Escape From Zulaire (34 page)

 
The Planetary High Lord made the traditional Clan sign of greeting and peace. Abukawal bowed. “It has been my honor to be of service to your daughter and son in their time of peril and hardship.”

Wiping her forehead, locking her knees to stay upright, Andi spoke up. “We’re all tired and thirsty. If you and—” She glanced at the high-ranking Sectors officer who stood by, and who had so far been silent “—the others want to hear the whole story here and now, I suggest we move inside, out of this blazing sun.”
 

The Sectors general smiled. “She’s giving us good advice, Lord Tonkiln. Base Commander General Chang-Wilkins at your service, Miss Markriss. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He came to shake her hand. “Your grandfather and I are old friends. Glad we could oblige him by extracting you from the compound.”

 
So Grandfather Loxton was the one who’d exerted pressure on the military to rescue me.
 

Andi refocused her attention as High Lord Tonkiln said, “I owe you more than I can possibly repay, Miss Markriss. In this time of terrible loss and death, you preserved two lives more precious to me than my own.” The Planetary High Lord glanced around impatiently. “Where is that officious portmaster? We require a privacy to conduct these discussions.”

The general was still staring at Andi, eyebrows pulled together in a puzzled frown. “Miss Markriss, I understand you somehow killed a Betang infiltrator embedded with the rebels? I’ll be eager to get a debrief on that.”

“I’ll tell you all about it in return for full treatment in the base hospital rejuve resonator, sir.” Andi winced as a piercing twinge traveled through her nervous system. “Soon.”

Tom swept her up in his arms. “I think you’ve had enough for one day.” He glared over at Tonkiln and the general. “Can’t this debriefing wait until tomorrow? She’s about at the end of her orbit.”

“No, no, I’ll be all right.” Twining her arms around his neck, Andi leaned against him. “Lord Tonkiln shouldn’t have to wait any longer to hear about what happened in the summer colony. Then I’ll rest, I promise. You can even
order
me to rest.”

Tom gazed at her, his green eyes reflecting his loving concern. “That’s an affirmative. Believe it.”

The portmaster bustled up, surrounded by his own subordinates, and bowed so low his nose nearly touched the ground. “I have a conference room and refreshments ready for you, High Lord.”

As the portmaster led them to a well-air-conditioned, large meeting room, Tom carried Andi, and the rest of the group trailed after them. Andi settled into a chair, Tom drawing another one up to sit beside her.

Tonkiln stared at both of them and nodded. “We’ll keep it brief for today.”
 

Andi couldn’t control the shaking in her hands. Exhaustion and deferred stress, she supposed. Together, she and Tom told the story of the events that had begun a few days ago. Abukawal or Rahuna chimed in on occasion with some detail they considered essential.

Lysanda fell asleep in Abukawal’s arms while the debriefing continued. The Planetary High Lord handed Sadu over to a nursemaid, a woman who’d worked for his family in years past, apparently recalled from retirement for this emergency.

Andi blinked away sudden tears as the nanny carried the drowsy toddler off, remembering the sweet girl who had been Sadu’s nursemaid in the summer compound, now dead in that burned-out village. Three massive, armed Obati guards accompanied the elderly woman and the toddler as they left the room.
Distant members of Tonkiln’s own sub-Clan, by the tattoos. I’m glad the Planetary High Lord isn’t taking any chances with his remaining son. Sadu’s going to rule Zulaire one day, after all.
As he was carried from the room, Sadu gurgled in his sleep, thumb firmly stuffed into his toothless mouth. Andi grinned.
Hard as that may be to imagine right now
.

 
“An amazing tale altogether.” Rahuna set his wineglass on the table when Andi and Tom had finished. “I lived through most of it, and even I can hardly credit our good fortune. But much work remains to be done, my friends.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Lord Tonkiln agreed, clenching his fists. “Even if this one alien sentient has been eliminated, and we’re fortunate enough that there were no others, we have to clean out the pockets of rebellion. Rebuild trust between the three Clans. A divided Zulaire will fall to the enemy.”

“If there are any other Betang on Zulaire,” General Chang-Wilkins told them, “it’ll be a major operation to save the planet. Highest priority. We must work in unison on this. The Sectors can’t afford to cede a planet in this Sector to the Mawreg so you’ll have our full cooperation, Lord Tonkiln, I assure you.”

“Captain Deverane, I’m told you’re eligible for retirement now?” The ruler toyed with his wineglass, swirling the ruby liquid.

“I’ve served enough years to retire.” Tom raised his eyebrows as he shifted in his chair and drank some wine.

Startled by the turn the conversation was taking, Andi glanced from one man to the other.
Why would Tonkiln care about Tom’s career decisions?

 
Steepling his fingers, the Planetary High Lord peered at the captain. “Zulaire isn’t open to outside settlement via veterans’ acres claims, but I can make an exception in your case. A
substantial
exception.” Rising and pacing in a tight circle, Tonkiln said, “Zulaire and I owe you much already, but I ask for more. We need someone with interstellar military experience and strong connections to the Sectors to take charge of the unified planetary defense force I’m going to establish. We must find a way to blend Obati, Shenti and Naranti in one strand and build on that, creating a military capable of protecting this world and my people.” He paused in front of Tom’s chair. “Would such a challenge interest you? Compensation would be commensurate to the task, I assure you.”

Setting his glass aside, Tom rose to his feet. “An incredible offer, sir. I’d definitely be interested. It’s an honor to be considered, but I’d have to discuss it with Andi.”

Smiling, she gazed at him. “There are so many things to commend that plan I can’t begin to list them. There can’t possibly be a better-qualified candidate for the job.”

Tonkiln nodded. He put one hand over his heart, fist clenched, and bowed slightly to Andi. “You’re welcome to return to my home to recuperate after your medical treatment. From this day forward you are a daughter of the Tonkiln House, a member of the Obati Clan, with all the rights and privileges that pertain.”

Lords of Space, he just made me a princess of Zulaire.
Stunned, she was almost at a loss for words, stammering as she said,
“
I’m grateful, sir, and deeply honored. As far as tonight, though, I’d prefer to go on to my own home.”
The mere idea of being in the busy Tonkiln household, even with my newly acquired status as daughter, isn’t appealing in
any
way. I want some peace and quiet.

And time alone with Tom.

Grinning, the captain winked at her.

Andi knew she was blushing as her cheeks grew warm.
A lot of time.

Rahuna stepped forward. “Would you permit this much, Andi, that while you’re at the hospital on the base, the High Lord and I will direct our staffs to open your house, lay in supplies, make all ready for you?”

“Thank you, what a lovely idea,” Andi said, much relieved.
Tactful Rahuna to the rescue yet again.

“All right then, now that’s settled,” Tom declared, “I’m getting her medical treatment without further delay.” Taking her tea cup, he set it on the table next to his wineglass. Crouching down so he could study her face, he asked quietly, “Can you walk, or would you like me to carry you?”

“I can walk.” Taking his outstretched hand, Andi stood, favoring her left side, which ached abominably. She was halfway across the room, heading to the exit, before Lord Tonkiln’s imperious voice stopped them. “Tomorrow, we have business to conduct, Andi.”

“Business?” Leaning heavily on Tom’s arm, she turned to face the ruler. “What business, sir?”

“I have ore piling up at the mines.” Tonkiln waved vaguely to the west.
 

Bewildered, Andi shook her head, holding up a hand to stop the flow of words. “Why are you talking to
me
about this? I’m not the resident Loxton agent.”

“Either you’re ratified as the Loxton planetary agent or Zulaire takes all of its considerable business to another company.
Immediately
.” Tonkiln’s tired smile softened the stern lines of his autocratic face. He shook a finger at her. “I know who really kept the office running smoothly, made sure all obligations were met and the terms were fair. None of this was accomplished by Mr. Flintmay. He would have been lost without you.”
 

She swallowed hard. “I’m honored by your confidence in me.”

Sipping his wine, Tonkiln waved a careless hand. “As long as I know you’re going to be in charge, I can wait a few days more. Yes, Captain, I see your impatience with this talk of commerce while the lady stands injured. Be gone then, off with you both.”

Other than Tonkiln’s impassive guards, the hall was empty. At the first turn in the corridor, safely out of sight, Tom pulled her into a fierce embrace, kissing her passionately.
 

Footsteps sounded behind them. Andi stepped back, Tom taking a defensive position in front of her, hand on the blaster at his side.

Dusty black robes flying, Rahuna was hurrying to catch up. “I have something of yours, something you’ll need, I’m sure.” When he reached them, he knelt, fumbling with the unfamiliar closures on the backpack he’d brought. Unsealing the flap, he withdrew the shimmering bride’s shawl. Clambering to his feet, the cleric made a little ceremony of holding the garment out to her.

Andi knew she was blushing again, afraid to look at Tom. He pulled the fabric from Rahuna’s fingers and wrapped the shawl’s gauzy folds tenderly around her shoulders. When she glanced up, happiness suffused her at the warm expression on his face.

Eyes bright with approval, Rahuna clapped his hands. “Yes, my children, I predicted you’d need this when I met you the first afternoon on the transportway, did I not? I prefer officiating at the early fall weddings, you know. Officiating at yours will give me great pleasure.” He beamed at them.

“I’d like to do my own proposing, if you don’t mind.” Tom put his arms around Andi and pulled her closer.

“Ah, I’ve been premature in my congratulations. I see.” Not the least bit embarrassed, Rahuna smiled, wagging a finger at him. “Or else you’ve been tardy in asking the question, Captain.” Chuckling, he walked away.

Andi looked at the floor. She could feel the heat in her cheeks.

“Hey.” Gently, Tom forced her to turn around, putting one finger under her chin so he could see her face. Shyly, she tilted her head and raised her eyebrows as his gaze locked onto hers.

Swaying, Andi let herself melt into his strong embrace.
 

Tom kissed her before asking, “You will marry me, won’t you? You’re my heart and my home, the only thing that matters to me in this life.”

“Put like that, how can I possibly refuse?” She smiled.

He crushed her to him as he claimed her in a kiss that left them both a bit shaken. Groaning in frustration, he took her hand. “We’ve got to get you through that rejuve treatment and find some privacy before we both go crazy. How far did you say your house is from the base?”
 

“All the way across the city.” She laughed. “Of course, now that I’m a Tonkiln daughter, I don’t have to pay attention to speed limits or traffic laws.”

“Good. We’ll set a record.”

They resumed their walk toward the spaceport exit, where the general had promised a vehicle and armed escort would be waiting. Mitch had gone awhile ago to ensure the arrangements were made.

 
“Does everything on this planet happen so fast?” Tom held the door open for her.

“What do you mean?” Andi strolled past him, emerging into hot sunlight.

 
He followed, touching her elbow and pointing to the waiting military convoy. “I’m retiring. I’m cured of the incurable bhengola. There’s a new job.” He stopped and embraced her again, staring into her face. “I’m getting married.” Head resting comfortably against his hard chest, Andi could hear his heartbeat. “Ten days ago, you were only an obscure name in a pre-mission briefing.”

“And now?”
 
She held her breath for his answer.

“And now—” He gave her that genuine smile, the one that reached and warmed his eyes. “I can’t live without you.”

“I can handle that. Try to remember one thing, though—I don’t take orders very well.”

He grinned. “Not a problem.”

She closed her eyes as he moved to kiss her, and for the last time she had a vision of the alpha urabu, gazing at her quizzically, head tilted.
Thank you, my friend,
she thought, addressing her legendary champion.
My journey is complete. There’s nothing more I need or want.
 

The buck tossed its majestic antlers once in farewell and was gone.

***

For the rest of her years on Zulaire, Andrianda Deverane was the possessor of such good fortune that she became a legend herself. For it was said that the urabu of Sanenre had bestowed their blessing on her…once upon a time.