The Eyes of Bel Nishani

Chapter 5

Chapter Three

Reception

Huldar looked up at the vaulted ceilings of the Imperial Navigation Bays on Giahn, seeing their splendor as if for the first time. The pearly ribs of the building, the skeletons of giant creatures who had walked this planet eons in the distant past, branched between fans of vitrified sandstone. Colors ranged from pale rose-pink to deepest red, orange to bright sunshine yellow, and some panes were so clear as to be invisible.

Andel stood beside him, her body language cool, as if they hardly knew each other – exactly as it should be now they were back in the Imperial City and in public view.

He looked up again. “I’ve been here hundreds of times,” he said, “but I don’t think I’ve actually seen it before.”

“It’s magnificent,” she said. “The colors, so vivid and fresh. Completely remarkable.”

“Physical heat and specialized charms, Zaīkhanun and Sajhar working together. What did you think, the first time you saw it?”

“The first time I was here was to meet you – too worried to give it a second glance, and the second was when we were preparing to leave.”

He closed his eyes and recalled the scene of their first introduction. “You didn’t seem too nervous.” Even then, she had made his heart race – so much so that he’d forgotten to introduce himself. “But you were excited. I remember being annoyed because you showed so much of yourself, then sad because you hid it again.”

“Contrary one!” She grinned, then her expression became thoughtful. “I was afraid I’d never fit in.”

“But you did.”

She gave him a wistful smile. “It takes effort to withdraw, doesn’t it?” she said. “I’ve become so used to mind-speech and familiarity, it’s hard to be distant again.”

“I know. Takes a little while. Funny how it doesn’t seem restrictive till it’s gone.” He felt Casco’s mental prompt and nodded. “We’d best get back to work.”

While Casco supervised the unloading of their goods, Huldar bowed to the navigator. “Thank you, Shamkarun Kandät Enna for your excellent services. A difficult journey expertly achieved.”

“My honor!” Kandät bowed slightly in return. He glanced toward Casco. “And thank you for having your half-breed’s papers in order. You’ve no idea how much trouble it causes if they’re not.”

A polite smile was the best Huldar could muster. Things had changed in the three years they’d been away. This was a stark reminder of how difficult his friend’s readjustment to the strictures of the Imperium would be.

Kandät seemed not to have noticed. “So, maybe I’ll see you on your next rotation to Went,” he said. “It’s a strange name you’ve chosen! By all accounts a fascinating place, if a little too cold and wild for my liking.”

Huldar nodded, but Kandät hadn’t seen the planet at its best during the long summer. For him, the beauty and mystery of Went was intrinsically bound up with his feelings for Andel, and seven years seemed a long time to wait for their return. How did those mysterious creatures, the went, survive the planet’s long freeze? He hoped to discover that and more when the iceball world thawed once more and it was time for them to return.

He looked toward Casco, still directing the ground crew, checking lists and making sure everything was accounted for. It seemed ridiculous that he should need special certification to be part of their team.

Andel stood apart and comforted Sari, and again Huldar was reminded of Lind’s absence. He could almost hear her sharp and sassy tongue ordering everyone around, chiding mistakes with droll exasperation.

He turned to the sound of marching boots and saw a thin-faced Faythan leading an entourage of four stony Ashik warriors toward him. The Ashik stopped at an unspoken signal and the Faythan advanced the last few paces alone.

“Is there something I can do for you?” Huldar asked politely.

The Faythan seemed about to answer, but Huldar was distracted by another arrival: a Guild official approaching from the opposite direction. Casco shrugged a tacit query. Huldar shook his head and prepared to greet Marick of Cantori, the Guild-Lord’s personal assistant.

“Ah, Shamkarun Huldar of Leth,” Marick bowed. “On behalf of Guild-Lord Shamkarun Pieru of Leth and the Imperial Explorers’ Guild, I congratulate the Uri’madu on your safe return.” He glanced quickly toward Duvät Gok. “However, may I express condolences for the loss of your team member, Lind, under the most tragic of circumstances?”

He handed Huldar a sealed scroll. “There are matters of urgency to discuss. Our Lord, Shamkarun Pieru of Leth, requires your attendance at your earliest convenience, along with certain members of your team. The scroll should make things clear.”

Huldar bowed. “It’s good to see you too, Marick of Cantori, and good to be back in Giahn. Of course, I and my team will be happy to attend Lord Pieru. It will be a great honor.”

“The details are in the scroll,” Marick said. “We have made arrangements for Duvät Gok to be held here, for the time being. Perhaps these worthy Rukh could be detailed as an escort?” He indicated Cobar and Gento.

Of course.” Huldar bowed slightly.

Marick turned to the Faythan, who waited to one side. “And Lord Lucaät of Faytha? To what do we owe the pleasure?” He took a moment to study Lucaät’s entourage. “I see you have brought some companions along. Have the Imperial Bays become so dangerous?”

Lucaät stretched his lips in a smile. “I have come to meet my friend, Duvät Gok.” He eyed the two Rukh who had sandwiched Duvät Gok between them. “My … associates … are here to ensure the Overlord’s safety.”

“Ex-Overlord,” Marick corrected. “Very well, you, and your associates may assist these good Rukh to escort Duvät Gok to the secure accommodation we have prepared.”

“Why must he stay with the Guild?” Lucaät asked. “Surely my own rooms will be secure enough to ensure his protection?”

Huldar felt his brows begin to knit. Lucaät of Faytha had never called Duvät Gok a friend before, far from it! And why did he think he needed protection?

Marick smiled. “I assure you, Lucaät of Faytha, the Explorers’ Guild will not allow him to come to harm before he stands trial.”

Lucaät’s haze shivered slightly. “Trial?”

“Duvät Gok must answer for his crimes.”

After a brief hesitation, Lucaät nodded patronizingly. “Oh! I understand,” he said. “Crimes, is it? Of course! I know what’s going on here. The Guild is always loathe to share information with honest entrepreneurs.”

Behind him, Huldar heard Casco’s soft snort. Unbelievable!

Marick gave Lucaät a pitying frown. “You may be unaware of the severity of the charges against Duvät Gok. If you wish to speak on his behalf, please register your intention with the Guild, however, since his crimes took place while the Uri’madu were on assignment, and beyond communication with the Realm, I doubt you will have anything of relevance to add.”

The Faythan first eyed Huldar, then Duvät.

Duvät Gok studied the ground.

Cobar and Gento stared stonily ahead.

“Nothing could surprise me now,” Casco muttered.

Careful! Huldar warned.

“A talking half-breed.” Lucaät’s nose wrinkled slightly. “How novel.” He half-turned his head toward the Ashik at his back and said, “We are far from satisfied with your explanations, Marick of Cantori, or that the Guild’s detention of Imperial Overlord Duvät Gok is justified. What are you hiding? I must be allowed to speak with him.”

“Ex-Overlord,” Marick corrected patiently, “and by all means, take your concerns to Guild-Lord Shamkarun Pieru of Leth, or to whomever you think might be interested to hear.” He returned to Huldar. “Once again, Shamkarun Huldar, congratulations on your return. Now, if you will excuse us?”

“Certainly,” Huldar said. He signaled Cobar and Gento, but as he did so, Lucaät’s Ashik also stepped forward. For a tense moment, Duvät Gok’s presence seemed almost inconsequential as Rukh and Ashik stood chest to chest.

“Lucaät of Faytha, stand down!” Marick barked.

Cobar’s and Gento’s eyes warmed in the slightest of smiles to see the Ashik back off.

Marick glared at Lucaät and his retainers. “Under Imperial and Guild law, section thirty-eight,” he recited, “Imperial provision number three point seven, as decreed by the God-Emperor Tsemkarun Harshät’aht’el Ashik, thirteenth God-Emperor of the Realm, it is for the Guild to decide in the first instance whether or not Duvät Gok, former Overlord to the Uri’madu and Imperial representative, must answer to the Imperium for his crimes.” He paused. “Lucaät of Faytha, do you have grounds to contest this?”

Lucaät bowed and stepped back. “My apologies, Marick of Cantori. I am merely concerned for my friend’s welfare.”

With his gaze still firmly on the Faythan, Marick gestured to Gento and Cobar to bring Duvät Gok forward.

“Don’t worry, Lucaät,” he said. “When the trial is over, he’s all yours.”

Marick departed alongside Gento and Cobar who kept Duvät Gok firmly between them. Lucaät and his Ashik followed close behind. The Uri’madu gathered in their wake, minds abuzz with speculation. Warm sunshine spread over bobbing heads as folk came and went through the elaborate doorway to the outside world. Duvät glanced back for an instant before the crowd swallowed him.

“I could have sworn the Gok was smiling,” Huldar murmured.

Casco sniggered. “Probably just wind.”

“Wasn’t that a performance?” said Nachiel. “And the Ashik? Very appealing in those dark uniforms – in an austere sort of way, of course.”

Bush elbowed his brother. “Wonder what t’new Overlord’ll be like then, eh Topper?”

“Can’t be worse,” said Tam.

Casco sniggered. “Don’t bet on it.”

“What time is your appointment with Lord Pieru?” Andel asked Huldar.

He unrolled the scroll given to him by Marick. “Ah …Tenth hour tomorrow.” He unrolled a little more. “He wants the healers … and Tsemkarun Andel … and Casco.”

“Me?” Casco seemed apprehensive.

“Yes,” Huldar replied. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Your permit’s up to date, isn’t it? They’ll just want evidence for the trial.” He resumed reading. “And … the rest of you are to stand by.” He looked up and grinned. “So, for the moment, here we are, home safe. Let’s get ourselves a meal and make ourselves comfortable, and all at the Guild’s expense! Says here they’ve assigned us full accommodation at the Guild-Hall and free meals at the refectory.”

“Ooh!” said Nachiel. “That sound’s wonderful, eh Ronnin?”

“For how long?” Andel asked.

“Yes,” said Sari. “For how long? My sister is waiting for me – the Sword Ceremony, the party and all? She’ll need to know.”

“It says here we’re to remain at hand until the trial is over,” said Huldar. He sighed, understanding Sari’s frustration. For himself, although the rooms would doubtless be opulent, all he really wanted was time alone with Andel. “If it looks like dragging on,” he said, “I’ll see if you can be released early.”

“Well, let’s hope they’re good rooms then,” said Casco.

“They will be,” said Huldar. “I’ve stayed there before.”

“And free food? The refectory here is Realm-renowned!” said Tam.

“So long as you like talemgal,” Casco said.

“Navigators,” said Bush, his gaze followed as one walked by, head and shoulders above the work-a-day crowd. “All those great tall Maatu peerin down at you, like.”

Topper nodded sagely. “And them Maatus, they love their talemgal.”

“Like mother’s milk,” Bush agreed.

“I mean no offence, Tam,” Andel said, “but even talemgal has to be a vast improvement on little attar … at least for now.”

“Point taken, Lady Andel,” Tam grinned. “And fair enough too.”

Huldar smiled wearily and tipped his head toward the exit. “Come on, people, let’s get ourselves a well-earned feast, talemgal or no, then we’ll get these rooms sorted.”

But as they made their way toward the refectory doors, Duvät’s crafty smile played on his mind.