A/N: This update has been a bit longer in the coming as the elementals were being difficult (not that that is anything new for elelmentals). Thank you for your patience! :)
Linda and Cathy, thank you for your continued support and reviews.
Adastrea, glad to know you are still with us.
Jade121, welcome to our world of Riddick
ChildofFury93 and prettytightkid, I hope you are still with us
Riddick saw Masala shift her shoulders and power, for there was no other way to describe it, wrapped around her. She shimmered with it, like the pale blue hand print that marked them both, and it mingled with and increased the strength of her scent. Her authority and Furyan pride lay like a mantle about her shoulders.
A smirk played around his lips as he watched the throng part for her as she strode forward toward the entrance to the council chambers. He stared after her long past the time she disappeared inside. If all the women of Furya had been like her, hell, even if only quarter of them were, the universe was much poorer place for their loss.
When he turned to Aereon she wore a interested, calculating expression.
"Whatever it is you're thinking, stop. Now what is it of mine that you claim to have found?"
With practiced ease she schooled her features into equanimity. "It is simpler if I show you. Please...come with me."
Aereon led him through the maze of twisting turns that was the elementals' capital city. They continued up to an outer cluster of spires that seemed to be the highest of them all. She paused at the doorway and turned to him.
"This is my home, Riddick," she said deferentially. "I thought it best to be kept here to avoid … inquiries. You are welcome any time during your stay with us."
Her odd behavior caused him to be wary as she led him inside and to a sealed room on the bottom floor. She withdrew an old fashioned key from her sleeve and used it to unlocked the door. The door swung silently open exposing a cool and dimly lit room. When he made no more to enter, she flowed into the room to stand by the only thing it held.
"I assure you, Riddick, there is no trap here," she told him then turned and placed her hand on a smooth, shiny surface behind her. "Only this."
He stood silent in the doorway for many long moments looking at the object which Aereon stood before. Four quick steps brought him to it, and he laid his hands on the smooth ebony surface. Though the light was low enough to not interfere with his sight, he chose not to remove the goggles.
Aereon made to leave him alone but his voice halted her steps.
In a tone rough with suppressed emotion he asked, "Where did you find it?"
"We discovered it drifting into our system when I returned from Helion Prime," she answered, compassion coloring her speech. "I thought I recognized it and had it brought here. I did not expect what I found. Odds are good that you will not either."
His head turned ever so slightly in her direction, puzzling at her words.
"I will leave you now."
Riddick did not watch her go. Instead, the black surface beneath his hands held his attention. Time passed as he stood there, how much he did not know, but he eventually had to move, at least to shift position. He slid a hand down to the side and deactivated the latching mechanism. Drawing a single deep breath he pushed the lid aside and looked inside. Now he understood Aereon's cryptic statement about the odds. He did not expect to see what he did.
Had anyone been watching him, they would have seen him push the goggles up just long enough to swipe at his eyes. He stilled an impulse to reach in to the container and replaced the lid, refastening it. With heavy steps he left the room, closing the door behind him. He saw that Aereon had left the key in the lock. He turned it, locking the door, then pocketed the key. He proceeded to move through her house, searching for her.
"In here, Riddick," she called to him, seemingly sensing the stirring of air his movement caused.
Aereon was in a small sitting area with food and drink laid out on the table. She handed him a tumbler of amber liquid which he downed without a second thought. He set the glass down and asked, "How?"
"We do not know."
"What are the odds of that?" he asked this time with sarcasm.
Utterly serious, she replied, "Incalculable."
That was something rarely if ever heard from any elemental.
She continued, "We have reviewed all our calculations time and again. It is an anomaly we cannot account for, in past, present or future. Our futures, all of us, not just elementals, are unclear. No path shows itself, choices are murky at best. We are unprepared for this."
"So now you're just like the rest of us?"
"I suppose we are. It is unsettling," she admitted.
It was something Masala had learned as a child, how to draw herself up and project authority. It had come easily to her then, and it did so now. What she had not had before was the near physical manifestation of that authority. She felt the cloak of power wrap about her and could just see the shimmering from the corner of her eye. She guessed it was because of her new status, and she felt a murmur of agreement from her predecessors.
Here she was in Quintessan Council Chamber representing Furya. As far as she knew she was the only living Furyan official. She knew Shirah existed but did not consider that living. And now the Elemental Council was arrayed before her. They numbered five and represented Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Ether. Various rettainers attended them.
They spoke among themselves with one gesturing to her every once in a while. So far no one had addressed her directly. She would stand no more. The murmur of voices from the council chamber was overrode by Masala's strident tones.
"You will cease all machinations where Furya is concerned. Our fate is not yours to orchestrate...or to calculate."
Water spoke first, "But you said your people bore us no ill will."
"For a past decision, offering up our world to spare your own," she responded. "We will not idly stand by for a recurrence."
"But Shirah..." Earth began.
That was no way to win an argument with Masala.
"Shirah does not hold sway. She is an adviser to our Leader as is our Factor. We are not a theocracy."
Frowning, Ether spoke this time, "We were assured you, all Furyans, would follow her lead, do as your Seer said."
"If she and you expected obedience without question you should have joined the Necros."
There was an audible gasp that ran through the room followed by a snort of amusement from Fire who began clapping.
"Very good, Master Assassin," he said evenly. "You have made your point. I am Ferrous. Would you be willing to converse with me one on one? Perhaps we could come to an understanding."
Masala acquiesced, and Ferrous led her to a small side chamber.
"May I offer you refreshment?" he asked indicating a sidebar with assorted fruits, cheeses, water and light wine.
And so the political dance begins, she thought but thanked him for his hospitality before making a show of taking some fruit and cheese as well as a goblet of chilled wine. She the food and drink and sat at the small conference table. "What is it that you seek to convince me of?"
He smiled. Of all the elementals, the Fires most appreciated directness. "We cannot leave Furya out of our calculations. Your homeworld's role is too important to the future of the universe."
"Perhaps you should have thought about that before offering us up as a sacrifice," she replied in the same vein.
"It was a calculated risk."
"I gathered that. It does make one wonder, though, what might have happened if all Furyan's had been actively enlisted in the war instead of a single child who might not have survived. How many other worlds might have been saved?"
"It was calculated that not even all the might of Furya could halt the march of Necromongers."
Her brows rose at that. "But a single child could? Those are quite steep odds, even for your people. How is it that he did survive? Was one of you watching him all these years?"
Ferrous looked at her with a new respect. "You are very perceptive, Furyan."
"For a Furyan you mean?" A wry grin twisted her mouth. "I am an assassin. It behooves me in my line of work to be perceptive."
He conceded the point with graciousness. "Would you be willing to sit on the Council of Worlds? We could use your temerity."
"More than my temerity, I think," she answered then paused to take a bite of fruit. "Even if I were, Furyan business calls me elsewhere."
"Then, perhaps Riddick would be willing..."
She could not help the laugh that burst forth, knowing that the man in question would never even consider it, and if he did, he would be running the place in no time. "Good luck with that, Councilor."
He frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"He has already turned down the Leadership of Furya. I do not believe he will be predisposed to represent us in any fashion."
"But he avenged your people. He killed the man who brought destruction upon your world."
"Technically, he did kill the sword wielder, yes, but he did it for his own reasons which had nothing to do with Furya. And before you ask, I do not know what they were, and it would not be my place to tell you even if I did...And, truly, should not the prophecy giver also be held responsible for what occurred on Furya?"
Ferrous looked aghast. "Surely you are not suggesting..."
She let him sweat for a bit before answering, "I understand what was done, even if I do not appreciate it. And in that I speak for myself and not Furya. I cannot say if others will be as...understanding."
"Others?"
"Others. Like the phoenix, Furya is rising from the ashes, and we will once again be a force with which to be reckoned. I suggest you input that into your calculations."
"Is that a threat?"
"Furyan's don't make threats." He could take that any way he wanted. She knew she had made her point. "I trust we have come to an understanding?"
He was clearly not pleased with the way things had gone, yet he knew they, the Council, had little leeway when it came to Furya. The Furyan people were owed a great debt by a great many worlds even if most of them had no idea of the matter. "We have," he grudgingly agreed. "How long will you be with us? Might we offer you accommodations?"
"That all depends on Riddick, where ever it is he may be."
"I believe he is with Aereon. I will have someone show you the way."
At some silent signal she did not hear, two more elementals appeared to escort her to Aereon and Riddick.