Chapter 34

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As they ascended, the night was taking over. The trunks of the many trees, illuminated by blue lights hidden at the roots, grew farther and farther away, and darkness covered the summit. The grass, wet and shiny from the recent rain, creaked and slid under their loafers as they climbed a low hill lost somewhere in the gardens surrounding Blue Flame Castle. Slightly ahead of them, in her rightful knowledge of the path, was Lady Kayrin Baroness Rionale climbing the slope with no apparent effort. She wore a tight-fitting suit with a closed neck and long sleeves. The velvety fabric of which it was made was a deep navy blue, making Baroness Rionale literally disappear into the bluish twilight that enveloped the garden, making her look like a ghost.

A ghost with a very seductive outline. Alex thought involuntarily, looking up at Kayrin. He walked a little behind because although he was technically the owner of this garden, he wasn't at all familiar with it, especially at night.

The hill was not high, and they were already at the very top, level with the treetops in a ghostly, witchy glow that flooded the orchards with a cold blue flame.

"Here, I think." On reaching the top, Kayrin stopped and threw the 'plaid' on the grass.

The thin golden film folded into a small envelope touched the ground, and with a quiet crunch, it unfolded and literally spread over the top of the hill in a rustling, gleaming puddle. The "plaid", having finished unrolling, instantly gained volume, as if inflated, and changed texture, becoming soft and fluffy.

Waiting for the "plaid" to unfold, Kayrin climbed onto it with her feet and made an inviting gesture.

Alex squatted cautiously beside the Baroness and ran his hand over the rug. Under his palm was a thick, short piece of fur, or fleece, no, more likely fur.

This thing, just a moment ago, was the thinnest of foils and even seems to be metallic. How could it possibly be? he thought, groping the plaid incredulously. It was several centimeters thick and dense. Some things, it seems, can only get used to.

"You're in danger of missing the whole thing," Kayrin said impatiently. "It's about to start."

As if to obey her words, the ghostly light that enveloped the trees suddenly disappeared, and the gardens were plunged into darkness. Only the castle still shone, a wavering blue light of the walls and the blazing bright purple spires.

"Is this the way it's supposed to be?" Alex asked quietly, wary. Even though their stroll through the garden was covered by almost the entire Baroness Rional's "Arm" supported by a dozen in assault armor from his men. He, after the known events, was still nervous.

"Yes," Kayrin reassured him. "The light from the garden is too bright. We wouldn't see anything. Let's get you settled in." She added, patting her palm beside her. "And look up. It's about to start."

Alex sat down next to her and stared upward as instructed.

After Tallana, the sky of Copeira seemed... laconic. The crimson nebula that floated in the depths was crossed by a silver ribbon that had become a bit narrower, turning into a thin line. All that remained of the moon was a thin greenish crescent lurking at the very edge of the sky.

Nothing else was going on. Alex spent a few minutes honestly trying to find something for which they had been walking through the gardens for almost an hour, but there was nothing. Then for a few more minutes, he entertained the hope that it was just Kayrin's devious plan to seduce him, but it was unlikely. For one thing, they were in full view of the vast number of people ensuring their safety, and for another, after their conversation at Cassard, Baroness Rionale had clearly changed her approach to relations to a friendly-businesslike format. Which Alex, secretly to himself, periodically regretted.

They sat in silence, looking up at the sky for about five minutes, and nothing happened. Alex was about to become indignant when he suddenly noticed a golden sparkle sweep across the sky, followed by another and another.

With every second more shooting stars flashed in the air.

"Are those meteors?" He asked, staring up at the sky, glowing golden.

"Yes, Starfall..." said Kayrin with a faint shadow of sadness. "It's been a year now."

The meteors became more and more numerous, and soon the whole sky was lit up with golden flashes.

It was worth the trip for an hour. Alex decided, admiring the shimmering sea of gold across the sky:

"Very beautiful indeed," he added aloud.

"You haven't seen anything yet. This is only the beginning." She lifted herself and began to look around carefully. "Look!" She ducked down to Alex and pointed her hand somewhere down the hill. There was a faint glimmer of light at the base of the hill, and then, as if a switch had been flipped. Droplets of cold blue light spattered outward, streaming across the grass in a glowing wave, covering the entire expanse of the vast orchards.

A few lights flickered in the grass beside them, and Alex reflexively reached for them to get a better look: a bud of a tiny flower was glowing, lost in the grass. The stem trembled and the light left the flower, rising up into the sky, leaving only the dark opening bud behind.

All around, as far as the eye could see, countless droplets of light swirled above the garden, like shining rain falling upwards.

"Copeirnican fireflies," Kayrin commented, keeping her eyes open. "They sense starfall somehow, and they rise into the sky every year."

The fireflies kept rising and rising, gradually swirling into a giant glowing vortex around the castle.

"Incredibly beautiful," Alex said admiringly, cocking his head. "How long is this going to last?"

"Just a few hours. In the morning, the insect killers are switched on."

"But... But why?"

"They're a rare kind of nasty-looking." Kayrin shrugged her shoulders in disgust. "And they respond to heat, too, and literally swarm over people."

"So every year they are all wiped out? Where do they come from?"

"In spring, they plant flowers with their larvae..." the Baroness began but paused, listening intensely. "There seems to be someone flying towards us."

A characteristic throbbing hum was coming fast from somewhere on the side of the castle, now Alex could hear it too, and just in case, he removed the retaining loop on his holster and lowered the blaster's readiness lever.

A small open platform flew atop the trees, catching the light of the headlights, the strange interlacing of branches, and the glow of damp foliage.

The platform circled their hill, rising fireflies sputtering out from underneath like sparks from a bonfire in a sudden gust of wind. There was a whirring sound as the gangway lowered, and Thaer was the first to descend onto the grass. The security specialist was in her usual spotless white tunic with scarlet floral embroidery on the right sleeve and her weapon. Although she tried to keep a mask of nonchalance, her eyes betrayed excitement.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

OK, something's happened, Alex thought as he saw Taer's face.

The glare of the headlights made it difficult to see who else had arrived with the specialist, but when black boots appeared on the gangway, Alex realized what had caused such excitement.

The black boots belonged to a short, smooth-shaven man of about forty-five, with dark hair touched with a touch of gray dust, his gray eyes staring at Alex with mocking interest. His boots came with the coal-black uniform of an imperial security officer. Following him, shoulder to shoulder, monolithic as a wall, came down three other men in black uniforms, each about six feet tall and with a mask of indifference on their faces.

"Your Grace..." Taer's voice trembled faintly. "There is someone to see you."

Did they really risk taking me out in the open like that, Alex thought feverishly, fabricating an accusation. Hell, they might not even have fabricated it if they'd dug up anything about Lyora and her company.

Without waiting for his reaction, Officer SS stepped forward and bowed his head slightly:

"Allow me to introduce myself, Stack Captain Plauth, Asanti Plauth. Acting head of imperial security for the Tail Sector." He smiled coldly at Alex and added. "Normally we just send two lieutenants with a couple of Sains on such occasions... But in your case, Lord Cassard, I couldn't deny myself the honor of attending in person."

There are four of them and three of us, and Kayrin is unarmed. But Taer's standing behind the SSmen... Alex estimated the odds in a straightforward conflict. It wasn't bad. He was wearing a personal shield, and most likely so was Taer. The SSmen had lightweight waistcoats, at best, and their weapons were the usual blasters. He had a good chance of surviving five or six hits and putting them all down... Except does it make sense? And would Taer back him up? After all, she knows I could be arrested quite legally. He gazed intently into the specialist's eyes. She didn't look ready for a fight. She was confused. No chance...

The silent scene lasted a few seconds as Stack Captain Plaut, not noticing or pretending not to, turned to one of his attendants and took a small polished wood case from him. He took a few steps closer to Alex and, with outstretched arms, held out an open case for him. Inside was a small scroll:

"Sovereign Prince Alessandro Cassard..." The captain's voice rumbled with solemnity. "Truly, the Emperor summons you. Accept the Onstum, by the word of your ancestors and for the glory of your House."

Alex froze, staring at the scroll, trying to figure out what was going on. From behind the SSmen, Taer gestured for him to take the case. After a few seconds, he got himself together enough to do it.

Passing the case to the stack-captain and his escorts bowed their heads in sync, and turning over their left shoulders, began to climb onto the platform.

Taer sent him a look of panic and started to follow them up to get the SS gentlemen to the landing pad with their flyer.

With a soft throbbing hum, the platform rose into the air and swept away towards the castle.

It was quiet and dark again. His eyes, accustomed to the blinding light of the headlights, could only discern a general outline.

"Onstum..." repeated Alex, looking at the case

"Onstum," the Baroness echoed, coming up behind him and embracing him with one arm while she took an orb from her pocket and turned it on to whirl. "I promised to help you with the marriage..." she added, leaning forward and peering into his eyes.

"Onstum..." Alex repeated again, with a heavy sigh, and turned his gaze to Kayrin. Her black eyes gleamed slyly in the darkness, a smile playing across her slightly open eyes. He suddenly had the feeling that he was being tricked, but he didn't know what it was yet:

"And what's my marriage got to do with it?"

"What do you mean by that?" The Baroness was genuinely surprised. "Alex, you told me you didn't want to marry Valerie, and I promised to help."

"I don't want to," he confirmed. "But what's that got to do with Onstum? As far as I remember, it's some sort of conscription service..."

"Exactly." Kayrin nodded and settled back onto the plaid, stretching out seductively.

"And how does that help me?" He asked, sitting down next to her.

"You'll be gone for exactly a year. Until the next Starfall. A lot can happen in politics in a year..."

There was some truth in this; a lot could indeed happen in a year, and maybe the changed political situation would no longer require him to marry Valérie Bellar:

"Besides, it wasn't my fault anyway," he said aloud, understanding where the baroness was going with this. "I remember correctly that the Emperor's summons cannot be refused, don't I?"

"Exactly." A white-toothed smile gleamed in the darkness. "You're not going to be your own man this year, and there's no way you could have faked it. You've never even been to the capital."

Alex sat down on the plaid next to Kayrin, staring up at the sky where the stars fall were still blazing:

"And how did you manage that?" He asked without turning around.

"Oh..." stretched the Baroness. "It wasn't easy. Actually, you were supposed to be summoned after a year." She explained. "And since the Emperor personally decides on the list of summoners, there was nothing I could do about it. But, two years of service in court gives you certain advantages. For example, connections in the Chancellery. When the Emperor canceled the summons for many members of the House of Melato, a replacement had to be chosen. And I managed to arrange for your name to come to His Majesty's attention. From then on, we could only hope. As you can see..."

"And what's the catch?"

"No catch," Kayrin assured him and added with a smile." But since the wedding is postponed, you must get a seat on the Household Council, which will be elected in the new year, and since you are leaving for Onstum, you must appoint a Representative."

"You," Alex said half-questioningly, looking intently at the baroness.

She bowed her head slightly: "That would be a wise decision."

"And if I offer this burden to Isalaya?" Alex asked her, looking at her expectantly.

"Lady Isalaya the Marquess of Turang will be forced to refuse," Kayrin smiled again, "as a person of clerical rank."

"A clerical rank?!

"Well, she's a nun," Kayrin explained. "You didn't know? She even still has her hair like a sororitas. She hadn't taken the priesthood, of course, but she was not discharged, either."

What the hell, in general... Alex was sincerely surprised. The Marquise of Turang's hair was indeed unusually short for a local lady. But Isalaya refused to be associated with a nun. However, that wasn't the issue at the moment:

"Baron Kouifi?" he suggested.

"Baron Kouifi is already on the Privy Council as a representative of his domain. And then Alex," Kayrin frowned, "we had a deal, I help you, you help me. I helped you. Now it's your turn."

Alex fell silent. Baroness Rionale had indeed helped him. Very helpful indeed. But to give her such leverage, just like that...

It's called greed. An inner voice commented on his mental tossing. What are you going to do with that leverage? You don't understand anything about local politics yet.

And that was true again; he on the Privy Council would, at best, just take a seat. But damn, he felt that Kairin had him wrapped around her finger, and he didn't like it very much:

"So you get everything you want, and then you send me off to the devil." Alex summed it up in an unfunny way. "You've got a lot of finesse."

"Well, don't be like that," she frowned grudgingly. "I wish you well. You'll be a lot safer in the capital. It would take Intelligence and Security at least a year to clean up all the crap raised in the Sector. Some of the survivors may well have a score to settle with you."

"So you're suggesting I go straight into the jaws of the SS?"

"The regional SS has absolutely no influence and no power in the capital. The Melatians, when all is revealed, will not risk operating in Court. They have already incurred the Emperor's wrath. There, you'll be safe."

"Well, all right," he sighed, acknowledging her arguments. "What am I going to do there?"

"I don't know," Kayrin shrugged. "Whatever the Emperor decides. I was the Imperial representative on Carpathia for two years." She turned to Alex and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll enjoy the capital. New experiences, acquaintances, balls..."

Yes... Out of the frying pan into the fire, Alex thought, and, breathing in the cool night air, he stretched out on the fluffy "blanket" and sighed in relief. For the first time in many days, he somehow felt light and free. What's going to change, after all? He asked himself. What's out there, what's in here, I'm still in the middle of nowhere.

It was a shame that he wouldn't be able to take care of Cassard as he wanted to...: But he's been on his own for six years now. Hopefully, he'll last a year without me, especially since... Alex smiled at the idea. He would clearly need to leave someone to look after Cassard. Why don't I ask Isalaya? She certainly wouldn't be intimidated by the local Municipality, the head of House Fyron Intelligence, or the churchmen. She could keep an eye on Kayrin too. Given their avowed 'friendship' it's unlikely they'd agree.

Alex turned to the Baroness and asked with a sly squint: "Well, will you at least write to me?"

"I promise," she murmured in his ear, tickling his neck with her breath. "Once every six days, no less."

"Why only once every six days?"

"Alex, the delay in communication with the capital is three days."

"Ah... I see," he stretched out and stopped looking up.

They sat silently beside each other and simply admired. The fresh night breeze brought with it the smell of recent rain and the iridescent trills of the first finches, and the fireflies, appearing from somewhere behind and swirling, fell in blue droplets into the night sky, disappearing in a shining rain into the golden sea of Starfall.

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