Before - Legends "Human heritage" (The ancient conflict between the dark side & the light side of the Force)

a lot is happening. Nice to see Lucien taking care of Sionnach and her son

I hope Fleur will get what she deserves

 

Well Lucien's heart seems to getting warmer.

 

I am very fierce against Lucien, the jerk



I wait another two months though before I dare to ask Sionnach the boldest questions imaginable. “Can I adopt Éibhear? Or be at least his legal guardian?”

At least he had the brains to wait

Mmmm creme brulée


“So bad that I do not wish to pass it on. My mother's plans will die with me.”

I don't blame him in the slightest.

“Néné has helped your mother in getting Sionnach pregnant with your child.”

That is effing sick. You don't steal a person's body fluids to impregnante (or harm or whatever) someone. It's sice. Nene SHOULD die.


“I am glad that we have the same opinion about Sionnach's innocence

Me too.


“You can have my child,” I say, “but you cannot have my secrets.

Especially because it was not his intent/will for her to have his child.

 

Fascinating sequence of events with Lucien, Sionnach, and Fleur's eventual downfall.

 

Great updates, Azure! It is amazing how well you develop this story and the characters.

 

@earlybird-obi-wan, yes a lot is happening like it does in RL. And somehow happiness and hope are hidden somewhat out there. Even for our tomcat.

There are reasons why he resembles Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I was drawn to that actor when I watched him in the brilliant film version of Mervyn Peake´s "Ghormenghast". After that my Lucien, originally based on David Bowie as sexy goblin king in GL´s "Labyrinth", changed into someone less predictable and definitely more dangerous. I bet this is also due to me growing up FINALLY.

Wait, I am a kindergarten teacher... hum, I always keep the child in me alive.

Ah well, Lucien exists since 1990 and had several make-overs. In name & outer appearance. But I have to say, when I heard the song "Runaway train" by Soul Asylum the teenage angst attributes of him vanished.

There is this line:

"Out of touch, a little insane, it is easier than dealing with the pain"

And when I saw Jonathan as Steerpike, I knew this was a new beginning for my original villain.

Let me tell you as someone who plays the game "Hit the pot" with kiddos for a living, Lady_Misty, we are getting warmer, but are NOT there yet.

@Nyota's Heart, I could say now that life is like a box of chocolate, but once Lucien has religious issues with chocolate in common, he would trample on that box life a mad person.

@Hazel, thanks for catching up besides a demanding RL.


And here we go again, one day after the ancient feast of Beltane which I celebrated more in private with my husband. The local party was cast off due to financial issues and we did not want to go to the "Mauerpark" because several sources advised us against it. So we spent the evening at home, which was also nice & extremely cuddly. And now my latest update:



********************************************************************

Seeing Agathos over the holonet screen eases all the worries in my chest. His storm-grey eyes sparkle with warmth and delight. “Luçien, it has been a while.”

“Indeed,” I agree. “I figured that being married and having seven children might keep you busy.”

“Six,” he corrects me friendly, even though I can read the pain in his face. “The last born septuplet never made it. Cénere had a malfunctioning heart. It happens sometimes with mixed heritage, you know.”

I nod.

In contrast to humans, the Ophidea are cold-blooded like reptiles. Normally, the Midi-chlorians helped a young serpent-spawn to overcome the difference, though sometimes there are exceptions. Therefore I am glad that Arcānā had accepted the death of her daughter. Having the child re-animated to life with Force lightening would have been an act of necromancy.

Agathos scratches his beard. “But enough of me. What about you? Why are you on Amnion?”

I tell him, because there is no point in hiding anything from him. He patiently listens to my story, fingers laced together and eyes half-closed. He looks like a man deep in prayer. When he opens his eyes again, his look is hooded. “Fleur never fails to amaze me with her cruelty and efficiency,” he states. “Listen, Luçien. I have an old school mate who is real-estate agent.”

“I could not...” I start, but he interrupts my protest.

“Just mention my name,” he grins. “The waiting list in Polysýndeton, even for buying property, is ridiculously long.”

********************************************************************

Before I arrange a meeting with the real estate agent I wait for Sionnach to be more at ease with her changed situation. There is little point in going house hunting without her.

Amnion offers us both a new life style and a lot of freedom. I would be a complete fool if I stuck to the rules of the serail. We will create new rules of consent, especially with a child on the way.

While Sionnach stays another night at the Fertility Clinic, I check in at a little breakfast pension that Agathos pointed out to me. I am glad that he did. Joel and Bonny Whitesun, a married couple in their early fifties, run a business with heart. Despite the late hour of our arrival, they make Éibhear and me feel very welcome. We get a lovely room on the second floor and a complementary midnight meal.

Once we sit down in the family kitchen, Éibhear in a children's seat and I on a kitchen bench, I decide to unveil. The little one needs an alert parent who is open with him.

While I slowly eat Kalamarakia Yemista me Aginares, artichoke-stuffed squids with spicy rice, I feed apple pear purée to Eibhear.

“Agathos called us, milord,” says Bonny Whitesun after we had eaten a good portion of our dinner. She stands behind her cookery pots and has her back turned on us.

“Everybody in this town seems to either be his friend or family member,” I remark friendly.

Her shoulders stiffen. “He also has severe enemies in this city. There are many people who do not approve of his marriage to the Draconian crown princess.”

There are too many questions I want to ask. I choose the least insulting one. “Have you ever met Arcānā?”

“They spent their wedding night here.” Bonny's voice is thick with emotion. “They could not go anywhere else after Techné threw them out of the city villa. Khion had asked the Human League to hunt them down. Narthex and my Joel guarded the entrance area, until fovea centralis agents came at dusk to get them off-world.”

As much as I dislike the god queen, I find it in me to pity her. Loving somebody from a different culture and race is not easy. I am glad that Sionnach and I have a different type of bond. In order to keep the conversation going, I ask, “I take it that you are also friends of Narthex?”

“Childhood friends.” Bonny Whitesun turns around. I can look straight into her plain, yet friendly face. Like the majority of the Amnionians, she has olive coloured skin and black, curly hair tied up in a bun. “Narthex and Agathos are inseparable,” she says. “They grew up like brothers. Arcānā strengthened their already existing bond.”

My eyes widen and I almost drop Éibhear's spoon. This woman knows who sired the future god queen.

“Milord, you will find out that most secrets keep themselves here at Polysýndeton.” She points at Éibhear with her cookery spoon. “Therefore I advise you to keep a low profile for the little one.”

I cock a sardonic eyebrow at her. “I now wonder what Agathos and Narthex told you of me.”

“Normally, the Force lets me see the heart of a person.” Her smile deepens. “But you are a riddle for me, milord. The light side and the dark side quarrel for you, waiting for you to choose .”

Baffled, I let her give me a glass of red wine.

“To you, and the right future decisions, milord. May the Force be with you.”

********************************************************************

Damon Cardea is a bald and enthusiastic man with many dimples. With his large belly and double chin, he looks more like a wine merchant than a real estate agent. He laughs a lot and makes Sionnach blush more than once with his saucy humour. We both like him though. Within no time, he has several places of interest for us. We leave his office in the North of the city after discussing prospects for less than an hour.

In one of the huge residential towers that senators and the local upper class favour, we are shown a large apartment.The enormous reception room leads straight into the Royal Suite, where the personal quarters are located. There was direct access to turbo lifts. A curved corridor leads to a sound-proof ante-chamber and further on to the main lounge area. The lounge features large windows on the two exterior walls. There is a spacious balcony running along the side of one of the walls. Everything is decorated in various shades of red.

I wasn't impressed with the seemingly fake grandeur. “What do you think, mon cœur?”

“Can I plant some flowers on the balcony?” Sionnach asks. “This place needs some greenery.”

I am glad to hear that she shares my thoughts.

“You can propose a concept for the gardening service, but only if it fits in with the design of the building, milady,” explains Damon Cardea. “Do not worry; the gardeners are always open to new ideas.”

Sionnach nods, but her forehead creases.

“You do not need to decide right away, milady.” Understanding shines in his brown eyes. “Part of visiting a diverse set of options is for both you and me to discover what it is that you want. Let me escort you to the next property.”

After a long walk into the oldest part of town, we end up in front of a lovely stone house. It's façade is yellow and is overgrown with vines. I can also spot a garden on the roof.

“This was my great-aunt's house,” explains Damon Cardea. “She did six months ago, after a long and happy life.”

“Surely we cannot...,” starts Sionnach and gets a hiccup from excitement.

“Oh, I but insist, milady. She left this building to me, but I had already moved two streets away before she passed.” She smiles. “I was desperate to find a new owner, somebody worthy who would love the place as much as she did.”

“Can we go inside?” Sionnach sounds hopeful.

“Of course, milady,” Damon Cardea smiles. “It would be an honour.”

Gladly, I follow them. This house radiates of love and comfort, which is all that I ask for. For Sionnach; for the children; and, even for me.

********************************************************************

Aspasia Haimon was a tidy woman. The house will not require much cleaning or renovation. Sionnach and I learn that it is a three storey building with a generous roof garden that has a retractable glass dome for the cold half of the year.

The entrance door opens straight into the quadrangle, a square yard marking the centre of the home, with a collecting tank for rain water. I like the fact that it has no permanent roof. I can look straight into the azure blue sky above while walking between rooms.

“In case of rain or heavy gales, you can also use the retractable glass roof,” Damon Cardea informs us and shows us the mechanism.

“Oh no, that won't be necessary,” cheers Sionnach. “After having lived underground for so long, I miss the feeling of rain on my skin.”

I agree with her. Rain is nice. Actually, all of the weather conditions feel of freedom.

We walk on, pleasantly exploring the house room by room.

On the ground level, there is a work shop, a storage room, a spacious kitchen, a bath chamber with lovely mosaic tiles, an office room and the servants ' quarters.

“Do you wish for personnel?” our real estate agent inquires.

Sionnach answers before I can even open my mouth. “Luçien and I will need to talk about that. But it is good to know that possible staff has such nice and spacious quarters.”

When I look the office space, I am pleased once more. I make a mental note to turn it into a so-called Andron, a room where I can entertain guests in future. From now on, I want a strict separation between work and private life. My true office will be at the Embassy only with maybe a small study here, upstairs, for more relaxing hobbies.

A circular staircase leads us to the second level. One of the rooms there can be a Gynaikon for Sionnach, a traditional room set aside for the lady of an Amnionian house. She can have her own guests there, or have a study for herself. As far as I know, she is not much into weaving and knitting, but there are other leisurely interests that may occupy her. Knowing her, she will make good use of any space given to her.

The master bedroom lies next to the nursery and the guest room. I welcome the fact that Sionnach and I can even have separate bedrooms. The entire sun system believes us to be lovers, but we are just master and Force disciple.

When we reach the roof garden, Sionnach disappears between the plants. A real Tjiehenet. Somewhere hidden inside the magnolia bush, she calls out to us, “You have taken such great care of the plants.”

Damon Cardea chuckles. “Why do you think that I am responsible for the gardening?”

Sionnach's milky-white Elfin face becomes visible again. “You would not trust any gardening service. Besides, you have some earth stuck between your fingernails.”

Damon blushes slightly but grins as he looks down at his hands. “You are a very perceptive woman, and someone who is worthy of owning this house.”

********************************************************************

(To be continued!)

 

“Just mention my name,” he grins. “The waiting list in Polysýndeton, even for buying property, is ridiculously long.”

I think Agathos is my favourite character. He has a great heart and mind, and is less "evil" of everyone. He's tough and not always "in the right" in my mind, but overall I think he's a good guy.


“Everybody in this town seems to either be his friend or family member,” I remark friendly.

because he's NICE, it's not out of fear.
And sure there are enemies. There always are. That doesn't mean he's bad.


“Therefore I advise you to keep a low profile for the little one.”

Good advice


“Can I plant some flowers on the balcony?” Sionnach asks. “This place needs some greenery.”

Yes

I really like Damon Cardea, and her allowing Sionnach (and Lucien) her great-aunt's house. It's a beautiful place and perfect for Sionnach and the kids.
The retractable glass roof is spectacular.

 

I echo Pants right down the line. I love Agathos more with each appearance. The house they settled on sounds exquisite. I think Lucien will also find some peace of heart and mind away from crazy-making Fleur and all the rest of the machinations. Glad your evening was cuddly Nicole LOL I had an inner melty squee when I read that

 

Agathos is great and Lucien should listen to Bonny Whitesun. Describing your homes?

 

Buying a house, never done it but for a time I had my own apartment and looked at a few before I decided which one I liked.

Those hot/cold games can be annoying.

 

Okay, here it is, my weekly update of which I am so utterly proud of. A brilliant SWpants gave me enough beta-updates, all nicely corrected, for you guys:



********************************************************************

Settling into my new position as Consul of Sapuhru is not difficult. With Sionnach at my side it is even easier to establish myself. She is sweet and charming, blessed with Elfin grace and beauty. Soon, we receive many guests at home. The majority of them are politicians and people of local importance.

But only a carefully selected number of men is allowed into my Andron, the only place where I can be unveiled in company. The blood oath that members of the Brotherhood of Shadows swear to one another is a strong code. That makes them not only my frères d'armes, brothers-in-arms, but my family.

Déodat Amezeg, a salt merchant that I have known since I was a small boy, leans closer while I pour him fresh tea. “Do not underestimate the power of the Human League in this city,” he says in a low voice. “Khion has a goal.”

“Then the Scatel need our protection,” I prompt.

Cosme Ganto, the owner of a nearby spice shop, grins darkly. “I hoped you would say so, milord. It is about time that somebody has united us for a true crusade against evil.”

I incline my head to the full-blooded Lidérc. “My father taught me to believe in Truth, Beauty and Freedom.”

“What about Love?” Ambroise Kervarker, a young poet and novelist, asks dreamingly.

“Love.” I smile indulgently. “I leave matters of the heart to men like you. It is better for the ladies.”

********************************************************************

Later that night I find Éibhear in bad humour. He is teething and keen on letting everybody know. I answer his cries before Sionnach awakens. The boy and I end up in the window seat of the nursery. There, I fall asleep almost without noticing.

When I awake in a sea of sunlight, I have four tiny fingers clutched in my open hair. Another Elfin hand rests on my left cheek. I hate to disentangle myself from my foster-son, but I need to make breakfast for everybody before I leave for work. It takes me a while to put Éibhear back into his crib without jostling him too much, and I believe he is still sleeping when I turn away.

I am about to close the door, when he suddenly calls out, “Dada?”

“Yes?” I turn back around anxiously.

“Bye!” Éibhear's lips form a kiss. Then he closes his eyes again.

It takes me a while to gather myself, but finally I manage to leave the smiling child behind.

In the end it does not matter who sired Éibhear. It only matters that he trusts me, believes in me and wants me to be around. Now I understand what Alezan feels for me. It was never a question of blood; it is a question of love.

********************************************************************

I hum while I open the kitchen cabinets. Pancakes, topped with butter and honey are always nice, but today I would like Tiropita. This special pastry is made with layers of buttered phyllo and filled with a cheese-egg mixture.

Sionnach loves cheese. I think my choice will agree with her very much. The pregnancy costs her a lot of strength. Her body is out of balance and the dark side is keen on luring her into its ice cold grip. I am not prepared to lose.

To my annoyance, the doorbell rings just as I am starting to prepare the meal. Getting dressed in my desert robes takes too long. Instead, I pull the kitchen window open and ask, “Who is it?”

“We need to talk eye to eye, little brother,” replies a stern, male voice.

I wince. “Thanks, Dealg,” I mutter under my breath.

********************************************************************

My half-brother is a much larger man than I am. His face is as weather-beaten as rocks in the middle of the ocean. It is framed by amber coloured hair. He looks like a human man in his fifties, but I suspect him to be much, much older than that. His mother's race is easy to detect for somebody with my Force skills. Our father seems to like Elfin woman very much.

I look deep into his intense gold-speckled brown eyes. “I suspect this is no pleasure visit, Your Holiness,” I state as formally as I can in my blue night gown with an orange kitchen apron over it.

“Instead of alerting the neighbourhood to your bad choice of clothing,” he snarls, “You had better let me inside your house.”

“Of course, Your Holiness,” I answer, acidly. “If you care to follow me.”

His brows are drawn together in displeasure as he steps over the threshold. I can tell that he is used to more glamorous, pompous, surroundings. But I do not care. This is my home and I like it as it is. All of the gold and satin of the ducal household wears me down, leaving me drawn to more simpler surroundings.

“I sensed a disturbance in the Force the day that you arrived,” the archbishop of Polysýndeton informs me crisply.

I shrug his reproach off. “On that day I had better things to do than looking for possible half-siblings.”

He acts as if I said nothing of importance. “I must warn you against countering the Human League. If I can live with their lot, you should do the same.”

“You support the extinction of your own people?” My eyes narrow.

“Keep to your own business, little brother and I will keep to mine. That is all that I have to say. Playing at politics is dangerous, and when religious issues have to be taken into account it becomes even more complicated. You may be the Messiah on Sapuhru, but on this planet I rule.”

“Via mass hypnosis? And overwriting the archives from Terra?” I raise an eyebrow. Apotheosis, or raising an individual to godlike stature, is a great sin in my eyes. My brother has the entire city under his wings, reminding me of the god queens of Cunabula.

Infuriated, my half-brother leaves the room. A moment later, I hear the front door slam.

 

nice scenes between Lucien and Eibhear. And his half brother and the anger. Also a dark sider?

 

Parhelion would be very sulky if you would call him a darksider, earlybird-obi-wan!

Good and evil are not always that easy to figure out.

 

It is true that it is about love and not blood where children are concerned. My parents both had been married previously and had children with their first spouses. They try to love the other's children but that is hard to do when one is rarely grateful for any you do.

Do I sense toe stepping in the near future?

 

You truly did construct his character well. I still want to kick him


But only a carefully selected number of men is allowed into my Andron, the only place where I can be unveiled in company. The blood oath that members of the Brotherhood of Shadows swear to one another is a strong code.

Is that because men are harsher and less understanding than women, or is it because the Brotherhood is special and unveiling means trust?


When I awake in a sea of sunlight, I have four tiny fingers clutched in my open hair. Another Elfin hand rests on my left cheek.

When kids are TRULY innocent


In the end it does not matter who sired Éibhear. It only matters that he trusts me, believes in me and wants me to be around.

FACT!!!!


“Instead of alerting the neighbourhood to your bad choice of clothing,” he snarls, “You had better let me inside your house.”

Yup, really can't be good.
Extinction…deity status…nope, not good

 

Blue with orange soon, nice combination ... and cooking breakfast for family nothing to be ashamed of. I wish Dealg had either been a father to his kids, or if that was too much, maybe he should have kept that in mind as he fathered them.

Good to see Lucien here be his best, even though the righteous avenger of real and perceived evil is hiding in the corner.

 

AzureAngel2 -- nicely detailed scenes, each of which got a vastly different reader reaction.

Dealg works my nerve. Love the other scenes, the philosophical conversation and the tender one in the nursery. Gave me a d'awww! moment.

Your talent with characterization in multiple facets never fails to impress.

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by here and comment, DarthUncle. And yes, evil is hiding in the corner.

Dealg makes the very mistake that the Jedi Order makes later on. Not forming a family detachment with one´s off-spring.

And thanks for all your praise, @Nyota´s Heart. It was much needed.



Because I am somewhat sad today & off-line tomorrow, I dare to update on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday:





Chapter 12: A different kind of courage

In the weeks after Parhelion's visit, I concentrate on diminishing the numbers of the Human League one by one. It is a fight between the light and the dark. My net of agents is closing in on several individuals.

Agathos decides to visit me in person, not trusting the holonet for the things he has to say to me.

I get up from my office chair to greet him properly. “What an unexpected surprise!”

“Please spare me the pleasantries, Luçien.” He marches towards my desk in bold steps. His determination bewilders me. “You know exactly why I am here. The trail of blood leads directly to you.”

I lower my gaze, unable to meet his storm grey eyes. Somehow he knows; he always knows. “Your brother can live on, but I will watch his actions closely.”

Exhausted, Agathos sinks down into one of the visitor chairs. “Why can't you leave things be?”

“Why? Let me show you.” I walk over to my safe and take a palm-sized holo-decoder out. I switch it on.

Agathos looks at the first image and seems rather startled.

“This is Iphigenia.” My voice is low and almost emotionless. “She was just six years old when the Human League came for her. I know it is hard to tell that she even was a girl from the leftovers found in the high-pressure chamber.”

He runs a hand over his eyes.

My voice has a chilly edge as I continue through the images. “The pulp is thrown out with the other biological garbage this city makes.”

Agathos gulps hard, but is unable to say anything.

“How can you expect me to stand by idly?” I yell. “How?”

“Killing the killers is not a solution.” Agathos's chest heaves up and down. A deadly pallor claims his face.

The news is shocking, but should not produce this type of reaction in him. Instinctively, I drop the decoder and press my hands over his heart, sending healing powers into it.

“What has happened to you?” I exclaim with mild anger after a while.

“My wife cannot help it. When her nightmares strangle her, she produces a static field of dark side energies.”

“Stop finding excuses for that evil Force witch.” Frantically, I run my fingers over his torso. All his meridians are messed up badly. “She gave you cardiac arrhythmias.”

“Do not exaggerate my condition.” Agathos makes a vague gesture with his right hand. “There are medicines against heart problems.”

“There is no medicine against the powers of the dark side,” I insist.

To my annoyance, he smiles. “Yes, there is: love and devotion. I will get by.”

“You are seriously ill, Agathos. You cannot go on like this for much longer.”

“There are many people with heart conditions.”

I glower at him, seeing the fine chisels in his face. The dark side gnarls on his body like some predator animal. He looks older than he actually is. “It is your own demonic wife doing this to you,” I conclude.

His hands clasp around mine with amazing strength. “It happens mostly in Arcānā's sleep, when she is extremely vulnerable. She does not even know that she sends the impulses through my body.”

Anger cramps my stomach. “Then stop sleeping in the same bed with her if you are too weak to divorce her.”

He gasps. “Divorce my wife? Why would I want to? For being haunted by her bad childhood?”

“Forget about her bad childhood. She is slowly killing you,” I snarl. “And one day she will break your heart for good.”

“My heart is strong enough to bear the dangers of the dark side. Especially when it means staying with a woman I love. It saddens me that you fail to see her bright core fighting to overcome all she has faced.”

My throat is too tight to answer, which is perhaps for the better. There is nothing positive that I can say about the new god queen of Draconis.

“Do you know why I chose to be your friend, Luçien?”

To that I have no answer. I hope Agathos does not continue. My wish is not granted.

“I can sense that you are more than a psychopathic killer,” he says with a trembling voice. “Of course I still see the hurt child in the powerful man that you are. But that is not why you matter to me. You can have such a generous heart if you grant yourself thus. Look at how good you are with your children and take that example to heart for the rest of your life. Become a better person.”

We look at each other for a long time.

Finally, I suggest, “Can I offer you some jasmine tea?”

“I rather have some anise milk to calm my nerves.” Agathos sinks back into his chair and tells me of his initial desire to stay with me for the next few days.

********************************************************************

The Embassy has three guest chambers. During his stay Agathos does not wish to meet Sionnach or even Éibhear. “There is no need to confuse her or upset her during her pregnancy,” he says to me.

“Do you really need to return to Cunabula today?” I enquire, even though a full week has passed since his arrival. “The High Season is starting soon.”

“I already stayed longer than I originally intended to.” His smile is honest. “I have a pregnant wife and six children waiting for me on Draconis.”

“Will you at least think about separate bed-chambers?” I remind him.

“Luçien, I know that you prefer to sleep on your own, but my arms are the safest place for Arcānā at night.”

I want to yell at him that he is a fool. That this marriage is doomed, because his wife cannot stand the ghosts of her evil deeds. Attachment should be forbidden for Force users. But my protests have already fallen on deaf ears, so I keep silent as he leaves.

When I steep close to Éibhear's crib that evening, I cannot resist the urge to pick him up and hold him close. “All I ever wanted is here in my arms,” I mutter out loud.

********************************************************************

We acquire a nanny a couple of weeks later during one of our dinner party. Angina Ōon comes with no references at all, but I have a good feeling about her. I even arrange the death of her abusive husband to let her have a fresh start in my household. No more hurt. No more fear.


My men make the senator's death look like an armed robbery. But our actions do not fool the Human League. They follow the widow and try to harm her. My shadow army answers to a serious assault with the man's own knife.


Unfortunately, my half-brother Parhelion does not like my aggressive negotiations. When I return home, I catch him frightening Sionnach, who is eight months pregnant. The shock of meeting an enraged Parhelion makes her go straight into labour. Her aura readings are alarming.


Angina forces my half-brother and me to let go of our conflict for now and help the twins be born.

Many hours and curses later, I hold my tiny daughter in my arms. I cannot stop weeping with exhaustion and joy. Her birth cry was loud and strong. I clear her throat from slime and blood, then anxiously check her hands and feet. Five fingers and five toes. Neither Elfin, nor Tjiehenet. She is mine. Mine. Her skin is copper just like my own. The promise of red curls already shows on her small head. She will be a true beauty.

I hand the newborn over to Angina. “Thank you for your help with everything.”

“You honour me by letting me work for you, milord.”

A smile cracks my face. “Please call me by my name from now on. We are truly one family.”

A feeble cry makes me turn around.

My son.

I stumble towards Parhelion who has been holding him for me. “He needs you. There is something stuck in his throat.”

With the help of the Force I clear the air pipe of my son and give him a little slap on his backside. He cries again, this time from astonishment.

“Hi there!” I greet him. “Welcome to the universe.”

A movement catches my eyes. Alerted, I turn towards the door. Éibhear crawls in. A bleeding wound on his forehead tells me that he was desperate to leave his crib to join us.

In one swift movement I cut my son's umbilical cord and hurry towards the crying toddler. “All is well, Amhantar,” I assure him.

Critically, he gazes at his blood-covered siblings and then at me.

“Oh, the blood,” I laugh nervously. “All newborn babies look this way. You also did when you were born.”

While I say so I touch his head and send healing powers through his skull. He does not shrink back. I can tell that he trusted me to help him with his head wound.

There is a lot of explaining over the next hour. Gradually, Éibhear becomes cheerful again, and even wants to hold his siblings.

I am glad that he welcomes the twins in his life. We may be an unusual family, but there is more love and acceptance here than I ever experienced in the serail. Life on Amnion is uncomplicated and humble. No ducal pride. My children will thrive from that and become decent beings.

********************************************************************


(To be continued!)

 

Excellent birthing scene and It hurts me to see Agathos in difficulty.

 

Difficulty is an understatement, but cannot say more at present, otherwise it would be a spoiler!

 

Lucien is the pot calling the kettle black where attachments are concerned; but isn't everyone?

Such happiness but not for long.

 

Your distress is my pleasure, @SWpants. Wait, this sounds wrong.

Oh, I love you.


Yeah. About the spoiler. He's just dumb




Agathos decides to visit me in person, not trusting the holonet for the things he has to say to me.

I don't blame him. Some things need to be done/said in person.


“Killing the killers is not a solution.”

I agree with Agathos. It's why I'm against the death penalty. Fighting death with death will only make the pain and horror linger/continue.


“I can sense that you are more than a psychopathic killer,” he says with a trembling voice. “Of course I still see the hurt child in the powerful man that you are. But that is not why you matter to me. You can have such a generous heart if you grant yourself thus.

Well sure, I agree. He is more than that.
Yet even Lucien knows his murderous deeds are not right. That's why I am so bothered by him. He knows he's evil and he refuses to believe otherwise. He is lucky he has Agathos.


Angina Ōon comes with no references at all, but I have a good feeling about her. I even arrange the death of her abusive husband to let her have a fresh start in my household. No more hurt. No more fear.

*headdesk* *headdesk*


Oh my goodness there were too many children at the end, what the heck?!

 

the twins. He is nice with babies

 

The best thing about having to stay away from the boards is that I get to read more chapters in one go
Again, really great job with this story and character. Sometimes I thing he is a real person, Force powers aside of course.

 

********************************************************************

After my half-brother's pompous ceremony, Sionnach and I have to suffer through all the congratulations of the local celebrities. I make a mental note to pick a normal pre-school for my children, not something high-class.They will have real friends with a decent working-class background. It is bad enough that I have to deal with all these superficial people; I don't want them to have to bear the same.

When I spot Senator Kairos Aletheia walking towards us, I square my shoulders and stand straighter. His blue-grey eyes take me in with contempt. His thoughts get a malicious colouring. The only reason why this man is still alive is my friendship with Agathos.

Our exchange is brief, but surprisingly informative. The royal serpent-spawn was born on Draconis today. This fills me with dread. The ancient Serpent family line continious unbroken.

I tersely give Kairos my thanks. Then I gather Sionnach and the twins, say goodbye to everyone, and take the shortest route home.

Once the twins are in their cradle and Sionnach is resting with Éibhear snuggled against her, I rush to my study. With nervous fingers, I dial the holonet number of Agathos at his bungalow on the Holy Isle.

It takes Narthex Kyrene almost two minutes to appear on the screen. A bandage is wrapped around his head. He looks awful. His olive coloured skin has a pale quality to it and the shadows under his eyes are immense. “Milord?” he asks with mild surprise.

My intuition tells me that Arcānā did something very wrong today. “Narthex!” I swallow hard. “I am glad to see you. But why would you answer for Agathos? Is something amiss?”

The master valet's answer is brief and startling. “The holy birth cave collapsed.”

“Collapsed?” I almost cannot form a coherent thought. “With no reason? The entire cave? Is anybody hurt?”

“Grianán was able to prevent the worst with her white light shield.”

I do not recognize the name. I gather that she must be some fierce she-warrior in service of the royal family, just like Críonnacht O'Conghaile – the nanny of both Arcānā and my Sionnach – used to be.

“Luckily Isabeau was there to support my grand-daughter.”

I become even more confused. “Why was my step-sister in there, Narthex?”

“Arcānā asked her to be present at the birth ceremony. It was unexpected, but I am glad that Isabeau was down there with Grianán.”

I notice how his eyes sparkle when he talks about this Elfin woman. He seems to have a serious crush on her. Aloud I say, “I am relieved to hear it, and I am proud to that Isabeau was willing to sacrifice her life for the benefit of others. She gave great honour to the House Ankou. I will inform my parents about that, especially papa.”

Narthex allows himself to smile even wider. “Then also tell him about all the other occasions at which she was able to save the children from deadly harm.”

“What do you mean she has saved lives before?” I ask brusquely. “Is she the royal nanny or a body guard?”

“Those children mean the universe to Isabeau. For their safety, she would even face the Order of Light.”

I am startled. “She is fighting Elfin druids in mortal combat? Why would she do that?”

The weariness in his features deepens. “What are you prepared to do to keep Éibhear out of harm's way? Or the twins?”

I nod in understanding and continue our conversation. I need to know how Isabeau is faring at the royal court. If she is doing well and whether she's spellbound or not with all those witches around.

********************************************************************

Before Narthex and I say good-bye, I also learn about the fate of Prince Aconite Tjiehenet. The poor boy has been rejected by his infernal mother and left to die in the collapsing birth cave. He was saved by this Grianán woman though.

I remain in front of the blank holonet screen, thinking of my lost twin.

Yearning to take all my children into my arms, I enter Sionnach's bedroom. Of course she has heard the things I said to Narthex. Sighing, I share some information with her, but not all. Certainly, I do not tell her why I feel so much empathy for Prince Aconite Tjiehenet. I miss Lisiére so unbelievingly much.

Sionnach's hormones are still in an uproar. The story of the little prince hits her hard and she begins to tear up. I enclose her in a gentle hug.

“Chérie, what happened on Draconis is of no concern to us,” I say. “You gave me two healthy children yesterday. We all will be fine. No harm will come to us. Together, we are strong.”

I stroke her red locks until she falls asleep in my arms. As usual, she looks so young and vulnerable.

********************************************************************

Agathos calls me the next day. I am shocked that he looks even worse than Narthex, with darker circles around his eyes. “I am sorry that I could not get back to you any sooner, Luçien. It is just...” His hoarse voice breaks completely with thick tears.

I feel so helpless. “Is this about the boy?”

He says nothing but holds back sobs. I have never seen Agathos like this and I am not sure what to do or say to comfort him. To my relief, Narthex is there and gives his old childhood companion a hug.

“He will heal, Agathos, he will heal. Have faith again.”

The sobs make way for heavy breathing.

The master valet looks at me. “Milord, as soon as the boy is more stable, I will come to Amnion with him. My niece Aurora will take him in. She just lost her own little boy prematurely.”

“Do you want me to come down and see what I can do for you?” I ask.

Agathos jerks his head upwards to look at me. “That is too risky. Arcānā has been in a strange mood since the birth of our children.”

My healing skills would drive out the poison of that newborn boy almost immediately. I cannot believe that they really want to trust machines. “It is your choice,” I say from between clenched teeth.

****************************************************************



Despite the happiness Tāchys and Phrēn bring into my life, I cannot fight my inner restlessness. I need to put an end to this latest serpent spawn – they have come into this world under too great a cloud of evil. And the sooner the better. Hesitation will make it worse for everybody involved.

I kiss Éibhear, Tāchys and Phrēn good-bye at the breakfast table. Sionnach and Angina believe me to be on my way to the Embassy. I never arrive there.

In a dark side street, I change my features into that of a young Amnionian citizen and stuff my desert robes into a travel bag. Then I make my way to the interplanetary space port.

Not much later, I check into a passenger flight to Draconis. As a master assassin, I have a number of aliases and false Ids. I travel second class, filling the two hours of my journey with reading a philosophy book.

Because there are no direct flights to the Holy Isle, I hire a motor boat in the city of Fiducia, as most Amnionian tourists do. It takes me another two hours to arrive at my destination. I leave my vehicle in the undergrowth and concentrate on the royal pyramid.

The Force readings that I get from the serpent-spawn are alarming. Each of the three female babies carries the potential of a powerful Force witch, and the boys are collateral, even for their mother. Each one of them must die, their names never to be uttered again.

I wait until the familiar Force presence of Clementia Hemutiu has left the pyramid. The snake priestess once saved my soul in the royal crypt. I owe her, even though she is still loyal to Arcānā.

Slowly, I dress in my desert robes. I cannot do my hideous work without them. My veil gives me the illusion of being cut off from the universe.

Dusk sets on the Holy Isle of Cunabula.

I pray to the Force for guidance.

As twilight settles over the Mother Jungle and the river valley, I begin to dissolve into pure energy.

********************************************************************

My attack is merciless and quick. With dark energy bolts, I paralyse everybody present in the royal bedchamber, the Shesha guards included. Ironically, this combat technique was once taught to me by Solitaire's Force phantom.

I poke one of my boots into the ribs of a nearby Shesha guard. The woman does not flinch. She remains half-dead meat, ready for the slaughter that I have in mind.

The high pitched wailing of a baby gives me a dreadful fright. She sounds so much like Lisiére that I almost believe for half a moment in reincarnation.

I finally force myself to gaze into the royal cradle, where a pair of grey eyes looks at me. Grey, of course they had to be grey to test my resolve and the firmness of my faith. It is like looking at Agathos. And the baby girl stares at me, as attentive, sorrowful and patient as her father would.

Suddenly something tugs at my soul. It is like an explosion of fire in the core of my being. The light that went out with Lisiére's death is ignited again.

Timeless words echo through my aching head, consuming me. The voice that speaks them has the sweetness of an angel.

“I bind you here for the harm you have done

so you see yourself alone as one.
I bind you here to learn your woes
and to turn from them as time goes.
I bind you for the harm to come
and to see the truth of what you have done.
I bind with love, I bind with care.
That you yourself see what your actions will bear.”

A woman stands next to me, smiling radiantly. She is bathed in blue light.

In terror I blink at the deceased Princess Adamah Tamisra Tjiehenet, but she is not the one weaving the binding spell. She just looks at me expectantly, a knowing smile on her sultry lips.

“This spell will harm none by earth, wind, sky and sea.

So mote it be!”

Suddenly, I feel the baby girl in my hands with disturbing clarity. Through a haze of pain and intense pleasure I realize what just had happened between the two of us.

“How could you decide to mow down my nieces and nephews like that?” the ghost addresses me mockingly. “Of course one of them would fight back.”

The mournful noise from the back of my throat does not sound like me at all. It is the sound of a trapped feral animal. That cursed Tjiehenet spawn stripped me off everything. I hate the humiliation, the fact that I am totally hers, for better or for worse.

The ghost licks her lips like a true serpent-spawn. “Grianán here values life. She will teach you a lesson or two. I promise you that.”

Shaken, I almost throw the witchling back into the hammock. So this is Grianán!

I will not be whatever this serpent-spawn wants me to be. Instead I will be her greatest nightmare. For now I seek my salvation by running away.

********************************************************************

(To be continued in the 1st week of June 2014!)