With all the delays it was hardly surprising that it took her far longer to reach the Neuadd than she might have expected. There were numerous other attempts to break through the cordon to approach her, and she had to deliver a quick speech on the steps of the building before she went inside, Lethke following attentively.
'It is good to have you back, Delenn,' the Brakiri said, smiling. 'I cannot tell you just how good.'
'And it is good to be back. I have missed you, Lethke. You.... and everyone here. How are things? I heard so little on Proxima.'
He paused, and looked around. 'They are.... not as you remember. A lot has happened since you.... disappeared. That was a long time ago, and much has changed. The war, of course, but....' He shook his head. 'Problems with the Narns, and the Centauri.... and the Drazi as well.'
'I had heard the Centauri had allied with the Shadows,' she said slowly. 'It was a lie, wasn't it, Lethke?'
'I wish I could say it was, but.... There was footage. It was truthful, not a forgery. We had it checked. A great deal, and every test showed it was not a fake. Centauri ships were fighting alongside the Shadows, against the Narns.'
'I do not believe it of Londo. I do not.'
'Nor I. It is possible the Shadows arranged this, but.... I do not want to believe it, but there is little choice. We have not been in communication with anyone from the Centauri Republic for months. The Narn representatives here are pressuring us to aid them in their war with the Centauri. They were never so zealous before, and they still provide little help in the wider war. And the Drazi....'
'How is the Council?'
'Fractured, Delenn. You were always the one who united us, whether you realised it or not. Without you.... Anyway, you will see now. G'Kar has done what he can, but his official status is.... unclear, and some are using that against him. The Narns have an Ambassador, but he is largely powerless. Come, we are wasting too much time here. The Council waits to see you. They are probably growing impatient.'
Delenn smiled. 'We cannot have that. Unless Taan has learned to control his temper since the last time....'
'I doubt it,' Lethke deadpanned. 'But we will not have to worry about that, as he is not here. He is with the fleet. Vizhak is here, and he.... Ah, you will see. I hope you can do better with them all than I can.'
'I will do my best. I can promise you that.'
'I have never asked for anything more from you, Delenn. And I never will.'
The room was silent as she entered, and she stopped, an uncomfortable feeling creeping over her. Everyone was looking at her, and then, all as one, they rose to their feet.
Delenn smiled at each one as she walked past, recognising the familiar, welcoming faces, but feeling uneasy at the number of those she did not know.
G'Kar moved forward and embraced her warmly. She held him back, enjoying his presence. Ta'Lon was just behind him, his one–eyed face impassive. 'I know,' G'Kar whispered. 'Sinoval told me.'
Her face displayed no shock, but inwards, her mind was turning. She had sent four messages out before she had left for Z'ha'dum, messages to friends, companions, and a lover. John and Lyta she knew had never received theirs, and it was doubtful that Lethke had either. For the sake of the Alliance, for peace, for everything, none of them had to know her true motives for going to Z'ha'dum.
But Sinoval did know, and she was unsure if that was a blessing or a curse.
'We will talk later,' she replied, stepping back. Then she smiled. 'I missed you, G'Kar.'
Another Narn was next. G'Kael. Delenn had known him for a while, and although he rarely spoke in the Council meetings she had attended, she was very aware that something was shining in his mind. She was reminded of a phrase she had once heard. A mind like a diamond. Brilliant, but cold.
G'Kael bowed, but said nothing. His assistant Na'Toth did likewise.
Her eyes passed over the empty spaces where the Centauri should have sat. Londo should be here. His Ambassadors should be here. He had done as much for the Alliance as anyone.
Vejar's chair was also empty, although that was not uncommon. Delenn was not thinking of him. Not now. There would be time for a conversation later. There were many things to be said.
Lethke had taken his seat by now, and Delenn turned to see a human bow formally to her, a trace of fear in his eyes. For a moment she did not recognise him, but then memory returned. Major Krantz, who had served Bester long ago. Bester had betrayed them all, and now he had disappeared. He was hiding somewhere in the shadows, waiting. No doubt he would return, and it seemed prudent to have someone who knew him as an ally when he did. Krantz had been too eager to change sides, claiming to have known little about Bester's plans. His lies fooled no one, but his presence was useful.
Disgusted at herself for thinking like a politician, Delenn greeted some delegates who had not been present before. Kalika, of the Abbai, with whom she had been in discussions before her departure. A Gaim representative nodded at her. A Llort was also present, his people finally having chosen sides.
And then there was Vizhak. The Drazi looked at her for a moment with piercing eyes, a terrible suspicion there.... bordering.... not quite on hatred, but a on strange emotion she could not identify. Vizhak nodded and then sat down.
Puzzled, Delenn took her seat, and caught a glimpse of something from the corner of her eye. It seemed strange in this room, incongruous. Something drew her to that sight, and she could not explain why.
It was shards of crystal. A data crystal. A crystal that must have been hurled against the wall with great force.
Shaking her head, Delenn turned back to the Council. There was a lot to be done.
Delenn felt drained by the time the meeting ended. The long hours of talk and argument and dissension had only reminded her of how much time had passed and how much had changed. It also depressed her greatly. Was everything they had built really so fragile? Did everything truly depend on her life? She had believed it would endure without her, that honourable men like Lethke and Vizhak and G'Kar could hold together the Alliance without her as a figurehead.
It had not been as she had imagined. There were deep rifts within the Alliance. Vizhak in particular was changed. He had said little. Delenn gathered he had been surly for the past several months. There was a conflict within him, one Delenn had finally recognised halfway into the meeting, the conflict of a man struggling between his conscience and his people.
G'Kael had delivered a message from his Government, demanding the Alliance dispatch even more
Lethke pointed out that that would leave Kazomi 7 all but undefended. Even now there were no
Nothing had been decided. Delenn could only think of Londo, could only think of sending more ships to help attack the people he loved so much.
There had been arguments and debate and discussion and nothing of anything had been resolved. She was only just beginning to understand what her departure had wrought.
She had chosen to go to her death knowingly, but only now did she realise the ramifications of what she had done.
Sinoval's words. He was right, but in a sense he was also wrong. This time needed both warriors and healers.
These thoughts weighed heavily on her mind as she walked down the stairs and through the corridors of the building. There had been several vacant seats in the Council Chamber, but the one her eyes had most turned to had belonged to Vejar.
There were many words to be had with the technomage.
She reached the door to his chambers, the rooms in the very basement of the building, where few others visited. The council building had been largely rebuilt over the old administrative buildings which had been all but destroyed during the Drakh occupation, but some parts of the old Kazomi 7 remained. Vejar's quarters were one of
