I thought about warning them about her temper and tendency to say with appalling bluntness exactly what was on her mind. I refrained, however. I was reminded of how indulgent the Kalquorians were of her on Earth. I’d given Meyso the whole story already anyway. He would be ready to advise his staff.
We went into his office for a sit down. He went over once more what the surgeries would entail, using diagrams until my head swam. I was almost cross-eyed with confusion when I stopped him.
“Look, as long as you know what you’re doing, I think it’s best I don’t try to understand what you’re doing,” I said. “One expert is enough, right?”
He grinned, his eyes twinkling at me in the most adorable way. “I will not fail your faith in me, Shalia. Your mother is in good hands.”
I felt confident in his abilities. “When does this happen?”
“Four days,” Meyso said. “We’ll start the process of pulling her out of arrested stasis into surgical stasis. I’ll order a full physical to catch any issues with her heart, cardiovascular system, and other organs so we don’t have anything unforeseen pop up. We’ll also check for previously undetermined allergies or any infections not noted before she was placed in stasis.” As my eyes started to glaze over again, he gave me another affectionate grin. “In short, we’ll ensure she’s in as perfect physical condition as possible before putting her through the surgery. All I need is your go-ahead.”
“You’ve got it.” I had decided the luxury to be wishy-washy about my mom’s future was over. I was committed to this. No looking back.
Anrel woke from her impromptu nap early, giving Meyso’s staff the opportunity to moon over her in truth. She was not as beaming-happy as she is when she gets all of her rest, but she smiled and let herself be adored.
Next, we were off to Aslada’s office. He had taken the day off, but we were on tour. I was curious about this potential clan, and again, I knew the best way to gauge them was by how their subordinates treated and were treated by them. It was the same as with Meyso’s gang: unfailing courtesy when outright friendliness wasn’t in play.
Aslada joked with his staff as if they were all old friends. They were mostly Dramoks, but they were as eager as Imdikos to dote on Anrel. Not as many were keen to hold her, but Dramoks and Nobeks tend to worry about how to handle a baby. It’s hilarious to watch powerful leader-types and fierce warriors shy away, afraid the slightest touch might harm her. Again, she was sweet and didn’t act up, but I could tell she hadn’t gotten enough of a nap.
I met members of the territorial council as well, since all the offices are in the same hillside-building. The government facility is built into the side of a huge hill covered in emerald-green grass and wildflowers. Fairies or gnomes should be congregating, if you only take the outside into account. Inside, it’s as business-like and full of technology as any office building.
Everyone was pleasant to me. A couple of council representatives, winking and grinning at Aslada, told me they had been recently picked up by the lottery. Aslada scowled at them, but good-humoredly. Jaon frowned and moved close to me. I had to fight not to laugh.
Even those Aslada had mentioned by name as being fierce opponents to his causes were respectful to me. I guess they keep their differences to the council floor. Then again, who was going to mess with a woman who had Jaon at her side? For politicians, they were smart guys.
Aslada’s office was grand. It boasted fine furniture, richly woven rugs, stunning artwork, and awards littering the surfaces. “I think we have our first setting for your vids,” I told him. “This is great for when you’re on-camera, discussing your policies and causes.”
He grinned. “I can’t wait to discuss the ideas I have with you.” At Meyso’s raised brow, he amended, “Once your mother is on the road to recovery, so I’m not adding to any stress you have to deal with.”
“I may need to work to escape my worries,” I said, touched at the concern they felt for me. “We’ll play it by ear and see how everything goes.”
It was Jaon who chuckled at that. “That’s how life is lived, isn’t it? Despite all our planning, it comes down to dealing with what comes at us first.”
Amen, brother.
The tour was at an end. Thank heavens, because Anrel was starting to fuss. She was too fascinated with new surroundings to allow herself to sleep, and it made for a cranky baby. We headed for the home of Clan Aslada.
Clan Seot’s sea-rock home had been dramatic. Luxurious. Stunning. While this clan’s domicile didn’t have quite the exterior oomph, it was far grander on the inside. Grander as in OH DEAR FUCKING PROPHETS, THIS PLACE IS INSANE.
Similar to the government building, the clan made their home within a hill. Or rather, a series of hills, because it was immense. Mansion-huge. Maybe palace-big. We’ll settle for the description of freaking gigantic, shall we?
Doors constructed to resemble wood (but of some manufactured material instead) led into a couple of these hills. One was the main entrance, a stately faux-plank set of double doors painted the same green as the surrounding grass. Think castle doors to the emerald city of Oz. They were magnificent. The wide walkway leading from the nearby lake to the entrance was constructed of large, smooth rocks. If not for the enormous doors, it would have looked sweet and cozy. A garden plot of uncountable blooms greeted us after we landed in an attached bay, also sequestered in the hills. We could have accessed the home through an underground walkway from where the clan’s small fleet of craft sheltered, but the guys wanted me to enjoy the outside view first.
And what a view. The lake was a mirror of an aquamarine jewel under the clear sky. It had a beach, and a few small brightly colored boats were pulled up on shore. I’ll admit I had visions of sitting in a boat holding a parasol over my head. Jaon would be pulling on the oars and Meyso would be reading poetry while Aslada and I drank wine. It had that feel to it.
All around, the hills rose and fell, an undulating carpet of the purest green, with little patches of wildflowers punctuating the landscape. A bit of exposed rock showed here and there, interesting footnotes. A few hills were crowned with great trees that reached thick branches to the perfect sky. It wasn’t quite as breathtaking as the view from Clan Seot’s seaside home, but it was darn close.
Then we went in the great double doors. Holy crap.
The hill we entered was tall and appeared taller still by virtue of us descending a dozen steps into the entrance hall. Hall? More along the lines of a castle ballroom. It was insanely huge. I’ve seen houses smaller than that single area. Reminding me of a gallery, it boasted window-vids and fine art. The flooring was polished marble. The ceiling was arched and painted with murals, similar to a cathedral.
I’d felt out of my league with Clan Seot. I was a pure bumpkin in the home of Clan Aslada. All I could do was stand there and gape. Opulent didn’t begin to describe my surroundings.
Aslada chuckled. “It’s impressive but less than you and Anrel deserve. However, we’ll try to make you as comfortable as possible.”
I swear I couldn’t move for several seconds. Mind blown.
Even now, I can’t describe the place. It’s too enormous to put into words. It really is a palace, each room grander than the last. Even the last few Imperial Clans haven’t lived in such grandeur. They have a place within the Royal House that is on par, I’ve been told, but they have eschewed that particular set of apartments for cozier digs. I can’t say I blame them. It’s overwhelming.
Anrel and I have adjoining suites, each the size of a generous house. I kid you not. A huge nursery for her with a connecting pair of rooms for her ‘manny’ (as I call her Imdiko nanny Snoy), two huge lavatories, a sitting room, a private meditation room, my sleeping room, a greeting room for me to entertain guests, a little dining space, and the pair of rooms my personal manservant uses (yes, I have a personal manservant!!!). Sweet prophets. It’s beyond insane. And mine is one of ten guest suites.
Beyond the guest wing is the main living area
for the clan, their own private suites of rooms, entertainment space, a full-sized gym (yay!), indoor swimming pool, and a monstrous kitchen. I couldn’t even see the far end of the kitchen when I went in to give the head cook his marching orders for what Anrel needed. Holy cats.
That’s the part of the house (can I call this estate a house?) that I know of. I think there’s more. A lot more.
All of it is styled to the max. Fine furnishings. Luxurious fabrics. State-of-the-art technology for entertainment and ease of living. Art that I worry might be priceless, so I’m not touching a damned bit of it. I can’t believe people live in such a place. I can’t believe I have the chance to live here. I’m not sure I want to…except I adore Clan Aslada. I wonder if they’d downsize to a cottage for me?
Despite the new surroundings, Anrel at long last couldn’t keep her eyes open another second. She fell asleep on her manny’s shoulder. He’d taken her from me to get acquainted as soon as we arrived. While I had been leery of the inexperienced childcare staff at the Matara Complex, Imdiko Snoy’s demeanor and references put me at ease right away. His older but attractive and honest face was born for guileless smiles. He cuddled fussy Anrel like a pro. Which he was. He’d been a manny to the few high-ranking children born in the last hundred years, children who’d all become members of the Royal Council, ambassadors, and governors – yes, even Aslada himself.
I ventured to ask him why he wasn’t clanned. “I was, to the only men I could ever love. Soulmates, I think you’d Earthers call them,” Snoy said, a moment of sorrow passing over his face. “They died, ten years apart. I was young enough and could have had my pick of clanmates after that, since my rank was decent and my breed is rare enough to attract instant interest. I didn’t want any other clanmates though. No Nobek or Dramok could compare to what I’d had.”
Sweet prophets, could there be a sadder story? Snoy, too heartbroken to love again but too Imdiko to not care for others, devoted himself to the children of those few who had them. Similar to Cifa, he was the oldest brother to several siblings and had plenty of practice dealing with kids. He’d been a natural manny and tutor to his young charges.
While Snoy whisked Anrel away to her nursery for her nap, I followed Clan Aslada to the not-so-common common room, where they preferred to relax.
It was another overwhelming space. There was a huge vid game table, where the surface displayed whatever contest was programmed and played. Tokens, if used, were rendered in 3D that was so real, you’d swear you could pluck them right off the table.
A map was displayed on the table. From the tiny figures of ground troops standing on the landscapes and the military craft hovering in the air over them, I guessed this to be a kind of war game, something that entailed involved strategy. It had been paused at some point, with everything frozen at a standstill. It was fascinating, but having viewed the aftermath of the real thing recently, my stomach churned a little.
The info/entertainment system was immense too. The vid screen nearly covered an entire wall. There were four more smaller screens, two on each side of the mammoth one.
“As governor, I need to keep up on a lot of news,” Aslada told me. “Even though the feeds strive to be objective, some bias can slip through. I can get a feel for how different sections of the public view what’s happening.”
“Not to mention catching the first updates on the election returns on voting day,” Jaon smirked.
Aslada gave him a disgruntled expression. “If I have the means to keep track, why shouldn’t I? I don’t hear you complaining when there are a kurble match, a shuttle race, and the fights on at the same time. I really do insist on all the vids for the news,” he insisted to me.
If they were spoiling to argue over Aslada’s purposes for having his own multiplex, it was cut short by the arrival of Nomol. He went straight to the carved wood bar that took up half the wall opposite the vid wall. He smiled at me. “Would you like to try another drink, Matara? Give me a flavor and let me try to come up with something to please you.”
“How are you on Earther tastes?” I challenged him. “I’m a coffee and chocolate addict.”
His grin widened and he started mixing. “I’ve had the opportunity to try them both. I might have something you’ll enjoy.”
A couple minutes later I was sipping a frothy concoction that tasted of a dark stout with strong chocolate and coffee flavoring. It was perhaps the best drink I’d ever had in my life. I told Nomol he’d better save the recipe for that one.
As with the rest of the place, the furnishings were elegant, almost too fabulous for me to dare touch. The massive seating surface that faced the vid wall was more a piece of art than furniture. Its back and sides were sculptural metal, formed to resemble the intricately woven branches of the trees that dotted the nearby hills. The leaves were metal too, and colored in various hues that stunned the eye with amazing detail. It curved halfway around the great circular firepit in the center of the room.
When Meyso indicated I was to make myself comfortable on the dark green crushed velvet upholstery of this couch, I sat down gingerly. It was surprisingly comfortable, as soft and giving as any well broken-in sofa. I was terrified of spilling my drink or of doing any damage to such a magnificent piece. I only relaxed when Jaon flopped down next to me, with no more care than if he sat on an old, battered recliner. Meyso sat on my other side, also with casual indifference.
“Did you enjoy the tour?” Aslada asked after settling himself on Meyso’s far side. His playful attempts to kick Jaon over so that he could sit next to me hadn’t budged the Nobek for an instant, so he gave up with an exaggerated pout.
“It was wonderful. This is a beautiful area.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Aslada beamed. “Everyone is always carrying on about the capital and the cliffs – and yes, it is picturesque there – but this continent has quite a bit to offer as well.”
“You said you hope to have a second Matara Complex built on this side of the world.”
“Right in my own territory,” Aslada confirmed. “In fact, that’s among the proposals I’d appreciate your help in making a vid for—”
He was interrupted by my portable com going off. “Sorry.” I fumbled it out of the pouch I kept it in. “I bet it’s my friends. I forgot to tell them I got here safe and sound.”
I checked the frequency and felt my face go hot. It was not Candy or Katrina. The com was from Larten. I swear I was trying to send his call to record a message, but I hit the wrong darned icon and connected the damned thing instead.
Oops.
I couldn’t very well click off on him, so I spoke weakly. “Hi.”
He sounded darkly gleeful, almost as if he could sense the bad situation I’d put myself in. “Hello, Shalia. I take it you made it to your destination all right?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jaon’s brow rise at the sound of another man’s voice. Yeah, try sounding casual in my situation. Ha. This sucked on so many levels.
“I’m here in one piece. Having a lovely visit. It’s quite beautiful.”
“And Anrel? How is my other sweet girl after her journey?”
Larten had guessed I had an audience. He’d placed plenty of emphasis on the word my. Jaon’s other brow traveled up.
“She’s great. Napping.” Desperate to snatch this awful scene from the jaws of calamity, I asked, “Can I com you later? This isn’t such a good time.”
Aslada snorted.
I swear I could hear the grin on Larten’s face stretching from ear to ear. “No need. I just wanted tell you I’ve sent that list of physical and combat trainers you asked for.”
Jaon muttered a dismissive sound. I ignored him.
“Thank you, Larten,” I sighed. There had been no reason for him to com. I would have been alerted to the new files on my handheld. He knew that. He was playing Nobek games, apparently.
“Have a nice visit, Shalia. Give my other girl a kiss for me.”
“Goodbye, Larten.” I
heard a short bark of laughter, cut off when I disconnected.
Aslada’s expression was a pleasant mask. He addressed Jaon. “I was under the impression you were taking care of that.”
“What’s to take care of? I’m here. Shalia has no reason to worry over her safety.”
“I should hope not.”
I gave the Nobek a sidelong look. “As I told you, training is important to me. Whether or not you can keep me safe while I’m here is not the issue. I want this.”
Jaon gazed at me, flummoxed. “Why? Just because others couldn’t keep you from being attacked during your trip—”
I was not about to hear him denigrate Oses or any of the Pussy ‘Porter’s security. “Let me stop you right there.” I kept my tone as non-confrontational as I could. “I had the best damned weapons commander in the fleet watching out for me. I had a transport full of highly-trained security and destroyers ready to fight to the death for me. And just like all of life, shit still happened.” I settled my hand on his. “It’s obvious you’re good at what you do. You’re a hell of a Nobek, an incredible protector. It could be you’re right, that training is a waste of my efforts. Even so, I need this for my own peace of mind. If I’ve learned nothing else, I know for a fact that shit will continue to happen to me.”
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