The Blue Gem by M.B. Wood

Author:M.B. Wood [Wood, M. B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WordFire Press

“So, you had difficulty recruiting scholars?” 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.

“Yes, blessed Hive-Mother,” Son-Nih said. “Only two.”

Her breathing flaps drooped. “Well, I suppose two scholars are better than none.”

“The 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.”

His breathing flaps flared in anger. “Perhaps they need a touch of the pricker of pain to refresh their loyalty—”

“You’re 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.”

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-Tar’s 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.

“Welcome, Sad-Loh and Lil-Tih,” Suh-Joh said. “You are now under my protection.” She gestured for them to rise and pointed to the floor covering with a gesture for them to sit.

“Thank you, oh blessed Hive-Mother. You do us great honor by wanting the knowledge of these humble scholars.”

“Tell me, Sad-Loh, what do you really think happened on Chud-Loo?” Suh-Joh asked.

“Oh, blessed Hive-Mother—”

“Sad-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 I’ve studied, I confess a weakness in history. Technology draws my attention more strongly. I digress, please, continue.” Suh-Joh’s breathing flaps closed slowly.

“Oh blessed—” Sad-Loh began.

“Like a fellow scholar, remember?” Suh-Joh made a gesture of friendship and emitted a sweet fragrance, one of comfort.

Nervous, Sad-Loh began. “What 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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