by K Bledsoe
“Don’t dismiss your actions so quickly,” said Diarmin. “Lenore, you should have seen her. On the fly, she created stories and excuses for downed guards, established herself yet further as the princess, gaining not only her father’s conviction, but his primary bodyguard’s trust as well. And, to top it all off, led us out a secret passage to escape the palace without being seen.”
The jealousy returned a little with Diarmin’s obvious admiration of the girl. But a closer look showed his slightly flushed face and fevered eyes. He has been fighting adrenaline again.
Raahi waved her hands, distracting Lenore from her sudden surge of concern for him.
“Stop. It was nothing and certainly not ‘on the fly.’ I always have an escape route planned. Time is short. Let’s get this in motion.”
Despite her pesky emotions, Lenore herself felt more admiration for this tough girl. She was glad they were all on the same side.
“Okay then, let’s get to the room and dig in.” She stood, hefting the bag on her shoulder and placing the globe back in her pocket. Raahi’s arm curled around Diarmin’s again and this time, the silly, simpering look she gave him didn’t spark a reaction in Lenore. She knew that the girl was all business and quite clever.
This might just work out, she thought, and headed down the escalator behind the two.
***
The next morning, the city was all abuzz with the announcement of a press conference by the king and council. It was to be in the amphitheater just outside the palace where such public conferences were usually held. Even though the occurrence would be transmitted globally, crowds had already filled the seats and plenty more were standing, flooding out into the halls. Extra security was brought in to maintain order, but there were no disturbances at all. The people were eager to finally hear confirmation or denial of all the rumors abounding. Conversation and gossip was wild. A common field worker, scarf covering mouth and nose against the press of people, wended his way through the crowd, listening to the wide variety of speculations.
“I heard the princess was found near death on a planet which had no technology.”
“I heard the so-called princess disappeared after the arrest.”
“Well, my brother does the laundry for the head gardener, and he said that she was arrested and thrown into the dungeon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There aren’t dungeons anymore.”
“If she was caught, why would the prince be so furious? Didn’t you see that last ‘cast offering a reward for information to her whereabouts?”
“That’s just a cover-up.”
“I think the whole thing is nonsense, all created to hide the facts that nothing in our government ever gets done.”
“Hush your usual rantings. There’s the king!”
Any further conversation was drowned out by the cheering of the people. No matter what individual opinion was, they all loved the charismatic king. He smiled at the crowd and cameras, but his entire demeanor was melancholy. His loyal bodyguard, face, but not name, known to the public, walked directly behind him, eyes scanning the audience. The rest of the council filed in, and they all took their seats. Prince Hahn took his usual seat at the end of the table, his companion next to him.
“Turn the volume down, Quinn. That cheering is too loud. It’s messing with the recordings.”
“Hush, Allison,” he whispered, trusting the noise of the crowd would hide the communication. Perhaps he needed a subvocalizer like his mother. But it would be difficult for him to mention it to her since he wasn’t really supposed to be here. “We will need the sound when they start speaking. They are quieting, no more contact from you, please.”
“Well, watch your scarf. It keeps drifting in front of the camera.”
Quinn shook his head. Allison always needed to get the last word in. But he tucked the offending scarf firmly behind his ear where the camera was set, looking like a simple old-fashioned, and quite cheap, communications device.
After all were seated, the king stood and held his hands up for silence. The fact that quiet was instant showed their respect for the monarch. He spoke clearly, his voice reaching all in the audience and the cameras that broadcast to the entire planet.
“I apologize for the unexpected conference, but I felt it was necessary to fill you in on the facts. It is true that yesterday a young woman was brought to me that seemed to be the long-lost Princess Maya. However,” he paused and briefly closed his eyes as if in pain. “Even though the proof had convinced me, late last night Prince Hahn showed me all the information he discovered in the possession of the traitor, my Chief Reviewer. Yes, it is true he was formerly the betrothed, and he cruelly used his insider information so that the woman appeared to have personal knowledge of me and the palace.” He shook his head sadly, and sympathetic murmurs ran through the crowd. “I was wrong to place my trust in them, and I’m embarrassed to admit I was duped completely. But the fact that she ran away the moment this was all uncovered only confirmed suspicions.”
The volume of the crowd rose intensely as the king appeared to deflate.
“That’s not true!”
The young woman who cried out was shoving people aside to reach the side platform where citizens usually addressed the council. It looked like someone else was helping her clear the way, and she climbed the few steps to the microphone.
“I ran because I feared for my life, Father,” she said. The crowd gasped.
“Arrest her!” yelled Prince Hahn.
“I invoke the right to a public trial,” she said loudly into the microphone. It was enough to halt security and silence the crowd.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Traitors don’t deserve a trial,” said the prince.
The crowd gasped again, and this time a couple of the councilors followed suit, staring at the prince. One councilor was brave enough to speak up.
“But, Your Highness. That is one of our most treasured laws. Anyone may ask for a public hearing, although it has been over a hundred years since the last time anyone has done so.”
Indeed, everyone in the crowd was now talking about how nearly all the trials end in a guilty verdict. Quinn tried not to think about that dire possibility and instead concentrated on making his way to the edge where the microphone wouldn’t pick up such minor chatter.
“Well, of course Councilor Behm. I only meant that it would take time to prepare, we can’t do it on a whim.”
“I am ready,” Raahi said, her mouth firm and head held high. “I am perfectly willing to have these councilors as jury and these fine people to bear witness.” Her hands spread wide to indicate the crowd. She bowed slightly to them then turned her gaze upon the king. The murmurs now took on an admiring tone.
“If she’s not the princess, she sure is brave like one.”
“So very noble. And she does look like Queen Savitri.”
The king sighed. “Very well, whoever you are. You have done your research well.”
“I am Maya, but I knew that when I presented myself, I would be in danger from those who had taken me.” There was a brief flash of light surrounding her making her flinch slightly. She turned to address the audience, eyes sweeping the crowd.
“You see,” she flinched again as there was another flash and her eyes settled upon a disturbance. “To discourage runaways, every slave is implanted with a tiny explosive near their heart that can be activated at any time. I am fortunate that the people who rescued me gave me a dampening field to block the signal.” The disturbance coalesced into two men dragging another toward the princess. “That sparkle was such a signal attempting to kill me by this person. Holding him are local security people who traced that signal when it was used on me.”
One of the men holding the captive gave the device to the princess. She held it aloft. “This, with the implant, will prove my story. About the tattoos. Since it was another easy way to identify me, I was very careful about covering them up. Look!” She flung her right hand out, no tattoos showing. But then sh
e pulled off a glove so snug that it seemed to be skin, and the crowd gasped as the tattoos were revealed. “I also have other proofs that show I have had these most of my life and that,” here her eyes saddened. “I am sorry to say, that Prince Hahn was lied to. There was no local tattoo artist. The recordings he was given are also falsified.”
The crowd’s murmur increased, and a glance at the prince showed his face clouded with anger. Princess Maya held up her hands, and the crowd quieted instantly as they did for the king. She held up data sticks and readers.
“I can show you the proofs now, Honored Councilors, or display it publicly. In addition,” sadness crossed her face, “I also have proof of certain people inside the court who are working against the current government.”
The crowd began another gasp but was interrupted by exploding laughter from the prince. “I have been given false recordings? Who’s to say those you are holding are not also false, mocked up?”
The murmurs of the crowd were mixed. Some agreed, and most didn’t know who to believe. The woman faced the prince.
“The tapes can be examined closely to determine if they are legitimate and…”
“But the specialists who do that might not be genuine or have their own agendas. Face it, imposter, it’s your word against mine.”
The crowd seemed to hold its breath, and there was an eerily timed swivel of heads to look back at the woman. She raised her chin, eyes locked with Prince Hahn’s.
“I am willing to risk it.”
“But I am not willing to trade my rightful rule to an ex slave.” His eyes quickly raked over the audience, and a slight smile creased the corner of his mouth.
“I challenge you to a duel.”
The heartbeat length of silence was enough for all to hear the soft answer.
“I accept.”
The tumult of noise was not quite enough to drown out Allison’s comment in Quinn’s ear.
“Was that part of the plan?”
Chapter Sixty-two
It took several moments to quiet the crowd. Companion Lavan ran to whisper in Hahn’s ear, but the prince pushed him away. The king spoke to his guard who immediately started speaking to all on the stage and into a private communicator.
All the while, the princess and the prince kept their gazes locked.
Quinn tried hard to sort out all the reactions, but he couldn’t discern individual conversations. Some were shocked, some outraged, and some oddly supportive or even excited. He tried not to shake his head. No matter how civilized the society, there were always those wanting a fight.
“Quinn? Are you okay?” Allison sounded a bit panicked.
“Yes,” he hissed. “Trying to listen to people’s responses.” But Allison didn’t get the hint and kept talking.
“What about Mom and Dad?”
Quinn angled himself to see the two security guards still holding the man who tried to detonate Raahi’s chip.
“They are just standing there, but I can’t see their faces clearly to know what they are thinking.”
“But what do we do?”
“Not much we can do, is there?”
“But—”
“Quiet, Allison. The king is going to speak.”
After several attempts by officials to calm the amphitheater, the king stood up. When his outstretched hands did nothing to stem the flow of noise, his face reddened.
“Silence!” he bellowed. The hush was instant.
Quinn wasn’t sure if it was the word or the fact that it was the first time that the king had to raise his voice that worked.
“I forbid the duel.”
“You cannot, Your Majesty,” said Companion Lavan. Quinn could hear the regret in his voice. “There are precedents, and the challenge supersedes the trial since it is directly related to accusations made during that trial.”
Several councilors nodded, and Hahn’s grin widened, eyes still never leaving Raahi’s.
“One week. With swords.” He tossed his head, eyes sparking.
“Your pardon, Prince Hahn.” Raahi’s voice was quiet but firm. Quinn admired her calm, knowing that if he were in her place, his heart would be racing.
“Since you issued the duel, I, as the one being challenged, have the right to choose the weapons.”
The prince’s smile vanished, and he turned to look at his companion. When Lavan nodded, he turned back to Raahi. “Very well. What do you choose?”
“Daggers.”
Somehow though the prince’s expression didn’t change, Quinn could tell he wasn’t pleased. But he nodded anyway as if his agreement was necessary. “That will be acceptable. But still one week.”
It was Raahi’s turn to nod, and Quinn could sense satisfaction. “That is the tradition,” she said.
Now Hahn’s annoyance was obvious, and he simply sneered as he stalked out. The council, Raahi, the king, and everyone else on the platform followed suit. Quinn left quickly before the stunned crowd kept him from getting back to the ship before his parents.
Chapter Sixty-three
Back on the ship, Quinn waited with Allison. He slicked back his wet hair and hoped he’d gotten all the dye out. As they came through the hatch. Diarmin smiled grimly at his children as he stripped off his jacket and gloves.
“Hey, dad. Great job,” said Allison. He bowed, but his expression didn’t change as he went to fetch the bag that stored gear. She turned to the other who was taking off gloves and hat. “Hey, Mom. You sure make a good man.”
Quinn admired her attempts to lighten the mood.
“Thank you, I think,” their mother answered. “Good thing we deactivated that implant and gave her the personal shield to detect that attempt to detonate it. We captured the man who tried.” She began loosening the body armor that the local security used.
“I know,” said Allison. “Pow! Nice blow to the kidneys.” She mimed the action.
“Excuse me?” Lenore’s voice was muffled as she pulled the armor over her head so fortunately she didn’t see Quinn elbow his sister.
“Oh, um. It was on all the news channels. From every angle. We both watched.” She shot a quick glance of apology to Quinn.
Quinn really had to struggle not to roll his eyes.
“I see,” said Lenore.
Quinn noticed her eyes take in his wet hair. He decided on diversion tactics.
“What can we do now? The duel was not part of the plan, was it?”
Diarmin came back up the ladder and held the bag open for Lenore’s gear.
Lenore eyed Quinn for a second longer then apparently decided to drop the subject. She stowed her gear. “No. But it seems to be out of our hands now. Raahi will be protected until the duel, so her safety is assured. After that,” she shook her head. “She is tough, but he is young and built to fight. Although…”
“What?” asked Quinn and Allison at the same time.
“The prince doesn’t strike me as someone who would take the responsibility and actually face an enemy. I expected him to run like a coward or try to arrest her like Jonah or…something else.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Diarmin sealed the gear bag. “Time to get our money and move on.”
“No!” Allison said.
Quinn noticed his parents looked as surprised as he felt at Allison’s outburst.
“We can’t just leave,” she said.
“What do you want to do, Alli?” asked Diarmin.
“I don’t know. I… it just doesn’t feel right…can’t we help?”
“This is an internal matter now. We can’t interfere,” said Lenore.
“I know that, Mom but…”
Quinn couldn’t quite bring himself to understand how she felt. The job was done. They should start looking for the next. It’s what they did. He was feeling the itch to be busy and maybe she was too. But the problem was that this job didn’t quite feel finished. He shook himself mentally and quenched the doubts.
Emotions are not for the job, logic only. But there is one concern
.
“How are we going to get paid if she loses?” he asked. “From what I understand, if she loses, that is proof that she isn’t who she says she is and thus, no reward.”
Diarmin and Allison stared as if the thought hadn’t occurred to them, but the look on his mother’s face before she turned away told him she had given due consideration to all the possibilities. It oddly pleased him that he was thinking professionally, like his mother.
“We should convince the king that no matter how it turns out, we found his daughter, provided proof, and deserve the reward despite an archaic ritual. There was no mention of any contingencies to the posted reward. We get paid and then go find another job.”
Allison’s mouth opened and closed a few times before she abruptly turned and stalked off to her room.
“She’ll learn that life is not a fairy tale,” said Diarmin gruffly, and he also left down the ladder, probably heading to his workshop.
Quinn looked at Lenore, a bit confused to see sadness in her eyes. She shook her head.
“Nothing we can do. What does Alli think? That we can help her during the duel? Help her cheat? No, she is on her own.”
Lenore’s voice was steady, but Quinn knew his mother well enough to see she didn’t like leaving it like this. He didn’t answer, so she shrugged and turned. He was about to return to his room when she turned back to him.
“We’ll talk later.” And the way she eyed him, Quinn knew he was in trouble.
Chapter Sixty-four
Prince Hahn couldn’t sit. He paced, clenching and unclenching fists. His lackeys had followed him back to his rooms after the public assembly and pushed their way in, all babbling, varying from excitement to confusion depending on their intelligence level. Apparently, they didn’t know that future duelists were supposed to be secluded. When Lavan tried to tell Hahn he shouldn’t let anyone in, Hahn summarily dismissed him to his room. Now he needed to plan quickly and while these followers had been useful in the past, they were being excessively annoying. The prince needed others.
