The Archangel Chronicles Part Four: Ascent into Shadow

Rhian Greer settled against the table, listening to the conversations going on around her, but not partaking in any of them. Daniel had long since been carried off by Jerem and the others, which did not matter, since she'd already told him what she'd wanted to tell him. Still, besides Damaris, who chatted with Dane and Nadréa, he was the only person she had been able to talk to. Danae's husband-Galen?-played chess with the Darv, Orin Blue.

Orin smiled at some move Galen had made; it was a sly smile, one that reminded Rhian of her own father's when he was deciding how exactly he would allow her to win a match without letting her know he was doing so. In the Darv's face, the smile chilled her. She knew she owed thanks to Orin next, but could not approach him as easily as she could Daniel, who was a fellow outsider.

Damaris and Danae paused occasionally, halting their talk so that Rhian could join in if she wished. Danae seemed vaguely disappointed when she did not do so, but Damaris only patted her arm to tell her she understood.

Damaris' understanding annoyed her.

So, Rhian stood and walked lazily in front of the windows, looking out at the sparkling valley plain. Patmos was more than just this fortress in the caves, she realized. It really was a fully functioning colony. If the Archangel was the only ship that went off world-a fact she'd gleaned from Damaris-then the colony couldn't need a great many outside supplies to survive. These people seemed to take care of themselves.

Such worlds, wherein self-support could be established within one generation, where not as plentiful as many imagined. Wars had erupted over which faction gained their use. The Chiune treaty, her father's last project during her tenure as his aide, had been a tricky thing because so many opposed the ceding of such a world -however marginal-to a breakaway tribe of Reavers. With only one ship to defend them, how had Patmos managed to survive independently of Union, Creed, or RedKing forces. Let alone the Reavers? If there was no treaty with the Union or the Creed in place, there would need to be soon. Patmos could not avoid detection forever.

Perhaps that was what she could do to repay them for her rescue. Could she convince her father to represent them to the Union and arrange protection while maintaining the colony's independence?

She doubted very much that Jerem Reichart would want such a thing. That didn't mean he didn't need it.

For a moment, Rhian was stunned to realize that she'd been thinking that far ahead of the present moment.

She looked back at the two men playing the game. Orin lay back on the couch, while Galen leaned forward, his nose hovering so close to his pieces that for a moment it seemed as if that's how he planned to move them into position. Rhian wandered slowly toward them, trying not to be obvious, though she couldn't explain why that was necessary. . From what she'd experienced of these people, she doubted they'd be offended at her interruption.

She crouched beside the table and tried her best to appear interested in the outcome of the game. Galen looked up at her and smiled weakly.

"Don't watch," he said. "I'm getting beaten by a dwarf."

Orin sat up and winked at Rhian. "As usual. Galen has not yet realized that my mind is built to seek out patterns and notice connections. It's not his fault he's over-matched."

"I do realize that," Galen protested. "But I've surprised you before."