"We're early, but the King's staff thoughtfully provided refreshments. Please eat, it could well be a long afternoon," Turnigy said.
And he was right. After standing around for twenty minutes, we finally moved over to the buffet and filled our plates. That, also, became old as minutes turned into hours.
"He is planning on meeting with us today, right?" Tabby asked.
"Yes, Ms. Masters. King Kostov and his council are busy managing an entire kingdom. You'll excuse him if his timing is inconvenient for you," Turnigy said.
"There's no need for condescension, Ambassador," I said.
Turnigy closed his eyes and nodded. "You're right, of course, Mr. Hoffen. Ms. Masters, my apologies."
Twenty minutes later one of our guards approached the Ambassador.
"The king will see us now," he said. "Remember, only speak when spoken to. Be courteous. Disrespecting the king or his court of Oberrhein is dealt with most harshly."
We entered the throne room from a side door. In the center of the grand room sat a thickset, dark-haired man, with plush dark blue robes trimmed in gold. He was sitting on an honest to goodness throne. I don't know what I was expecting, but I can say that wasn't it.
To his left, a row of ostentatious chairs were lined up and a council of old men sat atop them. None of the men were as outrageously dressed as the king, but wore clothing of a similar ilk. Banded servants scurried about on missions not immediately obvious.
Tabby grabbed my arm and I followed her eyes across the room to a knot of people I hadn't seen yet. It was Petar Kiirilov, Mihael Ivov and the captain of the Kordun – Milos Benesch.
"I don't like this, Liam," she said under her breath.
I didn't either, but we were in it now and there was no turning back.
"Ambassador Turnigy, you may approach," a man announced, standing just in front of where the king sat.
"Stay here," he said. "You'll be called up in turn."
King Kostov looked bored and drank from an ornate cup one of his attendants had provided.
"My liege," Ambassador Turnigy bowed as he approached the throne.
"Ambassador, why have you brought these criminals into my court?" he asked.
"My apologies, your eminence. To which criminals are you referring?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Turnigy, or I'll have your head," he said.
"Ah, yes. Again, my apologies. Today, I'm accompanied by the owners of the corporation, Loose Nuts," he said. "They've presented information that has been audited by an independent intelligence organization, which I forwarded to Colonel Yakovich. It was he who requested that we present this information to you."
"Colonel Yakovich, is this true?"
"Yes, my liege." A heavily muscled man stepped forward.
"Tell me, Yelisey, how does this relate to Lord Kiirilov's claim that this same group has attacked him?" The king asked in a familiar tone.
"If the video source is to be believed, the earlier testimony by Lord Kiirilov is an optimistic statement of the events."
"And this is an issue for my court, for what reason? Should not Lord Kiirilov deal with his own problems?"
"I find the circumstances to be compelling, but would not dare to speak for your majesty," Yakovich simpered. "My concern is much more for how these events might be interpreted by the Belirand Corporation."
"Belirand!" Kostov said, "Tell me what in a whore's naval I would care for what they think."
"Again. If the Ambassador's video is to be believed. Belirand could very well determine that we took part in the destruction of one of their ships," he said.
"I see. I will judge this video for myself," he said and turned back to Turnigy. "Ambassador, you may proceed."
"Your Majesty, I demand the right of challenge," Petar Kiirilov said.
This got King Kostov's attention. I caught the glimmer of a smile cross his face, which he quickly stowed. "Is that so? Ambassador. Lord Kiirilov has invoked his right of challenge. Do you accept?"
"I accept, your majesty," Turnigy replied.
A bead of sweat formed over his lip. The Ambassador had to have anticipated Petar's maneuver and his quick response told me he'd gotten just what he wanted. Turnigy had committed himself, but seemed unsure of the end result. There was more in play here and I needed to figure it out quickly.
"Lord Kiirilov, will you choose a champion?" King Kostov asked. His bored expression had disappeared and he'd slid to the edge of his throne.
"I do. Mihael Ivov will represent me in combat," he said.
"Ambassador Turnigy, do you have a champion?" Kostov asked. He actually clapped his hands together and rubbed them excitedly.
"I have no land, nor do I have vassals. Is there anyone in the court who would champion an old man?" he asked looking at the galley, where the King's council sat.
The room remained quiet as he looked at each of them in turn.
"Colonel?" he asked.
"Ambassador Turnigy. A challenge has been issued and accepted. Without a champion, you must either concede your right to show the information or fight Lord Kiirilov's champion. What will it be?" Kostov asked.
"I'll do it," Tabby said, stepping forward before I could stop her.
"Unacceptable," Kiirilov said. "A woman has no right to speak in the King's presence."
"Be quiet, you fool," Turnigy said growling at Tabby.
"Step forward, woman," Kostov said. "Why do I recognize your face?"
Tabby stepped forward and looked up at King Kostov. I wanted to scream. We shouldn't have come. I felt a thump on my ring. Tabby was attempting to reassure me.
"I'm not sure how to address you, King Kostov. I'm not from around here," Tabby said. I was glad that she was being respectful.
"A woman who knows her place is to be treasured. You may address me just as you have – King Kostov. Now tell me, little one, why do I recognize your face?" he asked.
"I am not certain, King Kostov. I have had limited interaction with the people of Oberrhein, my first being an altercation with Mr. Ivov," Tabby said, lowering her eyes.
"That's it!" Kostov clapped his hand excitedly. "Lord Kiirilov, is your man Ivov turning down a chance to redeem himself?"
"It would not be fair, my liege," Kiirilov said. "The court would not accept a victory over a woman."
"Ambassador Turnigy, do you accept this girl as your champion?" Kostov asked incredulously.
"Yes," Turnigy responded. His upper lip was no longer sweating.
"Lord Kiirilov, there is no dishonor in defeating a champion, whether that be a woman or a pig. Do you withdraw your challenge?"
Kiirilov looked at Turnigy, his rage barely contained. "I should have killed you when I had the chance. No, my liege, the champion is acceptable."
Ivov wasted no time and rushed at Tabby, catching her off guard and taking her to the floor. I lunged forward protectively, but Turnigy intercepted me.
"No, Captain, you mustn't. To interfere would doom us all," he said.
"You're to blame for this," I said.
"It was the only way," he said, pushing me back.
Mihael rolled off from on top of Tabby and came up holding a short knife. Its blade was covered in blood.
"How's it feel?" He taunted as Tabby gained her feet.
She reached for her side and pulled back a bloody hand. The armored vac-suit hadn't stopped the blade. I could see the pain in Tabby's face as she squared off with him and shook her head as if confused.
"Coward," she said.
Mihael lunged but danced away when he got close. His speed was remarkable and I had to remind myself that he was a Double-A pod-ball player. With her wound, she needed to hurry. Tabby would grow weaker as time marched forward.
She dropped her arms to her side and motioned to him. He couldn't resist the invitation and they lunged at each other. His anticipation of her grapple was excellent and he rolled backward, planting his foot into her abdomen and launching her into the galley of the King's Council. They p
ushed her off to the floor and scattered at Mihael's approach.
He jumped the velvet railing separating the council from the main floor at about the time Tabby rose up again. This time she raised her forearms defensively, as we'd trained in boxing. Mihael shook his head from side to side, as if limbering up, and raised his fists.
"Martial skills it is," he said.
He punched and kicked, all the while backing Tabby up. His speed was much faster than I could imagine. Tabby's efforts were expended fending him off. She seemed to have no capacity to strike back.
"You're faster than I expected, but not fast enough, I think," he said.
"At least I didn't cheat and use a weapon," Tabby said defensively.
"Who said that was cheating? There are no rules."
He flurried after his explanation. Tabby, barely able to defend against his blows, took several to her mid-section, no doubt compounding the wound she'd received at the start of the fight.
"So, tell me something," Tabby grunted out as she pushed back in, this time keeping her guard up.
"Let's call it your last wish. What do you want to know?"
"How will they remember you once I've killed you with my bare hands?" Tabby asked.
"Give up and I'll let you live," Mihael said. "As my servant."
Tabby swung wide with a left-right combination, missing on both. Mihael, who had been capitalizing on poor technique all night, stepped in and landed a series of blows, once again to her abdomen. She screamed in pain and mashed her forehead into the bridge of his nose.
Mihael faltered, stepping back. He hadn't seen it coming. Tabby jumped at him, landing her foot on the inside of his knee and vaulting up his body, her other leg clearing his shoulder. As he fell backward, she wrapped her ankles together and rode him down to the floor. A sickening snap was heard as they both landed.
For a moment they lay there, not moving. I started to run over, but Turnigy held me back.
"Not yet," he said.
Finally, Tabby rolled off and rose to one knee.
"Liam," she said.
Something was wrong and I shrugged off Turnigy's hands and rushed over to her.
"What's wrong, Tabbs?"
"The blade. It was poisoned."
"She needs help," I said, looking up at King Kostov.
"Is he dead?" Kostov asked.
I shook my head, "She's been poisoned."
"Very likely. It was a magnificent challenge, though," Kostov answered. His glee drove me to the edge, if Tabby didn't need me, I'd have killed him right there.
Turnigy had approached and placed his fingers on Mihael Ivov's twisted neck. "Yes, my liege, he is dead. My challenge was successful."
"Well done, Ambassador. It's getting late, though. We'll have to postpone watching your video until tomorrow. I can only hope it will be as entertaining as today," Kostov said.
He stood up and waited for his attendants to straighten his robes.
"Call a physician. I believe she's earned it," he said casually.
A DEAL IS A DEAL
"She is strong and should survive," the physician said.
The physician had treated Tabby on the floor of the throne room. Once she'd been stabilized, we'd been moved to an opulent suite of rooms.
"What was it?" I asked.
"Giant coral venom, most likely, given how quickly it acted," he said.
"I thought it killed within a few minutes."
"That is its reputation, but it varies widely depending on the person. She is lucky. Ordinarily, the venom almost instantaneously blinds its victim. I understand she fought for several minutes after being poisoned," he said.
I shook my head. It all made sense. Tabby hadn't been able to see Mihael. Her taunting had been to get him to talk so she could locate him. She'd allowed him to hit her so she could fix his location.
"When will she wake?" I asked.
"I gave her a sedative. It will wear off in a few hours. The med-patch will repair as much of the damage as possible, but I'd check into a medical treatment center on Lèger when you return," he said. "The damage to her tissue was extensive and will take time to rebuild."
"Thank you," I said.
"You should thank King Kostov. He believes that wounds received in a challenge should be left untreated, at least for a few days - something about the honor of battle," he said.
"I'll try to remember to do that," I said. I think my sarcasm was lost on the man.
Turnigy entered the room after the doctor left. "How is she?" he asked.
"She'll make it, no thanks to you," I said.
"This was hardly my doing," he responded.
"Don't lie, Turnigy. This was all your doing," I said. "You knew Kiirilov would challenge the video and you also knew that Tabby wouldn't be able to resist it."
"You're giving me entirely too much credit," he said. "It did turn out well, however."
I glared at him.
"We have first audience with his eminence in the morning," Turnigy said. "I believe you made quite an impression. His good mood is a boon for us."
"Get out," I said.
"1000 tomorrow," he said as he left.
"Can you believe that guy?" I asked Nick.
"I'm sorry I got us into this, Liam," Nick said.
"She kicked his ass, blind," I said. I wasn't willing to wallow in what-ifs.
"Marny would have been proud," he agreed.
"What do you think this is all about?" I asked. "Why would Petar be here?"
"Turnigy's doing, I'd bet," Nick said.
"But he tried to kill Turnigy," I said.
"Turnigy is playing a dangerous game."
Our conversation was cut short by a knock on the door. Nick crossed into the outer chamber and opened the door. Two young women entered, carrying platters with food on them. With Tabby sleeping comfortably, I joined him to see what was going on.
"My Lords, we have a meal for you, please." The first through the door said.
They were both dressed in filmy robes that left little to the imagination. Their wrists were adorned by narrow, bronze bracers. I caught an alluring scent as they entered the room and placed the platters on a sideboard. A boy, no older than twelve, entered behind them carrying a stringed instrument. He stopped just inside the door and started playing. With the platters down, the two women started dancing slowly.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
It was hard to deny the beauty of their dance, but it made me feel dirty.
"Do you not find us attractive, my Lord? We're yours for the night," the woman who'd spoken first said.
"What are your names?" Nick took over the conversation, probably after he saw my mouth hanging open in shock.
"I am Minah and this is Suhaad. The musician is Suhaad's brother, Tijah," she said. She and Suhaad continued to dance, suggestively.
"I'm Nick and this is my partner, Liam. Could you stop dancing?" he asked.
The two girls stopped their gyrating, which I found both disappointing and relieving. I could just imagine Tabby waking up and walking in on the scene. If that happened, I wasn't sure any amount of Chimera Beetle venom would save me.
"Yes, m'Lord," she said.
"First, we're not lords. Second, if we send you away, will you get in trouble?" Nick asked.
"It is our duty to entertain you. If you are displeased, we will be punished," she said.
"Can we ask you to leave without that occurring?"
"No, m'Lord," she said.
"I'm not sure how to explain this," Nick said.
"Let me give it a go," I said. "The woman in the next room is a warrior and my betrothed. She killed the man who poisoned her while she was blinded from the venom of a King Coral. Imagine what she would do to me if she discovered I'd been unfaithful."
"In Oberrhein, to lie with a slave does not break a man's vow. The king has decreed it," she said, looking at the floor.
"I'm afraid that's not how our women would see it," Nick said. "You are welcome to
stay the night and share in our food, but Liam and I are off limits. You may leave when it is safe for you."
"Yes, my Lord," she said.
The rest of the night was uneventful. The trio stayed to themselves and Nick and I weren't overly interested in engaging them in conversation. At 0600, Tabby awoke.
"Liam?"
"Heya, kid, how are you feeling?" I asked.
"My head is pounding and my side hurts. Where are we? What happened?" she asked.
The doctor had already warned me that Tabby might not remember much from the fight, so I recounted it to her.
"That sounds about right," she said.
"Can you see okay?" I asked.
"Hurts to open my eyes. But, yeah, I can see fine," she said.
I handed her a cup of hot tea and helped her sit up.
"They don't seem to believe in med-patches, either," I said.
"Lovely."
A knock at the exterior door was answered by Nick. After some conversation, he entered the room.
"We're going early to see the King. Petar took off in the middle of the night and Kostov wants to review our data streams right away," he said.
"When?"
"Right now," he said.
"Okay, give us a minute."
Tabby wasn't in her armored vac-suit and I wasn't about to bring her into the King's throne room without protection. I closed the door for privacy.
"You ready to get dressed," I asked.
"Help me to the restroom," she said.
Ten minutes later, we emerged, with me holding Tabby up on one side.
"Looking good, Tabby," Nick said.
"Shut up."
Nick just shook his head and smiled. It was a funny, dysfunctional world I lived in.
Much of the pageantry of the previous day had been dropped. Only a handful of the King's Council were in attendance and even fewer of the servants. I hadn't expected to see Milos Benesch, the captain of the Kordun present, given Petar Kiirilov's midnight departure.
"Ambassador Turnigy, you may present your video," the King's representative announced.
A two meter in diameter, round table rose from the floor and locked into place just in front of the King's throne. While it fit the over-the-top, Knights of the Round Table décor, it was also clearly a modern holo-projection device.
Buccaneers (Privateer Tales Book 8) Page 31
