Incandescence

By Angela B. Mortimer

Doella wonders what she is and looks for the answers she already knows. In this final book we find out, and the truth is not easy for any of us. She meets the Cael, the oldest creature in the universe, and finally learns the truth of her making and the terror of her ending, both of which she has stubbornly refused to admit. She bears the children the Elder Vrash has foretold, and in doing so unleashes a power as great as her own on the universe – for these are the Discuri, the twins. These two sons of Doella must fight, one for good and one for evil. Evil must destroy all those who value goodness, for it cannot bear the light. Doella must locate the other Guardians if she is to hold this universe for the side of light and for the futures yet to come.
In this final book we share with Doella the truth of her terrible existence and why she must be the “mother of all”.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela B. Mortimer
• Release date: Nov 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311462855

Angela B. Mortimer

Born in the UK, married a gorgeous Aussie and have been living happily here ever since. Attended West of England college of art. Love reading sci-fi, fantasy and my fav subjects like genetics, planet sciences, philosophy, history - especially ancient, and of course space. I dreamt of being an astronaut. I've been writing since I could and painting for as long.I love the outdoors and gazing at the stars and wondering what might be out there.

Book preview

Incandescence

Angela B. Mortimer

Incandescence

PUBLISHED BY:

Angela B. Mortimer at Smashwords

Copyright © 2014 by Angela B. Mortimer

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase another copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used factiously.

Adult Reading Material

*****

As always, I’d like to thank my husband for being such a help when I am obsessed with work, and proofreading, and Phill Campbell for all the hard work that went into checking this rather larger than a usual book. It is two books in one so if you need to get your breath back after the first part Incandescence, before starting on the second part Dioscuri (Twins) you can. I thought three books are perfect for a series to finish.

Hope you enjoy it.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Acknowledgements

Part One: Incandescence

Part Two: Dioscuri

Part One

Incandescence

Chapter 1

When Vrash got back from his weapons practice, he couldn’t locate his father. Coath promised his son he’d listen to his ideas for keeping their outlying borders safe from the Pharlas, who continued to raid their settlements after they defeated them in battle.

He sensed a jolt in his mind; his mother had arrived. No wonder his father wasn’t available. He forgot everything else when Doella was here. She usually stayed a few days, and they rarely left their apartments. After his parent’s first lovemaking, Vrash knew she’d want to see him. Although he was a mature man, she’d caress him and stroke the hair from his eyes. When he was younger, he’d squirm and try to pull away, but now her touch was all he wanted.

In common with Doella’s latest children, Vrash grew up fast. It was only five years since the Pharlas failed invasion, and he was a man with the appetites of his parents. He used his father’s harem, but none of the gentle arms of the girls felt as his mothers. He pushed his jealousy away. This was insane, madness - it was against all decency to want your mother. But she was more than beautiful, different from other women, she glowed as gold and her pale golden hair fell over her body as rivers of silk. And her eyes, no gem shone as bright as her green orbs did. When she told him she loved him, the emotions sent into his mind were joyful, and to the youthful man sensuous.

It was hard to hide his emotions, for it aroused him thinking of her. He thought about visiting Laose, his current favourite. She kept the prince happy, but her soft caresses couldn’t dispel his longing for Doella. He must keep it secret - his father would hate him if he realised, and he hated himself even more.

Vrash went into the garden, asking one of the many servants to bring him drink, and then sat under a canopy and waited for his mother to call him. He watched the white curtain of their bedroom blowing in the breeze and heard his mother’s laughter. He gulped more wine and tried to relax. She laughed again, and Coath joined her. Nobody else made him laugh. She didn’t stay long enough, he said when he drank too much after she’d left them. But Vrash understood he was grateful she visited often.

His father said she was a divinity who lived in the stars and came to him, a simple mortal prince because she loved him. Vrash noticed the blue and white crystals sparkling on her body. No earthbound woman could be so lovely - she was a goddess! He tried so hard not to envy his father, who he adored. If it weren’t for this madness, he’d have a perfect life. He decided he must leave, take men and explore the lands far from their borders. His father had done the same, so he wouldn’t stop him. Then he’d be away from this unnatural torture.

Doella mind-called him, her special son, whom she understood was to play an important part in their futures. This dragon concept made her uneasy too. The future of many worlds hinged on the help he must give her.

Vrash waited a few moments to imply he wasn’t eager to see her and then walked the inner corridor to their rooms. She lay naked on the cushions, with his father beside her. Coath threw a silken shawl over Doella’s body as he entered. Nudity was not taboo in Fara but considered natural, so the gesture wasn’t lost on Vrash and he used his mental strength to keep his feelings buried. But he couldn’t look at her. As was her custom, she put her arms around him and held him close. His head fell on to her as she stroked his hair, and he sensed his father’s displeasure. He must have given himself away.

‘Doella,’ said Coath, ‘he is not a child anymore.’

‘Coath, my dear, a mother can hold her son. He’s grown up as handsome as his father.’

Vrash was good-looking and resembled Coath, although he wasn’t his biological parent. His long, wavy black hair and deep brown eyes were the same as Coath’s, and he’d the same tall, powerful physique. He looked nothing like Doella but inherited her passions and strengths.

‘You may go, Vrash,’ said his father curtly, ‘we will have our tactical discussion after your mother has gone.’

‘I’ll see you before I leave,’ she added.

They dismissed him. He bowed and left the room in search of Laose.

‘You shouldn’t hold the boy,’ said Coath. He sounded surly. ‘He is a grown man. You may be his parent but it’s not right he sees you so. You should cover yourself.’

Doella didn’t argue but nodded. She moved to the table and brought fruits and the bitter local wine. Next visit she’d bring more of last year’s spring vintage from Astras. Coath downed his wine and looked at the woman he loved. Every time she left him, he imagined her in the arms of another. She mentioned no one, but he realised there were others, and understood if he couldn’t accept it, she’d no longer visit. He was jealous of her brother, Hath, who often accompanied his sister to enjoy Coath’s neglected mistresses.

Doella heard his concerns. ‘Hath has gone to your women.’

Coath wanted to ask her, who else do you sleep with? He tried to stop thinking about it, but the thoughts wouldn’t go away.

Doella didn’t answer his questions, instead, reached over to pull him closer. ‘I love you Coath. We shouldn’t waste our precious time together. My visits are always too short.’

Hath met Vrash in the garden. He wanted to speak to his nephew before visiting Coath’s harem.

‘Hello Vrash, come and join me,’ He handed him wine. Like his sister, he didn’t enjoy the local wine and had also made a note to bring more.

Vrash refused it. ‘I’ve had enough.’

Hath didn’t reply for a moment, and then choosing his words with care, he said. ‘So who should I keep away from? Is the lovely Laose still a favourite?’

Vrash changed his mind and reached for the goblet. Hath realised he loved his mother sexually and sympathised with him. The family knew the Rosarians enhanced Doella so she’d appeal to men, but never before did her hominid sons behave in such a way. Hath didn’t understand it either, but no doubt there was a reason. Doella didn’t appear worried about Vrash’s illicit desires. There was something else behind this. She just said Vrash was becoming a man. It wasn’t like his sister to be casual over anything so confronting.

‘Hath, you say I’ll get over it, but my emotions are getting stronger, and father is suspicious. What’s wrong with me?’

‘Your father suspects everyone, even me. He loves my sister almost to madness.’ Hath chose his next words carefully. ‘It might be a good idea to separate from them for a time. I’m sure your feelings will become less acute if you don’t see her for a while. Why not come with me and meet your mother’s family and friends? You could visit many places; the possibilities are endless,’ he saw what effect his suggestions were having on the tense young man. ‘Your mother has given me a ship.’

‘A ship?’ There was no sea near Fara, he knew nothing of ships, large water expanses, or space. His uncle implanted in his mind an image of the sleek Rosarian ship in orbit above Ark.

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Then it’s time you did. This is a beautiful city and you’ve had a good start here, but you are capable of more.’ As he waited for him to reply, Hath refilled his nephew’s goblet.

‘Laose will miss me,’ he drawled, ‘but yes, I’ll leave with you. Why not? I was thinking of leaving Fara for a while…’

‘Vrash, there are lovely girls like Laose everywhere. She’ll miss you more than you will her.’

Vrash smiled. ‘When you put it that way, how can I refuse?’

‘Good, then it’s settled. Come on, let’s go to the women’s quarters, and we’ll tell Doella and your father at dinner this evening.’

‘They never invite us,’ said Vrash.

‘Tomorrow, then.’ Hath was happy he’d succeeded with Doella’s plan for her son.

Doella loved Coath. He was primitive by Varan standards. She’d always found human men fascinating, and he was similar to those she’d loved. When she was an anthropologist on her Earth, she had many lovers; but this man could live longer - over a thousand years. Still not long enough - no time was enough when you loved someone. When she lay in his arms, her innocence returned, as if she was a young Varan woman. Now she had the strange blue crystals, which gave her unknown powers from another, undiscovered dimension, and her innocence gone forever - as was her Varan heritage. The crystals contained so much untapped power it frightened her. She never probed her capabilities, unless circumstances forced her to do so.

As Coath lay beside her, she remembered her past. Takos left a long while ago, grieving for the woman she once was. Simune, her first husband, was dead. Was his obsession her fault? She wondered if he was responsible for his crimes, or if she was to blame. But it was too late to save Simune. Perhaps he’d been beyond saving, but often thought if she’d understood him better, could she have cured him? Worse (the pain, it didn’t diminish) Wylar, her most beloved dragon husband, died protecting her. Although their son Wylane took his father’s place in her bed, she still ached for his father. Their life together was so short, and he’d differed from everyone else, even though she loved Carnos, Sark, and Haris. Haris was like Coath, but more mercurial, and he spent half his time not believing she loved him and hating her because he could not leave her. Then he’d love her as fiercely as he hated her, knowing he must stay because he couldn’t imagine a life without her.

These three stayed with her, even though their jealousies simmered beneath the surface, and only Sark came to terms with sharing her. Wylane didn’t find any of this strange, it was the dragon’s way and Doellas now. She didn’t believe she was a Varan woman anymore; she was a dragon and something else too. So was Vrash, but he must find out for himself. Many people suspected she’d changed, but no one confronted her over it or asked her to explain herself.

This man Coath was different. He didn’t know the others. He believed she was a goddess and was grateful to hold her in his arms. He made no demands, she was happy and content to be here. In this place, she left her Astras responsibilities behind, why she wanted to stay longer than she should, and reluctant to leave. She was fortunate in having so much love in her life. But she always sensed an unsettling emotion deep inside, as if waiting to be called to do… what?

Hath and Vrash lay in a small pool in the harem with several of Coath’s loveliest women, when Vrash heard his mother calling to him. He leapt out of the water and noticed Laose’s pout. He wondered if she’d noticed his feelings for his mother. A eunuch dried him, and he put on a fresh sarong.

Don’t worry, uncle, he said on Hath’s mode, she won’t guess.

Your mother can sense things the rest of us can’t, Vrash, he replied in the same way. Then said aloud, ‘Hurry back,’ as he leant over to kiss the nearest girl.

Vrash hurried to his mother’s rooms. Even when she wasn’t here, they were cleaned and prepared by her fond personal maid, Sama, who doted on her mistress. His mother stood by the open curtain as if waiting for him, and he noticed with regret she’d put on a gown to receive him. Both his parents were careless about their nudity while in their rooms. His father must have said something.

Coath lay on the cushions, looking at his son. Doella walked over to Vrash and kissed him on the forehead, while he tried to keep his ideas to himself. Why was she so beautiful, and why did she glow with such golden vitality? Hath was handsome and the siblings looked alike, but Hath didn’t shine as Doella did. She radiated warmth, strength, and sexuality. Doella read his dreams, though he believed he buried them too deep to find. Coath couldn’t read his son’s thoughts as his mother did, but realised his son’s feelings. He sat up, and his face betrayed a flash of anger, but for Doella’s sake, he regained control and stayed silent.

‘Vrash, my dear son, I expect by now Hath has mentioned about you two going away together for a while?’ Doella looked into her son’s eyes. Vrash sensed his father’s relief he was leaving and was ashamed.

‘Yes, I’d like to, if I have my father’s permission?’

Doella looked over at Coath and raised her eyebrows.

‘Of course, you can go. Your mother tells me, this ship, can supply your needs.’ Vrash looked as puzzled as his father did. ‘I’ll come aboard this ship with you and see for myself. Your mother says I will enjoy it, but we’ll be terrified in the realm of the gods.’ He laughed and glanced at his son with the tenderness he had for him when Vrash was young, and not an unlikely rival for Doella’s love.

Vrash smiled back. ‘Yes, we will. Thank you, father.’ He bowed to them both and left.

‘Don’t be angry with him, Coath, it’s not his fault. He’ll get over it. I’m different from other women.’ She smiled, took off her gown, and lay beside him.

He cupped her chin in his hand. ‘I understand, you differ from other women,’ all I want to do is to caress you and enter your body, and our son feels it too. I realise you have other lovers - once I believed Hath was one. Yes, I am jealous, but because you come to me so often and give me love to match my own, I am content. I must be, mustn’t I?’

‘Yes, you must.’

He tried to banish the questions, which intruded into his mind. Whom else do you sleep with? Do you love them, and how many children do you have?

Doella ignored his queries; but before she’d thought on it, she asked. ‘Why don’t I stay for longer, we could have another child? You will miss Vrash.’

‘Doella?’ His people couldn’t have offspring when they chose. The women were seldom fertile, only ovulating once every ten years.

‘Well, Coath?’

‘Yes!’

As it was, Vrash and Hath didn’t leave until little Siro was born. Doella fed the baby when Vrash came to say they were leaving.

‘So, my son, what did you and your father think of the ship?’

‘Hath took us to the stars in it, but we found it terrifying. We both felt sick!’

He sounded like a boy again. Doella smiled at him as he looked at his brother sucking at his mother’s nipple. He went red. She moved the baby to her other breast.

‘He’s as greedy as you were.’

‘He is growing so fast,’ Vrash said bending over to put his finger into the child’s grasping hand.

‘Your father will miss you,’ she paused a moment. ‘It’s possible you won’t come back to live here.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘One day you will. For now, you must follow your path and without my help. This son of Coath is to be his successor, not you.’

‘Mother?’ Vrash looked angry. ‘I am the successor!’

‘No Vrash, you are heir to more, you are my heir!’ She put Siro in his cot, and stood, lifting her hand to brush the hair from his face as she did when he was a little boy. He grabbed the hand and kissed it. ‘No, Vrash!’ She pulled away.

Vrash stood up and lowered his head, blushing again. After a pause, during which they collected themselves, Doella continued, ‘Being my successor won’t be easy. It will be much harder than being your father’s heir. Your battles won’t just be fought by strength, guile, and diplomacy, but here,’ she pointed to her heart, ‘this is the hardest battle. I won’t see you as often…’ she saw the pain in his eyes. ‘Vrash, my beloved son, isn’t it for the best?’ she paused. ‘If Hath can’t overcome a terror or situation, you can think of me, and I’ll come. It’s time for you to go. Vrash, may we say goodbye without getting upset’?’

‘Yes.’

But when she moved closer, he reached for her. ‘Mother, I love you but I don’t understand why?’

She understood. ‘I know.’

He leant forward and kissed her on the lips, moving nearer until she felt his hardness between them. She pulled away, surprised at the intensity of his feelings for her. Not unexpected, for she appreciated what must be.

‘Goodbye, Vrash,’ she said. She’d heard his true father’s words and knew what he had to do. He left the room wiping his eyes, angry with himself and his mother. But with hope, for she’d wanted him too. She disguised it, but he felt her lust. He stopped in a curtained alcove to recover before going to look for his father and uncle.

After he left, Doella said a prayer to his actual father hoping he could hear her. Vrash, your son is starting his journey - watch over him. My dear Feye, our son is flawed, as is his mother. You prepared me for this, so tell me again, why must this be? But she knew.

Chapter 2

Coath said goodbye to his son. The ship Doella gave them was hidden from the primitive Arkans in its force field. She appeared holding little Siro. First, she went to Hath and kissed him.

You need to tell him the truth soon, about his actual father.

Not just yet. Let him learn something about us. Aloud, she said. ‘I will miss you, Hath. Look after my son.’

She hugged Vrash.

Hath and Vrash disappeared as they entered the ship. Doella prepared for this. She’d taken a small but comfortable vessel from Rosa. She moved Coath to safety as the ship lifted off.

Siro held out his hands for his father, who took him from Doella. ‘Without this little one, it would’ve been harder to say goodbye to Vrash.’

‘Why I had him.’

‘He’s growing up fast, as he did. It still frightens me, but soon I’ll have another grown son to share my life when you are not with me.’

They set off toward Varan. Though this Rosarian ship was more advanced than a Varan vessel, it’d take a long time to get there. Astras and Ark were months of lamina travel from Varan. Only the Feye Black ship could travel outside conventional time. Hath thought he’d find this slow alternative irksome. He was used to travelling in the Black Ship, which travelled instantaneously between two points, even if they were at opposite ends of the galaxy, or between galaxies. Doella called this method No-time. Hath said all-time because the alien ship could move through the dimensions he understood, and perhaps more he knew nothing of.

Vrash soon overcame his space sickness and became fascinated by the limitless new environment.

Hath first showed him the other planets in Ark’s vicinity, including Astras, but he didn’t take him to meet this family yet. Vrash was still too overawed to argue this point and Hath took them interlamina instead. He’d worked out a vague plan where to visit on the way to the homeworld, Varan. They’d come out of interlamina at random and look for interesting places. On the way back they’d visit Wylar and the other dragon colonies. Vrash was too innocent now to contact his dragon brothers and sisters.

Dolar was on Wylar at present and he’d missed her. She was always there for him, and he had a unique insight. He realised he loved her and wondered if she felt the same. He smiled at his admission. Dragon customs were so different from Varan ones. Would they marry? So far, Sark and Carnos hadn’t found a way for Doella and Wylane to have hominid children, but not given up on the project. Dragons were promiscuous, like his sister, their first mother. Dolar wouldn’t expect him to be with her - what a perfect wife! Now to enjoy his holiday.

Vrash was the product of two advanced beings - he learned fast. After a few days, Hath brought a precious Varan bracelet out of stasis. He wondered where Doella found it.

‘Your mother asked me to give you this when I thought you were ready. You are telepathic, but this enhances your abilities and helps you do many things you wouldn’t think possible. As you are not a full Varan, it might work differently for you, so we’ll take it slow. I’ll adjust it to match your signature and must get it right the first time or I’ll ruin it. I’m not a tech like Carnos or Sark.’

‘Who are they,’ Vrash asked.

‘Friends,’ he said noncommittally.

Vrash caught something from his tone of voice. ‘Of mother?’

‘Yes, and mine too.’ He thought to himself, Doella, you’ve given your happy-go-lucky brother too much responsibility. ‘It can be deactivated but you must never take it off or that will ruin it.’ Vrash nodded. ‘It’s easy to shield from sight. Enter my mind now, and I’ll show you how. See - simple isn’t it?’

‘Yes.’

Hath was impressed, Vrash coped better with his new enhancer than a full Varan. ‘When we are with our friends, we don’t cover it. I have a white crystal for you too, which works similarly, but Sark says you need to be used to the bracelet before we insert the crystal.’

‘I’m feeling strange, Hath,’ admitted Vrash, but he recovered with no help. ‘Will I get a blue-crystal too? You don’t have one do you?’

‘I’m not sure, Vrash, ask your mother. There’s a lot to learn, let’s take one step at a time. How are you?’

‘Fine.’

‘Good, you’ve adjusted.’

‘Teach me how to pilot the ship.’

‘Hey, slow down. You’ll need a white crystal before you can access the systems.’ Vrash raised his eyebrows. ‘The bracelet went better than expected. I’ll give you the crystal tomorrow, but for the moment you need to rest while it adjusts to your physiology.’

Vrash did as he suggested.

Hath sat in the control chair. My dear sister, something tells me this won’t be easy, he said in mind speech.

My kind brother, you are the perfect choice to raise my son, she answered in the same way.

Doella, he has adjusted too fast to his bracelet. He wants his white crystal tomorrow and is asking if he’ll have a blue one.

Don’t tell him yet. I’ve no idea when he'll be ready for a blue-crystal. It might take millennia - only his father can say when.

I realise Doella.

Try to get me out of his system by finding someone for him to fall in love with?

There’s not much hope. He had the most beautiful women on Ark, and that didn’t work. And once he finds out about Wylane, he’ll never give up… but maybe he’s not supposed to!

None of my other hominid sons are this way. Why Vrash?

I think you understand the answer.

I suppose I do. Find pretty girls, be careful not to hurt them, and enjoy your freedom.

Bye, Doella.

They spent a few weeks interlamina with no distractions. Vrash continued to learn much faster than any Varan. He soon controlled the ship and its systems and familiarising himself with the abilities given by his enhancer. In exchange he helped Hath, who was lazy, to brush up on his martial arts. Hath found his nephew gave him no quarter, it forced him to respond and soon enjoyed himself.

‘Carnos still keeps up his training,’ he said, ‘he learned how to be a warrior while he was on a planet called Levos. He and Haris spent time working together, but I always refused invitations to join them.’

‘You keep mentioning this Carnos, but when I ask who he is you become reticent. I’m not a child, I realise mother has other lovers, father knows too. Is Carnos her lover?’

‘To be truthful, Vrash, it’s not my place to tell you. I’ll admit it’s an unusual arrangement by Varan standards and your own. Your father has a harem because your society is male-dominated, common to civilisations at a primitive level. But Carnos is very important to your mother.’

‘Do they have children?’

‘Please Vrash, stop asking me questions.’

‘Do they have children?’ he persisted.

‘Yes.’

‘So I’ve other brothers and sisters besides Siro. How many?’

‘Doella likes children. Please Vrash leave this alone. It’s up to your mother to tell you everything, and she will when you become more familiar with our world.’

‘What you mean, Uncle Hath, is you don’t want to upset me.’

‘You are going to be as astute as your mother. Core says she can see around corners.’

‘Is Core…?’

‘No!’

There was little more Hath could teach Vrash on board the ship. It was time for them to explore and discover unique races and cultures. Even though Vrash was a quick learner, Hath realised he was still a child. He doubted he was the right teacher for this son of Vrash and Doella. His father was a Feye, a race far older than the Varan. What if he miscalculated and spoilt everything?

There were a group of worlds in easy range. Most were uninhabited, and those with civilisations were very low tech. They were bored with the sameness of interlamina, and the freedom of actual space beckoned. At last, they reached old Earth-type planets. There’d be more in the lamina layers too, and a perfect opportunity for Vrash to learn how to travel between with his enhancers. Hath scanned the worlds in their spatial area and the ones interlamina and decided which one they’d visit first.

Hath hadn’t heard from Doella. He wished she’d tell her son what he needed, as avoiding his persistent questioning was no simple matter. As his mother, he required rest when he was changing and learning. Doella sometimes slept for long periods, during which she gained in power. He sensed Vrash changed as he slept too. It was strange how he resembled his adopted father, with his fine-boned face and aquiline nose. Hath smiled as he recalled how Doella fell for Coath at first sight. She was attracted to more human looks than the smooth, regular featured people of their race. The objects of her desire were often dark-haired, unlike the usually blond Varan. Why did Vrash take after his presumed father instead of his mother? He stopped musing, realising Vrash was awake. His nephew entered.

‘I’ve found a likely planet. While we are there, I will show you how to use your enhancers to travel in lamina and explain how the ship does it - the method is similar. These settlements are equivalent to an Earth’s early metal age.’

‘The data says the Varan didn’t start any Earth forming this far from their homeworld.’

‘True, but your mother located these systems a while ago and didn’t explore them, so we’ll complete the survey for her. What’s interesting is they are in a second, third or fourth cycle. They lost technology and climbed the ladder again. Let’s impress Doella with our research. She believes the Litza may have started them, so they will be old. Remember the rules for originators visiting these types of worlds,’ Hath sounded serious. ‘We must not harm the population, and that includes emotions. As for any women…’

‘They should not be respectable?’

‘Doella meant we should hurt no one’s feelings.’ Vrash laughed at his uncle’s thoughts. ‘This is important, Vrash!’

‘I understand.’

‘Good. Your anthropologist mother feels strongly about women being used as she calls it. She saw abuse while she worked on her Earth. It can be the same for men too. She must’ve broken hearts herself, I believe she realises it.’

They spent a few weeks doing as Hath directed. Vrash understood more on Earth forming than his uncle. Their trips into lamina garnered information, although many of the planets were deserted.

‘I liked those people,’ Vrash said when they returned from visiting the planet in the original space. The occupants were humanoid, but their faces far from attractive to Varan eyes, almost bestial. Despite their looks, they were peaceful, even charming characters. ‘It seems Varan are more fascinated by looks. The inhabitants of the planet may not be a type A, the Varan ideal of perfection, but they use only aesthetic parameters. There is more to a person than regular features and straight limbs.’

‘Well said, Vrash, your mother will be impressed,’ Hath smiled, ‘she always argued for a change in Varan assessments, but of course, her ideas came to nothing. Varan is intransigent and opposes reform.’

‘Yes, I understand my mother’s ideas.’ Vrash searched for their next port of call. ‘This planet looks interesting. There are large structures on its surface. What do you think?’

‘Shall we look?’

Chapter 3

They landed outside the largest town. It looked the most promising to stay for a while. They were an A-class people, with surprising pockets of other racial types. A useful indicator this was an old race, which once had advanced technology. Perhaps a disaster affected them, and they reverted to an earlier level, for they possessed no machinery, which was unusual.

‘This is typical of a culture which destroyed itself. The different racial types are a good sign. If they were primitives, those other minorities wouldn’t be here. You can see how they don’t belong and must have originated elsewhere.’ Hath wondered why he needed to explain his theory. Vrash arrived at the same conclusion without his uncle’s help. There were signs from orbit of the remains of once-large cities, long since buried.

The town was basic, the usual castle on a hill dominating the buildings below it. The fortress was ugly, but the settlement nestled close to its thick stone walls as if they might afford it protection.

There was a permanent market with many beer and food stalls. The people were not clean, looked worn and had missing teeth. There was nobody here, appealing, so they sat drinking beer while they watched and learned their language. Women approached, but Hath handed out replicated coins and said no.

Uncle asked Vrash silently, I’ve familiarised myself with their speech, but nothing is promising here. There isn’t a single person with good teeth or clean hair anywhere.

They are just poor, replied Hath. Perhaps the people behind the walls are in better condition. Let’s get inside.

The guards didn’t stop them entering. This was the proper town. It was even dirtier. They saw another wall and went to the gate there, but were refused admission. They formed bubbles and got over the walls. Inside, they saw fruit and herbs growing. There were many armed guards, but no one else, and no attractive women. Then, out of a door in a low round tower, came a girl, different from the others they’d seen.

She had long dark hair, and her bright, yellow dress made of fine silken material. She wore an even finer shawl edged with tassels over her head. A group of women accompanied her, but they were older and plainly dressed.

One pretty girl said Vrash with a laugh, there must be more. Let’s follow her, she looks like Laose, doesn’t she?

Keeping to their bubbles, they followed her into a large round building, which was the largest single structure in the castle. It resembled a church or temple. Was the girl a priestess? There were no windows, and the interior was lit by many rush torches.

The young woman stopped before an altar where her attendants undressed her and then poured a jug of water over her. She stood as still as stone.

She walked up the steps to an ugly statue, rubbed her body against it, and sat cross-legged in front as if she were waiting. It fascinated both men as one woman brought her a drink, which she gulped. They wondered what she waited for… and then something appeared from behind the idol.

Vrash sensed a sudden rush of fear from Hath. He’d never seen his cavalier uncle troubled. The reason for his terror was a mystery to his nephew, but Hath knew the creature standing over the girl was a dragon in its hominid form. Since he did not recognise it, it was not of Doella’s kin, so must be a Wild One. What was worse, he felt them. Hath screamed in his mind for his sister’s aid. He braced to meet a blast of dragon fire. But they were back on their ship beside Doella. Vrash could only wonder at his mother travelling such a vast distance in moments.

‘Are you sure it’s a wild dragon, Hath?’ She asked in a business-like tone. Vrash had never seen this side of her before, and she ignored him.

‘No doubt, I’d have recognised one of your children.’

‘Yes, you must be right. None are on their own, and this sector is a long way. Wylane believes they try to get far away from us.’

Wylane and dragon children. What could this mean? It intrigued Vrash and horrified him.

‘I’ll have a word with this dragon,’ said Doella.

‘Can I come with you, mother?’ asked Vrash.

Doella looked at Hath. ‘Don’t ask me for an answer, he’s your son, and he is supposed to be receiving an education, isn’t he?’

She took hold of one of Vrash’s hands, and next moment they stood in the temple, facing the dragon. The creature hadn’t moved, and he concentrated, searching for them. The girl had disappeared.

Doella’s voice emerged soft and sinister. ‘Looking for me?’ He attempted to read her, but she didn’t fit into any known category. Her shape was Varan, but he couldn’t know her mind. He recognised her dragon signature, and then he realised who she must be. The being standing beside her was similar, undeveloped, and more readable, with a dragon signature - he was her young one.

At last, Doella broke the silence and entered his mind. So you are up to your usual tricks, spying out feeding grounds. But there isn’t enough meat here, is there? And you have discovered the joys of hominid mating, but the girl is fragile, so you keep hurting and then healing her. Poor creature, you will destroy her, and you don’t care. For that alone, I’d like to kill you, Zyl. No, you can’t read my mind, but I’ll tell you my name, although you have guessed it, I am Doella. You’ve heard of me.

Vrash couldn’t understand. It was as if his mother and the dragon were standing looking at each other, but a silent communication was underway.

The dragon’s face contorted for a moment as if with pain. Doella still held her son’s hand, and he moved closer to her.

‘Doella,’ the creature spoke aloud as if he wanted Vrash to hear him. ‘Yes, I have heard of you,’ his voice sounded strange to Vrash, an echoing hiss. ‘Wife to Wylar, and Wylane, Mother of Dragons, destroyer of the purity of our race.’

‘So Zyl, I see there are only thirty Wild Ones left. Thank you, I didn’t have the information. My offspring number thousands and they keep swarming.’

Vrash was afraid of his mother. She couldn’t mate with something, which looked so alien.

Zyl gave a terrible scream and turned into his normal shape - a huge red dragon.

Vrash was terrified, and Doella pulled him closer. I’ll not kill you, Zyl. Instead, I have a proposal. All life has the right to exist, including wild dragons, and any of you who wishes to join my children will be welcomed.

Zyl didn’t reply, but opened his wings and took off, bringing the ceiling of the temple crashing down as he escaped towards the stars. Doella let him go and held Vrash to her as the roof collapsed around them. Then they were back on the ship.

Vrash was in shock, he sat and stared at his mother, while Hath asked his sister what she’d discovered.

‘The usual dragon plans,’ she replied, ‘at least Varan isn’t on the menu, but they are looking to feed themselves, not to swarm with young. I’ve found out something interesting. The few remaining females are sterile, so no eggs laid since our last encounter, and they are hungry. This is an area of lean pickings. The planets have low-density populations and not filled with good dragon meals. Zyl came here to explore deep into the lamina worlds. The ancient idol in the temple resembles him, and they believe him a god, why they offer him the girl. They drug her, and then he heals her,’ Doella was outraged.

At last, Vrash found his voice. ‘Mother, what did he mean by Mother of Dragons?’

Doella looked at Hath. ‘Isn’t it time you told him the truth, Doella? It’s only been a few months, but he’s learned a great deal and is far from being primitive. He keeps asking more questions than in our database, and I can’t keep ignoring them. It’s up to you to tell him who he is.’

Doella nodded and sat beside Vrash. ‘Yes,