The Lost Princess

by K Bledsoe

Jonah looked at her in surprise. “Of course not. I let her think I was a security agent.” He grinned again. “Not that she didn’t try, the sly one, but I have had too many years practice at keeping my identity secret.” Here his smile vanished as if he didn’t want to be reminded of his true name.

  “Well, I hope it works for you.” She stood. “As you know, we are leaving tomorrow to follow the leads, so I need to know if you have a plan for the children.”

  “Ah, yes. Please bring them here. I have found someone trustworthy to watch and care for them for a week since I must be back at work tomorrow. After that, I have also arranged for their parents to come, and that afternoon they will all be on a ship headed offplanet. There is a place ready for them with new identities that will hide them from possible followers.”

  “Impressive. How did you manage all that in a day?”

  His mouth twisted, not quite a smile. “You forget, the first half of my life I was trained in extensive organization, leadership and decision making. A perfect spouse to the potential ruler.” He looked down. “It feels good to be able to use that training again, even if only for a little thing.”

  “Those families don’t think it’s a little thing, I am sure.” Damn! I’m doing it again, letting myself get emotionally involved.

  “I will have the children to you by the end of the day. But before I go, I also need to ask about the tattoos. Have you or the Prince’s Companion had any luck in finding records of the patterns?”

  “There is good and bad news with that. Unfortunately, those records are sealed and cannot be accessed by anyone except the king himself and the original tattooer.”

  “Yet you said you could help.”

  Jonah smiled a bit sheepishly. “I had intended to simply give you a drawing, but now that you know, you may photograph my tattoo.” He began to unbutton his shirt. “It was made to mirror the princess’s, as a symbol of the bonding.”

  Lenore’s eyebrows rose at that. Interesting information. Would it have those micro sensors that were noted in Lavan’s tattoo? That would help although she didn’t know if she could trace Jonah’s tattoo on his chest with her finger without creating suspicion. A quick scan would have to do.

  She pulled out her pad to take a photo and activated the scanner as well. It would probably also record some interesting information about his internal organs, but a directed scan would require extensive testing.

  “Fascinating pattern. Do any of the designs have significance?”

  “Well, the flower here is the royal symbol,” said Joshua, pointing to the relevant parts. “And these lines are an ancient script of their family name. I don’t know what the curves and loops are. Maybe just to connect the two with intricate marks.”

  “Why is it on your chest and not the wrist like Lavan?”

  Jonah smiled. “The wrist is for Companions, hand for born royalty, but for spouses…” he paused to put his right hand over the tattoo. “Hand to heart. The queen had one like me to match the king.”

  A beep from the scanner indicated completion. Lenore put it back in her bag and faced Jonah.

  “Thank you. This should be very helpful. We could not have done as well without your help.” She headed toward the door, doing her best to ignore Jonah’s grateful smile.

  “It feels good to be able to talk about my true self with someone.” He dashed in front of her, opened and held the door for her.

  “It has been an honor to work with you,” he said as he bowed her out.

  She clenched her teeth briefly but forced a smile. “It will only take an hour or two to bring the children. After that, we will be back within a week, two at the outside. And I hope to have some news.” She refused to consider the possibility of finding the princess and her Companion alive. As Jonah’s face fell, she knew he was thinking the same.

  “Any knowledge will be better than none. Good luck.”

  “And to you, Reviewer.”

  ***

  It was a quick trip back to the ship to get the children. After so many shuttle runs, the flight no longer required focused attention. But Lenore’s thoughts were not on the upcoming mission as they should have been. Instead she was distracted by her completely out-of-character emotions. She had always prided herself on staying detached from every situation and mission. Why was this so different? The mysteries surrounding these people were interesting but no reason for her to be emotionally involved. What happened to Quinn was a legitimate reason to feel excessive emotion but that came later, after he was safe back aboard the ship.

  And it wasn’t just big things. Lenore was even tired of the same routine trip between the ship and hotel room. It was the relief that she needed to do it only once more that made her consider the fact that something was seriously wrong with her and her emotions. She squashed it down for now. She could talk to Diarmin about it after the children were safe and the family yacht on the way to the planet with the computer destined to be decoded.

  ***

  In no time at all the children were on the shuttle and heading back to the planet. Quinn was sitting in the copilot chair but kept sneaking glances back. They had been given nausea medication and the littlest one sedated to make the trip back easier. After they landed, Lenore got out to make sure they weren’t being observed while Quinn administered the meds to revive them. Double clicking on the wrist comp told Quinn all was clear, and he exited the shuttle carrying the boy who was still a bit groggy. The girls followed close on Quinn’s heels, and Lenore felt an odd satisfaction that they seemed so attached to her son.

  Jonah answered the door to the hotel room, but his earlier friendly demeanor was gone. He quickly introduced the two women who would be caring for the children. The first had a kindly face that showed years of nurturing and the other’s no-nonsense disposition said “bodyguard.” Lenore felt that Jonah chose very well.

  The children, however, were not trusting and refused to leave Quinn’s side, the younger girl bursting into tears when he said he had to go. He knelt and embraced them all, murmuring something that Lenore couldn’t quite hear. The bodyguard walked to the farthest corner of the room as the older woman slowly approached the group. She got down on her knees as well, radiating welcome and reassurance and soon they were detaching themselves from Quinn and listening to the woman’s quiet voice speaking their native language.

  “Good, I am glad you were quick,” Jonah whispered to Lenore, startling her out of her absorption of the emotional scene. “Lori,” his head nodded toward the woman, “has told me of a developing situation back at the palace, and I need to return.”

  “Oh?”

  “I cannot say anything else at this time but, suffice it to say, I hope you find something useful in your travels.” He bent down to pick up two packed bags, and Lenore knew she would get nothing more.

  By this time, Quinn had disentangled himself and was backing towards the door. The little boy was now in Lori’s arms and all were waving.

  “Goodbye. It was fun having you visit,” he said with a smile. Lenore waved as well, and they headed back to the shuttle.

  Quinn didn’t say a word all the way back to the shuttle and after they took off. Lenore couldn’t tell if the awkward silence was Quinn missing the children or just him deep in thought.

  “I am sure they will be fine,” she ventured.

  He nodded.

  “You did very well with them; they trusted you. I’m not sure I could have done that.”

  “It was my job. I did it, that’s all.”

  His gruff tone was not what Lenore expected. He must really miss them. “I think you were better than that, a natural. Shows you will be a great father someday.”

  “No. I’m never having kids.”

  “Hey, now, don’t be so quick—”

  “No. Never.” He crossed his arms on his chest, and his pinched, closed face showed his seriousness. Lenore dropped the subject, taken aback at his vehemence and unsure of what to say at this revelation.

  They finish
ed the trip back to the ship in silence.

  Chapter Forty-four

  “I’m telling you Diarmin, Quinn was adamant.”

  The ship was on its way to the system given to them by Raahi. With plenty of downtime while in transition, Diarmin was watching his wife pace back and forth in the space available in the workroom. Somehow, despite her agitation, she kept from knocking things off the tables and benches though a few times he winced at near misses. He unobtrusively began moving things to the side, out of the direct path of any extreme motions. He had never seen Lenore so upset. Maybe when Quinn had been taken, but that had been a controlled fury. This was, well, different.

  “Now, remember, you used to say the same things.”

  She halted and blinked at him for several seconds as if accessing those memories. She shook her head and resumed her strides.

  “That was different. I was raised, well, taught, by the Xa that procreation was impossible. I have never given the kids that impression.” She halted again, staring at Diarmin, eyes slightly haunted. “Have I?”

  “Of course not. If anything, you have shown that despite all odds, they exist.”

  “Yes, yes, you’re right.” She didn’t resume her pacing but sat, tapping her fingers on her knees. “Why does it bother me so? In fact,” she looked away, face reddening. “Maybe you haven’t noticed but I have been so agitated, emotional and I can’t figure why.”

  “Oh, I’ve noticed.”

  Lenore’s head whipped around, eyes sparking. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Diarmin sighed softly. So much for trying humor. “We’ve known each other for nineteen years. I can tell.” He tried a small, wry grin.

  Lenore relaxed in turn and chuckled. “I should have known.” The smile faded. “Is it this case? Quinn being captured? But it’s not just agitation. I feel for the clients, find myself wanting to help for no reason other than I sense they need it. What’s wrong with me?”

  Diarmin choked down another joke about her finally being human. “I have a suspicion, but you’re not going to like it.”

  “I already don’t like it but go ahead.”

  He leaned forward in his seat, elbows on knees and folded his hands. “The Xa didn’t just train you to be emotionless,” he took a deep breath. “I think that implant has been suppressing those feelings.”

  Her eyes snapped again, and she opened her mouth as if to reprimand him, but then she clamped it shut. He felt pride at her logical mind working it through, holding back what he was sure was the strongest feelings she had felt in years.

  “How did you come to that conclusion?”

  “I have been tinkering with the control box that you so conveniently destroyed. To help Quinn escape of course,” he added quickly at her sour look. “The electronics are very complex, and there are quite a few that I don’t understand. Most of it biological, as we knew, raising adrenaline and suppressing pain when needed and so on. Those are the easily read programs. But there are more than a few that have bewildered me. And Allison too, before you ask. Some I cannot even open and download, but are, strangely enough, similar to those sensors found within the tattoos. One seems to deal with rapid cell growth, some with dispersion of drugs, but there was one that dealt with suppression of something. Not pain, that program was easy. This was a constant suppression that dealt with a code of DNA that, I am not fond of admitting, left me completely flummoxed.”

  “Hm. Entirely possible.” Lenore sat back in her chair, obviously thinking hard, but her lack of expression did not fool Diarmin.

  “It’s no use getting angry.”

  “Why not?” she asked. “The Xa’ti’al had no right to take away that fundamental—”

  “Stop.” he said. “There is nothing to be done now.” She didn’t speak, but he knew the fire wasn’t out. “It’s simply another reason to add to the ones that made you leave in the first place. Now you know. And now you can use that knowledge. To your advantage.” He steeled himself for the reaction he knew was coming.

  “Advantage?” She exploded out of her seat. “So far, these emotions have been distracting, confusing and overall a pain in the ass!”

  “Then you agree with the Xa’ti’al?”

  “I didn’t say that.” But she calmed quickly as her face became pensive again. “I have always said you and the kids seemed to have better instincts and gut feelings. Maybe I can learn to use them.”

  “Well,” he hated to break her newfound calm, but he had to say it. “If I can fix the implant without that program. But I think we will need a specialist that deals with bioimplants. And that would mean…”

  “Yes. It would be like sending a message to the Xa’ti’al. I am sure that implant is personally coded to me and that any qualified medical specialists would know what to look for. Or if not qualified, then it would reveal one of the Xa’s well kept secrets.”

  Diarmin nodded but didn’t know what else to say.

  “Fix what you can. I will deal with the choices when they come.”

  “Choices?”

  “Using a custom version of our own design,” she waved her hand to include both of them, “using the original version they used on me, or…” her face was sober. “Doing without it altogether.”

  She abruptly turned and walked out of the room. Diarmin knew better than to follow. She needed time to consider everything. He knew Lenore thought she would be fine without the implant, but he worried. She had had it for over half her life, and he had no idea how much it helped when she went into action on a mission. Even her rapid emotional swings just now were a bit…unnerving.

  Well, it wouldn’t be fixed before the mission to break into the slave central computer, so she would be finding out soon enough.

  ***

  Lenore wandered the ship, trying to reconcile this latest discovery, wanting to deny it. It was just like the Xa’ti’al to do such a thing. They were all about the mission, about creating the perfect soldier, never mind what it did to the human being. Their inflexibility to consider any other ways was the biggest reason she left them.

  How dare they? They took away her childhood, took away her freedom, took away any choices she might have made, and now she found they even took away feelings. It had been over fifteen years since she left the Xa’ti’al, and they were still interfering in her life.

  She halted and clenched her fists. This wasn’t helping. But it did make clearer why the Xa never let their soldiers go. Too much to hide, needing to keep it “in the family” as they would say. She felt her lip twist into a sneer. Huh, family. They had no idea what a real family was.

  Lenore took a deep breath. Yes, family. That was what she would focus on. She couldn’t do anything at this moment about the implant, so she would let the knowledge simmer quietly while she focused on other things. It would work out in her subconscious, or she would deal with it later.

  She shoved the thoughts aside and noticed that her wandering feet brought her to the bridge ladder. She climbed it enough to glance at Allison, typing madly away at her station, mumbling to herself, something about hiding, and making the program search for specific things. Lenore knew not to bother her daughter in the middle of such important work and left her to it.

  She retreated down the ladder and wandered past her bedroom on the right and peered into the lounge on the left. Quinn, however, was nowhere to be seen so she continued down the corridor toward his room. She passed Allison’s room, glancing in only to shake her head at all the stuff scattered around. As she approached Quinn’s cabin, she could see the door was open, but she was suddenly reluctant to enter. Would he want to see her? She hadn’t had a chance to talk to him more than a few words since the children had left. She had thought things were cleared up after their talk, but now she realized she had only scratched the surface. She approached his room slowly and saw him sitting on his bed, eyes closed, headphones completely covering his ears. Allison was usually the one to use them to shut out distractions. Quinn rarely used them to liste
n to music. He usually just blared music through the speakers, liking the freedom to move around while it played.

  But, in watching him, Lenore had the feeling that, though music was probably playing, he wasn’t really listening to it. She smiled to herself. See? I can use these new emotions to “feel” things. Then she mentally kicked herself. No, I can tell because when he listens to music, he always keeps the beat somewhere on his body, with his fingers, feet or even head. He wasn’t moving at all, sitting there, back against the wall, eyes closed, and eyebrows drawn slightly together in a frown. It wasn’t a gut feeling, it was simply good observation.

  Lenore stood there, looking at her son, unsure of herself and him. She wanted to help but was afraid she would make things worse. After all, what did she know about being a parent? Diarmin was the one who had been there to kiss their boo boos, cook their meals, comfort them when they were sick. He understood them better emotionally, but even he admitted he didn’t know how to help Quinn now.

  Lenore struggled to get a rein on her emotions. There was one thing she knew she could give Quinn. Whether it would help or not she didn’t know, but it was her strength. She slowly and silently entered the room, watching his reaction carefully. After only two steps, his eyes popped open, and she could see his sudden tension. Aware enough to sense another presence nearby. Lenore knew how to change that wariness into something useful.

  “What’s up, Mom?” he asked, brow still furrowed.

  “It’s time to start your training.”

  ***

  Since the cargo hold was still loaded with grav plates, the only place with room enough for physical activity was the lounge. Lenore recruited Diarmin and Allison to help clear away furniture and anything that might get in the way. When the room was as empty as it could be, they turned to go.

  “Where are you two going?” asked Lenore.

  “Back to my program.”

  “The workshop.”

  “You are going to learn this as well, Allison, and Diarmin, I need your assistance for demonstrations.”