The Shadow Matrix

  "You don't think much of me, do you, Mother?"

  "Of course I do—you are my son!"

  "But you do not think I am fit to rule anything without your guidance."

  Javanne's expression hardened and her eyes had a dangerous sparkle. "I know what needs to be done, unlike the rest of you."

  "You have waited years for the opportunity to become the power behind the throne, haven't you, Mother? You failed with your brother, but imagined you might succeed with me. That is why you have held Regis to his oath, and kept him from giving Dani his rightful inheritance. And when Marguerida appeared, all your intrigues were ruined. I am sorry, truly I am." Nothing he said seemed to reach her.

  "Mikhail, that is more insightful than anything I have heard you say before," Regis said before Javanne could reply.

  "Yes, I suppose it is." He lifted his hand, gloved now, like his wife's, to avoid inadvertent contact. "Varzil was a Ridenow and an empath, and I seem to have learned something of that from wearing this. Not that one really needs any Gift to recognize my mother's thwarted ambitions." He caught the stricken look in his uncle's eyes. "No, the ring has not made me kinder. Sorry, Uncle, but too much has happened to me."

  "Yes, it has. I had my moment, when I bore the Sword of Aldones, but it was only that—a moment. I surrendered my burden, but you cannot put yours aside, ever. I know you will not challenge me, for you are too honorable for that, no matter what my sister may hope. But we must settle the matter, because there are others, right here in the Castle, who would intrigue to embroil you in some rebellion or another. I cannot assume that you would be wise enough to resist them." Regis shook his head. "That is not a reflection on your character, Mikhail, just an understanding of human nature."

  "I did not ask to receive this matrix, but I think we all have to accept that I have it, now and forever. I can hardly toss it aside, can I?" Mikhail let his shoulders sag a little. Then he looked around the room and realized that the immediate future of Darkover was going to be decided by the people in this room. For a moment, he felt very young and out of his depth. The emotion passed, and a certain

  calm descended on him. Whatever the outcome, he would endure it, even though it likely meant occupying the Elhalyn throne for the rest of his days.

  "That is the most sensible thing I have heard since I came into this room," Dom Gabriel growled. "Stop your demons, woman! You aye plaguing us all."

  Javanne flinched, and her face looked ancient. Then she stiffened, and her skin reddened as her eyes narrowed. Emotions seemed to play across her body, frustration and anger and a deep sorrow that moved Mikhail. He could not help feeling sorry for her, even though he knew that she would become even angrier if he offered her his pity. She was completely lost in her own feelings, and instead of using the intelligence he knew she possessed, she could* only rage helplessly.

  Marguerida, who had been playing with her bracelet, turning the cat-shape around on her wrist, looked up. "You are acting like a spoiled child, Aunt Javanne, and it does not suit you. Yes, I know I should not say that. But ever since Midsummer you have been scheming and plotting. Is that why you sent Mikhail off to Halyn House, Regis? To get him out of Javanne's sight?"

  "You have me there, Marguerida. That was indeed part of the reason. Danilo tried to persuade me not to, but I did not listen. I needed time to try to reclaim the Aldarans, and to get the Comyn Council functioning again. I was wrong, and Danilo was right." He glanced at his paxman, and was answered by a slight smile and a nod of acknowledgment. "Of course, I had no idea you two were going to dash- off into the past and come back with something that would make matters worse."

  "How worse, Uncle?"

  "I can hardly deny you my throne, not while you are wearing that. And that leaves my own son in a bitter position." He looked at Linnea. "The balance of power which I have struggled to preserve is undone. Even if you had not received that matrix, your marriage to Marguerida would still have made things difficult—but the two together is nearly impossible to resolve without someone being very disappointed."

  Danilo Syrtis-Ardais cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him. His pale eyes were gleaming with something

  like mischief, and Mikhail wondered what the joke was. From Regis' expression, he was just as puzzled as Mikhail.

  Having gotten everyone's attention, Danilo began to speak. "Has everyone had their fill of recriminations and complaints? Are we agreed that the most immediate problem is the succession of both of the Hastur and the Elhalyn Domains? Or are we going to fight among ourselves until the Terranan realize our instability? They have been waiting for years for the opportunity to seize our planet, you know."

  "Fine words, but how do you propose to manage things—which it is not your place to do in any case!" Ja-vanne snarled at him, looking for some target for her ire.

  "I do not intend to manage anything but myself," Danilo .answered dryly, "a course I recommend to others. I am no kingmaker, nor have I any ambitions to become one. But, here are the facts, unpleasant as they might be. Mikhail is an adult, trained to govern, and he now is the possessor of a tool which gives him enormous power. He is also Regis' first heir."

  "But . . ." Javanne began.

  Danilo lifted his hand, a graceful gesture that did not conceal the strength in it. "Please, allow me to finish, Lady Javanne. We have a problem—that we have two heirs to one position. And, my dear Javanne, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot insist that Regis abide by his oath while at the same time resisting Mikhail's legitimate claims. The succession is a family problem, but it is also a problem for the world we live on. And we must set aside our prejudices and look at it in that way."

  "And just what do you propose, then?" Lew Alton asked the question that was in everyone's mind, and Mikhail looked at him gratefully.

  "In truth, this is not my proposal, but that of another." Danilo gave a mild chuckle, and it was quite clear that he was enjoying himself enormously. He strode across the room, and opened the door.

  Dani Hastur, his face white with tension, stepped into the room, tugging down the hem of his tunic. There were beads of sweat on his brow, and his eyes squinted with anxiety. Still, he looked resolute, the small chin he had inherited from his mother set as firmly as was possible.

  He paused, bowed to his father, then to the rest of the amazed assembly.

  "Go ahead Dani. Tell them your idea," Danilo's voice was brimming with suppressed laughter but also pride.

  "Yes, sir." He stood there, silent and uncomfortable, swallowing hard. At last he burst out. "Father—I do not want to be the next Hastur!"

  "What!" Regis half rose in his chair, then sank back, stunned.

  "I don't want to succeed you. I could never do the job! Even if cousin Mikhail did not exist, I could not take on the responsibility."

  "But, son—you are young and ..."

  "No! I have lived in dread for years that you might die and I would end up trying to step into your shoes. I was glad that you never made me your heir! I am unsuited, by my own character, to become the Hastur of Hastur."

  "Dani," Lady Linnea began gently, "come and sit down beside me. This is very brave of you, but you are too young to realize what you are saying!"

  "Too young to know myself, you mean." The misery in his voice was unmistakable, and Mikhail felt his heart sink. Dani slipped into a chair. "But I do know who I am. I have no skill for rulership, and Mikhail does. Oh, you have done your best to train me, Father, but it is like teaching a horse to dance the pafan. The will might be there, but the ability is lacking."

  This made everyone except Javanne laugh, in spite of the tension in the room. The paxman handed Danilo Hastur a glass of wine, hiding a smile and trying to appear grave. The young man took a gulp, and his face reddened as some spilled down the sides of his mouth.

  - "Go ahead, Dani. Tell them what you came to me about yesterday morning." Danilo Ardais' voice was soft and calm, and his young namesake seemed to relax as the paxman spoke.

/>   "In terms of blood," Dani started haltingly, "Mikhail and I are equal in our claims to the Elhalyn Domain. Each of us has Alanna Elhalyn for a grandmother, as do all of Aunt Javanne's children. What I think would be good would be that I ..." His young voice faltered, and his blue eyes shifted from side to side, like a trapped thing.

  "What, son?" Regis spoke very gently, as if he was aware that he must not make his son any more frightened than he was already.

  Dani gave his father a quick look, then stared straight ahead, so that his eyes met Mikhail's. "This is my idea." He drew a shaking breath. "I propose I should marry Miralys Elhalyn as soon as she is of age, and be the Elhalyn king, and that our* sons will follow me." When no one spoke, all the color drained out of his face, and he looked around frantically. He did not appear to realize that everyone except Danilo Ardais was too stunned to react. After several seconds, he plunged ahead. "I am, as far as I know, sane and hearty—if somewhat more interested in verse than .governance. My friend Emun is dead, and his brothers can never take the throne. And Mira loves me—don't tell me we are too young to know our minds! We suit one another. You, Aunt Javanne, were not much older than she is when you married Dom Gabriel!"

  "I have no objections to you marrying Miralys," Javanne answered? slowly, her mind clearly working furiously. "But I do not think you realize what you are giving up." Mikhail sensed that she was considering the possibilities of changing her direction, of insisting that young Dani be made Regis' successor, with the idea of manipulating the young man to her own ends. It was an idea that had not occurred to him before, nor, he suspected, to his formidable mother.

  "But I do! I am giving up a lot of headaches and heartaches that I never wanted to begin with! Father is a prisoner here. He has not been out of Thendara in years, and he almost never leaves Comyn Castle. He rarely has a moment to think of anything but Darkover. Who would want that?"

  "Out of the mouths of babes," Lew muttered. He noticed Javanne glaring at him, and returned the look. "This is an elegant solution, Regis—if somewhat unorthodox. Dani's vigor will restore the Elhalyn line, and . .-."

  "And your mad Terranan daughter will be able to do just as she likes," snarled Javanne.

  "I would never do anything that would endanger Darkover, Aunt." Mikhail could sense that his wife was holding her frayed temper in with an effort, trying to remain calm in spite of considerable provocation.

  "Oh, I am sure you believe that. But you are not to be trusted, and neither is my son! You have proved that by running off into the night and. ..."

  "Mother, you are obsessed. You have lost all perspective." Mikhail felt his face flame. "Regis is hardly in his dotage!"

  "Why, thank you, Mikhail,"' his uncle answered wryly. "I was hoping someone would notice that. And, of course, that is not the real problem, is it?"

  "I don't understand," Mikhail answered.

  "The question is really how I am going to continue to rule Darkover while you are the most powerful man on the planet?" He shook his head, making his white hair slip down onto his forehead, and looked both amused and weary. "You don't see it, do you, Mikhail? No, you would not. Now you are a threat to me, as you were not before. And I must wonder if you will have the patience to wait for me to die naturally."

  "Uncle!" Mikhail was stunned and hurt. It was all he could do to keep from shouting in rage at being misjudged like this. How could anyone doubt his loyalty? He forced his feelings aside with an effort. "The Hasturs are a long-lived family, and I fully expect you to go on for another half century."

  "And just what do you plan to do in the meanwhile?" Regis' eyes bored into him.

  "Raise my son, and any other children that we have. Learn and study. This gift of Varzil's will take me decades to understand." As he spoke the words, Mikhail realized they were true. He had a task that was important, to understand the powers that had been thrust on him so suddenly, and it occurred to him that with what he had learned already, he could change the face of matrix science. He almost laughed. Now that he could become the ruler he had imagined when he was a young man, he no longer needed or wanted the job. Worse, it was unlikely that he would be able to convince anyone that he meant what he was saying.

  "You really believe what you are saying, don't you? What if I suggested you retire to some remote place—Dalereuth, perhaps. It is near the sea, and Marguerida might like that." There was a sly look on Regis' face now, and

  Mikhail had a fresh understanding of how his uncle had managed Darkover for the past two decades.

  At the same time, he quietly simmered with resentment. Two could play at this game! "Or I could leave Darkover completely. I have always wanted to travel, and Marguerida would just love to go back to University and complete some of her work. Perhaps I might take Herm Aldaran's vacant place in the lower house of Federation senate."

  The expression on his uncle's face was shocked and dismayed, as if he had not, anticipated this possibility. Then Mikhail realized that Regis was improvising again, and had no serious intention of exiling them to Dalereuth or anywhere else. He was testing Mikhail, and if he did not like it, at least he could understand the logic of it. And, he knew instantly, he would never be allowed to leave Dark-over while he wore Varzil's ring.

  Regis stared at his nephew, his face a study in conflicting emotions. Mikhail glared back and waited until Regis dropped his eyes, looking a little uncomfortable.

  Regis and Danilo Syrtis-Ardais exchanged a look and an unspoken communication. The silence in the room was almost unbearable, and the rising of the winds outside the great castle seemed to reflect the strained emotions within. At last he turned away from Danilo, and looked around the room. His eyes came to rest on Dani's anxious face. "My son's idea—which has taken me completely by surprise—is not without merit. Not to mention a generosity of spirit which I wish were more general, especially in this room!"

  Dani blushed at this praise, and Mikhail smiled at his young cousin. Beside him, Marguerida stirred again, and sat up a little straighter in her chair. Her face was calm, queenly and certain, and Mikhail suspected that she had just had another of her precognitive flashes. He laced his fingers into hers, so the metal of their bracelets touched and rang, a sweet sound in the room.

  "You trained Mikhail to succeed you, Regis," Marguerida began. "But now you are beginning to fear him. That is natural, I suppose. But if you let that fear rule you, then the thing you fear will almost destroy all that you have struggled to create. You have a wonderful opportunity to

  continue your work, with Mikhail supporting you! The question is, are you going to take it, or refuse it?"

  "You see! Marguerida is already intriguing to bring my son into power!" Javanne glared at Lew Alton. "She is so much your child, storm crow!"

  "Thank you, Javanne," Lew snapped. "She is, indeed, and I am damned proud of her."

  "You told me once that the man who had Marguerida for a wife would have a wise counselor, Mikhail, and you were right." Regis gave a sigh and looked tenderly at Lady Linnea. "Thank you, Marguerida. You have stated my problem all too clearly. You have a real gift for cutting through the clutter and going to the heart of the matter."

  "You are welcome. Please believe me when I say that I have only the best interests of Darkover in mind, Regis. If my father is right, and I think he is, the Federation is going to become a larger problem than it ever has been before, and we have to be united to face it. Your policies have been wise. But the future will demand a strong leader, and if Mikhail is not the right man for the job, then who is?"

  "Who indeed," Regis answered. He looked at his son. "You have been very brave to think of this, Dani, but why did you not come to me with your idea?" He sounded a little hurt.

  "I... couldn't! You are too busy with important things!"

  "Too busy?" Regis was stricken. He looked at his paxman again. "Let that be a lesson to you, Mikhail, not to let running a planet get in the way of talking to your children. I am glad you could confide in Danilo, my son."
>
  "Oh, I can always talk to him," Dani answered, looking very young now. "He has time for me, you see, and you do not. I have always known that."

  "I see. In the future, I shall try to do better. I promise you that, Dani." There was so much regret in Regis' voice that Mikhail had to hold back a shiver.

  "I take it then that you intend to name Mikhail your successor, and allow your son to become the Elhalyn king," Javanne snarled.

  "That is what you have always wished for, isn't it?" Brother and sister gazed at one another, and Javanne dropped her eyes first.

  "Yes," the older woman whispered. Then her indomita-

  ble spirit asserted itself. "And I will live to see you regret this day! I will urge the other Domains to ..."

  "You will do nothing of the sort!" Dom Gabriel snapped. "You will keep quiet, Javanne. Control yourself for once."

  Lady Javanne Hastur rose to her feet, swept the gathering with a venomous look, and left the room, slamming the door behind her. After a moment, Dom Gabriel went after her, his face red with anger, and his shoulders hunched.

  "She is going to make trouble, you know," Lew commented.

  Regis chuckled. "My dear sister was born to trouble, I think. Now, we must decide how to proceed from here. I am open to suggestions."

  No one spoke immediately. The room grew very still again, but the tension that had existed before was gone. Several minutes passed in silence, and young Dani squirmed a little in his chair.