Rebels of Vulvar (Vulvarian Saga Book 2), стр. 3

Turning the lock, I threw open the front door. I opened my mouth to speak but paused in surprise with my mouth agape. Standing before me was a tall, lanky young woman wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt, black tights, and a pair of high boots. Long thin braids she had plaited in her shoulder-length brown hair framed her strikingly attractive oval-shaped face. Her emerald eyes sparkled when her mouth formed a wide, bright smile. It had been over five years since I’d last seen her, but I recognized her immediately.

“Hail, Tobias Hart,” the woman said. “It has been a long while.”

“My god, Phaerl!” I stammered. “What are you doing on my doorstep!”

Phaerl was among the warriors who had accompanied me on the expedition to Saba. While I reject any claim to heroism, which the narration of the episode might seem to entitle me, I had saved Phaerl’s life during the expedition. I do not regard myself as a heroic man. But, I believe my mind is such that I act subconsciously to a perceived duty without spending a great deal of time thinking about it first.

In the instance where I saved Phaerl’s life, without thinking and in complete disregard of my safety, I prevented her from falling to her death from a damaged bridge while we were under attack from a pack of rabid mutants. Later that same day, Phaerl returned the favor by helping save my life. From that day onward, for my part, at least, I considered us like brother and sister.

“The Goddess Queens sent me to find you,” Phaerl said. “Might I have words with you?”

Dumbly, I stood aside and beckoned her to enter.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” I said. “Please, won’t you come inside? I’d never want it said that I’d turn an old friend away from my door.”

Phaerl stepped inside, brushing past me so I might shut the door. I directed her to the den. After looking to her comfort there, I retired to the kitchen, where I opened a bottle of extra dry Cabernet Sauvignon. I carried the wine and two glasses back to the den.

After filling our glasses, I sat down on my chair and gave Phaerl my full attention. While I cared little about any message from the Goddess Queens of Vulvar, I resolved to listen with courtesy to what my friend wished to tell me.

“I still can’t believe you are here,” I said.

Phaerl smiled again and then took a sip of wine from her glass.

“Yes,” she said. “I can imagine it is somewhat shocking to see me here on your planet. But, I’ve been on Earth for several of your months now.”

“To what purpose?” I said.

“Completing a tour as an agent of the Goddess Queens,” Phaerl said.

“What does that mean?”

“I facilitate the missions of acquisition. I am due in a few months to rotate back to Vulvar when another will replace me here.”

“It’s a common assignment?” I said.

“Yes, for the warriors,” Phaerl said. “Your mother, Laena, long ago once served a tour here as an agent of the Goddess Queens. That is how she met your father.”

“How did you know where to find me?” I said.

“Your mother recalled your adoptive parents had this house. She expected you inherited it and might be living here.”

“Yes, by the time the Goddess Queens returned me to Earth, I no longer had any reason to move to California,” I said. “I moved into this house, with the intention of it being temporary. But, as you see, I’m still here.”

“I’m pleased. Otherwise, it might have been difficult to find you.”

“How is my mother?” I said.

“Laena is well,” Phaerl said. “The council elected her Anax of Thiva the past Vulvarian year. She sends her love.”

“And, what of Idril?” I stammered. “Is she well?”

A look of sadness passed over Phaerl’s face like a shadow but disappeared in an instant.

“I will speak to you of Idril,” she said with care. “But, you must hear the message I’ve brought first. Once I have finished, Idril’s circumstances will become clear.”

“Very well,” I agreed, but in a manner not bothering to hide my feelings of concern.

“The Goddess Queens have need of you, Tobias Hart.”

“They have need of me?” I laughed with scorn. “Your precious Goddess Queens ripped me from the arms of the woman I loved and banished me back to Earth when they finished with me.”

“Yes, I can understand your feelings of bitterness,” Phaerl said. “But, may I continue?”

“Yes, Phaerl. Please understand I do not direct my anger at you. But, in honesty, I have little interest in ever serving the Goddess Queens again.”

Phaerl nodded, then said, “Perhaps. But, perhaps what I have to tell you may change your mind.”

“That is unlikely,” I said. “But, you may continue.”