Nightshade - Laurell K. Hamilton [91]
Talanne turned to the guards. “Spread the word there will be no executions tonight. Contact the Venturies. Tell them we know who murdered their leader.” She glanced back at her husband. “Tell them we will give over the guilty party as soon as it can be arranged.”
The guard saluted her. “As you say, so shall it be, General Talanne.”
She nodded, and didn’t seem to hear the new title. The Torlicks had a new leader. Worf was betting that this leader would forge a lasting peace. If it could be done, Talanne would do it.
Talanne stared at her husband. He stared back, his hatred nearly touchable. Worf could not see Talanne’s face, and he didn’t want to. This was a private grief. It deserved not to be intruded upon.
Chapter Twenty-three
Picard, Troi, and Worf were standing in the roofed courtyard where they had first beamed down to Oriana. Talanne and Breck, with a handful of guards, were on hand to wish them farewell.
‘Are you sure you will not stay with us, Ambassador Worf? I think you have much to teach our warriors about honor.”
Worf glanced at Picard, but the captain only seemed amused that the Orianians had insisted on calling them both ambassador. “I am honored that you think I am a worthy teacher, General Talanne, but peace is not a time to train warriors. Your people must learn other paths to honor.”
She nodded. “Yes.” Her voice sounded almost wistful. “It will be difficult for our people, so many years of fighting. Warriors are not good in peacetime.”
‘I think you will do well, General Talanne,” Picard said. “Saving your planet will be enough of a challenge to keep any warrior occupied.”
‘And as soon as we can guarantee his safety Portun will be coming to us. He and the other Earth-healers will show us the way to begin healing our planet.”
‘You have taken the first step by abolishing the law that made bioengineering illegal,” Picard said.
‘Yes, and the Greens are eager to help the Milgians, as well. The handful of Milgians that had plotted with my husband must have been truly desperate. Their home-world sounds as damaged as our own. The Greens are insisting on a stringent treaty to make sure their science is not misused for war.” Talanne smiled at them. “We will be needing another ambassador to negotiate the treaty. Are you sure neither of you would be willing to stay?”
‘The Federation is sending out a permanent advisor, General, but I am afraid the Enterprise and her crew have other duties.”
‘Then, fair traveling, Ambassador Picard, Ambassador Worf.” She held out her hand to Troi, and Troi took it, though she knew the touch would be intrusive. Happiness, sorrow, but under all was hope.
‘We will have mind-healers of our own again. Soon I hope.”
Troi smiled. “I know you will. And Betazed will be sending some mind-healers of its own to help you.”
Talanne released her hand and stepped back to stand with the guards.
Picard touched his communicator, “Three to beam up, energize when ready.” He leaned into Worf and said, softly, “Are you sure you don’t wish to stay, Lieutenant? We would miss you at tactical, but you could start a new career as a diplomat.” There was a very uncaptainlike shine to his eyes.
‘No, Captain, I am very happy as head of security.”
‘As long as you’re sure,” Troi said.
Worf frowned at both of them. “I do not think I have the disposition to be a good ambassador.”
Troi fought the smile that tried to spread across her face. Her eyes were very bright.
Picard cleared his throat sharply, obviously struggling. The tingling rush of the transporter saved both of them from outright laughter.
The End
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three