Authors: Lisanne Norman
Shaqee nodded, her black mane of hair rising slightly in anger. "Home is not pleased either. Some items of ours were also sold as Chemerian goods. Action must be taken against you and your people, Taira, from all of us. On our world, to do this would result in imprisonment for a long time."
Toueesut looked at Jordan.
"I agree," the Human said. "What's the point in having treaties if they're broken without fear of reprisals? Your people have been exposed as kidnappers, liars, and frauds, Taira, and my government wants to see you held personally responsible for your attempt to kidnap Kate Harvey and her Leska."
Hteiwossay lowered his neck, looking around his fellow councillors before speaking. "Warriors are we, Chemerian. Pride ourselves on our honor. There is no honor in anything you have done. My government owes you much but is prepared to cancel all contracts with your people unless you swear this will not happen again."
"You can't do that!" exclaimed Taira, his voice rising in pitch. "Your government owes us much for the ships we have leased to you!"
"Paying off the debt we have been doing for many years," said Hteiwossay with a deep hiss of anger. "Vast sums you have charged for the ships which take us into space. Knowing now we are that you hid the existence of Alliance until we had signed many contracts with you. Even if we have only those few ships we have paid for, finding work elsewhere with more honorable people should not be difficult."
As Taira began an angry reply, Toueesut gave a high-pitched trill that made everyone clap their hands to their ears in distress. While they recovered, he consulted again with his swarm companions.
"Arguing is not what we came here for," he said sternly, looking at Taira, who was still rubbing his ears and moaning. "Is it being agreed by us all that you did try to kidnap the young ones?" He looked around the semicircle, receiving nods and gestures of agreement.
"Obvious it is that you purposely hid the existence of the Free Traders and the Alliance from us all, so a punishment must be set for these crimes you and your species have committed. I have decided you will be sent back to your world under escort and not allowed to return for two months. Your world will hand over to the Alliance Council the papers dealing with all the ships you have supplied to the Sumaan, the amounts you are charging and the amounts they have paid. They will be looked into by our auditors and fair prices determined. Long enough have you held the Sumaan to ransom over these ships and long enough have they been tied to only you as their suppliers and employers. The Chemerian homeworld and its colonies will also be made accessible to all Alliance members, not just the Free Traders. This is the price you will pay to the Alliance and the Free Traders for your duplicity."
He stood up as Taira began to protest loudly. "You can choose to leave the Alliance if that is more to your liking. This is my judgment. Does any member of the council disagree with it?"
Again there was a quiet chorus of agreement from all present.
Toueesut looked over to the two Sholan guards at the door. "See the Ambassador is taken to Lygoh Spaceport and boards his ship. Arrange for him to have an escort back to his homeworld." With that, Toueesut, surrounded by his swarm, left in a cloud of scented air.
Falma and Hteiwossay were the last to leave the council room. As the Sholan gathered his papers and looked over at the large Sumaan Ambassador, he said quietly, "That was unexpected. Hit the damned Chemerians where it'll really hurt. In their banks. And it frees your people from them."
Hteiwossay shrugged, lips curling back from his teeth in a small grin as he got to his feet. "It is being to everyone's benefit that we are no longer tied to the Chemerians. Fighting for them not appealing to Warriors such as us. They have little honor." He lowered his neck until his head was close to Falma's ear, then in what was for him a whisper, he said, "Our people let U'Churians take the Sholan hatchlings. Waiting for word still we are from Kusac, the son of your employer. Closer links with Sholan Warriors there will soon be."
Startled, Falma took a step backward. "Excuse me?"
"Ah, knowing about this you aren't," he said, tilting his head from one side to the other. "No matter, soon you will. Toueesut's judgment making this easier." With that, he ambled off, leaving behind a very puzzled Falma.
* * *
Elsewhere in the Palace, Rhyaz was meeting with Raiban.
"Cutbacks?" said Rhyaz. "I've heard nothing about cutbacks for the military. If anything, your budget was increased because of the Prime crisis."
"Call it economies, then," said Raiban, sitting back in her chair. "You wanted independence, Rhyaz, I'm giving it to you. Your people will have to pay for their own arms and munitions if they're working for the Forces."
"Then put their wages up, dammit!" said Rhyaz angrily. "Your budget includes cash to employ the Brotherhood as specialists and tutors to the Forces."
"Does it? I haven't got that in writing. Have you?" she asked urbanely.
"What is it you're really after, Raiban?" he asked quietly, keeping a tight rein on his temper. "What is all this aggravation of my people in aid of?"
"I'm letting you experience a few of life's realities, Rhyaz. You're more ambitious than Ghezu, I'll give you that, but you're still new at your post in the Brotherhood. Ambition without substance will get you nowhere, and you have no financial backing. You need the Forces. We're your main employer. Trying to sustain that fleet and outpost of yours without the money your people get from us is impossible. All you have to do is become part of us and your problems will melt away."
He stared at her for a long moment. "I see," he said quietly, then got to his feet. "You know, Lijou was right about you."
She frowned. "I don't know what you mean."
"He said the threat you made to Kha'Qwa wasn't an empty one. I told him you wouldn't be foolish enough to send troops to Stronghold to have him arrested."
"Look, that business with Kha'Qwa was unfortunate," she said, sitting up, her indolent pose dropped. "I forgot she was pregnant. No one's more glad than me that their cub was born safely."
"She nearly bled to death, Raiban. I don't think you realize how ill she was. She'll never have any more cubs," he said coldly. "And all because you couldn't speak to Father Lijou the instant you wanted."
"She only fell over, for Vartra's sake!"
"She had a medical condition that wasn't discovered till then."
"That's hardly my fault! Why has it suddenly become an issue, Rhyaz? This happened nearly a month ago!"
"Kha'Qwa had to have further surgery yesterday, that's why Lijou didn't come to the ceremonies."
"Why didn't you say so instead of giving us some other half-broiled excuse?" she demanded. "Your people are always trying to create an air of secrecy around you. It's time you joined the real world, Rhyaz. You can't survive without us."
"My friends' private lives are just that. Private. And Hell will freeze over before the Brotherhood joins the Forces, Raiban. You don't give a damn for my people. They do all the dirty jobs your Forces haven't the training or the stomach for, and still you despise us. You haven't even offered an apology to Kha'Qwa and Lijou!"
"It wasn't my fault, dammit!" she snarled, her short hair rising till it stood out like stiff bristles on a brush. "If you hadn't been so damned secretive about what you were doing, none of this would have happened. You want to blame someone for Kha'Qwa's fall, then blame yourself for running off to Haven!"
"The Forces need us, Raiban; we don't need you, as you're about to find out," he said quietly before turning to leave.
"You pull any stunts, Rhyaz, and you'll find your contract with us torn up!" she yelled out after him.
"You can't do it," he said, opening the door and looking back over his shoulder at her. "Just as you haven't the right to arrest the Father, only Kha'Qwa didn't know that. Governor Nesul agrees with the contract, not you. Just make sure you're prepared for the consequences if you carry on this war against us, Raiban."
He was fuming as he headed down the corridor to the vehicle park, L'Seuli following silently in his wake. Lijou had come to him yesterday after Noni had broken the bad news. He wouldn't soon forget their distress. At least they had their son. But Raiban's attitude incensed him. Had she shown any remorse over the incident, it would have been another matter. Let her assimilate the Brotherhood, make it part of the Forces? Never! If she wanted a fight, by Vartra, she'd get it!
He barely noticed the group of U'Churians ahead until one blocked his path. Startled, he looked up, aware that his Second was now by his side, hand resting warningly on his arm.
"You are Commander Rhyaz of the Brotherhood? I recognize the uniform."
The Sholan was good and well accented, as if the speaker had learned it from a native.
"Captain Tirak?" asked L'Seuli, stepping forward.
The black-pelted male nodded, mouth widening in a smile. "I'd not expected to see you here, Commander. Can we talk privately? I have a matter of importance I must discuss with your Guild Master." He handed Rhyaz a sealed letter. "From Ambassador Shaqee. It will explain much."
"The aircar, Commander," suggested L'Seuli in a low voice. "Raiban's..."
"Come with us," interrupted Rhyaz, taking Tirak by the arm. "There are ears everywhere at present."
Valsgarth Estate, later the same day
Her father decided to accept Rhyasha's and Konis' invitation to extend his visit.
"I'll have time to call in on Jack," he said. "See more of my granddaughter." He scratched Kashini behind the ears but the cub was tired and did no more than yawn before snuggling down in Carrie's arms, purring gently.
Kaid excused himself, saying Rhyasha wanted him to remain behind, probably something to do with Kitra's and Dzaka's wedding, he reassured her. T'Chebbi decided she wanted to walk back, so Carrie was left to return alone with Kusac in the aircar.
"I thought the visit went well," she said, attempting to break the silence as they skimmed along the roadway between the two estates.
"Kashini certainly captivated your father."
"Who wouldn't be captivated by her?" she murmured, resting her head against her daughter's. "You were good company tonight, Kusac. Thank you for making the effort."
Kusac raised the vehicle's nose, taking it over the wall into the villa grounds. "I'm glad it went well," he said, slowing down as he took them round to the side of the house to park. "I thought I'd go to Vanna's tonight," he said awkwardly. "Tomorrow's your Link day with Kaid. I can't stay with my parents as usual with your father there, and I have an open invitation from Vanna and Garras."
"There's no need," she began.
"
I
need to go," he interrupted, turning to look at her. In the moonlight, his eyes were almost luminous. "I've got a session with her therapist tomorrow anyway."
"I thought things were better between us." His decision had taken her by surprise.
He leaned forward to stroke her hair. "It's a start," he said gently. "I can't go too fast, Carrie. You take Kashini in tonight. Yashui can bring her over to me tomorrow morning."
Her heart sank as she nodded mutely and began to get up, but Kusac stopped her.
"I do love you," he said, resting his palm against her neck in an intimate gesture that startled her. "I wish we could turn the clock back, but we can't. I have to start again. I can't pick up from where we were before."
"I understand," she said, voice husky with tears she didn't want to shed in front of him. "I'd better go. I don't want Kashini to get chilled."
* * *
Once inside, Carrie gave the sleeping cub to Yashui to put to bed. In her current state of mind, her distress would only wake her daughter. She headed for the den, waiting for Kaid, only to have him send to tell her he was spending the night at the Shrine with Ghyan.
Zhala bustled in moments later to put a fresh pot of coffee on the hot plate and the next thing she knew, T'Chebbi was there. She found Carrie hugging a crumpled, tearstained cushion.
"What happened now?" T'Chebbi asked, sitting down beside her. "I thought everything went well."
"Oh, don't mind me," she sniffed. "Yes, everything was fine. Dad's staying another couple of days and Rhyasha's got him organized. He's meeting Jack tomorrow for a tour round the main estate. He's coming here the day after."
"Uh huh. So where're the males?" she asked shrewdly, taking the cushion away from her.
"Kusac's gone over to Vanna's and Garras', and Kaid's spending the night at the Shrine."
"What? Both of them away? I thought Kusac at least would be with you. Seemed much better tonight."
"He is, but he's saying we have to start again."
She frowned. "Again what?" Then she figured it out. "Ah. Has he spent a night with you since Haven?"
Carrie shook her head miserably.
"Me neither," she said thoughtfully as she put an arm round Carrie's shoulders. "Kaid told me Kusac hurt you accidentally that night. Figure he's afraid it happens again."
"Kaid told me he went up to the observation deck with you. What did you talk about?"
She shrugged. "This and that," she said vaguely.
"I need to know, T'Chebbi. It might help," she said, sitting up.
T'Chebbi sighed, taking hold of her hands. "Kusac realized he'd relied on his Talent with you. Never learned his own strength. You have to realize he was still growing till then, physically working out with Kaid before we went to Jalna. His whole life had changed in a year— from Telepath to Brother. Takes time to know your own strength in every situation, Carrie. We're much stronger than you to start with. And he got it wrong with you. Happens to us all at least once, especially the first time. Probably what he means about starting again. No need for you to be afraid of him."
"I understand, I think. But he's the one keeping his distance, not me." She gave a small grin. "Rhyasha suggested your perfume."
T'Chebbi raised her eye ridges and grinned. "She told you about that? Story's got around some. Not a good idea with Kusac. Let him take time with you. If he gets it wrong again, do more harm than good. However," she said with a grin, "no reason why you can't use it on Kaid. He'd enjoy it."
"I can't make him stay with me if he..."
"Not
make,
just encourage. Maybe time I taught you a few Consortia tricks. Two males like them not easy to handle. You need advantages."
"I don't think..."
"Don't think. Trust me." T'Chebbi patted her hand before pulling her to her feet. "Too many nights alone not good for any of us. Time we females fought back."