by CR Daems
"Your Highness, we have scheduled a welcoming celebration tonight and an audience for tomorrow. Minister Timotch said he has discussed it with you," Ishara said, while watching Estelle. "I was afraid you might not want any large events after what happened at Badahoz."
Estelle gave a small laugh. "If the Captain," she nodded over her shoulder toward me, "hadn't thrown me to the floor, I could have missed the assassination attempt. It happened so fast. Although I have bruises to remind me it really happened." She twisted her head to look back at me with a scowl, but her eyes sparkled in amusement.
"She threw you to the floor?" Radka's hands shot to her mouth in horror.
"You should have her whipped!" Visil said, his face showing a mixture of rage and disbelief.
"You can't, can you Queen Estelle," Yosif said, staring at me in awe. Estelle cocked her head as if to hear his reason.
"They claim immunity from their client's laws, and have a powerful cruiser," he pointed at the ceiling, "to enforce their claim."
Estelle smiled. "You are correct, Yosif. It sounds as if you know a lot about the Black Guard.
"Yes, Your Highness. They are legends across the known inhabitable systems. The Jax draft children at age six, and they compete for their rank and service. The Black Guard are the elite. I read they never miss their target."
"Almost never," Estelle went on the tell about the assassination attempt, my argument with Weller, and the tagging of the bullets. Afterwards, they discussed the upcoming events. "I would also like a trip into town. The market area."
"Is that safe?" Ishara asked, her voice full of concern.
"I want people to get to know me as a real person, not just as a ruler who doesn't care about them. Thankfully, Minster Timoteh's wisdom will make up for my inexperience, like he did by identifying the accident for what it was, and for insisting I hire the Black Guard."
* * *
"What do you think, Captain Sapir?" Estelle asked. "About my trip to the market."
"It will be less of a surprise unless the rumor mill uses runners between providences. You will also need more sovereigns."
Estelle laughed. "Is that why you have additional Black Guards and prohibited Yosif from coming along?"
"Yes. He would have had to bring palace guards with him. That would make you more conspicuous. You will be safer without them adding to the chaos."
"Chaos?"
"When the shooting starts."
Estelle frowned. "I'm sorry, but I believe it's necessary and worth the risk."
I nodded, not liking the risk but understanding the awkward position in which the death of her parents had placed her. It was the perfect opportunity to overthrow the monarchy.
We stopped several streets from the Farmers' Market, which was an open area except for twenty or so large trees that provided shade from the hot summer sun, and lot of places for an ambush, I mused as we approached. I had Sergeant Click walk alongside her as if he were a husband, relative, or boyfriend. Estelle bought some small items from each stall which she gave to Click to carry, which he periodically unloaded on Corporal Alpert. We were three-quarters through the market when I saw them; four men who dressed like farmers, except it was obvious from their posture, bearing, and the way they walked, that they weren't shopping.
"Markov, Krebs, Kao, Peller, I said into my Mfi. There are four men, ninety degrees to the right of where I'm looking. It would be nice if they left the market quietly," I said, while facing away from them so they couldn't see me talking.
"I've got the one next to the blue stall," Krebs said a few minutes later.
"I've got the one in the brown jacket and blond hair," Kao said.
Peller and I have the two standing next to the tree where the lady is selling scarfs," Markov said. I continued to scan the area, in case I had missed others, while moving closer to the queen and Click. The four had definitely identified the queen. The only question was whether they were the entire assassination team, or if others were in the area. I couldn't identify any others that looked suspicious, but that wasn't comforting given the four I had identified. A half hour later, Timoteh, rang his bell and began calling out names while Estelle and Click slowly moved to join me and the remaining Black Guards in uniform.
"Sir, Markov has the four men secured over there," he said, pointing to a thick cluster of trees.
"I doubt they will know anything, but we should bring them back to the palace and question them anyway. Maybe someone will recognize them," I said as the queen joined us and the crowd began pointing in our direction. Estelle waved, as the crowd went to one knee.
"Rise," Estelle yelled. "Thank you for a wonderful afternoon and a chance to get to know you. You are wonderful," she said to shouts of "long live the queen" and clapping.
"Well, Captain, that went well and no assassins. I'm a little disappointed. I thought the Black Guard were infallible." She grinned, as the limo sped away from the market. "Missing the kill zone and no assassins. Tsk, Tsk."
"What would you like us to do with the four men my team are escorting back to the palace?"
"Assassins?" Estelle squeaked.
"That or they were mad that they didn't get a gold sovereign."
"I didn't hear any shooting."
"We managed to identify them before they got organized and were able to subdue them quietly. Any shooting would have created panic." And panic would have put you in real danger, I thought but kept it to myself. "So, yes, your surprise get-together went well."
Estelle shook her head slowly. "Minister Timoteh should be running the kingdom not me. I'm not ready to be queen," she said putting her head in her hands.
"You were smart enough to take Minister Timoteh's advice, and from what I've seen, you listen to those who talk. In my experience, listening is a skill all bad rulers lack. They have all the answers."
"Will this ever end?" she asked in a little girl's voice.
"Power is very seductive, and those least fit to wield it are the most aggressive in seeking it. All you can do is to take reasonable precautions and choose the people you trust carefully. I think you have the right attitude to be a good ruler," I said and meant it.
She laughed. "Few if anyone would dare say something like that to me. They would tell me how wise I am, what a great queen, and that everyone loves me."
"Bad rulers make sure everyone says exactly that and punish the foolish person that speaks otherwise. Good rulers prize the truth."
"And not to take rumors at face value," she said and smiled.
* * *
Questioning the four prisoners revealed very little. As I suspected, they didn't know who hired them. They had responded to a rumor circulating in the bars in the rougher parts of town for men with army experience. Two hard looking men had interviewed them and agreed to pay one thousand gold sovereigns to kill the queen and had given them half in advance. They were recruited in Dawar Providence, and told the queen would be attending the open market in Quitha sometime in the next several days. Each man had been carrying a rifle. The plan was simple. The four men would roam the market looking to identify the queen. When they did, they would split up. Whoever had a good shot would shoot her, and the others would immediately begin shooting, hoping to incite a riot which would make it easy to disappear.
"What did you discover?" Estelle asked when she was ready to attend the dinner later that day. Minister Timoteh and Colonel Mathaz were present.
"About what I expected. They were offered a thousand sovereigns to kill you and have no idea who hired them. Although they were hired in Dawar, I doubt that is meaningful. The group behind the assassination could be from anywhere, including the capital. The two men who did the recruiting may know something, but they are long gone by now," I said. "They were told you would be visiting the market."
"What am I supposed to do, hide in the palace?" she all but whispered, just barely loud enough to be heard.
"Listen to your security and take reasonable precautions," I said. "Colonel Ma
thaz is evaluating the Black Guard for when we leave."
"I've discovered you are extremely paranoid and myopic." He snorted. "I think I will need to have a special palace security unit, one that is very myopic."
"What about the party tonight?" Estelle asked, frowning.
"Unless you plan to return to the palace and hide, you should go on with your life," I said, and decided a little humor was in order. "And let the expensive, heartless bitch do the worrying."
A smile touched Estelle's face. "Good idea. I'm hungry," she said as she rose. "Pay close attention, Colonel Mathaz. You are going to replace the heartless bitch."
"Yes, Your Majesty. These assassins are putting me in the right mood," Mathaz didn't smile.
Although I didn't think there would be another assassination attempt at the dinner as palace security was on high alert and the market should have been a more viable operation, I took Senior Sergeant Geller's entire team and had Lieutenant Elijah on standby. I was glad I did when I saw that Colonel Oran had ten of his palace guard in the room.
"You look lovely, Your Majesty," Ishara said when Estelle gestured to her and her family.
"Thank you, Duchess Ishara," she said and turned to face the guests. "Please, rise, and thank you for coming." Then she turned to me. "What do you think about the palace security? Ishara said the colonel told her that they were needed since the Black Guard said they weren't here to protect her, her family, or her guests."
"I would think we would all be safer if they guarded the entrances to this room rather than in here shooting at the assassins after they entered," I whispered. Estelle turned to Ishara and repeated my comment, the colonel was called to her, and soon afterward all the guards but two exited the room.
"I agree," Mathaz said. "But how do you get the guard to be sharp shooters?"
"Practice, practice, and more practice. The guards assigned can't afford to miss. Wounding an assassin doesn't end the threat."
The meal went well and assassins weren't part of the entertainment. Ishara walked the queen back to her quarters. When the door shut, she turned to me.
"You hurt the colonel's feelings. Was that necessary?" Ishara asked with a royal glare meant to intimidate.
"The colonel was endangering you, your family, and your guests lives, which included the queen," I said. "Not to mention making your guests nervous."
"He was ensuring our safety."
"Imagine that six assassins enter the dining hall. Panic would erupt. You and your guests would rise and begin seeking shelter. The assassins would be shooting at anyone in the way, your guards would be shooting at the assassins who are now among the guests, and neither the assassins nor the palace guard are expert shots. So, they would be firing their Mfws on automatic. At ten pellets per second and ten guards, that's one hundred per second. Can you imagine the carnage? Better to stop the assassins before they reach the room."
"Wouldn't you also be better off guarding the doors?" she asked.
"We are not the palace guard. We are an honor guard for the Queen of Adalok."
She surprised me by smiling. "Take good care of Estelle. I think she will make a good queen."
We departed for Dawar three days later without further incidents.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Dawar: Suiters can be a pain.
We landed just outside of the duke's residence and were met by Duke Belesis.
"Welcome to Dawar Providence, Your Majesty. I'd like to formally introduce you to my wife, Duchess Felicie, and my three sons, Karl, Tillo, and Warin," Belesis said, after being told to rise. He had a square build, which at one time may have been muscle, but now looked soft. His wife had a good figure for a woman in her fifties. Karl looked to be the oldest, in his mid-twenties, ten centimeters taller than his father, and a trim figure. Tillo looked to be a few years younger than Karl, but short and stocky like his father. Warin was the youngest, in his late teens. The three sons were watching Estelle like hungry wolves.
"Thank you, Duke Belesis. It's a pleasure to meet your family and tour Dawar."
"I hear you've had some trouble at Badahoz, Your Majesty," Felicie said, looking eager to hear the latest news.
"Apparently, some group would like to end the monarchy. If they succeed, I'm afraid they may not like what they get."
"True, Queen Estelle, years of war and suffering," Belesis said, frowning in thought.
"Perhaps an heir would spoil their plans," Felicie said and her face brightened, barely stopping a look back to where her sons stood.
"I doubt a pregnant queen or a defenseless child would deter their plans. No, I think it's me or them. I'll have to count on my loyal subjects to figure out who they are. Life is difficult enough without inflicting a war on them."
"Your majesty, I'd be proud to lead a force against your enemies when you identify them," Karl said. I'm a colonel in the Dawar army."
"Thank you, Karl, I doubt they have an army. They are hoping that killing me will create a power struggle among the dukes that will give them a chance to seize power," Estelle said as a matter of fact. Belesis nodded while Felicie's face turned pale. The sons didn't look any too happy over the prospects of war or losing power.
"Come, Your Majesty, Minister Gebbart will have your rooms ready for you and your security," Belesis said. "I understand you have hired the Black Guard, and they insist on being in your area."
"Yes, they are very intrusive but at the same time comforting."
* * *
The duke's residence was a two-story building, approximately five hundred meters long and fifty meters wide. Two permanent wooden structures with double doors, one on each side of the stairs, designated the Duke's family's quarters and a separate wing for guests, which was now dedicated to the queen. The fifteen rooms varied in size but the smallest was ten-by-ten meters. The hallway separating the rooms was five-steps wide. The queen occupied a suite at the end of the hall, which was twenty-five by twenty meters, and included a sitting room, bathroom, and bedroom. Each room was equipped with the latest modern conveniences.
My Mfi buzzed as I was inspecting the rooms assigned to Estelle. Lieutenant Elijah's face appeared when I pressed Accept. "Sir, the duke's eldest son is requesting to speak to the officer in charge." She was straining not to smile, since she already knew how I would react.
"I'm on my way," I said and cut the connection. When I reached the door, Elijah, Zinn, and Kao stood facing Karl.
"Captain Sapir, this is ridiculous. This idiot of a corporal refused me entrance into this wing. I requested his superior. Then his sergeant," he pointed to Zinn, "who also refused me permission to enter. And now his superior, this lieutenant." His face was flushed, and he looked ready to stamp his foot in frustration. "I want to see the queen, now!"
"Do you have an appointment?" I asked.
"I don't need an appointment to see the queen. This is my father's residence, and I'm his heir."
"At the moment, this is the queen's wing and you need approval from her to enter. If she were expecting you, she would have notified me, and I would have notified corporal Kao, senior sergeant Zinn, and Lieutenant Elijah."
"I'm a colonel and you are only a captain. I'm ordering you to grant me access," he shouted.
"I'm not preventing you from entering. The queen is restricting your access since she hasn't notified me she wishes to see you." Now I was having trouble maintaining a bland expression.
"You are going to get out of my way or I'll call the palace guard to remove you."
"I don't think they have permission to enter the queen's wing either. The correct procedure would be to make an appointment with the queen, because neither your rank nor royal heritage mean anything to the Black Guard. If you like, I will let the queen know you want an appointment with her."
"Do that then. Now!" He shouted, spittle flying out of his mouth.
"I will tell her when I see her. That may not be until dinner unless she requests my presence or leaves her room before then."
"Damn you. I will make you pay for this." He spun on his heel and stormed down the hallway.
"Watching the Black Guard has been truly interesting," Colonel Mathaz said. "I would have let him in and interrupted the queen to determine if she wanted to see him. No corporal, sergeant, or lieutenant would have had the nerve to refuse him under the circumstances."
"Private Kao is obeying my orders and knows he is never going to be punished for following them," I said.
"What if Karl had forced his way in?"
"Kao would have shot or disabled him depending on the circumstances."
"But he's the duke's son. He wouldn't hurt the queen," Mathaz protested.
"How do I know that? He and his father may be part of the group wanting to assassinate her."
"You really are paranoid."
"Colonel, you can look foolish a hundred times. You can only be wrong once."
* * *
"I hear you refused Karl permission to see me," she said looking angry but a quiver of her lip ruined the effect.
"You didn't notify me you were expecting him," I said.
"Thank you. The palace guard would have granted him access for several reasons. This tour isn't to find a husband. It's to meet my subjects as their monarch. Of course, I will have to admonish you in public," Estelle said.
"Colonel Mathaz is learning. I think he will adapt quickly after we leave."
Estelle nodded. "I think he will. He's a good man and one, like Timoteh, I can trust." She sighed. "It's time for the party. What do you think?"
"I think the duke will have his security on alert if for no other reason than his own safety. While I think the odds are low, if something happens, the duke's increased security should give us plenty of notice."
"And how does that help?"
"Sorry, ma'am, I don't believe there will be any excitement tonight," I said, realizing she wanted assurances that nothing would happen, not my analysis of the potential threat.
"That's much better, Captain." She gave me a cheek-splitting grin. "Good, I won't need additional padding. We can go then."
