Schism: Part One of Triad Read Online Free PDF

between Soz’s oldest brother and his aunt, the Ruby Pharaoh. The resulting turmoil had nearly destabilized the government. They weren’t likely to try such again.
     
    So Kurj remained single. She doubted he cared. He liked his freedom. He was almost sixty, but he looked thirty and he could father children until he was old and doddering if he wanted.
    It wasn’t anything she wished to discuss with Tahota, though. She said only, “I’m not sure what this has to do with DMA.”
    “Imperator Skolia inherited his position.”
    That was tactful. Better than saying, Your brother assassinated your grandfather. It might not be true, after all. It could have been an accident Soz had no idea; it had happened before her birth. The previous Imperator had been Roca’s father.
    Roca was a politician, not a military leader, but nevertheless, she should have inherited the tide. Kurj had taken it instead, by forcing bis way into the Dyad ahead of her. The Assembly had found him kneeling next to his grandfather’s body. They ruled the death an accident, but that could have been because they were terrified of his immense power. By mat time, he commanded the loyalty of Imperial Space Command, the massive Skolian military.
    Soz said only, “Yes.”
    “He needs heirs. They must come from your family.”
    “I doubt it.” Going for the greatest understatement of all time, Soz added, “Kurj doesn’t like my father.”
    “I wouldn’t know.” Tahota’s cautious tone made Soz think the colonel knew far more than she admitted. “But his heirs must come from your family.”
    This visit began to make more sense. “He picked Althor, I take it.”
    Tahota said, simply, “Yes.”
    Soz tried not to grit her teem. Of course he would choose Althor. Why not?
    Shannon had said it this afternoon. Akhor was magnificent He even looked like Kurj. Why the blazes this colonel came all the way here to tell her this news was a mystery Soz could have done without.
    Then, suddenly, she saw. It was a courtesy. Kurj wanted her to know before he made the announcement Letting her attend DMA would ameliorate the blow. She had never expected anyone in her family to become the Imperial Heir, but in her more audacious moments she had imagined it, that she would rise through the ranks as Kurj had done and someday command ISC. Damn it all, they hadn’t even given her a chance to prove herself.
    She spoke coolly. “I’m sure Althor is pleased.”
    “He doesn’t know yet.”
    “Oh.” Soz folded her arms. “Why tell me first?”
    And Tahota said, “You are Kurj’s other choice.”
    Soz froze. “What?”
    “You are his other choice for the Imperial Heir. Possibly your brother Keltic, too, though it is too early to tell yet for him.” Tahota leaned against the wall. “Of all the Valdoria children, only the three of you show sufficient ability to succeed the Imperator. Going by seniority, Althor would be the first choice. By aptitude, you would be first.”
    Soz barely heard anything past the first sentence. Gods all-flaming-mighty.
    Tahota had showed up out of nowhere and dropped an antimatter bomb. She took a deep breath. “You have to slow down.”
    “All right.” Tahota waited, giving her time.
    Soz spoke slowly. “You’re saying that Kurj wants Althor and me to be his heirs. To succeed him as Imperator.” She reeled at the words. “He hasn’t decided who will be first in line, but Almor and I are me heir and the spare?”
    “That about sums it up.”
    Soz struggled to reorient. Although she had always known she was in line for the Ruby Throne, she had never expected to be Kurj’s heir, too. Her Aunt Dehya was the Ruby Pharaoh. Their ancestors had ruled a matriarchal empire, but now an elected Assembly governed Skolia. The dynasty still existed, however. The pharaoh had broken with tradition and named her son and only child as her heir, followed by Roca and Roca’s children, both the daughters and the sons.
    Soz was eighth in line, too far