Into the Abyss: M.I.A.
Chapter 9
AN: Yeah! Chapter nine! I never thought I would make it this far. Sorry for the delay.
By the time I realized that I needed to update yesterday it was to late for me to do
anything. Enjoy...this is sort of a filler scene, not to much occurs. But worth reading
anyway...mind you I’m a bit biased as I make that statement. ^_~
After exiting the drop ship the crew of MIA found themselves facing a delegation of sorts.
The man that spoke to Kali was at the front. He stepped forward and bowed low,
“Welcome to Darntante.” (AN: Pronounced Darn-tant, silent e)
Up close they all got a better look at Heroth. He looked to be in his 40’s. He had brown
hair that was slowly thinning. But his hazel eyes missed nothing about him. The way he
talked and carried himself it was plain that he was used to giving order’s and having them
carried out.
Kali mimicked his moves, “Thank you for inviting us, Heroth.”
“Not at all.” he said, waving her to follow him. Kali’s group followed behind him, with
Kali falling in step with Heroth. “It is not often we get visitors. We are a peaceful people.
We have no weapons of war and no need for them, the only thing we have of value to
trade are jewelry and clothes.” Melian noticed that several women in the delegation were trying very hard not to be spotted staring at the sleeping twins.
Heroth showed them to a parlor like room and told them to wait. He would return in a
moment. Kali’s group were left alone for the first time since landing on the planet.
“Well, they seem nice enough.” Lania commented as she moved to put Katina on the
couch were her brother was already resting.
“Dyro shrugged as he moved around the room, checking out all the rather expensive
looking art works and other things on display. Jared was keeping a close watch on the
little kleptomaniac.
The door on the far side of the room swung open and a woman came in follow by three
young girls, from the similarity in looks, everyone assumed they were mother and
daughters. The tall woman carried herself with grace and poise. She had shimmering
blond hair and deep green eyes. All three girls looked just like her. Expect for the eldest,
who had hazel eyes.
The woman bowed, “Greetings, I am Mariat. My husband, Heroth, has asked that you
follow me to the dining hall. To join him for a meal.”
Kali smiled at her, “Thank you Mariat. Lead the way.”
Dyro was already bright eyed and happy with the prospect of food.
Mariat bowed again, “These are my daughter’s, Anna, Akira, and Ayana.”
All three girls bowed respectfully, but there eyes were on Eryk and Katina. The twins had
just woken up and were watching everything with wide, innocent eyes.
Melian noticed this and brought Eryk closer. “This is my son, Eryk.” She then gestured
to Jared, who was holding Katina, “And that is my daughter, Katina.” All three girls eyes’
widen like saucers. “You can come closer if you like.” Melian prompted.
All three girls swiveled there heads to there mother.
Mariat smiled at her daughters. “Go ahead dears. But please walk this way. My husband
is waiting.”
(AN: Before I forget, Ana is 14, Akira is 12 and Ayana is 8.)
As they walked along the corridor. Ana and Akria were cooing over Eryk while Ayana
watched Katina. Jared was getting uncomfortable so Kali took Katina. Ayana willingly
went closer to her. Ayana moved her hand towards the baby and Katina grabbed the little girls finger.
Ayana jumped but Kali’s smile reassured her that it was all right. Heroth smiled at his
daughter’s as they entered. “It seems those young things have captured the attention of
everyone.” The three girls jumped at there father’s voice, then, blushing they curtsied and took places at the low table (you sit on cushions on the floor).
Heroth sat at the head with his wife to his left and Kali to his right. Jared was next to Kali
and Ayana was next to her mother. Melian sat next with Ana across from her. Lania was
next to Melian and Akria across from her. Dyro sat at the far end with another woman
they hadn’t noticed before siting across from him. She had cold blue eyes and stared
down at her plate. The twins sat on Melian and Lania’s laps. (AN: Did that make any
sense?)
After servants brought out the food and nothing but eating had gone on for quite some
time Kali choose to speak. “Please, Heroth. Tell us more about your culture here.”
Heroth smiled and spoke, “As I said, we are a peaceful people. We long ago abandoned
anything that would hurt our planet and the creatures that live upon it. We have the most talented artisans and seamstresses within a thousand Bars. We don’t often get guests. The only people we see on a regular basis are the Lost Ones.”
(AN: Bars are there way of measuring long distances, 1000 Bars is like the distance from
Earth to Mars.)
Kali looked puzzled so Heroth explained. “‘Lost Ones’ is our name for the Priestesses
who have ventured beyond normal space. We call them that because they always seem to be looking for something. They have vowed to never return to their sisterhood’s home.
You’re group is much like them.”
Ayana piped up from her seat, “But Father, she IS a Lost One.”
Heroth looked surprised at his youngest daughter who quickly hid her blushing face. She
wasn’t used to being the center of attention.
Heroth raised an eyebrow at Kali.
Kali smiled lightly and fingered the circlet around her neck that Heroth didn't notice before, “I was made a Priestess not long before my crew-mates and I entered the A.T.”
Heroth looked at her curiously. “But, you do not look like your the same species...”
“I’m not...it’s a really long story.” Kali tried to explain without going into the whole
story.
Heroth nodded, “That’s all right. It’s just good to know.” Kali didn’t even bother trying
to figure that one out.
They ate and talked long into the night. The only one who didn’t say a single word was
the blue-eyed woman across from Dyro. She glared at anyone who tried to speak to her.
Mariat showed them all to rooms they could sleep in. Kali’s was the last room, before
Mariat left her however, she asked.
“Mariat, this might seem a bit rude but, who was that other woman at dinner?”
Mariat knew exactly whom Kali meant. “That is Heroth’s sister, Cantry.”
“Can’t she speak?”
“Oh yes, she just hates everyone here. But since she has no where else to go she stays
here.”
Kali looked even more confused than she was before she asked.
Mariat smiled, “It’s complicated. Don’t concern yourself, it’s nothing you’ve done.”
Kali nodded, “Good night, Mariat."
“The same to you, Priestess.”
AN: Okay, so that wasn’t very important but, my character’s need a break from all the
attack’s and surprises.
But don’t worry, I have more in store. Were going to be seeing more of Cantry very
soon. And we get to meet Heroth’s male children.
Wow, this was over four pages when I finished typing. That's one of the longest chapters I have ever done.
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