Iris scowled at that. Now that the worst had happened, she wasn’t going to let a bunch of bullies intimidate her or ruin Thomas’ chances for help. “We’ll be there.”
Ospar chuckled. “I admire your courage, Matara. It could be the E.I.K. has threatened the wrong person.”
Iris felt her face heat. “No one messes with my son.”
That had all three men grinning at her. Their approval washed over her, making her feel better than ever.
As they readied to leave, Ospar said, “I hope the rest of your night is better, Iris. Good night, Thomas.”
The boy surprised Iris by waving absently, though he didn’t turn around. “Good night. Goodbye.”
Iris saw the clan to her door. As she glanced outside, she was happy to see the cross had already been removed. Half a dozen Nobeks milled around the yard. They were looking at the ground, no doubt figuring out where the attackers had come from and gathering whatever evidence could be found.
As she had earlier that day, Iris watched Ospar’s clan get in their shuttle before she shut the door. She felt a little unreal. The E.I.K. had left a warning, and no doubt people would have something to say about her having Kalquorians roaming about her property in the days ahead. She certainly didn’t want to be ostracized or have the E.I.K. threatening her and her son. But getting to see Ospar’s clan again was certainly fine consolation.
Chapter 5
The dining room of the Kalquorian governor’s home was well-appointed but not overdone. Since Haven didn’t get many visiting dignitaries, it even managed to be a little cozy. The table was of Joshadan blackwood, an older piece handed down through Ospar’s family. It stood about waist-high, which meant the upholstered seating was well off the floor rather than the typical floor cushions. A blessing it turned out, since Councilman Maf’s frame did not permit him to lounge easily on the ground.
A couple of sculptures of proud Kalquorian warriors stood in opposite corners. Vids showed lovely pieces of art from Plasius. Those were overshadowed by an actual painting of the Kalquorian shore done by the celebrated Matara Amelia of Clan Rajhir. If one looked at the waves long enough, he began to see the faces hidden in the shimmering depths. The artist had astounding talent.
The room’s focal point was an aquarium that made up an entire wall. Within the blue-hued depths swam a variety of Earther aquatic life. Everything from royal blue bettas to orange-and-black striped clownfish darted and drifted amongst coral and swaying ferns. Visitors were dazzled by the variety of alien creatures.
Ospar had very little appetite for his meal this night, though the staff had done their usual exemplary job of crafting a fine dinner. And it wasn’t that Maf wasn’t an interesting and even pleasant guest. He had brought them all up to date on the goings-on back home on Kalquor, sharing some of the funnier escapades of Royal Council in-fighting as well as policy battles against the Imperial Clan. His wit was sharp as he described his fellow councilmen in humorous, though never disrespectful terms.
Still, Ospar could not enjoy the dinner. He was far too worried about Iris and Thomas now that the E.I.K. had targeted them. Knowing Jol’s security was keeping them well guarded and safe did little to settle his mind. He wanted to be there in their tiny home, watching over them himself. Talking to Iris. Making her smile. Discovering new surprises about her beautiful child.
Maf’s voice cut into his thoughts. “What was this I heard of a demonstration just before I came here? Something about an extremist group burning an object on someone’s doorstep?”
Ospar gave him a sharp look before he could stop himself. He didn’t like others outside his circle knowing too much about matters that were his responsibility. Haven was his business, not the council’s.
He wiped his expression of all but easy casualness. “The actions of a few disaffected Earthers. It was only a small protest.”
“I heard it was on the homestead of one of their own? Someone perhaps friendly to our race?”
Jol was as nonchalant as his Dramok. “The settler in question has a small child with a disability. I put a security buffer between her home and the shuttle traffic lane for the boy’s safety. Some Earthers don’t approve of any interaction between our people, so that tiny fraction left a token of their displeasure.”
Ospar chuckled with humor he didn’t feel. “You know how sensitive those with a cause can be.”
Rivek quoted, “‘The action of innocence becomes grist for offense.’”
Maf frowned. “Even small occurrences can ignite full-blown revolt if not put down quickly.”
“I hardly think the colonists want a real confrontation. Especially since they are so badly outnumbered here within Empire borders.” Ospar smiled at Maf, his attitude conspiratorial. “No matter where you reside and who is in charge, there will be complaints about the governance.”
The councilman laughed. “You are not telling me any great secret. Nothing is quite as dreadful as the quarterly interview with my precinct. To hear my opponents speak, you’d think I was the most evil creature lurking around the Empire.”
That inspired more laughter. Ospar raised a glass of leshella. “The first rule of being a successful politician—”
Maf raised his glass and chorused with him, “You must be an utter masochist.”
Even Maf’s quiet aide sitting next to the councilman grinned. That man had barely spoken two words the entire visit. Half the time, Ospar forgot he was there. He struggled to remember his name.
Maf sipped his drink gingerly and placed his glass down. “You are the first governor to not trot out scores of complaints and requests for financial aid.”
“Will it help me?” Ospar shook his head and laughed more. “This is a growing colony, with a mixture of two races that were recently at one another’s throats. There is little trust, but we are building on what we have. I took this appointment knowing full well there would be problems. I have an excellent staff and the majority of the Earthers who come here are appreciative of our efforts. Kalquor has been most generous with everything we need.”
Maf considered him. “You are a man very much in control of his duties. I’m glad to see it. Haven is no doubt guaranteed to be a success with you at the helm.”
Rivek spoke up. His tone was friendly and interested. “You voted against the establishment of Haven.”
The councilman raised an eyebrow at the Imdiko. “A temple priest who stays informed on such things? That must be from being clanned to Ospar.”
Ospar barely kept his smile from growing. Maf was underestimating his Imdiko, and the governor knew Rivek would quickly clear up his misconceptions.
Rivek’s tone was perfectly even. “The idea that we priests withdraw from the rest of the Empire to only contemplate inner peace is a mistaken one. ‘There is no inner peace when the world outside is in chaos.’”
Maf nodded. “A sound policy, Master Rivek.”
Ospar’s clanmate pressed the councilman. “You did not lobby loudly nor challenge the Imperial Clan when they put the idea of Haven forth, but your vote is on record. What are your reservations about our colony?”
“Earth declared war on us. Earth put the explosives in place that led to us accidentally destroying their planet. We owe them nothing.” All spoken with a pleasant tone, but Ospar caught a dark undercurrent to the councilman’s words.
Ospar thought Maf had probably worked hard behind the scenes to keep Haven from happening. There had been a small but intense opposition to Haven’s creation.
Putting on his best diplomatic face, Ospar told Maf, “I agree the Earther government brought their terrible end upon themselves. Unfortunately, they took a lot of their innocent population with them and left survivors with little hope.”
Rivek chimed in. “We are a fierce race, but we are compassionate when called for. One does not leave women and children to a deplorable fate.”
That made Ospar think of Iris and Thomas again. “It is always better to extend peace than turn our backs on our f
ormer foes. It also gives the unattached Earther females an opportunity to get to know us. To perhaps entertain the possibility of joining clans.”
He wondered if Iris had considered becoming a Matara to his people. She was still well within childbearing age, and he was impressed with the mothering skills she’d exhibited in his presence.
Maf said, “I admit I am not quite sold with the idea of mixing the species. I have not been impressed with the majority of Earthers I have met.”
Jol studied him. “You’ve never made any mention of this in the council sessions I’ve viewed.”
“Officially, I keep such opinions to myself. An unclanned man with little potential to attract a Matara has no business commenting on such matters.”
The Nobek’s grin was almost evil. “Even our empress has failed to impress you?”
Maf laughed loudly at that. “Begging your pardon, Jol, but that woman is more Nobek than many Nobeks I know!” He shook his head, presumably at the thought of the spirited Earther. “Such a resourceful person. She has certainly earned my respect. It is no wonder Empress Jessica has managed to capture the hearts of so many Kalquorians.”
Ospar nodded. “I have had the privilege of meeting her. A most impressive woman.”
“And a passionate, fierce opponent if you are unlucky enough to disagree with her. Be very glad you are not on the council and locking horns with that one.”
“Having seen all the vid transmissions of council meetings, I am inclined to agree with you.” Ospar didn’t mention that Empress Jessica had once admitted to him in a private conversation that she loved a good fight. Smart and conscientious, she didn’t fear going toe-to-toe with the fiercest men on the council.
More Nobek than most Nobeks, indeed.
Conversation moved along to quieter subjects, like the last kurble tournament, the recent executions of the Nobek serial killer known as the Beast of New Bethlehem and his Dramok, the proposed dismantling of the raider branch of the Kalquorian fleet, and recent debates with the Bi’isils over territory. It was a quiet evening. When Ospar could forget about Iris, it was even enjoyable to hear firsthand news from home.
* * * *
Maf and his aide Sitrel were chauffeured back to their guest quarters after the dinner with Ospar’s clan. One of Jol’s security officers piloted. The window-vid showed the homes of the Kalquorian village huddled against the cold. The shuttle’s engine hummed with quiet efficiency as they went unhurriedly past.
The silence shield was up between the passenger cabin and the pilot, but Maf wasn’t content to trust it. Dramok Ospar had a fearsome reputation for being devious. He supposedly employed every means at his disposal when it came to knowing exactly where potential opponents stood on issues.
Dramok Borl had told Maf about the extremely emotional reactions Ospar’s entire clan had exhibited when an Earther woman named Iris Jenson had called for help earlier in the evening. Yet they had attempted to pass the issue off as unimportant. To the councilman, that meant the trouble had been of great significance.
Ospar was hiding something, which seemed on par for the wily Dramok. The man had been close to the previous and current Imperial Clans, though the consensus was that most of the more questionable assignments came through Councilman Rajhir. Nothing anyone could prove, of course. Ospar was careful to a fault to not let any private agreements leak out, especially when it came to the royals.
Not that Maf thought any of that made Ospar a bad person. Maf actually found himself liking the man despite his readiness to despise him. Like himself, Ospar was devoted to a nearly religious degree to the wellbeing of Kalquor. It was almost funny how they both could worship their own people and yet end up on such opposite paths to save them.
Ospar’s past activities were shrouded in too much secrecy. Shortly after the first Earther Matara abductions, the very actions that Ospar was thought to have spearheaded, he’d left his post as Galactic Council ambassador. The Galactic Council had attempted to investigate the matter of the kidnappings, but with Ospar safely home on Kalquor, they’d been forced to deal exclusively with the Imperial Clan instead. Ospar’s part in the start of Earther-Kalquorian troubles had never come to light.
Ospar was not a man to take lightly at all. For all Maf knew, the shuttle he and Sitrel rode in was speech-monitored.
It would be best to wait until they reached their quarters, where Maf could activate a privacy bubble that would defeat any bugging devices that might be present. But he was impatient to speak to Sitrel, to get things moving as fast as possible in the demise of Haven.
Maf took his handheld out of its pouch on his belt. Sitrel did the same. The councilman’s fingers were stiff and crooked, but Maf had gotten past that handicap long ago. Tapping quickly, he messaged his assistant while speaking in a casual tone.
“A most instructive evening. Ospar seems to have this colony well in hand.”
Get a message to Borl. I want to know more about the woman and child who were targeted by the E.I.K. tonight.
Sitrel was just as nonchalant. “It’s a welcome change from most of our tour.” I also believe there is more to it than how inconsequential they tried to make it sound.
“I know the governor has made no requests of me, but there must be something we can do to help him in his endeavors. Such efficiency must be rewarded.” There is no doubt the Earther female means something to them. The entire clan went to view the protest made. That was not in Ospar’s and certainly not his Imdiko’s purview.
Sitrel nodded thoughtfully. “Something not ostentatious, however. The governor would be embarrassed.” I will message Borl on his private channel immediately.
“See what you can find out that will benefit this colony. Ospar certainly won’t tell me. He is proud of Haven and deservedly so.” Get as much background on the woman as possible. I want to know everything. She may be key to sparking more unrest here.
Sitrel looked up and smiled. “Consider it done.”
* * * *
Getting Thomas ready to go anywhere was a major undertaking. Iris always left herself plenty of time so she wouldn’t be late to whatever appointment they were due at.
But this morning after getting herself dressed, all she’d had to do was ask, “Do you want to go see Copin, Thomas?”
He immediately jumped up from his toys with a smile. “Yes.”
“Put your thermal pants on.”
Simply telling Thomas to get dressed usually overwhelmed the child. Iris had learned early on to break even the most mundane tasks into their smallest component parts. However, Thomas not only put a pair of thermal underwear, but also corduroy pants. Then he tugged on a red polo shirt, a bulky white sweater, thick socks, his snow boots, coat, and hat. All without being coached. Once dressed, he ran for the door, and Iris rushed to shrug on her own coat to keep up with him.
They showed up at the temple fifteen minutes early. Rivek and Copin were both waiting for them at the entrance anyway. Thomas lit up with delight to see the men.
“Tell them good morning,” Iris whispered just before he shoved the snow crawler’s door open and ran to the robed men.
He yelled. “Good morning! Copin runs! Thomas runs!”
Copin gave Iris a quick bow, laughing at the child’s enthusiasm. “I think running would be a good start, young Thomas. Hurry!”
They took off, disappearing into the temple before Iris had quite made it to the entrance. She shook her head at the chuckling Rivek.
“He’s taken to you all so quickly,” she told the Imdiko.
Rivek took her arm and drew her into the building. They walked in the peaceful wonderland of the pillar-forested temple. “Children can often sense the true hearts of strangers, or so I’ve been told. Having been around so few little ones, I hope to gain some real experience with your son. Are you staying?”
Iris ducked her head, feeling a little shy. “I don’t want to disturb your schedule. If there is somewhere I could sit and wait for Thomas in case I’m needed
?”
“Actually, you are my schedule this morning. The only way you can disturb me is if you leave.”
Iris looked up at him in happy surprise. “Oh. Then I guess I’m all yours.” Her face flushed with heat as she realized how her statement sounded. She stammered, “To spend time with, that is. What were you planning on?”
He grinned. “You’ll see. Before I forget, would you care to join my clan for midday meal? We are having steaks and potatoes, I believe.”
Iris shook her head at the menu. “You really like Earther food? Besides apple pie?”
“We do. Considering that’s what’s grown and raised here, it only makes sense to buy from the collective.”
“Thomas is picky. If it doesn’t look, smell, or feel right on his tongue, he won’t eat it.” Iris knew he’d never touch steak or potatoes.
“What does he like? He had that grilled cheese sandwich yesterday.”
“He’ll also eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Burgers. Eggs. For a lot of his lunches I make baked breaded chicken strips. The only vegetable he’ll knowingly touch is raw carrots.”
“Knowingly?”
Iris offered a wicked smirk. “I puree some things and hide them in his food in small amounts. Boiled and pureed carrots and sweet potatoes have a mild flavor. If I mix them with a melted cheese sauce, Thomas doesn’t know the difference. Plus I learned to make a juice that tastes like it’s only fruit, but has vegetables.”
“You are quite inventive.”
“I have to be. He will actually starve himself before he’ll eat something he doesn’t want.”
Rivek nodded, his expression impressed. “I will com ahead to our kitchen and let them know what to make.”
Iris thought for a moment about politely protesting, but the delight at lunching with the whole clan kept her quiet. She was drawn to the men that kept coming to her rescue.
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