“...Salinse.”
The old Sark exuded mild distress. Letting out a purr that amounted to a sigh, he turned on his heel and walked back towards the fire pit.
Revik stayed where he was.
He noticed for the first time that the old man was barefoot. He watched as Salinse sank gracefully to one of the padded benches around the fire, then motioned for Revik to join him at a opposite bench. Hesitant, Revik stepped deeper into the room, conscious of the limp, of how slow he was moving.
He’d just passed out cold. Jesus.
Wiping sweat off his forehead, he scanned every corner, looked for more doors...not only in the walls, but in the floors and ceiling. He noticed a trapdoor in one wall and put himself between it and the old Sark. He contemplated a bench nearer to the trap door, then decided it didn’t matter. He couldn’t move fast enough anyway.
He sat stiffly across from the old seer and stretched out his leg.
Salinse smiled. His cultured voice grew almost kindly.
“I understand your caution...Revik, is it?” When he received no response, he went on as though he had. “...And I apologize for how you were brought here. I regret that I could not afford the usual courtesies, and that I was forced to rely on Wvercian...how you say...‘the muscle.’” He smiled, but the milky eyes remained still. “...There was no time. I heard about the attack on Seertown, and immediately suspected they might be after your mate.”
He paused at Revik’s flinch.
He added, “I hope you know...I do not myself have the same opinion of you as does Commander Wreg. While I am sympathetic to his passion, I understand very well the circumstances around which you left us.”
Revik tightened his hold on his light, feeling the Sark’s probe. The intensity and subtlety of the scan unnerved him.
It made him feel soft, out of practice.
Salinse’s eyes shimmered faintly.
“...You caused quite a stir, I hear,” he said. “Marrying the Bridge. Of course, I did not know who you were, when news of the happy event first reached me.”
He gestured delicately with one hand, crossing his ankles.
“...I had heard the name Dehgoies Revik, of course. You have a reputation even within your assumed identity. I knew the basics of your story, and your record as an infiltrator. But other than a fleeting thought that you might one day make an interesting recruitment opportunity, I had no reason to think about you beyond that.”
Revik didn’t speak. He found himself listening though, trying again to place the familiarity of the room, of the old Sark.
“An auspicious event,” Salinse said, smiling. “...The Bridge taking a mate. It could not help but be an occasion for gossip. And it is important who is chosen, certainly. I suppose they think she chose badly? Or that you forced her somehow?”
Revik felt his jaw harden. “Again. If this is a social call, I have to question your timing...and your tact, Salinse.”
The Sarhacienne inclined his head. “You are right of course. We must discuss business.”
Once again, he studied Revik’s face.
“This...Terian? He has a grudge against you that is personal, is that true? If grudge is really the word, with one so obviously insane...”
Revik made a ‘more or less’ gesture with one hand. “Yes. But that’s not the main reason he would have taken Allie.”
Salinse continued to study his eyes, as if lost there.
“Yes...of course,” he said then. He clicked softly, as though rousing himself back to the present. “Well, I suppose we cannot waste time.”
He turned that odd gaze back on Revik.
“What do you need? You are welcome to any amount of weaponry, of course...and air transport. We have intelligence we could share. But what do you think would be wise, in terms of numbers? You have dealt with him before. Is he likely to overreact?”
There was a silence.
Then Revik nodded, almost to himself. “I appreciate that,” he said, and meant it. “I think a moderate-sized group for the main assault, with an equal or larger force as backup. Maybe...” Out of habit, he asked for more than he thought he’d get. “...Forty?”
“Done.”
Revik blinked. “I’ll want to leave at once.”
“I assumed that, yes.”
Revik nodded again. “Fine. Do I need to agree to terms now...before we go, or can we settle that later?”
The old Sark smiled. “You do not wish to know what we want from you?”
“Not really, no,” Revik said. “Now that I’ve married the Bridge, everyone seems to want to recruit me for something. Whatever it is, it’s fine.”
He began to use his hands to push himself back to his feet, but Salinse signaled for him to remain where he was. It was the polite form of the gesture, but Revik felt the command behind it.
After a pause, he acceded reluctantly.
“You can do better than that, nephew,” Salinse said.
Revik felt his jaw harden. After another pause, he gestured assent.
“Fine,” he said. “...I’m assuming you still believe the Seven’s claim to leadership is ‘illegitimate’...ever since their treaty with the humans after the wars? So you want me to, what...swear off my allegiance to them and fight for your side? Provide intel, use my position as the Bridge’s mate to gain access to the Adhipan, recruit from their ranks...?”
His anger swelled, darkening when Allie’s face whispered past his sight. He let a pulse of light reach his eyes.
“...you’re probably thinking I married her to gain some kind of leverage, maybe even to get my penance revoked. You’d be wrong about that, but since I’m assuming that’s what most in the Seven think, I don’t hold it against you. If you think I’d turn on her, you’d be wrong about that, too. If you ever give me any reason to think you pose a threat to her in any way, I’ll kill you.”
He paused, then gestured in a conciliatory way.
“But I’m assuming you know that already,” he said. “...Or you wouldn’t be using her to get to me, and vice versa. If you know me as well as you pretend, you also know I don’t much care what you want, as long as you give me a gun first and let me go after my wife. I’ll accept any terms, as long as they don’t harm her in any way. I can’t speak for her, but I’ll relay any message you have.”
The Sark’s narrow lips formed a near-smile.
“Ah. Yes...I see you are still a pragmatist. You want your wife back. This is you ‘playing along,’ yes? You don’t much care about anyone else...or even whether our intentions are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in the wider scale of things...?”
Revik bit his tongue to keep back a retort. Finally he shrugged with one hand. “Fine. I am playing along. Is it important to you that I seem to care? Fine.”
He nodded, once, gesturing politely with a hand.
“Salinse,” he said. “...what is it that you would like me to do to fulfill my end of the contract with you?”
“No, no,” Salinse shook his head, clicking softly. “...I would not dream of playing such games with you. And perhaps you are right, this is not the time for us to have this discussion. But it pains me to see you so willing to hand your freedom away...whatever the ultimate purpose behind it. I wished only to appeal to your reason...and the ideals I knew us to share in your youth.”
Revik gave him an incredulous look.
“Yeah?” he said. “And what were those, exactly?”
“To ensure the safety of your people,” Salinse said. “To fight for a cause that is just...that would improve the plight of all the races.”
Revik didn’t answer at first. Folding his arms tighter, he sat up straighter, adjusting the position of his hurt leg.
“I thought I was clear...I don’t remember much of my early years.” Letting out a low snort in spite of himself, he looked at the old seer. “...And for whatever it’s worth, this ‘glorious ideals’ version you’re referencing is a new one on me. If I can believe what others have told me...including you
r own men...my youth consisted of a lot more drinking and fucking than selfless posturing.”
The old seer purred in the back of his throat, a sound of sympathy.
“Nephew,” he said. “I recognize that you are angry. I recognize also that you fear deeply for your mate. I am asking you to rise above the traumas of your youth, as well as any that have occurred since. There is more going on here than simply a rescue operation...the world has changed in very dark ways since those early years. Surely you see that.”
He leaned closer, clasping his long hands.
“This cannot go on...these back and forth squabbles among seers. The Displacement is coming. We can no longer afford to fight one another...over ideology, treaties with the humans, money, power, or whatever else. It is time to declare a truce among our different viewpoints. We have maintained the luxury of isolation for far too long.”
The Sark paused, watching Revik’s face.
“...We are reaching a critical point. You must see that, too.”
Revik returned the seer’s gaze, then shrugged.
“You want me to trust you, Salinse?” he said. “Then tell me...who am I to you? Really? Why not stop with the hints and allusions to my past and just tell me.”
There was a pause before the Sark leaned back on the bench.
“No, I do not think we should have that conversation now, Revik.” He sighed. “...For now, suffice it to say, I am one of those people from the past you do not remember. I think any detail beyond that should come after you return.” At Revik’s narrowed gaze, Salinse added, “I am not toying with you. I am trying to respect your professed wishes. If we begin that discussion, it will take time...time we do not currently have. You must rescue your mate. That has to take priority. We now have confirmation that Terian has taken her out of Asia.”
Revik stared at the old Sark’s face.
In the silence that followed, a swell of pain rose that made it difficult to remain still. He tried again to find her with his light. Again, he hit a wall. He needed solitude...and to be outside of the Rebels’ construct.
After a pause, he made a polite gesture of acknowledgement.
“Thank you. As I said, I would appreciate any help your people could give me. Anything at all. Including simply letting me leave.”
Salinse smiled. “I think we can help you a great deal more than that.”
“Do you know where he has her?”
Salinse gestured affirmative. “You are aware of the boy?”
Revik nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. This is very important, nephew.” The old Sark’s eyes grew very still. “Terian is not your problem...not anymore. He is not the one holding your wife. It is the boy. It is essential that you understand this.”
Revik didn’t speak, focusing his eyes on fire grate. After a pause, he nodded.
“Yeah, I gathered that.”
Salinse’s light flickered palely once more, skirting the edges of Revik’s body. When Revik looked up, the old Sark sighed.
“You do not understand,” he said. “Your experience with Terian has blinded you to the reality of what is occurring now. I do not blame you for this, but I ask you to hear me...to think about my words. The balance of power is shifting again. That which sits at the top will change once more...very soon.” His voice grew sharper.
“...Galaith had his faults. He was overly ambitious in many ways, and had no regard for the free will of our people. He was also far too committed to seeing his own vision fulfilled with the humans.”
He clicked then, softly, making a flowing movement with one hand.
“...and yet...and yet...he was quite effective at organizing both of our peoples. He minimized dissension, used treaties effectively. Most of all, he created order within the Barrier.” Salinse smiled faintly at Revik. “I understand we had you to thank for that, in part.”
Revik frowned, still looking at the fire.
Salinse gave a clicking kind of sigh. “Without Galaith, there is nothing but chaos as the Displacement arrives. Terian will only make that worse. He lacks Galaith’s strength...and his ability to inspire.”
Revik didn’t look over, but found himself thinking.
He nodded, shortly. “That is true.”
Salinse said, “We are on the same side again, Revik, although that may not be so clear to you now. Terian, by himself, would have imploded in time. He was only ever marginally a leader, even with his ties to the Dreng.” Shaking his head, he added softly. “...but if he finds a way to control the boy through your mate, everything changes.”
Salinse met his gaze, his eyes sharp as glass.
“You must kill the boy, Revik. My people can handle Terian.” His fingers pointed at Revik’s chest, “...That is my only contract with you. Kill the boy, and our debt is settled.”
Revik didn’t answer. He found himself turning over the seer’s words, looking for flaws...a trick of some kind. He could find none.
“Done,” he said. “We have a contract.” He gave the old seer a half-smile. “And you should have bargained more, Salinse...I would have done that for free.”
He struggled to his feet, straightening with an effort.
“One last thing,” he said, looking down at Salinse. “If it’s relevant.” At Salinse’s accommodating gesture, he said, “How do you know about the boy at all? Did you have people watching me before now? Or were you aware of what occurred in Sikkim?”
Salinse didn’t hesitate.
“I was contacted by Terian himself,” he said. “He came here, looking for materials on the first war...on Syrimne, more specifically. He wanted our help. He wanted it badly enough to come in person, and we were able to get enough imprints from his light to track him afterwards...”
“Why?” Revik said, genuinely puzzled.
Salinse smiled. “Well, apart from him having the only direct line to the Dreng, he was acting suspicious. Highly suspicious...and his questions were too pointed, too specific.”
“No,” Revik said, shaking his head. “Not why did you track him. Why did he come to you? The records are clear enough on Syrimne...Barrier and otherwise. That’s unlike him, to risk exposure.”
Salinse made a vague gesture with one hand.
“I do not know the answer to that, nephew...but he was very interested in the psychological profile of Syrimne. He wanted detailed, first-hand accounts of his motivations, fears, strengths, weaknesses...any likely triggers or instabilities.”
Revik felt his throat tighten. “What did you tell him?”
“Very little,” Salinse said. “He is not an ally...although he sought such a relationship with me. It was Galaith with whom we had, shall we say...an understanding.”
Revik felt his jaw clench.
“What did you tell him?” he said again.
Salinse sighed. “I will be blunt. He wanted to know about Elaerian mating habits. He wanted to know if finding him a female companion might calm him...or if there was some other method that might work better.”
Revik felt his face drain of blood.
He knew. Somehow he knew, even at that school at Sikkim...even before he saw the little monster lay a hand on her. The kid would head straight for Allie.
Terian was simply his errand boy.
Salinse blinked a pair of transparent lids, studying Revik’s face. As if coming to some sort of conclusion, he folded his hands.
“I am trying to help you, nephew. And to warn you. This boy, whoever he is...he seems to see himself as your wife’s true mate. As a result, he will view you as a direct threat.” The Sark paused. “...And Terian has no idea what he’s dealing with in this. The boy has been alone...for far, far too long. He will not be able to control himself. There are things you probably have not yet had an opportunity to discover about your wife.” Pausing again, he gentled his voice.
“...Elaerian are not Sarks, Revik. They bond with creatures differently than we do.”
Revik tried to hold onto logic, to think about this rationa
lly, but he found himself remembering her light, what it had done to him...not just that first time, but every time after. It never stopped looking for the counterpoint in him, something he hadn’t been able to give her. Avoiding the pain that tried to rise, he forced his eyes back on the room, pulling himself out of the Barrier.
He gestured to the old seer that he understood.
“You said they’d left Asia,” Revik said. “Where are they?”
Salinse smiled wanly. “I suppose they thought it would be an unlikely place,” he said. “...And in a way, it is.” He met Revik’s gaze with those clouded eyes. “They are en route to the mainland of the United States. We haven’t pinpointed a final destination yet...but we’re working on it. It makes sense that he would take her where he felt best able to protect her...”
Revik nodded, backing towards the door.
“Can we be out of here by the end of the day?” he said. “I’d rather do any tactical planning en route...”
He was already calculating times in his head. Twenty hours, minimum, to most parts of the United States from here. Possibly more, depending on what they had by way of transport, how long it took them to gear up, to reach whatever served as an airstrip in this part of…wherever he was.
Salinse gestured affirmative. “Of course. Wreg will assist you.”
Seeing Revik’s hard look, Salinse clicked softly.
“He understands the importance of this mission...and he is loyal to the Bridge.”
“I’m in charge,” Revik said. “That’s non-negotiable, Salinse. They do what I say, or I go alone.”
Salinse smiled faintly, then bowed to him, using the formal version.
“You are in charge. Of course, nephew.”
His smile grew more subtle, containing a flavor of something Revik didn’t much like.
“...As it is all entirely as it should be,” the old Sark quoted, softer.
REVIK LEFT THE elevator and walked out to the main floor at once. Tightening his shields around him a little, he looked around the hangar-like space.
He felt conspicuous suddenly, but he didn’t have time to be shy. He reached out with his light, found Wreg almost at once. Clicking out, he sought him with his eyes, making out his uniformed outline among a group of similarly dressed seers.
Allie's War Season One Page 84