Stardancer

by Ariel MacArran

  Kyndan’s expression made his disbelief evident.

  “He was,” she insisted.

  Kyndan frowned. “Do you care about him?”

  “No,” she spat. “Gods, I hate him.”

  Kyndan shook his head wearily. “I’m sorry. Of course you do. I’m so tired I can’t think straight."

  She smoothed the hair out of his eyes. “I’ve had a room prepared for you. Why don’t you get some sleep? We can talk tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “We’ll figure this out, Kinna. We’re together now.” He took her hand. “And I’ll get us home. I promise.”

  Kinara awakened the next morning to find the place beside her empty.

  She swung her legs out of bed. It doesn’t matter where he is as long as he isn’t here.

  She had the women dress her then checked on Kyndan and decided to let him sleep until he woke on his own. Not wanting to startle him with one of the granite-faced warriors, she left one of her maids to bring him to her apartments when he awakened.

  Her inquiry at Lianna’s townhouse was returned with regrets. Baruta left yesterday taking her daughter and her newly acquired Tellaran slaves off-world. Scowling, Kinara dismissed the maid.

  The warrior who commanded her house guards came to her at midmorning but she had no idea what orders to give him. What did she know of patrols around the estate? The head of the food stocks stopped her outside the downstairs sitting room wanting to know about provisions to be ordered. Or should she economize and wait for the Az’anti grain from Az-kanzar to arrive?

  Kinara sent the woman away with sharp words. Aidar could sort this stuff out when he got back.

  It wasn’t her damned problem any more.

  Kyndan slept the morning away but he joined her for the midday meal. After twenty hours of sleep Kyndan looked more like himself but his face was still drawn.

  She sent the maids away and served Kyndan herself. He devoured his first serving of everything and was already onto the next. She could barely summon enough appetite for tea.

  “So where is he?” Kyndan asked.

  “Who?”

  “You know who.”

  “I don’t know where he is,” Kinara said shortly. “What difference does it make as long as he isn’t here?”

  Kyndan shrugged. “And he’s not stupid enough to come back.”

  She stabbed at a piece of tomak, the vegetable dangling from her fork. “I tracked down six of your crew this morning.”

  He looked up quickly. “Are they all right?”

  “As far as I know. Two are owned by clans in the north but four are here in the city.”

  “Damn it, I need to figure out a way to get them home,” he said darkly.

  He had stopped eating. Despite her station as Ti’antah she couldn’t give Kyndan a name, or his freedom.

  Imperial decree could free him but that was so rare it had only happened a handful of times in the Empire’s history. He could become Az-kye if he married into a clan with a clan leader’s permission. But very few women would have a clanless Tellaran man as mate and fewer still clan leaders would allow it, not that it mattered. Kyndan would rather be dead than Az-kye anyway.

  “I have an idea,” she said with forced brightness. “Let’s go out into the city.”

  He barely looked up. “What for?”

  She shrugged. “Well, it beats the heck out of sitting here and we might as well see the Empress’ City while we have the chance.”

  “Yeah,” he said, giving a rueful smile. “It’s not as if we’ll be here much longer, right?”

  Kinara squeezed his hand. “I’ll tell Laric.”

  Kyndan wasn’t happy about the crowd of Az-kye who would be accompanying them and he eyed her warriors with ill-concealed scorn. She couldn’t risk Kyndan getting into any trouble in the city and she knew he’d take on anyone who he thought threatened her. They’d both be a lot safer with her warriors on hand to deal with any problems.

  She ordered the guards to keep their distance as she and Kyndan walked through the streets of the Empress’ City. Kyndan stayed at her side but Kinara kept his hands full so that it would at least appear as if he had some reason to be next to her.

  Kinara and her group walked from the Az’anti house all the way to the temple district but noticing Kyndan’s fatigue Kinara stopped for refreshments near the Temple of Lashima.

  Kinara selected a shaded spot under the flowering baskina trees next to the temple before sending Laric to one of the nearby taverns.

  A Lady of the Az’anti wouldn’t enter such an establishment herself. The little tavern-keeper that Laric summoned obligingly brought over sweets along with the drinks and cushions for her comfort, for a steep service charge.

  Laric paid the man and Kinara took the drink he offered. Sipping it she found it not much different from the shooting stars that she had enjoyed back on Rusco.

  “It’s too bad that they don’t acknowledge Tellarans.” Kyndan gestured over to a corded off area where two young men wrestled. “I could take that guy without breaking a sweat.”

  Kinara, recognizing it as ky’shinka, an Az-kye sport more for wagering than actual athletic value, smiled. She waved one of her guards, Reth, forward and quickly gave him instructions.

  Kyndan looked at her questioningly. She grinned and handed him several coins. “I told him I’m sending you to place some bets for me.”

  Kyndan grinned back and, money in hand, followed the guard over.

  Very alone, despite her guards and maids, Kinara let her smile fade.

  Where were they now? Tedah and her other friends? Were they afraid? Hurt? And what of Nisara? Ashamed to be seen sitting at Dael’s feet, Nisara was worse off now than any Ornament in the back streets of Tellar’s marketplace.

  Did any of them think she had forgotten them?

  Her jaw hardened. I will find you. I will get you — all of you — home. I will make good on the promises he broke.

  How could I have ever trusted him?

  Her mouth tightened.

  Where had he gone anyway?

  For all that vaunted warrior courage, Aidar didn’t even have the guts to face her, to own up to what he’d done.

  I loved him.

  Her eyes pricked with tears and she rubbed at them impatiently. Kyndan – all of them – needed her to be strong now. The task of finding them all, her crew and Kyndan’s, of getting everyone back to Tellaran space might take years.

  She hadn’t slept well alone in that big bed. She settled back against the cushions and closed her tired eyes, letting the cool breeze ruffle her hair. She might have to keep up the whole clan leader thing for a long while even if she didn’t live with Aidar any more.

  Wherever he is.

  “Off with you!”

  She started, her eyes flying open. Her guard Nyat was trying to block a scruffy little boy of about eight whose dark eyes were fixed on her.

  The boy dodged one way then the other. Cursing, Nyat reached out just as the boy slipped past him, eluding Laric's grab to extend a mangled bouquet of flowers out to her.

  “Lady, will you buy?” he asked, his voice high and childish. “Look, orange ones like your hair!”

  “Hey!” Kinara exclaimed as he shoved the blooms in her face.

  Obviously appalled at this attack on Az’anti dignity, Laric seized the boy by his shoulders to pull him away. He twisted out of Laric’s grasp to throw himself at Kinara. She gave a yelp as he knocked her over onto the grass.

  “Pretty flowers, lady!” he cried. "Only ten coins for you!"

  Trapped under his squirming, Kinara heard Laric give a curse that no proper maid would ever mutter in the presence of a Ti’antah.

  Laric grabbed the boy by the scruff of his collar, Nyat seized a leg, and between the two of them they managed to lift him, struggling, off her as he howled obscenities at them. That and the horrified look on Nyat’s face were too much for Kinara.

  She burst out laughing.

  Still chuckling, Kinara
held up her hand. “It’s all right!”

  Nyat and Laric froze, looking at her in astonishment. The little boy struggled between them, mouthing a truly creative string of profanities.

  “Come on.” Kinara sat up and wiped at tears of mirth. “Put him down.”

  Her servants looked at each other. Kinara had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep a straight face.

  “I mean it.” She squared her shoulders. “Put him down, you two.”

  Reluctantly they let him go. He got his feet under him then tossed his dark curls and looking up at Laric made a very rude noise.

  The maid gasped. “You little –”

  “Enough!” Kinara said and looked at the boy sternly. “That means you, too.”

  He shifted his bare feet and Laric threw him a narrowed look.

  “Come here,” Kinara said to the boy.

  Tossing his head again, he ran over to her, holding the flowers out in one grubby hand.

  “They’re very pretty,” Kinara said solemnly.

  He beamed. “You want to buy?”

  “I might,” Kinara replied. “What’s your name?”

  “The others call me Bebti.”

  “What do you mean the others? What does your mother call you?”

  His face clouded and he held the flowers to his chest.

  Kinara frowned. “Your father? Your family?”

  He shook his head.

  One without family.

  He lifted the flowers again. “Buy now, lady?”

  “Maybe. I want you to sit with me for a minute. Will you do that, Bebti?” He shifted his feet, and Kinara added, “I was just about to eat. Maybe you’d like to join me.”

  His eyes lit up. Yeah, that got your interest didn't it, kid?

  He nodded and Kinara smiled. “Good. Laric, please go the tavern and get us something hot.”

  As the unhappy maid left to do her bidding, Bebti scrambled onto the cushions beside Kinara, clutching the bouquet. He sat with his bare feet straight out and tugged at the collar of his large tunic to keep it up. The dirty gray garment hung on him like a sack.

  Kinara asked him questions while they waited. Had he ever been inside Lashima’s temple? What did it look like? Was this his favorite?

  “I like Ren’thar,” he said brightly scratching himself with a complete lack of embarrassment. “He is the greatest warrior ever. He is made of black stones and really big.”

  “I didn’t know that. Have you seen him?”

  “Of course.” He looked up at her as if her brain was stuck at sub-light. “In the temple.”

  Kinara suppressed a smile. “Oh, right. Why’s he your favorite?”

  “He’s a warrior,” Bebti said as if it were obvious.

  “Is that what you’re going to be?”

  Nyat snorted. Kinara shot her guard a look.

  “Yes,” Bebti said fiercely. “Just like Ren’thar.” He kicked his feet aimlessly. “No one can hurt Ren’thar.”

  Kinara frowned. She sipped at her drink, watching as the child devoured everything Laric put in front of him. Bebti ignored the silverware and napkin, digging in with his fingers to eat, picking up the meat to gnaw off a piece.

  She offered him the plate of sweets when he was done. He took a handful, stuffing some into his pocket.

  “Where do you live, Bebti?”

  “Here,” he replied around a mouthful of candy.

  “But where do you –”

  “Boy!”

  Bebti jumped. A florid-faced giant of a man glowered across the square at Bebti. The man stepped forward and Nyat swiftly moved to block the way, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

  The man froze instantly.

  “I beg pardon, lady,” the man stammered. "I mean no offense to you.” The man glanced at Nyat. “Or your honored clan. This boy,” he said, pointing to Bebti, “is on an errand for me, yet I find him dawdling here.”

  “Really? An errand?” Kinara put her hand on Bebti's shoulder, drawing the trembling boy close. “Would that happen to be stealing for you?”

  Reaching into Bebti’s pocket, she pulled out the necklace she had felt the boy lift when he’d thrown himself at her.

  “I – Why, this boy is a thief!” He pointed a finger at Bebti. “Had I known you were such, never would I have offered you my protection!”

  Kinara rolled her eyes. “And if you expect me to believe that, I have a pleasure moon to sell you.”

  “You do not think I am a party to such thievery, my lady? I merely seek to recover my servant.” He held his hands out. “It is the boy who took your jewels. Allow me and I will punish him as he deserves.”

  “Do you know what I’d like?” Kinara folded her arms. “I’d like you to turn around, walk away and never cross my sight again.”

  “My lady, this boy—”

  “Is no longer your problem.” She narrowed her gaze. “Start walking or we’ll see how long it takes Nyat to fillet you.”

  The man’s mouth worked for a moment. Nyat half drew his sword and the man beat a hasty retreat.

  She fixed Bebti with a look. “I don’t appreciate being robbed, kid.”

  Bebti nodded, his eyes flicking to the crowd the man had disappeared into. Clearly he had dismissed her as the lesser of the two threats. She took his chin, turning his face to look at her.

  “I can tell from your clothes you aren’t clanless, Bebti, but you will be if I denounce you as a thief.” His lip trembled. “But if you’re clanless I can’t make you a warrior of the Az’anti clan.”

  His dark eyes went wide.

  “Well, you aren’t planning to be sworn as a warrior to any other clan house, are you?”

  Mutely he shook his head.

  “Good,” she said with a nod. “Of course you’d have to work your way up. Maybe you could start as my messenger while you learn how to be a warrior . . . unless you’d rather stay here?”

  “I want to be a warrior,” he breathed.

  “Warriors don’t steal.” They aren’t supposed to lie or break promises either. She cleared her throat. “So, you can’t do that ever again, okay?”

  “No, lady! I will not!”

  “You’ll have to come back to the Az’anti house with us and live there. Is that all right?”

  Bebti nodded, his dark eyes shining and he shoved the bouquet at her.

  Smiling Kinara took the flowers and impulsively kissed his dirty cheek.

  “I think we’d better collect Kyndan and head home. We wouldn’t want to be late for dinner.” She nodded to Nyat. “Go get my Tellaran servant and Reth, we’re going home now.” Kinara turned to her maid. “Laric, as soon as we get back Bebti’s going to need a bath and some clo–”

  She broke off and felt the blood drain from her face. Even in a sea of black-clad warriors his bright hair set him apart.

  Aidar lay in the arms of a dark-haired young beauty, her hand rested tenderly on his cheek as Dael walked beside their litter. The woman leaned over Aidar and pulled the privacy curtains of the litter closed as they passed.

  “Senya,” Laric said tightly. “A daughter of the Az’rah clan, my lady.”

  The woman he was so stuck on his last time in the Empress’ City. The demure, sweet girl I tried to act like that night.

  Kinara watched as the litter passed out of sight, swallowed up in the crowded street.

  “Look, Kinna, I won a whole sack of coins for you!” Kyndan enthused. “Turns out they don’t know how to bet either!”

  Kinara pushed past him.

  Kyndan followed. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

  Kinara stopped, gripping the bouquet in her hand.

  “Nothing,” she said, surprised at how steady her voice sounded. “Nothing’s wrong. Where’s Bebti?”

  Bebti’s dark eyes were bewildered and hurt by her sudden desertion. She waved him forward and took his small hand in hers.

  “Come on, everybody,” she said. “We’re going home.”

  “My lady?”

 
; Someone shook her gently. Coming awake Kinara blinked against the lamplight. Sella, one of her maids, possibly the youngest, leaned over her, touching her shoulder. The girl was in her nightdress, her glossy hair unbound, her pretty face was drawn with anxiety and the light she held threw harsh shadows against the wall. Nyat stood at the foot of the bed.

  “What?” Kinara asked alarmed, half sitting up in bed. It was full dark, and with the city this quiet it had to be the middle of the night. “What is it? What’s happened?”

  The young maid glanced back at Nyat. “My lady, Nyat’s mate labors for her child. She is asking for you.”

  Kinara shook her head, sitting up all the way. She’d seen the woman, heavily pregnant, walking with Nyat a few times. “Asking for me? Where’s the healer?”

  Sella wet her lips. “My lady, the healer attends her already. My lady, his mate thinks you–”

  Nyat took a step forward quickly. “Ti’antah, please. It is our first child. My mate asks you come.” His dark eyes were hollow with worry. “I beg you come.”

  She frowned, the two of them looked at her pleadingly.

  Kinara tried to shake off her sleepiness. “Okay, just — Sella, get my robe.”

  Yawning, she slipped her arms into the shimmersilk robe and tied the belt.

  “Where is . . . uh?” Had she ever known the woman’s name?

  “Rebena,” Sella said softly, opening the door for Kinara. “My cousin is in her rooms in the family quarters.”

  The Az’anti house was quiet around them. The polished wood floor was smooth and cool under her bare feet. Neither she nor Sella had thought to get her slippers and she didn’t want to send the girl back now.

  Kinara frowned. “Shouldn’t she be at the medcenter?”

  “She will not go,” Nyat said, upset enough to forget he should walk at least two paces behind her. “She would bring the child in her Ti’antah’s household.”

  Kinara looked between them. “She wants to have the baby on the estate?”

  He nodded. “She says a child born here will know good fortune.”

  “Okay,” Kinara said frowning, the smooth curve of the rail under her hand as they descended the stairs. She gave a nod to the warriors on the first floor. She recognized them but couldn’t recall their names. “So you want me to convince her to go to the medcenter?”