The Tigrens' Glory (6 page)

“They probably won’t notice it too much,” Lariah said.  “The jump point is just inside their territorial border, which is far from their home world.  They tend to keep their technology to a minimum and don’t regularly monitor so far from their home planet.”

“How long will this make the trip to Xantara?” Saige asked.

“For one ship to go from Jasan to Terien will take about six hours,” Lariah said.  “From Terien to Onddo, about four hours.  From Onddo to the Xantara jump point, about three days.  With the entire task force, it will take a bit longer of course, so we’re still looking at about a week, which is astounding.”

“Faith has turned out to be quite the treasure,” Saige said.  “Whether we prevail against the Xanti or not, the Thousand Worlds owes her a debt of gratitude for all she’s done.”

“Absolutely,” Lariah agreed.  “I’m so happy that she and the Falcorans have become soul-linked.  After all they’ve been through, it’s almost a miracle.”

Saige nodded, then placed her hands lightly on her stomach as she made her decision.  “No, Lariah, I don’t want the departure date to be moved.  I prefer to make this journey with my sons safely in the womb.  Thanks to Faith, it’s only a two week round-trip.  There’s plenty of time before these guys are due.”

“That’s what I thought,” Lariah said.  She didn’t point out that there was no telling how long it would take to subdue the Xanti.  Saige was fully aware of that fact.  “I’d do the same thing.  And now that you’ve made your decision, I can tell you about the Tigren.”

“Tigren?” Saige asked, her eyes wide.  “They’ve been found?”

“Not exactly,” Lariah said, then filled her in on Glory and her dreams.  When she was finished Saige studied her friend for a long moment. 

“Something’s got you worried, and sad,” she said.  “Tell.”  Lariah smiled, but it was a half-hearted attempt that didn’t fool Saige for a moment.  “Wow, whatever it is must be really bad.”

“Maybe not,” Lariah said.  “It’s just that I have a strong feeling that Glory is the Tigrens’ Arima.”

“Her dreams alone indicate that,” Saige said, nodding. “Why are you worried about it?”

“The physiology of Clan Jasani, those who’ve lived on Jasan since the destruction of Ugaztun, has changed to allow conversion of human women,” Lariah said.  “There’s no reason to believe that the same will have happened to the Tigren.  For all we know, they’ve never even heard of humans.  If that’s true, they won’t be physically capable of converting Glory to Clan Jasani.”

“Oh damn,” Saige whispered, stunned.  “Their mating fangs would shed after only two injections, and the conversion process for human women requires three.”

“Exactly,” Lariah said.  “They may not be able to take her as a human mate, either.  The potion that makes that possible was designed for members of the seven clans.  The Council scientists might be able to alter it for the Tigren, but there’s no guarantee it would work.  It’s been over seven thousand years since our clans have interbred with either Tigren or Owlfen.  We have no idea what Tigren DNA looks like.”

“How is Glory taking the news?”

“She doesn’t know,” Lariah said.  “Nor do I think we should mention it to her just yet.  She hides it, but she is deeply wounded, Saige.  As much, or more, than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Do you like her?” Saige asked.

“Very much,” Lariah said.  “I think she’ll be a wonderful friend.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about,” Saige said.  “You’re Nahoa-Arima.  The more time you spend with her, the more quickly her heart and mind will heal.”

“I hope so,” Lariah said.  “We’ll be spending lots of time together very soon.  The big day is almost here.”

“I know, and I still haven’t finished packing,” Saige said with a grimace.  “Have the final decisions been made for the Consuls?” 

“Yes,” Lariah replied.  “The Bearens will be staying to oversee the defense of Jasan.  They aren’t really happy about it, but they agree that Jasan must be protected, and that’s their responsibility.  The Vulpirans will stay too, in part because Honey is needed here.  The Gryphons and Falcorans will go, as will the Katres, you Lobos, and of course, we Dracons.”

“I’m glad Honey will be staying here, especially since Doc is going with us,” Saige said.  “Which reminds me, how’s Summer doing?”

“Maxim sent a message saying that she’s doing better,” Lariah replied.  “As horrible as it sounds to say, she was only about three weeks along, too soon for her to form a bond with the babies, and that helps.  Still, I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for all of them.  She’s wanted to have children for a while now.”

“I know,” Saige said.  “And she will, in time.”

“Yes, I’m sure she will,” Lariah agreed.  “Oh, Doc and Darlene are married.”

“Finally!” Saige said, smiling.  “Did they get the pardon?”

“Yes,” Lariah said.  “I’m so glad you were able to convince Garen that it was what Riata really wanted.  He’s changed his mind about Darlene over the past couple of years, but it was still hard for him to forgive her for Riata’s death.”

“I know, I had a hard time with it at first too.  But it wasn’t as though Darlene actually killed her, or meant for her to be killed.  And yes, I know, that doesn’t change the fact that Riata wouldn’t have died if Darlene hadn’t done what she did.  But honestly, Riata has never been more insistent on anything before.  She was a little angry that Darlene hadn’t been pardoned already and I’ve never seen Riata angry.”

“Which is why Garen did it,” Lariah said.  “Well, that and the fact that Darlene has helped save so many lives since then, and plans to continue to search for women that have been taken after we’re done with the Xanti.  She and Summer meant it when they swore to find or account for every woman the Xanti kidnapped.”  Lariah paused, bit her lip, then blew out a quick breath.  She’d intended to keep this next bit of information from Saige, but she just couldn’t do it.  It felt too much lying.  “She declined it.”

“What?” Saige asked. 

“Darlene said that she can’t accept a pardon for something she believes is unpardonable,” Lariah said.  “She’s happy, relieved, and very grateful to know she won’t be sent to prison, and she thanked Garen very graciously for the pardon.  Then she asked that the wording be altered slightly so that it doesn’t pardon her for her role in what happened.  Please don’t be upset, Saige.  It’s what Darlene wants.”

Saige smiled, her eyes tearing up a little.  “I’m not upset in the least.  Darlene has certainly changed over the past few years.  I’m proud to call her friend now.”

“Yes, so am I,” Lariah agreed.  “I find it a little difficult to imagine her as a mother, but I have no doubt whatsoever that she and Doc will make wonderful parents.”

“Lariah, I’ve been meaning to ask you, what’s the deal with the Dracon-Bats and Nica?” Saige asked.  “We were told that our daughters couldn’t be identified as
berezi
until they were adults.”

“And that’s true,” Lariah said.  “The Dracon-Bats themselves aren’t even sure how it happened.  They were just able to sense that Nica would one day be their Arima, but their fangs haven’t descended or anything like that.  In fact, they plan to leave Jasan altogether before she reaches puberty.  They don’t want to have a premature response to her for their own sakes, as well as hers.”

“That’s a relief,” Saige said.  “I was worried with so many male Jasani coming and going on the ranch all the time.  I don’t want any of them trying to claim our daughters.”

“Well, don’t worry, because it’s not going to happen,” Lariah said, then sighed.  “You know, leaving our children behind is really the only part of this whole thing that bothers me.  But we can’t take them into war with us.”

“It bothers me too, but they’ll be safe here on the ranch, or in the Hidden City if it comes to that.  And, with the jump points Faith has found we’ll be gone only a couple of weeks instead of years, like we thought.  That helps a lot, too.”

“Yes, it does,” Lariah said before narrowing her emerald eyes on her friend.  “Just keep those boys of yours where they are, Saige Shira Lobo.  I don’t want you to have to decide between leaving them behind, and taking them into battle.”

“Don’t worry,” Saige said, her hands spread protectively over her abdomen.  “These guys are staying put.”

***

Glory sat on the porch of River House, enjoying the fresh air, the lavender sky, and the sounds of the rushing river below the house.  It was so peaceful and quiet here.  She wondered if the Jasani would allow her to live on Jasan when she was finished with her quest.  They seemed more tolerant than her own people, and they’d displayed none of the shock or disgust at her differences that she was used to.  Of course, they hadn’t seen all of them, either. 

A newly familiar sound reached her and she tilted her head back to watch Lariah’s dracon touch ground a short distance from the house.  She smiled to herself as she watched the formidable dracon with razor sharp claws and fangs shift into the petite princess. 

“Good morning,” Lariah said brightly as she walked toward the porch.  “You look rested.” 

“Good morning,” Glory replied, half rising from her chair before Lariah waved her back. 

“Don’t get up,” she said.  “I have a few things I’d like to tell you.  After that, I want to ask you a favor of sorts.”

“If there’s anything I can do for you, Lariah, I will, and gladly,” Glory replied.

“I appreciate that, Glory, but it’s not that kind of favor, so you might not want to agree just yet,” Lariah said as she took a seat beside her. 

“All right,” Glory agreed.  “I shall wait until you tell me, then I’ll agree.”

Lariah laughed, liking Glory’s subtle humor.  “There are several Arimas who live here, on the ranch,” she began.  “All of us have a psychic talent, most of us have two.  It’s very common here.”

“Psychic?” Glory asked.  “Like Nica?”

“Yes, though we all do different things,” Lariah replied.  “For example, I can communicate with animals, Aisling Gryphon can understand any language she reads or hears, and Summer Katre can control computers and electronics.  That’s how she’s able to help the women with Controllers, by the way.  She can take control of the nano-bots injected into their brains.”

“That’s more than a gift,” Glory said soberly, “it’s a blessing, as well.” 

“Yes, truly it is,” Lariah agreed.  “Without her and Saige Lobo, there’d be no way to remove the Controllers, and all of those women would be lost forever, including Summer herself.  Anyway, Hope Bearen is a Keeper, which means she’s able to identify objects of power, and match them with the people they’re meant for.  Dr. Honey Vulpiran is able to identify psychic powers in other women.  I’m hoping you’ll agree to meet with both Hope, and Dr. Honey.”

“That’s the favor you would ask of me?”

“Yes,” Lariah replied, noting Glory’s sudden wariness.

“May I ask why you want me to meet with the doctor?  I’m not psychic.”

“From some of the things you told us yesterday, I suspect that you might be, and just don’t know it,” Lariah said.  “That happens a lot more often than you’d think.  If I’m right, Honey can identify your ability, and that may help you in your search for the Tigren.  Does the possibility of having a psychic talent bother you?”

“No, that doesn’t bother me at all,” Glory said.  “Anything that will help in my search for the Tigren is welcome.  I would ask though, what is required of me during this identification process?”

“She needs to touch you for a few moments, perhaps as long as a minute.  That’s all.”

“I am not overly fond of doctors, Lariah,” Glory admitted.  “In truth, I never allow them to touch me.  However, since this doctor is female, and a friend of yours, I will agree to submit to this identification.”

“I’m sorry to ask you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, Glory, but I really do think it’s important,” Lariah said.  “I promise I’ll stay with you the entire time, and if you want to stop at any point, all you have to do is say so.  If it helps, Honey’s an obstetrician.”

“I’m sorry,” Glory said with a frown.  “This is not a word I know.”

“She’s a doctor who specializes in the care of pregnant women,” Lariah said.  “Her first, and strongest talent is an ability to communicate with, and heal, unborn babies.”

“You are correct,” Glory said, nodding.  “That does help.  Of course I’ll meet both women.  When and where?”

“If you don’t mind doing it now, and if you’ll agree to speed-travel, I can vox Trey and Val to come and get us,” Lariah said.  “Or, if you prefer, we can do it tomorrow.  Please keep in mind that we’ll be leaving Jasan the day after tomorrow, and neither Honey nor Hope will be going with us, so it has to be soon.”

“Now is fine,” Glory said.  “However, there is something I’d like to discuss with you first, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” Lariah said.

“As I mentioned yesterday, on my world information is very restricted for females.”

“Yes, I remember,” Lariah said.  “I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been.” 

“It was frustrating for me, especially when I was a younger, because I was always curious,” Glory said.  “I eventually learned to accept that I would always have questions, but no answers.  Until I left Ramouri a few weeks ago, and mingled with other people aboard the passenger liner.”  Glory grimaced.  “I rarely had any idea what the people around me, both men and women, were talking about.  I felt crippled by my own ignorance.  So, I took advantage of the small library on board the passenger liner.  Passengers were restricted to one hour a day on the vid-terminals since there were only a few of them, but I made the most of what time I had.  That’s where I learned what little I know about the Jasani, and your culture.  To be honest, you’d be shocked at the things I don’t know, Lariah.”

“I don’t want to insult the customs of your world, Glory, or you, personally,” Lariah said.  “But, as far as I’m concerned, you’re a grown woman and more than capable of making decisions for yourself.  There’s a vid-terminal in the living room of all our guest houses, including River House, with full StarNet access.  You’re welcome to use it as much as you like.”

“That is exactly what I wished to speak with you about,” Glory said.  “I have no wish to violate Jasani customs by using the vid-terminal without permission.  Since the terminal’s access is unrestricted, I assume I’ll need a tracking code so that my usage can be monitored.  If possible, I’d like to learn whatever is available for women on this world while I’m here.”