Book 5

Siha: Rise of Rakhana

Part III

"Silver and Fire"

The sound of doors opening among others echoed off the yawning walls of the pyrotube that led the tourists to these inner Archives Casnar was now standing in. His full height steps back to assist his wife out of the back cabin. He feels the looks from other visitors arrived for the tour, all mostly drell and drellahna, one or two other species in mixed couples or groups from his overt scan.

"We would be completely innocuous, he says," Casnar shoots a grimace at Feron with Ylyssus, corralling the twins on the other side of the skyrunner. "Feron, you said there would be some humans here…"

"There are," Feron glances about, "…It's dark and we're early, maybe some will show up…Not too many human drell couples, but maybe it's like shooting a Hyperico Bay Jumper—You usually only get one bizarre sighting of something special," implying the unique family of four, "…Nothing to get your balls in a stitch over."

Casnar takes hold of Braith's hand, ignoring the glances by others able to see the black-haired human in the dark, the twins and Ylyssus, Casnar two tall drells with a unique difference between them and the other drells and drellahnas—Feron included, "…Stay close to me," Casnar whispers to her ear.

"Did you happen to ask Feron if he contacted your friends?" Ylyssus whispers to her other ear, loud enough for Casnar to overhear.

"I'd asked over the call with Sapphire," Braith replies, assuring them both, "…Feron's taken care of it."

Casnar cracks his neck in several places as he tries to relax.

Braith nods to the tour group, more skyrunners and a shuttle arrived, their occupants joining them. Among the vessels is one with the logo of the Illuminated Primacy's escort services—Kahjic script indicating emissaries from off-world. Casnar points it out.

"There," Feron picks out the two heads, "…Looks like Diogenes and Urdnot Wrex."

"Think they'll report us—wandering free and unattended?"

Diogenes and Urdnot Wrex turn to notice them.

"What are you two doing here?" Braith asks.

"The same would be asked of you four," Wrex glances at Feron, "…You're not their usual tag-along."

"Quoyle Nerafa and Borhaus Aralaha are not present," Diogenes scans the pyrotube with his blue eyes briefly gleaming.

"Are you going to inform on us that we're here?" Braith asks.

"That would establish the connection that I am here in the Archives with a fellow councilor, which could warrant questions and undoubtedly raise ethical matters for meeting privately without disclosure beforehand." Diogenes turns his blue face towards Wrex, "…Would you prefer, or shall I."

"I received a tip you'd be coming here," Wrex shares with a soft growl, "…Something about you're being in trouble, Shepard."

"Liara," Braith smiles, "…Good work, Feron."

"And who is Liara," Casnar stares at Braith.

"A mutual friend."

"All I know is," Wrex says, "…I happened to be the closest, so it's a matter of convenience."

"…Wrex…"

He turns his head towards Diogenes, "…This one invited himself along."

"I wish to assist, Braith Shepard," Diogenes gazes evenly back at her. "You don't have a choice."

A hush comes over all as the Archive doors slide on their frames. A circular crescent rises up through the middle and conceals itself inside the case for the doorway.

Framing it all, frozen drips of ancient, petrified magma.

…He walks up behind them as they start forward with the rest of the group to enter.

Braith pushes Casnar out of harm's way, her power boiling silently in her head at his approach, "…Tetonbaum."

Tetonbaum holds up his hands, "…I have not come to fight—"

Casnar snarls, the others having turned to the confrontation, "…You can no longer be trusted at your word."

Braith forces Casnar back again, stiff-arming him, "…He's here to deliver a message…Let him deliver it, Casnar."

They look at each other's outfits. "You're in your old habit," Casnar observes, one arm waving Ylyssus away with the twins. Wrex's barrier is up, Diogenes utterly composed as the th'ane in his familiar vestment.

"Where's Kasumi…"

Grays meet the sapphires in the dark of their shadows.

"Go into the Archives with the twins and the councilors, Ylyssus."

He almost refuses outright, unwilling to leave Braith's side or his sered's…Holding the twins by both their hands, Ylyssus turns and walks ahead with Wrex and Diogenes needing no instruction who they are now to protect…Feron hesitates, but goes with them once he gets the nod from Braith.

They join with the departing tour group, entering the light by the Archives.

"I never thought you of all people would turn against us…What do you want, Tetonbaum," Casnar says from behind Braith—kept there by her persistent arm.

"Tetonbaum," Braith speaks, his sapphires drawn back to her, "…why are you here after—"

"Return to this tunnel after you have found what it is you seek by this place…Braith, come willingly, you and the twins. Choose not to—"

"I know what we saw and heard in the shard, Tetonbaum—That's not reason to turn on us…" Casnar's eyes soften, as he pleads, "…We've changed things before…Work with us."

"Then you will cooperate and work with us," Tetonbaum replies to Casnar, "…There is more at stake here than simply prolonging one woman's life and your children's," his sapphires return to Braith's, "…My offer is to take you without there being further incident…To choose otherwise, Braith, will trigger undue conflict between…your husbands…and myself…We understand each other?…" He nods towards the Archives, "…Nefen," and to Casnar, "…Sered, I hope you find whatever it is you seek inside there…" His composed patak maintains a friendliness, the sapphires mirthful…Deadly…

…And as Braith and Casnar well know it, capable of delivering due of his threats…