All That Glitters Ch. 57

"Buku Rahahm!" snapped the Impatoss. "How are you here?"

"It would seem that while I received my invitation to this great event, my selection was never possible, Impatoss Konexi," Buku replied with a sneer. "I had to sneak aboard the Djinaëte vessel you hired to bring your citizens here, in the guise of another."

"Impatoss Hatel, who is this person? Should we be afraid of him?" the Asoc asked.

"Oh, yes, Asoc. You most certainly should be afraid of me," Buku replied, ruefully. "I am the guardian of Harradi Tradition and I mean to bring the people back to our rightful ways!"

"This Harradi is the self appointed guardian of Harradi Traditions, however, only his followers believe in his rantings, and even they are beginning to turn away from him," the Impatoss answered the Asoc's question.

"You bad man," said Zarreniya, waggling a little finger at Buku.

"And here we have the root of our problems," Buku snarled. "The other races that bring so much change and the misery caused by them!"

While starring down at the children, Buku reached under his cloak and pulled out what appeared to be a large shipboard concussion grenade. Junelliya knew that it was large enough to cause serious injury to many of the leadership and the innocent bystanders in the Great Gather Center.

Buku pulled the pin and placed his thumb over the plunger with the intent of throwing the grenade into the group of Greater Community Leaders. Suddenly, his entire body went rigid.

"HOW DARE YOU THREATEN MY CHILDREN!!" Junelliya snapped, bringing every eye in the place toward her. Those with the enhanced vision of the Pod-Drran, Maha-Rrin, and the Asocans, saw a glow so bright around her that it almost hurt their eyes.

Those that could not see the glow, could almost feel the power emanating from her. Her body was instantly infused with so much power that it literally crackled around her, her hair floating outward making a halo around her head.

Buku could not move his body, but he could move head and eyes. Real fear showed on his face as the woman advanced on him. She plucked the grenade from his hand, put her hand out and people saw the safety pin rise up off the ground from where Buku had carelessly thrown it and into her hand. She swiftly put it back where it belonged, making the weapon safe.

"How do you have this, Buku. This is not something that you should have been able to bring into this Gathering Center," Junelliya accused him. "Someone must have helped you.

"SHOW YOURSELF!!" she snapped and suddenly an Asocan came out from behind many others. He approached Junelliya with stiff movements, almost like he was fighting every step he took. Ten paces from Junelliya, she released him.

He pulled a power weapon from behind him and pointed it at Junelliya. Junelliya snapped her fingers, and the Asocan fell to the ground as one dead, causing real fear to all in the Great Gathering Center.

"Does anyone know who this person is?" Junelliya demanded.

"He is Cana Mutt Beddan. He works as a guard for the >Clot<," someone stated, which explained how he could have helped Buku and why he himself had been armed.

"Where is High Gurn Sekkek Mutt Beddan?" the Asoc asked.

"Here, Asoc," they heard a voice and Sekkek stepped from the crowd into the Petitioner's Circle.

"How is it that our guard, a member of your Mutt, has turned against us?" the Asoc demanded.

"His sister, her mate, and their Clutch, were killed by Belgedra in our Crèche," Gurn Sekkek informed them. "I have been speaking ill of you for not having been there to help us in our time of need. I was bitter at having lost so many in our Crèche at the hands of one who wanted to be Asoc. I spoke harshly of you, Asoc, and of those that wanted your position, of how we had been let down by the Asoc and the political elite. My words may have torn Cana's heart," Burn Sekkek admitted.

"He has paid the price for his betrayal," Sekkek stated loftily, looking down on the still form of Cana.

"What do you mean, Sekkek? Do you think I would kill him if I could not bring him back to life?" Junelliya snapped her fingers and Cana suddenly woke up, his hands went immediately to his head and he moaned in pain, rolling over while clutching his head.

>Gorlat stepped forward and pulled an Asocan medical scanner from her pouch. She ran it over Cana and pronounced the results. "He shows that he has a severe headache," she said, "but otherwise he is reasonably healthy. There are some anomalies in his blood that I will have to analyse but he will live."

Two other guards stepped forward and snapped cuffs on Cana, placing his arms behind him. Since they used their arms and tail for balance, Asocans were seriously incapacitated when their arms were bound behind their backs. The guards grabbed him and pulled him into the Petitioner's Circle, kicking his feet out from under him. He painfully crashed to his knees with a groan. The guards took two steps out of the circle, but otherwise stayed very close to Cana.

"Now, what do we do with you, Buku?" Junelliya asked. "You purport to be the guardian of traditions of the Harradi. The Impatoss states that it is a self-appointed role, meaning you have no authority in this role. Yet you would threaten the leaders of the Greater Community with death and injury.

"What gives you the right to do something of this nature?" Junelliya demanded.

Buku suddenly found himself able to speak, and speak he did...

"Since we were found by the Djinaëte and the Asocans, our way of life has changed immeasurably. We have lost our way, have lost our sense of tradition and worth," Buku snarled.

"Lost our traditions, Buku?" the Impatoss thundered. "Which traditions do you speak of? The tradition of starving to death because we do not have enough arable land to feed our people? The tradition of the Lottery of Life, where many of us were forced to take the long walk on the ice, in order to ensure that those left behind would be able to eat? Which traditions do you want us to keep, Buku?

"I believe we have kept the best of our culture and expanded on it with other offerings. We have brought our agricultural expertise to the Greater Community, and in so doing, we have been able to ensure that the people of our home world, Harrad Hoffes, would no longer feel hunger.

"We have learned new methods from those same people, the Greater Community. We changed our methods and those that we had borrowed, methods that helped us expand our production and theirs. The Harradi have prospered because of these changes.

"When we declared ourselves a sovereign realm, we took the opportunity to lay claim to a portion of space that included many other more prosperous planets, again ensuring that the people of Harrad Hoffes survived.

"Some traditions should never be maintained, Buku. Our people have prospered, Buku, and will continue to do so because of our association with the Greater Community and many traditions that caused so much misery on Harrad Hoffes were abandoned though not forgotten," Impatoss Konexi finished.

"Traditions are supposed to define us, set our boundaries," Junelliya stated. "They are not supposed to prevent us from moving ahead. People who's traditions become too fixed, too binding, cannot advance. They stagnate. This is what you would force on the Harradi people, Buku. This cannot be allowed to happen.

"Asoc?" Junelliya asked, turning to >Catal.

"Just so, Junelliya," the Asoc agreed. "There have been too many who would use force to change the will of the people.

"Buku Rahahm, you have brought an illegal weapon into the Great Gathering Center, a place were only traditional weapons are permitted.

"With this weapon, you threatened the rulers of the Greater Community. In addition, you threatened three very important children, two belonging to my good friend, Palda Junelliya, and one belonging to my friends, Kumaraie Ne-Maj Se-Lam Pod-Raie, and Kumaroe Jarl Se-Lam-Pod Sai-Roe, the supreme rulers of the Pod-Drran people. The Prakesh is the inheritor of Ruhm-Oran, the original people of the Pod-Drran and the Maha-Rrin.

"Had you used your device, you would also have injured many innocent Asocans who happened to be in the Great Gathering Center.

"You did this in full view of everyone in this center and under the watchful eye of media equipment. Your guilt is a foregone conclusion. You will be placed into custody and sent to trial for your afront Against the Asocan government and people and if you are found guilty, an appropriate sentence shall be imposed on you, up to and including the death penalty. Take him away!" the Asoc snapped. The two guards came forward and secured Buku Rahahm. Once he was in their custody, Junelliya released him and he sagged. The guards held him up and dragged him away, screaming and kicking.

Once he could no longer be heard, the Asoc turned to Junelliya. She spoke before the Asoc did.

"My apologies for my actions in your court, Asoc, however, these fools tried to harm my children," Junelliya stated.

"I will not dispute these facts, Junelliya. I thank you for your very selective use of your powers, that you have not hurt any others when you manifested them," the Asoc gave Junelliya a short bow.

"Gurn Sekkek Mutt Beddan, explain your words," she snapped.

"Asoc, I was angry at what I felt to have been your failure in allowing Belgedra to do as she did on AsocAR. I said too many things without thought, and with a heavy heart. For this, I give my sincerest apologies. I tender my resignation as Senior Gurn of Mutt Beddan," Sekkek answered.

"Ah, yes. There is another who needs to speak of their resignation," the Asoc stated. "Where is High Gurn Woaden Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR?"

"Here, Asoc," Woaden replied immediately. She stepped out of the crowd and swiftly entered the Petitioner's Circle.

"Your duty in assisting your Asoc to expel Belgedra from this office, has been completed, Gurn Woaden. Now you must finish what you have started. You had offered your resignation to me and I refused it at that time, having need of you in your place as High Gurn of Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR. Do you remember what it was I told you, Gurn Woaden?" the Asoc enquired.

"Yes, Asoc. You told me that I would have to tender my resignation to the survivors of the lost Shall. I begged that I would not have to do this, Asoc," was the reply.

"Where is the representative, or representatives of Semt Shall?" the Asoc demanded.

"Here, Asoc, said a small voice, as Varren stepped forward. Other, more senior member of the Mutt, also stepped from the crowd.

"Woaden, explain what you have done and why," the Asoc ordered.

"Yes, Asoc. I had allowed the strength of my line of Mutt Shemet to back financially and politically, Belgedra's attempt to take the title of Asoc. She had promised that our line of Mutt Shemet would be allowed to inherit the ownership of the Fallen Planet of Mutt ShemetAR.

"It is the policy of the realm that Fallen Planets are given to the Asoc to administer. I had always thought that this was a grab by the Asoc for the riches of a planet, but I understand now that this is not the case. ShemetAR is a Fallen Planet because the original line of Shemet that founded the planet had eliminated itself due to infighting over greed for the planet's riches.

"What a line of a Mutt can do, so too could a Mutt do. Greed for the resources of a planet could assure the elimination of an entire Mutt. I did not understand this, so agreed to back Belgedra because I too lusted after the resources of ShemetAR.

"When Belgedra destroyed Semt Shall, I was greatly disturbed at the lengths to which she would go to kill just one enemy. At that moment I turned against Belgedra and sought out the Asoc in her exile and pledged myself to her anew, tendering my resignation as Gurn for what I had done. She denied my resignation, telling me she needed Mutt Shemet intact and not fighting over the succession of Gurn. She told me that I would have to tender my resignation to the representatives of Mutt Semt.

"I am ready, now, to do so," Gurn Woaden ended.

"What have you learned, Gurn Woaden?" the Asoc asked.

"I have learned much since I have broken with Belgedra, Asoc. I have learned how inadequate I was as a Gurn, how much greed and lust I had in my heart. I have also learned that leading a Mutt is something that takes strength of character, strength of mind, and strength of body, all of which I sorely lacked as I fell in with Belgedra and her cronies. I am ashamed now of my actions in dealing with them."

"Mutt Semt, you have heard Woaden's confession, what say you now?" the Asoc demanded.

The members of Mutt Semt came together behind the Petitioner's Circle and briefly discussed things. They turned to Varren and asked of her several things. Varren replied and made a suggestion that got some nods around the group.

Varren quickly approached the Asoc and relayed the thoughts and conditions that Mutt Semt would set. The Asoc smiled and nodded her agreement. She sent Varren to the circle.

The representative of Mutt Semt stepped into the Circle and up to Gurn Woaden.

"Gurn Woaden, you have words to speak to Mutt Semt," the Asoc stated.

"I, High Gurn Woaden Mutt Shemet, of ShemetAR, do hereby resign my position as Gurn of my line to the representatives of the Lost Shall. I am deeply ashamed of what I have allowed Belgedra to accomplish and ask that you one day bestow your forgiveness on my line, if not on me," Woaden spoke.

"We accept your resignation, Woaden of Mutt Shemet," the spokesperson replied, and stepped out of the Circle.

Varren stepped into the Circle. "Asoc, I do not believe that this line of Mutt Shemet has a candidate ready to replace the Gurn," Varren said.

"Is this correct, Woaden?" the Asoc inquired.

"Yes, Asoc, this is so. We do not have a candidate in succession nor do we have anyone who stands out at this time as the possible new Gurn," Woaden replied.

The Asoc turned to one of the monitors that showed the viewers from Mutt ShemetAR. "To the line of Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR, what candidates are there within your line?" she questioned the watchers.

"Unfortunately, Asoc, we have too much infighting going on within our line. There are no clear candidates that stand out," was the answer.

Varren spoke up. "Asoc, if I may make a suggestion?" the Asoc gave her a nod.

"Woaden has resigned her position as Gurn, she has completed the contract with you and the Asocan Realm. She has also grown as leader over the last two moon cycles. If the members of the Lost Shall will allow it, I would ask you to allow her to stand as a candidate for Gurn of her line," she stated.

"What say the representatives of Semt Shall?" the Asoc asked.

"Woaden has indeed completed her contract. We also note that she has gained a humility that we seldom see in many Gurn. She is not the only one to have made mistakes around Belgedra, Asoc, even we of Mutt Semt are guilty of such. The members of Mutt Semt will allow Woaden to stand again as Gurn," came the reply.

"What say the representatives of Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR?" the Asoc asked.

"Woaden has been a good High Gurn for our line, Asoc. We have no objections to this," the representatives said.

"As there are no other candidates for Gurn, we accept Woaden as the new Gurn," the Asoc stated formally.

"Varren, Gurn Woaden cannot approach the podium to give her oath of office. Only a Martte, a Beerlendl, or the Seneschal can approach the podium. With the other leaders of the Greater Community here, I cannot step down from the Podium.

"As my representative, I ask you to take Gurn Woaden's oath," the Asoc informed her.

"Asoc, I cannot take the oath from her, only a Martte can do that," Varren stated.

"You Martte," said Ikekiya, confusing Varren. Ikekiya pointed to Varren's name crest. "Black line say you Martte."

Varren looked down at her crest then quickly snapped her head up and looked at the same black line on Garnal's name crest, her mouth wide open as Garnal grinned at her.

"But I have not given my oath to you, mother," Varren said.

"Well, there is that. Approach the podium, daughter," the Asoc ordered.

Varren came forward and stopped in front of the Asoc, who opened her hands in front of her. "Kneel and place your hands between mine," she explained.

"Do you, Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt, swear to uphold the laws and traditions of the Asocan Realm? Do you give you mind, you heart, your body, and your life to protect the Asoc and the Realm in the name of the Goddesses and Gods of the Realm? Do you give this oath freely in front of these witnesses here today?"

"I, Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt, swear to uphold the laws and traditions of the Realm. I give my mind, my heart, my body, and my life to protect the Asoc and the Realm and do so swear in the name of the all the Goddesses and Gods of our people in front of the witnesses gathered here today."

"As the rightful Asoc of the Realm, I hereby confirm your title of Martte and proclaim it before these witnesses. Stand Martte Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt," the Asoc stated, then turned her head up and roared to the heavens, a roar that was repeated around the Imperial Meeting Center.

Shaken awake by the powerful sounds, Varren turned her own snout to the heavens and added her somewhat smaller roar to that of those in the center.

The Asoc linked claws with her daughter, then rubbed her snout alongside that of Varren's eliciting a purr of delight from the young Shamot.

"Daughter, as my representative, take the oath of office for Gurn Woaden," she instructed Varren.

"Do you know the words of the oath?" she whispered to Varren. Varren nodded, turned and marched down to the Circle where Woaden, still kneeling, waited.

Varren opened her hands and Woaden placed her own between them.

"Do you Woaden Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR swear, before the Goddesses and Gods of the Realm, before these witnesses, and before your Mutt line, to guide your Mutt line to the best of your ability, within the authority of the Asoc, the Beerlen, and ALL the laws and traditions of the Realm?" Varren asked. She noted the representatives of Mutt Semt all nodding their heads at the inclusion and emphasis of the world ALL.

"I Woaden Mutt Shemet, of ShemetAR, swear before the Goddesses and Gods of the Realm, before these witness, and before my Mutt line, to guide my Mutt line to the best of my ability within the authority of the Asoc, the Beerlen, within all the laws and traditions of the Realm," Woaden replied.

"As the representative of the Asoc, under the authority of the Beerlen AsocAR and within the laws and traditions of the Realm, I name you Gurn. Rise High Gurn Woaden Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR!"

As Woaden was already wearing the cloak and symbols of Gurn Mutt Shemet, this was omitted from the ceremony. Varren was the first to raise her snout to the heavens and roar her approval of the new High Gurn. The answering roar was almost defining.

Gurn Woaden leaned in to speak quietly to Varren. "I assume it was you who made the suggestion for my candidacy?' she asked.

"It was, but you have proved yourself over the last two moon cycles, Gurn Woaden. It was not hard to make the request. There is enough guilt going around over Belgedra. You have been given a second chance, Gurn Woaden. Use it wisely," Varren concluded.

Woaden looked Varren over closely. "Wisdom can be found in the strangest of places, Martte Varren," she finished with a bow.

Varren turned and both bowed to the Asoc, who gave a short bow of her head in return.

"High Gurn Mutt Beddan, you stated that I had failed your Mutt in allowing Belgedra to do as she did in our realm. You are incorrect. I failed all of the people of my realm.