“She is preventing anyone from leaving the compound. Her only means of entering and exiting is through a personal podcraft. Watch.”
I observe a small aircraft hover over the compound fence and dart into the horizon. Her people won’t have access to the same, meaning they’ll remain trapped inside until she lets them out. This is worse than I thought.
“Many of her followers must wish to leave if she feels forced to keep them inside. The Queen will not stand for this.”
“No, neither will I.”
Derlix looks at me. “What you intend to do, my priest?”
“Stop her. Take this information to the King. I must prepare the vaults for Maneshha’s arrival.”
My cosmic powers may be dwindling, but I am still a warrior of Tala Furi. I stand for my people and will until my last breath. I must follow through with my original plan to throw Maneshha from power.
I could attempt to take her down when she comes to collect her price from the vault. However, she will likely suspect me and thwart my attempts. I can take no chances of violence while she is inside the palace walls. Not with the Queen and her newborn within its walls… and Fern.
Maneshha is after Fern’s blood. My body’s response to the female had been intense and compelling. There is something between us to be explored. The thought of Fern facing Maneshha disturbs me now.
I watched over her while she slept until my body became too restless to remain in my bed chamber. Placing a guard at the door, I summoned a servant to bring clothing and food to my chamber for when Fern awoke. She will be brought to me once she is awake and refreshed. I wish to show her the vaults.
They contain the sum of goods and treasures we’ve amassed over countless generations of raiding across the galaxies. While some of it is used as currency with traders, other items are retained for safekeeping. I intend to create a collection of some of the more precious items. I can’t return what has been taken. Even if I could open the number of portals it would take to return precious items, it would take the rest of my lifetime and more to determine where the entirety of them came from. Each item maintains energies from its home location, but that fades over time and becomes harder to read. In my weakened state, I can no longer sus the energies to life enough to read them.
All I can do is preserve the treasures as a reminder of our past. I am sure other peoples would not agree with the ways of our past. We have chosen to change, and the collection will be a way to honor what our ancestors were while elevating what we wish to become.
Taking my leave from Derlix, I decide to see if Fern has awakened. I want to be sure she consumed the morning meal I had sent for her before heading to the vaults. She has barely eaten since arriving on my planet and considering her weakened state last evening, I believe it is affecting her. I know nothing about humans, but it appears she needs sustenance to properly function, as do Talarions.
How long will it take me to learn everything that she needs? More time than I will be given. She desires to return to earth. The thought causes discomfort. Perhaps because I don’t want her to go, but also because I may not be able to give her what she wishes.
Fully opening the portal again will cost me my life. I had originally planned to subdue Maneshha and banish her off world but carries the risk that she may return one day to seek revenge. The arrival of Fern’s portal offers an opportunity to ensure that Maneshhaneverreturns. I must choose between them. Send Fern home, or protect my people?
Either choice will likely cost me my life.
This female has me reconsidering everything. How is it that she is compatible with me? The way she brings starlight to my indicates that my body and my energies have recognized hers and determined her to be a match for my soul. She is a true mate, my equal in every way.
Maneshha may be able to produce my child, but she is not equal to my soul. No other female has matched me energy for energy. How this happened with a human from another galaxy is hard for me to comprehend.
But my body and my hearts recognize her, want her, yearn to cherish her. How can I approach these things to her when she clearly expressed her desire to return home? In the past, males would simply take what they desired. That is no longer our way, and I will not force Fern to do anything against her will, even if the old urge to do so is still inside me. As a leader of my people, I must set an example and what better way to show progress towards a peaceful life than to gently handle the female I am becoming attached to? It is the right thing to do.
Even it if is the impossible thing to engage in. I cannot keep her. She cannot be mine if I go through with my plans for Maneshha.
To my surprise, I find Fern walking with my guards as I head toward my quarters. Her expression was hard for me to read. I wonder if her insides go tight and nervous when she looks upon me as mine did when I see her?
She is dressed in the clothing she wore upon arriving at Tala Furi. The assassin’s clothes fit her well. It is clear that each piece has been hand tailored for her body. She looks fierce and strong, ready for combat and I feel pride to see her this way. A strong warrior to stand beside me, a strong female ready to take on whatever challenge comes our way. I thought having her outfit returned would please her, but now I am not so sure.
She spreads her arms wide when she sees me. “Does this mean I’m being put to work?”
She is clearly unhappy with me.
“I do not understand your meaning?”
Gesturing to her outfit, she spins so I can see all of her and then crosses her arms as she faces me. “You gave me back my clothes.”
“Yes.”
“These are my fighting clothes. Am I going to be involved in catfight today?”
Some of her words do not make sense to me, but I don’t try to figure it out. It is clear from her tone and the way she carries herself that she is not pleased.
“There will be no fighting today. Did you sleep well? You look refreshed.”
