A new feud

Cey'aal Fidell had not left without arousing further upheaval. The remaining inspections all proved perfect, hence Naroon found himself in a position for demands.
He had instructed his Master engineer to 'guard' the package on the Cey'aal's transport ship.

He did not have the necessary equipment to perform a full analysis of the material on the Tiris. If Naroon let the Cey'aal take the substance away, it was likely he would never find out what it really was and would need to take the blame for a mistake that was not his.

If one of his own was present during the investigation, he was guaranteed to get back regular reports. He justified it as 'for the best of the ship', an argument which the Cey'aal himself couldn't counter.

The Warrior would find out what the meaning of this bizarre event was, even if he had to scower the universe to find out.

The ship was allowed to continue its duties until judgement from the Cey'aal would come. Naroon gave it another month at least.
Enough to start an investigation of his own.

He set some things in motion, made some queries here and there, but would need to wait for the definitive proof of course. Perhaps going through the transport records was not a bad idea. If a box had been mislabelled and thus switched, another box should be in excess somewhere else.

Thankfully the Minbari keep a log of all trade and transportation of goods, for statistical and analytical purposes. He would attempt analyzing the lost box' destination from the records, but knew it would be a tiring and boring task.

He set up his computer with a filtering algorithm to filter out the initial chunk of data, but then left it alone.

There was something else he needed to do first.

Kalek sat in the common room enjoying a cooled beverage. He had been on the ship since it had left Minbar, but was not feeling much better than at the start.

These Shaibar'nik, they were odd. Their different habits and rituals confused him, annoyed him at times. He had already filled 33 years of age – quite the accomplishment according to himself – under the guidance of the Fe'endumar(1). His sudden transfer was not to his liking, nor was it to the Tiris' crew.

Training had been different. The Shaibar'nik practiced other techniques in battle, used different tactics in assaults and were just plain different in thinking pattern. Adjustment was hard.

Kujar and Moran entered the room – together as always. Moran motioned at Kalek. "Sitting by himself again. Perhaps we should put him out of his misery?", Moran suggested.
"Grown merciful now have we?", Kujar mocked his friend as he took a pair of refreshing drinks from behind the bar.

Some Warrior vessels had Worker Caste bartenders operate the bar and serve the Warriors, but the Tiris' Shai Alyt was not comfortable with that method.
"If we can fight, we can work", was his philosophy. The Workers already did enough for them on the ship, no need to give them extra worries where the problem is so easily solved by doing it one's self.

Another thing Kalek had troubles with adjusting. The Alyt had reprimanded him for commanding a Worker to clean his quarters.
"On the Tiris, we make sure our quarters remain clean so there is no need for stress in any of our minds", she had enlightened him.
Or in other words: you foul, you clean.

"No, I'm just curious", Moran admitted, "I'm dying to know why he's here"
A smile was all the confirmation Kujar needed before moving to the seat next to Kalek.

The young Night Walker looked up at the two Shaibar'nik facing him.
"So, Kalek, has your tongue loosened up after your inauguration period here?", Kujar began with a statement a little more hostile than intended.
"My tongue is fine, Zha'den(2), thank you", he replied uncaring.
"Good, then you won't mind using it around us", he replied, Moran shaking his head.
"Don't mind Kujar, he's always like that", he intervened before the Warrior could react.

"We were interested in how it is you were assigned to the Tiris", Moran tried.
"Picking my nose?", he replied rather hostile.

Great, thanks Kujar…

"Of course. Would you not do the same?", the latter smiled.
The Shaibar'nik made a valid point. He probably would.

"I was assigned here to learn", he replied in a tone Kujar did not appreciate.
"Learn what? There is so much you can learn here", Moran insisted.

"Well, it all started with this first contact situation about a month ago. It was my first mission out in the open – finally! – and instead of some first action training, what do I get? Some unknown vessel entering our space", Kalek spoke suddenly a lot more enthusiastic.

"The vessel did not respond to our hails, we did not know what it was, but when I fired at it-"
"Whoa! You fired – f irst?", Kujar almost spilled his drink.
"Yes, that's not the point, it-"
"That is the point! Are you out of your mind?", Kujar interrupted him again.
"Minbari never start a fight, but always finish it. We never fire first", Moran suddenly sided with Kujar.
"Oh get real! What's the difference? They can't target us anyhow. Why needlessly wait for them to fire the first shot and risk a lucky blow?", Kalek argued.

At first, the Shaibar'nik thought he may be kidding them, but when the convinced gaze did not leave his eyes, they realised the seriousness of the case.
This Night Walker hadn't been sent here in a matter of honour, but in disgrace. He should have been outcast for what he did! Especially holding such thoughts after the facts! His actions were on purpose, how preposterous!

Fara – who had followed the conversation from the seat behind Kalek – did not leave her Zha'den the chance to reply. She got up, grabbed Kalek by his collar and dragged him out the door.

Kalek struggled and muttered, but Fara did not let go. She dragged him all the way back to his quarters, where she threw him against the wall.
"Is it a fight you're looking for? Because I can give you that. Vrak!", she cursed.

Kalek attempted to retaliate with words, but the Alyt did not give him the chance to do so.
"You come aboard, act as if you own the ship – bossing around the Workers and all that – and now you try to ferment trouble in the common room?", Fara ranted. "I will not tolerate you poisoning the mind of my crew!"

"I was merely stating my opinion", he tried nonetheless.
"Your opinion is not Minbari! Clearly, your elders felt the same way, but had a merciful moment or you wouldn't be sitting here right now", she continued, "You have been sent here to learn the proper way of the Warrior, the honourable way. This starts with never firing first"

She paced around the young recruit, a little taller than she was, carrying a short spiked head bone, their spikes bending drastically downwards according to his Clan's traditions.
"I will not risk another encounter like that and therefore take over the responsibility of re-educating you from Virell. And I have come up with the perfect way for you to make amends", she grinned.

Fara walked over to the standard desk that was in the room and hovered over the computer crystals. She copied some files locally and explained Kalek his new duty: "In order for you to never make such a blunder again, you will go through all recorded first contact situations, analyse them and report back to me – daily"

Kalek swallowed when he looked at the records. There was probably fifteen years of work in there…
"This is what you will do. Until you have masterfully understood the art of battle, you will not participate in any of the outside training events. Theory before practice", she commanded.
"But that means-"
"That means that for the next few years you do not leave the ship unless it's collapsing or we're boarded", Fara replied, well-understanding the seriousness of her punishment.

But the cadet did not protest. He accepted the penalisation from the Alyt, though she knew a simple submission would not change his core behaviour. She would have to train him intensively to get rid of a thought pattern like that.

How does one become as such?
She did not wish to ponder.

"While on the ship, you are in service of the people of Minbar under the watchful name of Shai Alyt Naroon. I presume you have no intentions of dishonouring his name?", she asked.
"No Alyt, I will apologise to the Shai Alyt", he replied.
"No, you will start on your tasks immediately. I will decide when you are allowed the privilege of contact with the crew again, but the Shai Alyt? You will have to have masted all before I allow you to speak with him", she stood firm.

Again, the Warrior did not protest, but took her judgement. There was nothing else he could do, he would have to sit this one through.

Three hours and twenty minutes filled with hallucinations, dreams, out-of-body experiences and more spirituality than Naroon could take had worn him out.

The Insil'Ri was a harsh ritual, at best. The intense concentration the preparation for the ritual required caused for the actual experience to be so intense.
But had he really been in touch with other souls?

He lay on his meditation matte, exhausted. The drug was finally wearing off. At last he was able to tell reality from fiction.

A conclusion was difficult to make. One always interpreted the images differently to one's guardian because of the emotions involved.

He lay there, putting the dreams into perspective. Some of them logical, others simply bizarre:

One featured Renati covering his back in battle, later tending to him when wounded.

Another was about a new Flarn alteration being released, however made with ingredients so rare it takes a thousand years to grow them. A Human tastes some from his plate, but throws it at the cook, shouting it is not edible. Naroon was too late from stopping the Human throwing away this remarkable piece of work, and would never taste its sweet delights.

Then there was Renati working with Humans, training them.
How did she do it? Had she really forgotten her hatred for them? Or had she grown soft? She could not feel compassion for them, let alone follow their ideas… could she?

"Do you think you can replace me with her?", a bleeding Nerdir looked up at his brother with a cold look in his eyes.

And then, there she was, pure and perfect. Her body against his, warm and soft. Her eyes squinty in enjoyment… Renati… Akel? Fara?!

But suddenly.. Renati stood in front of him, in the middle of a battlefield gone wrong. She looked over her shoulder, but her face showed no emotion. She looked away again and walked away into the mist of slaughter on her way to the fountain of peace, where he could not follow.

"Ridiculous", Naroon shook his head at some of his visions. What strangeness had the universe brought upon him?

Nevertheless, he would have to tell the visions to Myana as they occurred, however puzzling they may be.

She would bring him judgement in the morning.

"What is it with that Clan? First the mother, now the daughter", the elder female of Mir complained to her companions after seeing the Shaibar'nik's testimony of the ritual.
"Mind that thought!", the elder female of Chu'Domo protested.
"What did you expect? She was raised by a Vonilbok. We should have intervened then", Myana spoke to her group of trustees.

The elderly females formed one of Minbari society's most secret organizations – or trustfully know as the 'tea circle', a naming they preferred.
It consists out of two elders of the Family of Chu'Domo and Mir, both Religious Caste, one elder of the Shaibar'nik and another of the Oorehak, the Worker Caste's City Builders guild.

All females are renown within their Caste, one older than the next. They hold no 'official' ruling title, however they carry so much influence within their Caste they could easily move a large part of the it to their will.

Instead of feasting on personal power the original elders of this tea circle – rooting many generations ago – decided to bundle their social powers for the benefit of the Minbari people.

Every generation they scout for the most influencing Minbari to be included in their highly selective fellowship. Those selected are granted the burden of deciding on the fate of many diverse issues keeping the Minbari people busy.

These issues reach from where to build the next training temple to who should be assigned to which ship. They do not control all of course, however the most notable decisions taken in Minbari history are influenced by this circle.

Its size depends on the era. At present, it consists of five. The members are addressed by Clan, Family or Guild name, leaving familiarities at the door.

Through their influences, the members had obtained all necessary information about the Shai Alyt's recent occupations. A necessary action after having seen the surprise on Mayana's face.
"She must be extraordinary if she caught his attention", had been her comment. The revelation that she was Religious Caste had obviously come as a shock, but the more worrying part was that this one had been raised by a Warrior.

"We have no jurisdiction on the Vonilbok and you know that", Chu'Domo put Myana – or rather Shaibar'nik – in her place.
"She is Anla'shok. You could have done something through Rathenn", she replied feistily.
"Rathenn likes the girl, he has from the beginning. And so does Lenonn, who was highly in favour of her Warrior upbringing may I remind you", Chu'Domo defended herself.
"They should've made her Vonilbok from the start", Oorehak concluded the discussion.
"Correct, but it was not her decision. Should she pay the price for a decision that was not hers? That is the matter to discuss here", Myana confronted her peers.

"It is not Renati who is on trial here, it is the young Shai Alyt", Chu'Domo countered again.
"No Chu'Domo, by putting him on trial we deal with the two. What we decide for him, we decide for both of them", it was Mir who tried putting things into perspective.
"The Shai Alyt is the problem", Chu'Domo stressed, "If it were a rank soldier I wouldn't mind…"
Mir wanted to comment on Chu'Domo's misplaced thoughts, but was caught off by Myana.

"He's one of Akel's trustees", she clarified, "We should have anticipated he would be a possibility, however I never considered him the type"
"I thought he was with his Alyt", Oorehak commented.
"She's with him… but he's not with her", Myana explained.
"Oh, one of those…"

"You know him personally Shaibar'nik, tell us your thoughts on the matter", Mir asked for a clearer view.
"Naroon is a valiant, honourable Shai Alyt. He has served the Warrior Caste and my Clan for over eighty years, without question of loyalty. However, if he sets his mind to something, he is set out to get it", she warned.

"What would be the price?", Chu'Domo confronted.
"I anticipate he would reject Clan and Caste and go ahead anyway, just for the sake of forcing us to open our minds", Myana replied in honesty.
"A rebel", Chu'Domo almost spat.
"A revolutionary", Naroon got Oorehak's backing.
"Imagine the revolt if he were to go public"

"Going Casteless out of love? Possibly just lust at this stage? Unacceptable", Chu'Domo scurried the thought out of her mind.
"But popular with the youngsters", Oorehak warned her companions.

"We need to come to a conclusion by tomorrow", Myana tempered the elderly spirits. "Let us reconvene after this has sunk in"

"Alright, what is next?"

Perhaps I should at least check if he's alright, a slightly worried Fara thought. She hadn't seen Naroon in the follow-up meeting regarding the inspection, nor did he fulfil his shift for today. He had arranged for a replacement, however he had not supplied a reason.
A Shai Alyt never needs to, but Naroon usually tells his Alyt.

It couldn't be Renati keeping him busy, for she had been secluded herself. The other Religious Caste was keeping too tight an eye of her to miss the two meeting.

No, it had to be something else keeping Naroon's attention. But she was curious as to what.
Besides, she still needed to tell him of the change of plans regarding the Fe'endumar. He would not be happy to hear he was going to have a Night Walker stuck on his ship for the next couple of years, but she trusted he would see the value of the lesson.

The door crystal tingled under her touch.
"Enter", his familiar voice sounded.
Fara walked in and smiled. Just as she was to ask him how he was, she smelled the scent of candles.

That scent!
Insil'Ri...

Her heart sank to her knees as she realised what her Shai Alyt had been up to. How could he? Was he really that set on embarrassing them all?
She wanted to hit him, but reconsidered. He was not even worth the effort of her punch.

Without words, she turned around and left.

"Your verdict?", Naroon asked his friend Myana over the comm. link. Though he had mediated, he was still nervous.
Naroon was used to taking decisions that sometimes kicked the shins of others, but nothing that couldn't be helped. His mind feared that maybe this time he had gone too far.

It was not solely Renati, but more the idea behind it. The power of finally being able to take a decision of his own without consequences, restrictions or conditions. That is what he yearned for: free will without implications.
Would she grant him that delight?

"Before I give you my advise, I want you to tell me if there is anything else I should know about her", Myana forced him.
Naroon shuffled back and forth uncomfortably. Myana's gaze felt like an eagle bowing down over its prey, deciding which bit would be more delicious to prick first.
She knew!

"She is of the Religious Caste", Naroon admitted, cornered.
His friend stared at him briefly, weighing the perfect answer.
"Why did you not tell me before? Something like this is worth mentioning, don't you think?"
"I did not want it to influence your judgement. Objectivity was of utmost importance for interpreting the images, Myana"

She wanted to reply in anger, for she was angry – no insulted even – he had not told her first off, but his counterargument proved valid. Blast Naroon and his speechfulness!
"But you knew nonetheless", he swapped his corner for the upper hand.
"Yes, I did"

Again Myana merely looked at her friend. Her mind and heart were battering with each other over what to tell him. The images had shown her the two souls were compatible, but that was before she knew of the origins of the female.

Renati. The one whose parents had already made a mistake.
Could she let Naroon make the same?

If she told him their souls do not connect, he would not have perused it – if he had not know she knew of the Anla'Shoks Caste.

But he knew.
Would he rebel as punishment for her lying to him? Could she even justify lying to a fellow Shai Alyt? A friend?

"You are compatible"
Naroon's eyes closed in relief, but he held back a sigh.
"Thank you"

The confidence in his friend was stronger than before. If she could put aside her personal opinion for such a delicate matter, she was truly great. Honourable of her title.

"Naroon"
"Yes?"
"No harm may come to the Clan. Do not make this our downfall", she spoke from the heart.
"I seek neither harm nor disrespect Myana, merely freedom of choice"
"Then our minds agree"

Myana turned to her eagerly present companions after switching off the link.

"There will be next time", Chu'Domo warned, not entirely satisfied with the circle's decision.
"At least we have controlled the damage. If it gets out of hands, we will force him to commit – as we agreed", Myana stressed.

"And by doing so opening the path to an even hotter topic amongst the young, interesting", Oorehak commented with a grin as she enjoyed sipping her tea.

The old Worker Caste was pleased with the changes in society. Regardless of her age, her mind followed the thoughts of the young.
The blessing of being a slave of the creative.

It had been several days since the completion of his ritual, but Naroon had not yet run into Renati. They had dropped off Varas two days ago – unfortunately he didn't get to see her before she left.

They were closing in on Arisia Colony, Renati's destination. It was time to try and catch her before she left as well.

He had looked in the common room, the mess hall and the training room, but there was no sign of her.

Was something the matter with her? Had he insulted her with his absence?
Surely, she could not be that light-footed.

"Locate individual: Renati, Anla'Shok", he spoke into his arm guard.
"Lookup successful. Current locations: Quarters X23, F deck", the computer voice spoke back.

Going by her quarters... Was that a good idea?
What if she wanted to take things one step at a time? He did not want to scare her away again.

No, if he was going to attempt the first decision in his life he wanted to take without repercussions from the Clan or any others, he would do it properly. He would court her, as is appropriate.
Unless of course, she courted him.

Now there's an interesting thought.

He took the lift to her level, but as he stepped out the ship's alarm sounded.
"Shai Alyt, please report to the bridge immediately! We have an emergency!", Suveni's voice sounded through his arm guard.

Emergency? Now?!

Footnotes

(1) - Fe'endumar (Adrenato): Night Walkers, a Warrior Clan. Last of the five Warrior Clans. The Night Walkers are a specific breed of Warrior, usually keeping to themselves. Their introvert nature alienates them from the other Clans, the sources of manier frustrations and fueds. The Night Walkers are the ones who tend to tread more lightly on heavily valued concepts such as honour and valour.
Their Clan-specific fighting techniques carry blinks to thieving methods, quite controversial of course.
They are currently lead by Shai Alyt Shakiri

(2) - Zha'den (Adrenato, VIk, Lenn'A): Warrior

Next chapter: The Arisia Massacre

Coming very soon so stay tuned!