| Author | Message | ||
     Savant |
I closed the door behind me, doing so manually after jamming the mechanism to ensure my privacy. Only then did I allow myself a smile. Reorsa and her dominion would be mine, the vast galaxy-spanning network would be within my grasp in a matter of weeks. The coup was going well. My rebellion was strong. Humanity had survived in this galaxy for a thousand years, but never had they taken the mantle of empire which was their birthright. I would change that, I would bring true leadership to the scattered Reorsans and Terrans, and finally lay the Pfhor and S'pht low, alike. Old enmities still burned bright in the hearts of humans, and even though the causes of our conflict with the Pfhor had long been forgotten, the hatred remained. That was when the chair at the presidesnt's desk swiveled to face me. She was a black haired woman whom I will likely never forget. Her eyes were blue mirrors reflecting the sparse light of the room, her face was that of an angel, and her voice! Choruses could not sing with the same grace as her flowing words. This was the governess of Xanadu and of Perces. Why she was there I did not know, and I would have asked as such, but she spoke first. My heart stopped as she spoke with a depth that seemed to pull the strings of the galaxy in chords, in an archaic form of english that seemed to roll and flow unbroken. "I've been waiting for you, Bene Amais." She knew! how could she know that I would be here! This place was secure, and none but my closest allies held my plans! As much as I wished to, I could not raise my voice against her. She had broken my will without raising a hand, and my voice had broken along with it. "W-why are you here? This place should have been deserted!" I don't know why, but I was ashamed. I am a charismatic man, able to inspire thousands, but compared to this immortal I felt helpless. The woman smiled, her fingers steepling together as if she spoke in prayer. Her tone was simple and direct. "I have been waiting a thousand years for this day. I knew you would be here then, and I know what you are doing." I was baffled. How could she have forseen this a thousand years before? Xanadu is a miraculous place, but could she really be a prophet as well as the governess of that place? Were the rumours of the immortal guardians of The Way true? My mouth was open to speak, but nothing came out - what could I say? My mind emptied as she rose form the chair, gravity not hindering her in the slightest. "Your plot against the Pfhor cannot succeed, the thread that the world hangs upon demands it. The fleet of the Defenders will not let it come to pass." My jaw shook and I stepped back as she came forward, but my back pressed to the wall. I was transfixed, snared by my own trap. I stammered, "th-the Defenders were destroyed centuries ago!" Her smile made my protests die in my throat. There was no malice and no judgement on her face, only the loving glance a mother gives her child. "Nothing is permanent. The Defenders live along the Way, and I am their watcher along this thread, and many others." My eyes widened as she raised her hand to my cheek. It felt as if i were being touched by sunlight. Even her skin, her beautiful complexion, glowed so brightly that the stars paled in comparison. "Please, forgive me, Bene Aurais. I must do a little.... rewriting." That sunlight is the last memory I recall. |