would not know how many times he had mentally returned to the image of her naked flesh, not only as they traveled, but since returning to the city, imagining that she was stretched out in welcome of his touch. Nor did they have any insight into how much he longed for closeness to her. Instead, all they saw was the a’sankh, standing by readily for any orders.
“I have to admit that I am uncertain as to the path I am to take,” King Fa’suh’teln said, breaking the silence at last as he glanced over at the elder a’sankh. Vash was known for his unbending traditionalist viewpoint, one that would not favor Cha’lii or the humans. He stood a short distance from the throne, his four arms folded over his chest as he too considered the evidence that Rhyst had delivered. “Vash?”
The older male sighed. “Fa’suh, we cannot ignore the fact that these people collectively are security threats. We have kept our people separate from the rest of the cosmos for a reason—so that we do not allow outsiders to interrupt the balance in our society as we did in the past.”
“Agreed. However, I am swayed by the evidence Rhyst has presented that these humans have many among them who are innocent in the machinations of those in power,” the king said slowly, “and in fact actively defied it. I also know that separating out the potential instigators will be a near impossible task. Do you have any personal observations to add, Rhyst?”
“If I may,” Rhyst cut a quick glance to his supervisor, “Cha’lii is an invaluable source of information. Whereas it doesn’t seem that she knows everyone personally, she has alluded many times that a number among them are not here by choice. I think you may gain a firmer concept of their society in broad terms if you question her. It will at least give you a clearer impression of the social strata as it currently exists. I am also concerned…” He hesitated, uncertain of how appropriate the next matter was to bring up.
“Go on,” Fa’suh encouraged.
“Cha’lii mentioned that the humans are having difficulty farming the sand plains with the crops they have brought with them and that, without aid, their species will starve before another ship comes.”
“Hardly a problem,” Vash said with a snort. “In fact, it would solve our problem for us. We would just wait them out and let Inara Tahli deal with them as she will.”
Rhyst felt a surge of frustration toward the elder. For as long as he had known him, the male had said to follow the way that things were done. To not question, and keep aligned to what their customs dictated. To stay away from the females, to follow the way things a’sankh have done for generations, and now to reject offworlders too, it seemed. Now he sanctioned starving out the strangers when Tak’sinii culture valued charity and kindness. Rhyst’s tail lashed with irritation.
“You would sentence many innocents to death,” he snarled.
“How can you feel sympathy?” Vash countered coolly. “We have witnessed what they did to you. They put you in a cage like an animal, provided you with raw meat and engineered livestock feed for nourishment, isolated you, violated you. How can you defend them?!”
“Because I trust Cha’lii. She, with the help of others, fought to free me despite the risk to themselves. I cannot accept and value what was offered while I condemn all of them to a terrible fate. I cannot disrespect Cha’lii in such a way.”
“Ah, the female,” the king murmured, drawing his attention back to the head of their clan. “She does pose a problem. Has Ag’hana arrived yet for her summons?” Fa’suh queried an attendant standing near the door.
Rhyst stilled. He had not been made aware of the fact that his sister was going to be summoned to offer testimony. Slowly, he let out a breath in an attempt to relieve the tension in his limbs.
“Yes, Fa’suh’teln,” the male replied with a short bow. “She arrived just a short span ago with the human, Cha’lii. They are waiting in the receiving room as ordered. Shall I send them in?”
“Only Ag’hana for now,” the king replied, and the male bowed again before leaving the room.
Rhyst’s eyes riveted to his sister as she sashayed into the room, her tail twitching behind her with every step. Whereas some might have been intimidated to be summoned into the king’s court, not Ag’hana. She radiated confidence with each step. Every