Page 33 of Alien Burn

Dhomhes looked down the passage. Two attendants carried a tray through the far doors. No one close enough to be listening.

“That is something we're examining.”

Tivek's eyes widened slightly. “Really?”

“Really. You thought it through.”

His brother looked pleased for about a heartbeat. Then the implication caught up with him.

“That's awful.”

“Yes.”

“Are the ladies still frightened?”

“Very.”

Tivek looked back toward the breakfast room.

“Mother says they lost all their things.”

“Most of them.”

“Someone should show them the gardens. The little ones inside, I mean. Away from where you can see the fire.”

Dhomhes followed his glance. There was a courtyard beyond the gallery with a shallow fountain. Someone had left a chair beside it, angled toward the morning meal instead of the view.

“They might like that.”

“I could do it.”

“If they want you to. Ask first.”

“I was going to.”

“And don't lead anyone out of the guarded areas.”

Tivek gave him an injured look.

“I know.”

“Forgive me. I was overcome by a rare fit of being the elder brother.”

“Rare?”

“You have training.”

“There it is again.”

His brother grinned, but didn't leave. One foot moved against a seam in the floor. Dhomhes waited.

“Doctor Havent's office sent Mother a form.”

Dhomhes kept his hands still.

“What kind?”

“Supplementary attestation of lineage.” Tivek said it carefully, as though he had practiced getting through the phrase without stumbling. “For the ritual application.”