Nexus

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, hello, one and all! I know I've been pretty quiet as of late, but there's been so much going on that I've barely had time to update. My fiancée and I just came back from a trip to Niagara Falls to reconnect, and with me being in such high spirits, I thought nothing could stand in my way, not even Writer's Block! And, what do you know? I've finished the latest installment!

I should note that I've been battling really hard with myself whether or not to incorporate the Avaani dialogue into the story, so bear with me. Translations are in [ square brackets ] and in bold. Enjoy, and don't forget to leave a review!

Nexus
Chapter Four: An Unlikely Honeymoon
Part Two

As the Crescendo speared through the depths of space, Rohadin closed his eyes and smiled to himself.

“He reads up on his history,” he muttered with a grin.

Indeed, a deep voice in his mind replied. The eviction of the Puritans from the Yrrigdian Sector is something that is easily forgotten. It has been several years since the Puritans have been seen in the sector.

“True enough.”

He is growing quickly, a deeper voice relayed.

Rohadin nodded as he looked out the cockpit glass. “Indeed. He’s already mastered the use of languages, and he recalled an incident that people have only related through word of mouth. Even the Puritans didn’t want that type of shame recorded.”

You will train him to use the sword? The first voice inquired.

Rohadin shook his head. “No. I will leave that to S’Jini, Ariano, and their friend. They will teach him twin-bladed Avaani combat. After he has mastered that, which I have no doubt he will, I will hone his skill with ancient sword styles.”

His mirror is dangerous, and his foe deadlier still.

Rohadin smiled. “She will need to be. Once he has learned what I have to teach him, he will be left alone to discover you both.”

It will be a perilous path, with our brothers out to kill them both.

“He will persevere,” Rohadin said confidently.

And his mirror?

“She will as well, though they will both have to make the ultimate sacrifice,” he replied as he dropped out of hyperspace and watched the Old Rifle move towards him from the other side of the moon closest to him.


* * * * *


As the Old Rifle and the Crescendo began their approach towards the planet, the communications channel blared to life.

“Ivi’ji pal? Shatu ivii alinos yon kozinij.” [Who are you? State your name and business.]

Ariano and Edwyn both reached for the speaker, but S’Jini laid a hand on their shoulders and reached past them, gently pressing the green speaker button.

“This is the Princess of Avaani in the flagship Old Rifle and accompanied by the scout ship Crescendo,” S’Jini replied in a commanding voice and speaking in the Universal language. “By now you are aware of the disaster that has befallen our home world. My mother is in dire straits and we have come to seek shelter and proper medical assistance."

A signal light began to blink on the control panel, and Ariano flicked a switch. The holographic face of a male Avaani official appeared before them.

“Your Highness, I apologize for the brusque manner with which you were addressed.” He bowed slightly. “I am Councilor T’Arek Mavinu, Avaaniite representative of Argel Seventeen for the Universal Council. We will gladly grant the Old Rifle and the Crescendo free passage, on one condition.”

S’Jini narrowed her eyes. “And that may be…?”

“That Malinara does not leave his ship.” T’Arek’s holograph bowed again. “I have not forgotten him, nor have I forgotten his intentions when he revealed himself to the Universal Council.”

S’Jini shook her head. “That will not do, Councilor. You know of the genocide that has befallen our people.”

“Yes, I am aware.”

“Then you should also be aware that it occurred during my wedding ceremony to the man we once knew as Malinara, the Emperor Prince of our people, Ariano Kraus.”

Though the Councilor’s hologram did not waver, the surprise was evident in his eyes. “Very well, Your Highness. Argel Seventeen’s main spaceport will be ordered to give you space to land.” Before anything else could be said, the Councilor’s image faded.

“You guys all right?” Tavo dared to ask.

Ariano nodded tiredly. “Yeah. I will be.”

S’Jini’s features softened and she kissed Ariano on his forehead as she wrapped her arms around him. “Half of our people still look at him with mistrust, and the other half has forgiven him of his crimes.”

“I know it’s been a while, but I’m surprised that your people still find him a sore spot,” Tavo said with a shrug and an encouraging smile at his older brother.

S’Jini nodded. “Well, a great deal of my people believe that love is a powerful force and can overcome all obstacles.” She grinned as she played with Ariano’s long, braided, glossy black hair. “My people saw how taken I was with him, and he with me. When he confessed to the Council for his crimes, and the crime he was supposed to have performed, half my people wanted nothing more to do with him, and the other half accepted his apology and welcomed him with open arms. Ariano is a tough pill to swallow with the former half, more so once all of my people know that he is the Emperor Prince.”

“Can we continue this chat when we get on-planet?” Ariano asked. “I’d like to be away from earshot when you guys talk about me like that, and my mother-in-law still needs medical attention.”


* * * * *


As soon as the two ships docked side by side and the hatches opened, an Avaaniite medical team scrambled up the ramp and into the Old Rifle, leaving exactly a minute later with their Empress in tow, S’Jini close behind.

“Tavo, go with her,” Ariano instructed.

The younger brother stared wide-eyed at him. “What?”

“I said go with her,” Ariano repeated. “Tell her there’s something important that has to be done, and I’ll be with her shortly.”

“Do you know where they’re going?”

Ariano tapped his temple. “I know this planet like the back of my hand. I’ll find you.”

Tavo nodded cautiously, and jogged down the ramp to catch up with S’Jini and the medical team as Ariano, Karissa and Edwyn disembarked.

“Edwyn, Karissa, you guys need to lay low for a while,” Ariano said, not turning to them.

“What?” Karissa asked. “Why?”

“You were the only non-Avaani on the planet when it was attacked,” Ariano reasoned. “Those that still don’t like hearing my name can easily make up stories of how I ordered the two of you to set up an attack on my own wedding day. The leader of their people…” He paused. “…The leader of my people being shot doesn’t help matters any.” He turned as Rohadin joined them. “I want you, Karissa and Rohadin to go to a bar in the western quadrant of the city and find a tavern called The Shir’qua’s Nest.” He put something in Edwyn’s hand and gripped it tightly. “Show this to the bar owner and tell him you’re looking for Brother Swift Wind. He’s a good friend of mine, and he’ll take care of you until S’Jini or myself address the people concerning the attack on Avaani.”

Edwyn nodded numbly as Ariano turned on his heel and fluidly morphed into a Seraph, an angelic-looking race. Taking two steps, he beat his large, silver wings and took flight, kicking up twin clouds of dust beneath him.

“What is it?” Karissa asked, walking up to him. Edwyn shook his head as he looked down to see a star-shaped jewel made from clear-cut crystal-blue gemstones.

“I don’t know,” Edwyn replied, taking a hooded robe offered to him by Rohadin. “But we’d better find this tavern soon. After being hunted down at Home and then narrowly evading a planet-wide attack on Avaani, I’m starting to think that the longer I expose myself out here, the more I’m putting this planet in danger.”


* * * * *


A transport vehicle slowly descended on an open space of ground in the Western Quadrant of Argel Seventeen’s main city. The gull-wing doors opened with the hiss of vacuum, and Edwyn, Karissa, and Rohadin slowly stepped out, Edwyn bowing and thanking the driver. They proceeded on foot down a side street and away from the main road, slipping the hoods of their robes off their heads.

“The driver said that The Shir’qua’s Nest should be down the street intersecting this alley,” Edwyn said.

“It will be tough to be inconspicuous, hooded or not,” Rohadin said. “I have a feeling T’Arek will put your faces on most televised and holographic news channels, and the last thing we want is to get recognized. The sooner we’re able to get you two in hiding, at least until this whole matter concerning Avaani is cleared up, the better.”

“Wait,” Karissa interrupted. “What about you? Don’t you have to lay low as well? You were at the wedding.”

Rohadin turned to her and smiled cryptically. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m close to the Avaani Empress. T’Arek knows that, and he knows that the Empress is still alive. He won’t even mention my name in the news casts.”

Edwyn’s brow furrowed. “Why is that?”

Rohadin looked around. “I’ll tell you later. Like I said, the sooner we find Swift Wind, the better.” He slipped his hood back on and started to walk slowly down the alley. Edwyn and Karissa looked at each other and shrugged, slipping the hoods of their robes back on and following Rohadin into the next street.

The road was quiet as they strode up to a low, windowless, sand-colored building with a sign over a plain door in Avaani writing.

“This is it,” Edwyn said as Rohadin opened the door and stepped into the tavern. Karissa and Edwyn followed close behind, going down the lone flight of stairs and entering the main bar area.

Edwyn and Karissa looked around in awe around the bar through the purple cloud of Avaani Waterherb. There were many Avaaniites, most with a bright pink, but others with skin the shade of cornflower blue. Amidst the laughter and loud voices, they heard Rohadin call them over to the bar, where a male Avaaniite with blue skin, the barkeep, addressed them.

“Ivii marii?” [Your drink?]

Edwyn shook his hooded head. “Ivi garen Annivessa?” [You speak Universal?]

The barkeep nodded. “You’re not from around here, then?”

Edwyn shook his head. “I’m not so fluent in Avaani. I prefer to speak in Universal.”

The barkeep shrugged. “It’s no problem. What do you want?”

Edwyn slipped his hand into the folds of his robe and took out the crystal star jewel Ariano gave him. “My friends and I are looking for Brother Swift Wind. Malinara said you could help us.”

The barkeep’s eyes widened as he stared at the jewel then looked at the robed figures.
“Swift Wind isn’t in right now, though he should be due back soon.” He pointed past them to a secluded table in a corner behind the stairs to the front door. “That’s his private booth. Take a seat there and order something. He prefers to talk while having something to eat.”

Edwyn nodded as Karissa and Rohadin stepped towards the table. “My thanks.”

The barkeep slid the jewel back towards Edwyn. “Keep it. And whatever you order, it will be ready for you when Swift Wind gets back.”

“Tell me, does he come here often?”

“I’d be surprised if he didn’t show up on any given day,” the barkeep said. “He and Malinara were my best customers.”

“Do they go back?”

“Way back,” the barkeep replied. He suddenly leaned closer and dropped his voice to a whisper. “And if I were you, I’d join your friends. The people in the Western Quadrant don’t like people who ask too many questions, especially about Swift Wind.”

Edwyn’s eyes widened momentarily then he nodded and walked over to Rohadin and Karissa.

“What was that about?”

Edwyn shook his head as he took the seat with his back to the bar, across from Rohadin. “Nothing. I just asked him a couple of questions.”

Karissa nodded and turned to Rohadin. “Now that we’ve finally settled down, can you explain a couple of things?”

Rohadin looked at her, expecting the question with the ghost of a grin tugging at the corner of his lip. “Like?”

“What is Edwyn?” she asked bluntly. Edwyn turned and looked at her incredulously. “How do you explain him creating a cloaking field, or surviving getting shot and blown up? Or being able to suddenly speak Avaani so flawlessly when I’ve seen him study nothing but history texts?”

Rohadin closed his eyes. “You might want to keep your voice down,” he said gently. “If anyone hears about Edwyn, it may raise a problem. Just wait until you’re away from prying eyes and ears, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

At that moment, they heard the door to the tavern open. Slow, heavy steps followed by the clinking of chain links proceeded down the stairs. Karissa and Edwyn turned around and watched a blue figure step towards the bar area, while Rohadin’s mouth thinned into a straight line. The barkeep gestured towards their table, and the newcomer nodded. As he turned and strode towards them, Edwyn turned to behold the new arrival.

The Avaaniite was tall, a full head taller than Edwyn. He had an athletic build and cornflower blue skin with midnight blue, cheetah-like spots that ran from the side of his head down his arms and covered the backs of his shoulder tentacles, wrist tentacles and hands. Instead of hair, he had two long tentacles that fell from the top of his head down to the back of his shins. He had emerald green eyes with a wild and reckless air about them, the sly grin on his face emphasizing his devil-may-care attitude.

He wore an unadorned sleeveless white tunic with its collar loosened, black pants and black boots. He wore a brown belt tightly around his hips, and on either side of his legs were sheathed swords. The scabbards themselves were metal, fired black, polished and adorned with solid gold spirals and patterns, and the cross-guards and hilts were gold, thin black string corded many times around the hilt to create a line of diamonds from cross-guard to pommel cap.

“Ghil, Rohadin, tui maj diamenta.” [So, Rohadin, we meet again.]

“Under better circumstances this time, Brother Swift Wind,” Rohadin said evenly, nodding to him.

Swift Wind laughed loudly once. “Malinara’s in trouble again, isn’t he? That’s why you’re here.”

Rohadin shook his head. “Emperor Prince Ariano is seeing to his mother-in-law’s wounds,” he replied. “I’m sure news has traveled to you about the attack on Avaani.”

Swift Wind’s face paled. “Right. Take these two to the old meeting place. I’ll be with you shortly.”

“What about you?” Edwyn asked as he and Karissa stood up.

Swift Wind turned and grinned at him. “I haven’t had anything to eat, and I can’t stand talking on an empty stomach.”


=[ End of An Unlikely Honeymoon ]=

A/N: I may change the name of this chapter, but other than that I have no qualms about how it turned out. Once more, enjoy, and don't forget to leave a review!