“Take your time.” She clasped their hands and squeezed; Nikin’s calm presence was truly a pleasure.
He matched her grip as his smile grew. “We’ve missed you at the holding. But I hear you’ve been rather busy.” The smile dropped as he added, “Our family is indebted to you. When I thanked you for helping my brother that day, I never dreamed it might take this form. And I’m so very sorry about Colonel Micah.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just help me bring him back.”
“Father and I will do all we can. Have you seen the schedule for his Sharings? That poor man won’t get a moment’s peace.”
“I know. That’s the idea.” She turned to greet Shikal. “I hope you had a good chat with him.”
“I did. But I missed his input.”
Salomen kissed both of them on the cheek as they touched palms. “Now what is this about Gordense selling the holding?”
They turned as a group, surrounded by seven Guards from two different units, and made their way down the corridor. Jaros maneuvered himself so that he was walking next to Tal, who put a hand on his small shoulder as she observed Ronlin. Salomen’s Lead Guard had practically glued himself to her side, radiating watchfulness as his head swiveled in all directions. It was the first chance he’d had to guard her, and he was taking it very seriously indeed.
“Jaros said it best,” Nikin said. “The Bilsners have no name in Granelle.”
“They cannot hold up their heads,” Shikal added. “Even if their public shame wasn’t an issue, there’s also the fact that most of the other producers refuse to have anything to do with them. Several of the merchants are refusing their business. It wouldn’t have been such a problem if Cullom had been acting on his own, but Gordense made his beliefs loudly public. He said too many times that the Lancer had to be stopped. Those words have come back to haunt him.”
“It doesn’t matter how loudly he protests now,” said Nikin. “The fact remains that Cullom acted on his father’s beliefs, and no one in Granelle will ever forget that.”
“I told Andira what he said at the caste house meeting.” Salomen turned toward Tal. “Do you remember asking me about his intentions?”
“Very well. You were convinced he wasn’t a threat.”
“But he was, indirectly. And it never occurred to me to look past him to his son. I don’t think I ever realized until now how damaging words can be.”
“There is still an immense gulf between speaking and acting,” Tal reminded her. “It’s the same gulf that divides Herot from Cullom. Gordense deserves his shame, but he’s not the one who fired the shot.”
“At least the shame isn’t limited to our caste,” Nikin said. “Word is already out about Withernet spying for Parser.” He caught Tal’s surprised look and added, “It’s Granelle. Nothing stays secret there. And of course the news is all over Alsea about Parser, so the merchant caste is carrying its own shame.”
“And the warrior caste,” said Jaros, eager to be a part of the conversation. “The Prime Warrior is a criminal, too. But Lancer Tal will catch him.”
Tal squeezed his shoulder. “I’m your bondsister now, Jaros. You can call me Andira.”
“I know,” he said seriously. “But I prefer Lancer Tal.”
Salomen winked at Tal and said, “It sounds better at school.”
“If I called you Andira, nobody would know who I’m talking about,” Jaros explained.
Tal wanted to laugh but contented herself with pulling Jaros close to her. “Doesn’t the fact that you have your own Guard give your friends a clue?”
He grinned. “They are so envious about that!” Turning, he waved at one of the Guards behind them, who waved back with a smile. “That’s Deladan,” he confided, as if Tal wouldn’t know the name of the warrior she had assigned to him. “She’s really good at kickball.”
This time Tal couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Is she?” she asked, catching the Guard’s eye and seeing the instant flush. “Don’t tell me she plays on your team.”
“Oh, no. That wouldn’t be fair. But she’s been helping our coach. She knows a lot of tricks.”
A few more steps brought them to Micah’s room, and the Guards took up positions in the corridor. Tal hesitated, suddenly unsure about taking Jaros inside. She didn’t know what was safe to say.
Salomen sensed it and took his other hand. “Before we go in, Jaros, do you remember what Father told you?”
He nodded. “We have to be careful about touching Colonel Micah because he’s hurt. And something happened to keep him from waking up, but you’re all going to Share with him to try to bring him back. Can I Share with him, too?”
“I’m sorry,” she said gently, “but it’s not a good idea. It’s not like what you felt when you Shared with Andira and me.”
As Jaros slumped in disappointment, Shikal said, “How interesting. That’s precisely what I said when he asked me.”
“Jaros!” Salomen’s tone made even Tal cringe. “Why are you asking me if Father already said no?”
He looked from his sister to his father. “Ah…because…because…”
Tal took pity on him. “Because Colonel Micah is your friend too?”
“Yes!” He turned to her gratefully. “I want to help.”
“I know you do.” Salomen shot Tal a look that said Don’t encourage him. “And you can help just by being here with him. But don’t ever try that trick again. Your father and I will know if you try to play one of us against the other. Just because I’m not at Hol-Opah every day doesn’t mean that you can take advantage of me.”
His head dropped as he shuffled in place, mortified at being scolded in front of his idol.
Tal stayed quiet, mindful of her own near scolding, and Shikal defused the moment by opening the door to Micah’s room. “Come on, Jaros. Let’s go see the colonel.”
Jaros gladly followed his father, and Tal gave Salomen an appeasing smile. “I did that when I was his age, too.”
“So did Salomen,” said Nikin.
She gave them a mock glare, which soon dissolved into a smile. “Yes, but I was never stupid enough to do it in front of both of my parents. I expect better of Jaros.”
Nikin laughed. “You expect him to be just as devious as you were? Why would you wish that on us?”
“Nikin,” said Tal in a confidential tone, “perhaps you’d like to have a drink with me sometime later? When your sister is busy? I think you have stories to tell.”
“I do indeed,” he said, matching her tone. “You’ll be amazed at some of the things she got away with.”
“You’re both walking a dangerous line.” Salomen turned and entered the room, her head held high.
“That’s what makes life worth living,” said Tal.
Nikin touched her shoulder with a smile. “Then your life with her should be extremely rewarding.”
True words, Tal thought as they walked into the room.
Her momentary good humor vanished when she saw Shikal and Jaros standing by the bed. Jaros was already telling Micah about having a Guard at school, his small hand resting on Micah’s arm. Salomen caught Tal’s eye and held out her hand in invitation.
“Guess we’ll have to wait our turn,” she whispered as Tal came over.
“I don’t mind. Every voice helps, even the ones on the outside. I’ve talked to him, too.” Though Tal took Salomen’s hand, she kept her gaze firmly fixed on Micah and Jaros. She couldn’t bear to see in Salomen’s eyes what was already too clear in her emotions.
How could she keep her own hope alive when Salomen was losing hers?
CHAPTER 54:
Awake in the dark
The Opah family’s visit to the State House was an enjoyable affair—or at least as enjoyable as it could be under the circumstances. Nikin worked har
d to keep the mood light, and Jaros’s awe at the size and luxury of their quarters was a delight to watch. But Tal’s vidcom continued to demand her attention, and she could not afford to take any more time away from it than she already had. Too much was riding on tomorrow’s Council session. So Salomen took over the duties of hostess, and Tal grew increasingly resentful of the whole situation. This was her family, and she deserved a few shekking hanticks free of political concerns. Her anger toward Shantu took on a new dimension as she discussed his actions with the various Councilors and powerful caste members who called her. The only consolation she had was that the groundwork she was laying tonight had already guaranteed tomorrow’s outcome. She had the votes she needed; Shantu was finished. But she was still obligated to play the political game, gathering as much support as possible to be certain that no other warrior would be tempted to take advantage of the rift Shantu had created.
By the time their guests returned to Hol-Opah, Salomen was tired and Tal was both tired and short-tempered. They went to bed with a minimum of conversation, simply holding each other and taking quiet reassurance in their bond. Tal had so much whirling through her head that she found it nearly impossible to sleep. When she finally managed to drop off, her sleep was restless, punctuated by dreams that took her from one scene to another with dizzying speed. Nothing made sense, everything was disturbing, and at last she came wide awake, horrified at the single clear thought in her mind.
She knew exactly what Shantu had planned. And she had made it easier for him by scheduling tomorrow’s emergency session.
She sat up, looking at Salomen by the light that filtered in through the windows. Fahla, she had so little time. She had wasted too much of it on a useless strategy, because she and everyone else were thinking like politicians. How many times had Salomen said it to her? That is a politician’s answer, and you are not a politician.
“Oh, Salomen, I’m sorry,” she whispered in the darkness. She leaned down to kiss her on the temple, holding her lips against the soft skin as long as she dared. Then she rose, threw on a robe, and went to the smaller vidcom built into her desk.
The call was answered quickly in spite of the time, and Tal looked into the face of the only person who could save her.
“I need your help,” she said. “Right now.”
CHAPTER 55:
Looking for the Lancer
Aldirk was taking a hurried mornmeal when the call came in from the Lancer’s private com code. He wiped his mouth and hastened to his vidcom to accept the call.
“Lanc—” He stopped at the sight of the unexpected face on his screen. “My apologies, Raiz Opah. I expected the call to be from Lancer Tal. What can I do for you?”
“Have you seen her? Do you know where she is?”
“She’s not with you?” he asked.
“No. She’s not even in the State House or anywhere in Blacksun. I can feel her, so I know she’s safe, but…she left me a note this morning saying she would see me at the Council session, and this isn’t like her. I’m worried.”
Aldirk was worried too, but she didn’t need to know that. “Lancer Tal never does anything without reason. I’m sure she’s simply making preparations for this morning’s session.”
“What kind of preparations involve leaving in the middle of the night?”
He shook his head. “I have no answer for that. Have you tried reaching Head Guardian Gehrain? Or Lead Guard Vellmar?”
“No. I thought it might look a bit odd if the future Bondlancer was calling around the State House searching for her bondmate.”
He approved of her political astuteness. “Then let me make the calls for you. May I call you back in a tick?”
“Yes, of course. Thank you.”
He reached Gehrain in his State House quarters, but the Head Guardian was still officially on leave until hantick seven and fifty; he had no idea where the Lancer was. Vellmar was on the same leave and could be found in neither one of her quarters. It was too early for the support staff to have arrived at the Lancer’s office on Blacksun Base, so Aldirk tried the contact desk next, getting a stern-faced warrior who informed him that the base never gave out information on the Lancer’s whereabouts.
“Check your com code, you idiot,” Aldirk snapped. “I’m not some journalist. I’m calling from the State House.”
The warrior raised an eyebrow in remonstrance as he leaned forward and pressed a key on his console. The other eyebrow rose to join the first, and he straightened into a more formal posture. “My apologies, Chief Counselor. The Lancer is here. But she left explicit instructions not to be disturbed for any reason.”
Aldirk nodded. “Very well. Please inform her, if she accepts any messages later, that we in the State House are looking forward to seeing her in the Council chamber.” He knew Lancer Tal would understand who the message was really from.
“It will be done,” the warrior said.
Aldirk ended the call and a moment later had Raiz Opah on his screen.
“She’s on the base,” he said, and saw her visibly relax. “I don’t know what she’s doing, but whatever it is, she does not wish to be disturbed. I can only speculate that for some reason she needed to be alone and away from any possible interruptions before the Council session.”
She looked briefly distressed before schooling her expression into one of calm acceptance. “I’m certain she knows what she’s doing. Thank you for your assistance, Chief Counselor. I’ll see you in the guest gallery.”
He wished her a good morning and stared at the blank screen thoughtfully.
“What have you figured out?” he said aloud. “And why don’t you want your bondmate to know?”
CHAPTER 56:
The warrior’s challenge
Tal waited until the last possible moment before returning to the State House with Vellmar. It had been beyond difficult, feeling Salomen’s worry and concern this morning, but she couldn’t face her. Not last night and not now. There would be too many questions, too many arguments, and she didn’t have time to deal with them. So they slipped into a service entrance, and Vellmar went up in the lift while Tal made her way down the back corridors to a little-used set of stairs. She ran up to the tenth-floor landing, where she waited until she could feel that most of the traffic in the hall above had thinned out. Salomen was already in the guest gallery, and while Tal stood there, she expanded her senses, identifying the people near her tyree. Lead Guard Ronlin sat on one side and Nikin on the other. Around them were Aldirk, Razine, Gehrain, Vellmar, Shikal—and Jaros. Great Goddess, why had they brought Jaros?
Because she hadn’t told Salomen. They didn’t know.
“Oh, shek,” she whispered. But there was nothing she could do, and her time was up. If she waited any longer, she wouldn’t get to her dais before the session was scheduled to open.
She took the stairs two at a time, popped out into the corridor, and strode through the remaining attendees with a stiff bearing and an attitude that warned off those who would have spoken with her. A few people still called greetings after her, but she made no response save to lift a hand over her head.
She unlocked her private entrance and ducked through, breathing a sigh of relief as the door sealed behind her. This was her sanctum, a small, soundproof room where she could gather herself before facing the Council. A pitcher of water and a bowl of fruit sat on the low table, and she was dismayed to see her hands shaking as she poured herself a drink.
It’s just nerves, she told herself. They’ll be steady enough when you need them.
She drank the water and held the cool glass against her forehead, taking a few moments to simply be still. Then she replaced the glass on the table, crossed the room, and opened the other door.
The roar of hundreds of conversations assaulted her ears when she stepped onto the dais, though the sound level declined when
people saw her. The usual swarm of vidcams rose into place as she picked up the staff from its holder on the wall, walked to the bell, and gave it a sharp blow.
All remaining conversations ceased instantly. In the silence she looked up to the guest gallery, meeting Salomen’s eyes with an almost physical impact. She sat in the front row, an insurmountable distance away. Tal had made certain of that distance, but now that she was looking at her, she wished she had done it differently. She could only hope that Salomen would understand.
Breaking their gaze, she looked from one side of the chamber to the other, taking in the packed galleries and the nearly full attendance of Councilors. Two seats were conspicuously empty.
“This Council session is now open,” she said. “I have called this emergency session to put the rumors to rest, and to shine a bright light into the darkness that has deeply wounded us. Alsea has lost two of her leaders to their own worst instincts. Our former Prime Merchant has confessed to a corruption that will astound you with its breadth and reach; you will hear every detail before this session is over. And our former Prime Warrior is running from arrest, charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to murder. He was prepared to kill for political gain—a cold-blooded, premeditated murder for the worst of reasons. The victim of his crimes, Herot Opah, is here this morning to testify about his experience.
“We have a task of enormous importance before us today. When one-third of the Council leadership falls to corruption and murderous behavior, the belief of the Alsean people cannot be expected to stand. We must address this now, today, not tomorrow and not a moon from now. We are in crisis. Though it is not a crisis of our making, we are nevertheless bound to resolve it or risk losing the trust of the people we serve. And that is why I will be proposing a swift and unmistakable response.” She paused, sweeping her gaze across the attentive faces of the Council. “When we have finished presenting the evidence to you, I will ask the warrior and merchant castes to consider the only realistic judgment they can make. I will ask them to strip former Prime Warrior Shantu and former Prime Merchant Parser of their caste.”
Without a Front: The Warrior's Challenge (Chronicles of Alsea Book 3) Page 42
