Clan, Honor, and Empire, page 37
part #3 of Clan Beginnings Series
Grinning with undisguised lechery, Flencik said, “You already know him and hadn’t warned me not to. I thought it would be all right.”
Breft relaxed as he realized Rajhir wasn’t furious over the liaison. He even looked happy for someone so fierce, the Dramok noted with a stirring of amusement. Damned if the Nobek’s gaze wasn’t outright adoring as he stared at Flencik.
Flencik returned the regard with easy affection. No, more than that. There was real caring in the Imdiko’s eyes as he locked eyes with Breft.
Realization of what was happening came like a punch to Rajhir’s stomach. But was it really so unexpected? Flencik was in love with being in love. Having existed on only crumbs of devotion before he’d met Rajhir, Flencik responded to any hint of ardor. He had oceans of caring for anyone who would return some semblance of that emotion.
Breft’s expression said he felt much more than mere affection. It wasn’t just sexual attraction. At the very least, the young man was infatuated with Rajhir’s Imdiko.
Trying to calm the sudden stab of worry in his gut, Rajhir thought, Okay, so Breft’s rough around the edges. He does possess a certain amount of charm, and he’s presently devoted to the man I love. He’s got some good points. I’d still be at my parents’ house right now arranging Gegra’s funeral if Breft hadn’t gotten us started so well.
Rajhir eyed the Nobek with an evaluating stare. Breft was a couple inches shy of average height, but he was well-built for his size. The face under that tousled cap of hair was handsome ... almost cute, if he didn’t have the savage demeanor lurking beneath it. Rajhir could understand why Flencik would enjoy the youth on a physical level.
If I wasn’t so damned tired and feeling like the life has nearly been sucked out of me, I might have a go at him myself.
Yet he was tired, and sex was the last thing on Rajhir’s mind right now. He didn’t want to argue with Flencik, not even about consulting with his Dramok before having escapades with Nobeks fresh out of training camp. It was better just to let the matter go for now. He would deal with it in the morning. Maybe.
Rajhir went to the bank of seating cushions and sank into their softness. Flencik and Breft joined him.
As long as Breft was present, Rajhir could handle a few matters he’d planned to. “While we worked on our arrangements, I spoke to my Nobek father about you today, Breft.”
“Oh?” The young man tried to appear only mildly interested and failed. Hope poured from his eyes. “He was a Global Security officer at one time, wasn’t he?”
“Not only that, he still sits on their recruitment board. He was impressed with how you helped us the other day at the hospital.”
Breft brightened even more. “He was? I thought I recognized him as someone in a still photo with my father. It would have been taken before your father received all his marks of honor, including the eye injury. I almost asked if he knew him, but it was not the time for such things.”
Rajhir had to smile at the Nobek’s enthusiasm. Breft was as bubbly as a born warrior could get. “It could be they knew each other. Astef has been with Global Security for a long time. At any rate, he’s going to review your application. If he feels it has merit, he will speak to those who can place you in training.”
Breft’s mouth dropped open. The expression was so comical, it took all Rajhir had to not laugh. He was glad now that he’d spoken to Astef about Breft. No price could be put on making someone that happy. Better still, Flencik beamed at Rajhir with open approval.
Breft stood and bowed deeply. “Dramok Rajhir, how can I thank you? If you only knew what this means to me—”
He stopped, overcome. Rajhir’s humor over the situation vanished. In that moment, he saw the lonely and embattled boy within the man before him, the one who had been set adrift without the anchor of family for far too long. Before him stood a young man driven not so much by ambition, but by the hope of somehow connecting to a father he’d barely known.
In a soft voice, Rajhir said, “It’s all right, Breft. I am all too happy to repay the debt I owe you.”
“Debt?”
“I am grateful to you for helping us in such a terrible time. In spite of you and I trading unfriendly words, I believe you will do well if given the chance. Your kindness to Flencik is also something I appreciate. ”
Breft looked at Flencik. Again there was amazing warmth in his gaze that leant kindness to his feral features.
Still looking at Flencik, Breft said, “You are fortunate to have such an Imdiko, Rajhir.”
Smiling at the blush staining his clanmate’s cheeks, Rajhir said, “I know. I couldn’t stand to lose him. That is why I’d like you to stick close to Flencik until we know whether or not my father’s death and his accident are linked.”
Both men stared at Rajhir in surprise. Undisguised delight lit Breft’s expression.
Seeing the Nobek might forget his own needs in his glee to stick around Flencik, Rajhir amended, “That’s until such time as you enter training. Should Global Security or another program accept you, you will be too busy. Our issues are not to inhibit your career.”
Breft initially responded to Rajhir’s command by snapping to near attention and giving a nod. A moment later, he countered with, “I can still keep an eye on Flencik when my duties allow.”
Flencik frowned at both of them. “Excuse me for interrupting your schemes, but I’m not exactly helpless.”
Rajhir raised a brow at him. “You have all the defensive capabilities of a shell caught in the tide, my Imdiko. Breft was right when he said you needed someone to look out for you. We have not yet clanned a Nobek and he is available for now.”
That brought another detail to his mind: compensation for Breft. Rajhir hesitated to offer to pay the Nobek for his services, however. Breft was so obviously infatuated with Flencik that he might take a formal proposal as an insult. Nobeks were notoriously sensitive about what they considered duty. Payment, while perhaps earned, could be seen as an affront to pride. Rajhir loathed taking advantage of the young man, but he knew he’d have to approach the matter with careful judgment.
Meanwhile, Breft was all too happy to go along with Rajhir’s wish that he watch over Flencik. He told the fuming Imdiko, “You might as well accept that you’re stuck with me. Your Dramok has made a decision. I am abiding by it, as should you.”
Flencik glared at Rajhir. “Do I get a say in this?”
Rajhir gave him his most conciliatory expression. “For now? I’m afraid not until I know your shuttle’s crash was just a coincidental accident. If nothing else, indulge me because I’m worried for your safety.”
Flencik rolled his eyes. “This is ridiculous. And humiliating. I do not need a bodyguard.”
Seeing his clanmate was not going to give in with grace, Rajhir toughened his stance. “Breft, if there is anything you need from me to do this task, let me know. And if my Imdiko gives you any grief over it, let me know that as well.”
As Flencik threw his hands in the air with disgust, Breft turned his predatory grin on Rajhir. “You have my word on it, Dramok.”
Chapter 25
A week after Gegra’s funeral, Rajhir returned to work. Nothing new had come up in the investigations into his father’s death or Flencik’s accident. Rajhir tried to remain optimistic that the killers would be caught, but with every passing day that hope dimmed.
It seemed odd that the world could keep going without Dramok Gegra in it. Yet it did. Rajhir’s pain remained poignant, but he found coping with the loss wasn’t impossible. Some days were better than others. He consulted with Flencik’s grief counselor and that helped a little too. He was getting through it, though sometimes Rajhir could have screamed with agony.
Each morning, Breft showed up at their home to escort Flencik to the hospital. After the first day of grousing, Flencik shut up about the matter, returning to his usual sunny disposition. He and Breft often returned home in the evening laughing or commiserating over something that had happened while Flencik worked. Breft would take his evening meal with them and then leave for the day.
Flencik inherited Gegra’s personal shuttle, but only after Astef had Global Security examine it for any problems. The agency took the entire vehicle apart, determined to make sure it had not been tampered with before handing it off to its new owner. No issues were discovered, so they put it back together and certified it as safe. Flencik had yet to fly it because Breft did all the piloting for him. When it came time each night for the Nobek to return to his government-supplied housing, he was allowed to take the vehicle home and bring it back the next morning.
In the wake of Gegra’s death, Astef had yet to return to his duties at Global Security. However, he assured Rajhir that when he did, he would put in a recommendation for Breft. The young man’s scores at training camp had impressed Astef. The elder Nobek wanted to put the application up for a vote, the passage of which would allow Breft to interview with the rest of the recruitment board. It turned out Astef had indeed known Breft’s father and had admired the man very much. Breft was ecstatic.
Rajhir had appreciated that most of his mourning time was quiet, allowing him to process his grief over Gegra. Yet he was not someone to do something so unbecoming as to wallow in his loss. Gegra would have never approved of such behavior. After spending time adjusting to a world without his Dramok father, Rajhir was almost desperate to resume his duties.
The first day back in his office had its share of reminders, however. Rajhir had thought he was over the worst of the pain. At first, he felt that assessment was true. With so much to catch up on, the morning hours passed without him thinking about Gegra too often. Kalquorian politics moved quickly. New liaisons had formed in the Royal Council, new arguments for and against legislation were being made, and more headaches abounded for Emperor Zarl. Fortunately, lower-tier assistants had kept meticulous records of all that was going on. By midmorning, Rajhir felt he’d been brought back up to speed.
He spent the last two hours before lunch working directly with Zarl once more. It made Rajhir feel good to note that the emperor seemed delighted to have him back at work, though Zarl did tell him, “If you find you’ve returned too soon, do not hesitate to take more time.”
It was one of a million small reminders that pricked at Rajhir’s heart. More than once he was reminded of a passage from the Book of Life: Which is worse? Is it the deluge of pain pouring from the broken heart that depletes a man utterly? Or is it the drop-by-drop bleeding that weakens one with slow agony?
Having felt both, Rajhir still didn’t know the answer to that question.
When midday rolled around, it brought a fresh jolt of the philosophical ‘deluge’. Rajhir caught himself rising from his desk, anticipating seeing Gegra at their usual lunch before remembering his father was dead. He sank back into his chair.
Less than two weeks ago, Rajhir had been dodging the question of when he would settle on a Nobek for his clan in preparation of attracting a Matara. Only minutes ago, he’d been thanking the ancestors that his lunch meetings with Gegra were kept unencumbered by lectures about honor and duty to the Empire.
Damn it, Rajhir would give anything to get a lecture from Gegra today.
He stared at the brushed gray metal of his desktop. He waited for the latest burst of pain to recede enough that his legs wouldn’t feel too weak to hold him up. Meanwhile, he could figure out what to do for his meal. If Rajhir could even choke down food, eating alone would be too awful, too much a reminder of the loss. Maybe when he could move again, he’d com Flencik and Breft to see if they were available for lunch. They would help distract him from the fact that while the world hadn’t ended with Gegra’s murder, perhaps it should have. Being in his Imdiko’s company would remind Rajhir that life was still good, that there was still happiness to be had—
A hand landed on his desk, startling Rajhir out of his fog. His head jerked up to see the hand was attached to a lean-muscled arm, and that arm was attached to Emperor Yuder. He stared up at the other man, trying to order his befuddled wits.
The Nobek emperor said, “Don’t get up, cousin. When you have time, ask your friend Ospar about this and get back to me.”
Before Rajhir could speak or stand to offer the customary bow, Yuder and the four Royal Guards in his detail swept out of the room.
Rajhir looked down at his desk where the emperor’s hand had been a moment before. A file drive laid there, its bright silver a shining counterpoint to the duller finish of the desk surface.
Still trying to shake off the surprise of Yuder’s sudden appearance, Rajhir plugged the drive into his computer. Only one file was on it. Rajhir read its contents and his focus immediately sharpened. He unleashed a string of expletives that was as long as it was loud. Fortunately, everyone else had left for lunch and didn’t hear the astounding amount of profanity.
When Rajhir was finished swearing, he shouted, “Com, connect to Ambassador Ospar.”
“Which frequency?” the electronic voice asked.
“Son of a fucking bitch,” Rajhir ranted as he considered the time difference between him and the Galactic Council of Planets’ space station.
“This unit does not recognize that frequency setting.”
“Work. If he doesn’t pick up there, try his portable.” Rajhir was pretty certain Ospar would still be in his office, and therefore, on a secure channel. However, he was willing to chance someone listening in on their conversation to get to the bottom of this latest outrage.
Ospar’s smooth voice came over the com, confirming he was indeed still at work. “Ambassador Ospar.”
“Ospar, it’s me.”
“Hello Rajhir. I only just got back to work today. Do you miss me that much?”
Ospar had spoken at Gegra’s memorial service. It was one of the few parts of that grim day that hadn’t become a hazy blur for Rajhir. He’d been moved that Ospar had not just spoken of the work Gegra had done on behalf of the Empire, but of his joy and pride in his only child.
In a worried tone, Ospar asked, “Are you all right, Rajhir? Talk to me, my friend. You wouldn’t com so soon after seeing me if it wasn’t serious.”
Rage spilled over and Rajhir said, “You will not believe the fucked up shit that I just found out.”
“Tell me.”
“Councilman Pwaldur has nominated an old friend of yours for my father’s council position. It’s Dramok Selg.”
Ospar unleashed his own impressive vocabulary. Then he said, “Dramok Selg! That bastard wasted no time in making his move after I had him fired from Itga, did he? Now he’s cozying up to mining safety’s worst enemy.”
Rajhir smiled grimly at the com unit. “It makes me wonder if Selg worked for you on behalf of Pibol Excavations and the cooperative to begin with.”
Ospar cursed again, for a shorter amount of time. “Pwaldur couldn’t have found a better ally to try and push that awful mining legislation through. Selg’s smart and knows our techniques inside and out. If anyone can put a spin on how to ease up the safety regulations, it’s him.”
Rajhir was concerned for the proposed law changes, but he had bigger worries at that moment. “Are you alone? Except for Jol, I mean.”
“We’re secure. There’s more?”
“I’m wondering if this has something to do with my father’s murder. The cooperative stands to gain a lot by replacing Gegra on the council with someone sympathetic to their demands.”
After a moment’s silence, Ospar said, “You will want access to all the files regarding Dramok Selg’s work at Itga. I will provide that. For your part, I would appreciate someone taking a close look in order to discover how long he’s been Pibol’s ally. I’d also like to know who put Pwaldur up to nominating him.”
Rajhir’s thoughts turned again to the safety laws at stake. “How much of Selg’s knowledge of Itga’s operations will hurt our chances of defeating the legislation? Even if we keep him out of the council, he’s still spilling plenty of secrets to Pwaldur.”
“It depends on whether or not my uncles have been behaving themselves as far as licenses and permits are concerned. They usually do, but in my absence they’ve been known to obey the spirit of the law rather than the letter. I would like to speak to them on the matter if I may, just so they’re ready for any blackmail attempts.”
“I see no problem with that so long as those who do not need to be involved aren’t.” A reference to the Imperial Clan.
“That’s not an issue with me.” Ospar’s tone softened. “Other than ugly surprises like that one, how are you doing?”
Rajhir sighed as another, but lesser wave of grief ran through him. “It’s strange. It feels empty in the Government House, knowing Gegra isn’t down there in his office.” In a sudden burst of fury, Rajhir said, “I swear if I find out Selg or someone with Pibol Excavations had anything to do with his murder, I’ll take a blaster and vaporize his head.”
“I can understand that, but Selg is not worth your career or freedom. Keep yourself sane. Remember what your father would tell you: honor and Empire. It’s the best memorial for him.”
Rajhir smiled a little at that. “I know.”
“Is that rough runt of a Nobek still snuggling up to Flencik?”
Ospar’s question made Rajhir laugh, as it was no doubt intended to do. “He certainly is. They’re practically joined at the hip these days.”
“They haven’t conned you into clanning him yet?”
Rajhir snorted. “If they manage to, you have permission to shoot me.”
They both laughed at the idea of Breft becoming Rajhir’s Nobek. Rajhir thought he could hear Jol chuckling in the background too.
Ospar said, “I’ve got to get into a meeting, but I’ll fire that information on Selg to you right away.”
“Thanks, Ospar. Stay out of trouble for a change.”
“You first and let me know how it works.” He broke the connection.
Shaking his head but wearing a grin that had become rare in the last few days, Rajhir clicked his com off.
