Different colours

[Reziel]

Somewhere

As a gentle breeze skimmed the green grass she was walking onto, Marilyn Janus observed with some curiosity the black monoliths scattered on the top of the hill. At first glance, they seemed nothing else but natural rocks emerging from the ground here and there, but as she looked with more attention she realized they were indeed the ruins of an ancient building, now lying in complete ruin. Nature seemed to have claimed back the place long ago… centuries, perhaps. Trees had had the time to grow tall and robust and what seemed ancient engravings were now almost vanished, their beauty now masked by omnipresent moss.

For a long while, the Kangarawan Ambassadress in Reziel surrendered herself to her own curiosity, wandering all around the ancient ruins, smiling with satisfaction at each finding: here, a bas-relief representing an armored knight fighting against a winged demon; there, the remnants of a mosaic, a dark wing being the one intelligible thing; there, finally…

… stopping, Marilyn frowned. Her glance wandering on the surroundings, she finally realized. The sun was high in the azure sky and she was now barefooted on the top of an hill, nothing else relevant in sight: grass and grass all around her, till the horizon. Where was she? Where was Lachdanan? He had heard him entering her room… their room at late night. He had just come back from an EPTO meeting in Tricorne and… slightly blushing, she allowed her thoughts to wander while she remembered his lips exploring her mouth, the heat and the pressure of his body over hers. But now…

«The white of that tunic exalts the copper shade of your hair, Loved Stranger»

Surprised by the voice behind her back, Marilyn suddenly turned. The man seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He wasn’t particularly tall… but there was something impressive irradiating from him. When he smiled, the black of his eyes chained with the green of hers, she felt her cheeks becoming red of embarrassment. Gently shaking his head, he moved slowly towards one of the nearer rocks, where he finally sat down, his curly black hair skimmed by the same breeze caressing the grass.

He was… Iremian. She had spent the last four years as an Ambassadress in New Irem. Four years observing them all, their nobility, their posture. And now… everything in that man reminded her of Lachdanan’s stories about the ancient capital of Irem.

«Who are you?»

Ignoring her question, the man grabbed the short silver flute secured at his belt and started playing it. Marilyn’s initial irritation vanished rather soon as the music danced all around her. Sitting down on the grass, she listened for endless minutes until the man finally stopped, his glance moving back on her.

«I’m so happy you seem to appreciate my music… the Fool didn’t, so our Lonely Prince has never developed his talents, despite his obvious… gift» he grinned.

[Kangarawa]

The tranquillity inspired by the captivating notes of the flute vanished as he spoke, leaving curiosity in its wake. She captured an errant lock of hair blown over her face by the warm, gentle breeze and tucked it behind her ear. A warm breeze … but it had been so cold last night that the fire had crackled soothingly in the fireplace of their room, had it not? She glanced down. A white tunic, held in place with a brooch clasped at her shoulder, draped her body. Her feet were bare, a delicate anklet of beaten gold around one ankle. Nonplussed, she stared at the stranger, a fleeting frown crossing her features.

He was sitting on the thick, bleached truck of a fallen tree on the bank of a vast river, smiling quizzically at her. Gulls squawked overhead, the sun reflecting off their wings and the water as they dove, and dove again, for fish.

«The white of that tunic exalts the copper shade of your hair, Loved Stranger»

«I’m so happy you seem to appreciate my music… the Fool didn’t, so our Lonely Prince has never developed his talents, despite his obvious… gift»

She wasn’t alarmed, she noted, despite the so-very-odd comments and the even odder surroundings. “My Lord, where are we … and who are you?”

[Reziel]

«We are… at the crossroad of two worlds. One where the winter shows its rage, adorning the Newborn City with snow… and a second one, where the gentle breeze of the spring plays with the grass. Day after day, while trees and tendrils claim ancient palaces. A world where the Lonely Prince comes back to his woman… and a world where the two of us can finally meet, Mare» he answered warmly.

Hearing her nickname, Marilyn felt something moving inside her, as if the man’s tone was touching the deepest chords of her soul.

«How do you…»

«I’ve always liked you, Mare. Since the first time you and the Lonely Prince met… I’ve hoped you would have been the one. Your soul is strong… and your blood is young and full of life. With you, ancient glooms will finally be erased and… many opportunities will come back into play»

«I’m… I’m really not understanding what you’re saying» she interjected, even if something inside her realized she was lying «And you’re prevaricating. You’ve not told me who you are… and what do you mean with ‘crossroad of worlds’?»

Grinning, he rose on his feet and moved slowly towards her. When he finally entered her personal space, kneeling right in front of the still sitting woman, she didn’t really stiffened. She probably should have. But she didn’t. As if there was something inside him which inspired her a complete trust… as if she had known him since the beginning of the times.

«This is a place where you will be safe, Mare. For the months to come, we’ll meet rather often… and you’ll always be able to come here. When you’ll call me, I’ll come at your side. When you’ll need rest, I’ll shield your soul from the world’s anxieties» his tone was soft and relaxing and when his hand caressed her cheek, Marilyn couldn’t avoid placing hers on it, as to hold it right there. He smiled again, warmly.

«I do not even know your name. How can I call you?»

«My name is buried under the sands of countless ages… but you will not need it. You can already feel the link forming between the two of us. It will strengthen with each passing day… until the two of us will be a single entity»

[Kangarawa]

A rosy hue suffused Marilyn’s cheeks as she pulled back her hand, but then replaced it over his as he continued to caress her cheek. It was true; she did feel as if she knew him, had always known him and yet, she couldn’t put a name to his face. That she trusted him should disturb her, but it didn’t … or did it? Only Lachdanan called her “Mare” … no one else would have dared, not even her brother.

Slowly and hesitantly she returned his smile, not bothering to attempt to deny the link between them. “Why will I come here and why this bond when I don’t know you?”

There were other questions she knew she ought to ask but instinctively she felt she already knew the answers.

[Reziel]

Slowly, a warm smile still illuminating his face, the man rose back on his feet.

«Oh… you do know me, Mare. You have been knowing me for a long time, seen me, talked to me… feared me»

«Feared you? Your words are so confusing. I’m…»

«I’m the shadow at the bottom of the Lonely Prince’s eyes, Mare. The fiend of Irem, the evil doom looming on the Noble Houses of the One Thousand Columns City» he replied. This time, his tone was more flat, echoed by an ancient regret. Stiffening, Marilyn rose on her feet too, her oval darkening as the man’s words fully registered.

«Lachdanan’s Twin» there was no fear, in her tone. If she was right… than he had been, too: she had confronted him once. And he had stepped back, releasing his grasp on her lover’s soul.

«You can now understand the reasons for my prevarication… I wanted to enjoy your company for a while. No preconceptions. Just the two of us… our new beginning»

«New beginning?» she asked, noticing immediately after that everything but the man in front of her seemed to become foggier and less… consistent.

«Our journey together has just begun… you’ll learn to know me better. And perhaps, in the end… you’ll even be able to appreciate me…» the last words had been nothing more than a distant echo, as the man too started to dissolve in front of her eyes.

And when she finally got her consciousness fully back, her eyes opened on her room in New Irem. Judging from the soft light, it should have been something around dawn and Lachdanan was still sleeping at her side. But nothing really mattered, because the man had added a word more, before disappearing. A word that was now echoing in her ears again and again.

«… mother»

[hr]
Somewhere in Solanthus
Meanwhile

Still on the bed, the man had been staring at the ceiling for the last four hours. The distant and buzzing sound had become stronger with each passing minute… and he was now certain about its nature. Without caring about the woman sleeping near him, he grabbed his mobile and chose a name from the rather short list.

«The seed of the new Uth Reiser has been planted… yes, the Kangarawan. Marilyn Janus… no, there’s no precedent… no, I cannot be wrong. I’ve observed it for my whole life. He’s preparing his own cradle. I’m moving to New Irem. Support will be greatly appreciated»

[hr]
Caergoth – The Grand Duchal Society of Geology
Meanwhile

The cup of smoking coffee in his right hand, the geologist grinned as he re-checked the graphs of the seismograph.

«Ok guys… let’s call the assistance. The seism is gone… it has registered a kazillion of barely perceptible quakes. Straight under New Irem… the whole night. Too regular, too repetitive… it’s jammed or something like that, probably. Let’s check it!»

[Kangarawa]

Kangarawan Embassy in New Irem, Reziel

With the twin’s last word echoing in her mind, Marilyn tore her eyes from the still sleeping Lachdanan and let them flit around her room, their room, at the Embassy. The fire that had crackled so warmly the night before was no more than glowing embers now in the far corner of the room. She could see branches of the feathery ferns Kadras had added to her almost overflowing collection only last week swaying ever so gently beside the entrance to the glassed-in sitting room which led out to the balcony. Wardrobes, dressers, pictures, plants all were where they had been the night before. Given her dream, it was comforting to find herself where she expected to be.

Mother …

Gently sliding out from under the weight of Lach’s arm, she wiggled out from under the feather comforter, catching her breath as her feet touched the cold tiles of the floor and reaching for her robe at the foot of the bed. Snuggled in its fleecy warmth, she padded softly to the sitting room, one hand lightly stroking the fern as she passed. Standing in front of the windows, she wrapped her arms around her waist and watched the shadows begin to fade as the sky brightened.

Mother …

Sometimes a dream is only a dream, she thought, remembering her mother’s admonishments. It had been so very real though. If she concentrated, she could still feel the warmth of the grass under her bare feet despite knowing she stood on an embroidered rug and she could hear the lilting music of the flute.

Mother …

The half-smile quickly faded as her mind flitted to the twin. Had it not been a dream, she’d have angry; angry, worried and somewhat frightened. In fact … she started slightly, her reverie broken as two arms snaked around her, covering her own. Relaxing completely, she leaned back into the warmth of Lach’s body, turning her head and smiling as she met his quizzical look.

“You’re up early, love”, he smiled, turning his head to nuzzle her neck.

Mother …

“I was dreaming, Lach, but it was so real! I walked through the ruins of an ancient civilisation. I must have seen photographs of something similar, somewhere. Suddenly I was barefoot in a meadow, then beside a wide river. Lach, it was so real … and it was summer.” Lachdanan chuckled as he detected the longing in her tone, holding her even closer and speaking very quietly. “Mayhap we can get away for a short time in the spring. It’s been almost six years since you arrived in New Irem, Mare, and with all that’s been going on at home, my schedule, yours …”

“Lach, do you play the flute?” The apparent non sequitur stopped him mid-sentence. Puzzled, he turned her around to face him, his gold-striated black eyes trying to read her mood. “I did as a boy, but never continued with it. No time. No interest. Where did that come from?”

Marilyn met his searching gaze squarely, phrasing her words carefully. The Shadow Twins, and, in particular, Lach’s twin, were topics she normally avoided given the history between Lach and his father.

“There was a cryptic Lord in the dream, Lach.” Her voice slowed as she went on to describe her feelings as he’d come close and his replies as she’d asked where they were. Lachdanan listened intently. “Lach, he called me “Mare” and “Loved Stranger” … told me we’d be meeting frequently over the next few months in that place he referred to as “being between two worlds”. Then … he told me he was your twin.” Lachdanan stiffened as Marilyn continued. “Lach, it was only a dream.”

“What else did he say?”

Marilyn had never heard that tone before. A tinge of anger, perhaps, anxiety, awe, but worse, a hint of what she thought might be fear.

"He called me “Mother”.

[Reziel]

For a brief moment, Lachdanan didn’t answer anything. He just held a bit tighter, as to shield her fo man invisibile ranger. Smelling the soft scent of her hair against his nostrils, he finally sighed.

«It’s… it makes sense. Somehow, I knew he was interested in you, but… he couldn’t have reached your thoughts, unless…»

«Couldn’t he be wrong?»

«N… no. He can sense it. It’s because of… the way they’re passed. They have to… prepare the child. To receive them, when the time will have come. They create some kind of… link with the new creature and…» suddenly, he stopped. In the end, the immediate implications of what he had been told had finally registered. The Twin was a problem. Mare had to be given all of the details… but there would have been time. Now, there was something far more important. A smile enlightened his face as he gently forced her to turn towards him.

«A child… a son, Mare. Yours and mine… ours! We… we’re going to have a son!»

«Your wit is impressive, Lonely Prince… Father» mocked the Twin’s voice.

[Kangarawa]

Feeling as if time had been suspended, Marilyn remained motionless in Lach’s arms, staring blankly at his joyful countenance. Thoughts and fragments thereof cascaded rapidly, one disappearing completely before another surfaced. She thought of how she’d expected to feel when and if this happened sometime down the road. Excited. Deliriously happy. Curious. Tender. Scared. At this moment, she felt none of those things. She felt … almost violated.

That Lach’s twin had known before even she or Lach did defied her knowledge of self, her cultural identity, her sense of what was “right”. Home and what her mother and father would have said … what her brother would say … what the Ministry would say. Profer! Would Reziel already know too? Did the twins communicate?

Dazed, she shook her head. This was that they’d wanted despite being unexpected. Slowly, ever so slowly, she was filled with a sense of wonder. Theirs. A son. Who would he look like? Would he be healthy? She stifled a laugh thinking about the stories Ileana had told her about Lach as a child. How would Lach react if had to deal with a miniature version of himself? The Twin, the Ministry, proprieties … all had to be dealt with but for …

“Mare?” She smiled through the tears that were running unchecked down her cheeks at the concern in Lachdanan’s voice. “I’m fine, just … just … surprised, that’s all. We’re having a son.” She touched his cheek then nestled into him, holding him tightly and resting her head on his chest. “We’re having a son …”

[Kangarawa]

Ministry of International Affairs - Office of the Minister - Tasman City

Three Days Prior …

Incredulous and angry, a reaction that had become the norm following every meeting with the President, Carolyn Masters ran through the list of names in front of her, pen in hand. What she’d been told to do was very clear. The reasoning behind it made no sense as far as she was concerned. She’d argued of course, but these days argument was an exercise in futility. She’d even wondered on more than one occasion if ignoring her advice and effectively railroading decisions through was all part of an attempt to force her resignation. Damned if she’d allow her that satisfaction but there was no doubt that her level of frustration had mounted steadily over the past couple of years.

A majority of the eight Ambassadors she was being asked to either recall or reassign had been more than effective in their current roles and those she was being asked to replace them with were, for the most part, inexperienced and not individuals she herself would have chosen. In several instances, they were individuals with whom she’d had no personal contact whatsoever and given the nations to which they were being assigned she knew was doing nothing more than rubber-stamping the Presidential appointments. Regardless, she felt she owed the Ambassadors more than a simple form letter. She hand wrote the eight long missives, quoting directly from the rationale she’d been given. There was simply no way to make the news palatable.

[Reziel]

New Irem - The Kangarawan Embassy
Three hours later

Smiling again to the Ambassadress’ assistant while entering Mare’s office and closing the door behind her back, Ileana De Corde glanced at the young Kangarawan, who was still busy with a phone call. When the young lady smiled warmly, inviting her to sit down, Ileana giggled with herself. She knew rather well the problems and the annoyances linked to Marilyn’s role… but the woman was definitely good at playing the game. She was gifted… but she had worked hard, too. During the years she had spent in the Grand Duchy, she had been able to win everyone’s trust… and a number of hearts, too. For the millionth time, Ileana had to admit that Marylin was a blessing for them all. Elistar Reziel adored her. In her role of Foreign Ministry, Ileana herself couldn’t have hoped in anything better, as a diplomatic counterpart. And as a woman… Marilyn had won Lachdanan’s love. She was doing a great job with him: his restlessness had vanished, his loneliness was nothing else but a distant remembrance. Together, they were growing up, both as individuals and as… a pair. A family. That was probably the one question mark left. But…

Suddenly, Ileana frowned. During the past years, the two women had spent a lot of time together. Enough, for the Iremian Countess, to understand that there was something which was troubling the young lady. Her body language couldn’t be misunderstood. A skilled diplomat as she was, she couldn’t hide her nervousness to someone who, like Ileana, had the double advantage of having played the game for more than twenty years… while being a close friend of the ‘scrutinized’ person. And when the receiver had been finally put down, Ileana didn’t waste time.

«Marilyn, sweetie… are you alright?»

[Kangarawa]

Marilyn gave a soft chuckle as she met Ileana’s eyes. “I’m fine, just a little frustrated at dealing with innumerable questions that have already been answered too many times to count. You know what that’s like.” Ileana shook her head at the prevarication. “That’s the answer I’d expect you to give your assistant Megan, not me, my dear.” She gestured gracefully with her hand toward the phone. “You take that sort of thing in stride. You know it and I know it.”

She paused and waited, a glint of mischief in her eyes as she watched Marilyn tuck a strand of hair behind an ear. Marilyn smiled ruefully, rolling her eyes a little at her friend’s perspicuity. “You’re right, Ileana. You read me rather too well at times. But … I really am fine. I guess I’m … I don’t know what I am. I’m excited, I’m worried, I’m thrilled, I’m caught between believing and not believing. I just don’t know!” Pausing, she searched Ileana’s face for a reaction but saw nothing but patience as she waited for Marilyn to say more. “I’m pregnant.” As Ileana’s face lit up and she looked as if she was about to speak, Marilyn staved off her response by quickly telling her about the “dream visit” from Lach’s twin.

[Reziel]

Mixed emotions boiling inside her, Ileana waited patiently for Marilyn to end her tale. The Iremian Lady observed the Kangarawan’s body language as she was speaking… and she found exactly what she had expected. A mix of surprise and astonishment, of fear and happiness… but above all the joy of a woman who’s just found out she’ll be a mother. Beyond and over any possible threat, problem… or demon.

In the end, she smiled warmly and was straight on the point of answering, when a sudden door knocking interrupted her. When Megan entered the room, a puzzled expression on her face, Ileana frowned. Megan wasn’t so easily perplexed. Something had…

«Ileana, Marilyn… I’m sorry to bother, but there’s a man, out there… requesting to be received. Immediately. I was straight on the point of dismissing him, stressing the opportunity to schedule a meeting with the due advance, but… well, he told me ‘Tell Mare she should definitely meet me, if she cares about the child’. It has been…»

«Let him in» Ilana’s answer had been the command of a general who’s seeing the battle looming all around of his troops. As Marilyn nodded to assent, Megan went out. Moments after, the man entered the room. He was tall and slender, his age indefinitely placed between his late forties and his early sixties. Ice-cold azure eyes adorned a face which seemed carved in white rock… and white where his short hair, too. Impeccable in his blue suit, he smiled coldly at Ileana before focusing his attention on the Kangarawan woman.

«Lady Janus… I’m honored to meet you and I thank you for having found the time to receive me. And I’m pleased to add that the presence of Countess Almsyck will be of great… help, for me, in running this conversation»

«The pleasure is all yours, Sir Swales» Ileana replied bitterly.

«Charming as always, my Lady»

«I have to stress that you and your… gifts are not welcome guests, Sir Swales»

«Mother, this man is disgustingly annoying. His arrogance knows no limits… well, let’s see if he can handle surprises rather well. Ask him if the worms were tasty enough, back in New Irem» The voice inside Marilyn’s head had been as clear as during her dream. But there was something more… a sense of protection irradiated by it, as if the voice itself was collecting its power all around her, against a possible menace.

[Kangarawa]

Marilyn had bristled instinctively; anger, embarrassment and unease battling in equal measure. His words to Megan and all that they implied had shocked her, enough so that the predicament in which he’d placed Megan became a non-issue. As Lord Swales walked in, Marilyn had risen slowly, back ramrod-straight, composing her features into what she hoped reflected only peasant curiousity. That there was no love lost between Ileana and Lord Swales was patently obvious, but the tone of Ileana’s voice during their barbed exchange had only compounded Marilyn’s disquiet.

She stiffened as the voice from her dreams, Lach’s twin, spoke, almost biting her tongue as she found herself on the verge of uttering the question he’d told her to ask Lord Swales. For a brief moment, despite or perhaps because of the sense of “safety” his presence engendered, she found herself coldly furious. She was appalled at how easy it would be to simply do as he suggested and let him direct the ensuing conversation.

“No. This is my child. Mine and Lach’s.”

"Mother, you know … "

“I am NOT your mother. You will not dictate to me. Keep your suggestions to yourself.”

He chuckled warmly, almost as if in appreciation. “Yes, Mother.”

Chin raised proudly, two spots of colour high on her cheekbones, Marilyn returned Lord Swales cold scrutiny. She responded with an icy dignity.

“Lord Swales, in THIS office it is both customary and considered a sign of respect to make an appointment. When you address me, you address my nation. Do you hold Kangarawa in such low regard that you feel the need to use subterfuge in order to gain admittance?”

[Reziel]

«Lady Janus… you’re right, and I apologize for my rude and unexpected appearance. On one thing only I cannot agree. I’m not interested in your Ambassadorial role anyhow. I’m here… for you. As a woman… as a mother»

As she immediately stiffened, he smiled warmly as to excuse himself.

«My Lady… allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Sir Gareth Swales, knight of the Iremian Empire… and member of an ancient… society»

«Useless spies» puffed Ileana. Grinning, he ignored her comment and simply went on.

«In standard circumstances, I wouldn’t give away my role so easily… but these are not standard circumstances. This is the first time a Dark Twin is passed through a… non Iremian ‘channel’, if you’ll pass me the term. The blood of the One Thousand Columns City doesn’t flow in your veins. This is… unexpected. The whole issue has been deeply discussed. I will not hide the fact that a number of my Brothers suggested to solve the problem at his root… killing you. Before this moment, I mean»

Too shocked to keep her temper, Ileana jumped on her feet.

«You bastard…»

[Kangarawa]

All thoughts of dismissing him outright vanished at his words. He was threatening her child and utter horror was bubbling at the top of the maelstrom of emotions his comments engendered. But … he had given something to which she could cling.

“I told you that he was disgustingly annoying, Mother and that he …”

“Enough.”

Marilyn closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. When she felt a measure of control return, she opened them and looked at Ileana. “Please. Sit down, Ileana.”

Her demeanour was cool as she regarded Lord Swales, dropping all pretences. “Please have a seat, Lord Swales.” Once the three of them were seated, the irony was quite obvious in her voice as she continued, her wary eyes never leaving his.

“Forgive me, My Lord, but you’re not only dealing with me as a mother and woman, but like it or not, as the representative of my nation.” She paused, taking yet another deep breath. “Regardless, you’ve said there was talk of murdering me but that that was before. What has changed?”

[Reziel]

«In the end, both sides have had to admit we do not have a clue about the possible effects of your… lineage over this pregnancy. The lack of Iremian blood could well imply a weakening of your chances to… control the influence of the Twin on your son… or the very opposite. It could well happen that your foreignness will… reshuffle the deck, introducing elements and factors he will not be able to control… which would lead us all to a particularly weak twin during the next generation. Or even… it could prove an irrelevant element. We could say we have two chances on three your lineage won’t be a danger… and despite what someone could suggest, we do not take extreme measures, if we’re not strongly persuaded they’re… unavoidable. And they’re…»

«Kidnapping Arian, hoping to kill him… it didn’t seem an ‘unavoidable’ circumstance» interjected Ileana, her tone as cold as ice.

«Lady Ileana… I’m not here to argue with you about anything. The episode has been an incredibly embarrassing error on our side… but those who had wanted it have paid the price of their incorrect reading of the ongoing events. But again, I’m her to offer my support…»

«A son… how can you know? Why not a daughter?»

Gareth turned towards Mariln for a very brief moment, then he threw an interrogative glance to the Iremian lady before focusing back on the Kangarawan diplomat.

«Well… it’s rather difficult to explain. I’m… tuned with him… the Dark Twin. I’ve perceived he has moved… fully, I’d say. Not just in part, as it would have happened if the child was… a daughter. No… he’s a male. And your pregnancy will be successful. The child will be borne… healthy and strong. It’s inevitable. We’re not sure how they can do it, but… they foresee it. As if they could read the lines of possible futures. According to another theory, the Twin prevents pregnancies which could lead to handicapped fetus… but there’s no way to really know it. The one thing we can say is that during the last nine centuries, there have been almost three thousands… ‘passages’… and not a single pregnancy has been interrupted by natural happenings. And no child has been borne with serious diseases or… anything. That’s why the Shadow Families have been able to breed perfectly healthy children for a period that could well be considered forever, if examined with standard human criteria»

«Forever?»

«Marilyn…»

«Lady Janus… probably, they’ve not considered this a ‘relevant’ information, but the Uth Reiser’s family has sat on the Ruby Throne of Irem for one thousand eight hundreds and eighty two years, now… seventy eight, if you do not count the last four ones of ‘vacancy’. Without a single case of… unlucky first-borns. I would be impressed if you could point me another example in human history… and that’s the same for the Almsycks… Lady Ileana’s family. And the De Cordes… and the same for all of the twenty seven surviving lineages. Even the Reziels»

[Kangarawa]

She remembered Arian’s kidnapping only too well. Ileana had been beside herself, Reziel more angry than she’d ever seen him and Lach … Lach said little but his fear had been palpable at his inability to do anything. Arian had been, and still was like a young brother to her, always a nuisance but nonetheless totally lovable. All of them had been uncharacteristically silent as to who had been responsible. Truth be told, there seemed to be any number of things about which they’d remained silent …

Marilyn shot a warning glance at Ileana, knowing she wanted to contribute something but sensing that the baby’s interests would be better served right now by allowing Lord Swale to continue uninterrupted. He’d already told her part of what she needed to hear: her child would be born hale and healthy provided that she and Lach took precautions to ensure he had the chance to be born.

“My Lord, I am somewhat confused. You’ve said that you believe that the Dark Twin has moved completely.”

Swales nodded his agreement, raising an eyebrow.

“I was under the impression that, with only one exception, the Dark Twins moved on only after the death of their original “host” for lack of a better term. Are you telling me that Lach’s twin has left him for good and aligned himself with our child? Or is he now attached to both of them?” Lach had reluctantly explained the rift between he and his father that had led to his regarding Reziel as his own.

Mother, why don’t you ask me?"

“Please. Not now.”

[Reziel]

As he glanced at Ileana, Swales’ expression couldn’t hide the man’s disapproval.

«Lady Almsyck… you stiffen at my entrance, but it comes out that till now Lady Janus has been left in a dangerous ignorance about something she was definitely entitled to know. An ignorance that can well endanger not only her, but a millenarian equilibrium»

«Our reasons…»

«Your reasons?» smirked the man «Which ones? The Iremian hypocrisy ‘as long as we do not have to officially face it, it doesn’t exist’? Tell me, Lady Almsyck… what have you thought, for all of these years? That this moment wouldn’t have…»

«Yes, Sir Swales. That’s what I’ve thought… what I’ve hoped. That she would have been spared the destiny which has cursed us all for centuries… that the Iremian shadow wouldn’t have infected her. That… that there was hope for a new beginning» she replied, her tone unable to hide an old regret. But if he noted, he didn’t give it away.

«You’re an Iremian woman… a woman from a Shadow Family. You owed her. She deserved to be… alerted. To be put in the condition… to choose. As you all have been, when your times had come. You all… you had someone. She has… nobody. She’s alone. She definitely deserved something better than a mentor she doesn’t know… a mentor she cannot really trust» turning his glance away from the Iremian paling woman, he focused back on Marilyn.

«Lady Janus… forgive my yelling out. Your… your question is due to a bit of miswording on my side, for which I apologize. No… the Twin is still linked to Emperor Lachdanan only. He hasn’t been… passed. But his… ‘tendrils’ can now reach the life growing inside you. It’s… a kind of ‘preparation’. You can imagine the child inside you as an amphora… an amphora which will be filled by the child’s own soul. But that amphora… it will have to contain a second soul… the Twin’s. The two of them will share the same body… which one will have the control, only time can tell. The point is… to host two souls, the amphora has to be… worked. That’s what he’s doing. Preparing the forming body to receive him, when the time will come… and in the meanwhile, bestowing a number of… ‘enchantments’ on it. Protective ones, we could say. On… on both of you. You… you and the child are his investment, his insurance for the years to come… and he’ll protect you two»

«Do you mean…» she began, being immediately interrupted.

«Lady Janus… allow me a question. Sometimes, you are… hesitant. As if you’re being… interrupted. Or probably following another conversation… inside your head, possibly?»

As the question had been shot, Ileana held her breath. As much as she despised the man, she knew rather well he was competent in his work. But the implications of his question… glancing at the kangarawan Ambassador, she waited for her answer.

[Kangarawa]

You don’t have to tell him about me, Mother. You can order him to leave. Better yet, simply say that you’ve been overwhelmed by your condition, that …"

“This is NOT your decision to make. Stop trying to put words in my mouth.”

“You’re right, Mother. You don’t need me right now. But nor do you need either of them. All you need is to say …”

"Enough! Back off!

Blanching, Marilyn fought for control of a raging maelstrom of emotions, trying to decide how or even whether to answer Swales’ question. Right now, she was able to silence that seductive voice and its suggestions, but Swales had implied that this was only the beginning. Yes. The twin made her feel safe and protected but at what ultimate cost? She’d faced down the twin once before while it controlled Lach’s body but she knew she’d merely been lucky that the control had been relinquished. Lach had been fighting. An infant didn’t stand a chance.

She clenched her interwoven fingers tightly in anger as she thought of Ileana. Why in the name of Profer had Ileana not explained all of this to her? Swales was right. She ought to have known, ought to have had some idea of what to expect in this situation. She sighed, realising that even if she had known, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome. She’d not have done anything differently.

But now? Now she needed information, advice, support … and to accept it from only the twin would be the height of foolishness. Ileana was the one whose support and advice she most wanted but the Brotherhood had already discussed the murder of both she and her child. To turn Swales away now would also be incredibly foolish.

She glanced at Ileana, hurt and anger clear in her both her eyes, and then focused once more on Swales.

“Yes,” she answered very simply.

[Reziel]

At that simple word, Ileana’s eyes opened wide in utter disbelief. Speechless, she glanced at both Marilyn and the Observer, who on the contrary had closed his eyes, as to recollect his own thoughts. When he re-opened them, he chained them with Marilyn’s, glancing straigth in the depth of them… and for a moment, it seemed he was looking even deeper.

«Lady Janus… honest, this is definitely something I wouldn’t have expected, before passing your door. The fact the Twin is already able to get in touch with you… to speak to you… it introduces an unexpected element to be perused. It’s… unusual. Completely. Both for the Twins in general… and for this specific one even more. The Dealmaker… that’s how he’s usually called… he’s not renowed for his consideration of women. We’re strongly persuaded that he has played a major role in killing Lachdanan’s mother at the Prince’s childbirth, just to offer an example. The fact he talks to you…»

«Sir Swales… despite uncommon, it has happened before» interjected Ileana.

«So soon, Lady Almsick? The morning after the conception?» as she shook her head, he nodded. This time, there seemed to be no irritation against the Iremian’s comment «But I wouldn’t be… worried. Specifically worried, I mean. On the contrary, I’d say this is positive»

«How so?» Marilyn’s comment came out of genuine surprise.

«Lady Janus… this is the main reason I’ve voted against your assasination. You have… influence over him. A strong one, I’d say. You had confronted him once… and he has stepped back. Accordino to my subsequent observation of Emperor Lachdanan’s behavior… I’d say you’ve… allow me a foolish word: charmed him. In my opinion, this is the reason for his… urgency in contacting you. A sincere… interest»

«A sincere…»

«Sir Swales… he has been one of the most merciless and selfish Twins in the whole…» Ileana’s surprise was big enough to allow her a brutal interruption of Marilyn’s comment.

«… Iremian history? Yes… probable. But do not forget that he has had a direct influence over the Throne for thousands of years… we can like it or not, but Irem owes him a lot, too. But without crawling back in ancient history… hasn’t Lachdanan drawn on his powers? Hasn’t the Blue Hawk been reactivated, after Lady Janus confronted him?»

«How do you…» this time, Ileana’s surprise was complete. The Observer was flatly communicating that not even the best kept secrets of the Iremian Nobility were safe from the Brotherhood’s glances.

«We’ve refined our talents for centuries… we’re good at what we do. And we both know that Emperor Lachdanan simply lacks the discipline to… tame his own Twin. He’s not Elistar Reziel. And this…» he smiled, his glance back on Marilyn «…this leaves only you, my Lady. Wasn’t this so incredibly serious, I’d compliment with you, as it seems you’ve been able to seduce one of the most ancient demons human history has ever heard about»