by T. A. White
"Why not?"
"Because they're right. Everyone has a place in our society. It’s not so easy to buck tradition."
"Hmm," Kira said, glancing around at the splendor around her. "You're right if a talent is so rare no one else could take their place, but one less artisan won’t destroy your civilization."
"People should play to their strengths," he said.
"Yes, but they should also decide for themselves what those strengths are," Kira returned. "Take Jin. He is one of the most advanced pieces of technology humans have ever created. He can analyze a million different problems at once, track hundreds of data streams while problem-solving. His purpose should have been to serve as the AI of one of the space stations."
Graydon gave her friend a skeptical look.
"He's also responsible for saving nearly three million souls," Kira stated. "If he'd performed the function he'd been designed for, those people would be dead, as would I. He didn't and because of that, the universe is a better place."
"That's an intriguing perspective," a low, soothing voice said from behind her.
Graydon’s body stiffened, his expression going blank. It was enough to put Kira on edge.
She turned to find a man looking at her, the faintest trace of crow’s feet around his eyes as they smiled at her. His expression was pleasant. He wore a cloak which covered his body from neck to feet.
"You know the rules, Silas," Graydon rumbled in warning.
Silas waved his statement away. "Relax, old friend. I don't intend more than this. I just wanted to see the lost gem you were so kind to see returned to Luatha."
Kira watched the stranger, not trusting his easy manner or his words of friendship. Whatever threat he presented wasn't physical. The oshota next to her didn't seem threatened. They remained guarded but not tense. There was a difference.
The man focused on Kira, his eyes soft as they roved her features. Unlike many of the Luathans she'd encountered, she didn't see a trace of judgment there.
"You look like your mother," he said.
Another man, attired similarly with a cloak covering him, joined them. His expression was interested and watchful as he took in Kira and Graydon.
"I wouldn't know," Kira said politely, meaning it this time. This man had obviously felt something for a long-dead woman. "I don't remember her."
"At all?" he asked.
She shook her head. She didn't think he'd like to know what her first memory was, but it wasn't the gentleness of a mother's touch.
He nodded. "Welcome back to your people, little one."
She inclined her head.
He switched his attention to Graydon. "I will see you after the ceremony."
Graydon waved him and the other man away, a trace of resignation on his face.
"Interesting man," Kira said once they were gone. "Friend of yours?"
"You could say that. He was one of my teachers when I was younger," he said. "He was a pain in the ass, even then."
Liara stepped onto the dais, a hush falling over the gathering as she paused until she held everyone's attention.
Her hair was bound into an undone tail and wrapped in various tiny chains. Her face had been painted, the eyes dramatic. Her dress was stiff from metals and sang as she moved.
That wasn't what caught Kira's attention and held it. No, it was the power that roiled around her, a tidal wave battering her senses. It surged and frolicked around the Overlord like a well-trained dog.
Liara smiled. It was the type of expression poets would have once written sonnets about. "Friends, family, thank you for your attendance. We gather today to welcome back into the fold one who was lost for much too long."
Kira felt the focus move to her. She kept her face placid and unchanging.
Liara turned her attention to the other two. "And to bring into the House two who have lost much. We can never replace your House, but know you are welcome here always. Let something good come out of all the tragedy. It would be our pleasure to guard and guide you in your family's stead."
A cry of agreement rose from those assembled.
Liara gestured at the dais. "Step forth those who seek to join our House."
"I wonder what would happen if you didn't step forward," Jin muttered.
"Let's not find out," Kira said. She had a feeling the Luathans would see her refusal as a grievous insult. She didn't want them taking their anger out on the Curs.
She mounted the steps to the dais behind Joule and Ziva.
Alma and Rayan stood well behind Liara as she smiled at the children.
Joule and Ziva bent forward in polite bows.
"The first of the tests is simple. It will determine your affinities," Liara said. "Do not fear, all affinities are welcome."
She gestured at the table, which Kira could now see held a bunch of perfectly formed spheres on them. They represented every color imaginable, polished until they gleamed. The air above the table had the faintest haze over it, like heat coming off pavement.
Kira looked closer and felt a deep sense of peace emanating from the table. This was like the planet's consciousness on an immeasurably smaller scale. It lacked sapience but held an impossible depth of emotion. Right now, those rocks were happy and content in their place.
"You first, little one," Liara said with a welcoming smile at Ziva.
Ziva screwed up her face and reached over the table, her hand shaking as the strain showed in her pursed mouth. When it looked like she could move her hand no further, she plucked one of the spheres up. It lit up at her touch, glowing a light bluish green.
"A melder. A fine affinity," Liara said.
Ziva didn't respond, her face stony as she stepped back, cradling the stone to her chest.
Joule was next, moving without prompting. Sweat beading on his forehead as he reached for the far edge, struggling against a force Kira couldn't see.
With a gasp, his hand descended as if he'd lost the will to keep it up any longer. He picked a sphere that blazed white hot in his hands.
"Well chosen, young Joule. A shield is always welcome in our ranks. Our master architects will be happy for an apprentice with an affinity for earth," Liara said.
Kira saw what the children were saying now and why neither had wanted to participate in this ceremony. Liara, and no doubt the rest of the Luathans, assumed the children would fall into line with the House's needs and wants, not even considering whether the children might have a different plan for their lives.
It was like saying, you're welcome here, but only if you play by our rules and toe our line.
Having been on the receiving side of such a mindset, Kira could understand the need to run as far and as fast as you could, lest you be trapped in an endless loop of duty and sacrifice.
Joule stepped back.
It was Kira's turn.
She looked over the board with its multi-colored spheres before glancing up at Liara. Her cousin's expression was calm but Kira thought she detected a trace of expectation.
What affinity was her cousin hoping she'd have? And how did she hope to use Kira once she knew?
Kira's hand hovered over the table. The stones gave a slight pulse of welcome, their presence warm and tingly under her fingers. None drew her, however. They felt the same, alive but she didn't feel any of the compulsion Ziva or Joule had displayed.
Her hand reached the far side of the board. Still nothing, Kira's hand dropped to her side as she looked at Liara.
Liara's mouth was slightly parted as she stared at the board like it had betrayed her. The murmurs around them grew in volume.
Kira chanced a quick glance at Graydon. His forehead was furrowed as he crossed his arms over his wide chest. A thoughtful frown creased his face.
"Something wrong?" Kira asked.
Liara's smile was strained and obviously false. "No, of course not. There are several tests to conduct tonight."
When Liara turned to face the crowd, all trace of uncertainty was wiped clean from her
expression, leaving it serene. "The first test has ended."
Liara swept off without speaking to the three of them, her expression troubled.
Jin floated to join her on the platform. "Is it just me or was that weird?"
Kira didn't respond, still bothered by Liara's reaction.
"I've never seen anyone not receive an affinity before," Joule said. Both he and Ziva looked at Kira like she was a stranger.
"Is it that concerning?" Kira asked.
Joule was silent for a long moment as he thought over her question. "There are two reasons for you not to show an affinity."
Kira waited as Ziva and Joule conferred silently.
"You’re either so weak that no affinity presented, which is impossible given your lineage," Joule started.
"Or you're a primus strain," Ziva said, her eyes almost feverish with excitement.
"I've never heard that term before," Kira said. "What does it mean?"
"Most Great Houses have at least one primus," Joule started. "They're usually the overlord. They're the most powerful weapon at the House's disposal. Right now, there are two Great Houses without one. Luatha and Roake. Both of the previous overlords were killed during the Sorrowing and neither overlord who ascended has that power."
"Not that Roake needs a primus," Ziva said, her voice that of a teacher. "They have some of the best warriors among the Houses."
"So Liara's not a primus," Kira said.
Joule shrugged. "No one knows. She's young. Sometimes the ability doesn't show up for years after maturation."
"If you're a primus, they'll never let you go," Ziva said gravely, getting to the heart of the matter.
"What does a primus do?" Kira asked.
Both shrugged and shook their head. "We don't know. Our House didn't have one either and they just said each great House's primus was different. All we know is they’re capable of bringing down a Tsavitee fleet by themselves."
Kira withdrew, almost physically recoiling. She gave the two a strained smile of thanks. She needed to digest this.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kira saw Graydon approaching. She cut right, away from him, placing several of the gathered Luathans as a screen between her and him. She wasn't quite ready to talk to him yet.
She needed to consider what this meant and how this affected her. More, she needed to figure out what the next test was and how to beat it. There was no way she was going to let herself be identified as a primus.
The Luathans she passed stared but didn't try to engage her.
Jin trailed behind her, quiet for once, keeping his thoughts and opinions to himself. Kira was grateful for the reprieve.
She waited until Graydon's sight of her was obscured by another group before ducking into an alcove.
Kira waited, pressing herself against the wall. Graydon was smart, but she was hoping he wouldn't check her hiding spot.
She glanced around, realizing her alcove was connected to several others, creating a maze of smaller passageways for those wanting a secret assignation. She ducked past two lovers, moving deeper into the space, and hoping they didn't notice her passage.
Voices in a room off the small hall drew her notice. She caught the sound of her name, and crept closer.
She hesitated on the threshold to the next room, listening as those inside spoke Tuann.
She waved at Jin and then pointed to her ear. The translation of what they were saying filtered into her implant.
"She has no affinity for House Luatha's abilities. She's either a dud or she takes after his line. She'll be of no use to us," Alma said.
"We don't know that. There's a chance she's of the primus strain," Liara argued.
At the sound of Liara's voice, Kira moved closer.
"Even worse. She'll take your position, child," Alma said urgently. "Think. Expel her while there’s still a choice."
"We should consider the Roake proposal," Rayan said. "Let them deal with her. If she's a dud, better she drain their resources than ours."
"I won't do that. We are not Tsavitee to kill any who aren’t of use. Luatha does not abandon our own, even when they prove less talented than previously hoped for," Liara said in a strong voice. "My mother wouldn't have condoned it, and neither will I."
"Don't deceive yourself. Your mother would have done what was necessary," Alma said. "Just like she did when she sent your aunt to those brutes."
"That was at the emperor's behest as part of an alliance. She could do no differently," Liara argued. "This is different."
There was a tense silence between the three in the room.
"There is the possibility she is primus," Rayan conceded.
"You will regret it if she is. If she takes our House, she'll kill us all trying to protect them," Alma said scornfully.
"We don't know that," Liara protested. "From what I've seen, all she wants is an alliance for the humans, and for us to rescind our claim to her."
"All we have is her word on that," Alma said, exhaustion in her voice. "What kind of person would walk away from the power of the overlord? Our House is among the wealthiest. She would be insane to leave. No, if we want to protect ourselves, we need to act now before it's too late."
"We can't do anything while the Emperor's Face or the envoy is here. It would create an incident," Rayan cautioned.
"Let it," Alma said. "We have no reason to fear them or the emperor."
Jin bobbed beside Kira, drawing her notice. He flashed his lights, twice quick and once for slow.
She nodded. Every second they lingered, they risked discovery, and this wasn't the type of conversation she wanted to be caught eavesdropping on.
"I won't hear any more of this," Liara said. "I've already made my decision."
Jin started reversing seconds later. Kira followed as he led her into a small alcove off the hallway. They hid there as Liara swept past, Rayan trotting after her.
Kira released her breath once her cousin had disappeared from sight. That had been entirely too close.
She started to relax and then tensed as she realized Alma hadn't followed Liara. She looked up at Jin and mimed a question about whether there was another exit.
He moved back and forth and then dipped to say he had no clue.
She gave him a wry look. After all his exploring he hadn't discovered this area? He was getting rusty. Time was he never would have allowed any nook or cranny to go unexplored.
He read her expression and flashed several lights on and off rapidly, flicking her off.
They waited several tense seconds as the quiet murmur of voices reached her. Kira peeked out of their hiding spot.
"Kira," Jin hissed.
She held up a hand and moved forward on silent feet.
Jin made a frustrated sound before following.
"What are we going to do?" Alma asked in a hushed voice.
"If the Overlord won't protect herself, it is our duty to act in her best interests," a woman said. "Her fall would leave all of Luatha vulnerable."
"There's no way we could act without placing ourselves in danger," Alma said.
"There's a way," the woman said. "But it would require the defense codes—something I don't have access to."
"Why would you need those?" Alma asked.
"Our common enemy waits outside the defense net. We let them through to deal with the humans and the lost heir, and our hands will be clean. No one would ever know what we'd done," the strange woman said.
They were talking about the Tsavitee, Kira realized with a dull horror. They had to be.
She shifted closer for a better look at the speakers. Of the two, she recognized Alma’s voice.
"You're talking treason. I should have you arrested and executed just for thinking it," Alma said sharply.
"But you won't. You know as well as I do Luatha has no chance if the mongrel takes control. We need to protect our House from outside influences, even if the means to do so wouldn't be condoned under other circumstances."
There
was a long silence as Alma considered her words.
"There would be Luathan casualties," Alma said, her words slow.
"That would be regretful, but if it means a stronger Luatha overall, I feel the loss worth it," the woman said.
Kira strained her senses, trying to pick up on anything from the second speaker. The voice was familiar, but the hushed murmur made it hard to place. She caught no trace of Tsavitee, which meant both speakers were Tuann. She wondered which of them had already made the deal with the Tsavitee.
"And they would kill the mongrel and her Curs?" Alma asked.
"They might take care of the commander and the envoy for us as well," the woman said in amusement.
"Alright, I'll get the codes. You do the rest," Alma said, sounding resolute. "I want the half-blood dead before the night is through."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Kira's muscles tensed in anticipation as she wavered on the cusp of attack. Her entire being begged her to rip out this threat at the root and crush it before it could do harm.
Two things stopped her. The first—while she was nearly positive she could deal with both women, there was always the possibility she'd fail before she succeeded in neutralizing them. Her death here would leave the rest in danger with no one to warn them.
It was an unlikely scenario, but chance and luck played as much of a role in battle as skill and training. She'd seen elite soldiers lose to weaker opponents simply because of a stray shot.
The second was the possibility these two weren't the only Tuann involved in this plot. She could kill them only to find herself ambushed from behind by their co-conspirators.
If she acted now, she might lose any chance to ferret out all of her enemies at once. Reveal what she knew without a full proof plan, and they'd disappear into the woodwork faster than she could hunt them.
She refused to allow any to escape.
No, her best option was to secure the Curs—get them off-planet and to safety.
She just needed to convince Liara or Graydon of the conspiracy she’d overheard. Jin would have recorded the two as soon as he realized the significance of what they were hearing, but she didn’t know if it would be enough given the Tuann’s aversion to most human technology.