Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles Book 1)

by T. A. White

  There was none of that connection she thought she'd feel upon seeing the planet where she'd been born. She'd felt more nostalgia walking through the conservatory than what she felt for the approaching planet.

  She searched her feelings. Still nothing besides a touch more nervousness than normal. That was it.

  "Maybe they were wrong about us," she offered.

  Jin blew a raspberry. "The chances of that are less than point zero five percent."

  Kira raised an eyebrow in question before realization dawned. "You sneaky pile of bolts, you've been analyzing them, haven't you?"

  Jin's voice was smug. "Of course, why do you think I insisted on playing with the chaterling for so long?"

  Kira stuffed down her laugh, knowing her friend didn't need any encouragement. "You know Jace told you not to because of the treaty."

  The sound Jin made was rude. "Since when do I take orders from him? Besides, the treaty doesn't apply to you because you're Tuann."

  Kira was pretty sure it didn't work that way, especially given what Graydon had shared the last time they'd spoken. She'd done some digging courtesy of material they'd given her and found the Tuann were very odd in a universe filled with odd things.

  They had an aversion to AIs. She hadn't gotten to the why of it yet, but their laws had seemed pretty definite. Couple that with a slightly feudal society, and they were a walking contradiction, possessing advanced technology with old values.

  "Just make sure you're not caught, will you?" Kira said.

  He snorted. "I'm not the one who always gets caught."

  She shot him a dirty look. He might have had a point, but she didn't have to like it.

  "What's that?" Jin asked.

  She looked out the viewing screen taking up the entire wall, creating the impression of nothing between her and open space, not even the slim reassurance of triple plated, ballistic glass.

  "What?"

  Jin emitted a low sound and the viewer zoomed in on a spikey shaped sphere.

  "It looks like a porcupine," Kira said. Or an ancient naval mine from humanity's distant past.

  "There are hundreds of them," Jin said in fascination.

  She stiffened, as she became aware they were no longer alone on the observation deck.

  "It's the defense net," Amila said, moving closer and breaking the bubble of space she and Baran normally afforded Kira. “It’ll prevent any unapproved ships from approaching the planet.”

  Kira frowned as she turned her attention to the mine. She’d never seen anything like it. She would have liked to get closer, maybe run tests on it, see what it could do.

  "It is nearly time to disembark," Amila politely informed her. "We've been asked to report to the shuttles."

  Sounded good to Kira. Whatever it took to get this over and done with.

  "Where's Baran?" Kira asked, noticing her second shadow was nowhere present. While Amila and he took turns following her around, she had assumed both would be present for this transfer.

  "He's been given another task," Amila said.

  Finally. One person watching over her would be a lot easier to shake than two.

  Kira and Jin followed Amila as she led them to the shuttle bay which was filled with several small spacecraft. Kira took a moment to admire the many shapes and sizes, noting their differences and wishing she had the chance to fly some of them.

  Amila led them to a midsized surface-to-space shuttle. Inside, a dark wood accented the pilot seats, each one slightly different from the next. Graydon and the rest of his oshota waited inside.

  Kira looked around, noting the lack of any humans. "Where are the Curs?"

  Graydon’s smile was dangerous, the light in his eyes taunting. "They’re taking a different shuttle."

  Kira narrowed her eyes. That was not the answer she wanted.

  His smile broadened as he sent her a look inviting her to do her worst. He'd better watch out. She might take him up on his offer.

  She made a show of looking around. "There seems to be plenty of room on this ship. Inviting them on board would certainly ease my mind."

  His smile widened into a wicked grin. "I didn’t think you were so easily unsettled. Perhaps a pacifier might calm your nerves."

  Jin made a choking sound next to her at the insinuation she was acting like a baby.

  Kira didn't react, her face remaining emotionless as an icy smile formed. It was on. "Perhaps it's not me who needs a security blanket. Are you afraid the extra weight will affect our re-entry?"

  One of Graydon's guards smothered a laugh at the insult.

  "Not at all. I thought to spare your delicate sensibilities, given your upbringing among the frail humans," he returned easily.

  Frail her ass. She'd like to see him break atmo in a wave runner suit with the remains of a dying ship coming down around him while Tsavitee artillery fire targeted him from the planet's surface. They'd see who was frail then.

  Her smile became sugary sweet. Jin muttered a curse next to her. "Well, aren't you thoughtful? Too bad you're as dumb as a rock. I suppose intelligence isn't really required of a man in your position."

  "Oh god," Jin said, feeling in his voice.

  Graydon's expression turned deadly. Before he could say anything, a small form burst onto the shuttle. Ziva wrapped herself around Kira's waist.

  "You're here. I've been waiting for days to see you again," Ziva said, tilting her head to look at Kira.

  Her expression was cute and designed to pull on a person's heartstrings. Kira couldn't tell if it was a façade or if she was doing it unintentionally.

  Joule followed at a more sedate pace, his young face much too mature for his years. His half-bow surprised Kira. He hadn't been nearly as polite by the end of their previous encounter.

  "Lady, I hope you are well," he said formally. He was a miniature adult, precious in his solemnity.

  Kira fought against showing any amusement, knowing he'd probably see it as an insult.

  "The same to you," Kira managed.

  Graydon and the rest of his guards watched the interaction with interest, something the boy seemed to realize.

  "Would you consider sitting with Ziva and me for the journey?" he asked.

  Kira gave him a small nod of agreement.

  He pulled his sister away and together they found a seat next to one of the starboard side windows.

  Graydon stepped up beside Kira. "The two of them are in a difficult position. It's likely he will ask for your help."

  "How so?" She had little to give. She wasn't even in control of her own destiny at the moment.

  "Their former House owes allegiance to your House. Having your esteem may strengthen the position of what remains of their House," Graydon said.

  Kira tilted her head as she studied Graydon. It sounded an awful lot like he was trying to persuade her.

  "Why do you care about this?" she asked, studying him. This meant something to him, but she couldn't tell what.

  "Let's just say I was in their position once. Having an ally as powerful as you might become would have been a comfort," he said, not looking at her.

  She snorted. "I have a hard time imagining that."

  Graydon exuded control and confidence. He gave the impression of being in command of every situation. It was hard to believe there was ever a time when he'd been powerless.

  His eyes cut to her, solemn and serious. "I was not always as I am now. Once, my situation was even more precarious than theirs. I was lucky to find a benefactor to take me in and train me. He brought me to the attention of the emperor, which eventually led to my current position. It could very easily have gone the other way. I would not see the children harmed, but our society prevents me from directly interfering."

  Kira could understand what he was saying. When you're weak and powerless, you'll do anything to escape, even if it means endless hours of training so intense your body gives out by the end. Even if it means leaving little pieces of yourself behind.

  She
looked at the children through new eyes, the direness of their predicament finally registering on her. Liont glanced at her from where he was helping them get situated.

  He was the head of the children's honor guard. Until now, she hadn't seen the near desperation on his or his companions’ faces. They looked like soldiers about to be sent on a suicide mission. Grim and resigned. They'd do their duty even at considerable cost to themselves.

  Graydon saw where she was looking. "The best outcome they can hope for is for Luatha to absorb their entire House. Even then, they will be reduced in standing and rank, while the rest of Luatha looks on them with pity or derision.”

  "Unless Joule can prove himself worthy of the title of lord of his House in the trials," Kira said slowly, putting together all the pieces.

  Graydon inclined his head. "Yes. That is the best option for them. If he were to pass, it means he would be considered strong enough to protect his household and he’d be allowed to hold their fealty. However, such an event is unlikely. There are those who would wish his House to fall into memory. They will make his journey as hard as possible."

  "You said best case. What is the worst?"

  "Those who aren't accepted will seek shelter with other Houses, their former affiliations dissolved. It is not an easy fate."

  And because they'd once been loyal to another, they were unlikely to find another House to take them in, Kira finished for him.

  “Why can’t Joule wait till he’s older to attempt the adva ka?” All he needed was a little time to become seasoned and grow into his abilities.

  “He could do that,” Graydon conceded. “But his path will be twice as difficult. He’d need permission from his new overlord to verify he was ready. Even then, it would likely be too late for the rest. There is no going back in time. They would have been affected by the years apart, and reassembling them would be twice as unlikely and unwise.”

  What he didn’t say was time had a way of changing you despite your best intentions. New experiences shaped you and molded you, forcing you to adapt or perish. Even if you remembered those you left behind with fondness, they might not be the same person when you caught up with them. Their loyalties could have changed, their needs evolved.

  This still didn't answer how he thought she could help them. As much as she felt for them, there was little she could do. She was here for a specific goal. Getting distracted wouldn't help her achieve that.

  "Don't think I've forgotten about the Curs," Kira challenged, changing the subject.

  His teeth flashed, dark amusement on his face. "I wouldn't dream of it, coli."

  He moved away before she could respond.

  “Arrogant ass," she grumbled to herself as she headed toward Joule and Ziva.

  "Graydon has excellent hearing," Amila said in a neutral voice.

  A wicked smile curved Kira’s lips. "I'm counting on it."

  Amila blinked at her, the idea someone would purposely pull her commander’s tail obviously never occurring to her.

  Kira reached Ziva and Joule and took a seat beside them. She ignored the way Ziva's face lit up as soon as Kira arrived, something like hero worship shining from her eyes.

  Kira shifted, uncomfortable at the sight. Things never ended well when people looked to her as a hero. She always proved a disappointment, eventually.

  Jin zoomed above their heads, completing a circuit of the area before settling in the seat beside Kira. His antics caught both of the children's attention, their gazes fascinated.

  Amila stopped, her expression disconcerted. Jin had taken the last seat. It meant Amila would have to sit in the row behind them with Liont and the others instead of beside her.

  "Move. Someone else might want to sit there," Kira ordered Jin.

  "They can find another seat," he returned. "I need to be strapped in for re-entry just as much as you do. Do you see any cargo straps around here? Because I certainly don't. I'm not risking my safety if we crash. I plan to be strapped down, nice and proper."

  Kira narrowed her eyes at him. "You'll survive."

  Probably better than the rest of them, given his ability to magnetically attach himself to anything metal. Nothing would be able to pry him off, not even doing Mach two in a planet's atmosphere. Kira knew, because he'd attached himself to the outside of a hull to test the theory once.

  Jin made several rude sounds while flashing his lights at her, letting her know what he thought of that idea.

  A frustrated sigh escaped her. She'd forgotten how irrational he got during re-entry. It was probably one of his biggest fears and no matter how much logic you applied, he'd refuse to budge.

  Kira sent Amila an apologetic look. There wasn't going to be any reasoning with Jin right now. He'd stick himself to the seat like a barnacle and no amount of arguing or manhandling would be enough to move him. She recognized the signs.

  Amila clearly wasn't happy about the events, aiming a glare at Jin before taking a seat in the row behind them.

  Kira shook her head at Jin. Sometimes his ridiculousness amazed her.

  "Thank you for sitting with us during the return," Joule said.

  Kira turned her attention to the two sitting in front of her, facing her.

  The two traded a glance, having a whole conversation while Kira watched, with not a word exchanged.

  Finally, Joule focused on her. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

  Kira tapped her finger on her leg as she studied him. She should have known that would be his question.

  "Many places," Kira finally said.

  Her training may have started in the awful compound of her earliest memories, but it continued for long after her rescue. She'd studied every type of martial arts she could find, adapting them into her own style until they'd become something new. The crucible of war had further honed those skills, sharpening and testing them until what emerged was a weapon, dreadful and deadly.

  "Can you teach me?" There was an ache to his voice, as if his entire future rested on her answer, the fear of disappointment in his eyes.

  Kira shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable as she tried to find a polite way to tell him no. This was no easy thing he was asking. It would take years to build him into an adequate warrior. Years she didn't plan on devoting to the effort.

  "Why do you want to learn?" Jin asked.

  Joule stiffened, his chin lifting. "I need to be able to protect us."

  "There are other ways of protecting yourself," Jin said, his voice emotionless. "You don't have to become a warrior."

  "There aren't," Joule snapped. "This is the best way. We never want to be as weak as we were before. I won't watch anyone else die in front of me while I stand by."

  Kira felt an ugly twist inside.

  "He's just like you at that age," Jin said wryly.

  "Just as stupid too." Kira sat forward and fixed Joule with a dark gaze. "I'm not going to help you down that path, kid. I don't have the time, and honestly, I don't want to."

  His mouth formed a stubborn line as he scowled at her.

  Ziva sat up tall. "What about the move you used on the Tsavitee?"

  Kira flicked a glance at the girl. "Not possible. You need a strong foundation both physically and conceptually to perform that move, which neither of you has. Do it wrong and you could do more damage to yourself than your opponent."

  Both of their faces fell, leaving Kira feeling like a monster.

  "Why me? There seem to be plenty of warriors here," she said. "Ask one of them. Liont and Fari seem willing."

  The two traded another glance.

  "They tried, but they can only teach us so much. The others won't help." Joule said. "We're not of their House, and we have the potential to grow into an enemy. Even once our name is wiped away and we're added to another House, it's likely neither of us will be trained as warriors since we'll never be considered one of them."

  Kira shrugged. "That doesn't sound too bad to me. Find something you like doing and live a life of peace."


  "Our families have been warriors for generations. Not following in their footsteps would mean turning our backs on their legacy," Joule said stiffly.

  "They're going to split us up and send us to different families," Ziva said, her eyes sad. The look in them slipped through Kira's defenses to prick at her conscience.

  Both children stared at her. The boy defiantly—he'd pursue this even without Kira's help. Probably manage to get himself hurt too. Ziva's gaze was more trusting and innocent. She actually believed, down to the bottom of her little soul, Kira had the answers.

  Kira rubbed her forehead and looked away, out the window of the shuttle. They'd left the ship and now approached the planet, its warm glow growing bigger with each second, blocking out the black of space.

  "Who taught you the move I saw you practicing?" Kira asked.

  Joule's face turned guilty. "No one. I watched the other oshota practicing and copied them. Fari tried to help, but he couldn’t do it either."

  That would explain why he was using a technique way more advanced than his current skills.

  "You know if you'd been successful, you'd probably have broken your shoulder and given yourself a concussion," Kira said.

  His expression turned stubborn.

  "We can help you," Ziva said. "I heard them talking. You know nothing about House politics. We can be your guides."

  Kira snorted. "You're both children. I somehow doubt you're going to be of that much use."

  Arrogance settled on Joule's face. "I might not look it, but I was the heir to our House, and Ziva would have become my first when she got old enough to protect me. Our parents started our education in House matters. Can you say the same? They're extremely difficult to navigate for outsiders, I'm told."

  The kid had a point. Tuann five-year-olds probably had a better grasp of the inner workings of a Tuann House than Kira.

  She considered their words. Their insight might prove useful. Given Kira knew what they wanted, she could account for their agenda where other Tuann might have hidden motivations for steering her wrong.

  She sighed. "I can get you started on the basics and show you things more suited to your current skill level. That's all I'm going to promise right now."

  Joule looked cautiously optimistic.