Schism: Part One of Triad Read Online Free PDF Page B

down to expect anydiing. Nor had she ever thought Kurj would choose his heir from among the children of the stepfamer he so deeply resented. She didn’t know whether to shout, laugh, or blanch.
     
    “It’s—unexpected,” Soz said.
    Tahota smiled. “But deserved.”
    “Wait until I tell Denric.” At sixteen, he was nearest in age to her of all her siblings, and they were close despite their different interests. “He won’t believe it”
    “We would rather you say nothing,” Tahota said. “Not until the new line of succession is announced.”
    “This is a lot to think about” Soz squinted at her. “I’ll bet _ it isn’t a usual part of your duties, telling prospective DMA cadets they might become Imperator.”
    Tahota gave a startled laugh. “No, it isn’t.”
    “Why couldn’t Kurj tell me himself?”
    Tahota went into careful mode, so obviously choosing her words with caution that she could have been walking through a minefield. “The Imperator thought my presence here might be more conducive to a peaceful visit.”
    “That was tactful,” Soz said. “You could have just come out and said my half brother hates my father’s guts and wouldn’t go near this planet if you gave him anomer half a galaxy.”
    Tahota cleared her throat “I wouldn’t know.”
     
    I’ll bet. Kurj had chosen Tahota well; she knew how to be discreet. “You know, it’s funny,” Soz said. “When I saw the Jag landing, I thought it would end this idyllic life I have here.”
    Tahota raised an eyebrow. “Why would a Jag endanger your family?”
    “It wasn’t danger.” Soz looked toward the port, which was just barely visible around the edge of the castle. Althor’s Jag waited on the tarmac, gleaming like alabaster. “I was going to ask the pilot to take me to Diesha. When I got there, I was going to apply for status as an emancipated minor, so I didn’t need parental consent for DMA.” The alternative would have been to wait eight more years, until she was twenty-five, an adult under Skolian law.
    Tahota spoke quiedy. “That’s a big step.”
    “I know. I don’t want to hurt my family. I just can’t be what I’m not.” She waved her hand at me plains basking in
     
    the golden sunlight. “This is beautiful, but it’s not me. I can’t marry Lord Rillia and settle down having babies. I would go crazy.”
    “Your aptitude tests say as much.”
    “I didn’t expect to get support from DMA.”
    “Why not?”
    Soz shrugged. “I’m sure you have hundreds of good applicants.”
    “Thousands,” Tahota said. “For about thirty positions.”
    It didn’t surprise her. Academies for the other branches of ISC were larger than DMA. Jagernauts not only had to be empaths, which were rare, they also had to survive one of the most psychologically grueling jobs in ISC.
    “I have to talk with my father,” Soz said.
    The colonel nodded. “I want to tell Althor first, though.”
    “Oh. Yes. Of course.” Soz hesitated. “Do you think he has any idea?”
    “I think so. I’ll talk to him this evening and let you know after I do.”
    Tahota regarded her with understanding. “I’m here for your support and to answer any questions your parents have.”
    “Thanks.” Soz hesitated, not wanting to jinx any of this but unable to contain her questions. “Why are you offering to take me now? I’m a year too young.”
    “Your scores say you’re ready.”
    “Even so.” Although Soz couldn’t pick up much from Tahota’s well-guarded mind, she sensed gaps in the colonel’s answer. “I’ll be more ready next year.”
    Tahota’s face turned grim. “Hostilities between Skolia and the Trader Empire are escalating.”
    “That isn’t in the broadcasts.”
    “No. It isn’t.” Tahota exhaled. “Will we go to war? No one knows. But ISC is pushing its best cadets through as fast as possible.”
    It made sense to Soz.
    She just didn’t know how she would tell her family.

3
    Blue Dale Moons
    hannon stayed away while