by CR Daems
"Get everyone to put their weapons away, and shoot anyone who resists," I said, not trusting palace security, who were now all hyped up and primed to shoot at any noise.
"Duke Marshall, get your palace security to holster their weapons," Estelle shouted loud enough to be heard above the noise. He hesitated until she screamed, "Now!"
"Colonel Weller, get your troops to holster their weapons," Marshall said. "It's the queen's order."
"I think, I'd like to retire for the evening," Estelle said as she rose. "But…I should see who if anyone was hurt."
Elijah, Zinn, Ganz, and I accompanied her as she toured the room inquiring after people's welfare. Four individuals were injured in the back of the room. Colonel Weller came storming over while Estelle was talking with a man who had an arm wound.
"That damn bitch's people got four people wounded. She's incompetent and dangerous." I stuck my laser in his open mouth.
Colonel, our bullets are distinct," I said, frustrated to the point of wanting to scream. "What you will find when the bullets are removed from those four individuals is that they came from your panicking troops, and that none of their bullets are in the assassins which you let into the building. That is the reason I don't allow you or your troops into the queen's wing. Because, you and they are dangerous." I turned to Elijah. "Elijah, I want each bullet tagged as it is removed. List where and from whom it was removed."
"Yes, sir!" she replied and bowed, her lips twitching with amusement.
"The Black Guard doesn't miss, ever?" Estelle asked.
I laughed. "I'm probably the only Black Guard in the room who can't tell you exactly where each of my shots went. I know my first shot hit the lead gunman in the head and the next two shots hit the second and third man, but I wouldn't wager on where."
"You were flying through the air with me in tow."
"Not a very good excuse. What if we had been alone?"
She shook her head. "I want to see the lieutenant's report when you get it."
* * *
"Well, I know now why you are so expensive. Elijah's report verifies that palace security shot all four of the guests and that the Guard shot eleven times and all the bullets were recovered from the assassins," Estelle chuckled," and you missed the kill zone with one bullet. "tsk, tsk," she said waving a finger at me. "Good thing we weren't alone."
"I can't believe my own security shot my guests," Marshall said. He sat at a small round table with Estelle and his family, eating breakfast while discussing the attack.
"Father, these are the men who are supposed to be protecting our lives," Oliver said in disbelief. "What do you think, Captain Sapir?"
"It is not as bad as it appears, Lord Oliver. Most palace security personnel come from army units and will respond adequately if attacked by a group of armed men and are good at keeping pests from invading the palace," I said. "However, they aren't trained to handle paid assassins. They are trained to guard entrances not people. However, Colonel Weller's troops failed to guard the doors and let assassins enter your residence. Having said that, it isn't for me to make recommendations."
Marshall shook his head. "That's irony. My guests would have been safer without palace security."
"And me," Estelle said. "They were here to kill me."
"Not true, Your Majesty, you brought excellent security for you and your subjects," Marshall said, followed by a genuine smile.
"Captain Sapir," Estelle began hesitantly. "Would it be safe for me… and my subjects if I visited the town tomorrow?"
"Your Majesty, there would be more risk for you, less if you didn't give anyone advance notice, other than those here. I can't judge the risk to the public. Only the assassins can control that. As I've pointed out before, the Black Guard are only concerned about your safety not those around you."
"But you saved lives last night," Estelle insisted.
"My teams' actions were made to save your life, not the guests. We are happy if our actions saved lives but saving their lives was not our intent," I said, as people tend to confuse outcomes and motives.
"That sounds so heartless," Lady Emilia said, meeting my eyes.
"Is your palace security here to protect you or your visitors?" I asked.
"Both!" she responded immediately.
"Idealistically, that maybe true, Lady Emilia." I nodded in her direction, knowing it was a diplomatic response. "That is the difference between the Black Guard and palace security. They would see the duke and his family as the priority, but would attempt to save others. In so doing, they would lose focus on you and increase the risk to your life. Ironically, if the assassination attempt last night had been against the duke, the Guard would have reacted the same as if the assassins represented a threat to the queen. Everyone would have said we saved the duke, but we would have acted to ensure the safety of the queen."
Estelle laughed. "Let me rephrase the question. Do you think there will be an assassination attempt against me if I go into town today?"
"I think the odds would be low, although I will act as if it's a certainty." I smiled.
"Alright, get ready. We leave as soon as I can change into something appropriate."
* * *
As I waited for the queen to get ready, I pondered the question of who could be behind the recent assassination attempts. One of the dukes thinking to become the king or queen, or a group hoping to create an independent state, or another cabal wanting to get a foothold on Adalok, or someone who had a grudge against the queen or her family. The latter appeared unlikely as it appeared well-funded and organized. Someone wanting to become king or queen also seemed unlikely, as a war between kingdoms was more likely to destabilize rather than unite the country. Another continent would start by inciting unrest in all of the providences. I concluded it was some group in one of the providences who wanted to abolish the monarchy system. Of course, that changed nothing. I had to assume everyone was out to kill her, and she needed day and night protection.
We left the palace, two hours later in the duke's bullet proof limo with three additional limos. Better to have too many vehicles than too few, I reasoned. I brought Sergeant Zinn's squad of eight and put Sergeant Geller's squad on alert along with the Black Widow. Colonel Mathaz also came along with a few of his security guards. I think he came to observe, as it would be his responsibility when the contract ended. The driver of the queen's limo had been directed to take us to the Open Market, a large circular area lined by permanent stores. The open area in the center consisted of day vendors who paid for a day's pass to sell their goods, ranging from farm produce to common household items and articles of clothing. The permanent stores sold higher end products like paintings, china, knives, silks, and electronics. At the queen's insistence, we stopped a block away so she could enter the market unnoticed. She had managed to scrounge a rather plain cotton floral skirt, green blouse, red shawl which she wore over her head, and plain black shoes. Zinn and I also dressed in country style clothing to blend in with her. I felt naked wearing an ankle length skirt and no Mfw. My shawl covered my Mfi and a laser.
Estelle bought some fruit which we munched on as we walked. She stopped at every stall and talked with each merchant about the weather, the past growing season, and local events, as she examined their wares. As she left each stall, she wrote something on a small communication device. Two hours later, she handed the device to Timoteh, and made her way to the permanent stores. Again, she examined the merchandise in each store and talked about local events, weather, and business. In many of the stores she selected an item and informed the merchant she would retrieve it tomorrow. After visiting the last store, she emerged with a smile.
"Minister Timoteh, it's time," she said into her wrist unit and turned to me. "You may call in your Black Guards, Captain Sapir." Just then, Timoteh held up a small bell and banged on it. As the market noise died down, he began reading names.
"Mr. Fredrick, please come forward. After a minute the man came forward while looking around n
ervously. "The queen asked me to give you this and thank you for a pleasant talk." Then he handed the man a coin. I looked to Estelle who was grinning.
"A gold sovereign," she said.
"Mrs. Toolly…" Timoteh continued calling out names. Now people were looking around and began pointing toward us as Black Guards assembled around Estelle's group. Shop owners were standing in their doorways staring as the crowd's focus turned to Estelle. She waved and the crowd went silent.
"Thank you for a very pleasant day. I enjoyed sharing my time with each of you," she said, as the crowd as one went down on one knee. "Rise. With your support and labors, you, Badahoz, and the kingdom of Adalok will prosper and grow strong." She waved to loud shouts of, "Long live Queen Estelle."
"That went well," Estelle said after entering her limo. "And no one tried to kill me."
I was tempted to say, the day is young, but I didn't want to ruin her obvious delight with the way the event went. She had a right to be pleased. The people will remember this day for years to come. The story of the day the young queen visited the market like a commoner and gave each merchant a gold sovereign.
The next day, Estelle held a formal audience with the providence nobles. It was hard to believe she was barely twenty-four as she listened and discussed real and potential problems with crops, taxes, bandits, squabbles with neighboring providences, and her plans for Badahoz and Adalok. We left for Quitha the next day.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Quitha: Worth the Risk
When we exited the shuttle on the landing pad, next to the duchess's palace, Duchess Ishara and her two sons stood waiting with a colonel and a ten-man honor guard. As before, I followed behind the queen as Black Guards spread out around the area. The duchess and her sons knelt as she approached.
"Rise," Estelle said, as she stopped only a meter short of the trio.
"Your Highness, welcome to Quitha. I would like to introduce my eldest son, Visil, his wife, Radka, and my youngest son, Yosif," Ishara said, nodding to each who bowed in turn. Visil looked to be in his early thirties. He was tall and lean, standing erect yet relaxed. He seemed to be discreetly evaluating the queen. His wife was seven centimeters shorter than her husband, with a very shapely figure, raven black hair, and a heart shaped mouth. She too was appraising the queen. Yosif looked to be in his early twenties, shorter but broader than his brother, hair cut over his ears, clean shaven, round face, and eyes that darted around while trying to keep his head straight. He seemed more interested in the Black Guard than the queen.
"Your Majesty, we heard you had some trouble. I hope you weren't hurt," Yosif said, his eyes glistening with excitement. "Have you replaced your palace security?" He nodded in the direction of several Black Guard.
"No, Yosif. Since my palace security is necessary to guard the palace, Minister Timoteh has arranged for special security for my tour of the providences. Before Yosif could continue, Ishara interrupted her son's further conversation.
"Your Highness, Minister Marko has your rooms ready. Perhaps you would like to freshen up before lunch?" Ishara said, waving toward the two-story building in the shape of a squared off "C." "Colonel Oran has arranged quarters for your security team at the military fort."
"No, Ishara. My security will have quarters in my wing," Estelle said quickly and decisively.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Ishara said without any emotional reaction. The colonel frowned slightly. The queen was given the entire second floor of the West Wing. An hour later, my Mfi buzzed. Corporal Palak's face appeared.
"Captain, Colonel Oran would like to speak to you."
I nodded and headed for Polak's position, which was where the front hallway intersected the west wing. Oran looked relaxed considering Polak hadn't permitted him access. He was an older man with a stocky athletic build, brown hair and beard, streaked with grey, and a smooth bulldog face.
"Colonel Oran, would you join me? There is an empty room where we can talk." Actually, there were at least ten empty rooms, since the Guard only needed two, and Estelle's party wasn't that large considering she was a queen. She had replaced her personal servants that were killed in the downed royal shuttle but that was only six persons, since the duke or duchess would provide meals, maids, drivers, and any other help she needed.
"Captain Sapir, I wanted to discuss security arrangements and any concerns you may have," Oran said, giving me an evaluating appraisal. "I understand you had some trouble in Badahoz."
I wasn't sure if he were talking about the attempted assassination attempt at the dinner, or Colonel Weller.
"Colonel Oran, the Black Guard is very myopic. Our sole responsibility is Queen Estelle. Consequently, Black Guards will be accompanying her wherever she goes inside or outside the palace. In addition, we will provide total responsibility for her quarters. We take no responsibility for palace security, the duchess, her children, or her guests." I stopped to let him digest that. His eyes squinted in thought before nodding. "That means we will consider anyone hindering us or not obeying our orders a threat."
"Orders?" Oran asked, frowning.
"Yes, she is your sovereign, and therefore the highest priority in an emergency. As a result, an order from me or my Guards must have priority and be obeyed."
"So, if it's a choice between the duchess and the queen… I'm to protect the queen?"
"No. The Black Guard will take full responsibility for the queen's security. But if the Guard would shout for palace guard to stop shooting, for example, they must recognize that the Guard is speaking for the queen."
"But why–"
"It's impossible to give examples. You just have to accept any orders from the Black Guard are to protect the queen, and will also be in the best interest of the duchess if she is present. As you know all too well, if two persons are giving orders chaos will most likely result. If they ignore the order, we will be forced to conclude they are endangering the queen and are part of the assassination plot," I said.
"What if you are wrong?" he said. I shrugged.
"We aren't perfect, Colonel; however, every Black Guard has undergone at least twelve years of training and those above private have had many assignments protecting clients against a variety of assassins. Consequently, their assessment will be the best you are likely to get without advance notice." I paused, watching his reaction which was oscillating between a reluctance to relinquish his authority to the Guard and choosing to silently keep his options open. In the end he chose the latter.
"I understand," he said, thinking I would assume he was acquiescing.
"Thank you, Colonel. I will assume your men have been informed and understand the consequences of noncompliance," I said, thinking it was going to be a long tour, not sure whether the assassins or local security was going to be more trouble. After all, security at Badahoz had not only let the assassins into the palace, they had provided no notice, giving them the element of surprise. We both rose and I saw him to our check point.
"Interesting," Oran said. "You are restricting access to this entire wing."
"We are guarding our client's room." I smiled. "She's a queen, so her room is a wing."
"There you are," Estelle said as she came striding down the hallway. "How do I get you when I want you?"
"Ask any Guard. We are in constant communication with each other." I pointed to my Mfi. "It is interesting that the majority of palace security units don't use them. I think it's because of their rigid hierarchical structure."
"Don't you have a hierarchical one?" she asked, looking at Private Joo and Corporal Polak's sleeves. "You have rank."
"Yes, but in an emergency, I would demote any Guard that didn't take appropriate action before contacting their senior sergeant or an officer," I said. "The next senior person or persons could be incapacitated or involved in their own crisis."
Estelle nodded. "I’ve been invited to an afternoon tea, and wanted you along. I didn't think you would want Private Joo or Corporal Polak answering for you." She smiled, and
nodded for me to join her.
"Your Majesty, you have a very experienced team on this contract. Everyone here has been on several assignments with me and could accurately predict what I would say, although they would probably prefer the words come from my lips." I noticed both Joo and Polak nod although neither stopped scanning the area. Halfway down the hallway, two palace guards stood in their white jackets and dark green pants, gold aiguillettes, and a Mfw on a strap around their necks. One braced to attention while the other opened the door into the room. Joo quickly stepped into the room before Estelle could, effectively blocking her from entering. After a sweep of the room, he stepped aside. Estelle gave me a hard look.
"Another example of what palace security would never dare to do, although any room you plan to enter could be a potential trap. The person or persons you expect to meet could be dead, or planning a coup d’état, or bomb…"
"Captain, you're scaring me." She looked both angry and nervous.
"Consider our rudeness and excessive paranoia as the price for you not having to worry." I smiled. She shook her head and entered. Every one stood and went down on one knee.
"Rise," she said, as she chose the oversized chair at the end of the rectangular mahogany table that could have accommodated twenty, and sat. Each setting of highly decorated china plates, crystal glasses, silver knives, forks, spoons, and embroidered napkins looked to cost more than a servant could earn in a year. For a second, Estelle's face tightened but was quickly replaced with a warm smile. "Please sit." That appeared to be the signal for the servants to begin bringing in the food and severing lunch or tea. It looked more like a dinner for thirty people rather than the five persons present. The countess sat to Estelle's right while the others sat across the table to her left. The paneled walls would have made the room dark if not for the six narrow tall windows and the rays of morning sun shining in. The room had a military theme with tapestries of battles, men in armor, ancient weapons, and military flags. Palace security had only the two guards outside, while I had two inside, one at each end of the room.
