Page 1 of Tender Captivity
Chapter 1
“I want to support the new cresh law,” Marlinian said with an apologetic rumble. “But my providence is against it. To vote in favor would mean I would be going against their wishes.”
Holian was so accustomed to holding back impatient rattles that it didn’t even require effort to remain silent at Marlinian’s answer. However, he found it difficult to keep his tone even when all he wanted to do was demand this Talin stop being such a coward.
“Have you had a chance to truly discuss the ordinance proposal with your providence? I’m sure if you explained how beneficial it would be, they would be more inclined to have you vote in favor of it.”
“I made myself available for discussions and put an open meeting on the UniBase roster, but no one responded.”
As with all Talins, Marlinian’s face lacked the mobility to create expressions, but his body language was easy for Holian to read. Talins might train themselves not to rattle their back platesor rumble out emotional responses from their chest boxes, but it was much harder to train a body not to tense up or fidget.
It was obvious by the way Marlinian was sitting that he was trying to convey sincerity, but it was all a lie. Holian knew he’d done nothing to broach the subject with the clan leadership in his providence. And now Holian had a good feel for what this politician did with his body when he was telling a falsehood.
Holian decided to press Marlinian. “I didn’t see an open meeting on your providence’s UniBase notification,” he commented. “I would have attended.”
“It would have been an honor to have someone of such high esteem attending a lowly clan assembly,” Marlinian said, and Holian knew he was figuring out how to cover his tracks. Lying bastard. “I took the notice down after no one attended. Didn’t want it cluttering up the UniBase.
“Understandable,” Holian murmured. “No need to keep records of a meeting no one attended.”
He needed Marlinian to invite him to speak to his clan leaders. As an elected Servant Citizen, Marlinian represented all the clans in his providence at the Apogee Assembly, the central governing authority for all Talins. If Holian wasn’t careful, Marlinian would make sure the providence turned against him and maybe even the whole Reformist cause.
Playing politics was like walking along a cliff, unable to tell where the path was solid and where it would crumble out from under him. And the entire time he had to be polite. It was exhausting.
One of Marlinian’s staff entered the room. “Servant Citizen Marlinian, there’s an urgent request for you.”
Holian wasn’t surprised by the servant’s appearance. Marlinian had probably instructed him to interrupt their meeting. But the tactic wasn’t going to work.
“Please see to your tasks,” Holian urged Marlinian before he could suggest Holian leave. “I’ll take a stroll in your gardens and wait until you’ve settled matters.”
Both the servant and Marlinian were stunned into silence. Then Marlinian hastily got to his feet. “Would you be more comfortable returning to your estate? I can visit you when my schedule allows it. Someone of your stature, Commandant, shouldn’t be kept waiting on me.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Holian answered, enjoying the way Marlinian was fumbling with the Ident Cube on his hip. “I made sure to have the entire day free to visit you. These matters are much too important to have a time limit set on our discussions.”
Holian enjoyed this part of political warfare. He’d managed to neatly box Marlinian into continuing their meeting once he was finished dealing with his “urgent matter.” If he tried to hide from Holian all day, he’d need to have a truly urgent issue to show for it or risk looking like the coward he was.
Feeling lighthearted, Holian dipped his head and slapped a hand to his chest, a typical Talin gesture of greeting or departure. “Come find me once you’re free to return to our talk.”
Then he boldly strode out the nearby door. He expected it wouldn’t be long before Marlinian came searching for him so they could continue their meeting. He’d make sure to drag it out until Marlinian had no choice but to extend an offer for Holian to speak at the next clan assembly in his providence.
Marlinian’s small estate wasn’t difficult to navigate, and soon Holian found his way into a nicely tended garden. It felt good to be outside, and walking the grounds would help ease the tension in his neck and shoulders. It had been a while since he’d had a training session, and he felt the lack of activity. Even after he achieved a high status in the Talin military, he’d continued to train with the rank-and-file soldiers under him.
Most admired him for it, but if he was honest, the physical activity kept him sane. He needed it, especially now that he was forced to spend so much time dealing with complex politics.
What he wouldn’t give to be back on Kalor Colony surrounded by friends. Making sure all the human pets and Talins under his care were safe and happy. Or at least content. Some of the retired soldiers who called Kalor Colony home would always struggle with being happy, but at least he could provide a place for them to be comfortable.
A cry of pain had Holian sprinting through the lush garden even before he truly registered what he’d heard.
Crashing through a decorative series of bushes, he found himself in a small patch of grass surrounded by ornamental seating. At the center was a human female cowering at the feet of her Talin owner. The Talin’s arm was raised as if to strike her as she curled into a ball and tried to protect her head.
Fearful he wouldn’t reach her before that fist descended, Holian launched himself at the Talin. They both went down in a tangle of limbs, crashing into a raised bed of ornamental plants.
Holian ended up on top, but his hope of a quick victory was dashed when the male skillfully flipped him off. Easily rolling to his feet, Holian looked around for the little human female. She’d scrambled backward until she was half hidden under a bench. It wasn’t much cover, and if either of them crashed into it, she might be injured.
“You should go to the house,” he told her. “I’ll—”
A loud war rattle interrupted Holian. Swinging around, he brought his arms up in time to defend himself against a ferocious attack by the stranger. No time to get the little human to safety. His best bet would be to move the battle away from her.
Logically he should probably try and talk to this male, get him to calm down and explain why he shouldn’t hit a human. Buthe wasn’t interested in logic or niceties. He wanted to hurt this Talin who thought to abuse someone under his care.
