Chapter 14 #2
He was Raikenga through me. He deserved what the Raiken could give, and if it was schooling in the language or whatever else he might want to learn that brought him close to meeting and making new friends, if that made him happy, it would be a relief.
It would leave him very much on Zeddira’s reckoning board, a game piece my brother would try to use to grow his own influence, but I was willing to handle Zeddira.
I would bring it up with Rory after we were done with all this.
Charles powered up his computer, and the Raikengana uttered their surprise in hushed voices when a map of the region was projected onto a white area above a black piece of wall, like the drawing boards we used at the Raiken.
The Raikengana pointed at the map as it came into focus. Kinnek came in only now and leaned against the wall by the door rather than taking a seat. People would notice and know he was here as the head of his House.
Charles continued in Lugarra and used a laser pointer, which had some of the Raikengana making noises of astonishment. “This is a map of the area. This is where the Stone of Destiny is.”
“He’s explaining how maps work and where that is,” Vergis translated. He eyed Rory. “It’s the Stone of Destiny, by the way.”
Rory’s face reddened. “I know that.”
Vergis shrugged, the gesture making him look very human. “I never know with you.”
Charles went on. “Our koa will get us here.” He hit a key on his computer, and the spot was marked.
The other Raikengana whispered, astounded and excited about the technology.
“There is a natural opening in the veils there, one that existed before the Lagasar, and it shouldn’t trip the magical wards the human koa have set.
We expect them to be in the area, although Koa Rory should be able to tell us ahead of time if they are too close. ”
“He says we’ll hop there through the veils like we discussed before. You’ll do your magic thing and make sure we don’t run into an ambush.”
Rory cleared his throat. “The land says the humans aren’t planning an ambush there at the moment, just watching the Stone, so that’s something, right?”
Kinnek looked at him. “Our human koa says he cannot sense that they expect us there.”
Huh. He spoke about Rory as if of a House member. It was good thinking on his part, but I noticed Lueris on a higher bench to my left tilting his head. In annoyance? I wasn’t sure. Lueris was a lot like Lissir, intentions kept firmly inside more often than not.
The rest of the Raikengana simply accepted Kinnek’s statement, and Charles went on.
“Vergis and I will be the vanguard with human weapons.”
That sent a whisper through the rows.
Rory looked around. “What?”
“Dad told them he and I will be the vanguard.”
Kinnek pushed off the wall and walked over to Charles. “My son is not Raiken trained, that is true, but his human father has taught him all the human military art he knows. Vergis will be more than safe at the head of our force.”
He put an arm around Charles and gave him a human kiss, which settled the reservations that had bubbled up in the room about sending a non-Raiken hangu mage to fight human mages who were in cahoots with the Koa Esher.
Rory sensed that something was going on in the room. “What now?”
Vergis sighed. “Now Dad—Kinnek—told them Daddy and I will be vanguard.”
My mate nodded thoughtfully. “You already said that. I’m missing stuff, aren’t I?”
“Princess, that’s your natural state of being.”
Kinnek went back to lean against the wall by the door, perfectly at ease. If Zeddira had been here, this would have made him furious.
Charles went on. “Remember that humans don’t see as well in the dark as you do. I’ve brought a night-seeing aid for Rory and myself. The human koa might have those as well. We can’t be sure.”
“He says you get night vision goggles on account of your weak human eyes,” Vergis told Rory.
“Uhm, I don’t think I need those. They might just make me dizzy.”
“Dad, our human uber-twink says he doesn’t need night vision goggles.”
Charles looked at my mate. “And why’s that?” he asked in English.
“Well, you know, the land kind of helps me with knowing where I am. It, erm… I know this is weird, but it says I’ll be fine in the dark.”
“You’re saying because of magic.” Charles shrugged, just like Vergis.
It was clear where Vergis had learned the gesture.
“Not my department, but works for me. Moving on.” He switched back to Lugarra.
“Kinnek and Rory will make for the Stone of Destiny.” He used his laser pointer.
“We all circle around them and keep our eyes open. It’s my understanding that the magic will then reveal we are there, which means our koa are to get us out, ideally before the humans figure out where and how many we are.
If everything goes well, we will never have to meet them in battle, and once we are gone, they will be none the wiser. ”
Kinnek stepped up to stand side by side with his human mate.
“We will likely not have time for a ko circle, but the Stone can work like one. You all need to be close to it—there are stones set into the ground at its base, jutting out like arrows. Be on them and hold on to each other, even to either Vergis, Rory, or me. Do not hesitate in that. If we are under attack, there is little cover.”
“Dad says it should be an in-and-out kind of operation where those humans don’t even see us before we’re gone after you close the veil, and he just told them all to get close to the Stone so we can use it like a ko circle. He told them to grab on to you if they have to so they’re not left behind.”
Rory nodded eagerly.
“Might I add something?” Hove asked in his usual, very polite way, even if he’d been elevated to run this outpost.
Kinnek inclined his head. “Of course, Dena.”
Hove stood. “The first and most important goal of this mission is to help Koa Rory close the veil so that no more of those beasts the enemy koa have summoned can come to Earth.
Who knows how many potential mates are on Earth, just waiting to meet their bagu after the Lagasar?
For certain, the fewer beasts are here, the safer they will be.
But we are all protectors, and we have settled here now.
We must protect humans like we protect bagua, even those who fear us just like they have learned to fear the beasts.
“Therefore, the human enemy koa who have brought those beasts here—who wish to harm Koa Rory—are as dangerous to us and those we are charged to protect as the Koa Esher are, and it says much that one already has dealings with the other.
“If you find yourself fighting one of those koa tonight, show them no mercy. Do not expect them to show you any either.”
The Raikengana nodded, many of them looking at Rory, who was looking around again and meeting their eyes.
“What now?” he asked.
Vergis shrugged. “Hove did a speech. A good one, I guess.”
Kinnek smiled at his son and then looked at Hove before saying, in polite Lugarra, “My sweet massa bun of a son does not mean offense to the dena.” Everyone gasped at a powerful koa being called a…massa bun.
Vergis huffed, but Kinnek gave him a sharp stare until Vergis looked up at Hove. “My honored hangu father is correct. Your help means much. It…is very appreciated. That you would aid my sentenmen.”
Noki gasped, Fellisse grunted and gave a satisfied nod, and looking up, I saw Lissir smile. This was the first time Vergis had ever admitted and accepted what he was to us. That he was a part of the sentenmen.
“It’s our duty, and while no fight is pleasure, we do it willing and with loyalty in our hearts.” Hove inclined his head toward Vergis.
Rory turned to me so he could whisper in my ear. “What now? What’s happening?”
“Vergis finally acknowledged that he is family to us and said sorry to Hove for being rude.”
Rory’s mouth fell open, and he turned to Vergis. “You say sorry in another language, and I miss it?”
“Oh, shut up, Princess.”
I didn’t understand their friendship, just like I didn’t understand why my mate didn’t like me fighting, but Vergis and Rory were close. They were family.
There was a lesson of hope to be learned today. After all this time, I had my mate, and Vergis had chosen the sentenmen he deserved.