Almost the entirety of Arrhazon seethed, as if some emotional volcano was poised to go off within its citizenry.

Brellian was the last to understand his was a government standing on precarious, quaking, ground. Jahrae Khentavra, M’traliel Zralensa, Kukaeshra, Gl’nsiel, Elsrensia K’avahra, and Jesnsera formed the main masthead of the Arrhazonan equality and freedom movement, and they well sensed the time for casting off Brellian was almost nigh.

On this day, Jahrae hurriedly packed only essentials – some clothing, tennies, and a few mementos of llhaesa essential to her continued mental health. With the planned release of the third and final llhaesa song recorded on her last night, and given the escalating reaction with the first two releases, Jahrae knew it was time to go underground.

One more release would follow – this a video documentary on llhaesa’s life. They planned this release eight weeks hence. A soundtrack would accompany release of the documentary, with one of the songs surprisingly performed by Jahrae. The unexpected inclusion surprised even Jahrae, who found a voice she never knew existed during some EREGS work with M’traliel.

Jahrae planned to stay with Kukaeshra at her clandestine studio, a studio authorities were highly unlikely to locate, given the genius of Kukaeshra’s engineering.

Glancing around her flat, something she would reprise 12 years later setting out on a mission to find llhaesa, Jahrae walked through the entry and closed the door behind her with some reluctance but with much determination. Brellian was going to fall, or she would die in the trying.

Kukaeshra was to swing by in her personal transport, timing it as Jahrae walked along the edge of Old City Park. Her timing proved impeccable, the pick up of Jahrae seamless.

“Thanks, K’shra! Are you ready for step three?” Jahrae was nervous over the coming action, but also feeling some remorse for leaving her flat behind – with all of its precious memories – for an extended time.

“Perhaps; though I wonder if I am ever truly ready for any task, Jahrae.” Kukaeshra paused, her thoughts shifting and refocusing toward the potential personal impact of the next release. “I know this release is just of llhaesa’s voice and that she specifically sings to you alone. Are you ok with ten billion people hearing what was recorded as a private statement of her love for you?”

Jahrae did not answer immediately. She searched her mind for what she truly felt on the subject. “I have thought about that, K’shra, but to be honest I push myself away from hoarding the song. There is a greater purpose and need, one if llhaesa were here she would wholeheartedly agree with.

No greater tribute to llhaesa exists than to have her song bring the world the change she so dearly wished to see. In that context, I can live with the world hearing what llhaesa wrote for me.”

“The world will think of you every time they hear the song. They will think of this incredible romance between two lovers completely devoted to each other, and that a murderous and envious bully ended their dream.

That is only part of things, that which this song specifically calls out. There is more. I will interview you live, Jahrae, and the questions will be such that it will encourage you to share stories of you and llhaesa. Some of it will be her dream, now yours; some of it will be very personal.

This is necessary – if you wish to see this to its proper effect – in order to show a world why it must cast off this government. This places an unfair burden upon you, but one you have indicated you wish to accept. Please, please, please tell me if you change your mind before the morrow and the release.” Kukaeshra wished her and Jahrae to be on the same page right through the release.

“It is no burden upon me; such is the burden Brellian brings to this world, K’shra.” Jahrae’s resolve increased moment by moment, her enthusiasm climbing.

“Very well!” K’shra dropped the matter, confident in the clear intent stated.

The next afternoon, Jahrae now settled in to life in a clandestine broadcast centre, she and K’shra planned to take to the air 15 minutes, at the regular change of shift. J’saera would hand off to Kukaeshra, promising a ‘special co-host’ would be on air with K’shra.

Jahrae was relieved she would not be the first to speak on air, giving time for her mind to adjust away from thinking ‘broadcast,’ and toward stating her point of view.

The board signalled they were live, and K’shra began to speak. “Arrhazonans, this is K-shoo-ray, and I’ll be hosting this daily segment for an indefinite period of time. There are reasons for this change, one of them being a special – a very special – co-host who is with me, here to talk change on Arrhazon, here to talk about her life, here to talk about her partner, and to introduce the final song of the triad written and recorded on her partner’s final day alive.

Arrhazon, Jahrae Khentavra is with me at this very moment!” K’shra stopped and signalled Jahrae to speak.

“Hi-hello, Arrhazon! Please bear with me, as it will soon be obvious I am not a professional broadcaster.

It is somewhat surreal to sit here, knowing what we are about to do, what we are about to share. My wife… was someone who laughed, cried, dreamed, and yes, made mistakes, but she also abhorred discrimination, loved freedom, and loved equality.  She was human, brilliantly human.

She was a vegetarian – as am I; she loved to hike, and though new to sailing, proved a natural at plying the waters of Chekresu Bay. She was impish and competitive, loved to laugh, and loved to play music, especially her beloved piano.

Llhaesa loved children, particularly one adorable child who lived in our building; llhaesa relished the days she gave the child piano lessons. The child spurred her to talk of our own children, and of co-pregnancies.

She was a loving, giving, empathetic, person, and I miss her.” Jahrae paused, willing her emotions under control. “Well, that is of memory, but I know llhaesa is here with me, with us, in spirit.

The song we will soon share is the final of three. It is a Capella, written for and sung to an audience of one – me. Our bonds remain unbroken through time, unbroken through space; no force anywhere can sever our love. I am sharing the song with the world, because it is unfair of me to hold llhaesa exclusively to my own heart, away from the people she worked so hard to help.

I would like you to know the person, the person that I fell in love with, and that I miss more than anyone could ever know, or I could ever describe.

Thank you for listening!” Jahrae ended there, her timing perfect, her self-control wavering.

“No, we thank you, Jahrae! K’shra followed Jahrae’s words by professionally avoiding dead air. “World, please know the woman who just spoke is as precious as llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli, someone I have come to call a dear friend. Arrhazon, please give all of your attention to llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli performing Our Melded Minds, Our Melded Love.”