Chapter Sixteen — Part 5

I practiced every day until my fingers were numb, perfecting tone and overture. Depth and constancy became clearer in surges, giving me little pieces of confidence that were often badly needed. I learned about the structure and tonal qualities of the language of the Scandivats’ colony, and with slow mastery gained the ability to relay emotion and abstraction through my song.

Each word was comprised of three notes, played in strange combinations that sounded nothing like music to the human ear. Sentences rarely exceeded twelve words, and the words were arranged all wrong. I felt like I barely learned the basic language when my patient teacher declared me “precocious,” and started trying to teach me how to relay emotions through my song.

The year past, with much to do and too much to learn. I didn’t engage myself in the battle between the Human Race and the Scandivats’ colony, as that would have been fruitless. First, the Scandivats were simply too powerful for my ship and its crew to turn the tide. Second, I was very certain that as an angel I wasn’t supposed to be at war, but seeking a peaceful alternative. I spent nearly three years increasing my reputation as a slave chaser, trying to find out as much as I could about Jupe from the Forever Children that crossed my path, and learning the nuances of the Scandivat language from Captain Reed.

On my fifteenth Birthday, I was given a duplicate of the flute I had grown so accustomed to carrying. My new flute sounded better to my ears, probably because it was mine, and after a few weeks I felt comfortable playing it. Father made me a hip harness for it, so I could wear the new flute opposite my sword. I put the old flute in a safe place, so I could keep my new flute with me.

The third year of study was the one of greatest turmoil. Two planets had been ravaged by the passing Scandivats’ colony, and a third was preparing another futile defense initiative. And then things got terribly worse. The Lenitians were making slave runs in groups of three and four, so my duty as a pirate became more difficult.

The Scandivats’ colony somehow managed to increase the speed of their encroachment on Earth. What should have taken four more years would now require only eighteen months. Earth was now target number one, and Isastan was the only planet where they could restock their supplies on the way. We jumped into Otherspace as soon as we learned of the acceleration, so that we could properly warn the Elves of their plight. We set down on Isastan three months ahead of the Colony.

King Lotus pulled me immediately into counsel. “Your reputation is growing, and we honor your courage.”

I smiled, didn’t know what to say, so I changed the subject. “How are my retired first mate and his wife?”

“The infamous Prince Fluff is currently with the Glory Elves in the Riley System, performing some nonviolent political protest.” He paused. “The Princess, Goddess bless her, is pregnant, and should bear child soon.”

Having heard enough, I cut to the chase. “I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news.”

“Tell me your news.” King Lotus said, his eyebrows wrinkling into a scowl of concern.

“My crew’s been tracking the flight of the Scandivats’ colony, and they’ve shifted their trajectory slightly. They’ve shifted course and adjusted speed. They’ll reach Earth in a little under eighteen months standard.”

“I was worried about this. Wastik managed to get a transmission to them, at about the time they picked up pace. We have made some preparations.” King Lotus clicked his tongue.

“It’s time to consider evacuating the surface.”

“Elves never retreat.” King Lotus said.

“I hate to say it, but your Elfin troops will be slaughtered if you choose to engage the Scandivat Hunter Class. They’re a tough breed, and getting tougher as they draw closer to Earth.”

“Where would we shelter? We can’t escape into Otherspace, the colony has damaged the space for anything but space ship travel. We have angels arriving every day as more of Otherspace is corrupted. Sure, our ships can make it through, and your slaves get bopped home, but the entire library of angelic history is gone. The home of angels, it would appear, is more fragile than they imagined.”