Fracture (The Chronicles Of Discord, #1)

by D.D. Chant

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The drive to the courthouse was silent. Astra sat beside Kai, with Headman Sen seated in front of them, conscious of a budding sensation of panic.

  Why had they been called back before the court?

  Had something gone wrong?

  Had they decided they had been too lenient on her and her foster-family?

  Or was this all about Ben?

  She couldn’t understand why her Bonded mate, and father by Bond were so calm.

  Astra started as she felt a warm hand settle on hers, and jerked her head around to look at Kai.

  “Stop it.”

  “Stop what?”

  “You’re creasing your skirts. It’s a very bad habit of yours: do you want everyone to know how uneasy you feel?”

  Astra looked down to see the sharp pleats she had been forming in the fabric of her dress, and attempted to smooth them out.

  “Why are you so agitated, wife?”

  The title held no warmth, but taunted her, pricking at her temper.

  “If you recall, I do not have the fondest memories of the Justice Chambers, Senior.”

  “Cheats, liars, and thieves rarely do.”

  Astra felt her anxiety drowned out by a crashing wave of anger. Looking up, she found his eyes were upon her, a swiftly calculating gleam in their depths.

  “Why are you attempting to anger me, Senior?”

  “I did not attempt anything; to attempt is to leave room for failure. I have made you angry because you are useless to me scared.”

  Astra regarded him thoughtfully for a moment.

  “What exactly is going on, Senior?”

  Kai didn’t answer her for a long time, and when he finally did speak, his words had nothing to do with her question.

  “You made my mother cry.”

  Astra’s mind went blank as she waited for him to continue, but he remained silent. She had no idea how to reply, she wasn’t even sure a reply was expected of her. His words had been free of accusation or anger, but Astra knew better than to suppose that was because he didn’t feel either emotion. She had only one course open to her: to remain quiet. She had learnt long ago that a meek and submissive attitude, coupled with silence, was most likely to save her from unpleasantness.

  Corbani Va Dic Ladron had always been placated when she adopted such a stand, feeling that he had won. He’d never really understood the strength that lay behind her actions; the cunning that had allowed him public victory of the battle, but kept her in a position to continue fighting the war.

  “You have nothing to say?”

  Astra was not expecting the question. It hadn’t occurred to her that the same strategy would not work on Kai.

  “I’m not sure what kind of answer you seek, Senior.”

  “I expect the truth from you, Aya. I will always expect the truth.”

  She considered his words for a few moments, before turning toward him again and meeting his eyes with her usual composure.

  “And am I to expect the same truthfulness from you, Senior?”

  Kai held out his hand, and Astra pulled away a little. She was already sitting closer to him than she liked due to the confines of the pod. His invasion of her personal space was disconcerting. He was a foreign presence, and the closer he was the less in control she felt.

  “Where is the dagger I gave you?”

  “It is… safe.”

  “I told you that you were always to wear it.”

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  Astra met his eyes coolly.

  “And I have always obeyed your words, Senior.”

  She shifted in her seat pulling her waistcoat closer around her. Under the cover of the voluminous coat she pulled her skirts up to her thighs. A moment later, she presented the dagger to Kai, hilt first. It was warm from contact with her flesh, and she saw his hand jerk as he realised where she had hidden the weapon.

  “How did you manage to hold it in place?” Hi eyes widened. “You were in possession of a weapon when we met the Elder Headman?”

  “You were the one who told me that I was always to wear it, Apprentice Headman Sen.”

  “I searched you.”

  “You were not very thorough.”

  Kai frowned.

  “It seems I underestimated you. You are far more dangerous than I first thought, Dam’sel.”

  Astra watched as he flipped the dagger in his palm so that he held the knife within his clenched fist. The blade pointed toward the floor, and he paused, waiting for her to rest her hand on his.

  “I will always speak the truth to you, Aya, provided that you are also truthful with me.”

  Astra felt that there was more to his words than their surface meaning.

  “And so it will be for me also, Apprentice Headman Sen.”

  The pod stopped, and Kai returned the dagger to her before climbing out. Astra hastily slid the knife back into the garter on her thigh, and stepped out after him.

  Before they entered the court chamber, he looked down at her again.

  “Is there anything you need to tell me, Aya?”

  “No, Senior.”

  Kai stared down at her thoughtfully for a moment longer, and then led her in to the court chamber.

  She didn’t know what she had expected, but the reality was the worst she had imagined. Before the Headman stood Rem and the rest of her family. Ben was a little to one side, with two of the Elder Headman’s Red Guard flanking him.

  Kai bent down, and Astra felt his breath stir her hair as he whispered in her ear.

  “Is there anything you’d like to tell me now, Aya?”

  Astra tried not to panic. If they had discovered the truth about Ben, then Apprentice Headman Sen would not be so calm and unruffled. She took a deep breath and smoothed her hand down the bodice of her dress. Nothing could be gained from telling the truth now, and she had the strangest feeling that Kai was testing her. This could all be a ruse to see if she had anything to hide.

  “No, Senior, I have nothing to tell you.”

  Kai shrugged and, taking her hand, led her forward.

  “Remember, Aya, that it was you who wanted to do it this way.”

  Astra was very aware of Elder Headman Amajit’s eyes upon her as they approached the centre of the large room where Rem and the Va Dic Tobans stood. As they joined the group already waiting, Astra moved to stand next to her family but Kai kept a hold on her, pulling her back to stand next to him.

  Elder Headman Amajit gestured for silence, and immediately the suppressed murmur from the gallery above was muted.

  “I know that you are all wondering why this meeting of the Headmen has been called. I confess that I am wondering myself. Headman Chopra?”

  Kim Uel Ne Chopra rose from his seat and bowed.

  “Elder Headman, thank you for calling us all together.” He paused, and Astra saw Shin Uel Ne Phoenix pale. His hand clutched at the hilt of his sword desperately and he gritted his teeth.

  Astra stiffened as she remembered how hard Headman Chopra had worked to have her family destroyed. Kai glanced down at her warningly.

  Chopra smiled, his eyes resting on her, and she could detect cruelty in their depths.

  “Dam'sel Aya?”

  Astra forced herself to meet his eyes steadily.

  “Elderman?”

  “Who are these people that you brought among us, and who you have begged asylum for?”

  “They are my family, Elderman.”

  Headman Chopra smiled, turning to the other Headmen.

  “Her family, who she loves so dearly.” His smile twisted, turning into a sneer. “You lie, Dam’sel. You bring shame to your family, your Bonded mate, this court, and the whole of the Una nation with your deceit!”

  The noise from the gallery was deafening, a cacophony of hissing and heckling that trembled on the air. It was so thick with hate that it was almost a physical thing. Astra could feel the disgust directed toward her pressing against her ski
n.

  Elder Headman Amajit held his hand aloft, and the jeering subsided. Astra was surprised to hear Kai’s voice; calm, strong, and raised a little so that his words could be heard distinctly.

  “You will speak to my Bonded wife with the respect due a daughter of the House of Sen, Headman Chopra.” His voice contained a coldly detached threat that sent a shiver of unease down Astra spine.

  “You choose to stand beside her, Kai Uel Ne Sen?” demanded Headman Chopra.

  “I do, and it will be my pleasure to force every insult you have offered her down your throat when this is done.”

  “You heard it!” Headman Chopra was practically jumping up and down in glee as he poked a finger aggressively in Kai’s direction. “From his own mouth you have heard it! He has sheltered a traitor, and even now he takes his stand by her side, forsaking the brotherhood of the Headman for this Una woman who has disgraced us all!”

  “For your sake, I hope you are able to prove your words true.” Kai paused and took a step closer to the raised platform where the Headman sat. “However, if you cannot substantiate your claims be assured that, as is my right by Una law, I will strike you down for the slur you have cast upon my family and upon the woman Bonded to me. I will accept nothing less than your blood to appease my honour.”

  The ice in his voice seemed to penetrate the triumphant ecstasy that surrounded Headman Chopra, and for a moment Astra saw the full strength of the hate Chopra felt for Kai.

  “I wonder if you will be so hasty to claim her as your wife when you find how she has deceived you.”

  “Nothing you say will come as a surprise to me, Headman Chopra, you should know better than anyone that I never take my stand on a losing side.”

  The calmness of Kai’s voice chilled Astra. He had no idea what Chopra might say, and yet he had challenged him with an arrogance meant to infuriate. She gripped his hand tightly in warning.

  “Senior…”

  “Be silent, Aya. It is too late for you to say anything now,” he whispered. “Remember? This was how you wanted it.”

  Astra felt her throat tighten until it became an effort to breathe.

  Chopra knew.

  She didn’t doubt that for one moment. What price would he exact for the lie she had told? Another look at the furious Headman assured her that he would have no mercy. He wanted to destroy Kai and Rem and all who stood beside them.

  Astra wondered if they had made the wrong decision all those weeks ago. Perhaps she should have trusted Kai and Rem with the truth? They would hardly have misused the information any worse than Chopra was about to.

  No: there had been no way to see that it would work out like this. They had made the best decision that they could at the time. They had all decided that Ben had to be protected, even if that protection came at the cost of their lives.

  Astra shivered. She hadn’t thought that being found out would feel like this. She had thought that, should this moment arrive, her only concern would be for her foster-family.

  When had that changed?

  She wasn’t sure, but she was conscious of a burning guilt whenever she though how betrayed Rem would feel. She didn’t want to hurt him: he had been good to her, to them all. It was still hard to think of him as her brother, but she was conscious of a faint tug of kinship between them.

  He had put aside his hate and mistrust of all things Tula, and welcomed her foster-family as his own in an attempt to please her. He had tried to accept her for what she was, and he had never blamed her or reproached her in any way for what he had suffered, was still suffering, on her account. She felt she had wronged him, that she had not handled this situation well at all.

  She looked up at the man standing beside her, the man that was even now protecting her, and who would pay just as dearly for the deceit that Chopra was about to expose. She had not thought she could trust him, but here he was using his position to shield her from harm, even though she knew that he had no trust in her either. Why he was doing it didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was about to repay his care of her and her family by bringing dishonour upon him yet again. She wished that she’d known earlier the delicate balance of political intrigue that entrapped them all within a sticky web of deceit.

  “I told you to stop it, Aya.”

  She started at Kai’s words.

  “Stop what?”

  “You’re creasing your skirts again. Do you want everyone to know that you have something to hide?”

  Astra stared at him without answering for some time.

  “I'm sorry.”

  “You are? Then prove it; I need you to do something for me, Aya.”

  She nodded quickly.

  “Attempt to face Chopra with the same aloof distain you do me.” He smiled slightly. “It always angers me to the point where I cannot think straight. We must hope it has the same infuriating effect on Chopra.”

  His voice was softer than she could ever remember hearing it before, as though they were comrades fighting for the same cause. Kai squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  “Come, Aya, don’t let them see your worry.”

  As he spoke, Headman Chopra’s voice boomed throughout the room, so loud that Astra could feel the air vibrating around her.

  “Benji Va Dic Toban is not Dam’sel Aya’s brother, as she led us to believe. He is not even of the Tula nation!” With a flourish of his hand, Chopra touched the screen set into the table before him. A holographic image hovered in the space between the Headmen and the accused.

  “This is an image from the Tula news feed, intercepted on the day that the diplomatic envoy arrived in the Tula Strongholds from the Free Nation.” Chopra paused, and the image zoomed in, past Senator Burton and Corbani Va Dic Ladron, to where Ben stood in the background.

  The gasp was audible. The bruising on Ben’s face had cleared, and there could be no denying the truth.

  Astra felt a solid weight of dread lodge itself in her stomach. She thought she might be sick. The overheated air of the court felt cold against her clammy skin. Her skirts were suddenly very heavy and clung damply to her legs, but her palms were cold. Loud whispers filled the air, the words indistinct but their condemnatory nature surrounding her, suffocating her, making the world spin.

  “Benji Va Di Toban’s true identity is Benjamin Burton, son of Senator Philip Burton, the man who wishes to join forces with the Tula and destroy us and our way of life.”

  Chopra’s eyes returned to Kai with vindictive hate.

  “Aya Uel Ne Singh, Bonded wife of Kai Uel Ne Sen, has brought these Tula people into our midst. They wish to find our weaknesses and betray us to the Tula. She has lied to us, and we can no longer treat her as one of our own. She has chosen to take her stand upon the side of our enemies, and she must be put to death, along with her Tula conspirators. As for the Head Families of Singh and Sen, they have sheltered this traitor and must themselves be punished.” Headman Chopra’s eyes gleamed, smugly triumphant. “It is the duty of the Headmen to protect the Una people. The Houses of Singh and Sen have failed in this duty. It is, therefore, with great sadness that I must move that their family names be struck from the register, and their lands be divided among the remaining Head Families, in accord with Una law.”

  Astra froze as the supporting murmur of agreement rippled throughout the room.

  Was this it?

  Had she escaped Ladron, only to be put to death at the hands of her own people? After all that her foster-family had done for her, was their reward to be execution? Would her return be the cataclysm that destroyed an entire nation? Would it result in plunging the world into a war that, no matter who won, would never bring victory?

  One of the younger Headmen sprang from his seat, and fixed Chopra with a glare that could have melted what was left of the polar ice caps.

  “You present no hard evidence to substantiate your claims, Headman Chopra!”

  “Dam’sel Aya lied to us concerning Benjamin Burton, Headman Daksha. What other reason could
she have for keeping silent?”

  Yul Uel Ne Daksha spluttered incoherently for a moment. Astra remembered that he had spoken up for her the last time she had found herself in the Justice Chambers as well.

  “There are many reasons!”

  “Such as?”

  Headman Daksha floundered, clearly having no answer, and Headman Chopra’s face filled with satisfaction.

  “It appears that due to the close connection between some of the Head Families, we must take steps to see that the decision reached today is not influenced by family loyalty, rather than the drive to protect the Una people. I therefore move that Headmen Daksha, Rui, Dutta and Sengupta be disallowed from taking part in any vote regarding this matter, in deference to the close family tie that they share with the Houses of Sen and Singh.”

  Family tie? Astra realised that Headman Daksha must be one of her Brother’s of Bond, married to one of her older sisters. Rem’s voice, as he whispered softly to Kai, broke in on her musings.

  “Why don’t you say something? We both know what he plans to do. If this vote is carried, he will have removed Elder Headman Amajit’s strongest supporters.”

  Astra saw a slight smile curve Kai’s mouth as he continued to watch Headman Chopra with haughty distain.

  “So?”

  Rem looked as though he couldn’t quite believe his ears.

  “You really mean to leave our fate to The Nine?”

  “In a manner of speaking, that is precisely what I plan to do.”

  “Who are The Nine?” asked Astra softly.

  Both men looked down at her, as if they had temporarily forgotten her existence.

  “The Headmen, as you must by now have noticed, are split in to three factions. Those who follow Chopra: Nadu, Khan, Malik, Sarin and Bose. Those who are loyal to Elder Headman Amajit: Singh, Sen, Rui, Dutta, Sengupta and Daksha. And then there are The Nine: Ramgan, Tambe, Yadav, Kadam, Nair, Verma, Satish, Kapur and Shama. The Nine have no political leaning toward either of the other factions, but remain neutral.”

  “In other words, they hedge their bets and wait to see who wins,” clarified Rem dryly.

  “Then Chopra is removing Elder Headman Amajit’s supporters, because he knows that they will vote against him. He’s hoping that if he has no opposition, The Nine will be swayed in his favour?”

  “Correct.”

  Astra paused, looking up at the man before her.

  “Why haven’t you asked me if he’s telling the truth?”

  Kai returned her gaze.

  “About Benji? Or about your intentions to lead a Tula invasion?”

  “Both.”

  “Because I already know the truth.”

  He turned from her again, and Astra watched as Headman Sen stepped forward, Kai and Rem flanking him on each side.

  “It seems, Headman Chopra that you are under some misapprehension.” Hyun Jae Uel Ne Sen’s voice was as calm and icy as his son’s.

  “And what misapprehension would that be, Headman Sen?” sneered Chopra.

  “That Benjamin Burton’s identity was ever a secret. My Daughter of Bond came forward not long after her acquittal and told us the truth. It seems that she and her foster-family were worried for his safety. Once they saw that we would not harm him, they made his identity known to us. When she had confessed the truth, we made Elder Headman Amajit aware.”

  Headman Chopra faltered, and Astra saw him pale visibly.

  “Why was this matter kept secret from the Headmen?” he asked hoarsely.

  “You have already been told that this was not a secret, Chopra, it was merely not common knowledge,” interrupted Elder Headman Amajit.

  “The Headmen had a right to know!” shouted Chopra, leaning heavily against the table before him. “Why did you not tell us the truth, Elder Headman Amajit?”

  “As the matter was delicate, I first discussed it in private with Headmen Kapur, Ramgan and Kadam. We had to decide on the best course of action to take. While the Headman determine what to do with Benjamin Burton, he can no longer live with the House of Singh.”

  “And what was decided?”

  “That for his own safety, and for the peace of mind of the Headmen, he should be interned within the Elder Headman’s palace, and guarded by the Elder Headman’s personal Red Guard.” It was Headman Ramgan who answered. “The Free Nation is not our enemy and we would be fools if, through our actions in this matter, we initiated hostilities and united the Free Nation and the Tula in a desire to annihilate us.”

  Headman Chopra sank back down into his seat, and Astra thought she could see sweat standing out cold on his brow.

  “It would have been better, Kim Uel Ne Chopra, if you had not wasted the Headmen’s time, but had used the appropriate channels to express your concern.” Elder Headman Amajit paused, and Chopra squirmed. “Why is it that you did not come to me with this information, as Una law dictates?”

  “Your pardon, Elder Headman Amajit,” bowed Chopra. “I thought it my duty to alert the Headmen to this matter quickly, and therefore did not follow the set procedure as closely as I might have done.”

  “Una law is not to be flouted, Chopra,” returned Elder Headman Amajit. “Do not labour under the illusion that, as a Headman, you are above adhering to it.”

  Chopra bowed, and Elder Headman Amajit raised his voice a little.

  “It is the Elder Headman’s suggestion that this matter be dismissed.”

  One by one, the Headmen got to their feet and stated their agreement.

  “It also the recommendation of the Elder Headman to Kai Uel Ne Sen, that he accept at once the apology of Headman Chopra. The Court refuses to allow him to challenge a Headman of the Head Families to mortal combat.”

  For the first time Kai looked stunned.

  “But, Elderman…”

  Elder Headman Amajit’s gavel cracked ominously, silencing him.

  “To refuse is to show contempt for the authority of the Elder Headman.”

  Astra watched Kai choke back whatever retort sprang to his lips, and bow respectfully.

  “As you wish, Elder Headman Amajit.”

  Astra saw Headman Chopra smirk, and felt an alien sensation of rage swell up within her. He bowed mockingly.

  “I beg the forgiveness of the House of Sen. In my zealous wish to protect the Una Nation, I have misjudged you.”

  Headman Sen nodded stiffly in recognition of his words.

  “You have forgotten something, Headman Chopra.”

  Kai turned, and Astra was slightly alarmed to see him walking towards her. He reached out, taking her hand and drawing her forwards.

  “I require an apology for my Bonded wife.”

  Headman Chopra’s eyes snapped angrily.

  “Of course; my apology to you, Dam’sel Aya.”

  “The misunderstanding is already forgotten, Elderman,” returned Astra.

  She wondered slightly at the graciousness of her tone when she was choking on the bile the words brought to her throat.

  “And also for my wife’s family,” continued Kai.

  With obvious effort, Chopra bowed again.

  “My apologies to Headmen Singh, Daksha, Rui, Dutta and Sengupta.”

  “All of her family Headman Chopra; that includes her foster-family.”

  The gasp his words produced from those present was audible, and Astra started. A vein throbbed in Chopra’s temple as he bowed infinitesimally toward the Va Dic Tobans.

  “My apologies,” he bit off abruptly.

  “Then I proclaim this matter closed,” interposed Elder Headman Amajit, casting Kai a warning glance.

  “These proceedings are now officially at an end.”

  Again the gavel crashed, and Elder Headman Amajit rose with dignity and left the room.

  Astra felt Kai take hold of her arm, and draw her nearer to him, his breath warm on her ear.

  “Time for us to have a little chat of our own, would you not say, wife?”

  “No!”

  It was P
etta’s voice raised in almost hysterical protest, Kai swore softly and Astra saw that her foster-family were refusing to allow the Red Guard to take Ben.

  “It is the order of the Elder Headman that Benjamin Burton be taken at once to the Headman’s Palace. It is for his own safety,” stated one of the guards, attempting to take Ben’s arm. His path was blocked by Ceadron’s large frame, and her oldest foster-brother deliberately flexed a considerable amount of muscle in lazy threat.

  “Benji’s safe with us.”

  “The Elder Headman ordered it,” returned the guard.

  “Cead, it’s okay; I’ll go.”

  Ben side-stepped Ceadron and took his position between the two guards.

  “No!”

  Petta rushed forwards and kicked one of the guards. She took his arm and pulled him over her shoulder so that he landed, a sprawling mass of limbs, on his back. Before she could do any more damage, the other guard slid his arm around her waist, and lifted her from the floor.

  “Put her down!”

  Shin Uel Ne Phoenix’s authoritative voice resounded through the air. Petta and the guard ceased their furious struggles, and stared up at him awkwardly. Captain Phoenix made his way forward and addressed the guard sharply again.

  “I told you to release her.”

  The guard swiftly let Petta go with a cautious glance at Shin's face. He looked as though he was wondering how badly he was going to regret touching Petta later. He bowed respectfully and took a step back.

  “Dam’sel Petta, please return to your family; such behaviour is not fitting.”

  Petta hung her head, and a large tear rolling down her face.

  “Please don’t let them take Benji away, Senior.”

  “It is the Elder Headman’s order, Dam’sel. It is not your place to contest it, please return to your family.”

  “But…”

  “It is for his own safety, Dam’sel,” interrupted Shin. “I give you my promise that he will come to no harm.”

  Petta nodded, and turned to give Ben a hug.

  “It will be fine, Benji, Shin promises you will be safe.”

  Astra caught the edge of worry that flashed through Captain Phoenix’s expression.

  “Of course I will, Petta.” Grinned Ben.

  With lingering uncertainty, Petta allowed herself to be directed back to where her family stood. Captain Phoenix looked up and caught Apprentice Headman Sen’s attention.

  “For goodness sake, Kai, do you think you could get your troublesome family home before anything else happens?”