Under a Starless Sky

Chapter 78

Arne and company were in the dining area when Shen and TL arrived. Arne hugged him.

“Forgive my long absence,” Arne said.

“You’re a grown ass man; there is nothing to forgive,” Shen said.

Arne laughed. “You have a way with words. I will not mince mine, or bait you. We are in need…”

“I will meet all of your needs,” Shen said.

“Just like that,” one of the party interrupted. “No negotiating? No bargaining?” Shen remembered him

as Ilker. Ilker was only partially placated by the fact Shen recalled his name.

Valence was there, as well. He took a kindly gesture to his friend, and spoke next. “Our people are

hungry, Shen. But we are weary of people who have everything.”

“He will accept a wife in trade,” TL said. “His heart is fond of Jerica. That would make him kin, part of

the community, and only right that he contribute.”

They all looked to TL. Even Shen looked to TL. His look was severe.

“Seriously?” Jerica and Shen both said. The individual reflections in their voices meant they were

following different tracks.

“You’re right,” TL said, as if agreeing with both. “One wife isn’t enough. The people might be concerned

if we aligned only with Jerica’s family. Two more wives should be chosen. With caveats. They have to

be of age of consent. They have to actually consent, voluntarily. They…”

“Loxy!” Shen snapped. “Enough. I am not marrying…”

“We accept,” Jerica said. She met Arne’s surprised look with: “For our people, of course.”

“You will marry my granddaughter,” Ilker said.

“I am not…”

“She is handsome,” Torny agreed. “That would appease the Sea clan.”

A person he hadn’t met stood up; she was dressed differently, a hard leather outfit- a retro yet futuristic

look reminiscent of cowboy pilots, but her staff was familiar, made from Sleeper Tree. She had the skin

tone American Indian and her hair was coal black, free flowing and long. “He will have a dragon born

wife, or we will go to war.”

“I am not…” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Let us work these things out, dear,” TL said. “Shen will join your clans through marriage. For now, let

us start supplies going through. Jerica will remain here while the rest of you deliberate. I expect you to

have this matter resolved, quickly, or Jerica will be the first with an heir to this estate.”

Orton passed Jerica on the way to the gate, saying “I told you he wasn’t gay.”

“The trick to fighting with this style, maybe any kind of style, is not being emotional,” Shen was

explaining to Arne. They held stick swords and there were opponents, waiting for them. “I am not

picking on you. It is something I have yet to master. I get angry, I stop thinking. I get hurt, I stop

thinking. It’s why I prefer magic or tech to close combat. You, Sir, get excited. The tell is you start

relying on strength, not technique.” Shen tapped the floor with his stick. “Again, use your peripheral

vision. Eyes on the destination point.”

They fought. Scoring hits on their opponents caused them harm, slowing them, or killing them- each to

their own injury. In reality, no one was hurt; at the end of the match, they were reset. If Arne or Shen

were hit, their suits restricted their movements. It was a blending of dance, Tai Chi, Wu Wei, and Jeet

Kun Do. They made it across the hall. Arne was pleased and turned to Shen who was still frozen in the

final pose, waiting for the next attack. Arne didn’t see that the floor had already been reset. Arne was

tackled. Shen fought his way back to other side of the floor. He made their opponents go away. He

waited for Arne.

“Just because you won, doesn’t mean you won,” Shen said. He made his sword go away. Ghost

entered, peered respectfully from the corner. Shen motioned to them and they came out to the floor in

ballroom style dresses and began dance to music that wasn’t audible to most people.

Arne and Shen could hear it. Arne was staring.

“You’ll get used to it,” Shen said.

“I don’t think I will,” Arne said.

“Put your sword back in the stone and renounce the tech,” Shen said.

“No,” Arne said. “How does the tech enable true sight?”

“Seeing ghosts?” Shen asked. “You don’t need the tech to see them. Most people don’t see them

because… It’s complicated.”

“I am listening,” Arne said.

“Part of it is brain frequency. They operate at a certain level of awareness that most people don’t reach.

In fact, I would say it is more heart sight than brain sight- you need heart and brain coherence. The

witches see them. Those able to speak to trees see them. People who meditate frequently are likely to

be able to tap into this range. Also, there is the problem of personality. Some personalities can’t see

them because their personality doesn’t allow for it. Augmenting or changing a personality is likely the

hardest thing one can do,” Shen said.

TL arrived and curtseyed. “Sorry to bother you, my Lord. But we have guests.”

Shen glared at her. “Call me that again…”

“And you’ll punish me?” TL said, amused. “Do you even have enough energy left after sparring with

Arne and your wives?”

He turned to head towards the gate. Arne was amused, but followed.

“Where are you going?” TL asked.

“The gate…”

“The guest are at the drawbridge,” TL said.

“Really?” Shen asked. “Bring them to the Dome Room. Have them wait for me there.”

TL bowed and backed away before turning and hustling away. Shen watched her leave, more in

thought than seeing, but his eyes tracked her exaggerated movement. She was flirting with him. He

wonder how women always held such power over men.

“Who comes to the drawbridge but Irks?” Arne asked.

“My sister is here,” Shen said.

“You have a sister?” Arne asked.

“By birth, not genetically related,” Shen said.

“I am going to pretend like I understand you,” Arne said. “Do you want company?”

Arne looked to him. “Yes. You’re in charge in here.”

“No, you’re in charge here. I inherit this only when you’re dead,” Arne said. “And on my word, you’re not

dying today, brother.”

Shen frowned into the distance. “Loxy, I would like Jerica to be present.” He waited for the private

response and his frowned deepened when he received it. “You’re right. All the wives need to be

present.” He closed his eyes and inner sight and waited for the spell of anxiety to pass.

“Oh, one of those kind of parties?” Arne asked.