16

( Historian's Note: Less than one cycle of nan-Raleen before the Sol Federation of Worlds diplomatic vessel, S.F.S. Summer Wind, DCT-239 arrives at Mur Zhaen.)

The original personnel of the Terran embassy were busy with packing and preparing reports for the new people who would be replacing them at the end of their five Standard Terran Year mission. The actual transition would take approximately two ærfa, the equivalent of two weeks on Mûr Zhæn, if all went well. Ambassador Bandera informed her people that the ships S.F.S. Nightwing, SLG-78, and I.E.S. Chel-Sar Se'nika, were making their way to Mûr Tua'ansa space and would arrive ahead of Summer Wind for much needed shore leave after a long deployment together. They would be departing with the diplomatic transport and provide escort back to Terra.

* * * * *

House Tsel was now fully moved into their rightful apartments within the palace's compound, and adjusting to their positions within Mûr Zhæn's First Circle. Ami'an now wore a simpler version of her grandmother's circlet, and found that she would have to dress in the current style favored by the Royal Court and the Imperial Council. Even though it didn't sit well with her, she grudgingly accepted the assistance of her new personal assistant in selecting an appropriate wardrobe. Ami'an did, however, save some of her favorite older outfits from going into storage for her upcoming trip to Terra with Craig and Saa'an. Early one evening after rising and her bath, Ami'an picked out what she wanted to wear for the night. She would be going to the Terran embassy to spend her night with Saa'an, Craig, and Khy'an, since they had planned on visiting Saa'an's family.

When Ami'an's onnaf, Hrel-Fal'an, saw what Ami'an intended to wear, she exclaimed, “Mistress Ami'ana, that simply will not do! That style is fit only for the j'wis[[1]](#ftn1), and not for…_"

Ami'an immediately turned on her onnaf and hissed, “NEVER use that term in my presence again, or I will have you removed! My sister-friend, Ilen-Saa'an, is of the lower Third Circle Houses, as my own family had been forced into for far too long as you should know well enough! She is as much family to me as my own, and I will NOT stand to hear such words! Be thankful that my friend Bren-Khy'an of the Che'maht Sahn'rah is not here—she would undoubtedly make your life very interesting for saying such things!"

Hrel-Fal'an's eyes widened and she took a step back at the intensity of Ami'an's rebuke.

“M-My…apologies…mistress, I-I did not mean…," she stammered, bowing low.

“Leave me," Ami'an sent icily, and then resumed with getting herself ready for the night.

“Y-Yes, mistress…as you wish," Hrel-Fal'an acknowledged with trepidation, backing away from Ami'an.

As soon as her onnaf had left the room, Ami'an sat down on the edge of her bed and plopped back with her arms over her face.

“Ah, the nerve of that…that…annoying…ooo!" Ami'an muttered to herself in frustration. “To Saa'an and Craig and—with hope—even Khy'an, I am still just Ami'an, and not this new Ami'ana others now want me to be. I have no wish to discard my own friends and acquaintances just because of a title! And this place! It is a museum, and I feel as if I am on display! I wish for the familiar comfort of my old home! Ah, perhaps now I understand how Craig must have felt when he first arrived on our world…all he ever wanted was to be with his own friends and in his own home. But then, his Path brought him to us, and if not for Craig, then…would things have remained the same? Would Saa'an and I, and Khy'an, too…would we have continued unchanged? The experiences we have shared this past sun-cycle have brought us closer together, to be certain, but what else is waiting for us?" Ami'an thought to herself.

* * * * *

It had only been about one cycle of nan-Raleen since Saa'an had been impregnated with the genetically modified sy'iw, and she was already experiencing the changes within her body. It would still be another two or three cycles of nan-Raleen before the developing child's consciousness would begin to emerge and the telepathic bonding could begin. Saa'an's family was, of course, excited, as were Craig's parents. Among Craig's other relatives back on Terra, once word reached them of Craig's marriage to an alien female and later, the news that they would be having a child together, was subject to a lot of talk and speculation. Whenever the Nicolinis could arrange a call back home through the new communication relay system put into place connecting the Mûr Tua'ansa Star Empire and the Sol Federation of Worlds, they would include Saa'an—and Ami'an if she was there at the time. The Nicolini family members back on Terra also got to meet Khy'an via the communication link, though she typically said little. Craig's cousin, Antony, had sent him a private message.

Craig,

Hey, cuz, I saw your ol' buddy, Denni, a week or so ago. He was playing at a gig in a little nightclub here in Chicago. I told him that you would be coming home soon, so he's excited about that, and when I told him about you and Saa'an…well, you know how Élendorians get about such things. His sister, Fael(?), was there, too, and she nearly pounced on me, she was so excited! Geez, dude, I admit she's kinda cute and all for an alien chick, but she kinda got my wife riled up…well, you know how Val gets whenever she thinks another gal is taking a little too much interest in me, and the reputation that Élendorians have didn't help. Anyway, we're all looking forward to seeing you again, and meeting your Saa'an…I spelled that right, didn't I? Oh, yeah, I heared you're gonna be a daddy. Geez, cuz, we're all scratchin' our heads wondering how that happened. Well, I hope the kid turns out okay, and he or she will probably end up being a musician just like you. Well, have a safe trip back, and we'll have a big dish of cannellini just for you at the family reunion grandma is setting up.

Ciao!

Antony

* * * * *

When Khy'an got the news, she had to go see for herself. By the time a science team arrived to investigate the room that had supposedly been an office for the mysterious geneticist, Aama-Ael'an, the wall had apparently been fully restored—only, there was no longer any sign of a door ever having been there. Scans revealed nothing beyond the wall except the bushes and trees growing outside. It was as if there had never been a room there, nor any hint of damage whatsoever. From the outside of the building, it looked the same as the rest of the outside wall and grounds.

“How could this be?" Khy'an finally asked the team leader.

“I do not understand how it is possible…there should be some indication that the wall had been altered, but there is absolutely nothing that shows anything different than what we see before us. We even performed an age test—this section of wall is chronologically the same age as the rest of the building. The building's design specifications and layout show that there has never been a room at this location, yet the recordings taken at the time of your attempt to gain access clearly show that there was a room. Whatever had the capability to do this is far beyond anything we know!" the team leader explained, with worry showing in her eyes.

Khy'an stepped up to the wall where she knew the door had been, holding her hand just above its surface.

“I know there was a room here…I was in it! I saw the scan myself while it was being performed! Ah, what manner of being are you, Aama-Ael'an, or whatever you are truly called?"

For the first time ever in her life, Bren-Khy'an was nervous.

* * * * *

“My little Ava'an will soon have a new cousin to play with," Kaa'an explained to her daughter, who had insisted on being held by Craig for a time.

Little Ava'an looked at her mother, and then at Craig, looking at him curiously.

“Yeah, kiddo, your aunt Saa'an and I are going to have a little one of our own," Craig said to little Ava'an in his language, and then again in Tu'an.

Although little Ava'an was not yet one sun-cycle old on her world, she was already beginning to form words in both Tu'an and Terran Standard English. She hadn't quite learned how to make some sounds, such as the hard 'g' in Craig's name.

“Khray, v…vray-n…na'or?" she struggled to ask.

“Yeah, vrae-na'or[[2]](#_ftn2)," Craig replied with a smile, correcting her gently.

Little Ava'an looked to Saa'an for a moment, and then back to Craig. She grinned broadly and then, holding her head against his neck, said, “Yah."

“You certainly seem to take naturally to the role, my friend," Ami'an sent with a warm smile.

“As much as little Ava'an has taken to him, he has at least been getting practice with Mûr Tua'ansa children," Saa'an added with a chuckle.

“Will you be having yours here or on Terra?" Khy'an asked Saa'an.

“We will try to return here if possible. It will depend on how long it takes before my little one is due to come out. Craig's honored mother told me that for a human, it is typically nine of their moon cycles, or thereabouts. That is much less than for our own," she replied.

“Yeah, well, since you folks live a lot longer than we do, that probably has something to do with it," Craig said.

“Undoubtedly so," Khy'an agreed, taking that into consideration.

“However many nights it takes, may your little one be strong and well," said Saa'an's other sister, Raa'an, who had been mostly quiet.

“We all wish that," Kaa'an sent in agreement, with everyone else adding to the sentiment.

After a few moments, Raa'an asked, “What of this mysterious individual who helped you have a little one?"

Saa'an, Craig, and Khy'an quickly exchanged glances.

“We do not know," Khy'an replied.

* * * * *

A'amahi Afer-ael'ena was satisfied that the manipulating and subsequent implantation of the combined genetic material from the human Terran male and the Mûr Tua'ansa female would result in a viable offspring between the two. The one thing that was a minor annoyance in her plan, was the guard.

“That one is too nosy and too determined. I must remove the portal and restore the structure back to its original form. I suppose that my work for now on Mûr Zhæn is complete, so no great loss."

A'amahi Afer-ael'ena had made sure that none of the Mûr Tua'ansa science people who were nearby could see her using her vastly superior mental abilities. Blinding their minds to her presence and actions, A'amahi Afer-ael'ena twisted the top of the ring on her right hand, and the portal room transported itself back to her vessel that was tucked away in the Nar A'Zhæl system's asteroid belt. Satisfied that it was safely stored, she passed her hand over the damaged part of the wall, restoring it to its original condition. With all traces of her presence having been wiped away, A'amahi Afer-ael'ena smiled, turned and walked away, disappearing in a multi-hued swirl of light.

A short while later, A'amahi Afer-ael'ena—now back on her small, stealthy personal cruiser—sat at the table in the ship's galley.

“H'Larsa, be a dear and take us to the Sol system, and while you're at it, I'd like a cup of narjae tea, with a twist of v'fal rind, if you please."

/* “How soon do you wish arrive?" */ the ship asked as the requested beverage materialized on the table.

A'amahi Afer-ael'ena thought a moment and replied, “Slip quietly out of system, and when we are sufficiently clear, proceed at best speed to get us there in three standard rotations."

/* “Acknowledged. Engaging sub-light drive, system exit in point two seven." */

“Excellent. Inform me when you are ready to engage the main drive."

/* “Acknowledged." */

She sat back in her comfortable seat and enjoyed her tea while the small ship quietly, gracefully, and quite easily slipped past the sensor net deployed throughout the home system of the Mûr Tua'ansa Star Empire and headed for the Sol system and Terra.

During the voyage to her next destination, A'amahi Afer-ael'ena contacted her friend and superior, U'ensa Hren-cha'ena, who was back on the ancient homeworld of the First Ones, Ayoo-t'ahna nal-Zhidôr. A'amahi leaned back into her couch and let her mind slip across the distance.

“It is done, U'ensa. The human Terran male and his Mûr Tua'ansa mate will have their child. I am currently enroute to the Sol system so that I may keep an eye on them. The pair will be leaving Mûr Zhæn soon enough, and by the time they arrive on Terra, I will have everything in place to watch them discretely. How are things on your end?"

U'ensa Hren-cha'ena appeared in the otherspace where First Ones communicated with one another, where neither time nor distance mattered.

“That is well, A'amahi, however, I should mention that Naoia Anen-su'ena has met with the Terran vessel I spoke of earlier."

A'amahi thought on that for a moment, and then asked, “What came of that meeting?"

U'ensa smiled slightly and said, “As she put it, it was a 'refreshingly enjoyable encounter'. Naoia has always had a rather odd sense of humor, as you well know."

“Ah, and so does her granddaughter. Speaking of, have the younger ones finished linking their new Portal on Y'Nahra to the Central Hub?"

“They have, and Naoia proceeded to take her new friends through it as a test. No doubt the Terrans in particular have had quite an eye opener when they learned that the origins of their races have their roots there," U'ensa sent with a wry feeling.

A'amahi remembered the beginning of Sahn-fe-ha'li, or the Time of Seeding, when some of the First Ones ventured forth from their ancient homeworld of Ayoo-t'ahna nal-Zhidôr and traveled among the stars of the new galaxy in search of promising young worlds to guide their development.

The then infant world that would become known as Y'Nahra was deemed worthy of seeding due to its resources by the Eldest of the Old, and the Salnakhenwi group of First Ones went there and took upon themselves forms suited for Air, Water, Fire, and Land. A fifth portion of the Salnakhenwi group, ones such as A'amahi, were tasked with learning the forms of the world. The ones with mastery of Air gave themselves the name V'Aertii; the ones whose affinity was of Water gave themselves the name S'ahlchyet; the ones whose passions were of Fire chose to call themselves the Drakkorians; the ones who chose to protect all things wild and free upon the Land called themselves the Ayoona-Lu-Nehm'a, and the fifth took for themselves the name Nomenara.

At this point in their development, the First Ones were long past the need for most types of tools, choosing instead to focus on using their unique gifts to shape and guide the land and seas and all things that came to live on, above, or within those domains. Y'Nahra was an early world that fell under the care of the First Ones, and many other worlds were visited and developed across the galaxy. On their own, however, other worlds produced races of intelligent beings—some were not content with patiently and lovingly guiding the development of new life forms, however.

A race of beings who came to be after the First Ones started going out to other worlds, those who became known as the Dark Bloods for the fluids that flowed through their vessels was black as the Great Night, sometimes followed the First Ones and hid themselves in the deep places of worlds to spy and plot and twist for their own purposes. The Dark Bloods had come to Y'Nahra, though were eventually driven away from that fair world before they could do much harm. The First Ones had visited the world which its own inhabitants called Mûr Zhæn, but behind them came the Dark Bloods, who left their minions to build an outpost deep under the waters of a lake where they would attempt to turn the natives to their will and do their bidding. The native people, who called themselves the Mûr Tua'ansa, although they were blessed with their own great mental abilities, they had been touched by the First Ones, and were able to defeat the minions of the Dark Bloods. But, it was found out much later that not all of the minions had been driven away, and they and their devices continued to watch and bid their time, and occasionally tried to trap the unwary. The Eldest of the Old, the first of the First Ones, has always been able to know things often far in advance, and she is the most powerful of all of the First Ones. She sent word that a warrior would be born on Mûr Zhæn who would be different than the others, and would have the power to wield The Weapon that would destroy the last of the minions known as the an'im-Raleen. A'amahi learned later that she had met that warrior The Eldest of the Old had prophesized would come. It answered certain questions A'amahi had been toying with, and now she thought that she would have liked to stay a bit longer on Mûr Zhæn, but other things required her attention to be elsewhere.

Returning her thoughts to the here and now, A'amahi smiled and said, “I suppose they might have discovered such on their own eventually, if they are as intuitive as I suspect they are becoming. We cast the Seeds to see what would grow on their world—many sprang forth, but only the one survived to dominate until some advanced sufficiently in their mental faculties to hear the Voice and be guided by it to recreate the forms of those on the Early Worlds with the foundations for them we left behind. I think I will enjoy my visit to their world, and see with my own eyes how they have progressed."

“Do not be too open as you walk their world, A'amahi. Naoia has the experience of introducing our kind to the younger races, and she is traveling to the Terran's homeworld with her new friends. They will have had the time to become acquainted and will help in easing the contact with the rest of their kind. Remember what you are to do there," U'ensa gently admonished.

“I will be careful. I trust that Naoia will know beforehand that I will arrive ahead of her," A'amahi said.

“Yes, I will see to that myself," U'ensa sent. “Once contact with the Terrans has been formally established, the Eldest's plan of uniting all of the many scattered worlds we have touched will begin in earnest."

A'amahi thought on that for a moment and then asked, “So, She means to defeat the meddlesome Dark Bloods and their minions once and for all time with the help of the Younger Races?"

“That battle is coming, A'amahi—it has long been coming. Their influence has been spreading in the edgeworlds, and they are already driving inward towards the center. They are no longer content to work their mischief quietly as they have been these past few billion turns."

A'amahi found the news distressing. “They are openly walking among the worlds now?"

“Yes, my friend, have you not heard of the attacks made by ones who call themselves the Wurnak Da'i_? They are brutish minions of the Dark Bloods who feed on those they conquer. They have been in your area—if it were not for the Terrans having heard about them and sending their own to do battle with them, the_ Wurnak Da'i would still be rampaging through that part of space. Oh, they will be licking their wounds by now, no doubt, but they will be back…and they will not come alone."

“I have caught snippets of discussions about the Terrans rescuing the crew of a Mûr Tua'ansa exploration vessel and returned them home to much celebration. Apparently one of the Terran ships who was part of that rescue, and the very one they had rescued, are inbound to the Nar A'Zhæl system, and they will likely be warmly welcomed," A'amahi said.

“They are also the very ones Naoia has befriended, A'amahi," U'ensa sent pointedly.

“Ah, so they are the ones who were on the trail of The Heart, then."

“Yes, and they have been introduced to it, as I understand. From what I have been told, it was an unusual meeting, especially for the artificial entity on the Terran vessel," U'ensa sent the last a little more softly.

“I would like to hear more about that when conditions permit," A'amahi sent, meaning it to be a request.

“I imagine the opportunity will present itself soon. Well, I must return to what I was doing—inform me when you arrive at Terra."

“I will do so. We should be there within two standard rotations. Be well, U'ensa."

“And you as well, A'amahi."

A'amahi Afer-ael'ena contented herself with enjoying the rest of the trip to Terra while her ship was flying in trans-dimensional waveslip mode. If she had not imposed the three-standard rotation time schedule on the little cruiser, H'Larsa (as the ship called herself), would have arrived just outside of the Sol system in a matter of moments after departing the Nar A'Zhæl system. There was no hurry, as far as A'amahi was concerned—after all, she had quietly and patiently manipulated and waited for over five billion turns for this time to come. What were a few more rotations to an immortal First One as old as the galaxy itself?

* * * * *

The night was drawing ever closer to when Saa'an would be leaving her homeworld for the first time, and she was filled with both excitement and unease. After seeing all of the images of Craig's world and hearing him and his parents speak of it, she was excited to see Terra for herself. At the same time, Saa'an had always liked things to be predictable, and the thought of leaving behind all that she knew was unsettling. Knowing that she was with child made the prospect of the trip between distant worlds a little more uncertain, though Craig had repeatedly assured her that if there should be any problems, the escort ships would have ample ability to deal with emergencies. “Besides," Craig had pointed out to her, “one of your own military ships will be going with us, and they have a healer that should be able to handle anything." Craig's optimism was one of the things Saa'an found comforting amid the seeming chaos of packing and preparing to move to his world.

Ami'an, as she insisted that her friends continue call her despite her elevation in status to Ami'ana, had everything packed, except for the usual necessary personal items she needed to have at hand, and those would only take a few minutes at best to stow in a small bag. She looked in her mirror at the silver circlet on her head that was a plainer version of the one her Honored Grandmother, the now Lady Tsel-Vsa'ana wore. Ami'an removed it, and stared at it in her hands.

“Even though our House endured unearned embarrassment for many, many long nights, now that our status has been gratefully restored because of Khy'an's sense of justice, you are not going to cost me my dear friends! Her Majesty granted that Saa'an, Craig, and Khy'an may remain my friends, and we with Khy'an, so just because I now have to wear you and act as a proper heiress to my Honored Grandmother's title and position, I will not abandon them because of what the rest of the Great Houses may think. Pff, small minded people too full of themselves, I say. Well, unless I absolutely have to be, on Craig's world I shall be simple 'Ami'an'. I doubt the Terrans will care one way or another since they dissolved such status among their own, as Craig has shown us of their history. It should be refreshingly different on Terra, I think. I wonder, though, what they will think of us? Perhaps no different than any others who visit their world. We will seem strange to them, but if the Terrans I have met so far are any indication, they will simply accept us as we are. Ah, if only Khy'an could go with us…but her duties will require her to return to guarding our Empress, though I know she will make the journey to Terra—that was part of my dream-vision. As strong as Khy'an is, Craig's leaving will be hard on her, even though she will not admit it. At one time, I would not have thought it possible, but, I know deep inside Khy'an strongly desires Craig, though she hides it well. From all save me, of course…I have seen it. Poor Khy'an, I feel for her, but things are as they are. Her vine is now tightly woven with ours, but it also must grow in another direction. She has a destiny long in coming ahead of her, of Fire and Darkness, but she will triumph, I know it! She has changed because of him, for him, and for us all." Ami'an's face bore a smile that was at once full of love and sadness, pride and regret, as she placed the circlet on its stand.

* * * * *

Ambassador Bandera looked up when Miss Cantori from the Terran embassy's Communications Department entered her office.

“Is that the message?"

Miss Cantori nodded her head and handed the ambassador a secure PAD. When the ambassador finished reading the message that was displayed, she sat back in her chair with a surprised look.

“How soon will they be here?" she asked the comm tech.

“The ship's CO said they estimate arrival in-system within one Standard Day, and planetfall within an hour after that. The Summer Wind won't be here for another week at the latest. I checked with Mûr Zhæn Approach Control and they already have the projected arrival time," Miss Cantori replied.

“What of this third ship that is coming in with them?" Ambassador Bandera asked, raising an eyebrow.

“They're not saying for some reason, ma'am."

The ambassador looked at the image again on the PAD's screen.

“Has this other ship's configuration been checked against all known species?"

Miss Cantori, normally a very calm individual, shook her head with a look of worry on her face. “It doesn't match anything either the Federation or the Empire has seen before. The energy signatures, what can even be read of them, are totally off the scale."

“What do you mean by that?"

“Well ma'am, whatever that third ship is using for a power source, it's beyond what even the Mûr Tua'ansa have knowledge of, and their tech is generally thousands of years ahead of our own," Miss Cantori replied.

“I see," Ambassador Bandera said quietly. After a moment she added, “Get me a secure channel to the Secretary of State, and route it to my terminal."

“Yes, ma'am, right away," Miss Cantori acknowledged, and quickly left to carry out the ambassador's instruction.

* * * * *

“Craig? Have you heard what is being reported on the news nets?" Saa'an asked her mate with a measure of shock.

“Uh, not lately, why, what's up, babe?" Craig inquired while he was plinking around on his Élendorian ha'nurideen.

“Come see this!" Saa'an insisted.

Craig carefully put his instrument down and then got up to see what Saa'an was going on about. When he looked over her shoulder to see what the fuss was, Craig's jaw dropped.

“Jeezers!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide in amazement. “I've never seen any ship like that before. What the heck is it?"

“I do not know, beloved, and…apparently no one else has, either. Oh, look, it…it's landing!"

Craig and Saa'an both watched in wide-eyed wonder as the strange alien ship began to reconfigure itself into a shape that finally dawned on Craig what it reminded him of…and he was instantly reminded of what he thought he saw at the Altar of Hfa-Raleen, and later when he dug through his family's photo collection. The alien ship flexed and extended appendages, and when it touched down, it looked as if a giant mechanical animal had simply jumped from a height and landed on four legs. When it came to a fully upright stance on its four “legs", it lifted the forward part in a particularly odd manner…

…and then the ship howled.

---

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[[1]](#_ftnref1) J'wis – the Low Ones, a disparaging term meaning those of the lowest of Mûr Zhæn's Third Circle Houses.

[[2]](#_ftnref2) Vrae-na'or – “father" in the Tu'an language.

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(On to Chapter 17 https://www.sofurry.com/view/1228975)