Obligations

by Cheryce Clayton

  “Why was I not contacted?” and again Morgan did not wait for a response but shoved herself past and into the observation room.

  Someone sat huddled in the far left chair with the lights turned out and only the dim glow from the nursery for illumination.

  Morgan moved to her wife, anger already giving way to tears. “No one told me,” Morgan whispered as she placed her hand on the blanket covered shoulder.

  “I know,” Neavillii said from the doorway behind her.

  And Morgan blinked. “Then, who?” Morgan asked, and realized it was a human beside her. “Sam!” Morgan cried, and Sam shrugged off the blanket when he heard his name. Morgan stared first to Neavillii and then Sam before smiling in relief.

  “It was your good doctor’s idea,” Neavillii said with a laugh.

  “I confess, I confess.” A proud looking Isaac put his hand on the shorter Neavillii’s elbow and walked her into the room, freeing up the doorway so that Iedonea could enter with Neadesto.

  “He is admitting he is childish,” Tansea said in English and Morgan looked over to see her climb onto Sam’s lap.

  #

  Tansea continued to translate the conversations that swirled about the room, but Sam lost track of who was who as he stared at Morgan.

  He kept thinking about her as a child and watching her move as an adult and his mind could not reconcile the two images. This was someone else wearing Morgan’s body he kept thinking, and then dismissing each time she used a gesture or expression he remembered.

  #

  “Why do you do that?” Sam asked.

  Morgan was smiling to the departing Iedonea, and Sam’s English did not register until after he finished speaking and the silence built.

  “Do what?” She asked, speaking softly, to him only. Then she waved to Neadesto, who was awaiting eye contact before leaving.

  “There, the way you scrunch your mouth and raise your eyebrows?” Sam asked as he leaned toward where Morgan sat.

  Morgan smiled when Tansea’s sleeping form halted him, and he smiled down at her.

  “It’s a smile, a Sansheren smile. I see you made a friend.” Morgan forced herself to use a human smile as she pointed to the frail looking creature who was under most of Sam’s lap blanket.

  “Yeah, her name's Tansea. I think her and the doc have something going on. Anyway, she’s cold-blooded, and it’s way too cool in here for her. Weird, huh?” Sam returned Morgan’s smile, but with less success at faking it, she noted.

  “Don’t believe her, she’s an incorrigible nymphomaniac,” Isaac said from the doorway.

  Tansea moved, and gave a soft sound of protest when Isaac’s loud voice filled the room.

  Morgan began laughing, and Sam just stared between the three and looked confused.

  “You see in others what you fear the most, young man.” Tansea sat up, kissed Sam’s cheek, slipped to the floor, and glared at Isaac, before wrapping Sam’s blanket about her shoulders and walking to the door. “I will see you children after we leave for Wergol, if not sooner. Come infant, we’ll see how much warmth you can exude.”

  Isaac gave an exaggerated look of fright before laughing out loud and following Tansea out of the room.

  Sam stared at the room’s exit for several long seconds before Morgan felt him turn toward her. She continued to look at the door despite the pressure of his gaze.

  “We’re going to Wergol?” Sam asked, and Morgan could not miss the hope that tinged his voice.

  “Neadesto has word that Tim is there. It is Tim, isn’t it?” Morgan did not allow herself to feel any emotion and was afraid Sam would hear everything in her voice.

  “It is,” Sam said.

  And Morgan used the silence to absorb the news.

  “We’ve always spent a lot of time there,” Sam continued. “Most humans do. The government is human, and they have a register you can sign onto if you want someone to find you. That’s how I found Denise, and we found Tim,” Sam said, and again Morgan felt the pressure of his gaze as she tried not to cry.

  “I didn’t know. I never thought to look. I wanted to, believe me I did. But somehow I never thought about how to look,” Morgan said, and Sam leaned forward to offer his hand to her.

  It was a long time before Morgan accepted his touch.

  “You did good for yourself, I hear you own your own planet and everything. No one will think badly of you just because you haven’t had the time to search us out,” Sam said as Morgan stared at the glass, and her sleeping children. “Hell, it hasn’t been that long. We wouldn’t hold a grudge for at least another five years,” Sam said with a bitter laugh, and Morgan thought he knew his attempt at humor was unsuccessful even before she started crying.

  She didn’t know how long it had been since the last comment, and Morgan felt a pressure to talk as she dried her eyes.

  “Bystocc.”

  “A nightmare best forgotten, why?” Sam asked, and Morgan noticed that he still held her hand.

  “My planet, it’s Bystocc. Tadesde abandoned the prize. I pledged my House to restoring it.” Morgan gave one last moist sniffle before straightening up and smiling to Sam.

  “That planet is dying. The only reason Tim agreed to a cease-fire with that bastard is because he was afraid Tadesde would blow the sun, the suicidal asshole!” Sam let go of Morgan’s hand to clench the arms of his chair.

  “Who broke the cease-fire?” She needed to know.

  “I don’t know. I think they both did. Tim planned to double-cross her and I think she double-crossed him as well,” Sam said, and Morgan felt a cold spot begin to grow inside of her.

  “Is that when you were captured?” Morgan refused to look at his legs, so Sam did.

  “Yeah, I held the rear. God, I hope they made it out okay.” Sam gave up his self-control, and it was Morgan’s turn to put her hand on top of his and wait for the storm of emotions to pass.

  The entire time Sam was crying, Morgan kept thinking to herself, with an absolute certainty she didn’t understand, “He’s dead.”

  And then she had to wonder if it was a premonition or a wish.

  “We’ll find out, we leave for Wergol the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, you need to rest, and I have business. We’ll speak again on the trip. Promise?” Morgan tried to keep her voice neutral and reassuring even as she moved across the room to the intercom panel and signaled for an attendant to take Sam back to his room.

  “Sure,” Sam answered as he was wheeled out of the room.

  Morgan had already left.

  Chapter Fourteen - Bystocc - 2012

  “What you have accomplished is amazing,” Neavillii said from where she stood in the doorway of the preschool room and watched the small children working at their toys.

  “In truth, my Lady, the Great Houses have been most generous. I would have little to show you were it not for their donations,” Aldera said with her head bowed low.

  “Indeed?” Neavillii asked, and heard Thanera laugh behind her. “I am certain the progress I see is more an indication of your skill and leadership. Another would surely have wasted the resources and squandered her time.” Neavillii turned to share a smile with Thanera over Aldera’s blushing head.

  “Would you view the room I have set aside for your clever and intelligent children, most beautiful of patrons?” Aldera asked. She kept her eyes low as she brushed past Neavillii and hurried from the room.

  “Of course,” Neavillii answered to Aldera’s retreating back as the other woman hurried down the corridor. “But I warn you, if you continue to flirt with me, I will hold you to the offer.” Neavillii laughed aloud when Aldera stopped her hurried pace and spun around to stare at her.

  “I would never presume a place in your lovely bed, my Lady. I only meant to honor you.” Aldera stumbled over a formal inflection as Neavillii reached her side.

  “Then you do not find our Lady beautiful?” Thanera asked with an formal inflection and a smile.

  “Our Lady, you are indeed
most beautiful,” Aldera said. “I meant that sincerely, I just did not think one so esteemed would take seriously the devotions of someone as low as myself.” Aldera continued to switch her gaze from Neavillii to Thanera.

  “Indeed?” Thanera imitated Neavillii’s inflection. “Then perhaps something should be done about the low image you hold of yourself.”

  “Indeed,” Neavillii said with an exaggerated copy of Thanera as imitation. “Would you have the honor? Or, perhaps as the subject of her devotion, and it should, by rights, be myself.”

  “Indeed!” Thanera said with a laugh. “It should be you, my Lady.” Thanera moved to stand behind Aldera and placed her hands on her confused friend’s shoulders.

  “Indeed,” Neavillii said with her own soft laugh. “Well, I shall try to give you a memory suitable to this moment,” and she took a deep breath before beginning. “You honor me with your presence, and I can only hope your bravery is contagious, for in the face of such devotion, I can do no less than bring you closer to myself,” and with a stifled laugh, Neavillii leaned forward to whisper Aldera’s promotion to the Eleventh rank of Tamsatel in her ear.

  Thanera paused and whispered the promotion of the First rank of Sansadee in her other ear.

  “Look what we have done with our lover’s giggles, she is crying. Please don’t cry, please.” Neavillii put her arm around Aldera and exchanged a concerned glance with Thanera.

  “If we ruined the moment for you, I will never forgive myself. Yolunu will never forgive me.” Thanera placed her hand on Aldera’s shoulder, who was attempting to pull gently away from Neavillii.

  “You did not ruin it for me,” Aldera said and took a deep breath. “It was the best moment I’ve experienced since I was released from apprenticeship and the wonderful Dejymo accepted my pledge personally.” Aldera tried to laugh, but her voice was still shaky from the emotions that overwhelmed her.

  “Why don’t we take this into the nursery? I see we have attracted an audience.” Neavillii gestured toward the older children who stood watching and waiting for them to stop blocking the corridor.

  “Indeed,” Aldera manage to choke out before all three gave way to laughter.

  #

  Enrico stood for several minutes in the darkened observation room, watching the three Sansheren infants’ violent game of hunting each other, before he realized he was not alone. “Forgive me, noble patron. I thought the room was empty,” Enrico said as he turned away from the form in the darkness and moved toward the room’s door.

  “I would welcome you,” Neavillii said. “Sit. You are the human Enrico?”

  “Yes,” Enrico said, and continued facing the closed door. “Have you met many of my species?” he asked the expected question before leaning his cane against the wall, and turning back to the room. He shifted his stump in his new prosthetic.

  “I am honored to call the human, Morgan, my mate. Sit with me a moment so that I can see how you have fared since last we met.” Neavillii slid the dimmer control up until Enrico could see her clearly.

  “You are Neavillii, then?” Enrico asked as he limped across the small room. “I am in your debt, how may I serve you?” Enrico limped forward to kneel between Neavillii and the glass partition.

  “Sit by me, please. You speak the court tongue, I am pleased to note,” she said with a wave toward the empty lounge. “Tell me, are you so eager for parenthood that you view other’s children?” And again she indicated the other lounge.

  Enrico kept his head bowed as he remained kneeling on the floor. “The patient and wise Yolunu has been generous enough to spend her evening hours coaching the surviving humans on your beautiful language,” Enrico said as his stump began to throb. “Learning seemed necessary to our survival.” He had yet to shift his position.

  “Yolunu, wife to Aldera? I must see that she understands my appreciation of her foresight. But you have not answered my question.” Neavillii leaned forward, and Enrico hoped she would not notice the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “Nor have you sat with me.”

  “Custom states that one must not sit at a height equal or above one whom you are either decidedly beneath or that you owe an honor debt to,” Enrico said through clenched teeth, and he never wavered in his stance as the throb intensified.

  “Except for the purpose of dining. Have you not covered that lesson yet? Sit and share some fruit with me.” She waved to a bowl of shriveled, pale produce sitting on a small table out of reach of both of the lounges.

  “I have been taught that one may accept an equal seating while dining, if by invitation and if said invitation includes a night of pleasure as well. Are you asking me into your bed, my Lady?” Enrico asked with a sharp glance up, and felt himself sway. He used his left hand to brace against the empty lounge.

  “I am asking you to sit with me!” She said, and he heard the frustration in her voice. “Here. Alone. In the dark. Court behavior belongs in the court. Leave it there.”

  “And what if someone enters, uninvited as I did?” Enrico asked, and felt the sweat begin to trickle down his face. “Will not your honor suffer from such a sight?” he shifted enough to allow his arm to take some of his weight.

  “In two other situations may we sit as equals. Can you name them?” she tried a different tact.

  “The personal guard sits always to the right of her chosen master. I know of no other reason to breach protocol.” The sweat ran from his forehead to sting his eyes.

  “An apprentice sits with her master when they eat alone; otherwise she stands to offer service.” Neavillii held her hand out to him.

  “And as no one would believe me to be your bodyguard, and I am not your apprentice, I will hold my position. My Lady.” He raised his eyes, to watch the hand pull back.

  It didn’t.

  “A personal guard chooses whom she will guard,” Neavillii said, and Enrico thought she was chastising him. “There have been some unlikely guards within our history. You would be accepted, were that your choice. If not, I am offering an apprenticeship.”

  The hand remained, and Enrico clenched his teeth in pain. “I would not presume the skills necessary to protect your lovely self. Therefore, I am forced to accept your offer of apprenticeship,” Enrico said and reached out with his right hand. The same as she offered him, but he used his left arm to push himself up from his knees. The blood returning to his stump was painful and forced him into the lounge.

  “It was not my intention to force you into this agreement,” Neavillii said, and Enrico felt her watch him sit. “I simply wanted to spend some time speaking with you. Something I could not in good conscience do with you kneeling in front of me. How is your wound?” She asked, pointing to the wrong leg.

  “Then I release you from your offer. One as low as I should have realized it was in jest.” He bowed his head and moved forward, intending to kneel once more.

  “Stop! It is not the place of the apprenticed to release the master. Sit.”

  He heard her voice soften toward the end.

  “As you wish.” He sat back. The sweat stung his eyes.

  “I wish. How is your leg?”

  Enrico met her eyes. “It heals,” and looked away. “The talented doctors gifted me with a wonderful prosthetic and cane.” He nodded toward the door and the cane he had left there. He did not look down at the fake orange fur that bristled at the end of his pant leg.

  “Court language is unnecessary between us; you’re a part of my family now,” Neavillii said, and offered a polite smile. “Dispense with any compliments you do not feel.”

  “Dispense?” he asked, and tried to force his face into a Sansheren smile long enough for her to notice.

  “Dispense – drop – do not use. Like your smile. A human smile is pleasant enough once one becomes accustomed to it.” Her own Sansheren smile grew at the forced expression on his face.

  “A human smile is not appropriate. I live in your world now. I must practice your expressions, lest I forget one day and bare my
teeth at someone I do not intend to eat. ” He held the smile an extra moment before relaxing and rubbing his face.

  “Indeed. Remind me some time to tell you about when my wonderful mate Morgan announced the arbitration to Tadesde’s retainers. Regardless, you never answered my question, why do you view other people’s children?” Neavillii shifted in her chair until she was again facing the viewing window.

  “Any answer I offered would either be a lie or an insult, most generous of patrons.” He, too, shifted until he could see into the nursery, and Neavillii dimmed the lights as he spoke.

  “I think perhaps we have not known each other long enough to grasp what will offend the other,” she whispered.

  “I concede,” Enrico responded and glanced toward her. The room was dark with only the diffused light from the nursery to cast dim shadows about them.

  “Would the truth be that you knew I was within and hoped for this audience?” Again, the whisper. The children continued to stalk each other in turn, oblivious to the glass wall.

  “No,” he said, and debated the truth before continuing; “I just like visiting the zoo.”

  “Indeed?” she asked with a chuckle, and the loudness of her voice startled Enrico after the whispers.

  “They’re so wild, so cruel. I like that. I really do,” he gave up trying to explain to her what he couldn’t explain to himself. He just felt an attraction to the alien children who needed no adults, no help.

  “Human children are very different, I realize. When the most beautiful Neadesto brought my mate Morgan onboard her flagship, I remember she was very quiet. Very frightened. You had the same eyes as her, when we first met in the corridor. I wanted to help you the same way Neadesto helped Morgan,” the whisper was back as neither looked away from the window.

  “You were honor bound to leave with Morgan and I fared well.” This time it was his voice that was loud in the room.

  “Indeed. Tell me..,” Neavillii said and paused with a sigh. “Tell me what you would have me know about yourself?”