The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Wake (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 39: Ardyn and Jevan join a small gathering after the funeral, and Aelrynd gives Ardyn some surprising news.
After the funeral, Takyra invited Ardyn to join a private gathering. The revived crew organized similar gatherings throughout the Rahn’naa, each hosted by the friends and family of those who died. There had been discussions of a larger gathering in the dining hall, but the Athla’naa people preferred to mourn in smaller, more intimate groups.
After stopping in their quarters to freshen up, Ardyn asked Jevan to join him. Jevan had been there through everything with him, and Ardyn didn’t feel right leaving him out. “I know you’re probably eager to talk to Tomas and Aron, but I’d love for you to be there. Please?”
Jevan smiled warmly at him. “Of course, I’ll join you. Takyra also invited Mathias. Tomas and Aron can wait. After everything that’s happened, I’m sure they’ll understand.”
When they arrived, Mathias was already there, along with Takyra, Aerys, Aelrynd, and Taeglyn. Takyra greeted them and gave them each a glass of wah’roh.
“Be careful, Jevan,” Mathias warned. “That stuff packs a punch!”
“Oh, I know! This isn’t my first time drinking wah’roh. It reminds me of the whiskey they make down in Tafaran,” Jevan said, taking a long sip of his. “Oh, wow. This is much smoother than the kind I’ve tried before!”
Ardyn took a sip. Instead of the strong burn that usually hit his tongue when he drank wah’roh, this gave his mouth a pleasant warmth, along with a burst of subtle fruity flavor. “This is delicious!” Ardyn said as he took another enthusiastic sip.
“This is only a replicated version,” Takyra said, “but it’s close to what we had back on Aria’naa. Our process for making it is probably more refined than yours and made from the native fruits growing on our homeworld. I would love to taste your version of wah’roh some time.”
“You must come and visit Maala’naa,” Aelrynd insisted. “Our people need to put aside our differences and get to know each other again. Especially if we are to coexist.”
“Once things settle down here, I would love to come and visit,” Takyra said.
“While we’re on the subject, I think it’s time for Taeglyn and I to return home,” Aelrynd announced. “We need to lead our people back to Maala’naa and begin the process of selecting a new elder to join the Triumvirate before we reevaluate our outdated laws and traditions.”
That surprised Ardyn. He expected his elders to become more tolerant, but to be open to changing their traditions was not something he’d anticipated.
Mathias hummed in agreement as he took a sip of his wah’roh. “I should return home soon myself, but there is much to discuss with our visitors first.”
“We would love to know more about them, but we need to get our people home,” Aelrynd said. “Ardyn, will you represent our people? You have proven to us you have a good head on your shoulders, and I believe your innate curiosity would be an asset here. You can report back to us anything you learn that may affect our people.”
A complicated mix of emotions rose in Ardyn. He’d gone from being a pariah and practically an outcast and now he was being asked to represent his people. Ardyn wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Still, he hadn’t been planning to return to Maala’naa, so he was happy to be given a purpose.
“I would be honored,” Ardyn replied. “Thank you for your vote of confidence in me.”
Takyra stepped away for a moment, returning with some devices.
“These are long-distance communicators. Please take them, so we can keep you informed of what is happening here.” Takyra handed each elder a device. “Will you return when the ship from Aria’naa arrives?”
“At least one of us will, yes,” Aelrynd replied. “Whoever we select to join the Triumvirate will require training.”
“Aren’t there already those who have been training to become members of the Triumvirate?” Jevan asked.
“There are,” Taeglyn replied. “However, considering recent events, we’re deliberating over a few other elder Athla’naa. Our old ways need to be reconsidered, and so our Triumvirate should reflect that.”
“In fact,” Aelrynd said, looking at Ardyn. “We are seriously considering your father for the position.”
Ardyn’s eyes widened at that news. “But he’s always been like me, considered too curious for his own good.”
“Exactly why we’re considering him,” Taeglyn said. “It was your curiosity that led you to find Takyra and her people. Your discovery saved thousands of lives, and you have opened our eyes to so many truths that we were blind to. We could use that kind of thinking in our leadership as we enter a new era of enlightenment.”
Stunned, Ardyn knocked back the rest of his wah’roh and went to sit down.
“Are you alright?” Jevan asked, sitting next to him.
“I… I don’t know,” Ardyn admitted. “I’ve been blaming myself for those senseless deaths. If I hadn’t been so curious or found that cursed key, those Athla’naa would still be alive.”
“Not all of them,” Takyra reminded him. “A dozen of those we mourned today had already died. More would have, if you hadn’t found us.”
“I know, but it still feels wrong to be praised for something that led to all that senseless violence — ”
“Ardyn, you are not responsible for the actions of others,” Taeglyn interjected. “They presented us with indisputable facts, and Druyndar willfully ignored them. Instead, he spread more lies to our people. They chose to believe a single member of the Triumvirate, and so their actions will not be without consequences.”
Looking up at his elder, Ardyn cocked his head and flattened his ears in curiosity. “How?”
“I recorded the entire battle,” Aerys replied. “I will identify every Athla’naa who struck a deadly blow.”
“We are working with Takyra and Aerys to determine a just punishment,” Aelrynd said. “This cannot bring back the dead, but we will hold accountable those responsible.”
An unexpected sense of relief came over Ardyn. “That’s… good to know. What will you do with them?”
“I have a few ideas,” Takyra said. “But I don’t want to decide anything until the ship from Aria’naa arrives. There are too many unknowns for me to make any long-term plans, but it will probably include them working with us on the Rahn’naa.”
“How would that hold them accountable?” Ardyn wondered, frowning at his elders. “Whenever they punished me, it usually involved pain.”
Takyra gave Aelrynd and Taeglyn a withering look before responding. “If they come and work alongside my people, they will get to know us and see the truth for themselves. Helping us should also help them resolve any remorse they feel over their actions.”
“That seems like a very enlightened approach,” Aelrynd said. “We will discuss the matter in more detail at the appropriate time.”
Aerys handed Ardyn another glass of wah’roh. “You look like you need another,” he said with a wink.
Ardyn laughed. “Thank you.”
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