Triad

by Cyndi Friberg

  “How will disputes be resolved in this new social order? What is the process?” Mirella folded her hands on the tabletop as she waited for someone to answer.

  “Each community has a council,” Haven obliged her. “If the dispute cannot be resolved by the local authorities, it’s referred to the area board or guild elders, depending on the nature of the dispute.”

  “What percentage of the disputes are dealt with by the communities and what percentage by the guild leaders?”

  Why did she want to know the specifics of Rodyte governance? How Rodytes resolved disputes didn’t have any effect on Bilarri. Perhaps she was easing into more pertinent questions. After a tense pause Letos continued, “About seventy-five percent of our disputes are brought before the guilds. They tend to be more objective than the area boards.”

  He expected her to delve deeper. Instead, she moved on. “And if the dispute isn’t resolved by the guilds?”

  “If the individual guild is unable to resolve the issue, it’s brought before the steering committee. That council consists of the guild master from all eight guilds.”

  She nodded. “And beyond the steering committee?”

  “Us,” Bandar said, sounding slightly bored. “The Triad.”

  Mirella pressed back into the chair as her gaze drifted from person to person. “For such a warlike people, you’ve certainly embraced bureaucracy. Have all these layers of administration always existed, or were they implemented after Quinton’s removal?”

  “Most of the councils were implemented by Quinton himself,” Letos said. “Pern took a more direct approach to governing.”

  “No doubt. Dictatorships are the most effective form of government. The general population just tends to resent being subjugated.”

  Letos didn’t understand the amusement he saw in her eyes. Did she consider Bilarri so far superior to Rodymia that she found their system laughable? “How are disputes resolved on Bilarri?”

  “Our system is similar, though a bit more streamlined. If a person doesn’t find justice with the local court, they can appeal to the regional authority. Decisions of the regional courts are final unless overturned by one of our monarchs, but that very rarely happens.”

  No one spoke for a tense moment. They stared at her and she stared back at them, suspicion and confusion tangible forces in the room.

  “Surely you didn’t come all this way for a civics lesson,” Bandar finally broke the silence. “What is your queen hoping you’ll accomplish?”

  “That’s entirely up to you. If I return with nothing more than a civics lesson, Queen Aurelia won’t be surprised. Yet if we can move our planets one step closer to peace, she will be thrilled.”

  “Are the other regional monarchs open to peace, or is this only coming from your grandmother?” Haven wanted to know.

  “Right now, it’s coming from Queen Aurelia, but you mustn’t underestimate her influence over the others.”

  “Speaking for the guild masters, we’re more than interested in peace,” Letos stressed. “This war has dragged on much too long.”

  “Tandori Tribe left the planet to avoid this war,” Haven reminded. “Our position should be clear.”

  Mirella looked at Bandar, her expression warm yet cautious. “And the battle born? Can you ever find it in your hearts to move beyond destruction?”

  Chapter Two

  Mirella knew Bandar would refuse before he opened his mouth. This entire situation had progressed too smoothly. There was no way their cooperation would last. Rather than being turned away at the door, as she’d feared, she’d been ushered into the council chamber as if she were an honored guest. Were they this foolishly accommodating of every visitor? If the situation were reversed, her grandmother would never have agreed to receive a Rodyte unless they’d made arrangements ahead of time.

  “If something sounds too good to be true, it generally is,” Bandar insisted. “You show up here with no warning and profess to want peace after centuries of war. Quite simply, I don’t believe you.”

  Fighting back a smile, she nodded once, acknowledging his position. Finally one of the three showed some common sense.

  “You two can entertain her if you like. I prefer to remain focused on what we were talking about before she arrived.” Without further debate, Bandar stood and walked out of the room.

  Damn. Now she was dying to know what they’d been talking about before.

  “He has a point,” Haven said after a brief pause. “Your arrival is rather sudden.”

  “Is it?” Mirella summoned her most innocent smile. “Grandmother has wanted peace longer than I can remember, but she knew there was no hope for an understanding as long as a Kiere sat on the throne. Such is no longer the case, so she sent me to express her interest in finally ending this war.” There was actually a great deal of truth in what she said. Her grandmother did want peace with Rodymia. However, she was also ambitious enough to covet the newly available power. If peace could be secured by putting her granddaughter on the throne, she would accomplish both at the same time.

  “Still, you must understand why Bandar is so hesitant to trust you,” Haven persisted. “I want to trust you, but I’m not sure I should.”

  “How can I earn your trust if you don’t give me the opportunity?” She motioned toward the door. “Nothing is gained by walking away.”

  “I agree, but unfortunately I have another obligation that would be difficult to reschedule.” Haven looked at Letos, and Mirella felt a subtle ripple of telepathic communication. How was that possible? Most on Bilarri believed Rodytes couldn’t control magic of any kind. After the silent exchange, Haven turned back to Mirella. “Letos has agreed to clear his schedule and escort you anywhere you’d like to go.” She stood then paused. “I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

  Mirella shifted her focus to the remaining male as Haven departed. If Letos represented the elite, why did she sense such danger from him? He wore a deep blue business suit, but he was built like a battle born soldier, not a captain of industry. His dark hair had a tendency to curl and his phitons were bright blue rings surrounded by velvety black. Of the three Triad members, he was easily the most interesting. “You’re on the highest council on the planet, so I presume you’re also a guild master. Which guild do you represent?” Bilarri had guilds too, but each guild on Bilarri represented an element rather than an occupation, or category of business.

  “I head the Integration Guild,” he told her, his tone deep and resonant. There was no arrogance in his claim. It was a simple statement of fact.

  She had a basic understanding of Rodyte guilds, but she wanted to hear about it from his perspective. Or perhaps she wanted to know more about him personally. Did he have tech integrated into his biological systems? If so, why had he allowed his body to be modified? And why did the head of a tech society seem more like a code enforcer?

  Many of her questions were much too personal for a first meeting, so she settled for, “Does your guild encompass all technologies, or just those integrated with biological systems?”

  One corner of his mouth quirked as if he were fighting back a smile. She needed to be careful. If he realized she was interested in him personally, he’d doubtlessly exploit her interest to his advantage. “Any technology that doesn’t directly pertain to one of the other guilds is absorbed by us. We’ve become a sort of catchall.”

  “Really?” She didn’t want to start an argument, but she’d never been good at keeping her thoughts to herself. All of her grandmother’s browbeating hadn’t motivated Mirella to abandon her candor and she saw no reason to do so now. She’d been sent here to learn everything she could about the social climate in general and the Triad specifically. Politeness wouldn’t accomplish her goals. “That sounds like a rather beneficial arrangement for the Integration Guild. The other guilds don’t have a problem with you snatching up all the strays?”

  “It has made the IG significantly larger than any other guild, but that simply means we have more peop
le depending on us for protection and support.”

  She studied him for a moment before answering. A combination of empathy and clairvoyance allowed her to read people with unusual accuracy. Her grandmother had been taking advantage of the skill since Mirella was eleven. Letos was ruggedly handsome and obviously accomplished, yet she also sensed restlessness in him, as if he were still struggling to define his place in the universe. The contrast fascinated her. “This complex is IG Headquarters. Correct?”

  “It is.”

  “Then this is your headquarters?” He only nodded, so she went on. “Would you be willing to show me around? The best way to truly understand anything is to experience it for one’s self.”

  He hesitated, gaze slightly narrowed. Clearly he wasn’t sure what to make of her request. “I’ll take you through the areas that are open to the public. Access to much of the complex is restricted, for obvious reasons.”

  “A basic tour is fine.” She smiled at him, finding the expression easier this time. But no sooner had the smile formed than her grandmother’s image appeared within her mind, warning clear in her steel-gray eyes. Liking an adversary was dangerous. Mirella couldn’t allow herself to forget that the members of the Triad were her adversaries. “I don’t need to know all your secrets.”

  He didn’t smile in return. Instead, his gaze locked with hers and her heart flipped over in her breast. For one uncomfortable moment, she thought he’d confront her about her flirtatious words. Instead, he stood and swept his arm toward the door. “Shall we?”

  Xorran pulled her chair back, reminding her that Paytor’s spy was watching and listening to everything she did and said. They’d barely spoken on the two-hour trip from Bilarri to Rodymia. All she knew about her “personal assistant” was that his true loyalties lay with his commanding officer. Which left her with a barrage of unanswered questions. Why was Xorran so loyal to Paytor? Was it fear or obligation that kept Xorran trapped in such an unhappy circumstance?

  As if reading her frustrated thoughts, Letos paused as he reached her side. “The Triad meets at IG Headquarters because the security here is exceptional. Our conversation will be much more comfortable for both of us if your entourage takes a break. I offer my personal assurance that no harm will come to you during our tour.”

  More than ready for some time away from Xorran’s watchful eyes, she eagerly agreed. “Is it all right if they wait here for me?”

  “Your Highness,” Xorran spoke for the first time since they’d entered IG Headquarters. “I don’t think it’s wise to—”

  “You’re my advisor, Entor, not my father.” She stressed the fictitious name to remind him of his role. “You’re here to assist me. At the moment, I don’t require assistance.”

  “I report to Queen Aurelia,” he stressed. “She would be furious if she learned I let you out of my sight.”

  For a moment their gazes clashed, then Mirella gave in with a huff. She couldn’t endanger her mission by fighting with her unwanted companion. “Fine. But back off. I don’t require a chaperone.”

  She left the council chamber at Letos’s side, her entourage striding along behind her. She’d had bodyguards her entire life, though they’d just never felt as intrusive as they did at the moment.

  As they entered the corridor, Letos reached over and lightly wrapped his fingers around her upper arm. “Try not to scream.”

  She was so distracted by the odd suggestion that she only gasped when the world around her blurred and then disintegrated. Letos pulled her into his arms and reality faded to black. Acceleration engaged with staggering force and she clung to him, unable to do anything else. She could teleport, so she wasn’t completely unfamiliar with the sensations. But Letos was Rodyte. How was he doing this?

  They came out of the vortex as suddenly as he’d pulled her into it. She blinked repeatedly and eased back from his broad chest. “That was…unexpected.”

  He smiled, his hands lingering on her hips. “I hope I didn’t frighten you too badly.”

  Her heart was pounding, but it had more to do with his nearness than their sudden relocation. “I wasn’t frightened, but I’d sure like to know how a Rodyte can teleport.”

  Rather than responding, he stepped back then pivoted so he stood at her side. They’d landed in a field of wildflowers and now faced a wide, clear lake. The shoreline grew rocky and ragged as it curved into the distance. Across the lake sat a smoldering volcano, plumes of smoke and ash puffing into the air at odd intervals.

  “Are we safe here?” she asked when he silently stared into the distance. “When did it last erupt?”

  “It hasn’t stopped erupting in the past fourteen years, but this is about as violent as it gets. Occasionally a stray rock or clump of ash will go sailing into the water. Scientists assure us that she’s just about blown herself out.”

  Beyond the volcano, the sun hovered above the horizon, creating ribbons of orange, red and pink. And to the right of the volcano, she could barely make out Bilarri with its swirls of white and distinctive double ring. “This is lovely.” Then the reality of her situation crashed in on her. She was alone with the enemy, far from civilization. Tension coiled through her system, making her chest ache and her heart race even faster. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been alone with anyone, much less a virile man.

  Concern creased his brow and he lightly touched her elbow. “I won’t hurt you. I thought this would be enjoyable, for both of us.”

  “How far are we from the city?” She tried to sound more at ease than she felt.

  “Not far,” he assured as he removed his hand from her arm. “I’ll return you immediately if I was mistaken, but I got the impression you’d welcome a momentary escape from your entourage.”

  “You weren’t mistaken.” She’d basically asked for this, even if the invitation had been inadvertent. Quickly scanning his mind, she sensed curiosity, concern, and a slow, burning need that surprised her. He hadn’t indicated by word or deed that he was attracted to her.

  Rather than fixate on the discovery, she ran her hand through the thigh-high blooms, letting the multicolored petals caress her skin. The flowers had a light, slightly sweet fragrance. She found it soothing. Letos had only touched her to pull her into the vortex and he was being a perfect gentleman now. Besides, she wasn’t as helpless as she appeared. The stones in her headband contained a homing device as well as a panic button. If she triggered the panic button, Paytor’s men would bio-stream her to safety without question or delay.

  “Have you ever felt trapped by circumstance?” She cringed at her own words. What an odd question to ask an enemy. She needed to pull herself together—quickly.

  He laughed, but when he looked at her, his gaze was filled with pain. “I’m well acquainted with the feeling.”

  Again, it seemed strange for an enemy to admit a weakness. Still, she decided to see what other insights he was willing to reveal. She needed to figure out if this Triad was as selfless as they professed or if they had ulterior motives. “In what way? Many of my responsibilities were assigned to me without regard for my personal preferences. Has it been the same for you?” She’d already breached the topic. Why not see where it led?

  “My situation is similar.” He clasped his hands behind his back and strolled toward the grassy hill to their left. “My predecessor passed beyond quite suddenly. Most in the IG agreed that I was best suited to replace him, but it wasn’t a role I sought, or had even considered pursuing.”

  What he said was easily verified and she sensed no deception in him. “Sometimes reluctant leaders are the best.” Before he could become too comfortable with the praise, she added, “And sometimes they’re absolute disasters.”

  Another warm chuckle escaped his throat. “Which am I?”

  “We just met. I have no idea.” They walked for a moment in silence. Purple twilight rapidly gave way to gloom. They’d need to find shelter soon or they’d be standing here in the dark. “Were you born with the ability to tele
port or…” She stopped walking and looked up at him. “On Bilarri we speak freely of our abilities. If the question is considered rude here, I apologize.”

  “Relax.” He started to touch her again, but pulled his hand back at the last minute. The longing inside him intensified for a moment, then he smothered the flames. Still, she could no longer deny what she was sensing. He desired her. “I’m pretty hard to offend.”

  They’d been talking about his unexpected ability and yet her mind stalled out over the other discovery. He was clearly attracted to her, though he was hiding it well. Bilarrians chose their mates after in-depth deliberation while Rodytes felt an intense, instinctive attraction to those compatible with their DNA. Unless her empathic receptors were malfunctioning, she was compatible with Letos. She’d often wondered which side of her lineage would win out in this area. She found him interesting and handsome, but there was no overwhelming urge to mate with him. Apparently, she would choose her mate.

  She shook away the tangent and digressed. How had a Rodyte been able to teleport? A possibility occurred to her that she hadn’t considered before. “Are you a technomage?” She’d read about the Rodyte practice of using technology to mimic genuine magic. She’d just never expected to meet one of the practitioners. According to her research, they were secretive and feared by anyone not belonging to their closed society.

  His gaze hardened as all humor left his expression. “What do you know about technomages?”

  “Only what’s common knowledge and some interesting rumors. Now that I think about it, it stands to reason that the person in charge of integrated technology would possess those sorts of systems himself.” He didn’t confirm or deny her assertion, but she knew she was right. Letos was a technomage. “Clearly you can teleport, and I’m pretty sure you’re telepathic. What else are you able to do?”

  A sexy smile gradually parted his lips. “If I show you my abilities, will you show me yours?”