Pa still had his hand on Kei’s arm. Kei wiped his eyes, but he was smiling. “Let’s go. Pira’s been cooking for a week, Reji. She knows your appetite well by now.”
“Hah, had plenty of practice feeding your hollow leg over the years, Keichichi,” Pa retorted. Hearing him use Kei’s pet name made Karik feel happier than he’d been for days, at least about this business. Pa wouldn’t pretend about this—not and use the nickname too. He really wasn’t angry with Kei, and Karik could only be grateful for his Pa’s good sense and temper.
There wasn’t time for any detailed news on the short drive home, so Karik just asked Pa about the journey which he’d shared with traders from Ai-Tuek, and other minor trivialities which kept firmly off the subject of the village, Karik’s friends, and most significantly, his mother. That would need a lot of time, and possibly room to swing a punch, Karik suspected. At least, metaphorically.
They found Arman and Romi in the kitchen, helping Pira. Pa kissed Pira’s cheek, then clasped Arman’s hand warmly, and greeted him with unforced affection. Karik went to Romi’s side and put his arm around his waist. “Pa, you remember lieutenant Romi, don’t you?”
His father turned, and to Karik’s shock, fixed Romi with a hard glare. “And exactly what makes you think you’re good enough for my boy?”
“Pa!” “Reji!” “Rei-ki!”
Pa grinned. “Not bad—three for three.” He held out his hand. “Thank you for bringing him home, Romi.”
“Not at all, Reji. I keep telling people Karik saved my life, not the other way around, but they don’t listen.”
“Oh, I believe you. My boy’s pretty amazing, don’t you think?”
Romi looked at Karik fondly. “He certainly is.”
Kei coughed in a theatrical manner. “Sorry to break up the Karik admiration society, but would anyone like some tea?”
Pa kept a proprietary arm around Karik as tea was served, and demanded to know all the pertinent details of the expedition, though he’d had some of it before. By now, Karik and Romi were a well-rehearsed double act, and the tale only improved in the telling. They left things out, of course—nothing about the attack, which Karik wasn’t sure he ever wanted his Pa to know about—but there was still plenty to tell, and Pa wanted to hear all of it.
It was a lively and entertaining evening—Kei, with the burden of wondering if Reji hated him lifted from his shoulders, was in sparkling form, and Romi and Karik’s Pa clicked like life-long friends, just as Karik suspected they might. If only his Ma were there, things would be absolutely perfect.
The conversation stretched late, until Pa finally called a halt. “Well, son, I’m not as young as I used to be, so I’d better have a bath and call it a night.”
Romi cleared his throat. “Reji, you and Karik can bathe together. I’m sure you need time to talk privately.”
“Well, thank you, Romi—it’s appreciated. Come on, son, you can scrub my back.”
It had been so long since he’d bathed with his Pa, and it seemed odd not to have Ma there with them both. “And how are you really, Karik?” Pa asked as soon as they settled in the tub.
“I’m really good, Pa. I’m so glad Kei went back to work.”
“Me too,” Pa said, though he frowned. “I don’t need to tell you this situation with your Ma is causing her a lot of pain. I know she’s the one keeping it going, but I don’t think she can help herself.”
“It’s eating Kei too, Pa. What in hells can we do? I tried talking to her and all it did was upset her.”
“Yes, I know.” Pa sighed and sunk down to his chin in the water. “Gyo wants to get married as soon as you come back and can speak for him. Meran, not surprisingly, wants her uncle there but Jena says if he comes, she’ll leave.”
“Where is she now?”
“Gone south to your Grandma. She’s supposed to be back by the time we are, but....”
“Kei won’t go against her wishes, you know that. He feels it’s all his fault, even though Romi and Arman and I have all told him that’s stupid.”
Pa shook his head in exasperation. “I’ll tell him too, son. I’ll admit for about five minutes I blamed him, but then I blamed everyone. It’s hard to hold a death ceremony for your own child.” Karik took his hand and squeezed it. “But damn it, you’re an adult, and you’ve been wild to explore and strike out on your own since you were a boy. All Kei did was give that a purpose. I know the preparations he and Arman put in place. Damned if I could see what they could have done differently.”
“Except leave Soza behind, but Kei was deceived by Master Jezinke.” He took a deep breath, and then told his father everything—the attack, the rape, what Kizinke had done and what they had discovered about Soza recently. When he was done, Pa looked too shocked even to speak. “Pa?”
“Gods, Karik,” he whispered. “I had no idea.”
“It’s all right. Romi’s helped, and I’m fine now. But you see how no one could have predicted this.”
Pa grimaced. “No, I know that—but, son, if we tell your mother any of this, it’ll only make her more angry with Kei. She’s not...very rational about things just now. It almost makes no difference to her that you’re not dead. I really don’t understand it myself.”
“Kei was like that too, Pa. Even though I was back and right under his nose, he was still grieving. He needed time.”
“But with your Ma, it’s almost like she doesn’t dare let go of her anger. I’m lost, Karik, I really am. I just hope you going back will help, but I can’t swear that it will.”
“I need to talk to her with you listening. Tomorrow?”
“Yes, tomorrow, when I’ve had some sleep. I tell you, son, I’m getting far too old for this.”
Karik looked at his father, who looked as fit and strong as he had at any time in the last twenty years and raised a sceptical eyebrow. “Not bad for forty-nine, Pa.”
“Sometimes I feel more like eighty-nine. Now, tell me all about this lieutenant of yours—he better be treating you well or I’ll kick his arse.”
Staying Power: 52
He and his Pa planned their attack very carefully. First of all, they got Kei and Romi out of the house, because there would be some pretty strong emotions sloshing around and he didn’t want Kei hurt, or Romi to get all protective. Arman had offered to be there, but Karik thought that at least the first attempt should be with just the two of them, so Romi and Kei had gone to the Rulers’ House with him to wait. Neka was brought in on it, as his Ma’s close friend, and was warned this could get very nasty. She said, with perfect truth, that she was used to just about everything by now, and she wanted to help them all. She hadn’t judged either Kei or his Ma over this, but she ached for both of them. It was important someone his Ma could trust was involved.
They gave Ma plenty of warning, so she could choose a time when she could be alone and ‘talk’ freely, when Reji’s elderly mother wasn’t likely to be horrified by her getting angry. Then it was just a matter of waiting until she was ready to speak to them.
It wasn’t until nearly noon that his Pa jumped slightly, and then Ma’s voice was in Karik’s head too. “Ka-chi? Is everything all right?”
“No, Ma. It’s not. Pa’s safe though.”
“I’m here, Jena love. Karik’s the one who wants to talk to you.”
“Ma, Gyo wants me to speak for him at his wedding.”
“Yes, I know that, Karik. Don’t you want to?”
“More than anything, Ma. I always promised him I’d speak up for him.”
“Well, good—I don’t see the problem.”
“The problem is that I won’t be going home, not until all my family is welcome.”
Neka suddenly created the illusion that they could see his Ma, which was possibly a mistake because now he saw how truly furious she was. “That man will not be welcome in my home as long as I live, Karik. He’s nothing to me.”
“He’s not nothing to me, Ma. Kei’s my friend and my uncle, and if he’s not wel
come, then I’m not welcome.”
“He’s not your uncle! He’s no blood to you at all!”
“Neither are you, Ma.”
His mother’s eyes widened in shock. “How can you say that to me? I raised you since you were six weeks’ old. You know I’m your mother.”
“Yes, you are, but you’re not my blood relation. If Kei’s not my uncle, then you’re not my Ma. It’s only pure chance that you raised me, not him. You know he wanted to. He still wishes he had.”
“Fine, if you want him to be your Pa, then I wash my hands of you. You’re not my son any more!”
Karik looked at his father through eyes that were suddenly misty with tears. “Oh, Pa....”
“Let me, son.” “Jena, are you really going to lose everyone in your life for the sake of your damn pride?”
“That man nearly got Karik killed, just for his own glory. He didn’t care because Karik’s my son, not his, so it didn’t matter!”
“That’s not true! Karik shouted. It nearly killed Kei to get that news, Ma! He blamed himself. But you had no right to blame him—you’re just plain wrong, and cruel. I’m ashamed of you!”
“Karik, that’s enough,” Pa said, squeezing his hand. “She’s still your mother. Show some respect.”
“Sorry, Pa.” “Ma, I didn’t mean...Ma, don’t cry, please don’t cry.” This was all going horribly wrong, and he looked at his father, horrified at what he’d done.
“Jena?” This was Neka, breaking in. “I want you to calm down, darling. Come on. Please, Jena, dear.”
Karik and Pa stayed quite silent as Neka gently and kindly coaxed his mother into a semblance of calmness. “Now, Karik, I won’t allow you to use me to hurt your mother. I know this is difficult, but be polite or I won’t help you.”
“Yes, Neka. Ma, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“You meant it though, didn’t you? Kei means more to you than I do.”
“Don’t be silly, Ma. Kei’s part of my family—but you’re my Ma. I’ve got lots of uncles, but there’s only one of you. I volunteered to go on this expedition. I helped Kei plan it, and there were lots of people involved. You may as well hate the Rulers in Urshek as him—why do you blame him so much?”
“Because he knows how I felt! He knows how much I hate you going away, and he still let you! I can’t ever forgive him for that.”
Karik looked at Pa, who shrugged. “I can see that. I don’t agree with you, though—I chose to go, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Won’t you let him come home and talk to you about it?”
“I won’t speak to him. He broke my heart and he knows it.”
“Yes he does. You broke his heart too. I swear, all the pain you feel, he feels. You’ve known him for twenty-two years—tell me I’m lying.”
“I don’t care.”
Which was a slight improvement over ‘I don’t believe you’, Karik supposed. “Ma, Meran doesn’t deserve to be punished. She’s done nothing wrong—nor has Myka or Keiji or Banji or Fedor. If Kei can’t go home—and he won’t without your permission—you hurt all these people who’ve never done you a bit of harm, who’ve helped you all this time, and who admire you. Even if you hate Kei, you can’t do that to them. They didn’t have anything to do with the mission.”
“Jena love, Karik’s right. A personal grudge is one thing, but banning Kei from his family is wrong.”
“Fine, then I’ll just stay here until he’s gone.”
Karik gritted his teeth. Gods, his mother was stubborn. “Seems a pretty mean thing to do to Meran, don’t you think? Her favourite aunt staying away from her wedding? Don’t you think this year’s been hard enough on the pair of them? On everyone? Please, Ma, I want to come home and just be with everyone again. I miss you so much. I want to hug you and kiss you. I can’t do that if you’re not there.” Damn it, she was crying again.
“Jena, if you let Kei come back, I know he won’t interfere with you. He’ll stay with Fedor or Rin, and just go to the wedding. But Meran wants you there as much as she wants Kei. Please, love, don’t split the village on this. However much pain you feel, this isn’t fair.”
Ma wiped her eyes, and sniffed. “All right. He comes, he keeps out of my way. If he doesn’t, I’m leaving.”
“Thank you, love. I know how hard it is for you. I’m not belittling that.”
“Thank you, Ma. It means a lot to me, and now I can come home and kiss you.”
“You better. I...Neka, I want to stop now.”
“Of course, darling.” The connection was abruptly closed. “I’ll keep an eye on her for you, Reji,” Neka said. “Karik, I’m surprised at you. Jena’s been through a dreadful time, and you can see for yourself how distressed she is. I know she said some unkind things, but she’s got an excuse you don’t. Show a little tolerance, for mercy’s sake.”
“I’m really sorry, Neka. I just got caught up in how upset everyone was because of this—you’re right. It won’t happen again.”
“I hope not. I don’t like my friends being hurt, and she really feels so alone right now. If I have to choose which one of you to protect, it will be her, do you understand?”
“Yes, Neka, I do. Um, will you tell Kei and Arman what happened?”
“Yes. Reji? Neris is expecting you to visit tomorrow or Reis is going to kidnap you.”
“I’ll be there,” Pa said with a grin. “Thank you, Neka.”
She closed the connection, and they were left looking at each other. “I need a beer,” his father said.
“Me too.” Fortunately, he knew where Pira kept it, and broached the cask. “Pa—do you think she’ll change her mind?”
“I’d say the chances are good. She really loves Kei underneath it—that’s why she’s so angry and hurt. And he really loves her and will do anything to heal this. It might take some more yelling, though.”
Karik winced as he set the mugs out in front of them. “She might even forgive me in time, too.”
“Well, son, we were both getting pretty het up about things, and so was she. She didn’t really mean what she said, and neither did you. Apologise again, and know she’s not trying to be cruel, not really. I think you have to realise it’s different for us, and we have been through a few crises with you over the years. If someone hurt your Jes, how would you feel?”
“I’d kill them—bare hands, no hesitation. I know, Pa. But Kei did nothing wrong—she has to see that.”
Pa nodded. “She will. Gods, I hope she will, at least. She and Myka had a terrible argument, and Meran’s been so upset. The village has been set on its ear by this.”
“That why she went to Grandma?”
“Yes. A lot of fence mending to do, son. I’m hoping you and your lieutenant will help in that.”
Karik looked down at his beer, the temporary relief he’d felt melting away like the froth on his drink. “Romi’s going home,” he said quietly. “He’ll most likely stay for the wedding, then he has to go back to his barracks.”
“I’m sorry. This really has been a hard year for everyone. I was hoping the new one would be better, but I guess it won’t be for you.”
Karik shrugged. “Still alive, I guess. That’s more than I was expecting a few months back.”
“Then maybe something will turn up. Where there’s life, there’s hope. Now drink your beer. I think I’ll want more than one.”
~~~~~~~~
Arman had taken the two of them to the barracks to inspect a new infirmary building, and then driven them back to the House, but it was obvious to Romi that the minds of his two hosts were on one thing and one thing only, even though they tried to pretend otherwise. They were having lunch in Arman’s office when Kei suddenly stiffened, and Romi, now wise to the symptoms, realised he was having a mental conversation with someone. Arman waited patiently for his lover to finish. “Well?”
“She’s agreed,” Kei whispered. “I can go home.”
“Oh, thank the gods,” Arman said, pulling Kei into an
embrace and kissing his forehead.
“She still hates me.”
“She doesn’t, you know she doesn’t. You’ll make it work. I have every faith in you.”
Kei straightened up, wiped his eyes and coughed. “Er, maybe. Anyway, Romi,” he said with a bright smile, “that’s our little domestic drama over. Sorry to impose in that way.”
“Not at all,” Romi said. “This is important to Karik, and to you all. It must be very painful.” Kei shrugged—no need for him to confirm the obvious.
“Ah, and now it is over,” Arman said with a more genuine smile than Kei’s, “I have something I want to talk to you about. Have you finished? Good.” He rang to have the trays cleared, and shoved them all onto a side table. “Now, Romi. I’ve had Tiko telling me how much he wants you to stay in Darshek, I’ve got my nephew telling me he wants you to stay—so why aren’t you?”
Romi stiffened—he hadn’t been expecting this in the slightest. “My own reasons, my lord.”
“Oh, don’t ‘my lord’ me, young man. I’m speaking to you as a friend and Karik’s uncle right now—I’ll tell you when I’m a Ruler again. Do you dislike Darshek?”
“Not at all. It’s a lovely city and if I had a proper role here, I’d be very happy. But I don’t, and I’ve already told Karik that I’m not going to sit here like a toy for his amusement. He respects that—and I hope you will too.”
Arman only grinned, to his surprise, and so did Kei. “So, if you had a proper role, you’d stay?”
“Yes, but look, Arman, I won’t put up with you cooking something just to keep Karik happy. That does neither of us credit.”
“Proud, aren’t you?” the Ruler said, raising an eyebrow at him. “Well, you might be surprised to know that I’ve been ‘cooking up’ a plan from the first time I met you, lieutenant. Men of your calibre are a real catch, and your skills are exactly those we could make the most use of here. With one thing and another, I’ve put those thoughts aside, and I didn’t want to do anything officially until Kei came back to his post—”
“Which you had no business assuming I would, Lord Arman,” Kei said sternly, wagging his finger at him.
Staying Power (Darshian Tales #3) Page 64