The Alien Library (17 page)

The shepherd chuckled. “He is near to choosing a mate, and showing a preference for Twilie. What direction would you go, Tendar? I can see her sent ahead.”

“To Saphiri. If there is a need, we leave for the jungles.” Tendar took a deep breath, mingled his breath with the backalong. “He enjoyed their presence.”

“As I said, he is quickly maturing.” Larbra smacked Ughly. “Go on, back to the water. It was a dry trip.”

Tendar watched the play in the water for nearly an hour, his mind juggling the possible conclusions to this farce. At last, he left the backalongs, trusting that the shepherd would assist. It was doubtful that the Gatherers would allow the trial to reach a death phase, but that could not be counted on. He would swim and continue the song of essets.

The sun had set when Tendar entered Opal Bay once more. The sweetness of his soul’s hunger eased into the water, dallied on the surface, then sank into the currents. It wound into the deep, along the coast, until the very air vibrated with the harmony.

*****

Cameron moaned in her sleep, hands wandering. She had dropped into a nap quickly, after assisting a member of the kitchen help in clearing the dinner remnants. She was brought a selection of books and had attempted to read, but the day’s surprises had robbed her of the concentration necessary to make sense of what she read. She stood for a long time, listening to the water under her balcony wash back and forth. There were some bits of luminescence in the bay, playing with her eyes.

“I wonder if they are fish or just bits of plankton,” she muttered to herself as she glanced around the confines of the bay. “And are there dragons here?” A short tap on her door caused her to turn. “Yes?”

“It’s Pindari,” the familiar voice spoke. “Did you get the nettle pods?”

“Yes, come in!” Cam strode to the door.

“I am not allowed, dear. I have seen Daniel and he is well. If you have need, Thandin has a man with medical knowledge. Sleep, Cameron. Tomorrow you will testify. The rest have arrived.” Pindari’s sigh could be heard through the door.

Cameron leaned on the wood. “I miss…”

“I know. I must go now, Cameron. Goodnight.”

The librarian heard Pindari exchange words with her guard and tried not to cry out. She would not show her fear. She was not guilty; they would not pin this on her. So, with nothing else to do, she turned to the bed, set where the breeze from the ocean would hold off the heat.

The covers felt soft. Cameron pulled her nightshirt up and curled tightly around herself, only relaxing as sleep swept in. Her dreams filled with visions of Tendar, then swimming with Tendar and Daniel.

*****

Daniel welcomed the dreams. He’d been experiencing them for some weeks, but here, so close to Tendar, the dreams grew more vivid. The other difference was the presence of Cameron. With full knowledge of Tendar’s tactics, Daniel dove into the dream with full participation.

The two males played with Cameron, with each other. No words were spoken, but the seed of a song was fanned into budding inside of her. Its growth sped up, to meet the harmony with which they already swam.

*****

Tendar didn’t leave the bay until the sun began to lighten the sky. He glowed as Thandin approached him. The Kharmon shook his head. “Reign it in, brother. Saphiri is here, as are the rest. We begin when the sun shines on the theater.”

“I will be ready, Thandin,” Tendar said as he nodded. “Brother, is Leon up to examining Honi to discern if our father used his potion on her?”

Thandin tilted his head. “You don’t trust his appeal to lure her from your house?”

“I wonder if there were more to it. To steal Cameron’s journal, to fly here as if pursued? She has a good life at my estate. Our father was attractive and knew how to seduce. Why use the drugs? Had his lure faded?” Tendar sighed, running a hand down his frill, squeezing water from it.

“I will ask Leon to speak to Daniel and see what tests might reveal.” Thandin nodded. “Go, feed yourself. And congratulations.”

Tendar met his sibling’s eyes and stretched, nodding quickly and went in search of food. It would help him disguise the building joy.

Cameron walked into the theater with her head held high. A woman had helped her with a clean tunic, her office badge wiped clean of the salt water splashed on it the day before. The tunic returned to her dyed a soft blue green that set off her brown hair nicely. She wore the gaba seed bracelet, the only bit of decoration she owned.

Thandin gestured to a stool, set at the center of a stage, surrounded by stepped seats. A table sat nearby. On it, she saw her journal, along with a stack of letters. Her memory wandered to the question of where the Kharmon got the paper. She’d asked Pindari once and been told it came with the humans.

“I wonder if anyone ever notices all of the items that go missing,” she’d commented to Pindari.

“I would think not. From what I have seen from the new books, your Earth is overflowing with product,” the cook had chuckled. “Small drops of water are not missed in the flood.”

“I suppose so.” Cameron didn’t mention the computer records that were gradually tracking the so-called product.
They will eventually
, she’d thought to herself.
And somebody must miss the people.

With a sigh, she set the memory aside and took the stool. Thandin asked if she would like some water available.

“Yes, thank you.” She nodded and took the cup with a smile. Glancing at the assembly above her, she took a sip then waited, patiently. The water felt lovely traveling down her throat. The calmness she felt, the lack of fear, surprised her. The dreams of the night before must have built her confidence. She examined the faces of the Kharmon, each watching her closely.

A female Kharmon, one she didn’t recognize, examined her sharply, then turned to Thandin. “This is a cold blooded plotter? Killed my brother? I don’t believe it.”

“You haven’t heard all the evidence, aunt,” Teemin replied, ignoring Thandin’s shrug.

“Fine, impress me.” She sat down, arranging a brilliant green robe, split at several places to allow her to spread her long legs. Her demeanor made Cameron smile slightly. A quick wink from the female nearly saw the librarian laugh.

Teemin stifled that impulse with a sharp question, “Librarian Cameron, explain the books on human sexuality found scattered on the table the night my father died.”

“Explain…?” Cameron blinked. “The books in question were brought by your father and left for me to find. They had disappeared some months earlier.”

“Left for you to find? What was he doing with them?” Teemin snarled. “He did not find your species attractive.”

“I don’t know what he was doing with them. The evidence supported conjecture, which is all I could surmise.” Cameron shrugged. “As for finding my species attractive, I didn’t know him long enough to discern his tastes. I only know what he said to me.”

“When?” The female leaned forward, placing elbows on her knees.

“I’m sorry? When…what?” Cameron asked.

“What did my brother say to you that led you to form an opinion as to his tastes?” she asked.

“Your brother? I am sorry for your loss.” Cameron bowed her head slightly. “When Jefarin first visited the library, he found me as I put books away and, forgive me, but this is the word that fits, he spewed such vicious words at me. How Tendar would use me then discard me. Then Jefarin would…” She shuddered at the memory. “…would take over my training. He spoke of bondage, torture, rape.” She tried to shake the bitterness away, shrugging her shoulders. “I crumbled under the onslaught and was later found by Daniel, huddled near the stacks. I later found several books on sadomasochism techniques missing.”

“Ah, Jefarin’s tastes had developed along some hard lines. I am Saphiri. I run the jungle estates, Librarian Cameron.” She sighed. “Are these the books that were returned, the night he died?”

“Yes.” Cameron nodded.

Teemin glared at the librarian. “Why were these books part of your library?”

“I shelf what is given to me,” Cameron flatly replied.

“These books are obscene, like your species,” Teemin snarled.

Cameron didn’t reply.

“Well?” Teemin nearly shouted.

“I heard no question, sir.” She remained calm.

A chuckled came from Saphiri.

Thandin stood. “Why did you feel Jefarin left the books for you to find?”

Cameron closed her eyes a moment. “I heard a noise from where I’d been shelving, upstairs. I found the missing books, ones I’d missed after Jefarin’s first visit. They had been abused. The back spines were broken, their covers were sticky. I knew that scent. Kharmon sexual discharge. But more, my fingers began to burn.”

“Cameron, thank you. Leave the medical diagnoses for Daniel. What happened next?” Thandin interrupted.

“Your father taunted me, then sprang at me.” She forced herself to relate the events calmly. “I didn’t know what had happened until after. Sil found me and we were together when Jefarin tried to jump from Tendar’s tower to the library. He almost made it.”

“This is when he fell and died?” Thandin softly asked. “He almost made it?”

“I don’t know the distance. It was far. I’m sure Tendar can say exactly how far. Jefarin appeared possessed. The rage on his face, even from the distance, hinted at madness. He screamed as he jumped.” She shuddered. “If he hadn’t struck a bench perhaps he would have survived. Daniel told me you Kharmon are very sturdy.”

Teemin paced. “He was possessed?”

Cameron watched Tendar’s brother. “It is a figure of speech, but that is what I felt at the time. His pursuit of me was deranged.” She shrugged. “But I have never understood the role of rage in sexual attack. I’ve read about it, but that doesn’t begin to explain it, not really.”

Teemin stared at her. “You lured my father.”

Cameron stared back. “Is that a question?”

“Did you do anything to entice Jefarin to believe you were interested in him as a sexual partner?” Thandin asked.

“No, not that I am aware of. I am not fully aware of all Kharmon customs and I saw little of Jefarin. I wouldn’t think… No, I did nothing to entice Jefarin.” Cameron slumped, lifted the glass of water to her lips and took another sip.

“I have letters from my father, listing the numerous notes you wrote him. The books you sent him,” Teemin stated.

“I never wrote him. I never sent him any books,” Cameron flatly replied.

There was silence at her answer. Saphiri finally stood. “Recess, then we call the next witness.”

“May I ask something?” Cameron stood from the stool.

“Yes, Librarian?” Saphiri strode down to stand near her.

“Do I have a defense attorney? Someone to question the witnesses in my defense?”

“We are your defense, as well as your prosecutor,” Saphiri answered. “Thandin and myself. My remaining brothers excused themselves. Teemin refused to consider defense. That is his prerogative.”

Cameron looked confused. “How can you defend me, and prosecute?”

“We seek the truth. We have both sworn to remain open to either outcome. We are trustworthy, Librarian.” Saphiri smiled.

“Will I be here to listen to the next witness?” she quietly asked.

“No, you will return to your room. You will trust us to see to your interests.” Jefarin’s sister reached out and lightly touched Cameron’s hair. “My nephew is so very fortunate.” Her last words were a bare whisper.

Thandin took Cameron’s arm. “Would you like to swim this afternoon?”

“Yes,” she softly answered. “I am so confused. This is a trial?”

“This is an open hearing. A conclave opens all windows, all doors, all pages of this story. It is understood, this is a story, librarian.” Thandin led her out of the theater and turned her over to a familiar guard, who returned her to the balcony room.

“Pindari said she would prepare a lunch for you. We can take it with us to the beach.”

“I won’t know what is going on, will I?” She shook her head. “I don’t know if they believe me.”

“They believe you. You didn’t lie,” the guard replied.

“You were there? I didn’t see you.” She looked up at his smiling face.

“It is a large room. Spoken testimony always outweighs written. Teemin speaks for Jefarin, that is true. And he believes what he believes. But that doesn’t make it truth.” They waited in the room for the lunch basket to arrive. She stood on the balcony, gazing out at the water. There was an aura on the horizon. She didn’t know what it meant, but it lifted her heart.

“This isn’t a justice system I know. But they seem friendly. Thandin, Saphiri. Only Teemin is angry. The uncles loom, but stay silent,” she muttered to herself and snorted. “Lured him? Hell, I wouldn’t know how!”

When the lunch arrived, she followed her guard down to the shore. She’d seen few humans up until then. There were three women playing in the surf. Cameron stripped and joined them, enjoying the refreshment the ocean offered to her confusion.

Several miles away, Tendar also swam in the bay. Daniel entered the theater to begin his testimony as Tendar floated beneath the water’s surface. The physician was confident but also impatient. He took a seat on the stool, realized how uncomfortable it was and asked for a chair with a cushion. He knew his rights as a witness.

Teemin glared at him. “When did your relationship with my father begin to deteriorate? Didn’t you once consider him your benefactor?”

“Jefarin and I parted ways when I refused to stay with him after Pandra-i disappeared. He was never my benefactor, he was simply my benefactor’s partner,” Daniel replied. “I never wished him harm.” He turned to the rest and leaned forward. “When I discovered he’d been imbibing in an aphrodisiac, I was deeply disturbed.”

A murmur ran through the assembly. Teemin snorted. “We have only your word that he used a sexual enhancement.”

“It was more than an enhancement. I witnessed the destructive flight of an entire hive of flutterbees, reacting to a very small amount left in a bottle, months old, that Jefarin had been drinking from.” Daniel was succinct. He was certain to include details whenever he had the chance.

“When did you discover the aphrodisiac?” Thandin asked.

“The day Jefarin attacked Cameron, then came after me,” Daniel said. “If he hadn’t been so driven by this poison, he wouldn’t have tried to leap to the library. It was an impossible distance.”

“Where is the proof of his death?” Teemin asked.

“Gone. We left his body for Ix to assimilate. The ground was slightly disturbed when we returned twenty-four hours later to claim his dragon scale. We did find this.” He held up a ring. “It is feminine appearing. It was found near the bench.”

A soft sound came from the gallery. Daniel continued, “I showed the ring to several at the estate. It was thought to belong to one of the seamstress helpers, Honi.”

“Yes, it is mine. I must have lost it some days earlier,” Honi answered from the tiered seating.

“Honi, it is good to see you are well. We were concerned when you left the estate without a word.” Daniel smiled, though his voice held a note of disdain. “Odd, though. Toyoni signed a statement that you were wearing it that night Jefarin died.”

Honi didn’t reply for a moment, then sharply replied, “She was mistaken.”

“Mmm.” Daniel sniffed. “Sil and I followed all proper protocol. Jefarin was accepted back into Ix. We did him honor, waiting the entire twenty-four hour period before seeking his scale. All we found was the ring.”

“Let us leave that behind for the moment.” Thandin glanced up at Honi. “Please do not leave the assembly, seamstress. Jefarin attacked you?” he addressed Daniel again.

“I understand he first tried to assault Librarian Cameron. She was prudent and hid. I had no chance to hide. But Darjing had followed him into Tendar’s quarters and together we held him off. He was unnaturally strong.” Daniel sighed. “It was a sadness to see him so.”

“He was made mad by the librarian,” Teemin stated.

“He coveted the librarian and anything that his son, Tendar, possessed,” Daniel replied. “She did nothing to attract him.”

“She wrote him,” Teemin growled.

“She didn’t,” Daniel calmly countered. “Who said she did?”

“Jefarin!” Honi jumped to her feet. “He wrote of her strange fascination with perverse human sexual habits. She sent him books, asking for advice. He was horrified!”

“Lies.” Daniel waved the statement away. “She reported several books missing after her introduction. Perhaps Jefarin explored on his own.”

“We have heard of these books from others. Are they so objectionable?” Saphiri asked. “By the way, you are looking well, Daniel.”

“Thank you, Saphiri. The new books are extremely diverse, in topic and scope. They do include a very large number of books on human sexuality. They are colorful, with full color photography. Not only of human sexuality, but of the Earth environment also. You must visit soon, they are exceptional.” Daniel smiled.

“I hope to,” Saphiri replied. “You believe my brother found these books interesting?”

Daniel looked thoughtful. “I don’t know why he was so interested. Perhaps the poison was already infecting his brain.”

“You consider it a poison?” Saphiri asked.