by Lyn Gala
After a long and painfully awkward silence, Framkie sighed. “Don’t put these guys on some sort of pedestal. I’ve seen what happens when you get a case of hero worship going, and you end up screwing yourself.”
“So I should screw over the Rownt? That’s what you want? Get the generals a better deal so they’ll take care of me?”
“Fuck no,” Framkie said with a derisive laugh. “Take care of yourself. Those generals would throw you in a hot engine if they thought your body would make for good fuel. They’ve made you a lieutenant, so what are you doing with the extra pay? Do you have any way to get clear of the Rownt if things go bad? Have you looked into legal severance from the service? If your officer commission didn’t come with officer training school, they can’t legally demand more years. Have you even hired a lawyer to protect your interests while you’re stuck off world? Do you have a contact person, someone to check on you if the Rownt stop bringing you around?”
“I don’t need all that.”
“Fuck. You never learn. Look, Munson, none of these guys care about you.”
“Ondry cares about me,” Liam said firmly. That was the cornerstone of his reality.
“And did you think Kaplan cared? Did you ever let yourself believe to the core of your being that Kaplan would love and cherish you forever?” Framkie asked.
Liam couldn’t find any words.
“God almighty,” Framkie said softly. “I get it. I get you want someone who cares as much for you as you care for them. Fuck.” Framkie rubbed his hand over his face. “You’re too fucking nice, Munson. You don’t see the knife until it’s buried six inches into your back.”
“It’s different with the Rownt,” Liam said.
“Really?” Framkie didn’t do anything to disguise his disbelief. “The species who lets its young die in the shell, the same species who leaves its old and injured to fend for themselves and forbids males to rule simply because they are males, they’re going to forever care for and protect you—a weak, human male?”
“You’re twisting things.”
“Or you’re getting twisted up in your head,” Framkie said. “Munson, you need a good husband or wife, someone to show you the same loyalty you seem to give everyone.”
Liam started backing away. “I appreciate your concern, but the situation isn’t the same,” he said. He kept his tone clinical. He would not grieve over the loss of Framkie’s approval. He’d known the man less than two years. Hell, it was even less than that because the first several months Liam had been at the front, Kaplan had been his whole world. “It’s good to see you again.” Liam turned and walked toward the Grandmothers.
Behind him, Framkie called out, but Liam ignored him.
Chapter Eight
Ondry intensely disliked the thought that Liam was out of reach. Even though the Grandmothers could protect him physically, Ondry didn’t have faith in their ability to recognize Liam’s emotional needs. Ondry wanted to stand on the ramp and watch for the return of the trading group, but he did not want to publicly imply that he distrusted either Liam or the Grandmothers. And since Ondry could find no reason to wait next to the ship’s entrance, he wandered through the residential areas. Unlike on the main ship, the shuttle had few children, and most of them were older. They gathered in the little-used spaces around the nutrient tanks. A number of vines rose out of the sludge and through tiny holes in a clear plastic shield. Fruit developed on the ends of these vines, on the inside of the plastic shield. It was an ingenious system, and Ondry recognized familiar tree fruits growing from these modified vines.
Perhaps these Grandmothers had studied genetics, or perhaps they had traded with the Imshee for the altered plants. Stories said the Imshee enjoyed challenges. The more difficult or precise the task, the more they valued it. Ondry knew very little about genetics, but he had to imagine it would be difficult to get tree fruit to grow from a vine that could live off ship nutrients.
Two of the young, unranked females were collecting ripe fruit, but Ondry ignored them as he chose several pieces for himself and then reversed direction to head back toward his quarters. He would not disgrace himself by wandering past the ship’s entrance like a lek-dalit trying to catch the eye of some female he wanted to pull his tail.
Having Liam out of his sight distressed Ondry more than he wished to admit. If Liam understood Ondry’s discomfort, he would never again go out alone. That was reason enough for Ondry to get control of his emotions before seeing his palteia again. However, the ship was not so large he could busy himself elsewhere, especially when he had no trade goods for those Rownt on the ship. He would go back and use the human purchasing computer; however, he knew himself well enough to know he would not make the most logical choices at this juncture.
Ondry was coming down another set of stairs when he saw a younger Grandmother standing where three corridors met. Ondry moved to the bottom step and bowed. That was when he realized she was the youngest of the Grandmothers who had gone to speak to the humans, so the trading group had returned.
“Grandmother,” he greeted her.
“The Grandmothers request your insight,” she said before she turned and walked away. Ondry had never hesitated to respond to a request from any Grandmother, but he considered going to his quarters and checking Liam first. Knowing he had returned intensified the instinct to find him. However, if the Grandmothers wished to discuss something that happened, Liam likely waited with them. Ondry headed down the corridor in the direction of the temple.
He noted more Grandmothers than usual were in the main audience area when he entered, but he didn’t see Liam.
“Ondry, come,” the oldest of the Grandmothers called him. She stood near the back of the main area where no Rownt would go without invitation. Ondry relaxed his nose. Tightening his nose at a Grandmother was unacceptable, but he wanted to. These Grandmothers were too tense—something had happened, and Ondry did not see Liam.
“Grandmother,” Ondry said when he reached her. She sat on a bench behind the stairs that led to their private areas.
She gestured toward the bench near her. “Come, sit and speak with me.”
Ondry sat, but he could not relax fully. He perched on the edge of the seat, which was an action verging on disrespect. The Grandmother did not comment on Ondry’s poor manners.
“I require information about human sense of obligation.”
“Then Liam would provide the most accurate information.” Ondry waited, anxious for some word on Liam. If the humans had kept him, Ondry was going to kill someone. He would kill many someones. And that was an illogical thought because the Grandmothers would not be careless with the protection of a palteia, but Ondry did not know these Grandmothers, and his ability to trust blindly was beginning to fray.
“Liam is in your rooms. I would have a Rownt impression, and you have the most experience with these beings from Earth.”
Ondry couldn’t deny that, and with confirmation Liam had returned, much of Ondry’s aggravation vanished. “I do,” he agreed.
“I do not challenge Liam’s status as palteia, but I wonder where a human palteia differs from one who came from an egg.”
Ondry’s nostrils closed so fast he almost sneezed. “I would not expect you to challenge his status given that Janatjanay Grandmothers have named him as such and I share my nest with him.”
This Grandmother studied him for a time. “Which is why I do not challenge it. I seek information, Ondry.”
“On human psychology,” Ondry said with some confidence, although he was guessing. He had little other information that would be of interest to the Grandmothers. “You have the database the human female traded away.” Temples tended to share important information. Certainly this Grandmother didn’t deny possession of the database.
“I am more interested in how a Rownt perceives human motivation.” She looked calm—amused even in the face of Ondry’s bad manners. “Are there ways in which your human palteia surprises you?”
“
Never having sheltered a palteia, I am endlessly surprised.”
The Grandmother’s cheeks tightened, and she darkened with good humor. Ondry questioned the sanity of the ship’s Grandmothers because his unwillingness to provide clear answers should have angered her. The Grandmother commented, “He remains patient with Susan Diallo, even in the face of your distemper.”
“He is allowed his own opinions.”
The Grandmother sat back and considered Ondry for a long time. During the silence, the other Grandmothers became unusually still. Ondry felt as though he were at the center of a summer storm, battered and wet and bracing for the second half to come.
“I have not yet met a ka-ranked trader who would trade words with a Grandmother,” she said.
Ondry could not tell if she meant the words as a compliment or an insult, so he preserved what illusion of wisdom he could by remaining silent.
“What would you trade for this knowledge, Ka-Ondry? An introduction to the Imshee?”
“Do you offer that in trade?” Ondry asked. No ka-ranked individuals ever traded with Grandmothers. If she completed a deal with him, it would be as good as naming him tuk ranked, but she did not seem to have any interest in giving him that honor because she remained silent. Ondry watched her. She showed no displeasure at his disrespect, but she offered no respect either.
More importantly, she offered no apology for even the veiled suggestion that Ondry needed to defend Liam’s status. Ondry would endure much from his elders, but he would not allow Liam’s position to be threatened. If Liam were not palteia, then he would be human and under human authority. Perhaps if he were to call himself ututeh, the Grandmothers would not return him, but they would also not allow him to live in a ship or village. That was not acceptable. So Ondry allowed the silence to continue long past any reasonable bounds of polite conversation.
Eventually the Grandmother did speak. “A human Liam knew from the past was present, likely brought by the human government. This individual showed great concern toward Liam’s well-being, even after Liam made it clear his loyalty is to you.”
“A human? One who liked Liam?”
“Liam named him Framkie,” she said.
Ondry paled. “I must check on him.” Without asking permission, Ondry stood to leave.
“Ondry,” the Grandmother called, and instinct forced him to stop and listen. “Could this human feel some allegiance to Liam, or is it all pretense by the human authorities?”
That explained the Grandmothers’ interest. “Humans continue to feel any allegiance they once held,” Ondry said. “It is a pale imitation of their real allegiance; at least it is for Liam. He is palteia, and I do not doubt his loyalty, but he feels fear for those who treated him well when he fought at the place of human battles. His parent failed to provide, yet he still hopes she has found more happiness. He will not steal the meat from my plate to feed any of them, but he would spend an afternoon picking vegetables for them.”
“So this human might show genuine familial feelings for Liam?” The Grandmother’s eyes widened in curiosity.
“Humans do not have to define a familial relationship to change their behavior for one another. I choose not to trust Diallo, but I do not question her feelings for Liam, and as odd as it may sound, I believe she would spend an afternoon picking vegetables for me.” That was so illogical as to be worthy of derision, but Ondry had been around Liam and other human traders enough to know their feelings were not compatible with strict rational thought. After Ondry had fought against his own instinct to kill her, she had worked hard to bring him profits. It was an illogical reaction, and one Ondry did not trust, but logic dictated that Ondry should not deny reality.
The Grandmother nodded, dismissing Ondry by turning her attention to her sister Grandmother. He hurried from the room.
Framkie.
Ondry knew the name too well. Ondry knew the names of all those Liam called for in his nightmares. At least the humans had not brought Kaplan or Mort to confront Liam. Had they done that, Ondry would have wanted revenge. As it was, he did not know what to expect. He still carried the sweet fruits he had picked earlier, but they seemed like a poor offering now. Ondry could go seek out some of the sweet breads or cheeses Liam liked, but that would require him to delay his return home.
Deciding time was more important than proper food, Ondry hurried to their quarters. When the doors opened, Ondry did not see Liam in the public room. Perhaps Ondry should not be surprised. They had decorated both their rooms on the Calti, but the Li was a shuttle, so Ondry had not done more than transfer their pillows. If Liam were upset, he would want the familiar around him—at least that was how Ondry reacted to displeasure.
He moved quickly to the inner room and found Liam sitting on the edge of the nest with a small computer in hand. Relief washed through Ondry. He stood for a time at the door, watching Liam. Eventually Liam looked up.
“The Grandmothers said your former battle mate was there.” Ondry moved into the room, unsure of how to offer help.
Liam stared at him. For several long seconds, Ondry thought he had made a mistake in saying that, but then Liam put the computer to one side. “Straight to the point.” He gave a laugh that sounded almost like a huff. Ondry moved to Liam’s side and crouched down to remove his shoes. He wanted to pull Liam into their nest.
“That which might upset you causes me concern,” Ondry said.
“It was good to see Framkie. He’s a good guy.” Liam gave no sign of dishonesty, but Ondry had never seen Liam so unenthusiastic about the truth.
Ondry slid over the edge of the nest down into the pillows, and he pulled Liam in with him.
“You think cuddling is the cure for everything,” Liam said in a tone that suggested he disagreed.
“So you admit something needs to be cured?” Ondry asked. When Liam honestly wished to hide something, he was much more artful with his words. Something had happened. For a time, Liam lay curled next to Ondry, saying nothing. Ondry only had to wait long enough for Liam to admit the problem.
“He thinks Rownt are…evil. He asked how I could like them.”
Ondry knew Liam was upset when he fell back into English where he didn’t have to parse the meanings as carefully. The problem was that meant Ondry did not understand which version of the human term evil Liam intended. “‘Evil’ as in acting in a way to cause harm or ‘evil’ as in following a larger power or deity dedicated to harm?”
Liam hesitated. Even his breathing slowed. “It sounds silly when you ask it like that.”
Seeking to ease Liam’s pain, Ondry stroked his hair. “It is not. His question caused harm.”
Liam caught Ondry’s hand. “He was trying to help. He remembers all my bad choices, and he doesn’t want me to make another one.”
“He feels I am a bad choice?”
Liam brushed his fingers over Ondry’s fora. “When you look at who I picked before, it’s not an illogical conclusion. Of course, he doesn’t know you picked me, so maybe that makes the difference.”
Ondry doubted it. From the stories Liam had told him, those who abused Liam’s trust had also chosen him for their nest before betraying their duties as chilta. But then humans didn’t use those terms: chilta and palteia. “He speaks without evidence,” Ondry reassured Liam.
“He thinks Rownt are sexist and hate children.”
The very idea of hating children caused Ondry to pale. “I would never feel animosity for a child.”
Liam leaned into Ondry’s chest. As Ondry wrapped his arms around Liam, Ondry felt such a wave of protectiveness. No one would ever convince him that Liam was anything other than his palteia.
“I know you wouldn’t,” Liam said softly. “He spoke of the unhatched who die in the egg.”
“They are not children,” Ondry said but considered that the fact that humans gave live birth changed how they saw life.
“The ones who die in the shell—how many could survive if they got through the shell?” Liam asked w
ith pain in his tone.
“I don’t know,” Ondry said. He thought on the issue more than most, given his mother had so few young survive because of the thickness of her shells, but Ondry had never considered asking the question. The unhatched were unhatched. They were not live beings.
“Humans consider them children, even in the shell,” Liam said softly.
A hiss slipped out of Ondry. The idea was disturbing. “If they believe that…” He could not finish his thought. It was too upsetting to even consider allowing so many children to die. But he could still not see how humans could make such associations. “If a mother mourned every unhatched egg, no Rownt would ever lay an egg again. Every Grandmother and every female would be insane with grief.”
“I know,” Liam said. “Rownt lay so many eggs that… But humans…” Liam stopped again. He seemed to struggle with each word. “Framkie believes there is something wrong with Rownt—that you’ll turn on me because that’s how you’re built. The way he talked…” Liam let his voice trail off into silence.
Ondry struggled to untangle the alien thoughts. “Your former ally believes we are influenced by a malevolent spirit?” Ondry guessed. It would seem to be the best definition of evil, given that the other human believed in an innate flaw in Rownt beliefs or psychology rather than simply a harm done.
“He believes you will eventually hurt me because I am male and weak.”
Ondry drew in a breath and tried to sort his thoughts. Framkie clearly still hoped to protect Liam, and Ondry respected that, even if it made no logical sense for this human to concern himself with another’s palteia. But on the other hand, Framkie’s questions had harmed Liam where he was most vulnerable. Ondry rested his palm against Liam’s cheek and urged Liam to turn toward him. After leaning down, Ondry pressed his lips against Liam’s. Perhaps kissing was like stroking the fora, because Liam slowly relaxed. His arm came up around Ondry’s shoulders as he returned the kiss.