Between Darkness and Light Trilogy (7 page)

“Oh, you poor child. Beauty is supposed to
bring one closer to others, not cause such tragic isolation.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s alright, child – everyone of
consequence knows, especially after Lucian lost his tasteless wager
over you. You are truly, unquestionably inexperienced in the ways
of men and women.”

“He…”

“Placed a wager over your innocence, as so
many refer to it, yes. Terribly boorish of him, but he just
couldn’t believe that one of your obvious natural beauty could
possibly have failed to attract men.” Old pain floods my heart and
she hurriedly continues, “I’m sorry, I did not mean to cause you
distress.”

“Why have you asked me here?” She ignores
the rudeness of my straightforward question, as though she
understands.

“Tonight you are to be indoctrinated into
our royal family, and I suspect you have no way of knowing how to
prepare. I’d like to help you, Shi'ahn.”

“Thank you, but I don’t understand… why?”
Her expression once again becomes sad.

“Your loneliness calls out to me, Shi'ahn, I
can feel the pain you try not to project. I’m sensitive to that
kind of thing, and I’d like to help you bring an end to it. Let me
help you prepare for this and possibly other events, and I’m sure
your time of isolation will soon be ended.”

“Really – you would do that for me?”

“Of course, dear. No one should have to live
life alone as you have.” After we eat she presents me with several
beautiful dresses, I choose one in violet silk with black lacing.
It isn’t overly low cut or tight, but there is something about it
that suggests that I would look even better if it were removed.

“Oh, that one is perfect for you! I love the
way it sets off your beautiful, deep auburn ringlets and vivid
green eyes. My dear, you are one of the loveliest young women I
have ever met; surely no man will be able to keep his eyes off you
now.” She chooses flowers for my hair that carry the feel of spring
and new life – of vitality. When she is done I look as I never have
before, and for some reason it seems to make her just as happy as
it makes me.

“Helen, I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Think nothing of it, child.”

~~~

I return to my rooms and decide to learn as
much as I can about this place and the people within it. I haste
myself and attack the waiting books, reading as fast as I can while
still recording the data for maximum recall. Eidetic memory, the
elders of Shiral used to call it. Never has it been more useful
than now.

William knocks on my door as I am finishing
the last book. “Done any more reading, Shi'ahn?”

“I was just finishing up, actually.” He
laughs.

“I just finished mine as well – care to
share impressions?”

“Sure.” We join minds and review our
readings, but further our knowledge little. It doesn’t surprise me
that the books provided to William are far more technologically
advanced than mine; it seems to be a theme, my books lean heavily
toward the mystical. His happiness at his recently acquired
knowledge warms my soul, a pleasant counterpoint to my lack of
fulfillment.

“What’s wrong, Sis – surely you didn’t
already know all of this…”

“No, of course not. It’s just… well, none of
the books spoke of… sound, of what I
hear
that others do
not. I had hoped that something here would help me understand.”

“Perhaps what you seek will not be found in
books.” He laughs, then continues, “Wouldn’t that be ironic? All
these years you have studied and studied, and now… what you wish to
learn may not be written.”

“Not in these books, no. Somewhere, though,
somewhere I will find that which I wish to learn. Meanwhile, I
believe it is time for you to go so that I can finally try out my
intriguing looking… bath.”

He smiles, “You’ll like it, enjoy!”

I shoo him out and head directly for the
bath, it’s time I see what comforts this place has to offer. The
lack of controls still puzzles me, yet I remember it responds to
voice commands. “I wish to take a bath.”

“What is the primary purpose of the
bath?”

“Relaxation, as well as cleansing.”

“What form of bath, ultraviolet, subsonic,
or liquid immersion?”

“Immersion in Water.”

“Specify ambiance.”

Really? “Waterfall pool within a dense
forest, relaxingly warm.” I suddenly stand before a beautiful pool,
water cascades from the ceiling, which now looks like a forest sky
next to a high cliff.

“Is there a desired scent?”

“Jasmine, vanilla and exotic wildflowers.” I
suddenly smell it; perfect. I disrobe and gingerly step in. When
I'm fully immersed, the voice returns.

“Ultrasound tension-scan initiated.”

I almost jump out as I'm suddenly engulfed
in ultrasound waves, but then water jets turn on and massage out
tenseness I hadn't even been aware existed. I surrender myself to
hedonistic relaxation.

A knock on the outer door and a servant’s
voice forces me to surface back into the real world. They have
delivered my dress and accessories. Reluctantly I stand up and walk
to the edge of the pool, the water jets turn off and I step once
again into my strange new reality. It’s time to prepare for… I’m
not really sure what.

~~~

Exactly as I recognize that there is nothing
further I know to do in preparation, as if on cue, Lucian knocks on
my door. I open it and his eyes widen in appreciation as he motions
me to join him, but they turn cold as we walk.

William stares at me in disbelief. “Wow,
sis, I’ve never seen you look so…”

Lucian interrupts, “Ravishing? Let me guess,
Helen has helped you prepare for the ceremony.”

My thoughts turn cold. “On that note, I
understand that you placed a certain bet on me, and lost. Tell me,
exactly how was the final determination made on my… status?” His
smile is chilling.

“You were given a thorough physical
examination, of course. My pleasure, I assure you. The examination
also triggered some memories, which, alas, only provided further
proof of your condition. Pity you were unable to control yourself.”
My mind explodes… I dreamed rather vividly last night – dreamed of…
the bastard!

“You trespassed into my mind!”

William bursts into the conversation with
outrage clear in his voice, ““How dare you treat my Sister with
such disrespect?”

“Settle down, boy. I only examined her, I
violated nothing.” He turns a cruel, or perhaps just angry eye to
me. “Apparently, no one else has either.”

I simply have no words to give voice to what
I feel, though my music takes a decidedly discordant,
impressionistic turn. How dare he make such light of my isolation?
Anger burns in my heart, yet caution whispers in my mind. I should
not let this ill-mannered brute shatter my composure, this evening
is too important!

He continues as though I have no reason to
be upset. “You didn’t think we would indoctrinate you into our
family without being absolutely certain that you are who and what
you appear to be, did you?” My mind floods with indignation, but
then I realize…

“You haven't also inspected Shiral, have
you?”

“No, as a matter of fact, I haven't been
able to find it - which is strange indeed. I have consulted all our
archives, every means at my disposal, and I couldn't find a single
planet that fit the description you so accommodatingly provided
last night. Our databases include every planet in existence – even
those often-incomplete worlds of Chaos; and yet your Shiral seems
not to exist. Tell me – were you lying about its description?”

My mind screams 'No!' but I reign in the
instinct, realizing being vague may be Shiral's best hope of
remaining anonymous. I try to smile unconvincingly, “Of course I
spoke truly – I hadn't realized I shouldn't.”

His eyes narrow as he assesses my words,
then he looks up in unconvincing surprise, “Ah here we are, the
royal throne room.” The doors begin to swing open and I do my best
to force my current thoughts and feelings into that clearing space
in my mind, managing a fleeting control only an instant before we
are first seen by the court. I hear a barely audible gasp of
appreciation from some of the men within. It fills me with enough
confidence to continue.

William, noting the appreciative looks of
the men closest to us, smiles and mentally whispers ‘Yeah, well,
they’ve got a point.’ That’s all I need to put my anger and
feelings of betrayal completely behind. For a while, at least.

As we continue forward, a voice rings out.
“Who comes before the Emperor, claiming to be members of this great
family?” We stop for a moment, then I take a step forward.

“I, Shi'ahn of Shiral.” William steps up to
join me.

“And I, William of Shiral.”

“And who will claim them as their own?”
Utter silence. “Is there anyone who will bear proof to their claim
and thereby at least temporarily accept responsibility for them?”
After an appreciable pause Lucian steps forward, but before he can
speak there is a sparkle like light glinting off a gem, and Cailli
stands facing Lucian.

“Absolutely Not!” She turns toward the
Emperor and her voice rings out loud and clear, “I will claim
responsibility for them temporarily, until the one who is truly
responsible is able to step forward. Until then, any and all who
harm or endanger either of them will have to answer to me.” Then
she turns back to us and smiles, “Go on now.” She makes ‘move
along’ motions toward the throne, then disappears in another
sparkle. We continue to approach the throne, without Lucian's
escort, and stop at an appropriate seeming distance.

Gazing directly at me, the Emperor says,
“Approach.” I do so, and sink to one knee just before my head would
have risen above his. It may well be the first thing I have done to
please him. He rises and towers over me. “Do you, Shi'ahn, swear
fealty to me and to the realm of Lumina? Do you swear to obey all
your elders and superiors, and above all else, to never act against
the interests of Our Realm?”

“I do so swear.”

“Then let the truth of your oath be judged.”
There are gasps in the audience as he reaches up to his crown and
pulls free a mighty jewel. It is the most beautiful gem I have ever
seen – mightier than the greatest of all fire diamonds, and the
power it radiates is… astounding. It is exactly the same color as
the light emanating from the Spire, and as he brings it down toward
me it feels… as though the gem itself radiates something very akin
to my own exhilaration. As it touches my brow we both burst into
song, its’ crystalline perfection, mine a blending of… almost an
interpretation or translation of the gem’s song, and my own
harmonization with it. It is almost as though we were made to sing
together; as my joy explodes around me we are engulfed in Spire
light.

“Shi'ahn. Shi'ahn?” The light and music fade
from my mind and the Emperor’s face crystallizes in my sight; he
looks concerned. As reality returns to my mind I feel my face relax
from what must have been a rather curious look of ecstatic bliss.
I’m swearing an oath of fealty to my Emperor, that’s why I’m
kneeling before the throne. Why does he look confused, didn’t he
hear what just happened? From his look I would say not, at least,
not all of it, or I would think he would look… happier. Instead he
and everyone else appear surprised and somewhat unsure. They must
have heard that the jewel reacted positively to me, and I probably
exploded in music of my own. Was there anything else? I remember
light, burning ultraviolet. The Emperor continues to search my eyes
deeply, then finally lifts me to my feet and continues, his voice
ringing out more beautifully than any man’s voice I have ever
heard, “Shi'ahn’s oath has been judged true.” He returns his gaze
to me, and for once I sense no distrust, no negativity whatsoever.
He holds out an emerald green crystal. “Shi'ahn, take this crystal
as a symbol of your bond to this family. It may be used to
communicate with your relatives and as a means of transportation.
Welcome to the Imperial House of Lumina.” He then nods toward
William.

I step back as William moves forward. My
mind fills with the memory of what just happened – it… it was… I
haven’t the words. William’s return to my side forces me to
concentrate on our surroundings. He takes my arm and leads us out
of the throne room.

“Is that it? Where are we going William?” He
looks concerned.

“To the feast hall – haven’t you been
listening?”

“Listening to what?” He laughs.

“To the Emperor’s own words?” He pauses and
I shake my head – I don’t remember the Emperor saying anything
about dinner. “Wow, Sis, you’re really out of it. What happened up
there?”

“It was amazing… it sang to me!” William’s
look of concern takes me by surprise.

“It sang to you? I sure heard your music
explode in… well, it was astoundingly beautiful though not like
anything you’ve ever projected before; you really outdid yourself
there. But you say it sang to you? That I didn’t hear.”

“Did you at least see the light?”

“Yes, I did! I started to fear that it would
burn you, it was so bright. The Emperor looked pretty concerned as
well, especially when you were so unresponsive after the Jewel had
been removed from your brow.”

“I was caught up in the experience… how long
was I up there like that?”

“At least a ninebreath. The whole room
seemed to hold its breath while we waited to learn if it was a good
or bad thing. I wasn’t sure which until the Emperor announced that
your oath had been accepted. And let me tell you… I was pretty
concerned as I went up to take my oath!”

I suddenly realize that I have been terribly
inattentive. “How did it go for you – well, I assume?”

“It wasn’t anything like yours, but yes, it
went well. It seemed like… well, I felt as though a key had been
turned within my mind, unlocking a door I hadn’t known existed… It
was the strangest feeling, and I could almost have sworn I heard
the sound of tumblers falling into place…” His voice is filled with
whispered awe, then returns to normal. “Well, be that as it may, we
are now both confirmed and accepted members of the Imperial House
of Lumina. See, I told you everything would turn out alright.”