Stardancer (Tellaran Series) (26 page)

Now Kinara did smile. “Poor man.”

“He was indeed to be pitied,
Cy’atta
,” Aidar agreed. “I was as poor a student as could be found. But in Bebti’s eyes I see one with the heart to be a great warrior.”

Kinara turned her face away. “You mean to fight the enemies of the Az-kye
.
”

“You have argued with your brother again.”

Startled, Kinara met Aidar’s mild gaze. 

“I can’t seem to be in the same room without fighting with him these days,” she said finally. “Damn it, sometimes I just want to—” She broke off, making a gesture of frustration.

“Break a vase over his head?”

“Yes! Maybe he’d start thinking again if I did.”

“Ah,” Aidar said, nodding. “So he does not think.”

“Oh, he thinks all right! He thinks about how everything is the Az-kyes’ fault!”

“This is not so?”

“He told me,” she said. “What happened out there between the
Reliant
and the
Ty’pran
between—between you. None of what my father told me was true and I—” She closed her eyes briefly. “If I’d known . . .”

He gave a rueful smile. “You would never have come to Az-kye space.”

“Gods know I would have grieved, but I— It would not have seemed so unfair, so  . . . I don’t know.” She pushed her hair back. “And it’s like he doesn’t accept any responsibility for what happened! He acts as if it’s okay to go around attacking Az-kye and they’re not entitled to fight back.”

“And this is not so?”

She looked across the garden he had given her. The house gate was closed for the night and above the wall, thousands upon thousands of lights shone in the Empress’ City.

The Az-kye were the Realm’s enemies.

But they aren’t mine.

Laric showing her how to hold her fan. Holding her namesake, Nyat’s daughter. Bebti’s shining eyes.

And Aidar.

“No, it’s not so.” She sighed, sitting down on a low wall. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”

“It is easy to hate what one doesn’t understand. Once I did feel so about Tellarans.”

She blinked. “You hated Tellarans?”

“I hated what I thought they were.”

She searched his face. “And what do you think now?”

Aidar sat beside her. “Tellaran honor is . . .
different
but it is strong. You would not forget your brother even though he speaks harshly to you, even though he was defeated. To do so would dishonor you.”

Kinara watched the pattern the torch’s flames made on the path. “Actually I’d like to forget him sometimes. I thought what happened had changed him, had made him into this bitter, angry man. Now I’m starting to wonder if I just didn’t really know my brother.”

Or maybe I don’t know myself anymore.

“What will you do?”

“I don’t know. I can’t keep him prisoner in the house but I can’t get him to behave. He’s causing all kinds of talk. When I went to see Helia of the Az’shu she implied that she knows about Kyndan’s behavior.” 

Aidar frowned and she sighed.

“The women talk to other women, Aidar. It was bound to get out. You managed to get him away from Unata on the premise that you wanted to punish him for his ‘attack’ and now not only hasn’t he been punished, he acts as if he owns the place.”

“Send him away.”

“I can’t do that! How would that make him feel? And where would I send him anyway?”

“The Tellarans will arrive on Az-kanzar soon,” Aidar reminded. “Someone will need to organize them and oversee their work. Kyndan was once their commander.”

Kinara’s eyes widened. “Oh, stars, that’s a great idea! It would give him something to do and it would get him off the Imperial world.” She nodded. “I’ll tell him in the morning.”

“No,” Aidar said firmly. “The duties of slaves are my responsibility.  I will tell him.”

Kinara hesitated. “I don’t know . . .”

He raised an eyebrow. “You think he will refuse to help his people if the knowing comes from me?”

She smiled wryly. “Let me know if he needs anything broken over his head.”

Aidar’s warm dark eyes sent a rush of longing through her.

“I haven’t had dinner yet,” she said impulsively. “Are you hungry?” 

He shook his head. Did he linger over meals with Senya as he once had with her? Did they laugh together and share a plate?

She looked out over the garden. “I need you to escort me on a visit I must make tomorrow.”

“I am free in the morning.”

“I have some other things to do after that too. I’ll need you to come with me.”

He hesitated. “For how long do you require me?”

“Probably all day tomorrow.”

And the next day, and the day after . . .

He frowned. “Truly, I have . . . much to attend to.”

She gripped the low wall, the stones biting into her fingers but her voice was steady. “Well, I guess—whatever it is—will just have to wait.”

Aidar sent the message to Cenna with his regrets that he could not accompany her to the Cye clanhouse. Lianna’s mother sold some of the Tellarans and the Cye clan had purchased four. Cenna planned to travel to their clanhouse north of the city in hopes of purchasing them. 

He accompanied Cenna whenever he could as she called in favors and made inquiries. She learned which clans owned Tellarans and was quietly trying to buy them. 

Aidar sighed.

Again today Dael angrily rebuffed Aidar’s attempt to regain Nisara. Dael’s affection for the Tellaran girl Aidar had given him while still aboard the
Ty’pran
had grown into absolute adoration.

Cenna’s gentle reminder to Dael, as she sat between them, that Dael must someday choose one of the women who had offered for him as mate led to a bitter shouting match between the two. Cenna was far too softhearted to force her brother into marriage but by the end of the hour she’d been swearing that she would order one immediately.

Aidar shook his head at the memory. Dael’s marriage could forge a strong alliance and it was Cenna’s first duty to see to the well-being of her clan. In the end the two had finally come to an uneasy peace. Nisara would remain with Dael and Cenna would continue to evaluate offers for him that she knew he would not accept. 

Aidar doubted Lianna would sell Tedah, even for a mountain of jewels. Cenna said the girl kept him with her constantly. 

Aidar turned the corner and nearly collided with Kyndan.   

“Can’t get away from these starblasted Az-kye,” Kyndan muttered.

“Such would be difficult in the Empress’ City.”

Kyndan stopped short. “You bastard! You speak Tellaran?”

Aidar’s palm itched to draw his blade. 

Then he did the unthinkable for a warrior confronted with insult. 

He ignored it. 

“Tedah taught me much.”

Kyndan snorted. “Tedah, teach
you
? I don’t believe it.”

“It is so,” Aidar said, proud he kept the annoyance out of his voice. “We found much to speak of.”

“Like my sister?” Kyndan’s mouth took on a cruel curve. “You know, he really cared about her. I think he even wanted to marry her. They spent a great deal of time together . . . alone. I bet she misses him.”

Aidar forced a stiff nod. “It is so. She misses his counsel. As do I.”

“His counsel?” Kyndan mocked. “You aren’t really suggesting there’s something Az-kyes don’t know?”

“Az-kye do not know Tellarans,” Aidar said. “And I would have your help.”

“If you think I’m going to help you fuck my sister, you lousy —”

Aidar held up his hand. “Many of the Tellarans from the
Reliant
and the
Rapier
have been sent to our lands on Az-kanzar.”

Kyndan’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

“I must choose someone to oversee their work and see to their care. I cannot allow that they lay idle,” Aidar said. “But I do not require they work till exhaustion or labor when they are ill. I have chosen a warrior who speaks some Tellaran but although he understands many words he does not always understand the meaning. Gladly did I once give such a task to Tedah.  I would that you take it.”

Kyndan lifted his chin. “Maybe you’re just sending me away to keep me from Kinara.”

“This is so,” Aidar admitted. “Others see that you treat her in a way not keeping with her status. They wonder why you are not punished.  It is difficult for her to attend her duties if you behave so.”

Kyndan gave a short laugh. “Your guards make good spies, Az-kye.”

“I have heard from them of such. But she has spoken to me also.  Do you wish, you may ask her if it is a true offer.”

“I will,” Kyndan snapped, walking past him.

“Kyndan Maere,” Aidar called.

Kyndan started at the sound of his name and looked back. “What?”

“I vow to be the husband your sister deserves.”

Kyndan’s lip curled. “I would gladly have seen us both dead, Az-kye, than my sister married to
you
.”

Aidar inclined his head. “Still, she is my wife now and, by Tellaran custom, you my brother. I would have us at peace for her sake.”

Kyndan’s blue eyes were hard. “Well, then,
brother
, show it with something more than words. Send me and my people back to Tellaran space.”

Aidar hesitated, but he could not trust Kyndan with his plan.

He would not risk failing her again and he had so much to atone for.

“I do think on it.”

Kyndan studied him. “Do you mean that?”

“See to the Tellarans and you will know that I do.”

Kyndan held his gaze for a moment longer and then turned away.

The chambers where the Council for Trade met were new, the paint and decoration as bright as streamers at a Tellaran wedding.  Now used to what she had once considered an eyesore of colors, Kinara found she liked the decoration. Almost as much as she preferred the Az-kye women’s strategizing to Tellaran reliance on the Fleet’s military muscle to keep the peace between the Tellaran worlds. 

She was still learning their ways but that gave her a fresh perspective that only an outsider could have. She and Aidar were a tiny clan indeed and others might not want to throw support to such a precarious house but at least she didn’t have to police a hundred and fifty relatives. 

She looked different but everyone in the Empress’ City seemed to know who she was.

And in a minute they’ll never forget.

Kinara tried to quiet the pounding of her heart. If she was going to succeed she
had
to put herself forward today. 

She took a seat at the crescent-shaped Council table.

A ripple of shock ran through the crowd. Aidar took up position behind her chair. Kinara opened her fan and waved it lazily in front of her face. It was a good trick to make her appear composed and hide the fact that her hands were shaking.

She’d taken Helia of the Az’shu’s seat. That would bump that woman back to a seat at the very front. Helia might still see the advantage to being further down in an assembly whose power had grown by leaps and bounds.

Or she might be offended enough to declare clan war.

Banne arrived and, progressive she was, gave a tight smile when she saw where Kinara sat. She took the chair next to her.

Kinara exchanged pleasantries with Banne as the chambers filled. There was a distinct muttering. 

Then Helia arrived. 

Kinara’s stomach was in knots as she quickly ran through her options. If she got up now, before the meeting began, she could take another seat and forget this plan. But doing so would be an admission that she had bitten off more than she could chew and Az-kye didn’t think much of cowards. Or losers. 

The woman paused before the Council table, a warrior—likely her mate—at her heels. Although Kinara kept her eyes on Banne, she could almost feel Helia’s anger. This was a critical moment. Helia could declare clan war only before or after the Council meeting. Kinara was hoping to solidify her position by the end of the meeting but right now her place was damn precarious.

Helia finally took her seat in the front; the warrior took up position beside her.  Kinara felt her shoulders relax a little. 

Pellena came in. The woman was frowning at Kinara as she sank into her own seat.  

Yeah, me grabbing a Council seat was probably not what she intended when she suggested I attend this meeting.

There were nine women on this Council and of the other six Kinara had made friendly acquaintanceships with all but one—Narla, Unata’s mother.

Narla looked at her coldly as she took her seat. Kinara barely remembered to keep her fan moving slowly.  

“We begin,” Banne said, as leader of the Council.

Banne started by inviting Kinara to speak first. It was a clever move. If the Council and assembly were agreeable to her plan, Banne gained status. If not, she could claim no involvement and let the Tellaran-born
Ti’antah
fail on her own.

“Council member!” called a voice from the back when Kinara had finished outlining her proposal. “What of the special dispensation given to the Council for Food?”

“Even with that, they cannot offer grain at the price we can by selling it directly. And, after all, it is the place of the Council for Trade to regulate imports,” Kinara said firmly.

Surprise and excitement spread though the crowd at this. With such a policy enacted all the members from Council Leader to the lowest member in the back would profit enormously. In bold one move, their group would seize much of the power that the Council for Food presently held.

Kinara kept her eye on Helia as the debate commenced. The Lady of the Az’shu listened to the growing support in the assembly then met Kinara’s gaze. The Lady bent her head slightly, one competitor to another.

Between the rise in power that Trade had taken, the jump in status for all its members, and the exclusive contract Kinara had given her to sell yentath cloth, the Lady of the Az’shu had done very well indeed. And the glimmer of a smile she sent Kinara showed she harbored no ill will to the woman who had taken her place.

Kinara let her breath out in relief. 

Bet she’ll be back at this table in six months. Just so long as it’s not my seat she takes.

The debate ground to a halt. Even the dour Narla finally conceded to Kinara’s plan and the motion was passed unanimously.

Kinara took a deep breath and looked at Banne. “Council Leader, if I may?”

Banne looked at her questioningly but nodded her approval. “Of course, Lady of the Az’anti.”

Kinara turned and addressed the assembly. “I suggest that the Council for Trade, can, and should, do more. As the ancient clans did when they first sought each other, now we too must look beyond our own self-imposed boundary. The Council for Trade must serve the needs of the Az-kye.”

The crowd waited expectantly for her next words. Kinara felt her heart hammering against her chest, acutely aware of Aidar slightly shifting his stance behind her. 

She lifted her chin. “I propose we open trade with the Tellaran Realm.”

Kinara heard Aidar’s swift intake of breath. There was a stunned silence in the hall.

Pellena recovered first. “Impossible!”

“Some merchants already trade quietly with them,” Kinara pointed out. “There is hardly one among us who does not own some bauble whose stones originated in Tellaran space.”

Pellena sputtered. “An underclass of smugglers is entirely different than— We cannot open trade with barbarians!”

Narla held up her hand. “Why do you propose such a measure, Lady of the Az’anti?”

Kinara steeled herself inwardly
. Here we go.
“I think the Tellarans would pay well for my cloth. And I can see,” Kinara continued with a pointed glance at the elaborate lemani jeweled collar Narla wore, “we share a fondness for Tellaran jewels.”

Narla’s eyes narrowed.

Damn it, I can’t back down now. By tomorrow I’d be lucky to have a seat in the back row of this hall.

“I think the Lady of the Az’anti forgets our history. She forgets that respectable Az-kye do not”—Narla threw a smirk at Aidar—
mingle
with the clanless.”

Kinara lifted her chin. “Az-kye relations with Tellarans need not be adversarial. We can work together for our mutual benefit.”

“Mutual benefit?”  Narla raised an eyebrow. “Do you speak from experience, Lady of the Az’anti?”

She smiled tightly. “I have the selfsame experience as you, Lady of the Az’quen.  I own many Tellaran slaves.”

Narla’s dark eyes glittered. “Indeed the Lady of the Az’anti treats slaves as family.”

Easy to see where Unata gets her charm from.
“Narla, Tellarans are not Az-kye,” Kinara replied, deliberately dropping the formal address.  “Yes, I do admit that I have had troubles with them. Do you say you have not?”

Narla’s color rose. It was after all her own daughter’s slave that had publicly “attacked” Kinara. 

Kinara looked at the women seated before her in the hall. “The Tellarans have many things we could trade for. They have comforts, exotic foods, and raw materials that are rare on Imperial worlds.”

“Such a decision cannot be made lightly,” Pellena protested nervously. “We must examine the idea to see if it is even feasible.”

Kinara nodded, seeing her opportunity to ease off without losing face. “I agree completely. It was never my intention that we decide something this momentous today. I only suggest that it be considered for future debate.”

Pellena shifted in her seat. “Well . . . well, I find
that
acceptable. We will be busy for a long while attending to the new policy of imports. I suggest we all examine the possibility of opening trade with the Tellarans.”

The Council members nodded with transparent relief and the crowd whispered excitedly. It was one thing to push such a radical idea and quite another to present it for consideration. It left everyone speculating and, she hoped, time to warm to the idea.

But for now
, Kinara thought, smiling as she stepped into the sunlight after the meeting,
I made it to a council seat
.

“Trade with the Tellarans?” Aidar hissed. “How could you do such?”

Kinara glanced back at Aidar. “What do you mean? It’s the duty of the Council members to introduce policy. I did my job.”

“You risk our very lives with your recklessness,” he snapped. “Do you think that the War Council will let you wander as you please in Tellaran space?”

“The Empire is not at war with the Realm,” she said impatiently. “Gods, even if we only got the outer worlds to trade with us do you know what that would mean for our clan?”

“You have intruded where only the Elders or the Empress may venture.”

“All I did was
suggest
.  And if the Elders order me to back down I will, but I don’t think that’ll happen.”

“Do we send ships to Tellaran space they will declare war.”

“No, they won’t!” Kinara cried. “They aren’t monsters. Look at the good this can do! Don’t you think the Tellarans want peace, just as much as we do?”

Aidar searched her face.  “We?”

“Yes, I’m, well I’m—” But she didn’t know what she was. Was Kyndan right? Had she become one of them? She loved being an Az-kye
Ti’antah
. She loved having a chance to shape policy, the power to run her clan.

And Aidar . . . 

But he had never spoken one word of love to her and she knew the reason why. He loved Senya and she looked away before he could see the tears in her eyes. 

“I have duties to see to,” she said, walking past him.

“Do you require my attendance?”

“Yes,” she said hoarsely, not looking at him. “Yes, I do.”  

Laric waited just inside the main gate of the house. Catching sight of her maid’s frightened expression, Kinara quickened her steps.

“My lady,” Laric whispered, drawing her inside, “there is someone
here
.”

“In the garden?”

Laric shook her head. “Oh, no, my lady. I did not dare put them there.”

Kinara and Aidar exchanged a glance.
Them?

“Where then?” Aidar asked.

“I have sent my lady’s women away and put them in your apartments, my lord.” Laric glanced around the street nervously, wringing her hands. “I did not know what else I could do.”

Kinara hurried inside. The upper halls were empty. Even her guards were gone.

Aidar beat her to their door and opened it. He stopped so abruptly that Kinara collided with him. 

“Tedah!” Kinara cried, smiling and threw herself into his arms. “Stars, what are you doing here?”

Tedah hugged her back then gave her a sheepish smile.