstrating Lord Engineer Kian's talent for applied physics. Four shir-ors per day she trained her body, often sparring with her siblings in three-person practice duels intended to hone their ability to handle multiple opponents at once. When the weather was fair, the royal siblings target practiced with heritage bows, throwing axes and knives, laser bows and crossbows, and with plasma rifles. Every tenth beinor, the princesses and princes were excused from these rigors in favour of learning finer, more courtly skills like music, dancing, and etiquette. The ever studious Anyu found dancing to be particularly relaxing, an applied form of mathematics that was graceful and precise and better suited to her increasing appreciation for gowns and dresses that were part of her maturity into a woman.

One in every thirty beinors, the royal family was allowed to pursue their own interests and leisure restfully. As Anyu's appreciation for art, dancing, and fashion, she found herself sitting with the royal embroiderers and learning how to make and embellish her own gowns to suit her personal, exploring taste.

In all these studies, the worries she held before melted out of her mind – except on her thirty-first, then thirty-second natal beinors when her heart darkened once more with foreboding. Something terrible was coming, she sensed. But what? She was no priestess of Miyoo, despite her descent from High Priestess Wehe and High Priestess Anlei. So why these strange dreams of foreboding danger? At night, dreams of terror filtered through her mind. She heard voices in the seemingly random images, voices paired with faces she had never seen, whispers from an unknown time and place. In every dream, she saw the face of a man which seemed like two faces merged – one from a past she could not recall and another – was he still alive? Where had she seen that face?

At shir-or 1.6 on beinor 160, Princess Anyu woke abruptly, screaming but with her voice unheard except to her. Panting, she looked around. There was no one there. Rising from her curtained bed, she picked up her robe and drew it through first one arm, then the next modestly. In her head, a torrent of sounds thundered, sounds not perceptible by her ears. Startled and frightened, she pulled out the schlager sword she kept under her bed and drew it out of the scabbard, her eyes searching first her bedroom, then the rest of her apartment for intruders. A shadow moved. Anyu cut at it with her sword. In her private garden, a bird flew up higher into a nara tree. Anyu opened the French doors into the garden and stepped onto the carefully laid stone path in front of her. A konyn jumped in front of her innocently, its long erect ears twitching innocently as it hopped along, swishing its squirrel-like tail. Anyu exhaled; concerned she frightened the innocent animal. Were these sounds just her imagination?

Still disoriented and frightened, Princess Anyu wandered outside of her apartments and down corridors she did not know existed before, losing all track of time. At length she found herself in front of a door which opened from her approach, programmed by some unknown force or person to do so when she neared it. The voices in her mind grew stronger. Finally, her eyes gazed upon a star craft, something she had never seen before. Despite her confusion, her natural scientific curiosity guided her closer. Her hand touched upon the edge of its hatch. The hatch opened unexpectedly, lowering the entry ramp. Uncertain why, Princess Anyu put first one foot, then the other onto the ramp and stepped up, navigating the incline as if she intended to do so. She stuck her head into the craft. The computer responded, "Welcome to the Liltaél, Princess Anyu!"

Anyu's heartbeat quickened her sword still in her hand, "W-wh-who are you?"

"I am the star craft Liltaél, designed and built by Lord Engineer Kian of house Xing-li," asked the artificial intelligence inside the craft, its voice in emulation of Lord Kian.

"Prince Kian, my father?" stammered Anyu.

"Confirmed!" replied the computer.

Just then a head stuck out from the aft section. Lord Morlong gazed at the princess with half amusement and half irritation, "You should not be here, Princess – not yet. It is not time."

"Who are you?" she asked, still bewildered and confused from the ceaseless voices in her mind.

"No one important, my lady; just a humble servant of your mother's. You were not intended to discover the Liltaél. It is a secret deeper than you can possibly imagine, even with your aptitude for science, my lady. You must forget you came here," instructed Morlong.

"I-I-I don't understand."

"You will – when it is time."

"I – hear sounds! They drew me to this place," confessed Anyu.

"You are the legacy of your foremothers and your forefathers. Great is your heritage, Princess Anyu, yet across many generations, you are the first to begin to actualize it. Long ago, your forefather, King Ejen, married one of the greatest of all Beinarian high priestesses. Through her granddaughter, High Priestess Anlei did the fullness of her power pass – but to none of your forefathers or foremothers since. Until now, this night. This shir-or came your inheritance," explained Morlong.

"What inheritance? What are you talking about?"

"The voices you hear. This is not insanity, Your Highness. It is a gift, the gift to know the minds and hearts of others, to feel what they feel and know what they know. Trained are you now in how to protect yourself, and with good cause which you shall discover in time. In the morning, you must begin different training while practicing those skills of sword, bow, and laser rifle on your own. You must learn to control your gift or be controlled by others through it. For reasons you will in time understand, you must not allow this. Now go, Your Highness, and forget we ever spoke. The time is not yet!" explained Morlong secretly. With a wave of his hand, the doors opened once more. Anyu stumbled out of the secret room. Morlong closed the doors tightly with another wave of his hand.

"How did you sleep, Your Highness?" asked RM7 as Anyu stumbled into the royal family dining room.

"Not well, RM7," yawned Anyu, trying to sit down next to her sister Leonora.

Leonora looked at her with concern, "You look unwell, sister."

Princess Anyu reached for a nara berry slatko near her and took a bite, its flavour like a subtle blend of cherry and almond, "I will be fine – but with Your Majesty's permission – is there a mind healer or a priestess I may talk to? I had odd dreams during the night."

"What sort of dreams, Anyu?" asked Queen Constance, concerned.

"With respect, I prefer not to say, if that is acceptable. I do not wish to embarrass myself or you, Your Majesty, nor permit any word or deed on my part reflect ill on Your Majesty's grace," answered Anyu formally.

"Very well then. Would a retreat in Bira Hecen at the Temple of Abka Biya suit you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty – if it is not too much trouble?" hinted Anyu.

"None at all if you do not mind your brother and sister accompanying you," replied Constance.

Anyu bowed her head, "As Your Majesty wishes, so shall it be achieved."

The ancient castle and temple of Abka Biya wound itself unexpectedly through the great cliffs overlooking the Amba Mederi Ocean as if crafted by the goddesses themselves. With facades both overlooking the tide before on one side and stretching into the prosperous city on the other, it was a wonder of Beinarian engineering, a hallmark of the same technology that allowed them to cross the vast expanse of space during the Great Migration, a technology whose secrets were now lost by neglect and complacency.

Fully half of the massive temple was carved directly from the protective promontory dividing ocean from the Dong-Bei continent, a massive feat that took thirty yen-ars to complete even with the advanced equipment Beinarians salvaged from their original home world, the work done carefully, artistically, designed to endure for tens of thousands of yen-ars with minimal structural maintenance. The oldest parts of Bira Hecen retained this careful architecture and construction, despite some critics who claimed that such ancient buildings should be torn down and replaced with modern designs. Yet never did a critic or politician assault this temple, this wonder of engineering. It was a functional beauty rooted in antiquity that few could help but marvel at, a castle, a testament to what Beinarians were capable of when they put aside their petty quarrels and worked together creatively.

Facing the Amba Mederi Ocean, one spire rose up organically (the other spires on the bluff face were designed with a more castle-like, round tower exterior) from the pointed ridges of the promontory. This spire housed the temple's observatory, its roof transparent to let in and focus light onto a concave reflector in the middle of the room upon which the images of stars, planets, the moons, and the greater universe danced with ethereal beauty. A small control on the pedestal supporting the reflector enabled an astronomer or priestess to reflect the image onto another surface such as the far wall if desired. This reflector served partially as an astronomical observatory, but even more so as an altar, a chance for resident priestesses and priests to glimpse most concretely into the heart of the great mysteries.

Lady Laela studied the projected image. As the primary steward of the castle's observatory, hers was the task of maintaining this reflector and all that surrounded it. This was her sanctuary, her refuge from the rest of Beinan, her glimpse back through time and space.

As shir-or 4.0 brought the dawn, Lady Laela knelt at the altar, watching a sliver of bright white light break through the clouds and onto the mirrored surface, her metallic blue eyes briefly flashing unexpectedly from the new-born light underneath the hood of her black thread embroidered silver cloak. Lady Laela sighed. How much longer would she be needed here?

A student priestess emerged from the doorway, kneeling reverentially in the direction of the reflector, "My lady Laela, Lady Abbess Althea has arrived as expected – along with three unexpected guests requesting retreat here at the temple."

"Who?" queried Laela formally.

"Her majesty's children – all three of them!" exclaimed the student priestess, her pale green kirtle glowing with the dawn's first light.

Lady Laela rose from her meditation, "I will come, though I doubt any think my presence is required."

"Your Grace! Your Highnesses, what an unexpected pleasure to see you all arrive this beinor," acknowledged Lady Priestess Aisling from the foyer just inside the main castle entrance on the Bira Hecen side of the temple. "As you know, High Priestess Aina is on her regular progress throughout the planet, visiting temples and sanctuaries on every continent. We are not expecting her for another one hundred beinors – if that is the reason for this unusual convergence?"

Lady Abbess Althea smiled at her sister-in-law, "Not at all! Her grace is great in wisdom and power – but she is not the only priestess of Miyoo work speaking with. As for their highnesses arrival the xiao-shir I arrive, I am certain that is a coincidence."

Prince Caranden looked at Aisling and Althea formally, like the heir-apparent he was, "Our visit was not scheduled. Ergo, this is a coincidence. My siblings and I request retreat from court and palace life. We so rarely get to explore on our own; understandably her majesty cares greatly for our welfare and safety, especially in light of the circumstances surrounding our father's death."

"No one has forgotten Lord Prince Kian, Your Highness, nor of the nobility of his death. After all these yen-ars, his loss is still felt," reciprocated Lady Priestess Aisling. "You are, of course, welcome here to stay as long as each of you should wish."

Princess Leonora curtsied respectfully, "Thank you, Lady Priestess Aisling."

Aisling motioned to one of the student priestesses waiting nearby. The student came up to Aisling with a bow. "Please take their highnesses to guest chambers. Do not announce their arrival to others in the castle. If any should note their presence while they are here, so be it, but do not call attention to it either," instructed Aisling.

"Yes, milady," acknowledged the student priestess. Taking a few steps towards the door that divided the foyer from the rest of the castle, she motioned, "Please follow me."

Princess Anyu gazed outside of the window in the guest room provided for her on the built in bench emerging from the wall designed for that purpose. Beneath her the tide crashed against the steep cliff face below with lavender foam, sending sprays of ocean water high up into the air, sometimes misting into Anyu's open window. Further out, the ocean roared, interrupted only slightly by the island of Ben-Ar, a small spec of land with the unaided eye when viewed from these castle windows. Here, among the crash waves and surf, she could finally feel some peace. Alone, she felt the pain inside her head ebb with a measure of relief. Was this the cure for the crushing torrent that tormented her in her sleep and now whenever she was in the presence of others?

A knock sounded at the door. Somewhat surprised, Anyu called, "Come in!"

Lady Laela emerged, the hood of her cloak concealing her face, "How do you like the view, Your Highness?"

"It is soothing, far more so than anywhere in the palace – even my own garden. Perhaps it is the roar of the Amba Mederi?"

"What troubles bring you here for sanctuary, my lady?"

Princess Anyu looked down. Why would a stranger wish to know? "Dreams," she remarked vaguely.

"Dreams can be powerful, especially for a descendent of High Priestess Wehe. May I ask you, how old are you?"

"Thirty-two yen-ars. Why do you ask?"

"Every sentient being is different, of course, but among house Miyoo, which is certainly part of your heritage, the nature of dreams often change between the ages of thirty and thirty-five. This is the time when the body and mind are mature enough to handle the burdens that are the great gifts of house Miyoo; all Beinarians possess these same gifts, of course, but persistently to a lesser degree and with less control than house Miyoo."

"What are you talking about my lady?"

"You may call me Lady Laela. I am steward of this castle temple's observatory," explained Laela.

"You veil your face beneath your cloak – why?

"I spend much of my time in solitude, watching the stars. This cloak makes it easier for me, protecting me from eyes that would find me – odd."

"I do not understand."

"You will – when you are ready." Lady Laela turned, her cloak sweeping into an elegant circle as she twirled contemplatively, "Many are the gifts of house Miyoo, especially of the line of Anlei, daughter of Queen Isabelle. Few in her line have the presence of mind and heart to recognize those gifts. Awakened recently yours have."

"W-wh-what gifts? I still do not understand."

"Your dreams, the voices you hear that seem unconnected to reality. These are the beginning for you. Before, your mind lived in darkness. Now you are illuminated by the ability to see into the hearts of others, to know what they feel and intend. All sentient beings have some of this instinct, but rarely for most does it become conscious – as it now has for you. Now, instead of washing others' minds into your unconscious mind, you hear them, feel them, perceive them as if their thoughts and feelings were spoken aloud. This feels overwhelming and frightening, Your Highness, at least at first, like when a deaf person first receives help hearing; the new sounds and sensations feel as if they will drown you. At thirty-two, your mind can handle it; it is far more difficult for those who are born with the sounds of others' minds already in their heads; I should know," confessed Laela.

"You were born hearing minds?"

The fabric of Laela's cloak shifted as she nodded affirmatively, "Yes; can it be no wonder I often seek solitude? There are other people I know who were also born this way. They too tend to shun the company of people, at least partially. It is a hard thing to be in a social setting when the words of those around you contradict their inner voices. Deceit is a hard thing on an empath."

"In my dreams I keep seeing two faces that seem like two people but not too people. Help me understand, please. In every dream I've had since my natal beinor I have seem those two faces; they frighten me."

"As they should. May I look deeper? Perhaps I can help you solve your riddle."

"O-of course!"

Lady Laela sat down beside her on the comfortable window bench. Removing her elbow-length gloves, pale white skin that appeared almost silver in the light emerged from beneath the cloak. Laela raised her delicate fingers to the princess's forehead and crown carefully as if afraid to wound her with her feather touch. Calming her mind, Laela lowered some of her inner shields. The images from Anyu's dreams flashed through her mind. Nodding, a hidden look of comprehension filled Laela's face, "You see the past, present, and future all at once. One soul in three different times, a soul of darkness, malice, and hate. Your mother the queen, in another life, was the object of hatred for this soul."

"Who was my mother in that life and who am I seeing?"

"I do not know the name he bears right now, but long ago he bore the name of Janus, son of Cariadoc."

"Why does that name feel familiar to me?" puzzled Anyu.

"Because, my lady, you knew him by that name."

"I knew this Janus?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"When you are ready to know, you will. Trust your instincts and listen to yourself. When you are quiet in your mind and heart, able to sit and think without the distractions of everything and everyone around you, then you shall find the answers you seek – and the control you need. All the answers you feel you need to be taught are already there, deep inside you. When you are calm, quiet, and truly ready, you will find them," instructed Laela, rising and restoring her gloves to her hands and arms in preparation for departure.

"Did you, Lady Laela?"

Laela smiled at the young woman's insight, "Yes, when I was much older than you are now." Laela glided out of the room, leaving the princess to think.

"Good morning, Lady Knight Aldris," greeted Princess Anyu as she entered the palace practice chamber, her schlager sword resting comfortably in its scabbard belted at her waist. Perhaps inspired by her talk with Lady Laela, Princess Anyu wore a black kirtle with silver embroidery along the neckline, sleeve hems, and skirt hem. Outlines of Xing-lian heraldic stars twinkled in silver thread in a pleasing distribution across the skirt with a larger such embroidered star sparkling just under the curves of her breast. A V-shaped ruching framed the star, giving drama and elegance to her gown.

Lady Aldris bowed politely, "Good morning, Your Highness. Care for some practice – or are you done with such things?"

"I am the granddaughter of one of the finest swordsmen in all of Beinan; why shouldn't we spar a bit this morning? I just wish grandfather could see."

"He would be proud of you, I think, Your Highness. I knew him a little while he was king. He was ever diligent in maintaining his skills and was never above practicing with squires of Gurun – female or male."

"That is good to know, Lady Aldris. Thank you," saluted Anyu with her schlager as she walked to the center of the practice chamber.

Lady Knight Aldris drew her own sword and joined her, saluting in return. Without a word, Aldris and Anyu circled. Aldris lunged. Anyu parried-riposted casually. Aldris disengaged in a feint, and then lunged her attack. Anyu deflected the blow easily. The pace quickened between their exchanges of attacks, parries, and parry-riposts. Quicker and quicker, their pace accelerated, a look of glee flashing in Anyu's eyes as she held her own against her mentor's skilled schlager attacks. A dance developed mirroring a real duel more than the practice sessions both were accustomed to as the duel spread across the practice chamber, then spilled out onto the empty nearby firing range. For a full shir-or they battled playfully, their skirts concealing their movements and flowing gracefully through each exchange. Finally Anyu gained the upper hand, scoring a touch past Aldris' well-guarded defences – right to her heart, a lethal blow had it not been done out of play and following practice protocols.

Lady Knight Aldris bowed, "Well done! You have your grandfather's skill at last. Now you are ready to take on the dangers that follow your family."

"Was that the point of all this training over these yen-ars? To prepare me for a beinor when my life might hang in the balance?" asked Anyu with bewilderment.

"Yes, Your Highness. Your father perished the same beinor of your birth. Across your entire life her majesty the queen has desired you avoid his fate. Now I may report to her that you are truly ready. You have exceeded your mistress with a blade. You are ready to take on the real world," affirmed Lady Knight Aldris.

"You asked to see me, Lady Silmira?" inquired Princess Anyu as she entered her tutor's office in a professional building 0.23 li 里 from the palace, its décor modest compared to the opulence of the palace, yet fitfully so with a timeless elegance the princess appreciated.

Lady Silmira smiled at the princess, "Yes! Please, have seat." Princess Anyu sat down at the seat across from her tutor's desk. Silmira continued, "I wanted to give you the results of your final examination from three beinors ago. I have graded your work and checked your experiments."

Princess Anyu looked at her tutor nervously, "And..."

"Your father could not have done better himself. If you should wish, house Xing-li is prepared to offer you your father's former job upon ascent of your brother to the throne. We hope that shall be for many yen-ars. If you should desire to begin this work earlier, I am willing to speak to her majesty on your behalf and request placement for you among the engineers of Xing-li."

"May I continue my father's research? I wish very much to travel outside of Beinan, to see the stars with my own eyes from beyond our atmosphere. Surely even the equipment at Xing Jishi cannot match the view from even just beyond our solar system," begged Anyu.

"Right before his death, your father was banned from working on interstellar exploration projects, yet I do see your passion for this. You are your father's daughter, certainly. Perhaps a compromise: you may research what you like as long as you do so from research facilities at the palace itself, away from the critical eyes of Lord Engineer Ian. I do not mind your passion; if anything, I consider it promising. More women and men your age should find a passion from within science and engineering. Lord Ian has his motives, I am certain. He is the leader of our house. But I do think he is right in this. We are stronger as a society when our best and brightest are encouraged to advance our skills, our knowledge, the threshold of what is possible. Science must not be about politics, Your Highness, nor should it ever be about religion. It is the pursuit of understanding and a humble appreciation for the beauty that is our universe," admonished Silmira.

"Unless the Great Council should amend the old law that prevents daughters from being queens after their mother, I see no reason not to pursue my passion with you and the rest of house Xing-li. As the law stands, I cannot become queen. Therefore should I not pursue the profession of my own choosing?" queried Anyu.

"Yes, Princess Engineer Anyu," grinned Silmira, rising to embrace her protégé. "Welcome to the best engineers on Beinan!"

"Surprise!" yelled Queen Constance, Prince Caranden, Princess Leonora, Lord Knight Elendir, Lady Priestess Aisling, Lord Knight Corann, and twenty other invited guests.

Princess Anyu glowed with delight at the unexpected party for her thirty-fourth natal beinor. Held in the formal state ballroom , a space much too large for such a small gathering, the space was divided with Beinarian mathematical precision between buffet tables filled with Anyu's favourite foods and desserts, beverage tables, social spaces, and the ballroom floor where twelve musicians readied themselves for the coming dancing. Watching from the edge of the gathering unnoticed paced Lady Laela and Lord Morlong, their hooded cloaks making them almost completely invisible, despite the bright lights around them. The sun was setting; Biya Gaelach rose above the horizon in waxing gibbous phase, big, bright and beautiful, despite being at apogee. It was going to be a pretty night.

Princess Leonora hugged her glowing sister, "Meet natal beinor, Anyu."

Anyu relished in her sister's embrace. An image flashed in Anyu's mind at the touch – pain... terror... someone doing something terrible to her. The face of her sister's assailant hovered across Anyu's open eyes and open mind, the same face she saw countless times in her dreams. What did Lady Laela say about that? This face was of the face in this life of the soul she knew long ago as the other face? What was the name of that other life? Janus, perhaps? Yes – but what did Janus have to do with her sister?

Leonora looked at her sister with concern, "What is it?"

"I don't know how to explain. Just a feeling."

"Well, whatever it is, it will wait, at least until after dessert and dancing," reassured Leonora.

"Yes, of course you are right. I should enjoy my own party," Anyu picked up a nara berry slatko and a glass of nara mead, took a deep breath, and focused on her food. As the party continued, she opened her gifts, including a small box she found rather curious. Inside was what appeared to be a pendant made up of five Beinarian sapphires in the shape of a Xing-li star – not too unlike in appearance to the pendant that terminated the grand necklace given to her on her thirtieth natal beinor. Flipping the pendant over, Anyu noticed something unusual about the back of this pendant. Playing with it for a xiao-shir, she observed that the back plate was not a simple back plate, but consisted of the main back plate and a largely hidden second back plate. Experimenting like the engineer she was now, she found the two plates seemed magnetically attracted to one another. Curious, she tried putting on the pendant as a broach on her turquoise blue bliaut. The "pendant" held securely to her gown, its bail blending in with the bezel so that it did not look like a bail at all once secured. She smiled at the gift. This was lovely. This was something to cherish.

0.678 shir-ors passed. With dinner finished, Prince Caranden bowed to Anyu, "May I have this dance, Lady Engineer Anyu?"

"Of course, my lord," bowed Anyu, smiling at the reference and taking her brother's arm and walking to the front of the columns of lords and ladies gathering to dance a Beinarian pavane.

Lord Knight Corann bowed to Queen Constance, "Your Majesty, may I have the pleasure?"

"You may," echoed the queen.

As she took his arm to walk with him Corann whispered into her ear, "When may I return to your majesty's bed again? It is has been one hundred ten beinors since you last sent for me. Is there another who has supplanted me?"

"No, why would you think that?"

"Then why am I banished from you?"

"You are not banished!"

"But I am presently neither your husband nor your lover. What have I done to displease you?" entreated Corann.

Queen Constance stopped, "I... it's not you."

"Why are we not married, Your Majesty? With all respect, your husband perished thirty-four yen-ars ago. The time for grief is over; your own parents did not wait even one hundred beinors before they wed following Princess Lidmila's murder-suicide! Do you love me less than your own parents loved each other?"

A tear fell from the queen's eyes at the admonishment, "I love you. Please believe, sweetheart, that my actions come not from a lack of love; rather it is exactly because I love you more than life that I must not –"

Corann met her eyes, "What do you know?"

Constance gasped, foresight filling her mind with terror, "Too much!" Not wanting to distress her further, Corann kissed her tenderly, and then led her to the columns to dance right next to Corann's parents who seemed oblivious to the contents of Corann and Constance's conversation. That night, after two full shir-ors of dancing and merriment, Constance called Corann to her bed, letting herself enjoy his love and tenderness – yet speaking nothing of what she knew would come only soon enough.

The next morning, Princess Anyu sat down in her lab, haphazardly placing her resplendent necklace from her thirtieth beinor on her desk next to some scanning and magnification equipment. Her Majesty expected her at court in a shir-or, but she wanted to get some work done first. The scanner beeped unexpectedly. Anyu turned and looked at the readout, her grey eyes widening, "What? What the heck is going on?" Anyu keyed a sequence into her computer, running a detailed analysis. More data flowed, elaborating on the preliminary scan taken accidentally. Disbelief filled Anyu's face. Half angrily, Anyu prepared to storm out and confront her mother before the start of court.

Just as she opened the door between her lab and the corridor beyond, she found Morlong blocking her way, "You must not do that, Lady Engineer Anyu. If you do, you will undo thirty-four yen-ars of careful preparation by countless individuals."

"What are you talking about?" barked Anyu.

Morlong motioned at the necklace in Anyu's hand, "Do you think that was an accident? Do you not recognize the careful planning needed by countless servants of your mother to design it and give that to you when the beinor grew late? You hold in your hands your own salvation, one masked carefully for your own safety. You were meant to discover its function in time. But if you confront and expose its purpose to others, things that are not yet meant to be shall be unleashed before the rest of us are ready."

"What are you talking about?"

"The fall of the Gurun dynasty Your Highness. Or have you not noticed the careful work done to obscure your identity as the queen's daughter? Many now call you 'lady engineer' and not 'princess.' This is by design, not just to foster the skills you need to survive out there, but to facilitate your escape. For any child of the queen is a natural target for those who would usurp the throne. As princess, your life is forfeit. But an engineer of house Xing-li is no one worth killing – at least not explicitly," alluded Morlong.

"Is my life in danger?"

"Only as a princess of Beinan; as a simple scientist in service to her majesty? No."

"You know how and why my father died, don't you?"

"I know how and why the prince consort died, yes," circumvented Morlong. "He confronted the enemy of your house openly and for that perished before, I think, this enemy originally designed it. Walk not in Prince Kian's footsteps in this, Your Highness. Your life is precious. Please, do not throw it recklessly into your enemy's blade."

The second image from Anyu's dreamed flashed into her mind. Was that one the enemy Morlong alluded to?

Another, deeper feeling sank into Anyu's heart. In her mind she felt a flood of images. Of Our Lady Healing Center in Bira Hecen looking very different than the current structure. Of two young children, one a tiny infant girl. A song played in her head. Without realizing it, Anyu sang a bit of it aloud, not knowing where it came from and having never heard the tune before, "Love for the beauty of the soul. I shall love you always. When the flower of life has gone, ever I shall find you...."

Morlong smiled, "Hello, Princess Anlei. Or shall I call you Lady Healer Keelia or perhaps Lady Mind-Healer Fëawen?"

"Those were all my names, weren't they? I am the reincarnation of all of them."

"Yes, Your Highness. The faces you see in your dreams are of Janus, your assailant long ago – and his current incarnation, a man named Lord Yelu, also called Yelu the Bastard, he who murdered Lord Engineer Kian of house Xing-li."

Princess Anyu gasped, trembling, and sliding to the floor. Tears filled her eyes, terror in her heart, "Janus means to take his revenge!"

"Yes, soon he will strike his coup d'état. You must not be here when he does, Your Highness. He wants you more than any other. If he should perceive who you are now while you are within his grasp, there will be no end to his reign of terror, to his 'great revolution,'" warned Morlong.

"Does my mother know?"

"Yes; I warned her long ago, mere shir-ors after your birth, actually."

"How have you known?"

"That, Your Highness, I must keep for myself. I am only supposed to observe, not interfere. Already I have done too much, but I feel mercy towards you and your house. It is hard to watch so much death and pain; the benevolent impulse is to try to help in some way. So I have, though I will pay for it in time. That time is not yet. More pressing is the preservation of your life – and through you, hope."

Anyu rose to her feet, mindful of the time, "I must go; I am called to court."

"I will see you again, perhaps one last time, before the end. Look for me when you least expect to find me."

"Her Most Royal of Majesties, Constance, Queen of Beinan summons to her court Lady Engineer Anyu!" cried the herald. Queen Constance sat on her throne adorned in a crimson bliaut worn over a kirtle of silver-grey. Though she did not always choose to wear her royal coronet, this shir-or she chose to remind those gathered in court that she was still queen of Beinan by wearing it proudly.

As the herald's words echoed through the cavernous throne room, Princess Anyu respectfully approached the royal throne, kneeling at feet of the queen upon her raised dais as if she were just another member of house Xing-li and not the daughter of a reigning queen, "I hear your call and I obey, Your Majesty. What service may I do for you?"

"For one yen-ar and eighteen beinors you have served me as the resident engineer of Xing-li, researching and innovating according to my commands," declared Queen Constance.

Anyu lowered her head and her eyes humbly, "I live to serve Your Majesty. As you ask of me, so shall I accomplish, though it take me all the yen-ars of my life."

"This is well done of you, Lady Engineer Anyu. Now I have a command for you."

"Name it, My Liege!"

"I wish for you to test the star craft designed by my late husband, Lord Engineer Kian. For the next three yen-ars you must leave my presence, risking your life as you explore that which is beyond this world."

Anyu trembled and almost fainted. For most of her life she begged and wailed, complained almost ceaselessly that she had never left the boundaries of the Beinarian atmosphere, never ventured even to the edge of their solar system. Now her own mother was commanding her leave Beinan? But why? Was this some plan of hers? An excuse for her to leave planet as an explorer, and not as a refugee? Out of breath, Anyu tried to raise her voice, "As you command, so shall it be. Willingly shall I lay down my life to see that which is beyond Beinan in the interests of science and understanding. Should I return, I beg Your Majesty receive me well and with kindness."

Queen Constance rose, stepping down from her throne. Anyu trembled before her, grovelling. Constance physically raised Anyu to her feet and kissed her forehead, embracing her like the mother she was, a mother sending her daughter away, not knowing if she would ever see her again. In the shadows, a courtier moved, noting the apparent affection displayed by the queen.

With a long practiced control and resolve, Queen Constance the Kind held back her tears, looking into the eyes of her daughter. Anyu knew her mother enough to know just how difficult it was right now to not publically weep. Finally, Queen Constance acknowledged her youngest daughter with her eyes, "Should you return, Lady Engineer, I know you will see a different Beinan than when you left it. Yours is the heart of a scientist, bred and cultivated in you by tens of thousands of yen-ars of achievements by your Xing-lian ancestors. Draw upon that heritage in your journey. It may be that which decides whether you are able to return – or whether you perish, unknown for who you are by beings who are not like us.

"Go with my love, and the love of all of Beinan. If the goddesses mean it to be, we shall perhaps see each other again," proclaimed the queen. "Success to you!"

"Success!" echoed the court with applause.

Noticing the sudden attention on her, Anyu bowed to her mother the queen for the last time in the Beinarian Era. With the humility of her presumed identity as a humble lady engineer, Anyu disappeared into the throngs around her, staying longer than she knew her mother wished.

As the crowds resume their normal hubbub, the hidden courtier emerged from the shadows, drawing Anyu's eyes. Who was that man? Why did he seem to look a bit like the queen? Was he house Gurun? The figure drew closer to the queen, close enough that two of her knights emerged from their hidden places to take a defensive position close to her. The man ignored them, standing now where Anyu had kneeled and making eye contact with Queen Constance confidently, "You speak well, Cousin."

Queen Constance eyed the figure critically, "Cousin? By house Xing-li, Gurun, or Cashmarie?

"Gurun, Your Majesty. I am Lixin, son of Princess Cathryn and her lover, Nasse, son of Lady Elita and Lord Eletar of house Shem. You do know who they are, do you not? My grandfather Eletar rules the Great Council, you know!"

Constance eyed her cousin, "We are a democracy, Cousin, this monarchy rules simply as executors of the laws passed by the Great Council where all noble houses are equal."

"Yes – all houses except Skeinera, Plover, and Croften who of course remain part of the underclass of our grand society. No, we cannot bother to treat them as equals, now can we? We can ennoble a prostitute from house Ana even give her a seat on the Great Council – but not a weaver nor a farmer nor those who choose to spin by hand rather than letting machines do everything," mocked Lixin.

"Why are you doing this, Lixin? You make a spectacle of us both – why? What is your agenda?"

"To prepare the way!" shouted Lixin dramatically.

"For whom?" challenged Queen Constance coolly.

"For me!" strutted Lord Yelu unexpectedly to Constance's throne with a grandstanding air. Hidden in the crowds Anyu gasped at the sight. In Lord Yelu she saw the face that tormented her for four yen-ars. Was this man the reincarnation of Janus, her old adversary? Anyu's mind raced. Not knowing what to do, Anyu disappeared out of the throne room and headed for her lab even as Lord Yelu continued his dramatic entrance, "It is so good to see you again, Constance! I see the death of your precious father at my hands has suited you well!"

Constance glared at Yelu, "So you publically admit to his murder?"

"Why not? I killed your precious Lord Kian. I killed your grandmother Queen Darla, your mother Lady Aurnia, even your aunt Cathryn, though I must confess that was her idea to avoid suspicion while getting rid of her hated rivals. Cathryn of course was my half-brother's whore! As I suspect you were Lord Kian's whore before I mercifully removed him from your life," taunted Yelu.

"I am queen of Beinan; you do not speak this way to me!" swore Constance angrily.

"You were the queen of Beinan, whore! The Great Council decides for how long. Luckily I have a measure of pull with them," slithered Yelu suggestively.

"You dare threaten me?"

"Dare? Dare? Threats are the least I will do, the least I have done, to you and all those who claim to follow you! Peers of Beinan, here me now! I am your ruler. I am in power. Resist me and die. Join me, and live," proclaimed Lord Yelu. Turning his eyes upon Queen Constance once more he added, "I have just begun with you, Lady Constance of house Gurun. Oh yes, this is but merely the opening salute to our dance!" Queen Constance glared at him. Yelu laughed mockingly, and then slowly, confidently, strode out of the throne room.

### Chapter Twelve: Janus' Long Awaited Coup

"Leonora! Leonora! He's here: the reincarnation of Janus, the one we've been worried about. He killed father. He killed grandfather! He's – he's behind everything!" stammered Anyu as she interrupted her sister's studies in her apartment.

Leonora looked at her with bewilderment, "What are you talking about, Anyu?"

"Lord Yelu! He's Janus' reincarnation. He just took responsibility for destroying the caravel Nenel where Queen Darla and grandmother Aurnia were killed! He killed King Kendric in the throne room too, I'm certain of it! I swear I overheard Lord Knight Corann say something about that once. Oh Leonora, there is no time to spare, we have to leave here. Quickly! He wants to kill us too. I know it," cried Anyu hysterically.

Leonora rose coolly, "No Anyu, you must leave. He doesn't know you are a princess. Or if he does, he hasn't shown any knowledge."

"He killed father the beinor I was born, when mother was still in labour with me. The man is shrewd and sinister – there is no way he has not done the math," asserted Anyu. "I am the right age to be the child that mother bore that beinor, even if he doesn't know my natal beinor is beinor 152 exactly. He knows, sister. He knows."

"All the more reason for you to take the Liltaél and start your journey across the stars. Mother was very public about your journey. It was well done of her to declare you an explorer on a planned mission. It does not look like you are fleeing. But you must not delay, Anyu," asserted Leonora.

"I cannot! Not without you or Caranden. What will happen to you if I go away?"

Leonora took a deep breath, "Nothing different than if you do not go away – except that Lord Yelu is likely to use you as leverage against me. It's no secret I'm protective of my little sister now is it? And as for Caranden – he is the only legal heir left to the Gurun dynasty. We've both known since even before you were born that anyone who wished to overthrow the Gurun dynasty would have to kill him."

"No!" cried Anyu. "They cannot, they must not kill him! He's innocent."

"We are all innocent, Anyu. Father was, grandfather, great-grandmother; how many generations have not been killed so that these descendants of Janus and Kaleb could carry out their revenge? Lord Knight Elendir lost both his parents to this terrorism; so much bloodshed, so many innocent lives."

"I was Elendir's mother once; two lives ago, you know," sniffed Anyu, trying to control her tears.

"And I was once Janus' sister, Lady Priestess Ecter, Lady Priestess Miriam's mother and co-founder of the Choire Ar Cerridwen. If this Yelu was Janus as you suggest, then he is likely to have an equal vendetta against me. I broke from house Shem to join house Miyoo; for a radical like Janus or Cariadoc, there are few greater insults to their pride."

"No! No! Please no!" begged Anyu. "I don't want you to die. I love you. You're my sister; I love you!"

Leonora held her weeping younger sister tightly, perhaps for the last time for all either knew, "I love you too, Anyu. I am so proud of you; you are so smart and so beautiful! It has been wonderful being your sister." Leonora broke the embrace and stared deeply into Anyu's eyes, "Now, no more tears. You must get to the Liltaél! Do not delay any longer. Leave, leave while you still can." Princess Anyu nodded, and then went to her apartment to pack.

When Anyu arrived, she found her closets empty. Looking for her jewellery she found empty drawers, including both necklaces given to her on her 30th and 34th natal beinors. Even her sword was gone. Fear crept in, panic. The door to her office was open. Cautiously she peered inside. Seated at her conference table was Lord Knight Elendir. Anyu breathed a sigh of relief, "Lord Knight, I did not expect to see you here...."

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I have: the ghost of Lord Janus. He's Lord Yelu."

Elendir nodded, "I suspected as much, Your Highness."

"Please do not call me that. I am just Lady Engineer Anyu of house Xing-li now."

"As you wish; do not worry about your belongings. I've already had them transferred to the Liltaél. You are ready to depart," informed Elendir.

Anyu stammered, "T-thank you for your unexpected help."

"I knew about your mother's plans before you did, Anyu. Her father was my best friend; I've made a point to protect her as her champion and now you out of memory and love for King Kendric. He would have wanted that."

Anyu nodded, uncertain what to say, "I don't want to go now it comes to it."

"Yes you do, Anyu. Your heart has always wanted to explore, to learn new things."

"I know. Maybe I am done with death and pain. First your father is murdered, then you lost me to this terror only to find me again when I was singing, only to lose me trying to protect Kendric."

"I know, Mother."

"You knew?"

"Yes, my wife is a priestess, after all. Granted, she normally does not sense re-incarnation very well, but the beinor you were born she had a vision about you and about the loss of Prince Kian. It is time to find yourself again; on this journey, I think you will find the peace you seek."

Princess Anyu fell into Elendir's protective arms, embracing him as mother, friend, and granddaughter of his dearest friend, "I love you."

"And I love you ... we will see each other again, Anyu. Of this I am certain," declared Elendir resolutely. "Though Beinan should fall to tyranny and hatred, I will find you again... just as you promised me, long ago!" Elendir raised his voice in song, "Love for the beauty of the soul... I shall love you always."

Anyu slowly joined him in song, "When the flower of life has gone, ever I shall find you."

Together the melody grew stronger, more resolute as they sang in unison, "When all is lost and winter comes, I shall be your spring time. And memory fades and wilts then, I shall always find you. I shall always find you ...."

Elendir smiled as she broke the embrace, "Come, let me walk you to the Liltaél."

Ready at last emotionally for her long voyage, Princess Anyu strode with Lord Knight Elendir through the secret corridors concealing the great laboratory housing Lord Engineer Kian's greatest work: the star craft Liltaél.

"Order! Order, I say," cried the bailiff in charge of security at the Great Hall of the Assembly. Inside the council chambers, the delegates screamed and shouted at one another in a cacophony never heard inside its walls.

"I will not yield," cried Lady Knight Aldris of house Gurun. "This Yelu the Bastard is clearly a cruel and vicious tyrant of a man. His only goal is to undermine the order of our society and remove by force our chosen queen, ending the longest ruling dynasty in Beinarian history."

"By what right does Gurun maintain the throne?" shouted Lady Elanda of house Ana. "The historical records are clear: the only reason why the Gurun dynasty continued past the reign of Queen Isabelle is because of the deal offered and accepted by Lord Arthur of house Xing-li granting continuation of the Gurun dynasty in exchange for his daughter being made co-sovereign. Queen Eleanor I of course abdicated in favour of motherhood like the fool she was when she was in a position to seize complete power for herself and house Xing-li – as she should have done."

"I concur," agreed Lord Ian of house Xing-li. "There was nothing truly legal about the continuation of this Gurun dynasty. It continues only through subverting the law, a subversion that we must now correct."

"How long ago did Lord Yelu buy you?" accused Lady Knight Aldris of house Gurun, eying the Xing-li leader shrewdly. "What was the bribe? Agreeing not to blow up Olos-Mir? Suspending all interstellar expeditions perhaps? Forbidding research on interstellar technologies? Yes, I know about your conversation with Lord Engineer Kian before he was murdered in this chamber. You even ordered Kian's star craft, the Liltaél, destroyed."

"You are a bold one to make accusations," mocked Lord Ian. "What makes you think I have even met this Lord Yelu?"

"Your actions in this council speak volumes, Lord Ian," declared Lady Aldris.

"A knight of Gurun, no matter how beautiful, is not qualified to comment on this matter. How can you challenge or begin the criticize your own house? Nay, I say, you, lady, are far too biased in the matter. Yours is a conflict of interest," proclaimed Lord Ian.

"Is mine?" asked Lord Narvan of house Miyoo. "I hold no special rank in house Miyoo, no ordination, nor am I trained as a healer. The only conceivable bias I can hold is shared parentage with High Priestess Aina, a sister I respect, but do not supplicate myself to. I have looked at this so-called evidence against house Gurun and against the queen and see no cause for terminating the Gurun dynasty.

"Yet I see ample evidence against this Lord Yelu. Only two beinors ago he confessed to murdering more than one member of the royal family. We all witnessed Lord Kian's murder on this floor. He is a villain filled with hate, a vengeful spirit more concerned with the distant past than the suffering these bombings he is tied to have caused. Not only with certain nobles towards whom his ancestors might have held cause to resent, but towards the greater population.

"Since my birth in BE 6667, more than two hundred eighty two public buildings and private vessels have been destroyed, killing in that time no less than 1.0468 million of our people and perhaps as many as 1.864 million citizens. These are hardly targeted attacks against a group deemed responsible for some grievance that by law is required to be settled either in this chamber or by the sovereign of Beinan. This is terror against all of Beinan. Right or wrong, this is our system of laws, flawed though it be. Nothing can justify this terror, neither in our savage past nor anything in our laws, history, or customs. This is tyranny, my friends. I for one shall not tolerate it!"

From the shadows, Lord Lixin emerged holding a plasma rifle aimed at Lord Narvan's head, "Be silent, Narvan, or join your precious Lord Kian in the so-called afterlife."

"Is this how those of reason and virtue are to be treated then, Lord Lixin? Join this Yelu the Bastard, die, or be silent?" protested Lord Narvan.

Lord Lixin sneered, "Soon there shall be no need to consider such a question, Lord Narvan of house Miyoo. This council shall be disbanded. My lord is only waiting for the right time to make it official."

Narvan met Lixin's eyes coldly, "If this be what is to come, then I ask you now for permission to resign and return to my family to spend with them whatever beinors or shir-ors we have left. May I depart, Your Highness?"

Lord Lixin laughed with delight. In all his life, no one had conceded his royal birth as the grandson of King Kendric I, "You chose your words well, Lord Narvan. In honour of this, you may go without threat to your person."

Lord Narvan bowed politely, concealing the fire in his heart, "I thank you. Good fortune to you all. I take my leave."

"Aina, you must prepare to evacuate the temples in Bira Hecen!" cried Narvan hastily as he entered the temple of Abka Biya in Bira Hecen.

"I don't understand," raced High Priestess Aina, trying to keep pace with her brother's brisk trek through the castle.

"Lord Yelu is taking over the planet – openly. I narrowly avoided assassination on the assembly chamber floor."

"But you are politically neutral; your nearest political bias is sharing the same mother as I have and being my brother," protested Aina, desperately trying to keep pace with her brother.

"Exactly. But being house Miyoo I still have the instincts and intuition of our house. Aina, I think Lord Lixin and Lord Yelu want to make an example of us, to quiet opposition so that people will be too afraid to act against them. Can you think of a better way than to destroy the hearts of each of the houses most likely to resist them?"

"No; I cannot. If I were them, that is exactly how I would solidify such power," acknowledged High Priestess Aina, the full realization of her brother's words striking at her heart.

"We cannot evacuate in any manner that would be noticed. We have to hide this – but how?" declared Narvan.

"There is one among us who may have some ideas; the steward of this castle's observatory, Lady Laela. She's a mysterious figure who keeps to herself. But – "

"Let's find her," affirmed Lord Narvan.

"My lady, it is time," declared Lord Morlong aboard the star craft Liltaél.

Princess Anyu sat down in the pilot's seat, pressing buttons and flipping switches. Prince Kian's star drive engine hummed to life. Anyu looked at Morlong nervously, "I cannot thank you enough for your help. No doubt your aid has come in forms I will never know, a debt I cannot repay."

"Repay me by launching before your launch looks like an evacuation. Once you leave our solar system, there are several recordings, I bade you view. In four beinors the Liltaél will be in the correct position to set your real course. Until then, follow the programmed flight plan. If you set your course too soon, the palace computers will log your final destination, making it easier to hunt you down. I have no doubt that this Lord Yelu possesses a rather large fleet of star craft. Be wary and be safe!" instructed Lord Morlong. With the princess' acknowledging nod, he disembarked. Princess Anyu entered a keyed sequence into the controls. The ramp raised and hatch slide shut, making an airtight seal. She was ready at last.

With a quiet hum, the Liltaél rose up two zhang 张 from the floor. Carefully Princess Anyu navigated through a hidden doorway that opened unexpectedly from the back of the laboratory into a corridor wide enough to accommodate a star craft four times the size of the Liltaél, a corridor Anyu never knew existed but seemed by the looks of the stone structure to be no less than four thousand yen-ars old, no doubt part of the original palace complex before it was forgotten by dozens of renovations over the course of Beinarian history. Almost unmarked, the star craft emerged like a ghost from the palace and into the open air. Still using docking thrusters, Princess Anyu navigated into the regular lanes of traffic, trying to emulate a low altitude craft, despite the blue platinum skin of the star craft. Driving carefully through traffic, she waited until she cleared Hejing, and then pressed a crystalline lever forward. The star drive roared to life, building up power before leaping suddenly up and away, circumventing a developing upper atmosphere hurricane six thousand li 里 across before breaking through Beinan's atmosphere entirely. The Liltaél passed near Biya Gaelach, its pale blue atmosphere now clearly the reason for the moon's blue aura as seen from the Beinarian surface. Ever the scientist, Princess Anyu ran scans, collecting as much data on the moon as she could in the short xiao-shirs the Liltaél was close enough to do so, the urgency of her departure momentarily forgotten as the star craft sped deeper into the Beinarian solar system.

Despite Anyu's immediate feeling of wonder and curiosity, she was not free yet. With the Liltaél very much within tracking range of dozens of Beinarian computers, her progress into the solar system was noted in every Beinarian city. As Lord Morlong looked towards the new "star" that was her star craft, his heart raced. Time was of the essence to prevent Lord Yelu from destroying her star craft from the planet's surface.

Queen Constance walked her garden alone. In the sky she saw the bright star that was the Liltaél. Her daughter was free! Constance wept at the sight. Would she see her again? A wild konyn jumped into the queen's path. The queen watched the little rodent graze on the stem of a flower, ignorant of all the changes that surrounded it. Lord Morlong strode up to her, "The Liltaél is away. It will take four beinors before she can safely set her course."

Queen Constance nodded, "That is well. What of Lord Elendir and Lord Corann? Are they safe?"

"Their whereabouts is unknown. My greater concern is for you and what you will do this shir-or. These next four beinors are critical, Your Majesty. Though hidden from sight for many yen-ars, I have no doubt that Yelu has access to planetary defence systems no one has used or even tested in hundreds of yen-ars. Those defence systems can readily destroy a star craft from the ground, even with the thick atmosphere. She not safe yet," reported Morlong.

"What must I do?"

"Distract Lord Yelu – without losing your life. I suspect he prefers to use you in some way rather than kill you. I do not think right now he has enough power to afford killing you, not while the Great Council still exists, anyway."

"Will he disband the council?"

"Probably, Your Majesty. In my travels I have seen others do so. That is why you must hold his attention any way that you can. Keep his eyes fixed on you so that he may be blind towards those who would escape him to regroup and form a resistance to him. I think there is still reason to hope in that regard. Certainly by the time your daughter returns she will need such a support structure to be in place. She cannot, by herself, overthrow him. But your people, if enough of them find a way to remain free, are able to – with her leadership of course."

"Will I be asked to sacrifice my dignity, Morlong?"

"Better your dignity than your life. As long as you live you can serve as a focal point for hope, for resistance. The journey will be long and agonizing, Constance, but then, I think you have known that for most of your life."

Inside, Queen Constance trembled with understanding. But Morlong was right; clearly he came from a long-lived race, long enough to see a pattern in the events unfolding, "Yes, Morlong, I know. This re-incarnation of Lord Janus has waited hundreds of yen-ars to exact his revenge. I will let him have it then – for now. It is perhaps the nature of life that some sorrows must be endured for many yen-ars before the window of opportunity can open that allows for lasting change."

"At last, Your Majesty, you have grown up!" remarked Morlong.

Constance nodded, "Very well then. If yen-ars of sorrow and torment are to be my destiny, let it come sooner rather than later. Let us get this business over with."

"Are you certain it can be done?" asked Lady Abbess Althea from the sanctuary at the Ten-Arian monastery customarily used for ceremonies.

"Yes, Your Grace," answered High Priestess Aina. "The centres for houses Gurun, Miyoo, Ten-Ar, and Xing-li are the most obvious targets for attack – but not our secondary centres of learning nor the apartment buildings owned by and home to many of our members across planet. Granted, Lord Yelu and his relatives have bombed some residential buildings over the yen-ars, but those are a tiny fraction compared to the public buildings and major centres for each house. It is a far more terrifying prospect when a healing center is bombed than when an apartment building is, not to mention easier to target individuals of specific houses."

"I concur with my sister; if we were to quietly disperse our populations into apartments and even smaller cities and towns, we can avoid much loss of life. The less concentrated our people are, the harder it will be for Yelu and Lixin to attack us without losing whatever support they have managed to cultivate over the yen-ars. It was telling the way they tout houses Plover, Skeinera, and Croften; their base must be therefore outside of the nobility," concluded Lord Narvan.

"What of my brother and nephew? You know they will want to help," remarked Althea.

"The problem with Lord Knight Elendir and Lord Knight Corann is their high profile," observed High Priestess Aina. "Elendir was famously close to King Kendric I and Corann has been the queen's lover; he may even be Princess Anyu's father for all we know."

"You think Anyu is my great-niece?" bewildered Althea.

"When was the last time you looked at Lady Healer Darah's data on the princess?"

"I am not sure I ever have. I lead the healers of Ten-Ar, but I do not supervise healers from other houses. Queen Constance, as leader of house Gurun, is the one charged with overseeing the work of Gurun healers," admitted Althea.

"For now, we must all purge our memories of Lady Anyu lest Yelu and Lixin find some mechanism for extracting information that none of us are trained to circumvent," cautioned Narvan.

"A wise course," agreed Aina. "Now, let us plan the evacuation. We may have only shir-ors to get our people to safety and freedom."

Ten shir-ors passed in eerie silence in the palace without a word from Lord Yelu. Queen Constance sat in her office, deep in thought. The door chime rang a courtesy she doubted either Lixin or Yelu would extend. Before she could answer, Lord Knight Corann entered, worry on his face. Constance rushed to greet him, holding him close to her and kissing him tenderly. Corann held her, uncertain if he would ever hold her again, "An army surrounds Hejing, Constance. We are besieged. Soon, Lord Yelu and his nephew will close in and take the palace."

"What news of your father?"

"I-I-I do not know. There is a rumour that my aunt has recalled him for some sort of mission, but I do not know the details."

"We have three beinors, my love. Three beinors where all our hopes and fears hang in the balance."

"Surely you to not expect us to get through this unscathed."

"No, we will not escape Corann. But – there may yet be hope."

"The Liltaél?"

"Yes. She's only in range a few more beinors. After that, it will take a fleet of star craft to find and destroy her," confessed Constance.

"Well then, we must buy her some time!" agreed Corann. "I am willing to die if it means hope for our people. But then, I have always been prepared to lay down my life."

"Where are your bows, Corann?"

"No bow – heritage or modern – can compete with the power of the weapons I know Yelu armed his forces with. I suspect he's been building for this coup d'état for tens of yen-ars."

"Then how will you protect me?"

"By staying alive; live to fight another beinor, another yen-ar," confessed Corann. "Only free can I help you; forgive me for this, I know you expected otherwise. I am useless to you dead, my love, no matter how romantic it sounds to die for you. One thing they teach all knights of Ten-Ar is strategy. Trust me now," begged Corann.

"I trust you."

Corann swept her up into a passion kiss. When finally they lips parted, he bowed humbly, "Expect me when you see me." With a swirl of his cloak, Corann disappeared into the shadows.

Queen Constance dressed herself carefully with help of RM7 in Gurun crimson. Upon her shoulders she added a favourite cloak of her mother's, its Kelly green velvet contrasting sharply with the crimson of her bliaut and kirtle, its heraldic sailing ship reminding her of happier yen-ars. In these final shir-ors of freedom she would honour and remember her mother, remember how beautiful Princess Aurnia really was. For all the politics and expectations upon her, Queen Constance was, in her heart, house Cashmarie as well. A yearning to sail upon the Amba Mederi filled her. Any other beinor, she could just order a low altitude shuttle to take her to Bira Hecen for a beinor relaxing on the bow of a caravel. Now she dared not even ask to sail on the Amur River, something her own mother loved to do, she recalled. So much death, so much pain for so many generations.

It was time to put an end to all of that.

With the sea-yearning in her heart, Queen Constance dared imprudence. Taking well known passages through the palace, she stepped outside into the cold air. Sleet began to fall. The queen did not mind it. Mud covered her velvet shoes as she walked through the grass. Constance did not care. Forty zhang 张 into the palace grounds she spotted a small pleasure boat, a man and his wife relaxing on the river with their daughter. Constance bowed to them, "I am Constance of house Cashmarie. May I join you for a few xiao-shirs on the river, please?"

The husband nodded his head politely, careful not to unbalance his boat, "Silas of house Cashmarie. And yes, certainly you may join us – but if you do not mind me asking – aren't you Queen Constance of house Gurun?"

"My mother was house Cashmarie, Lord Silas. I – miss the water. Before she died she often took me sailing. Forgive me, I do not mean to impose."

Silas steered the boat to the river bank so Constance could enter the boat, "Not at all."

In the comfort of Silas' boat, Constance relaxed, letting herself drift into memories of her mother. Finally, after sixty two xiao-shirs, Silas drew the boat to the opposite bank of the river, "Time for you to disembark, Your Majesty."

Opening her eyes, Constance observed forty men armed with both modern and heritage weapons: recurve bows made of nara wood, laser épées, schlager swords, plasma rifles, even laser crossbows. Understanding filled Constance. Carefully, she stepped out of Silas' boat and raised her open hands to the armed men, "I do not resist. Take me into your custody if you wish. I know when I am beaten."

With a laugh, two of the armed men bound Constance's hands in front of her with a piece of nara rope. "Oh looksy, the high and mighty queen of Beinan, they say. More like the low and baudy whore of Gurun. Ya know what they say about 'er. She's got 'erself a stash of lovers who pay 'er to take her clothes off for 'em," catcalled one of the men binding her.

"I sure as would like to be one of 'em," cried another, fingering the fabric of the queen's cloak. "Ya think General Yelu will reward me with a bit of sport with 'er?"

"Nah! You know those gener'ls. They want all the sport for themselves. But I 'ure would like t' watch 'em. She'll be great sport for 'em," heckled another, pushing the queen towards the palace.

"Let's take some sport from 'er now! The general won't notice, he won't mind if we warm her up for 'em. Bet she hasn't had a decent poke in thirty yen-ars," jeered a third soldier.

"I wouldn't if I were you," hissed Lady Narwen sternly, taking hold of the prisoner personally.

The gaggle hushed and bowed to Lady Narwen, "Begging your pardon, milady. We's only wanting some fun."

"Well then," countered Narwen, "I shall enjoy the sport my brother receives from you. Since none of you can be trusted to deliver her, I shall do it personally. You are dismissed." Fearfully the soldiers disappeared back into the city around them, leaving Constance alone with Narwen. Narwen smiled at the queen once they were out of sight, "Good morning, Lady Constance. I am Narwen, daughter of Elendir."

"I do not understand. Elendir has no daughter," stammered Constance.

"I am Yelu's twin sister; my mother is Lady Elita."

"Why rescue me from those – scoundrels – if you mean to deliver me to your brother?"

"Not all is what it seems, Constance. You have friends even among those who serve my brother. But the time is not yet. For now, there is little I can do for you – beyond keep the rabble from tormenting you. Much depends on secrecy from those who understand my brother and quietly dissent from him."

"Your brother is a vicious tyrant."

"Hate does that to a person."

"But you do not hate me."

"Why would I hate you? I do not know you. But I do know him. If you and those you love are to survive, you must give him what he wants; he has no conscience about using extreme methods to extract it otherwise. I would rather see you harmed as little as possible, but I ask you to please cooperate – for all our sakes!"

"I am prepared to do so, Lady Narwen."

"Good!"

Narwen and Constance reached the throne room. Narwen carefully arranged Constance's cloak before entering. For the first time in Constance's life, she entered unheralded. Around her gathered over two hundred Beinarians of all houses and classes, each waiting to see what happened next. Yelu sat on Constance's throne in cerulean blue, a red velvet cloak on his shoulders regally, "Ah, sister! You have achieved what even my best soldiers could not. Is she unspoiled?"

Lady Narwen bowed to her brother, "Quite unspoiled, Your Grace."

Constance breathed deeply, using all of her education to conceal her rage. Yelu smiled, descending from the steps to Constance's level, "Well, Lady Constance, you see I was not bluffing. I am the ruler of Beinan now and you – you are but a toy for my entertainment and pleasure, a trophy if you will that I fully intend to exploit."

Constance bowed her head to Yelu, though not her knee, "As you wish. I am your prisoner."

"Yes – you are. But a proud one, I think! Well, I have the remedy for that," giggled Yelu. "Nephew, if you please!"

Prince Lixin stepped forward with a box in his hands. He pressed three control buttons. A roar of explosions sounded. Lixin pressed four more buttons. More explosions. Finally he pressed a sequence of five buttons. Beneath them the ground rumbled, hurdling many of those gathered in the throne room off their feet.

"What happened?" demanded Queen Constance the Kind angrily.

"Just a few more bombs, nothing I have not done before," leered Yelu. "But these, I think, you will agree are my best work yet. I have just destroyed the temple of Abka Biya, the Beinarian monastery, and oh yes! The west wing of this ancient palace of yours!" Yelu danced with delight, "Your power base is gone now, Constance! There is no one to rescue you now, poor proud child! You are alone – or will be when I am done with my other prisoners."

"What other prisoners?" demanded Constance.

"Narwen, please bring them in," commanded Yelu. Narwen bowed, and then retrieved a young man and a young woman. "Ah, Caranden, Leonora, so good of you to join us."

Constance eyed Yelu, "Leave them alone, Yelu. It is me you want. They are no threat to you."

"Only if you give me what I want," bargained Yelu.

"And what is that?"

Yelu caressed her hair and kissed her seductively, "I think you know."

"Very well then, but you will not hurt them."

"Of course!" slithered Yelu, his hand drifted underneath the queen's kirtle to her thigh.

"How do I know I can trust you?"

Yelu guffawed, "You can't! That is the beauty of you being my prisoner. Resist me and I will kill you – and them. Give me what I want, serve me as I command, and you get to live."

"I will yield; just don't kill anyone else."

"It is a bargain – as long as I get everything I want."

"Yes, Your Majesty," bowed Constance.

Yelu squeezed her thigh, "Perfect!" Yelu raised his head to address the soldiers gathered near him, "Guards, send Lady Constance to the sovereign's apartment and give her the nara wine prepared for her. I shall join her when I am able." With a bow the guards escorted Constance away.

Yelu slithered to Leonora, caressing her cheek, "You and I have unfinished business as well, Princess Leonora. I have not forgotten your betrayal. Let us now discuss it in private."

"As you wish," acknowledged Leonora expectantly. As Yelu took Leonora by the arm to escort her to her former apartment, Yelu made a signal at one of his soldiers. Four soldiers aimed their weapons at Prince Caranden and fired. The prince fell dead instantly. By the time Yelu and Leonora arrived in her chambers, the prince already burned on his pyre, his ashes joining those of his brethren left to die in the west wing.

"So, my once sister how does it feel to be deflowered?" panted Lord Yelu from on top of Leonora as he finished raping her for the first time.

Leonora looked up into Yelu's eyes, "Nothing you have not done before, Janus, only this time you did not drug me into oblivion. Not ready for fatherhood?"

"It's still early," taunted Yelu. "As long as you are under my power, I can quicken you at my leisure. For now, I am content to be your first, to have out of you what can only be given or taken but once!"

"Be careful, Yelu. Last time you got me with child it was to your own undoing."

"Is that a threat, princess? Would you like me to bed you again? Perhaps you enjoyed it more than you seemed as you fought me in vain for your dignity?"

"Pleasuring my body does not make me willing."

"No – but it does humiliate you more," cackled Yelu as he disengaged himself from her and dressed, leaving her alone and despoiled. Panting, Leonora dressed herself as best she could before the guard seized her and threw her into the locked room that would become her new chamber.

Inside the sovereign's apartment, Queen Constance paced. A servant brought a carafe of nara wine along with two goblets; she presumed the second was for Lord Yelu. Knowing the wine most certainly was laced with something; Constance poured it into her goblet and drank deeply. This was a fate she could not avoid; resistance could only harm her people. As much as she anticipated the worst from Yelu, Constance understood the state of affairs around her well. Enduring Yelu and appearing to cooperate was the only way she could save lives. With full comprehension of all of this, she drank, noting a slight difference in the flavour of the wine that most certainly was evidence of at least one drug. Finishing the first glass, she refilled her goblet and drank deeply. RM7 hovered near her with concern, yet said nothing to her. Finally, Lord Yelu arrived, his kirtle unlaced and no longer wearing his doublet. RM7 turned towards him. Yelu pulled out a plasma pistol and fired. RM7 exploded. "Now we are alone, Constance."

"What do you want of me, Yelu?"

Yelu unfastened the queen's cloak. It fell to the ground. Stepping around the queen, Yelu unfastened her bliaut, pulling it down off her shoulders, then off her hips. Yelu kissed her neck. Constance endured his advances stoically. Yelu slipped a hand under her kirtle, massaging her breast. Constance felt her breath change as he stimulated her body against her will. Yelu unfastened her kirtle, and then turned her around, kissing her ravenously before pulling the kirtle off her body and exposing her nakedness. Constance maintained her composure, though the drug was starting to fill her head, making her dizzy. Yelu wordlessly pulled off his kirtle and unfastened his trousers. Naked, he drove Constance onto her bed, kissing her seductively as he mounted her. Constance closed her eyes as she felt him rape her and felt her body respond with pleasure. Against her will she found herself pleasured, panting and heaving. Tears fell from her eyes as he felt him finish, the only sign of her resistance. As Yelu disengaged from her and lay next to her on her bed, he remarked, "You have been bedded recently. Who is your lover, whore?"

"No one of consequence, Your Majesty. He was in the west wing when you detonated it. You have killed him; I will never see him again," answered Constance, not truly knowing whether or not Corann lived, but hoping Yelu would believe her. To convince him further, she allowed herself to sob hysterically.

"So you are ready to give me what I want."

"What do you want of me that you have not now already taken?"

Yelu pulled out betrothal pendant from house Ten-Ar and fastened it around her neck, "You will consent to this. It is the only way to save your daughter's life."

Constance breathed hard. The Liltaél was still within firing range. Thinking only of Anyu, Constance assented, "I consent. At the time of your choosing, I shall be yours in whatever ceremony you desire for the purpose."

Yelu fastened the pendant around her neck, "And you shall not resist me when I demand you. You shall endeavour to please me as my lawful wife for all the yen-ars of your life."

"Yes," agreed Constance, prostituting herself in exchange for her people.

Yelu mounted her again, "Excellent! Now let us be sealed, wife!" The drug took complete control of Constance. For the next four beinors she assented to and encouraged Yelu to bed her, keeping the tyrant busy and isolated from everything and everyone else. In Constance's office, her computer beeped unnoticed as the Liltaél blinked, then disappeared from Beinarian tracking computers.
Epilogue

On BE 6961, beinor 154, my mother, Queen Constance the Kind, sacrificed everything to give me my one chance at escaping the weapon systems under Lord Yelu's control. Hating Yelu as much as she loved Lord Knight Corann, she hid her feelings and played along with Yelu's whims. It would not be until I returned to Beinan that I discovered Yelu's plans that beinor; the drug my mother drank was no different than the one Janus gave Lady Ecter when he first raped her, conceiving in Lady Ecter his daughter, the future Lady Priestess Miriam, and through them, the Choire Ar Cerridwen.

In my mother's body, a child was quickened by Yelu's persistence in those last beinors of the Beinarian era. Across Beinan, the fires emanating from the Ten-Arian monastery, from the temple of Abka Biya, and from the palace spread widely, destroying many familiar and sacred places. As I set course in my star craft for D425E25 Tertius, my star craft detected a strange anomaly coming out of the temple where I found so much peace. A small shockwave hit my star craft two xiao-shirs later. In my mind I heard Lady Laela's voice and knew that somehow she was behind whatever it was my star craft detected, working unseen and unnoticed though for what purpose I would not understand until I returned to Beinan.

The Beinan I knew was gone. But deep inside me I knew something else: that out of the darkness and cold comes a new spring, a new hope. If I ever doubted it, all I needed to do was listen to the messages left for me on board the Liltaél. The story of my exile on D425E25 Tertius and of my return to Beinan, planet B345A15 Quartus in Beinarian nomenclature took me down many unexpected roads. Many I loved perished in that Great War whose lives I honour across this history of the last yen-ars of the Beinarian Era. Many hidden things revealed themselves at last. I am not proud of what I said and did along the way. But this I affirm forever: in the darkest night, in the deepest snow, in the bitterest sorrow, there is love, there is light, and there is a new life waiting for you if you simply find the courage within yourself to believe.
Part Three: Princess Anyu Returns

Prologue

"Computer, begin recording and transmit to coordinates 23978 by 29458 by 5492," commanded Queen Anyu.

"Confirmed," replied the computer.

"This is Anyu, Queen of Beinan, transmitting to my friends and allies across the known universe. It has been six beinors since my initial transmission concerning the Great Succession Crisis and two beinors since I sent my second transmission concerning the fall of Beinan to Lord Yelu. This is my third and final transmission to all of you, though I hope through some act of divine providence I may yet retain my friendships with you across the remaining yen-ars of our lives for I value your wisdom and insights greatly. Many of you are part of the story I shall now tell, a story that begins with the first xiao-shirs of my escape from planet Beinan.

"On BE 6961, beinor 152 I celebrated my thirty-fourth natal beinor, my last on Beinan, B345A15 Quartus, in the Beinarian Era. Only a few shir-ors later, my mother publically announced in court she was sending me on a mission of exploration. She did not mention, of course, that the last time a woman named Anyu left our solar system she was never seen again, perishing on an alien world.

"This was a clever political move, of course by my mother who feigned ignorance of the growing power of Lord Yelu. Mere xiao-shirs after it was believed I left the throne room to prepare for my mission I witnessed Lord Yelu's first open declaration of defiance against us, a defiance that frightened me greatly, though in hindsight I have learned that my mother was well aware of Lord Yelu's activities for no less than twenty yen-ars and probably longer.

"With Lord Yelu openly declared I headed for the star craft Liltaél and launched without ceremony. Before I reached even the outskirts of Hejing, communications and short-range scans displayed by the Liltaél showed the massive armed forces across Beinan Lord Yelu somehow recruited and trained without alerting anyone who might have intercepted and engaged them. Almost from the xiao-shir of my launch, the Liltaél streamed and recorded palace security camera feed, its computers programmed to monitor the whereabouts and welfare of each member of my family. With horror I watched and heard Lord Yelu rape first my sister Leonora, and then my mother the queen, a humiliation both endured to give me my one chance at escape.

"Not until I was free of Beinarian tracking systems on beinor 157 did I lose my final remaining link to the palace and my mother. Watching her endure Lord Yelu's humiliations and lust from the safety of the Liltaél frightened and angered me. How could any man be so evil towards a woman, let alone a queen? Words cannot describe how I feel, even this xiao-shir, about my mother's suffering. With all that has come to pass since my feet first felt space beneath me, I weep at the thought, the images of Yelu's atrocities against my mother burned forever in my mind. Sadly, they would not be the only ones my family and I would suffer during the yen-ars called the 'Great Revolution Era.'"
Chapter One: Journey to Another World

"Now within range of B345A15 Sextus," announced the computer aboard the star craft Liltaél.

"Computer, scan planet Beinan B345A15 Quartus, for energy spikes, anything out of the ordinary," commanded Princess Anyu.

"Energy surges located," replied the computer.

"Location?"

"Three anomalies located. First anomaly at Temple of Abka Biya in Bira Hecen. Second anomaly at Ten-Arian monastery 100 li 里 west of Hejing. Third anomaly at west wing of palace in Hejing," declared the computer.

"Computer, analyse readings. Triangulate with data from my laboratory at the palace."

"Confirmed."

"Display data," commanded Lady Engineer Anyu. In compliance, the computer lit up a projected display. Armies moved across every corner of Beinan – from small towns to major cities. Touching the display over the projected map readout for Hejing, Anyu's eyes widened: three million soldiers and sailors displayed Lord Yelu's personal heraldry: a schlager sword slightly overlapping the sacred book of house Shem on a field of blood green-yellow. Each concentration of troops flashed the heraldry repeatedly. From the global map view it looked like most of Beinan was flashing. How did Yelu manage to amass so many into his service without alerting anyone on the Great Council?

Or was that the point? What did it take for him to recruit and train this force of his, a force more than three times larger than the queen's? In all her yen-ars growing up, it never occurred to the princess to make use of her mother's access to security camera recordings and planetary intelligence. If she had been less busy and more attentive to the Great Council, could she have seen or prevented this?

Or was that too the point from her mother's point of view? A princess might have security clearance on these matters – but not an engineer of Xing-li. Did her mother know and yet keep all of it secret?

"Now leaving B345A15 system," reported the computer. "Long range tracking system engaged." The flashing detailed map of Beinan disappeared in favour of a long distance navigational display.

"Computer, alert pilot when pre-set coordinates are reached."

"Confirmed."

Princess Anyu left the cockpit, confident in the autopilot, and headed for the passenger section. Folding out one of the chairs into a comfortable bed, she opened the door to a small wall compartment where bedding was stowed. Spreading the blankets and her pillows to a comfortable arrangement, she lied down and let sleep take her.

"Now arrived at pre-set coordinates," alerted the Liltaél's cockpit computer with a large flash of Beinarian characters over the main view screen. From her bed in the passenger section, Princess Anyu hesitated to stir from her deep sleep. In her dreams she saw what seemed to be a large gathering in an open-air temple. At the center of the massive plain filled with broken concentric rings of megaliths stood a flat topped altar carved out grey-white stone that twinkled in starlight. She felt herself standing at the altar, her eyes metallic blue and her hair – was it hair – of jet metallic black? A silver-like bowl of something like water set into a carved depression at one end of the altar. In her dream she gazed into the mirror-like bowl and saw her face – but was it her face? It looked like her and yet it was not her – but it felt like her somehow. Tossing and turning from the puzzling dream, she thought she screamed – yet no sound was detectable to the computer. Finally, after fifteen point three two xiao-shir-ors of persistent repetition by the klaxon, she was able to open her eyes and rise from her bed.

Feeling dizzy, Princess Anyu sat down at her seat in the cockpit, "Computer specify current coordinates."

"Current location in B345 galaxy. Nearest system is B345B60," reported the computer, displaying the Liltaél's exact position on the far side of Beinan's B345 galaxy relative to Beinan.

Satisfied it was now safe to set final destination coordinates, Anyu confidently commanded the computer, "Computer, set course for coordinates 23978 by 29458 by 5492, designation D425E25 Tertius, and engage engines at 0.8 of maximum speed."

"Confirmed"

Suddenly a video projected out of a small camera projector on the right side of the cockpit controls, the image of a man she had never seen in person: the Liltaél's designer and her father, Lord Engineer Kian of house Xing-li, "I am Kian, prince consort of Beinan and astro-engineer of house Xing-li. This is a pre-recorded message made on BE 6927, beinor 150. If you are seeing this, then I am dead now. By how many beinors or yen-ars, I will never know. I have programmed the systems aboard the Liltaél to show this message only to a child of my beloved wife, Queen Constance, a child who now must be piloting the Liltaél out of our B345A15 star system and to a system on the edge of known space called D425E25 Tertius. This destination has not been chosen by accident, but by careful design. It is a primitive world from which no Beinarian has ever returned, a reputation that should discourage pursuit by the forces of Lord Yelu.

"Yes, I know of this Lord Yelu. He will no doubt be fully or partially responsible for my death. This has been foreseen. Grieve me not. I went to my death with eyes wide open to the danger.

"The Liltaél has already become more than I ever dreamed of thanks to the help of two whose expertise in science and engineering is millions of yen-ars beyond us. They operate in secret, of course, for we have long ceased to be worthy of open dialogue with their race, an ancient race said to be one of the oldest in the universe still in existence. Like us, their world of origin died out long ago; their star went nova eons before the B345 galaxy evolved out of that singular moment when this cycle of time and space was born, probably in the LL region of space. They, like us, must migrate from star to star and galaxy to galaxy as their worlds are born, mature, then die. This is the life cycle of the universe; we must accept it.

"Through their aide, my star drive design has been re-calibrated to travel faster than our technology, at its height, ever could. Upon reaching the speed of 0.82 of maximum, a quantum gravity well is programmed to open into a controlled and very stable tunnel, moving the Liltaél through space-time at a rate far in excess of what we are capable of. The Liltaél is programmed to display relative data between our star drive capacities and specifications and what the Liltaél is and can do. Read this data and learn it; you may require a full understanding of the Liltaél's star drive and specific technical capabilities should a star craft from Beinan pursue you.

"The purpose of this recording is not technical, but personal in nature. As I record this, my dear sweet wife is heavy with child; her labours expected to begin at any time. You may be that child; I do not and cannot know. If you are, then you have presumed across your life that I am your father, especially if you have followed in my footsteps and pursued engineering in accord with a younger-daughter's prerogative. Legally you are my child. But biologically you are not.

"Though it is true that I have loved your mother deeply and actively pursued the pleasures and responsibilities that are part of service as prince-consort, I know without question that your mother has also pursued her royal prerogatives, taking an official lover as is her right as the queen of Beinan. Sixty beinors after confirmation that the queen was with child again, I looked at medical data supplied to me by Lady Healer Darah. Nowhere in your helices is my genetic material found. You are not my daughter, but his. This I have known and kept secret in my heart across your mother's pregnancy, claiming you as my daughter before the court so vigorously, I doubt your father knows he sired you.

"This must remain a secret if you are to ever to win back your mother's throne. Yet I suspect I know who your father is. Search in your heart and you will feel it too. For you are the daughter of Lord Knight Corann, son of Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar. This is important, my dear princess because I have seen the same security recordings as your father concerning the death of your grandfather, King Kendric. This Lord Yelu is your father's older half-brother, conceived through drugs and deceit and born of the Lady Elita of the line of Janus, the same Janus who attempted to seize the throne by attempting to rape and impregnate Princess Anlei. This was prevented by your forefather, the man Anlei married soon after: Lord Knight Corann, son of Lord Knight Cariadoc and Lady Priestess Cordelia. Lord Yelu the Bastard is your uncle, a man who knows how to exploit the illegal continuation of the Gurun dynasty after the reign of Queen Isabelle. He is dangerous, ruthless, and violent, willing to use religion to trick honest Beinarians into serving him. Let us be clear on one matter, princess: the overwhelming majority of worshippers of The Shemai, both within and outside of house Shem are peaceful, charitable, honest, and humble Beinarian citizens. Only a few like Yelu use religion to excuse their malice and malcontent with life. Beware of those who merge politics and religion for personal gain – on Beinan or across the universe.

"To that end, you must find a way to survive and thrive on D425E25 Tertius, to learn new skills and improve yourself in that alien and hostile environment. Do not treat your exile as permanent, princess, but as a time for preparation and study. Endeavour to return to Beinan. This will not be easy; you may readily be called upon to fight a battle no Beinarian has fought since finding our home on B345A15 Quartus. But if you can find the courage within, I have every confidence you shall triumph. Allies are likely to come to your aid. Expect them when you see them." Slowly, the projection of Lord Kian faded away, leaving Anyu shell shocked and hyperventilating with bewilderment, grief, and dismay.

Five xiao-shirs passed in which Anyu sat in silence; her mind racing at the shocking revelations made by the man she presumed all her life was her father. Lord Yelu was her uncle – by her father who was not Prince Consort Kian as she and the entire court supposed – but Lord Knight Corann? How could her mother keep this information from her and why? Did she really suppose that something terrible would have happened by being honest with her and if so, what? Tears flowed from Anyu's eyes. Her world was in chaos – literally and figuratively now. As if in answer, a second message beamed out of the computer's projectors, displaying the image of Lord Knight Corann, her biological father, "My dearest child. I must confess it feels strange beyond words to call you that, even to the Liltaél's recording system. Yes, Anyu, I know that you are mine. This morning, beinor 152, your thirty-fourth natal beinor, your mother told me. I was in the dark, I swear, all these yen-ars. Your mother – oh how do I begin with this? I would tell you to your face, but the classified data your mother has shared with me shows a large force of militia closing in on the palace. As much as I want to sit down with you and talk with you as my child, I know that I dare not. It could put your life in danger and with it, all of Beinan. Forgive me for communicating with you this way. I am myself in shock. Truly, I never dreamed you were mine; I too always presumed the talented and brilliant Kian sired you as he did your half-brother and half-sister.

"Now that we both know the truth, we must move forward. Shortly after your birth, Lord Morlong prophesied to your mother concerning the danger that has exiled you from our once beautiful world. For this reason were you and your siblings trained in self-defence. As a knight of Ten-Ar it pleases me beyond words to see you excel with a schlager sword, just like both of your grandfathers. You never met your grandfather, King Kendric, for Lord Yelu slayed him when your mother was still young, but he was a formidable man, strong and wise. My father, Lord Knight Elendir, was King Kendric's best friend. He has spoken to me of how much you have inherited King Kendric's talents, both intellectual and martial. Now you must pull all these gifts together towards your survival.

"You are the last hope for Beinan, Anyu; the best the rest of us can do for the next few yen-ars is survive and seek for ways to resist Lord Yelu's ruthless tyranny. As you pass the next yen-ars on that primitive world that is your destination, seek always to not only survive, but cultivate whatever resources you may towards make your return. Do not forget Beinan, Anyu, but always hold your home close to your heart." Suddenly an alarm sounded behind Lord Knight Corann, lights flashing around him, "Forgive me, Anyu! I must go. Your mother's sensors have detected the first, secret wave of invasion. Yelu thinks he is taking Hejing by surprise. I am thankful he remains ignorant so far of just how well your mother has prepared for his coup. I must go then. Be safe; be strong; survive. I love you." The recording faded, leaving Princess Anyu alone with nothing more than the assorted computer sounds of the Liltaél to keep her company.

"Computer, increase speed to 0.82 of maximum," commanded Anyu. As the star craft surged slightly faster, a quantum gravity well opened a scant 65 li 里 from the Liltaél. In a heartbeat the star craft fell into the brightly lit tunnel and into the unknown.

"My lord, it is time," bowed Lord Morlong from aboard the star craft Nimamur.

Lying atop a soft white mattress in a bright white, sterile room, a young Beinarian opened his grey eyes, "How long was I in stasis, Lord Morlong?"

"Five hundred seventy yen-ars," replied Morlong simply, his metallic blue eyes twinkling in the bright white light.

"I cannot move," noted the young man.

"A natural side effect of prolonged suspended animation. When your systems have adapted, your voluntary muscles shall respond. Take it slow, my lord. We will reach D435E25 Tertius in four of your beinors with plenty of time to acclimate to the planet before the princess arrives," smiled Morlong.

"What is the date, Morlong?"

"BE 6961, beinor 160," answered Morlong casually. Bowing, he exited the medical chamber and headed for the Nimamur's cockpit.

"Computer, what are current coordinates?" asked Princess Anyu from the passenger section of the Liltaél, her breath heavy from her workout.

"Now reaching D425 galaxy," reported the computer.

"Estimated time of arrive to D425E25 system?"

"Five point six three beinors."

"Computer, medical scan. What effects has the long journey made on my body?"

"Processing," chirped the computer for two xiao-shirs, "Scan complete. Muscle mass down by fourteen point three four percent."

Anyu drew her sword, "Computer, activate simulated opponent, level three. Adjust program for available space."

"Confirmed!" From the ceiling, the computer projected a holographic knight holding a Balistrian sabre, a weapon heavier and less flexible than her Gurun schlager. With a respectful bow the simulation attacked. Princess Anyu parried and riposted expertly. The simulation counter-parried and lunged. Anyu deflected the blow easily in a circling dance of self-defence and martial skill. For almost a full shir-or she battled the simulation, working her under-used muscles. She would need her strength once she landed to survive, mindful that not one Beinarian had ever returned from D425E25 Tertius alive. As the first stars on the outer edges of the D425 galaxy disappeared from view, Anyu felt a sudden urgency to prepare herself for the reality of her exile and the desperation of her plight on that hostile world.

"Now approaching D425E25 system," announced the autopilot in what sounded like a distant voice from the passenger section. Still half asleep, Princess Anyu struggled to rouse herself from her bed. "Now approaching D425E25 system," repeated the computer.

With a sigh and a groan, Anyu forced herself to open her eyes and raise her voice, "Computer, slow to 0.2 of maximum speed."

In compliance, the background hum of the Liltaél quieted as the star craft drifted out of the quantum gravity well and into normal space, "Confirmed! 0.2 of maximum speed. Estimated time to D425E25 Tertius two xiao-shirs."

"Computer, do you have pre-set coordinates for landing?"

"Confirmed. Landing coordinates set to 285 by 125 by 364. Destination: mountainous region near northeast section of continent coming into view."

Still groggy and wishing for some fresh kelan juice and piping hot Belarian waffles, Princess Anyu rose from her bed, throwing her blankets aside carelessly; she could always straighten up upon landing. Thumping into the cockpit chair, she tugged at the full skirt of her kirtle until she was comfortable while she watched the Liltaél descend into the tiny planet's atmosphere, its land masses growing larger and larger. A large ocean loomed close to what appeared near their coordinates. Descending, the star craft shifted its course westward, away from the ocean and closer to a mountain range 910 li 里 west of the great ocean.

"Landing cycle commenced," announced the computer.

"Computer, continue landing while I prepare to disembark."

"Confirmed."

Nervously, Princess Anyu headed for the bank of storage compartments located between the passenger section and the engine room. Gently, she pulled out her sword in its jewelled sheath and girt its belt over her pale green bliaut, being careful not to catch its gossamer sleeves. Inspecting the sheath's two hidden pouches, she pulled out a small hexagonal device from each pouch and inspected the mechanisms with the practiced eye of an engineer. Satisfied both were in perfect working order; she returned them to their hiding places before pulling out the jewelled heraldic necklace given to her five yen-ars ago on her thirtieth natal beinor. With a heavy heart, she fastened the necklace and carefully arranged its Xing-li star pendant to touch her skin before pulling out the pendent broach given to her on her thirty-fourth natal beinor, the last natal beinor spent on Beinan and perhaps ever. Carefully she pulled the magnetic back plate away from the main pendant and fastened it near the center front of her bliaut's neckline, its Beinarian sapphires sparkling in the light. An inner light flashed briefly, indicating the mechanism was now activated. To this she also pulled out two cuff bracelets, each adorned with Xing-lian stars. With the Beinarian silver against her skin, she touched the two stars together with her wrists. Both stars flashed for a split xiao-shir as their mechanisms activated. Satisfied, she pulled a pair of elbow length black gauntlets over her hands, wrists, and forearms as the Liltaél glided into a hidden cave as its landing gear touched the ground for the first time. After more than a yen-ar in deep space, the sound of the star craft on the ground felt deafening as the craft slowly reduced power, its star drive no longer engaged.

Disembarking from the Liltaél proved to be a greater challenge than Princess Anyu could anticipate. Even with a full yen-ar travelling through the gravity well, she found herself ill-prepared for the burning sensation on her face as bilast seeped into her pores with the opening of the Liltaél's hatch. Tears flowed over her face from the irritation. Struggling to breathe, Anyu found herself closing the hatch and rushing to the lavatory to wash her eyes. All her research and the computer's own scans indicated D425E25 Tertius was a bustling planet with over 4.4 billion human inhabitants and quadrillions more in flora and fauna, including insects and marine life. But bilast breathing life? How could such a planet support so much life when clearly bilast was so obviously deadly?

Unexpectedly, a small drawer opened up under the sink filled with small boxes. Opening one, Anyu found several pairs of contact lenses, the writing marking them indicating they were to be used to shield her eyes from toxic gas. Her hands shaking from the pain surging through her face, Anyu steadied herself, trying to apply the mental discipline she was taught when she while learning fencing. After a few xiao-shirs, she found the calm she needed and carefully put first the left contact, then the right, over her eyes. A small sheet of instructions indicated the rules governing her contacts – when to wear them, when to discard them, and the benefits of wearing them.

Reading the instructions helped calm her fears. Lady Healer Darah of house Gurun designed these contacts, improving on those created by Lady Abbess Cara and Lord Healer Liam of house Ten-Ar in the early yen-ars of Nan-li Central Healing Center hundreds of yen-ars before in the reign of King Gareth I. This was the same Darah whose parents worked with Lord Healer Devon, Lord Elendir's father, before terrorists destroyed Nan-li Central Healing Center, killing Devon while Darah and her parents were able to escape.

Still, it was obvious even just skin contact with bilast could be a real problem. Searching the lavatory for more supplies, she found a cylinder of yellowish-looking powder. On the label, the manufacturer instructed her to mix three korns of this powder with two quentchen of a local arnile-bilast or arnile-dilast liquid compound. Once applied to the skin, the label informed her that the resulting protectant would shield her from the toxic effects of the alien atmosphere, an atmosphere completely devoid of nirlar.

But where would she find an arnile-bilast or arnile-dilast compound?

Putting the new supplies into the outer sleeve of her rolled up blanket, she entered the sequence near the star craft's hatch to open it completely and let down its entry ramp. Carefully she stepped outside, her protective shoes sinking slightly into dry alien soil. Testing the ground for a moment, she pulled out her computer and scanned the area. Apart from the alien atmosphere, the area was reasonably safe and free of life forms, though some sort of small invertebrate climbed the cave ceiling 0.6 zhang 张 from her position. Tentatively she took a deep breath, testing her ciphers' functionality. In less than 0.001 xiao-shirs, the ciphers converted the bilast and dilast in the air into nirlar in an invisible cloud radius of 0.7 cun 寸 around her body slightly diluted by the high levels of nítrigine in the air, an element found only in compounds on Beinan.

Satisfied at last, she unloaded more supplies from the Liltaél, carefully arranging everything onto a lightweight yet strong frame. With the touch of a button, an anti-gravity field surrounded the load – and her body – enabling her to carry everything on her back. The power supply on this field was not limitless; in time she knew she needed to secure more argene, or at least a native ore containing it. Remorsefully she pressed a hidden keypad near the hatch, closing it and maintaining minimal power – just enough to re-activate the engines remotely if urgent need required.

"Arnile-bilast compound found!" alerted Princess Anyu's computer.

"Location?"

"One point zero three five zhang 张 from current position," announced the computer, displaying local topography to her. The source flowed just outside of the cave. Stepping into the light, Anyu looked upward towards the local D425E25 star, the atmosphere turning it into a yellow white flaming inferno. Penta-chromatism protected her eyes, allowing her to look almost directly into the star from the ground, even make out some of the sun's features. How different it was from Beinan's own B345A15! Opposite the descending sun, a single blue-silver moon, slightly waxed from its first quarter phase, crept above the horizon.

As an engineer, Anyu knew that some planets had no moons, some had one, some had three like her own world, and others had many more. But seeing it for herself with her own eyes made this world seem all the more alien, even more so than the odd yellow-white of the sun. A faint trickling sound drew her attention back down to the ground. Looking ahead she noticed a small stream laughing over polished

stones. Cautiously, she knelt, dipping her hand into the liquid and studying it as it poured over her still unprotected skin. Clearly this was the arnile-bilast compound indicated by her computer. How odd that bilast in the air could hurt her yet mixed into this compound with nirlar produced by her cipher, it was harmless!

Pausing to take a tentative drink and filling two bottles with the arnile-bilast she rose up, shifted her pack, and headed into what was to her an alien wilderness, frightened yet determined to survive.

Princess Anyu walked into the alien wilderness until the local sun started to set. Hunger set in. Spotting a grove of grey-barked trees and with sore feet, the princess altered her course for the heart of the woods. Finding a small, sheltered clearing, she gently removed her pack from her back, her muscles aching almost as much as her feet and her stomach. Touching the bark of the nearest tree, a chill penetrated her gauntlets, hinting of the cold ground beneath her. Two zhang 张 away, a shallow snow drift hinted to her about the cold; clearly this was not the best time to sleep outside. Unable to walk further and feeling weak from so much walking on so little food she sighed, pulling out her sleeping bag and attaching the removable hood to its top edges. Over the nearest tree branch above her she threw a protective tarp and staked the sides into the ground as shelter with the heat attracting side facing the outside to gather in whatever solar warmth it could capture. Beneath this, she laid a floor of similar material, tying the pieces together with a strong, efficient knot. In this assembly arrangement, the shelter was designed to maximize heat and repel strong storms.

As Anyu positioned her sleeping bag to provide as much warmth as possible she suddenly felt grateful to come from such a stormy planet filled with upper atmospheric hurricanes. By all reports, the weather here was not nearly as hostile as Beinarian weather, the wind speeds of D425E25 Tertius rarely equalling the typical winter storm in Hejing – let alone in Olos-Mir. Moving the rest of her belongings into the narrow shelter, she fished in her pack for some rations and a bottle of arnile-bilast. Pulling out a small cup, she carefully measured the arnile-bilast and mixed it with 0.5 quentchen of a red powder, stirring gently with her finger before taking a drink of what was supposed to pass for kelan juice, her nose crinkling slightly at the taste.

Finding her ration packets, Anyu tore open the tab on a pouch, watching the pouch heat up a bit while she pulled out a camping fork. Opening the larger of the two pouch food compartments, she dipped her fork into a meat covered with gravy and took a bite before opening the smaller compartments containing three small Nan-lian rolls which tasted better than they sounded. Grateful for the meal, she soaked up the gravy with the rolls, wasting not even a korn of her food. Finally, she took out a small shovel and dug a hole, burying the food packaging designed to quickly bio-degrade into food for kol-based plants before slipping into her sleeping bag, finishing her 'kelan' juice, and settling down for the cold night.

One shir-or later, dawn broke over the horizon, filling the trees with an odd rosy-golden light. The cries of native birds filled the air. Some sounded deep and booming. Others sounded high and frantic. All sounded alien. Casually a blue and white bird 9 cun 寸 long flew to a branch just opposite the branch supporting her shelter, letting a loud joyful call. The bird's mate quickly joined him, cawing with delight and curiosity at Anyu. Anyu smiled and watched them, shivering a little from the morning chill before locating her tablet computer and a ration that claimed to be a breakfast sandwich consisting of a breakfast roll, omelette, and some sort of unrecognizable breakfast meat, Anyu ate quietly. The taste was acceptable, but by no means as flavourful as the breakfast prepared by palace chefs. Ignoring her meal as best as she could Anyu focused her attention on atmospheric readings flowing across her screen. Another snow storm looked probable, her computer estimating its arrival in 2 shir-ors. With a few clicks, Anyu hacked into data streams from twelve nearby orbiting satellites. Running much faster than any computer system on D425E25 Tertius, her computer quickly mapped out her location, area topography, and other details gained from the satellites. In three xiao-shirs, the computer found the easiest and most efficient route towards the nearest settlement with an estimated time of arrival of just one shir-or – if she could keep up the pace.

Resolved to make it to shelter before the snow storm, Anyu broke camp, restoring all her belongings to the pack which somehow felt heavier than the day before. Picking up a long sturdy stick from the ground and using it to help her trek the unpredictable topography, she marched along the path set by her computer.

From sun up to sun down, Anyu marched, rarely taking breaks to rest or for a bowel movement. Instead, determined to make it to better shelter before the arrival of the coming storm, she pushed her body hard, grateful now for Lady Knight Aldris' intense training designed to increase her stamina – and ability to win in a prolonged duel.

Just as the sun's bottom edge touched the horizon Anyu breathed a sigh of relief. In front of her stood a green sign with white lettering which she could not read signalling, based on its artwork and context, her arrival on the outskirts of the town. A row of houses filled her view, most of them with some sort of large building structure standing two or three zhang 张 away. Cautiously she headed for the one that looked most sturdy and easiest to get into.

Inside she found several large animals, all of them smelling very bad and making very strange sounds. A large white bird ambled towards her, clucking happily before flying up to a second level loft filled with hay. Locating a narrow flight of stairs up, Princess Anyu climbed into the loft, locating a suitable camping spot for the night. Spreading first some straw beneath her, she laid down her shelter floor before decompressing her sleeping bag with its hood.

Without warning, a middle-aged man with grey-flecked sandy brown hair wearing blue jeans and a heavy winter coat entered the barn, bringing food for the cattle nestled beneath her. Anyu watched him cautiously from behind a bale of hay, carefully moving her sleeping bag and shelter floor out of sight.

After ten xiao-shirs he walked up the steps, filled two wooden hoppers full of chicken food, and then promptly left for the warmth of his house. Relieved, Anyu moved a bale of hay, rebuilding her shelter and positioning her sleeping bag to take advantage of the new position. A petite chicken with ivory and tan feathers flew up to the highest hay bale overlooking her, staring at the princess inquisitively. Anyu smiled at the bird before opening a meal ration and digging in. Another amber star hen flew up, curious at what her sister found, followed by three Rhode Island red hens, all of them clucking joyfully at the sight of the princess – and her food. The first hen jumped down, sticking her head into Anyu's sleeping bag. Laughing, Anyu reached out to pet her soft feathers. The chicken clucked sweetly, begging for a taste of Anyu's rations. Anyu frowned, "Sorry! I would love to give you some, but this food might hurt you to eat and I do not want to do that. You do not have a cipher." The chicken lowered her head disappointedly even as the sound of wind howling outside filled their ears. All too aware the wind might penetrate into the barn; Anyu stuffed her meal packaging deep into the hay bale. Almost at once, the packaging started to break down, creating some heat – though not nearly enough to set fire to anything – in the bale, warming Anyu as she slipped into the sleeping bag and went to sleep.

At three in the morning local time, heavy snow fell, persisting for one point five shir-ors and dumping 8 cun 寸 of snow and creating drifts 16 cun 寸 deep. With no real sunrise to alert her to local time, Anyu slept comfortably through the entire storm.

One point six shir-ors later Princess Anyu woke to a dark sky filtered through frosted window panes. Kerosene lamps flickered around her, casting eerie shadows onto the white walls of the room. A man appeared with a plate of local food, "Are you hungry?"

Anyu listened for her translator to interpret his question. Though the word form sounded rather different from anything in the Beinarian databases filling the translator, its algorithms deduced the man's meaning and translated the question into Beinarian. "Yes," answered Anyu, the translator interpreting her Beinarian and emitting her answer in English.

"I thought you might be. I know it is not as good as I might otherwise give a guest, but my wife is in London so I had to cook tonight," apologized the man, putting down the plate of roast beef, potatoes, and mushroom gravy over whole wheat bread, along with a fork, butter knife, and spoon.

Anyu picked up a fork and tried some of the beef, "This is very good, whatever you call this food."

"Roast beef sandwich. Don't they have roast beef sandwiches where you come from?"

"Not like this, no," answered Anyu truthfully. Whatever this 'beef' was, it tasted different from the meats served at the palace in Hejing.

"This beef I raised myself – the cattle you saw there in the barn. True, I don't have many, but then again, it's not like a got a big farm either. I sold most of my land to the town so they could grow out this ways."

"What town is this?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"No – I am lost; I would not be camping in your barn to get away from the storm if I were not. I am sorry I trespassed."

"It's okay. I am glad for the company, actually. My name is Mike."

"Anyu."

"Anyu – that's a pretty strange name for a white person," remarked Mike.

"I am sorry, I do not understand."

"Well there are plenty of folks in town with funny names like that – but theyze got yellowish skin and brown eyes. Youze got pretty brown hair and light eyes," declared Mike, studying her. "Come to think about it though, your clothes look really funny too. Are you one of those silly costume folks from Nithgaard?"

"Silly costume?"

"SCA! That is what they call it. They dress up kinda like you and pretend it is the middle ages again."

"I am sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Well then, it makes no matter. I guess if you want to dress like you live one thousand years ago, that is none of my business – just expect people to stare at you unless you change into something else."

"What if I do not have any other kinds of clothes?"

"How would you not have any other kinds of clothes?" asked Mike, utterly confused.

Anyu put down her fork uneasily, "I-eh-left home rather ah suddenly."

"Whyze that?"

"My mother she – I do not really want to talk about it."

Mike pursed his lips. Obviously this girl was in some sort of trouble and needed help, "I cannot say I know what kind of trouble you are in, but I think it must be pretty big. Tell you what: I cannot give you anything my wife has around; she's not your size anyway; but I can give you some money and drive you out to a place where you can buy a couple new things. Would that help?"

"Yes. Yes thank you."

"Well you really should keep eating. You need your strength. Do not worry about no one out here. I got my shotgun in case any trouble comes looking for you."

"I do not think your – what is that – will help much if anyone from home comes looking for me. But I thank you."

Two days later the yellow-white local sun emerged, warming the snow-buried ground. The temperature outside swelled to eight degrees Celsius, causing the deep snow to melt and compress seventy percent until it lay just 2.5 cun 寸 deep, more than adequate to continue her journey. Packing her belongings tightly, Anyu readied herself for the next stage of her journey – whatever that may be.

"So are you ready?" asked Mike as he came back inside his house from the barn.

"As ready as I ever will be."

Mike led Anyu to blue pickup truck, its bed filled with melting snow. Jumping up into the bed, he shovelled the bed clear, carefully brushing out the residual flurries lovingly before hoisting Anyu's pack into the bed. Offering her a hand up into the truck, he handed Anyu eighty dollars in the local currency, "This is not much, but it should be enough to get you something to wear that does not make people think you are from outer space. People here are friendly; just ask for help and most of the time someone will help you."

Anyu studied the strange paper currency, a little surprised at its primitive and fragile nature, "Thank you."

Closing the passenger side door, Mike opened the driver side door, slid comfortably into his driver's seat and fastened his seat belt. Watching him, she located the safety belt on her side and secured herself as Mike turned the key. The truck roared to life with a sound that startled Anyu. Casually Mike pulled the truck into reverse, then drive, and onto the highway leading into State College.

Thirty minutes later, Mike pulled into a huge parking lot in front of a rather large commercial structure. Over one entrance read "Hess's" in big red letters that seemed to dominate over the other signs over other entrances.

Mike pulled up close to the department store doors, "This is a store called Hess's. It's one of the oldest department stores and one of the best. You will find anything and everything you need. My wife does all her shopping here."

Retrieving her pack from the back of the truck, Anyu smiled at Mike, "Thank you for your hospitality."

Mike pulled out a small basket from the back, "I do not know if you have any food with you; my wife likes to make those kolaches and made me more than I can eat before they go stale. I also got some cheese for you and some hard boiled eggs. It's not much, but I hope it helps you out."

Anyu took the basket from Mike's hand, "You are more than generous! Thank you!" Anyu watched as Mike pulled away and headed back to his little farm. There was nowhere to go but forward and into this very strange world.

### Chapter Two: Enter Anyu Wen

Anyu plunged herself into the department store entrance. Immediately around her racks of clothing swarmed in ordered chaos. As alien as she found the strange animals – what did he call them? Cows? This garish display of clothing and other items re-enforced in Anyu's mind that this was D425E25 Tertius – not Beinan!

A well-dressed teenager with pink highlights in her hair and a mesh-style hair ribbon matching her drop-waist pink lace dress approached Anyu, "Welcome to Hess's; can I help you find something?"

"A – a dress please."

The clerk's eyes rolled over Anyu's pale blue bliaut, "What costume party did you just drop in from? Oh wait! The shire of Nithgaard just hosted East Kingdom University, right? Are you from Debatable Lands or Ostgardr?"

"What?"

"Oh! I am saying it wrong! That must be it! Well, Penn State is not exactly Columbia University, but we got a killer football team!" rambled the clerk. Anyu stared. What was 'football?' Sensing Anyu's confusion, the teenaged-clerk shifted back to business, "So what can I help you with?"

"A dress," repeated Anyu.

"Ah right! What kind of style are you looking for?"

"I do not know. What do you think would look good on me?"

"Hmmm," puzzled the girl, walking around Anyu to assess her figure. "I do not know. How about I find a variety of choices and you can try them on until you find something you want?"

"Fair enough."

The girl walked Anyu to a dressing room, "Okay, wait here and I will be right back with something for you to try. If it is too small or too big, just tell me and I will get you another size, okay?" Anyu nodded, taking a seat on a pink padded bench placed close to a bank of dressing rooms. After fifteen minutes the clerk re-emerged holding numerous skirts, blouses, pants, and dresses, "Okay just go in here and have fun trying things. If you need help, just press this little button," the clerk pressed the button to show her how it made a ringing sound, "and I will come as soon as I can."

Anyu nodded. Setting down her heavy pack in a corner of the spacious private cubicle, she organized the clothing systematically before pulling off her bliaut and kirtle.

After half an hour, Anyu emerged in a pale blue cotton dress with a dropped waist, shoulder ruffles, and full skirt, "What do you think?"

"It's pretty – and it's on sale."

"What is this on sale?"

"Wow, your daddy must be loaded if you do not know what a sale is!"

Anyu frowned, "My what must be what?"

"Never mind. I like the dress. Definitely a keeper."

Nodding an acknowledgement, Anyu disappeared into the dressing room once more. Two more items remained. The last of these was a blue and lavender rose floral garden party dress with a white background to the print. A shawl collar dominated the tailored full skirt with its built in petticoat, minimizing the waist. Deciding to buy both dresses if her money allowed, Anyu unzipped the pretty new dress and put back on her kirtle and bliaut. Emerging at last and restoring her pack to her shoulders and the basket of food onto her forearm, Anyu held out two piles to the waiting clerk, "These I do not want, but I would like to buy both dresses if I have enough money."

"Okay, come with me," motioned the clerk, leading the way. Passing a group of racks for discarded clothing items, she set the items Anyu did not want onto one, and then resumed her efficient trek to her register. Efficiently she scanned the barcode on the first, blue dress Anyu showed her before, "Okay, this one is on sale for just fifteen dollars." She scanned the second dress, "And this one is on clearance for twelve dollars. With tax that will be twenty eight dollars and thirty five cents."

Anyu pulled out the strange paper money Mike gave her: three twenty-dollar bills and two ten dollar bills. Not knowing what the writing meant and having no clue how much money she had she handed the clerk one of the twenty dollar bills, "How much is this paper worth?"

"You really do not know?"

"I – never used money like this before, always a payment card."

"Well we accept credit cards if you prefer to pay that way," offered the clerk.

"I left at home," lied Anyu, equally aware that Beinarian currency would be useless on this strange world, "Please tell me how much that paper is worth?"

"Wow, what a ditz! Okay, that is a twenty dollar bill. I need eight dollars and thirty five cents more if you want both dresses."

Deducing the two remaining bills that looked like the one she handed to the clerk must be the same value, she offered one of the two ten dollar bills in her hand, "How much is this one?"

The clerk took the bill, "That is a ten which is just fine. Let me give you your change." Entering in 'thirty dollars' into her register, the machine opened the drawer for the clerk to put in the two bills, then pulled out a one dollar bill, two quarters, a dime, and a nickel along with the receipt, "Your change is one dollar sixty five cents. If you need to return either dress after you get home and before you wear it, just bring back this slip of paper to prove what you paid." The clerk expertly folded both dresses and put them into a decorative box lined with tissue paper and slipped the box into a paper shopping bag with a sturdy twine handle, "Thank you for shopping at Hess's. Please shop with us again!"

Anyu strode out of the department store, glad to be away from the clerk. Unable to read the local language, she wandered until she found a strange looking sign to a corridor marked with a symbol that looked like a female. Pulling out her computer as discretely as she could, she scanned the area, deducing from the readings that the sign indicated some sort of private chamber filled with plumbing – a lavatory perhaps? Walking down the private corridor she noticed a door with the same symbol and a strange sign marked "Ladies Lounge" in that strange local language she found incomprehensible. Pushing the door and entering the room, her hypothesis proved correct as she found herself in the first of two chambers. In the first chamber in which she stood, a bank of connect mirrors reflected over a counter top. Opposite this stood three plush chairs, a couch, and glass-topped table. Off to the side stood a sterile counter with supplies, including a large bottle filled with baby powder, baby wipes, and disposable towels designed to fit neatly between the countertop and a baby.

Two steps upward led to the second chamber with its sinks and lavatory stalls. Cautiously Anyu stepped up into the larger chamber. Choosing the largest stall, she put down her pack, the basket of food, and the bag with the new dresses before pulling off her kirtle and bliaut and carefully unfolding the blue dress. A sales tag of some sort remained, attached to the fabric by a thin plastic loop. Digging into her pack, she found a small utility tool designed to produce her choice of twenty small tools. Setting the dial to a narrow laser knife, Anyu cut the plastic loop, picking it out and disposing it in the small trash can next to the toilet. Turning off the tool and replacing it in the pack, she unzipped the dress, slipped it over her head, then zipped it back up before using the lavatory for its intended purpose. Adjusting the new dress and stashing her gauntlets into her pack, she picked up her belongings. Washing her hands in the strange arnile-bilast liquid emitted by the sink, she applied some more skin protectant against the burning effects of atmospheric bilast before heading deeper into the shopping center with its strange sights, sounds, and smells.

Music filled Anyu's ears as she wandered the mall, light, rhythmic and sweet with the familiar sound of shawms and flutes. As if in a dream of the home she knew existed no more, Anyu drifted towards the sound. In the center of a large open space near an escalator, a small troop of performers dressed very much like Beinarians danced and played the sweet music. Recognizing the dance, Anyu put everything down and joined the forming circle. Memories swelled. Her feet knew the steps, transporting her and surprising the performers while the crowd of shoppers applauded. As the song ended, she disappeared, collecting her belongings once more. One of the dancers, a man with brown eyes, jet black hair, and apricot skin followed her, "Who are you?"

Anyu turned and faced him, "I beg your pardon?"

"You appeared and disappeared as if from nowhere. I have never seen you before, yet you knew the steps to our dance."

"Everyone knows that dance," remarked Anyu casually.

"Not in this time and place, they do not," countered the man.

Comprehension filled Anyu, "Ah! You must be of this Society for Creative Anachronism that people told me about!"

"I am. My name is Seo-jun."

"Strange name."

"It suffices. So what are you doing here?"

"Shopping. New dress," motioned Anyu at the fabric of her dress.

Seo-jun raised an eyebrow, "With a heavy pack like that and a basket of food?"

"Sure, why not?"

Seo-jun's eyes changed from brown to metallic blue, his voice lowering, "You are not from around here. As a matter of fact, you are not from anywhere near here – not even this galaxy."

Anyu tensed and instinctively raised her hand to her hip, forgetting for the xiao-shir that her sword was buried in her pack, "Who are you?"

Seo-jun grabbed her arm, "Let us take a walk, Princess!"

Seo-jun dragged Anyu to the parking lot outside of the mall. Forcing her onto the back seat of his black two door Ford Fiesta sedan, he threw her belongings into the car hastily, spilling out one of the kolaches from its basket. Suddenly a dark-haired and grey-eyed man wearing white trousers, a white t-shirt, and white linen blazer leapt out from behind a nearby station wagon, his laser épée humming fiercely, "Let her go!"

Seo-jun laughed, "Why? You cannot harm me!" To prove his point, Seo-jun concentrated; the doors on the sedan locked with a loud click. Anyu tried to pry open the locks; they would not budge.

Understanding her life was in danger she quickly found her sword and drew it from her pack as the man stepped towards Seo-jun with his laser épée. Closing his eyes and controlling his breath, the locks flew open. Anyu rolled onto the ground to safety. Lifting a finger, the stranger threw all of Anyu belongings out of the car including the stray kolache which rolled in its protective plastic sandwich bag until it hit Anyu's pack as Anyu found her feet.

The man with the épée advanced on Seo-jun, "You will leave this world, Seo-jun."

Seo-jun sneered, "And who will make me? You?"

"If I must," confirmed the man, raising his épée and planting his feet firmly to attack.

"Your powers of mind are limited. Your powers of flesh are even more limited. When can your kind ever defeat us?" guffawed Seo-jun.

"Perhaps I will die trying," offered the man.

Anyu raised her sword, taking a defensive position with her strange benefactor, "If he dies, he does not die alone!"

"I did not come here for you, Princess. But if you wish to die too, I can arrange that. Pity though; you are worth so much more to me alive – unlike your friend here," frowned Seo-jun.

"Come now, what would Lady Laela think if she heard you talk that way? You cannot simply dispose of her favourite pet without provoking her wrath!" cried the stranger sarcastically, his feet instinctively falling into the ritualized martial arts forms of the knights of Gurun. Anyu smiled, recognizing the steps from countless lessons by Lady Knight Aldris of the knights of Gurun, her feet gliding into complimentary forms

in accord with the Gurun style of fighting. Their two swords – one heritage and one modern – seemed to dance joyfully as they met each other's eyes. Two complete strangers yet suddenly comrades in arms.

Undaunted, Seo-jun rolled his eyes, half amused at the irony of a man from the past wielding the modern weapon while the adolescent daughter of Beinan's conquered queen wielded a heritage sword. It was, from a larger perspective, downright comical while being, from another point of view, rather heroic. "You both surely must realize how useless both your weapons are against me."

"That has yet to be seen," challenged the stranger. "I have never actually attacked one of your species before – but since you obviously are intent on taking one or both of us to Lord Yelu, I see little incentive to not at least try." In affirmation, the stranger lunged at Seo-jun with his blade, much to Seo-jun's annoyance.

Seo-jun deflected the blade with a wave of just one finger, "I am no longer amused." Anyu, unaffected by Seo-jun's telekinesis, glided closer, cutting her blade down and slicing ever so slightly into his shoulder. A few drops of black blood spilled onto the ground, sizzling against the payment acidly. Seo-jun faced her, his eyes like blue flames, "Unwise!"

Just as Seo-jun was about to throw Anyu into a nearby car with his mind, he observed several native humans approaching their position, obviously attracted by the noise. A man wearing the navy blue uniform of the State College police department approached cautiously, his firearm drawn. Seo-jun's eyes changed back to their brown disguise. Stepping back towards his sedan, he opened the door, "Very well then, since this place is far too crowded for my taste, let us defer this conversation for another beinor. I trust you will make peace with your goddesses by then. I would hate to see your soul trapped around this world." Sitting down in the sedan, Seo-jun closed the door, engaged the internal combustion engine, and drove away.

Relieved, the stranger stepped out around a car to turn off his laser épée out of sight of the police officer. Anyu pulled her sword sheath out of her pack, "What just happened?"

"I would think that would be obvious," answered the stranger as the police officer reached them.

"State College police," announced the officer. "Are you okay?"

Anyu looked at the officer and offered a respective bow, "Yes! Yes we are – thanks to you!" The police officer tipped his cap politely before turning back, unwilling to get more involved than absolutely necessary. Anyu turned once more to the stranger, "Well, now that's over – did you know that Seo-jun creature?"

'I do; I did," admitted the stranger as he re-joined Anyu.

"Who is he? Perhaps more importantly who are you?"

"That is a long story – to both questions. I am not entirely certain I know who you are – except that you are not of this world. Why did he call you 'princess?'"

"I do not know how you know I am not of this world – but he called me 'princess' because I am the daughter of my people's reigning sovereign queen."

The stranger took off his watch, "This looks like an ordinary multi-function time piece such as local men of wealth wear – but it is not." Demonstrating, he tapped the surface of the timepiece rapidly three times. The display changed. "As I hope you know, all life on this world is kol-based, not silizium-based like we are. This function scans for silizium-based life. That is how I found both Seo-jun and you, actually. All three of us are silizium-based. But beyond that – all I can tell is that Seo-jun appears to be after both of us – not just me."

"That name – Lady Laela – sounds familiar. Who is she?"

"Assuming these readings are correct and you come from B345A15 Quartus, also known as planet Beinan?"

"Yes, that is my home world."

"Mine as well. Have you ever been to the castle temple of Abka Biya overlooking the Amba Mederi Ocean in Bira Hecen?"

"Yes.

"Do you remember a strange woman with metallic blue eyes who takes care of the temple's observatory?"

"Vaguely – she did something – scanned me perhaps? I came to the temple to seek refuge from strange dreams I was having. She said I was seeing someone I knew in another life – someone named Janus who I later came to recognize as the same soul as this Lord Yelu the Bastard who has no doubt overthrown the Gurun dynasty."

"Precisely. That is Lady Laela."

"You know her?"

"Better than you do – and so does Seo-jun."

"Who is he?"

"A very dangerous person from an ancient race – Lady Laela's race actually. We first met them – we call them 'The Amur' – during the Great Migration. Woe to all Beinarians that beinor ever came."

"My name is Anyu – Lady Engineer Anyu."

"You are both a princess and an engineer?"

"Yes. You find that strange lord..."

"The locals call me 'Christopher.'"

"That is not your name."

"No."

"Why give me an alias?"

"I will tell you my birth name – in time. This is hardly the place to discuss our world."

"Agreed."

"I have a home in town where we can talk more privately – it is not far from here."

"Lead the way!"

Two-hundred xiao-shirs later, Christopher opened the exterior door to his apartment building just outside of downtown. Beautiful Victorian architecture dazzled Anyu's eyes as Christopher led her up a flight of stairs to his apartment, the middle of three apartments made from what was once a huge Victorian house. Once inside his apartment, Anyu found a squared foyer 0.5 zhang 张 long opening into a spacious kitchen on the right and a comfortable living room straight left and a little to the left. Eighteen cun 寸 into the living room a hallway lead to two bedrooms divided by a shared bathroom. Cosy reddish-purple carpeting that looked to Beinarian eyes like Ten-Arian crimson covered all but the bathroom and kitchen floors which were instead covered with stain-resistant blue linoleum flooring. Putting the basket of kolaches onto the kitchen counter, Christopher picked up Anyu's pack and led her to the guest bedroom, "Welcome to my humble home. This will be your room for as long as you stay with me."

Anyu peered into the bedroom cautiously, "Does anyone else use this room?"

"No."

"Then why do you have it?"

"One never knows when an ally from home might turn up."

"How long have you been here?"

"Not long; maybe a yen-ar or so. I lost track of Beinarian time several beinors into my stay. What I do know is that it takes three of their years to reach a single yen-ar on our world and more than five of their days before a single beinor passes back home. It is a," Christopher paused, trying to find the right word, "challenging transition."

"Will I lose track of time as well?"

"Unless you make a special effort – yes. Your body will shift to the movements of this world and this solar system. It is inevitable, I suppose."

Anyu sat down on the bed prepared for her, "How did you come to this world, Christopher?"

"Star craft – how does anyone come to this world not born of it?"

Anyu glared at his sarcasm and his evasiveness, "You know what I mean."

Christopher paced the small room, "Yes I know. But not knowing you, I am not certain how much to reveal."

"You could start with your name," suggested Anyu.

"No – no that would be a very bad place to start, actually," considered Christopher. "Hmm. Hmm. Well I guess I can say that I am older than I look; I left Beinan long before I am guessing you were born."

"But you cannot be a beinor over seventy or eighty."

"Suspended animation does that, I suppose. I am actually much older than that. For you see, I departed Beinan when I was one hundred two yen-ars old on the star craft Badatel not long after my sister became high priestess. After a time, I no longer remember how long, my star craft was overtaken by the star craft Nimamur and brought aboard. The Nimamur is like a large city travelling between the stars – with a range and speed that enables it to cross galaxies quickly and easily using quantum gravity wells."

Anyu thought about her own journey to D425E25 Tertius, how at 0.82 maximum speed, a quantum gravity well opened up and swallowed the Liltaél, transporting her billions of light yen-ars in just a matter of beinors, "Something similar happened to my star craft when I hit 0.82 of maximum speed. It is most peculiar; I thought my studies in astro-engineering from house Xing-li were comprehensive."

"They were, more likely than not. Our own people cannot generate quantum gravity wells; we simply do not know how to create them. Rather, we must travel across space – not tunnel through it. No – this technology is not Beinarian – nor is the Nimamur a Beinarian star craft."

"Then whose is it?"

"The Amur. As I said, the Badatel was taken over by the Nimamur and brought on board. There I saw the Amur in their natural state – or something close to it."

"What do they look like?"

"They are bigger than us – by far. Some of them have metallic blue eyes just as you saw – but not all. Instead of skin, they are covered with very fine scales so protective that they can endure the vacuum and coldness of space – without any sort of adaptive or protective technology."

"How can they breathe?"

"They do not – at least not as we understand it. But remember, even between galaxies there is always SOME light, SOME arnile. As best as I can figure out, they are able to breathe in arnile as it radiates from stars. This of course gives them enormous advantage over nirlar breathers like us. It makes sense from one of the older races in the universe, an adaptation that has helped them survive for so long." Christopher sat down beside Anyu, "Once aboard the Nimamur I found myself taken to a small, bright white room. There I saw Morlong, Laela, and Seo-jun, each talking in their own very strange language and arguing over some sort of writing that appeared as three-dimensional cubes. Morlong and Laela I knew on Beinan. But this Seo-jun was a different creature of a very different temperament. I wish I could explain or describe him better."

"How did you come to meet Morlong and Laela?"

"That, Your Highness, is an even longer story. What I can say is that I met them when I was ten yen-ars old. Both of them shaped my childhood – and the way I treated my sister. In hindsight I wish I had listened to them less and trusted my own judgment more – but like most children I was very impressionable. It never occurred to me that they might have ulterior motives for what they said and did."

"My mother, I think she had something to do with them. I encountered Morlong once when strange sounds woke me from my sleep. I tried to find the source of the sounds, wandering through the palace until I encountered Morlong guarding the Liltaél and saying strange things to me," remember Anyu.

"That sounds like him. As I said, I have known him a very long time," confirmed Christopher. "It was Morlong and Laela who, after a time and a fashion, put me into suspended animation until they were ready to use me for their purposes. They brought me from our B425 galaxy to this world, hiding the Badatel in a mountain range on the other side of this planet, in a place called Zhong Guo 中国 before using their powers to bring me to this continent. They set me up to survive on this world, even provided me with currency and language resources and helped me rent this apartment. But, as I found out, there was a price to be paid for their apparent patronage and generosity."

"What price?"

Christopher rose, "Another time. Right now I would like you to make yourself at home. No doubt you already have experienced several adventures."

Anyu agreed, "I have. Thank you.

Christopher picked up a cube measuring ten cun 寸 on each side. Pressing some buttons, it hummed with a green light along its based, "I have filled this natrium-nirlar electrolysis box with what the locals call 'salt.' If you prepared for your journey, you no doubt have one as well among your belongings. This one is much larger than we typically carry. It has enough natrium-nirlar compound to enable you to go without either of your ciphers for three or four shir-ors. I am sure you understand I have never tested this, not for more than two shir-ors at a time. No sense dying over an experiment." Turning the cube, Christopher showed her a set of numbers displayed digitally, "This top set of numbers renders the date and time as it passes on our world. This second row of numbers renders the same information in local time. You can set an alarm to wake you based on either type of time and date combination. Now relax, you are safe here."

"Thank you Christopher."

"If you need me, I shall be around the apartment somewhere. No intentions of leaving for at least another two shir-ors." With her acknowledging nod, Christopher turned and left.

The next morning by local time, Anyu rose to find a sweet and very pleasant smell filling the apartment. Putting on a robe and being careful of her pendant-broach cipher, she wandered, finding Christopher cooking in his kitchen. On his dining table lay two silver-edged white plates on grey placements, each with a kolache on it. "Good morning, Anyu. Please sit and eat. Kelan fruit do not exist on this planet, but I have something that tastes similar if you would care to try it. I also have a local version of what they consider cocoa; it's a bit bland, but with time I learned to adjust to it. Would you like to try it?"

"That would be most kind of you – I will try this version of cocoa. I suppose it is too much to ask the locals to make Belarian waffles?"

Christopher heated up a pan filled with cocoa and heavy cream on his stove, "No, but they have a version that is less nourishing but almost as delicious. I do not have any right now; we want to eat the food the native gave you before it spoils."

"Yes – this is all quite unexpected – and most kind."

Christopher stirred the still heating cocoa, "Agreed. You have done well so far, Anyu."

"So what is next? After the morning meal, of course."

"Next I help you learn the native language. Although I am certain your translators are helping, there are certain gaps in the programming that are best filled by learning to speak, read, and write the area languages on your own. Our science is sophisticated, but the best computer program is only as good as the content put into it. Reality is that our data is woefully out of date. As you probably know, the last explorer from our world to reach this planet landed on the continent they call 'Asia' in BE 6251. She was largely successful in collecting the sought after data the short time she lived here, but only for a very specific region of this world."

"BE 6251? That was seven hundred eleven yen-ars ago!"

"Yes. Two thousand one hundred thirty-three local years ago. In that time, the planet has changed dramatically. Empires have risen and fallen. Entire societies were wiped out in wars. An upstart and obscure religion called Christianity conquered the planet, sweeping away much of the religious diversity of its societies and helping to drive imperialist conquests with far reaching impacts that remain to this very moment. A recent industrial revolution has harvested the fossilized remains of ancient trees and plants, spouting kol-bilast into the air so thickly that some areas are barely habitable for the smog. This concentration of kol-bilast has already devastated countless ecologies; changing planetary weather patterns and melting ancient polar glaciers. If this planet does not stop this pattern soon, Anyu, there will be only a handful of species left alive. Humanity on this world will go extinct."

"Unbelievable! How can a species be so reckless?" puzzled Anyu, half amazed and half horrified.

"As far as I can tell? Politics. It always seems to boil down to that, does it not?" observed Christopher. "Which is another reason I want to work with you to learn the area native language. The sooner you do, the sooner we can create an alias you can use among these people."

"Why do I need an alias?"

"This is a society that seems to love bureaucracy; everything has to be recorded and kept in neat little files. It is truly ironic that their technology is so far behind ours yet they demand exponentially more record keeping. We have the advanced technology, but we do not strangle each other with records, hassling each other over trivia. This being the case, we need to put you into their computer systems as soon as possible. I told you that the locals call me 'Christopher.' My full name among them is 'Christopher Gurun.'"

"You are house Gurun?"

"Yes."

"How can you be brother to the high priestess then?"

"Because our mother is or rather was house Miyoo while she lived. Surely you know that house Miyoo renders its membership by the female line, creating dual citizenship for many."

"I actually did know that, but do not typically think about it. Very well then, what alias do you suggest for me?"

"You seem an inquisitive lady," contemplated Christopher. "What about 'Anyu Wen?' It is a name that easily renders in the language of the largest of the nations on this world, making you sound foreign, but not alien."

Anyu thought about it, saying the name repeatedly aloud and in a variety of pitches, "Anyu Wen? Anyu Wen. Anyu Wen. Hmmm. Hmmm. Yes, maybe. Yes, that will do."

Over the next two beinors, Christopher taught Anyu the native language called 'American English.' At times, the irregularity of the verbs frustrated her, as did the many words that sounded identical and had to be deciphered entirely from context. Though Anyu quickly picked up on the simplicity of the characters used in writing, characters far simpler than Beinarian characters, the irregular spellings confused her, especially when the pronounced word differed from the way the word was written out.

To make things even more confusing, Anyu observed that when watching the local video communications channel that English was not a single language spoken the same everywhere like her own native Beinarian language. Instead, it was a very specialized language with a staggering number of geographic dialects – both across countries and within them.

As confused as Anyu felt, Christopher noted significant progress in her learning – enough to test her by taking her into the world beyond. Dressing himself nicely in a trendy blazer and slacks emulating the style of one of the bigger television celebrities and being careful to conceal his pendant cipher and wrist cipher, he smiled as Anyu emerged from her room wearing the same pale blue dress with shoulder ruffles and a full skirt that she wore when they first met, the Beinarian sapphires and diamonds of her necklace cipher sparkling around her collarbone regally. Bowing politely as if they were both in Hejing, he offered his arm chivalrously to Anyu before plunging her into the larger world beyond.

Three blocks and ten minutes later, Christopher opened the door to an inviting-looking diner frequented by students of the nearby university called the Nittany Cub. One zhang 张 from the entrance stood a counter behind which stood a rather handsome dark-skinned college student with black hair and brown eyes. Anyu's eyes widened. She had heard of brown-eye syndrome, of course, but never expected to see it on this alien world. How did this creature function in life with such a terrible disability?

Aware of Anyu's discomfort, Christopher put his arm around her waist protectively, "Hey Daryl my man! What'sup?"

The brown-eyed creature Daryl commenced some sort of ritualized hand movements with Christopher, each more baffling to the princess, "Just chillin' ya know. Pop is out for the day gettin' some stuff for the dinner rush later, so I'm in charge of the whole kit and caboodle. This a social call?"

Christopher motioned in Anyu's direction, "Just taking my cousin Anyu to lunch. She just arrived; never been to State College before and still learning English."

"Anyu – that's one of those oriental names, right?"

"She's from Hejing, if that is what you are asking," confirmed Christopher.

"Is that like Beijing?"

Christopher laughed, very much aware that Beijing was the name of the capital city of Zhong Guo, "You got it! So um is my usual table available for lunch right now?"

Daryl picked up two menus and two sets of cutlery wrapped in a paper napkin, "Sure is. Come-on, let's get you two some lunch!" Leading the way to a secluded table, Daryl set the table efficiently, "Can I get you two something to drink?"

"A blackberry breezer spritzer for my cousin and I will take an English ale if you still have any left after the party last night."

"What that crowd? They only drink American beer – cheap stuff too – but lots of it! You and the professors are the ones who like imported ale. What is it about English ales that you guys like so much?" puzzled Daryl.

"Quality, my friend! You drink the cheap stuff when you want to guzzle down a pitcher to get drunk. A fine English ale is for savouring with your meal – or good company."

"Gotcha! Well then let me get your drinks for you while you two look over the menus." With a wink and some hand gestures Daryl thought made him look cool, he headed to the kitchen for their drinks.

Christopher opened his menu, watching Anyu copy him, "Well then Anyu, time to practice English in the real world. Scan the menu and tell me any words you are uncertain about."

"Surf'n turf?" asked Anyu.

"Ah yes – this is a common expression for a meal consisting of seafood and the steak of a common large land animal highly valued for its food value. Exactly what kind of seafood is included will vary geographically and sometimes by the preferences of a given dining establishment. But this is a dish that always mixes both types of food."

"I do not know what most of these foods are; we do not have them on Beinan."

"Yes – and no. Lobster, crabs, and shrimp are similar to the raks of the Amba Mederi Ocean. Different ecology and certainly these are kol-based like all other life here. But I think you will find the taste close enough to what we consider normal to enjoy it. I actually order this surf'n turf dish quite often; the ale I ordered tends to add to the flavour almost as well as a fine Beinarian mead – almost!"

"No kelan juice, I assume."

"No – but that blackberry drink I ordered for you tastes close to a slightly fermented version of kelan juice. There's arnile-bilast in it, same as any mead, wine or ale, but I find the taste acceptable."

"Since I do not know native food very well, I will try whatever you are having."

"Fair enough," acknowledged Christopher as Daryl ambled up with their drinks. "Thank you! We've decided to both order the surf'n turf with rice. Ranch dressing on the salad, no onions on either."

Quietly Daryl wrote down the two orders before disappearing again. Anyu looked at Christopher, her eyebrow raised with bewilderment, "Why no onions – whatever that is?"

"It's a plant, one our ciphers cannot detoxify if we ingest it, making it quite poisonous to us," explained Christopher, rubbing his bottle of ale between his hands, his reflection staring back at him in the glass. Just then he noticed another shape appearing in the glass, "Anyu! Get out of here – quickly!"

"What?"

"Just DO IT!" shouted Christopher, pulling out and activating his laser épée suddenly as he rose from the table. A high pitched sizzle pierced the air as the still unseen opponent fired three times, Christopher barely catching each plasma blast with his épée to ricochet into the carpet. Uncertain quite what to do, Anyu flattened herself against the nearby wall. Christopher glared at her as he scanned for where the plasma fire originated, "I said get out of here!"

"Where? How?" called Anyu.

"There's a back door to the restaurant around the corner. Head that way. I will join you when I can!" cried Christopher as another volley struck his épée.

Carefully Anyu inched her way towards the back door, her eyes fixed on Christopher. As the door opened, she found herself suddenly enveloped by Seo-jun's strong arms – far stronger than they looked, "Going somewhere, Princess?"

"You! You are an Amur!"

Seo-jun laughed evilly, "Yes! Yes I am. Told you, did he? Did he also tell you that he's Morlong's protégé? Sly, disobedient creature! Your mother – now she knows how to respect those older and more powerful than she is!"

"How do you know who my mother is?"

"And here I thought you were an intelligent member of your species," mocked Seo-jun.

"I am," smiled Anyu as she slipped out of Seo-jun's grasp, suddenly grateful for the yen-ars spent studying Gurun-style martial arts. Aware that her opponent was not what he seemed to be, Anyu scanned the alley around her in search of her best escape route. With a sword, she knew, she might easily be able to fight her way out of this – but without a weapon? Was there any way to defeat Seo-jun in hand-to-hand combat? Sizing up the situation, Anyu realized that her best chance of escape was to evade Seo-jun long enough for Christopher to come to her aid – or secure a proper weapon herself.

Aware that the strategic advantage was still his, Seo-jun stalked his prey deliberately, putting Anyu into an increasingly defensive position. As he advanced, Anyu retreated deeper into the alley, careful not to allow Seo-jun to cut off her escape. Seo-jun raised his right hand. Telekinetic fingers grasped at Anyu's throat – but this time she was ready. Focusing her eyes deeply into his and with controlled breaths she concentrated her thoughts like a laser beam against Seo-jun's telekinesis. Slowly, deliberately, she felt his grasp weaken. Seo-jun pursed his lips into slight smile at the unexpected defence.

Anyu backed down the alley, inching her way closer to the street. Behind her plasma fire sizzled close to her. From what seemed like thin air Christopher leapt between Anyu and the plasma fire, his laser épée humming as he counter-parried each volley from the now visible four legged, black-scaled creature firing at them, its massively long serpentine tail tipped with four webbed fingers and wielding the plasma pistol. Seo-jun advanced on them, "You cannot escape. You are my prisoners. Lord Yelu will pay me handsomely for your return – though which one of you he will pay best for I cannot say. Long have you been a thorn in his side, Your Highness – long before her latest re-incarnations as Keelia, Fëawen, and Anyu."

Christopher taunted back, his free hand clasped around Anyu's waist protectively, "Fortunately for me, I learned from the best. In his current form, Yelu the Bastard is diminished. Shame the way you Amur cannot maintain your illusions for yen-ars on end without resting in your native state periodically, that the only way you can sustain a Beinarian physical form is to abandon your own and become as weak and mortal as we are."

"Ah, but with the powers of the line of High Priestess Anlei and High Priest Corann, who needs immortality? You fragile humans barely know the Sight and the Gift exists at all! In every way we are superior!" asserted Seo-jun.

"Really?" laughed Christopher, activating an energy shield which enveloped both him and Anyu even as he deactivated his laser épée. The creature fired; its plasma bolts bounced harmlessly off the shield. Christopher and Anyu advanced closer to the street until they were less than a zhang 张away from it. The creature changed shaped, assuming the form of Lord Morlong which Anyu recognized at once. Christopher offered the Ten-Arian salute of respect sarcastically, meeting Morlong's eyes, "Nice to see you looking more human, Morlong." With a laugh and still protected by the shield, Christopher and Anyu headed back into the Nittany Cub until he was certain they were safe. Deactivating the shield, he high-fived Daryl as they returned to their table to finish their meal, "Hey Daryl my man!" Daryl stared intently but said nothing as Christopher and Anyu sat back down, picked up their forks, and tried the salad as if absolutely nothing just happened.

Three weeks later an unmarked manila envelope slipped into Christopher Gurun's mailbox. Opening the envelope cautiously and scanning it for hazards with one of the functions on his watch, Christopher climbed the stairs, opened, the front door, and poured its contents onto his kitchen counter as Princess Anyu carefully tested the machine she was building. With a hum, the beginnings of a laser sword flowed out from the device. Anyu looked up at Christopher, "What is that?"

"Your official forged documents," answered Christopher as he rifled through the contents, handing each one to her. "This is your social security card. This is your state identification made with a photo I took of you with the camera on my watch—deleting your cipher from the photograph, of course." Christopher held up a small

booklet with a navy blue cover marked with the seal of the United States of America, "And this, this is your passport from the United States of America. Congratulations, Anyu Wen, you are officially a citizen of the United States, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York."

"What is Brooklyn and why am I from there?" asked Anyu, taking the passport from his hand and flipping through it.

"Brooklyn is a city of nearly four million people that is part of an even larger city called New York City. It is a county, city, and borough of New York City all at one time with a diverse population – diverse enough that no one will question your name or your looks."

"Have you ever been there?"

"Yes – twice. It is a good place to hide when you are in danger, actually. Perhaps in light of our recent encounters with Seo-jun and Morlong we would do well to abandon State College and take up residence there. My lease here expires in a couple months. If you feel ready for the journey and if you think you will have your laser schlager finished by then, I am willing to leave here," offered Christopher.

"What about my star craft?"

"I have a program that can re-activate it remotely and bring it to us should any emergency arise."

"How can you do that?"

"I was Morlong's protégé for a very long time; I learned much of their technology – even if they do not know I know how it works – and how to replicate much of it. I know the secret to their cloaking technology; with your permission I can install a cloaking device into your star craft that will render it invisible to all Beinarian technology—and most Amur technology as well. Then we can store most of our belongings in there – until we are ready to transfer them to our new home in Brooklyn. Would that be satisfactory?"

Anyu nodded, "My star craft is your star craft."

### Chapter Three: I Love New York

The next three yen-ars passed quietly and without incident. Living on Ocean Avenue in the Sheepshead Bay neighbourhood in Brooklyn all seemed peaceful, a quiet vacation from the cares and concerns of Beinarian politics and the mysterious agendas of the Amur. Gone was all thought of the Great Revolution back home. Gone were all of Anyu's questions regarding Christopher's identity.

As beinors turned to weeks and yen-ars turned to years in Anyu's perceptions she found herself emulating Christopher's own assimilation of the external environment, putting aside not only Beinarian clothing, but all but the most essential Beinarian technologies required for her to survive.

Along with these adaptations came employment. Just twenty-two beinors after Anyu and Christopher moved to Brooklyn, both secured employment as software writers and engineers in Manhattan with Broadway Bytes, a technology and software firm located in Manhattan's famous Flatiron Building at 175 Fifth Avenue near 23rd and Broadway, servicing the technology needs of New York City's many Broadway and off-Broadway theatrical productions.

"You asked to see me, Ms. Doyle?" asked Anyu Wen, knocking on her boss' office door.

"Call me 'Anne,' and yes, please come in," instructed Anne Doyle. At five foot six and with an unexpectedly athletic build for an engineer, Anne's flaming red hair blended with her emerald eyes and pearly skin. Rising, she beckoned Anyu to sit, "Please, make yourself comfortable." Anyu sat down obediently. Anne continued, "I wanted to ask you about this software proposal you submitted last week. What makes you think there is any future in digitizing music?"

"Why not? Rumour has it that Steve Jobs is working on something top secret relating to music technology."

"This is Broadway, Anyu! No show worth watching uses pre-recorded music!" scoffed Anne.

"But what about when a musician becomes sick? Do most companies have the means to fill in empty chairs with substitutes – or do they simply let the music thin out those nights? What about when a nor'easter hits and not everyone can get to the theatre? Can our clients really afford to cancel shows over weather?" challenged Anyu.

"You really think you can not only create this technology and software, but get our clients to buy it?"

"Absolutely. We are on the verge of a new technological revolution. Why shouldn't Broadway Bytes lead the way?"

Anne re-read Anyu's proposal, "Very well then, I will green light this. But if at any point I see this not working out to the company's best interest, I am pulling the plug. Do you understand?"

Anyu rose, "Yes – thank you!"

After work Anyu walked with Christopher to catch the downtown F train to West 4th Street for their transfer to B train home, "Can you believe these idiots? Why can't Ms. Doyle see that digital music is the next logical technological step?"

"She's a native to this planet, Anyu! It's not like she's ever seen a touch screen computer nor seen a three-dimensional projection of the person she speaks to during a call. Technology is still very primitive here. Oh sure it's advanced over yen-ars we've been here. But they are a long way from leaving even their own solar system, let alone traveling to another galaxy!"

Anyu started down the steps at the 23rd Street F train station, "Three yen-ars and what have they learned?"

Christopher swiped his metrocard payment card through the turnstile separating the track platform area from the outside public space, "Remember how we filed your documents when you first arrived? That was done with typewriters, taking advantage of the lack of centralized government computers."

Anyu swiped her metrocard, joining Christopher as both headed towards the front of the platform until they spotted an empty bench, "I barely remember – so long ago. I barely recall what a yen-ar is anymore."

"Lucky for us."

"It is easy to forget about home, isn't it? We live like normal natives – except for our natrium-nirlar boxes and our ciphers. You never did tell me your real name."

"Well, to be fair, I have not called you by any of your titles."

Anyu rose as she noticed the F train pulling into the station, "It is not the same and you know it."

"Is there really a need to know my name, Anyu?"

The doors to the F train opened with a chime. Anyu stepped aboard and headed for a nearby seat, glaring at Christopher as he sat down beside her, "Why the secrecy?"

"Because I prefer our enemies to never know I am still alive."

"We are millions of light yen-ars away from home. What on D425E25 Tertius makes you think anyone from home is ever going to know anything about either of us?" scowled Anyu quietly.

The train chimed, closing its doors, "Stand clear of the closing doors, please."

Christopher paused as the train pulled out of the 23rd Street Station, "Can we really take that chance?"

Anyu looked away from him, riding in silence. The train chimed again, "This is West 4th Street. Transfer to the B train." As the doors opened, Anyu hastened across the platform.

Christopher followed her, barely catching her as the B train pulled into the station and opened its doors, "Look, I am not doing any of this to hurt you or frustrate you. I want to protect you, Anyu. I know I've done some pretty slimy things to you in the past – but only because I love you."

Anyu stepped onto the B train, sitting down before meeting his eyes, "I do not understand."

Christopher sat down beside her, "I knew you before I left Beinan – when you were Princess Anlei." The train chimed again before lurching forward, speeding its way down to the Manhattan Bridge.

Not knowing what to say, Anyu stayed silent as the train pulled up onto the bridge, the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan visible down below from outside the window, "Princess Anlei? I—none of that makes sense! Are you saying because of these Amur you were alive during the Great Succession Crisis?"

Christopher hesitated before answering, "Yes. I witnessed all of it – and loved you far more than you ever realized. I still love you, even if you do not remember me," remembered Christopher wistfully.

Without a further word Anyu listened to the roar of the subway train as the train reached first DeKalb Ave, then Atlantic Avenue stations. "What? Are you saying I knew you in a past life – which happens to be the same life you are living right now?" asked Anyu with disbelief.

"Yes," replied Christopher quietly as another long silence stretched between them.

"This is... Kings Highway. The next stop is... Sheepshead Bay," announced the B train.

Princess Anyu stood up as the train pulled out of Kings Highway, "You do not trust me enough to tell me who you are!"

The B train sped past Avenue U as Christopher stood up to join her, "You would not believe me even if I told you."

"Try me!" exclaimed Princess Anyu as the train pulled into the Sheepshead Bay station. The subway train doors opened. Anyu stepped out onto the platform, searching for the nearest stairs.

"Not here," answered Christopher in Beinarian, joining her. "But perhaps I can make things a little clearer to you; I do have some tokens from home I never let you see. Will that please you?"

"Perhaps," frowned Anyu as she hurried down the stairs and out of the station to the street below.

Christopher followed her, walking fifteen paces behind, only closing the gap on the stairs leading up to their apartment.

Anyu plopped down onto the couch in their living room, "Well, we are home."

"So we are," acknowledged Christopher with a sigh. Disappearing into his bedroom, Christopher pulled out a small chest 20 cun 寸 by 15 cun 寸 by six cun 寸 high. Carefully he lifted a delicate white konyn wool shirt with narrow ruffs, the Gurun heraldic charge expertly embroidered by hand around each sleeve ruff. Unbuttoning his long sleeve collared shirt, he changed into the Beinarian shirt, gently lacing it at the neckline and fastening the neckline ruff before adjusting the sleeve ruffs to lay properly. A Gurun-red sleeveless doublet lay at the top layer of the chest. Carefully he layered the doublet over the shirt and fastened it.

In his storage chest his eyes caught a glimpse of the red piping adorning the white konyn wool trousers he last wore while piloting the star craft Badatel, a small decorative detail common to formal men's clothing on Beinan. Unwilling to dig through his chest further, he closed the lid before rising and putting the chest back in its hiding place. Opening one of his closet doors to reveal a full length mirror, he gazed nostalgically at himself, seeing the Beinarian in him for the first time since his initial days on this alien world. Had all this time really passed? Was he really six hundred seventy-eight yen-ars old? Five hundred seventy yen-ars in stasis not only prolonged his life; it seemed to have reversed some of his aging as well.

Knowing Anyu waited for him impatiently on the couch, he closed the closet door to open a new, more metaphorical door as his real self.

"Well? What do you think?" asked Christopher, emerging into Anyu's view.

Anyu rose, stunned by the sight of Christopher in his doublet and formal shirt, "Only an heir to the Gurun throne is allowed to wear those ruffs!"

"Yes," acknowledged Christopher.

"But you said you knew and loved Princess Anlei who was the only heir to Queen Isabelle!"

"Not the only heir; well, not originally."

Anyu faced half furiously, "That is not possible. You say you knew Princess Anlei. Your clothing says you are an heir to the Gurun throne."

"Yes."

"That is not possible!"

"Princess Anlei—High Priestess Anlei was not the only child of Queen Isabelle. She and her husband had two sons as well: Alastair was born BE 6290, beinor 12 and—"

"—Prince Anwell born BE 6288, beinor 58," finished Princess Anyu. "Are you? Who are you?"

"History shows my brother Alastair died of mysterious causes in infancy."

"Making you Prince Anwell," deduced Anyu.

"Yes," acknowledged Anwell.

"Why? Why this deceit all this time?"

"What choice did I have? The Amur are dangerous creatures, Anyu. I told you I've seen them in their natural state. What you experienced with them at Nittany Mall was a tiny sample of what they can do. In truth Seo-jun did not try very hard to abduct you. You were not his target; I was."

"But why?"

"I know them; I worshipped them nearly all of my life. Knowledge is power, Anyu. These creatures do their best work when no one knows they exist, when they can convince everyone they are stuff of mere legends and not flesh and blood. Do not get me wrong, they are not all bad. But they are very old and tend to have very long memories. They hold grudges and are willing to make great sacrifices in pursuit of revenge once crossed. Your soul crossed the person now known as Lord Yelu and known in my time as Lord Janus, though you were enemies thousands of yen-ars before the start of the Gurun dynasty. He gave up his de facto immortality in his natural state in order to pursue his revenge, becoming a mortal Beinarian just as you became a mortal Beinarian. But yours was a noble cause; his is quite otherwise," explained Anwell.

"When I was on board the Liltaél I had strange dreams of my face that did not look like my face. I had metallic blue eyes like Morlong and Laela's. I stood before some sort of altar in some sort of temple. I never could understand the meaning of those dreams," recounted Anyu.

"Those were less dreams and more memories, Anyu. You used to be an Amur—one of their high priestesses, actually."

"How do you know?"

"Your life as Princess Anlei was not the first time I knew you. Far from it. Eons ago I was Amur too, back when the A672 galaxy was young. You and I were... close."

"How close?"

"How close can two beings be? I told you I love you, even though you do not remember."

"How gifted are you with the Sight, Anwell?"

"With High Priestess Wehe as my grandmother?" Anwell looked down before meeting her eyes, "Let us just say that High Priestess Anlei and High Priest Corann were not the only spiritual prodigies of that generation. They never really learned how to fully tap into their abilities; I did."

"That is how you could...?"

"Yes. They trained me under the assumption that abandoning our native form entirely crippled me in some way—and blinded me so I would serve them. They never expected their own creation to wise up and rebel against them."

"So what happens now?" asked Anyu.

"That is up to you, is it not? You know who I am. What do you choose to do about it?"

Anyu sighed, plopping back into onto the couch casually, "I do not know."

Anwell sat down next to her, "Well, what do you think about me?"

"What should I think about you?"

"We've lived together for more than two yen-ars, Anyu. Surely you have formed some opinion of me."

"Lately I try not to."

"Why?"

"This whole thing is bizarre to me, Christopher—Anwell—what should I call you?"

"Publically or in this room? In this room I suppose either will do. But out there? We have to remain Anyu Wen and Christopher Gurun. You must never think either of us are truly safe! Complacency kills more readily than any laser épée!"

"Fair enough."

"Anyu, do you not understand I love you?"

"Right now I do not understand anything! Can we not go back to where we were this morning when we went to work? At least until tomorrow?"

Anwell rose, "As you wish."

The next morning Anwell dressed himself in his native suit and tie, his Beinarian clothing stowed once more it his chest. At breakfast, he remained cordial, but mostly silent, quietly emptying the pure natrium from his electrolysis box into a small glass bottle and sealing it up before putting in his pocket. Leaving in advance of her, he found a small patch of bare ground. Pulling out a utility tool not unlike the one Anyu used at the Nittany Mall, he activated a small laser digging implement, creating a hole in the ground 20% larger in volume than he needed for the natrium he carried. Kneeling carefully to avoid soiling his trousers, he gently dumped the natrium into the hole, covered it up to prevent obvious contact with the air, rose, and headed for the subway station.

Work at the office continued quietly with Anyu remaining more distant than usual, as if compliance to her demands to know his identity made the sometimes tense situation between them worse and not better. Was it really so difficult for her to believe that she was once an Amur like Morlong, Laela, and Seo-jun? Were not her dreams and her emerging Sight not evidence enough to the truth he revealed?

Sensing Anyu's mind and mood, Anwell spent the day designing a new set for the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast while Anyu commenced her work on digital music technology, working well past their traditional twelve-thirty meal time. Saddened that Anyu would rather work than dine with him, Anwell lunched alone at a fast food restaurant near 23rd and Broadway across the street from Madison Square Park instead of enjoying a more nutritious meal at one of the area diners.

The ride home from work fared no better. Though Anyu sat beside him on the F train and B train, she said nothing to him. Not even the demands of cooking dinner together in their apartment could nudge a word out of her. It was as if by knowing he was Prince Anwell he had totally disappeared from her universe, a pain that hurt so badly he was tempted to not refill his electrolysis box, to simply let the atmospheric bilast around them poison him to death in his sleep. With the door to his bedroom closed, Anwell let tears fall from his eyes, each drop burning holes into his blankets where they fell with wisps of steam.

For six beinors, from new moon to new moon, Anyu maintained her silent distance, keenly aware her silence hurt Anwell. At night her dreams validated Anwell's words. Flashes of distant places and strange faces filled her dreams, faces that while alien felt like those she knew and remembered in this life. It felt as if she was surrounded by enemies, all of them intent on either killing her or torturing her. The face of Janus floated before her. In her dreams she saw a grand ball. A man was close to her—Corann? Lord Knight Corann? A conflict between Corann and Janus! A box—with a bracelet in it? In the dream she heard Janus' voice, "What could be dangerous about such a lovely bracelet? There are no symbols on it, just jewels. The perfect gift for the perfect princess."

"It IS beautiful," Anyu heard herself reply as Janus fastened the bracelet onto her left wrist. The moment the bracelet fastened she felt herself – was it her or this Princess Anlei life – suddenly shift consciousness, as if deeply drugged? The room spun around her. Suddenly she was on her bed, a necklace of betrothal around her neck and this Janus poised to – dared she remember, even in her dreams? And what of this Morlong? Who was he really and what role did he have to play in this apparent vendetta between the soul once known as Janus and now under the name of Yelu?

Half asleep and still very much confused, Anyu rose from her bed at four o'clock in the morning, opened the door to Anwell's room, and curled up beside him in his bed, waking him in the process. Anwell put his arm around her, "I thought you hated me."

"I've never been kissed before."

"Anyu... do not tempt me! Please, I beg you!"

"Maybe it is time you stop being such a royal gentleman."

"You do not know what you are saying!"

Anyu propped herself up on one elbow to face him, "Yes, I do. For centuries you held yourself away from me – first as my brother and now, now as whatever it is we are to each other."

"Even without Morlong's constant controls, I really could not act on my feelings with you back then. There are some things that must never materialize between brothers and sisters."

"But you could have been my friend!"

"Do you feel I failed you in my efforts to protect you? I knew you were meant for Corann, even if he was a 'mere' Beinarian, gifted though he was, and not possessing an Amur soul as we do."

"Corann resented the way you treated me, even after you hinted that not all was as it seemed."

"A proper husband will do no less," replied Anwell simply.

"I want to find out what that is like," confessed Anyu.

"What? Like this?" puzzled Anwell.

"Yes. I am ready now."

Bewildered Anwell rose from his bed, his athletic build now pleasingly obvious to Anyu. Pulling out his secret chest, he found an ornate heraldic bracelet consisting of Gurun and Miyoo heraldry in alternating linked sections. Climbing back onto the bed he offered it to her, "Are you sure you want this?"

"Yes."

"You know what happens after I put this on you?"

"Yes."

"And you agree to all it means?"

"Yes."

Anwell took a deep breath as he opened the bracelet to fasten it on her left wrist, "Princess Anyu, daughter of Queen Constance and Lord Knight Corann of house Ten-Ar, will you marry me and seal yourself to me?"

"I will," smiled Anyu as he fastened the bracelet around her wrist. Anwell kissed her lips, a sweet touch. Unlacing her nightgown at the neck, he pulled her close, daring now to do what he had only dreamed of for countless yen-ars. Anyu closed her eyes and enjoyed each new sensation as Anwell sealed their sudden betrothal, his mind flooding into hers as their bodies mingled. "I love you," she heard herself say for the first time. She would never be the same again.

Dawn broke two hours later. Was it all a dream? Looking at her wrist Anyu realized it was not, nor were the strange sensations in body. Now much more in touch with the Sight, Anyu remembered feeling like this before – the night Corann sealed their betrothal centuries before. But Anwell was not Corann. Corann – where was he? Was he still on Beinan? What happened to him? Did it matter anymore? She was Anyu, not Anlei. And the man that sealed her that she was now bound to – her former brother? Somewhat dazed and half asleep, a question escaped her lips, "Anwell, were you ever with anyone before? Did you marry before you left Beinan?"

"Did I ever love anyone besides you? No."

"That's not quite the question I asked."

"Sweetheart, I am six hundred seventy eight yen-ars old! That is not quite the same as if I were seventy yen-ars old and born in your time."

"Does that mean there were others?"

"It means that it is not reasonable for you to expect me to come to you untouched by anyone before you." Sensing Anyu's insecurity, he caressed her and kissed her, "I do not want to hurt you with my answer, Anyu."

"I was never angry at you for telling me the truth, Anwell, only for pretending to be someone else!"

Anwell sighed, "Very well then. Yes, I was with one other: Laela. She used her favours to control me as a young man. Remember that Morlong and Laela are in our native Amur forms; they appear to be Beinarian but are physically still Amur and with full access to their mental and spiritual powers. You and I both gave up most of those powers when we decided to become Beinarians back on A672E92 Quintus, our original home world."

"You remember that world as well?"

"I do."

"Do you remember any of the names you went by?"

"Yes. I was Lord Engineer Cariad of house Gurun, an astro-engineer involved in the search for the new home world. You were Lady Priestess Brigid."

"Brigid? As in house Brigid?"

"The one and the same. I remember these because Lady Laela stimulated those memories in me even as she used me physically, taking advantage of my adolescence. We were acquainted during those yen-ars, Anyu."

"When was the first time you...?"

"I was a boy of just thirty yen-ars, already much more experienced sexually than you were when Corann sealed you. There was no legality to it, of course, and I was way below the age of the consent, as if either Morlong or Laela concerned

themselves with Beinarian law or even just basic morality. Does it not speak volumes to you, my love, that they would do this to me in order to seal their control over me? I did not understand what was happening to me. They stimulated my physical maturity early so I could be capable of – please! I do not wish to remember more!"

"Did you get her with child?"

"I actually do not know. Certainly she was capable of manipulating things so that could happen – perhaps even giving birth while I was in stasis. I simply do not know!"

"I am sorry I was so mean to you – back then and in these yen-ars on this world. I – I did not know!"

"How could you know? Many shame women abused thusly. But for a young man or a boy to be so used and taken advantage of – the stain on my honour has been more than I can bear. I ask you to please never tell anyone. I am so tired of hiding who I am from you. I never want to do that again. But I am still a prince and I am still Prince Consort Bevin's son. I have my pride. Please honour and respect me on this?"

"One condition."

"What?"

Anyu smiled, "Make love to me before we leave for work?"

Anwell smiled back, "With pleasure."

With Princess Anyu now officially betrothed to Prince Anwell, the couple found their working relationship as Christopher Gurun and Anyu Wen flowed much more smoothly. Though no one at the office recognized Anyu's new bracelet as anything more than simply a new bauble that she presumably found at the Manhattan Mall in Midtown, the restoration of their friendship allowed everyone to relax and enjoy their work more and allowed each of them to work more effectively as individuals. Upon the successful completion of Anyu Wen's digital music project, Anne Doyle took Anyu out for lunch at Sammy's Noodle House in Greenwich Village as a reward for a job well done.

"Would you like some tea, Anyu?" offered Anne as soon as the waiter brought the steamy steel pot as both perused their menus.

Anyu nodded, "Thank you. I am a bit puzzled why you wanted to take just me out to lunch. The rest of the staff deserves it more than I do."

"I confess to some small ulterior motive, Anyu. Truth be told, I wanted to talk to you privately."

"Is there a problem?" frowned Anyu.

"Woman to woman," clarified Anne. "I am bit puzzled by your relationship with Christopher."

"What does my relationship with Christopher have to do with my effectiveness as a programmer and engineer?"

"Nothing – directly anyway. But you two seem to impact the entire office. When you both get along, the entire office is at ease, almost festive. But that month when clearly there was tension between the two of you – I don't know how to explain it – it was if the entire office was mirroring whatever was going on outside of the office. Any idea why?"

Images from Anyu's dreams flashed in her head in rapid succession. Could the Sight inside her have an impact on others? Not willing to reveal anything Beinarian to her boss, she shook her head simply as she took a sip from her cup of hot tea, "No clue."

"Why do I get the feeling you are lying – not just about this, but a great many things as well?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," denied Anyu.

"Are you in trouble? Perhaps I can help," offered Anne as the waiter arrived with a selection of mixed dumplings, two bowls of hot and sour soup, and two plates of shrimp with tomatoes over brown rice.

Anyu picked up two dumplings with her chopsticks and moved them to her plate before dipping her Chinese spoon into the hearty soup and tasting it, "This is delicious, thank you!" Enjoying a bite of shrimp and tomatoes, she met her boss' eyes, "Seriously I am in no more trouble than anyone else at the office who is seeing someone."

"Are you dating Christopher?"

Anyu looked down at her betrothal bracelet, "Not exactly; it's complicated."

"Love always is," smiled Anne.

"This whole thing with Christopher came on rather suddenly. I was mad at him for a month – you were not imaging that. Now, this morning – things are different.

"Did he give that to you?"

"Yes."

"May I see?" asked Anne, leaning over to look at the bracelet in greater detail. The triple moons in the Miyoo heraldry stood out at once to Anne, "Are either of you Wiccan?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"This symbol is often used to represent the Wiccan religion."

"No, no! It's heraldry. It represents one of the noble families that are part of my heritage."

"Heritage? Where is your family from? I know a bit about history and heraldry; my mother taught history at University College in Dublin before the Irish Republican Army killed her."

"Terrorists killed many in my family too," confessed Anyu quietly as she continued to eat.

"Ireland?"

"I am sorry Ms. Doyle—I do not want to talk about it. My mother is a prisoner to terrorists right now. If I speak something worse may happen to her."

"Is she still alive?"

"Last I heard. But that was before I came to New York City. I do not really know right now if she is alive or dead. Please, please respect my wishes. If any of the terrorists were to find out where I am they might..."

"...do something to you like they have to her?" asked Anne simply.

"Yes."

"Anyu, if you need help..."

"There is nothing you can do, Ms. Doyle."

"Maybe not right now—but that may change." Pulling out a business card, Anne wrote her cell phone number on the back and handed it to Anyu, "This is my cell phone number. If you need help, call me—day or night no matter where you are. I will do my best to help you. I lost my mother to terrorists, Anyu. If there is a way to help you or your mother avoid the same fate, I want to. I owe that much to my mother's memory."

"I thank you, Ms. Doyle."

Two beinors passed uneventfully. At work, Anyu continued to systematically adapt her knowledge of Beinarian music technology to the primitive tools around her even as Anwell submitted his final draft design for the new set piece for Beauty and the Beast. At home, Anwell and Anyu behaved more as roommates and friends than the newly betrothed couple they were. It was as if Anyu's sudden change of heart towards Anwell had more to do with her dream-memories than what her present feelings. Still, under Beinarian law they were both committed—if they ever made it home alive to be accountable under Beinarian law. With each passing shir-or both Anwell and Anyu grew more certain of the probability of a forthcoming attack by one or more Amur adversary. Who, when, or how neither could anticipate; only that some sort of attack must be imminent.

Finally, seven beinors after Anyu accepted Anwell's marriage proposal, the beinor they both dreaded came – with consequences neither could imagine.

Prospect Park glistened in the spring sunlight. As Anwell and Anyu exited the Prospect Park subway station on Lincoln Road, the sound of wrens, sparrows, starlings, and buntings filled the air with excitement, welcoming the Beinarian prince and princess as they followed the park signs and headed towards the famous Prospect Park Boathouse. Crossing a bridge over a narrow stretch of lake water, they watched as swans, ducks, and Canadian geese paddled the lake noisily in pursuit of breakfast. Following the path several yards, they navigated hand in hand to a spot favoured by birdwatchers to take in the morning music from the birds around them. A bluebird burst into flight from a nearby tree with a chirp. Anyu looked up at the bird and smiled, "It's been a long time since we came here, Christopher."

"Well in light of recent events, it seems appropriate," acknowledged Anwell gently.

"In all the chaos and worries it felt like you did not care about our betrothal."

"Never, Anyu. I have always loved you, so much so I suppose that it seemed prudent to let you come to me. Yes, we are betrothed. Yes, it is binding on us—but only if we both return home. If you wish to be released, there is no one on this planet to gainsay your choice."

Anyu caressed his brow, "I do not want to be released. I chose you. I meant it then and I mean it now."

Anwell took her hand and kissed her palm, "I love you—no matter what happens."

"What could possibly happen, my love?"

"Funny you should ask that question," sneered Seo-jun, the tip of his plasma pistol suddenly digging into the back of Anyu's head.

Anyu turned to face Seo-jun, her body obscuring Anwell from Seo-jun's view. Taking advantage of Anyu's concealing frame and her tea-length A-line native dress, Anwell pulled out his laser épée as Anyu taunted, "Well if it is not the mighty Seo-jun."

"Glad you remember me, Princess Anyu—or is it just Anyu Wen now? Finally wised up to the fact you will never rule Beinan?" countered Seo-jun.

Anyu clasped her hands behind her back, enabling Anwell to put into her hands the laser schlager she'd built while still in State College. Feeling the sword in her palms, she fixed her eyes on Seo-jun's, "I will return to Beinan, Seo-jun. Perhaps over Lord Yelu's dead body—but I shall rule as queen when my time comes. I have little reason to believe either my brother or my sister are alive, after all."

"Your brother is dead; that I can assure you. But Princess Leonora, well, she is too good sport to kill now isn't she? While you've been gone Lord Yelu has quite enjoyed sport with her. I suppose congratulations are in order, Aunt Anyu," sniggered Seo-jun.

"My uncle will regret ever setting foot near my sister by the time I finished with him!"

"Uncle? Well that is a bit of a surprise isn't it? Your mother whoring with her knight protector?"

"No! That was Lady Elita's game now was it not? Drugging my grandfather, forcing him to sire Lord Yelu? Oh yes, I know all about that. There are advantages to being the third child of a queen!" challenged Anyu as she activated her laser schlager and stepped closer to Seo-jun.

"Finally told her who you are, Anwell?" taunted Seo-jun.

Anwell activated his laser épée, "Not just who I am, but who your precious Morlong and Laela are. Oh yes, Anyu knows your crimes. At least Morlong and Laela's I can understand—but not yours. What is in it for you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" asked Morlong from behind Anwell. "I suggest you put your weapons away. Surely you know you cannot really hurt us!"

Anwell backed towards Anyu until they touched, "Oh, you can be hurt. Killed? I cannot say, but hurt certainly!"

Morlong stared at Anwell. Anwell's laser épée flew out of his hand and onto the ground, "Resistance is futile, Anwell. When you chose to follow this rabble into mortality, you lost far more than you gained."

"If mortality is such a curse, then why did Lord Yelu give up his Amurian body?"

"You know why."

"Yes, I do! Because for all the power and prestige of our race, it still has limits. You cannot stay long in human shape—not unless you are willing to make that sacrifice. Humans refuse to bow to monsters like us! If you want to rule them, you must become one of them! Lord Yelu has always wanted servants and slaves. When he failed to win them by killing Anyu's Amurian body eons ago, he found more fertile ground among humans—weak though you suppose them to be!" mocked Anwell as his mind summoned his laser épée. The sword ignited as it reached his waiting left hand.

Angrily Morlong focused his metallic blue eyes. A plasma bolt flew out of his right hand towards Anwell who deflected it expertly with his sword. Seo-jun threw a similar plasma ball at Anyu, testing her as she deflected hers. Working together Morlong and Seo-jun threw plasma at both with increasing velocity and ferocity until the two separated to address their individual attackers. Morlong sent a mental signal towards one of the bushes. Lady Laela appeared, stepping between Anyu and Anwell; touching both she erected a separating force field, immobilizing them, "Now, now no reason to injure them Morlong! Especially since there are so many more entertaining things to do to our prisoners!"

"What do you mean? What do you want with us?" demanded Princess Anyu.

"You will see!" taunted Laela. "You will see!" Touching a button on her belt, a sonic weapon sounded within each force field. In less than one xiao-shir both Anwell and Anyu collapsed like dolls onto the cold ground.

Two hours later Anyu and Anwell woke to find themselves together on a mattress on the floor of a room five zhang 张 by seven zhang 张 in size. Two windows twelve cun 寸 wide and nine cun 寸 high provided sunlight. Across the room lay another similar mattress large enough to accommodate both of them. A single loveseat chair rested against one wall. Rope lighting placed at the seams between the ceiling and the walls added a green artificial light. Inspecting their bodies, both felt relieved to find their ciphers still in working order. Whatever the Amur wanted, it was obviously not to kill them—at least not yet. As both expected, Morlong and Laela took the precaution of disarming both of them—yet curiously not removing anything else from their clothing or bodies, not even Anwell's timepiece. Standing up and walking around the room, Anwell tapped the touch screen on his timepiece, activating its sensors, "This is strange."

"What?"

"Three Amur life signs located directly above us in some sort of adjacent room."

"Why should that surprise you?" rose Anyu.

"Because otherwise the room is shielded; I cannot tell what is in there."

"You said they have technology far advanced to our own."

"Yes, which is why I should not be able to detect anything." Turning towards Anyu he smirked playfully, "I am not an engineer, you know."

"I do not think my skills as an engineer of house Xing-li are any good to us here."

"Not yet, but they may become so." As he paced Anwell noticed three cameras discretely placed in three of the room's corners near the ceiling. Anwell looked straight into one camera, "What are you up to?"

As if in answer, the door slid open suddenly. Laela stepped into the room, "So good of you to separate yourself from your princess." Pressing a button, a force field appeared suddenly around the princess, "Resist all you want, Princess Anyu. You shall not escape your cage—not until we want you to!"

Anwell glared at Laela, "What do you want with me?"

"The same as I wanted with you when you were a boy. You will comply!"

Anwell shook his head, "You cannot control me! I am a grown man now!"

Laela slithered up to him, touching his hair playfully, "I do not have to control you to get what I want!" Laela's hands drifted to his wrist ciphers, "You can come with me either with these or without these—your choice!"

"You will never get away with this!"

Laela took him by the wrist, her fingers covering his right wrist cipher, ready to pull it off if he showed resistance, "I already have. You simply are not aware of my accomplishments!" With a smug smirk, she half dragged Anwell out of the prison cell and into what waited for him above as she released the force field around Anyu.

Two hours later Seo-jun threw Anwell back into their cell, the buttons off Anwell's native shirt ripped off so it would not fasten close. On his arms just above his ciphers fresh bruises hinted at the tortures he endured. Bloodied and exhausted, Anwell collapsed next to Anyu.

Anyu knelt beside him, "What happened?"

"Their plan is worse than I thought, Anyu. This is not simply a quest for revenge against us for our alleged crimes of eight billion years ago but—" Anwell turned at a suddenly noise fearfully.

"What is wrong?"

"I—I do not know. Anyu, you must escape before they come for you. They will come for you, at least Morlong will. They did something to me in their lab—I do not want to hurt you!"

Anyu caressed his brow, "I am sworn to marry you, Anwell! You cannot hurt me, not if you tried!"

"Do not be so certain of that!" snapped Anwell with terror.

Anyu kissed him tenderly, her fingers slipping beneath his open shirt, "I am yours, Anwell. No torture, no drugs, no war, no distance will ever change that—even death! Come now to me, my love!"

"What? Here?"

"We are alone."

"How do you know I will not do something dreadful to you?"

"Ask me that after you are done," flirted Anyu.

Anwell shook his head with disbelief, "You are crazy to want this now."

"Indulge me!" toyed Anyu. Knowing that resistance was truly futile Anwell kissed her and melted into her passionate embrace.

Fifty-six xiao-shirs later Anyu rested contently with Anwell on the bed, her dress now somewhat wrinkled, "Do you still think this was a bad idea, Anwell?"

"Yes. I cannot imagine why they would have left us alone like this unless they benefited in some way from what just happened between us."

"You could have said no."

"I did; you seduced me, remember?"

"Are you saying that at your age a woman can get what she wants out of you just by asking nicely?"

"No. I am saying you can get what you want from me by asking nicely," corrected Anwell contentedly. "Something terrible is about to happen to us, Anyu. I know it with all my heart."

"Then why not interfere in our affections?"

"Because I think that is exactly what they wanted. They wanted us to make love, Anyu. Why? I cannot say—but they wanted this. We both just played into their plans."

"Do you regret it?"

Anwell held her closer, "No! It may be the last thing I ever do with you. Before I die I want you to know how much I love you."

"What did they do to you?"

"Torture—of a kind you have never seen before. I do not think any of us have. So strange, Anyu. When we were King Malvyn and Princess Consort Brigid travelling the stars at the dawn of our great migration we thought so innocently of the Amur we detected with our star cruisers. House Xing-li was so proud of its military might! Do your abilities allow you to remember Lord Admiral Horatio of house Xing-li? He was a fierce star warrior if I ever saw one!" mused Anwell.

"You were trained by the Amur to use the Sight; I cannot imagine ever seeing as clearly as you."

"You are also High Priestess Wehe's descendent Anyu. Do not forget that! You have the power too!"

Just then the door opened. Morlong stood proudly in all black, his satin cloak glistening in such a deep black it looked almost silver, "Noble words, Prince Anwell. It really is a shame you chose the wrong side in this conflict. You were once such a staunch supporter of our cause—until that thing seduced you into following her into death and into these feeble re-incarnations."

Anwell rose, "I chose the right side. What did your rebellion against Chuàngyì really gain you? Such pride! Such arrogance! The Amurian home world did not need to be destroyed. You brought this onto all of us! You and your unholy league! Now what are we but legends? You and the others have killed so many out of revenge, revenge exacted because you would rather blame others for the consequences of your pride and evil than accept that you are the reason the Amur must live as we do!"

"Chuàngyì never existed and you know it!"

"I know no such thing, Morlong. But one thing I am certain of: your quest for revenge will end soon. When that happens all the universe will rejoice for good defeats evil every time!"

Morlong erected a force field around Anwell, "We will see how brave you are after your true love suffers for your refusal to see things our way." Stepping over to Anyu, he met her eyes, "You will come with me now, Princess."

"And if I refuse?" challenged Anyu.

"You will come anyway—and suffer much more!" chuckled Morlong. Regally Anyu acquiesced, stepping away from Anwell and towards the door.

"Anyu, no!" screamed Anwell. With a gleeful glare Morlong looked back at him, then turned back to Anyu to escort her to what awaited.

Morlong led the way through a black-painted hallway, the same rope lighting that lined the prison cell offering its only lighting. Navigating a poorly lit flight of stairs upward, Morlong led Anyu to the laboratory both she and Anwell deduced existed. In the laboratory sophisticated computers lined the walls. On the far line rested two medical diagnostic beds looking somewhat similar to the ones Anyu grew up with at the palace healing center.

As Morlong pushed her towards one medical bed, her well-trained engineer eyes observed key differences between these medical beds and Beinarian ones, though clearly they were meant to look the same to a non-engineer, an application of technology far beyond Beinarian. Studying as closely as she could before Morlong forced her to lay down, she observed some writing that looked very similar to a script she half remembered, as if she'd seen it before, perhaps in one of her dreams. Was this Amurian language?

Before Anyu could analyse her surroundings further Laela appeared as if from nowhere, "Welcome, Anyu. I have waited many yen-ars for this moment!"

Anyu met her metallic blue eyes, "Why? What tortures do you have in store for me?"

Laela grabbed her right wrist, securing it into a binding energy field that only permitted the princess to move her arm no more than fifteen cun before grabbing her left wrist and doing the same, "You will see!" Touching a scanner control on the side of the bed, Laela smiled at the readout, "Ah! Excellent!"

"What?"

"Your body is freshly filled with the prince." Looking down, Laela observed Anyu's heraldic bracelet from Anwell, "And you are betrothed! How proper of him! More than you deserve, of course. A pity; I had hoped he'd deflowered you without such legal protections. As it is though we can still achieve our aims even with this complication."

Slipping her hand under Anyu's skirt, Laela raised the skirt just enough to place a dermal patch onto Anyu's inner thigh, close to her womanhood. In less than a xiao-shir the patch absorbed into Anyu's skin, becoming invisible to the naked eye. Anyu jolted as the first korn of the drug coursed through her body. On the computer bank nearby, a readout displayed the drug's results as five ovum quickly matured and burst from Anyu's ovaries. Laela inserted a tiny device into the skin of Anyu's thigh, the device painfully raising her skin as it worked its way through the skin and into Anyu's womanhood. After a xiao-shir, the device beeped. Laela touched a computer control, materializing the small device back into her palm.

"What is that?" asked Anyu, half in terror.

"Your body just released five ovum. This device is an improvement on those used over the last three hundred yen-ars to help deliver newly released ovum to the highest concentrations of sperm cells. It captured all five, releasing two among the millions of waiting sperm and keeping the other three which it still contains, ready for use later. Normally Beinarian semen carries 10 million sperm cells per release. But your system is currently contending with specially modified 45 million sperm cells, all looking for the ovum we just triggered inside you."

"Why?"

"You are scientist. Surely you know how babies are made!" mocked Laela.

"Not my question and you know it. Obviously you would not be triggering fresh ovum from my body if you were not intending to make use of my intimate time with Anwell."

"Smart girl! Yes, this stimulation was necessary; at your young age your body ovulates only once per yen-ar until you reach forty-five. That is why your menses are so rare and why pregnancy is so unusual in Beinarian adolescents. Evolutionary precaution I suppose; you are capable of sex and driven towards sex long before you becoming viably procreative.

"The drug I administered has now countered that. Any xiao-shir from now both your ovum will be bombarded with our genetic modifications. You will not leave this bed until you are fully and absolutely with child from your prince."

"So why collect the other three ovum? What do you need with them?"

"Mercy! Oh we certainly discussed letting Morlong have his way with you to fertilize the other three naturally—until we came up with a far better torment for you. Now, as it stands, you will never feel or know the children you give him—but I will! Along with the other three I bear your prince!" revealed Laela evilly as she laid down on the bed next to Anyu.

Morlong appeared from the shadows. With a smile he took the small device from Laela's hand, putting it between her thighs. Morlong and Laela's clothing appeared to disappear, an illusion no longer necessary for Anyu's benefit. With a grunt, he mated with Laela, their black scales glowing brightly as their mating intensified. As Morlong finished, he watched Anyu's reaction, "Jealous I mated with her instead? It's been billions of yen-ars since last you were properly mated with. A shame you will never know what you just missed!"

"Mating with an alien is not my idea of pleasure, Morlong, least of all with a villain like you!"

"Villain am I? Is that the way to respond to mercy? Perhaps I should give you what you missed after all!" threatened Morlong.

Laela stopped him, her illusionary dress reappearing, "Not yet! We are not finished here and you might trigger an unwanted result. After we release her back to Anwell, then you may make sport of her if you like—but not until."

Morlong restored his illusionary clothing, "As you wish, my love." Touching a computer control, he analysed the results of his mating. "Excellent—the three ovum from our princess are now fully fertilized. You are now carrying six offspring—three by you and Anwell and three by me and Anyu. Applying the hormonal accelerant now!"

Anyu's eyes widened at the revelation, "What do you mean she carries three offspring from Anwell?"

Laela rose from her medical bed, touching a medical device that surged hormones through Anyu's body, "What do you think he was here for? Before he bedded you, he bedded me—quite satisfactorily. Thanks to the drugs we gave him, he needed another outlet for his enhanced state—which is exactly why you practically begged him to make love to you! Now we are both carrying his children—like royal breeding machines you might say. Oh, dear princess, you are quite disgraced now! What will the court think of his infidelity after you took such care to lawfully betroth him?

"I will not have this child!" swore Anyu.

"Children—fraternal twins actually. Sorry, princess but you are not leaving this room until you are far too far along to abort," mocked Laela as she administered a growth accelerant. Before Anyu's eyes she watched what should have been a pair of microscopic fertilized eggs quickly mature into two foetuses growing vigorously and healthily inside her womb. "Now, for one final component to our plan!"

"What are you going to do?" asked Anyu suspiciously.

"Give you back to Anwell, of course!" slithered Laela as she pressed another injection into Anyu. Releasing the force fields from the bed, she bound Anyu's wrists together, walking her out of the laboratory and back to her cell, Morlong following closely behind to ensure Anyu did not attempt to escape.

As Laela opened the door to her cell, Anyu met her eyes, "You will not get away with this!"

"I already have!" guffawed Laela as she pushed Anyu into the cell and fastened her wrists to the bed closest to the door. Laela pressed a button. A strange smoke filled the room as she closed the door.

Anwell rushed to Anyu, "Are you alright?"

Anyu coughed as she inhaled the smoke, "I do not understand. Why bind me to this bed?" As if in answer Anwell removed his shirt and kneeled over her. Unfastening his remaining clothing, he hitched up her skirt. "Anwell? Anwell, what are you doing?"

Anwell positioned himself over her, "My job!"

"No! No! Anwell! You must not! Do not give into this!" cried Anyu as she felt Anwell continue. "No! No! Please! Anwell, we love each other!" Without a word his body struck its target. Against her will Anyu felt her body respond with pleasure. Tears fell from her eyes as Anwell continued until he was finished, "So this is the torture Laela promised!"

Morlong appeared in the doorway, "Well done, my boy! Go rest now and watch as I finish with her." Obediently Anwell dressed, then sat down on the opposite matrass. Morlong's illusionary clothing disappeared. With an evil laugh he straddled Anyu and mated with her as Anyu wept with both emotional and physical pain, "Now you are broken!"

Rising and returning his illusionary clothing, he released Anyu from her bonds. As if without a will of his own, Anwell rose and joined Morlong, dropping something onto the floor. Anyu struggled to her feet, "Where are you taking him?"

"Home!" replied Morlong as Anwell disappeared from her view. Marching the drugged Anwell out of the building and to a back alley, Morlong sent a psychic call. Anwell's star craft, the Badatel descended from above. Morlong threw Anwell into the star craft's passenger section as he sat down in the pilot's chair. With a roar, the hatch closed and the star craft ascended vertically. After five xiao-shirs the star craft escaped planetary gravity and headed for the de-cloaking Nimamur. As the Badatel landed and its hatch opened, Morlong marched Anwell out of his star craft, "Welcome to your forever home, Prince."

"Not this time!" screamed Anwell with a flying kick guided by his spiritual senses. Noticing his laser épée and Anyu's laser schlager on Morlong's belt, Anwell sent both weapons flying towards him with a mental command. Rolling on the floor, he captured both weapons, igniting them with a hum. Morlong smiled, watching Anwell stoically rather than fighting him. Cautiously Anwell backed away, waiting for Morlong to counter-attack before turning, disengaging his weapons, and running back into the Badatel. Closing its hatch Anwell threw the weapons onto the floor as he sat down in the pilot's seat and engaged the star craft's launch sequence, surprised that no force field or other defence blocked his path. Aggressively Anwell piloted the craft to evade the much larger Nimamur before setting the engines to 0.98 of maximum speed. A quantum gravity well appeared, enveloping the Badatel with a blinding flash of light.
Chapter Four: Princess Anyu Returns to Beinan

Now alone in her prison cell, Anyu wept. Anwell was gone; would she ever see him again? Looking at her ciphers she contemplated escape. Would dying hurt if she removed both of them? Caressing her necklace cipher, she played with its clasp, ready to remove it. Suddenly light burst in from the window and onto a small card that somehow fell during all the excitement. Stooping she picked it up and read it in the light beam. "Anne Doyle, Broadway Bytes Limited" it read with the 212 office phone number and Anne's own 718 cell number. Pacing, Anyu's foot brushed something. Kneeling she picked up an object: Anwell's cell phone. Had he dropped it intentionally? Not sure what to think, she unlocked the phone and started to dial 9-1-1 before realizing how the scene might look to the local authorities. Hanging up the phone she started again with Anne's phone number.

Anne answered the phone, "Hello?"

"Anne! By the goddess I am so glad to hear your voice!"

"Anyu Wen? Is that you?"

"Yes! Remember how you told me once to phone you if ever I was in trouble?"

"Yes! Yes! Anyu, where are you?"

"I do not know exactly. I am a prisoner somewhere, a basement of some sort. I do not know if I'm in Brooklyn or Manhattan. I was captured in Prospect Park."

"Okay, let me start a trace on the call. Keep talking; I will find you!" reassured Anne.

"I do not know what to say!"

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Does rape count?"

Tears filled Anne's voice, "Yes! Yes it does. Anyu really I do not know what to say except I will find you and get you free from wherever you are. Is your attacker nearby?"

"He's not in this room right now—I do not know how long I have."

"I only need another minute, Anyu. So far the program I am running puts you in Brooklyn."

"What are you going to do?"

"I do not know; I will try to help myself, but if I cannot, I will call the NYPD to get you free of there."

"Anne, I am frightened."

"I understand that. A few more seconds. Ocean Avenue between Avenues B and M. Come-on! We can narrow this down! Please!" begged Anne as she watched the display on her computer, "Got it! You are in a vacant house on Ocean Avenue between Avenue H and Avenue I near Brooklyn College! Hold on, Anyu! Help is coming!"

"Anne, there are security cameras everywhere. I cannot be seen being on the phone!"

"Put it down. Do not hang it up. We will find you!"

Half an hour later, Anyu heard pounding in another room, "Police! Open up!" A ring of shots from primitive firearms discharged. An officer banged on the prison cell door, "Is anyone in there?"

"I am!" shouted Anyu.

"Stand away from the door," commanded the police officer as she heard some sort of object crash into the heavy door. Two officers wearing bullet proof vests plunged into the room as the door broke suddenly.

Anyu picked up Anwell's cell phone and closed it, "My name is Anyu Wen. I was kidnapped I do not know how long ago."

"Is there anyone else here?" asked the leading officer.

"There was—they took him I do not know where!"

"Search the house," commanded the lead police officer.

"Be careful, Officer! They are very dangerous. They belong to a group that is holding my mother and sister overseas."

"Terrorists?"

"Yes."

"You are safe now, Miss Wen. Your friend Anne is waiting for you outside," affirmed the officer as he helped her out of the room and out of the house.

Anne raced to Anyu's side as she appeared in the open air, "Oh thank God you are safe!"

"They still have Christopher, Anne. They left with him; no idea where they took him."

"We will get him back, Anyu, I promise."

"Not if they are already overseas. All I know is they had a star—a boat waiting nearby," explained Anyu clumsily.

"There is something else, isn't there?" asked Anne.

"I cannot say more—not here."

"Well since there is no one here besides you, I think I can convince the police into skipping the usual rounds of reports—at least with you. Shall I take you home now?"

"Yes, please, but if I may ask—will you stay with me at home for the next couple days? I do not want to be there alone and I need many of my things close to me," requested Anyu.

Anne nodded, "Sure, of course. While the police continue to investigate the crime scene we can head over to my apartment, collect a few things, and then I can stay overnight with you if you like."

"Thank you, Anne!"

One hour later as the sun started to set Anyu put a couple frozen steaks into the microwave to thaw. Anne raised her eyebrow, "We should order in; you should not cook dinner tonight."

"I am used to cooking for two."

"And you will again! Anyu, we will get him back."

"No, we will not. I have a good idea where they took him: they took him home."

"We live in a modern age, Anyu. There is no place any terrorists could take Christopher that our satellites cannot reach and find him!" reassured Anne.

"Christopher is not on this world."

Anne half laughed with surprise, "What? Like aliens from another planet? Really, Anyu you are too smart to believe in little green men from Mars!"

"Little what? The only life on Mars died out billions of years ago, what are you talking about?" Suddenly realizing Anne used an idiom with her, Anyu corrected herself, "Ah! You mean I am too smart to believe there are people from other worlds on this planet."

"Yes," affirmed Anne.

"Remember how you asked me about my bracelet? I played dumb at the time because telling you the truth would endanger my life. But seeing how I just escaped danger... Anne, I am not what I appear to be."

"What?"

"I am not Anyu Wen. I do not have a family name, not like that. At home I am known as either Lady Engineer Anyu of house Xing-li or, more precisely, Princess Anyu, daughter of Queen Constance of house Gurun, heiress to the Gurun dynasty of planet B345A15 Quartus, better known by its residents as planet Beinan."

Anne plopped down on the couch, "What is this planet Beinan? Where is it?"

"I cannot pinpoint the location using the messier system. It is not visible from here; M31 obscures it."

"Let me guess: class M planet?"

Anyu pondered the reference for a xiao-shir before she realized Anne referenced Star Trek, "No, no! If I understand your reference correctly, class M planets are Earth like. I look like you, but biochemically I am not at all like you. Your body breathes bilast which is deadly to me. You wondered why I always wear this broach and this necklace? They disguise a technology that converts lethal elements like bilast and dilast and makes them harmless to me. They also convert my body's waste products into compounds harmless to your environment. Do not test this, Anne. A single tear from me will burn you!"

"Burn me?"

"I breath nirlar."

"What is nirlar?"

Anyu went to the cupboard and pulled out a box of sea salt, "Nirlar is here—in these crystals."

"That looks like salt."

"It is. Every night I fill an electrolysis box to extract nirlar from salt and into the air around me so I can breathe easier. When all the nirlar is used up, I bury the soft metal that remains so it does not hurt anyone; that metal explodes when exposed to what you call water."

"Pure sodium explodes when exposed to water vapour. Salt is sodium chloride. If you are being honest with me, then this nirlar is chlorine gas?"

"Yes! That is the word!" affirmed Anyu.

"This sounds crazy, Anyu."

"I know. But it is true. If you let me, I will tell you stories beyond your imagination. I take great risk in this, but you deserve to know the truth."

"You have obviously experienced a lot today, Anyu, so I will listen and indulge you. But do not think for a minute that any of this makes any real sense to me."

"It will," promised Anyu.

A week passed during which Anyu told Anne many stories, "So you see the entire Great Succession Crisis could have easily been avoided if Lord Knight Corann had simply agreed to allow King Ejen and High Priestess Wehe to adopt him as their heir. He decided to decline their offer because of course he honoured and respected Princess Isabelle and felt she would make a great queen. She was—but when her only surviving son Prince Anwell abdicated his claim to the throne, the existing law forbidding women from inheriting their titles and powers from their mothers created the greatest crisis of royal succession in Beinarian history," explained Princess Anyu as she finished her glass of white Moscato wine.

"So no daughter can inherit any sort of title or power from her mother – but she can from her father?" asked Anne, taking a sip of wine from her own glass.

Anyu refilled her glass from the open wine bottle in front of her on the coffee table, "That is correct. Our ancestors were suspicious that women could lead, so they placed this limitation on female inheritance."

"That makes no sense to me. Why allow women to rule at all?"

"Men cannot always produce sons, let alone educated, healthy, and wise sons. Any child of a king can inherit the crown; the gender limit only comes into play with sovereign queens: then she must produce a son able to assume the throne."

"I noticed when you were telling the story that your eyes widened when you spoke of Prince Anwell. Why?"

"He was a pivotal figure in the history of the great succession crisis."

Anne put down her glass, "What are you not telling me Anyu?"

"Volumes!" laughed Anyu. "Really I do not know how to best tell these stories. Your planet's history is vast and fascinating to me. Tell me more about the heroines of your home."

"Well, as you know my family is from Ireland, though one of my great-grandfathers was English. That did not go over very well with the rest of my family. For centuries the English abused many Irish. About one hundred fifty years ago the English Queen Victoria let the interests of wealthy landlords in Ireland, most of them English and not Irish, created a devastating plague –or at least made it worse. Victoria could have stopped the mass starvations of the poor, but she did not choose to. She let profit guide her leadership instead of doing what is right for everyday folks.

Millions died in what is called the Potato Famine. Those who could escaped by immigrating to the United States where they were often treated as less than human, just as they were in Ireland," explained Anne.

"But you are not from America, are you?"

"I was not born in America, no. After my mother died, my father and I moved to New York City. I attended junior high school at IS 281 on 24th Avenue and then Midwood High School on Bedford Avenue before winning a full scholarship to Brooklyn College where I majored in engineering and double minored in theatre and in history."

"Theatre, history, and engineering? Why do I get the feeling that is atypical around here?" asked Anyu.

"Because it is. Most engineers are not curious about set design and how to advance the technology used in live theatre. I always found the technical aspects –lighting, sets, music—so much more fun than getting up in front of people and performing. As you saw working at Broadway Bytes, theatre is more than just actors saying memorized lines. Behind the scenes dozens of people make each show look flawless. For me, that is the exciting part," explained Anne.

"I was always interested in astrophysics. In my home city the clouds are typically so thick most of the time that you never really get to see the stars with your naked eye. I spent many summers apprenticing in a city close to the north pole where the skies were much clearer, where I could see stars and work at finding new ways to touch them," reminisced Anyu as she drained her glass.

"Sounds cold."

"But the view was spectacular! Nothing quite like seeing the stars with the unaided eye—not just the first magnitude stars you can see on a clear Brooklyn night!" laughed Anyu, her gaze starting to drift.

"What is wrong?"

"What do you think? I was thinking about home, wondering if Christopher is okay. Anne, I really cannot afford to stay here anymore. I need to find him. I need to go home. Will you help me?"

"Help you? How?"

"I have a means of going home, but no means to move my belongings to my star craft."

"What do you want to move?"

"Nothing huge – clothing, some food, and a few precious items."

"Will they fit in my car?"

"Yes, probably. The rest of my belongings I must leave behind in your care. Christopher and I are fully paid on the rent for the next six months. I would like to sign the place over to you."

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"In exchange for your help, yes! I will leave you with the means to reach me after I depart. May I count on you to help?"

Anne nodded, "I said I would help you any way that I can. Tomorrow morning before work we will head to your landlord's office to sign the papers. I will bring you back here to pack or wherever you need to go to prepare for your journey while I go to work. I do not suppose American currency is much good where you are going."

"No, it's not. I will close my bank accounts and convert that money to something more tangible that I can bring home. Donate whatever you owe me for salary to one of the local food banks," suggested Anyu.

"Food for the hungry; a noble gesture to remember you by."

The next morning Anyu busied herself with preparations for the journey home. After signing her apartment over to Anne Doyle, Anyu took the #5 train into Manhattan to the upper east side to shop for fabric and craft supplies needed to provide for her twins. Choosing heavy terry cloth for diapers and thick fleece for blankets, Anyu wondered how she could provide clothing for her children during the long voyage home.

As if in answer, Anyu noticed a pair of soft woven baskets in a shop window. Encumbered by her existing purchases, she struggled to open the shop door. An NYPD police officer walking nearby noticed her struggle and opened the door for her with a smile before continuing on his rounds. As she entered, a clerk approached her, "How many I help you?"

"Anyu set her purchases onto the ground and pointed to the basket, "What is that?"

The clerk went to a nearby display and picked up two of the baskets, "Portable bassinettes for new-borns up to the age of one year. They are soft sided to be lightweight and easy to carry and made of organic bamboo grown in Oregon. Normally $35, but we have a sale going of two for $60 if you are interested."

"I—just found out I'm expecting twins."

"Congratulations! How far are you along?"

"I do not know actually."

"Are you just starting to shop for your babies?"

"Yes. My parents are dead; I do not have anyone to guide me on this," confessed Anyu, lying about her parents.

"And you are taking the subway with all of your purchases, I can see!" deduced the clerk.

"Yes."

"Well, you can start with a couple pieces of simple clothing –these are called onesies and they are designed to provide warmth without needing to remove them entirely to change their diapers. Start small, simple, and inexpensive and then work from there. This doesn't have to be difficult, not if you take a deep breath and take things one step at a time," reassured the clerk as she helped Anyu shop. Thirty minutes later and $150 lighter, Anyu emerged from the store with two baskets and some basic clothing and supplies for her baby. Hailing a taxi, Anyu felt relieved as she put everything down and enjoyed a long, expensive ride back to Sheepshead Bay.

Arriving home, Anyu was surprised by a large package in front of her door. Fiddling with her keys, she first put her purchases into the foyer before picking up the package, locking her door, and opening it. Inside she found flattened boxes of various sizes, packing tape, and a packing slip indicating the purchase came from Anne Doyle. Relieved, Anyu poured herself some cranberry juice before assembling the boxes and beginning the hard work of packing everything she designed to bring with her back to Beinan.

Three hours Anne knocked on the door before using the key Anyu's landlord issued her to let herself in, "How is it coming?"

"Not as far along as I had hoped; it took me a while in Manhattan. I found a couple baskets I can use for the babies when they arrive."

"All this to go back to Europe?" asked Anne.

"You do not believe I am actually from another world, do you?"

"No, I do not," confessed Anne.

"Understandable. The place I am asking you to drive me and all this stuff to is a field in New Jersey. By all means drop me off with all my belongings and leave. There is no reason to be there when my transportation arrives."

"As you wish. Would you like some help packing your things? I can put your non-perishable food in this box if you like!" offered Anne.

"Thank you! Any help you are able to offer would be greatly appreciated!"

Two hours later, Anyu found herself more than 90% packed with only a few stray items –like a couple of coffee cups and the perishable food—remaining. Anne celebrated the milestone by ordering in sushi from a nearby Chinese-Japanese restaurant along with some salads, coca colas, and steamed dumplings. As dinner finished, Anyu surveyed Anwell's room to see if there were any final items needing to be packed and to seal off the room so she would know everything was ready. Opening Anwell's closet she spotted a small electronic device that escaped her attention before. Picking it up and surveying it closely from his bed she discovered a hidden control panel which she opened, revealing the device's nature: an interstellar transmitter that could be set to send and receive or only receive signals. Tinkering a bit she programmed the device to scan for and record Beinarian transmissions beginning twenty weeks from the current date and continuing its scan and broadcast for as long as power allowed it to remain active. Satisfied, she brought the device out of Anwell's room and placed it on top of the living room television set.

"What is that?" asked Anne.

"Nothing—a programmable wireless cable tuner. I want you to have this after I'm gone. I programmed it to record broadcasts from my home starting in twenty weeks."

"Good idea!" approved Anne. "Well, if that is all, I suggest we head to bed early, then load up the car at dawn so I can still get to the office by 9 am."

"Excellent idea," agreed Anyu.

The next morning Anyu quietly dressed herself in her Beinarian kirtle and bliaut. Pulling out the utility tool she first used in State College at the Nittany Mall, she sent a remote signal re-activating the star craft's computer systems from their long slumber. Tapping the controls again, she activated the low altitude thrusters and entered the coordinates for the empty field just outside of Jersey City, New Jersey chosen for her escape. Sliding on the gauntlets she first wore when she arrived over three yen-ars ago, she slipped the device into her right gauntlet and out of sight before helping Anne load up the remaining boxes, including all her perishable food and leftovers from the night before. Within the hour they departed. Anyu would never see Brooklyn again.

One hour later, Anne's SUV pulled up to the vacant field Anyu chose, the waiting Liltaél cloaked from Anne's Irish eyes. "Are you sure this is the place?" queried Anne with concern.

"Yes! Help me unload the car and I will be on my way," affirmed Anyu.

"And someone will pick you up? We are not near any bus or rail lines."

"I will be fine. Thank you!" reassured Anyu, handing over to Anne the last of her local currency and other small items she no longer needed as she and Anne unloaded her car.

"What if you need a taxi?"

"Trust me; I won't," beamed Anyu.

Reluctantly Anne returned to her car, engaged the engine, and drove away.

Relieved to be finally rid of Anne, Anyu removed her utility tool from her gauntlet and tapped the touch screen three times. As if from thin air the Liltaél descended beside her, opening its hatch the moment it touched ground. Looking around for any possible enemies, Anyu hastened as she put box after box just within the entrance of the star craft, each xiao-shir on the ground more dangerous than the next.

Certain she left nothing on the ground, Anyu walked up the ramp with the final box in her arms as the Liltaél klaxon cried out a warning. Swiftly Anyu closed the hatch door before heading to the pilot's chair, "Computer! Evasive manoeuvres. Launch when ready!"

"Five enemy atmospheric craft approaching," reported the computer as the Liltaél surged upward at an evasive sixty-degree angle, steep enough to tumble boxes across the passenger section.

"Identify!"

"Unable to comply. Insufficient data."

"Capability?"

"Short range attack at up to three times the speed of sound in this atmosphere."

"Increase angle of ascent to seventy-five degrees. Increase speed to three times what they are capable of. Get us out of their range!" Activating the main display Anyu watched as three supersonic aircraft attempted to follow the Liltaél as it accelerated in its ascent. For zero point one four xiao-shirs the aircraft struggled to keep up with the Liltaél, then slowly lowered altitude in defeat.

Now free of all hindrances, the Liltaél hit escape velocity, bursting beyond planetary gravity. In zero point three four xiao-shirs the star craft passed D425E25 Tertius Primus, the planet's only moon. Setting a course forty degrees away from D425E25 and all its planets, Anyu piloted the Liltaél clear of the solar system at zero point three of maximum velocity.

After four hundred sixty nine xiao-shirs the Liltaél reached a stellar clearing between the binary D425E12 and D425E13 system and the dying D425E14. "Computer, set course for B345A15 Quartus. Speed: zero point nine of maximum. Let's go home!" Complying, the Liltaél sped forward as its engines generated a quantum gravity well two li 里 away. In three xiao-shirs the star craft disappeared from normal space for the long journey home.

Ninety beinors passed during which Anyu sorted through the many belongings she and Anwell accumulated during the exile. Was she wrong to remove all of his belongings and take them with her? What if he escaped and found the apartment empty? Apart from the communications device she intentionally left with Anne Doyle, Anyu had with her every Beinarian artefact, clothing, and device she could locate. Nothing remained in that apartment that was not purchased during the exile and usable by a native resident.

As Anyu looked through the boxes she found herself surprised at how many artefacts from her exile she managed to bring along, most of which were of little or no use to her either during her intergalactic star trek or on Beinan itself. Would she ever wear the two dresses she bought at the Nittany Mall ever again or the suits that she wore most days to Broadway Bytes? Broadway Bytes! Her digital music project remained unfinished! Would anyone there have the technical ability to finish it? Did anyone even care about it besides her? And what about Anwell's work? As she sorted through the boxes and mused she felt a kick inside her. Not knowing anything about pregnancy or childbirth she called to the computer, "Computer, activate comprehensive medical scan and identify physical abnormalities."

"Scan complete; no abnormalities detected."

"Estimated gestational time remaining before delivery?"

"Twenty beinors."

"Estimated beinors to B345A15 Quartus?"

"Thirty beinors."

"So I will give birth ten beinors before arrival?"

"Confirmed."

"Computer increase speed to maximum. Estimate beinors remaining at maximum speed."

"Nineteen beinors, four shir-ors."

"Query: can star drive sustain twenty beinors at maximum velocity?"

"Confirmed."

"Lock in maximum velocity," commanded Princess Anyu.

Across the remaining beinors of her voyage home Anyu prepared vigorously for the birth—just in case the twins decided to arrive earlier than expected. As the final three beinors arrived, she found herself increasingly restless from the nightmares that plagued her mind, memories of the torture experienced at Morlong and Laela's hands ever present in her dreams.

"Approaching B345A15," alerted the computer. "Slowing to zero point three of maximum speed and engaging cloak."

Anyu rose from her bed, "Explain." As if in answer, the computer projected a full size hologram of Prince Consort Kian. "Prince Kian?"

As if in answer the recording seemed to meet her eyes, "I am Lord Engineer Kian of house Xing-li, consort to Queen Constance of the Gurun dynasty. I have programmed the Liltaél to slow to zero point three of maximum speed upon reaching a distance of one light yen-ar from B345A15 Quartus. If all goes according to plan, the Liltaél should now be cloaked using a technology borrowed from a race called The Amur. What house Xing-li has concealed for thousands of yen-ars from other houses is the role these Amur have played in the advancement of our technology, particularly weapons technology. This cloaking system is one such technology. Upon playing of this message, the Liltaél is programmed to open a special compartment containing Amurian technology. Use these to keep concealed from your enemies and safe from danger."

Puzzled Anyu searched the star craft. Walking through the short corridor separating the passenger section from engineering she noticed a panel now open that she previously never noticed before. Kneeling to access it she found three small pieces of technology whose purpose she could not immediately discern just from looking at them. One looked like a simple box three cun寸cubed with flashing purple, blue, and green lights on it. The second device looked spherical with a strange crimson ribbon of light embedded at its equator. The third device was a plain silver octahedron with no apparent writing, buttons, lights, or other functions.

Deciding experimentation from nearly one light yen-ar away from home might prove lethal; Anyu returned them to their hiding place, "Computer, estimated time of arrival."

"Two hundred xiao-shirs."

Anyu headed back to the pilot seat, her twin's shifting position making walking difficult, "Scan for planetary transmissions and intelligence. Display on screen."

In compliance the computer displayed the position and strength of Lord Yelu's forces, his personal heraldry seeming to cover the planet like a plague. Fires burned across the planet unchecked. Hejing itself looked half destroyed, including An Men Ten-Ar Healing Center, birth place of her paternal grandfather, Lord Knight Elendir of house Ten-Ar. As the computer displayed the ruins of the healing center, Anyu's heart sank. Tears flowed from her eyes. How many were dead? How many were enslaved? And for what? Revenge by one reincarnated Amur over something that happened billions of yen-ars ago?

"Computer, scan Bira Hecen and the island of Ben-Ar for human life."

"There are three hundred thousand human life forms in Bira Hecen."

"How many humans are on Ben-Ar?"

"None detected."

"There is no one left alive on Ben-Ar?"

"Unable to confirm. Communications disrupted on island of Ben-Ar."

"Set course for the temple of Abka Gahun. Retain cloak until we are landed."

"Confirmed! Landing thrusters engaged. Atmospheric engines at zero point four atmospheric velocity."

"Come in as indirectly as you can; even with the cloak, I prefer to not draw attention." Slowly the Liltaél descended, piercing the thick upper atmosphere. As the ground seemed to come up to meet the star craft the devastation of the last five yen-ars became more and more apparent. What happened here while she was gone? Did Lord Yelu do all of this to conquer the planet?" As Anyu contemplated the data in front of her, the Liltaél glided gently to the ground. "Computer, scan for human life signs within thirty zhang 张 of our position."

"No human life signs found."

"Scan temple of Abka Gahun for life."

"Twenty life forms located."

"Specify location."

"Life signs centred in and near main sanctuary."

"Computer disengage cloak. Maintain power in standby status until further notice," commanded Anyu as she removed King Kendric's heritage sword from storage. Belting on the sword in its sheath she remembered the last time she used it. Had four yen-ars really passed since Seo-jun first attacked her at the Nittany Mall? Since she met Anwell? Looking down at her bracelet she remembered the first moment she looked into his grey eyes. She was betrothed—but had her beloved survived?

Cautiously Anyu opened the Liltaél's hatch and crept down its ramp, drawing her sword as her feet touched down onto Beinarian soil. Furtively she slithered towards the temple entrance and opened its massive wood door. A silent alarm sounded as she crept down a corridor. Behind her Lord Narvan appeared, his laser rifle aimed at Anyu, "Halt! Who are you?"

Anyu turned slowly, "Lady Engineer Anyu of the engineers of Xing-li."

Narvan blinked with surprise, "You have returned from D425E25 Tertius?"

Anyu sheathed her sword, "Yes. It is me. How is my mother? Does she live?"

"No one knows, Your Highness. No one has seen her in public since she gave birth to your half-brother by Lord Yelu," motioned Lord Narvan as he began to walk through the corridor.

Anyu followed him, "I have a half-brother?"

"Yes, Prince James! Much has happened these past five yen-ars—to all of us."

Anyu followed Narvan up a flight of stairs clumsily, "So it would seem. Preliminary scans indicate mass destruction planet-wide. How is this possible?"

"How do you think? When Lord Yelu declared himself emperor and dictator with the forcible marriage to Queen Constance the Kind, those of us who remained free organized a resistance movement. This temple stands only because the island of Ben-Ar is regarded as a religious retreat and temple. If Lord Yelu knew it was a resistance movement base, he would have destroyed it long ago.

"Please tell me Laela and Morlong know nothing of the resistance!"

"Of course they do; I sought Lady Laela out as soon as Yelu's allies banished me from the Great Council. Why do you ask?"

"They are not our friends."

Narvan stopped and starred at her with disbelief, "That is crazy. They helped us organize the resistance. They are the reason so many of us are free. They are our greatest friends and allies!"

"No, they are not," countered Anyu as her water broke, sending a disorienting wave of labour pains and vertigo through her.

"Come! Just a little bit further!" beckoned Narvan. Helping her into the sanctuary antechamber-turned-healing center, he guided her to a makeshift medical bed.

Lady Abbess Althea rushed over to her, "Anyu?"

"Aunt Althea!" grimaced Anyu through her labour pains.

Althea draped a surgical blanket over Anyu's belly before initiating a medical scan, "You are far too young to be pregnant, much less delivering right now. Why your body is not in a protective coma right now defies all reason and explanation."

"Perhaps her highness' pregnancy is not a normal Beinarian pregnancy," offered Lord Healer Elden of house Miyoo as he stepped into the healing center from the sanctuary.

"What are you doing here, Elden?" glared Althea.

"I observed Princess Anyu's star craft as it landed," volunteered Lord Elden, his jet black hair reminding Anyu of Morlong and Laela's.

"You look familiar, but I do not know how," observed Anyu.

Elden leaned close to Anyu and met her eyes, his own Beinarian grey shifting for a xiao-shir into the metallic blue of the Amur before turning back to Beinarian grey, "Do not be afraid. I am your friend and ally."

"I have no friends among the Amur!" glared Anyu.

"But you do! My mother is evil; I wish to undo that evil," offered Elden. Taking Anyu's hand, he noticed her betrothal bracelet. "I am your stepson," whispered Elden. "He is my father; I was born of my mother's evil—but I am my father's child!"

"I do not understand," whispered Anyu.

"You will. For the xiao-shir, let us simply say that I know something about the unique quality of your pregnancy. I know how to help you deliver without injury, things my sister and brethren healers do not. May I use what I know to help you?"

"Yes."

Satisfied, Lord Healer Elden closed his eyes for a moment of concentration. The first child, a daughter, materialized into his arms. Picking up a towel, he wiped her clean and handed her to Lady Abbess Althea. In a xiao-shir, the baby wailed her first breath. Turning his attention back to Anyu he concentrated again, materializing Anyu's son into his arms. Handing him to Althea, he assisted with the preliminary health tests on both children before Althea signalled permission for him to hand both children to their mother. Elden lowered his voice as he handed them to Anyu, "Your children are both healthy—and mostly Beinarian."

"What do you mean?"

"Their helices indicate you are the mother and my father is their father—but with some modification. They are not completely Beinarian; obviously some sort of genetic modification was made; my mother's work if I had to make a guess. Parts of their helices have a distinctively Amurian quality to them. Like me they will be different," enlightened Elden. "This is not the first time Morlong and Laela experimented on other races."

"Do you know what they are after?"

"I can guess, but I prefer to wait until the environment is more private. I am not accepted here," signalled Elden.

"Understood," nodded Anyu.

"After you deliver the placenta and we get you cleaned up, I will help you with lodging—and securing your star craft from enemy eyes."

"Thank you," agreed Anyu.
Chapter Five: A Tale of Aisin and Rhisiart

True to his word Lord Healer Elden located a room for Anyu and her babies. Going to the Liltaél, he transferred all of Anyu's belongings to the temple before piloting the star craft into a hidden docking space inside temple walls. As Anyu rested in her modest Beinarian bed she found herself unwilling to remove her ciphers, even though she no longer needed them. Trying to nap from the rigors of childbirth, she heard Elden enter her room with the bassinettes and blankets she made, "Thank you for helping with all of that."

Smiling, Elden pulled both bassinettes up to the side of the bed along with the baby blankets, "You are strong, but you just gave birth. The least I could do was bring your belongings to your room for you."

Picking up her daughter resting comfortably under the blankets with her, Anyu wrapped her in one of the blankets before handing her off to Elden to place in her bassinette, "This whole motherhood thing is so sudden. To be honest, Elden I am a bit overwhelmed."

Elden gently lowered the baby in her bed, covering her with a second blanket carefully arranged to keep her warm and comfortable, "Understandable. You did not plan for this—maybe not ever."

Without waking him from the comfort of her chest, Anyu wrapped her son in a blanket, "I did not think to become a mother at all until I was at least one hundred twenty; it was just never something I thought that much about. My mother had me training so hard with Lady Knight Aldris..."

Elden helped Anyu lower her son into his bed, "She prepared you as best as she could, no doubt on Morlong's orders. Shortly before my mother left Beinan I was able to see Queen Constance at the palace; as a healer and as brother to the new healer in chief at the palace I had special access."

"You have a brother or sister?"

"Yes. My older sister is Lady Healer Freya of house Miyoo."

"But the healer in chief of the palace healing center is required by law to be of the same house as the sovereign!"

"Yes! The only reason why she is healer in chief is because she's Laela's daughter."

"What is Lord Yelu's connection to the Amur?"

"Difficult to explain without telling you an abridged history of the Amur." Against her will Anyu grimaced. "What is wrong?"

"Something feels wrong in my breasts... painful."

Elden pulled out a medical scanner, "Your system is having difficulty creating proper nourishment in your breasts for your babies; my guess this is a side effect to whatever Lady Laela used on you to stimulate ovulation and accelerate your pregnancy. You gave birth more than fifty beinors early from what I can tell; the strain is hitting your body hard. I have a treatment to compensate and enable you to produce the right nourishment for your partially Amurian babies if I may dispense it."

Anyu nodded. Yes! Please!" With a nod, Elden went to the room's dresser upon which he found his portable medical kit, along with a strange looking box he switched on. "Elden, you said you saw my mother?

"Yes," he replied as he filled a transdermal syringe.

"How was she?"

Elden administered the first injection, "Broken; Lord Yelu was quick to use Amurian technology to do to her what obviously Lady Laela did to you. She was visibly heavily pregnant the last anyone saw her at court – for her wedding to Lord Yelu—creating much gossip and a stain of shame upon her as a sexual wanton. He did to her what Janus originally intended to do to Princess Anlei. The irony of history of course is that just as Princess Anlei's true love was Lord Knight Corann, your mother's true love was Lord Knight Elendir's son Corann."

"Corann was my father, Elden; there was a recorded message on board the Liltaél."

"That makes sense; lest you think I forgot about your star craft – I hid it well where few can find it—but from whence you may pilot it safely away from here should the need arise."

"Do you think my father is alive, Elden?"

"I have not seen him; he is certainly presumed dead. But then, everyone assumes Prince Anwell died centuries ago and we both know that is not the case."

Tears filled Anyu's eyes, "The last time I saw him Morlong was marching him out of our prison cell after some sort of gas filled the room. Anwell then raped me while Morlong watched and laughed. When he was finished, he sat on a bed while Morlong—"

"—finished the job."

"He did not even bother to look humanoid when he did it, Elden! He was this terrible alien creature grabbing me, prodding me painfully in ways I cannot describe. He hurt me physically and yet my body also responded as if I wanted him to!"

"Morlong knows that when a woman is being violated sexually her mind will often close itself off from her body protectively. By stimulating part of your body to respond with pleasure, he bypassed that defence, forcing all of you to be in that moment of both extreme pain and extreme pleasure, a sensation you are unlikely to ever forget."

"Why is he doing all of this? Why capture me and torture me on so many levels?"

"He is punishing you."

"For what? What did I ever do to him to merit this?"

"Objectively? Nothing. But he holds you responsible for something that happened a long time ago."

"What happened?"

Elden sent a mental signal into the mysterious box on the dresser. The box activated, projecting three dimensional images from his mind, "At the dawn of all things were the goddess of many names and her consort. Together their love produced the big flash from which all things that exist now came. No one knows their real names. As their love sped in all directions away from them, they gazed into each other's souls one last time before that flash tore them apart, scattering their minds and souls throughout the forming universe into thousands of subconsciously linked pieces.

"As the first star systems formed and gave birth to life, one piece of the goddess came to rest in a cave near the top of a lofty mountain. Frightened and alone, unaware of who she was or what she was, the goddess fragment hid in the cold for a long time before venturing forth into the young sunlight, drawn by a sudden presence, a spark of spiritual life she felt near her.

"Climbing the mountain, she felt the location of that spark: a village in the woods where a mother struggled to raise her four young. One was green and brown like her and preferred the woods. One was blue and preferred to be in water. Another was red and preferred to dance in the fire. The youngest was silver-black and needed to be where it was cold. These were the four ancestors of the common race to which the Amur originally belonged.

"One beinor the mother found the silver black baby missing and went up the mountain to its snowy peaks to find her. Curious about the intruder, the goddess piece found herself watching over the child, waiting for the mother to retrieve her. No one knows what was said in that first meeting except that not long after, the goddess piece became known as Aisin for her golden colour and that she changed her form to match that of the mother and her children, growing a long delicate neck, a serpentine tail, arced horns, large powerful wings, and dexterous five fingered hands. With the help of the child she first met, she built a mighty temple to the goddess the Amur later named 'Chuàngyì 创意'along with a less primitive home for herself where she could feed, like her friend, on the rays of the sun if she extended her wings to capture the light. Following the temple's completion, Aisin found herself serving as high priestess, teaching the young and guiding her adopted people in the ways of wisdom, though she still did not know who or what she really was.

"For hundreds of millions of yen-ars Aisin lived in friendship and harmony with her people, in time falling in love with one silver-black male named Rhisiart. Rhisiart married Aisin in the great temple and consummated their love on the great altar stone, triggering a vision, a prophesy which foretold of a great war among the people that would destroy the planet and force them into a never-ending migration through the stars. The vision also showed her people killing her on the great altar even though death by natural cause was rare and murder unheard of. Telling her husband about the vision, he swore to stay ever at her side, even unto the ends of the universe."

"That is a lovely story, Elden, but what does it have to do with what Morlong did to me, let alone what it has to do with Lord Janus and why so much of the planet is in flames?" questioned Anyu.

"Aisin's visions proved true. Only ten thousand yen-ars later, the four races that had first evolved from that first mother found themselves divided. The silver-blacks came to call themselves the Amur. The Amur built great cities made of ice and crystal, lofty universities where intellectuals from all four races came together to debate and study with one another. At the greatest of these universities taught a professor named Surt. Surt distrusted Aisin and her teachings, believing them forged of ego and a relentless quest for personal power. He organized a mighty army which he used to confront Aisin in her temple. When Aisin refused to back down from her teachings, Surt and his followers surrounded her, using the force of their numbers to slay Aisin on her altar, just as she foretold. Grieved, Rhisiart petitioned Aisin's most devout followers, asking for their help to defend the honour and integrity of her teachings, beginning the great war Aisin knew would come.

"It took only one hundred yen-ars for the war to take its toll. During that time, the wisest built huge star craft. Yet for their efforts, only ten million across all four races evacuated in time from amongst the planet's one billion residents. Grieved for his great loss, Rhisiart took Aisin's body into the star that gave their world birth, committing suicide in the process.

"Surt for his part continued to blame Aisin and, to a lesser extent, Rhisiart for the ravages of war on their world. He vowed to find and punish Aisin's soul, no matter where in the universe or in what form she appeared. As just one million Amur escaped the dying world in the star craft fleet they built, Surt chose to stay, perishing among the smoke and flame, certain that he would find Aisin and Rhisiart reborn among the Amur.

"He was wrong of course, but it took him over seven billion yen-ars to realize his mistake. For Aisin, being one of the pieces of the mother goddess, instinctively understood that her new place was among the younger races. Surt would not find her again until seven thousand yen-ars ago, during the Great Migration."

"The Great Migration? As in the Beinarian Great Migration?"

"Yes. On A672E92 Quintus Aisin found her soulmate, a piece of the father god in a man named Lord Malvyn of house Balister. When she met him, she quickly fell in love with him, though it terrified her at the time. At Malvyn's insistence, Aisin, now called Lady Priestess Brigid, was made high priestess. Following the birth of their son Tristan, the Great Council made Lord Malvyn the first king, crowning Brigid a ten beinors later as the first princess consort. Despite her new position, Brigid continued her hands-on interest in helping her people find a new home world. While investigating a possible new home world, she and the six scientists who came with her fell into some sort of anomaly that transported them to the galaxy we now call D425."

"D425? As in the barred spiral galaxy I just returned from?"

"The one and the same. It took yen-ars to figure out that the Amur were behind it, let alone that the Amur had transported them not only across vast stretches of space, but also time."

"How is that possible?"

"No one really knows outside of the Amur. Brigid herself might have perished if not for the help of a star craft allegedly allied with D425E25 Tertius."

"D425E25 Tertius? They will develop interstellar capabilities?"

"According to the reports made by Brigid and those with her—yes.

"There is more to this story than you are telling me, Elden. What is the significance of this first encounter with the Amur?" probed Anyu.

"During the adventure, High Priestess Brigid touched Surt's mind and saw all of the history I just described to you. She remembered being Aisin. She remembered the experience of Surt and the other rebels killing her. And—"Elden paused for a moment to word his thoughts carefully, "—she recognized one of the scientists with her, Lord Engineer Cariad of house Gurun, as the reincarnation of Rhisiart."

"Anwell told me he was Lord Engineer Cariad of house Gurun!"

"Yes! That makes perfect sense then."

"What do you mean?"

"Not knowing if they would ever return to the fleet, Brigid and Cariad fell in love, consummating that love while prisoners of the Amur. Surt recognized both Brigid and Cariad as the nemeses he sought to destroy, but before he could kill them, the aliens snatched them away from his clutches, returning everyone back to the fleet. Surt followed them.

"Consulting with his younger brother Morlong and his wife Laela, he hatched a new plan. Feigning an aggressive attack again the Beinarian fleet, he provoked Lord Admiral Horatio into "killing" him. No Beinarian weapon can kill an Amur, of course; Surt's death among the Amur was a carefully concealed suicide designed to provoke hatred for Beinarians among the Amur. This suicide enabled his vicious soul to be reborn the following yen-ar to a woman from house Croften, safe from the Sight of house Miyoo elders."

"And he's been with us ever since," concluded Anyu. "So much pain and sorrow over something that happened long before B345 even formed?"

"I wish I could tell you otherwise, but I cannot."

"There is more you are not telling me. After Brigid and Cariad returned to the fleet what happened? Did she leave King Malvyn for Cariad"

Elden touched her hand softly, "No. Nor did she end her love affair with Cariad. Loving both of her soulmates, she could not choose between them nor did either ask her to – just as your mother did not choose between your father and Lord Kian."

"But my mother is or was the sovereign queen and therefore entitled to a sovereign's privilege of both a consort and an official lover," protested Anyu.

"In the Balistrian dynasty both the sovereign and consorts were permitted official lovers without political or religious sanction. The tradition of keeping the sovereign's and consort's living quarters separate dates to the reign of Malvyn and Brigid, enabling both to more easily manage their sexual affairs without injury or hurt to the other – just as I expect you will when your time comes," foretold Elden.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that just as you found Rhisiart and Cariad in his current incarnation as Prince Anwell, I believe you will find Lord Malvyn's reincarnation as well. This is for the best, Your Highness,"

"That is if Anwell is alive!"

"He is; I can feel his presence."

"Where?"

"I do not know; all I know is that he lives still and is, or soon will be on Beinan," sensed Elden, much to Anyu's confusion. Aware that little of this made any sense to her he added, "Any time a sentient comes within a certain proximity to her or his soul mate, there is an instant feeling of connection and desire which transcends all logic, all understanding yet nonetheless compels you into an intimate relationship. Sometimes that intimacy involves sex and physical contact; sometimes that is not possible. But the emotional and spiritual intimacy—that always manifests itself as intensely as gravity holds planets in orbits around their stars. You hold such a bond with both Anwell and whoever King Malvyn chose to be reborn as. It is critical you embrace both connections if you expect to defeat Lord Yelu, to put an end to this Great Revolution Era and bring this world into a New Era."

"How is that even possible? If I understand correctly Morlong and Laela have stayed loyal to Lord Yelu across every incarnation! If the Amur have the ability to transport people across millions of light yen-ars in a blink of an eye... is not resistance completely futile?"

"No, Your Highness, it is not futile at all! You have allies, many of them you do not know about. Together, we will finally put an end to Surt's rebellion once and for all. You have the means to kill Morlong and Laela, you know." Anyu gave him a puzzled look. Elden read her expression, "The devices you did not dare to touch that Lord Kian hid on the Liltaél. You have the means to kill an Amur – and the means to trap Lord Yelu's soul so he never bothers anyone again."

"I am not sure trapping a soul is the right answer."

"Unless you want him to continue to kill billions of innocent lives, Your Highness, I do not think you have a choice. I do not know what Kian did exactly to obtain the technology he gave you. My best guess is there are some among the Amur who still honour the teachings of Aisin, that the religion, the mythology that sprang up around her still holds true. Someone wants you to win this war."

"What happens now?"

"Now I think it is time for you to name your children."

"Yes of course," replied Anyu absentmindedly, her mind whirling as she tried to find suitable names for the babes who somehow managed to sleep through the entirety of Elden's story. "Elden?"

"Yes?"

"Before I switch my focus onto names, please answer something for me? I understand this whole revenge thing. It makes more sense now. But why did Morlong and Laela sexually violate us? Why imprison and torture us?"

"Because it drives a wedge between you; separate you are both weak, unable to really reach your full potential—with or without any sort of psychic abilities or Amurian powers. But together, both of you find control and strength. Should you find and join with your counterpart, the piece of the creator god to which you were joined as High Priestess Brigid, the three of you as a trinity are absolutely unstoppable.

You, Anwell, and the reincarnation of King Malvyn are a holy trinity far stronger than the unholy trinity of Lord Yelu, Morlong, and Laela, even with their apparent advantages of Amurian bodies."

"Do you think King Malvyn's reincarnation would mind if I named my son Rhisiart and my daughter Brigid?"

"No; I think he would be pleased, just as he will be pleased when the three of you are together again at last!"

Twenty beinors passed in the safety and relative solitude of the temple. As Anyu's body healed from the strain of pregnancy and as she grew more accustomed to the responsibilities of suddenly being a mother she found herself settling into a form of routine; keenly aware that the longer she stayed at the temple, the more likely Lord Yelu would detect her presence. Finally, on the twenty-fifth beinor Lord Elden prepared a low altitude shuttle for her and her babies.

"Are you certain you must go?" asked Lord Narvan of house Miyoo.

"Everyone will be safer once I leave. I do not want Lord Yelu targeting the temple. As long as he believes it is still neutral, we still have a fighting chance," affirmed Princess Anyu.

"Where will you go?"

"Bira Hecen, at least for a few beinors. The address you gave me before for the Tiantang Jiudian 天堂酒店 is still safe?"

"Yes. The owner, Kevin Wit of house Plover lost his wife when Lord Yelu's patrols saw her talking to a priest of house Miyoo on the street. She tried to explain to them that the priest was her nephew, but they did not care; they gunned her down in the street right outside the hotel and in front of her family. Since then, Kevin has stayed officially neutral, but he can be counted on to not ask questions—or answer them—if someone from the resistance patronizes his establishment," explained Narvan, handing her a triangular payment card, "Here is your payment card re-programmed under the name Gillian Chapman of house Skeinera. Lord Elden managed to encrypt all references to your existence in government computers so that as far as the law is concerned, Queen Constance's only children were Prince Caranden, Princess Leonora, and your half-brother Prince James. Congratulations, Your Highness: you officially do not exist!"

"What do we know about the Ten-Arian monastery?"

"Abandoned; no one in the resistance deems it safe anymore. Much of it was destroyed during Lord Yelu's coup d'état," answered Narvan simply.

"Really? I would think that fact makes it the perfect hiding place for us. Who decided it was not safe for the resistance?"

"Lord Morlong."

"Morlong raped me on D425E25 Tertius! He is not human, Narvan. In fact, he is a most dangerous enemy!" countered Anyu.

"I still do not understand how that can be the case, Your—Miss Chapman."

"Few things are what they seem. I seemed perfectly normal on D425E25 Tertius once I dressed the part and learned the language—but without my ciphers I would have asphyxiated in the bilast-rich atmosphere. Evil only seems evil when it can instil terror; otherwise it is quite seductive if it goes noticed at all!"

"A wise perception," observed Elden from behind her right shoulder, startling the princess.

"Where did you come?"

"I arrived before you did; I can cloak myself whenever I wish—and another person if she stands near enough and I mentally project the veil around her," smirked Elden cunningly. "I am coming with you." Meeting Narvan's gaze, his eyes flashed annoyance, "I find it interesting, Lord Narvan that so many members of the resistance, including Lady Abbess Althea herself are suspicious of me yet not my mother and stepfather!"

"You are obviously not human!" snarled Narvan.

"My father was Prince Anwell of house Gurun, sired before he left Beinan for what lies beyond. That makes me Princess Anlei's nephew and house Gurun. I may be a child of rape—but I am a child of this world!"

Puzzled, Anyu let her mind unfocus. Images flashed in her voice along with strange voices. Something did not make sense, something everyone else, including Elden, kept missing. In her head she heard a strange language that sounded low, guttural, and dark. Instinctively Anyu stepped closer to the shuttle, almost unconsciously drawing King Kendric's sword. Using the practiced steps drilled into her by Lady Knight Aldris she crept close to Narvan before flashing her blade close to his neck, "Who are you?"

Narvan blinked, "I am Lord Narvan of house Miyoo, brother to Her Grace, High Priestess Aina."

"NO! You are not!" raged Anyu.

"What do you mean?" asked Elden.

"He's Amurian—full Amurian. I can feel it; the language in my mind matched Morlong's when he violated me. What have you done with the real Lord Narvan?"

The creature still wearing Narvan's face and appearance sneered, "Dead! Lady Laela killed him right after he asked for her help creating the resistance! I took his place."

"And my great aunt Althea?" pressed Anyu.

"Oh she's in Lord Yelu's prison; she makes great sport you know. Yelu rather enjoys his harem," implied the Amurian.

"Oh I am sure he does. Rape is easy when the victim's arms are bound to the wall or floor by force fields!" snarled Anyu. "To think, Amur used to be so noble. Now what are you? Ragtag wanderers without a home world and unable to make a home world for yourselves? Pathetic, evil, and disgusting!"

"You know that sword cannot hurt me!" mocked the Amurian.

"You cannot use your powers out where they can be observed –lest everyone know what you are! No, you will not risk that! Three yen-ars fighting Morlong, Laela, and Seo-jun taught me a few things about you."

"Well then, princess, I wish you luck!" scoffed the Amurian as he disappeared.

Lord Elden looked at Anyu with surprise, "That was unexpected. You really heard Amurian in your mind?"

"Yes. All my life I had these strange dreams about being Aisin; I guess it took me a little while to really process and understand what you told me about the destruction of that world. I recognized the voice in my head—he was one of the Amur who helped Surt murder me on that altar. He is billions of yen-ars older than Morlong and Laela and much more powerful. The perfect spy."

"That would explain the harsh treatment I received here; your great aunt does not know I exist, let along that I am Laela's son. It is was him all the time, using illusions and techno-magic to conceal that neither Althea nor Narvan were ever here."

"Elden, if you would consider coming with me, I think that might be wise."

"I agree. I can set a warning beacon remotely using technology that is already in the temple, alerting them to the presence of a spy who can appear to be anyone. That should lessen the damage done," suggested Elden.

"Help me secure Rhisiart and Brigid in the shuttle; I think it is time we leave the Island of Ben-Ar—for now at least!"

### Chapter Six: Journey Back to the Palace

"By all that is holy, what happened?" cried Princess Anyu as her eyes glimpsed the ruins of the Ten-Arian monastery. Originally a city-sized campus of thirty two buildings built over the span of six thousand four hundred sixty-seven yen-ars, only twelve remained completely intact. At the heart of the campus laid what remained of the monastery's oldest building containing its temple in the center rotunda crowned with an intricate mosaic stained glass roof. Around the temple rotunda stood the remains of its four symmetrical wings carefully laid out in BE 500 to align precisely with the north, south, east, and west. Of these wings, only the east wing remained intact. The south and west wings lay in complete ruin; a debris field pockmarking what was once a beautiful courtyard practice space. One wall from the north wing still stood; its beautiful stained glass windows completely blown apart. A memory flashed in Anyu's mind: the section of wall still standing once sheltered her, Prince Bevin, and the newly elevated Lord Knight Corann from a raging storm outside while Bevin and Corann sparred in a martial arts practice room inside, the light of its window filling the room with natural light.

Between the north wing wall and the half destroyed healing center first built in BE 1253 laid what used to be the primary Ten-Arian archery range. Landing the shuttle close to the wall, Anyu found the remains of two heritage longbows. Almost jumping out of the shuttle, she bent down to pick up the nearest bow and drew its string to her ear. Somehow, almost miraculously, the bow held true and strong. A heavily cloaked man two hundred yen-ars old strode out from the shadows, his face concealed by the cloak's hood and a long cane guiding his steps on the uneven ground, "Surprised the bow survived?"

Anyu put down the bow, regretting she did not bring a weapon with her, "Who are you?"

"A friend."

Anyu backed towards the low altitude shuttle defensively, "I have heard that before."

"You have nothing to fear from me," answered the man simply.

Anyu grabbed her heritage sword from the shuttle, drawing it from its sheath, "How do I know you are not lying?"

"I have no reason to lie; you can put away King Kendric's sword, Anyu."

"How do you know that is King Kendric's sword?"

"Because I was there the beinor he received it," smiled the man, pulling the hood away from his face, revealing dark tinted glasses in front of his brown flecked grey eyes.

"ELENDIR?" gasped Anyu. "I thought you were dead!"

"I am dead; even my son and wife do not know I still live."

"Your son, Lord Knight Corann—does he live?" asked Anyu nervously, sheathing her sword.

"He was the last time I saw him a yen-ar ago; I cannot speak to if he lives now. He was able to escape the palace before Lord Yelu's bombs destroyed half of it if that is what you are asking."

"He left a message for me in the Liltaél's computer. Do you know about it?"

"No. I left the palace as soon as you launched."

"Did you know what Lord Yelu had in mind?"

"It was not hard to guess. He is my son, after all, imposed on me just as you were imposed on your father, Lord Elden."

Anyu gazed back and forth between Elden and Elendir, "You know each other?"

Elden stepped out of the low altitude shuttle, "We have not spoken for many yen-ars, but yes! I know your grandfather, Anyu."

"Grandfather?" queried Elendir.

"Corann is my father; that is what the recorded message was about; apparently my mother only told him a beinor or two before I launched," explained Anyu.

Elendir approached her to embrace her, "Well then we are family after all."

Anyu accepted his embrace, "Yes! It would seem I am both your granddaughter and Kendric's!"

"I think Kendric would be pleased about that had he lived. He was a good king, Anyu. He suffered greatly of course, but he was a good man," remembered Elendir.

Anyu picked up Rhisiart, "Do you think he would like his great grandson?"

Elendir's eyes widened at the sight of the baby as his arms reached out to hold him, "You are a mother?"

"Morlong and Laela's evil," clarified Elden as Anyu handed Elendir his great grandson. "They kidnapped Anyu on D425E25 Tertius and used technology to force her to conceive. Rhisiart and Brigid's helices are only seventy five percent Beinarian; genetic modifications to make them less alien that they no doubt learned from the experiments that created me."

"Are they Beinarian—or half Amurian?" asked Elendir cautiously.

"Based on what Lady Laela said at the time—they are fully Beinarian. I was not the only Beinarian on D425E25 Tertius, my lord. Their best student, Prince Anwell was there too, sent down to the planet surface after they released him from suspended animation. They expected him to be their puppet, especially after Laela humiliations on him while he was studying with her in Bira Hecen and on Ben-Ar at the Temple of Abka Gahun," reported Anyu.

Elendir looked at Anyu's betrothal bracelet, "Did you seal yourself to him of your own free will?"

"Yes. Not long after we were captured, Laela took him first and experimented on him before returning him to our cell. We made love. After that she took me into her laboratory. I am certain you can guess the rest," remembered Anyu quietly.

Elendir held Rhisiart close to him affectionately, "I am sorry for your pain, Anyu. No one, female or male should endure what you and Anwell endured, especially at your age." Elendir stroked the boy's red hair, "You are innocent, all of you. But I would be lying if I said I was displeased to find myself a great grandfather. Your babes are a gift, Anyu, even if the sorrow from their making fills your heart. Laela's evil has imposed two sons and two daughters on Prince Anwell—but what blessings all four of you are!" As if in agreement, Rhisiart cooed and smiled even as his sister suddenly wailed. Thunder roared as a sudden upper atmosphere hurricane moved overhead, triggering a sudden downpour of rain.

Instinctively Anyu stiffened, her emerging psychic abilities no longer feared, "We must get out of here!"

Elden stopped for a xiao-shir, allowing his Amurian senses to reach out, "I think you are correct! But how does Brigid know already? Did she trigger this sudden storm?"

"She is her father's daughter," hinted Elendir, putting Rhisiart back into the low altitude shuttle.

Anyu checked on the restraints securing her children in the shuttle, "Do you know a safe place we can get to quickly?"

Elendir sat down in the pilot chair, "Follow me!"

"Father! Good, you are back!" exclaimed Lady Narwen as Elendir lead the way into what was once Lady Abbess Althea's office and now regional command centre for the resistance.

"Father?" asked Anyu, two paces behind, her daughter Brigid in her arms.

Elendir turned to Anyu, "Anyu, this is your aunt, Lady Narwen, twin sister to Lord Yelu."

"I do not understand," puzzled Anyu.

Narwen stepped forward, "It is quite simple: my mother and my brother are some of the most evil Beinarians ever born. Outwardly I am loyal to my brother and serve as one of his chief advisors while using my authority as his sister to guarantee the survival of our family.

"That evil has grown our family, Narwen," hinted Elendir. With a glance Elendir signalled to Elden to hand him his grandson, "This is Rhisiart and his twin sister Brigid."

"Morlong?" asked Narwen.

Anyu nodded, "Yes. Born of rape and violence but still loved."

Narwen smiled curiously, her attention drawn towards her grand-niece, "That seems to be a recurring theme in this family. I was conceived to control and disgrace my father using these methods. My brother was engineered to destroy house Gurun. Only my half-brother, your father Corann was made from love –and you of course from him and the queen. If your children were conceived out of one of Yelu's designs to destroy you, then certainly they must be hidden; their identities never known while he lives. He must not know he succeeded!"

Elden stepped forward, "We were hoping you might help us with that, Lady Narwen. Is there sanctuary for them? The longer they stay with the princess, the more likely they are to become pawns in his web."

"I agree," concurred Narwen. "What arrangements have you made to prevent my brother from learning of Princess Anyu's return?"

"I encrypted all records relating to the princess and replaced the old records with a new identity in the computer. Henceforth I do not think we should call her highness by her proper name and title. She is Gillian Chapman of house Skeinera now," briefed Elden.

Lady Narwen nodded while she walked over to her central computer, "Excellent start, lord healer – and wise. My brother assumes all members of houses Skeinera, Plover, and Croften are loyal allies and subjects. It may be difficult for us to avoid using the 'l' word, but it is absolutely essential for this plan to work. Absolutely no one outside of those of us in this room should know to the contrary—not even our closest operatives in this cell."

Elden stepped closer to Narwen, "Even that identity may not be fully secure, my lady. An Amurian taking the guise of first Lord Narvan, then Lady Abbess Althea met Anyu when she first arrived. She or he even helped me with Rhisiart and Brigid's delivery. She recognized the princess immediately!"

"Does Seo-jun have a mate that we know of?" asked Anyu.

"Who is Seo-jun?" asked Narwen.

"An Amur on D425E25 Tertius. He was with both Morlong and Laela."

"But Morlong and Laela have been here on Beinan the whole time! They never left!"

Elden put his hand to his chin pensively, "Have you forgotten the strange anomaly that negated the bombs at the temple of Abka Biya during the coup? That was nothing for the Amur. When I was very young my mother brought me aboard their star craft Nimamur. I saw the Amur in their natural state. They shape shift to look humanoid when they want to, when they walk among us; they simply cannot do it for more than a yen-ar or two at a time. They have abilities no Beinarian will understand. I see a dozen very plausible explanations for what happened, all of them worrisome."

Elendir stepped forward, "It is quite likely that our cell is no longer secure, that this Amur knows all our secrets."

Anyu touched Elendir's arm, "Not all! It does not know about you – or Anwell who calls himself Christopher Gurun now."

"Regardless, the children cannot stay here; we must get them to safety, even with the security risk."

"I have a thought, though it could be dangerous," mused Narwen as Elendir sat down at the nearby conference table with Rhisiart. "What if the safest place for the children is with Prince James and the other children my brother fathered from his prisoners?"

"You mean to take them to the palace?" asked Anyu as she joined Elendir at the table to rest Brigid on her lap.

"I mean for you and I to take them to the palace," corrected Narwen. "I can make you one of the caretakers of the children—no problem at all. You can watch over them and look for opportunities to free the prisoners from there."

"But if Lord Yelu sees me, he will know who I am!"

"Not unless your mother tells him—which I doubt. She would die before she revealed that secret," reminded Narwen.

"I can help you with that further, Anyu. I can cloak your visage—without surgically altering you," offered Elden. "It will not hurt and will only last as long as I want it to. I can interface with your latent telepathy to project an image into the minds of anyone looking at you that is different from your actual appearance."

"What do I need to do?" asked Anyu, handing Brigid to Elendir who now played with both infants on his lap happily.

"Quiet your mind from all distractions. I will do the rest. It will not be a conscious connection; you will not hear or feel my presence in your mind. I will simply plant a visual image that your own nature will automatically project so strongly and simply that only an attentive Amur will be able to see past it; not even those of us in this room will be able to recognize you by sight until you and I remove it." Looking at Narwen and meeting her eyes he added, "We will do the work alone, Lady Narwen. Until then you will forget everything you saw and heard since our arrival."

For five xiao-shirs Lady Narwen stood frozen like stone. Anyu and Elden slipped quietly out of the room while she remained entranced, her mind obeying Elden's command. Finally, blinking she turned to Elendir, "What happened?"

Lord Knight Elendir smirked, "Nothing! What do you remember?"

"I—nothing except you came in this room with that boy. How are there two children with you when you were carrying one?" asked Narwen blankly.

"She was in the corridor while you were busy."

"Who are they?"

"Orphans rescued in our last mission in Bira Hecen. We thought you might know a proper hiding place for them where Lord Yelu will not be able to touch them—the palace nursery perhaps? Is Lord Yelu still keeping the children he fathered on his prisoners in the old nursery?" proposed Elendir.

"Yes! Yes, his sons and daughters are there. What makes you think these war orphans would be safe there?"

"Is there any chance he would torture or harm his own children?"

"No—he needs them as political pawns."

"How close is he to them?"

"He is not; he sends me to parent them; he has seen Prince James only twice since his birth and the others only once since their births."

"Are you the only caretaker for the children?"

"No; that would impossible. Besides, I cannot care for so many!"

"So what is two more?" offered Elendir.

"I would have to hire another caretaker for the children," pondered Lady Narwen. "The problem is that no one wants to work anywhere near Lord Yelu lest they find themselves at his mercy—and further sport for him."

"Well I know someone from house Skeinera who I think is willing to help. She joined the cell to help us when the last mission started to falter. She is trustworthy, kind, and recently lost her own young children to this war."

"Who?"

With perfect timing, Lord Healer Elden walked in with Gillian Chapman two paces behind wearing a dark blue tunic dress with square cut sleeves and a slitted neckline extending from her collarbone to the base of her breasts neatly laced together in white. A white belt cinched the waist; it was a dress with no ornaments, embroidery, or decorative trim, the very emblem of simplicity and poverty. In her hand she concealed her betrothal bracelet which she slipped unnoticed to Elendir's lap. True to Elden's plan her long auburn hair now looked jet black, its braids coiled up matronly around her head. Dark brown eyes peered soberly against her jaundiced-looking skin. Princess Anyu was gone; replaced by Gillian Chapman.

Humbly, Gillian curtsied before Lady Narwen, "Are you Lady Narwen, sister to the almighty Lord Yelu, emperor of Beinan?"

Narwen nodded aristocratically, "I am. Are you the one my lord knight spoke of?"

Gillian bowed deeply, "I am Gillian Chapman of house Skeinera."

"Lord Knight Elendir tells me you recently lost your children to this war."

"Yes."

"Are you able to nurse from your breast?"

"Prove it!" commanded Lady Narwen regally.

Gillian looked around her, her eyes obviously starring at first Elden, then Elendir, "Here?"

"Yes!" ordered Narwen. With a deep breath Gillian sat down and unlaced her dress. Elendir handed her Brigid who immediately recognized her mother, unaffected by the deeply planted illusion. Contently Brigid nudged her way to her mother's nipple and started to nurse. Once satiated, Brigid let go in favour of her brother who took hold of Gillian's other breast to nurse. Aware of Narwen's test, Gillian tolerated the lack of privacy, though a part of her raged against it. Finally as Rhisiart finished and Gillian laced back her dress, a few drops of milk absorbing into the fabric, Narwen's gaze softened, "Very well, you may take these infants to the palace with me and nurse them along with the others. The job requires you feed all of the infants in the nursery without preference for any. Is that understood?"

"Yes," answered Gillian.

"Very well; we leave in the morning. Take your rest and nourishment; Lord Elendir and Lord Elden will show you where. This is not an easy job. Much will be demanded of you physically. But you will be safe there," assured Lady Narwen.

"That is all I ask," agreed Gillian.

The next morning Gillian followed Lady Narwen into her luxurious mid-range shuttle with Elendir and Elden chivalrously walking behind with Brigid and Rhisiart. Walking up the short ramp into the shuttle, Princess Anyu marvelled at the technology in front of her. Before her exile, Lady Engineer Silmira familiarized her with every known star craft, star destroyer, low altitude shuttle, executive shuttle, and even experimental designs owned by house Xing-li. She was trained in how to pilot, maintain, and repair every single system across all of them. But this design was different, alien to her, creating the sort of surprise and wonder consistent with a simple spinster, "What kind of craft is this? I have never seen anything so big, so luxurious!"

Lady Narwen sat down in the passenger section and motioned Gillian to sit nearby. Elendir and Elden placed the infants on the floor next to Gillian, both resting in the same bassinettes Anyu purchased on D425E25 Tertius. With a bow Elendir left the shuttle. Elden closed the hatch, and then sat down in the pilot's chair, "We are ready to depart for Hejing on your command."

"Launch!" commanded Narwen. Silently Elden obeyed, sending the shuttle into the upper atmosphere before setting his course for Hejing. "This mid-range shuttle can do much more than the low altitude shuttles you see around Bira Hecen. It can travel into space within our solar system—or deep into the Amba Mederi Ocean if I wish," explained Narwen.

"Is that how Lord Yelu concealed his forces from the Great Council and from Queen Constance?" asked Anyu, hoping the question would not betray her even as her training detected the fast ascent well above the regular traffic lanes.

"Yes! We built our fleet in space with the help of the Amur. When the shuttles were ready, we concealed them in the argene mines across Xi-Nan Fang; my mother's idea, actually!"

"But there are no engineers among houses Skeinera, Croften, and Plover!"

"Who needs commoners when there are plenty of engineers among house Shem?" laughed Lady Narwen.

"Are you house Shem?"

"Yes and no. I am not very devout. I actually believe that belief in the Shemai is consistent with the broader held belief in the triple goddess, Ainisil I believe she was called back on A672E92 Quintus."

"Must I believe in The Shemai to work in the palace?" asked Anyu.

"I would not point out any lack of religious devotion to The Shemai to Lord Yelu—unless you want him to play with you."

"Does he readily play with women who disagree with him?"

"When it suits him. If you do not wish to be one of them, I would stay as invisible as possible," recommended Narwen. "He does rather enjoy sport with as many different women as possible. The thrill of sexual conquest; he thrives on the pain he causes when he's imposed his body on a woman; it is like a drug to him. The more pain it causes, the better he likes it."

"What do you think about that – as a woman, I mean?"

"I have mixed feelings, Gillian. On one hand, I despise him for it. Yet the fact remains he is my twin brother. I love him; how can I hate him, no matter how evil he is or what he's done?"

"We all make mistakes, I suppose. My children's father made many mistakes."

"Do you forgive him?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

"I do not know; I have not seen him since he was arrested."

"On what charge?"

"They never said," answered Anyu truthfully as she felt the shuttle surge downward at a eighty-degree angle.

"Three xiao-shirs to the palace," reported Elden. As if in response, Brigid wailed. Anyu picked her up and comforted her tenderly. Swiftly the mid-range shuttle descended, as if falling out of the sky before turning and landing in the palace docking port, parking in the very same spot where Queen Constance's royal shuttle once rested.

Disengaging the atmospheric thrusters, Lord Elden helped Gillian carry Prince Rhisiart and Princess Brigid down the ramp and into the docking port. As their feet touched the ground he observed Lady Narwen as she commanded the imperial soldiers now surrounding them. Following Narwen's lead, Elden and Gillian walked through side corridors once used by palace servants to move directly to the palace's inner chambers. After five xiao-shirs Narwen stopped in front of a door, "This is the palace nursery. You will find bedding for the orphans, and then you will come with me to see Lord Yelu."

"Is that necessary?" asked Gillian.

"Only if you want the job."

Gillian rolled up her sleeves and picked up Brigid from her bassinette, "Very well. Please grant me a few xiao-shirs. Will you wait here or elsewhere?"

"Speak to the guard at this door; he will show you where to go from there," commanded Lady Narwen as she turned and headed down the corridor, leaving Elden and Gillian alone together.

Elden opened the heavy wood door for Gillian before picking up Rhisiart's bassinette. Dutifully Gillian entered the strange outer rooms, one of the few she never bothered to explore as a child. "How are you feeling, Gillian?" asked Elden.

"Nervous. Should I feel otherwise? I feel like I have just walked into a trap."

"You are well trained my lady. It may not feel like it now, but you know what to do and how to best protect those you love."

"I do not want to see Lord Yelu!" confessed Gillian as she meandered from this exterior room used for visiting the children to a nearby side room. There she saw ten small beds. On the headboard to the nearest bed laid a name sign reading "James," the bed's four yen-ar old black haired occupant sleeping peacefully under a crimson konyn wool blanket. Next to James she noticed three little girls ranging in age between seventy beinors and three yen-ars, the oldest named Ecter and the youngest of them named "Keelia." Keelia? As in Lord Knight Elendir and Lady Abbess Althea's long dead mother?

Finally she walked up to two of the empty beds. Laying Brigid into the first one, Gillian tried to enter the child's name into the monitoring computer. The computer beeped back, "Access denied."

"I can fix that," responded Elden as he laid Rhisiart onto the adjacent bed. Tapping a code into the monitor over first Rhisiart and then Brigid, Elden smiled as the computer accepted both names into its systems.

"How did you do that?" asked Gillian.

"I have full security clearance; I can get us into any computer system, even overriding some of Lord Yelu's commands and lockouts."

"How can you?" puzzled Gillian.

"Sometimes it helps to be half Amur, to be partly alien. There is no system on this planet I cannot control if I need to."

"So why not do more? Why not use the computer access to alter the government?"

"Two reasons. First, something like that would most certainly attract the attention of the Amur concealing themselves in the B345A15 system – to all our detriment. But second and perhaps most importantly, I have no interest in embracing my mother's culture and ways. She conceived me by raping my father when he was only thirty, below the age of consent of thirty five yen-ars! She forced his body into premature puberty in order to carry out her scheme. I have no interest in behaving like her, even if there are times when being part Amur works to my advantage."

"Understandable. So what happens now—after I report to Lord Yelu?"

"I will assign myself to the palace healing center. With a bit of luck I will be able to become the supervising healer in charge over the nursery. We will need to be careful about spending too much time in each other's company, but I believe we shall succeed in finding way to protect all the children while making progress on our mutual quest."

"All rise for his imperial majesty, Emperor Yelu of house Ten-Ar!" cried the court herald as Lord Yelu, clothed in Ten-Arian crimson processed into the throne room, a coronet featuring his personal heraldry sitting easy on his head as he swaggered to the dais and sat down in Queen Constance's throne. Three paces behind him strode Lady Narwen who confidently took her seat in the consort's throne beside him. Narwen turned to her brother, "Today is a happy day, brother!"

Lord Yelu laughed, "Indeed it is!" Motioning to a nearby servant, two prisoners marched towards the throne, both heavily pregnant, "I am a father again!"

Concealed in the crowd Anyu gasped as she recognized the prisoners as none other than Queen Constance and Lady Abbess Althea. Elden touched her hand and her mind, 'Do not reveal yourself. Do not cry out. Only death can come of it. I know you want to. I know you want to rescue them. The time is not yet. It will come. I promise; it will come. Stay the course and remain concealed. You are their last best hope for freedom.'

Anyu turned her mind to Elden, 'I am frightened – for them and for us.'

Elden clasped her hand, 'Do not let fear enslave us all. Remember: your stepfather left you the means to defeat him—when the time is right.'

Anyu met Elden's eyes, nodding reluctantly before fixing her attention on Lord Yelu and Lady Narwen once more.

"Tell me, Brother, how did you manage to achieve this so soon? Keelia is only sixty five beinors old!" remarked Narwen.

"Where there is a will, there is a way!" smirked Yelu. "Is that not correct, my dear Althea?"

Lady Abbess Althea glared at him, "You will not get away with this, nephew. I do not know by what power or advanced technology supports you, but it shall not support you forever. You are a mortal man. Sooner or later you will die!"

"Still expecting your precious brother my father to rescue you from his grave?" taunted Lord Yelu as he climbed down to her, kissing her viciously on the mouth.

"Not to discourage you from your fun, Yelu, but I have someone I want you to meet," mentioned Lady Narwen.

"Lady Narwen calls into this court Gillian Chapman of house Skeinera," declared the court herald loudly.

Uneasily Anyu let go of Elden's hand and emerged from the dense crowd. Passing the queen and the abbess, she met their eyes before falling to her knees before the dais, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am at your service."

Lord Yelu smiled, "Pretty thing! A gift for my bedchamber?"

"If you wish, but that is not why I brought her here. By your supreme virility, our family continues to grow. The Shemai blesses us thusly. So great is The Shemai's blessing that the health of your children suffers from lack of suitable nourishment and attention, nourishment this one is able to provide them," explained Narwen.

"Are you certain she is capable?" asked Yelu, his interest still more on bedding Gillian than hiring her for the nursery.

Narwen nodded, "I have tested her, just as you ordered. She fed two infants of your blood before me. She can be trusted, though not perhaps if you make sport of her first."

"What about when she can no longer perform those duties?" pondered Lord Yelu.

"Should that time arise, I have no doubt she will comply with your exalted wishes most obediently," predicted Narwen.

Yelu crouched in front of the still kneeling Gillian, "Very well then. Do you swear yourself to my service, Gillian Chapman of house Skeinera? Will you give your very body and life to me if I demand it and however I demand it?"

"I swear," answered Gillian.

Lord Yelu kissed her lips fiercely, "You are mine!" Rising he signalled to the guards, "Guards, take Gillian Chapman to my bed chamber. I will be there shortly."

As the guards seized Gillian, her eyes met her mother's fearfully. Narwen glared at him, "I thought we agreed she was not here for that?"

"I want her anyway—just once. It is the best way to know if I can trust her with my children!"

Ten xiao-shirs later Anyu found herself thrown into the sovereign's apartment once belonging to her mother. Looking in a mirror and seeing only the illusionary self, Anyu felt reassured the projection was working as planned. So why was she here? Did Yelu's Amur soul recognize her as his archenemy Aisin?

Before she could ponder further Lord Yelu appeared, throwing his cloak, doublet, and shirt off and onto the bed, "Do you know why you are here in this room?"

"Yes. But I do not understand. I was tested!" protested Gillian.

"I will test you myself. If your vow is true, you will comply with my commands here and now. But if you are a spy, you will resist instinctively, your own eyes will betray you and I will know what to do with you."

"I cannot enjoy a stranger; I was married and I gave my vow to him."

"Enjoyment is not required of you; only your obedience."

Anyu knelt, lowering her head and eyes, "What is your command?"

"Unlace your dress," commenced Lord Yelu; obediently Anyu unfastened the lacing. Stepping behind her and forcing her to her feet he put his hand into her dress and massaged her left breast. "Good! Now take that belt off." Taking a deep breath, Anyu complied. The white belt fell to the floor with a thud. "Turn around. Now pull your dress off over your head." Gasping Anyu complied, refusing to meet his eyes as she felt his eyes on her nakedness. "Excellent!"

"Now what?" asked Anyu, raising her eyes to meet his.

"Now we play!"

The 'play' with Lord Yelu lasted far longer than Anyu expected and across more than one round, her uncle determined to prove her a spy by provoking her. Did he know or suspect the truth? If he did, if he knew he had just achieved what he as Janus had attempted to do to her as Princess Anlei he gave no obvious sign. After the third round Gillian cuddled up to him deceptively, "Are you satisfied my lord emperor that I am your loyal servant here only to serve you as best I may?"

"You handled yourself well, Gillian—or shall I call you Lady Gillian?"

"I do not understand!"

"Only a noblewoman behaves like that, with such control. Who are you really?"

"A bastard," declared Gillian. "My father was house Ten-Ar."

"Ah, so you bear noble blood but not the nobility?"

"Yes."

"Then it makes sense."

"Are you displeased, your majesty?"

"No; quite the reverse. You proved yourself. I will not ask his again of you, though I do reserve the right to watch you feed my children. Your breasts are extraordinary!" purred Yelu gently as he slipped one hand onto her breast and caressed it sensuously. "I took you out of lust and the need to conquer. I failed; you conquered me."

Anyu thought hard—about her mother, her aunt Althea, and her sister Leonora, "I will come to your bed again if you will grant me something in return."

"What do you want?"

"My great lord, you have already proven yourself against your enemies. Will you not release some of your prisoners from their torment? The prisoners you brought to court this beinor, they cannot hurt you further. Will you not release them?" bargained Anyu.

"And if I release them, you will give me more of this? You will grant me unlimited rights to play with you? Will you be my consort?"

"For as long as the prisoners remain free and safe of all harm, I will grant you this, even accepting the imperial crown in court and binding myself to you legally if you desire," promised Anyu.

"Very well! Dress yourself. We have prisoners to release."

One hundred xiao-shirs later Anyu found herself dressed in a beautiful royal kirtle and bliaut. As Lord Yelu entered she twirled with apparent delight, "Whose dress is this, my love?"

"It belonged to Princess Leonora," smiled Yelu. "Do you like it?"

"I love it!" feigned Anyu. "Thank you, my lord!"

"I am feeling generous right now; you may release any five prisoners you desire."

"Any five? Who are my choices?" asked Anyu slyly.

"Let us walk to the cell block and find out. Remember, you may release only five, so choose carefully!" warned Yelu warmly.

Lord Yelu walked through the cell block gaily as if he were in a garden of beautiful flowers, Anyu clinging to his arm. Stopping at the first cell he opened the door, "This is Constance, former queen of Beinan"

"Release her please!" asked Anyu with a smile.

Compliantly Lord Yelu stepped inside the door, revealing the queen in humble dress and smouldering eyes, "You are released; your presence here no longer serves my ego or my interests."

Queen Constance rose, "And what of the bastard you imposed on me?"

"Bear it wherever you wish, as long as you never set foot in Hejing again. You may even kill it if it suits you, but you are too 'kind' I think for that. I have my royal son. James will succeed me when it is his time," declared Lord Yelu. Touching a panel on the wall, he deactivated the force fields limiting her mobility.

"Why?" asked Constance.

"You are replaced; Gillian will wed me as soon as your exile is confirmed."

Constance met her daughter's eyes, "You traded your life for mine, Gillian?"

Anyu cuddled up to Yelu flirtatiously, "You are my greatest rival for his bed; I will not have that! I want you gone –you and your bastard!"

Nodding her consent Constance brushed past her on her way out of her cell, "Thank you, whoever you are!"

As Constance disappeared out of the cell block, Lord Yelu took her to the adjacent cell, "This is Princess Leonora, the queen's daughter whose gown you wear."

"Release her; she no longer deserves to live in such splendour!" commanded Anyu. Obediently Yelu released her in the same fashion he released the queen. Shocked at the sudden release, Princess Leonora stared at the strange dark woman responsible for her release before hastening out of the cell block.

Stepping to the next door, Anyu felt a familiar presence trying to sense her, "Who is here?"

"This cell holds three prisoners, all of them great enemies of mine. Do you wish to release all three?"

"Without knowing who they are? That is quite a gamble!" guffawed Anyu.

"No greater gamble than I already made by releasing my two royal prisoners," reminded Yelu.

"Is Althea one of them?"

"Yes."

"Then release them all!" giggled Anyu, stepping inside the door as Yelu opened it. Inside she found Lady Abbess Althea, High Priestess Aina, and Lord Knight Corann of house Ten-Ar. "By the Shemai! You are generous, my love!"

"Do these three please you to release now then?"

"More than I can say! You deserve every bit of pleasure I promised you!"

"Excellent," responded Lord Yelu as he deactivated the force fields on the prisoners, "Your freedom is purchased. Leave Hejing and never return. If any of you – or the queen or the princess enters this city again, I will know it and I will kill you with my own hands—and my lovely new bride shortly after!"

Corann stepped forward, "Do you know what you have done, my lady?"

Anyu touched her father's hand softly, "I do. Go! Live out the rest of your life in freedom and peace. Abstain from the great matters and all shall be well again."

"Thank you, my lady!" acknowledged Corann, a single tear from his eye falling down his cheek. "Thank you, brother! I did not expect this, but I am grateful."

"I do it for this one's favours in bed; not you," clarified Yelu quietly as Corann, Althea, and Aina departed their cell and joined up with the princess and queen.

Watching them go, Anyu turned to Yelu, "Sweetheart, your children must be hungry; I really did come here to care for them. May I take my leave of you to attend to them?"

"No, I will come with you to watch. Your breasts are delightful; I want to watch you perform your duties."

"So mote it be then," agreed Anyu.
Chapter Seven: Resistance is Not Futile

Lady Abbess Althea as she walked with Queen Constance, Princess Leonora, High Priestess Aina, and Lord Knight Corann down an ancient path through the town of Luton, its thick stone walls rising in sheer cliff faces all around them. Three thousand yen-ar old cottages pressed up against the town walls on one side of the street. On the other stood three story tall commercial buildings only one thousand twenty four yen-ars old, their exterior walls weathered by wind and rain. Forty zhang 张down the street a sign read, Luton Town Jiudian. Instinctively Althea headed for it.

Queen Constance stopped her, "Are you certain that is safe?"

"We have no identification, no money, no computers, or even the barest of necessities beyond the clothing on our bodies. We have little choice," reminded Althea.

"What if we are recognized?" worried Princess Leonora.

"What are they going to do? Hurt us? How can they do anything worse than we experienced in the palace cell block or in Lord Yelu's bed? We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Who knows, we may even encounter someone from the resistance."

Lord Knight Corann stepped forward, "I agree with my aunt. As far as we know, my father is still free. Assuming that is the case he will use his authority and connections to help us any way he is able to. Help may be only zhang 张away!"

"I propose a compromise: Her Grace will go into the Luton Town Jiudian with Lord Corann while the rest of us stand guard here on the street. That way if there is a trap, only half of us will be caught," suggested High Priestess Aina.

"Fair enough?" asked Althea.

"Yes," agreed Queen Constance.

The matter now settled Althea and Corann ambled the remaining zhang张 to the pub and opened the heavy thick door. Inside they found the packed pub bustling with activity; the space sharply divided by contrasting lights with the outer sitting spaces brightly lit and the inner sitting spaces closest to the bar counter lit only by ambient candlelight designed to cloak patrons and their activities. Against one wall stood private snugs, each able to accommodate up to eight patrons. Along one wall in each snug hung a small touch screen computer terminal which could also respond to voice commands for ordering food and drink, ensuring further privacy.

Finding the last open table in one of these snugs, Althea sat down clumsily, the weight of her unborn child making her dizzy. After attending to her comfort, Corann walked up to the bar counter. The bartender greeted him, "How may I help you?"

"My aunt and I require assistance," alluded Corann.

"Certainly, how may I help?"

"Come with me," motioned Corann.

Reaching the snug, the bartender sat down across from Althea as Corann sat beside her, "You look terrible, my lady."

Althea eyed him cautiously, "It is 'your grace' actually."

"Your grace? There are only two people I know addressed like that!" exclaimed the bartender. "Were you in prison?"

"Until two shir-ors ago, yes. He let us go exactly as you see us – we two and our companions who wait outside."

"Without any resources to secure food, drink, or transportation to your homes?"

"Some of us will be killed if we go home; his orders."

"Of course! My name is Charles."

"Do you any who might help us?"

"Yes. My brother-in-law Kevin Wit runs the Tiantang Jiudian 天堂酒店 in Bira Hecen. He used to be quite loyal—until his wife my sister perished innocently. Now we both harbour certain resentments. "

"I grieve for your loss. I am prepared to resume my duties as healer in chief—but first we must restore that which we lost," hinted Althea.

"Agreed!" Touching the computer terminal on the wall, Charles ordered two non-alcoholic nara berry meads for them free of charge, "I cannot offer you much right now, but if you will bring in your companions, I can at least provide you all with food and drink without need for payment or identification. There are people in this room sympathetic to your needs and your cause. If I were to act more directly, well, there are certain risks I simply cannot take."

"Believe me we understand. Are there any small healing centres here in Luton Town who might at least attend to her grace and our female companions?" queried Corann. "As you might guess, the cells in the palace are not exactly places designed to promote the well-being of their occupants."

"Food first—then I will introduce you to those of your mind and cause," asserted Charles.

Slipping out of doors, Corann quickly found Queen Constance, Princess Leonora, and High Priestess Aina standing exactly where they stood before. With a bow affirming the safety of the situation inside, he led the trio to their snug. One man sitting at a nearby candlelit table gasped, "By the goddesses, do you know who that is?"

"Who?" asked his three cohorts.

"The queen!"

"She lives?" asked his nearest companion.

"Look!" pointed the man.

"I know that girl with her! She is the queen's eldest daughter, Leonora! I made her breakfast nearly every beinor for twenty yen-ars! It has to be! One does not work in the palace in Hejing without knowing more than a few things!" blinked the companion, rising up from the table. Kneeling he entered the snug, "Your Highness! You are alive! I am Becker of house Ana, do you remember me?"

Leonora smiled, "Of course Becker!"

"Where have you been, Your Highness?"

"The palace; we were not able to escape. We were... let go this beinor."

Becker stammered, "D-d-did they do that to you in prison, Your Majesty?"

"Yes. We need help, Becker," nodded Queen Constance. Charles arrived with five large mugs of non-alcoholic nara berry meads, steamed rak tails and legs, a type of seasoned buttered bread, and an assortment of cheeses, minced fruit, and berries, including kelan, nanla, and nara berries.

"I do not have much, but I do have a local bakery business. I have a delivery to make in the morning out in Granta near the Ten-Arian monastery. It is only one point four three shir-ors from here and I am understaffed for the delivery. If the five of you will help me with the delivery, I can transport to the heart of the city—or the Ten-Arian monastery if you feel that is more helpful," offered Becker.

"There is a healing center for house Ten-Ar on Addenbroke Road in Granta," added Lady Abbess Althea. "If you can get us there, I think we will be able to take it from there."

"Not a problem; the Granta-Kensington Healing Center on Addenbroke Road is where I am making my delivery to!" smiled Becker. "Do you have lodging for the night?"

"No," replied High Priestess Aina as she took a bite of cheese.

"Let me speak to Charles and see if he can offer you a room upstairs. The jiudian was once used as a brothel two hundred yen-ars ago and still has some rooms which can be rented by patrons. I can pay for the rooms if he will not simply offer them. Given who you are, however, I think it is in everyone's interest for him to help you out of the kindness of his heart. It may not be much of a resistance, but it is something we can and should do," offered Becker.

Princess Leonora smiled at Becker, "Thank you, Becker. Once more we are in your debt."

"Just you get back to where you ought to be and start running things right! I do not know if I can ever bear to come back to work in Hejing; my business is doing really well now, but if you ever need help, you just let me know!"

The next morning at shir-or 5.0 Becker met Constance, Leonora, Aina, Althea, and Corann in front of the Luton Town Jiudian. Though it took some pleading and cajoling, Becker succeeded in getting Charles to provide the rooms in exchange for two hundred assorted pastries and desserts from his bakery for the pub instead of asking for money from his guests. Pulling up his large low-altitude shuttle specifically designed for transporting baked goods and staff, Becker helped Althea and Queen Constance carefully board the craft so as to not disrupt the many trays of cakes, pastries, Belarian waffles, slatkos, and breads filling the shuttle along with complimentary assorted sauces, jams, and syrups. After ten xiao-shirs, they were on their way.

Ahead of schedule at shir-or 6.05 Becker's low altitude shuttled pulled into the enclosed docking port at Granta-Kensington Healing Center just as an upper atmosphere hurricane descended, flash flooding the entire town of one hundred eighty thousand residents. Thankful for the shelter, Becker instructed each of his new friends on what he needed them to do, each one humbly helping as best as she or he could. Pleased with the assistance, Becker bowed deeply as each thanked him before setting off into the rain and towards the Ten-Arian monastery.

"Why did you ask Becker to bring us to the healing center if that was not our final destination?" asked Queen Constance as the group trudged towards the Ten-Arian monastery.

"I erred on the side of caution," replied Althea whose pregnancy granted her the boon of feeling a little warmer than the others. "Maybe he was safe to confide in, but maybe he was not. I was not about to gamble the core of the resistance movement against whether or not he is trustworthy. At least at my office we know one trustworthy ally will help us."

"Who do you expect to find at the monastery, Your Grace?" asked Leonora.

"An old friend," replied Althea simply.

"Who?" asked the queen.

"You will see when we get there."

"Why not tell us now?" pressed the queen.

"Why are you so interested in knowing before we get there?"

"No reason," lied the queen.

"Her grace is correct, Your Majesty. You do seem unusually curious on the matter. Not at all the trusting friend of the family we all know," observed Corann.

"A wise observation, knight!" guffawed Queen Constance, her shape suddenly changing into a four legged, black-scaled creature, its massively long serpentine tail tipped with four webbed fingers.

Corann glared at it, wishing desperately he had a weapon, "Where is the real Queen Constance the Kind?"

"DEAD! Dead a long time ago. After she gave Lord Yelu his son he tortured her and killed her. A pity he would not let me help. He wanted to keep our real nature a secret," slithered the Amur.

"Who are you?" asked Aina.

"Laela, sister-in-law to Surt who gave up his immortal life to pursue his revenge against one of us who walks among you as a natural born Beinarian!" proclaimed Laela proudly.

"Surt? Who is Surt?" asked a stunned Leonora.

"No one of consequence. All you need to know is that your pathetic attempts at resistance are utterly futile! We will have our revenge. You will be our slaves forever!" cackled Laela with delight. Raising her right hand, she enveloped Corann, Althea, Aina, and Princess Leonora in a force field, "Now you know what I am, I can hardly allow you to live; best of all your operative now thinks you are all free; she will serve his bedchamber nicely as his queen and slave and never know it was all futile, all in vain!"

Suddenly out of seemingly nowhere and with a blinding flash to conceal his point of origin appeared Lord Healer Elden, "I would not count the resistance dead if I were you, Mother!"

"So Elden you are now helping out these... rabble, eh? Are they making good sport for you?"

"Not as good as my father was, Mother."

"You have grown since last I saw you."

"I am six hundred forty-eight yen-ars old now, Mother! I am hardly a child!"

Laela laughed, her tailed coiling with irritation, "By whose standards? You will be dead before you come of age among the Amur, child!"

"Yes, I am mortal, the one gift you gave me of any value. I am blessed with long life, but not the curse of immortality! What did it take for Surt to become mortal in pursuit of she who was once High Priestess Aisin? The firepower of the entire Beinarian star destroyer fleet? No wonder you, Morlong, and the others control house Xing-li so tightly; the last thing you want is for Beinarians to regain the technology you took from them after they landed on this world!" Meeting his mother's eyes, Lord Healer Elden waved his fingers in a circular motion, releasing the Beinarians from the force field. "Go my friends; he is waiting for you. I will keep my mother occupied."

Twenty xiao-shirs later Lady Abbess Althea, Princess Leonora, High Priestess Aina, and Lord Knight Corann reached Althea's old office and headquarters to the resistance where Lord Knight Elendir monitored reports. Corann froze as he saw his father, "Father?! You are alive!"

Elendir turned, dropping everything he was doing, and embraced his son tenderly, "Corann! I thought you were dead!"

"I would have died if not for Lord Healer Elden. He found me in the burning west wing of the palace; I do not know how he got me out of there or healed my injuries! I operated in secret for a long time in Hejing; one yen-ar ninety beinors ago Lord Yelu's troops discovered my location; I was arrested and thrown into the cell block. When Aunt Althea tried to use her position as abbess of Ten-Ar to secure my release, Lord Yelu double-crossed her. We were together in prison for over a yen-ar, I think!" explained Corann.

Elendir open his embrace, beckoning his sister, "I owe you everything for trying, Althea!"

Althea kissed his cheek and joined in the group hug, "We are family; what else could I do?"

"Our family has grown since last we spoke," announced Elendir.

"What do you mean?"

"Corann is a grandfather."

Corann broke the embrace, "What? What are you talking about?"

Elendir's brown-flecked grey eyes met his, "Your daughter was raped on D425E25 Tertius, Corann. You are now the grandfather of twins Rhisiart and Brigid. Princess Anyu arrived just xiao-shirs before she went into labour."

"Where are they, Father?"

"In the palace—with her. She is undercover."

"So that was not my imagination! That girl with Lord Yelu—black hair, dark brown eyes, and jaundiced skin, that was my daughter?" asked Corann, trying to put together the pieces.

"Lord Elden's skills as a healer are matched only by my lady abbess," smiled Elendir.

Leonora stepped forward, "Wait! Are you saying my sister is alive and returned to Beinan?"

"Yes. Congratulations, Leonora. You are an aunt!"

"If only I had known or guessed!" pondered Leonora.

"It was the only way," mused High Priestess Aina. "For her disguise to work we all needed to believe it; if we had not, Lord Yelu surely would have killed her—and the babies. Now that we all know the truth about her return and her presence in the palace, it becomes essential that none of us steps anywhere near the palace."

"Lord Yelu threatened to kill her if any of us entered Hejing, remember?"

Lord Elendir broke the embrace with his family, "Heed that warning; he has access to all planetary defences and technology. How he did not detect the Liltaél on its descent is still a mystery to me."

Lord Healer Elden strode up behind them, "Simple: he did not detect her star craft because I did not want him to! I can blind the computers when I need to; without anyone knowing that is what I am doing. But as I told Anyu right before I left her, I cannot do these things too often without drawing the sort of attention we cannot afford. I can hold my own pretty well against my mother; killing me is against her self-interest and against whatever plan is behind my birth. But a group of Amur? All at once? Impossible to defeat them. No; the only way to survive this war is to avoid direct confrontation with them whenever possible."

"So how do we win?" asked Leonora. "Surely this is impossible! If these aliens are as powerful as you suggest... maybe it is time to resign ourselves to living with Emperor Yelu as our ruler!"

"And abandon our race's long history of autonomy, democracy, and a limited monarchy? Do we really want to give up on everything that makes us Beinarian and live at the whim of this tyrant?" gasped Althea. "I would rather die than give up our liberties! I do not care if this is a no-win situation or not! I am and shall be abbess of house Ten-Ar until I die, even if no one is there to replace me in my office."

"All of us are descended of Princess Anlei and Lord Knight Corann," affirmed Elden, "Even me. This plot, this coup d'état was in their minds ever since the Great Migration when they encountered our people. When Surt committed suicide to incarnate among us, this yen-ar was already in their hearts. That evil trinity—Yelu, Morlong, and Laela—will not stop until they have utterly destroyed our species, down to the last one of us."

"Even you, as half Beinarian, half Amur?"

"If it comes to it; yes. I think even my sister and I are expendable though I think we exist for another purpose. Unlike the rest of them, we are completely mortal; at some point both of us will grow old and die, something the Amur cannot do. They can kill each other, they can kill themselves by throwing themselves into intense enough heat, but they cannot die of old age."

"What do you suggest we do? If we cannot defeat the Amur, how is there any hope for our world?"

Elden paced, his minding searching for a solution, "We must find Amur sympathetic to our cause. I was not broadly introduced the last time I was aboard their star craft Nimamur, but I do know they have some sort of government. Perhaps there are those among the Amur who object to what Yelu, Morlong, and Laela have done to our world. Perhaps all they need to intervene is the request of someone from this world."

"I think I should go," volunteered Elendir. "I was King Kendric's dearest friend. I am also Lord Yelu's father, even though that honour was imposed on me against my will. If only there was some symbol or token I could present to them to prove who I am!"

"What about the Bow of Balister?" asked High Priestess Aina.

"The Bow of Balister is just a legend!" argued Elendir.

"No, it is not! I have seen it in my dreams. King Kendric kept it in a secret place," countered Aina.

"Is there a way Princess Anyu could secure it for us?" asked Aina.

"That could be dangerous!" reminded Elden.

"No one knows the palace better than my sister," affirmed Leonora. "Not even our mother knew it as well as she does. If there are hidden paths, she is certain to know about them. The trick would be to pass off the Bow to someone trustworthy before Lord Yelu discovers her."

"I can teleport objects within a zhang of my location to another nearby location in the area, the nearer the better of course. If a cloaked star craft or mid-range shuttle were to hover over the palace at the right time, we might be able to secure it. It would be very dangerous for everyone on the mission –the princess most of all—but it might be possible," considered Elden.

"Can you teleport people as well as objects?" asked Elendir.

"One at a time, yes; I do not have nearly the powers my mother does. I actually used my powers to help with the delivery of Brigid and Rhisiart."

"And you can cloak yourself?" asked Elendir, a plan spinning through his mind.

"Yes."

"I think it is time to recall Anyu and her children from the palace. Teleport both of the babies to our best star craft. Speak to Anyu; find out where the Bow is; I will retrieve it while you get her to safety," ordered Elendir.

"Father no! You must stay aboard the star craft. Anyu is my daughter! Allow me to secure the bow and get her to safety! I have not done a father's duty for her; it is time I fight to protect my daughter and grandchildren," insisted Corann.

"You could be killed, Corann."

"So could you, Father. The woman I love is dead; I owe it to Constance to help her!"

Elendir nodded, "Very well then! I will stay aboard the star craft while you and Elden rescue our family and secure the Bow."

"The star craft Liltaél is at our disposal; I hid it carefully on the island of Ben-Ar. There are weapons aboard which Prince Consort Kian stowed away in case Princess Anyu needed them to fight her way back home," mentioned Elden. "Your Grace, Your Grace, Your Highness, we will need you to stay safe here at headquarters. Both Elendir and Corann are knights of Ten-Ar; they were trained to fight in operations like this if called upon. I of course have many of the abilities of the Amur. We three are best qualified for this mission; please, I ask you, stay where you are safe."

"Agreed," affirmed Lady Abbess Althea.

Seventy beinors passed. Anxiously Lord Knight Corann paced the halls near his aunt's office, his black cloak swirling as he moved. Nervously he grabbed his laser bow, plasma arrows, and quiver full of heritage arrows, concealing the beneath his cloak. Finally, at shir-or 6 the Liltaél descended into a nearby open space. Corann rushed outside to great Elden, "What took you so long?"

"I had to make sure I was not followed and that no one could deduce the purpose of my return to the Temple of Abka Gahun. I also took the opportunity to obtain news. While we have plotted and planned, Lord Yelu has taken Anyu as his empress and consort; the coronation was three beinors ago at shir-or 9. No doubt she has been busy in Lord Yelu's private chamber with him ever since. I suspect getting her out safely is going to be the most dangerous part of this mission!" described the silver-cloaked Elden.

"Blosh!" cursed Corann. "What are the chances now we can get her out of there safely and with no loss of life?"

"Do you really want to know?" queried Elden.

"No, come to think about it, I think the odds might be upsetting," confessed Corann as his father emerged, ready to depart.

Elendir handed Corann a heritage crossbow and a dozen quarrels, "Do you still remember how to use this?"

Corann glared at his father playfully, "I can still out shoot you!"

"And I can still best you with a blade—modern or heritage, lad!" toyed Elendir as he helped Elden prepare the Liltaél for launch.

"There is one other weapon aboard the Liltaél we are bringing down," added Elden. "King Kendric's schlager sword; Princess Anyu inherited it. She may need it to get away. I will carry it for her and put it in her hand myself." Smirking playfully he turned to Elendir, "One curiosity, my lord Elendir?"

"What is that?"

"Who is better with a sword – you or her?"

Elendir laughed light-heartedly as he helped Elden with the final pre-launch preparations, "You know in all these yen-ars I have never sparred with her, never tested her skills with a blade. That, my friend, could be interesting—if we all survive to see that beinor."

"Two xiao-shirs to Hejing, my lords; engaging cloak," announced Elendir as he adjusted the Liltaél's course towards the palace. "I will land on the banks of the Amur river just long enough for both of you to depart before taking position zero point seven li above. Once you are ready to start teleportation send me a signal through the computer and I will lower the star craft as close to the ground as I can. I assume you can find my location based on the computer signals?"

Elden put the hood of his cloak over his head, "Yes. The nearer you are, the faster and easier this becomes. Stay as close to the ground as you can without compromising your safety, please. We only get one shot at this!" Elden turned to Corann and met his eyes, "Ready to rescue your daughter?"

"Always!" replied Corann fiercely as the Liltaél landed. With a dash he and Elden headed for the exterior palace walls furtively as the hidden Liltaél ascended. "Do you have any clue where this Bow might be hidden?"

"No; Anyu is the only one who might know where to begin looking," conceded Elden in a low voice.

"Where do you suggest we start?"

"There are three likely places we will find her: the throne room on the dais with Lord Yelu, in the nursery with her children, or in the sovereign's apartment though she could be in the consort's apartment as well. Since teleporting the children is first priority, I will head to the nursery."

"Then I will check the apartments and their offices. Hopefully we will not need to search the throne room."

"Whatever happens Corann, you must get away; this is no time to play Ten-Arian hero!" cautioned Elden as he engaged the personal cloaking screen on his belt, rendering him invisible.

No longer able to see Elden, Corann felt alone as he clandestinely crept through the palace's ancient corridors ever grateful for Constance's demands they pursue their love affair in secret instead of making him her official lover. As his mind drifted into the past it occurred to him that technically Anyu herself was a bastard, her claim to the throne based entirely on Prince Consort Kian's insistence that Anyu was his child and not Corann's. Did Lord Yelu know this? Was this why Lord Yelu killed Kian on the floor of the Great Council? Nothing felt certain anymore—except his love for Queen Constance and his grief at her murder.

As Corann crept close to the sovereign's apartment, the sounds of sex filled his ears. He knew that woman's voice. Only Anyu's voice sounded like that.

Suddenly he felt an arm grab him from behind and a hand clenched over his mouth. His assailant turned him around, "How are you here?"

"Who are you?" whispered Corann.

"Christopher Gurun," answered Corann's attacker.

"Who?"

Anwell eyed him, "Never mind! What is your business here?"

"The Bow of Balister."

"Ah! Yes, of course, that makes sense. Prince Consort Bevin used to lay rhosod at its hidden shrine," mused Anwell.

"Who are you?"

"A friend; that is all you need to know."

"We need the Bow to secure an alliance; do you know how to get to it?" asked Corann.

"There are two paths to it; one goes through the heir apparent's office; the other through the sovereign office."

"Can you get me unnoticed to the heir apparent's office?"

"Yes! Come with me!"

"Hello, Rhisiart!" cooed Elden as he picked up his half-brother. "Are you ready for a trip?" Elden felt a question in his head, "Do not worry; I am here to help you!" Concentrating Elden searched for the Liltaél. Finding it he met Rhisiart's eyes and watched him disappear. Picking up Brigid and meeting her eyes, he concentrated on the Liltaél and watched her vanish. As he readied himself to leave, Elden felt despair behind him. Approaching the source he saw Prince James standing in his crib, very much aware of what just happened to Rhisiart and Brigid. "Do I dare take you, little one? Will it endanger your sister if I do?"

"No! Me come!" demanded James.

Elden took a deep breath, "Very well then!" Concentrating he teleported Prince James before leaving Leonora and Althea's children alone.

Anwell led the way to the heir apparent's apartment taking direct paths Corann found impossible. How did this stranger know the palace so well? Quickly Anwell entered the office, pressing three small buttons on the side of a picture frame hung on the far wall. A small, narrow door running floor to ceiling appeared, opening. Anwell glided through the passage with Corann trying to keep up. Suddenly a small alcove shrine erupted from the wall. In the dim light, Anwell found the shrine's relic: a tawny, heavily carved bow well over eleven thousand yen-ars old. Grabbing the bow, Anwell handed it to Corann, "String it!"

"It will not break?"

"Only if you do not know how to string a bow," quipped Anwell.

Corann swiftly strung the bow, surprised at the strength of its ancient bow string, "How did you know?"

"I know a knight of Ten-Ar when I see one; my late father was a Ten-Arian knight. My mother chose him actually because she believed she was safest with a knight of Ten-Ar than a politician chosen by the Great Council."

"Who are you, Christopher Gurun?"

"Someone who loves Anyu very much. Come, we must hurry. By my estimates Lord Yelu should be finished with his latest round upon her. Now is the time to rescue the woman we love."

"How do you?"

"Quiet, you fool!" hushed Anwell as he crept down the other corridor towards the sovereign's apartment.

Cracking open the secret door, Anwell gasped as he saw the naked, disguised Anyu. Bruises covered Anyu's face and arms. Blood gushed from a cut above her forehead. Her milk laden breasts bled slightly. Despite the illusion, Anwell saw only the reason woman he loved. A tear fell from his eye as he heard her sob, "Why, my lord? Why?"

"You hesitated when I demanded you. You live because I want you to! Do you understand that?" snarled the fully dressed Yelu.

"Yes!" wept Anyu. "I do not understand! I gave you what you wanted!"

"You are not pregnant; I want you pregnant!" snarled Lord Yelu, beating her.

Corann crouched against the door to watch as well, "Blosh!"

"It cannot be helped, my lord!" pled Anyu as another blow landed on her face.

"Oh? And why not?" shrieked Yelu as he drew his dagger.

Corann pulled an arrow from quiver. Anwell stayed his hand, "You must not! You must get the Bow out of here! It is irreplaceable!"

Corann trembled, "So is my daughter!" Opening the door he fired at Lord Yelu. Yelu ducked, evading the arrow which punctured a nearby pillow. Anwell plunged into the room, destroying Corann's aim as he attempted to fire another arrow. Rolling onto the ground Anwell found Anyu's kirtle and threw it to her. Anyu caught the dress and rolled away from Lord Yelu evasively.

Anwell rose, putting himself between Yelu and the still naked Princess Anyu, "Behind me!" Anyu feverishly pulled the dress over her head to cover herself, staining it with the blood from her head and breasts.

Deactivating his cloak, Elden rushed into the chaotic room. Consumed by his blind rage Corann fired again. Elden snarled at him, "Corann, the Bow!" Suddenly aware of his actions Corann backed towards Elden and handed him the bow. "My lady! You must come with us!"

Anyu met Anwell's eyes, "Not without you!"

"Go! I will be fine. I will get out of here!" yelled Anwell.

"Corann, we must go!" signalled Elden.

"No!" shrieked Corann venomously. "Not until he pays for what he just did!" Pulling his laser bow from his cloak, he notched a plasma arrow into its string.

"No, Corann! No!" cried Elden as Corann fired, setting off the alarm. Four guards plunged into the room, firing their volley of laser spears.

Anwell rushed Elden, "You have a plan for getting out?"

Elden handed Anwell the Bow, "Yes!" Concentrating, he teleported Anwell up to the Liltaél.

"So, Lord Knight, you came here to die!" cackled Lord Yelu.

"You killed my wife and raped my daughter!" cried Corann as his spirit left him. With a tear, Elden cloaked himself before materializing back onto the Liltaél.

In a blink of an eye Elden appeared in the passenger section. Tears fell from his eyes. Anyu rushed up to him, a look of bewilderment on her face. Focusing his mind, Elden dismissed the illusion altering her appearance. Shimmering, the brown eyes and black hair melted into Anyu's auburn brown hair and grey eyes. Elden knelt before her sadly, "My lady, your father is dead."

Elendir set the computer on a course outside of Hejing airspace. With a banking turn, the star craft nudged upwards at a sixty degree angle towards the upper atmosphere. As the computer took control, Elendir rose from the pilot seat, meeting Elden's eyes with shock, "My son is dead?"

"I do not think he wanted it any other way, my lord! He provoked the situation, made it far more dangerous than it needed to be. He jeopardized the Bow—and his daughter's life!"

"Revenge. But why? My mother is safe!" exclaimed Anyu.

"No," informed Elden, "Yelu killed her long ago; the woman you saw was Lady Laela impersonating her. She showed her real self the xiao-shir we avoided her questions about the resistance."

"Laela is here?" asked Anwell.

"Yes. What I concealed from everyone in the resistance is this: my sister Freya embraces her agenda. She chooses her Amur half. We may be siblings, but we could not be more different," added Lord Healer Elden.

Anwell looked at Elden cautiously, "My lord, who are you?"

"I am Elden, son of Lady Laela and Prince Anwell, born BE 6392, beinor 29," acknowledged Elden.

Anwell crumpled to the floor, "How is that possible?"

Elden's eyes widened, "You are Prince Anwell?"

"Yes. You said you have a sister?"

"Yes. Her name is Freya but she is no heroine like Princess Anyu."

Anwell turned to Anyu, "Why were you in the palace, my love?"

Anyu picked up Brigid, "Our daughter Brigid and her twin brother Rhisiart. The safest place for them was right under Lord Yelu's nose. I went undercover to protect them—and give the resistance a fighting chance."

Anwell trembled, "I left Beinan on BE 6391, beinor 3 a pawn of Laela and Morlong. Now I return to find myself a father of four children by two mothers?"

"Sweetheart there is more. When I was in Laela laboratory on D425E25 Tertius she collected five ovum from my body, implanting three into herself. Morlong mated with her as soon as she did so. I think it is likely she is surrogate to three of my children sired by that Morlong creature."

Anwell touched her arm, "She did something similar with me – conceiving three more between her and I. Sweetheart, what is she up to?"

Elden's eyes widened, "Blimy bloch! Now it all makes sense! She and Morlong are not just interested in destroying our race: they are creating a new hybrid race!"

"A hybrid race? But why?" asked an incredulous Anyu.

"The old story about Rhisiart and Aisin was true! It had to be!" exclaimed Anwell. Anyu looked at him, the yen-ars he lied to her about his identity still present in her mind. "When I was Laela and Morlong's pawn, they told me the story about their race, the Amur. For a very long time I was their confident, not guessing I was really their pawn. Never once in my youth did I question their teachings; I had no reason to. Blimy! No wonder Lord Yelu killed your parents, Anyu. The Amur do not tolerate any questions to their authority. My guess is that once Yelu started treating the queen cruelly and once she realized the connection between Lord Yelu, Morlong, and Laela she ceased to be of any value to them. Her son is legally heir to the Gurun dynasty, even if conceived under duress; our laws never demanded a betrothal be entered into willingly. That is, I must conclude, why Janus tried to force Princess Anlei into a sealed betrothal in the first place during the Great Succession Crisis. Fortunately my training with Lady Laela helped me recognize the psychic control Janus put on Anlei – allowing me to quietly warn Lord Knight Corann so he could stop Janus from sealing the princess and by that effectively giving him the throne."

Listening intently, Elden's eyes widened as memory flashes from another time filled his mind. In front of him Janus slapped Anlei vengefully, "Deny me, will you? I will show you. You are mine."

"Elden? What is it?" asked Anyu, noticing his distraction.

"I was there!"

"Where?"

"In Princess Anlei's room when Janus tried to seal her forced betrothal by raping her. I was... I was Corann," realized Elden simply.

"Yes! Yes! It makes sense," confirmed Anwell. "No wonder your mind felt familiar!"

Elendir strode forward and gave Anwell back Anyu's betrothal bracelet, "I believe this belongs to you!"

Taking hold of the bracelet, Anwell unfastened its clasp before kneeling before Anyu, "Dearest princess! On D425E25 Tertius, you accepted my offer of marriage never knowing if either of us would ever reach home again. Now, in front of these witnesses, I ask you again. What we did there shall remain there if you wish. But if you love me still, I ask you simply: will you marry me in accord with the customs and laws of our world?"

Anyu smiled at Anwell, "I will!" Smiling Anwell fastened the bracelet back onto her wrist. Pleased, Anyu turned to Elden, "But what about you, Elden? I loved Corann with all my heart; I still love him."

"That was another life, Your Highness," answered Elden, casting his eyes down and away from her.

"Must it be?"

Anwell looked at her, "Anyu, what are you asking?"

"When Elden told me the story of Aisin and Rhisiart, he spoke of Lord Cariad of house Gurun. When we were on D425E25 Tertius, you confessed to me that you were Lord Cariad, the astro-engineer I, as Lady Brigid encountered on that survey mission to find a new home world after we left A672E92 Quintus. From what I can tell, Elden was King Malvyn whom I loved with equal passion and loyalty," revealed Anyu.

"A holy trinity," concluded Elden.

"Elden, I want you to ask the question I can feel is in your heart," insisted Anyu.

"Anwell is my father, Anyu! How can I? Besides, it is illegal!" protested Elden.

"Says who? A government that no longer exists? Lord Yelu? Laela and Morlong? The old ways are gone! I am not saying that there should be no rules governing our world. But who is to say what is right and wrong between consenting adults? Who is to say what kind of family is best or how people should run the most private parts of our lives? I say that love transcends all things! Who you love and how you love needs to be a personal decision made only with those involved and no one else! Elden, I am willing to consent to what I know is in your heart—if my lord Anwell can love me enough to consent to this as well," proclaimed Anyu.

Anwell rose and put his arms around Anyu and Elden, "I love you, Anyu. How can I say no to what will bring you the greatest joy? If this is what you want, then I want it too. My son, I think you should ask her the question I feel in my mind you desperately want to ask but are terrified to."

"What say you, Lord Elendir?" asked Elden.

"I think Princess Anyu is ready to be queen. By the old rules, she is entitled to have both of you if she desires," agreed Elendir.

Elden fell to his knees and took Anyu's hand, "Princess Anyu, will you marry me as your husband, granting to my father the title of Prince Consort and granting to me simply the title of husband, knowing that any children between us will not be and cannot be fully human?"

"I will," consented Anyu as Elden kissed her hand humbly. "Our holy trinity must still be sealed of course. But once we do this, I know in my heart that no darkness, no evil can come between us. This Great Revolution is at end; we three will stop it, even if it costs us our lives. Resistance is not and never shall be futile!"
Chapter Eight: Tyranny's End

Five hundred xiao-shirs later the star craft Liltaél descended onto the Ten-Arian monastery campus. Shocked and surprised to see the star craft so quickly returned, Princess Leonora approached the craft as Princess Anyu, Lord Healer Elden, Prince James, and Prince Anwell walked down the ramp, Brigid and Rhisiart in their parent's arms

"What—who—is this?" asked Leonora.

"Sister!" laughed Princess Anyu. "I want you to meet my daughter and your niece, Princess Brigid!"

"You are a mother?" puzzled Leonora, her arms wide with eagerness to hold her niece. "How is that possible? You are far too young!"

"Nothing is impossible for the Amur," remarked Elden. "I believe you know your brother James?"

"Yes! I cared for him a bit; part of Lord Yelu's tortures. He said I would never see my own child by him, but insisted instead I play with my half-brother. Tell me—is my daughter still alive?"

"She was when I teleported your brother, your niece, and your nephew. I am sorry, Leonora; time was of the essence; I could not empty the nursery. As it was I arrived just in time to stop Lord Yelu from killing Princess Anyu," apologized Elden.

Leonora paced, "This sounds terrible, but that child is better off dead, or at least raised by someone else. I cannot forget what he did to me. In another life, I raised the daughter he forced on me; times are different. My mother, sister, and I were all raped and tortured by the same man! That is more than I know how to deal with!"

"Believe me, I understand," empathized Anyu. "If I were older, Lord Yelu might have succeeded in getting me with child; the only reason I have Rhisiart and Brigid is because Lady Laela used Amurian technology on me! That was, in the end, the reason he gave for torturing me; I was not pregnant, no matter what drugs he gave me or how he treated me. The best of our technology cannot force a young woman under forty-five to conceive!"

"Truly a blessing, Anyu! I was not quite so lucky; I was barely forty-five when Lord Yelu quickened my womb."

"I grieve for you. You deserve better!" sympathized Anyu as she passed Brigid off to Elden to hold her sister tightly.

"Anyu, I feel so lost!"

"All will be well, Leonora. We were successful in retrieving the Bow of Balister!"

"Then why are you here?"

"The children; I do not want to take them anywhere near an alien star craft or destroyer! I was hoping you and Lady Abbess Althea would do us the kindness of looking after them—even our brother. It is not his fault how he was begotten nor what happened to our mother. Like the rest of us he is innocent. Will you help me?" requested Anyu.

"Yes of course, I will do whatever I can."

"Thank you!" smiled Anyu appreciatively, taking hold of Anwell's hand. "May I introduce you to my intended and father of my children: Prince Anwell, son of Queen Isabelle and Prince Consort Bevin."

"You are betrothed?" Anyu blushed romantically. "Obviously you have some explaining to do, Anyu! Come! Tell me all about it over dinner!"

Anyu met Anwell's eyes. Anwell bowed in understanding, "Elendir and I will join you as soon as the Liltaél is secured from prying enemy eyes. Go! Catch up with your sister, Sweetheart!"

Fifteen beinors passed. Confused by the delay, Anyu fidgeted. Concerned for her mother, Brigid wailed. Anyu picked her up to comfort her, "I am sorry, Brigid! Are you picking up mummy's feelings already?"

Anwell entered their room, "Of course she is. Elden tells me the children have some Amur traits in their helices, no doubt to enhance the natural psychic abilities they inherit from each of us."

"Where were you the last four beinors? I was so worried."

"I needed to retrieve the Badatel from its hiding place; it was too dangerous to leave it where it was. I came to the palace the shir-or I encountered your father in order to gather intelligence; my own resistance if you will. I knew if there was a way for you to return, you would try."

"So you had no idea when you helped my father that I was there?"

"I had nothing concrete, if that is what you are asking me, Lady Engineer Anyu! But I did feel you close by. I did not know exactly where, but I knew you were in Hejing, yes."

"So now the Badatel is out of enemy hands, when do we launch in pursuit of the Amur?"

"We do not."

"What? But that was the entire reason for going to Hejing, for retrieving the Bow of Balister!"

"I am not saying we abandon the plan to contact them; I just realized there is a better and safer way to do so."

"How?"

"Do you remember the observatory at which you first met Lady Laela?"

"Yes of course."

"It is more than just a sophisticated astronomical observatory able to penetrate the thick upper atmosphere. I believe it is a hidden telecommunications transmitter and receiver tuned to the frequencies used by Amur star crafts. If we can access its computers, most certainly we can embark on our mission without leaving the surface of B345A15 Quartus."

"Are you suggesting we bring the Amur here?"

"Yes, sweetheart that is exactly what I believe will provide us our best chance at securing the alliance and the freedom of our people."

Twenty beinors later Princess Anyu, Prince Anwell, Lord Healer Elden, Lord Knight Elendir, Lady Abbess Althea, and High Priestess Aina journeyed back to Bira Hecen on board the Ten-Arian executive shuttle called the Lasta. As they approached the city, all were filled with wonder at the lasting beauty of the Temple of Abka Biya, its spires rising poetically from the promontory cliffs from which its glory arose. The tallest and most organically designed of these spires rose up from the cliffs, many of its windows facing the Amba Mederi Ocean below even as its transparent roof marked it as the home of the temple observatory.

Landing the Lasta, Lord Healer Elden bowed courteously to High Priestess Aina, "Your Grace we await your pleasure as high priestess. Permission to enter the temple?"

"Granted," affirmed Aina formally as she touched the control opening the hatch.

Leading the way, Aina took her companions through corridors rarely used by non-initiate priestesses and priests, a labyrinth of short staircases and ramps that took them through hidden places carved from solid rock. After every fifth or seventh turn, windows provided light and fresh air filled with the sweet smell of the ocean below, its green-violet foam erupting at the top of its waves. Steadily and without the use of any technology more advanced than their own legs the group climbed high and higher, the ramps turning sharply around a central inner wall as they climbed. Finally, after two hundred forty six xiao-shirs they reached the observatory, its light blinding after such a long climb in relative darkness. Filling most of the room stood a massive concave reflector on a pedestal. As the group filed into the observatory, Elden moved to the control panel located on the pedestal while the others gazed into the reflected image in front of them. High Priestess Aina reverentially drew a sacred glyph across her head and chest as the stars wheeled across the reflection. Following his intuition, Elden pressed three seemingly unrelated keys on the control panel. The stars disappeared from the reflector, replaced by chaotic swirl of purple, red, yellow, orange, and green.

The lights answered Elden back with sometimes melodic, sometimes guttural speech, "Who calls upon the elders of the Amur?"

"We are the Peers of Beinan, descended all of us from High Priestess Wehe of house Brigid. We represent the peoples who were once free and yearn to be again," proclaimed Lord Elden.

"What is your business with us?" interrogated the voice.

"An unholy trinity enslaves us; we come now to you to negotiate for your help in freeing our world," answered Princess Anyu.

"Why should we listen to you, Peers of Beinan?"

Anwell raised the Bow of Balister, "Behold, the Bow of Balister carried by King Malvyn at his coronation as the first king!"

Suddenly and with a flash the group appeared on board the Amur star destroyer Laoch Réalta encircled by five Amur appearing in humanoid form with black hair and metallic blue eyes, their metallic black raiment twinkling in the ambient starlight. A female Amur stepped forward, "Welcome back Elden."

Elden bowed to her chivalrously, "Many thanks, Grandmother."

"Have you decided to wed one of us after all? Your sister Freya has already accepted a proposal of marriage from one of the youngest among us," hinted the Amur.

"Respectfully, Grandmother, my heart has finally found she whom my spirit always seeks. Behold: Aisin is reborn!"

The Amur processed around Princess Anyu expectantly, "You are our high priestess reborn?"

Anyu kneeled, "I was. I am. As it was during the reign of King Malvyn of house Balister so it is this beinor. The holy trinity is reborn. The holy trinity stands together once more."

The Amur looked at Anwell, "Do you agree with this, Prince Anwell?"

Anwell stepped forward proudly, "I was Lord Cariad, Rhisiart reborn even as Elden was King Malvyn. My heart is true; my blood is true. The holy trinity is re-forged."

"Very well then, we will hear you," pronounced the eldest of the males.

Lord Knight Elendir stepped forward, "My lords and my ladies, we come to ask for your help freeing our world from the unholy trinity of Lord Yelu, Lord Morlong, and Lady Laela."

Taking her turn, Althea stepped beside her brother, "By ourselves, we cannot free our world; no human can defeat any of your species—by force of arms, mind, or soul. We concede the youth of our race and the apparent superiority of yours. Yet surely these three are the worst of the Amur and not representative of your society!"

High Priestess Aina bowed deeply, "Even if we could kill them, the problem would not be solved; they would simply return in another incarnation over and over again until our race ceased to exist, just as Surt did, his current flesh now known as Lord Yelu."

Elden took hold of the Bow of Balister, "Grandmother, Esteemed Elders, without your help we are a doomed race. Please, I ask you do not permit their evil to continue!"

"Evil to we Amur or evil to you humans?" asked a third Amur sceptically.

Elden met the challenging Amur's eyes, "The highest law of the Amur states 'thou shalt not rape; neither shalt thou compel another into matrimony nor impregnate or conceive without the free consent of all involved.' This is the eternal law and rightly so!

"We six stand here before you as either the victims or product of the crimes committed by Lord Yelu, Lord Morlong, and Lady Laela. As the son of Prince Anwell and Lady Laela I accuse the unholy trinity of breaking our most sacred law!"

Elden's grandmother met Anwell's eyes, "Prince Anwell, is it your testimony that your son Elden and your daughter Freya were conceived in violation of the law cited by Lord Elden?"

"Yes, my lady! I was a boy of only thirty yen-ars when Lady Laela raped me and conceived in herself my first-born daughter Freya. But her evil did not stop there. In BE 6391Morlong and Laela captured my star craft Badatel, bringing it aboard the Nimamur and putting me in suspended animation until they released me on or about BE 6961, beinor 160 in the D425E25 system so I could do their bidding. On BE 6966, beinor 123, after pledging myself to wed Princess Anyu we were both captured on that world and tortured in some sort of medical experiments in which Lady Laela raped me and impregnated herself with my seed. After she and Morlong conducted similar tortures and experiments on my lady Anyu, they used drugs to force me to rape the love of my life after which I was forced to watch Morlong rape Anyu in front of my eyes. I therefore accuse both Laela and Morlong of multiple counts of rape and forced conception and impregnation of both myself and Princess Anyu."

"Princess Anyu, do you agree with the testimony of Prince Anwell?"

Princess Anyu nodded, "Yes, my lady! In her experiments, Lady Laela forced me to ovulate even though I am too young to bear children. Using Amur technology, she forced me to conceive twins from my beloved Anwell which I gave birth to only xiao-shirs after my return to Beinan. She also took three additional ovum which she implanted into herself right before mating in front of me with Lord Morlong, most likely conceiving with all three and giving birth to my children with Morlong.

"After these atrocities I was returned to my cell with Anwell. A drug-filled smoke filled the air and before I knew it, Anwell raped me after which Morlong took his turn to rape me. I therefore accuse both Lady Laela and Lord Morlong of multiple counts of rape and forced impregnation."

"Truly this is grievous," conceded another Amur. "Yet you accuse all three –Yelu, Morlong, and Laela—together. What evidence is there against Lord Yelu himself?"

Lord Elendir raised his voice, "Lord Yelu is my son, created out of deceit and against my will by the Lady Elita who drugged me and forced me to impregnate her."

"Irrelevant; those created by rape are not responsible for the sins of their parents!" sniped one of the male Amur.

"Then look in the nursery at the palace," suggested High Priestess Aina. "There you will find my daughter by Lord Yelu, along with the daughter of Princess Leonora and of Lady Abbess Althea. He raped all three of us across our imprisonment. 'Sport' he called it."

"There is more," added Althea, "In our care under the watchfulness of Princess Leonora is Prince James, son of Queen Constance the Kind whom he murdered after he no longer held use for her. Under pain of death, Lord Yelu forced the queen to marry him after already raping her many times. If you doubt this, simply scan the helices of the prince in our care. The evidence clearly shows Prince James is son of Lord Yelu—not the queen's beloved Corann whom he also killed when we came to rescue Princess Anyu."

Elden's grandmother stepped closer to Anyu, "Princess Anyu, have you charges to lay against Lord Yelu?"

"I do."

"What say you then?"

"I was forced to marry Lord Yelu in exchange for the lives of my sister, my mother, and the ladies standing here with me. He lied of course about my mother; I did not know until we reached the Ten-Arian monastery that Lady Laela impersonated my mother as part of the coercion. Across my captivity, Lord Yelu raped me many times each beinor, drugging me often. But he used Beinarian technology, not Amurian, and therefore could not force me to conceive. Once he realized this he beat me and would have killed me if not for the timely intervention of Lord Elden and Prince Anwell. I therefore accuse Lord Yelu of multiple counts of rape, forced marriage, and attempted forced impregnation," charged Anyu.

"Lord Yelu possesses the soul of Chancellor Surt. Yet his flesh is still human. Furthermore, for all his crimes, our laws grant him a measure of grace for the unfortunate nature of his begetting. Therefore our laws forbid us from intervening directly with regards to Lord Yelu. Yet do we grant use of our technology to you to deal with his crimes and prevent him from ever haunting your race again," declared the grandmother. Holding out her hand a box three cun寸cubed with flashing purple, blue, and green lights on it appeared, "This box was given to you and hidden aboard the star craft Liltaél. Lord Engineer Kian never knew its purpose, of course. Tap these three buttons thrice in this order and you will capture Surt's soul. This must be done to Lord Yelu while living or within forty-five xiao-shirs of his death—or he will reincarnate among you to continue his malice among you—until your species no longer exists. Elden, I am burning the full instructions on how to use this into your mind until you no longer need to know this information."

"What of Morlong and Laela?" asked Anwell.

"No longer your concern."

"With all due respect, it is our concern. Defeating Lord Yelu, trapping his soul will not free our people, even if we can get that far without Morlong and Laela intervening!" cried Princess Anyu.

"Fear not, princess; we will deal with them in accord with our laws. Give us ten beinors, after which we promise you, neither Morlong nor Laela will ever bother any human in any sector of space again, not while this cycle of time persists."

Ten beinors later the thick upper atmosphere turned completely clear planet-wide, filling the night side of Beinan with starlight. The three Beinarian moons of Biya Eldengge, Biya Gealach, and Biya Xiao-Yue glowed majestically like pearls. Across Dong-Bei blue-white light touched the ground unfiltered for the first time in Beinarian history. It was an awe-inspiring sight, an omen filling everyone whose eyes looked upward with wonder.

From the ground Princess Anyu watched expectantly, "Elden, the sky! This is the time the Elders specified our world would be free from Morlong and Laela. Do you think this means they kept their word?"

Elden held Anyu's shoulders from behind her, kissing her neck sweetly, "Yes! It is the sign. Before I reincarnated as Lord Malvyn I saw them do this with another world."

"Why were our lives as King Malvyn and High Priestess Brigid the first time we ever met? If the legends are true and I am a piece of the mother goddess and you are a piece of father god, would not we have been together eons before?"

"No. It does not work that way, Anyu. Any piece of god could have met you and married you. For all I know, another awaits you. But this I do know: there are many more pieces of the god than the goddess. Anwell might be one, actually."

"You do not know if he is or not?"

"Know? No, but I suspect he is."

"Why did you leave that part out when you told me the story?"

"Self-interest; I want you to be in love with me, Anyu. I want to be special to you. You fell in love with him first. There is a tiny part of me that wishes that honour belonged to me. I have only been in your orbit a short while cosmologically speaking. How can I compete with your soul's first love?"

Anyu kissed him tenderly, "I love you! Do not doubt this!"

Elden kissed her back, "I love you! Being part of the whole that made all things does not remove us from our feelings. Oh I know there are some worlds where the mythologies teach we exist outside of creation; most congregations worshipping The Shemai believe that. But the truth is that in living as part of what we collectively made, we possess thoughts and feelings very similar to theirs; kinder, more benevolent, more life-affirming, yes, but just as powerful and sometimes just as selfish. There is nothing wrong with being selfish, as long as that selfishness affirms life and is filled with love."

"Am I selfish for choosing both of you?"

"No! In fact I think that was most generous of you. I have no difficulty sharing you with Prince Anwell; when the time comes, he will be a great consort. He could have been king, you know!"

"Ah yes! I called him 'Anwell Unready!' I was a fool."

"No, sweetheart; you were an older sister!"

"I was still a fool!"

"You were forty-five and five yen-ars away from coming of age. You had no way of knowing that you were already an aunt and that your brother was dealing with some very serious psychological issues by that time. In this life you understand the way that rape hurts, but back then you were blissfully innocent. Do not chide yourself for that innocence. It is a quality that marks us for what we are; no matter what happens to us, we always retain a child-life playfulness, a pure and innocent heart undaunted by sorrow, a heart incapable of despair. That unique quality to our souls enables me to look past the surface and see you as the soul you are rather than the trappings of the flesh you wear."

"Thank you!"

Elden smiled, "You are most welcome. Now, sweetheart shall we join the others for lunch before we conference to discuss the liberation of our world?"

"Lead the way!"

Two beinors later Anyu, Anwell, Elden, and Elendir quietly sailed a small Cashmarian river boat through Hejing, their identities masked by their simple, hand-spun Skeinerian tunics and cloaks. Underneath her cloak Anyu wore King Kendric's schlager along with a laser epée and laser shield. Lord Knight Elendir carried two laser epées, one for each hand. Inside one pocket in his cloak Elden carried the strange Amurian sphere with its ribbon of crimson light. In the other pocket he carried the cube with which to capture Surt's soul. As they sailed, the palace grew larger and larger as they neared their target. Nervously Anyu took first Anwell's hand, then Elden's hand.

After forty-five xiao-shirs they reached one of six different riverbank landings located within a li of the palace. Gently guiding the boat to the landing, Anwell carefully reached over to a small computerized mooring post, activating it and engaging its force field chains securing the boat. A ramp extended from the river bank to the boat, making it easy for all four to exit the boat. Casually the four stepped onto the riverbank promenade, as if simply a group of friends enjoying the unusually beautiful weather, the sky still crystal clear from whatever the Amur Elders did. A family of five passed them on the promenade. Anyu smiled and bowed slightly in greeting as they passed knowing that the best way for them to stay safe was for no one spotting them to guess their intentions.

Still following the Amur River, the pathway turned sharply to the right, revealing the ruins of the west wing straight ahead. The pathway circled to the right, away from the west wing. Anwell activated his wrist scanner, the same scanner he used on D425E25 Tertius, "Anyu, look! If these readings are correct, there is no security force, not even a force field protecting the remains of the west wing. How odd! In my time the west wing was fiercely guarded by both humans and technology." Anwell mused momentarily, "I remember going down the secret passageways to get out of my lessons; when my mother found out she was furious at me. She used to remark that she was queen of the entire planet—except her son!"

Elendir pulled out a tablet computer, "I think Prince Anwell is right; now we are here, the west wing seems the best approach—if the old passageways remain open."

"It could be a trap!" observed Anyu.

"Yes, perhaps, but then any approach we take may be filled with such dangers. I say we use our intimate knowledge of the palace to our advantage and try," voted Elendir.

"Agreed," confirmed Elden, taking the lead and charging onto the well-manicured palace lawn. As much as possible Elden, Anyu, Anwell, and Elendir followed the palace walls until they yielded to rubble. Picking their path carefully around the fallen ancient stones they made their way deeper and deeper into what was once fully enclosed corridors. A pair of fabku perched happily on the top of one wall, watching a young falco albus picking at something on the ground. Being careful of the sacred bird, Anyu's eyes widened as she realized the raptor feasted on a recently killed human—house Gurun by the looks of his clothing.

Seven zhang张 ahead the ruins yielded to an open tunnel with polished stone floor. Stepping inside, Anyu realized they were walking through what was once the secret shuttle hanger where Lord Knight Kian perfected the Liltaél. Through the darkness she spotted the remains of engineering computers and construction equipment, along with two dead droids. The partially open door dividing the demolished hanger-laboratory stood three zhang 张 away. One by one Elendir, Elden, Anyu, and then Anwell sprinted to the door, the others providing cover in case their movement triggered a hidden danger. Nothing; not one defence blocked or tried to obstruct their path. As the four followed the secret hallways they knew led to the throne room they each grew more and more uneasy at the lack of apparent defences; not even a single camera marked them. But why? Why leave this part of the palace, such an obvious approach for attack, so completely open?

As they neared the throne room they heard the noise of a packed throng. Lord Yelu raised his voice, "I have called all of you here this shir-or with grievous news: my mentor and once brother, Lord Morlong is dead, killed by the resistance. Yet fear not, my people! For Morlong left behind heirs who will grow to guide us. In the glaciers near Olos-Mir under the care of my own twin sister Narwen lives Morlong's heirs and children—three fine sons as beautiful as he was!"

Nervously Anyu whispered to Anwell, "Sons? I have three sons?" Tears started to fall from Anyu's eyes. Against her will her knees gave way.

Anwell raised her up and steadied her, "Sweetheart, you must ignore it; if it is true, we will journey to Olos-Mir and deal with them."

Elden's eyes widened, "Father, Yelu is only telling half of the truth; I sense from him grief; the Amur killed Laela as well—after she also gave birth to three daughters of your blood."

"At least we know why the palace seemed empty; everyone is here!" whispered Elendir as the group pressed themselves into the throne room.

From the top of the dais and pacing somewhat in front of the thrones Lord Yelu continued his speech, "...yet despair not, my people! For I have the perfect answer to their murders!" Laughing Yelu pressed a button. The ground shook beneath them, throwing half of the people onto the floor. "Behold, I have destroyed the royal apartments! If these resistance fighters think they can take me, they will have to stride through the bodies and the blood and the wreckage. I have destroyed this palace, this symbol of tyranny just as I destroyed the Ten-Arian monastery and the foul death camps house Ten-Ar called 'healing centres!' Now you will all evacuate this place! Leave and never return! I will not suffer the symbols of monarchy to stand any longer! Though our great ones are gone, it is their legacy not that of house Gurun with its foul rulers descended of Princess Anlei the people shall remember!" Laughing, Lord Yelu signalled for his seven most elite guards to appear out of the shadows, their laser spears glowing blood yellow-green, "Go! All of you! Before my guards kill you all!"

Screaming, throngs of courtiers and others civilians fled, the guards' laser spears firing at them in warning. Anyu, Anwell, Elden, and Elendir hugged the wall, falling into a side alcove. Turning briefly defensively, Elendir's eyes widened as he realized where he was: the memorial alcove dedicated to King Lyr III! Here, on BE 6904, beinor 198 at shir-or 7.0 Princess Constance found her father and Elendir's best friend, King Kendric murdered by five crossbow quarrels, the very sword Anyu carried now enveloped in his blood that poured out on the very hallowed ground where they stood.

Pleased at the crowd's fear, Lord Yelu sat down casually in Queen Constance's throne as the last of the civilians evacuated. Princess Anyu drew King Kendric's sword and stepped out of the shadows, "Hello, my name is Princess Anyu. You killed my grandfather; prepare to die!"

Cackling, Lord Yelu stepped down off the dais, "What did you say?"

Anyu stepped closer, drawing her enemy closer and enabling Elendir, Elden, and Anwell to fan out unseen into a circle from behind, "Hello, my name is Princess Anyu. You killed my mother; prepare to die!"

"What is this? A joke?" giggled Lord Yelu.

Princess Anyu approached, now taking the precise and careful circling steps drilled into her by Lady Knight Aldris of the knights of Gurun, "Hello, my name is Princess Anyu. You killed my father; prepare to die!"

"Princess Anyu is dead!" shrieked Lord Yelu as his guards abandoned him and disappeared.

"Hello, my name is Princess Anyu. You raped me!" roared Princess Anyu. "Or did you not know? I was Gillian Chapman, your empress!"

"I knew there was something wrong with you!" sneered Yelu as he pulled out a hidden laser épée and activated it. "Not so smart are you, princess? No heritage blade is a match for a modern weapon!"

Anyu sheathed Kendric's sword, replacing it with her own laser schlager, "You can die any way you like this shir-or, uncle. But you are still dead!" With a flick of her wrist she activated the blade gleefully. "You and I go way back, Surt! I am not a vindictive creature. What I do now I do for the good of all Beinarians. But I would be lying if I said the thought of beating you in the first fair fight between us does not offer me a certain glee!"

"You have not killed me yet!" challenged Yelu with a charging plunge Anyu easily deflected, her schlager cutting his back as she riposted. Yellow-green blood poured out of the wound, soaking his tunic.

Counting her steps in her head Anyu elegantly danced around Lord Yelu to his annoyance, easily landing a blow to his left thigh. Yelu glared at her, "You are cheating! Your dress conceals your legs! I cannot tell where you will attack from!"

"And here I thought you rather loved my legs!" toyed Anyu as she landed another blow, this time to Yelu's right pectoral muscle.

"You cannot beat me!" shrieked Yelu.

"If I wanted to beat you right now you would be already dead! I want you to feel pain! I want you to know, if only for two or three xiao-shirs something of what you inflicted on others!"

"You call yourself holy! You are no better than the rest of us!"

"That world is dead; Aisin is dead. I am Anyu and I am Beinarian!"

Yelu screamed, charging at her. Anyu parried, her sword plunging through Yelu's body. Elden's fingers danced across the box he now held in his palm. In blink of an eye a column of light burst from the box, drawing Yelu's spirit into its confines. With a jolt Elden dropped the box, allowing its light to intensify and grow.

Anyu turned off her weapon as a blinding flash filled their eyes, concealing the approach of Elden's Amur grandmother, "Elden, Anwell, Anyu quickly: form yourself in a triangle around the box. Now calm your minds and focus your thoughts on one desire: the desire to see his evil ended forever!"

Following her instruction, the holy trinity focused. Over and over their minds chanted their intent to end Surt's evil once and for all. One xiao-shir passed, then another. Finally the box exploded, taking Surt and Lord Yelu's body with it. Anyu's eyes widened, "What just happened?"

"You fulfilled your destiny, Aisin. Your holy trinity killed his soul. You could not do so when you were one of us; it was beneath you, even knowing the danger. No, my lady, you needed a greater motivation, a personal grievance before your heart could do what you knew needed to be done. Surt will harm no one again, not while this cycle of time remains," explained the Amur.

Lord Knight Elendir stepped forward, "Then it is over!"

"Your enemies no longer exist and cannot return to haunt you or any other species ever again. But that is not the end, only the beginning that allows you to reclaim your world."

"What of the children imposed on us by Morlong and Laela; Yelu said they are in Olos-Mir?"

"That is for you to decide; they are as mortal as Elden. Do you wish for Freya to raise them as hers—or do you choose a personally more difficult path?"

Elden nodded, understanding, "Those created by rape are not responsible for the sins of their parents."

"Yes!" agreed his grandmother as she disappeared, never to be seen on Beinan again.
Chapter Nine: A Revolutionary New Era

"So," asked Princess Anyu, "when do we leave for Olos-Mir?"

"Immediately," answered Lord Knight Elendir, "unless your majesty objects."

Anyu nodded her consent, "Very well then, lead the way!"

Anwell put his hand on her shoulder, "You are queen now, Anyu. Duty requires you to stay in the palace and rule while we investigate in Olos-Mir."

"I can fight!" protested Anyu. "Besides, no woman has ever inherited her mother's throne! It is against the law!"

"What law?" asked Elden. "Lord Yelu dismantled the Great Council while you were on D425E25 Tertius. We have no government now. You are the surviving daughter of Beinan's last legitimate ruler."

"But Anwell's claim to the throne is stronger!"

"No, sweetheart, it is not. When I abdicated my claim to the throne in compliance with Lady Laela's orders, I became ineligible; never mind the fact my mother died generations ago. No, Anyu, I am a relic of the past; the future belongs to you," insisted Anwell.

"But how can I govern? What will I do?" panicked Anyu. "I was never groomed for this; my brother was!"

Lord Elendir hugged his granddaughter before kneeling to her, "You do not do this alone. Contact the Beinarian Central Broadcasting Network. BCBN will help you take care of things here in Hejing while we investigate in Olos-Mir. This is how it should be, my queen. Remember who you are and whose daughter and granddaughter you are."

"I am your granddaughter! That is all I want to be!" pled Anyu.

"And so you always will be, Anyu," reassured Elendir. "Right now I need you to be Kendric's granddaughter, young though you are! Okay?"

Anwell kissed her, "Do not worry, my love! We will be back soon—with our children."

Sadly, Anyu nodded her consent as her family left her alone to rule.

Uncertain what to do, Princess Anyu strode through the palace, looking for a working telecommunications computer equipped with a secure channel. Passing near the nursery she noticed its doors oddly ajar. Peering inside she walked through the intact antechamber to where the children slept, to where Lord Yelu's daughters by High Priestess Aina, Lady Abbess Althea, and Princess Leonora remained, this inner room also untouched by the detonated bombs. Yellow-green blood oozed across the floor. A terrible stench filled Anyu's nostrils. On the floor Anyu noticed the mutilated body of Lady Narwen, daughter of Lord Knight Elendir and Lord Yelu's twin sister. Behind Narwen and still in their beds laid what remained of three young bodies killed by a laser épée. Shocked and grieved, tears flooded her eyes. Weeping she stumbled out of the nursery and into the outer hallway beyond.

"Are you okay, my lady?" asked a little boy who suddenly ran right into her.

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

"Who are you?"

"My name is Thomas; my father serves in the palace, you know!"

"How old are you, Thomas?"

"Fourteen! I am not a baby! I do not care what anyone says. I am not a baby!" insisted Thomas.

"No, you are a boy, not a baby," agreed Anyu.

"You look lost! Do you need directions? I can help!"

"I am lost, but not the way you mean. I have been to the palace before. But I do not know where there is a working communications device that will open a secure channel. Do you know where one is? The only ones I know about were in the offices adjacent to the royal apartments."

"Lord Yelu had one in the throne room!"

"Do you think it still works?"

"Yes! Come come! I will show you!" scurried Thomas, taking Anyu's hand and pulling her down the hall until she almost stumbled right back to the same spot where Lord Yelu died. The boy looked at the blood, "What happened here?"

"Someone died."

"Who?"

"Lord Yelu."

"Then why is there no body?"

"You ask many questions, Thomas."

"I know!" giggled Thomas.

Hearing his voice one of Yelu's former guards returned to his post, "Thomas! What are you doing?"

"You are his father?" asked Anyu.

"Yes. He is a very bad boy today. I ordered him to go home when Lord Yelu commanded the gathering; obviously he did not listen," explained the father.

"I understand; I was not very obedient to my mother; I did not know who my father was until just before he died."

"Who was your mother?" asked the guard suspiciously. Anyu drew King Kendric's sword. Seeing it, the guard fell to his knees, "Have mercy on me, Your Majesty!"

"Who is that, father? Why are you kneeling?" asked Thomas.

"I kneel to the queen of Beinan, Thomas. This is our new queen!"

"What is your name, sir?"

"Andrew Wu of house Croften, Your Majesty."

"Where are you from?"

"Dong-Nan Fang; I was a biologist before Lord Yelu threatened my family and forced me into his service. My late wife was Ten-Arian—a healer," explained Andrew, his voice breaking from sorrow.

"I am also a scientist, Andrew, an astro-engineer of house Xing-li. Believe me; I understand. If I may impose, I have service to ask of you."

"Name it!"

"Can you contact the Beinarian Central Broadcasting Network? Lord Yelu is dead, but only a handful of people know it. I need to send a planetary wide message, but I need the initial contact with the press handled discretely or I risk someone loyal to Lord Yelu coming here to terminate my life," explained Anyu.

"Lady Elizabeth from BCBN used to cover the palace for Lord Yelu," offered Andrew. "I can contact her and ask her to come here; she will not ask questions until she arrives; she learned not to under Lord Yelu."

"Please! Whatever you can do, I would appreciate!" requested Anyu as she stepped onto the dais. "One more thing, Lord Andrew..."

"How may I be of service?"

"Your son spoke of a working secure telecommunications device is here in the throne room; will you show it to me and inform me of any special settings or modifications he grafted onto it? I could trouble shoot the device myself, but I have no time for that, not if I can avoid it."

Andrew stepped up to the throne and nodded, "It would be my pleasure to reveal all of Lord Yelu's secrets."

One shir-or later Lady Elizabeth of house Slabi arrived in the throne room. Spotting Princess Anyu still in her plain Skeinerian dress she headed straight for her, "Excuse me, I was told to report here for what is supposed to be a very important interview—but I cannot seem to find the person I am here to talk to. Do you know where he might be?"

"You do not recognize me, do you?"

"Should I?" asked Elizabeth.

"I am the person you are here to meet."

"Oh? Oh! My apologies; I thought I was here to talk to someone important in the government," explained Lady Elizabeth. "My contact did not tell me I was here to interview one of the servant girls!"

"I am not quite certain if that works out to be a complement," commented Anyu wryly as she ascended the dais to her mother's throne and sat down, "I am Anyu, daughter of Queen Constance the Kind."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I am Princess—Queen Anyu. Lord Yelu is dead, deposed by myself and the leaders of the resistance. I summoned you here to assist me in bringing that news to the people in hopes that my presence here is sufficient to melt away Lord Yelu's servants."

Embarrassed, Lady Elizabeth kneeled, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I am not queen until the Great Council meets; the old law stands. Only they can elect me queen, establishing a new dynasty, a new era for Beinan."

"Most of the members of the Great Council are dead, Your Majesty, killed in Lord Yelu's barrage of bombs across our world."

"I want you to summon the survivors to meet with me in this room. Tell them their queen commands it. Together we will form a new government, one less vulnerable to the manipulations and corruption that grew under the Gurun dynasty. I also want you to put a call out to the leaders of houses Croften, Plover, and Skeinera. I have a proposal for them I believe will be to their liking."

The next morning the throne room buzzed with the sounds of chaos and courtiers—music to Anyu's ears after her duel with Lord Yelu. At the front of the hall Lady Elizabeth and her crew from BCBN prepared to make their live broadcast. Standing at the back of the room watched Lady Abbess Althea and High Priestess Aina. Catching everyone off guard, Anyu rushed to meet them, "Aunt Althea! Your Grace! You came!"

Althea hugged the princess warmly before kneeling, "It is a pleasure to welcome you home, Queen Anyu."

"I am not queen yet; not unless we form a new government consenting to what I have in mind!" reminded Anyu. "Speaking of which—where is my sister? Where are my children?"

"Leonora is still at the Ten-Arian monastery with the children; until it is official she felt it best you be the only royal in this room," explained Althea.

"Does my brother James have any idea of what is going on?"

"No, not that I am aware of; BCBN only broadcast about the bombing in the palace and that they would update this breaking story as more details emerged," reported Althea.

"There is one more danger you we should make you aware of, Anyu," added Aina. "Lord Yelu killed off the most loyal members of the Great Council during his reign of terror; most of the representatives in this room are likely to be his allies."

"Naturally!" sighed Anyu. "Come! I want you in front as I address the council."

Leading the way Anyu headed for the front of the throne room. As she walked she observed the crowd parting in front of her with reverential bows. Princess Anyu stepped up upon the dais, the BCBN cameras following her every move and every word. The group hushed. Anyu looked straight into the cameras, "I have called all of you here to make an announcement: Lord Yelu the Bastard is dead and his alien allies are removed from this world. But we are not yet free, not while those who ally themselves with Lord Yelu remain faithful to his government. I call upon all of you –from the cities and commercial centres of Dong-Bei to the mines, factories, and villages of Xi-Nan Fang and every corner of our world between and betwixt these—to join with me in creation of a New Era for B345A15 Quartus, our beloved Beinan. In this New Era we shall throw aside the violence, tyranny, and corruption of both Lord Yelu's reign of terror and of the Beinarian Era itself. With your help we will find new ways to resolve our conflicts and new ways to govern ourselves and choose our leaders.

"I cannot do this alone. I need you and I need a new Great Council to help me govern. In the past, houses Croften, Skeinera, and Plover were disenfranchised, forbidden from representation in the Great Council. Rather than pursuing the obvious course of granting admission to the new Great Council, I propose formation of a judiciary whose purpose is to interpret the law, dispensing justice on the local and regional levels. But, more importantly, this judiciary will search for corruption in our government and our businesses. It will protect consumers from unfair trade practices, create and enforce better standards in the workplace, and remove those leaders from both the private and public sectors who engage in corruption—including the members of the Great Council itself. Finally, this judiciary will elect each new sovereign queen or king based entirely on merit from both members of the previous sovereign's immediate family and from eligible candidates deemed most qualified to lead our government.

"It is my firm belief that we need these measures to protect the life and liberty of our people, that this is the best way ensure the future of our world so that when our current B345A15 sun begins to die, as it most certainly will, we will be ready to go once more into the stars and beyond.

"I therefore call upon each house to, in accord with its own customs and traditions, elect new representatives to lead them in the new Great Council. Before any new representative sits in the Great Hall Assembly, a committee of three members each from houses Croften, Skeinera, and Plover must ratify and approve the assignment. I believe this is the best way to guarantee policies that conform to our values of freedom and equality for all people of all houses.

"I ask you all to join with me. Though fires still burn across our world and much needs to be done to rebuild it, I know that together we can achieve anything. All we need to do now is believe in one another and in ourselves."

Nine beinors later Lord Knight Elendir, Prince Anwell, and Lord Healer Elden arrived at the palace with Princess Leonora and all the children. Being careful the debris and rubble that filled the residential north wing, Princess Anyu received them at the gazebo in the garden adjacent to the dishevelled royal apartment. "At last! You are returned!"

"Yes, my queen!" affirmed Elendir. "On our way back to Hejing we saw the report on BCBN: you are officially queen-elect. Congratulations!"

Leonora hugged her younger sister, "A long time coming and well deserved! Ninety seven percent of eligible voters from among the adult populace chose you!"

"And three percent voted for you," reminded Anyu.

"I never wanted to be queen. I never wanted any of it—except to marry well and raise a family," reminded Princess Leonora. "Speaking of which, allow me to introduce you to the children. Our brother James you know. Obviously you know your twins Rhisiart and Brigid. But I believe you have not met Anwell's three sons by Lady Laela: Daniel, Bevin, and Malvyn. The girls are your daughters by Lord Morlong: Debora, Lorraine, and Anlei."

"What about Lady Freya?"

"Dead—suicide," reported Elden. "We found her body poisoned with a plant that grows on Biya Gealach. Apparently when she learned of our mother's death she decided it would be prudent to take her own life. For this I am...thankful."

"I went into the nursery shortly after all of you left; all three children were murdered; Lady Narwen's body I found in front of them. It will be some time before that room can house another child," reported Anyu.

"That is okay, Queen Anyu. I do not want to be in the palace ever again!" declared James.

Anyu knelt to meet his eyes, "Why not?"

"My father was a very bad man. He did bad things. I do not want to live where he lived. I never want to know anything about him ever!" insisted James.

"If not in the palace, where do you want to live?" asked Anyu.

"With big sister Leonora! And—if I may ask this—I want to be like a big brother to all the babies. I think when they are older and can play more they would be fun!"

Anyu turned to Leonora, "What do you think? If you take on that responsibility, you are dealing with seven young children all alone, most of them half Amur!"

"I will not be alone, Anyu—not for long. Love will find me and I will get married," reassured Leonora.

"Will you come to the coronation?"

"No, Anyu. I will not; not that I do not want to. I think my being there would be a reminder of the past right when we all need to focus on the future. Everything you said in your speech in front of the entire planet was absolutely correct. Right now the best way I can serve is to keep the spotlight on you and your plans for the future. Your coronation is not until beinor one when the New Era officially begins, but already you have proven yourself, at least to me, as the most able of queens!" declared Princess Leonora.

"Anwell, what do you think about Leonora's plans for our half Amur children?"

"Logical, sound, Beinarian. Let we three raise Rhisiart and Brigid in the palace and at court; the rest of the planet needs not know about Daniel, Bevin, Malvyn, Debora, Lorraine, and Anlei, not until we decide they should know. Telling a planet recently ravaged by two Amur and one reincarnated Amur that a new hybrid race is out there does not exactly seem politically sound," answered Anwell.

"I agree with father," confirmed Elden. "Though I am sure someone will know I am half Amur, one half Beinarian/half Amur is hardly a threat to them; seven on the other hand could be constrained as a threat or conspiracy."

"What about when they find out?" asked Anyu.

"By then, my lady, no one will care. I will make sure my public service guarantees that!" winked Elden.

The next morning Queen-Elect Anyu put in the finest gown to survive the Great Revolution. With the aide of her new political droid and lady in waiting RM76, Anyu carefully braided and pinned up her hair, putting into it a comb of fresh rhosod. Boarding the Ten-Arian executive shuttle Lasta piloted by a squire forty yen-ars old, Anyu sat quietly in meditation as the Lasta brought her to the first of the many rituals she knew awaited her.

The wedding of Queen-Elect Anyu and Prince Anwell glittered with simple splendour. Jointly-presiding over the wedding service stood High Priestess Aina and Lady Abbess Althea. As both Anwell and Anyu partaked of the traditional rituals of each house, both remembered brightly their respective parents. At the altar Anyu placed a small nosegay memorial rhosod upon which was bound a star sapphire representing her father, Lord Knight Corann of house Ten-Ar. Upon this she placed a pendant featuring the Cashmarian heraldic sailing ship, a remembrance of her mother's love of sailing and the sea that Queen Constance the Kind inherited from her mother, Princess Aurnia, King Kendric's second wife and truest love. At the altar Anwell honoured the memory of his father, Lord Knight Bevin of house Ten-Ar with beautiful Ten-Arian dagger. Queen Isabelle he honoured with a heraldic triquetra, symbol of house Brigid to which the queen, like her mother, secretly belonged. Saying their vows and drinking Nara mead from an ancient chalice that somehow survived the Great Revolution, Anyu and Anwell welcomed the official start of their new life together with joy.

Two beinors later in the Temple of Abka Biya in Bira Hecen, Anyu kept her vow and wedded Lord Knight Elden as her second husband. Finally, after sealing this second marriage, she felt ready for the New Era to begin.

As beautiful and glorious as both her weddings were, nothing compared to the coronation ceremony at the royal palace in Hejing. While Anyu celebrated her marriages, engineers and builders from across Beinan worked furiously to repair the palace and make the royal quarters in the north wing as habitable as possible in the nine beinors that remained in the Beinarian Era. As Anyu and RM76 readied her physically in her apartment, she could not help noticing the smoke still steaming out of her office, the smoke so thick she could not tell from a distance if anything survived Lord Yelu's final palace bombing. Wearing her ciphers to protect against the bilast streaming out of the office, Anyu felt suddenly grateful for her exile on D425E25 Tertius, an exile that felt far longer because of the speed of that planet's rotation and revolution around its sun that it actually was in Beinarian time. So much planning, so much preparation! And yet, she finally understood, the entire point of it all had not been her protection—but to guarantee Lord Yelu's revenge upon her and all she loved. In removing her to a distant world, Lord Yelu gained free rein over Beinan while the remoteness of that primitive world enabled Morlong and Laela to conduct their experiments and create hybrid Beinarian-Amur like her husband Elden.

Finally, at shir-or 5.0 Prince Anwell came up to her from the consort's apartment wearing the same white royal shirt with embroidered neckline and sleeve ruffs, and Gurun-red sleeveless doublet he wore on D425E25 Tertius to explain who he was to her, along with the white konyn wool trousers decorated with red piping he had not bothered to change into at the time.

Anwell marvelled at the beauty in front of him, "My bride is even more beautiful this morning than she was at our wedding!"

Anyu turned in front of mirror to look at her Gurun-red corseted gown with its flowing full split skirt and white konyn underskirt. A sheer chemise protected her torso from the consort worn over it, veiling slightly the peak of cleavage created by combination of corset and low, squared neckline. White pearls beaded into a floral pattern ornamented the neckline, waistline, and hem. A farthingale created a smooth, A-line silhouette, masking somewhat the change to her figure created by early childbearing. Pleased, Anyu put her hands around Anwell's neck and kissed him, "Are you pleased with her our official sealing?"

"I did not marry you for the favours of your bed, Anyu. This was always about love, not lust. All I ever want from you is your love and your companionship!" With a kiss, Anwell unfastened Anyu's cipher from her neck, "You no longer need this—nor do you need your wrist cipher. We are home, Anyu!" Putting down her ciphers, Anyu pulled a necklace out of his pocket and put it around Anyu's neck, "I want you to wear this. My mother wore it at her coronation. It is an heirloom of house Gurun as precious to our family as the Bow of Balister is to house Balister."

"What happened to the Bow?"

"I returned it to house Balister; it belongs to them; not us. How better to make a new start in the New Era than by showing faith and trust in all the houses?" explained Anwell. "Now, my love, are you ready to be crowned queen?"

"I am!"

Stately Anwell escorted Anyu to the packed throne room where over three hundred Beinarians waited anxiously for their new queen. Near the thrones stood watched ten cameras, each of them broadcasting the ceremony across the every corner of Beinan. Shawms and harps played as Anyu and Anwell processed hand in hand through the massive hall, Lord Elden gliding just three paces behind. In front of the dais stood High Priestess Aina, Lord Knight Elendir, and Lady Abbess Althea.

"Great is the time

of Sacred celebration.

Freedom at last!

Your reign we now endorse.

We are your people!

We are your friends!

Rise up for Beinan now until the end!" sang the people jubilantly. As the hymn's last note faded a few unseen members of the crowd cheered.

Anyu looked backward and smiled before turning her attention to High Priestess Aina. "This beinor we welcome not only a new yen-ar, but a new era for our planet. For seven yen-ars our people were enslaved by Lord Yelu the Bastard, the culmination of centuries of quiet erosion of our liberties and securities we now realize came from just two or three aliens. We Beinarians are also alien to this world and will be alien to another world when our B345A15 sun dies. It is the life and death cycle of the universe our culture embraces. In this new era we will find our wings again, begin exploring again. For the queen we have chosen to rule us is none other than Lady Engineer Anyu, daughter of Queen Constance the Kind. Princess Anyu, please kneel!" Complying Anyu knelt prayerfully with her eyes cast upward. Light from the once beautiful stained glass window behind the throne, now a mere shadow of its former glory found a way to sparkle a little as she knelt. "Anyu of house Gurun, do you swear to uphold the laws and customs of our people? Will you guide us from this xiao-shir forward and until death takes you or it is your turn to pass your crown to another? Will you consent to the watchful advice of your privy council and abide by the rulings of the judiciary created this beinor by your will and ratified by the people in the election that brought you your throne?"

"This I so swear!" proclaimed Anyu.

Lady Althea stepped forward, "Anyu, daughter of Queen Constance the Kind, do you swear to apply your learning to helping the weak, empowering the powerless, and healing the divisions among our people? Will you rule with wisdom and virtue from this xiao-shir forward and until death takes you or it is your turn to pass your crown to another?"

"This I so swear!" repeated Anyu.

Lord Knight Elendir stepped forward, holding aloft the royal crown of the new dynasty, a simple circlet one cun 寸 wide consisting of one row each of pearls, star sapphires, and star rubies on a base of Beinarian platinum. Gently he placed the royal crown upon her head as High Priestess Aina confirmed, "Anyu, by the power vested in me as high priestess of Beinan, I crown thee queen of Beinan. Rise, my queen!"

Rising with the help of Prince Anwell, Queen Anyu turned to face her people to thunderous applause and cheers. After a xiao-shir she turned to Elendir and took from him the consort's coronet, "Prince Anwell, son of Queen Isabelle, please kneel." With a bow, Anwell complied. "Anwell do swear to serve our people as prince-consort, representing me in the Great Council and across Beinan as I have need? Will you serve me and all our people through your official duties in public and your familial duties in private as my consort? Will you be there for our children, nurturing them when my duties as queen forbid my presence among them as their mother? Will you serve with love, kindness, and virtue for all the yen-ars of my reign or until death do us part?"

"This I so swear!" declared Anwell.

Grinning, Anyu lowered the coronet onto his brow, "Then by the power vested in me as sovereign queen of Beinan, I crown thee Prince Consort Anwell." Rising Anwell kissed her passionately and publicly with a round of applause from everyone, including Elden. Together, the queen and her consort ascended the dais. As Anyu sat in the sovereign's throne in the middle, Anwell sat down in consort's throne on her left. With a bow to confirm consent, Elden followed them to sit at Anyu's right. Anyu raised her voice, "My people, allow me to introduce you to my lawfully wedded second husband, Lord Healer Elden of house Miyoo. Gone is the era of official lovers with their connotations of dishonour and disgrace. Instead I hereby restore the custom of our ancestors: let love be love, free to express itself however the heart desires and with whomever the heart desires. As long as love is true and marriage is by consent of all involved, it is honourable, right, and good! Not just for myself, but all who live on this world and beyond. So mote it be!"

Two beinors later Anyu dressed herself in the garden party dress she bought at the Nittany Mall on D425E25 Tertius. Lord Knight entered her apartment, his eyes showing his shock at the alien dress, "You sent for me, my queen?"

"Yes! I want to send a transmission from my office. Will you help me?" asked the queen.

"Yes, yes of course," affirmed Elendir as he opened the office door for her. "Your Majesty, are you sure you want to do this?"

"What else can I do?" replied Queen Anyu as she carefully navigated the dangers of her half-destroyed royal office adjacent to the sovereign's personal apartment. Against her will her hand caressed the remains of the same conference table her mother Queen Constance so often sat at and where the queen gave permission to her to study with the engineers of house Xing-li, training that saved her life even more than the countless shir-ors mastering fencing.

At length, the noble Elendir whose own journey of loss and pain in this war exceeded hers managed to activate the interstellar communications system. Finding a single chair among the ruins, he dusted it off for her and helped her sit down, "Is there anything further I may do for you, Your Majesty?"

"Wait a shir-or, then send for my husbands and children, please," commanded Queen Anyu politely.

"You do not need to send this message now, Your Majesty. There is so much that needs to be done. We do not even know how many are dead yet!"

"We will mourn, Old Friend. But right now I owe those who preserved my life an explanation. Maybe I did not have a choice – or not much of one – but I still lied. Allow me to make amends. I will never see these people again; I do not wish to part without telling the story to them."

Lord Elendir nodded, his own heart heavy, "As you wish." Bowing, he left the queen to attend to taming the chaos around them.

Saying a small serenity prayer in her mind, Anyu steadied herself before raising her voice to the computer, "Computer, begin recording and transmit to coordinates 23978 by 29458 by 5492. This is Queen Anyu to my friends and loyal allies throughout the known universe. My greatest apologies for not writing sooner. Many of you know of some of my adventures during my exile. Few of you know what happened after I returned home nor of the history behind my story. Forgive me for my many deceits during my exile. If I had revealed my true identity my life most certainly would have been in greater peril than it ended up being.

"Much has happened to me since my return home. Much remains to be done. But one thing is for certain: with hard work and determination we shall rebuild and restore the beauty of Beinan to its former glory. The road is long and hard. But now I have ascended to my mother's throne, I have little doubt the lessons of my exile will serve my people well...."

Epilogue

On NE 1, beinor 3 Queen Anyu sent the first of three transmissions to D425E25 Tertius, a world she never knew the natives called "Earth." Four beinors later on NE 1, beinor 7 she sent her second transmission concerning the fall of Beinan to the ghosts of the past. Finally on NE 1, beinor 9 she sent her final transmission regarding her exile on Earth and how she came to be queen. Under Queen Anyu a new golden age was born, the queen herself living to the age of four hundred thirty four yen-ars and dying on NE 393, beinor 50. Her twins by Anwell, conceived out of so much sorrow and pain during their captivity at the hands of Morlong and Laela, succeeded Queen Anyu after her. On NE 375, beinor 1 Queen Anyu crown her son King Rhisiart and her daughter Queen Brigid, the twins ruling as co-sovereigns for over six thousand yen-ars thanks to Laela's genetic modifications.

Meanwhile in Olos-Mir thrived the half Beinarian-half Amur Lord Daniel, Lord Bevin, Lord Malvyn, Lady Debora, Lady Lorraine, and Lady Anlei, the pain and sorrow of their making transformed by the wise and steady guidance of their guardians, Princess Leonora and her husband Andrew Wu, the same Andrew Wu once forced to serve Lord Yelu as his body guard.

But that is another story....
Also available by Laurel A. Rockefeller:

Fiction

The Poisoned Ground

Good-bye A672E92 Quintus

The Great Succession Crisis

The Ghosts of the Past

Princess Anyu Returns

The Complete Data Files (companion book)

Non-Fiction

Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni

Catherine de Valois

Empress Wu Zetian

Mary Queen of the Scots

Queen Elizabeth Tudor: Journey to Gloriana

Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, the Warrior Princess of Deheubarth

Empress Matilda of England

Preparing for My First Cockatiel

Many titles are also available for the stage. Perfect for backyard play, community theater, and educational use.

Select titles also available in audio edition.

### About the Series

The Peers of Beinan Series began in November 2010 with the first drafts of what would become the Legacy of Princess Anlei Trilogy, the core novels at the heart of the book series. Originally imagined as fan fiction to the 1983 television series "Benji, Zax, and the Alien Prince," the first draft originally told the back story to how and why Prince Yubi left Antars for exile on planet Earth. Some of this story remains in the unpolished draft chapters for "The Great Succession Crisis" and "Ghosts of the Past" that is found in the companion book "The Lost Tales."

But the original idea was not meant to be. As the story outline expanded from one book to three, a universe wholly different from Joe Camp's canon for BZAP emerged. The fan fiction idea was abandoned and the Peers of Beinan came into its own with tales of paranormal romance grounded in the author's extensive background in medieval history along with tales of murder and terror that hallmark "The Ghosts of the Past."

Original music, themes of hope in the darkest of situations, and the particularly vicious quality of Peers of Beinan villains all reflect the author's formative years growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska USA. Those interested in the largely private details of the author's biography should look to the second half of "The Poisoned Ground and the Healer Consort," and the entirety of "The Ghosts of the Past," and "Princess Anyu Returns" where those years are most intensely reflected in the plot and villains.

Through all the darkness, there is always hope and light. All it takes to break free of the most difficult times of your life is the belief that you will do so and the persistence to see it through until all that is sorrow and pain melts away into beauty, joy, and love.

Bright blessings to you and yours today and for all the days to come.

\--Laurel A. Rockefeller

### Thank You Gift

Thank you for your purchase of The Complete Peers of Beinan Series.

As a token of our appreciation, please accept this coupon code XC3LXRCF good for 25% of any Peers of Beinan Series or Legendary Women of World History Series book purchase at www.createspace.com.

Limit one coupon code per purchase. Code valid on multiple purchases.

Find retailer links to your favourite Peers of Beinan and Legendary Women of World History books at http://www.peersofbeinan.wordpress.com

