She had decided to make the upcoming audience with Admiral Marsena as formal as possible. She wasn’t going to allow him to break protocol and intimidate her on her own ship, regardless of their age difference, so she had instructed Marigold pull out her most elegant outfit, and retrieve her crown from where she kept it locked up.
She especially liked this outfit and thought it very fitting for use aboard ship because of the shalwar—a very loose, baggy trouser that was tight at the ankle instead of an open skirt which would make climbing awkward—and a matching kameez, or long tunic, with the traditional low Hadiqan neckline, laced with gold trim. Both were of the purest white. She also wore a pure white dupatta scarf draped over her head with a golden stripe all around its edge, and a sari cloth, wrapped around her waist and draped over her left shoulder, similar to the robes that the ancient Hadiqan’s wore.
Her crown—a wide golden band that curved back over her forehead—was inset with many small sapphires and emeralds. Larger rubies were evenly spaced around the banded crown. The bottom edge was lined with tiny rings hooked to small golden discs or spangles that dangled down onto her forehead at about the height of her eyebrows. The shiny spangles irritated her when she caught them out of the corner of her eye, reflecting light whenever she moved her head, but she had to admit, the crown was dazzlingly beautiful. To emphasize her position as Queen, Marigold had also painted the King’s symbol on the back of each of her hands in gold paint outlined in black, with gold piping extending up each arm.
“There,” said Marigold, standing up straight, “Finished. Now don’t touch your face or brush the backs of your hands and arms against anything, otherwise you will smear the paint.”
“Yes Ma’am,” said Esther with a smile, slipping her bare feet into the white slippers trimmed with gold to match the rest of her outfit. “Do you know if Mac has finished setting up?”
“No, but I think we’re done here. I’ll stay and get all of this cleaned up if you want to go check, “said Marigold. The vanity was covered with perfumes, makeup, paint, and other various items, and would take a bit to clean up.
“Thanks Marigold,” she said, reaching out and squeezing her friend’s hand. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Marigold smiled back, then turned to the task of cleaning up. Esther walked carefully over to the door between her sleeping quarters and the great cabin, making sure not to bump her hands against anything. For once, she was grateful that the Retribution didn’t have a captain. She didn’t have to feel bad for claiming the great cabin as her own. Even if she’d had a captain, the great cabin still would have been hers, but then she would have felt bad for pushing him into the Captain’s cabin one deck below that was traditionally reserved for him when high ranking visitors were onboard, not a Queen who had come to stay semi-permanently. She had given the Captain’s cabin below-deck to Commander Najafi. It was unusual, but she thought it fitting given his responsibilities.
Oluchi stood just outside the door. When he saw her dressed up as she was, his eyes lit up. It was a big change to his normally stoic expression. She was pleased to see an appreciative look in his eyes. Well, let’s just hope it makes an impression on the Admiral as well.
Esther stepped into the great cabin and stopped suddenly, sucking in her breath as she looked around the room. It had been luxurious before, but now it practically gleamed with silver and gold. A large, vibrantly colored painting by one of the great Hadiqan artists had been brought out and hung on the starboard wall flanked by two large golden vases, filled with green palms. Where Mac had been storing those, Esther had no idea. The richly colored wooden deck had been scrubbed and golden lanterns hung about the room, suffusing it with a warm glow that reflected off gold and silver fixtures and furnishings. Mac had brought in a small portable wooden dais and set a finely crafted wooden chair with purple upholstered cushions on top of it, facing forward. Sheets of transparent white fabric had been hung behind the make-shift throne and on the sides of the room, with long tapestries of gold colored fabric strategically hung to create the feeling of being in the palace. He had done an exceptional job getting the room ready and it had literally taken her breath away. She doubted the Admiral would expect such a reception and hoped it would throw him off balance—even if just a little bit.
“Esther!” said Mac enthusiastically, stepping around the small throne where he had been working. He held his hands out, taking her hands, and looked her up and down. “You look resplendent my dear!”
“Thank you Mac,” she replied. “I haven’t felt this dressed up since my wedding day.”
“And may I say that I think you look even more radiant now? You have such a wonderful glow about you that only expecting mothers can have, and Marigold is simply a genius when it comes to fashion and makeup. Adding that gold on top of the dark eyeliner in addition to the golden eyeshadow is brilliant.”
Esther felt herself blushing under his profuse praise. She’d gotten used to accepting compliments, thanks to the instruction that the late Captain Krauss of Ardmorr had given her, but this deluge was more than she was prepared for. “You’re very kind,” she managed to say.
Mac chuckled at her expression. “So, Your Majesty, do you approve?” he asked, gesturing at the room’s fixtures.
“Whole heartedly, Mac,” she said, lifting her chin as the topic of conversation steered toward something other than herself.
Najafi stepped into the room. “That ensemble is truly fit for a Queen, Your Majesty,” he said. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you, Abdel.”
“The Captains from the defecting Madrausan ships have arrived,” he continued, “They are being held in the brig as per your orders, Your Majesty.”
A pit opened in Esther’s stomach and her mood suddenly turned dark, her eyebrows drawing together. She would need to talk to those captains and decide their fate after her audience with Admiral Marsena, and she still didn’t have a clue what to do with them. She only felt anger every time she thought about the Madrausans. How was she supposed to know what to do and be objective about it?
“Also,” Najafi continued, “We just received word that the Admiral’s cutter has left the Flagship. It should be here momentarily.”
“Thank you, Mr. Najafi,” Esther responded. “If you would see to his arrival, I will wait for him here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Najafi said, nodding to her before he left.
“Mac, if you would prepare some refreshments in case his Lordship cares to have some?”
Mac nodded.
“Oluchi, if you would wait outside the door to my audience chamber? I wish to meet with the Admiral alone.”
“I do no’ recommend that, Your Majesty,” he said apprehensively, “Especially given the circumstances.”
“I understand, Oluchi, but I think it is important to meet by myself, without support. And besides,” she continued, her dagger suddenly flashing in her hand, “I am not defenseless…or unarmed.” She could tell that he still didn’t like it, but he hesitantly nodded and walked out the door, brushing past Geoffrey as the doctor entered the great cabin.
When Geoffrey saw her, his jaw literally dropped. He just stood there for a moment, staring at her. His unabashed gaze caused her to blush in embarrassment even more than Mac’s profuse compliments had, and she reflexively looked down at her feet.
“W…wow, Esther. You look absolutely stunning!”
“Thanks,” she said, looking up finally as she felt the flush in her cheeks slowly begin to fade.
He stared at her another moment, then finally he shook himself. “I…uh, you asked me to let you know when one of the patients became conscious. Airman Cutha just woke up.”
“Oh good,” said Esther, stepping closer as concern for Cutha banished her embarrassed feelings. “How is he doing?”
“Good so far. He seems stable for now. He’s a little feverish, but not extremely so. As long as he doesn’t get an infection, he should make a full recover
y.”
“And the other one…Airman Rushad?”
Geoffrey frowned, “I’m not sure. His fever is a little high and he’s still unconscious. I’m not sure if he’s going to make it. I don’t know if Najafi told you, but the final count was four dead, two seriously wounded, and a dozen others with moderate wounds.”
Esther nodded. “I’ll come down when I’m finished with the Admiral and the Madrausan defectors,” she said.
“That would mean a lot to them, I’m sure.” Geoffrey reached out and touching her hand. He paused a moment, looking into her eyes. “Esther, I—”
Just then, Mac walked into the room and Geoffrey quickly pulled his hand away. Suddenly realizing how close she had been standing to the young doctor, Esther stepped back. She thought she had seen a brief look of disapproval cross Mac’s face, but she couldn’t be sure.
Geoffrey cleared his throat. “I’ll…tell Cutha that you’ll be coming by later.”
“Your Majesty,” said Mac, pulling her attention away from Geoffrey who quietly slipped out the door before she could say anything. “Admiral Marsena’s cutter has just arrived and Mr. Najafi will escort him here momentarily. May I suggest taking a seat?”
“Yes, thank you Mac,” she said, trying to focus her thoughts again.
“I’ll be just outside if you need me.”
“Thank you,” she said again. She stepped up onto the small dais and sat on the make-shift throne, her back straight and her arms resting easily on the chair’s arm rests. Najafi stepped through the doorway a few minutes later followed by Admiral Marsena, whose face was a thundercloud of anger.
“Your Majesty,” called Najafi loudly, preempting anything the Admiral may have been about to say, “May I present his Lordship, Admiral Marsena.”
The Admirals face changed from anger to surprise when he caught sight of Esther. He looked around briefly and took note of his surroundings. Realizing how formal his hosts were being, he stepped forward and took a knee, bowing his head as custom demanded. He may be an intractable bastard, but at least he’s not completely rude. She was tempted to leave him kneeling for a little bit, but realized that would be immature and spiteful, and only hinder her in achieving her objectives.
“Please stand, your Lordship,” she said instead.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the Admiral replied, nodding to her as he obviously took note that she hadn’t left him kneeling there. “I appreciate your allowing me this audience.”
“You’re welcome. What may I do for you?”
“Your Majesty, I have some grave concerns about what happened today.” He paused.
“Oh?” she said simply, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes. Your Majesty, you gave an unlawful order and have personally drawn us into direct conflict with the Madrausan Empire. This isn’t a game, Your Majesty. These are real people that died today!” His face was beginning to grow red as his anger re-surfaced. “Don’t you see? I kept the Madrausan fleet from invading Ardmorr, as my mission stipulated, and I also kept Hadiq from being pulled into an all-out war with Madraus. You have thrown all of that away along with the lives of many good Hadiqan sailors. As I had explained to all of my fleet captain’s, it’s up to the Ardmorran’s to defend themselves from the small raiding parties. If they can’t even do that, then they won’t make very good allies, will they? The lives that were lost today are on your head,” he said, pointing at her, “And countless more now that the conflict has expanded. You have blood on your hands now!” He was almost shouting when he finished.
Esther’s eyes grew hard. “I had blood on my hands long before this day, Admiral, when Madrausan raiders attacked my village and I was forced to use this very knife,” she pulled her Madrausan dagger from its sheath beneath the folds of her clothing, “and drive it into the heart of the Madrausan to whom it had once belonged. He had been intent on killing me and my people. So yes, I literally do have blood on my hands.” His face paled somewhat as she held the dagger, but he wasn’t easily intimidated and recovered quickly.
“Are you only worried about Hadiqan lives, Admiral?” Esther continued, “Or are you here to help secure the alliance with Ardmorr and the other Northern Kingdoms that my husband, King Asserius seeks? I worry about all of the lives that are lost, especially the innocent ones. And, with regards to alliance partners, Ardmorr’s contributions to any alliance that, may I remind you, has already been sanctioned by the King and the Grand Council, go far beyond simply the number of warships they have. And finally, Admiral, I gave no illegal orders today. I simply made a request for assistance which was answered by many ‘good’ Hadiqan’s. Of course, had I been invited to any of your council meetings with the Captain’s in the fleet, perhaps we could have discussed the large raiding parties with the rest of the fleet and adjusted your mission accordingly.”
The Admiral was silent for a moment, gazing at her. Finally, he spoke. “You walk a fine and dangerous line, Your Majesty, and your choices have far reaching consequences. There are many back home in Hadiq who will be very upset with what you have done. I hope you’re ready to live with that, because this is on your head,” he said, pointing at her again. Then he nodded his head in a shallow bow before turning and striding out the door.
- - -
That had not gone as planned, thought Admiral Marsena as he walked out onto the main deck of the Retribution. He had expected to come cow and intimidate the young queen, not to debate with her. And that last bit where she’d drawn that big dagger from somewhere beneath her clothing had been especially unnerving. He hadn’t even seen her pull it out. It was just suddenly in her hand. The look on her face and in her eyes—the haunted look of innocence lost—it seemed so incongruous on the face of one so young. That’s what had finally made him decide to not press the issue. She had known exactly what she was doing when she’d ordered her ships to engage. He’d originally concluded that it had simply been the folly of youth, but now he wasn’t so sure. He still didn’t agree with what she had done, but…
The Admiral shook his head and stepped from the Queen’s ship onto his cutter—a small craft with a balloon sail, a rudder, and several men sitting lengthwise along the oar shaft that turned the propeller—which would ferry him back to his ship. The young Queen had given him much to think about…not so much in what she said, but in how she had said it. But I’m right about one thing, he thought, There are certain elements back home that are going to be extremely displeased with their new young Queen…as if they weren’t already.
Chapter 6
Defectors
After the Admiral stalked out, Esther had sat down heavily on the cushioned throne, the emotions from the confrontational encounter and the guilt she felt for the lives that had been lost washing over her, causing her hands to shake. She finally let the tears she had been holding back flood into her eyes and down her cheeks. After another moment, a single sob escaped her lips.
What the Admiral said was true. The lives of all those lost today were on her head. They were her fault. Not only today, but the lives of all those that would be lost in the now certain war with Madraus as well. She’d gone from being the murderer of a few, to a mass murderer in less than a day, and many innocents would be included in that number.
Mac opened the door from the ante-room, but Esther simply held up a hand and he backed out. When he closed the door again, Esther could no longer hold the deep and compelling sadness at bay and additional sobs tore themselves from her throat as she buried her face in her hands. She had known before she’d ever ordered the Retribution to engage what the result would be. She’d seen no other choice, both for Ardmorr and Hadiq. But what if she was wrong? What if the Admiral was right? What if she had only done this to get back at the Madrausan’s for what they had done to her? Her characteristic confidence felt so fragile at the moment.
She lowered her hands and sat, staring ahead for a long time, going over every decision she’d made, examining her motivations and looking at every avenue she could thin
k of that may have provided an alternative solution. Slowly…ever so slowly, she extricated herself from the mire of doubt and self-loathing that threatened to engulf and drown her. No, she thought, although the Admiral’s intentions may have been good, he was wrong. The Madrausan’s weren’t simply going to go away. He is being more naïve than I if he thinks that war between Hadiq and Madraus can be prevented, and a Hadiq supported by a strong economic ally like Ardmorr was much more powerful and able to prevent the slaughter of innocents than one without. These thoughts only caused her anger and hatred of Madraus to foment and become stronger. She’d have to watch herself if she didn’t want to fall into any of the pitfalls she feared.
A sudden knock on the door pulled Esther’s attention away from her inner anguish. “Your Majesty,” she heard Najafi’s voice say, “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have something I need to—“
“It’s all right, Abdel,” she called, pulling out a handkerchief to dry her eyes and cheeks. “Please come in.”
Najafi stepped through the door, followed by Oluchi. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Najafi said.
“Please, Abdel,” Esther said with a wave of her hand, “I’ve had enough of Your Majesty…when your men aren’t around, please just call me Esther.”
Najafi hesitated, obviously conflicted, but then bobbed his head in a nod, “Yes…Esther.”
“Thank you.” She dabbed the handkerchief to her eyes. It came away dark with black eyeliner flecked with gold paint. Marigold was going to kill her.
“Esther, I know it is probably small comfort, but I thought you did every well with the Admiral,” Najafi said, openly admitting to eavesdropping in on her conversation.
“Thank you, Abdel,” said Esther, sniffling and taking a deep breath as she calmed her breathing.
“What he said about you being to blame for the lives lost today and the war to come weren’t true and I wanted to be sure that you knew that.”
Retribution Page 5
