Chapter Eleven #4
“Remember that she has been fighting for survival since childhood. She has never been able to claim her own freedom. She has earned it a thousand times over, but it was never truly hers. There was always someone putting a claim in on her, and while she does not resent it, you need to respect that. Help her stand and be strong, and back her up. That’s what she needs.
She is strong enough to stand on her own, but as her daughter, I am stating that she shouldn’t have to.
If either of us had had someone to stand at our backs to ensure our freedom, the story would have been different. ”
He paused. “Freedom?”
“She was bought by the program. I was created by the program. Neither of us was free to walk away. When I was created, they sold her to the Lorn Empire in exchange for minerals. I got my freedom when I proved to be useless.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Yes, well, Maro kept her in storage. When Ithal was born to one of the women he kept, she woke up and rescued her son. She and some others escaped, and she and Ithal spent time travelling the world to find a place they could call home. They came to Aksalla. The Sethir-Nin and the capitol had betrayed her, so they were out. Most of the henchmen at the imperial palace were Hyreno, so that kept her from settling there and gave Ithal a phobia about Hyreno who look like standard actives. He doesn’t react to the ones with more festive hides, but Techor prodded at him, and his head nearly became a stump. ”
“Okay. Noted.” His eyes looked a little wild.
She chuckled. “Just make sure that no minder starts prodding, and he won’t have to use the mind spike. He will usually calm down, but the indicator is that he says the minder is being rude or impolite.”
“Ah. Masking rage.”
“Correct. He was linked to his mother when she died, and then he linked to Alody, and she was in a mood.”
“Which is code for a towering destructive rage.”
“Correct.”
“I see. You are being very forthright.”
“Well, do you prefer Dad or Pops?”
He grinned. “Right. I started it.”
“Indeed. Don’t pick fights with me. I fight to win and don’t mind a body count.”
“Is that on your business cards?”
She laughed and looked at Alody. She was still crying happy tears and talking to her cousin.
“Yeah, that’s going to be awkward.”
“Why? She’s happy.”
“If her family is alive, they are going to deal with exile for selling their daughter.”
“Oh. Well, they should.”
“It isn’t likely. Her parents would be close to a hundred by now.”
“They didn’t have your life spans?”
“Only Aluhara and Alody were born with that particular activation. I developed mine because they really wanted me to have it, so they kept those genes the focus. That’s why they weren’t really shocked when I didn’t develop her skills.”
“But you had them.”
“Oh. Yeah, but there was only demand, not need. They didn’t get that part, and they didn’t ask, so I didn’t tell, and they set me loose. That is when I went off into the world to make my fortune. I even became empress. Are you proud of me, Papa?” She rested her head on her fist and grinned.
He blinked. “You are slightly unhinged.”
“And that is why you are going to get a card every Father’s Day. You are observant.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
She giggled, and he blinked. “You are so smart, Dad.”
“Damn, that is disturbing.”
“I know, but Jenaki sees through it, plus I freed his ancestral country, so he’s willing to put up with a lot just to see me in Khaskik formal wear.
Mind you, he has already seen me naked a few times.
Things are proceeding. Oh, and all the rooms at my house have soundproofing that is intelligent.
If Ithal needs something, he has a button to press. ”
“That is... good to know.”
The others returned to them, and it got louder when the kids explained how they had learned to box, and they watched Jenaki fight Sorooth. Surprisingly, the doctor won.
Diena smiled at Jenaki. “My hero.”
He chuckled. “My Empress. Do you have to stay, or can we go for something more resembling actual vegetables?”
“That is extremely tempting.” She looked at Alody. “Done with your call?”
“Yes. She is going to talk to her husband and find out if he’s willing to deal with an infant. If he says yes, can you teach her how to do that thing?”
“Oh, sure.” Diena smiled. “I can teach you, too, but not until you are ready.”
Alody smiled. “So three years from now.”
“I will put it on my calendar.” Diena smiled. “I look forward to another sibling.”
The kids were still chattering about their adventures, and an active discussion occurred on where they were going to go for food.
Ithal said, “Sis, can we go to your place?”
“Of course. Bring anyone who wants to come, and we will have a barbeque. Send food preferences to me, and I will have it waiting for us.”
The kids got going on the lists, and Keska took notes.
Diena looked around at the kids who had rushed in after their school day with their parents in tow.
This was her life now. She was going to have to restart a country with some of the most wounded women she knew. They could do it, but it was going to be messy. Keeping the resources under control was paramount. It was what would protect them in the future to come.
She looked at Jenaki. They were going to have to figure out a fancy way to get married. Diena may have to appear nearly naked for formal events, but she wasn’t easy.