The Two Sides of a Sword

Chapter Sixteen

The council was both larger and smaller than she thought it would be. There were seven sariun watching her from behind their long desk that curved around the back corners of the room. A few of them seemed startled at the sight of her, but she got the impression that they had already been warned about her appearance—wings really didn't sit well with them. She was pretty sure she could pick out Head TerrCileBreg since only one of the sariun looked in any way familiar, but still wasn't certain it was him. Even four days into being among the sariun she still had a difficult time recognizing individuals.

She kept less than a half-step behind Xinn when they walked into the room, subtly letting him lead her to the correct standing spot while also trying to appear confident. When no one said anything for a moment, she glanced at him, but he kept his eyes firmly ahead.

"Savioress," the sariun in the middle of the desk said in greeting. He seemed older than most of the sariun she had met so far. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Head NeerAlseYinx. Are we permitted to be introduced to you?"

She nodded her head, smiling prettily as she focused on charming them into liking her. If they like me, they'll listen to me, and I'll be able to convince them to get Rocki. "I'm Aleyis Gentil, very nice to meet you, Head NeerAlseYinx."

"What an interesting name," he said, smiling back. "I understand that you were not raised on Kliktal or by sariun?"

"No, sir. I was raised on Earth with my sister, Roxanne. We were separated when we were discovered."

He nodded. "An unfortunate mistake." His eyes cast sharply toward Xinn, who clenched his jaw but didn't allow any other movement. "Please, allow my colleagues to introduce themselves and then we will begin."

Each sariun introduce themselves and Aley did her best to remember the names. People were always impressed and pleased when she could remember their name—it made them feel important.

"Shall we begin the discussions?" Head Arca asked. Aley had discovered that if sariun shorten their names, they use the last part as the nickname. It was easier to think of them by a four-letter name rather than three different names strung together.

Head Yinx nodded. "General Xinn, do you intend to remain for the duration of the meeting?"

Xinn glanced at Aley. "If the savioress permits me, I would like to offer my counsel on the war."

"I would like him to stay," Aley said politely. "If it's not too much trouble."

"Very well," said Head Yinx. "Who would like to ask the savioress a question?" All of the council members turned to make eye contact with him, some sort of signal passing between them. "Head PronGileWret, we will begin with you. State your inquiry."

The council member nodded in thanks, then looked at Aley. "Savioress, it is a pleasure to be in your presence. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you. I wonder, do you have any plans on how you will end the war? I'm sure you're aware that it has been going on for a hundred years now, so it will be no easy task to finish it."

"I agree," she said. "I'm afraid with the stress of being in a new place and having my sister taken, I have not been able to come up with a solution. Once Rocki and I are reunited, I'm sure we will be able to discuss it. She's better at this stuff than I am." She smiled good-naturedly.

Head TerrCileBreg leaned forward. "You should be aware that we have been discussing strategies to free your sister from the valicara."

"Yes," Head Arca cut in. "Perhaps as a savioress you will have thoughts on the matter?" She tipped her head slightly, electric eyes studying Aley like she was trying to read her mind.