CHAPTER TWELVE
 
 

Sivya looked down as the baby came, panting hard.  "What do I do now?" she demanded.  "It hurts."

That is normal, the elder soothed. Cubs hurt when they come out.  Worry about getting it out.   Push with the pains. That's it.

"Owwwwwwwwww!" she screamed, pushing, and the baby came.  She flopped backwards, sucking in badly needed air.  "Ow.  Now what?" she asked, looking at the elder.

Now you cut the cord so the child is separate.   She nudged the baby. Soon if possible.

Sivya nodded and sat up with a wince, grabbing the knife she had cleaned earlier.  She clamped off the umbilical cord and cut it, making the baby howl.  "Ah, normal baby noises."  She flopped back, pulling the child to her chest.  "Hi, son.  You're all right."  She looked at the cub coming in.  "We've got a helper."

Out. You do not need to see how cubs are born. The cub sniffled, padding off into the night.  She looked at the young woman again. He'll need a bath. He's messy. She licked Sivya on the cheek. There will be afterbirth.  It will feel the same but smaller.   She left to tell the others the baby was well.

Sivya looked at her son, who was staring at her.  "Hi.  Let's get you cleaned up and then I'll try to do some neat stuff, like bury the blood and afterbirth.  Then maybe we'll try to eat."  She sat up again, holding her stomach.  "Ow.  That is not fun.  You're going to be an only child, son.  No more children from me."

Sivya, another ship is coming, a voice called.

"Fine, I'm going."  She struggled to her feet.  She felt the first cramp and groaned.  "Ow."  She paused and groaned.  "Let me bury the birth fluids."

We can do that.  Get to your ship, the voice ordered. That way you can escape the demanding one again.

As she gathered her cloak and the few clothes she said, "Thank you for your hospitality.  I'll miss you."

You'll be back, the elder promised. Go, before he comes back.  Unless you want to keep him?

Sivya shook her head and walked off with the baby.  She came to the clearing.  "Ship, uncloak.  Get ready to take off and leave the system."  She walked on.  "Seal the ship."

"Are you all right?"

"I just gave birth!"

"Go to the medical compartment.  We will check you both over.  I will autopilot out of here.  Where are we headed?"

"I don't care.  Is there an open port and job waiting?"  She headed back to the medical compartment. "Leave as soon as possible."

"Of course, Sivya."  The ship took off once she was lying down and headed for the outer rim nearest them.  "There is an outer rim world that is asking for a priestess to come settle a dispute."

"Sure, go for it.  I've still got to deliver afterbirth."

"Understood.  I'll monitor.  Should I run a bath for the baby?"

"Please," she agreed.  "Better yet, for both of us.  I'll bathe him with me.  We're both covered with the same nastiness."

"Bath started.  Approximate time to full tub, five minutes."   The ship took off at jump speed, heading for the outer rim.  "Bath full," he announced.

"Thank you, you're a very nice ship."  She headed for the bathroom, climbing out of her clothes and into the warm water with a sigh.  "Oh, so much better."  Her son woke up with a jerk.  "It's okay, this is water, water is good, son.  What should we name you?  Ship, is there a naming ceremony?"

"Affirmative.  I will download it to your usual viewing portal.  You have a year to do so."

"That's fine."  She rested her son against her chest, bathing him gently from the nice water.  He still didn't seem to like it, but that was fine.  Maybe it was the bubbles that eat dirt, a common additive in the Empire's water.
 

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya walked into the temple with her son strapped to her back under her cloak.  "You called for a priestess of Aragoness?"

"You are?" the men asked.

"A priestess.  Do not touch me," she ordered.  "My daughter is back there."  She took off the cloak and put it over her arm.  "Let's get down to work."

"No drinks?"

"Not yet.  I don't want to start a trade negotiation with unclear heads.  Then I'll have to come back and do it again."

"I know you," one of them noted.  She gave him a dirty look.  "You know, there's a reward to find you."

"That's wonderful, you can also wait longer to deal with this."

"You're really a priestess?" the other combatant asked.

"I am, I'm a vowed one."  They groaned.  "So let's get down to this before someone else comes here to help and I have to fight with my daughter in the way."   She sat down, smoothing down the outfit she had put on her son, just to throw more people off.  It was a weak ploy but she couldn't hide his parentage from most people. "What is the problem?  I got the summaries but I don't understand where the conflict is."

"The conflict comes when I say that something is reasonable and he's not in agreement," the one who knew her noted.

"Fine.  What do you think is not agreeable and reasonable?"

"For starters, the time it takes to ship."  He pushed over a document so she looked at it.  "Does that look reasonable?"

"Having dealt with shipping through the military I'd say it was hopelessly optimistic.  Unless you're taking very small loads by very fast ships."  She looked at the other man.  "Do you think that's doable?"  He nodded.  "Have you done a test run with the proposed ship?"  He slowly shook his head. "Perhaps you should.  I know by my ship, which is an older Najara class pirate ship, it took me six days to get from the brethren's homeworld to this one."  The other man looked disgusted.  "That was at jump speed.  Shelve this point until you can get someone to do a test run in the proposed shipping vehicle."

"Fine, I will allow that point," he spat.  "The next point is the method of payment.  They want to pay in non Empire credits."

"We don't usually deal with the Empire's systems, priestess," the first man noted calmly.  "We offered gems, technology, or metals."

She considered this one.  "I know Halley."  They both looked stunned.  "Did something happen to him?"  They shook their heads.  "Good.  I'm glad to hear that, I've got to name this one's godparents."  She stroked her son's head, keeping him calm.  "Does the Guild offer a way to change money?  I know that there is a clan that is associated with the money changers."

"That requires extra expense."

"True."  She looked at the other person.  "What is your reason for not taking the form of payment they propose?  Is it not needed by your world?"

"My employer said only Imperial credits."

"Fine.  Then perhaps the agreement should go not through?"  The shipping man looked insulted.  "It is up to you.  This is what they have to trade with.  You have what they want to trade for but I'm sure someone else would try to make another deal."

"We can offer an extra two percent on the price to defer the cost of having it changed over," the pirate offered.

"That's very generous."

"It costs five," the shipper said in disgust.

"Two is as high as we can go," the pirate told him.  "She's right, you're the closest and we've had an agreement with you for a long time, since before the Great Troubles.  I do not see why it cannot stand."

"Costs rise and things change.  The empire is more dangerous today."

"Constantine is one of us," the pirate said smugly.

"What about this," Sivya offered.  "You ship them yourselves?  Take ten percent off the price.  That means their profits are higher, you can control your own shipping costs, and you don't have to worry about much in the way of attacks?  That way you can send armed guards if you desire."

"More like fifty," he snorted.

"Fifty is too high.  Twenty is more like it."

"Forty-eight."

"Twenty-five."

"Say thirty-five and make my daughter quit trying to nurse in front of you," Sivya offered.  They both stared at the other then nodded.  "Would that agreement take care of most of your problems?"  The pirate nodded.  "And your objections?'

"As long as they come on schedule.  We can't have things sitting around our warehouses."

"Each month, just like before.  It will do our younger sons good to get experience flying and some of our older ones can do guard duty."  He looked at the woman between them.  "Thank you, Empress."

"Am I?" she asked smugly.  "Is there anything else you need me for?"

"Yes, Lord Brast said that if any of us saw you we were to drag you to the nearest temple."

"I'm headed that way at the moment anyway to do his naming.  Anything else?"  They shook their heads.  "Then I thank you, gentlemen, for giving me a diversion from diapers and feeding my child."  She gathered her cloak and walked out, heading back onto her ship.  "Shields up. Take off before we're captured."

"We have been ordered to the nearest temple.  I have to obey that order."

"That's fine, I can stand that.  Go to whichever one is most convenient."

"Yes, Sivya."  The ship took off, going between the amassed pirate's cavalcade of ships.

"Are they going to escort us?"

"Quite possibly.  There is a reward.  Please sit down before you fall.  You did not sleep well last night, Sivya."

"Sure.  Nag some more.  You sound more and more like an old high priestess of mine.  I swear, you sound like someone's father."

The computer laughed.  "Thank you.  It's not easy building a new personality.  Time to arrival approximately six minutes, unless you want to tuck and roll and go to a different one?  My orders were to take you to one, not which one."

"Can we get away?"

"Highly unlikely."

"Then let's not risk the son.  Go ahead."  The ship sped ahead and let her land this time. She was getting better.  She strapped back on the baby carrier and her guns, then stepped off the ship, nodding at the priestess standing there.  "I was ordered to appear?"

"This way, priestess.  You bind your hair up?"

"My hair is very noticeable.  Besides, it's upsetting me and I need a trim. Unfortunately we were on a forest world and there wasn't any civilization."  She walked up to the high priestess.  "I did not abridge my vows.  He is mine and a former spouse's.  I'm claiming no father status for him."

"We shall see," the priestess offered, smiling at her.  "May I see him?"

"I thought it was a daughter," a voice said from behind her.  Sivya glared at him.  "Never mind.  Brast will love this."

"I can still shoot you," she reminded him.  That wiped his smug look away quickly.  "Thank you.  What goes on in my life is my business, not yours, nor his."  She handed over the child, letting the priestess test him. "I wanted someone's opinion on naming ceremonies and who to name as Godparents since I only know seven pirates.  I wanted to name a priestess one, just in case."

"Actually, he will be a priest," she announced.  "Also, she has not broken her vows."  The listening pirates swore.  She smiled at Sivya.  "I would gladly speak with you but your former mate is on his way."

"Then I'm leaving.  By your leave?"

"Of course."  She handed back the child.  "There will be no fighting inside the temple except for training purposes," she ordered sternly when someone pulled a blaster.  "She may leave.  She did not abridge her vows.  Her vows are still pure."

"But the child!" one pirate complained.

"Is from a spouse, moron.  Next time listen," she said, scowling at him.  "I'm a vowed one, not sworn from childhood."

"He lived, Sivya."

"Thank you.  I'm naming him one anyway. I know he would look out for him."  She bowed again and left, going into jump just as another ship came in.  She winced at the pissed sounding yelling for her to come back.  "Where shall we go to next, little one?"

"There's a conflict going on in Verstibule.  It's outside your normal sphere of influence but they need a priestess badly," the ship offered.

"Dangerous?"

"Highly, but not to you. You're untouchable. They will agree to that and I can easily watch the child for a few hours."

"Agreed, turn and jump that way."

"Yes, Sivya.  What did they say?"

"That I hadn't abridged or broken my vows and that Brailian lived.  Speaking of, while we're in jump, call him."

"Of course.  Online."

She smiled up at the camera.  "Hi, Gerian.  How is he?"

"Where have you been!" she shouted.

"Being calm and working on my control issues."  She waved the baby's hand, making the other woman stop glaring at her.  "Want to be a godparent?"

"I wouldn't mind in the least," she admitted.  "That one seems to like you, unlike most of them."

"I guess it took a pirate's child to like me enough not to scream his head off."

"Him?" she asked, smiling at her. "Brast must be happy.  Where are you?"

"Heading away from Brast.  I'm filing him as no father. But I'm putting Constantine on as a godparent, plus you and Brailian if you want, plus Halley if that's possible and I wanted one priestess since the one we just visited said he'll be a priest."  She smoothed down an errant strand of hair.  "So, how is he?"

"He's fine.  He's in the other room ranting at someone.  Wait a moment."  She disappeared and they heard a door slam.  Then Brailian stormed into view, already scowling. "I told you so," she said from behind him when he stopped and squeaked.  "It's Brast's?"  She nodded. "You're sure?"

"He's been the only one and I don't think Lord Argonnes goes for fatherless births often."

"He has in the past, but that was for some of the founding lines," Brailian admitted.  "How old?"

"A few days.  We've still got to name him."

"You are adorable.  Nearly as pretty as mine.  What shall we name you?"

"I wanted your advice on that and to see if you could help me figure out which priestess to name."  The communications system beeped.  "What's that?"

"Someone trying to interrupt.  Should I put them on another screen?"

"That depends on who it is," she said dryly.

"Brast."

"No."  She looked at the couple again, smirking.  "We're having a small argument.  He thinks I'm property now."  Gerian laughed at that.  "So, what should we name him and do you want to be a Godparent?"

"I had better be!  Someone's got to sort that young one out before he gets into all sorts of trouble like his daddy and big sister."

"She's filing fatherless," Gerian told him.

"Ah, the reason for the argument.  He will hunt you down and kill you, Sivya.  You know that.  There's not much he's possessive about, but his ship and his children are among those."  He smiled at the baby again, who made sucky faces at him.  "You're so adorable!  When are you coming in?"

"Ship?  Would it matter?'

"We've already accepted."

"Thanks.  After this next assignment."

"You're an actual priestess?"  She nodded. "Since when?"

"Since on the ship when we met Halley and Constantine," she said dryly.  "The priestess who met us said I was to be tested.  I still have to go back for my flying one.  I'm slowly learning.  I can land, take off, and do a jump, but I'm not good at high speed combat yet."

"Come home, Sivya.  I can call them and tell them the baby is sick.  That we're family."

"It's outside of empire space, Brailian.  It'll be fine.  I'll be by soon.  He's only a few days old.  All you've missed are some very nasty diapers."

"I remember those," he admitted.  "Fine.  I want your word as a priestess that the first place you will come is here."

"Unless Brast catches me and drags me somewhere else.  I'd be more than happy to do so.  Mark that down, Ship."

"Of course, Sivya."

"You're not on his ship?"  She shook her head.  "Where did you get a ship?"

"Kyler," she said smugly.  "Brast took me there and didn't realize."

"Speaking of people," Gerian butted in, "I called Constantine to tell her we'd seen you and you were fine.  She said she wants to challenge you to combat for running that way."

"I sent her my resignation."

"She claims she never got one."

"I'll gladly send her another copy.  I remember enough of it.  I'll send it while we're traveling.  Now, we'd better go since it sounds like you've got angry people."  He rolled his eyes.  "It'll be fine.  Trust me," she said with a smile.  "Say bye-bye," she said, waving his hand.  The connection cut.  She smiled at the baby, then looked up into a very unsmiling face.  "Yes?" she asked.

"Who were you talking to?"

"Her godfather."

"The ship said a boy."

She shrugged.  "Sometimes equipment can be wrong."  She hung up and pushed the button to block him from calling her.  "Block him from searching for us by call signal as well," she ordered.  "Open the file resignation two and send that to Constantine's personal address at top speed if you can as well please."

"Of course.  I live to serve."

"Hmm, and you do it so well," she agreed.  "Come on, baby pirate, let's go lay down and have some dinner."  She got up and took him into the bedroom to feed him.  He liked to be lying down when he ate and she needed a nap too.

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya walked off her ship and into the middle of a war.  She knew it was a war, all the buildings around her were destroyed.  She carried her son into the only standing building, the temple, and went to find out how she could help.  She cleared her throat at the huddle of people.  "Don't make me hurt you for harming a priestess sworn and vowed."  They backed off.  "Priestess, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she offered, standing up.  "They were just leaving."  Sivya handed over her child when she smiled at the cute little one.  "Interesting.  Your idea?"

"A weak one I admit."  She looked at the people standing around.  "I do believe you were asked to leave."

"You're no pirate," one sneered.

She pulled her guns and proved that she was, and she was a very good shot.  She put them back up and repossessed her son, who was again dressed as a daughter.  "So, you needed help with them or with others?  I noticed the destruction."

"There are two warring factions.  This is only one of them."  She sat down, taking the baby again.  "More come, Sivya," she said quietly.

"I've faced off with bigger and badder before," she pointed out grimly.  She turned, hands on her guns when someone else walked into the temple.  "You are?"

"Here to pick these ones up and send them to a healer," he said, looking at his friends.  "You are?"

"A priestess.  Vowed."

"Hmm.  The child?"

"Mine, touch and die."

"Why?  Is someone going to hurt me?"  He pulled his weapon at the same time she did, but she hit him first.  He had been betting she'd move apparently.  "Oh, Goddess," he panted.  "You're mean."

"I'm new."  She looked at the woman.  "She seems content, you can hold her if you need to."

"Thank you, priestess.  I'll accept your gracious offer.  Shall I call in both sides?"

"Please.  These ones should know better than to assault a priestess.  Their family should have them back and have them bred for better heirs."  She looked up as someone new came in, wearing all black of a priest.  "You are on which side?"

"Neither, the same as you are."  He bowed to the priestess.  "You take on a dangerous job, sister, especially with that youngling."

"I may, but someone has to so there's peace.  Only with peace do prosperous hunts come."

"Good point.  May I?"  The head priestess kissed the boy, holding him out.  He smiled and touched the boy's head.  "He'll one day be a priest.  Not named or blessed?"

"I'm working on it at the moment.  I've been a bit busy."  She took down her hair, making him gasp.  "So yes, I do deal in dangerous times.  This one will end.  Or else I will end them as I did on Tovar."

"Fine," he agreed happily enough.  "Watch his nature.  It is not like yours."  She raised an eyebrow so he nodded at her collars.  "He is not like yours.  Though he will look pretty in his set."

"Thank you. I'll work on finding him a teacher."  She smiled at him and punched him on the arm.  "You're very helpful, even for being on one of the sides."  He laughed and nodded.  "Please don't tell him where I am.  He'll throw another fit."

"As usual.  There's many stories of Brast chasing after his first wife because she wanted to do something with Constantine."

"She told me.  I'm figuring he's having flashbacks.  We're going to name and bless him after this."  She looked over as more people walked in.  "Gather both sides.  I am here, I did answer the call, this will be solved," she ordered cooly, perfect tone for the ritual words.  Two of them laughed.  "Those ones on the floor tried to assault a priestess sworn and vowed.  I dealt with them.  I dealt with people on Tovar.  I can and will deal with you.  This feud ends."  That got more laughter. "Is it proper to injure an equal number of people?"

"Yes," the priestess offered.  "I always thought so."

"Good."  She pulled her guns and shot at them, wounding them only.  "I said this ends.  I'm not in the mood to be nice and happy."

"The child is only a week old, she's probably still having pains," the priest called.  The remaining standing people ran to spread that around and to get the heads into the temple.  "You do very well for not being born one of us."

"Thank you.  I trained very hard to protect what was mine.  Both spouses saw to it."  She looked over as two old men were walked in.  "Are they the reason for the feud?"  Everyone shook their heads.  "Where are the reasons?"

"There's a feud?" one of the old men demanded.

"That's why the city looks the way it does," the priest reminded him.  "I'll warn you now, priestess, it's a matter of honor.  One stole another's spouse."

"Did she go willingly or was she stolen?" she asked.

"She was stolen."

"Was reparation made?'

"They claim she was reparation for an earlier incident.  This feud goes back generations."  Two young men walked in, separated by their people.  "They're the reason for the current fight."

"Fine, then we will sit down to work it out.  Will you watch my youngling?"

"Of course.  I love children," she offered with a smile.

Sivya walked over to them and slapped them both.  "Sit down.  We are talking.  One of your clan's people assaulted the other priestess.  I saved her."  One of them glared at the other.  "I will be told which side."  She pointed at the people on the floor near the throne and altar.  "Them."  The glaring man sighed and shook his head.  "Good, then they will need good care.  The others will probably need it also," she told the other man.

"If they can't get up and walk with those injuries then they deserve to go back to training flights," he sneered.

She backhanded him.  "How dare you treat your clan that way!  They are your family.  You do not treat you mother that way I would assume?"  He backed up a step.  "Now then, sit down!" she yelled.  They sat, facing her. "Go back to the reason for this version of the family's war.  I heard a kidnaping?"

"We stole her in reparation for one of our girl's dying," the other side protested.

"That was an accident."

"Were reparations made or offered?"

"Offered but they refused," the first side said.

"When?" the other snorted.

"The funeral.  We offered you reparations."

"Prove it!"

"No yelling!" she yelled.  "I've already got a headache.  I'm a week post birth.  I hope my son does not pick up bad habits."  She glared at them both.  They both smirked at her.  "Try it.  I will shoot you both.  Hopefully the next ones will be more reasonable."

"Doing so would mean a combat duel."

"I've already passed my trials.  Besides, I've done plenty of fighting in my life.  What reparations were offered?"

"We offered sixty goats, two older ships that are the prize of our collection, and six gems from our collection."  He saw her grimace.  "It's fairly high for a dowry out here.  We're not near the core worlds with the nicer pirates, priestess."

"Yay.  I guess that's why I came," she told him coldly.  She looked at the other man.  "Do you remember such an offer?"  He shook his head, crossing his arms.  "If he offered such now, would it stop the feud?"  He shook his head.  "Why not?"

"Because they killed another of our daughters, one who was younger," the priest said quietly.

"Oh, just give it up and marry already!" she snapped.  "Become one clan.  Then this can't happen!"  They all looked disgusted at that.  "Whine!"  She looked at the elders.  "Would that solve the fight to your satisfaction?"  They both nodded.  She looked at the priestess.  "Yours?"

"It would, but they are short of girls," she offered gently.

"You know what, where I come from, that doesn't matter."  She stared at the two cocky men.  "You two could easily marry and put a wife between you."  They shook their heads.  She nodded.  "Yes, and it's solve everything.  Is there one?" she asked the priest.

"There is, but it's the priestess," he offered, nodding back at her. "Or you."

"I'm being chased by mine."

"I'm sorry to hear that.  What's wrong?"

"He's a man, he's pissed," she said dryly, glaring at those two.  "Would anyone argue over that relationship?" she asked loudly.

"As long as an heir could come from it and join the families," the priestess offered. "Or two, one from each side.  If I remember right, there are sisters.  They could wed each other's sister."

"That would also work," she agreed.  "As long as they shared the family jointly."  They both backed away from her.  "Is that doable?"

"His sister's ugly and underaged."

"She's not!" the other protested.

She slapped them both again.  "Who cares?"  They groaned.  "Do any dislike this option?"  No one said anything.  "Then you have two options to fix it, or you could sit down and negotiate on your own tonight.  By tomorrow I will have a solution or I'm marrying you together and then asking Lord Aragoness to bless you both with union and offspring.  Since I also pray to Alia, I'm sure I can."  They went pale.  "Do we understand?"  They nodded and ran out.  She walked up to repossess her son, but he screamed.  She handed him back. "I think he likes you.  Why do you stay here?"

"There was a third clan, mine," she said gently.  "I was due to be wedded when the clan was wiped out.  I alone survived after my child was stillborn."

Sivya felt her heart break, hugging her.  "If you need me, I am there.  All you have to do is call for me," she whispered.  She felt a gun in her back and ducked, then kicked at the person, knocking him down.  "Well, you're speedy today," she said dryly.  She smiled at the baby.  "Did you want to stay in here tonight instead of the ship?" she asked, smiling at him.  He made happy noises.  "May we?"

"I would appreciate it.  No one had hit those two since they were children.  They'll be pouting like some next.  Priest, did you want to go back to your natal house?"

"No, I'll be staying," he offered, smiling at her.  "You look good with the child."

"I am too old."

"Not really. The Gods work in odd and strange ways," Sivya reminded her.  "Just when the treasure is out of sight, a trap falls and you land on top of the pile, and the beast guarding it."  They both laughed.

"Did you memorize that book?" Brast groaned as he stood up.  "I charge her with breaking her vows."

"She took only a former spouse to bed.  That is not breaking her vows to our Lord, Brastianius.  That was comfort when she wasn't sure Brailian would live.  So said the other priestess."  She stood up, handing back the child.  "You may try the Rite of Bonding, but it may backfire on you," she said quietly.  "Remember, she has an option for combat."

"She can't hurt me."

"She just did," she reminded him.  "If she claims the future priest as fatherless, then you can still be a godparent, as can your daughter.  Along with those you call brother."

"Also, he wouldn't have to stick around wherever I end up," Sivya reminded her.  "Hopefully near Riven."

"Constantine said you're taking back the crown."

"I already abdicated."

"She never got a notice of it."

"I sent it a second time, to her personal account and to the herald's address."  That got a shocked look.  "I swore I would not keep it forever and I'm not.  There is more peace now.  It's better this way."

"It's not, my daughter has to deal with those same people!"

"They would have had to deal with her anyway, Brast. She was picked by the crown to be the Ki, not by me.  Anyway, most of those people were arrested if they had anything to do with the fighting.  She's safer now."

"She's not!  There was an attack last night."

"It was stopped at the gates according to the news.   Besides, it was more of a protest than anything."  He glared at her.  "Until you've seen a military ship come down and start firing into a crowd for no reason than to get one person, and then destroyed that ship and everyone who had been on it by calling down lightening, butt out," she hissed.  "I do not need this today."  She lifted the baby higher in her arms.  "Come on, let's go watch the sunset.  You like sunsets."  She walked off with him.

Brast glared at her back, then at the priestess.  "I'm the pirate.  That is my child.  I am claiming my child.  I will not allow her to rip my made family apart!"

"She's not, she has plans of naming most of them as godparents," the priest offered.  "Beyond that she is a week post birth of your son."

"She said daughter."

"It was meant to mislead you," the priestess told him.

Brast sighed.  "I know, she doesn't need this stress."

"Especially not when she can call the elements down to fry someone," the priest reminded him. "The baby is every bit her child in that regard, but with a different set of powers."  Brast shook his head, looking miserable.  "This is your choice, Brastianius.  Do you wish to woo her back to your side, or do you wish to punish her and make her run again.  You know her nature, which will work better?"

"Neither of them," Sivya called.  She walked back in.  "There's two ships coming in at high speed."

"We're going to your ship," the priestess said, taking the baby.  "Fortunately I can still fly."

"I'm still learning," she admitted, following her.  "I'm heading to Brailian's after this, Brast.  Feel free to yell at him too.  We're doing the naming and blessing then."  She whistled and her ship opened.  "We're under attack," she said as she walked in.  The doors slammed shut.  "Can we lift off?"

"Immediately.  Sit down," the computer ordered.  "I broke the hold Lord Brast's ship had on me."  They sat down and the ship lifted off.  "Priestess, if you wish to fly, you cannot be holding the child.  Sivya, go back to the back."

"No, we're staying.  Did Brast and that other priest get on his ship?"  The priestess nodded.  "Which one first?"

"I call left," Brast said.  "We can work in tandem this time."

"Then you can follow me," the other priestess offered.  She looked at Sivya.  "If something should happen, my name is Apishian."

"We'll make sure to tell someone, but I doubt it'll be necessary.  You are strong and well trained.  I will do what you say."  She strapped the baby onto her stomach so she had two hands free. "Tell me what to do, Apishian."

"Roll, right," she ordered.  Sivya put in the order, making her smile.  "Good job.  We'll make a true pirate of you yet, Sivya. I'm sure your future mate will teach you that as well."

"Fat chance," she snorted.

"As the Lords order," she reminded her.  "We have seen it being so."

"Fine.  If he wills it.  If so, then Alia will have to accept him as well.  She put up the shields without having to be asked.  Then she ducked under the other ship, spinning to fire on the rear of it.  She heard and felt Brast get the one behind her, making them explode.  The one in front of her fell into the temple.  "Did you need anything from in there?"

"No, nothing in there was mine anymore," she said quietly.  "Where are we going?"

"Brailian has his own world," she offered.  "Ship, coordinates?"

"Already laid.  Exit the planetary mass so we can jump."  She put in the order and they turned, zipping off.  "Thank you.  Good handling, ladies. Sivya will do well once she gets combat training.  It should help the empress."

"Not anymore.  I fired myself for doing a bad job."  Apishian put a hand on her arm.  "I did.  People died because of what I said.  That's a bad job in my book.  It's not like it was a necessary battle.  They decided I was so bad that they'd rather die than live under me.  That's the hallmark of a bad ruler."  Apishian nodded at that.  "Would you like to be a godmother?  He seems to like you more than everyone else so far."

"I would be honored to watch over the little priest."  She took the baby back, cuddling him closely.  "Should I lay down with him?"

"If you want, but watch out, he'll expect to eat.  That's how he likes to eat."

"That's fine."  She walked him back to the bedroom, laying down with him.

"Tell me when we can jump," she ordered.

"As of two minutes ago."

"Laying in jump coordinates," she called out.  She input the order to jump, wincing at the grinding noise.  "Was that us?"

"Yes, there was a small hit with a bomb, but nothing major.  Just a stabilizer.  I'll be landing this time, you can help."

"That's fine.  I've got to learn that sometime too."  She hit the order again and this time they went into jump with just a rattle.  "Wake me when we get there."

"Of course.  I'll also call Brailian about the stabilizer.  It'll only take some welding."

"Good, then someone can teach me that too," she said tiredly, curling up in her chair to take a nap.

~*~*~*~
 

Brailian opened the door and looked at the people standing on his doorstep.  "You brought company?"

"She's one of the godparents.  This is Apishian. She was the priestess on Verstibule but I'm sure you've heard we ended up shooting our way out.  No irritated man?"

"Not yet.  He said he had to drop another priest off."  He took the baby, waking him.  "Hello, little one.  How are we?"  The baby stared at him so he smiled.  "Hi.  I'm your godfather Brailian. You look a lot like your father.  Yes, you do."  He sat down with the baby.  "Welcome to my home, Apishian.  The temple is just up the street if you wanted to check in."

"They already know I'm here," she said with a small smile.  "We are all knowing and all seeing."

"That's true, I always thought Sivya was like that," Gerian agreed as she walked in with drinks.  "Here, eat, woman.  You've got to be starved with taking care of that child."

"I usually nap while he eats."

"She's only seen it done by the mother, never any surrogate devices," Apishian offered gently.  She looked at Gerian and touched her stomach.  "A daughter."

Gerian nearly dropped the tray.  "I am?"  She nodded, smiling at her.  She kicked at Brailian, who only grinned smugly.  "Bastard."  She sat down once everyone had a drink.  "What's wrong with your ship, Sivya?"

"A stabilizer got hit.  The ship said it'll take some welding so I guess I'm learning that next."  She sipped her drink.  "I can have this while I'm feeding the baby, right? It won't make him drunk?"

"It shouldn't," Gerian offered.  "As far as I know.  If so, we can use a surrogating device for a few hours.  Have you decided on a name?"  Sivya shook her head.  "You've got to have one picked out for him, that's the purpose of the naming and giving him godparents."

"You three, Constantine, and Brast?  Or should I name Halley?"

"You can't.  He's got plenty of them," Brailian told her, grinning when she looked at him.  "He said so.  He also said he wanted invited."

"Fine.  Not a problem if it's not with him."  She leaned back, getting comfortable. "You're really okay?"

"I'm fine, Sivya.  The priestesses fixed me up beautifully.  The only thing I miss is breathing very deeply in the middle of the night to wake someone up with my snoring."  He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.  "Thank you.  This is a beautiful godson you gave us."

"He's a future priest, don't name him anything yet," Apishian offered.  "With his mother's nature. Almost."

"Fire?"  She nodded.  "Well.  Interesting times we'll have getting you into a bath, son."  She smoothed down the hairs sticking up.  "I can't get those to lie down."

"I use spit on our's," Gerian suggested. Someone pounded on the door.  "Sounds like Halley's here with ours."  She got up to answer the door, smiling as the guild representative walked in with the baby and a large bag.  "No spoiling the baby," she chided, taking her son back.  "Come see, son, there's a baby here.  It's Brast's baby."  She sat down so the babies could stare at each other.  Then hers reached over to grab the younger one's nose.  "No grabbing.  You can kiss him when you're both older."

"Hi, Halley," Sivya said with a small grin.  "I'm sorry I'm such a pain in the butt."

"It's not a problem, Sivya.  Those with great futures often start out annoying someone."  He sat down, handing over the bag.  "For your son?"  She nodded.  "I figured you might as well get him used to the outfit now."  She dug into the bag, pulling out a miniature priest's outfit, gigging and hugging him.  "You're welcome, lass.  Now, what's wrong with your ship?"

"Something I need to learn how to weld. I'm sure I can do that at the temple."

"She did very well taking orders during our small bout of combat flying," Apishian offered.  "She'll take those lessons very well I'm sure."

"Really?" Brailian asked, smiling at her.  "Since when have you known how to fly?"

"Since I had the ship teach me, and then Constantine showed me a bit and I learned some off Brast, then this ship taught me a lot.  It's a very nice ship."

"I saw that.  We'll make sure you get fixed this time, as long as you stay out of trouble and you at least let Brast see his son."

"I said I was going to name him a godparent if I went fatherless with him."

"I doubt he's going to let that happen," Gerian said dryly.  "In case you hadn't heard, he used to chase his first wife all over creation when she'd take Constantine on jobs with her."  Sivya sighed and slumped.  "We'll stand behind you if that's what you really want to do, Sivya, but be aware of the consequences.  He will make you miserable for years."

"Also, expect him to yell as soon as he walks in about where he found you this time. He used to do that a lot," Halley said wisely.  The door slammed open and everyone winced. "Yeah, he's a tad bit upset."

"You think?" Sivya said sarcastically.  She smiled up at Brast.  "He's bonding with the godparents, and look at what Halley got him," she offered, holding up the small outfit.

"Adorable."  He sat down between Gerian and Brailian, taking his son from his sworn-brother's hands.  "You're small."

"He's only a few days old, Brast, be careful," Gerian ordered.  She let her son stand up on her lap so he could nibble on her uncle's earrings again.  He liked doing that. "Fyester found out that he liked earrings the last time Brast was here."

"When was that?  You never came over for a drink," Halley complained.

"Before I found her with the Ferganis," he said, glaring at his wife.  "Who delivered him?"

"I did, with the elder standing there giving advice and watching."

"You delivered him?" Gerian asked.  "By yourself?  No healer?"  She shook her head.  "Why?"

"I was the only person with hands on the planet.  I even cut his cord.  They only bite the ones they deliver so I had to sit up to do that.  He's an only child," she said happily.  Brast muttered something.  "I heard that," she snapped.  "Hand him back to someone who isn't having violent urges."

"Fine," he agreed, glaring at her.  "You took him into a war zone!"

"I thought it was another negotiation."

"Still!  You took him into a war zone!"   He was nearly shouting now but he didn't care.  She deserved it this time.  "This is stupider than the time you had me tossed into our room and headed for the throne room to defend it."

"You were unconscious at the time," she reminded him patiently.  "I saved everyone else a number of times by taking your guns.  Now I've got my own, we can both shoot them."  He glared and she heard a small growl. "Be upset if you want.  He's *my* son."

"No, he's my son.  I've already registered him as my son and second heir.  You can't take that away from him."

"He'll be a priest," she reminded him. "Not out gallivanting around the universes!"

"Enough," Brailian said patiently.  "Some of us already had a headache from listening to her land with a broken stabilizer."   He sat the baby against his chest.  "It's a Godparent's sacred right to shield the children from hearing the parents fight.  I'm invoking it.  If you two want to fight, go outside."  Brast stood up and pulled his woman after him, dragging her all the way.  "He's so much worse with her than he was with Hevien."

"Eh, that's love for you," Halley reminded him.  "You and Gerian are the same way. If she had done the fool things that one had done, you'd be pulling her around by her hair by now."

"Probably true," he agreed with a small smile for his wife, who kissed him.  "Think he's kissed her yet?  I can't hear anything."

"No, not yet."  They all jumped as lightening stuck outside.  "Surely she didn't do that to him."

Apishian got up to look.  "No, there's someone else on the ground and he's got a charger plate on his chest.  One of them shot him in it but it looks like there's a gun in his hand so it should be fine."

"Open the window, dear," Gerian suggested.

"Do not open fire on my front lawn!" Brailian yelled once the window was open.  "I don't care if it's another army!"

Brast led her back inside, sitting her on the couch, her blasters in his hands.  "She's the one who fired.  He screamed her name and pulled a knife," he said grimly.   He sat down, putting her guns on the table in front of him.  "Now, *priestess*, we will talk like civilized adults.  Either you do the mating ceremony with me or I will push for custody.  Even if I have to take up residence."

"What makes you think that someone won't come for him, Brast?  Like outside?" she retorted.  He swallowed.  "That was a fairly nice attack, it was only one person. I'm not having my son put in danger by being in one spot."

"Constantine has settled most of that down, you said so," Brailian reminded her.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that she's going to ease off any and if she doesn't then they'll try to get me back.  I'm still eligible to be called back as a future empress."  She got comfortable. "In ten days they'll have to name her Empress or do another hunt for a new one if the crown rejects her.  In which case she's named Empress pro-tem or Regent Ki because she was the Ki.  So I have to stay hidden for at least ten more days."

"Fine, we can do that. It'll take about two to fix your ship anyway," Brast said calmly.  "You're still not taking off with my son after that."

"He'd be safer with me."

"He'd be safer with both of us."

"No, you're still able to be hurt, if someone touches her they'll be paying from all the priests and priestesses," Gerian reminded them all.  "That's probably why they did it."

"Quite possibly," Apisian agreed gently.  She smiled at the baby.  "You are adorable today.  He's asleep."

"That's fine, I don't mind being the bed for a napping child," Brailian said quietly.  "Sivya, you must bond with him.  If he's filed then it will come down to a duel or combat to resolve it. You should know that by having absorbed the Book by now."  She nodded.  "Then why try?"

"Because by claiming he's fatherless, people won't be coming for his father or coming after him because they want his father.  It cuts down on the danger to him."

"It also cuts down on my time with him," Brast said, frowning at her again.  "Did you think I wouldn't want to know?"

"Honestly, until you showed up there, I wasn't going to tell you at all. That way you wouldn't have to do this chasing you've been doing."

"That's very selfish," Brailian chastised.  "Alia taught you better."

"She may have, but I consider this a boon and the sign that my life needed to go in new directions.  Now I have one and I'm keeping it.  Baby and all."

"I can still be there."

"That's the purpose of naming you a godparent, so you can be there and no one says anything."

"Let us mediate this," Apisian said gently.  "Brast, it is your son.  Are you willing to be there every day for the rest of his time as a youngling, even if she is forced to take back up the crown?"  He shuddered.  "Exactly.  This is another reason. She has to consider what may happen, including that path."

"Which would make you more miserable than before and I couldn't stand that and he won't be able to stand it.  This way you can still see him whenever you're nearby and you have time, but you won't be obligated to be paraded in front of the court like some prized stud goat again."  Gerian snickered at that. "He said he was."

"I was.  While that's a nice sentiment I'd still rather be his father and mated to you in all meanings of the word."  She stroked her veil and he sighed.  "We'll see what the local High Priest says.  He has a good head for combat, he taught me combat strategies."

"Very well.  We can talk to him before the naming?  By the way, did you want to choose his name?" Sivya offered.  "I have no idea about such things."

"Pirates are given a private name and a use name," Apisian advised.  "Technically, you give him the embarrassing one as a private name so he never gives it out."

"All right.  That's fine with me.  I still have no idea what to name him.  I've never named anything in my life."

Brast shook his head.  "There's a few family names, we can choose among them and then give him a better use name."  He looked at his oldest friend.  "Have any suggestions?"

"Yes, but I'm told we're going to be having a daughter soon so I've got to keep some of them."  Brast hit him on the shoulder. "Ow!  Be more gentle while I'm holding your child."  He looked at Sivya and smiled. "You could honor me in there somewhere.  After all, if I hadn't nearly died, you'd never have gotten around to bedding him."

"Cabiael?" Gerian suggested. "It does include your last name."

"Does it mean something?"

"Mother's heat," she said with a fond smile for her.  "He will be your little fire priest when he's grown."

"Hopefully he looks more like his father.  It'd be bad if he was as short as I am."  She shifted some, wincing a bit.  "Sorry."

"That's not a problem, I've seen that before," Brailian said gently.  "Would you like to hide in a bathtub?"

"Let me get cleaned up then we can go to the temple to get him named and blessed.  Then I'll bathe," she promised with a smile.

"Go bathe first.  It's time for prayers," Brailian ordered. "Brast, since we've only got two guest rooms, you'll have to work out a sharing arrangement.  Unless the two priestesses want to share one?"  Aipisian waved a hand.  Brast got up, helping Sivya up and into the bathroom to draw her a bath.  "Thank you for helping us."

"It's not a problem.  That one has a great future ahead of him.  As does his mother."  She smiled at him.  "Should I go to the temple?"

"No, we've got plenty of room," Brailian offered.  "Go down the same hallway and take the room they're not in.  It's got a good view of the ships.  Just a stabilizer?"  She nodded. "That's fine, I'll pull out my old texts for her to learn from and show her how to weld."  That got a gentle smile and the priestess walked back to her room.  He looked at his wife, kissing her gently.  "Now that they're settled, we should spend some time talking about this new daughter."

She giggled and led him back to their bedroom.  "We'll see you in a few, Halley.  Entertain yourself or talk with Brast," she called as she led him back to their room.

Halley smiled as he got comfortable on the couch.  It was going to be very interesting around them soon enough.

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya looked at the old man, bowing to him.  "High One, we need you to solve a matter of opinion."

"I've heard."  He came down off his throne, coming to touch the child.  "The name chosen goes well with his nature."  He looked at Brast, then at her.  "While your ideas have merit, the future is murky at best and he must be protected by you both.  You must be together, Sivya."  She bowed her head.  "You can do it your people's way and dishonor him among the clans, or our way and be looked at oddly."

"She's mine," Brast said calmly.

"As she wants," the old man said calmly.  "As a vowed priestess, she can never marry one who was not already a spouse.  Her vows say she will bed and honor no one but one she had already mated.  Since your...contract was before then, you do technically count, as does Brailian."

"I'd take her but then I'd have to take a second husband and you know how Brast pouts," Brailian said dryly from behind them. "Sivya?"

"Would I still be...."

The priest put a finger over her lips. "You shall always be one of us.  You being one of us means that you will survive and beat this. Have someone from Zapasia teach him.  They will do best."  She nodded quickly.  "That training must come first, unlike yours which should have come first."  He moved his finger with a smile.  "Now, do we have five godparents in attendance?"

"No, I'm standing in for my daughter," Brast admitted.

"A wise choice with the life he'll live.  An exception will be made for his sibling.  We'll do the naming first."  He walked them over to a large brazier, stoking the fire up a bit.  "Gather around."  They gathered around the fire, Brast beside his son.  "His actual name is?"

"Tidisinal."

The priest snickered because it was pirate slang for a woman using the bathroom.  "That is mean, but useful in this circumstance.  His use name is?"

"Cabiael," Sivya said calmly.  She kissed her son on the head.  "To his first Godparent."

"Hello," he said, smiling down at the child.  "You will be as my child when it comes time to teach you and to nurture your path.  The one I stand in for will vow to it, I swear she will."

"Halt," a female voice ordered.  "Space Marshals.  We are here to take two people into custody."

"You do not rule here, nor do you interrupt a naming and blessing," Sivya said coldly, staring the two Marshals down.  They both backed off.  "Stand there quietly and we will discuss this further."

"Empress, you are to be brought back, even if it is in chains," the male said. She sneered at him.  "I do not wish to."  He pulled a set of chains out so she pulled her gun and shot them from his hand, injuring his hand.

"Back against the wall," she ordered.  "We will deal with that matter after this one.  This is sacred and holy and you may not interrupt again."

"Very well," the woman agreed, backing up, taking her partner with her.   "Don't make us call a Marine."

"I would do no such thing," she offered.  "But you will not interrupt again."  She holstered her weapon and looked at the others.  They were all staring at her.  "What?" she asked patiently.  "You two taught me!"

"We did a good job apparently," Brast noted, handing the child on.  "To his second Godparent."

Apisian smiled at the baby in her arms. "I shall nurture and cherish your path when you come to me for instruction, young Cabiael.  As I will be there when you are bonded to Lord Aragoness.  All you need do is call on me, brethren."  She kissed him and passed him onto Halley.  "To his third Godparent."

"Hello, scamp, we'll watch out for you as I did your big sister and your father and mother.  I hope I never have to keep you for real, but you're welcome in my home and office at anytime you want."  He handed him off to Gerian. "To his fourth Godparent."

She smiled at the baby.  "My hearth and home is always welcome to you, Cabiael.  My ship as well once you're old enough to learn to fly. That way you learn the right things first and then the dangerous stuff."  She kissed him and handed him on.  "To his fifth Godparent."

Brailian looked down at the child.  "You'll be as one of my own, Cabiael.  Your parents are like my family and you will be as well.  Don't worry, we'll teach you how to do the fun stuff as soon as you can handle a ship."  His wife pinched him so he smiled at her.  He handed him off to the priest.  "There."

"Thank you."  He looked at the child, smiling at him.  "Do you wish any other blessings on the child?" he asked.  He passed the baby through the edge of the heat of the flames for the briefest of seconds.  The fire nearly died, it was clearly an indication that the baby would be strong in the future. "Then I do bind them to him and give him back to his parents' arms.  Nurture him so that he may grow strong and prosper."  They nodded, Brast stepping closer to her.  "Now for the other part."

"We need to bring her back, priest," the female marshal ordered.

"I can shoot you too," Sivya said sweetly.

"Fine, do whatever you must in this heathen ceremony."  It was Gerian who shot her, just knocking her into the wall hard enough to knock her out.

"I've had enough of that," she agreed, putting back her blaster.  "Now for the binding."

Brast handed off the baby, then grabbed his mate, pulling a dagger to hand to her.  "Stab me if I displease you or if you wish to be free."  He saw the indecision in her eyes.  "You can try," he offered quietly.  She let the dagger fall and he smiled. "Then I claim you as mine. My spouse, my mate, my life.  You bear my heirs, guard my treasures, and watch my back."

"Would you do the same for me?" she asked calmly.  "Guard my treasures, watch my heirs, and guard my back?"

"As I have in the past."

"Then so shall I."  She pulled out her own knife and handed it to him.  "Blood swearing?"  He looked stunned for a moment.  "It is the only way a priestess may marry."

"She's right, Brastianius, it is the only way a vowed priestess may marry," the old priest offered.

"Then I will be blood and vow sworn," he agreed, taking the dagger to cut into his wrist, letting her do the same.  They joined them together, clasping hands. He kissed her, making her eyes close halfway. "Now all that's left is to negotiate some terms.  Do you swear to let me dress you?  This is not the outfit I would see you in and you probably shouldn't wear the full regalia every day."

"That is more than acceptable," the priest assured her.  "To hide yourself for your own safety.  As long as you keep your vows."

"I will.  Which negates the Imperial ones?"  He nodded with a smirk.  "Good."  She looked up at him.  "I will let you dress me sometimes, but I am going to wear things I like."

"Fine," he agreed fondly.  "You can even wear black most of the time."  He kissed her again, sealing that one.  "We now have two ships."

"We keep them both, one will go to our son."

"Where?  We can't fly separately."

"We can so."

"I don't want to have to chase you all over the universes again," he said dryly.  "Being vowed to me means that you can't run from me again unless I become unreasonable.  Having two ships increases the temptation."

"It also increases the chances of one of us getting away with the child."

"Fine, I will yield on that one," he offered.  She smiled and kissed him, making him moan.  "Some day I may want another child."

"Then you'd better ask Alia to make you fertile," she said with a small smile.  Brailian and Gerian laughed at that.  "It's true.  Birth hurts."  She looked at her mate again.  "I do not feel like more children but I will allow you to beg and plead in the future and not stop one if it should come to be without telling you."

"Fine, I can bend on that.  I certainly won't want one until everything is settled."  He kissed her, making her moan.  "I will be teaching you how to fly."

"Fine."  She kissed him. "We will not be going to Doniantin if we're forced back to the palace."  He smiled and kissed her again, making her arch into her body.

"I believe the rest can be worked out," the priest broke into their kissing to bind their wrists.  "The contracts have been witnessed in the eyes of our Lord and in the eyes of your friends and family.  I pronounce you mated and joined.  Go in peace, brethren."

She bowed to him.  "Thank you, brother.  Any ideas?"

"Lines, always a good thing," he said with a wink.

She smiled and nodded.  "Thank you."  They turned to look at the two Space Marshals, shaking their heads.  "We should eat."

"We should," he agreed.  "Did you know that as a priestess you're not allowed to feed him in public? No one should look on you with lust."

"Watching me feed our son will not give anyone lust, Brast.  Get over it. I'm feeding him."  They walked past them, finding a Space Marine waiting at the bottom of the steps. "You came to gather the two inside?" she asked pleasantly.

"No, Empress, I came for you alone."

"You take her away from her mated one at your own risk," Halley warned. "Her mate and her son are worth fighting for."

He nodded, looking at them. "Fine.  If they will accompany me, we do have a ship waiting.  We can even take their ships with us so hers can be fixed."

She looked up at Brast, who snorted and shook his head. "He says no."

"Empress..."

"I abdicated.  I am not," she said firmly.

"You are for another six days, Central time."

"I forgot about the time difference," she admitted, looking at Brast.  "Do you have a home we should go to in six days?"

"The family home still stands," he admitted. "I haven't been back in years. It would be a good place to raise Cabiael.  Lots of woods and animals."

"Good.  I'll show him how to hunt like a Ferganis."  The Marine coughed.  "What?"

"In six days, you're to be on Central World.  The only choice you have at this moment is to take your ships so they can be repaired in flight, or not.  Which would you rather have?"

"I'd rather have my ship," Brast admitted, looking at his wife. "You?"

"Definitely. I've got to learn how to weld."

"I'll send you my books on basic ship maintenance," Brailian offered, smiling at them.  "Go, before others start to notice that we have visitors."

"Fine.  Should we pick up the other two?"

"No, we'll send them on, Sivya.  Don't worry about it," Gerian assured her with a smile.  "At least he's wearing Halley's present so you don't have to go back."  She saw the rebellion.  "Remember, they don't have to mark themselves," she whispered as she hugged her friend.

"Thank you for everything."  She put her child back in his harness and looked at the Marine, pushing at his mind.  With one quick jab he was down.  "Race you back?" she suggested.

"Deal.  I'll follow you up and help you repair it once we get to the house."   They waved and took off running long before anyone could wake up.

Brailian looked down at the unconscious body, then at his wife, then at Halley.  "Want lunch, Halley?  Did you hear?  She negotiated a wonderful trade agreement on the outer rim the other day and nearly took care of Versistuble."

"I saw Aipisian in the past.  She's a good choice.  I heard her child died when her clan did and this child already seems to adore her," he noted as they walked off together.  "If she's that good, I might call her to help with some negotiations we've got coming between the clans."

"She'd be good.  The priestess who tested her said she was part of my clan and was marrying into Brast's."  They smiled as the ships lifted off and departed, waving at them.  "Six days?  Probably not very hard to do."

"No, not with how well she hides," Gerian agreed softly, smiling at him.  "Why do I think she made a prediction instead of stating the facts of one that was already there?"  Brailian grinned at her and stole a kiss, making her sigh and shake her head. "Fine, you can have a daughter but I'll only let her be as tough as that one is."

"That's fine, we did a wonderful job of molding her into a good pirate."  He beamed back at Halley.  "At least you're not under threat of raising this one."

"True.  That's a good thing about this one.  This does make about fifteen godchildren however.  I'm going to have to put m foot down sometime this century."

"Of course you will," Brailian agreed as he opened his back door.  "They all come to you because you're good and you know what you're doing, plus you're a softie about children."

"That one came to me because she's got a good mind.  Did I tell you how Brast introduced us up at the mall?"  They shook their heads.  "She had run away with Constantine earlier in the day to go to the Riven section of the mall to deal with her hair.  She came back dressed in some of their clothes, fortunately covered enough so no one was overtly staring, though she's a pretty girl and I was about to ask her out when Brast brought her into the tavern.  He invited me to lunch again that day, so I went.  She was sitting there.  His sworn-sister was in there and teasing him about bringing in a Rivenite.  She looked like one of their priestesses, only covered by slightly more than hair."  He shook his head.  "If it had been anyone but him there would have been a riot to steal her."

Gerian laughed.  "She did that to him a few times while on Riven."

"Our second night there was the Festival.  We go pick out a good spot to watch it, and she slips away," Brailian shared.  He pushed back some of his hair.  "We're starting to wonder where she went to when the procession comes up the road.  She's got one of the side candles on the left side in their regalia, which is nearly nothing.  A small scrap of fabric over her shoulders and around her waist, along with a skirt as thin as anything seen on Riven worn by the newly adult.  Barefoot.  Walking one of the virgin's candles up the street.  It took me until the full parade had passed to close my mouth."  He sat himself down, pulling his wife into his lap and Halley took the other couch.  "So I send someone to gather her quietly.  She slips away from the guard at the main temple to go party with the others.  The guard said he lost her after she did a shot and joined in the dancing.  She had changed back to her usual outfit but still."  He held up a hand at the laughing.  "I go to retrieve her since the guard can't or won't go into the revelers.  I get dragged into this whirling, spinning, dizzying dance set for a few numbers by her.  Then I *finally* get her to leave with me.  She does another of their shots on the way out.  I get her back to the palace, fully intending to chastise her.  I end up taking her back after she changes into native clothing.  Two hands-width of cloth slung around her hips and tied on one side with flower jewelry, plus her hair.  Sandals on her feet.  Then she takes me *back* with Tyvana and wears us *both* out and gets us *both* drunk, and she's still just fine," he said dryly.

Halley snickered.  "She told Brast that her friend, the one who now sits on the Council in Proactor, and she had once sat down to drink themselves to death.  She didn't remember much past the third bottle between them but she claimed they only finished off four."

"How?" Gerian asked.  "That liquor is evil!  It's stronger than anything in the universes."

"She was a pure little priestess" Brailian asked sarcastically.

"No, she was.  Brast said she was still pure when he bedded her on the way to the Yards," Halley offered.  "She's an odd one but she suits him."

"She does," Brailian agreed with a smile.  "He thought we would get along so much better.  He refused to touch her because he might like it.  Well, now he's got his wish.  He's got her all to himself.  Lord Aragoness give him patience and help keeping her."

"That's not nice, Brailian.  She's a sweet girl.  She'll just wear him out," Halley said with a chuckle.

Gerian shook her head. "You two are so bad.  Remember, she takes any and all vows seriously.  Probably including the one where he'd better ask Alia to have more children from his own body."  That got them both laughing and got her a hug from her mate.  "Did you put a transmitter on his ship?"

"Both their ships," he said smugly.  "That way we won't have to track them down through rumors this time.  She was really with the Ferganis?"  Halley nodded.  "How did she survive on a ship that long?"

"Word was that she had a tent in one of their clan camps. She was running around naked and hunting with them, plus taking care of the cubs."  They all laughed at that.  They could see her doing that.   "If that boy of theirs is built anything like his dad and has his mother's nature and ideas about proper coverings, that'll be one hard sell to make him take a vow of celibacy," Halley said sadly.  That got more laughs.

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya looked up as a ship matched speed overtop of hers, grimacing.  "Military I presume?"

"Yes, Sivya, and they already have your mate.  Ooooh, a tractor beam," the computer squealed.  "Those do feel odd.  Should we fight?"

"No, but start that program I put in earlier, just in case.  That way we can slow them down."

"Very well."  The ship let go of controls so they could be pulled in.  Then it started that program running in the background.  It looked like a diagnostic if anyone checked.  While he was at it, he ran one on himself, that way he could see if there were any other repairs but that stabilizer.  "Systems at optimum.  Juncture six, level nine," he offered as they were forcefully docked.  He switched to his own diagnostic, it was needed.

She got up to answer the person pounding on her door, opening it so she could look out. "Yes?  You kidnaped me?"

"You might as well come out, stepmother," Constantine called.

"Give me a minute.  I'm not dressed."  She closed the door and went to put on clothes, her gunbelts, and pick up the baby.  He was still dressed.  He needed a change too so she brought the diaper supply with her.  It would give her time to do other things.  The baby was stolen from her by her Ki.  "That's Cabiael."

"I know, daddy told me.  Hello, little brother.  How are we today?" she cooed, rubbing noses with him.  "You even smell like one of the older priests.  Yes you do.  The big sister is going to take good care of you.  Yes she is."

"You're a godmother as well. Your father stood in for you. But by all means, change his diaper," she offered, handing over the diapers.  She looked around.  "Your father?"

"In my suite.  That way you can't run with this one again," she said, smiling at her.  "I ought to club you over the head multiple times for leaving me with that mess.  I don't want it."

"Neither did I.  Do what I did, abdicate," she said dryly, following along behind them.  She felt a hand go for her thigh and slapped it.  "Touch and die."

"Sorry, Empress."

"I am not, I abdicated."

"You're still not allowed to wear guns on board, neither am I," Constantine said, still smiling at the baby.  "Come on, we'll go change that smelly thing for the mommy.  Yes we will.  I'm going to cuddle and love you for quite a while before we force them back to the Empire."

Sivya looked down as her wrist computer beeped.  "Is there someone who can teach me how to weld?  That way I can fix that stabilizer?"

"Of course.  I'll help you with that myself later if father doesn't.  Don't even think about disabling the ship either.  It won't happen.  We'll make it back in plenty of time."  Sivya pulled a gun and shot at a wall panel, creating sparks.  All around them the ship shivered and stopped dead. Constantine stared at her in awe.  "How?"

"Drive fluid," she said smugly.  "Let's get him changed."

"Sure.  Someone tell the captain what she did so she can fix it."  They walked on, taking him back to her suite.  "Here, let me change him first," she offered, taking him into the bathroom.  "You married a ruthless woman, father.  She just immobilized the ship by shooting at the drive fluid line."

"Good job," he agreed, smiling at his mate.  "Most ships this size use a specific one and don't tend to carry any spare onboard with them."  Constantine came out of the bathroom.  "They don't," he noted smugly.  "Ask the captain if you don't believe me."

"Damn it."  She went back to finish changing him, coming back out with the baby. "Here we are, one clean kid."

"Future priest," Sivya told her.  "So I do get to teach him to hunt like the Ferganis?"

"If you'd like," Brast agreed tolerantly.  "Hopefully with more clothes than you were wearing the last time I saw you going out for a hunt?"

"Clothes got in the way.  They tangle in the brush and then they rip.  I always went naked."

"You went hunting with the Ferganis?" Constantine asked as she sat down with the baby.  "See, there's mommy."

"Give him here, he's probably hungry."  She was handed back the baby after taking off her shirts.  Brast stared at her but she shrugged. "It's the only way I know how to do it."  She let the baby latch onto a nipple.  "There you go, son.  You eat.  It's been a long day."  He flailed a bit but sucked harder.

"I've never watched a woman doing that," Brast admitted. "You look happy like that, but I still don't want you to do that in front of others.  That way they don't want to kidnap you to keep you if they feel the way I do."

"I doubt they would," she admitted with a small blush. She stared down at her son.  "You eat, son.  We want you to grow big and strong like your father.  That way no one says anything about you being short."

"You're not short," he assured her, shifting closer. "Is he falling asleep?"

"It's his favorite way to fall asleep."

"I'm going to my room and call someone," Constantine said as she stood up and headed to her room.  They seemed to want some privacy.  She contacted the captain.  "She shot the drive fluid, do we have spare cylinders?"  The captain shook her head.  "Can we use theirs?"

"We use a different formulation since our drives are different than theirs.  We could use the one the Empress does in her ship but there's not enough in there to fill what we've lost.  We can limp along but it may take a few weeks to get to Central World at this speed."

"That's fine, I'll call ahead, see if someone can bring some out to us.  Keep me posted on the progress.  I've had my father take her guns without her noticing.  By the way, the baby is presently eating so have anyone coming in knock."  The captain nodded quickly and she cut the connection, calling the people she knew would swear at her.  "Rethna, she shot the drive fluid line.  She's becoming scarily like a real pirate.  By the way, my baby brother is adorable."

Rethna groaned. "How long?"

"Weeks if we don't get more drive fluid and get the line repaired.  What does the crown say?"  He looked at the guardian carrying it around.  "Well?"

"There is a precedent for an extension," he said finally.  "She will wait for one.  Then it will be settled once both of you are in the same room.  It says she may not suit her anymore.  She is not the same priestess she nominated those few years ago."  He closed his eyes.  "As of this moment, you are the Empress," he repeated.  "As of right now, she is to stay in the palace with you until she can be examined to see if she should be the next Ki or not.  I will announce it as such and get someone to send you drive fluid."

"Thank you."  She hung up and went into the other room again, clearing her throat since they were kissing.  "You got your wish, almost, stepmother.  I'm now the Empress, but you must come back with me to be examined to see if you'll be the next Ki."

"Which means I don't have to worry about my hair length," she said smugly. "Since I negated it for you."

"I thank you greatly for it.  Someone is sending us drive fluid.   We're still going to Central World."  She looked at her stepmother's outfit.  "You're going to have to change."

"She can dress like one of us without wearing the veil," Brast assured her.  "The priest said she could.  Hiding is still honorable if it protects your brother."

"He's got the same gifts I do, but with fire instead of water," Sivya told her.

"Interesting.  We'll have to find him a teacher as soon as he shows skills."  She sat down. "I hate you."

"I didn't name you Ki, that was the crown," Sivya reminded her.  "I'm going to be talking my way out of coming back again."

"Fine," she complained. "You do need a haircut, it's ragged."

"The last time I cut it, Halley cut it for me after I took off the greater majority of it."  Brast moaned.  "It was on the ship bringing Brailian home, Brast.  It kept getting in the way."

"You knew then!" Constantine charged.

"I did.  I knew what I was doing when I tossed it to you, when I sent Rraaaaal that slow letter, all of it.  That's also why I sent you my abdication two weeks after I left."

"I deleted it."

"Yes, but you couldn't delete the second one since I sent it to the herald," she said with a smile.  "Admit it.  Neither of us want to be the showpiece of the empire.  It's not who I am and it's not what you want either."

"Oh, I don't mind that part.  My mate enjoys dressing me up, as does my First Wife.   Before you ask, father, he approved of her for form's sake.  We asked a priest as well."

"That's fine.  I'm not allowing one.  I'm finding I'm rather selfish."  He looked down at his son. "He's sleeping."  She handed him off carefully and put back on her shirts.  "Are you cold?"

"I'm always cold in space.  I'm supposed to be planet-bound."  She curled into his side, watching him hold the baby.  "We still have to talk."

"We'll do so later, after I celebrate."

"Brast, I'm barely two weeks post birth.  There will be no bedding me for another few months," she said, looking up at him.  "I don't even want to imagine the pain."

"Fine, we'll see what happens and what you allow," he offered.  "Gerian was celebrating within weeks."

"Gerian is a stronger woman than I am."

"Fine.  We'll see."  He stroked her arm.  "You are cold."

"I'm supposed to be planet-bound, not totally space-bound and it's been a while since I evened out my time."

"Sorry."  He gave her a gentle kiss.  "How did he help you get over that?"

"He started out with this powder he kept putting into liquor, then he figured out that if I had a lot of growing things and water around me I'd be fine.  That's why my ship's oxygen garden is spread throughout the ship."  She kissed him again.

"You can visit but I'm not moving your rooms closer to the garden," Constantine said sarcastically.  "You might leave and abandon me again."

"I did not," he chastised.  "You could always have called me."

"I tried, you were busy searching for her.  By the way, that protest as you called it.  Those people did have weapons, they just weren't going to use them."

"Anything's better than being woke up by a poke of a blaster barrel to your back and ordered to get up so they could shoot you and everyone else in the bed with you."

"When did that happen?"

"About six weeks before we moved from Alesar.  We kept it from you, dear."

"Obviously!   Where was your guard?"

"Knocked out.  He had been darted."

"Wonderful.  Did he live?"  She shrugged. "You don't know?"

"The last time I heard, Lasarae was injured, Rethna survived I know.  The others were behind us and took off to hurt the other army.  He had me shoved in an alley as soon as the guns appeared.  I tried to find out but I couldn't do that without being obvious.  I asked Kathal's wife but she tried to trace me."

"Fine.  We'll check later."

"Lasarae is fine and back on duty after a short leave of absence.  Rethna is fine.  The others that were left by then were all injured but you only lost one more."

"Thank you, Constantine.  I had hoped you would watch out for my people."

"I did.  Lasarae is coming back as your guard however.  She seems to have the same skills Rethna has at finding you."

"She sent a message about a virus on that planet," her father explained. "I tracked her through that."

"Really?  Perhaps I should yell at someone about that," she said grimly.

"I used a false name."

"I didn't think you'd be dumb enough to use your own."  She stood up.  "Go to bed.  It's got to be tiring to be a new mother.  I know my First Wife came in pregnant and she was always tired."  They nodded, getting up to head in there.  "I'll call someone to have decent clothes waiting on you."

"Do it like I do mine," Brast ordered.  "Black and a color."  He closed them into their room, putting the baby down on the couch in there.  He wouldn't be able to roll off.  Then he laid his wife down to hold and kiss her.  He gently stroked her stomach, watching her wince. "I want someone to look you over."

"Fine.  I have no idea if this is normal or not.  The books all mentioned residual pain but not how long it lasted."

Brast stole another kiss then got up.  "Daughter, can you have whatever medic is onboard to look her over?  She's still got some pain after the birth."

"Of course, father. Should I watch my brother?"

"No, he's fine on our couch," he said with a small smile.  He walked over to hug her again.  "I did miss you," he said quietly.  "I was coming to visit you when I got the notice to pick her up from you."  She smiled at him.  "I do love you, daughter, just as much, and your mother would be nagging you senseless."  He hugged her again.  "It's a good idea to keep us confined, just in case," he agreed quietly, smiling at her.  He went back to their room, closing the door.

Constantine sat down to call the medical bay, smiling at the man who answered. "My stepmother is about two weeks post birth and she's still feeling some pain.  My father's paranoid.  Would you have someone come look her over?"

"Of course, Empress.  As soon as I have a free moment.  Where did she give birth?"

"Among the Ferganis.  She delivered him herself.  She was the only human on that world at the time."  He shuddered.  "Then she went to do a trade negotiation a few days after that.  Then she went into a war zone.  Then she went to visit Brailian and have my brother named and blessed."

"I see.  I'll be right up.  Is she in her room?"

"Yes, the baby's finished eating.  My stepmother is like a Rivenite on occasion."  He smiled at that and bowed before cutting the connection. She leaned back, getting comfortable.  She really could like that woman.  She was good to her father and interesting to speak with.  Not everyone could go from a holy, virgin priestess to a priestess of the pirate's God, who specialized in ground combat.  Hopefully she gave in gracefully this time and didn't try to run.  She got up to let the medic into the suite, pointing at the door.  "In there."
 
 

To Index

To Chapter Thirteen