Plague of Memory by S. L. Viehl

Author:S. L. Viehl [Viehl, S. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, General, Adventure
ISBN: 9781101562857
Google: ns50Uqi9jCYC
Amazon: B006X9QJ3O
Publisher: Roc
Published: 2007-01-02T06:00:00+00:00

ChoVa walked away, and SubAkade TssVar looked in for a moment before doing the same. Reever stood at the panel long enough to meet my gaze and shake his head before following the Hsktskt out of Medical.

I left Squilyp with his mate and their sons, but by the time I reached the launch bay the Hsktskt had already departed the ship.

"They said nothing about returning," the launch supervisor told me. "Shall I contact the surface and inquire?"

I had no idea how serious this breach of protocol was, but ChoVa and her sire had every reason to feel offended. "It is best to ask the captain."

I did not want to return to Medical and listen to Squilyp again disparage the Hsktskt, or go back to our quarters and face Reever's unhappiness over the matter, so I decided to visit one of the simulator rooms. It would be good, as Darea had suggested, to work off some of this strange frustration I had been feeling.

I went to the closest unit and checked the panel. The simulator was not in use, but the program that had just been terminated was listed on the panel display as a sparring exercise. Perhaps the crew members using it would tell me how to initiate one suited to Terrans.

I entered through the door panel and saw Qonja and Hawk standing in the center of the yellow power grid. Both were stripped to the waist and covered with sweat. Two swords and several pieces of protective armor lay discarded to one side of the room.

"You are improving, but you must drop your guard to attack," Qonja was saying to Hawk. He put his hand on the winged man's shoulder. "Do not hesitate. I will counter the move, but I will take care not to injure you."

"I don't care about myself." Hawk covered Qonja's hand with his. "I'm afraid I'll hurt you."

Qonja's expression softened. "I am stronger than you think, evlanar." He bent down and for a moment I thought he meant to put his mouth to Hawk's.

"No." Hawk turned his head. "We cannot, not here. It is not worth it."

"You are worth much." Qonja rested his hand against Hawk's neck. "What we cannot do is go on like this, never touching outside our quarters, always fearing someone will see. I honor you, you honor me."

Hawk's wings flared briefly before he stepped away and picked up a cloth to dry his chest. "Someone will see us, and report the matter to your ClanLeader, and then Tlore will force you to leave me." He drew in a sharp breath. "Secrecy is more important than displaying our honor."

"Secrecy imprisons us. It makes a mockery of what we feel." Qonja came up behind Hawk and stroked his hands over the other man's wings. "No one could make me leave you now, evlanar."

As Hawk turned around into Qonja's embrace, I opened the door panel and slipped out into the corridor. I was confused, not by seeing the two men together, but by what they had said.

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