SciFi and Fantasy Stories: Chapter One - Deljin Norre

Chapter One

            The darkness of space surrounded the small craft. It sped through the darkness, racing toward its destination. The journey had been long, across many galaxies, too many to name. On board were three beings; two were kindred and the other one had as high a stake in the forthcoming events as anyone. Father, daughter and her self-appointed guardian, each lost in their own thoughts, each hoping to reach Lae-Tav in time…

Deljin felt like she was looking through a thick piece of glass. She'd been in so much pain that her vision was blurred. The potions Tawney had given her helped her cope, but they didn't completely take the pain away. She slowly moved one of her aching hands across her lap. Both of her hands had been bandaged for two weeks. They throbbed constantly now.

            The headache that began as a nagging pain was constant now. Her teeth hurt her terribly. She remembered having an abscessed tooth when she was 15, it didn't hurt anything like this! Sleeping had become impossible. No matter what she did, she wasn't comfortable.

            Tawney kept telling her that she was holding up just fine, especially for not having any training in this matter. Most cubs knew from the onset of adolescence what to expect. They had been trained in various forms of meditation to combat the discomfort she was feeling. Deljin assumed the meditation exercises were a lot like Lamaze classes on childbirth, a type of  "mind over matter" thing.

            They had come out of Dae-Fah a few hours ago. Tawney didn't want to try to “time” too close to the planet. He had said that the orbit could be erratic this time of year. As near as she could figure, Dae-Fah was a lot like warp-speed that she used to see on TV.

            The planet they were heading for was looming in front of them. It was an orange globe in an expanse of black. Looking out of the glass of the ship, through the fog of her pain, she could make out the swirling oranges of Lae-Tav. Her father had told her it was home, but she only knew Earth as her home. She knew this planet must be beautiful, but she hurt too bad to fully appreciate it. Any other time, she'd have her face pressed to the port looking at their destination. Space travel was still exciting and new to her.

            "Soon, young one." Dagir placed his hand, leathered with age, upon her forehead. His touch was so gentle for one who appeared so somber. "It would not be proper to ease the pain any farther, or I would try to do so."

            "I know," she whispered. Tawney had explained to her that she had a good chance of not surviving Chae-Doge. If nothing else, he has been brutally honest. It had been hard not to be frightened. On Earth, she'd dreamed of it many times. Some of her dreams had seemed so real; so primal. But, then, that was what it was about, a "trial" of change, to live through an ancestral savage demonstration to become a higher being. That was how she understood it. When the Lioneese became a People, the change was meant to weed out the weak. Only the truly strong endured. She could believe that, looking at the orange of the planet, mostly desert, not much water or vegetation. It looked like a hard place to survive.

            The small craft was breaking the atmosphere. She closed her eyes. It was making her dizzy to look at the passing clouds, scattered as they were, clouds that gave little or no rain.

            She heard Tawney speaking to the officials in charge of the planetary landing pads. He was getting clearance to land on their House's Landing Pad. The voice on the speaker was hesitating. Tawney had been away from home for a long time.

            Deljin heard Tawney’s voice as if from a distance. "Aye, I know it is unusual. Yes, I know about the Quarantine if I land at the House. I assure you it will be honored. " Tawney shrugged. He had no intention of actually landing at the House. He just needed to get the Controller to grant him clearance. Deljin needed to go to Cerr as soon as he could get her there.

            He punched the comm. controls, obtaining a secure channel. A soft voice drifted through the speaker. "No viewing my old friend?" it said.

            "No Kawla."

            "Indeed." Kawla’s voice reflected her interest.

            He could sense her waiting. She was known to be a patient woman. "Are you alone?" he asked. He knew she would not lie to him.

            "A moment." He could hear her sending someone out of the room. She waited a moment until it was clear. "You have been away so long."

            "We will speak of that later, I have a request. Please meet me at Cerr; as soon as you can get there."

            "Cerr?"

            "Aye, I'll explain, then."

            "I am on my way."

            Tawney was maneuvering the craft towards the House Landing Pad. He would get as close as possible, almost land and then head for Cerr. They would still beat Kawla there, but it would be close.

            He glanced to his cubba; she was putting up a good fight. He was amazed at the feeling of paternal pride that welled up. She was so young, too young for this! The life she had led on that hell-planet had aged her somewhat.  She should not even be ready for Chae-Doge. But, then this accelerated metamorphous may have something to do with her Mother's heritage. That happened sometimes. Deljin had been considered an adult on Earth, but to him, she was still a cub. He had been fascinated by the decadence he had encountered on earth. Of course, similar atrocities were running amok through the rest of the galaxies.

            He ran a hand through his darkening hair. Age was catching up with him. He found himself moving a bit slower, yet his mind seemed to sharpen with every passing year. He caught a glimpse of himself in the port remembering how Deljin had been surprised at his feline features. She had only imaged them in her dreams. To see the reality had been a shock for her.

            There was no way to know how much of the Lioneese would manifest in her features after Chae-Doge. He could hope that she would take after him, but more than likely, she would favor her mother. It had always been so.

            Tawney had indeed been away from home for a long time. The young lion that gave him clearance probably only knew him from legend. Tawney grimaced at the thought that he was truly a legend in his own time. He had missed this place, his home. He missed the rocky ledges and the orange rolling dunes. Water was a more plentiful than it appeared, but it was deep under the sands and rocks. The Houses had been clawed and carved from the hard rock, creating the masterpieces that he had grown up in. The cool, life-giving water ran deep and generous far below the many-chambered dwellings. Tawney was proud of his heritage; tainted, as it was these days. His dau would restore that honor, even though he thought her much too young and inexperienced to do so, fate did not answer to him.

            His thoughts turned to Cerr. It had been a long time since he’d seen Kawla. He smiled to himself as he thought of her. They had been friends a very long time.

            Kawla had fine Lioneese features, a light covering of soft fur over supple skin and wide amber-green eyes. Surely her hair had darkened with age, changing from the amber colored mane she’d had in her youth. She was lean and tall for a ‘Ness, well toned and agile, yet her hands were delicate, her jaw finely rounded. He had been drawn to her when he was younger. He admired the gracefulness and surety in the way she had carried herself.

            Deljin had the dark auburn hair of her mother. It seemed to be growing in the relatively short time they had been heading for Lae-Tav. The hue appeared to be changing, too. Chae-Doge was definitely not far away.

            The House Pad was just in front of him. Quickly he maneuvered the craft, appearing to land. He settled the craft to a slow descending hover just above it. Counting slowly, he allowed the new program to take effect. It only took a few seconds, but it seemed like forever.

            He hated lying, so the pretense of landing was important to him. He knew he really didn't have to do it for anyone but himself. Soon, his reasoning would be apparent and no one would fault him. There had been too many lies and deceptions in his life; he hated having one more.

            He heard Deljin softly moaning. He knew she was fighting harder now. She had a measure of pride. He liked that about her.

            "Soon, Cubba, real soon." He tried to re-assure her. Dagir sat next to her, hovering over her to make sure she didn't hurt herself. He didn't say so, but Tawney had the feeling he had seen Chae-Doge before. Tawney was finding the old Guardian to be quite knowledgeable about more than just chants, prayers and scholarly pursuits.

            Deljin felt the craft leap back up from the landing pad. It seemed to jar every nerve of her body. She didn't know how much more of this she could take. She felt her mind wrapped inside a small bubble within herself, trying to escape the pain. Instinctively, she knew that was some type of key. Something she needed to concentrate on. Hadn’t Tawney mentioned that? Instincts, something about instincts.

            Instincts were the key. She knew it. Separating her true self from her surroundings. She felt the pain easing. She felt her awareness opening. It was like a curtain being lifted. She still didn't have control over her physical self, but she was gaining on lifting the fog in her mind.

            With her mind she saw Tawney brooding over the control panel, frantically willing the craft to Cerr. She saw Dagir sitting to her right, concern for her etched on his face. He was literally sitting on the edge of his seat, in case she faltered or needed anything.

            She sensed her pain-wracked body sitting in the chair, unable to move. Slowly, the awareness of the metabolism changing in her body seeped in. She discovered that the pain stemmed from the meshing of two cultures, not to mention the third that was completely alien to the other two. She could sense the primal urging of her Father's heritage, the transformation into Tavcoa. She could sense her Mother's heritage fighting to gain control over both. It was like she was in the middle of a battlefield. Her sentient self was watching, waiting for the outcome. She knew she ultimately had to gain control or she would lose. It was that simple.

            Tawney landed the craft a small distance from the entrance to Cerr, as close as he could get it. Luckily, it was a small enough craft that it wasn't far. Jumping from the seat, he turned to his dau. It was beginning. Her eyes had glazed. He knew she was fighting an inner battle that no one could help her with. If she could survive this without much damage, the rest was purely instinctual.

            "It has begun." He told Dagir.

            "I feared as much. Your timing is impeccable, Lion-man." Dagir nodded as he spoke, almost regretting the use of "Lion-man". But not quite; what was, was...

            Shocked at the use of a hopefully forgotten name, Tawney faltered a moment. Aye, Dagir knew much he didn't speak of, that was clear.

            As gently as he could, he unbuckled the straps holding the cubba in her seat. He slowly lifted her out. He knew she was barely aware of her surroundings, let alone able to walk. Dagir preceded him to the hatch, opening it. They stepped out into the warm air of his home planet. Even given the current circumstances, it was still good to be home.

            Quickly, they made their way to the entrance of the cave. His People had lived in similar abodes for thousands of years. Cerr was strictly ceremonial. It always had been. Smooth stones lay at the entrance; wide columns framed the opening.  A few hundred people could stand there. It had been generations upon generations since that had happened.

            Normally, the family would be escorting the cub or cubba to the ceremonies, which would have been taking place for some time now. Deljin would have no such honor. What remained of their House was small and he did not notify them of the event.

            He glanced from side to side in the wide opening as he walked through, remembering when he had come here for his own Chae-Doge ceremony. It had been a very long time ago. He had only been back a few times since, but then he’d only been home a few times in the last three or four hundred years. As Pridoh, he was required to be here when a young one faced their challenge. The Tavcoa had been a declining People for generations. Hopefully, his cubba would bring change. That had been the Promise.

            Stepping into the cavern, he sensed they were not alone. He felt the priest, become guardian, noticing also. Quickly, he searched the cavern. He felt himself relax as he realized it was Chian and her dau. Chian was the head ‘Ness of their House. He was relieved, yet a bit puzzled.

            They were busy lighting candles and arranging incense as they chanted the past glories of their House, his House and now his cubba's. Mist came to his eyes for a moment. Women had more senses than he could ever understand. He did nothing to interrupt; he wanted desperately to know how they knew. He had been gone much too long, but not long enough to interfere in women's business. Not the women of the Tavcoa, anyway.

            Chian was motioning for him to bring Deljin forward. Dagir moved to help Teon with the ceremony. He could hear Dagir as he joined in the chant. The old Priest did know it! He was chanting the counter-time with Chian like he had done this all his life. Tawney wished he knew more about this strange guardian-priest, but there would be time for that later.

            Stepping from the entrance he descended the stairs. The cavern was huge. A granite walkway ringed the entire cavern. Tiers of quartz seating descended from the walkway to the sandy floor, ending at the waist-high rock wall. Steps were carved between the tiers directly in front of the doorway. The sand was hard packed from centuries of being walked upon, almost as smooth as the stone itself.

            Artisans had long since decorated the waist-high wall surrounding the clear area of the floor, with scenes of Chae-Doge; the physical changes, the spiritual merging and the battle of each one’s rite-of-passage. Each panel was still as vivid and beautiful as when they were first created. Intricately carved pillars reached into the air with candles placed atop them to illuminate the ceremonial area. At each of the points of the compass stood iron-wrought stands woven into delicate patterns where incense burned. In the center of these rings stood an oval pool of warm water and rising from its center was an altar-type slab. The water was only knee high, clear and quite warm.

            Directly across from the entrance on the far side of the cavern, the tiered stonework was non-existent, replaced by a low dais. Leading from the dais were three doorways, The Doors of Choice. Each path beyond the door led to a different destiny. Only one path was true. If the wrong path were chosen, there would be no return.

            As Tawney reached the floor of the cavern, he stepped into the water and carefully laid the cubba on the slab. Chian delicately began to remove the bandages from Deljin's hands. Softly she was chanting. It was meant to soothe the spirit. Tawney knew it did somewhat. The chant would permeate where words could not.

            Chian dipped warm water into a basin, taking soft wraps, she cleansed the hands. The nails had been bleeding and there was blood caked everywhere. Methodically, she began striping Deljin of her clothing. Washing her, using the purified water to soothe the young cubba.

            Chian was an Elder 'Ness and she had done this many times. She seemed to take extra care with this cubba. Indeed, she was. Chian had dreamed of her for at least a century and she knew that her People's survival depended on this young one.

            Tawney felt, rather than saw Kawla enter the cavern. He was relieved that she was alone. She held a bundle in her arms as if it were a young one. He knew it was not.

            She motioned Tawney toward the dais, as she walked the stone pathway to her left. She would meet him there.

            "You did not say, Tawney." Kawla stated upon meeting Tawney at the edge of the dais.

            "You knew." Tawney replied.

            "Cerr is only one thing. Always."

            He nodded. That was true. There was only one reason to be at Cerr.

            She handed him the bundle. It was not time to unwrap it yet. It would not be for a while.

            "The cubba?" Kawla still was not sure where Tawney had found this one, or why Chian was standing in for her.

            "She is mine, Kawla."

            He saw the surprise on her face. It took quite a bit to astonish this Elder 'Ness. "Yours?" Kawla was truly amazed. She did not think Tawney had taken a woman since Ylonna. Maybe she was mistaken. He had always been full of surprises.

            He nodded. There was not time for an explanation and he did not owe her one. He knew that he would tell her, as she was an old, dear friend, but not yet.  Instead he said, "The Promise." That was enough. It was Kawla's turn to nod.

            Kawla walked towards Chian and the cubba, chanting as she went. Tawney's place was on the dais. She heard him begin to chant as she took her place. He would be calling for the Challenge. Her task was to prepare the spirit of the Cubba.

            Kawla started concentrating on her chant. It was hard not to see all the young ones before in this moment; some had lived, some had died. She felt this one would live. She knew Tawney believed this cubba to be the one. Part of her thought that it was a parental dream; all dreamed their young one would fulfill the Promise.

            Yet...

            She looked down at the young one. Taking soft rags, she helped Chian with the ceremonial bathing. As she touched this cubba, she hesitated... This one was different. There was strength, as well as fine features there. There was almost a look of serenity on this cubba's face. That hadn't happened in centuries.

            Kawla knew the inner battle. She knew the pain, the agony, yet this young one seemed at peace. The battle must be over-whelming inside, if none was surfacing. Usually, she could see bits and pieces of the struggle playing on the face, coursing through the body.

            She looked across to Chian and found her smiling. Kawla didn't dare break the tempo of the chant. She knew she had to concentrate. Then, she too, would know what Chian seemed to know.

            "Ahl choge, dae geh..." As she focused, she felt the struggle of the cubba. Indeed, it was great. It whispered at her, this was no place for her. It was not her fight. As she chanted, the feeling became persistent; this cubba seemed to be telling her it was not her fight.

            Startled, she stopped chanting. Chian was looking at her, a question on her face.  Kawla took her by the hands leading her from the altar. Chian did not want to go.

            "It is not our battle, Chian. She will do it on her own."

            "Never..."

            "I know. Not in our time, but long before us, it was so. It is now."

            Dagir motioned the Elder 'Nesses to him. "The Kae-da-Cho is appropriate."

            The name teased at Kawla. The Kae-da-Cho? Then the memory stung her. The Kae-da-Cho! Only in the times of the Royal merging was the Kae-da-Cho chanted! She then recognized Dagir for what he was. A Priest! It had been long since a Priest had been in Cerr.

            Dagir led her to the right of the altar, Chian to the left. He stood at the head of the Cubba and began the Kae-da-Cho.

            Deljin was watching the different sides of her inner-self. She still hadn't joined the fray. She was aware of the soothing. She didn't know who it was that was ministering to her frail human body, but she sensed the blood. It was blood of her blood. The singsong words were soothing. Singing of glory, of strength, of hope, of honor. It was inspiring. As it is meant to be. She relaxed. Yet... This didn't feel right. There was something missing. There was more, she knew it. But, what was it? She felt herself drawn to the impression of the Tavcoa-self, the essence of her father's heritage.

            Wait... What was that? An awareness nudged her. Who was this other 'Ness? Not blood of her blood. Strong, confidant, stirring the battle. It is her battle!

            She turned her awareness to the intruder. How dare she interfere here? "It is not your fight!" she tried to scream at the 'Ness. Still, the other came. "It. Is. Not. Your. Fight!!"

            She felt the other retreat, surprised.

            Deljin turned back to the battle. There was no substance here, just a sense of a vision of her selves.  The essence of the civilized Tavcoa, the Primitive Lioneese and the quintessence of her Mother's heritage; all looking from one to the other, trying to gain advantage. They did not appear to be aware of her.

            The Tavcoa appeared much as her Father and as the 'Nesses she sensed. It was a deep awareness of maturity, of magic, of knowing. It showed in the manner of dress, of the way she carried herself in this form. She was confident and strong, magic danced at her fingertips.

            The Primitive was wild, the magic trying to form, but no knowledge to contain it or use it. Instinct dominated, not fear, just an awesome readiness to kill or be killed dancing on her face. It was awesome.

            The third self was even more intriguing. Power exuded from her. Grace, savvy, intellect, the collective breeding of the Queens of Gausa sat on this form, waiting. She had no weapons but who she was.

            Deljin was none of these, yet she was all three. She needed what each of them had to offer her. She didn't know how to join them together. Reason with them? They didn't know she existed. She hesitated...

            What was that?

            Again, she was aware of the chanting above her physical form. This was different. She listened. It was not the soothing of the previous song. It was pulling at her. Pulling her toward the other selves. She felt like she was spinning into a whirlpool.

            "Who are you?" She felt the other parts of her asking.

            "I am you."

            "You can't be!" They all responded as one.

            The essence of each was pulling apart. She reached toward them. Grabbing them into the maelstrom she found herself in. She kept reaching, tugging them toward her. She couldn't lose them! They were part of her and she needed them!

            Finally she understood. She fought to keep them near her. First, the primitive self; it clawed at her, not wanting to be tamed. It did not want to be anything but wild, free. Deljin felt it biting at her, tearing her to pieces. She couldn't allow that. She reached for the Tavcoa. The Tavcoa had conquered the Primitive before. It knew what to do.

            The struggle seemed to drag on and on. Knowledge of the Magic was the key. Tavcoa used knowledge as a key to show the Primitive the honor of being more than it was. They merged, facing the other self, all now aware of Deljin. The Queen's lineage was drawn to the Tavcoa, the Tavcoa to the Blood, yet they would not merge.

            Deljin felt the chanting become stronger. The whirlpool tightened about them, drawing them closer and closer together. She felt like she was smothering! She was being pulled apart by the wind of the swirling masses about her. She knew the other essences were too. She fought to bring herself back together. She knew she would loose all that she was if she didn't!

            Piece by piece, she gathered herself. Struggling, she fought through the whirling mass to regain who she was. Instinctually, she fought on. Not knowing anything but the battle.

            An eternity was passing. She just knew it. Forever was here. Then the chanting stopped.