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Chapter 7 – Poltious' Visit

Legate had taken a hot shower and found he felt a bit better.

He tucked Genie back into bed and went downstairs to make himself a cup of tea. He wore a pair of grey sweatpants and no shirt. His wet hair was all over the place and his head was still questionable if he was going to be able to recover in time to do anything productive with his day.

He sipped his tea and leaned against the cabinet. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Oh, that's good."

Then he heard Poltious speak in his head. 'Legate?'

He didn't answer. Surely, he meant the other Legate. What would his father have to say to him this early in the morning?

'Legate?' He asked again.

Legate didn't answer. Then he heard a knock on the flat's door.

He groaned and walked into the sitting room. He wasn't surprised when he opened the door and saw Poltious standing there with his hands held out in surprise. "Your head alright, son?"

Legate rubbed his head and groaned. "Possibility the worst hangover of my entire life."

Poltious laughed as he walked into the flat and closed the door behind him. "Yeah, I suppose you don't want me to call John."

Legate led his father back into the kitchen. "I'd rather you didn't, thanks."

Poltious nodded and sat down at the bar. "Yeah, I heard about that. I came to see you as soon as I could."

"As soon as you could? Where have you been?"

Poltious groaned. "Someone is causing a lot of trouble for some settlements around here. I was trying to track and see if I could figure out who it was."

"Any luck?"

"No. Whoever is doing it, has a kick ass cloak on their ship. Which makes me think I may know who it is. But, I won't say until I'm certain. But, enough of that. I came here to talk about you."

Legate rubbed his head.

Poltious smiled at his son. "Have you taken some medicine?"

"Yes. And believe it or not, I'm feeling better."

Poltious laughed, "Good party, huh?"

Legate nodded, "Oh, yes. One, I'll never forget."

Poltious nodded, "Son, it's not fair what they have asked you to do."

"I understand why they have-"

"Yes, but it's still not fair to you. I was not consulted. And my opinion doesn't count as it turns out-"

"Yes, it does-"

"Not in this. Lartius has always done the opposite of what I have ever suggested, and this would have been no exception."

"You're his One-"

"Which doesn't mean I'm an advisor." Poltious told him. "I stepped away from that role years ago."

Legate shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense."

Poltious closed his eyes tightly. "I know it doesn't and please don't ask me to explain. I thought, after Lenox was born, that I wasn't capable of…..making a decision worthy of advising anyone. Let alone the King. So, I removed myself from that role. I couldn't have the fate of the Kingdom, rest on my shoulders."

Legate looked confused. "Poltious, that makes absolutely, no sense at all-"

"And I won't explain why. You just have to trust me, that it was the best decision for everyone at the time. But, this." He sighed. "This is something none of us could have foreseen. Two of you. One the heir. One in love."

Legate rubbed the side of his head.

"I want you to be happy, Legate. I know she makes you happy and you want to exchange the Life Promise with her. I'm supportive of this decision. Even if it's against what Lartius wants."

Legate grinned, "Makes it a bit more appealing, huh?"

Poltious laughed. "It does. Everything about you, son, has always been about the royal blood that you have running though your veins. You possibility stepping into that role of heir, all of the title you have ever used and all you have ever been known by, was from the Royal House."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, that I am your father, Legate. And my house has never been brought into this. You are the honorable Praetor Legate-"

"I was. I can't use the status any longer. So much for Praetor."

Poltious nodded. "You, son are also the Grandson of the Noble Primus Panthino, and heir to the Seventh House of the Quauthin."

Legate shook his head. "I've never heard of this-"

"Of course you haven't! The houses haven't stood for centuries. They were all lost in the wars. But, my father, was in charge of spotting new talent there at the Academy, and training them before they started their career as Quauhtin. The same thing you have agreed to do here at the school."

Legate smiled proudly. "I never knew this."

"The testing of new Quauhtin used to be done in one of the Ten Houses, before they were allowed to train. His was the Seventh. He was Seven of the man who started that. After the wars, it was eliminated. We needed anyone who would sign up."

"His name was Panthino?"

"Why do you think my name begins with a P? Poltious? This was centuries ago. Before the wars. Back when the planet was thriving and colonies were necessary because there were so many Quauhtin. Now, well, Legate. You know we're a dying race."

Legate shook his head. "I don't believe that."

"Believe it or not, son, it is the way of things. There used to be so many Quauthin in the galaxy, that it was easy to go out and protect everyone. Now, we struggle to protect ourselves. Lartius is considering recalling everyone to the home world."

"He can't do that."

"Oh, he can. If war breaks out, he will be forced to. All Quauhtin, even the Prime Guard, will have to go."

Legate sighed. "There's no way I could go."

"No. I believe, he would recall you in such an event. Even with the loss of your status as a Warrior. "

"No, Poltious. You're not hearing what I'm telling you. I couldn't go. My place is here. With Genie."

"I understand that, but –"

Legate rubbed his face and groaned. He cleared his throat and held out his hand. "No, Poltious. Genie and I have made the Life Promise to one another. I'm bound to her, and her to me. I won't leave her."

Poltious rose his eyebrows in surprise. "When did this happen?"

"Last night. Sammy evoked the Right of the Patriarch and performed the ceremony."

Poltious looked confused. "Hang on. Sammy is married?"

Legate nodded. "He and Karen are expecting a baby, and he has made the Andromedan Promise to the Child."

Poltious' covered his mouth in surprise. "Oh, wow."

Legate sipped his tea and nodded. "He offered to do it-"

"And no one knows?"

Legate shook his head. "No one. Just us who were there last night. Well, and you."

Poltious shook his head in surprise. "Wow. Playing with fire, son. Going directly against what your King has told you do to."

Legate rubbed the side of his head and moaned. "What Lewis has told me to do. I hate this idea of his. Have you heard it completely?"

Poltious nodded, "I have. The important question is, has your bride heard it?"

Legate closed his eyes and shook his head.

"She hasn't." Poltious realized. "Legate-"

Legate sighed. "I'll explain, if I have to. I hope I never do."

"That makes two of us. Oh, son." Poltious covered his mouth and took a few seconds to collect himself. "So, this is it. A secret marriage?"

"Yes, sir." Legate told him.

"Well, who was present?"

Legate counted on his fingers, "Sammy, Arles, Karen and I named their child as my Fourth."

Poltious nodded, "Well, Four is better than none-"

Legate grinned, "Sammy wouldn't hear of it. He insisted I name my Ten."

Poltious smiled proudly, "Good man. Who are they?"

"You're Five."

"And it is my honor."

"Thank you. Six, Lenox. Seven, Lewis. Eight, Lance. Nine, John. Ten, Lartius."

Poltious smiled proudly. "Congratulations. Hang on, that only works if he's a Quauthin."

"He's allowed to use the title if he wants. He just doesn't. Normally."

Poltious nodded. "I see. Well, I'm sorry to say I haven't thought of that, otherwise I would have offered to do it."

Legate smiled at him. "Thank you."

Poltious laughed. "Where is your bride, then?"

"She's upstairs. We celebrated a bit more than we should have-"

"Nonsense! Sounds like you did it properly. Take her some water and go back to bed. You and I can chat more later."

Legate grinned. "Thank you for coming to see me about this. You are the only one who has felt it necessary."

He pointed at himself. "I am your father. I had to come. And we'll chat more later. You, bed. Recover and we'll get the rest of this sorted."

Legate stood up and they hugged one another.

Poltious looked proudly at him. "My Legate is bound by a Life Promise. Gosh, with a Rixalarian. You are a lucky man."

Legate smiled. "She's amazing."

Poltious nodded. "I look forward to getting to know her better. I'm on my way to see Lenox. I'll tell him, and he'll send his congratulations. I worry about his colony there, and want to speak to him about these attacks."

Legate held up his finger. "About that. A few years ago, several of us came up with things that would help protect that place. I made a list, and want you to take it with you to discuss with him."

Poltious followed Legate into the sitting room where he picked up a notebook and handed it to his father. "It's all in there."

Poltious nodded. "Right. I'll discuss this with him."

Legate put his hands on his hips. "How likely is a recall to the home world?"

"Extremely, if they can't get this sorted. Summus is working on it, but-"

"You think it's her? The Queen who claims that Soli is hers?"

"No." He told him. "But, I'll discuss that later. I've never been a man to make accusations against someone unless I'm sure."

Legate ran his hands through his hair. "Right."

Poltious smiled proudly at his son. "Tell Genie that I said, 'Welcome to the family.' She's good for you. Keeps you honest."

Legate laughed and then grabbed his head.

Poltious pat Legate's chest with the notebook. "I'll be in touch. Bed. Rest."

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