It took less than half a day for Brenda, Jax and Scorpian to make their way from the tunnel point on the Imperial planet to the tunnel point that would lead them to Tron. As Jax promised, Knights of the Thren stood guard at the tunnel point when they emerged from the Matrix and the ice planet. Scorpian quickly gathered the Knights and briefed them on the situation, so that they would not blunder and cause Jax any embarrassment.

The Knights cleared the path to the next Tunnel Point and provided the weary travelers with food and drink along the way. It seemed to Brenda that they had no sooner left the Matrix than they found themselves entering it again, finally approaching Tron.

When Scorpian led them into the bright sunshine on Tron, Brenda caught her breath. It was a planet lush in vegetation. Thick green grass lay like a blanket beneath her feet. Tall trees with leaves in varying colors of green were everywhere. But the flowers -- Brenda had to stop herself from running up to the myriad varieties and inhaling the scent of each one.

"Zira! If you dally so at each new blossom, we’ll *never* reach our destination before dark!" Jax laughed at Brenda’s childlike enthusiasm.

"Oh, but Jax! They’re just so beautiful!" She cupped a large bunch of vivid purple taliorite blooms in her hands. "And so large! I’ve never seen flowers like this before!"

"Fundin puny, if you ask me," Scorpian snorted, and Brenda’s head shot up in surprise. "On Meer’an, the flowers grow *twice* that large and probably smell about ten times as good, wouldn’t you say, Jax?"

Jax gave Scorpian a tolerant smile. "I think you might be a little prejudiced, my friend, but yes -- it has often been observed that the vegetation on Meer’an cannot be equaled anywhere in the universe."

"Really?" Brenda fell into step beside her two tall companions after plucking a large taliorite bloom. She placed it behind her left ear, only enhancing her natural beauty so much that Jax had to turn away so that she would not see the proof of his desire for her. "I’ve never been to Meer’an."

"That’s understandable," Scorpian continued. Jax walked silently beside them, trying to compose himself. "The tunnel point that connects to Meer’an is guarded very heavily by the Knights." He leaned closer to Brenda. "You must be *invited* to visit the Familiar home world, Brenda." He shrugged his shoulders. "And most Familiars are loathe to invite strangers for fear that they will somehow introduce some corruption to our perfect world."

Brenda’s eyes widened. "I see. I never realized that visiting your home world was such a privilege."

Jax sighed. "It’s a most beautiful place, particularly at this time of year." He looked at Scorpian, who suddenly realized the game Jax played. "Have you ever seen the velvet krynons that grow outside the palace?" Scorpian shook his head. "When they are in season, as they are now," Jax added, inclining his head slightly towards Brenda, "their fragrance cannot be duplicated."

"Now personally, I prefer the majesty of the icy white culpire bloom," Scorpian said seriously.

{*You*, my friend, prefer the majesty of an unclothed, large-breasted Familiar maiden at prime.} As Jax sent Scorpian the critical thought, he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

{Do you want me to help you with this fundin scheme of yours or not, Sharay?} Scorpian raised one eyebrow that fortunately Brenda never saw as she spied another variety of flower. Jax nodded quickly at Scorpian, who bowed and shot Jax a lewd glare. "Do you mean that the ryleptions on Meer’an are a more vivid yellow than this one?" she asked, holding it reverently in her hand.

"That’s a ryleption?" Scorpion pointed at it in disdain. "I thought it was one of the weeds that Barbeen brought back from Earth -- a dan-dee-lye-un, I believe she called it." He snorted. "The color of the ryleptions on Meer’an far surpasses those."

Brenda fell silent as she walked next to the two strong warriors. Jax waited as long as he could before he uttered the words he knew she was praying to hear. "I know that you intended to only come as far as Tron, with us, angel."

"But?" She looked at him expectantly.

"But....." Jax had to exert mighty control to keep his expression innocent. ".....I was just thinking that as long as you have come this far and you’re this close to Meer’an, you might like to accompany Scorpian and I there." Jax stopped when Brenda put her hand on his arm.

"Is that considered an invitation?" Her gaze rocketed between Jax and Scorpian.

"I think it would be construed as such, don’t you, Scorpian?"

{I think you’re a fundin dead man, Sharay.} Scorpian suffered a sudden coughing fit but managed to nod his head.

"Well, then, since it sounds like such a wonderful opportunity -- one I might never have again," Brenda added with enthusiasm, "I shall accept your invitation, Jax. I would *love* to accompany you to your home world, Meer’an."

Jax took her hand and held it to his lips, pressing a kiss in the palm. "My heart rejoices at the thought, zira. You shall be as one with us under our roof."

"What?" Brenda stopped in her tracks, although it was difficult to think of anything else when Jax’s lips were still hovering so near her pulse point.

"Nothing, angel. I simply replied with an expression that is commonly used on Meer’an. I never intended to confuse you." Jax winced as Scorpian sent him a heated thought.

{Now I *know* you’re a dead man, Sharay!!} Scorpian had to swallow the gasp that nearly escaped his throat. Not only had Jax tricked Brenda into voluntarily wanting to accompany him to Meer’an, but he had replied with the ritual words that made her a part of his family.

{Dead’s dead, Scorpian. As it is, Brenda will probably murder me when she finds out what zira means. This new duplicity will not enable her to render me more "dead" than I already will be.}

Scorpian was still trying to think of a way to evade Brenda’s anger for his part in the scheme when the three travelers heard a shout from far ahead. "JAX!! It truly is YOU!!!"

They stopped where they stood as an elderly man approached, smiling broadly and using a large walking stick to ease his gait. "Who is that?" Brenda asked, moving closer into Jax’s embrace.

"That, angel, is the reason that we are safely on Tron," Jax replied. As the man drew near them, Jax walked forward to take him into an enthusiastic hug. "Tomassif! It has been too long!!"

Brenda watched the two men embracing in what seemed like a display of genuine affection. Scorpian leaned over to whisper in her ear, "That is the Chief High Wizard of Tron, Tomassif. It is his job to train the Knights of the Thren." Brenda nodded and raised her eyebrows in understanding. "It was his persuasive powers that finally convinced the High Council to authorize my quest for Jax."

Brenda watched silently with Scorpian as Jax and Tomassif finally broke their embrace. "I am forever in your debt, dear wizard. We would have surely perished had you not convinced the High Council to send Scorpian." Jax grasped Tomassif by the shoulders and Brenda could swear she saw the glint of tears in the old man’s eyes.

"Consider it simply a debt finally repaid," Tomassif muttered, stroking his hand down Jax’s cheek. "I thank the gods that those doddering old wombats on the Council saw the wisdom of my suggestion."

"Tomassif! Did I hear a fundin foul word escape those sacred lips?" Scorpian moved forward and knelt on one knee before the old wizard. He had barely touched ground when he sprang back up and hugged the old man.

"Your vocabulary needs extra work, Scorpian," Tomassif said sternly. "The code of the Knights does *not* include corrupting the morals of naive creatures in different worlds." The Wizard finally turned to Brenda with a smile and eyes that twinkled. "But I think that perhaps Jax needs some tutoring also -- in the age-old art of fine manners?" He elbowed Jax in the ribs. "How long were you going to make me wait before introducing me to your beautiful traveling companion?"

Jax extended his hand to Brenda, who moved forward shyly. "Tomassif, may I present to you Brenda, formerly Crown Princess of the planet of Charporta."

Tomassif took Brenda’s hand but as she extended her arm, her caftan fell open, exposing her neck. His indrawn breath was barely heard, but his eyes widened momentarily. Tomassif glanced at Jax, but then turned back to Brenda with a warm smile. "Welcome to our fair world of Tron, Brenda. The beauty of this land cannot compare with the beauty that Jax brings to us this day."

Tomassif, being the Chief High Wizard of Tron, possessed all the special powers of wizards, only magnified tenfold. Not only could he send and receive thoughts, but he was able to enter the minds of others and read their thoughts. Consequently, he already knew that Jax didn’t wish to be addressed as "Zir" in Brenda’s presence. He recognized the marking on her neck that labeled her as Jax’s zira, yet he also knew from Jax’s mind that Jax didn’t wish to make that public yet.

Brenda was still blushing at Tomassif’s compliment when Jax slapped the wizard on the back heartily. "So, I hear that Jerrar has returned with his mate while I was absent from Tron! Has he made me an uncle yet?"

The old man smiled. "Yes, Jax, even now your brother and his mate reside with your parents. The babe was born several days ago – a beautiful, healthy girl-child." He chuckled. "It’s become quite obvious already that Jonun is besotted with the child."

Brenda’s face clearly showed her confusion, and Jax leaned towards her. "Jonun is my father. He and my mother Janar, even though they are Familiars, reside on Tron by choice. Jonun provides the High Council with his expert opinion frequently when they need guidance." Jax turned to Tomassif, his face growing serious. "Which reminds me, my friend. I need to address the High Council immediately."

"But they have already adjourned for the equinox, Jax," Tomassif argued gently. "I’m not even sure that all of them are still on Tron."

"Then you had best go and summon them, Tomassif," Jax replied in a tone Brenda had never heard him use before. "Certain facts that threaten the very existence of the Familiar race have come to my attention. The action of the High Council is needed to continue their safety."

Tomassif bowed to Jax, causing Brenda to frown slightly. "I understand, Jax. I will send out the necessary missives so that you might address the entire Council." He looked towards Scorpian. "You had better come with me, Knight. I may need you to find Jassonak in the event he has already left Tron on holiday."

"May I express myself *freely* when I find him, Tomassif?" Scorpian winked at Jax and sent him a thought explaining the rancor between the two and Jassonak’s insults prior to the approval of the quest.

Tomassif shook his head sadly. "Ahh, Scorpian. I had thought your training was complete." He shook his staff at the irreverent Knight. "You need to learn more respect for your superiors," he continued, and then looked aside at Jax. "Even the ones who behave like the posterior of a zupflop."

Jax put his arm around Tomassif’s shoulders. "I’ll take Brenda to my parents’ home so that she might rest while you assemble the Council. I’m sure my mother will want some time alone with me, anyway." He glanced up at the position of the sun. "I’ll see you at the Council chambers in four ehn. That should allow sufficient time for all of them to arrive."

Tomassif nodded and motioned for Scorpian to come along with him as Jax took Brenda’s arm and they headed in the opposite direction. They hadn’t traveled for more than an hour when they came to Jax’s parents’ home. There was much rejoicing in the house at Jax’s safe arrival back on Tron. Brenda was greeted as family by all, and Janar took her into a back room where she might rest and refresh herself. Jonun demanded to hear all about Jax’s adventures, as did Jerrar, but Jax promised them both he would provide all the details at a large feast that night. He excused himself after viewing his new niece and went to the Council, where he addressed the assembled wizards.

It was almost the dinner hour when Tomassif and Jax slowly returned to the Sharay house. The old wizard sighed loudly and leaned more heavily than usual on his walking staff. "I wish the news I had to deliver to the Council had been better, old friend," Jax said sadly, patting him on the shoulder in affection.

"Considering what you endured on Charporta, we are fortunate that you survived to advise us of the situation at all!" Tomassif exclaimed. "I cannot believe someone as devious and evil as Corinthon has not met death before now."

"Which is the reason that I believe he has an ally who is even *more* dastardly than he," Jax replied. He looked at Tomassif with a heavy heart. "Do you think I am acting too hastily -- with the action I proposed to the Council?"

The wizard shrugged. "Corinthon leaves you no choice. If he truly intends to use the gas against all the Familiars by attacking through the other, then you have made the only move you could." He turned equally sad eyes on Jax. "It certainly won’t win you any popularity contests with the Familiars, Jax."

"A wise man doesn’t always do the *popular* thing, my teacher." He smirked at the wizard. "You taught me that long ago."

"Ahhh, but I don’t recall saying that you should try to do as many odious things as is possible in one day!" He gave a little laugh but then sobered at Jax’s confused frown. "Brenda is not a Familiar, Jax." Jax’s eyes widened in understanding and he lowered his gaze as they continued to walk. "Coming on the heels of the other news, the people may not react well to you naming her as your zira."

"They will come to love her, as do I," Jax replied stubbornly.

"And what about *her*, Jax? Will she come to love them?" Tomassif asked gently. He put his hand on Jax’s arm. "As she does you?"

Jax grimaced wryly. "I’m not even sure of that." This time it was Tomassif’s turn to show confusion. "I believe she cares for me more than she realizes, but her inner feelings are in turmoil. She has some stubborn notion that allowing herself to love another person will take away her freedom." Tomassif inhaled loudly and Jax gave him a grim nod. "She is not aware of the marking or its meaning."

"She’s not.......she doesn’t......!" Tomassif was clearly flustered. "I didn’t quite realize how serious the situation is."

Jax clasped his hands behind his back as they neared the Sharay home. "As I said, Brenda has many issues to resolve in her mind about love and trust and freedom. But I have a plan." He winked at Tomassif. "I made sure that my mother invited Lilata to the feast tonight. I’m hoping that the Nifonshin High Wizardess will be able to give Brenda some insights that will help her resolve her conflicting feelings."

"If anyone can get through to the girl, it will be Lilata," Tomassif agreed. He was about to ask Jax another question when he saw Jax turn very pale. Jax grasped the wizard’s arm tightly, and Tomassif helped him to sit on a nearby rock. "Is it the manifestation?"

Jax nodded and grimaced. "I had my first inkling as we left the ice planet." He turned serious eyes to Tomassif. "I had thought it was too soon for it to be affecting me, but apparently I was wrong." Then he quirked an eyebrow. "But only about this *one* thing, mind you. I’m *never* wrong about anything else!"

"Without a doubt, Jax," Tomassif replied sarcastically. He helped Jax stand again and made sure the young man was steady on his feet again. "Does Brenda know about the manifestation -- or what decision it will require from her?"

"No." Jax’s lips were tight. "I didn’t want to alarm her until it was absolutely necessary -- and until after she had spoken with Lilata."

"Then I will be on my way to the abbey to make sure Lilata comes to your home this night." Tomassif grabbed his walking stick with new vigor. "Please make my apologies to your mother for being tardy for the feast." Jax nodded and watched until the wizard’s form was but a tiny dot on the horizon.

*****

"I still think living in a sotnat tree with an infant is an invitation to disaster!" Jonun pounded his fist on the table for emphasis, causing Janar to glare at him. The baby in Barbeen’s arms squalled briefly but then quieted again.

"It won’t be a problem, dad," Jerrar replied when the furor died down. "Joleen won’t even be able to crawl for a long time, and by the time she does, I’ll have enough terraces built that there won’t be a possibility of her falling out." He returned his father’s glower. "Barbeen and I *cannot* be expected to move in with you!!"

Jonun looked to his wife for reinforcements. "Surely *you* can’t be happy with this living arrangement?" Jax and Brenda sat at the end of the table furthest from the new parents, but Jax couldn’t help but notice how Brenda’s eyes were constantly drawn to the infant. The sight of her when he returned from addressing the Council took his breath away -- she had bathed and Janar had loaned her a pale violet caftan shot through with silver threads.

Janar raised a critical eyebrow at her oldest son. "If you’re asking *my* opinion......"

"......and we’re not....." Jerrar snorted unhappily as Barbeen patted him on the back, trying to quiet his temper.

"......it’s MY opinion that *where* they live will not nearly pose as great a threat to the baby’s welfare as *how* they live."

Jax hid his laughter behind a mock serious face. "Please, mother ....why don’t you tell us *more* about your concerns."

Jerrar folded his arms on the table and struck his head against them. "Here it comes......" He looked up at his assembled family and grimaced. "My mother is about to begin her campaign to convince me to resign my commission as a Knight."

"Traveling all about the universe on dangerous quests is not the way a Familiar with a mate and child should live." Janar spoke with authority, giving her son a pointed look.

"She may have a point, son," Jonun added gently. Jerrar gave him a "Whose side are you on?" look. "After some of the stories Jax has told us about this despot on Charporta, it’s obvious that dangerous days are certainly ahead for the Knights of the Thren."

"I see," Jerrar answered with an acid tone. "And what would you have me do instead? Spend the rest of my life renovating food preservation units?"

Jax stifled a giggle behind his hand and then lay his arm around Brenda’s shoulders. She felt his fingers begin to play with the tendrils of hair that fell loosely around her shoulders and when she glanced into his eyes, she could see the faint violet sparks already beginning. {It seems like a lifetime since we’ve been alone together, angel.} Jax’s words echoed in her brain and Brenda felt a warmness begin to grow deep in her belly.

Just as Brenda was wondering how soon they could escape the feast table and family, all eyes turned to the doorway. "Greetings, friends!" Tomassif appeared, a large smile on his face. "I bring you an honored guest who wishes to welcome the newest Sharay to our universe!"

Tomassif stepped aside and an elderly woman took his place in the doorway. She was much shorter than Tomassif -- Brenda guessed that she barely stood four parceps high. Her hair was a sparkling silver color and her fingers and legs were gnarled and crooked with age. But her eyes still twinkled with enthusiasm and delight in life as she slowly made her way to where Barbeen sat with the baby.

Jonun rose immediately on her entrance and went to kneel before the woman. "You honor our house with your presence, Lilata."

The old woman pulled Jonun up to his feet and waved a hand at him. "Don’t be a fool, Jonun." She looked down fondly at the baby. "Your house is honored by the presence of new life -- not this fading one." She gently reached out a trembling hand to cradle the tiny head of the baby. "My precious child, so much will you see in your lifetime. So many wonders. So much POWER I sense in you." She leaned down and placed a kiss on the baby’s forehead. "You are truly a favored one, Joleen."

"She truly is, Nifonshin mother," Jerrar cracked bitterly. "*Her* mother will never wish upon her the life of a repair person." Jerrar’s remark caused a ripple of laughter to run through the room, but Lilata’s gaze settled upon Brenda.

"A female’s life is never an easy one, Jerrar," she said, never breaking her eye contact with Brenda. "Yet a truly wise woman can wield more power than all the Knights of the Thren in concert." Lilata arched an eyebrow at Brenda, who inhaled sharply as the wizardess’ words sank in.

Jax rose, pulling Brenda to her feet and over to Lilata. "Nifonshin mother, my manners seem to have been left behind on some frozen wasteland this day." He turned to Brenda. "May I present Brenda, the former Crown Princess of Charporta." Lilata extended a hand to Brenda, who dropped a curtsy to her elder. "Brenda, this is Lilata, Nifonshin High Wizardess of Tron and mate to the senior wizard on the Council, Edwart."

"How *is* the old numnuts, anyway?" Jerrar’s comment caused Tomassif to suffer another coughing fit and most of the others in the room to hide their faces behind their hands.

"Edwart showed how truly wise he was this night," Lilata replied seriously. "He stayed at the abbey and allowed me to come to your feast alone!" She turned to Janar as everyone commented on what a good pair the two made. "But now, Janar, I would like some time to speak alone with your visitor from Charporta." She took hold of Brenda’s hand. "Would you walk with me, my dear?"

Brenda gave Jax a wary glance but he nodded at her. "I would be most honored, reverend mother," Brenda replied. As the two of them moved towards a doorway to the back garden, Tomassif gave Jax a hopeful look, which he returned.

The two women walked in silence for a while before Brenda finally spoke. "I never realized it was so beautiful on Tron. The air here is so amazing."

Lilata found a bench and sat, motioning for Brenda to join her. "There are many amazing sights in the universe, Brenda. Your Torengi nature pulls you to them, does it not?" Brenda nodded and sighed. "But your nature as a woman pulls you in a different direction -- I feel this also."

Brenda blushed. "I knew that Familiars were intuitive, but I hadn’t realized that wizardesses possessed that gift of insight also."

Lilata raised Brenda’s face to hers, putting a finger to her chin. "I didn’t need to use any special gift to see your feelings, my dear. They are written on your face for all to see." Brenda pulled away and looked down into her lap again. "You have feelings for Jax, do you not?"

"I’m so *confused*, reverend mother," Brenda admitted, looking up into her kind eyes. "Being with Jax makes me feel like nothing I’ve ever experienced before in this life, yet......"

".....Yet?" Lilata gently prompted her.

Brenda took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Yet this Torengi nature of mine weighs heavily on my mind." She put her hands in Lilata’s. "How can I surrender myself totally to Jax when it goes against my very nature? How can I......" She paused, almost fearful of saying the word. "......love.... him, when loving him means giving up all that I yearn most for in life?"

Lilata nodded seriously. "Being a Familiar, it makes it very .......difficult......for anyone not to surrender to Jax."

Brenda was happy that the darkness of the night hid the color of her ears. "His persuasive abilities are very powerful, mother."

Lilata nodded again. "Much like fire. Loving a man can be like trying to co-exist with fire, which consumes and envelops all in its path."

"I have to agree that being with Jax certainly.....consumes.....me at times," Brenda smiled.

"Yes, the fire is powerful, is it not? It does not bend to the other elements, but merely devours its opposition, leaving nothing in its wake." Brenda nodded with a resigned face. "Or a rock," Lilata continued. "The power of a male can be compared to rock, which forces all the elements to find a path around it. It simply crushes whatever tries to come in its path."

"Then why did you say that the girl-child of Jerrar and Barbeen was so blessed?" Brenda asked. "If the path of woman is merely to be consumed or obliterated by man, why did you foresee such wonderful things for Joleen?"

Lilata took Brenda’s hands and held them tight. "If man is fire, or rock, then woman is like water, Brenda. Which do you think is more powerful?"

"The rock, of course," Brenda answered. "A small stream of water cannot move a large rock from its place. The water, instead, takes the path *around* the rock." She sighed loudly, her lips pouted. "As is usually the case, it is the place of the *woman* to bend to the man’s will."

"Ahhh, but if the water keeps flowing against the rock, even as it bends and appears to yield, what happens after time passes?" Brenda’s eyes widened. "The water begins to wear away at the rock, and eventually carves its own path, perhaps even breaking the rock into pieces or smoothing its rough edges."

"And the fire?"

"What is the one element that can quench the fire, but the water?" Lilata smiled at Brenda. "Loving a man can bring the fire and the water together, Brenda. One need not consume the other. When properly balanced, the power inherent to each compliments and extends the other."

Brenda sat dumbfounded for several minutes. "You are truly a wise woman, Nifonshin mother," Brenda murmured. "You have given me much to consider this night."

Lilata leaned closer to Brenda. "Right now, I think there is a young Familiar who wants very much for you to experience his fire." She placed her hand on Brenda’s forehead. "Go to him, my dear. Be with him. Do not fear that which can only make you both stronger."

*~*~*~*

Several hours later, Jax lay awake, staring at the beautiful woman who slept peacefully in his arms. When Lilata left the Sharay home, she had given him a sly smile that built his hopes. Perhaps she had been able to show Brenda the error of her thinking and clear up some of Brenda’s misconceptions about love and freedom.

Whatever the wizardess had told Brenda, Jax was certainly surprised when his zira initiated their loveplay. Once they had adjourned to a room far from the rest of the family, Jax felt Brenda’s hands on his arms as he closed and bolted the door. To his surprise, her eyes were sparking with the fireworks that had been secretly lighting his all evening. She threaded her hands up his chest, pushing his shirt off his shoulders as she trapped his lips with a kiss that made him sigh. As the evening progressed, Brenda had matched him, erotic move for erotic move. When her hair swept his stomach as she showed him her newfound boldness, Jax feared *he* would be the one to cry out and awaken the rest of the household.

Having found completeness in each other, the Familiar and his angel snuggled together to sleep as had become their habit. But sleep would not come to Jax. Even though he had finally seen her eyes light with love for him just hours earlier, Jax could not help but worry how those same eyes would view him during the events of the day to come.

Brenda stirred softly and nestled her body closer to her Familiar. A low purr emanated from Jax’s chest, and he finally arranged his body around hers. The problems of tomorrow would be faced – but for tonight, he had all he wanted in the universe in his arms. Sighing quietly, Jax joined her in a satisfied sleep.

To be continued…..