She and Kivtius returned to the village in the evening the next day. People had been looking for her. Do not fret. She said to them when they worried over her. All will be well. Her voice carried a quality it did not have before. Authority. That's what these people see in you now. She thought.
It had just dawned on her that her responsibility was now not only to be a Dunestrider of her home world, but a seeker for the next. Her people had given her a mission to fulfill, just as the Obelisk presented the future she could shape.
She heard it in the clouds, a dissonance to their home that would surely destroy them. Sio walked the dune's ridge until she came upon her village. There above the horizon whirled a great many spacecraft.
A melodic voice cried out true and honorable. "The dawn does not come this day, Dunestrider. It is the end of our song. But do not fear this dissonance, as harmony will return to those who seek it."
Sio looked to where the voice originated. Not far from her, the Kivtius stood. He looked on the horizon with an unreadable expression. Sio could not fight the overwhelming sense of dread that came upon her. She had seen this in the pillar, visions of dissonance and chaos, murder and strife. It all started with Starcraft coming down from the Great Void. Cold ran through her, a cold not from her home world but from her inner self. What could this be but an omen of the times to come?
Messenger called out to Sio once more, "Dunestrider, the sands of time demand an action, which path do you choose?"
Sio replied, "What choice is it for me? I am but a salt miner here in my homeland."
The man shook his head and opened his palms toward her in a symbol of great urgency, "Of your origins there is no consequence, but of your future there are many Paths before you… Tread as true and righteous as you permit."
Kivtius closed his eyes, palms still facing outward toward Sio. The young woman now perilously aware of her role in the many visions she received by touching the Obelisk. If not her, another would come take her place, but at a grave consequence to all she cared for.
Sio stepped forward toward the Messenger. He opened his eyes and inclined his head toward her, raising his palms to the sky. "Let the sands flow through you, Dunestrider, for the First Choice has been made. Take caution."
Sio could only incline her head in the same manner before sprinting off in the direction of the docking ship. Her rhythmic steps carried her to the village entrance where the first spacecraft was touching down. The insignia of a crested bird prominent on one side of the craft indicated which faction was swarming the small village. The Lark was engraved underneath the insignia designating the ship's name.
Sio moved as swiftly her legs permitted and arrived at the mouth of the spacecraft just in time to see the hydraulic doors open before her. Steam from the engines clouded her view. She felt sweat bead down her face and fought the urge to wipe under her mask. In the artificial fog she waited with bated breath. The person she would meet would hold a great influence on the paths she saw in her many visions in the tundra. Movement caught her eye and she turned to face the entity with great reverence as her father and mother taught her to greet strangers upon their planet.
There stood a woman much older than Sio herself, but poised with an air of dignity few could mimic. Her tallness and stature spoke of hardship endured; a grace familiar to Sio as one her grandmother had possessed in ages past. Her presence seemed a dagger to Sio, as a stranger with qualities of the dead do so deeply cut. But Sio fought the urge to cry, now was not the time for tears.
"To the stranger of our world we welcome you," she gasped as the woman made her way toward the young salt miner.
"To the homelander, we permit this welcome and return it in kindness," replied the woman. Her soft alto betrayed her hardened appearance, but Sio knew from experience a soft voice did not betray strength.
A crowd had begun to form behind Sio, each person giving their welcome as a sign of peacemaking. In return, the woman responded patiently to each greeting with similar words granted to Sio. The woman's crew also began to greet the villagers with hands outward and inclined heads. It was not unusual this time of year to have a few ships dock for supplies and other trade exchanges, but this was ship from the Royal Lineage.
The insignia, the uniformed crew, the formality in greeting– all of it indicated this woman before Sio was more than a passerby.
"Admiral," said a voice from across the way, Sio as well as the crowd turned to face it and saw walking through a parting of people Tomak. "You've arrived early."
"On time, Tomak." Said the woman as she took Tomak's outstretched hand, "For news that you carry has already reached the Magistrate, and The Council of Judges."
"The whole Tribunal has heard? This is humbling for a small village such as this." Tomak released the Admiral's grasp and began leading her toward the town center. Tomak motioned for Sio to join them. The Admiral turned toward her crew and urged them candidness toward the people of Helix-One, and dismissed them for shore leave. She turned back and walked beside Sio and Tomak as they headed toward Tomak's office.
The chatter amongst them was light and avoided any topics of great detail. It was strange to Sio. Just a few hours ago she was immersed in strange visions of the cosmos, now she was talking of the local tea and weather. They arrived at Tomak's office and filed in one by one through the narrow doorway of his personal shell-unit. It was one of the oldest shell-units in the village and creaked when walking on the floor. Tomak motioned them to sit and so they did, waiting until one of them spoke why they truly came here.
Tomak spoke first after a small lull.
"And so we come to why we're here." Tomak said as he poured each of them a hot cup of tea.
"Ísandur has declared a Waymaker." Said the woman. She gave Sio a sideglance with a knowing glint. "And this young woman is your village's choice."
"That is correct, Admiral." Each took the cup offered to them from Tomak and sipped on the hot tea. The woman turned to Sio from her seat and crossed a leg over her other.
"Well, she's lovely. Reminds me a bit of Her Majesty when she was younger."
"Has a bit of her spitfireness as well, if I recall." At this the Admiral laughed.
"Has your town ever recovered from her last imperial visit?"
"Never." Replied Tomak with a mischievous wink.
"Right. Well, to business. I've heard a lot about you, Sio. Tomak has told me much." The admiral took one more long sip of her tea. "There is much to discuss about what this means for your village, and for you."
"As for now, we'll discuss your duties to the village." Added Tomak.
"And your duties to the Royal Lineage." Finished the Admiral. "We'll start with what is expected of you here."
"Sio, do you know what it means to be selected as Waymaker?" Asked Tomak. Sio paused for a moment and with thought answered.
"Out of all the villages on Helix-One, a Waymaker is chosen to be a form of representative for all people on Helix-One. The Rite of Waymaker is a traditional role but also serves as a practical role for those of the Royal Lineage." Sio said, not unlike quoting a book. Tomak nodded.
"It is a bridge between worlds, Sio." Tomak responded. "You will be that bridge."
"What will I do exactly?" asked Sio.
"As a representative of Helix-One you will be expected to frequent the Royal Court and attend ceremonial events. You will partake in meeting regarding the particular economy regarding Helix-One and its impact on the planets and systems of the Lineage. If I may use courtly terms, you are a Marquis of your people. That is the honorary rank you will hold when attending Court." The Admiral took a final sip of her tea and continued. "You've essentially been granted rights to speak on behalf of Helix-One's diplomatic and economic affairs."
"But do not fret, Sio. You are not alone in this. I will be aiding you as will the Admiral here. Courtly affairs are not like the old stories, you will be given practical assignments specialized to your role as Dunestrider. You will likely take the time to survey mines, chart trade routes, and attend meetings mainly as a formality."
"All this diplomacy… I am not sure I am prepared for it." Sio admitted.
"You are Sio, all of Helix-One is just as dealing with village affairs, just on a larger scale. You've learned more than you know from Auburn and Dr. Tausidi."
"There is another affair that I must bring up," Said the Admiral. She stood and placed the cup of tea on the tray next to Tomak. "This has been something that the rest of the Tribunal do not know of as of yet, and we'd like to keep it that way."
"And that would be…?" Sio trailed off, not knowing what the Admiral was suggesting.
"Ten years ago you encountered an Obelisk." Tomak supplied.
"The Tribunal has no knowledge of this fact. If they were to know, everything would change. That is something we, as members of the Royal Lineage must be prepared for." The Admiral turned to Sio and Tomak. "For the last ten years, we have watched you, Sio. We have watched you grow into a remarkable young woman. When the time is right, you will tell the Tribunal of your dealings with this Obelisk."
"But it has disappeared. No one knows where it is." Said Sio.
"Fret not, for we have with us our own way to reveal the truth." Said the Admiral. "For now we must ask that you remain silent of your dealings with the Obelisk."
"I…understand." Sio said.
"Right, then." The Admiral walked to the window and peered out. "For now, pack your things. You're to meet Their Majesties as soon as time permits."