9

Palien and Rohen flew into a huge reception hall at the very top of a tall

cylindrical tower, in the center of which there were large soft chairs covered

in lilac velvet fabric in a circle. The walls, from the stone floor to the crystal

dome, consisted of massive stained glass windows that let in multi-colored

reflections.

Five blond men in spacious light robes with huge white wings sat

motionless in high chairs.

Their faces were slightly different from the typical Zaria syrinxes:

refined, harmonious features with very large, transparent eyes with lightly

colored, sparkling irises. The rulers seemed arrogant and devoid of emotion,

expressing their superiority with their gaze. They looked right through

Rohen without smiling.

"Invader..." - the voice of one of them sounded velvety, but it was far from

friendly.

"What did you forget with us?"

"Lord Rohenirium has arrived to fulfill the agreement with the Source,"

the Phoenix emphasized. "About military services."

The Archons looked at each other with a dissatisfied look, their eyes

sparkling. They clearly didn't like what they heard.

"Can you destroy the entire Zirux army on your own? We have been

unable to cope with them for millennia."

"That's why I'm here. But not for free."

"Your conditions are not acceptable," - noted the blue-eyed Archon,

similar to Lantas.

"Lamronius, please take into account the opinions of others, for

starters," - Rohen retorted confidently.

"Do you know our names?" - Asked the pink-eyed Archon.

"Yes, Tremiroiz. What do you say, Rumiodis, Mertarizar, Ertosherioch?"

"Such issues cannot be resolved so quickly, phoenix!" - Lamronius spoke

again. "Your essence, embodied in a winged syrinx, is alien to us. You are

dangerous and difficult to control. There are no guarantees that you won't

harm us."

"You can think about how useful I am to you, as long as you need," - Rohen

emphasized ironically. - "I can easily move between planets and I am invicible.

In general, I have nowhere to rush, but keep in mind that the Zirux reproduce

faster than you and their number is many times greater than yours."

"How do you know this? Are you omnipresent?"

"And omniscient. I don't waste words. The agreement with the Source

has been confirmed. You can ask him yourself. While you are thinking, I will

begin to perform my services, whether you like it or not. And the contribution

will be appropriate."

Rohen suddenly disappeared, leaving the five Lords deep in thought.

"He's unbearable!" - Blue-eyed Ertosherioch hissed.

"Will see, what he is capable of." - Was their decision.

"Palien!" - Lamronius addressed the Commander. - "Did you really meet a

hermaphrodite on Zaria?"

"Yes, Lord. This is Rohen's lover named Lariel. He came to our world to

return him."

"We don't need such creatures at all," - Lamronius whispered.

"Speak for yourself, I would like to get to know him better," - intervened

the pink-eyed Tremiroiz. - "After all, Lariel received my inheritance through

the lost Emilio, who slipped away from us. You disrespect my creation, as

well as your son, whom you disowned."

"And for what purpose did you create a hermaphrodite when we have

women? Perversion, nothing less."

"We should have them. They are much better... "

"Lamronius," - said the yellow-eyed Mertarizar. - "Really, why did

hermaphrodites, who are rarely born, not please you so much? They are

more beautiful than women, less obstinate, polygamous and more resilient."

"I wouldn't say that Lariel is submissive," - Palien noted. - "You can't come

to an agreement with him so easily. Ask your son Ramies, who could not tame

this herm. Unbalanced character, vindictive, does not respect authority. I

would execute him for disobedience, but he is too handsome: lilac hair and

eyes, a figure of amazing proportions - an ideal toy for love pleasures..."

"Did he reject you?" - Asked the green-eyed Rumiodis.

"Why do I need him? I'm straight," - Palian clasped his hands. - "I agree with

Lamronius, we don't need herms."