Chapter 16

Chapter 16

It took almost a month to get the Emperor to the point that he could survive on his own. We set up a small camp in the clearing so that we didn’t have to move him any more then absolutely necessary. I stayed in the camp and trained with Anna Marie any time she wasn’t working with the Emperor.

Ja` Sair would sit in on the training every once in a while, but for the most part he avoided the Emperor. Although he did tell me of several uprisings throughout the Empire that were looking fairly serious. He told me that he had heard from a reliable source that large resistance forces throughout the Empire had heard of the Emperor’s near death experience and subsequent defeat of his army and had decided that it was time to take their kingdoms back. From what he told me they were doing quite well in that regard.

Re` Than and I started spending more and more time together, to Skyler’s annoyance. I didn’t feel the same attraction to Re` Than that I did with Skyler, but there was definitely something there. I couldn’t tell if Re` Than was also attracted to me or not, but he seemed to find excuses to spend time around me.

When the Emperor finally recovered he sent a message for me to speak with him. I was training at the time so I finished what I was doing and made my way to him. I didn’t bother to shift my blades away when I walked into the Emperor’s tent and some of the guard started forward. The Emperor sat up and said, “Let her in. We all know that she is as dangerous with those blades and she is without.”

They backed off and I walked up to the Emperor. I gave him a nod, “You wanted to see me?”

He nodded back, “Yes. I wanted to ask you why you chose to save my life. I would have just let you die and negotiated with whoever was named Emperor in my place.”

“Whoever was named in your place would have either been a puppet for someone else or would have felt a need to avenge you. Neither one of those scenarios were what I would call idea. By saving your life I would know who I was dealing with and you wouldn’t feel the need to call my bluff. You already know that if I say I will do something I’m not bluffing.”

He chuckled, “You have a good point there. How do you know that I won’t just take you prisoner and declare the treaty I just signed with you void? How do you know that I won’t just continue the invasion until I have satisfied the blood debt with Clan Sa` Tain?”

I smiled, “Because you know that if you do I will kill you. I have already proven to you that I am more then willing to sacrifice my life if need be. What you need to be asking yourself is this: Are you willing to risk your life to see any of that done?”

“You already know that answer, Lady Sa` Tain. I value my existence too much. Not everyone you meet will have that restraint though. I am sure your Captain has advised you of this, but you need to be there for your people. You have to stop being so willing to throw your life away if you ever want to truly lead them. It is their job to give their lives for you. It is your job to provide the leadership that inspires them to want to do so. I am going to withdraw my army and return to the Capital in a few days. I would like to invite you and the Clan Heads with their Heirs to go there in order to begin the negotiations that will determine how our separate lands will deal with each other.”

“I don’t think it would be such a good idea to have the negotiations in your capital. Especially not with all of our leaders. It could too easily turn into hostage negotiations. I suggest we have them a bit closer. West Fork, for example, might be a better place.”

“A good choice, however if we meet there it will have to be postponed for a time. I have other business that needs attended to.”

“I can imagine. I am sure the rumors of your imminent death sparked all kinds of trouble for you.”

“You seem remarkably well informed. Should I assume this information comes from a certain Wizard that was, until recently, in my employ?”

“You may assume that if you wish. Who am I to correct the assumptions of an Emperor?”

“There is a time and place for sarcasm, Lady Sa` Tain.”

“I agree with you. The time seems to be whenever I draw breath and the place happens to be wherever I am standing at the moment. On the day of my funeral I will most likely sit up one last time and make some sarcastic comment about how bright it is on the other side.”

He shook his head, “Well, before I decided that your sarcasm offends me, I am going to call an end to this conversation. I will be in touch with you in regards to the date of negotiations.”

“I look forward to it.”

I left and found Anna Marie packing away her supplies. She looked up as I approached. She looked around at the camp that was getting packed away and ready to move then said, “I hope you made the right decision in sparing the Emperor’s life, Yarianna. I think it may have done more good to let him die with all of these rebellions springing up all over the place.”

“I feel as though it was the right thing to do. If it turns out that I was wrong then the next time they come against us there will be no quarter. I don’t think it will come to that though.”

“Well, let’s hope not. I know that you didn’t come over here to talk about if you made a good choice or not. What’s up?”

“Ja` Sair, actually. He said that he is my father and there was a way for you to test that. Would you be willing to?”

“Sure. Is there any reason for you to believe that he is telling the truth?”

“Up until a few days ago I was under the impression that my father was human.”

“Well, that is not possible unless your father was a latent Kier. If your mother was aware of her nature before they married then it would have woken your father’s Kier side. Is there any way that he was latent?”

“I don’t know. If he was he kept it hidden from my mother’s Memory Stone.”

“Well, that would have been next to impossible unless he was aware of his nature before hand and kept it on a tight leash. It is very difficult to suppress that side when two Kier, well…”

“I get the point. I would still like for you to check.”

“I will. I can do it right now if you would like.”

“I would.”

I cast out my senses until I found him then gave him a nudge to let him know I wanted to talk to him. He appeared next to me a short time later and said, “You rang?”

I looked at him, “Yeah. I thought it was a good time to see if you are father or not.”

“Fair enough. Is this the one testing us?”

I nodded, “Yes. I trust her to tell the truth.”

“Good.” He looked at Anna Marie, “Do you know the Power Sink method?”

She smiled, “Is there any more sure way?”

“Doubtful. Shall we begin?”

Anna Marie looked at me, “Give me the word and I will start the test.”

I took a deep breath and nodded, “Go ahead.”

She traced a symbol in the air that looked like it was a combination of several runes. It vanished too fast for me to make out which runes were in it. Suddenly the area we were standing in seemed to shift. Outside of the circle of normal under our feet seemed to be nothing but raw power, as if we were standing in a vein of power that was coursing through the planet.

Anna Marie traced another symbol in the air and I felt that power seep up through the ground and wrap around me. I could feel small streams of the power enter my body and rejoin the larger rope above my head. The rope wound back down my body and seemed to pool in front of me.

She traced a third symbol and the pool in front of me shifted to form an image. It formed the design that was on the front of the book Anna Marie gave to me with a few slight changes. Rather then the scimitars it had the keris style blades and in place of the claymore it had a bladed staff. The design was set into the forehead of a dragon skull that had drops of blood running from the symbol. I could clearly see Dr` Ekar written just above the design. Just below the design was written my name then Ja` Sair and my mom. I looked over to Ja` Sair and saw that he had an identical symbol in front of him with the exception of the names that were written.

Anna Marie traced a fourth symbol in the air and we were back in front of the stuff she was packing away. She looked at me, “The Power Sink doesn’t lie, Yarianna. This man is your father.”

I looked at Anna Marie, “Thank you. I will leave you to your packing unless you want some help.”

She shook her head, “None is needed. I will see you tomorrow in my office to continue training.”

“Looking forward to it. You did guarantee that I would hate you. I’m still waiting for that.”
“Who said I was done with you yet?”

I smiled then looked at Ja` Sair, “I have never had a father figure and frankly don’t really feel the need to have one now. It will take me some time to get used to the idea of actually having a living parent before I will even consider the idea of calling you dad. In the mean time I do want to start working on apperating with you, if you wouldn’t be opposed to teaching me.”

He smiled, “On that same note, I have never been a father figure. Hell, until I saw you in the Emperor’s tent that first time I wasn’t even sure that I was a father. So, while you are getting used to the idea of having a living parent I will be getting used to the idea that I am a parent. In the mean time, I will be happy to teach you because if you are anything like me you are going to try and learn on your own if I say no. Am I right?”

I blushed slightly because he had hit it dead on. I still gave him my best imitation of an innocent look and said, “No. Of course I wouldn’t.”

He snorted, “Yeah, bullshit. When do you want to start?”

“How about later this afternoon?”

“That will work for me. Your days are going to be busy, you know.”

“I know.”

“Good. I have some stuff I need to take care of. I will find you later.”

“Ok.”

He walked off and I looked at Anna Marie, who had a grin on her face, “I don’t want to hear it.”

She laughed, “It was like hearing someone talking to an older version of themselves. Hell, I didn’t need the Power Sink. All I would have had to do is sit in the same room as the two of you.”

“I said I don’t want to hear it. I’m going to go get my stuff gathered up and moved. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I left and she was still chuckling. Skyler and Ja` Lynn were waiting with Sasha outside of the tent. They all had grim faces. I looked at Skyler, “What’s wrong?”

“We found the bodies of the other members of your personal guard. Ja` Lynn and you are the only two left that fought for Heir.”

“Where are they and what happened?”

“Over here.”

They led me to a tent set up just outside of the main camp. I opened the tent to find the three bodies of the rest of my personal guard. I knelt down to examine them as Ja` Lynn explained.

“We were separated for a time during the last skirmish before we were asked to do guard duty on the command tent. They had told me that they were ambushed by a Patrol carrying war bows. I tried to sent them to get checked out, but they refused, insisting that they were fine. I have been keeping a close eye on them and noticed that they seemed to be getting worse. I tried to tell them to stay behind and get seen by a healer, but they refused again. Last night I sent them to bed early. When they didn’t report this morning I took the first opportunity to tell you.”

I used energy to carefully raise them up and remove their armor. I found the places they had been struck by arrows because there were black lines radiating out from the infected cut.

I looked at Skyler and Ja` Lynn, “Did either of you get cut or shot at all? Don’t lie to me on this.”

Skyler shook his head and Ja` Lynn said, “I had an arrow graze my back, but that was it.”

“Remove your armor and let me see.”

He shifted his armor out and raised his shirt. I looked at his back and swore. Along an infected cut he had small black lines beginning to radiate out.

I sent a thought, “Ja` Sair I need you now.”

He apperated into the tent, “What’s wrong?”

“Ja` Lynn. I need you to take him to Anna Marie now.”

Ja` Lynn looked at me, “There isn’t any need for that. I feel fine.”

“I’m sure they did too, just before they died. No arguments. Go.”

Ja` Sair didn’t wait for him to agree. He took Ja` Lynn’s arm and apperated out.

I sent out another thought, “Le` Than, I need everybody that was cut of struck by any weapon of the Empire to get checked now. I just lost three of my guard and might lose a fourth to what looks like poison.”

He responded that he would see to it and broke the connection. I looked at Skyler, “We need to get back to the city now. Gather what is left of the Patrol and meet me by Anna Marie’s tent.”

He nodded and left. I turned to Sasha, “Gather all of your attendants and send them to assist the healers then get your Stompers together. We may need to seal off the city in a hurry.”

She sank into the ground and I headed toward Anna Marie’s tent. Ja` Sair apperated next to me. “Anna Marie swore something fierce when she saw his back, but she said that he would be ok.”

“Good. I need you to tell me if the Imperials are moving toward my city or not.”

“Ok. I will meet you at Anna Marie’s tent unless I see you sooner.”

“That will work. Before you go, how many can you take with you when you apperated?”

“One at a time unless you link with me and share your energy. With that I should be able to shift everybody still living back to the city.”

“Good. Get going. I will meet you in a moment.”

He vanished and I arrived at the tent. Ja` Lynn was lying on her work table with his back exposed to the air. Anna Marie looked at me, “I was able to get all of the poison out and he should be back up in a few minutes. I hate to think what would have happened if you wouldn’t have discovered it for another hour. I’ve seen this kind of poison. It numbs the area around it so that you don’t feel the damage it is doing until it hits your heart or brain, whichever is closer. It is one of the few that will actually work on our kind.”

Skyler walked in, “We are ready to leave when you are. Sasha has some Stompers moving the bodies back to the city.”

I nodded and Ja` Sair walked in, “The Imperials and on the move. They should be at your city within twenty minutes.”

I swore and looked at Skyler, “This is going to make most of us feel uncomfortable, but it is the fastest way back to the city.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

Anna Marie and I lifted Ja` Lynn off of the table and carried him outside. The rest of the Patrol was waiting for us and took Ja` Lynn. I linked my energy with Ja` Sair and had everybody grip forearms. I nodded to Ja` Sair and he apperated all of us to the city.

Sasha was just coming out with a small group of Stompers. I looked at them, “I need you all to seal the city as tight as you can get it and send out everybody well enough to fight. The Imperials are on the way.”

The saluted and rushed back into the city. The Patrol was just getting back up. Ja` Lynn looked at me as he called his armor back in, “I don’t know which felt worse, getting the poison sucked out of me or that apperating thing.”

“I hear it gets easier the more you do it. Are you well enough to fight?”

“Yes, I am. Bloody Imperials. They couldn’t beat us in a fair fight so they had to use poisons.”

“Yeah, I’ll be sure to feel proud about that after we kill them.” I looked at the rest of the Patrol, “All of you check for poison now before the Empire gets here. I want to trip over their corpses, not your’s.”

They stared checking as reinforcements arrived. In all we had a two Wings that weren’t poisoned. I swore again. I had to send all but a Quad back of the Patrol I had with me. I looked over the Kier that had gathered. “The only way I can think to do this is fight in waves. We can bottleneck them in the ravine and fight our way back into the city. We will give ground only grudgingly and use the first cavern entrance to further bottleneck them. We cannot let them get into the city itself. I want three waves of channelers and archers and three waves of blades. Channelers, do not wear yourselves out. If they get inside the first cavern entrance you and the archers will be picking up blades.”

Ja` Sair appeared next to me, “They are in the ravine. Maybe another ten minutes until they get here.”

I turned to my people, “We ready to die?”

The shouted they were and I smiled, “Then lets give these Imperial dogs something to break their teeth on!”

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Say what?”

“I said, I am your father.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Your mother would get that same disbelieving look. I had to stop myself from staring at you in the Emperor’s tent. You look so much like her.”

“If you knew her, then why don’t you show up in her Memory Stone?”

“I am a Knight of the First Order of the Order of Saleen and exceptionally gifted in the Element of Time. No Memory Stone in existence can record me if I don’t want it to.”

“Prove it.”

“Look at the past few minutes of you own stone.”

I pulled out my stone and did as he asked and sure enough, he wasn’t recorded. It was as if the stone just stopped recording a little before the blast went off.

“I’m not dead so why did it stop recording?”

“I am holding the recording spell in an alternate time. It will pick it up again when I release it. I did the same thing with you mother during the time we were together. I didn’t know that she was married at the time or I wouldn’t have been with her. I only found out that she was married at the end of our time together.”

“How long were you with her?”

“Two weeks.”

“So what makes you so sure that you are my father instead of her husband?”

“A human male cannot impregnate a Kier female. It is impossible.”

“How do you figure? Our genetics aren’t that much different. The Emperor’s son has a human mother.”

“This is not the kind of conversation I want to be having with you.”

“Too bad. Start talking or go away.”

“Fine. Kier males were designed for their DNA to adapt for compatibility and to prevent inbreeding. The females were not, although there is a rumor that the females were born with the latent ability to temporarily shift their gender, but that has yet to be proven. A male’s DNA would adapt to be compatible with the mother then lie dormant until it was awakened by another Kier after which it would begin to change the host DNA into Kier DNA. It is not a very pleasant process for the host.

“The way that we were designed make it impossible for any species other then the Kier and the Children of Dr` Agon to get a Kier female pregnant. The egg walls are too thick and regenerate too fast. The females were designed to choose the gender of the child so that the race could repopulate as long as one Kier male existed. Understand now or do you want me to spell it out for you?”

I sat in silence trying to take it all in. I tried a couple of times to say anything, but I couldn’t seem to be able to form a coherent thought. Finally I managed to say, “So what your saying is that there is a possibility that I can turn myself into a guy? Skyler is not going to like that.”

His mouth dropped open, “That is not what I was saying at all. Were you even…”

“I know. I get it. Mom married a human, couldn’t have kids with him, hooked up with you, and had me. It’s called sarcasm. I use it to cope when a whole butt load of crap is dropped in my lap that I have to no idea what to do with yet. Deal with it.”

“It’s bloody annoying.”

“That’s kind of the point in using it. This still doesn’t prove that you are my father and you sure as hell haven’t earned the right to be called dad yet, so what do you plan on doing now?”

“First, prove to you that I am your father, then I guess I will find out what I have to do to get you to call me Dad. What do I have to do?”

“You can start by telling me your name. I can’t go around calling you Wizard all the time.”

“I am Ja` Sair Dr` Ekar. I am not from one of the thirteen Clans of this world.”

“If you’re not from one of the Clans, then what Clan are you from?”

I am from the Dr` Ekar Clan. The rest of my Clan is scattered throughout the universe. I am descended from one of the Wings of the Division that destroyed our home world. That Division was part of the Order of Saleen on our home world. When they found themselves here after the destruction they chose to remain separate from the Clans that were forming and the Clans were happy to let them because they blamed the Order for the destruction even though there were others who had been planning on doing the same thing.”

“Great, another name to add to the list. Pretty soon I am going to have to write a book just to sign a piece of paper.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mom’s husband was a Silverstone but Grandma officially adopted me. I was named Le` Than’s Heir and add that with your name, which would go on the end since a Saleen Clan is more powerful then a regular Clan, and I become Yarianna Nicole Silverstone Sorenson Sa` Tain Dr` Ekar. I tell you it’s a bloody mouthful. I dare you to say it ten times fast without getting tongue-tied.”

“Oh, for Kier’s sake child, you don’t have to use them all, and I am not going to say it ten times fast. I have enough trouble with my own name.”

“But it is fun trying to make people say them all. How are you planning on proving that you are my father?”

“The same way a human would go about it. With a DNA test. Know any medics that you would trust to do it?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know if she has the equipment for it.”

“We won’t need the equipment. I can show her how to do the test without it.”

“Well, then can you take me back to my city? They are probably panicking right now trying to see if I’m still alive.”

“Sure. Take my hand.”

He offered his hand and I hesitantly took it. The sensation of being turned inside out, sucked through the eye of a needle, then reassembled on the other side was just as unpleasant as it was the first time.

I shook my head, “Bloody hell, next time I want information from somebody I’m just going to have you take them across the room a couple of times like that. You could make a rock talk after that.”

“Eh. You get used to it after a while.”

I shook my head again then sent a thought to Skyler, “I’m here. Let me in please.”

I felt him send back, “Thank the gods, I will be there in a moment.”

While I waited I took a look at what my blast had done. Most of the Imperial Army was simply gone. The Emperor must have gotten a shield up in time because it looked like the blast had been deflected around his tent. I just barley missed West Fork by a little less then a mile.

I heard the rock crack behind me as Skyler and Sasha came running out and both hugged me. They let go and Sasha slapped me hard enough to make my vision go white and knock me to the ground. She was shaking when she said, “If you ever do something like that again, so help me I will rip you into so many pieces the gods wouldn’t even be able to identify your remains.”

Skyler waited for me to stand up then looked at Sasha, “Slap her for would you?”

I held up a hand, “I get the point.”

He glared at me, “Really? Because I don’t think you do. You keep putting yourself into situations that kill anybody else. Gods, I can’t take much more of it.”

I looked at him, “Everything I have done was for the protection of my people.”

“Well how about letting your people protect you for once? You slap them in the face every time you put yourself in harm’s way.”

“I don’t mean to. I’m just not used to relying on other people.”

“No. You became Kier and forgot that you are still Yarianna.”

I didn’t know what to say. I knew that I didn’t want to be standing in that spot anymore. I didn’t even notice the feeling of being turned inside out. I found myself sitting under the tree where Skyler and I met. I finally let go and cried. I let all of my fear, pain, hurt, and frustration go and cried until I didn’t have anything left in me to cry. I’m not sure when they showed up, but I found myself with my head in Skyler’s lap and Sasha running her fingers through my hair, encouraging me to cry it out.

I started to say something but Skyler cut me off, “Don’t. We already know.”

I nodded and smiled, “We should probably get back though. We are, after all, in Imperial lands.”

Sasha snorted, “Just tell them that you are going to build an Embassy here and that it is now your land. After that blast They will probably offer to be your footstool just so you don’t glare at them.”

I sighed, “I could only wish. I have the feeling that even if they concede to us now we are going to have problems in the future when they recover.”

Skyler smiled, “You at least bought us some time, but you are right. We do need to be getting back. Speaking of which, What the hell was that thing you did to get here? On moment you were standing there and the next there was a pop and you were gone.”

“To be honest I’m not really sure. I knew that I wanted to be somewhere else and this place flashed in my head about the same time I kind of pushed myself with energy. Kind of don’t want to try it again for a bit.”

I felt a slight distortion behind me and raised my head to look. Ja` Sair was standing a short distance away. I sat up the rest of the way and looked at Skyler, “By the way, this is Ja` Sair Dr` Ekar. He claims to be my biological father. Ja` Sair, this is Sasha Na` Sean, my Head of Housekeepers and good friend, and Sk` Yler De` Cain, my Captain of the Guard and boyfriend.”

Skyler looked at Ja` Sair, “Her father huh? Well, hello. Dr` Ekar. I don’t recognize that House name. Is it Imperial?”

“No, nor is it from one of your seven Clans. We chose to remain separate from the Clans when we found our way here.”

“Ah.” Ja` Sair looked at me, “Yarianna, apperating like that is dangerous. I would suggest you piggyback a few more jumps before you try it again.”

“Is that what it is called?”

“Yes. I take it there are not many Time Spinners among the Clans?”

Skyler shook his head, “Not many. I don’t know about the Imperials.”

“Well, that is unfortunate. Time Spinners make things interesting.”

“Interesting huh. I’ve learned that Kier have a rather unique definition of interesting. Is it the same among your House?”

“Yes. Although I fear your definition may be rather tame comparatively. We really should return to your city rather soon. The Emperor is on his way there. He is requesting a meeting with Yarianna.”

I looked at Skyler, “I will meet you there. Let Ja` Lynn know and have him get a Patrol ready.”

“Ok. See you in a bit.”

Sasha and Skyler left and I looked at Ja` Sair, “You probably shouldn’t be seen with me when we meet with the Emperor. It might get ugly.”

“I have nothing to fear from him, but I will do as you ask. I will be watching to make sure nothing happens.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No, but I would like to I never really got the chance to know your mother. I would like to get to know you though.”

“We will have to see. Let’s go before they come back to look for me.”

We apperated to the entrance to the cavern just before Skyler came out with Ja` Lynn and a Patrol. I looked at Ja` Sair and nodded. There was a popping sound and he was gone. Ja` Lynn gave me a curious look I shrugged, “Apparently he is a Time Spinner. He is going to keep an eye out for mischief.”

Ja` Lynn nodded, “Sounds good to me. Any idea what the Emperor wants?”

“All of us to die painfully. With this meeting, I don’t know. Maybe he wants to surrender.”

We shared a laugh then started toward where the Emperor had stopped. I looked at Ja` Lynn, “Do me a favor and have a Quad provide an escort for Anna Marie. I have a feeling we are going to need her.”

I sent nudge to Anna Marie letting her know I wanted to talk to her. A short time later se sent back, “What?”

“If I asked you to save the Emperor would you do it?”

“Isn’t he the one trying to wipe our Clans out of existence?”

“Yes.”

“It would have to be for a good reason.”

“Um I think it will be.”

“Fine. I’m going to need some help bringing some stuff…never mind. You knew I would say yes, didn’t you?”

“I guessed that you would. I just have this feeling that you will be needed”

“I will be there in a few moments.”

She broke off the connection and Skyler asked me, “Why are you sending for a healer?”

“I have the feeling that she will be needed. I can’t really explain it.”

“Ok. As long as you don’t plan on needing her for yourself.”

“I will when we get back. I got a few cuts in the aftermath of the blast.”

“Yari…”

“I know. They have scabbed over. I just want her to look at them to make sure they are not infected.”

We traveled the rest of the way there in silence. When we got there the Emperor’s tent was already set up and the sides were rolled up so that we could see inside of it. I could tell that it was a new tent and most of the guard were wearing dented and blackened armor. It looked like they had tried to clean it up, but I could see that it wouldn’t get too much cleaner. The Emperor wasn’t sitting up and the Sergeant that had escorted me to the Emperor the last time came forward. His face was still deep red and he had a bandage on his cheek that had blood soaking through.

He looked at my Patrol and sighed, “Lady Sa` Tain, I have been asked to deliver the Emperor’s words, as he is not able to do so at the moment. The Emperor has agreed to the terms you set forth for his survival to be signed into effect as soon as possible. The terms being as follows. One, the Kingdom of Solstice is released from the Empire to the care of Queen Valora Sorenson and her bloodline. All those who wish to remain part of the Empire will be provided with homes and employment within their fields in other parts of the Empire. Two, The Eastern Waste is recognized as the Territory of the United Clans of the Kier. It is recognized as being separate from the Empire and in no way subject to Imperial Rule. The Boundary being set at the boundaries of the former Kingdoms of Fireflow Mountains and Southern Steppes and the Current Kingdom of Solstice. Three, the law forbidding Kier to exist is hereby repealed and banned from being signed into effect ever again. Four, All Kier within the boundaries of the Empire will be allowed to leave the Empire if they so choose. All choosing to leave will be provided safe escort to the Territory of the United Clans. Five, All Kier bearing the Clan Markings of the United Clans shall be granted immunity within the boundaries of the Empire. Any in violation of Imperial law shall be escorted to the Territory of the United Clans with a list of the laws violated. Six, the Blood Feud between Clan Sa` Tain and Clan Kh` Oman is hereby ended at the signing of these terms. The Emperor hereby releases Clan Sa` Tain from any Blood Feud generated by the blast created by Yarianna Nicole Sorenson Sa` Tain and takes full responsibility for the blast. As per the terms of the survival of the Emperor these things shall go into effect as soon as the Emperor is in the condition to survive from the blast. The Emperor has already signed the document. All we need for this to be in effect is your signature.”

He handed a rolled up document to me and Skyler took it. He opened it and read over it then handed it to me. I read it and saw that it was as he had read it. Anna Marie sent me a thought letting me know that she was there. I read over the document again and looked at the Sergeant, “I will not sign it until my medic lets me know if the Emperor can be saved.”

He nodded, “I figured as much. He is this way.”

Anna Marie and the Quad with her followed me into the Emperor’s tent. She examined him very thoroughly. Finally she looked at me and said, “I can do it. It’s not going to be easy on him, but it can be done.”

I nodded and signed the document then looked at Anna Marie, “Do it.”

She nodded then got to work. The Sergeant looked at me, “You know that this battle is still ongoing until the Emperor himself declares it over. All that document does is let you know that we agree that we are an invading army. We can take you hostage if we chose to.”

I smiled at him, “You could. You’re not going to though. You have too much honor.”

“Why not just let him die? He did try to kill you, after all.”

“Yeah, he did. It’s not all that easy to do apparently. I would have been pissed if he would have succeeded in it. I have too much crap to do to die just yet.”

He laughed, “Blasted Death. Always getting in the way. How did you know the Wizard would get you out of the blast?”

“I didn’t.”

“You really were prepared to die?”

“Yes, if that is what it took to end this thing.”

“Well, then on behalf of the Imperial half of Clan Sa` Tain I, Re` Than Sa` Tain thank you for ending the Blood Feud with Clan Kh` Oman. We have been little better then slaves to them for three generations now. They declared a Blood Feud with Clan Sa` Tain and got the other Clans to go along with it. He forced our Heir to marry him and take his Clan name so that he could force our Clan into whatever he wanted then had our Clan Head killed before we could appoint a new Heir.”

“Wow. That is an unexpected surprise. To be honest I hadn’t planned on actually getting what I asked for.”

“Well, planned or not, thank you.”

“Your welcome Re` Than.”

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I sat my stuff back on the book shelf and walked out of the room. I walked out of the building and launched myself into the air. I flew to the prison first. I asked the guard take me to the General I had spoken with before. They led me to a room and asked me to wait. A few minutes later they brought him into the room. He smiled when he saw me, “Lady Sa` Tain, I was wondering when you were going to drop in for a visit. How is the battle going?”

“Were you laughing at me as I told you about the Kier?”

“What do you mean?”

“You can drop the act. We have already discovered the army is Kier.”

“No, I wasn’t laughing at you. It was a good attempt at intimidation. Had we been human it might have worked.”

“Why does the Emperor hunt our Clans when we are all the same race? Is it left over from the Clan Wars?”

“In part. It is more due to the death of General Kh` Oman by the hand of Le` Than. General Kh` Oman was a personal friend of the Emperor and Queen Valora was under the Emperor’s protection.”

“Just as Ra` Tain was a personal friend of mine. Are we going to slaughter each other until kill each other off entirely? I don’t mind the opportunity to fight, but I still wonder.”

“What would you give to see this war ended? Would you turn Le` Than over to Imperial Justice?”

“What justice? General Kh` Oman threatened the life of Le` Than’s betrothed and unborn child. What would you do to one such as that? Furthermore, Le` Than didn’t kill Valora.”

“On whose word? Le` Than’s? That won’t fly in Court.”

“Not Le` Than’s word alone. I have something better.”

“Oh? Do you have Valora’s word as well?”

“Something like that.”

“It would have to be something that cannot be contested. Letting us go would go a long way to helping resolve this. Nice job on that, by the way. It is a rare occasion that I am taken so completely off guard.”

“Thank you, but it’s not going to happen until this is over. You are my bargaining chips.”

“You make a formidable opponent, Lady Sa` Tain. It’s too bad you are going to have to die.”

“I’m only seventeen, General. I have no intentions of dieing any time soon.”

“Is there anything else that you wanted from me?”

“Your unconditional surrender.”

He laughed, “A sense of humor too. It’s no wonder they are so loyal to you. Well if that is all, I will bid you good day. Use care though Lady Sa` Tain. If this is not concluded soon the Emperor himself will be here with his elite warriors.”

I stood up, “I thank you for the warning.”

I left the room and let the guard escort the general back to his cell. I walked back out of the jail and flew to the cavern entrance. I sent a thought to Skyler and Ja` Lynn to meet me then made my way to the front lines.

I was only about half way there when Skyler dropped out of the sky and wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back just as hard. He reluctantly let me go and looked me up and down, “Your not still hurt are you?”

I laughed, “He asks after he tries to crush me. No, I’m not still hurt. I’m actually better then I have been for a while. How’s the battle going?”

“It’s about even. If we keep it up like this there isn’t going to be anything left of either side to bury the corpses.”

“I was afraid of that. Where are The Clan Heads and the other Heirs?”

“I was just with them. They are at the Command Tent. Ja` Lynn and the rest of your personal guard have been doing guard duty there. I told them I would be back with you.”

“Good. Let’s head there. This battle has gone on long enough. I aim to put a stop to it before the week is done.”

“How do you plan on doing that?”

I smiled, “Still working out the details.”

We walked through the lines to the Command Tent. Le` Than saw me and smiled, “Good to see you again, Yarianna. I do have to say that you look much better than you did the last time I saw you. Near death is not a very good look on you.”

I grinned, “I’ll keep that in mind. I need an update on how things are going.”

“Not as well as we had hoped but better then the first week. We are down half a Division to injuries and death. It is hard to tell due to the size of their army, but It seems as though they are about the same. We are better off due to the capture of their supplies so if we can end this soon it will be better. If they manage to get resupplied it could be a while before it is over. We put a Division to work getting that tunnel to the crater finished to resupply, but we can’t count on that happening soon enough to do any good. If all else fails we can use it to retreat.”

“No we can’t because I’m not going to retreat.”

“Yarianna, the possibility…”

“It doesn’t exist Le` Than. Would you abandon the crater? Would you tell your people that it was a nice thought, but you are going to have to leave a place that you’ve come to think of as your home?”

“You have only been here a few months.”

“I have been here my entire life.”

“I’m not going to hear any argument on this.”

“Good. That means you are dropping the idea of retreat. We did it last time. It is their turn.”

“Yari…”

I looked him in the eye and let my eyes go to slits, “Do not ‘Yari’ me Le` Than. I would happily give my life to ensure that my people are safe. Would you do the same?”

He was silent for a few moments. I could feel his other side fighting to get out and fight but I refused to break eye contact. Finally he said in a very controlled voice, “Fine. We stay and fight no matter what. Now can you please look away.”

I held his eyes for a moment longer then looked at Skyler, “I need a Wing of the most powerful channelers. If I’m not going to be able to stop this battle today then I will give them something to think about.”

Skyler smiled, “Any chance your going to tell me that something?”

“Nope. The best way to make sure that a plan like this works is to do it all at once and not tell anybody what is going on so that nothing can be betrayed even by accident.”

“I don’t think I want to know what you are planning because it will probably get you killed.”

“Most likely. I’m going to need them to meet me in three hours and be ready with an Energy Channel to me.”

“Ja` Lynn and I will be in your Quad.”

“Of course. Now go or you won’t be ready in time.”

He left and Le` Than looked at me, “Just what are you planning this time, heir of mine?”

“We will shortly be receiving a visit from an emperor. It is my intention to give him an offer he can’t refuse and since one of his heirs is currently in our prison win or lose today we shall still win in the long run.”

“Your not planning on assassinating the emperor are you?”

“Not if he does what we want him to.”

“It won’t work. He tends to reward threats with death you know.”

“That is exactly what I am counting on.”

“So you want him to kill you?”

“You have to admit that it would make everything so much easier.”

“I have a sudden dislike of this plan of yours.”

“That is why it is my plan and not yours.”

One of my messengers ran in, “Lady Yarianna, The Emperor had been spotted. He should be in their camp within the hour.”

“Very good. Go get something to eat then tell the nurse Anna Marie to get a bed ready for me. If things go the way I think they will I may need it in a hurry.”

He saluted me then ran off. Le` Than asked, “How did you know the Emperor would be here?”

“I had a conversation with one of the generals we have in prison. I have some things to prepare but before I do I need you to pull all of our warriors back into the cavern except those that go with me. If you see Skyler and Ja` Lynn come in without me seal off the cavern until I return. If I don’t return then it would be a good idea to withdraw to the crater because the Empire will be rather upset with our clans.”

“Again I am going to express my dislike of this plan.”

“Again that is why it is my plan and not yours. Are you going to do it or not?”

“I’ll do it. I will also be expecting to name a new Heir before this is done. It seems as though my current one is going to do her best to get killed.”

“Bah, Ja` Lynn is next in line after me. There, now everything is settled. I have some things to prepare.”

I left the tent and made my way to the vents at the top of my city. From there I could see the other army rather clearly. I watched as our warriors made their way into the cavern. Skyler and Ja` Lynn joined me a short time later. Skyler looked at me, “You look like your planning on doing something really stupid.”

“That’s because I am. Everything ready?”

“Yeah. We are waiting on your word. Can you tell me why you had everybody else return to the cavern?”

“That depends. Will you swear on your blades that you will follow my orders without question or hesitation no matter what they are or the situation we are in?”

“Is it going to be that bad?”

“I am going to require the same oath of every member of the Wing.”

I am fairly certain he used every swear word in both languages. He looked at me like he was going to try and talk me out of it so I held up a finger to stop him. I turned to face him directly. He finally stopped swearing and said, “I don’t like or agree with this plan of yours. You are putting yourself at too much risk.”

“Before you say what I know you want to, don’t. I have to do this.”

“Yarianna I…”

“Skyler. Sk` Yler. I love you, but if you cannot agree to this then I do not want you there.”

There was a long moment of silence before he sighed, “I don’t like it, but I will do as you say. I swear it on my blades.”

“Thank you. Now, I need you to go to Valora and tell her that I need her memory stone and hers only.”

“First tell me why you had everybody return to the cavern.”

“I am going to turn myself over to the justice of the Emperor. If he decides to kill me I will be holding enough energy to vaporize anything within a ten mile radius.”

He swore again but left to do as I asked. While I waited I sat down and meditated, gathering as much personal energy as I could. Skyler returned and I stood up. He handed me the stone. I looked at him and Ja` Lynn. “Ready?”

They answered in unison, “No.”

“Good. Lets go.”

We flew to the mid-point between the two camps and I sent my Wing the thought, “Begin the Energy Channel and all but my Quad return to the cavern. Continue to hold the Energy Channel until you are released.”

My Quad and I continued on and we were met in the air by a Patrol of Imperial Elites. The Sergeant sent the thought, “We are here to bring you to Imperial Justice. Fight and you will die.”

I felt the Energy Channel mix with my own energy and sent back, “I have come to settle a Blood Feud with the Emperor. Allow the remainder of my Quad to return or be held accountable.”

The Sergeant nodded, “So shall it be done. They may return.”

I nodded to my Quad, “Return directly to the cavern and wait for my return. If I do not return then follow Le` Than as you did me.”

They saluted and very reluctantly started back to the cavern. I looked at the Sergeant, “If you would escort me as I do not know the way.”

They formed ranks around me and flew me through the camp to the Emperor’s tent. We landed and the Sergeant went in. A short while later he walked back out and said, “Bring her in.”

We walked into the tent and I saw the Emperor for the first time. He looked a few years older the me, but his eyes said that he was at least as old as Le` Than. The Sergeant acted as herald and said, “Emperor, this is Lady Yarianna Nicole Sorenson Sa` Tain, Heir of Le` Than Sa` Tain who is the Clan Head of Clan Sa` Tain of the Rebel Kier. Lady Sa` Tain, this is Emperor Kh` Oman of the Imperial Kier, Protector of the Steward of the Solstice Province, Queen Valora Sorenson, first cousin of General Le` Sean Kh` Oman, both of whom Le` Than murdered, and third cousin of Lieutenant Ra` Yler Kh` Oman, who you murdered. Lady Sa` Tain has stated that she is here to settle a Blood Feud with Emperor Kh` Oman. You may state your case Lady Sa` Tain.”

I looked up at the Emperor and around at the Kier surrounding me and shook my head, “This is all just a show to you isn’t it? None of you particularly care if I can prove innocence, self defense, or guilt. You have already made up your minds that either way you are going to execute me. Is this a reasonable assumption?”

The Emperor smiled, “Yes. This is a reasonable assumption. I would still like to hear what you have to say though. You never know, I might find it in my heart to be understanding.”

“That smirk on your face and gleam in your eye give lie to your words, Emperor Kh` Oman. Since you are going to insist on continuing this pretense of a trial then I will go ahead and present my defense. First, I have proof that, not only is Le` Than innocent of Queen Valora’s murder, he was also acting in defense his wife, who General Kh` Oman had threatened, then caused physical harm to and coerced the signing of a treaty by threatening the death of Valora and her unborn child.”

“What proof do you have? Valora’s word? Le` Than’s? To produce either could be contested. In our records Valora is dead and Le` Than is a murderer who would lie to cover his transgressions.”

“Both and neither. I have Queen Valora’s Memory Stone.”

I saw a flash of surprise in the Emperor’s eyes. The Emperor looked at the Sergeant, “Bring in the Wizard. He will be able to verify the truth of the Stone.” The Sergeant left and the Emperor looked at me, “If you do truly hold her Memory Stone look into it and tell me what I was wearing in my left ear the first time we were introduced.”

“I will wait for the Wizard to verify it. I do not trust you enough to leave myself that vulnerable.”

“While we are waiting for the Wizard I would like to hear your reasoning for the murder of Lieutenant Kh` Oman.”

“He attempted to assassinate me and killed my guard instead, who was a personal friend and one of the contenders to Heir of Clan Sa` Tain. This was after demanding entrance to privately owned land five miles beyond the border of the Empire in the Eastern Waste. I told him that we were a peaceful settlement and he was no longer welcome to which he replied, and I quote, ‘Peaceful? I’ll show you peaceful.’ After saying those words he fired a shot from a hand crossbow, killing my guard who had shoved me to the ground to protect me.”

“Do you have proof of this as well?”

“My own Memory Stone is the best proof that I have, but I will not let you view it at your leisure due to secrets that are not mine to tell. I also have the word of the General who was Lieutenant Kh` Oman’s commanding officer. Said General is currently imprisoned within my city.”

“So what you have are witnesses you won’t produce to a crime you admitted to committing. How convenient.”

I heard a voice in the back of the tent say, “Emperor, I am a witness to that event. I was the one she handed Lieutenant Kh` Oman’s head to.”

“Step forward and be seen.”

The Private stepped forward. It took me a little bit to recognize him in the uniform of an Elite Guard. He bowed before the Emperor and said, “It is as she described. After shooting the guard Lieutenant demanded the surrender of the city, using the dead guard as an example of what could happen to the rest of them. She stood up and revealed her true nature as she punched her fingers through the Lieutenant’s throat, gripped his spine, and ripped off his head. She then handed the head to me and stated that the Lieutenant had declared war and that our Division would share the Lieutenant’s fate if we did not get off her doorstep, as she put it.”

“I see. Your testimony is noted Private, you are dismissed.”

The Private bowed again and left. The Sergeant walked in leading a man that looked exactly like Valora’s Court Wizard from the Memory Stone. The Wizard bowed before the Emperor, “You sent for me?”

“Yes. This girl claims to have Queen Valora’s Memory Stone. A stone which you said was lost beyond recovery when you came into my service. Tell me, Wizard. Is the girl lying?”

The man looked at me, “For the girl to have that stone she would have to be Valora’s blood descendant. How could she be if Valora died in her throne room?”

“How indeed. You have the power to display the images stored on a Memory Stone do you not?”

“I do.”

“Then Display for me the contents of that stone beginning with General Kh` Oman entering the city before the signing of the treaty.”

The Wizard took the stone and said a few words in a language I had never heard. The stone started to glow then began displaying the images. We had to watch as General Kh` Oman marched through the city, killing anybody that got within ten feet of the street. He walked into the throne room, dragging the Queen’s double in by her hair. We watched as the double was stripped, using a whip to remove any clothing, then raped by the General and his men. Afterward the General slit her throat then walked up to the Queen. He handed her the treaty and said that he would love to do the same to her. He only option was to sign the treaty and be under the Emperor’s protection. We watched as Le` Than entered and killed the General then left with the pendant. We watched the Queen’s escape and eventual death in child birth.

It was quiet in the tent when the stone finally stopped glowing. I took the stone back and put it away. The Emperor looked at me, “It seems as though you were telling the truth after all. It is too bad that it is a crime for you to exist in the Empire. Guards, finish her off.”

“I wouldn’t. The consequences would not be pleasant.”

“Why not?”

“I am currently holding an Energy Channel linked to a Wing of the most powerful Kier in my city. Can your people kill me faster then thought? If you try to kill me, I will vaporize everything within a ten mile radius. My city is shielded and just incase that doesn’t hold, the only beings within range are your Generals and son, whom I have imprisoned. One way or another, Emperor Kh` Oman, our Blood Feud with you will end today.”

“You would sacrifice your life for this?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you have my attention. What do you propose?”

“First, that you release the Kingdom of Solstice from the treaty the Queen was forced to sign and restore the monarchy to the proper bloodline. Second that you recognize the Eastern Waste as being the territory of the Kier and not part of the Empire. Third that you repel the law forbidding Kier to exist as you are in obvious violation of your own law. Fourth that you grant safe passage to all Kier who wish to enter Kier territory and grant immunity to all Kier in the Empire who bear the Clan Markings of the Kier from Kier territory. Fifth that you declare the Blood Feud over and release me to return without any harm to my city.”

“Are those the terms of your surrender?”

“No. Those are the terms of your survival.”

“You have a Wing of Energy at your disposal, yet I have Divisions at mine. What makes you so sure that I just counter your blast?”

“By the time you react to counter it you will already be dead. I have been bleeding the energy into everything within the ten miles throughout this entire pretense of a trial. Sense it for yourself if you wish. All it needs now is for me to trigger it.”

The Emperor looked me in the eyes then said, “She’s bluffing. Kill her.”

Blades flashed out and descended toward me. I triggered the explosion then released the Energy Channel so that my city could completely seal.

I felt a weight slam into me a moment before the blades would have decapitated me. The sensation that followed was the most unpleasant feeling I had ever felt. It was as if I had been turned inside out, sucked through the eye of a very small needle, then reassembled on the other side. I was then slammed onto the ground and pummeled by rocks half the size of my head. It was only due to the shield of whoever it was that had tackled me that none of them did more then cut my skin. Even still, a thousand paper cuts is not a pleasant feeling.

Half an eternity later the rocks finally stopped and I was greeted by the Wizard’s voice, “You fool of an idiot child. What, in the name of Kier, possessed you to do something so slack-witted?”

“Um, Why am I not dead?”

“The Order of Saleen protects it’s own, child.”

The Wizard let me up then pulled up his sleeve and showed me the mark that was on the front of my book was glowing slightly on his arm. I knew that the only reason I could see it was because I was also in the Order.

“You still haven’t answered my question. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking about protecting my people.”

“There are better ways to go about it, child.”

“Name one, and quit bloody calling me child.”

“I will bloody call you child all I want, Yarianna. I am you father.”

Chapter 12 and 13

Chapter 12

She told Le` Than that I would heal, but I was going to have to go through her rehab program before I was allowed back on the battlefield, just to make sure that I didn’t tear a muscle. Le` Than agreed and sent Skyler and the rest of my guard back out on the battlefield.

She took me to a building that was nearby and put me in a small bedroom. She smiled, “Take a good look at this room. This is the last thing you are going to see until I am done. I designed this place myself. In here you will not receive any communication that I do not let through and you will not send any communication that I do not let through. Before you go to sleep I am going to put a mask over your eyes that will not let anything through. That mask will not come off until you find the key or either you or I die. You have done well with what you have learned so far, Yarianna. Now it is time for you to start the path of becoming who you are meant to be. I know that you have questions. Don’t ask them because it is not my place to answer them. You will have your answers sooner then you think.”

“So all I have to do is find the key?”

“Yes. The sooner you find it the sooner you get out on that battlefield.”

“Ok, so I need to find a key. That’s not all that hard.”

She grinned, “It will be. Every afternoon I will take you to the room where the key can be used. You will have until sundown to find the key. Every morning I will take you to a room where you will learn how to look for the key. I am going to be outside this door. Knock on it when you are ready.”

I looked around the room. It was quite bare. There was a bed on one side, a closet on one wall, and a bathroom through another door. I sighed and knocked on the door. Anna Marie walked back in with a piece of cloth that kind of looked like black silk. One side was blank, but the other was covered in spiral designs that framed the thirteen runes of the Kier. The ends had what looked like thirteen silver clasps. Each clasp had one of the thirteen runes on it. I could feel a very old power radiating off of the piece of cloth.

She wrapped it around my eyes and closed each clasp. As soon as the last clasp was closed everything went completely dark. Anna whispered in my ear, “Listen close to find the key. So that you may be what you are meant to be, simply answer this. How can a blind man see?”

I turned toward her, “Huh?”

She took my hand, “Follow me.” She led me to another room and had me stand in the middle. I heard her walk to the edge of the room before she started speaking again. “In this room you will learn everything you need to in order to find the key. In learning what you need to you will recondition your body to be a better Warrior. If you make a wrong move you will hurt. If you fail to make the right move you will hurt. If you do not move fast enough you will hurt. If you move too slow you will hurt. If you make the right moves at the wrong time you will hurt. If you fall to the floor you will start over. I will be back for you when it is time to take you to the room with the key.” After that the door shut and my own personal hell began.

I waited for a few moments, unsure what to do. Soon the floor became too hot to stand on so I tried to walk closer to the wall. That’s when something that felt like a brick wall slammed into me and knocked me to the floor. I got back up and the floor started getting to hot again. I tried to raise myself off of it using air and another brick wall slammed into me. This process continued through out the morning.

I didn’t realize that the morning had passed until she came back into the room. She took my hand and led me to another room, “In this room is the key. I will return for you at sundown.”

She opened the door and guided me to the entrance. I stepped in and the door shut behind me. The first thing I noticed was the amount of power that was in the room. It was as if the room itself was generating the energy. I took a few steps and noticed that the energy felt like it followed me in a line. I paced around the room and found that it was about the same size as my room looked. I tried to fly, but the roof was only a few feet above my head.

I searched the entire room, but if there was a key in the room I couldn’t find it. I even went to one corner and swept the entire floor with my hand. After the floor I swept the walls then the ceiling. I felt the energy withdraw just before the door opened so I started toward it.

Anna Marie led me back to my room and gave me a tray. I heard her start to turn away so I sat the tray down and turned toward her, “There wasn’t a key in that room.”

“That is the only room where the key can be used and it is where you will find the key.”

“This is a load of crap. Take this thing off and I will just recover on my own.”

“I wouldn’t even if I could. Once the rune cloth is placed it can only be removed with the key by the one wearing it. I have told you all that you need to know to pull the memories from the depths of your Ancestral Memories. I will tell you no more nor will I let you leave with the rune cloth. I will get you up in the morning to begin again.”

The door shut, leaving me to my thoughts. I sat down on the floor and felt for my tray. I found it and started eating. It was difficult at first, not being able to see what I was doing. By the end of the meal it was a bit easier. I had to remember exactly where I put everything and move slowly so that I didn’t spill anything. When I finished I slid the tray to one wall.

I found the bed and sat down to think. I tried to remember everything that Anna Marie had told me. She had said to listen close and asked how a blind man could see. She had said that the key was used in the second room and could be found there. I thought about that then thought of the first room. How did that figure into picture? It had something to do with the key. I sank down into meditation and sought my other half.

It took me longer then I thought it would to find her and when I did it was as if I was looking at her through a piece of black cloth. She saw me and cocked her head to the side. After several minuets she finally asked, “Why are you wearing that cloth around your eyes?”

“Because I haven’t found the key that will take it off yet.”

“Why do you need a key here? This is your meditation.”

“I didn’t mean for it to follow me here and I don’t know how to take it off.”

“It is simple. Just choose to see. Why do you make this harder then it is?”

I focused on being able to see without the cloth. I took my focus nearly to the point of breaking meditation but I still couldn’t get the cloth to go away. I looked back toward her, “This isn’t working.”

“That is because you are doing it wrong.”

“Well how do I do it right?”

“You are giving the cloth power over you. There is one thing that you need to remember while you are here.”

“And what would that be?”

“This is your world. You make the rules here. Things only exist here if you want them to.”

I thought about what she said then smiled. I reached up behind me and unhooked the cloth. It came away easily. I looked at it then back up at my other half, “Thank you. I came here seeking answers.”

“You wish to know of the cloth, the rooms, and the Ancestral Memories that Anna Marie was speaking about.”

“Yes. I also wish to know about the saying that she whispered to me.”

“Listen close to find the key. So that you may be what you are meant to be, simply answer this. How can a blind man see?”

“Yes. I know they all fit together, I just can’t seem to figure out how.”

“Again you make things too complicated. You have all of the answers. First you need to listen close. Why do you need to listen close?”

“Um, To be what I’m meant to be?”

“No. Think about the saying. It is almost as old as our kind.”

“‘Listen close to find the key.’ Ok, so I need to listen to find the key. What does that have to do with it all?”

“Everything. Why so you go to the second room?”

“That is where the key is used and found.”

“Then what does the first room have to do with it?”

“I don’t… Wait. So does that mean that I just have to listen to find the key? That it is in the first room?”

“Yes. See? Simple.”

“Ok, so I need to listen close to find the key and I use it in the second room. How does it all fit together?”

“Have you taken a good look at that cloth in your hands?”

I looked down at the cloth. It had the thirteen Kier runes with spiral patterns surrounding them. I felt her shift places so that she was looking over my shoulder. “Do you know what those thirteen runes mean?”

I shook my head, “No.”

“Then what does the rest of the saying mean?”

“‘So that you may be what you are meant to be, simply answer this. How can a blind man see?’ So what does that have to do with the runes?”

I stood up to pace. I imagined the runes lifting off of the cloth to float around me.

“How does a bind man see? Blind men don’t see. The remember where they put everything. When it is moved they feel for it. How does that tie in with the Ancestral Memories?” I brought the runes in front of me and studied them. I created the Funeral Dagger and hovered it next to the runes because that was the only other thing that I had seen them on. Just for the hell of it I rearranged the runes for how they would be positioned for a funeral. “How does a blind man see?” I traced the rune that was over the third eye with my finger. I looked at the dagger and saw the third eye rune was at the top. I looked at everything and laughed, “Well hell. You were right.”

My other side smiled, “I usually am. Now go and get that thing off of your eyes so we can get back to killing.” I came out of meditation and went to bed looking forward to tomorrow.

I woke up to the sound of the door opening. I sat up and turned toward the door, “Good morning Anna Marie.”

“Good morning to you as well. I take it you have spent some time with you other side?”

“Yes. She can be quite informative when she wants to be.”

“Good. Perhaps you can get out of here sooner then I had anticipated. Would you like to eat before you take on the rooms?”

“Not really.”

“I didn’t think you would. This way please.”

I followed her to the first room and walked to the middle I heard the door shut and shifted to my true form. Immediately my senses sharpened. I could feel the heat on the floor start, but since I was in my Kier form I had a higher tolerance. I blocked out my other senses and focused on my hearing.

I hear the nearly silent sound of the object approaching so I moved to dodge. As I did my feet slid into a space where the metal of the floor was cool to the touch. I could hear something else approaching so I dodged again and my feet slid with the cool spot. I could feel heat around my feet, but not where I was standing.

Two things started toward me at the same time and the floor was suddenly hot where I was standing. In order to dodge this time I had to jump back and nearly horizontal, then fold myself back up to land on my feet, the immediately spin, bowing in half before I could straighten back up.

The series of dodging, jumping, twisting, spinning, and dodging continued for several hours. I began to notice that the pattern was repeating it’s self over and over again. When I came back to the beginning of the pattern I decided to move by feel. I moved my feet so that they stayed in the cool spots on the floor, only going by sound when it came tome to jump. By doing this I found that my body was already moving in such a way to avoid the object moving toward me.

I almost didn’t register that the door had opened and the object was no longer moving toward me. I heard Anna Marie say something and had to stop moving, which was harder then you might think. Imagine spinning in a circle until you go beyond being dizzy to feeling natural then try to stop and listen to what someone is trying to whisper to you. Needless to say there was a laugh in her voice when I asked her to repeat herself.

“I said that it is time to go to the next room, that is if you can walk without running into any walls.”

I turned toward her, “Of course I can.” I started walking toward the door, but when I tried to walk through it I was stopped suddenly by wall I had just ran into. I heard Anna Marie laugh from across the room then felt her take my arm. She was still chuckling when she said, “Perhaps it would be better if I led you.”

I sighed, “Probably.”

After walking in what I thought was a large circle she led me into the second room. I felt my way around the room until my equilibrium came back. After that I sat down in the middle of the room and sank into meditation. I met my other half again and had her show me what I had been doing while I was in the first room. I watched myself spinning and jumping and easily picked out the pattern.

I smiled to myself, “Well hell. If I’d known it was that easy I would have done this yesterday. I took the first rune and put it on the ground under my form that was still moving to the pattern. Sure enough, I was, for the most part, drawing the first rune with my body movements. I looked at my other half, “I need to be absolutely precise if I want to take this thing off, don’t I?”

“Yes. If you make a mistake it could have interesting results, more so given the nature of this room.”

“Define interesting results.”

“An explosion of spirit fire that will turn this cavern into a crystal monument of what is left of the Kier race?”

“Well if that’s the worst that can happen I think I can risk it.”

It was at that moment that I raised my own eyebrow at myself and started laughing. I couldn’t hold my focus to stay in meditation so I withdrew and sat in the middle of a power filled room, laughing at myself.

I decided that I was tired of not being able to see so I shifted my body to use energy in a sonar-like way. Instead of using sound I sent out small ripples of power that would reflect off of any surface and come back to me to form an image of what ever it was that reflected the energy.

It was then that I realized Anna Marie was still in the room with me. I stood up and looked at her, “Were you in the first room with me also?”

I watched her smile, “Of course. I was beginning to wonder how long you were going to let yourself be blind.”

“I’ve found the key, haven’t I.”

“Yes, you have. Now all that is left for you to do is learn how to use it. Now that you can see I will show you where you need to go then leave you to your business until you bring me back the rune cloth.”

She led me out of the room and showed me where the first room was at then led me to my room. I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief now that I could see, after a manner of speaking, where I was going.

I spent the rest of the week learning how to use the feel of the floor and hearing, along with adjusting the frequency I was sending out the energy ripples, to improve my footwork in tracing the rune with my body. I started to get dizzy so I shifted my equilibrium to compensate for it.

By the end of the week I barely even noticed the cloth around my eyes. I got my internal sonar so well tuned that I could even see in color again. I know it may sound strange, but each color has it’s own specific energy pattern. Each night I would watch myself tracing the rune and during the day I would refine my movements until I could dance the rune with the same precision I could draw it.

I also learned the deeper meaning of the rune. I noticed that the more I focused on trying to draw the rune with my body movements the easier it was for me to see using the sonar. I decided to try an experiment, to see if my theory was correct. I was in the second room so I started to gather the energy of the room.

It flowed into a spiral pattern from the edge of the room to the center, where I was standing. As soon as it reached me I focused my attention and imagined the first rune on the floor underneath me. I saw it as being a deep blue so I started drawing to with my body. As I moved I kept my focus on the rune itself and how it had helped me to see without my eyes. I felt the rune change from beep blue to shades of red until I finished the rune. I felt the crimson flash and heard a series of thirteen clicks as the clasps of the rune cloth came undone.

I reached up and pulled the cloth off of my eyes and looked down. I was standing in a deep crimson 3-D image of the first rune. I focused on the rune and raised it up, then brought it into myself.

The world tilted sideways as the rune consumed every ounce of energy I had in my body. I somehow managed to drag myself to my bathroom before I started throwing up. It was as if my body was trying to purge itself of whatever was in the way of that rune consuming everything I was.

I felt myself start down a spiral path that I knew would lead to the rune. I let myself flow down the path, gently keeping my core knowledge of who and what I was. I felt the rune use my own energy to rip me apart and put me back together so many times that I almost lost myself to the pain.

Just when I was beginning to think that the pain was my entire existence I passed through the rune onto another spiral path. Somehow the path that was taking me deeper was also bringing me back out and back into my own body. I woke up laying on my bed and feeling like I had been beat by every living Kier and half of the ones that have already died. I had just enough energy to roll over and drift back into sleep.

Chapter 13

I woke up again some time later feeling much better. I still had the rune cloth in my hand and was back in my human form. I noticed that I was still doing the sonar thing and that it seemed to be as natural as breathing. I got up and walked out of the room. I looked both ways down the hall and briefly wondered where Anna Marie was.

I didn’t have to wonder for long because as soon as the thought crossed my mind I saw a flash and got a feeling, almost like a radar, of where she was at. I headed down the hall and came into a small room that looked like an operating room. She was sitting at a table at the far end of the room and didn’t look up when I walked into the room. She was still writing something when she said, “If you will wait for me in the office four doors down and on the left I will be with you in a moment, Yari.”

I went to the office and waited. A few minutes later she walked in with a tired look on her face. “I’ll be glad when this conflict is over. So many people getting hurt and killed on both sides it’s a wonder I get any rest at all.”

“I can imagine. I believe this is yours.” I handed her the rune cloth.

She smiled and took it. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you handing this to me. Follow me, there is something I need to show you.”

She walked to a wall and passed through it. I followed her and walked through the illusion into a room that looked more like the inside of a temple. It was perfectly round with a low table in the middle. The power that filled the room was identical to the cloth and the other room.

She walked to a bookshelf on the far wall and pulled out a bundle wrapped in a black cloth. She walked back to me and with a smile on her face she offered me the bundle, “Yarianna Nicole Sorenson Sa` Tain, I, Anna Marie Re` Khan Knight of the First Order of the Order of Saleen Kier, having administered the entrance exam of the Order, do find you worthy of full Membership and offer said membership to you. Should you accept said Membership you will be given the chance to attend the Temple of Saleen Kier and receive specialized training for your gifts. If you accept take the gift I now offer you with a charge to show it to none outside of the Order. If you do not the walk away and forget, for you shall not receive this offer again. Do not ask questions, for I cannot answer. As you entered the exam blind so too you must enter the Order blind.”

I almost walked away. I had so many questions that I wanted answers to before I jumped into anything. I studied her for a long time to see if there was any hint at all that she might give in and answer a question. She barely even blinked while she held this cloth wrapped bundle out to me. I finally sighed and took the bundle. It felt as if the world had been holding it’s breath, waiting for me to decide, then breathed a sigh of relief as I took the bundle.

I looked at Anna Marie, “So what is this Order of Saleen? Why haven’t I heard of it before?”

“The Order of Saleen is nearly as old as our race. It is comprised only of Kier that can channel all six elements with enough strength to pass the entrance exam. You haven’t heard of us because we don’t want outsiders to know we exist. We used to be very well known, but we have allowed ourselves to be forgotten in order to continue to survive. We have discovered that Kier, like most races, tend to fear those who can significantly overpower them. That fear has led to wide spread slaughter in the past, so we don’t take any chances.”

“So what is in this bundle?”

“Have a look.”

I unwrapped the cloth and found that it was another length of black cloth with the thirteen Kier runes identical to the one that had been around my eyes. I folded the cloth and put it in my pocked then looked at what else was in the bundle. It was a thin, leather-bound book that had the thirteen runes around the border and in the center was a design the almost looked like a war flag. It had a crescent moon surrounding a banded planet with a dragon skull set into the planet. It had a claymore that pierced the planet with the hilt sitting above the moon and the blade extending below. There were twin scimitars crossed below the moon at the point of the claymore and twin punching daggers crossed above the moon at the top of the hilt. Down the left side it said, “By the blade we live” down the right side, “By the blade we die” and under the twin scimitars it said, “Until we all come home.”

Anna Marie said in a quiet voice, “That is a copy of one of the few documents we have that tells of our home world.”

“Home world? What do you mean?”

“We are not from this world, and there are more of our kind scattered through out the universe.”

I looked down at the book, “Do you mind if I sit in here and read for a bit?”

“Not at all. This is your sanctuary now too. Only members of the Order are able to pass through the portal. I can set one up to your room if you would like.”

“Let me think on that.”

“Fair enough. I have more work to do. I’ll see you later on. Do try to stop yourself before the brink of death next time.”

“No promises.”

She left and I sat down and opened the book.

“There was Kier, and He was the Embodiment of the Great Life Force of the Heavens. He Ruled over all things that were above the Earth. His Wife was Alana, and She was the Embodiment of the Life Force of the Earth. She Ruled over all things That were in, and on, and of the Earth. Together they had a Child, who was the Sire of Men. Alana saw the Child and said, “This Child will be My Son. He and His Children shall follow me.”

And so the Child was clothed in the Flesh of the Earth and given dominion and responsibility over all things that were of the Earth. And the Child was called Michael Adam. From the Flesh and Spirit of Michael Alana formed three women who became the Matriarchs of Men. The First was of pale complexion, as was her children after her, the Second was of dark complexion, as was her children after her, and the Third was of Brown complexion, as was her children after her.

And the Three were equal. And so Mankind was born and flourished. And when Michael Adam reached the end of his days one of his sons was named Michael Adam and inherited all the authority of the Sire. And when the Matriarch reached the end of their days one of their daughters received all the authority of her Matriarch.

And the day came when there was an argument among the Children of Man. The Michael Adam loved a woman and petitioned Alana to make her a Matriarch when it came time for one to pass away. But it was not meant to be for the woman whom the Michael loved was of the same line of the Matriarch that had been chosen just before he inherited the Sire’s place. And when the new Matriarch was chosen the Michael Adam rebelled against Alana and killed the Matriarch.

Alana, seeing this, removed him from the Sire’s place and gave the authority to another. And he resumed his name of Lucian. And Lucian became bitter and began spreading lies about Alana and Her Way. And Lucian Told the people that a False Sire had risen up and did turn the majority of the people against the new Michael Adam. And so when the Michael Adam did go before the people only a few followed him. And the rest followed Lucian.

And the Followers of the Michael Adam did follow the old way and had reverence for Alana and all the things of Her Earth. But the Followers of Lucian did not have the same reverence and sought to destroy the followers of the old way. And the Michael Adam did petition Alana to save her people. And Alana did lead them to a safe place where the followers of Lucian could not find them.

And it came to pass that many generations did go by and the followers of Lucian built great cities and had many wars with each other. And it came to pass that the Followers of Lucian did forget theirs origin and all things they once knew of the Earth. And they began to study the things of the Earth, not knowing that they were only relearning what they once knew. And the followers of the Michael Adam did secretly go among them and did teach those who would listen of the old way. And some few did return to the old way and were led to the hidden place of the Followers of the Michael Adam.

And the followers of Lucian did continue to abuse the Earth and did bring the Earth to the brink of destruction. And the followers of Lucian did hide themselves from the wrath of a dieing world and did make ships to travel the stars to escape their dieing world, but the Michael Adam did petition Alana to save her Earth.

And Alana did go to Kier. And they had another Son. And Kier said, “This Son Shall be mine. He and His Children Shall follow me.” And He clothed His Son in Flesh of the Heavens and gave His Son dominion over all things of the Heavens, even over all things of Spirit. And He called his Son Drekion Adagon, that is to say Guardian of the Spirit. And, after the manor dictated by Kier, Drekion Adagon did train after the Manor of the Warrior and did shorten His name after the Manor of the Warrior to Dr` Agon. And the Children of Dr` Agon, being creatures of Spirit, did not feel the sting of Death.

And the Children of Dr` Agon did dwell with the Followers of the Michael Adam. And the Children of Dr` Agon, being known as Guardians to the followers of Lucian, did battle with the dieing world in Spirit. And they did bring the World back from the edge of destruction. And it came to pass that the followers of Lucian did once again begin to destroy the world. And they did capture some of the Children of Dr` Agon to study.

And Dr` Agon became angry with the followers of Lucian and did demand his people returned. And the Children of Lucian, being creatures of Spirit, were unaffected by the dieing world. And the Michael Adam did petition Alana once more to save her people. And Alana did grieve and came to the Michael Adam. And she said, “Alas, the Children of My Son have destroyed My World. I cannot save them again, they must do for themselves what they would not let me do for them. You and your followers I can save, but to do so you must leave this dieing world and find a new one.”

And Alana did give to the Followers of the Michael Adam a ship of the sky. And the Michael Adam did grieve and directed his followers to enter the ship. And it came to pass that the Michael Adam did come to Dr` Agon and said, “I and my followers will leave this world to find a new home. Are there any of your children who will go with us?”

And Dr` Agon said, “Some of my children shall go with you for you have kept your oath to Alana. I and the rest of my children shall stay here and once again battle the forces set to destroy the world. I fear that your kind will not be able to survive long enough to see it saved again.”

And the Michael Adam did direct the Children of Dr` Agon where the ship of the skies was located. And The Michael Adam looked out over his dieing world and said, “I have failed my people and my world. I am no longer worthy to be known as the Michael Adam. From now until the end of my days I shall be known as Adam.” And he entered the ship with his Matriarchs. They being known as Eve, and Lilith, and Aradia. And they did leave the dieing world to places known only by the Gods.

And the followers of Lucian did use their knowledge of the creatures of the Earth and the Heavens and did try to create a Guardian to battle the forces destroying the world. And they did fail to create a Guardian. And they did continue to try and fail until Alana took pity on them and did allow them to capture her.

And they did study Alana, not knowing who she was and they did create a Guardian. That Guardian they called Lana and she and her children did have the ability to Dance with the forces destroying the world, but she was unable to save it. And they did try again and did create another Guardian. And they did call her Tanya. And she and her children did have the ability to Shift with the Elements, but they did not have enough to fight the forces destroying the world. And they did try one more time and did create a final Guardian. And they did call her Sanya. And she and her children did have the ability to adapt to the forces destroying the world. And the three working together did have the ability to fight the forces destroying the world.

And it came to pass that the Guardians did discover that Alana was being studied by the followers of Lucian and grew angry. And they did attack the followers of Lucian. And it came to pass that the Guardians did find the Three sisters and their children . And the Guardian did enter a blind rage and did begin to slaughter the children of the three sisters. And it came to pass that Alana did stop the slaughter and left with the Guardians. And it happened that it was too late for the followers of Lucian for they were killed to the last child.

And the three sisters did morn the deaths of their children and they did take the knowledge of their creators. And they did try to create a Guardian to fight the others, but they did fail. And they did try again. And they did fail again. And the Guardians did tell Kier that the followers of Lucian had taken Alana and Kier did grow angry and He did take some Guardians and did attack.

But the followers of Lucian were dead so He did start to kill the Children of the three Sisters. And the Sisters did take the knowledge of the followers of Lucian and did capture Kier and the Guardians that had attacked them. And they did study Kier and did find a way to make a new Guardian.

And they did take the abilities to Dance, and Shift, and Adapt and did take the essence of Kier and they make a Guardian. And it was a Son and they did call him Retan Sona. And Retan Sona did see Kier as his Father and did free Him. And Kier did try to kill him and Retan Sona did fight. And Kier was impressed and did teach him the way of the Warrior. And He did Shorten Retan Sona’s name after the Way of the Warrior. And he became known as Re` Sona.

And Kier did name Re` Sona the Sire and Alana did name the three sisters the Matriarchs. And the four did call themselves and their children the People of Kier. And Lana and her children became known as the Kier Lan, of the People of Kier through Lana. And Tanya and He children became known as Kier Tan. And Sanya and her children became known as Kier San. And Re` Sona and his children became known as Kier Sona.

And Re` Sona did teach the Kier Sona the Way of the Warrior. And his children did have a natural ability for the Way, being created from Kier. And the Kier Sona were able to battle with the forces destroying the world and were able to win. And when the Guardians attacked again the Kier Sona did fight them off. And there was an uneasy peace in the world because the Guardians did see the People of Kier as abominations.

And it came to pass that many generations went by and the children of the Sisters did inherit the desire to study the world, not knowing the Way of the Earth, being created by the followers of Lucian. And the children of the Sisters did build ships of the sky to explore the heavens. And it came to pass that they did decide they no longer needed the Kier Sona because the Guardians had not been seen for many generations.

And it came to pass that the children of the Sisters did try to destroy the Kier Sona. And the Kier Sona took ships of the sky and did leave the world rather then fight their own cousins. And some few Kier Sona did remain behind to continue to guard their cousins. And the Guardians did attack, seeing that the children were unprotected. And the Kier Sona did see the Guardians approaching and did use the Energy Channel.

And it came to pass that the entire Division did send their energy to the General and he did use the energy to try and stop the Guardians. And it came to pass that it was too much for the world. And the world was torn asunder. And her inhabitants were scattered throughout the universe.”

I closed the book and rewrapped it in my rune cloth. I was going to have a lot to think about as soon as this bloody conflict was over.