The Triple Rising — Chapter 7

The first Sun-Dweller has arrived.

“This is unbelievable.” Troyak stalked the length of the ramp, turned, and stalked his way back.

“I know,” Semylyn said, leaning on the ramp’s safety bar, looking out into the wild delight of level five’s oceanic menagerie.

“I mean, they can’t make us.”

“I know,” she answered again.

Troyak stopped suddenly just behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and spun her so that she was facing him, or rather, facing his chest. She tilted her head up. His eyes burned even stronger than usual, wide and wild.

“My father made it sound like there was no alternative, but there has to be!” He stalked again, his long strides eating up the ramp, down and up, down and up.

She curled her fingers into her palms as one event after another replayed in her mind. The news of the Prime’s penetration, the Warder’s strange behavior, her father’s story. She shivered.

Xerell had informed Troyak, too, and to say he was angry about the new situation would have been an understatement.

She felt his warm arm press against hers and suddenly she felt incredibly tired. She leaned her head slightly to the right so that it lay on his arm, just below his shoulder. She felt him tense and then relax as her head pressed against him.

“If you want to, we’ll find another way,” Troyak said after a moment and she raised her head to look at him.

“What do you mean, if I want to? Of course, I want to! Being bonded to a Sun-Dweller is bad enough, but this! To be so physically dependent on someone else, someone I don’t know — don’t want to know.”

Troyak nodded silently, his eyes searching hers for a beat longer than she expected.

“You know, you’ve been acting strangely ever since the Council meeting,” She said.

Troyak looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Strangely? What does that mean?”

“I just mean, wired. Tense, but beyond what anybody else is feeling. Is everything alright with you?”

He looked away, a shadow crossing his eyes.

Semylyn continued. “You’ve always registered a little intense on the scale, training harder, and studying longer than anybody else. I just chalk that up to your big ego; having to be the best at everything. But the last few months, you’ve changed some, more to the edgy side.

“I just thought we’d have more time together,” he said. “I didn’t expect the Prime to falter and then our situation…”

Semylyn knew the feeling. She too was shocked at the prime’s sudden penetration, but that didn’t explain his volatile emotional responses lately.

“Hey,” she said after they had both stood in silence for a few minutes, “you said you had a surprise for me.”

Troyak nodded. “Yeah,” he murmured, still looking out into the colorful oceanic vista beyond the window wall.

“Come on,” she said bumping him gently, “I could use a distracting surprise. I think you could, too.”

Troyak looked down at her and a hint of a grin played on his lips. “Alright, alright. You High Guardian types sure know how to whine,” he said.

Semylyn followed him as he turned and began descending the ramp.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He rolled his eyes. “You always have to know exactly what’s going on, don’t you?”

Semylyn gasped in mock offense.

They alighted upon the bottom landing of the ramp, into level five’s main plaza. All around this level, rising some four stories, were rings and rings of quarters. It was a bright, homey level.

Troyak approached the Channel and pressed his hand into its depths, Semylyn following suit. She felt the familiar zing of the Channel’s sensors measuring her height and weight and waited with Troyak as the appropriately sized vesicle opened for them.

They stepped inside and turned to face outwards. Troyak pressed a hand into the bubble’s surface and she saw his finger tap once.

“We’re going to Level One?” she asked as the bubble gradually descended through the levels.

Troyak gave her a teasers’ grin and Semylyn sighed in frustration. He was going to tell her nothing.

Soon, the bubble reached its destination. It was midday, and many were strolling through the central courtyard, grateful for a break from their work.

“This way,” Troyak said, veering to the left as soon as they exited the Channel.

“Good day, Semylyn, Troyak.”

Scientists and Habitation Representatives greeted them as they passed quickly through the meandering throng. Troyak paused by a corridor and turned to Semylyn.

“Any chance I could convince you to close your eyes?”

Semylyn smiled. “If I have to,” she said and closed them as requested.

“Alright, the hand grabbing yours is mine,” he said teasingly.

“Thanks, I was wondering.” she chuckled under her breath.

“Okay, we’re walking down the corridor, there’s a sea serpent here, don’t mind him.” Troyak teased.

Semylyn jumped despite herself and bumped into Troyak, who merely put an arm around her shoulder and held her hand with his other hand.

“Still afraid of sea serpents,” he said in mock despair, “what kind of High Guardian is afraid of sea serpents?”

“The kind who punches her First Defender,” she answered sarcastically. She felt a change of atmosphere as they left the corridor. She could smell the green aroma of growing things and knew they were in one of the garden’s antechambers.

“Just a little further,” he said and she felt another change as they stepped through a doorway into another room. She could feel a soft breeze swirl around her ears as they finally came to a stop.

“Okay, we’re here. Now…open.”

Semylyn opened her eyes and blinked as they adjusted to the light. They were in a small green forest. It was only about fifty feet long and just as wide, but real trees filled the space. She quickly kicked off her shoes to feel the texture of grass and soil under her bare feet.

“Troyak,” she murmured, turning in a wide arc. The overhead luminance simulated sunlight as it filtered through the green leaves above her.

“This is amazing…” she trailed off as she approached a tree and put a hand to its rough bark. “How did you do this?”

“Well, you know I have a black thumb…so it wasn’t so much that I did it myself, more like I had it commissioned.”

Semylyn turned toward him. He grinned widely at her and she rushed to throw her arms around his neck.

“Thank you! You’re amazing! You grew me a forest!”

He laughed, looking a little embarrassed as she squeezed him.

“Well, I know that you love the Sun-Dweller forests. I heard this greenroom was being overhauled and suggested that a forest would be a good idea.”

Semylyn let go of him and grabbed his hand.

“Come on!” She pulled him along as she stepped lightly through the knotted roots poking through the ground. They wove through the trees, and suddenly Semylyn stopped, picking up the sound of high-pitched chirping.

“Is that a bird?” she asked.

“Oh,” Troyak laughed sheepishly, “yeah. Is it too much? I just thought, you know, some ambiance.”

“It’s wonderful,” Semylyn assured him in a rush, turning her face upwards to the simulated sunlight. “This is unbelievable.” She looked at him with half-closed eyes. “How long have you been keeping this a secret?”

“Since our tenth year.”

Semylyn smiled happily and plopped down in the soft grass. Troyak sat next to her and they scooted back so that their backs rested against a tree trunk. Semylyn relaxed and just allowed herself time to take it all in.

“You’re incredible.” She repeated after a while.

Troyak shrugged and laughed. “Yes, I know.”

“You’re going to make some Sun-Dweller a very happy girl one day,” she said and felt him go still. “Oh, I’m sorry Troyak. I only meant…”

“It’s alright,” he said and pushed into a standing position. “You know, I just remembered that my father needs me to look over the tiderunners. We’re scheduled to go on a hunt tonight.”

Semylyn stood as well and put her hand on his shoulder.

“This is amazing, you know that, right?”

He nodded with a tender smile.

“Thank you so much, Troyak.”

“My pleasure, as always,” he said and turned to leave.

“See you tomorrow then?” she called out after him. He raised a hand to wave without turning and was soon gone.

Semylyn looked once again at the trees to relish their quiet beauty, but something felt off. She didn’t know why, but oddly, Troyak’s gift made her feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t a feeling she enjoyed.

A sound broke through the muted quiet of the forest. Three tones, a summoning of the Council.

“Do you know what this is about?” Semylyn caught Troyak by the sleeve of his dark blue tunic. He shook his head in answer and then the other council members surrounded them. She shrugged off the shudder starting up her back.

“Welcome Council members. Please be seated.” Omree himself greeted the group. Semylyn circled the table and went to sit next to her Father.

Omree stood and addressed the group. “When we spoke yesterday it was agreed that the Gathering must begin immediately. I have called for this meeting to inform you that our first Sun-Dweller has arrived.”

Semylyn jerked so hard she nearly fell out of her chair. A Sun-Dweller here, already? She had been in the Lifecycle Lab just that morning for an hour or so before going to meet Troyak. Why hadn’t she been informed the Sun-Dweller was coming?

“I know this news is shocking to you all, and in truth, I had not intended on actually having a Sun-Dweller here quite so soon. However, Xerell and I agreed we would gain no advantage by delaying.”

Omree took a moment to let this information sink in. There was a collective murmur of surprise, then he continued.

“We would like to keep this matter quiet for now, out of respect for our visitor. He is currently occupying one of our capsules in the Lifecycle lab while his physiology becomes acclimated. No doubt when this news goes citywide he will be quite the celebrity. To ease his transition, some privacy will be useful. We will be keeping you all apprised of further developments.”

With that, Omree signaled the end of the impromptu meeting and turned to his daughter.

“I’m sorry I was unable to prepare you,” he said.

Semylyn shook her head.”You said immediately yesterday…and this is certainly…immediate.”

Xerell’s approach interrupted her feeble attempt to lighten the situation and give herself time to adapt to the news.

“Ah, Xerell,” Omree said, clapping his second-in-command on the shoulder. “We will soon learn what to expect from our first Sun-Dweller?”

“Same as we can expect from the rest of them, I’m sure,” Xerell muttered darkly. His opinion of Sun-Dwellers was hardly unknown.

“Father,” Semylyn turned to Omree, “I will go and check on the rest of the capsules. Make sure everything is functioning properly.”

Omree nodded his agreement. “I was going to ask you to do just that.”

He turned back to Xerell. “I’d like tonight’s hunting party to leave as scheduled.”

Xerell nodded and turned, gesturing for his son to follow. Troyak glanced back at Semylyn before exiting the chamber in stride with his father.

“I will accompany you to the Lifecycle lab,” Omree said.

Semylyn turned to follow him. As they traversed the corridor and approached the Channel, she could feel her heart pounding through her skin. Things were moving quickly, and she was about to get her first glimpse of the legendary Sun-Dwellers. Raised on tales of their audacity, their arrogance, and their greed, the trepidation at actually seeing one couldn’t be denied.

Semylyn found the entryway to the Lifecycle lab locked, but Omree pressed a hand against a panel next to the door and it slid open.

“For security,” he said and Semylyn nodded mutely.

Inside the lab, two of Semylyn’s researchers were working at their stations, the white-haired Navees and Heth himself.

“Come to glimpse the Sun-Dweller, eh?” Heth asked jovially and Semylyn gave him a small smile.

He led Omree and Semylyn through the lab and paused at the door next to the porpoise tank to input a series of security codes. Semylyn gently tapped the glass and watched the porpoise’s smooth gray head roll.

“Steady,” Heth murmured as Semylyn followed Omree past him, “He doesn’t bite.”

At the far left of the room, the first capsule quietly hummed, its control panel showing it to be activated. They approached and Omree input a few simple commands. The opaque covering cleared to allow viewing into the capsule’s interior. Semylyn stepped forward for a closer look.

It was a male. She was surprised at how brown his skin was, though he seemed to be from one of the lighter pigmented races of Sun-Dwellers. Even so, his skin burned golden in comparison to the familiar Sitnaltian pallor. Sun-Dweller, indeed.

Since he lay in unconscious suspension, his finely featured face should have held sereneness. What projected wasn’t tranquility though, more like cold dignity.

How different he looked from Troyak. Thick, brown brows arched on a high, almost regal forehead. His closed eyes gave her no way of knowing what color slept within their depths. Dark, black lashes fanned out to rest on his cheeks.

Where Troyak’s face was broad and chiseled, this Sun-Dweller’s features were far more angular, yet hinting at the same inherent strength that she so often admired in Troyak. His full lips held just a hint of a smirk that did not promise compliance. Impossible though she knew it to be, his mouth seemed to mock her.

Yet, she had to admit he was shapely, this Sun-Dweller. His build was not the overly-muscular type she was used to. He was leaner, with long arms. She could hardly say that he looked weak, however. He looked as if he would awaken at any moment and punch his way through the capsule. He looked alien, unfamiliar, but desperately, vibrantly alive.

“His name is Jag O’Neal,” Omree murmured.

Semylyn looked at her father, then back at the Sun-Dweller. Jag, she thought. What a strange name.

“He will be your bonded partner.”

The chilling shock rolled over her like a breaking wave. She’d committed to following the Warder’s guidance, but now that this Sun-Dweller existed in her space, breathed her air — he seemed more an invader than a partner. The mere thought invoked embarrassment and foreboding.

“We have some time to wait,” Omree offered, “I’d like to have the Sun-Dweller female intended for Troyak here before we proceed with the ceremony. That way, both of you can be bonded at the same time.” He took a pausing breath. “I cannot stay longer; I have a meeting with Xerell shortly. Feel free to linger if you wish.”

Semylyn did stay. She moved as if to put a hand on the capsule but held her hand hesitate midair. This is silly, Semylyn told herself. He’s unconscious. No reason to feel afraid.

Gently, slowly, she lay a hand on the glass barrier between them.

“Jag,” she whispered, and the word drifted up and out into the lab’s blue silence, the only sound to break the mechanical song for a long while.

To be continued

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