Starlight Gleaming

Chapter 20

Paying the Devil His Due with Interest

by T. J. Skywind ©

To the curious, when I write I listen to several artists. Among them Jean Michel Jarre, Medwyn Goodall, Johnny Clegg, David & Diane Arkenstone, Lindsey Stirling, and a recent addition are Two Steps From Hell. Sometimes I rock out on classics from the 1920s to current hits, but I prefer instrumentally as I have a tendency to sing along, and that pulls me out of my writing space. Music allows us to reach closer to the divine than with words alone.

I should note here that I made a mistake in my calendar counting in chapter 18; the time allotted for Ranji to complete his task was just less than ninety days, not sixty. I needed to see the time line, so using a spreadsheet, I recreated the Incan and Mayan annual calendars to match up with our modern one, and when I was done the error was right there, plain as day. A wince-worthy WTF moment.

NOTE: In this chapter, there is a scene in this story that describes the graphic and brutal murders of some good friends. It's marked, allowing you to skip ahead if you so wish. It was tough to write because I liked both of them.

This chapter begins Book 5 (and page 1435 of Starlight Gleaming!). After some reflection, I have grouped the chapters into books as follows:

Book 1 -- Janetta, chapters 1 through 10

Book 2 -- High Guard, chapters 11 through 14

Book 3 -- Descent, chapters 15 through 17

Book 4 -- Command, chapters 18 and 19

Book 5 -- Atlantis Rising, chapters 20 through 22

With this story, Atlantis begins applying pressure to High Guard War Base. This particular tale begins ten days after the end of Chapter 19.

Thanks to TerrytheTraveler for lending a hand with catching errors. For my past beta readers, ThatEditorGuy and gyfurune, a shout out to you. Slainté, and I hope life is treating you well. Any gaffs, typos, dropped words, usage errors, omissions, commissions, permissions, WTFs and OMGs are totally my fault. Enjoy!

Summary

This story is told from the viewpoint of Field Commander Ranji Kandikan, an officer in the Imperial Air Service, currently posted to High Guard War Base, and recently assigned command of the 602 Air Security Regiment.

Living with Ranji are Captain Janetta Tlacotli, a fighter pilot assigned to the 233rd Interceptor Group and her ground crew: Second Sergeant Zinja Ba'lanchicotl, aircraft mechanic and crew chief; Sergeant Cholan Yakalme, E-man; and Corporal Ixma Ba'lanchicotl, Zinja's daughter, and general labor. Janetta is the Mistress of Ranji's household, but Ranji's Personal Servant, Calia, manages the day-to-day details. Living with them are Zinja and Ranji's adopted daughter, Sisi, nearly six, and Ixma and Ranji's adopted daughter, Mina, who's turning four. All five adult women share Ranji as their lover.

Ranji's growing household includes two new young servant girls, Salvia and Tarragon (sometimes shortened to Terra). Ranji's aide, Sergeant Sowitwee also lives in the house, along with his very pregnant wife, Nariya, and his recently arrived father, Daydo Bancorri.

Living in a small cottage across the war base are Sowitwee's two sisters, Ramilla and Leetsi, the latter whom is pregnant. Sowitwee rescued them from the living in the slums, drug addiction, and a life of prostitution. In another cottage are Cholan's sisters, the widow Tanti and the recently divorced Breena. With them are Breena's nanny, Zeezu, and Breena's three children, Aarpo (6) and Sachi (4), and a newborn daughter, Siénte. Both families fled from Copán for the safety of High Guard War Base under Ranji's protection, all recounted in chapter 19.

Pending is the arrival of the Air Marshal's inspection of the 602 with Ranji as its CO, as well as a review of High Guard War Base. Hanging on the Air Marshal's assessment is Ranji's career and the future of his Protection Orders.

In addition to his future career, there are several matters also demanding Ranji's attention. Calia's growing psychic abilities -- are they safe? Spreading the Protection Order to places outside of High Guard. The growing threat from Atlantis and the increased attacks against military aircraft by their alien allies, the Greys. The murderer Charunt Tsagoya still remains at large. Has he fled? Or is he planning to carry out his threats against Ranji's family? Will the draconians make further attempts against Ranji and his father? And the most dangerous threat of all is Supay, Minister of Imperial Security. Reputedly the second-most powerful man in the Empire after the Emperor, he is a man obsessed with accumulating power and wealth by any means, fair or foul -- with a tendency to choose foul. The Minister has become aware that his power has been eroded and some of his lucrative moneymaking operations have been curtailed several times by Ranji Kandikan and his allies -- both at High Guard and at Copán.

* * * * *

Book 5 -- Atlantis Rising

Part 1 -- Family Time

* * * * *

"And so, after many days travel, the great god Inti returned home atop the majestic mountain peaks. Behind him were the animals and plants that had seen him during his great quest to see the world, and they had followed him to the gates of his mountain palace."

I paused in my reading, turning the large picture book so the others gathered around could see the large colorful drawings. Ixma sat with little Mina on my left. Sisi was wedged between me and Zinja on my right. Janetta lay stretched out in a recliner brought in from the front room, trying to rest her injured hip on pillows, listening as she nursed her second full tumbler of metl juice. At my feet were Cholan and Calia, while parked right behind them were the two servant girls, Tarragon and Salvia.

Cuddling on a nearby love-seat were Sowitwee and Nariya. Sowitwee's father Daydo was away for the night, visiting his daughters in their small cottage. While their medical needs had been dealt with, the sisters were not warming up to either their father or their brother very quickly -- and their response to Nariya had surprisingly been rather cold. Ramilla had been caught soliciting near the enlisted club for money and drugs, seemingly determined to continue the destruction of her life they had just been rescued from. I didn't care about the sex for money, but Sowitwee and I did have a long talk with both sisters about trying to get drugs, warning them that future attempts would have consequences.

When the book was once again on my lap, my girls leaned against me, peering to look at the new picture as I turned the page.

I pointed at one of the animals, turning it so Sisi and the servant girls could see, too. "What kind of animal is that, Mina?"

"Bear!"

"Very good. And that one?"

"Llama!"

"Good job, Mina! Sisi, why do you think the animals and plants followed Inti home?"

"Because he's a god?"

"Let's look at the picture for a clue. See what the artist has done here? All the animals and plants close to Inti are in bright colors, but the ones further away are in shadow. What happens when the sun goes down?"

"It gets dark out!" she announced with a smile.

"What else do we get from the sun? What happens when we go outside in the summertime?"

"It gets hot outside!"

I delighted in watching her face as connections were made.

"Yes, that's right. The sun gives us energy in the form of light and heat. So, based on the clue from the artist and what you know about the sun, why do you think the animals and plants are following Inti?"

Realization crossed her face and she grinned at me. "They want to remain in the light! And to stay warm!"

"What do you think, Mina? Is Sisi right?"

Her face serious, Mina looked intently at Sisi, then to me, then back to Sisi again before nodding slowly, her face grave.

"Well, let's see if both of you are right." I turned the page and read the next paragraph. "The bear stood up and cried out, 'Oh, mighty Inti, please don't leave us! We need your light to see by! All the plants need your light to grow.

'Without your light, the plants suffer. Without plants, there is no food for the guinea pigs, the mice, the sheep, the llamas, or the insects that crawl. Without insects, seeds, or fruit, the bats and the birds go hungry. Without guinea pigs and mice, the foxes and wolves go hungry. Without sheep or llamas, the jaguars, lions, and saber cats go hungry. Even the giant sloths and mastodons starve. Without your heat and your light, the world grows cold and glaciers advance across the land, crushing everything under the ice. Please don't hide from us!' The animals and plants added their cries to the bear's plea."

As I showed the pictures to the others gathered around, Sisi beamed in delight as she put her hand onto my shoulder. "Tenant, I was right!"

"Yes, you were," I proudly told her. "Good job!"

Mina beamed at her. Zinja leaned down, nuzzling into Sisi's hair. "Such a smart girl," she murmured. Sisi grinned as she basked in the praise.

After showing the picture, I turned the page and read on. "Inti turned to them, wishing to help them, yet not willing to give up his exploration of the world. 'I wish to rest awhile,' he told all those gathered around him. 'After I rest, there are more wonders yet for me to see and to learn about. If I leave

kay pacha

, this world of animals and growing things and return to my house in the sky, to

hanan pacha

, I can see everything, but I can't speak to those I see, and I will be alone again.'"

After I showed the illustrations, I resumed the tale. "The animals and plants debated the problem, but they had no answer to Inti's dilemma. They wanted him to return to the heavens, to drive away the continuous darkness, and to bring back the sun's life-giving warmth, so no more of them perished. But they also wanted to make Inti happy, and they feared Inti would not return to the sky until he had seen all he wanted to see. If they forced him to return when he wasn't ready, they could make him angry, and he might withhold the rains or make the days too hot."

Then it was a single sentence for each full-page illustration. "Many plants were already sad and their leaves began to droop, hungry for lack of sunlight. In the darkness, tapirs had a harder time running away from the jaguars. Sheep and llamas had trouble traveling the narrow mountain trails without falling. What, oh what could they do?"

Next was a double-page illustration, showing a woman in a silvery dress and white hair floating above the ground. "All the animals and birds turned to her, and they bowed, recognizing her divine presence. She called out, 'Mighty Inti, do you know who I am?'

Another double-page illustration. "Inti heard her sweet voice and became curious to meet the speaker. Who, he wondered, could have such a wonderful voice? Inti approached her and was taken by her beauty. 'You remind me of someone I once knew. Who are you?' he cried out.

I wasn't sure who was more excited about the story -- Sisi, Mina, or the two servant girls.

"'I have followed your adventures all my life,' she answered. 'The birds and fishes and serpents all tell me of your mighty deeds. Even the wind whispers about the great Inti and his bravery. You have defeated many terrible demons during your visit to

ukhu pacha

, the underworld lands beneath the earth. You have sailed the seas and traveled across many lands of

kay pacha

. Mountain dragons have been tamed and evil defeated. You have grown strong and are the finest warrior in all the heavens, yet you are also wise in the ways of the gods.'

"Inti approached her. 'You are most beautiful to look upon. Who are you? Fair maiden, I must know your name and more about you!'"

The next picture was a portrait, showing them clasping hands as they faced each other. "She smiled at him. 'I am your sister, Mama Killa,' she told him.

"'I remember you now,' Inti said, happy at her words. 'I have traveled so far and for so long, I had forgotten my dearest companion from my childhood. Little sister, you have grown and changed so wondrously since last I saw you.'

"She said to him, 'The world needs your light and warmth back in

hanan pacha

, Inti, where it can shine high up above even the tallest mountains, so that as the world spins, it will have both day and night in their proper turn, and the seasons for planting, growth, harvest, and winter. Sunshine for growing, and night for rest. All the world needs you high in the sky, showing us your splendor.'"

I paused, looking at my girls. "What do you do you think the word splendor means?"

Mina shrugged, looking to Sisi for the answer.

Sisi frowned. "I don't know, Tenant. Something good?"

"Just so. It's another way to say beautiful," I said. "But it also implies fancy and even something that has been crafted or fashioned to look pretty. Let me give you an example. You know that Ixma is beautiful." Startled to be the focus, Ixma suddenly blushed even as she gave me a look of love. "But when Ixma is holding Mina, and you can see how much she loves Mina, well, that's not just beautiful, but splendorous. A beauty that's above normal, something that's rare and exceptional. Do you understand?"

Ixma mouthed

I love you

at me before snuggling Mina and giving her daughter kisses as she wriggled. "No, Mama. Story!"

Sisi nodded thoughtfully at me. "Yes, I understand, Tenant. Like when Mama Zinja holds me and tells me she loves me, she's spend-or-us, too."

Zinja almost melted as she looked at her youngest daughter.

I slowly repeated the word splendorous and she said it with me three times. Then I said, "That's perfect, Sisi."

I resumed reading the story. "Mama Killa said, 'When you ascend into your rightful place in the sky, into

hanan pacha

, mighty Inti, I promise that you will not be alone. I, Mama Killa, will keep you company. I will care for you and keep your house, and love you all the rest of our days.'

"'Mama Killa, you will become my wife?' he asked.

"'Yes, and you will become my husband,' she told him. 'And we will live in your palace in heaven.'

"'You are the answer to what my questing heart was seeking. Come, Mama Killa, let us return home to

hanan pacha.

'

"And holding their hands together, they rose up higher and higher, sun and moon in the sky together, the light of Inti becoming brighter and brighter until it outshone everything else. When at last they reached their home. Inti was happy. Mama Killa was happy. And all the plants and animals of the world were happy, too. During the day, Inti watches over us, wishing us well while sending us his light and warmth. Mama Killa is a good and loving wife, and she has given mighty Inti several sons and daughters. A kind goddess, she watches over the world, keeping track of what's happening and keeping her husband informed, for she, too, wants what's best for everything and everyone under Inti's holy light. The end.' So what did you think of the story?"

Sisi looked at me, puzzled. "They got married and had babies?"

"That's right," I answered.

"Aren't Inti and Mama Killa brother and sister?"

I nodded. "That's what I'm told."

"So brothers are supposed to marry sisters?"

Janetta snorted rather loudly. From the safety of her chair, she raised her eyebrows at me. The other women gathered around me were also perversely curious as to how I would answer my daughter's perfectly legitimate question.

So how to answer a five-year-old girl going on six so she could understand?

"It's a good question, Sisi," I began. "Family are supposed to love and support each other. But brothers and sisters getting married and having babies together isn't a good idea. The gods have magic, and can do things that are sometimes bad for people like you and I to do. Inti had younger brothers and sisters, but there were no other women for him to marry outside of his family. I think it's a rule that gods can only marry goddesses, but I'm not positive about that."

"What about the Jade Goddess?" Sisi asked. "She's a goddess. He could have married her!"

Calia looked impressed at Sisi's reasoning, while Cholan pondered the implications of cross-tribal intermarriage among the gods.

I shook my head. "Inti and Mama Killa are stories told by the Queschuan people, the rulers of the Empire of Chimorro. But the Empire is made up of thousands of different tribes. Each tribe has its own language, and many of them believe in different gods. Inti is the name of the god of the sun for the Queschua. The Captain's people are Nahuatl. Janetta, what is the name of the Nahuatl sun god?"

"Tonatiuh is the god of the sun and ruler of heaven," Janetta answered.

"Sowitwee's people are Mayan. Wit, please tell Sisi the name of the sun god of your people."

"He is called Ah Kin, god of the sun, the bringer of doubt, and he is the protector against evil."

"Nariya's people are Tlacan. Nariya? What do your people call the sun god?"

"They call him Kiniuch-opu."

"Cholan, by what name do your people call the sun god?"

"They call him Miqui."

Sisi looked confused.

"Your idea is a good one, my dear Sisi. However, Inti and the Jade Goddess don't know about each other. It is very rare that stories about the gods mention the gods of other people. The stories of the Queschua people only talk about the gods of the Queschua. The stories of the Nahua only talk about the gods and goddesses of the Nahua, and so on.

"But that doesn't answer your question about brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters should love and protect each other. But when they grow up, it's not a good idea to marry or have babies together. If you are too closely related, it makes it harder to have a healthy baby. If the baby is too sick when it's born, it can die. And yes, babies that are born sick can go to the hospital to get better. However, most people don't have the money to do that, so the baby dies. Some people ignore that and a brother may marry a sister, and in some parts of the Empire, it's allowed, just as some places in other parts of the world allow it. But overall, it's not a good idea. The chances of having sick babies that don't live gets higher each generation that does it."

"What's a generation?" she asked, standing on the couch and leaning against me.

My arm went around her. "To generate means to give birth to, or to create. A generation can also mean a group of people of the same approximate age. Mama Zinja is one generation. Her daughter Ixma is the next or second generation. Mina is Ixma's baby, so that makes her the third generation."

"Am I the same generation as Mina?"

I nodded at her. "I would say so. Do you understand my answer about brothers and sisters?"

"I think so. I still miss my little brother Tishtin, but I wouldn't marry him. Should Mina be calling me aunty?"

Before I could answer, Mina sat up and declared, "No! Not aunty! That's aunty," and pointed at Cholan. "You are Sisi!"

There were several chuckles at Mina's words, but Sisi frowned thoughtfully.

"It's okay, Sisi," I told her. "You are her aunt, but you two act more like sisters. When she gets older, Mina will understand. Just like you will understand more things as you grow older. Think about this, Sisi. All of us in this room are from different tribes and states, yet we all work together to serve the Empire. The Empire made it possible for all of us to meet and make a family together. We are here in this room gathered together. We all love each other, and we all love you and Mina."