Page 68 of Stars in Halo

Its rocks and mountains were a distinct violet, crimson, and black. Owing to the vast deposits of xentium-imbued sulphur, much of which erupted from its 700 active craters.

Some of its most spectacular volcanoes of Iccythria spewed ash and lava hundreds of miles into the air, across shipping lanes and the moons’ surfaces.

Yet it was here that a collective of poor nomads from Earth settled. They’d cobbled enough money for a small fleet that had roamed the vast galaxy over 20,000 years ago.

They’d landed on the bleakest and barren planet in the System, dug into the mountainous, volcanic rock, and built dwellings, tunnelling deep to create caverns of magnificent beauty.

Under the roiling surface, they’d designed a society that delicately balanced a conservative tradition that discouraged the use of technology and a worldly Pegasi-leaning culture that favoured innovation.

The two disciplines coexisted, conquering their planet and its resources together. They mastered mining and jewellery, turning the planet’s largest city, LeCythi, into a thriving trading centre.

Despite Iccythria’s importance as a significant source of Pegasi’s minerals, the world was less politically crucial than other empires. The Iccythrians preferred it this way, keeping a subdued profile System-wide.

Within the planet, however, the various clans had battled for control of the planet for decades.

Iccythria’s mineral wealth had brought unprecedented foreign attention and exposure, and the nomadic tribes had found it increasingly difficult to manage their sudden fortunes.

Power moves, land grabs, and succession conflicts were rife between the Houses, leading to assassinations, war, and feuds.

Ascetic wandering cults rose from the resulting chaos, and they retreated from their fellow tribes and clustered into conservative cloisters that shunned the outside world. Others amongst the well-heeled mining class took the opposite stance and embraced Pegasi fashion, food, holo entertainment, and pleasure-seeking pastimes.

LeCythi, the Iccythrian capital, was tucked into a dark summit crater of a stratovolcano that had risen tall through the accumulation of alternating lava and pyroclastic deposits.

In minutes, the whisper-soft craft touched down on a landing pad on a platform beside the grandiose ALMQ Palace, guarded by towering structures and armed gendarmes.

Massive rock-hewn doors built into the volcano swung open as it did.

Xion’s impending and fokkin’ unknown fate pressed down on him as he stepped off the ship, flanked by the criminal brothers and Katya.

The oppressive aura of power and wealth emanating from the castle only fuelled his grit to escape this dire situation.

The ALMQ sentinels led the way through the palace’s opulent halls, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they approached an imposing entryway.

With a sweep of one gendarme’s hand, the doors swung open to reveal a lavish chamber.

Inside, one man sat on a gold and sapphire-adorned dais chair at the end of a long table.

Up close and in person, His Highness K’Sumi Hinata Alamaq was even more sneering, snobby and oily.

Xion shivered with disgust as he stood before the throne, his gaze unwavering despite the weight of uncertainty that gnawed at him.

Behind him, also under guard, filed Katya and her brothers.

They bowed and curtsied deep in front of their King.

Xion did no such thing, jerking his chin in defiance at the simpering royal.

‘What do you want from me?’ the Rider drawled.

The man on the dais regarded Xion with a look of mild amusement, his lips curling into a condescending smile. ‘What do I want from you? Oh, Sable Rider, so, so much.’

Xion’s jaw clenched at the arrogance dripping from the man’s words. He had dealt with influential and entitled individuals, but this man exuded a new level of hubris that made his skin crawl.

‘You see, Sable Rider,’ the man continued, tapping his jewelled fingers together, ‘I have a little problem that needs your distinctive touch to solve. If you refuse to cooperate, let’s say the consequences will be less than favourable for your friends here.’

Katya’s sharp breath behind him only fueled Xion’s resolve. He may have been backed into a corner but refused to bow down to this pompous tyrant.

‘Name it, and I’ll see whether I can procure it for you.’

---