Lauria, glad you enjoyed. The last part is for you. Pilot3001 thanks for
your comments.
Chapter 5 - Getting Help
Back in his suite Crais felt even more like prisoner than he had before. He wondered how much worse it could get. He could imagine it would be pretty bad if Onara continued to act the way she had earlier. He wondered if the Kandori had the death penalty.
There was a knock at the door. "Come."
A servant entered carrying a tray with his dinner. She quietly placed it on a nearby table and backed out of the room. She never took her eyes off him. He was almost positive he would get the same reaction from the other servants and probably the nobles as well. They would all be a little afraid of him after what happened at dinner. Perhaps that could work to his advantage. If they were all a little afraid of him, perhaps they would be anxious to get rid of him.
The main course was as good as the first course. The desert was even better. It had been a long time since he had eaten that well. As he was finishing his meal, he found himself wondering where Onara was. You don't really want her to come here. That can only lead to trouble, he chided himself. He was thankful he had placed the transponder in privacy mode. He didn't want to have to answer the young leviathan's questions. He didn't have answers because he didn't know how he felt. He thought about returning to the balcony to think, but that might not be the safest place. Instead he sat in front of the fireplace and became lost in thought and the dance of the flames. It was remarkable how the random motion of light could soothe.
Another knock came at the door. This time it was the chamberlain come to escort Crais to the king. He hoped this would go more smoothly than dinner. He was flanked on four sides by guards. More guards were stationed along the hallways. He saw no one else. The king was taking this breach of security very seriously. That pleased Crais. Either the king or one of his advisors knew something about the military. Perhaps this would make it easier for him to communicate.
The king's chambers were even more opulent than his own. The king was standing at the mantle, lost in thought. Crais saw that Onara was seated at a chair on the far side of the room. By the tension in the room, he got the impression they had been arguing, probably about him. He must be careful around her. Crais stood quietly where the chamberlain had left him, waiting for a signal from the king. Finally the king turned and looked at Crais. The king looked older than he had at dinner.
"Bialar, my apologies for what happened this evening. I have never before had a guest attacked in my palace. The attacker is being questioned as we speak. Once I know his motives I will see that you are informed." The king sounded tired.
"There is no need for you to apologize, your majesty. You could not control his behavior." Bialar glanced at Onara. She was pretending to ignore him by reading a book, but he could tell she wasn't really reading.
"I believe we were discussing starbursting within another ship when we were rudely interrupted." Some of the life seemed to come back into the king's voice.
"My companions and I had decided the command carrier needed to be destroyed. Since I knew the ship, I was vital to finding a way to do so. The only method available was to starburst and thus destroy the integrity of the ship." By now Onara was no longer pretending to read. She had shut the book and was now watching Crais intently. He tried to ignore her.
"That was a very brave thing to do."
"How so, your majesty?"
"Surely you must have thought of the consequences of doing so. You must have known the energy would have no way to escape."
"Yes, your majesty, I was aware of that, but my companions and I knew the carrier must be destroyed." Crais hoped he was handling this well.
"Was the carrier destroyed?"
"I don't know. When I came to Talyn's long range sensors were not functioning and I had no desire to return to that area in a wounded, unarmed ship."
"Very wise. Well, now that we have covered the what, let me ask how you managed to survive starburst in a confined space?"
"I don't exactly know, your majesty. I can only theorize that there had been some modifications to the carrier that allowed us to survive." Crais knew he had to be careful. Speaking of wormholes could attract the wrong sort of attention.
"I see. And what do you want of us?"
Crais knew he had to answer this question carefully. This was probably the moment Onara had warned him about. "Your majesty, when Onara rescued us, she offered aid in repairing Talyn. She also offered the assistance of your repair facilities for the more difficult repairs. I only ask for assistance with the difficult repairs. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer other than my thanks." Crais had been trying his best to sound humble, not something that came easily.
The king considered what Crais had told him for a few microts. "And after the repairs are completed?"
"Talyn and I will head back into the Uncharted Territories. I think it would be best if we distance ourselves from Peacekeeper space. I prefer them to they think we perished. Talyn would like to find his mother so she will know he is alive."
"And what about you? Don't you want to find your friends?"
"I wouldn't go so far as to call them my friends, your majesty. They have come to tolerate me for Talyn's sake. Talyn is my only friend. But you need not worry about us, we are capable of surviving on our own."
"Since I have raised Onara to be compassionate and can see no reason not to help you. Repairs can begin tomorrow morning. Please, be seated and join me for a drink." The king gestured to a chair near the fireplace. Onara brought two glasses of the local wine over. It was a very smooth tasting, deep green beverage. Crais and the king talked for the better part of an arn. They spoke mainly about the planets Crais had visited in the UT. It seems that before the king ascended the throne his father made sure he was well educated and well traveled. Some of the planets the king had visited more recently on an official business. At some point Onara had slipped out of the room.
When they had finished, Crais was escorted back to his suite. On the way back he contacted Talyn. Repairs will begin in the morning. Once they are complete we will leave.
Are you all right? Talyn asked.
I'm fine. The attacker was an amateur.
That's not what I mean. I mean about her?
I'm fine there as well, Talyn.
You like her?
I don't know. Crais was becoming uncomfortable with this line of questioning. Of course Talyn picked up on this.
You think she's pretty?
Yes, I find her attractive.
Then why the confusion? Talyn still had much to learn about emotions and Crais was pretty sure he was not the best teacher.
It is a complex situation. Her father is the king and I do not wish to upset him.
She is grown, why should her father care what she does?
Crais was trying to keep calm. For the same reason Moya cares what you do, because he loves his daughter.
Oh. Talyn seemed satisfied with Crais' answer, so Crais again placed the transponder in privacy mode. By now he was just about at his suite. It would feel good to get out of these clothes and get a good night's sleep.
As Crais entered his quarters he took his shirt off and dropped it on the nearest chair. It seemed his evening was improving. He sat by the fire for a few microts as he took his boots off. He decided he should get to bed so he could begin work on Talyn early.
The lights came on as Crais entered the bedroom. Lying on his bed wearing very little was Onara. His evening took another turn for the worse.
Will he be able to resist Onara? Will Talyn still be repaired if he doesn't? DOES Kandor have a death penalty? All this and more next chapter.
I resisted leaving the last chapter as a cliffhanger after the servant shouted "MURDERER!" but I think I'll leave you in suspense this time. (Evil grin) I'll try not keep you waiting too long.
Chapter 5 - Getting Help
Back in his suite Crais felt even more like prisoner than he had before. He wondered how much worse it could get. He could imagine it would be pretty bad if Onara continued to act the way she had earlier. He wondered if the Kandori had the death penalty.
There was a knock at the door. "Come."
A servant entered carrying a tray with his dinner. She quietly placed it on a nearby table and backed out of the room. She never took her eyes off him. He was almost positive he would get the same reaction from the other servants and probably the nobles as well. They would all be a little afraid of him after what happened at dinner. Perhaps that could work to his advantage. If they were all a little afraid of him, perhaps they would be anxious to get rid of him.
The main course was as good as the first course. The desert was even better. It had been a long time since he had eaten that well. As he was finishing his meal, he found himself wondering where Onara was. You don't really want her to come here. That can only lead to trouble, he chided himself. He was thankful he had placed the transponder in privacy mode. He didn't want to have to answer the young leviathan's questions. He didn't have answers because he didn't know how he felt. He thought about returning to the balcony to think, but that might not be the safest place. Instead he sat in front of the fireplace and became lost in thought and the dance of the flames. It was remarkable how the random motion of light could soothe.
Another knock came at the door. This time it was the chamberlain come to escort Crais to the king. He hoped this would go more smoothly than dinner. He was flanked on four sides by guards. More guards were stationed along the hallways. He saw no one else. The king was taking this breach of security very seriously. That pleased Crais. Either the king or one of his advisors knew something about the military. Perhaps this would make it easier for him to communicate.
The king's chambers were even more opulent than his own. The king was standing at the mantle, lost in thought. Crais saw that Onara was seated at a chair on the far side of the room. By the tension in the room, he got the impression they had been arguing, probably about him. He must be careful around her. Crais stood quietly where the chamberlain had left him, waiting for a signal from the king. Finally the king turned and looked at Crais. The king looked older than he had at dinner.
"Bialar, my apologies for what happened this evening. I have never before had a guest attacked in my palace. The attacker is being questioned as we speak. Once I know his motives I will see that you are informed." The king sounded tired.
"There is no need for you to apologize, your majesty. You could not control his behavior." Bialar glanced at Onara. She was pretending to ignore him by reading a book, but he could tell she wasn't really reading.
"I believe we were discussing starbursting within another ship when we were rudely interrupted." Some of the life seemed to come back into the king's voice.
"My companions and I had decided the command carrier needed to be destroyed. Since I knew the ship, I was vital to finding a way to do so. The only method available was to starburst and thus destroy the integrity of the ship." By now Onara was no longer pretending to read. She had shut the book and was now watching Crais intently. He tried to ignore her.
"That was a very brave thing to do."
"How so, your majesty?"
"Surely you must have thought of the consequences of doing so. You must have known the energy would have no way to escape."
"Yes, your majesty, I was aware of that, but my companions and I knew the carrier must be destroyed." Crais hoped he was handling this well.
"Was the carrier destroyed?"
"I don't know. When I came to Talyn's long range sensors were not functioning and I had no desire to return to that area in a wounded, unarmed ship."
"Very wise. Well, now that we have covered the what, let me ask how you managed to survive starburst in a confined space?"
"I don't exactly know, your majesty. I can only theorize that there had been some modifications to the carrier that allowed us to survive." Crais knew he had to be careful. Speaking of wormholes could attract the wrong sort of attention.
"I see. And what do you want of us?"
Crais knew he had to answer this question carefully. This was probably the moment Onara had warned him about. "Your majesty, when Onara rescued us, she offered aid in repairing Talyn. She also offered the assistance of your repair facilities for the more difficult repairs. I only ask for assistance with the difficult repairs. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer other than my thanks." Crais had been trying his best to sound humble, not something that came easily.
The king considered what Crais had told him for a few microts. "And after the repairs are completed?"
"Talyn and I will head back into the Uncharted Territories. I think it would be best if we distance ourselves from Peacekeeper space. I prefer them to they think we perished. Talyn would like to find his mother so she will know he is alive."
"And what about you? Don't you want to find your friends?"
"I wouldn't go so far as to call them my friends, your majesty. They have come to tolerate me for Talyn's sake. Talyn is my only friend. But you need not worry about us, we are capable of surviving on our own."
"Since I have raised Onara to be compassionate and can see no reason not to help you. Repairs can begin tomorrow morning. Please, be seated and join me for a drink." The king gestured to a chair near the fireplace. Onara brought two glasses of the local wine over. It was a very smooth tasting, deep green beverage. Crais and the king talked for the better part of an arn. They spoke mainly about the planets Crais had visited in the UT. It seems that before the king ascended the throne his father made sure he was well educated and well traveled. Some of the planets the king had visited more recently on an official business. At some point Onara had slipped out of the room.
When they had finished, Crais was escorted back to his suite. On the way back he contacted Talyn. Repairs will begin in the morning. Once they are complete we will leave.
Are you all right? Talyn asked.
I'm fine. The attacker was an amateur.
That's not what I mean. I mean about her?
I'm fine there as well, Talyn.
You like her?
I don't know. Crais was becoming uncomfortable with this line of questioning. Of course Talyn picked up on this.
You think she's pretty?
Yes, I find her attractive.
Then why the confusion? Talyn still had much to learn about emotions and Crais was pretty sure he was not the best teacher.
It is a complex situation. Her father is the king and I do not wish to upset him.
She is grown, why should her father care what she does?
Crais was trying to keep calm. For the same reason Moya cares what you do, because he loves his daughter.
Oh. Talyn seemed satisfied with Crais' answer, so Crais again placed the transponder in privacy mode. By now he was just about at his suite. It would feel good to get out of these clothes and get a good night's sleep.
As Crais entered his quarters he took his shirt off and dropped it on the nearest chair. It seemed his evening was improving. He sat by the fire for a few microts as he took his boots off. He decided he should get to bed so he could begin work on Talyn early.
The lights came on as Crais entered the bedroom. Lying on his bed wearing very little was Onara. His evening took another turn for the worse.
Will he be able to resist Onara? Will Talyn still be repaired if he doesn't? DOES Kandor have a death penalty? All this and more next chapter.
I resisted leaving the last chapter as a cliffhanger after the servant shouted "MURDERER!" but I think I'll leave you in suspense this time. (Evil grin) I'll try not keep you waiting too long.