Starlight Gleaming Ch. 16

The policemen saluted, and I returned it, as did Bilan.

Chian continued, "If you'll excuse us, my lords. We have duty in the morning. Come on, guys. Morning shift is at six bells. Best we get home and get some sleep."

After the policemen departed, Zaniyah turned to me. "I'm sorry, Ranji, for spending all that money for men who ran away at the first sign of trouble."

"Don't look at it that way. You spent that money and found four good men who made all the difference. You did good." I smiled at her. "Besides, those assassins came here to kill me. It is I who should apologize to you."

Zaniyah smiled. "Then we helped each other out. I no longer live in fear, and for that I have to thank my son-in-law. And shush. I know you aren't married, Ranji. Know that in my heart, you are now my son."

"Thank you," I said, smiling. I sat down, catching the attention of Pelita. "I see you made it here in one piece."

She nodded. "I missed all the excitement, my lord, for which I am very grateful."

"You hired a driver?"

"Yes. He brought me out here. He returned to Kochotl to pack his things. He's expected back tomorrow evening. Once he's here, he'll do odd jobs as well as chauffeuring. I've sent his resumé to your email account. I am still looking over applicants for a housekeeper, and for Lady Zaniyah's bodyguards. Considering the local gang situation, for which I've been informed by Teela, her grandsons, and officer Chenu, I think two would be better."

"Good. And agreed. I haven't had a chance yet to catch up on my email. If Lady Zaniyah accepts them, then I am fine with the choices. Send me monthly expenditure reports, and let me know when you need more funds. Anything to add, Bilan?"

He nodded. "Lady Zaniyah. Sergeant Barato will oversee the men staying here until your house is repaired and back into shape. He will also oversee the repairs to this house as well. If you have any concerns, please let him know. We will depart tomorrow morning."

"What time are you leaving?" Teela asked.

"Zero-eight-hundred hours."

"That's military for eight bells, right?" She smiled. "I'll have breakfast ready by seven."

* * * * *

During our time away, Zaniyah had moved back into her own home, and Pelita took one of the guest rooms. The second guest room was set aside for Bilan. The living room was occupied by half his fire team. At Bilan's okay, the engineers were performing inspections fo both houses, bringing things up to code. And converting Zaniyah's attic space into a fourth room.

The rest of the men were packed into Teela's house, and the engineers set up temporary space inside the Tortoise. With one bedroom upstairs out of commission, I took the last space available, the fold-out couch in the basement emergency shelter.

I was healed, but the repeated shocks to my body had left me tired out. My time at Sparantzlo had further worn me down, emotionally and physically. So while the others relaxed and chatted for a while, I retired downstairs. I set my alarm for six hundred hours, and closed my eyes.

The bed was a bit lumpy, but I didn't care. In the morning, I'd be heading back to see all the people I loved. My parents. Janetta. Zinja. Cholan. Ixma, Calia. And my sweet, precious daughters, Sisi and Mina. For my girls, I had only been in their lives such a short, short time. But thinking of their hugs, sitting my lap while I read to them - it all had been a lifeline to me during my time at Sparantzlo, as much as the memories of loving Janetta and each of the women who loved me.

* * * * *

Part of me wasn't surprised to be awakened in the middle of the night. There was a naked woman snuggling in close. I didn't even have to turn on the light to know who it was.

"Teela? What do you think you are doing?"

She suddenly froze. After a few seconds, she asked quietly, "Are you angry, Lord Kandikan?"

"I appreciate your compliment, Teela. You're a good woman with a true heart. I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you know that I love Janetta, Zaniyah's daughter. I've been away from home for a long time. Can you understand that?"

"Yes, my lord. I... I just wanted to be held in the arms of a good man."

I sighed. "All right. But sleep only. No sex. Understood?"

She wiggled, pressing her backside against me.

"Teela!"

She turned, pulling my arm around her. Made sure my palm cupped her breast. "That's better."

I sighed. "Good night, Teela."

"Good night, my lord." I heard the happiness in her words.

* * * * *

My alarm went off at oh-six-hundred.

Teela patted my arm around her waist, and wiggled bare butt against my morning erection. Fortunately, I still had my briefs on.

"I'd best get up," she said. "That was the nicest anyone's done for me in a long while. I didn't get much sleep, but you felt good. Safe."

She moved to get up, but I held on to her shoulder. "Are you going to be all right after we leave?"

She sat up, looking at me over her shoulder. "Probably. When my sons find out what happened, they will no doubt be very angry. But because of the repairs, they won't have anything to complain about. Still, it might not stop them. They like the house for family gatherings, but they also want to put me to work taking care of them. The only thing that's saved me is they can't agree on whom I should live with, which is why Zani's solution that I remain her worked at all. I don't mind taking care of my two grandsons because they don't try to order me around. Plus, they are pretty good boys, and make sure I'm safe."

"I'd like to help, but I'm leaving soon. Still, Zaniyah's situation has changed. If your sons get to be too demanding or try and make you do something you don't want to, you can pledge yourself to your friend. She can offer you protection now. You'd still be close enough to visit your family, but then they couldn't force you to do anything you didn't want to do. You'd be sworn to Zaniyah's service. I'm sure she would be delighted to repay some of your kindnesses to her."

"That's a good idea. I'll talk to Zani about it. And I think you're right. She'd love to do it. Thank you, young lord. For everything." She got up and picked up her nightshirt from the floor.

As she slipped it over her shoulders, I got up. "Wait. I have something for you." I went to the luggage carrier and opened it up. Then opened the backpack. Pulled out three rainbow-colored massagers in their boxes. "One's for you. Give it a try. If you think Zaniyah and Perlita will like them, you can give them one, too."

"Why don't you give them, my lord?"

"Because they're intimate gifts. I don't want to send the wrong message. If it came from you, though, they could enjoy it without it being awkward."

"The picture shows a man using it to rub his leg. Just how is that supposed to be intimate?"

"Sit back on the couch, Teela. Prepare to be amazed."

Puzzled, and still naked, she did as I asked.

I opened one of the boxes and pulled out the little hand massager, with its four legs with rounded nodules on the ends. Flicked the switch on and off. It buzzed.

The noise attracted her attention. "What is it doing?"

I showed it to her. Let her look it over.

As she held it, I smiled. As she looked at it, perplexed, I took it gently from her hand. I ran the vibrating device over her arm and up her shoulder. "How does that feel?"

"Uh... okay?"

"Takes standard rechargeable batteries. You can use it on sore muscles. However, it has other uses. May I be free with you?"

"My lord, I slept naked in your arms, and two days ago, you were balls deep inside me, giving me your seed. I'm up for anything you want to do to me. And my word of honor that I'll keep quiet about it."

Nudging her back, I motioned for her to open her legs. She did, watching curiously. I moved the rumbling, throbbing device over the top of her mound. Watched her eyes widen. When one of the little legs passed by her clitoris, she jumped, clamping her legs closed.

"Oh! Oh, gods!"

At my motion, she re-opened her legs, and I moved one of the buzzing legs to the top of her mound.

"Oh, my gods!" she repeated. "I feel that all the way down, deep into my womb!"

Moving it down, I put one vibrating leg on the top of her mound and another onto her nether lips.

Teela sucked air, her eyes huge. "Oh, that's... oh, sweet goddess, that's incredible!"

Turning it off, I handed it and the box to her. "A gift, from me, to you. Try it out. It's not a man, but it's a start on you enjoying the pleasure your body can give you. And it's always ready. Never too cranky, too tired, or too quick."

She sighed as looked it over. "Is this illegal?"

"Don't let anyone else know about it," I advised. "Especially those nosy sons of yours."

Teela looked at it in wonder, then grinned. "Whenever I use this, I will think of you. Would it bother you if I imagine it's you having your way with me?"

"It's your fantasy, Teela. I don't want to know anything about it. I need to get showered and dressed."

Jumping up, she put her toy into its box, and scooped up the other two. "I'll have breakfast ready soon, my lord." Then she bounded up the stairs.

Closing up the backpack and carrier, I laughed. One for Janetta, four set aside for Ixma, Cholan, Zinja, and Calia. Two spares. Hmm. Maybe give one to Bilan for Rana? That might give him some rest. I laughed even harder.

* * * * *

Breakfast was an enormous affair. From the two hundred credits I'd given her, Teela prepared a morning feast. She busily cooked, and kept the food coming. Bilan's men kept snagging chunks of fresh pan-bread, salsa, pork, cheese, and beans. Homemade hot food was always better than field rations, and well, Ground Service MREs shouldn't even be fed to prisoners of war. I couldn't blame them at all.

Half-an hour later, Zaniyah came by, followed by Perlita, and two Ground Service privates. Each of them carried a tray with more food.

All too soon, most of the food was gone, but a basket of food was packed for Bilan and I to take back with us.

I slipped an envelope with a thousand credits into Teela's flour jar. I marked the outside, 'For Emergency Use. With heartfelt thanks.'

Hugs and farewells, and then we loaded into the newly arrived Tortoise. And we were on our way back to Mohingo War Base. We had to ventilate the back end about an hour into our ride, when Eesa changed Keemo's diaper. But there were also a lot of jokes about him being used as a weapon of mass destruction against the Atlanteans. Eesa quietly took the teasing with a mixture of good humor and a mother's protectiveness.

I opened my laptop and prepared to read all the many emails that had accumulated during my long absence.

Thinking those to be the easiest, I went through the messages from Doyya and Chita first.

Three weeks after my departure, Stimmy had been shot, and both he and Yalcamara had been under sniper fire until help was called in. He was doing better, according to a follow up message.

Both Doyya and Chita had been raped several times by Captain Tonca. Neither one admitted their own pain, but told me what the other woman endured, and their worry. I'd never met the man, but I was furious. How dare he hurt my people!

Corporal Sowitwee had informed Janetta. Her email to me was she'd told Tonca to cease his attacks on my people or face challenge in the Eagle Temple. Commander Voyacherno, however, had forbidden her from issuing any challenges. At all.

Then I learned that my entire command had been transferred to Ground Security, and the busing program taken over by the Ground Service. I was startled by the news, but then I was thankful. In their new home, my people were safe from the predations of Air Security. Even so, Captain Tonca was going to pay!

I turned to more messages from Janetta, her crew, and Calia.

Calia had had bad dreams during the times I'd been tortured at Sparantzlo. I was disturbed and saddened by the news. So far away, how could she know? And there was the dream I'd had after Deedee's death. The dream had been real, I was sure of it now.

Both Calia and Ixma had taken medication to start lactation, and working together, they helped Mina open up. I thought at two she was a bit old for breast-feeding, but it seemed to help Mina with her bonding to Ixma, and even to Calia. Both reported that Mina was talking more, and learning. And laughed when Sisi told Mina corny jokes. She had her own learning tablet now, and was now able to recite and identify the whole Queschuan alphabet. Go Mina!

Messages of love and how much they missed me. From each of them. Janetta, Zinja, Ixma, Cholan, and Calia. Even a couple supposedly written by Sisi and Mina.

Then one from Janetta. Dated about four weeks ago. By how she worded it, I felt myself go cold. Ixma and Calia had been shopping together. Styen was at home, watching the girls with Nariya. Tonca and his men had cornered Calia at the Commissary, and on threat to Ixma, raped Calia, right there in the store! She had been wearing House Kandikan colors, yet they'd hurt her.

My father being Priest Caste should have protected her. And assaulting a Personal Servant, much less raping her, was enough of an insult to warrant a personal challenge, regardless of rank.

Which was probably the goal.

Knowing that gentle Calia had suffered on my account, though, made my heart ache.

I resumed reading. Ixma had discovered the situation, and protested Calia's treatment. Reminded him that House Kandikan was Priest Caste, and that he'd overstepped. At which point Tonca had arrested Ixma, taking her into custody.

My hands shook as I continued reading.

Calia had called Zinja right away. Once Janetta was off duty, she went down to Air Security with Styen and Corporal Sowitwee, demanding to see her. No Ixma. No record of her arrest. Zinja and the others distraught, worried for her. A call to Lieutenant Killayana, and a search of all the cells in the stockade. No Ixma.

My hand shook as I opened the next email, dated the following day. The search was on, aided by Lieutenant Killayana and his people in Ground Security. No news.

I opened the next message. Zinja remembered that Ixma wore the locator bracelet I gave her around her ankle. Several recon Kites went airborne and began pinging, attempting to trigger the bracelet.

The next message, two days later. Janetta's carefully worded statement that Ixma had been found in a secret room within Tonca's own private quarters. Beaten, burned, and starved. Called a half-breed white slut and an Atlantean whore. And again, Tonca was rescued by Voyacherno.

Calia's short, heart-rending message, apologizing for her part, for submitting to Tonca in an effort to protect Ixma. I couldn't believe her words. Didn't she know me better than that? Did she believe I would hold her in any way accountable for the despicable actions of another outside her control?

I wiped my face. I didn't know I had even started to cry.

One from Zinja, grieving for her daughter's pain, but gratefully telling me how everyone one, including Sisi and Mina, rallied to help Ixma heal. Daily magic hugs from the girls to help Ixma feel better. Mina clinging to Ixma, refusing to be away, knowing her new mama was hurting and not knowing how to ease the hurt.

Another one from Janetta, informing me I had to be sure to tell Ixma how much I loved her. Followed by one from her mother, asking me the same thing. Both pleas like arrows into my heart.

At least my command was safe, under the protection of Commander Barankoshto and the 67th Armored Division. And my family was with my parents, far from the reach of Voyacherno and his cowardly scum.

They say a great Warrior is known by the quality of the enemies dead at his feet. I had three. Captain Stryker, Corporal Belton, and Field Commander Herroto Chatolklan. If I had anything to say about it, the bones of Captain Tonca and Commander Voyacherno would join the dead.

I wiped my eyes again. Glancing at my sleeping brother, I wondered how much he knew. Probably all of it.

Meeno and Eesa saw me, but then respectfully looked away.

I went through the messages from my mother. Her heartfelt pride for what I was doing, and gratitude for saving her life. Talking of her correspondence with Calia and Ixma, and learning about my girls. Sharing pictures with her, and forwarded on to me. Her delight about finally meeting my girls. Sisi's delight in learning what a grandmother was, and that she now had one, who read stories to them, gave them plenty of hugs in return, and also gave them nice clothes and treats. Mother confirmed Bilan's tale that Sisi had quickly placed both his boys under her sway. That she was Princess of the World and they were her Warrior Princes. I had to smile. Mother's words eased my heart.

Then an odd one from her, making reference to a follow up visit to the hospital after her release. Seems the medical staff had noticed her uterine abnormality, and with three days of genetic therapy, fixed her situation. I was floored. In that earlier message, dated five weeks after my departure to Sparantzlo, my parents agreed while they enjoyed Bilan's boys, she and father were going to try to give me a sibling.

I blinked, wiped my eyes again, and then took a long, deep breath.

It was odd, thinking of my parents as sexual beings. But, then I shrugged. They had given me love and all the things I needed to be a man. If they were successful, with the age difference and my living away, I would have little contact, and be more like an uncle than a true sibling. But in the grand scheme, it was their choice to have more children, and if it made them happy, I would be happy for them. If my own experience was anything to go by, the child would be loved and cherished.

An email from Cholan talked about finally being released from the hospital, and missing me. Another, later message, talking about her grief at what happened to Calia and Ixma, and her gratitude to the Jade Goddess that Ixma was alive, for the sake of Mina and Sisi.

One from Zinja, dated shortly after I'd left, telling me how weird it felt to no longer have the dental implant. Or the pain in her hip. And ending with how much she and the others missed me. I smiled and thought, you're welcome, Farm Girl.

Ah, a note from Sisi and one from Mina, by way of Ixma's email.

Dear Tenant,

Do you need more magic hugs? Ixma says you do, and she says I can think my hugs to you. I send one everyday. Did you get them?

- Your daughter, Sisi

Mina's message was even shorter.

Thank you for being my Dad. - Mina

Both of my girls were so going to get hugged! I had no doubt Ixma had helped them write the messages. Even so, I thought their words to be sheer poetry.

Bilan, seeing my face, peered at the monitor and read the note. Then he grinned at me and nodded. "Kids. They get you right in the heart sometimes. And there's nothing you can do about it."

"Yeah."

"Your girl, Sisi. Minutes after meeting my boys for the first time, she's ordering them around, Ranji. Mika argues sometimes about it, and it's all harmless stuff, but she's really working on getting both of them to do her bidding. I'd be delighted when they come of age and they're set on making a match. But she has to pick one. She can't have both my sons."

"Bilan, she's four years old. Talk to me in twelve or fourteen years, and then we can start worrying. All right?" After the earlier wounds, this was balm to my heart.

"Just giving you fair warning."

"Noted," I said, smiling.

Then it occurred to me. If a man like me could have five women who lived with me and loved me, why couldn't a woman have more than one man? Maybe someday. And not my battle. But it amused me to think Bilan was worried about exactly that.