Mahogany trinrose, p.26
Mahogany Trinrose, page 26
She turned on the executioners. “You’ve murdered him!” And at that moment, she would gladly have murdered them.
“It’s Ercy Farris!”
“But I set the wards myself!”
“Who could ward the Endowed?”
“You’ve got to stop this!” cried Ercy. “Get him out of there. Take me instead. It was all my fault—I’m the one who should die.”
“How long has she been here?”
In anguished frustration, Ercy turned toward the well, searching for sign of Grant, but there wasn’t even a bubble to show where he’d been. She would have to dive in after him.
“Stop her!”
Suddenly the robed figures stood arrayed before her, blocking her path to the well.
“You have seen, but you have not understood. We have not harmed Halimer Grant.”
“You mean none of this is real?” Then I’ve got to wake up and find Hal.
“She’s fading!”
“Don’t let her go….”
On the other side of the clearing, behind where the executioners had been standing, there was a watery noise, and Ercy turned to see Grant shooting up out of the ground, borne on a plume of water. Then he fell back with a splash. Running toward him, Ercy realized this must be another well connected by an underground tunnel to the one they had tried to drown him in.
As two of the robed figures reached to pull Grant out of the water, he scrambled to his feet. “Ercy!”
“She broke through the wards.”
Grant placed his fingers around the base of her neck and lifted the starred cross he had given her for all to see. “It’s my fault. This was mine—I gave it to her.” He let it fall, gave her one last squeeze, and set her aside.
One of the heavily cowled figures stepped forward. “Incidentally, Hal, welcome back to Rathor—to stay, I hope.”
“Thank you, Dad.” He looked at Ercy his pale hair plastered around his skull, his pants and shirt dripping. “I’ll stay—if Ercy will. You’ll come home with me, won’t you?”
“Will you teach me not to do any more harm with my—endowment?”
Grant looked at those around them. “I can’t yet—but there are those among us who can.”
“We would treasure the opportunity,” said one of the women.
Another said, “The Tecton believes you’re now junct, and a witch, but we know your condition is the normal one for a channel. And there are Gens here who can match you and work with your endowment. Let us welcome you—come to us, Ercy.”
“I can’t go without Joeslee!”
“The gypsy whose tribe died protecting our travelers? We owe her a place among us.”
“Then bring her, too, and be welcome to the Company.”
Ercy looked about in sudden confusion. “I’m not really here…how am I going to get here?” Her positional sense told her she was still on her bed here was at her bed, but it wasn’t. “Where are we?” And panic blossomed. “Hal! Hal?”
He took her by the shoulders, and she felt safer even though she couldn’t zlin his nager. “Ercy, this is a real place. But physically, you and I are still at Rialite. To come here, we must go back to Rialite and take horses to ride out into the desert and up into the mountains. There, people will meet us and return the horses to Rialite. But we’ll have to make it on our own that far—the three of us.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“After what she went through, she must still be sleeping, Digen,” said Sels, his tense frustration evident.
“If we’re going to stay in step with her,” said Im’ran, “we’d better get on with this transfer.”
Digen paced up and down the center of the transfer suite. “I don’t like being way over here while she’s at the Controller’s Residence.”
“Well, then, let’s get this over with and go back there,” suggested Bett.
Digen paced. “I don’t want a Big Sister just now.” It came out a little more tartly than he’d meant, and he added, “I know you’re right, of course.” Ercy’s junct. Where in an the world can she find a place? And who will be Sectuib in her House? He halted and looked at Bett, then went hyperconscious to zlin her speculatively, letting his need rise into his awareness as her replete selyn fields penetrated him.
Perhaps they could try the double breakstep now?
Digen drifted toward Bett, aware at the same time of the cautious way Im’ran approached Sels. They’d been working toward this for months, conditioning themselves to endure it even during the hysteria of hard need. They had had the largest transfer room appointed to accommodate the four of them in comfort so they could take their transfers together.
As Digen focused deep into Bett’s fields, drawn to her despite his trembling awareness of Im’ran, he found he could keep his reflexes from closing him away from her. Even when he knew her hands were on his arms, his laterals tentatively flicking into contact with her skin, he was able to hold to her. I could do it with her. I can.
Sels jerked away from Im’ran with a cry.
Searing pain ripped through Digen, flinging him away from the promise of selyn. Gasping, he curled in on himself, rolling on the floor until he fetched up against a chair leg. Then Im’ran was there, cooling, soothing, calming.
“I couldn’t hold to him, Digen. It was my fault. Here, come on, let me…”
But Digen was still fighting for inner equilibrium, half aware of Sels and Bett poised at the brink of transfer.
“I’m sorry, Digen,” said Sels, relinquishing contact with Bett, without taking the transfer he craved.
“My fault,” said Digen, letting Im’ran help him to his feet. But he couldn’t stand long, and sought the contour lounge, Im’ran sinking down to sit beside him. “Bett, do something for Sels!”
Bett guided Sels firmly to their own lounge and made him sit while she ran her fingertips expertly over his face and neck, down his back and arms, until the vibrant tension drained away.
“We got closer that time than ever before,” said Im’ran.
“But it’s too soon,” said Digen.
“You almost made it that time, Digen,” said Sels. “If Im’ and I hadn’t broken, it would have worked. You two are ready—we’re not.”
Im’ran sat silently, but he made no effort to hide his sense of inadequacy. “You’re good,” said Sels to Im’ran. “It’s no disgrace not to be able to compete with Bett for me.”
“I think that’s the problem,” said Im’ran. “I’d still rather compete with Bett for Digen, while competing with any Donor goes so much against my early training….”
“Im’,” Digen said, “it’s not just you. We’re all having the same problem. Let’s not give up in sight of our goal. Now, let’s go find out what’s been happening this last half hour, and when we’ve collected our wits, we’ll do the transfer the way we did last month. We’re trying to build endurance, remember, not destroy our will to live.”
As they crossed the rotunda toward the Controller’s Residence, a helicopter circled into the landing pad, triggering the automatic lights and alarms. Zlinning, Digen said, “It can’t be Rellow! He’s supposed to be teaching with Landar—”
Sels said, “But it is him, and with five—no, six—”
“Seven, counting the pilot,” concluded Digen.
As the copter touched down, Rellow leaped from the door and trotted toward Digen’s little group followed by several other Simes and Gens.
Digen waited for Rellow’s group to gather themselves. He recognized several of them as members of the World Controller’s staff. At least one of the Gens was a First Companion in another Householding, but Digen couldn’t remember which one.
When the group had gathered, Rellow said, “Controller Farris, perhaps we should step into your office.”
Controller Farris? Has—he resigned from Zeor?
“I didn’t notice your appointment on my calendar,” said Digen formally. “My secretary should be able to arrange a comfortable place for you to wait. I may have some time free around midnight.”
Digen began to turn away, leaving Rellow speechless, when one of the Simes stepped forward to walk beside Digen, speaking softly and politely.
“Sectuib Farris, we have come on a matter of such grave consequence that none of us will rest a moment until we hear your refutations.”
Digen didn’t slow his step. “If it’s such an important matter, it should wait until I’ve had my transfer and can devote my whole attention to it—”
The Sime’s attention darted to Im’ran for a moment. “I believe you’d prefer to sweep this matter aside so that you’ll have the whole night clear before you. I assure you, we don’t seek to place you at an intolerable disadvantage….”
But Rellow does… There was something familiar about this very persuasive gentleman. “May I ask your name?”
As if surprised at the question, the Sime replied, “Destar Jiplain.”
First Assistant World Controller! Now Digen recognized him from hundreds of magazine photographs and speeches. Inwardly, he groaned. There was no way he could put this off.
“My apologies. Your pictures don’t do your nager justice, Hajene Jiplain.” Digen singled out Sels from the crowd. “Would you have conference room four readied immediately, Sels, and join us there. Bett, please show our guests to the visitors lounge, where they can refresh themselves. I see that some of you carry recording equipment….”
“Yes,” said Rellow, “this is being covered by Foresearch Media and Two Territories Intercontinental. Everything—”
“Yes, Rellow has been quite efficient,” said Jiplain, cutting smoothly across the younger channel’s belligerent tone. “But it shouldn’t take long to dispense with the whole affair.”
“I confess I’m very curious, Hajene Jiplain,” said Digen, noticing the long microphones now pointing in his direction. “However, I do require at least a few moments with my Donor, and then I’ll join you all in conference room four. Rellow knows the way.”
When Digen arrived at the conference room, the microphones had been placed in the center of the long table and the cameras were on tripods in opposite corners of the room.
Digen took his place at one end of the table. Bett came up beside him as Sels arrived, followed by the rest of the delegation, and Im’ran.
Rellow began to take the chair at the other end of the table, but Jiplain smoothly diverted him into a conversation and assumed the other high backed seat, opposite Digen. Rellow chose not to contest and took the next chair, zipping open his briefcase. He extracted a sheaf of papers resplendent with official seals.
“Now, I think we can get started,” said Rellow.
Digen cut him off with a quick gesture as the cameras began to whir. “One moment, Hajene Farris. If you will all please introduce yourselves for my records, we can then proceed.” He pressed a switch set into the tabletop before him and a camera descended from the ceiling and began rotating to pick up each place around the table. Digen nodded to Im’ran on his left, who said, “I am Imrahan ambrov Zeor, First Companion in Zeor and Chief Donor of Rialite.”
Cooperatively, the man to Im’ran’s left, the Gen reporter from TTI Digen had spotted as a Householder, said, “Adenire ambrov Imokalee, First Companion in Imokalee and currently employed by Two Territories Intercontinental. Respect, Sectuib, from House of Imokalee.”
Imokalee? Ah, the citrus growers! “House of Zeor offers respect to House of Imokalee.”
To Adenire’s left sat a short, blond Sime woman who said, “I’m Inia ambrov Narthex, Associate Secretary of the Householding Board of Governors. Respect, Sectuib.”
But Digen wasn’t too sure to whom she had said it, himself or Rellow. He didn’t want to imagine why she was here.
“House of Zeor extends respect to House of Narthex,” said Digen.
“Destar Jiplain, First Assistant World Controller, no affiliation.”
“House of Zeor offers full respect to the Tecton, Hajene Jiplain.” Digen tried to make it sound casual, wondering if he’d done the right thing to put this on a formal Householding basis. He hadn’t realized the others were all Householders.
“Rellow Farris, Third channel in Zeor.”
But Rellow wasn’t Third in Zeor anymore. He was Fourth. Digen passed his attention to the other Sime woman at the table, seated to Rellow’s left.
“Nohevia ambrov Lizrin, Foresearch Media representative. Respect, Sectuib.”
“House of Zeor extends respect to House of Lizrin.”
“Sels Farris, channel in Zeor and the new Co-Dean of the college of channels here in Rialite.”
“Bett Farris, Second Companion in Zeor, Assistant to the Chief Donor of Rialite.”
Digen met Jiplain’s eyes, and the other Sime took up the proceeding smoothly. “It’s difficult to know how to conduct this interview since I believe it will come as a shock to you.”
Rellow cut in. “It’s not really news to him. Digen Ryan Farris, I have here a fully processed warrant for your recall as Sectuib in Zeor.”
The words made no sense to Digen at first. The office of Sectuib was a matter internal to the Householding. But then he remembered some of the new laws that had recently been passed providing for the displacement of a Sectuib who was proven incompetent to manage the affairs of the House. As far as Digen knew, the law had never been invoked before and had never been tested in court.
“That,” said Sels ferociously, “is utterly absurd.”
His own son! “Take it easy, Sels.”
Rellow again made as if to rise, but Jiplain abruptly took the document from Rellow and went toward Digen’s end of the table. “As the only unaffiliated Tecton representative here, allow me to summarize the charges.
“Digen Farris has not taken a pledge transfer in well over twenty years and is therefore not an acting Sectuib.
“Under Section twenty-three of the Tecton Code, his junct condition makes him unfit to manage the affairs of a House.
“Digen Farris has no heir. His ex-heir is junct and proved to be a witch, meddling with forces which have once toppled civilization on this planet. Because of physical illness, Digen Farris is not likely ever to have another heir.”
Digen listened in growing shock matched by the heavy grief in Jiplain’s voice. How did Rellow know what they had just done to Ercy? He must have been preparing this for weeks—months…
“…Farris has violated Tecton law and thus placed all of Zeor and everyone who depends on Zeor in jeopardy by:
“A. Employing at Rialite a Donor who is not pledged to the Tecton, Halimer Grant.
“B. Fostering and sheltering and encouraging witchcraft; documentation appended includes pictures and one example of a mahogany trinrose together with notebooks in Ercy Farris’ handwriting delineating the particular witchery used to produce the flowers. These notebooks were exposed in Zeor private session and ignored by the membership hypnotized by Ercy Farris’ unnatural persuasion.
“C. Allowing a continued rash of inexplicable happenings to plague Rialite even though they could be traced directly to Ercy Farris and the illegal employee, Halimer Grant. A list of seventeen fires, disappearances, accidents, and strange occurrences is appended with signed affidavits.
“D. Deliberately allowing Halimer Grant to remove the witch Ercy Farris’ anti-kill conditioning with a drug made from the conjured blossoms.
“There’s more, but if you can dispense with this, the rest of it won’t stand up.”
“These sweeping, complex charges,” said Digen, “can’t be dismissed with the wave of a tentacle. The list is so long that my need-fogged brain can’t hold it all at once. Ercy and Halimer Grant should be brought in to confront the charges against them. And as for the list of strange fires and other occurrences, Hajene Mora ambrov Zeor, our Engineer, will have to advise me as to the facts of each case. This all will take some time—”
“You’re not going to squirm out of this that easily!” shouted Rellow from the other end of the table. “And what about Joeslee’s appearance—”
“Hajene, please,” Jiplain interrupted him.
Digen replied, “I’d like to dispense with your charges in as orderly a fashion as they have been presented to me. Unfortunately, I’ve just been through an abort, and you caught me just minutes before we were scheduled for transfer.
“I beg your indulgence, and offer you all hospitality of Rialite while we attend to our necessities and assemble the involved parties.”
Digen rose and, followed by Im’ran, Sels, and Bett, left the conference room via the private door to his own offices. The staff escorted the others to guest quarters in another wing of the building. Digen slammed the door of his office, shutting them off from the clamoring nager, and said, “Tell me it’s just need—tell me it isn’t as bad as it seems.”
Bett sighed, clinging to Sels. “It’s bad. That’s why it seems bad, because it’s bad. My own son…”
“He’s my son, too,” added Sels.
“If he gains control of Zeor, he could do a lot of damage to this world before the House dies.”
“Yes,” agreed Bett. “Digen, I’ve never seen you use need as an excuse before. Not ever.”
“I couldn’t think of any other legitimate way to gain some time,” replied Digen, reaching for his phone. “Zeor has some good lawyers among the membership. I’ve got to find out whether Rellow can really do this.”
“If Rellow is organizing it,” said Sels, “you can bet it will be legal enough.”
As he was waiting for the connection, Digen said, “Im’ran, go see if Ercy can come down and confront these people. If not, check her into the infirmary. I wouldn’t want those reporters at her. Then find Hal and get him over here even if you have to drag him out of bed.”
Im’ran started to go, but hesitated, frowning at Digen. “I don’t want to leave you like this.”
“I’m stable for the moment,” said Digen, a little more briskly than he intended. “You’ve seen me do this for days on end when I had to. And I wouldn’t send anyone else to Ercy now….”
