*
A gust of wind pelted the gathering with a cold blast of swirling rain just as the sky opened up its watery tempest, accompanying the deluge with a cacophony of thunderous crescendos. Many in the crowd scattered, some hurrying up the ramp while Jebbson and Tolmetes headed for the carriage, Jebbson doing his best to protect Tolmetes from the whipping showers. Hanna hugged Symeon as he wrapped his hooded cloak around her. Mihai turned her back, shivering from the chill blow, she wearing no coat or jacket. Paul called out to her, pulling her close. Zadar took hold of Trisha and joined Jonathan, all huddling together to wait out the initial attack of the storm.
Out of the driving rain, a small baggage truck approached, its large round headlights appearing suddenly through the frothing downpour. Stopping up short, just beneath the belly of the ship, the machine’s side door opened and two very drenched passengers crawled out. Eutychus turned back to Planetee as she struggled to wrap his soaked coat around herself, he extending a hand to assist her.
Planetee laughed when Eutychus caught her up after she slipped and nearly fell on the wet tarmac. Eutychus beamed, clutching Planetee’s arm to prevent her from having another spill. Planetee snuggled up close, allowing the fellow to play the part of her hero. Then, after waving a ‘thank you’ to the driver, the two hurried over to the others awaiting their arrival.
“Well, it’s about time!” Mihai shouted to Planetee. She looked a sight, hunched over, hugging herself, shivering from the wet and cold. But other than being cold, Mihai was in a surprisingly good mood, chiding the two for being late. “I was about to send out a search party, my suspicions growing that my duty officer had run off with our steward.”
Tipping her head back, laughing, her dark satin hair glistening from its soaking, still holding tight to Eutychus, Planetee defended their tardiness. “We have not arrived late! It is the storm that arrived early, catching us in a torrential maelstrom. Had not that wonderful lorry driver been kind enough to deliver us from that tempest, I believe we would have both drowned… nearly did, anyway.”
Jebbson pulled aside the curtain window of the carriage and called out his salutations, waving andPlanetee smiled back. Looking around at the others, she jokingly fussed, “Is there no sense among you? Drowned rug rats, that’s what the lot of you look like. At least we had an excuse, getting caught out in this storm, doing our duty and all. What a poor and pathetic picture you fellows make...”
Eyeing Planetee, Mihai teased, “Couldn’t leave you go alone with our steward, now could we? Especially after hearing that the two of you took off alone this morning, we were about to call the port authorities to have them find you, thinking you might stow away in another ship just so as to have him all to yourself for this trip.”
Paul piped up, eyeing Eutychus. “Oh, I wouldn’t blame the lady. That Eutychus has a devious way about him, all innocent and bashful on the outside, a real lady’s man on the inside. I feared he’d taken off with our councilor here, and whisked her off to some secret lair.” Eutychus’ face reddened. He had a good time with Planetee that day, but the thought of romance never entered his mind, and to have the subject brought up in such a provocative way was really too much. He managed only to stutter his innocence, much to the amusement of the others.
Planetee retorted, “That’s enough, right now!” adding smugly, “If you cannot respect my gallant hero, then I shall just have to keep him safe for myself!” Shaking his head, Zadar chimed in, “You only want a personal servant, leaving me to be the lone steward to tend to the needs of the others.” Smirking, Planetee replied, “Well, if they haven’t the ability to treat good help courteously, then I wonder if they deserve a steward at all. I shall be kind and undemanding.”
There were whoops and cries aplenty, some expressing the unfairness of such treachery, others of a more questionable nature. Finally, Planetee declared, she pulling on Eutychus as though being her possession, “This eve, my gallant knight belongs to me. I shall reward him for his valor and treat him with the honor he deserves. On the ‘morrow, I will decide if you deserve his attention.”
More fussing ensued. Mihai, who by this time was thoroughly soaked and chilled, put an end to the friendly jousting. “Enough of such foolishness! I shall not die here debating the duties of our stewards. Come along now!” She pointed at Eutychus while addressing Planetee. “We waited upon you to be able to finish our business. You may choose to keep your hero to yourself after our business is finished. Bring him along for now and let’s get out of this terrible weather.” She turned and hurried toward the ship.
Starting up its ramp, Mihai snapped her head around, calling, “Be safe, Symeon… Hanna. I’ll see you when we get back.” She motioned to Trisha and Planetee and then hustled along, disappearing into the welcomed warmth of the ship.
Paul stepped up and kissed Hanna, warning, “Do be careful, now. I’ve doubts about the nobility of your companion. He may be kindly and look innocent, but his winsome words can persuade worlds. I fear his concerns for your welfare are not all as chivalrous as he implies.” Jonathan adding,“You would have been safer if you had taken up company with that gentlemna in the carriage.” He tilted his head in the direction of Ma-we’s machine, and then stepped up to kiss Hanna goodbye.
Symeon sputtered, “That’s quite enough of both of you. You’re hopeless. At least Garlock there lets you know what he’s about. Calls you out for who he thinks you are. I’ll take his company any day over the likes of troublemakers like you two.” Jebbson shouted out to Symeon after hearing what he said. “Spoken like a scholar and a gentleman. Now, come on and let us be gone, before the Shikkeron leaves us so’s I’ll not be around to protect Jonathan when he needs our help at the Prisoner Exchange.” Jonathan pushed his hands away toward Jebbson, telling Symeon and Hanna, “Take him with you and I’ll make it worth your while upon my return.”
Hanna reached out, taking Jonathan’s hand, grinning, “I’m so sorry, but our business will consume all our time. Besides, I feel there may be some truth hidden in Mr. Jebbson’s humor. We must be off.” She pulled Zadar over and kissed him on the lips. “Be safe, my friend. You make the world a wonderful place. There are so few like you. I love you… love all three of you. Take care of my sister, please. She carries the world on her shoulders. This is not like past prisoner exchanges. This one’s different. I feel it in my gut. We, the Children of Darkness, have not arrived in your world to return its former glory. A new day dawns red on the universe.”
Zadar smiled sadly. “My Lady, you… your kind has made my world a wonderful place. Too bad it is that your arrival must usher in the darkness that was prophesied to come. We have failed. Your kind must win. I believe your sister is going to put the universe on notice that a new game is going to be played, and this time it goes to the finish. No more armistices. I shall willingly surrender up my life to preserve hers, but I feel it is an unnecessary offer.”
Thunder rolled across the spaceport, shaking the ground. Zadar hugged Symeon, wishing him well. With parting pleasantries, he waved Hanna and Symeon off as they hurried toward the carriage. He, Jonathan and Paul silently watched the tiny machine fade into driving rain, its amber taillights winking out their goodbyes.
The three hurried toward the ship. Starting up the ramp, Zadar stopped and turned. “I do not understand your kind at all. Your people are so much younger, like shoots of spring grass, yet your depth of heart and mind defies that age. Here I find a woman of your kind who messes up my head, sets ablaze fires in my heart, and fills me with longing for her company. Never have I felt this way. Has Mother cast a spell over me?”
Paul patted Zadar on the shoulder, laughing. “Bewitching, isn’t it? Look, it’s cold out here. I think we need to discuss the matter in greater detail over some hot buttered rum.”
Jonathan nudged Zadar. “We may be ages younger than you, but we do know that hot food and drink along with good company
can make any riddle easier to solve.”
Zadar smiled and nodded. Together, the three scampered up the ramp in search of an early meal and hearty drinks, and Zadar getting answers to troubling questions.