The Reluctant Empress

by Teresa Howard

  “Let me handle this. We do not tip here,” Tegani said as they walked up to the door. “It is the custom for women to take care of these things. It would be odd for you to arrange them.”

  He nodded while he and Ninallia fell in line behind her. Houston reminded himself to think of the girl as the boy she appeared to be. If he didn’t, her disguise might be blown.

  Tegani walked up to the door and knocked. The door was opened by a uniformed servant. She didn’t wait for the servant to speak. “Tell your mistress I wish to inspect your best rooms. We have traveled a long way and were lost in this great city. Be quick and fetch your mistress.”

  Soon a plump woman in voluminous robes hurried toward them. “Come in, mistress. I am sorry my stupid servant left you standing at the door.” She eyed the trio with eagerness.

  “We need a room for a few days. We want something with a private bath and a view of the palace.”

  “All our rooms come with a private bath.” The woman’s voice was haughty. “Our front rooms have a view of the palace, and the back rooms overlook Imperial Park.”

  “May we see a room? Show us one of each please. I prefer the palace, but I’m sure my son would enjoy watching the horses. I believe there is an excellent stable, a gift from Earth.”

  “Yes, they were a gift to the late emperor on his coronation. Rest his soul in the Mists.”

  Tegani and the others lowered their gazes and murmured agreement. The landlady opened the door wider, and they followed her down the hall. No one spoke of credits. He figured if one asked, one probably couldn’t afford to stay there.

  The room facing the palace was on the second floor with a balcony. It was large and with two beds, a seating area, and a separate bath. She looked around and nodded. Next, they climbed to the third floor and walked down a carpeted hallway to the end. This room was larger and furnished with the best in antiques. The balcony provided a view of the Imperial Park. The view was breathtaking.

  “We’ll take this one,” Tegani said, her voice hushed as if in awe. “We will send for our things.”

  Twelve

  Ninallia slept curled next to Tegani. When she closed her eyes that night, she felt safe for the first time in many days. Her feelings of safety evaporated the next morning. She woke early from hunger and decided to go downstairs and check out the breakfast options. When she arrived on the first floor she was greeted with a sight that made her want to race back upstairs. There were Imperial soldiers in the hallway.

  The hostel mistress was flushed with anger. “I run a very respectable place. I tell you there is no girl fitting your description here. I will not disturb my patrons at this hour.”

  “I’m afraid we must insist,” growled the taller of the men.

  “I’ll get my parents, mistress,” Ninallia said, turning and going back up the stairs. “My mother will not be pleased at being rousted from her sleep.”

  On her way to the room she was met by Sister Tegani who demanded, “Where did you go?”

  Ninallia tried to catch her breath so she could speak. A couple came down the hall, so she nodded toward the room.

  Houston appeared sleepy and relaxed. He stretched, wearing only his pants, then scratching his chest. In the forest of tiny spikes, random gray hairs stood out against his dark skin. “I told you she went looking for food. She didn’t eat last night.”

  Ninallia glared at them. “Imperial guards are downstairs asking about me. We have to go out the back.”

  He shook his head. “That’s what we don’t need to do. They will be after a lone woman, not a married couple with their son. It’s better we go down; we can leave later.”

  Tegani said, “I agree. If we run, they’ll know there are three of us, and your disguise will be useless.”

  Ninallia saw the truth in what they were saying, but she was terrified. What if one of the men could tell she wasn’t a boy? What if they seized them all? She helped the Sister into her outer robes and followed them down the steps.

  “Keep your chin up. You’re a spoiled young boy. Don’t act afraid, or they will think we have something to hide,” Sister Tegani said over her shoulder.

  Houston crossed his arms and looked menacing. Sister Tegani went up to the soldiers and berated them. “My husband is a very important man, and our credits are good. Why are you harassing this fine mistress and disturbing our peace?”

  “We’re sorry, my lady, this is Imperial security business. We have to check visitors.” He glanced at Houston and Ninallia. “You and your family may go, mistress. Sorry to have disturbed you.”

  Other patrons of the hostel were being rousted and brought down. Tegani marched back up the stairs followed by Ninallia and Houston.

  “I’ll send you a breakfast up at no charge,” called the mistress of the hostel.

  Once inside the room Ninallia was consumed with a fit of giggles, and tears streamed down her face.

  “No giggling. Remember you are a boy.” Sister Tegani laughed.

  Soon, Tegani and Houston discussed what to do. Sister Tegani maintained they should stay in the city until spring thaw. Later they could head for the Temple City. Houston wanted to get Ninallia off planet as soon as possible.

  “I would like to see the...” Ninallia stopped. The news feed was broadcasting the deaths of two young women. She recognized their faces. They were two of the women from Madama Ector’s hostel. Tears of sadness trickled down her cheeks.

  “You knew them?” Sister Tegani asked. She placed a hand on Ninallia’s shoulder as she nodded in misery.

  How many more people were going to die? There were ways to end a pregnancy. If Ninallia were no longer carrying the heir, the Royal Nephew might leave her in peace. Somehow, she knew aborting the baby wasn’t the answer. Madama Ector willingly gave her life to protect the royal heir.

  There was a small knock at the door, and Ninallia jumped. When Tegani opened the door, a young girl stood in the hallway with their breakfast. “Enjoy this with the compliments of the house and our apologies for the disturbance this morning.”

  Tegani gave the girl a credit chip. Their tray contained pastries, fruit, cheese, bread, and strong tea.

  As they enjoyed the meal, Tegani and Houston agreed it would be safest to leave the Imperial City. Sister Tegani suggested they travel toward the Temple City and stop for the winter in a small town at the foot of the Great Mountains.

  For the next two days, Tegani and Houston gathered supplies while keeping their ears open for news. The Royal Nephew was spinning a story of collusion and betrayal. He blamed two neighboring kingdoms for planning the assassination of the late emperor. He even hinted at other more ominous villains.

  At the end of the week, Ninallia and the others boarded an early transport train headed south of the Imperial City. She watched the city speed by. Houston appeared to be dozing in the seat across from her, and Sister Tegani was reading.

  As the Imperial City disappeared behind them, the view was filled with smaller towns and villages. Ninallia felt safer the further from the Imperial City they traveled, forgetting she was supposed to be a boy. She squeaked in alarm when there was a loud crash outside their berth. After a simple breakfast she relaxed against the seat and soon drifted off.

  She woke to Tegani shaking her gently while Houston retrieved their bags from the overhead. Ninallia yawned and stretched as she got to her feet. After hours of sleep, her body was stiff. She was also sick.

  Covering her mouth, she ran for the bathroom. Waves of nausea wracked her stomach. She threw up her breakfast and what seemed like the last three days’ meals too. Afterward she felt better and opened the door. Tegani stood there with a concern on her face.

  “I’m okay. It’s morning sickness.”

  Tegani patted her shoulder. Ninallia was slender and could hide the pregnancy for a while yet, but knew one day deception would no longer be an option.

  Thirteen

  “We have eliminated twelve of the women from Madama Ector’s hostel. Eight
appear to have vanished. Someone must be helping them.” Lord Varick voiced his theory, echoing Hanoree’s worst fears.

  “You think the Order is involved?” Hanoree demanded.

  “It is logical. Who else has the power and connections to get these women out of the Empire? Has to be the Order.”

  Hanoree agreed. “I want the Temple City surrounded. I want to know who goes in or out. If the Order is harboring our fugitives, I will level their city.”

  “What about the Writ of Neutrality?” Varick poured a glass of wine and added Hanoree’s drug of choice, more today because of his anger.

  “There is no agreement with the enemies of the Empire,” Hanoree said, taking the glass and downing the contents. Wine and opiates surged through his system. He calmed, and a heightened sense of his own god-like abilities filled him.

  “Get My Lady of Wisdom on my communicator.” He drummed his fingers across the surface of the empty glass.

  In minutes the serene face of My Lady filled his screen. “Greetings, Most Noble Hanoree.”

  “Greetings, My Lady of Wisdom. We are seeking a woman in connection with the assassination of our beloved emperor and his wife. The Empire requires your help in this matter.”

  “How can we help you? We are iced in at the Temple City this time of year.”

  “We are aware of your weather, My Lady. It has come to our attention that this woman may seek sanctuary. She is an enemy of the Empire, and anyone giving her sanctuary will be regarded as our enemy as well.”

  “We have taken in no refugees. Do you have reason to believe she is headed here?”

  “I have reason to believe many things. As a long-time member of the Writ of Neutrality, I am calling on the Order to abide by that agreement. Failing to do so will result in unfortunate consequences.”

  Anger flared across the face of My Lady. “Be careful who you threaten, Hanoree. Your actions may produce the very thing you fear.” The communication abruptly ended.

  Thinking, Hanoree sat back. The Order would be a powerful enemy. He needed an equally powerful ally. Who better than the League of Seeded Worlds? He would need to request support from the League but not go empty-handed. What would entice them to support him should a war between the Empire and the Order break out?

  “Put me through to the League. I want to speak with their top official on Bengar.”

  Soon his screen was filled with the face of senior Ambassador Hollins. She smiled. “Lord Honoree, it is good to see you again. Let me repeat my condolences on the death of your uncle.”

  Honoree replied, “We are in shock, Madam Ambassador, but life goes on. We are seeking those responsible.”

  “I am sure when the Council of Nobles declares you emperor your people will be in capable hands.”

  “Thank you. It has always been my vision to bring the Empire into the future. My late uncle did not see the advantages of becoming a full member of the League of Seeded Worlds. We have not benefited from its guidance. I want to work with the League to bring trade and prosperity to the Empire.”

  Her smile broadened. “How may I assist you in making this vision a reality?”

  “The Empire has many enemies. At present there is someone who claims to carry the heir to the throne. There are those who say the empress hired a surrogate before her untimely death. If this is true, the Empire will rejoice. However, since this woman has disappeared there is no way to verify her claims. I have offered her safe conduct and housing until the child is born. If a test proves this is indeed the royal heir, I can act as guardian and advisor until he is of age.”

  Hanoree was confident in his skill at sounding sincere and honorable.

  “Why do you think she has not come forward?” Hollins asked.

  “Either she is a fake, or she has been fed lies and is afraid. I fear that if this is the heir, certain enemies of the Empire will take the opportunity to brainwash mother and child.”

  There it was, Hanoree accused the Order. No one else possessed their mental powers.

  “You will personally guarantee the safety of the heir and surrogate?”

  Honoree smiled into the screen as he lied, “Of course, this is the possible offspring of my beloved uncle.”

  When the meeting ended, Honoree congratulated himself for planting doubt against the Order into the minds of the League. He presented himself as a truly progressive leader, willing to usher the Empire into the League.

  Fourteen

  Sister Tegani noticed Ninallia’s pale face. Morning sickness was not unusual, but the girl was barely more than a child herself. She must be encouraged to eat more so the baby inside her would grow strong. She looked exhausted too, and the stress of the situation was taking a toll on all of them. Wintering in this village would be a much-needed respite. They would travel on to the Temple City in a few months.

  There was a knock, and Tegani heard Houston rise to answer the door. Would he never learn? Men did not answer doors. She got to her feet and walked toward the front of the small cottage they had rented.

  He was standing there. Whoever knocked was gone. She frowned in confusion. He handed her a small envelope, addressed to the Sister of the Order.

  He shook his head. “How do they know where we are?”

  “I don’t know.” Tegani took the envelope. Inside was a small electronic message. How had My Lady managed to send it in the dead of winter? She couldn’t imagine what her friends there were thinking as she slipped the small chip from its protective sleeve, using her thumb to unlock the chip’s message. If anyone else tried to gain access, the message would have been destroyed.

  My Lady’s troubled face was projected onto the nearest communications screen. “Tegani, I trust the girl is well. All is not safe here in the Temple City. Communications from Uban are being monitored. Hanoree’s men have surrounded the city. It is not safe for anyone to enter. You must take the girl and hide her until the child is born. I leave it to you to find a safe place. Everyone in the Order is being watched by Hanoree’s men. It will not be wise for us to have further contact. May the Spirits guide you.”

  “Damn!” She heard Houston curse behind her.

  Tegani echoed the sentiment. What My Lady did not say, Tegani understood. It was shocking. The Writ of Neutrality was in danger of being breached.

  “That does it. I’ll get in touch with the general and get the three of us off this planet.”

  She shook her head. “No, the reasons for not turning Ninallia and the child over to the League haven’t changed.

  Houston asked, “So, what do you plan on doing? We can’t stay here and wait for Hanoree’s men to come and kill us.”

  “Take refuge somewhere else.” Tegani concentrated, using years of training to focus.

  One name and place emerged, dragged from her memory. Lady Sayeri, half-sister to the late empress, had been married off to a wealthy merchant when she became pregnant out of wedlock. She was ostracized and hadn’t been seen at court for many years. Tegani tried to remember more. Lady Sayeri’s husband was from Madori, the smallest kingdom on Bengar and famous for its wealth and lawlessness. She explained this to Houston.

  “What makes you think she will help?”

  “Lady Sayeri has no fondness for the Empire, and she may prove loyal to the Order. She spent a year in training at the Temple City. It has been a long time since she paid homage, but she took the novice oath.”

  Their conversation was interrupted when Ninallia came into the room pale as a ghost. Her hands were holding her stomach. She looked at Tegani and said, “Help me.”

  Houston caught Ninallia as she slumped to the floor, his eyes wide in alarm. Soldiers weren’t trained to deal with women in labor. “Is she going to lose the baby?”

  She helped him get Ninallia to a couch where she could lean back. There was a sheen of sweat on the girl’s face, and it was distorted by pain. Tegani, almost as panicked as Houston, knew little about pregnancy. Something was very wrong. “We have to find a healer.”


  If the girl miscarried, Tegani’s mission would be a complete failure. Hanoree would get away with murder and be declared Emperor.

  She placed a hand on Houston’s shoulder. “Go to the center of the village and ask for a healer. There should be one living somewhere near.”

  While he was gone she spoke to Ninallia in a soft tone and taught her a breathing exercise—anything to distract her from the pain. Houston returned in an hour leading a silver robed healer. The man stopped when he saw what appeared to be a boy lying on the couch in pain. It was clear he was expecting his patient to be a young pregnant woman.

  “Help her,” Tegani said. The words were not meant to be a command, but it was effective.

  The healer got to work. He opened his bag while Tegani wiped Ninallia’s head with a cold, wet cloth. He drew blood and gave her a dose of medicine.

  Ninallia made a face as she swallowed the bitter liquid. The healer listened to her heart then put the instrument on her stomach. “You’re about three months along. This medicine will help, but I want you to stay off your feet as much as possible. You almost lost your baby.”

  She relaxed, the pain seeming to lessen already. “Will I lose my baby?”

  The healer smiled at her. “I don’t know. You’re young and healthy.” He indicated her clothes and shaved head. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but you must avoid stress. It’s dangerous for you and your child.”

  Tegani paced behind the healer. Should she try to explain the deception? Would he report them to the authorities as soon as he left? “When will she be able to travel?”

  The healer shook his head at her disapprovingly. “The girl was close to a miscarriage. The next time could kill both of them.”

  “What if we travel in a train car with a bed?” she asked, more to ease the tension than for an answer. They were leaving no matter what the healer advised.

  “That might help, but she must get plenty of rest and keep her feet elevated as much as possible. The next month is critical.”