A Way of Honor (Champions of the Crystal Book 2)

Chapter 7.4

Mara cleared her throat. "In that timeline, Praxatillus was overrun by invading androids, as was the rest of the Realm. The Miahns became extinct under their rule, save the family of the Guardian, who were kept as puppets to keep the Great Crystal under control. This happened because the person I became in that timeline never learned to take risks or to have confidence in herself. She only learned that all the people around her died. She lost her hope. Councilors, I think you will agree that physical safety is not enough. One must also have mental and emotional stability. My link with Tirqwin gave me that, helped me face things I could not have otherwise dealt with. You say that the link was not necessary to Praxatillus. I say that it is."

Sabrina realized she was clutching at Tirqwin's arm and made herself let go. Scotty gave her a worried glance and whispered behind Tirqwin's back, "Did she just make that up?"

"No," Tirqwin whispered to them both. "The universe is filled with different timelines, each diverging from choices made. There is one where I died, and things happened as you saw."

"Oh," Sabrina breathed. "How awful."

"God," Scotty whispered, "I never thought I'd feel lucky to be standin' here, but after seein' that, I do!"

They subsided as Imari gave them a nasty look.

The head of the Council of Arinne said, "It seems clear, at least, that the Tirqwin had no say in the matter of the link, and that Miss Devon had no idea of what was actually occurring."

"It is my responsibility, and only mine," Mara agreed.

Imari said, "We now know precisely what happened, but we still do not know what we must do about it. We should return to the Council Towers and deliberate."

Mara nodded and waved her hand, and they were all back in the Council's chambers. Sabrina sighed with relief as she breathed air not charged with the Crystal's intensity.

There followed a lengthy discussion about the link and its effects. Fortunately, the Miahns seemed to agree that any attempt by Tirqwin to control Mara would alert the Crystal and therefore the Conservator of the Chamber, whom Sabrina guessed was the person mainly in charge of guarding the Great Crystal. Once that vital point was settled, everyone seemed to calm down a little, until a young woman sitting at the far end of the dais spoke up.

"As Chair of the Council of Zèntos, I must say the genetic implications are actually quite promising."

That caused an uproar. Tirqwin looked distinctly uncomfortable and Mara looked annoyed as the Councilor, surprised at the reaction to her statement, said in a defensive tone, "Well, it is the only logical course. If she's linked to him we cannot possibly expect her to marry anyone else, and she must have children! And there have been no Wayfarers in the Guardian's line since Miah's husband. It may be beneficial to replenish that side of the Miahn genetic complement."

To Sabrina's horror, Scotty started to snicker. A look from Tirqwin shut him up quickly.

Imari said, in frosty tones, "Marriage with a Wayfarer is out of the question, if not in her role of Guardian, then as Queen. The Council of Ministers will never permit it."

"Besides, the Council of the Realm is bound to point out that the Wayfarers almost certainly would not allow such a union," an older man said. "Even if we permitted it, they would do their utmost to prevent it."

"That is true," Tirqwin said, after Imari looked at him.

"Then," Imari said, "since his existence will prevent Maratobia from marrying, we must consider the fact that her marriage is vital to our survival. There must be an Inheritor. If he stands in the way of that, he must be removed, for all our sakes."