Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 15.2

The Council of the Realm was deep into a comparative analysis of the two proposed targets, the Reissian Empire and the Homeworld system. They had heard it before, but since they had not been able to agree on a selection, they were hearing it again. Commander Rigeon and Tirqwin Nllata patiently went over the data and projections they had already presented, politely disagreeing on several points but never veering into a debate.

The Guardian sat in the front row with the First Chair of the Council of Trême, the King of Praxatillus, and several ambassadors, who were all trying not to look bored with varying degrees of success. Mara fidgeted a bit with her stylus, taking a few notes for when she would preside over the discussion to follow. Baldaran was blatantly doing other work on his pad, occasionally gesturing to his assistant for a whispered discussion.

Everyone jumped when a sparkling golden cloud appeared in the center of the room, with several guards drawing weapons. Rigeon and Nllata stood their ground as the bodyguards in the room hurried forward to form a barrier between the cloud and the audience, and Mara sprang from her chair and went forward as well, prepared to do whatever she needed to, with her Chief Attendant two paces behind, weapon at the ready.

The cloud stopped expanding and began moving more intentionally, gradually forming into the shape of a stylized tree, its top branches nearly touching the ceiling and its roots touching the floor. A feeling of peace spread to the Miahns in the room, making them blink in surprise.

"Hold your fire," Mara called out. "This is not an attack. It is a sending."

The tree began to fade, and two figures became visible where the trunk had been. A few gasps were heard, but the room was largely silent as the crowd took in the sight of the woman and man standing in the center of the floor.

"Identify yourselves," Aurora called out.

"There is no need," Mara replied. "Welcome, mother Miah and father Corweign. We are honored to receive you."

Sabrina took a deep breath. "We have returned to help you face the challenge before you. Long ago, when we drove the Trsai from our galaxy, they fled, promising to return. I put my memories into the Heart of the Trees, what you call the Great Crystal, in case they ever did. We believe the Kyan are their descendants, in spirit if not organically, and so we are here to guide you in repelling them once again."

"We welcome your wisdom," Mara replied. "What do you advise us to do?"

Ford spoke. "We will need to be briefed to offer specific advice. But generally, you will need to confront the enemy on as many fronts at once as you can manage. Spread their attention and resources. This looks to be a more robust alliance than the one I remember, so surely this can be achieved."

Mara smiled. "It is merely a matter of agreement among our allies. Praxatillus stands already to commit all its forces, save the Home Guard, to action against the Kyan."

Baldaran added, "Possibly even the Home Guard if needed, since the principalities and provinces are raising their militias for defense."

"Well done, my son," Ford intoned. Sabrina could feel his amusement, and Baldaran's eyes twinkled in response.

"My daughter," Sabrina said, "we should confer. I am eager to hear how the Realm has grown and prospered since my time. We will let this august assembly proceed with its work."

"I am at your service, of course," Mara replied. She waved a hand, and all three of them vanished.

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Sabrina doubled over with laughter as they materialized in Mara's private rooms, mostly from relief. Ford chuckled and patted her on the back, saying, "See? I told you it would be fun."

Mara's eyes sparkled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"You're the one who sold it," Ford said. "Well done, Mother."

"And you, my son. I expect the Council will speedily come to conclusions now, and by nightfall every news service on Praxatillus and beyond will be talking about what happened today, even though Council deliberations are supposed to be confidential."

Sabrina caught her breath and wiped her eyes. "How do we handle the fall out? Do we have to sit through Council meetings?"

"By no means," Mara replied. "I will take care of that. I will let them know we have decided that you will lead the assault on Kyan forces around Homeworld, while I lead the forces sent to liberate the Reissian Empire. You will need to appear to the troops you will lead, but in the meanwhile, you may resume your customary identities."

"Very well. I will go to the Kyan ship, where everyone thinks I am, and Sabrina will go to visit Khediva," Ford said.

"Who I'm sure will have notes," Sabrina smiled. "See you both later."

Ford kissed her. "If not lunch, then dinner."

"Well done, children. We will reconvene this evening, I suspect," Mara said.

Sabrina appeared on Khediva's control deck in the next moment. "Permission to come aboard, Khediva?"

"Were you in the Council meeting, Sabrina?" Khediva demanded.

"No," Sabrina said, reflecting that it was true the Princess of Bathir had not been there. "Why?"

"Madat has just informed us that Miah and Koran made an appearance."

"Ah. Yes, they did."

"I do not like this. I do not like withholding information from my fellow Wayships," Khediva said.

Sabrina smiled. "Khediva. You withheld information from them for years, until Mara and Tirqwin's link was uncovered."

"I did not like it then either, but it was necessary."

"This is necessary to unite the Realm and persuade them to commit enough forces for us to make a real difference," Sabrina said. "It's just to get us past the liberation of Homeworld. That's our mutual goal."

Khediva sighed. "And do you still plan to come up with a Nolizar lookalike?"

"I thought perhaps Qadr."

"Tirqwin has presented your idea of monitoring Malvarak to the Wayfarer Council. They do not like it, but they are considering it."

"Whoever plays Nolizar needs to know and trust me," Sabrina said. "I can't be arguing with them in the heat of battle."

"By that criterion, I should be the one to masquerade as Nolizar."

"It would be too weird if Wayship Khediva were absent from a major Realm battle," Sabrina pointed out. "It would probably give the whole thing away. We need you to publicly recognize Nolizar, just like we needed Mara to recognize Miah and Corweign."

"Nllata aïé Madat, then."

"I think," Sabrina said carefully, "that we'll find the Wayfarer Council will conclude Malvarak is the most expendable of their tirqwins."

"Possibly so," Khediva said, "but the Wayship you are on will be the safest of us all, save perhaps myself."

"They may not believe that."

"You may be right." Khediva was silent for a moment. "I do not like it. I do not trust any of the others with your life."

"My life is in my own hands now," Sabrina said. "Don't worry, Khediva. I'll be careful."

Khediva sighed. "Our definitions of careful have never been identical. But I fear our chat is over. Praxatillus Control has relayed a summons from the King to the Princess of Bathir."

"Here we go," Sabrina said, squaring her shoulders.