Saintess Myri Vahro walked to the Divine Emperor's
office in the Teton Palace, her heart tight with anxiety. No matter how often
Jahnzel tried to convince her that they had nothing to fear, that they were for
each other and always would be, Myri knew they would have to give each other up
for the survival of their race. So many others had been invited to make this
sacrifice, and the nation's status had never been as grim as it was now.
Jahnzel
emerged from his brother's office as Myri arrived, his face pale with horror
and anger. Dread nearly submerged Myri. How could he be angry about this
request without being angry with God Himself?
If anger sapped his faith, he would lose his divinity too. If a Divine
Prince couldn't remain faithful, their nation was doomed for sure!
Jahnzel
clasped Myri in his arms. She tried to keep herself from becoming frantic but
couldn't. Please tell me that it isn't what I suspect.
Jahnzel
pulled away slightly and gazed down at her in desolation. Lezz himself will
tell you his plan.
Myri slid
her fingers into his long brown curls one last time. Please don't put it
that way, darling. It makes you seem . . . blasphemous.
The
corner of his mouth lifted in a peculiar way. I'm not only a blasphemer, I'm
a bona fide apostate. You'll be better off without me.
Myri's
threw her arms around his neck. Don't be stupid!
Myri felt
his lips on her neck, then her cheeks. There are more choices than you
realize, Myri. You can tell Lezz no.
Hearing
the door to Arulezz's office open, Myri tore herself away from Jahnzel.
Smoothing her gown, she turned to Arulezz and curtsied. At your service,
sir.
Arulezz
dismissed Jahnzel with a look. Jahnzel stormed away without a backwards glance.
Arulezz
took Myri's hand and kissed it. You have no need to be so formal with me,
Myri.
Myri
bowed her head slightly. Your new position makes taking such liberties feel
awkward . . . Lezz. He hadn't
stopped being her sister's husband or her childhood friend, but it still felt
strange.
Arulezz
patted Myri's hand. Who can call me "Lezz" if not you, my
sister-in-law and a woman of the highest nobility?
Myri
allowed him to lead her into his office, feeling irritated. She would give up
Jahnzel for God alone. Only the Divine Emperor Himself could make the request,
not a childhood friend or brother-in-law. Jahnzel claims that it is
"Lezz Zarr" who asks us to make this unbearable sacrifice, not the
Divine Emperor.
Arulezz
motioned Myri into a chair across from his desk, smiling playfully. My
informality has made you bold--more like the Myri I've known my whole life.
Myri's
defenses dropped. Perhaps a man could be both a Divine Emperor and a childhood
friend. She would have smiled had she not been so upset by the prospect of
losing Jahnzel. I'm not sure the bold Myri is the one you wish to
communicate with right now.
Yes it is, as a matter of fact. His expression became serious. I have a mission for
you that will require every bit of boldness you possess.
Myri rolled her eyes. I daresay it's a lack of
squeamishness that will be most required, not boldness. You do want me to take
a savage as a consort, don't you?
No, God wants you to marry a man who will one day
be an admiral and saint.
Myri felt as though her heart would stop. Our
situation must be desperate indeed if you're planning to elevate one of the
natives to such a position.
Would I separate my brother from his beloved were
it not absolutely necessary?
Myri
bowed her head. No. Of course not.
We are
on the verge of extinction, Myri. If our race is to survive, all of age who are
not married must take native spouses. But you know this. Your own gift of
prophecy has whispered the truth to you already. You knew before I summoned you
what I would ask.
Myri's
eyes filled with tears. I knew.
Arulezz
handed a tissue to Myri. My father loved you like a daughter and dreaded
this day, but he prepared for it. He searched for many months and took special
care to find a chaste native for you, one who would appreciate your purity and
treat you tenderly.
Myri and
Jahnzel's father had shared a bond of kinship. Myri had long known that
they were destined to be father and daughter. She already missed him
dreadfully. How could everything have gone so completely wrong? Rumor has it
that it was a Novaunian ship that shot you and your father down.
Yes, it
was a Novaunian frigate.
Myri
dabbed her cheeks with the tissue Arulezz had given to her. Why in the
galaxy were the Novaunians even here?
To
pick up some agents. They slipped through our defenses before we were attacked.
We think their plan was to wait out the invasion and then leave after our
defenses were destroyed.
So
they knew about the attack long before it happened.
It looks
that way.
Bitterness
rose within Myri. Which means their fleet couldn't have been too far away.
Obviously.
And
they did nothing to help.
Arulezz shrugged. We're their enemy.
Only
because they're jealous that Jesus Christ gave us His divine seed and not them.
You
must subdue your disgust for the Novaunians and be brave, Myri. Your future
husband is a Mormon whose sister is married to a Novaunian.
Myri
nodded slowly, feeling drained. This Novaunian brother-in-law was one of the
agents the frigate came to Earth for.
Arulezz transmitted a thought to activate the telepathic
transmissions recorder. The image of a man with black hair, very fair skin, and
pale blue eyes appeared above the recorder. This is Trendaul Alexander, the
brother-in-law. He's lived the past twenty years in the Washington, D.C.
area. A new image replaced that of Trendaul Alexander, another man with
black hair, very fair skin, and pale blue eyes. We assume Alexander's a
Novaunian, because this was the pilot of the frigate that shot us down in
Washington, D.C.
No, there
was no doubt. Those two are definitely kindred. The features are too
similar. There is an alliance, then, between the Novaunians and the Mormons? Even with their rejuvenated fleet, her
people hadn't been able to defend themselves against Nexyun and Jaxzeran. How
could they ever hope to keep the Mormons in line if the Novaunians were helping
them?
I
don't know if there's an alliance. That's one of the things I need you to find
out. A new image replaced the frigate pilot, a woman with brown eyes and
golden brown curls. This is Alexander's Mormon wife, Teri Pierce, the sister
of David Pierce, brigade commander of the United States Naval Academy. The
image of a sturdily built young man with very short dark hair replaced the
woman.
Myri
shuddered. Pierce possessed an attractive military bearing to be sure, but his
nearly-bald head made him ugly. She didn't know how she could ever become
attracted enough to such a man to bear his children, even if she weren't in
love with Jahnzel. Suddenly Jahnzel's advice to tell Lezz no didn't seem so
outrageous. What did Jahnzel mean when he said there were other choices?
Arulezz studied Myri's face for at least a minute before
responding. Jahnzel wants our people to join with the domies.
Myri had
felt Jahnzel's desperation and knew it was true. Still, to take such a course
would be to admit defeat and dissolve The Holy Nation of the Son of God
forever. Sadness sank into Myri's heart. Jahnzel really was an apostate. She
had already lost him. God have mercy on his soul.
Do you
think, then, that you can marry this Mormon?
Myri had never
felt such despair. I can do anything God asks me to do.
*
Jahnzel
left Myri in the Grand Hall with Arulezz and stormed up the stairs to his
apartment to get control of his anger and think. He paced in front of the huge
arched window in his sitting room, the falling snow silent yet restless in the
wind.
He went
over and over his discussion with Arulezz in his mind and had no choice but to
concede that yes, their father had taken great pains to choose a suitable
husband for Myri from among the savages. Had his father survived, he would have
undoubtedly issued the ultimatum to Jahnzel and Myri himself. Jahnzel's anger
toward Arulezz diminished considerably as he forced himself to accept that
fact.
Feeling compelled, Jahnzel slipped the disc Arulezz had
given to him containing information about David Pierce into the telepathic
transmission recorder. Images and assessments sank into Jahnzel's consciousness
within minutes. David Pierce was an excellent athlete, an extraordinary
student, and gifted military leader. He treated his subordinates in a stern but
just way and they, in turn, liked and respected him. He thrived on order and
had never been officially disciplined.
The agent who had observed him had never seen him do
anything even remotely dishonest or immoral. He was as chaste as a saint and
had never even been observed looking at lewd images in publications or film,
which was highly unusual for an American man. Women were attracted to him, but
he kept them at a bit of a distance--all but the girl who resembled Myri,
Ashley Carroll, and even she had occupied no more than an iota of his life.
He spent thirty minutes a day reading the holy writings
of his religion, went to worship services every Sunday, spent an hour in a
religious study group once a week, and attended the Mormon temple at least once
a month.
David Pierce was determined and passionate, impeccable
and impressive. If ever there was a perfect native for Myri, David Pierce was
it. On the other hand, if there existed a man who had the power to resist
Myri's noble strength and beauty, David Pierce was that also. This was a man
who would and could fight a cell bond and win.
Then again, he was weak at the moment, having been
recently injured, severely. In a riot Jahnzel suspected had been instigated by
his father through the cell bonds. Jahnzel removed the disc from the telepathic
transmissions recorder and put it into a drawer, more disgusted than ever with
the despicable course his Nation was on and downright outraged by Arulezz's
plan to send Myri to Kansas City to bond David Pierce's mind.
Jahnzel had, from the beginning, disagreed with using
the cell bonds on the natives, but he had placated his conscience with the fact
that the natives, albeit unknowingly, did open their minds to receive the bonds
and could, if they desired, fight the subliminal messages that came through
them. Bonding a physically and perhaps even mentally helpless man, however, was
something different. This was an act akin to rape, and no matter how Jahnzel
looked at it, he couldn't reconcile it with his conscience.
With or without one of those vile cell bonds, Jahnzel
couldn't believe that this Mormon David Pierce could ever value Myri more than
he did. Pierce would certainly appreciate Myri's beauty and might even grow to
love her, but he would not understand her upbringing, perspective, or role in
the Nation. Unless she accepted his religion, she would never be quite good
enough by his strict standards, just as David would never be quite good enough
by Myri's.
Jahnzel couldn't
help but believe that if this union occurred, it would cause a great deal of
unhappiness to both Myri and David Pierce. How could entering into such an
incompatible marriage ever be the will of God? By the same token, how could
this mission of his father's to join their race to these Earth savages ever be
the result of Divine decree? It just couldn't be, and that was that. Somehow,
he had to get his brother and Myri to set aside National pride long enough to
see reason.
Jahnzel
left his apartment and strode to the north wing of the Palace, where Myri lived
with her mother. Saintess Francezka Vahro spent her mornings teaching priestess
novices at the Divinity Institute and therefore wouldn't be home. Myri would
have to stop by her rooms for her coat and boots before returning to the
Institute herself, which would provide Jahnzel the perfect opportunity to
communicate with her alone.
Jahnzel
let himself into Myri's apartment and waited for her on the couch in her
sitting room, watching the snowstorm from her large, arched window. Jahnzel
didn't have to wait long.
When Myri saw Jahnzel, she stepped backwards toward the
door, blood rising into her pale cheeks. You shouldn't be here, Jahnzel.
Have your apostate desires torn all feelings of propriety from your heart?
Myri's
discomfort pained Jahnzel, but he had to press forward. He had waited five
years for her to join him in adulthood and had loved her for as long as he
could remember. Despite his assurances to Arulezz, Jahnzel couldn't bring
himself to give Myri up so easily. He arose and walked toward Myri. Please
don't page your mother. I need to communicate with you alone.
Myri
reached to open the door. I won't allow you to compromise me. We can
communicate somewhere else, as we always do.
Jahnzel had
long hated the formality he and Myri had been forced to adopt since her tenth
birthday. He yearned for a closer companionship with her that their lack of
time alone together could not possibly produce. Is it more a disgrace to be
found here alone with me than to marry a savage? He communicated to her as gently as he could manage.
Myri
released her hold on the door and looked away in confusion. Obviously she did
consider marriage to a savage a more shameful prospect than a few innocent
minutes alone with him. Why are you here?
Jahnzel
took her hand and squeezed it, thrilling in the smooth warmth of her skin. Because
I need you to open your mind.
Myri
yanked her hand out of his as if burned. My mind will forever be closed to
the possibility of joining the domies!
Do you
have any idea how many people live under the domes now?
During
the survey eight years ago, it was just under thirty million.
Do you
know how many remain of our nation?
No. Arulezz didn't give me a number.
Just
under three thousand.
What
little color Myri had in her cheeks disappeared. She stepped forward unsteadily
and reached for a chair. We aren't desperate; we're desolate.
Jahnzel quickly helped her into the chair, afraid she
might faint. No, it's worse than that. We've been abandoned.
Myri
shook her head quickly. There must be another explanation. It is not up to
us to question God.
It isn't
God I question. It's our so-called divinity I question.
Understanding
came into those beautiful green eyes. You wonder why your father's divinity
didn't save him from being killed by the Novaunians.
No, I
wonder how we, or any of the other nations in exile, can be "chosen"
when the domies outnumber us all.
You
would rewrite history then and make Malrezz a true prophet?
What
makes our history right and that of the Malrezzites wrong?
Our
records have been meticulously kept since the Visit. We cannot argue against
the facts.
The
Malrezzites make the same claim. Who is right?
Myri
averted her eyes in discomfort. I know that my calling requires me to help
people work through their doubts, but I can't fill this role with you. She
stood up and walked to the door.
We
don't have to believe in the history of the Malrezzites to go to them for aid.
She
turned to face him again, her gaze accusing. You would humble our people to
the dust just so that you and I could marry?
With only
two battleships, a cruiser, a flagship, a transport, a mere twelve sub-light
vessels, and fewer than three thousand people, we're less than dust, Myri!
You
aren't the Divine Emperor.
No, but
if you refuse to do what he asks, then the two of us together might be able to
persuade him to consider all of the options.
For a
flicker of a moment, Myri almost looked as though she would agree. After
several moments of pondering, she shook her head slowly. I would rather
marry a savage than go with you to the domes. I'm sorry, Jahnzel.
Jahnzel
suddenly felt cold. Myri could not possibly feel the passion for him that he
felt for her or she could not have so quickly dismissed the possibility of
"other options." Then again, for Myri to defy the Divine Emperor and
consider other options would be to deny her heritage and redefine who she was.
Could there ever be a love strong enough to drive a person to change his or her
essence so completely?
Confused and heartbroken, Jahnzel forced himself to
stand up and join Myri at the door. There is no need to be sorry, darling. I
didn't expect you to feel otherwise, but for my own peace of mind, I needed you
to communicate it to me.
Her eyes glistened. I will always love you, Jahnzel.
Her declaration did nothing to appease him, because he
didn't believe it. She didn't even love him now--not enough to trust him and
certainly not enough to want to be with him at all costs.
Tears spilled onto her cheeks, and her lips trembled.
For a moment, Jahnzel thought--he hoped--she would throw her arms around
him and let him comfort her as she wept.
Myri
pursed her lips but in every other way maintained her composure. She removed
the ornate arelada brooch she wore at her throat in token of their betrothal
and placed it into his hand. Please go, your Highness.
Feeling
utterly rejected and not completely certain he even wanted her anymore, Jahnzel
leaned toward her and brushed her cheek with his lips in farewell. I will
pray that your native gives you all the happiness you deserve.
*
Arulezz
Zarr dismissed Myri and began pacing in front of the picture window in his
office. What did Jahnzel think he was doing, telling Myri there were
"other options"? What would he tell her now that Arulezz had revealed
his plan to them both? Jahnzel had left him with the feeling that he had
accepted--albeit grudgingly--Arulezz's decision to remain on Earth and marry
Myri to David Pierce. So what had Jahnzel hoped to accomplish by telling Myri
about these "other options"?
The more
Arulezz thought about it, the more unsettled he became. Jahnzel wielded a
powerful influence in the Nation, and so did Myri. If Myri began feeling any
inclination at all to go to the domes, Jahnzel would not be capable of letting
the matter rest. Together they would put pressure on him to change his mind. If
that didn't work, they might take their ideas to the Nation, despite Jahnzel's
promise to the contrary.
Was
Jahnzel right? Should he make going to the domes an option? Arulezz tried to
consider the possibility rationally, but he couldn't fathom it. Such a course
would do more than break the Nation's pride--it would strip it of its very
identity and purpose. It would mean extinction by assimilation instead of
death.
No.
Extinction of any kind was not an option. Tohmazz Zarr had brought the Nation
to Earth to survive, and as long as Arulezz was Divine Emperor, it would
survive. He simply had to keep Jahnzel from having a reason to rebel, and the
only way to do that was to do everything in his power to make sure Myri
remained faithful.
Now that
it came to it, Arulezz didn't know if Myri could go into that Mormon city and
remain loyal to him. The light had a strange effect on those who became
ensnared in it. Those who had managed to escape it had returned with stories of
disembodied voices and waking visions that almost always urged treason. The
treacherous nature of the light, combined with Myri's abhorrence of David
Pierce and her love of Jahnzel, might make going to the domes palatable to her
after all.
As
Arulezz's mind churned, a thought entered that was almost too terrible to
contemplate--he could bond Myri's mind to his. The harder he tried to expel the
idea, the more tenaciously it clung. Myri wanted to remain faithful, and she
didn't want to join with the Malrezzites. A little bond would simply strengthen
the ideals and desires she already had. It wouldn't change her essence or even
fight with it.
Still,
Arulezz's father had never used the bond on a citizen, and Myri was more than a
citizen. She was a noblewoman, a high priestess. To even consider such an act
was sacrilege, and if Jahnzel ever found out, he would organize a coup d'état
that might well succeed.
Something
inside of Arulezz urged him to summon Jahnzel and Myri that moment to withdraw
their new assignments. There would be no binding a high priestess, no coup or
even a debate. There would also be no David Pierce or secrets of the mysterious
light shields. The Nation might survive as this little colony in the mountains,
but would it conquer?
A weak
leader might humble himself in such a way, but Arulezz was not weak. He
couldn't admit he was wrong to someone like Myri who not only believed in his
divinity but in her own. Divesting himself of his divinity would destroy hers
also.
No, this
Divine Emperor would empower his high priestess with a bond, not abase her with
an admission of error. He would just have to figure out a way to do it so that
neither Myri nor Jahnzel ever found out.