Chapter 6
It was shortly after midnight as Robin entered the common room. He headed over to the refrigerator, planning on eating some of the food he had set aside from the buffet earlier. He sighed softly as he rummaged through the food. He had been unable to sleep for two reasons. First was that a thunderstorm had blown up and the bright flashes of lightning with their claps of thunder had kept him awake, but in addition to that, he had been surprised to find how used to having Starfire beside him he had gotten. That and how used he was to having her in his mind. He sighed softly as he remembered the events following Starfire's calling him off the roof.
Robin entered the room and noticed that both delegations had left, leaving Starfire, Galfore and Kim'r waiting for him. He raised his eyebrow as he saw the look on Starfire's face. Whatever she had called him down to talk to him about, she wasn't happy about it, and from what he could feel through their bond, neither would he.
"We are certain that none of the Shavari delegation is present," Galfore said. "You and Koriand'r may act normally.
"Does that mean that I can restate my objections to this, Keh'shima Galfore?" Starfire asked.
"I may be Keh'shima to the Emperor, but I am also a member of the Ca'ri and will be given the proper respect."
"I have already stated my feelings toward the Ca'ri and any interference they may call for in my marriage to Robin," Starfire shot back.
"This has been discussed already, and you agreed, My Lady," Kim'r said softly, stepping between them. "You have my word that it will be for a short time."
"What will?" Robin asked. He looked from Galfore to Starfire, then to Kim'r in the silence that followed.
"I believe it would be best if it came from me, and in private," Starfire said. "But I am not given that courtesy," she snapped, glaring at Galfore. "In keeping with our not being married, we are to surrender our crystals until the negotiations with the Shavari are completed."
"Like General Kim'r, I give you my word that it will be for a week at the longest," Galfore added.
"I have given Princess Kaylissanara and her handmaidens permission to use my old room for the night," Starfire said, then looked away from him. "I will not be remaining in the Tower. Until negotiations are complete, I will be staying aboard the LUAND'R."
"Why am I not surprised?" Robin muttered. "Galfore, I thought that you supported Starfire and I being married, what's changed?"
"I give you my word that my position on you and Koriand'r being bonded has not changed," the big Tamaranean replied. "It is just that we do not know how the Shavari will react to it."
Robin heard Starfire's gasp of surprise. "It looks as though I was right, Star," he said. He took his crystal out from under his shirt and Kim'r stepped forward with an intricately carved box. The inside looked to be lined with velvet with depressions sized to fit the shards. He braced himself as he slid the crystal off its chain and placed it in the box. He saw Starfire flinch slightly as she did the same and the two crystals ceased their glow.
He had just placed his food in the microwave when a room was lit up by a brilliant flash of lightning and a louder-than-usual clap of thunder. His finger paused above the button that would have turned the small oven on, and he strained his ears. He could have sworn he had heard something. There was a dimmer flash and low rumble of thunder, and he knew he had been right. From over by the couch came a sound somewhere between a whimper and a sniffle. "Starfire?" he called softly as he headed toward the couch. He had heard that sound before, shortly after the Titans had formed when a thunderstorm had awakened some memories in Starfire. She had been certain that none of the other Titans were awake, and let her fears out in her privacy. As he neared the couch, however, another lightning flash revealed the identity of the person on the couch. "Lissa? Are you alright?"
Robin almost recoiled at the look of fear on Lissa's face when she turned to him. "How can you live on a planet vith such terrible storms?!"
"Hey, take it easy," Robin soothed as he quickly sat beside her, taking her hands in his. He was shocked to find that her hands felt as though she had been soaking them in ice water. "It's just a thunderstorm."
At the next rumble of thunder, Robin saw that Lissa had her eyes tightly closed and her hands tightened on his as she struggled to keep from crying out. He was about to try to calm her down some more when another bright flash lit the room, and almost instantly the clap of thunder seemed to shake the tower.
Lissa tore her hands from Robins only to reach up and grip his shoulders as she looked pleadingly into his masked eyes. "Re cheva. . ." she began then took a deep breath. "You are certain that ve are in no danger? That ve are not under attack?"
Robin put his hands on her shoulders, and felt her trembling. "I give you my word, not only as a Warrior of Tamaran, but as Koriand'r's shoby'yat and as your friend that we are in no danger."
Lissa's eyes widened in surprise. "You consider me your. . .friend?"
Robin nodded. "With what you said on the roof earlier, when you figured out what happened to cause Starfire to be taken by the Gordanians, you showed me that you can be trusted not to try to get me to reveal any of Koriand'r's secrets I may have. Also, with you being your princess's handmaiden, I know you can keep a secret yourself."
"I thank you for that trust," Lissa said, then flinched as another bright flash lit up the room. "So, how did you help Koriand'r through her dealing vith these storms?"
"How. . .?"
"Ven you first came over this vay, you called her name until you saw it vas me," Lissa explained. "I take it she told you of an attack on Tamaran ven she vas very young, and that the flashes and noise reminded her of that time."
"Close enough," Robin conceded. "I simply talked to her, explaining what causes the storms and how most humans go through being scared by them when we're very young."
Lissa jumped at the sudden crash of thunder, then looked out the window. "Please proceed."
Robin sighed softly as he sat more comfortably on the couch, then began talking, explaining how thunderstorms form, and what causes the lightning and thunder. He was just considering telling her the more personal story of how his mother sat with him through a storm when Lissa shifted slightly and her head rested on his shoulder. "Lissa?" he called softly and was answered with a soft snore. Not wanting to wake her, he carefully turned and slid his right arm under her knees and his left around her shoulders and lifted her off the couch.
"Com'yn dovar vot, chevari," Lissa mumbled in her sleep as she snuggled against Robin's chest.
As Robin walked down the hall he was glad that the door to the common room opened automatically. Now, he was wondering how he was going to knock on the door to Starfire's room, where Princess Kaylissanara and her handmaidens were spending the night. Fortunately that wasn't a problem, as it turned out.
"Beva Keysha, you found her," A young Shavari woman said as she saw Robin carrying Lissa. She quickly knocked on the door and a voice replied from within. "Tamiquel, it is Sharilar, open the door."
"You have found her?" the voice asked as the door opened.
"In a manner of speaking," Sharilar replied, stepping aside so Robin could carry Lissa into the room.
Robin eyes automatically swept the room, noticing the changes that had been made. Starfire's circular bed had been moved, and he guessed that it was behind the small, portable screens in one corner of the room, sectioning off a private place for the Princess. It its place three folding cots and a table and chairs had been set up. Following Sharilar's directions, he placed Lissa onto one of the cots, and Tamiquel covered her with a blanket.
"Ve thank you for bringing her back here," Tamiquel said, drawing Robin away from both Lissa's cot and where the princess slept.
"You're welcome. I'm just glad I could help."
"Ve do not vish to disturb the Princess," Sharilar said as she urged Robin toward the door, and he nodded his agreement.
"It is too late for that," Kaylissanara said as she stepped from behind the screen.
"My apologies for the intrusion, Your Highness," Robin said as he quickly dropped to his left knee.
"You are forgiven, Shoby'yat, as the cause is not of your making," the Princess said, then looked over at where Lissa was now sleeping. "I vill deal vith her in the morning."
"I hope that you don't mean that you're going to punish her," Robin said.
Kaylissanara gave him a cool look. "You are not presuming to tell me how to treat my servants, are you?"
"Not in the least, Highness. However, how you treat your servants is a reflection on how you will treat your people. One day, you will take the Shavari throne, and how you treat your people will determine if you are a just and wise ruler or a simple tyrant."
Kaylissanara's eyes narrowed. "I could have you killed for speaking to me like that."
Robin crossed his arms over his chest, his expression clearly showing that he was unimpressed. "Nie'l is younger than you, but he understands better than to make threats like that, even if he would mean to carry them out. If you would have someone killed simply for disagreeing with you and speaking to you plainly, then I am worried about Shavar when you take the throne. Good night."
Kaylissanara's jaw dropped as she watched Robin turn and head for the door. "I have not given you permission to leave!"
Robin paused. "I haven't asked for it. This is not Shavar, and I am not one of your subjects," he told her. "You are guests here for the night. I wouldn't count on that courtesy being extended for another night," he said then left.
The next morning, Robin stood off to one side as the breakfast buffet was still being served munching on egg, sausage and cheese sandwiched between an english muffin. His eyes slowly scanned the room until he found Starfire in the crowd.
"I offer six grufbars for your thoughts, Robin," a voice said from beside him.
Robin took his gaze off Starfire and found Kim'r standing beside him, munching on something he recognized as being from the Shavari buffet. "You wouldn't get your money's worth, General," he replied, then looked back toward Starfire. "Who are the two warriors she's talking to?" he asked, indicating the two Tamaranean males Starfire was talking to. 'Very good looking guys,' He thought to himself. He knew he shouldn't be jealous, but the fact was that they were very close to her, and in Robin's opinion being way too friendly with her.
Kim'r chuckled softly. "To the Shavari, they are two warriors that are seeking Koriand'r's. . .favor," she said, and smiled at Robin's shocked expression. "In reality, they are Kalvand'r, and Atemand'r. Brightfire and Stormfire in your language. They have no standing in Tamaran's court."
"They're her cousins then?"
Robin raised a questioning eyebrow as Kim'r shifted uncomfortably. "It is not spoken of openly, but Myand'r had what you would call an affair after Koriand'r was born," Kim'r said softly. "They were the result."
"Twins?"
Kim'r nodded. "Chary'n pressed the issue that Myand'r was their father, so he had to recognize them and give them his name, but he stopped short of placing them in the succession to the throne." She glanced over at Robin who still had his gaze focused on them. "They are not a concern for you."
Robin looked back at Kim'r. "It isn't her that I don't trust, Kim'r, it's the Ca'ri, and I hate to admit it, but Galfore as well, that I'm suspicious of. I understand why we have to go on with this charade of our not being married, but. . .let's just say that I have my concerns that steps may be being taken to make that permanent."
"I do not believe that the Ca'ri would be so foolish as to try that again, my Lord. Koriand'r once told them that should would accept exile, and the rekma'she. No matter what else they may plan, they will not risk the complications that would cause."
Robin nodded, remembering the incident Kim'r spoke of. "So, negotiations begin today?"
Kim'r nodded. "In two hours."
"I have something I vish to say to you, Shoby'yat," Kaylissanara said as she and two of her handmaidens walked up."
"And what would that be, Highness?" Robin asked, and Kim'r raised an eyebrow at the cold tone of his voice.
"First of all, I vish to thank you for helping my handmaiden through a difficult time for her, and I also vish to apologize to you for my harsh unthinking vords, I vas tired and not very happy to have been avakened. To that end I vish to present you vith this."
Robin watched as Kaylissanara turned to one of her handmaidens and took something from her. Looking at the cloth wrapped object, he was fairly certain he knew what it was, and when he removed the wrapping from the sword and scabbard he saw that he was right.
"And you have permission to vear it in my presence and the presence of my family," she added as she pinned a large circular device next to the one that held his cloak closed.
"You're making me a Shavari Warrior?" Robin asked, looking at the device. The large gold disk was embossed with a gauntleted fist against a grouping of stars. He recognized it as the Shavari Royal crest.
Kaylissanara looked thoughtful for a moment. "No. I am not going that far. . .yet. However, I am recognizing you as a Tamaranean Varrior, and accepting you into my personal guard. "You have proven to me that you are von I can trust."
Robin buckled the belt around his waist, then gave a slight bow. "I thank you for this honor."
"I vonder if it vould be possible to have you give me a tour of this place?"
Robin smiled softly and offered Kaylissanara his arm. "It would be my pleasure."
"So, how is he feeling about not having contact with Koriand'r?" Galfore asked Kim'r as he walked up.
"He suspects, Galfore, and does not trust either your or the Ca'ri."
Galfore stroked his beard as he watched Robin and Kaylissanara leave the room. "Well, it is good that he trusts you. There is little that he can do to stop what must be."
Kim'r sighed softly. "But it might not be necessary. Have you given that possibility any thought?"
"So, ve are inconveniencing you vith our taking over your training room, are ve not?"
"Actually, no," Robin replied as he and Kaylissanara walked along. "The meeting room is only one of our training rooms; there are others, and we have our obstacle course."
"This I vould like to see," Kaylissanara said after a moment.
"Alright, BB!" Cyborgs voice called out, and Robin and Kaylissanara heard it as they approached the course. "One minute forty seconds."
"So there are different challenges that face the person on the course, yes?" Kaylissanara asked.
"That's right, and the object is to complete the course in the shortest time," Robin replied as they entered the clearing with the course.
"Yo, Robin," Cyborg called, seeing them. "You gonna run the course today or not?"
"I don't know."
"Please," Kaylissanara said. "I vold be most interested to vatch."
"I guess so, then. Cyborg, give me a minute to change." Robin went to a small building and a moment later came back out in his usual outfit, instead of his armor. "Okay, Cyborg, set it up."
"Course is set," Cyborg called from his position behind the control console, then counted down the seconds for him to start. "3. . . 2. . . . 1. . . GO!"
Kaylissanara watched as Robin sprinted into the course.
"Laser cannon on line," the console's computer voice said. "Target acquired."
Suddenly, Kaylissanara saw several, what she thought were rocks split open, revealing laser turrets, which began firing.
Robin already had his staff out and used it to deflect the bolts, and during a break as the lasers recharged, he threw several disks at the turrets. Kaylissanara was impressed with his aim as they flew true and destroyed the turrets in rapid fashion.
"Pop up mine activated," the computer intoned. Suddenly, a gray ball sprang up from the ground, in front of Robin.
Robin's staff was in motion again as he swatted the mine to one side, where it exploded several feet to his right with a satisfying boom.
As Robin kept moving, large pillars thrust up from the ground. He dodged the first one, then rode the second one up to it furthest point and leapt off to ride the next one up to repeat the procedure with the last two. As he jumped off the last one, he fired his grapnel and used it to swing over the large panels that slammed shut beneath him.
"Ariel attack drones launched," the computer announced. "Target locked, commencing attack run."
Using his free hand, Robin threw several disks at the delta-shaped drones even before they started firing their lasers at him, and they exploded with a very satisfying ball of fire and smoke.
"Drones destroyed, course complete." the computer said. "Time, one minute, fifteen, point eight seconds." the computer's voice said as Robin did a mid air somersault and landed at the finish line.
"That took ten seconds off your best time, Robin," Raven said, "and set a new course record."
"I think he was just showing off," Cyborg commented softly.
"Vy vould he vish to do that?" Kaylissanara asked as she came up behind them. "I believe it is simply that he is very competitive and skilled."
Cyborg blushed slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "He, he, yeah, he is."
"Was I the last to go through?" Robin asked as he walked up, a little breathless from the run.
"Yeah," Beast Boy replied. "Raven and Cy went first."
"Your Highness, these are the rest of the Titans," Robin said. "Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy. Titans, this is Princess Kaylissanara of the Shavari Empire."
"Pleased to meet you," Cyborg said as he bowed from the waist.
"Your Highness," Raven said, doing the same.
"Highness," Beast Boy said, Showing a rare jolt of formality as he also bowed. Obviously he had learned while in Tokyo
"I am honored to meet the rest of the team that Robin and Starfire vork so closely vith," Kaylissanara said. "I believe it is time that ve return to the meeting room."
Robin nodded, then headed for the changing room again.
"So that is vat you normally vear ven you do your crime fighting?" Kaylissanara asked as they started walking back to the Tower, and Robin nodded. "Vy is it that you do not vear a sword?"
"Our job is to capture criminals and bring them to justice, to be tried for their crimes, not to kill them."
"I see," Kaylissanara said, then Robin's communicator started beeping.
"Yes, Starfire?" he said when he answered it.
"The negotiations are going to start shortly, and I wish to talk with you, privately, before they do."
"We're on our way there now," Robin said, and found that the channel had been closed in mid sentence.
"It seems that she is not over her anger at your question last night," Kaylissanara observed.
