Part 28 (1/2)
”The records are confidential.”
Kurj waved his hand. ”Never mind that.”
”I haven't permission to copy them.”
”I'm giving you permission.”
”Only Roca Skolia or her doctor can give permission.”
”So change the access protocols.”
”That isn't allowed.”
Kurj frowned. ”I'm allowing it.”
”You should not have the authority to do such.”
”NodeA,do what I tell you.” Unfortunately, Dehya also tended to program some annoying traits into EIs, such as this resistance to overriding other people's security protocols. Every time he fixed this one, it tried to evolve back to its original parameters. He would have to run a personality check on it again.
”Medical records copied,”Asaid.
”Good.” Kurj leaned back in his chair and it s.h.i.+fted to accommodate his weight. ”Bring up the a.n.a.lysis of my half brother's DNA.”
The holos above his desk disappeared, replaced by new ones, similar but not identical to Kurj's DNA.
Kurj studied the diagrams. ”So is the baby a Ruby psion?”
”The a.n.a.lysis is incomplete,”Asaid. ”But yes, it looks like he has the full complement of Rhon genes.”
Kurj blew out a gust of air. He genuinely hadn't believed his brother could be a Ruby. No wonder his mother had acted rashly toward the Skyfall man. His pheromones would have muddled her judgment.
Kurj didn't believe she loved him. She couldn't. It was impossible. The sc.u.m wasn't good enough for her. Of course, no one was good enough for her, but this barbarian was about as far from suitable as possible. At least Dayj Majda had impeccable heredity. The fact that Dayj never let anyone forget that didn't make him any easier to tolerate, but as long as he stayed in seclusion, it didn't matter.
Kurj frowned at the holos. ”Is it possible the father of this child is not a Ruby Dynasty psion?”
”Yes,”Asaid. ”For him to be a Ruby psion, he must carry two of every Ruby gene. If he has only one of any of them, he won't manifest the full traits, but he can still pa.s.s the genes to his son.”
”That isn't what I meant.” Kurj knew perfectly well a child could be a Ruby psion even if his father wasn't; he was living proof of that.
”I meant, is it possible he isn't part of the Ruby Dynasty. Is his marriage to my mother legal?”
”No written contract exists.”
That sounded promising. ”Is an oral agreement enough to make it legal?”
”Yes, if the bride, groom, and witnesses testify and have their statements verified by physiological monitoring.”
”What would invalidate their testimony?”
Apaused, working. ”If monitoring determines that any of the parties are lying; if one or more of the parties has a previous contract that precludes the marriage; if the contract violates Skolian law; or if any of the parties involved are mentally incapable of agreeing to a contract.”
”Interesting.” Kurj swiveled his chair around to look through the window that took up the entire wall behind his desk. Far below the window, Ground sloped away, rolling down to City, which glowed like a gem in the distance. The sight soothed him, all the more so because his mood had lifted.
He knew how to rid their lives of Eldrinson Valdoria.
Windward lay in ruins.
Eldri and Garlin spent the morning walking through the castle with Shannar and the Memory, taking stock of the damage. Eldri felt as if he were withering inside. He had lost everything: Roca, his son, Windward, and so many of his men that he hurt every time he thought of it. In the five days since the battle, he had gone through the motions of life, but his existence seemed like a barren plain, a place that would never again see joy.
A group of people entered the courtyard through the broken gateway. Eldri frowned, squinting at them.
His warriors were escorting several unfamiliar men. His stomach dropped when he recognized the man in their center. Avaril Valdoria.
Eldri stopped, his hand going to his sword. He touched nothing, of course; he had no weapon at the moment. In truth, it mattered only to his pride. His men wore swords, disk mail, and armor, all of them well equipped to defend him. Even that wasn't necessary; one of Avaril's men had tied a red scarf to his staff, the traditional request for a truce.
Eldri glanced at Shannar. ”I would see my G.o.dsforsaken cousin leave Windward.”
”He will soon be gone,” Shannar said. ”His army is broken.”
”So is ours,” Eldri muttered. ”He will rebuild.”
Garlin drew in a weary breath. ”And so will we.”
Shaliece spoke. ”Shall I accept their request for truce?”
”Yes, I suppose.” Eldri nodded to her. ”Take extra care in recording all he says and does.”
She inclined her head. Then she pulled off the violet scarf around her waist and raised it high, making the cloth ripple in the wind.
They fell silent as the warriors escorted Avaril to them. Eldri's men kept their hands on the hilts of their swords, but no one drew a weapon. To do so after both sides had raised their colors would have been unforgivable.
Avaril regarded Eldri with undisguised distrust. The wind blew back his hair, showing more of the gray.
”Cousin.”
Eldri only grunted. He had no intention of making whatever Avaril wanted to say any easier.
Avaril's mouth tightened. ”Must we continually fight?”
Eldri crossed his arms. ”It is you who chooses to fight.”
”It is you who usurps the rightful heir.”
”Our grandfather chose his heir,” Eldri said. ”You may hate that choice, but nevertheless, he was within his rights.”
Avaril started to reach for his sword, then took a breath and relaxed his arms. ”You can argue your supposed rights forever. It will not change the truth.”
”I don't need to change any truths,” Eldri said tightly. ”No matter how many of my men you murder, your claim will never be valid.”