Chapter 2
Quin stood proudly with Vivian at his side.
“Sire, all are in place. We await only your word to disembark,” Zahn said.
“We are ready. Open the doors,” Quin answered
The hydraulic doors disengaged and began folding into the sides of the ship at either side of the exit, revealing a ramp extending from the transport to the ground below.
Zahn greeted the Sovereign’s security forces as they reached the top of the ramp and waited to assist those accompanying Sire Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok and his Sirena, Vivian of Earth, as they began the next chapter of their lives. Well versed and experienced in serving the Sovereign and Sovereigna, they took their places lining the ramp and waited.
Zha Quin, standing still, in what was only moments before a proud stance but now seemed to be a momentary reconsideration of every decision that had led him to this point, stared ahead, Vivi’s hand gripped in his. The tension on his face clear to any who knew him.
“We good here, or what?” Rokai barked out from behind them.
“Shut up, Rokai,” Quin grit out.
“We’re ready! We’re tired of standing in line like new recruits. Go, or don’t, but move!” Rokai snapped.
Quin very slowly turned his body just enough to glance over his shoulder. “This is still my warship. I can throw you off it,” he said, his words slow and threatening.
Rokai grinned at him. “You could. But then you’d have to live on it with your mate and new baby. That could be fun! I’ll babysit!”
“It will be my ship even after I disembark. Do not forget it,” Quin snapped. He turned to look out toward all those assembled below, awaiting his arrival. “Tell me again that this is a good idea,” he said, his statement directed at Vivian.
“We discussed it. You know it is. But if you’re doubting our decision, we could remain here and live with Rokai,” Vivian said with a shrug. “The baby may pick up some of his habits, though.”
“Let’s go!” Quin commanded, striding forward, clearly having decided that he would be the first off the transport.
“Perhaps someone else should go first,” Zahn said, as Quin moved everyone out of his and Vivi’s way to allow them to disembark first.
“We’re fine. Our forces are in place, as are my father’s,” Quin said as he wasted no further time moving through the open hydraulic doors and onto the ramp.
The moment he and Vivi stepped into sight, a roar of cheers and applause went up.
Vivian grinned and looked up at Quin in surprise. “They like you!”
“Us. And you may as well get used to it.”
“Are you used to it?” Vivi asked.
“No, I am not. I am a warrior, not a diplomat.”
“You are a protector and leader of your people. That’s why they celebrate you,” Zahn said from behind them as he kept a wary eye out for anything unusual in the crowd though he followed closely.
“I thought you were the last off?” Vivi asked, surprised to hear Zahn right behind them.
“Someone changed the order of things. I decided to stay close for safety’s sake,” Zahn said scowling.
Vivian laughed as she looked up at her husband once more and noticed the smirk he only barely managed to hide. “I don’t know who that could have been,” she teased.
“Kitty!” Quin barked out, stopping the shraler in its tracks as it bolted past them.
Kitty yowled, his doubly barbed tail swishing behind him irritatedly.
“Do not leave Vivi’s side!” Quin ordered.
“Here, Kitty,” Vivian said, patting her leg with her hand .
Still yowling unhappily he returned to Vivian’s side and remained there as they resumed their walk down the ramp.
“Prepare yourself,” Quin said, his eyes scanning the crowd just as Zahn’s were.
“For what?” Vivian asked, looking around for something to be prepared for.
“My mother has broken protocol, she’s coming this way.”
“Oh! I love Eula!” Vivian exclaimed, letting go of Quin’s hand and attempting, though failing at moving quickly ahead of him as she began to wobble in an unbalanced manner.
“Vivi!” Quin snapped, taking a quick step or two to reach out and grab her hand. “You will stay beside me, you will not rush down the ramp — you are huge with youngling, and you will stay safe!”
“Please,” she said, her voice eerily calm as she stared directly into his eyes.
“Please what?” Quin asked, less than patiently as his mother quickly approached.
“You forgot to ask ‘please’,” Vivian said coldly.
“Please,” Quin said exasperatedly. “I’m merely worried for your welfare. We are not on the ship any longer and there is more to consider here, not to mention you are not as graceful as you are when not carrying another being inside you.”
“I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own. And they are your people. There is nothing to fear.”
“All is not always as it seems. Not even on Cruestace. Please, just humor me.”
“Fine. But you will find it in yourself to speak kindly. Or I’ll go back to the ship. I think I might like you better when there, than when here.”
“He’ll adjust!” Eula said as she threw her arms around Vivian, having finally reached them. “He’s just snippy because he can’t control all things here like he could there.”
Quin watched as Vivian melted into his mother, the Sovereigna’s, arms. “I missed you so much!” Vivian exclaimed .
“I missed you, too, daughter!” Eula began escorting Vivi down the rest of the ramp, their arms looped together as they spoke animatedly.
“Glad to be home!” Quin called out.
“And we’re glad to have you home,” Eula answered, grinning at him over her shoulder as she and Vivi continued until they reached ground level.
Quin’s father, Sovereign Zha Tahl was waiting for him at the bottom of the ramp and shook his hand, patting him heartily on the back the moment he set foot on the ground. “Welcome home, Quin.”
“Thank you,” Quin said, his eyes focused on Vivi and his mother as they stood to the side and spoke excitedly.
Zha Tahl smiled as he watched his son watching his mother and mate practically forget that they were there. “She’s waited all our married life for this. And now that the youngling of her youngling is almost here, the excitement grows daily.”
“I understand that. But Vivi is easily overwhelmed. She tires easily and will not take the time to rest herself,” Quin grumbled.
“Then let’s get her home quickly. We’ll all make sure that she gets the rest she needs.”
“Good luck with that,” Quin quipped. He turned to the ramp again, taking up a position beside his father, acknowledging each of those who’d chosen to remain in service to himself and Vivian as they moved planet-side. As the last of his entourage joined them on the ground, Zha Tahl’s security came down the ramp after them, while workers loaded bags and trunks onto cargo charies and secured them for their trip to the palace.
“Bye! Bye, Mother!” a familiar voice shouted.
Eula turned, holding her hand over her eyes to shade them from the glare of the suns as she looked up at the top of the ramp and the open hydraulic doors where some of those remaining on board the warship were standing and waving. Zeroing in on her eldest son, she waved exuberantly, jumping a little in place. “Bye, Rokai! We love you!” Eula called back .
Thrilled that his mother had broken protocol and let it be seen that she was excited to see him, he grinned and blew her a kiss.
Eula returned the gesture and waved again as the doors began to close. “I wish there was time for him to visit,” Eula said.
Rokai caught sight of his father, standing ramrod straight, watching him. Straightening himself up, Rokai mimicked his father’s posture and saluted him with a fisted hand and forearm over his chest.
Zha Tahl returned the gesture much to Rokai’s pleasure.
“He’ll visit soon, mother,” Quin said. “At the moment, he is secretly excited to be on the warship without my influence.”
Eula laughed. “I know. He’s already told me twice.”
Quin shook his head. “This was much easier to speak of doing, than to actually do,” he admitted.
“It was inevitable, Quin. It will be for the best, you will see,” Zha Tahl said. “You become accustomed to it more quickly than you expect.”
“I hope so,” Quin muttered.
“Vivian…” Zha Tahl said, walking away from his son and toward Vivian and Eula.
Vivi turned to him and without hesitation walked into his arms as he held them out for her.
“Let’s get you home, yes?” Zha Tahl asked.
“But I’m so excited to see everything!” she said, stepping back to be able to look up at him.
“There will be plenty of time for that,” Zha Tahl answered, his gaze lifting from hers to quickly scan the crowd gathered.
“And we’re very much the focus right now,” Vivian said, watching him watch the crowd.
“Exactly.”
“Let’s go home, then,” she said, allowing him to escort her with his hand at the small of her back toward the waiting charis.
At their chari, Quin took over, waving Kitty up and into it before lifting Vivi up to sit beside the shraler. Once he saw them both settled, he followed, taking a seat right beside Vivi .
His mother and father joined them, sitting on the facing seat as Eula continued to chatter excitedly to Vivi about all the things they could do now that they’d be living in the palace.
Quin, unable to break years of training, kept a watchful eye on everyone and everything as security quickly got in place. Quin stood up and made eye contact with Zahn who waved at him to let him know he had it under control. Quin waved back, retook his seat.
After a few moments of Zahn making sure that everyone and everything was seen and ready to leave the arrival hub, Zahn whistled sharply to let Quin know they could begin their trek to the palace whenever he was ready.
Quin caught his father’s eye and gave him a single nod.
“We’re ready, Ban Lo,” Zha Tahl said.
Ban Lo gave the word and the line of charis began its way back to the palace much to the pleasure of the waving crowds lining every inch of the streets.
“There are so many people!” Vivian said, enthusiastically waving to everyone they passed.
“You are their Sirena. They’ve never seen you in person before, and Quin, their protector, has returned home, and you bring with you a new youngling. There is much to celebrate,” Eula said.
“So many people,” Quin echoed in a whisper as he rode stoically along with Vivian at his side.
Kitty roared noisily from Vivian’s other side and Quin focused on him for a second. Maybe he wasn’t a bad addition to their homecoming after all. “Tell them again, Kitty,” Quin said.
Dutifully, Kitty threw his head back and roared again, warning everyone to stay away from Vivian.
~~~
Upon their arrival home, the great hall became a place of frenzied activity. Quin and Vivi along with their entourage including, but not limited to Zahn, Au'revele, Ba Re’ and Elisha, Rel, Asl, and Kail, Li’Don and certainly not least, Kitty, along with several of Quin’s own security and Zha Tahl’s and Eula’s and the standard palace guardsmen as the new arrivals all did their best to adjust to all the activity of arriving in their new home. Eula transitioned seamlessly from greeting her own family to graciously welcoming everyone as members of her palace staff offered food and drink from huge silver platters to those arriving, while others unloaded baggage and personal items and waited for instructions to take them to their new quarters.
“Anything anyone needs, don’t hesitate to ask. I believe I’ve covered everything, but it’s always possible I missed something,” Eula said, her voice pitched a little louder than usual so that everyone could hear her over all the conversations taking place in the great hall.
“Quin, when you get settled, I feel a meeting to briefly touch on the time line for your transition into the position as Sovereign of Cruestace would be in order,” Zha Tahl said.
“Of course. I do think that it would be best if we are allowed a little time to adjust, and to welcome our youngling before we are thrust to the forefront.”
“Absolutely, and I was thinking of offering exactly that. I am relieved we are of the same mind.”
“I agree,” Quin said.
Ba Re’ and Elisha stood off to the side, quietly waiting for the activity to die down so they could find out where they were quartered and make a getaway to some peace and quiet.
Eula noticed them and went straight to them. “Ba Re’, I am so very happy to have you back here,” she said, advancing on him and forcing a motherly hug and kiss on the large male.
Ba Re’s gaze searched for Quin nervously. He knew better than to push the Sovereigna away, but was clearly uneasy with her openly showing him affection.
“I so miss the days of you and Quin and Jhan running and playing in the Palace, jumping from the balconies and sliding down the banisters!” She stepped back and laid a gentle hand on his cheek. “You are like a son to me. I cannot tell you how overjoyed I was to hear that you would be joining us. My heart almost stopped of fright several times while Quin and his forces searched for you.”
Quin grinned at him from several feet away, and winked, offering him no quick avenue of escape.
“Uh, I uh, thank you, Sovereigna.”
“I don’t think so!” Eula exclaimed. “Mumum, is just fine. Just like you called me from the time you and Quin first became friends as younglings. You are family here.”
“I am?” he asked.
“You are. And so are you,” Eula said, turning her attention to Elisha. “You are a most fascinating female. I admire your fire and courage. Without you, Ba Re’ may not be standing here with us. Our gratitude is endless.”
Elisha smiled graciously. “Thank you, Sovereigna.”
“Thank you, Elisha. And welcome home. If you need anything at all, please let me know and it will be seen to at once.”
“Thank you,” Elisha repeated.
Eula smiled and embraced Elisha before walking back into the center of the room and clapping her hands quickly to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the palace. We are thrilled to have our Quin and Vivi home with us, and are equally happy that you have volunteered to continue your positions in service to them here on Cruestace,” Eula said.
Every male and female gave her their undivided attention.
“Quin and Vivi and their youngling have been given the East wing of the Palace, and each of you will have quarters there as well. Their quarters take up quite a bit of space, but the East wing is very large, practically its own smaller palace within the palace, so there are plenty of choices for you all. Au'revele, yours in particular are assigned. You’re next to Quin and Vivi’s because of the access to the nursery that you’ll have as nanny. Zahn, I understand you’ll be taking over as lead for Quin’s and Vivi’s security here on Cruestace? ”
“Yes, Sovereigna, I have moved into that role but plan to continue in my position as an active member of our Sirena’s security team as well.”
“You will be quite busy,” Eula said with a smile.
“I would have it no other way,” Zahn said with a bow.
“There are apartments and quarters of all types to choose from in the East wing from housing for security personnel to standard family quarters to smaller accommodations for those who prefer their solitude. Feel free to claim your own quarters and assign others at will. As my Ehlealah said, I see the East wing as a separate palace altogether. It is to be run as Quin and Vivi see fit,” Zha Tahl cut in.
“Yes, Sovereign. Thank you,” Zahn said, not quite making eye contact with him as was customary. “I would like to meet with those in charge of your security here so that we can be sure we are aware of all their protocols and they ours.”
“Of course. Ban Lo is our head of security here,” Zha Tahl said, turning to look for the male who was always just out of sight, even if he appeared not to be there.
As Zha Tahl expected, Ban Lo stepped into view from the outer edges of the great hall. “Welcome, Zahn. I am available at any time to help you acclimate to your new home, and to discuss measures taken to ensure the safety of all within the Palace and the countryside contained on the royal grounds. While it’s not necessary to assign constant guards to the family because so many are always on duty both within and outside the Palace, we can certainly help with that if you’d prefer to have particular guards assigned to those you are accustomed to protecting. Do not forget that several of the Sovereigna’s personal guard have already taken vows of loyalty to our Sirena as well.”
“Thank you,” Zahn said. “Those of us here have chosen to leave the warship and accompany our Sire and Sirena planet-side to see to their safety, just as we did on Command Warship 1. We welcome all assistance as we acclimate our new lives as well as assist our Sire and Sirena as they acclimate to theirs.”
“We have already begun the process with Asl and Kail as they oversee the dispersement of all the personal belongings that arrived with you. We are anxious to continue to work together,” Ban Lo said, giving a quick nod of his head.
Zahn bowed his head briefly. “Thank you.”
“Vivian, may I show you all I’ve done in preparation of your arrival? I’ve been so excited to share it with you!” Eula said excitedly.
“Yes! I can’t wait to see it,” Vivi answered. She let go of Quin’s hand where she clutched it in an effort to not show that she was leaning her weight against his. She plastered on an overly excited smile so she wouldn’t disappoint Eula. “Can Au'revele come?”
“Of course, Au’revele can join us! And Kitty can, too!” Eula said, practically ecstatic that she would once again have an active family filled palace.
“Kitty’s racing around outside,” Vivian said laughing. “The last time I saw him he was making his second lap through those gathered outside while Kail and Asl tried to corral him.
“Aren’t you afraid he won’t come back in?” Au'revele asked.
“We couldn’t be so lucky,” Quin grumbled.
“He’ll always come back. I’m his person,” Vivian said, reaching up a hand toward Quin’s horns to pull him down for a kiss before she followed her mother-in-law to tour hers and Quin’s new living space.
Quin was speaking to his father, but caught sight of Vivian’s hand reaching toward his head from the corner of his eye. He turned toward her and realized what she wanted. Dutifully, he leaned over so she could take hold of one of his horns and tug him down to kiss her.
“Love you,” she said, pecking his lips noisily. “Be nice.”
“Love you,” he repeated. “Take care of yourself. Rest. I’ll come find you shortly.”
“Do not worry, Zha Quin! I will make Vivi rest if she seems tired,” Eula promised.
“She is always tired, Mother,” Quin said.
Vivian smiled up at Quin once more before she followed Eula out of the great hall and toward a massive archway that led away from the common areas of the palace and toward Quin and Vivi’s East wing.
Zahn made eye contact with Quin before he and Rel ducked out of the great hall to accompany their Sirena and Au'revele.
Quin gave Zahn a quick nod of affirmation, and with the women gone, Zha Tahl began to speak in hushed tones. “We’ll have a formal meeting to update Zahn and the rest of your security after you get a moment to settle in.”
“For introductions, or is there something of particular importance?”
“We’ve had a few rumblings of dissension, pieces of intelligence that indicate there are those who are not happy that we’ve allied with the Unified Consortium Defense.”
Quin nodded resignedly. “Regardless of the positive strides we’ve made, there are always those who preferred the more violent ways of our people.”
“Without fail,” Zha Tahl agreed.
“It is a shame they do not realize we can move forward with both. Civility and reason are the weapons readily at hand, but it takes only a moment to shift into a warring people if necessary.”
“I could not have said it better myself, Quin. I’ve not made it common knowledge to your mother. There’s no reason to go overboard with security. Our own is more than capable, and the added security of your own people accompanying you and Vivian have brought our overall protection to a level I’m not sure we’ve ever striven for in the past. All will be well, I simply meant to bring you up to speed.”
“I understand, but with Vivian here and expecting any day, I am already on edge. I have no doubt that your security forces are quite capable, and when ours are added, I dare say there isn’t anyone who could slip in undetected. But I can’t help being more overprotective than usual.”
“As was I in your position.”
“Li’Don,” Quin said, looking around the small crowd assembled.
“Sire,” Li’Don said, stepping forward .
“Li’Don has agreed to join us here. His normal assignment is as one of Kol’s most trusted Elite Warriors. I feel sure that he will be able to perform certain duties that others may not if a situation calls for it. I felt it prudent to have someone with his talents with us for a while at least. Li’Don will be assuming a position with our security forces, but he is so much more.”
Zha Tahl smiled as he inclined his head toward Li’Don in greeting. He knew well of the Elite Warrior Unit that Kol had assembled and trained. They were unequaled in not only stealth but certain other deadly talents as well. In fact, some of his own personal guard had trained under Kol before transferring to the Palace.
“I am aware that our security forces will become one basically, but I would like both Zahn and Li’Don especially to be apprised of the situation, any situation really, at the highest levels and kept so,” Quin said. “They can then coordinate with those under them.”
“Of course. And do not forget that this palace is almost impenetrable,” Zha Tahl said. “Our women reside here, there will be nothing that threatens their safety.”