GATHERING
There were five of them, waiting for something to happen without knowing what to expect. They were taken to a huge anteroom.
Three of them, who knew they must go before Baalsa'n, paced in their own way. No one spoke to the others.
Everyone, except Rena'x and Marte, was dressed in black. Rena'x wore light beige, a wrap around his head, garb fitting a desert life; he thought Rab'k's choice was a bit odd but said nothing to the boy about it. Marte wore the drab blue uniform of the servants.
The three in black were bold contrast to the room itself.
They milled about. Rena'x talked in low tones to Rab'k. Marte muttered instructions to Voravia who ignored her completely. None of those in black spoke to each other. Each took furtive glances to form a mental picture and questioned why the others were there.
The great room still seemed empty.
Rena'x had taken a seat on one of the velvet-cushioned couches; he felt relaxed but knew Rab'k wasn't. The boy paced incessantly, scowling at those who happened to walk into his path. Marte busied herself brushing at Voravia's hair or, smoothing down her gown, as though it needed it.
Voravia watched the boy pacing.
Stupid boy, why is he so nervous?
She looked out from under her brow, frowning.
What is this all about any way? Should I be concerned too?
She glanced at the other man who walked more casually. Tall and handsome, he seemed to be one of the gods. He occasionally looked in her direction, but there seemed to be no intent to actually take notice of her; he was just waiting. The older man was obviously escorting the younger man.
Voravia rose, moved across the room, and sat down on another plush sofa just to stop Marte's incessant jabbering and picking at her.
Rab'k glared at everyone.
I can't believe I have to go through this. Who are these people?
He frowned and shook his head, walking even more ardently across the floor, his boots thumping loudly. He didn't want to be here; he was afraid of what was going to happen and he was angry for being afraid.
Mano’n stopped walking about and sat on one of the low benches, waiting.
This is preposterous. What can Baalsa'n be doing? Why hasn't he called us?
No sooner was that thought completed than the heavily gilded door to the chamber swung open and an officer stepped briefly into the room.
"The master will see each of you now," he announced and paused for a reaction. Only the boy jerked around to look at him with those piercing eyes. The officer actually expected more reaction from the rest, but casually dismissed his curiosity.
"Rab'k," he summoned, nodding when the boy turned to face him. Rab'k's face was drawn and pale, "Please come with me." He motioned for the young man to follow him.
Rena'x rose from the couch when Rab'k was called and started to walk toward the door with him. The officer looked at him with no expression at all.
"I'm sorry, sir, but my orders were to bring only the boy," the soldier told him. Rena'x was stunned though no one else could know.
Rab'k obeyed, walked to the door looking back at Rena'x with a puzzled look on his face, turned and walked out of the room. The officer shut the door behind.
The others glanced at each other trying to avoid notice.
Rena'x fought side by side with Baalsa'n during the Varkanian wars; he was the Keeper of the Crystal, an object he always wore beneath his tunic.
Why have I been slighted? Rena'x turned away from the door as it slowly closed, a certain sadness obvious on his face.
Mano’n stood shocked. He knew who he was going to see, knew mostly what was going to be said and yet this young boy was taken first.
This doesn't make sense. Why the boy first? Who is this boy?
He turned back, looked at Rena'x a moment, then slumped to another couch near the door.
Voravia watched as the two men left. She noticed those remaining seemed to be troubled by the first choice. She found that amusing.
Men are such idiots.
She looked around the room, totally disinterested in the proceedings. She couldn't believe the wealth so obvious in this room; even the ceilings had gold-edged filigree around each of the sectional panels. She gaped, her head drawn back to look at the ceiling.
She was oblivious to what was, or wasn't, going to happen.
She stood to stretch her legs, and the two men rose from their seats.
Well, at least, these two seem to be gentlemen.
She smiled at them, turned and walked toward the rear of the room to look more closely at the two huge vases sitting on pedestals beneath the largest mirror she had ever seen in her life.
She realized she was gawking as she followed the inlaid gold streaming upward to the ceiling. She reached out to touch one of the strains when she heard a noise of the door opening and jumped in surprise.
GETH'N