Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  “Let me worry about that.”

  “I’d like reports as often as we learn anything interesting,” I said.

  “Of course, Your Highness.”

  “You three,” I said. “Same thing, but keep it subtle for now. I don’t want them to turtle on us.”

  “Turtle?”

  “Pull their heads in their shells,” I clarified.

  “Ah.”

  “It’s crowded here. We’ll acquire rooms, but we’re going to need to share, myself included. We’ll figure that out later.”

  I looked about. “Everyone, the politics here are a mess. Don’t take anyone at face value. Mr. Gremish is heavy-handed and obvious. I imagine there are people here who are far, far subtler.” I received nods at that. “I’d toss them all and start over, but I imagine most of them are quite competent. Unfortunately, I’m not sure I’m remotely good enough to ferret out everything that requires ferreting.”

  Just then the door opened.

  “And so, I said to my sister,” I continued. “That’s not at all what I said.”

  Sergeant Felist got it and laughed first, the others joining her. And then Ms. Sessen pushed a cart forward and offered tea and biscuits.

  “Do you have duties?” I asked, once everyone was served. I sipped at my tea.

  “It is quiet today,” she said. “It can be busy some days.”

  “I imagine. Please, sit. Share a cup with us. Tell me: has anyone located Mr. Gremish?”

  “Not that I have heard,” she replied. “I’m sure it won’t be much longer.”

  “What are your duties here, Ms. Sessen?”

  “I am part of the consular staff,” she said.

  “In my post in Ressaline, we were not so divided, but the embassy in Charth is much smaller,” I said. “Can you explain what you mean?”

  “We assist Flarvorian citizens who require assistance,” she said. “And Gandeet citizens who have business in Flarvor.”

  “Can you give me an example?”

  “If a Flarvorian citizen has difficulties, we can provide some level of assistance.”

  “What sort of difficulties have you encountered?”

  “Some are legal difficulties,” she said. “Or perhaps they are having difficulty navigating the Gandeet legal system.”

  “Those are not the same thing?”

  “Oh. I mean for things like licensing. Their laws can be convoluted, and understanding who must be paid can be tricky.”

  “Ah. Of course. Ressaline laws are, at times, surprising,” I said. “I believe I understand. Ms. Sessen, do you find it necessary to bribe Gandeet officials?”

  “Your Highness.” I waited. She lowered her voice. “We’re not supposed to talk about that.”

  “It’s just us girls,” I said.

  “I wouldn’t say bribes, Your Highness. The Gandeetians have two sets of fees, one for locals, and one for foreigners. And Dennaholst does the same thing, distinct from the country as a whole. If you have lived in Dennaholst for fewer than ten years, you pay the larger fees.”

  “And do you believe that at times, you pay the higher fee, but it is recorded at the lower fee?”

  “I couldn’t say, Your Highness.”

  “Ah, but what do you believe, Ms. Sessen?”

  “I find it likely that occurs, but I couldn’t guess how often.”

  We kept her talking, learning what we could, and it was perhaps twenty minutes later that the door opened to admit Mr. Surlelt with two other gentlemen. Ms. Sessen moved to her feet. The rest of us did as well, although I was intentionally slow about it.

  “Your Highness,” said one of the men, stepping forward to offer his hand. “I am Hendol Gremish, Acting Ambassador. This is my chief of staff, Erid Yorial.”

  “My pleasure,” I said. “Ms. Pelonden, please provide introductions.”

  She did that, then Mr. Gremish said, “I do hope Ms. Sessen has seen to your needs.”

  “She has been most kind and efficient,” I replied. “Thank you, Ms. Sessen. We’ll talk more another time.”

  “Of course, Your Highness,” she said. And then she scampered from the room.

  “Another time?” prompted Mr. Gremish. “Will you be long in Dennaholst?”

  “Not long, I hope. Perhaps a few months, perhaps a year.”

  “A year, Your Highness?”

  “Perhaps we can move to your office, Mr. Gremish,” I suggested. “I can present my credentials, and then we can discuss why Father has sent me to this lovely embassy.”

  “Your father sent you.”

  “Of course. Did you think I arrived on a lark? Wouldn’t that be grand, to appropriate all these people and go gallivanting about?” I adjusted my gaze. “Mr. Surlelt, perhaps you can let it be known that I will be addressing the entire staff, and people can adjust their schedules.”

  “Of course, Your Highness.”

  “Thank you so much, Mr. Surlelt. You are very kind. There’s a dear.” Then I took Mr. Gremish’s arm and gave a gentle tug for the door. “Let us move to your office, Mr. Gremish. Mr. Surlelt, when Mr. Epseen returns, please be sure he knows where to find us. He should feel free to interrupt us.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “There’s a dear,” I said again.

  * * * *

  I led the way to the ambassador’s offices. It was Mr. Yorial who stepped ahead and unlocked the inner doors, and then several of the guards stepped forward to give the office a quick look before we all trooped in.

  “Surely this should be a more private meeting,” Mr. Gremish said when it was evident everyone was staying.

  “I have no secrets, Mr. Gremish. Do you?” I didn’t wait for an answer but settled into a seat, Ms. Pelonden beside me. She already had ready everything I needed and was prepared to take notes. “Please, Mr. Gremish.” I gestured to his chair.

  He sat, but he eyed everyone. Mr. Yorial exited the room, closing the doors. I would have let him stay, but I said nothing about that.

  “Very good. Mr. Gremish, Father has sent me to see to a few things while he is choosing the new, permanent ambassador.”

  “Of course, Your Highness.”

  “First and foremost, there is this matter of the licensing of transportation companies within Gandeet. Are you aware of this issue, Mr. Gremish?”

  “I am.”

  “Good. Then we may talk about it another time. Secondly, I am to assume responsibility of the embassy.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Father requires a personal report of the standings in Gandeet, Mr. Gremish. You, and possibly some portions of your staff, are to report to Barrish. After I have met everyone, I will be able to make that determination, but you may have recommendations for me to consider.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Father may choose to send you back here, but he may have other plans for you,” I continued. “You shouldn’t assume you will be returning and should plan accordingly.”

  “I’ve been recalled to Barrish?” he asked. Then he put on a firm look. “I believe I would like to see my orders.”

  “Of course,” I said. “Ms. Pelonden has everything. It will take her a moment. In the meantime, I’m a little confused. I’m only a princess, and I don’t always know how these things work. I am given to understand you were Lord Marlish’s chief of staff.”

  “That is correct.”

  “When he returned home to play the role of kindly grandfather, you chose to remain here.”

  “To continue to see to the good work we do here in Gandeet,” he said.

  Right. “Of course. And I am given to understand you have been declared the acting ambassador. How did that occur? Did you receive notice from Father?”

  “We needed an ambassador,” he said. “Someone needs to see to the running of the embassy.”

  “Of course.”

  “To be the face, if you will, that represents our interests to Gandeet.”

  “Of course.”

  “As the
former chief of staff, it was determined I was the logical choice.”

  “I see. How was that determined?”

  “I don’t understand the question.”

  “Was there a big meeting with the entire embassy staff? Perhaps it was discussed whether Ms. Sessen should become Acting Ambassador?”

  “What? Of course not. Can you imagine?”

  “Perhaps there was a meeting of the department heads.”

  “Yes. Exactly.”

  “Right here in this office, I imagine.”

  “It was the logical location.”

  “Someone must have called for this meeting. Do you recall whom?”

  “I’m not sure I do, Your Highness.”

  “Perhaps it was Mr. Surlelt. He seems quite efficient.”

  “Mr. Surlelt was not in attendance,” Mr. Gremish replied. “Terent West was the head of consular affairs at the time.”

  “Ah, of course. Mr. West returned to Barrish, and now Chastar Nexisa holds that title.”

  “Quite correct, Your Highness. You are most informed.”

  “I imagine the meeting was most robust, with the fine attributes of your peers in serious discussion,” I commented. “I believe I understand, Mr. Gremish. You were the logical choice. Most efficient.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  “Excellent,” I said. “Ms. Pelonden, do you have the necessary papers?”

  “I do, Your Highness.” She handed me one of the parchments. I glanced at it then turned it around and slid it across the desk to Mr. Gremish. “I believe, Mr. Gremish,” I said. “That you will see your orders outlined quite easily.”

  I gave it a glance. It was quite formal, with Father’s signature and embossed seal, witnessed by my sister and two of Father’s ministers, and thus also carrying their embossed seals. He saw all of that and then read the very brief letter outlining my authority.

  “Mr. Gremish,” I said gently. “Have you ever seen a letter such as that one?”

  “No, Your Highness.”

  “But you recognize the various seals.”

  “Not all of them.”

  “You recognize my father’s seal?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you recognize the remaining names?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you seen my father’s signature before?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Do you recognize me personally? I’ve been away from Barrish, as have you. It may have been some years since last you had an opportunity to see me, and it may have been at a distance, at best.”

  “I believe you were thirteen or fourteen.”

  “So five years ago.”

  “Six, if I recall correctly. I would need to check my own records to be sure.”

  “Perhaps you suspect I am an imposter.”

  He said nothing for a minute. I waited. Then he gestured to me. “Could I have a closer look, Your Highness?”

  “This?” I touched the pendant.

  “If you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” I pulled my hair out of the way. “Ms. Sarlenda, would you, please?”

  She stepped to my back and found the clasp. She lowered the pendant into my hand. I gathered it then set it on the desk, midway between us. He leaned closer then lifted a hand, but hovered.

  “It’s real,” I said. “It is designed to be especially difficult to reproduce, but I suppose it would be possible.” I paused. “Go ahead.”

  He picked up the pendant. I was quite aware of how heavy it was, and how showy. I rarely wore it.

  “You understand I don’t typically wear the more ceremonial trappings,” I offered. “And I didn’t bring them with me. I arrived incognito to avoid attention, but that was simply to reduce the size of my honor guard. I believe you can understand.” I gestured. “Ten members of the Royal Guard. They have their own credentials. Two members of the Royal Couriers, both of whom have known me for years. They are with Mr. Epseen, so perhaps you haven’t seen them yet.”

  He looked up then held the pendant to me. I took it, and then Ms. Sarlenda replaced it for me. Then she adjusted my hair about my shoulders, and I offered a smile. “Mr. Gremish, this part is important.”

  “You are Princess Darfelsa.”

  “I am. Do you doubt me?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure, Mr. Gremish?”

  “As sure as I can be, Princess.”

  “Good. Thank you. I wouldn’t be offended. I’d rather you were sure than someone got away with impersonating me.”

  “I’ve met Ms. Blendost,” he said. “I might not have recognized her elsewhere. The pendant is convincing, Your Highness.”

  “All right. Thank you,” I said again. I gestured to the parchment. “Explain to me the limits of my authority.”

  “You carry the authority as if the king himself were here.”

  “Does that thought frighten you, Mr. Gremish? I am barely an adult, and a woman besides.”

  “I imagine you wouldn’t have been offered unlimited authority if King Leander didn’t have the utmost confidence in you, Your Highness.”

  “Are we done asking whether I have the authority I claim?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Good. Mr. Gremish, if you wish to remove the ‘Acting’ portion of the title you presumed, that’s an argument to hold in Barrish. I do not have that authority. I didn’t want as much as I was given, and that would be an overreach.”

  “I understand. Your Highness, I wasn’t… hasty.”

  “Explain.”

  “Once Lord Marlish left, the Gandeetians weren’t taking us seriously.”

  “Ah. And you thought putting on airs might help.”

  “Yes.”

  “Has it?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “Do you think sending me might help?”

  “It very well could.”

  “I guess we’ll see. I’d like to discuss the next several days, but did you have anything you wished to address first?”

  “No, Your Highness.”

  “All right. My staff and I need to get settled. I’ll need an office and quarters. They’ll need quarters. I imagine there will need to be sharing. What do you recommend, Mr. Gremish?”

  He paused. I waited. “I want to verify what you’ve said.”

  “Of course.”

  “You are the acting ambassador.”

  “Almost. My title is King’s Envoy. But I will assume overall authority here until my father replaces me. There could already be an ambassador en route, or it could take some time.”

  “Then until such time, this should be your office, and I will vacate the ambassador’s quarters,” he said. I was glad I didn’t have to make it an order. I didn’t know if he was being gracious or if he simply read the writing on the wall. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  “Thank you, Mr. Gremish. That is very gracious.”

  “For your staff, we should discuss this with Borden Redhouse.”

  “The General Services Officer,” I said. “I concur. Until office space can be worked out, Ms. Pelonden will work in here, and Ms. Blendost and Ms. Sarlenda can take the outer office. I saw one desk in storage, and perhaps we can find a table somewhere.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “We’ll discuss that with Mr. Redhouse,” I added.

  “He is quite competent,” Mr. Gremish said, “but somewhat territorial.”

  “Then we shan’t work around him,” I declared. “We have a partial plan. You and I will need extensive conversations. I want your analysis of the existing staff and another regarding the status of any ongoing issues I will need to address.”

  “For the latter conversation, we should include Honrah Epseen.”

  “Agreed,” I said. “Are you able to speak with confidence on each member of the staff?”

  “Yes, Your Highness, but may I make recommendations?”

  “Always.”

  “You should also talk
to their department heads.”

  “I intend to, but I value your thoughts first.”

  “Of course.”

  “Mr. Epseen is attempting to secure an appointment for me to present my credentials,” I said. “I would like to address the staff in a timely fashion, and I would like to get us settled.”

  “Should we begin with that?”

  “Yes, I think so. I’d rather announce my mission myself.”

  “Of course.” He climbed from his chair, walked to the door, and said, “Erid, if you could.” Mr. Yorial appeared. “Erid, I am offering my office and quarters for Her Highness and her staff for the duration of her stay with us. Could you find Mr. Redhouse?”

  “He said he’d be in his office.”

  “Please retrieve him. Thank you.”

  “Of course.”

  * * * *

  Mr. Gremish and I spoke on easier things, simply getting to know each other. It was only a few minutes before there was a knock, and then Mr. Yorial entered with another man behind him. “Mr. Redhouse,” he announced.

  “Excellent,” I said, standing. We exchanged greetings, and I introduced a portion of my staff.

  “How long are you visiting, Your Highness?”

  “My father has asked me to see to a few things here,” I said. “My staff and I need to get settled.”

  We discussed it. Mr. Redhouse was clearly somewhat undone and was trying to cram too many people into too many small places while offering me more room than I required. Finally I told him that, and rather bluntly at that. He shifted in his chair then said simply, “Your Highness.”

  “I imagine the ambassador’s quarters are rather spacious.”

  “They are.”

  “I am one tiny princess,” I said. “If everyone else is sharing quarters, I can share quarters. My closest assistants don’t mind. If I suggested my entourage took those quarters plus the four that were formerly assigned as guest quarters, is that a hardship for the displaced staff?”

  “No, Your Highness,” he said. “I imagine we would return to our old arrangements.”

  “Would it be easier for you if we only took three of the four guest quarters?”

  With ten guards, two royal couriers, and three direct staff, plus me, we were sixteen in total. I saw him take another count and cock his head, staring into space for a moment. I waited, and then he focused his gaze on me. “I believe, Your Highness, we could give you a little more space.”