Their arrival on Erizza was met by an elaborate celebration. Colored light displays lit up the night sky and they were escorted down a broad roadway by a parade of creatures in open trams decorated in the BakoNaat style. Greyla and Kage rode in a comfortable coach modified to fit their human form. The roadway ended at the queen's residence which was an opulent array of cloud shaped buildings connected by enclosed ramps and walkways.

"Is the whole city interfaced?" Greyla asked the guard accompanying them, recalling her experience on Sagor.

"No. You can't leave the designated routes or enclosures of the palace."

Queen Etaine was seated on her throne, perched on a balcony high above the crowd below. She was in human form, voluptuous and regal. She wore a golden crown studded with emerald and sapphire jewels.

"Welcome our guests." She announced to the throng of onlookers. A loud cheer went up, temporarily drowning out the festive music. Etaine gestured to the guard. He transferred them from the coach to a lift which carried them up to Etaine's balcony.

They watched as the Lady Devora warped out. The gravity wave was barely perceptible at the surface of the planet, but it pulsed through the thick, mineral rich atmosphere of Erizza causing iridescent colors changes across the spectrum. The Adder continued in its orbit alone, evidenced by an ellipsoidal glow in the upper atmosphere. Greyla was suddenly glad to have Nova's company.

"You're looking well," Greyla complimented Etaine who wore one of her signature green gowns.

"I wish I could say the same for you my dear, but you look a little road weary," Etaine said pushing a strand of unruly hair back from Greyla's face.

"You don't know the half of it, but I would like to present the original persona of your Lotee, Kage Loper."

"So he's not really my Lotee."

"You know that Bethon terminated Lotee and erased his files, Etaine. But Kage has Lotee's memories. We reconstructed them to the best of our ability from the Moz Lidule's records. You may add you own data files if you like."

"But you're not Lotee, are you?"

"No, my Queen. I don't pretend to be the Lotee you loved. But my existence violates no laws and they can't take me from you. I hope we can grow to know one another in time and perhaps recapture, at least in part, what you have lost. I am the essence of Lotee after all."

"Hmm. You're a lot different, but I sense you do have affection for me."

"I've led a much broader life that Lotee was allowed. I've served most recently as an officer in the Defenders. We are a regiment of personal bodyguards on the planet Sagor. I've had several hundred years of living that Lotee never knew."

"I see. A real man and a soldier too. I like that a lot," Etaine said arranging her dark curls about her shoulders. She gave Kage a warm smiled which turned to ice. "But Lotee is dead. A curse on Bethon."

"You must honor our agreement Etaine," Greyla pressed forward. "We can't change what Bethon did and the devourer threatens us all. Don't think Erizza will be spared. I know you can feel him too. His power is immense and more focused. There is a sharpness to his hatred as though he could strike out of nowhere."

"I don't deny you're right. I sometimes feel as though he is thinking about me, like a laser aimed straight at my heart," Etaine said and moved closer to Kage, "Why did you come to me and leave your regiment, Kage?"

"I might say that I was ordered to do so and came out of duty to my master, Sag Leggan. But in truth, one look at your likeness and I couldn't stay away. I was captivated by your beauty and am not in the least disappointed."

Etaine smiled and slipped her arm around his elbow. "I'm glad you came, Kage Loper. I still grieve my Lotee. Please don't be impatient with me."

"Not at all."

"I'll want to marry you eventually."

"Of course. I'm all yours Etaine," Kage assured her, clasping her bejeweled hand in his.

"Now I can't stop smiling," she said. "Thank you for coming Greyla. Let's celebrate. I've planned a grand party."

"Greyla spoke privately to Nova, "This went entirely too well. She likes him, but there's something else up her sleeve."

"That would be the curse on Bethon I believe," Nova answered.

* * *

"We need to talk business, Etaine," Greyla said, shaking some confetti from her hair. She had waited until Kage was busy speaking with some adepts in the military division.

"Aren't you enjoying the festivities?"

"It's a lovely party, but I have other things on my mind."

"I would enjoy it a lot more on the outside," Nova said privately to Greyla. "I can't take full advantage of the free booze."

"Not now, Nova."

"What's so important you can't let go and have some fun?" Etaine asked.

"The thought of a demon sitting in the middle of this galaxy building a battleship keeps popping into my head."

"Oh yes, him. I am considering sending my best warriors to assist you," Etaine said, helping herself to another glass of BakoNaat wine.

"Oh, the mighty BakoNaat will save us all... " Nova said telepathically.

Greyla managed to place a hand over Nova's muzzle inside her file signature. "Do you have an off button?" she said before continuing her conversation with Etaine. "I'm really scared, Etaine. We don't have a clue how to stop him."

"There's always a way, dear sister. It's nice having a sister don't you think? If all else fails, I'll think of something."

"Dear sister is nuts... "

"Really? That's all you have. You'll think of something?" Greyla said dropping all pretense of diplomacy. "If Bethon and his forces combined with the BakoNaat and Sagorians all fail, what could you possibly do?"

"Don't underestimate me, Greyla. You can't imagine all I have learned," Etaine said, her voice was velvety and confident. "I'm very powerful now."

"Powerful drunk. How do you stay so sober, Greyla? Experience?"

"More powerful than the elders?" Greyla replied, trying to ignore Nova.

"Not more powerful, just different. And I have mastered some of their skills, the more useful ones."

"I will need a sealed agreement from you stating you will cooperate with the galactic alliance being formed."

"Galactic alliance. That sounds so official, so important," Etaine sat back and took another glass of wine from the tray offered by one of her many servants. The small reptiles constantly moved about the room attending to their each and every need. "What a shame. I doubt it will work."

"On that point, I have to agree."

"We have to try." Greyla reasoned. "Shut it, Nova. Please."

"There's just one more thing I want for my contribution."

"What is that? You have Kage."

"Kage was in exchange for Hal. I want Bethon in exchange for the BakoNaat alliance."

"Bethon? What do you mean?"

"I want him." Etaine said simply. Her color changed from light green to purple. The emotion elicited by the thought of Bethon caused her tattoos to come to life. Slithering snakes moved up and down her arms, coiling and writhing.

"You want him... here?"

"Yes. I want him to serve me for the same length of time that Lotee served him. Then I'll call it even."

"There's the catch," Nova said.

"He'll never agree to that. Think what you're asking, Etaine. An elder god won't serve under you," Greyla said. Her empathic senses told her differently. Etaine knew he would.

"Ask him. I'll wait until after the demon's been dealt with, so he can participate in the war."

"And if he doesn't survive the war?"

"It's a chance I'm willing to take."

"Seal the deal now. If Bethon doesn't make it, none of us will," Nova said.

"I'll tell him what you said when I return."

Etaine got up and walked to the window. "Send a messenger instead. Why would you want to leave me, Sister?"

"This is your world. I want to get back to the others."

"You value their company above mine?" Etaine turned back to Greyla. Her eyes glowed orange with sparks of fire dancing in the corners.

"You left us, remember?" Greyla said with genuine indignation. "We're family and you abandoned me. I don't have to justify my reason for wanting to return. You know I love Hal. It's why you held him hostage."

"It was my duty to come here and my privilege to get revenge." Etaine was levitating as she did whenever she became sufficiently agitated.

"And it's my duty to return. I'll visit as often as I can," Greyla said letting a pregnant pause hang between them. The ball was in Etaine's court now.

Etaine waited a few moments before breaking the silence. "You're blocking me. How?"

"With this." Greyla held up Nova's guardchev.

"You dare to come to me for an alliance and hide behind that? Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

"I came to trade Kage for Hal and negotiate, not reveal sector secrets," Greyla said. "Why should I trust you?"

Etaine's eyes glowed red with agitation and her body began to form green scales.

"Calm down Etaine. Ewotae jaki." Greyla was startled to hear the strange words come from her lips. Nova had spoken aloud through her using the ancient language of the BakoNaat reserved for the priesthood and adepts.

"We just invoked your own law of hospitality, Etaine." Nova said and phased through Greyla to let Etaine see him.

Etaine was duly surprised. "How did you... How do you know that? Jesal potjeo?" she stammered, shocked that anyone but an adept could have learned of their laws and highly guarded tongue.

That's right. You aren't the only one with new powers. We've learned a few things as well," Greyla answered managing to phase back over Nova. She sensed Etaine's confusion and took advantage of the moment to plant some doubt.

"The ancients are watching you closely, Etaine. Don't disappoint them."

"You could have warned me," Greyla said to Nova.

"No time."

Etaine summoned her guards. The BakoNaat were dressed in gaudy apparel and looked intoxicated.

"My sister has an important message to deliver. She wishes to leave immediately."

"I want to leave on a note of friendship, Etaine."

"I just want to leave," Nova said to Greyla.

"I promise to treat Kage well and will try to make him happy. Thank you for bringing him."

"You're welcome," Greyla replied.

They were escorted back to the Adder. The roadway out of the city was almost deserted compared to their gala arrival.

They expected the pilot to hail the Lady Devora and warp to her location, but instead found themselves locked in orbit around Erizza.

"Something's not right," Greyla said to Nova.

"What was your first clue?"