Coil of Worlds

Lara felt as if she was walking through a gauntlet of emotions upon entering the dome-shaped Great Chamber. To distract herself from the burgeoning pressure from the room’s inhabitants, she focused on familiarizing herself with the room. She was startled to see the vibrant finery surrounding the Kurite people. Living without the brightness of the sun had led these people to bring life into the underground through brilliant colors. She twisted her head around for a panoramic view of the circular room. The walls were decorated with vivid, flowing tapestries that covered every inch of the cavern’s walls, billowing out in sections. The tapestries hung down to just above the stadium seating, where over time the lower part of the chamber had been carved into the face of the walls.

Glowing, blue roots dangled from the ceiling like forgotten Christmas lights. The floor’s oddly shaped tiles shimmered a pale, glistening peach, reminding her of the broken shells found in some European and Middle Eastern palaces. The effect of the blue lighting from above and the shining floor below her gave off the illusion the room’s dimensions were more expansive than they really were.

What she didn’t realize until she stood in the center of the room was that the floor was a large, detailed mosaic of the God and Goddess in varying shades of peach. The short barrier sectioned off the seats located a few feet above the floor. The entire circumference of the barrier had time-worn carvings of Kurites in ceremonies and battles—reminiscent of Greek and Roman artwork. The humans, pakas, and Tal’Ai were illustrated in every scene, demonstrating the full immersion of all three in the Kurite culture.

As their small party neared the center of the room, Lara was able to see the individual councilors. It didn’t surprise her that both men and women held seats of power. What did were the bright colors the High Council wore. Every Kurite she met since coming to this planet had worn dull, earth-toned colors. She glanced around the chamber to compare the villagers’ clothing to those of the councilors. Her eyebrows raised and her lips twisted into a sardonic smile.

This, then, was the distinction between the nobility and the rest of the Kurite population. Entwined into the female councilors’ hair were golden strands that reminded her of the silult farms. She squinted, bringing the smaller details into sharper focus, and her eyes widened in reaction. The women wore silult woven into their hair like it was the finest jewelry in the world. She looked around again and thought that, perhaps, it was for this culture.

One persistent emotion, loathing, broke her concentration as she took in the chamber’s interior, making her scan the councilors sitting in front of her. She realized the High Council was situated like a flattened triangle, with three smaller triangles making the larger one. The larger number of councilors sat along the bottom row while the top row held what she assumed was the Triad. The bench-like thrones held deep-red cushions for both the humans and the pakas. The Triad’s more ornate thrones flashed their opulence in the numerous blood-red rubies and sapphires inset into the frames.

Upon closer inspection, Lara realized the stones were not what she had originally thought. Their colors were slightly off, making her wonder what these stones were called. The two Triad pakas had pierced ears with sparkling hoops.

Each of the Tal’Ai shared a bench with their bonded mate, symbolically showing their vote counted as one. The other seats, both paka and human, had their own, individual throne, although the pakas sat on wider seats. A protection detail of royal guards stood before the council seats on ground level, creating a small arch of short lances and swords.

To Lara, the entire assemblage was an impressive and intimidating display of power. She felt small and insignificant standing below the heads of every other individual in the room. Shifting her eyes to see how the others fared, she saw that Eiren held an identical position next to her Ai as Chion. Both pakas were nobility and dignity personified as they sat to the left of both Skye and her. Lara still had her hand on Chion’s shoulder. The height difference between Eiren and Skye did not allow for a similar hand to shoulder connection.

Looking at Skye, it occurred to her that he didn’t need the physical link like she did. He stood before his enemies with his head up and his shoulders thrown back. He stared through the members of the High Council. His blank expression didn’t permit them to know his inner thoughts or feelings. She gave an internal shrug. She would never have the fortitude to stare her accusers in the eye. She was certain every thought she had was easily deciphered by the councilors who eyed them with open disdain. The combination of loathing, fear, and jealousy made her edgy as none of the emotions instilled confidence in the trial’s outcome.

The room quieted to a tense, expectant silence when a human councilor vacated his seat to stand at the edge of council’s raised platform. Lara shifted her feet, knowing the man presented the commencement of the trial. Though he did not raise his voice, the natural acoustics of the chamber elevated his voice. His words resounded around the room, ensuring every person clearly heard the proceedings.

“May the God and Goddess bless the High Council and all of Kureto. This next hearing comes at a time of great turmoil and unrest.” The man’s gaze took in each of them as they stood waiting for the trial to begin. “You have been brought before this council because of the accusations laid against you. For your sake, you must answer every question the councilors raise.” Without waiting for their acknowledgement of the blatant threat, he turned back to his seat.

Lara didn’t know which councilor spoke the first question. “State your name and where you are from.”

Skye was the first to answer, speaking in a deep, level voice. “The paka sitting beside me is Eiren of the Kurite city of Luthis. I am called Skye Silverhand, originally from the Pyranni city of Gharra.” Eiren bowed her head when the Pyranni gave her name.

Before Chion or Lara could state their names, a female councilor interrupted, spitting out, “The paka will speak for herself.”

Chion said with patient aplomb, This would be difficult as Eiren cannot speak to anyone but her Ai.

The dignified Tal’Ai man sitting in the row of the Triad asked in a detached voice, “Is this the truth?”

With that one question, Lara knew this man was the Tal’Ai Chion had mentioned. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Skye turn his head to look at Eiren.

“This comes directly from Eiren. High Council, I apologize for this inconvenience. I have never been able to converse with anyone, that is, until I crossed paths with My Lord.”

Lara watched as the councilors turned their heads to see the Tal’Ai nod his head, validating her statement.

The Triad paka spoke in a rumbling, deep voice. Then the Pyranni will relay your words to this council.

When every council member turned their eyes to Chion, he stated his name and the city. She whispered to Chion, What do I tell them?

The truth. Bravery has brought you to this time and place. Do not let your courage fail you now.

She said in a loud, clear voice, unaware her distinct accent was evident to the High Council and the listening townspeople. “My full name is Solara Meghan Conners. I am from Dallas, Texas, which is located in the United States of America.”

A chorus of voices whispered around the room. Confusion and fear swept across her skin, but she was able rise above it, keeping her own emotions front and center. Again, she watched as the councilors twisted their heads to see the Tal’Ai nod his head.

Your first name is Solara, My Lady?

She cringed in reaction; she hated the name. But she hated hearing the confusion and hurt in Chion’s voice more. Unfortunately, it is. It’s a long story. But please, call me Lara. I don’t like my first name and prefer the nickname.

The same female councilor said with a pinched face, “I have never heard of this place. Where is this…Dallas?”

Lara felt the woman’s hostility as well as her malicious intentions. Lara trembled at the look in the councilor’s eyes as she stared at their small group. A tight smile creased the woman’s lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Before she answered the question, she shared what she was feeling with Chion. She felt Eiren tense beside her, telling her all three of her companions knew what she felt.

“You haven’t heard of it because it doesn’t exist on this planet.”

A cry went up like a wave, growing in strength as people finally understood what she meant. Their shock and doubt at her words was enough for both of the Triad’s pakas to let loose a roar. As the roars turned into feline screams, the people in the room sat back down in their seats. She happened to look at the woman and found her sneering in derision.

Although Lara spoke the truth, no one in the room believed her. With a heavily thudding heart, Lara intuited that their religion and lack of scientific innovations made the idea of other worlds impossible to fathom. Until she traveled to this place, she had understood the possibility of life in the trillions of stars that existed around Earth, but she never expected to meet people that were similar to her. If she was honest with herself, she never expected to meet anyone from another planet.

So how could these people process the inevitability of life on other worlds if they didn’t understand how space worked? She stopped breathing in dawning realization. These people probably still believed the sun revolved around the planet. How could she explain to these people her world? Would they even listen? She felt Chion stiffen beside her, and both Eiren and Skye turned to watch the people behind them. Seeing the Pyranni’s hand clench, Lara realized they were very vulnerable in their current situation.

The pinched-faced woman called out, “I do not believe her, councilors. She must have come ahead of the Malirrans.”

The Triad’s human Tal’Ai said in a calm voice, the words carrying to everyone sitting in the chamber, “Hush, Jahni. Though I hardly believe it myself, the woman does speak the truth.”

Grateful for his words, Lara sent the man a small smile, but his next questions had her rearing back a step. “What is your purpose here then? Do you hope to conquer Kureto?”

Not knowing how to answer without making them more leery of her, she glanced around at the other council members. Their emotions were all the same; they were all suspicious of her presence.

Chion spoke, My Lady’s intent has always been to survive the dangers present on this world.

“You speak the truth as you see it, scout. However, the mark all four of you carry is the same. How can a Pyranni, who does not believe in magic, carry the same marking as a woman who claims she is from another place, another world. This logic cannot be explained, unless this woman has somehow brought this upon all of you.”

“That would be extremely difficult considering my planet doesn’t believe in magic. Magic does not exist—cannot exist—there. The supernatural is a myth only. Not like it is here.” Her frustration showed as she practically spat the words out.

The trial was going downhill. Instead of finding the truth, these council members were running scared. They needed only one compelling reason to decide their deaths were necessary.

One of the Tal’Ai humans who hadn’t yet spoken said in an accusing voice, “You stand there spouting those words when you and the Pyranni hold that much power within your bodies.”

The Triad’s Tal’Ai paka spoke in a surprisingly ultra-feminine voice. Etheme, what do you say?

Etheme turned in his seat to scan the faces of his peers. “I have never felt any Tal’Ai magic this powerful in my lifetime.”

The paka’s ears turned forward and she shifted her legs under her. Are you certain, councilor?

“My gift is to sense the level of power every Tal’Ai bond has. Since my training, I have traveled to every city to attend each Tal’Ai bonding ceremony.” He turned to stare back at Lara, the intensity of his eyes making her shuffle her feet. “They are both powerful beyond any Tal’Ai Kureto has. And I must admit I fear this power.”

Lara’s eyes squinted in puzzlement when she felt the trickle of jealousy coming from two of the human councilors. Jealousy was an odd emotion to feel after hearing the Tal’Ai’s words. She looked toward them, trying to determine the cause. Then the man’s words struck her.

Wait, they were? He thought she was powerful? She shared a quick, shocked look with Skye before he could regain mastery of his face. A flash of memory had her almost giggling at the absurdity of the man’s statement. She wasn’t powerful. She couldn’t even control the influx of emotions from the people around her. The more people there were, the crazier she became until her body took on a mind of its own. The only time she couldn’t feel emotions was when she was with Chion, Eiren, and Skye. They were a blank slate, similar to how she was before the bond. Only in their presence could she relax, not having to worry about the next tsunami made entirely of feelings.

As if the thought conjured them, alarm and fear hit her, leading her to bend over under the onslaught. The shouts that rose to fill the large chamber were nothing compared to the screams inside her head. It was happening, just as she feared. Their emotions were too much. She let go of Chion to clutch her chest as it compressed without her permission. Lara dropped to her knees as she tried to gain some control, abhorring the show of weakness in front of these strange men and women. As suddenly as the weight compressed onto her, it lifted. She inhaled a long breath, thanking God for the respite.

My Lady, are you well? Chion asked, intruding on her calamitous thoughts.

Yes, My Lord. The pleasure that came through their bond made her glad she gave into the impulse to call him by the Tal’Ai title.

“A council messenger has interrupted the proceedings.” At Skye’s remark, they both turned toward the door. There was a man about to collapse to the floor. She looked closer and realized the messenger was actually a filthy, young man. His exhaustion was clear from the way his legs and arms shook and his inability to raise his head to face the High Council.

Etheme called for a chair and drink for the young man. In the silence enveloping the room at his abrupt entry, they could all hear the man’s chest wheeze as he fought for air. She watched the messenger’s right leg unlock, and he tumbled with an undignified yelp. Two bystanders grabbed him in time to hold him upright as a chair was pushed into position behind his knees. They lowered him into the chair, and that was when Lara felt the depth of his emotion. It was uncontrollable, blinding fear.

Everyone waited on edge as one of the helpful townspeople lifted a cup to the man’s lips. After the man caught his breath enough to speak, he raised his head to look toward the rulers of Kureto.

“High Councilors, I bring you news from both Reiner and Pyran. Malirran invaders attacked Reiner ports one week ago. The battle lasted three days before Reiner warriors were successful in fending off the invaders. All but a few Malirrans managed to escape in their large ships. Reiner’s defenders have determined the Malirrans have the ability to practice magic. I was ordered to report that Reiner’s Council of Nine speculate the attack was an attempt to assess Kureto’s weaknesses and strengths without losing an undue number of men. After the failed attempt, the three ships sailed south along the coast.”

At this, the young man halted to rest, his tired face drawn into a mask of determination. No one spoke as they waited for him to continue; the tension surged a notch for every breath the messenger took. “As I ran here to report the battle at Reiner, I came across news concerning Pyran. The Pyranni city, Valorri, was also attacked by a larger number of invaders. Valorri was unable to defend its city without its warriors, and its defenses crumbled after only two days of intense fighting. Malirrans have conquered a city of Pyran.”

The last word the messenger spoke came out slurred. Having reported his message, the man closed his eyes, already half asleep as he leaned back in the chair. Another command from Etheme had two unobtrusive servants approach and help him to his feet. Combining their strength, the two servants wrapped both of his arms around their shoulders and carried him out of the chamber.

The closing doors signaled the beginning of an uproar. Scanning the crowd of attending townspeople, Lara could not find one calm individual. Kurites were yelling, waving their hands, or crying into the shoulders of the person next to them. The tumultuous emotions reached her a half second after the room unleashed into chaos. She had an instant headache. The pounding in her skull, though, competed with the constriction around her chest and the slither of cold that crept into her bones. When Lara rolled her head to look at the councilors, hoping they would calm the entire chamber, she realized they were in no position to restrain anyone.

The councilors had formed small circles and were heatedly discussing the news. In consternation at the turn of events and the emotions swirling around her, she consoled herself by moving closer to Chion, so she could feel his body heat through the Kurite clothing she wore. Much more, and she’d lose consciousness again. It was beginning to feel like torture to her frazzled spirit.

A harsh, recurrent banging echoed around the room, causing individuals to look around in search of the source. The volume of the chaotic room gradually lessened as more and more individuals stopped shouting and turned to look at the High Triad. The Triad’s human representative banged the butt-end of a sturdy staff against the floor of the cavern. Order was finally restored. As the sound persisted, a temporary calm replaced the frantic, scared emotions.

Leaning forward in her seat, Jahni said in a clear voice, “I vote death.”

Chion growled for the first time since entering the chamber. Taking a step forward, his tail swished showing his leashed temper. You would falsely accuse My Lady for the deeds of others. Crying for her death will not solve the violence that has reached these shores.

“Well spoken, Chion. This council will make an objective decision concerning your small party.” An unnamed Triad member said while staring in disapproval at Jahni.

“I have called a vote, Gerant,” Jahni said in smug satisfaction. “No more questions can be voiced until this vote is completed. Death or life.”

The Triad human, Gerant, scowled at her manipulation of council rules. “All seats will vote on three cho—”

“You cannot change the vote to meet your wishes,” cried the female councilor, interrupting the Triad member in mid-sentence. Gerant stared her down until she closed her mouth with a snap. He turned his gaze to meet every councilor’s eyes.

“As Jahni has rushed these proceedings, I am well within my right to change the alternatives. Life, death, and undecided. Take these next few moments to make your decision.”

The councilors bowed their heads as they debated their personal decision. The four companions looked toward each other in trepidation, gravitating into a smaller, tighter group. Lara laid her hand on Skye’s forearm and squeezed, giving him a sad smile. What a sham of a trial. They weren’t even trying to gather the full details of their circumstances.

She looked down at Eiren, finding the paka’s ears laid flat against her head. When the small paka gave her a small, dignified bow full of affection, Lara kneeled down and wrapped her arms around Eiren’s neck. When Lara stood back up to her full height, they turned as one to face the council seats. Lara put her hand on the spot between Chion’s shoulder blades in what she was beginning to think was hers.

Gerant demanded, “Jahni, you will begin the vote.”

“Death,” she said in triumph.

“Death.”

Undecided.

As the members called out their vote, she kept a mental tally. The Triad contributed their votes last, with Gerant ending the vote in a strong voice, “Undecided.”