With dual suns sinking behind snow capped mountains things in the Cultural center began to wind down. Street lights were lit by hand one at a time. Sleepy eyed toddlers carried off to bed. Lovers danced slowly in the twilight. Shepard had never experienced anything like it before. Civilian life was a concept even more alien to her than the Thorian. In the military things were either in perfect order or utter chaos, all hands on deck or shore leave. This strange medium was both confusing and enticing. With the Reapers counting Z's in dark space for the rest of eternity nothing else mattered. Maybe she would settle down one day; find a cute guy, buy a house on an actual planet, have a couple of ki-... Adopt. Shepard had to blink back tears. She received many injuries from nearly getting spaced, but that was by far the worst.
Orian leaned into the human's eye-line. "Perchance we gather your crew and head to the feast Commander?"
"That sounds like a good idea." Flexing her hand 'just so' activated the omnitool's haptic display. A few taps later and everybody was sent a destination marker.
When the group arrived Orian and his assistant led them north to a massive perfectly straight cliff face. At the base were ten guards in heavy plated armor with an array of firearms. Now closer Shep noticed a tall twenty foot wide vertical symbol covered shaft carved into the stone. The secretary bird walked ahead and held out some kind of identification. One guard gave a nod then opened the panel behind him and pulled a lever. There was a faint chime followed by rumbling.
"That's one hell of a door. Hope they ain't compensating for something." The Eclipse woman said draping an arm over Miranda's shoulder much to her chagrin.
The rumbling grew louder as a platform came into view high above them. Plummeting downward it slowed to a crawl before touching the ground. Two large scissor gates opened to a elevator.
Dyeppa visibly backpedaled "With mild fear and embarrassment: I think i'll stay here. I am afraid of heights."
The lead guard spoke up. "You needn't worry Ma'am. The Royal family uses this lift many times a day. It is the most well maintained piece of equipment on Turvess." Shepard was impressed they had the wisdom to give him a translator.
"If the Dekuuna-clan wishes to forfeit title of 'Shipping Queen' then I say let her. Less competition for those who remain." The Elcor ceased her snail-paced escape and marched forward onto steel floor, nudging her Volus counterpart along the way.
"Stoically: A darting fear—a pomp—a tear— A waking on a morn To find that what one waked for, Inhales the different dawn. Appreciatively: Thank you. I needed that." With gates closed the lift did just that.
If the fate of humanity was in the balance Shepard would have been pissed, but today the slowly rising box let her admire the dusky vista. A dark lavender sky with pale green and orange clouds which every so often align in a way that made the mountain tops look afloat.
At just over six hundred feet, the elevator stopped and opened its rear gate. Orian ushered the collection of sapiens down an arched corridor that bordered on luxurious; red carpet, portraits, fancy lamps, stone walls and wooden handrails with matching trim. Every dozen feet or so were intersections leading somewhere unseen. After the fourth of such cross-ways, they entered a grand hall reminiscent of the Citadel Tower filled with alcoves three tiers of elevation and enough 'conversation pieces' to make an interior decorator weep with joy.
"Welcome to King's Voice, the heart of Cloudreach Castle." The shimmering blueish bird announced with a wide grin.
"Holy fuck! This place is huge." D'aris and her Commandos gawked like they were flashed by the Goddess herself.
Ever the observant researcher, Senok questioned his host. "Stone is black with white grain, a form of marble most likely. Indications of being hewn by hand tools. Would require decades of continuous work. This is more than a seat of power correct?"
"Very astute. This castle not only houses the royal family and their servants, but also contains among other classified things its own garrison, the Clan Icon statue hall, Turvess's most complete library and the noble hatchery." Several people gasped at this revelation and not simply because the Raloi were now confirmed to be Oviparous. In the time since touching down Orian informed everyone that each clan was ruled by a number of noble families.
"You house every noble clutch in a single location!?"
"We have many hidden rooms within this tower carefully designed and monitored for optimal care. Any attack on the castle by a clan would insight the remaining four to terminate all of the offending clans noble families. This holds true even in a succession war."
"I'm guessing that's how Vukoma got this city." Ravanor Nura stated.
"Precisely. After ten generations the current ruling family steps down and global combat begins between the clans. Each fight until forced to surrender. All prisoners are released and land returned. When only one clan remains every family tallies up a complex honor based score involving conditions such as 'lowest civilian casualties' and 'reports of most humane treatment for prisoners of war'. Highest scoring family gains dominion and their clan controls Cloudreach."
"That may work against your nobles, but what defenses do you have in place in case of a uprising?" It appeared the millennium old Krogan matron did not accept half answers.
"It seems your 'Starlings' are less omniscient then you believed Orian." Out from a rear archway strode an violet female clad in warrior's armor, however this one wasn't Krogan-esk in her size. Yet she exuded a sense of power and control which had the Spectre taking mental inventory of her group's load-out. This may be do to the massive sword on her back. "First they blunder into an obvious trap only the savages among them were able to detect, and now they miss our numerous gun emplacements. Perhaps technology has deadened instincts throughout the galaxy. Quite sad really."
"Alhena." Shepard could hear the scowl in Orian's voice. "Why was I not informed about the ambush!?"
"You have loose lips and are far to trusting." She walked closer; the dozen or so chandeliers lighting up a large number of medals on her cloak. "You may be willing to bow before these aliens, but neither the Queen nor I will do the same."
"And just what gives your Queen the right to put so many unarmed soldiers of another clan in a position that anyone could have foreseen ending in tragedy?" Kalius Gaition shouted. "The Hierarchy would never take such a risk."
"I am not a fool Turian, and my name is Thebe." Following Alhena's path was another pale blue female in a flowing ornate gown colored for each clan that screamed royalty. "This is an unprecedented event. You and your compatriots hold enough power and authority to condemn us to extinction, or worst yet eternal isolation." Now just feet from the man it was clear that she was a crafter. "With two of our five clans believing you are here for conquest I needed to test your sense of restraint."
"They could have been killed!"
"Yet they live!" Her voice carried around the hall with shocking force. "You may think me a woman who's blood gained her power, but I have earned my title. Reading history books until my fingers bled from the pages, memorized treaties dating back farther than most countries, honing my mind and body to resist torture should I ever be captured by rogue elements. I have sacrificed decades to reach this position, and I demand the respect I am owed." Kalius visibly shrank at her declaration; even the Krogan looked impressed by her force of will. No one could meet her gaze.
Shepard heard a barely contained snort that devolved into full blown laughter.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry; that was just far to grim." The Queen tried and failed to stifle her chuckling even with all four hands. Thebe practically skipped over to Orian and embraced him from behind then lifted the smaller bird into a nuzzle. "Oh you were right dumpling; I should have picked a different speech writer." Her voice went from commanding to ditsy, and Shepard was treated to Orian's embarrassed face once more.
"Mother please stop. I'm trying to give a tour."
"Oh hush! I'm sure they understand. I haven't seen you in days." She squeezed the runner one last time before placing him on the floor. "He's been working so hard the last week; my little boy wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for you Starlings." The rooms atmosphere changed completely.
"My Queen! You promised me you wouldn't be so casual in front of the aliens." Alhena appeared to be at wits end.
"And you promised you'd not traipse around with our servants before the delegation concluded. Yet who's visage did I see sneak into the bath house this morning?"
"Mother!" Alhena's voice cracked in shame.
"So the two of you are siblings? I should have guessed; only family can get under one's skin so completely." D'aris chimed in with a laugh of her own.
"While my speech was true it was hardly so dark and dreary, but enough about me. The feast is about to start in the banquet hall and I'm sure your all famished from today's events. Follow me." Now more upbeat the group did as the Queen asked.