Allie's War Season Four

by JC Andrijeski

  Pausing, Dulgar looked between us once more, that condescending smile still on his face.

  “Should I address you, Illustrious Sword?” he said sweetly. “Or your wife? It would help me to know who is leading this talk from your end...?”

  I heard the implied insult there, too, and fought back a smile.

  Revik shifted on the leather next to me, giving me a glance that held a faint thread of anger. I could see him behind the look that time, but only just, and only because we’d already talked about using me as a distraction in this way, too.

  Damn, he was good at this.

  A little too good.

  I found myself reacting to him again, and quickly hid it from my light.

  Lowering my head in acknowledgement of Revik’s supposed anger at me for interrupting, I leaned back on the white leather sofa, conceding the floor to the men.

  It might have been funny, under different circumstances.

  Sometimes, these old-school weirdos, human and seer, just made it too easy.

  The thing is, from a seer perspective, Revik was still really young. It took me a long time to understand this fully, but older seers had a tendency to underestimate him for that reason alone. They saw him as powerful, sure, but because of his age, they also saw him as lacking judgment, potentially hot-headed, easy to manipulate, inexperienced.

  But we wanted this jackass to think of Revik as young.

  Maybe even a little whipped by his high-status mate.

  I found the idea funny, but Balidor, Wreg, Tarsi and Chinja had discussed it pretty seriously around the strategy table before we left.

  “Very good, brother,” Dulgar said, bowing to him as well. “...And I surely did not mean to cause offense, by implying otherwise. Or to cause any tension between you and your obviously sharp-witted mate. We are unaccustomed to dealing with intermediaries here...” Smiling that oily smile once more, he added, “I merely wish things to be clear, so there are no misunderstandings in terms of any agreements discussed.”

  I heard the condescending lilt in his voice, but that time, it barely annoyed me.

  Flushing slightly, where the flicker of embarrassment was only just visible in his light, Revik nodded, making a dismissive gesture with one hand. His expression grew indifferent in the same pause, and if I hadn’t been looking for it, I wouldn’t have seen his eyes flicker towards the bar, a subtle indication that he was looking for witnesses to the exchange.

  I knew he’d done that on purpose, too, meaning feigned embarrassment even as he feigned trying to hide that embarrassment, in addition to looking for witnesses to his supposed humiliation by wife.

  Did I mention that he’s really good at this stuff?

  Revik made a second, more accommodating gesture with one hand.

  “I would like to hear from you what you think this alliance can do for the Legion of Fire, brother,” he said, his voice still holding the faintest trace of irritation. “Beyond just the opportunity to spend some time with my mate, that is.”

  Dulgar smiled, making an equally polite gesture in return.

  “Of course, brother,” he said, bowing his head more deeply that time.

  His voice grew businesslike then, and for the first time, a more serious expression touched his round-cheeked face.

  “I have no reason to be anything but transparent with you in this regard, so I will be blunt,” Dulgar said, leaning forward and folding his hands. “We have concerns about this being, Shadow, my Illustrious brother. I know you know who I mean, but to be certain there are no more misunderstandings between us, I will be unambiguous. I refer to the aged seer who appears to be running many of the human refugee cities that were set up prior to the dispersal of C2-77, and who has built quite elaborate alliances with the remaining humans in power. I mean the same seer who claims some holy status of his own...as well to be the teacher of the famed Syrimne d’ Gaos, our leader during the first war between seer and human.”

  Revik only nodded, his face impassive. “Go on. There is no ambiguity there.”

  Dulgar sat up straighter, frowning perceptibly as his words grew more precise. He crossed his legs, once again laying a hand on his own thigh.

  “If you are wondering, yes, we have already surmised that it was likely him behind this human-killing disease,” Dulgar continued. “We have seen indications that it was so, in addition to the ‘convenience’ of his rise to power in the aftermath...and despite his attempts to lay the blame for this on you and your mate.”

  Giving me a sharper look that time, Dulgar looked back at Revik, his mouth firming.

  “We have been made...uncomfortable, shall we say...by his seeming willingness to provoke dangerous wars between the human and seer races,” he added. “As well as his apparent interest in stoking factional wars between the remaining political units among the humans themselves. We feel his...agenda...is incompatible with the longer-term goals of the Legion of Fire. Even more so now, meaning in this new world in which we find ourselves, following the dispersal of C2-77 and the significant restrictions under which our businesses must operate.”

  Making a more diplomatic gesture with one hand, not dissimilar to the one I made earlier, Dulgar leaned back on his leather seat, copying Revik’s pose by draping an arm over the sofa’s back. I noticed only then that he’d picked up his drink again, and rested the base of the long-stemmed glass on one knee.

  “We find this situation...untenable, brother,” Dulgar said. “It has come to my ears of late that there is even some talk of nuclear retaliation for the C2-77 strikes. I have heard different parts of Asia mentioned as targets for this...along with several in the new world...and even Russia. Some of those targets would potentially damage our business to an unacceptable level, brother...even beyond the harm it would do to our more long-term interests in the region, as well as the seer race more generally. We find such a strategy...unacceptable...whatever his motives, and whatever element of the race for which he claims to speak. As you likely can imagine.”

  Dulgar smiled wryly, raising the glass to his lips.

  Revik adjusted his back in the couch, acknowledging the other’s words with a fluid gesture of his own. “Go on, brother,” he said politely. “And how do you think we can help you with this problem of yours?”

  “It is quite simple,” Dulgar said, setting his glass down firmly on the table. “We have no interest whatsoever in whatever political or ideological wars this being wishes to conduct on his own time...and with his own humans...as long as these wars do not endanger us, or curtail our business in a measurable way. If I can be entirely candid, Illustrious Sword...we also have no interest in whatever wars might be waged between the two of you...meaning you and this being, Shadow...whatever the origins of those complaints, or the wider ideological and religious issues underlying those disagreements.”

  Revik gave a single nod to the head.

  “Understandable, brother,” he said diplomatically.

  “And yet...” Dulgar made another of those elegant gestures with a manicured hand. “This being, Shadow...he does not seem willing to allow us to conduct our mutual businesses in peace. He will not honor our desire to remain out of these ideological struggles. To be blunt, we have found spies here, brother, on more than one occasion. We have traced these spies back to this same seer, Shadow, as well as to those who do his bidding...including the same rebel forces that I am told you, yourself, once led, brother Syrimne.”

  Revik acknowledged those words with a short gesture, too.

  He didn’t confirm or deny the implied question, however.

  “Further,” Dulgar said, letting out a series of clicks that functioned more as a sigh. “We find that Shadow and his people are...uncompromising, shall we say...when it comes to total control over particular territories.”

  “You mean Hong Kong?” Revik said.

  Dulgar smiled, inclining his head without answering the question directly.

  Reaching down, he once more picked up his glass, and took a
drink of the glowing blue liquid. Shrugging again, he lowered the base of the stem down to the polished black table, without lifting his eyes.

  “Of course,” he said, wiping his lip with one finger. “...Hong Kong is of particular concern to us, since we share waters with the people living there.” Leaning back on the white leather, he tilted his hand in a seer’s shrug, focusing more shrewdly on Revik’s face. “More generally, however, we do not like that they are attempting to control the trade in this part of the world, brother...and to limit our access to certain types of resources.”

  I bit my lip, fighting to keep my expression still.

  I didn’t look over, but felt Revik nod to this, too.

  “You mean trafficking humans?” he said neutrally. “...Or did you mean seers, my brother?”

  “Both, my Illustrious brother,” Dulgar said, smiling unapologetically. “And I thank you for being direct. We are businesspeople, you see, first and foremost. And while it may be distasteful for one such as you, who must adhere in spirit and word to the old ways, at least wherever such a thing is possible...certain appetites will always need sating, I have found. That is even more true now, in this new world in which we find ourselves. We find it much more practical to aid in that end, to ensure a nonviolent and fair exchange for those services, than to fight the proclivities of either species when it comes to those appetites...”

  Letting his words hang for a beat, Dulgar shrugged again.

  “Further,” he added, his tone growing slightly more vehement. “This is not a time to be timid in establishing our mutual territories, brother Syrimne. If I may be so bold as to say it...this is a time for expansion. This is felt by you, surely, that the shape of things to come will largely be determined in the next few years? Those of the Legion of Fire have no wish to fall under the control of an ideological zealot during that time. Whether through design or through apathy...and no matter which side of the Barrier for which he claims to speak. We believe in maintaining autonomy, first and foremost. In the face of one who seems to wish to control all of us, and to use religious blackmail and the manipulation of weak minds to do so, I would think your people and mine could be natural allies to that end...?”

  Revik didn’t answer at first, but I felt flickers of current through his light.

  Then, shaking his head, he clicked softly, lifting his own glass from the table.

  Taking a longer drink of the blue liquid than either I or Dulgar had done, he set it down somewhat sharply once he finished, giving Dulgar a faintly amused look.

  “You think we are natural allies, brother?” he said, quirking an eyebrow. “When you have just professed a preference to remain free of ideological obligations of any kind? My wife and I are religious figures, brother...willingly or not...at least in the old world traditions of our people. You know such things still mean much out here. Perhaps more so, now, with the uncertainty of the future of our race, and the problems both species currently face.”

  Revik paused, again letting humor return to his words.

  “...You must be religious yourself, brother, to trust us so much,” he joked. “What makes you so sure we would never use this power against the Legion of Fire?”

  Dulgar smiled indulgently at him, in a way that almost made me laugh.

  Clearly this guy didn’t see us as much of a threat.

  Smiling back, Revik made another diplomatic gesture with one hand.

  “Whatever you think of our motives or willingness to treat you fairly,” Revik added. “...My wife and I will be inevitably perceived in far more of an ideological manner than this ‘Shadow’ person you seem to fear so much. What makes you think we...or, more to the point, our followers...would not attempt to restrict you in similar ways, given enough control over these waters? Or enough influence over your own people, assuming any of them still adhere to the old beliefs themselves?”

  Dulgar smiled again, that fainter thread of indulgence still in his eyes.

  Again, I saw the very real amusement living under that look.

  Gesturing politely, Dulgar gave me another lingering glance before he focused back on Revik, his gold eyes shimmering faintly in the firelight.

  “You will pardon me for saying it, Illustrious Sword,” he said smoothly but again in that businesslike tone. “But you and your wife appear...currently, at least...to have little interest and few means of competing with my family directly in this new world, at least in the areas that concern us. Moreover...” Dulgar added, his voice still polite, although slipping back into oily territory. “...You appear to have little interest in fighting over the same scraps with which the rest of us are primarily concerned. Therefore, I see no conflict between your interests and mine, brother Syrimne...or with those of the Legion of Fire more generally. And while I may not be religious, myself, I have seen that most will forego religion when it competes directly with the more, ah...basic needs of their existence.”

  Revik clicked softly, but conceded to his words with another graceful gesture.

  “True,” he said diplomatically.

  “So you see why I might have an interest in remaining...friendly?”

  Revik’s smile grew a touch harder. “Not really, to be truthful,” he said, flipping a hand sideways in a dismissive manner. “I would think us beneath your notice altogether, brother, if what you say is true. Is it simply strength in numbers you seek? The enemy of my enemy...?”

  He trailed, not bothering to complete the quote.

  Dulgar smiled. That time, it almost touched his eyes.

  “Brother Syrimne...again, at the risk of being tactless...I would think that would be obvious.”

  At Revik’s silence, Dulgar smiled again.

  “You are telekinetic, brother Syrimne...a manipulator,” Dulgar reminded him. Glancing at me, Dulgar gestured gracefully in my direction, more politely that time, as he included me in his words. “You are unique, precious beings...you and your wife. That is a powerful deterrent for us. If we could claim you allies...” His smile widened, even as he made another of those flowing gestures with his hand. “...Well, surely you see the advantage in this for us?”

  Revik let out a low grunt, picking up his glass. “We will not blow up ships at your whim, brother,” he said, pausing to take a sip of the drink. “We will not scout these waters for you, either...acting as living weapons. You must know that we have our own interests in Asia.”

  Dulgar seemed undaunted by his words.

  “But you would allow us to publicize such an alliance, surely?” he said, lifting an eyebrow. “...Assuming we were able to come to terms regarding the matters that do concern you? The supply of infiltrators for which you have an interest, to better fight this war you are waging with Shadow and his allies, brother?”

  Revik hesitated, glancing at me.

  I knew that was partly for show, too, but I still returned his look.

  I felt pain on him again, mixed with a darker tension almost on the surface of his light.

  “Of course,” Revik said, looking back at Dulgar.

  He made his voice casual once more, but that time, I heard him threading in an anxious tone, to make us sound more desperate, I assumed.

  “...We would be willing to make the alliance public,” Revik clarified. “I simply did not wish you to misunderstand what that might mean, in terms of practical application, my brother.”

  “Of course,” Dulgar said, smiling at him indulgently. “Clarity is always preferred, brother Syrimne...as is transparency in all things.”

  I felt another flicker in Revik’s light, that time too faint to be for Dulgar’s benefit.

  It struck me, in those few seconds.

  Revik thought Dulgar was lying.

  I glanced at him, feeling him watching me, if only with his light.

  He knows, Revik sent softly.

  Seeing the look in his eyes, it hit me, suddenly, what he was saying. As it did, I realized something else.

  Dulgar had no intention of letting us leave Maca
u at all.

  Feeling Revik’s light charge up slightly in the pause, I looked at him again. I could tell from his narrowed eyes that he was watching me think. I had no idea what specific conclusions he came to, watching me in those few seconds, but I guessed that didn’t really matter, either.

  Either way, if he was right about Dulgar, we were definitely scrapping Plan A.

  We were solidly in B territory now.

  Even as I thought it, my eyes were jerked up, distracted by the sudden appearance of four female seers, all of them wearing filmy, nearly-transparent clothing...and at least three of them staring openly at Revik. I saw one of those three looking at his chest in particular, focusing on the scar at his neck with a not altogether neutral expression on her face.

  Revik told me some seers found his scars fascinating, since most seers didn’t scar like he had done, under Menlim. Some even found them sexy, presumably for the same reason.

  I frowned, unable to stop myself.

  Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who thought my husband looked hot in a suit.

  “Ah...sisters!” Dulgar said, opening his hands as he smiled broadly. He looked at Revik, aiming that smile forcefully at him. “I hope you do not mind, brother. Earlier, I had called them here to fetch your lovely wife, in the hopes that we might make her more comfortable. Are you still wishing to force her to stay up here with us, listening to us bicker like old men over details of our rather dull business arrangements?”

  Revik looked at me again, his eyes holding a faint glow.

  Again, I doubted if anyone but me could see it, but I found myself staring at him anyway.

  It took a bare second for me to reach the expression there.

  Before I could complete the thought, he reached for my hair, as if to pull me closer to him, maybe for a goodbye kiss, or maybe to ask me directly and discreetly if I wanted to go with these strange seers to some other part of the hotel...only he swore before he got there, catching his sleeve on the stones of my necklace. I reached up, as if to rescue it, right as his fingers hooked the chain. Revik gave a quick, sharp jerk, and the necklace chain broke.