Lifelight: Calypso Returns

11.

Hera fell asleep against Yuli, it was dead, dreamless sleep. Yuli did not wake her when they were released from the cell. He carried her to the car that picked them up and kept everyone quiet as she slept.

"Kai, stop touching the radio."

"How can I? it's an assault on the ears."

"Shut up both of you."

"Mozart is a genius and you are an assault to humanity or whatever this is."Hera said.

She lifted her head off Yuli's arm and smiled in gratitude at him. They took up the entire back seat of the large car. Everyone turned when she spoke, even the driver. A man who might have been Kairu's twin with blond hair sat shot gun, a woman with pale skin covered in tattoos sat in the seat in front of them with Kairu, the driver had grey hair.

"Your tattoos move." Hera said.

"Yes they do. Call me Mika." She said.

"And I am Jeb, he is Balthur." Blonde Kairu said.

"Call me Thur." The driver said.

"It's nice to meet you. Thanks for bailing us out." Hera said.

"Anytime,"Mika said, "The capital, we call it Sol Saira, is only an hour away. We're not going to the palace though, so it should be about half an hour till we're there."

"Where?"Hera said.

"The cottage, where the guard lives and the king and queen spend most of their time. They can't wait to see you but Hawa will see you first." Jeb said.

They turned a corner into a path that led up a mountain. The incline was not steep but when she looked out the window, they had gone far up.Once they were in sight of the palace, Hera's head filled with doubts. The night before had darkened her feelings about Saira. But in the palace lay answers and she settled at the thought.

Cottage was a code word. The Taj Mahal looked like a glorified hut next to the place. It was carved into the rock phase and took up half the mountain. Below was a meadow that met a forest that stretched beyond the horizon.

They stopped in front of the palace and got out. A crowd that did not want to look like a crowd had formed at the entrance. Hera hid behind Yuli. The doors opened and behind them stood a silver haired elderly woman.

"Come along then, you look terrible."

The ceiling was three stories high in the living room. Everything was white and golden, the carpet felt like a cloud. Hera had dived in a dirty pool and slept on a dirty floor, she stank.

"Any chance I could get a shower?" Hera asked.

"After you talk to Hawa." Mika said.

There was a slight tremor in Hawa's walk but she kept ahead of them not once looking back. Mika, Kairu, and Yuli stayed behind her. They went past what looked like a large living area and kitchen, climbed a set of stairs, down a hall, and stopped at a door.

"I will only speak to Sithera." Hawa said.

"Come on guys, you have a debriefing." Mika said.

"We'll just be upstairs." Kairu said.

Hawa ushered her into the room. It was dark with the warm glow of firelight, just like Clio's and Diira's. It had no seats, Hawa sat on the floor and invited Hera to do the same. This was it, she was going to get answers.

"There is no need for a confirmation, Diira's cloaking and the events of last night are proof enough. You are our Sithera." Hawa said.

"My name is Hera, what is Sithera?"