The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper

Michael might be able to use him. Michael was not as lazy or as unambitious as he appeared, but he had no intention of risking his life or position, either.
    â€œSomething unfortunate would have to happen to Commander Sandom,” said Stephon. “That’s sure.”
    â€œWell, yes. And not only to Sandom. To his cronies, too. Armory-master Jander. The head provisioner, Genner. Vice-Commander Thales. Maybe a few others. They’re all popular, Stephon. And they’re all senior to us.”
    â€œThey’re all a lot senior to us. They won’t live forever.”
    â€œNo. We could almost bet on that, couldn’t we? Meantime,” he yawned, “Chernon and the other pretty grubs’ll see what they can find out. I’ve told them all to keep their ears open. Listen in on conversations, that kind of thing. Long term, I want Chernon in tight with that younger daughter of Morgot’s….”
    â€œMorgot’s daughter? She’s your daughter, too, isn’t she? Morgot never has carnival with anyone but you, does she?”
    Michael laughed. “Warriors don’t have daughters. They may beget an occasional girl, my friend, but we don’t have daughters. You ought to know that! No, you’ve got to use girls for what they’re good for. Forget daughters. Stavia’s nothing to me. Or Myra, either. Barten’s courted Myra until she’s eating out of his hand. He’s done well, Barren.”
    â€œWith some protest,” laughed Stephon.
    â€œWell, Myra wasn’t his first choice. Let’s put it that way,” Michael agreed. “A bit screechy and bony, he thought. He had a lust for the juicy little Tally. It took some fatherly instruction, but Barten will do his duty to the garrison.”
    â€œIf you think Morgot knows so much, I don’t understand why you can’t get it out of her,” Stephon said maliciously. “According to you, she can’t leave you alone.”
    â€œMorgot’s good at some things, but she doesn’t talk,” said Michael. “But little girls with their first assignation…” He laughed, knowingly. “Oh, they talk, don’t they? They chirp like crickets. You can’t shut them up.”
    â€œHas Barten found anything out?”
    â€œNot much, but he’s got Myra all steamed up about how foolish the ordinances are. Stuff like that. If it runs in the family, Stavia might be another one. That’s all we want, two lovesick little chickens, mad at their mama and cheeping their heads off to our young cocks!”
    â€œMaybe you should have gotten rid of Vinsas earlier,Michael. It would have made it easier for the boy to stay close to his family.”
    â€œI don’t take action against warriors because some woman asks me,” he replied angrily. “I don’t do anything because some woman asks me,”
    â€œOf course not,” said Stephon soothingly. “But killing that bastard Vinsas was a damn good idea, no matter what the reason.”
    S TAVIA TOLD M ORGOT about Chernon’s request to come home while they were fixing supper that same night. “He says that warrior, Vinsas, is dead.”
    â€œThat’s odd,” said Morgot. “I hadn’t heard of any warrior deaths recently.”
    â€œChernon said it was during a bandit sweep?”
    â€œI would have heard of it….” Morgot looked both puzzled and troubled, but seeing the concern on Stavia’s face, she smoothed her own and went on. “Well. At least that’s good for Chernon. Sylvia will probably agree to have him come home.”
    â€œIs there some reason she might not?”
    â€œThere’s every reason, but I think she will. It’s hard to take a son back and maybe have to grieve over him again when you’ve already done it and gotten over it.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    Morgot got a faraway look on her face, her eyes sad.