* * *

* * *

        <<ACT ONE>>

        Having dropped off William and Alwyn at Tuzanor and after saying a very quick and sincere goodbye to Jennifer in the process, Julia now found herself speaking to those who stood in her place when she was not aboard her command, as their flyer quickly made its way up towards orbit. Rangers who were presently wearing expressions almost as grim as those she had seen during the battle with the Drakh in the skies of Earth, over five months before.

        "Report." she commanded, while Nirisha waited patiently nearby, her expression difficult to read.

        "Sech Westcastle and President Sheridan have brought us up to speed on the situation, Val'na." was Klairika's immediate reply. "And yet again, for all intents and purposes, our crew has been recalled from their leave on the surface, and stands ready to serve you, in the name of the One."

        "In short," Sheynell continued, picking up from her superior officer, "We should be ready to leave orbit as soon as you and your... guest come aboard. Anla'shok Holm stands ready at the secondary fire control station, while Mr. Dawson has stated, somewhat resolutely, that we *will* be able to catch up with the target, regardless of their... technological prowess, I believe he said."

        "Now *hold* on a moment!" Julia suspiciously replied, "You said, 'for all intents and purposes', Klairika. What did you mean by that?"

        "I regret to inform you," the now visibly uncomfortable Brakiri replied, "That Anla'shok Larieken will not be joining us on this mission."

        "May I ask why?"

        "He wishes to speak to you personally about the matter when you come aboard... in private."

        "I... see. In that case, if there isn't anything else?"

        Klairika and Sheynell shook their heads, and a moment later, contact between the transport and the SHARD was severed, and she turned her attention to her new Eloi'a associate, while a part of her mind continued to work thorugh what could have possibly caused Larieken to take this unexpected 'leave of absence'... a thing he had never done before in her experience. '"Nirisha -- what can you tell us about Saakli's ship? Do you think it's possible for us to trace its course?"

        "If your command was any other, and I was not with you," the avian replied with a frown, "I would not consider this a probable outcome. It is clear however, that your vessel, this SHARD OF NIGHT it is called? -- is among the most advanced vessels in the Interstellar Alliance... as I have already seen, it is more then capable of concealing itself from most sensor arrays, even those used by my own people." Julia nodded. "A similar technology to the one we use, then, perhaps. As such, I feel that if all goes well, we should be able to trace the path of Saakli's ship without difficulty, and even pierce their protective stealth technology when we do catch them.

        In addition," Nirisha added after a moment, "Given my father's recent choices, I feel no shame in passing on to you details of our drive technologies, which should make the task ahead of us even easier."

        "And if we cannot catch them?"

        "Then we must deal with my father's flagship, as you have previously noted."

        She gritted her teeth at that comment... and then went on. "The Technomage and his craft may be able to assist us with this problem in due course when he rejoins us... in addition, of course, to these forces you have mentioned that are loyal to these 'Fallen' you spoke of?" Nirisha guardedly nodded at this comment. "Then there's certainly a chance we can take on the TIELDA'S PRIDE... if it comes down to a firefight, that is. Now what else did I want to ask you about... oh yes. Can you tell me why you requested that the third human Observer, Alkanion Verah, accompany us on this pursuit? This has been done with the High Councillor's reluctant blessing -- but as you may know..."

        "The ancient races harmed his mind during the war with the Dark Ones, yes!" Nirisha answered for her. "This I know and understand, from the histories and data you passed to us during our initial voyage to this place. What I intend is as follows: on occasion, it is known for our kind to suffer mental illnesses brough on by excessive use of our talents or assaults upon our persons by... forces you have yet to meet. When this occurs, other Observers who are well skilled in the art of using their *gla'ima* have been known to heal these illnesses by reaching out to the Troubled Ones as I have reached out to you in the recent past. There is no guarentee that this will work, of course, but it is, how shall I say it?... the least I can do as repayment for what my father has done to you and yours in the course of this... tragic incident."

        "And about that," Julia continued, her eyes now narrow as the sky outside the transport faded towards the black of vacuum, "About this sixth sense we share, this 'gla'ima' as you call it..."

        "You wish to ask questions." Nirisha replied, almost matter-of-factly. "This is not unexpected. During our pursuit, I will attempt to tell you what I can about who and what we are, and teach you as much about our sixth sense as I can during our time together. I fear, however, given your recent isolation from the rest of the Order, that you may not find some of these concepts easy to comprehend..."

        "I'm a quick study." she assured her companion. "If I hadn't been, a lot of people I call friends might now be dead."

        "This does not surprise me, either."

        "So what *does* surprise you?" she shot back.

        "This, you will learn in due course." was the avian's concluding remark, as the transport made its final approach to the SHARD OF NIGHT.


        Dawn. Larieken stood alone in the practice ground of the Wind Sword enclave which was, in its full and formal naming, known as *Teirann Aeiyn Vei'shai*. The Stand of Daggers... and simply Teirann in the common form. Warriors young and old had practiced and battled here for hundreds upon hundreds of cycles. From here, in the times before Valen, the warriors had moved forth to protect the boundaries of what was... while afterwards, when the doom of the Shadows looked set to descend upon all, the elders of his people had pulled together with the rest to defend what was... and what might be.

        History... so *much* history. And so much pain. So many lessons learned, and so many forgotten, to be relearned in the most difficult fashion. So many unwarranted suspicions on the part of some of those he knew, and all for the wrong reasons. Against these traditions he now stood as outsider even with his father's welcome... as his recent conversations with Ariekaas had proven only too well. His mother, sisters and cousins amonst the Clan would of course choose the neutral stance -- and of allies, he had precious few.

        Precious few... and one that truly mattered. One he had loved, long ago -- one who had stood aside to ensure he would not have to make a choice between that love and the service that mattered above all. One who had returned to his side even after all that had happened... one he still loved, even now. The question that had to be asked, however, was this: despite last night's performance, despite the words they had shared before retiring to their beds... did Belaii of the Wind Swords still love *him*, after all he had done, after the shattering of ties that had occurred?

        He could not answer this question. Not yet, at least, he amended -- but nevertheless, for now she stood as his closest ally in this undertaking. And yet... if he found success, what would she ask of him? What price would have to be paid?

        "You have not waited long, I trust?" her voice came to him then, and he turned to see her slender form emerge from one of the side passages into the practice ground as the dawnlight grew stronger, her dark cloak echoing his own... both acting as defence against the morning chill.

        "No... not long."

        "And you are well rested? The sleep I allowed you after our... discussions -- it was *sufficient* for your needs?"

        "This all depends," he replied, "On how hard you intend to press me this day."

        Belaii smiled at that remark, before casting aside her cloak to reveal the warrior's garb beneath, a move he echoed a moment later to show the uniform of darkness and light he wore. "Hard enough. You must prove to me that your time amongst the humans has not blunted your... skills." And with that, her pike emerged into sight, and flashed open -- the sound a silvery summons as night faded around them.

        Larieken let out a short breath, then -- she was faster then she had been... and had no doubt improved her skills since they had last fought each other to a standstill on this very spot, so long ago. A challenge, it would be, then -- and an instant later, his weapon echoed her own. "If you believe that, Belaii, you do not understand them nearly as much as you think you do. I feel I must inform you at this time that two of the humans I consider close comrades are masters of these blades."

        "An interesting claim." Belaii thoughtfully replied, as they slowly began to circle. "But enough of this... no more talking. In the Name of the Betrayer," she challenged, "So do we serve."

        "So do we serve." he unconsciously echoed, even as the sun burst into sight behind him. And a moment later, their pikes came together, and their contest... joined anew.


        "The time is drawing near for me to step aboard her ship, my friend." Alwyn began, as his craft rose from the surface of Minbar entirely unseen. "So far, everything is progressing as we have forseen."

        "Ah -- everything, you say?" was Galen's amused reply. "In that case, Alwyn, I expect her to turn your world upside down on a moment's notice."

        "An interesting claim to make -- although I wil1 admit that she does seem to have talent in paths that the human race has not pursued for a *very* long time."

        "Why, yes... so she does! Do you know that the Soul Hunters have named her 'Sha'naktoweire'?"

        A raising of eyebrows. "Well, now... that *is* surprising. Do you suppose they have made the offer to her yet, then?"

        "I was present when this occurred."

        "An ominous portent. If this is true, there have only been four others in our history like her that I know of. And we *both* know what happened to those, now don't we?"

        "Unfortunately, yes. The path branches before her, and if she steps wrongly, all those who follow in her footsteps may fall into darkness. Which is," Alwyn's fellow Technomage finished, "Where *we* come in, of course."

        "The game you are playing is a dangerous one, Galen." Alwyn warned. "To meddle in the affairs of both this one and of Gideon as well -- history warns us of those of our Order who have meddled too much, and paid the price for their mistakes."

        "If I... if *we* do not act, we may all be doomed. And if I do not meddle, as you say," Galen concluded, his eyes bright, "The quests they have embarked upon may fail." The younger mage took a deep breath, then. "In any case, I have made my choices, and you have made yours, and the path we have set ourselves upon cannot be turned aside from, now that we are commited to this thing that we do."

        "In that case, I suppose we'd both better get on with it, then. Until the next time we speak, my friend... fare you well."

        "And you, Alwyn." And with that, Galen's image faded away, leaving Alwyn to carefully consider the path ahead. After a moment, he cleared his throat and began to speak. "Now, then!... they've left orbit, I suppose?"

        -Confirmed. Entry into hyperspace has occured. The chase has begun-

        "Prepare pursuit course, then... and make ready for our own hyperspace transition."

        -Ready-

        "You may proceed."

        And with that, the tiny black diamond of Alwyn's ship wheeled away from Minbar. The mission...

        Awaited.


        "Do we, then, declare this a draw?" Larieken casually inquired, as he and Belaii stared into each other's eyes across two pike-widths. "We can continue if you wish, of course..."

        "Unnecessary." was her reply, as they disengaged and smoothly stepped back to the positions they had started in... how long ago? The sun was measurably higher now, and at this Larieken allowed himself to smile -- it had been *long* since he had partaken in a Dance such as this one... too long. Not even Julia's skill could compare to Belaii's... for now, that was. Although, now that he thought about the matter, it would certainly be *amusing* to see his captain engage in a contest with her... a most interesting thought, this was.

        "Larieken." He turned, then, to see one of his sisters, Eranni, standing on the edge of the practice ground, near to where he had stood at dawn. "You must come -- the human who commands you, she is waiting to speak to you... the matter appears to be an important one."

        "As expected." And with that he smoothly retracted his pike and returned it to its place at his side, an action that Belaii smoothly echoed. "And now comes the explanation for my actions of late."

        "Explain to me your need to tell this human *why* you have done what you did."

        "The answer I will give you will sound simple," Larieken replied, "But on closer examination may appear less so. When the Shadow War was at its height and President Sheridan and several of our greatest leaders were presumed missing at Z'ha'dum, the Entil'zha and some of her senior commanders requested that I be the one to protect a child who would one day become a Ranger, a child who already obeyed many of our ways, and strived to learn the rest. I walked with her through the fires of Corianna VI, stood by her side as she grew to maturity... and now, through what amounts on occasion to sheer force of will, she has ascended to command the vessel we name 'Vi'dalae An'shaka'... and still my Entil'zha's command stands, and has not been rescinded. Still I stand with my charge to protect her... until she grows wise enough to protect herself."

        "This would be the human I have heard of, then." Belaii slowly replied. "The Anla'shok some name 'changeling'... the human Julia Tikopai?"

        "That is correct." he agreed as they stepped inside, walking in his sister's footsteps. "And now," he added, as they approached the communciations terminal, "I will please ask you to stand aside and keep your silence. She may not be pleased to know that I am not alone."

        "What difference can this make?" Belaii demanded a moment later. "Now that we are together again..."

        "It is important to me." he insisted. "In time you may come to understand what it is that she and I share -- a bond, to be sure, though not the same as the one we share. You may watch if you wish, but for my sake and the sake of the One, will you keep your silence?" Her eyes narrow with suspicion and thought, Belaii curtly nodded, and somewhat relieved, Larieken then turned his attention back to the terminal, and activated the connection that would put him through to his ship... and there she was, as he had requested, alone in her room of readiness -- the private space on bridge-deck that was hers and hers alone.

        "Larieken... at last."

        "Many apologies, Val'na," he began, "But until this moment, I was otherwise -- indisposed."

        "Your timing in this is not as good as it usually is, Larieken." was her somewhat waspish reply.

        He frowned at that -- it had been long since he had seen her as upset as she was now. "You will explain your comments, I trust?"

        "In short, the Eloi'a Speaker named Aeilyn asked Sech Westcastle to turn over her daughter for training in our craft -- she refused. Shortly thereafter, the Speaker ordered one of his underlings to *kidnap* Celia Westcastle. We, along with his now-banished daughter and one other ally, are now in pursuit, following their trail."

        At this revelation, Larieken momentarily found himself at a loss for words, but this soon passed. "As you say, my timing is not the best -- but as much as I wish I could join you in this mission, this time I cannot. For the moment, a crisis besets my family and my clan, a crisis I cannot, as you say, 'leave hanging'. If I do not act in the here and now, what faces us may tear my family asunder. I cannot allow this to happen, Val'na -- honour demands that I act."

        "When this is all over, Larieken, we're going to have to sit down together, and then you tell me what *really* happened."

        He bowed. "It shall be as you say."

        "In that case, I suppose we've both got more important things to do then run circles around one another with words. I'll see you when we return to Minbar, Larieken. SHARD OF NIGHT out."

        And even as her image faded, he felt the hand of another slide on top of his own, and turned to meet Belaii's now questioning expression. "A piercing gaze, your Val'na has." she finally admitted. "And one who appears to be veiled in mystery."

        "I will tell you the full story in time. For now, however, we must begin planning for the council to come."


        "So quick to move he is, when his *Val'na* calls. "

        "Which only *proves* to me that he has been tainted by his contact with the humans!" Ariekaas angrily replied. But then, the youngest son of Alyt Kendraii forcibly calmed his expression. "And yet, what you said to me is the truth -- I must not give in to my rage if I am to succeed in this matter."

        "A difficult prospect, to be sure, Ariekaas. Your father does not consider you an appropriate choice because of the... outbursts you have displayed in the recent past. If this were not true, he would not have called out to your *brother* to return to this place."

        "Again you speak the truth. But what can I do to change his mind, and the minds of the elders?"

        "The task will not be an easy one, I am afraid, but you must show the council that the humans have indeed affected the way in which your brother now approaches our affairs... that the human 'taint' upon him makes him an unsuitable candidate to conduct the business of your family once your father has passed beyond the Veil."

        "Yes." Ariekaas whispered, "Tell me more..."


        A short time later, after the hot-headed youngster had gone on his way, the warrior that Ariekaas named as friend and confidante entered into conference with two others of his clan, and the discussion that followed would not have been a pleasant one for any one member of Kendraii's family to overhear.

        "So." the eldest of the three gravely pondered, "A most difficult choice to make! On one hand we have *Anla'shok* Larieken, the warrior who ran away to fight the fight against Darkness and shattered tradition in the process... and on the other, his younger brother Ariekaas, full of anger and pride, and almost *completely* lacking in common sense."

        "Your analysis would appear to be an appropriate one, Alyt. Now that Kendraii's oldest child has been banished, neither of those who follow appear to be... suitable to take up the role of family head after Kendraii has passed beyond." The 'ally' paused for a moment, then, his expression one of polite calculation. "The situation would appear to be ripe for the downfall of a family that has stood amongst our upper echelon for *far* too long."

        "Your analysis appears to be an appropriate one." the third member of the triad replied. "It is entirely possible that we may be able to influence the elders to choose neither of them to lead after Kendraii. If we succeed in this, if Ariekaas is proven unsuitable to lead and Larieken is returned to his exile amongst the Anla'shok, along with any he has called to his side in this matter, the power that Kendraii has shared with five of his line may finally be broken. Which should free up space for... others to become ascendant."

        "A most interesting suggestion. Let us discuss this matter further..."


        To be continued...


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