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A half an hour later, they'd been escorted to quarters in the guest wing of the sprawling home. Domestic servants had already hung their clothes in elaborately carved, double-doored wardrobes that occupied a corner of each room. The delicious smell of the navawood that lined the lacquered bureaus was exactly as Lyra had described it.

The wardrobes were stocked not only with the clothes they'd brought, but the traditional garments called sayaka. Taz's had five of the robes, two undergarments of creamy natural silk and three that were dyed and embroidered with clever geometric patterns. Sera's and Reiko's had only a pair of robes with two undergarments, but the women's traditional tiyakas, long lengths of dyed silk that wound around the torso and hips, were looped on hangers. Beneath them were traditional thong sandals to match.

Thick, rolled sleeping mattresses stood in another corner, leaving the four-meter rooms largely empty, save for a chest for the bedding and a low table with cushions for sitting. Wooden panels on the wall concealed a data terminal and intercom, and sconces cast diffuse light. Soft mats woven from some kind of grass covered the wooden floors. Everything gave off a pleasant, herbal odor of one sort or another.

A soft rapping at Taz's door came shortly before it slid aside. A teenaged girl, brown-skinned like Lyra, took a modest step inside. She made a simple bow while she touched her forehead with three fingers. "Greetings, honored guest Oktos. My lady Lyra requests your attendance in the western courtyard."

"Of course," he answered, closing the wardrobe doors. He hadn't seen Lyra since their tension-filled meeting with her cousin and Taz was anxious to learn what had seeded such hostility between the Nimor women.

The servant girl led him through a maze of corridors. "What's your name?" he asked after a half-dozen twists and turns.

"I am Neela, honored guest Oktos."

Taz waved his hands and flashed a smile. "You can just call me Taz."

Neela looked horrified. "Oh no, sir, I couldn't possibly!"

"Sure you can, Neela. Try it."

She waved her hands just as he had, but Taz persisted with a nod. "It's alright, truly."

Looking reticent, the girl finally stammered "Ta— Mister Taz."

Taz laughed. "I suppose that works, Neela. I'm very honored to be welcomed by the clan, but the formality really isn't necessary. On my planet we treat everyone like we would our family."

"I think that would be quite improper, sir," Neela answered with a narrow, searching look. "May I ask where your planet is, honored Mr. Taz?"

"I'm from Filve. It's in the Dufilvian sector, grid Resh fifteen."

"So far away," Neela uttered, amazed.

Taz smiled at the girl's innocence. "Not so far, really, but I suppose it's a matter of experience. You've never been off-world, have you?"

"No, Mr. Taz."

"Would you like to?"

Neela hesitated before answering, "Perhaps, one day." She looked like she was gathering her courage. Finally, she uttered, "Some of the staff said you fought in the war."

Gossip apparently traveled at hyperspeed within the Nimor household. "Yes we did."

"You were... terrorists?"

"Rebels," he corrected with a smile.

"Rebels brought terror to Inusagi," she stated with firm conviction.

Walking beside her, Taz nodded. "I know they did, Neela, and I'm truly sorry for that."

"They killed Lady Lyra's family." Her dark eyes were sharp. "Does Lady Lyra know?"

Taz smiled. "That we were Rebels? Yes, she does."

"Then why does she suffer your company?"

"Because Lady Lyra is very wise and compassionate. We forgave each other for the horrible things that happened."

Neela didn't quite look convinced as she drew back a pair of wide sliding doors. She led him into a broad, square garden full of flowering sakoola trees and a small grove of soaring rainbow bamboo, with jetrose vines snaking around the slender shafts. An immaculately manicured lawn made whispering noises as they trod among the fine blades. Lyra and Rei sat on a bench, bracketed by Kalli and Sera, both standing.

Neela bowed, fingertips brushing her forehead and lips. "My lady, here is honored guest Mr. Taz, as you commanded."

"Thank you, Neela."

"Your pardon while I return to my duties." With that, she disappeared within the expansive mansion.

"Good afternoon Master Taz," Kalli greeted him when he stepped up to the bench.

"How are you finding everything, Kalli?"

"I'm most impressed by the courtesy and formality that has been extended to all of you, though I find it curious that a household of this size has only a few droids."

Lyra made a face. "The noble clans prefer to employ vassal families and servants from the lower Tavits."

"Are there anti-droid sentiments here, Lyra?" asked Reiko.

She shrugged. "More like they prefer a big human staff to display the clan's influence. Among the non-noble clans, and especially the lower-class Tavit-wey, droids are as common here as anywhere."

Kallista tilted her head. "My cultural database entry for Inusagi doesn't include that particular detail, Lady Lyra."

Lyra rolled her eyes. "Not you too, Kalli."

"It is the proper form of address considering your position within the Nimor clan hierarchy, my lady."

At the other side of the bench, Sera chuckled.

"Laugh it up, Rebel. And you," she turned to Kallista, "can knock it off. Unless we're in some formal setting that demands those stupid protocols, just address me like you always do." Reiko hid a giggle behind her hand. Even Taz smiled a jibe at her. "That goes for all of you, I mean it! If Kalli can't say it, none of you can."

"As you command, Lady Lyra," Sera snickered.

"Cute," Lyra shot back with a scowl.

"Anyway," Taz interrupted the two women, "Not that this isn't a beautiful spot but what did you want to talk about?"

"How are you settling in? Is your room okay?"

"It seems nice and comfortable."

"Good. I was afraid Seelam might have asked the majordomo to assign you a room in the basement or something."

"He'd do that?"

"After you usurped his duty to escort me from the carriage? Maybe. The household has so many servants that nearly everyone has been assigned specific jobs. They all take their roles very seriously."

"I'll try not to get in his way next time," Taz assured without the slightest bit of sincerity. "What does Neela do?"

"She's a chambermaid. You can tell the role by the color of the sash, the side it's knotted on, and the number of knots. Oh, and the length. The longer the tails, the greater the seniority."

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He broached the subject that was uppermost in his mind. "That was some welcome we received. From your cousin, I mean."

Lyra carefully considered how to answer. "She's an ambitious, embittered woman. My mother was only a year younger than her and they were always competing. My grandmother would have been the chieftess of Clan Nimor had she not died young, and my mother would have inherited the title. But Senna's mother, my great aunt, became the chieftess instead. It seems she's fallen ill, though."

"So Senna will inherit the clan leadership?"

"Yes, though she was aiming even higher— she wanted the throne of Inusagi. There were rumors she was in contention for it once, but the scandal of my mother marrying outside of the Sajoku— and a Tavit-wey man at that— doomed any chance of Senna ascending beyond clan leadership. She's hated our family for it ever since. And since I'm the only one left of my family..."

"All that hatred falls on you." Taz uttered a regretful sigh. "I'm so sorry I urged you to come here, Lyra."

She shook her head. "It isn't your fault. I could have said no." She let out a breath. "Truth is, I need to be here, to exorcise my ghosts, just like I told my cousin."

"What about your aunt? Do you know anything about her illness? I could take a look—"

Lyra interrupted with a smile and a shake of her head. "I appreciate your offer, but the household has its own medical staff and my aunt would never accept help from an off-worlder."

"I see." Taz looked disappointed, though he nodded acquiescence.

She addressed all of them. "None of you need to concern yourselves with the clan's drama, but if anyone mistreats you I want to know about it, alright?"

She received solicitous nods all around, but Reiko said, "Really Lyra, you don't have to worry about us. We're not here to cause trouble for you."

"The staff have been nothing but courteous," Sera added.

"Speaking of staff, there's someone I want you to meet." Lyra looked back toward the house and smiled. "Here he comes now." She waved. "Come join us, Uncle Shin!"

The man she'd embraced so warmly upon their arrival approached. His sash was a deep gray, nearly black, with four knots on the left side and tails that fell to his calf. Lyra rose at his approach and held out her hands. He took them even as he executed a deep bow, kissing her hands before he stood.

Lyra gave him a look of mild disapproval. "Uncle Shin, you know that's not necessary."

"But it is, my lady," he insisted in a grave tone. "You are Lady Lyra Nimor of the Nimor Sajoku. No one ought to deny you the respect that is your due indeed."

Lyra shook her head in frustration. "It's me, Uncle. I'm still the little Lyra you knew, not some— noblewoman."

He smiled, a wry gleam in his eyes. "Little Lyra was a carefree girl who didn't apply herself nearly as much as she could have, and got into entirely too much trouble."

Lyra laughed at the description. Memories flashed through her mind; sneaking out of the compound after curfew, ditching her studies to go climbing in the sakoola orchards, hiding behind Allegra's shoulder while her sister glibly talked them out of trouble for the thousandth time. "That was all Allegra's fault!"

"Hmm, I wonder. In any case, that was some years ago. Lady Lyra is much changed, indeed." His eyes bored into her. "Stronger. Proud. Determined." His voice grew quiet but no less intense. "Capable and beautiful, too, as was her mother. Truly a lady worthy of her title." He had a far-off look, and for a moment deep emotion twitched at his aged visage before the wry expression returned. "But perhaps forgetful of courtesy? You've yet to introduce your companions."

She shot him a mocking scowl. "Everyone, this is my dear, dear Uncle Shin— Shindani Raga. He's the head of the operations staff for the clan." She turned to Sera and Rei. "Uncle, this is Serasana Rendix and Reiko Hudson. We own Rixon Charter Service together."

Shin bowed to them both. "I welcome you, honored guest Rendix, honored guest Hudson, and I thank you for taking Lady Lyra into your care." He bowed again to them, then flicked the briefest glance at Taz. "And your consort?"

Rei nearly squealed and Sera wore an ear-to-ear grin. Lyra glared at them both, her face flushed five shades of red. "Uncle Shin!"

Taz stuck out his hand. His face was flushed too, but he smiled eagerly. "Tazbarada Oktos, sir, from Filve."

Lyra could see him sizing up Taz as he bowed. He took the younger man's hand in a firm grip while his eyes fell on Aurora Ascendant. "Honored guest Oktos, welcome. It is an ancient weapon that you carry. Until recently, a forbidden one. There are many who believe it should still be so."

"I suppose that was true," Taz replied, meeting the older man's gaze. "From the little I know, there are few of these weapons left, and fewer who can use them."

"Indeed. And your relationship to Lady Lyra?" Shin's gray eyes were suddenly flinty, even possessive.

"Uncle!" cried Lyra, letting a hint of anger creep into her voice. "That's none of your business!"

Shin bowed deeply to them both, looking chastened. "I have overstepped. Please accept the humble apology of a foolish old man."

"Dammit, why does everyone around here have to make everything so hard?" she complained. Then, in a more moderate tone: "Don't worry over it, Uncle Shin, no one's offended. Taz is the captain of the ship we arrived in. He's my... very dear friend."

She glanced at Taz and found the merest ghost of disappointment behind his smile. Her heart thudded out of synch. Lyra coughed, a soft, uncomfortable sound. "He, ah, found me near death, on a battlefield. He saved me, Uncle Shin." She rubbed the inside of her elbow where the skin was almost indistinguishable from the rest of her arm.

"Me too," Sera put in.

"Come on, you two," Taz demurred. To Shin, he explained, "I was a combat medic. In the war, I mean."

"You were comrades in arms, then? Did you serve together?"

Lyra grinned. "No, Uncle. They were enemies of the Empire when I met them. Rebels."

"Alliance military," Sera corrected with a sardonic look.

Lyra scowled back reflexively. "The Empire abandoned me, Uncle Shin. My enemies... did not."

Raga looked thoughtful, applying the wisdom of his years to Lyra's cryptic explanation. "Like her honored mother before her, Lady Lyra was never one to bend mindlessly to doctrine. I see that she has chosen her... friends, with deliberation and care, indeed."

"Thank you, Uncle Shin," Lyra smiled. "So tell me, how is Aunt Subali?"

The old man's expression softened. "I regret that my precious Subali left this life four years ago, my lady."

"Oh, Uncle," Lyra uttered, sudden tears gathering in her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she added, barely above a whisper.

"I'm touched by your concern, my lady, but fret not. Her life was a full one, and she passed peacefully into the bosom of her honored ancestors, indeed."

Lyra nodded, brushing away the tears. "I— leaving the two of you was my only regret when I joined the academy. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you and Aunt Subali at the end."

"The fledgling must fly the nest, my lady. You took hold of your future boldly, something many who live in comfort fail to do." His eyes flicked about with an almost conspiratorial look and he lowered his voice. "It's not proper for me to speak of such things, but Subali and I were proud indeed when you cast off the security of the clan."

The tears threatened again. Lyra sniffed and took Shin's hand. "That means more to me than you'll ever know, Uncle." She blinked away more tears, took a deep breath, and straightened up. "I thought of you often while I was at the academy, and afterward. I'd have written, but..."

Shin inclined his head briefly to hide his grinning face. "That would have been most irregular indeed."

"Yes, I expect it would have," she chuckled and breathed a sigh, feeling a little better.

Shin touched his fingers together under his chin. "I wonder my lady, honored guests, if you would indulge an old man's curiosity?"

"Of course," Taz answered immediately. "What is it?"

"I observed your ship's arrival. I don't believe I've seen its type before."

"She's the Skipjack Chimera. We only recently bought her, second-hand," Taz explained, glancing at Lyra. "We think she's a prototype."

"Or someone's vanity project," Reiko suggested.

"We'd be happy to show her to you, sir."

"I would be most honored, indeed." Watching excitement light Raga's eyes, Lyra's sadness bled away.

"We were admiring your yacht when we landed," Reiko interjected.

"The Navata is a fine ship; I have seen to that myself. I regret we don't often fly her beyond an occasional tour in orbit."

"Told you," Lyra chirped. "My aunt just wants her for the status she conveys." Raga pursed his lips, though he made no rebuttal. "But she's fully capable. Uncle Shin is her chief engineer," she added to mollify him. "Are you free tomorrow, Uncle? We can take you to the ship then if you'd like."

He nodded an affirmation. "Perhaps following the meeting of the Operations staff, if you please. And now if you'll excuse me, my lady, I must attend to my duties." He crossed his arms and bowed deeply to Lyra, slightly less so to the rest, and departed.

Lyra watched him go, feeling misty.

"Such a sweet man," Rei opined.

"My mother was his favorite, even more than Senna or my cousins in the main family."

"Looks like that extended to you."

"Uncle Shin and Aunt Subali were taken by slavers and sold to the Hutts when they were children. The chieftess bought their freedom. Among her few... admirable traits, she has incredible disdain for keeping slaves, particularly children. The Hutts had sterilized them, so they couldn't have children of their own. Instead, they sort of adopted my great aunt's children, with her nieces and nephews and then their children."

She let a fond smile reflect the warm feelings she remembered. "The only saving grace when we visited the compound here was knowing we could spend time with Aunty and Uncle. Allegra and I loved them nearly as much as our parents."

"I can tell the affection was mutual," Taz said.

Lyra issued a content hum. "Uncle Shin's a talented engineer. He served in the Royal Inusagian Guardians before he returned to become the liaison between the clan's forces and the royal military. Eventually he got promoted to the head of the operations staff."

"Wait," Sera interrupted, "the clan has its own military?"

"Not really, just security forces."

"How many?"

Lyra shrugged. "Four or five thousand?"

"Brigade-sized forces?"

"It's not like that," Lyra frowned, guessing at the ex-commando's line of thought. "All the Sajokus have vassals who are responsible for security. Some organize their teams like paramilitary forces, but they're all civilians. Only the royal family is allowed to keep military troops."

"So what do they do, other than guard your cousin and the chieftess?"

"All the stuff you'd expect— Police the clan's holdings, enforce the law, provide security at the spaceport, that sort of thing."

"Boring," Reiko drawled, squeezing Sera around her waist. "Tell us more about Mr. Raga, Lyra."

"Well, Uncle Shin loves spaceships, droids, computers— anything that he can tinker with. He had this antique droid he was always working on. It used to follow us around like a puppy when we were kids."

"I knew he was a man of quality!" Rei bubbled.

"He'll be thrilled to show the Navata to you. We can go tomorrow after breakfast if you'd like."

"Perfect!" Rei rubbed her hands in anticipation. "I have more digging to do on the Chimera to figure out why she does so well with hyperfuel consumption."

"Rei-sha, this is supposed to be a vacation."

"Oh, I'm not working, Sera-sha, I'm having fun!"