Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [108]
"I can't imagine being without the gift you gave me." Osira'h turned quickly to grin at a group of small figures approaching. "Here come my brothers and sisters. They wanted to meet you."
Intent on the sham of her grave, Nira now flinched as she saw the small half-breed forms coming toward her. Each of those children, sprung from weeks of abuse in the breeding barracks, was an experiment, conceived not out of love but to meet a genetic design. Her hand clenched.
Osira'h remained placid, though she sensed her mother's fear and reluctance. "I know very well what you think of their fathers. I have your memories of how they were conceived, born, and taken from you." She reached out to squeeze Nira's green hand. "For you, their origin was a curse. You endured it. But that is in the past, and they had no part in it. They are not your enemies. They are your children, Mother. Like me. Let me introduce you to them." Taking her hand, she led Nira to meet the four children halfway. With weak knees, Nira looked at the young faces, forcing herself to truly see them.
"This is Rod'h, the oldest of your sons." The boy smiled at her. His eyes glittered with a star-shaped reflection. Rod'h had a hard face, with the handsome features of Jora'h's line. She could see immediately that he was the son of Udru'h.
Nira's heart pounded, but she steeled herself. She tentatively extended her hand. "This is how humans greet each other." Rod'h clasped her hand, and his grip was surprisingly strong.
"You are my mother? I never thought I would meet my mother."
Nira tried to see beyond her own suspicions. Despite his paternal heritage, this boy was still her son. No matter how much hatred she held toward Udru'h, Rod'h was half her child, as well.
"And this is Gale'nh."
Nira turned to the younger of the boys, recognized his strong and proud features. "I . . . remember Adar Kori'nh."
The boy seemed pleased. "My father was a hero. And you too, Mother. We were taught how we might save the Empire."
Nira swallowed hard. "That is what some Ildirans believed."
The two other daughters, youngest of the five children, were Tamo'l and Muree'n. Though the youngest, Muree'n was already larger than her two closest siblings, showing her heritage from the guard kith. They all crowded forward, anxious to be close to their mother. When Nira felt their tentative curiosity, their unbelievable innocence, she realized that she did not hate them, could not hold their own births against them.
"I've told them the truth, Mother. We will help you change this place."
"I am glad to know you all. And you too, Osira'h." Nira touched her daughter on the cheek as tears welled in her eyes. "For showing me what was right, even though I was afraid of it."
63
OSIRA'H
Now that her half brother Daro'h was responsible for the Dobro splinter colony, Osira'h held a crystal-clear knowledge of what must be done, and only she had a full understanding of what was at stake. Difficult but necessary changes needed to take place.
She wanted to give these people a second chance--actually, their first real chance. She knew it was what her mother wanted, and Nira stood beside her now, stiff and intimidated before the new young Designate. But Osira'h knew that her half brother was different from Udru'h. He had not been here long enough to be hardened to his obligations. She was sure she could convince him.
The girl felt very small, yet equal, before Daro'h. "Our uncle placed you in charge of this colony. The responsibility is yours. Have you asked yourself what you are going to do differently as the new Dobro Designate?"
"Differently? The breeding experiments are no longer necessary, thanks to you, and so they have stopped. What more needs to change?" He seemed genuinely perplexed. He had no idea why Osira'h had asked to speak with him, or why she