Valan's Bondmate (34 page)

"Grandmother?" Valan sent his father a wicked grin. "That's right. I hadn't thought about the fact you, Father, will soon be a grandfather. I believe I will have my sons call you by the same name you made me call your father."

"Now, Son. That was all in fun. A little joke to annoy him."

"You know what they say? Like father, like son."

Lia laughed and grabbed her mother. "You'll get used to them, Mother. They tease each other all the time." They left them and went into the bathing chamber.

"It's been so long since I was aboard a starship, but everything looks so familiar." Nessa filled the bathing tub then sniffed the cleansing oils she found on a shelf above it. Choosing one, she poured it into the warm water.

"Mother, has Eirik told you about Zarronia? That we are taking you there?"

"Yes, and I'm happy to go. He's also told me my friends will also be taken to Zarronia." She hesitated, then smiled at Lia. "I know what they will do to Selik. I'm ashamed to tell you all I feel is relief. Isn't it horrible?"

"No, Mother. He's made you and so many other people miserable for so long. It's not wrong for you to be happy to be free of him."

Nessa nodded, then removed her gown and slid into the scented water. She sighed and rested her head against the rim. "I was so worried about you. I forced myself to pretend you were alive and happy somewhere." A tear escaped, then another.

Lia sat on the edge of the tub and lifted her mother's hand.

"At first, I was so scared and Valan was, uh, well, he was a barbarian. But, now, I love him so much, Mother. I can't imagine my life without him. You'll love Zarronia, and I know you'll be happy there."

Nessa smiled, and gave Lia's fingers a gentle squeeze. "Yes. I will be happy there. Now, Eirik has told me you and Minda are to explain all this to the other women. I'd like to help you."

"That would be wonderful. While you finish changing, I'll talk to Valan and Eirik about it." As she left the bathing chamber, Nessa told her she wouldn't be long.

Suddenly, Lia was starving. She fixed a food tray and carried it to the table. As she ate, Valan grasped her hand and asked her if she was alright. She nodded and smiled. "My mother wants to help tell the others about Zarronia. Would that be alright, Father?"

"Yes, Daughter. It's an excellent idea. Valan, as soon as Nessa has eaten, I want you to assign an escort for them and transfer them to the ships where the females are being housed. While they're busy calming the females' fears, I want you to accompany me to the surface. The Universal Council is ready to begin negotiating with the inhabitants and I need to be there."

"Very well, Father."

Nessa came out of the bedchamber wearing the gown Lia brought her. "It fits. I think!"

Lia laughed. "Mother, you look wonderful, and beautiful. Come sit down and I'll fix you something to eat."

"Oh, no, let me do it. It's been so long since a used a food processor I want to see if I remember how to do it." Nessa studied the processor for a moment, then made her selections. Laughing, she carried the tray to the table and sat down. Taking a bite, she grinned. "Delicious, just as I remembered it."

"Nessa, I've agreed you will go with Lia and Minda to speak with the other females. I appreciate your willingness to help us," Eirik said.

"You're welcome."

They ate in silence for a while, then Valan leaned toward Nessa. "Lia told us you have a book about a blue planet."

Nessa set her fork down. "Yes. Catherine's book."

"Where is it? We'd like very much to see it," Eirik said. "In fact, it's vital we see it."

Nessa smiled. "It's in a trunk in my chamber at Selik's house. I could get it for you. There are several other things I'd like to take with me to Zarronia. Would it be possible?"

"Yes. We'll go now," Valan said.

"Valan, may I go with you? There are several things I want from my room, as well."

"I'll take you later. Right now I want you and Minda to go to the cargo ships and speak to the females. I'll have your mother brought to you when we return." Lia nodded and he turned to his father. "I'll meet you and Nessa in the transfer room in ten micro-units." He stood, beckoned to Lia and strode away. She sent her mother a hasty farewell and caught up to him.

They collected Minda from her quarters, and Valan chose four warriors to accompany them. As they walked to the transfer room, he gave the warriors a list of orders. They were not to leave Lia or Minda alone with the females at any time and if they noticed either of them showing signs of fatigue, they were to find a place for them to rest. The list continued, but she quit listening about half-way through.

Eirik and Nessa waited for them in the transfer room. Valan led Lia to a transfer plate, kissed her, and stepped back. In a second she, Minda, and their escort were gone.

They visited the ship where the females from Orm were being held first. For Lia it was like a repeat of the cycle she'd awoken on the Invincible and discovered she'd been abducted. The roomful of females looked the same as they had looked—scared, worried and angry. The only difference was the children who were present and crying. The noise was deafening.

One of the warriors yelled for silence. The women turned, gasped and fell silent. Then a woman stepped forward.

"Lia? Minda? Is it really you?" she asked.

Lia smiled. "Yes, Suna. It's us and we have the most wonderful story to tell you."

"We didn't know what happened to you. We thought you were dead or enslaved somewhere," Suna said.

Lia launched into an explanation of what happened to her, Minda and the others. At first, the women were skeptical, but then they looked at the warriors with Lia and Minda, and began to believe her story. Lia and Minda took turns answering their questions.

"You'll like Zarronia and your new life there." Lia searched their faces, relieved to see their calm expressions. "We'll try to come back and visit with you again. If you need me before then, give a message to one of the warriors and they'll summon me. "

Lia and Minda were approaching the chamber on the second cargo ship where the females from Nogh were being held when Nessa joined them. When they entered one of their escorts called for silence and she and Minda repeated the story about their abduction. Nessa helped them answer questions. When the women appeared reassured they followed the warriors to the transfer station.

"What will happen to the women who are opposed to being taken to Zarronia but don't wish to remain with a Wrothian, Lia?" Nessa asked. "They could cause of lot of trouble with the other females and the warriors."

"I know, Mother. Perhaps we should talk to Eirik and Valan about them. There are only a few, but if they remain with the others, they may be able to persuade some of them to join them. "

Nessa nodded. "We should form a council for the women to make an appeal and be given a chance to explain why they just want to be free to live as they choose. It would help them feel they'd been given a chance for justice."

"That's a wonderful idea! Will you talk to Eirik about it, Mother?"

"This evening at dinner. You and Valan will be joining us won't you?"

Lia nodded. "Will you begin reading Catherine's book to Eirik tonight?"

"Yes. He's invited a friend of his, Borg Veeson, to join us. Do you know him, Lia?"

"I do. You'll like him. He's a doctor and very nice."

***

They transferred to the third cargo ship that held the females from Vulm and were soon telling the last group of women what was to happen to them. Several of the women in this group also insisted they wished to be returned to Zhang. Nessa and Lia assured them they would inform the Zarronians of their requests. One of the women asked what was to happen to the Wrothian warriors. Nessa told her a Zarronian representative would be sent to answer questions of this type.

When they'd spoken to all of the women, they returned to the Invincible. Minda yawned and said she was going to her quarters to take a nap before Cam returned from Zhang. Lia took Nessa with her to her quarters. They prepared two food trays, and sat at the table, eating and talking, until Lia yawned and sleepily blinked her eyes.

"Lia, I'm going to Eirik's quarters to unpack my belongings. While I do, why don't you rest? We'll see each other again later."

"Yes, I think I will. I've been so tired lately. And so worried about you and Valan."

"Now, you can relax. We’re both safe. All I want you to do is rest and think about how happy you'll be when your babies are born."

Lia laughed and hugged her. "I still can't believe I'm going to be a mother. And of two sons."

Nessa waited until Lia was tucked under the white fur, then bid her farewell. She soon realized she was lost until she stopped a hard-faced warrior and asked him for directions. Instead of giving them to her, he gave her a wickedly sensuous grin and insisted on escorting her to Eirik's door.

He bid her farewell then strode away. As she watched him disappear down the corridor, she thought how the women of Zhang didn't know what they had to look forward to on Zarronia. Laughing, she opened the door and stepped into Eirik's luxurious quarters.

***

Eirik and Dalyd Grelyn of the Universal Assembly's Ruling Council began organizing a new society on Zhang starting with Tamar ad-Lin and his followers. The Ruling Council decided to form a local council made up of a representative from each of the groups. They asked Tamar to represent the warriors who'd helped in the raid. He accepted their offer, then asked his followers to help the exiled inhabitants from the dark side find homes in Orm, Nogh, or Vulm.

Next, the slaves of each stronghold were gathered and informed of their freedom. An advisory committee interviewed each man or woman in an effort to help them decide what to do with their futures. Those with needed skills and talents were advised to open shops and offer their goods to the rest of the community. Others were given land and the means to make it productive.

Eirik and a representative from the Universal Assembly gathered the warriors who'd been judged fit to enter this new society and informed them what was expected. They would no longer be in positions of authority. They would eventually be allowed to take a ruling office only if the people of Zhang considered them worthy and voted for them.

The Universal Assembly was pleased with the plan the Zarronians designed to deal with their old enemy. It would be annuals before Zhang became civilized enough to become members of the Assembly, but most of the inhabitants seemed eager to try this new way of life.

In the meantime, Zarronian warriors would patrol the planet and keep the peace. As Eirik, Valan and several representatives from the Assembly prepared to transfer back to the Invincible, they arranged to travel to the dark side the next cycle and inform the warriors of their fate.

After transferring to the Invincible, Valan and his father went to the brig where they checked on the status of Selik ad-San and Gorm ad-Jai. Both men were in chains and held in small cells with laser bars.

When they returned to the bridge Valan and Eirik parted ways. Valan was anxious to return to Lia and was pleased to find her sleeping when he entered their quarters.

A few strands of Lia's hair clung to the white fur she'd covered herself with. He sat down at his desk and watched her sleep. One of her escorts kept him informed of her progress with the Wrothian females. She'd handled the task he'd given her very well and he was proud of her.

While she slept, he wrote a report detailing the events of the cycle, and then took a shower. When he returned, Lia was awake and smiled at him. Her eyes slowly slid down his body, then back to meet his eyes. She pushed the fur away and beckoned to him. Lowering himself onto the bed, he wrapped her in his arms.

"How did your work go on Zhang?"

He stroked her back and told her of their progress with the inhabitants. "Tamar ad-Lin has agreed to represent his followers. It will take a while, but eventually Zhang will be a good place to live."

"Like Zarronia'?"

"No. Not exactly. They'll have to find their own way of life and we can only advise them. Hopefully they'll accept most of our advice and become a peaceful society."

"Nessa, Minda and I have spoken to the women. Most of them want to go to Zarronia, but a few wish to remain on Zhang."

"We expected that and we're prepared to deal with them."

"Wouldn't it be better to let them stay on Zhang? It might be more trouble than they're worth to force them to go to Zarronia."

"Maybe. You may speak to Father about them."

"Mother said she would tonight, during dinner."

"We better dress then. They'll be waiting for us." He kissed her and she returned his kiss, and rose from the bed. She went into the bathing chamber, showered, and braided her hair. She chose an aqua gown. Valan appreciated the view as she wiggled it over her hips. He smoothed the straps over her breasts then tugged on her braid and planted a kiss on her lips.

The warriors they passed saluted them as they walked to Eirik's quarters.

"I've never seen the warriors salute you before, Valan."

He laughed and hugged her waist. "They aren't saluting me, Lia. They're saluting you."

"Me? Why?"

"Because, little cat, you captured Selik ad-San." He laughed again and pulled her through the door into his father's quarters.

"They wouldn't salute me if they knew how scared I was. So scared I cried."

"Yes, they would because even though you were scared you still acted bravely."

Borg sat on a couch across from Nessa and Eirik and smiled when he saw Lia. "Ahh, here's our little heroine."

Lia blushed and greeted him. Eirik rose and hugged her. "I'm proud of you, Daughter."

"Thank you, Father."

She and Valan sat on another couch and listened as Nessa read from the book on her lap. Occasionally, she'd stop and show them a diagram Catherine had drawn on one of the pages.

"Valan, you won't believe how detailed this book is. This Catherine was a scientist and she studied the stars. With her descriptions we'll be able to find this blue planet."