Concern

[Arrenhe tr'Khev 0]

Concern: Chatter Between tr'Khevs

 

Kerih tr'Khev settled into his spacious apartment in the capital city of ch'Davron after another long day of seeing to Prelate tr'Vorn. Sipping some brandy to unwind, he sat stretched out while contemplating the latest intrigues. Everything was going well for him, so far, and tr'Vorn was proving to be a good man to work for, in a number of ways. Content, as far as an ambitious soul could ever be, he rose from his chair with the intent to grab a lite dinner before he retired to his office. Before he could take a step, however, the etrehh beeped at him, and made an announcement in its usual toneless manner.

 

"Incoming transmission from ch'Rihan... encrypted communique."

 

His eyebrow rose, as he seldom received any transmissions from ch'Rihan away from work, and never had an encrypted io arrive at home. He headed into his office and accessed the transmission after inputting his codes and undergoing a retinal scan. After a momentary delay, due to the distance, the screen flickered and displayed a thin Rihanha male with a short crop of hair with just a hint of grey at the temples.

 

"Father!" Kerih exclaimed, surprised, and now worried. Aethhon tr'Khev never made long-range subspace transmissions unless it was related to his duties, out of thrift. "What is it, is something wrong with ri'nanov?"

 

"Jolan Tru, and na, she is well, Kerih. As am I, for that matter. And au, how do au fare?"

 

"Mnekha, di'ranov..."

 

"I am pleased," responded Aethhon. He stared at the image of his son for a moment before speaking again. "I see the thoughts flying around au's brain, Kerih, trying to figure out why I have contacted au."

 

"Ie, usually when I hear from au it is a text transmission. I can na remember the last time I talked to au over subspace."

 

"Ie. Au's ri'nanov says I am cheap." A chuckle. "It was she who insisted that I contact au regarding... this matter. We have na heard anything from Arrenhe since he took his post. Of course, for her, it is a matter or maternal worry."

 

Nodding, Kerih relaxed, a little. "Ie, I just received a letter from him as a matter of fact. He has na yet been yy'a, or maimed, even."

 

"Au's ri'nanov will no doubt breathe a sigh of relief at that," the elder tr'Khev said.

 

"But au will na?" Kerih asked.

 

"I am well out of the loop regarding Galae, and the Tal'Shiar, however I am na completely devoid of contacts..."

 

"Au would be a lousy ne'Deihu if au did na, di'ranov," Kerih responded wryly.

 

Aethhon was na amused, this time, and his frown was mighty. "Something is going on in that sector and it involves the Talon. What do au know, Kerih?"

 

A sigh. "Only enough to confirm that much. tr'Vorn is keeping what he knows close, himself, and he is impossible to move on this. But, honestly, what good does it do to know? Au can na get him transferred, and even if au could, it would na happen until after their mission. We can na stand for him in our places, either, di'ranov." Kerih shook his head. "Like it or na, he chose to join Galae and ended up on that ship. I sent a letter warning him to keep his eyes and ears open, and the rest is up to him."

 

"Ie," Aethhon said with a sigh that obviously his eldest son inherited. "Many years ago I realized that Arrenhe was na going to be like me or au's ri'nanov, or even like au. Once I looked past my preconceived plans for him and actually listened to him play... He has such talent, and is a gentle soul. I have never accepted his choice to join Galae, and have worried as much as Nalah."

 

"He may be a gentle soul, di'ranov, but he is as hard-headed as au. If I, whom he always listens to, could na dissuade him, na io could. All we can do is hope the Elements are on his side, and wait."

 

"Ie, ie, au are correct." A pause. "Well, I have chattered on long enough, and little of use will come of continuing this conversation. I will have to lie to her, if she will allow me to. Since au are closest to him, keep us informed, will au, Kerih?"

 

"Ie, of course, di'ranov. Give her my love, would au? Be au well, too. And do na worry overmuch, Arrenhe is craftier than he seems."

 

"I hope au are right, and I will, Kerih. Take care of aurself, as well. Jolan Tru."

 

Before Kerih could respond, the screen darkened and only the Rihan Imperial Symbol remained on the screen. "Jolan tru..."