The Devil's Heart - Carmen Carter [117]
Oomalo, unmoved by legends that were alien to her own people, was more practical in her reaction to the revelation. “We had better make a friendly overture to these DiWahns before they mistake us for a Federation faction. If we offer to combine forces, then the starship will be easily overpowered.”
“How very inconvenient,” muttered Chandat to himself. Fortunately, his heretical comment was drowned out by the ragged victory cheers of the Faculty.
The ancient engineers of Iconia had obviously respected the need for introspection.
On each of their starships they had reserved space for a small niche that would shelter a body in meditation. After boarding the flagship of the unDiWahn fleet, Master Kierad@an had retreated inside just such a niche and spent the duration of the journey through space in consultation with himself.
Traditionally, the reciting of the Dream Lore was done in a circle of the Faithful, but Kierad@an was conducting a private Telling.
In the circle of his own mind, he was both dream-teller and listener as he reviewed the accumulated knowledge of his order and searched for new insights. The men and women of the Faithful had spent their lives exploring the lessons laced in the dreams of the Gem-Bearers, and now Kierad@an had five short days in which to judge this wisdom for the last time.
“Master.”
The unDiWahn was pulled out of his thoughts by a low voice from outside the enclosure. Admiral Jakat would not have interrupted this meditation without good cause, but Kierad@an resented the intrusion anyway. He had so little time left.
Drawing aside the curtain that closed off the niche from the outer room, he said, “Yes, Daramad@an?”
The admiral stepped closer to the high shelf where Kierad@an sat. He moved with an unusually stiff gait. “We have established communications with a lone starship of Federation registry; however, the crew claims to be Iconian. Warden Chandat of Dynasia asserts that they, too, are on course for the Appointed Place.”
This news explained the tension locked in the muscles of the admiral’s body. Kierad@an felt his own frame stiffen in reaction to this unexpected company.
“So, the Dynasians have survived on the other side of their Gate.”
This was no cause for rejoicing. Another contingent of Iconians could complicate his plans for the Gem.
Despite this risk, Kierad@an decided he would allow the strangers to continue … for now. After all, they might have a place in the Dreaming, too.
“Propose an alliance to the Dynasians,” said Kierad@an, “but make it clear that they must follow our lead and let me negotiate for the Gem. If they agree to these terms, let them live.”
“As you wish, Master.” The admiral withdrew without asking for further instruction. He was a capable leader in his own right and required little direction.
Closing the curtain, Kierad@an resumed his meditation on the future of the Dream Gem.
Over the past century, those who held the title of master had reached a consensus of opinion as to the role of the Faithful in the Gem’s affairs. Upon his investment as leader of the order, Kierad@an had pledged to honor that agreement when he reached the Appointed Place, yet the autonomy of his position encompassed the authority to change his mind. It was that freedom that troubled him now. His sworn duty had seemed much easier to contemplate on DiWahn than it did here in space, drawing ever nearer to the Gem. With each hour that slipped away, he discovered new arguments with which to counter the decision of his elders.
Even if he affirmed the conclusion reached by his predecessors, Master Kierad@an wondered if he had the strength of will to keep his feet on the true path they had outlined. The title he bore was for mastery over oneself, not over others, but he was the first of the unDiWahn to actually face the Gem and test his convictions.
Kanda Jiak, the last Iconian to be called master, had failed. He had paid for that failure with his life.
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