Gateway 9 Kesrin Alnars Palace

Gateway 9 -- Kesrin: Alnar's Palace

On

Green Dragon'

s flight deck, Janizi vacated the main pilot position, and Larsen slid into it.

"I have the conn, ma'am."

"Very well. Prince Alnar? Would you care to take the co-pilot seat? Please, touch nothing, but the view is better than from here." She gestured. "As you see."

"You are kind, Captain, but where will you sit?"

Janizi unfolded the jump seat mounted on the bulkhead. "Here, my Lord. We will be flying slow and easy, so it will be comfortable enough."

Alnar nodded. He smiled. "And you can watch to see if I misbehave, too. Careful thinking, Captain. I approve."

"Thank you, sir. Which way?" said Janizi, omitting to mention that the

Andromeda

would be tracking from orbit.

"Do you see the notch between the peaks over there? Through that, then directly north. When I see the landmarks, I will direct you. It is not far. A morning on horseback, and of course, much quicker by Dracon."

"Indeed, my Lord Alnar. Between the peaks, Larsen. I'll check our passengers, and then we lift off."

"Acknowledged, ma'am."

They dawdled, and the flight still took only half an hour. About the same as the Dracons took, Alnar told them.

"I suspect that you could have done this trip faster, much faster, if you used the full capabilities of this craft."

"Indeed, my Lord. Much faster. But were we to travel too fast, the shock wave from our passage might break all of your windows, and we are here to make friends, not enemies," said Larsen. "And we did not wish to arrive before Mage Sanzar, Hroth and Tima."

Alnar laughed. "Indeed so, Karen Larsen."

"Where do you wish me to land, my Lord?"

"How much space do you need?"

"Little more than the length of the flitter, and its width. I can land us vertically."

"There is a small courtyard, just to the south of my palace. It may suffice."

"Just show me where, sir."

A minute or two later, they were hovering over the courtyard, and Larsen triggered the sensors to measure the space. Ample, enough for two flitters, in fact. She turned to the prince.

"More than enough room, my Lord. You wish me to land here?"

"Please. It would seem we are expected." There were a half-dozen or so figures waiting, and Larsen could recognize Sanzar and Tima among them. She took the flitter down gently, grav-field humming, and the flitter settled on its skids with a hiss of hydraulics.

"We're down, Captain. Permission to finish with engines?"

"Granted, Lieutenant. Leave her on trickle, just in case."

"Aye, ma'am."

"My Lord Alnar, we are in your hands," said Janizi. "What is your wish?"

"First, to allocate quarters for you all. Do I assume that you would all prefer to be together? There is a suite of rooms we keep for guests adequate for you all, I believe. Ten double bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large dining room, also suitable for conferences, a comfortable lounge, even a kitchen. Unless I miss my count, there are three officers, all women, and twelve others, of which four are women and seven men. Am I correct?"

"You are, sir," said Janizi.

"In that case, I think the suite will be more than adequate. There are but two entrances, so you may guard them both."

"Do we need to, my Lord?" Janizi's tone was dry.

Alnar laughed. "No, of course not, but I have seen the caution you exercise, and I have little doubt that you will. I shall of course post guards outside, more to save you being interrupted than for any other reason."

"Quite so, my Lord."

Larsen hid a smile. He doesn't miss a trick, Alnar. He was friendly, yes, but he was shrewd.

"When you are settled, may I invite the officers to dine with me? A select gathering. Myself, Mage Sanzar, Captain Lemahn, and I think Tima. For the others, I can have food sent up, or I can ask the kitchen staff to allocate some people to look after you."

"I see a problem, Captain," said Larsen.

"Translation?"

"Aye, ma'am. You, me, Lieutenant Delacroix, we're the only ones that Hroth taught the language." Larsen gestured. "If Prince Alnar sends some of his people in, we have no interpreter if officers are dining with the Prince."

"You have four other females under your command, do you not?"

"Indeed, sir. Private Jenner and Corporal Perrault, from my command. Private Lee, from Lieutenant Delacroix's team, and Corporal Andersen, from the liaison team."

"I will ask Tima to bespeak Hroth if you wish? I think Hroth enjoys teaching."

"I feel sure of it, sir, having experienced it," said Larsen.

"I'd agree," said Janizi.

"If you will excuse me for a moment, I shall ask Tima to bespeak Hroth. Then I shall have you escorted to your quarters."

"Thank you, my Lord."

An hour later, Janizi, Larsen, and Delacroix were being ushered into a reception room where Prince Alnar waited, with Sanzar, Tima and Captain Lemahn. They'd managed a quick wash, been tempted by the sumptuous bath, but were not yet willing to relax caution. At least, not completely. Not yet.

"Captain Janizi, Lieutenant Larsen, Lieutenant Delacroix, you are most welcome. Please, would you care for some wine? It is light, I promise you, and the alcohol content is low, intended to refresh, not incapacitate. Yes?"

"A small glass only, sir, if you please." Janizi grimaced. "In a situation such as this, I am always officially on duty."

Alnar laughed. "As am I, Captain. A burden we share." He sobered. "Tima tells me your other ladies have been bespoken by Hroth, so they will be able to communicate with my servants who have been assigned to your service while you are here. This is so?"

"Indeed, sir, it is. Private Lee, from my command, was particularly impressed," said Delacroix. "She is a xeno-linguist by training, but her only previous contacts have been human. To be able to converse with a Dracon such as Hroth seems to have rendered her almost speechless. A most unusual situation for Private Lee, believe me," said Delacroix, her tone dry.

Alnar smiled. "Hroth can have that effect; I have observed it before." He gestured. "Your glasses are filled. May I propose a toast?"

"Of course, my Lord." Janizi raised her glass.

"To a long and fruitful relationship between our peoples."

"I drink willingly to that toast, sir."

The meal was simple, served unobtrusively by quiet, albeit obviously curious, servants, and the conversation light. Mage Sanzar, sitting next to Larsen, plied her with questions to which she returned easy answers, skirting around sensitive issues with a skill she hadn't been aware she possessed. She had questions of her own, too.

"Mage Sanzar?"

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Magic?"

"Ah. What about magic?"

"It really exists?"

"Indeed so. You do not have it?"

"Do you mean me particularly, or our people in general?"

Sanzar smiled. "Either? Both?"

Larsen shook her head. "As far as I know, no." She gave the mage a wry smile. "Before I was taught your language in a matter of moments, by a creature which is myth on our worlds, I would have said, absolutely no magic."

"And now?"

Larsen shook her head. "I don't know." She shrugged. "I try to have an open mind."

"We can test you, you know? If you wish."

"Test me? For magic?"

"For the ability to use magic." Sanzar gestured vaguely. "I have the facilities, if you would like me to test you?"

"May I sleep on that decision?"

"Of course. And discuss it with your Captain Janizi, no doubt?"

"I must."

"Of course." Sanzar frowned. "I understand you have been a fighting soldier as well as being a - pilot? That is the term?"

"It is, sir. Pilot. I was promoted to Lieutenant when I qualified as a pilot. Before that I was in a similar role to Sergeant Callaghan. A fighting soldier."

"You have been in combat?"

Larsen gave the mage a sideways look. "Aye, sir, and too often. I do not enjoy killing, but sometimes it is necessary."

Sanzar's face was bleak as he nodded. "Indeed so, Lieutenant." He forced a smile. "I think we need to talk of lighter things, no?"

"The portal, perhaps?"

Sanzar smiled. "Ah, yes, the portal. How was it that you were there just at the moment we opened it? That has puzzled me."

Larsen laughed. "Pure chance, sir. Absolute pure chance."

"How so?"

"We had been in conflict with another world, and they claimed authority over your planet, among others. We had a light cruiser, a vessel too small to carry flitters, doing a survey, when their sensors detected an energy pulse. I think it must have been when you first opened the portal. The pulse was weak, but luckily the cruiser was close, and when they investigated, they found the portal. Inert by then, as you were on your way to see the Prince."

"Aye, I was. And?"

"They reported back, and the

Andromeda

, our carrier, was sent to investigate. Captain Janizi's team was chosen because we are still an unofficial unit of our forces." Larsen laughed. "If you prefer, 'most easily spared' is a fair description. We were investigating the portal when you activated it. I think you know the rest."

Sanzar nodded. "A fluke of chance, indeed."

"Mage Sanzar?"

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"There are other portals?"

"There are. As yet, we do not have the keys. The nearest is four days' ride by horse, a half day even by dracon. The area is, shall we say, 'disputed'. My Lord, Prince Alnar, claims sovereighty, but there is unrest. We suspect Delovan interference."

"Delovan?"

"The state which borders our own. The late lord, Helan, was a good friend to us, but died without heir. His nephew claimed the title; not without dispute, we gather. He also disputes Prince Alnar's rule. Nothing overt, not yet, but his troops seem curiously unable to find out who is behind the unrest."

Larsen sighed. "Another world, the same old problems." She gave the old mage a rueful smile. "And the other portal?"

"About twice as far, but north this time, rather than east. And this time in lands most definitely not claimed by Prince Alnar. Lord Jalen is no friend."

"So you haven't investigated the other portals?"

"Alas, no. If I knew the shape of the keys, I might find them among the relics in which I found the key for the Sapphire Well portal."

"How hard would it be to reach these portals?"

"For us, nigh impossible. For you? With your flying machine?" Sanzar shook his head. "I fear I do not know."

"If we could get near them, even in total darkness, we have equipment that could check out the key depression."

Sanzar stared at her for a long, long moment. "Do you now? Can you be both invisible and silent?"

Larsen laughed. "Almost, but to say more will have to wait until I have consulted Captain Janizi."

The old mage gave her a wry look. "Your caution is commendable, Karen Larsen. Would that more were of a similar attitude. But now, a change of subject. Magic. May I test you, tomorrow?"

"I would be pleased, sir, but I must consult with the captain, first."

"Of course. But you will let me know?"

"I will, sir, most definitely. Now that I am aware of its existence, and that Hroth thinks I may have the talent, I need to know." She gave the old mage a rueful smile. "Whatever the result."

Sanzar nodded. "Indeed. It will be both privilege and pleasure to test you, Karen Larsen. Please, let me know you wish it as soon as you know yourself."

Larsen nodded, caught Janizi's eye, and signalled 'talk'. Janizi nodded, and Larsen turned to the old mage.

"Would you excuse me for a moment, Mage Sanzar? I shall ask the captain now."

He nodded. "Indeed. I shall expect you after the fast-break meal."

She looked at him, and smiled. "The confidence of magic?"

Sanzar smiled back at her. "Of course." He laughed, and his expression showed sly amusement. "That, and the insatiable curiosity of the female mind, perhaps?"

Larsen laughed. "Quite so, sir, quite so."

Janizi was waiting for her, away from the others. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

Larsen grimaced. "Can we make this informal, ma'am?"

"Of course, Karen, what is it?"

"Nikki, when Hroth bespoke you, did magic get mentioned?"

Janizi gazed at her for a moment. "Magic?"

Larsen shrugged. "I know, but I'm not crazy. Hroth told me I had it, and both the Prince and Mage Sanzar confirm that magic, just myth to us, is very real to them and that it really does exist. Sanzar says he can test me for any magical ability."

"Hroth didn't mention it to me, but I never believed in dragons before, either,"

said Janizi with a wry smile. "Do you want Sanzar to test you?"

Larsen nodded. "I do. I think I'd like to know." She gave the Captain a straight look. "I'd like to know if it still works on the

Andy

, too, when we get back, or whether it's a local phenomenon."

"Good point. You want me to authorize this testing?"

"Yes, I guess I do."

Janizi nodded. "Go for it, Karen. I know you, girl. You have to know things, and not just go on trust and theory. Okay, Lieutenant Larsen, you are charged with learning everything you can about magic while we are here, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Take care, Karen."

"I will, Nikki, I will. Have to say, I'm sort of scared and eager at the same time."

Janizi grinned. "Like the first time you had sex?"

Larsen laughed. "Good point. Yes!"

"Keep me in the picture, okay? Looks like Prince Alnar wants our attention."

The Prince waited until he had everyone's attention. "My friends, old and new, I just wish to say, before I retire and see what travails await me as the ruler of this little spot, that I am delighted to see the good will with which our new friends have approached us. I look forward to renewing our acquaintance tomorrow, but in the morning I'm afraid I have audience with my various officials. Captain Janizi, would you care to join me? I'm sure that the rumours which will no doubt have abounded since the arrival of your craft will by fast-break have you taking over our little kingdom. Your presence at the audience may allay some fears."

"I would be both honoured and delighted, my Lord," said Janizi.

"Excellent. I shall send someone to collect you after you break your fast tomorrow. In fact, Tima? Would you collect the Captain?"

The dracon-rider nodded. "Of course, my Lord."

"I believe Hroth would like to spend some time with you and your people, Lieutenant Delacroix, no?"

"Indeed so, my Lord."

"I shall guide them when I fetch Captain Janizi if you wish?" said Tima.

"Excellent. And now, if you will excuse me, matters of state await me. Until tomorrow, goodnight, my friends." And Alnar was gone, Captain Lemahn accompanying him. Larsen found Sanzar at her side.

"You will visit me tomorrow, Karen Larsen?"

"Indeed, sir. I would not miss it for anything."

The old mage smiled. "Nor would I. Until tomorrow. I know that it is still relatively early, but I am no longer the young man I once was, and I think today's excitement has over-tired me a little. I look forward to tomorrow, but for tonight, Karen Larsen, I wish you a good night's sleep."

"And I you, Mage Sanzar. Goodnight."

* * * * *

After the fast-break meal the following morning, Larsen asked one of the palace servants, who had been serving, for directions to Sanzar's quarters and very shortly after was knocking on his door. He opened it almost immediately and gestured her to enter.

"And a very good morning to you, Karen Larsen. You slept well, I trust?"

"Very well, thank you."

"You are ready for me to test you?"

"Absolutely."

"Very well. Tell me, what do you understand about magic?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. It is only myth in our culture." Larsen laughed. "As are dragons. Dracons."

"For me," said Sanzar, "magic is controlling our immediate environment by use of the mind alone. Thus," he added, and a flagon which had been standing on a table lifted into the air and floated across the room to another table, settling itself down without a bump. Sanzar smiled.

"Now it's your turn. Come over here," he said, moving to a cornet table, on which were several objects. Larsen recognized a few as simple kitchen objects, salt and pepper dispensers, a bowl for sweetmeats, a glass ball. Sanzar took the ball and placed it at the edge of the table nearest Larsen.

"Using only your mind, move the ball to the other side of the table," he said. She stared at him and he smiled, nodding. "Your mind alone. Visualize the ball where it is, then where you want it to be."

Taking a deep breath, mostly to try to settle her nerves, Larsen focused her attention on the ball, seeing where it was, then focused her attention on the destination site, visualizing the ball there. Abruptly, the ball

was

there, unchanged, rocking slightly. She stepped back, her mind reeling.

"Well done, Lieutenant. It would seem that Hroth was correct, you do have the ability to use magic," said Sanzar, a broad smile on his face.

"I must see if I can do that again!"

"Pick a different object, but don't tell me what it is," said Sanzar, "because at the moment you don't know if I was assisting you, do you? I promise you, I wasn't."

"Okay," said Larsen, "here goes."

This time she concentrated on the salt and pepper dispensers, then visualized them standing, one on each side of the ball, and then they

were

there. Sanzar gave her a startled glance.

"Both of them?"

She nodded.

"Impressive, Lieutenant, very impressive. It usually take a novice several days before they can master such a feat, and many never can, although they can manage single objects without problems."

"Beginner's luck, perhaps?"

Sanzar laughed. "Perhaps, although I do not think so."

Larsen had been thinking, and she touched Sanzar's sleeve. "Yes, lieutenant?"

"In our culture there is talk of telekinesis, the ability to move things with the mind, but no-one has ever been able to prove it. What you have just had me perform is, I think, a form of telekinesis."

Sanzar studied her. "Interesting. Perhaps our cultures have met before? But not for us to say. Come now, let us test your range."

"Range?"

"Let us see how far you can move something. We must also test your weight capacity, how heavy an object you can move."

"Very well, Mage Sanzar. What next?"

"Let us go out into the courtyard where your flying machine is, out there is the space we need to test your range and weight capacity,"

"Lead the way."

Looking back on it afterwards, Larsen thought it one of the most interesting and exhilarating days she had ever spent. By the time she and Sanzar finished her testing, they had determined that her weight capacity was about eighty kilograms, and that her range was about a kilometer, although she couldn't move the full weight the full distance. Full weight? About sixty meters. Full distance? About ten kilograms.

"A successful day, I think, Karen Larsen. You must keep practicing, though, a little every day. Now, before you rejoin your comrades, I would like to give you a little gift."

"A gift, sir? There is no need ..." She broke off as Sanzar signaled her to stop.

"Just a little something to help you concentrate." He reached into a drawer and took out a crystal. Semi translucent, small enough to hold in the palm of the hand, a rose pink in colour. "Keep this on your person at all times and grip it when you are trying something new or difficult. I think you will find it useful." He held the crystal out to her and she took it, curious. Almost warm to the touch, smoothly oval.

"Thank you, Mage Sanzar."

"It was my pleasure, Karen Larsen. For now, though, I bid you farewell," he said, opening the door to his quarters and ushering her out. "Don't forget to practice."

"I won't," she said and turned, trying to remember the way back to their suite.

In their suite, Janizi was working on her tablet, and smiled to see her.