She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
She walks in beauty,
Lord Byron (George Gordon)
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We're in some kind of holding pattern as the amount of vessels is quite large, and we are in line to land at the palace in the capital. Jah-jahní reaches over to what resembles a crystal and waves her hand in front of it, and a floating screen appears. "This is where we are going; unfortunately I don't use my military status to gain privilege over others." She declares. As she manipulates the screen I study her delicate slender fingers a they move gracefully over controls; her hand, and skin also seem so delicate. You'd never guess that she was the commander of a cruiser. I follow her arm and get to her face, which is exquisite.
I catch myself and pay attention to the screen, before it gets awkward for her and me. We haven't spent much time together since the day we ate, when we first met each other. I sit back and relax a bit pulling on my collar, wishing that I was in fight suit. I miss the action sometimes, but I'm also glad that I'm not in one now. "Why are there so many ships right now?" Mandy asks
Jah-jahní turns to us smiling. "This is an important day for my sister, so many dignitaries have been invited." She say.
"So is this customary for when everyone who passes the trial." I inquire. I mean this can complicated if they do this for all of them, Lord only knows how many there are in this cast.
"No." She answers. "It's just that my Father - is - the King of our people, so it's a great day for my family." I look at her and then at Mandy, who seems unfazed at this revelation, but I'm astonished.
"Your a member of the royal family?" I sit here not sure what to say. She is very unassuming and very approachable to us, and her men.
She nods the affirmative. "Please understand my position is of privilege, but I don't want to be seen only as a princess of the Majah-tu." She looks away continuing to speak. "My life has it complexities, but out there among the stars I found my purpose." She glances at me and turns away again and stays quiet for a time. I feel the shuttle bank, which means that we are heading to a landing spot.
I can understand why she would not want to be treated differently form her crew, especially out on a mission. A beeping alert sounds and Jah-jahní passes her hand over that crystal thing on the bulkhead she smiles. "We are about to touch down and then we must hurry to the main hall, because the ceremony will start shortly." We land and quickly disembark the shuttle; the day is sunny and warm,
Though not so hot. As we walk I look around at the manicured lawns and gardens, which are immaculate with everything well ordered. We approach the main entrance and I look up; the palace is immense. A structure larger than anything I've ever encountered. It has tall tower, parapets and defensive positions with visible multiple weapons arrays. It's hard to gage the exact size of the palace from here, but it's big.
We enter the high arched double door that leads into a tunnel that makes up the outer wall
defensive structure that must be fifty meters in depth. As we exit I turn to look back and see the thirty meter high wall, my God this place is... unbelievable. I turn forward and see the main Citi del; the strongest point of the palace, with tall spires and towers; it almost resembles something out of a story only it's real. We reach the main stair and Jah-Jahní stops turning around. "I must ask you to please not interfere with what you see or happens; you will say or do nothing." She looks at all of us in turn. "This is the custom of our people; sometimes though rarely, some die on this day, but please stay quiet and in your place." With that she turns and continues onward; I look at Mandy then at the gunny who raises his eyebrows and then we follow her in.
The grand entrance is breathtaking, with polished stone floors inlaid with what seems to be gold in a flower pattern. The pillars are massive and at least twenty meters high, also inlaid with gold like trimming supporting an arched ceiling. It's impressive to say the least. I look at my party and their faces are also filled with wonder at this place. Jah-jahní leads us to the right, to another large door though not as large as the others, but not insignificant either. We move to this door and the guards standing outside of bowed deeply, and they open the doors. Once Jah-jahní passes through she is announced and everyone turns to her.
She then leans to the announcer and whispers to him, he then says something in that language of theirs and all eyes now look past Jah-jahní at us. The stares of curiosity are making me self conscious, and I feel the sweat start on my back; but I have to relax. We represent the people of the Earth; I walk right up to Jah-jahní and stand next to her. She turns to me and inclines her head slightly then to Mandy; she then continues on, with us in tow. The people all whisper to each other as we walk past, which is annoying to anyone who is not accustomed to it, but for me it pisses me off. We approach the raised Dias where the throne is located and; there are at least ten steps to get to the top and seated there has to be the King, or at least that is who I believe it is. The extravagance of this place is used to show power and wealth and the throne in such a high spot is to prove who is in command here; there's no doubt in my mind that these rulers are used to holding that power.
I feel the weight of malice directed toward me and I turn to my right, and there is this being standing glareing at me. He is about my heigh, but thicker; not fat - just bigger. His features appear skeletal, like a skull with deep set red eyes that bore into mine filled with hate. Jah-Jahní told us to say or do nothing, so this not easy to take such a malevolent stare and do nothing about it! However, I gave my word, so take it I will. We get within ten paces before the steps leading up to the throne and Jah-jahní stops bringing her hands to her chest and bowing deeply. "Döh tah mehah Töhmanak." Mind you this is what I hear; I look at the King and his eyes are sliver as well. To his right stands a younger version of the King, with the same eyes, which must be his son. To his left is an empty identical throne. Jah-jahní stays in that position until the King says something in response to her, and she stands upright once more.
The King stands and the entire hall goes silent; He looks at us and smiles broadly. "Welcome Terrans to Majah Prime." My Lord! He speaks our language! "Please brave travelers, honored guests take this place of honor there." He points to a spot that is empty right next to the first step. Jah-jahní turns to me and nods for us to go to that spot; I look up to the King and bow to show respect and gratitude for this honor. I move to that place and Mandy is right behind me with the Marines right on our six, and I don't know what the implications of this may bring, but damn it all; Come what may! The King gestures to Jah-jahní to come up, as she does the whispers begin again, but she pays no attention to it.
The King looks at his daughter and for a moment both gauge each other speaking quietly, almost like a battle of wills. In the end the King embraces his little girl, but what was said between them was not our privilege to know. The King returns to his seat and motions for Jah-jahní to take her place; she sits on the empty seat next to the King. the implication of this is not lost on me. The seat is hers. She is the next in line to rule. I look at the other Majah-tu here and they're silent, the King has spoken. When she is seated the door opens and a messenger dressed in the same black uniform like the other one on the station comes forward and stops ten paces from the steps of the Dais. "Döh tah Töhmanak Lahí-míahnah phajh Tuhnatöh."
The King rises and the excitement in the hall also increases, probably the ceremony is about to begin... what was it called? Oh yeah, the Warriors trial is what is coming now. Everyones attention is drawn to the door, so I turn to the entrance as well; the tension in the room can actually be felt. The doors swing open and standing in the center is a young Majah-tu woman who has the royal families resemblance; she walks in slowly and gracefully holding a spear and lookin very regal. She stops in the middle of the hall looking at all those in attendance; she pauses when she sees us and then again when she spots the skull head guy and you can see the disdain on her face, but she says nothing. She looks up towards the King raising her spear. "ôt Lahí-míahnah mahoün shek tahu Fahtuha-nah mülsahna." The hall erupts in cheers and goes on like this until the King raises his hand and everyone calms down. Jah-jahní is beaming with joy at her younger sister, who returns the smile. The King says something and from the crowd a male Majah-tu steps out in full armor; the smile from Jah-jahní's sisters face fades. She looks to her father and her sister pleading for something, but there is no softness in their countenance.
I can see the sadness in her face, she turns to this male, who challenged her. he pulls out this curved sword and she brings her spear to bear and they begin to circle sizing each other up looking for the first opening in their defense. He lunges fast and she parries with her spear and spins striking with the butt of it, but it glances off his armor just knocking him slightly off balance. She quickly reverses her spin bringing the point of it towards his neck; he dodges by going under the attack, at the same time he slashes out with his sword low aiming for her leg, but she pulls back. Their moves are lightning fast. I can't even believe that this is even happening here, is this really going to end well? He launches a series of slashing attacks that she successfully deflects; suddenly she turns and runs and he gives chase she then abruptly jumps spinning in the air with her spear tucked under her arm as the point of the spear slashes striking him right in the helmet knocking it off his head. He falls down bleeding! She yells something to him, but he stands up anyway; STAY DOWN MAN! I want to shout it, but Jah-jahní said not to say or do anything.
"She has asked him to yield, but he will not." A low rumbling voice translates for us. I glance back and there is skull face looking even worse up close. "His warriors pride won't let him do it." He chuckles with malice, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in warning of this individual. I turn back to the obviously mortal combat taking place before us, and he is back on his feet parrying her spear thrust slashing her in the arm. I wince inwardly because I know that hurts, but she is strong and well trained. She steps back and stumbles, so he presses the attack, but she deflects it and quickly spins her spear over the top and smashes her opponents head. He hits the ground hard and is doing that terrible body twitching when you receive a grievous head injury.
The tears are rolling down her cheeks, as she kneels next to him and rolls him on to his side and gently strokes his cheek with her fingers. But, his eyes are glazed over, with blood coming out of his nose and ears. He's done. She pulls out a long curved dagger placing the point of it under his chin and shoves it home; the twitching stops and his body visibly relaxes. Mandy looks away. I on the other hand am troubled by this scene. "You see, they are warriors." Says the malevolent voice behind me.