"Chapter 9 - Deljin" by Debra L Kilman

Chapter Nine

Kawla released Deljin’s hand. Dagir was waiting to lead her to the dining hall. He actually outranked any of the Tavcoa assembled. Being a Guardian, he was considered a keeper of souls and although their specific spirituality didn’t follow all the tenets of the Guardians, they didn’t take any chances where eternity was concerned!

Dagir wasn’t very tall, about 5/8. He was dark-skinned, bald and his skin leathered with age. His dark eyes were almost black. His appearance belied the strength and agility that he possessed. His was wiry more than bulky, but still powerful. He was in excellent shape. Today he wore the muted robes of his Order, simply adorned and gray with black leggings underneath. The robes flowed around him, fluid and full. Normally, he wore gray leggings and a gray short sleeved-shirt with a long black vest and a simple black belt.

Dagir took great pride that he had won the right to find his Princess. There were 12 Guardian Priests that had won that honor and he had been the one to find her. The rest of his life would be dedicated to serving and protecting her. He extended his hand for Deljin to rest her hand upon. It was an ancient way of escort, very proper.                 

Dagir led Deljin from the Ceremonial Chamber into the Great Dining Hall. This was another huge cavern, carved out of the rock. Ancient, well-kept tapestries hung on the bare rock walls, adding to the warmth of the room. This one was used strictly for large gatherings. The tables were sectioned off by House rank. Some had been brought in quickly, since Chian's plans had not included the mass of people collected here now.

Deljin smiled as she entered the chamber. She was constantly amazed at the simplistic beauty of this alien place. The tables were all made from some type of heavy wood, it reminded her of oak. There were no coverings on the tables, the shine of the wood stood out amongst the tableware and platters of food.

Deljin was led to the main table at the head of the chamber. The other tables were spread out in front of the main one. Soft light filled the room from candles on the tables and the delicate lights along the walls.

            As she sat, liquid was poured into an elaborate chalice for her to drink from. It was beautiful. She sat and looked at it in the candlelight, not really wanting to speak. Dagir sat to one side of her and Tawney to the other. Other members of her immediate family were to either side of them. She found that Teon sat behind her to her right.

            "Why do you not sit here at the table?" Deljin asked her.

            "I am not an Elder and would not have this privilege, except that you are under my tutelage right now."

            "Oh. There are still things I just don't know."

            Teon nodded sympathetically. "You learn quickly. " Teon genuinely liked her younger cousin. The young one was strong, she was beautiful, yet there was a sense of fragileness that escaped most. Teon felt it. The balance was good.

            Deljin knew that the other Houses would have to pass this table to acknowledge the new member of the Tavcoa. It was required of them. The Elders could send a lesser member of the house if they chose. But, with her, it would be a risk to do so. Deljin was more than just a newly born Tavcoa. She was a Princess of Gausa.

            Slowly a line formed. Rank was important here. Age had something to do with it. Yet, the power of a House held sway over age and experience. Tae-Coh-Nye had fallen from grace when Ya-leese took over the Throne. Deljin being here was restoring the honor. Chian had told her nothing more than that. It was very frustrating.

            Deljin had dreamed of her brother. He was a striking figure. Yet, the warped sense of hatred he had within him had played upon the face in her dream. She knew she had never seen him. It was like watching him through the eyes of another. But, she knew the dreams had been true. So far, the dreams had been very true.

            The old, cynical Elder was stopping in front of her. He bowed, very stiffly, very formally. "It is a good day to be Tavcoa, Deljin Norre. Honor be to your House."

            "It is a good day to be Tavcoa and you are most welcome Elder. Honor to your House, Pride."

            Nothing more was said. Nothing more was required. Yet, the Elder paused to look straight into her eyes, sizing her up. She knew he would not be the first in this long line to do so. Calmly she looked back. He was strong and experience marked his features as surely as water wore rocks down. It would be fascinating to speak to him, she was sure, but he may not allow her that freedom. Not for some time, anyway. She had broken with tradition and he did not like it.

            The line went on and on. It took some time. Always the same greeting, always the same response. The elder 'Nesses came as well as the men. They would do nothing to slight this cubba that was their own, especially not this cubba. Most of the 'Nesses had spoken brief moments with Kawla. They knew where she stood and they would not go against her. Yet, they would see for themselves what Kawla saw.

            She felt her stomach rumble as the line was ending. It had been quite a while since she had eaten. Food would normally be the farthest thing from her mind, but the smell of it was overwhelming her again. She felt famished. She wasn't really tired, just sort of drained.

            There had been so many faces. Teon could have told her who they were, but if she had been raised among them, she would have already known them, so there had been no introductions. Some of the faces stood out in her mind more so than others. She felt that was significant. She stuffed it away for later reflection.

            The line finally ended. Tawney stood, addressing his guests. Slowly he gazed around the cavern. He had mixed emotions. Most of those assembled he had known for many years. Some he had not seen at all. A twinge of regret touched his heart. He knew Awrr would know each and everyone of them. He sympathized with his Dau. She would not know any of them. It must seem strange to her.

            He lifted his glass, nodded to the gathering. They did likewise and all drained their cups. "Welcome, Tavcoa to my humble House. Today is another victory for the People. Another of our young has fought her way to stand with us. As a Dah, I am most proud, as any would be.

            You are indeed welcome to join me on this day as Tae-Coh-Nye celebrates this birth. Please partake of the small offering this House has to give you." He nodded in a gesture of humble gratitude.

            He sat down and looked at her. "I am truly proud of you cubba. Although, I'm sure Kawla will have words enough for you about the breaking of tradition." He chuckled and patted her hand. "We can eat now." He whispered to her.

            The servers passed huge platters with all manners of food on them. Some things she recognized from Teon's offerings earlier. She remembered the ones she didn't like and steered clear of those. There were plenty of new things to choose from and she took small portions of these so she could decide what she did and did not like.

            Deljin had the feeling he wasn't feeling one bit humble. She would have been furious that the Pridoh had taken it upon themselves to show up where they weren't invited. "Who is that old Lion over there?" She nodded towards the Elder that had presented himself to her first.

            Tawney sighed. "That, my dau, is Kronec. He is quite influential in the Pridoh. I have known him a very long time."

            "He acts like he doesn't approve of me."

            Tawney smiled at her sadly. "I don't think that's quite what it is Deljin. Granted, our People are full of pride and sometimes harder than the rock you see about you, but we are a passionate lot. Kronec was furious when Ya-leese was presented and now there is you. He, like many others, assumed you to be dead."

            He looked directly at her as he spoke again. "I want you to know that I am in no way making excuses for Kronec. He is old and wily. I trust his Honor, but not his person. I want you to be careful where he is concerned."

            She nodded. "I understand."

            The dinner was going to take some time. It was a time for everyone to mingle, get caught up with news and gossip. Deljin wouldn't be allowed to participate in that. She felt that Teon was probably regretting that, also. Teon would normally have the freedom to mingle with the other young ones, but as she was delegated to tutor Deljin, she was responsible to be at her side if she had questions.

            Deljin turned to Teon, making sure she at least had something to eat. Teon was delicately balancing a plate on her lap, eating. "You don't have to stay here Teon. I don't mind if you go."

            Teon smiled at her. "I know, but Chian would have my fur if I left your side. Besides, my peers feel quite awed that I have been chosen to sit 'in-waiting' for you. As they see it anyway."

            Deljin turned that over in her mind. Yes, they could see it that way. She still wasn't sure how some things were perceived here, but she knew that the Throne was still held in high esteem, as long as a Queen sat there. She assumed the hierarchy was much like earth, in the fairy-tales anyway, that there were ladies-in-waiting and all that sort. She didn't know for sure. She'd have to ask Teon later.

            Deljin stopped eating. She wiped her hands and pushed her plate away from her. Taking one more sip from her cup, she just couldn't contain herself any longer.

            "Dah, I need to know." She began.

            She saw Tawney tense. This wasn't going to be easy for them, either of them.

            "What do you have need of Deljin?" Tawney almost knew what she was going to ask.

            "Tell me the truth, please, at least the basics. Everyone hints around it. No one says anything. E'Dah would not speak of my mother. No one speaks of Ya-leese. I understand to a point because of the dreams, but there's so much I don't know. I don't understand. I know this isn't the best place. It's not the worst either."

            "No. It's definitely not the best place. I would prefer to wait. You are being impatient, Dau, which shows your true age and not the one that you perceive."

            A frown touched Deljin's brow. "Spoken like a true reproachful Father... " She thought to herself.

            "We'll speak of all this soon. I promise."

            She bit her tongue. "Alright, after this is ended."

            "Fair enough. " It wouldn't be long until dawn. She could wait that long.

            There was a slight commotion at the entrance to the House. Tawney was on his feet instantly. A dark shadow flashed across his face. Curses escaped from his lips, low enough that only those closest to him, heard.

            "What is it?" Deljin asked rising to her feet. She couldn't see past the throng of people gathered at the other end of the cavern.

            "Wait here." Tawney said as he headed for the entrance.

            Dread was settling on him. He just knew who it was. The Captain was here. It had to be him. He had been due on Lae-Tav yesterday. Tawney had hoped he would be delayed. The people had always been divided about him. Some loved him, seeing him as an aide; others were appalled by his link to Ya-leese. Tawney was appalled. He was not welcome here. Not today, especially not with the knowledge of Deljin. Ya-leese wanted her dead. He had never been sure of her death and he wanted her dead.