Chapter 76

Day 264:

The Topaz Dragon roared, mouth gaping wide as it swooped toward her. Above and behind Veronyka, Ream’ch arched forward to protect. All three men flung themselves away, scrambling to circle around.

Then the whole world chimed like a massive, deeply-rung bell and silence reigned afterward. Veronyka, who had both her Lance and shield out in a ‘brace-for-impact’ pose, blinked as she realized everything was frozen. The enormous tooth-filled maw heading right for her was stationary, like a video screen-shot. Above and around her, Ream’ch was in the process of leaping forward to meet Kyet’sol. Nunez and Adam were running around to the right in an attempt to get behind the dragon. Ben was going left, with the same apparent aim. Even the particles of dust their churning feet threw up hung motionless in the now-still air.

Veronyka looked around cautiously, finally speaking when the silence stretched. “Uh, hello?”

“Well met, Daughter of Chaos and Child of Earth.” Boomed a voice that vibrated her to the core as it came from everywhere.

“Uh, what happened?” She asked uncertainly.

“The Challenge World Geas has registered a possible charge claiming a Terms violation.” The bone rattling voice informed her. “As you are the individual alleging such, you are the one who must demonstrate the merits of your claim. Your previous words indicate knowledge regarding the Conditions of such a charge, so you may elect to forgo my explanation. What is your decision?”

Veronyka thought quickly. “I’d rather you explain them, please.”

A lecturing tone took over. “Very well. You allege that one of the Nine Dragons has failed her contractual obligation, which defines the Challenge Testing. It is your burden to prove that such violation indeed occurred, and that you were adversely affected by it; it is not the dragon’s task to prove otherwise. You hereby offer your life as a surety for your veracity and accuracy. If you fail to convince me that you are correct, if you do lie, obfuscate, or in any way hinder my search for the truth of the matter, the dragon you charged shall thereafter own your life. But if you do convince me, I will bestow a Boon upon you. The Terms of the Boon shall be discussed at that time. Do you understand these Conditions?”

She gulped down her fear. No turning back now!

“Yes. I understand. Uh, what do I call you?”

“As there is no one else for you to communicate with, in this Place Between Time and Space, you have no need of my name.” The voice reproved. “Now, state the facts concerning your claim, and explain why you believe they constituted a violation.”

Veronyka took a deep breath and organized her thoughts. “Myself, and two others were peacefully walking near the base of the Pyramid when members of Kyet’sol’s Boon’s Order-Keepers surrounded us, and took us into custody without providing a reason. When each of us finished the Challenge, Kyet’sol admonished us to obey the Boon members without fail, or face punishment from her directly. So, we went with them as they transported us to the west side of the Pyramid. There they opened a path to somewhere we didn’t want to go. Using force of arms, they attempted to push us through. During the struggle, I killed two of the Order-Keepers and one Porter. I now know that what waited on the other side was a full squad of soldiers who were there to take us into custody. Custody which would almost definitely cost some of our lives, and our liberty. One of the Terms governing the Geas is that the dragon has to provide safe passage out of its lair for any Challenger who passed the Test. ‘Safe passage’ is, as I understand it: a guarantee of safety while traveling through a dangerous area. Forcing us to alter our intended travel, under threat of deadly force, with the intent that we be put in jeopardy when we arrive is, I argue an abrogation of that guarantee.”

“Have you anything else to say, in support of your claim?” The voice boomed.

Veronyka debated with herself for a moment, but decided to speak. “A few moments ago, I told Kyet’sol that she had violated the Terms of the Geas, and she ignored my claim. Rather than discussing my charge, she blustered and attempted to use her greater size and power in an effort to bully me into submission.” She pointed at the dragon. “I had to restate my claim, when she was attempting to eat me, before ah, all this stopped.”

“How does this current situation bear upon the facts which you listed from many days ago?” The voice wondered, its volume dropping.

“As a free-thinking being, I have the right to defend myself when threatened.” Veronyka argued hotly. “Am I to understand that you expect me to endure injury and possible death from Kyet’sol, before listening to a claim against the Terms of the Geas?”

“You killed to avoid being forced, and used your abilities to cross Time and escape.” The voice accused softly. “Why did you not remain and lay your claim then?”

Veronyka took a deep breath to calm her roiling emotions. “Because the man I love was in danger. His life, to me was more important than any beef I had with Kyet’sol. It was only when I had to return, and found the Boon again threatening a successful Challenger that I acted against her.”

“You may not claim a violation, in place of another.” The voice warned.

“I’m not.” She shook her head. “I think Adam has one, or maybe Ben, but I’m not speaking for either of them. My words were intended regarding my own situation. The actions of Kyet’sol’s servants were not those of people acting to keep us—me safe. They were those of a tyrant, who could do whatever they wished to me, with impunity.”

“The Nine are not gods.” The voice cautioned. “They do not succor those unable to help themselves.”

“I didn’t say that they were.” Veronyka retorted. “But they can’t claim a group is an extension of their authority, then deny responsibility when someone from it acts wrongly. Authority without responsibility is tyranny, pretty much by definition.”

“If you are to demand the right of self-defense, cannot those you attacked, after seeing their fellows killed defend themselves as well?” The voice reasoned.

“Sure.” Veronyka allowed without issue. “But they didn’t defend themselves, they continued to attempt forcing me into danger. Once they took the step of using force tyrannically, they don’t get to suddenly revert to claiming self-defense when those they subjugate fight back. They violated the contract first, I just looked out for myself afterward, as is my innate right.”

“Your argument has merit.” The voice conceded. “Why did you induce one of my brood to quarrel with another, more powerful of her relatives?”

“I didn’t expect them to fight.” Veronyka admitted. “I hoped Ream’ch would be a witness. One Kyet’sol couldn’t dismiss or ignore. I thought it might make her pause, not escalate things.”

“Would not your companions have served the same purpose?”

Veronyka laughed. “No. If I’m edible, they are too. I wanted someone less ... bite-sized.”

“Very well. Stay there, I will hear from your accused.”

There was a flicker, and Kyet’sol vanished. She was replaced by a sand-colored dome which encompassed all of them together. After a tense moment, the others began moving again. Ream’ch was the first to recoil. She evaluated the situation, then slid down into a lying position behind and to Veronyka’s left. Feeling a little foolish for waving them about while debating with whoever the voice had been, Veronyka stowed both her shield and Lance.

“What ... just happened?” Adam demanded, looking around.

“Yeah, what he said!” Ben joked, pointing at Adam while returning to Veronyka.

Nunez coughed. “Ugh, I think I tore something loose again.”

“C’mere, sir.” Ben beckoned imperiously. “Lay down; let me look at you.”

The Colonel meekly did as instructed. Ream’ch slid her tail over, coiled like a hose for him to put his head on.

“Thanks.” Nunez croaked, trying to relax.

While Ben checked the Colonel out, Adam wandered over to Veronyka.

“Dr. Krasnov, what—was that?” He tried again.

“Veronyka, please.” She insisted. “And it’s a long story, but the abbreviated version is that I accused the dragon of breaking one of its rules. The whole Geas thing that manages it thought I had a point, so we got to argue it out.”

“Um, now what?” Adam asked, looking around.

“Now Kyet’sol gets to argue her side. If we win? Score! If I lose...” Veronyka winced visibly.

Adam shot her a stare. “If you lose, what?”

“Death, probably.” Ben grunted. “That’s usually how things work around here.”

Veronyka nodded. “What he said.”

“What rule did you say she broke?” Adam wondered.

“The requirement that Challengers get safe-passage once everything is done successfully.” Veronyka informed them.

Ben glanced up at her. “What about me? Why didn’t I get to support you? I’m the one who got hurt, you know.”

Veronyka gave him a typical ‘duh’ look. “Because you weren’t the one making the allegation. I was. That’s why it’s my life at risk.”

He jumped up. “Hey! Hey, whoever’s listening! Yeah, I want to—m”

Veronyka grabbed his arm. “Ben, stop! Wait a second!”

“Why?” He demanded angrily.

“Because we don’t know if they’ll accept my argument anyway.” She reasoned. “And I wasn’t talking about today, but about what happened to me and John and Ariel. Before. If I’m not dead, we can discuss whether you should make your own allegation. But for now, let’s only put one of our lives on the line. M’kay?”

He frowned, but nodded. “Good point.”

As he knelt to continue with Nunez, Veronyka kept talking. “Plus, the Boon guards actively tried to kidnap us. And still, I don’t know if it’s enough for the judge or whatever to say I’m right. Adam said this other Navy guy stabbed you? It might be more of a stretch to lay that at Kyet’sol’s feet.”

Ben paused his examination. “Actually, it was that fucker who killed Marty. He was standing there, gun out in Jeff’s face when Adam took me through the portal back to Earth. Some other asshole thought Adam would keep me there. Ordered him to. I didn’t even get a chance to ask you, Adam what that was all about.”

Adam sighed. “I don’t really know. In my head, I’m imagining all kinds of crazy scenarios. Why would they kill two former SEALs in cold blood? Why shoot you like that? You said that guy killed a friend of yours? When was that?”

“Couple months ago.” Ben spat. “Before we came here. By ‘we’ I mean me an’ Jeff. They captured the three of us: Marty, Jeff and me. Marty was wounded, and they wouldn’t let us get him to a hospital or doctor. One with supplies I mean. I did what I could, of course but he’d lost too much blood and neither Top nor I were a match for transfusing. Add in the cold and he didn’t make it. They made me pack him out. If I ever see one of those motherfuckers again, I’ll kill them on sight and damn the consequences!”

“Where did this happen?” Adam pressed.

“Up in the Canadian Rockies.” Ben replied. “Why?”

“I’m just trying to figure this thing out.” Adam explained. “Det. Forty-two seventy-one attacks John and Veronyka’s project, and kills nearly everybody. Yet, SAD* operators capture three former Delta guys? Then after the battle between us and the mutants, the same SAD guys kill my friends, and a current Navy SpecOps officer tries to kill an Army one? All while we’re traveling to another world? This is crazy! It makes absolutely no sense!”

“Yes, it is.” Nunez murmured. “I didn’t want to—b ... what the?”

Sheets of sand were sliding, gathering in one spot to their front. Ben stood again, put pushed the Colonel back down.

“We got this, sir. Stay there.” He ordered.

Adam and Ben stepped shoulder to shoulder with Veronyka, hands hovering near weapons as more and more sand flowed uphill until the mound was as high as their chests. Slowly it reformed, taking on a familiar shape, until finally the most archetypical, horn-studded, fiercely predatory dragon’s head appeared. It rose up, floating on the air in line with their own heads. Cold, calculating eyes blinked, studying each of them in silence. The tension grew, but they waited. Silently. Patiently.

The mouth opened, and the same voice from her debate boomed over them.

“Doctor Veronyka Krasnov, Red Valkyrie and Technomancer, three-time successful Challenger, are you prepared to hear my verdict?”

She straightened. “I am.”

The dragon’s tone grew deeper, if that was possible. “On your charge that the Topaz Dragon, Kyet’sol failed to provide safe passage to you, after finishing her Task, I say that you are vindicated. Kyet’sol’s Boon are sworn to her service in a way that makes her responsible for their conduct. As a result, you are owed a Boon.”

She took a shuddering breath, and bowed. “Thank you.”

But the dragon wasn’t done talking. “On your charge that the Topaz Dragon, Kyet’sol failed to acknowledge your initial charge of violating the Geas Terms, I say that you are only partially vindicated. Yes, she denied your claim, in a manner designed to intimidate. But you also failed to present it the first time as a direct Challenge, which you know is required. As a result, you will be given a choice instead.”

“Well that’s some bullshit right there!” Ben muttered.

The dragon’s head rotated and sandy eyes unmistakably fixated on him.

“You wish to enter this proceeding, Retired Sergeant Major Benjamin Hull, two-time successful Challenger?”

Ben snorted. “I don’t know who you are, but if you’re responsible for adjudicating these disputes, it’s pretty obvious to me that you aren’t an impartial judge. It’s bull. Shit.”

Amusement crept into the dragon’s tone. “There is a term for it, in your nation of origin, is there not? The phrase ‘legal technicality’ applies to this situation, yes? Those who fail to triumph because of one, seldom champion its efficacy. For those whom it saves, there is much rejoicing. Is this not true?”

Ben rolled his eyes. “Legal technicalities exist because people are messy and complicated. So is the process of both making laws that work, and prosecuting people who break them. They have to be applied to millions of people, in as close to the exact same way as humans can, every day. It’s not perfect, but it’s a damn sight better than most of the alternatives. I know, I’ve seen my fair share of them. But this isn’t the same thing. Here there’s only nine dragon challenges. And since you have the power to do all of this, but we haven’t even heard of you before, I’m guessing there’s only one of you, and you’re not busy. You can’t take the time to give a truly just result?”

All warmth fled the dragon’s words now. “You have heard of me before, only you fail to realize it. I am busier than you can possibly imagine. And while I could be more than fair, I choose not to. My Path is harsh, and merciless on those who tread it. I give no audience to those who wish to lament its difficulty.”

Ben gulped down a retort. “Pardon me, sir, uh, what path are you talking about?”

Amusement was back. “You may pose that question to my Paladin, when you meet him. But all three of you tread it, without fatally failing, thus far.”

It swiveled back to Veronyka. “Technomancer, are you ready to choose?”

“What am I choosing?” She wondered.

“The result of a full vindication for your second charge would have resulted in another Boon owed, as well as special protection from the one who wronged you, and any creature they employ, control, empower or supervise.” The dragon explained patiently. “You may only choose one of the two. Which would you rather gain: protection from Kyet’sol, or an additional Boon?”