Allison was sitting outside the Primarch’s office in a formal summer outfit. Silwra’s capital city was near the equator of the planet. It was warm all year round and weather control kept strong weather at bay so it was a paradise compared to Eden Prime where it could be extremely warm in the summer and extremely cold in the winter. She watched an angry looking Synthlin barge through the Primarch’s outer office. The Primarch’s personal guard and personal assistant made no move to stop him. Allison’s enhanced hearing could pick up the raised voice of the Synthlin she couldn’t make out the words. She was fluent in Silwrath and Synthlin but through a wall where she was missing a lot of context she had no hope of eavesdropping. The next thing she knew medical personnel were rushing past her and they pulled the Synthlin out of the office. Rubina sighed heavily with drooped wings, she shook her head and looked to her secretary.


    “Whose appointment did he just interrupt?”


    The personal assistant looked up at Rubina.


    “The Battlelord, ma’am.”


    Rubina seemed to get past whatever emotions the Synthlin’s medical issues had caused her and smiled at Allison.


    “Come in.”


    Rubina looked at her assistant.


    “My afternoon is clear right?”


    “Yes, ma’am.”


    Rubina nodded and motioned to some padded benches in a corner of her office.


    “Have a seat Allison, thank you so much for meeting me here, I had intended to have the day off for the hatching celebration, but your aunt requested an emergency meeting. Now, how was your trip here?”


    Allison shook her head.


    “No, ma’am, no trouble, umm is that Synthlin going to be alright.”


    Rubina’s wings drooped.


    “No, I’m afraid not, poor soul it was Rysta’na, he lost his position as high councilor today and he was angry we are old friends, but he changed. Got involved with some extreme elements and was not representing his people. They asked us to bring a no confidence vote before the councils and we did. Tragic really. I think his mind broke.”


    Allison felt a pang of guilt she hadn’t exactly laid down and taken his verbal abuse. Rubina waved her hand dismissively.


    “We cannot change his fate, nor can we feel responsible, he brought it upon himself, and this is supposed to be a happy day, where we officially announce Allison’s name and bring her into our family. This is a very important day for the Silwrath. Usually, it is the hatching day when we leave our egg. We’re doing a modified version for baby Allison. As egg mother you would help her mother and father weaken the egg. Have you reviewed the ceremony?”


    Allison nodded.


    “Yes ma’am. I have.”


    Rubina smiled.


    “This isn’t an official meeting; This is a family gathering and as egg mother you are accepted as part of our family. When we are not in an official meeting, or acting in official capacities, it is expected we refer to each other by our names. I believe you preferred Ruby?”


    “Yes, sorry, Ruby, I forgot.”


    Rubina put her clawed hands on Allison’s.


    “It is alright. You are on a strange world and our customs are different. Erring on the side of being professional is to be commended.”


    Rubina stood up and walked to her desk and lifted a container which she returned with and sat down beside Allison. She offered the container to Allison. The teenage dhampir opened it. Inside was a soft white robe with a silver crest on it. The crest was of an actual dragon.


    “This is an egg mother’s robe. It has our family crest on it. It is both our honor and our shame to be descended from the ancient emperors of our people. I understand you carry this weight in your blood as well.”


    Allison pondered the statement before answering.


    “My biological grandmother was adopted by the emperor; My biological grandfather was like some king or something. He was a warlord. My sister hasn’t told me much about him except that he was to be avoided at all costs. My family is… old and unlike your people our history is missing many details.”


    Rubina nodded.


    “Between you and me, our ancestors would be disgusted by us allowing non-Silwrath to wear our crest, that is until they saw you lead our people into battle. They didn’t think much of non-Silwrath. We are more enlightened. You humans might not be our physical match, but I am quite glad we are on good terms. In fact, you are the most versatile and adaptable species we’ve ever come across. Most of our citizens consider you insane for living on such extreme worlds as your home Eden Prime. Some might actually call it a deathworld.”


    Allison nodded. Rubina looked Allison over.


    “I am so happy you could join us for the summer. You are free to be yourself here. There is no sword hanging over your head because of the nanites in your system. I am also very sad to see that your partner… what is the term you humans use?”


    “Boyfriend. We broke up. I was too much for him.”


    Rubina patted Allison’s thigh.


    “Such is the curse of being a strong woman my friend. I’ve approved your requisition for League fabricators to be installed on your ship, the Phoenix, I believe? Also, I’ve ensured all docking and fuel fees have been waived. I’m surprised you were able to bring it after the damage it sustained.”


    Allison shrugged.


    “I am rich enough to say, fix it fast, money is no object and be able to mean it. Ruby, how about that request for a permit for me to keep the weapons powered in LSR space?”


    Ruby waved her hand.


    “Already signed off and completed weeks ago. With some resistance from certain individuals… Now, I have a few more things to deal with why don’t you go pick up your uniforms for the summer internship, and meet back here in an hour, I’ll give you a ride to the ceremony.”


    Allison nodded, she moved to pick up the robe, Rubina waved her hand.


    “Just leave that here. You can pick it up on the way to the ceremony.”


    Allison waved and headed off to the intern office. She was apparently the last to arrive. A Grylta was giving out the kit and assigning desks to the nine interns that had arrived before her. She raised an eyebrow because this Grylta was a woman. Allison waited for her turn. The Grylta’s title was Manager of Interns. She looked at Allison and adjusted her glasses.


    “I suppose you think being a battlelord gives you special privileges such as showing up fifteen minutes late for assignments and uniform pickup.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “No, ma’am, the Primarch asked to see me before I came down here and umm there was this medical emergency, so I was delayed…”


    The woman did a raspberry and looked annoyed. Not that Grylta often looked much other than annoyed.


    “Sure, yes of course, and a Jak’kat ate your signup sheet.”


    Allison pulled the folded piece of paper out of her pocket. She’d filled it out in Silwrathi. The Grylta snatched it from her hand and looked it over after adjusting her glasses.


    “Well at least you fill out paperwork better then you seem to do much else. For some… strange reason you’ve been assigned to the Primarch as her personal intern. It seems like nepotism is real. Probably how you got into the intern pool at all, you’re not even an LSR citizen.”


    Allison pulled out her LSR citizenship card. She’d been granted citizenship after the war. They had a law on the books that if you join the military and fight in a war for the LSR you get citizenship. Allison abused it to get dual citizenship. She’d figured if her nanotech secret ever got out, she’d have a safe haven.


    “I am in fact a citizen, ma’am. I’m here because my marks were exemplary, and my extracurricular activities were considered valuable to the League as a whole. I would think you’d agree since you’re not bug food right now.”


    The intern manager blinked up at her. She seemed quite shocked that one of the usually meek and terrified interns would have the audacity to stand up to her. She hmphed and pointed at a desk in the corner. Quite frankly the oldest and worst looking desk in the intern office.


    “You’re last, you get that one. You are to be in this office, in full uniform, at your desk at 0800. If you are a professional, you’ll be here at 0745. I suppose you’ll get here by 0900 because you’re ‘special’.”


    Allison made a face as the Grylta walked past her towards the front of the office-conference room. This elicited giggles from a Yorleer of the plant variety. The manager turned around and gave everyone a dirty look.


    “This is the council building; This is serious business! We do not laugh, we do not giggle!”


    Allison sat down, put her uniforms and her id card on the desk. The chair creaked ominously. She gave the Yorleer an apologetic look. The Grylta cleared her rather large throat and adjusted her glasses eyeing each intern.


    “I am Blubb’ta, while you are here this summer, I am your manager, I am your goddess! You will do what you are told when you are told, and you will not question it! Now with the exception of our ‘esteemed VIP’ in the corner you are all staying at the council residence. You are expected to behave with maturity! You will be in bed by lights out. You will keep your uniforms in good repair and clean. You will maintain a high level of personal hygiene!”


    She cleared her throat again.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    “You are here to learn how our government works. You are not here to influence it! You will be seen and not heard by the council members. If they ask you to do something for them, you will say yes councilor, right away councilor. That is the limit of your communication with them. They are busy people with a lot on their plates. You will spend one hour a day here being instructed in the workings of this glorious institution. This will rotate in groups of five. If you are sick you will report to the residence medical center. Unless it is the ‘VIP’ in which case you need a ‘special’ doctor.”


    Allison was getting really tired of this woman already. Blubb’ta continued.


    “If you wish volunteer credit with your respective school boards you will complete the testing we provide at the end of the summer.”


    The cranky Grylta looked like she was going to continue but noticed a Silwrath entering the room. Allison raised an eyebrow, it was Rubina. She pondered how a random visit from the Primarch would affect this apparently rigid-minded Grylta. Blubb’ta stammered a few times but recovered and made it look like it was just Grylta mannerisms.


    “We have a special guest, Primarch Rubina.”


    Rubina smiled.


    “I was just wondering if I could speak with your new interns.”


    Blubb’ta stepped aside from the lectern. Rubina stood up in front of the group. All eyes were on her. Meeting her was kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity for the general population so besides Allison the rest of the interns were looking at her in awe.


    “Greetings everyone. I have a rare afternoon off so I thought I would stop by to greet you all. Welcome to Silwra and welcome to the council building. We are so happy to have you here. Your keen interest in our way of life and governance is to be admired. I will tell you something you may not know. I sat in that back corner there, where Allison is sitting. It is where the intern managers like to put people that they think only got here because of who they know. I assure you, Allison had to meet all the same requirements as the rest of you. Now then. I look forward to seeing you on the council floor. It may not seem like it but as interns you perform several valuable tasks for us. Now I know your manager has told you to be seen and not heard, but I assure you, provided you choose your time properly and you do not interrupt us councilors, we are happy to answer questions about the workings of our government. A good portion of us have been seated right where you are. I know I don’t need to tell you this, but I will anyway: You are here because you belong here. I beg you to get the most out of your time here.”


    Everyone clapped. Allison joined in because she didn’t want to seem weird. Rubina turned to Blubb’ta.


    “I apologize for the further disruption, but I need Allison for an event, with my schedule and my brothers such things are hard to arrange on everyone else’s schedules.”


    Allison could feel her ears burning. Just what she needed, actual special treatment. Blubb’ta spoke.


    “Yes, Primarch, she will need to make sure she reviews the intern manual, onboarding section.”


    Allison grabbed up the binder she’d been handed as part of her package. She stuffed the rest in the duffel bag she’d been provided with and rushed after Rubina who had a much larger stride. The Primarch’s security were following them close by. The trip to the hatching ceremony took over an hour. Which made sense since the Grand Eminence lived on a large estate in the countryside.


    Rubina leaned over as the armored luxury vehicle they were riding in came over a hill and they could see the massive estate with an ancient walled castle on it. There were hedge mazes, forests, massive fields of grass and beautiful gardens.


    “This is our family’s ancestral estate. A family that you are now part of, when you applied for citizenship, I sponsored you because you’re not an adult. So, in effect as far as the League sees it, I have adopted you. Of course, there is some legal strangeness because of your status as a dual citizen but when you’re here in the League I am your legal guardian. So, this is not only baby Allison’s hatching ceremony, but also yours.”


    Rubina patted Allison’s hand. Allison was staring at the Primarch. She pondered what the cunning politician stood to gain from this action. Futara had offered to sponsor her several times.


    “I don’t know what to say Ruby.”


    Rubina patted Allison’s hand gently.


    “You don’t need to say anything. I jumped at the chance to be your guardian.”


    Allison just bet she did. They drove down a long, picturesque driveway. Finally parking in front of the ancient castle. Rubina’s driver and security started opening the door. Allison put her hand on Rubina’s arm.


    “Ruby, I put Futara as my sponsor, how did you become my sponsor and guardian?”


    The Primarch smiled.


    “As much as we pretend the old castes have no hold on us Silwrath, the reality is a little more murky. She saw the value of you joining a noble family. She was happy for our interest. Come, it is time for you to come out of your shell and be accepted into our family officially.”


    Allison walked beside the Primarch.


    “Ruby, how common is this? For Silwrath to adopt non-Silwrath into their family?”


    Rubina spoke quietly.


    “We have a long tradition of it for those that prove their strength. In ancient times if an enemy proved cunning and powerful we would offer them a place of honor in our family. They could select a mate, or several from their people, any they wanted. They would then be given land, a title and an army to lead. It was how the empire avoided stagnation. Then our last emperor became paranoid and xenophobic… He was under the influence of dark forces. That ended the tradition, but now, my brother and I have renewed it, with a twist. Our family can be quite boisterous.”


    Allison was about to ask another question when Oozie bounced up to her and nearly knocked her over. A white-scaled Silwrath looked a bit freaked out.


    “I am so sorry, your highness.”


    Allison crouched down and started scratching Oozie behind her front legs.


    “It’s alright, she is stronger than she looks. How did you get here you white furball? I suppose someone picked you up so you wouldn’t be stuck in that apartment for too long.”


    Rubina waved the servant away.


    “Forgive me, I thought it would be best if we brought your friend. The festivities are likely to last late into the night, we’ll be staying here overnight. I’ll make sure you reach the council building on time tomorrow.”


    “He was looking at me when he said your highness, what’s that about? He looked scared you… don’t like…”


    Rubina laughed and her wings flapped slightly.


    “No, no of course not. You are a crown princess and a duchess, take your pick. You’re also a bit of a legend to a good portion of the League. Battlelords have traditionally not been known for their patience, or their even temperament. It is widely believed that you wield the powers of the Qual’sa Queens, you know the ones that are rumored to be able to cause supernovas with their minds. Combine that with being above the law it is a recipe for… misunderstandings.”


    Allison nodded and giggled.


    “Blubb’ta doesn’t seem frightened of me.”


    Ruby motioned to the balcony above.


    “If you go up to the balcony, you’ll find a hallway leading further into the keep. The third door on the right is the room that has been set up for you, you may go use it to prepare. I’ll have your things delivered. If your companion can behave, she may join the ceremony. If not, I can have someone keep her occupied on the grounds away from the festivities.”


    Allison looked Oozie in the eyes.


    “Okay brat, did you hear that? Can you behave? They’re going to cut my palm so I can mix my blood with Rubina’s. It’s normal so no biting, growling or hissing. You’ll just sit your butt down and behave, am I understood?”


    Oozie licked her face with her rough tongue. Allison sighed.


    “I suppose that is good enough, come on let’s go find our room. If you’re good I promise, we can go for a run tonight before bed.”


    Oozie trotted beside Allison as she jogged up the stairs. True to her word Rubina had everything delivered by another white-scaled Silwrath. This was a woman. She put everything down then looked at Allison expectantly. Allison blinked at her.


    “Uh, erm… am I missing something?”


    The Silwrath bowed her head then opened a cabinet. Inside was a suit of ceremonial Silwrath sized and modified for Allison. On the bottom shelf were a sword, dagger and Allison’s collapsed bow. Oozie wasn’t the only thing that Rubina had retrieved from her apartment. Allison pulled off her summer outfit and let the Silwrath put the armor on her. The robe with the family’s crest was weaved into it in such a way that it appeared like a tabard. Allison was pleasantly surprised how well the armor fit and how much mobility she had in it. It was a beautiful metallic red with platinum inlay. The servant slid the helmet onto Allison’s head finishing off the ensemble. Oozie was next and she was given matching barding. The servant had worked silently and bowed low when she finished. Allison wasn’t sure about the protocol, so she just said.


    “Thank you.”


    The servant rushed off. Allison looked at Oozie who looked quite intimidating even as an immature nargle.


    “You are one scary looking nargle.”


    Oozie playfully looked at her reflection and crouched down ready to attack. She growl-hissed at her reflection. Allison laughed.


    “Come on you silly nargle, let’s go see the rest of the family.”


    The pair walked down the stairs and into the castle’s grand hall where the family was gathering. Every single one of the red Silwrath were in ceremonial armor. Man, woman and child. As Allison entered, they parted for her each bowing their head. Allison was feeling like the center of attention which she didn’t love unless she was giving orders.


    Ember had baby Allison cradled in her armored arms. Allison walked up to the bason that would normally hold the egg to be hatched and joined Ember and Aesian. A silver-scaled Silwrath and a blue scaled Silwrath stood to the left and right sides respectfully. The silver-scale approached the front of the bason and attempted to get everyone’s attention. Once he had it he spoke.


    “We are gathered here for the hatching of two new souls into your family. This is a joyous occasion. So let us all thank the glorious trinity for freeing us of our shackles and the birth of new life.”


    Everyone bowed their heads. Allison followed their lead. There was a moment of quiet reflection, and the silver-scale spoke again.


    “The first hatchling we welcome this day is this child.”


    He motioned to baby Allison.


    “She came to this family not of an egg, but of a tragedy. Her mother showed the strength of her bloodline when she pushed through the pain and agony of a mortal wound to ensure this child was brought into this universe. This child is born of battle, blood and pain. She will bring glory to this house and your bloodline.”


    He gently took baby Allison’s hands and sliced each palm with a ritual dagger. To the baby’s credit she did not cry out. He did the same to Ember and Aesian.


    “Born of the egg, by blood we are bound, by blood we know our true selves. With this act Aesian and Ember of the Imperial Clutch you are bound to this child.”


    He placed Aesian’s hand on one of baby Allison’s and Ember’s on the other.


    “Aesian of the Imperial Clutch do you swear to protect this child? To raise this child to know war, to know glory and to know honor?”


    Aesian spoke.


    “I do, with my blood I swear this oath. My life for hers.”


    Ember repeated the same statement. The silver-scale motioned to Allison who offered her palm. He cut it open and placed Allison’s palm on both of baby Allison’s.


    “Battlelord do you swear to be egg mother to this child. To raise her as your own should her parents fall short, or die before she is of age? Do you swear by your blood that you will help raise her to know war, to know glory and to know honor?”


    Allison repeated the same oath that Aesian and Ember did.


    “I do, with my blood I swear this oath. My life for hers.”


    The silver-scale smiled.


    “You are bound by blood, honor and glory. Ember of the Imperial Clutch, what do you name your daughter?”


    Ember spoke.


    “We give her the private name as her original mother named her Allison. To the rest of our people, she will be hatched as Astellia. Bringer of Warmth and Light.”


    The silver-scale took baby Allison from Ember and held her aloft.


    “I give you your clutch-sister, Astellia. Bringer of Warmth and Light.”


    The hall erupted with bracers being smashed together and they chanted the name. The blue-scaled Silwrath quickly went about using a regenerator to heal the participants but found there was nothing to regenerate for Allison. Next it was Allison and Rubina’s turn. Ember stayed by the bason. The silver-scale spoke.


    “Rubina of the Imperial Clutch. Do you have a hatchling to present?”


    Rubina stepped forward.


    “I do, I present this child.”


    Rubina gently nudged Allison forward.


    “This hatchling has been forged in the heat of battle. She has been tempered by the cost of war. Through her many victories she has proven her strength. Through her tenacious refusal to surrender she has proven her fortitude. Through her tactical brilliance she has proven her intelligence. She has already brought glory to your house. She is worthy.”


    He took Allison’s hand and cut the palm. He did the same with Rubina’s.


    “Born of the egg, by blood we are bound, by blood we know our true selves. With this act Rubina of the Imperial Clutch you are bound to this child.”


    He pushed the pairs palms together.


    “Rubina of the Imperial Clutch do you swear to protect this child? To raise this child to know war, to know glory and to know honor?”


    Rubina nodded.


    “I do, with my blood I swear this oath. My life for hers.”


    Ember’s palm was pressed against Allison and the woman swore the same oath Allison did. He spoke to the three women.


    “You are bound by blood, honor and glory. Rubina of the Imperial Clutch, what do you name your daughter?”


    Rubina spoke.


    “To our family she is Allison Wanjala, Duchess, Princess and Battlelord. To our people she is Eonnedath the Unstoppable. Named for our first Empress, our greatest warrior and our greatest tactician. The first Battlelord.”


    The silver-scale nudged Allison to the front of the dais.


    “I present your newest hatchling, Eonnedath.”


    The hall once again erupted as bracers were smashed together, they chanted Allison’s new name. Allison was cool to the idea of yet another name, but she was pretty sure no one was going to force her to use it.


    After the ceremony everyone returned to their rooms to get changed into their evening attire. What followed was a night of partying of epic proportions. Allison had to do more than a few shots of the Silwrath alcohol. She proved her mettle once again. She was very likely to regret this in the morning.