"I have given it a great deal of thought," Ahrtzor said in a moderate tone. Unlike me, he seemed totally in control of the situation, as if it was going exactly as he'd planned. I marveled that my awkward teenager acted like a seasoned leader. "We need someone who is a respected researcher and who is independent of the military command and the Imperatora Voices. I have reviewed the dossiers of everyone residing on the Archon Quarters. There is only one person who acquired a position on the Gaea due to independent research, not due to the Imperatora's patronage. That same person is an outstanding scientific researcher."
No, I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs, I am a researcher not a leader. But I didn't. I sat silently, too timid to speak in front of such a huge crowd.
Ahrtzor pointed at me. "My mother, Aos Whey-ki."
I lowered my head, expecting a roar of disapproval. Instead, there was a murmuring as people whispered to each other. I thought they were asking each other who I was. I self-consciously raised my head.
A man in the first level's front row rose. I didn't recognize him, but he had to be someone important to be in the front row. He turned to face the auditorium. "I have not met Professora Whey-ki, but I am familiar with her impressive dossier and her insightful research regarding the Precession Cataclysm. I am even more impressed tonight. If she could raise a son who can say what the rest of us have been too afraid even to whisper, she deserves our admiration."
Out of the corner of my eyes, I glanced at Kwenerra and raised my eyebrows. "Master Amphora Moheix," she whispered.
He was indeed an important person. He was in charge of arguably Gaea's most important cargo. Moheix was head vigneron, responsible for insuring that the survival of our vines. Without wine from the vines, we wouldn't have a source for the sulfenols that provide bubo-plague immunity. Without immunity, it wouldn't matter if we discovered the way back. We'd all die a painful death.
"However, I do not believe it would be appropriate at this time to remove the Imperatora Voices from their leadership position. They alone know more than any of us on the necessary administration of the Gaea's cargo and crew. We need their knowledge too."
A wave of relief washed over me. I could breathe again. Sanity had prevailed. Master Moheix recognized that I knew nothing about managing the Gaea.
"On the other hand, I believe other voices with different perspectives should be heard on matters that effect our survival in this uncertain environment. I move that a leadership council composed of four people be established: Eunuchs Nhoth and Rohfek; Admiral Tani, as military representative; and Professora Whey-ki, as the Archon voice."
The auditorium broke into spontaneous applause. I wanted to stand and tell them I wasn't the person to represent them, but my I didn't have the strength to stand.
Nhoth and Rohfek looked at each other. Nhoth took a deep breath and nodded. He scanned the auditorium. "In view of your desire, we welcome the Admiral's and the Professora's counsel. They will indeed be valuable counsel to help guide all of us through this uncharted territory."
Ahrtzor leaned closer to me. "Don't believe a word of it Mom," he said. "But you can depend on me, I'll see to it your back is protected."
-12-
Rwohn Compound
Planet Tirano
Even though I wanted to view more of Aos Whey-ki's spoof of Nhoth and Rohfek, I needed some sleep if I was to protect Sini's back from the current day's Nhoth. "Mark this as stopping point," I told the reader.
I traipsed into the bedroom and had no sooner laid down than I heard a pounding on the door. I bolted out of bed. The only people who insisted on pounding on doors were the Vhirko. I thought Sini must being have more nightmares and had sent for my help. I grabbed my dressing gown and slippers and trotted to the door.
The Commandant of the Vhirko, Konya, stood at the door. It had to worse than I'd expected. "Please tell me she's alright," I said.
"The Queen has disappeared from her quarters," the Commandant said in her inflection-less contralto.
"Are you sure?" I asked before I realized the Commandant herself wouldn't be standing in front of me otherwise.
She nodded slowly. "The Vhirko check two deci ago found the room empty. We have searched the Castel and have found no trace."
My breath became light. Sini must have accessed the hyperportal and be with the Sibyls.
"Come in." I pointed toward my reception chamber.
She didn't move. "We don't have time for such pleasantries. Please accompany me."
I tied the belt of my gown and put on my slippers. The Commandant had already turned and started down the hallway. When I caught up with her, she didn't say a word until we'd entered the Compound's concourse.
"I came to you personally because you were the last person to see her and I wanted to talk to you alone where no one could overhear," she said when I caught up with her. "You are the Queen's closest confidant. Her physical and mental well-being have deteriorated recently. Did she give you any indication that she might consider suicide?"
I chose my words carefully. I didn't want to divulge the hyperportals. "She's been having trouble sleeping. I think it's a delayed reaction to the Zhun'Mar and Mirae's deaths. But, no, she's not suicidal. She knows that would put Count Nhoth the Golden Vine Throne, and she'd do everything she could to prevent that."
"That was my thought also," Konya replied. "But others may feel she's unstable because she is the child of a clone. Do you have any idea of how she eluded detection and where she would have gone?"
I stopped walking. The Commandant turned to face me. To my surprise, her expression was one of concern, not anger. "As I suspected."
"I don't know for certain, but I have an idea. It's some place she may have gone to get away from," I paused, "from the constant intrusion of you Vhirko. Please, give me time to check it out without violating the secret the Queen has entrusted in me."
"I don't like the idea that the Queen could go anywhere without the Vhirko knowing and accompanying." Her shoulders rose as she took a deep breath. "I won't press you yet, but remember I'm here to help. I can buy some time, but she must return soon. If not, I will use all of my ability to make you reveal all you know."
I had no doubt she could. I bit my lower lip and nodded. "Thanks."
The Commandant escorted me back to my chamber. "I expect you to contact me personally at Konya1717 as soon as you know if your idea is correct."
She turned and strode down the hall. I ran to chamber. "Contact my mother. Now!" I shouted to my vid-com.
Mom's face appeared on the panel's screen. Even though I must have awakened her, not one strand of her hair was out of place. "Kuinsi, you look ashen. What is it?"
"Sini, she's missing."
"When? How?"
"According to Commandant Konya, two deci ago. There's only one thing I can think of that would permit her to disappear without Vhirko detection."
Mom's finger wrapped a curl of her hair behind her ear. "I would have been informed."
Had Sini tried to access the hyperportal and not exited in time? Was she trapped in hyperspace? My knees buckled. I thought I would pass out. "You have to check, she must be trapped."
"Immediately," Mom replied.
The screen went blank. I sat and stared at it for what seemed like a spin until Mom reappeared. "There is no indication that her portal had been opened since I left her."
My momentary relief was replaced by a greater fear. "Mom, what if the Sisterhood isn't the only ones capable of hyperspace travel? You didn't think anyone else possessed interactive holos, but we now know that was wrong. What if Sini was abducted via a hyperportal?"
Mom expression said everything. "I'll investigate."
-13-
Rwohn Compound
Planet Tirano
I was convinced that Sini wouldn't have run away. She would never have acted so recklessly and provided Rheghie and his Archonan cronies to ar
gue she wasn't emotionally fit to be Queen and permit Rheghie to assume the Throne.
That meant Sini had been abducted. I needed to contact Commandant Konya. "Konya 1717," I told my companel.
Konya image appeared immediately. She was in Sini's quarters surrounded by two of her lieutenants. "Yes, Lord Chancellor," she said formally.
I shook my head. "She wasn't there."
Konya grimaced.
"I think she was abducted." I chose my next words carefully. "Somehow, someone was able to gain undetected access to her quarters."
Her eyes narrowed to slits. "Are you challenging the Vhirko ability to safeguard the Queen?"
I'm not sure why I hadn't made the connection earlier. I met her glare. "You know, as a matter of fact, I am. King Mhikhel was assassinated in that same room by someone who snuck in and out without Vhirko detection. And the Vhirko never ascertained what the hole in their security net was. Someone may have used the same hole to abduct Sini, and if you can't figure it out before anything happens to the Queen, I will see that the Vhirko are replaced by people who can."
Konya's face turned as red as one of Mom's gowns. If she could have, I think she would have reached through her commpad and strangled me. She let out a long hiss of breath, then raised her jaw. "The Vhirko will find her and the security breach. Konya out."
My companel turned black. I prayed to Ghaeah for Vhirko success. My pad beeped. Hopefully, Mom had figured something out. Instead, Rheghie Nhoth's obese face greeted me with a sneer.
"Master Kuinsi, you are hereby summonsed to Arvor Castel to appear before my Royal Council investigating the suicide of Queen Siniastra. A Koah chopter has been dispatched to pick you up and should arrive in a few milli. You will board it immediately and appear before us as soon as you arrive at the Castel."
His smirk grew broader so his face looked like a fat mer-toad. He licked his lips like he had just swallowed a fly, and I knew who the fly was. "Oh, how I and my family have waited for this day."
All I could do was stare blankly. Sini was dead.
-14-
Arvor Castel
Planet Tirano
I boarded the chopter at Rwohn Compound with all of my possessions. With Sini gone, I'd probably never return to the Compound. I'd never be included on any guest list that Nhoth invited.
The sun was shining when the chopter lifted off. As we flew over the Rwohn steps, the sky blackened and we encountered thunder clouds. Turbulence bounced the chopter like a small ball. After one gut wrenching drop and creaking of the engine, I thought Nhoth intended for the chopter to disintegrate with me on board.
In between prayers to Ghaeah to hold the chopter together, it dawned on me: like father like son. Just as Ohlav Nhoth seized power immediately upon Mhikhel's death, Rheghie was doing the same. I wished I could invoke like mother like son. Mom had resisted Ohlav's power play and played a key role in retaining the Golden Vine Throne for Zhun'Mar. Unfortunately, with Sini dead there were no Arvors I could fight for.
The chopter finally landed at the grand plaza surrounding Arvor Castle. I stepped down the chopter's stairway and glanced at Arvor Castel's turrets and spires. Ordinarily, the Castel's grandeur would have inspired me instead of creating a sense of doom. I trudged behind the Koahman who greeted me and told me he was to accompany me to the Royal Council Chamber, where I would have to face my worst fear: King Rheginahld Nhoth, Sovereign of Tirano.
The inside of the Castel resembled a mausoleum. The usual drone of hustle and bustle in the Great Concourse had been replaced by silence. The only sound of footsteps clicking on the marble floor was the Koahman's and mine.
To my surprise, no Vhirko guarded the doors leading to the Royal Council Chamber. A single Koahman, a private, stood at attention in front of the door. When we stood in front of him, he saluted. "The Council is expecting you Master Kuinsi. I will notify them you have arrived."
He lifted his wrist and whispered into a wrist com and awaited a response. He lowered his wrist. "You may enter." He pushed the door open.
I had never seen the Council Chamber looked so cluttered. Tables sat randomly around the room, each cluttered with half eaten food. I was amazed they could create such a mess in a few deci. Nhoth sat at a table in the middle of the room with Count Joh Keefohr, a Archonan toady related to Rheghie, standing on his left and Koah Colonel Zhorn Nhoth, Rheghie's first cousin, on his right.
"Meet my Royal Council," Nhoth said with a waggle of his head. "No need for any Vhirko, Sibyls, or the likes of you to clutter Tirano's affairs. The three of us can handle the affairs of state without their interference."
The Sovereign was free to choose his own Royal Council, but none had ever included only Archonan relatives. I doubted though that Rheghie wanted my advice, so I didn't respond.
"Vhirko Commandant Konya informed all members of the Assembly a deci ago of the Queen's mysterious disappearance. Given Siniastra's erratic behavior and genetic defects, it is reasonable to assume that she committed suicide and the Assembly decided to act accordingly. As legal heir to the Golden Vine Throne, I have assumed the powers of the Sovereign. And as Sovereign, I hereby remove you as Lord Chancellor." He pinched his double chin and smiled. "My trusted advisor, Count Keefohr, will assume the duties of the Lord Chancellor."
It took a myria to realize what he'd said. He assumed Sini had committed suicide; he didn't yet have proof. I said nothing while my mind processed the implications.
He looked up Keefohr. "Look at poor little Earther boy. He's too sad to come back with one of his snide retorts."
All of the tedious hours of studying the Tiranoan law in order to be Lord Chancellor had finally paid off. It was my turn to smile. "Evidently, none of you bothered to consult a legist who, unlike Count Keefohr, actually studied the law. Under Tiranoan law, if a Sovereign disappears and has no heir of body, it takes an act of the Assembly to confirm a new Sovereign. And the Assembly can't act until the then existing Royal Council has investigated the disappearance and confirmed the Sovereign's death. So, I am still Lord Chancellor and I suggest you and your two cronies clean up this mess and get out of here before I call in the Vhirko to remove you by whatever force is necessary."
I moved my head from Zhorn to Keefohr, and back to Zhorn. "If either of you ever try to assist Rheghie in usurping power again, I will put each of you trial for treason. And you know the penalty for that: death."
"You, you can't blame mah, mah, me," Keefohr said. "It was all Rheghie's idea."
Rheghie's head swiveled up toward Keefohr. "Shut up, Joh. You always have been a spineless mer-toad."
He quickly spun his gaze back to me. "Make all the threats you want, but if I learn that a single word of what you said is false, I personally will hang you in Arvor Square."
-15-
Arvor Castel
Planet Tirano
As soon as Rheghie, with his toadies in tow, exited the Council chambers, I placed a holo conference with the other members of Sini's Royal Council: Admiral Kiptani, Commandant Konya, and Countess Nalena Rohfek. I also included Mom, who's help with Vision probably would be needed. As quickly as I could, I informed them of Rheghie's action and my response.
When I finished, I asked the obvious. "Commandant, please bring us up to date on the Vhirko activities?"
"We have scoured the Queen's chamber and have found no sign of forced entry or exit. We have extended our reconnaissance of the Castel for any clues as to the Queen's whereabouts. If we learn anything, I will inform each of you immediately."
"Thank you, Commandant," I said. "Mom, do you have any thoughts?"
Mom glanced at Admiral Kiptani. "Admiral, if I tell the whole truth, will you?"
The lanky Kiptani raised his eyebrows. "Caykondra, you know the answer, so I assume this is for the record. Yes, I will."
"And Countess, I must ask that what you hear you will hold confidential."
Countess Nalena's j
erked her head. "High Sibyl, I'm not sure where you're going with this. You ask me to promise not to disclose what I do not yet know. What if you were to tell me that you assassinated the Queen? As a Council member, I would betray my oath to remain silent."
Nalena had only served on the Council for two cycles. Sini had wanted to appoint a young Archonan woman with whom she hoped to build a rapport and who could act as a liaison with younger Archonan. Because of Nalena's plain features and because she was a member of the Rohfek clan, I had assumed that she was a typical dull Archonan female. Evidently, I was wrong. She parried Mom's attempt to gain a blanket promise of confidentiality.
Mom gave Nalena a mother-approves smile. "Anyone who can respond so intelligently, will, I am certain, do what is best for Sini and Tirano. After you hear what I and the Admiral say, you'll understand why I made my request."
I expected Nalena would blush. Instead, she said, "Please continue High Sibyl."
I wondered how Sini had known to make such an inspired choice. Nalena's coolness would be needed if Sini didn't reappear soon.
"Admiral, has the military discovered how to manipulate hyperspace?" Mom asked.
Kiptani rocked on his heals. "Nothing has changed since the last time you asked that question. The answer remains no. How is that relevant?"
"I'm wondering the same thing," Nalena said.
"After we returned from Tirgot III, Prince Tarnlot convinced the Sisterhood to construct hyperspace portals in Zhun'Mar's private chambers in Arvor Castel and Rwohn Compound. Those portals permit travel to a safe refuge with the Sisterhood."
Konya jumped to her feet. "Why were the Vhirko not informed?" Her head spun to me. "Was that where you thought she was?"
Before I could respond, Mom spoke. "Tarnlot insisted and Zhun'Mar agreed that only they and the Sisterhood should be aware of the portals. Not even Mirae was informed."
Konya's face reddened. She sat down. "I assume there is more or you would not have revealed it now."
Mom nodded. "Sini was unaware of the portals until two spins ago when I informed her of the existence of the portals. I then taught her how to access the portals. My fear when she disappeared was that she had tried to access the portals and had become trapped in hyperspace. However, we have ascertained that she has not accessed the Rwohn portal since when she did so with me."
Sibyl of Doom Page 6
