Library

"May I accompany you?"
      Leteetza glanced up and smiled at the Hyou.
      "If you like - you're more than welcome…"
      It had been a while since the King's Companion had had the time to visit the library. Zh'nast had kept her more or less up to date with advances in the zhaneer project, but it wasn't the same as actually being there. But today… today she had no other duties. A rare spell of downtime. The opportunity to spend a whole day in the brood's company - with appropriate breaks for meals, of course - was very welcome.
      Zaheen bowed her head.
      "Thank you, Leteetza. I will be most interested to see what progress has been made."
      The Saiyan finished finger-combing the protesting 'dittsu's mane and handed the youngest princes over to Ra'vahn and Za'rayne, who usually took them to class and kept an eye on them during lessons, then rose to her feet, smirking at the Hyou.
      "Whenever you're ready…"

Since Zaheen couldn't fly, Leteetza had a palace hover-vessel convey them to the library: they were a common sight on the streets and in the air of the capital since the vast majority of the inhabitants were flightless. It was a quiet and comfortable ground-level journey, the address pre-programmed, the trip smooth and swift. Wet season was over and everyone was enjoying the long warm days in the run-up to cold season: the streets seemed to be more packed with aliens than usual, but that, thought Leteetza to herself, might just be because she didn't get to see the city all that much, most of her duties keeping her to the palace compound…
      Sasa was accompanying them today, the slight, pretty Guard alert as ever.
      "How long do you think you'll be, my lady?"
      Leteetza glanced at her companion.
      "Probably all day - though we'll break for mid-day meal at one of the eateries near the library."
      Sasa nodded as the vessel drew to a halt outside the imposing edifice that was the central library, then held open the door for the other two.
      "Very well - I'll make sure I'm here to meet you."
      Nodding thanks, Leteetza ushered Zaheen through reception and into the private chambers at the rear of the building. The main room buzzed quietly with activity, Thinkers and Feeodoreeans receiving, entering and encoding information, a variety of specialists from a variety of different races adding their own records to the now-vast database that contained knowledge from the fifty-seven worlds that currently comprised the Saiyan Empire…
      In a secluded chamber at the rear of the private section was the zhaneer research team, forty individuals in total, the majority of them R'ren'nkh'ian, but there were a few aliens as well. Zh'nast looked up from her terminal, beaming broadly when she saw the Saiyan.
      "Leteetza-sama! We are honoured! And Mmeer Zaheen! Please, be welcomed."
      Leteetza grinned and dragged a couple of seats to the vast desk, careful not to dislodge any of the tottery piles of datachips, paper and silicate-covered parchments covering almost every fingerswidth of its surface. Settling herself next to the brood, with the Hyou at her side, she waited impatiently for an update on progress.
      Zh'nast chuckled.
      "Ah, my lady, I won't keep you in suspense. We've now translated all of the books from Zha'zhasaan's collection, and discovered several hundred more on datacrystals in the personal libraries of other crew members. It is a treasure too great for words…"
      The little Saiyan gripped her wrist, eyes wide.
      "Anything that tells us where they are?"
      Zh'nast closed her eyes, expression a strange mix of frustration and anguish.
      "Alas no… They truly wished to keep their homeworld's location a secret." She sighed heavily, then inclined her head with a smile. "However, I have now completed the translation of The Book of the Blue God - the book which the native R'ren'nkh'ia-jin wrote to explain the coming of the zn'hre to their world…"
      Leteetza's breath caught.
      "May I read it?"
      Zh'nast chuckled.
      "I am hoping you can do more than that. My translation is literal and clumsy - I was hoping you might rephrase it into something more worthy of the subject matter."
      Leteetza bit her lip to stop herself yelling her delight, and took both the brood's hands in her own.
      "Zh'nast-sama, I will be honoured to transliterate."
      The ko'ish'n nodded.
      "I had hoped that would be your response. At your leisure, my Ssii'iir."
      Leteetza glanced at Zaheen.
      "Would you mind it I make a start today?"
      The Hyou bowed her head.
      "Of course not, Leteetza-sama! I will be more than happy to look through what else has been accomplished. I have no doubt that I will be able to add to the translations, at least a little. I spent considerable time with the zhaneer during their last visit."
      Zh'nast grinned happily and beckoned to 'leesaan, who obediently came closer. The brood laid a hand gently against his cheek.
      "Would you mind assisting Mmeer Zaheen today? She wishes to see what we have already managed to do."
      The little zn'hre's eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically.
      "Of course! Please -" he gestured to his own desk and monitor, "- let me know what in particular you're looking for and I'll do my best to find it for you…"

A hand on her shoulder dragged Leteetza back from her absorbed immersion in the heartbreaking story laid out in the files before her, the blunt, long-drawn-out literal translation the brood had painstakingly pieced together, and her own careful but far more colloquial version… She rubbed a hand across her eyes and gazed somewhat blearily up at Sasa. Who grinned.
      "Aren't you hungry yet, my lady?"
      And Leteetza's stomach answered for her, growling loudly. The little warrior laughed, gazing longingly at the Book but knowing she'd be able to do a far better job if the needs of the body were met first.
      "Heh - I guess so…"
      Zaheen was still in animated conversation with 'leesaan, the young zn'hre's eyes narrowed as he listened to and recorded the Hyou repeating almost word for word the zhaneer conversations to which she had been privy - her memory was extraordinarily keen. She glanced up as Leteetza approached.
      "Food?"
      And Zaheen's stomach rumbled. She blinked slowly and nodded.
      "I believe it is time…" she inclined her head to the zn'hre. "May I rejoin you, after the meal?... unless you wish to eat with us?"
      'leesaan shook his head.
      "Thank you, Mmeer Zaheen, but I'd like to get this" he gestured at the half-finished transcript "done before you get back."
      The Hyou frowned.
      "But you will eat?"
      He grinned.
      "Oh yes. Zh'nast won't let me starve myself. But I'll eat here. Can we continue when you return?"
      "Of course, your highness."
      He smirked.
      "Good. Until later then. Enjoy your meal!"

Leteetza, with Zaheen and Sasa in tow, led the way to a pleasant inn in a backstreet, overlooking a tiny square park where a mixed group of colourful aliens were 'entertaining' the passers-by with song and dance. At least, Leteetza assumed that the strange noises and movements were singing and dancing…
      The inn was Saiyan owned and run, but the proprietor obviously had aliens among his staff and his usual customers, as a variety of non-native dishes were on offer. It was a comfortable place, airy, with a mix of seating arrangements, and a wide selection of drinks available. Leteetza ordered ale for herself and Zaheen: Sasa declined - she didn't drink on duty. Zaheen eyed her curiously.
      "Your dedication is to be admired."
      The warrior smirked.
      "Not really." She lightly tapped the nitorine brace on her left hand, the crystal glowing gently against her palm. "These need concentration to use. A foggy brain could end up with me blowing my own hand off. Not something I really want to do…"
      Zaheen suppressed a shudder and took a sip of the ale, pleasantly surprised by the taste. Leteetza gazed at her pensively.
      "D'you mind if we talk about the Karilun for a while?"
      Zaheen eyed her uneasily. It was hardly a favourite subject.
      "I do not think I can add anything more to the official record, Leteetza-sama."
      The Saiyan nodded.
      "I know, but the official record doesn't include your own personal thoughts and observations - well, other than those that are directly relevant. I'm interested in getting the unofficial version. What you think of them, feel about them, rumours you've heard…"
      So, reluctantly, over the meal the Hyou called to mind everything she'd ever heard or thought of the empire that held sway over nearly a quarter of the galaxy.
      "It is old, very old, existing since before our recorded history. We believe it encompasses close to a thousand worlds, many of them unwillingly annexed and rigidly controlled. That much you already know."
      The Saiyans nodded. The transfer of information from Zaisan to the main database had started as soon as the delegation had returned home, and was still continuing: there was a lot of it, as could be expected of such an ancient civilisation. And most of what the Hyoujin knew of the Karilun Empire had already been sent: the diplomatic corps, in conjunction with the military, were examining the details closely.
      Zaheen frowned slightly and continued.
      "I've heard rumours - no more than that - that on several occasions there have been uprisings on member worlds, brutally put down, the worlds involved devastated, the children taken into slavery and the adults killed." She lowered her voice. "I have a small decorative figure, carved out of some entirely unknown crystalline material, that has been handed down in my family for twelve generations. It depicts a strange being, horned and hooved, seven-fingered and with three sets of eyes, inscribing something on a pad with some sort of writing implement. There's what I believe is an inscription around the base. But I can't translate it, and there are no aliens matching the description of the figure anywhere that I have been able to find - and that includes your own database. The family legend is that twelve generations ago one of us was given the figure as thanks for helping the alien it depicted escape the empire's wrath after his world had been destroyed…"
      Leteetza and Sasa were leaning forwards, listening enthralled. The King's Companion inclined her head.
      "I don't suppose you brought it with you, did you?"
      Zaheen smiled.
      "Actually, yes I did. I'm ever hopeful of finding out more information. I'll bring it to the suite tomorrow for you to see. I assume you'll want to take images of it?"
      "And the rest! You'll need to repeat that story so we can record it. And anything else you can remember."
      The Hyou nodded.
      "Certainly." She frowned for a moment, then sighed. "I don't really have anything more concrete I can tell you, just more of the same. Rumours, thrice-told half-truths… I can tell you that my people, in general, are very worried indeed. The Karilun are ruthless, and until you graciously allowed us to become a member of the Saiyan Empire, we had no real hope of defending ourselves. We have weaponry, of course - zhaneer arms - but nothing powerful enough to defend ourselves against the empire." She grimaced, upper lip lifting from small sharp teeth. "We are sure they have the technology - but they have not shared it with us."
      Leteetza shrugged.
      "Well, you can't really blame them… Do they know you might be in danger?"
      Zaheen rubbed at her chin, thoughtfully.
      "I'm… not sure. It wasn't spoken of while I was present. But it seems unlikely that the zhaneer would not know…"
      Leteetza inclined her head pensively.
      "Hmm…"
      There was silence while they finished their meals, then Leteetza sighed and rose from the table.
      "Time to get back…"

It was always fun when papa took them for a sparring session, 'vahn thought to himself, watching as Radittsu paused for a moment to correct Za'rayne's stance. The hybrid glanced across the small arena to Jahonda, who was defending himself against a combined and surprisingly effective attack from 'dittsu and 'jiita: the youngest Saiyans were both very powerful and very determined - warriors born, not really so strange given their parents…
       The light thwap of a strong tail across the back of his head brought his attention forcibly back to his papa and twin. 'vahn smirked up sheepishly at a frowning Radittsu.
      "Sorry papa…"
      The big Saiyan growled, then sighed and ruffled his son's mane.
      "Pay attention."
      "I will."
      "Good. Now we're going to concentrate on focussed ki attacks - and I think we'd better do it somewhere else, given what happened last time…"
      Za'rayne smirked at his twin, who blushed. 'vahn had been distracted at a crucial moment, his control slipped, and he'd blasted a large hole in the wall of the arena - and the larger arena next to it (which fortunately was unoccupied at the time), and the empty storage building next to that, and even scorched the side of the medlab complex before the ki blast dissipated.
      On cue, and exactly on time, Jagung and Merica arrived to act as supplementary guard to 'jiita and 'dittsu while Radittsu was absent, and the big Saiyan accepted their salutes, gathered up his sirelings and headed off for the plain outside the city.
      The twins loved these trips. It was wonderful being out of the palace, and out in the wilderness were they didn't have to worry about damaging anything or anyone. And they usually finished off with a hunt, taking back something special for early evening meal.
      Today was no exception. They flew to a tumble of large boulders, and papa had them ki-drill holes of varying width through some of the larger rocks, and from different distances, having them compete against each other for accuracy and control - something that they both enjoyed. After three hours he called a halt, declaring himself very pleased with their results, and decided they'd had enough - which was quite true, concentrating that hard for that long was wearying. Hugging them both, grinning proudly, he let them loose to hunt for a while, shadowing them from above and behind as they scanned the plain for prey.
      *Over there.*
      'vahn followed his twin's pointing finger and nodded. Moving inconspicuously through the tall grass was a young bighorn, a solitary female, large, bulky, obviously well-fed. Big enough to feed the whole family for a couple of days. Za'rayne was grinning widely: bighorn was the family favourite.
      *Can we take her?*
      Za'rayne nodded.
      *Yes, between us. Papa will help if we need him.*
      They worked in unison, 'vahn flying high to distract the animal's attention while Za'rayne flew low and fast, skimming the tops of the grass and circling behind it while Radittsu hovered, far enough away not to interfere with the hunt but close enough to act if need be.
      *… NOW!*
      'vahn swooped, startling the animal into turning ready to run for the presumed safety of a large stand of thornbush - only to slam into the solid object that was Za'rayne on the hunt.
      The struggle was brief, and neither hostling was hurt. Between them they quickly and efficiently broke the animal's neck, grinning at each other. Not exactly the most challenging hunt ever, but the result would be delicious…
      Radittsu landed and grinned at them, ruffling both manes.
      *Excellently done, brats! Maazi will be very proud - and everyone else happy!*
      Slinging the carcass over his shoulders, the Saiyan gazed at his sirelings.
      *Can you fly, or are you too tired?*
      Identical smirks.
      *Course we're not too tired, papa!*
      Radittsu nodded.
      *Very well. Let's go, then. The faster we return, the faster we can enjoy some of this fine catch…*

Zha'haarak sat at the table on the main balcony, taking advantage of the children's afternoon activities to indulge himself with a little drawing: the afternoon was warm and windless, and the view out over the palace gardens lush and alluring. But the prince wasn't sketching the landscape…
      Kakarotto - who was thoroughly enjoying his new post as an inner member of the family's Guard - leaned forward a little from his post at the end of the balcony, trying to make out what was taking shape on the paper under the gentle zn'hre's slender, talented hands. The prince caught his interest - there was actually little that escaped his notice - and glanced up at the warrior, smiling.
      "You may look, if you wish."
      Radittsu's brother paced forwards a few steps and bowed his head, then peered over the prince's shoulder, grinning at what he saw. Zha'haarak was working on a sketch of Zha'haabron and his bondmate - making love. Kakarotto had little comprehension of art, but even he had to admit that it was a fine picture. The flowing lines, the evocative expressions… it was all quite wonderful to the Saiyan, who gazed at the zn'hre with a new appreciation. He was about to ask if the prince might be willing to draw himself and his family when the inner door opened and Ti'aasaan arrived. Zha'haarak beckoned him out to the balcony - and Kakarotto resignedly returned to his place as the little zn'hre nodded at him and began speaking to the prince, in R'ren'nkh'ia-go.
      "Fa'saayen has asked to return to Vejiitasei, to be with Ti'zheenan."
      Zha'haarak blinked at the obviously apprehensive Ti'aasaan for a moment, then poured a large beaker of fruit juice from the jug he normally had somewhere close and handed it to the zn'hre.
      "Does Ti'zheenan know?"
      Ti'aasaan shook his head.
      "I've asked he not be told yet, I don't want to worry or upset him."
      Zha'haarak frowned, and the little zn'hre sighed.
      "Fa'saayen spoke about wanting to sire more hostlings…"
      "That will not please Suguri."
      "The Ssii'iin and Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu are going to speak to him first." Ti'aasaan chewed his lip. "We have no precedent for this, but by Saiyan custom Fa'saayen is Ti'zheenan's mate. Not claimed or bonded, but mate nevertheless. But Suguri adores my grandsire-sib, and has been a truly wonderful… father… to the hostlings…And of course he's claimed Ti'zheenan… I don't want him hurt. I don't want any of them hurt."
      "I assume he knows about Saiyan/zn'hre families?"
      Ti'aasaan nodded.
      "Oh yes, and in principle he agrees with the idea whole-heartedly. But insofar as it applies to himself?" Ti'aasaan sighed, shoulders slumping. "He typifies Saiyan possessiveness. Has no intention of sharing his zn'hre."
      Zha'haarak frowned.
      "Then we may have a problem."
      The little zn'hre took the prince's hand.
      "Let's not assume anything until the Ssii'iin has spoken to them, ne? In the meantime…" He gazed up into Zha'haarak's eyes, his own troubled. "Would you… I'd…" He hissed at himself and tried again. "I'd like to bathe with you, and then make love - using the Hassinan toys, I mean…"
      Zha'haarak stared, alarmed at the strange bleakness of his fellow zn'hre's expression. He gently touched a pale, cool blue cheek.
      "Zk'vissin? Something's wrong? With you and Zorun?"
      Ti'aasaan smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
      "We are fine."
      "But you still want…?"
      The little zn'hre eyed the prince for a moment, then lowered his gaze.
      "I should be getting back…"
      Seriously concerned now, Zha'haarak lay a hand on a tense thin shoulder.
      "What's wrong, Tia-chan?"
      "Nothing."
      The gentle zn'hre frowned, raising the cold hand to his lips and kissing the thin fingers softly.
      "I would be delighted to bathe with you, zk'vissin, and very happy to make love afterwards. If you still want to."
      Ti'aasaan closed his eyes, then nodded, whispering,
      "… please…"

Fa'saayen was obviously in a foul mood, 'jiisa sighed to himself, as the older warrior returned from his communication with the diplomatic corps on Vejiitasei. The prince knelt beside his mentor's chair as Fa'saayen rubbed a hand over his eyes, shoving a hand through his hair, then rolled his head to gaze at the younger warrior.
      "I should have tried to find him. I should never have let things get to this stage."
      'jiisa sighed and took his hand.
      "You couldn't, 'saayen. You were hurt, and the world was changing around you. You didn't even know if he was still alive…"
      Fa'saayen closed his eyes in anguish, his voice a low hissing whisper.
      "But I should have known, Ssii'irin. I should have felt it. I should have felt he was still alive, should have known our hostlings survived…"
       'jiisa curled up in his lap, hugging him tightly, giving what comfort he could, and it did seem to help, a little…
      Fa'saayen was lost, had always been lost, a warrior-soul trapped in the body of a slave, a breeding machine, condemned always to pain and punishment, unable to meekly accept his R'ren'nkh'ia-jin-determined lot in life. His one chance for happiness had come too late…
      Well, such was his thinking at any rate. 'jiisa thought otherwise, but persuading the proud, angry, bitter zn'hre that his view of things wasn't necessarily the case was going to be a real challenge.
      In a way, 'jiisa was almost looking forward to it.