Riley's Paradox, page 34
part #9 of Hearts of ICARUS Series
“Allowing the three sisters of the Lobos to fulfill their own destinies is why the fate of Chaos is now Truth Absolute. Had any one of you chosen differently at any point, it is unlikely that any of us would be standing here today.
“Lehoia knew this, of course. She also knew that your belief in and trust of your own people would be required if her attempt to avoid the paradox were to have even the smallest chance of success.
“Before setting her powers aside, she may have made a couple of quick adjustments along the time-stream in the dwindling seconds left to her,” Sekhmet said with another short lived smirk. Then her eyes grew sad. “With her final breath, Lehoia sent the identity of her Chosen across the cosmos to be sung within the Prism Halls of the Gloried, along with her powers.”
Sekhmet looked up into the sky again, her claws once more extending into the earth. “Lehoia once told me that the lavender skies of this new world chosen by the Klanaren are unusually beautiful,” she said softly. “Words did not do it justice.”
Garen, Trey and Val all nodded, an action immediately copied by the Katre-Laus. The silence stretched out for a little while longer before Sekhmet sighed, then looked down at them again. Wilder was startled to see a single tear rolling slowly down Sekhmet’s stone cheek.
“Thanks to Lehoia’s quick thinking, the paradox is now held at bay, but only by a single, tenuous thread. To avoid the Unraveling, the Chosen must survive to claim her inheritance. Otherwise the thread will break, and the Unraveling will take place.”
“We can only be grateful that there is, at least, a chance,” Garen said. Sekhmet dipped her head in agreement. “What can you tell us about the Chosen?”
“In accordance with the most recent casting of the stars, a daughter of the current Bearen Consuls of the Jasani Klanaren must claim Lehoia’s legacy on behalf of the first daughter of her line. We know that the youngest of the Bearens’ three daughters is not the mother of the Chosen, for obvious reasons. Which, I must say, is a pity. Young Charley Bearen would be a fine choice indeed, but her future lies along another path. If the Unraveling is successfully averted, of course.”
Sekhmet’s wings lifted slightly from her back, the feathers rubbing against each other briefly before resettling. “If the Bearen daughter who bears the Chosen loses her life on this plane of existence before continuing her line, or if the Chosen loses her life before her rightful place among the Lesser Pantheon is claimed, the paradox will take place, and the Unraveling will begin. The moment she accepts her place, or her mother accepts it on her behalf until she is capable of doing so for herself, the threat of paradox will become void.”
“What if her place is accepted by her mother, and she perishes before she’s able to do so for herself?” Val asked.
Sekhmet smiled at Val. “In that event, Prince Valen, according to the codicil recently voted into place by the Greater Pantheon, a new successor will be selected by the Gloried of the Greater Pantheon.”
“That’s a relief,” Val said.
“Indeed,” Sekhmet agreed dryly. “I warn you, however, that the Chosen must first be born, conscious, and alive at the time of the acceptance. The mother must also be conscious, and alive, and she must perform the acceptance herself while maintaining physical contact with her daughter.”
“I’m confused,” West said. “You said that the identity of the Chosen was sent along with Lehoia’s powers, but it seems as though you don’t know which daughter it is.”
“Ah yes, I can see that was unclear,” Sekhmet said. “The identity of the Chosen was sent, but until the powers are claimed by her, or by her mother on her behalf, none shall know her name.”
“Do you know where the Bearen daughters are, or who has them?” Val asked.
Sekhmet tilted her head to look up at the sky once more, the scimitars in her paws stretching down into the soil yet again.
Garen had sensed a strong, underlying tension in Sekhmet from the moment he’d felt her crossing the ranch’s boundaries. Tension that surpassed even that which Sekhmet had revealed during their discussion. So far, he hadn’t been able to discern the precise reason for it. Since her attention was currently elsewhere, he took the opportunity to focus his mind fully on her and all that she’d said and done. It didn’t take very long for him to find what he sought.
“Your presence here and now, along with the things you’ve told the seven of us, are even more significant than I suspected, which is saying quite a lot,” he said carefully. Sekhmet lowered her head and fixed her eyes intently on him once again.
Garen met her gaze steadily for several long moments before releasing a long, slow breath. “Whatever future the Thousand Worlds faced before your arrival has now been changed. That’s why you’re here. To tell us of the paradox is part of it, yes. But in doing so you have deliberately altered what comes next.”
“Just so, High Prince,” Sekhmet admitted easily. “From the moment I confirmed your conclusion that a successor was chosen before Lehoia’s death, the future began anew.”
Sekhmet’s wings lifted fully off of her back, stretched wide, then resettled. “It is, of course, forbidden to meddle in such things,” she said with that hint of humor in her voice once again. “But, seeing as the fate of the entire galaxy is at stake, the Gloried have decided it was an act we would willingly spend eons doing penance for. Providing we have eons, of course.
“However, Prince Valen,” she said, returning her attention to him, “now that events have been reset, if you will, I may interfere no further than I already have. Providing you with the answer to your question would reset things again, and that is a risk far greater than those already taken. Fortunately, the Katre-Laus already possess the key to unlock that information for themselves.”
“Then we shall send them, and as many ships as we can muster on short notice to find both Riley and Rose and bring them back,” Val said.
Sekhmet slid her eyes over to Wilder and did not look away. He was so disconcerted by the intensity of her stare that it took him a moment to understand what it was she was waiting for. When he did, he had to struggle to hide the sudden hopelessness that raced through him.
“According to the Tigrens, this is our path to walk, Prince Val,” he said with a calm acceptance he did not feel.
Sekhmet dipped her enormous head in agreement. “It is quite dangerous to change what is into what never was,” she said carefully. “I have already done this, as you now know. While many paths had to be touched, meticulous care was taken in regard to four specific paths.
“The paths I speak of are yours, Wilder, Winston, Weston, and Perseus. Paths that you were always intended to walk, a fact proven by the existence and purpose of the máti. The four of you must walk this path as your destinies have decreed. Otherwise, all efforts to preserve our galaxy will be rendered moot.”
Silence fell as they all considered the overwhelming responsibility that had just been placed upon the shoulders of the Katre-Laus. And Percy.
“If this is their path to walk,” Garen said slowly, “does this mean they are not allowed to ask for aid?”
Sekhmet titled her head slightly as she considered her answer. “They must forge their own paths as they see fit, High Prince. As must we all.”
Garen thought about that for a long moment before nodding slowly. As the silence stretched on, he realized that Sekhmet had finished telling them what they needed to know, and now waited only to see if they had further questions. He had a million of them, but none that could be safely answered given all she’d just told them.
“On behalf of all of our people, we thank you Sekhmet, as well as the rest of the Gloried, for sharing your knowledge, your advice, and your warnings, with us,” Garen said. “We will do all that we can to see the paradox rendered void.”
“This I know,” Sekhmet said calmly. “The tasks placed before you will not be easy burdens to bear, and yet none of you have expressed reluctance to accept them. Your courage bolsters my hope that the Gloried will indeed have eons in which to perform that penance.”
Garen laughed softly, though the rest of them merely smiled. “It has been a very great honor to meet you, Sekhmet,” he said with a deep nod of respect.
Sekhmet dipped her head in return. “I thank you, High Prince. It has been my honor to meet all of you as well.” She turned her attention to Wilder, Win, West, and Percy. “Good hunting, Katres of the Klanaren, and to you, Perseus of the Lonyx of Rha.”
“Sharp Claws, Sekhmet of the Gloried,” Wilder responded, bowing with his fist to heart.
“A fitting blessing to carry with me to the Great Hunt, for which I thank you,” Sekhmet said with a smile. The immense stone sphinx rose to her feet, spread her enormous wings wide, then vanished without a sound.
They all stared at the thick blue grass Sekhmet had laid upon, noting that not a single blade had been bent or broken. Even the deep holes caused by her claws were gone.
“That was…unexpected,” Garen said as he, Trey, and Val moved to stand before the Katre-Laus.
Wilder smiled at the massive understatement, but his amusement quickly faded. “I do not doubt a single word she said, but I still don’t understand how the death of one can cause the death of all that is.”
“It’s the very definition of a paradox,” Garen said. “That which cannot happen, has happened, resulting in an aberration in space and time itself. In this case, one who is truly immortal, who cannot be killed, has been killed. It is roughly the same as gravity pushing us away from the ground rather than drawing us to it.”
“And this aberration causes the destruction of all life?”
“Not exactly,” Garen replied. “Unraveling doesn’t kill or destroy anything. It undoes everything back to the creation of life in the Thousand Worlds. Theoretically it will then start over, but that is small consolation to us.”
“You’re big on understatements today, Highness,” Wilder said wryly. “I have a question.”
“Yes?”
“Sekhmet said that Rikki Bearen was not the mother of the Chosen for obvious reasons. The only obvious reason I can think of is that she’s Clan Bearen, and a Bearen cannot become Guardienne of Clan Katre. By that evidence alone, it seems to me that Rose must also be ruled out as she is Clan Gryphon, leaving Riley, who is Clan Katre, as the mother of the Chosen. And yet, Sekhmet said that she didn’t know which of the two remaining daughters would bear the next Lehoia. My question is, why did she say she didn’t know when the answer seems clear?”
“I’m afraid that the obvious reason that Rikki is not the mother of the Chosen isn’t that she’s Clan Bearen, but rather that her daughter, Charley, is both shifter, and Clan Bearen.”
Wilder’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “I can’t believe I missed that,” he said with a sigh.
“It’s understandable, Wilder,” Garen said. “Females who are born shifters are not that common, and Charley is the only offspring of a female born shifter. So far.
“You should also be aware that while Lehoia was Guardienne of Clan Katre, she may also have been Guardienne of Clan Tigren, or Clan Gryphon, or both. Under different names and visages, of course, as Sekhmet mentioned.”
“I would’ve thought Clan Gryphon would be considered avian rather than leonine since their heads are of raptors,” West said.
“Perhaps,” Garen said with a shrug. “There is no telling what clan Riley’s and Rose’s daughters will be. Perhaps they will share their mothers’ alter forms as Charley does Rikki’s. Perhaps not. Don’t forget that, like Charley, the other babies are hybrids. That muddies things up a bit more.”
“That’s true,” Wilder admitted, then sighed heavily. “I think I’ve attempted to stuff too much information into my brain these last two days.”
“You’re tense, overburdened, stressed, and worried,” Trey said. “Not to mention trying to deal with the mental, emotional, and physical effects of having your mating fangs descended and your berezi in danger. You’ll have plenty of time to rest yourselves once you leave Jasan. I suggest you take advantage of that. You will need it.”
“Excellent advice,” Wilder said. “Now that we have answers to so many of our questions, we might just be able to do that.” He frowned and turned back to Garen. “By the way, how difficult will it be to identify the male-set intended to be Rose’s Rami?”
“We have already done so,” Garen replied. “What is it you’re thinking, Wilder?”
“We were angry when we heard Rose tell Riley what was written on that document. Our emotions were already a bit strained at the time, and we never paused to wonder too much about those who’d done the writing. After speaking with the Bearens on the subject last night, we realized how unlikely it is that a mature male-set would put so many dishonorable comments in writing, and then sign the document. There appears to be more to that situation than we considered.
“If that’s the case, I cannot imagine any honorable male-set not wanting to join our search. If they wish to do so, we certainly have no objection.”
“Yes, we spoke with the Bearens as well, and we agree with you,” Garen said, nodding. “We’ve learned that the male-set is currently heading for Sheara 3, and is due to arrive there tomorrow. We sent them an immediate mandatory summons, to which they’ve responded. We expect them here in the early afternoon tomorrow.”
“That’s good news,” Wilder said. “I have a feeling that it would be unwise to put off our departure to wait for them, but they can certainly follow us. If, of course, you determine that they’re innocent of wrong doing.”
“That was our thinking as well,” Garen said. “We will keep you apprised of that situation.”
“Thank you, Garen,” Wilder said. “Will you tell everyone about the paradox, or should we keep this quiet?”
“That is a good question which has no easy answer,” Garen replied with a sigh. “Sekhmet stated that it was up to us, which helps. I believe it would be best not to make a general announcement at this time. Beyond that, I think we can all decide when and if a particular person needs to know.”
“Understood,” Wilder said gratefully. He hesitated, wondering if he should say what he wanted to say.
“Yes,” Garen said with a little smile.
“Highness?”
“Yes, we spoke to the Tigrens and yes, they told us about the máti,” Garen said, having guessed what Wilder’s question would be. “We weren’t exactly happy about it, but after speaking with Sekhmet, we have a better understanding of its purpose. You may want to keep in mind that those who created the máti would not have gone to so much trouble unless they believed there was at least some chance of it leading to success.”
“That’s a very good point, Highness, which had not occurred to me,” Wilder said.
“I wonder, though,” Win said. “If they knew so much about this situation, why didn’t they forewarn anyone? Perhaps Lehoia could have been saved.”
Garen’s golden eyes dimmed slightly. “As Princes of the Klanaren, one of the most difficult lessons we’ve had to learn is that knowledge, in and of itself, can either be the greatest blessing, or the most destructive of weapons. In this instance, we must trust that the creators of the máti had reasons not only for what they did, but also for what they did not do.”
“You’re right, of course,” West said thoughtfully. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for them to find a way to help without altering events that might appear inconsequential until they end up making things worse.”
“Exactly,” Garen said. “If the Gloried themselves avoided altering your destined paths beyond what the máti has already done, I suspect doing so would have repercussions equal to, or worse than the paradox.”
“That makes more sense than I want it to,” Wilder said with a grimace. “Which reminds me. I didn’t understand her answer to your question about us asking for help.”
“Ah,” Garen said, nodding. “If she, or we, or anyone else tells you what to do, then you would be, in essence, led along what is supposed to be your path to forge.
“You need to go out there and do what’ve always done, Wilder. Learn what you can, seek advice if you feel the need, devise a solution, and implement it. You may call on others for aid, just as you have done in the past. The key is that the decisions made, and the course taken, must come from you.”
“Such as us deciding to trust Rikki’s instincts regarding our destination,” West said.
“Exactly.”
Wilder nodded, then sighed. “That would be so much easier to do if the fate of the entire galaxy were not in our hands.”
“I know,” Garen said sympathetically. Knowing there was nothing to be said that could ease that burden, he moved on. “You have another question?”
Wilder hesitated, then nodded. “I do, Highness. I know now is probably a bad time for it, but it’s the only time we have.”
“In that you are profoundly correct,” Garen said with a wry smile.
“What do you believe will happen when we attempt to soul-link with Riley? Will we save her, or will we cause her death?”
Garen nodded, already suspecting that would be the question. “We certainly understand your concerns. As you know, we were faced with a similar decision once, and I can’t say we handled it well. We have learned many lessons since then, including the fact that there are no guarantees in this life or the next. Sekhmet just proved as much to us all.”
Wilder could only agree with that.
“And yet,” Garen continued, “faced with the same decision again, I cannot tell you for certain what we would do. Logic and reason are all well and good, but the moment you toss love and fear into the mix, there’s simply no telling what will happen.
“I can tell you, however, what I hope we would do, and that is to follow our heart’s desire.”
