The nightmare of women and children screaming as the ceiling collapsed was replaced by a pain in his side, Dereniik was pinned by a falling piece of smouldering timber.
Being poked in the side.
Only the timber had fallen over his lower right leg.
Crushed it.
Trapping him.
The old wood had slowly burned, the injury resulting in the limb’s eventual amputation.
The nightmare faded, trauma remained, and the insistent prodding continued.
Consciousness returned and Dereniik swatted with his one good arm at the annoyance. His hand bounced off something squishy and not quite human. Coming fully awake he sat up.
“God's light, I'm sorry, is that you Kyd?”
The glyph for ‘yes’ was traced on his forearm.
Dereniik groaned. “I am so sorry my friend, I thought I was back, well it doesn't matter, I'm sorry. What's up?” The thought of striking his friend caused a spasm of pain, a new breathlessness. “Invisible, person, back, Viky’s,”
Dereniik was already moving. “Has Jieleem left for work, do you know if he's still with her?”
“Don't know.”
“How long ago?”
“Half-a-hands breath.”
Dereniik cursed his inability to move quickly, resented the need to use the personal room and wished once again he had the support of a full team.
***
Tushii had just left. Viky had read the poem clutched in her hands. The script was smooth and elegant, fashioned as is a small scroll suitable for framing and hanging on a wall. Viky hadn't known Tushii wrote poetry and the thoughtful expressions touched Viky’s heart.
Tushii hadn't talked about the attack, or about Viky being framed. She'd wanted to offer consolation, hearing about the death of her parentals from Maddie.
Initially Viky had been irritated Maddie had not kept her secret.
But she had only herself to blame. This was why you shouldn't tell secrets. Except in Tushii’s mind it answered why Viky had wanted solitude. The woman thought she had needed time alone to grieve. It wasn't true of course, but Viky saw potential opportunities in not denying it. An excuse to continue training without continual harassment from the sisterhood.
Tushii left and Jieleen quietly gathered the Caraaf mugs and returned them to the food preparation area. He had insisted on taking another day off. How much trouble he was making for himself? She was re-reading the poem when he returned to the reception room. Stood in the doorway uncertain and distressed.
“You never told me your parentals had died. Never thought about it until now, but you've never told me anything about your family.”
Interrupted from deep thought Viky looked up. “I didn't tell anyone except Maddie, and I only told her this last nine days.”
“You could have told me you know. Why didn't you tell me?” He said in a small voice.
Viky with unexpected insight grasped he was hurt. The child’s part of her brain ranted against his words. It wasn't fair, she'd lost her parentals, it was her story to choose to tell, or not. He'd never known them, or loved them, it was nothing to do with him. They hadn't cruelly been ripped from his life. It wasn't the sort of information you could trust just anyone with, as evident by Maddie's disloyalty.
“I didn't want to talk about it.”
“Do you have other family? You must have an older sister, why do you never talk about her?”
“It hurts too much.” Was the spontaneous answer, betrayal hurt like Hail-fire.
“Do you have brothers?”
“My parentals first born son is dead, but he died after my second brother was fostered to another clan. I believe he has bonded now but we were never close, and I haven't seen him in five rotations.”
Viky looked down at the parchment in her hand, ordered blurry eyes to focus.
“Oh, my love, my dear heart, I'm so sorry. You could have told me.” Jeileen sat on the couch next to her. Hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder.
Viky didn't know what to say, so she didn't say anything. Words didn't help. Nothing helped. Talking about it only opened the deep abyss and feeling she couldn't deal with. She wasn't sure how much time had passed as they sat in silence together on the couch.
There was a knock at the door. Jeileen answered it and directed River and her small daughter into the room.
***
Dereniik pulled centres and shimmered out of sight, checking for the resonate shadow of another Invisible person. Kyd was back at his observation post, but the figures that sprang into sight on the green were all accounted for. The person who had attacked Viky had specifically chosen a private location, the large number of individuals around the green was reassuring. Reappearing, he shuffled to the door of Viky’s suite.
Jeileen answered, looking stressed, but not frantic or overwrought, and moderately pleased to see him. After being welcomed Dereniik was introduced to the third person in the reception room.
“Deputized Operative Commander Dereniik this is Lady Moves-like-a-River. She is the life partner of my teammate Gustle’aan.” Jieleen said.
Dereniik bowed. The appropriate action covered his initial surprise. “My Lady, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine.” She turned her attention once again to Viky. “Anyway, I mean what I said. When Amethyst has her litter early next rotation, you're welcome to a fledgling.”
“Thank you, it's a very kind offer. I'm not sure how I'll go with one dependent,” Viky place a hand on her stomach. “But I'll see how it’s going by then.”
Moves-like-a-River chuckled. “Babies are a lot more unpredictable than Vorraals. Anyway, I better not keep you, now the Operative Commander is here.”
The young woman went to stand.
“Lady Moves-like-a-River, please be sure to pass on my best regards to your brother Commander Yashoof and your dear sister-in-law Lady Islingtee when you see them next. Will you be visiting within the next few days?” Dereniik asked.
“Oh, no. I was planning to visit them with Gustle’aan in five days, when he has time off.
Dereniik thought the smile natural and unaffected.
“Well then, I may have the pleasure of his company before you. Would you like me to pass on your regards?” Dereniik asked.
“Yes please.”
“I didn't know you had a brother in the capital.” Viky said.
Moves-like-a-River blushed. “He's so much older than I am, we didn't really know each other before I came.”
“My Lady, may I inquire, how is his tooth, I understand he was quite worried about it, did that problem resolve itself?” Dereniik asked casually.
“Yes, thank you, it was removed, and the pain seems to have settled down.” Moves-like-a-River was making the hand signals for respect when leaving and Jieleem saw her out the door.
Viky had her lips pursed, eyes bright and alert.
“Her brother?” She asked.
“Not the only suspect, although knowing his sister lives in your enclave has bumped the need to visit him to the top of my list.” Dereniik answered as Jieleen returned.
“What’s this?” He asked.
“Moves-like-a-River has a brother, Commander Yashoof. He meets several of the criterial for Viky’s attacker, but has no known motive for stealing the body chains.”
Jieleen balled his fists. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Then I may not take you when I visit him. He's only one of many suspects, most suspects are innocent. Twelve people meet our age criteria and needed dental work within the last three nine days. I need to ask you a few questions about some of them.”
“Oh, and we must tell you, we had a visit from one of the servants. They have reliable information that a young servant, not one of the ones that works for the city, someone from a private household, followed me into the tunnel the day I was attacked. They were then seen leaving the tunnel and hurrying towards the residential area closest to the Cliff face.”
Viky was fiddling with a new fascinator. It didn't look like the sort of adornment she would wear. Too small to be practical and keep your head warm, and the bright yellow feathers were arrayed as a fan making wearing a head veil impossible.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“That’s good to know, I would like to speak to the servant later. Did you get an approximate age?”
“Six or seven rotations, Ly also said they had been badly beaten. Bruising to the face, neck, and shoulders.” Viky said.
“That's hardly a surprise. How people treat those they consider inferior to themselves is a good indication of how they view others in general.” Dereniik said.
“Attacking a woman is the lowest thing a man can do.” Jieleen growled.
Dereniik had seen worse, but it didn’t make the action less reprehensible.
“Jieleen, how well do you know Commander Faizeen?” Dereniik asked.
“He’s been one of our instructors,” Jeileen glanced at Viky. “Any chance of us getting some Caraaf please beloved?”
Viky shot him a withering glare, but Jieleen had ducked his head and was inspecting his fingernails.
“The guy is a creep and moves like an alpha predator.” Viky called out over her shoulder as she flung herself down the hall.
Jieleen cleared his throat. “She's not wrong, unfortunately. He’s difficult, likes to put us down, embarrasses us. Some of our other Instructors are not much fun, strict and demanding, expect us to know stuff before we’ve had a chance to learn it. You know what they are like. But they at least give the impression they want us to learn.”
“How often do you train with him?”
“He has us as a team each third and seventh day for the morning. But Stephaan, Murro and me get him three or four times in the nine day to work specifically on Bolt or Manipulation. Other members of the team get other Commanders with skills specific to their talents.”
“Jeileen, Viky was attacked four days ago. Between three and four hands breaths after God’s second eye crested the horizon. Do you know if Faizeen was teaching then?”
“Don't know, he wasn't teaching me, but he has Stream Phasing as well, Rohaan and Aliis have lessons with him other days.”
“We don't want to make things awkward for you and the rest of your team questioning a man who may be innocent. Not being a pleasant person don’t make them a thief or murderer. Can you please find out from Rohaan or Aliis if they know of his whereabouts in the morning of the first day, of this nine day?”
“Yeah. Yeah, much better to ask them.”
“Remember, he is only one of many suspects. He has a connection to the sisterhood, Invisibility and had dental work done within the last few days. My previous investigations identified a strand of fibre used to make body chains on the walkway to the Armoury. Inventory records at the Armoury show unscheduled items being distributed. Commander Faizeen has a grandson who works in the Armoury. But all of this is circumstantial evidence.”
“And he’s a creep,” Viky came back into the room. Warm Caraaf sloshed over the rims of the mugs, as she thrust them onto waiting hands.
“A lot of Senior Commanders are love.” Jieleem admitted.
“And what would be his motive?” Dereniik asked.
“Isobeel flirts with him.” Viky shot back. “He's the sort of guy that wouldn't have liked her saying no.”
“Ah, Love, Isobeel flirts with everyone. People know she doesn't mean anything by it.” Jieleen said.
“You would be surprised.” Dereniik said. “Women are more often right, than wrong about things like that. And in some men's mind a woman flirting is an invitation. It's a valid comment Viky.”
Dereniik’s smile was greeted with a scowl, but it was better than the daggers Jieleen was receiving.
“Viky, would you be able to visit Lady Isobeel and find out if Commander Faizeen has made any unwanted overtures needing refusal and possibly resulting in negative feelings? Also find out if he knew she had the Body Chains.” Dereniik asked.
“Sure, do you think he may have taken them out of spite?”
“It's too early to rule out any possibilities.”
“Jieleen, Viky should be safe enough with her sisters, would you mind accompanying me on a visit?” Dereniik asked.
“No worries. Don’t worry Viky, Isobeel will look after you.”
“I’m not worried, or a child, that needs looking after. Not by you, and not by Isobeel.”
Viky may have wanted to sound angry, but to Dereniik it came across as frustrated.
“Your attacker won’t care about your feelings, but they will be happy to find you unaccompanied.” Dereniik pointed out.
“Then my attacker is in good company because other people don’t care about my feelings either.”
Jieleen winced, face bearing the look of a kicked child. Dereniik didn’t know what had gone on between them before he arrived, but he had been bonded for four rotations. Pleasant memories abounded, but no two people lived together in heart-harmony through every seasons. Jieleen may not have been the brightest spark in the dark, but some sixth sense made him realize pushing for a reply was unadvisable.
Finishing the Caraaf Jieleen walked Viky to Isobeel’s suite and enduring glares saw her inside. Whatever was going on between them, Dereniik hoped it would be of short duration. They were both distracted, and unfocused people made more mistakes.
***
Isobeel lounged on the couch, delighted to have Viky pour the Caraaf into unpleasant, large, chunky mugs. Viky was aware that if she dropped the vessel, it could break bones in her foot.
“Interesting mugs.” Viky commented. More for something to say than because she wanted additional information.
“Yes, Lady Pardeel made them.” Isobeel said.
“I wouldn't have said that exactly your style.”
Isobeel chuckled, “Good Lord no.”
Viky didn’t know if Isobeel amused or annoyed, she gave a noncommittal “Aha.”
“You can say it, I won't be offended, they're just awful. I will only have to use them for a few nine-days. Lady Briziit was supposed to visit yesterday.” Isobeel vented her annoyance. “It's the second time in the last three days that she’s cancelled. Once is socially acceptable, as I am gracious and tolerant, but not twice in the same nine-day. She just sent a message with her young D’char, could have at least sent Marwaan or Pardeel deliver it, but no. It's like the whole family's avoiding me, but I'll keep using the mugs until at least one of them visits. Then I'll hide them away in some forgotten corner and never think about them again.”
“Why did you buy them if you don't like them?” Viky asked.
“Oh well, Marwaan will be leaving the capital soon, within the next few nine-days I believe. A few extra sequins is always helpful if you're going to set up your own household.”
Viky didn't know Marwaan had plans to leave. “Why is she leaving?”
Isobeel shrugged. “She's the first born, Pardeel will be part of next rotations contribution, but Marwaan hasn't been given permission to stay at the capital. You know what the coalition's like, they always try and separate family members. It was a sudden decision but it’s better for her to strike out on her own now, in her own time, rather waiting a few more months and being forced to leave without adequate preparation.”
“But Lady Brigitte should have plenty of sequin to set up her first-born daughter.”
“I guess when she dies, she will leave Marwaan everything, but she still has two young sons, two servants, and household to run in the meantime. Her first-born son, weaselly little beast, wants to become a Commander, it'll take a lot of sequins to get him a fractal, and Lady Briziit has expensive tastes and little impulse control. The family's been haemorrhaging sequin the whole time I’ve been here.”
“So, Lady Briziit had motive to steal your Body Chains?”
“Yes of course, that's why I confided in her when Jess was here. But we've eliminated her. Jess was ninety-nine percent sure she didn’t take them.”
“I guess so, just because someone is economically illiterate doesn’t mean they are a thief. Have you loaned her money?”
“Viky, I don't kiss and tell.” Isobeel winked.
Viky spoke slowly. “No, I think this is important. Does she owe you money? You're surprised she, or anyone from her family, hasn't visited. There could be a very good reason for that, but if she owed you money, she wouldn’t want to not annoy you, and you are annoyed.”
“She sent the mugs over with a servant, they are not what she promised, I’m disappointed. But she didn’t take the Chains.” Isobeel insisted.
“Okay, what about Marwaan or Pardeel. Have they been asked about the theft? A mother would do a lot to protect a child.”
“No, we haven’t asked them. Haven’t seen them in a while. That’s unusual, I see your point.” Isobeel was thoughtful.
“And the sequin? Do they owe you any?”
“Yes, quite a lot.”
“Maddie mentioned Pardeel’s parent worked at the Armoury. Commander Dereniik was chasing up something to do with the fibre from your body chains in the Armory.” Viky mused.
“Lady Briziit’s life partner, Commander Sebusaaz has a permanent Commission in the Armory. Commander Dereniik thought the Armory was important?” Isobeel was subdued.
“I’m not sure, I think you should meet with Commander Dereniik. He will probably want to talk to Lady Briziit and her family. You mentioned she has a couple of servants?”
“I’ve only met one, haven’t seen the younger one, but have heard reference of them. If either Marwaan or Pardeel stole my Chains, it would explain why they haven’t visited recently. Wouldn’t want to risk running into Jess, or you.” Isobeel raised an eyebrow.
Viky shrugged. “Where is Jess?”
“Said she has a headache, which in her case translates to a stomach-ache, and that means she’s not pregnant this month.” Isobeel shrugged.
Okay, way too much information. Viky would try and forget those details and made a mental note to never divulge private information to Isobeel.
“So, either Marwaan or Pardeel have taken my Body Chains.” Isobeel was sombre.
“Not necessarily. They may have other reasons for not wanting to visit you.”
“No, it’s one of them, there are no reasons they wouldn’t want to visit me.”
Viky snorted; she could think of a few.
Isobeel looked up in surprise. “You disagree?”
“Did you flirt with Lady Briziit’s life partner? Not everyone would like that.” Viky said.
“What, no, of course not, I hardly know the man. He's antisocial anyway, lives for his work I have been told.”
“Well, Dereniik has other suspects in mind.” Viky thought it best to change the subject. “He wanted me to ask if Commander Faizeen knew you had the Body Chains?”
“Ah, is he a suspect? How exciting, I like him for it better than suspecting the twins.” Isobeel brightened.
“He's one of many people under investigation, so did he see your Body Chains?”
“Would it be better if he had seen them, or if he hadn't?”
“We need the truth Isobeel, that’s the best thing.” Viky gave her a stern look.
“Might be the best thing, but also might be the most boring thing. I don't think he saw them. Do you think he attacked you?”
Viky hadn’t thought of that, and the question gave her pause. “No, he moves like an alpha predator. Confident that he's the biggest, most menacing thing in the forest, and if you looked at him too closely or displease him, he will devour you.”
“That's exactly what he's like. I could never put it in those words but you're right. How did your attacker move.”
“Not as confident, I don't think they've killed before.”
“Killed.” Isobeel shuddered. “So, it was a serious attack. They tried to kill you?”
Viky nodded.
“Do you think Commander Faizeen has killed things, like, maybe even people?”
“He's a hunter, that's all I know. Has he ever propositioned you?”
“Oh yes, he invited me to his place to look at his glass collection. Gave me his address and all.”
“Was he upset when you refused? You did refuse, didn't you?”
“Oh, I didn't refuse, I just pretended I was ignorant of his real intentions and told him I wasn't particularly interested in glass. I'm sure my mother has a much more interesting collection.” Isobeel returned to her usual flippant self, bored by the serious conversation, but was now trying too hard.
“Was he upset?”
“No, no. He told me he had other interesting things he could show me.”
“How did you get out of that one?”
“Well, the secret when flirting with a man, is to never just flirt with one of them. So, I just became intensely diverted with whatever it was Commander Hansuue happened to be saying. I can tell by the look on your face you disapprove.”
Viky attempted to relax the muscles in her face. Made a mental note to ask Dereniik for suggestions on keeping a straight face. Only she wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep working with him. He promised not to take over, and he had. Typical man. No, it wasn't just men, it was a rare person you could trust. The most trustworthy people she had known had been killed nearly a rotation ago during the last month of Shifts.
“You don't need my approval, and I doubt my disapproval would mean anything to you.”
Isobeel tilted her head to the side. “That's true, but I don't go out of my way to make my friends unhappy. I accept them as they are. If they need solitude, I leave them alone. If they prefer, let's say manuscripts, I support their idiosyncrasies. And I hope they accept me for what I am. I'm not going to pretend to be anything different. To do so would be dishonest.”
Viky pursed her lips, Isobeel had a point, she was at least honestly irritating. “Being alone or reading manuscripts doesn't hurt other people.”
Isobeel chuckled. It was a rich golden sound, full of tolerance and humour. “Neither does flirting, it's just harmless fun. Nobody takes it seriously.”
“You're wrong. It hurts.” Viky admitted.
Isobeel stopped laughing. “I didn't take you as somebody who'd be so sensitive.”
“Sensitive,” Viky snorted. “I would have to be blind and deaf do not realize that Jieleen is more relaxed and confident when you are flirting with him, than he ever is around me.”
“But he's so happy with you? No, I'm sorry, forget I said that.” Isobel’s liquid eyes found Vicky’s face.
“I apologize, it wasn't my intention to hurt you. I didn't realize my actions were causing you pain. I, I don’t know what to say, or do. I didn’t know you were not, happy together.”
Viky let her eyes slide to a beautiful, carved and inlaid wooden box. Like the one that had been left on the shelf in her reception. Did it also house a beautiful blank manuscript and writing equipment? If so, it was possibly why Isobeel had cluttered the top with other ornaments. One of the young men who had joined the Whip Makers clan as a foster child had been trained with wood before coming to them. Kyyked, she had been fond of him. She’d thought their friendship might have grown into something more in time. But she had been ripped away from those daydreams, and in the end, he had done nothing to stop her leaving. It wasn't Isobeel’s fault, their lives were just so different. They were so different. The colours merged became blurred, outline of the pattern fuzzed. She needed to get out, get away. Disappear into a quiet corner and bury her head in a good manuscript.
Forget the world existed and pretend she was still loved.