* * *
Bezzi-ibbi sighed internally. Aodh—or Tony, as everyone called him—was perplexing. He was older than Bezzi-ibbi by several years, he’d been free his own life, he had incredible destructive power, and yet he always acted like a mouse in a den of cobras. Bezzi-ibbi had seen what those “grenades” could do, weapons that Aodh was currently carrying with him!
Bezzi thought it was a little overkill to bring weapons of war to a meeting. Aodh could blow the entire house up if he wanted to, but the other boy still acted afraid. It made no sense.
Bezzi-ibbi quickly led Aodh to the meeting hall and sat him near where Henry and Jason would be seated. Then he tried to decide where he should sit.
His standing in the Clan was complex at the moment. On one hand, while he was an acting Hero, he had no Clan obligations and would be treated as an adult. However, his rekke Henna-ibbi was angry at him for his choice. In fact, several other Clan members were ignoring him and twitching their tails as well. His sister Yillo-ibbi, one year his junior, was actually bristling at him while she looked the other way. Bezzi-ibbi felt hurt.
Yillo-ibbi was one of other Jaguar Clan children closest to Bezzi-ibbi’s age, and even though he’d never gotten along very well with her birth mother Henna-ibbi, he loved his sister. Bezzi-ibbi gave his rekke respect for creating his favorite sister and passing on her best qualities, like leadership and intellect. However, apparently now he and Yillo-ibbi were not talking. Bezzi-ibbi’s whiskers and tail drooped.
He didn’t regret his decision to put on the ring and become a Hero, but he really hoped he could maintain friendship with Yillo-ibbi during his adventuring years. He felt a flash of frustration with Henna-ibbi, but he knew she was doing what she felt was right. His rekke was a woman of great integrity, even if she wasn’t very warm or social.
Bezzi-ibbi almost sat down but hesitated. It was important that he accurately gauge his standing or others would think him arrogant or stupid; he could afford neither.
He tried to dispassionately observe his personal situation. He was not technically part of the Jaguar Clan at the moment, but he was still the heir of the Clan in Mirana. His birthright would not change as long as he was still alive and didn’t reject it. He was a member of a successful adventuring company, he’d just attended a meeting with the governor of Mirana by invitation, and most importantly, he was a Hero.
It was rubbing his back fur the wrong way to admit it, but his standing had actually increased. It felt wrong to do so, but he took a seat at a higher position than he ever had before. He carefully observed the reactions around him and saw some ears laid flat, but most Clan members just pretended indifference. Among Mo’hali, this usually meant deep thought or keen observation. It seemed he had chosen wisely. His tail twitched in satisfaction, and he immediately stilled it as soon as he realized what he was doing.
He couldn’t act like a cub anymore. Bezzi-ibbi had fought for his adulthood, even risking his life for it. He had to act worthy of his new role or dishonor himself.
Bezzi-ibbi greeted his uncle, Yanno-ibbi, held hands with his birth mother, and settled in to wait for the meeting. He perked his ears up but swished his tail, signaling that he wished to be left alone. He had no patience for Family members that might offer phony, yowled compliments to him as a Hero. Many Family members had supported Henna-ibbi’s policy to keep Bezzi-ibbi cooped up in the Jaguar Clan House, and now pretended they never had.
Deep down, Bezzi-ibbi had to admit they’d been right to protect him, especially after he had been captured and held captive. He’d never admit it to them, though. Plus, right or not, the attitude of some Family members grated on him. They felt Henna-ibbi should have birthed the heir, not his birth mother Banna-ibbi.
Bezzi-ibbi would not tolerate people speaking ill of his birth mother. She wasn’t the smartest woman on Ludus, true, and she didn’t have a great memory, but she had a huge heart and Bezzi-ibbi loved her dearly. He understood why his father had gently suggested to his rekke to give her a chance. Bezzi-ibbi was glad that Henna-ibbi and his mother had become friends, because otherwise he wouldn’t have been born.
With a start, he realized the meeting was about to begin. Everyone was gathering. Bezzi-ibbi was interested in the fact that Kinwe-na-ibbi, Bezzi-ibbi’s uma, his non-dominant, non-birth mother, showed Jason, Henry, and their first mates Uluula and Mareen where to sit. Since Henry and Jason were adopted into the Family, both women were seated in front of them as a sign of respect for their possible future marriage.
The Terrans all looked confused. Bezzi-ibbi sighed. He really needed to become fluent in English so he could explain to his stupid brothers how to act in civilized company. Of course, Bezzi-ibbi had to acknowledge his own pride was the only thing preventing him from speaking Luda, but he would not go back on his promise. It was easier to learn a new language than it would be to deal with the shame.
He noticed Rark-han walk in, and the big Mo’hali immediately fulfilled his duty by unseating the Family member behind Bezzi-ibbi to take that seat as an honor guard. Bezzi-ibbi was still not sure if he’d made the right decision by sparing the man’s life. Perhaps he should have just killed him like the rest of the Family thought he should have, but so far he believed he had made the right choice. Death was easy; duty was hard.
He knew that part of his Family’s disapproval with his decision was because Rark-han was low-wolf race. If he were high-wolf race, they’d have been more understanding. Bezzi-ibbi snarled. He loved his family, but their obsession over birth station was not something he shared.
Once everyone was seated, the meeting began. Henna-ibbi stood and opened the gathering. After she formally made the meeting announcement, she sat, and Hajim-ibbi, Bezzi-ibbi’s father, introduced himself. Next, he sat back down behind Henna-ibbi, formally displaying his confidence in his wife’s leadership.
The meeting really began when Henna-ibbi stood again and gave a quick synopsis of their meeting with Governor Holtz. There were low hisses and growls around the room, signs that the usually stoic Mo’hali were incredibly agitated. Bezzi-ibbi couldn’t blame them. Dark gods were serious business. Every Mo’hali in the Jaguar Clan studied the histories and knew how dire the situation could be.
All of the proceedings eventually led to the part of the meeting Bezzi-ibbi really wanted to hear. He already had a good idea of what would happen, but he wanted to witness it play out. It would affect the rest of his life, after all.
Henna-ibbi still stood at the front of the room, her posture and the angle of her tail conveying her dominant position. She paused to let everyone calm themselves before saying, “I think we can all agree that this is Clan business. Based on Governor Holtz inviting Jaguar Clan leadership to the meeting today, there are several things we can assume.”
She nodded to guards stationed near the doors and said in Panum, the Mo’hali language, “Secure the House and secure the room.” The guards bowed, displaying the backs of their necks and shut the doors behind them. Then Henna-ibbi bowed to Bezzi-ibbi, her posture rigid but polite, asking, “Would the Hero please help us secure the room?”
Bezzi-ibbi had known this part had probably been coming and dreaded it. It meant he had to speak Luda. He said in Luda, “I stand as Bezzi-ibbi, Hero, future heir of the Jaguar Clan. I will honor your request.” He glanced at the other members of Delvers LLC and said in English, “Do not be alarmed.” Bezzi-ibbi sincerely hoped Mareen, Jason, and especially Henry would stay calm. He released his Hero suppression power. The feeling was strange, almost like flexing his brain.
He got a surprise when he felt Jason and Henry resisting. After Bezzi-ibbi extended his suppression field as far as it would go, which was barely to the edges of the room, he could tell that neither Henry nor Jason was completely suppressed. However, the fact he could suppress them at all now that they’d grown meant he’d grown too.
He trusted his brothers. He was glad they were able to retain a portion of their power while Bezzi-ibbi did his duty.
Every person in the room felt the unique sensation of a Mo’hali Hero using suppression power, the feeling almost like small insects walking on their skin. There was no need for Bezzi-ibbi to announce it was done, so he sat back down.
Henna-ibbi briefly turned a hand over, displaying her wrist in appreciation. Then she said, “This room is as secure as we can make it now. Every attendee that is not a full member of the Clan is either vouched for on pain of death or neutralized.” She looked meaningfully at Rark-han.
Bezzi-ibbi still disagreed with the Clan for requiring Rark-han’s tongue to be cut out, but the big wolf man hadn’t seemed too concerned about it, so Bezzi-ibbi tried not to let it bother him either.
Henna-ibbi continued, “There are matters of secrecy to the Clan that must be discussed, facts that Henry-ibbi and Jason-ibbi are not aware of.
“First off, since you are actually sitting here and don’t seem flustered, I assume you already know you can’t run from this mission you were given?”
Henry just shrugged. Jason said, “It is fairly obvious, yes. If we couldn’t trust the governor, you would have already said so. Since the queen of Tolstey wants us to play ball, there really isn’t much we can do about it other than leave the country…which is what she wants us to do anyway.”
“Play ball?”
“Uhhh…” Jason thought for a moment before responding, “Obey instructions.”
“Yes, you have the right of it.” Henna-ibbi grinned, tight-lipped and ears forward. “What you don’t know is that we have been in secret discussions with the governor for years. She is the most influential governor under the queen. What she told you about Tolstey being weak is true, but the aristocracy of this country are not pleased with the current state of affairs. In particular, Tolstey receives no real trade in technology. Our country is technologically backwards compared to the rest of Ludus.
“Plus, the way the governor described Berber having no interest in Tolstey is not entirely true. While it’s true this country isn’t teeming with natural resources or much infrastructure, we do have some of the safest land on Ludus.”
“This country is safe?” Henry asked, aghast.
“Compared to the rest of the world, yes. We also have the only known trade route to Teteth. If Tolstey had more military strength and more ships to trade with Teteth across the Ocean of Tears, we could be the wealthiest country on Ludus.”
Bezzi-ibbi watched carefully. He knew his brothers probably had no idea what his rekke was talking about, but they should understand the gist; nothing was necessarily as it seemed.
“Right now, some of the High Tribes of Jallen, other powerful merchant families, are controlling trade in Berber. Our goal is to replace them, or at least join them. We want to set up a trading branch in Berber, and this goal is supported by the Tolstey government.”
“Wait, didn’t you have enemies that were going to destroy you here in Mirana before we came along and basically saved your asses?” Henry asked. Bezzi-ibbi hid a grimace. The question was fair, but Henry had a way of cutting to the spine of a subject. There were already members of the clan whispering that he was a Truth-Hisser.
Henry had already unknowingly weakened Henna-ibbi’s position of authority before, and her dislike was obvious to Bezzi-ibbi when she answered, “Yes, but they have since been dealt with. The rabbit-race Tatir Clan was planning to expand from energy sales to general trading by destroying our Clan. We discovered evidence they were communicating with the bandits you destroyed.
“We attacked and dissolved their Clan and distributed their business among our Clan and our allies over a week ago.”
Uluula stood and formally announced, “I stand as Uluula b’ Anami b’ Pairose of the Blue, daughter of Amani b’ Pairose b’ Heseth of the Blue. I speak as courted of Jason-ibbi and I wish to add my words in the day.”
Henna-ibbi graciously turned both wrists and replied, “We recognize you, Uluula b’ Anami b’ Pairose of the Blue. Continue.” Bezzi-ibbi mentally applauded. At least someone had been listening when he’d tried to give etiquette lessons. He winced when he saw Henry roll his eyes. Was his brother trying to start a fight with Henna-ibbi? It was already common knowledge that she had tried to kill him on their first meeting. The fact he still lived weakened her position enough, but any disrespect was even worse.
The end of his rekke’s tail twitched, and Bezzi-ibbi knew he was not the only person watching warily. Uluula was obviously clueless how close Henna-ibbi was to jumping past her to attack Henry. The Areva woman said, “We didn’t know any of this. It seems you’re about to ask my beloved to do something dangerous again, and he would be able to better prepare if we were kept informed. Also, how were the Guard not involved?” The Areva woman sat back down.
Areva made Mo’hali nervous anyway, and the way Uluula had just questioned the chain of command increased the volatile atmosphere in the room. The white-haired woman seemed somewhat aware of what was going on, but all the Terrans were clueless.
Henna-ibbi answered, “Who said the Guard wasn’t involved? That which benefits the city not to be investigated, will not be investigated. Not every Clan member is told of every matter, and you are not even Clan. An empty mind cannot feed lazy lips.”
Suddenly, a big hand landed on Henna-ibbi’s shoulder. She looked back, startled before slowly sitting down. Hajim-ibbi uncharacteristically stood, announcing, “I stand again as Hajim-ibbi, interceding for one I love and for the good of the Clan. I will finish this meeting.” Bezzi-ibbi’s eyebrows rose. He’d never heard of his father interceding for his rekke before.
Hajim-ibbi cleared his throat and said, “I have spent much time around Terrans. I believe I can say what must be said in a way that will avoid wasted time or stepped-on tails. The situation is simple. We want to get a trading foothold in Berber.
“To do this, we need to find a way over or around the mountains between our countries, which presents many problems right now. We are asking you to do this because you are Family. Also, Delvers LLC has already established a reputation for being unique as well as employing talented people. We believe you can find a way. Obviously, having this Clan backing you is already a benefit, but if you increase the reach of the Jaguar Clan’s power, you will be increasing your own as well.”
“Okay, that makes sense,” said Jason. “But still, why us? Why is Berber working through Tolstey to force us to travel there? The whole thing seems overly complex.”
“I have no idea. You’ll have to talk to your Berber contact, the spies. However, to help you with our interests in this matter, we are sending Yanno-ibbi, my brother, to travel with you. He can also help educate you on Ludus trade and Mo’hali culture on your journey.”
Figures, thought Bezzi-ibbi. They don’t trust me right now, and Henry-ibbi and Jason-ibbi are not fully trusted either. At least it’s Uncle Yanno-ibbi going with us, though.
“Understood. I’m assuming the Clan will help fund our expedition, then?” Jason asked.
“Yes, as much as we can. We still haven’t replenished our coffers, and won’t for some time. However, if my informants in the government are right, you should have received plenty from the Tolstey government. You should have plenty of money to build or buy whatever you need already, so what we can give you should offer even more flexibility.”
The rest of the meeting was fairly straightforward. All the important information had already been given. Bezzi-ibbi stopped paying close attention and began waiting for his chance to ask about what was really on his mind.
* * *
After the meeting disbanded, Bezzi-ibbi caught up with Henry and Jason as they left the Clan House.
“Oh, hi, Bezzi-ibbi,” greeted Henry.
Bezzi-ibbi gave a Terran nod in return. Then in English, he said, “Important thing forgetting. Paper.”
“Oh, that’s right!” exclaimed Henry. He reached into his back pocket and flashed the note he’d gotten from Gonzo at Jason. “We still have this! The thing to make the mask
s unnecessary for me, you, Mareen, and Bezzi-ibbi, remember?”
Uluula and Mareen gave each other a look. Mareen began to say something, but Uluula gave a slight shake of her head. The two women folded their arms and watched. That’s right, they weren’t at the government building, thought Bezzi-ibbi.
There were a few moments of silence while Henry and Jason studied the note. Suddenly, Henry whispered, “No fucking way.”
“What?” Jason’s voice was confused. “I don’t get it. This part doesn’t make any sense.”
“Don’t you remember when we first got to Ludus? Like the first few hours?”
Jason studied the note for a moment longer before saying, “Now that you mention it, yeah…” A slow look of horrified comprehension crossed his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Bush with Death
Henry woke before dawn. The shirt he’d thrown over his alarm clock the night before kept it muted enough so Mareen could keep sleeping. Dolos wouldn’t let anyone on Ludus use electricity for some dickhead reason, but at least there were plenty of mechanical inventions recreated from Earth’s history. Alarm clocks weren’t exactly cheap in Mirana, but they weren’t rare, either.
As Henry got dressed, he shook his head. It’d been another long night. Mareen was holding up better in public now, but she was still a raw bundle of nerves in private. Henry wasn’t very good at comforting people, or with emotions in general, but he tried to do his best to be available for Mareen. Her entire world had been turned upside down.
Henry hissed as he stubbed his toe. He really wished he had a lamp, but magic lights were expensive, candles took a while to get going and could be stinky, and electricity was forbidden.
When Henry had first begun building machines using magic power, he had briefly thought about experimenting to get around the ban on electric technology. He wasn’t an expert, but he knew how simple things like lightbulbs worked. However, after he’d seen multiple warnings about the types of technology Dolos outlawed on Ludus, and well as verifying that, yes, he was dead-ass serious about enforcing it, Henry had decided it would probably be a bad idea.
Delvers LLC: Obligations Incurred Page 4