Page 13 of Double Cut

She cast a glance at Sarus who gave her a nearly imperceptible nod and allowed the imperial guard to escort her back to the refreshment table where two of the other brides and their suitors had gathered.

Chapter5

Sarus and Horas met in a tavern after the conclusion of what the human ambassador called a meet-and-greet. They did not invite the engineer to join them, although all three had passed the first test of correctly identifying, via private vote, the female matched to them. Therefore all three would advance to the next round of the bride games.

“She’s a good match for either of us,” Horas said before tipping back a frothy ale. He took a deep swallow. “Ah! There’s nothing like an Aramodian ale after a stressful day.”

Sarus took a sip of his, savoring the rich bitterness and said, “You mean the one called Evangeline.”

“Of course. Only she smelled sweet to us.”

Sarus leaned back in his chair. It reclined, too, moving with the shift in his weight and body. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then met Horas’ steady gaze. “It’s said that Earth has an inexhaustible supply of females.”

Horas chuckled. “I don’t know about inexhaustible, but fifty-two percent of Earth’s population is female. That doesn’t, of course, mean that all of those females are of breeding age.”

Sarus took another swallow of ale, filing the information away in his brain. He marveled at a population so rich in females. Even at its most vigorous, the Ahn'hudi never enjoyed a gender distribution greater than forty percent female. “The four we met today seem spirited.”

Horas nodded. “I’ve met a handful of human females at court. Despite what some of their own males state, human females are intelligent and not necessarily docile.”

“I would have said independent, but those descriptors apply, too,” Sarus said. “What do you think we should do about Arrenji?”

Horas chuckled and adopted a superior expression. “There’s nothing to do. My Evangeline took him into dislike; she will not choose him.”

“Your Evangeline?”

Horas smiled, showing his teeth. Sarus knew it for the challenge it was. His tail twitched.

A bell rang in the tavern, exhorting the attention of all patrons and staff. A large video screen on the wall lit up. Everyone in the facility focused on it and watched and listened as the screen turned violet with a white starburst, the symbol of a royal communiqué. The rulers of Ahn'hudin infrequently used the device, so their subjects paid close attention to it when they did. The logo background faded to reveal a podium behind which stood the royal herald in formal livery who opened a scroll and read from it.

“Attend ye to a message from our emperor!” He did not look up from the scroll, but continued to read the message at a measured pace. “The allied peoples of Earth who are in allegiance with Uribern, Ahn'hudin, and Kaan have renegotiated their consolidated treaty with the Triune Alliance. An accelerated transfer of advanced technology will commence in exchange for additional brides for each Alliance planet. Each Alliance planet will receive no fewer than ten thousand living human females of breeding age per solar orbit to be taken as honored brides.”

A cheer rose up among the crowd. The high mortality rate of females transferred via the wormhole was cause for great concern. Earth had kept its part of the bargain by transferring females; however, nothing about the old treaty guaranteed a specific number of living women upon arrival.

The herald continued, “On Ahn'hudin, access to brides will no longer be restricted to the highest echelons of social, professional, and military rank. Henceforth, all prospective suitors genetically matched to incoming brides must show evidence of good citizenship and the financial means to support a bride and resultant offspring. All brides will be offered their choice of matched suitors pursuant to those suitors demonstrating their worthiness. Therefore, the bride games will continue on an accelerated schedule and in expanded format.”

The herald paused. A low buzz of conversation underscored the announcement.

The herald took a breath and concluded, “New shipments of brides will resume in two Earth months. Each shipment will contain not less than five hundred brides guaranteed to arrive alive and in good condition. This proclamation will be posted in every government office for later perusal.”

Horas shook his head slowly as the video screen dimmed.

“What troubles you?” Sarus inquired, puzzled as to why the older male seemed bothered by the good news.

“I fear Earth’s females will not be willing brides.”

“What do you mean? We are honorable males. If the size of their females is any measure,weare stronger, mightier than human males. We cannot suffer by comparison.”

Horas shook his head again. “Human women may be persuaded, but they dislike being forced. This new agreement reeks of coercion and many humans will take exception to that.”

Sarus pondered the other male’s words and decided he was quite likely correct. Another thought occurred to him. “How will these females from Earth be selected?”

“The government would likely have us believe that’s not our concern,” Horas pointed out. “But humans often practice deception. I suspect the planet’s allied governments will fulfill the terms of the agreement, but not the intention of it.”

Sarus nodded, lips peeling back from his pointed teeth as he wondered how and why Horas suspected treachery.How much experience did he have with the humans?“Do you think the human governments will send us the females they wish to be rid of most?”

Horas nodded in agreement and added, “I believe the Triune Alliance should expect such an influx, since thus far they have been sending us those females to which no honorable male would object.”

“What would make females unwanted by their government?” Sarus mused, finding it difficult to consider such a concept.

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