Chapter 25

SCIMITAR

ENROUTE TO DREAMLAND

“...Not what father wanted Tenna Deia!” Andro hissed softly at the image of his Aunt in the transmission. She was in her office within Sparta and she looked utterly relaxed as she sat in her high-backed chair and sipped from the glass of Spartan Wine. “What are you... what are you hoping to accomplish by doing this? I have to tell him Tenna Deia! He will go malda that you have done this!”

The image of Deia was perfectly clear, as if she was sitting right in front of him and Andro saw the smile split her face which infuriated him even more.

“You and your father have far too much to worry about going forward.” Deia spoke with calm resolve. “This is the perfect way for me to deflect what you will be doing and keep all of the attention focused on me.”

“But why?” Sadi asked from her seat just behind Andro. All of the Leonidas children and their wives and mates were seated at the large table behind Andro and none of them were happy to say the least.

“This is crazy Tenna.” Eliani spoke up now.

“Andro and Eli are right.” Lisisa said. “Father is going to have fits! He will demand that you recant your statement. You are making yourself a target!”

They didn’t feel the rush of warmth course through their Aunt at the overwhelming show of love and concern Deia felt from them but they did notice the smile on her face never left as she leaned forward in her chair.

“Listen to me, all of you.” Deia spoke to them. “This is not something I have done on a whim. I have consulted L’tian, Dilios and Panos as well as several others in the last few days. By doing this I have just redirected all of Icho’s efforts away from you and your father. With Ulana now accompanying you and her reports being censored, he will have no new information unless you deem he get it and he will focus on taking this job. It is all he has ever wanted to begin with.”

“You don’t know that for sure Tenna.” Zarah spoke up. Of all of the Leonidas children, Zarah and Normya had spent the most time around their mothers Dysea and Isabella as well as Deia while they negotiated any number of treaties or agreements and they had learned much about how politics worked. “He has to have a very extensive network that is working for him to have accomplished what he has so far.”

“And he will undoubtedly seek help from his Kavalian allies.” Normya spoke from her seat beside Zarah. Even though she and Tir’ut were now married and Zarah and Lucia were very much a couple, the sisters had still managed to spend every moment they could together. Lucia and Tir’ut had become fast friends and it was a common sight to see the four of them together now. Lucia’s intense love and Normya’s sisterly concern had been magical for Zarah and she was rapidly becoming who she once was.

Andro turned back to the image with a nod. “My sisters speak the truth Tenna. They have more experience with this type of thing because of their time spent with you and our mothers.”

Deia nodded her head. “And both of you know this is the best course. He will direct all of his resources to gaining this chair. He won’t be able to help himself. He is an arrogant Alpha wolf who thinks he knows what is best for everyone. That his way is the only way. He seeks only power and control, that is obvious. How do you defeat someone like that Zarah? What did your mothers and I tell you and Normya during the negotiations with the Tuplian Premier? Do you remember?”

Normya leaned forward and looked at her sister. “Give him what he wants...”

“But only make it seem like he is getting what he wants.” Zarah finished.

Deia nodded her head. “Exactly.” Deia told them. “Icho will bring all of his resources to bear on me, on doing his level best to getting me expelled from this office so that he can claim it for himself. That is what he wants mandri. He will focus very little on you now... or your father.”

“He will attempt to drag you and our family through the mud Tenna.” Andro spoke. “He will bring into question every decision you have ever made. Even those from long before our father returned to our people.”

Deia nodded her head again. “Yes, he will.” She spoke with a smile. “It will be exciting!”

“This is not a joking matter!” Andro snapped.

Deia chuckled. “Mandri... do you truly believe I will allow that man to defeat me? Do you have so little faith in our people?”

“Faith in our people and their decisions is not something I question. Faith in you I do not question.” Andro spoke. “However, Icho and his ilk will do everything within their power, legal and otherwise, to oust you and take your chair. You know this.”

“Indeed, I do.” Deia said with a smile. “I am counting on that fact. You forget though that Armetus is my friend Andro. He is loyal to me and to your father, who he adores. He is already plotting what he will do. Icho can do whatever he wishes; when he reveals his true nature and his true allegiances; then Armetus and Vengal will bring the Krypteria and Durcunusaan to bear on them and they will squash them like the insects they are. Believe me mandri... I have faced far more dangerous opponents in the political arena. When all is said and done, Icho and his cronies will be nothing more than a brief footnote in history.”

“Tenna...” Andro began.

“Listen to me!” Deia retorted. “You need to be focused on what your tasks are! In all the years since your father returned to us I have never known him to question me or my tactics. He understands what must be done. What he does not understand, your mothers Dysea and Isabella, they will explain it to him. They will know almost immediately what I am doing when you tell them.”

“I don’t like it!” Andro stated. “We will not be there to support you!”

Deia laughed at this and sat back in her chair. “Support me?” She spoke. “Mandri... I have Armetus already spinning the wheels in that wonderful head of his. And no doubt Vengal is already preparing the Durcunusaan here on Earth. What they cannot take care of... well... I will unleash your aunts Tarifa and Aihola upon. And then Selene and Lynwe. I also have Dilios and Panos. I have Charles Taylor. Any one of them could chew Icho up and spit him out. If he wishes to step into the arena against all of us... I welcome it. We welcome it.”

“She does have a point Saradasaar.” Lu’ria spoke now from her chair. “Queen Aihola is sure to turn my mother and the other Drow Senators loose on this fool if he steps beyond his station or attempts anything nefarious.”

“Icho is not stupid... nor is he without support of his own tenna.” Andro protested still. “He has lasted this long and we have still not been able to discover his connections to Laustinos or Keleru in that time. That fact alone indicates he is very careful and whatever ties he has to our enemies are very deep and very entrenched. Given the ultimatum you hit them with; they will undoubtedly direct all of their efforts and whatever assets they have within the Union to helping him. They can not face us militarily because of the unrest Pian is sowing, but this is different.”

Deia nodded. “I’m sure they will. And they will expose themselves eventually. I do not believe the Kavalians pose so much of a direct threat as you. Pian and Jalersi tell me that many of their military leaders have wavered for years over Keleru’s oppressive rule. Their open call for rebellion might be all that is needed to tip the scales. If that is the case... then their only avenue will be to support Icho covertly in the hopes of unseating me.”

“I still don’t like it!” Andro snapped.

Deia came to her feet in the transmission. “Androcles Leonidas there is only one reason that your father would call for you and your siblings.” She said softly. “Your father never calls for help unless he knows he will need it. He knows you and your brothers and sisters will not hesitate to descend upon his and your mother’s location like the wrath of the gods, which from what I understand, you intend to do with the make up of the forces you are bringing with you.”

“Tenna...” Andro began again.

“Androcles do you trust me?” Deia asked.

“Why do you ask me that?” Andro hissed. “You already know the answer! Of course I trust you! That is never in question!”

Deia nodded her head. “Yes, I do know the answer.” She said. “So, focus on what your mission is and leave the rest to me. I have the Authorization Writ signed by you and Sadi and your wives and mates. I also have one signed by Eliani and Jomann. By Lisisa and Deni and Zarah and Lucia. By Normya and Tir’ut. Everyone who Icho might think to try and come after and smear, even remotely, while you are gone. He will discover that he has chosen the wrong family to nubou with Androcles. I will not sit idly by any longer Mandri. It is why Eldaos and I chose to announce to all who I was. We will proudly wear our name now and we will defend it as any Lycavorian Spartan would. The good Senator Icho will soon discover he has stepped into a very large pile of sibfla and no matter what he does, it will be his undoing in every respect.”

Andro stared at the image of his aunt for a long moment and then a small smile split his lips. “I have not known you to use such colorful metaphors on so regular a basis Tenna.” He said finally. This brought soft chuckles from his brothers and sisters behind him.

Deia laughed softly as well and nodded her head. “Yes... well... it must be the influence of your father and your mother Anja through the years. They do have such unique ways of getting their points across to others.”

“Tenna... you realize your speech will have gone out across the galaxy.” Lisisa asked. “More than likely they saw it even within the Beta Quadrant.”

Deia nodded again. “I’m counting on it.” She stated evenly. “My next speech will be even more informative. And hopefully it will make things with the Vanari go better than you expect they will. At least that is what I am hoping. Ceuma and Naesta are coming to see me in the morning so that I may ask some questions. We will see.”

“You will contact me if anything comes up that you are not prepared for?” Andro spoke. “I insist!”

Deia nodded. “I promised your father many years ago I would not go off on my own and do something like this without support. When you see him, tell him I am fully covered. He will know what I mean.”

“See him?” Andro spoke. “As soon as he finds out about this he will be contacting you I am sure!”

Deia laughed again. “No doubt.” She said. “I am meeting with Tarifa and Panos in a few minutes so I must go. I will keep you fully informed Androcles... have no worries about that. Cuia fas vada carians aur mandras for mandris. Cuia fas vada carians.”

“For forn tenna.” They all answered her simultaneously.

Andro waited until the image of his aunt had fully disappeared and then he turned to look at his brothers and sisters. He moved slowly back to his chair and settled himself between Sadi and Sehri. Both of them gripped his arms tightly and leaned over to nuzzle his cheeks as he settled into the chair sensing he still did not like that they were leaving her after what she had done. Andro’s eyes closed for a moment as he relished in their scents and female auras and then he opened his eyes and looked at his siblings.

“Thoughts?” He said.

“I would not want to face her in battle fervon.” Dorian spoke up. “Even if it is only in the political arena.”

Deion and Nara had chosen to sit next to Dorian and Sheva and they both grinned at his words. Physically he was older than they were, but Nara and Deion felt a special connection to him just as they did to Andro because of the gene within their bodies, and because of the way he was brought into this world, he would always be their younger brother in their eyes. It was also quite obvious to anyone that Nara and Sheva had hit it off instantly no matter the difference in their ages.

“Nor would I.” Sadi echoed.

“That does not mean we should not do something.” Eliani stated.

“Eli is right.” Lisisa said now.

“Armetus will allow nothing to happen to her Andro.” Zarah said. “You know that.”

Andro nodded. “I know... but these are not normal times arande. Now that Deion and Nara have joined us, she has no means of unconventional defense. No one who could perhaps sense things others cannot.”

“We could return.” Deion spoke up.

“Would she even allow us to return Deion?” Nara questioned turning to look at Deion. “She would know why we have come back and she would insist that we return to the training grounds and...”

“...That we finish our Agoge.” Deion finished.

“You two need to stop doing that! Finishing each others’ statements.” Eliani snapped at them playfully. “It’s unnerving! It gives me the creeps!”

They all chuckled at this and Nara leaned into Deion affectionately. “We will endeavor to...”

“...Accommodate your request arande.” Deion finished.

“Midaeus!” Eliani launched a data pad at her sister and Nara caught it easily as they all laughed.

“Contact Dantio.” Jomann spoke now all eyes turning to him as he canted his head and looked at Andro.

“Who is Dantio?” Deion asked.

Dorian leaned forward. “That is an excellent idea. Vari and Emios will have fully healed by now fervon.” He said evenly. “And Haridl would have made sure Robaran did nothing these last weeks but heal.”

“Tenna Deia will sibfla if she discovers we did that Andro. An Omega Team providing security for our Tenna?” Eliani said.

Ne’Veha nodded her head. “Better to be safe than sorry Eli.” She added.

“Very true Veha. Very true.” Eliani agreed calling her by the nickname Andro’s siblings had given to her.

“I can send a secure burst to Ambassador L’tian and insure that only he knows what they are doing.” Ne’Veha continued. “Deia will never suspect that he will be in control of a Omega Team charged with her protection. They could report directly to your grandfather. He has been the point of contact in the past for similar situations Saradasaar.” Ne’Veha told Andro as she turned her dark brown eyes on him.

“SirsanGai is right.” Carisia spoke now as she leaned forward from her seat next to Sehri. “I can also have Narice make up an excuse for her to leave a detachment of Immortals on Earth. Arrarn could convince Deia easily. Some joint training scheme with the Durcunusaan perhaps.”

Andro nodded as he sat back. “Dantio’s Omega Team and the Immortals Enylarcopri.” He said quickly. “No more than that or she will suspect something. Contact Narice before we go dark and have her make the arrangements. Jomann... you and Dorian round up Dantio and his team wherever they are on Earth and brief them before we go dark.”

“Done.” Jomann said.

“She will scream if she discovers we have done this.” Zarah said with a smile.

“Louder than we have ever heard her scream no doubt.” Normya echoed. “We’ll be able to hear it from the Beta Quadrant!”

“Let her scream if she discovers them.” Andro said. “Father would take a switch to all of us if he discovers we let her do this and then left her without any type of Shadow Security in place.”

“Carians... the last time mother took a switch to my backside I was only six.” Normya declared. “I was scarred for weeks. That was not a pleasant experience.”

Tir’ut leaned over beside her head with a sly grin. “Your backside is perfect my Du’ased ‘ranndi. No scars at all that I have seen.”

Normya blushed under her tan and elbowed her Immortal husband in the chest as she rolled her eyes. “Pervert!” She exclaimed while looking at him with adoring emerald colored eyes.

“Too much information!” Eliani stated. “Way too much!”

Andro and the others joined in the soft laughter among siblings. His eyes settled on Brendi Faith who had remained silent for the entire duration. That she was even present was quite a surprise to her. Eliani and Jomann already considered her part of their lives and they both hoped that soon it would become much more intimate and serious. Andro knew that his other brothers and sisters also now considered Brendi part of their family for none of them batted an eye that she was here and sitting next to their sister. He rose to his feet and looked at them.

“We go dark in five hours for the remainder of the trip to pick up Onera and then on to Dreamland.” Andro told them. “Let’s get this set up before that happens. I don’t want to have to worry about it when we are gone. I need to speak with Sa’sur so I will meet all of you for dinner later.”

They watched him turn and exit the conference room quickly and it was Dorian who shook his head and chuckled. “Meet with Sa’sur my mida!” He said.

Sadi met his eyes and grinned as well. “He was not very convincing, was he?” She said with a soft laugh.

Sehri looked at Sadi quickly. “What do... what do you mean?” She asked.

Sadi met her questioning eyes with a beaming smile. “Only that our beautiful husband and mate is going to arrange for some very unpleasant things to happen to the good Senator Icho and his followers should anything bad befall Deia.”

Eliani and the others laughed at Sadi’s very diplomatic answer and Carisia leaned closer to Sehri. “What KertaGai is trying to say in agreeable words Sehri our love, is that Andro will now contact several people that he undoubtedly knows, and on top of what we will do, he will insure that Deia and all those connected to our family are very well protected.”

Sehri met her eyes. “And they will not know this?” She asked.

Carisia shook her head. “Not unless someone does something incredibly stupid and tries to hurt Deia or the others.”

“And this Armetus that Deia spoke of?” Sehri asked. “He will not know?”

Sadi shook her head with a grin. “Not when the person Andro will most likely call is Marci... Armetus’s second in command. Marci is our age DuanGai... and she knows well how Andro works and what he will expect.”

All of them present saw Sehri’s eyes grow slightly moist when she heard the word Sadi had called her. It was not a very common practice to give a nickname in the ancient language to those you loved and called husband, wife and mate. While many of the more traditional of their people did it now, and it was becoming more and more popular, there were still far more who did not. The ancient Lycavorian language was not easy to learn and while it was making a very strong comeback, it was still many years from being spoken freely among all their people. Tradition dating back millennia said that when blessed with a name in the ancient language by those who loved you, it forever sealed the bond between you. Sehri knew this part of the custom after being able to swim within Andro’s mind as freely as she now did with Sadi and the others. Andro had given all of them names, though Lu’ria’s name was spoken in the Drow language, and it was one of the ways he showed his love and devotion to them.

Andro’s siblings also took note of the name Sadi used and within a few hours it would be filtering throughout the fleet in reference to Sehri. And it would be the name they all used in private with their family to show their love for her as well.

Jomann got to his feet. “We all have work to do before dinner. I suggest we get to it.” He stated.

Acting as Andro’s Captain as he was, no one argued with that directive and all of them began to rise and do what they needed to do.

Sheva Juconi-Leonidas stood in the center of the quarters Dorian had claimed as his own and let her eyes sweep the medium sized apartment like abode. She had to admit the view from the roof bubble was absolutely breathtaking and behind the nights they had spent under the stars on Cranae Island, the most fantastic love making they had experienced had come in these very quarters. And there had been many hours of passionate and intense love making Sheva thought with a large degree of ardor.

The quarters lacked a certain normality however.

Sheva Juconi felt a warm flush course through her as the memories of those times flashed through her mind and the undeniable fact that they would continue long into her future. Never in all the years since her parents had been killed had she felt such a blissful peace and sense of belonging. Dorian Leonidas had claimed her as his beloved wife and mate in the fashion of the Lycavorian people, but he had also claimed her as his Blessed Wife in the fashion of his and Sheva’s vampire blood. She looked down at the glittering silver and titanium band on the ring finger of her left hand and couldn’t help but smile and bite her bottom lip when the memories of the day Dorian had given it to her came rushing back. They were walking along the white sands of Cranae Island and he had just popped it out of his pocket. He told her it was an old Earth and human custom that had begun centuries ago. Part of him wanted to honor that fact because he was born on Earth. The ring had fit perfectly and Sheva had spent many minutes just making sure it was all real over the next few days. Every time she saw the ring she had no doubt in the least.

Sheva Juconi-Leonidas.

“Gods I love hearing that.” Sheva muttered softly to herself.

Dorian’s family treated her very differently now. She was a member of their family. The Royal Leonidas family. She was a Princess now. The Blessed Wife to a man over three hundred years her junior, but a young man who had given back to her all she had thought lost. A young man who was far wiser and knowledgeable than anyone gave him credit for except his family. Dorian treated her like she was the most important thing in his life, which Dorian now was to her. Sheva had grasped for a future she never thought she would have and she had hung on tight as Dorian swept her away with his infectious smile and wit. When they had shared blood during their passionate lovemaking, Dorian’s natural Etheric skills had formed a permanent connection with her. Sheva had never imagined being able to sense his presence within her would bring her such joy. She could explore his mind as much as she wanted and she had eagerly begun to learn as much about this new power as she could from him. She had no intention of losing what she had discovered now, and she would kill to safeguard that.

Sheva shook her head slowly with another smile as she looked around. The quarters here on the ship were somewhat barren and Sheva knew she would have to improve them. At least for the time before they transferred to SPARTA’S WRATH. The quarters lacked a certain warmth and normality. She moved across the room to where they had dropped their bags upon arriving and squatted down in front of the duffle. She began digging in the large canvas bag to find the data pad she had brought with a list of items she intended to purchase, placing several stacks of their clothes on the couch. Sheva saw the blinking green light from the side of the bag and her hand closed around the data pad, pulling it out. The green light indicated she had a message and her brow furrowed in puzzlement since she had given this frequency only to Dorian and Jomann she was sure. She tapped the pad quickly and entered her pass code watching as the face of the older man appeared on the small screen. Sheva’s eyes grew wide in horror and she tossed the data pad away from her as if she had been horribly bitten.

“NO!!” She screamed. “NO!!”

She didn’t realize that her reaction would echo outward to the man she had come to love so completely and he would instantly drop what he was doing and head to where she was.

Sheva stared at Dorian’s sleeping face on the bed. She hadn’t realized how her reaction to the data pad would affect him and he had come storming into their quarters ready to kill in order to protect her. He found her huddled in a ball against the wall near the couch and immediately had fallen to the floor beside her and gathered her into his arms. The warmth of his body had an immediate effect on her and she had wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest as his resonance within the Etheric realm poured outward to her in a soothing way as she inhaled deeply of his manly aroma. Sheva knew she had to tell him. She had to tell him of her past and how she had come to be here.

And why.

It came spilling out within an hour and as he held her on their bed she didn’t stop talking for what seemed like years. Fear gripped Sheva as she talked; fear of losing him and what she had found. Fear that he would hate her for what her initial orders had been. They had watched the message together and his handsome face remained impassive throughout; as he listened to her tell him everything after the message was over. A message that had revealed something even she had no idea it would. A new fear and wonderful discovery that had changed almost everything. She held nothing back from him any longer. Sheva knew in order to have the life she wanted with him that she needed his love and trust. She knew that in order to discover if the message was accurate she needed his trust and love. She did not know if she would be able to go on without the emotion and feelings he had brought out in her and after seeing the message she needed those emotions even more. The more she spoke to him the more her trepidation grew as his face remained completely void of emotion or reaction. She was very nearly on the edge of losing it at the end for he had said nothing and only gazed at her with those beautiful multi-colored eyes. Just when she thought he would rise and leave her forever, Dorian leaned forward and kissed her ever so softly. His strong hands had come up and gripped her face and Sheva’s heart had rejoiced as he deepened the kiss and his Etheric resonance enveloped her mind. He opened his mind to her without question and she saw the absolute love and devotion to her and how that love for her made him part of who he was.

Dorian had lifted her shuddering frame into his arms and carried them to the bathroom where he had striped them both and then lovingly held her under the hot spray of water. There was nothing sexual in his actions in the least. He stroked her naked flesh, washed her skin and hair and planted small kisses of desire all over her shoulders and neck. He whispered his love of her into her ears over and over in so many different ways, assuring her that it would be fine. That they would get through this. He was not going to lose her and she had not lost him.

The emotional outburst, more severe than anything she had ever experienced had taken its toll on her. Once dried and wearing one of his oversized shirts, Dorian had gathered her into his arms on their bed and Sheva had fallen asleep within moments.

She had awoken only a few moments before, still wrapped within his arms. What had occurred came rushing back and she had slowly removed herself from his embrace and knelt now on the bed staring at him. There was no hate for her coming from him. She thought for sure he would be savagely angry and want nothing to do with her as he turned her over to Jomann and those who despised traitors of any kind. She knew what Androcles thought of traitors and she worried now for him as well as herself if Androcles discovered her past. She knew Dorian loved his brother dearly, and they were far closer than most people outside of their family knew, because of the way both of them were born with complete awareness. The fear she felt earlier had returned now as these thoughts filled her head. The message had revealed something she had not known all of these years and she had to discover if it was true. She had been lied to for so long and now along with that fear came anger. Anger over a life that had been stolen away from her.

The sheet covered only his lower body and Dorian’s chest and shoulders were exposed for her to see. The definition of his body was such a delight for her, and once more she feared she would lose him forever if his brother discovered what she once was. She reached out slowly to run her fingers across his abdomen and his eyes opened almost instantly at her touch. He saw her kneeling on the bed and he sat up quickly, his eyes darting around their room looking for threats, and finally returning to her.

“Sheva?” He asked softly.

Sheva met his gaze and lifted her hands to cup his face. “I... I am terrified Dori.” She stammered as her eyes became moist. “I don’t... I don’t know what to do! What to believe! What if... I thought they were dead! What if they are alive? After all these years... what if they are alive?”

“Then we will find them and you will be reunited.” Dorian answered.

“How?” Sheva spoke. “Dori... I don’t... I have never been this confused!”

“We will figure it out Sheva.” Dorian answered.

“How?’ She asked again. “When your brother discovers what I am... you know as well as I that he hates traitors even more than your father. And your father despises them! He will see to it that I am interrogated and then executed.”