Back | Next
Contents

CHAPTER NINETEEN: COMPOMISE AND MYSTERY

For the first time in years, they were all together for a family meal.

To Kati, it seemed a kind of reunion, husband and son back from space, her daughter only flitting away to the place of creation when it was time for sleep. Mengmoshu and Weimeng were also there, the family elders sitting shoulder to shoulder across from Kati and Huomeng, talking softly to each other about little things.

Over the years, they had become close friends, often taking long walks with each other or sharing lunches by the pool in the hanging gardens below the palace when Mengmoshu's busy schedule allowed it. The affection they shared was that of dear friends, companions living each day as a gift to each other, and Kati was happy for both of them. Weimeng was still Mother to her, Mengmoshu her true father, a secret still kept, or so Kati thought. Kati had filled a void in the lives of both of them, and they had filled hers. To the children, they were Gong Gong and Po Po, and even Weimeng accepted it as blood truth.

Mengjai sat to his father's right, Yesui at Kati's left hand as Tanchun and her assistants served the meal of seven courses: a soup of broth and noodles like fine hair, selections of vegetables and seed pods, delicate strips of beef and shellfish from the western sea, tiny fish cooked whole with hot spices, and mounds of flat, starchy noodles, all eaten slowly with sticks in the traditional way. Between each course, there were toasts with ayrog: Yesui, for her work with Lan-Sui, Kati, of course, as Empress, then beloved wife. (This was Huomeng's doing.) Each family member was toasted in some way, but it was the toasts offered by Mengjai and Yesui that caused some emotion.

After the fish course, Mengjai cleared his throat and raised a cup high. "I have a toast for a good and gentle man, now far away, who has deep feelings for a certain woman, and I hope we will soon be his hosts on Shanji. To Nokai Wizera, Empath of Lan-Sui!"

They all raised their cups and drank, and Yesui leaned forward to smile beautifully at her brother, the feelings inside her washing over all of them, including Weimeng.

And later, after Tanchun had brought in a colorful arrangement of fruits and honeycakes to end their meal, it was Yesui who raised her cup and said somberly, "There is someone we have left out in our toasts, a woman who has been important in all our lives, but who is no longer with us, and I still miss her with all my heart."

All raised their cups as Yesui briefly closed her green eyes, blinking back tears, and Kati felt tears welling up in her own eyes.

"To my Tumatsin ancestors, she was Mandughai, but to the Moshuguang she was First Mother," said Yesui. "I knew her as a woman, my teacher and advisor, and I loved her. To Abagai, Empress of Meng-shi-jie, wherever she is!"

They drank. Tears wet Kati's cheeks; she grasped Yesui's arm, and squeezed gently. "I miss her, too," she said, and sniffled.

The somber mood stayed with them during dessert, but then Tanchun brought moist towels for them and it was time for serious talk. Kati began with a positive thing by saying, "It seems that Yesui's work with Lan-Sui has been successfully completed. The surface has stabilized, and is now radiating nicely at eight hundred degrees absolute."

"And rising," said Mengjai. "It should reach a thousand within a generation or so, and we might consider bringing the city into a slightly lower orbit even now."

"There are ships that can accomplish that," said Kati, "and Yesui's participation in the restoration of Lan-Sui seems finished. Yesugen has worked well with Governor Wizera in restoring political order on the moons, so that threat seems past. Our remaining involvement seems to be the supply of building materials for the repair of Lan-Sui City, and the need is immediate."

"So Yesui will jump a loaded freighter to Lan-Sui within a week," said Huomeng. "That will bring the total transit time down to less than a month."

"One or two jumps, Father," said Yesui quickly, then looked at Kati. "Each one will only take a few hours real time."

Both Weimeng and Mengmoshu looked soberly across the table, suddenly sensing the entire conversation was being directed at them.

Kati smiled. "Even less, as you gain more experience. Suddenly, Yesui has become a necessary part of our transportation system in jumping our ships back and forth between here and Tengri-Nayon."

"And anywhere else," interjected Mengjai. "With Yesui, the entire galaxy is open to us, and we can even think of going beyond it!" There was passion in his voice when he said it, but Yesui stared stonily ahead, saying nothing.

"This is true," Huomeng said softly, looking straight at Mengmoshu.

Kati breathed deeply to hold her patience and temper. Mengmoshu had steepled his hands before his face, a gesture she found foreboding, and Weimeng was looking confused.

"These are wonderful possibilities," continued Kati, "and are indeed things I dreamed of as a young girl in the gong-shi-jie. There are billions of worlds to be seen, but really, how many can be visited in one lifetime? The interaction with Meng-shi-jie and Lan-Sui is certainly valuable to us, and so I support Yesui's work in jumping our ships to their system, but anything beyond that is a problem for me."

"Even though you've dreamed of it," said Huomeng.

Kati put a hand softly on his arm. "Yes, dear. We had many dreams when we were young, and some have been accomplished only because we had focus. We did not try to do too many things, and we set priorities for our lives."

Huomeng scowled. "Yes, we have our priorities, but they are not necessarily the same as those of our children."

Mengmoshu raised an eyebrow, then, as Kati's face flushed red. "Get to the point, Kati," he growled. "I'm hearing the rumblings of disagreement among the four of you, and I hope to eventually hear what it's about."

Weimeng looked distraught. "You've been arguing over something?" she said.

"Ah, well, I guess I have been talking around things, Mengmoshu," Kati said, and she masked herself fiercely, for she'd nearly called him Father. "That's something I learned from you. All right, I'll get to the point. I have a serious disagreement with my family about what Yesui intends to do with the rest of her life, and we have agreed to put the issue before the two of you for your opinions."

There was an awkward silence, and all masks were up, making it even more horrible. "Well?" asked Mengmoshu.

"I think Yesui should tell you," said Kati, and her daughter stiffened beside her. "Go on, dear. Tell them."

Yesui took a deep breath, and said boldly, "It's just that I've decided I do not want to be Empress of Shanji."

Weimeng looked shocked. "Yesui, dear, it's your birthright! You are the first born."

Yesui shook her head, lips pressed tightly together. "I still don't want it. Let Mengjai be Emperor."

"But I don't want it either!" said Mengjai, raising his hands as if to fend off an attacker. "Being Emperor is the last thing I'd want to do."

Kati looked at her father. "You see?" And Huomeng has taken their side in this. 

Everyone except Weimeng heard her.

"So what do you want to do in life, Yesui?" asked Mengmoshu.

"What I've been doing all along, Gong Gong. So many new things are happening all the time, and it's exciting. I'm doing useful things, and nobody can deny it. I'm doing things that none of you can do! How can you expect me to give that up so I can spend my time learning about duties I don't want or care about?"

"There is more to it than that," said Huomeng. "You've been endangering your health lately, and you don't seem to care about that either."

Thank you, dear. 

"I've done something about that!" said Yesui. "I don't have to be gone so much, now, and I do it at night when I'd be asleep anyway. What is the problem?"

"The problem is attitude," said Kati. "The gong-shi-jie, the threads, everything has become a kind of addiction for you, and like it or not you are heiress to the throne of Shanji. You are nearly twenty-four, and not one minute have you spent learning about the affairs of your own planet! Not one minute have you spent learning about your own people. It's my fault, really, for giving you so much freedom, but both Abagai and I wanted you to develop your talents to their fullest. I think that has been accomplished, now, and it's time for you to prepare for your obligations here!"

"Obligations defined by you!" snarled Yesui, then lowered her eyes when Mengmoshu frowned at her.

"Yes! Who else do I have to take my place? Who else can bring forth the light, or travel in the gong-shi-jie to see Yesugen and whoever comes after her? You are The One, the Mei-lai-gong, and you must be Empress of Shanji!"

"How in Mother's name did all this get started?" asked Mengmoshu. "All this talk of succession to the throne seems premature to me. I presume you're in good health, Kati. Have you become weary of your position?"

"Of course not, Fa—, er, Mengmoshu," she said, her face flushing red again with the near-slip of her tongue.

To her surprise, everyone chuckled, even Weimeng.

"We all know about Gong Gong," said Mengjai. "We've all known it for years, Mother, so why don't you quit trying to hide it."

Mengmoshu smiled, and Weimeng put a hand on his arm. "Yes, even I know why my Mengnu was returned to me with the mind of a Searcher," she said.

I knew it first, said Yesui.

Kati was shocked, yet somehow relieved. Still, she felt some anger. "What other bits of knowledge do you hide from me?" she said testily.

"Oh, Mother," said Mengjai.

Huomeng took her hand in his, and beneath the table his knee pressed against her thigh. "We're all family, here," he said.

"All right, Father, I'm not weary of my duties, and I intend to continue them to the end of my days!"

"Oh, she said it, Mengmoshu," murmured Weimeng, and patted his arm when he smiled.

"That's just the point!" said Yesui. "I could spend my life learning things I won't use until I'm sixty, or seventy, and they're not related to what I want to do. I want to jump ships wherever people want to go. I want to see our galaxy, and galaxies beyond us. I want to use the violet light to create new worlds!"

Everyone was stunned. "Now that is a new idea," said Mengjai.

"It's what I want to do," Yesui said sullenly, now looking down at her hands.

Mengmoshu cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him. "Is anyone in this family familiar with the word `compromise'?" he said.

They nodded silently.

"Good, because that's what's needed here. You've all made valid points, but they are not compatible in this real world we live in. Kati, when you first came to me you left a life in the mountains. For years, I dictated your new life, but made compromises to give you freedom to ride and learn the art of the sword and bow. I considered your needs."

"Yes, you did," said Kati, "but all of it was preparation for what I was destined to do."

"Destiny is a dangerous word," he said. "We prepared you to be Empress, and you were ready for it when the time came. It was our agenda, but you accepted it. You chose to be Empress. I did not twist your arm, and neither did Abagai."

"I remember feeling it had been decided for me, Father," said Kati.

"But you accepted it."

"Yes. I felt I could help my people, and that's what I wanted. I still want it. I don't want it to end with me."

"You wish Yesui to continue the good things you've done here."

"I do. She has the powers for it."

"But Yesui has made her own choice, and you would deny that? A parent does not choose a life for a grown child, Kati. That is not love. Yesui must make her own choices, now."

Kati was stunned into silence. Yesui was looking quite pleased with what she'd heard so far, but then Mengmoshu looked at her and said, "You must also compromise, Yesui. Your mother is correct in saying you are the only person who can replace her in the future. You are the Mei-lai-gong. The people hold you in as much reverence as they do your mother, yet you've never met them, never seen how or where they live, never given a thought to them. If your mother were to die next week, like it or not, you would be Empress, and I wonder what kind of Empress you'd be. Negligent? Uncaring? This is what we had before your mother was on the throne, and we will not have it again."

"I do care about Shanji and the people, and I've met the Tumatsin—once. I just haven't had time to—"

"You make the time for such things. I suspect what you really object to is learning business and politics you think you'll never use."

"Yes!" said Yesui, looking at Kati.

"There are those who can help you with these things when it's necessary." Mengmoshu snapped a glance at Kati as he said it. "That can come later, when you're ready, either by interest or necessity. But now you must meet the people you might someday rule; they must see you and know who you are. Everywhere your mother and I traveled, they asked about you. They were disappointed you weren't with us. You are Mei-lai-gong to them. You're revered, Yesui."

Yesui frowned. "What are you asking me to do, Gong Gong?"

"Spend less of your time in the gong-shi-jie, and more on Shanji. Travel with your mother, meet the people, see how she works with them, nothing more than that. It would also be an incentive for your mother to get out more, too. Both of you have isolated yourselves a great deal in recent years."

"We've all been guilty of it," said Huomeng suddenly, and he squeezed Kati's hand. "My own dreams have kept me away far too much lately."

"That won't be true anymore, as long as Yesui will jump our ships," said Mengjai, sensing a lessening of tension around him. "We can thank her for that!"

Yesui smiled faintly, but was deep in thought.

Kati sighed. "Perhaps Yesui would learn something about Shanji's affairs just by traveling with me. At least the people would see us together. Are you willing, dear?"

Yesui nodded. "Yes, as long as I have time for the gong-shi-jie. I can't give that up, Mother."

"Then that will be our compromise," said Kati.

Weimeng smiled, and said, "You'll also need time to be with Nokai. Will he be staying long?"

"It's just a visit," said Yesui, but her feelings betrayed her, and all but Weimeng could directly see she wanted it to be more than that.

"Yesugen is sending a delegation to us," said Kati. "We've decided to formalize our relations, and Meng-shi-jie will have a suite of offices for their Embassy in the Hall of Ministers. Nokai comes with them to visit Yesui, of course, but I think his father also expects him to look us over and recommend whether or not Lan-Sui should have representatives in the Embassy. They all boarded a freighter two days ago, and should be in position for Yesui's jump within a week."

"So the people of Tengri-Nayon and Tengri-Khan are coming together," said Mengmoshu. "Do you remember, Kati?"

"Yes, Father," she said with a new ache of remembrance, for the coming together of their people had been one of Abagai's dearest hopes. "I only wish she were here to see it happening. Would you help me choose our own delegation? The Moshuguang should be represented, also the Tumatsin, the Nobles, the people in the eastern cities. I want to send them out by return freighter after Yesugen's delegation arrives."

"Of course," said Mengmoshu.

Weimeng suddenly lifted her cup. "I've not yet proposed my toast, and it's for all of us. Let us drink to the coming together of First Mother's people, in peace—and in love."

They all raised their cups, and drank to it.

 

Kati knocked softly on the door. Yesui? 

"Come in, Mother," came the reply.

Yesui stood before a mirror, braiding her hair, and wearing the simple, black robe of the Moshuguang. Kati stepped up behind her, put hands on her daughter's shoulders and said, "There is color in your cheeks, now. You've been getting outside, I see."

"Yes," said Yesui, and she twisted away at a long braid draped over a shoulder. Her mask was down, mind open to her mother.

"Nokai will see how beautiful you really are," said Kati.

Yesui continued her braiding, but leaned back against her mother. "He'll think I'm skinny. If I had more time, I could fatten myself up to please him, but he'll just have to accept me the way I am."

Kati laughed. "He fell in love with what's inside you. He will certainly love the rest of it."

Their eyes met in the mirror, emerald green. "Do you really think so, Mother? I've been a mental image to him, but now he'll see the real me, without my embellishments."

Kati put her arms around Yesui's soft, lithe figure. "You're apprehensive."

"Yes." Yesui stopped her braiding, and sighed.

For a moment, they stood together silently in their embrace, and then Kati kissed her neck, murmuring, "I've been unfair with you, dear. I put my own ambitions before yours."

"I understand," said Yesui. "You think of Shanji's welfare, and I have not. I'll try to change, Mother. You have."

"Changed? What do you mean?" Kati rested a chin on Yesui's shoulder, and they gazed at each other in the mirror.

"I've watched you change, especially since the time Abagai became ill. All those years when the three of us were together in the gong-shi-jie, and then suddenly I was alone. Abagai was too sick to make a transition, and you just weren't there, as if it was too painful for you to be there without her. I've been lonely in the place of creation, Mother. Lately, I've begun talking to myself with the loneliness, and when Mengjai heard me doing it once he even made an insinuation about my mental health. I think he was a little frightened for me."

Yesui touched her mother's hands. "I miss our times together in the gong-shi-jie, and you used to love it so much. Can we spend some time there? You haven't even seen the new Lan-Sui, have you?"

"No, I only talked to Yesugen," said Kati, but at that instant a sudden thought had popped out of nowhere into her mind, and Yesui saw it immediately.

"Oh, Mother, that would be wonderful! When can we do it?"

"How about tonight, when we're supposed to be asleep?" said Kati. She smiled, excited by her own idea. "It's far, Yesui, but we should be back before morning."

"Yes!" said Yesui. She turned, and hugged her mother hard.

 

Kati and Huomeng had gone to bed early and made love again, and now Huomeng was sound asleep, still cuddling her. Kati basked in the warm afterglow of their love-making and snuggled against him, her head on his breast. She closed her eyes, sighed, and called her daughter.

Yesui. Are you ready to leave? 

I've stayed awake thinking about it. Oh, you've been having a good time, I see. 

Now, now. I'll meet you at our usual place. 

Bye, said Yesui, and she was already gone to the place of creation.

The matrix of purple stars was there, then gone, and the colorful vortices of stars stretched out in spirals within purple and blue clouds of creative light in every direction. Yesui was waiting for her, the manifestation a column of green showing her face and figure, eyes bright. It was the vision she showed to her beloved Nokai, and now she shared it with her mother.

How lovely, said Kati. I can remember when all we could see of you was a little fan of green. 

That was before I wanted to be seen, said Yesui. Will we leave from Abagai's favorite place? 

Yes, dear. You know the way. 

It had been a long time since they'd traveled together, and so they moved leisurely, drifting towards the vortex of Tengri-Nayon and past another vortex that had once been red beyond red, but was now orange. Remember that? asked Kati. I nearly lost you there. 

Yes, but it taught me the connection between mass and the violet light, Mother. A lot of my learning has been forced on me that way, and I still don't understand how we do what we do. Mengjai says it's as if our brains tap into some cosmic mind that governs the universe and lets us have our way with things. 

An interesting idea, said Kati.

At Tengri-Nayon, they dipped into real space for a look at Lan-Sui. The surface was mottled with thousands of convective cells, the old vortices of storms and great bands of clouds all gone, at least for now. I can feel him, but he's asleep, said Yesui. They're still moving towards the jump point, but it seems he's always with me, now. 

Only a little while, and you'll be together, said Kati.

Away from Tengri-Nayon, they followed a spiral of vortices to the edge of the galaxy where Abagai had been taken from them, and now there was only the quiescent, violet glow there. Far beyond, their destination sparkled like a cut gem of many colors, the galaxy Kati and Abagai had seen together during their visit to a nursery of baby stars. They headed towards it without pause at the galactic edge.

It was close in, that thing that took Abagai, right about here, said Yesui when they'd gone beyond the galactic edge. Now there's only peaceful, violet light. 

Just before Abagai died, you said you felt a new presence, Yesui. Have you felt it since she left us? 

No. For a while, I imagined Abagai talking to me, but it was only because I missed her so, and it passed. 

I still think she's alive, you know, though not in the way we think of life, said Kati. I think she was changed into something new. 

Their galaxy was a huge wheel behind them, and ahead was another, still small, but large enough for its accompanying halo of star clusters to be seen. I know you think that, Mother. I want to believe it, too, said Yesui.

Where we go was very special to her. She felt drawn to it. 

Maybe she'll know we're there, said Yesui, but not believing it.

Both of them were saddened by such thoughts, and they were silent for awhile as Abagai's favorite whirl of dust and stars drew nearer, and nearer, and then it filled their view.

We go first to the innermost whirl of vortices, near the center. Watch closely, now, said Kati.

Interesting, said Yesui. Along our way, I've only seen a faint glimmer of violet light, but now it's bright again, a halo of it pressing in around this galaxy, just like our own. Look, Mother! The purple and blue clouds of creation are back again, within the wheel, but not out here. 

Where the gong-shi-jie is, there is creation, dear. 

So it seems, said Yesui, fascinated.

They drew close. There! See the three vortices, straight ahead, where there are blue swirls in the purple? 

Yes, said Yesui.

They form a triangle. We make our transition right at its center. 

Kati was overcome with excitement, and rushed ahead, Yesui right behind her. The flash of transition was brilliant, and then they were there in Abagai's favorite place where new stars were being born.

Ohhh, said Yesui.

All was as Kati remembered: the roiling wall of dust and gas, the protuberances ending in stalks tipped with stars newly born or about to be born, some glowing dimly, others already hot and spewing forth little jets of glowing gas in red to blue. It was the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen, and Kati felt happy about Yesui's reaction to it. For the moment, at least, her daughter seemed mesmerized, her presence flickering out and back again for a tiny instant.

The threads are all twisted and very dense beyond that wall of dust and gas, Mother. Something strange is going on here, said Yesui.

Not so strange, dear. This is a birthplace for new stars, a place of true creation in real space. Can you see why Abagai loved it so? 

Oh, yes. 

I think she meditated on her death when she was here. She spoke of a presence, something calling to her in this place. She said there were others in the universe who shared our powers. I think she believed they were calling to her when she was here. At the time it frightened me, because it seemed she was thinking only about her own death. 

I feel no strange presence here, but the threads are unusual, said Yesui. That wall of dust and gas obscures everything beyond it, and I'd like to see what's there. 

More dust and gas, I suppose, said Kati, still marveling at the sight.

There was a moment of quiet, but Kati felt curiosity turn to compulsion within her daughter.

Well? May we penetrate all that dust, and see what's there? 

Kati suddenly felt a bit apprehensive. You have the curiosity of your father and brother, Yesui. It seems I'm the cautious one in the family. To me, going into that wall of dust and gas is like jumping into water without knowing what's lurking beneath the surface. I like to know where I'm going. 

Yes, but the threads seem to be coming together behind that wall. I think we'd only have to penetrate a short distance to see what's causing that. Yesui was now excited by her compulsion, and drifted away from Kati, heading towards the wall.

I can't see the threads, dear. Can't we just enjoy the view? 

Yesui still drifted away from her, looked over her shoulder with a playful smile. Just a little way, Mother. Explore a new mystery with me. Please? 

Kati drifted forward, but slowly. I don't like this, Yesui. I don't like it at all, she said.

Yesui only smiled, and drifted closer to the wall of dust and gas that fed new stars. Closer, and closer, and now Kati was hurrying to catch up. Close to the wall there was structure to be seen, and movement, great bubbles in brown and green oozing to the surface and slowly streaming to feed the protuberances whose tips were new stars. Deep within the wall, light flickered, and its color was violet. Kati reached Yesui at the very surface of the wall, her daughter's manifestation just beginning to meld with it.

The wall of dust and gas began to roil as if heated from within, and violet light burst forth in a wave that pushed them back violently to where they had been, a sudden, new voice in their minds.

DO NOT COME CLOSER! IT'S NOT SAFE FOR YOU HERE! 

They were shocked dumb, and could only stare as the wall boiled before them, a shimmering, violet curtain now close to its surface like a protective sheath. Kati had never felt such power in a presence, yet now it seemed to be gone again after issuing a stern warning to them and then throwing them back from the wall.

But Yesui was quickly angry, and bold again. That was very rude! she said. We meant no harm. I only wanted to see what's behind all this dust and gas that makes the threads come together, and you had no reason to push us back like that! Who are you? 

Who I am does not matter, and if you come in here, you will never leave again. It's safe where you are, and you may watch the work if you wish. 

Your work? asked Kati. You mean all these new stars are your doing? 

Hardly. I'm only one of many. The young one with you sees deeply. She must be Yesui. 

You KNOW me? said Yesui.

We've watched your work with the interface, and had some part in it. You're quite advanced for second form. 

I don't understand, said Kati.

Of course not. You are first form, as was the one who proceeded you. You will have to begin more slowly here when your time comes. I, myself, have now reached fourth level. Excuse me. . . .  

Gone, in a blink, and they seemed alone again, but the violet curtain still shimmered from the wall of dust and gas.

Someone wishes to speak with you, and I have duties. . . .  

Gone again, the brief return of the presence startling them. Kati saw Yesui's manifestation darken, then disappear for only an instant before brightening again, and as Yesui returned there was suddenly a new presence with them, something that reminded Kati of what she felt from her own daughter.

You're peeking again, Yesui. It really isn't safe for you in here. You'll just have to wait until you're ready for it. 

I know you! shouted Yesui, with great surprise and delight that only confused Kati.

Well, I hope so. I think we've done very well together. Why are you here? 

This was the favorite place of a friend we lost in death. My mother brought me here to see it, said Yesui. Right now, I'm wondering if I'm really talking to myself. 

Whatever spoke to them was amused. No, no, Yesui, but you've been assigned to me since you first reached the structure of the interface. Have I helped you? 

Oh, yes! said Yesui.

And this is your mother, said the presence.

Kati had been listening silently, like an ignorant child. Yes, I am Kati, she said.

Your line is unusual, though I've heard of such things. A first level giving birth to a second is actually quite rare. I've had a long apprenticeship at third level, but Yesui's abilities are not far behind my own. You must be proud of her. 

I'm proud of both my children, said Kati.

You remember my brother, Mind. You had to make him be quiet, said Yesui, suddenly amused and carrying on as if nothing unusual were happening.

Kati's mind boiled with confusion and scattered thoughts: two supernatural presences at this birthplace of stars, Yesui taking it all matter-of-factly, Abagai drawn here before her death, then the bright ellipsoid of light she'd become before being swallowed up by a boiling manifestation of some terrible energy field.

Who are you? Kati asked.

We have no names here, but Yesui calls me "Mind," and you may do so if you wish. We are what you will become, but that's in the future, and I can tell you no more than that. You have important things to do first in your present lives. You too, Yesui; you're born second level, and your children will be of great interest to us. 

Kati, there is a terrible grief in you that's unfounded. Your friend is with us, but what we do here is not the work of second levels. She's too far away for me to call her here. I'm sorry. Perhaps another time. 

Abagai is ALIVE? 

Again, that feeling of amusement. Well, I suppose I could say I'm alive, but not in a way you're ready to understand. She exists, Kati, and she's happy where she is. You will know her when your time comes. Ah, that made both of you feel better! 

We've missed her, said Yesui, then, Will you come back to see me sometime, Mind? 

Oh yes. As I said, you're one of my assignments. But now I'm working on another one. If I remove the barrier, will you stay where you are? We only put it up to protect you. 

I promise, said Yesui.

Yes, said Kati.

You may watch if you like. Yesui, don't worry about finding me in the future. I'll find you. Bye! 

The presence was gone, and with it the violet shimmering of the dust and gas cloud before them. They watched it awhile, drifting in silence, watched sparkles of violet within a protuberance, then a bright flare at its tip as a new star spewed off dust and gas in a long streamer to announce its birth.

By the time they left the place where Mind did her work, five new stars had been born.

Kati and Yesui drifted slowly together towards the great wheel of stars that was their home, at least for now. Both felt awe and humility from what they'd seen and heard, yet they were happy.

Abagai said there were others like us, said Kati.

Yesui was giddy with excitement. Oh, we'll be more, Mother. Much more! 

They went their separate ways at the signature of Tengri-Nayon, Kati returning to the vortex leading to herself, Yesui popping out of sight as she went to the place of the threads that Kati could not see.

By the time Kati was back at her desk, Yesui had jumped Nokai's ship a distance of two light years to bring him home to Shanji for what she hoped would be more than just a visit.

 

Nokai lay awake in his cubicle, awaiting Yesui's arrival and wondering how he would mask the things he'd seen and heard that had jerked him so violently from deep sleep. Surely The Mother Herself had taken him on the journey with Yesui; it was Her voice he'd heard, and the roiling mist with spots of light was a thing She had shown him before.

If he showed it to Yesui, she might think it came from her own memory, and was simply reflected by him. If he projected it strongly enough, she might not see his little secret regarding his role in the mission to Shanji.

He relaxed, coming close to sleep before her wonderful presence washed over him, her call gentle, so as not to disturb him.

Nokai? Are you still asleep? If so, you won't even feel this jump. 

He showed her his vision of roiling mist and new stars, and a galaxy rushing away in the distance.

We are together, even in sleep, darling. And now I will bring us together more quickly. 

A fuzzy, transient sensation, as if he'd fallen asleep for an instant, and that was all of it.

Soon, my love. Soon, she said, and then she was gone.

 

Back | Next
Contents
Framed