Center Worlds - Spark

by Tim Morrison

  Chapter 9.2

  Coming Home - Tara Orbit -3 BA

  The three TGX ships boosted out of Michelab orbit, leaving behind the massive relief effort as they journeyed towards the primary system to formally announce the end of hostilities, the Clan War was over. Ryo was stolid, but inside, he was terrified. The military war was done, now it was time to face something he had left behind for more than fourteen cycles. A young daughter who had now fully grown up.

  The three massive battlecruisers dropped into high orbit and pulled into stationkeeping. The first thing Ryo did was shuttle over to the TGX-6 to accept their formal surrender and to transfer command to his flag. This had to be done in Tara orbit, as per tradition. Like the TGX-4, the 6's crew had begun to fight against the sheer insanity of their senior officers, so it was much the same, just less damage this time.

  Ryo contacted Captain Tokoma, who had been there from the beginning in a lot of ways, and he felt was in a good position to take command. The man was thrilled to be given this honour, and within a day he had assembled a new bridge team and they were working to begin a refit of the battlecruiser to fully make it Clan Camelin.

  Gya remained in orbit, helping the new Commander to refit the TGX-6. She knew there would be a massive celebration on the planet, but had no need to celebrate. Not her style. She did allow for as many of her crew as wanted to travel down and enjoy though, Gya was not selfish.

  Ryo and Kalen shuttled down to the planet's surface around Zero Bright, quickly met with Tyo Masilec, and were informed of how the events would go so they knew what places to take, and what actions to make. In some ways, this was a staged performance, but only just barely.

  Tyo refused any questions about young Aya, so Ryo felt somewhat frustrated, but he had left the girl in the Emperor's care, and he knew she was fully healthy and grown. All that remained was the actual meeting.

  Formally dressed, with her hair all in place, outfit sitting perfectly on her small frame, Aya sat and waited. Kya hurried about, getting her drinks and food, much like the other place staff were doing for all of the other dignitaries who had assembled. Aya noted that there was an air of excitement, and that the Emperor was not present.

  She reached up and tugged Kya's arm. “Where's Tyo?”

  “I don't know, my Lady. Do you wish me to find him?” came the reply.

  Aya furrowed her brow, only to have Kya smooth it back with a gentle caress. “Can you do that?”

  Kya smiled. “I'm not just a Lari'Sota, my Lady. I am yours, that gives me special benefits when we're here. I'll see where he is at.” Kya turned and vanished into the milling crowd, leaving Aya to sit, now alone, and feeling still very nervous.

  Aya sipped at the glass of bubbly wine Kya had provided, and watched the crowds move. She noted a lot of people in military uniforms, some with the Camelin crest, some with another she did not recognize. A soft tap on her shoulder made her look up into the face of an older officer who's rank indicted he was a Captain of some sort.

  “May I sit here, my Lady?” He asked in a soft yet firm voice.

  Aya nodded, and watched him sit. He was older, maybe twice Tyo's age. He held himself with proper poise and formality. His uniform was crisp and the lines were straight. This was somebody who was in the higher ranks of the Clan. He wore the Camelin crest proudly, but also wore that other Crest.

  He noticed her watching him and leaned over conspiratorially. “I'm not much of a conversation piece, my Lady. If you have any questions, feel free to bend my ear though.”

  She blushed slightly. “May I ask your name, Sir?”

  He smiled, laugh lines crinkling around his eyes. “Captain Viktor Kalen, at your service, my Lady.”

  She nervously smiled back at him, then pressed forward. “I know the Camelin crest, what is the other, and why do you wear both? Most of the crew here only wear one or the other.”

  Kalen put down his drink and got to his feet, then dropped down in front of her so she could see the crests more clearly. “A very good question, my Lady. The other crest is for Clan Desinlo. Which we first liberated Twenty-five cycles ago, and which was lost to all of us thirteen cycles past. As I am in overall command, I wear both Clans to show my support for those who have fallen, so they will never be forgotten.”

  Aya furrowed her brow, then made her face smooth again as she imagined Kya would gently relax her forehead. “I heard of Clan Desinlo. Wasn't the planet bombarded?”

  “Yes, it was. You were far too young to remember, Lady Aya.” She spun as she had not even noticed Emperor Tyo Masilec come up behind her, Kya trailing slightly after him.

  Aya smiled as she saw him. Her feelings for Tyo grew stronger every day, and this was no exception. She watched as he came around, took her hand and kissed it, then kissed her cheek.

  Captain Kalen had stood, then formally saluted the Emperor, but his eyes never left Aya. “This is the Lady Aya?”

  Tyo nodded. “This is the lady. She has grown into a fine woman, I am so proud to have her as a part of my court.”

  Ryo Camelin was refreshed and then suited up in his formal tunic, refusing the help of an assistant who fluttered all round him, irritating him to the point he wanted to drive the man's head through the wall. Ryo finally stood up, tunic half-buttoned, as he heard the swell of music, and walked out. Ignoring the man and buttoning his vest as he went. Walking into the main hall, even Ryo was impressed by the sheer size of it. This hall was as large as the TGX docking hanger, able to house more than five thousand citizens, and it was full.

  “I am fine as I have dressed. Now leave me be.” He said to the assistant, who looked at the Emperor in desperation, then vanished into the crowd at the slight nod. Ryo walked up to the main dais, where Captain Kalen was already standing, along with Tyo and some others, sitting and standing. Ryo walked up to where Tyo was standing and held out his hands, Tyo grasped them as the entire crowd grew silent.

  “Lord Emperor Masilec, I bring you news of the long standing war between the Clan Camelin and Clan Michelab. The War is over. Let peace reign through the Confederacy, and may you rule the Thousand Worlds with no more conflict.”

  Aya blinked, and swallowed hard, then felt the steady reassurance of Kya's hand on her shoulder. This was the leader of Clan Camelin, this Military Man was her Father.

  Tyo bowed his head, then looked at the Fleet Commander and lord of Clan Camelin. “Well met, Fleet Commander and Lord Camelin. I am pleased to hear that the battle has been finished so that peace may prevail. The news has been spreading through the Thousands Worlds since the first report this morning. People are in celebration across the twelve realms.” He finished as he shook Ryo's hands, then released them.

  Ryo smiled and then looked at Kalen, noting where his XO was looking, he turned and saw the young woman sitting in a chair very close to Tyo's own space. He walked over, and got to one knee in front of her. Ryo silently held out a hand, and the young woman who seemed so small as to be almost lost in the chair nervously put her small hand in his. It was tiny, her hand vanished in his large one.

  “You are?” Ryo asked in a very soft voice.

  “I am Aya Camelin, My Lord.” She replied nervously, a soft voice that had elements of Lya's tone in it. Aya could feel Kya's strong calming presence as she now had both hands on her mistress's shoulders. Kya was focusing so much on pushing calm into Aya that she could feel herself trembling internally, then with a gentle caress on her own shoulder from Mistress Tya, she drew additional strength and regained her own focus.

  Ryo felt an emotion he had not felt for a long time as he looked into his daughter's azure eyes, so much like her mother. Now was not the place for thoughts like that. He was back, the war was over, and this could wait a little longer.

  “You have your mother's eyes, Aya. And her fine stature. I am very pleased to meet you again, after such a long time.” Ryo said, then he kissed her hand, and placed it back in her lap, before rising to face the crowd, who was silent with expectation.

/>   “Clan Michelab has sworn fealty to the Confederacy. The conflict has ended. The fleet has returned, and peace shall be our reward. We Are Home!” He finished as he raised his hands in a victory wave while the crowd roared and cheered.

  The massive drums beat out a tattoo of sound, then the accompaniment of music swelled as the rest of the band tuned in and the music flowed across the entire hall. A celebration that became a traditional Camelin dance tune.

  Aya turned as she felt another someone by her and saw Tyo leaning right down so his lips were almost touching her ear. “Ryo Camelin is a strong presence, my Lady. I am so very glad to count him as an ally. If I was on the wrong side of him, I don't think I'd still be Emperor.” He said, then kissed her cheek and was gone before Aya could utter anything back.

  A wave of music flowed over the entire ballroom, and suddenly everybody was up and dancing. Aya looked around frantically, but was swept up and joined Captain Kalen for a fast dance around the floor. She was then literally swept off her feet by her Father, who danced with her with a laughing gleam in his eye before Tyo took a hold of her for the third orbit.

  Ryo found himself in the arms of a lovely lady who had been standing close to where his Aya had been sitting. No names were passed, but she was full of life and joy, and as she spun herself out of his arms, Kalen handed young Aya over to him for a fast spin around the dance floor. Ryo laughed at his daughter's confusion, and spun her as they danced so that she smiled and laughed with him, then she was taken by the Emperor for another jaunt as Ryo was entwined in the long arms of the young lady who had been standing behind his Aya, not much older than her, but also full of life and happiness. He began to enjoy himself.

  By the time she managed to return to her seat, Aya was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, glowing cheeks, and almost out of breath. She managed to sit down, and was handed a glass of bubbly wine by a laughing Kya who grinned at Aya's exhaustion and leaned down “You better get a second wind, this is going to go on all night, my Lady.”

  Aya gulped down some of the wine, then covered her mouth for a polite burp. “I have danced, with Seven Captains, including Kalen, the Commander himself, The Emperor, three times, I think six lieutenants, and I don't know who else. Kya, save me!” She laughed as one of the other Captains came swinging by and deftly scooped her up for another round of dancing.

  Kya finally did rescue her, as she continued to observe her Lady, herself dancing with Officers as they asked, but not fully giving in to the jubilant mood, so she could remain focused on her Lady. She saw Aya stumble a dance move that the little Lady knew in pitch blackness, and then stumbled again, Kya deftly weaved her way through the crowd and slipped in between the officer who was dancing with her Lady with a very polite interruption, then was guiding Aya back to her seat and lifting her onto it as the younger Lady nearly collapsed.

  “Drink this, don't argue.” Kya said, holding a glass to Aya's lips. Aya swallowed it all down, then looked at Kya. “Water?”

  Kya nodded with a smile. “You've been drinking wine all evening, you're all dry and bubbly, my Aya.”

  Aya giggled, then felt dizzy. “Just like that wine, Kya. I think I've had too much...”

  Kya smiled at her. “Too much of what?”

  Aya laughed and kept watching the crowd, the conversation already forgotten as Kya settled down beside her to keep her from any other dance partners until the Lady caught a breath.

  Ryo finally found his own way to a chair after an indeterminate number of dances with all manner of lovely woman, and downed a glass of bubbly wine with a grimace. Then asked for and was handed a cup of icy Isk, which he also drank, which was much preferred.

  As he sat there, enjoying the festivities, he sensed a presence, and the same woman who he had first him danced with was beside him, sitting down and she handed him a plate full of spiced rolls from his homeworld.

  “We had the cooks flown in from your citadel, my Lord. That way we knew these would be made the right way for your celebration.” She said with a sing-song lilt to her voice and a laugh.

  Ryo took one and bit into it. After fourteen cycles of ship based food, to eat something like this was wonderful. He did not normally indulge in luxuries, but tonight was an exception. He enjoyed a few of the rolls with the woman, then she rose and held out her hand, Ryo took her hand in his and they twined their way around the dance floor a few more times.

  Aya was watching everybody still dancing in the main floor, searching, then she saw him, and as she watched with a widening smile, Emperor Masilec came over to sit down beside her with a great heave of his own chest.

  “Why thank you, Kya.” He said as he was handed a glass of wine. He took a sip, then leaned over and whispered in her ear. Kya smiled at him and switched the wine for a flagon of water, which Tyo downed in a single long gulp.

  With Tyo and Kya flanking her, nobody approached Aya for more dancing, and they enjoyed another hour of festivities in relative peace, until Tyo looked over, then signalled to Kya. Aya was asleep, lying back in her chair, totally zoned out.

  Kya deftly lifted Aya up, and Aya dutifully wrapped her arms around Kya's neck, then Tyo led them out of the festivities hall and down the corridors back into the main palace. Tyo opened the door to his own chambers, and he turned the lights up, dimly, as Kya carried Aya in to lay her down on the large bed.

  “You both sleep here, Kya. I'll go and rejoin the festivities. We can't have the Emperor leaving a party in his own house, can we now?” He said with a wriggle of his eyebrows. Kya walked over to him and to his surprise, she gave him a warm hug, then a kiss on his cheek.

  “You are good to her, and good for her, my Lord. Thank you.” She murmured, then went back to begin getting Aya undressed for comfortable sleep. Tyo stepped out of his rooms and closed the door.

  Looking at one of the guards he said “See nobody disturbs them, even me. Remind me if I come rolling back with a Lari'Sota on my arm, that the Lady Aya is sleeping.”

  Kya knelt on the bed and undid the straps to Aya's dress, then gently rolling the other girl over, undid the side ties and quickly stripped her. She deftly lifted Aya up so she could get her under the warm covers and then dropping the ties on her own dress and quickly folding both garments to lay over a chair, slid in beside Aya in the biggest bed she had ever seen.

  Kya lay back, feeling the bed like a floating cloud underneath her. She was definitely lying on a mattress, but it almost wasn't there. The covers also were nearly weightless, but so warm she could feel every fibre of her body warm and cozy. Aya was a soundly sleeping rock beside her, and was also warm. Kya closed her eyes and rested.

  Ryo noticed that young Aya was gone after some time, and that is was now very late, planet time. To him, running on ship time, it was just mid evening, so he did not even feel remotely tired. When he also noticed that the Emperor was gone, something registered, and when he next was alone, he made his own way out of the hall and towards the Emperor's chambers.

  Mistress Tya noticed the Fleet Commander had been looking over at the vacant chairs, and when he slipped out of the room, she made a quick call. “Wake him up, I don't care where he is, get him up and to his chambers. We are going to have a problem with Lady Aya.”

  Ryo walked down the hall and noticed that the doors to Tyo's rooms were closed, and the guard who was supposed to be watching was fast asleep, a bottle of wine sitting beside him. Not unexpected, tonight was one of celebration. Who would think to do anything on such a night?

  He pushed open the doors and saw Tyo's immense bed. The man had an ego, to be sure. He saw two bodies in the bed, so came around to Tyo's side, and went to wake him quietly. To his shock, it was not Tyo, but little Aya, soundly sleeping in the Emperor's bed.

  He lifted the sheets, saw that she was nude, and made a firm throat clearing noise that woke the girl up immediately. As she sat up, looking at him with a bit of surprise and shock herself, Ryo growled.

  “So this is how he has protected you for the past
fourteen cycles, by sharing his bed? Get up, you're coming with me.”

  Aya rose and stood on the bed so that she was at eye level with the angry military man standing before her, She ignored the fact that she was fully naked, this was not right.

  “You may be my father, but that does not give you the right to command me like an errant child.” She snapped at him.

  “I come back from over a deca of war to find my daughter in his bed? What am I to think?” Ryo demanded.

  “He has been more of a father to me than you have. I don't even know you.” Aya almost snarled, then turned as she felt Kya move. “Kya, go back to sleep. I'm handling this.”

  “My lady, you are naked.” Kya whispered.

  “I know I'm naked. Father, this is who I am. This is what your war has caused. That injury that I received fourteen cycles ago? It made me into this. I am a pixie. Less than three fifths the normal adult height for a Clanswomen of Camelin. Look at me!” she snapped as Ryo tried not to focus on her bareness.

  The snap in her voice was definitely Camelin, because Ryo instinctively obeyed, just like her mother, he thought. All fire and full of spirit. This tiny girl was willing to face him down and probably fight him bodily if he didn't yield.

  “The damage from the assassination attempt that killed my mother fused my spine. The only way they could heal it properly was to deny my body full growth hormone. So that many nano treatments could slowly repair the spinal damage as I grew, and not impact the nerves or synapses. So I grew, perfectly formed, as Doctor Solonae put it, but small. Petite, but strong.” Aya explained.

  “That doesn't explain why you are here, child.” Ryo started.

  “I am not a child! Lord Camelin, I have turned Eighteen cycles. Under Confederacy law, which you claim to uphold, I am now Majority. An Adult, like yourself. Do not disrespect me, or yourself by referring to me as anything other than Lady Camelin. I am your daughter, however, I do not know you. Do you even know me?” She asked him, feeling her body vibrating with tension and stress.

  Ryo slowly shook his head, then turned as Tyo came running in, tunic half-opened as if he too had been sleeping and had just been woken up.

  “Tyo, would you care to explain this?” Ryo asked in a tone that brooked no disagreement.

  “They were both exhausted, Ryo. The safest place to put them was here, with a guard at the door to ensure they were not disturbed. I slept elsewhere.” Tyo explained, catching his breath.

  “So then you are not intimate with my daughter?” Ryo asked him.

  “No, my Lord Camelin. Kya can confirm, nothing happened between the Lady Aya and myself other than dancing and entertainment tonight. Ryo, you need to calm down. Come with me.” Tyo said, then held his hand and indicated for the taller Commander to be led out of the chamber. The Emperor turned and bowed to the two girls as he again swung the doors shut.

  He walked the Commander a short distance down the hall, then turned and grabbed the guard who was now standing at attention and struck him so hard the man's helmet flew off to roll down the hallway.

  “Next time you are given an order, if you survive, I expect it to be obeyed to the letter. Tomorrow, you'll be able to see what a clustercat is, up close. Now stand to your duty!”

  Kya sat up and waited as Aya still stood at the edge of the bed, trembling, then she finally turned and fell into Kya's embrace as they heard a muffled shout and loud thump outside the closed doors.

  “I think Tyo just clocked the guard who was supposed to be keeping us undisturbed. Maybe he had too much wine also.” Aya muttered.

  Kya chuckled and began to massage away the tension.

  Aya suddenly rose and rested her chin between Kya's breasts. “Do you realize that the Lord Emperor just technically lied to Ryo Camelin?”

  Kya nodded. “It was that, or face him in a duel. The Lord Emperor does not want to lose Ryo, nor does he want to die this soon. So he simply left out a few facts.”

  “I was scared, Kya. I wake up to see him standing there, glaring at me. He said 'This is how you are protected, by being in his bed? Get up, you're coming with me. That was when you woke up.” Aya said, relaxing under the constant finger pressure on her tight muscles.

  “Lord Tyo will handle Lord Camelin, Aya. You need to let me handle you. It is zero dark thirty still, and you have only been asleep maybe an hour.” Kya said, gently rubbing and kneading Aya's back muscles, making them relax and helping the girl to begin to unwind.

  Aya turned her head to rest on Kya's breast, using it as a pillow, like she did so many times. “You think my Father will hurt Tyo, if he finds out I slept with him?”

  Kya sighed, then continued to knead and relax her Mistress. “I think, thoughts of that nature are best left unspoken. Let the Emperor handle the Commander. You, my darling, need to sleep.”

  “Come Ryo, let us sit, away from the noise, and the festivities, This will work fine.” Tyo said as he again guided the Commander into an anteroom some distance from his bedchamber and ordered a cart with wine and beverages, then looking at Ryo, also ordered some foodstuffs.

  “Sit down, Ryo, please. You make me nervous when you stand like that.” Tyo said, sitting down with a deep sigh on a couch with a flagon of light ale.

  Ryo sat down with his own sigh, then took the flagon from the attendant and took a draught.

  “The spitting image of her mother, just in miniature.” He said after a few minutes' silence.

  Tyo nodded. “I know. I've watched her grow into a fine woman, Ryo. You and Lya did a good job with her.”

  “Is it true, what Aya said, about her growth being medically stunted?” Ryo asked as he had another sip of the ale.

  “Yes. I had many discussions with Doctor Solonae, who is now on your Clanworld, by the way. As well as other specialists in the fields that were effected. They determined the best way to heal her was to either break her spine and then give her a full nano treatment, which would have kept her under sedation for another full cycle, or, let her grow and make adjustments as we went.” Tyo explained.

  “I don't know much about little girls, Ryo. I went with the best advice we had available. Keeping her asleep for another full cycle would have impacted how she grew, mentally, developmentally, education, and even memory would have been effected. Keeping her small, and allowing her to develop naturally seemed like the best way, it still does. She has no injury or loss of function. She may be only 150 cims tall, but I think she could probably arm wrestle you to the ground.” The Emperor finished with a slight chuckle.

  “How do you mean?” Ryo asked.

  “She is small and compact. Full adult muscle on that small frame. Her muscles are equal to mine or yours, just smaller, so there is more power packed into the fibres. It was an unexpected side effect of the reduced growth hormone. Her body was not allowed to develop longer bones, so the excess went into muscle groups, ligaments, sinews. She is faster and stronger than a lot of Tarans I know. If she wasn't a Lady we would have her competing in sporting events.” Tyo said, jotting down points on his fingers as he went.

  “This is better?” Ryo asked as he finished the flagon and it was replaced silently with another.

  “Ryo, you weren't there. You couldn't be there. I had no idea how to raise a little girl, especially one who had just lost her mother in a tragic disaster. You had Gya, you sent Aya to us to keep her safe. Gods know I would do anything for you, Cousin. I was determined not to fail you in this.” Tyo said, then drained his own flagon and took the next offered one. He gazed into the pale liquid for a moment.

  “We found her a playmate. Kya Desinlo. An orphan from one of the earlier attacks. She had been brought to Tara almost a cycle past and was living with the palace Lari'Sota. Five cycles old, she was a good match for Aya. She has also grown up into an absolute dedicated servant to your daughter. Kya would lay down her life to protect Aya.” Tyo said, then fixed Ryo with his gaze. “By the Gods above, Ryo Camelin, don't get on that girl's bad side.”

  Ryo sat
back, and took a sip of the ale.

  “You may as well tell me everything, Tyo. I'm here now, I want to get to know her, so I may as well know the full story.”

  “Truth be told, Commander. I'm exhausted. I know ships' time keeps you up all hours, but we're on planetary time here. I'll keep going, just don't expect me to be all bouncy or bright.” Tyo said, then grinned at Ryo's smirk.

  “We also found her a mother figure. Tya Veritas. She had been a Lari'Sota for a number of years, and had a strong maternal instinct. I'll have you meet her in the morning. You'll like her. She looks similar enough to Lya that Aya wasn't badly shocked when Tya was close by. She became mother to those two girls, and she raised them. The girls developed properly, took to their lessons like fish to water, and caused no end of merry Helva to the palace and me in particular.” Tyo said, then laughed.

  “Aya took particular pleasure in making pranks happen. She always dragged Kya into them, whether the other girl was willing or not. No matter the consequence or result, those two are inseparable. Half the time, I think Kya thought up the idea, and Aya figured out how to execute it. She has quite a strong analytical mind. She rewired the entire palace concierge one afternoon so that it replied to all queries with 'Lari'Sota Central, How may we pleasure you?' It took my team most of the next day to find all the hidden codes and reverse them. She has a strong programming sense. That was three cycles ago.” Tyo spoke, laughing as he remembered the antics of the two girls.

  Ryo raised an eyebrow. “Lari'Sota Central?” He smiled. “Just who is Kya?”

  “Kya Kilvanysa Desinlo is a type of experiment, Ryo.” Tyo explained.”Aya needed somebody her own age. This palace is not meant for children. We do a lot of things that young girls have no need to know. Kya has been trained from her age of development to become a special type of Lari'Sota. Not meant for the use of any Clansman or woman who has a need, she is exclusive to Aya only. Kya is one of a handful of Lari'Sota who have the right of refusal, backed up by the Palace guards and my direct authority.”

  “I don't think I've heard of any Lari'Sota ever having right of refusal. Not that it's needed in this day and age.” Ryo mused as he finished his second flagon.

  “Agreed, however the palace and I felt Aya needed somebody she could rely upon at all times. No distractions, no loss of focus by interruption. So Kya was trained and positioned to be hers only.” Tyo said as he sipped at his flagon, then reached over and grabbed a stalk of sweetgrass to chew on.

  “I know you kept me informed as to her development, and for that I thank you, Tyo. Truly, I am grateful. Without Lya I had no idea what to do. Gya refused to leave, but Aya needed real medical aid. I really had no choice but to leave her.” Ryo said, the loss of his consort so many cycles ago still weighed heavily on him.

  “She grew up safe and secure here, Ryo. The Gods themselves couldn't touch her even if they tried. She was a handful, but then most teens are, especially when she had a conspirator like Kya right beside her all the way. She has grown into a strong-willed young Lady of the Court, ready to take on anybody who stands in her way. She has her own mind, and has no fear of when to speak it, as you found out tonight.”

  Ryo chuckled. “She got right up out of that bed and stood there, not caring that she was naked, and challenged me, directly challenged me, on a point of honour.”

  Tyo nodded. “I know, they woke me as soon as you went in there, that's why I came running. I could hear her clear as a bell as I came up the corridor. Lady Aya has no problem speaking her mind, to anybody.”

  “Your guard wasn't much help, Tyo. Don't do anything else to the poor man, We were all celebrating. I did overstep my boundaries.” Ryo said, recalling what Tyo had said to the terrified Guard who had been asleep at his post when Ryo went past him and into the bedchamber.

  “As you wish, Commander. I'm not impressed with his actions, but I know what was going on.” Tyo replied.

  “I should have gone to find you, instead of confronting her in there. She is fully in her rights. At Eighteen she is a Lady, not a child. I – just – didn't think.” Ryo finished.

  Tyo leaned over and put his hand on his cousin's shoulder. “Ryo, you're fine. This will all wash over. Aya may not even remember it when she wakes up. We all had a bit too much wine, and the celebration went on a little too long. Come with me, I'll find you a place to rest, if you are ready to, that is?”

  Ryo nodded, and followed the Emperor to another bed chamber.

  “Ryo ... I am not too sure if I should ask but ... do you want company?” Tyo said, not directly looking at the Commander.

  Ryo smiled and shook his head. “No Tyo. I am good. No woman or man has shared my bed since I lost Lya. I have lost the urge to enjoy myself in that fashion. I sleep alone, and I am very comfortable doing that.”

  Tyo nodded. “I apologize, I was not meaning anything disrespectful-” Ryo stopped him. “Tyo, it's OK. Don't worry about it. This is a choice I made, and I am happy with it. I know that I have my choice of companions here if I want them. Ye Gods, on the ship I could have had my choice of two thousand willing women, not one of them would have objected at all. I just don't have the desire any more.”

  Tyo gripped his Cousin's shoulder, and Ryo patted him on the hand. “I'll go rest now, in the morning, we'll see what the sunsrise brings.”

  Tyo walked out of the chamber and looked at the guard. “You may or may not have heard the altercation outside my quarters earlier. So I'll fill you in. The man behind that door is not to be disturbed for any reason unless the palace is burning down. If he is disturbed, you will not sleep for a week, and I'll have a clustercat chewing on your balls.”

  Tyo gathered his robes around him and walked down the corridor back to his own bed for the night, and the girl whom he had been enjoying when the incident had begun.