by K Bledsoe
“How exciting,” said Rifkin. “A great boost to your popularity. You’ll have countless admirers by the end of the day. The challenge was the noble thing to do. Very royal.”
“A perfect way to make her pay. Suffer,” added Thom. “How much damage are you allowed to do?”
“The council will determine the level needed for me to win,” the prince said, growing impatient with their babble. “Look, I need you to—”
“What if she wins?” asked Endon softly. All three heads had snapped around at the comment. Endon looked startled but set his chin. Hahn knew he had to say it, but it still stung.
“That skinny bitch? I don’t think so, Endon.” He was satisfied at the wariness in Endon’s eyes. He had rarely ever yelled at his followers, but now was not the time for niceties. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because I don’t intend on going through with the duel. I am accelerating our plans. There won’t be anyone left to care about a stupid duel. We are going to take over before then.”
All eyes widened at that, Rifkin’s mouth wide open and Endon’s snapping shut. The gleam in Thom’s eyes decided the prince who to trust with the next message.
“Thom. Fetch me Guard Alex Mannon. Nobody else. Inform him he is to be my attendant. Also,” Hahn strode to the armoire that contained his clothes. Rummaging behind the hanging formalwear, he came out with several data sticks. He returned to Thom.
“These are to be given directly to the person marked on each stick. Directly and to absolutely nobody else. As soon as possible.” He looked Thom directly in the eye and gripped his arm hard enough to leave a bruise. “Understand? If you fail…”
Thom hesitated for only a moment. “I will do as you ask, Your Highness.” He bowed low, and Hahn couldn’t help but revel in the adrenaline rush.
“Tell them the messages are to be destroyed the instant after viewing, and that the timetable has been moved up.”
Rifkin and Endon stared as Thom’s feet hastened out the door. The prince turned to them, adrenaline still coursing through him. “It comes to this. You must go but stay available. I may need you. You have been my allies and I will not forget. Now, leave me.”
They turned and left, Rifkin still looking confused and Endon thoughtful. Maybe they won’t be as useful as I thought, the prince told himself. Doesn’t matter. Child promises meant nothing to the successful leader of a coup. He could get rid of them without a second thought.
***
Raahi was trying very hard not to pace in the spacious guest suite, keeping a tight grip on her emotions. She had been led here right after everyone had left the amphitheater. Hours had passed, and she didn’t bother trying the doors. They would be locked or there would be guards outside. She knew the rules of dueling well. Maya had loved the historical stories and, back then, when she had been Lara, she studied true accounts to keep Maya from running amok with her romantic notions. Raahi closed her eyes against the memories of her bondmate. Maya had been such a dreamer, always wanting to live the adventures she watched and read. Well, she got one.
Raahi tried to suppress the memories, but being back at the palace made it harder. As she focused and regulated her breathing, she knew in her heart that Maya would be proud of her and would have enjoyed the idea of a duel. Raahi felt a small smile and tears threaten. She could almost hear Maya’s encouragement and laughter.
A knock on the door yanked her out of the reminisces. Chiding herself for her lack of discipline, she spoke.
“Come in.”
The king’s personal bodyguard entered and before he closed the door, Raahi could see two guards outside. She didn’t feel any satisfaction at being right.
“Jagjit. To what do I owe the pleasure?” She smiled and bowed slightly.
“As you know, you are not allowed visitors except one attendant.”
“Yes, of course. How did you get stuck with the job?”
“I volunteered.”
Raahi felt her knees go weak at his simple words.
“I am honored.”
“I did not do it for you,” his voice kind, despite the gruff words. “The king wanted me to bring you a message and this was the only way to assure that you would receive it.” He held out his hand with a personal reader. Despite the commonality of such an item, Raahi felt a pang. The last one she had seen had been Maya’s.
“Thank you.” She took it and Jagjit made as if to leave, but she stopped him. “If you are to be my attendant, you need to know everything, even personal messages.”
His expression was unreadable as she played the message.
“My dear Maya. I am begging you, do not do this. Hahn is a talented fighter and though the duel will be closely monitored so no deaths occur, I fear he can severely injure you. As difficult as it would be to lose you again, I would rather you left so that I know you will be safe. Jagjit will see to it. I release him into your command though I wish you still had your dear Companion Lara. She was like a second child to me, and I never got the chance to mourn her with you. Goodbye, my dear daughter, and know my heart has been with you since the day you came into our lives and always will be.”
Raahi removed the stick and clutched it in her palm like she had with Maya’s. She brought her fist to her chest, eyes closed. Did the king know she was really Lara? Was that why he mentioned the companion? A heartbeat later she realized it didn’t matter. As a child, she had felt the love and knew she had been like another child to Nirav and his queen. It only made her course clearer, and she wondered how she could have stayed away for so long. All her previous anger and denial of who she was seemed quite distant now.
“Thank you for the message, Jagjit. Will you take one back to my father?”
The guard nodded and pulled out another data stick, but she shook her head. “You can tell him personally. Tell him that I have been away from my duties long enough and will not abandon this one, him or our people, no matter the outcome or cost.”
Jagjit’s face didn’t change a muscle, but his eyes showed a subtle shift. He bowed low to her, the first time ever.
“He said you might say that, and I am pleased his reading of you was accurate.” He straightened. “I am to inform you that the council is deliberating the terms of the duel and what constitutes a win. You will have access to the gym only when empty and must be accompanied by me. You may request anything from the kitchens or library but no access to public broadcasts.”
“I understand, and… thank you, Jagjit.”
“Is there anything you would like, Your Highness?”
She laughed lightly. “I’m not the heir yet. Not until I win the duel and earn the right to claim it.”
“To me you are unquestionably the heir, Your Highness.”
She again fought back tears but for an entirely different reason, so she attempted to defuse the emotion.
“If I am going to be here for a few days, I will need a change of clothes. Or two.”
He bowed again and left, and she felt a true smile pull her lips. She was amazed that only days before she was to duel for the future of herself and her planet, her heart felt lighter than it had in a very long time. But her smile faded as she thought about the one person who should be here. One who cared about the planet even more than she.
***
Lavan wandered the halls. Hahn had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with his Companion, even as his attendant for the duel. Lavan felt he should have known that would be Hahn’s response but it hurt, nonetheless.
I tried to be his there for him. I really did, but he must have known my true feelings. He also felt adrift and forgotten because the Baroness never even let him know that Maya had been found. I started the entire process, and nobody remembers me despite all the horrible stuff I have gone through. Lavan knew he was wallowing in self-pity, but he didn’t care.
He looked up suddenly, realizing his inner turmoil had moved his feet to the one place he had felt even a little safe. He turned the handle and welcomed the sight of many screens. He was e
ntirely surprised to see a woman leap out of the seat and berated himself for forgetting about Jonah’s arrest.
“Companion Lavan? What, why,” she tried to bow but looked quite out of sorts.
“Relax. Just wandering the halls. You must be the new Chief Reviewer. Ginette, is it?”
“No, I mean, yes, Ginette, but not Chief Reviewer. I never wanted the job and responsibility and I feel—” She abruptly cut herself off.
Lavan chuckled with little humor. “I understand, Ginette. Not easy to be thrown into the middle of a crazy situation unprepared.”
The relief on her face was nearly comical. “Exactly.”
Now she blushed, and Lavan realized she was probably closer to his age than to Jonah’s.
“I am a bit desperate for help and thought just looking at my boss would help.” She swept her hand to a monitor in the corner.
Lavan caught his breath to see Jonah.
“How did you do that?”
“I just tapped into the prison’s monitors.” Now she looked guilty. “It wasn’t hard. They don’t have a very secure system to keep out external monitoring, and the palace has clearance anyway.”
“How is he?” Lavan moved closer to the screen. Ginette appeared to take his interest as oblique permission and began to talk rapidly.
“He seems to be okay. You know they take good care of people in custody, but I think he must be extremely bored. As you can see,” she pointed at the screen. “He has access to public viewing, so he must know what is going on, but all he seems to do is to read the same book over and over.” She shook her head. “He glances up at the monitor a lot. Probably because he has been a Reviewer for so long, but I kinda feel like he is giving me encouragement. Stupid, I know.”
Lavan felt a quickening of his pulse. Maybe he was trying to send a message. But how to find out without arousing Ginette’s suspicions? He smiled at her.
“He might be doing just that. What book is he reading?”
“Some history. I can zoom in.” She did so, and he recognized it as a boring historical concerning past monarchies. There was a paper, like a bookmark, sticking out of the pages with handwriting on the front.
“What is that?”
“Oh, it looks like a scrap note to himself. I took a picture and enlarged it to read.” She blushed again. “I am out of my league here, and I thought it was a test but,” she handed him a picture sheet. “It wasn’t anything in particular.”
“May I have this?” Lavan asked. “It is a very good picture, and I know that kind of clarity with zoom is not easy.” It was good enough to show what was written as well as the title spine of the book. The note read “Remind the Baroness to read pages 34, 118, 27 and especially 58” but the last number was written in an odd block style with perfectly straight lines, no curves.
Ginette smiled shyly. “Of course, Companion.”
He thanked her, but as he turned to go she grasped gently at his sleeve.
“Companion. Can you do anything for Jonah? He is not guilty of what he is accused of. I mean maybe he is the betrothed, but I know he would never do anything to hurt the king. He loves him like a father.”
“I believe you, Reviewer, but unfortunately I have no power in this situation.”
Her face fell, and he was truly sorry he couldn’t tell her that the picture may hold some answers if he could only figure out what it meant. “I will let you know if I hear anything.”
“Thank you. I would be happy to help if you ever need something. You only. For Jonah.”
Lavan was a bit taken aback by the emphasis. Did she know about his association with the Chief Reviewer? Or just not want to have anything to do with Hahn? Probably the latter. He smiled and nodded, then escaped out the door. He needed to get a copy of the book to see what Jonah wanted him, or the Baroness, to know.
Chapter Sixty-five
Hours after everyone had returned to the ship, Quinn sat alone in the lounge, composing his thoughts and trying to compose his emotions as well. Allison was checking the ship’s status and was supposed to join him before Mom came in.
Footsteps in the hall caught his attention and the light tread indicated his sister. She rounded the corner, eyes wide. Quinn wondered why only for a moment until he saw his mother come in a few steps after.
They sat, and as usual Lenore got right to the point. “Tell me what you two were doing there instead of on the ship like you were supposed to be.”
Allison didn’t speak, probably still angry about their earlier conversation. Quinn wasn’t sure where to start, but he knew it would be worse to delay.
“To be honest—” he began.
“I wasn’t there,” said Allison.
Figures she would save herself, thought Quinn.
“Now don’t lie…”
“She’s not lying, Mom. She was on the ship. I was there,” he said. As her head turned slightly to look at him, he set his jaw. He knew her silence and eyebrow lift were ploys to get him to talk. He was mature enough to admit it still worked. He took a breath to settle his stomach.
“I, we, didn’t want to sit helpless here. I felt I needed to be there. Allison wanted to come too, but I knew she couldn’t disguise herself as well.” He ignored her tongue sticking out and continued. “So, I wore a transmitter that allowed her to see and hear what I did. I disguised myself as a local field worker, not even the same as earlier. I padded to look heavier, had putty for a large nose, and even grayed my hair.”
“It’s true. I was actually startled when I saw him,” offered Allison.
“You were given strict instructions—”
“I know but hear me out. After these past few weeks, I don’t think any of us can afford to stay at home. I truly felt that I had to be there, and that Allison needed to watch and be ready at the ship in case we were needed. Thankfully, nothing came of it. All the same,” he squared his shoulders. “I would do it again. Better to be prepared to help and not be needed than…well …you know.”
Allison was nodding vigorously, and Lenore sighed. “Apparently, you two think you can do what you want, no matter what we say. But.” She sighed again and seemed to be deciding what to say next.
“You are my children, the most important thing to me. When I knew you were safe, I could focus completely on my missions, no matter how dangerous they were for me. Now,” she took a long, slow breath. “Now I understand the stress of those who are left behind and how difficult it is to watch loved ones go into danger and being unable to participate.” She looked at them with a sad smile.
Quinn was quite unnerved to see such emotion in his mother. He had known she was scared for them but had never made the leap that the fear would be a distraction. He had thought she merely wanted them out of her way, that she could do better by herself. This mission had changed her.
Lenore looked at her children, and Quinn couldn’t decipher her expression. She pointed a finger at them. “Here is how it is going to be. In the future, you will be much more involved on missions, if…” her look turned serious. “If you obey me as a mission leader, learn more defense techniques, and discuss with me beforehand what you’d like to do. The next time you pull something like you did today, acting without permission, you will be excused from missions. No exceptions.”
They agreed, and she slapped her thighs. “Good. That’s settled. Now, about getting in touch with the palace about our money. Ah, good timing, Diarmin,” she said as their father walked in. “Your father will don his earlier persona of the rescuer and request an audience with the king. That shouldn’t be—”
A beep from the lounge’s console indicated someone was trying to communicate with the ship. Lenore opened a channel, routing the message from the bridge to the lounge. When Lavan’s face appeared on the screen, Quinn could see everyone was as surprised as he. They had nearly forgotten about him.
“Baroness, I have a message for you from Jonah. Unfortunately, I don’t understand it but perhaps you might.”
“Wait, Lava
n…” began Lenore, but his face was replaced with a photo. Allison hurried to the console to make her own copy while Lavan’s voice continued.
“The new reviewer says Jonah keeps reading this and glancing at the camera, but I have looked at those pages and cannot figure out what he is trying to say. I am forwarding you a digital copy of the book with pages numbered exactly like his. I cannot stay on this line and will most likely not be able to contact you again. I hope you can use this information.”
“We are not going to do any—” said Lenore, but Lavan had already broken the connection.
“How dare he?” said Lenore. “What gives him the right to order us around as if we were servants?” Diarmin looked like he wanted to put a hand on her shoulder, but he pulled back. Quinn was a bit frozen at his mother’s outburst, but Allison didn’t hesitate.
“You were saying there was nothing more we could do. Well, here it is.”
“Read through an obscure book trying to figure out a specific code. And for what? What more do we get out of it?”
“We don’t need—”
“Forget it Allison. This is a business decision.”
“But Jonah needs our help.”
“That is the last time I wish to discuss this.”
Allison’s face took on a stubborn look, but she said nothing as she left the lounge. Quinn wondered if he was the only one to notice that she took the copy of the photo with her.
Chapter Sixty-six
Hahn had already been awake for an hour and was picking at the remains of his breakfast in the suite when his attendant knocked on the door.
“Enter,” he called, and then went to lock the door to Lavan’s room. Right now would be the worst time for him to come in unexpectedly.
Guard Mannon entered and closed the outer door at Hahn’s signal. He strode toward the prince and went down to one knee, technically a greeting only for a confirmed prince or king but Hahn appreciated the loyal declaration.
