Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine by Jeanne G'Fellers (reading tree TXT) 📗

She’s an adult capable of making her own choices. You’ve reminded me of that several times as of late, Bel.”

“But they’ve only known each other a few days.”

“You thought her competent enough to assign undercover, didn’t you?” intervened Chandrey. “Krell suits her. They’ll be good together. Besides, Krell thought enough to ask you first. That has to mean something.” Chandrey smiled at Krell. The more she could do to soften Belsas’s bluntness, the better. “Krell stuck to tradition in an age that doesn’t call for it. That in itself speaks volumes.”

“I understand the unusual nature of this call,” began Krell. “But LaRenna and I have formed a unique bond, one that I would like to pursue at length.”

“Like the one you pursued with Tatra Wileyse?” retorted Belsas.

“How do . . . ?” Krell had quite forgotten that Tatra had told everyone, anyone who would listen, that they were going to oath. “I never offered to fully bond with Healer Wileyse and we certainly never oathed.”

“Tatra’s raisers are old friends of ours,” Belsas replied. “According to them, the two of you were very close not to be oathed. Sharing a bed, I believe.”

“For a while I suppose, but I, we never—”

“A pass and a half is what I heard.” Belsas rocked on her heels. “Couldn’t make a commitment in a pass and a half, but now you want to make a serious go of things with someone you’ve known three days?”

“Well, I—”

“Kimshees are not known for stability in their personal life.” Belsas’s fiery tone increased. “You’re willing to give up apprentices and take reassignment for LaRenna?”

“LaRenna is Kimshee, too, Grandmaster Belsas, and very mature.” Stubbornness sparkled in Krell’s eyes. “I know that this means I can no longer train her and that reassignment will be necessary for me. I am also aware of the implications on my career, but I feel it is important, no, necessary for LaRenna and me to find out just how deep this bond of ours can go.”

“If all this is true,” Belsas inquired, “how could you let her take this post?”

“She accepted the post before they met,” Chandrey interjected.

“They began bonding before she went undercover. Krell could have stopped all this simply by calling us sooner.” Belsas turned back to the screen. “Why didn’t you, Krell? Her welfare fell on you until she posted. If there was anything questionable about her readiness, if there was a chance your bonding could have interfered with your judgment of her readiness, then it was irresponsible of you to send her on.”

Krell folded her arms across her chest. “The post means everything to her. She thinks it will prove her capabilities. I couldn’t very well deny her the opportunity with her thinking so.”

“Her wants matter little, First Kimshee. I am speaking of her readiness. She was your charge until she posted!” Belsas’s face was fiercely red. “And you denied your bond call to let her meet danger? ALONE?”

“Belsas, dear.” Chandrey’s soft soprano was calm yet demanding. “You’re not angry with Krell for allowing LaRenna to take post. You’re furious at yourself for sending your daughter against the Creiloff twins.” The name sent sharp chills down her spine, catching hard at the scars creasing her back. “Look at this objectively.”

“I am!”

“No, you’re not.” Chandrey leaned across the worktable, hands extended, palm up, toward her guardian. “You’re angry at yourself. You decided correctly that LaRenna was the best suited for the post, so you sent her to Langus. It was a good decision at the time.”

Belsas sagged against the worktable. “If I had known for certain the Creiloff twins were involved in the unrest on Langus, I’d never have sent her. Those two and their supporters have been thorns in the Kinship’s side for far too long.”

“Eventually, they will become too elderly to be much of a bother, just as we will.” Chandrey patted Belsas’s hand.

“Belsas.” Krell spoke in the low, rambling drawl guardians used when discussing personal matters. “This was her first post. It would have been selfish to deny her the right to prove herself. Surely you can understand that.”

Belsas drummed her fingers under Chandrey’s touch. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Generally I am,” Chandrey teased. “About what this time?”

“This situation. LaRenna is such a free spirit that perhaps she needs a steady mate.” Krell breathed an audible sigh. “Maybe you can tame her quick mouth, Krell.”

“There’s nothing wrong with stating your mind,” retorted Chandrey. “Krell, you do know she’s physically different, don’t you?”

“I am aware LaRenna’s true female, if that’s what you are referring to,” replied Krell. “Her capacity to have children has increased her phasing abilities to amazing heights. She’s a powerful mind. She just needs to refine her skills.”

“I’m glad she’s able to explore her potential with you.” Chandrey squeezed Belsas’s hand. “If she’s anything like her gahrah, she’ll learn fast.”

“I’m sure she will. I believe her determination derives from her mamma?”

Belsas shoved a precautionary hand into her pocket. “As does her trickster side. Word to the wise: always check your clothing before sending it to be cleaned. The fabric maintainers at the Training Grounds once came across a note Chandrey had left in my pocket. They still refer to me as, well, I’d rather not repeat it, but the name has stuck to this day.”

Ringing laughter filled rooms on both Langus and Saria Three. “And it still fits you.” Chandrey’s eyes danced merrily. “Think of it, Bel, we could be grandparents, not grandraisers, grandparents!”

“Don’t rush them.” Belsas chuckled. “They aren’t oathed yet and besides, LaRenna is young.”

Chandrey refused to let pessimism douse her spirit. “LaRenna is only one pass younger than I was when we oathed.”

“Times were different, Chandrey, and Krell is five passes older than I was. That makes her a full seventeen older than LaRenna.”

“I just turned thirty-nine.” Krell had become sensitive to the subject of LaRenna’s age, quite possibly defensive. There didn’t seem to be any difference when they were together; Krell only knew the rightness of it. “I don’t believe it’s of any significance in