The Blue Gem by M.B. Wood
Author:M.B. Wood [Wood, M. B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WordFire Press
âSo, you had difficulty recruiting scholars?â Suh-Joh asked. The great hall was empty except for her and Son-Nih. Spotlights illuminated the battle trophies on the glistening sandstone walls. The curtained alcoves showed no sign of life. The normal backdrop of chittering servants and the buzz of insects was absent. All attendants had been cleared from the hall. Suh-Joh had tightened security.
âYes, blessed Hive-Mother,â Son-Nih said. âOnly two.â
Her breathing flaps drooped. âWell, I suppose two scholars are better than none.â
âThe scholars are afraid to show any signs of disloyalty to their own Hives. They thought I was testing their faith and loyalty. These two scholars are convinced the Others exist. They expressed more fear of the Others than their own Hive-Mothers.â
His breathing flaps flared in anger. âPerhaps they need a touch of the pricker of pain to refresh their loyaltyââ
âYouâre thinking like a warrior, Son-Nih. I value scholars far more for their ability to delve into the ancient archives of technology and history than to question their loyalty. Send them to me, now. I want to hear their opinions.â
Son-Nih left the hall. Moments later, he returned with a contingent of warriors clustered about two unripened females. Both lowered themselves as they approached Suh-Joh. They were the scholars.
One was Sad-Loh, the former scholar of Buk-Tar who led the Hive-Mothers on the Council. Suh-Joh had learned Buk-Tarâs assassins were looking for Sad-Loh. Her defection had raised the level of hostility between the eldest Hive-Mother and Suh-Joh; it was another insult, even though unintended.
The other scholar, Lil-Tih, had belonged to the late Nah-Kih. She had expressed a wish for intellectual freedom and her Hive allowed her to leave because it was Suh-Joh who needed a scholar. They remembered Suh-Joh had spared them when she came and killed Nah-Kih.
Son-Nih directed the Chosen-Male warriors to stations at the entrance to the great hall. There would be no interruptions. The two scholars took the position of abasement and remained still and quiet, heads tight against the cold stone floor.
âWelcome, Sad-Loh and Lil-Tih,â Suh-Joh said. âYou are now under my protection.â She gestured for them to rise and pointed to the floor covering with a gesture for them to sit.
âThank you, oh blessed Hive-Mother. You do us great honor by wanting the knowledge of these humble scholars.â
âTell me, Sad-Loh, what do you really think happened on Chud-Loo?â Suh-Joh asked.
âOh, blessed Hive-Motherââ
âSad-Loh, Lil-Tih, and you too, Son-Nih, forgo the honorific during these private discussions. Think of me as a fellow scholar. Talk to me like you would a fellow investigator. Even though Iâve studied, I confess a weakness in history. Technology draws my attention more strongly. I digress, please, continue.â Suh-Johâs breathing flaps closed slowly.
âOh blessedââ Sad-Loh began.
âLike a fellow scholar, remember?â Suh-Joh made a gesture of friendship and emitted a sweet fragrance, one of comfort.
Nervous, Sad-Loh began. âWhat happened on Chud-Loo will never really be known unless a witness comes forth. We can deduce what happened from the physical clues left behind and the memory of the planetary defense system.
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