Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 01

Her eyes widened. "Yes, sir! I'll call him right now. Please be safe, Commander!"

"I'll do my best. Have a good day, Hanami. See you tomorrow."

"You, too, sir. And thank you for lunch!"

As I strode along the aisle, Mack rose up from her chair and approached. "Where to, Commander?"

"Home, Mack. Where's Akama?"

"She saw you turning off the lights to your office, tapped me, and went to bring the cruiser up to the front door, sir. Did you hear about Sergeant Vaniksl?"

I smiled. "I did. I'm sure she will do a fine job assisting Lieutenant Kraydee. She's got her work cut for her, but with her years of field experience, I'm sure she's up to the task." Lieutenant Kraydee had been selected as Doyya's new Second to replace Yalcamara, commanding the First Platoon. Vaniksl was getting bumped to Third Sergeant as a bonus.

As we walked to the front doors, Mack added, "Corporal Menali will replace Vaniksl on bodyguard detail effective tonight. Laylandi will show Menali the ropes, sir."

"I'm sure she will."

As I climbed into the back seat, I took off my helmet and reflected on all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

Mack cleared her throat. "Did I hear you correctly, Commander? Some VIPs are coming to High Guard and they might cause trouble?"

"That's right, Mack. Shit. I forgot to let Doyya know about that little tidbit." Taking out my phone, I dialed Doyya back.

This time she answered on the first ring. "Yes, Commander?"

"In all the fuss, I forgot to mention that Lady Izel's brother is arriving tonight at High Guard around dinner time. I'm told he has sixty-two in his retinue, and I heard that most of those are men-at-arms. He arrived via a diplomatic visa provided by Imperial Security. Add that to the groom her brother picked out. He's here to take Lady Izel back to their family home by force if necessary. I intend to disabuse him of several of his notions about his sister and what he can get away with. I'd like plenty of troopers armed with heavy stunners available. I'll authorize the overtime for our people. Handle it, Watch Commander. If it does turn violent, I'll want Lord Kirfan in isolation where I intend to interrogate him."

Mack and Akama's eyes widened. The connection was loud enough. They had no problem hearing what Doyya said as well.

"All right, Commander. I'll call Ground Security, too. You'll be wedded and bedded before you know it. If Lord Kirfan wants to crash the party at High Guard, we'll give him a reception he won't soon forget."

I heard Chita add something, but couldn't make it out. "What did she say?"

Doyya laughed. "The sergeant is sometimes a bit earthy, sir."

I cleared my throat. "And?"

She chuckled. "Yes, sir. She said it'll be a surprise butt fuck just for him, and you know what they say about surprise butt fucks: it is better to give than to receive."

Mack and Akama both snorted rather loudly. Laughing, I said, "I had never, ever considered that, but it certainly does sound like excellent advice. I'll see you both at the temple at fifteen hundred. Wedded and bedded, Doyya?"

"Yes, sir. We'll be there, Commander, with bells on our toes. Llam nuqan."

* * * * *

Part 4 -- Clarifying Some Details

* * * * *

When we arrived at home, Mack got out, slipping on her helmet while scanning around. I put on my own helmet and double-checked my vest. Akama also helmeted up and stepped outside the cruiser, maintaining her watchfulness while Mack came around and opened my door.

"Looks clear, sir."

As we walked up the sidewalk, I took note of the three civilian ChoCacs parked in front. Probably Izel's staff. Akama parked the cruiser while Mack and I strode up the walk.

"Hello, Commander." Sowitwee's voice came from above.

Stepping back, I saw him on the fenced deck over the gym. Nearby sat Nariya and their infant son, along with Daydo, Terra, and Salvia. All of them looked at me. Private Quico was there, too, geared up and carrying a rifle as he kept a perimeter watch.

"Having a late lunch outside today?" I called back, surprised.

"Nope. Getting some air. I should warn you, it's pretty hectic inside, Commander."

Then I noticed it was my aide, his family, and our servants. I hoped it wasn't a matter of Izel's people driving out mine. If so, that was so not going to fly.

"I see. Thank you for the heads up."

He waved in reply.

Inside the house, it was indeed a veritable hive of activity. Taking off the helmet and handing it to Mack, I stood in the foyer taking everything in.

Janetta stood in the living room, engaged with both Calia and Izel in an animated discussion. Zinja stood close to her officer. When she saw me, she looked relieved. Six servants hovered around Izel, trying to get her attention. Two trying their best to make adjustments to the fancy dress she wore, two more worked on a headdress, while the last two held out fancy shoes for their mistress to select from.

Hovering around the room's edges were Izel's retinue of bodyguards looking both bored and alert at the same time. I also quickly located three of my troopers as well. Two were in the front room ostensibly guarding the front door while the third was at the top of the landing, and likely Quico's partner. The troopers in the front room also looked somewhat harried as they chatted quietly with Mack.

In the kitchen were more strangers busily moving about. One chopped vegetables while another worked busily at the stove.

No sign of Ixma, Cholan, or my girls.

Calia noticed me and paused, but within a half-second Janetta and Izel picked up on my presence. All three moved toward me.

"Did you make the arrangements, Kandikan?" Janetta asked.

"I did. There is only one priest available for weeks. Actually, it's a priestess and it's at the Temple of the Jade Goddess at fifteen hundred this afternoon. Now what--?"

Janetta took a step forward. "Did you get someone to stand for her? Kandikan? Did you get someone for Izel?"

Puzzled, I said, "Stand for her? No, I did not. I thought only minors needed someone to stand for them? Izel is most certainly not a minor."

"The Jade Goddess? That's not Nahua! She will not be acceptable to our people!" That came from one of her retinue, someone with fancy braids and ribbons on his uniform. I raised my eyebrows at him. He glared back at me, then catching Izel's frown, he turned away.

"Kandikan! Are you listening to me?" Janetta exclaimed. "This is impor--!"

Izel scowled at Janetta. "Hey! Who's getting married here, me or you? I have my own questions I want answered!"

Janetta scowled right back at her. "Stop interrupting, Izel! I'm trying to talk to Kandikan!"

I held up my hands. "Stop it, right now! Both of you! I can't answer either one of you if both of you are coming at me at the same time. I'll tell you what I know, and then, one at a time, alternating, I'll answer questions."

Calia suddenly gave me an indulgent smile, bowed, and stepped away. Good luck, my lord. I think you'll need it. I'm going to work on damage control elsewhere.

Damage control? I thought. Uh oh.

I waited a moment, and both women remain silent, Janetta tapping her foot impatiently. "Thank you. Like I said, the Jade Goddess is available today. All the other temples are booked up. Izel, you've told me getting married is important. However, if you object to a priestess of the Jade Goddess officiating, tell me now. You should also know that your brother is on his way here to High Guard with sixty-two in his retinue. He is expected to arrive at High Guard this evening."

Izel gasped, her face paling.

"I don't know how many of them are men-at-arms," I continued, sparing a glance for her bodyguard, "but I'm assuming it's most of them. If it comes to straight-up fighting, his men outnumber yours better than four to one. Those are not good odds. And despite what anyone says, the temple of the Jade Goddess is a legally recognized church within the Empire. Sanctuary gives me some leverage, but as you've pointed out, Izel, I will have a lot more rights in protecting you if we are wed. The ceremony today, while legal, is only a placeholder. I knew that if we did this wedding, we would have to have another larger, grander ceremony at a later date so that the regiment and other important people could attend if they wanted. However, this is your life and your decision, Izel. What say you?"

"I... I would prefer to have a husband by the end of today, my lord. I'd rather not marry the man my brother picked. Nor, if I can help it, do I ever want to see my brother again -- except at his funeral, where I will take pleasure in pissing on his grave."

Suddenly Janetta narrowed her eyes at me. "So you will be the only thing between her and her brother. Which puts you smack dab in the middle again, Kandikan. Terrific. Just terrific."

I grinned back at her. "My beautiful, lovely warrior, did you think it would get safer for me as I rose in rank? It apparently doesn't work that way. And yet I have you and the rest of my family for compensation, so I'm good."

Zinja discreetly grinned wryly, but Janetta wasn't happy.

Izel's head guard stepped closer. "Mistress, I urge you again not to marry this man!"

"We've had this conversation already," Izel replied, frowning. "I've also explained why I came here. Captain Tsocotchi, in the service of the Empress and a warrior of great honor and discernment in her own right, told me I would find Lord Kandikan to be both a real warrior and a good man. From her, that is the highest praise! From all I've seen and heard thus far, he is even more than I've dreamt possible."

"We can find someone else," he insisted, taking another step toward her.

"Whom would you suggest, Lord Chiatl?" Izel whirled on him, her anger rising. "No one else of the great families is willing to face my brother over my future. They stand aside and say, 'It's family business. Let us know how it works out for you!' Lord Kandikan had some good words on those excuses. Words that I judge to have great merit. On the way here, you even suggested yourself as a candidate, but you are not willing to face Kirfan's champion. Which means you will not defy my brother, which makes you useless, even if I were otherwise well-disposed to your offer."

I raised my eyebrows at that revelation.

"Then we can run to another place," he said.

"There is no place in the Empire I can hide! Only their Imperial Majesties can help, and I do not see that happening. The Emperor doesn't know who I am, and the Empress is in seclusion nearing her birth time. I'm rich and wealthy and learned, but I have no experience with subterfuge. If I fled the Empire, I would stand out like a single rain tree on the savannah. If I wasn't sold back to my brother, I'd end up in chains or worse." Then she turned to face me. "You are my only chance, my lord. The Jade Goddess is perfectly acceptable."

"The general beat him!" Chiatl protested.

"He did not!" Janetta snarled, stepping between Izel and Chiatl. "The general used poison and a weapon in a duel of honor!"

"No!" Chiatl shouted back. "I saw the fight. The general was a Hummingbird Master. A rated champion. The general scored several hits while this man did nothing! Nothing!"

"You are blind then," Janetta growled. "I saw the fight, too. Before he was poisoned, Kandikan had his measure. I saw it in his eyes. No, your general got some initial hits in, but Kandikan had him figured out. He didn't have a chance."

I held up my hand, and Janetta glared, but nonetheless quieted. I turned to Lord Chiatl. "We haven't been formally introduced yet. I am Ranji Kandikan, lord of this house. You are?"

"Onco Chiatl, Lord of Ecatepec and Defender of Toluca Valley." He didn't bother to hide the disdain in his voice.

"And your relationship to Lady Izel is what exactly?"

He stood straighter. "I serve as Captain of her ladyship's personal bodyguard."

"All right, you've made your objections clear, and Lady Izel has made her position clear as well. She needs people she can count on. People who will support her. As her subordinate, it is your duty to accept that ruling, even if you disagree with it. And for the record, Lady Tlacotli is right. If he hadn't poisoned me, I would have taken the general."

"Now you're bragging. You are young and too inexperienced."

"Do you and I need to have a test of arms?" I replied, feeling my irritation rise.

"I'm in the prime of my life," he sneered.

"Ranji," Janetta muttered. "Do we have time for this?"

I took a calming breath. "You're quite right, Janetta, we don't have time for this. Chiatl, the expected meeting with Lord Kirfan may answer many of your questions about me. If not, let me know and we can have it out at the Air Service gym with a regulation ring and referee. In the meantime, show your loyalty to your mistress by not challenging her decisions. When you publicly challenge her again and again, you undermine her authority. And frankly, I don't care what kind of history there is between you two, it's pissing me off. I'd also suggest you watch how you talk about me."

"Why? Because it hurts your feelings?"

"No, but my troopers are very protective of me and my family. They just might stun your ass, put you into cuffs, and toss you in a closet for bad-mouthing their CO."

Chiatl glanced at Mack and Akama.

Both women glared at him, their hands on their stunners, ready to draw. Akama actually growled at him.

Giving me a sharp nod, he shut up.

Zinja had to turn away to hide her grin.

I took another deliberate breath, then continued. "Next topic. No one is standing for Izel. She's an adult woman. However, I think it's important that you have a warrior maiden, Izel. I'm recommending you accept Janetta for that role. It will signal to everyone that she approves of the wedding. She is an excellent warrior, and like you, she's Nahua."

The two women looked at each other, then gazed back at me.

"That's actually a good idea. All right, Ranji, I'll do it," Janetta murmured, looking at me with approval.

"As you wish, my lord," Izel agreed.

"As for your retinue, they need to move from their current quarters right now. I have a new location for them." I dug out the paper with the address from my breast pocket. "If Kirfan's people find any of your people in the VIP compound, Izel, it's likely he'll overwhelm them and kill them. I would expect any possessions to be gone through as well." I handed Chiatl the address. Hanami had thoughtfully added a map from the VIP compound to the new location.

"Everyone's here, my lord," she answered. "Still, I would prefer that our possessions are undisturbed. Lord Chiatl, please take Awmi and Ketra and your men and go move our things immediately. It's already approaching first bell after noon. We don't have much time left to prepare and I would like you done with this task and there at the temple."

Chiatl took the papers and looked at me. "How will we find you?"

"Akama, please call Dispatch and ask for a patrol to escort these men to the VIP quarters, show them the way to their new place, and get them to the temple afterward."

"Yes, Commander." Motioning with her hand for Chiatl to follow, Akama stepped toward the front room.

Looking at Janetta and Izel, I said, "I've a bit more to say. Please put your mind at ease. Priestess Xiao has said she is familiar with how to do a Nahua marriage, so she will give you a proper ceremony. Next, what's going on in the kitchen, and where are my girls?"

Izel explained, "My servants are preparing an authentic Nahua wedding meal, my lord."

"No, Kandikan," Janetta said. "The meal is eaten before the wedding."

I nodded. "I had a late breakfast, but I could eat again. All right. I look forward to it. I'm sure Janetta and the others will enjoy it as well. Now, where are my girls?"

"They're upstairs with Ixma and Cholan, Commander," Zinja volunteered. "I had a talk with Sisi about what's happening."

Nodding, I said, "I still should talk to her. Mina won't understand, but Sisi will know. I'm her dad. I should tell her myself and answer any questions she has."

"Thank you, Zinja." Leaning close, I cupped her face and kissed her. She flushed but looked pleased with the attention.

Then moving to Janetta, I looked at her. "Hello, my lovely warrior. Shall I greet you and show you how much I love you as well?"

"Just a kiss, Kandikan. No groping," she said. I held her face and gave her a few tender kisses and let her go. She smiled regretfully. "Thanks. That was nice. It's never been this bad before. Calia worked over our lower backs this morning, but Zinja and I are still hurting. I'm going to go take a long, hot bath before I get dressed. Come on, Zinja."

Izel and I stood facing each other. She looked at me unsure, so I opened my arms. Surprise flashed over, but then she embraced me and looked up, her face full of questions.

"If you're having second thoughts, I will still protect you, Izel. You have all the way until the priestess concludes the wedding vows to change your mind, and it won't have any effect on your Sanctuary. Once you become my wife, you will always have the right to say no to any sexual advances I offer to you. I will never force you. However, to give you fair warning, the priestess told me she will need to see evidence that the marriage is consummated."

She winced and then looked around while keeping her arms around me. "I'm not worried about the marriage or the fact that we must have sex. I am sexually inexperienced, but I am no virgin either. Chiatl's presence has been comforting, but you're absolutely right. His constant challenges to my decisions have been wearing me down. My lord, this whole thing is going to be a lot more difficult than I thought. You really don't even have room for me or my household. I don't know what I was thinking--"

I hugged her tight and kissed her forehead. She buried her face into my chest and squeezed me back. After a few moments, I tilted her head up and gave her a gentle kiss. "It'll all work out, Izel. Please be patient with us, too. Merging two households is going to be challenging, and there will likely need to be compromises from both of us. We aren't fancy here at High Guard, but we take care of our own. We might be able to add to the house, or we might have to move. I don't know. We'll figure it out -- as a family."

"You give good hugs. I... thank you." She relaxed and disengaged.

"Is that vanilla you're wearing?" I asked her.

Izel smiled shyly. "Yes, I'm partial to it. Do you like it?"

"It suits you," I said.

From the stairway, I heard Ixma say, "Slow down, Sisi! Slow down."

Dropping to my knees, I held out my arms. "I am in serious need of a magic hug from both of my girls!"

Sisi's face burst into a grin, and once off the stairs, ran over to me, her little arms eagerly trying their best to encircle me. "Tenant, I missed you today!" She kissed my cheek. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Sisi." After a hug and a few more kisses, I looked for Mina. "Come on, Mina-beena!"

Sisi turned and waved at Mina. "Come on! Tenant needs your hug, too!"

Mina didn't seem to want to leave Ixma, even with encouragement from both of us. Then her mother carried Mina over and handed her to me. "Go on. Give your daddy a hug!"

My youngest dutifully gave me a quick hug, glanced at all the strangers, then turned back, reaching for Ixma. "Mama, up!"

Ixma frowned, but I said, "It's all right. There's been a lot of new people around for her to adjust to. She's fine. Okay, Sisi, have you met this pretty lady here? Her name is Izel, and she's going to become another aunty for you and Mina."

Izel blinked at me, but said nothing.

Looking at my oldest, I asked, "Will you tell me your whole name?"