CHAPTER TEN
 

Sivya stepped off the transport on Tovar to a great cheer, smiling at everyone standing there waiting on her.  "Hello.  Well met."  She smiled at the person who met her at the bottom of the ramp, the ambassador she had worked with a few times.  She shook his hand.  "You've got a very pretty planet.  You were correct about that."  She looked around again.  "This is very nice."

"Thank you, Empress.  Would you like to make a speech?"  She gave him an odd look.  "Then you won't have to," he promised, patting her on the hand.  He walked up to stand in front of the crowd.  "The Empress is here to serve us all, that is why she came here, to show that we are more than an industrial planet and more than smart people. "

"You do appreciate beauty.  I had heard stories from your ambassadors about how beautiful you had made the buildings.  You have turned necessities into art, which the rest of the empire should see and admire you for," she offered.   That got another loud cheer.  "I am looking forward to learning about your people as well.  I hope that none of the violence we've had in the past mars our time here and I hope that we all profit from this move."  The crowd clapped and cheered at that.  She smiled.  "With that said, it's time for  a nap if you wouldn't mind.  We just got done with the Holiday of Trees on Riven."  That got some laughter.  "Yes, I enjoyed my time back on Riven.  As I did when I was stationed at the temple there."  She smiled at the ambassador.  "Or did you have a tour planned today?  We can if you'd rather not wait."

"No, we planned on you touring later this week, Empress.  As you've done for us, we believe you should have time to settle in first, then start to work."  She hugged him.  "Let me lead you to the palace.  It's a beautiful place and we've raised the security levels inside."  He walked her off, chatting with her, smiling broadly.  "The Holiday of Trees?  Is that the one where you and they went out and danced around in the woods?"  She smiled and nodded.  "What was the purpose of that one?"

"Celebrating nature in all its beauty and pleasures.  The Goddess blessed the trees to be fruitful and multiply and Alia blessed them to be natural and grow strong and healthy."

"Then we had a picnic and ran through the woods and laughed and played," Brailian said from behind her, patting her on the back.  "It was very interesting and fun.  Tyvana is still half-asleep."  He looked up as a ship started to come in.  "That doesn't look good," he noted quietly, stepping closer to his wife.  "Tyvana, can you go back to the ship?"  She nodded.

Sivya sighed as she looked up at the ship, noticing the guns and that they were out in the open.  "Scatter," she ordered, knowing what they were going to do.  "Get your people out of the street," she ordered, moving Brailian and her guards with her.  The ship open fired on the crowd, scattering them quickly.  "How are we supposed to fight that thing!" she yelled over the firing.

"We wait until they land and take them out," he yelled back, pulling his gun.  He passed her his spare one.  Unlike her last husband, he wanted her armed but she hadn't been able to openly carry when just landing and greeting the diplomats.  The ship landed in front of the palace and people came out.  "It's an army," he said in awe.

"Get back to the ship.  You're too valuable to risk," Rethna yelled, shoving them.  He got Brailian going but she wasn't quite so speedy so he handed her off.

"Come on, Sivya.  This is not the time for this."

"They've got others like me," she yelled as they ran.

"I don't care if they've got their God in physical form in with their troops!"  They made it back to the landing field and saw the ships in flames, including his.  "Damn it!"

"That's fine, there's a backup ship!" she said, hitting him on the arm.  She pulled something from her around her neck and pushed it, then pulled him into whatever cover there was.  "That's why we have a military escort.  Can you see yours?" she panted.

"Yes.  I'm going to check on Tyvana."  She nodded, letting him go.  He was shot at as soon as he broke cover but he had to check on her.  He may like Sivya, but Tyvana was one of his real wives.

Siyva pressed the button again, hearing another ship coming in overhead.  She looked up and could only hope this one was one of those ships that would protect her.  Since the soldiers who came out started firing on the other ones she could only assume so.  She looked around, noticing there was still a group heading for Brailian and she couldn't see him.  She ran after him, firing at them. She took them down and found her husband lying on the ground.  She felt his chest, he was still breathing.  "Damn it!" she yelled, turning on the armies warring.  She could feel her control slipping and looked up. "Alia preserve my sanity!"  She reached out with her elemental powers, drawing a nearby storm, making it stronger, drawing the lightening.  It slammed down into the other army, making people scream.  The second bolt did more damage, mostly to their ship.  The strikes continued until she felt movement under her hands.  "Brailian," she gasped, bending down to look him over again.  "What can I do?"

"Get me home, Sivya.  Not safe," he moaned.  "Tyvana?"

"I'll have her found.  My personal healer will be here in a minute."  She looked over at where her guards were coming back, sending those thoughts to them, and to get her a communications panel.  Now.  She went back to trying to help him.  He had been shot a few times.  She heard an explosion and grimaced, looking at the ships.  The storm came closer, dropping water on the area.

"Sivya, let me lift him," Rethna ordered.  "We can take him inside."

"He wants to go home.  Find Tyvana.  She was headed for his ship."  He gave her a stare.  "Now!"  He went to do that.  She only let him be moved by the healers and they weren't looking too happy about it.  Someone brought her a wrist computer attachment for communications and she tapped into her personal address book, there was one person who could help her.  "Halley?  Is he there?" she demanded.  "It's an emergency.  Tell him it's Sivya."

"He's not here, lass.  What's wrong?"  He looked at her.  "Do I know you?"

She looked at him, then at Brailian.  "I'm one of Brailian's current wives."

"He's only got one current wife, but two mates."

"I'm the current one and he's seriously injured.  He wants to come home.  I don't know where to take him. I need someone to meet me."

"Where's his wife?"  She held up the camera attachment, making him gasp.  She brought it back down.  "Who are you really?"

"Who do I look like?" she sneered.  "Ask Halley, he can vouch for me if you can't find Brast."

"Then you could only be one person.  That's fine.  Can you get a ship?"  She nodded.  "A fast one?"

"It'll have to be a fast one with a medical bay.  But yes, I can."

"Good, go here," he ordered, sending her coordinates.  "Get there as soon as you can."

"That's fine.  Send Constantine as well.  She'll need to meet me there and you'll need a healer.  And an escort."  She hung up, heading to talk to the military person in charge.  She'd commandeer something if she had to.  Which she did, but it worked.  They found Tyvana's body and loaded it, then loaded Brailian into the medical bay of the small shuttle.  She got her guards out and lifted off, heading off to those coordinates.  "Ship," she ordered.

"Yes, Empress?"

"You may not report where we are going or who we are meeting there.  This is in the utmost secrecy."

"Yes, Empress. Will it require codes?"

"Not that I've heard.  Yet."  She got frustrated with her hair getting in her way each time she moved so got up, cutting it off.  Then she laid it on the bed beside Brailian, checking him over.  "Ship, can you scan him?"

"He is injured.  There are three shots, one to his lung.  That is the most severe, followed by one to his stomach and one to his side.  Chance of living without competent medical care, two percent."

"Can you provide that care?"

"Negative."

"How soon before we rendevous?"

"At safe traveling speeds, three days."

"Forget safety, just get there as fast as you can as safe as you can.  Speed over safety preferably."

"Allowed."   She could feel the ship speeding up.  "Should I put into stasis?"

She looked at him.  "I don't know."  She went to try to get Halley again, getting him this time.  "He's been shot in the lung according to the ship's computer," she said when the old man appeared on the screen.  "What do I do? The ship wants to know about stasis?"

"No.  We don't believe in that."  She nodded.  "Is he okay?"

"The lung, the side, and the stomach.  Tyvana was on the ship when they started to shoot at them.  The one next to theirs exploded, knocking hers over.  She was hit by something according to the guards who found her.  Have you found Constantine?"

"They won't let me talk to her."

"They will me.  Is someone coming?"  He nodded. "Good healers?"

"Of course, lass.  Calm down.  How're you flying?"

"Remote.  I don't know enough about ships to do otherwise.  I'm going to be learning though."  He nodded grimly. "I had to beg to be taught how to drive a Kabaan, Halley, no one thought that I'd need this skill.  Computer, present time to rendevous?"

"At current speed, sixteen hours. We may need to slow down as the shipping lanes are crowded in certain sections."

"Slip around them. You have royal authority to do so.  Do whatever you have to so we get there."

"Allowed."

Sivya looked at Halley again.  "Is there anything I can do?"

"No, lass.  Just hope and pray.  Hopefully he'll be fine.  Call Constantine."  She nodded.  "I'll be meeting you there."

"Fine.  Thank you.  Call Gerian?  She was at home with his new son."  She broke on that, crying now.  "Why do they do this to those around me!" she demanded.

"Because they're scared, lass. Calm yourself, call Constantine, have her meet us," he said quietly.  She nodded, pulling herself back together.  "Fall back on what you know."  She nodded again.  "I'll see you in a few hours."  He hung up.

"Computer, dial the Ki's palace on Domarin 5."

A male popped up.  "This is the Ki's palace, please state the reason for your call."

"Put me through to Constantine," she ordered quietly.

"The Ki is very busy."

She got closer to the camera.  "Listen, youngling, this is Empress Sivya.  You will put her on or I will come and gut you.  If she asks why I'm bothering her, tell her there was another attack."  He blanched and ran off, and soon her successor's face was on the screen.  "Get in a ship, meet us at these coordinates.  If you can, bring a very good healer for Brailian."

"Sivya, what happened?"

"Haven't gotten an update?  We were attacked between landing and getting to the palace.  Tyvana's dead."  She gasped.  "She was on their ship when it was knocked over. Brailian's been shot in the lung.  Meet us there.  I'm going on grief leave.  I'll toss you the crown at that time."  She hung up, sitting down to type in some personal correspondence.  There was no way she was putting others through this again.  She sent them to be delivered in the slowest method possible, then looked at the ship.  "Ship, teach me how to fly?"

"Allowed.  What level of experience do you have?"

"Traveling."

"Very well, the basics," the computer allowed.  It popped up a diagram.  "This is a Negal class ship.  On the monitor are the specifications allowed.  Please learn them first."

~*~*~*~

 
Sivya looked up as two ships flanked her.  "Docking maneuvers," she ordered. The ship slowed and matched their speed, letting them dock.  She walked back to the back, meeting them at the doorway.  There was a tall woman in all black standing there.  "He's in the medical bay.  Tyvana's in the back, lying on the bed."  She nodded, silently heading to check on the living first.  The next one through was a healer.  "Medical bay is that way," she ordered, pointing it out.  She looked over as Constantine came on, she looked like she had been crying. "Are you all right?"

"Fine.  I can't reach father."  She wiped her face off.  "Are you all right?"

"I took care of the ones heading for him.  I called lightening."  Constantine looked up at her so she opened her jacket to show the chains she wore.

"Put the deflector back on that," Halley ordered as he joined them.  "We're a suspicious lot for the most part."  He gave her a hug, noticing right away that her hair was shorter.  "What are you doing, lass?"

"I'm going on grief leave, Halley.  That gives this time to settle down again."  He nodded, staring at her.  "All I need is to go somewhere I can get a ship.  That's all I ask."

"Fine.  I can do that. I'll have someone good pick you up from the world.  I called Gerian, she's still crying."

"I would be too if he were that special to me.  I was earlier but there's too much to do."  She looked at Constantine. Then she tossed her the crown she had been wearing earlier.  "I hope you can settle this.  Trust Rraaaaal and his baby.  Trust Rethna.  Trust Lasarae.  Other than them I don't know who to trust."  She got them out of the way as they removed the living and the dead, bowing her head in silent prayer.

"She will be coming with us," the priestess said firmly.  "She is to be tested."

"He has a true spouse, I was only a contract to protect.  Brast asked him to."

"You will still be tested as one of us," she ordered, staring her down.  "Do so, Halley."  She followed Tyvana's body.

"Fine," he agreed, looking her over.  "Come on, Sivya.  You can go with me.  Send this old one back where it belongs."  She nodded, following him back to his ship.  Constantine went back to her ship.  They disengaged and the military ship was released.  It turned and left after he programmed something from his computer.  "You told it not to tell?"

"I thought it prudent," she admitted, slumping down.  "What's this test?"

"It's something all pirates have to take," he said gently, sitting down next to her.  "The fact that the Priestess herself found you and said you needed to be tested means that something's going on.  I don't know what.  They always know before we do.  Should I call Brast?"  She shook her head. "You're sure?"

"Very sure.  I don't want him involved in this.  He had to dodge the people who wanted him to use his former influence to sway my thinking."  She got up, going to get sick.  He came in a few minutes later, handing over some tea.  "Thank you, Halley.  I know I broke nearly every law by doing this."

"No, it was the right thing to do.  A true pirate would have brought him home as well."

"What about her family?  Does she have any outside the clans?"

"No, not as far as I know.  That first guy you talked to was their clan's Guild spokesman.  He'll know who to notify. You'll be there for the funerals."  He helped her up.  "Drink the tea, then we'll have to do something about your hair before someone throws a fit."

"I left my braid back there."

"You're going on a grief leave, many cultures cut their hair.  It'll take 'em a few days to figure out if yours was one of them."  He led her back to the front area, sitting her down to undo the remaining hair.  A large chunk fell onto the floor, making him laugh. "Just cut off the part that was bothering you?"  She nodded, finishing her tea.  "Straight across all right?"

"Fine, please.  I hate hair. I've always hated having so much hair. It was nearly at my feet when I was kidnaped."  She drew a line.  "There?"

"That works," he agreed.  He cut it off where she drew, then tossed the hair into the recycler. "There, that's that."

"Thank you."  She smoothed down her clothes.  "At least I'm dressed practically today."  She grabbed the cloak she had been wearing from Alesar.  He gave her an odd look. "I was cold."

"Hmm.  It happens to the best of us on a ship."  He patted her on the head.  "Don't worry about the trials.  You'll do fine. You're mostly competing against yourself.  Proving what you know."

"Right now, I feel like I know nothing."

"We all have those moments, Sivya.  You should rest.  Or at least try."

"If I do, I'll have nightmares.  I had some on the way to the meeting point. It's going to be a while before I sleep."  He nodded, stroking the back of her head.  "Is Brast happier?" she asked quietly.

"No, not really. Thinks he is, but he's miserable underneath.  Tell you what, I'll have him meet you if you want."

"No, I don't want to bother him.  He's happier this way so I'll leave it at that."

"You don't plan on going back, do you?"  She shook her head, staring up at him. "You sure about that?"

"Yes.  If I don't go back, they can't fight over me and what the crown wanted me to do.  Constantine can do it much better than I can.  Brailian showed me how little I knew about the ploys going on around me.  I thought I was catching on but I was wrong.  Very wrong.  I want to know who did that, but I'll catch up to the news wherever I end up."  He nodded.  "I, um, you can tell him if he asks that I'll be safe."

"Fine, I'll do that, lass."  His ship beeped a greeting to another ship.  "Our escort."  He sent in their code, getting them entry.  He stopped at the Guild's office to drop his ship off, then walked her to the temple. It was only up the street.  He found Gerian waiting on them.

Sivya broke again and hugged her.  "I tried," she cried.  "I tried so hard."

"Shh, you brought him home to me, that's what's important."  She looked at Halley.

"One of the priestess of Argoness said to test her."

"Why?  He has an heir."

"I told her that," she admitted, pulling back to calm herself again.  "He was still living when they met us.  There's a chance, if he has good medical support."

"Why didn't you take him somewhere closer?"

"He asked to come home and nowhere else was safe," she pointed out bitterly.  She calmed the anger.  "I want to kill the person who did this.  The one who ordered it."  She looked at her former spouse.  "Anything I have left is yours, Gerian.  That's the only child that has ever liked me.  All I have is his."  She nodded at that.  "I'd better see what the priestess wants.  I'll see you as soon as I can."

"Good luck, Sivya.  Remember what he taught you."

"I did, that's why the people who shot him died."  She hung her head and walked off, heading into the temple.  She was met at the door by someone new.  "I was told I was to be tested?" she asked calmly.  Inside she was a roiling pot of emotions, fear, rage, grief, all rolling around to make her insides knot.

"She told us.  This way, Sivya."  She led her to the back room, letting her into it then leaving her there.

Sivya took off her cloak, putting it on the bench beside the door.  Then she walked into the practice room with the woman standing there.  "Why am I to be tested?"

"Are you not one of us by bond?"

"Brast claims it was a contract, nothing more."

"Then he is blind and willfully ignorant.  He will come around.  Lord Argoness does not like things such as that."  She stepped closer, giving her a hug.  Sivya broke down fully this time when she felt the gentle touch to her mind and the understanding feelings.  "When you are calm, we will start," she said quietly, sitting down with her.  "Show me, Sivya.  It can only help."   Sivya nodded and opened her mind, letting her see all of the day before's events.

~*~*~*~
 

"Brast," Halley called.  "I need you to pick up and escort a new priestess," he ordered.  "One of our clan and Brailian's."

"A former spouse turned priestess?"  Halley nodded.  "That's fine.  Where is she?"

"She'll be going to Domerin 5 with Constantine.  Then she'll need a ride to the Yards."  He raised an eyebrow.  "The ship exploded, lad. She knows what she's doing."

"Fine.  How much?"

"The usual.  I've already wired it to you.  She's leaving here in about ten minutes.  Unfortunately you won't get a chance to see much of your daughter.  She's off to Tovar. Things there got messy."

"Why?  Is the palace there yet?"

"Just barely and they were attacked again. This time an army.  Fortunately her army won in the end, with very few casualties on her side."  He knew Brast didn't like to hear Sivya's name, it made him wince for leaving like the coward he had been.  "She's got a big mess to straighten out."

"That's fine.  I'll meet them halfway.  I'm coming back from that direction."  He signed off.

"There you go, lass.  Its' the best I can do. There's no one else in that part of space or heading that way."

"Thanks, Halley.  I'm sure I can stand it for a few days."  She adjusted her new black veil and smiled at him.  "Thank you for your help as well."  She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  "Be safe.  The world needs more like you."  She walked off, going to meet her former step- daughter for a ride back.  "Your father was heading this way, he said he'd meet us on the way."

"That's fine, Sivya.  Are you sure you want to go now?"

"Yes, otherwise there's going to be some very pained diplomats and their minions.  I can't believe Trocken planned that.  No one caught on.  With all the Thinkers in the palace, including me, and we never caught on."

"He was one himself. He shielded himself from you," she offered, settling her in the seat beside her.  "How much did you learn from the other ship?"

"The basics of what a ship was."

"Fine, I'll teach you how to fly.  Watch what I do.  This is standard disembarking procedure."  She shut the gate, then did a systems check, again, to show her how to do it.  She started the thrusters, pushing them off the ground, and took off.  Sivya sighed beside her.  "Not too hard."

"No, not too hard," she admitted, memorizing the pattern.  "Are all ships configured the same?"

"No, but mostly it's the same thing.  You'll want something the size of father's ship anyway and most of them are the same."

"Thank you.  I'll try to get an experienced one."  She gave her a small smile.  "Are you sure you can handle it while I'm gone?"

"Definitely.  I will crack a whip over them.  Though, I like the Catklain ambassador in my court so I'll probably like the one in yours.  He's got a baby?"

"The baby's just old enough to walk.  He's wandered around the throne room while I was hearing petitions."

"That's fine.  I'll also find Brailian's ship and have it fixed for Gerian."  Sivya relaxed.  "Are you sure?  This is a very brash plan."

"I'm fine.  No one can refute who or what I am now.  Not even your father."  She shrugged and got comfortable. "Is it on autopilot?"

"Yes, it's easier if I don't have to pay attention to it all the time.  The computer is a good thing."

"Is this your ship?"

She snorted. "No, I'd never bring my real ship near the palace.  Someone would get quite upset and then I'd have to hear pouting people.  I'm using father's place on Central World to store it at the moment.  I'd let you borrow it, but..."

"Ships are like underwear, meant to only fit one person," Sivya reminded her.  "It can only help me to learn this anyway."  She got comfortable.  "How long do you think before your father throws a fit at Halley?"

"Tonight.  While you're asleep.  Do you want me to send the particulars back to him?"

"Would he read them?"

"Eventually," she offered with a small smile.  Their ship beeped.  "He's closer than we thought.  You ready for this?"  She shook her head.  "You can change your mind, stay at my court."

"If I never see one of those smiling little snakes again it'll be too soon.  If I go near one of them I'd have to hurt them all. That might help in the long run, but it'd get me attacked more often."  She got up and gave her a hug.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome."  She sent the file to her father's ship.  "One passenger, father."

"Constantine, how are you?  What's that file?"

"Read it before complaining, father.  Trust me on this."  She started the docking sequence.  "There you go, dear.  Got your cloak?"  She nodded, putting it on.  "Have a safe trip.  May your dreams be filled with treasures and pleasure."

"Better than the nightmares," she offered bitterly, giving her a gentle smile.  "Good luck, Constantine."  She waited while the other ship docked, then stepped across.  The ships disengaged and Constantine took off as quickly as she could.  She saw Brast waiting for her, she was looking at the floor so she saw his boots.  "Thank you for carrying me."

He gaped then tipped her head up.  "Sivya?  What are you doing in that outfit?"  She moved her hair, showing off her new marking earring.  "You're what?  Where's Brailian?"

"Nearly dead."  He gaped so she walked past him to the food area, sitting down.  "Read the file, Brast.  That's why she sent it, so you wouldn't yell at me."

"Fine," he agreed, going to do that but keeping an eye on her.  "Why are you going to the Yards?"

"Because I'm going on grief leave."  He stopped to look at her again.  "Read the file," she repeated gently.

"Tell me yourself."

"We got off at Tovar.  We made a short speech, we were walking toward the palace.  A military ship dropped out of orbit and opened fire on the shipyards," she said calmly, keeping it in check this time.  His mouth tightened, he was pressing his lips together.  "We took cover since we were outside.  They fired on the ships, which was why Tyvana died.  She was on board when the ship next to theirs exploded, it knocked the Reiger on its side.  Something hit her head."  He nodded slowly.  "Brailian went to find her when the backup military ship finally made it to help.  I got the group following him, not soon enough.  He got shot three times."  She touched the veil she now wore.  "I called Halley since Brailian ordered me to take him home.  We met, I transferred him over to their care. Sister Bastillica said I was to be tested."

"Tested?"

She nodded.  "Tested.  I passed my trials.  I'm going on grief leave before I end up skinning everyone but Rraaaaal and his son.  Trocken was the mastermind behind most of them.  They've been rounded up.  Constantine's on her way to dissolve the court for a few months.  I told her who I trusted and she's going to follow that."

He sat down, staring at her.  "My daughter..."

"Is a pirate, the same as you are.  The danger is mostly gone.  She's getting rid of the rest of it after having them all scanned by the Space Marshals, Brast.  She'll be fine.  I would kill anyone I found in collusion.  Therefore I'm taking a short rest."  Or not so short rest, but no one else needed to know about that.  "If that's a problem for you, you can drop me somewhere and I'll make my own way there."

"No, I can take you.  It's on my way," he offered gently.  He turned around to read that file now.  Surely that couldn't have happened like that.  When he was done, he found a mug of tea beside him and his wife in her same seat, working on something new.  "No pink?"

"The priestess said it wasn't appropriate.  I offered."  She looked up at him. "She said this was the only appropriate attire until after I was gone."

"Fine.  Did you bring other clothes?"  She shook her head.  "Can you at least take off the veil?  Priestesses of Argones make me feel off."  She took off the veil and put it aside. "Thank you.  Did you take the vow?"

"As a surviving spouse.  They said it didn't matter about other things."  She sipped her own tea.  "Can you teach me more flying?  I've learned the very basics from the ship I commandeered and from Halley and Constantine."

"If you wish," he agreed calmly, sipping his tea.  This was not the young woman he had married. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  I was in hiding for most of it."

"That's not what I meant."  She gave him a little shrug. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"I've barely quit crying, Brast, I'd like to stay in control before I call another storm."  He looked stunned.  "It helped, I saw him laying there and lost control and it helped.  Only one casualty on the side of the army fighting with us.  He was holding a metal spear in a lightening storm."  He grimaced at that.  "My personal guards were mostly taken out.  Lasarae may live.  Rethna still lives but he's injured.  The others I didn't see at the end."

"You didn't stay to check on them?"

"Brailian was dying, Brast!  He wanted to go home!" she snapped.  "I did that."  She calmed herself down again, weathering his stare.  "I did what I was supposed to do.  I got him home like he asked.  I brought Tyvana back so her family could grieve.  I even did it properly by calling Halley and having him meet me somewhere and swearing the computer to secrecy."  She finished her tea, then put the mug in the washer.  She turned to look at him when she heard him move, stiffening.  "I did what I could."

"I have no doubt of that," he said gently, giving her a gentle hug so she'd relax.  He let her rest there as long as she wanted.  "You should rest."

"I can't sleep.  I'm still having nightmares."  She pulled back to look at him. "I did pass my trials. "

"I have no doubt of that.  With the two of us training you, I'm sure you're very good."  He kissed her on the forehead but she pulled his head down to really kiss him. "Sivya."

"It's no longer a contract, Brast, and I need comfort.  Would you?"  He nodded, leading her back to the bedroom.  "Shouldn't we be moving?"

"Ship, head to the Yards."

"Yes, Brast."

"Thank you."  She stroked his cheek.  "If you had offered, I would have come to your bed often."

"I couldn't allow that," he reminded her.  "It wouldn't have been right."  He got her out of her double gunbelt, looking at her in the outfit.  Black pants, tighter than most priestesses wore.  Black shirt, black overshirt with long sleeves.  "Cold?" he teased gently.

She nodded. "That's why I was wearing the cloak I got on Alesar."  She took off her outer shirt, then her other one, standing there with a bare chest. "Should I continue this myself?"

"No, I'll help," he offered, moving closer to finish undressing her.  Then he got himself undressed.  He laid down beside her, kissing her gently.  It was like she was starved with how she reacted.  He went back for more, liking this with her.  Her hands were moving around his back, making him want her more.  He pulled back to move down her chest, touching and kissing each spot he came to.  When he got to her nipples, he sucked gently, trying to keep it light and teasing, but she had other ideas.  She was arching up against him and making pleading noises already.  He moved on, wanting to please her. For some reason he really wanted to make sure this was a good first time between them.  When he found it was really her first time he pulled back to look at her. "He didn't?"

"He said he wouldn't take what was yours by right."  She stroked his chest.  "Please continue?"

"Sivya..."

"I'm not asking for more than this moment, Brast, and you know it. Just continue."  He gaped at her so she knocked him onto his back, taking charge of the intimacy.  "I don't want more than right now.  You can forget about it later if you like."

"I doubt it."  He pulled her off him and got her back onto her back.  "First ones are supposed to be special. Not rushed."  She smiled up at him.  "Then we'll be talking."  He took control again, making it good for her. When they were done, he laid down beside her. "He said that?"  She nodded, playing with his hair.  "Why?"

"Because he said you were a blind man surrounded by art and beauty, so therefore you couldn't see when you ran into a painting of the Goddess."  He snorted, shaking his head.  "He did."

"It sounds like him," he agreed.  He stroked her head, frowning when he didn't come to any pins. "What happened to your hair?"

"Gone.  It got in the way once too often."

"They didn't send you to a lava pit for that?"

"In many cultures people cut their hair in grief," she said with a small look up at him.  "It's only natural.  They can fight about it when I get back.  It'll be something less traumatic than the rest of the battles."

"Fine.  I'm sure some procurer will be able to help you when they make you regrow it."  He kissed her again. "You could rest."

"I'm still having nightmares."

"I'm not moving."  She nodded, snuggling into his chest.  "Ship, how long before we reach our destination?"

"Two days, six hours Central time."

"Thank you."  He looked down, shifting to hold her so she could sleep easier this one night.  He had done the same thing after his first kill and the woman had helped him a lot. He would do the same for her.

~*~*~*~

"You know, I'm not busy, I could take you wherever you wanted to go," he offered.

She smiled at him. "That's sweet, Brast, but I need to be alone for a while to think."  She gave him a gentle kiss.  "Thank you."  He smiled and stole a real kiss.  "Should I talk to anyone in particular to find an older ship with its memory still attached?"

"Kyler.  He's in the blue section."  He gave her another kiss.  "Are you sure?  It's not a trouble."

"No, you should go back to your life, as I move on with my own.  If you come back, we'll take this up again some day."  She stole one last kiss then walked off the ship, putting her veil back on.  She saw some knowing looks and pushed her hair behind her ear with the earring.  It stopped all those looks.  She stopped to adjust the veil. Her old one had merely laid hanging from the top of her hairline down the back of her head.  This one covered and it was much more specific about where it had to go.  She decided to put her remaining hair up under it, which made it much easier to deal with the looks she was getting.  She walked on, smiling at someone who bowed. "I'm only a novitiate.  Just barely from my tests."

"Then you are sworn to which clan?" he asked.  He saw the earring and stared at her.  "Who are you?  There's very few who partake of mine and his."

"I was Brailian's last wife."

"Oh."  He looked disappointed.  "Then you're sworn a spouse's vow?"  She nodded.  "Fine.  Do you need help finding someone to avenge him?"

"He died?  When I left he was critical but the priestesses made me take m vows anyway."  He looked confused.  "They said so."

"Oh.  They know best," he agreed.  "Where are you going?"

"I was told to speak to Kyler."

"That way," he offered, pointing in the right direction.  "Are you sure you want him?"

"Brast said so."

"Fine."  She walked on and he watched her.  "Brast and Brailian?  Who'd have contact with both of them?"  He felt an arm go around his neck.  "Br..Brast," he stuttered.

"Leave her be, Mecendes. She is sworn.  Only her spouses may touch her ever again."  Which was why he could.  He had been her spouse, it counted in his book.  "Did you point her in the right direction?"  He nodded quickly. "Good.  Now disappear and tell Thomps that I'm here for the money he owes me from that last card game," he said with a smile.  The other pirate took off at a dead run, but by the time he turned around Sivya was out of sight.  He wanted to follow her, see what was going on.  Something wasn't right.  Why would a priestess have her vow if Brailian was still living?  Why have her take her trials at all?  He decided to stop it at the nearest temple to talk to someone there.  They knew everything. "Maybe they needed a researcher," he said dryly.
 

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya found the correct lot, it had a well printed sign in sixteen different languages.  She looked at the ships standing there, shaking her head.  They all looked beaten up but she wasn't trusting the front stock.  She saw someone standing there staring at her and walked that way.  "Hello.  Are you Kyler?"  He nodded, smiling at her and holding out a hand.  She shook it properly, clasping his wrist.  "I'm Sivya.  Brast sent me to you to get a ship.  I'd like something with an older memory to finish my flying education."

"You want one with old memories?"  She nodded.  "Why?"

"Because I'm still learning how to fly.  It's better that I be safe."

"All right.  Are you registered to fly?"  She quirked up an eyebrow.  "Never mind. Brast wouldn't have sent you to me if you didn't have any promise.  What are you looking at for a budget?"

She handed over the credit slip she had.  She had been meaning to go shopping so Brailian had handed it to her before landing.  She had nearly a year's worth of allowance on there now, at the rates Brast set for doing jewelry shopping.  She hoped it was enough.  He read it and whistled.  "I'm heading out immediately on grief leave."

"I understand, Priestess.  This way if you wouldn't mind."  He handed it back, taking her into his warehouse.  He looked her over.  "You ever flown on your own?"

"Only computer-guided."  He nodded and showed her to a smaller ship, letting her look inside.  "It's a bit small for longer trips.  You'd have to sleep in the pilot's seat.  I'd like something bigger, maybe like what Brast flies? Something that size?  With a very good water tank."

He nodded, waving her to the very back of the warehouse, opening the door to show the one that was being scrubbed.  "We just got this one.  It's an older pirate ship, the old owner died without heirs.  His Guild rep sold it. The memory's been through six generations."  She looked impressed at that. "He used to do many long jobs so it's comfortable to live in.  Would you like to look at it?"

"Can I afford it?"

"Barely," he agreed.  She nodded, so he let her onto it, watching as she looked around.  "It's got a competent medical computer, it's own oxygen garden to grow vegetables in, and is in good shape.  Ready to take off today."

"I'll take it."  She turned to look at him.  "Would you prefer that or this?" she asked, pulling some jewelry out of her top.  He looked at it, then took a few pieces.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, priestess.  What happened to Brailian?  The last we heard he was with the Empress.  She's a smart girl from what we heard, but the crown was putting her in an uncomfortable position and everyone was paying for it."

"They were attacked right after they landed on Tovar.  She got the ones who shot him back immediately."  She took down her hair, making him wince.  "Now you know why I'm going on grief leave."

He nodded.  "I understand why they made you vow as well, Empress.  Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you.  I need to shop for supplies.  Do you have any suggestions?"

"My cousin runs a place.  Put your hair back up.  It's not totally proper but you're in the field now.  You really passed your trials?"

"They made me do physical and shooting.  They said my flying one could wait until I was fully trained."  She gave him a small smile.  "Which way?"  He pointed beside them.  "Thank you, Kyler.  I'll be right back."

"Sure, priestess.  Happy hunting and I hope your grief eases sometime soon."  He got out of her way, going to his office to put those pieces of jewelry up. He noticed she had picked pieces that weren't known to be Crown Jewels and weren't marked as hers.  Very smart of her, she already thought like one of them.  Too bad about her luck though.  That crown had ruined her chances of a happy and long life.
 

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