Treachery
The room was unheated, close to freezing, their breath making clouds as they spoke, the storm still screaming outside. Zha'haabron neither noticed nor cared.
"He didn't have to die..."
Zha'haabron's whisper was a fractured rasp, his eyes wide, staring sightlessly as he trembled in Radittsu's arms. The Saiyan held him, silently, stroking loose strands of hair back from the tortured face.
The king stared up into his eyes.
"Zk'vissin, he didn't have to die. I killed him for no reason. For nothing..."
"But we didn't know! Beloved, you can't blame yourself for something you didn't know!"
"If only I'd waited..."
"He wanted to die."
"I didn't have to kill him. I could have refused, forced him to wait..."
Radittsu gripped the king's chin firmly and raised his face, glowering.
"If you hadn't done it he'd have found another way. At least you were quick and gentle and loving."
Zha'haabron stilled, startled, then frowned slightly. That was probably true. Zha'hiirad had been strong, determined, almost as strong and determined as himself. What a king he would have made...
He bit back a sob: his bondmate cradled him close, silently dreading a repeat of the anguish the king had suffered last time.
*Beloved, don't shut me out. Not again.*
For a moment the R'ren'nkh'ian stood frozen - then collapsed against Radittsu, weeping silently, clinging to his bondmate desperately, his thoughts incoherent with grief.
Half an hour later, exhausted and aching with the cold, he looked up into the beloved face, his eyes still tear-filled.
"I'm sorry."
Radittsu kissed his forehead.
"Baka. C'mon, let's get you somewhere warm."
Zha'haabron shook his head.
"I can't go back in there."
"I'm not suggesting we do. I have somewhere else in mind."
"Where?"
The Saiyan smiled, then swept his shivering love up into strong arms and flew him to the guard's barracks, letting himself into Hijau's quarters and locking the door behind him.
The room was cool, Hijau having stayed in the suite since the Heirs had been abducted, returning only gather a few personal items. A flicker of ki to light the logs neatly stacked in the fireplace and Radittsu settled the king on the fur rug there while he dragged a sleeping fur from the closet and wrapped it around Zha'haabron's shaking body. He huddled close behind the king, arms wrapped around him as the R'ren'nkh'ian's head rolled back to lie on one broad strong shoulder.
**Thank you**
*What for?*
**Being here...**
Radittsu kissed his temple.
*And where else would I be?*
Zha'haabron twisted sideways, nestling closer into the Saiyan's embrace, sighing, and for a while they sat in silence while the king warmed up a little. Radittsu stroked his face soothingly, smiling as his breathing slowed and evened out. Drained, exhausted from lack of sleep, the king dozed in his beloved's arms.
It was dark when he awoke, stiff and aching from the awkward position and still feeling cold. He sighed and pushed himself upright: Radittsu stroked his hair.
"You all right?"
"Yes. And you?"
There were shadows around the big expressive eyes, and Zha'haabron could feel the tiny tremors of fatigue through the big body, but the Saiyan smiled and kissed his forehead.
"I'm fine. I can't wait to get a decent night's sleep, though."
The king rubbed his aching neck.
"I, also."
"We should get back to the suite. Only for a moment, just to get you something warmer to wear, check the brats are well." He touched a cold blue cheek gently as Zha'haabron hesitated, unwilling to risk further torment. "She won't be there. She returns to the delegate's suite at night."
"And I have kept you away from your duties!" The king bit his lip, aghast. "I am sorry. You should have woken me."
"I needed the rest too."
"But you did not get any. You were holding me."
Radittsu hugged him.
"Good as a rest as far as I'm concerned! Beloved, this will all be over soon and we can get back to normal. For a while, anyway."
Zha'haabron inclined his head, frowning. The Saiyan smiled.
"It's moonyear. We have to organise getting the family back to R'ren'nkh'ia for the worst of it." He paused, his expression uncertain. "And, I was wondering..."
Zha'haabron stroked his face, his bondmate's sudden unwillingness to speak surprising.
**What is it?**
The big Saiyan swallowed.
"Well, you'll have to be offworld for at least three hundred days... And Zh'leet and Gh'veen will be with you, and Vinas' team can go with you, they really shouldn't stay here - they're at risk too, a little..."
The king's eyes widened with dawning comprehension.
"You want us to try for hostlings."
Radittsu lowered his eyes.
"Well, it seems like a good time. There'll be less stress on your body, we know that the Council and Gh'heegonan are efficient, and you'll have all your kin around you..."
Zha'haabron slid his arms around the warm, powerful neck and pressed a kiss to his bondmate's throat.
"Yes."
His joy soaring, the Saiyan cradled his love closer than ever, unwilling to ever let him go.
Mahrayne had left by the time they arrived back at the suite. The family swarmed them as soon as they set foot inside the door...
"Oh, my Ssii'iin, I'm so sorry. If I'd had any idea... I'd have spoken to her..." Leteetza was almost distraught: Zha'haabron sighed and ran his fingers through her mane.
"It is not your fault, little warrior. Nor hers - she did not know. I would have preferred that it had not happened, but... At least we now know the technology exists. Should a similar situation ever arise in future."
Leteetza sighed her relief as Zha'haarak twined himself tightly around his bondmates.
**I was worried...**
Zha'haabron kissed him.
**I cannot deny it was the most appalling shock. However, there is nothing to be done, except honour his memory**
"Will you both bathe? And eat something? I don't want you ill again." Zh'leet, ever practical, had earlier put the live rats back into their cage when it became clear that the king wasn't going to be able to eat any. Zha'haabron nodded.
"After we've bathed."
"And can you sleep here tonight?"
Radittsu shook his head, moving to the comm unit.
"I'm on duty. And I'd better check in with Kyuri, see what's happened in my absence..."
"You still feel cold."
It was an hour later. Zha'haabron had cuddled the hostlings while Kyuri reported that they'd rounded up nearly everyone that they knew of who'd been involved in the conspiracy, including Anzu himself - and Vejiita wanted to see the captain at his earliest convenience.
"I told him you were following up a last few tricky leads." she smirked tiredly. "I thought you could do with the break."
"You, my friend, are a wonder."
"Heh. Just your friend. Remember me when the next official guard review comes round..."
He smirked.
"I'll see what I can do. Now, I'll be there shortly, can you..." He paused as she raised a hand and shook her head.
"Sir, I don't want you back here for another two hours at least. You look like hell and I know you've had no proper sleep for days. Get some rest. We can cope here for a little longer."
The Saiyan glanced back at the sleeping platform, his expression softening at the sight of his bondmate sprawled tiredly, his head resting in Zha'haarak's lap while the hostlings cuddled up to him. He turned back to the screen.
"Very well. Two hours."
She smiled and cut the connection before he could change his mind.
And now they soaked in hot water, Zha'haabron nestling as close to Radittsu as he possibly could, strong arms around the broad warm chest. He glanced up.
"I have been cold since the season started. It is unusually severe, isn't it?"
Radittsu nodded.
"Sometimes happens just before moonyear. Probably has something to do with the moon - I don't know, I'm no scientist. But how can we warm you up?"
Zha'haabron eyes twinkled as he twisted and raised himself, sinking down onto the Saiyan's erection...
"That seems to have helped a little." Radittsu chuckled as Zha'haabron lay against his chest, panting. "You're definitely warmer, now."
The king wrapped strong arms around his waist and kissed a nipple, teasing with his tongue, and the Saiyan gasped, then groaned.
"I don't think I have the energy..."
Zha'haabron halted and gazed up apologetically.
"I'm sorry. You're tired. And you're still on duty, officially. Perhaps we should just dress and eat. I need to get back to the lab, in any case."
"Is there really no way you can sleep here tonight?"
Zha'haabron sat on a floor cushion, dressed in the thickest fur bodysuit he owned (one he loathed, but Radittsu had insisted...), hurriedly eating still-squirming rat: beside him the captain, sweltering in nothing more than uniform briefs and with his tail stretched out to try and lose as much body heat as possible, was bolting enormous mouthfuls of nearly raw crowk. They both shook their heads at Zh'leet's question, and she sighed.
"Well, when will you be able to get a decent rest? Other than when you both drop unconscious from overwork and exhaustion, that is."
Radittsu grinned.
"As soon as possible. I promise." He glanced at Leteetza, who was looking pensive, the hybrids cuddled close to her.
"Little warrior?"
"Hm?"
"You're unusually quiet..."
She smirked.
"Thinking about Mahrayne. She's quite something, you know. I want her to stay on Vejiitasei - to help with the hostlings if nothing else."
"Have you spoken to Vejiita yet?"
She raised a sardonic eyebrow.
"When have I had time? But I'll have to, soon. The Hassinan will be leaving once the talks are concluded."
"I will add my voice to the request."
Leteetza glanced up, startled. Zha'haabron inclined his head and gestured to the drowsy hostlings.
"They are very fond of her, and don't want to lose her."
"They're very good for her. She can teach them more than I can - and she makes it fun!"
"A rare treasure indeed. Very well, let us see what we can accomplish."
I'd just fallen asleep when the comm unit beeped, quietly but still annoyingly. Gh'veen answered - bowing his head, which meant that the person on the other end was probably Vejiita...
The lizard glanced over at me, his expression apologetic (as best I could judge, anyway: Gh'veen doesn't have the most expressive face I've ever seen). I groaned and stumbled over to the unit. I was right, it was Vejiita, scowling as ever.
"I require your presence."
"Now? Can't it wait until the morning?"
"No."
Well, it had been worth a try.
"Very well. Where are you?"
"Main office."
"I'll be there as quickly as I can..."
I turned back to the sleeping platform to find Zha'haarak awake and looking anxious.
"What has happened?"
I sighed, struggling into a light fur bodysuit, my hands clumsy with tiredness. It was strange, but I felt the cold a lot more since giving birth. I ought to have a word with Vinas about it, I supposed - if I could ever find the time. I hugged the gentle zn'hre.
"I've been summoned to The Presence: can you cope until I get back?"
He swallowed and nodded. I kissed his forehead, unhappy about leaving him with the little horrors but unable to do anything about it. We could really do with Mahrayne here right now: my two were due to wake in about half an hour...
"I'll be as quick as I can. I'll get Hijau to come in while I'm gone." Radittsu's second in command had been sleeping in the antechamber while he'd been at the suite. "But if things get really desperate, call me - I'll be in the main office."
He smiled wanly.
"Thank you. I shall endeavour not to need you..."
The inner door opened and Hijau looked in, frowning: I beckoned to him.
"Can you help out? Vejiita wants me."
He smiled.
"Happy to, my lady."
I do wish people wouldn't call me that...
There was quite a family reunion taking place in the office. The full Council had been assembled and were seated around the table, their faces grim. Vejiita, his expression thunderous, was glowering at Anzu, held captive between Radittsu and Zorun: despite the gashes and heavy bruising on the southern lord's face and body he was standing proudly, an expression of disdainful contempt on his face. Behind him cowered Kayusu, all three Heirs clutched to her, all wide-eyed and terrified: Sheftali stood beside her twin, shaking with fear and dismay. Kyuri and Apyo hovered on either side of the king, alert to the least sign of danger.
It was obvious this was official business: I sank to one knee before Vejiita, head bowed.
"Sire."
"Rise."
I took my usual place at his left hand...
I never want to have to endure such a confrontation again.
I'd never imagined such invective could come from a noble's mouth. Anzu took his allotted hour to tell Vejiita in no uncertain terms exactly what he thought of the king and the way he ran his kingdom, his opinion of the various aliens now welcomed on Vejiitasei, and his firm conviction that the Saiya-jin needed no-one else - and certainly not an Empire! - to continue as the supreme race. And the tension in the office mounted every second of that hour. The Council grew more and more angry, their sense of betrayal and outrage palpable. Radittsu was shaking with the effort of holding his fury in check. And Zorun... I'd frowned, glad to have something to focus on other than the vileness and treason coming from one of Vejiita's most trusted advisors. Zorun was staring at me distrustfully, what looked suspiciously like a sneer on his face. He was angry, as the others were angry, but his ire seemed somehow different. It took me a while to work out that he actually agreed with some of what Anzu was saying, especially with regard to aliens! I'd have to make the time to speak with the king later...
Anzu would happily have continued his vituperation, but at the end of his hour Vejiita glanced at Radittsu, who hit the back of the lord's head a great deal harder than was strictly necessary: Anzu slumped between his guards, semi-conscious. Vejiita rose to his feet.
"Do we need to investigate this matter any further?"
A chorus of snarled 'no's answered him.
"What is to be the punishment?"
"Death..." it was unanimous. Vejiita smiled.
"He would welcome death. I have a better idea..."
I wondered, afterwards, if Vejiita had been taking lessons from Zha'haabron. As Anzu heard his fate his expression went from proud scorn to ashen-faced horror as the Council signified their satisfaction with the sentence.
"Please, I beg you - not that..."
There's a world called Hanbai a thousand light years from Vejiitasei. It's a nasty place, violent, a sort of deadend where those with nowhere else to go end up. It has no natives, but there are a multitude of alien settlements onworld, at least thirty different species. It's famous for its brothels...
I thought of Anzu, tongueless, tailless and shackled, forced to service all and sundry, and grinned mirthlessly. He wouldn't last long, unfortunately, but it was still a fitting punishment for his treason. He could hardly expect an honourable death after acting so dishonourably. It would dissuade anyone else from trying something similar, too.
"Sire, what about his co-conspirators?" That was Limau.
"I have other plans for them..."
Radittsu and Zorun had dragged the weeping Anzu from the suite, and the Council had returned to their beds - or, more likely, to private discussions of what had taken place tonight. Before they'd left Limau had brought up the fact that Anzu, of course, knew all about the Hassinan ki-focussing crystals: might he have committed further treason, selling the information to other interested parties? Vejiita inclined his head, frowning pensively.
"I would think not, given his hatred of aliens. But just in case, we will ensure our garrison on Hassina is fully staffed at all times. And the quicker we can mine the crystals the better." He glanced at Nashi. "Deal with it."
The liaison bowed, smirking with satisfaction.
"Consider it done, sire."
I nodded to myself. I didn't particularly like Nashi - I'd heard some unsavoury rumours about his private life, but even disregarding that he made my skin crawl - but even I would admit he was terrifyingly efficient. 'Consider it done', indeed.
Now Vejiita turned his attention to the Consorts, beckoning them close. Trembling, they approached him.
And he held his arms out to the brats, who went to him - a little hesitantly, to be sure, but without fear. He hugged them close, and I just caught his whispered "Welcome home..." It's just as well he didn't see my smile.
He glanced up at me.
"I'd like their lives to get back to normal as soon as possible. Will you continue tutoring them?"
I grinned, almost unable to believe my luck. "Actually, sire, there's a much better option. You remember the Hassinan female? Well, she's a genuine educator..."
He listened impassively as I explained everything Mahrayne had managed to do in such a short space of time, and that I wanted her to stay with us after the delegation left. He'd frowned.
"This is unprecedented. I will need to speak with the Hassinan Lead Speaker."
I nodded. "Of course. But you do realise that if she doesn't stay, I'm going to be trying to handle seventeen brats more or less by myself. It's going to take all my time - and even when I do find time to sleep, that's all I'll have the energy to do. Sleep."
So if you think I'm going to have time for sex, you can think again!
He nodded, his eyes widening slightly. The point had obviously hit home. He inclined his head, smiling very slightly.
"I see. I'll speak to Manzano tomorrow. I can't think of any reason why she shouldn't be seconded into the diplomatic corps. It would be extremely useful to have a native Hassinan onworld." He frowned. "Do you know what she thinks of the idea?"
"Not yet, my lord. But from what she's said, I get the impression she'd be very happy to stay."
"Very well. Say nothing until I have spoken with Manzano."
"Thank you." I hesitated for a moment. "There is another thing, sire."
"What is it?"
"The brats need somewhere indoors to... train." It was the closest I could come to the sort of thing Mahrayne had mentioned. "In the cold season. It needs to be heated. I know we have some large reception rooms: if I find an appropriate one, may I have it allocated to us?"
"As you wish. Any room other than the ones we regularly use - you know which they are. Help yourself and don't bother me with the subject again."
I grinned and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you, sire."
He waved me away, then smirked up at me, relief at the way things had worked out clear in his eyes.
"I don't suppose you could come to the suite tonight?"
I shook my head firmly.
"I'm sorry, sire. One thing I have learned is that doing anything with a horde of brats is almost as complex as planning a military campaign. Spontaneity is the first casualty..."
"And by the same token you can't have these three..." he glanced down at the Heirs, who had relaxed considerably and were grinning at me "... in the suite tonight?"
You have got to be joking! I shook my head gravely.
"I'm sorry, sire. Normally Radittsu, Zha'haabron and Ti'aasaan would be there to help out - with just me and Zha'haarak it's just not possible." Well, actually it was, with Zh'leet and Gh'veen present, but he didn't need to know that.
He sighed.
"Very well. Advise me when the situation changes."
I bowed my head.
"Of course, my lord." I bit back a yawn. "Do you mind if I return now?"
He smiled and waved me away.
Back at the suite I found Hijau, stripped to uniform briefs and sweating in the heat, sitting cross-legged on the sleeping platform playing one of Mahrayne's 'clapping' games with the wakeful hostlings - and making an extremely good job of it. He'd obviously been watching her very closely: he'd remembered it exactly as far as I could tell. At any rate, it had kept them happily occupied while I'd been gone.
I grinned at him.
"Thanks..."
His eyes twinkled.
"Least I could do for a fellow officer."
I chuckled.
"You're a natural."
He smirked.
"Natural what?"
I rubbed my eyes, too tired to think of a snappy rejoinder, and he laid a hand on my shoulder.
"Get some sleep, Leteetza. It's not far off dawn. I'll keep an eye on things."
Zha'haarak nodded agreement.
"You must rest. I will wake you if needed."
I wasn't going to argue. I barely had time to strip and crawl under the sheet before I passed out.
Zha'haabron was beginning to wonder if Feeodoreeans ever actually slept: Vinas seemed to be always there. Not that he was complaining...
The biotech was hunched over his terminal, Jecmen was gently massaging over Ti'aasaan's ribs. The king settled himself in his usual seat and took the little zn'hre's hand: Ti'aasaan smiled up at him.
**My love...How are things?**
Zha'haabron smiled, forcing down the awful dragging tiredness he seemed to have lived with forever, and told his bondmate about the Hassinan.
Ti'aasaan was most intrigued, but before he could ask any questions Vinas arrived at his bedside. He nodded at the king then turned to his patient.
"I need to take some tissue samples."
Sighing resignedly, Ti'aasaan closed his eyes. Zha'haabron watched for a moment, then regarded the biotech's face. Vinas glanced briefly at the zn'hre.
"We will be able to start the treatment tomorrow. I have a few last elements to prepare. Do you wish to stay with him?"
"If it is permitted."
"I see no reason why not. I understand he might feel some pain: having you here to distract him will be all to the good."
Ti'aasaan had paled at the thought of pain: Zha'haabron kissed him gently.
**But it is pain to heal you, sweetheart. Zha'haarak and I will help you bear it**
The little zn'hre sighed and nodded. After all, Zha'haarak had survived far worse...
For me, the day passed in a blur. Mahrayne was able to keep the hostlings occupied for what seemed like hours: I even managed a sleep. And we could all tell that she and Kelapa had had a fine time from their scent, when they arrived back at the suite: Mahrayne's face when I told her about our sense of smell was a picture! Though I surprised myself by feeling a little jealous. I put it down to frustration and tiredness.
And also lack of exercise. It suddenly occurred to me I hadn't trained since before my pregnancy. And I'd hardly been outside the suite since the twins had been born!
I needed a hunt.
Mahrayne had mentioned hunting, it sounded like something the Hassinan did regularly. It would be interesting to see what she made of hunting on Vejiitasei. And we could take Kelapa with us as guard.
Then I scowled to myself. Vejiita would probably insist on another guard as well. Perhaps I could persuade him to let Apyo come along...
Zorun pulled himself out of the wall where Vejiita's punch had landed him.
"She is my Companion. You will speak of her with respect."
Zorun shook his head to try and clear it. Ye gods the king was touchy about aliens! But the big Saiyan still couldn't understand why Vejiita put up with letting the little female bear another's brats. Especially one of those conniving lizards!
"Sire - my apologies..."
The king stood over him, arms crossed over his chest, staring down with a calculating look on his face.
"Warrior, you're no use to me unless you overcome this ridiculous attitude toward non-Saiya-jin. Tomorrow you will accompany my Companion, the elite guardsman Kelapa, and the Hassinan female Mahrayne on a hunt. And you will enjoy it."
Zorun stared, stunned. ...No... Oh, no...
But Vejiita had spoken...
© 2002 February 4th Joules Taylor
