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Chapter 23 – Poltious and Prince Legate

Poltious had landed his ship, the Corvus, on the Royal landing platform of Kaitos. The beautiful, desert planet that had been settled a few years before, was humid. Adobe buildings and metal platforms made up the many structures of the colony that had also taken advantage of the large mountains there. So many of the buildings had been constructed into the sides of the hills, both for defense, and to keep the occupants cool in the environment.

Poltious was met by two Quauhtin when he walked down the gangplank of the Corvus. Both of them bowed respectively which immediately made Poltious roll his eyes. The father of the heir demanded respect, certainly, but he didn't feel as though he deserved it at all.

Maria's world. Not his.

The Quauthin were both dressed in the traditional clothing of brown pants with a white shirt. Both wore vests with many pockets to hold equipment they used there on the colony.

The first Quauthin smiled, "Honorable Praetor Poltious-"

Poltious held his hand up to stop him. "That's me. Yes."

The man nodded. "Yes. I am Limoges and this is Melun."

Poltious looked back at the man, "Melun, huh?"

He smiled, "I was born on a colony."

Poltious grinned, "No judgment. There are only so many names that begin with an L. Where is Legate?"

"Prince Legate has asked us to bring you to the residence. Right this way, sir." Melun bowed and turned towards the door.

Poltious slipped his hand in his pocket and pressed a button that closed the gangplank on the ship as they walked into the large structure. Two guards wearing gold and brown held the doors open for them.

As soon as they stepped into the building, the cool air forced Poltious to take a deep breath. The hallways had been tunneled into the mountainside and every few feet, an archway had been placed. The floor was grey stone and the further they walked, the cooler it became.

After a bit, the two Quauhtin led Poltious to a doorway which was opened again for them by two guards dressed elegantly. Poltious walked into the residence with them.

Limoges smiled, "Prince Legate has asked that you make yourself comfortable. He'll be with you as soon as-"

"Yes. He's finished with a meeting. He's speaking to me, as well." Poltious told them as he looked around the room. "You can go, do something. I'll be alright."

The two men bowed and closed the door to the residence.

The residence where Legate now lived was stunning. Tall columns and mosaic floors made up the lovely room that was trimmed in hand carved wooden corners and iron doors that stood open in arched doorways. The entire place was the beige color of the mountain's earth.

Ornate tables and furniture decorated the rooms. A large window brought a lot of light into the room that was already well lit. It was the perfect place to find an heir to the throne. Poltious understood immediately why Legate was so uncomfortable here.

Poltious was also uncomfortable. This was Maria's world, and the world of the Quauhtin he had served before Lartius. He made his way to the kitchen, and poured himself a glass of Hebridan from a crystal decanter. The glass twinkled in the sunlight and Poltious looked closer at it. It was made of crystal with small jewels in throughout.

He sipped the drink and sighed. "Poor kid."

Just as he poured himself another drink, he heard the door to the residence open, "Poltious?"

He called, "Pouring you a drink."

Legate appeared around the corner and as soon as he saw his father, his face lit up like the young boy Poltious remembered from long ago. "How are you, son?"

Legate threw his arms around his father and embraced him tightly. "Oh, am I glad to see you!"

Legate was dressed in the traditional Quauthin, but with a stash of gold.

Poltious smiled proudly at his son and slapped his shoulders. "Where's your crown?"

Legate groaned, "I'm not wearing that thing all of the time. No way."

Poltious laughed. "I hear it's heavy."

"It is. Makes my neck hurt. If I'm going to do this, there's going to be rules."

Poltious handed him a drink. "Your rules, son. Yes. Lartius never wears his either-"

"His is the one he sent out here!"

Poltious smiled proudly at him. "My boy. The heir."

Legate took a deep breath and sipped his drink. He held his hand out to invite his father to sit down at the kitchen table together. Poltious brought the bottle of Hebridan with them.

"Poltious, I don't know what I was thinking to agree to this."

"You, son…I believe you caved from the pressure."

Legate sighed and poured himself another drink. "And now this with the other Legate and Genie. They are wed?"

"As long as Samuel does as Lewis wishes."

Legate shook his head. "I've spoken to Legate about that. They are wed. That's the end of that."

Poltious looked at his son in surprise, "You're going against the ruling of the King already?"

"Yeah. And he's not really pleased about it. Although, he was happy to know he was one of the Ten."

Poltious laughed, "Oh shit! You've told Lartius?"

"Yeah." He sighed. "It came up."

Poltious groaned and threw his drink back. He shook his head from the strong drink and grunted. "What was said, then?"

"Not a lot." Legate sat and propped his feet up in the chair next to him. "He asked if I had been told that he didn't want them wed, to which I told him no."

"Legate. If something happens to you, he's it!"

"Which is the worst idea I've ever known Lewis to have. I have more Quauhtin here than on the homeworld. And all of these attacks are happening to other people."

"You don't think he'll agree to it, if he has to?"

"He was almost talked into it before I decided to do it. He'll do it."

"Then why don't you switch places? He and Genie could marry."

He shook his head. "He doesn't want to force Genie into that."

Poltious sat his drink down. His head was already swimming. "Well, hang on. Has he even told her this arrangement?"

"No. He hasn't."

"Oh, this is not good." Poltious sighed. "Gosh, both of you guys. You are so confused."

"Legate is confused?"

Poltious counted on his fingers, "He's lost his title. His name. His ship-"

"And gained a woman. His freedom! A better ship! I'd love to be that Legate rather than this one. Waking in the arms of a beautiful woman?"

Poltious smiled, "Have you seen her?"

"I've snogged her!"

"What?!"

He waved his hand to excuse himself. "She thought I was him. Oh, wow. He's a lucky guy."

Poltious' rose his eyebrows and rubbed his face in surprise. "Oh, this is madness-"

"And I have a really good imagination."

"Careful, you're talking about another man's wife there."

"Which is why I had to be the one to come do this. Seeing her as a child. Having her…throw her arms around me. It felt…wrong."

Poltious sadly nodded. "I understand."

"Let him go and live his life. With her. One of us was meant to do this. I'll do it. And she'll be happy."

"But, your happiness?"

Legate looked at his father and smiled. "She will be happy. He's the one she wants and that's what matters."

"You love her? Already?"

Legate smiled. "I can't explain it. It's as if…."

"It was meant to be?"

Legate nodded. "Yes. She's the other part of Legate. And she has that."

"But, you don't."

He sipped his drink and shook his head. "I don't have to have it."

Poltious sat back and looked at his son. "So, you've lost a woman that was never yours."

"I feel like I've lost my mind." Legate admitted. "Please don't let him know-"

"No." Poltious said. "You're love sick for her?"

"I've not been able to get her off my mind since that kiss. She's, so beautiful. So, perfect. So…"

"Another man's wife." Poltious finished.

Legate nodded. "Yes. Me being here, keeps me from her. From doing something….stupid."

"You're not capable of that, Legate."

"I don't trust that I'm not. She's all I think about."

"We need to get you a woman-"

"I've had other women. I just, close my eyes and pretend they are her."

Poltious sighed. "This is disturbing."

"Poltious, she has nothing to fear from me. Neither does he. It's just….all I think about."

Poltious nodded. "I'm going to stay here. With you for a while. Sounds like you need me."

"What of the other Legate?"

"He has her. You, son. Need your father."

Legate took a deep breath. "You are right. Thank you, Poltious."

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Jane stood at the bar of their flat, looking at the wine stain on the rug in the kitchen. She wore a pair of blue jeans that she had cut to be short shorts, and an oxford shirt. She sipped a glass of water with a lemon and ran her bare feet across the rug.

Lance slid the glass door open and stepped inside. "Hey?"

She smiled. "Hey. I'm in here."

He slipped off his shoes and walked over to join her. A quick kiss turned into a playful snogging which Jane ended as Lance's hands found their way to her bum.

"You said a date tonight."

"I have a few minutes-"

She giggled. "And you have been drinking. I can taste it."

"Yeah, Arles took us to a bar."

"How is he?"

"He's…." He struggled to find words.

"Drunk?"

"Lying to himself."

"Lying to himself?" She asked.

He ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah, I think he is."

"Why?"

He stepped back. "There was this girl. Beautiful girl at the bar that he knew. He told me that they are just friends."

She shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe they are-"

"Not the way he was looking at her, Jane."

She grinned. "The way you look at me?"

He looked her up and down, rubbing his chin.

She giggled. "Exactly what I mean."

He seemed to snap out of it. "Sorry, what?"

"If he is looking at her like that, I think you may be right."

He cleared his throat. "Well, let's think about this logically. Umm."

She sat on the stool and crossed her long legs. "Primus strategic training. Yes. Go."

"You make it hard to think."

She sipped her water, "I'm supposed to. Okay, logically."

He crossed his arms and planted his feet. "Okay, go, Jane the Quauhtin. What do you have?"

She laughed. "Lance! I wasn't there! I don't know!"

He held his hand out in surprise. "Well, I just explained."

"Our nephew is friends with a beautiful girl-"

"Who touches him."

"Friends can touch one another."

He groaned. "I'm telling you they have body language-"

"Maybe she's just a touchy person! Lance, really-"

"He says he's not the sort of person to want a relationship." Lance told her and put his hands on his hips. "Why would he declare something like that?"

"From my understanding of him, he likes girls. Maybe he's just young-"

Lance snapped his fingers. "Holy shit. He's Lewis. Lewis was just like this. Damn him. You know he slept with one of our instructors wives at the Academy? Nearly got his ass kicked out! Him and Arles' Mom slept together for months. They didn't even speak the same language!"

Jane sipped her water. "Lewis isn't like that-"

"Not anymore. But, seriously. That guy. Wow. The brothers always have said that before you sleep with any woman, make sure Lewis hasn't."

She laughed, "So, you and Lewis have never slept with the same woman?"

He shook his head and groaned. "We're talking about Arles. Not me and Lewis-"

Jane looked at him in surprise. "Oh, you are telling me about this. Who have you and Lewis both slept with?"

Lance sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Do we have to do this?"

"You brought it up. Lance?"

Lance looked back at her and crossed his arms. How had he managed to steer himself into this conversation?

Jane sipped her water and continued to look at him.

He rubbed his lips and cleared his throat, "So, yeah, never mind. They are just friends-"

"You hang on a minute right there, Lance! I want to know."

He closed his eyes and looked at the ceiling. "I shouldn't have said anything, Jane. It doesn't matter-"

Jane quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her. "Lance. If this is something you need to talk about. I'm here."

He hadn't opened his eyes and laid his forehead on hers. "I know. But, I don't want to talk about it."

She kissed his lips. "Lance, I'm sorry."

He smiled at her and shook his head as he mouthed. "It's really alright."

She covered her mouth. "It's really not. I shouldn't have-"

"Jane. I'm really fine. I'm not cross."

"You're sure?"

He nodded and swallowed hard. "I'm fine. Umm. We have a date, and I don't want to put a damper on this by talking about something that happened a very long time ago."

She smiled. "Okay. But, if you need to talk-"

He laughed, "Oh, I know. Thank you Jane the Quauhtin."

She giggled. "So, I need to change-"

He shook his head. "No. You don't even have to put on trainers."

She smiled at him. "No trainers?"

He looked in her eyes and told her quietly. "Your lips. This black hair. You make my heart sing."

She rubbed his chest. "Lance?"

He laid his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. "Ummm?"

"I think we can postpone our date for say, thirty minutes?"

He looked at her and smiled, "Upstairs?"

"Yes." She kissed the end of his nose.

He grinned. "The best start to any date."

"Especially, ours. And try not to get arrested."

He held her and laughed. "Can we make it an hour?"

She giggled. "Whatever you need, Lance."

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The adult Samuel slid the door open to his and Karen's island home. His lungs were immediately filled with the aroma of brownies baking. "Oh, that smells so good."

Karen and Genie sat at the bar looking at a photo of baby Halley.

Genie gushed, "She looks just like you, Karen."

Arles laughed, "Thankfully, huh?"

Karen giggled, "I think she looks like Samuel. Her nose is the same."

Samuel grinned, "She's not even born yet. She's going to change a bit."

Genie smiled, "Oh, but she's going to still be adorable. I can already tell."

Karen was eating batter out of a silver bowl. "This is exactly what I wanted. Thank you, Arles."

Arles nodded. "You're welcome. I'm sorry you didn't get to see your Dad before he left."

Karen shook her head. "It's alright. I'll see him a bit later."

Genie asked, "How is Parker's ear ache?"

Samuel stood next to Karen and grinned. "Oh, he's fine. He'll be back in class tomorrow."

Arles gave Samuel a thumbs up. "Cheers for that."

Samuel rubbed Karen's back. "These aren't your 'special brownies' are they, mate?"

Arles wiped his hands on a towel and laughed. "Nope. I haven't done that yet. Huh."

Genie leaned on the cabinet. "Good. One pothead per family is enough. And you are rather filling that role nicely."

Arles pointed at himself. "I'm not a pothead."

"How much have you had today?"

"Today?" He asked.

"Yes."

He rolled his eyes and thought. "I don't believe I've had any today."

"You haven't?" Karen asked.

Samuel rubbed Karen's back. "None?"

Arles shook his head. "Nope. Busy day. Oh! I have something to show you!"

Arles walked out of the room and Samuel continued to rub Karen's back. "Brownie batter?"

She smiled. "Yes. He mixed a bowl just for me."

Samuel dipped his finger into the bowl to eat some of it. "Raw eggs?"

"No eggs, Doctor." Genie smiled.

Legate slid the door open, and walked into the kitchen with Mari. "And I have it!"

Samuel asked, "What?"

Legate held out a black tube with silver down the side of it. "With a ship thief on the loose, I'm not going to keep mine unlocked."

Mari smiled, "It's a DNA encoder."

Samuel nodded. "Oh! That's a really good idea."

Legate pointed at Karen. "Explain what it does, Mari."

Mari smiled. "Legate will turn it on, and it will take a small sample of people's DNA who he will allow to pilot his ship."

Karen continued to eat the batter off of a spoon. "Sounds like it hurts."

Mari giggled. "No. It doesn't, ma'am. It's painless."

Arles came back into the kitchen and handed Samuel a file. "And a new flavor of Vitex. Review it, and sign something in there for me. Everything is marked."

Samuel nodded his head and sat it on the bar next to Karen. She turned and fed him a spoonful of batter.

"Okay, Legate." Samuel grinned. "Who do you trust with your ship?"

Arles held his hands out. "Which is a beauty, I'll add."

Genie giggled. "Yes, she is. I find I'm a bit jealous."

Legate laughed, "She's your ship, too! Genie. Really?"

Genie laughed. "I can't help it. I loved flying her."

Legate held out the tube and pressed a button on the side. A silver rod extended. They all gathered around.

Legate nodded, "Right then. Everyone in this room can fly the Caelvus-"

"Caelvus?" Samuel asked.

Genie smiled proudly. "Yes."

Arles rose his eyebrows. "I like it!"

Legate smiled, "So, we'll do it all together. Genie, Sam, Arles, Karen and Mari."

Karen looked surprised. "Legate! I don't know how to fly a ship!"

He laughed, "It's easier than you think, Karen. And I'll show you how. Come on, then."

She put her bowl down and turned in her chair.

Mari explained, "This will also give any children you and Samuel have access to the ship."

Karen looked back at Samuel. "This crazy life."

He smiled at her proudly, "I think you like it."

She laughed as he kissed the side of her head.

Legate held out his thumb. "Alright. Everyone's thumb out in a line. We'll do it all at once."

Everyone held their thumbs out in a line, side by side together. Legate pressed the silver rod to it and pressed a button. It beeped and a voice spoke in an odd language. Legate spoke back to it and the rod went back into the black tube.

"And that's done! Cheers!" Legate rocked on his feet in excitement.

Arles rubbed his hands together. "Brilliant! Well, I'd love to stay, but I need to go."

Karen went back to her bowl of batter. "Where are you off to?"

He smiled, "Nowhere."

"Terrible liar." Samuel teased. "Off on another non-date with Kelly, then?"

Genie rose her eyebrow. "Who is this Kelly?"

Arles sighed and typed something on his bracelet. He popped away without any explanation.

Genie looked at Karen. "Kelly? This woman you were telling me about?"

Karen nodded and continued to eat the batter.

Legate pat Mari's shoulder. "Well, I'm going to show Mari to her dorm room. And-"

Genie shook her head. "Hang on. Legate, would you rather she stay with us?"

Legate rubbed his chin. "Well…"

Mari shook her head. "I asked Pa to let me stay. He has only agreed because I'm to attend school. I think the dorm room is part of that deal."

Legate looked back at Genie and rose his eyebrows. "Well?"

"It's late, Mari. Maybe just stay with me and Legate tonight? Then tomorrow, we'll get you sorted with a dorm room. How about that?"

Mari nodded. "That will be acceptable with Pa."

Legate grinned. "Good. Alright, I'm taking her to our place. Excuse me."

Genie watched them leave together.

Samuel walked over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. "And what did Pa say about her stow-awaying on your ship?"

Genie shook her head, "Oh, he was not pleased. Legate and he spoke all of the way back. Suited me, I got to fly the ship."

Karen shook her head and continued to eat the batter. "Oh, I would be livid. I can't believe he agreed to let her stay."

Genie explained, "They had already found that she was missing. I believe they were so happy she was alright, that it eased the blow."

Samuel nodded as he opened the file that Arles had left for him and sipped the water. "Yeah."

Genie leaned on the cabinet. "And my understanding is that our Promise is null and void if you don't play along with Papa's orders?"

Samuel didn't look up from the file. "And you heard right."

Karen looked across the bar at him. "He explained it to me. He has to keep his personal shielding at 30%."

"30?" Genie exclaimed. "You can't even play football with that."

Samuel continued to look over the file and sipped his water. "Nope. It's very limiting."

Genie sighed. "Oh, Sammy. I'm sorry-"

"Don't worry about it, Gene. It will blow over."

Karen looked back at Genie. "I recommend he give it a few days, and then go to speak to Lewis about it."

Genie nodded. "I'll go with you."

Samuel looked up at her in surprise. "You will?"

"At some point, I probably should tell Mum and Dad."

Samuel groaned and shook his head. "And then Dad will blow up on me, too-"

"Sam, they have to be told!"

Samuel groaned and dropped his head dramatically.

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Lance surprised Jane by taking her to a concert at a beach. The sun had gone down, and there were bonfires all over to illuminate the crowd.

There were a lot of people, mostly students, who had gathered to listen to the band. They played a variety of music, and Jane found that she loved all of it. She danced with Lance as she sang along. Lance didn't know the words to the songs, but danced with her and seemed to be having a great time, too.

After they took a break to go find a couple of pints, they returned and the crowd had grown. Jane, being so small, couldn't see anymore and Lance insisted that he put her on his shoulders.

"I'm not that tiny of a person!"

He wouldn't hear of it, and before she knew it, she was on his shoulders with his large strong hands on her thighs. The band played, 'What You Need' by Inxs and the crowd sung along. Jane looked down to see Lance smiling up at her. She leaned down and kissed him.

"Having fun, then?" He asked.

"Oh, this is great!" She told him.

She looked over and about 25 feet away, she saw Arles dancing with a girl. He hadn't noticed them there and probably, from the way they were dancing, hadn't noticed anyone there.

Jane didn't shout to him, but instead watched as Arles moved behind the woman. She ran her hands through his hair, and his hands moved from her hips to her breast. He breathlessly kissed her ear.

Jane leaned down and Lance, thinking she wanted to kiss him again, puckered his lips. She laughed and kissed him.

"Lance."

"Yeah?"

"Arles is over there." He pointed.

"Oh, really? Shout at him-"

"No. He's with his friend."

From the way she said that, Lance knew she was thinking the same thing he was about this friend. "So, what do you think?"

She sat back up just in time to see Arles take Kelly's hand and say something in her ear. She nodded and they left together.

Jane leaned back down. "We need to work on our friendship, Lance."

Lance laughed. "That's what I thought, too."

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