After the attack, the Fearless hadn't show its face again, although both Naima and Audrey Price confessed to feeling it growing stronger. For a while, it had even seemed that Naima would recuperate on her own. Then, her appetite had waned and her strength seemed to evaporate.
He reluctantly agreed with Naima – the symptoms she was experiencing didn't resemble anything either her or Audrey had been through after connecting with the lifestone and the monster. The general was glad she wasn't in danger, but it raised the question of what else could it be?#p#分页标题#e#
"It could not be the food, even if you had been eating properly," he said, feeling as the ship around them began to shake as it entered atmosphere. "Humans have never had any problems with our meals. The ambassadors at Briolina eat the same as us, all their staff as well. None of the other Terran geshas have ever complained about it."
"I'm not complaining," Naima said, trying to smile.
No matter how brave she tried to be, Braen was infinitely grateful when they finally landed and there was a true smile on his gesha's face. He offered her his hand in support, suddenly sharply reminded of Naima's warning never to lay a hand on her again, but the simple gesture didn't seem to count.
She leaned on him, daring to show a bit more vulnerability than she would have admitted to. The general didn't mind. All that mattered to him was that she would be okay.
They walked out of the dropship together, to a world of glittering, blinding whiteness.
Laveden was almost the exact opposite of the Benevolent. Every surface was clean and transparent and shining. And, most important of all – well lit! The landing platform under their feet looked to be made of pure glass, but the general knew better than to think it was fragile. Palian architecture was second to none, true perfection achieved.
To those who liked living with a constant headache and being half-blind, that was. Even Braen's amazing eyes struggled a little with the first impression of the Palian world. The three suns weren't helping. By his side, Naima blinked quickly, her eyes watering.
"They really don't like darkness, do they?" she asked with a small grin as the Palian delegation approached them.
"No," Braen admitted. "I suppose it must be a relief for you after the eternal night of my ship."
There was a curious expression on Naima's beautiful face and the gentlest smile flashed by like a shadow on her lips.
"I wouldn't say that," she said quietly. "I've come to like the twilight. I guess it was just a matter of getting used to it."
Her last words were spoken so seriously that the general had to wonder if they referred to something else, other than light. He did not have time to ponder this as the Palians arrived.
There were three men, all tall and very thin to the point where it looked like a stronger gust of wind could blow them off the platform. Their large lidless eyes were as unreadable as ever, but Braen had had dealings with the species before and knew how to read even the most miniscule reactions.
It was amazing how different they looked from their warriors, however. The Palian paladins certainly did not make Braen think that a breeze could vanquish them.
The Brion genes in them help with that, he concluded.
"General Braen," said the leader, dressed in a long white robe and bearing the markings of Palian politicians. "I am Horol, the governor of this world. You are most welcome on Laveden, as well as is Miss Jones, of course."
Turning his sharp eyes back to the general, the governor continued, his voice betraying nothing of his feelings.
"We understand that you don't have much time. Palians respect the traditions of other species and we know Brions don't like to make big words when there are larger battles to be held. Laveden is at your command, General. Whatever you need."
That was the problem with Palians and dealing with them, Braen had found. The hints and chiding were so subtle you had to listen very attentively to hear it.
Right now, the governor had respectfully told him to get on with his task and not waste time. Apparently he wasn't trying to be very convincing, because even Naima noticed, judging by the way her hold around Braen’s arm tightened.
The general had never hated his armor more, wishing he could feel her warmth.
If he'd been the man he was a month ago, Braen would have taken a lot of time to make the Palian understand just how much Brions were willing to waste their time when someone dared to talk down to them like that. Yet that man was gone, vanished without a trace in the second he laid his eyes on Naima. His gesha's presence forced Braen to put that argument aside for the time being.
And the Palian was right, worst of all.
The Fearless was out there somewhere and it was a direct threat to Naima. If nothing else, that warranted hurrying.
"Very good," he said. "I trust you received our message about Miss Jones' theory."
"Yes," Horol said and the Palian's eyes were full of excitement. "We are very anxious to investigate it. If you are right, Miss Jones, this is a major breakthrough. Did you bring the stone?"#p#分页标题#e#
Naima nodded, handing the small box to the one of the Palians who'd stepped forward. She gripped it a little too tight for a moment, making the Palian almost yank it out of her hands. Braen set his big palm on her shoulder, trying to ease her mind.
She hadn’t spoken to him, but it was clear that the attachment went two ways. It was hard for her to let go of the stone.
“It will be safe with them,” he whispered to her, before the Palian spoke again.
"Excellent," Horol continued with a very characteristic smile. "This is Gelo, our lead scientist in the matter of the lifestone. He built the bracelet I can see you wearing right now. If you will wait a moment, he would try out Miss Jones' idea."
"Of course," Naima said and Braen could see how the hopefulness of the Palians carried over to her.
When Gelo had left, walking as fast as he dared, Horol pointed to the other man.
"And this is Fosh, my personal healer. You also messaged us about the health of Miss Jones."
Ignoring the sharp look Naima gave him, the general gave the healer a slight nod.
"Yes," he confirmed. "She was feeling ill on our way down. It might be the lifestone, but she claims it's not."
Before Fosh could say anything, Naima cut in.
"She can speak for herself," his gesha said, although Braen was glad to hear she was more amused than mad. "It was just motion sickness, that's all. I'm fine now."
"With respect," Fosh said, giving them a small bow. "The general is right. At such a time, facing the dangers you have to deal with, there is nothing more important than your well-being. If you don't mind me saying, Miss, this is a Palian world, equipped with everything you might imagine. I could find the cause of a toothache you had when you were a child."
"That's hard to argue with," Naima admitted, "but don't worry. I won't drop dead before I've helped the general bring the Fearless down."
Both Palians glowered at the implication, but it was Fosh who spoke.
"That was uncalled for. We are Palians, Miss Jones. We believe all life is sacred and should be preserved, if possible."
"All life?" she asked to Braen's surprise. "Even the Fearless'?"
"Yes," the Palians chorused together without hesitation, and Horol went on: "If it was prepared to honor lives other than its own, we would honor its life as well. Regrettably, it is a monster and has always been. All we hope for the beast's sake now is a quick death, which is why we asked the Brions for their aid. They don't torture."
An interesting compliment, but true nonetheless, Braen thought, seeing Naima's eyes flick to him for a second.
"I'm sorry," she told the Palians then. "I didn't mean to be rude. I know your beliefs and everything you do for the galaxy. I've just felt like a pawn for the last couple of weeks, like I'm less of a person and more of a conduit for the lifestone. And, of course, a compass for the general."
The words poured out of her mouth like they'd been held back for a long time. Braen felt his hands shaking like they had when he’d witnessed her nearly frozen to death and had to bite his tongue not to start another fight with the little Terran.
His gesha, who was his reason for living, and who thought she was nothing more than the circumstances that had brought her to him. It was as close to unbearable for the general as he could imagine.
She was right, in a way, as well. The course changes were required often and each of them caused Naima great pain. It truly was like she was being used as some sort of a twisted targeting and GPS system, though Braen had not really thought of it that way so far. His desire to reach the Fearless seemed to be at times too great to consider what it might be doing to his gesha.
Is it selfishness on my part?
The expressions on the faces of the Palians changed instantly from slight annoyance to kindness, which was their default emotion.
"That is understandable," Fosh said softly. "We live in troubling times. I believe every man and woman who is in a position of power, who has the opportunity to change the great galaxy sometimes feels like that. Fate drives us all, like the Brions say. It doesn't mean we're powerless to make our own choices, quite the contrary. They just weigh more.