Title: Debt of Dishonour.

Author: Karracaz.

Rating: R – Not Suitable for Children under 16.

Disclaimer: All rights held by Paramount/Viacom. I have none, but I still like to play.

Summary: Spock is betrayed by an old, and valued friend.

Chapter 1: The Game Begins.

Senna found her in the garden. The young khamsamah, out of breath and panting from her exertions in the mid-day heat, burst through the riotous shrubbery, eyes wide and not a little curious.

"Noble lady…I regret this disturbance but there is a message. Will thee not come?"

T'Pavan detected excitement in the girl's well-modulated tone. She straightened from her pruning, slim fingers contracting about the pao bloom she held. Meeting her maids inquisitive gaze, she kept her own voice level.

"Be calm, child. Remember thy training. Who wishes to speak with me? My husband?"

The girl's eyes lowered at the gentle rebuke, "No Lady, it is the innastran'i, the offworlder, who called yesterday. He would not give his name."

The maid glanced up from beneath sooty lashes, "He wished to speak only with thee, Lady. No other would do."

A shaft of apprehension stabbed through T'Pavan.

"Are thee not well, Lady?"

Senna's soft voice forced its way past T'Pavan's uneasy thoughts. She stared down in absent disregard at the delicate bloom she still held. Crushed, the petals fell almost in slow motion as she relaxed her stiff fingers. "I… am well enough. Go back to the house, samah. I will follow. And samah, thee will speak of this matter to no one else. Does thee understand me?"

The khamsamah bowed from the waist, "I serve only thee, Lady. None shall hear gossip from my lips."

T'Pavan acknowledged the pledge with a nod as the young Nevas'asharn girl turned away, the double anklet rings she wore chiming faintly in the hot, motionless, air. There was no one more loyal than Senna. And yet T'Pavan knew from past experience how quickly rumour could spread. Everyone knew that she had been at variance with Semnek, her husband and half-brother, even before the birth of their only child T'Pavahna. She could well imagine that this news of an unknown inamoratos who had called twice in two days would enliven the palate of even the most jaded of court gossip.

Such rumour would normally have been beneath her contempt but now she could not allow the least tittle-tattle connected with her name. As long as her caller and his business remained a secret, she would have nothing else to fear. She only had to comply with her instructions and all would be well.

With that thought uppermost she took care to school her face and her movements. She strolled gracefully through the considerable grounds and enclosed gardens, taking her time on the way back to the house. More than once she paused by a burbling fountain or tinkling wind chime stirred into movement only by her uneven breath. Only when she passsed beneath the luxuriant arch of scarlet gifwe into the spacious courtyard of her apartments did she allow her step to quicken.

Senna held the door for her as she passed from the cool shadows of the colonnade into the entry hall. The marble felt wonderfully real and solid underfoot as she strode from there into the large central lanai. Revealed from beneath the beautifully painted screens the comcon unit awaited..

T'pavan's abstracted gaze swept over the young khamsamah who followed her in, "Leave me, Senna. Be assured I will call if there is need."

"Noble lady." The girl bowed and departed, her slippered feet soundless on the tiles.

T'pavan watched the maid disappear into the inner fastness of their quarters before she settled on her knees before the comset controls. Her hand shook once before she stilled the tremor.

Even in Human guise she thought she could detect the loathsome Klingon features of the face that quickly formed on the screen.

The thin lips smiled without warmth, "I believe you are now ready to discuss a certain matter that could prove important to us both, Madam."

Anguish burned deep within T'pavan she inclined her head, "It seems I have little choice in the matter, ser…"

"If you have any regard for the safety of your child, you will listen most carefully. Any failure in carrying out these instructions will not be kindly met. You understand?"

"I understand."

"That is good. Your orders are, by any means at your disposal, to persuade the Federation Starship 'Enterprise' to be diverted to this planet."

T'pavan tensed as the surprise she felt slipped the noose of her awesome control. "The 'Enterprise'?"

The other nodded. "This ship is known to you, of course. We are aware that the Vulqangan First Officer, Spock, was a one-time friend. When the ship arrives, you will ensure he is separated from his companions. This will not be too difficult, I assume."

T'pavan kept her expression neutral apart from a small, bitter parting of her lips. "Thee puts great store in a friendship that died long since. What if the task proves more complicated?"

"Remember your daughter, Madam. The Vulqangan must be made amenable at whatever cost. Do as you are bidden or the child will certainly suffer. You will be contacted again with further instructions…"

"Wait." T'pavan cried out as the Klingon reached to disconnect the comlink. "How do I know that my child still lives? Before I do as you order, I want proof of her well-being."

Which was not strictly necessary as the birth link between mother and daughter told her plainly that Vahna at least still lived.. However, she needed to see, to reassure herself with all her senses that her child remained unhurt.

The swarthy, impostor Human sneered in contempt at her weakness. "Very well."

Instantly the scene shifted and T'pavan felt her heart leap tremulously as the face of her only daughter replaced that of the Klingon. The child, little more than an infant, stood straight backed, dark head held high, pretending an indifference that her mother knew she did not truly feel.

A fierce, protective tenderness rose in T'pavan's breast as she noticed the determined set of the small chin, the solemn eyes rimmed with shadows. "Are thee well, child?"

"I will try not to shame thee, M'aih. Please do not be afraid. I am being very brave." A tremor shook the small lips and her voice wavered. "However, I would like to come home soon…"

Unexpectedly the screen darkened and T'pavan cried out in anguish, "No, please. A little longer. Vahna! Vahna!"

The Klingon reappeared. "As you see, Madam, your child is unharmed. It will be up to you whether she remains that way. Do not fail us in this."

The connection cut off and the screen darkened, leaving her with the memory of her frightened, courageous child and her own sweeping desolation. For long seconds she stared at the blanked screen unable to consider past the nightmare thoughts. But necessity forced her into action. She struck the gong-like chochin with its felt-covered hammer, summoning khamsamah Senna into her presence once more.

The girl appeared as soundlessly as she had left, "Noble lady?"

T'pavan roused gradually from her numbness, a plan evolving with painful reluctance. "I wish an audience with my consort. Arrange it, samah. There must be no delay."

0O0

TBC

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