Twin Exiles

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]


Night had fallen upon upon New Santaissa by the time the shuttle descended from the sky. Its destination was clear, for it was the Citadel of the Angelii. From this foreboding fortress, the Wrathful Angels had kept watch over the Eldorai people and, more importantly, the Star Queen, ever since the Exodus. Presently, Kaida was still part of this military order. For how long? That remained to be seen. Not quite a prisoner, but also not a free woman in command of her fate, she was stuck in an irritating half-way house.


Two Angelii sat next to her. The message was obvious. She paid them little mind. The High Captain was not given to introspection, but it reared its ugly head as the transport descended. How many years had she spent wearing the uniform of a soldier of the Crown? It must be close to four decades by now.


By now, she could barely remember a time when she had not been an Angelii. The distant past seemed like a dream that was fading from memory. For as long as she could remember, she had wanted nothing more than be a soldier. She'd fulfilled her duty diligently, killed her motherland's enemies. Sometimes that was not enough.


"We have instructed to escort you to your quarters, ma'am," one of the Angelii spoke up as the transport came to a halt. Dimly Kaida remembered teaching her how to use a bolter. "I am...just following orders."

"Yes. Blindly," Kaida said gruffly, not deigning to lower herself to pass on an encouraging word or deliver a pep talk. It was a soldier's calling to obey orders. An army had to function like a machine. There was no way around it.


It could not be governed by committee. The stalwart soldier had not underwent a sudden conversion to something as absurd as anarchism or democracy. But for the military machinery to function, the one giving the orders had to be competent. Instead of venal, self-obsessed fools. "Get a move on," she stepped down the landing ramp, without even bothering to acknowledge her escort.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Audiences with the Grand Seraph of the Angelii were usually somewhat awkward affairs. Even if Aeda Shaytari was not infamously laconic her constant wearing of a mask meant that no expression could be read, to say nothing of the modulated voice.

“High Captain Taldir has arrived. The Seraphim are taking her to her quarters,” Vanara said. She was Aeda’s aide, but also was something of a confidante and her confessor.
“Her cell,” Aeda replied dourly.
“Yes…” Vanara said with a shrug.
“Foolish. Get her out of there and back to work.” Aeda was staring out the window at New Santaissa, not even looking at her aide.
“Uhh, on that, ma’am, you have two visitors. Captain General Tithyri and Countess Valriya. They are demanding to see you at once.”
Aeda turned. “Demand? They do not demand, they obey,” she said sternly.
“Even so, ma’am…” Vanara said.
“Fine. Bring them in.”

They entered. Tithyri was the 3rd in command of the Angelii, Captain General being mostly a desk rank they commanded the Legions which made up the corps. She was of middle age and now marched in to stand at attention, her helmet under one arm, her armour gleaming.
And then there was Valriya. Aeda knew of her more by reputation than in person, and did not like what she knew.

“Grand Seraph, the rogue officer Kaida Taldir has arrived at the Citadel. I am formally requesting a full investigation into her conduct at Serenade. Her actions led to her battle sisters being killed. She did not follow orders, except joined the human’s folly. She has been dangerously errant for some time, and it demands a closer examination. I propose a full tribunal be heard,” the Captain General stated.
Aeda, and especially her mask, stared at the woman. The silence hung uncomfortably in the air. The Grand Seraph did not reply, but instead looked to Valriya.
“Your concern?” she demanded. She knew, but she had no reason to be nice.
“As you are well aware, Grand Seraph, I am appointed the Crown’s Logothete to the Angelii. I am responsible for the oversight of this corps, and so naturally this came to my attention that there was a rogue officer. I echo the demands of the Captain General and demand High Captain Taldir be adjudged before a full bench.”
“You demand,” Aeda said softly. “You do not demand of me, you obey.”
Valriya bristled. “I am your oversight, Grand Seraph, I do not obey you.”
Vanara came forward to smooth things over. “What I think the Logothete means is that she is formally adding her approval to this request by the Captain General.”
“Noted, and denied. High Captain Taldir acted in accordance with her duty. She entered the situation to assist others, then extracted her forces after the battle went ill. We do not punish officers for showing initiative. We do not punish officers for suffering casualties.”

Valriya inhaled sharply, her eyes narrowed. “You cannot arbitrarily dismiss these concerns, Grand Seraph. It is the law that in cases like this that if a tribunal is called for it must be provided. I know this…Taldir…is a protégé of yours, but you cannot shield her forever. Her recklessness cost lives, and she must hold account for them. Whether she is exonerated or no is not certain, but it is certain that she must hold account.”
Aeda had at last found someone whose stare matched her own, and Valriya did not even have a mask. The woman was formidable in her presence and self-control. Aeda also knew she was right, and that she was wanting to turn them down not just for Kaida’s sake, but because of their impertinent demands.
She turned away. “Very well. The Captain Generals and myself will preside over the hearing. It will begin tomorrow.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Grand Seraph. If she is innocent she has nothing to fear,” Valriya said sweetly.
A slight turn of the head, a face made under the mask. “Perhaps. My Confessor will talk with her.”
“I think it would be wise that I set the guards on this occasion. Just in case any of her subordinates have unfortunate ideas,” Captain General Tithyri said.
“Do so. If she escapes it is on your head,” Aesa said. “Go.”

In the aftermath Vanara came to her.
“You wish me to take confession for her?” she asked, confused.
Aeda turned, and the mask’s blank face stared down at the shorter woman. “You will give her the choice. Do you understand?”
Vanara paused, then nodded. “You know I cannot be a part of anything against my code or the law.”
“Spare me your scruples. Give me her answer and then you may wash your hands of the matter.”
“Yes, ma’am. After all, you are offering her retirement or fighting the charges.”
“Yes. See to it.”
She bowed and departed.
Aeda waited until she was alone and then went to her desk. A quick tap of keys followed, and with a final tap a message was sent.
Now all that was needed was Kaida Taldir’s answer.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Two guards stood outside her 'quarters'. They'd taken her gun and her blade. This vexed her deeply. She'd spent her time exercising and throwing darts, for lack of anything better to do. The silence gave her time to think. There were a great many things to contemplate.


She'd made an error by charging in rashly. This she could acknowledge. What she could not accept was bowing and scraping before a clique of corrupt, incompetent fools. Those prosecuting the case against her would blather about how precious Eldorai lives had been lost, but the truth was that they cared nothing for those.


They had not been on Kaeshana. The upper class had turned their back on the homeworld and abandoned their people to the calamity without a second thought because they were 'errant' and not the 'right sort of people'. The cretins spat on the sacrifice of soldiers, for honour, valour and sisterhood meant nothing to them. The Eldorai should have made this sacrifice mean something by putting the blue blooded scum up against the wall.


For all of the talk about a glorious Venari Restoration, about progress and self-reliance, the Eldorai had not grown. Rather than learn, they'd simply transplanted the rotten Matriarchy to Tygara. The fact that the natives of this world were primitives had not helped. Instead it had fuelled her people's superiority complex. Shortly after building New Santaissa, they had gone back to business as usual.


She had been guilty of this, too. She should have returned to Kaeshana a long time ago, before foreign invaders subjugated the planet. It was too late to alter the past. But now, as pushed herself through a gruelling series of push-ups, situps and crunches she had some clarity. Exercise helped clear the mind.


The Matriarchy could not be fixed. Once she'd placed high hopes in Anya Venari, and even admired her. However, the Queen was no leader. She was weak, too concerned about compromise and not rocking the boat. Too afraid of becoming a tyrant to bring about change. Perhaps she simply could not drain the swamp because it had birthed her. Thus the rot grew and corruption flourished.


The less said about Askari the better. Choir girl was weak and had chosen gold over duty. Aeda was a woman Kaida felt genuine respect for. They were alike in many ways. If the truth had not been revealed to her, she probably suspected it. But she would not forsake her vows.


Perhaps it was time to reveal the truth. It would shatter the Matriarchy, but maybe it was the spark the Eldorai needed. Tear the veil from their eyes, and force them to face the bleak reality. One that many of their brethren - the exiles and the forsaken - already lived in.


Her mind was made up. She would not rot inside a cell, or kowtow before cowards, traitors and imbeciles. Her sensitive ears picked up on noise coming from outside. Then there was a knock on her door. Ending her exercises, she got to her feet and approached it.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Vanara entered the room quietly, though with her came a dour looking Wing Leader who doubtless was there to monitor the discussion.

“High Captain, I am Confessor Vanara, aide to the Grand Seraph. She has sent me to see you to discuss your options and to take your confession should you wish it.”
Kaida’s religious views were of course not known – an atheist Angelii was a blasphemous notion – but she was known not to be overly zealous.

“Wing Leader, may we have a moment?” she asked. “Confession is a sacred rite, and what passes here is known only to us and the Goddess. Please.”
The guard hesitated, and then left.
“I am acquainted with the situation before you, Kaida. A full investigation is being launched. That means the ten Captain Generals and the Grand Seraph will review your case, hear testimony and then decide. If there is a tie then the Grand Seraph may break it.”
This longwinded explanation seemed unnecessary to someone who obviously knew it. However, in Kaida’s head a second voice would appear.
‘Kaida. The Grand Seraph has sent me to give you a choice. You can stay and fight the charges which will take time but the outcome is not set at all. Or…you can depart. I will return tomorrow to know your answer.’

“Now, my daughter, do you have anything to confess to the Goddess? Do you have anything you wish to say to the Mother?” Vanara continued as though nothing had happened.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Outwardly, every Angelii was expected to be a believer in the false Goddess. To be an atheist was officially unthinkable. While heretics were no longer burnt at the stake or persecuted by the state, religious courts were still responsible for cases of blasphemy and 'witchcraft'. To Kaida, it was another example that confirmed how hollow the 'enlightened régime' of the Star Queen really was.
Her expression remained stoic when the confessor stepped inside, and told her what she already knew.


Before she could give her an icy response, a second voice suddenly appeared inside her mind. Said voice delivered the message that truly mattered. Depart, she thought to herself. Depending on her aptitude with telepathy, Vanara might have heard that.


The aide claimed that the outcome was not set, but Kaida had no trust in the judicial system. And even if it was not, at best she'd be back where she started. She could not protect her people while still within the strict confines of the Matriarchy's hypocritical laws. "No," she said calmly. "My mother died in a flood decades ago." There was no point in pretending to still believe. Ashira had been the first Eldorai, but never a goddess.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Far away from Tygara, where the Eldorai were doing what they did best, Siobhan had received a report about the situation on Serenade. "The bombardment appears to have wiped out more than ninety percent of the zombie population. About two dozen civilians survived. Many are in intensive medical care. The remaining zombies have been herded. Colonel Kuwahara is bringing them to Facility 543," a Dahomian aide called Patience reported.


"That's something in her favour. She did that right at least. Make sure she understands to take every possible security precaution. I don't care about how good her people supposedly are, personnel should be restricted to droids and Kar'zun. They can't get infected."


"Yes, m'Lady," Patience spoke. "There is another matter that may interest you. It appears our Eldorai 'allies' have taken an interest in the incident." She did not use air quotes because she was too professional for that, but her tone made her low opinion of the Space Elves clear. Many Dahomians disliked their attitude.


"Let me guess. They are complaining about us bombing the city, but also sulking about Dashdae?" Siobhan responded airily. "I gather their Queen is staying out of matters as she tends to because she's too afraid to 'rock the boat'. Major Tempest informs me a group of Angelii aided her. What happened to them?"


"They were whisked away the moment they landed. I suspect they will face consequences, based on the reception they got."


"Kangaroo courts. After helping an ally. That's how the Eldorai repay our help."


"May I speak plainly, m'Lady?"


"I suggest you make it a habit, Captain."


"The Eldorai Matriarchy isn't our friend. They haven't been it for a long time, if ever."


"No, they haven't." There was a pause. As Siobhan well-knew, the Eldorai Queen did not - and could not - micromanage affairs that happened light years away from her realm. However, Firemane had cause to be unhappy with the elves. "Instruct our forces on Tygara to be vigilant. You never know if some reactionary aristo or Dashdae terrorist might not make a move. And I want chat with Anya. I won't deal with her two-faced minions who probably only feed her lies. I'd like to know where we stand. Our contract is up for review anyway."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Anya Venari, Star Queen Tirathana VII, looked at the person before her. A challenging affront to her rule, a pretender and claimant! No rival to the Phoenix Crown could be permitted, they even wore a crown!

However, she laughed as her daughter, little Ariane, walked forward. The little girl had a serious expression on her face, and the plastic crown Anya had given her as a present.
“Me Queen!” she declared.
Anya laughed and picked up her daughter, gave her a kiss. “Not yet, sweetie. Some day.”
The child wriggled like a box of worms. “Mummy, I want to be Queen!”
A sad sigh. “You say that now, sweet one, but you’ll sing a different tune in time.” She tousled her daughter’s hair. “And now, little Princess, it’s time for bed for you.”
“Not tired!” the girl protested.
“You will be. Come on.”

As she entered her daughter’s bedroom she found her maid and her secretary waiting for her.
“Your Majesty, a contact request from Lady Kerrigan.”
“Ah, I see. Nala, put the Princess to bed. Ariane, go with Nala.”
Ariane liked Nala because the maid spoilt her a little behind her mother’s back, not knowing she was aware of it.
“Yay, Nally!” Ariane said as she launched herself into the maid’s arms.
“If I was the sort to be upset by my daughter I’d be worried about that,” Anya mused, then laughed before turning serious. “Siobhan. Ah, yes. Patch it through to my study.”

The Queen straightened her robes a little and took a seat at her desk, activating the hologram controls when the signal was established. Maximum encryption.
“Siobhan, it’s good to see you again! How are you recovering?”
She knew this was not a social call. Indeed, Siobhan and her had been drifting apart personally and professionally for a long time. She thought she knew what at least part of this discussion would be. She had sent her best wishes when she had heard of Siobhan’s illness, but had not talked with her for many months.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Never mix business and friendship. Or love. Lines get blurred. You'll do foolish things just to keep those you care for happy. To keep them safe, Siobhan thought to herself. The stroke had rendered her infirm, but might have sharpened her mind.


Her memories of the past few years were blurry. She was dependent on reports, occasional memory flashes and information from her wife and her staff, but she believed she understood enough. It was sad because she personally still liked Anya, though she considered her not severe enough. But for every good moment, there was another occasion when Eldorai aristos had plotted against Firemane, and they'd had to save the day for the Queen.


A monarch could not be expected to be omniscient or omnipotent. Siobhan certainly was not...though she often acted as if she erroneously thought she was. The mutiny and defection of a Firemane unit on Kaeshana was proof of the contrary. But these betrayals rankled deeply with Siobhan. Without her bitter memories, things were less raw. "Alright, thank you. Walking again, a bit. How is little Ariane?" she paused for a bit, allowing Anya to respond.


"I'm afraid this is not a social call. I'm not sure if your staff has informed you of an incident that took place on Serenade, Arkas. But it's a rather serious matter." Admittedly there was also a time zone difference to consider. Meh, interplanetary communication is a headache when you think about it logically. "And part of what I'd like to discuss."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“She’s adorable. She’s just started pre-school. She’s not too sure about having to sit still and listen to someone talk to her, but she’s learning.”
Anya smiled a proud, motherly smile.
“It’s good to hear you’re up and walking a bit too! Do you know how long it’ll be before you regain full mobility?”

Alas, there were serious matters, and she nodded, pulling over that file.
“Arkas, yes. I see here there was an outbreak of zombies, unit of Angelii moved in to support some Firemane forces without orders. Have you discovered anything about the outbreak’s cause? Are you concerned it might happen elsewhere?”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]


You look like you haven't aged a day, Siobhan thought to herself. She could not help feeling a little jealous. She herself was still attractive, but it was a beauty weathered by age, battle scars and a health scare. But I doubt you feel that young inside. None of us queens do. Duty eats us up. In a way, Siobhan had it easier because in Firemane, she had built a power structure that revolved around her. There were no competiting sources of legitimacy, no ancient traditions she had to respect - or pretend to. The only alternate source of legitimacy was Tegaea as the company's founder and former leader, but she had no interest in competiting with her wife.


By contrast, Anya was nominally more powerful as absolute monarch and head of the state church, but Siobhan was getting the impression that this also hamstrung her. Tradition was like a chain wrapped around her throat, holding her back. For without the class of blue blooded cretins that constrained the Eldorai, she could not rule. She always had to refer to the foremothers and merge the old with the new.


"I am," she replied simply. "The town had to be destroyed to contain the outbreak. It appears the zombies were controlled by a hive-mind entity, but it may still be at large. Said hive-mind is reported to have had potent mind-control powers. Moreover, the zombies were very intelligent. Fortunately, they lacked sophisticated weapons. So I'd be vigilant."


She leaned forward. "The Angelii you speak of were dragged away by your minions the moment they left the battlefield. While their actions were unauthorised, I assume it's not your policy to punish soldiers for coming to the aid of an ally...especially one that saved the Eldorai race from being added to the endangered species list." She kept her tone measured, but firm.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Anya raised an eyebrow politely.
“My dear Siobhan, if you’re asking if I am having them to punished specifically because they helped you, you know the answer is no. If you are also asking if I specifically did anything in this case, the answer is still no. Their disobedience will be investigated; Aeda will be handling that. I will ask for a full briefing though. I received only an overview of events. We have many incidents of this type – as I know you do – where small bodies encounter some sort of opposition. The only difference is that this one also involved Firemane troops. Disobedience can’t be tacitly approved of, I know you don’t want your soldiers doing whatever they want. However, if Aeda finds her actions justified, the Angelii responsible will not be punished.”

She glanced at the notes. “Ah, High Captain Taldir. Kaida Taldir, I’m guessing. Well, I see your interest. I’ll discuss the matter with Aeda when we next have our briefing.”

“I will increase our watch on all settlements. I’ll have all the information from the action gathered and redistributed so that if it happens again we will know what and where to go.”

“The Eldorai not becoming extinct does indeed owe a lot to you. We are a small player on the galactic stage, infinitesimal, and through fate, the Force or just good fortune we acquired your help. I know that my people are not all they could be. I know I am not all you would want in a Queen. I know that I am not perfect, and I know my reforms have been cautious lest they be revolutions. Was I right? I don’t think we’ll know.”

“However, I know that the five year agreement we signed after the Exodus is coming to a close. I expect no favours from you. We will continue to pay the market price for equipment and services. When the time comes we will negotiate like any deal.”

She leaned back, waiting for Siobhan to reply.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]


"Your people have one big problem. They are a small fish, but delude themselves into thinking they're the biggest shark in the ocean. With the benefit of hindsight, it's a shame the planet they happened to settle on was inhabited by people so far behind them," Siobhan commented.


"You're a good woman, Anya. I've been in this game long enough to understand that politics is the art of the possible. I have had it easier than you because I don't have to pretend to pay lip service to idiotic dogma and hidebound traditions. And I have no one who can question my legitimacy. My will brokers no contradiction. With that in mind, I believe you could have done more. Perhaps it's because you're too concerned about becoming a tyrant. Or rocking the boat. Certain sacrifices are as unavoidable as they are necessary. The medicine might be harsh, but the patient needs it to survive. Even if they hate it."


Siobhan kept her voice measured. One of the benefits of her memory loss was that she was less bitter about the betrayals. She was probably a better leader now, since her physical condition forced her to focus more on her actual job. At least when she managed to keep her paranoia and considerable ego in check.


"I shall be candid, the Eldorai won't be getting any favours in the future. Your integrity is beyond doubt, but there have been too many cases where Firemane was stabbed in the back by Eldorai. I may not remember what happened after Kaeshana in detail, but I know enough. Bottom line, I don't need the Eldorai and I have a responsibility to my people. It's time for your people to stand on their own two feet, like the reactionaries and Dashdae keep yammering about." She doubted that either of these groups would be good at it. While she disdained the old guard, her opinion of renegades and revolutionaries like the Shadows was also low.


"Firemane equipment and services can be purchased at market price, obviously. You know our rates. I appreciate your understanding regarding the Angelii who helped us at Arkas. I suppose any suspicions about me having some sort of hidden motive can be disproved by the fact that I can't stand Taldir," she shrugged. Far as she was concerned, the woman was still a self-righteous popsicle. "If the zombie hive-mind takes an interest in Tygara, it will be good to have people on hand who actually understand the danger."


"Since I doubt you'll follow my suggestion to invite the worst blue blooded cretins to a Festival of Harmony and poison them, I'll give you a different piece of advice: Don't just sit on Tygara and hope that no hostile force greater than raiders will ever take an interest in it. You have the worldships. Make use of them. Overhaul the officer corps. The Eldorai military has too many old fossiles whose sole qualification is coming from the right family of aristocratic leeches. We both know that Ashira won't descend from the heavens to save the Eldorai if they're under attack."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Anya listened patiently, serenely. A Queen soon learned to maintain a placid, alert look which was neither threatening nor weak.

“We are similar in some ways, but not others. You lead a concern far greater than I in resources, reach and power. However, you are not a government, nor especially a traditional government advancing to a modern era after so long in the dark. You have employees and dependents, you do not have subjects, and that is where the divide is greatest. Unless an Eldorai chooses to break ties, they are ruled by me, whether I or they like it or not. Now, the level of control I exercise is limited beyond this planet, but I am Queen of the Eldorai and so change is not an easy matter.”

“I have trod cautiously, too cautiously perhaps, I acknowledge this may be the case. At first I was too new, then with the cataclysm it was not right. I have tried to work slowly to reform the many elements of this broken state. A nobility and church saddled with a structure and traditions which belongs in a zoo. An army and Angelii who would still valiantly march out with stasers and Cusaeris. A people controlled by a church which unwillingly or not lies to them about every detail of their lives. It is a lot to handle.”

Anya leaned back in her chair, looking thoughtful.
“When I was younger I drew up a list of the 12 greatest reforms I would enact if I became Queen. Break down the Ashiran church’s monopoly on law, modernise the military, remove the oppressive powers of the nobility. I have achieved parts of all 12, but I have not achieved them all completely. The problem is, Siobhan, that you cannot force progress. Or rather, you can, but it frequently ends in reactionary revolution and counter-revolution. Perhaps I have lacked the boldness to test that.”

“Regardless, you don’t want to hear me going on about my reasons. I will say though that you are right. We do have to stand on our own feet. It has been too easy to turn to you, and I think the time has come for that to no longer be the case. You are still welcome to utilise your bases and facilities on Tygara at the usual price. I wish to maintain friendship with you personally, and with Firemane as a whole. We are a mote of dust in the galaxy…but even so I am taking steps to ensure this mote is not blotted out.”

“Your suggestion regarding the world ships is well taken. All the ones we have are being outfitted for deployment. I never want to be in a situation where the Eldorai can be wiped out in single place again. I want us to survive for millennia more.”

“I am not going to poison them, but I have a list of nobles, officers, church functionaries and such which I doubt the loyalty, competence or both of. I fully intend to make use of it very soon.”
The Queen looked unusually grim. Perhaps she too had a story of incompetence or disloyalty which had disturbed her.

“It is best you not know, Siobhan. I value your advice, and I think that this is a good time to enact my plan. If they will not listen to me when I ask, they will do so when I tell.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]


"I have a nice gold circlet though," Siobhan remarked sardonically, though Anya had a point when she pointed out the differences between their stations. "I've considered off-and-on to just crown myself Queen of Fire, but I supppose Tegs would tease me relentlessly. And then one of my children would get the idea that she will inherit simply because she bears my name." Her tone was deceptively flippant. Once she'd wanted one of her children to inherit and lead her corporate empire. Now she'd soured on the idea. Too many had betrayed or otherwise failed her. And Elpsis was evidently incapable of leading anything.


"Regarding your...list, as a last personal favour, I can send you a dossier. I reckon that a lot of the informatin it contains won't be news to you, but I believe you may find some of its contents...illuminating. Just make sure that its source remains confidential. If you don't want to remove someone's head, you can always blackmail them into a quiet retirement far away from the centre of power. I wish you well with your efforts. I really do. May the Force serve you well."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“You would certainly trump me then if you were Queen of all fire, I am merely Queen of the Eldorai,” Anya said with a little smile.
It hardly need be said, but Siobhan could declare herself Queen of whatever, but it didn’t actually make her so. That was the problem with titles; there were a lot of them but people somehow protested when a new one showed up.

“Send me the list. I will send mine to you…though it is mostly Eldorai it is some others who live in my lands who you might want to keep an eye on.”
She didn’t protest or wonder how Siobhan had such a dossier. She knew enough about Firemane from her time there to knew that Siobhan liked to have many webs.

“Thank you for calling, Siobhan. If you’d like to come by and see little Ariane some time you’re more than welcome. She misses Auntie Fire.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]

"Does she actually call me that?" Siobhan chuckled slightly. The idea seemed to amuse her a lot. "Well, then perhaps we can arrange a meeting some day. I don't think it would be opportune for me to visit Tygara right now."

It wasn't that she didn't trust Anya...but she definitely did not trust her minions. She would not visit while she was barely able to walk, in need of protection and reliant on the good will of people she didn't trust. "Goodnight, Anya. Give little Ariane a hug from me," she added and cut the connection, ending the call.

Leaning back into her chair, she heard silent footsteps coming from outside. "I know you're there, Captain."

"M'Lady," the Dahomian officer gave a respectful salute. She carried a stack of folders engraved with aurebesh sigils in her hands. "May I ask how your conference went?"

"You may," the Lady Kerrigan remarked very, very dryly. "The sovereign of the Eldorai is a decent, smart woman. Her people are not. She wants them to grow up," she gave a casual half-shrug. "Our relationship with them has been clarified. From now on, we're swimming in separate directions." It was, Siobhan reflected, a bit like breaking up with an old flame.

"That'll be a relief for the troops, M'Lady," outwardly Patience's face remained the very model of professionalism. "Fighting the elves' battles while dealing with their scorn hasn't been popular as of late. Are we maintaining our bases on Tygara?"

"Yes, at the standard price. For the time being. Our presence at the Star Fortress will undergo some...changes. Compile a report on troops stationed there that could be best utilised elsewhere. I want it to be known that I won't tolerate derisive comments about the Queen. Now...I believe you have some duties to attend," Siobhan allowed herself to crack a smile.

"Yes, M'Lady." Without missing a beat, Patience put down the folders and moved behind her boss. Her very talented, nimble fingers touched Siobhan's shoulders muscles, and started to squeeze and rub the muscles. A pleasured sigh escaped Siobhan while she enjoyed the massage.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“I will do. I look forward to your visit,” Anya said with a smile.

When the call was dropped she rose to her feet and headed from the room. Along the way she encountered Nala exiting the bedroom.
“Is she asleep?”
“Yes, Majesty. She brought ‘Mr Huggy’ with her.”
“Excellent. Check on her later for me.” Mr Huggy was a stuffed Jester toy they’d got her. In time she might get a real one, if only to start to teach her responsibility.
“Of course, Majesty.”
Anya entered the bedroom silently, looking down at her little girl hugging the soft toy. She smiled and planted a kiss on the girl’s forehead.
“Goodnight, my angel,” she said as she quietly closed the door. Her secretary was waiting for her. “Contact Aeda. I have something I want to discuss with her. Morning is fine.”

XXX

To contrast with the sweet family scene, Kaida would pass the night in her ‘accomodation’ all alone an without any visits. When morning came it would be her opportunity to put her plans into effect.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Kaida did not receive any visitors in her cell. There was no doubt that the room was bugged. She passed the time with exercising, brooding and putting her plan into action. When morning came, she was seemingly out cold. Her body was completely rigid.


There was a knock on a door, then a tray of food was passed through a small window inside it. "Rise and shine," a guard bellowed loudly. There was no response. The guard hit the door again. Still no response. Slowly, the door was opened. The Angelii guard stepped inside, while two of her battle sisters remained outside, ready to intervene if this was some kind of trick. Their Sarixi were drawn. But the High Captain did not try to ambush them.


"Chit," the guardswoman swore when she saw Kaida lying on the floor. Bending down, she checked her pulse. There was no heartbeat. "Get a healer, now! Inform the Captain-General and the Grand Seraph." she ordered loudly. These words threw the guards into a flurry of activity. Within a short span of time, Kaida had been put on a stretcher and rushed out.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
As it happened, Vanara had been heading that way for her second meeting with Kaida. As she came down the row of ‘guest accomodations’, she saw the commotion.
“What is happening?”
“High Captain Taldir, she’s dead!”
Vanara hurried to the doorway and shoo’ed the Angelii out of her way, kneeling down before the blonde woman. She placed her fingers on Kaida’s throat to check her pulse. She also reached out with her Sciia to sense any life remaining in the High Captain.

Word spread quickly, and soon it reached Aeda. The Grand Seraph was ‘at prayer’ which meant in practice she didn’t want to be disturbed.
There was a rapid knock on her door. When it opened they found a less than usually imposing mask staring at them.
“What?” she demanded. She didn’t go on a rant about her privacy. The single syllable said it all.
“My apologies, ma’am, but High Captain Taldir is dead!”
Aeda’s gauntleted hand reached out and grabbed the junior Angelii by the lapel. “You will summon Valriya and Captain General Tithyri to me along with my personal guard. Put the Temple on full alert. No one is to enter or leave.”
“Understood…ma’am. But…”
“Instantly,” Aeda said softly, but with such menace that the young Talon fled, losing a button pulling away.
Aeda slammed the door and went to put on her full armour. She wasn’t sure what had happened yet, but she had a suspicion her High Captain had been assassinated. If that was so certain people would pay. No one assassinated her girls and escaped.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


During the time she'd spend abroad, Kaida had learned a few things. It helped that she'd dated a master healer for a while. Her relationship with Coryth Elaris had ended poorly. Kaida was probably to blame for it.
One of the women she'd briefly dated since then had summed it up when she dumped the frost elf. 'You simply cannot act like a person. I thought there was one beneath the ice...but now I know you're just a glacier.' Nothing to say in response to that.


And so the former High Captain awoke. 'Coming back from the dead' was not fun and games. Even for a cryomancer, her body temperature was absurdly low. She gasped, greedily sucking in air. Her body was convulsing. The noise alerted a guard.


"She's...," before the guard could activate her comm, Kaida had wrapped an icy hand around her throat. The soldier struggled, trying to stab her. The renegade suffered a bloody gash across her face, but finally the guard slumped and fell to the ground. She was just unconscious, not dead, for Kaida had no desire to murder a former battle sister. The renegade's iron grip would leave some blue bruises though.


"Sleep," Kaida ordered quietly, and got up. She stood rather shakily and had to lean against the table. Bending down, she began to strip the soldier of her gear, then drag her away to a closet. Now she just needed to get out of the Citadel.