Chapter 5

An hour and a half later, the table had been cleared and Swift had finished telling the tale -- his childhood, his trip south with Cal and Leef, finding his place with the Gelaming, the birth of Azriel, the fall of Fulminir, the death of Terzian.

Seel and Ashmael had added a few details towards the end, explaining matters with regard to the Gelaming, but other than that, it was Swift who had spoken, laying out the landscape for Tarra and Ranat, who had reentered a new world after years in a land with no map.

Tarra's expression was thoughtful as he leaned forward, elbows on the table, hands clasped together under his chin. "Much has happened. It is not as I thought it was. Not at all."

He looked to his son, who appeared exhausted, no doubt from hearing such a long, complicated explanation of Wraeththu politics. "You were right, Ranat," Tarra said softly. "Swift did not deserve my anger. Terzian--" he looked back to Swift "is another matter, but he is dead."

For Swift it had been an uncomfortable evening, talking about himself and matters he wished he could put behind him. Nevertheless, he was glad to have come clean while apparently still retaining the trust of one whose life had been so harshly affected by the ferocity of the Varrs.

The ruler of Megalithica rose. "And now, my friends, let me take you to your rooms for the evening. You deserve a thorough rest." Everyone, Seel and Ashmael included, rose. Swift waved his hand. "Just Tarra and Ranat come with me. I will return to speak with you two afterward. Meet me in the salon."

Swift led the way out of the room, down the hallways and up the stairs to the chambers he had reserved for his new guests. He had chosen two rooms but as he stood outside pointing them out, he explained to Tarra that obviously he and his son could share if they so desired.

"Oh, I think separate rooms will be fine," Tarra said, putting his hand lightly on his son's shoulder. "Ranat hasn't had his own room to sleep in for a long time and neither have I. Anyway, I wasn't planning on going to bed myself. Once I settle him in and... talk to him a bit," he said, squeezing Ranat's shoulders, "I'd like to go back with you and talk some more."

Swift understood. There were matters to be discussed that belonged among adults. He told Tarra to return to the salon at his convenience; he and the two others would be waiting to talk. Tarra thanked him, Ranat said good night, and they parted.

In the salon Swift found Seel and Ashmael enjoying a drink and having an animated discussion. Swift reached out his hand and Seel took it, kissing it gently. "They're settled in bed?"

Swift sank down on the sofa next to him. "Tarra is coming back here. Right now he's having a 'talk' with Ranat but afterward he says there are matter he would like to discuss with us."

Ashmael chuckled but his face was serious. "Yes, I can imagine."

Swift looked at him questioningly. "Ashmael?"

"Well, obviously there are at least two matters which are crying out for resolution. First, his son's inception. I would assume that would be Tarra's foremost concern at this moment."

Swift nodded in agreement. "Yes. But the second matter?"

"The second," Seel said, "as Ashmael and I were just discussing, is Tarra himself. He hasn't taken aruna in at least two years."

Swift was dubious. "Oh, but that can't be!"

"It's the truth, Swift," Seel assured him. "He said himself they never left the cottage except to pick up supplies every few months. I hardly think Tarra went into town and had aruna while his son waited in the next room. And certainly no one ever visited him in the cottage."

Swift thought this over. It made sense but what about the caste progression? How could that have occurred without aruna? He asked his companions.

"We will have to ask him about that," Ashmael said. "Perhaps he only discovered a caste he already had or perhaps there is another explanation. In any case, he hasn't had aruna in all that time and that, Swift, is unhealthy, more so than you probably realize. We must see to it that he is properly taken care of."

They had spoken for about 20 minutes further, discussing Tarra as well as other matters, when Tarra entered the room. He looked a bit on edge. Swift wondered if the lack of aruna was beginning to become unbearable.

"Ah, welcome back, tiahaar. Please have a seat," he offered, gesturing to the armchair beside him.

"Thank you, tiahaar." Tarra slipped down into the chair. "Seel, Ashmael, I am glad you are here as well. There are some matters which I feel I must go over with you immediately."

When no one spoke and there was an awkward silence, Swift said, "Go on, Tarra. Don't be at all intimidated. We all want to hear what you have to say and to provide any assistance we can."

"Thank you." Tarra smiled, his nervousness again shining through. A moment later, he had schooled his face into an expression of determination. "First, I have just had a talk with my son. As you can imagine, we discussed inception."

"I can very well imagine you did," Ashmael replied, leaning back somewhat lazily in a chair at the other end of the sofa. "Although the concept of a father discussing inception with his own human son is rather remarkable in itself."

"Yes, Ashmael, it is remarkable, but such are the circumstances. He and I have discussed this many times before, of course. Tonight I asked him if he was sure it was what he wanted."

"You had to ask him?" Seel questioned.

"Yes, tiahaar. Many times before he had said yes, told me that it was something he looked forward to, but until today, it had never been a real possibility. He had not come of age, had not been out in the world, had not met Wraeththu such as you. I had to know if he had changed his mind."

"And had he?" Seel asked.

Tarra shook his head. "No, he had not. In fact, he is more eager than ever. He has been dazzled completely. He says he wants to be strong and beautiful and live among creatures such as you."

"That's wonderful," Swift said, pouring out a drink. "But tell me, what are your plans?"

Tarra accepted the glass Swift offered. "That is what I wanted to discuss. My plan, all along, has been to incept him myself. Can any of you think of a reason that might be unwise?"

Swift had no experience in such matters and so he left it to the two older hara. They both agreed that there was no prohibition against such a transfer, from father to son, and they were aware of no physical reason why such an inception would be unsuccessful. There was, however, a question they wanted an answer to.

"I can perform the ceremony for you, if you like," Ashmael explained, "but while you would be the giver of the blood, you are not the only participant. Three days later, or however long it takes the Althaia to come to pass, someone must come to Ranat and seal the pact he has made. Who will it be, Tarra?"

Tarra, who in the proceeding few minutes had seemed more assured, once again looked nervous. "That is something I just discussed with him actually."

"And?" Swift asked. "Do you have someone in mind?"

Tarra nodded, the look of slight trepidation still intact. "I didn't exactly, but Ranat did."

Swift, Ashmael and Seel waited. Who would it be?

"He wants it to be you, Swift."