Post by pern on Jul 28, 2009 19:59:13 GMT -5
(ugh...no indented paragraphs here. hope you guys don't mind!)
This story was inspired by a show I used to watch called "Babylon 5", only it's set in a medieval, magical world. The storyline is similar in that there will be members of every race in one multicultural city, struggling to get along and trying to work out diplomatic relationships with ambassadors on strategically vital territory. The races are Humans, Serpicans (Lizardmen), Sylvan (forest) Elves, Arcane (urban) Elves, Ethurzican (dark) Elves, Vampires, Werewolves, Minotaurs, Gnomes, Leandricans (mortal angels), Talking Hawks and Trepzoids (Aliens). If I missed any I apologize, and of course there are more races involved, but they won't appear in this book yet.
As a bonus (hehe), starting in book 2 (book one is 6 short chapters), the characters will be courtesy of my friends.
If you are interested in learning about which character is which, or if you think I'm posting the story too slowly, please go to my DeviantART page at astricon.deviantart.com/ I have visual reference as well as additional stories there, not to mention my journal does much to tell you which character which person is. So, without further ado, here's the first chapter!
Book One: The Silent Fang
Chapter 1: Politics
Country Note: Sylvania is a recently-united country which still hangs in constant tensions between the harbored races. The two main factions, Serpicans better known to some as the Lizardmen and the Sylvan Elves had been mortal enemies for thousands of years, but after the demon war of half a century prior to the present day, Sylvania was united against their might. Elves and Serpicans finally learned to work together and tolerate each other. The Elves and Serpicans are not the only inhabitants of Sylvania now, though. Faeries, Lycans, Gryphons and Unicorns are but a few of the vast number of creatures that are now part of the Sylvanian union.
Lord Pern was more than a Theolenian army commander. He was a Trepzoid, a particular Arthazaunian race with human appearance, all except the existence of a whip-like tail and elven faces. However known as a crafty and agile race, though, Lord Pern was also honorable, a trait rarely found in his emotion-driven brethren. It was sixty years since the opening of the portals between the three great worlds, and since Pern was so keen on doing new and unexpected things, he went immediately for Ya’orn, the magical country, and began service as an army officer and study as a basic magician. He soon became invaluable to the Theolenians, being quick, durable, agile, sharp-witted and good-natured as he was. Eventually, he was assigned to a task of joint operation between Theolen and Sylvania, where they were to monitor Stonehenge, the circle of portals from which could arrive those from Arthazaun, Urukthane, Morthrod, Carcinos, Ethurzica, Academia, New Leandro and Olympia.
Stonehenge had only been discovered three months prior, but already merchants were setting up shop, elven and dwarf builders and tunnelers were making spires and burrows to live in, Serpican weavers were also making their famous treetop lodges and Leandricans were creating a cloud dwelling. It was the first known city to have so many different cultures all packed into one, and nobody would have expected it to be in past Serpican territory. Soon it became known as the international town of Stonehenge, not belonging to any one country, but rather any that shared a portal there, excluding Arthazaun, and including the Laychen Remnants, New Egypt, the UTA and Dracon. In fact, the only important powers on Ya’orn that weren’t included in the group were Necronne, Leroq, Dormod and Atlantis, the enemies of the Silverest Allies, which none of the non-members could argue with at any rate.
Lord Pern arrived at his quarters on a Saturday morning. He had picked out a Lizardish dwelling, as he was closer to their race than any other on Ya’orn, and enjoyed being up in the trees. He dug his sharp claws into the bark of the tree, there being no stairs, and climbed to the top.
Reaching the living space, which was furnished adequately with a large desk and bookshelves and a bed, he patiently unpacked his things as he inquired his escort of how he was to provide himself with the daily needs.
The escort, a large hawk and a lieutenant of Theolen’s air force, replied that he would be allowed an amount of currency on his record per week and that could be used to buy food and other necessities, but anything above and beyond he’d have to earn himself. Then, without further delay, it was time to meet the ambassadors.
Pern caused a great deal of surprise when he jumped from the forty-meter height of the tree down to the ground, with a hawk decorated in an adorned, scarlet scarf tied around his neck, but Pern knew they’d have to get used to it, especially since there were going to be Serpicans jumping from higher heights to the ground as a morning workout.
Ambassador Melanie Stardust of the Elven state of Sylvania was the first Lord Pern met. Being an elf, he had to note the kind and color of her hair as well as her eyes to distinguish her. She was a straight-, golden-haired noble, it seemed, of striking green eyes which male humans would think attractive but elves would think dull and plain in the zounds of other pretty eye colors. Personally, Pern was glad somebody working so close to him would have less frightening eyes than what he heard elves could have, among them teal, violet and orange. Ambassador Stardust was pleasant, but it was all to obvious by her manner that she was a “duty person”, and had little interest in his friendship as much as she had interest in his partnership.
“I do hope you found your quarters pleasant, Lord Pern?” she asked stiffly.
“I did,” was his equally stiff reply, which only seemed to please her, something he had counted on.
“Why the person in charge of our defense here should be so isolated from the rest of us, however, remains a mystery to me. We elves cannot climb trees like the Serpicans, can we?”
“No, Ma’am, but I am confident that the only one who need bother me in my own quarters is my second-in-command, and he is a Serpican. However, there will always be steep staircases to be built in the future, and the multiple dryads living here have offered themselves as a communication technique. They’re always so helpful.”
“Ah, so if I want to talk to you all I have to do is ask a tree to convey the message?”
“If you need to talk to me, you ask a dryad to ask me to come down to you. I prefer to treat them as the respected entities they are, though they’ll be acting as our messengers.”
“I see. And now, of course, you’re supposed to tell me that I can call on you if I need you at any time, or I’ll say ‘Please pop by for a drink anytime you feel like it’, and then we’ll have formalities over with and we can get back to our pressing jobs.”
“Actually, Ambassador, I was going to say ‘please don’t bother me if it isn’t an emergency’.”
“Then I can afford to be honest to you as well. Don’t expect a drink from me. I don’t even drink!”
“I feel that this is going to be one interesting relationship, Ambassador.”
“As do I. You may go now, Trepzoid.” And go he did, happily, with the hawk escort barely concealing a smirk.
The Serpican Ambassador and Lord Pern’s second-in-command came by shortly, the ambassador of the most common, spined and smooth-scaled, pale-blue Lakewater Tribe, the Aszeme commander of a very rare tribe: the mane-backed, rough-scaled, ebony Shadowfang Tribe. The former was rather fat but as any Serpican, still menacing. He wore more clothing than was usual to the scaled creatures who found little need in such a thing because of his rank. His eyes were the usual reptile slits and were red-irised. The latter was more imposing still. Though his manner suggested a jovial type, his eyes were completely black, and therefore nearly invisible to to his midnight-black scales. Unlike the ambassador, he was very much well-built, even as a Serpican went. He, however, wore nothing but a belt to hold his belongings and a strap to hold his bow and quiver as well as a sheathed slim sword by his side. Around his neck was the hood that identified his rank and title as a member of the Serpican army. The Shadowfang took the chance to introduce himself and his partner. In a slightly croaking and hissing Lizardish voice, he said formally yet pleasantly enough to lead one to think of him well at first, “Lord Pern, I presume? It’s not like there are many Trepzoids around even with the Arthazaunian portal smack in the middle of Stonehenge! I am your first officer, Nathmorticus Aszeme reporting for duty. This is Ambassador Terrazeme of the Sylvanian state of Serpica, a fine gentleman as far as we slobby Lizardmen go, I’m sure you’ll agree.”
“Nath strikes the funny bone, as always, at the expense of our own race, but I can’t deny its validity, and he’s one of the few Serpicans who can stand the name ‘Lizardman’,” Terrazeme said. “I’m looking forward to being ambassador here, sir, to be sure. You’ll find I can be good company and in good need of it whenever and if ever you should happen to consider it. A politician’s job was never my favorite, but I was chosen by Serpica for my talents and interests in dealing with foreign affairs, especially with different and interesting races, which, if you don’t mind my saying, starts especially with you.”
Pern laughed heartily with the easy-going man and Nathmorticus laughed along, which Pern was ultimately glad of, seeing as his greatest fear was getting too solemn a first officer. No doubt Nath felt the same way about Pern. And although he wanted to know more about Terrazeme, to justify his good first impression of him, he knew there were still many more ambassadors to meet.
Pern had already met Ambassador Gwen Utaria of Theolen, but was surprised to see her again there. Gwen was at an Ethurzican restaurant when he saw her, and he stopped to exclaim that it was her and he “couldn’t believe it!”
Before he knew it, the brown-, wavy-haired beauty was telling him all about how she was transferred by the Theolenian clergy from her missionary trip in Ethurzica to Ambassadorial duty at Stonehenge, but he mustn’t tell anyone that she is a member of the clergy, for she was there on business for them as well as for Theolenian government. She expressed how glad she was there was finally someone she knew and she hoped they would work together with as much pleasure as they had when they played together as kids. Soon, however, he found himself face-to-face with the Ethurzican Ambassador, more surprising than she from Theolen.
“Well, Master Pern, it seems you are acquainted with Sister Gwen,” the feminine voice said with a dangerous wistfulness.
“Mistress Trysania,” Pern replied without looking.
“Lady Trysania, please. I’m a vampire now and you might as well pay me the correct respects.”
“Lady Trysania was just getting to know me, and I her,” Sister Gwen explained. “I’ve gotten used to Ethurzican culture and am glad there’ll be some here.”
If there was one thing Angelina Asynja couldn’t stand, it was a priest. However, not just any priest: one particular Father Clavius.
“I’m just saying that if you had been a little more attentive like you’re supposed to be, being a valkyrie and all, we could have been spared this trouble,” he said in an annoyingly serene way.
“Aren’t you a priest? You should have been able to keep those dark creatures at bay yourself, or at least sensed them at their approach!” she retorted. He wasn’t far behind her.
“I was expecting you to be on your guard!”
“Well thanks to both of us, we’ve got five uncontrollable werewolves chasing us.”
“Actually, I think the actual figure is six.”
The Aurora said nothing, fearing another endless argument.
“It’s a lucky thing I managed to stay away from those brutes! Else you’d be alone right now.”
“I can’t say I’m grateful for that,” she replied impulsively. Luckily, the priest did not make a big deal out of it. Instead, he simply said,
“And I’m feeling partial to being out there with the werewolves rather than here with a certain Olympian female.”
“Still, this first day on the job won’t look good on my report.”
“Don’t worry. I have the same problem.”
“Together to the end.”
At this, both groaned, completely inconsiderate of the other.
Pern continued walking in between the buildings being erected and dug out, closely followed by the hawk lieutenant. It was time for him to meet another important part of his staff—the medical branch.
“Good morning, Sister,” Pern began as he saw the white robes of a cleric. She turned and he held his breath, realizing his mistake. Though a major portion of Leandricans were followers of the Light, even those who didn’t do so normally wore white. Luckily, she didn’t comment on that, and introduced herself and her staff.
“Sir,” she said after her sharp Leandrican eyes and feathered features came in view. “I am Sister Natasha Malone, or Dr. Malone if you care for that approach. This is my partner from Earth, Dr. Kang.” She indicated an Asian man dressed in human Leandric clothes. “This place is called the Sanctuary, where people come for church and healing. In fact, your chief of security is inside if you would like to meet him.”
Pern answered that he would very much like to, and with a smile that showed the doctor knew more than she was saying, she led him into the chapel. There could be seen a grand, bronze minotaur, dressed in flowing red robes, kneeling at the altar; something Pern never though he’d see.
“You’re a religious minotaur?” he queried. At first he was ignored, but when the bulky security chief finished his prayer, he stood up slowly, and said very clearly, without the expected low, growling voice of a minotaur,
“I am, and I should be. I am the son of Tovtauren Whiteheart.” Pern knew that legendary name, of course.
“A minotaur doesn’t usually give such a short name for his father. You didn’t mention his rank or position.”
“Should I, sir?”
“That’s not necessary.”
“We’re very blessed with Captain Whiteheart’s presence here at Stonehenge,” Sister Natasha said happily.
“No doubt,” Pern answered solemnly. “Do you have a priest?”
“Yes, sir. Father Clavius has not arrived yet.”
“Very well. Are you free, Captain?”
“If you ask it of me, sir.”
“Good. Lieutenant, you are excused.”
The hawk bowed and flew off to its quarters, leaving the Captain and the Lord together.
“I’ve heard good things about your father, Captain. Did you know him?”
“Very well. He still lives.”
“Truly? Well, what are your skills?”
“Nothing to help in my particular employment.”
After this sentence, a loud, sudden cry shouted, “Lord Pern, Lord Pern!” with an old, cracked voice. It was an elderly, squat little woman. “I am the resident witch, Gabriella,” she said. I was just coming to pray at the altar, when lo and behold, here the big head is!”
“Didn’t you read your tea leaves today, crone?” Pern snapped.
“Tea leaves are for superstitious hags. I’m an herbalist and a brewer. My shop is always open for the most potent supplies, and I offer to sell the military herbs and potions to your troops for a lower cost than I’d normally charge, if that’ll gain your friendship.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to do more than buy into my friendship, crone. Now excuse us.”
As soon as they were out of earshot of the old witch, the captain said seriously, “Witches are not always demonologists, sir. This one at least seems to make an honest living.”
“Perhaps, but I have a sort of hatred for witches that—no! I don’t wish to explain.”
“I assume by your dismissal of the lieutenant that you wish for me to show you around?”
“Not necessarily. I simply wish to walk around. Suppose we go meet the dwarf ambassador?”
“I would not support that, sir. To speak plainly, I am not too fond of the race.”
“That’s understandable. They have enough enemies. What of exploration?”
“That sounds exciting, but I am still not sure how this is relevant to the job.”
“Just trying to find out what kind of man you are, Captain.”
“Any success?”
“I believe so. You seem to be—”
But a splitting screech pierced the air. The hawk lieutenant torpedoed down to Pern shouting, “Ambassador Utaria has been attacked! Ambassador Utaria has been attacked!”
Angelina Asynja grabbed the father and ran through the forest as quickly as he could keep up with his long robes. The howls behind them were a constant reminder of the bright moon overhead. A streak of shadow separated them and threw the priest to the ground. A well-fanged mouth drooled over the fearless face of the man, but just as it struck, a feminine voice screamed,
“Freyja!”
and the wolf bounced back as though hitting an invisible shield. It struggled to get up, but Angelina faced it with icy eyes and clenched fists. “I doubt if you can manage to lay a finger on me,” she said tauntingly. It snorted.
“Then you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
A rather sudden and unexpected thunk broke the conversation, followed by the werewolf howling in pain and struggling to see its attacker. Father Clavius, however, was merciless. The werewolf was pounded and hammered left to right and up to down, and finally thrown to the ground, where he lay still.
Another howl echoed through the night.
“We’d better hurry before they come back,” the Aurora remarked. She decided to run first, ask questions later.
Class Note: Valkyries are Norse paladins, in a way. Their training consists slightly of combat with various weapons and always a shield, but majorly with the magical arts of protection. A Valkyrie must learn to use powerful shields and charms to ward off other spells and poisons. In a society, every death is on a Valkyrie's conscience, and in a war, every life is in her hands.
This story was inspired by a show I used to watch called "Babylon 5", only it's set in a medieval, magical world. The storyline is similar in that there will be members of every race in one multicultural city, struggling to get along and trying to work out diplomatic relationships with ambassadors on strategically vital territory. The races are Humans, Serpicans (Lizardmen), Sylvan (forest) Elves, Arcane (urban) Elves, Ethurzican (dark) Elves, Vampires, Werewolves, Minotaurs, Gnomes, Leandricans (mortal angels), Talking Hawks and Trepzoids (Aliens). If I missed any I apologize, and of course there are more races involved, but they won't appear in this book yet.
As a bonus (hehe), starting in book 2 (book one is 6 short chapters), the characters will be courtesy of my friends.
If you are interested in learning about which character is which, or if you think I'm posting the story too slowly, please go to my DeviantART page at astricon.deviantart.com/ I have visual reference as well as additional stories there, not to mention my journal does much to tell you which character which person is. So, without further ado, here's the first chapter!
Book One: The Silent Fang
Chapter 1: Politics
Country Note: Sylvania is a recently-united country which still hangs in constant tensions between the harbored races. The two main factions, Serpicans better known to some as the Lizardmen and the Sylvan Elves had been mortal enemies for thousands of years, but after the demon war of half a century prior to the present day, Sylvania was united against their might. Elves and Serpicans finally learned to work together and tolerate each other. The Elves and Serpicans are not the only inhabitants of Sylvania now, though. Faeries, Lycans, Gryphons and Unicorns are but a few of the vast number of creatures that are now part of the Sylvanian union.
Lord Pern was more than a Theolenian army commander. He was a Trepzoid, a particular Arthazaunian race with human appearance, all except the existence of a whip-like tail and elven faces. However known as a crafty and agile race, though, Lord Pern was also honorable, a trait rarely found in his emotion-driven brethren. It was sixty years since the opening of the portals between the three great worlds, and since Pern was so keen on doing new and unexpected things, he went immediately for Ya’orn, the magical country, and began service as an army officer and study as a basic magician. He soon became invaluable to the Theolenians, being quick, durable, agile, sharp-witted and good-natured as he was. Eventually, he was assigned to a task of joint operation between Theolen and Sylvania, where they were to monitor Stonehenge, the circle of portals from which could arrive those from Arthazaun, Urukthane, Morthrod, Carcinos, Ethurzica, Academia, New Leandro and Olympia.
Stonehenge had only been discovered three months prior, but already merchants were setting up shop, elven and dwarf builders and tunnelers were making spires and burrows to live in, Serpican weavers were also making their famous treetop lodges and Leandricans were creating a cloud dwelling. It was the first known city to have so many different cultures all packed into one, and nobody would have expected it to be in past Serpican territory. Soon it became known as the international town of Stonehenge, not belonging to any one country, but rather any that shared a portal there, excluding Arthazaun, and including the Laychen Remnants, New Egypt, the UTA and Dracon. In fact, the only important powers on Ya’orn that weren’t included in the group were Necronne, Leroq, Dormod and Atlantis, the enemies of the Silverest Allies, which none of the non-members could argue with at any rate.
Lord Pern arrived at his quarters on a Saturday morning. He had picked out a Lizardish dwelling, as he was closer to their race than any other on Ya’orn, and enjoyed being up in the trees. He dug his sharp claws into the bark of the tree, there being no stairs, and climbed to the top.
Reaching the living space, which was furnished adequately with a large desk and bookshelves and a bed, he patiently unpacked his things as he inquired his escort of how he was to provide himself with the daily needs.
The escort, a large hawk and a lieutenant of Theolen’s air force, replied that he would be allowed an amount of currency on his record per week and that could be used to buy food and other necessities, but anything above and beyond he’d have to earn himself. Then, without further delay, it was time to meet the ambassadors.
Pern caused a great deal of surprise when he jumped from the forty-meter height of the tree down to the ground, with a hawk decorated in an adorned, scarlet scarf tied around his neck, but Pern knew they’d have to get used to it, especially since there were going to be Serpicans jumping from higher heights to the ground as a morning workout.
Ambassador Melanie Stardust of the Elven state of Sylvania was the first Lord Pern met. Being an elf, he had to note the kind and color of her hair as well as her eyes to distinguish her. She was a straight-, golden-haired noble, it seemed, of striking green eyes which male humans would think attractive but elves would think dull and plain in the zounds of other pretty eye colors. Personally, Pern was glad somebody working so close to him would have less frightening eyes than what he heard elves could have, among them teal, violet and orange. Ambassador Stardust was pleasant, but it was all to obvious by her manner that she was a “duty person”, and had little interest in his friendship as much as she had interest in his partnership.
“I do hope you found your quarters pleasant, Lord Pern?” she asked stiffly.
“I did,” was his equally stiff reply, which only seemed to please her, something he had counted on.
“Why the person in charge of our defense here should be so isolated from the rest of us, however, remains a mystery to me. We elves cannot climb trees like the Serpicans, can we?”
“No, Ma’am, but I am confident that the only one who need bother me in my own quarters is my second-in-command, and he is a Serpican. However, there will always be steep staircases to be built in the future, and the multiple dryads living here have offered themselves as a communication technique. They’re always so helpful.”
“Ah, so if I want to talk to you all I have to do is ask a tree to convey the message?”
“If you need to talk to me, you ask a dryad to ask me to come down to you. I prefer to treat them as the respected entities they are, though they’ll be acting as our messengers.”
“I see. And now, of course, you’re supposed to tell me that I can call on you if I need you at any time, or I’ll say ‘Please pop by for a drink anytime you feel like it’, and then we’ll have formalities over with and we can get back to our pressing jobs.”
“Actually, Ambassador, I was going to say ‘please don’t bother me if it isn’t an emergency’.”
“Then I can afford to be honest to you as well. Don’t expect a drink from me. I don’t even drink!”
“I feel that this is going to be one interesting relationship, Ambassador.”
“As do I. You may go now, Trepzoid.” And go he did, happily, with the hawk escort barely concealing a smirk.
The Serpican Ambassador and Lord Pern’s second-in-command came by shortly, the ambassador of the most common, spined and smooth-scaled, pale-blue Lakewater Tribe, the Aszeme commander of a very rare tribe: the mane-backed, rough-scaled, ebony Shadowfang Tribe. The former was rather fat but as any Serpican, still menacing. He wore more clothing than was usual to the scaled creatures who found little need in such a thing because of his rank. His eyes were the usual reptile slits and were red-irised. The latter was more imposing still. Though his manner suggested a jovial type, his eyes were completely black, and therefore nearly invisible to to his midnight-black scales. Unlike the ambassador, he was very much well-built, even as a Serpican went. He, however, wore nothing but a belt to hold his belongings and a strap to hold his bow and quiver as well as a sheathed slim sword by his side. Around his neck was the hood that identified his rank and title as a member of the Serpican army. The Shadowfang took the chance to introduce himself and his partner. In a slightly croaking and hissing Lizardish voice, he said formally yet pleasantly enough to lead one to think of him well at first, “Lord Pern, I presume? It’s not like there are many Trepzoids around even with the Arthazaunian portal smack in the middle of Stonehenge! I am your first officer, Nathmorticus Aszeme reporting for duty. This is Ambassador Terrazeme of the Sylvanian state of Serpica, a fine gentleman as far as we slobby Lizardmen go, I’m sure you’ll agree.”
“Nath strikes the funny bone, as always, at the expense of our own race, but I can’t deny its validity, and he’s one of the few Serpicans who can stand the name ‘Lizardman’,” Terrazeme said. “I’m looking forward to being ambassador here, sir, to be sure. You’ll find I can be good company and in good need of it whenever and if ever you should happen to consider it. A politician’s job was never my favorite, but I was chosen by Serpica for my talents and interests in dealing with foreign affairs, especially with different and interesting races, which, if you don’t mind my saying, starts especially with you.”
Pern laughed heartily with the easy-going man and Nathmorticus laughed along, which Pern was ultimately glad of, seeing as his greatest fear was getting too solemn a first officer. No doubt Nath felt the same way about Pern. And although he wanted to know more about Terrazeme, to justify his good first impression of him, he knew there were still many more ambassadors to meet.
Pern had already met Ambassador Gwen Utaria of Theolen, but was surprised to see her again there. Gwen was at an Ethurzican restaurant when he saw her, and he stopped to exclaim that it was her and he “couldn’t believe it!”
Before he knew it, the brown-, wavy-haired beauty was telling him all about how she was transferred by the Theolenian clergy from her missionary trip in Ethurzica to Ambassadorial duty at Stonehenge, but he mustn’t tell anyone that she is a member of the clergy, for she was there on business for them as well as for Theolenian government. She expressed how glad she was there was finally someone she knew and she hoped they would work together with as much pleasure as they had when they played together as kids. Soon, however, he found himself face-to-face with the Ethurzican Ambassador, more surprising than she from Theolen.
“Well, Master Pern, it seems you are acquainted with Sister Gwen,” the feminine voice said with a dangerous wistfulness.
“Mistress Trysania,” Pern replied without looking.
“Lady Trysania, please. I’m a vampire now and you might as well pay me the correct respects.”
“Lady Trysania was just getting to know me, and I her,” Sister Gwen explained. “I’ve gotten used to Ethurzican culture and am glad there’ll be some here.”
If there was one thing Angelina Asynja couldn’t stand, it was a priest. However, not just any priest: one particular Father Clavius.
“I’m just saying that if you had been a little more attentive like you’re supposed to be, being a valkyrie and all, we could have been spared this trouble,” he said in an annoyingly serene way.
“Aren’t you a priest? You should have been able to keep those dark creatures at bay yourself, or at least sensed them at their approach!” she retorted. He wasn’t far behind her.
“I was expecting you to be on your guard!”
“Well thanks to both of us, we’ve got five uncontrollable werewolves chasing us.”
“Actually, I think the actual figure is six.”
The Aurora said nothing, fearing another endless argument.
“It’s a lucky thing I managed to stay away from those brutes! Else you’d be alone right now.”
“I can’t say I’m grateful for that,” she replied impulsively. Luckily, the priest did not make a big deal out of it. Instead, he simply said,
“And I’m feeling partial to being out there with the werewolves rather than here with a certain Olympian female.”
“Still, this first day on the job won’t look good on my report.”
“Don’t worry. I have the same problem.”
“Together to the end.”
At this, both groaned, completely inconsiderate of the other.
Pern continued walking in between the buildings being erected and dug out, closely followed by the hawk lieutenant. It was time for him to meet another important part of his staff—the medical branch.
“Good morning, Sister,” Pern began as he saw the white robes of a cleric. She turned and he held his breath, realizing his mistake. Though a major portion of Leandricans were followers of the Light, even those who didn’t do so normally wore white. Luckily, she didn’t comment on that, and introduced herself and her staff.
“Sir,” she said after her sharp Leandrican eyes and feathered features came in view. “I am Sister Natasha Malone, or Dr. Malone if you care for that approach. This is my partner from Earth, Dr. Kang.” She indicated an Asian man dressed in human Leandric clothes. “This place is called the Sanctuary, where people come for church and healing. In fact, your chief of security is inside if you would like to meet him.”
Pern answered that he would very much like to, and with a smile that showed the doctor knew more than she was saying, she led him into the chapel. There could be seen a grand, bronze minotaur, dressed in flowing red robes, kneeling at the altar; something Pern never though he’d see.
“You’re a religious minotaur?” he queried. At first he was ignored, but when the bulky security chief finished his prayer, he stood up slowly, and said very clearly, without the expected low, growling voice of a minotaur,
“I am, and I should be. I am the son of Tovtauren Whiteheart.” Pern knew that legendary name, of course.
“A minotaur doesn’t usually give such a short name for his father. You didn’t mention his rank or position.”
“Should I, sir?”
“That’s not necessary.”
“We’re very blessed with Captain Whiteheart’s presence here at Stonehenge,” Sister Natasha said happily.
“No doubt,” Pern answered solemnly. “Do you have a priest?”
“Yes, sir. Father Clavius has not arrived yet.”
“Very well. Are you free, Captain?”
“If you ask it of me, sir.”
“Good. Lieutenant, you are excused.”
The hawk bowed and flew off to its quarters, leaving the Captain and the Lord together.
“I’ve heard good things about your father, Captain. Did you know him?”
“Very well. He still lives.”
“Truly? Well, what are your skills?”
“Nothing to help in my particular employment.”
After this sentence, a loud, sudden cry shouted, “Lord Pern, Lord Pern!” with an old, cracked voice. It was an elderly, squat little woman. “I am the resident witch, Gabriella,” she said. I was just coming to pray at the altar, when lo and behold, here the big head is!”
“Didn’t you read your tea leaves today, crone?” Pern snapped.
“Tea leaves are for superstitious hags. I’m an herbalist and a brewer. My shop is always open for the most potent supplies, and I offer to sell the military herbs and potions to your troops for a lower cost than I’d normally charge, if that’ll gain your friendship.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to do more than buy into my friendship, crone. Now excuse us.”
As soon as they were out of earshot of the old witch, the captain said seriously, “Witches are not always demonologists, sir. This one at least seems to make an honest living.”
“Perhaps, but I have a sort of hatred for witches that—no! I don’t wish to explain.”
“I assume by your dismissal of the lieutenant that you wish for me to show you around?”
“Not necessarily. I simply wish to walk around. Suppose we go meet the dwarf ambassador?”
“I would not support that, sir. To speak plainly, I am not too fond of the race.”
“That’s understandable. They have enough enemies. What of exploration?”
“That sounds exciting, but I am still not sure how this is relevant to the job.”
“Just trying to find out what kind of man you are, Captain.”
“Any success?”
“I believe so. You seem to be—”
But a splitting screech pierced the air. The hawk lieutenant torpedoed down to Pern shouting, “Ambassador Utaria has been attacked! Ambassador Utaria has been attacked!”
Angelina Asynja grabbed the father and ran through the forest as quickly as he could keep up with his long robes. The howls behind them were a constant reminder of the bright moon overhead. A streak of shadow separated them and threw the priest to the ground. A well-fanged mouth drooled over the fearless face of the man, but just as it struck, a feminine voice screamed,
“Freyja!”
and the wolf bounced back as though hitting an invisible shield. It struggled to get up, but Angelina faced it with icy eyes and clenched fists. “I doubt if you can manage to lay a finger on me,” she said tauntingly. It snorted.
“Then you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
A rather sudden and unexpected thunk broke the conversation, followed by the werewolf howling in pain and struggling to see its attacker. Father Clavius, however, was merciless. The werewolf was pounded and hammered left to right and up to down, and finally thrown to the ground, where he lay still.
Another howl echoed through the night.
“We’d better hurry before they come back,” the Aurora remarked. She decided to run first, ask questions later.
Class Note: Valkyries are Norse paladins, in a way. Their training consists slightly of combat with various weapons and always a shield, but majorly with the magical arts of protection. A Valkyrie must learn to use powerful shields and charms to ward off other spells and poisons. In a society, every death is on a Valkyrie's conscience, and in a war, every life is in her hands.