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Jelaza Kazone
Surebleak


“Got a letter from Theo,” Miri said, looking across the desk to the corner they’d cleared so Val Con could work on the remote. They were both Delm Korval today, courtesy of the Accountants Guild.

“So soon? I hadn’t supposed that even Theo could fall into a scrape as quickly as this.”

“You need to accept the fact that Theo’s natural state is ‘in trouble,’” Miri told him. “Be a lot easier on your nerves. That said, if there is a scrape, she don’t find it worth mentioning. She’s writing with news of kin.”

Val Con looked up, green eyes serious.

“Jen Sin is—well?”

“Seems to be. Formal but cordial is the word there. Theo’s opinion is that he’s tired. The traveling Tree gave her a pod for him, which she passed on.”

Val Con’s face eased. “Excellent. That may well be the tonic he needs.”

“Could be. The reason Theo’s writing, though, is to tell me I got it all wrong, and Tolly Jones is too a cousin.”

“Through what connection?”

“The Lyre Institute for Exceptional Children and the Old Universe.” Miri tapped the screen. “She’s got it written out so far as he would tell it, and stressing that it’s not him who’s calling kin—exactly the opposite. Told her to apply to you for details.”

Val Con sighed.

“Is she asking for details?”

“Not specifically.”

He looked back to the remote. “Good.”

Miri laughed.

“You’re not gonna tell her?”

“I am not going to tell her this instant,” Val Con said firmly. “There are things in queue ahead.” He glanced up.

“Does my sister have a third topic, or is that the awful whole?”

“Couple more things, actually. According to Theo, Seignur Veeoni is brilliant and oughta be teaching. Says there’s been an attempt to break station security. Tocohl’s working with Joyita and Bechimo to build up the perimeter. They set some traps, too. Theo wonders, just on the side you know—”

Val Con looked up and met her eyes.

“Theo wonders if Tinsori Light is well and truly dead,” he murmured. “A reasonable question. We must defer to our experts on-station.”

“That’s her take, too. Says they’re being careful.”

“I am astonished.”

“Yeah. Also says—last thing—that Tocohl isn’t Station, wasn’t created to be a station, and doesn’t want to be a station, but stands ready to do her duty.”

Bechimo and Joyita, of course, are attempting to talk her out of duty.”

“Wouldn’t you? Joyita’s made contact with Seignur Veeoni, to discuss station architecture.”

She paused, tapped the screen, looked up again.

“Seems to be it. Sends her love to Lizzie. Hopes you haven’t lost your commission yet.”

“Kindred feeling. Splendid.”

“Grump. Do I tell her to keep a tight eye on Jen Sin or not?”

“Ah.” He looked across the room, toward the bookshelves, brows pulled slightly together.

“Not, I think,” he said, meeting her eyes with a slight smile. “Pray do tell her that I retain my commission, and that she continues to hold my regard as her brother.”

“Val Con sends his love,” Miri muttered, tapping keys. “Got it.”

He laughed quietly. “Cha’trez?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for your care.”

“Hey, no problem. What’re you thinking—lunch here at the desk, or upstairs?”

“Upstairs,” he said, and she nodded seriously.

“That’s what I was thinking, too.”


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