Neavillii noticed with a light-headed giggle that the body continued to bleed.
“Child, you’re injured. Where is my personal doctor? She must have the best care. Hurry, hurry.” Tadesde bent over Neavillii and wiped at the blood that now covered her face.
Neavillii cringed in horror when Tadesde, standing to make room for the medics, absent-mindedly brought her blood soaked fingers to her mouth.
“You’re crazy,” Neavillii whispered.
Tadesde did not seem to hear as she walked out of the room, laughing.
The medics did, and Neavillii could see agreement in their eyes.
“We have sent word to the Houses. You will be ransomed, my Lady.” A young retainer bent over Neavillii after the medics left and whispered her encouragement.
“Who defected?” Neavillii asked the question she had not dared pose to the terrified medics who attended her injuries.
“Her first wife declared peerage. And her Gulardee of the Twelfth, she whom you just saw die, claimed the loyalty of her fleet and demanded marriage.” A loud noise outside the room brought the terrified retainer’s gaze to the wall, and a long moment passed before she relaxed enough to look back at Neavillii.
“Tadesde will leave for the Western Continent. You must have faith and patience. This ordeal will be over one day and you will tell your children of it.” The retainer gave Neavillii a brief pat to her uninjured hand.
“My children are in a nursery on the Western Continent,” Neavillii said without looking at her sympathizer.
“They have not been found, my Lady. There is yet hope.” Another pat and the retainer stood and slipped from the room.
#
“What do you want?” Tadesde lay reclined on a platform in what was the Administration building’s cafeteria. It was the same room Neavillii had granted her first audiences in.
An aide cowered halfway across the room, not daring to come closer. “Most beautiful of patrons. If it pleases you, we have your meal prepared.” The aide did not step closer as she spoke, but instead, shoved a young apprentice forward.
Tadesde jumped up and crossed the room, startling all present. “This swill is overcooked,” she shouted, flinging a chunk of meat in the apprentice’s face.
The cook’s apprentice nodded her head in agreement and ran from the room, not daring to wipe away the clotted blood that dripped where the meat hit her.
“Is there anything else?” Tadesde paced in a circle as she waited for the aide to gather her courage.
“It has come to our attention that someone is broadcasting off planet. It is possible that Morganea has–“ the aide darted out of Tadesde’s way as she rushed to the door of the room.
“Where is Ferseca? I must speak with my wife. Where is she?” Tadesde traveled down the hallway shouting in growing panic.
“I am here, my love. Come, we will speak in private.” Ferseca was older than anyone else still in Tadesde’s camp.
“There is a traitor. Morganea has been warned. What will we do?” Tadesde collapsed at Ferseca’s feet as her older spouse sat in a chair.
“We are safe, my love. I know Morganea has been warned. We’ve been trying to find the traitor for a week now.” Ferseca stroked Tadesde’s hair, noticing not for the first time the streaks of green that were becoming dominant.
“But if Morganea knows, she will pledge a debt of honor against me. She will hunt us.” Tadesde clutched at her spouse’s knees, not caring of the blood she was drawing.
“Hush, love. Morganea does not know we anticipate her arrival. We will set a trap. An ambush. All will be well, my love.” Ferseca, too, ignored the blood that dripped from her knees. She lifted Tadesde’s head and saw reason creep back into her bloodshot eyes.
#
“The meat goes rancid, my Lady.” Nogina stood in the doorway of the nursery viewing rooms where Numane’s death children prowled behind the glass.
“I know, and yet we dare not use the generator. That would be too great an invitation. So, tell me my friend. Whom do we abandon?” Aldera held her hand up to her exhausted aide and pulled the other onto her lounge.
“Of the older children, only seven have achieved the point of reasoning. It would be a place to start.” Nogina leaned back against the headrest as she spoke.
“There is a priority list in my office, we will use the last of the meat and then wait. We will offer to clear the escape passage to any who would leave.” Aldera shifted her position until she was reclined on the lounge, her head resting on Nogina’s lap. The children behind the glass continued their restless prowl as she lay silently.
“My Lady, we…” The young aide was cut off by Nogina’s raised hand. Walking further into the room, she saw Aldera reclined with eyes closed against the candlelight.
“The sound of digging can be heard at the main tunnel. The staff is afraid,” the young aide admitted.
“Gather everyone in the lunchroom. We will be there soon,” Nogina said while shifting Aldera’s head forward on her knees.
“It seems your list will never be read my Lady. Someone is digging us out. Your staff awaits you in the lunchroom,” Nogina said to Aldera.
“Strange. Regardless of who is coming, I am relieved.” Aldera walked to the glass and reached out before turning sharply and leaving the room.
Nogina rushed to catch up.
“Power up the generators. We will want light. If it is Tadesde’s forces, I would suggest we open the nurseries. Any comments?” Aldera asked with the same fatal calmness she had felt through the entire crisis.
“If it is not Tadesde and we power up?” The question hung in the air.
“If it is not Tadesde, we leave. The meat is gone; our air will run dry soon. We do no one honor in a lingering death.” Aldera nodded to Nogina, who entered the room just as the lights flooded back on. The candles that lit the room flickered as everyone struggled to adapt to the light.
“My friend, bring the seven you spoke of to the first bend in the tunnel. Everyone else, gather your personal journals and join them.” Aldera moved to the door.
“What about you, my love?” Nogina silenced the room with her question.
“I will be in my office, setting the main overrides to open the nurseries when the primary seals are blown. As you said, the generator will draw Tadesde’s people.” Aldera left the stunned room and ran down the corridor. In her office, she set the codes and retrieved a parcel of emergency explosives. She paused to smile at a small toy that Amigo had made for her.
Aldera stood in the doorway of her children’s viewing room when she heard two explosions coming from different parts of the complex. She slammed the door closed even as she saw the glass drop. Running down the corridor, she heard shouting behind her but never paused to look back. The escape tunnel lay before her when she skidded to a stop. The noises behind her turned to screams, and she allowed herself a grim smile as she set the explosive she had brought from her office. A blur of green caught her eye as she pressed the detonator.
#
“And how are you today, my beautiful friend?” Tadesde entered Neavillii’s room, not bothering to hold the door for her aides, who were forced to reopen the heavy door.
“Better than you, I see.” Neavillii grinned at Tadesde in reference to her captor’s green fur.
“Such insolence. And from one I have treated as my very own. Have you no gratitude for the one who saved your life?” Tadesde crossed the room and reached her hand for Neavillii’s face
Neavillii pulled back, in obvious disdain.
Tadesde curled her claws into her palm and struck Neavillii across the face, hard. “May I assume that you will not even consider the honor I would bestow you?” Tadesde fingered Neavillii’s bonds.
“There is no honor you could offer me, except it be the viewing of your death.” Neavillii finished speaking and spat the blood that filled her mouth at Tadesde.
“I had intended to accept a marriage proposal from you. But I see now that you’re far beneath my notice
.” Tadesde struck her several times as she spoke.
“It gladdens me to be beneath your notice. It frees me from speaking to you.” Neavillii forced a laugh as another blow struck her. She felt a throbbing in her back.
“You will tell me when Morganea will return!” Tadesde screamed as she knelt in front of Neavillii.
Neavillii closed her eyes and held her tight smile.
“You cannot deny me!” Tadesde jumped to her feet and glared down at the defiant Neavillii.
“Tell me, when will your whore return!” Tadesde punctuated her demand with a sharp blow to Neavillii’s already bleeding face.
Silence was Neavillii's response, and it grew as Tadesde paced within the confines of the small room.
Her two aides were forced to dodge to avoid her. “She has abandoned you and this rock, has she not?”
The growing panic in Tadesde’s voice gave Neavillii hope as her tormentor walked toward the door of the cell. And fear of dying alone gave her courage.
“You are the one who has been abandoned. I heard you are without family now. You have my sincere condolences.” Neavillii bared her teeth in a grimace as she spoke.
Tadesde froze before the open door as Neavillii spoke, and continued to stand even as the silence became awkward. The two retainers began to fidget.
“Your people are afraid you will destroy them with your dishonor.”
As Neavillii spoke, Tadesde strode toward her. Neavillii was still smiling in defiance when the mad leader struck her. The impact of the blow threw her across the room, still shackled in her chair.
The two retainers were silent as one moved to check Neavillii’s condition.
“She dies. Call for the maternity team.” Ferseca growled to the room as she placed a hand on Neavillii’s stomach and the maternal nest it contained.
“Who would tell her of my temporary troubles? Who would disgrace me so?” Tadesde muttered under her breath as she walked toward the still form of Neavillii.
“She dies, my Lady. We must have a maternity team in here to revive her.” Ferseca met Tadesde’s eyes and saw a moment of recognition.
“No one loyal to you, my lady, would have dreamed of telling this creature of your dishonor. I assure you,” Kihani said from the door. And Ferseca turned to stare at her choice of words.
“You are right, no one loyal to My Lady,” Ferseca said with deliberate inflection, and Tadesde turned her unfocused gaze to the young retainer still standing beside the door.
“What do you mean, she is dying?” Tadesde demanded. “Now Morganea has a debt of blood, a debt of family, and a debt of honor against me. So it is to be war. I knew as much when I first saw her. Come, we must prepare.” Tadesde continued to speak without emotion as she moved to the door.
“It could be prevented. The maternity team might still revive her, my Lady. You would be responsible for her children. Morganea would be your kin.” Ferseca stood and moved to follow Tadesde, who continued to speak to herself.
“What? No, this will serve my purpose better.” Tadesde waved Ferseca through the doorway as she smiled in the dying Neavillii’s direction.
And closed the door in Kihani’s face.
“My Lady!” Kihani cried out, and Tadesde’s laugh could be heard through the door.
“I always feared dying alone, but somehow this is worse. I am sorry, my friend,” Neavillii whispered to the sobbing retainer who had comforted her before.
“Is it soon?” the young retainer asked, and smeared tears across her face before she moved to release Neavillii’s bonds.
“Yes. Do not unfasten me. I think it is the only thing holding the bones together. Have you any children?” Neavillii could not see the one she whispered to, the darkness behind her eyes was too intense.
“I have not yet reached the age of fertility. There will be no one to wear my face. You are wrong though, this is better than dying alone.” Kihani lay down and placed her arm over the trapped Neavillii’s shoulder.
“Thank you. The moment comes; sweeter than the hands of the lover is your embrace. I only wish there was someone to record your honor.” Neavillii relaxed into Kihani’s arms.
“Perhaps when your wife returns,” Kihani said as she unfastened the straps and allowed Neavillii to fall into her arms.
“Indeed,” Neavillii whispered as she felt the pressure build. The blackness was joined by a rushing sound that obscured any final words Kihani might have said.
Chapter Twenty-Three - Sheresuan - 2012
“My daughter! And how was your search for family?” Neadesto asked as Morgan strode into the small audience chamber unannounced.
“Successful. They remain on Wergol. Tell me, when will the council meet?” Morgan bowed when she completed the distance between herself and the raised lounge Neadesto shared with Iedonea. The few retainers present were old friends and confidants and only those trusted to watch Neadesto sleep knew the location of the private hall.
“It will not. Council has rejected Tadesde’s claim. She did not even present it in person. One might think she herself did not feel it had merit,” Iedonea replied, and held her hand out to Morgan in an invitation to sit.
Morgan continued standing without acknowledging the gesture.
“Tell me the joy of meeting your family once more.” Neadesto interrupted Morgan before she had a chance to respond to Iedonea's information.
“There was little joy to recount. Tadesde killed the wife of the one I searched for. He holds all Sansheren at fault for Tadesde’s unfortunate birth. And I’m forced to wonder how many other species judge us poorly because of this one indulgence.” Morgan clenched her fists in frustration.
“Indeed. It is a shame then that no House has the courage to stand against her,” Iedonea said, her hand upon Neadesto’s leg when the older woman would have spoken.
“I agree, my aunt. Tell me, what has the House discerned about Tadesde’s strength?” Morgan moved closer and lowered her voice.
“My House has always honored its pledge of neutrality. If your newly formed House would be so kind as to put in its intelligence request formally, I am certain they will be answered with all due haste,” Neadesto said a disapproving frown hard upon her face.
Iedonea echoed the frown as she turned sideways to see her father and wife.
“That is not necessary, I have decided. I, Morganea, hereby pledge before witnesses, my House, my resources, and my life to the destruction of the person of Tadesde. She has committed acts against my family and my blood. I do not hold her House, nor her retainers responsible, save those that actively resist me.” As Morgan paused to draw a breath, she thought again of her resolve to infiltrate Tadesde’s home planet and assassinate the insane leader.
“And I will pledge myself, and any who would follow me, to your glorious banner. Not since the days of Mesine has there been so noble a cause.” Iedonea stood and knelt in front of the stunned Morgan who looked from Iedonea’s serious expression to Neadesto’s bemused look before moving forward to offer her hands to Iedonea.
“My aunt, I have no words for the honor you do me,” Morgan said, and also knelt.
“That was eloquent enough, I think. Do you not, my love?” Neadesto chuckled as she spoke.
“Very eloquent. Come, there are arrangements to be made. I must poll my people. Any who wish to stay with the most loved Neadesto will be allowed to.” It was Iedonea who helped Morgan to stand.
“You rush; I would be allowed the opportunity to contribute to this honorable event.” Neadesto stood and faced Morgan as she chastised Iedonea with a smile.
“I would not dream of infringing on your neutrality, my parent,” Morgan began, to be silenced by Neadesto reaching fingers up to her lips. The claw tips were still razor sharp, she noted, and it seemed to heighten her sense of surrealism.
“It would be my honor to bear your children, my beautiful apprentice.” Neadesto began to kneel only to be forced to move out of the way of the fainting Morgan.
“I
had heard her species did that. A reflex to play dead when things become too overwhelming. Well, where is her doctor?” Iedonea moved to stand above Morgan.
“Overwhelming, you say. I suppose one might consider that a compliment.” Neadesto looked from where she knelt beside Morgan and exchanged a smile with Iedonea.
“Indeed, one might.”
Chapter Twenty-Four - Earth – 1995
“Class, we have a new student today.” The teacher placed her hand on Lui Moih-Gan’s shoulder and turned her toward the room full of curious children.
“What’s your name?” one of the children shouted. The room grew silent waiting for the answer.
The teacher removed her hand from Lui Moih-Gan’s shoulder and studied the enrollment paperwork, again.
“Does she speak English?” another child asked from beside Lui Moih-Gan.
“Moegan,” Lui Moih-Gan whispered as the teacher continued to stare at the papers and her hand.
“Morgan is a nice name, yes ShaTilla, she does speak some English. Now why don’t you show her the art project we’re working on while I go talk to Mrs. Everston about music.” The teacher smiled down at both girls, once, and then turned away.
“My name’s ShaTilla, that has a double L, not a Y or anything. What’s your name? Mrs. Jameson couldn’t say it, could she? She couldn’t say my name when school started. She said the l’s.” The girl beside Morgan was taller, even sitting down.
Morgan kept her eyes on the table, seeing only the other’s dark hands.
“You do speak English, don’t you?” ShaTilla asked after a small silence passed.
“Yes.” Morgan didn’t whisper, she just didn’t try very hard to be heard.
“Scared, aren’t ya? Nobody will hit you here. I promise.” ShaTilla leaned closer and put her arm around Morgan protectively.
Morgan held very still and waited for the other girl to move away. Her shoulders ached from the pressure on her bruises.
“My dad hits me, too.” An older boy, sitting across from Morgan and ShaTilla, said in a hushed voice, and Morgan looked into his eyes to see the pain she was feeling. “If you tell the teacher, the state will move you to a Foster home for a while. Sometimes that’s better.”
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