by Samuel Fort
Chapter 71: Return to Steepleguard
Steepleguard was a surreal sight. The fresh white snow on its many and massive towers and roofs contrasted sharply with the radiant blue sky above it. The mountains that encircled the fortress had the appearance of rough-hewn marble where the old snow fell away from the slick gray stone beneath. Evergreens trimmed in white formed a halo within the ring of mountains. It was like an illustration from a children’s fairytale book.
The only aberration to this otherwise classic scene was the titanic black triangle that hovered motionless two hundred feet above. The Anzu was a beehive of activity as Steepleguard’s best minds inspected its various systems. Fortunately, its onboard computers contained a wealth of support documentation – tens of thousands of pages of technical data, drawings, calculations, test results, and manuals.
Ben knew he’d have to be careful on how he deployed the new and priceless asset. It could serve many functions: troop transport, gunship, communications relay station, observation post, and workhorse, just to name a few. But the Fifth Kingdom only had one such craft and it could not serve in all capacities at all times. Also, it wasn’t clear what the airship’s vulnerabilities were. It seemed robust enough with its compartmentalized and self-sealing bladders, its automatic stabilizers, and its armored belly, yet Ben was mindful of the fates of similarly impressive ships, such as the Bismarck, the Titanic, and the Hindenburg.
True, the Anzu did not have to worry about torpedoes, icebergs, or hydrogen explosions, but the craft was highly computerized. What if there was a computer glitch, or some kind of electrostatic zap that fried its systems? Until the technicians had an opportunity to thoroughly study the onboard documentation and inspect the myriad systems, Ben decided to use the Anzu sparingly.
Though he could not see Steepleguard’s new aerial protector from his study, he could see its impressive shadow on the mountain range that his study’s window framed. The courtyard below was now in perpetual shadow.
He looked at his watch. The ceremony would begin in three hours. He had to make a cameo, of course, as king, but he’d convinced Lilian that the pain in his injured foot would prevent him for attending the entire event. It was a lame excuse (he laughed it his own pun), because all he really had to do was sit in a chair for an hour or two. Fortunately, the woman did not argue the point. The fact was that Lilian was more than willing to be the center of attention.
“No,” said Lilian, sitting at her vanity in the King’s Suite.
“Sister,” complained a distraught Fiela, “I will be an excellent dominus. I have her under control, I swear. She has been most apologetic and contrite. I have punished her cruelly.”
“Yes, and I am proud of you for that. You have shown great maturity in your actions. She deserves more of the same. She is adulterer, which is punishable by death. Such women destroy the gene pools our ancestors have so carefully constructed. She would have us as Ardoon, humping at random and giving birth to slovenly, stupid people. And she slept with our husband. Our husband! A king! She covets our thrones, Fiela!”
“Sister, what she has done is wicked, but we must not kill her. She is the only one who can help our husband with the tablets. You know that. She deserves punishment, yes. Perpetual punishment, even, but not death. We cannot afford to lose her!”
Lilian’s face twisted up. “Why do you defend that devil at all? What spell did she cast on you that you wish to preserve her? Why would you prevent me from giving her the slow, public death she deserves?”
Fiela could not give the other queen the truth, which was that she knew that Thal had not had an affair with Ben. Not a physical one. If she disclosed that knowledge, Lilian would suspect that her sister’s now legendary abuse of the alleged adulterer in Cash was staged. For Fiela to have any bargaining power at all with Lilian, she had to pretend to be almost as outraged as Lilian, but not equally outraged. She was walking a tightrope.
She said, “Her parole would be exceedingly severe. It would be quite impossible for her to continue relations with Ben.”
“Yet she would be with him to study the tablets.”
“Yes, but only with me present, or a lady I’d designate. They’d never be alone together. Do you not see how my plan is best? We can still use the woman to our advantage. We need her for the tablets studies. And as her dominus, I would require her to continue teaching me. Is there anyone more qualified, despite her foul acts?”
The other queen waved both hands dismissively in the air and shook her head. “This entire discussion is pointless, Fiela. Even if I required Lady Thalassa’s parole, Ben would not allow it. He will say it is too harsh. The dominion element, in particular.”
“I know. That is why we must not go into too much detail. We must tell him only the basics, and advise him that if he does not act, Thal will be killed.”
Lilian arched a brow. “You would deceive him?”
“No. I say only that we spare him the details, for now, to save the woman’s life. That is what he would ultimately want, Sister. He will be angry when he learns of the details, but he will be angrier if Thal is killed because we did not convince him to issue the writs.”
The other queen crossed her arms. “Perhaps.” She poked at the inside of one cheek with her tongue. “Yet there is also the matter of your second request: dominion. That is exceedingly rare. Do you fully understand the consequences?”
“Yes. She would be ruled by a single person – her dominus. Me. She would be forever immune to the commands of all others, to include you and our husband.” Fiela had been reading up on the topic.
“Exactly. This seems only to benefit Thal. What should I allow it? Dominion orders are irrevocable. Why should I give up my authority over her? Why should Ben? Why should we make you her only master?”
Fiela was ready for the question. She had rehearsed her answer with Thal, aboard the Anzu. “Our husband must release his authority because he is involved in the scandal. He will never be viewed as impartial. The nobles and citizens will suspect he is interceding on Thal’s behalf if he still has any say in her actions or treatment. You must release your authority because of your temper, and your use of drugs, and your drinking. You know how you get with Persipia when you are angry. What might you do to Thal in a similar situation? If you had an argument with Ben, you would almost certainly kill her.”
“I don’t do those things anymore,” snapped Lilian. “The drugs, I mean. Nor have I beaten Persipia. Recently, I mean.”
“What happens if you argue with our husband again?”
“I won’t. I have turned a new leaf, Fiela. I have even made a vow to never speak to him about this ugly affair. I prefer to pretend it didn’t happen. I regret that you are dragging me back into it with this nonsense about parole and dominion.”
Fiela said, “Sister, be reasonable. How can Thal perform her duties, helping with the tablets and mentoring me, if she constantly fears that you might summon her to be tortured? Or executed? Tell me honestly, you have thought of torturing her, haven’t you?”
“Yes, many times!” replied Lilian indignantly. “As well I should!”
“Yet you cannot. You must not break her. We need her. Parole is severe enough. Let her not worry that she might any minute be subject to your dark whims.”
Lilian put her hands on her hips and sighed. “I will not give her to you, Fiela. You are too easily swayed by those whom you are fond of. You punished her in Cash, for which I applaud you, but here, at Steepleguard, she might win you over. How can I trust her with Ben if you are her only escort? She will enchant you. She is a seductress. She will have you look the other way while she does her evil deeds, even with you in the room!”
“She is a physicist, not a seductress.”
The other queen waved the comment away as she paced the floor between the fireplace and the bed. “I have already promised you I will not harm her. Why is that not enough?”
“Because others will harm her. Unless you issue a formal verdict
on her punishment, others will take matters into their own hands. They will comprehend your silence as permission to do what they think you want done. You know that, Sister.”
Lilian groaned. “Gods! You rattle on and on.”
“My logic is sound, is it not?”
Lilian chuckled mirthlessly. “Oh yes, your logic is sound. In most ways. The Orduna creature has at least given you a modicum of skill at logical thinking. That seems a small price to pay for your husband’s affections, however.”
“Yet think also of her father’s actions. He saved you from execution! Do you not owe it to him to preserve his daughter’s life? Thal is his only child, Sister. Would you reward him by seeing Thal murdered?”
Lilian shrugged, but Fiela could see she’d hit a nerve. The senior queen had been marked for death because of the crimes of her father, Sargon. She was spared by Ridley’s negotiations on her behalf. This situation was different but had a similar flavor. The girl chose not to say anything more. She felt she had gained the upper hand and feared losing it by saying something stupid.
At last, Lilian said, “I am not required to negotiate with you, Fiela. But as a reward for you acts of courage in Cash, and Hobuk’s actions, I will give you most of what you ask. I will place Lady Thalassa on probation and allow dominion.”
Fiela leaned forward. “But?”
“You will not be her dominus. I’m sorry, I simply can’t trust you to handle snakes. You will be bitten.”
“Then who?” asked Fiela, her joy tempered.
Lilian shrugged. “Lady Persipia.”
Fiela’s eyes almost popped out of her head. “Sister, she is the last person who-”
Lilian stepped toward the girl, a finger of warning in the air. “Don’t! I am meeting you more than half way. You must acknowledge that the one person at Steepleguard who has the greatest interest in isolating Thal from the king is Persy. Dare to argue with me on even this and I will withdraw my offer altogether.”
Fiela hesitated. This was not the deal she had expected and certainly not the one she wanted. Yet it was better than the alternative. In her meekest voice, she said, “May I negotiate the terms with Persy?”
Lilian looked at the girl and huffed. “Extraordinary. I give you almost everything you ask for, and yet you demand more.” She crossed her arms and tilted her head back. Seconds passed before she said, “You will be very much in my debt if I allow that.”
“I will,” acknowledged Fiela.
“Very well.”
The girl bowed deeply. “Thank you, Sister.”
