by Alma Boykin
“It is very unfortunate that the gravid female and her not-born died. However, if the dam carried taint, then no doubt the not-born also suffered from it and would have died anyway,” Shu concluded.
He turned to the King-Emperor. “Imperial Majesty, I request the return of the members of Clan Shu so that they may contribute to the Clan until they finish paying off their lineages’ passage to Likhala, and so that they may be properly contained and the tainted blood removed from the gene pool through sterilization.”
Green-striped Peitak inquired, “Lord Shu, what say you to the claim that you forced one of the initial petitioners?”
“Clan Shu abides by pack-law concerning females. If she was forced, it happened after she left Clan lands.”
A whisper flowed between the lords and Seetoh’s tail tip flicked. The implications of Shu’s statement left Neela stunned and Kirlin’s jaw twitched as he struggled to hide his surprise at Shu’s audacity. And Shu’s stupidity, if he thought the King-Emperor would ignore the accusation.
Crown-Prince Tahdak spoke for the first time. “Lord Shu, are you implying that the assault occurred within the Palace?”
“No, Imperial Highness, most certainly not. I merely stated that any assaults, if they occurred, happened after the three departed Clan lands.”
Seetoh’s tone remained neutral. “Do have any further testimony, Lord Shu?”
“No Imperial Majesty, my lords, I do not, aside from offering additional documents concerning Lord Kirlin and Tarkeela’s interference in Clan Shu matters.”
“Councilors, do you have any questions for Lord Shu or the Throne?” Lord Daesarae raised his tail. “Yes?”
“Lord Shu, you stated that the Healing gift is corrupt by its existence.” At Shu’s acknowledging gesture, Daesarae inquired, “Does that apply to other species that have the same ability?”
Shu swirled his forefoot. “No, Lord Daesarae. The True-dragons and others already had psionic powers without needing genetic manipulation.”
Zlee-kae raised his tail. “Lord Shu, Healer Neela, do we know that the True-dragons and others have not undergone genetic alteration in the past?”
Neela stepped forward. “Great my lord, Master Lorkiss said nothing about the possibility. True-dragons and Wanderers, including Traders, are the best known species with the healing ability, and neither group currently recalls when the power originated or how.”
“We have no documentation about True-dragon genetic history in Azdhagi archives and medical files, Zlee-kae,” Shu hedged.
“So if the True-dragons triggered their own abilities, they could have recovered from whatever went wrong?” Zlee-kae pushed. “If I recall correctly, True-dragons are not exactly an endangered species, nor are Traders despite the hearty wishes of some.” Several of the Azdhagi, including Kirlin, laughed quietly at the last sally, and even Seetoh allowed himself a slight smile.
Before Shu could counterargue, Seetoh raised the forefoot holding his war fan. “Hear the decision of the Throne. The petitioners are granted protection for the duration of their training, and longer if they wish to remain in the service of the Palace. If they choose to leave, they are free to do so and shall retain the protection of all Azdhagi.” As Seetoh spoke, Neela led the two females forward, and Seetoh and Tahdak draped their tails over the pair.
“Because of the limited nature of the petition, the Throne requests the Council to consider calling a full council of nobles to weigh the competence of the head of Clan Shu,” Seetoh added. “We are concerned that while the financial status of the Clan improves, the well-being of many Clan members is not improving.”
Kirlin clenched his fangs. He knew the results of such a council: nothing. To act against Shu at the King-Emperor’s behest set too many bad precedents, unless the full Clan petitioned for redress before the Council met.
Shu knew it too, and he gloated, turning his back to the throne as Neela led the two healer students to the door to the King-Emperor’s private entrance to the Imperial chambers. She started to follow them out the door but stopped when Lord Sheedai drawled, “Captain Lord Deek, has a cause of Lord Tarkeela’s death been determined?” Neela backed a pace and returned to her earlier position.
Deek turned off the portable shield generator before responding. “Yes, great my lord, one has.”
Sheedai raised a yellowy-green forefoot and turned it palm up, as if expecting an object. “And the finding is?”
“He died of heart failure brought on by poison, my lord.”
The nobles exchanged looks but no one spoke. Tension built as the Lord Defender and Seetoh, the Prince Imperial and Neela, stood motionless, as impassive as a collection of Azdhagi statues.
“Poison administered how?” Peitak demanded.
“In his food, great my lord, added as a spice.” Deek’s words made several reptiles shiver, Neela observed. Had they also wanted Tarkeela dead?
Shu laughed! The sound shattered the stillness and several Council members backed away from Shu as the tan reptile grinned broadly. “Well done Kirlin, I congratulate you.”
Beesh stepped away from Kirlin, either giving the mottled brown noble room or disassociating himself from Kirlin as Kirlin inquired, his voice mild, “Why do you think it was me?”
“Because you hated Tarkeela. You always did,” Shu reminded the rest of the room. “You, Beerkali, Young Blee, Daesarae, all have reasons, but you had to put up with him in your lineage. And then he took your concubine as his mate,” Shu smirked while twisting his strong-side hind foot in a very crude gesture, just out of Seetoh’s sight.
“If you mean Neetai, Kirlin is not the first or last to have enjoyed her company or to have gained an appreciation of her talents,” Zlee-kae laughed. “It is too bad she refused your coin, Shu, but then she always did have excellent taste.”
“Like many fine artists and courtesans, true appreciation of her talents requires a certain basic level of taste, discernment, and skill from her guests, or so I have heard,” Beesh said in a meditative sort of way.
The barbs found their mark and Shu’s spines began quivering with suppressed rage. The solid tan reptile took a deep breath, then a second. “My lack of opportunities to test Tarkeela’s whore matter not. However, Kirlin’s opportunities to have his whore kill Tarkeela matter a great deal for the safety of the pack.”
Before Kirlin could open his mouth, Neela called, “Do you have witnesses, Lord Shu? Because if you do not, then I cry for justice to the Throne.”
“I do not need witnesses! Everyone knows how easy it is for something like Kirlin to have one of his people obtain poisons, then intimidate a servant, one of his or even a Palace servant, into putting something in someone’s meal.” Shu turned to Seetoh. “Imperial Majesty, please do not take this as a criticism, but perhaps you ought to look into how Kirlin managed to corrupt one of your staff without your knowledge, if that is the method he used.” Shu’s voice softened and he made a gesture of pity. “He probably had Neela tell the servant that it was a medicine or something else harmless.”
Deek and Neela both walked forward to the edge of the dais. “My lord, I am curious,” Deek began. “What makes you think that a Palace servant poisoned Tarkeela?”
“Do you really think Tarkeela’s own head of security would kill him? Murder his paymaster? Bah.” Shu snorted with derision. “Tarkeela’s people were stupid but not that stupid.”
“Lord Deek, why did Tarkeela’s servant and guard not die?” Zlee-kae asked.
Deek looked at Neela. She explained, “My lord, Coree does not care for pasta or spicy food in general and had a ration bar and jerky instead. The servant suffers from terrible flight sickness and not only was unable to eat, but Tarkeela sent him to the medical section for a stomach soother shortly before the meal arrived from the Palace kitchens. All three males shared the tea.”
“Tarkeela had the pasta?” Kirlin blinked. “I did too, as did Zlee-kae and Beerkali. It was bland, with all due respect to the cook.”
> Deek locked eyes with Shu. “The servant who added the ‘spices’ to Lord Tarkeela’s food was informed that they were very hot pepper flakes, and that it was part of an ongoing series of jokes. I repeat, Lord Shu, why did you think a Palace servant added the poison to Tarkeela’s food?”
“Because Neela has access to black-tongue and Sidaran fire juice, and she has access to Palace staff. She could easily act on Kirlin’s orders, shaming his Imperial Majesty with the death while also eliminating Kirlin’s enemy,” Shu snapped.
Neela slithered down the broad steps to stand muzzle to muzzle with Shu. Her eyes blazed with raw fury. “How do you know which poisons and how many killed Lord Tarkeela, great my lord?” Her whisper carried to everyone in the room. She spun around and called to King-Emperor Seetoh, “I cry for justice in the name of the dead!”
Shu lurched onto his hind legs, then swung down and slammed his mass against the female’s flank. The blow lifted her off her feet and slid her into the wall. Before she could catch her breath, Kirlin called, “Imperial Majesty, I request defense right.”
“And I cry honor challenge, you fur-bearing storm-catch begotten on a pox-plagued whore by a drunken slave,” Shu screamed, shedding both carry harness and robe to reveal his weapons and light armor.
“We permit the challenge and the defense right,” Seetoh rumbled. As Deek and Tahdak helped Neela up onto the dais, the others backed well clear of the two combatants.
Kirlin drew his sword, matching Shu. Unlike Shu, Kirlin wore no obvious armor and Shu’s muzzle gaped open in a grim smile. “So you prefer to kill by stealth,” he sneered.
Kirlin saved his breath for the battle, circling to get into a better, less crowded position. Shu watched him, waiting. As Kirlin passed Shu’s weak-side shoulder, the tan reptile snapped around and lunged, swinging his blade low and fast, trying to stab Kirlin in the chest. Kirlin jumped forward, aiming for Shu’s back just behind his spines, but Shu snaked his head to the strong side and hips the other way so Kilrin ended up across Shu’s back. Kirlin used his free forefoot to try and slash Shu’s strong-side flank, but his talons skittered over the armor. Shu rose onto his hind legs, or tried to, but Kirlin’s mass kept him down.
Shu spun onto his back under Kirlin, who managed to get his feet on the floor. Shu reached with his hind legs to gut his enemy, but they tangled in Kirlin’s robe, giving Kirlin time to rise onto his hind legs and dance clear, leaving part of his outer robe in Shu’s grip. As he moved, Kirlin twisted while switching the forefoot holding his sword, bringing it down in a singing blow that severed Shu’s tail at the fourth joint and almost cut his hind leg tendon. Shu screamed and curled his body forward. The watchers gasped as he rolled himself upright onto his hind legs! Almost no Azdhagi had the strength and flexibility to do that, especially not after years of carrying armor and weapons. Caught by surprise, Kirlin failed to get his blade up fast enough and Shu’s slash opened a gash in his weak-side foreleg. The two circled on hind legs, panting and bleeding, watching.
Shu had to act first and he lunged, jamming his blade’s point into Kirlin’s chest. Kirlin pivoted and cut lower, scratching Shu’s armor but not hurting him. Shu escaped past Kirlin, who used the lull to transfer his sword to his strong-side forefoot and draw his dagger with his weak-side forefoot, holding it blade tailwards. Beesh jabbed his tail tip into Peitak’s flank and Peitak gestured his agreement: Shu had made a fatal mistake. Perhaps.
Back on all four feet, Shu charged Kirlin. Even Seetoh gasped in surprise as Kirlin jumped over Shu! Shu tripped, rolling to a stop against the far wall. Kirlin had begun running as soon as he’d landed, and he attacked Shu with both blades. Metal sparked as their swords collided and Shu blooded Kirlin again, catching him under the muzzle as they both tried to gain the height advantage. Then Shu screamed as Kirlin’s dagger sliced into his groin. Kirlin jerked backwards as Shu instinctively tried to protect his penile flap and its contents. Somehow Kirlin swung his foreleg back just enough to make space and jammed his sword into Shu’s throat at the neck-chest gap. Screams turned to bubbling gurgles as Shu choked on his own blood.
Kirlin backed up and dropped to his feet. Silent, he watched Shu trying to stand despite the terrible wounds. Shu rolled onto his flank, then staggered upright and took one step toward Kirlin. The tan reptile took another, blood foaming from his mouth and nostrils. He raised his forefoot and Kirlin leapt backwards as a new blade flashed down. Shu’s head dropped to the floor, blood spraying before the body collapsed.
“The challenge is met,” Seetoh stated. “Does anyone have further business?”
Peitak looked at the others and they all swirled their forefeet. “No, Imperial Majesty. And, if the rest of the council agrees, I believe that unless something develops, we should delay any further meetings until after harvest. We can confirm Shu-Kaari in his position then.”
No one raised any objections. As Kirlin cleaned his blades on Shu’s robe, Neela approached. She studied Shu’s blade, frowning as she turned to Kirlin. “Great my lord, may I look at your throat?” He raised his head and she laid her forefoot against the long, shallow cut. The stinging sensation faded and Neela drew her forefoot away. “And your foreleg, great my lord?” He sat on his haunches and lifted it for her to inspect. After pushing the tattered sleeve of his robe clear of the wound, Neela placed her forefeet on the edges of the wound and pushed the ragged edges closer together. Again, he felt the pain fading. More blood flowed briefly before the edges of the wound closed as he watched.
“By the Lone God’s talons that’s amazing,” Seetoh breathed. “How does it feel, Kirlin?”
Neela released her grip and Kirlin moved the limb. “It still stings, Imperial Majesty, and it pulls a little, but not like I would expect.”
“Could you have repaired that one’s tail?” Seetoh demanded, pointing to the corpse.
Neela made a negation. “No. And Lord Kirlin, if you feel any heat or see streaks on that foreleg or from your throat in the next few hours, come to the medical section immediately. The blade has something on it and I do not want you to risk an infection or other complication.”
The males looked at each other, disgusted by Shu’s treachery. Seetoh stalked over and removed a bone-hilted dagger from Shu’s weapon’s carrier and presented it to Kirlin. “For your honor.”
12. Endings and Beginnings
15 AGR
Cheerka, Sarka, and Lady Neetai stood on the watch walk of Mountains’ Edge manor and looked out at the distant Zhangki River and the low hills far beyond. A cold front, the first strong one of fall, had cleared the air of the summer’s steamy heat. “So, Cheerka, have you decided on Prince Seedak’s offer?” Neetai inquired.
“Yes, and the answer is no. I prefer to catch stories on my own. What reward is there if the prey walks into your mouth?”
Grey Sarka snorted and swirled his tail. “The reward is a full belly and not having to work as hard.” But he understood Cheerka’s meaning and added, “What you fear is the harness and tether, not the tales.”
“Correct.” The large dark brown reptile shifted, trying to ease his aching hip and elbow joints. “That and winter. I hear that the Palace suffers dreadfully from drafts.”
His friends knew the excuse for what it was: Cheerka could never restrain his tongue or typing in the presence of nobles, especially the Clan Lords. “So you are bound for Zhangki City, then?”
“Yes, my lady. I rented a small apartment near the waterfront, above the flood levels but close enough to catch any interesting arrivals.”
“And near the drinking burrows,” Sarka reminded the story-catcher.
Cheerka drew back, feigning offense. “I have no idea what you are referring to. And how dare you insinuate that after a long day of hard labor, a thirsty reptile might dally anywhere besides his family lair.”
Neetai laughed quietly. “The same way I might insinuate that some hungry male reptiles might decide to slake their appetites elsewhere if all that awaits them at home is cold
watergrain.”
They turned away from the scenery as laughter, shouts, and squeals rang on the walls of the ancient stone manor house. A miniature herd of juniors spilled out of the den, squealing at each other, nipping tails, and sounding more like a large riot than two sixes of small reptiles.
Cheerka heaved a deep sigh. There were still too few juniors, even two sixes of years after the great relocation ended. The population of Drakon IV had stabilized, but it would be at least another generation before it began climbing again. “Cheerka, you have no juniors, do you?” Neetai dared ask.
“I did, my lady, while I was stationed on Pokara. Two juniors that killed their dam at hatching and who died before their first growth phase.” He met Neetai and Sarka’s eyes in turn. “I am a carrier.”
The tan-and-cream striped female draped her tail over her mate’s old friend, offering wordless sympathy and understanding. The three adults continued watching the juniors for several minutes before returning indoors.
“Tell me,” Sarka asked his associate, “How did you avoid being elected head of Mountains’ Edge village once Tareshah died?”
“I asked who wanted to give me their daughters so I could establish a lineage and mused aloud that my temperament and curiosity would probably show up in every generation,” the big male drawled. “That scared them out of their folly.”
Neetai swept her tail. “Males. You are thoroughly incapable of being civilized.”
Cheerka just grinned and picked his teeth with a talon, drawing another tail sweep as Sarka made a note to add a little to Cheerka’s account with the bank in Zhangki City. Not that he would ever bribe a story-catcher. Especially not a story-catcher who happened to own part of a new waterfront tavern in partnership with the undersized True-dragon barkeep.