(OOG: The Nisan-Solaris war spanned five years. The date under the title basically means 12 years before the 500 year mark we're using in our normal posts, sort of like the "Z minus" thing they did in Babylon 5.)

Cyrene tilted her head back and stared at the central window of Nisan's cathedral -- or rather, what was left of it.

Glittering shards of what had once been a beautiful design cast a jagged pattern of rainbows dancing across the main hall, refracting from candlesticks and bent chandeliers, shattered glass and varnished wood......

Solaris had certainly stepped over the line this time. She knew their position, knew it would have been more advantagious to keep quiet and mysterious. So why had they attacked Nisan? Faust's self-righteous speech had been typical to be sure, but the move was so unlike their recent policies she wondered if something had perhaps tipped the balance of power in Etrenank.

History spoke of such occurances. They were usually followed by such purges as this, the gathering of slaves, and a reinforcement of their dominion.

She let her eyes drop. All of Shevat's past queens had held their peace regarding the Mother Country, but this was too much for Cyrene to accept. She -refused- to accept it.

Her councillors would simply have to live with that.

Solaris was finished. And now, finally, she had an excuse to to defy them openly, at least as far as her Court was concerned. She doubted the "Abel" would appreciate her cause, but that was going to be their problem soon enough.

-If- this 'Mother Sophia' could be convinced to fight.

"Your highness?"

Cyrene turned, watching her bodyguard part to admit her Minister of Defense, Jorun Synclair. His dark hair stood out among the pale blonds and browns of the guards -- much like hers. And that made her like him even more, for some reason.

"Lacan is on his way with this 'Mother Sophia' we've been hearing about." He glanced around, sharp eyes taking in everything and storing it away for future use. "I'm looking forward to meeting her, personally. After everything we've heard......"

She nodded absently, and then a portion of the sentence penetrated her mind. "Lacan is escorting her?"

"He and some other man -- a foreigner, by the look of him. He lead the defense of the cathedral."

"Hmm......" Was it possible......? Well, she was going to find out soon, wasn't she? At least this wasn't a formal state visit. No ceremonies or other annoying courtesies to wade through. **Just another minor leader.** She dearly hoped Sophia wasn't a fanatic. Reports from her troops said she had been at the forefront of the battle, but that could mean blind faith just as well as real courage.

Of course, a fanatic would be easier to manipulate. So either way, it would be a mixed blessing. And if this woman turned out to be the real thing, a real saint..... perhaps Solaris would have more to worry about than one renegade province.

If Solaris were to fall......

Synclair touched her arm, nodding back the way he had come. She turned her gaze that way, and was rewarded with her first look at the Mother Sophia.

Instead of the plain, firey-eyed fanatic she had half-expected, a delicate young woman walked among the disheveled citizens of Nisan, radiating peace and confidence. She wasn't far from Cyrene's own age, but her taller, graceful figure and flowing robes made her seem wiser, almost more commanding.

As she came closer, Cyrene was able to pick more details out; clear skin almost pale enough to be Gazel, deep amethyst eyes, a perpetual smile etched in her eyebrows and the turn of her lips. When she passed under a beam of sunlight, her pale auburn hair ignited, flashing bright almost as if it meant to halo her.

Cyrene instantly understood how this girl had come so far in so short a time. From yards away she could feel the presence, the draw...... She seemed to embody every kind mother and holy saint in the world's history, while still appearing human.

Was it training? Careful presentation?

Or was she beholding the real thing?

Lacan gave her a subdued wave from Sophia's side, and the Shevat soldiers parted at their approach. Cyrene held her calm pose, just in front of Synlcair, mentally drawing all her wits about her. This was no little girl she would be dealing with, no matter her age.

"Queen Cyrene." Sophia curtsied, her air that of respect. "Lacan has already told me all about his stay in your city." She flashed a smile at him, which he returned with a grin. "I'm glad to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well," Cyrene replied gravely, taking the girl's hand. Thankfully, she was tall enough that she would just meet the other's eyes. Funny, how such things turned out to be so important for a first impression. **Sophia takes the points for that one, anyway......** "We've been hearing about you for quite awhile. It's nice to see the legend personified."

"And with such beauty, I might add......" Synclair took her other hand and planted a kiss on her palm.

She smiled, cheeks tinged pink. "Thank you......" She withdrew her hands and glanced at Lacan and her other companion. "You know Lacan already, of course. This," she turned to the other, darker man, "Is Mordon. He led our militia during the attack -- if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here now."

Cyrene smiled and nodded to him. "So I've heard. My troops tell me you did an excellent job."

"Yeah......" Lacan clapped him on the back. "Thanks for taking care of El-- Sophia!" His expression sobered. "I'm glad you lived through it. They were really going after her......"

"Well in any case," Cyrene said, turning back to Sophia, "Solaris has been taken care of, for now. They won't attack directly as long as there is a strong military presence here. They don't care for 'Lambs' so much that they would risk losing more troops."

"So I've seen......" She sighed, looking at Lacan again; a secret look. "I suppose they'll be watching us from now on. The people may no longer be safe here."

Cyrene looked more closely at Sophia, noting the signs she had not seen before -- shadows under her eyes, a tight expression that bespoke of an inner pain or suffering. Had she been injured in the battle? Her face was a little paler than was normal, even for her fair skin. "You should rest, Mother Sophia. Forgive me for interrupting your work." She smiled. "We can meet again tomorrow, if you like."

Again, her eyes strayed to Lacan. His never left Sophia. "Yes, please...... That's very kind of you, Queen Cyrene. I apologize for all of this......"

"Don't. Nobody expects you to be up and about so soon after an attack of this magnitude. Take your rest, and send a message to me when you've recovered a bit. I'll be here." The last was delivered with a smile, and Synclair motioned for the guards to part again, allowing Sophia to exit.

Lacan threw her a gateful look, Mordon bowed and Sophia curtsied again, and then they were gone, swallowed by the press of people beyond her guard.

Cyrene stared after them for a few moments, the image of Sophia and Lacan still clear in her mind.

**This is not all it seems. There's something more.** Her hands gripped the edges of her velvet robe of state, clenching and unclenching as she contemplated the new possibilities presented by the two. They weren't all pleasant.

**Selfish,** she admonished herself, turning back to Synclair. **I have no idea what's between them. It could be nothing.** And it could be something, too. It could be more than she herself could compete with -- or want to. When had she started caring, in any case? The Queens of Shevat rarely had families. Rulers were chosen for the level of pure blood flowing in their veins.

She could hardly believe she was more Gazel than most of the established nobility. She didn't even look the part. Neither did Synclair.

And she refused to follow the Solarian way of thinking; it was not her place to take what she wanted without a second thought for those affected by it. Certainly not people. Wasn't she planning to stand against the Mother Country and all such ideals?

"We should return to the Excaliber, my Queen," Synclair finally stated, meeting her gaze. "There is nothing more we can do here at the moment. And there is always a chance Solaris has sent assassins."

She nodded. "Of course." Cyrene gestured to her guard, and began moving toward the exit.

Solaris would retaliate -- that much was certain. Now her only problem was deciding whether she should truly support this Sophia......

...... or start negotiating with Solaris.