Authors: Tracy St. John
Yuder scowled, his expression saying he
didn’t know whether to be disapproving or agreeable to the issue.
“They certainly did. A dual breed. Nobek and Imdiko, if you can
believe it.”
That earned a round of surprised looks
from the rest. Since Clajak hoped to investigate Bevau’s
credentials as a potential clanmate, he was quick to defend him.
“High Commander Bevau is Nobek first and foremost, my father. He
left no doubt of that in my mind.”
Egilka coughed, choking on his own spit
at Clajak’s words. The Dramok’s face burned. He hoped no one would
ask him how Bevau had proven his warrior status. He sure as hell
wasn’t explaining to his parents how the commander had overcome and
then stacked him and Egilka for his sexual pleasure
today.
There were a few moments of silence as
the emperors and empress digested this unexpected interest of their
son and his clanmate.
Zarl pushed back a wayward lock of
gray-shot hair. “I’m sure a man who rises to the rank of a high
commander in our ground forces is no weakling. Still – I don’t
know. This is just an infatuation, right? A novelty for you? Surely
not a candidate for your third.”
“What if he is?” Clajak asked. “You
said Egilka and I were free to choose our own Nobek so long as he
was intelligent, honorable, and able to fulfill the duties of clan
and Empire protector. From what I’ve seen, Bevau is a worthy
candidate for consideration.”
Zarl gazed at him, probably wondering
if Clajak was teasing as he so often did. When the prince held his
gaze, Zarl shook his head in warning. “You may want to re-think
such a man. There are members of the Royal Council who are eager to
challenge anything they feel is lacking with the Imperial
Family.”
Tidro added, “Particularly the father
of your future Matara. I’m sure Pwaldur would have a thing or two
to say about his daughter being clanned to a man who lacks the
attributes of a true Nobek.”
Next to his mother, Clajak’s Imdiko
father was the most serene member of the Imperial Clan. Older by
far than the rest of his clanmates, Tidro’s hair had long gone
snowy white. Wispier strands floated like smoky tendrils about his
lined face, while the bulk of it laid heavily across his shoulders
and back.
Despite Tidro’s mild tone, Clajak’s
temper flared. He disliked that sight unseen, Bevau was discounted
as a Nobek to be reckoned with.
Egilka surprised everyone by being the
one to speak up, and in a voice shaking with seldom-expressed
anger. “Nobek Bevau lacks nothing. He is no less a Nobek than
Yuder. My emperor, you of all people should know Imdiko tendencies
are not a handicap to strength!”
The table went silent. Every eye was on
Egilka, who flushed as he realized he’d just chastised the eldest
member of the royals. His shoulders hunched and he ducked his
head.
Yuder cast an amused look at Tidro. He
made a sound suspiciously like a snicker and said, “Indeed, Imdikos
are fierce if pushed. As our young prince has just
shown.”
Light laughter sprinkled through the
assembled. Tidro gave Yuder a wink before nodding at Egilka, who
peeked up to make sure he wasn’t in trouble. Clajak heard his sigh
of relief.
Yuder sobered in the relaxed
atmosphere. “Courting a dual breed is a concern when it comes to
outside perceptions. Bevau doesn’t even have marks of honor that
prove his combat fierceness. People will say he’s a coward who
doesn’t fight at all.”
Clajak said, “Then they are fools.
Bevau is such a good fighter that I doubt he’s given any man the
opportunity to scar him.”
“The physical perfection will bother
many.”
“Perfection?” Tidro said. He kept his
voice even, but worry drove deeper the creases at the corners of
his eyes.
Yuder sighed. “He’s not only
half-Imdiko, he’s beautiful to boot. Bone structure, proportions
... it’s ridiculous how flawless High Commander Bevau appears. I
doubt anyone takes him seriously as a Nobek until he proves it by
pounding his detractors senseless. Since he can’t go around beating
the Royal Council to death—”
“What a shame,” Clajak
muttered.
Yuder went on as if he hadn’t heard
him. “—they won’t take him seriously either.”
Irdis listened with avid interest.
“Will the council and others wholeheartedly approve anyone our son
clans as his protector? Or will they find fault no matter how
slight and make it into a cataclysm fit to destroy the entire
Empire?”
That made them all chuckle again. As
always, the empress had seen to the heart of the matter. The
detractors would look for any defect in a possible Nobek for Clan
Clajak and have their say.
Clajak thought it was time to settle
their minds and grant himself and Egilka a reprieve. “I’m not ready
to bring him home yet. Bevau is fascinating, worth getting to know
better. That is all.”
Zarl wasn’t done. “You were quick to
defend this man, Egilka. I have always found you to be sensible, so
your opinion matters to me. Tell us what you think about Nobek
Bevau.”
Egilka had recovered from his flash of
temper. In a reasonable tone he answered, “I like him, my emperor,
as if that wasn’t obvious. I can give a somewhat objective
assessment, however. He’s intelligent, fierce, and thoughtful.
After spending time with him, I have no doubt he’d make a fine
protector for the fortunate men who clan him.”
Clajak was delighted to hear Egilka’s
wholehearted approval. “See? I know you don’t take my judgment
seriously, but Bevau has Egilka’s vote of confidence. That has to
count for something.”
Zarl gave him an exasperated look. “My
son, I take your opinions to heart. It’s just difficult to know
when you’re being serious. Is this just another playmate or do you
see Bevau as a potential leader for the Empire?”
Clajak took a moment to answer,
pretending to consider the question. He’d already examined the
issue, but he didn’t want Zarl to think he was being
impulsive.
When he spoke it was with confidence.
“He is a high commander, which means he possesses leadership
qualities. I know being in charge of a few battalions isn’t the
whole story, but it could be an indication. It’s too early to know
all there is to know about Nobek Bevau. I have to spend time with
him to figure it out.”
Tidro’s gentle counsel put his teeth on
edge. “Meanwhile, you have a list of others we feel would make a
suitable Nobek emperor in the future.”
Clajak refused to address his father
with the impatience he felt. “Suitable, yes. But why settle for
someone merely appropriate? What’s wrong with looking at someone
who might make an exemplary ruler?”
Yuder shook his head with a ghost of a
smile on his face. Clajak could tell that despite his efforts,
Yuder didn’t think he was taking the matter to heart at all. His
father’s next statement proved it.
“It’s a playmate situation. Go ahead
and have your fun, my son. But while you’re diverting yourself with
the dual-breed, continue to familiarize yourself with those Nobeks
we know will do right by your clan and people.”
Clajak offered his father a tight smile
and raised his glass of bohut. He couldn’t quite keep the sarcasm
out of his voice. “To my duty to Kalquor then. May I not
disappoint.”
He drained his cup, pretending
nonchalance at Yuder’s rolled eyes, Zarl’s shaking head, and the
look Tidro and Irdis exchanged. It was harder to ignore the jab of
Egilka’s elbow to his ribs.
The meal ended on a higher note as
Irdis steered conversation to less contentious subjects. When
everyone at last stood, many rubbing satisfied stomachs and
congratulating the chef who came in to check on them, Clajak saw
that the hour had grown late. He wasn’t the only one who
yawned.
Helped to her feet by Zarl and Tidro,
Irdis smiled at everyone. “That was lovely, as always. Please go
ahead and relax, my mates.” She waved the emperors toward the door
that led to the common room. “I want a moment with Clajak and
Egilka.”
The emperors smiled at their Matara.
Even Yuder’s face went soft as he regarded Irdis, making the
warrior less fearsome. As always Clajak was impressed that though
his fathers were the most powerful men in the Empire, they never
failed to show the woman they loved the warmth she deserved. Even
in the most public places they kept their reverence for Irdis on
display.
With respectful bows to her and
murmured goodnights to the princes, the emperors took their leave.
Clajak and Egilka wasted no time coming close to Irdis.
Clajak asked, “My mother, how may we
serve you?”
She touched his hair with the easy
affection she’d always shown him. “I wanted to speak to you about
your attitude towards Narpok and Pwaldur, Clajak. When we take that
trip to Joshada—”
All the contentment went out of the
Dramok in an instant. “They are going with us?”
Egilka huffed impatiently. “She already
told you that. Did you not listen to anything your mother said? I
bet you missed the part about how I can’t go on the
trip.”
Clajak rounded on him. “You’re
not?”
Egilka rolled his eyes. “Because of my
research team’s meeting with the Royal Council’s oversight
committee. The conference takes place at the same time.”
Irdis regarded her son with surprise.
“Clajak, I can count on one hand how many times you’ve been too
distracted to listen to me. Does this Nobek enthrall you so
much?”
Clajak bowed his head. “I am sorry, but
yes. My mind was on Bevau during most of the meal.”
Irdis’ face lit in a delighted grin.
“This is quite the infatuation.” She looked to Egilka, who ducked
his head. “For both of you? No wonder Yuder is working so hard to
point you in the direction of approved Nobeks.”
Clajak squirmed. He did not want a
replay of the night’s earlier conversation. If his mother
disapproved of a dual breed Nobek, he could forget Bevau as being
anything more than a dalliance.
Irdis had pity on him, however. “All
right, I won’t tease you. Let’s talk about our trip. For my sake, I
want you to treat your future Matara and Pwaldur with politeness.
We all have to make sacrifices, my son.”
Clajak fought to keep a scowl from
creeping over his face. “How many days are we talking
about?”
“Zarl, Tidro, and I have official
business, but it will be just a short shopping jaunt for you and
Clan Pwaldur. You can manage three days.”
Clajak groaned. “Three days? Cutting my
throat would be an easier sacrifice than spending that long with
Pwaldur. Narpok is salt in the wound.”
Irdis switched to her firm tone, the
one that told Clajak he was pushing even her great reserves of
patience. “Egilka does perfectly fine with both of them. Follow his
example.”
Clajak nodded. “Drink heavily before,
during, and after each conversation. Got it.”
Egilka gave him a little push. “I do
not drink that much. All right, maybe a little. But only when it
comes to Pwaldur and his daughter.”
Irdis frowned at them both. Clajak
winced, knowing she was about to go into full mother mode. “Once
you have clanned Narpok, you can work on her attitude of
entitlement. She is yet a youngling and not beyond repair. If you
treat her gently, she is all the more likely to come around to
being a better person. Besides, you have a couple of decades yet
before she becomes an everyday part of your life. As for
Pwaldur—”
“Assassination,” Clajak
supplied.
Egilka choked on a burst of laughter.
Irdis glared.
Clajak gave her his most supplicating
look. “I am sorry, my mother. I cannot pretend I don’t despise the
man.”
She relented. “He is awful, and don’t
you dare tell anyone I said that. Yet he is a necessary evil,
Clajak. Even if he doesn’t get elected as Head Councilman this
time, he will rise in power. There is no doubt in my mind about
that. He will either be a valuable ally or a vicious foe to
you.”
Clajak knew Irdis’ instincts were
usually correct. She read people with almost frightening accuracy.
“You’re right. He baits me at every turn though. I swear the man
lives to make me lose my temper and look foolish in front of
others.”
“He only wins if you let him,
Clajak.”
Irdis tugged on his collar, and he bent
to press his forehead to hers. They smiled into each other’s
eyes.
His mother said, “It is not easy being
a leader ... or future leader of the people. You will stumble at
times as we all do, but you will be torn down more for it because
you are the Crown Prince. You must remember to get up and go on, my
son. As long as you do that, you will be fine.”
Clajak glowed with the love he felt for
her. “Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?”
Her voice was bright and happy. “Yes,
but it’s good to be reminded.”
They laughed. Because Irdis loved so
easily, it was no surprise that she pressed her forehead to
Egilka’s as well, the traditional greeting and leave-taking between
mother and son. Then she shooed the princes away, fussing at them
to get rest as if they were still younglings needing care and
discipline.