Chapter 10 - Part VI

"Welcome to my world little Nü.  How are you enjoying your time in the City of the Crags?  Pho-Boteth has many people from all over the world, but not so many Nü, or Ela or Juttes or any others from your lovely little islands."  Cedric's voice seemed ill suited for the words coming out of his mouth.  Though he rambled on as the words were reaching his mind, he recited them rather than communicated them.

"My pets tell me you are unique, and maybe that is all they meant by that, and maybe in that case, they were right.  Dear pets though they are they are apt to get a little over excited at the smallest little thing.  Are you important?  Who knows, who knows but I tell you I don't think so, I am unimpressed.  But my queen, my queen she wants you known to us so I will do as is required.  For science of course.  We will see, we will see.

"So how about it then?  Are you ready to begin your training?"

"My training?" Vren asked.

"Why yes, of course.  If you fail of course you will die, or maybe you will become one of my pets.  No we can't let any disgruntled students walk around freely. No that wouldn't do at all."

But she might be a good pet if bei Anita was right, so that is very possible that could work.  Don't tell her that Cedric.  Not now. 

"What would you have me do that is worth my life to me?  I don't think anything you could offer me would be worthy of the risk.  I don't want to be your pet, whatever that means, and I don't want to die for this country." Onion asserted.


"Oh feisty little one that is sweet of you to say but you don't have much choice in the matter.  You know of us, you already know my pets, the bei, and my star students, the bei'thal.  You have but to choose your sentence.  The Empress is interested in using your talents for something worthwhile though and gives you the option to prove yourself.  And so I offer you the option to train to become bei'thal.  Or I offer you to become bei.  Or I offer you to die.  It is your choice but that is what you are limited to.  It would be a shame to have to choose death, but that is an adventure all its own and I am sure Cedric would be honored to see you on your way."  The Silent Scholar held back a smile as Cedric stuttered on his words.  He did not relish bringing up the topic of assassination to a woman he once tried to kill.

"That is all I have too choose from?  You offer me probably death, worse than death, and definitely death, is this how you inspire loyalty?  You cannot believe this is motivational."

Bah.  Anita told me this girl was beaten to the ground.  They really get too emotional and sentimental, it is true, those passionate bei.  They overestimate.  Give me bad information.  Ask for stupid things.  How they ask to return to their burned out villages when they have nothing for them there, oh tisk tisk, I must put more of that energy into good use.  How they cannot stop talking about one little victim here or one aboriginal girl there.  Oh they are such needy children.

Cedric's head started throbbing as the Silent Scholar started along one of its capricious lines of thought, dragging Cedric through its jumble of feelings without thought to the poor man.  The pnum'bei'thal skipped freely between the here and now to disgruntled complaints long past.  Cedric thought it queer too, to call a bei, emotional.

Cedric, use your own words.  I'd rather she take on the training.  Gives me time to think.  How to use a tool to the best advantage, that is important.  Even if she fails, we can see what she can do, yes, that is what I want.  Convince her then.  One chance.  You get one chance.  If you fail, take her to the lab.  I'll have Vren and Anita working side by side yet.  That would be amusing, and maybe useful too!

Not wanting to clue Onion into their conversation, Cedric responded mentally, What would you have me say?  She doesn't seem like bei'thal material.  She's not a leader.  Gregor told me she was a follower in her mercenary band, and now?  She seems little more than a lost sheep, except angry at everything.

Oh absurdity.  It doesn't matter if she'd be good at it.  That is the point of science!  Observation!  As if you don't know how to sweet talk a woman to get what you want.  Use that.  Whatever that is.  That CHARM thing.  

"Vren," Cedric turned back to Onion, "Life of a bei'thal is hard, but it is worth it." he put both his hands on the table, an ingrained gesture showing he was unarmed and demonstrating good will.  "We are sent to the ends of the Empire and beyond.  Maybe you will meet other Nü in your travels.  I know you enjoy the thrill of battle, you'd not have lasted with your brothers if you did not.  To be a bei'thal one must have the heart of a warrior and the mind of a strategist.  I know, as only one on the other side of a fight can know, you have both those things."

"Why did you become bei'thal Cedric?" she replied.

"Well," he chuckled, "I was fairly young, well into my studies here, and a good friend of mine had signed up.  He got me interested.  Gregor got me interested.  I can't say I regret it.  It has been fun."

"Very well, I will undertake the training." Onion agreed.

That was easy.  Too easy. Cedric thought to himself, forgetting for a moment that the Silent Scholar was there and listening.

Maybe you don't have a chance with that girl, Cedric.  So sad for you!

Yeah, maybe that's it. Cedric agreed.


Then let's go.  Roh'ath is waiting for us.  I'm glad I can bring him some good news.

"Vren, it will be worth it.  Now, we need to get you to the Palace.  The Empress's son wishes to meet you."