OVER THE SILVER SKY TO THE WORLD OF NEVER : Part 255 - He's Actually Not As Stupid As He Seems.

Here I am again, despite the restraining orders, bringing you love and joy in abundance. Cheering up the downhearted while filling that depressing hollowness you have inside. As a first step I urge everyone to stop whining and complaining. Unless it's about really important things like the squirrel/baby/ginger menaces preying on society. The shortage of knobs or the irrefutable fact it's not as good now as it was in the Good Old Days. All of your pain and suffering will be over sooner than you think so no need to worry. Before too long we'll all be dead. We were born alone, we will die alone. That's something to look forward to. Dead people never complain about being dead. That's because it's great. Living is the shit bit and it doesn't last that long. Especially if you're poor. Those lucky bastards. As you read this understand that every second that passes is one less second you will live. Every beat of your heart is one less beat. Every word you say is one less word you will say. You are doomed to die. That's the meaning of life. It only leads to death. After which it's fantastic believe me. As I've already pointed out, everyone complains about their life but no one has ever complained about their death.

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It was a day of firsts for Jake. He'd said he had literally nothing to wear, seen a flying building land and was now dragging Pip through a small opening. How often could you say you'd had a day like that? He slowly and carefully pulled her through as she lay on his new coat. Her arms across her chest and her head held off the ground. Once clear she stood brushing herself down. He swirled his coat around and donned it in one smooth motion. Which might have looked cool if anyone had seen it. They stood there looking at one another in the dim light. All of a sudden the entire area lit up. Shadows appearing as the powerful light of Ugo's mobile home illuminated its surroundings. Out of that dazzling light two women approached. Their features hidden until they were close.

"Welcome Wanderer." They both intoned with a casual nod.
Jake looked up at them.
"You lady's are tall aren't you."
They looked at one another curiously.
"It's okay." Pip informed them. "He's got a talent for stating the blindingly obvious. I'm Pip by the way."
They nodded to her. Smiling this time.
"We are well aware of who you are Pip. Tanveer talks about you constantly. Unfortunately he is not permitted to attend the Arishana. Your shield sister will be the only male allowed."
That had to be him Jake decided. There were very few other options. Maybe it had to be her. It was hard to say.
"Do I get a shield, sister?" He mused out loud.
They gave him another blank uncomprehending look.
"Sorry." His companion apologized on his behalf. "He's actually not as stupid as he seems. It's his mouth more than anything. That's the biggest problem. It opens and crap falls out. It's annoying at first I know."
They did seem to like Pip than him, it was just a feeling he had.
"I expect one becomes used to it with enough exposure." One of their escort suggested.
"No. It becomes unbearable first. Then you learn to blot it out. He becomes background noise."
That amused them. They still stood there. Waiting for something. That loud horn sounded again. Four long blasts, followed by a melody he felt in his chest.
"If you will follow us please. We will take you to the Arishana. When there you will be seated. Until the Patriarch arrives. All must stand until he is in his ceremonial chair. Once he is seated you must also seat yourself. At this point the Thrice Blessed, Golden Light of the Dawn will enter with her honor guard. You must stand again until she is seated in the Arishana chair. Thereafter you will be told when to stand and sit, throughout the ceremony."
"I take it there's a lot of standing and sitting."
Not surprisingly, there was no response as the two officers of the court led them away.
"Why do you go out of your way to look the fool?" Pip hissed.
"It's something I learned long before I even met Daisy. It's always better to be underestimated than to be over estimated. If they think you're a drooling simpleton people don't pay you any attention."
"That actually makes sense."
"You sound surprised."
"Do I? Because in my head I'm astonished. At you knowing that."

The clamor from all the preparations reached their ears as they drew nearer. Only to subside as the party entered the pavilion. A dais and a couple of rows of chairs at one end, a semicircle of seats at the other. The two sentries inside the entrance barred their path. One of them gesturing towards Jake's sword. He drew it, offering the weapon handle first. It was inspected, then scanned. Before being returned to him. With the advice that should attempt to draw it he would be shot. After their bodies had been similarly scanned Pip and the Wanderer were shown to their seats, at the end of the rear row of chairs behind the dais. The ones in front were filling up. Officers and dignitaries who, in essence, were only there to make up the numbers. Representing the citizens of Fafindi. They were an audience plain and simple. These things had to not only be done, they had to be seen to be done. Over in the corners camera's were filming all this. It would be broadcast live to the nation.

People were filing in, all of them dressed in their finery. The audience seats filled first as the women took their places. Until there were only two vacancies at the far end. The sound of raised voices told him exactly who they were for. He recognized the loudest one. There was a bit of a disturbance going on at the entrance. Those in the cheap seats stirred and craned to see what was happening.

"Attendance is compulsory." One of the two sentries fiercely stated holding Scarlet's upper arm as firmly as her comrade.
She was being manhandled. By really tall women no less. Taini, meek and greatly embarrassed, entered with her eyes downcast. Settling herself as instructed. The captain had to be frogmarched to her place at the very end of the row. When she was too slow to seat herself the guards thrust her down. The cry of pain made Pip corpse. She covered her mouth holding in the laughter.
"Must be a bit saddle sore thanks to Ydrie." She whispered.
Glorying in another's pain wasn't nice, Jake was going to do it anyway.
"The night will not go well for her. She's so busy complaining she hasn't noticed us yet."
The two who'd brought Scarlet in looked to their commander, it was one of the shield sisters who'd escorted Jake and Pip, she sharply bobbed her head at the reluctant guest. It looked like Doxy was going to have a couple of minders throughout this. Jake could see her temper was barely being held in check. What was it she'd constantly lectured him about? Oh yes that was it. Insulting the customs of other cultures was not to be done under any circumstances.

After starting badly things went rapidly down hill for Scarlet. Hoisted to her feet as Ugo entered. Shoved down when he sat. Heaved up again when Daisy was brought in during the welcome announcement. Down again. Each accompanied by a gasp, a wince or a curse. There could be violence here. Which would not go well for her either. Daisy looked utterly radiant. Wearing a costume similar to the one he'd seen her in when Kluke had arrived on earth. A brightly colored skirt. Short in the front, long at the back. A bejeweled diadem on her head. Her facial expression though, that was unusual. Her eyes shone, the pupils dilated. To Jake she looked buzzed. As though she'd been drugged. Although she moved fluently there was a sense she wasn't her usual self. Her smile was genuine and near permanent to.

The next bit he wasn't looking forward to. It proved to have its compensations though. An announcement was made. Those who had brought the radiance of the Golden Light of the Dawn to Fafindi, were ordered to step forth. Scarlet was halfway up before her carers slammed her down again. Yelping in pain, she screwed her eyes shut. Crying out when they opened again and she saw Jake. If looks could kill his great, great grandparents would be in agony right now. One of her guards pulled out a strip and applied it to Scarlet's mouth silencing her. Hissing into her ear, that if she dared create another disturbance she would be banished from the country immediately.

Pip and Jake stepped up to the rostrum, where Ugo now stood. The two of them lowering their heads as he delivered the thanks of a grateful nation to them. They each got a nice shiny badge and a data stick kind of thing. He thought it might be intended to be a parchment or something like that. Once they'd been rewarded the ceremony continued. A couple of Ugo's inner circle made speeches. Then Ugo made one welcoming the Matriarch to this land and inviting her into his homestead. If she would be so good as to honor him with her presence. Without any need for a prompt, Daisy stood to give her response.

"Far I have traveled from The People. Long have I been absent from them. Ugo, Grand Patriarch of Fafindi I accept your invitation with gratitude. I will enter your home where I will be privileged to Commune with you."
There was communal gasp of joy from the entire audience. They slapped their thighs with both hands. That must be their version of applause. Pip nudged him, leaning into his ear.
"Does "Communing" mean what I think it means. I cant blame her. Ugo is a fox."
Jake hadn't thought of that. Now in retrospect it did look obvious that was the meaning.
"I think you're right he confirmed."
Pip giggled.
"She's been communing like a teenager all week, let's hope she's not worn out."
"Nah. That'll only have warmed her up. There's every chance she could kill him."
"He looks more than up to it to me." Pip countered.
Ugo and Daisy linked arms, exiting through the rear entrance towards the flying palace. Between two lines of shield sisters.
"Halliday!" Her screech of outrage told him it was time for his own exit.
Having forced her into the pavilion those 2 poor women now had to haul Scarlet away. Spitting out the gag and cursing as she was dragged out on her heels.
"That's our cue to depart." He advised Pip. "She doesn't look or sound too happy with me."
Outside the officer and NCO trooper who'd escorted them waited. Both saluting by placing their clenched right fist below their left shoulders. Jake and Pip returned the compliment.
"First Officer Chaska?" One of Ugo's advisers called. Her face serious and annoyed. "That one who insulted our customs and laws?"
Chaska saluted again.
"Our hands are tied First Minister. For the next 48 hours there is a complete truce. Once that period is over we will refer her to Clan T'nanga for any punishment they see fit to impose. As you are aware that one is not a subject. Therefore not subject to many of our laws. And free to ignore our traditions."
She then led the two honored guests from the marquee and back to the ship. Explaining on the way that both were now citizens of Fafindi. They'd also been inducted into the Patriarchal Guards as junior officers.
"Does that make me a permanent honorary woman?" Jake inquired.
"Indeed it does, shield sister."
"I knew it. Pip I'm going to need some make up tips."
Chaska tutted loudly.
"He really does talk a lot of nonsense doesn't he." She sympathized with the young blonde.
"True. But in a couple of days time, you're going to be glad he's on your side. Believe me you do not want to go up against him. He's the guy that took out the Artificer's Guild in Palamar in under 2 hours."
"Careful." Jake cautioned. "You're in danger of making me look good."