Starlight Gleaming Ch. 14

Besides, letting someone else get Nariya's contract was unacceptable. Sowitwee clearly loved his wife, and if someone threatened her freedom by buying her debt, it would put him in a bad place. Two hours later, I received notification from the bank that the contract was registered as completed and closed. Nariya was a free woman.

I had to admit, I was pleased with myself. I instructed the bank to send a certified copy of the contract to Sowitwee, sent a digital copy to his email account, and copy for his personnel file. Both of them deserved a decent break in their lives.

As the shift ended, I collected Sowitwee. Corporal Trank had spent several hours drilling him on gun safety and shooting with him at the firing range.

After a quick stop at the Commissary to withdraw a wad of credits, we set off for the hangar.

I barely greeted the women, and I did my best to scarf down the food as fast as I could. I think I surprised both Ixma and Calia by how fast I put it away. I'm sure the food was good, but I hardly tasted it. The brevity of my greeting probably edged into brusqueness, but I was in a hurry to look at the homes. Anton, Sowitwee, and Doyya stayed behind. I noted Doyya was awake, looking less pale, but I didn't have time to chat.

Within thirty minutes, I had the women and the girls loaded, and we were off.

Once in the ChoCac, with Calia beside me and Ixma behind me with the girls in their safety seats, I apologized for my behavior.

"It's all right, Ranji," Calia replied. "You can make it up to us later."

"Oh, yeah," Ixma echoed. "Some tender loving care later, with emphasis on the loving. And a lot of it."

"Sounds like a deep subject," Calia grinned.

"Really deep," Ixma assured her. "But Ranji's good at probing all the nooks and crannies so that it feels thoroughly explored."

Calia gave me a sultry gaze. "I think I want some of that penetrating exploration myself. What do you say, Ranji?"

Responding at all was too dangerous, I thought.

I checked on the girls from the rear-view mirror. Sisi had her headphones on, playing with her tablet. Mina had her eyes closed, clutching her stuffed rabbit and sucking her thumb.

I turned my attention to finding the address for the first home on the HUD.

We spent about ninety minutes at each house. Sergeant Kitam had two squads of inspectors with him, checking insulation, plumbing, power read-outs, and the like. Sergeant Neela, too, had two assistants helping her as well.

Sisi and Mina ran about, eagerly checking out cabinets and closets, playing hide and seek and generally having a good time. Ixma looked about the spacious areas, impressed, but she stayed within earshot of the girls while Calia and I looked the place over.

Battle Row and Fortress Lane. Neither place had a yard to speak of. Both houses were two-storied, with a single-vehicle garage. The house on Battle Row had six rooms and two bathrooms, and a small enclosed patio. The place on Fortress Lane had but four bedrooms, but it did sport an indoor hot tub with jacuzzi vents.

I saw right away that the quality of the construction of both houses was much better than the cottage on West Seashell Lane. But neither one spoke to me. The patio and the hot tub were both nice additions, and I could imagine how well the hot tub would be received, but I wanted more room than either of these two places offered.

At the end of touring the second house, I asked both sergeants to send me their evaluations and paid them for their time. I asked Neela, "How difficult is it to modify a residence? Say, if I wanted to turn a bedroom into a full bathing facility? Or to add more solar collectors?"

She shrugged. "It's actually pretty easy now, Lieutenant. There is some paperwork. Fees, of course, but they are affordable. And there's the inspections during construction to make sure it's up to code, and to update the floor plans with security."

Using my laptop, I sent a message to Gerlotsl, confirming my intention to see the other three available places, authorizing the payment, and then sending the addresses to Kitam and Neela. Both agreed to meet the next night. We said goodbye, locked up, and loaded into the ChoCac.

Sisi and Mina had had fun running madly about, giggling and shrieking with laughter. But once they were secure in their seats, they were out almost immediately.

"We're doing this again tomorrow?" Calia asked, settling into her seat beside me. Ixma sat behind me, next to Mina.

"Yes," I replied. "We really need to get out of the hangar and into a place of our own. As soon as possible."

"You're right, of course," Calia said. "Still, you can't keep pushing yourself, Ranji. You're tired and you look it. You plan on dropping us off and going to visit your Janetta at the hospital?"

"Yes, I do."

"No, Ranji," she informed me. "We visited them again this afternoon, and all of us talked about it. Your Janetta, Zinja, Ixma, Cholan, and me. All of us agreed. Finding a place is important, but in taking care of all of us, you need to remember to take care of yourself, too. And that means you getting a good night's sleep."

"But I want to see Janetta–"

Ixma leaned forward and put her hand on my shoulder. "Please listen, sir. The Captain knows why you aren't there right now, and she isn't expecting you tonight. You were there last night. Go see her tomorrow during the day for a short visit. But it's already late. With all due respect, you need some decent sleep."

I glanced at Calia, then at Ixma in the rear-view mirror. "Just when exactly did this revolution take place?"

My voice was harsher than I'd meant, but I was suddenly angry.

"What?" Ixma pulled back her hand like she'd been stung.

"You heard me. When did you decide that I'm not handling my part in things? Is there anything else you've decided that I need to do?" I didn't know why, but I felt like they were trying to box me in.

"You are proving our point," Calia said quietly.

"What in the seven hells is that supposed to mean?" I snapped.

"Nothing," Calia muttered, suddenly staring out the passenger window.

"Oh, now I know there's something! Out with it!"

Calia glared at me. "With all due respect, you are being a real ass, my lord. And if you are going to be this way, I wish you'd wait until you are out of earshot of Ixma and your daughters. They do not deserve to hear such childish nonsense."

My retort died when I caught Sisi's wide-eyed look in the mirror. My yelling had awakened her. Then–

"Taking evasive action," the AI suddenly intoned. The wheel jerked in my hand and the vehicle braked, coming to a firm stop.

I'd let myself get distracted and drifted, nearly hitting a light pole.

I looked at them and then away, anger turning to shame, and then I was grateful that the AI had taken control and avoided an accident.

After a short pause, Calia spoke. "This is so unlike you. What's really bothering you, Ranji?"

She was right, of course.

Still, I didn't answer, taking calming breaths and unable to look at anyone.

"Look, no one's hurt," she said, putting her hand to my shoulder. "You are exhausted, taking on so much. Real love is more than just giving. It's also about learning to receive, and it's communication. You are good at the giving, but not so good about taking care of yourself. Talk to us. Let us know what's going on in your head and your heart. Please, Ranji. Let us in."

Calia spoke the truth and I knew it.

I took a long breath, and like that, calm descended. "You are absolutely right. Both of you. First, I want to say that I'm sorry. I love each of you and I wasn't showing it. But not here. Let's get the girls back and put to bed first."

I backed up the vehicle and resumed driving. Within a few minutes we were back at the hangar. I pulled into the bay, and the two women retrieved the girls. I went straight to the refrigerator and pulled out a millet beer, popped off the cap and took a long swallow, draining half in one go. The cold alcohol going down my throat felt good.

When I turned, I saw Calia and Ixma talking to Sisi quietly. The small girl looked at me, then hugged Ixma tightly.

I finished the beer and tossed the empty into the recycle bin.

The truth was I was still angry about what had happened to our home and the destruction of the personal belongings of the people in my care. The injuries to Janetta, Cholan, and Zinja. Janetta's pistol from her father, stolen. The thefts of Sowitwee and Nariya's things, leaving them with nothing but what they had on their backs. Yalcamara and Stimmi being held and beaten in the hospital, and then Meba and Rilli. I wondered whether the two women had merely been unlucky? Or had they been picked to test my resolve in enforcing the Unit Protection Order? Nearly losing Doyya. Worrying about Melannee and how she fared. And my desire and need to find us a new home. I had taken their concern as meddling and a critique, when it wasn't intended that way at all. The look in Sisi's eyes. It was nearly too much. I took another long drink.

What kept it all together for me was the love of these women. I was so lucky to have their trust and affection and I knew it. They were right. I needed down time. Because of youth, I had the ability to push myself for long hours. I could and did push myself for days at a time. But eventually everyone has a breaking point. I was nearly at mine.

Yet there was still so much to do! And with all the chaos, I'd let my exercise time fall by the wayside once again. That lack certainly contributed to my edginess. Sex was a good outlet, but I needed to expend myself in real physical effort.

Calia leaned down by Ixma and Sisi, whispering and smiling at the girl.

Going up to them, I squatted down, looking at my oldest daughter. "If I scared you, Sisi, I am truly sorry. We need a home to live in, and I'm trying my best to find us one. Please don't be afraid of me."

She looked at me for a long moment, glanced at Ixma who nodded to her, then she nodded cautiously. "Okay, 'Tenant."

"Everyone has bad days, Sisi," Calia assured her. "Ranji loves us, and he would never, ever hurt us. I have known him for many years, and even when we yell at each other, sometimes quite loudly, he has never hit me."

I blinked. "What's this about hitting?"

"Tell him what you told me," Ixma urged Sisi.

"When Papa got mad, sometimes he'd hit Mama."

I was floored. No anger, no recrimination. When Papa got mad, he hit Mama. Simple as that. Like grass was green and the sun rose every day. I'd yelled at Calia and Sisi had expected me to hit her.

"We don't hit the people we love, Sisi," I explained, crouching down to be at her eye level. "You can defend yourself if someone hurts you. Calia, Ixma, Mina, and you – you are my family. You don't hit when you are mad, and you never, ever hit anyone in your family. That's one of the rules. Mina is your family and she's younger, so another rule is that because you are older, you help take of her, and you help keep her safe. Mina has to do what you tell her if it keeps her safe or if it's the right thing to do – not because you want her to do something for you. Just as it's a rule that all of us grown ups take care of you and Mina."

"'Cause you love us?" Sisi asked.

I smiled at her, nodding. "That's exactly right, Sisi. Because we love you. You are my girl now. And at the earliest opportunity, you need to meet your grandparents. They will be so happy to meet such a smart and pretty little girl."

"I'm a ma'am?"

I laughed. "Yes, ma'am, Sisi!" I hugged her tight, and she hugged me right back.

"You give good hugs, 'Tenant."

I think my heart melted. Calia gave me an emotional smile.

Then I looked at her and Ixma. "Besides Queschuan, I want them to learn Vedan and Oexecan. If we can find tutors, Sisi should also learn Tacanan, and Mina should learn Sharanahuan. That way, if they decide to go looking for kinfolk when they're adults, they can speak with their relatives. The only one they need to read is Queschuan. Any others should be encouraged but they are optional."

"Four languages?" Ixma asked.

I shrugged. "I speak six already. Queschuan, Vedan, Pano, Atlantean, Yucatec-Mayan, and Nahuatl. I expect I will have to learn Hasseeyet and possibly Creekan for getting around in the Seven Nations. And because the mothers of my children are Oexecan, I intend to learn that language, too."

"You are a Warrior, trained to lead," Ixma said. "I'm just a–"

"Warrior, too. Don't go there, Ixma. Think of all you have accomplished! You have faced enemies and you are still standing! Do not limit yourself. You will just make me angry. Your mother is a smart woman, and I know for a fact that you are, too. You may not be used to stretching your mind or had access to the education I have, but you are quite capable. And I hope, with everything else going on, you are still using your tablet computer to continue your learning." I paused for emphasis. "That's part of what makes you so beautiful is that you are intelligent. I do see you, Ixma Ba'lanchicotl."

Whatever she had planned to say was left unsaid. Ixma flushed from the praise, her lower lip trembling.

"Also," I added, "Get the girls full genetic scans for their records, and full medical exams. You, too, Ixma. I'm presuming you've had that done, Calia, but if not, you get scanned and checked, too. A genomic baseline and regular phenomic records are important to keeping you healthy. Am I clear?"

"We'll take care of it," they assured me.

Grinning at the little girl, I asked, "Don't you think your sister Ixma is pretty, Sisi? Pretty, just like you?"

Sisi gave a sly smile, then nodded sagely. "We're ladies. You said so."

"Yes, ma'am. You got that right." I stood up, caressing Sisi's hair. "Ixma and Calia, I want to say again I'm sorry for losing my temper. Please forgive me. You are right, I am exhausted. I will take your advice and stay here tonight. Now, I'm going to do a bit of exercise to clear my mind."

Calia smiled with amusement at Ixma's reaction. "Going for a run, my lord?"

"I thought about it, but I think I'll work on some katas instead."

Calia's face brightened. "It's been a long time since we've done that together! May I practice with you?"

"Certainly," I answered, suddenly pleased. Returning to the portable wardrobe, I selected a clean tee-shirt and shorts. After taking care of the gear in my pockets and securing my weapon, I changed. Even with the hangar doors open, the night was warm.

I saw Sowitwee chatting quietly with Doyya. Anton typed away on his tablet. Sisi and Ixma talked, and Mina lay on the bed beside them, mouth open as she gently snored, oblivious to the world, and absolutely precious.

Calia removed her soft leather shoes, and she stood about two arms-length beside me.

Taking a long, slow breath, I began stretching. Calia matched me, move for move. Suddenly pleased, I smiled as I extended my limbs, feeling tendons pull and muscles begin to work. Long practiced moves flowed automatically, and I began to clear my thoughts.

I wondered if Calia had been practicing with Styen during my absence. While she willingly practiced katas beside me, she steadfastly refused to ever practice hand-to-hand combat with me. Partly it was the training as a Personal Servant. But Calia had once told me the thought of raising her hand against me even to practice the skill made her heart hurt.

Katas are the attack and defense drills by which one practices martial arts. It helps you to focus and forces you to be mentally calm while your body moves. Practice enough and the moves become automatic. Helpful in an emergency, when you have little time to react. You see a threat and you respond. Dodge, defend, or counter attack. Each school of combat usually requires that you complete a kata at each stage of proficiency.

Civilian schools of martial arts often focus on skill, art, and defense. Military emphasis is to quickly maim or kill an enemy and move on.

The main schools within the Empire were Bear (mudjakiwis), Jaguar (uturuncu), Hummingbird (qinchu), Eagle (angawa), and Snake (katari). Bear school had been influenced by the Seven Nations hand-to-hand combat practices.

Bear and Jaguar schools both emphasized power. Hummingbird focused on defense by avoidance and attacks through speed and agility. Snake and Eagle both had stylized strikes, but also included strong methods of defense.

Of course, there were similarities to other styles used around the world. The Vedan Tiger style, for example, had many similarities to the Chimorran Jaguar school. The various styles tended to focus on one or two aspects – hand attacks, feet attacks, pins and locks, jumping, tumbling, even to using improvised weapons or in combination with sword or knife strikes. Some masters claimed feats that bordered on psychic abilities. Because of Styen's training, Calia and I were well-versed in both the Jaguar and Snake schools.

I took a deep breath and forced my mind to clear. I began the first Jaguar kata. Watching her move with me brought back many good memories. In a way, that was as calming and good as the exercise itself. I let memory take over.

Like two dancers, Calia and I stretched and moved, arms rising and then twisting, legs lifting and bodies turning. Together we moved, in sync.

Ixma brushed Sisi's hair, but after a few minutes, they whispered, and then Sisi approached, standing respectfully a short distance away, Ixma behind her.

I paused. "Yes, Sisi?"

"Can I learn, 'Tenant?"

"Of course," I grinned, bowing to her. "You, too, Ixma. Shoes off and go stand by Calia. Pull out your shirt so it doesn't tug when you stretch."

Ixma hesitated, but Calia waved her over, and she took her place beside us.

We began with stretching again, more prolonged because Ixma and Sisi were new. Within moments, I envied my oldest daughter. Small children are often amazingly flexible, able to do positions and moves that would actually injure an untrained adult.

Once the stretches were done, Calia and I moved slowly through the first kata, repeating it over and over. There were corrections, of course, but Ixma and Sisi kept at it. Over the next hour and a half, we worked.

At the end of completing the first kata, all of us were sweating. I praised Ixma and Sisi for their efforts, and made sure everyone drank some of the electrolyte-enhanced water. Ixma and Sisi cleaned up at the shower first while Calia and I stepped through the first ten katas of both schools before I called enough. I was impressed that she'd kept pace the whole time.

Both of us breathing hard, Calia just looked at me and smiled, sweat trickling down her face. My muscles burned, and I could tell by how she moved that Calia had pushed herself as well. With a gesture full of meaning, she took my hand, kissed my palm, turned and held it to her cheek, her eyes full of love. Without a word, she released me and went to take her turn under the cooling water.

Ixma lay on the bed, Mina between her and Sisi. Mina was asleep, but I heard Ixma singing quietly to them. The Farming Song. Sisi tried to sing a few of the words, but they came out as mumbles as she faded to sleep.

Since Doyya was still awake, I went to check on her. Sowitwee moved to leave, but I shook my head. "Stay, Sowitwee. How is my kick-ass Second doing?"

"Still sore, sir," she answered ruefully. Doyya was still pale, but she looked much better than when we'd first found her in the warehouse.

"The corporal was filling me on what's happening at work. Buses? Is that for real?"

I nodded.

She grinned at me, even laughing a bit. "I can't wait to get back to duty, sir. This job just keeps getting better and better."

"If you feel up to it, come to work for half a day tomorrow. I'll bring you back at lunch time, before I go visit the Naval hospital."