Tiko snapped to attention. “Already done, my lord. The boys needed a good feed and were sick on the ship but they’re in reasonable health.”
“Good. This woman is a convicted criminal of the state of Kuprij, and to be treated as such. The children are wards of the state of Darshian. They can remain with her until we determine their parentage and their best disposition. I will meet my fellow Rulers tomorrow and this will be discussed, but she is to remain under close guard until you hear otherwise. Karik, we’re leaving. Tiko, get her out of my pissing sight.”
Mayl looked confused—Arman had given his orders in Darshianese, and she seemed to have learned no more of that tongue than she’d known when Karik had first met her—but as Tiko took her arm and the soldiers moved in, she struggled. “No! Retis, don’t let them hurt your mother! Please, save me and your brothers!”
Karik turned around and walked away, trying to ignore her words and the heartrending cries of the children, frightened by the soldiers and their mother’s hysteria. Romi came up silently beside him and put his hand on his shoulder, and they walked out of the yard together.
Then Karik stopped, shaking. “Oh...gods...Romi....” He wanted to vomit, wanted to clap his hands over his ears to stop the sounds of the carrying on behind them. Why now?
Romi put his arms around him, rested his chin on Karik’s head, lending his strength and his courage to his pathetic lover. “Shhh, it’s all right,” he murmured, stroking his hand down Karik’s back. “She can’t hurt you and she can’t claim you. Arman will handle it—that’s his job.”
But it’s my mother, Karik thought, even as the warm comfort of Romi’s hug worked its healing magic on his soul, and prevented a total collapse of dignity. Or something. What in hells do I do now?
~~~~~~~~
Arman didn’t flinch through all of his former wife’s histrionics and was completely unmoved as she was dragged away, though he regretted the little boys had seen this mess. Kei was distressed but that was almost certainly on behalf of the children.
“Come on, Karik needs us,” he said as the door was finally firmly closed behind Mayl, and her nonsense muffled. “Tiko? Is there anyone who can care for those boys?”
Tiko frowned. “Well, I dare say I could find some people willing to try, but whether the upset to the children would be worth it, I don’t know. She does seem to be looking after them, and the older one, Minan, doesn’t want anyone hurting his Ma or his brother.”
“Of course he doesn’t—he’s a good boy, that’s why,” Kei murmured. “Arman, I suggest you don’t break them up right now. The children are terrified and distrust everyone but her—you won’t help them, not in the short term.”
Arman grunted, annoyed at even having to consider Mayl as part of any child’s welfare. “And what are her feelings towards them? Is she their mother?”
Kei looked back towards the quarters, frowning. “She...seems uninterested in them, but it wasn’t a situation where her maternal feelings would be on show anyway. The older child is the very image of Karik at that age—it’s uncanny. But that might just be because he’s Prijian. I can’t offer you a definitive answer. You’ll need to question her.”
“Oh, I shall, believe me. Thank you, Tiko. Lord Meki knew, didn’t he?”
“Yes he did—but he wanted to make sure there was no doubt at all before formally notifying the embassy. Will you tell him now?”
“Tomorrow—at least, officially. Tonight, Karik and I need to talk. Uh, you better send for Tije—but not for a few minutes. With the carriage is soon enough.”
Tiko saluted. “Right you are, my lord. It’s good to have you back, Arman—but I’m sorry for young Karik.”
“Me too,” Arman said heavily. Just what the lad did not need after all that nastiness last year. “Come on, Kei.”
They found Karik being comforted in a private corner by Romi, who had his arms around him. Karik seemed very distressed—who could blame him? Kei went to him immediately and spoke in a low voice. Karik listened and nodded and then broke free from his lover’s embrace, wiping his eyes. He looked as if he was about to be sick, but was bravely pulling himself together.
“Sorry, uncle. It’s just a shock. Are those boys my brothers like she says?”
“I really don’t know—I’m sorry to say it about your birthmother but she’s a habitual liar and completely untrustworthy, so I do believe her capable of using the children as a shield. But in any event, she’s not your problem. I officially forbid you to attempt to assist her—she’s trying to manipulate you on the basis of a nonexistent relationship. Legally, she signed you off seven years ago.”
Karik blinked. “S-signed me off?”
This was not the venue Arman would have chosen to discuss this, but it was unfortunately unavoidable. “She, uh, and Mekus—formally relinquished all claim on you and your line. Under Prijian law, and by any measure, you’re not her child any more.”
“Relinquished...why?”
Kei cleared his throat. “Karik, perhaps we—”
“Kei, no,” Arman said firmly. “He needs the truth. Karik, she and Mekus were paid a fortune in compensation for surrendering their claim on you. Money my father paid.”
Karik went chalk-pale and Romi’s arms slid around him again. “She sold me?”
There really was no nice way of putting it, and Arman didn’t even try. “Essentially yes. I’m sorry, son—I didn’t think at the time you needed to know the details, but it’s time you realised what kind of person she is. She’s not here out of some maternal instinct—she just wants to use you. She only ever wants to use people for what they can give her. With me it was my family’s money and our position. Mekus was the same. You—you can protect her from the consequences of her terrible crimes, or so she thinks.”
“Will you send her back to Kuprij?” Romi asked, his face stern. “She’ll be executed, you know that.”
“Arman?” Kei said quietly, as Karik flinched in horror, his eyes going impossibly wide. “That’s unthinkable.”
“Not to me,” Arman muttered, but then regretted it as he saw Kei’s revolted reaction. “Yes, yes—but I refuse to deal with this now. We’re all tired, we have my other nephew to look after and I will not be bounced into an emotional reaction by that bitch. Uh, sorry, Karik. I keep forgetting she’s your mother.”
Karik straightened up and gave him a haughty glare. “My mother is Jena of Ai-Albon,” he announced, his voice increasingly firm. “My father is Reji of Ai-Albon. My name is Karik, my clan is Ai-Albon.”
“Well said,” Romi murmured.
“Indeed,” Arman agreed, proud of his nephew’s spirit. “Karik, everyone—we need to talk but for the love of mercy, let’s not do it in front of Tije or Pira. I’ll explain things to Tije as best I can. Romi, please let your colonel know you’re back, and then ask Tiko to bring Tije and the carriage around.”
Romi saluted and did as he was asked, leaving Arman with a worried lover and a distressed nephew to deal with. Not how he had wanted their return home to go in the slightest.
~~~~~~~~
It had been a subdued evening, hardly surprisingly. Kei felt very sorry for Tije, who was understandably confused, and trying very hard not to upset anyone. Kei did his best to reassure him, but his first concern had to be for Karik. His nephew tried valiantly not to let any of his distress show in front of Pira and was successful enough that she didn’t seem to realise anything was amiss other than travel fatigue. Kei was grateful for that—it was hard enough to explain to people directly involved in it, and Pira was hardly sophisticated enough to understand all the ramifications. Kei was glad she wasn’t. He wished he wasn’t.
In the end, everyone retired early, using weariness as an honest excuse. Kei waited until he and Arman were alone and behind a solid wooden door before he raised the subject. Tired though he was, Arman still sat Kei down and began the nightly ritual of hair grooming. Kei let the familiar, beloved actions soothe him for a few moments, but then said, neu
trally as he knew how, “You simply cannot send her back to be hanged, Arman. It violates every principle of Darshianese law, and would be dreadful for Karik.”
Arman sighed quietly and continued his careful work. “You assume I know none of this. I’ve actually witnessed the executions of convicted traitors—trust me when I tell you, you’re lucky you don’t know the real details.” Kei winced—he didn’t want to hear more. “I know it violates Darshianese law—but we have also signed extradition treaties with Kuprij. We recognise each other’s laws for certain crimes, and high treason, except in a state of war, is one of the first on the list. Mayl and Mekus arranged for an assassination attempt on Nivuman—can you imagine how many people would have died cruelly and unnecessarily because of that act, brought on by nothing but greed and ambition? Do you think she should just be set free because she’s pleading her belly?”
“No, of course not! But...she should be just locked up, reformed....” He stopped, trying to imagine if the viciousness he had sensed in Mayl from years ago, and which wasn’t the least unchanged that he could see, could ever be reformed. “Killing is always wrong, Arman. To take a life of a person in cold blood, for revenge, can never have any justification.”
“It’s what she was going to do, Kei. I don’t believe for a minute it was all Mekus’ planning—she’s not easily led and is perfectly capable of plotting this herself, even without him. That’s why I distrust this business with the children.”
“Minan is six,” Kei said slowly. “Which means he was conceived not long after you left Utuk...could she have found it politic to get pregnant?”
Arman gently gripped him at the back of his head, at the base of his braid, and made him turn. His expression was sombre. “I more or less accused her of infidelity to Mekus in front of him, cast doubt on his obvious belief that Karik was his.”
“So—she might have been in a hurry to make sure he thought he was capable of impregnating her.”
Decades-old pain and shame were fouling his lover’s feelings, and Kei very much regretted that this was all coming up again.
“She did it to me, why not?” Arman said, sounding more casual than he obviously felt. “If we assume the boy is hers.”
“It’s the most likely explanation. I can’t see her looking after children who weren’t hers. I wonder who’s the father of Ry-chi?”
“Ry-chi?” Arman frowned at him. “Don’t go getting attached to those children. They very likely will have to be sent back to Kuprij too.”
“To be killed?” Kei placed his hand over his heart in shock. “No, Arman!”
“No, no—to whoever has claim on them. Mayl still has relatives there. Of course the children won’t be cast adrift—do you think me a monster?”
Kei kissed him in apology. “No, of course not...I’m sorry, this is all horrible. Poor Karik. And I pity those boys. Minan’s so frightened and yet he’s trying to be a big brother to Ry-zilim. He deserves better than this.”
“Any child does. If I ever had the slightest guilt over removing Karik from her charge, I certainly have none now. I didn’t realise he didn’t know about the death sentence.”
“He’s had some dreadful shocks all round. Was it wise to tell him about the legal settlement?”
Arman made him turn around again so he could finish the braid. “I don’t want Karik developing some spurious notion of duty towards her, or feeling sorry for her. She doesn’t deserve it. She gave birth to him, but never cared about him, and she doesn’t care about him now. I want him to know that, however brutal it is for the poor lad. He’s strong—he’s dealt with worse. Now I want you to stop pressuring me about Mayl’s fate. I’m a Ruler, and nothing will happen that all eight of us do not agree to. Even if you don’t consider me merciful, I’m sure you have faith in the mercy of the others.”
Kei twisted and put his arms around his lover, ignoring the murmured protests about the messed-up braid. “I saw you in Ai-Vinri, my love. I know you as I know myself, and I know you’re just and merciful. I do trust you. I’ll advise if you want me to, but I won’t pressure you—at least, no more than I would any other Ruler. In my position, that is my duty.”
“Yes it is, and we’ll call on your advice. But curse that pissing woman!” he added, shaking his head in anger. “Why couldn’t whatever carried that old bastard off, have killed her too?”
“Then there would be two orphans adrift. See this as a chance to save those children. They’re innocent and need protection. I know you’re good at that.”
“Hmpf. Stop winding me about your little finger, beloved, because it’s no challenge at all.” Arman pushed the hair away from his neck, and gently kissed the tender skin there, making Kei shiver.
They made love then, just using their hands and mouths, too tired to get up to anything more energetic, but needing the connection and the comfort. Arman’s spirit was calmer by the time Kei was lying in his arms, sated and peaceful, and he fell asleep within minutes. Kei wasn’t so quick to drop off. He couldn’t stop himself picking at this dilemma, or thinking about Minan’s brave, frightened little face. It could have easily been Karik instead.
He would not allow those boys to be pawns in some manipulative game played by their mother—or by anyone else. And he intended to make sure no one forgot about them either.
Bearing Fruit: 8
Normally Arman would be up and away to his office not long after dawn, so he could work while the House was quiet. He often broke his fast in Meki’s apartments, since his friend and fellow Ruler very much enjoyed the company and the chance to gossip informally. But this morning, he needed to delay so he could take Tije with him, and see Karik and Romi off before they returned to barracks. Karik had spent a sleepless night, that much was certain, and was pale and dull-eyed as he took his place at the table, Romi touchingly protective at his side. “Are you sure you want to return to duty today, nephew?” Arman asked, taking advantage of Tije’s absence to ask. “No one would blame you for delaying a little.”
“Would that make it any easier?” Karik asked sullenly. “I’ve got things to do—we all have. But when will you be...interviewing her?”
“I’ll speak to the other Rulers this morning, and then I need to formally advise the ambassador. I plan to have her interrogated this afternoon, though whether I will be present or not, I don’t know.”
“I want to be there.”
“No, I can’t allow that. Not yet anyway.”
“Why not?” his nephew snapped. “Why are you trying to protect me?”
“Because I love you.” Karik went very still. “And I won’t let her hurt you or anyone else I love. Understand me, nephew mine?”
Karik’s jaw worked a little, and Romi slipped his arm discreetly around his waist. “Yes, uncle mine,” he said in a small voice. “I’m sorry.”
“No, son, I am. You have no idea how much I am. Romi? As your boss, I’m ordering you both to take it easy today, and if you want to come back tonight, you only have to show up.”
“Understood,” Romi said. He looked ragged too—Arman doubted he’d got much sleep either. “Eat up, Karik, then we’d better go.”
Arman finished serving their hotcakes as Kei came in with Tije. Pira emerged to scold them all for not waking her, but for once, let Arman serve her breakfast without taking over from him. The meal was completed in a subdued manner—everyone seemed tired this morning. Everyone but Tije, that was—the lad was bright-eyed and excited about going to the House. Arman wished escorting his nephew around was the only thing he faced today, but he knew it wasn’t.
Karik asked him to come to the gate with them as he and Romi left, and then stopped to look at him earnestly. “Arman—if you speak to her, will you at least come and see me afterwards? Tell me what’s going on?”
“Of course. But please don’t attempt to contact her today. Off you go.”
He watched them stride off down the road, where they’d hitch a lift to the barracks. He turned and found Kei standing in the
doorway. “What a mess,” his lover said quietly. “He’s a mess.”
“Yes, I know. It’s my job to try and sort it out. Are you and Tije ready?”
Thanks the gods Tijus’s boy had his father’s good sense, Arman thought, as they walked towards the academy. Mayl’s appearance put Tije in a very difficult position, as he was honour-bound to report her presence to the Prijian authorities, and he was personally indignant she had dared to show her face in Darshian. Fortunately, he was also aware how much it hurt his cousin, and hadn’t asked as many of the hard questions as he might have done. It was only a conversation delayed, Arman knew, but at least it was giving him some space to deal with things as he wished.
Kei had agreed to take Tije to the academy in the morning, which left Arman free to conduct his meeting with the other Rulers in privacy. First—Meki. He found his friend in his private office, and was glad to see him in good health. Meki was seventy-four—a living treasure, officially the longest-serving Ruler Darshian had ever had, though he was semi-retired now and had been for some time. Arman honoured him for his service to their country, but also considered him one of his closest friends—a father-figure, a mentor and someone to whom he often turned for advice and wisdom. He needed that now.
Meki greeted him solemnly. “I wish your home-coming hadn’t been blighted in this way, Arman. I chose to treat the woman as an unidentified alien until your return, but I knew this was going to be a problem.”
“It is. I’ll speak to Tir Kamus later this morning. You’re aware of her legal status in Kuprij?”
“I’ve been making enquiries discreetly,” he said, nodding as he opened a file on his desk. Notes on Mayl, Arman had no doubt. “She’s under sentence of death. That makes things very difficult.”
Home Ground (Darshian Tales #4) Page 10