Teria awoke with a start as Kajex slammed his fist against the table.8964 copyright protection388PENANAmuDYR7EIUb 維尼
“We can’t just let this slide!” the sentient prince shouted, his eyes literally red. “Ronisgald must answer for this affront to us all!”8964 copyright protection388PENANAyeMVJqB0ml 維尼
Sighing, Jyle replied for the fourth time, “We have no way of knowing whether or not the actions taken by the Galden Security Force were sanctioned by their government.”8964 copyright protection388PENANANdjKo7ruHq 維尼
Teria let out a snort and laid her head back on her folded arms. She had heard this argument three times already: someone would say that Ronisgald should be held accountable, to which someone would quote some obscure passage of the All Nations Alliance Charter. The two would go back and forth until most of the council on their feet and screaming at each other. Jyle would regain order, bringing them right back to the beginning of the cycle.8964 copyright protection388PENANAQyswITwk5G 維尼
There was no argument that Galden were responsible for the incident at the ravine, nor that Ronisgald owed the rest of Vinta an explanation (especially seeing as they didn’t bother sending a delegation for the Council), but no one seemed to be able to decide what they should do about it.8964 copyright protection388PENANAtuzaSnitBF 維尼
Kajex suggested nothing less than all-out war, while Counciller Dreas of the Cleftan Region was in favor of a more economic punishment: embargoes and the like. King Iniagus of Wenapaj felt that since no harm had come to those kidnapped, everything was fine. Shae, the delegate from Rimstak who had been captured by the Galden force, didn’t want to act at all until it was discovered whether the Galden encountered at the ravine were acting as part of Ronisgald or as a rogue group.8964 copyright protection388PENANAVMfjhmclud 維尼
Teria’s attention started wandering during the second cycle of this argument. She was about as interested in politics as a durien was in table manners.8964 copyright protection388PENANAyIuk9ainuO 維尼
From the looks of it, she wasn’t the only one who felt that way; Mikaen and Tirinia had clearly stopped paying attention to the proceedings as well, though Teria suspected this had more to do with their recent engagement than the boring nature of politics. They sat close, their whispers barely audible. Every so often, Tirinia would blush and let out a hushed giggle.8964 copyright protection388PENANAscfGpwKXNT 維尼
It was so good to see Tirinia happy. For awhile there, Teria thought her sister would be too shy to ever even try to find a mate. Her eyes caught momentarily on the engagement pendant Mikaen had given Tirinia: a crystalline seed from the chronoan tree that housed Muonsol’s royalty.8964 copyright protection388PENANAK59vhRjUhn 維尼
Councilor Dreas hit the table hard, jarring Teria from her thoughts. She wasn’t terribly familiar with the Cleftan Region but she was always tickled by the way Cleftans dressed. Both representatives were covered head to toe with all manner of clothing so that not even an inch of skin was visible. They even wore tinted goggles to cover their eyes.8964 copyright protection388PENANAoBigIFHgAo 維尼
Dreas rose to his feet, the colorful plumage of his turban bobbing with every movement of his head. “Enough of this pointless debate! Even if the Galden government wasn’t behind the attack, there were Galden soldiers involved. In the very least, the Triumvates should apologize for his rogue soldiers.”8964 copyright protection388PENANADJyvA52wLz 維尼
“Councilor Dreas, “ Jyle said, massaging his temples, “By no means am I trying to trivialize the actions of the Galden nation. The kidnapping of the Council members was an attack on us all … or perhaps you didn’t know that my daughter had been taken as well?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAiEyI7RlRd4 維尼
Dreas was silent for a moment. Teria wondered if he (or she … it was hard to tell with Cleftans) was too stunned to speak.8964 copyright protection388PENANAlSEKJJxcto 維尼
Eventually Dreas sat back down. “My apologies.”8964 copyright protection388PENANA87kQrDIfCq 維尼
“Look,” Jyle said, rubbing his temples, “I want answers as much as the rest of you. However, blithely accusing another nation of deliberate sabotage is no small matter. As all of you are undoubtedly aware-”8964 copyright protection388PENANATcP6wzP8bo 維尼
Tirinia let out a giggle loud enough to draw attention from the other delegates. She blushed crimson in the ensuing silence while Mikaen did his best to look innocent.8964 copyright protection388PENANAQeH03bT3eA 維尼
Jyle frowned at the both of them. “As all of you who’ve been paying attention are undoubtedly aware, relations with Ronisgald have been strained for awhile now. We have to handle this situation very delicately.”8964 copyright protection388PENANA8zSvbKkMeF 維尼
Teria yawned loud enough to catch everyone’s gaze. Letting her head rest on her arms, she asked, “Are we done yet?”8964 copyright protection388PENANA5ThRbf8Iem 維尼
Flushing, Jyle said, “This is not a laughing matter.”8964 copyright protection388PENANASv8M79O8p0 維尼
“The whole kidnapping thing? No, I agree it's not a laughing matter. The endless rounds of arguing and bickering about treaties and honor? It isn’t funny, but it’s definitely boring.” Teria glanced around the room, particularly at Dreas and Kajex. Even Dreas managed to look a little offended, no small feat considering his face was completely covered.8964 copyright protection388PENANAHXIGZnlhYg 維尼
“Do you have a suggestion?” Jyle asked, glaring at Teria.8964 copyright protection388PENANALkLcpaj34T 維尼
“Well, like Shae said, we need more information.”8964 copyright protection388PENANATiVvFNXH0Q 維尼
“What are you being of suggestion?” Shae asked, fully aware of Teria's penchant for causing trouble.8964 copyright protection388PENANAgir7NVnDXh 維尼
“Simple. We send someone to go check out what’s going on over there … subvertly, of course. Sneak in, get information, and get out. If nothing’s going on, then we’re in the clear. If it’s something else, knowing their plan would give us a definite edge.”8964 copyright protection388PENANATepk8Ql4KP 維尼
“Spying on another country?” said King Iniagus, his magnificent red mustache quivering at the very thought. “My dear kitten, that would be a clear violation of section 3, article 2 of the All Nations Alliance Charter.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAOsC0eYUMtK 維尼
“Well, what would you suggest?” Teria asked, bristling slightly over being called ‘kitten’, “Sit here on our collective asses and wait for them to try something else?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAVP1RRzYteB 維尼
Shaking his head, Jyle said, “Without clear evidence that the Ronisgald Government was behind the kidnapping-”8964 copyright protection388PENANAhSyPeFtMzB 維尼
“Here we go again.” Shaking her head, Teria stood and headed for the door. “I’m gonna go get lunch.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAQLfnPBvOLO 維尼
Jyle stammered, “Wait! You can’t just-”8964 copyright protection388PENANA7nu2FEtMBs 維尼
Opening the door, Teria glanced back at him over her shoulder. “If you manage to quit squabbling long enough to actually decide something, send someone to find me, ‘kay? Thanks.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAN7nK6oneDj 維尼
She walked through the door and slammed it behind her before the Cygros could respond.Shaking her head, Teria set off down the corridor.8964 copyright protection388PENANAGaUmKpm8pm 維尼
Councils, delegates, Galden soldiers digging up dreadnaughts ... Teria was starting to miss the good old days where her biggest worry was preparing for the Longshore Melee.8964 copyright protection388PENANA2kvpsaQGNH 維尼
Mikaen and Tirinia caught up with Teria a few minutes later.8964 copyright protection388PENANApWLlFiSBWQ 維尼
“I was wondering when you were gonna get sick of it.” Teria commented with her arms behind her head as they approached.8964 copyright protection388PENANAxh3IzHkstt 維尼
“They called a recess.” said Mikaen, his arm around Tirinia’s shoulder. “Nice exit, by the way.”8964 copyright protection388PENANA4LwMjtYm9S 維尼
“Yeah, well … politics aren’t my thing. Give me a few soldiers that need a good smack upside the head, and I’m set. All that page thirteen, sub-paragraph bureaucratic bullcrap bores the hell outta me.” Teria shrugged, smiling. “At least you two seemed to be enjoying yourselves.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAaJUM37U5q5 維尼
“Mikaen was telling me some stories about his friends in the Knights of the Star.” Tirinia said, “Mostly about Jyle and one of his old girlfriends.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAVfS7ShE5QU 維尼
Mikaen smiled. “Jade Siercka. Jade and Jyle were always a good conversation topic at the Knight’s Headquarters back in Misakren. They were always breaking up … very loudly, I might add.”8964 copyright protection388PENANA33NufPtLN7 維尼
“I can believe it.” Teria replied, glancing back in the general direction of the Council chamber.8964 copyright protection388PENANAJJoMwZ93TE 維尼
“We were gonna get some lunch in the marketplace.” Tirinia said, “You wanna come with?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAVjtHMznfRW 維尼
Teria shook her head, a crooked grin on her face. “Ah, you two go on ahead. I’d just get in the way.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAWnRoM5yxqa 維尼
“Come on, Teria.” Mikaen persisted, “It’s my treat. Besides, I’m sure you have a few stories about your sister that I’d just love to hear.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAHinIFhIxCy 維尼
“Well, there was that time during the Solstice festival-” Teria said, her grin spreading across her face.8964 copyright protection388PENANA8RR5mPmtYD 維尼
Tirinia’s cheeks burned red through her almost-white fur. She quickly grabbed Mikaen’s hand and pulled him away. Teria chuckled to herself as they disappeared down the hallway.8964 copyright protection388PENANAjL9vXefIef 維尼
“What’s the joke?”8964 copyright protection388PENANA0Hs5LRJzXi 維尼
She turned to see Maxim Windstar. He was accompanied this time by his wife, Lya Saetras.8964 copyright protection388PENANA6XFIBmRON8 維尼
Lya was a typical Vyan: blue skin, beautiful masses of hair flowing from her head and the back of her arms and legs, and gills. Her gills, however, were cybernetic. Teria didn’t know the details of her augmentation, but she did know that Maxim and Lya had met while having their cybernetics upgraded.8964 copyright protection388PENANAE6L2RuG6Ra 維尼
“I was just embarrassing my sister in front of her beau.” Teria replied. “What are you two up to?”8964 copyright protection388PENANACXBV1FrIqu 維尼
“We were going to go check on Tyrn and Rydiana.” Maxim said, slipping his real arm around Lya’s shoulders.8964 copyright protection388PENANAIMcCBsQIhy 維尼
“Huh. I’d let ‘em be for now,” Teria said, “Still in the honeymoon period, y’know. Wouldn’t want to walk in on anything.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAbbdtYswNGY 維尼
Lya’s cheeks tinged purple. “I didn’t think about that.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAP63BtAicjd 維尼
“Speaking of avoiding people,” Maxim began, “I’d steer clear of Kajex and King Iniagus; they’re still in there arguing.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAzE1hY6js7N 維尼
“Iniagus.” Teria said contemptuously, “You’d swear that whack-job swallowed the entire friggin alliance treaty the way he keeps quoting it.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAJ6vV0TCD4L 維尼
“Well,” Lya began, sounding uncomfortable, “He does have a point.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAbf88FnSn75 維尼
“Having a point’s fine, but he didn’t bother to suggest a solution. No harm, no foul’s not a good foreign policy, even if it does work in Wenapaj.” Teria stopped and laughed at herself. “Listen to me; I’ve been in the Council chamber for a few hours, and suddenly I’m acting like I know something.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAc9s551ODU4 維尼
Maxim chuckled appreciatively. “I’m sure we’ll come up with a plan.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAvlZJLC0xMk 維尼
“I just hope we do it before something else happens,” Teria said, expressing a concern she had kept quiet until now, “I’d hate to be caught off-guard if another one of those dreadnaughts shows up.”8964 copyright protection388PENANA51U7AemNhM 維尼
Shaking her head, she said, “Anyway, I’ll see ya’ll later, okay?”8964 copyright protection388PENANA8YyWpRNXnB 維尼
As Lya and Maxim walked off, Teria let out a sigh. She hesitated as she passed by the doors that lead to the palace gardens. She was hungry, but she found herself pushing the door open and walking out into the cool air outside.8964 copyright protection388PENANA3AVB2OUXtv 維尼
The palace gardens were well maintained. The winter flowers had begun to bloom, filling the gardens with blooms of purple, blue and white. The massive chronoan tree was unaffected by the weather, but its crystalline blue bark made it look like a giant icicle with branches and leaves.8964 copyright protection388PENANArZWYzAXhGF 維尼
After fifteen minutes of wandering, Teria came to a halt right next to the garden's only oak tree. Instantly, her thoughts turned to Narrator Number One. She’d seen neither hide nor hair of her old friend since the day after the kidnapping incident. It still burned her that he had forgotten her, but now that the brunt of the anger had passed, she found herself missing her old friend.8964 copyright protection388PENANASPZOpYk63n 維尼
“Glen, Glen, Glen.” She whispered, laying her palm against the oak tree’s trunk. “What mischief are you up to?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAvRzv2ANtbU 維尼
After a few moments, she sighed again and turned to walk away. She stopped instantly, her jaw dropping. Narrator Number One was there, in the Royal Garden, walking toward her!8964 copyright protection388PENANAnOmJ5HKwBB 維尼
Teria rushed over to him and gave him a bear of a hug. “Glen! I was just thinking about you!”8964 copyright protection388PENANA6yKngUZjqZ 維尼
“It’s good to see you again.” he whispered in her ear as he returned her embrace. It may have been her imagination, but it seemed like more than the sort of hug given to a friend.8964 copyright protection388PENANAyQegu3abs4 維尼
She let him go and punched him in the arm, demanding, “What in Nocturnes took you so long?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAq7qRNBiG8h 維尼
“I just had some things I wanted to sort out-” His eyes narrowed. “Hey, wait a minute! I didn’t say I’d be coming back! In fact, I'm pretty sure I made it clear I was heading out for good.”8964 copyright protection388PENANALtE3Wwx98J 維尼
She held her hands behind her back, twisting back and forth slightly with her most innocent expression on her face.8964 copyright protection388PENANA3yhRhXhgV0 維尼
One let out a sigh. “I was sleeping.” 8964 copyright protection388PENANAV9CmIYpL4d 維尼
“Sleeping?” she said incredulously, dropping her cute act, “It's been two months!”8964 copyright protection388PENANAuUofkMEMwg 維尼
“It’s hard to keep track of the passage of time in the Dream Realm. Besides, that’s nothing. Jay’s been asleep for years.” Sighing, One added, “Anyway, I came here to talk to you.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAoKi0THuHpa 維尼
“Of course!” Teria felt her heart leap as she sat down beneath the tree, One sitting beside her a moment later.8964 copyright protection388PENANACaYr6BzfzH 維尼
After a few minutes of silence, Teria asked, “So, you wanted to talk about …?”8964 copyright protection388PENANA275Z99qyk7 維尼
“To be honest, I’m not sure myself. I was sleeping in the Dream Realm, just drifting really when I had an urge to come back here and check on you and the others. How is Mikaen?”8964 copyright protection388PENANA2vnbwDG682 維尼
“Fine. Winged. Engaged to my sister.”8964 copyright protection388PENANASxIgwybokv 維尼
“I had a feeling he’d have proposed by now.” He glanced at her. “You doin’ okay?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAiCMMnpzaQS 維尼
Teria put her hands behind her head. “I’m me, same as ever. I missed you, though. It seemed like you were always just around the corner, and suddenly you weren’t there anymore.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAfYrF9tVN0j 維尼
“I’m sorry.”8964 copyright protection388PENANABmGnu55FRp 維尼
“It’s okay. I know you must be busy with the whole ‘Dreamer’ thing.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAkvtoeA0MPS 維尼
They sat back against the tree in silence for a few moments before Teria asked, “So … you remember any more yet?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAW4CwF9Jdu3 維尼
“Not much.” One confessed. “I remember I landed in Yuna Lake while you were taking a bath, and that you bullied me into traveling with you.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAbM3YGAAGTx 維尼
“I didn't bully you, I manipulated you. It's totally different.” She met his gaze with a grin. “So, did we reach Transpere yet?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAsdHnqdAJfw 維尼
“Transpere?” One asked, sounding intruiged. “That's near the Cleftan Region isn't it? Why were we going there?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAyR59Xw4nbN 維尼
As she opened her mouth to answer him, an idestan messenger approached, saying, “Ah, Daughter Teria. The Council is about to reconvene.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAW1mfGhG2aL 維尼
“Thank you.” Her polite demeanor dropped in an instant. “Now go away.”8964 copyright protection388PENANArmn4wCpR3S 維尼
“Council?” One hit his head as the messenger scurried off. “Right, the Council. Duh. How’s that going anyway?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAIErihXhGzo 維尼
She blew a raspberry at him as he helped her to her feet. “I’d say we’re going nowhere, but that would kinda imply that we might get there at some point. Iniagus keeps quoting treaty, Kajex is on the war path, and Jyle is trying so hard to mediate that we keep going in circles.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAPvMGvW7ngs 維尼
“Hmm.” One scratched his head. “Maybe I could help.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAvhW0dpwEdD 維尼
Teria’s ears twitched at the prospect. “What, with the Council? Isn’t that a bit much, even for you?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAqyhPFNHWFi 維尼
“Very funny. Look, Two and I were poking around with the Breath of Fire, and we found the pilot still in the cockpit.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAMnFqvHZf09 維尼
Teria’s eyes went wide. “He was in there for two months?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAZt5FSA1bmd 維尼
“From the smell of it, yes.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAWBPMyniD8o 維尼
Teria wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Yech. Glad I wasn’t there. Was he Galden?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAvOCGJIIB4O 維尼
“Not sure yet. There wasn’t much left. I left the body with a doctor friend of mine.” Grimacing, he added, “I should go see if he’s found anything yet. I could prepare a statement or something for the Council, if you think it might help.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAfZCja7uEbB 維尼
“By the Creator, yes, please. Anything to get this Council over with a little faster.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAafMfoLisko 維尼
“I’ll see what I can come up with.” With a grin, One headed toward a door that had just appeared in a nearby hedge.8964 copyright protection388PENANAjw29loh9wu 維尼
“One!” Teria called out as One's hand closed on the door handle.8964 copyright protection388PENANAXMeyrCEPSx 維尼
When he turned, she felt her cheeks grow hot as she said, “Look, I was kinda mean to you after you told me about … y'know, the memory loss thing.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAYhIbN5FyJb 維尼
“You chased me through the Elsewhere.” One said, looking amused.8964 copyright protection388PENANABZwFpCRsPZ 維尼
“I know, I know. I just … I'm sorry, okay? And thanks for still, y'know, being my friend after I treated you like crap.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAjaHXPPV4vQ 維尼
She was sure he'd make a joke to lighten the mood. As such, she was surprised when he said quite somberly, “Thank you for giving me another chance. For what it's worth, I'm glad I was able to see you again so soon.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAPqdqSsF57t 維尼
With a final nod, he exited via the CPD. The door vanished moments later, leaving the hedge whole once more.8964 copyright protection388PENANAXl93nBy4Z1 維尼
She stared at the hedge, lost in thought until she heard Tirinia's voice ask, “Teria?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAWE00jsr20x 維尼
Teria turned to see Mikaen and Tirinia approaching. She considered telling them about One's appearance, but decided to simply wave and say, “Heya. What's up?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAMpu8mwXkZh 維尼
Mikaen asked, “You ready for another round of politics?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAo9SWYzIcOE 維尼
Teria glanced back at the hedge where One had vanished. Smiling, she walked past Mikaen and Tirinia. “We’ll see.” 8964 copyright protection388PENANAB26BszQaCC 維尼
They were the first to return to the chamber. Teria took her seat beside Tirinia and Shae and waited as the rest of the delegates filed inside the chamber.8964 copyright protection388PENANAJzafjfu4We 維尼
Once everyone was seated, Jyle coughed and said, “We’ll resume … that is, if it’s okay with you, Teria.”8964 copyright protection388PENANAo1yuFtiZ2d 維尼
Teria waved her hand in a bored kind of way.8964 copyright protection388PENANAW9E2yrsiks 維尼
Rolling his eyes, Jyle said, “The next order of business for the Council is-”8964 copyright protection388PENANAxZzGupKyFq 維尼
“Hold up a sec!” Kajex said, standing, “We haven’t finished with the last issue yet. What are we going to do about the Galden?”8964 copyright protection388PENANAaLZLDrsNYg 維尼
“Here we go.” Teria muttered.8964 copyright protection388PENANAEj7djbDhOs 維尼
Kajex had just opened his mouth to continue when the chamber doors burst open. Narrator Number One strode through the open doors. Teria started to greet him but stopped when she saw his unusually serious expression.8964 copyright protection388PENANACgxLYvPVW6 維尼
As Teria straightened in her chair, Jyle asked, “Narrator Number One? What in the name of the …”8964 copyright protection388PENANAgOH8vgvmpl 維尼
“I know who was behind the attack.”8964 copyright protection388PENANA1K1kZaeCoJ 維尼
Everyone watched as One tossed a bloody metal pin onto the table. It bounced and clattered across the table, stopping just short of Jyle.8964 copyright protection388PENANAVqfdEP1gEL 維尼
Teria didn’t recognize the symbol on the pin, but Jyle apparently did; the sight of it made the Cygros’s face go as pale as a sheet in a heartbeat.8964 copyright protection388PENANAK63jA57vAM 維尼
One nodded, his face grim. “The Revs.”392Please respect copyright.PENANAaXEdR6qdS3
8964 copyright protection388PENANADwyTlNs95E 維尼