It is done, Oluchi. Esther stood up straight, cleaned the blade of her sword on her already soiled nightgown, and re-sheathed it in its scabbard. She nodded to Hávarđr, Rúna, and Randolf, then turned and walked out.
Chapter 32
Compromised
Esther stood in her great cabin on the Retribution and turned the valve on the heating pipes Gregory had designed and installed, and more hot water flowed through the pipes, allowing more heat to radiate into the room. She had been pleasantly surprised by how well the contraption worked. It was very efficient at keeping the cold Cielian winter at bay, though she still cringed at how much it had cost.
Three days after the assassination attempt, Oluchi’s body had been cremated at the request of his sister, Nkiru, and placed in a sealed vase to be returned to his family in the Eastern Isles. It had been especially hard to see Nkiru go through the loss of her brother, but she and Esther had clung to each other for support.
A week after that, a delegation from Riaseth had arrived and signed the treaty. It seemed that the opposition in Riaseth had taken the opportunity after Yngvarr’s death to take control. Yngvarr had no children, and his extended family was forced to abdicate when written orders to the assassin were found aboard Yngvarr’s ship connecting the assassin to Yngvarr and the Madrausan’s. The new Riasethan regime was still consolidating power, but now, copies of the treaty were on their way to Hadiq and Ardmorr for Asserius to sign beside her name, and for the Ardmorran Parliament to ratify. Adeline had assured her it would go through without delay.
Esther missed Adeline. She had accompanied the treaty back to Ardmorr to help get it through Parliament a few days ago. Lt. Ben-Ezra—no, it was Inspector Ben-Ezra now, confirmed by orders from Asserius—had gone with her to continue his intelligence work. From there, he would travel on to Al Farnaka to meet with Jeshua, the head of the King’s Guard and continue establishing his intelligence network.
To Esther, it all felt like a bitter victory. She felt the loss of Oluchi’s comforting presence greatly. She had stayed in the palace until after the treaty was signed by the Northerners, but hadn’t really felt comfortable there anymore. And not just because of what had happened with the assassination attempt. People looked at her differently. From the Cielian guardsman, it was a look of surprised respect. From most others, however, the looks were guarded and sometimes even fearful. Even King Hávarđr and Queen Rúna treated her differently. She suspected that would change with time, but the wounds of Oluchi’s death were too recent, and so she had transferred her things back to the Retribution. It had been two and a half weeks since Oluchi died and it seemed like just yesterday.
Mac walked into the great cabin from the dining compartment, a tray with tea in his hands. At least she still had Mac, and since she’d moved back to the Retribution, he’d been waiting on her hand and foot. He and Marigold had even filled a lot of Nkiru’s roles, giving the young woman time to grieve. It was a bit awkward at times if Marigold wasn’t around and she needed help buttoning a dress, or other personal duties that her handmaid usually filled, but Mac was like a father to her and didn’t seem embarrassed at all.
Mac set the tea on the table and poured her a cup, dropping a cube of sugar in it and pouring in a spot of milk. Esther was beginning to hate that tea, but Geoffrey insisted it was necessary to help her keep her blood pressure down. He had attributed her miraculous ability to come through the rigors of the assassination attempt without having a seizure on the effectiveness of the medicine in the tea. So Esther drank it religiously, even though she despised the stuff.
“Would you like anything else, Your Majesty?” Mac said.
Esther smiled over at him. “No thank you, Mac. If you spoil me any more, I’m going to have a hard time taking care of myself after this.”
“Well, Your Majesty, I plan on being around for a long time to come to help ‘take care of you’, so if you need anything, just call for me.”
“Thanks Mac.” She walked over and picking up her cup, taking a sip. At least its warmth was comforting, she thought, grimacing at its bitter taste, even with the sugar.
She turned and stared out the bay windows along the aft wall of the cabin. The Retribution’s refit had been completed yesterday and they were scheduled to take her out for her first full trial run later today. After that, she didn’t know what she was going to do. Perhaps go back to see her family. She hadn’t returned to Al Farnaka in quite some time—perhaps she should return to see Asserius and Yasmin. She hadn’t seen Yasmin since the day she’d married Asserius.
Esther had received a letter from him about a week ago, telling her first, how shocked he was that they were having twins, and second, how glad he was that she and the babes were recovering well from her illness. He had briefly gone into some of the difficulties he was facing with the nobility and directing the war-effort back home. There were still skirmishes occurring all across the area between Hadiq and Madraus, but no other big assaults had been launched. He wouldn’t have received word yet of the signed treaty with the Northern Kingdoms when he had written the note. Hopefully that would help lighten his burden when he did.
Esther had even received a short note from Yasmin, wishing her a speedy recovery. It was hard for Esther not to feel a little resentful toward the other woman. She felt like she had been replaced in Asserius’ eyes, even though he reassured her in every letter how much he missed her and wished for her to be home. Esther didn’t give her resentment a place to take root, however, because she remembered Yasmin as a lovely, kind person, and from what she had heard from other people, she would make a wonderful friend and ally.
Esther hoped to get another letter from Asserius within the next week asking her to return to Al Farnaka. She could use the rest and let others worry about integration of the alliance members while she finished carrying her little ones to term from the safety of the royal palace. Esther smiled. Plus, it was warm there. Her smile turned into a grimace as she downed the rest of her tea. This stuff really was awful.
- - -
The Retribution was returning from its third trial run two weeks after departing on its first. The first trial run had been a disaster. The Retribution had stolen crewmen from a Hadiqan Navy ship escorting a merchant convoy to help man the extra sails on the keel masts and propeller oar shafts, and the newly integrated crew had struggled to follow the orders from the quarterdeck and get the sails set properly. There had been some mechanical difficulties with the new propeller housings as well, but Ann-Marie and Gregory had worked tirelessly with the work crews to fix them. The second trial run had gone much more smoothly.
Now, they were returning to Valsgärd after her third and final trial run. The new crew members had integrated nicely, and with all the drills and practice that Commander Najafi had put them through, the entire crew was becoming a well-oiled machine, though the berthing quarters had become so tight on the upper deck with the extra crewmembers that they’d been forced to shift things around somewhat and use the lower deck as well.
The Retribution felt like it was racing through the air like a bird, with full sails on all masts and the propellers manned and turning as well. The metal gears that Ann-Marie had designed and installed made quite a difference with how power was transferred to the propeller’s and they spun so fast, she could hear them whirring! It really was a marvelous feeling as she stood in the bow of her beloved ship. She closed her eyes and lifted her chin as the cold wind blew through her hair—she felt like an eagle.
Her hair was another cause for contentment. When the wind wasn’t blowing through it, it lay over three inches past her shoulders. While not yet to the length it was before she had cut it just before being captured by the Madrausan’s, it felt a lot better than it had. It would probably take another year to reach its former length, but Esther was content with it at the moment.
She felt movement in her abdomen and held a hand to the coat covering her stomach. “So you like the view, too, do you?” she asked her unborn b
abes. “Well, so do I.”
The city of Valsgärd with its accompanying airfield came into view as they rounded the mountain. It really was a beautiful city. The Cielian palace stood against the mountain looking out over the city.
Orders were shouted from the quarterdeck down to the ‘bottom’s crews to de-rig and stow the keel masts in preparation for landing. Esther watched for a while as the ship descended towards the airfield, taking in the beauty of the city. The last few months had been so difficult, she did all she could to try and see the wonderful things in life, hoping that it would help buoy up her spirits against the bad things that had happened. Days like today helped combat those feelings of sadness, fear, and depression. She missed Oluchi fiercely, but she knew he would want her to notice and appreciate the beauty that surrounded her as often as she could.
When they approached closer to the airfield, Esther turned around and walked back along the deck to the door leading into her dining compartment and through that in to her great cabin. That heating system of Gregory’s truly was nice and kept the cabin such a nice, even temperature. She shrugged out of her thick coat and Mac stepped over to take it from her, then she pulled her hair up and put in the decorative pin that Geoffrey had given her to hold it in place.
“The modifications that Ann-Marie and Gregory designed truly are amazing, don’t you think?” said Mac.
“Yes, they really are. I think the Retribution is now the fastest ship in the fleet,” she replied. “Other than the couriers that is.”
“I agree. Speaking of couriers, did you notice as we came into the airfield that there was a Hadiqan courier moored there?”
“No, I didn’t. I was looking more at the city and the mountains than the airfield.”
“As well you should, Esther,” said Mac. “I’m glad to see you out and trying to enjoy things. I know it’s been hard.”
Esther nodded. “If you wouldn’t mind preparing my tea, followed with a nice cup of hot chocolate to wash it down with, I think I’m going to sit and read a book. If that truly is a Hadiqan courier, then they will probably be reporting aboard soon, so you might want to prepare something for them as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Esther gave him a look. He knew that she preferred that he call her Esther when they were in private. He was smiling.
“Who knew you could be such a tease?”
He just smiled back and went to hang up her coat.
After downing her tea and enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa, Esther leaned back in her chair and opened her book. This one was a fiction book titled ‘In Search of Paradise’. Normally, Esther didn’t really go for fiction, but the story in this one was quite intriguing. She had barely started the seventh chapter when Mac stepped in again.
“Geoffrey is here to see you, Esther, and a cutter with the Courier is coming alongside as we speak.”
“Okay, thanks Mac.”
Esther stood as Geoffrey entered the room.
“You’re looking well today,” he said as he looked her up and down.
“I feel good,” she replied.
“Did I hear that a Courier is coming aboard?”
“That’s what Mac said. Maybe we can finally get to somewhere warmer.”
Geoffrey chuckled. “That would be nice. I’ll make this quick then.” He pulled out his stethoscope and came over to stand next to her. He placed the stethoscope on her chest and listened for several seconds. “Your heart sounds good. Okay, I’m just going to run you through the standard questions. Have you been drinking your tea every day?”
“Yes.”
“Have you had any swelling in your face and hands?”
“No.”
“Any headaches or muscle pain?”
“No.”
“Any vision problems, or problems urinating?”
“No.”
Geoffrey nodded. “Good. I think we’ve been very fortunate that the eclampsia hasn’t resurfaced, and you have no signs of preclampsia. I think as long as you continue drinking your tea, you likely won’t have another episode.”
Mac walked in again. “The courier is here, Your Majesty. It’s Captain Kassim and Mr. Malik from the Masoud.”
“Oh good, it’ll be nice to see familiar faces. Show them in, Mac.”
Mac opened the door to the dining compartment and gestured for the men to enter the great cabin.
“Good afternoon, Captain Kassim, Mr. Malik. It’s so good to see you again.”
“And you as well, Your Majesty.”
“Would you care for some refreshment, gentlemen?” she asked.
“No thank you, Your Majesty,” Kassim replied. “We have to leave as soon as we deliver this letter to you.”
“I see,” she said, taking the letter from Mr. Malik. “I would have liked to invite you to dinner, but I understand the needs of the service. Perhaps next time.”
“I would have liked that as well, Your Majesty, and look forward to it the next time we meet.”
The two men turned to leave and Mac showed them out.
“Mac,” Esther called after they had left. “I’d like some privacy while I read this. It looks like it’s from Asserius. Please hold any visitors until I am done, if you would.”
Mac nodded.
“You can stay if you’d like, Geoffrey,” she said. While she didn’t want to be disturbed by having Marigold, Nkiru, or Mr. Najafi pop through the door, she didn’t exactly want to be completely alone either.
Geoffrey shrugged, sat down at the table, and poured himself a cup of hot chocolate. Mac closed the door and Esther sat and popped the seal on the letter with her dagger. It was a little big for a letter opener, but it was handy.
My Dearest Esther,
Again, you have done the impossible and I am amazed by your success. I have received copies of the treaty that you sent and am very pleased with the terms you worked out. I know that it hasn’t been very long since I sent my last missive, so I won’t go into detail about the war front or the political struggles I am having.
On a brighter note, Yasmin is expecting. I am excited that her child will be born not too long after yours. I hope they all become fast friends. I can imagine them all playing together while you, Yasmin, and I look on.
Esther stopped reading momentarily and looked up at Geoffrey. “Yasmin is expecting,” she said.
“Well, that’s good.” He paused before adding, “Right?”
She nodded. “Oh yes, of course. I just…it happened so soon.” Esther knew perfectly well that her hesitation had nothing to do with how quickly Yasmin had gotten pregnant. She truly was happy for the woman, but it just made her feel even stronger that she had somehow been replaced in Asserius’ eyes. She looked back down at the letter and continued reading:
I don’t know if you have sent Oluchi’s remains to his family yet…I’m hoping not because that would give us a good pretext for what I want you to do next. I know from your recent letter that you desire to come home and stay here until you have your children, but with your recent success at getting even Riaseth to join the alliance, I’ve decided to send you to the Eastern Isles, first to return Oluchi’s remains to his family, and second, to try to establish a treaty with them, similar to the one you just did with the Northerners. After you finish with that, you can return and have the babies, or go visit your family in Ardmorr.
I hope to see you soon and as always, you have my deepest respect and love.
- Asserius
Esther dropped the letter in shocked disbelief. She had wanted to go home to Al Farnaka, or at least visit her family in Tewksbury, but he was sending her away, again. And not just a little ways, but to the edges of the known world. She’d be lucky to get back to Al Farnaka in time to have the babies. And the reference to ‘your’ children instead of ‘our’ children, only gave rise to the thought that perhaps Yasmin truly was replacing her. Esther could understand why. Yasmin was beautiful in ways that Esther could not rival. Taller, naturally curvaceous, and presen
t—she was there with Asserius, and Esther was not. And his statement that she could go visit her family in Ardmorr to have the babies afterward seemed almost a dismissal.
Of course, Esther would be happy to accompany Oluchi’s remains to his family. It would be a long journey, but he was her friend. After that, however, she wanted to go home. Not broker yet another treaty that had even less likelihood of success than the last one. Esther had to agree with the Madrausan High Priest’s assessment of Easterner’s. They were too insular and too far away to make something like what Asserius sought work.
“What’s wrong?” said Geoffrey, sitting up straight with concern.
Esther wiped away a tear that had unconsciously slid down her cheek. “He’s sending me to the Eastern Isles to return Oluchi’s remains to his family and try and broker a treaty with them.”
Geoffrey nodded, but then looked up sharply at her when he heard the part about brokering a treaty. “With the Easterners? Like, a military treaty?”
Esther nodded and Geoffrey grunted. He obviously shared Esther’s views regarding probability for success.
Esther folded up the letter and stood, walking over to the large bay of windows that made up the aft wall, and looked out into the clear blue sky. She folded her arms under her breasts, hugging herself to try to gain some comfort against the loneliness she felt and the chill seeping through the windows. Suddenly, the temperature in the cabin didn’t seem quite as warm and she shivered. She pulled the decorative pin out of her hair, letting it down to keep her warmer. “It’s so hard Geoffrey. I feel so alone sometimes and she’s back there with him…”
There was silence for a moment, and then she heard Geoffrey stand and walk up behind her. He stood close enough that she could feel his chest press lightly against her back. His arms came up and he gently wrapped them around hers, burying his face into her hair and shoulder. The loneliness suddenly seemed overwhelming and she leaned back against him, his warmth a balm for her heart and the cold of winter. They stood there for a long time, saying nothing, the fiery sparkle of his touch tingling through her body. She knew she shouldn’t…that she couldn’t let him hold her like this, but to be touched and feel connected… She closed her eyes and savored the sensation of his face in her hair and his chest against her back.
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