The Sun Seeker- Pt 9

Jesphyr woke to an alarm. Not the clanging, abrasive alarm of emergency; but a soft, cheery, unrelenting and patient trill that she wanted to crush under her Telling pot.

She levered herself up from the mattress, scrubbing at her face as she padded barefoot toward the offending sound.

Burning sunlight slashed into her face through the front windows, Overwhelming her with a view of... everything. She saw her ship streaking gently through the dark of space over a planet that glistened. She saw through the wide windows, saw her own wild hair, an oversized sweater hanging down almost to her bare knees as she fought her way around the pilots console, trying to find the button for the window shades. She managed to find it just as the communications crystal flared bright.

“Good morning!” A cheery, automated voice trumpeted, and Jesphyr glowered at the communications crystal. “Welcome to Trinium Capital Airspace. If you have a spaceport destination in mind, state it now. If you would like a list of available spaceports, please say-”

“Trium Capital,” Jesphyr spat out groggily, just to make the beacon shut up.

“Ahh the City of Glass itself!” The beacon agreed happily. Not shutting up at all. “Local time is two hours past sunrise, and a crisp 50 degrees, looking at a high of-”

She found the mute button and scrubbed a hand through her hair as she glared out the now shaded window.

Even with the shader, she could feel the light as it touched everything. Trinium was closer to Solem than the other planets, and the rays felt stronger here.

If she focused her mind, she could perceive the planet below; Dusty reds, glittering glassy blues, and wide belts of green swirled and cut through each other, a few golden clouds skittered through the hazy atmosphere. At least, they looked golden to her. The Sol sight, as Artem called it, washed color strangely. She couldn't always trust what her brain interpreted.

Finding the display button by memory, she tapped until a news broadcast cycled on and started describing the the day in Trium City. The northern hemisphere was in the midst of a very dry and clear summer. She'd have to pay for the extra water when she docked, to keep her on-board vegetation alive and happy. Add that to the worries gnawing at her insides.

She couldn't hear him, but knew Artem was somewhere back in the main sleeping area. She hadn't wanted to give him her mothers bed, it felt... weird. But it made more sense for her to stay near the cockpit, to monitor the flight.

She had spent her entire life flying to every planet and moon in the system except Trinium. Now here she was, sailing right up to Trium Capital. She had the almost overwhelming urge to keep sailing past. Or to duck under the pilots console and curl into a ball.

She realized, in the wake of emotion, there was really no reason for her to hide. She had done nothing wrong. Whatever intrigues had happened with her mother, they were long past, and had nothing to do with Jes. She tried to hold onto that thought as the autopilot blinked at her to take control.

She commed Hash's ship and waited for his groggy acknowledgement. “We're in Trinium space. I'm disengaging the caravan lines so we can route to the port.”

“Acknowledged. Release in three, two... one.”

“Released.”

“Retracting cables. Do you need me to take point into the city?”

Jes paused to consider, thinking this was the last chance she had to turn back.

The communications crystal trilled again as she came in range of the port beacon, and she sighed, resigned to the course she'd set.

“No, let me make sure they'll let us through first. Standby.” She tapped the crystal to change channels.

“Welcome to Trinium Capital, the Glass City, Seat of the Triumvirate and home to Temple Prime of the Great Solem. Due to the current drought, a water tax has been instituted on all sourcing outlets...”

Jesphyr adjusted her course in alignment with the information she was given, offering her information as prompted. She pinged Hashan with the landing info so he'd know where to follow her.

She had set all alerts to audio before they left Bashyr, when she realized she wouldn't be able to read any of the displays on her console.

A thump and a soft expletive alerted her to Artem's presence. She realized he probably couldn't see much at the back of the ship. She rarely unshaded the portholes back there.

“We're routing to the city now,” She called over her shoulder.

She couldn't help a smidge of anticipation at seeing the Glass City for the first time. It was a trek most Lorekeepers made once every few years, to be in the heart of the epochs and visit the Solari archives. Had it not been for their specific circumstances, Jes should have done a season in sojourn, staying at the Lore hostel and reading as much as she could before returning to her apprenticeship under her mother.

But Cicera had made sure to take her to all the libraries and archives they passed, feeding her mind with histories and fantasies and science. She hadn't suffered from the lack, but she was excited to see it, just to say she had.

The Glass City itself made an impressive presence in the dawning light: sparkling and glittering across a wide red plain, that seemed to stop abruptly at the edge of a vast, blue-green sea. There was a dearth of tall buildings but the two of prominence were the Temple of Solem and the Council of the Solari Triumvirate, where the archive was housed. Jes got a strange chill as she perceived them, wondering if they would look like they did in her vision. But all she saw as they flew over was a riot of green and blue sparkle off the glass of the structures.

The biggest spaceport took up the southern edge of the city, the big interlocking circles marking the various docking zones, but Jesphyr veered east, toward a smaller spaceport closer to the coast. After negotiating rates and availability on her approach, she had been routed to the port closest to the Lorekeepers enclaves.

Artem had taken up a position right behind her chair. She could see his outline from the light still coming in through the windows.

“You didn't rouse me when we arrived. It seems they are allowing you down to the city.” There was a drollness to his voice that she took as doubtful.

“One of Solem's smaller miracles,” Jes felt her jaw tighten. If he didn't want to accept how despicably his family had treated Cicera, that was his problem.

“Are we not landing in the capital spaceport?” He leaned forward, seeming to track their progress.

“Of course not. Capital ports are expensive, and over full.” Jes shuddered a little. Even flying overhead she could feel the press of all the people in the port. Even before she lost her eyes, it would have been overwhelming.

“I can pay the landing fees.”

“No need.” Jes took a breath, trying to curb her impatience. “We're routed to the port by the enclaves. Like we usually do.”

Artem said nothing more.

As they circled closer to the port, the comm crystal chimed again.

“Sun Seeker, we need to confirm your ships ID tag. Please transmit your registration.”

Jes arched a brow in Artem's general direction. “Acknowledged tower. Standby.”

She gave the verbal command to her ship to transmit as she arced closer to her assigned landing pad.

She realized belatedly that she wouldn't be able to see the landing lights to guide herself down. A bubble of panic tried to rise in her chest, but she fought it down, watching her ship by Sol sight and edging as gently as she could to the ground.

The proximity alarms gave a startling clang, and Jes jumped; only a little bit, but it was enough to make the landing struts jutter against the ground before she could level off and cut the engines.

She released a breath, kneading her knuckles into her eyes, as if she could scrub the sight back into them. “How in all the stars and shadows am I supposed to live like this?”

She had muttered it to herself, forgetting about Artem until he placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. “You can learn. Solari pilot and land all the time. Considering your sight has only just awakened, you are doing very well.”

Awakened. Her sight wasn't 'awakened,' it was gone. Replaced by this fuzzy, disorienting, half-blind alternative.

Jess didn't say anything. He was trying to be kind. Snarling back would be petty, and wouldn't bring back her eyes. She ran the ship through it's shut down procedures and started to call Hash to rendezvous, but the crystal trilled at her before she could utter the words.

“Sun Seeker, a liaison team is en route to your landing pad to discuss some administrative concerns. Please wait with your ship until he arrives.”

Jes stared at the crystal, but didn't respond.

“Is that normal for this kind of port?”

Jes gave him an amused look. “This kind of port?”

“Ehm...” She let him flounder, wondering what he'd say, but he sidestepped the blunder instead. “Does this have to do with your mother, do you think?”

“Well, unless you called ahead to tell someone you were coming on this ship.” Jes realized, belatedly, that he probably had. He had a family, after all. At least according to Cicera. “Is it likely your wife or someone would send you a welcome home party?”

“Ah,” He shifted behind her and cleared his throat. “No. I don't think so, no.”

“Well someone is coming.” There was a pounding on the hatch that startled her. But when she focused her sight on that side of the ship, it was only Hash. She pushed past Artem and open the door.

“I was able to get the dock right next door.” He stepped up to give her a side hug. “Smooth flight?” He frowned over at Artem, who was still in the cockpit area. He seemed to be staring vaguely toward the window, and not paying attention.

“Smooth enough,” Jes said. “They let us touch down at least. But they've told us to stay here to talk to an 'administrative liaison,' whatever that means.”

Hash's arm was still around her, and she felt his frown deepen. “I could hazard a guess.”

Artem came over to them. “I think this liaison is for me after all. I can see them heading this way, and I recognize one or two.” He glanced back the direction he had been staring before. “Why don't you two head into the city while I deal with this. Go to the Archive. No one would suspect- ehm... It's a pilgrimage point for all Lorekeepers, and Jes will not have seen it.” There was something rushed and not as smooth in her voice as he continued. “I will meet you there later, and take you to my home. I need to, uh, prepare my family to accept guests first anyway.”

Oh, doesn't that sound fun. Jex managed not to say it aloud by focusing on the situation. The refracted light from Artem was flickering oddly, like a sliver of foil falling through a sun shaft. Distracted? Disturbed? Definitely less than peaceful and collected, like he usually was.

“What's going on?” Her tone was hard and impatient.

“It's nothing,” Artem sighed with just as much impatience. “I just don't think you should have to deal with this. Not yet.”

“Not yet?”

“Jesphyr,” He placed a hand on her arm, and the sight clarified in an urgent push of though and feeling. “Please, let me take care of this. There will be time for explaining later, just go with Hashan to the Archive.” There was a glimmer of unexpressed thought: concern or embarrassment, she thought. But he took his hand away before she could focus on it.

“I think on this he may be right,” Hash said. “You're going to be treated with a lot of scrutiny and gossip once it gets out that you are half Solari. We may as well not keep it under wraps as long as we can.”

Jes wasn't sure how to feel about that, but acquiesced, showing Artem how to seal the hatch when he left. She stepped out into the morning light to survey the busy dock before her.

The air was chill and crisp, and the salty feel of ocean penetrated her thick sweater, but the sun promised warmth soon. There were several carts trundling out to sell services to new arrivals, and a few docking clerks hustled between ships, verifying cargo and permits.

Even at this early hour, people were hustling in and out of the docking gate. It was a lot for her brain to process, but Jes could make out the tram that would take her into the city just outside the gate ahead. Artem had been right; it was easier to see here than back on Bashyr. All the glass refracted light and everything appeared clearer. But her sight was still so wide, she had to concentrate hard to focus on just the bubble around her.

She moved down the gangplank with Hash holding her arm protectively. but they hadn't gone more than a few steps before the hairs on her neck started to tingle.

She looked about, grim certainty making her search the crowd for crimson hoods. They had to be close.

“Keep walking," she said to Hash, and they merged smoothly with the crowds to head for the gate. Not a minute later, she felt the crowd subdue behind her, parting for something of importance. She kept moving smoothly away, Hash by her side casting a couple looks behind them. She didn't need to turn around to know what the crowds were calming for.

“My Lords, what honored task may I help you with?” She wasn't sure how she heard Artem at this distance, but she did. She could even see him standing at the top of the gangplank, arms spread in welcome.

She and Hash ducked through the gate, having paid their fees electronically before leaving the ship. And dodged quickly onto the tram, just as the doors hissed closed.

She let her sight focus back finally, feeling more secure as the tram started to pull away; Two crimson figures stood on the step outside her ship, talking to Artem. The lean one with his hands on his hips seemed familiar.

She glared in his general direction. Him again? What did he want?

The familiar Solari looked up suddenly, staring directly at the tram, and Jes resisted the urge to duck her head. Even with Sol Sight, he shouldn't be able to pick her out inside a crowded carriage. Even so, she lifted her chin and stared back, until the tram finished it's turn and picked up speed into the city.

Campfire Story

The hill people were not always Melders. After strife on the coast forced the people to disperse inland, some chose the hills. Preferring the seclusion that warrens and mines offered (They weren't very social back then). They only met together once a year, in the spring.

One year at the Meeting On the Commons, everyone was surprised when the Melpine family didn't show up. The Melpines were more nosy and outgoing then most of the clans, and weren't known to miss the trade fair and festivities. Fearing a plague had taken them (and perhaps hoping to claim their mines) a group of neighbors ventured up the hill to investigate.

No one answered when the neighbors called into the eery mine. Venturing cautiously, afraid that the air would betray them to disease, the search party kept going. The damp walls revealed nothing, but as the neighbors ventured deeper into the family warren, a frantic whimpering whispered softly down the tunnels.

They rounded the corner, one by one stopping in shock.

Gathered round the hearth were a collection of golden people! Glued together in a desperate struggle for freedom, were the remains of the Melpines. Six family members, all with a hand on another and conflicting looks of wonder and horror on their faces. The search party was so shocked that at first they didn't see the seventh; three year old Mite Melpine sat beside his mother, struggling to free himself from her stiff, metal grasp. The desperate child had rubbed his skin raw, and by the grime and state of him, it was difficult to say how long he'd been stuck there. Snapped from his shock by Mite's wail, Carnen High-hill hurried to calm the child, and the neighbors quickly freed him and took him away from the traumatic place.

Those first few months, the mystery of what happened to the Melpines buzzed all over the hill country. What had happened to those poor people? and even more bewildering... How had Mite escaped his family's fate?

[A short story from Tales and Lore of the Old Kingdom]

The Sun Seeker- Pt 8

The courtyard was a fuzzy dappled version of itself. The boughs of the trees crisscrossing the space blocked most of the sunlight, and Jesphyr was forced to hold onto Hash's arm and let him guide her around potted plants and chairs she couldn't see.

What she could see, was fragmented; Something was moving away from her, in the direction of the kitchen, she thought. A few chairs and cushions littered the central area of the courtyard. There, in the middle of the space, a tall, thin figure seemed to reflect the sunlight back out into the space, making it easier for her to see.

“How do you do that?” She asked, pausing a little on her way over to take in the affect.

Artem moved toward her, bringing his light with him. “Do what?”

“You... Spread the light.” She gestured vaguely around him.

He tilted his head. “You know, I'm not really sure how to explain it. Most Solari can enhance their sight in dark areas. But it is an acquired skill. It takes practice. Something about... refracting the light that we already have...” He seemed lost in his thoughts for a long moment, and she noticed the light from him dim and brighten experimentally a few times. He shook his head, collecting himself and offering her a hand.

Jes accepted it, still feeling weird about all the hand holding. And Artem himself. And life in general.

The world became clearer again, and their shared sight made the room warmer, less daunting. She could even see Hash, standing by her, uncomfortable, but stubbornly staying by. She gave his arm a squeeze, then let go. He mumbled something about checking on dinner and shuffled outside Jes' sphere of sight.

“So, how are you feeling?” Artem led her graciously to a pair of chairs. “You've had quite an ordeal.”

“I'd feel a lot better if I knew why in shadows this is happening.” Jes said distractedly. She was appreciating the shared sight, but sitting and just holding anyone's hand, let alone a strangers, was awkward. “I mean, it's not like I've changed in any way. I've always been me. So why... Why are my eyes suddenly blind and why does the world glow? Why now?”

Artem twisted his lips in thought. He did that a lot. “I don't know. The fact that you ave any Solari tendencoes at all is a shock, to be honest. It's not, uhm...” He cleared his throat a little uncomfortably. “Solari do not usually mate with non-Solari, and children are rare. I never expected-” He looked away and took a deep breath before looking at her again. “I'm sorry, that's not helpful. I wish I had an answer for you, but until a week ago I didn't even know you existed, let alone that you were... mine.”

“I'm not yours,” Jes pulled her hand away. “I'm Cicera's.”

The sound of pots and pans banging nearby couldn't quite fill the silence. Jes noticed the refraction around Artem had dimmed a little.

“So what have you all been hunting me for then, if it wasn't because I was- because Cicera had me?”

“Us all? What do you mean?” He was trying to rally still, and sounded confused.

“I've had Solari dogging me for the last couple months. They've been questioning my friends, asking about Cicera. One caught up with me a couple weeks ago, wanting... Wasn't he sent by you?”

Artem turned thoughtfully. “No... No I didn't send him.” He turned back to Jes. “I did come hoping to meet Cicera's child. It looks like it's a good thing I did. You will need help adjusting to life now, with your Solari genes activated.” He stood up. “I can take you to Trium. The doctors there may be able to tell you more about what's happened. And perhaps be able to give you some physical therapy tools to train you to function.”

A weird, bitter bubble started to rise in Jes' chest. “Trium?”

“Yes, I think it's best to go straight to the captial. The city will be easier for you to navigate than any other place in the system. Solari built it specially to work with our abilities. It's easier to navigate, even at night.” He held out a hand to her. “I can help you back to your room, if you like, then I will go purchase tickets.”

“We don't need tickets. I have a ship.” Jes' own mouth twisted. “Though if the ban on my mother is still in effect, we may have trouble landing.”

“Ban?”

“Yeah,” Jes rolled her eyes at his confusion. “My ship is the one she was given by your family to make her go away. The flight towers still know it, so they may not let us through.”

“That never- they didn't... I mean, she wasn't banned. We don't do that except with criminals.”

“She was refused entry when I was ten.” Jes felt her lip curling, but tried to keep her tone steady. “We had been struck by space debri and needed to repair the sail, but they wouldn't allow her into even the orbital shipyard to fix it. It was the last time we flew anywhere near that place.”

“I... see.” the light he was pressing out definitely dimmed this time. “We will take your ship. I can deal with flight control if it poses a problem.”

“I'm coming too.” Hash's voice came out of the darkness.

Jes jumped. She hadn't heard him approach. It seemed Artem hadn't either. He frowned a little to Jes' left side.

“That isn't necessary, Loreson. She is safe with me.”

“She doesn't even know you.” Hash's voice was hard. “And your sudden appearance now, after all these years, when all this is happening,” Jes didn't have to see him to know he was gesturing at her, “is a little too convenient. I'm coming.”

“Do you really think I would harm my- Cicera's child?” there was a sneer in his voice as he addressed Hash that Jes hadn't heard before now.

“I think you'll forget about her the minute you have what you actually want. Just like you did with Cicera.”

Artem's outline flared bright, but it was not a happy or peaceful thing. Jes wasn't sure if she was reading into it because of the tension in the room, or if there was an actual difference in light.

“Stop!” Jes rubbed a hand down her face before turning to Hash. “Uncle Hash, the sloop won't sleep three. You know that.” She held a hand out toward him and he stepped into her bubble of light and took it. She saw Artem's shoulders sag a little, but that thought was drowned out a second later by Hashan's presence. He was trying to curb his temper, but there was still a protective energy pouring off him that was almost overwhelming.

“Then let him fly ahead on a transport.” He jerked his head at Artem.

“That won't ensure she's able to land,” Artem said impatiently. “If the ship is truly marked banned in the register, I will need to deal with that. It will be much harder for them to turn her away with me on board.”

Jes screwed up her face but looked back at Hash. “Unfortunately, he's right.”

Hash ground his teeth at that, but then huffed a sigh. “Then we caravan. I can rig to yours, and we can share sail power, get there a little faster.” His hand tightened on hers. She could see him fairly clearly right now, and knew his mouth didn't move when he added. I'm not letting you face this alone. It took her another minute to realize he hadn't meant for her to here that.

“I...” Emotion caught in her throat and it took her a minute to answer. “Yeah, okay. I'd appreciate that.” She squeezed his hand back.

Artem stared for a long minute. “Very well. We can leave as soon as you've made your preparations.” He turned and walked out.