Page 32 of Alien Burn

Tivek released him. Looked at the hand once more, just to be certain, and adjusted the practice weapon hanging from his shoulder.

“Why are you here?” Dhomhes asked.

“Mother has to present the quarter accounts. She brought me before all this happened. She said if she left me alone with the ritual coming up, I'd train myself into a splint.”

“A reasonable concern.”

“I'm much better than I was.”

Dhomhes glanced at the corner Tivek had just struck.

“The architecture will be delighted.”

Tivek shoved his uninjured shoulder. For a moment, Dhomhes wanted to hold him there. Check every limb. Ask him to stay where someone could see him.

Instead, he straightened the twisted strap of the sling.

“What have you heard?”

“Everything. None of it agrees.” Tivek lowered his voice. “Kessin's cousin says the ship was blown apart. Ellon says the captain is still on it, refusing to let anyone aboard.”

“The ship was destroyed.”

Tivek's mouth closed.

“Then what Ellon said⁠—”

“Was wrong.”

“I thought so. But Kessin's cousin also says the off-worlders only eat paste, and they had a whole feast planned. You wouldn't plan a feast for people who only ate paste.”

“Perhaps they had especially fine paste.”

“Dhom.”

“They eat food, Tivek. You'll survive a meal with them.”

His brother glanced toward the gallery where staff were laying out breakfast.

“Were you there when the platform broke?”

“Yes.”

“They said the exits went first.”

“Part of the platform failed. Several ways off it became unsafe.”

“On purpose?”

Dhomhes considered him. Tivek had stopped fiddling with the strap.

“Someone attacked the platform. We don't yet know everything they intended.”

“But if you damage the way out, everyone has to stop and find another.”

“Yes.”

“Then you know where they'll go next.”