Stardancer

by Ariel MacArran

  He slammed the door behind him.

  Aidar told me Kyndan attacked, that he’d killed their people and I didn't believe him.

  I couldn't.

  She stepped into the hall and automatically waved her guards back. She avoided their eyes, knowing they’d heard her and Kyndan shouting at each other, again.

  Most of the estate was settling in for the night. The guards were taking their positions around the grounds. Kinara nodded to two of them as she stepped through one of the heavy doors onto the grounds. With typical Az-kye adherence to tradition, torches were lit along the paths instead of powered lights but Kinara avoided the trails. Lately it felt as if, lonely as she was, there was never a moment to herself. Even a walk in the garden could become an impromptu meeting if she ran across one of the house staff.

  Kinara breathed in the cool air as the wind ruffled her hair. Even Laric no longer suggested dressing it when guests were not expected but Kinara was grateful for her maid’s instance on the heaviness of her dress. It was full autumn now and the night air chilly. She leaned back against the wall of the house and looked at the stars in Az-kye’s night sky, searching for Rusco’s sun.

  She heard voices not too far off then an odd thump.

  Alarmed, she followed the sound. She made her way by the shadows toward one of the circular clearings and paused, leaning around a tree to watch.

  Bebti held a miniature wooden version of an Az-kye sword in front of him. The boy stood before a slowly turning post about Aidar’s height with white circles painted upon it.

  “No, hold the sword before you, like so,” Aidar corrected, adjusting Bebti’s grip. “It is a weapon for attack but it is also your defense. To leave yourself open is an unworthy thing.”

  Bebti nodded solemnly. His face intent with concentration, he took a hard swing at the post. The impact rattled the pillar and Bebti swung the sword back to the defensive position.

  “You improve,” Aidar said. “But it is not strength that you must cultivate. It is precision. Strength comes easily. It is control that makes a warrior. Try again.”

  Bebti’s narrow shoulders set. He swung again and although the post barely rocked, he hit the target perfectly this time.

  “Well done,” Aidar confirmed. “You will be a fine warrior someday.”

  Bebti’s eyes picked her out in the darkness.

  “Did you see, lady?” he cried. “Did you see? I hit it!”

  Startled, Aidar turned to look at her.

  Caught out, she stepped forward from her place by the tree. She smiled at Bebti. “Yes, I saw. I’m very proud of you.”

  “My lord says I will be a fine warrior."

  “Yes, I heard that,” Kinara said. “He would know better than anyone.”

  “And when I get big I will fight the enemies of the Az-kye, just like Ren’thar!”

  There was a moment of silence. Aidar shifted his weight.

  Kinara stepped into the light. “Is that your sword, Bebti? Let me see it.”

  The boy hurried over, proudly displaying his wooden blade. Kinara took it in her hands, turning it over in the light as Bebti enthused over its qualities.

  “And next week, I will have a real one,” he finished.

  “I think not so soon,” Aidar said gently.

  Bebti looked up at him. “But I am better now.”

  “You are so,” Aidar agreed. “But there are many lessons that you must learn before you are a warrior. First is patience.”

  Bebti’s shoulders sagged.

  “Bebti, becoming a warrior takes many years of training,” Kinara said, looking at Aidar for confirmation. “Doesn’t it?”

  Aidar nodded. “This is so. I practiced long to earn my skills.”

  The boy’s dark eyes shone. “Then I too will practice."

  “It’s late, Bebti.” She kissed the boy’s cheek. “I think it’s time for bed.”

  Bebti opened his mouth to protest as he always did but Aidar cut him off.

  “A warrior must learn when it is time to rest,” he said solemnly.

  Bebti nodded and turned proudly toward the boys’ quarters, his practice sword held lovingly in his arms.

  “I bet he’ll sleep with that thing,” Kinara murmured as she watched him go.

  Aidar laughed softly. “It is a poor warrior who is wounded by his own sword but I think him safe enough with the wooden one.”

  Kinara raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad Bebti found someone willing to teach him.”

  His face flushed and he looked away. “The other children were taunting him. I followed to find him here trying to train alone.” He cleared his throat. “It is unseemly to let such enthusiasm go wasted.”

  “Right.” Kinara smothered a smile. “Were you anything like that?”

  Aidar shook his head. “More often than not, I could not remember where I had left my sword when practice time came. I was ever being scolded by Tanak.”

  “Tanak?”

  “My swordmaster. Never have I seen such a sour face. He could wilt flowers by his look alone. Anira used to say that he had to drink wine with bitter herbs lest he smile and his face crack. Yet my father insisted that Tanak be the one to teach me.”

  Now Kinara did smile. “Poor man.”

  “He was indeed to be pitied, Cy’atta,” Aidar agreed. “I was as poor a student as could be found. But in Bebti’s eyes I see one with the heart to be a great warrior.”

  Kinara turned her face away. “You mean to fight the enemies of the Az-kye.”

  “You have argued with your brother again.”

  Startled, Kinara met Aidar’s mild gaze.

  “I can’t seem to be in the same room without fighting with him these days,” she said finally. “Damn it, sometimes I just want to—” she broke off, making a gesture of frustration.

  “Break a vase over his head?”

  “Yes! Maybe he’d start thinking again if I did.”

  “Ah,” Aidar said, nodding. “So he does not think.”

  “Oh, he thinks all right! He thinks about how everything is the Az-kyes’ fault!”

  “This is not so?”

  "He told me," she said. “What happened out there between the Reliant and the Ty'pran between — between you. None of what my father told me was true and I—" She closed her eyes briefly. "If I'd known . . ."

  He gave a rueful smile. "You would never have come to Az-kye space."

  "Gods know I would have grieved, but I— It would not have seemed so unfair, so . . . I don't know." She pushed her hair back. "And it's like he doesn't accept any responsibility for what happened! He acts as if it’s okay to go around attacking Az-kye and they’re not entitled to fight back.”

  “And this is not so?”

  She looked across the garden he had given her. The house gate was closed for the night and above the wall, thousands upon thousands of lights shone in the Empress’ City.

  The Az-kye were the Realm’s enemies.

  But they aren’t mine.

  Laric showing her how to hold her fan. Holding her namesake, Nyat's daughter. Bebti's shining eyes.

  And Aidar.

  “No, it's not so.” She sighed, sitting down on a low wall. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”

  “It is easy to hate what one doesn’t understand. Once I did feel so about Tellarans.”

  She blinked. “You hated Tellarans?”

  “I hated what I thought they were.”

  She searched his face. “And what do you think now?”

  Aidar sat beside her. “Tellaran honor is . . . different but it is strong. You would not forget your brother even though he speaks harshly to you, even though he was defeated. To do so would dishonor you.”

  Kinara watched the pattern the torch’s flames made on the path. “Actually I’d like to forget him sometimes. I thought what happened had changed him, had made him into this bitter, angry man. Now I’m starting to wonder if I just didn’t really know my brother.”

  Or maybe I don’t
know myself anymore.

  “What will you do?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t keep him prisoner in the house but I can’t get him to behave. He’s causing all kinds of talk. When I went to see Helia of the Az’shu she implied that she knows about Kyndan’s behavior.”

  Aidar frowned and she sighed.

  “The women talk to other women, Aidar. It was bound to get out. You managed to get him away from Unata on the premise that you wanted to punish him for his ‘attack’ and now not only hasn’t he been punished, he acts as if he owns the place.”

  “Send him away.”

  “I can’t do that! How would that make him feel? And where would I send him anyway?”

  “The Tellarans will arrive on Az-kanzar soon,” Aidar reminded. “Someone will need to organize them and oversee their work. Kyndan was once their commander.”

  Kinara’s eyes widened. “Oh, stars, that’s a great idea! It would give him something to do and it would get him off the Imperial world.” She nodded. “I’ll tell him in the morning.”

  “No,” Aidar said firmly. “The duties of slaves are my responsibility. I will tell him.”

  Kinara hesitated. “I don’t know . . .”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You think he will refuse to help his people if the knowing comes from me?”

  She smiled wryly. “Let me know if he needs anything broken over his head.”

  Aidar’s warm dark eyes sent a rush of longing through her.

  “I haven’t had dinner yet,” she said impulsively. “Are you hungry?”

  He shook his head. Did he linger over meals with Senya as he once had with her? Did they laugh together and share a plate?

  She looked out over the garden. “I need you to escort me on a visit I must make tomorrow.”

  “I am free in the morning.”

  “I have some other things to do after that too. I’ll need you to come with me.”

  He hesitated. “For how long do you require me?”

  "Probably all day tomorrow.”

  And the next day, and the day after . . .

  He frowned. “Truly, I have . . . much to attend to.”

  She gripped the low wall, the stones biting into her fingers but her voice was steady. “Well, I guess — whatever it is — will just have to wait.”

  Aidar sent the message to Cenna with his regrets that he could not accompany her to the Cye clanhouse. Lianna’s mother sold some of the Tellarans and the Cye clan had purchased four. Cenna planned to travel to their clanhouse north of the city in hopes of purchasing them.

  He accompanied Cenna whenever he could as she called in favors and made inquiries. She learned which clans owned Tellarans and was quietly trying to buy them.

  Aidar sighed.

  Again today Dael angrily rebuffed Aidar’s attempt to regain Nisara. Dael’s affection for the Tellaran girl Aidar had given him while still aboard the Ty’pran had grown into absolute adoration.

  Cenna’s gentle reminder to Dael, as she sat between them, that Dael must someday choose one of the women who had offered for him as mate led to a bitter shouting match between the two. Cenna was far too softhearted to force her brother into marriage but by the end of the hour she’d been swearing that she would order one immediately.

  Aidar shook his head at the memory. Dael’s marriage could forge a strong alliance and it was Cenna’s first duty to see to the wellbeing of her clan. In the end the two had finally come to an uneasy peace. Nisara would remain with Dael and Cenna would continue to evaluate offers for him that she knew he would not accept.

  Aidar doubted Lianna would sell Tedah, even for a mountain of jewels. Cenna said the girl kept him with her constantly.

  Aidar turned the corner and nearly collided with Kyndan.

  “Can’t get away from these starblasted Az-kye,” Kyndan muttered.

  “Such would be difficult in the Empress’ City.”

  Kyndan stopped short. “You bastard! You speak Tellaran?”

  Aidar’s palm itched to draw his blade.

  Then he did the unthinkable for a warrior confronted with insult.

  He ignored it.

  “Tedah taught me much.”

  Kyndan snorted. “Tedah, teach you? I don’t believe it.”

  “It is so,” Aidar said, proud he kept the annoyance out of his voice. “We found much to speak of.”

  “Like my sister?” Kyndan’s mouth took on a cruel curve. “You know, he really cared about her. I think he even wanted to marry her. They spent a great deal of time together . . . alone. I bet she misses him.”

  Aidar forced a stiff nod. “It is so. She misses his counsel. As do I.”

  “His counsel?” Kyndan mocked. “You aren’t really suggesting there’s something Az-kyes don’t know?”

  “Az-kye do not know Tellarans,” Aidar said. “And I would have your help.”

  “If you think I’m going to help you frack my sister, you lousy –”

  Aidar held up his hand. “Many of the Tellarans from the Reliant and the Rapier have been sent to our lands on Az-kanzar.”

  Kyndan’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

  “I must choose someone to oversee their work and see to their care. I cannot allow that they lay idle,” Aidar said. “But I do not require they work till exhaustion or labor when they are ill. I have chosen a warrior who speaks some Tellaran but although he understands many words he does not always understand the meaning. Gladly did I once give such a task to Tedah. I would that you take it.”

  Kyndan lifted his chin. “Maybe you’re just sending me away to keep me from Kinara.”

  “This is so,” Aidar admitted. “Others see that you treat her in a way not keeping with her status. They wonder why you are not punished. It is difficult for her to attend her duties if you behave so.”

  Kyndan gave a short laugh. “Your guards make good spies, Az-kye.”

  “I have heard from them of such. But she has spoken to me also. Do you wish, you may ask her if it is a true offer.”

  “I will,” Kyndan snapped, walking past him.

  “Kyndan Maere,” Aidar called.

  Kyndan started at the sound of his name and looked back. “What?”

  “I vow to be the husband your sister deserves.”

  Kyndan’s lip curled. “I would gladly have seen us both dead, Az-kye, than my sister married to you.”

  Aidar inclined his head. “Still, she is my wife now and, by Tellaran custom, you my brother. I would have us at peace for her sake.”

  Kyndan’s blue eyes were hard. “Well, then, brother, show it with something more than words. Send me and my people back to Tellaran space.”

  Aidar hesitated, but he could not trust Kyndan with his plan.

  He would not risk failing her again and he had so much to atone for.

  “I do think on it.”

  Kyndan studied him. “Do you mean that?”

  “See to the Tellarans and you will know that I do.”

  Kyndan held his gaze for a moment longer and then turned away.

  The chambers where the Council for Trade met were new, the paint and decoration as bright as streamers at a Tellaran wedding. Now used to what she had once considered an eyesore of colors, Kinara found she liked the decoration. Almost as much as she preferred the Az-kye women’s strategizing to Tellaran reliance on the Fleet’s military muscle to keep the peace between the Tellaran worlds.

  She was still learning their ways but that gave her a fresh perspective that only an outsider could have. She and Aidar were a tiny clan indeed and others might not want to throw support to such a precarious house but at least she didn’t have to police a hundred and fifty relatives.

  She looked different but everyone in the Empress’ City seemed to know who she was.

  And in a minute they’ll never forget.

  Kinara tried to quiet the pounding of her heart. If she was going to succeed she had to put herself forward today.

  She took a seat at the cresent shaped Council table.r />
  A ripple of shock ran through the crowd. Aidar took up position behind her chair. Kinara opened her fan and waved it lazily in front of her face. It was a good trick to make her appear composed and hide the fact that her hands were shaking.

  She’d taken Helia of the Az’shu’s seat. That would bump that woman back to a seat at the very front. Helia might still see the advantage to being further down in an assembly whose power had grown by leaps and bounds.

  Or she might be offended enough to declare clan war.

  Banne arrived and, progressive she was, gave a tight smile when she saw where Kinara sat. She took the chair next to her.

  Kinara exchanged pleasantries with Banne as the chambers filled. There was a distinct muttering.

  Then Helia arrived.

  Kinara’s stomach was in knots as she quickly ran through her options. If she got up now, before the meeting began, she could take another seat and forget this plan. But doing so would be an admission that she had bitten off more than she could chew and Az-kye didn’t think much of cowards. Or losers.

  The woman paused before the Council table, a warrior — likely her mate — at her heels. Although Kinara kept her eyes on Banne, she could almost feel Helia’s anger. This was a critical moment. Helia could declare clan war only before or after the Council meeting. Kinara was hoping to solidify her position by the end of the meeting but right now her place was damn precarious.

  Helia finally took her seat in the front; the warrior took up position beside her. Kinara felt her shoulders relax a little.

  Pellena came in. The woman was frowning at Kinara as she sank into her own seat.

  Yeah, me grabbing a Council seat was probably not what she intended when she suggested I attend this meeting.

  There were nine women on this Council and of the other six Kinara had made friendly acquaintanceships with all but one – Narla, Unata’s mother.

  Narla looked at her coldly as she took her seat. Kinara barely remembered to keep her fan moving slowly.

  “We begin,” Banne said, as leader of the Council.

  Banne started by inviting Kinara to speak first. It was a clever move. If the Council and assembly were agreeable to her plan, Banne gained status. If not, she could claim no involvement and let the Tellaran born Ti’antah fail on her own.