Sequel

Talk about productive. I actually wrote three chapters today, but only one is going up at the moment.

I've put the ignoring question to Una. But at the same time, the Sidhe likely think that Mik was a good little trained people and explained to Rel that masturbation is frowned on. Sidhe who masturbate are more often than not doing it to be antisocial or punish their lovers. So the tribe turns around and does the same to them. Anyways, I'll see if I can put the question to Una and get a full explanation in story.

Rel doesn't get crotchity with the Sidhe though, he kind of goes "you're crazy" and takes his emotions out on the priest lines. Which made me kind of giggle actually.

Read, Review and Enjoy.




“Talen has declared the Aniege group a terrorist organization and has sent out word that aiding them is the same as being them. They’re scouring every place they can think of that a terrorist group could hide-” Mari read from a paper as she and Rel rounded a corner.

“They won’t find the Aniege in the usual spots. The group isn’t made up of the usual suspects. We have history buffs on our hands, linguists and artists. There was no mechanical works in the assassination, it was a gun, bought somewhere and loaded then shot off. A propulsion weapon, no less,” Rel sighed, “their fingerprints could be on the bullet still. The serial number of all guns have to be registered and working ancient guns are scrutinized even more. If it was put together at the rally, which would have had to have happened, then others will have handled the parts, one piece for this member, one for that. We need to take the gun apart and detail analyse every part of it. DNA, prints.”

“Prints? As in… finger prints? As in,” Mari held up a finger and motioned to the pad with the hand that held the papers.

“Archaic, yes, but their DNA, if they are law abiding citizens, won’t be in the systems. Finger prints would be, schools use them to access databases and libraries, office rooms even. Grad students, counsellors, professors, deans, T.A’s, all of their prints are on file at all of the universities and the universities in turn pour the fingerprints into a national database in cases where the university systems shut down. Therefore-”

“We can access that national database of fingerprints and… how do you know about it? I don’t even know about it.”

Rel smiled at Mari, “let’s just say… a few friends of mine had a bit of fun with the faculty lunch room one day.”

Mari stopped in front of a door that had a scribble on the white board attached to it that might have said something about a meeting being held, “this is it. I don’t know how much you’ll have to talk. But. Try to sound … polite.”

“Fuck that. The Illuen have insulted my office by throwing my secretary out on her ass and causing all kinds of havoc. I’ll shout and scream and throw a tantrum if I have to.” Rel straightened his tie and jacket, “just like old times. Except instead of money, I’m trading religious influence. How… surreal.”

Mari opened the door and motioned Rel in.

Rel stepped into the room and looked from one high priest to the next. Four men, all over the age of sixty, each with six women behind them. Their wives, their sisters, their aunts or daughters, there to aid the high priest and serve him in any way possible.

“My lord wishes me to indicate to you-” a woman who looked suspiciously like Mari began, standing behind the Deun high priest.

“Your lord must wait his turn,” one of the women snapped from behind Mari’s father, “it is my lord that has been highly insulted.”

“Both of you shut up.” Rel muttered, dropping into the chair at the head of the table, more out of habit than anything else, “if the high priests wish to speak, they will speak directly to me. No getting around it.”

“My lord,” a Tahluen muttered, “has no voice. He was born mute.”

“Ah.” Rel considered for a moment, “Then.” and he recalled hearing something of the sort. That the Tahluen high priest couldn’t lead his people in prayer because of his lack of a voice box, “by all means, the highest ranking of his women may speak.”

The Tahluen women looked over one another, confused, before turning to Rel, “we are of one rank.” they said as one.

“And one mind, I see,” Rel responded, looking at Mari, “where is Una?”

“He should have been here by now.” Mari murmured quietly, keeping her eyes on the floor.

Which meant Una was stalling, waiting for some specific mood to arise in the room before he stepped in. Which also meant that Rel was bait.

Lovely.

Well if he was going to be poked, he’d poke back.

“Illuen, you’ve thrown a good breeder out of your house for no reason but that she is no longer willing to breed for you. Shame on you, but I hope you don’t mind if I… dip into the pot, so to speak.”

The Illuen priest went scarlet with rage as Rel turned his attention to the Rahluen, who could hardly contain himself.

“Tell your lord, oh, and your mistress, Illuen, that I am not for sale, I am not a bartering tool and yes, you can go fuck yourself.”

“If you insult Rahl-ta you insult my mistress,” the Tahluen growled out.

“Why is Tahl-ra represented by a man instead of a woman? Was it not stated, quite clearly, that only a woman could know Tahl-ra’s motherly side? Or do you only represent that which suits your money grabbing ideals, considering the price of medicine these days.”

“Why you-”

“Hold,” the Deun high priest held up a hand and leaned forward, meeting the Illuen high priest’s eyes, “you have thrown my granddaughter out of your house? Why was I not informed of her infractions? Not once did I receive anything but a glowing report about the girl.”

The Illuen shot a look at Rel that clearly stated he should be on fire and in eternal agony. The man looked back at the Deun and snapped out, “she is a member of my household and I shall do as I wish with my household.”

“Bent over a table.” Rel said, something he intended to be absolutely dirty.

And thank the gods, Rahluen leapt at it, giggling to himself like the lecherous old man he probably was. Tahluen frowned for a long moment before the women got it and started giggling, they, in turn, explained it to the Tahluen high priest who chuckled silently at the Illuen’s expense.

“You insult me, at a meeting such as this,” the Illuen snapped at Rel, standing from his spot, “I shall not have it.”

“What are you going to do about it?” Rel asked him in response, turning his right hand so the palm was up and above the table, “use power on me?”

The Illuen clenched his jaw and sat down slowly. The Deun cleared his throat, drawing Rel’s attention.

“To be fair, though this one may be Whisper, this one does not the right have to threaten high priests.”

“When your gods come down to back you,” Rel responded in a calm, even tone, “then and only then will I count any of you as high priests or treat you with the respect that goes to such a stature. As far as I am concerned, you are simply heads of multimillion dollar corporations that are… family inclined.” A cold wave washed over the table as his words sunk into each of the women. Oh, they got it, they understood what Rel was saying, the high priests seemed to be another matter. “And by all means, call your god to strike me dead. See how far that gets you.”

“Why would I want you dead?” The Rahluen leaned forward and looked directly at Rel. The man looked suspiciously like… no… “why send my own brother to save you, only to kill you again? My god has plans for you.”

“Aye,” The Tahluen women said at a prompting from the high priest.

“I would gladly do it, however,” the Illuen high priest muttered, “my goddess says that each man must deal with his life in his own ability.”

“Then. Come over here and make me shut up,” Rel said, pushing every bit of arrogance he could into the words, using Sidhe body language as best he knew how to challenge the Illuen high priest.

The other man huffed and sat back, crossing his arms, “I shall not play childish games.”

“Illuen’s a lazy god,” Rel countered.

Only to get smacked over the head by Mari’s clipboard. The woman bore down on him, hands on hips, angry female look perfected thanks to the Sidhe, “do not be spouting such nonsense about my god or I will bend you over a table.”

At which point Una walked into the room and the Rahluen burst into a new fit of laughter. Someone had to explain to Mari slang terms. The woman was dangerous with them.

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