Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

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Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html "Better than last time we talked?" Thesemanakraseye-Imperator suddenly found his desktop fascinating. "On, yes, much better, thank you," he said, looking up after a bit. "Then, I was… shall we say… understress ." "As long as you've got over it." Megan looked significantly around the opulent office. "One wants the Imperator of Arko rowing with all oars, as it were." "Ordinary people go mad; Imperators become… eccentric," Shkai'ra said drily. "I'm as un-stressed as a person can be," Chevenga shot back, "when nine of every ten people coming up to him tell him his Mind is the Fortress of the World. I'vealways been eccentric; youknow that. Seriously, Megan, you might say they found someone more stubborn, or perhaps I should say arguing a better case, than myself. Amazing, I know, but true. Several people, really. Now… I'm working. I should say: conquering Arko was easy, compared torunning it." You're working too hard, she thought.Trying to make good. As you said you should; as Ivahn predicted, too . Looking at him across the desk, she reined in an impulse, then…Why not ? "Do you trust me enough to let me close enough for a good-bye hug?" They hadn't been searched on the way in, she'd noticed. He smiled. "Of course.Kahara , Megan—how can you keep doubting I should trust you?" Iwish , she thought as her heart predictably lurched,you'd damn well stop saying things like that . She stepped around the desk, put both hands on his shoulders, leaned forward and kissed him. "For lessons learned," she said as she straightened and ran a gentle claw tickling down the scar on his cheek.I forgive you , the touch said. "And a good teacher. You're always welcome in my house, if you visit F'talezon." "Thank you," he answered, and his eyes said,for your forgiveness . "I hope I've done good that will last. As a friend does, I love you." He stood up, for the final farewells. As Shkai'ra hugged him she pinched his rear. "I can't get you back," he hissed frustratedly—and simultaneously put most of his weight on her toes. "With my arms, anyway," he grinned. Sova took her turn. Ican't hug his casts because I might hurt him, so I'll just have to put my arms around his neck. Ohhhhh …" Imperators don't bite, or at leastthis one doesn't," he said, crouching so that Lixand and Ardas, who were shy at first, could reach him.They'll remember this all their lives , Megan thought. As they left, a clerk was already clearing her throat, trying to get Chevenga's attention for a pile of documents. As they came out into the vast hall of the maidens, Shkai'ra dropped behind the others, and bent far down to whisper in Megan's ear. "An agent of yours, I love it. If only ourrokatzk could have heard you call him that." They shared a snicker. "But," the Kommanza said more loudly then, mischief dancing in her eyes, "it seems I'm not the only one in this family to wrap my legs about thesemanakraseye-ish , Imperatorial, golden butt." "Shush!" Megan snapped, swatting. "Honestly." "Shyll will be happy. Look." The Kommanza tilted her head back and threw her arms wide for a moment, in perfect mimicry of Chevenga.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html "Stifle yourself!" XXVII Echera-e Lemana, Village of Voryaseretanai, Yeola-e Dear Echera-e: I'm really, really sorry, I swear I am, but it's not my fault. I can't come visit you, at least not now. My adopted mothers decided that the best way home would be by ship from Fispur, and I don't have any say in the matter. I protested and yelled and told them I promised you and did all I could, but they just called it a tantrum and wouldn't listen. They say I can visit some other time. As if they could stop me, ha ha ha. Shkai'ra didn't get killed, just like I told you she probably wouldn't. Turns out she kind of faked going missing, to find Lixand. Which she did. I know more but I can't tell you because it's a secret, highly classified, eyes only, for reasons of national security. I guess you know how the war finished, though. That is, we won. I fought in some more battles, and then there was the sack, mine goodness, which I'll tell you all about when I do visit. I still love you and will forever and ever and ever and ever and ever… Love and a million kisses. Sova. "Have you thought about the choice before you?" Shkai'ra asked the girl. They leaned on the ship's rail in the pale light of dawn, the sky a deep pink bordered with flame-orange in the east, the water of the Mitvald a restless purple. To the east, the long forested coast of the Diradic Tongue, taken back from Arko by Laka in this war, lay dark. The wind was just enough to keep the sails full; except for waves lapping the planks, and the cries of seagulls as Fishhook chased them, skimming the water like a huge bat, there was quiet. "Of course I have," the Thane-girl said. "Care to enlighten your mother on your decision?" "I would if I could. But I have no idea whether she's dead or alive. Here, Hooky-hooky-hooky!" Shkai'ra spat into the sea.One of thosemoods , she thought. "Your training is too important a matter for word games, girl." "So's my ancestry. It's 'adopted mother.' I've thought. I haven't decided." I'd have fewer wrinkles, Shkai'ra thought,If I'd leftthose two with their ditch-taken pigs of parents . Her fingers drummed her sword-hilt. "I think I gave you all the necessary advice before I left—shall I run over it again?"
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Und now I vind dose two—Celestial
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Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

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