TKC 327 and 328
We wait for Gennerin’s return. Not only has he left to make
arrangements for Leffandir’s incarceration, but he needs to broadcast the
commands that will launch the army here and our other armies elsewhere.
I have given my permission for Enris and Coltern to return
to Massin along with the two westerners. The man known as Kay Laremer is a
stranger to me, although I do read his inherent talent for technological ‘issues’.
The older one with his tanned face and pale hair strikes the chords of familiarity,
however; I have not placed this Mirlin yet, but am aware he is somehow known to
me. Apparently his talent for seeing what others cannot is how they discovered
where I am. He has my eternal appreciation; Enris appears also to trust him,
and that is enough for me at this time.
This leaves me with my daughter and Siri Mur. We are not
leaving until Gennerin returns with soldiers loyal to him; no one is able with
any certainty to claim that Moravin has not put other, less obvious obstacles
in our paths.
Lorn is under guard in one of the suites above. Coltern informed
me before he left that Lorn did not enter quietly and thus many are now aware
that more than one Makar is aboard. It is thus time to make our presence known.
Already Iniri has revealed herself to the Ilfin; now she and Gennerin will
present to them their king as well.
I pray we win this escalating war, because, besides Brandt
waiting in comfort back home, every royal Makar is now here. It will be easy to
wipe us from history in this backwater space.
Glancing at Siri Mur, I wonder if she is true Massinian born
or a soul recycled from Makaran. So many Ilfin went to ground on the planet
below in ages past, it is now difficult to tell who is what. Considering that
she and Damin Mur were born to the same parents and Damin was and is General
Coltern, First of the armies sent into the badlands, there is a beyond
reasonable expectation that she is Ilfin true as well. This does not mean she
and Coltern are automatically related – Coltern had no siblings, if memory
serves – yet she may in some manner be connected to his past.
I am able to determine her heritage, of course, simply by
allowing the flows of my talents to enter her; it is, however, somewhat painful
for the recipient and I do not wish to cause suffering of any kind at this
point, particularly not to a lovely young woman who gave her all to aid in my
healing.
She clearly has different thoughts on the subject, however,
for she comes to kneel before me. “Majesty, I have heard you are able to see
the soul within.” Lifting her head to look at me, she adds, “I humbly ask if
you are able to do so for me.”
I lift my gaze to Iniri, who inclines her head. So this is
what their whispered conversation was about. Siri no doubt needed to know about
her brother’s unveiling and it led her to this request.
“It is quite painful,” I murmur.
“Iniri told me as much, but I am prepared to accept that.”
Sighing, I lean down to touch her shoulder. “Please rise.”
When she stands before me, gazing directly at me, I smile. “You have courage, Siri
Mur.” She blinks. Usually my subjects are not as direct and she no doubt
realises it. “Give me your hand. Do not move at all.”
Nodding, she extends a hand. She does not move even an
eyelid when I take it into mine. She has courage indeed.
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