The Gathering Begins
New Alliances Episode 5
Authors:Keri Lauphman, Tammy Leigh-Fischer, Jesse Robert Toldness, Jeff Conaway, Jonathan David Rust

Kristina had landed the ship safely near the Castle of Lions in one of the docking bays. The bay looked like it had substained some damage, but it wasn't too bad. They got out - all except for Ri who was holding Zorina back and Jake, who had leaped up front to protect both of them. Zorina wanted to run to the Castle, to see for herself if everyone was all right and had twice nearly broken away from them before Ri had spoken to her, attempting to calmher down, telling her they didn't know what to expect, but she knew that Ri and Jake were bound to protect her. She willed herself to remain calm as they went out through the docking bay and through the tunnel that lead to the Castle.

Ri was too alert to be nervous. So far nothing had happened, but one never knew. When she saw some people standing near the entrance of the castle and then Zorina's expression of joy, she knew that all was all right. She watched as Zorina gave everyone a hug. Then an elderly woman came up to Zorina and nodded slightly.

She said in a commanding voice, "Your Majesty..I am relieved you have come back safely.." the woman's green eyes gazed briefly at Zorina's stomach as she continued. "However, it is unseemly and downright DANGEROUS for a person of your STATURE in your delicate CONDITION to travel! Just what were you thinking, Your Highness? You have to think of the future heir of Arus and not gad about placing yourself in danger.."

Ri looked at the woman shocked. She was suprised the woman would speak to Zori that way! She knew that Zo did not stand on ceremony, but this woman was downright bossy! Was this the "dragon" she was talking about? The woman gave everyone a look. Even Jake quailed under her gaze. Thankfully Ri was partially hidden by Jake, so the woman didn't really get a good look at her. However, it didn't stop her from bossing her about for the next few hours!

The woman spat, "Well, what are you all waiting for? The Queen needs to rest!"

Zorina stammered out, "But, Mattie, I don't need - " The woman cut her off.

"Young women don't always know what they need, Your Majesty. I was a mother once and I know that all mothers to be - especially one as young and frail as you are need your rest! You there!" she pointed at Jake it seemed.

"No!" she barked. "Not you, you big oaf! Her! " Ri looked startled and thought, Me..? The woman as if reading her mind said, "Yes, YOU! The one with the unkept hair! Attend to the Queen - I'm sure you have been doing so during her trip here. Many of our maids fled the attack so we shall need all the help we can get. Well, girl, don't just STAND there! And Your Majesty..how many times have I told you NOT to slouch - it's especially harmful for your baby. Now, go!"

Ri was stunned. She didn't know whether to kill this woman or obey her! She opted for the obey since Zorina did look tired. Ri grasped Zo's arm gently and whispered, "You'll have to show me around, Zo.."

Zorina nodded mutely and they started to walk off when Jake started to follow them. The imperious voice of the woman stopped them all in their tracks!

"You! Young man! Just WHERE do you think you're going?" Jake gave her his most commanding look and said, "I am going with these ladies, ma'am. I was brought along to protect them."

The woman said, "Well, young man. I don't know where you hail from, but HERE we do not allow a young man to escort young women to their rooms - married or unmarried. I suggest you report to the Captain of the Guard to await your shuttle home..."

"Ma'am, I can't do that.." Jake said.

The woman, who looked frail and formidable at the same time, walked up to Jake - all 6 foot 4 of him and said, "Young man, I admire your loyalty. However, Queen Zorina is home now. WE shall make sure of her safety. Now, I suggest that you await your orders to go back home. We were told that you would not be staying on Arus.." the woman's tone was almost - well - kind.

Zorina tugged on Ri's arm. Ri knew that they had better go while the woman was busy. They went down the hall towards Zorina's room. However escape from her was not to be. For the next few hours, she bossed Ri around terribly, ordering her to do this or that, fluff pillows, etc, etc. Gad the woman was bossy! Finally, Ri actually got to rest! Zorina got up from her bed and said with a smile, "I'm sorry about Mattie, Ri. THAT was the dragon I was talking about. I wasn't expecting her to treat you like a servant.."

Ri said, "That's okay, Zo. I'm glad to help, but you know, she has all the qualities of a fine roebeast!"

Zorina giggled. "You know..she does! Hey! I almost forgot! Let me show you to YOUR room!"

They walked through a series of well lit halls and corridoors. Ri noticed Zo stopped for a moment infront of a shut door, her shoulders slumped foward slightly, sighing she straitened up and they went down one last hall.

Zo smiled and pointed out her door. "Now see, I live right there and so does Loc when he's not out "galavanting" as Mattie calls it." Not too far away, only down the hall a couple of doors and on the other Zorina smiled as she paused in front of a door. "Close your eyes, Riri!"

Ri did as Zorina asked and heard her open the door and propell her inside. "Okay! You can open them now!" Zorina said breathlessly.

Ri did and gasped at the view. She went to the french doors and peered out "It's - It's beautiful, Zo! The very opposite of Doom.." She gazed at the rolling countryside, green and beautiful despite the recent attack. And indeed there was a bubbling small stream that ran nearby.

Zorina said, "It's really beautiful at night - the stars and the twin moons shine down upon the brook and reflects back into the window. It's a very romantic view... when I was little I used to sneak in here all the time.."

Ri smiled softly and then suddenly said, "Wait! Wouldn't these windows be - ?"

Zorina finished her question for her. "Vulnerable to attack? No. Remember the clear bay window on the Desert Rose? Same technology. You can customize this window to where you can see out but no one can see in. It's sheilded so it can't be broken into. Of course for privacy, we DO have the curtains.." she smiled wickedly.

Ri blushed a little but said, "It's beautiful.." and then she gazed around the large room. It was comfortable and almost luxurious to her. "Zorina..this is too much..you don't need to - " Ri said.

"Nonsense! You're my lsy'yia! You deserve this. It's no trouble Ri! Besides we have plenty more that have the same view and it would be better to have you right down the hall anyways. It gets so lonely here sometimes..."

At that moment, the stident voice of THAT woman came through the open doorway. "THERE you are, Your Majesty! I was worried! You weren't in your room! I was afraid that fool Garrison girl was flirting with the guards and had left you! Why I - .."

Ri fumed, her green eyes flashing angrily. Flirting with the guards indeed! Suddenly the woman looked at Ri, really looked at her and then paled just a little. "Dian..the very image.." she gasped, placing a hand on her throat. The girl she had been bossing around like a lowly servant was.. Ri looked at her puzzled. What was wrong now?

Zorina looked puzzled as well. "Mattie, what is it? Are you alright?" She went up to her self-appointed teacher of ladies etiquitte and took her hand. "Mattie, speak to me, please!"

Zorina watched in shock as Mattie pulled away. She woman didn't seem to hear her. She came towards Ri still staring at her.

"You came after all. I didn't expect you so soon..oh you look so like your mother was at her age.."

Ri was really confused now. The woman was addled! Ri said, "Ma'am, I really have no idea what you're talking about.."

The woman wrinkled her brow. "You must! Didn't you receive my letter?"

"Ma'am, I know of no letter.." Ri said patiently, absently fingering her mother's necklace which had slipped out of her shirt while she was running about. She didn't realize she was doing it until she looked down and abruptly stopped, embarrassed. The woman however, looked sharply at the necklace and said, "Dian's..that was Dian's - I gave to her on her 17th birthday.."

Ri gasped and whispered, "What..Dian was - my mother's name."

Matilde Sommersby nodded. "Yes, child. Dian was your mother's name and she was my granddaughter who I loved like my own daughter. She was stolen by the slavers from the isle of Balto here when she was 17 and I never saw her again."

Ri's eyes widened. The world seemed to stop in time and space.

She stammered. "Then you are - we are.." she couldn't finish.

"Yes, child. I am your great-grandmother, Lady Matilde Sommersby. I know of you and of what happened to your parents because of a letter that Dian's friend Kaylen had sent me some months ago before she died of wounds she subtained in the last Doom uprising."

Kaylen..Ris'sa thought, a pang of memory coming over her. Ri had considered Kaylen her mother during her young years and now she too was gone. She bit her lip, trying not to let her emotion show, but this Matilde seemed to know. "I am sorry, child. I am blunt. I know that it was Kaylen who raised you after Dian and your father were killed."

Ri was still in shock. She had been going to see if her mother's family still lived on Arus, but she didn't know that they would be searching for her! She didn't know what to say to Matilde. Words escaped her. She glanced over at Zorina, who stood there white with shock.

To both Zorina and Ri's suprise, Matilde did a very rare thing - she gave Ri a fierce hug of welcome and a tear seemed to glisten in her eyes. "Ris'sa - daughter of my beloved Dian, I welcome you home.." Matilde drew back and gazed at Ri's face. "You, child, will have the title that was to belong to your mother when she was of age.." Matilde glanced at Zorina. "Pending the Queen's approval, you shall be Lady Ris'sa V'aarylin Sommersby of Arus."

Ri gulped, still unable to speak so shocked was she. Family. She finally found one piece of the puzzle. Ri suddenly smiled and then she laughed. She couldn't contain herself any longer. She gave Matilde a hug and said tremblingly, "Will you tell me of my mother?"

"Yes, child.." Matilde was overcome with emotion. She wrestled with them, trying to keep them under control. It wasn't seemly to fall apart in front of the Queen.

As for the Queen herself, she stood there with her hand on her stomach protectively. She stared at Mattie and then at Ri.

She mumbled.." Ri.. Mattie... Sommersby..Ri is the dragon's great-grandaughter and a - a Lady? Ohmygod.." she then screamed and promptly did a very elegant lady-like faint upon the floor!

"Zo!" Ri gasped and rushed by her side.

"Your Majesty!" Matilde gasped as well, not yet noticing that her new-found relative had dared to be so familar with the Queen of Arus!

The old lady was in for some suprises!!

* * *

Some time later Zo found herself tucked into a warm bed in the artificially cooled rooms which she assumed made up her's and Loc's chambers. She could hear voices. They were talking about her being overly exausted, that their adventures had drained her. She didn't like that idea very much but she wasn't about to argue with anyone.

At the present moment she was content to be snuggled up in a ball, just as she was in her own bed. With a long stretch she rolled over and found that the otherside of the bed was tosseled and that she seemed to have just been placed on the otherside, her side, which was neat still, from the lack of her presence.

Her mind, sluggish with sleep, began to place and piece things together and she scooted accross the big bed to lay her head on his pillow like she often did. She could still smell his cologne, that meant he was home! He wasn'toff somewhere meeting with nobles, or atleast he wasn't a few minutes ago.

What time had they arived? The sun was low in the sky and it always rose early on Arus, dawn coming near two or three in the morning this time of year, night a brief period of darkness.

Does he know she was home? Why hadn't he come to meet her?

She scowled and made a sad face. Silently, as she did every morning after Mattie arrived, she moved about her chambers. This time searching for signs of what time it was. When she finally found a chrono she wasn't shocked, 8 am. Normally, if Loc was around, he would just be getting up and Mattie would soon enter after he left.

Zorina hated that part. Actually she hated them both. She always missed her husband and well, as dear as Mattie was to her, she would like a little more privacy.

'A Queens life does not include privacy, young lady. A Queens life is for her people and for her husband.'

Zori forced herself not to giggle. (assumeing Loc is home, if he was sleeping when they arrived they wouldn't wake him considering how ragged he would have run himself during and following the attack)

She listened silently at the door to the exchange between Mattie and Ri. They were discussing their adventures on AC, and Ri had just finished speaking of the incident at the club they ended up at and she heard a familiar boom of baritonous laughter. Her heart skipped a beat and she wanted to squeel with delight.

"My little one?" He laughed, though he did not like the idea, "Behaived like that?" He most likely wasn't surprised that she'd acted like a frightened mouse.

Mattie looked at Loc in horror. "Your majesty, she should not have been galavanting all over the unknown! It is bad enough you have to go off to God knows where, but you should not be so encouraging of her behaivior!" Mattie snapped at him.

Loc laughed a bit more before calming himself down. It had felt good to laugh. There had been little as of late to be thus about.

She moved away from the door and looked down, realizing she now had her night gown on and blushed, forcing herself to surpress a giggle.

It was then she could hear Loc scolding Mattie, not harshly. "I would have liked to have been there when she arrived."

"Sire you hadn't slept in days, we thought it appropriate that you get your rest as well, considering you had just retired." Mattie said calmly. Her way with words always had a calming effect on the Arusian King who was known widely for his hot headedness and violent temper.

In hopes of changing the subject Ri told Loc about how Zorina gave it to an MP once they arived on the Garrison base. Mattie was shocked that her precious Queen would react that way, but Loc grinned and chuckled, forcing himself not to break out into another fit of boistrous laughter. "She was probably shaking like a leaf to!"

His comment caused everyone to break out into a fit of laughter.

Zorina ran a hand through her unruly curls and slipped out of the bed chambers and stood there with her hands onher hips and dignantly proclaimed, "I do not shake, I tremble!"

This caused everyone to look, Ri smiled as she watched the dark look on Loc's face brighten. Mattie looked at her scornfully, she would have never expected Zorina to behaive that way.

With a smile Zorina went to her husbands side and sat next to him, forgetting their company curled up into his side, resting her head beneath his shoulder and smiled as she listened to his familiar heart beat.

There was a strange silence. She giggled as Locs arm came around her. There safe and protected she smiled at them all. "No need to stop on my account."

Loc did have a question burning on his mind. "Little one, how is it you and Ris'sa know each other?"

Zori signed a quick jesture to Ri which no one but Ri could understand. 'He can be so dense sometimes!'

This caused Ri to break out into a fit of hysterics and she signed back. 'He's your mate!'

Zori giggled herself and looked up at Loc who, just like Mattie was giving her a bewildered look. "What was that you just did?" He asked.

She shrugged. "It was nothing Big Guy..." she took a deep breath, "as for your question, we were slaves together in the castle on Doom..."

Zorina felt his arm tighten around her as it did with any mention of that part of her past. She smiled gently and sadly. "She was my only real friend, but when we were rescued, the Queen took her away ."

Loc let out a long breath, he didn't like thinking about that part of her past or what had happened to him so long ago.

She moved in his hold and was sitting on kneeled, bringing herself up to eye level with him. She smiled at him. "It's okay, she was the only good thing in my life, she was my friend." She smiled at him and brought her hands up. She signed for him and spoke. "She was my sister, who taught me how to talk with my hands when I did not speak."

Loc's eye brows furrowed together. She smiled at him. "You will have to teach me this talk with your hands, it doesn't appear to be standard sign."

She giggled and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him for a moment. She had a feeling that Mattie would have excused herself along with Ri when Zori groaned. They misinterpreted her completely as did her husband.

She giggled and whispered into his ear, "We're hungry..." Ri, hearing what Zorina had said was about to excuse herself when she heard Zori continue. "We want pickles with chocolate syrup and horse raddish dipped in apple sauce!"

After an interesting breakfast that alternated between Zorina's weird food cravings and the news of the attack on Arus, Ri was notified that her things from the GG base on Earth had already arrived - including her mail. Her foster parents had also been notified of her change of address and forwarded some other personal things.

..Hmph..that was quick..Ri thought. GG never works that fast! It was nice of her parents to send her the rest of her things. When she was shipped to the Fifthteenth, living space was at a premium, so there were many things she could not take with her. She politely excused herself much to the pleasure of Matilde, who was relieved to know that her great-granddaughter DID posess some genteel manners. Ri went to the beautiful room that Zori gave to her.

She smiled at the beauty of the room. White marble and gold - but tastefully done. The gauzy white curtains that had been added to the large windows added a romantic touch to the room. Although there were some areas of the castle that had been slightly damaged in the attack, most of the living areas had not been. Ri sighed contentedly and began to unpack the various bags and boxes which had been placed there.

A knock on the door. Ri said, "Come in.." and in came Zorina with a big smile.

"Hey, I thought you could use some help unpacking.." Zorina said.

"Hmm..but won't your husband mind?" Ri asked.

"No, he doesn't. Now Mattie is another story." Zorina shook her head. "I STILL can't believe she's your great-grandmother!"

"Neither do I. At least I get to know of my mother's family. Maybe someday I will know more of my father's.." She glanced at his ring that she wore upon her finger.

"Yeah, if Mattie will go for that. Remember, you're a Lady!" she started to giggle.

Ri rolled her eyes. That had been Mattie's catchphrase. "Ris'sa dear, remember you're a Lady! We don't say such things at dinner!" or "We simply must have you fitted in some becoming frocks, Ris'sa. Remember you're a Lady now, and a Lady must be properly attired in order to be wed to the right man!"

It hadn't EVEN been two days since she had been here! Already Matilde had hinted about setting her up with some nice Arusian noblemen. Ri had heard from Zorina of the Drule colony here and she suspected that the high-born Drules in that colony were NOT on her great-grandmother's list of marriagable men. Ri smiled ruefully and Zorina laughed as if she knew what she was thinking.

Zorina and Ri unpacked her things, Zorina unpacking some of Ri's clothes and Ri hanging them up. Zorina got to the very bottom of the box and felt something like cool silk. She lifted it up and shook it out. As she did so, another garment fell out of it. Zorina looked to see if Ri was watching and picked up the other garment, which was of the finest sheer fabric. The garment was flimsy to begin with, like lingerie. She gasped as she saw great tears in the fabric.

Ri was putting some clothes in her closet and asked, "You ok, Zori?"

Zorina said steadily, "Yes, I'm fine.." she felt a slight kick from the baby within her. She folded the flimsy fabric back in place and then lifted up the silk object. It cascaded down like a black river - a cloak! From the look of it, it appeared to be a man's. Zorina saw a jeweled clasp wink in the light and gasped at the realization. This was what Ri had said she had covering her in the ship when she escaped Doom.

Suddenly her sensitive nose caught a whiff of scent from the cloak - or rather two scents. One was vanilla - she knew that to be Ri's favorite. The other smelled spicy - expensive - a man's scent. She clutched at the cloak. Ri didn't get this from some ship's locker. It was way too costly. The jeweled clasp alone was worth a small fortune. It belonged to the man who Ri ran from! She was startled by a clatter on the floor as a metal object fell from the cloak. A knife! Zori's eyes widened. Why would Ri keep such reminders of her -

"What is that!" Ri said in a panicked voice.

Zori was stunned as she saw Ri back away a little, fear and something else in her eyes. Ri then gained her composure and said, "I - uh - sorry. I don't know how that got in there. Please just put them back. I meant to give them away."

Zori said, "Ri, why have you..?" then she trailed off, sensing that Ri didn't want to discuss it.

Ri took the cloak and gently folded it back up. Zorina looked at her suprised. She seemed to almost cherish it, as if it had come from some old love. She took both the cloak and the filmy lingerie and placed them back in the bottom of the box. She then picked up the knife and it seemed to Zori that Ri had a gleam in her eye. Without warning, Ri threw the knife in the bottom of the box with hatred and then closed the box. She turned to Zori and smiled.

"Don't worry. It's nothing..you know worry isn't any good for your baby.." Ri looked at her face intently. "Zorina..really.I'm fine, ok?"

"You got that cloak from Doom, didn't you? It came from - "

"How in the seven hells would I know?" Ri snapped. "And if it did, why would I keep it? "

Zorina backed away alarmed. Ri's human green eyes took on an almost ruthless Drulean appearance and it frightened her.

Ri continued, "It's in the past, Zori - a past I try very hard to forget - as well you know from your own experiences! If I have any quirks such as this perhaps you CAN forgive me for them! After all, you didn't have stay within that hell for fifteen years! No! You were rescued, loved! You at least had a chance for a normal childhood! I stayed behind to be Zananth'aa little toy - her object d'art - her little pet! You didn't have to worry about being some nobleman's plaything or tossed to the officers on a damned whim!" Ri took a breath and saw tears track down Zorina's face.

Zorina said in a tiny voice, "I suffered too - maybe not as much - but I - s- suffered t-too.." she held her hands over her stomach protectively. Ri was instantly contrite. She had no right to take out her rage on Zorina. She did not deserve it. Zananth'aa had deserved it, rightfully so, but not Zori - her friend, her sister.

Ri took Zori's hands in hers and knelt down.

"Lsy'sia, I am sorry. I know you suffered too in a different way than I. We both carry within us Castle Doom - even though it is dead. I know you are concerned - about those things you found. I - I truly don't know how they got there. I packed that particular box long ago, maybe I just didn't think. I had no right to take out my anger on you. It's just the subject of my escape is something I cannot really remember and I prefer it that way, ok? We have enough problems to deal with at the present without dealing with the past. Will you please forgive me?"

Zorina smiled. "You know I will. I know you didn't mean to." She gave Ri a fierce hug and together they unpacked the rest of her things. They wern't disturbed until Matilde with a very brief knock on Ri's door came in with two gowns...

Matilde said brightly, "Now, Your Majesty, Ris'sa. I think it's high time you both dressed properly for dinner! These frocks will look wonderful on you both! And Vashtii will work on your hair, Ris'sa - as well as yours Your Majesty.."

Zorina said, "Mattie, we have more important things to do besides worry about looking good for dinner!"

"Nonsense!" Matilde said cheerfully. "Now let an old lady have her way! I was a young girl once and I enjoyed looking my best! It doesn't hurt to look beautiful for one's husband nor does it hurt to attract one!" She looked pointedly at Ris'sa, who gave Zori a look. Zori shrugged. Once Mattie got up steam, she was a force to be reckoned with!

Roughly an hour later, both Zorina and Ri were dressed. They looked at each other ruefully, each admiring the other's attire. Their admiration was short- lived as Vashii and an assistant motioned them to sit down so that they could work on their hair. Matilde supervised of course.

As Vashtii fussed with Ri's hair, Matilde instructed her: "Hmm..place some of her hair outward so that will form over her face."

Ri suddenly whirled and glared at Matilde. "You mean to cover my ears - my Drulean ears, grandmother?" This she said angrily.

"No!" Matilde puffed up. "I only want you to - "

"Look human?" Her green eyes flashed and Ri pulled her hair up, exposing her delicate yet pointed ears. "I suppose you've thought I should bob them, hmm? I will tell you this, grandmother. I am PROUD of who I am. My mother as well as my father! I will not pretend to be something I am not, understand? I will not lie about that.."

Matilde looked upset. As stubborn as Dian was! Perhaps even more so! She would have to get some sense into the girl! Queen Zorina certainly wasn't helping in her silence!

"Ris'sa, I am only looking out for your welfare. Arus is tolerant towards Drules, but still there is prejudice here. If word leaked out that a half- Drule actually lived in the Castle of Lions.."

"I see." Ris'sa said coolly. "You don't wish me to be harmed.."

"Exactly!" Matilde said relieved. The girl actually could see sense!

"I won't hide my heritage, grandmother. More than likely, people already know I am here. I will not hide myself." she said quietly. Ri then turned to the startled Vashtii - who had NEVER heard anyone stand up to Matilde like that before. The Queen's friend must truly be the old dragon's relation! "Please, Vashtii, sweep my hair upwards at the crown. It's very elegant that way."

Vashtii smiled hesitatingly. Zorina added. "Yes, it does! Watch, Mattie! It really does look nice that way.."

Matilde just stood there dumbfounded. What in the world was she going to do with this girl and how in the world was she going to find suitors for her? She watched as Vashtii worked her magic on Ri's hair. When she was finished, Matilde had to admit Ri's hair did look good that way. Her pointed ears enhanched her elegance, not detracted from it. Perhaps it wouldn't be so hard getting Ri a marriage partner after all..that is if the girl would LET her!

* * *

Dusk was just beginning to fall as Vran approached the storied Castle of Lions, a towering, if somewhat blocky, white monalith, solid and reassuring. Vran was somewhat disappointed. It was quaint, the kind of country manor you might have foisted upon an idiot cousin or used to house a sensitive prisoner, but rather unimpressive for a planetary ruler. Vran strode up to the gate, followed by a small crowd of local drule, important figures in the refugee community, merchants, contractors, elders, the usual lot, also, equally important, the leader of the largest of the Drule-based gangs of street toughs and several veterans of Lotor's "Last Fleet", lurking near the back, but paying intense attention to Vran, in preperation should he give a sign.

Vran himself seemed oblivious to his entourage, despite the fact that he had hand picked every one of them, using the merchant Nev Fenn as a mouthpiece. Nev was not among them, he had been usefull and would continue to be, but knew far too much to be of help here. He strode towards the Castle's enterance with long, patient strides, letting the older, or less fit Drule scurry to keep up, a small, but constant, reminder of who was following whom. There was no man here who he had not chosen for the task, no detail, down to the marching order of this seemingly random party, that he had not lined out. Good theatre was like good warfare, it relied on planning. And this was to be very good theatre indeed.

The palace guards seemed slightly nervous at the sight of the approaching closely grouped Drule. As they approached the castle, Vran dropped back a step and, as planned old Maethos narThon stepped to the head of the group. At the sight of "Good old Maeth" the guards relaxed a little. Maethos was an elder, respected by both the Drule and the local human authorities, a mild-mannered, diplomatic old man and was considered by many to be the unofficial spokesman of the local refugees. A perfect choice, a deafeated Nev had said hours earlier, to get in to the Castle of Lions.

"Evening, Maeth.." The older guard nodded and smiled at the old-timer. Maeth was a known quantity, a fixture, he wouldn't make any trouble. Vran felt a contempt that never showed on his unchanging visage, this patronizing was the highest respect that they could feel. They would learn respect. At the proper time.

"Morning Tomas, how're Abra and the kids?" Maethos had a smile like a human politician and like a politician had a knack with names. It bordered on disgusting.

"Doin' just fine, what can I do fer ya?" He still had his eye on the mob of Drule behind him, and the younger guard was starting to look jumpy.

"We have an audiance with the King..."

* * *

The High Court of Arus was a chattering, shifting mass of ever changing faces, every voice crowing at once. Human faces. Human voices. At the door a dour old human lady, grey-haired and stern stopped Vran and his party. In a single look she expressed quite eloquently what she thought of them in general, and their presence at court in specific. Vran stood silent, still letting the elder Maethos take the lead.

"M'Lady Penneroi-Sommersby.. as lovely and mild as ever, I see. If you could announce us, we've an audiance with His Majesty." Old Maeth inclined his head slightly, and his words were smooth and practiced, but a jab still danced unsaid in his eye.

"Maybe you did, but this is a time of emergancy and His Majesty has little time for trivialities now.." She turned, as if to call the guards to escort them out. Vran flicked his wrist and several of his mercenaries started to slowly work their way towards the front. She was beginning to form an obstacle. As she turned, the glint from her necklace caught Vran's eye. The symbol was familiar, but from where? No matter.

"He will see us. Its within our.. rights." Vran's voice was cool, collected and distant. His cold eyes levelled with hers and held a threat that need not find voice, for a momentary eternity they locked gazes, will to will, silence in the noisy room. She broke first and averted her eyes.

The lady pursed her lips in distaste. The very thought! Still, they were, technically, at least, within their rights to demand, as citizens, an audience with the King, but...

"I...suppose, but you'll have to wait you're turn, as I said he IS a very busy man, what with the war and all..." She glared down her nose and breathed in as if that would make him go away.

"Well, if that's so, I suppose we could always.."

"Wait. We will wait." Vran cut the vascillating Maeth off with words as sharp and as cold as the decorative knife at his belt. The Lady *hurmphed* quickly and turned to go back into the crowd, secretly glad to be away from that disturbing young man. Maeth shot a questioning look at Vran, but the baron ignored it utterly, unless he missed his guess, this wait might prove to be almost as important as the meeting itself.

As if by signal, the rest of the Drule spread out, the merchants making small talk with the various functionaries and wriggling out of Vran's icey sphere of influence and the veterans loitering purposefully about the entrance, a constant reminder of their unified presence. Vran himself was everywhere and nowhere at once, listening, observing. He was an indigo shadow, a flicker in the corner of the eye, gone by the time one turned around, drifting seemingly randomly through the crowd following where the threads of conversation led. When a name was dropped he was there to pick it up, when an insinuation was made, he was there to follow it, hints, allegations, rumors, innuendo, the rhythm of the court, and although he was a little rusty, it was a waltz he knew the steps to all too well. A pregnancy, a half-breed, a war, all these things drifted into his nets, all these things might prove useful.

After a suspiciously long while, the lady returned, followed by.. no, preceding yes, but not followed by a human in black robes. The man in the black robes followed no one. Vran need not be introduced to know that this was the King...

* * *

Ri sat outwardly calm at the large ornate table, at the head of the ladies-in- waiting. She pretended not to hear the gasps or the gossips eminating from the other ladies or from other members of the Court. She had noticed that when she first appeared by Zori's side, there were smiles that greeted her for they thought her human, but then they saw her face more clearly and the ears of course gave her away. Her grandmother had pratically begged her on the way to cover her ears, but Ris'sa stubbornly refused to. Now she was paying for it. She knew exactly what they would be saying now. She didn't care or at least she told herself she did not. She sat straight up gracefully and smiled slightly at the ladies-in-waiting, who out of courtesy, did introduce themselves.

Then she saw them - the Drule delagation. Her heart leaped at the sight of so many Drulean faces. She had never realized how much she missed seeing one until she ran into some lone Drule - which was rare indeed. But now a sea of them, headed by one man. He carried the air of a noble, which Ri instantly recognized. Not the cheap tawdry new-money noble but one of old family. As she thought this, she absently twisted her father's ring nervously until she caught her great-grandmother giving her "that look". She stopped, blushing a slight shade of azure. Gad, her grandmother was a stickler for everything! Ri honestly didn't know if she would like this court thing very much - well perhaps the dressing up part. She had a weakness for that. Galaxy Garrison wasn't exactly known for it's fashion sense.

She smiled slightly again and gazed out at the delegation. It wasn't fair that they had to come in like this. It was a sad thing that a race had to be relegated to second-class citzenry simply because of the great sins of old Zarkon and his son Lotor. Still, she admired the proud stance, the way they all held their heads up. The dark-haired Drule in the front seemed to be the most proud of all, and yet she seemed to feel a sense of deep anger amongst the delagates. Oh, not really in the way they looked exactly, simply something that was there hidden. Didn't the Terans see that or did they simply ignore the fact?

She was startled by her thoughts by Matilde who hissed, "Quit looking at those delagates, Ris'sa. I don't want you encoraging them!"

"But I'm not.." Ris'sa trailed off and then she sighed.

Zorina as if sensing her feelings, reached over and squeezed her hand encoragingly ignoring Matilde's glare.

"Don't worry.." Zorina whispered. "I was nervous my first time at Court too. I know you can stand up to them."

Ri smiled at Zorina and whispered back, "Thanks, lys'sia.."

Matilde gave them a "don't make me have to separate you girls" look which they both caught out of the corner of their eyes. Zorina and Ri suddenly laughed, much to the consternation of Matilde, the confusion of Loc and the jealousy of the other ladies-in-waiting. Oh, how Matilde could make them laugh! They stopped laughing as Loc cleared his throat, gave a glance to Zorina and began.

"Now let us begin." Loc nodded to the assembled crowd.

* * *

Loc nodded the assembled High Court, and said, "Now let us begin." He walked forward, and sat onto his throne, and he looked at everyone assembled. He took note of the large group of Drules that were assembled at the rear of the great hall.

"Lady Penneroi-Somersby, come foward please." Loc said an elderly lady walked forward.

"Yes, your Majesty?" she asked.

"Please tell me why we have what seems to be the entire Drule population in the great hall?" he asked as he scanned over the Drule crowd.

"They say they will have an audience with you, your Majesty, I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't take no for an answer."

"OK then, let's not keeping them waiting any longer, please send the leader here, and I will have the audience with them." Loc said as he looked at Lady Penneroi.

"Yes, your majesty." she said as she bowed, and walked back toward the Drules.

* * *

Zorina had been upsetted slightly by the interruption in their meal. behind her Ri followed with Mattie.

Mattie had been upset first by the king's insistance in handleing the matter, and then frustraited beyond belief when the Queen had insisted on joining her husband having not eaten a bite of her dinner.

"But that wee one is going to starve! Your highness I must insist she finish her meal!"

Zori immediatly intwined her fingers in her husbands. She was upset herself, "I've just again returned to my husband and you want me to be seperated from him for any time?" She was livid, Loc chuckled, his temper had begun to rub off on her. "And in *MY* condition, you know it isn't good for me to get worked up."

Ri had lauughed as well, she was proud of her little sister, using the Dragon's words against her.

Loc smiled, his wife was almost back to normal, keeping everyone on their toes, but now she wasn't as timid as before. Why he couldn't figure out but he only knew she was.

After originally striding out to meat those who demanded audiance with him, he slowed down,. forgetting his wife's shorter legs who was nearly running to keep up with him, but hadn't complained an ounce.

He stopped momentarily and she leaned against him and giggled, something she said caused his boisterous laughter to fill the air which seemed to tense as well as grow excited in the presence of the king and queen.

They hadn't been to court in quite awhile, not since Loc and Zorina we're "courting" and rarely did they make an appearance as of late. Loc had always been away and Zorina refused to attend without her husband.

She could hear the snickering around her, she knew it was possible the terran paparazi had leaked whatever they could to the Arusian tabloids but she was determined to remain as though she were blissfully ignorant to the situation.

They were announced, and the lords and ladies as well as guests rose on their feet and Zori and Loc scoffed. "Tradition." Mattie hissed in her ear. "Remember tradition."

With a sigh Zorina cutsied to the court and then to her husband who bowed to her and bowed to the court before taking her hand again in his.

They were welcomed warmly by the nobles and Zorina had her own agenda for once. Today she would be sure that her long lost friend was given the title she deserved and that she was offered her seat in the High Court.

She smiled brilliantly as her husband helped her to sit. 'Loc! I am not an invalid!' She told him, quite loudly in her mind.

Loc responded by whispering in her ear, "Often I wonder if it would be better that you were, at least that way I always know where to find you and you don't have the oppertunity to get into mischief..."

"Mischief, my King, who says I get into mischief.." She giggled and he caught her inner meaning as she blushed.

He smiled, "There will be time for mischief later, but today we return to court."

She pouted. Court was wonderful when there were no conflicts, and it was actually an entertaining time with balls and gallas, but with the looming threats on Arus there was little time for celebration or parties.

Zorina smiled then and motioned Ri to join her. She placed her friend at the head of her ladies in waiting and smiled as Loc delivered a brief welcome. He concluded with, "There are those here today who have demanded council, they should speak now for I am *not* a patient man!" 'And it is time that our people knew of your condition little one!' He chastised her silently.

She stared daggers into her back. 'And they should be aware of yours as well! At my side every moment as an apology for making me this way!'

She giggled and Ri looked at her.

She immediatly began signing to her friend their silent converstation and Mattie, livid for loosing her struggle with keeping the Queen at bay for a few moments gently slapped the girls hand, "It is not lady like to figit."

Her actions unnoticed, Zorina again conveyed her complaints to her husband who onlyh chuckled in response as they waited for the new comers to come forward.

* * *

The very nerve of that man! Matilde seethed from within. Normally she did not hold such annomosity towards anyone but that man - that Drule just simply brought it out in her. Never did she have to back down from a challenging glare and yet it was she who turned away from his chilling gaze. And to think that her own brother Harry sided with these people!

Matilde did not hate Drules, though she had every right to be. After all, it was Drules who took her brother away from sensibility and respectablity and drove him into exile. It was Drules who took Dian away and enslaved her and her great-granddaughter. She could be bitter and maybe she was at that, but that - that - insufferable cold man! She was thankful that Ris'sa would never be exposed to the likes of his and his kind. They would only bring trouble. It was in their very nature and she would do her best to keep her only precious one safe from them.

Ris'sa was all she had left now. She knew she would die if something happened to her, for she saw Dian in her and Dian she had loved more than her own husband or daughter.

She looked as Ris'sa and Zorina laughed at some joke and she knew they were laughing at the look she gave them. Matilde blanched. They did not need to call more attention to themselves! To her chargin, she saw some of the Drules in the delegation cast looks at her great-granddaughter and knew what they were. She was not that old to have forgotten what the glances of men looked like. She looked at Ris'sa and saw the laughter left over in her eyes. She either did not notice any of the looks or she did not care. Matilde was relieved on that point anyway.

Moments later, Loc got down to business and summoned her to go to the Drule delegation and lead them forward. Matilde went, her back stiff and straight, dignity poured from every pore.

She looked straight at Maeth and said stiffly, "His Majesty will see you now.." Matilde did not dare look at the other - that insufferable man! She would not deign herself to. She walked in front of the Drule delegation stiffly and formally, hating every moment of it. Old Maeth compounded the situation by walking slightly behind her and commenting, "I congratulate you upon finding your long lost great-granddaughter, M'lady Sommersby. She is quite the striking one...she seems to take a bit after her father, doesn't she?"

Matilde flushed. She just KNEW he was saying that to twit her! She replied stiffly, "Thank you.". She also felt the other man's gaze upon her again, only this time a derisive one. She knew that they probably thought it a joke that she, staunch supporter of the Alliance would have a traitor brother and a half-breed great-granddaughter! Well, let them have their fine joke! Still it rankled her. She did not like it.

She seethed as she thought she could sense a sort of smirk on Maeth's face. As they reached Loc, she bowed slightly. Loc nodded and Matilde went back over to the table and hovered protectively over Zorina and Ris'sa. No, she would not allow ones such as these before her take again her loved ones - she would see to it.

* * *

Ris'sa watched Matilde stiffly come back towards where they all sat. It was plain to see that whatever the elder Drule had said made her angry. Ri also sensed that the dark, handsome Drule also had something to do with this. Ri heard some of the other ladies whisper their comments and speculations about the man. She could also tell by their glances they were giving him that they were intrigued and titilated by his appearance which was cold as he looked ahead impassively. The whispering ladies didn't seem to notice his coldness and only remarked on his handsomeness. And yet these were the same ones who only moments before had disparaged the whole Drule race, blaming them for the war.

She closed her eyes briefly and sighed. How long would all of them - Teran and Drule pay for the sins of one man long dead? Both sides were at fault now. She could see how the Terans were embittered towards Zarkon's old abuse of them long ago and she could also see the Drules bitterness towards the Terans for the prejudice and mistreatment since the defeat of Doom. Perhaps she was cursed with this double-sightedness, she didn't know.

She opened her eyes and gazed steadily at the delegation. The elder Drule who had somehow irritated her great-grandmother stood at the front along with the man of ice - as she dubbed him. She felt Matilde come up behind her and Zorina, almost hovering over them protectively, as if she wanted to sheild them from the delegation. She also sensed her great-grandmother's disapproval over the whole proceedings, but Ri knew that they had the right to voice themselves before Loc - even if it did cause a disruption in plans. Ri continued to gaze upon them steadily and calmly. After all, a part of her was a part of them too...

* * *

There was a hush. It was the King's hush, but Vran waited, patiently for the silence to focus on them. He paused and nodded slightly for Maeth to begin his speech. Maeth took a deep breath, said a small prayer to his ancestors and fell down on one knee before the King.

"My Lord Leige, long life to you and health to your Queen and your house-hold." The beginning was old, an archaic greeting from the distant past of the Arusian court. A vassel's greeting to his leige. It communicated respect and conditional submission, a willingness to honor the Court and King. It was a carefully planned speech, one that Maethos had earlier been informed that he could give at court, or that would be given at his funeral, each appropriate public occasions.

"Sire, like all the citizens of Arus, we were disturbed and angered by the recent attempt to trample our sovereignty and disturb the peace for which Arus is justly noted." He rose, a rightous anger glimmering in his eyes, one fist clenched and lifted towards the heavens. The crowd looked on, mostly in cynical disbeleif or befuddlement, but they watched, and they listened to his impassioned speech. Vran was pleased, he had their attention, from there the rest was almost easy.

"And due to the valor, and the skill of our warriors, and the men who led them, that peace was preserved. And that peace is what brings us before your Majesty, for there is another dissonance, another, more subtle threat to that peace..."

Here he paused, giving himself room to manuver as he began his final move.

"No thanks to those stinkin' Drule.." One guard muttered to another, accidentally filling the silence between the old Drule's words, loud enough to be heard across the court in the momentary hush.

"..And that sir, is the heart of the thing. You are correct!" Maethos showed himself to be the retired lawyer that he was and spun on the new player in the scene.

"I mean, I..am? I didn"t think..." Suddenly an idle jab was the center of attention, the guard blanched and took in a sharp breath.

"You didn't have to, you KNEW, didn't you?" He turned again to the king. "Sire, this is what we have come to address, during the recent crisis, the Drule of Arus stood by and gnashed our teeth, unable to help a world that we consider home. We love this world, m'lord, many of us have children, sometimes even grandchildren who were born here, and yet, because we lack communication with the your power here, we are unable to coordinate our actions with our Arussian brothers.

My Lord, as long as we lack representation here, in your presense, we will always be somewhat, apart from rest of the population, and thus, will always be a sourse of resentment, dissonance, from within as well as without. We ask.. no beg you today my lord, to allow us to advance the cause of peace on Arus to its next step. We ask that one of our own be allow to represent us, be our eyes, and our voice, here in the very Heart of the planet." Vran approved the improvisation, he had chosen the right tool for the job, there was only one other whom he'd ever witnessed that could use a crowd this effectively. And that man was, he beleived, dead.

The King looked thoughtful for a moment.

"And if I would grant this, who would fufill the duties of the post?" The question was penetrating, yet non-committal, the question of a man who would not be forced. Vran observed, of all the humans he had encountered, this one alone would perhaps be worthy of respect. A king, born and bred. He could learn much from this man.

"The people have spoken my Lord and we have chosen one of our own, a former soldier, a common man..." A charade that pained Vran with its very necessity. "Sire, I give you..." Maethos took a step to one side and looked back, directing the court's eyes with his own towards Vran who stood in the space he had just occupied.

"...Kirin Sul'resh'yn"

* * *

Zorina smiled secretly, as much as they all detested tradition, she was impressed that this man would know their own traditions. She knew this would please her husband. She rested a hand on her belly and giggled as she felt a flutter of moment against her hand, Loc flashed her a 'Little One.. behaive before Mattie gets ya' look and she immediatly stilled her near inaudable giggles.

Her heart fell. She looked at the man who had stepped foward and spoken, her eyes searched in his the truth of his soul, he wasn't like those who had tortured her as a child, he was different.

Despite Mattie's firm hand on her shoulder, Zorina rose to stand beside her husband.

She looked up at him, a slight smile gracing her face and smiled. She placed her hand on his arm and he nodded.

She watched as Kirin knelt before them. "Please.." She spoke gently and authoritatively.. her knees shaking in fear.. as she thought 'Oh goddess I am an idiot.. I can't speak in front of PEOPLE!!!!' she gulped, "That isn't necessary.. rise. Kirin Sul'resh'yn.. you wish to represent your people?"

She knew this would be a great way to get her own objectives. ~Loc.. this would help.. it would give us more strength against the outworlders.. we could make him a knight.. or a lord or somehting.. and with Ris'sa,... she's the heir to Mattie's title.. we would have two to represent them at court.. and a new source of hope for the armies..~

She hoped he followed everything she pathed to him. She smiled up at him. ~Please?~

He nodded and she clapped twice with a childlike excitement that caused the members of court to chuckle. She could be such a child sometimes and yet she was strong for them when they needed her to be.

"Ris'sa'cha.. please," She called over her shoulder. "Come forward and join our new friend."

Loc was surprised she took control of the situation from him but he knew she would immediatly give it back to him considering the fact she now clung to his forearm for support because she was shaking so badly.

* * *

She was startled out of her thoughts by Zorina who softly said her name and asked her to stand next to - gods! The man of ice! Ris'sa said nothing, but her eyes were full of questions. She looked to Loc who only nodded in agreement with Zorina.

Why is she doing this to me? Ris'sa thought inwardly as she went to stand by this Kirin Sul'resh'yn. She felt her great-grandmother's horrified look as she did so, but Matilde, as indomintable as she was, could not go against their wishes. Ris'sa blushed slightly but handled herself gracefully as she stood beside him, a slight distance apart. She nodded to him slightly in respect and then stood ahead, feeling Matilde's worry and fear from across the room. Through the corner of her eye, she spectulated about him.

Despite Maeth's comment about Kirin being the common man, he was not - not to her. He had the air of a noble, born and raised. It was more than just his looks, it was something within him. But at the moment, it mattered not. All of a sudden, she was in the spotlight again and she was not fond of that. She wondered just what Zorina had hatched up now?

She smiled slightly at her childhood friend who was clinging to her husband - as if that was an excuse.

Oh lsy'sia..Ri thought..I don't know who gets me in more trouble..You or I!! Zorina met her look and just smiled.

* * *

She stood to the side, smilling in benevolent amusment. The young queen was turning out to be as strong willed as she had known she would be. Given another few years, Zorina would be able to stand on her own, without the need to look to Loc or Mattilde.

To the casual observer, this old matriarch was in her second century. And they would be accurate. She had served under the original two Lion Forces, and had seen the full extent of the death and destruction that had occured. Alfor, the queen, even that crazy lady who insisted on only being called Nanny. Then there was the destruction of the civilization of Arus. She was so proud when the original stone form of the castle had been restored after the last defeat of the Doom Empire.

As much as she liked the steel finish of the 'super' castle as she called it, and the square construction of the granite one that followed, there was just nothing like the original precepice castle that Allura had to demolish to raise 'Super'. She had stood with pride as the castle was resurected, rising out of the lake as the other crumbled to dust and blew away. The magic that infused the lions had transfered everything intact to the original incarnation.

To the unobservant, she was the castle gardener, an old woman who served the crown in it's gardens. But she stood tall and straight, her back unbent by almost two full centuries. Her hair, a color of the palest silver, was long, down to her shoulders and always neat. Her walk indicated that she had served in the military as she had done, and the most intelegent soilders participated in her morning Tai Chi sessions. Finally her clothes were understated, in a pale cream, resembling the robes of a Shaolin Monk.

She stood watching the proceedings, glad the Andrie was not here. The man might be the leader of a church, but that did not mean he was worthy of that respect. Under his leadership, the Church of Truth and Enlightenment had become a force to be rekoned with. She had no problem with people choosing their religion; it was when someone like him coerced him into joining it when they would not have chosen it.

He was anti-drule, and while there had been peace between the other races of Denubian and the Dark Empire's Galran, the Galran Drules were still regarded with fear and loathing. The Galvesh had become allies of the races of Milky Way and thus were able to travel in the first galaxy with relative impunity. Both races had free access to Dimond, the second galaxy, but that was unimportant. Dimond, while a member of the Galactic Alliance, was a supplier, not a leader. They had chosen to be that way.

She smiled again as the Lady Ris'sa Dian V'aarylin was called to stand beside this Kirin Sul'resh'yn. Despite his black hair and blue eyes, it was clear he was one of the Galran. And, despite any claims to the contrary, he was a noble or raised among them. Continuing to smile, she let the play be performed.

One of the things she had managed to teach her friend, the Monk, was the skill of observation. He taught her the accompaning's higher diciplines: Patience.

She had learned it when she had taken over the actual Arus Church, practied by her King and his daughter. And she had learned it's advanced levels under the Monk, her old enemy during the wars, now turned friend. He taught her the magic that her King had said she would have to learn to protect her world.

And now she was teaching it to Larissa.

Stepping back slightly to rest against a pillar, hidden from the crowds, she watched the scene unfold, knowing that no matter what the players did, the roles they were the first to assume were the right course for Arus.

* * *

A whispering in the back of her mind, Zorina was confused, but stood, leaning on her husband, her face lit brightly. Loc looked down at her, ~Little One, this was your idea...~ She paled.

She signed her nervousness to her friend and smiled. ~But first..~ He told her, squeezing her hand. her smile broadened.

"My people!" Loc called out over the crowd which had become uproarious following the calling forth of two known Drules. "Today is a day which gives our world a new future!"

Zori smiled, he almost sounded like a poet, there was happy laughter in his good eye that she could see and it caused her to smile. "For unto is is gifted the future of your line.. " Loc knelt next to his wife, he was at her eye level and she blushed.

He placed a hand on her stomach and she flushed. "A baby prince or princess to insure our people live on.."

He whispered a thank you in her ear and she blushed again. ~Being a father little one ... ~ Excitement was read over his features and she kissed his cheek before he stood.

"Now.. Little One.." He told her, gently easing her foward so she stood infront of him, half leaning on him, but it went unnoticed.

~Young one.. you make us proud..~ Came a grouped whisper in the depths of her mind and felt strangly strong, she took a deep breath.

"People of Arus, today is a day to rejoice despite the war which rages throughout both the near and far universe.."

The people who were applauding and cheering now stopped and looked up to her in adoration, which caused her to blush.

"For today, a race of our own, born here, raised her and those who have become part of our daily lives will no longer be shunned by Arusians who have been born and bread and come from long lines."

There was a gasp and a murmer in the crowd.

"For too long I have watched the descrimination against these people, and for too long had I believed my fears and doubts, just as you have."

Her eyes were sad as she recalled what had happened so long ago. "You may have heard the rumors in the tabloids which spread accross the known universe that I was once a Drule Slave.."

~Well big guy.. some of them are aware.. its now or never...~

Ri looked up at her, and signed, 'You don't have to do this!'

"And I was." There was a gasp. "I was taken from a transporter ship when I was barely a child and there is one reason that I survived those years of captivity.." She smiled down at Ri, "My best friend, and my sister, who kept us both alive, but unlike me was not rescued when the Arusians came.."

She came forward and took Ri's hand in her own, "Ris'sa Dian, a Luetenant now from Galaxy Garrison who again saved my life only days ago has once again brought into my life, my sister and my friend."

"Your majesty she is a Drule!" Called a lord from the crowd.

"Not only is she a Drule.. but she is Arusian born and bread.. her mother was Arusian.. which makes her Arusian.. but also makes her the heir to her mothers title."

There was a gasp in the crowd.

Mattie watched with a strange mixture of pride, disgust and happiness for her grand-daughter and her charge. "Lords and Ladies of the Royal court of Arus, I present to you, Lady Ris'sa Dian V'aarylin Sommersby"

There was an applause followed by cheering, and Zorina silenced them with her hand much as Allura had done nearly two hundred years before. "And I also present to you a Royal Knight of Arus..."

Loc stepped foward with his sword and prepaired for the knighting of Kirin Sul'resh'yn.

* * *

She had first been impressed by Zorina's speech - so strong and impassioned about unity and then she had completely shocked Ri by telling everyone of their captivity together. It was not that she was aahamed of it, she simply did not expect her friend to publicly acknowledge it.

She felt the gazes of both Teran and Drule upon her at Zorina's revelation and she blushed slightly - again not wishing the attention but getting it anyway. She felt the different emotions of the crowd, love, hate, suprise, acceptance, denial - they all swirled around her, much like the Court had done on Doom.

She glanced at Kirin Sul'resh'yn and saw that his face held a sort of bemusement -as if something had happened that was unexpected. The old Drule, Maeth looked thoughful, as if he were trying to gauge this unexpected twist of events, for Ri was sure that Zorina's impassioned speech was not planned. She looked at her friend and knew she was the right Queen for Arus - the right wife for Loc and the right mother for her little one. She was strong - she just proved it.

She looked up to her great-grandmother and also felt the mixture of emotions that passed through her normally stoic appearance. She still felt the worry from her great-grandmother at her standing next to a Drule and Ri wished she could simply tell her that it would be all right - that she would be all right but of course she could not.

It was then that she saw Loc come forward with his sword and knew that Kirin Sul'resh'yn would be made a knight of Arus. She thought that she felt Kirin's glance at her but she discounted it as nerves and watched as Loc stood in front of him. He still wore the bemused expression upon his face It made him look a little less cold, but not by too much. What did he feel at this moment - this supposed "common man" who held the grace and air of a noble born and bred.

Out of the corner of her eye she spied upon an older woman - older than her great-grandmother. Her visage was lined and withered, but the smile she gave Ri was genuine and sincere. Ris'sa smiled back prettily, feeling the good will from the elderly woman. She wondered who she was, for she carried with her an aura of warmth and peace.

She faced straight ahead again and watched as Loc prepared to do something that had never been done on Arus - Arusian knighthood bestowed upon a Drule - the long-time enemy of Arus, now it seemed not so. Ri looked upon the raven haired man and thought sadly that although they cheered and clapped today, nearly two centuries of hate and mistrust could not be erased by her becoming Lady or by Kirin Sul'resh'yn becoming a Knight of Arus. Things were never that simple - never.

When the crowd had cheered, she knew that in her heart, the breech between Teran and Drule had not been healed. She didn't know if it would be. Too much hatred had passed between the two races to be healed so easily, but perhaps this was a start - a small start towards understanding one another - at least she hoped so..

* * *

It had been planned so very carefully, the crowd played, the players judged. Contingencies within contingencies. Men picked, favors called, plans made. And yet, even in playing into his hands, this man, no, not a mere man, this King had seized the situation, made it his own. Vran beleived in Destiny. In Purpose, the kind of Cosmic Purpose that could exault a civilization or crumble it to dust. This King had that Purpose. Mere moments ago, the plan was mere machinery, simply the first step in a long journey, as one might take for business, the road mapped, provisions neatly packed. Within minutes, this King, and his Queen, had transformed it with a few breaths into a moment of destiny, the beginning of a History. And in it, he saw his destiny at work. His Purpose. This was all meant to be.

Beside him now stood the half-breed. He had heard her name bandied about by the court gossips. In the hard light of day, her story had seemed little more then the tawdry affairs of an idle court, but in the lens of destiny, it was a portentious tale. Metaphor and Mystery. She would have her part to play. He looked across at her, assessed her with the moment's eyes. She had a certain sharp beauty to her, despite the pale humanity. Cold and Divine, an Angel. Blond. Lotor had been well known for his obsessions with blonds. A sign of ruin, of deafeat from within. An Angel of a God that he must destroy. All in a fleeting glance she had defined the course of events to come. Destiny.

Before he even realized it he was on bended knee before the King, as if command alone were enough to create action. The words of a King were things of power. Vran knelt in quiet awe, this human, alone among his kind commanded his respect, although he knew that someday the man might have to die to fufill Vran's ambitions, he knew that this man's death would be greater then the lives of a thousand lesser men.

He could feel others along the web of destiny, great ones, the sorts that history remembered eternal, and sorts who's tales it could never tell, and for a moment, as the half-breed was ennobled, it seemed the curtain was raising on stage grander then men's imaginings...

* * *

Matilde stood there, stiff and still as a statue of stone, but her face betrayed the array of emotions on her face. She was proud of her great- grandaughter standing there so pretty - just like Dian would have. The only thing that marred the picture was the dark-haired Drule who stood beside her. She wanted to run out there and snatch Ri away from that man and from the hodge-podge of the Drule delegation who stood behind them.

She stood proud when Zorina had come up to Ri and acknowledged her before the Court but had also felt shame and embarrassment that she had admitted that both she and Ris'sa were slaves on that awful planet Doom. Why did she have to mention that fact? Now the talk about Zorina would be worse and Ris'sa's marriage prospects to an Arusian noble would become very hard to procure! She shook a little at the thought. She did not want Ris'sa to have anything to do with that rabble! HER great-grandaughter may have had the misfortune of being a half-breed, but she would be damned if she would be exposed to their barbarism anymore.

Matilde's heart beat faster in agitation as she THOUGHT she saw - what was his name? Kirin - yes Kirin glance at Ris'sa. No, no, no..she would NOT have that - not while she was alive! Then suddenly she saw Loc come forward and she heard that - oh god! That Drule! That MAN! Loc was going to actually make him a KNIGHT!? Oh, by the stars, what was the universe coming to? Matilde felt a little jittery then..no a LOT jittery! Her hands shook and nervously she felt around for her pills that she kept in her pockets and never took unless she REALLY needed them.which was probably now. She stopped as she realized what she was doing and hoped no one noticed her. They did not for all eyes were upon Ris'sa and Kirin, standing there almost like a bridal couple! Argh! What did she ever do?

Calm..calm..she would remain calm! When this was over, she would talk to Ris'sa about the proper distance she should stand when in the prescence of a man - which in the case of Kirin would be to her liking, about a mile or so! Then she would retire for the evening and take the prescription that that fool doctor had prescribed her for her nerves. She'd take two and if they didn't work, then one more. Settle into bed and read one of those new Yvetta Vanya romance novels she had just recieved. Yes, after this was over she'd do just that.

Come to think of it, she would give a "Chill Pill" to her dog Chu-chu. No sense in her puppy to be upset as well....

* * *

She saw him kneel before Loc. A few words from a King and then the ancient rite of the sword touched upon his shoulders and the words, "Rise, Sir Kirin Sul'resh'yn - Knight of Arus.."

He rose with dignity and you could see the sense of awe written upon his face. It eclipsed the coldness of his earlier expression. Suddenly she felt swept up as if it had been written ages ago - her life and their lives, all intertwined, for good or for bad. A feeling of something much larger than herself, larger than the war or Arus, or the universe. A sweeping tide that rendered one helpless before it.

He turned to her and she could see history in his eyes. An odd thing to see perhaps, but it was there. He was evidently a believer in destiny - that small and large moments in the expanse of time did make a difference. She had always believed in it - it was what helped her to survive all those years when she wondered the eternal question - why. She knew that things often happened for a reason and sometimes those reasons would never become clear until viewed under the lenses of hindsight.

He turned to her and smiled and she did the same, warmly, welcoming him. Their eyes locked and for a moment in time, she was convinced that they all were on the edge of either a heaven or a hell. The next step and the next would take them to paths not yet clear in their minds but were written long before their creation. It was both frightening but comforting.

Breaking from the seriousness of his gaze, she smiled again, the happiness of the moment reaching her eyes.

She bowed her head slightly to his and said softly in Drule, "I welcome you to Arus, Sir Kirin Sul'resh'yn...It appears that destiny awaits you.."

Her words seemed to startle him for a moment and then he took her hand and kissed it - a courtly gesture. Ri ignored the horrified stare from Matilde which she could feel from all the way across the room. He simply said, "It awaits us all, Lady V'aarylin..it awaits us all.."

* * *

Loc sheathed his sword, then stepped back from the edge of the platform, and spoke in his deep, rich bartone voice, "People of Arus, with the knighting of Kirin Sul'resh'yn, a new era in Arusian history as begun. From this moment on, Drules will forever be accepted into the High Court of Arus."

The people assembled applauded and cheered as Loc bowed to Kirin, and Ri, before taking a step toward the throne, and sitting down into it. "Now, I am sure this is other business to attend to. Sir Kirin, Lady Ri'ysa, please have a seat." Loc motions to a set of seats next to Zorina's throne, "and let us get onto Court business."

* * *

She smiled, she couldn't help it, she just smiled, and then she frowned, they were staying for court business, as quickly as her frown came she pasted another smile upon her face, the change quick and barely unnoticed.

She felt the baby move again and she flushed, the movements were strong and sure.. she remembered her calculations, already three months had passed by. How could so much time pass so quickly, Mattie would throw a fit if she discovered she had ye to see a doctor.

She felt achy and tired but on her face was a radient smile. ~I hope this is fast..~ She told her husband silently, ~We're still hungry..~

She was rewarded by a chuckle and Loc lead her to their throwns. She hated and detested this tradition but they did need to be seperated fromt the others.

Loc escorted her to their places in the mayhem and both sat, even though it was improper, Zori kept a hold of her husbands hand. Her thoughts wandering she sat prettily as Mattie came up behind her. "Young lady! We have much to discuss..."

Her words did not go un heard and Zori shuttered. She signed to Riana and told her husband ~Here we go again, this time we find out if the dragon breaths fire!~

* * *

"Hold on, hold on, repeat that last part for me really, really slowly.. I almost thought you said..." Nev Fenn held up a single well-manicured blue hand and looked askance at Garth Zirs, the towering drule street thug that stood before him. Nev hadn't been at the palace, but he'd helped recruit those who had, and as such had put several of them on "retainer" to keep an eye on Vran there. For the Baron's own protection, of course.

"What're ya, deaf or something Fenn?" Garth Zirs, known affectionately as "the Strangler" to Arusian law enforcement, was not a stupid man. He was, after all, leader of the largest street gang in the Drule Quarter and that, he reasoned gave him not inconsiderable amount of clout. He was not, however, a peculiarly patient man and what patience this little wheasel'd bought himself was damn near run out. "All I said was that after that the Old man made his big speech, then the King made a big speech, then the Queen said somethin' or another, then they appointed this half-breed chick a lady, who by the way, has got a set like a..."

"Yes, yes, yes, we got all of that, after that though, the part about the Ba..er Kirin, did you say he got.."

"Knighted. Yeah, with the kneeling and sword and whole nine yards.." Garth smirked and crossed his arms, trying for the boss's sake not to break out laughing at the way the pudgy little man paled and went silent. He looked kinda like a fish outta water. Personally, he didn't see what was so bad about it, who knows, maybe now the boss was a knight, he and the boys'd see some real action.

Nev was in shock. A Knight. A Knight of Arus. A Drule Knight of Arus. Nev gulped, this wasn't in the plan, wasn't in the plan he was told at least, how could you plan for this? There were no provisions for him being made KNIGHT! A member of the nobility. How'd the Baron done this? He combed the various reports in his head and came to an obvious conclusion. The Baron hadn't done this. They'd just been the right spark to ignite something that had been building, it had been accident, a historic accident.

He gripped the bridge of his nose and sipped the vile herbal tea his doctor had recommended for these headaches he seemed to be getting lately. He knew how the baron would react too. The Baron would want a plan, a new plan, bolder then this, and in true Tolgart fashion he would want it done and executed by yesterday. Nev sighed. He'd liked the Tolgarts better when they were all dead, they'd been a good deal more amiable.

"Knighted..." He sighed softly. Something else bothered him about the account, what though? The Queen's pregnancy? No, that had been almost expected, but something near the queen.. The Sommersby half-breed! His eyes flew open and he leaned forward with a suddenness that made Garth step back a step.

"Yeah, and the Queen said she'd been a Doom slave, hunh! Well if she escaped, it wasn't on my shift!" Garth scowled.

"If She doesn't watch herself with the Baron, she may be again.." he muttered to himself. Nev liked the Queen, his duties lay with the House of Tolgart, but Arus had done alright by him and his.

"But listen, Garth, you said that the Ris'sa V'aarylin was made the Lady Sommersby?" Wheels had begun to turn in Nev's mind, rather slowly, but begun to turn none the less.

"Yeah, and I agree with yer old lady, its about friggin' ti.."

"My.. wife?" Nev's eyes grew large and his voice small.

"Yeah, I ran into her on the way in, she asked me about it.. she knows about the Boss, right?" Garth shrugged, wasn't his business.

"She does now..." Nev sighed and dropped his head into his hands as his voice rang out from the front room. Xanax Arcotti, Vran Tolgart and Loc Draknor could all take a back seat right now, Nev Fenn had a greater threat to worry about. The Wrath of Mitra Fenn.

* * *

Matilde looked sternly at Ris'sa after Court had been dismissed. Ri still held a dazed look on her face, still not quite beliveing all that had transpired. They were in a small seating area in a room off of the main throne room.

"Next time, young lady, you WILL remember the proper distance between you - " her lips curled slightly. "And a man. You were standing much too close to that man.."

Ri looked at Matilde and said, "I was not! I wasn't even close. You act as if I made love to him in front of the entire court! I did nothing but do as Zorina asked."

Matilde frowned. "I will not have you discuss such personal things in my presence, Ris'sa. Now that you carry the title, you must be aware of your stature! What you do, who you are with comes back and reflects upon the Royal House of Arus.."

"I see.." Ri said. She raised her brow in a very Drulean manner and said, "Actually you mean it reflects on you, don't you? You didn't want me near him, did you? I did nothing.."

Matilde's glance turned angry. "I WILL not have you talking back to me in that manner, Ris'sa. I saw you smile at him and he kissed your hand. I will not have you encouraging a Drule!"

Ris'sa stood up angrily and faced Matilde head-on.

"I suppose that would have been acceptable had it been a Teran man, is that it? I merely extended a geniune welcome to a man and you think I encoraged him..."

She walked arounnd her grandmother quietly, her long skirts rustling.

"Great-grandmother, with all due respect, if I want someone, I will choose them, whether he be Drule or Teran. I survived before I came here and I can survive again. I don't have to have this title. If it means masquerading as a Teran, I won't do it either. I am proud of who I am and of my parents. If you hate Drules then you hate me. I mean this.."

"Ris'sa, I am only doing this for your own good.." Matilde stubbornly said.

Ris'sa suddenly grabbed Matilde by the shoulders and exclaimed. "Don't you realize what happened out there? Can't you see beyond your narrow little world? That was history out there! No Drule was ever a member of Arusian knighthood before! Can't you SEE that?" She let go of the startled Matilde and backed away.

"But you don't see that, do you? All you see is your fears come to light, isn't it? I have fears too. You don't want to know them, I know. I don't even want to. Can't you see that this is more than what you see?"

Matilde sat down wearily. Head-strong girl! Talking idealistic foolishness! That Drule was nothing but trouble! Perhaps he wouldn't come to Court too often.

"Ris'sa, I am sorry. I do not hate Drules nor do I hate you.." she said candidly. "But understand, they have caused me and so many others so much grief - so much pain. They seem to thrive upon it.." Pain was in her eyes and Ri felt bad for the things she said, but she would not retract them.

Ris'sa kneeled down in front of Matilde who was horrified that she would crumple up her dress in that way. Ri took Matilde's hand in her own.

"You must remember, great-grandmother, that no race can be held accountable for the actions of a few. Not all Drules are as you say and all Terans are not saints. Don't you see that what happened today was a new beginning? I won't hide who I am. I refuse to - but I will always try to uphold both the Sommersby and V'aarylin names with honor. This I promise.."

She gave her great-grandmother a hug, got up and walked out, her skirts swaying gracefully. Matilde sighed and got up, knowing that issue had not been truly resolved. She belived what Ris'sa had said was meant sincerely, but Matilde would do her damnest to see that she would not be corrupted by the new Drulean prescence in the Court of Arus...

* * *

Zori smiled as things wound down, she was grateful for some time of peace without the pressures she'd just at through.

She smiled up at Loc. ~You know we're still hungry.. we never finished dinner.. and *I* wanted dessert.~

Zori blushed and enjoyed a quick round of her husbands laughter before he offered her his arm and the made there way back towards their home.

* * *

News passes fast in the Denubian Galaxy - thanks to the speedy communications system, snoopy reporters and the like. So short on the heels of the Dinner massacre on Earth came the shocking news that Arus had taken a bold step in Drule/Arusian relastions and appointed not one but two of Drule descent to the Arusian Court. It sent a shockwave thoughout the quadrant. Both Drule and Human speculated upon it - the tabloids and newsies just had a field day with it. Smuggled pictures showed up in the tabloids, but they were only back shots of Ri and Kirin standing together - which could have simply been faked.

One lower-rung tabloid reported that they were wed by Loc and were secretly planning to take over the throne of Arus. Another reported that the whole thing was a plot devised by Loc to cover up an affair he was having with Lady V'aarlylin! It was a deplorable mess! However, the legitimate press did report the facts and the possible repercussions of it. Some hailed it as a new era of peace, others said it would only fail and would not prevent the ongoing war....

Harry Penneroi smiled broadly as he closed the com transmission. He looked down at the pictures in his hand - two shots of the knighting ceremony on Arus. He laughed at the first one - a back shot of Ris'sa and that Kirin fellow. Harry thought that they looked very nice together, but it was the shot of Matilde that he wanted to see at the moment. He placed the picture into his computer and said, "Magnify, sharpen area ah - 00.5, vector delta.." There on the screen was Matilde's face, angry and proud at the same time. Harry exploded in laughter.

"Oh, Mattie! He certainly was right! You are pissed! Bet that didn't set right with you!" he snickered and he looked at the remaining picture in his hand. It was a shot of Ris'sa and Kirin, facing each other. Ris'sa was smiling and the shot captured Kirin kissing her hand. This was a very nice photo - he would have it framed. Ris'sa looked very pretty in it and the dark haired Drule complimented her in his contrast. Harry had to admit that Kirin certainly looked the part of a strong Drule. He looked like a determined fellow. It would be so nice if he took an interest in his great-niece. Besides it would piss the HELL out of Mattie!

He wondered if his sister pissed Ris'sa off yet. He already knew they had gotten into some arguements with Ris'sa standing up to her. He was proud of her for standing up to his domineering sister and he was proud because she carried Mattie's title. When Mattie died, perhaps Ris'sa would use Mattie's money for something more than feeding the overblown Alliance. Marriage with a Drule loyal to his people would assure that. He would wait and see though. No sense in jumping the gun.

Harry sat back in his chair and smiled. He would send his great-niece a gift - something pretty for her room. He would also attach a card. He was sure Mattie had already told her about him - with hushed tones no less. Yes. He would do just that...

Some hours later, Ri received a package. It was deemed safe and it came directly to her which was a miracle since Mattie usually intercepted the mail. Inside was a pretty, beautifully crafted music box. The style was pure Drulean and inside the clear cover, a Drule man and woman embraced. Ri activated the box and listened to the tune that played. The music was an old Drulean love song which was beautiful and lilting. She smiled and for a few moments danced to the tune. She stopped and looked at the card that was in the music box.

To Ris'sa, my great-niece..

Congratulations upon becoming Lady Sommersby-V'aarylin..I hope to see you someday as I have not been around family for a long time. If you ever get tired of Mattie's strict ways, my home is at your disposal...

With love and warmest regards,

Your uncle, Harry Penneroi.

Ri held the card in wonder. Uncle Harry! Her great-uncle Harry - the renagade and black sheep of the family. She smiled at the card and the music box. She put the card away and placed the music box upon her dresser. It looked wonderful of course. Ri shook her head and smiled in wonder at the unexpected gift.

* * *

Zorina smiled contentedly as she slipped a silky night gown over her head. After finally being able to complete her meal, she'd convinced Loc to split a chocalate fudge ice cream sunday.. topped with none other than dill pickles. She chuckled as she thought about him grimacing down the bites with the pickles as she savored them. It was a site to behold.

Then she got what she had wanted, a nice soak in the tub, she felt refreshed and relaxed for the first time in days, and her back wasn't sore like it had been.

She managed to brush her hair and braid it tightly before she finally made her way into the sleeping quarters. Loc was already in bed propped up on pillows going over some paper work, she scowled then pasted a tired smile on her face. she bounded into the bed, careful not to desturb his papers, landing onher knees and bouncing twice before she settled. He flashed her a smile and his good eye was again filled with happy laughter.

"What youdoing this late?" She asked, trying to get a glimpse at what he was working on.

He chuckled, "My aren't we curious," he told her as he swept the pages out of view and placed them in the top drawer of his night stand. She responded with a smile, "Aren't I always?"

She took off his mask and set it on the night stand and kissed both of his cheeks before placeing a brief kiss on his lips. She giggled as she settled inthe bed nixt to him, burrowed in his side, her left arm stretched out over his abdoman so she could hold his right hand.

She sighed as his arms came around her. "Little One, next time no pickles in the ice cream..."

"I have a better idea.." she managed to get out through a yawn as she drifted off to sleep, "How about anchovies.."

She felt his laughter rumble through his chest as she slipped into sleep.

* * *

Cold.. she was so cold.. where had Loc dissapeared too..

In her sleep she began to fight the arms of her husband.

The room dissapeared and in her dreams she saw Arus implode, she screamed.

She laughed over her. "You foolish brat! You never should have run away from me you mute wench.."

The old queens glutton face changed somehow.. it was superimposed by the image of a thinner, younger looking women.

"No!" They were the same, it couldn't be.

"Ri! Loc.. NO!" ~Running.. always running.. I can't reach them.. no leave them be.... NOOO!~

* * *

Ri had just taken off the fancy gown she had worn at court and had just put on her robe when she heard a scratching at her door. A moment later she heard a whine. She opened the door and lo and behold Matilde's pet Pomeranian came in! Ri looked at the dog suprised. Chu-chu ALWAYS stayed with her great- grandmother when she was asleep and Matilde NEVER let the dog go anywhere without her.

"What in the world are you doing here, you little spoiled monster.."

She picked up the slightly pudgy Pom who whined and wiggled out of her grip. Ri saw Chu-chu sniff intently upon the carpet and then the dog (who was a female) assumed the unmistakable position of a dog about to heed the call of nature!

"No, you idiot dog!" She yelled in Drule, grabbed the dog and made a beeline towards her French doors that opened into her balcony outside.

She fumbled with the lock and practically threw the dog on a small patch of enclosed garden. To her relief Chu-chu sniffed a moment and then assumed the position. Fortunately the dog only had to pee!

Ri rolled her eyes and laughed. Why did these silly things have to happen to her? In the quiet night, her laughter seemed to be the only sound outside. It seemed very loud to her, but just seeing that silly dog expression as she piddled on the plant was funny.

Ris'sa watched Chu-chu hop down from the slightly raised lip of the planter very unsteadily. She waddled/wobbled across the balcony floor, sniffing to her heart's content, then she looked up at Ri and whined. Ri laughed again. What was wrong with the dog? Why it was as if Chu-chu had been drunk! Come to think of it, before her great-grandmother retired, she had seemed rather - well, mellow!

"I have a drugged up dog!" she laughed again as she watched the Pom go around in circles, suddenly trying to get the fluff of it's tail. Ri leaned against the balcony just laughing while the dog looked up stupidly at her.

A sudden gust of wind came up and blew Ri's robe open a little, exposing her legs. Ri quickly pulled the robe over her legs and was very glad that she was facing towards her room and not the other way! She thought she had better get inside anyway. She didn't want the fact that she was out alone on her balcony in nothing but a robe. Matilde would be very, VERY upset!

Ri looked at the wobbly Pom who had decided to lay on her side and rest. She scooped up the plastered Pom and went toward the French doors, the wind starting to whip at her hair. She tried the knob - it didn't give.

"Dammit!" she cursed. "This can't be happening.."

She tried the door again but still no luck. She was locked out!

"Argh!!" She felt like half-laughing, half-screaming! "Stupid dog! I should have let you piddle on the carpet!"

Chu-chu, half-asleep, looked up at the curious person and grunted. The wind kept blowing and Ri felt the chill now. Oh, this was great! Her great- grandmother would be sure to hear of this! Ri put the dog down and continued to try to work with the doors.

The Matriarch walked through her garden. It was a wonderful night. The moon was waxing, the air was crisp and clean and temperature was just at the right low to be the perfect cap for a wonderful night.

Provided that one was able to get back into their quarters.

She walked down a path between the rose bushes, laughing quietly at the joke she just made as she started to pass the living quarters.

Ri was, by this time on the verge of tears! She, who had endured Doom and escaped it, was ready to cry over a stupid locked door! She was getting very desperate. She was just about ready to call for someone - anyone to let her into her room. She certainly couldn't stay out here all night! She looked about desperately and tried the door again, hoping that by some small miracle it would open. When it didn't, she cursed in Drule and let out a small cry of frustration.

The Matriarch looked up at the sound of the cry. The lady who was out on the balcony looked like she was struggling with a door. The Matriarch' s sharp ears picked up the sound of ChuChu's breathing. She smiled. Must be the Lady Ris'sa. That is Matilde's puppy. She MUST have given the poor thing another Chill Pill as everyone called them.

She walked over to the balcony and called up. "Hello, young lady. Need a key?"

Ris'sa whirled at the sound of the voice. In the moonlight she could see that it was that nice woman at the ceremony - the one who smiled so encouraging at her.

"Oh! Thank you, yes! I'm locked out of my room and I am not exactly dressed to be out here. If you could get one, I would appreciate it very much!"

The Matriarch walked up to below the balcony, glad that it was on a level within throwing distance of the key. She held it in her hand and looked up at the young lady.

"Would you like me to throw it to you, or to open the door from with in your room?"

Ri laughed in relief.

"Oh no, please I don't want you to have to go to a lot of trouble. You could throw to it me if you like.."

"Ok,. Here it is" and the Matriarch threw the key up to Ri

Ri reached out her hands to catch the keys, but the wind gusted and threw the keys off it's trajectory. Ri's fingers barely brushed the keys as she lunged for them, nearly falling off the balcony, not to mention nearly falling out of her robe!

"The keys!" Ri exclaimed, as they came back downwards towards the Matriarch.

The Matriarch moved forward to try to catch the keys before they could fall into the pitch black lawn of the grass.

As she looked upwards to catch them, she said, "Child, your robe!"

Ri looked down. Dammit! She clutched her robe fiercely, blushing at least a dozen shades of indigo, thankful it was dark. She hadn't exactly given anyone a real show, but almost!

Smiling at the irony and humor of the universe, the Matriarch picked up the keys and tried it again. This time, Ri, with one hand clutching the front of her robe, caught the keys in her hand and said, "I have them!"

The Matriarch said, "Wonderful, try the door and make sure they work. I will stay here to make sure."

Ri said, "All right.." and turned to try the keys in the door. The door opened easily as if nothing had been wrong with it in the first place. She opened the door wide and propped it open with a small plant that had been just off to the inside of her room.

She came back out and picked the sleeping and now snoring Chu-chu. She looked down at the Matriarch and smiled.

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along. I was just about ready to break the door down!"

The Matriarch smiled. "Toss the keys to me and I will see you later" She held her hands out to recieve the keys from Ri.

Ri tossed them to her and the Matriarch caught them easily as if she were someone half her age. Seeing that she had the keys safely in her possession, Ri said, "Thank you.."

The Matriarch smiled up at her and slowly resumed her walk among the roses.

Ri turned back towards her door, carrying Chu-chu with her. She smiled thinking of her predicament and suspecting that this sort of thing happened quite often here. She also suspected that the kindly lady would NOT convey the information that she not only nearly fell off the balcony but nearly displayed her - as Matilde refered to them - charms! As she went inside and gratefully shut the doors, she felt her face grow warm and knew she was blushing like crazy. Well, at least no one saw - she hoped.

She took the sleeping Chu-chu and placed the dog on the foot of her bed. She guessed the dog could sleep on her bed for the night. Hopefully Chu-chu wouldn't have to go out anymore. She checked the lock on the French doors, and activated the security barriers. The doors were already in "privacy mode" where no one could see inside, but she could see out.

She turned out the lights and for a moment, she stood by the French doors and gazed out at the beautiful view. She smiled in appreciation. Despite her mishaps, tonight had turned out to be a beautiful night after all. She turned and closed the curtains (even though she didn' t need to) over the doors, took off her robe, placing it nearby on her nightstand and crawled into her bed gratefully, thinking briefly of the day's momentous event. She smiled slightly, remembering how great it had been.

She yawned, feeling tired. She drifted off to sleep easily and quickly, falling into pleasant dreams for once...

* * *

She swung out at her captor and screamed, bolting into awakeness. "Little One!" She heard his voice yelling intot he fog that clouded her mind. "Little one it's me!"

Strang hands drew her up to his eye level and she forced her eyes open, she heald her breath. She saw him and let out a strangled sob and began crying. Immediatly he drew her into his arms and tried to sooth her but his words feel on deaf ears and at that moment, a mute voice.

She pushed away from him mouthed 'I'm sorry..' before running off.

He moved to follow her but she shook her head furiously no as she sprinted out of the door. He did follow her, but she had learned long ago how to move silently and invisibly through the castle.

With a frustraited grown he returned to his quarters and threw a book against the wall. Somehting was wrong and he could feel it, the fear she felt was pooring out of her and it was the kind of fear that made him sick.

He did the only thing he could, he tracked her using the DAC unit which he'd givin her, one that was clean, and would monitor her in case she got in trouble, against his better judgement.

* * *

She tried to cry out.. she tried to make any sound as she padded throught he halls, her feet bare, slapping against the cold metallic floor. But the noises she tried to make wouldn't come.

She did the frist thing that came into her mind. She slipped into CC and into her tiny little alcove hiddent here and, surprising herself, she turned on her heals and ran out. She had to see someone.. she needed someone to help her and Loc.. no matter how much she loved him, she needed someone else right now.

She ran and let her legs carry her when she stopped running, she stood shivering outside of pair of closed double doors, tears streaking down her cheeks and neck and eaving cool damp spots on her night gown.

As though she knew she was there.. the door opened and Mattie stood before her. Knowing nothing else to do, as though she was the child she looked like she reached out and Mattie drew her into her arms and she sobbed silently, afraid mroe than she could ever remember being afraid.

* * *

Matilde held the sobbing Queen against her chest and rocked her comfortingly. She frowned and knew that she had been having the bad dreams again about Doom. Poor child to have to go through all that at so young. She thought of Ris'sa briefly and she just knew that she probably had the same nightmares. Poor children! She knew that their suffering at Drule hands had been much worse than her own. If only she could convince them that no good would become of trusting that new Drule knight. They knew nothing of the man or his motives. She had felt the coldness from him when she faced off with him. It was why she didn't want Ris'sa near him.

She continued to rock Zorina, who remained mute except for the choking sobs. Matilde stroked her hair comfortingly.

"There, there, child. You're safe. No one can get you.." she murmured.

Zorina looked at her with her eyes wide. The green eyes of the older woman looked very much like Ri's and Zorina suddenly wanted her friend there too.

"Ris'sa.." she croaked in a rusty voice. "Want Riri.."

"Shhhh.now..child..I know, I know.." Matilde closed her eyes and continued to rock Zorina, not realizing that her pet Chu-chu had left earlier...

A short time later, Ri woke up from a dream she was having. A rather pleasant - well maybe TOO pleasant dream! She smiled and then she blushed slightly. Why in the world she would dream of him was beyond her. It was probably the excitement of the day and everything that caused it.

She laid there for a moment and was ready to turn over and go back to sleep when she thought she heard in her mind Zorina's sobs. She frowned. It was like it had been in their childhood together when Zorina couldn't speak. Their bond had been strong then.

Ri got up and put on her robe. At second thought she took it off and went to her dresser to get a long nightgown. It would not be a good thing if her great-grandmother knew of her sleeping preferences. She put the gown on and then she put on the robe, tying it securely. She did not know why, but she suspected that Zorina was in her great-grandmother's room. As an after- thought, she picked up Chu-chu and went to go to Matilde's room...

She could not comfort the child! No matter what she tried to say, Zorina would not stop crying.

"Child, please..your majesty..it is not good for your little one to be all upset!"

Zorina only cried harder, sometimes whispering Ris'sa's name. Matilde was at a loss when she heard a knock at her door. She looked up and the door opened, admiting Ris'sa with Chu-chu in her arms.

"Grandmother?" Ris'sa asked, setting the sleeping Pom on Matilde's bed.

The old woman looked incredulously at the dog. She didn't even know that Chu- chu had gotten out! At least she had the sense to go to Ris'sa.

Zorina, sensing Ri's presence, looked up and mutely mouthed her name. She got up from Matilde's bed and came towards Ri, nearly falling to the floor. Ri caught her and said in Drule, "Lsy'yia, it is all right. I heard you. I am here.."

Matilde looked upon them incredulously. She never realized how close they had been! They were indeed like sisters in that respect. She looked on as Ris'sa spoke gently to Zorina in soft Drule. To Matilde's ears, the Drule sounded very beautiful and soft which suprised her. The Drule she had heard spoken by other Drules sounded harsh, clipped, and hard to her. She never liked the sound of it and never bothered to learn it. But the Drule her great- granddaughter spoke was like a lullaby. She watched as Ris'sa rocked Zorina whose crying seemed to subside a little bit.

Matilde commented, "I have to admit I have never heard Drule spoken the way you speak it, Ris'sa."

Ri looked at Matilde and said, "Grandmother, Drule is a very rich language. Not all of it is harsh. What you heard spoken by others was probably the language that soldiers use. It's harsh. But there are softer words as well. There is the language of mothers, of lovers, of close ones. Not everything associated with Drule is harsh. Perhaps one day you will wish to learn it?"

"No, child. I am set in my ways. If this peace between Drule and Teran ever happens, it may not be in my time."

Matilde looked at Zorina who had stopped crying.

Ri asked Zorina in Drule, "Sister, are you all right? Speak to me. I know you can."

Zorina gulped and swallowed. Her voice came out in a croak.

"Z-zananth'aa..she's alive..she got you and Loc.."

Ri switched to English. "No, no..Lsy'sia..she is not here..it was just a dream.."

Ris'sa frowned. Zananth'aa. She trembled herself. The woman had been a source of nightmares for years. Why in the world was Zorina having nightmares of her now?

Zorina sat up and looked at Ri frightened. "No! It wasn't! I saw her but she was different! Her face only it was like a skull! She was skinny as if she were wasting away..oh Ri! Suppose she is alive!"

Matilde wasn't sure who they were talking about, but she was sure that it was someone who had been on Doom. She was quite at a loss at how to deal with it. She caught the name though - Zananth'aa. Matilde's mouth compressed in hatred. That woman had been responsible for many deaths - both Teran and Drule. She hoped that she was dead because of the pain she had caused the two she loved most.

Ri took a deep breath and said, "Zorina, if she is alive, you can bet she is in hiding. I know that she would have many enemies. She not only took pleasure in torturing and killing Terans, but also other Drules..." She looked briefly at Matilde and continued, "She wouldn't dare come here.Too many would be eager to kill her and she knows it."

"I am afraid that she will hurt you and Loc.." Zorina trailed off.

Ri got up and took Zorina with her. "I know, Zorina. I couldn't begin to tell you how many nightmares I've had of her coming back, but we can't let her rule us through fear. It would be what she wants. If she is alive, Zorina, she'll meet her end, I just know it."

Zori shivered."I hope she meets it before she takes anyone with her..."

Ri looked at her and said. "Me too...now I'm sure you scared your husband to death by running out of your room. Think you can go back now?"

Matilde interupted them. "Ris'sa, I can take her you know."

Zorina said, "I'm ready to go back now. I'm sure I did give Loc a scare. Why don't you both accompany me?"

They did and Zorina shyly smiled at them as she paused by her doors.

"Thank you. I don't know what I would do without the two of you.." She gave them both a hug and then she went back inside.

Ris'sa and Matilde said good night and went their separate ways. Matilde did not sleep for a long time. Ris'sa simply went to her room and looked out her window pensively, not wanting to sleep - at least for awhile.

* * *

He was waiting for her still, half awake sitting in a stiff backed chair, worry still written on his face. When she stepped in front of him he raised a hand to her tear stained cheeks. "Little One.. you can talk to me, you know that.."

She smiled, she knew how angry he probably was for running like she did, how worried he'd been but she was proud of him for keeping it in check.

She threw her arms around him and cried again, with a sigh he lifted her into his arms and carried her off to bed.

"You, Little One, will sleep..." He whispered into her hair, drawing her head over his heart.

She sighed and curled into a ball, her head resting over his heart, its beat soothing her.

When she began slipping back into the rhealm of sleep she called out.. "Zaanaathhaaaa... nooo.. I won't let you.. no not my baby.."

He shuttered, remembering how she told him how she suffered at the hands of the Drule Queen.

* * *

"Ris'sa, your mother and I are very proud of you.." Houston Mc Kay said as he smiled at his foster daughter on the other end of the com.

Ri smiled back. "Hou, it is still a shock to me as well. I knew my mother came from Arus but that she was a noble, well - it's just still a shock."

"Hmm, well I can imagine it to be! Everyone at the base has been talking about you. Why everyone practically crawled of the woodwork when the newsmen came in, saying they knew you and such."

Ri said, "Oh my goodness!" she laughed.

Houston laughed as well. "It's true! You're Ha'ppeth's first celebrity and one of the first Drules to become Arusian nobility. That is something to be proud of. That fellow you were certainly made an impressive looking knight..." he trailed off.

"Yes, he is impressive looking. I just hope his character is as a Knight of Arus should be." She furrowed her brow. "R'ai? What is wrong?"

Houston sighed. "Ah, Ri, I didn't want to have to put this on you, but it is something you need to think on. It's about your account and house on A'alesyan.."

"What about them?" Ri asked. "I know that A'alesyan has been in turmoil for some time.."

He nodded. "Yes, it has - no thanks to GG either. They're deliberately letting it go after all that big deal to get it too. All those lives lost on both sides..sometimes I wonder if GG is truly out for the interests of the people anymore.."

"Hou, please tell me.." Ri said worriedly.

"Well, as you know, A'alesyaan has always had a Drule population in the majority. When GG raided and took over, many of them stayed. There were a whole lot of Teran/Drule babies born after that raid too, although GG tries to act like they don't exist for the most part. A lot of them are of the Galran Drules, but there are some the Galvesh Drules there too. Anyway you know that there has been much disatisfaction with the government on A'alesyaan. In fact there has been so much unrest, that GG has been slowly pulling out their presence on the planet."

Ri nodded in agreement. Galaxy Garrison's involvement on A'alesyaan had been of late benign neglect. If they were truly pullling out, she thought that it should go back to Drule rulership - no matter what the higher escelons of GG said. She just knew it was not as one-sided as all that.

Houston continued. "It looks like A'alesyaan will go back to Drulean rule very soon - probably back to the type of government that they had before which worked much better in my opinion. There has been some corruption in the Central Bank where your accounts are, but for the most part, Drules run the financial insitutions, so they were safe and I was able to manage them with no problem. As of late though, I have been running into resistance.."

"Because you are a Teran?" Ri grimaced.

"Partly that, Ri but also because I am of Galaxy Garrison. I have the suspision that they are thinking that I am trying to mismanage your accounts. They just sent me notification that I will no longer be able to handle your accounts. They indicated that you as the account-holder must conduct your own affairs."

"I see." Ri frowned slightly. "Perhaps it's because I have reached legal majority as well."

"True." Houston said, "But I believe it is because you are of Drule descent and I am a Teran. There has been much mistrust of Terans and Galaxy Garrison. Rightly so, I think. GG has not managed that place well since that damned raid of theirs.."

"Okay, so now I must manage them. You'll send everything I need won't you?" Ri asked, flipping her hair out of the way.

"It's on it's way to you as we speak Ris'sa. If I were you though, I would notify Central Bank on A'alesyaan and let them know you are now handling your accounts. Send them a notarized affidavit and that should take care of the problem for now.."

"For now? You think I'll have more problems? Maybe I should get rid of everything?"

"No, Ri.." Houston said, "I know you don't care about the money but I know the house means something to you.."

She smiled. "Yes, it does. I've always wanted a place that was mine - not someone elses - and besides someday I want to see what my father had tried to give to mother and I.." this she said wistfully.

"I know you do, sweetheart. It would be a very good idea though to keep those datacards and your ID - not your GG one - handy. It would not suprise me if they require you to furnish these as proof of your identity..I have already done it and they have them on record, but with all these changes they may ask for them again. Hell, they may even ask you to come in person to claim your accounts."

Ri raised a brow. "Isn't that unusual?"

"With all the changes, no. Paranoia runs both ways Riri, you know that. Galaxy Garrison hasn't been the most angelic regarding A'alesyaan. If you do have to go, Ri, I want you to take someone with you if you can. With this war and all brewing.."

"Houston - R'ai..you know I'll be as careful as I can. Maybe they won't go that far."

"Hope so, Ri. I'm just letting you know to be ready if it happens. What you do is up to you, sweetheart. I know I can't tell you what to do.."

Ri smiled."I know, R'ai, I know. You know I always try to be careful.."

Houston suddenly smiled and said, "You? Careful? This from the girl who set off all the alarms on the base as a practical joke?"

Ri blushed and laughed. "Oh, Houston! You will never let me live that down will you?"

"You may be a Lady now, Riri, but to me you will always be that adventurous teenager who got into all kinds of scapes without trying.."

Ri thought of the other night with the locked balcony door and smiled.

"Aha! Caught you thinking about something, Riri! Thinking of that Sir Kirin?" he teased.

"No!" Ri giggled.

Houston decided to tease her some more. It'd had been awhile since she had been home to see them and he missed their teasing.

"Sooo..when am I going to have some grandchildren to bounce on my knee? Janie wants to start baking cookies and telling stories - she wants to be a gramma so bad.."

Ri laughed. "Hou - you are as bad as grandmother! She's always pestering me about marriage!"

Houston chuckled. "Well Riri, don't let her bully you into marriage for some damned title or whatever. You have to do what is right for yourself. "

"I know, R'ai." Ri said.

"Well, I'm glad. Well I guess I should go. This is costing a ton of moola to send this out but it's worth it. Sorry Janie's not around. She wanted to see you, but she's with her sister - 'member Aunt Vinya? Vinya's been laid up and Janie went to help her out. Damn lonely without her here. Oh, and Banjo's doing fine. She had that litter of kittens last week. three calicos, one turtoise shell and one yellow tabby. Cute as hell but they make a lot of noise."

"Ohhh..I'd love one of those kittens!" Ri exclaimed. "A fuzzy Calico like Banjo.."

"Hmm.well once they get old enough, perhaps we can send one up."

"That would be nice, Hou.."

"Well, I really gotta go now, Riri. You be real careful okay? Say hello to Matilde for me and tell her we hope she is doing fine. I'll keep trying to keep that situation on A'alesyann monitored for you but they'll probably notify you there on Arus if anything happens."

"All right, Hou..Tell M'ei I love her and I miss her. Maybe if this is ever over you both can come to Arus and visit. It's very beautiful here."

"Maybe we could Riri, but anyplace you're at is beautiful. Now you keep safe and keep in touch with us. I'll talk to you soon, sweetheart.."

Ri smiled sadly and said, "Bye, R'ai.."

"Bye, darlin' Love you.."

"Love you too, tell M'ei the same.."

"I will. Bye now.."

"Bye, R'ai.."

Houston's image faded and the com wne blank. Ri sighed and a wave of homesickness came over her. She really needed to go back and visit sometime, but since she had been in GG, she hadn't been able to. Now, with the added responsibility and lessons of becoming a member of Arusian nobility, she probably would have even less time to go.

She thought about the home she had never seen on A'alesyaan and frowned. She wanted to see it because her father had arranged it for her and her mother. Even though they had never stepped inside, perhaps she could see a little of what her parents had been. Her mother's best friend Kaylen, who had raised her after her parents died had told her that her father had picked out the furnishings and the like. How he had done that from Doom was a mystery unless he knew someone who lived in the Rose Quarter who could do it for him. Despite the impeding war she wanted to see it just once. Perhaps she would - if Matilde didn't lock her up first. Perhaps just in case, she should get those ID's in order.

Ri went to take care of just that.

* * *

Vran waited patiently as the last of his picked men entered the room at his lodgings in the capital. They were a much slimmed down version of the group that had accompanied him to the castle with the addition of Nev Fenn. Maethos narThon was there, as was Garth Zirs, a pair of the mercenaries, both former feild officers from the Last Fleet, and several of the more important, and ambitious merchants. There was a preditory eagerness in their eyes. A great victory had been won. It was time to divide up the spoils.

Vran was now in uniform, the deep blue Tyrusian silk of the House Tolgart, a long, thin sword, the mark of a nobleman hanging from his side. The soldiers stood at parade rest at either side of the door. Vran stood and looked them over, not so much appraising as aquiring them, their chatter silenced.

"We have we have made great progress today, due in part to the whims of the court and in part to the brilliant oratory of Squire narThon." It was the first time any of them had heard him referred to as such. Including Maethos. The implications were of course clear. "Sir Kirin" would retain both the silver tongue and familiar face of Maethos. It was also a clear sign of the rewards the competant would gain in the service of the House Tolgart.

"We have the advantage, we must now press it. That is why you are all here." His tone was as cold as sharpened steel. This was no final triumph, it was the opening salvo of the campeign, no more, no less. He stepped back and nodded to Nev Fenn who stood and addressed the group.

"With the Drulean presence established in Court, we've a stable basis upon which to launch the next step of the plan. Now, before the next meeting of the Privy Council..."

"Ya know what I'd like ta 'press'. That Sommersby babe, I mean boss, business is business, but..." Garth barked suddenly and trailed off just as suddenly as his banter withered beneath the icey contempt of the new-made knight.

"As little as he realizes it, he's got a point, today wasn't all roses. You won't have a clear hand until you've solidified your position and that means dealing with V'aarylin.." Maethos drawled in his affected Galvesh accent. It was well known that his late wife had connections among them.

"Not possible right now. She is too well connected to the monarchy and the Allience to risk something like that right now.. perhaps once we've weakened Garrison presence in this sector.." He had given V'aarylin a great deal of thought over the last few hours. She was a potential artery to the Garrison, too valuable to be discarded. But his men need not know this yet. They might assume too much meaning to the value he placed in her.

"You know, Sir, there are other ways to remove an obstacle then destroy it.." Nev brought up tenderly, there were ways and ways not to present such, delicate, ideas. "..and what with she and you already so closely aligned in the public eye.."

"No." Suddeness and lethality of the word silenced the merchant. The idea disturbed and disgusted him, a half-breed, a blond half-breed, the attractive blong half-breed. He may have been required to wear a commoner's name, but the blood beneath it was still that of the House of Tolgart. The fact that she could upset him so profoundly was a disturbing detail in an of itself. One that could taken up later.

"So what do we do?" Maethos let the quiet question hover in the silence that followed Vran's denouncement.

"We surround before we neutralize. With your new access to the palace, I want you to see what you can find out about the Penneroi -Sommersby line." Maethos smiled, the entire affair was like an old Terran balled, he'd just been made a squire and was being sent off into the Dragon's lair, it was with the greatest of efforts he didn't laugh.

"Penneroi?" Garth squinted, the light of recognition in his eyes. "Ya mean like ol' Harry Penneroi? She related to him?"

"Quite, he's the Dragon's long-lost brother, didn't you know?" Maethos pursed his lips and chuckled a bit at the wonderful irony of it all. Vran nodded, several years ago he'd worked for someone who had dealt with the human arms dealer, the idea had potential.

"Excellant. Zirs, see if you can make contact with him while you're establishing preliminary contact with the major Drule pirate captains that have come to promenence recently." Garth nodded and grinned to himself, now the operation was taking form, and it was a form he liked. Pirates, Arms dealers, that was the stuff, not all this foolin' around!

"The rest of you, see what you can find about her connections with Garrison itself, those may also prove informative, anything, anything at all." They nodded and began to think, except for a lean, sharp-faced merchant, who swirled the deep green wine in his glass as he leaned forward challengingly, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"This isn't just about Court politics, is it? What's your end, Sul'resh'yn? The entire Galaxy?"

"No. That's the beginning." His voice was soft and smooth, barely above a whisper as he turned with blinding speed and slammed his hand swiftly into the man's throat and caught the glass he dropped with the other. The man gripped his thoat and gasping for breath, collapsed on all fours.

"Your drink." Vran intoned as he set the glass down next to the man. The merchant looked up with a newfound horror in his eyes as Vran calmly stood and turned back to address the rest of the group. Terror, yes, and resentment, but something else as well, something that must be relearned after so long after the fall of the Galran people. Respect. It was a step...

* * *

"What is this and who gave this to you, young lady?" Matilde stormed into the room where Ris'sa was studying some interesting books on Drulean history. Ri looked up and saw her great-grandmother holding up the music box that Uncle Harry gave her. Uh oh. She already knew how Matilde felt about her younger brother. She decided to be truthful.

"It a Drulean version of a music box and Uncle Harry gave it to me the other day through the mail."

Matilde sputtered, "What! How did he? That sneaky - oh! Young lady, I won't have you accepting things from that - that traitor!"

Ri sighed. "Grandmother, I don't see anything wrong with that. He is family."

"No he's not! He was disowned forty years ago!" Suddenly Matilde's face crumpled and she sat down quickly.

Ri came to her. "Grandmother, are you all right?"

Matilde looked like she was going to cry. "No, child. I - I'm not.I think I must tell you this. God knows nothing is secret in the Court..."

She took a deep breath and began.

"Harry was my youngest brother - you know that - and I loved him like my own son. I took care of him after he was born - my mother and father were not the best parents.." she admitted.

"He was a sweet little boy. He called me Sissy and I called him "Horrible Harry" because of the scrapes he got into as a child. We loved each other very much and after my parents died I continued to take care of him. I married out of convienience because we were nearly penniless. We only had our family name and a family name with no money doesn't get very far in the world."

Ri listened attentively. Why her grandmother was telling her this she didn't know, but she would listen, remember and try to understand.

"I grew to love my husband even though he was the opposite of me. He was fun- loving, always had a smile on his face. Harry took to him as well. Then a year after I was married, my daughter - your grandmother Morgana was born, and I was busy trying to keep things together. When Harry was about 22 or 23 years old, he started to distance himself from me and from Patrick. He started talking about how unjust Galaxy Garrison and the Alliance were to the Drule race, that he had seen terrible things done to them in secret on Arus - supposedly the most tolerant planet around. We didn't think anything of it - simply thought it was brash youth talking, but then he was taking a lot of trips out of the system. It was easily explained away that he was an Arusian noble etc., etc."

Ri nodded and Matilde continued.

"It turned out that Harry was using funds from our holdings to run weapons to the Drule factions. When this was found out, I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence was there. He broke my heart, Ris'sa, he truly did. I didn't hate Drules. I too thought that perhaps they needed a more equal say in who governs them."

Matilde turned away slightly and said, "Perhaps it was because I was once in love with a Galran Drule - forbidden, which made it all the more thrilling.."

Ri was shocked. "You? But what happened?"

Matilde smiled a sad smile. "You'll find the later you live in life child that love is not easy. It is a two edged sword. It can pierce your heart to your very soul when you find the one who rules your heart or it can simply shred it to ribbons and leave you to bleed. He died, child..I was so broken-hearted. At fifteen things seem to hit harder..I hope that you will find your true mate and not lose him as I did."

She took a deep breath and continued, ignoring Ri's shocked look.

"Then six months after Harry disappeared Patrick died - was murdered actually. Everyone said that Harry did it out of revenge but I didn't believe them. I believe it was because Patrick was petitioning for equal say for Drules in Arusian politics. The fight had been very nasty. Name-calling, mud-slinging, the works but Patrick never stooped down to their levels. He was a stauch man for the Alliance, but also saw the wrong that they were perpetuating too. I truly believe to this day that it was Patrick's foes perhaps even from within Galaxy Garrison itself that killed him. Of course I suspected then but I was a young widow with a young child to raise and an estate to run. I could not let myself grieve so I had to be tough."

Ri thought inwardly to herself that this was why her grandmother was the way she was - it was her defense.

"I petitioned a year after his disappearance to have him disowned from the Sommersby holdings as well as the minor title that went with the Penneroi name. It broke my heart to do this. Years later when Morgana gave birth to your mother, I thought perhaps things would change for the better at last, despite the fact that Dian was illegitimate. I never could find out who the father was. It didn't matter. Dian was born and she helped me though the pain of losing Harry, Patrick and Morgana. And you know the rest child. I grew to hate Drules for they brought nothing but pain to me and my family. I placed my money into the Alliance and into Garrison as well. What else could I do? I heard about Harry infrequently. He was known the "Gentleman Dealer." and was known to deal in weaponry fairly with everyone. His only stipulation being that they be used for the Drulean cause or a cause against the Alliance."

Matilde looked down at her wrinkled hands in her lap.

"I still miss him after all these years, Ris'sa. Despite the fact that he is a traitor, he is still my brother and he will always be this." She looked at Ri. "I fear for you child, for you are unusual. If you had had the azure skin of your father, perhaps things would go easier upon you, but you are neither fish nor fowl, or rather Arusian or Drule."

Ri interupted, "Grandmother, I know this all too well.."

"Yes, child. I know. You will have to make yourself a new path.Perhaps you and others like you will be able to bridge the gap between Teran and Drule - if they let you live to do it. I just fear for you for I know how difficult it is for you. It is why sometimes I want to make you Teran so that it will be easier upon you, but I know that you will not live that kind of lie."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Ri asked.

Matilde took Ri's hands in hers. "Because child, in any Royal Court there will always be those who will take much pleasure in cutting you up. They even do the Queen and Loc that way. No one is immune to the gossips. And I fear for you as I said because the Arusians distrust you because you're a Drule and the Drule distrust you because you are not pure. I want to protect you so badly that is why I don't want you to encourage your uncle or be around those Drules too much - especially that Sir Kirin."

Ri smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that, grandmother. Sir Kirin may call himself a common man but he carries himself so proud. I am sure he is one of those Drules who pride themselves on their "pure blood". I seriously doubt he'll be around me."

Matilde looked relieved and then she looked affronted. "Humph! As if you were something below him!"

Ri suddenly laughed in peals of musical laughter. "Oh, grandmother! You're too much! Don't worry. I am proud of who I am and I don't care if Sir Kirin or anyone else likes it or not. I know that there is more to family than what is in your DNA. I know that in my heart, grandmother. Maybe someday I will find someone who feels as I do."

Matilde smiled."I hope so Ris'sa. You're stubborn just like me. You'll survive in whatever universe this becomes I think." Matilde looked down at the box she was holding forgotten in her lap and said, "Harry always did have nice taste.."

She handed the box to Ris'sa. "You may keep it, child. Just be careful in your dealings with Harry. He is a gentleman but he has a smooth tongue. His associates are less than savory. I want you to promise me that."

Ri took the box and got up. "I promise, grandmother.." She looked a little sad because she always had to watch her step around everyone.

Matilde noted her sadness. "Ris'sa, don't be so sad. It is not all bad." Matilde got up and then she glanced at her chron.

"Heavens! It's eleven am! Time for you and the Queen to take your protocol lessons.."

"Nooooo..not protocol!" Ris'sa playfully put an arm over her eyes dramatically.

Matilde actually chuckled."You are being overly drematic, young lady.." She took Ri by the arm and steered her out the door.

Ri said, "You wern't kidding, were you?"

Matilde smiled. "I most certainly was not! Now march, young lady!"

Ri laughed. "Yes ma'm!"