Even the Wingless (Fiction): Difference between revisions

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Second Edition Cover

First Edition Cover

Unused Planned Second Edition Cover

The first book of the 6-book Princes' Game series covering the Chatcaavan War.

Publication Data

Series: Princes' Game
Book: 1
Publication Date: September 2011
Editions: Ebook, Paperback, Audio
Revisions: several

Blurb

The Alliance has sent twelve ambassadors to the Chatcaavan Empire; all twelve returned early, defeated. None of their number have been successful at taking that brutal empire to task for their violations of the treaty. None have survived the vicious court of a race of winged shapechangers, one maintained by cruelty, savagery and torture.

Lisinthir Nase Galare is the Alliance’s thirteenth emissary. A duelist, an esper and a prince of his people, he has been sent to bring an empire to heel. Will it destroy him, as it has his predecessors? Or can one man teach an empire to fear… and love?

Tags and Content Notes

Tags: psychological games, high stakes politics, dragons, furries, elves (space)
Rating: R for emotional, sexual, and physical violence

Buy Links

http://books2read.com/u/3yvvlm

Teasers/Marketing Graphics

The Lisinthir Teaser

Synopsis

In A Nutshell

Lisinthir, an Eldritch, becomes the thirteenth emissary of the Alliance to the Chatcaavan Empire. Plunged into a depraved kingdom, he ends up finding himself and, amazingly, love

Expanded by Chapter

Part 1: Sky Longing

Lisinthir meets the handler for his Ambassadorial mission, Alon Levy. Levy gives him a test to see if Eldritch are as advertised: shaking his hand, which Lisinthir passes with flying colors. The two have a brief conversation on the mission and the past 12 ambassadors the Alliance has sent, along with Lisinthir's lack of entourage.

Meanwhile, after observing a vessel on approach to the Throneworld planet, the Slave Queen contemplates life and her loneliness while summoning Khaska, a Seersan slave, to brush her hair. The Slave Queen notes the shuttle, and Khaska informs her that there had been several that she had not seen due to her entertaining Second and Third. Collectively, the two speculate as to what the shuttles could mean the Queen suggests going down to the Emperor's Harem to see if they know anything, asking Khaska to join her. They happen upon the harem in a state of tension, as Third and his Hand have come to enjoy Flower. According to the Mother, they are using Flower harshly because Third has captured "irregular slaves" that the Emperor intends to use against the next Alliance ambassador. The slaves were so special, Third was given leave to kill Flower.

The Slave Queen and Khaska return to the Slave Queen's quarters, where they speculate as to what 'special slaves' means. Khaska tells the Queen that they could find out, as she knows where new slaves are kept. While unsure if she would be admitted, the Queen makes the decision to find out anyway, descending to the bottom of the tower.

Meanwhile, Lisinthir reflects on the opportunity his Queen gave him in this assignment as he transfers to the Chatcaavan shuttle set to take him to the Throneworld. The Pilot of the vessel asks him where the rest of his things are and his escort, and Lisinithir tells him he has none while attempting to read Chatcaavan's body language.

Back to the Slave Queen, who reaches the bottom of the tower and says she wants to examine the new slaves to the guards. After some conferring with each other, they don't see any harm in it and let her in. There's no light, and as her eyes adjust, Khaska tells the room's occupants that they are friends, though they do not speak Chatcaavan. Khaska manages to translate for the Queen as to what they are talking about, and offers to the soon to be slaves where they are and what is to happen to them. During this, one of the slaves, a Malarai, begins crying, and Khaska introduces the Queen to the concept of it. The soon-to-be slaves also reveal that there is a third they have been protecting: an Eldritch. Rumors of the Eldritch, and their ability to feel feelings through touch, have already reached the Empire, making her the special prize that Third has found. The two leave, and upon reaching the top of the tower again, Khaska reveals after the Queen questions her that she told the slaves that they plan to break the slaves out.

Lisinthir, meanwhile travels in space toward the Throneworld. They stop in the middle of space, and he goes to the bridge to find out what is going on: They await the arrival of Third, and when he arrives, Lisinthir is transferred over to his shuttle. Upon arrival, he immediately dislikes his lodgings and demands to be given a proper room, since the room was too "soft."

Awoken in the pre-dawn hours by the Mother, the Slave Queen hastens to accept a piece of jewelry from the now deceased Flower, the first death-marker she'd accepted in two revolutions. The Mother also warns that that there will be a presentation in a day, to herald the arrival of the new Ambassador. Lisinthir arrives on the Chatcaavan Throneworld in the evening. He fends off Third's clumsy attempts to needle him, and follows him to where the court is convening while noting the beauty decorating the savagery of Chatcaavan architecture.

Meanwhile, the Slave Queen prepares for the presentation. With the help of Khaska and two of the harem's lesser members, she decorates herself for the proceedings, hating it for what it made her: "An objet d'art." The Queen and Khaska are led at the bottom of the tower to the presentation by Chatcaavan guards. When led to where she usually is kept during these presentations, the Slave Queen notes that everything seems fancier than usual, which means the Emperor is minded to play. When the Ambassador arrives and is Eldritch, the Slave Queen sees why Third was richly rewarded. After some minor pleasantries, the Emperor shows off the newly acquired slaves, the new Eldritch one to cap it off. However, the Eldritch Ambassador does not show any emotion, contrary to how Eldritch are supposed to be, even when shown a slave of his own race. In fact, the Ambassador says the Eldritch slave is "too short" and upon being questioned, offers tips on how to display her. Delighted at the Ambassador's artistic sense, the Emperor sends guards so he can show off the Slave Queen. The Ambassador comments on the aesthetics of the Slave Queen's arrangement, which delights the Emperor enough that he speaks of himself as a person, and not an abstraction. After extending an invitation to eat with him, the Emperor leaves and ends the audience.

Lisinthir takes a moment to compose himself in the face of the fact the Chatcaava had not only taken an Eldritch slave, but the heir to the Eldritch throne. He is then led to the Emperor's towers, noting a live Chatcaavan made up as a statue. Then, Lisinthir and the guard begin the interminable ascent to the Emperor's quarters. Upon arriving there, Lisinthir is given the honor of killing the meal, an animal that he dispatches by breaking its spinal column while it struggles in fear. The Emperor continues to show fascination with the contrast between Lisinthir and previous ambassadors. He then asks what symbol it is that Lisinthir was wearing, saying his newest slave had a similar one. After accidentally cutting himself in surprise, Lisinthir dissembles and says that it's a sign of patriotism. The Emperor says that the Eldritch deserved her fate and dares Lisinthir to respond. After Lisinthir admits that he would not agree with the statement, the Emperor remains amused and dismisses Lisinthir.

Once back in her chamber, the Slave Queen finds Khaska weeping upon their return. When asked what was wrong, Khaska says that "[p]erhaps at last the Alliance has sent an ambassador who can prosper at the court" and inadvertently introduces the Slave Queen to another aspect of crying. The Slave Queen attempts to comfort Khaska, then abruptly asks her what her real name is, as she is aware that names are important to aliens. She posits that maybe she can learn more of Universal and thereby see something of the outside world and learn more about aliens in general. Khaska gives her name: Laniis.

Lisinthir arrives at his opulent quarters, studying the chatcaavan room arrangement and what it could mean to a race of flyers. While unpacking, he gets a knock at his door and finds a chatcaavan female, who gives him a note and goes to his bed. Realizing that he had been given a concubine for the night, he tells her to leave, using as an excuse the fact that she was from the gift harem and not the Emperor's personal one.

The Slave Queen is interrupted from settling in for sleep by the arrival of guards, who bring the newest slaves to her chambers. The Eldritch is unwell from too much handling, according to Laniis, and she and the other slaves that came with the Eldritch go get some blankets to comfort the Eldritch.

Lisinthir wakes just before dawn and bathes and dresses. He further inspects the apartments, and the moment he steps out into what he presumes to be a study, Second lands on a perch for presumed visitors and introduces himself, referencing a flag that Lisinthir has no idea about. Lisinthir asks about food. A confused Second, since previous ambassadors brought their own chefs, promises to have the staff see to his feeding. Lisinthir also insists on Second not using you-the-alien, since he's able to understand some of the implications of that pronoun. After again insisting that he's hungry, Second flies off to see to it. With Second gone, Lisinthir finds the flag Second mention, and that it's in tatters plus out of easy reach. When he recovers the flag, he sees that it has been shredded. By the time Second returns in the afternoon, Lisinthir is quite angry. Armed with his sword, he advances upon Second, confronting him about the flag. Second admits to ignorance, and Lisinthir accuses Second of defacing the flag, which Second denies but assures Lisinthir that the perpetrator will be found and punished. Lisinthir demands Second hang the new flag up and that lights are installed to keep it lit at night, and a new pole, saying also that his availability for meetings will be signaled elsewhere. Second also tells him that the Emperor has invited him to supper.

The Slave Queen reflects that it's crowded in her chambers now, with the addition of three new people. She takes a bath to cleanse herself from the rigors of the presentation, but observes the Eldritch climbing into one of the lower bathing chambers. After watching her bathe and leave, crying and shaking the whole time, The Slave Queen privately assess that she will be the first of the slaves to die.

Dressing for dinner, Lisinthir reflects how annoying it is to do so alone since he brought no entourage. As he does so, he receives a message on his tablet from his contact, who writes in Eldren for an additional layer of obscurity. Lisinthir reports that he's found the Eldritch heir, while speculating on who, exactly, he is speaking with.

A servant brings him to the Emperor's chambers, where he finds both The Emperor and Second, who kills for them. The first topic: Lisinthir finding the Emperor's gift insufficient. Lisinthir refuses any further gifts on the grounds of not wanting charity. Second stares, but the Emperor laughs. The second topic is Lisinthir's sword, which he says he never travels without. The two Chatcaava disdain the use of them, but Lisinthir offers his perspective and there is a discussion on the cultural merits of killing ones opponents versus not killing them. The Emperor then decides to personally show Lisinthir his personal harem, directing Second to fly there. During the walk, Lisinthir brings up the flag issue, which the Emperor brushes off. Lisinthir and the Emperor have a brief confrontation about the flag, what it represents, and the poor showing previous ambassadors have made on the Empire.

Upon arrival at the Emperor's personal harem, the Emperor shows off the lounging females. Lisinthir -- though he tries to hide it -- expresses his lack of interest in them, saying it was because of the four arms. The Emperor then exits that harem, passing a surprised Second, and ascends to the Slave Queen's chambers.

Meanwhile, the Slave Queen is getting used to the room's new occupants when she is alerted by Laniis that there are soon to be visitors. The Ambassador soon appears in the doorway, followed by the Emperor, and infrequent guest to these chambers, followed by Second. The Emperor asks if the Ambassador cares to use the Slave Queen, and the Ambassador declines, citing dinner. The Emperor orders the Slave Queen to serve as a foot stool, and the Slave Queen notes that Second is nervous, wondering if he was guarding the Emperor.

The Emperor and the Ambassador have a conversation about aesthetics that segues into whether the Alliance is sending spies. The Ambassador replies that escaped slaves are the best spies, since they are so cheap. Then, the Emperor wishes to show off his latest prizes, and directs the Slave Queen to bring her, who asks Laniis to bring them. Laniis comes back with the Tam-ilee and the Malarai, and when the Emperor asks about the Eldritch, the Ambassador interrupts, positing the Eldritch is near death. After disdainfully suggesting that Eldritch females are remarkably fragile, the Emperor leaves to discuss things with Second while inviting the Ambassador to pre-bed drinks. Recognizing that this male is dangerous and intelligent due to this invitation, the Slave Queen moves to protect the others. The Ambassador asks to see the Eldritch woman while saying that he will not touch anyone. The Slave Queen will not have any of it, but Laniis tells the Ambassador where the Eldritch is, to the Queen's consternation. Abruptly, the Ambassador offers his hand, stating that it will make him uncomfortable and clumsy. The Slave Queen takes the hand, thinking of her longing for the sky. This causes the Ambassador to weep, and through tears of the Slave Queen's reflected misery, he asks her to help him free the slaves.

Lisinthir asks since the Slave Queen knows herself to be a person, and also settling into the reality of Chatcaava as people. The Seersa directs him to sit, and by her body language and spacing, he finds that she knows a lot about Eldritch. Her crude use of the language confirms it, and he learns this Seersa was Fleet Intelligence, captured a year ago while investigating rumors of traffic in Eldritch slaves. She then leads Lisinthir to Bethsaida, the Eldritch royal heir, who does not respond to his gentle entreaties. After asking the Seersa to help treat her and promising that he will do what he can to free them, Lisinthir leaves for the Emperor's tower.

Several hours after, the Slave Queen, still affected by the Ambassador's request, guesses that the Emperor will soon test the Ambassador by taking the Eldritch female in public at an audience attended by the entire court and many servants. Security would be lax, providing an opportunity for the slaves to escape. All that would be required would be for her to insert herself as the Eldritch slave, and take her pattern. She attempts to Touch the Eldritch, which wakes her, after which she asks to take her shape. The Eldritch's protestations wake her guardians, who push the Slave Queen away. After calling Laniis over and having her calm down the guardians, the Slave Queen explains her plan to help the slaves escape and what it would take. After some translated entreaties, the Eldritch slave acquiesces, but withdraws her hand after touching the Slave Queen's mind which is "full of anger and pain and darker things." Thus, the plan hits a roadblock.

Lisinthir arrives again at the Emperor's tower to find all the guards gone. What interests the Emperor, however, is recent evidence of Lisinthir weeping, since Chatcaava are unable to cry. Slavery becomes the subject again, and Lisinthir tells the Emperor that though he finds slavery morally reprehensible, he pitched the pragmatic issue of possible spying to dissuade the Emperor from continuing the practice. The conversation meanders into whether the world is harsh because it is or it is made so, and the Emperor states the Chatcaavan principal of the strong being entitled to the weak. Lisinthir asks leave to go, and before he does the Emperor gives him leave to use his harem in its entirety. Once safely back in the ambassadorial chambers, Lisinthir fears how far he will have to go in order to spring the slaves and free Bethsaida, and survive his full two-year term.

The next morning, the Slave Queen finds herself upset at the aborted Touch, so much so that she doesn't notice the Ambassador arriving until he speaks. When he allows himself to be vulnerable to her, she is surprised. She questions why he is asking her, of all people, and he tells her that she's lived longer here than he ever had so she might have useful information. For example, the number of horns a male has is significant, and stronger males break the horns of rivals to humiliate. The Ambassador again asks her if she can help him, and she pitches to him her idea and the concept of a public test, since the Emperor will not conduct business with one whose mettle he has not tried. While explaining the plan, the Slave Queen tells the Ambassador that wings determine what Chatcaava can change shape, and the Ambassador offers that he will need more items brought from the Alliance, which allows an avenue for the slaves to escape to. Then, the Ambassador offers his own pattern for her to finish the Touch. After it settles, she Changes for Laniis and the Ambassador, who proclaims that this might just work, and informs her that the Eldritch slave is the heir to the Eldritch throne. The Slave Queen dispatches Laniis to listen for anybody arriving, and the two converse, during which the Ambassador reveals that if he stays after liberating the slaves, this will force the Emperor to notice him and he might get somewhere in negotiations. During this, the Ambassador, in trying to help her from being disoriented from the Change, notices she has the Eldritch ability of sensing emotions through touch.

Back in his quarters, Lisinthir converses with his contact through tablet, stating a need of food and other innocuous things in order to hide the shipment to rescue the slaves with. He restates a desire to stay after the operation, since he isn't here just to rescue slaves and there would be a need to send someone else if he does leave, someone with esper abilities. The contact pitches a Glaseah but is quickly shot down. After ending the conversation, Second arrives. Lisinthir needles him while receiving a message that dinner will be soon and a servant will be sent to escort him. This gives him time to dress and send for a box to receive mail from his contact.

Lisinthir is guided to the field and, based on where he is seated, surmises that he is put in a place of disrespect. Still, he has ample opportunity to observe, noting the courtiers, the poison-tasters, and Second acting as a poison-taster for the Emperor. After some time, Second stands and gives an example of the Emperor's justice: Firestorm's Heir, the one who admits to desecrating the flag, challenges for the right to evade punishment. The fight is over very quickly, with the Chatcaava dying by being disemboweled. The Emperor shoots Lisinthir a look to make sure he knows this was done for him.

The Slave Queen is surprised by the sudden arrival of the Ambassador, who she recognizes as looking unwell. He makes a joke about asking for a harem's special skills, though through it he asks for them to help him relax while he asks the Slave Queen about the Chatcaavan justice system. The Ambassador reiterates his desire to stay despite the fact that he may face death if he does so, stating that males protect their people. The Slave Queen corrects him, saying males use, claim, fight over, then dispose of the weak. Laniis informs the Ambassador of the dungeon at the base of the Queen's tower, and he departs, saying he will be back tomorrow while thanking them for the distraction and renewal of purpose. After he leaves, the Slave Queen and Laniis have a conversation about the difference between slavery and servitude as Laniis throws her lot in with the escape plan.

The following morning, Lisinthir arrives at the Slave Queen's chambers only to find Bethsaida being helped by Laniis. Beth tries to cover herself, and Lisinthir remarks that Beth's priorities are not in order if she is worried about being naked around anyone. Bethsaida reminds Lisinthir of Eldritch customs, and Lisinthir states that he has no desire to marry her. The Slave Queen joins them and Lisinthir asks her about the guard patterns on the stairs. When asked why, he pitches having Laniis guide the slaves to the dungeon at the base of the tower so that the cargo-men coming to deliver Lisinthir's belongings will extricate them from the dungeon. He also tells the Slave Queen that Laniis is not just an interpreter.

Back in his quarters, Lisinthir takes a bath to soothe his aching limbs from all that stair-climbing. On his way back, he finds Third's Hand sifting through his desk. The Hand introduces himself, but Lisinthir objects both to the Hand's presence and that he is not Third himself. After rejecting the Hand's reasoning for dealing with him instead of Third directly (prior Ambassador's have, natch), Lisinthir moves to leave after telling the Hand not to insult him by sending the Hand again. The Hand attacks and Lisinthir dives into his room and gets his sword. At swordpoint, Lisinthir backs the Hand out of his chambers, telling him never to come again. Shaken by the encounter, he is relieved when the data tablet chirps and his contact informs him the shipment will arrive in two days. Lisinthir tells him of the plan and that he's abetted by "a vixen lost by her superiors. Soot points on argent."

Meanwhile, Third and his Hand barge in on the Slave Queen's apartments, demanding to see the Eldritch to bring her to the Emperor. The Slave Queen states that she is indisposed, and Third sends off Laniis, then his Hand to go fetch her when Laniis doesn't move. Third decides to amuse himself by hurting the Slave Queen who, remembering the Ambassador's calm, doesn't give him the satisfaction of outwardly showing her fear. There's a crash from the other room, and Third brings the Slave Queen to observe Laniis fighting Third's Hand for the Eldritch. Third throws Laniis from the fray and grabs the Eldritch, who faints with a scream from merely touching Third's emotions. Third demands the Slave Queen wake her up, and when she reports that she doesn't think she's able to, Third starts slapping the Eldritch to try and wake her. The Slave Queen manages to convince Third not to drag off the Eldritch slave anyway, and he and his Hand leave. The Slave Queen checks on Laniis, and together with the other slaves, they check on the Eldritch and try to comfort her. Abruptly, Third returns with the Emperor, who notices the new bruises on the Eldritch's face. The Emperor punishes Third by breaking his hand and sends him away, then charges the Slave Queen with seeing to the Eldritch slave's health.

At dinner on the Field, Lisinthir receives a message from a server that the Emperor has required his presence post-dinner. Entering to a prowling Emperor, Lisinthir and the Emperor get into a discussion as to why the Eldritch are soft and why the Chatcaava are hard. During this Lisinthir lets slip that he doesn't much like the Emperor's notion of fun, and the Emperor seizes on that to try and discomfit him again. After being dismissed, Lisinthir figures out that something happened to Bethsaida and he heads to the harem tower.

Unsurprised that the Ambassador knew and arrived, the Slave Queen asks if the Eldritch was going to die. She finds she had to ask him twice, and he explains that he hasn't seen any Eldritch like this. After naming her assailant, the Slave Queen and the Ambassador go over their options, and the Ambassador comes up with the Slave Queen playing the Eldritch as a convalescent. The prospect frightens her greatly. The Ambassador takes off his glove and offers his hand for her to touch, and when she does, he pleads with her to help. This convinces the Slave Queen to do it.

The following morning, Lisinthir gets the message that tomorrow the rescuers will be in the area, and the delivery made on his call. He hangs the scarf in the afternoon and is visited by the Crown Surgeon. The Surgeon explains to him the concept of Outside, and then allows Lisinthir to dress for dinner before showing him to the clinic. Here he emphasizes again, as he did when explaining Outside, that he will heal honor wounds, and not poisoning or illness.

At dinner, the Emperor announces that the planned festivities are postponed and moved to two days from now, and that he will be guarded by Second and the Throneworld Thorn. Third wonders if he'd been replaced, and the Emperor informs him that he is displeased with Third, and tells him to guard the spaceport instead. Another male asks about the special entertainment, and -- staring right at Lisinthir -- the Emperor tells all assembled that he intends to take the Eldritch slave. Lisinthir stands, then calmly turns his back on the Emperor as he leaves. He maintains his outward calm until he gets to his apartments.

Meanwhile, the Slave Queen practices the Eldritch shapechange and contemplates the sea. She's surprised by the Ambassador's arrival, and the two converse about what can be done about Third. Again, the Ambassador asks the Slave Queen's help, and the Slave Queen decides to solicit help from the females of the harem.

Back in his quarters, Lisinithir passes along to his contact the specific time to arrive. In return, he gets a message to pass along to the snow-ember: that the mission is a broken parachute. Getting a knock at the door, he opens it to find Laniis, who begs him -- in Universal -- for protection. He's startled by her out of character performance before understanding that she was sending a message: she was able to get to his quarters without being stopped or questioned, could bring messages from the Slave Queen if necessary, and that he was probably under surveillance. He sends her away, telling her the message from her superiors.

With the Mother's guidance, the Slave Queen recruits four members of the harem who are masochists and haven't been used in a while. After making an eloquent pitch about how Third needs to be properly sated to once again fulfill the Emperor's aims, all four volunteer. She returns to her apartments and reflects on the nature of power and how she was starting to think of herself as a person. Before she gets too melancholy, Laniis warns of the Emperor and Second's approach and she Changes to help the ruse. After checking in on the Slave Queen as an Eldritch, the two leave.

Lisinthir converses with one of Second's lackeys about how he is to set up appointments with the Chatcaava, since he has no computer access locally. When the Chatcaavan leaves, he reflects on his second objective: finding out if the Chatcaava will make war on the Alliance, and if so, when?

Overcome with nervous energy she can't explain, the Slave Queen and the others tidy her suite. The Slave Queen finds the Eldritch has come awake, and summons Laniis to translate. Together, they reassure her that she need only hang on until tomorrow. Then, the Slave Queen heads to the use closet to pick out things for the four distraction females, finding herself suddenly uncomfortable with things that she was dispassionate about before. And, that she wanted to please the Ambassador. As if on cue, the Ambassador arrives to see her with a basket full of "toys".

Asked to fetch the lantern, Lisinthir does, and gets a good look at the instruments of torture held within the closet. The Slave Queen tells him that some instruments haven't been used in some time, with the current Emperor's ascension, and that humiliation and cruelty are better than death. She then surprises him by telling him the racks are meant for males to test one another, "to force your will on other males in as violent and humiliating a way possible. The first to bed his neck is the lesser of the two." She then assures him that he won't be tested that way, since he's an alien.

Next morning, the Slave Queen distributes the toys and the four distractions: two in the harem proper, two in the Queen's suite. She prepares for the day with a bath and a light meal. Lisinthir converses with his contact and prepares for the test, knowing he might have to lengthen it with a comment or two and wear a mask of nonchalance. A Chatcaavan arrives on his doorstep and tells him that a shuttle is here with his delivery. He goes to the Field.

Laniis warns the Slave Queen of Third's approach, and also that she's leaving with the others. The Slave Queen gets a hug and a goodbye, then Laniis hides while she Changes. Third arrives and laments that he can't at least be present for the torturing of the Eldritch slave, then cops a feel, overwhelming the Slave Queen with Third's depravity. Before she could lose the form, however, two of the distractions begin their work. Third takes the bait and passes off the responsibility of leading the Eldritch slave/Slave Queen to the presentation to his Hand. Thinking quickly, the Slave Queen dives into the harem when they reach the landing, and Third's Hand is hooked by the remaining two distractions. She is then led by the guards alone.

At the presentation, the Slave Queen hears the Emperor and the Ambassador banter before she is pulled to a cold, austere setting. The Emperor descends and the presentation begins.

At the end, the Slave Queen shivers. There is more posturing between Emperor and Ambassador, and the Slave Queen is taken away.

Back in the relative safety of his apartments, Lisinthir finds the chest that had arrived, and the fact that it is a bit of an audacious in-joke among Eldritch (jackal chests being so well known among Eldritch that everybody knows they have false compartments) undoes him. He allows himself a moment to grieve for the Slave Queen, her despair, and her bravery. After washing his face, he examines the contents of the chest, puts it away, then goes to bed. When a sufficient amount of time has passed that he might be seen as deeply asleep, he slips out of bed and checks the hidden compartment, uncovering a set of claw-knives and a secret amulet rampant.

The next day, Lisinthir organizes some trade requests and does other mundane things he doesn't need to see anybody about in obvious view. In the evening, he gets a message from his contact that the slaves have successfully escaped. However, the signal is soon jammed, and he has enough time to dress in his coat when Third barges in with guards, dragging him to see the Emperor. Said Emperor is in the middle of decorating the Slave Queen when Third interrupts, announcing that all the Alliance slaves have escaped and fingering Lisinthir as the culprit. When questioned, Lisinthir admits it, which makes Third almost strike him. The Emperor orders everybody else out of the room, then questions Lisinthir further, even grabbing his chin and forcing his emotions onto the Eldritch. After saying that he's going to kill one of his harem, the Emperor moves to leave, but then Lisinthir asks for continued use of the Slave Queen. The request is granted, and the Emperor leaves.

The Slave Queen is shocked that the Ambassador is still alive, and further shocked that the Ambassador reports that the Emperor is too impressed to kill him. The Ambassador wishes to test his mettle against whatever the Emperor has in store, regardless of the consequences. In addition, the Ambassador asks to count her as an ally, and she does so in exchange for him teaching her Universal.

Part 2: Masks

Symbolized by his move to a pillow fifth from the Emperor's seat, Lisinthir allows himself to feel satisfied at liberating all Alliance citizens from the Emperor's harem. However, this new move comes with a standstill: for a solid week, neither Second nor Third paid attention to his flag when he flew it to conduct business. However, one night Third is late to supper, and the Emperor confronts him about his Hand killing one of the females that distracted them, along with the fact that their distraction allowed the slaves to escape. Taking it as a sign of disobedience and posturing toward the crown, the Emperor attacks like a force of nature. The duel ends with no death, but the Emperor snaps off two horns from Third and sends him scurrying away. Going back to his place at his pillow, the Emperor invites Lisinthir to post-dinner drinks. Lisinthir, back in his apartment, briefly dithers on what to take to the Emperor's invitation before he decides to visit the Slave Queen instead, since he has several hours before he is to be there.

Things are quiet for the Slave Queen following the slaves' escape, but when the Ambassador finally visits her, she is tense, picking up on the Ambassador's uncertainty. It turns out, the Ambassador wants to apologize for not seeing her in the intervening week, and to ask forgiveness for not thanking her for her part earlier. The Slave Queen, after taking a moment to unravel this alien chain of logic, is surprised that he'd want to ask forgiveness. The Ambassador also reports the Emperor broke off two of Third's horns, lamenting that was the only cost of two women's death. The Slave Queen figures out that the two are the one Third's Hand killed, and the one the Emperor said he killed after going down to the harem. The Slave Queen tells him that when the Emperor found out that Third's Hand had already killed someone, his anger was deflected away.

The Slave Queen reports that the Emperor was away for two days and that Second doesn't like the Ambassador, who takes that he's been ignored for only two days. She informs him that actually, the week of respite is a sign of respect, since it took that long for the Emperor to choose how to test the Ambassador and recoup his strength. However, the Slave Queen emphasizes that this is no normal invitation to drink: this is an invitation to accept the test, and the Ambassador must challenge the Emperor. Put another way, he has to insult him. The Ambassador is very surprised by this, and the Slave Queen informs him that having proved he could go against the Emperor's will when dictating duty, the Ambassador needs to insult the Emperor personally. In this, he has the potential to go further into the Emperor's confidences.

From the Slave Queen's chambers, Lisinthir goes directly to the Emperor's, dread haunting the interminable climb. Inside, Lisinthir bows and the two converse. To Lisinthir's despair, however, he sees them retreading the same ground. When the Emperor pours for them, Lisinthir gets an idea: imply that pouring for someone else is weak and womanly. He gets only a split second before the Emperor attacks him, throws him onto a nearby couch, tears off his clothes, and rapes him, with mind and body. At the end, Lisinthir finds himself sweating from the pain. The Emperor offers him a drink, and he accepts. With a suggestion that he see the Surgeon before he goes to bed and throwing him a robe since his existing clothes were destroyed, the Emperor dismisses Lisinthir.

Halfway down the stairs, Lisinthir collapses, reflecting on the scattered impressions from the Emperor's mind: that while not a Chatcaavan, Lisinthir still fascinated the Emperor. Faced with this being his new normal, Lisinthir wants to bolt, even though he'd been invited to the true tests of a Chatcaavan courtier. Battered and bleeding, he declines to go to the Surgeon's and instead climbs more stairs to see the Slave Queen, collapsing at the door.

Surprised he didn't catch himself, the Slave Queen goes for the comm panel and calls for the Surgeon. Unsure as to whether her touch would harm the Ambassador further, the Slave Queen tries to examine him to see if there is anything she can do for him. The Surgeon arrives through the window, commenting that he didn't think the Slave Queen understood what she saw. Unsure how to treat the Ambassador since he's an alien, he asks the Slave Queen if she knows anything, and she replies about the Eldritch's esper ability. The Surgeon decides to treat the Ambassador right in the Slave Queen's suite, enlisting her help to do so. Together, the two of them strip the Ambassador, and the Slave Queen takes in the sight of the naked alien male. While the two are examining the extent of the wounds, the Surgeon drops that the Emperor warned the Surgeon that the Ambassador might accrue honor wounds. The Surgeon finishes and leaves, and the Slave Queen is left with the Ambassador, aware that she is larger and more likely heavier than he is. Instead, she gets some pillows and tries to make the Ambassador comfortable while struggling with the Ambassador coming to her tower as an apparent refuge, and more signs of her personhood. Confused with how to arrange him, herself, and her thoughts, she waits with the Ambassador's head on her lap.

Lisinthir wakes to alien thoughts of unease and discomfort, similar to his own. Unable to fight the outside emotions, he doesn't and opens his eyes, looking up at the Slave Queen. She tells him that he's been out for 4 hours, and that he's been tended to by the Surgeon with her aid. As he feels her puzzlement, she also says that the Emperor warned the Surgeon that Lisinthir might need his services. With her calm still taking hold of him, she details that Lisinthir is in a unique place: ambitious males the Emperor disliked get humiliated by either having their horns broken off (if useful) or their wing vanes stripped (if not); ambitious males the Emperor respects get killed. Rape is reserved for those who are between respect and usefulness; a private humiliation. Lisinthir thinks that being used as a female is a form of admiration, and the Slave Queen corrects him: he was given a choice, and fighting was counted in his favor. Lisinthir apologizes, and as the Slave Queen wonders if she's putting him off, he reveals that her feelings are his as well for the time being, and if he was just himself, he'd be more unsettled. At the suggestion that he do as his predecessors do, he states that he can't conduct business as a wingless freak. Someone has to do what he's doing, and if not him, then who? The Slave Queen tells him that he'd either rise to be respected and killed or fall to be publicly humiliated, which Lisinthir finds untenable. If he can't find a path between those two, then everything he's done so far will be for nothing. The Slave Queen predicts that this will lead to him being killed, but Lisinthir -- finally sitting up -- says that he isn't Chatcaavan and therefore can find a different ending. After asking the Slave Queen if it gets better (solid maybe), Lisinthir asks her if she has access to anything he can wear. She leaves to get some harem members to fetch clothing, and as she returns, he asks to see her in the mornings after breakfast to fulfill his promise.

With the Ambassador gone, the Slave Queen takes a bath, wrestling with her feelings. As she gets out, Second arrives, and to her confusion, refuses his normal service of having his wings oiled. Second asks if the Ambassador was here the night prior, and after being confused that Second was actually addressing her, the Slave Queen answers that he was. Second also asks if the Ambassador had honor wounds, and starts pacing when being told that he did. Second peppers the Queen with questions, betraying anger and worry that the Ambassador did not intend to leave after suffering abuse as aliens count it. He leaves, and the Slave Queen is caught between wonder and anxiety.

Lisinthir wakes late in the day to another note from the Emperor, inviting him to another drink. He has a minor crisis thinking about explaining his current situation to the Alliance Diplomatic Corps, Fleet Central, or worse, the Eldritch contact he had. Steeling himself for what must be done in order to accomplish his aims, he bathes, dresses (initially discarding white for red because he didn't want the Emperor to see the amulet), and makes his way to the Emperor's apartments. The Emperor expresses surprise that he answered the invitation, clarifying that he was surprised Lisinthir was able to answer the invitation. Lisinthir scoffs and again implies the Emperor is womanly for pouring for him and is again attacked and raped. This time he fights back, furious, but fails to prevent his rape. At the end, when the Emperor again offers him a drink, Lisinthir sees that he managed to injure him somewhat.

Warring with whether to prepare for the Ambassador's impending visit or simply wait for him to fail to appear, the Slave Queen chooses optimism and prepares, and the Ambassador rewards her trust in him. She notices that he's hurt, though the Ambassador says that he's been to the Surgeon and been patched up. The Ambassador finds the song book he'd forgotten there earlier, then muses on the Emperor's invitation, so soon after his last, with the Slave Queen. After some pleasantries that the Slave Queen finds bizarre, the Ambassador begins his lesson, stating explicitly that in order to teach her to speak, he had to teach her to think as non-Chatcaava do. The Ambassador also tells her that the song book is in Eldritch, and he's translating from Eldritch to Universal to teach her the latter. The Veil technically prevents him from telling outsiders anything about the Eldritch, but he's parting it because she's earned his trust. Of course, this reignites the Slave Queen's struggle with being treated like a person, since the Surgeon and Second have talked to her expecting her to talk back. The Ambassador tells her to send him away if his actions disorder her so, but that he can't treat her like other Chatcaava do. When she expresses fear, the Ambassador offers his hands, stating that all he is offering is a connection, and a choice. After hesitating, the Slave Queen chooses to hear the stories.

On night 4 of these encounters, the Emperor tangles himself in a couch and Lisinthir is able to rape him. After seeing the Surgeon, he reflects that what he just did would have him in stocks at home, and tried and possibly imprisoned in the Alliance. Yet, he feels no remorse, and he hadn't been unwilling. However, his requests for meetings continue to go unanswered. Lisinthir uses this time instead to recover from the whiplash of the nightly contests and teaching the Slave Queen of love and personhood and freedom, set upon entering the Emperor's confidences.

The Slave Queen, meanwhile, is completely taken aback by the Ambassador's stories, and that he continued to come at all. Not just that he was obviously tired in some instances, but that the Emperor had not killed him yet. The Emperor also had not seen her until he visits her one day, humming tunelessly. After posing as the statue the Emperor was decorating her as the night the Ambassador was brought before him under guard, she reflects that he isn't agitated at all, a rare occurence. Second visits, and the Emperor invites him to sit. Though the Emperor tries to engage Second in idle banter about what concept he was trying to get the Slave Queen to represent, Second's request to speak leads him out of his reverie. After expressing concern that Third -- who is on assignment from the Emperor -- has been gone for too long, Second gets to his real concern: that the Emperor has spent almost three weeks of evenings with the Ambassador. After fending off Second's contention that giving honor wounds to an alien might devalue honor, the Emperor states a curiosity with the Ambassador's persistence and unyielding. The two argue over whether the Ambassador is truly worthy to be tested when Second suggests the Ambassador is weak becaused he was too soft to watch the suffering of others. This catches the Emperor's attention, and he accepts the suggestion that he test this particular aspect of the Ambassador. The Slave Queen is left, tied in an artful curve and unable to warn the Ambassador.

Lisinthir finds the Emperor one night in the back of his apartments, lounging on a bed. After inviting him to serve his own alcohol, the Emperor orders him to undress. Lisinthir declines, but the Emperor insists that he's already destroyed 24 of Lisinthir's outfits. Lisinthir continues to decline, but instead of getting into a fight, the Emperor grabs him by the hair and forces him to his knees. The Emperor then proposes that he take out his desires on one of the kept, and when Lisinthir tells him he'd do it anyway, he tells him that he's the Emperor who has killed the least of his possessions. The Emperor then infers that he can make Lisinthir obey by threatening innocents, calling him Beauty. Lisinthir, shaking with rage, agrees, and the Emperor forces Lisinthir into oral sex.

The Ambassador finds the Slave Queen still tied up the following morning, and unties her. As soon as he does, she collapses into his arms, and hopes frantically that her thoughts did not distress him further. Bringing her to a divan, he reassures her that she doesn't and offers to bring her something. The Slave Queen begins to object, but the Ambassador tells her that tonight was possibly the gentlest night he's been with the Emperor, though there are paces no medic can touch. Expanding, he tells the Slave Queen that the Emperor has discovered that his obedience can be compelled if the Emperor threatens others. Confused, the Slave Queen notes that there are no more Alliance citizens before figuring out that the Ambassador meant the females of the harem. Even though the Slave Queen tries to minimize herself and the other females as unable to be saved, he remains adamant that he can prevent their harm for a little while. But then, the Slave Queen remembers that the Ambassador is not Chatcaavan, yet is male, and the Emperor remains fascinated with him. When asked if his sessions with the Emperor are healthy, the Ambassador admits that he's losing the line between himself and the Emperor. The Slave Queen reminds him that what moves him makes him what he is. She warns him that the Emperor will press this weakness, but bolstered by the Queen's earlier words, the Ambassador remains adamant. The Slave Queen then asks if there's anything she can do to help, and the Ambassador tells her that coming here, where emotions are healthier, is a boon.

Lisinthir finally gets time to see Second in his office. Second questions how long Lisinthir is staying, and Lisinthir returns that he's supposed to be here for at least two years, then gets right to the first point: Chatcaavan military near Alliance colonies. Second disputes that they are there, and intimates that Lisinthir would have much to gain from accusing the Empire of breaking a treaty. He then breaks off the meeting, and Lisinthir returns to his apartments, wondering how he can break through to Second, and changes for dinner. As he does, he reflects on the state of his wardrobe, and the fact that Second wants to send him away, and that what he did had the potential for more power than he thought wise.

The Slave Queen is surprised when a female asks for her presence, since the Mother has been sequestered in labor for three days. The retiring room is the one place of refuge in the entire harem. When the Slave Queen enters, the Mother is pacing, skin slick and pale. She is having trouble giving birth. When the Slave Queen examines her, she finds troubling signs. She encourages the Mother to continue walking, while she bears silent witness. After some time, the Ambassador comes to see her, and the Slave Queen exits the retiring room, telling the Ambassador that the Mother will soon die due to her troubles with the child. The Ambassador asks where the Surgeon is, and the Queen retorts that females are beneath the Surgeon's notice. Abruptly, the Ambassador asks for the nearest comm unit, and asks also for the Slave Queen to help him operate it. When she does, he asks for the Surgeon, and the clinic dispatches him. Over the Slave Queen's objections, the Ambassador challenges her belief that the lives of females are empty of meaning. She turns and finds the harem studiously not paying attention to the possibility of better treatment.

The Surgeon enters, noting the Ambassador isn't injured. When the Ambassador asks him to treat the Mother, the Surgeon refuses. The Ambassador then challenges the Surgeon's skill and experience, stating that helping the Mother will save the life of the Emperor's offspring. Then, the Ambassador ropes the Slave Queen into the conversation, asking if it is true that, as with the Eldritch, the Chatcaavan mother often takes the child with her if she dies while birthing. Then, the Ambassador proposes that it might be a son, stating that all males are worthy. After a moment, the Surgeon enters the retiring room. The Ambassador and the Slave Queen converse quietly and wait. Several hours later, the Surgeon exits, proclaiming that it's a boy, and leaves through the window. The Slave Queen rushes in, overjoyed at the sight of the Mother, alive with her newborn son.

Back in his apartments after supper, Lisinthir tells his contacts that he is solidifying his credibility before he goes to the Emperor's tower, finding the Emperor at a window. As the Emperor doesn't speak, neither does he, and he is pleased to find himself still wearing clothes. Finally speaking, the Emperor notes that he has a son, and Lisinthir is responsible. He does not, however, understand why, having raped Lisinthir several times and forced him under threat of violence. Lisinthir states that the Emperor doesn't know him, and when confronted states that he serves life despite the Emperor, making the Emperor's power over him meaningless. The Emperor still doesn't understand, but invites Lisinthir to drink, and only drink, toasting the health of his newest progeny.

When the Mother at last leaves the retiring room, the Slave Queen makes to leave amid the celebration, but is instead asked to stay and is asked to hold the baby. The Mother credits her with saving her life and the life of the child. When the Slave Queen attempts to pass off the credit, the Mother insists, and by the looks on the faces of the other females, the rest of the harem agrees. The Slave Queen stays for a time, but then flees to the relative silence of her tower. Unable to escape her thoughts, she stays up all night. In the morning, she asks the Ambassador to explain this morning, why the light seems different today, why the Mother and he are both alive and nothing is the same. When pressed, she explains that he has made hers, Laniis', Second's, the Emperor's, and now the Surgeon's lives different, asking for a story that might explain what is going on. Instead the Ambassador laughs, and she notices that he looks a lot better than he had been of late. He relays that the Emperor thanked him for his son. The Slave Queen asserts that is why he did it, but he tells her it isn't, and she knows that. He tells a simple story of a woman who so loved the world she died to save it, and the Slave Queen protests that this makes no sense. Instead, the Ambassador tells her that it is enough that Laniis is free and the Mother is alive. He reminds her that it's not wrong to lean on another at the end of one's strength, but the Slave Queen warns him that he will die of it. He counters that neither of them are dead.