I realize that I haven't posted anything in a very long time, so here is a VERY rough excerpt from something I am working on writing. This will be changed a lot before my final draft...years in the future. For instance...the Jedi Arc... That is one possible way to take this character, but I am thinking of getting rid of that and making this a complete Rihannsu novel. I have used ideas created by others, namely Gene Roddenberry and Diane Duane (my favorite Rihannsu writer). As I said, this is only in its birthing stages and is in the process of being morphed into something very different. However, this is mainly for my own enjoyment...please do not copy/paste this and distribute it.
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"This will be unlike anything you have felt before, and most likely will feel slightly invasive, but I give you my word I will not hurt you."
Her foreign accent became much thicker as she thought of what she was about to do. Ael looked away for a moment, her pointed ears and delicately upward curving eyebrows becoming obvious to anyone looking, since she had removed her hooded cloak. Mentally bracing herself for what was to come she stepped toward Vin-Tiale, slowly raising her right hand. She placed ice cold fingers against his temple, sending her consciousness looking for his. Swiftly she found what she was looking for. As he involuntarily resisted her presence, she sent him calming thoughts and waited until he was ready before proceeding further. No one ever adapted to this easily and for some it was much harder than others.
Nothing happened at first. Then Vin-Tiale's mind self began seeing images flash before his eyes. Conversations. Ael's past. A young girl, brought up to a life of hardship. Extensive combat training beginning at age five. She walked into a large room, mirrors on the walls, feeling very small. Her mother's words echoing in her mind, "You are a Rihanha of House Illialhlae, no matter what happens you will not show fear." She swallowed hard. A stern veteran warrior of a past generation walked in. She bowed. He yelled for her to perform the first form of llaekh aer'l. Panic! "Ie, ennarain." Swiftly she did as she was ordered, thanking the Elements for the old gardener of her family, he used to serve in the great fleet. All those lessons she had tried to get out of... Eventually, the old ennarain became her good friend. Little Ael smiled as she stepped forward on that last day, the example of her proud master, showing his class how it was to be done. Training...always training...for years that was her life. The first day she used a katana... The day she killed a t'liss with a throwing knife. The day she outshot all challengers.The discovery that she was mentally talented was quickly followed by a four year period when she vanished to all others and learned the mental disciplines by heart...how to kill...how to heal...
As was custom, she joined the Imperial Fleet, Galae Division. Living the Way of D'era. Following the strict dictates of mnhei'sahe. The Ruling Passion...having to give your last drop of water to a starving enemy...watching a friend die... But that was life. Eventually the day came. At 21 she was given her first, and last, command. Dark black hair, brilliant green eyes, considered a beauty among the Rihannsu, always honorable, she walked proudly onto the bridge of a middle-aged t'liss warship. The Bloodwing. Hers. Her old khre'Rhiov stood in the middle of the bridge with something dark in his hand. A door on the opposite side slid open: accompanied by his bodyguard, Emperor Shiarkiek walked on board amidst the bows of everyone around. Her mouth falling open, she quickly saluted in the old style. Standing tall in front of him, she pledged the old oath, to serve the people. Her commander stepped forward and gave her the honorblade that had been forged for her. That was only the beginning of her career. As the Senate and Praetorate became increasingly corrupt and greedy the old ways disappeared. The outer trappings of mnhei'sahe became ever more visible. Days of celebration... But true honor died. People walked in fear. Words were few and guarded. One wrong word...and people vanished...never seen again. The fear of the Tal Shiar was everywhere...Mission after mission was a resounding success. Her crew loyal to the death. Her Eaglets...her children...
Returning home, she found her family had arranged her marriage to a rich Senator. Aerikh... Corrupt, greedy, selfish, cruel...a villain of the deepest dye. Shame... Even now she furiously wiped her hand across her mouth, shivering violently. He left...she never saw him after that. She returned to her ship. Later she had a son, Tafv. When he grew up he was her right hand on the Bloodwing. Always by her side. Ael was too popular for her own good. She spoke for honor, critizing the Senate and Praetors. Calling them back to their duty. Long dangerous episodes followed. Her cousin, Ssaedhe, who was like her, disappeared. Months later she learned that Ssaedhe had been executed as an example to those who disapproved of the new way of life.
Coming back to ch'Rihan she was arrested and carried off by the Tal Shiar. Then she was taken to the Senate and tried for treason against the Rihannsu people. The Empty Throne...the s'Harien. The ancient symbol of all that was Rihannsu. Little did she know how he would change her life. Condemned to die, she heard a disturbance outside and knowing that her eaglets had come for her she leapt to the throne and snatched up the ancient sword. Cutting her way through those who opposed her, she reached her crew and escaped in the Bloodwing. A couple years later the government tried to appease her wrath and lure her back. It was revealed that her son had betrayed her the first time. As they were attacked by other Rihannsu warships that the government claimed were "renegade" her ship was boarded and she and several of her crew were taken captive. Deeply wounded, yet her crew was still on their feet, except Tafv...she knew he was dying. Looking into her eyes he begged her as his mother to forgive what he had done and give him the Final Honor. Eventually she acquiesed. After a hard fight, her surviving crew made it back to the Bloodwing.
Later still, nominally reconciled with the government at a distance, she was ordered to the boundary to defend against an expected attack. Six D'deridex class Rihannsu warships dropped out of cloak and surrounded the old Bloodwing. She knew then that the Praetorate had sent them to die far from any witnesses. Not just her...but her crew. They fought well, but were dreadfully outnumbered. Shields down, weapons depleted...crippled, and about to die. Her crew looked at her, loyalty in their eyes. Aidoann stepped forward, bowed, and said she had been appointed by the crew to tell her that "it is an honor to have fought at your side, and it is a yet greater honor to have been counted worthy to die at your side." Tears in her eyes, she looked back at them, "My Eaglets, we have been sent to die by a corrupt people. We have lived for honor, now let us die for it. Let us make such an end as will announce us to the other world. We will take as many of them with us as we can. Helm, ramming speed!" Reaching down, she lovingly stroked the sword that now was always at her side. And watched as her world ended...or so she thought...Blackness followed.She woke on an unknown planet. The Jedi took her into their Temple on Coruscant and trained her. Through the years she worked hard, eventually earning the title of Grand Master and taking her seat on the Council. That too ended after a time. She was restless. Her best friends had left one by one. Some never to return. The once hopeful warrior had indeed been tried by fire. Her black hair, now was snow white, making her appear much older than before, the fire in her eyes did not die, the softness in her face had vanished, replaced with the deadly elegant lines resembling the t'liss. She locked emotion away as she had been taught. Eventually, another man came...one like no other. He shared her devotion to honor, he understood her like no other. He made her feel like she could actually live and laugh, and forget care for a time. She looked up to him, respected him, even....but he too disappeared, and she grew tired and sick at heart wondering if he would ever come back. Or if he had forgotten her completely. She chided herself for weakness and sank farther into an icy state of emotionlessness. Her old teachers would be proud.
Now...yet again...she must build her life from the ground up. Yet again, having painfully been smashed to the floor, struggling to learn that she must depend on herself alone. No others. Everyone she had ever cared about ...disappeared. Now...she had several goals in view. Vin-Tiale knew she was a governor for him, but she was also employed elsewhere, and hard at work. Deciding that he had seen enough, she began pulling back, separating her mind from his, drawing her memories back to herself. Eventually she opened her eyes, and removing her hand from his face, wiped her arm quickly across her own to get rid of the tears before he sees them. She turned and sat down at an unoccupied table with her back towards him. Her voice strangely hard and rough, speaking with effort, "Now you know. Not all of course. But the gist, if you will. The question is, what are you going to do about it?"
She waved at the bartender to bring her another ale. When he did she nodded and took it, quickly drinking half of the fire-blue liquid and coughing slightly.
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Copyright, 2009
