A murmur arose. The outermost circles opened a gap as Valori and Drucinda appeared. Olivia didn't recognize her friend at first, but the silver hair—now long and flowing free from its tight bun—was Valori's. The satin-like gown of royal blue with silver accents at the scooped-neck and bell-shaped cuffs made quite a change from the functional black work dress Valori usually wore, and the beautiful crimson stone pendant still hung about her neck.
If Valori was high priestess, what position did Drucinda hold now? Olivia considered the dark-haired, elven Pure Blood standing there in her copper and brass tiara and diaphanous red and orange garments. With her head held high and her back ramrod straight, Drucinda didn't look inclined to relinquish her title.
The two women glided toward the inner circles, their gowns' long trains drifting behind them like flowing streams. Olivia half-expected to see a Bible produced and a swearing-in of witnesses to take the stand.
BloodDark trial procedure appeared simplicity itself compared to that of American courtrooms. Valori and Drucinda approached Colonel North and placed one of their hands against his heart and one against his forehead. They closed their eyes and concentrated for several moments, then dropped their hands and turned their backs on him.
"The witness gives testimony that he is merely a servant of his masters who ordered him and the other Earthlings to come here in secret," Valori announced to the assembly. "He was not made privy to the particulars of the contract made between Clan Alpha and the human Grundfest. Nevertheless, he expresses doubts about the ethical nature of his orders. He draws parallels between his actions and many others in human history—including those made against his fellow countrymen whose lands, resources and very lives were stolen by greedy individuals. He does not want to be on BloodDark under these circumstances."
She turned to Drucinda and nodded. "It is Clan Alpha which has been wronged directly, so you must decide his and his servants' punishment and carry it out."
Olivia gulped. So this is what it meant to be a high priestess on BloodDark? Judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one? She watched in fascination as Drucinda paced about Colonel North, sniffing. Sizing him up in her mind? She drew nearer to the innermost circle and raised her palms to Moreau's father. He met her hands with his and the two communicated telepathically for a brief moment and then separated.
"My people declare the underlings are merely following orders and should be returned to Earth forthwith, never to return to BloodDark. It will be punishment enough."
The crowd murmured their approval. Olivia observed the disappointment on several of the young enlisted men and women's faces. They had gotten to experience a small portion of a strange, new world, and she knew they longed to see more. Still, it appeared to be a just punishment and would teach others not to meddle in another planet's affairs.
Valori nodded. "Very wise. Their leader's punishment?"
Drucinda and her kinsman raised their hands and pressed palms together again. Olivia bit her lip in anticipation. After several anxious moments, they separated.
"Colonel North must accept responsibility for using stolen technologies and learning their secrets," Drucinda began. "However, to return him to Earth would encourage the spread of our technologies to other Earth governments and individuals who wish to use them to harm us or their fellow human beings in the future." She paused and sighed. "The knowledge was shared with non-trustworthy individuals from the start, and there is no easy way to stop its dissemination. The true fault lies with Clan Alpha."
Drucinda turned her back on her fellow kinsmen. "Those who undertook this mission must also be punished along with the human Alfred North and the human named Roland Grundfest. They are equally culpable."
A collective gasp arose from the crowd. "She holds her own clan members accountable?" was a sentence repeated over again.
Olivia was dumbstruck. That's the first time the Alphans have ever accepted responsibility for a stupid, selfish move on their part. In their defense, they honestly felt they were protecting the planet. Surely they could be pardoned on the one point alone?
You are right, my dear child. Valori's thoughts filled hers. However, Clan Alpha must learn how to cooperate with others.
"Drucinda speaks truth. Her people need to atone for their sins," Valori announced. "So, I decree they shall teach others how to use their technology to protect BloodDark. No longer will this task remain secret and apart from the other clans and the other peoples. All citizens in good standing and with an aptitude for learning this technology shall be taught it, and Clan Alpha will be tasked with maintaining a full-time staff roster at this site."
"We'll have to teach non-Pure Bloods what we know?" Moreau asked. His pursed lips and scrunched up nose indicated he found the idea unpalatable. "Overseers, possibly, but Quadsangs and humans? Their cerebral cortexes are not nearly as developed as ours."
"Quadsangs and humans make very good pupils," Dradix said, stepping out of the circle. "I've trained many in Portal technology and they have proven themselves adept. They should be given every chance to learn."
"Well said, Dradix." Mahvet stepped out of the innermost circle and addressed the crowd. "All peoples of BloodDark should be free to learn as much as it is possible for us to teach them. I believe it's time we fully educate all our citizens. Perhaps we can do student exchanges with Earth schools?"
Olivia grinned at him. "Great idea. I'll talk to my dad about it."
"Colonel North and the other humans," Drucinda said to Valori, "what suggestions do you have to deal with them? They must not use this technology in evil ways, and
