From Ruins

by M. C. A. Hogarth

  "To fetch his family, yes."

  "I need to go when they tell me I'm clear. Liolesa wants me home," Sediryl said. "Should I wait?"

  He kissed the crown of her head. "No. I don't know how long it will take, and the new Eldritch empire needs its heir. There's too much fear and uncertainty, with the war fragmenting the available hostiles into so many competing forces. We need symbols of stability and progress as soon as we can arrange them."

  She nodded. "And... we'll marry there. At home? My father would like that."

  "As would my mother." Jahir's arms tightened around her. "Oh, my love."

  A shiver coursed her. "Say that again?"

  "My love," he whispered in Eldritch, gold and white. "How long I've waited to admit to it."

  Sediryl pressed her face into the side of his neck. "I didn't realize how long I've been waiting to hear it, but I have been, forever." And then she found herself weeping again, and this time she wasn't alone, and it was all right, all right that gladness and sorrow could twine this way. Held in his arms she sensed that joy would never again be unadulterated in her.

  Part of growing up, something in her whispered. You see the endings in beginnings, and it reminds you to cherish them.

  When she looked up, she found Jahir waiting. He kissed her palm and said, soft, "Yes. Just so."

  "I can't decide if this mind-reading thing is going to be useful or scary."

  He settled her more securely on his lap, laughing. Kissed her on her mouth this time, which was what she'd been hoping for.

  "So the answer is clearly ‘both'," Sediryl said, but she laughed too, and found, for the first time in what felt like too long, that she was looking forward to the future.

  The refugees from Tam-ley had been too numerous to be sent to a single location, but also too numerous for any single person to find passage to a specific destination: the only vessels operating in the system were SAR-registered, and the ships large enough to carry people in the volume necessary were assigned a destination regardless of the passengers' family arrangements. Those could be handled once they arrived somewhere with working satellites, habitable environments. But Tam-ley was in Sector Veta, and that was how Vasiht'h found himself returning home, on the fastest ship he could afford and to the Goddess's hells with his former discomfort at using his partner's money. It got him to the starbase in less than a day, and that was already too long.

  Even the Alliance had trouble finding shelter for the displaced populace of one of its oldest settled worlds. The administrators of Starbase Veta had set up temporary housing on one of the fields that had been left empty for future expansion, and it was excellent temporary housing while looking exactly like what it was: a paltry replacement for a real home. Vasiht'h walked through the rows of apartments and tried not to react to their lack of uniqueness, the uniform color of the walls, the sheer number of doors and windows. Here was another thing he couldn't get his arms around: the scope of the disaster that had not only afflicted the Tam-ileyan homeworld, but the other systems the Chatcaava had hit on their way through.

  But one very small part of this tragedy he could redeem, and it brought him to a door, and when it opened his sister's tired face lit with a desperate joy. He threw his arms around her to prove he was real, and then they were both crying.

  "The boys?" he asked. "Kovihs?"

  "They're out walking," Sehvi said. She didn't ask him in, and he didn't need her to explain why. He could see their room over her shoulder, how barren it was. His sister would have invited him into her home in a heartbeat, but this... this wasn't anyone's home. "The kits are all right. Kovihs... Kovihs was badly injured, he was trapped under this... this rubble... for hours...." She stopped and gulped in a breath. "He's mending, and I thank the Goddess every day that we made it through when so many people didn't, but... oh, Vasiht'h... Vasiht'h, we lost everything. The house. Our practices. All our coworkers. The boys' school... the world. It's all gone, gone."

  He wrapped a forepaw around hers, pulled her close, and she clung to him as she sobbed. He stroked her back, letting the warmth of his love and the solidity of his presence soak into her. So much grief, and the grieving wouldn't be over any time soon. But she was alive, and his nephews and his brother-in-law were alive, and they would have a chance to work through it.

  When she was done, Sehvi leaned back and wiped her snotty nose, choking on a laugh when Vasiht'h brought one of Jahir's handkerchiefs out of his saddlebag and passed it to her. "Thanks. You'd think I'd have one, because mothers are always prepared but..."

  "Ssh," he said, before she could start thinking of everything she'd lost. "They were just things, ariishir. Things can be replaced."

  "Some things, anyway," she answered, somber. "We all lost things we aren't going to get back easily." She looked over her shoulder, chagrined, and he followed her gaze. Before he could ask, she said, "It seemed frivolous to ask the medical staff to give me back my tail when so many people were so much worse off."

  "It's all right," Vasiht'h said. He showed her his palms, flexed them to make the clawlessness obvious. "We all came out changed."

  Sehvi stared, shuddered. "Did that... no, don't tell me. The war... something happened. You got involved."

  Vasiht'h took one of her hands and squeezed it before liberating the handkerchief from her fist and using it to blot the corners of her eyes. "It happened, and now it's over. For us anyway, for now. We're not the only ones who've changed. The worlds have too."

  Sehvi sniffled. "When we arrived, I looked for you but your commtag kept bouncing a message back about being gone. I guess you were still busy. But I'm so glad you're here."

  "We have a lot to talk about." Vasiht'h rested a hand on her upper arm. "Sehvi. Come home with me. No, not here," he said when she glanced toward the city. "This part of my life is over. I'm going with Jahir to the Eldritch homeworld. Right now. They're opening it up finally. They're going to need trained medical personnel-you have no idea how much-and there's room there for you, and me, and our kits... I'm going to need your help with mine! Say you'll come."

  She sighed a little, gave him a watery smile. "I'd been looking forward to it. The whole ‘pioneer' experience with the crazy Eldritch everywhere. I just didn't think it would be this soon. I was hoping, but... don't you have a practice here? Are you really ready to leave Starbase Veta?"

  "Past ready. And we do have a practice, yes, but we were already shutting it down before we left. We just didn't get a chance to finish. You could help, actually. The work with the practice I need to do myself, but we still have to box up all our belongings and ship them." Vasiht'h looked back, thinking of the home where he and Jahir had spent so many years. It felt like history to him now. Something to put to rest so he could move on.

  "You're going to regret asking your nephews to help you pack."

  "Oh am I," Vasiht'h said with a laugh. He clasped her shoulders. "Come with me, Sehvi. Please?"

  She smiled up at him. "Do you even have to ask?"

  He hugged her tightly, and she bumped her nose with his, and if it wasn't the carefree gesture of affection they'd shared in the past, there would be time for that. Time for everything, now... or if not, then he'd be grateful for what he received.

  "Thank you," she said against his shoulder. "For coming for us."

  "Who'd inflict awful romance novels on me if I left you behind?" He stepped back. "Come on, let's find Kovihs and the kits and get out of here. There's a real kitchen in my house and it's been idle too long."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Liolesa's study was flooded in sunlight the color of champagne. Entering it, Sediryl recalled the last time she'd seen it, sullen with winter shadows, and liked this version far better. Her aunt was seated behind the delicately carved desk in the corner, at work on some document that required ink Sediryl could smell from the door, but there was also a data tablet and a stylus propped alongside her, and a teacup with what, Sediryl didn't know, but she hoped there was some for her. Less beca
use she was thirsty and more because, having finally arrived and been worked into the Queen's schedule, she was nervous and wanted something to do with her hands.

  "Ah, Sediryl." Liolesa tapped the excess ink off her pen. "Have a seat by the table? There's refreshment on the sideboard. I'm almost done here."

  "Of course," Sediryl said, and served herself gratefully. There was a plate of shortbread that smelled of almonds, and two decanters, one with liquor far too strong for this early in the day. She tried the other and smiled at the fragrance. Verjuice, maybe even from Nuera's fields. She poured herself a glass and settled on one of the upholstered chairs to wait. It was strange, sitting on these embroidered cushions, amid this intricate luxury, while in her Alliance clothes, but... good, too. She'd thought about changing, but managing her wardrobe was the last thing on her mind. She'd arrived to so much to do, starting with speaking with Jahir's mother and her father about her intention to wed. Then there'd been the matter of where she was supposed to live: her mother hadn't rescinded her status, and as the disinherited eldest daughter of Nuera she no longer had the right to use any of its properties. Her great-aunt Fassiana had offered her the use of the Delen Galare townhome, but that was obviously a temporary solution. A very temporary one, given that she was about to be a married woman whose husband's partner needed a place to live with his extended family.

  Nor was Jahir the only one with aliens to wrangle, because her Faulfenza-she was starting to think of them that way-had come down to the planet with her and were intent on getting into everything. They were exploring the capital right now, and Goddess alone knew what trouble they'd find. Unlike the Pelted, who'd inherited humanity's awe of the Eldritch, the Faulfenza felt no deference for their hosts. Respect, certainly, but they were fearless and curious and Sediryl was thankful there were only four of them, while wondering with both trepidation and amusement what it would be like when more of them showed up in Qora's wake.

  No, she'd stayed busy. She hadn't even had time to report to the high priest as one of the Eldritch's newest mind-mages, though she knew Jahir had. She was almost relieved to find herself cooling her heels in Liolesa's study, nibbling on very good shortbread: more butter than sugar, enough to melt on her tongue. It was so good she went back for another serving, and brought the decanter and tray of glasses.

  "There, that's done," Liolesa said.

  Sediryl looked up. "Nothing too dire, I hope?"

  "Not dire, no." Liolesa tapped her pen dry and capped her inkwell. "The news about our... origins... has created interesting opportunities."

  "Opportunities," Sediryl repeated. "I admit, when Lisinthir told me about the nanotech, that wasn't the first word that came to mind."

  Liolesa grinned. "You'll find that most difficult situations can be adjusted to create opportunities. Even if most of the necessary adjustment is in your own mind. I shall tell you more later, when my contacts respond. Suffice to say that knowledge is always better than ignorance, and this knowledge... this knowledge may at last resolve some of our lingering challenges with our health and population growth." She rose from behind the desk with a rustle of her satin skirts and descended the step to join Sediryl in front of the table. "But later for that. I believe I'm owed an answer, niece?"

  Sediryl inhaled. "Yes." She paused. "That's the answer. Yes."

  "Excellent. Don't fear for your lack of experience. You will have more of it before you need it than most of us have had when the crown came to us." Liolesa sat across from her. "I intend to make you viceroy of the colony; attending to that should acquaint you with some of the day-to-day challenges of rulership."

  "Will I have to live there?" Sediryl asked, startled.

  "You should maintain a residence there," Liolesa answered. "I won't expect you to make it your full-time home, however. Particularly with a husband intimately involved with this world?" She arched a brow.

  "Ah... yes." Sediryl rubbed her thumb against the troth ring Jahir had set on her finger. "You know about that, I'm guessing."

  Liolesa laughed. "I make it my business to know as much as possible. So, Jahir Seni Galare, ah?" She reached across the table to pour for herself. "A very good choice. I look forward to the fruits of that particular venture."

  "Me too," Sediryl said, coloring.

  "Though Goddess knows what trouble your children will get up to. With two mind-mages for parents, one has to imagine they'll be levitating the dishes."

  The cookie in her hand no longer seemed so appetizing. Sediryl set it down.

  "Not comfortable yet with that, are you."

  "No," Sediryl said. She watched her aunt sit back with her glass. "I know my answer's yes, Liolesa, but... are you sure? I made... I made some colossal mistakes. And they were all judgment errors on my part."

  Liolesa regarded her over her glass. "My last mistake led to the razing of Jisiensire and an entirely preventable civil war. One my liegewoman correctly accused me of fomenting because I kept the crisis on our world from reaching the ears of its citizens."

  Sediryl winced. "That's... almost as harsh as Lisinthir telling me I have trouble accepting reality when I don't like what it looks like."

  The Queen snorted. "Did he now."

  "Yes." Sediryl offered her aunt a lopsided smile. "I'll be sorry when he leaves us for the Empire, given how good he is at pointing out difficult truths. I think." She drew in a deep breath. "I never thought of you as... a mistake-maker. You don't seem to get it wrong very often."

  "Believe me, I lose as often as I win," Liolesa said. "I just hedge my bets whenever possible. I am, in fact, about to lose again, if my instincts are correct. The mistake I made with Asaniefa may be minor compared to the one I've made with Bethsaida."

  "With Beth?" Sediryl said, shocked. "But I thought... isn't she... I hate to say it this way, but shattered? You said she wasn't suitable anymore, because the Chatcaava traumatized her."

  "And they did, and she isn't," Liolesa answered, mouth set. "But she is no longer shattered. Now she is angry. Angry, and afraid, and in her fear she speaks for the resumption of the Veil. She would turn our worlds into fortresses, and what's more-"

  Sediryl's heart was already beating too fast.

  "She's found a ready ally in your fiancé's brother."

  That... would be the other shoe dropping. Sediryl suppressed a groan. "Don't tell me there are people who are eager to rally to her banner."

  "What else?" Liolesa said. "Surela's exile did not end the debate among our people about our role in the greater universe. All it needed was a new figurehead."

  "And what better spokesperson than someone who used to want us to be more involved with interstellar politics and then got captured by Chatcaava and changed her mind," Sediryl said. She thought of Amber and tried not to grimace. "And Amber loves her, and hates us for humiliating him. Lisinthir and the Queen Ransomed saved Beth, not him. And I refused to let him take part in anything he could conceive as vengeance against them."

  "An excellent analysis," Liolesa observed with a wry smile.

  "Oh, Goddess bless it," Sediryl said, pressing her hand to her face.

  Liolesa calmly took up her glass and sipped. Over its rim, she said, "Still interested in the job?"

  Was she! If she left now, who would keep Beth from destroying everything all of them had paid so much to secure? But what a work in front of her... this was no sinecure, but a call to a different kind of battle. She saw years of that fight in her aunt's body, her face, her eyes: the mask of a politician, the fire of a warrior, the long perspective of a visionary.

  "I said I was your woman," Sediryl said. "I meant it. I'm with you, aunt."

  Liolesa grinned, an expression of such impetuous glee that Sediryl started. She'd seen looks like that in the mirror; to see it on her Queen's face, after assuming Liolesa to be so unlike her....

  "Just what I hoped to hear... because we have work to do, and worlds to haul into this century. For so long, I've been working with my hands tied behind my back and finall
y... finally we have the resources and the freedom to act decisively. We must seize the initiative while we have it." Liolesa's eyes sparkled. "Congratulations, my niece. You're home just in time for the fun parts."

  "The fun parts!" Sediryl laughed. "What with Beth agitating for isolationism!"

  "Ah, well. No sharpening the dagger without a little grist." The Queen grinned. "We could hardly be without our challenges, or how would we know we weren't dreaming?"

  "I can't believe it," Sediryl said, shaking her head. "You like this."

  "You do too. That would be why you're here." Liolesa lifted a brow. "Shall I ask your cousin by to remind you to accept reality?"

  "No, that's all right," Sediryl said, amused. "This is one reality I'll be happy to own. So, aunt... what's next?"

  "Your mantling, and your wedding," Liolesa said. "And I thank you for these political weapons. I hope you don't mind waiting on them so they can be done with proper pomp?"

  Thinking of Jahir's insistence that they observe the formalities of waiting to consummate their relationship until the ceremony, Sediryl tried not to whimper. "If it matters that much...." Liolesa's look... "You know."

  Liolesa grinned. "My poor niece. Such a brave sacrifice."

  "Fine, let's talk wedding planning," Sediryl said. "Really, really big wedding planning. Because if I'm going to suffer, I want as many people to suffer with me as possible."

  "That's the spirit." Liolesa tapped the spare glass. "Pour while I summon the Chancellor. I asked him to bring out the documents on investiture ritual a week ago, and very pleased he was to do so. This situation with the succession in contention has been deeply distressing him. We are about to make him a very happy man." As Sediryl reached for the decanter, Liolesa added, "Nor is he the only one. Niece-thank you. I think we shall get along very well, you and I."