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Throughlines

2024-06-01T20:08:12Z

Pyrostinger: /* Surela */ oops, the entirety of Laisrathera and all of Surela's interactions

To remind myself where characters get developed if their development is scattered throughout multiple stories. In chronological (for the character) order.

=== Qora ===

# In Extremis
## He is captured by pirates with the Willseeker's crew, and that's the last time he sees Daize, who was in the shuttle and captured later and added to the cage of Faulfenza on the pirate base. ("We had just entered the area when we were captured.")
## He meets Sediryl and Vasiht'h and the Queen Ransomed and Maia on the pirate base.
## He claims in Farmer's Crown to have given the Queen Ransomed his shape, but she actually learns it from a different Faulfenzair from the Willseeker in Chapter 19. "The Queen crouched before that alien, in form like the one who'd carried her to the couch."
# From Ruins
## He starts teaching Sediryl to Dance on the pirate ship.
## He is one of the survivors when they crash the Visionary onto the Vault of the Twelveworld.
## He went with Sediryl, Vasiht'h, and the unconscious Queen to the temple, and while there spent more time with the Faulfenza of the crew.
## From there he rode the Twelveworld Lord's vessel to the Throneworld, where he saw Vasiht'h's reunion with Jahir.
## There he rides the Emperor's vessel to the Battle of Selnor, and goes with the Faulfenza to the FC orbital station. Vasiht'h kept track of them while they were there. ("I've been keeping track of all the people we were involved with, you know? [...] Anyway, the only people left are Qora's friends [...]"
## He (and three other Faulfenza) go with Sediryl on the mission back to the pirate base, where he rescues her from the conflagration.
## They go back with her to FC, where Qora visits her in the hospital. This is where she understands she can set things on fire. ("How long have you suspected?")
## He (and the other Faulfenza) return with her to Escutcheon. "...her Faulfenza--she was starting to think of them that way--had come down to the planet with her and were intent on getting into everything. They were exploring the capital right now[...]"
# Healer's Wedding
## He formally takes on teaching Sediryl to use fire.
## He visits Maia and Uuvek on the ship to help with their gravity project.
## He meets Lili when she gets drafted onto Sediryl's advisory team.
## He is there when the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir are welcomed to the planet at Laisrathera.
## He spends time talking with the visiting Chatcaavan priest and the Eldritch ones at the cathedral.
## While Sediryl is handling her father's sickness, he takes over management of the agricultural project with Aunal.
## He tells the Queen Ransomed he's been "poking [his] nose around the world. Listening." And intimates earlier that he's been listening to servants talk. He tells the Queen at that point that he's acting as family, because she has a Faulfenzair shape and that makes her his sister in fire.
## He gets Sediryl breakfast the morning of her wedding.
#Farmer's Crown
##Continues to talk with the Living Air's priests.
##Resumes Sediryl's education the day once she begins her rounds of the villages.
##Gives the Attendant his shape, and is one of the people involved in designing the plan to insert the Attendant into Beth's party. He's also part of the team that gathers to do damage control when it gets out of hand later.
##When she shows Qora good control over the fire, he feels his teaching time is done. "If you understand that, you don't need a teacher anymore." "How about a friend?" "Always that."
##He recuses himself from standing at the vigil as an unbeliever.
##During the investiture, he is "still doing mysterious Faulfenzair things, by which I mean I'm not sure where he went, but he's up to something. As usual."
##During the investiture party at Laisrathera, he declares he is leaving "with Lord Lauvet for the Chatcaavan Empire. I'll be back, Princess. You aren't rid of me so easily. But I want to see the lair of dragons!"

=== Saul Ferry ===

# [[Rose Point (Fiction)|Rose Point]]
## He meets Reese, Hirianthial, and Sascha when they visit Kerayle
### The Kesh's assistant
### He also knew that Hirianthial is an Eldritch and not an albino human
## He wanted to get away from the expectations of stereotypes when he joined the Kerayle colony, since they only cared about horses
## He introduces Hirianthial to the herd and to Kumiss personally
### He is shot in the leg with an arrow when the Rekesh's forces attack, and the horse he's riding is scared away from the attacking forces
# "The Call", [[In the Court of Dragons (Fiction)|In the Court of Dragons]]
## Saul answers Reese's call to be a part of the new Earthrise crew
## He left Kerayle because "they've got too many things to work out there" what with the civil war and squabbles over division of labor
## He anticipates returning to Kerayle in a year or two
## He has "some" security background that impresses Reese
## He is a bit flattered that Reese doesn't think he wears a cross because he's a Christian (though he is)
## He accepts the role of "being a criminal's friend" because he hears the call. ("No. Not 'just like that', alet. There's not going to be any 'just like that' about this. It's going to be hard, hard as the road to Calvary. And that's exactly why I have to do it. You understand?")
# An Exile Aboard Ship

=== Surela ===

# In Self-Defense, To the Court of Love: Her young adulthood.
# Laisrathera: The Breaking of Asaniefa
## At first she's riding high. Thaniet helps her dress to prepare for a meeting with Araelis
### "I don't need them to love or respect me. I just need them to agree not to sped their strength testing ours, and die for their pains."
### Regarding Liolesa: Living in Liolesa's chambers, Surela dislikes that hasn't had time to redecorate yet ("...still found it stamped too well with Liolesa's mark for her taste.")
### Regarding Hirianthial: He's pretty and well connected, but she didn't know he was a sorcerer, how gauche!
### Believes tradition would always serve the Eldritch, and there was nothing in the outworld but danger and jealousy.
## Araelis tells her off for basically having Hirianthial killed for spurning her, and tells her that the pirates will be back.
### Araelis: "You will never be my sovereign. And even if Liolesa died tomorrow, you would never be anyone's liegelady, because you will fail in the one paramount duty that only a queen can undertake... the protection of the realm."
## She then goes to see Hirianthial in the catacombs, and discovers both he and Liolesa are gone.
## Baniel is summoned, and assures her that though escaped, Liolesa and Hirianthial won't be able to get help
### He offers an explanation of "mortal politics" from the pirates which she turns down, because ew, mortals
### He also assures her that the pirates will only be back "once, to collect their pay."
## Athanesin asks for a meeting with her, and first asks for her hand in marriage. Also, where's Thaniet?
### To prove his worth, he asks leave to cow Jisiensire, and she accepts if only to get him away from her.
## Fassiana then invites Surela to tea
### The conversation opens with Fassiana asking Surela about the army sent to Jisiensire, and segues into how Surela finds the food ("I am fond of raspberries")
### Fassiana, after asking if Surela knows how the food got to the table, drops that the food is all imported, and that the Eldritch cannot grow enough food to sustain themselves
## Surela checks the library to double check Fassiana's accusation, and sends for the Royal Procurer, who confirms it ("Since the reign of Queen Maraesa, yes.")
### the Royal Procurer also hints at research Liolesa is having done in the Alliance to understand the low Eldritch birthrate
## Surela is then informed that most of the rest of the hostages have escaped
## Then she finds Thaniet
### Thaniet informs her, that the pirates are gonna sell all the Eldritch, and that Baniel is her enemy, and that Athanesin wants the crown.
### When Surela goes to Araelis to see if she has anything to help Thaniet, Surela is angrily informed that Athanesin slaughtered House Jisiensire, tenants included
## When Thaniet dies, she summons servants to bury the body, then goes to arrest Baniel with some guards. It doesn't go well
## Surela is then thrown into the same cell as a newly captured Reese
### She admits the errors in judgment that have lead her to being in a cell
### She tries to say that Hirianthial is worse than Baniel because mind-mage, but Reese reminds her that Hirianthial has only killed in self-defense
### Surela further admits that she didn't intend for any of this to happen; she just wanted the Eldritch to be left alone
#### Reese: "[Y]ou are born to wealth and privilege and it never occurred to you that being left alone is something only the powerful can have, because it takes power to defend yourself against all the people who want a piece of you, no matter how trivial the piece. '''The rest of us know that freedom has to be paid for in fresh blood, eternally, over and over'''."
## After forging a truce with Reese, Surela is then taken by the pirates to be sexually assaulted
### Upon waking from her ordeal, she is shocked to find Reese attempting to help her
#### Reese: "I've seen it before. With Hirianthial."
### She admits a fear of getting pregnant ("Because, you idiot, humans can get us with child!")
## She is further shocked that when the pirates come for her again, Reese tries to protect her
## Surela arrives back in the cell after meeting the Chatcaavan
### Reese comforts her, then remembers she still has the pick
### After telling Reese that leaving her in the cell is Baniel's way of torturing her ("If he gave you some torture to endure, it would distract you from sitting here, fearing, feeling guilt for being whole.") she accepts the pick from Reese, trading it for a bone from her own torn clothing
## Surela guesses that Reese's stubbornness brought Hirianthial out of his shell
### "He loved his wife, I hear." "He loved at all. It was his best quality."
## Surela then asks if Reese will marry Hirianthial, reminding her that Reese can have Hirianthial's children, before being taken off again
## The Chatcaavan likes her more when she's fighting him, and grows bored with her when she resigns herself
### She stops caring about the distinctions between Eldritch Houses when she feels the Chatcaavan's thoughts move to killing Araelis and her unborn child, and fights anew to keep his attention on her
### When Reese distracts the Chatcaavan by demanding he stop, she stabs the Chatcaavan first in the eye, then in his neck
## Initially refuses the offer of medical assistance ("I want to die here. The Queen will execute me anyway.") but is galvanized by Reese to continue onward
### Asks Reese to save her people by telling them to stand down, and giving her her personal amulet so that they know the order came from her direct
## Is initially abrasive when Reese visits her in the Medplex
### Also thinks that Liolesa offering the commute her sentence to exile, along with her House being disbanded and the remaining nobles admitted to some other House or become tenants is "more mercy than I expected."
## initially thinks that the choice between execution and exile is death in both instances
### Reese pitches being on the ''Earthrise'' to her, and Surela is shocked at the trust
## She does not initially believe that she's worthy of Reese's regard, though she feels the truth of it
### Reese: "Because you wouldn't have to live with your mistakes?" "You showed a lot of courage once you ended up a prisoner like me. Was I wrong? Because I don't think the woman who could strike back against her own torturers is going to back down from this challenge."
## After a lot of hesitation ("I could spend my entire life doing something positive, Captain, and still not have made up for my errors") she tells Reese she'll think about it, and Reese leaves Allacazam with her
## Later, she sends Allacazam down with word that she'll take Reese's offer, and receives a dagger in return
# An Exile Aboard Ship

=== Twelveworld Lord ===

# Only the Open
# In Extremis
# From Ruins

=== Ra'alia, Clan Flait ===

a bunch of stuff here now.

[[Category: Meta]]

Throughlines

2024-06-01T04:35:03Z

Pyrostinger: /* Surela */ I will put more here later but a small start on the Surela portion of Laisrathera, since I'm reading it

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:46:06Z

Pyrostinger: /* Qora */ Made some minor typo fixes as suggested by filkferengi

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:41:39Z

Pyrostinger: Changed Clan Kerayle to Clan Flait

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:40:44Z

Pyrostinger: /* Saul Ferry */ oxford comma

Ra'aila Clan Flait

2024-05-28T15:35:15Z

Pyrostinger: Fixed the reference error

[[File:Char-Raaila.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Ra'aila]]

Second captain of the [[TMS Earthrise]], after [[Reese Eddings]].

==Appearance and Personality==
A tall Aera female with braided hair; amber dorsals, lined with scarlet, and white ventrals.

==Biography==
Left successful Clan Flait to have an attempt at making a new clan on Kerayle. <ref name="rp-03">''[[Rose Point (Fiction)|Rose Point]],'' Chapter 3 (Part I: Blood)</ref> Was briefly known as 'Ra'aila Clan Kerayle.'

==Quotes==
* "Some of us aren't interested in being a junior member of a successful clan. To be senior member of something new... now that's interesting."<ref name="rp-03" />
* "Risk is interesting."<ref name="rp-03" />

* "Let me share with you some hard-won wisdom from a fellow wanderer, Captain. The moment you set down roots again? You end up with the same old problems. Just look at this place. All fine on the voyage here... five years into landing, having fights. Better to stay on the move, I think."<ref name="rp-04">''[[Rose Point (Fiction)|Rose Point]],'' Chapter 4 (Part I: Blood)</ref>

* "There's never a place worth settling for. Not unless you've got the right people, anyway. And it's so easy to fool yourself into thinking you're with the right people. Particularly if they're family. That's why I left Flait."<ref name="rp-04" />

==Trivia==
* knows how to ride horses well, teaches Reese some basics<ref name="rp-03" />
* Liked to make jokes at Reese about the human needing ears to signal her moods (and made hand gestures to approximate)

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Aera Characters]]
[[Category:Rose Point Characters]]
[[Category:Her Instruments Characters]]
[[Category:An Exile Aboard Ship Characters]]
[[Category:Shieldmatron Characters]]

Ra'aila Clan Flait

2024-05-28T15:34:46Z

Pyrostinger: Since Rose Point has chapters now, adjusted the references to refer to the exact chapter (while also keeping the part name for those who have editions without chapters)

[[File:Char-Raaila.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Ra'aila]]

Second captain of the [[TMS Earthrise]], after [[Reese Eddings]].

==Appearance and Personality==
A tall Aera female with braided hair; amber dorsals, lined with scarlet, and white ventrals.

==Biography==
Left successful Clan Flait to have an attempt at making a new clan on Kerayle. <ref name="rp-03">''[[Rose Point (Fiction)|Rose Point]],'' Chapter 3 (Part I: Blood)</ref> Was briefly known as 'Ra'aila Clan Kerayle.'

==Quotes==
* "Some of us aren't interested in being a junior member of a successful clan. To be senior member of something new... now that's interesting."<ref name="rp-01" />
* "Risk is interesting."<ref name="rp-03" />

* "Let me share with you some hard-won wisdom from a fellow wanderer, Captain. The moment you set down roots again? You end up with the same old problems. Just look at this place. All fine on the voyage here... five years into landing, having fights. Better to stay on the move, I think."<ref name="rp-04">''[[Rose Point (Fiction)|Rose Point]],'' Chapter 4 (Part I: Blood)</ref>

* "There's never a place worth settling for. Not unless you've got the right people, anyway. And it's so easy to fool yourself into thinking you're with the right people. Particularly if they're family. That's why I left Flait."<ref name="rp-04" />

==Trivia==
* knows how to ride horses well, teaches Reese some basics<ref name="rp-03" />
* Liked to make jokes at Reese about the human needing ears to signal her moods (and made hand gestures to approximate)

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Aera Characters]]
[[Category:Rose Point Characters]]
[[Category:Her Instruments Characters]]
[[Category:An Exile Aboard Ship Characters]]
[[Category:Shieldmatron Characters]]

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:31:27Z

Pyrostinger:

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:16:34Z

Pyrostinger: /* Saul Ferry */ Updated to proper spelling of Rekesh, and added that Saul's horse rides away from the raid on Kerayle with him on it

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:07:14Z

Pyrostinger: /* Saul Ferry */

Throughlines

2024-05-28T15:03:14Z

Pyrostinger: Fleshed out the Saul Ferry section, will do An Exile Aboard Ship later

Jahir Seni Galare

2022-01-28T13:37:23Z

Pyrostinger: dunno where the f came from but I took the liberty of removing it

[[File:Illo-Jahir.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Jahir Galare, Prince-Consort]]

An [[Eldritch]], mind-bonded partner to [[Vasiht'h]], married to [[Sediryl Nuera Galare | Sediryl Galare]] and cousin/lover to [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]].

==Appearance and Personality==

Jahir is tall by most standards at 6'6". He has the classic pure white skin and hair of an [[Eldritch]]; his hair falls to his ribcage. His eyes are a honey shade of yellow-gold, and he has a square jaw. Jahir's speaking and singing voice is a tenor, and he smells like vetiver and bergamot.

Prior to his ascension, he preferred to dress in browns and caramels and creams and tawny colors; post-ascension he generally dresses in Galare blue. He is very fastidious and neat in his appearance.

Jahir has a Chatcaavan claw scars on left side of his face, and faint gray Chatcaavan claw scars along his ribs on left side; that skin doesn't flex when he breathes hard enough.<ref name="ar-06>''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 6</ref> He also has a burn scar on left hand, in the webbing between thumb and forefinger, acquired while cooking, and a nearly invisible scar at his shoulder where he was punctured in a duel.<ref name="ar-11">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 11</ref>.<ref name="ar-01">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 1</ref> Both his wrists are hypermobile, but the left is worse than the right.<ref name="hs-10">''[[Heartskein (Fiction) |Heartskein]]'', Chapter 10</ref>

His Eldritch 'zodiac' sign suggests he is 'purportedly emotional and intuitive and enigmatic.'<ref name="dh-07">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]],'' Chapter 7</ref>

==Biography==
Jahir Seni Galare, an Eldritch lord, is the eldest son of Jeasa and Kolvin Seni Galare; he is about six or seven years older than his brother Sernataila (Amber). Kolvin was killed in a riding accident when Jahir was about ten years old and Amber about three. He was a loving brother who made every effort to ensure that Amber had as good or better possessions than himself. He was presented at court at the usual time, at about age eighteen, and attended both summer and winter courts for several years. By his own admission, he “did not seem to be accomplishing much,” and stopped attending. He was educated as was typical for a noble heir in the management of a great estate as well as the courtesies and skills. Among those was music, which became his great passion and at which he was skilled well beyond the norm.

Possessed of an acute mind, Jahir used his family’s Well feed to the Alliance’s u-banks to study through Seersana University’s open enrollment. When he found he had accumulated enough credits to qualify him to take an advanced degree in xenopsychology, he decided, with his mother’s support and encouragement, to go to the Alliance and pursue his degree. (Background from multiple books)

===Mindtouch===

When Jahir arrives at Seersana University, having lived more than 150 of his likely 1500-year lifespan, ("...a bit older than out usual freshman") and with nerves jangled by the close proximity of other people whose touch forces him to experience their thoughts and emotions, he learns that his request for single accommodations is denied because of space limitations. While waiting for the problem to be addressed, he takes a walk on the hospital grounds and encounters a Glaseah entangled in the jumprope being wielded by six little girls who have slipped away from their nurse. He offers to help, and eventually joins in the play. He and the Glaseah, Vasiht’h, agree to visit the children again. Vasitht’h offers to share his apartment with Jahir and smooths out the administrative details. Jahir moves in, and immediately Vasiht’h, a year ahead of him, begins his informal education in the ways of the Alliance, from mundane activities like working a shower and cooking to university practices, from working with his advisor, a Seersa named Khallis Mekora, and navigating the campus. Back in their apartment, Jahir faints, and Vasiht’h calls the emergency channel for help. Their touch exacerbates his discombobulation, but once he rouses, they recommend he go to the clinic because the greater gravity on Seersana is causing Jahir problems. Jahir follows through and is attended by Healer Lafayette KindlesFlame, a Tam-illee, who prescribes a drug regimen to compensate for the gravity, judicious rest and increased food. Because of the Veil, Jahir is unwilling to commit to coming to the clinic, so KindlesFlame suggests they meet weekly for lunch to check Jahir’s health and talk medicine.

As the year progresses, Jahir becomes more integrated into university life. His classes interest him, and he enjoys regular get-togethers with their quadmates, Brett (Seersa) and his flatmate Lucrezia, (Luci, a Harat-shar), Merishiinal (Circaana) and his flatmate Leina (Seersa). Vasiht’h introduces him to new foods, and he is enthralled by ice cream. The two also begin regular visits to the six little girls they met jumping rope: Kayla and Meekie (Tam-illee), Amaranth and Persy (human), Kuriel (a Seersa), and the fragile Nieve (also Seersa).

As the year passes, Vasiht’h begins to notice flashes of a connection between what Jahir is thinking in his own mind, beginning with music after an outdoor choral concert. Jahir, who has decided to stay in the Alliance after his schooling, is deciding between the medical and the clinical tracks, while Vasiht’h is floundering and starting down the research track, a poor fit. Jahir enrolls in Clinical Management, a medical track course, and Patient Assessment. Both courses challenge him, the former when an accidental collision involving several fellow students causes him to lose consciousness, and the latter when the professor humiliates him in front of the class for being unreadable. Interestingly, he has no trouble touching and even holding the little girls at the hospital. While he is still deciding, during a visit to the children, fragile Nieve dies in Jahir’s arms. He turns to Vasiht’h for comfort, and finally asks about the mental connection he’s experiencing. Vasiht’h explains mindtouch and how it has the potential to develop into a permanent mindline – a very rare and intimate connection. He and Vasiht’h are invited to attend Nieve’s funeral, a great honor, and there her grandmother gives Jahir wise counsel. Jahir decides to commit to the medical track. Vasiht’h is concerned because of the toll on Jahir’s stamina. He, too, has been struggling with his research, using his esper talent to reduce people’s stress level while they sleep. He struggles with not contaminating the study, because the subjects want to talk with him about their problems.

Jahir, in order to finish the medical track coursework within two years, embraces a grueling course load starting the summer after his first year. Before that, he gives Vasiht’h two weeks of vacation fun, and the mindtouches grow in frequency. The summer workload is intense, and Jahir is successful, leading KindlesFlame to suggest he apply for the coveted residency at Mercy Hospital on Selnor. At summer’s end, Vasiht’h begins to withdraw from Jahir, protecting himself because he knows Jahir will leave for his residency. Both continue their weekly visits to the children, which Jahir will not give up, even with his demanding schedule. Jahir begins to dream of a garden whose flowers rot before they can bloom. He weeps in his sleep, and Vasiht’h comforts him using the esper technique underlying his research. The dreams continue, and Jahir wakes to find Vasiht’h asleep in his room on more than one occasion. Over the winter holidays, their quadmate Lucrezia, who has previously confided her romantic troubles to them, tells them that she has broken the relationship off. They offer to have her stay overnight, and when she falls asleep on the sofa, together Vasiht’h and Jahir calm her dreams. While doing so, a nascent mindline forms, and for the first time, they can hear each other mentally. Both are unnerved, and Vasiht’h fears he has offended Jahir. In his last semester, Jahir, doing shadow practicums with real patients, comes home drained and begins to rely on Vasiht’h to buoy him back up. Vasiht’h realizes that the mindline is growing stronger, and since they will necessarily be separated, decides he has to be replaceable to Jahir. Jahir wins both the residency at Mercy Hospital in Heliocentrus on Selnor and the one on Seersana at General. Vasiht’h tells Jahir he should go to Selnor, believing it important that Jahir find out if he can handle the demands of a medical psychology career. On the last night, Jahir asks Vasiht’h if he can hug him. Jahir leaves, and Vasiht’h is heartbroken. He dreams Jahir’s dream of the gardens with dying flowers, and, realizing that Jahir needs him, determines to follow Jahir to Selnor.

===Mindline===

Almost immediately upon his arrival at Selnor, Jahir realizes that the gravity of the planet, much heavier than Seersana, is going to pose a problem. His first stop is Mercy Hospital’s walk-in clinic, where he learns from Healer Gillespie, a Hinichi, that the acclimatization regimen he underwent on Seersana means there is risk if he opts for additional courses of the treatment. His other choice is a medically supervised diet and exercise regimen to mitigate his Mediger’s Syndrome, not the way he had anticipated launching his Mercy residency. He reports the next morning and meets a human named Griffin Jiron, the Nurse who will supervise Jahir’s residency. Also present is a second resident, Miss Valani, an Asani who is assigned to Healer Parkenfields in physiological support of psychological health. (Note: Medical personnel who trained on Terra are Doctor and Nurse; those who trained in the Alliance are Healer and Healer-Assist or Hea.) Jiron immediately realizes that Jahir’s case of Mediger’s Syndrome is severe and may be an issue, though Jahir assures him that he will cope. Jahir is assigned to Dr. Grace Levine in crisis care because of his chemistry specialty. Dr. Levine appears stunned by his appearance but quickly gathers her composure. When Keren, a Seersa, accidentally plows into Jahir, sending Jahir into a touch-induced faint, Levine is even more concerned, but Jahir makes light of the situation.

Jahir attends his first physical therapy session at the gymnasium pool the next morning, where he meets Shellie Aralyn, an Asanii, and Paga, a Naysha, who comprise his therapy team. Though Jahir has never swum, he is entranced by the relief the water provides. Arriving at the hospital, Jahir meets Radimir, train Yulij, a Harat-Shariin senior healer-assist, and Hea Paige Nettlesdown, a Karaka’An. Also on shift are volunteers Baird Ghardhoff, a Hinichi priest, Shelvi, a pantheistic sect Harat-Shariin, and Jared Weldt, a human social worker. Radimir explains that Jahir will rotate between the emergency room (triage) and crisis care extended stay. His first shift passes swiftly, and Jahir manages his work well, though he is physically taxed. He is also puzzled by an unresponsive patient whose aura appears dense and flat. On his way out, Jahir pushes the elevator button for the roof on impulse and discovers a place where he can look across the city and into the night sky and feel connected. (It is, perhaps, Jahir’s earliest sense of the Pattern.) The next day, the unresponsive patient is still in the crisis care unit. Jahir works with Hea Maya FirstOnSite, a Tam-illee who becomes distressed when they receive a pregnant Tam-illee whose waters have broken early, because her own sister has lost two babies. Jahir is understanding of her distress, and she is encouraging of his work. Still, Jahir finds himself asleep against a wall at one point, a sign of the toll the gravity and the work are taking on him.

Jahir’s third day finds the unresponsive patient still there; he touches the human man and notices that beneath the stillness is a sludge. Healer Jonsen asks Jahir to let him know if he senses anything, but the patient dies soon after. At the end of his shift, an exhausted Jahir is waylaid by Dr. Levine, who offers her help if Jahir has any issues about the death. Jahir notices that she is offering her help specifically, but is reassured when she claims that she does this with all the new residents. At the end of his first week, Jiron and Radimir call Jahir in for a how-goes-it; both appear to be tense and chagrined by Levine’s offer to help Jahir following the patient death. When Jahir asks, Radimir brushes it off as Levine being driven.

Jahir’s swim therapy progresses, and his relationship with Paga expands as they communicate via computer and Paga says that he senses Jahir may love the water in a similar way as himself. Jahir is still experiencing problems, however, and losing weight. Healer Gillespie programs his medical bracelet to alert him to eat something from his calorie-dense diet. Reporting for his shift, Jahir learns they’ve received another unresponsive patient. He leaves his shift both mentally and physically exhausted. Back at his apartment, he is surprised by the door chime and opens the door to find Vasiht’h, who blurts out that he was wrong to let Jahir go alone and won’t ever leave him again unless Jahir tells him to go. Jahir tells him he would never tell him nor want him to go; the mindline fuses, and they fall into an embrace. Vasiht’h is appalled by how thin Jahir is and immediately sets about taking care of his friend. He suggests that Jahir give himself two months to see if he can adjust to the gravity and the workload. The apartment is tiny, yet Vasiht’h is surprised to find that Jahir would prefer that they share the bedroom, and that Jahir cares for him as much as Vasiht’h cares about Jahir. Vasiht’h settles in to decorate, cook and generally care for Jahir while simultaneously continuing his coursework remotely.

Jahir tells him about his work experiences and, through the mindline, shares some of the impressions he’s gotten from a dying unresponsive, in particular the scene of a street corner and something passed in an envelope. Vasiht’h, more streetwise, realizes that what it means is that the patient has taken a street drug. When Jahir shares their discovery with the medical team, they tell hm that drugs can only be verified through autopsy, which by law requires prior written consent by the patient. Dr. Levine is skeptical but tasks Jahir focus exclusively on the unresponsive patients to see if he can learn more. She pressures him to work overtime at another hospital with unresponsives; Jahir is unwilling, and his supervisors agree.

Meanwhile, Vasiht’h visits with Kayla and Meekie from the children’s hospital on Seersana. They are on Selnor in Heliocentrus to undergo specialized treatment and are responding extraordinarily well. He fills them in about Jahir, and they have a wonderful visit. When he gets home, Jahir tells him that the hospital was able to autopsy a human male unresponsive, whose brain had literally turned to sludge. The pressure on Jahir increases, and he becomes so stressed that Aralyn and Paga suspend his physical therapy in favor of rest in the water.

The senior medical team decide to try surgery on one of the unresponsives, done by Healer-surgeon Septima. Radimir tells Jahir that he and Griffin know Jahir is going above and beyond, and that they are looking out for him. Late in the shift, Jahir senses a response when he touches an unresponsive Hinichi. He tries to connect, and everything shatters. Vasiht’h, having coffee not far away, hears a shout in the mindline to come before it’s too late. He races to the hospital and barges through to where Jahir is crumpled on the floor at the foot of the bed where the now dead patient lies, his spark of consciousness disappearing into chaos. Vasiht’h pulls Jahir back at great personal risk and fiercely keeps everyone away from Jahir, holding him protectively. Jahir reveals where the drug injection site is. Vasiht’h gets Jahir home and in the morning expresses his anger and concern, insisting Jahir take the day off. They go on a sailing cruise, and after, Vasiht’h surprises Jahir with a visit with Meekie and Kayla. He returns to work to find that all unresponsives in Heliocentrus have been sent to Mercy. Three have died in surgery, and Septima speaks with Jahir about her frustration that she cannot fix the problem. Jahir then feels the sense of disintegration in the patient they are near and tries to fight the chaos by imposing order. Jiron calls Vasiht’h, and when Jahir regains consciousness, tells him that the patient didn’t die. Grief-stricken at the thought of losing Jahir, Vasiht’h informs him that he’d had a near-fatal arrythmia. Dr. Levine and Healer-surgeon Septima try to pressure Jahir into trying to save more unresponsives, and he stipulates that Vasiht’h be allowed to help. A Hinichi investigator, Celvef, questions Jahir to try to get more information. Jahir leaves with Vasiht’h, and they go to the pool, where Vasiht’h meets Paga. After Jahir rests in the private pool, he finds the two horsing around in the water.

During the next shift, Jahir again tries to connect with a dying unresponsive; it’s so violent that Vasiht’h tackles him to break the connection. But Jahir has gleaned the name of the drug: wet. The investigators, Celvef and a Fleet investigator, Commander Parker, come to Jahir’s and Vasiht’h’s apartment to tell them about wet and how it kills in one to two doses – and to ask for Jahir to let them know if he learns anything more. Next shift, as Levine and Septima are pressuring Jahir to extend himself even further at the risk of his life, nine wet patients arrive. Jahir leaps into the mind of one who is dying and manages to keep him alive. Because of the sheer number, it becomes a break in the case. Jahir convinces Vasiht’h that it is the right thig to do to keep as many as possible alive, even though it’s only a temporary reprieve, because it allows families to come say farewell. With Vasiht’h’s help, Jahir brings seven victims back out of twenty-three. Near dawn, as an exhausted Jahir is getting coffee, Dr. Levine, equally exhausted and believing him to be receptive, kisses him. Jahir is repelled, and realizing this, Dr. Levine is humiliated. Jahir tries to pass it off as a misunderstanding. Later, he tells Vasiht’h, “She mistook her own interest in me for mine.” Days later, when the crisis was resolved and the wet criminals contained, Dr. Levine comes to the apartment. Jahir is asleep, and Vasiht’h is told that Mercy has ended Jahir’s residency. He and Jahir return to Seersana.

TO BE CONTINUED

[NOTES: Killed a man in a duel before he left Escutcheon for the Alliance: "A maiden at the summer court had been seeking relief from her over-managing mother and aunt. We found an alcove to sit in and talk. That was all. But we were seen and aspersions were cast on her, so I called those who maligned her to account. We dueled. He put his tip through my shoulder, but I fought on until I sliced him. So honor was satisfied. My wound, though more serious, healed. His developed infection, and he died." Further: "I did not even care for the woman--she was the daughter of one of the Queen's enemies! I was fighting Galare's enemies when I threw down the challenge." <ref name="ar-11" />

Agreed to help train the mind-talented Eldritch of sufficient power, at Val's request. <ref>"Longest Night", short fiction</ref>]
* Of the time between Jahir leaving Selnor and the events of Healing Waters: "He’d intended to return far sooner, but the years had slipped past, and then after he’d renewed his resolve following the disaster at Tsera Nova, still it had needed nearly a year before he felt able to pry himself from the routine that structured his life."<ref name=hw">"[[Healing Waters (Fiction) |Healing Waters]]", ''[[Family (Fiction) |Family]]'' backmatter</ref>

* Ages: "Jahir, looking between his mare’s pricked ears, said, “At very least you did not say it in Lord Hirianthial’s hearing, who has another six hundred years on me or so.”"<ref name="hw-18">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 18</ref>

==Family==
* Mother: [[Jeasa Seni Galare]]
* Father: [[Kolvin Seni Galare]]
* Spouse: [[Sediryl Nuera Galare]]
* Children: twins [[Adaise Galare |Adaise]] and [[Raenor Galare |Raenor]] (coming soon!); honorary parent of [[Aevanauv]] (Evan), [[Efaeanoc]] (Anoc), and [[Ithauvni]] (Thauvi)
* Siblings: [[Amber |Sernataila (Amber) Seni Galare]], [[Vasiht'h |Vasiht'h Seni Galare]] (adopted)

Jahir is the son of [[Jeasa Seni Galare]] and [[Kolvin Seni Galare]], and the brother of [[Amber Seni Galare |Sernatailia Seni Galare]], known as Amber. He is also the mindbonded partner of [[Vasiht'h]], the lover of [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]], and the husband of [[Sediryl Nuera Galare]].

He was married to Sediryl at the Seni manse, outside, by Liolesa and Val as officiating priestess and priest, in a traditional Eldritch ceremony (though the bride wore white, like a tenant, rather than her House colors). The troth cloth was blue fading to white at the center; on one side, an embroidered cluster of grape vines and rose blossoms for Sediryl, who had come from the most fertile of the Eldritch’s lands, and on the other, stars and a caduceus, for Jahir, who had gone offworld to learn to heal. In the pale center, a fireburst for them both, flowered mind-mages. <ref name="hw-20">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]],'' Chapter 20</ref>

His wife is supportive of all of his relationships, but Jahir is a private person who prefers to keep his physical relations strictly intimate, so Sediryl will have to make do with occasionally seeing him kiss Lisinthir. (The war trained him out of any lingering reluctance to display affection publicly, <ref name="fr-23">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', chapter 23</ref> although Eldritch social mores still constrain them on that front.)

==Quotes==

* "We move from strength to weakness and come around again to strength, and that movement is a sign of life. Were we always strong, were we always weak, did we never trade roles, we would be souls impervious to the world around us. And then how would we change? How would we grow?" <ref name="stt-12">''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction)|Some Things Transcend]]'', chapter 12 </ref>
::
* "Because I am the one who will willingly go to your cruel hand and kiss it for gratitude, and you will deny me nothing." <ref name="stt-14">''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction)|Some Things Transcend]]'', chapter 14 </ref>
::
* "Do not doubt yourself, Ambassador, for your cousin still loves you." <ref name="stt-14" />
::
* "We are all worthy of love, no matter what we've done lately to earn it." <ref name="ar-11" />
::
* "I try not to make promises unless I know I will keep them." <ref name="ar-02">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]],'' Chapter 2</ref>
::
* "Sometimes one needs the surgeon's touch, not the therapist's." <ref name="ar-09">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]],'' Chapter 9</ref>
::
* "A skilled musician makes many promises with the fingers on the frets of a lute." <ref name="ar-13">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]],'' Chapter 13</ref>
::
* "I think you measure your worth in your utility, Nase's Heir... and we know that we are disposable when we are no longer of use. But we don't need to be useful to be worthy."<ref name="ar-11 />
::
* “We all feel pain, but we create our reasons for suffering, or for transcending it.” <ref name="ar-08">''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'' Chapter 8</ref>
::
* /We come, cousin. Your lover says to leave some of the enemy for him… and his Queen says that today the wingless will retake the sky./ <ref name="fr-20">''[[ From Ruins (Fiction) | From Ruins]]'', Chapter 20</ref>
::
* "No one can break me... No one but myself."<ref>''[[Heartskein (Fiction)|Heartskein]]'' Chapter 13</ref>
::
* "Where there is no union of unlike minds, there are no fresh ideas." <ref>''[[Mindline (Fiction)| Mindline]]'', Chapter 9</ref>
::
* (I love humor/ironic quotes (Sean)) "He was not especially talented for an Eldrich" [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|Mindtouch]] 1%, first chapter. (also maybe implied if he could advance so could most on his planet, given similar circumstances)

* "A veil of lies and silence" (Much later we will learn that those lies were fostered by a Eldrich publishing house publishing lurid romances) (Sean)[[Mindtouch (Fiction)|Mindtouch]] Chapter 2

==Trivia==
* likes mornings
* likes walls
* prefers swimming as exercise
* loves ice cream
* wears House ring on second finger of right hand

===Names===
====Himself====
* Gentle Guide (the Queen Ransomed)
* Silence Between Stars (also sometimes Silence Among the Stars)
* Voice in the Silence
* My Delight (Lisinthir)

====Other People====
* calls Vasiht'h 'my dear' and 'my love' and 'ariihir' and 'beloved' and 'my brother'
* calls Sediryl 'my heart'
* calls Lisinthir 'Hunter' and 'my-better' and 'cousin' and 'Lin' and 'Imthereli' (it's complicated)
* calls Val 'Teacher'

===Body Language===
* Habitually compensates for the height difference between himself and Vasiht'h by sitting or kneeling.
* With Sediryl, has a habit of not just holding her hands, but subtly caressing them.

===Musical Instruments===
* A gifted musician, Jahir plays most stringed instruments, including lute, guitar, violin, cello, harp, and lyre. He also plays both woodwinds and brass; his weakest point is percussion. His favorite instrument is the piano, at which he is a virtuoso.

===Notable Property===
* A wooden box of alien hardwood, resinous and deep, holding a scalpel-like knife (may be currently kept by Lisinthir) <ref name="ar-15">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 15</ref>
* An asymetically stylized jeweled swan mask in platinum, mother-of-pearl and blue <ref name="ar-03">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 3</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Dreamhealers Characters]]
[[Category:Princes' Game Characters]]
[[Category:Mindtouch Characters]]
[[Category:Mindline Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhearth Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamstorm Characters]]
[[Category:Some Things Transcend Characters]]
[[Category:Amulet Rampant Characters]]
[[Category:Only the Open Characters]]
[[Category:In Extremis Characters]]
[[Category:From Ruins Characters]]
[[Category:Major Pieces Characters]]
[[Category:Jubilee Summer Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Farmer's Crown Characters]]
[[Category:Heartskein Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Dragons' Fealty Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Seni Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Characters]]
[[Category:Seni Characters]]

Major Pieces (Fiction)

2022-01-28T13:35:09Z

Pyrostinger: /* Moving Out Key Quotes */ also also added extra space so the quotes are actually separate

[[File:Cover-MP-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

An adjunct to the Princes' Game series, Major Pieces is a collection of short fiction and vignettes that take places before, throughout, and just after the series.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Princes' Game
*Book: Extra
*Publication Date: November 2019
*Editions: Ebook, Paperback
*Revisions: 1
*Reader-Commissioned Book

==Blurb==
Everybody’s got a story… even the bystanders.

The staff of the Alliance’s foremost restaurant… the forgotten children of the imperial Chatcaavan harem… the story of how an empress hired a D-per, and an entire ship full of Glaseah came to settle on an alien world… here, woven amid the larger stories of the participants in the Chatcaavan war, are the smaller scenes observed by its minor characters, or shifted by its major ones in moments of contemplation. Major Pieces collects 21 stories starting from before the events of Even the Wingless and ending just prior to the first book of the Jubilee Summer duology. Some are as short as a talk with a therapist and his dog over cookies–others are nearly novel-length examinations of important events previously left off-camera, like the wedding of a wingless freak to an Emperor and his consort. All of them were reader-selected, and many, reader-suggested.

You’ve survived the war. Now come back to the unexplored corners of the story and linger.

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: psychology, high stakes politics, pirates, galactic war, ensemble cast, dragons, furries, elves (space)
*Rating: R for violence, adult situations

==Synopsis==
Each story will contain a timestamp as to when roughly when it appears relative to the [[Princes' Game Series |Princes' Game]]/[[Jubilee Summer Series |Jubilee Summer]] series, and are in chronological order.

===Prophet's Vigil===
(Long before any of the events of [[Princes' Game Series |Princes' Game]])

===Quest Accepted===
(Long before any of the events of [[Princes' Game Series |Princes' Game]])

===Opening Maneuvers===
(Prior to the events of ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'')

===Disengage===
(Before ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'' and ''[[Earthrise (Fiction)|Earthrise]]'')

===Ariihir===
(Just after ''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]'')

===Jackal Chest===
(During ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'')

===Soldier===
(During ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part Two, and prior to ''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction) |Some Things Transcend]]'')

===Cookies and Tea===
(After ''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction) |Some Things Transcend]]'', before opening of ''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'')

===In the Kitchen at [[Brooke's at Alpha|Brooke's]]===
(''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', chapter 3)

===Legacy===
(During ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', after the palace fight and before the Breath's arrival in orbit)

===Because===
(During ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', shortly after chapter 18)

===Patience===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', between chapters 22 and 23)

===Beacon===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', between chapters 22 and 23)

===Keepers===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'' again, after previous story and still before chapter 23)

===Courting Rights===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'' ''again'' (dang there's a lot here), during the final stages, starting on the ''[[REN Jerisa Galare]]'')

===Moving Out===
(After ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', prior to ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')
====Moving Out Key Quotes====
"Once you'd seen a Eldritch brood, a Glaseah's take on it felt amateurish."

"No, I believe I would have remembered wind chimes."

===Air-Dancing===
(A much shorter story post ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'' and prior to ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')

===Deserving===
(Not long after "Air-Dancing")

===Perspective===
(After ''[[From Ruins (Fiction)|From Ruins]]'' and before ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')

===Hope's Navy===
(After everything that has come before, still before ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')

===Second Son===
(After the events of ''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'')

==Buy Links==
https://books2read.com/majorpieces

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Major Pieces Characters</categorytree>

[[Category:Princes' Game Series]]
[[Category:Reader-Commissioned Fiction]]

Major Pieces (Fiction)

2022-01-28T13:34:28Z

Pyrostinger: /* Quotes from Moving Out */ fixed heading issue. needed one more equal sign, not one less. Also changed heading

[[File:Cover-MP-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

An adjunct to the Princes' Game series, Major Pieces is a collection of short fiction and vignettes that take places before, throughout, and just after the series.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Princes' Game
*Book: Extra
*Publication Date: November 2019
*Editions: Ebook, Paperback
*Revisions: 1
*Reader-Commissioned Book

==Blurb==
Everybody’s got a story… even the bystanders.

The staff of the Alliance’s foremost restaurant… the forgotten children of the imperial Chatcaavan harem… the story of how an empress hired a D-per, and an entire ship full of Glaseah came to settle on an alien world… here, woven amid the larger stories of the participants in the Chatcaavan war, are the smaller scenes observed by its minor characters, or shifted by its major ones in moments of contemplation. Major Pieces collects 21 stories starting from before the events of Even the Wingless and ending just prior to the first book of the Jubilee Summer duology. Some are as short as a talk with a therapist and his dog over cookies–others are nearly novel-length examinations of important events previously left off-camera, like the wedding of a wingless freak to an Emperor and his consort. All of them were reader-selected, and many, reader-suggested.

You’ve survived the war. Now come back to the unexplored corners of the story and linger.

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: psychology, high stakes politics, pirates, galactic war, ensemble cast, dragons, furries, elves (space)
*Rating: R for violence, adult situations

==Synopsis==
Each story will contain a timestamp as to when roughly when it appears relative to the [[Princes' Game Series |Princes' Game]]/[[Jubilee Summer Series |Jubilee Summer]] series, and are in chronological order.

===Prophet's Vigil===
(Long before any of the events of [[Princes' Game Series |Princes' Game]])

===Quest Accepted===
(Long before any of the events of [[Princes' Game Series |Princes' Game]])

===Opening Maneuvers===
(Prior to the events of ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'')

===Disengage===
(Before ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'' and ''[[Earthrise (Fiction)|Earthrise]]'')

===Ariihir===
(Just after ''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]'')

===Jackal Chest===
(During ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'')

===Soldier===
(During ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part Two, and prior to ''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction) |Some Things Transcend]]'')

===Cookies and Tea===
(After ''[[Some Things Transcend (Fiction) |Some Things Transcend]]'', before opening of ''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'')

===In the Kitchen at [[Brooke's at Alpha|Brooke's]]===
(''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', chapter 3)

===Legacy===
(During ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', after the palace fight and before the Breath's arrival in orbit)

===Because===
(During ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', shortly after chapter 18)

===Patience===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', between chapters 22 and 23)

===Beacon===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', between chapters 22 and 23)

===Keepers===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'' again, after previous story and still before chapter 23)

===Courting Rights===
(''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'' ''again'' (dang there's a lot here), during the final stages, starting on the ''[[REN Jerisa Galare]]'')

===Moving Out===
(After ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', prior to ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')
====Moving Out Key Quotes====
"Once you'd seen a Eldritch brood, a Glaseah's take on it felt amateurish."
"No, I believe I would have remembered wind chimes."

===Air-Dancing===
(A much shorter story post ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'' and prior to ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')

===Deserving===
(Not long after "Air-Dancing")

===Perspective===
(After ''[[From Ruins (Fiction)|From Ruins]]'' and before ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')

===Hope's Navy===
(After everything that has come before, still before ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'')

===Second Son===
(After the events of ''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'')

==Buy Links==
https://books2read.com/majorpieces

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Major Pieces Characters</categorytree>

[[Category:Princes' Game Series]]
[[Category:Reader-Commissioned Fiction]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-20T02:57:46Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Sixteen */ Well. I made a mistake. Good thing wikis have an undo button!

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Prologue Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Ch 3 Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Ch 4 Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Ch 7 Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
Deciding to become pregnant is fascinating, muses the Queen Ransomed, because she has perfect control over when she conceives, and what she wanted her future child to be. This was true power of the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]], and from the moment she wanted the Emperor's [[Hope|child]], she noticed her body listening to her, giving her time to discuss with the Emperor what sort of child they should have and how much is left to chance. That the Emperor agreed that they should have a daughter, and one capable of the shapechange, was a revelation in and of itself.

In that vein, it felt right to have the Ambassador's child have the make up of his home, including some of the Gentle Guide's willows.

Returning to Ontine for a dinner and conversation with Sediryl had segued into brushing each other's hair, with her incredulous at how long Sediryl's is. Sediryl asks if she really can determine her future child's traits, and the Queen agrees, comparing it to the process on the Vault<ref name="ref-tbd-01">Either In Extremis or From Ruins, to be found later</ref>. Sediryl asks if Lisinthir has any thoughts on the process, and the Queen says that he left that choice up to her, so Sediryl asks if the Queen is going to have a boy or girl. Musing briefly that her newest children would have Eldritch hair, the Queen asks about the Eldritch's lack of population, guessing that her children would not be considered Eldritch no matter how many she had. Sediryl muses that the children themselves may end up thinking themselves as Eldritch, if they're raised on Escutcheon. Asked again if she wants a girl or boy, the Queen shrugs, guessing that females have more power, but in light of the revelation of how [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Fifteen|Thesali turned out]], Sediryl is no longer so sure. Much later, in bed, the Queen Ransomed thinks about that conversation, about power, population, identity.

The next day, the Queen meets a horse in person. Baffled at the size of the creature that she is expected to ride, she lays a hand on it and feels the horse's pattern leaping up to meet her touch. Her Knife is much less sanguine on riding the animal, asking the Ambassador if it will be difficult to ride, and he responds that sitting on the animal is easy, but riding well is difficult to master. In the end, only the Knife, the Twelveworld Lord (enthusiastically), and his Attendant choose to ride with the Ambassador along the trail behind Rose Point. While initially nervous, the Queen trusts her read of her mount's pattern that the animal was content to follow the Ambassador's mount and becomes soothed enough by the motion to shift to her Eldritch shape.

Noting that Lisinthir seems distracted, the Queen asks him about it, guessing it's about Sediryl's sire. Lisinthir notes that he's in surgery again, and that Sediryl is waiting for the second procedure to finish. In addition, he can't say whether or not Haladir will die, but notes that the doctors have hope. The Queen, after attempting to imagine loving her own sire, guesses that the Ambassador did not love his parents, which he admits to without hesitation, but with some resignation that she wishes she could soothe. But the Ambassador also notes that the situation is abnormal, since the Queen loves her daughter. And, if they love their children, the Queen and the Ambassador's children will love them back.

Abruptly, Lisinthir starts thinking of names, and what they should name the child the Queen intends to bear for him. He tells her that names are important as those names will be recorded in the registry when they are presented as his heirs. The Queen reflects on the culture she was brought up in, wherein they do not name children until after birth, and then by a tag. But as the Ambassador has asked her to choose the sex, she asks him in turn to come up with the name of this child and all his others. This sparks a digression into sibling issues, which makes Lisinthir think of Jahir's current problems with Amber. He contrasts that with Vasiht'h's large family. Finally he comes up with names: if a boy, Kolvin, after Jahir's father. If a girl, Niriel, because he likes it. The Ambassador then asks if the Queen likes riding horses, which she does. She also guesses that if raised Eldritch, they will need to learn to ride well, and wishes them to be good at everything Eldritch consider necessary and suitable for people of their station. Lisinthir lists the things they'll need to know which include dressing for riding. Since she has no confidence in not accidentally directing the horse should she look herself, she asks the Ambassador how the other two are doing, and he reports their disposition without sending signals to turn the animal as well.

The Queen is surprised at the ache her body feels after the ride, and Lisinthir tells her that practice will make her body stronger and more limber. Then, he surreptitiously directs her attention to the comical sight of her counselors and guards dismounting. Speaking of, the Twelveworld Lord has asked for a tour of the stables and invites the Queen, who says she'll be along. The Queen asks after what the Ambassador is going to do, and he's off to check in with Jahir and Sediryl at the hospital. The Queen decides she'll go to the nursery. They end up discussing [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the baby]], if she'll mind the lack of her own parents. Lisinthir then asks her directly if the Queen will take Lunet back with her, as the Breath of the Living Air

===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-20T02:57:05Z

Pyrostinger: Undo revision 15931 by Pyrostinger (talk)

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Prologue Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Ch 3 Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Ch 4 Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Ch 7 Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-20T02:55:48Z

Pyrostinger: Some of chapter sixteen

===Chapter Sixteen===
Deciding to become pregnant is fascinating, muses the Queen Ransomed, because she has perfect control over when she conceives, and what she wanted her future child to be. This was true power of the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]], and from the moment she wanted the Emperor's [[Hope|child]], she noticed her body listening to her, giving her time to discuss with the Emperor what sort of child they should have and how much is left to chance. That the Emperor agreed that they should have a daughter, and one capable of the shapechange, was a revelation in and of itself.

In that vein, it felt right to have the Ambassador's child have the make up of his home, including some of the Gentle Guide's willows.

Returning to Ontine for a dinner and conversation with Sediryl had segued into brushing each other's hair, with her incredulous at how long Sediryl's is. Sediryl asks if she really can determine her future child's traits, and the Queen agrees, comparing it to the process on the Vault<ref name="ref-tbd-01">Either In Extremis or From Ruins, to be found later</ref>. Sediryl asks if Lisinthir has any thoughts on the process, and the Queen says that he left that choice up to her, so Sediryl asks if the Queen is going to have a boy or girl. Musing briefly that her newest children would have Eldritch hair, the Queen asks about the Eldritch's lack of population, guessing that her children would not be considered Eldritch no matter how many she had. Sediryl muses that the children themselves may end up thinking themselves as Eldritch, if they're raised on Escutcheon. Asked again if she wants a girl or boy, the Queen shrugs, guessing that females have more power, but in light of the revelation of how [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Fifteen|Thesali turned out]], Sediryl is no longer so sure. Much later, in bed, the Queen Ransomed thinks about that conversation, about power, population, identity.

The next day, the Queen meets a horse in person. Baffled at the size of the creature that she is expected to ride, she lays a hand on it and feels the horse's pattern leaping up to meet her touch. Her Knife is much less sanguine on riding the animal, asking the Ambassador if it will be difficult to ride, and he responds that sitting on the animal is easy, but riding well is difficult to master. In the end, only the Knife, the Twelveworld Lord (enthusiastically), and his Attendant choose to ride with the Ambassador along the trail behind Rose Point. While initially nervous, the Queen trusts her read of her mount's pattern that the animal was content to follow the Ambassador's mount and becomes soothed enough by the motion to shift to her Eldritch shape.

Noting that Lisinthir seems distracted, the Queen asks him about it, guessing it's about Sediryl's sire. Lisinthir notes that he's in surgery again, and that Sediryl is waiting for the second procedure to finish. In addition, he can't say whether or not Haladir will die, but notes that the doctors have hope. The Queen, after attempting to imagine loving her own sire, guesses that the Ambassador did not love his parents, which he admits to without hesitation, but with some resignation that she wishes she could soothe. But the Ambassador also notes that the situation is abnormal, since the Queen loves her daughter. And, if they love their children, the Queen and the Ambassador's children will love them back.

Abruptly, Lisinthir starts thinking of names, and what they should name the child the Queen intends to bear for him. He tells her that names are important as those names will be recorded in the registry when they are presented as his heirs. The Queen reflects on the culture she was brought up in, wherein they do not name children until after birth, and then by a tag. But as the Ambassador has asked her to choose the sex, she asks him in turn to come up with the name of this child and all his others. This sparks a digression into sibling issues, which makes Lisinthir think of Jahir's current problems with Amber. He contrasts that with Vasiht'h's large family. Finally he comes up with names: if a boy, Kolvin, after Jahir's father. If a girl, Niriel, because he likes it. The Ambassador then asks if the Queen likes riding horses, which she does. She also guesses that if raised Eldritch, they will need to learn to ride well, and wishes them to be good at everything Eldritch consider necessary and suitable for people of their station. Lisinthir lists the things they'll need to know which include dressing for riding. Since she has no confidence in not accidentally directing the horse should she look herself, she asks the Ambassador how the other two are doing, and he reports their disposition without sending signals to turn the animal as well.

The Queen is surprised at the ache her body feels after the ride, and Lisinthir tells her that practice will make her body stronger and more limber. Then, he surreptitiously directs her attention to the comical sight of her counselors and guards dismounting. Speaking of, the Twelveworld Lord has asked for a tour of the stables and invites the Queen, who says she'll be along. The Queen asks after what the Ambassador is going to do, and he's off to check in with Jahir and Sediryl at the hospital. The Queen decides she'll go to the nursery. They end up discussing [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the baby]], if she'll mind the lack of her own parents. Lisinthir then asks her directly if the Queen will take Lunet back with her, as the Breath of the Living Air

Queen Ransomed

2022-01-20T01:19:02Z

Pyrostinger: /* Other */ Added reference to where she learned to ride that horse

[[File:queenransomed.png|300px|thumb|right|The Queen]]

Formerly know as the Slave Queen, the most exalted and most debased female in the Empire. The granddaughter of the Chatcaavan Emperor prior to Kauvauc.

==Physical==
The Queen has slender, graceful limbs, with skin a deep pewter that shades to pearly gray over her stomach and throat. Her mane is dark. Unlike four-armed females, she lacks breasts. Prior to her ability to modify her own body, her wings were cut into patterns: scalloped edges and decorative cuts and incisions that rendered her incapable of flying. Her collar is silver set with amber cabochons.<ref name="etw-01" /> Orange eyes, "all fire-reds and outrageous yellows." <ref name="fc-09">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', Chapter 9</ref> She is thirty-seven revolutions (years of the [[Throneworld]]) old at the time of [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]]'s tenure as Ambassador.<ref name="etw-01" />

===Known Shapes===

* Karaka'An (gray striped with long claws) - obtained from one of her grandsire's slaves<ref name="etw-01">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part One</ref>
* Human (orange-eyed with dark hair) - obtained from one of her grandsire's slaves<ref name="etw-01" />
* Eldritch (orange-eyed) - obtained from [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]]<ref name="etw-01" />
** In her Eldritch form, the Queen bears a strong resemblance to [[Liolesa Galare]]'s relatives<ref name="etw-01" /> and is almost tall enough for her head to be level with Sediryl's <ref name="hw-17">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 17</ref>

[[File:Illo-QueenRansomedShapes.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The Queen and her first shapes, at the time of Even the Wingless]]

==Biography==
===Prior to the Ambassador's Arrival===
As a child, she practiced the Touch and the Change on her grandsire's slaves, obtaining both a human and Karaka'An shape, though at the time she didn't know their names. She told no one about this, but her dam saw her Change once and beat her for it. When her grandsire was defeated by the [[Emperor Kauvauc Ueneuvin |Emperor]], she was captured and brought to the [[Throneworld Court]] as a prize, to become his Slave Queen, the most exalted and most debased of all females. She served as Queen for twenty-five years before the arrival of [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]] as Alliance Ambassador ad'Chatcaava.<ref name="etw-01" />

The Queen was aware of Chatcaavan history and customs dating back before the Empire was one of despotism and slavery.<ref name="etw-02" />

===During the Chatcaavan War===

==== Even the Wingless ====

As of the arrival of Lisinthir, the Queen was in a uniquely rarefied position: the most exalted and most debased female. She had a comparatively private space and a few duties of her own (including bringing slaves to the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |preparation room]] to be decorated and collared, and giving permission for females in the harem to attempt to conceive). She had an alien slave who attended to her: [[Laniis Baker]], who she named Khaska after ancient Chatcaavan bellringers, because Laniis was distressed at being called "Slave." She was also protected from the attentions of most other males and from humiliating public use, though not because she was valued as a person, but because she was the Emperor's private possession and he was reluctant to share. For the most part, the only of those given frequent freedom of her tower were the Emperor and [[Second-Who-Was |Second]], and Second was usually gentle with her, requiring little more than bathing and wing-oiling. Nevertheless, her despair was only muted by the fact that she had never imagined freedom or personhood for herself and so did not miss it.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

The Queen's first, life-changing encounter with Ambassador Lisinthir was at his introduction to the court, which—due to the machinations of [[Third-Who-Was |Third]] and his [[Baavo (Hand) |Baavo]], along with the Emperor himself—also included the presence of three new alien slaves: a [[Unnamed Characters#Alien Slaves of the Emperor |Malarai and Tam-illee]], and, notably, an [[Eldritch]] like Lisinthir: [[Bethsaida Emil Galare]], who the Queen did not yet know was the heir of the Eldritch queen. She noted Laniis's dismay as the new ambassador seemed indifferent to her plight and the plight of the new slaves. The Queen and Laniis told the new slaves that they were unable to do anything for them, and thus oversaw the rapid deterioration in Bethsaida, as she suffered from receiving too many violent and lascivious touches, and quickly became first ill and then unresponsive.<ref name="etw-01" />

Lisinthir's indifference (having never been true) did not last, as Lisinthir quickly requested permission to be able to visit the Queen, and the Emperor, amused, permitted it. Lisinthir used the time to assess Bethsaida's health and slowly begin to convince the Queen of her agency. This led to many additional effects: an increasing sense of restlessness and a desire to learn Laniis's real name and then her language among them. Ultimately the Queen and Laniis felt able to assist with a rescue operation. The plan required the Queen to take an Eldritch pattern to mimic Bethsaida during her 'presentation' and public rape, but Bethsaida, already traumatized from being handled by the Chatcaava, could not bear her touch for long enough for the Touch to succeed. Lisinthir instead provided the Pattern for her, and she stood in Bethsaida's stead, to be publicly raped and tortured by the Emperor while in an Eldritch form, as Bethsaida, Laniis, and the two other slaves escaped, though Laniis expressed sorrow at leaving her behind. In the aftermath, the Queen decided to ask Lisinthir to tell her more of [[Universal]], the language Laniis had begun teaching her, and about his home.<ref name="etw-01" />

As Lisinthir rose in favor, the Queen counseled him on the ways that he would be challenged and tested by other males--most especially the Emperor. He came to her after he had been raped by the Emperor, and she called for the [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Surgeon]] to heal the honor wounds. Second also came to her, and shocked her by seeking information from her about Lisinthir; he spoke to her as if she knew things that were useful, which was a foreign and unsettling thing. Lisinthir continued to visit her every morning even as he was assaulted on a regular basis, and while he taught her Universal and told her about his people and how to think as they did, she continued to advise him. He, too, unsettled her by indicating that he was lifting the Veil for her because he trusted her, and that he was incapable of ceasing to see her as a person. She was further unnerved as the Emperor began to seek her without agitation or anger, content with "trivial obeisance," though he did still leave her bound in an uncomfortable pose for a full night.<ref name="etw-02" />

During the [[Emerald (Mother) |Mother]]'s nearly-disastrous labor, the Queen aided Lisinthir in calling for the Surgeon, who normally did not treat females. After Lisinthir succeeded in convincing him, and the Mother was saved along with her newborn son, the harem warmed to the Queen and invited her to stay, crediting her with the Mother's survival. Later, Second came to her in agitation, and while she oiled his wings, she heard him discussing getting rid of Lisinthir with Third. She feared for Lisinthir, a fear borne out when Lisinthir informed her of Second's attempt at poisoning him. The Queen informed Lisinthir about the potential of using small doses of hekkret to build up immunity, and provided him his first rolls.<ref name="etw-02" />

The Emperor came to ask her about Lisinthir, and she acknowledged that he came to visit her every day, but only to talk, and the Emperor left without hurting her, puzzling and worrying her, as an "Emperor who could talk to her, consider her, and then leave her without marking her... was a stranger." Later, while she was taking breakfast with Lisinthir, Second attempted to send him off so that the Queen could serve him; Lisinthir refused, saying that her mornings were his. Later, prompted by a complaint by Second, the Emperor visited Lisinthir and the Queen in the morning to confirm Second's report, and demanded that Lisinthir prove that he is a male by "making use" of the Queen; forced into a corner, and with the Queen's subtle encouragement, he did so in the gentlest way he could find. The Queen later told him that it had been pleasant for her to ease him. Later, when he came to her broken, she suggested that he could ease his torment by allowing the Emperor to sacrifice her; when he protested, she indicated that she had learned some of his lessons of love and sacrifice. Later, Second came to her enraged that she had been passing information to Lisinthir, and beat and raped her; it was the first time he had been violent to her. The Emperor later, again at Second's behest, came to her for more advice about Lisinthir; he did not hurt her, and acknowledged that he himself, like the Queen, was enthralled with the Ambassador.<ref name="etw-02" />

Shortly thereafter, Third and his Hand arrived with more slaves--[[Unnamed Characters#Alien Slaves of the Emperor |sixteen in all, both Pelted and human]]. The Queen, using her new mastery of Universal, explained their situation, warned them against violence or escape attempts, and sent them to the Preparation Room. After their presentation, she further explained that the Ambassador was not complacent, but had to play to the politics of the Court if he was to have any hope of success in having them freed.<ref name="etw-02" />

When she heard that the Emperor and Lisinthir had seriously injured each other, she left the Tower despite this being forbidden to her, and was escorted to the clinic to see them. She was then present when he sent Third's newly-acquired slaves back. When Third and his Hand arrived to take out their frustrations on the Imperial Harem--and Third threatened to rape the Queen herself, despite that being expressly forbidden except at the Emperor's word--she, for the first time, was successful in driving him away, and he hurt neither her not any other harem members.<ref name="etw-02" />

For a few days after Third's death, the Queen, Lisinthir, and the Emperor stayed together in her suite, having sex, both violent and not. Shortly after that, Lisinthir returned to show her messages of thanks from the slaves they had freed: a long one from Laniis, and more from others, including Bethsaida. However, the temporary peace was broken when Lisinthir came to her concerned that he had in fact convinced the Emperor to treat him as a male... and therefore, the Empire would treat the Alliance as a male to be broken, not a female to be largely ignored; she confirmed this, and they came up with a new plan.<ref name="etw-02" />

After Lisinthir convinced the Emperor to take his pattern and Change, their encounters shifted. The Emperor wanted to feel first the Queen's fear, and then to feel her suffering so he could know what it was to weep. Finally, he wanted to feel what Lisinthir had suffered through torture to see what that was like. The Queen asked permission to leave so as not to watch Lisinthir be tortured. After that, the Emperor treated her very differently: he had empathy for her and had no will to punish her even after learning that she had posed as Bethsaida, he renamed her Treasure, and the three spent days together in newfound trust and pleasure (and, for the Emperor and Lisinthir, challenge).<ref name="etw-02" />

Things finally came to a head with Second, and the Queen found Lisinthir very ill from poisoning by Second, and later learned that Second had challenged the Emperor. At the Emperor's behest, she fled to the clinic, where the Surgeon could shield her. Second was slain and the Emperor survived, and the Emperor sent Lisinthir away; she counseled him on the reasons why and said her goodbyes. After, the Emperor asked her forgiveness, shocking her, and asked her to be the Queen Ransomed rather than the Slave Queen, his comfort as he was her protection; she asked him to see the sea.<ref name="etw-02" />

==== Amulet Rampant ====

After the Surgeon amputated her wing vanes, she bled so much that they were forced to put her in a gel tank, and then allow her to convalesce on a bed in the clinic. <ref name="ar-18">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 18</ref>

===After the Chatcaavan War===

==Trivia==

=== Relationships ===
* As the Slave Queen, was made available by the Emperor to [[Second-Who-Was |Second]] and Lisinthir. Second came to her primarily to be bathed and to have his wings oiled, and was normally kind to her. Third did not have general access to her.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Thought fondly on the Mother, for several reasons: she was not as resentful as the other females toward her, she had been kind to Laniis, and she had sought out pregnancy with eager hope and was joyful upon becoming pregnant.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* Found Laniis's formality tiresome, but tolerated it.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Laniis remembered her as kind, a person who made the nightmare of being an Imperial slave "bearable."<ref name="etw-02" />
* Kept a piece of jewelry from every female who died in the harem, obtained for her by the [[Emerald (Mother) |Mother]]. <ref name="etw-01" />

=== Names ===
Before/during the war:
* Was initially called "pet" by the Emperor, which Lisinthir correctly assumed meant "one step above slave, one step sideways from 'female.'" The Emperor later took to calling her Treasure, meaning not the object but the [[Chatcaavan Language#Overview |Chatcaavan ideal form]], not a lowly object but an exalted abstraction.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Referred to the Emperor as "Greatness," again in the Chatcaavan ideal form.<ref name="etw-02" />

After the war (Jubilee Summer and ''In the Court of Dragons''):
====What she calls others====
* Emperor: she refers to him as "the Emperor", "my mate", "my Emperor", or "my master". She calls him "my lord" and "my love". She also tells him that he is Greatness. Unlike everyone else, she almost never addresses him as "Exalted".
* Lisinthir: she most often thinks of him and refers to him as "the Ambassador", but also uses "my consort", "my Eldritch consort", "my mate", and "the Imperial Consort". She calls him "Imthereli-Lord" and "my lord" and "Lisinthir".
* Jahir: she usually calls him and refers to him as "Gentle Guide".
* Sediryl: she mostly calls her and refers to her as "sister" and "my sister", but she also sometimes uses "Princess Sediryl".
* Liolesa: she usually calls her Empress.

====What others call her====
* Many people mostly refer to her and think of her as "the Queen Ransomed" or simply "the Queen". Her other title is "Breath of the Living Air", which can be shortened to "Breath". Eldritch sometimes specify "the Chatcaavan Queen" or "the Chatcaavan Breath". Her underlings mostly address her as "my Queen".
* The Emperor refers to her as (and calls her) "the Queen Ransomed", and calls her "my Treasure", or sometimes other endearments like "my pet" and "beloved".
* Lisinthir calls her "Beauty" and "Beloved", and before others he says "the Queen". He also sometimes addresses her as "my Queen".
* Jahir calls her "my lady".
* Sediryl calls her "arii" and "sister".

=== Other ===
* Swears by the [[Religion#Living Air |Living Air]].<ref name="etw-01" />
* Had a great deal of difficulty reading the facial expressions of alien slaves until she had spent a full year with Laniis and also gained an understanding of alien feelings by touching Lisinthir while using her Eldritch shape.<ref name="etw-01" />
* The cuts in her wings were sealed with a liquid that sizzled, rendering them tough rather than supple and less prone to tears.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Preferred to dress herself, except when her presentation jewels were too ungainly to don by herself.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Two heads shorter than Lisinthir.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Has never had a name. Before the current Emperor took power, she was titled as her father's daughter, and after, she was the Slave Queen.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Restored her equanimity by soaking in the hottest of her baths.<ref name="etw-01" />
* Had seen twelve Mothers give birth before [[Emerald (Mother) |Emerald]].<ref name="etw-02" />
* Was proficient at massage, though not as talented as a four-armed female due to the lack of two hands.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Did not generally love pain; "[t]he first time she had been ushered into the world that gave [[Moon (Character) |Moon]] so much pleasure she'd left it wanting to die." When she developed more agency, however, she made a distinction: "To be an object and to suffer... the suffering has no meaning. To be a person and to choose suffering... that is different. That cleanses."<ref name="etw-02" />
* Occasionally chose her Eldritch shape so that she could mourn with "proper tears."<ref name="etw-02" />
* Felt drawn first to the sky, and then to the sky and the sea, and ultimately asked the Emperor to bring her to the shore.<ref name="etw-02" />
* learned to ride a horse during her first visit to Escutcheon <ref name="hw-16">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 16</ref>

==Quotes==

=== Even the Wingless ===

"Tell her I...I am the Slave Queen, the most exalted of all females in the Empire, and the most debased."<ref name="etw-01" />

"Some things must be known before they can be missed," the Slave Queen said. "I have never known freedom, so how can I miss it?"<ref name="etw-01" />

"It is what I am for, Ambassador. I am a vessel. It is all I do, suffering."<ref name="etw-02" />

"As long as you are willing to bow your head to spare the pain of the worthless, you are no Chatcaavan. No matter what you feel when you are defending your life and honor. It is what moves you that makes you who you are." <ref name="etw-02">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part Two</ref>

"Perhaps what you have done here so far, the Alliance could do for the Empire. Perhaps if the Empire finds itself fighting a war it cannot easily win, it will remember its heart and become something greater than it is." -- to [[Lisinthir|the Ambassador]] <ref name="etw-02" />

"I drove Third away from the harem. And I left the Tower to see the Emperor in the clinic. I am... I am not what I was. But your stories could only suggest, Master. Only I could have effected the change in me."<ref name="etw-02" />

=== Amulet Rampant===

"I, too, am Outside, in a way. Females cannot partake of the world of power and agency of males, Surgeon. Some would say the Chatcaava have been lessened by that division. You, the other males who are Outside... how much more could you do if you did not have to live outside the world of males on the Inside? What could you accomplish freed from the necessity to maintain your neutrality? If you could choose sides, Surgeon... what an ally you would be! What amazing things you might do for the world you would choose to bring forth!" <ref name="ar-08">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

"I'm afraid the revolution has already begun. I am just trying to keep it from killing everyone I care about." <ref name="ar-13">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

=== Major Pieces ===

“Not every question needs an immediate answer. Not if you want the right one.” <ref name="mp-des-06">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) |Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving," Chapter 6</ref>

=== Farmer's Crown ===

"You are the Gentle Guide, and I was the Slave Queen, and people think we are patient and passive and kind, and perhaps we are. If we were not, our angers and our griefs would turn us into far more terrible people than those who were born to power, and who are comfortable wielding it. To have a master is safer. For everyone else." <ref name="fc-02">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', Chapter 2</ref>

=== Quotes and Observations by Others ===

"Do not play the fool, Mistress. Not all power is shaped by talon and fang."
:::::—[[Moon (Character) |Moon]]<ref name="etw-02" />

"You never were an object," he said into her hair. "Even when you thought yourself powerless, you were changing the universe for the better. They tricked you into believing yourself no better than them."
:::::—[[Lisinthir Nase Galare]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaavan Characters]] [[Category:Princes' Game Characters]]
[[Category:Even the Wingless Characters]] [[Category:Some Things Transcend Characters]] [[Category:Amulet Rampant Characters]] [[Category:Only the Open Characters]] [[Category:In Extremis Characters]] [[Category:From Ruins Characters]] [[Category:Major Pieces Characters]]
[[Category:Jubilee Summer Characters]] [[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]] [[Category:Farmer's Crown Characters]] [[Category:In the Court of Dragons Characters]] [[Category:Dragons' Fealty Characters]] [[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Fallowtide Characters]]

Story Requests

2022-01-20T01:11:30Z

Pyrostinger: Moved a suggestion about Alysha from the Eldritch section to the Alysha section

Anything readers want to see at any point in the future. I’ll use this data to add things to novels, or plan bonus scenes/materials, or even decide on doing future collections like Major Pieces.

This used to be on Google Docs but I'm more likely to find it here.

Note that inclusion on this list does not mean these ideas will get used!

==Eldritch==
* A Tam is on a distant world when the disaster strikes. see picnicfield discord for full.
* A Pelted on a ship, skinned, makes it to a holo-arch in time, must later argue with Pelted equivalent of DMV because her skin did not come in the same when regrown. Eternally having to tell people that she is her, worse if skinning pirates is top secret or even just discouraged/disparaged info. (Sean)
* What did the queen do with foreknowledge (presumed) of Tam home world disaster. Tell/console tams? Tell allies? (Sean)
* Jahir's and Sediryl's moms being court nice (not very) at each other.
* More of Tolden
* Tolden's adventures in Chatcaavan Throneworld + Juvie and the Asaniefa (!) boy - seconded
* Briana - Sediryl’s pilot from Girl on Fire!
* Sediryl’s dad (Haladir) and Jahir’s mom (Jeasa) together.
* Courting. Definitely courting - yes! Seconded!
** Thirding!
** Haladir and Jeasa need to go see the Alliance. Perhaps a visit to Dondi's restaurant? On their honeymoon??
* Eldritch grandparents and elderly Eldritch
* Sediryl and her father
* What the other D-Pers do for fun - seconded
* The hasty creation by mortal programmers and DPers of a DPer to counsel people through grief caused by pirates destroying worlds and billions of lives. A DPer Grief Counselor for deeper grief. Billions of semi-trained grief counselors themselves grieving, giving advice to people. Stadiums full of people getting mass grief counseling. MMORPG grief games to try to help. Would the anniversary of the event be in universal or that World's time and date? Prayers for their souls.(Sean)
* Reese being REESE. Possibly riding to rescue. Definately - Reese needs another adventure!
* Reese's perspective of the shopping trip with Sediryl? (Major pieces of the major pieces, LOL!)
* ...Eldritch manuscript illuminator idk. >_>
* Crispin arriving on the Eldritch homeworld and why he's there
** More Crispin, generally
*** Agreed.
* Eldritch commoner enters the Eldritch Naval Academy
* Second planet of Eldritch Empire finds something Interesting and communicates to home base about it
* Sediryl and Araelis, Araelis and the Harat-Shar, Araelis and Lesandurel
** Since we have confirmation that Fasianyl is still alive and exploring, something with her (and her D-per) visiting Chalice (or Escutcheon) to see a Harat-Shar / Eldritch culture
* ELDRITCH EXPLORING THEIR OWN GOSH DANGED PLANET
** Yes please!
* I know it's inevitable but Beth starting more fires
** Also perhaps one or two fires being so utterly inconsequential that it’s rendered to background noise/indirect mention
* Beth post-break off with Amber
* Sehvi-assisted ELDRITCH BABY BOOM
* Revitalization of Imthereli
** Eldritch moving into Imthereli for [insert reasons here]?
** & discovering Eldritch already there (only they’re Chatcaava!)
* Vashit’h and Valthial meeting the first time
* More of Vashit’h’s own mental prowess outside of Jahir and his partnership - YES
* Smol Dragonchilde and her bows and enthusiasm. - seconded
* Fun with Flitzbes!
* More about Laisrathera’s nobility? Is Reese elevating them? Are they basically Reese’s crew made noble?
* Sediryl using Maia’s gift
* Heir!Liolesa unexpectedly finds a lover...
* Lisinthir brings his heirs for presentation (and has some un-cousinly moments with Jahir!)
* Lunet + Imthereli heirs + QR and Emperor’s child + Sediryl and Jahir’s kids upending the Eldritch court
** How would Eldritch noble society deal with twins, anyway?
** Very curious about this, and I’m all for upending in the Eldritch court.
* Stories of Settlement to the Pelted Newcomers from the Elder Eldritch
* I'd like to see more Guardkin/Eldritch interactions, and not just the Queen with her boys, but maybe one/some of Reese's people and having a small adventure with the guardkin? Also the country Eldritch were planning on breeding dogs, got some other than Guardkin, maybe and breeding Guardkin? Could be awkward as Guardkin have their own minds. (other then Sean)
* Joreht gave Jahir a “relaxing tonic” from an elderly Eldritch in the Seni village who knows herblore. Jahir and Hirianthial were very interested. I’d like to see how that develops.
** What career does Joreht decide to go into?
* Surela's initial foray off planet - I loved watching Sediryl discover stuff and I'd love to see how Surela's very different backstory makes it different…
* Bryer gets a family - how does that work? Who shows up to be his mate? What are small Phoenixae like? How do they get trained away from the home world?
* Hirianthial and Val discussing Kishet’h gift of the book about the early first glasean mind mages.
* the old man with herbalist knowledge that Sehvi’s son had found at the tenant village. I want to know more about him! Maybe that meeting?
** I’m curious too!
* Maybe a scene where the Eldritch tailors get the challenge of dressing a Glasehan?
* Insinuated on the Discord but: This scandal and rumor-filled broadsheet: how, exactly, did it come about and how open was Liolesa in acquiring the materials?
* Val and Belinor -- what's up with that?
*The singers sent to Chalice in "12 Days" get a treat: a vacation/exploration in a starbase. As they like adventure and education and shelter and food and new things and new songs. Send a Tam as translater/guide? Culture shock and exploration and sharing once they find other musicians. Musical cross fertilization.
*Every time a repository of records has burned down, just about anyone who needs a new start finds it convenient to say they were born there. Rebels have sometimes burned one down to give themselves a documentary refuge. I believe this has happened in Ireland, at minimum. You will have to decide if the destruction and disruption on Tam-illee created such an opportunity in the Pelted modern world. Your rogues and displaced will thank you if so. Anyone who later claims to have been born there will be looked at, even though 8 billion(??) did live there. “funny, you don’t look tam-ish” (Sean)
*The Queen R takes the Eldritch shape to get consent from those who do not speak and then takes the shapes of a Guardkin and an Flitzbe. Insight? Fun? Hilarity? Especially since one of those shape is true alien. (Sean)
*Eldritch need something like the Glaseah's genetic repository so that a revolution or space stone strike will not eliminate a large and precious part of their genome.(Sean)Maybe others since it has been shown how large a part of any gernome can be deleted by a space rock.
*Guardkin asking to emigrate to the Glaseah world. It is only logical and the two peoples are made for each other. Might cause immigration of Irish or German proportions, limited only by the population size of Guardkin. Reciprocity:The Guardkin, using the same financial and legal arrangements that got them to the Eldritch home world, want to import a "breeding pair" or a group up to colony size of Glaseah into the Hinichi/Guardkin world. Likely without any more 'by your leave' as the Hinichi gave them. It is an alternative to the Guardkin emigrating.
*Here's a thought: What kind of relationship, if any, do the Queen Ransomed and a growing Lunet have?
Note: Guardkin world is meduim grav, Glaseah is heavy-ish grav.(Sean)

==Earthrise==
* How Reese met her Flitzbe! Eseme envisions this as a nice start to a collection, sort of like how the Eldritch Queen and Mia are a good early story in Major Pieces.
** More Flitzbe!
* Include the existing story about why K’set left academia! (Eseme)
* There are a bunch of good Reese ideas in the Eldritch section… (Eseme)
* How did things work out on the Horse Planet? Does Reese find out on a horse-buying trip? (Eseme)
* Bryer hanging his banners, looking for a mate (Eseme)
* Who followed Reese to Escutcheon? Why?
** Does it have to do with the founder’s stone Irene and Sascha (and Hirianthial) got for her?
* Reese has children, finally
** Would Reese’s family come to see her children? Would she visit them, even after they kicked her out?
* Day in the life of poor!Reese vs rich!Reese
* Reese learns Eldritch (from Irene, maybe?)
* Fluffy story starring Sascha and Irene and cute Fleet boy + cute Fleet boy's sister - YES
* Reese at an Eldritch function
** Bonus points for Eldritch nobility coming to a function Reese throws
** Bonus points for a hostile faction function
*** "...She is a power. We must assess her."
*** "She has horses and ''I want one''”
* How did that cafe in Laisrathera get started? (Badger)
* A servant’s view of the final fight at the palace
* A day in the life of an Eldritch servant in service of the new eccentric human lady
* Post A Rose Point Holiday (as a sort of follow up to that story with the conflict between the village members and its head woman)
* More from the POV of the servants at Ontine, or at Rose Point
* More about Reese’s village
* Meander! Laisrathera meander! While we’re thinking about the Firithel villagers.
* Eseme would love to see how Lunet ends up living with Reese. Who names her Lunet?
* More [[Jorah NotAgain]], please. (He could be a lovely bridge to Alysha and the Stardancer!)(and how did he get that name? Oh, no, NotAgain? Anyway he needs his own page and a citation for where he is referenced.

==Alysha==
* More of Alastar
* More Felsha and Darya show! (Eseme seconds this)
** Steffis takes Felsha and Darya to the ballet (The Universe is Small: they are taken to one of Simone’s performances) - seconded, thirded, fourthed
* Alysha/random Pelted Captain's perspective of the Battle of Selnor
* Alysha (assuming she survived/was there to begin with) in the aftermath of the Battle of Selnor, possibly meeting up with new Chatcaavan allies
* Alysha/random Pelted Captain visit border world
* Fleet visits Chatcaavan Throneworld from Fleet's perspective, post-BoS
* Eseme ships Taylithia and Mike - more of them please. (Lemur) Mike does have that certain prejudice that HE NEEDS TO GET PAST… :-)
* Pre-Gledig Kameney
** I still think Kameney before her descent into madness and evil would be interesting
* Alysha has to work with the Harat-Shar militia
* More of the really nice friendship and community like in the most recent one.
* More romance!
* Alysha et. al. meet major characters from the other storylines And (sean) does she survive the war? does the Stardancer?
* The Stardancer rotates into Escutcheon space!
* Dark Lighthouse is a very good first story, it sets up the situation, but does not resolve. While its is true that some situations IRL do not get resolved, there are often consequences to a lack of resolution. (Sean)
*Why is Alysha militarily competent? Ditto the Stardancer? Especially when the Pelted military is just learning baby steps of combat?

==Chatcaava==
* Emperor Ueneuvin solidifying support among Southern and Western wings of Empire against Northern and Eastern wings
** Goes to personally release slaves from particularly obstinate holder?
* Queen Ransomed in her power
* Emperor Uneuvin's kids visit/explore Escutcheon - seconded, also the fosterings generally
* Worldlord!Second visits (or doesn’t visit) Simone
* Queen Ransomed’s favorite foods in various forms
* The Emperor’s favorite foods in various forms
* Life among the Castrates and the servants
* Life after for women no longer in harems. ...man, four armed females would be awesome surgical assistants, huh? - seconded
* Here’s another idea: Chatcaava enroll in Seersana U Or (Sean) in the human marines. For that matter, a water based species enrolling in the marines.
* Starbucks championship in the Empire: Chatcaavan baristas compete for the title of Barista - yes!!!
* The continuing saga of Hope’s Navy. Also Hope’s Navy meet’s J&S’s twins.
* What does it mean to “come of age” in the new Chatcaavan society?
* More of the super funny surgeon (I still want him to get to the Seersana clinic eventually) - YES, seconded!
* Someone should visit the clinic at J&V’s university. For SCIENCE!
* (Lemur) Knife-that-was (now Liaison) and Laniis and the rest of their FIA Crew in SPY ADVENTURES! Also, some possible romantic tensions between them and Na’er? He strikes me as the jealous type and he’s not fond of dragons…
* (Lemur) More Uuvek & Maia!
* (Lemur) You guessed it - More Attendant! He’s not just a total cinnamon bun, but he’s a character that’s more comfortable as another species, which is something worth exploring, surely!

==HOLIDAY STORIES COLLECTION (includes all series!)==
* The Case of the Snow Maiden - already written, add it
* Season’s Meaning - already written, add it
* Precious Things - already written, set at the Holidays, add it
* V’s first Holiday Season with the Eldritch. He and his whole family would get to celebrate a new holiday!
* The Holidays at Rose Point, 1-5 years after Rose Point Holiday. What has changed? What traditions were added? Did the Eldritch Teen’s mother ever change her mind about Reese?
* How do Alysha and crew celebrate on a Starship?
* Do Chatcaava have a holiday for their New Year, or one around the winter solstice?
* A Hinchi Christmas
* Do [[Naysha]] (spelling corrected (Sean)) have holidays?
* Do we need a holiday story for other Pelted races?
* Someone else wrote this in another section : Elaborate alien customs! Particularly holidays
* Pelted Thanksgiving/harvest/feast type festivals not necessarily Christimas-esque.

==Generic==
* Combine all of those loose Peltedverse shorts into some collections
*many of the above suggestions have been done. Should we have a section for that similar to the bottom section of Bounties? (Sean)|
And some will be difficult, example "More Beth" since she is dead.

[[Category:Meta]]

Story Requests

2022-01-20T01:10:00Z

Pyrostinger: /* Eldritch */ Added idea, and fixed a small typo

Anything readers want to see at any point in the future. I’ll use this data to add things to novels, or plan bonus scenes/materials, or even decide on doing future collections like Major Pieces.

This used to be on Google Docs but I'm more likely to find it here.

Note that inclusion on this list does not mean these ideas will get used!

==Eldritch==
* A Tam is on a distant world when the disaster strikes. see picnicfield discord for full.
* A Pelted on a ship, skinned, makes it to a holo-arch in time, must later argue with Pelted equivalent of DMV because her skin did not come in the same when regrown. Eternally having to tell people that she is her, worse if skinning pirates is top secret or even just discouraged/disparaged info. (Sean)
* What did the queen do with foreknowledge (presumed) of Tam home world disaster. Tell/console tams? Tell allies? (Sean)
* Jahir's and Sediryl's moms being court nice (not very) at each other.
* More of Tolden
* Tolden's adventures in Chatcaavan Throneworld + Juvie and the Asaniefa (!) boy - seconded
* Briana - Sediryl’s pilot from Girl on Fire!
* Sediryl’s dad (Haladir) and Jahir’s mom (Jeasa) together.
* Courting. Definitely courting - yes! Seconded!
** Thirding!
** Haladir and Jeasa need to go see the Alliance. Perhaps a visit to Dondi's restaurant? On their honeymoon??
* Eldritch grandparents and elderly Eldritch
* Sediryl and her father
* What the other D-Pers do for fun - seconded
* The hasty creation by mortal programmers and DPers of a DPer to counsel people through grief caused by pirates destroying worlds and billions of lives. A DPer Grief Counselor for deeper grief. Billions of semi-trained grief counselors themselves grieving, giving advice to people. Stadiums full of people getting mass grief counseling. MMORPG grief games to try to help. Would the anniversary of the event be in universal or that World's time and date? Prayers for their souls.(Sean)
* Reese being REESE. Possibly riding to rescue. Definately - Reese needs another adventure!
* Reese's perspective of the shopping trip with Sediryl? (Major pieces of the major pieces, LOL!)
* ...Eldritch manuscript illuminator idk. >_>
* Crispin arriving on the Eldritch homeworld and why he's there
** More Crispin, generally
*** Agreed.
* Eldritch commoner enters the Eldritch Naval Academy
* Second planet of Eldritch Empire finds something Interesting and communicates to home base about it
* Sediryl and Araelis, Araelis and the Harat-Shar, Araelis and Lesandurel
** Since we have confirmation that Fasianyl is still alive and exploring, something with her (and her D-per) visiting Chalice (or Escutcheon) to see a Harat-Shar / Eldritch culture
* ELDRITCH EXPLORING THEIR OWN GOSH DANGED PLANET
** Yes please!
* I know it's inevitable but Beth starting more fires
** Also perhaps one or two fires being so utterly inconsequential that it’s rendered to background noise/indirect mention
* Beth post-break off with Amber
* Sehvi-assisted ELDRITCH BABY BOOM
* Revitalization of Imthereli
** Eldritch moving into Imthereli for [insert reasons here]?
** & discovering Eldritch already there (only they’re Chatcaava!)
* Vashit’h and Valthial meeting the first time
* More of Vashit’h’s own mental prowess outside of Jahir and his partnership - YES
* Smol Dragonchilde and her bows and enthusiasm. - seconded
* Fun with Flitzbes!
* More about Laisrathera’s nobility? Is Reese elevating them? Are they basically Reese’s crew made noble?
* Sediryl using Maia’s gift
* Heir!Liolesa unexpectedly finds a lover...
* Lisinthir brings his heirs for presentation (and has some un-cousinly moments with Jahir!)
* Lunet + Imthereli heirs + QR and Emperor’s child + Sediryl and Jahir’s kids upending the Eldritch court
** How would Eldritch noble society deal with twins, anyway?
** Very curious about this, and I’m all for upending in the Eldritch court.
* Stories of Settlement to the Pelted Newcomers from the Elder Eldritch
* I'd like to see more Guardkin/Eldritch interactions, and not just the Queen with her boys, but maybe one/some of Reese's people and having a small adventure with the guardkin? Also the country Eldritch were planning on breeding dogs, got some other than Guardkin, maybe and breeding Guardkin? Could be awkward as Guardkin have their own minds. (other then Sean)
* Joreht gave Jahir a “relaxing tonic” from an elderly Eldritch in the Seni village who knows herblore. Jahir and Hirianthial were very interested. I’d like to see how that develops.
** What career does Joreht decide to go into?
* Surela's initial foray off planet - I loved watching Sediryl discover stuff and I'd love to see how Surela's very different backstory makes it different…
* Bryer gets a family - how does that work? Who shows up to be his mate? What are small Phoenixae like? How do they get trained away from the home world?
* Hirianthial and Val discussing Kishet’h gift of the book about the early first glasean mind mages.
* the old man with herbalist knowledge that Sehvi’s son had found at the tenant village. I want to know more about him! Maybe that meeting?
** I’m curious too!
* Maybe a scene where the Eldritch tailors get the challenge of dressing a Glasehan?
* Insinuated on the Discord but: This scandal and rumor-filled broadsheet: how, exactly, did it come about and how open was Liolesa in acquiring the materials?
* Val and Belinor -- what's up with that?
*The singers sent to Chalice in "12 Days" get a treat: a vacation/exploration in a starbase. As they like adventure and education and shelter and food and new things and new songs. Send a Tam as translater/guide? Culture shock and exploration and sharing once they find other musicians. Musical cross fertilization.
*Every time a repository of records has burned down, just about anyone who needs a new start finds it convenient to say they were born there. Rebels have sometimes burned one down to give themselves a documentary refuge. I believe this has happened in Ireland, at minimum. You will have to decide if the destruction and disruption on Tam-illee created such an opportunity in the Pelted modern world. Your rogues and displaced will thank you if so. Anyone who later claims to have been born there will be looked at, even though 8 billion(??) did live there. “funny, you don’t look tam-ish” (Sean)
*The Queen R takes the Eldritch shape to get consent from those who do not speak and then takes the shapes of a Guardkin and an Flitzbe. Insight? Fun? Hilarity? Especially since one of those shape is true alien. (Sean)
*Eldritch need something like the Glaseah's genetic repository so that a revolution or space stone strike will not eliminate a large and precious part of their genome.(Sean)Maybe others since it has been shown how large a part of any gernome can be deleted by a space rock.
*Guardkin asking to emigrate to the Glaseah world. It is only logical and the two peoples are made for each other. Might cause immigration of Irish or German proportions, limited only by the population size of Guardkin. Reciprocity:The Guardkin, using the same financial and legal arrangements that got them to the Eldritch home world, want to import a "breeding pair" or a group up to colony size of Glaseah into the Hinichi/Guardkin world. Likely without any more 'by your leave' as the Hinichi gave them. It is an alternative to the Guardkin emigrating.
*Here's a thought: What kind of relationship, if any, do the Queen Ransomed and a growing Lunet have?
Note: Guardkin world is meduim grav, Glaseah is heavy-ish grav.(Sean)
*Why is Alysha militarily competent? Ditto the Stardancer? Especially when the Pelted military is just learning baby steps of combat?

==Earthrise==
* How Reese met her Flitzbe! Eseme envisions this as a nice start to a collection, sort of like how the Eldritch Queen and Mia are a good early story in Major Pieces.
** More Flitzbe!
* Include the existing story about why K’set left academia! (Eseme)
* There are a bunch of good Reese ideas in the Eldritch section… (Eseme)
* How did things work out on the Horse Planet? Does Reese find out on a horse-buying trip? (Eseme)
* Bryer hanging his banners, looking for a mate (Eseme)
* Who followed Reese to Escutcheon? Why?
** Does it have to do with the founder’s stone Irene and Sascha (and Hirianthial) got for her?
* Reese has children, finally
** Would Reese’s family come to see her children? Would she visit them, even after they kicked her out?
* Day in the life of poor!Reese vs rich!Reese
* Reese learns Eldritch (from Irene, maybe?)
* Fluffy story starring Sascha and Irene and cute Fleet boy + cute Fleet boy's sister - YES
* Reese at an Eldritch function
** Bonus points for Eldritch nobility coming to a function Reese throws
** Bonus points for a hostile faction function
*** "...She is a power. We must assess her."
*** "She has horses and ''I want one''”
* How did that cafe in Laisrathera get started? (Badger)
* A servant’s view of the final fight at the palace
* A day in the life of an Eldritch servant in service of the new eccentric human lady
* Post A Rose Point Holiday (as a sort of follow up to that story with the conflict between the village members and its head woman)
* More from the POV of the servants at Ontine, or at Rose Point
* More about Reese’s village
* Meander! Laisrathera meander! While we’re thinking about the Firithel villagers.
* Eseme would love to see how Lunet ends up living with Reese. Who names her Lunet?
* More [[Jorah NotAgain]], please. (He could be a lovely bridge to Alysha and the Stardancer!)(and how did he get that name? Oh, no, NotAgain? Anyway he needs his own page and a citation for where he is referenced.

==Alysha==
* More of Alastar
* More Felsha and Darya show! (Eseme seconds this)
** Steffis takes Felsha and Darya to the ballet (The Universe is Small: they are taken to one of Simone’s performances) - seconded, thirded, fourthed
* Alysha/random Pelted Captain's perspective of the Battle of Selnor
* Alysha (assuming she survived/was there to begin with) in the aftermath of the Battle of Selnor, possibly meeting up with new Chatcaavan allies
* Alysha/random Pelted Captain visit border world
* Fleet visits Chatcaavan Throneworld from Fleet's perspective, post-BoS
* Eseme ships Taylithia and Mike - more of them please. (Lemur) Mike does have that certain prejudice that HE NEEDS TO GET PAST… :-)
* Pre-Gledig Kameney
** I still think Kameney before her descent into madness and evil would be interesting
* Alysha has to work with the Harat-Shar militia
* More of the really nice friendship and community like in the most recent one.
* More romance!
* Alysha et. al. meet major characters from the other storylines And (sean) does she survive the war? does the Stardancer?
* The Stardancer rotates into Escutcheon space!
* Dark Lighthouse is a very good first story, it sets up the situation, but does not resolve. While its is true that some situations IRL do not get resolved, there are often consequences to a lack of resolution. (Sean)

==Chatcaava==
* Emperor Ueneuvin solidifying support among Southern and Western wings of Empire against Northern and Eastern wings
** Goes to personally release slaves from particularly obstinate holder?
* Queen Ransomed in her power
* Emperor Uneuvin's kids visit/explore Escutcheon - seconded, also the fosterings generally
* Worldlord!Second visits (or doesn’t visit) Simone
* Queen Ransomed’s favorite foods in various forms
* The Emperor’s favorite foods in various forms
* Life among the Castrates and the servants
* Life after for women no longer in harems. ...man, four armed females would be awesome surgical assistants, huh? - seconded
* Here’s another idea: Chatcaava enroll in Seersana U Or (Sean) in the human marines. For that matter, a water based species enrolling in the marines.
* Starbucks championship in the Empire: Chatcaavan baristas compete for the title of Barista - yes!!!
* The continuing saga of Hope’s Navy. Also Hope’s Navy meet’s J&S’s twins.
* What does it mean to “come of age” in the new Chatcaavan society?
* More of the super funny surgeon (I still want him to get to the Seersana clinic eventually) - YES, seconded!
* Someone should visit the clinic at J&V’s university. For SCIENCE!
* (Lemur) Knife-that-was (now Liaison) and Laniis and the rest of their FIA Crew in SPY ADVENTURES! Also, some possible romantic tensions between them and Na’er? He strikes me as the jealous type and he’s not fond of dragons…
* (Lemur) More Uuvek & Maia!
* (Lemur) You guessed it - More Attendant! He’s not just a total cinnamon bun, but he’s a character that’s more comfortable as another species, which is something worth exploring, surely!

==HOLIDAY STORIES COLLECTION (includes all series!)==
* The Case of the Snow Maiden - already written, add it
* Season’s Meaning - already written, add it
* Precious Things - already written, set at the Holidays, add it
* V’s first Holiday Season with the Eldritch. He and his whole family would get to celebrate a new holiday!
* The Holidays at Rose Point, 1-5 years after Rose Point Holiday. What has changed? What traditions were added? Did the Eldritch Teen’s mother ever change her mind about Reese?
* How do Alysha and crew celebrate on a Starship?
* Do Chatcaava have a holiday for their New Year, or one around the winter solstice?
* A Hinchi Christmas
* Do [[Naysha]] (spelling corrected (Sean)) have holidays?
* Do we need a holiday story for other Pelted races?
* Someone else wrote this in another section : Elaborate alien customs! Particularly holidays
* Pelted Thanksgiving/harvest/feast type festivals not necessarily Christimas-esque.

==Generic==
* Combine all of those loose Peltedverse shorts into some collections
*many of the above suggestions have been done. Should we have a section for that similar to the bottom section of Bounties? (Sean)|
And some will be difficult, example "More Beth" since she is dead.

[[Category:Meta]]

Haladir Delen Galare

2022-01-20T00:31:56Z

Pyrostinger: /* Events After Sediryl's Return */ added place holder for Father's Honor, may just link to summary of story when I/someone gets around to it?

[[File:Illo-Haladir.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Haladir Delen]]

[[Sediryl Nuera Galare | Sediryl]]'s father, and the first Lord of Coursers.

==Physical Description==
An Eldritch of average height, with gray eyes (no tinge of blue)<ref name="hw-12">''Healer's Wedding, [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|chapter 12]]</ref> and long hair, worn loose. He's tall enough to get his chin on Sediryl's head, but Sediryl's not very tall. He's had a limp since before Sediryl was born.

His vocal register is a baritone, though not quite as deep as Hirianthial's, and has a clear timbre.

He prefers to wash with pine or fir waters, and eschews the jewels and fillets that are customary for men of wealth. <ref name="gof-01">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction) | Girl on Fire]],'' Chapter 1</ref>

==History==
A Delen Galare, who was fascinated by the outworld, and read a great deal about it via the royal Wellfeed when he was young and living at the Delen Galare estates. Haladir was best friends with Kolvin, Jahir's father; they met at court.<ref name="hw-12" /> Kolvin was Thesali's sister, and he asked Haladir to marry her to protect her from her mother, Avarise, who was an even worse harpy than Thesali. This match was encouraged by the House, because keeping Nuera in dependable (Galare) hands was of paramount importance. Unfortunately, Thesali did not escape the pattern of her abusive upbringing and Haladir's marriage to her was an unhappy one from the start. He remained good friends with Kolvin until Kolvin's death, and busied himself as much as possible on the Nuera property with a breeding project, which encompassed twelve pastures, two barns, a stable, and a training ground. (This is a 'minor enterprise' compared to Houses dedicated to horse breeding, the way Jisiensire formerly was.)

His wife has intimated that he hasn't been sexually faithful to her.

A gentle father, and very loving, but resigned to sorrow. He taught Sediryl Universal as "their private language" in order to get around her mother's strictures against discussion of aliens. They spent a great deal of time together before she left the nursery, and he read and shared with her stories; both mythical and believable, though Sediryl mostly remembers the latter: "stories, where heroism involved a single man facing down a maddened boar, or a woman swimming into a lake to rescue her drowning daughter." <ref name="hw-15">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 15</ref> Her father "taught her that heroism was common, and often hidden, in the everyday, and he had acted like the heroes of his stories." <ref name="hw-15" />

Two years before Sediryl's return, he fell off a horse that rolled on him and crushed his pelvis. This injury nearly killed him. <ref name="hw-12" />

===Events After Sediryl's Return===
After languishing for those two years in a sort of slow-motion suicide, Haladir is abruptly visited by Jahir, who claims to be a physician. Having been corresponding with his daughter since her return, he knows that Jahir is her fiance, and the two have a discussion primarily about whether he will allow himself to be treated for the condition he's now in. It follows that the conversation touches upon whether or not he deserves to live, that he's been denying Thesali, and the overall uselessness of Eldritch men. After, however, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera. The transfer from couch to stretcher precipitated a medical crisis, as all the stasis of the two years didn't respond well to movement.<ref name="hw-12" /> It was only through intervention by a team of Jahir, head surgeon of [[Shield General]] [[Hirianthial]] Sarel Eddings Laisrathera, and Healer [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]], who had just arrived in-system, that he was able to be saved. It was enough that he was able to attend, if briefly, Sediryl's wedding.<ref name="hw-00">''Healer's Wedding'', placeholder</ref>

Events of Father's Honor go here

==Trivia==
* gentles and rides ugly horses other people would use only for plows
* sings lullabies, tells stories
* calls Sediryl 'my dear', 'my girl,' 'my sweet,' and 'Sedi' and 'Daughter'.
* can weave stars out of grass
* [[Eldritch#Milk_names |milk name]] Lir <ref name="father-13">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) |Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Quotes==
* "My dear, few of us have the life we want. The question you have to answer is whether you can make a life you can live with."<ref name="gof-01"/>

* "Sometimes I think this is life, little love. This, in front of us. The trees and the hills and the sky, and water. The colors of sunrise. The taste of food. The relief of sleep. The sound of a mare answering her foal."<ref name="gof-01"/>

* "The wisest among us seek relationships among equals, for in such bonds one finds communion, longevity, and growth. The less elevated among us wish to be the great and munificent benefactor, dispensing charity to the grateful masses. But no one longs to be the powerless pauper among the wealthy." <ref name="gof-22">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction) | Girl on Fire]]'', Chapter 22</ref>

* "Always check premises."<ref name="hw-17">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 17</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Eldritch Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Delen Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Characters]]
[[Category:Delen Characters]]
[[Category:Girl on Fire Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Farmer's Crown Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Jubilee Summer Characters]]
[[Category:Dragons' Fealty Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]

Chatcaava

2022-01-20T00:03:43Z

Pyrostinger: /* Culture and Society */ Adding a small section about Chatcaavan child rearing... it could probably be moved elsewhere if it doesn't fit here or under its own section.

[[File:Illo-ChatcaavaWholeWings.jpg|300px|thumb|"Whole Wings"]]
<div style='text-align: center;'>''A quote here about them probably a stereotype.''</div>

Dragon shapeshifter aliens.

==Vital Statistics (At a Glance)==
Pronounced ''shot-CAH-vah.''<ref name="etw-pg">"Pronunciation Guide," ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'' backmatter</ref> Singular is Chatcaavan. Possessive is Chatcaavan. Plural is Chatcaava.
* '''Species Type:''' Alien
* '''Origin:''' Evolved
* '''Frame Type:''' Bipedal, plantigrade, winged
* '''Average Height:''' 5'5"ish
* '''Average Lifespan:'''
* '''Gravity Preference:''' light
* '''Homeworld:'''
* '''Native Language:''' [[Chatcaavan Language|Chatcaavan]]

==Physiology==
* are actually mammals despite some reptile and avian like characteristics<ref name="etw-01" />
* eyesight, particularly distance eyesight, is keener than in humans, but colors are more vivid as a human <ref name="oto-14">''[[Only the Open (Fiction) | Only the Open]]'', Chapter 14</ref>
* smell is less intense than in humans
* hearing less crisp than in humans <ref name="oto-14" />
* human balance is worse than Chatcaavan<ref name="etw-02" />
* think the Chatcaavan taste buds are more fat-and-protein-sensitive <ref name="fc-05">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', Chapter 5</ref>
* male Chatcaavan have spines on their genitalia<ref name="etw-02" />
* not fond of cold or damp, and are comfortable with water temperatures that are hot for most Pelted<ref name="etw-01">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part One</ref>
* Long, non-retractable claws, "talons to shame an eagle."<ref name="etw-01" />
* The equivalent of a muzzle is a beak containing many white or ivory fangs, covered in skin, with a flexible lip.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* long tongues<ref name="etw-02" />
* Thumb-claws on the wings are sharp, fully capable of damage, and are regularly used as weapons just as hand-claws and teeth are.<ref name="etw-02" />
* When at peace, or pleased with something, Chatcaava may make a thrumming noise<ref name="etw-02" />
* shorter fingers than an [[Eldritch]]<ref name="etw-02" />
* Have sufficient control of their tails that they can deliberately stroke the tip along a surface.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Age shows in drying wings, the development of tiny scales around the eyes, and striations and brittleness in the horns.<ref name="etw-02" />

* they use green for their interfaces, I don't know why

===Head types===
*Axe-head
*Chicken-head (translation) - considered unattractive (too much forehead height)
*Prow-head - shorter nose, smaller eyes. Prow heads grow manes more slowly.
*Aerodynamic-head - admired for its utility but not considered as handsome as axe-heads.
*Shark-head (translation) - associated with younger, clean-cut types.
A good brow ridge is considered masculine.

The brow ridges (with the spikes leading back over them) are seen only in adult males. Similarly, while females will grow the plate horns (the two that come straight back off the skull in line with the eye sockets), the other horns are grown only by males, and include a line from behind the cheek down toward the shoulder on either side of the face, and a row between the two central horns down the spine.

Horns continue to grow all a Chatcaava's life, if slowly. They don't mend unless you glue the broken bits of them back on, but they will get longer. Some males grow more horns than others; this indicates a more aggressive/dominant personality. (Whether that's true or not is up for grabs, as usual.) Most males Inside are missing at least some horns, as a rival who succeeds in defeating them may choose to break them off.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Bodies===
Their skeletons are more rigid than a human's because of the hollow bones (particularly in the ribs) that help create their biological airframe. They also develop a great deal of muscle flying.<ref name="mp-des-03">''[[ Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving," Chapter 3</ref> The [[Queen Ransomed]] specifically notes that her stiffer neck makes her large collar "very comfortable."<ref name="etw-02" />

Chatcaava come in a variety of colors: white, black, many shades of gray and silver ranging from near-black to near-white, golds and browns from sable to bisque, and bronze. Some are striped, and some have freckles.<ref name="etw-01" />

In the current era, males are winged and capable of flight and the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange |Touch and the Change]], and the majority of females have four arms (two at the shoulder, two slightly below), breasts, and no ability to Change. Some rare females have wings and the ability to Change.<ref name="etw-01" /> In the distant past, all Chatcaava--male and female--were winged and could Change.<ref name="fr-18">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', Chapter 18</ref>

Chatcaava perform live birth, like most mammals. During the last stages of pregnancy, the belly drops, putting the child in the right position for birth; final labor should happen within hours of this, barring complications. Complications happen more frequently for four-armed females, as winged females can use their shifting ability to open their hips.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Wings===
[[File:Illo-WingOiling.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Wing-oiling]]
Wings, like any other part of a body, are idiosyncratic and unique to individuals, but some variations are better than others: a good balance between a strong forearm and a long trailing limb, a long attachment point along the body, and flexible wing leather that is tautly connected all contribute to strength, endurance, and maneuverability. Wings that are large for the body size are, in general, better, but there's a point of diminishing returns: too large, and the wing becomes costly to maintain, physically, and can become cumbersome to shift.

Chatcaavan wings are not stiff or tough like leather, but soft and heavy like suede. They vary in size proportional to the body; the Emperor has notable large wings.<ref name="etw-01" /> The wing vanes are densely latticed with blood vessels and nerves. Significant injury to them can induce shock.<ref name="ar-15">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 15</ref>

The wings of aging Chatcaava grow dry and brittle, and must be oiled to keep them functional and prevent stiffness and chafing. If the dry wings are not tended to, the chafing can become friction burns, and the wings can become dry enough to rattle when opened or closed.<ref name="etw-02">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part Two</ref>

Snapping the wings open makes a noise; in the case of a male as large and powerful, this can be deep as a drum.<ref name="etw-01" /> Wings are also a particularly vulnerable place; an effective way to hurt or disable a winged Chatcaava is to put pressure on the joint of the wing-finger, where it meets the thumb-claw; it's possible to pop it out of joint from that position.<ref name="etw-02" />

====Claws====
Chatcaavan wings have non-retractable thumb claws; most will have wingtip claws as well on the end of the leading edge. The thumb claw turns outward, so the knuckle folds over on the outside of the wing (not on the inner vane, facing the back); claws will have thumb-joint-like flexibility, though some Chatcaava are born with "stubbier" thumbs than others. The wing-tip claw is usually vestigial, and not jointed, but some individuals might have more flexible talons at the wingtip than others. (Some may have no talon there at all.)

==Body Language==
* Chatcaavan nodding is slower, and singular: one long inclination, not the quick bob of Pelted culture.
* Wings lowered and tilted forward is a submissive posture.
* twitch a hand to shrug<ref name="etw-01" />
* rolled eyes in a human: a little twitch of brows and huff of breath in Chatcaava
* Licking (we see licking a forehead, cheeks, and one another's mouths) seems to take the place of kissing, presumably due to mouth shape<ref name="etw-02" />
* Sipping from a cup involves lapping with the tongue<ref name="etw-02" />
* Creased brow ridges and wings twitching or being folded and unfolded are signs of agitation<ref name="etw-02" />
* Laughter sometimes manifests as "snakelike, hissing chuckles"<ref name="etw-02" />

==Shapechange==

See [[Chatcaavan Shapechange]].

== Culture and Society ==

(Should probably note here that the customs we know of are mostly drawn from the wealthy and powerful, and those Inside, rather than necessarily applying to the majority Outside, and also slaves and harem members have their own microsocieties.)

For customs specific to the Imperial Court, see [[Throneworld Court Society]].

=== "Inside" and "Outside" ===

Chatcaavan society is actually several societies coexisting in the same space. There are those Inside, who have power, wealth, and political clout, but are subject to the violent rules of the [[Throneworld Court Society |Throneworld Court]] and similar courts across the Empire. There are those Outside, who have no such power but are not beholden to any political power and cannot be casually killed. There are also nonentities, who are not officially Inside or Outside: aliens (both enslaved and free) and females.<ref name="etw-01" />

==== Inside ====

The males who are Inside play the game of politics, domination, and strategy. Unlike those Outside, they are obliged to their political patrons, even if those patrons might have cause to want to kill them. They are also subject to the rules between males Inside that excuse murder between rivals in most cases.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

Higher-ranking males may choose to "test" lower-ranking males through rape, torture, and humiliation, to put them in their place and see their limits. It is considered an honor, as only the most promising and dangerous males are put to the test. Those who pass the tests, however, rarely live long, as they become a threat.<ref name="etw-02" />

Castrates and palace servants are the lowest of the low within the Inside sphere. "They did not speak; they were Inside, and the lowest of the low Inside, and confronted with a male Outside they were permitted only deference."<ref name="fr-pro">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', Prologue</ref>

==== Outside ====

Those Outside are not obligated politically to any male, not even the Emperor, though they still follow the general laws of the Empire. This means that they are unable to strive for power outside that afforded them by their role, but are also shielded from the violence of those Inside. Accordingly, they may not take sides in conflicts between males who are Inside. Males Outside may nevertheless become powerful and influential if their particular skills are needed (as with the [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Imperial Surgeon]], who knew very well that he was needed to heal the injuries they inflicted on each other).<ref name="etw-01" />

Those Outside will not share information that they have learned from or about those Inside with others who are Inside; this is part of their neutrality.<ref name="etw-02" />

<blockquote>"It made her wonder suddenly if the world Outside was striated with the fault-lines of ancient and provincial attitudes, and if that was part of why they were not permitted Inside."<ref name="ar-09">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 9</ref></blockquote>

====Alien Slaves and Females====

Unlike those Inside and Outside, alien slaves and females are nonentities or objects; they are treated as furniture, to be used and perhaps to be appreciated or enjoyed in their use, but not as people in any way. Slaves and females are immediately brought to the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |Preparation Room]] to be stripped, cleaned, fitted with collars, and decorated. Some slaves are also branded to mark them as the Empire's property. It was the Slave Queen's duty to bring new harem members to the Preparation Room to be stripped, collared, and decorated. <ref name="etw-02" />

=== Dining Customs===

See also [[Food and Drink#Chatcaavan Foods |Chatcaavan Foods]].

While meat is often served already slaughtered and dressed, it is not unexpected for a live beast to be brought in to be killed at table by one of the diners' hands. Food is eaten with the fingers, with claws used to cut and tear meat.<ref name="etw-01" /> At the [[Throneworld Court]], important figures have poison-tasters. The Emperor chooses his own by assessing who values him most, and "some say that the feeling is mutual."<ref name="etw-02" />

=== Material Culture ===

* Seats with low or narrow backs, or narrow backs that flare out at shoulder to head level, to account for wings<ref name="etw-02" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* Seating commonly on the ground on pillows<ref name="etw-01" />
* Cups with broad mouths or spouts to accommodate drinking with a beaklike mouth<ref name="etw-02" />
* Shallow shelves<ref name="etw-02" />
* Tall, thin books<ref name="etw-02" />
* Mosaics as dominant art form<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

=== Titles ===

Titles are preferentially used over names by those with them, as names denote status either as a low-ranking male (e.g. Uuvek, Oviin) or a female or child (e.g. Firemint, Whisper). The following titles have been seen in the series:

; Emperor: Most dominant male of the [[Chatcaavan Empire]]
: Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Emperor Kauvauc Ueneuvin]]<ref name="etw-01" />
; Queen Ransomed: Most prominent female in the Empire; formerly known as the Slave Queen<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Queen Ransomed]]
; [[Second (Title) |Second]]: Right hand of the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />
:Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Second-Who-Was]]
::[[Command-East (Second) |Second, formerly Command-East]]
::[[Worldlord |Second, formerly Worldlord]]
; [[Third (Title) |Third]]: Left hand of the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />
: Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Third-Who-Was]]
::[[Lisinthir Nase Galare]]
; [[Throneworld Thorn]]<ref name="etw-01" />:
; [[Hand (Title) |Hand]]: A male who acts as an extension of and assistant to a more dominant male<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::Hand to [[Third-Who-Was]]: [[Baavo (Hand) |Baavo]]
::Hand to [[Worldlord |Second, formerly Worldlord]]: the former [[Deputy-East]]
; [[Knife (Title) |Knife]]: The traditional guard of the [[Queen Ransomed]]'s parts of the palace and also her person, and assistant in matters that needed his skills. Title revived by the Emperor.
:Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Huuru (The Knife/The Liaison) |Huuru]], now Liaison
::[[Hautsuun (Knife) |Hautsuun]]
;Liaison: Liaison to aliens
:;Holders of the title
::[[Huuru (The Knife/The Liaison) |Huuru]]
;[[Surgeon (Title)]]: Medical professional, often (always?) [[Chatcaava#"Inside" and "Outside" |Outside]]
:;Imperial Surgeon: Chief surgeon to the [[Throneworld Court]]
::Exclusive title <ref name="etw-01" />
::;Holders of the title
:::[[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Sehkvit]]
:;Other surgeons
::;Holders of the title
:::: [[Kuuvel (Head Surgeon) |Kuuvel]]
; Triage: Male who receives injured males and directs them according to priority<ref name="etw-02" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Triage (Character) |Triage]]
;Bodyguard: A new title invented by the [[Queen Ransomed]]
:;Holders of the title
::[[Bodyguard]], the first holder of the title, assigned to protect [[Lunet Silin Eddings]]
; Master of the Preparation Room: Male who oversees the preparation room where females and slaves are collared and decorated, and where jewelry is made
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Master of the Preparation Room]]
; Pilot: A ship pilot prominent enough to merit a rank<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Pilot (Character) |Pilot]], the pilot who brought [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]] to the Throneworld
; [[Mother (Title) | Mother]]: The female currently pregnant with one of the Emperor's offspring<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Emerald (Mother) |Emerald]]
; Lead Attendant: An unofficial, self-given title of one of the attendants in the Imperial Nursery
:;Holders of the title
::[[Sojourner Stars (Lead Attendant) |Sojourner Stars]]
; Priestess: An ancient title revived by the Queen Ransomed
:;Holders of the title
::[[Priestess (Stripes) |Stripes]], the first one given the title in the modern era
;Slave: An honorary title given to slaves who belong directly to the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />

=== Costume ===

==== Males' Clothing ====

At the [[Throneworld Court Palace |Imperial palace]], and perhaps elsewhere, males in relatively casual circumstances wear robes of silk or satin with slits to accommodate the wings, and, optionally, loose pants; the robe is pulled over the arms and beneath the wings and tied.<ref name="etw-01" /> The robes and pants have a range of levels of formality, from satin robes decorated with tiny beads to casual robes and sleep pants. Robes include slits for the wings. When worn by an Eldritch, the pants fit by hanging off the hips instead of around the waist.<ref name="etw-02" />

==== Females' Clothing====

Females generally wear nothing but jewelry and possibly paint/cosmetics, but they can be dressed for special effect; for instance, the [[Queen Ransomed |Slave Queen]] wore a low-backed sideless robe and translucent shift to [[Lisinthir Nase Galare |Lisinthir]]'s introduction to the court, and [[Bethsaida Emil Galare |Bethsaida]] was dressed in a thin shift shot through with silver thread for her presentation. Within the harem, they may wear sashes, scarves, or translucent shawls, but nothing concealing.<ref name="etw-01" /> <ref name="etw-02" />

==== Jewelry ====

Jewelry is reserved for females, who are decorated to enhance their beauty and show the wealth and power of their masters; males do not wear it. Jewelry is created in the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |Preparation Room]], where collars are also fitted.<ref name="etw-02" />

Types of jewelry:
* Collars, used to denote status as a possession. Collars have a fastening to attach a leash, and may be elaborately decorated and set with cabochons. Temporary collars can be removed, but permanent collars are welded in place. The welding is done without causing damage to the skin thanks to a thin sheath placed between the metal and the neck. The Queen's collar has raised patterns and is set with amber cabochons; Bethsaida's, with opal.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02 />
* Rings
* Bracelets, including bracelets with chains connecting them
* Horn-rings, with or without gems hanging from them
* Armlets
* Anklets
* Chains with gems and bells strung through and around the perforations in the Queen's wings; exclusive to her
* Waist, tail, and horn-dangles<ref name="etw-01" />
* A pendant, worn when a female sought to become pregnant by the Emperor and was given permission by the [[Queen Ransomed |Queen]] to "seek his divine attention." The menders recognized it and would give the female advice on conceiving, and the Emperor recognized it too and might choose to give the Mother-in-progress special favor.<ref name="etw-02" /><ref name="mp-om">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) |Major Pieces]]'', "Opening Maneuvers"</ref>
* The [[Mother (Title) |Mother]]'s face-jewels, draped over the brow and anchored on the horns, given when the Mother-in-progress conceives a child by the Emperor and becomes the Mother.<ref name="etw-02" />

The [[Queen Ransomed |Queen]] kept a piece of jewelry from each harem member who was killed, retrieved from the body by the [[Emerald (Mother) |Mother]].<ref name="etw-01" />

==== Cosmetics and Toiletries ====

* Smoothing lotion for the mane<ref name="etw-01" />
* Paint and powder to accentuate wounds and injuries<ref name="etw-02" />
* Scented oil for wing-oiling<ref name="etw-02" />
* Soap intended for Chatcaavans are not suited to the skin of aliens; [[Laniis Baker]] used her own rose-and-spice scented soap, which the Queen later offered to Lisinthir.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Child Rearing===

Typically, Chatcaava do not name their children from birth, and simply think of them as "son" or "daughter" before later assigning them a tag.<ref name="hw-16">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 16</ref>

== History ==

"We were not always as you find us. We have histories, just as you do, and we were a prouder people once. The Emperor did not dictate, he guarded. The military did not rape its charges, but carekept their safety. The petty kings did not extort labor; we did not keep slaves. And the Slave Queen was once the Queen Ransomed, a person to whom great dignity was accorded. I have never been a person." She stared at her knees in silence for a time. "We have grown easy with ourselves. The court is famous for its challenges, but once those challenges served a greater purpose. They honed the edge of a keen blade. But it has been long and long again since any nation honed the edge of the Empire."<ref name="etw-02" />

Signed the [[Treaty of Za'ara]] in 159 BA, which created the truce between the Alliance and the Chatcaava.

==Trivia==

* While finding pleasure in the pain of another is completely normal in the society of males Inside, it is considered crude to kill during the process. "...to actually destroy one's playthings was considered a lack of self-discipline."<ref name="etw-01" />
* Protocol discourages the use of technology for communication, preferring living messengers instead. This rule is bypassed during emergencies.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Many of the poisons that affect Chatcaava do not work on aliens, or work unpredictably. Some poisons that do work on aliens, like [[Hekkret |hekkret]], are recreational drugs for Chatcaavans. Alcohol seems to work on both.<ref name="etw-02" />

==Chatcaavan Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Chatcaavan Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaava]]
[[Category:True Aliens]]

Chatcaava

2022-01-19T23:54:43Z

Pyrostinger: /* Titles */ ...and now having read the page again in context, I know now why it was put how it was. More changes, which should fix the issue I had with it by adding the word "the"

[[File:Illo-ChatcaavaWholeWings.jpg|300px|thumb|"Whole Wings"]]
<div style='text-align: center;'>''A quote here about them probably a stereotype.''</div>

Dragon shapeshifter aliens.

==Vital Statistics (At a Glance)==
Pronounced ''shot-CAH-vah.''<ref name="etw-pg">"Pronunciation Guide," ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'' backmatter</ref> Singular is Chatcaavan. Possessive is Chatcaavan. Plural is Chatcaava.
* '''Species Type:''' Alien
* '''Origin:''' Evolved
* '''Frame Type:''' Bipedal, plantigrade, winged
* '''Average Height:''' 5'5"ish
* '''Average Lifespan:'''
* '''Gravity Preference:''' light
* '''Homeworld:'''
* '''Native Language:''' [[Chatcaavan Language|Chatcaavan]]

==Physiology==
* are actually mammals despite some reptile and avian like characteristics<ref name="etw-01" />
* eyesight, particularly distance eyesight, is keener than in humans, but colors are more vivid as a human <ref name="oto-14">''[[Only the Open (Fiction) | Only the Open]]'', Chapter 14</ref>
* smell is less intense than in humans
* hearing less crisp than in humans <ref name="oto-14" />
* human balance is worse than Chatcaavan<ref name="etw-02" />
* think the Chatcaavan taste buds are more fat-and-protein-sensitive <ref name="fc-05">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', Chapter 5</ref>
* male Chatcaavan have spines on their genitalia<ref name="etw-02" />
* not fond of cold or damp, and are comfortable with water temperatures that are hot for most Pelted<ref name="etw-01">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part One</ref>
* Long, non-retractable claws, "talons to shame an eagle."<ref name="etw-01" />
* The equivalent of a muzzle is a beak containing many white or ivory fangs, covered in skin, with a flexible lip.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* long tongues<ref name="etw-02" />
* Thumb-claws on the wings are sharp, fully capable of damage, and are regularly used as weapons just as hand-claws and teeth are.<ref name="etw-02" />
* When at peace, or pleased with something, Chatcaava may make a thrumming noise<ref name="etw-02" />
* shorter fingers than an [[Eldritch]]<ref name="etw-02" />
* Have sufficient control of their tails that they can deliberately stroke the tip along a surface.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Age shows in drying wings, the development of tiny scales around the eyes, and striations and brittleness in the horns.<ref name="etw-02" />

* they use green for their interfaces, I don't know why

===Head types===
*Axe-head
*Chicken-head (translation) - considered unattractive (too much forehead height)
*Prow-head - shorter nose, smaller eyes. Prow heads grow manes more slowly.
*Aerodynamic-head - admired for its utility but not considered as handsome as axe-heads.
*Shark-head (translation) - associated with younger, clean-cut types.
A good brow ridge is considered masculine.

The brow ridges (with the spikes leading back over them) are seen only in adult males. Similarly, while females will grow the plate horns (the two that come straight back off the skull in line with the eye sockets), the other horns are grown only by males, and include a line from behind the cheek down toward the shoulder on either side of the face, and a row between the two central horns down the spine.

Horns continue to grow all a Chatcaava's life, if slowly. They don't mend unless you glue the broken bits of them back on, but they will get longer. Some males grow more horns than others; this indicates a more aggressive/dominant personality. (Whether that's true or not is up for grabs, as usual.) Most males Inside are missing at least some horns, as a rival who succeeds in defeating them may choose to break them off.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Bodies===
Their skeletons are more rigid than a human's because of the hollow bones (particularly in the ribs) that help create their biological airframe. They also develop a great deal of muscle flying.<ref name="mp-des-03">''[[ Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving," Chapter 3</ref> The [[Queen Ransomed]] specifically notes that her stiffer neck makes her large collar "very comfortable."<ref name="etw-02" />

Chatcaava come in a variety of colors: white, black, many shades of gray and silver ranging from near-black to near-white, golds and browns from sable to bisque, and bronze. Some are striped, and some have freckles.<ref name="etw-01" />

In the current era, males are winged and capable of flight and the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange |Touch and the Change]], and the majority of females have four arms (two at the shoulder, two slightly below), breasts, and no ability to Change. Some rare females have wings and the ability to Change.<ref name="etw-01" /> In the distant past, all Chatcaava--male and female--were winged and could Change.<ref name="fr-18">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', Chapter 18</ref>

Chatcaava perform live birth, like most mammals. During the last stages of pregnancy, the belly drops, putting the child in the right position for birth; final labor should happen within hours of this, barring complications. Complications happen more frequently for four-armed females, as winged females can use their shifting ability to open their hips.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Wings===
[[File:Illo-WingOiling.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Wing-oiling]]
Wings, like any other part of a body, are idiosyncratic and unique to individuals, but some variations are better than others: a good balance between a strong forearm and a long trailing limb, a long attachment point along the body, and flexible wing leather that is tautly connected all contribute to strength, endurance, and maneuverability. Wings that are large for the body size are, in general, better, but there's a point of diminishing returns: too large, and the wing becomes costly to maintain, physically, and can become cumbersome to shift.

Chatcaavan wings are not stiff or tough like leather, but soft and heavy like suede. They vary in size proportional to the body; the Emperor has notable large wings.<ref name="etw-01" /> The wing vanes are densely latticed with blood vessels and nerves. Significant injury to them can induce shock.<ref name="ar-15">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 15</ref>

The wings of aging Chatcaava grow dry and brittle, and must be oiled to keep them functional and prevent stiffness and chafing. If the dry wings are not tended to, the chafing can become friction burns, and the wings can become dry enough to rattle when opened or closed.<ref name="etw-02">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part Two</ref>

Snapping the wings open makes a noise; in the case of a male as large and powerful, this can be deep as a drum.<ref name="etw-01" /> Wings are also a particularly vulnerable place; an effective way to hurt or disable a winged Chatcaava is to put pressure on the joint of the wing-finger, where it meets the thumb-claw; it's possible to pop it out of joint from that position.<ref name="etw-02" />

====Claws====
Chatcaavan wings have non-retractable thumb claws; most will have wingtip claws as well on the end of the leading edge. The thumb claw turns outward, so the knuckle folds over on the outside of the wing (not on the inner vane, facing the back); claws will have thumb-joint-like flexibility, though some Chatcaava are born with "stubbier" thumbs than others. The wing-tip claw is usually vestigial, and not jointed, but some individuals might have more flexible talons at the wingtip than others. (Some may have no talon there at all.)

==Body Language==
* Chatcaavan nodding is slower, and singular: one long inclination, not the quick bob of Pelted culture.
* Wings lowered and tilted forward is a submissive posture.
* twitch a hand to shrug<ref name="etw-01" />
* rolled eyes in a human: a little twitch of brows and huff of breath in Chatcaava
* Licking (we see licking a forehead, cheeks, and one another's mouths) seems to take the place of kissing, presumably due to mouth shape<ref name="etw-02" />
* Sipping from a cup involves lapping with the tongue<ref name="etw-02" />
* Creased brow ridges and wings twitching or being folded and unfolded are signs of agitation<ref name="etw-02" />
* Laughter sometimes manifests as "snakelike, hissing chuckles"<ref name="etw-02" />

==Shapechange==

See [[Chatcaavan Shapechange]].

== Culture and Society ==

(Should probably note here that the customs we know of are mostly drawn from the wealthy and powerful, and those Inside, rather than necessarily applying to the majority Outside, and also slaves and harem members have their own microsocieties.)

For customs specific to the Imperial Court, see [[Throneworld Court Society]].

=== "Inside" and "Outside" ===

Chatcaavan society is actually several societies coexisting in the same space. There are those Inside, who have power, wealth, and political clout, but are subject to the violent rules of the [[Throneworld Court Society |Throneworld Court]] and similar courts across the Empire. There are those Outside, who have no such power but are not beholden to any political power and cannot be casually killed. There are also nonentities, who are not officially Inside or Outside: aliens (both enslaved and free) and females.<ref name="etw-01" />

==== Inside ====

The males who are Inside play the game of politics, domination, and strategy. Unlike those Outside, they are obliged to their political patrons, even if those patrons might have cause to want to kill them. They are also subject to the rules between males Inside that excuse murder between rivals in most cases.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

Higher-ranking males may choose to "test" lower-ranking males through rape, torture, and humiliation, to put them in their place and see their limits. It is considered an honor, as only the most promising and dangerous males are put to the test. Those who pass the tests, however, rarely live long, as they become a threat.<ref name="etw-02" />

Castrates and palace servants are the lowest of the low within the Inside sphere. "They did not speak; they were Inside, and the lowest of the low Inside, and confronted with a male Outside they were permitted only deference."<ref name="fr-pro">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', Prologue</ref>

==== Outside ====

Those Outside are not obligated politically to any male, not even the Emperor, though they still follow the general laws of the Empire. This means that they are unable to strive for power outside that afforded them by their role, but are also shielded from the violence of those Inside. Accordingly, they may not take sides in conflicts between males who are Inside. Males Outside may nevertheless become powerful and influential if their particular skills are needed (as with the [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Imperial Surgeon]], who knew very well that he was needed to heal the injuries they inflicted on each other).<ref name="etw-01" />

Those Outside will not share information that they have learned from or about those Inside with others who are Inside; this is part of their neutrality.<ref name="etw-02" />

<blockquote>"It made her wonder suddenly if the world Outside was striated with the fault-lines of ancient and provincial attitudes, and if that was part of why they were not permitted Inside."<ref name="ar-09">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 9</ref></blockquote>

====Alien Slaves and Females====

Unlike those Inside and Outside, alien slaves and females are nonentities or objects; they are treated as furniture, to be used and perhaps to be appreciated or enjoyed in their use, but not as people in any way. Slaves and females are immediately brought to the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |Preparation Room]] to be stripped, cleaned, fitted with collars, and decorated. Some slaves are also branded to mark them as the Empire's property. It was the Slave Queen's duty to bring new harem members to the Preparation Room to be stripped, collared, and decorated. <ref name="etw-02" />

=== Dining Customs===

See also [[Food and Drink#Chatcaavan Foods |Chatcaavan Foods]].

While meat is often served already slaughtered and dressed, it is not unexpected for a live beast to be brought in to be killed at table by one of the diners' hands. Food is eaten with the fingers, with claws used to cut and tear meat.<ref name="etw-01" /> At the [[Throneworld Court]], important figures have poison-tasters. The Emperor chooses his own by assessing who values him most, and "some say that the feeling is mutual."<ref name="etw-02" />

=== Material Culture ===

* Seats with low or narrow backs, or narrow backs that flare out at shoulder to head level, to account for wings<ref name="etw-02" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* Seating commonly on the ground on pillows<ref name="etw-01" />
* Cups with broad mouths or spouts to accommodate drinking with a beaklike mouth<ref name="etw-02" />
* Shallow shelves<ref name="etw-02" />
* Tall, thin books<ref name="etw-02" />
* Mosaics as dominant art form<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

=== Titles ===

Titles are preferentially used over names by those with them, as names denote status either as a low-ranking male (e.g. Uuvek, Oviin) or a female or child (e.g. Firemint, Whisper). The following titles have been seen in the series:

; Emperor: Most dominant male of the [[Chatcaavan Empire]]
: Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Emperor Kauvauc Ueneuvin]]<ref name="etw-01" />
; Queen Ransomed: Most prominent female in the Empire; formerly known as the Slave Queen<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Queen Ransomed]]
; [[Second (Title) |Second]]: Right hand of the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />
:Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Second-Who-Was]]
::[[Command-East (Second) |Second, formerly Command-East]]
::[[Worldlord |Second, formerly Worldlord]]
; [[Third (Title) |Third]]: Left hand of the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />
: Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Third-Who-Was]]
::[[Lisinthir Nase Galare]]
; [[Throneworld Thorn]]<ref name="etw-01" />:
; [[Hand (Title) |Hand]]: A male who acts as an extension of and assistant to a more dominant male<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::Hand to [[Third-Who-Was]]: [[Baavo (Hand) |Baavo]]
::Hand to [[Worldlord |Second, formerly Worldlord]]: the former [[Deputy-East]]
; [[Knife (Title) |Knife]]: The traditional guard of the [[Queen Ransomed]]'s parts of the palace and also her person, and assistant in matters that needed his skills. Title revived by the Emperor.
:Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Huuru (The Knife/The Liaison) |Huuru]], now Liaison
::[[Hautsuun (Knife) |Hautsuun]]
;Liaison: Liaison to aliens
:;Holders of the title
::[[Huuru (The Knife/The Liaison) |Huuru]]
;[[Surgeon (Title)]]: Medical professional, often (always?) [[Chatcaava#"Inside" and "Outside" |Outside]]
:;Imperial Surgeon: Chief surgeon to the [[Throneworld Court]]
::Exclusive title <ref name="etw-01" />
::;Holders of the title
:::[[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Sehkvit]]
:;Other surgeons
::;Holders of the title
:::: [[Kuuvel (Head Surgeon) |Kuuvel]]
; Triage: Male who receives injured males and directs them according to priority<ref name="etw-02" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Triage (Character) |Triage]]
;Bodyguard: A new title invented by the [[Queen Ransomed]]
:;Holders of the title
::[[Bodyguard]], the first holder of the title, assigned to protect [[Lunet Silin Eddings]]
; Master of the Preparation Room: Male who oversees the preparation room where females and slaves are collared and decorated, and where jewelry is made
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Master of the Preparation Room]]
; Pilot: A ship pilot prominent enough to merit a rank<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Pilot (Character) |Pilot]], the pilot who brought [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]] to the Throneworld
; [[Mother (Title) | Mother]]: The female currently pregnant with one of the Emperor's offspring<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Emerald (Mother) |Emerald]]
; Lead Attendant: An unofficial, self-given title of one of the attendants in the Imperial Nursery
:;Holders of the title
::[[Sojourner Stars (Lead Attendant) |Sojourner Stars]]
; Priestess: An ancient title revived by the Queen Ransomed
:;Holders of the title
::[[Priestess (Stripes) |Stripes]], the first one given the title in the modern era
;Slave: An honorary title given to slaves who belong directly to the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />

=== Costume ===

==== Males' Clothing ====

At the [[Throneworld Court Palace |Imperial palace]], and perhaps elsewhere, males in relatively casual circumstances wear robes of silk or satin with slits to accommodate the wings, and, optionally, loose pants; the robe is pulled over the arms and beneath the wings and tied.<ref name="etw-01" /> The robes and pants have a range of levels of formality, from satin robes decorated with tiny beads to casual robes and sleep pants. Robes include slits for the wings. When worn by an Eldritch, the pants fit by hanging off the hips instead of around the waist.<ref name="etw-02" />

==== Females' Clothing====

Females generally wear nothing but jewelry and possibly paint/cosmetics, but they can be dressed for special effect; for instance, the [[Queen Ransomed |Slave Queen]] wore a low-backed sideless robe and translucent shift to [[Lisinthir Nase Galare |Lisinthir]]'s introduction to the court, and [[Bethsaida Emil Galare |Bethsaida]] was dressed in a thin shift shot through with silver thread for her presentation. Within the harem, they may wear sashes, scarves, or translucent shawls, but nothing concealing.<ref name="etw-01" /> <ref name="etw-02" />

==== Jewelry ====

Jewelry is reserved for females, who are decorated to enhance their beauty and show the wealth and power of their masters; males do not wear it. Jewelry is created in the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |Preparation Room]], where collars are also fitted.<ref name="etw-02" />

Types of jewelry:
* Collars, used to denote status as a possession. Collars have a fastening to attach a leash, and may be elaborately decorated and set with cabochons. Temporary collars can be removed, but permanent collars are welded in place. The welding is done without causing damage to the skin thanks to a thin sheath placed between the metal and the neck. The Queen's collar has raised patterns and is set with amber cabochons; Bethsaida's, with opal.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02 />
* Rings
* Bracelets, including bracelets with chains connecting them
* Horn-rings, with or without gems hanging from them
* Armlets
* Anklets
* Chains with gems and bells strung through and around the perforations in the Queen's wings; exclusive to her
* Waist, tail, and horn-dangles<ref name="etw-01" />
* A pendant, worn when a female sought to become pregnant by the Emperor and was given permission by the [[Queen Ransomed |Queen]] to "seek his divine attention." The menders recognized it and would give the female advice on conceiving, and the Emperor recognized it too and might choose to give the Mother-in-progress special favor.<ref name="etw-02" /><ref name="mp-om">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) |Major Pieces]]'', "Opening Maneuvers"</ref>
* The [[Mother (Title) |Mother]]'s face-jewels, draped over the brow and anchored on the horns, given when the Mother-in-progress conceives a child by the Emperor and becomes the Mother.<ref name="etw-02" />

The [[Queen Ransomed |Queen]] kept a piece of jewelry from each harem member who was killed, retrieved from the body by the [[Emerald (Mother) |Mother]].<ref name="etw-01" />

==== Cosmetics and Toiletries ====

* Smoothing lotion for the mane<ref name="etw-01" />
* Paint and powder to accentuate wounds and injuries<ref name="etw-02" />
* Scented oil for wing-oiling<ref name="etw-02" />
* Soap intended for Chatcaavans are not suited to the skin of aliens; [[Laniis Baker]] used her own rose-and-spice scented soap, which the Queen later offered to Lisinthir.<ref name="etw-02" />

== History ==

"We were not always as you find us. We have histories, just as you do, and we were a prouder people once. The Emperor did not dictate, he guarded. The military did not rape its charges, but carekept their safety. The petty kings did not extort labor; we did not keep slaves. And the Slave Queen was once the Queen Ransomed, a person to whom great dignity was accorded. I have never been a person." She stared at her knees in silence for a time. "We have grown easy with ourselves. The court is famous for its challenges, but once those challenges served a greater purpose. They honed the edge of a keen blade. But it has been long and long again since any nation honed the edge of the Empire."<ref name="etw-02" />

Signed the [[Treaty of Za'ara]] in 159 BA, which created the truce between the Alliance and the Chatcaava.

==Trivia==

* While finding pleasure in the pain of another is completely normal in the society of males Inside, it is considered crude to kill during the process. "...to actually destroy one's playthings was considered a lack of self-discipline."<ref name="etw-01" />
* Protocol discourages the use of technology for communication, preferring living messengers instead. This rule is bypassed during emergencies.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Many of the poisons that affect Chatcaava do not work on aliens, or work unpredictably. Some poisons that do work on aliens, like [[Hekkret |hekkret]], are recreational drugs for Chatcaavans. Alcohol seems to work on both.<ref name="etw-02" />

==Chatcaavan Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Chatcaavan Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaava]]
[[Category:True Aliens]]

Chatcaava

2022-01-19T23:53:23Z

Pyrostinger: /* Titles */ formatting change: replaced some commas with ellipses, and added suffix "-ly"

[[File:Illo-ChatcaavaWholeWings.jpg|300px|thumb|"Whole Wings"]]
<div style='text-align: center;'>''A quote here about them probably a stereotype.''</div>

Dragon shapeshifter aliens.

==Vital Statistics (At a Glance)==
Pronounced ''shot-CAH-vah.''<ref name="etw-pg">"Pronunciation Guide," ''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'' backmatter</ref> Singular is Chatcaavan. Possessive is Chatcaavan. Plural is Chatcaava.
* '''Species Type:''' Alien
* '''Origin:''' Evolved
* '''Frame Type:''' Bipedal, plantigrade, winged
* '''Average Height:''' 5'5"ish
* '''Average Lifespan:'''
* '''Gravity Preference:''' light
* '''Homeworld:'''
* '''Native Language:''' [[Chatcaavan Language|Chatcaavan]]

==Physiology==
* are actually mammals despite some reptile and avian like characteristics<ref name="etw-01" />
* eyesight, particularly distance eyesight, is keener than in humans, but colors are more vivid as a human <ref name="oto-14">''[[Only the Open (Fiction) | Only the Open]]'', Chapter 14</ref>
* smell is less intense than in humans
* hearing less crisp than in humans <ref name="oto-14" />
* human balance is worse than Chatcaavan<ref name="etw-02" />
* think the Chatcaavan taste buds are more fat-and-protein-sensitive <ref name="fc-05">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', Chapter 5</ref>
* male Chatcaavan have spines on their genitalia<ref name="etw-02" />
* not fond of cold or damp, and are comfortable with water temperatures that are hot for most Pelted<ref name="etw-01">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part One</ref>
* Long, non-retractable claws, "talons to shame an eagle."<ref name="etw-01" />
* The equivalent of a muzzle is a beak containing many white or ivory fangs, covered in skin, with a flexible lip.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* long tongues<ref name="etw-02" />
* Thumb-claws on the wings are sharp, fully capable of damage, and are regularly used as weapons just as hand-claws and teeth are.<ref name="etw-02" />
* When at peace, or pleased with something, Chatcaava may make a thrumming noise<ref name="etw-02" />
* shorter fingers than an [[Eldritch]]<ref name="etw-02" />
* Have sufficient control of their tails that they can deliberately stroke the tip along a surface.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Age shows in drying wings, the development of tiny scales around the eyes, and striations and brittleness in the horns.<ref name="etw-02" />

* they use green for their interfaces, I don't know why

===Head types===
*Axe-head
*Chicken-head (translation) - considered unattractive (too much forehead height)
*Prow-head - shorter nose, smaller eyes. Prow heads grow manes more slowly.
*Aerodynamic-head - admired for its utility but not considered as handsome as axe-heads.
*Shark-head (translation) - associated with younger, clean-cut types.
A good brow ridge is considered masculine.

The brow ridges (with the spikes leading back over them) are seen only in adult males. Similarly, while females will grow the plate horns (the two that come straight back off the skull in line with the eye sockets), the other horns are grown only by males, and include a line from behind the cheek down toward the shoulder on either side of the face, and a row between the two central horns down the spine.

Horns continue to grow all a Chatcaava's life, if slowly. They don't mend unless you glue the broken bits of them back on, but they will get longer. Some males grow more horns than others; this indicates a more aggressive/dominant personality. (Whether that's true or not is up for grabs, as usual.) Most males Inside are missing at least some horns, as a rival who succeeds in defeating them may choose to break them off.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Bodies===
Their skeletons are more rigid than a human's because of the hollow bones (particularly in the ribs) that help create their biological airframe. They also develop a great deal of muscle flying.<ref name="mp-des-03">''[[ Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving," Chapter 3</ref> The [[Queen Ransomed]] specifically notes that her stiffer neck makes her large collar "very comfortable."<ref name="etw-02" />

Chatcaava come in a variety of colors: white, black, many shades of gray and silver ranging from near-black to near-white, golds and browns from sable to bisque, and bronze. Some are striped, and some have freckles.<ref name="etw-01" />

In the current era, males are winged and capable of flight and the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange |Touch and the Change]], and the majority of females have four arms (two at the shoulder, two slightly below), breasts, and no ability to Change. Some rare females have wings and the ability to Change.<ref name="etw-01" /> In the distant past, all Chatcaava--male and female--were winged and could Change.<ref name="fr-18">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', Chapter 18</ref>

Chatcaava perform live birth, like most mammals. During the last stages of pregnancy, the belly drops, putting the child in the right position for birth; final labor should happen within hours of this, barring complications. Complications happen more frequently for four-armed females, as winged females can use their shifting ability to open their hips.<ref name="etw-02" />

===Wings===
[[File:Illo-WingOiling.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Wing-oiling]]
Wings, like any other part of a body, are idiosyncratic and unique to individuals, but some variations are better than others: a good balance between a strong forearm and a long trailing limb, a long attachment point along the body, and flexible wing leather that is tautly connected all contribute to strength, endurance, and maneuverability. Wings that are large for the body size are, in general, better, but there's a point of diminishing returns: too large, and the wing becomes costly to maintain, physically, and can become cumbersome to shift.

Chatcaavan wings are not stiff or tough like leather, but soft and heavy like suede. They vary in size proportional to the body; the Emperor has notable large wings.<ref name="etw-01" /> The wing vanes are densely latticed with blood vessels and nerves. Significant injury to them can induce shock.<ref name="ar-15">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 15</ref>

The wings of aging Chatcaava grow dry and brittle, and must be oiled to keep them functional and prevent stiffness and chafing. If the dry wings are not tended to, the chafing can become friction burns, and the wings can become dry enough to rattle when opened or closed.<ref name="etw-02">''[[Even the Wingless (Fiction) |Even the Wingless]]'', Part Two</ref>

Snapping the wings open makes a noise; in the case of a male as large and powerful, this can be deep as a drum.<ref name="etw-01" /> Wings are also a particularly vulnerable place; an effective way to hurt or disable a winged Chatcaava is to put pressure on the joint of the wing-finger, where it meets the thumb-claw; it's possible to pop it out of joint from that position.<ref name="etw-02" />

====Claws====
Chatcaavan wings have non-retractable thumb claws; most will have wingtip claws as well on the end of the leading edge. The thumb claw turns outward, so the knuckle folds over on the outside of the wing (not on the inner vane, facing the back); claws will have thumb-joint-like flexibility, though some Chatcaava are born with "stubbier" thumbs than others. The wing-tip claw is usually vestigial, and not jointed, but some individuals might have more flexible talons at the wingtip than others. (Some may have no talon there at all.)

==Body Language==
* Chatcaavan nodding is slower, and singular: one long inclination, not the quick bob of Pelted culture.
* Wings lowered and tilted forward is a submissive posture.
* twitch a hand to shrug<ref name="etw-01" />
* rolled eyes in a human: a little twitch of brows and huff of breath in Chatcaava
* Licking (we see licking a forehead, cheeks, and one another's mouths) seems to take the place of kissing, presumably due to mouth shape<ref name="etw-02" />
* Sipping from a cup involves lapping with the tongue<ref name="etw-02" />
* Creased brow ridges and wings twitching or being folded and unfolded are signs of agitation<ref name="etw-02" />
* Laughter sometimes manifests as "snakelike, hissing chuckles"<ref name="etw-02" />

==Shapechange==

See [[Chatcaavan Shapechange]].

== Culture and Society ==

(Should probably note here that the customs we know of are mostly drawn from the wealthy and powerful, and those Inside, rather than necessarily applying to the majority Outside, and also slaves and harem members have their own microsocieties.)

For customs specific to the Imperial Court, see [[Throneworld Court Society]].

=== "Inside" and "Outside" ===

Chatcaavan society is actually several societies coexisting in the same space. There are those Inside, who have power, wealth, and political clout, but are subject to the violent rules of the [[Throneworld Court Society |Throneworld Court]] and similar courts across the Empire. There are those Outside, who have no such power but are not beholden to any political power and cannot be casually killed. There are also nonentities, who are not officially Inside or Outside: aliens (both enslaved and free) and females.<ref name="etw-01" />

==== Inside ====

The males who are Inside play the game of politics, domination, and strategy. Unlike those Outside, they are obliged to their political patrons, even if those patrons might have cause to want to kill them. They are also subject to the rules between males Inside that excuse murder between rivals in most cases.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

Higher-ranking males may choose to "test" lower-ranking males through rape, torture, and humiliation, to put them in their place and see their limits. It is considered an honor, as only the most promising and dangerous males are put to the test. Those who pass the tests, however, rarely live long, as they become a threat.<ref name="etw-02" />

Castrates and palace servants are the lowest of the low within the Inside sphere. "They did not speak; they were Inside, and the lowest of the low Inside, and confronted with a male Outside they were permitted only deference."<ref name="fr-pro">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', Prologue</ref>

==== Outside ====

Those Outside are not obligated politically to any male, not even the Emperor, though they still follow the general laws of the Empire. This means that they are unable to strive for power outside that afforded them by their role, but are also shielded from the violence of those Inside. Accordingly, they may not take sides in conflicts between males who are Inside. Males Outside may nevertheless become powerful and influential if their particular skills are needed (as with the [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Imperial Surgeon]], who knew very well that he was needed to heal the injuries they inflicted on each other).<ref name="etw-01" />

Those Outside will not share information that they have learned from or about those Inside with others who are Inside; this is part of their neutrality.<ref name="etw-02" />

<blockquote>"It made her wonder suddenly if the world Outside was striated with the fault-lines of ancient and provincial attitudes, and if that was part of why they were not permitted Inside."<ref name="ar-09">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', Chapter 9</ref></blockquote>

====Alien Slaves and Females====

Unlike those Inside and Outside, alien slaves and females are nonentities or objects; they are treated as furniture, to be used and perhaps to be appreciated or enjoyed in their use, but not as people in any way. Slaves and females are immediately brought to the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |Preparation Room]] to be stripped, cleaned, fitted with collars, and decorated. Some slaves are also branded to mark them as the Empire's property. It was the Slave Queen's duty to bring new harem members to the Preparation Room to be stripped, collared, and decorated. <ref name="etw-02" />

=== Dining Customs===

See also [[Food and Drink#Chatcaavan Foods |Chatcaavan Foods]].

While meat is often served already slaughtered and dressed, it is not unexpected for a live beast to be brought in to be killed at table by one of the diners' hands. Food is eaten with the fingers, with claws used to cut and tear meat.<ref name="etw-01" /> At the [[Throneworld Court]], important figures have poison-tasters. The Emperor chooses his own by assessing who values him most, and "some say that the feeling is mutual."<ref name="etw-02" />

=== Material Culture ===

* Seats with low or narrow backs, or narrow backs that flare out at shoulder to head level, to account for wings<ref name="etw-02" /><ref name="etw-02" />
* Seating commonly on the ground on pillows<ref name="etw-01" />
* Cups with broad mouths or spouts to accommodate drinking with a beaklike mouth<ref name="etw-02" />
* Shallow shelves<ref name="etw-02" />
* Tall, thin books<ref name="etw-02" />
* Mosaics as dominant art form<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02" />

=== Titles ===

Titles are preferentially used over names by those with them, as names denote status either as a low-ranking male (e.g. Uuvek, Oviin) or a female or child (e.g. Firemint, Whisper). The following titles have been seen in the series:

; Emperor: Most dominant male of the [[Chatcaavan Empire]]
: Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Emperor Kauvauc Ueneuvin]]<ref name="etw-01" />
; Queen Ransomed: Most prominent female in the Empire; formerly known as the Slave Queen<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Queen Ransomed]]
; [[Second (Title) |Second]]: Right hand of the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />
:Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Second-Who-Was]]
::[[Command-East (Second) |Second, formerly Command-East]]
::[[Worldlord |Second, formerly Worldlord]]
; [[Third (Title) |Third]]: Left hand of the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />
: Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Third-Who-Was]]
::[[Lisinthir Nase Galare]]
; [[Throneworld Thorn]]<ref name="etw-01" />:
; [[Hand (Title) |Hand]]: A male who acts as an extension of and assistant to a more dominant male<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::Hand to [[Third-Who-Was]]: [[Baavo (Hand) |Baavo]]
::Hand to [[Worldlord |Second, formerly Worldlord]]: formerly [[Deputy-East]]
; [[Knife (Title) |Knife]]: The traditional guard of the [[Queen Ransomed]]'s parts of the palace and also her person, and assistant in matters that needed his skills. Title revived by the Emperor.
:Exclusive title
:;Holders of the title
::[[Huuru (The Knife/The Liaison) |Huuru]], now Liaison
::[[Hautsuun (Knife) |Hautsuun]]
;Liaison: Liaison to aliens
:;Holders of the title
::[[Huuru (The Knife/The Liaison) |Huuru]]
;[[Surgeon (Title)]]: Medical professional, often (always?) [[Chatcaava#"Inside" and "Outside" |Outside]]
:;Imperial Surgeon: Chief surgeon to the [[Throneworld Court]]
::Exclusive title <ref name="etw-01" />
::;Holders of the title
:::[[Sehkvit (The Surgeon) |Sehkvit]]
:;Other surgeons
::;Holders of the title
:::: [[Kuuvel (Head Surgeon) |Kuuvel]]
; Triage: Male who receives injured males and directs them according to priority<ref name="etw-02" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Triage (Character) |Triage]]
;Bodyguard: A new title invented by the [[Queen Ransomed]]
:;Holders of the title
::[[Bodyguard]], the first holder of the title, assigned to protect [[Lunet Silin Eddings]]
; Master of the Preparation Room: Male who oversees the preparation room where females and slaves are collared and decorated, and where jewelry is made
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Master of the Preparation Room]]
; Pilot: A ship pilot prominent enough to merit a rank<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
:: [[Pilot (Character) |Pilot]], the pilot who brought [[Lisinthir Nase Galare]] to the Throneworld
; [[Mother (Title) | Mother]]: The female currently pregnant with one of the Emperor's offspring<ref name="etw-01" />
:;Holders of the title
::[[Emerald (Mother) |Emerald]]
; Lead Attendant: An unofficial, self-given title of one of the attendants in the Imperial Nursery
:;Holders of the title
::[[Sojourner Stars (Lead Attendant) |Sojourner Stars]]
; Priestess: An ancient title revived by the Queen Ransomed
:;Holders of the title
::[[Priestess (Stripes) |Stripes]], the first one given the title in the modern era
;Slave: An honorary title given to slaves who belong directly to the Emperor<ref name="etw-01" />

=== Costume ===

==== Males' Clothing ====

At the [[Throneworld Court Palace |Imperial palace]], and perhaps elsewhere, males in relatively casual circumstances wear robes of silk or satin with slits to accommodate the wings, and, optionally, loose pants; the robe is pulled over the arms and beneath the wings and tied.<ref name="etw-01" /> The robes and pants have a range of levels of formality, from satin robes decorated with tiny beads to casual robes and sleep pants. Robes include slits for the wings. When worn by an Eldritch, the pants fit by hanging off the hips instead of around the waist.<ref name="etw-02" />

==== Females' Clothing====

Females generally wear nothing but jewelry and possibly paint/cosmetics, but they can be dressed for special effect; for instance, the [[Queen Ransomed |Slave Queen]] wore a low-backed sideless robe and translucent shift to [[Lisinthir Nase Galare |Lisinthir]]'s introduction to the court, and [[Bethsaida Emil Galare |Bethsaida]] was dressed in a thin shift shot through with silver thread for her presentation. Within the harem, they may wear sashes, scarves, or translucent shawls, but nothing concealing.<ref name="etw-01" /> <ref name="etw-02" />

==== Jewelry ====

Jewelry is reserved for females, who are decorated to enhance their beauty and show the wealth and power of their masters; males do not wear it. Jewelry is created in the [[Throneworld Court Palace#Preparation Room |Preparation Room]], where collars are also fitted.<ref name="etw-02" />

Types of jewelry:
* Collars, used to denote status as a possession. Collars have a fastening to attach a leash, and may be elaborately decorated and set with cabochons. Temporary collars can be removed, but permanent collars are welded in place. The welding is done without causing damage to the skin thanks to a thin sheath placed between the metal and the neck. The Queen's collar has raised patterns and is set with amber cabochons; Bethsaida's, with opal.<ref name="etw-01" /><ref name="etw-02 />
* Rings
* Bracelets, including bracelets with chains connecting them
* Horn-rings, with or without gems hanging from them
* Armlets
* Anklets
* Chains with gems and bells strung through and around the perforations in the Queen's wings; exclusive to her
* Waist, tail, and horn-dangles<ref name="etw-01" />
* A pendant, worn when a female sought to become pregnant by the Emperor and was given permission by the [[Queen Ransomed |Queen]] to "seek his divine attention." The menders recognized it and would give the female advice on conceiving, and the Emperor recognized it too and might choose to give the Mother-in-progress special favor.<ref name="etw-02" /><ref name="mp-om">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) |Major Pieces]]'', "Opening Maneuvers"</ref>
* The [[Mother (Title) |Mother]]'s face-jewels, draped over the brow and anchored on the horns, given when the Mother-in-progress conceives a child by the Emperor and becomes the Mother.<ref name="etw-02" />

The [[Queen Ransomed |Queen]] kept a piece of jewelry from each harem member who was killed, retrieved from the body by the [[Emerald (Mother) |Mother]].<ref name="etw-01" />

==== Cosmetics and Toiletries ====

* Smoothing lotion for the mane<ref name="etw-01" />
* Paint and powder to accentuate wounds and injuries<ref name="etw-02" />
* Scented oil for wing-oiling<ref name="etw-02" />
* Soap intended for Chatcaavans are not suited to the skin of aliens; [[Laniis Baker]] used her own rose-and-spice scented soap, which the Queen later offered to Lisinthir.<ref name="etw-02" />

== History ==

"We were not always as you find us. We have histories, just as you do, and we were a prouder people once. The Emperor did not dictate, he guarded. The military did not rape its charges, but carekept their safety. The petty kings did not extort labor; we did not keep slaves. And the Slave Queen was once the Queen Ransomed, a person to whom great dignity was accorded. I have never been a person." She stared at her knees in silence for a time. "We have grown easy with ourselves. The court is famous for its challenges, but once those challenges served a greater purpose. They honed the edge of a keen blade. But it has been long and long again since any nation honed the edge of the Empire."<ref name="etw-02" />

Signed the [[Treaty of Za'ara]] in 159 BA, which created the truce between the Alliance and the Chatcaava.

==Trivia==

* While finding pleasure in the pain of another is completely normal in the society of males Inside, it is considered crude to kill during the process. "...to actually destroy one's playthings was considered a lack of self-discipline."<ref name="etw-01" />
* Protocol discourages the use of technology for communication, preferring living messengers instead. This rule is bypassed during emergencies.<ref name="etw-02" />
* Many of the poisons that affect Chatcaava do not work on aliens, or work unpredictably. Some poisons that do work on aliens, like [[Hekkret |hekkret]], are recreational drugs for Chatcaavans. Alcohol seems to work on both.<ref name="etw-02" />

==Chatcaavan Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Chatcaavan Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaava]]
[[Category:True Aliens]]

Sediryl Nuera Galare

2022-01-12T04:25:13Z

Pyrostinger: /* Appearance and Personality */ added the bit with her hair

[[File:Illo-SedirylHorse.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Sediryl]]

FIRE

==Appearance and Personality==
* Built upon the typical Eldritch lines (slender, white hair), but shorter than average. Probably about 5'10" based on her being a head shorter than Jahir (6'6")
* Orange eyes
* Prefers to dress in trousers, boots, blouse and horseback riding-style coats in browns and darker blues
* Voice is a soprano <ref name="mp-mo-02">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Moving Out", chapter 2</ref>
* Unbound, hair reaches below her knees, implied longer than Lisinthir's <ref name="hw-16">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 16</ref>

==Biography==
Was Nuera's heir. Got disinherited after going on an unauthorized-by-her-mom jaunt to the Alliance. Spent "some decades" <ref name="hw-01">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 1</ref> out there, earned a degree in agronomy, went to work in the fields. Got tapped by Amber because of her involvement with Whole Galactic Charities in his attempt to rehome the Chatcaava fleeing the coup; this led to her accepting Liolesa's offer to become Ambassador ad'Alliance for the Eldritch. (She still holds this position, as far as I know.) Briefly became a pirate queen; survived the war and married [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] and became Crown Princess.

==Family==
* Daughter of [[Thesali Nuera Galare]] and [[Haladir Delen Galare]]
* Wife of [[Jahir Seni Galare]]
* Mother of twins [[Adaise Galare| Adaise ]] and [[Raenor Galare| Raenor ]]

She was married to Jahir at the Seni manse, outside, by Liolesa and Val as officiating priestess and priest, in a traditional Eldritch ceremony (though the bride wore white, like a tenant, rather than her House colors). The troth cloth was blue fading to white at the center; on one side, an embroidered cluster of grape vines and rose blossoms for Sediryl, who had come from the most fertile of the Eldritch’s lands, and on the other, stars and a caduceus, for Jahir, who had gone offworld to learn to heal. In the pale center, a fireburst for them both, flowered mind-mages. <ref name="hw-20">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]],'' Chapter 20</ref>

She is supportive of all of her husband's relationships: "I would rather you ask this wife if she'd like to watch? But if you don't want me to, I'm not going to object, though I won't lie about being disappointed because the two of you are beautiful. [...] I love the way you look at him. And the way you look at Vasiht'h. And... it's nothing like how you look at me." <ref name="fr-23">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) | From Ruins]]'', chapter 23</ref>

[[File:Illo-SedirylCrown.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Sediryl During Farmer's Crown]]

==Quotes==
"Keep your enemies closer, ah?"<br />
"The closer they are, the easier they are to burn."
-''[[Maia]] and Sediryl''

"Is he taken, then?" - To Lisinthir, watching his reunion with Jahir. (To which Lisinthir replies that he's just "a friend with extravagant benefits.") <ref>''[[From Ruins (Fiction) | From Ruins]]'', chapter 21</ref>

"Goddess, is this how Liolesa sees everything? ‘Yes, that’s nice; also, politics.’" <ref>''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) | Farmer's Crown]]'', chapter 3</ref>

"All Eldritch are my people. That's the reason I had to come, and why I always will, unless Lord and Lady hold me back." <ref>''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) | Farmer's Crown]]'', chapter 10</ref>

==Trivia==
* Enjoys eating and can eat even under stressful conditions
* Knows how to play cat's cradle, but hates to knit (she can, but badly)
* Knows how to drive various aircars, and enjoys it <ref>Farmer's Crown, Chapter 4</ref>
* Likes hibiscus tea: Hyera once painted her a picture with it, and then used the remainder as body paint on her.
* Does not like lavender-flavored baked goods. (Doesn't mind the smell, but eating it is "a bridge too far.") <ref name="hw-07">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]]'' chapter 7</ref>
* Used to have dreams about being late when she was a girl <ref name="hw-20" />
* Sediryl often now says "Powers" (rather than "Goddess and Lord" like other female Eldritch). She's still unsure about her belief in any divinities, but this way she feels that both the Faulfenzair god and the Chatcaava's Living Air are included. <ref name="fc-22">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', chapter 22</ref>

===Body Language===
* Fidgets a lot
* Tilts her head when listening to a telegem

===Personal Accoutrements/Significant Possessions===
* An amulet rampant from Jahir and Lisinthir
* A troth ring from Jahir bearing the Galare unicorn
* A ring from the Queen Ransomed
* A solidigraph dog named Bells and Whistles, a gift from Hyera

===Names===
What people call her:
* [[Eldritch#Milk_names |Milk name]]: Sedi <ref name="GoF-01">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction)|Girl on Fire]]'' chapter 1</ref><ref name="GoF-02">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction)|Girl on Fire]]'' chapter 2</ref> ([[Haladir]] calls her this).
* [[Qora]] calls her "Princess" even when she isn't yet, the very first time they speak. <ref name="ie-10">''[[In Extremis (Fiction) |In Extremis]]'', chapter 10</ref>
* The [[Queen Ransomed]] calls her "sister", and refers to her as "my sister". <ref name="fc-23">for example ''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* [[Jahir]] calls her "my heart" or just "heart". <ref name="hw-02">for example ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 2</ref>
* [[Liolesa]] often calls her "niece". Also sometimes "Nuera", but that's mostly early on, before she's even the incipient heir.
* [[Jerent Mysfeldt]] is doubtless not alone in addressing her as "my lady". <ref name="hw-01" />
* [[Vasiht'h]] calls her "ariishir" by the time they're approaching the wedding. <ref name="hw-06">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 6</ref>

What she calls people:
* In PG3, her monarch requests: "Cousin. Call me Liolesa." <ref name="ar-10">''[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction) |Amulet Rampant]]'', chapter 10</ref> Later on, Sediryl mostly addresses Liolesa as "aunt". <ref name="fr-24">for example ''[[From Ruins (Fiction) |From Ruins]]'', chapter 24</ref>
* She calls Vasiht'h "arii" when they first speak on the pirate base. <ref name="ie-10" /> She's also on "arii" terms with [[Reese]]. <ref name="hw-05">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 5</ref>
* She often calls Jahir "love". <ref name="hw-02" />

Title:
* After putting the crowns on their heads, Liolesa presents them as "Sediryl Galare, the imperial heir, and her husband, the Prince-Consort Jahir Galare." They're inducted as mind-mages as "Healing Mage Jahir Galare, Prince-consort" and "Fire Mage Sediryl Galare, heir-imperial". <ref name="fc-25">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', chapter 25</ref> This implies that her title, such as it is, is "imperial heir" or "heir-imperial", but this will doubtless often get simplified to Princess.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Dreamhealers Characters]] [[Category:Princes' Game Characters]] [[Category:Girl on Fire Characters]] [[Category:Standalone Fiction Characters]]
[[Category:Jubilee Summer Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Farmer's Crown Characters]]
[[Category:Heartskein Characters]]
[[Category:Dragons' Fealty Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Nuera Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Characters]]
[[Category:Nuera Characters]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-11T23:45:50Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Seven */ subhead uniqueness

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Prologue Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Ch 3 Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Ch 4 Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Ch 7 Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-11T23:44:44Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Four */ subhead uniqueness, even though I have no idea if anybody will ever directly link to a subheading from within the wiki but here we are

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Prologue Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Ch 3 Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Ch 4 Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-11T23:44:10Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Three */ subhead uniqueness

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Prologue Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Ch 3 Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-11T23:42:59Z

Pyrostinger: /* Prologue */ Attempting to change things to make the subheadings more unique

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Prologue Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-11T23:41:09Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Twenty */ Sean, you don't need to sign everything you do, but thanks for providing a key passage.

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===
====Ch 20 Key Passage====
"It is hard to be the first to do something that hasn't been done in a long time"

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-07T02:31:34Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Fifteen */ I'm not done yet, but it was good to have some stuff done

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman. Liolesa muses on the nature of family and the duties and obligations that entails, along with the fact that Sediryl is a survivor. As Sediryl mentions that her ability to survive comes from both her father and mother, Liolesa agrees while also saying that Thesali's mother, Avarise, made sure of Thesali's cruelty, which surprises Sediryl. Evidently, Haladir married Thesali to save her from her mother at her brother's request, a story Sediryl could have gotten from her aunt, Fassiana, or her new advisor, Lilliarana. Just before disconnecting, Liolesa drops on Sediryl the fact that once invested, Sediryl will become a priestess of the Goddess, which was probably intentional as a distraction.

When Vasiht'h comes back, Sediryl asks if psychological dysfunction runs in families. It does, but the cycle can be broken at any point with concerted effort. That segues into a conversation on the health of Eldritch women and Eldritch society as a whole, leading Sediryl to believe that they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. After Sediryl laments that she missed practice with Qora, they start walking once again.
----
Jahir had been right: Sediryl needed to be outside. It was more real, and it enabled her to put fears into proportion and sort the new information gained by the conversation with Liolesa. Sediryl and Vasiht'h lunch at one of Laisrathera's burgeoning restaurants. Then, Vasiht'h gets the signal and they head back to the hospital, to greet Jahir as he comes out of surgery. They hug, and Jahir tells her that Haladir might wake soon and that they're done for the day. Jahir takes Sediryl to her father, and she says that she'll stay here until Haladir wakes up.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2022-01-07T01:59:25Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Fifteen */ Oh hey I'm back.

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sehvi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
Jahir is gently drawn from sleep by the smell of espresso, but is resistant to opening his eyes even though he feels like something he hasn't done yet. But it's just so ''comfy'' in there, with the warm, heavy covers, and his braided hair (that he didn't remember braiding)...

Lisinthir's voice precedes Lisinthir touching him awake, with Vasiht'h behind the former putting cream in a demitasse. Abruptly, everything comes back to him, and Vasiht'h lets him know that Haladir is still in the hospital, KindlesFlame wants him for a conference in an hour, and Sediryl just fell asleep a bit ago, so he has time to eat and bathe. And he's going to, with the Glaseah making sure he eats and Lisinthir that he bathes. Jahir starts on the breakfast, and Lisinthir gently shuts down his attempt to personally ascertain where the rest of the principals are and what they're doing, where he discovers that Lisinthir did the hair braiding. Lisinthir then reinforces the command to eat in Chatcaavan, which Vasiht'h agrees with even though he doesn't understand the exact words.

Lisinthir leaves to run the bath, and Vasiht'h lets Jahir know that everything else can and will wait on this. Yes, even that thing. Plus, Vasiht'h intentionally made coffee that reminded Jahir of [[Mindline (Fiction)|his shifts at Mercy]], and the fact that though hard, he survived that experience, along with many of the patients. After managing the entire breakfast, he feels strong enough to go tackle bathing and Vasiht'h leaves to let people know that Jahir is awake.

Since Seni had been modernized enough for showers, and Jahir preferred them, Lisinthir's bathing preparation involved towels and a change of clothes. Jahir asks after what Lisinthir is gonna do that day, which involves a morning at Ontine and an afternoon of riding. The two briefly muse on the concept of dragons riding, and if the horses will tolerate them. Lisinthir reminds Jahir that "It will be well. You will make it so," and also to trust in the God and Lady.

Showering with Lisinthir waiting reminds Jahir of the tryst at the starbase <ref>[[Amulet Rampant (Fiction)|Amulet Rampant]]</ref>, minus a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty of those days. Centered, he feels better as he steps out of the shower.
----
Haladir is still out when Jahir and Vasiht'h arrive at the hospital, as is Sediryl. Vasiht'h volunteers to wait with her while Jahir takes himself off to the conference with Hirianthial and KindlesFlame. After taking a moment to thank the Glaseah, Jahir does so and finds KindlesFlame in a conference room, struck by how ''right'' the image feels. KindlesFlame remarks that Jahir looks better and makes sure he ate something substantial while remarking about how the corn muffins here taste like corn muffins back in the Alliance. Jahir fills him in on the current food situation on Escutcheon, with KindlesFlame finding it odd that Jahir's fiance is a farmer-princess. In talking about how excellent the facility is, KindlesFlame says in passing that Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Eight|went on a recruiting drive]] at the university.

Hirianthial shows up and the three conference on how to tackle Haladir's injuries. KindlesFlame, being the one with the most experience, proposes that they go after the nerve damage and bone issues so that he can be awake and walking as soon as possible. Game plan set, Hirianthial needs a half hour to rearrange his schedule and KindlesFlame will need that long to set up. With Jahir serving as psychic anesthesiologist ("And you. Doing that... thing. Again."), KindlesFlame tells him to have a snack before they start since they'll be busy a while. Jahir leaves to fill in Vasiht'h via mindline about the plan and recruits him to find that snack while he wakes Sediryl.

Sediryl wakes up, asks after the time, and is informed that Haladir's going back into surgery in an hour. They hug, and she asks for details as to what condition Haladir was in. Jahir also gently informs Sediryl that Haladir might not be able to attend the wedding or investiture, or that he might not want to live. As evidence, he cites that he'd been avoiding her, and also that he feels he [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|deserves the injury]]. Plus, you know, he's been denying Sediryl's mother, which brings the conversation to the fact that Thesali was attempting to replace Sediryl as heir.

She asks to stay, and Jahir says that Vasiht'h already volunteered to stay with her. He also tells her that it's a bad idea to spend the entire time in the hospital and instead tells her to go outside during the surgery. Also, that she should eat, so she asks Jahir to get her a sandwich through Vasiht'h. Jahir envies her ability to eat in a crisis, and also thanks her for bringing KindlesFlame at all.

Vasiht'h arrives with food, and they both eat. The healers-assist arrive to prep for surgery and Jahir sends Sediryl and Vasiht'h to the waiting room while he changes into scrubs. Thus changed, he comes back to Hirianthial and KindlesFlame discussing music choices for the surgery. Jahir notices that KindlesFlame enjoys the work, but quit it, and the latter cites a need for balance. Hirianthial segues into a pitch to stay on planet, and KindlesFlame waves that off to start the surgery.
----
It takes less than a half hour for Sediryl to give up on waiting without fidgeting, so she leaves for the hospital gardens. It being summer now doesn't mean this moment might contain a wedding and a funeral. Vasiht'h comes up behind her to reassure her that it'll be alright. Sediryl recalls similar words "during our [[Princes' Game Series|misadventure]]." Vasiht'h starts actively managing Sediryl, pulling her along for a walk and batting away Sediryl's myriad worries. When she finally realizes what he's doing, he freely cops to it since "everyone needs it now and then." Which leads Sediryl to think of Jahir and where he belongs, which leads her back to her father.

She asks the Glaseah how to give someone back their will to live, and he replies that it's not up to anybody but the person in question. This encourages Sediryl to walk off her fear-sparked anger through Laisrathera's lovely, half-wild grounds. The scent reminds her of why she wanted to marry in summer since everything slows down too much in winter. Her only happy memories are of her father telling stories of everyday heroism, which made the court-versions seem hyperbolic until she was thrown into a story much more dramatic. Still, the everyday heroism stuck with her, and she wasn't about to let him die.

Stopping at a fountain, he asks Vasiht'h for a tablet and calls Liolesa while the Glaseah takes a walk. Immediately, the Empress asks after Haladir, and Sediryl fills her in on the surgery happening. Sediryl asks what happened locally after she was disinhereted. As it turns out, Thesali didn't immediately try to replace Sediryl, even though she threatened to do so. Instead, she spent years destroying Sediryl's reputation, but also crushed a rumor that she herself wasn't eager to have another kid. This sudden feeling in Sediryl's chest is apparently sympathy, with Liolesa going on that Thesali didn't start trying until five or six years ago. Which means that Haladir has been injured for at least two years. And also, Thesali had a miscarriage a year ago, which means she tried to have a kid with one of her tenants, which leads Sediryl to think of her mother as a woman.

====Ch 15 Key Passage====
"You remember," [KindlesFlame] said, "when you were first in school, and I told you the body has a sense of itself as it should be. That surgery should be minimally invasive because when we tamper with the body's perception of itself, we often create more problems than we solve.

"You said we heal ourselves, if given aid," Jahir said. "I recall."

KindlesFlame's ears flicked back. "We need to return the patient's body to a state it recognizes as reparable... We can't marshal his inner resources until we give them a hill they can take. The skeletal injuries are small change compared to what needs doing, but if we give him back feeling in his lower body and a lower body he can use, we'll go a long way toward rebuilding that inner image."

===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Lafayette KindlesFlame

2022-01-07T00:47:48Z

Pyrostinger: /* Tastes */ Formatting. Always formatting.

[[File:placeholder.png|300px|thumb|right|A portrait of the character]]

A cosmopolitan [[Tam-illee]] healer, mentor to [[Jahir Seni Galare]]. Variously spelled as Lafeyette and Lefeyette.

==Appearance and Personality==
Gray eyes. A distinguished, self-contained air, a thoughtful face, shrewd eyes that did not quite conceal their kindness. <ref name="mt-04">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', Chapter 4</ref> A middle-aged Tam-illee, confident and easy in his own skin. <ref>''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', chapter ?</ref> Also has a commanding rather than retiring personality, but doesn't make close friends easily.<ref name="hw-13" /> Smells like pine duff. Probably because "loves hiking." Enjoys outdoor sports: hiking, horseback riding (though he last rode horses in his twenties, they're rarer in the Alliance), did some archery. Eats heartily ("I've got a chop for you, Professor Palland said you like them.")<ref name="hw-13" />

Not a physically demonstrative man; the first time he and Jahir hugged was after Haladir's surgery<ref name="hw-13"/>, and he surprised Armin Palland by embracing him when the Seersa came to Escutcheon.<ref name="fh-02">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 2</ref> Despite this, he consented to mind-melded surgery, and will operate that way with Eldritch.<ref name="hw-13">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Biography==
Was not born on Tam-ley and does not have family there.<ref name="hw-08">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

Former Dean of the [[Seersana University]] medical college, and former head of its student clinic. Also a professor. Healer-surgeon: first license was acute visceral, second was reconstructive. Did time in crisis care. <ref name="ml">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]''</ref> Also has been friends for 'time out of mind' with the residency program director ([[Grace Levine]]) at Mercy Hospital on Selnor.<ref name="mt-34" />

Attended a professional conference on [[Tam-ley]] at the end of Dreamhearth, which allowed him to stop over to visit [[Starbase Veta]].

At the opening of ''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', we see that he has gone on sabbatical after being at the university for 'three decades'. At this time he's been single again for 'a good two decades', which would put his divorce (I think) before the events of ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]''. Interviewed for the Head of Staff at the civilian hospital at Veta, but didn't accept. Went on conference circuit instead, did some lectures.

===Post Chatcaavan War===
After the [[Battle of Selnor]], "shut everyone out," volunteered to go to Tam-ley (and was rejected--too many people asking to help, not enough space). Went to the Seersana orbitals, hoping to find a ship, ended up working on the welcome station, because so many of the casualties were shipped to Seersana and Karaka'Ana from Selnor: did triage there for most of a year before everyone was stood down. Worked himself "to a ghost", according to Kandara. Came home, when they were sent away, and couldn't handle doing nothing...<ref name="hw-08" /> then went on sabbatical to a remote mountain town on Seersana.<ref name="hw-10">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 10</ref> Vasiht'h invited him to Jahir's wedding, during which he decided to stay and take on the surgical unit at [[Shield General]]. By late autumn, after the birth of Vasiht'h's children, Lafayette is whole enough, spiritually, to register as well to Armin Palland when the Seersa arrives to Escutcheon: "It was good to see how clearly Lafayette had healed from the blow he'd taken with Tam-ley's wounds."<ref name="fh-04">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 4</ref>

Also, by the time Palland arrives, KindlesFlame has already selected the land he wants to live on, but is still in the planning phase for what he wants to build on it. (But it sounds like a ranch to Palland.)<ref name="fh-08">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

===Relationships===
* Ex-wife; they parted over their childlessness.<ref name="hw-18">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* Long-time friends with Kandara, Grace Levine (at the time of Jahir's residency, they'd been friends for for twelve years).<ref name="ml-23>''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* More recently, friends with Palland: good enough for Lafayette to promise him anything in response to a request for help.<ref name="fh-11">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 11</ref>

===FoundName===
From a book he read in his early teens: "The man of moral courage kindles flame in all the lives he touches, and so passes the torch through generations that lights the hearths of the worlds."

==Quotes==
* "The most effective medicine is often the least invasive." <ref name="mt-23>''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* "Medicine is ninety percent indigestion, lifestyle adjustments, and head colds and ten percent heroic measures. Don't lose sight of that."<ref name="mt-23" />
* "Keep going. If there's no map, there will always be people who assume you're lost. Prove them wrong." <ref name="ml-29">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 29</ref>
* "It's a long game, arii. And in the long game, courage gets us home." <ref name="dh-18">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* "I like it here. I like the people, both native and immigrant. I like the energy of it. I like the knotted up politics and cultural issues, because when you’ve got issues, you’re alive. Only corpses are problem-free."<ref name="fh-02" />

==Trivia==
* learned to use eyesight, hearing, smell as diagnostic tools, along with the technological ones
* Mentioned Iley ("Iley's tears", "Iley Everlasting, "laughing god", "Everlaughing God") but I don't think he's devout, does use 'hell' (singular); also curses (not often, but 'damn' and 'rhack' once in a while)

===Tastes===
* prefers black coffee, sweetens it with honey; also drinks it iced; rarely dilutes it
* appears to prefer savories to sweets (likes cheese but has eaten caramels) and hearty meals
* but likes sweets as well (saw you drinking cider there, buddy)
* Also drinks alcohol
* likes big open floor plans and clean uncluttered spaces in his living areas, and big windows on preferably pristine wilderness<ref name="hw-10" />
* likes 1940s-style singing: torch singers and crooners (male and female both) <ref name="hw-15"> ''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 15</ref>

===Body Language===
KindlesFlame appears to have the reserved-but-casual body language of an early film star heartthrob. Lots of crossed arms, leaning on doors, leaning back. He also has the long-legged guy habit of sitting with his legs folded (ankle on opposite knee). On top of that, some learned professorial hand gesturing: mid-air finger counting ('point one... point two'), finger wagging, and hand up to stop students from interrupting him. Lifting hand palm up to underscore points.

Jahir observes in ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'' that the Tam-illee's control over his ears, expression and shoulders is flawless. <ref name="mt-34">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 34</ref> And again in Dreamhearth: "Few expressions crossed the Tam-illee's face that he did not allow."<ref name="dh-ch05">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 5</ref> He rarely shows unease (as with flicked back ears).

Most of his subconscious/uncontrolled body language is related to thinking: He taps tables or desks while thinking, does the 'mmm' thing. Laughter tends to come out as barks, but he does a lot of less animated laughing: chuckles, guffaws. Grins easily, often wry.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Tam-illee Characters]]
[[Category:Princes' Game Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhealers Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Mindtouch Characters]]
[[Category:Mindline Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhearth Characters]]
[[Category:Medical Professional Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamstorm Characters]]

Lafayette KindlesFlame

2022-01-07T00:47:24Z

Pyrostinger: /* Tastes */ adjustment to reference

[[File:placeholder.png|300px|thumb|right|A portrait of the character]]

A cosmopolitan [[Tam-illee]] healer, mentor to [[Jahir Seni Galare]]. Variously spelled as Lafeyette and Lefeyette.

==Appearance and Personality==
Gray eyes. A distinguished, self-contained air, a thoughtful face, shrewd eyes that did not quite conceal their kindness. <ref name="mt-04">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', Chapter 4</ref> A middle-aged Tam-illee, confident and easy in his own skin. <ref>''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', chapter ?</ref> Also has a commanding rather than retiring personality, but doesn't make close friends easily.<ref name="hw-13" /> Smells like pine duff. Probably because "loves hiking." Enjoys outdoor sports: hiking, horseback riding (though he last rode horses in his twenties, they're rarer in the Alliance), did some archery. Eats heartily ("I've got a chop for you, Professor Palland said you like them.")<ref name="hw-13" />

Not a physically demonstrative man; the first time he and Jahir hugged was after Haladir's surgery<ref name="hw-13"/>, and he surprised Armin Palland by embracing him when the Seersa came to Escutcheon.<ref name="fh-02">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 2</ref> Despite this, he consented to mind-melded surgery, and will operate that way with Eldritch.<ref name="hw-13">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Biography==
Was not born on Tam-ley and does not have family there.<ref name="hw-08">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

Former Dean of the [[Seersana University]] medical college, and former head of its student clinic. Also a professor. Healer-surgeon: first license was acute visceral, second was reconstructive. Did time in crisis care. <ref name="ml">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]''</ref> Also has been friends for 'time out of mind' with the residency program director ([[Grace Levine]]) at Mercy Hospital on Selnor.<ref name="mt-34" />

Attended a professional conference on [[Tam-ley]] at the end of Dreamhearth, which allowed him to stop over to visit [[Starbase Veta]].

At the opening of ''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', we see that he has gone on sabbatical after being at the university for 'three decades'. At this time he's been single again for 'a good two decades', which would put his divorce (I think) before the events of ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]''. Interviewed for the Head of Staff at the civilian hospital at Veta, but didn't accept. Went on conference circuit instead, did some lectures.

===Post Chatcaavan War===
After the [[Battle of Selnor]], "shut everyone out," volunteered to go to Tam-ley (and was rejected--too many people asking to help, not enough space). Went to the Seersana orbitals, hoping to find a ship, ended up working on the welcome station, because so many of the casualties were shipped to Seersana and Karaka'Ana from Selnor: did triage there for most of a year before everyone was stood down. Worked himself "to a ghost", according to Kandara. Came home, when they were sent away, and couldn't handle doing nothing...<ref name="hw-08" /> then went on sabbatical to a remote mountain town on Seersana.<ref name="hw-10">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 10</ref> Vasiht'h invited him to Jahir's wedding, during which he decided to stay and take on the surgical unit at [[Shield General]]. By late autumn, after the birth of Vasiht'h's children, Lafayette is whole enough, spiritually, to register as well to Armin Palland when the Seersa arrives to Escutcheon: "It was good to see how clearly Lafayette had healed from the blow he'd taken with Tam-ley's wounds."<ref name="fh-04">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 4</ref>

Also, by the time Palland arrives, KindlesFlame has already selected the land he wants to live on, but is still in the planning phase for what he wants to build on it. (But it sounds like a ranch to Palland.)<ref name="fh-08">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

===Relationships===
* Ex-wife; they parted over their childlessness.<ref name="hw-18">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* Long-time friends with Kandara, Grace Levine (at the time of Jahir's residency, they'd been friends for for twelve years).<ref name="ml-23>''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* More recently, friends with Palland: good enough for Lafayette to promise him anything in response to a request for help.<ref name="fh-11">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 11</ref>

===FoundName===
From a book he read in his early teens: "The man of moral courage kindles flame in all the lives he touches, and so passes the torch through generations that lights the hearths of the worlds."

==Quotes==
* "The most effective medicine is often the least invasive." <ref name="mt-23>''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* "Medicine is ninety percent indigestion, lifestyle adjustments, and head colds and ten percent heroic measures. Don't lose sight of that."<ref name="mt-23" />
* "Keep going. If there's no map, there will always be people who assume you're lost. Prove them wrong." <ref name="ml-29">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 29</ref>
* "It's a long game, arii. And in the long game, courage gets us home." <ref name="dh-18">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* "I like it here. I like the people, both native and immigrant. I like the energy of it. I like the knotted up politics and cultural issues, because when you’ve got issues, you’re alive. Only corpses are problem-free."<ref name="fh-02" />

==Trivia==
* learned to use eyesight, hearing, smell as diagnostic tools, along with the technological ones
* Mentioned Iley ("Iley's tears", "Iley Everlasting, "laughing god", "Everlaughing God") but I don't think he's devout, does use 'hell' (singular); also curses (not often, but 'damn' and 'rhack' once in a while)

===Tastes===
* prefers black coffee, sweetens it with honey; also drinks it iced; rarely dilutes it
* appears to prefer savories to sweets (likes cheese but has eaten caramels) and hearty meals
* but likes sweets as well (saw you drinking cider there, buddy)
* Also drinks alcohol
* likes big open floor plans and clean uncluttered spaces in his living areas, and big windows on preferably pristine wilderness<ref name="hw-10" />
* likes 1940s-style singing: torch singers and crooners (male and female both) <ref name="hw-15"> [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]], chapter 15</ref>

===Body Language===
KindlesFlame appears to have the reserved-but-casual body language of an early film star heartthrob. Lots of crossed arms, leaning on doors, leaning back. He also has the long-legged guy habit of sitting with his legs folded (ankle on opposite knee). On top of that, some learned professorial hand gesturing: mid-air finger counting ('point one... point two'), finger wagging, and hand up to stop students from interrupting him. Lifting hand palm up to underscore points.

Jahir observes in ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'' that the Tam-illee's control over his ears, expression and shoulders is flawless. <ref name="mt-34">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 34</ref> And again in Dreamhearth: "Few expressions crossed the Tam-illee's face that he did not allow."<ref name="dh-ch05">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 5</ref> He rarely shows unease (as with flicked back ears).

Most of his subconscious/uncontrolled body language is related to thinking: He taps tables or desks while thinking, does the 'mmm' thing. Laughter tends to come out as barks, but he does a lot of less animated laughing: chuckles, guffaws. Grins easily, often wry.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Tam-illee Characters]]
[[Category:Princes' Game Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhealers Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Mindtouch Characters]]
[[Category:Mindline Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhearth Characters]]
[[Category:Medical Professional Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamstorm Characters]]

Lafayette KindlesFlame

2022-01-07T00:46:09Z

Pyrostinger: /* Tastes */ adding reference for KindlesFlame's tastes in music, from chapter 15 of Healer's Wedding

[[File:placeholder.png|300px|thumb|right|A portrait of the character]]

A cosmopolitan [[Tam-illee]] healer, mentor to [[Jahir Seni Galare]]. Variously spelled as Lafeyette and Lefeyette.

==Appearance and Personality==
Gray eyes. A distinguished, self-contained air, a thoughtful face, shrewd eyes that did not quite conceal their kindness. <ref name="mt-04">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', Chapter 4</ref> A middle-aged Tam-illee, confident and easy in his own skin. <ref>''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', chapter ?</ref> Also has a commanding rather than retiring personality, but doesn't make close friends easily.<ref name="hw-13" /> Smells like pine duff. Probably because "loves hiking." Enjoys outdoor sports: hiking, horseback riding (though he last rode horses in his twenties, they're rarer in the Alliance), did some archery. Eats heartily ("I've got a chop for you, Professor Palland said you like them.")<ref name="hw-13" />

Not a physically demonstrative man; the first time he and Jahir hugged was after Haladir's surgery<ref name="hw-13"/>, and he surprised Armin Palland by embracing him when the Seersa came to Escutcheon.<ref name="fh-02">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 2</ref> Despite this, he consented to mind-melded surgery, and will operate that way with Eldritch.<ref name="hw-13">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Biography==
Was not born on Tam-ley and does not have family there.<ref name="hw-08">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

Former Dean of the [[Seersana University]] medical college, and former head of its student clinic. Also a professor. Healer-surgeon: first license was acute visceral, second was reconstructive. Did time in crisis care. <ref name="ml">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]''</ref> Also has been friends for 'time out of mind' with the residency program director ([[Grace Levine]]) at Mercy Hospital on Selnor.<ref name="mt-34" />

Attended a professional conference on [[Tam-ley]] at the end of Dreamhearth, which allowed him to stop over to visit [[Starbase Veta]].

At the opening of ''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', we see that he has gone on sabbatical after being at the university for 'three decades'. At this time he's been single again for 'a good two decades', which would put his divorce (I think) before the events of ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]''. Interviewed for the Head of Staff at the civilian hospital at Veta, but didn't accept. Went on conference circuit instead, did some lectures.

===Post Chatcaavan War===
After the [[Battle of Selnor]], "shut everyone out," volunteered to go to Tam-ley (and was rejected--too many people asking to help, not enough space). Went to the Seersana orbitals, hoping to find a ship, ended up working on the welcome station, because so many of the casualties were shipped to Seersana and Karaka'Ana from Selnor: did triage there for most of a year before everyone was stood down. Worked himself "to a ghost", according to Kandara. Came home, when they were sent away, and couldn't handle doing nothing...<ref name="hw-08" /> then went on sabbatical to a remote mountain town on Seersana.<ref name="hw-10">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 10</ref> Vasiht'h invited him to Jahir's wedding, during which he decided to stay and take on the surgical unit at [[Shield General]]. By late autumn, after the birth of Vasiht'h's children, Lafayette is whole enough, spiritually, to register as well to Armin Palland when the Seersa arrives to Escutcheon: "It was good to see how clearly Lafayette had healed from the blow he'd taken with Tam-ley's wounds."<ref name="fh-04">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 4</ref>

Also, by the time Palland arrives, KindlesFlame has already selected the land he wants to live on, but is still in the planning phase for what he wants to build on it. (But it sounds like a ranch to Palland.)<ref name="fh-08">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

===Relationships===
* Ex-wife; they parted over their childlessness.<ref name="hw-18">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* Long-time friends with Kandara, Grace Levine (at the time of Jahir's residency, they'd been friends for for twelve years).<ref name="ml-23>''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* More recently, friends with Palland: good enough for Lafayette to promise him anything in response to a request for help.<ref name="fh-11">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 11</ref>

===FoundName===
From a book he read in his early teens: "The man of moral courage kindles flame in all the lives he touches, and so passes the torch through generations that lights the hearths of the worlds."

==Quotes==
* "The most effective medicine is often the least invasive." <ref name="mt-23>''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* "Medicine is ninety percent indigestion, lifestyle adjustments, and head colds and ten percent heroic measures. Don't lose sight of that."<ref name="mt-23" />
* "Keep going. If there's no map, there will always be people who assume you're lost. Prove them wrong." <ref name="ml-29">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 29</ref>
* "It's a long game, arii. And in the long game, courage gets us home." <ref name="dh-18">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* "I like it here. I like the people, both native and immigrant. I like the energy of it. I like the knotted up politics and cultural issues, because when you’ve got issues, you’re alive. Only corpses are problem-free."<ref name="fh-02" />

==Trivia==
* learned to use eyesight, hearing, smell as diagnostic tools, along with the technological ones
* Mentioned Iley ("Iley's tears", "Iley Everlasting, "laughing god", "Everlaughing God") but I don't think he's devout, does use 'hell' (singular); also curses (not often, but 'damn' and 'rhack' once in a while)

===Tastes===
* prefers black coffee, sweetens it with honey; also drinks it iced; rarely dilutes it
* appears to prefer savories to sweets (likes cheese but has eaten caramels) and hearty meals
* but likes sweets as well (saw you drinking cider there, buddy)
* Also drinks alcohol
* likes big open floor plans and clean uncluttered spaces in his living areas, and big windows on preferably pristine wilderness<ref name="hw-10" />
* likes 1940s-style singing: torch singers and crooners (male and female both) <ref> [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)|Healer's Wedding]], chapter 15</ref>

===Body Language===
KindlesFlame appears to have the reserved-but-casual body language of an early film star heartthrob. Lots of crossed arms, leaning on doors, leaning back. He also has the long-legged guy habit of sitting with his legs folded (ankle on opposite knee). On top of that, some learned professorial hand gesturing: mid-air finger counting ('point one... point two'), finger wagging, and hand up to stop students from interrupting him. Lifting hand palm up to underscore points.

Jahir observes in ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'' that the Tam-illee's control over his ears, expression and shoulders is flawless. <ref name="mt-34">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 34</ref> And again in Dreamhearth: "Few expressions crossed the Tam-illee's face that he did not allow."<ref name="dh-ch05">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 5</ref> He rarely shows unease (as with flicked back ears).

Most of his subconscious/uncontrolled body language is related to thinking: He taps tables or desks while thinking, does the 'mmm' thing. Laughter tends to come out as barks, but he does a lot of less animated laughing: chuckles, guffaws. Grins easily, often wry.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Tam-illee Characters]]
[[Category:Princes' Game Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhealers Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Mindtouch Characters]]
[[Category:Mindline Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhearth Characters]]
[[Category:Medical Professional Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamstorm Characters]]

Aura TotheQuick

2022-01-07T00:43:41Z

Pyrostinger: Adding to Healer's Wedding character roster

One of the first surgery healer-assists at [[Shield General]].

==Appearance and Personality==

==Biography==
"Inevitably a Tam-illee, given the original composition of Laisrathera." <ref name="hw-15">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)| Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 15</ref>

==Story Mentions==

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Tam-illee Characters]] [[Category:Meriaen Tams Characters]] [[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]

Lafayette KindlesFlame

2022-01-07T00:42:34Z

Pyrostinger: Adding KindlesFlame to the Healer's Wedding character roster. Or at least attempting to do so.

[[File:placeholder.png|300px|thumb|right|A portrait of the character]]

A cosmopolitan [[Tam-illee]] healer, mentor to [[Jahir Seni Galare]]. Variously spelled as Lafeyette and Lefeyette.

==Appearance and Personality==
Gray eyes. A distinguished, self-contained air, a thoughtful face, shrewd eyes that did not quite conceal their kindness. <ref name="mt-04">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', Chapter 4</ref> A middle-aged Tam-illee, confident and easy in his own skin. <ref>''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', chapter ?</ref> Also has a commanding rather than retiring personality, but doesn't make close friends easily.<ref name="hw-13" /> Smells like pine duff. Probably because "loves hiking." Enjoys outdoor sports: hiking, horseback riding (though he last rode horses in his twenties, they're rarer in the Alliance), did some archery. Eats heartily ("I've got a chop for you, Professor Palland said you like them.")<ref name="hw-13" />

Not a physically demonstrative man; the first time he and Jahir hugged was after Haladir's surgery<ref name="hw-13"/>, and he surprised Armin Palland by embracing him when the Seersa came to Escutcheon.<ref name="fh-02">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 2</ref> Despite this, he consented to mind-melded surgery, and will operate that way with Eldritch.<ref name="hw-13">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Biography==
Was not born on Tam-ley and does not have family there.<ref name="hw-08">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

Former Dean of the [[Seersana University]] medical college, and former head of its student clinic. Also a professor. Healer-surgeon: first license was acute visceral, second was reconstructive. Did time in crisis care. <ref name="ml">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]''</ref> Also has been friends for 'time out of mind' with the residency program director ([[Grace Levine]]) at Mercy Hospital on Selnor.<ref name="mt-34" />

Attended a professional conference on [[Tam-ley]] at the end of Dreamhearth, which allowed him to stop over to visit [[Starbase Veta]].

At the opening of ''[[Dreamstorm (Fiction) |Dreamstorm]]'', we see that he has gone on sabbatical after being at the university for 'three decades'. At this time he's been single again for 'a good two decades', which would put his divorce (I think) before the events of ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]''. Interviewed for the Head of Staff at the civilian hospital at Veta, but didn't accept. Went on conference circuit instead, did some lectures.

===Post Chatcaavan War===
After the [[Battle of Selnor]], "shut everyone out," volunteered to go to Tam-ley (and was rejected--too many people asking to help, not enough space). Went to the Seersana orbitals, hoping to find a ship, ended up working on the welcome station, because so many of the casualties were shipped to Seersana and Karaka'Ana from Selnor: did triage there for most of a year before everyone was stood down. Worked himself "to a ghost", according to Kandara. Came home, when they were sent away, and couldn't handle doing nothing...<ref name="hw-08" /> then went on sabbatical to a remote mountain town on Seersana.<ref name="hw-10">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 10</ref> Vasiht'h invited him to Jahir's wedding, during which he decided to stay and take on the surgical unit at [[Shield General]]. By late autumn, after the birth of Vasiht'h's children, Lafayette is whole enough, spiritually, to register as well to Armin Palland when the Seersa arrives to Escutcheon: "It was good to see how clearly Lafayette had healed from the blow he'd taken with Tam-ley's wounds."<ref name="fh-04">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 4</ref>

Also, by the time Palland arrives, KindlesFlame has already selected the land he wants to live on, but is still in the planning phase for what he wants to build on it. (But it sounds like a ranch to Palland.)<ref name="fh-08">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

===Relationships===
* Ex-wife; they parted over their childlessness.<ref name="hw-18">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* Long-time friends with Kandara, Grace Levine (at the time of Jahir's residency, they'd been friends for for twelve years).<ref name="ml-23>''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* More recently, friends with Palland: good enough for Lafayette to promise him anything in response to a request for help.<ref name="fh-11">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) | Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 11</ref>

===FoundName===
From a book he read in his early teens: "The man of moral courage kindles flame in all the lives he touches, and so passes the torch through generations that lights the hearths of the worlds."

==Quotes==
* "The most effective medicine is often the least invasive." <ref name="mt-23>''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 23</ref>
* "Medicine is ninety percent indigestion, lifestyle adjustments, and head colds and ten percent heroic measures. Don't lose sight of that."<ref name="mt-23" />
* "Keep going. If there's no map, there will always be people who assume you're lost. Prove them wrong." <ref name="ml-29">''[[Mindline (Fiction) |Mindline]]'', chapter 29</ref>
* "It's a long game, arii. And in the long game, courage gets us home." <ref name="dh-18">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 18</ref>
* "I like it here. I like the people, both native and immigrant. I like the energy of it. I like the knotted up politics and cultural issues, because when you’ve got issues, you’re alive. Only corpses are problem-free."<ref name="fh-02" />

==Trivia==
* learned to use eyesight, hearing, smell as diagnostic tools, along with the technological ones
* Mentioned Iley ("Iley's tears", "Iley Everlasting, "laughing god", "Everlaughing God") but I don't think he's devout, does use 'hell' (singular); also curses (not often, but 'damn' and 'rhack' once in a while)

===Tastes===
* prefers black coffee, sweetens it with honey; also drinks it iced; rarely dilutes it
* appears to prefer savories to sweets (likes cheese but has eaten caramels) and hearty meals
* but likes sweets as well (saw you drinking cider there, buddy)
* Also drinks alcohol
* likes big open floor plans and clean uncluttered spaces in his living areas, and big windows on preferably pristine wilderness<ref name="hw-10" />
* likes 1940s-style singing: torch singers and crooners (male and female both)

===Body Language===
KindlesFlame appears to have the reserved-but-casual body language of an early film star heartthrob. Lots of crossed arms, leaning on doors, leaning back. He also has the long-legged guy habit of sitting with his legs folded (ankle on opposite knee). On top of that, some learned professorial hand gesturing: mid-air finger counting ('point one... point two'), finger wagging, and hand up to stop students from interrupting him. Lifting hand palm up to underscore points.

Jahir observes in ''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'' that the Tam-illee's control over his ears, expression and shoulders is flawless. <ref name="mt-34">''[[Mindtouch (Fiction) |Mindtouch]]'', chapter 34</ref> And again in Dreamhearth: "Few expressions crossed the Tam-illee's face that he did not allow."<ref name="dh-ch05">''[[Dreamhearth (Fiction) |Dreamhearth]]'', chapter 5</ref> He rarely shows unease (as with flicked back ears).

Most of his subconscious/uncontrolled body language is related to thinking: He taps tables or desks while thinking, does the 'mmm' thing. Laughter tends to come out as barks, but he does a lot of less animated laughing: chuckles, guffaws. Grins easily, often wry.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Tam-illee Characters]]
[[Category:Princes' Game Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhealers Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Scions' Flight Characters]]
[[Category:Mindtouch Characters]]
[[Category:Mindline Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamhearth Characters]]
[[Category:Medical Professional Characters]]
[[Category:Dreamstorm Characters]]

Scions' Flight (Fiction)

2021-08-16T02:04:19Z

Pyrostinger: Pyrostinger moved page Scions' Flight to Scions' Flight (Fiction): Matching convention to previous books

Book 2 of Lisinthir's return for the birth of his heir(s). Coming Soon.

==Publication Data==
*Series:
*Book: 2
*Publication Date:
*Editions:
*Revisions:

==Blurb==

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags:
*Rating:

==Buy Links==

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Scions' Flight Characters</categorytree>

[[Category:Fallowtide Series]]

Talk:Eldritch Rites, Observances, and Holidays

2021-08-16T02:01:53Z

Pyrostinger: /* Births/Presentation of Heirs */ more link adjustment

First off, some general help regarding talk pages can be found [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Talk_pages here].

==Renaming the Page==
I think we can do the renaming thing fairly quickly, and I myself may come across the naming/birthing rite when I get to the second duology... unless someone beats me to it. [[User:Pyrostinger|Pyrostinger]] ([[User talk:Pyrostinger|talk]]) 11:58, 15 August 2021 (UTC)

==Births/Presentation of Heirs==
I am nearly certain that there is some of this in Heartskein, though on a smaller scale, and there will be ''much'' more of this in the upcoming (as of this writing) [[Dragons' Fealty (Fiction)|Dragons' Fealty]] and [[Scions' Flight|Scions' Flight]]. I think come outs are mostly in Girl on Fire, so I'll have to read that again. [[User:Pyrostinger|Pyrostinger]] ([[User talk:Pyrostinger|talk]]) 11:58, 15 August 2021 (UTC)

Talk:Eldritch Rites, Observances, and Holidays

2021-08-16T02:00:45Z

Pyrostinger: /* Births/Presentation of Heirs */ Whoops

First off, some general help regarding talk pages can be found [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Talk_pages here].

==Renaming the Page==
I think we can do the renaming thing fairly quickly, and I myself may come across the naming/birthing rite when I get to the second duology... unless someone beats me to it. [[User:Pyrostinger|Pyrostinger]] ([[User talk:Pyrostinger|talk]]) 11:58, 15 August 2021 (UTC)

==Births/Presentation of Heirs==
I am nearly certain that there is some of this in Heartskein, though on a smaller scale, and there will be ''much'' more of this in the upcoming (as of this writing) [[Dragon's Fealty (Fiction)|Dragons' Fealty]] and [[Scions' Flight (Fiction)|Scion's Flight]]. I think come outs are mostly in Girl on Fire, so I'll have to read that again. [[User:Pyrostinger|Pyrostinger]] ([[User talk:Pyrostinger|talk]]) 11:58, 15 August 2021 (UTC)

Talk:Eldritch Rites, Observances, and Holidays

2021-08-15T11:58:47Z

Pyrostinger: Opening the talk page and adding some directions to the bounties Jaguar laid out

First off, some general help regarding talk pages can be found [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Talk_pages here].

==Renaming the Page==
I think we can do the renaming thing fairly quickly, and I myself may come across the naming/birthing rite when I get to the second duology... unless someone beats me to it. [[User:Pyrostinger|Pyrostinger]] ([[User talk:Pyrostinger|talk]]) 11:58, 15 August 2021 (UTC)

==Births/Presentation of Heirs==
I am nearly certain that there is some of this in Heartskein, though on a smaller scale, and there will be ''much'' more of this in the upcoming (as of this writing) [[Dragon's Fealty (Fiction)|Dragon's Fealty]] and [[Scion's Flight (Fiction)|Scion's Flight]]. I think come outs are mostly in Girl on Fire, so I'll have to read that again. [[User:Pyrostinger|Pyrostinger]] ([[User talk:Pyrostinger|talk]]) 11:58, 15 August 2021 (UTC)

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2021-08-15T11:46:56Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Fourteen */ The After hospital!

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sevhi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
KindlesFlame was easy; he just needed some instructions, so Vasiht'h showed him around while pumping him for information on Haladir's condition. Ultimately, KindlesFlame is confident that Haladir has his best chance of recovering at Shield General. However, without knowing the cause, KindlesFlame can't say for sure. Vasiht'h leaves the Tam-illee in search of a bunk, knowing that KindlesFlame was working on his own issues.

Consulting a tablet, Vasiht'h finds Sediryl at Ontine and takes the Pad there. Thankfully, she was awake, so he tells her the problem, and then finds himself running alongside someone again, headed to the hospital, though this time with five guards. When Sediryl gets to the front desk, though, she's able to compose herself enough to ask after her father. Seeing him, however... he looks better than he did before, but still not ''good'' by any stretch. Vasiht'h reassures Sediryl that here they can fix him, but she is stuck on what Haladir had told her: that it was "the flu" but was ultimately fine. However, Vasiht'h doesn't want to give any illusions to Sediryl: he'll only help Haladir if he wants it, and they can't make him want the help. "But for his daughter, he might."

After asking about Jahir, Sediryl opts to wait with her father in the hospital room. Vasiht'h tells her that both he and Jahir will be back in the morning as soon as they're sure of Jahir who can relay details. And finally after telling her that the hospital is small but first rate, Vasiht'h leaves the room at Sediryl's request. On his way out, he informs the front desk that Sediryl's staying, and the Queen Ransomed and Liolesa about Sediryl and the situation. When he gets outside, he finally starts to feel the exhaustion, and heads expeditiously to Seni. From there, he heads into the mansion and to Jahir's room and to the mound of pillows alongside the bed. He waves to Lisinthir, and prays for Sediryl as he falls asleep.

Sediryl very much doesn't want to live in a world in which her father is not there for her. The details of the accident were sketchy for her, but she knew that surgery had happened and more surgery was needed. She tries to fight the sobbing that springs unbidden from her throat, but it comes up anyway and she ceases to fight it. Maia comes to comfort her but does not offer words, simply her presence, and leaves when Sediryl is done crying. After she's sure of herself, she fetches a healer assist and asks for some water and a blanket, finally able to face the reality that here, a hospital, was a good place for Haladir to be and that he hadn't died yet. So, when the healer-assist comes back with the blanket and water, she begins her vigil.

===Chapter Fifteen===
===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Everdawn

2021-08-15T11:35:15Z

Pyrostinger: /* Physical Appearance */ fixed reference

[[File:Illo-Everdawn.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Everdawn]]
Oviin's friend, a [[Castrates|castrate]] who became a physician's assistant.

==Physical Appearance==
Violet eyes,<ref name="fr-17">[[From Ruins (Fiction)|From Ruins]], chapter 17</ref> inherited from his dam. Has a long mane, usually draped over one side of his face. A little too obvious about his emotional expressions.<ref name="cod-cl">''Claimed'', [[In the Court of Dragons (Fiction)|In the Court of Dragons]]</ref>

==Biography==
Born of the harem female Shell and an unknown Chatcaavan guard. Went to work as a go-fer and then a janitor at nine revolutions old. Learned to prepare the dead for burning... was named by [[Oviin]] after the herb used to wash the faces of the dead. <ref name="mp-leg">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Legacy"</ref> Had suicidal thoughts, now and then, which Oviin comforted him through.

During the palace coup, he joined [[Tsonet]] and the other servants in attacking and killing the males in the corridors,<ref name="fr-17" /> though he didn't join Tsonet's group when the latter led those servants out of the palace and into the rioting in the city. Afterwards, he was recruited to help the Surgeon in the clinic, and decided to stay there to train as a physician's assistant, at the encouragement of both the Surgeon and [[Andrea Tran | Andrea]], with whom he remains friends.<ref name="mp-leg" />

Has vowed to learn the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange | shapechange]] in Oviin's honor, because he looks up to the memory of Oviin, particularly his kindness, and his gentleness, and his faith. "I will do that for you, because you comforted me when I was hopeless." <ref name="mp-leg" />

During Second's ascension fights, he was the one who recommended that Andrea sit on Deputy-East. <ref name="mp-des-03">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving", Chapter 3</ref>

==Quotes==
* "We are all prey for the strong. It is the way of our world. But it is not the way of every world." <ref name="fr-pro">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) | From Ruins]]'', Prologue</ref>

* "No, my-better. The strong and cruel were responsible for Oviin’s body. I… I only wrapped it." <ref name="mp-leg" />

* "I am not glad I killed some of them, but they needed killing."<ref name="mp-des-03" />

==Trivia==

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaavan Characters]] [[Category:Princes' Game Characters]] [[Category:In the Court of Dragons Characters]] [[Category:Fallowtide Characters]]

Everdawn

2021-08-15T11:34:48Z

Pyrostinger: /* Biography */ Added reference to his part in the revolution

[[File:Illo-Everdawn.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Everdawn]]
Oviin's friend, a [[Castrates|castrate]] who became a physician's assistant.

==Physical Appearance==
Violet eyes,<ref name="fr-17">[[From Ruins (Fiction)|From Ruins]], chapter 17]]</ref> inherited from his dam. Has a long mane, usually draped over one side of his face. A little too obvious about his emotional expressions.<ref name="cod-cl">''Claimed'', [[In the Court of Dragons (Fiction)|In the Court of Dragons]]</ref>

==Biography==
Born of the harem female Shell and an unknown Chatcaavan guard. Went to work as a go-fer and then a janitor at nine revolutions old. Learned to prepare the dead for burning... was named by [[Oviin]] after the herb used to wash the faces of the dead. <ref name="mp-leg">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Legacy"</ref> Had suicidal thoughts, now and then, which Oviin comforted him through.

During the palace coup, he joined [[Tsonet]] and the other servants in attacking and killing the males in the corridors,<ref name="fr-17" /> though he didn't join Tsonet's group when the latter led those servants out of the palace and into the rioting in the city. Afterwards, he was recruited to help the Surgeon in the clinic, and decided to stay there to train as a physician's assistant, at the encouragement of both the Surgeon and [[Andrea Tran | Andrea]], with whom he remains friends.<ref name="mp-leg" />

Has vowed to learn the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange | shapechange]] in Oviin's honor, because he looks up to the memory of Oviin, particularly his kindness, and his gentleness, and his faith. "I will do that for you, because you comforted me when I was hopeless." <ref name="mp-leg" />

During Second's ascension fights, he was the one who recommended that Andrea sit on Deputy-East. <ref name="mp-des-03">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving", Chapter 3</ref>

==Quotes==
* "We are all prey for the strong. It is the way of our world. But it is not the way of every world." <ref name="fr-pro">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) | From Ruins]]'', Prologue</ref>

* "No, my-better. The strong and cruel were responsible for Oviin’s body. I… I only wrapped it." <ref name="mp-leg" />

* "I am not glad I killed some of them, but they needed killing."<ref name="mp-des-03" />

==Trivia==

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaavan Characters]] [[Category:Princes' Game Characters]] [[Category:In the Court of Dragons Characters]] [[Category:Fallowtide Characters]]

Everdawn

2021-08-15T11:33:27Z

Pyrostinger: /* Physical Appearance */ Added a link to the reference, added additional reference to Everdawn's eyes

[[File:Illo-Everdawn.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Everdawn]]
Oviin's friend, a [[Castrates|castrate]] who became a physician's assistant.

==Physical Appearance==
Violet eyes,<ref name="fr-17">[[From Ruins (Fiction)|From Ruins]], chapter 17]]</ref> inherited from his dam. Has a long mane, usually draped over one side of his face. A little too obvious about his emotional expressions.<ref name="cod-cl">''Claimed'', [[In the Court of Dragons (Fiction)|In the Court of Dragons]]</ref>

==Biography==
Born of the harem female Shell and an unknown Chatcaavan guard. Went to work as a go-fer and then a janitor at nine revolutions old. Learned to prepare the dead for burning... was named by [[Oviin]] after the herb used to wash the faces of the dead. <ref name="mp-leg">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Legacy"</ref> Had suicidal thoughts, now and then, which Oviin comforted him through.

During the palace coup, he joined [[Tsonet]] and the other servants in attacking and killing the males in the corridors, though he didn't join Tsonet's group when the latter led those servants out of the palace and into the rioting in the city. Afterwards, he was recruited to help the Surgeon in the clinic, and decided to stay there to train as a physician's assistant, at the encouragement of both the Surgeon and [[Andrea Tran | Andrea]], with whom he remains friends.<ref name="mp-leg" />

Has vowed to learn the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange | shapechange]] in Oviin's honor, because he looks up to the memory of Oviin, particularly his kindness, and his gentleness, and his faith. "I will do that for you, because you comforted me when I was hopeless." <ref name="mp-leg" />

During Second's ascension fights, he was the one who recommended that Andrea sit on Deputy-East. <ref name="mp-des-03">''[[Major Pieces (Fiction) | Major Pieces]]'', "Deserving", Chapter 3</ref>

==Quotes==
* "We are all prey for the strong. It is the way of our world. But it is not the way of every world." <ref name="fr-pro">''[[From Ruins (Fiction) | From Ruins]]'', Prologue</ref>

* "No, my-better. The strong and cruel were responsible for Oviin’s body. I… I only wrapped it." <ref name="mp-leg" />

* "I am not glad I killed some of them, but they needed killing."<ref name="mp-des-03" />

==Trivia==

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chatcaavan Characters]] [[Category:Princes' Game Characters]] [[Category:In the Court of Dragons Characters]] [[Category:Fallowtide Characters]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2021-08-14T00:54:00Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Thirteen */ Doing some 13. The other hospital scene!

[[File:Cover-HW-firstedition.jpg|200px|thumb|right|First Edition Cover]]

About Sediryl and Jahir's wedding.

==Publication Data==
*Series: Jubilee Summer
*Book: 1
*Publication Date: January 2019
*Editions: Ebook and Paperback
*Revisions: 1

==Blurb==
Nearly a year has passed since the conclusion of the Chatcaavan War… which means it’s time for Jahir and Sediryl to marry, and Sediryl to kneel for the coronet of the imperial heir! All their allies are gathering to celebrate, from the expected, like the Queen Ransomed and Lisinthir, to mentors and friends from years past. But life doesn’t pause for momentous events, no matter how joyous or anticipated. There are issues Jahir and Sediryl have yet to resolve, issues that reflect the greater challenges besetting their world and the Alliance. Before they can join hands for the wedding cloth, they’ll have to face at least one of those challenges… and it won’t be the first.

Healer’s Wedding, Book 1 in the Jubilee Summer duology, brings together the characters from Her Instruments, Dreamhealers, and Princes’ Game for a capstone season of politics and pleasure. Return to the homeworld of the Eldritch and the company of friends!

==Tags and Content Notes==
*Tags: politics, space elves; multicultural; bisexual content; city building; feel-good story
*Rating: R for references to adult relations, difficult family relationships

==Buy Links==
http://books2read.com/u/3yDBpn

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[Bethsaida Emil Galare|Beth]] continues her convent tour, where she plays up the fact that she's some kind of damaged person, skillfully manipulating the tenants into revering her while she travels. She arrives at the convent of Saint Militha, where she has a meeting with [[Amber Seni Galare|Amber]]. Amber tells her he dislikes [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]], both because [[Even the Wingless (Fiction)#Part 1: Sky Longing|he rescued her]] and also, with [[Sediryl Nuera Galare|Sediryl]], declined to let him do something he found [[Only the Open (Fiction)|sufficiently dramatic]] to avenge Beth. Filing this away, Beth manipulates Amber into pledging himself to her cause.

====Key Quote====
"You speak of the [[Liolesa Galare|Queen]], now styling herself Empress, and her new heir, our cousin. And all their coterie of alien-lovers, who would throw our world into the arms of people who could not defend themselves from dragons. And they expect these failures to defend us?" - Amber

===Chapter One===
Sediryl is being given a tour of [[Jerent Mysfeldt]]'s test plot, and she is amazed that these plants are ''growing'' on her [[Escutcheon|home world]]. [[Qora]], who with [[Aunal|another Faulfenzair]] has volunteered to take the tour with her, reminds her that she also has to think of a gift (meaning for her [[Investiture|investiture]]), also asking her what Beth brought to ''her'' investiture. However, Sediryl is more stumped on what to give [[Jahir Seni Galare|Jahir]] as a troth gift for their upcoming wedding. At [[Maia]]'s suggestion, Sediryl decides she'll turn to [[Vasiht'h]] for help.

Back at her office at [[Ontine]], Sediryl is ambushed by [[Valthial Trena Firilith|Val]], who presses her about her training. Qora volunteers to take over her training since she can't give Val the time he says she needs to take, and Val leaves, satisfied. Qora was serious, however, and intends to keep teaching her Faulfenza dance. Sediryl reluctantly agrees to give an hour each day to Qora right as the sun rises.

===Chapter Two===
Amber's coming home! And before the wedding! On less than a day's notice? [[Jeasa Seni Galare|Jeasa]] is excited and tells Jahir, Vasiht'h, [[Sehvi]], and [[Marevhe]] about it, inviting them all to come, then goes off to prepare. After she's left, however, Sehvi wonders why now, since Jahir's been home from [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] for months. Jahir reminds them that lacking modern technology, travel isn't a minor effort, but Sehvi presses. In the end, Sehvi volunteers to go round up whoever else might be able to come and apologizes to Jahir for "being too forthright", which Jahir accepts. Marevhe decides to leave as well, leaving Jahir and Vasiht'h to talk. Vasiht'h immediately begins with the possible [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Prologue|political nature]] of Amber not showing up yet. Jahir floats that he could be returning in order to attend the wedding. Despite his misgivings communicated through the mindline, Vasiht'h expresses some optimism.

When he later talks to Sediryl, she is less sanguine about it, and offers to come. Jahir declines, citing Jeasa's desire to keep it to immediate family, though Sediryl points out Amber might not think so due to the presence of aliens. The conversation shifts to them discussing Beth's meddling via letters sent to the broadsheet before Jahir leaves for the day, opting to study in [[Rose Point Forecourt|Firilith]]. Vasiht'h decides to come with, because his mother is going in that direction and he wants to eat [[Kis'eh't]]'s pies.

Jahir settles into his favorite table at the new cafe in Forecourt, sampling the emotional presence of those around him and noting that while there was harmony, there was also some friction, but a healthy friction. [[Nemulin Dasiin Eddings|The proprietor]] of the cafe's [[Ivali Dasiin Eddings|mother]] brings him some food and the broadsheet, leaving to get him some coffee, and Jahir begins to read. Vasiht'h doesn't like what he feels through the mindline, so (after some prodding) Jahir lets Vasiht'h read the latest missive some Beth, with the Glaseah providing caustic commentary. In the end, Jahir finally gets some studying in, and as he leaves, talks with Mistress Ivali, who makes pointed comments about not believing everything he reads.

===Chapter Three===
It's dinner time, and Jahir is looking over the table set for nine people: [[Marevhe|Vasiht'h's]] [[Petaq|parents]], Vasiht'h, Sevhi, [[Kovihs]], aunt [[Sattri]], Jeasa herself, and, of course, Jahir and Amber. The table is set with exquisite care with little cards for each of the participants, and Jeasa mentions to Jahir that she put all of Amber's favorites on the menu, which Jahir doesn't mind. Jeasa also brings up the matter of the succession (since Jahir is marrying out of the Seni line and into the imperial one), but Jahir assures her that it's not an issue.

This nice moment is interrupted by a servant bringing news of rider''s'' on the lane. At least 10. Vasiht'h, picking up Jahir's uncertainty at the amount of riders, comes along to see what's up. Two riders have come forward, one of them Amber. Jahir tries to sense the other rider, but finds that like Sediryl, he couldn't sense an aura off them. Vasiht'h, who arrives at this point, wonders aloud why Jahir is thinking of using his mind-mage powers to force himself into the stranger's mind. He also figures out that, by standing out on the lane and not approaching, they are both threatening and insulting the Seni household but with no clear reason as to why.

Jeasa goes to the top stair as Amber helps the other rider down... a woman. The guest reveals themself to be Bethsaida, and both Vasiht'h and Jahir figure that this dinner is going to go poorly.

Amber immediately questions the number of place settings, though Jeasa is still smarting (and hiding it) from Amber bringing a guest without warning her, denying her an opportunity to provide hospitality. Amber further objects to aliens (Vasiht'h and family) from attending, to spare Beth the reminders. Beth pipes up that she'll be fine, and after a quick conversation in the mindline between Jahir and Vasiht'h, Vasiht'h volunteers to go tell the rest that they've been uninvited.

During the dinner, Jahir (who can barely see that Bethsaida has an aura, from up close) sees the former heir spend most of the time sighing and not eating, with Amber shamelessly doting on her. Plus, Amber basically recounts a blow by blow account of Beth's letters to the broadsheet. Jahir tags him for a fool in unrequited love with Beth. With it over, Jeasa suggests they retire to the library as they used to do. Amber says he and Beth can't stay long, and won't stay overnight, since they wouldn't have stayed this long had they not been riding past. Jahir calls him out on that, and Beth finally pipes up by calling him a mind-mage. Jahir still wants to know how he insulted Amber because he wants to make amends, which Amber doesn't answer, but Beth does: Amber apparently felt slighted and ignored their whole childhood. Neither Jeasa or Jahir know what Beth is talking about, and as they start to leave in a huff, Jeasa tries to call Amber back to at least talk about the Seni succession. Amber wavers, but ultimately chooses Beth and they leave. Jahir tries one last time to call Amber back by inviting him to the wedding, but Amber insults Sediryl while insinuating his relationship with Lisinthir would be disapproved by greater Eldritch noble society.

Jeasa takes Jahir to the library.

====Key Passage====

Amber met her eyes, and for a long moment, Jahir thought... he would come back to them. He saw it, the wavering. Silently, he begged his brother to give into it. Not for the estate's sake, for the estate would manage even if Liolesa had to appoint a new lady to its head after their mother's death. But for their mother's, and for the memory of their father and... for him. Yes, that too. He loved Amber, and didn't know this stranger who held himself so pridefully apart.

"I will go where my lady goes," Amber said. "And she goes not here."

===Chapter Four===
Jeasa drops off Jahir in the library while she goes to fetch the rest of the family, and he reminisces about happier moments in the library. Sehvi, upon entering, immediately calls out Amber for bringing Beth in the first place, which Jeasa concedes. The lady of Seni offers everyone brandy, admitting that she's never had it before, and ends up pouring a little of the alcohol for herself. Through the mindline, Vasiht'h asks for and gets the memories of the event from Jahir, and his first reaction is to ask how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir's relationship. At Jeasa's request, she and Jahir recap the events of the dinner for Marevhe and Sehvi while Jeasa offers the brandy to everyone. Jahir also reflects that alcohol also killed his father, despite it also working as a symbol of adulthood for men in Eldritch society.

Having been brought up to speed, Sehvi hopes that Amber won't marry Beth. Jeasa replies that Beth will never marry Amber, and Jahir agrees. Vasiht'h can't let go of how Amber knew about Lisinthir and Jahir and what he's planning. Marevhe guesses that Beth is the brains in this operation. Even so, there's nothing they can do about the wedding, though they ''could'' ruin the investiture. Jeasa notes that there would have to be overwhelming reasons to force Liolesa to deny Sediryl being the heir, and shoots down Sehvi's suggestions as to what Beth could do by saying she's thinking too directly. Her best hope is to "[fill] the hall with naysayers during the investiture rite." Vasiht'h suggests, caustically, that Beth is aiming to do that with her letters that suffering is noble when Eldritch do it, but Jahir speaks up to say that Beth isn't wrong. Pelted will soon outnumber Eldritch on their own world due to their help with modernizing the planet, and there could be an existential crisis involving the loss of Eldritch culture. Sehvi and Marevhe offer some suggestions as to how Eldritch could feel less crowded by the Pelted, but Jeasa tells them that there won't be any solution in the short term, as there will have to be more aliens on Escutcheon since they are needed. But at least he can't ruin the wedding.

Later, Jahir calls Sediryl from his room and tells her how poorly the dinner went. Sediryl brushes off Amber's rudeness by saying it's in his head, and telling Jahir that when they were portioning out tasks on Sharsenne<ref name="oto-02">''Only the Open'', [[Only the Open (Fiction)#Chapter Two|chapter 2]]</ref>, Amber's mission to rehome the Chatcaavan refugees "did not suit his sense of drama." To Jahir's question of why, Sediryl points out that of the three, Lisinthir was best suited to rescue the Emperor, and Sediryl had Liolesa's ship with weapons and a Duster on it. Also, Amber seemed more interested in punishing Chatcaava than anything else. And that Sediryl wanted to be the one to find Jahir and prove herself, with Amber's suggestion that she was in more danger because she was a woman annoying her. Sediryl, however, forgot the addition of Beth in the equation, and that Amber thought he failed her.

After the call, Vasiht'h comes into Jahir's room and distracts him with ice cream.

====Key Passage====
Few roles in their society came to men, and ''good'' men, those who wanted to be of use somehow, were far more afflicted by that sense of superfluity than the idle layabouts who used their status to indulge their whims.

===Chapter Five===
Sediryl complains that having a discussion about securing her wedding while she's being fitted for her wedding gown, particularly the corset, is cruel. Liolesa comments on her tone to [[Reese]], who replies that it's good practice for when she's in Liolesa's shoes. [[Irine]] continues the banter, tossing it back to Liolesa, with [[Fassiana]] making "a noise too delicate to be a snort, but... unmistakably related to one". When Liolesa compares them to Sediryl's investiture robes, Sediryl has to sit on her impulse to stick out her tongue at her sovereign while continuing the conversation: The capital is out because they don't want complete strangers to attend (Liolesa says they'll find a way anyway) and insists on wedding at the Seni manor because Jahir wants to. Liolesa suggests [[Rose Point]] instead, but Sediryl rejects that since neither of them have emotional ties to the place. In the ensuing pause, Fassiana says that Delen is out for the same reasons against Seni or Laisrathera. Irine cautiously suggests having the wedding at Nuera, which Sediryl refuses point blank, since [[Thesali Nuera Galare|her mother]] wouldn't give permission even if she wanted to wed there.

Reese brings out a Plan B, which is alternate arrangements Liolesa had prepared in advance with Reese. Sediryl begins to object, but citing [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the civil war]] in the recent past, Liolesa dismisses it. Even though it's going to be a circus, Irine compliments Sediryl's wedding dress and Reese agrees. The wedding dress is being made by [[Liral Sura Eddings|Liral]], to whom Fassiana referred Sediryl. The conversation shifts to security arrangements while Sediryl muses to herself how she wants to marry, then she comes up with an idea.

Lying!

More specifically, telling the public the wedding will be at the announced date, but having the actual wedding a week before, with the traditional feast on the days originally planned for. After all, [[Lisinthir Lauvet Imthereli|Lisinthir]] and the [[Queen Ransomed]] will be arriving within two weeks, and they are the only people not immediately near a Pad. Plus, Sediryl's tired of waiting. Liolesa accepts this rationale, then calls Reese to a separate discussion about a secret.

Said secret, as Reese leads them to the battlements of the castle, is help with a gift Liolesa plans to give Sediryl: a [[Guardkin]]. Reese brings up the fact that, as sentients, Guardkin can't really be given away like that. Liolesa merely wants an introduction and an opportunity to plead her case. If none of the Guardkin on world agree, Liolesa has a back up plan that she's already arranged for. Reese, while accepting that it wouldn't hurt for Sediryl to have an additional person to guard her, notes that she's already guarded by two [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Dirks|White Swords]], a [[Eldritch Armed Forces#White Shield|White Shield]], [[Qora]] and the contingent of Faulfenza following her around, [[Maia]], a D-per, plus Sediryl herself can "melt steel with her mind". From this, Reese guesses Liolesa likes Sediryl personally, and then segues into Beth's plotting, reminding Liolesa that she is here to help. But having secured Reese's help with the gift, Liolesa is pleased.

===Chapter Six===
Feeling quite overwhelmed by being roped into the planning process for a wedding feast that will feature an unknown number of guests, Vasiht'h sneaks away from the taste testing of several cakes and pies. He retreats up his and Jahir's room in the Seni manor and enjoys the blissful silence. As he starts to read a trashy romance novel (the latest from [[Rexina Regina]]), he gets a call from Sediryl. After immediately ascertaining whether or not Jahir is in the room with him (he's off with Val training his talents), Sediryl implores Vasiht'h [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter One|for help]]. Vasiht'h makes sure she doesn't need his help organizing another large party, the Glaseah agrees to cook a small breakfast after the wedding for her and Jahir. With that out of the way, Sediryl asks for Vasiht'h's help coming up with a troth gift. He gets what she's come up with so far (while reflecting that Sediryl is absolutely the best person he would have wanted for Jahir), and they speak a bit about what is and isn't feasible. The conversation wanders to Laisrathera's hospital and the fact that Eldritch doctors aren't numerous when Vasiht'h gets an idea: why doesn't Sediryl endow a university for Jahir? He then agrees to go on a recruiting trip for the nascent university to Seersana, and his [[Seersana University|old stomping grounds]]. Even better, this will take Vasiht'h from the wedding preparation. And if it doesn't work out, then Sediryl can "just show up? Naked?"

Later, Vasiht'h feels Jahir's presence as he returns from his training, loving how Jahir's mind feels after practicing. Jahir pauses to ask him if he wants anything from the kitchen, then diverts there to pick up a snack. By the time Jahir arrives, they have a short conversation about how things change and Vasiht'h complains some more about the kerfuffle about the party while Jahir relates his experience with Val's training. After, Vasiht'h brings up his errand, not telling Jahir what it is specifically. Jahir tells him to be careful.

===Chapter Seven===
Speaking of training one's talents, Sediryl -- in the midst of her own training session with Qora -- asks if learning Faulfenza dance is training by Val's standards. Mostly because while there is indeed dance and Sediryl learning foreign words with her body, it also breaks down at points into talk of philosophy and religion. However, Qora has yet to ask her to create or direct fire, and Sediryl is both relieved and ashamed of that relief. Before, such as with her going to rescue the slaves<ref name="fr-22">''From Ruins'', [[From Ruins (Fiction)#Chapter Twenty-Two|chapter 22]]</ref>, Sediryl knew that summoning her talent took extreme levels of pathos to a dismaying degree.

During today's philosophy discussion, Qora mentions offhand that Escutcheon is too light for him and his people, but also assures Sediryl that Maia and [[Uuvek|her dragon]] are working on a longer term solution.

After a shower and diving into her day, Sediryl reflects that the dancing, while physically exhausting, was also relaxing in a way. Before lunch, she stops and contemplates, and Maia wonders what she's thinking about. At Maia's question, she specifies that she's wondering after what Beth gave to the realm at her investiture. Her afternoon isn't free, but she believes she can cut her next meeting short with the [[Thuliven Mel Deriline|Royal Procurer]], someone she's made an ally of since she intended to help the world. Finally, she cancels the meeting and decides to go to ask her aunt.

Fassiana tells Sediryl that it was a book, but can't remember much more beyond that it was fiction. The conversation shifts to the broadsheet and Beth's letters, and Fassiana encourages Sediryl to stop relying on Liolesa's plans and counteract Beth directly. But since Fassiana doesn't know, Sediryl knows who next to ask.

However, it's difficult for her to face the next person she meets to discuss Beth's investiture gift: [[Liliarana Delen Galare]]. Her first move is to apologize for thinking Lili was a true featherhead. Lili flips the script by asking her for what is she apologizing, and when Sediryl was supposed to come over to actually apologize. They burst out laughing, and Lili invites Sediryl to eat and admits to wanting all the gossip about how Sediryl bagged Jahir.

They speak of trivialities over the meal, and Sediryl finds it nice to complain about the investiture gown to someone. Lili then brings up Jahir, and eagerly demands the story of how they met and courted while also saying that most girls of their set tried and failed to catch Jahir. Sediryl ends up telling the story of their courtship and the first time she knew Jahir had feelings for her<ref name="fam">''[[Family (Fiction)|Family]]''</ref>. Finally, they get to what Sediryl visited for: if Lili knows what Beth's investiture gift was.

Lili describes the book, but admits that it isn't her taste anymore. When pressed, she says what happened to Sediryl was "instructive." But since Fassiana still kept in touch, Lili was also able to hear about how Sediryl thrived in the outworld, ''choosing'' success. And then the coup<ref name="lais">''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> happened. Lili was at the palace during it, and hid on her mother's instructions. She admits a terror and shame about what happened, and that she felt unequal to that task as opposed to Sediryl. Sediryl admits to her own fear while she tangled with pirates, and also that had she never been exiled, she probably would have hid as well.

The two go back to Ontine and to the library with Lili commenting on Pad travel in Escutcheon. She leads Sediryl to the [[Investiture#Bethsaida|book in question]]. After admiring the craftsmanship, Sediryl starts reading, finding the true point of the gift: each story featured a different noble House, and all noble Houses were represented, showing that Beth valued all people of rank regardless of political allegiance. Sediryl also discovers that all the illustrated women were also Beth, leading Lili to reveal that the illustrator was in love with Beth, with someone coming up behind him to change some eye colors. With that sort of knowledge revealed offhand, Sediryl immediately recruits Lili to her circle of advisors (while also demonstrating that it's okay for Eldritch to touch).

Sediryl leads Lili to her suite at Ontine and introduces her to Maia and Qora, then starts a strategy session. After recapping for Qora Beth's gift and what it meant, Maia points out the dissonance between Beth's letter and her investiture gift. Sediryl points out that the letters aren't meant to lift up the commoners, but placate them, which is her basically obliquely targeting the nobility. Maia asks if Beth can actually force Liolesa to set Sediryl aside via noble opinion, and Lili tells her that it wouldn't happen instantaneously, but have the entire noble class set themselves against Liolesa. Qora points out, however, that Beth's convent tour ''is'' a grand gesture that can be countered. But Sediryl points out that Beth's approach won't work for her, because the noble class won't believe it of her due to her background, and Lili agrees. Sediryl does, however, come up with the idea of courting the tenantry, with Lili pointing out that said tenantry has been overlooked or abused for so long, particularly with the sack of Jisiensire. And that, Lili thinks, is the best counterplay to Beth's actions: get the tenants on ''her'' side.

====Key Passage====
"Do you find a way to talk to them, cousin," Lili said. "And make them ''believe'' that you are on ''their'' side... and I believe you will have your counterplay to Beth's thrust."

A singing pause.

Then Maia said, "I like her. Can we keep her?"

===Chapter Eight===
The last time Vasiht'h visited Escutcheon, he was deposited on a field and left to walk through it to the Seni manor. Now, he's traveling to [[Almost Farthest Wing]] which has been transformed into a bustling complex. Since he has no idea how to ask for his ride, he goes up to the information desk as instructed, where he's joined by [[Kis'eh't]], Minister of Science, who tells him that she's tagging along because she needs to start a formal education system, and since Vasiht'h is going to recruit professors, she'd want to toss money and incentives at them.

Instead of a [[Queen's Tams|Tams]] vessel (which are all off on a mission from the Empress), the two Glaseah are taking a vessel bought by the Empress and leased to Laisrathera, called the ''Arsia Mons''. Kis'eh't remarks that progress has finally come to Escutcheon as they walk through the station, but Vasiht'h is reminded of the [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Four|conversation he had with Jahir earlier]], and his reply is somewhat muted. They end up speaking about Kis'eh't's background and experience in academia, plus her personal growth, some of which occurred while she [[Her Instruments|met Reese]].

Once underway with the briskly competent crew of a female Aera and male Harat-Shar, Vasiht'h reflects that a year since [[First Chatcaavan War|the war]] is hardly long enough for the Alliance to have recovered, or even react, and is glad that he now lives on Escutcheon. And yet, he's headed to Sector Alpha. Confusingly, he hasn't gotten a lot of mail, either, despite sending messages ahead that he was heading towards certain folks, and especially the one person he wanted to hear from. But, even though they're moving quickly, he spends some time with Kis'eh't discussing Escutcheon apple cultivars for pie.

His first meeting, which he takes alone, is with [[Armin Palland]], who admits to surprise upon seeing him, and also gives him a hug. After a bit of catching up (Palland asks about his family on [[First Chatcaavan War#Second's Push|Tam-ley]]), Vasiht'h offers Palland the job on Escutcheon. Palland opts to cancel the rest of his afternoon to discuss it over some food.

The meal is slightly surreal to Vasiht'h, since he's explaining [[Princes' Game Series|his role in the war]] in a place where he'd been [[Mindtouch (Fiction)|angsting about minor (in retrospect) issues]]. The Glaseah is also very open with Palland, telling him things he'd might have left out with other people, and ending with the Eldritch and his worries about their survival. When the conversation shifts to Palland's qualifications, Vasiht'h hooks him on the chance to start something entirely new from the ground floor, "on the most mysterious planet in the galaxy". Palland attempts to push back, citing [[Caramia Palland|his wife's]] ailing [[Helena Berrysdown|mother]], and Vasiht'h just tells him to bring them both and anybody else in his family that wants to come.

Palland shifts the conversation to what else is bothering Vasiht'h, who admits that he wants Jahir's mentor, [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]] for the university as well. Palland reveals that KindlesFlame took Tam-lay hard. While he doesn't know where KindlesFlame is, he does know who might.

[[Lasareissa Kandara]] tells Vasiht'h and Palland that KindlesFlame has "[w]orked himself to a ghost," having attempted to go to Tam-lay to help but being rejected due to the difficulty of getting him there. He did triage at the welcome station, but when stood down, he's been unable to live in Seersana doing what he does normally. Vasiht'h volunteers to go get him, talking about how Escutcheon needs medical professionals with teaching abilities before realizing who he's talking to and recruiting Lasareissa for the gig. Lasareissa gives Vasiht'h information on where KindlesFlame is holed up.

===Chapter Nine===
Back on Escutcheon, Sediryl tells Jahir about recruiting Lili for her circle of counselors while Sediryl fixes his brooch as an excuse to be near him. They're about to receive the Chatcaavan delegation which was due to arrive soon. Jahir remembers her, mostly for her penchant for giggling and that she was a potential bride. He's also unsurprised Sediryl mentions she's smart, as it's not unusual for heads of families to choose nieces or nephews as heirs instead of their own children. The two sit on a nearby loveseat, not due at Laisrathera for a while, and Sediryl starts a conversation about Beth is after before being distracted by Jahir taking her hand. After getting back on track, Sediryl states that she wants to "cut [Beth] off at the knees". The idea is to court the tenantry, mostly by using a shuttle to go all the way out to the villages, and bring them food and crops and chickens. Jahir mentions that she won't be able to bring aliens, since in response to Beth, Sediryl's assistance has to be seen as coming from Eldritch to Eldritch or risk humiliating them. Sediryl reluctantly agrees since she can fly a groundcar herself. Further, she plans to keep it from Beth as much as possible, flying to villages Beth has already visited, and recruits Jahir to the effort as a healer. Jahir protests, as he's not officially licensed, but Sediryl tells him that Hirianthial thinks he knows plenty and the licensing is just a formality. After more protests, Jahir reluctantly agrees, and they spend some time planning a preliminary route. With an hour to go before they need to leave, Sediryl opts to go downstairs since Jahir won't let her seduce him, but does worry why her father keeps refusing invitations to dinner at the Seni household.

At Laisrathera, Sediryl sees that the House's reputation for parties is well deserved. They have decorated the place for the official reception, with Liolesa and Fassiana joining Reese as Sediryl and Jahir arrive. Hirianthial joins them soon after, talking about the fireworks planned, plus the accommodations for fliers in general. Sediryl releases Jahir to talk shop with Hirianthial, and Reese pokes fun at Sediryl's desire for Jahir before being poked fun at in turn by Irine.

Jahir alerts everybody that the Chatcaavan party is arriving, and Sediryl briefly and quietly squees about how Jahir loves "so completely and so ''differently''." They arrange themselves on the stairs when the handbells start to ring. The Chatcaavan delegation approaches, the Queen Ransomed at the front, Lisinthir slightly behind and to the side. The bellringers -- just about every child in Laisrathera -- come out to welcome the Chatcaavan Breath, with Jahir reporting that the Queen Ransomed is honored by the gesture. She makes her formal greeting and Liolesa offers hospitality and accepts the well wishes, which does it for formalities. Sediryl rushes to hug the Queen, and the party begins in earnest.

Socketing himself into place at Lisinthir's side wasn't something Jahir could forget in just a year, so he follows the women into and through the castle's front door at Lisinthir's side to enjoy the spread at Laisrathera. After dinner, they all move outside to enjoy the fireworks, and after that, Sediryl finds Jahir and Lisinthir and implores the former to take Lisinthir home to Seni. Also, to make sure that Jahir spends time with Lisinthir, since they are only going to be together for a few weeks a year. That, and Lisinthir should be introduced to Jeasa. Still trying to find a reason to turn down this advance, Jahir suddenly finds all of this absurd and laughable since everybody ''except'' him was looking for reasons not to do so. After some more saucy talk, Lisinthir takes Jahir over the Pad.

Since Jeasa is still up, Jahir takes Lisinthir to her and introduces them, with Jeasa offering to set up a suite for Lisinthir. Jeasa figures out that the secret rampant Jahir had commissioned [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Jackal Chest|was for him]]. She mentions that Lisinthir was the Nase Galare heir before dropping on him that he could have courted ''her''. After a little more conversation, Jeasa tells Jahir to wait with Lisinthir in his room while she has the servants prepare the room so they can talk, and invites Lisinthir in particular to breakfast the following morning.

Jahir leads Lisinthir up to his childhood bedroom, where after checking out the place, Lisinthir asks explicit permission to tumble Jahir. Jahir responds by offering his hands, and they kiss before flirting in Chatcaavan, then going to the loveseat for... cuddles. Later, Lisinthir unbuckles his belt and wraps it around Jahir's neck, then pushes Jahir to talk about why he wants to be physically punished so badly. After some verbal jousting, Jahir admits that he misses it, being [[Jahir Seni Galare#Himself|the Silence Between Stars]]. Mostly, because he doesn't think he'll need the skill again. Lisinthir, however, informs him that he will, because the Empire found a stranded fighter from Second's contingent, and Second was joined by cargo ships with civilians heading toward the spinward corner of the Alliance. Being Chatcaavan, Lisinthir knows that Traitor-Second will not truly believe himself First if he had to flee to do it, and is biding his time for sufficient strength. Which is why he shouldn't be allowed to choose the time to restart the conflict. Jahir feels a tumult of emotion, reassured that he's feeling it again at all.

Knowing Jahir, Lisinthir demands he not put this part of himself into a box, then challenges Jahir, holding him in place with his power. Jahir sends himself into his cousin's mind, surrendering the physical onslaught entirely until he and Lisinthir melded into one single thing, falling inward until he spilled outward. He touches minds scattered across the galaxy until he reaches higher and touches the strands of fate. Jahir falls, and Lisinthir catches him, and the two rest and talk about what they've seen in the Divine Pattern.

Back at Laisrathera, Sediryl presses the Queen for "all the good parts" and also offers to help her out of her fancy get up. They briefly reflect on the only good part about being in that pirate base, which was Sediryl dressing the Queen, before Sediryl presses for how the Queen handles two men. The Queen laughs, and the conversation moves on to the fact that she has a daughter now.<ref name="mp-hn">''Major Pieces'', "[[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Hope's Navy|Hope's Navy]]"</ref> That, and she's here to conceive Imthereli's heir on Imthereli's soil. This segues the conversation toward Sediryl's desire for children, if only to do it well. This reminds the Queen that she brought the gift of two Chatcaavan immigrants, thought they are there to care for [[Lunet Silin Eddings|the Chatcaavan child no one speaks of]] and the Queen fears she is not being well taken care of. Sediryl fills the Queen in on [[Laisrathera (Fiction)|the circumstances leading to her birth]], and that nobody is blaming Lunet for the sins of Second. Plus, she's sure Reese will welcome somebody to teach Lunet about being Chatcaavan.

Of course, Lunet is a female, winged Chatcaavan, and is thusly important, which brings the Queen to the aid she intends to ask Liolesa for the following morning in her capacity as a Priestess. Mostly because the Queen doesn't know if she should be promoting the [[Chatcaavan Shapechange|Change]] or not, and that they should be finding and protecting the winged females that remain, lest they be subject to resentment and fear. Plus, what if Second figured out that he could "raid the traits of aliens and steal winged females to maintain the power and integrity of his line"? But, also, the Queen says that it's a time to be happy because of Sediryl's upcoming wedding and investiture and her conceiving Lisinthir's heirs.

===Chapter Ten===
Having arrived at a cafe close to where KindlesFlame is holding up, Vasiht'h leaves Kis'eh't there to make some calls while he goes up to KindlesFlame's cabin himself. He hikes about 20 minutes through wilderness, taking in the nature surrounding him, and reflects on the nature of his own talent. He arrives and rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. After waiting for some period of time in comfort, KindlesFlame abruptly opens the door, and gets the wrong idea about Vasiht'h's arrival. The Glaseah quickly reassures the Tam-illee that Jahir is fine and safe, and KindlesFlame invites Vasiht'h inside. The Glaseah takes a look around the barely lived in cabin while KindlesFlame offers refreshments, and so begins the conversation about text and subtext worthy of two psychologists.

Vasiht'h first lets KindlesFlame know that Jahir also went through the war, and the new scars he has, along with telling him that the Tam-illee has been invited to Jahir's wedding, and also that he's invited to emigrate to the Eldritch homeworld. After KindlesFlame's caustic response to how he "should" react, Vasiht'h tells him a bit of how needed he is on Escutcheon. KindlesFlame expresses indifference, so Vasiht'h tells him that the Chatcaava pinned Jahir to a wall.<ref name="ie-03">''[[In Extremis (Fiction)|In Extremis]]'', chapter 3</ref> After detailing what Jahir went to with a rapt audience of one, Vasiht'h tells KindlesFlame that Palland has his commtag, and leaves. A bit down the pathway from this idyllic hideaway, Vasiht'h hopes he did the right thing.

Back on campus, Vasiht'h discovers [[Jill Berquist]] has been promoted, and quickly comes to the conclusion that working farther away from children has her resentful, even though she's proud of the promotion. They make small talk, talk also about [[Nieve's Girls|the girls]] and how they're involved in the post-war cleanup, and from there Vasiht'h pitches her on coming to Escutcheon. Feeling quite sure of his victory there, he finds Kis'eh't and offers to go shopping to get a jump on the end-of-year gift giving season.

On the final day of the trip, Vasiht'h gets a message from KindlesFlame indicating that he's coming and he tells the Tam-illee where to meet them. At the dock, KindlesFlame is introduced to Kis'eh't and disappears into the ship in a rather taciturn manner, and Vasiht'h nudges Kis'eh't to cut the trip back to Escutcheon down to make sure KindlesFlame doesn't have second thoughts.

===Chapter Eleven===
Jahir and Lisinthir have a playful conversation with how to provide plausible deniability to their tryst the previous night. Eventually, they decide how to present things for the servants to find before going down to breakfast, and from there to Ontine. Crossing over the Pad, Lisinthir makes note of the security situation, ascertaining the exact position of the guards by leaning on Jahir's powers. Jahir then leads them to their meeting, and Lisinthir reflects that it's good to be home, knowing that it won't be to stay.

In the palace's fourth floor, they arrive at the meeting with the Queen Ransomed, [[Hautsuun (Knife)|her Knife]], Sediryl, Empress Liolesa, her Chancellor, Delerenenard, and the Twelveworld Lord. Jahir picks up some of Lisinthir's hesitation about the latter individual, assuring him that while the Twelveworld Lord doesn't quite think of Eldritch as people yet, this trip will go a long way to rectifying that. Lisinthir subtly nudges Jahir to eat by putting a plate of food in front of him before starting the meeting.

The Queen tells of the crash they found and what it means, plus the current state of the Chatcaavan Empire. Lisinthir takes advantage of Jahir's presence to read the room, pausing over Hirianthial to wonder how he was being perceived: As himself? As a combination of himself and Jahir?

At the end of the Queen's recitation and his addition, Sediryl opines that they should have invited Val, since, essentially, he's another mind-mage. Jahir asks if Chatcaava could become mages of the Queen, who replies that while she and the Emperor haven't, they are only two data points, with Lisinthir pointing out that they took their pattern of him before he'd manifested his powers. Sediryl brings up the mysterious Chatcaavan that [[Baniel]] conspired with,<ref name="la-00"> ''[[Laisrathera (Fiction)|Laisrathera]]''</ref> but that one was drained, and draining can be done to someone without talent. The Twelveworld Lord asks for clarification on the nature of Eldritch esper ability, which prompts Lisinthir to bring up that there is a possible psychic component to the Change. But finding out that for certain would require trusting at Chatcaava with the pattern of an Eldritch mage, so Liolesa proposes they simply assume it's possible in order to guard against it. The Queen agrees, reiterating<ref name="mp-pa">''Major Pieces'', [[Major Pieces (Fiction)#Patience|Patience]]</ref> that the Emperor is personally and politically invested in tracking down Traitor-Second. Liolesa then brings up the other item the Queen wanted to discuss, and the Chancellor excuses himself, bringing Hiranthial with him. The dragons, Sediryl, and Jahir also leave, and Liolesa posts Lisinthir on this side of the door to guard.

Liolesa first brings up the succession of Imthereli House, and the Queen tells her that she both plans for there to be several children and that she wants to bear the child on Imthereli soil, citing legal implications. Liolesa turns to Lisinthir and asks if he intends to make a male firstborn heir, to which he agrees. Then Liolesa clarifies that the Queen wants her to look into the future for the right path forward, and states that they have ten years. For what, to guard against what, she cannot say, only that they have ten years for it, give or take a year.

Sediryl absconds with Jahir to a relatively unused area of Ontine above the ballroom to spend some time with him before they need to move on with their schedules. When asked how last night went, she tells Jahir of the "interplanetary interspecies slumber party" she put on with short notice, which mostly involved talking about men and having treats. Since the talk did involve babies, Sediryl's retelling reminds her of her own family, and the fact that her father hasn't responded to any of her invitations. Jahir assures her, and something in his manner makes it seem like a vow. His look is reminiscent of how he looks when he talks to Lisinthir mind to mind, so she inquires about ''his'' night. After, she speaks in the inherent ridiculousness of the title she has been bestowed by virtue of being the viceroy of [[Chalice]].

Sediryl then comes back to the slumber party, saying that Reese offered her [[Grand Galactic Chicken|chickens]] to go along with the garden plots. Plus, she got a message from Vasiht'h, and he'll be home soon! After some other chatter about the Queen Ransomed going with Lisinthir to "beget Imthereli's heir", Jahir says that he has to go report to the hospital for his shift. They share an intimate moment, then he helps her up so they both can attend to their duties.

The Queen talks to Lisinthir about how interesting it is to find a female Empress, and to compare it to the Emperor. He turns it back on her, and she speaks to both the Emperor's and Empress Liolesa's vision. They then, with her retainers, cross the Pad to Imthereli. The Queen immediately likes the smell of the place, and has her breath taken from the view as she steps outside the small house built to house the Pad. The Ambassador then gives the Queen's retinue permission to fly to the house if they wish, and most of the entourage elect to do so. Lisinthir tells her of how Imthereli used to be much more prosperous than it is now, and the revelations from [[Sehkvit (The Surgeon)|the Surgeon]]<ref name="pg">[Somewhere at the end of Prince's Game]</ref> concerning the Eldritch biology is still rippling through the populace. He'd also like to offer some Chatcaavan scientists to the effort.

Their arrival to the Imthereli hunting box confuses the Queen. Lisinthir tells her that the castle is now a ruin, and this house used to be [[Korval Keldi Imthereli|his father's]] when he was a bachelor. By his own admission, Lisinthir doesn't love his father since he thrust the responsibility of reviving Imthereli to his son while he'd chosen to "marry power and wealth and respectability after years of fighting for it and failing."

Lisinthir has also, for now, chosen to let the land lie fallow since he's not yet ready to take an active interest in developing it. Additionally, there isn't enough Eldritch population to hold the land already claimed, so he is safe from people trying to poach it. When the Twelveworld Lord brings up hunting, Lisinthir tells them that they'll have to do it to eat tonight, then moves to settle the Queen inside. Lisinthir tells her that they won't spend the night here, and offers to go with her to Laisrathera. Remembering the cadre of ''female'' companionship she found there last night, she declines the offer before Lisinthir takes his leave.

Left to her own devices, The Queen explores the hunting lodge, finding it as bare as advertised. She tries to imagine what the various rooms are for and takes in what decorations and furnishing there is. By the time the hunting party returns, she had explored the entire hunting box and goes out to greet them. The Chatcaava all eat lightly, but throw some playful veiled comments at the Queen and Ambassador, and when they rise, cheer them. The Queen has a moment to reflect that the Twelveworld Lord, no small power, respects ''her'' as a ''person'' before she and her consort retire to only room with the bed. She asks Lisinthir for requests, and he picks "all of the above." She refuses because if they did, they'd be here all night, so he cuts his choices down to... just two.

===Chapter Twelve===
Instead of going to Laisrathera, Jahir gets into a [[Shuttles and Aircars#Pelted|jay]] being flown by one of the Empress's [[Queen's Tams|Tams]], informing Hirianthial on the way there that he'll be missing his lesson and probably most of his shift at the hospital. Hirianthial responds, asking him if it's serious. It is, but not in the way Hirianthial means, so Jahir answers "No." This is something that needed to be done for months now, but nobody had the time and his fiance didn't have the courage. So, Jahir -- still in his court clothes -- touches down about a half hour's walk from his destination so the vehicle isn't spotted. When he gets to the Nuera grounds, he goes to the footmen and asks to see the [[Haladir Delen Galare|lord]], saying he's expected.

They let him in and give him a room to refresh himself, and a servant asks him if he's sure he's here to see the ''lord'' rather than the ''[[Thesali Nuera Galare|lady]]'', and Jahir maintains that he's for the lord and asks escort, pressing that he's a physician. After hesitating, the servant leads him through the halls, and Jahir has a moment where he wished he could have slowed down and looked through the home his fiance grew up in before he's delivered to room Haladir occupies.

Haladir's first words are "You shouldn't be here," and by the time he's finished that, Jahir had already crossed the room and went to a knee alongside the couch. Jahir asks what happened, frightened that Haladir looks like "a dying man in a body not yet ready to die". Instead of answering, Haladir muses that "Jeasa and [[Kolvin Seni Galare|Kolvin's]] boy is soon to marry his daughter. Jahir tells him that Sediryl doesn't know he's here but communicates her worry, and Haladir replies that he knows he can't go. Jahir promptly dismisses this objection with the advent of modern medicine to Escutcheon, with brings the matter closer to the root: Haladir had been denying his wife, and while doing so he fell off a horse which rolled on him, destroying the lower half of his body.

After some assurance that Jahir really was a physician (which Jahir finally concedes to himself is true in all but name), Haladir lets Jahir see the damage... and it is extensive: crushed pelvis, a mis-healed leg, and a whole host of accompanying internal and muscular issues. It would take time to repair and heal properly, but Jahir knew that it wouldn't begin without consent, with the therapist in him fearing he'd get at must grudging consent.

Jahir returns to his kneeling posture, and when pressed that he didn't immediately start to harangue Haladir about his condition, he admits to fear about how to begin. The ways he could think of to beg would be self-serving in part, because he loves Sediryl, Haladir's daughter. This goes into a brief aside about how Jahir never thought he'd be able to wed her, and in order to do so, he'd needed to be broken. He needed to be broken of the lessons he learned while he grew up, good and bad, because the bad ones entered alongside the good since he'd been so loved growing up. Haladir, reeling from Jahir speaking of things that are never spoken, tries to object that he's been like this for years, but Jahir objects that without treatment, he will not see his grandchildren. Haladir tries to say that he doesn't deserve to do so, thinking himself no fit influence for a child, but Jahir objects that his daughter is about to be crowned heir.

Haladir doesn't answer immediately, and Jahir is pretty sure that the older man had decided to suicide and would have gone through with it had Sediryl not come home. When he finally speaks, he asks if he is to be forced to come to Sediryl's wedding. Jahir asks if he would have to, and if he still loves Sediryl, before gently pleading that Haladir is dying. Haladir objects, loudly, that he can't move, but Jahir counters that if he's taken to Laisrathera, one day he could move. Unmoved by the prospect that he could be alive but not whole, Haladir outright says that he deserves to die.

Jahir remains where he is, kneeling, and Haladir notices that, asking him if he's going to stay that way, and if he's really "my lord" and "sir" to Jahir. Jahir mentions that he'd rather call Haladir "Father" since he hadn't been able to call anyone that for some time, which breaks through Haladir's malaise. Though Haladir mutters that this is "no world for men," Jahir objects, asking "Do you seriously believe your daughter will allow that to continue?" and then shifts to literal begging, finally placing a hand on Haladir's. Finally, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera.

Having secured consent, Jahir leaves the room to summon the [[Shield General]] ambulance, then the manse entire to meet the ambulance. The servants, though anxious, do not stop him from re-entering the mansion with the merely first-aid certified volunteers. Jahir notes that the lady of the house is actively blocking attempts to read her, but dismisses it since his primary responsibility is getting Haladir some help, and she'd taken no move to restrict him from helping. After conferring with Haladir to ask if he wants anything for the pain he will soon experience, Jahir (with the volunteers' help) gets Haladir onto the stretcher and over a portable Pad straight to the hospital's emergency wing. The transfer itself has caused Haladir enough pain that he's shuddering, and Jahir reaches for Hiriantial mentally to call him to surgery. Haladir is transferred from stretcher to bed and passes out, which allows Jahir to silently be horrified about the terrible condition Haladir is in. Hirianthial arrives a half hour later, and sees some of the results, immediately calling for a treatment plan.

"Get the others together," Hirianthial said. "And we'll talk it out. Then you can call his daughter."

===Chapter Thirteen===
Looking out over the Eldritch's home system, Vasiht'h is joined by KindlesFlame, and lets the latter know what [[Escutcheon|the world is called]]. They have a short conversation touching on the Eldritch love for ancient and ornate vocabulary before KindlesFlame asks what happens now. Not knowing Sediryl's plan, Vasiht'h says he'll call her and until then, the Tam-illee can explore the city or wilderness, which seems to pique his interest.

At the welcome station, Vasiht'h calls up Sediryl, who is surprised but glad that the Glaseah got back so quickly. When asked, she opts to have KindlesFlame brought to Jahir right that moment. While she'll miss the initial meeting, she will get to be introduced, and she's quite fine with that. Some more speculation about arrangements, and the call ends. KindlesFlame returns from a drink kiosk with an elderflower soda, and hears that Jahir is at the hospital and is overdue for his licensure exam, assured that "[t]he vital things" came out of the war intact. Vasiht'h leads KindlesFlame over the Pad into the afternoon of Laisrathera, but is immediately called to help Jahir hold a nerve block in place.

Grabbing KindlesFlame by the wrist, Vasiht'h spools himself out to help Jahir even as he runs to the hospital. They enter the acute care wing where Jahir wildly spots KindlesFlame, who is also pressed into service. KindlesFlame starts to roll up his sleeves, gives his credentials to Hirianthial, and is taken to prep for surgery. Vasiht'h then gets the information that the person attempting to die on them is Sediryl's father.

Later, in surgery, KindlesFlame gripes about Haladir's condition while Hirianthial answers, the both of them operating on Haladir while Jahir was the physical and psychic anesthesiologist. Now that things had slowed down with the two surgeons working on Haladir, Jahir is able to breathe and start blaming himself for precipitating this crisis, but Hirianthial interrupts, telling him it's not his fault, and KindlesFlame agrees. KindlesFlame asks where Hirianthial got licensed before complaining about a problem being caused by the Eldritch nanotech. Hirianthial checks on Jahir, and KindlesFlame wonders exactly what Jahir is doing and how. Since it's esper stuff, it gives the Tam-illee some pause, but he quickly bows to the utility of having their minds linked, and Jahir connects the three of them.

Five hours later, Haladir is stable again, but in a much better position than he was when he got there. Hirianthial orders Jahir to sleep if he stays overnight in the hospital, and when told Vasiht'h is getting food for Jahir, opts to do the same. Finally, Hirianthial asks for KindlesFlame's name, then does a soft pitch for a job on world at the hospital before leaving, taking care to remind Jahir in Eldren that it isn't his fault. KindlesFlame guesses after the comment he couldn't understand, but Jahir hugs him desperately, surprising them both since they'd never touched before now. KindlesFlame tries to introduce distance back into the conversation but Jahir will have none of it, but the Tam-illee diverts the conversation to Jahir eating whatever Vasiht'h brings, then adjuring him to go home. He volunteers to stay and watch over Haladir.

Jahir, however, can see that KindlesFlame's emotional injury is bleeding through an otherwise compact aura. He answers that his experiences in the war were difficult but he is "surrounded by those who love" him, grateful to add KindlesFlame to the number. KindlesFlame finally breaks down to tell someone what was really bothering him: Tam-lay died and he lost nothing. Jahir reminds him that his agony is legitimate because it's the identity of his people that was attacked and killed.

Recalling the surgery, KindlesFlame asks about Jahir's esper powers, saying it reminded him of when he was in the flow, except with other people. He compliments Hirianthial and his training, and learns that Hirianthial is also training Jahir surgery (eventually) but also normal practice, citing the need for both and that he has time for it all.

Shortly after this, Vasiht'h enters with food: soup and some sourdough bread for Jahir, some muffins, and a chop specifically for KindlesFlame. Vasiht'h then tells Jahir through the mindline that Lisinthir is waiting at Seni for Jahir, and that the Glaseah will take care of KindlesFlame and Sediryl. Jahir starts to object that he should tell Sediryl, but Vasiht'h interrupts that Jahir needs sleep before anything else. Jahir agrees on the condition that Vasiht'h joins him, and the latter agrees after he's seen to Sediryl and taken care of everything else. Jahir then softly marvels that KindlesFlame is here at all, and Vasiht'h says he helps. The Glaseah makes sure Jahir finishes his meal, then walks him to the Pad.

Upon crossing, Jahir almost falls immediately into Lisinthir's arms, who brooks no arguments and swiftly bundles Jahir to bed, with Jahir falling asleep during a towel bath.

===Chapter Fourteen===
===Chapter Fifteen===
===Chapter Sixteen===
===Chapter Seventeen===
===Chapter Eighteen===
===Chapter Nineteen===
===Chapter Twenty===

==Characters==
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Healer's Wedding Characters</categorytree>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Jubilee Summer Series]]

Haladir Delen Galare

2021-08-10T21:18:14Z

Pyrostinger: /* Events After Sediryl's Return */ put in a brief(er) summary of Healer's Wedding chapter 12. Perhaps I am too verbose in these summaries. Also put placeholder reference for the exact moment Haladir shows up at Sediryl's wedding.

[[File:Illo-Haladir.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Haladir Delen]]

[[Sediryl Nuera Galare | Sediryl]]'s father, and the first Lord of Coursers.

==Physical Description==
An Eldritch of average height, with gray eyes (no tinge of blue)<ref name="hw-12">''Healer's Wedding, [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|chapter 12]]</ref> and long hair, worn loose. He's tall enough to get his chin on Sediryl's head, but Sediryl's not very tall. He's had a limp since before Sediryl was born.

His vocal register is a baritone, though not quite as deep as Hirianthial's, and has a clear timbre.

He prefers to wash with pine or fir waters, and eschews the jewels and fillets that are customary for men of wealth. <ref name="gof-01">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction) | Girl on Fire]],'' Chapter 1</ref>

==History==
A Delen Galare, who was fascinated by the outworld, and read a great deal about it via the royal Wellfeed when he was young and living at the Delen Galare estates. Haladir was best friends with Kolvin, Jahir's father; they met at court.<ref name="hw-12" /> Kolvin was Thesali's sister, and he asked Haladir to marry her to protect her from her mother, Avarise, who was an even worse harpy than Thesali. This match was encouraged by the House, because keeping Nuera in dependable (Galare) hands was of paramount importance. Unfortunately, Thesali did not escape the pattern of her abusive upbringing and Haladir's marriage to her was an unhappy one from the start. He remained good friends with Kolvin until Kolvin's death, and busied himself as much as possible on the Nuera property with a breeding project, which encompassed twelve pastures, two barns, a stable, and a training ground. (This is a 'minor enterprise' compared to Houses dedicated to horse breeding, the way Jisiensire formerly was.)

His wife has intimated that he hasn't been sexually faithful to her.

A gentle father, and very loving, but resigned to sorrow. He taught Sediryl Universal as "their private language" in order to get around her mother's strictures against discussion of aliens. They spent a great deal of time together before she left the nursery, and he read and shared with her stories; both mythical and believable, though Sediryl mostly remembers the latter: "stories, where heroism involved a single man facing down a maddened boar, or a woman swimming into a lake to rescue her drowning daughter." <ref name="hw-15">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 15</ref> Her father "taught her that heroism was common, and often hidden, in the everyday, and he had acted like the heroes of his stories." <ref name="hw-15" />

Two years before Sediryl's return, he fell off a horse that rolled on him and crushed his pelvis. This injury nearly killed him. <ref name="hw-12" />

===Events After Sediryl's Return===
After languishing for those two years in a sort of slow-motion suicide, Haladir is abruptly visited by Jahir, who claims to be a physician. Having been corresponding with his daughter since her return, he knows that Jahir is her fiance, and the two have a discussion primarily about whether he will allow himself to be treated for the condition he's now in. It follows that the conversation touches upon whether or not he deserves to live, that he's been denying Thesali, and the overall uselessness of Eldritch men. After, however, he consents to be taken to Laisrathera. The transfer from couch to stretcher precipitated a medical crisis, as all the stasis of the two years didn't respond well to movement.<ref name="hw-12" /> It was only through intervention by a team of Jahir, head surgeon of [[Shield General]] [[Hirianthial]] Sarel Eddings Laisrathera, and Healer [[Lafayette KindlesFlame]], who had just arrived in-system, that he was able to be saved. It was enough that he was able to attend, if briefly, Sediryl's wedding.<ref name="hw-00">''Healer's Wedding'', placeholder</ref>

==Trivia==
* gentles and rides ugly horses other people would use only for plows
* sings lullabies, tells stories
* calls Sediryl 'my dear', 'my girl,' 'my sweet,' and 'Sedi' and 'Daughter'.
* can weave stars out of grass
* [[Eldritch#Milk_names |milk name]] Lir <ref name="father-13">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) |Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Quotes==
* "My dear, few of us have the life we want. The question you have to answer is whether you can make a life you can live with."<ref name="gof-01"/>

* "Sometimes I think this is life, little love. This, in front of us. The trees and the hills and the sky, and water. The colors of sunrise. The taste of food. The relief of sleep. The sound of a mare answering her foal."<ref name="gof-01"/>

* "The wisest among us seek relationships among equals, for in such bonds one finds communion, longevity, and growth. The less elevated among us wish to be the great and munificent benefactor, dispensing charity to the grateful masses. But no one longs to be the powerless pauper among the wealthy." <ref name="gof-22">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction) | Girl on Fire]]'', Chapter 22</ref>

* "Always check premises."<ref name="hw-17">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 17</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Eldritch Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Delen Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Characters]]
[[Category:Delen Characters]]
[[Category:Girl on Fire Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Farmer's Crown Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Jubilee Summer Characters]]
[[Category:Dragons' Fealty Characters]]

Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

2021-08-10T21:04:56Z

Pyrostinger: /* Chapter Twelve */ Let's do some 12. Time for the big scene in the hospital!

Shield General

2021-08-10T20:50:40Z

Pyrostinger: Added reference point to quote!

[[File:Map-ShieldGeneral.png|400px|thumb|right|Rough Layout of Shield and adjacent Reproductive Clinic]]

Formally named Escutcheon General, but by now is known as Shield General, or Shield. The first hospital on [[Escutcheon]]. Located at [[Forecourt]], in Firilith.

"Its ambulance volunteers called themselves the Shield Carriers. The jay they’d appropriated to reach areas without a Pad had a motto scrawled on its side: “Putting them on their shields AND coming back with them."<ref name="hw-12">''Healer's Wedding,'' [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|chapter 12]]</ref>

The hospital issues its own telegems, a gold and white cloisonné shaped like a caduceus.

==Main Hospital Layout==
===Inner Courtyard/Cafe===
Did you know it had a small fountain in it? You do now!
Also: "The hospital had a canopy it could erect over the courtyard for poor weather, but as it was a projection, it wasn’t often used so as to reduce the load on Shield’s generator."

==Reproductive Clinic==
The adjacent clinic is considered part of the hospital.

===Patient Rooms===
The patient rooms have halo-arches, and the ceilings are filmed with a reproduction of the sky outside (as long as it's nice out).

===Float Chambers===
These are cozy chambers with cushioned benches along two of the walls and chairs against the other. The tech that suspends the float is in the ceiling; this also includes the imaging technology that projects visualizations of early floats (later term floats are visible to the unaided eye). There are several milkily translucent panels along the wall facing the door (on the other side of this wall is the machinery and the technicians' stations. <ref name="fc-13">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

The chamber creates an enclosed field that floats near the top center of the room; this field can be touched, and through it one can feel the heartbeat (mother's at first, later the child's as well).<ref name="fc-13" />

People need to be on a pass list to be allowed entrance to a specific float chamber. Otherwise visitors must enter accompanied by a parent.<ref name="fc-13" />

==Personnel==
* [[Mellie Grant]], a black Seersa who drives the ambulance
* Falden: he/she takes KindlesFlame to surgery prep when he arrives to Escutcheon straight into Haladir's crisis. <ref name="hw-13">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) |Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 13</ref>
* Aura, a Tam-illee surgical healer-assist. <ref name="hw-15">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)| Healer's Wedding]]'', chapter 15</ref>
* Arjda, a Harat-Shariin receptionist at the reproductive clinic. Male, clouded pard, likes pastries. <ref name="fc-08">''[[Farmer's Crown (Fiction) |Farmer's Crown]]'', chapter 8</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Escutcheon]] [[Category:Landmarks]] [[Category:Laisrathera (House)]]

Haladir Delen Galare

2021-08-10T20:25:16Z

Pyrostinger: Didn't notice the other "healer's wedding, chapter 12" cite, so I removed it so the reference name could do it's job.

[[File:Illo-Haladir.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Haladir Delen]]

[[Sediryl Nuera Galare | Sediryl]]'s father, and the first Lord of Coursers.

==Physical Description==
An Eldritch of average height, with gray eyes (no tinge of blue)<ref name="hw-12">''Healer's Wedding, [[Healer's Wedding (Fiction)#Chapter Twelve|chapter 12]]</ref> and long hair, worn loose. He's tall enough to get his chin on Sediryl's head, but Sediryl's not very tall. He's had a limp since before Sediryl was born.

His vocal register is a baritone, though not quite as deep as Hirianthial's, and has a clear timbre.

He prefers to wash with pine or fir waters, and eschews the jewels and fillets that are customary for men of wealth. <ref name="gof-01">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction) | Girl on Fire]],'' Chapter 1</ref>

==History==
A Delen Galare, who was fascinated by the outworld, and read a great deal about it via the royal Wellfeed when he was young and living at the Delen Galare estates. Haladir was best friends with Kolvin, Jahir's father; they met at court.<ref name="hw-12" /> Kolvin was Thesali's sister, and he asked Haladir to marry her to protect her from her mother, Avarise, who was an even worse harpy than Thesali. This match was encouraged by the House, because keeping Nuera in dependable (Galare) hands was of paramount importance. Unfortunately, Thesali did not escape the pattern of her abusive upbringing and Haladir's marriage to her was an unhappy one from the start. He remained good friends with Kolvin until Kolvin's death, and busied himself as much as possible on the Nuera property with a breeding project, which encompassed twelve pastures, two barns, a stable, and a training ground. (This is a 'minor enterprise' compared to Houses dedicated to horse breeding, the way Jisiensire formerly was.)

His wife has intimated that he hasn't been sexually faithful to her.

A gentle father, and very loving, but resigned to sorrow. He taught Sediryl Universal as "their private language" in order to get around her mother's strictures against discussion of aliens. They spent a great deal of time together before she left the nursery, and he read and shared with her stories; both mythical and believable, though Sediryl mostly remembers the latter: "stories, where heroism involved a single man facing down a maddened boar, or a woman swimming into a lake to rescue her drowning daughter." <ref name="hw-15">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 15</ref> Her father "taught her that heroism was common, and often hidden, in the everyday, and he had acted like the heroes of his stories." <ref name="hw-15" />

Two years before Sediryl's return, he fell off a horse that rolled on him and crushed his pelvis. This injury nearly killed him. <ref name="hw-12" />

===Events After Sediryl's Return===
This is where I put the Healer's Wedding/Fathers' Honor events.

==Trivia==
* gentles and rides ugly horses other people would use only for plows
* sings lullabies, tells stories
* calls Sediryl 'my dear', 'my girl,' 'my sweet,' and 'Sedi' and 'Daughter'.
* can weave stars out of grass
* [[Eldritch#Milk_names |milk name]] Lir <ref name="father-13">''[[Fathers' Honor (Fiction) |Fathers' Honor]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

==Quotes==
* "My dear, few of us have the life we want. The question you have to answer is whether you can make a life you can live with."<ref name="gof-01"/>

* "Sometimes I think this is life, little love. This, in front of us. The trees and the hills and the sky, and water. The colors of sunrise. The taste of food. The relief of sleep. The sound of a mare answering her foal."<ref name="gof-01"/>

* "The wisest among us seek relationships among equals, for in such bonds one finds communion, longevity, and growth. The less elevated among us wish to be the great and munificent benefactor, dispensing charity to the grateful masses. But no one longs to be the powerless pauper among the wealthy." <ref name="gof-22">''[[Girl on Fire (Fiction) | Girl on Fire]]'', Chapter 22</ref>

* "Always check premises."<ref name="hw-17">''[[Healer's Wedding (Fiction) | Healer's Wedding]]'', Chapter 17</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Eldritch Characters]]
[[Category:Eldritch Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Delen Noble Characters]]
[[Category:Galare Characters]]
[[Category:Delen Characters]]
[[Category:Girl on Fire Characters]]
[[Category:Healer's Wedding Characters]]
[[Category:Farmer's Crown Characters]]
[[Category:Fathers' Honor Characters]]
[[Category:Jubilee Summer Characters]]
[[Category:Dragons' Fealty Characters]]