Juno waited for a white-robed attendant to draw back a chair for her at the surprisingly small square table before sitting. Miko and Kaidan waited until she and Keiko were seated before joining them.
The room itself was elegant if simple. White marble shot through the black of its walls until breaking free to dominate the ceiling. Religious statues, all men, lined one wall, while on the other the now familiar figure of Higo’s god stared down at them from the palm of his giant-protector. Conspicuously absent were a woman’s finishing touches. Either the high priestess had recently acquired her position, or she wasn’t sure enough to make the room her own.
Someone’s a little insecure. Though Keiko’s face remained impassive, her tone held enough sarcasm to fill the room.
A young woman in church robes took an order from Miko before scurrying away. The ubiquitous hammer and chain were inexplicably absent. The girl returned a moment later with a cart filled with four large plates, each covered with a silver dome. The exotic smell of some unknown meat filled the air. Juno’s stomach growled loudly enough to bring a heated blush to her cheeks. Keiko grinned sympathetically.
“I want to thank you both for joining us,” the high priestess said with a surprisingly warm smile. “I think I speak for all of Higo when I say your arrival qualifies as one of the most significant events in our history. Even so, I’d rather not make this a formal dinner. I’m sure you’re tired and disoriented, and I don’t want you to think this is anything more than our way of welcoming you.”
A welcome that began with kidnapping, Juno thought. She forced a smile and inclined her head without looking at Keiko. “Thank you,” she said, not entirely sure how to address the woman. “That’s very kind. This moment is as big for me… for us… as it is for you. We always wanted to believe we weren’t alone in the universe; until now we had no proof.”
How do you want to play this? she asked Keiko.
You’re the one with the senator dad, which makes you more familiar with these kinds of situations.
Juno nearly choked on her water. She raised a pure white napkin to her lips to hide her discomfort.
“We never doubted,” Miko said confidently. “As a matter of fact, your existence confirms what our holy book tells us about Lord Zar Ranok.”
Juno frowned, but before she could speak, Kaidan’s deep voice rumbled across the table. “We didn’t know until recently what the Pathways were or what they meant to Higo.”
Miko nodded as she lifted the silver dome from her plate and cut into her meal. “According to the Holy Book, King Tallen woke on the slopes of the Ridderroque with the Heartstone in his hand. Lord Zar Ranok spoke to him through the stone, telling him of his journey and his past, and the sorrow he left behind.”
Juno leaned forward; she couldn’t help herself. Miko’s voice had an almost hypnotic lilt that suited the tale. She thought back to stories of dragons and giants her mother read to her when she was young. The beasts became dinosaurs as she grew. She wanted to know how they died out, promising herself she’d learn everything she could until she found the answer.
“What happened to your god before he came here?” Juno picked up a napkin and placed it on her lap. Following the high priestess’s lead, she removed the silver cover from her plate, sliced a bit of meat, and placed it into her mouth. The flavor was unlike anything she’d tasted: sweet and robust, with a touch of spice and even a hint of cinnamon. It was delicious, maybe the best she’d ever had. She slipped another piece into her mouth and returned her attention to the priestess.
“A great tragedy,” Miko said, her tone somber. “There was a war, a terrible war. Our Lord’s wife was among the first to die at the hands of a dear friend. Other gods died by the thousands, their guardian demigods along with them.”
Juno struggled to keep her eyes on Miko. She didn’t think shifting her gaze to Keiko would make the high priestess suspicious, but she didn’t want to chance it.
Miko spoke of Higo’s holy book – its bible – and the incredible claim that Higo’s god abandoned his ancient home: a world of gods, a world beyond the Pathways. Her world. Earth.
Juno willed her face smooth. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Miko’s voice reached a crescendo.
“The royal family is destroying this planet. Only the church has the moral authority to rule now.”
Kaidan put his hands on Miko’s. Something passed between them, a unity of purpose, a bond Juno didn’t understand. “No one wants war,” he said. “Least of all the church. Unfortunately, my father doesn’t understand that. He hasn’t even asked Higo for forgiveness.”
Juno fought the urge to rub her temples. Fatigue clouded her thoughts. Her mind was fuzzy; she couldn’t focus. “What does this have to do with us?” she asked.
“Everything. At least, I hope it does.” Releasing his grip on Miko, Kaidan knitted his fingers together and placed his hands on the table. “My father is dying, and Baiyren is his only heir. You’ve met my brother. He isn’t a leader, and he doesn’t want to be one. You should talk to him; convince him to return to your world so we can resolve this peacefully. Without an heir, the church becomes the only viable government. We can restore the faith my father destroyed and move on.”
An outraged expression crossed Miko’s face. “The king abused his power, and everyone knows it. Higo’s people question his authority, and they expect us to bring him to justice. Kaidan’s right. No one wants war, but the fighting will continue unless or until we restore the people’s trust. As long as Baiyren’s here, those loyal to the crown will rally around him. If he goes, they lose their standard bearer. Their cause will die and this war with it.”
“Why did you come to Earth then? If you left him alone, you would have had what you wanted.”
Kaidan leaned forward. “My father sent his guard to bring Baiyren back. He wanted to see his son. Our forces followed to keep that from happening.”
Juno studied the two figures across the table. She wanted to believe them but she couldn’t be sure. Their words made sense, especially Kaidan’s assessment of Baiyren. The man she knew hated tyranny as much as she did, but he simply wasn’t a leader. He was a researcher and a scientist. Kaidan was right. Baiyren wasn’t fit to govern. He did fine with his expeditions, but ruling an entire planet? She didn’t think he’d want that. Her eyes moved from Kaidan to Miko, thinking, measuring.
“I’ll need to know what you have in mind first,” she said. “A lot of people died on Earth. You have to promise that won’t happen again.”
“We’re trying to stop a very old war,” Miko said forcefully. If we’re successful, the deaths will end.”
Kaidan steepled his fingers and sat back. “You have our word.”