The Shape of Surrender

Tor’laen once again stood behind his Crown Daughter, maintaining parade rest, his gaze fixed on the governor of Kelran.

The mood in the room was significantly lighter than the last time they had stood in this position — two Crown Daughters and their retinue facing down the governor and her staff.

“Once again, you have my utmost gratitude for resolving this dispute, Royal Hands,” Dizita was saying, a relieved expression on her face.

Resolved. That was one way to put it, Tor’laen supposed. From what Nalyra had told him, House Freika wouldn’t be in a position to handle any sort of contract for a very long time. As for Meridian Operations, it was currently in the process of being dismantled, with more and more arrests and seizures of assets happening daily.

On Zikara’s side, she and Queni’la had called in several Crown auditors, and they had torn through House Tekelli’s finances with the authority of the High Fortress. According to the Aurelai, the amount of corruption and negligence they uncovered had been staggering. Tekelli would remain a High House, but they were in for some troubling times, it seemed. Their contracts on Kelran, however, were completely unsalvageable.

Of course, most of this had been downplayed to the Kelran government.

“You have a path moving forward?” Nalyra asked, her voice pulling the Ydani back to the conversation.

“Certainly, Crown Daughter.” Dizita gave her a respectful seated bow. “The Shipbuilders’ Union has petitioned for the right to directly negotiate with suppliers for materials. I see no reason they will be denied.”

“On the other side of the dispute,” Zikara added, “High House Tekelli’s contracts for the KPDF and civilian goods have been taken over by a coalition of smaller Houses, all of which have estates located here on Kelran. Houses with a vested interest in the prosperity of the planet.”

“A satisfying outcome on all sides, it would seem,” Queni’la concluded, a gentle smile on his face.

A satisfying outcome. Yes, perhaps. But it almost seemed too satisfying to the Ydani. Again that unpleasant feeling that their actions had been, at least in part, led by unseen hands surfaced within him.

Tor’laen almost dismissed the feeling as paranoia, before a whisper of Nalyra’s suspicions echoed over their Bridge.

However, the Crown Daughter’s voice was mildly pleasant. At least by Nalyra standards.

“Yes. The discovery of House Freika’s illicit dealings with their PMC was certainly fortunate,” she said. “As was the discovery of the missing women, though I fear we may never know what fell purpose the former High Matron had planned for them.”

“She has refused to confess?” Admiral Niketa asked from her place at the governor’s side.

“Indeed,” Nalyra replied solemnly. “I plan to deliver her to the High Fortress. We shall see if questioning under the direct authority of the Queen Matriarch loosens her tongue.”

“I shall pray to the Maker that her motives are revealed.” Dizita bowed her head.

Of course, Nalyra had revealed the truth of the secret—

It felt like the Ydani’s thoughts gummed up inside his head. As though a tiny Nalyra were gently shushing his mind directly, as her Press came alive at the sealed thought.

—the truth of the place hidden beneath the complex to Zikara, and likely Queni’la through her. However, the Kelran governor and her aides were to remain in the dark. As it should be, he supposed.

Still, the mention of the missing women stirred something within Tor’laen. The Admiral stood at her place next to the governor, but on the woman’s other side was a Zakkili woman. One Tor’laen didn’t remember seeing before.

“Governor,” he said, drawing gazes from around the room. “May I ask where your Head Secretary is?” His voice was quiet.

At the mention of the woman, Dizita’s face fell.

“Due to her acting without permission and revealing unauthorized information, Head Secretary Orli was dismissed from her post,” she said after a small pause.

“Dismissed?” Tor’laen asked. “For bringing a series of abductions to the attention of the Crown Daughter?”

His voice was calm. Steady. However, something in his gaze or on his face must have betrayed his underlying feelings.

“Believe me, Shield Consort, this is not what I wanted!” Dizita drew away from him, a touch of panic in her voice. “Orli was a truly competent woman. But, there was pressure from my House…” she trailed off.

A small touch of Nalyra’s thoughts brushed his, laden with caution. It seemed that he was close to overstepping.

“I understand, Governor. A regrettable situation.” He inclined his head to Dizita, and the woman noticeably relaxed.

“Well then, if there is nothing more…” Zikara said, likely eager to move things along after the tension.

“Actually, there was one more item I wished to discuss, Royal Hands,” Dizita said, her gaze sheepish as it flicked between the two sisters.

“Yes, Governor?” Nalyra asked.

“There will be something of a celebration, tomorrow evening. Here at the capital complex,” the governor explained. “It would be a great honor to have you and your consorts attend. Along with any of your Citadel crew you deem suitable.”

“A party, Lady Dizita?” Zikara raised a sculpted eyebrow at the woman.

“Nothing formal or ceremonial, I assure you,” the woman chuckled nervously. “The Kelrana are not big on formality. This really will be a celebration in every sense of the word. I imagine that no small number of them see both of you as their saviors, and your attendance would surely raise morale in a way that few other things could.”

“A celebration, then? I see no reason to refuse.” Zikara glanced back at her consort, grinning.

Tor’laen could almost hear Nalyra’s mental sigh at her twin’s acceptance of the invitation. Or, on second thought, maybe he could hear it, as her exasperation bubbled over their Bridge. It was likely that if Zikara accepted then Nalyra couldn’t well decline without harming her reputation, he reasoned.

Stolen from NovelPhoenix, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Then I suppose I shall also attend,” Nalyra said, her voice mild, offering no hint of the sudden desire to throttle her sister that brushed Tor’laen’s mind. He had to fight to keep a grin off his face.

“My gratitude to you both!” Dizita beamed at the Royal Hands. “It begins the seventh bell after midday tomorrow. I look forward to welcoming you both.”

“Certainly.” Nalyra motioned with her head, catching Tor’laen’s gaze. “Come, Consort, we still have unfinished business before we return to the Aegis. Governor, Zikara.” She nodded at each of them, before turning to sweep out of the room, Tor’laen and her Armswomen following closely.

The group moved through the capital complex, heading to meet up with the small contingent of Citadel crew and Armswomen who had been living and working on Kelran over the past span. When they reached a deserted hall, Nalyra held up her hand, signaling her Armswomen to stop.

“Tor’laen, enough,” she said, turning to look at him.

“What?” he asked, surprised by the sudden shift.

“You are not to blame for this.”

Ah. That’s what it was. Their Bridge had betrayed his feelings, but he did not blame it. His control had been lacking.

“Perhaps not. But I gave my word, I swore that I would do my best to protect her,” he muttered bitterly. He didn’t miss the pointed glances that passed between the Armswomen that accompanied them, visible through their visors. “Is this really something a House can force?”

“By the letter of the law, no.” Nalyra shook her head. “A Planetary Governor is above such things, in theory. However, a House can certainly pressure one of their members, even one as powerful as a governor, into something like this. Orli embarrassed Dizita when she revealed the information, and we completed that embarrassment when we uncovered the conspiracy and rescued the missing women.”

“I robbed Orli of her future. After getting dismissed like this, I cannot imagine she will be able to find suitable employment.” Tor’laen gritted his teeth, a vile taste in his mouth. “I broke my oath.”

“Tor’laen, enough.” She glared at him. “I will not have you accepting the blame for something you could not control.”

He resisted for a long moment before relenting. Nalyra sent a mist of cool emotion through his head, the Ydani letting his wife’s mental touch calm him.

“No more self-sacrifice, I suppose,” he sighed. “Is there anything we—you can do, Nalyra?” he asked.

“That is precisely what I intend to show you, Consort.” She smirked at him. “She should still be under the protection of my Armswomen. Let us see that bravery is rewarded this day, not punished.”

Tor’laen nodded, and they continued wordlessly through the complex until they reached a small, out-of-the-way corridor lined with offices. A pair of Citadel soldiers were standing guard, and they gave crisp salutes at the sight of their Royal Hand.

“Villi. Bela. Your vigilance is well-noted.” Nalyra favored them both with a smile, and the women straightened slightly at the praise.

The Armswomen accompanying the Crown Daughter remained at the entrance to the hallway, already starting to chat with the pair of soldiers stationed there. Nalyra and Tor’laen continued farther in, to an office occupied by crew members of the Aegis.

As they entered, all conversation stopped, the Zakkili women rising as one in the presence of their Royal Hand. Nalyra moved forward to address them, however Tor’laen’s gaze had but one target.

In the corner of the room sat Orli, her shoulders slumped, her eyes listless.

Tor’laen moved in front of her, kneeling down as he had before. The woman moved to stand, but he waved her off.

“Orli. Please forgive me,” he said quietly.

“Don’t apologize, Shield Consort.” The Kelrana gave a bitter smile, her tails drooping. “I knew what coming forward might cost me.”

“Even so…” He couldn’t find the words to comfort her. Had she been a Ydani, he might have reminded her of the cost of duty they all paid, but it seemed grossly inappropriate in the current situation.

“I am satisfied that you and the Crown Daughter were able to locate the missing women, and save most of them. I hear they will recover in time.”

“That is correct,” Tor’laen confirmed.

Orli simply nodded, trying her best to smile and failing.

“Head Secretary Orli,” Nalyra’s voice came from behind Tor’laen, and the Kelrana jumped to her feet, doing her best to give a polite curtsy.

“Crown Daughter,” she replied. “I am afraid I am no longer a Head Secretary, Highness.”

“That remains to be seen.” Nalyra had a sly grin on her face as Tor’laen glanced at her.

“Highness?” Orli asked, clearly puzzled.

“Lately, I find that my Admiral and Master Engineer are bogged down far too often with documentation and clerical work,” the Crown Daughter explained. “It is starting to affect their efficiency. If Dizita is foolish enough to discard such a useful woman, I will not question the fortune the Maker has shown me.”

Orli was very still, her wide eyes fixed on the Crown Daughter. Her tails were as straight and rigid as a pair of iron bars.

“If you find it agreeable, I would like to welcome you aboard the Saint’s Aegis as my Head Secretary.” Nalyra's gaze upon the woman was steady, with only a hint of imperial strength. “What is your answer, Orli?”

“Forgive my discourtesy, Crown Daughter,” the Kelrana said hesitantly. “But I must ask if you are being sincere about this matter.”

“I am. What say you?”

“Yes!” The strength of her answer seemed to even surprise Orli herself. “Of course, Crown Daughter.” The woman took a breath to collect herself and curtsied deeply to Nalyra. “I would be honored to join your crew.”

“Excellent.” The Crown Daughter nodded, clearly having seen this as the only possible outcome. “I will have a pair of Armswomen escort you to collect your belongings and settle any familial matters, then to a shuttle which will bear you to your new home.”

The Kelrana’s smile looked like it would never leave her face. Apparently beyond words, she simply curtsied again, spreading wide her skirt. Her tails thrashed excitedly behind her, revealing the depths of her happiness.

Nalyra accepted the woman’s gratitude with a nod, then laid a hand on Tor’laen’s arm, a signal for him to follow. The pair left the office, the crew members gathering their things and moving to follow. Several of them clapped Orli on the back or affectionately tousled her hair, the Kelrana clearly having become popular with the detachment of the Aegis.

Satisfied, Consort? Nalyra’s words floated into Tor’laen’s mind.

I am. However, I must ask — is it alright to invite her into the crew so lightly?

Fret not, Tor’laen. Nalyra’s inner voice was colored with amusement. Vessa has already done a thorough investigation into the woman’s background. All evidence points to the woman being quite skilled, and lacking anything that might compromise her integrity.

When did you have her investigated?

The evening after she came forward with the information. She grinned back at him, picking up his surprise. This was not an unseen outcome. I did not know for sure, but I believed it worthwhile to be prepared.

Tor’laen didn’t have an answer for that, just wordlessly letting his gratitude flow over their Bridge.

“Let us return to the Aegis.” Nalyra switched to speaking out loud, letting the members of the crew in on the conversation. “If we are to be made to attend a celebration, then let there be a celebration for all of us. Until we leave Kelran, half-watch for all crew and Armswomen.”

The announcement was met with a small cheer, the Zakkili women breaking into excited, quiet conversations. A small grin crept onto Tor’laen’s face. As usual, the excitement of a group of Zakkili tended to be infectious, both socially and psychically.

A tiny part of his wife’s mind slipped into his, just sitting at the edge of his thoughts. A faint pulse of her excitement accompanied it as well. While he would love to deny the fact, he knew that Nalyra could easily feel just how much of a comfort her mental presence was rapidly becoming. At least he now knew that he wasn’t some kind of deviant for enjoying it — it seemed to be a rather commonplace thing among the couples of her race.

Still, Tor’laen’s grin twisted wryly as the little mental piece of Nalyra radiated smugness from its resting place among his thoughts.