[Lauchenoiria]

Jointly written with Xiomera

Riley Nelson was quiet as they waited for their audience with Yauhmi. Nelichē sat beside her, nervous and excited at the same time. Riley didn't speak a word of the language here, and being what she was, wasn't used to relying on someone else to translate or organise travel. She was also terrified of what she had to discuss with Yauhmi, something even the other Aurora beside her didn't know of.

"You're going to injure yourself," remarked Nelichē, pointing at where Riley was squeezing her own hand too hard. Riley let go and tried to take a deep breath. "I don't know what you're so frightened of."

"I just spent a year in prison," Riley responded. "And when I'm finally released, and ask you for news, you tell me something that I've spent my life praying won't happen. Don't ask, I haven't the energy to repeat it twice. You'll find out. And I hope with all my heart that you let me live afterwards."

"Let you live?" Nelichē looked alarmed. "What the hell are you on about?" she asked, but Riley remained silent.

It was at that moment that the double doors at the other end of the room opened. One of the Shorn Ones impassively gestured the two Auroras forward.

Once the two entered, they found themselves in a surprisingly small yet cozy chamber. It was far different from the grand chambers at the Palace of Flowers, but the attendants had done their best to make it pleasant and suitable in appearance for audiences. A set of comfortable chairs were arranged on one side of a small table. On the other side, Yauhmi stood up from a somewhat more regal looking (but less comfortable) chair bearing the royal seal. "Nelichē, welcome to Xochuaxte Palace and to Huenya," Yauhmi said, gesturing for her to sit. "And Miss Nelson, welcome to you as well. Please make yourselves comfortable. I hope speaking in English works for you both? The only other language I know is Huenyan, and I presume only Nelichē is fluent in that," she said.

"English is perfect," Riley said quickly, relieved. "I speak both Eirian and French too, but if I never hear Eirian again it will be a century too soon. Thank you for allowing me into your country."

"Of course. I was honestly surprised at the request, but I am always glad to have visitors, especially ones such as yourselves. In truth, I don't get quite as many visitors as I once did, thanks to the new role I hold. That's the price you pay for giving up absolute power, I suppose," Yauhmi said with a smile. "But I don't mind that, all things considered. Was your trip here an easy one? I can imagine you were indeed happy to leave Eiria, since you were being detained there."

"I was glad of Nelichē's company," Riley replied. "Or else I'd have found myself lost many times, not knowing your language. Fortunately the extremely obvious EICA tail stopped following once we left Eirian territory. I have no wish to return there, but I also fear returning to the Matriarchy. I have concerns about how they may perceive my detention. And while on our way here, Nelichē informed me of something that I rather urgently need to talk to you about."

"She refused to tell me what it was," Nelichē added.

Yauhmi's expression grew sharper. "I see.....well then. What is it that you wish to discuss?"

"The Aurora Nadia, she's in Calhualyana's custody," Riley began.

"Tlalzixiūhxa, she means," Nelichē clarified.

"Yes, her. I understand you already know this, but there is something you won't know unless Councillor Robinson decided to inform you, and I somehow doubt she has, out of self-preservation. But the Aurora Nadia, she... she knows things most other Auroras, including Nelichē here, don't know. And if Calhualyana gets her hands on that information, it would cause an existential crisis in the Matriarchy. We're talking extreme instability, possibly a civil war, and certainly many deaths."

Yauhmi's expression sharpened still more. "Are you able to tell me what information this entails? It would help me decide what to do if I understand the nature of the threat."

Riley swallowed, and looked to Nelichē. "I'd feel more comfortable talking to you alone, without the presence of my fellow Aurora here."

Nelichē narrowed her eyes at Riley, unblinking. She settled back in her chair and folded her arms. It was clear she wouldn't leave unless Yauhmi ordered her to.

Yauhmi looked at them both, clearly pondering. After a moment, she sat up in her chair. "Riley....is it okay if I call you Riley? I understand this is sensitive information, but at some point, you have to decide whether or not you can trust people. I will ask Nelichē to step out of the room if you insist, but I have learned all too well that keeping things too close to your vest can generate distrust in those you need most. Consider that before asking me to do so."

"Informing a Kerlian of this information would put my own life at risk, alongside the lives of numerous others," Riley replied. "But if there's a chance Calhualyana already has this information, our lives are already in danger."

"You're a Kerlian too," Nelichē pointed out.

"Yes I know," Riley said irritably. "But... very well. I guess I can tell you. The truth is, Tlalzixiūhxa and I, alongside a number of other Auroras, have been working for the Robinson family. Against the Council, in favour of democracy."

Yauhmi looked directly at Riley. After a moment, she took a sip of her tea. Putting the cup down slowly, she looked at Riley again. "I'm going to need a bit more explanation. That is.....a very important piece of information."

Riley stole a look at Nelichē, who had an expression of pure shock on her face. "I don't know how much you know of the 1983 coup attempt in Kerlile? It wasn't really a coup attempt, but that is the common terminology. Councillor Joanne Robinson attempted to depose President Susanna Pierre, failed, and then was found dead on the floor of the Council chamber. Thus began the feud between the Robinsons and the Pierres. Well, Susanna Pierre set up the Aurora Programme."

"We know all this," Nelichē interrupted. "What does a history lesson have to do with you... basically confessing to treason?"

"Sarah Robinson was not pleased when her mother was murdered. She decided to begin recruiting some of the Pierre family's precious Auroras to her own side, for her own ends. Well, when the Kerlian civil war kicked off, Sarah decided to secretly aid DKS. And used us - well, not me, I hadn't been born, but others - to help her with her aims. The Aurora Nadia was one of them. And if she breaks and tells Calhualyana this... they will wipe out the entire Robinson family."

Yauhmi’s expression grew concerned. “I intend to free Tlal....Nadia from Calhualyana’s grasp. She was a good friend to me and it greatly displeases me that Calhualyana is holding her prisoner. But I must be honest with you. Given how long that she has been in Calhualyana’s custody, and the very real possibility that both ASI’s interrogators and Calhualyana’s pet torturer have been interrogating her, this information may well be in Calhualyana’s hands already.”

"If so, then she could blackmail Robinson to do whatever she wants. She owns Carmen Robinson, now. And those of us who were Robinson's Auroras, too. I can't return to Kerlile, they'd kill me at best."

"Well of course they would!" Nelichē spluttered. "This is treason!"

Yauhmi looked at both Auroras again, beginning to feel dismay. And, also, a sense of foreboding. Not only would both of the women in front of her have to make a choice soon, so would Yauhmi, and Huenya by extension. Calhualyana likely knew the secret by now. And would not hesitate to use it.

“This is....quite the dilemma,” Yauhmi said. “Before we dig too much further into the past, which we cannot change, let us look at the present and the future. Riley, what is it you are asking of me, and of Huenya?”

"I don't really know," Riley confessed. "I only found out she was detained a few days ago, this isn't something we planned for. Yes, I know, this should've been obvious. So I guess I'm just providing a warning, and also..." she bit her lip, "asking for asylum for myself."

Yauhmi nodded. “Nelichē,” she said, turning to the other woman. “What are your thoughts in this?”

"If this information comes to light, it will cause conflict in Kerlile, yes," nodded Nelichē. "It seems that ship may have sailed, I know of Calhualyana's torturer, the Kerlian one, and even one of us will not hold out under that for this length of time. It is going to come out eventually. And when it does, the Council will not look favourably upon a nation that sheltered someone plotting treason against them." She looked sadly over at Riley, who cringed at her words.

”Perhaps, but I’ve done worse. Letting Auroras stay here *at all* was not something the Council looked favorably on, but still, it happened,” Yauhmi replied. “Circumstances were different then, admittedly. Now, my country is divided, and the Council could well side with Calhualyana against us if we are seen as helping a plot against them. That is a risk for Huenya. But here’s the thing: throughout its history, Xiomera could pretty much be relied upon to do the wrong thing for the wrong reasons. With Huenya, we’re trying to do the right thing for a change. Throwing someone out seeking asylum....is not the right thing. Nor is turning them over to be executed. I must let you know, I will need to discuss this with our other leaders. But I will fight to make sure you can stay here, if you wish it,” Yauhmi said to Riley. “And I am certain that the other leaders will agree - even if it means we must have a conversation with the Council at some point.”

"Thank you," Riley said to Yauhmi, exhaling in relief. Then she turned to look at Nelichē. "Will you tell the Council?"

Nelichē sighed, tapping her foot. "I don't know, Riley. I... I don't know."

”You face a very difficult decision, and I cannot decide for you. Not that you probably wanted me to anyway,” Yauhmi said to Nelichē. “But my suggestion, if you would like it, is this: go with your conscience. That is all we can do in the world. Regardless of what you choose, Riley will be safe here if I have anything to say about it, and I still do a bit,” she chuckled. “Also, this is still a home for you as well, if you are ever in need of one.”

"I just wanted it to be over," Nelichē sighed, putting her head in her hands. "I just wanted to go to Eiria, pick up my friend and build a new life apart from all of this mess. Not to get tangled up in a mess of warring factions and treason."

"I don't want this either," Riley said quietly. "But I was never given a choice."

"That, exactly," Nelichē agreed, nodding. "We were never given a choice. I'm not gonna report you to the Council, I want out, not to be dragged back in. But even just telling me this has put me in danger, you do see that? So... I may have to take you up on that offer, Yauhmi. Cause I can't go back to Kerlile now, either."

”In that case, we have some work to do,” Yauhmi said firmly. She picked up a phone, speaking rapidly in Huenyan into it. A few moments later, two Shorn Ones appeared along with a member of the royal household. “This is Quiza, one of our attendants. He will see to arrangements for housing and providing for your needs, and get you in touch with the necessary contacts in the civil service to begin the process of giving you temporary asylum visas. At some point, you’ll need to apply for either permanent residency or citizenship to remain in the country, but the temporary visas will give us time to complete all that. In the meantime, I shall have another meeting with our Chamber of Executives about these events, and I am sure they will be thrilled,” Yauhmi said with bemusement.

"Wait! I left Veronica - another Aurora, one of my friends - back in Kerlile because she was denied permission to leave the country. We were close, she'll be in danger when I don't go back," Nelichē said suddenly.

"She's one of ours," Riley replied quietly. "You have no idea how true that statement is."

Yauhmi raised an eyebrow. “Give us a moment,” she said quietly, gesturing for Quiza and the Shorn Ones to leave the room. “Now this raises a dilemma. I don’t know what we can do for her, breaking her out of Kerlile would definitely be seen as a hostile act. Is there any way for you to get a message to her to come here, if we assist? I know Kerlile monitors communications, but they do use Xiomeran systems, and we certainly know how to get into those.”

"I can try," Nelichē said. "But they're monitoring her because they, well, they suspected her of having Lauchenoirian sympathies. It's complicated. She can't legally leave but that won't necessarily stop her. I'll try to contact her."

”Good. If you need help with that, let me know. I would also appreciate it if you can keep me informed on if you do reach her, and if she does plan to come here. In the meantime, I suggest that you both get settled in here and go from there. Is there anything else either of you would like to discuss?”

Riley shook her head, and Nelichē copied though not before shooting Riley a look that clearly indicated that she wanted to have a word with her a little later. Riley blanched and bit her lip.

Yauhmi nodded, satisfied. She stood up, indicating that the meeting was over. “Quiza will be waiting for you outside. If you need anything else, or need to meet with me again, please contact him and he will arrange it for you. And....welcome to Huenya, once again,” she said with a broad smile.

The two Auroras were taken to an office, given paperwork, money, clothing and housing vouchers, then were taken to their new home around the corner from a police station. The whole time, Nelichē was a perfect picture of politeness, but Riley knew that inside the other Aurora, a storm of anger was brewing. Once they were alone, the door closed and nothing but whatever surveillance devices may have been planted in the room could see, Nelichē turned on her fellow Aurora.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to put you in this position,” Riley burst out quickly. “That’s why I asked Yauhmi to…”

She was cut off when Nelichē darted forward, grabbing the other Aurora and pushing her up against the wall before she could so much as blink. Nelichē held Riley against the wall by her neck, pushing so that breathing was uncomfortable but not impossible.

“The position you put me in, Rita,” she hissed, using her training name, “is not exactly comfortable. I do not want to see you dead, I do not want to see the country of my birth engulfed in a civil war, but apparently my only choice to prevent that is to commit treason and never return home. What exactly were you thinking when you made me bring you here? You would have been as well telling your Eirian captors this.”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I know it’s… hard, but… I didn’t exactly… have a choice and… if I’d told Eiria… they’d have wanted me to… work for them.”

“I’ve read the reports,” Nelichē said calmly, hands tightening as the other Aurora struggled to breathe. “One of the others in Eiria did just that, betrayed the Matriarchy. Once you’ve committed treason once, it must surely become easier. Why the hell would you drag me into this? I remained loyal even when I had an option to get out. But now you’ve forced me into this. Now everything is broken and wrong.”

“Please… I can’t breathe…”

“They’ll find out, you know. Robinson made a mistake. Because when Kerlile finds out Huenya’s been hiding us, they’ll be driven right into Calhualyana’s arms, they’ll execute the Robinsons and anyone else who takes their side, reform in Kerlile will reverse and democracy will become a pipe dream. Your plot is counterproductive. Frankly, your best chance right now is to beg for mercy from the Council. I don’t know. I’m going for a walk, do NOT try to speak to me when I get back.”

With that, Nelichē dropped the other Aurora on the ground, who quickly gasped in some air, and looked up as Nelichē stormed out of the front door into the streets of Chuatztlapoc.