The reijorling, p.1
The Reijorling, page 1
The Reijorling
Grim and Sinster Delights
Leona Windwalker
Copyright © 2020 by Leona Windwalker
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
To my one and only true love, my own knight in shining armor.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to my editor, who despite everything 2020 decided to throw at her, came through to help me bring this to readers. Rebecca, you absolutely rock!
Also to Meg Bawden and Shane K. Morton, who helped bring me down from the mental ledge I was on after the big screwup by a certain online retailer. ::cough cough::
Finally, to all of you readers, for coming to read my stories!
Glossary
Datastream comms- roughly equivalent to an intergalactic internet and the text/video messages that can be exchanged across it.
Davatir- the Jorahnian fertlizing parent.Often shortened to ’davati’ or ‘dava’ by their young
Elmgern- the six-legged riding beasts favored by the Jorahnians. They are vaguely horse-like and extremely adaptable.
Ih/ihs /ihr/ihm- having only one gender, instead of he/she, they use ih, but ihs to indicate something belonging to a patis and ihr to a matis to help clear confusion as to who is being discussed. Ihm and ihr are also used to differentiate when using third person. If patis/matis status is unknown, ihs and ihm are the default.
infofeeds- the Jorahnian information news feeds. Their broadcasts are mainly news streams interspersed with the odd entertainment program.
Jorah- home world of the Jorahnian people and capitol of their Empire. The people are humanoid, with fangs and claws they can retract at will. They have a mane of hair on their heads, a pattern of stripes that vary on their skin, prehensile tails, and a down-like fur that covers their bodies. They are born one-gendered, each possessing eggs and capable of making sperm. However, environmental factors encountered when entering puberty can affect hormone levels. This results in some individuals whose eggs are rendered infertile. They are referred to as patis to indicate they can only fertilize eggs and not bear. Matis may both fertilize another and bear young. Matis are less common than patis and are greatly cherished.
Johrasi- Johranian term for a sibling
Kalnar Protectorate-nearby empire at war with the Kordolian Empire. They are after the crystals, disbelieving one must be psychically gifted to use them in order to fold space.
Kordolian Empire- The name of the empire whose capitol is Jorah.The empire is named after the province on Jorah that the first Reijor was from.
mahrmuhlade- Johranian effort of the word ‘marmalade’
Matis- the Jorahnian bearing parent. Often shortened to ’mata’, especially by the young
Paddengdon Beahr - the Jorahnian pronunciation for Paddington Bear
Reijor/Rejorin/Rejorling- The Reijor is the rulerof the Kordolian Empire. Reijorin are the heirs. Reijorling is a diminutive, indicating a young reijorin.
Tooroolians- the chief species and rulers of the Kalnar Protectorate.
zenite- an eco-friendly grass grown as a fuel crop.It’s stems average six to eight inches around and it grows in heights of up to eighteen feet.The resin inside its stems makes it highly prized as firewood as it not only lights easily, but burns cleanly for a several hours. Zenite originated on one of the the Kordolian Empire’s first off-world colonies.
zordelphite- A rare crystal discovered by the Jorahnians. The gifted among them can attune and resonate mentally with the crystals and fold space around their ships.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
The Grim and Sinister Delights Series
Chapter One
Lohrai
Davati slowed his elmgern down to a slow trot, then reined it in, stopping at the crest of the hill. Ihs ears were down and ihs shoulder slumped, betraying the odd pensive look ih tried to keep off of ihs face. I pulled my own elmgern up beside ihs and gazed down into the valley.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, Davati?” I asked ihm.
“It is. I always miss it when I’m away.” Davati turned his gaze towards me. “This time it will be for much longer.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assured ihm. “I’m not a child anymore.”
Ih frowned. “You’re not safe here alone, either. The raiders are growing bolder and we are on the edge of Kordolian space. The fleet is spread thin, and tensions are high between us and the Kalnar Protectorate.”
“But there are no mines here. Why would they–”
“Deposits have been found and they know this is a Jorahnian colony. That puts every Jorahnian of mature age at risk, not to mention anyone living near the zordelphite deposits. I’m not willing to risk my only child.” Ih sighed. “Your mata would have agreed with me. We came here thinking this would be a quiet place to raise our young. We were blessed with only one, so you are all the more precious.”
I was confused. If I was not going to stay here, in our home, with the ranch hands who oversaw the breeding of our elmgern, the six legged riding beasts prized through this sector of space for their docile strength and even temper, then where was I going?
Ih tugged ihs mount’s reins, urging it to turn around “Come, we need to get back. I wanted one last ride before we shipped out.”
“Am I going off-world? Is that what you are trying to tell me?” I turned my own mount, Brahka, to follow ihm.
“You are indeed. I think it will be a grand adventure for you. I’ve arranged for you to attend a new sort of school.”
This was news to me. I was twenty-three turns old, had been for six solars now. I wasn’t a child by any means, though I would not be a legal adult until I was twenty-four turns. Other Jorahnians my age took the time between to decide what they would like to do for their life pursuit and to socialize with suitable mating candidates with a look to making an alliance.
“But I did not score as a resonance adept and have not yet chosen my field of expertise,” I protested.
“This is not that sort of school,” Davati informed me.
“A pair of humans have traveled all the way to Jorah and established something they call a ‘finishing school’. It educates young ones about the cultures of their sector of space, teaches you to speak Humanish, and provides social activities among the students. It will round out your social education and provide you more opportunities.”
My mind raced. Human space was indeed quite far, one had to go through Morphite Coalition Space to reach the sector their own planets were in. I had to admit, it did sound exciting and normally I’d be all over it, but my excitement was overshadowed by the knowledge that my home was in danger and my davatir was going out on another flight assignment during these unsettling times.
Two stablehands met us as we entered the yard, the loud, harsh cries of our two elmgerns calling out a greeting to the herd alerting them to our arrival. Davati handed one of them ihs reins before dismounting. I did the same, following ihm across the yard towards the house.
“I have something for you,” Davati said.
My ears twitched at that, my curiosity piqued. “What is it?”
Davati chuffed softly. “Wait and see. First, we must clean up. Klahra has prepared your favorite meal and there is moleni berry tarts for dessert.”
I grabbed ihs hand, swinging our arms back and forth excitedly, my tail coming up behind me to express my joy. Moleni berry tarts were my favorite. “Then I can have my present?”
Davati looked at me. “Who said it was a present?”
“It’s not a present?” My ears flattened and my tail drooped.
“It is,” ih reassured me.
“Tease!”
Ih leaned over, nipping my ear with affection. “Imp,” ih returned. Ihs tone sob
Now I was truly intrigued. I let go of his hand to open the door and dash inside. I could hear Davati’s chuffs of amusement behind me.
Dinner was delicious, Klahra an excellent cook as always. “Thank you, it was delicious,” I told ihm as ih cleared the table.
Ih smiled at me. “It was good to see you enjoy it.” Ihs smile faded, ihs ears dropping in sorrow against ihs head, ihs tail low to the floor. “You will be missed. But we know you will do us all proud.”
“I will write every week,” I promised. “I can, can’t I, Davati?”
“You can. A voice packet will not take long to get here.”
“Or cost very much?” I asked earnestly.
“We can stand the expense. No more than once a week,” ih replied. “That way, you’ll have more interesting things to share.”
Klahra beamed. “See that you do.”
Davati stood. “I believe I promised you a present.” Ih left the room, returning after several moments with a box. “Miss Pinch told me there was a charming set of stories about a being called a beahr who had to travel far from home to learn about a far away place called Lawnndohn. She kindly arranged a digital import of the stories, which I’ve arranged to be delivered to your reader.”
I tilted my head quizzically. I already had a reader and that box was too large for it to be a new one.
He handed me the box. “I know you already have dozens of soft animals in your collection, but you can only take a few. Given the similarity of your situations, I thought perhaps you would find Paddengdon Beahr a suitable companion until we are home together again.”
I opened the box carefully, pulling aside delicate sheafs of thin, soft fabric. Nestled within was a strange creature with two ears, two black button eyes, and a snout. It had a sweet expression, one filled with curiosity as it seemed to peer out from under its red hat with a wide brim. It wore a soft blue coat, buttoned up, paired with red boots. It carried a case of some sort and a note was hung around its neck. I could not read the writing as it was in an alien script, Humanish no doubt.
“Miss Pinch informed me that the note asks for you to please look after this beahr.”
I lifted it out carefully, rubbing my cheek against it. “Oh, I shall. I love it, Davati!” I placed Paddengdon back in ihs box carefully.
Davati leaned down, nuzzling my hair before dropping a kiss upon my head. “Klahra has already packed a few of your favorites and some clothes. We leave in the morning, so you best go get some rest as we leave early.”
My throat ached from the sadness that assailed me. “So soon?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“It takes a day to get there and through Customs, then we have to buy what you need for school. Miss Pinch has provided a list, as well as recommendations for where to purchase them. I thought we could spend a couple of solars getting your things, then spend another sightseeing.”
“And then you have to leave?” I asked, my voice small.
“And then I must report for duty.” Ih gazed into my eyes, placing a finger under my chin. “You’re no child,” ih reminded me gently. “You have heard the stories, so you know how important it is for our fleet to be strong, for experienced Resonators to ensure ships port to where they must.”
Ih was right, I did. Only a highly skilled Resonator could meld ihs will to the crystals, causing space to fold. Only a very experienced one could do it fast enough to escape a raider attack, blinking a ship away before it could be destroyed. Even fewer were gifted enough to be able to meld with other Resonators so that they all jumped together safely, hopefully sealing the connection so they all escaped unharmed. Davati was one of those most gifted. This was why the Reijor had ordered him to report for this duty, pulling him out of semi-retirement.
“I know,” I whispered. “The Empire needs you. But so do I.”
Ih stroked my hair. “And I will strive to return to you. You will regale me of tales of what this school is like and we shall rejoice together when your year is over.”
I nodded. “Paddengdon and I shall wait for you,” I promised. “Learning all we can, seeking the knowledge we need, deciding what specialty I wish to pursue.”
“And plan your wedding, no doubt. The capitol is full of those of a suitable station. I am certain you will find your match,” Davati said.
I nodded mutely. So many changes to weather, in what suddenly seemed like both far too short a time, and yet also far too long a time to be away from Davati, Klahra, the elmgorns. From everything. I stood. “Good night Davati,” I said, chin up. I forced my tail up and urged my ears to perk up. I did not want my davatir’s last night at home spent thinking I was going to suffer from being far from home.
“Good night, Lohrai.”
Chapter Two
Leon
The door to my private rooms opened and I knew without looking who it was. Only my elder sister would dare to impose herself in such a manner, her ego telling herself that I’m here at her sufferance.
“There you are, Leon. I was wondering where you’d gotten off too,” she said, grumbling.
“I’m preparing tomorrow’s lesson plan,” I replied testily. I really hated it when she barged in.
“You have an office, you know.”
“I prefer doing it in here,” I replied.
She waved her hand about, impatiently. “Whatever. I was looking for you so I could let you know we have a new girl coming in tomorrow.”
I ground my teeth together. These were most certainly not girls, despite what my sister told herself about them. Jorahnians were biologically very different from humans and most humanoids, it was true. They all looked physically the same, but upon physical maturity, their hormones determined if their eggs were fertile or not. If they were, they became designated as being matis and tended to be slighter in general build than their counterparts, who were referred to as patis. I personally thought of the patis as alphas, given their general temperament, and the matis as omegas. It wasn’t even quite that conventional, though, as the hormonal changes were due to environmental circumstances and several other external factors.
“I see that look you’re making. Fine, I’ll call them omegas if that makes you happy.”
“You could just call them matis,” I pointed out.
“Their language is too complicated,” she declared. “It’s why we use the translators we bought. You know I never make an unnecessary purchase.”
I mentally rolled my eyes. It would be truer to say that she never spent a penny she thought she didn’t need to, unless it was on herself. It always became a bit of a joke among the circles we mixed in- Penny Pinch holding tight onto the purse strings until a luxury she would enjoy appeared before her.
“Back to the reason you came in,” I said, my tone weary. “A new student? Class started ten days ago.”
