Laura Jo Phillips (6 page)

“Hi, guys,” Saige said when Summer was finished.  “It’s great to see you again.”

Jackson started to bow to Saige, but she rolled her eyes and stepped forward, giving the broad shouldered man a quick hug.  She then hugged Clark and Rob as well, grinning widely at their embarrassed smiles. 

“How are your daughters?” Clark asked her.

“Beautiful, perfect, and asleep,” Saige said with a grin.  “You three will have to spoil them another time.” 

Suddenly there was a squeal from one of Lariah’s daughters, quickly followed by matching squeals from the other two.  Everyone turned to watch all three of them running as quickly as they could on their chubby little legs toward the Bearens, their smiling faces alight with happiness, their arms stretched high in expectation of being picked up.

Rayne reached Clark first and he lifted her into the air with a careful swoop that had the usually quiet child giggling happily.  Salene went to Jackson and Tani to Rob, each getting their own exciting swoop as well. 

Summer, Saige and Lariah sat down, watching as the Bearens and the Dracon princesses laughed and played together.  Within moments all three of the Bearens were on the floor near the toy box, playing with the girls.  Salene had a small brush which she was using to brush Jackson’s hair with.  Rayne and Clark were playing with dolls, and Tani was curled up in Rob’s lap as he read a book to her that she had selected.

Summer had never in her life seen men so enamored of children not their own, and she could not tear her eyes from the sight.  If ever there were men who needed and wanted children, she was looking at them.

She glanced at Lariah and Saige, noting the hint of sadness in the other women’s smiles.  Summer felt the same way.  The Bearens were clearly good men who would make great fathers.  She had only just met them, but found herself hoping that they would soon find their own Arima.

Summer’s thoughts were interrupted as she felt the approach of her men.  She turned toward the door, as did Lariah and Saige as they, too, felt the approach of their own men. 

A moment later the door opened and a group of big Jasani males filed into the room.  As large as the room was, the Jasani warriors seemed to fill it to overflowing with their presence.  Maxim, Loni and Ran went straight to Summer, Maxim holding his hand out to help her up off the floor.  After their greetings, Maxim led her to a sofa where the two of them sat, Loni and Ran taking up a position standing behind them.  The Lobos greeted Saige and settled around her on another sofa, while the Gryphons stood nearby. 

The Dracon Princesses squealed in fresh delight as their fathers entered the room, racing toward them as they had the Bearens earlier.  Garen, Trey and Val spent a few moments greeting their daughters, then set them back down to play with their toys.  The Bearens and Eldar Hamat took chairs and the Dracons joined Lariah on the sofa where she sat.

“As you ladies are aware, we have just come from viewing the Xanti,” Garen began after everyone was settled.  “Once again, Arima Katre, I wish to thank you for your efforts on behalf of all Jasan.”

“I did not do it alone,” Summer replied.  “Maxim, Loni and Ran, as well as the crew of the
Vyand
, Doc, and Darleen Flowers also played big roles in our success.”

Garen nodded.  “Before we begin the main portion of our discussion, I would like to address the subject of Darleen Flowers.”

Summer tensed a little next to Maxim, but schooled her features to stillness.  She had no clue what the Prince was going to say.  She knew only that she would defend Darleen in all ways, at all times.

“I have spoken with everyone involved concerning Darleen’s past crimes,” Garen said.  “The general consensus is that she should be given a pardon due to the valor she displayed at the Li-Hach-Cor compound, and also in consideration of the year she spent as a captive.  However, I am not altogether certain that is the wisest course of action at this time.”

Summer forced herself to remain calm and keep her mouth shut.  This was the High Prince of Jasan, after all, so leaping up and calling him names was probably not going to be helpful. 

“Part of the reason I am not convinced is that I have not met this new and improved version of Darleen Summers,” Garen continued.  “Also, I cannot forget that one woman, Riata, is no longer with us.  I greatly admired and respected Riata, and the Jasani people owe a dept of gratitude to her.”

“Garen,” Saige said softly, instantly gaining the attention of all in the room.  “Riata has asked that Darleen be forgiven for her actions.  Further, I must tell you that Darleen has her own role in the future of the Clan Jasani.  What that role is, I don’t know, but it was enough that Riata told me of it.  You don’t need to forgive her, nor do you need to pardon her.  However, I ask that you leave her to continue as she is now.”

“That’s good, because I do not wish to pardon her,” Garen admitted.  “Because of her, we lost a faithful and honorable Healer, and we nearly lost Lariah and our daughters, not to mention you, Saige.  But, I am not so thick-headed that I have forgotten what the Nine said to us the other night.  Because of that, I will follow your advice Saige, and leave Darleen as she is.  I understand that she wishes to be allowed to continue in her quest to free those women still missing, and that is an honorable task that I have no objection to.  When she is finished with that quest, we will revisit this issue.”

Summer wanted to say something in Darleen’s defense, but she knew that there really wasn’t anything to be said.  Darleen had made bad choices for bad reasons.  She not only admitted it, she also agreed that she had to pay the price for her actions.  The Prince was not being cruel or unjust.  He was, in fact, giving Darleen exactly what she had asked for; time to free her fellow abductees.

“Thank you, High Prince,” Saige said formally. 

“I thank you as well, High Prince,” Summer added.  “Darleen will be extremely grateful for your generosity in this matter.”

Garen nodded, but withheld his thought that a grateful Darleen Flowers was not within the scope of his imagination.

“That matter being concluded, we need to discuss a few other issues,” Garen said.  “The first issue being one that Arima Katre brought to light, and which we are grateful for.  I am not certain how we managed to avoid realizing something so obvious, but it is true that human women who leave here and return to Earth apparently do not reveal any of the things they learn about us while they are here.  Specifically that we are shifters, and that we use magic.

“We have been in touch with our most reliable Earth contact, the Director.  He has informed us that he is very short handed right now and cannot put any teams on investigating this matter at this time.  However, we are talking about human women, and the Director is concerned enough that he wants this matter looked into.  Therefore, he has invited us to send a male-set to Earth to investigate, and he has promised to assist them in any way that he can.

“We need to send a male-set who is versed in both interplanetary protocol and standard investigational procedures.  With that requirement in mind, I am open to suggestions.”

“We have an experienced Vulpiran male-set that I believe would be perfect for this assignment,” Maxim suggested.  “They are a bit young, but I believe they are fully capable of handling this task.  There is also a Falcoran male-set who meets the requirements, and who are a bit older.”

A startled gasp drew everyone’s attention to the sofa where the Lobos were sitting.  Garen leapt to his feet at the sight of Saige slumped over onto Faron’s lap.  “What happened?” Garen demanded as every other warrior in the room took up instant defensive postures.

Faron eased Saige into a more comfortable position and shook his head at Garen.  “There is no cause for concern,” he said, though the underlying tension in his voice was clear for all to hear.  “This has happened before.  I believe that Riata has summoned her.”

That was not a statement that caused Garen to relax.  He had known Riata quite well, and he could not imagine her interrupting a meeting, even an informal one such as this, without good reason.  Unless the spirit Riata was very different from the living Riata, he thought it likely that something serious was coming.

Everyone waited tensely for several minutes, the only sounds in the room coming from the corner where the young princesses were playing.  When Saige finally opened her eyes the tension in the room was so thick she immediately went still.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,
amada
,” Faron assured her quietly.  “We were just waiting for you to return to us.”

Saige sat up and ran her fingers through her short brown hair, as she mentally reviewed everything Riata had said. 

“Would you like some water?” Dav asked. 

“Yes, please,” Saige replied, offering him a grateful smile. 

Dav went to a cart near the door and poured a tall glass of cold water which he brought back and handed to her.  While waiting, the rest of the warriors in the room retook their seats and tried to appear as though they weren’t staring at her. 

“What happened, Saige?” Lariah asked, unable to wait any longer.

“Riata had a few things to tell me,” Saige replied.  “Are any of you familiar with Greece?”

“Grease?” Garen asked with a confused frown.  “Do you mean the lubricant?”

“No, Greece,” Saige repeated, then spelled it for him.  “In the history of our world, the ancient Greeks were very important.”

“No, I’m afraid I have never heard of it, or them,” Garen replied, looking to Trey and Val who both shook their heads.  Saige waited until the Katres, the Gryphons, the Bearens and even her Lobos all shook their heads as well before looking to Lariah and Summer.

“I know of Greece, of course,” Summer said.  “I’ve had a few friends here and there that claimed Greek heritage, and I have studied their history.  That’s about it.”

“Same here,” Lariah said.  “Why?”

“I’m not really sure,” Saige said.  “That was the first thing that Riata asked me, so I thought I would ask all of you as well.  Then she asked me if I knew the Greek language, which of course I don’t.  I don’t believe I’ve ever even heard it spoken before.”

Saige took another sip of her water and set the glass on a nearby table.  “After that, Riata told me to say this:
The Consuls of Clan Bearen must go to Earth.  The bearer of hope will bestow upon them, and only them, a gift beyond price for the Jasani people.  Should they fulfill their destiny, they will be rewarded with a blessing of hope for themselves.  No other can take their place.  If this opportunity is lost, it will remain lost forevermore.”

“I don’t really understand a lot of that, but it’s clear enough that we must make the journey,” Jackson said when Saige was finished.  “I suppose if we work quickly, we should be able to line things up so that it won’t be too much of a hardship for us to leave in a few weeks.”

“I’m sorry, Jackson,” Saige said.  “I asked Riata when you had to leave and she said
at once
.  She also said that events are moving at their own pace, and will not wait upon your arrival.”

“What events?” Garen asked.

“I have no idea,” Saige replied.  “That is a question she would not answer.”

“What else did she say, Saige?” Lariah asked.  “Did you ask her my questions?”

“Yes, I did,” Saige replied.  “She repeated that the Bearens had to go to Earth, and then she said me that there was
both sadness and hope
to be found there
.  She also said to tell you this;
Tò peproménon phygeîn adýnaton.”

“What does that mean?” Lariah asked, a bad feeling beginning to gather in her chest. 

“She did it again,” Saige said with a sigh.  Everyone in the room was staring at her expectantly.  “Riata told me something that I didn’t remember until it came time to repeat it, and which I didn’t understand until Lariah asked me to explain it.  She’s done this before.” Saige turned to Lariah. 

“The language is Greek, but thanks to Riata, I know what it means.
 
It is impossible to escape from what is destined
."

Lariah thought about that for a few moments, then nodded slowly.  “Thank you,” she said.

“I do not understand what that means,” Garen said. 

Saige looked at him, then back to Lariah.

“Neither do we, Prince Garen,” she said.  “But it does seem to be a warning of sadness to come.”

Garen frowned, not liking the expression of worry in Lariah’s eyes.  But now was not the time to address that.  It would wait until they were alone.

“Jackson, I think we should follow Riata’s advice,” he said.

“As do I,” Jackson replied.  “With your permission, Highness, we will leave now and begin preparations for an extended absence.  I suggest Ternin be asked to fill in for us.  He and his brothers have been handling planet security for several years now.”

“True, but their experience is in times of peace,” Prince Trey pointed out.  “This is not a time of peace for Jasan.”

“I know, Prince Trey,” Jackson replied.  “I do believe that the Falcorans can handle the job during our absence though, or I would not ask it of them.”