Before It's Too Late

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 4 – Anla'shok Training

"Teach me," Jaerri requested.

Valen slowly raised his head to gaze at her. "You should not be here." He put aside the scroll he had been writing and placed it with great care into a simple chest on his crystal desk. He rose to his feet.

"Neither should you." She gathered her black cloak against her trim form and walked to the yellow, red and green stain glass window. "I want to learn."

"You were at the Battle of the Line. I remember seeing you."

"I was sent to protect you."

His face shadowed. "You failed."

"No." She turned to face him. "I was simply part of what was supposed to happen."

"Why do I doubt that?"

They were interrupted by a small woman with dark eyes and a facial structure that spoke of her being other than a native born Minbari, despite the delicate bone crest around her head. "Should I have knocked?"

With a smile Valen replied, "Come in."

The female looked at her. "Should you be here?"

"Should you?" Jaerri countered.

Protectively he placed an arm around the other Minbari. "She's my wife."

"You know what happens to your children."

"I know they will return."

"Hmmm." Jaerri confronted the pair. "Did you know Delenn was one of your descendants?"

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The Entil'Zha had made better progress than Jaerri had first assumed, given the short time Valen had been there. His first recruits, mostly religious caste, now taught the next group. Denn'bok fighting he instructed himself, but as she watched them practicing, she knew that at least one of his students would take over very soon.

This was the only class he allowed her to attend with the others. Most of her instruction Valen himself conducted. He'd simply told the others she was 'special' and once they learned of her true origins, they looked at her with awe. Even in the past, they knew of her people by legend and myth, and a certain unconfirmed encounter with the first ruler of a neighboring space faring race.

Those circumstances suited Jaerri well. It kept away the curious and allowed her to learn what she must. As she took her place on the training floor, another of the recruits tossed her the stick they used in practice. She took it properly in her hands and assumed the first defensive stance. Valen's face briefly reflected his surprise before he came at her in full attack. Granted, within a few moves she ended up on the floor unarmed and his pike at her throat.

Valen helped her up. "You did well."

She folded her hands in front of her as she'd seen the religious caste do. "Thank you." Gracefully, she gave him a half bow.

Again she saw a curious expression on his face. He dropped his voice. "You learn quickly."

Jaerri nodded. "Among my people, you have no choice."

He laughed and waved her away as the next student took his place. When the session was over, she retreated to her quarters. During the next few hours, it was expected for the student to meditate and reflect on the day's lessons.

Instead, she walked to the plain window in the crystalline wall. No fancy stained glass here. The city lay below in its sparkling red, yellow and purple glory as reflected in the setting sun. The Minbari had a sense of beauty unsurpassed by any race in the galaxy. Green trees and colorful flowers had been placed strategically, setting off perfectly the peaceful feeling of the place.

"You should be mediating," Valen chided from the door of her quarters.

"What makes you think I'm not?" She turned to face him, noting he wore the grey robes of the ruling council. "Important meeting tonight?"

"Not your concern." He studied her. "Why are you here?"

"To learn."

"Not something I would have thought important to your people."

"You know little about us."

"I won't deny that." He smiled, briefly reminding of the Sinclair she'd known. "I only had one run in with them. Then, they were fleeing."

"The more conservative element."

"I thought it was all your people."

Her turn to smile. "There are those of us who have ties to humans.

I know of another of us," she stopped before she said too much.

He seemed to know how close she'd come to telling him one of her secrets. "They would have been valued allies."

"Some of us will be." Jaerri stepped forward glad she was still in her jumpsuit. It covered differences best kept secret. "Do not jump to conclusions based on the actions of the fearful."

"They didn't want their knowledge misused by the Shadows."

She sighed. "Our intervention could have prevented certain…incidents."

"I could put them in the prophecies." He sounded half-hopeful and she was tempted, for a brief moment to tell him.

"No, Valen." She shook her head. "There are those who will figure out the truth about you. I can not change that."

"Like Delenn." His face betrayed none of the shock she's seen earlier when she'd told him about his, and Katherine's descendant.

"Among others."

"I see." He bowed slightly. "You need to meditate."

Ever her teacher. "Thank you, Entil'Zha."

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When she knew all she needed Jaerri left Minbar of the past. There were still events of which she needed to be a part of, but she had to be careful. There were consequences for acting too soon and out of sequence.

With a deep regretful sigh, she set her ship on its course. Time to briefly rejoin the others and answer for her actions. Not that their censure would mean much. She had a destiny outside of her people's expectations.

Flashing into normal space she approached their hiding place, smiling in amusement as another of her kind left. Yes, of all of them, she would have expected him to intervene. No doubt he had already sent the necessary message.

The question was, would it be in time and would one receiving it understand and be willing to act?