Shikaen (Shiarrael and Itsak)

First Steps Part I

2342

~Nn’Verih, Ch’Rihan~

Thunder shook the stone walls as flashes of lightning illuminated the interior of the dimly lit room. Two nurses and a doctor hovered over a woman who gasped deeply. Just beyond the door arch several figured lingered, pacing, and glancing into the room as the woman struggled. Veins laced across her forehead as she gritted down on her teeth at the encouragement of the doctor “push!” she shouted at her.

“Susse-thrai, I am pushing!” The woman reached out and shoved the doctor into one of the trays of hot water “where is that fool Nezak!”

“Please calm down lady. You must push.” One of the nurses said but wisely kept her distance.

“Do not tell me to calm dow- Ah!” She grabbed her extended belly and pulled up “where is Nezak!” She screamed again.

“Calm yourself lady Rehu!” Nezak entered and approached his wife “you must do as the doctor says.”

“Do not patronize me! I will rip your genitals from your person for what you have done to me!” She reached out but Nezak stepped back- just barely to escape her vice-like grip.

“You are being irrational.” He said calmly but kept his distance from his wife.

Lady Nhasaen t’Rehu let out a blood curdling scream and flung her back into the bed. She gripped the covers and pushed while screaming for the next fifteen minutes. Finally the doctor announced “its coming” and asked for more water and a scalpel. The screams subsided and a small cry escaped from the room.

Nezak exited and smiled at those gathered “it is a girl- Shiarrael t’Rehu, the heir to S’Rehu has been born.”

~Three months later…~

Jamor tr’Sahen exited his flitter, behind him a young Rihannsu boy slid out. The massive Rehu estate loomed in front of them. The style and architecture was almost as old as Rihannsu civilization and unlike other landmarks S’Rehu had enough wealth through generations to keep their primary estate well maintained. It was one of the reasons Jamor was pleased by the alliance formed between S’Sahen and S’Rehu by the marriage between Nhasaen and Nezak. Jamor waited patiently as a contingent of servants made their way down to the duo. The boy however hid in the old man’s shadow.

The group of servants stopped and one approached them “Jolan’tru lord Sahen. I am tr’Volrok, hru'hfe of the Rehu estate. Let me formally welcome such an honored guest.” He bowed his head and the other servants followed suit. When he finally looked up again he gestured for them to follow “Lady Rehu is waiting for you.”

Jamor followed and the boy continued to linger just behind him. They were lead into the main hall of the Rehu estate. It was a massive and seemingly endless cavern. Dozens of portraits and finely carved statues lined the walls. One of the paintings caught his eye- it was familiar piece, old, but not worn. It depicted the ruling queen, perched atop the governing council like a wicked hawk while S’Tasks bled to death beneath her. It was an exquisite piece of infamy that survived Rehu’s downfall.

Finally they reached the end of the chamber. The servant motioned to the door and then quietly backed away allowing them to enter. Jamor stepped through the stone frame followed by the boy. Inside they found Lady Rehu sitting in a large chair with several blankets carefully folded over her and the infant wrapped in her lap. She looked up at the old man and smirked “you have taken your time Lord Sahen.”

“I have been busy with matters.” Sahen said, gently, not to scare the infant “I have brought Itsak to greet his cousin.” He turned around and looked at the boy “go now.”

The boy stepped forward, carefully; he looked at Rehu who transformed her smirk into a soft smile “are you afraid of your cousin?” She asked. The boy shook his head and approached. Stopping at her lap he looked down at the baby. It looked so innocent- he carefully leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

“Jolan’tru Shiarrael.” Itsak said quietly.

Lady Rehu grinned and gently rubbed her hand through the boy’s hair “you are good child.” She looked past him “Volrok!”

The servant stepped into the archway and bowed his head “you called my lady?”

“Yes.” She put her hand on Itsak’s shoulder “will you be a good friend to Shiarrael?”

The boy nodded “I will.”

“Good.” She smiled and nodded to Volrok “take him to the kitchen and have one of the cooks make him something sweet. He has been a good child today.”

“Yes my lady. Come.” He beckoned Itsak to follow.

The boy smiled but when he turned around and noticed the hardened expression on his grandfather’s face the smile quickly evaporated. He slowly followed Volrok into the great hall.

“I wish you did not spoil him.” Jamor said.

“It is my house and I do as I please.” She snapped at the old man- her fury well regarded. “Is it true, the rumors?”

“I did not know you were keen to listen to such things.” Jamor answered.

“It is hard not to hear some. The Vulcan Somok has returned to the Federation leaving your daughter without a bond-mate and Itsak without a father.” Rehu sneered “disgusting- how could she have ever bedded such a creature?”

Jamor grimaced “she was foolish and ignored my warnings. There is another reason I am here.”

Rehu looked at him with a suspicious glare “I expected so.”

“I need you to watch the boy. Teelis refuses to leave her room since Somok’s departure.”

“Foolish woman.” Rehu sighed and then glared at him “but I’m not blind to your lies Jamor. The reason you bring the boy here is because you cannot stomach a half-blooded bastard in your midst.” He started to speak but she lifted her hand “leave him here. I will ensure he receives education and training to join the Rei’Krannsu when he is of age.”

“He will not join the Rei’Krannsu. It is enough shame that he carries my name.” Jamor turned around and left.

First Steps Part II

2350

~Nn’Verih, Ch’Rihan~

Eisn burned brightly in the Rihan sky. In a large field adjacent to a massive estate two children were practicing sword play. Kneeling slightly away from the pair was an elderly Rihannsu, he wore a large head covering to protect himself from the bright sun, and casually dug into the earth with a hand held plough. Glancing up for a moment he grunted “this is training time Shiarrael. Are you just going to stand there?”

Standing erect with a wooden blade Shiarrael glared at her opponent “this is boring!” She swung the annoying thing haphazardly at a pile of flowers knocking several petals astray. A gust of wind grabbed the loose petals and pulled them down the small hill into her opponent who grimaced. She laughed “sorry.”

“Enough.” Itsak scowled at his young cousin “if you want to play games Shiarrael, fine.” He lifted his blade and charged her. The elderly Rihannsu stood up but said nothing. Stunned by the sudden movement Shiarrael squealed and jumped away from the falling sword. However, Itsak didn’t let up; he was intent on punishing his cousin today. He continued his onslaught swinging at the girl. She did a decent job dodging the hits but her footing was awkward and she slipped and rolled down the hill. Jumping down the hill Itsak lifted his wooden sword and bopped Shiarrael on the head with it.

“Owww! That hurt Itsak!” Shiarrael stood up rubbing her head.

“Maybe you’ll take training more seriously next time.” He sneered at her and bopped her on the head again.

“Oww! Lhiu Itsak! Hwi wort!” Shiarrael shouted and then kicked Itsak in knee. Her older cousin grabbed his knee and fell over. While he writhed on the ground she kicked him again in a more sensitive spot causing him to groan in pain. She started chuckling at her mastery but quickly stopped when a hand reached over and popped her on the rear. When she turned around she found her grandfather glaring at her.

“Where did you learn to speak that way?” He kneeled down and dug his hand into the soil “you should not speak of your family that way. Understand?” Shiarrael nodded as her grandfather held up a handful of soil “if you want a dirty mouth then you can one. Open.” At first she resisted but knowing that it was futile she finally opened her mouth. Her grandfather smeared the dirt into it. “There, now apologize to Itsak.” He stood up.

Shiarrael spit out the dirt and waddled over to her cousin who was still lying on the ground. “Usae Itsak.” She bowed her head.

Itsak stood up, dusted himself off, and then smiled “it’s okay Shiarrael but you should take this training a bit more seriously” He looked at her grandfather and bowed his head.

“Itsak take Shiarrael to wash out her mouth.” The elderly Rihannsu grunted and returned to what he was doing.

Grabbing Shiarrael’s hand Itsak pulled her towards the estate “why do you always refuse to listen?” He looked at her, tears were now staining her cheeks and her mouth was covered in dirt. He chuckled “you look quite pathetic.”

“Shut up!” She grimaced and tried to wipe away some of the dirt with her free hand.

They made their way to one of the fountains. When they reached it Shiarrael pulled away from Itsak’s grip and splashed her face with water until all the dirt was gone and she began rinsing out her mouth. As she rinsed the dirt away she heard shouting coming from the estate.

“What do you mean you have sponsored him to attend the war college?!”

“Do not raise your voice to me- you left the child under my care. If I sponsor him it is my choice.”

“Without consulting me?!”

“There was no reason to do so.”

“How dare you! That child is my daughter’s son- he is a mere bastard! The shame he brings is only fitting for the Gai’Shian, I will not allow this!”

Shiarrael recognized the voices. One was her mother and the other was her father’s father, Jamor tr’Sahen, Itsak’s grandfather. She looked at her cousin who was silent and staring at the ground. At his sides his hands were balled into fists as the shouting continued. Grabbing his hand she literally pulled him towards the estate.

“Stop Shiarrael.” Itsak said pulling her hand off his.

“You’re just going to let him say that about you?!” Shiarrael pressed her knuckles against her hips “go tell him to eat manure!”

“No, he’s right. I’m a bastard and I do not deserve to be part of the Galae.” He sighed and started to wander off. However, Shiarrael simply grabbed his hand again and pulled him into the great hallway. As they both made their way to the antechamber the shouting grew louder. However, when they reached the massive arching entrance they found an imposing figure standing in their way. Shiarrael’s grandfather looked at the pair and then walked into the antechamber.

“What is the meaning of this?” Her grandfather said bringing the commotion to a standstill. He slowly removed the head cover revealing his sun worn skin and ivory hair. He was a tall and imposing figure; hard lines carved their way through his face- old scars from many battles. A former Galae En’Riov he preferred the life of a Galae officer over that of the Rei’Krannsu but never allowed the latter to hold that fact against him.

“Forgive us father.” Shiarrael’s mom said standing up “we seem to be having a disagreement.”

Jamor shot him a sour look “how dare your daughter sponsor Istak for the war college without my consent Verol!”

“You abandoned him here- what gives you the belief that your opinion holds weight in this matter Jamor?” Jamor began protesting vehemently but her grandfather continued over the protests “you put that child in our house because you are too ashamed of him. So be it- you have not acknowledged him since, why do so now? You are honorable Jamor but you wear your honor with disgrace. You have not earned the right to be rude in this house. Itsak will join the Galae- now leave. It is none of your concern.”

Jamor, stunned by the words, walked out of the room in a stupor failing to notice Shiarrael or Itsak who were gawking at the entire scene from the edge of the archway. Her grandfather called them both in “Shiarrael, Itsak, come here.” They both entered the room.

Shiarrael’s mother grinned “how long have you two been watching?”

“Grandfather! You put him in his place!” Shiarrael cheered but the old man scowled.

“I simply spoke truth. Itsak if you wish to join the Galae I will be your sponsor- is it is your wish child? Do not mind the words of your grandfather, he is an old fool too concerned with his own pride. One day he will see you as a grandson.”

Itsak wasn’t sure about the last part, but he was sure about one thing “yes, I want to join the Galae.”

Garbage Day

2409

~IRW Endless Sky~

“Disruptor residue.” Tr’Huljan shook his head “certainly one of them was responsible for this mess but which one? Impossible to tell. It could have been anyone. The station was holding Federation prisoners afterall.”

Vaek’Riov Itsak tr’Sahen brooded from his raised throne on the bridge of the Endless Sky. He gave his RS (XO) a knowing look- one that told everyone he was irritated and had a suspicion about the culprit “Ulhri” he finally said the words and his RS immediately frowned.

“There is no evidence that he is the culprit Rekkhai.” Tr’Huljan cautioned. The political intricacies of such accusations were often dangerous “we should wait until we have evidence to present to the senate.”

“He is the only blood sucking fiend in this entire sector.” Tr’Sahen grumbled curses as his crew cringed at the colorful language coming from their Leih’s mouth. When he finished he looked at tr’Huljan “order the IRW Hiren into this region. Riov t’Gonash reported of rumors that Galae ships were demanding payment to cross this space.”

“Bait Rekkhai?” Huljan smirked.

Sahen said nothing. He simply watched the view screen but in his mind he was hoped those petty criminals who wore the honored uniform of the Galae would fall for the trap. The Hiren was a small patrol ship- a very tantalizing morsel when alone.

~Some time later, IRW Hiren~

“Rekkhai, vessel decloaking to port.”

“Who is it?” t’Gonash stood up and focused her attention on the distorting area of space. When it finished she didn’t need her tactical officer’s report of ‘D’Deridex’ to tell her what that massive, outdated, beast was. “Hail them.” She ordered. A second later the viewscreen lit up and a rather filthy rihannsu in old Galae rags was staring at her. “Unknown vessel, identify your purpose.”

The man grinned and laughed. He turned around and his entire bridge crew laughed mockingly “you’re not in a position to make demands Riov. By order of this sector government you are to pay passage fee to pass through this sector.”

Gonash grimaced “sector fees are illegal, especially when it concerns vessels of the Galae. If you leave I will overlook this illegal action.”

The man burst into laughter “if we destroy your ship who will know?”

“I will know.” Stepping out from the shadows of the Hiren’s bridge tr’Sahen glared at the filthy thing on the other side of the view screen. Just as his face hit the light six warbirds decloaked surrounding the D’Deridex. Among them, the D’Dherex class IRW Endless Sky, equaled in size to the D’Deredix but eclipsing them entirely in terms of firepower. “Acts of piracy have only one punishment- death. However, if you tell me who your master is I will forgive you this once.”

The man hesitated but then he sneered at tr’Sahen “you do not have power here!”

Sahen sighed “destroy that ship. I am in no mood for games.”

“Ie, Rekkhai.” Gonash bowed her head at the Vaek’Riov and then issued the order to power up weapons. The other six ships did the same.

“Forgive me- I had a slip of the tongue. Let us talk!”

“Soon you will have no tongue.” Sahen said as he walked to the lift. His back flashed as the ships pummeled the D’Deridex until it ruptured into thousands of fiery bits. He didn’t care. He would get rid of these petty fools, all of them.