Stardancer

by Ariel MacArran

  Suddenly Kinara remembered running through the corridors of the Ty'pran, unescorted, barefoot, her hair hanging free and dressed only in a bathrobe.

  Stars, Aidar must have been appalled.

  She made no other friends that afternoon but neither did she make any other enemies. By the end of the day, Kinara was satisfied Lianna’s reputation had been repaired, and that she would tell her mother who had come to her rescue.

  Kinara studied the girl as she walked Lianna back to her family’s townhouse. She was tiny, a graceful and delicate looking young woman and couldn’t be more than nineteen. Quite pretty too, her Az-kye dark eyes fringed with long lashes and she had a shy, sweet manner to her.

  Kinara waved the women back a bit so they wouldn’t be overheard and asked quietly, “Why did you try to talk to the Tellarans?”

  Lianna hesitated. “Just the one, my lady.”

  “Which one, Lianna? Do you know his name?”

  “Oh, I know they do not have names,” the girl mumbled then rushed on. “He has brown hair like one of us but eyes as green as aratite jewels and he is so different from—from—”

  Lianna’s cheeks were very pink, and Kinara smiled encouragingly. “Warriors can be pretty forbidding.”

  “Yes! They never smile and all they care about is acting like warriors.” Her voice dropped to a whisper again. “I think it is very silly.”

  Kinara laughed. “So tell me more about this Tellaran.”

  “When I spoke to he smiled at me and he is very handsome.” Lianna blushed again. “When I go to see him now—”

  “You still go to see him? I mean, if I went with you, maybe between us we could figure out his name.”

  Lianna’s eyes widened. “I go when everyone is at the evening meal. I have to wait until your mate has brought him back, but then—”

  Kinara’s stomach clenched. “Aidar takes this man out?”

  “Yes, every day.”

  “Why?” Kinara demanded. “When the man is brought back how does he look? Is he – is he hurt?”

  “Oh, no. He looks . . .” Lianna paused, considering. “He looks very amused.”

  I did only what is Tellaran custom.

  Kinara covered her smile with her hand. He’d been trying to woo her in the Tellaran way, and how else could he have learned of it except from a Tellaran!

  The sun was low in the sky now.

  If Lianna went then she could too, right?

  I’ll just peek in for star’s sake! How mad can he get about that?

  “Lianna, can you take me to see them now? Aidar should be back at the house.”

  Lianna swiftly ordered her guards to wait there in the street for her to return. Kinara was getting good at reading past warrior impassivity and knew that they were reluctant to let the girl go on without them. Once they reached the Az’anti gate Kinara sent her own guards in for their supper.

  Kinara called Laric over. “Take the women back to my apartments, Laric. I am hungry and I want everything prepared by the time I arrive.” Laric bent her head and Kinara waited till they were out of sight. “Let’s go, Lianna. We don’t have a lot of time.”

  Lianna led the way and Kinara glanced nervously at the guards outside the building. The men bent their heads respectfully and she realized the guards were Az’anti. Her shoulders relaxed. These men weren’t about the chase the clan leader off.

  Lianna led her upstairs and to a landing on the second floor, a smile instantly lighting her face as she stepped to the window. No longer held in cages her crew was housed in the large covered room below. Still dressed in clanless white, their clothes looked warm and all wore pants beneath their thicker tunics. The worst thing Kinara could see was that some of them looked mighty bored.

  “There!” Lianna cried. “That is he!”

  She’d had a good idea who it might be from Lianna’s description and now she grinned.

  Kinara put her arm around the girl’s shoulders. “His name is Tedah Zentarra and he is worthy of all your affection, Lianna.”

  The girl smiled and turned her glowing eyes back to Tedah.

  It was dark and Aidar was scowling by the time she entered their apartments.

  “Was the day pleasing to you, my mate?” she asked brightly, letting Laric take her cloak.

  “Not well pleasing."

  “I hope your spirits rise soon, Aidar. I’m hungry and I don’t want you to give me heartburn.” Kinara stopped before one of the women. “Have you been working on that gown all day, Sella? It’s beautiful embroidery.”

  Sella looked up at her, her dark eyes wide. “Thank you, my lady.”

  She caught Aidar still stormy expression. “We must put some sweets on my mate’s supper plate.” Kinara made a face at Aidar. “He is too sour tonight.”

  Some of the women laughed and Aidar’s face flushed.

  Aidar turned his glare on them. “Leave us!”

  When the door shut behind the women Kinara said, “You are sour tonight!”

  “You did not discuss your visits with me before going.”

  “Hey, I did okay today!”

  “You do not take being clan leader seriously.”

  “Seriously? Hey, if you think visiting those women is a barrel of laughs you ought to try it sometime. Let’s see . . . ” She counted off on her fingers. “Today I bandaged Lianna’s reputation and now her mother owes me. I made a good impression on the daughters of the other clans and I caught out Nathe spying for the Az’quen.” She folded her arms. “Not bad for my first full day as Ti’antah. Honestly, I don’t know how you ever got along without me.”

  His brow furrowed. “I thought—”

  “What? That I couldn’t handle it?”

  “I thought you would not put forth the effort if you were going to –” he broke off and looked away, his face taut.

  “I get homesick, Aidar,” she said quietly. “I miss my father, my family, my friends and it’s hard. I can’t give up on seeing them again someday. But it’s not that I don’t want to be here with you, I do.”

  He searched her face then hesitantly touched her hair. “It lifts my heart to hear it so.”

  “Being away from them makes me sad.” She laid her hand against his chest. “But being away from you would make me a lot sadder.”

  “I would do anything to have you happy,” he murmured, his arms going around her. “To have you with me always, Cy’atta.” His dark eyes were soft. “Anything.”

  She looked up at him, his square-jawed handsomeness, and his gold hair that caught the light, the warmth, intelligence and depth of those dark eyes.

  I love him, she realized, feeling like a child who suddenly became aware of the star-filled night sky above her head. Gods, when did that happen?

  We’ll be sending everyone home soon, safely back to Tellaran space. I’ll keep my promise to them and then . . .

  She smiled through tears and lifted her mouth to his.

  We’ll have the rest of our lives together.

  Second only to the Empress, their power was immense. The Elders could crush a clan if they chose.

  If I offend them in any way today . . .

  Kinara felt a brush against her hand and smiled up at Aidar. Going against convention he’d offered as much physical affection as he dared publicly. Kinara straightened her shoulders. They’d rehearsed for this. She just needed to play it as they practiced and then they would take her crew to Az-kanzar, Aidar’s homeworld, where she could watch over them ‘til they could be smuggled home.

  The Elders met in an enclosed amphitheater in the temple district; the walls hung with brightly colored tapestries showing scenes of the Imperial history. The building itself was nothing spectacular, but the crowd inside was a stomach-clenching assembly of clan leaders and their daughters.

  Great, a whole arena of people I don’t dare offend and who act like they’ve never seen red hair before.

  Each woman had with her at least one warrior – a mate or a guard – and seating went by r
ank. As old a clan as the Az’anti were, in this crowd their place was nearly in the back. Aidar followed her but his eyes darted about, watching for any threat or insult.

  Step on a single slippered toe and Aidar might be fighting today to defend the honor of our house. Gods, I can’t get out of here soon enough.

  Kinara spied a few familiar faces. Lianna was present, seated beside a haughty faced woman who could only be her mother. The girl smiled when Kinara caught her eye. She recognized a few others she had visited yesterday and exchanged greetings with them. And she saw Unata. The girl pretended not to notice her and Kinara rolled her eyes inwardly at the social cut.

  Kinara climbed to her feet with the rest of the crowd as the Elders entered. Position in Az-kye society could sometimes be like quicksand. These women had managed to climb to, and stay at, the very top. These snowy haired women moved with the dignity and assurance of those who knew the importance of their place in the universe.

  Some of the Elders were speaking to each other with open friendly faces, while some glared at each other with icy dislike.

  Kinara surreptitiously wiped her damp palms against her skirt.

  The women were seated now, facing the crowd. The one at the center nodded her head once, giving the crowd leave to retake their seats. Speech was not permitted unless invited by one of the Elders and the hall was silent.

  “We begin,” the Elder seated in the center of the table said. The Council for Food requested additional dispensation to counteract rising prices of grain on the Imperial world. A woman who was apparently head of this Council stood and gave an explanation for the request.

  It was clear during debate the Elders were divided almost evenly on their views with two holding their opinions until the end. The request was granted and they continued with the next matter, a land dispute between two clans.

  That debate ended and the Council went on to another. Kinara settled herself in for a long, nervewracking wait. Aidar had explained that the Tellarans were not so important as to require immediate attention from the Elders and they would be brought in at the end.

  The day's business finally wound down. Kinara straightened as the hall fell silent.

  It was into this stillness that her crew was brought in.

  To say they behaved badly would be kind. Kinara now understood enough about Az-kye society to realize their behavior was atrocious. They shouted at the crowd, cursing them, some of the men and two of the women tangled with the guards.

  The crowd was hissing their disapproval; some were openly threatening her crew now.

  And no one was acting up as much as Tedah.

  Kinara clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking. She watched him spit at the Elders and she felt dizzy with fear. There was only so much these women would tolerate. They could order the Tellarans to be put to death right now if they chose.

  The Elder in the center raised her head. “Kinara of the Az’anti!”

  Kinara forced herself to her feet. She descended the steps and Aidar followed her. When she reached the rail opposite the Elder she bowed deeply. “Your will, Elder.”

  Her crew called out to her. Kinara knew that this only made them look worse, as if they were mocking her, and she kept her eyes on the Elders.

  The Elders regarded her with interest. In fact, she probably had the eye of every person in the arena on her now.

  The Elder in the center, leader of the Council, spoke. “You have offered these Tellarans as a gift from your clan to us.”

  Kinara bowed briefly again and tried to answer but her crew was so unruly her words were drowned out.

  The Elder stood suddenly and gestured to the guards. “I will have silence!”

  The guards moved in and Tedah shouted for order. Her crew obeyed instantly. The Elder eyed them for a moment then retook her seat and nodded to Kinara.

  “Honored Elder,” she said. “I fear this gift so poor we cannot in all honor give it.”

  Aidar shifted slightly beside her and Kinara remembered what they practiced. “My mate has seen to their care while I attended to other duties. If it would please you, Elder, I request that he answer your questions.”

  “I will allow it,” the Elder replied. “Aidar of the Az’anti, you deem them unfit?”

  Aidar inclined his head. “It is so, Elder. I fear it shames the Az’anti to offer them. Our clan presents you a hundred head of yentath as a gift in their place.”

  The Elder looked at the Tellarans speculatively. “I am inclined to agree with the Az’anti on this matter.”

  She glanced at her fellow Council members questioningly.

  None objected and the Elder nodded. “We accept your gift of the beasts and wish great honor to clan Az’anti. Take you these slaves from our hall.”

  Kinara controlled a victorious smile as she and Aidar bowed to the Council.

  They’re going home!

  “May I speak, Elder?” a voice called out.

  Kinara straightened, turning her eyes to Baruta, Lianna’s mother.

  The Elder nodded. “What is it you wish, Lady of the Otan?”

  “I wish to give right and deserved honor to the Az’anti,” Baruta said, with an inclination of her head in their direction. “They are an old and honored name in the Empire.”

  Lianna gave Kinara a smile and Kinara returned it.

  I guess her mother’s paying me back for helping yesterday.

  “In view of this, I offer one hundred coins to them for each Tellaran.”

  Kinara’s breath stopped and she felt Aidar tense beside her.

  Baruta had just offered a fortune for her crew!

  Lianna caught Kinara's eye and then the girl turned her dark glowing eyes on Tedah.

  Oh, gods, no!

  “We cannot accept,” Aidar said quickly. “They are unworthy, disobedient creatures.”

  “My daughter tells me that the Tellarans will obey that one,” Baruta said, pointing at Tedah. “I have seen him quiet the others here today. He will see to it they obey.”

  Kinara’s eyes met Tedah’s. He frowned.

  “I cannot accept,” Aidar repeated, his voice hoarse. “I cannot allow such as these to be burdens on your clan.”

  “Clan Otan is aware of their reputation, Aidar of the Az’anti,” the Elder interjected. “Their clan leader does you great honor here.” Several of the other women indicated their agreement and the leader smiled at him kindly. “It is the decision of the Elders that the Az’anti accept the Lady of the Otan’s offer.”

  He hesitated then bowed deeply. “Your will, Elder,”

  What? No, he didn't just give them up, did he?

  He didn't!

  He promised!

  The Elder looked at her with raised eyebrows. Kinara managed a shaky bow.

  The leader declared the meeting ended and as the Elders began to file out the audience rose. Kinara watched, dazed and sick, as her own guards stepped back to allow the Elders’ warriors to lead her crew away. Tedah was looking at her, his face a mask of confusion.

  No! No, this can't be happening!

  “Kinara! What’s going on? Where are they taking us?” One of the guards struck Tedah hard and he staggered. Several of the crew were fighting as the warriors dragged them out.

  My friends! Oh, gods, what’s going to happen to them now? Lianna wants Tedah, but the others! Who would care for them? How will they get home?

  The crowd was making their way to the exits now.

  “Do something,” Kinara whispered.

  “I cannot.”

  She clutched Aidar arm. “We’ve got to stop this.”

  His lips were white. “The Elders have ordered us to accept. We must.”

  Kinara looked around frantically for Lianna. The girl wanted Tedah but not like this! She would promise Lianna could visit Tedah, promise to let them exchange letters, promise her — oh, promise her anything!

  Unata caught her eye. The woman glared for an instant, then turned to speak to an acquaintance, ca
sually handing her fan to a waiting slave.

  Kinara’s eyes widened. "Oh, dear gods!"

  He was dressed in the white of the clanless, his brown hair shaggy. His face went slack with shock as he looked back at her. An ugly bruise marred his jaw, but nothing in the universe could have kept her from knowing him.

  “Kyndan,” she breathed.

  Aidar caught her arm and Kinara turned to throw him off.

  “You cannot!”

  “That’s my brother!” Kinara struggled against his hold. “Fracking hell, let me go!”

  “You cannot go to him!” Aidar whispered urgently. “You will shame us.”

  “I don’t care!”

  Kinara yanked her arm away. She pushed though the crowd heedless of whom she might offend, never taking her eyes off him, afraid he would vanish if she did.

  Amazement and joy spread across her brother’s face. Kinara was only a few steps away, ready to throw herself into his arms, when Unata turned and looked her full in the face.

  Kyndan rushed toward her.

  A dark blur darted forward, knocking her brother off his feet then Aidar was in front of her, blocking her way to Kyndan.

  “Your slave shames you, Unata,” Aidar said loudly, standing over Kyndan.

  Unata’s surprise was evident. “He does not usually act so.”

  “His behavior is unacceptable!”

  Kinara tried to get around him but Aidar shifted so she couldn’t.

  “I agree,” Unata said quickly. Several people had been attracted by the commotion. Unata’s eyes flicked uneasily to the surrounding crowd. “I will have him punished.”

  “No!” Kinara cried.

  “You are responsible for his behavior,” Aidar went on, sounding enraged. “The Az’anti have been offended, our lady assaulted in the chamber of the Elders! We will not tolerate this!”

  Unata blinked and an older woman pushed her way to the front. “You cannot mean the Az’anti will declare clan war?”

  Aidar addressed the Lady of the Az’quen. “Your daughter’s slave has offended us. You have offended us.”

  Kyndan struggled to his feet. Snarling, he leapt at Aidar.

  Aidar stuck him hard. Kyndan collapsed under the blow. Kinara cried out and instantly realized her mistake as Unata looked between them.