by Gail Dayton
Sky was tucked beneath the champion's arm. Leyja stood close, her face in Chani's as she argued. Fox brought the firing hammer back to full cock and slid his finger through the trigger guard. His focus narrowed. He let his breath out slowly and in the quiet before he took it again, he squeezed the trigger.
The explosion roared in his ear, recoil bucking the musket hard against his shoulder. The champion dropped, the back of his head blowing outward. Joh caught Sky before the boy's feet touched ground and tossed him to Night. Night passed him to Fox who had pitched the empty musket back into the corridor where its owner still sprawled. The bodyguards threw all the godmarked over the barrier and followed, just as Habadra Chani screamed and drew a pair of pistols from beneath her robe.
Fox handed Sky back to Joh and appropriated another musket from the justiciar's champion who had come back to find his comrade. Fox spun back into the box and brought the muzzle down as Chani fired her first pistol.
One of the bodyguards yelped and crumpled sideways a moment before the man next to her got his shoulder under her arm and half-carried her out of the box. No time for careful aim. Fox fired an instant before Chani took her second shot. He missed, the musket ball ripping a hole in her sleeve. But so did she.
Fox let the last bodyguard shove him back into the corridor where he paused to hand the musket back to the bewildered champion. “Tell your captain to secure and protect the justiciars. Now, before Habadra takes her madness further."
He pelted after the others, bodyguard at his heels. Kallista was waiting with the horses, Obed and Torchay looking a bit befuddled, but no longer attacking anyone. Fox didn't want to think about his own moments of madness. The return of his vision had lessened the effects of the drug, he thought, and the sword through his belly had bled off much of it.
Fox threw himself onto his horse and dragged the bandage off his eyes, tucking it under his sword belt in case he needed it again. Then he held a hand out to Joh. “Give him to me,” Fox said, drinking in the sight of the boy in Joh's arms. “Will you ride with me, Sky? We're taking you home."
Sky gave him a wary look. “You were fighting."
"Yes. So we could take you home. Because you're our son.” Fox turned his hand palm up to the boy. “Will you ride with me?"
"We need to go.” Kallista's voice held barely suppressed impatience.
Abruptly, Sky held both arms out to Fox who swung him onto the saddle in front of him. Joh mounted and they rode out of the arena at a fast clip. Fox wrapped one arm around Sky's middle, though such a close hold wasn't truly necessary. He could scarcely believe the boy was theirs. Fox's new vision wasn't good enough to have clearly seen Sky's features while Joh held him, and now, Fox could see only a head full of gold-over-brown curls. But soon, when they were safe behind embassy walls, he could look his fill, find Stone's features in this child. Stone's son, finally home.
* * * *
Padrey was in the embassy, on his way to deliver another report to Keldrey Reinas, when the whole place burst into uproar. People ran in all directions, some of them heading first one way, then stopping short to turn and run in one completely different. A guard in white-trimmed black ran smack into him, nearly knocking them both down.
"What is it?” Padrey steadied himself and her with a grip on her arms. “What's happening?"
"We've won the trial.” The guard grabbed Padrey's arm in return and dragged him along with her. “But Habadra cheated. Her champions’ weapons were drugged. Then she tried to take the child, even though we won—Eight against three and we won."
"And?” That wasn't all the story, Padrey knew. Couldn't be.
"The Reinasti took the boy back. Now they're on their way here and everyone's called out in case there's trouble. Everyone.” She shook his arm a bit, giving him a look full of some kind of meaning. “Especially the Tayo Dai."
"Right. O’ course.” Padrey nodded like he knew what she meant. “What can I do? I'm a spy. A thief."
"You take this.” She handed him a wicked dagger from her own belt. “You have been going to the training, haven't you?"
"Aye. Yes.” When he could, when he wasn't busy counting slaves. Padrey nodded.
"Then you go out there—” She pushed him toward the courtyard outside the family's quarters. “And you make sure no thieves sneak in to steal any more of our treasure."
"Set a thief to catch a thief?” He repeated the old proverb.
"Exactly. Now go.” She opened the wide, multipaned window-door and shoved him through it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Padrey looked round at the bodyguards and soldiers swarming the courtyard and felt more than superfluous. He felt useless. Still, none of those others knew how thieves thought. Padrey slid through the daylight shadows to the tree where he'd first entered the embassy. He leaped, caught hold of a low-hanging branch and swung himself up. This was a thief's only way in. He'd tried for days to find another.
He found himself a perch, dark and shadowy even in the brightening autumn daylight, and took a moment to wonder what sort of treasure he was guarding. More jewels like the one he'd stolen? Gold? Pearls? Or all of it? Wouldn't it be grand to see such a treasure? He didn't want to steal it, nothing like that. He just wanted, rather badly, to see it.
Padrey wasn't in his tree long enough to stiffen up when the window-doors were opened and left open after the Reinine came through. She was holding the hand of a small boy dressed in a rust-stained kilt. Most of her ilian followed, save for the three who had fought in the arena today. Padrey assumed they were off cleaning up, changing clothes. He eased farther out on the broad branch where he hid to hear them better.
"I got my kilt dirty.” The child's voice was almost too quiet to hear.
"Doesn't matter.” The Reinine crouched beside him, making herself small enough to look the boy straight in the eye. “We're going to throw this kilt away. You're our son. Sky Varyl. You'll wear a son's clothes. Adaran clothes."
The boy peeled out of his kilt right there in the courtyard. “My clothes from the jail?"
The Reinine's chuckle sounded a bit choked as she shook her head. “New clothes. Made just for you."
She looked toward the nursery at the same time the banging caught Padrey's attention and he looked too. A chubby brown-haired toddler, the next-to-littlest girl, had apparently spotted her parents through the glass in the window-doors and was not happy about the barrier. She beat on the panes with both open hands, shouting “Mami,” at the top of her lungs.
The Reinine laughed. “Do you want to meet your sedili, Sky? Your sister? I don't think we can hold them back much longer."
Her prediction proved correct when one of the bigger boys opened the door and children poured into the courtyard, swarming the adults, staring shyly at the new boy in their midst. After the others had been outside for several ticks, two more children appeared, the two eldest, the Reinine's twins. They ran to their mother where she knelt beside Sky and stopped short, suddenly bashful. Padrey listened hard to hear over the general babble.
The red-haired girl elbowed her fair-haired twin, making faces and pointing at the boy. The blonde poked her sister back, then thrust a bundle at Sky. “We brought your new clothes, so you could put them on right away, Lorynda and me. That's Lorynda. She's my twin."
The girl took back the garment Sky held and gave him another. “Smalls first, silly. Trousers are too scratchy, else. I'm Rozite. I'm your sister, not just your sedil, ‘cause my father is your father too."
Sky took the trousers from her and pulled them on over the smallclothes he'd just put on. “Papi Joh taught me to tie,” he said. “My father is dead."
"I know.” Rozite nodded, her face solemn. “I cry sometimes, ‘cause I miss him a lot. You can cry with me if you want."
"Don't cry.” Red-haired Lorynda put her arm around her sister. “It makes me sad when you cry, ‘cause I miss Papi Stone too. You can have my Papi for your first father. He doesn't have any little boys and no girls besides
me. And he already loves you bunches. He said so."
Motion diverted Padrey's attention to the Reinine; she was wiping away tears. Most of the adults were, though Aisse Reinas didn't seem to be bothering. She just let them flow.
Sky poked his head through the neck of his tunic and fought his arms through the sleeves. “My mother is dead too."
"You can have our Mami,” Rozite said quickly, as if to keep up with her sister's generosity. “The people wouldn't let her come see you in the jail and it made her mad.” She giggled. “Mami said bad words. And she threw a cup so hard she bent it."
The children's laughter at the Reinine's misdeeds was interrupted by the entrance of the morning's champions, transformed into shrieks as most of the children rushed them. Padrey had seen the Reinine's ilian with the children before, enough he could tell them apart and match them with birth parents, but briefly and never in unguarded moments like this. He felt as if he should turn away, grant them what little privacy they could have, but he couldn't. He had to watch.
Torchay Reinas strode to the Reinine, a twin in each arm. Fox Reinas carried his smallest son under his arm while his daughter Niona clung to his back like a monkey. His other son rode his leg until Obed Reinas peeled him loose and tucked him under his free arm, the other already filled with squirming black-haired little boy.
"So.” Torchay Reinas set the girls down near the just-dressed boy. “You're giving me away, are you? To this fine lad?"
He bowed with full Adaran court flourish. “I'd be proud to stand as father to you, Sky, and I'm pleased to be finally making your acquaintance.” He knelt between the twins and offered his hand. “I'd have come before, but I'm head of the Reinine's bodyguard and I could no’ leave my duty for so long."
When Sky gave his hand, the red-haired Reinas used it to draw him in for a careful embrace. “Besides,” the bodyguard said with a wink, “it didn't seem quite fair that your Mami Kallista be the only one not to meet you. So I waited with her."
"Torchay—” The Reinine touched his shoulder. “Let Fox see."
What was this? Padrey switched his focus to Fox Reinas, only now noticing the way the man stared at his trio of offspring. Fox cupped his daughter's cheek as he gazed another minute, then dropped a kiss on her forehead and turned to their new-found child. He could see? What had happened?
"You said you can't see.” Sky's voice wasn't suspicious, exactly.
"Today I can. Kallista worked magic and I can see. Not very well, though. You have to be close.” Fox Reinas beckoned and slowly Sky stepped nearer, until the Tibran could brush the tousled hair out of the boy's face.
"You look grand in your new clothes,” Fox Reinas said. “Like the Reinelle you are. You have your father's eyes ... and your mother's smile.” “My mother was bad,” Sky said. “She killed my father.” “She did a bad thing. She listened to bad people and after a while, she believed what they told her. But when she made you, she wasn't bad. None of those bad things got into you, only the good parts of your mother. She was good when we knew her.” He smiled. “And you got the very best parts of your father, who was one of the very best men I've known. And I knew him since we were the same age you are now, so I know. I know you, Sky Varyl, and I am very proud to have you for my son.” “Don't you have boys?” “I have two, and a girl, and all the rest of this mob.” Fox cocked his head, looking at the child. “You don't have to pick. Not today, or ever, if you don't want to. You have five fathers. And four mothers. You are our son. You belong to all of us.” As little Sky hugged the golden-haired Reinas, Padrey had to grab hold of a tree branch to keep himself from falling when understanding smashed into him like one of the Reinine's lightning bolts. Leaves that would stay green all winter rustled with the violence of his reaction, but fortunately, no one below noticed. Padrey had to crawl back to the main trunk and huddle in the fork of two great branches, it hit him so hard. The treasure he helped to guard was not gold or jewels. It was the children. Power and wealth meant nothing to these people, except as it could be used to protect the defenseless, to help those who needed it. He had sworn oath to the Reinine because she'd promised to free his family, and he'd meant it. But still, he'd held a bit of himself back, waiting to see whether she would keep her promise, or forget it when it became inconvenient or unprofitable. He hadn't understood. Not who he had made his oath to, or who she truly served. Now he did, and it made him feel all peculiar inside. It made him want to be part of it, whatever the cost. He wanted what they had.
* * * *
Kallista watched the nursery servants herd the children away after the chaos some called luncheon. Sky seemed to be fitting in nicely. Meeting Joh and Aisse's son Tigre, just his age, had helped.
She shook her head and turned it to business. “Two things. Send somebody for the embassy's lawyer. We're complaining to the justiciars about those drugged blades. We did get them back home with us, didn't we?"
"The East healer took them,” Obed said. “To give to their truthsayer. She thought it would be better for a neutral party to hold them. I believe she obtained five of the weapons."
"Good thinking. We'll ask Nur Naitan to send one to the justiciars but hold back the rest. Second thing.” Kallista pushed back from the table to pace. “We have Sky back safe with us. I think it's time we presented the en-Kameral with our demand to free the rest of the slaves."
She thought out loud as she paced. “Viyelle, you and—Obed? Or Joh—or hell, both of them—get with Namida Ambassador and come up with a demand to be presented to the en-Kameral. I'd like it done today to present tomorrow. And Vee—” Kallista caught the prinsipella's gaze. “Don't let Namida soften it. It's a demand. If they don't release the slaves, we will take them."
"Both of you, then,” Viyelle addressed Obed and Joh. "Help." She made a joke of her plea, and chuckling, the men rose from the table to join her.
"My Reinine."
The unexpected voice of a bodyguard just behind her made Kallista jump. She raised an eyebrow in question.
"My Reinine, the embassy guard sends word that justiciars are at the gate with demands."
Her eyebrows went higher and she cocked her head. “What demands, Bodyguard?"
"I do not know, my Reinine. I was not told."
"Well, go back and ask.” Kallista's first inclination was to slam the gate on any hint of Daryathi “justice.” She might do it yet, but with everything else going on, she would at least find out what they wanted first. Then she could slam the gate in their faces. “And tell that lawyer to hurry."
The lawyer arrived before the answer did, a tall, lean gray-haired woman in scholarly white. Kallista was in the midst of explaining what she wanted when Jondi Bodyguard returned.
"The justiciars will address their claims only to ‘one Varyl Kallista,’ my Reinine.” The barest bit of sour mimicry crept into Jondi's voice as he repeated the words.
Kallista sighed. “I'm busy. Let them wait. In the street, preferably. I don't want them on embassy soil."
"Yes, my Reinine.” Jondi couldn't quite suppress his grin as he went to relay the message.
It took some time before the lawyer had all her questions answered, so that she understood everything. Allanda Vartain was ilias to Namida Ambassador and had studied Daryathi law all the years Namida had been appointed here. Once satisfied, she went with Kallista to the gate. Most of the godmarked trailed along to see what might happen.
Kallista strode up to the iron scrollwork gate that separated the embassy's outer courtyard from the street and stopped, glaring through it at the justiciars on the other side. They looked weary and out of patience. They should be glad the rain had stopped and the air had warmed. Kallista had a none-too-large supply of patience left herself.
"I am Kallista Reinine.” She planted her fists on her hips. “My family name is Varyl. What do you want?"
"You have unauthorized possession of the property in question in Case Varyl Kallista against Habadra Chani, one boy Habadra-ti, also known as Sky im-Var
yl.” They pushed a sheaf of papers through to Kallista who handed them to Allanda.
"The presiding justiciars declared Varyl victorious,” Allanda said. “And gave possession of the child Sky to Varyl."
"There has been an appeal. The law states—"
"I don't care what your law states,” Kallista interrupted, so angry she was certain steam rose off her skin. “Sky is ours and we will not give him up. Your law—"
"Has no jurisdiction within the Adaran embassy.” Allanda dared to interrupt Kallista. Probably a good thing.
"This is Adaran soil. He is under Adaran law.” She waved the papers. “This appeal claims the trial was invalid because the victors began fighting each other. That does not negate their victory."
"That is a decision for the head court to make. And until that hearing, the property must—"
"The child. The son of one of our Adaran Godmarked who was murdered in your city will remain on Adaran soil,” Allanda declared. “We will present our answer in due time, along with proof of a crime committed by Habadra that caused the situation at the end of the trial. The Habadra perverted the course of justice in this matter, and she is under Daryathi law."
With a whirl of white robes, Allanda spun and walked away, leaving Kallista to stare after her. She followed, quick as she could gather herself, not wanting to weaken the impression left by the lawyer.
Kallista beckoned to the embassy captain when she reached the inner gate. “I know your forces are stretched thin, but tighten security as much as you can. No one but our people in or out. Don't let any Daryathi through these gates for any reason whatsoever. Get with Captain Kargyll and see what you can do."
"Yes, my Reinine."
When Kallista neared the family quarters, she could hear Namida Ambassador “discussing” with Viyelle and Obed the document to be presented to the en-Kameral. The whole district could likely hear them. So of course, Kallista had to open the door and see what the trouble was. Allanda rolled her eyes and went off to compose her own documents. Fox, Leyja and Aisse had business of their own, but Torchay stayed to join the fun.