Shield's Lady

storm of light.
    “This is where the Shields arrive,” Keri said excitedly. “Watch.”
    Sariana watched in astonishment as the legend took a bizarre twist. In a suspenseful sequence a strange ship materialized alongside The Serendipity. It was obviously caught in the grip of the Lightstorm, too, but it seemed able to control the descent of both itself and The Serendipity to some extent. It acted as a shield for the starship, leading the way through the storm of light. When it was through the storm, some of The Serendipity’s power was restored. She limped down through the atmosphere and made a landing similar to the one The Rendezvous had made. Fire had broken out immediately.
    “The ship burned for days,” Keri explained with relish. “The Shields helped fight it. But that wasn’t the main problem.”
    “What was the main problem?” Sariana asked in fascination.
    “The crew rebelled and tried to take control of all the other colonists. They had the only weapons on board and they threatened to kill everyone who didn’t obey orders. See? There’s one now. He’s going to kill the captain who’s trying to stop him.”
    Sariana was shocked as the poor starship captain died gallantly onstage in a very bloody fight. “How terrible.” At least the people of The Rendezvous had been spared that particular trauma. The rigid lines of society had held firm throughout the chaos of the landing and its aftermath in the east. But they had apparently started crumbling right from the beginning here in the west.
    “Oh, everything turned out okay. The Shields took care of the rebels. The Shields had weapons, too, and they used them against the outlaws. The bad members of the crew who weren’t killed ran away and hid in the mountains. After that, the colonists found out about the prisma crystal ships: The one that had caused the Lightstorm was just one of many. There were lots more of them hidden in the mountains. Only the Shields knew how to neutralize the weapons on board.”
    “The Shields protected the colonists?”
    “Sure. That’s why we have the Pact. Don’t you remember?”
    “I’m not too familiar with the story,” Sariana admitted cautiously.
    “They brought The Serendipity safely through the Lightstorm and they protected the First Generation colonists from the rebels and the crystal ships. If they hadn’t done that, none of us would be here now.”
    “I see. But, Keri, who are the Shields? Where did they come from?”
    Keri shrugged. “They were here when we got here.” He accepted that astounding piece of information with a youngster’s unquestioning faith in legends. “I think my father once said they had come to hunt the crystal ships and got trapped here along with the First Generation colonists. They couldn’t get back off the planet any more than we could.”
    Sariana was reeling with the ramifications of the tale. It couldn’t be true, she told herself staunchly. Just another manifestation of the westerners’ love of storytelling and drama.
    But it was getting increasingly difficult to dismiss the tale of the Shields. Her own life was being turned upside down by a walking legend.
    Sariana rose at intermission. She felt a sudden need to escape.
    “Where are you going?” Keri asked. “Don’t you want to see what happens when the Shields find out they can marry a few of the colonial women?”
    “Not particularly. I need some fresh air.”
    Keri got up. “I don’t blame you. The first half is the best part. The next act is kind of mushy.” He trailed after Sariana, chatting happily.
    “Where are your parents, Keri?” Sariana asked as they emerged into the mist.
    “I don’t have to meet them until lunchtime. How long are you going to be at the fair?”
    “I can’t stay long.” Sariana checked the elaborate little timepiece the Avylyns had given her on her birthday. Gryph had said he would be returning to the windrigger in the early afternoon. It would probably be best if she were on board when he arrived, she decided wryly. The fewer explanations she was called upon to make to Gryph, the easier life would be. “I’m supposed to meet someone in an hour or so.”
    “You can’t leave without seeing the House of Reflections,” Keri said anxiously. “Come on, I’ll show you. It’s the best thing at the fair. Even better than the play about the First Generation colonists.”
    “How far away is it?” Sariana glanced around dubiously.
    “It’s at the far end of the