Chapter 1: Penglepentia

It was a beautiful city made more beautiful by the golden light of the setting suns. It had rained earlier and the water droplets were lit up like fiery jewels as they adhered to the roofs and statues of the high place—the name for the central hill where the government and administration buildings were. Penglepentia was the capital city for the thousand worlds: a strange name because there never were a thousand worlds and when there had been an empire, it had been an empire that spanned the multiverse not a galaxy or worlds in space, but that had been before the fall. Now Penglepentia was old but still in its twilight there was a greatness and yes, it was the capital, but of just the world.

Dorly was sitting on her terrace, stroking her cat and looking down on the giant bowl that was Penglepentia and looking up she was witnessing the glory of nature as the setting suns made jewelled fire out of the rain-washed high place. Then as red Sharif dropped below the ridge the light changed, now the fiery gems glowed steel blue, but all too soon Turlin followed Sharif and the light became a subdued silver and then that too passed as Porlic followed his sisters and the light faded. But still nature had not finished her wondrous display, for as the suns left the sky so the lights appeared. Flying down from the ridge that surrounded the bowl came flock upon flock of night flyers, with each male signalling his presence with his own light signature calling to the females; announcing his presence with brilliant coloured flashes. It was said that the ancients had built this world; placed the suns and created the night flyers: if this was true then Dorly felt they must have been great beyond her imaginings. Surely the creators of such beauty and grandeur could never have faded.

"Dorly where are you? Dorly?" Tolin her stepmother was calling.

"Here mother on the terrace with Spaw." As a little girl she had christened her cat Silver Paw, but that hadn't lasted, soon with simple childish economy Silver Paw had become Spaw and he now mirrored Penglepentia old and distinguished with much of his glory long forgotten.

Dorly was a pretty girl, small and lithe, with a strength that belied her size and seeming fragility.F Her long red hair was tousled and windswept, she was smudged and scratched, no doubt from more of her illicit exploring. Dorly worshipped her father and wanted to be with him. She acted the tomboy and had already finished the first stage of Traveller training. But for all her waywardness and bravado there was part of Dorly that wanted to be a girl, to be like her mother whom she barely remembered; to let her stepmother make a woman of her. Still she could not; her mother's dying words had been: 'Look after your father for me', the three year old had taken this much more seriously than it had been meant. Her Father was a Traveller—so she must Travel too, or how else could she keep her promise. None but her stepmother suspected this inner conflict and try though she might she could not free her stepdaughter from this self imposed burden.

"Dorly, my pretty Dorly, just look at yourself. Go get cleaned; dress appropriately, we are to have company for dinner. I will do your hair—call me when you are ready."

"Yes Mother. Who is coming?"

"I do not know, darling, some official. It does not matter, you are of an age now you must act the lady at such times."

"I know Mother, I don't mean to disappoint you."

"Dorly, do not say that, you could never disappoint me by being you. I only want what is best for you."

"I know Mother." Dorly said getting up and going to hug her stepmother, who shied away laughing.

"Dorly much as I love you, I think I can bring myself to wait for that hug until you are clean—now scoot."

"Yes Mother." And Dorly ran inside.

A little later in Dorly's room. "Well now that's better." Tolin said as she finished off an elaborate coif than involved plaits and whirls with jewels and enamelled pins.

"Thank you Mother. Is Father home yet or Melic?"

"Yes they are getting ready."

"Dorly, this is important. You must be good at dinner. You are now a lady and have a right to be part of this, but you are not yet an adult. When we talk business you must listen and only talk if invited." Tolin knew only too well how headstrong her stepdaughter could be and was well aware that she would have to be sent from the table if she broke the protocols. "There will be no fighting with Melic: your brother is an adult now and you must show him respect—this is real Dorly, misbehave and your Father, Melic or I will have to send you from the table. There won't be a warning or a second chance, you will just be sent away."

"I know Mother and I will try."

"You will do more than try, young lady: I have some idea what is to be discussed this evening. I think you should hear it—I know you would want to hear it. Please do not be obdurate my darling."

Dorly was not yet sixteen and she had been a woman of the house for nearly two years, but in that time there had been little opportunity to experience the formal rights and duties that went with that archaic title. She knew from the way her Stepmother was talking that something very important was happening; the message had got through. "Yes Mother," she replied.

Tolin breathed a sigh of relief she had made her point, she could hear the tone of acceptance in her stepdaughter's response. "That is good. Melic never gave me so many worries."

"I'm sorry Mother, but you wouldn't send me from the table really, would you?" Dorly wheedled.

"No probably not, but that would only get us both in your Father's bad books and he or Melic would send you from the table."

Dorly impulsively cuddled her stepmother, giving her a quick kiss.

"Yes well I love you too." Her stepmother responded. "Come on we had better finish up we need to be there for the formal greeting."

Dorly hated wearing formal dress, though she was enough of a girl to admit it was very pretty and she did like looking pretty, though she would never usually admit it. As only a 'Woman of the House' and not yet a woman in her own right, Dorly could only wear white with the house crests in two bands going down either side of the dress. The dress was made from a linen like material and was in effect a sleeveless tube, tight cinched at the waist, by a wide golden metal belt and hanging so that it just touched her feet with its hem. The tube stopped her knees if she tried to take a full step, which given it was no wider at the ankle was not really a realistic proposition anyway. It was square cut at the neck, going quite low in the front, though in Dorly's case as a 'Woman of the House' it stopped before the top of her breasts. The top continued off her shoulders with a spray of golden leaves extending either side. Her neck was circled with a mass of jewels and necklaces matching the many jewels, chains and pins woven into her hair, which was for the main part up, except for a single thin braid that hung down her back past her waist. Her arms though bare were dripping with jewels and bangles. Each thumb and finger had on it three jewelled rings linked with an impossibly fine gold chain to its equivalent on the next finger. The chains were just short enough to be tight if the hand was fully splayed.

"You look beautiful Dorly, but please try to glide, don't stretch the dress when you walk it's so unladylike and for once please don't break any of your finger chains," Tolin pleaded, "and please don't break mine." She finished.

"That was an accident," Dorly replied defensively.

"I know—I wasn't cross—but please try, it's important this time."

"I will Mother, but why do our clothes have to be so difficult and awkward, it is so unfair."

"You know the story Dorly, because way back when, it was the way a family could show its wealth. Both by our adornment and by demonstrating we don't have to work. The clothes are restrictive, to demonstrate the house has sufficient worth that its woman are merely ornaments."

"But woman aren't owned any more, we aren't objects, so why still?"

"Because it's the custom and many women like to dress up and, well, men like to look at beautiful women, so the custom stays—I like it."

"But you're so beautiful you don't need to dress up."

"Why, thank you Dorly, but I still like dressing up. And you daughter of my heart if not my flesh are also beautiful and I like to see you dressed up."

"I do like looking pretty sometimes; it's just that, does it have to be so uncomfortable: the belt is so tight, the jewels are so heavy and I want to take proper steps."

"It does seem silly, but for all that the answer is yes." Tolin replied with a smile. "Come now, we must attend."

Soon the family were in the formal reception room: Tolin and Dorly were seated and Rontis and Melic were standing.

"Don't pace, Melic—have patience."

"Sorry Father." Melic replied, throwing a quick smile to Dorly.

Dorly smiled back, she recognised an olive branch when she saw one; Melic was letting her know that he was nervous too and not quite comfortable with his new adult position.

"He's just showing off Father, he knows Mother and I couldn't possibly pace." Dorly said smiling.

"Your humour is sharp as always, daughter, but you are right to nudge my memory." Rontis drew himself up and bowed formerly to the ladies. "I have been remiss, my compliments wife and daughter, your beauty brings much honour on my house, I am humbled by your service."

The ladies performed the first order sitting bow crossing their wrists and bowing their head until their forehead touched their wrists.

Rontis laughed then, "And no daughter I don't suppose you could pace, easily, but given half a chance I am sure you would try."

Just then a servant knocked discretely, like all servants he was not of The People and beneath notice.

"Your guest has arrived; does this one have permission to show him through?"

"Yes, of course. Please show him through." Rontis replied. Even servants must be treated with courtesy for only by such ways can true greatness be seen: this was the thirty-third mantra of power. Rontis was always outwardly polite to his servants, but beyond this he paid them no heed and was completely indifferent to their needs or plight. Penglepentia was still a very stratified society and the servant class was made up of people from other realities who had been transported to Penglepentia many centuries ago, before the fall. These Others were effectively invisible to The People they served, beyond their service they had no existence in the eyes of their employers—they were not seen as slaves or inferiors, not even as Others, in fact for all practical purposes they were just not seen. When he Travelled, Rontis was happy to talk with and interact with Others, but they were Others living Elsewhere and it was not the same.

The doors were thrown open and an imposing man strode through: tall, dark skinned, with chiselled features. He was wearing military dress with the minimum of ornamentation.

"Coordinator Stent, so good of you to join us." Rontis intoned. "May I present my wife and second of my house, Tolin M'Qarc Woman in the house T'lint."

Tolin performed a first order sitting bow.

"Honoured, Madam. I was not aware that you were of the imperial family."

"Only sixteenth level, and the honour is mine noble sir." Tolin replied

"My daughter Dorly M'Lint Woman of the House."

Dorly performed a triple first order sitting bow.

"Your beauty gives honour to your house, may my house hear first when you are placed in your house." Stent replied.

It was the response required by form, but Stent was suave and he made it sound like he meant it; despite herself Dorly was flattered. As also required by form she made no reply.

"And my son Melic oathman in T'lint."

"May you gain honour and T'lint grant you a house."

"Thank you Coordinator. Live long with honour." Melic replied.

And then Rontis, Tolin, Melic and Dorly repeated together: "Live long with honour."

Servants came forward and sweetmeats and aperitifs were offered and taken. Rontis, his family and guest indulged in small talk, in this Dorly was included.

"I was hearing that your family has the newest sword master, I take it the sword you are wearing is the new Master's sword: I would greatly enjoy testing its steel before I leave," Stent offered to Melic laughing.

"Then I fear I must disappoint you for the sword in question is my sister's."

"Ah and she is, of course, not wearing it now." Stent turned towards Dorly. "Congratulations, indeed, Mistress Dorly. I would still dearly love to try the steel of the newest sword mistress, but realise that now is not suitable, I shall talk with your Grand Master."

"I look forward to it High-Master Stent." Dorly replied.

"So you know of me."

"Who has not heard of the prowess of High-Master Stent?"

"You flatter me."

"I think not, but by your will it shall be tested."

"Truly the answer of a sword mistress." Stent replied with a laugh.

"But not of a woman of the house," Rontis replied, but before he could say anything further Stent went on.

"Admonish her not, I had addressed her as Mistress, it was her right to answer as a mistress of the sword."

"I had not heard that, your pardon Dorly." Rontis replied.

Dorly crossed her wrists and nodded her head in a second order sitting bow. "With love and gratitude Father."

A little while later and seated for dinner. Stent harrumphed, "With your permission I have a story to tell."

"Please," Rontis responded.

"I know you know of our history and as Travellers some at least of you will know much of what I say, but bear with me I believe a story has its own integrity and to do it justice it must be told complete.

"There was a time long ago when the People were as the Others and lived on the world where they had evolved. Until very recently we did not even know in which class of reality this world had existed let alone which actual continuum, but somewhen, somewhere there existed a world that was home to what were to become The People. Then something happened, something changed, we don't know what but people changed they became The People. I know there are legends and stories, perhaps they are true, though I rather think not, for this is what we now believe...

"The people of this world were very learned in science and magic and they discovered the existence of the Multiverse. With their science and magic they found a way to open up the Multiverse, but rather than the place of wonder they expected they found it to be a place of strangeness beyond their imaginings. They knew even better than we, perhaps, what the Multiverse was conceptually, for they had identified and defined it with there science and magic, they understood that it was realities without number all coexisting and that in essence whatever could be imagined and much else besides would exist in one or more of these realities.

"With access to these realities they would have power beyond their understanding. They soon found, however, that it was not that simple. With their learning they could open and even enter other realities and find new worlds in new continua, but they also found that without the ability to target or choose a particular reality there was no real control. The realities existed, but they could not know one from another, they had no way to feel where they were; what was connected to what; what has split from which. They were blind men in a labyrinth so big it had no top, no bottom, no beginning or end. But there are, as we know, a few creatures that live across the Multiverse, for whom the barriers between realities have no meaning. These creatures live mainly between the realities only very rarely being perceived within a continuum. We know of the Dragons and the Fey, perhaps there are others. We believe now that our ancestors trapped, coerced or made contact with a fey, that they managed this is, I believe, the most amazing accomplishment that I could conceive of, but this they did.

"Our ancestors then did something quite unbelievable, they changed themselves. They found what it was in the fey that allowed them to cross the realities, to traverse the Multiverse and made this part of themselves and in so doing became The People. This is perhaps not so strange because it is alluded to in some of the legends and in the book of fey.

"There is more, though: have any of you heard of vampires?"

"Of course, we all know the stories," Rontis responded.

"What did you hear?" Stent asked Rontis.

"That they looked like people, but they could change into flying creatures and that they were sensitive to sunlight. They can not be killed, but need to steal life energy from living creatures, if they are to exist or move in the world. In some stories they act much as we and are not wholly deadly, in others they are little more than feral animals."

"Yes those are some of the stories, and there may even be some truth in some of them. What we believe is this: there are or was another group of Multiverse travellers, like the fey and dragons and as with the fey our ancestors changed some of themselves with the essence of this other creature and out of this was born another group the Night People; it was this group that gave rise to the stories we now tell of vampires. The Night People Travelled differently and sensed and understood the Multiverse differently and these different abilities were special and necessary in a way that we can't understand, for the Night People were revered and The People willingly let them feed. The People and the Night People cooperated and from this cooperation came this world. Somehow they constructed this continuum. The suns were in honour of the People and the night flyers were to honour the Night People. Now with their magic and science and the cooperation of the two Peoples the Multiverse was theirs." Stent paused and took a long a drink from his wine.

"How do we know this, now, if it has been so long forgotten?" Tolin asked.

"Well I admit not all of this had been lost, it was kept safe by the imperial council, but until recently it was just another book, another history, but as you will hear in a moment there are components to the story that are less than palatable, they did not advance understanding they would just have created fear and discord, for they seemed to remove hope. But it seems we were wrong for out of this knowledge has come hope, albeit won at great cost."