Page 36 of Escape from Nova Nine
Julke let go of his hand and stepped forward. “Yes, but first, does Erteke Kraaiensdytr still lead the Judicatory Council, and is she still matriarch of herfamiliestam? And do the Kraaiens still have the largest fleet?”
“Yes, to all those questions.” Benthe’s raised eyebrow invited Julke to continue.
“Then perhaps my information is still of value. Five hundred days ago, I discovered the Kraaiens fleet had secret orders to attack independent traders, shipping companies, CGC military patrol ships, and frontier planets. The goal was not acquisition, but to goad the victims to break alliances and retaliate against each other. When Kraaiens discovered we’d also accidentally been sent these orders, Erteke Kraaiensdytr herself ordered Mees Kraaienszoon to kill me, or so he said. Owing to our former relationship, he instead sent me to Nova Nine recruiters. An act of mercy, he said.”
Benthe’s expression hardened for a split second before smoothing into unreadable blandness. “Mees personally presented convincing evidence to the Assembly that your ship and crew were lost to an unprovoked attack by a trade guild ship.” She paused. “We disbelieved their claim of innocence.”
Zade suspected the diplomatic words alluded to less-diplomatic actions. The pirate clan name might be insulting, but it wasn’t entirely unjustified, either. He also gathered that the Kraaiens matriarch’s position on the council was significant.
“These are matters to consider later.” Benthe stood. “I invited you here to commend you for forging and maintaining the prisoner alliance. And for advocating for them during negotiations t fairly dividing the bounty of the antique ships and their contents. I am extremely proud that you are my granddaughter. I also owe you an apology.”
A slight murmur from the crowd suggested Benthe’s words surprised them. Emotions in the room notched up, pushing against his containment.
Benthe walked to the edge of the dais, her focus on Julke. “Twenty years ago, I named you ‘voyager’ and sent you out to find your place in the universe. I was wrong. Now more than ever, the Volksstam need people like you to help us hold our community together in spite of adversity. And even if I discounted the stories told by the other escapees, the number of trader and frontier planet representatives who responded to your call is illuminating.”
Zade wished he could see Julke’s face because whatever Benthe saw made her tighten her lips. With a measured breath, she shrugged out of the embroidered calf-length vest and let it drop to the floor as she descended the steps to stand two meters from Julke.
“The news of your death devastated me. It made me realize I’d driven you away just like I’d done with the other people I loved most. Because of politics, I have been too much the matriarch and not enough the friend or the claimed. Or the grandmother. The loss of your mother and brother hit me hard, but I told myself at the time I couldn’t afford to be weak.”
Unexpectedly, Benthe’s shield softened. Zade detected the tannin taste of remorse and the ash taste of sorrow. Reaction silently rippled through the room.
“I remember a day long ago when you stood in a hall like this, miserable in your grief, wanting me to hold you. To my shame, I refused because others were watching.” She raised her arms and held them open. A tear streaked down her cheek. “Could I ask for a hug from my cherished, beloved granddaughter?”
Julke stumbled into Benthe’s arms and wrapped herself around her grandmother.
A few moments later, the two women separated. Benthe wiped her face, then nodded regally at the assemblage and, with a silent wave of her hand, invited them to the food.
Zade gently invited Julke into his own arms and cradled her against him. Her tears dampened his tunic. He let the giant waves of her emotions pass over and through him. “What do you need?”
“This,” she said with a sigh. “And food that doesn’t come from a mealpack. And a place where we can–”
A man approached and cleared his throat. “Benthe asked me to tell you that Zade Lunaso has a ping from the Chiseko Fento Homesteaders Association.” He nodded once then turned and walked away.
Julke tilted her head up to give him a questioning look.
“The frontier planet where I was going before I met you. But my claim payment was to the settlement company, not them.”
“Chiseko Fento sent a defender ship to the rescue.” The corner of her mouth twitched in humor. “As far as I know, it’s their entire fleet.” She relaxed her arms but slipped her hand in his. “Let’s eat, then find a place where we can talk.” With her other palm on his face, she drew him down for a quick kiss. “And other things.”
* * *
Far too many hours later for Zade’s liking, they finally had full bellies, an assigned guest suite, and the promise of a few hours of privacy. And no stinking exosuits.
The small anteroom held four padded chairs and a floating desk with a comms display he’d just finished using. He went to the bedroom where Julke was seated on the bed that took up nearly the entire room, deftly braiding dark and light wavy strands of her hair. She looked up with a smile that lit her face.
“Chaos, but you’re gorgeous.” The words were out before he could wonder if appearance compliments pleased or irritated her. He had so much to learn about the woman he’d fallen in love with.
Her smile hadn’t dimmed, so he got to the point. “Chiseko Fento wants to register the homestead property with my name on it, and make the settlement company accept it. All I’d need to do is stay for one year to complete the claim.” He gave her a crooked smile. “I can’t tell if they’re desperate for settlers, or want to curry favor with you, or both.”
Her expression gave no hint of what she was thinking. “What do you want to do?”
In quiet moments, he’d been asking himself the same question. “I think I kept jumping from crew to crew because I was hoping for something like the family I never had. Since I wasn’t finding it in the starlanes, I thought I’d have better luck on a frontier planet. Seeing what you did with the prisoners made me realize that instead of just looking, I should have been building. I’d like to build a life with you.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “But not if it jeopardizes your place among your people. And other than a possible plot of land on Chiseko Fento, I have no assets, at least until I get my share from selling the antique ships.” As the prisoner with the least time at Nova Nine, his share was the smallest, but even that would be more credits than he’d ever had all at once. But he wouldn’t be seeing them anytime soon.
“I know what I want.” She patted the bed beside her, inviting him to sit. When he did, she slipped her hand into his. “I’d claim you in a heartbeat, but that’s not fair until you know what it is. So, I have a proposition. Come with me to the cityships. Learn about our culture. Meet people who will appreciate your talents and gifts as much as I do. See what claiming means.”
She wrapped his hand in both of hers. “But my grandmother wasn’t wrong to call mereiziger,a voyager. I can only take the cityships for so long, and then I have to leave for the sake of my sanity. My point is, I’m not the only one who doesn’t thrive in the confines of our conjoined ships. I’m betting we can find someone in the Volksstam who will trade valuable assets for that land. That would give you independence instead of being beholden to any Volksstamfamiliestam, including mine. Especially mine.”
“Yes, please.” Zade lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers. “Will they let us bring the griffins? I don’t think Mayek or the three rock-heads will be happy without me. And Sutrio says Moonlet is pining for you.”
