* * *
The Council’s business lasted well into the early morning hours. First, details of Asotos’ offer were disclosed, requiring much open discussion, at times appearing to be little more than the desire of certain Ancients to extol their assumed wisdom regarding the subject. At length, attention was turned to the series of events that occurred up to and the taking of the Zephath’s crew. Of course, each individual account needed to be scrutinized for fear some important detail might be overlooked. Even Ma-we eventually tired of such games but, out of polite etiquette, remained silent.
Captain BedanSheba of the Shikkeron was grilled to distraction. He patiently attempted to describe the Shikkeron’s part played in this adventure, but was constantly interrupted by questions, more often caused by ignorance of navy procedure than actual relation to events. The man was never in good humor, hadn’t been since first being snubbed for promotion many long wars ago, something that had repeated itself throughout his less than glorious career. When Ardon questioned Bedan again about some trivial matter, Bedan’s temper almost got the best of him. Embarrassed and tired, he finally was dismissed, skulking away into the shadows.
Tashi, governor over the Trizentine, was well received. Being an Ancient, few dared question her account of matters. Her testimony went quickly, accounting the seemingly random Stasis attacks against the settlements in the colonies on Sustrepho, the most distant, inhabited planet in the Trizentine star systems. Her description of kidnap and torture of innocent settlers stirred many a heart to righteous indignation.
Mihai also took the stage, even sheepishly describing her encounter with the droid, including her rescue by a mysterious ally. Then there were other eyewitness accounts from transports picking up strange communications and peculiar sightings of ships being where ships shouldn’t be.
It was Euroaquilo who stole the show. He could not speak unless his entire body was consumed in it. His booming voice, wild exuberance, flair for theatrics and love for the poetic made him a favorite at the Council, and he was at his best this eve. When finished, he had touched every level of the audience’s emotions, from heights of laughter to the depths of despair, drawn the people into his account, tugging at their heartstrings with his vivid renderings of the pirate scourge until no dry eye could be found in the house.
Of course, Ardon needed to have his say, he being more knowledgeable than many about this most inhospitable place in space. He was longwinded, self-aggrandizing to the point of braggadocio, consuming time with seemingly endless, minute, unimportant, detailed accounts liberally peppered with anecdotal illustrations rarely related to the night’s subject. Still, there was great value in the things the man said. As Ma-we was often heard to say of his counsel, ‘If you dig deep enough, you will find water, but dig quickly or you will certainly die of thirst!’
When Ardon finally paused to sip some water, Mihai politely interrupted, requesting she be allowed the privilege of summing matters up, it really being the fear that soon the audience’s snoring would overwhelm the speakers. At length, the matter was taken to the table, meaning it was time for open debate and, hopefully, final consensus.
It was during this debate agreement was reached that, first, the capture of the Zephath’s crew was not a random act and, even though carried out by Stasis Pirates, it was an act perpetrated by Asotos; second, that Mihai must accept Asotos’ request to moot with him on the chosen planet, EremiaPikros, she accepting; and, third, that a peaceful solution was better for the welfare of the prisoners than warlike threatening. Ma-we accepted this in principle, but strongly suggested Mihai retain a small contingent of soldiers to accompany the entourage, a fatefully wise decision.
Ma-we had also chosen to go, she telling that her presence had also been requested. PalaHar and Tizrela were to be her color guard, with Tashi and Ardon among the chief councilors to follow in her train. She also requested Zadar be allowed to go along, she not providing reason other than he needed the training.
And then, to everyone’s surprise, Ma-we requested that Darla come along as well. The room erupted in angry debate with a few staunchly defending the girl, but most condemning it as recipe for disaster. For twenty minutes, the arguing persisted, almost to the point of riot. Finally, Ma-we stood, her own anger silencing the people. There was no place for debate, she declared. The choice was final. With or without the will of the Council, Darla was to accompany her, being her personal horsemaiden. Ardon still attempted a coup, he ranting on for five minutes before Ma-we silenced him. It was settled. No more debate.
What of Darla? She had weathered the storm in silent, stoic fashion, the same as she had done so many times before. At length, when everything quieted down, she slipped out a side door, disappearing into the night. Few noticed; fewer cared. After all, it was well known the girl did not have feelings, at least feelings like the rest of them. She never cried or laughed when in their company…no emotions, no emotions at all, ‘poor thing, poor sick, cracked, little creature.’
The Council continued its business of preparing for the Prisoner Exchange. There were to be numerous ships - one battle cruiser, two frigates, four barqs and a few smaller transports. For some unknown reason, Ma-we requested the Shikkeron be included, she wanting it for herself and her party. Then she requested a dozen fighters be assigned to the taskforce. Some grumbled, but Ma-we won out, citing the enemy’s need to be shown force while extending an opened hand.
When complaint arose another time concerning the growing army being taken to the Prisoner Exchange, Ma-we’s temper flared. “I will not lift up a hand in defense of my children… cannot! If your brother has set a trap for you, who will escape if all you have are threatening words to exchange for missiles and swords? Don’t be complete fools! Even an ass knows when danger lurks down the road!”
Finally, plans were set, the date of departure decided upon, the exchange goods and enemy prisoners used for trading. The biggest hurdle was the need to surrender AsreHalom, now better known as ‘Salak’, back to Asotos. There was little choice. The murderer of multitudes was to be returned to Asotos or there would be no exchange and, worse yet, Asotos threatened to give his hostages back to the Stasis Pirates if Salak was not given to him. With settling of this final issue, the council meeting was concluded.
Being such a late hour, few lingered in the council chambers after being dismissed. Some had unfinished business, others desired to capture a fleeting moment with a dear companion not seen for a while. Mihai? She remained seated, elbows resting on the table, hands holding an aching head. Her experience with Trisha was troubling enough, the pain from being pummeled by the woman’s telepathic attack still hammering the back of her head. And then the fiasco over Darla had delivered a migraine that made Mihai’s forehead pound with a nauseous headache.
Ardon smiled to himself as the raised platform descended into the floor. In a few moments, he and Tashi would be exiting into the night in search of spending a few carefree days at the mountain hot springs on Diamond Ridge. It was not to be…
“Lord Ardon!” Surprised, Ardon turned to see Ma-we approaching, her face stern and filled with displeasure. “Lord Ardon, a word.” At that, Ma-we’s hand went up, signaling Bedan to come over.
This was not good. Ardon attempted to excuse himself, claiming some important errand. Ma-we dismissed it. “Listen, you old snipe, I want a word with you!” She walked up close, looking into his face. “Your actions were uncalled for tonight! My girl has done nothing to you, other than display greater dignity when humiliated by you and the other silly fools here!”
Surprised at Ma-we’s curt remarks, Ardon defended his actions. Placing an opened hand over his heart, he pleaded, “I only spoke up about a matter the others here held in their hearts. I…”
Ma-we brushed him off. “Horseshit!” She glanced over at Bedan, who was nearing. Lowering her voice, she warned, “You pull a stunt like that again and I’ll make sure you re
gret it!”
“You wanted to see me, Mother?” Bedan offered salutation as he approached.
Ma-we shot another warning glance at Ardon before turning toward Bedan and taking his hand as she smiled, answering, “Yes, dear, I did. Just a moment, please.”
Hiding her frown, Ma-we politely addressed Ardon, asking, “My son, would you be so willing as to do your mother a tiny favor?”
Having already forgotten Ma-we’s recent threat, Ardon graciously bowed, answering with a grin while glancing out of the corner of his eye to make sure his audience - Bedan - was paying attention. After all, it was only proper for the fellow to see just how important a councilor Ardon was in Mother’s eyes. “It would be my greatest pleasure, my Lord and Lady. Whatever you wish...”
Ma-we curtly snapped back, she not even pretending a smile. “I wish a lot! But I will keep my task for you simple, something at your level of manageability. Wisdom is as wisdom does...” She cast a quick eye toward Bedan whose shocked expression was telling of her success at insult.
Ma-we’s affront to Ardon had been worse than a stinging slap to the face, wincing as if receiving such a blow. There was no wish on his part to see Bedan’s reaction - the greatest part of Mother’s insult - to have a common officer witness such a rebuff. Gathering his wits about him, he stuttered a polite response.
Ma-we’s tone changed little, her displeasure at Ardon’s earlier actions still troubling her. “Lord Ardon, you are to go as soon as may be to Chrusion and obtain for me some of the chrysolite stones from the Black Mountains. They must be from the Black Mountains.”
Ardon’s jaw dropped in shock and surprise, quickly making a flustered reply. “My Lady! My Lady! It’s yeoman’s duty you are requesting of me! Certainly you must be mistaken. I have many important matters to conclude before leaving for the Prisoner Exchange. It will be nine days’ hard running just to reach the planet and return. We leave on the tenth day. That gives us less than one day to accomplish our mission. I will have no time to prepare for…”
Ma-we cut him off in a curt retort. “All I need is a breathing lump of flesh to stand beside me at the Prisoner Exchange, someone to look official. I expect nothing more than that from you. It will take no time to pack your things for the trip, seeing that you’ve already done it, haven’t you?” She lowered an eyebrow, staring accusatively into Ardon’s face.
Turning to Bedan, Ma-we’s sweet smile returned. “Son, I want you to deliver this…this sneak… to Chrusion and make sure he does what he’s been told.”
Bedan frowned, still stinging from Ardon’s uncalled for grilling earlier that night. “Mother, I have been stationed on patrol for eighteen months. I was hoping to take a day or so and visit friends in Oros. Plus, I have the Shikkeron to ready for the trip, it in need of extensive maintenance.”
“You’ve plenty of time to meet with old comrades when we finish at the Prisoner Exchange.” Ma-we patted Bedan’s shoulder. “Hopefully, this trip will keep you both out of mischief.”
Bedan said nothing, his eyes telling Mother of his disgust at taxiing the great Ardon across star systems. Ma-we stretched, giving the man a soft kiss on his cheek and began to play with a button on his uniform. “Son, I know the Shikkeron is in need of repair and I have already taken counsel with Euroaquilo to have that assignment given to a qualified officer. The Starlight has just been refitted with a whole bunch of new toys and its crew has not yet been assigned their commander. You take the little cutter and run it through its paces, shoot a target or two to test out its arsenal.”
She looked up and into his eyes. “Remember, as captain, you are in charge of this mission. All those aboard must do the bidding of the captain.” She stared at Ardon. “That includes everyone!”
Looking back at Bedan and gently stroking his upper arm, Ma-we flirtingly cooed, “Now be a good son and deliver back to me the baubles I have requested. If Lord Ardon should dally, you have my permission to leave him there.” She laughed.
Ma-we then addressed a very disgruntled Ardon. “Thank you, sir, for volunteering for this very dangerous mission, though I believe it safer there than here for the moment. Leftenant Darla shall be charged with the repairs and equipping of the Shikkeron for the trip. I believe that will keep my child busy enough to prevent her hunting you down in the depths of space.”
She warned Bedan, “Do be careful and keep a good eye out for possible attack. But let me warn you, Darla is an excellent fighter pilot! It would be better to surrender up the councilor here than risk a confrontation. No one would slight you for trying to protect the rest of the crew, given the circumstance.”
Ardon was thoroughly miffed. He detested the dressing down, especially in front one of the lesser children like Bedan. And to have him placed in charge?! That was almost too much! But it was Darla who was most troubling. Why all the fuss? Still… Mother was in a mood. Better leave things go...
Ma-we’s eyes filled with sadness as she turned her attention back to Ardon. How could he not understand the importance she placed on having Darla’s presence at the Prisoner Exchange? True, she had confided in no one the reasons, but Ardon was not dense - that dense - to see that it was not on some emotional whim that the girl had been selected to make the trip.
‘Pity…what a pity, he cannot see the forest.’ Ma-we attempted a smile and, in a gentle voice, suggested, “I know you planned to share some quiet hours with Tashi. Why not take her along with you?” She glanced up to see the woman loitering near the door. “She’s been too long in the outer reaches of the universe. The lady needs a little special attention. I know you can deliver that. She will love the trip and cherish the company.”
Ardon’s gloominess dissolved in an instant. He hugged Ma-we and, after giving her a gentle kiss, hurried over to Tashi. Arm in arm, the two disappeared through the door leading to the outer balcony and into the darkness.