Celta Thursday Cut Scene from Heart Legacy

Heart Legacy Cut Scene (too many people, too much politics): This will be for those of you who know the books very well. This is in the FirstFamilies Council Chamber after the poisoning attempt on Marin Holly:

"Loridana Yew has no power-hungry wish," Draeg stated.

"And we only have your word for it," T'Ivy, a former Captain of the Council said.

Spearing him with a look, Draeg said, "I think a few of you are allied with the Traditionalist Stance?"

"No," T'Ivy snapped, his mouth pulled down. "They go too far."

"They challenged your leadership of the group?"

"They did not listen to us FirstFamily conservatives."

"Of course not, they want power, and will never be able to match the power we have in Flair, not in this generation, and I do not think their group will last through the next."

"The lower nobles and the middle class commoners are becoming stronger in Flair," D'Grove said comfortably.

"But the Traditionalists are correct that if we continue with the current qualifications for noble, we will have many Commoners becoming noble," T'Ivy stated.

"As a people we're all growing in Flair, and in wealth," T'Hawthorn, who wasn't that much older than Draeg, and knew all about wealth, said. "I consider that a good mark of a society."

"We got rid of the old Downwind slums," T'Ash said. "And none too soon. We have homes and jobs for those who cannot support themselves because of weak brains or bodies." He stood and stretched, Draeg heard pops. "Those who do not fit in our society have mostly left the city to carve out a living of their own on their own land. That's good, too." His bright blue gaze swept the room.

"We care for our own, an' harm none. That is how it's supposed to be. Every individual should be prized on Celta, 'cuz we could still die out here."

Draeg said, "We still have thieves, in the cities and preying on the merchant caravans."

"Will always be evil people, too," T'Ash said. "As for me, I don't think the mind behind these attacks belongs to an eighteen year old girl. If young D'Yew is involved, she's taking orders from someone else, and Zanth thinks not."

Draeg just stared. "Zanth. What does Zanth know about this?"

T'Ash's white teeth gleamed against his olive toned skin as he smiled. "Zanth still prowls the alleys of Druida. He sometimes meets other cats. And other cat Fams." Then the powerful man set his hands on his hips, scrutinized every person in the room. "What we all need to think about is how we will evolve. Not only the society around us, and how we might be able to shape our culture through rituals for the good of all as we have since our ancestors landed, but how we FirstFamilies as a group should evolve." He grunted. "That's my thought for the evening."

He slanted Draeg a look. "Can't you figure out how to bring young D'Yew to me to Test her?"

"Not great T'Ash," Draeg said. "Maybe a roadside peddlar, or low-class shopkeeper."

Now T'Ash's eyes gleamed, he tipped a hand in Draeg's direction.

"That might be fun." Then he teleported away. Draeg thought that Zanth might not be the only one who missed a little rough and tumble in the alleys.

//
Draeg wouldn't let them interrogate her. Not only would that blow the whole original scheme out of the water and reveal him being undercover – which he wasn't ready to explain until he found the right words – but he didn't know of anyone who'd react well to being hauled in and questioned by very powerful strangers. He'd pointed that out.

She might very well just shut up. She could even demand an advocate, and if she did, Draeg would request SupremeJudge Ailim Elder, a telempath, who would not be pleased with the FirstFamilies intimidating a young, naieve woman.

Nobody liked that idea.