Quantum Rose by Catherine Asaro

Author:Catherine Asaro [Asaro, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction
Published: 2011-01-13T06:00:00+00:00

"Why did Vyrl try to kill the Ironbridge man?"

"Because he tried to kill Vyrl."

"The Ironbridge soldiers claim they acted in self-defense." Dazza settled back into her chair.

"We've done scans on them. They're both telling the truth as they see it."

"Didn't know who I was," Vyrl mumbled. He opened his eyes and looked at Dazza, his gaze bleary.

She leaned forward. "How are you feeling?"

"Lousy." He closed his eyes. "Flaming sedatives."

"I'm sorry," Dazza said. "But I had to do what I thought necessary." With the look of someone who already knew what response she was going to get, she added, "That's why I've posted Jagernauts as your bodyguards. You will have two with you at all times, even in the palace. Right now they're on the landing of this suite."

His eyes snapped open. "Damn it, Colonel. I'm tired of privacy being a luxury I'm forbidden."

She crossed her arms. "What did you expect? That ISC would stand by while you steal state-of-the-art special operations gear, ride off in a drunken rage, and almost get yourself killed?"

Vyrl scowled at her.

In a quieter voice, Dazza said, "Why would an Ironbridge archer try to kill you?"

After a pause, Vyrl answered. "Because of what he saw. It probably looked like I was threatening the other Ironbridge man with his own sword. And I had Kamoj. The archer was defending his partner and Kamoj's honor. Or else he thought like the first one, that Kamoj was committing adultery with me."

"Adultery?" Dazza asked. "With her own husband?"

"Interesting concept, yes?" Vyrl hesitated. "The stagman . . . ?"

"He will live," Dazza said. As relief sped across Vyrl's face, she added, "You damn near killed him. Why did you stab him? He was just trying to recover his weapon."

"Why do you think? Someone shot me. Then this one lunged at me. I reacted in reflex."

"I hadn't realized you knew how to use a sword like that."

He shrugged. "I learned on Lyshriol."

"You trained with swords on your home planet?"

"All highborn boys do there. It's part of the culture."

"It just seems so-" Dazza squinted at him. "Barbaric."

Vyrl scowled. "What, if I crisped him with a laser carbine, that would be civilized? Hell, we could be really civilized and have the Ascendant drop an antimatter bomb on Ironbridge."

Dazza didn't answer, and Kamoj could tell Vyrl's words bothered her. She had been prepared to hate Dazza, after what Vyrl had told her this afternoon. Instead she kept remembering Dazza's tears, so uncharacteristic of the craggy colonel, when the doctor realized Vyrl was going to live.

"What I don't understand," Vyrl said, "is why Ironbridge stagmen are prowling around my woods."

Dazza glanced at Kamoj. "Would you feel more comfortable if I told him?"

Kamoj nodded, wondering what Dazza knew.

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