“So what’s next for you? You set out to achieve Human equality all those years ago. Now it’s here.” Naskia asked Loona as they settled into their seats in one of nicest restaurants in Tuaut. It was late and the restaurant was virtually empty. Like many of the higher end restaurants in Tuaut it stayed open late to cater to legislators and their staff who were often happy to spend large sums of credits after a hard day’s work. Sorcha was busy folding napkins to act as chairs for the Humans in the group. Dhan and Nonah were busy pe¬stering their daughter on when they’ll be invited to Avalon to meet the lovely young man she was dating.

“I don’t really know for certain…” Loona swallowed. “I just made a deal to make Forna Qorni Floor Leader…with me as her deputy.”

Naskia’s eyes widened. “Is this the same Forna Qorni who was just on a broadcast telling people not to give up their pets as she’s going to get this law repealed?”

“The very one. The Empire is split over this. We got it passed because Zeramblin sacrificed himself. I’d love to say this is where I take a step back and relax but it’s where the real fight begins. I’ll be her deputy. We’ll have a national unity government to keep stability and I’ll make sure the Zeramblin Act is fully implemented.”

The colour drained from Naskia’s face. In a matter of moments she’d gone from elation to terror. “You…you’re saying that Niall could lose his rights?”

“No…” Loona sighed. “It’s technically possible. But it’d take a major swing by voters against Human equality and the polls are only moving in one direction there. Both sides are digging in here. Lines are being drawn and a fight is coming. There’ll be an election within the year. I want to make sure when it comes that rolling back on Human equality is a red line that cannot be crossed.”

Naskia nodded still looking concerned. “Ok…ok…”

“But that’s not something you should worry about. You let me worry about that. Tonight is about celebrating!” Loona smiled.

“She’s right petal.” Niall smiled up from the table. “It’s done. No one ever tested our marriage. No one will test this.”

“We need something to drink!” Sorcha said.

“Do they have any royalberry whiskey?” Niall asked.

“No whiskey!” A chorus of voices chanted. His daughter’s was not among them.

“Kapavi would be nice.” Alesia chimed in. “A good bottle.”

“Oh! They have a bottle of 2104…wow that’s expensive!” Naskia winced.

“But it’s a special occasion!” Alesia said nearly hopping. “Sorcha, flag down a waiter!”

“This is a pretty fancy place…are you sure I can just grab one?”

“It’ll be fine! You don’t usually have trouble making yourself heard.” Alesia joked.

“Fine…fine…” Sorcha said making eye contact with a young man standing beside the bar and raised her hand.

The young man walked swiftly over to the table and stood with a practised posture at the top of the table. “Good evening ladies, my name is Malor and I’ll be your waiter for the evening, would you like to hear our…”

He paused for a second looking rather uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry ladies but we don’t allow animals in the restaurant. Only those for assistance purposes.” He said.

Sorcha let out a rather irate growl.

“Sorcha…” Naskia chided. “Young man, these a four citizens of the Empire you cannot refuse to serve them.”

“I am sorry ma’am.” He said in an official manner. “It doesn’t matter how well dressed your pets are, we do not serve animals of any kind. Not Humans, not tupps, not…”

The waiter didn’t have time to complete his sentence before he found himself hauled aloft by his collar. He was dangling from the end of an arm of one of his guests. Panic struck him. He’d never been manhandled by a guest before. He was used to dealing with entitled senators and their staffers but the worst they did was poke their fingers into his chest. He didn’t expect to be dangled above the ground by a woman who looked far too scrawny to lift her own weight never mind his.

For Sorcha it was all too much. She had hoped and deluded herself into thinking that tonight would instantly mean that encounters like this were a thing of the past. That had all ended with two sentences. And so too had two years of hard effort of reining in her temper.

“Sorcha!” several voices shouted at once.

Loona buried her head in her arms hoping no one would recognise her.

“Put him down and pick me up!” Alesia said in tone that wasn’t meant to be argued with.

It took a few seconds but Sorcha did as she was asked and gently lowered Malor until his feet were firmly on the ground. She turned around and allowed Alesia to step on to her hand and lifted her in front of the waiter’s pale face.

“Please excuse my friend, she gets a little bit upset when she, and her family, are referred to as animals.” Alesia started.

The man nodded, still dumbstruck that the rather pretty brunette who stood only slightly taller than him had quite easily lifted him with one arm. The fact that an equally as pretty Human girl who was rather well dressed was talking to him in the manner that his junior school teachers used to seemed normal in comparison.

“We have just come from the Imperial House where my very good friend…no sorry…my aunt…” She corrected herself. “…Has just helped to pass a bill that extends the Dunnermac Equality Act to Humans. You might recognise her. Her name is Loona Armac.”

Loona looked up and smiled, slightly worried her name was being used.

“Do you know who she is?” Lessy enquired.

Malor nodded again. “The Deputy Floor Leader…”

“She is. She’s a Deputy Floor Leader who has just passed a major piece of legislation that extends The Dunnermac Equality Act to people like me, who you just called an animal. Do you know what the Dunnermac Equality Act states as the penalty for discriminating against a person based on their species?” Alesia carried on.

“No…” Malor shook his head nervously.

“I’m not surprised. Most people don’t. Why would you? It’s not been needed for decades. You personally can be fined ten thousand credits and could be subject to rehabilitation in a Dunnermac facility for several months. Your employer could be fined ten times that amount.” Alesia scoffed at his ignorance.

“Oh…I didn’t know that…” Malor said unable to take his eyes off the very well-spoken and well composed woman standing on a palm in front of him.

“And I don’t blame you. What we need is a chance to educate people. Perhaps a news story? About a renowned restaurant that refused to serve the Deputy Floor Leader and her friends in violation of Dunnermac Equality Act the very night it was implemented? That would certainly make the news wouldn’t it Malor? How are you with live on-air interviews?” Lessy stopped and placed her hands on her hips waiting for the now terrified looking Malor to reply.

“Please…please…I’m sorry.” He spluttered. “I didn’t know! It’s the restaurant’s policy!”

Alesia held up her hand and Malor stopped his babbling. Below on the table Alesia’s parents found themselves filling up with pride at how their little girl handled herself.

“It’s ok Malor. I believe you. You can stop worrying.”

Malor breathed a small sigh of relief.

“I would ask that you tell your manager that the restaurant policy will need to be updated in line with current legislation.” She continued.

“I can do that.” He nodded enthusiastically.

“And we’d like a bottle of the Selena Farms 2102 as well…” Alesia added.

Malor’s eyes widened once more.

“But…that’s almost a thousand creds! They’ll take that from my wages! I don’t have a thousand creds.” Malor said almost hyperventilating.

“Ok…ok. Calm down Malor. Bring the bottle. I’ll pay for it.” Alesia said.

“You have a thousand credits?” Malor said still breathing quite heavily much to the amusement of Naskia and Niall.

“I’m the Secretary of Education for the government of Avalon, they pay pretty well. Bring the bottle.”

“Ok. I will Madam Secretary.” Malor said and attempted to rush off.

“Malor?” Alesia stopped him.

“Yes Madam Secretary?”

“You can call me Alesia. And I’d appreciate it if you were as polite to every Human you meet from now on as you’re being with me now.”

“Yes Madam Secretary.” Malor scurried off too quickly to see Alesia Nonahsdottir roll her eyes at him.

“I will admit you handled that better than I did.” Sorcha said setting her friend down on the table. Alesia was immediately grabbed by her mother who hugged her tightly.

“I am so very proud of you!” Nonah beamed widely.

The expression was mirrored by her father. “My little Lessy. All growed up.”

Alesia blushed red. She didn’t like fuss and attention. “It’s easy to be composed with Sorcha standing behind me.”

“Especially after I’ve put the fear in ‘em!” Sorcha added.

Alesia smiled “And that. But I mean it. When there’s a Titan behind you it’s easy. How many Humans out there even have a Titan who will back them? Or will know that they have rights? Today was a victory for us but it’s really only the beginning.”

Loona nodded in agreement. “You’re right. If you weren’t right I would retire and finally try to write a novel. There’s a lot of people out there in need of educating.”

“Human and Titan.” Dhanyle added.

“Do you know what you’re going to do?” Niall asked.

The Deputy Floor Leader grimaced. “I think so. We’re looking at passing legislation to fund rehabilitation centres across The Empire that the liberated Humans can be sent to and gradually taught and introduced into society. We’ll probably use the Aenur Foundation’s model. Those who can become active members of society will likely go to halfway houses, probably with a Titan to give them support. Those that can’t we’ll just have to do our best to support or see if they can resettled in an environment suitable for them.”

“Not a bad plan.” Alesia replied. “I’d be happy to look over an education plans you have. We’ve spent a lot of time on our rehabilitation curriculum on Avalon.”

“I might take you up on that. I’ve got Gae and Yamanu Neutha coming in the day after next with draft proposals.” Loona said.

“Sounds like you have it all figured out. Do you know how many Humans you’ve got to take in?” Niall asked.

“Well it’s not compulsory. If they choose to remain with their families that’s up to them. But any that are in farms or shops will be coming into us. From what we can tell from the various registries of owners and breeders we’re dealing with around two hundred and fifty million individuals.” Loona replied.

Dhanyle whistled. “You have your work cut out for you then.”

“We do indeed.” Loona half grimaced but then smiled as she saw the waiter approaching with their bottle. “Which is why I’m looking forward to this nice bottle of kapvai Lessy has gotten for us.”

Malor carefully set the bottle of burgundy liquid down in the centre of the table and placed three glasses in front of each of the Titan (or apparently) individuals.

“I’m sorry but we don’t have any glasses that would be suitable for Humans…” he said looking like he may vomit out of terror.

“Don’t worry dear. I got used to carrying cutlery long ago. Thank you.” Naskia said popping a small wooden case on the table.

“Is there anything else I can get you for now?” He asked.

“We’re fine for now.” Sorcha said softly as her mother started to pour drinks.

The waiter left and Niall picked up his glass.

“To Pryvani Tarsuss.” He started. “To Eyrn Bass, to Naskia Freeman, to Aerti Bass, to Hussel Bass, to Aisell Maris, to Lezah Maris, to Rixie Tam, to Taron Dande, to Kir Oden, to Rodrec Zeramblin and to Loona Armac. To every Titan who has worked, sacrificed and bled and died to help us reach this day.”

He raised his glass and his wife gently tapped hers to his. Around the table group of friends as close as a family toasted and smiled. They knew today was a good day but there would be hard ones to come but it didn’t matter. Today was a good day.

*****

On a remote farm on a continent far to the south of Tuaut another extended family gathered after a long day’s labour. Some of the family worked in the trees as gatherers, some worked in offices as counters, some taught in schools as teachers, some scribbled in the library as chroniclers and some laboured outdoors as builders. The Tribe that once inhabited the Great Tree now numbered over three thousand strong, counted six Titans among its members and no fewer than three hybrid children.

They gathered in the schoolyard behind the Great House. It was the largest, most secure outdoor space on the farm and it was here that every person among the tribe gathered to hear the weekly updates from the Elders and to vote on the issues affecting the Tribe. A group of a dozen played traditional string, wind and percussion instruments as a large group danced around them.

“Where is she!?” Lezah Maris grumbled. “She’s forty….you’d think she’d have learned to be on time by now!”

“She’ll be on her way.” Her husband replied calm as warm summer night.

“It doesn’t take this long to get from the Capital to here. I’ve done it dozens of times and never have I been as long as this.” Lezah carried on.

“Not after a major vote you haven’t. The Capital is full of demonstrators. There were over fifty thousand people in Imperial Square. It’ll be a nightmare trying to get an autocab.” Eyazon pointed out.

“We’re happy to wait a while longer. We shall have our meeting and then we shall feast and celebrate. We have waited for generations for this day. We can wait a little longer.”

“I know but you shouldn’t have to. That girl! Even as a kid she was always wandering off…” Lezah stopped and looked up as she heard the sound of an autocab descending.

“Finally!” Lezah gasped.

Aisell rushed from the autocab having paid the fair and hurried down the cobblestone path at such a pace that Aisell the Wise thought it best to stay seated in her hand.

“Sorry, sorry, it took an age for the autocab to arrive.” Aisell said as apologetically as she could. She placed Aisell the Wise on the ground with the rest of the Elders.

“Every time pup.” Lezah said.

“Eyes Like Ice has apologised enough for one day. I’d ask you to leave her be.” Aisell the Wise said to Lezah, sensing the tension.

Lezah looked up from Aisell the Wise to her sister. Her skin was pale save for the dark bags under her eyes, which were bloodshot red. Lezah pulled her sister into a hug and squeezed. “Sorry pup, you know how I get about tardiness.”

“I know.” Aisell smiled as she broke the hug. She looked down into the school yard at the mass of people who had stopped their dancing and their celebrating and were now looking at the two Titans with anticipation. “I think we should get started.”

High Seer Calvinus took this as his cue and stepped to the front of the roof of the school house. He looked out across thousands of his Human brothers and sisters and several Titans and young hybrids standing at the back. He raised his hands up to the sky and said a brief prayer to the Great Spirit as the Tribe silently watched.

“We celebrate our oneness today. For the Great Spirit did not stop with just our tribe; it continues to try to unite all peoples in peace and harmony. Let us celebrate our oneness. Let us celebrate our togetherness. Let us celebrate this day we enjoy together. So say we all.” He finished.

The High Seer lowered his hands and the crowd responded, “So say we all.” The Seer turned, and Halbir Rockfist the Leader stepped forward with the Council of Elders.

“People of my Tribe.” He began. “Today is a day for feasting and for celebrating. I am sure much of the last batch of glowberry wine will find its way into our bellies this day.”

The people laughed.

“And tomorrow I declare to be a day of rest. No work will be done tomorrow! And on this day forth every year.”

And the people cheered.

“Before we celebrate, Lezah Hair Like Fire wishes to address you.” He said and turned to the red headed Titan.

“Thank you leader.” She said and took a step forward. “As you all should remember we had you fill out your citizenship applications which we submitted on your behalf to the Department of Citizenship who approved your requests for full citizenship pending the yes vote from the Imperial House. Thurfrit?”

Thurfrit, Climber of Tall as Tree, Elder Chronicler stepped forward and held up a pad in his hand. “Dear Ms Maris. I can confirm that following the passing and immediate implementation of the Zeramblin Act which extends the Dunnermac Equality Act to cover Humans we have granted the citizenship status to all three thousand four hundred and ninety six Human applicants. Please find attached their electronic IDs. Hard copies will be sent to you shortly.”

The Tribe cheered and applauded. Lezah waited a few seconds and held up her hand and the crowd settled. “I didn’t dream years ago when I made this arrangement with Drugar the Benevolent that I’d be here today with what is pretty much an enormous extended family. I know all of you by name. I helped raise a lot of you. I love each and every one of you.”

There were cheers and shouts of appreciation.

“Now, the deal Drugar and I made was that we would split the profits of the Royalberry sales evenly between us. Fifty, fifty. Legally we owned the land and everything on it…including you. A horrible legal fact, but one that has let us keep you safe. But now we have a new legal reality to deal with. We own the land and everything on it, but thank the Emperor – and the Great Spirit – we no longer own you.”

“We have had to come up with a new deal.” Halbir Rockfist spoke loudly.

The crowd looked tense and muttered to one another.

“Under the new deal we have transferred all land and property, save for the house, to a new company. We’ve kept the name the same as the old one to keep our established brand identity, Tribe Maris Farms. The new company has then been divided into shares. Half of these shares will go to Aisell, Aezhay and myself. The rest will be split between all of you. We will own this land together.”

The Tribe stared at Lezah Maris in disbelief.

“Yes, yes I know it doesn’t seem fair that three of us are taking sixteen percent each but it costs a lot more to feed us!” She explained feeling rather embarrassed.

“All who approve this deal please raise your hand.” Halbir spoke.

Almost every member of the audience lifted their hand. Few raised theirs against it.

“Can I speak?” Aisell asked taking a step forward.

“You may.” Halbir said.

“I’d like to receive the same share as a normal tribe member. Split mine up fairly. I have more than enough money already.” Aisell said.

“Mine too.” Aehzay chimed in.

The crowd cheered and applauded.

“That is very kind of you both.” Halbir said and turned back to the crowd. “All those who approve this new deal raise your hand.”

Every man and woman raised a hand. When it became clear there were no objections they stood and burst into rapturous applause.

“It is agreed then.” Halbir shouted above the din which was amplified by several of the Titan family members applauding as well.

“Congratulations.” Lezah smiled. “You all just became quite rich.”