by Viola Grace
Her instructor laughed and gave her a hug. “You are definitely missing out.”
They walked to the administrator’s office, and Tebila sat with her while she was given her assignment.
“Three years to be carried out at the Nyal Court world of Miexhar. You will be seer to the Duke of Miexhar.”
There was no room for questions. She had her assignment. She was off to the Imperium for a posting on a world where intrigue was served with dinner.
Her shuttle was waiting.
Chapter Three
Miexhar was an architect’s wet dream. Spires, elegant arches, tons of stone held up in a manner that seemed to be supported by vines of marble. It was amazing to behold.
Libby had to be presented at court before she would take on her position officially. It was the only part of this process that was flipping her stomach.
She walked over a dozen pedestrian bridges with Gadget. The other Terran was eager to see her in the proper place, and since her partner had business elsewhere, Gadget was free to lead Libby to her post.
“So, Gadget, how do you enjoy the Imperium?”
Gadget grinned. “It is much more lively than the Alliance but much more dangerous, too. Your contract was carefully negotiated. They initially wanted to buy you outright.”
Libby blinked. “Why am I only learning this now?”
“It is too late to run.”
Gadget’s matter-of-fact words were surprisingly serious.
The robes that she wore over the brown and gold suit were dull and dark compared to the fantastical costumes of the courtiers as they got closer to the main audience chamber.
Libby felt decidedly underdressed.
Gadget was resplendent in her glittering blue suit and cyber-punk aura. She had more presence than half the courtiers they were passing. No one got in their way.
Libby tried to keep herself calm, but she wanted to crane her neck around and stare at all the different species that were getting thicker as they approached the audience chamber.
Two huge doors were spread open and wide. The interior of the chamber was sparsely populated, but one man sat in the central throne, and he sat up slightly as they waited at the threshold.
Libby had been briefed on not staring at the duke. It was a difficult task. He was white and silver with thick, dark lines circling his hot, red eyes.
He raised his hand, and a man in elegant silver and black stepped forward and moved toward them.
“I am Shoklek, the duke’s major domo. You are Gadget and the Death Seer?”
Libby coloured a little, but she nodded and Gadget inclined her head as well.
“We are. Is His Grace ready to see us?” Gadget had nothing but calm in her tone. Libby was impressed.
“He is waiting for you, and it does not do to keep him waiting.”
Shoklek was built in shades of grey from charcoal smoke to a pale hint of silver.
He led the way up the path lined in the polished floor. It led directly to the duke without wavering. Shoklek had a long staff, and it tapped on the floor in a steady rhythm.
This was it. This was where Libby was going to live for the extent of her initial contract. After that, it would be anybody’s guess as to where she was going to end up.
The major domo bowed low and stepped aside. “Your Grace, this is the Imperium Transport Specialist, Gadget, and your new seer, Liberty Trout. Ladies, His Grace Duke Gweahkin.”
The duke leaned forward, his red gaze moving over Liberty with astonishing directness. She hadn’t been assessed like that by anyone. He seemed to be taking her measure, and he seemed fascinated by what he was seeing.
Gadget moved slightly and Libby mimicked her, bowing slightly before standing upright again. As a seer, she had more social standing than most of the men and women in the court, and she needed to remember that or she would lose it. Rank was everything here.
“So, you are a Death Seer.”
Libby confirmed it. “I am.”
“I expected you to be taller or older or have more presence.”
The court laughed.
“I am what I am, Your Grace. Nothing more, nothing less.”
He extended his hand. “Read me, Seer.”
She cocked her head. “I would caution you that it is not wise to know too much of your own demise.”
Duke Gweahkin winked. “I have no fear of death. It will come when it is due and not before.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” She stepped forward and removed her glove.
When she placed her hand over his, she was struck by the size of it. He was huge if his wide palm and long fingers were any indication. She slowly lowered her skin into contact with his, and the world spun away for a moment while she sought the end of his life.
Her mouth was dry as she pulled her hand from his with as much control as she could manage. With casual determination, she put her glove on again.
The duke’s lips were quirked in amusement. “You will join me for dinner and let me know what you saw.”
He turned his attention to Gadget. “You have delivered her to me as promised. Thank you for your diligence.”
“It was my pleasure, Your Grace. I will be checking on her well-being throughout the contract. You are on notice.” Gadget’s lips twitched in amusement.
“I am on notice. Thank you again.” The dismissal was obvious.
Gadget turned, and with a small nod to Libby, she turned and left the court of the Duke of Miexhar.
Shoklek stepped forward. “Shall I show her to her quarters, Your Grace?”
“Thank you, Shoklek. Have someone find something for her to dress in for dinner.” The duke waved his hand.
Dismissed, Libby turned to Shoklek, and he inclined his head with a smile. “This way, Death Seer.”
She followed him, and the tapping of his staff on the stone had folks clearing to the sides of the halls, and with each doorway, there were less and less strange folk until they walked through an archway flanked by two heavily armed guards with traditional and modern weapons strapped to their thighs.
“These are the private quarters of the highest members of the duke’s court. There is an element of trust required for the duke to extend secure hospitality to a member of the court.”
“I have received that trust?”
“He allowed you to seek signs of his death. That should prove his trust.” Shoklek grinned and glanced at her over his shoulder.
She nodded and continued to follow in silence.
They passed another guarded doorway, and he brought her past it by three doors. “These are your quarters for the time of your contract.”
He swung the door open and stepped to one side. Libby passed him and walked into the tremendous expanse of the rooms she had been given. The front room was huge and had an office and a couch as well as a view screen. A door behind the ornate desk led to her bedroom, and after that, there was a dressing room and closet, plus a bathing chamber and lav.
Shoklek trailed after her. “Do you like it?”
“It is wonderful. I wish that I had more than this uniform to fill that closet.” She chuckled.
“Oh, you will be dressed suitably to your station. The dressmaker was summoned as soon as it was mentioned.” He slowly moved his fingers on the staff of office, and she could see myriad bumps and nodules on the otherwise smooth surface. “He will be here momentarily.”
“He?”
“Is his gender an issue? He is the best on Miexhar.”
Libby bit her lip. “If he is what is called for by this situation, then I will greet him graciously and thank him for his assistance.”
Shoklek nodded. “I thought you would manage to adapt. It is the hallmark of your species.”
She blinked. “You know about my species?”
“We would never have allowed you here if we had not done our research.” He smiled. “I will return when the dressmaker arrives. Relax and get used to your new quarters.”
She inclined he
r head. “Thank you, Major Domo Shoklek.”
“Just Shoklek. I will see you in a few minutes.”
He left her alone, and she walked from one room to the next, finally walking out onto the balcony outside her room and staring at the alien world spread out beneath her.
The clouds were pink, the sky lavender and there was one large sun and one small making their way across the arc of the heavens. She breathed deep and took in the thinner air as well as the tastes and smells of Miexhar.
The wind tugged at her clothing, and she absorbed the nuances of the feel of suns and the breezes on her face. It was the only part of her exposed, and her cheeks heated at the solar caress.
Abin-Da was a master seamstress, or tailor, he was fine with either description.
She stood in the centre of the dressing room, and to her surprise, he tapped the floor and a fitting station rose out of the stone.
“Remove that serviceable garb, and we will get to work. I brought a few things with me that will be appropriate and easy to alter, though you are a little shorter than I anticipated.”
Libby blinked at the man who was a similar mix of grey to Shoklek. They were in the room alone and she wasn’t sure of the protocol.
She took her courage and removed the robes, folding them over her arm before she tugged off the gloves. Once her hands were free, she unsealed the closure of her suit and peeled it down and off.
Abin-Da smiled when she stood there naked. “Perfectly formed. No wonder you were so eagerly anticipated.”
Libby blushed hotly as he measured her with easy motions and made notes on a small pad he had brought along for that purpose.
Abin-Da didn’t require an answer when he spoke. He made comments on her breasts and hips, remarking, “You have the stature of an adolescent but your body is definitely all woman.”
The blush stayed in place and refused to leave until he finally draped her in narrow strips of fabric that formed an almost-skeletal pattern on her torso. A narrow skirt was wrapped around her hips and secured with a metal-linked belt.
Abin-Da leaned back and nodded. “Good enough for dinner with the duke. I will get to work on the rest of your court garb when I return to my workshop.”
“Um. Thank you. Are you sure that this is appropriate? I am not precisely confident about the exposed skin.” Her nipples were covered and that was the best that could be said for the design. Her shoulders and arms were completely bare.
“I know that you are a Death Seer, but for tonight, you are the newest member of the court.”
She smiled slightly. She had already sensed Abin-Da’s end, and it wasn’t something in the immediate future. That was a primary concern for most folks, if it would happen soon. Any death more than a few decades away and they didn’t care.
“And I need to dress accordingly.”
“Of course. Women are spreading their thighs for the duke at the first opportunity. If you are to keep yourself in his attentions, you will need to stand out.”
She held up her hands. “I have no intention of crawling into bed with him. Today is my first day on a new world after a lifetime firmly planted on my home world. I will not surrender that for a turn in the sheets.”
Abin-Da grinned. “If that is what you think.”
Shoklek came in. He looked her over and nodded. “It is an improvement. His Grace is waiting for you in his chambers.”
Abin-Da shook his head. “You cut it very fine, cousin.”
“He is curious to find out what she read.”
She stepped down to stand next to the major domo. The heels that she was wearing caused her to wobble slightly, but she regained her balance and smiled up at both men.
“Abin-Da, thank you for your assistance today and your eye for fashion. Shoklek, lead on.”
He chuckled and led the way out of her quarters and down the hall to the door where the two guards stood.
“The Death Seer is here for her dinner with the duke.”
The guards nodded and allowed him to open the door. The huge, elaborate stone designs on the walls twisted in vaguely suggestive reliefs. Libby knew that if she stared long enough, she would start blushing, but since the front room was the same size as a ballroom back on Earth there was enough space between her and the lewd detail to make it an examination for another time. A long table that would seat twenty was on one side and a smaller table was on the other. It was that table that servants were setting for two.
The major domo led her to the table and stood with her, waiting for the duke to make his appearance.
“He will be here shortly.”
“I stand with you until then?”
“It is protocol. He is always to be seated first.”
Libby nodded and settled in to wait. They were only standing for two minutes when a door at the back of the chamber opened and the duke appeared.
They both stood at attention while he approached, and when he stopped in front of her and took her hand, Shoklek announced, “The Death Seer, as requested, Your Grace.”
The duke bent and brought her hand to her lips. “You have adapted quickly. You look lovely.”
She stared up into those crimson eyes and blinked. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
He smiled. “No need for thanks when the obvious is stated. Shall we dine?”
He led her to the seat, and she was unsure of what to do when he held it out for her.
Shoklek gave her a slight nod, and she slipped into the chair and close to the table while the duke helped her settle.
His fingers skated over her arms as he stepped back and took his own seat.
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace.”
“You are most welcome. I must confess to a certain curiosity about your species.” The duke raised his hand and servants scurried in and delivered covered plates to set in front of them.
She waited for the cover to be removed, and when it exposed the small bits of elegant sculpture on her plate, she waited until the duke took his first bite.
She didn’t know where to start, so she watched him for clues. Apparently, the tiny pastry tower was designed to have the small lake spread over it and then the whole thing was popped in in one bite.
Libby tried but she had to cover her mouth. It was good, it tasted amazing, but she didn’t have jaws designed to destroy the construct. She closed her eyes in bliss as her overfilled mouth broke down the appetizer, and she could finally swallow.
He was looking at her with amusement in his eyes. “You do not have to consume it in one bite.”
She swallowed and delicately licked her lips. “Apologies, Your Grace. Food etiquette was not my best subject.”
His gaze focused on her lips. “What was your best subject?”
She blushed and folded her hands in her lap. “Marksmanship.”
It was a small lie. Sexual-social etiquette had been her best subject, but marksmanship had been a close second.
The first course was cleared and the second was set before her. She assessed the implements that were laid out and prodded the food on her plate delicately before she plunged into the cross between salad and pasta.
“It appears that you cannot lie without your skin telling the tale.” The duke chuckled as he ate.
“I am sure I do not know what you mean, Your Grace.”
“I have read the reports of your studies. I am very sure that you are aware that marksmanship was not your best subject in training.”
“Perhaps I was mistaken, Your Grace.” She shrugged and finished the dish after he did.
He laced his fingers together and rested them on the table. “When we are alone, you may call me Rajon. Your Grace is far too formal for such a casual setting and for one with such intimate knowledge of me.”
She blinked until she realized that he meant his death. “Thank you, Rajon.”
“You are quite welcome, Liberty.”
They made it through the meal with only minor chitchat. Whatever he wanted to say, he was not going
to say in front of the serving staff.
Nine courses later, they were alone with only glasses of wine on the table and a carafe standing by.
She rolled the glass between her palms. He hadn’t dismissed her, so she was stuck waiting on him.
“Now, Death Seer, tell me what you saw when you touched me.”
He was leaning back, and the gems studded in his hair twinkled at her.
She thought back to the moment of contact, and she swallowed. “Your wife dies and you join her, willing yourself to death in her embrace. It is over two hundred years from this date, and you have had a good life with her.”
He nodded and sipped at his wine. “How does she die?”
“I cannot say.”
“Cannot or will not?”
She shrugged. “I have not touched her hand to read her death. I can’t see a death without contact unless there are many folk involved.”
It was a partial truth. The hand that he was touching as he lay dying was hers and life was fleeing them both as they were curled together under a blanket of stars.
Chapter Four
He nodded and got to his feet. “Bring your wine and follow me.”
“Yes, Your Gr — Rajon.” She took up her glass and followed him, the cool air caressing the exposed flesh of her torso. The bands that supported her breasts warmed the areas they covered, but the rest of the open work exposed her to the breezes.
He led her through the door he had emerged from while she had been waiting with Shoklek.
Libby froze in the doorway of what was obviously a bedroom.
He turned and beckoned her inside. “I will not pounce on you; come and see what I have been sent by the Guardian Base on Yaccaro.”
She walked up to him, and he put a hand on her spine, turning her toward a draped expanse on the wall. The fabric was the same rich red as Rajon’s eyes.
“What am I looking at?”
He chuckled and stroked his middle finger over the wall under the drape.
The fabric pulled aside in even curtains, exposing a painting that took her breath away.
The landscape was undoubtedly Miexhar, but that was a distant awareness in comparison with the image of Rajon with his arms around a small woman, a human woman. A Terran woman.
