laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Quietly, the fifth planet in the Cabellan System rotated another day as it's single moon tried to keep pace on it's own course. It's pinkish skies shrouded thick clouds that lazily drifted over the westernmost arm of mountains which rose, encircling and separating Peralta Valley from the expansive Qedmah Moshab, the desert that commanded the southern half of the sparsely populated peninsula.
Atop a narrow clearing, Miriam knelt as she concentrated on her grandmother's tutelage, eyes closed intensely trying to master today's lesson. Her long, pure white hair - a truly Sarrelonian trait of her people - pirouetted and danced on the breeze which rose from the deep, river gorge below.

"Now, concentrate," Sianna instructed, sitting on the large, dark grey boulder to Miriam's right and the usual perch for her master in the arts of the universe. "Feel, don't think. When you experience the troubles of court, you can refocus yourself here, no matter where you may be. This is our refuge, Miriam."

Blowing out slowly, the fourteen-year-old student practised her meditation as she had been taught and soon felt the tendrils of life tied to the world that she called home. A flock of serja glided northward to some unknown destination and she could almost hear their heartbeats.

"Good. You've got it," the soft, motherly voice congratulated, praise that she treasured above all else and which subsequently lost her attunement into a jumble of confused mental swirling. Her solid, sky blue eyes opened as she gazed across to the verdant mountain face across the canyon, realizing how quickly success could be lost.

"Well, at least it's a start," Sianna grinned, her own deep blue eyes admired her granddaughter as Miriam glanced to her.

"How long did it take you to master this part, grandma?"

"Some time," she nodded, then rose as she glanced to her chronometer. "We should get back before your grandfather forms a search party."

Miriam stole one last look at the rugged peaks which stretched for miles before her and wished they could stay here a bit longer. Sighing, she pushed herself up and turned to head to her own awaiting noda. The tall, green skinned beast had been domesticated when her people had arrived here thirty-five years ago; victims of Trade Federation aggression. His oblong shaped head nuzzled it's owner as forest green eyes watched her climb into the saddle and rein it to the right, following Sianna's into the forest.

"Remember everything I've taught you for one day, you'll be carrying our name into the court, advising your cousin and helping rule our people," Sianna stated, guiding her noda through moss covered boulders hidden between tall, thick trees whose thick boughs nearly darkened their surroundings to that of nightfall.

"That will be a long time from now, grandma. I still have a lot of time to learn what I need to."

Sianna remained quiet which made Miriam nervous. The countess's ability to see the future was uncanny and always very accurate. "Have you seen something?"

"Just remember what I've taught you and you'll be fine."

Miriam soon allowed their journey through the deep greens occasionally broken up by splashes of reds, blues and yellows in various types of flowers, to relax her. They were together now, which was all that mattered.
Soon, the forest gave way to the estate's 'back yard'. Miles of open, green grass waved as she spurred her four-legged mount to the distant square grove of trees that surrounded a small pond. Thunderous footfalls kicked up dirt and grass as Sianna's mount pushed to catch up. Their white hair flowed behind both females as they neared their goal until suddenly, another rider emerged from that same corner, cradling a rifle and Miriam immediately recognized her father. Reining in her mount, the noda's long neck protested, then soon slowed to a canter as he quickly rode up, the barrel of his gun lowered to the distant treeline behind them.

"How many were there, mother," Tenri asked concernedly.

Sianna turned to follow his eyes, then returned. "How many what?"

"The Bolari have invaded, get to the house."

Miriam couldn't believe her ears.

"They wouldn't dare, those backwards animals don't have the technology to bypass our security network much less take on our navy," Sianna stated in disbelief.

"Uncle Bandai called and stated they have Imperial assistance. Get yourselves to the house, hurry."

Sianna immdiately spurred her mount on as Miriam stared at her father's stern face which soon turned to her. "Miriam, move. Now."

"Yes, sir." Heeling her steed, she pushed it around the box-shaped wood, passed the manicured, four-square garden that her grandfather had created with it's fountain centerpiece and on to the large, circular veranda that centered the cream colored, two-story mansion. She rode to the base of the marble stairway flanked by tall, trimmed bushes where her maid-servant, Tia waited and hopped down from the saddle as she noticed her grandmother enter the transparasteel door.

"I've packed your things and everything's prepared, my lady," her friend and servant informed. They had been together since they had each reached the age of five as was tradition for nobility.

"Why, where are we going?"

"To safety," her father stated, nearly pushing both teenagers around the pool and into the lavish living room where Miriam noticed servants packing up their valuables into large crates while others guided the hoversleds down into the basement for storage. It was then that the realization hit her. "Master Jeron is going to look after you until this is won," Tenri continued. "You're to look after your brothers for us," he shouldered his rifle and motioned to the entryway.

Miriam turned her attention to see her grandmother crouched before her younger brothers, Jabin and Izir and three acolytes of Kangavar, the martial compound that was to be their temporary home apparently. Walking up five steps and across the carpeted intersection that joined the dining room to her distant left with the library to the right, they walked into the marble floored foyer. Two sweeping staircases rose to the second floor above them and flanked a circular, deep green, velvet couch that rounded a highly polished table of marik wood whose dark swirling grain broke up the reflected vase above it.

"...And I want you two to listen to your sister and these students until we can gather you home, understood," Sianna finished as Miriam and Tia walked to her side.

"Yes, ma'am," Jabin answered quietly.

"Why can't we stay and fight with you," Izir wondered aloud. "You need someone to protect you from those beasts," the five-year-old stated.

'Because," Miriam interrupted. "We're going to do what our grandmother said, that's why."

"What do you know, you're just a girl."

Sianna straightened. "Get into the speeder, now."

Izir finally relented as he hugged her, turned and headed out to their mother as she quietly waited outside the front doors. After Jabin followed suit, Miriam walked up and hugged her mentor tightly.

"You take care of them and remember everything I've taught you. Our name rests on your shoulders now, make me proud."

Emotion began to well and Miriam hated to say goodbye.

"Save these for your private time. A lady never shows her emotions in public, you know this."

"Sorry, grandma," Miriam backed as she wiped her cheeks. Refocusing, she noticed the dark brown, wooden box that Sianna held out to her. Taking it, she eyed the intricately carved face and borders on the rectangular container.

"Take this and keep it safe," Sianna smiled, then motioned to her mother as Miriam nodded and headed to Dabei.

Turning, her mother quietly watched the three acolytes as they quickly led her brothers to the sleek vehicle in the circular drive. "I'm holding you to your promise," she eyed the older student.

"You need not worry, my lady. We'll protect them with our lives," Gilan stated.

Hugging her mother, Miriam then led Tia into the speeder and closed the door as she rested within the black leather seat, looking back through the window as her home and family disappeared from view beyond the forest that bordered the interior of the estate. North and west, they escaped as tiny flashes erupted in space above them.