The Argent Star

by Emerson Fray

  Chapter 3

  “Be advised, Fall imminent,” a woman said over the speaker. Ren looked up past her inspection glasses, wondering how they could have arrived so quickly. Novae was quite a distance away from Earth, and they weren’t scheduled to arrive for hours. She hadn’t had time to prepare herself for Falling.

  The scow jerked to what she knew was a sudden stop, but she barely felt it. Not literally at least. No books went flying about her cabin, nor did she go sailing off of the bed. No, her stomach was what rolled, and her inspection glasses magnified the dizzying affect of a Fall.

  Ren threw her book onto her bed. As soon as she thought it might be safe to move she ran to the garbage disposal and relieved her stomach of most of her lunch. She looked back at the book, a few pages dented from its awkward angle; better than if she had been sick on it, she thought.

  “Be advised, the planet Novae is in range,” an officer reported, “all crew members remain at post.”

  For the first time on the trip, Ren wanted to see what this planet looked like, up close and almost personal. She straightened on shaky legs, happy that Maks wasn’t there to see her throw up. Before she looked out her tiny window, she grabbed a cloth and wiped at her mouth, pressing sweaty palms against her silver shirt.

  As she removed her glasses she looked outside and was caught with a spectacular view. It was as if she were staring down at Earth, if Earth had large masses of land and no cloud cover. The skies were clear, allowing her to see far down to the ground below. Even from where she stood she could make out the snow-capped mountaintops, the way most of the land was coated with green trees, and the rivers that cut across the continents.

  Ren had never seen a continent before. A real continent; not those tiny fake islands on Earth. As much as she loved her home she knew it wasn’t all it used to be. This was…

  “Huge,” she mumbled. Such large pieces of land had only been seen on Earth, hundreds of years ago. She’d always wanted to go down into the water and find the relics of a time long gone, but it was never allowed; even stepping a toe into the waters of Earth would have left her with scars, if she came out at all.

  Her cabin door slid open, and she heard someone walk in but ignored them, too captivated by what was below.

  “It is quite beautiful, isn’t it?” Naomi asked, coming up beside her. “I’ve never seen a planet with such large masses of land—and one so clear too. It’s hard to believe it’s natural.”

  Ren scoffed. “Earth was natural—and then man came along and destroyed it. I hope it doesn’t happen again.” The last thing Ren wanted was a repeat of Earth’s mistakes.

  “Well,” Naomi murmured, “maybe you can ensure that doesn’t happen. Come on, you’re needed on deck.”

  “Are we going down already?” Ren asked, her heart starting to race.

  “We didn’t travel all the way here just to look around the aether,” Naomi replied. “They’re waiting down below—I think there’s a celebration in your honour.”

  “They actually want us there?” Ren still couldn’t believe it. Had she been in their position she would be questioning the Monarchy and the new royal family, not celebrating. How could they accept change so easily?

  Naomi smiled gently. “They’re waiting.”

  Ren nodded and hurried out the door, eager and terrified of what was to come. As she started down the corridor with Naomi at her side she looked back and asked, “Oh, what about—”

  “Someone will bring them down for you,” Naomi interrupted. “Now hurry up.”

  They stepped into the elevator and were Transported to the command centre, where Garret, Maks, and Elian greeted them. Their outfits stunned Ren.

  She had known they would be wearing silver, but it was still strange. Only nobility was allowed to wear the colour unless it was jewelry, and now they wore full suits. Maks stood tall and proud in a silver dress shirt, his gun tucked in a holster on a silver belt. The sun pin he wore shone bright and matched the one on Elian’s chest.

  And Elian, sweet, often misguided, Elian was dressed similarly. A dress shirt with a loose black tie made him look as though he’d just walked out of a hologram. It made Ren feel bad for only wearing a simple collared shirt with a zipper. She didn’t think noblewomen were supposed to wear zippers.

  “Good, you’ve made it,” Garret greeted. “I hope the Fall wasn’t too bad.”

  Ren shrugged. “Not at all.”

  “Are you sure?” Garret prodded, as if knowing she’d tossed her lunch only minutes ago. “You look a bit pale Princess.”

  Ren wrinkled her nose and squinted at him before returning to her flawless smile. “Completely certain.”

  Elian watched, knowing exactly what was going on. He cut in, “Are we going down any day soon? I want to meet my people.” Ren rolled her eyes; Elian never could control his mouth when something new was to be had. Even if that new thing was a planet.

  Garret perked up. “The Lieutenant and I will head down first to ensure everything is set for your arrival in the manor. Sit tight; it should only be a few minutes.”

  They vanished into a beam of light.

  “Manor?” Elian asked.

  “Sounds nice,” grumbled Ren.

  “Why is it not a palace?” Elian questioned. “Or a castle? I feel we need a palace or castle. Maybe both. Probably both.”

  “You’ll get what’s given to you,” Maks said. “And the only rule I have for you two today is to not say a word. Understood?”

  Elian laughed. “C’mon, Dad. We aren’t going to battle and it isn’t a hostage negotiation.”

  Maks’s beard didn’t do anything to hide his grimace. “Okay,” Elian agreed, “silence it is. I can be silent.”

  Ren snorted at the thought, earning a glare from her brother. Surprisingly she caught Maks’s beard twitch, as if resisting a smile himself. Why was Elian the only one that could ever make him smile? Ren wondered.

  “Sir?” a private asked. He was jittery beside Maks.

  “Yes?” he replied

  The private saluted Maks, his back arching too much to be comfortable as his hand shot forward. “Good luck, sir!”

  Maks nodded his head. “Thanks, soldier. You’re dismissed.”

  “Thank you, sir!” the private shouted, and ran off as fast as he could.

  As soon as he left, a woman approached. “They’re ready for you down there, sir—Your Grace.”

  Rather than saying anything to her, Maks looked at Ren and ordered, “Keep your back straight.”

  Ren didn’t nod to let him know she understood. Transporting always made her sick, and rather than be kind about it Maks had always said those exact words. And now they had even greater meaning; he didn’t want her to embarrass him in front of his new people.

  Elian gave Ren a pitying look just before they were transported down to Novae.

  The silence of space was replaced with a roaring wind. Ren did as her father ordered and tried to stand straight, but the urge to fall to her knees was threatening to become too much. She held her stomach, hoping to dull the pain when she noticed where they were.

  A large Victorian Earth styled white room surrounded them, with high windows to let in what little light came through the clouds. There was a mahogany table with matching chairs nearby, and a small sitting area beside a fireplace. Outside Ren saw a balcony, where Naomi and two officers from the scow stood. This place screamed Monarchy.

  Garret drew their attention. “Welcome to Novae—the crowd awaits you outside.”

  “Crowd?” Elian asked excitedly. “There’s a crowd? I love crowds.”

  Ren couldn’t say anything about her love for crowds. Instead she looked outside, at the dim grey sky, and wondered if she would be able to survive here.

  “Of course,” Garret confirmed, “you’re their royal family.”

  “New royal family,” Ren corrected, her stomach still rolling. There wasn’t anythin
g to come back up now, but that only made the feeling worse.

  “Yes,” Garret agreed. “But they’re here to greet you—hear what you have to say.”

  “Well, I didn’t prepare a speech,” Elian mused, “but I guess I could just give it a shot, I—”

  Garret cleared his throat, careful not to interrupt too much. “Let me rephrase that—they’re here to listen to what the King has to say.” He looked to Maks.

  Like the Admiral he was, Maks didn’t give away his strategy. Ren wanted to know what he was going to say, because she hadn’t even thought about how they would have to give speeches. She’d never fared well giving speeches; most people complained they didn’t understand the “strange words” she often used in middle school. Not much had changed in university, and it had gotten her into the habit of editing everything she said.

  Maks took a moment to look out the window, maybe preparing the way Ren often did before giving a presentation. She’d never seen him like this, and was awed by it.

  But it soon ended as he stepped forward, and the two soldiers outside opened the large bay windows. The wind ripped by, a great howl echoing throughout the room and overpowering the voices of the crowd. After a small push from Garret, Elian and Ren followed Maks.

  Naomi greeted Maks with a salute and Ren with a smile. Ren could barely muster enough strength to give one back, her mind stuck in place.

  Maks stepped up to the edge of the balcony and placed his hands on the marble rail. Below the crowd cheered loudly, but soon fell silent. He had that affect on people, and Ren knew it very well. Garret gave her another small push and she stepped forward, but made sure to stand at least a foot behind Maks on his left.

  Maks pressed a button on his watch, and it became a microphone, transmitting his booming voice over the wind.

  “My name is Maksin Argent,” he said, “and I am your new King. I will do all I can to serve you, keep you safe. Any decision I make will be with your safety in mind.”

  He stopped, and the crowd waited. Ren and Elian waited. But Maks didn’t continue. That was his whole speech?

  “Short and sweet,” Elian said, “I like it.”

  Suck up, Ren thought, sending her brother a scowl. Apparently nothing had changed since they left Earth. Maks was still Maks, and Elian was still Elian. It made Ren wonder if anything would change at all on Novae.

  Maks stepped back inside the manor, and Elian waved at the crowd. A few people waved back, while others cheered. The sea of people wasn’t as large as Ren had thought it would be; there were maybe a hundred bodies below.

  They stood in some sort of courtyard, with a few small stone buildings waving flags of blue and black, with a symbol she didn’t recognize. Swooping lines covered the front, and many of the people were dressed in the same colours. Squinting, Ren could make out tall buildings on the horizon; blurred brown shapes that she thought were the squares from Elian’s photos.

  “Are you going to do something?” Naomi asked. Ren blinked back to reality and realized that Elian had left.

  “What should I do?” she questioned. She was now the only one visible to the people, a lone figure for them to focus on. Stage fright had never struck her very hard, even with her anxiety, but that was in front of a classroom of peers, people she’d grown up with. Now it was an entire city, on a foreign planet.

  Naomi shrugged. “Try waving, say hello.”

  Ren raised a stiff hand and gave a quick wave before retreating back into the manor. Inside Ren spotted a large set of doors, with a man and woman on either side. Both of them looked no older than her or Elian, and wore deep blue cotton. They each kept their eyes down.

  “Your Grace,” Garret said, “if you would come with me there are some matters you must attend to. I’m so sorry to send you straight to work but—”

  “Duty calls,” Maks finished. Garret nodded and began leading Maks out the doors. As they walked out, not even glancing towards Ren or Elian, the two people bowed at their new King.

  “What now?” Elian asked.

  “I’ll introduce you to your Guides,” Naomi announced. “Abetha, Ross, please step forward.”

  The two by the door finally lifted their heads and came forward, but as they approached the royals their eyes dropped to the floor once more. Abetha stopped in front of Ren, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. Ross was simply still.

  “Princess Ren, Prince Elian,” Naomi said, raising her voice enough to make Abetha flinch, “this is Abetha and Ross Corten, they will be your Guides here on Novae. Should you need anything, they will be at your side.”

  “I don’t want a slave,” Ren said.

  Naomi shook her head. “They aren’t slaves—they’re volunteers from the capital.”

  Ren didn’t think Abetha looked like a volunteer. She bit her lower lip, debating. “Are they getting paid?”

  “They and their family are being well compensated by the Monarchy,” Naomi answered.

  Abetha quickly curtsied, nearly falling to the floor as her right knee gave out. “It is an honour, your—Highness?”

  “Call me Ren,” she replied. She froze, unsure of what else to say. What did one say when given a servant?

  Ross said the same to Elian, but Elian wasn’t as kind as his sister. He didn’t instruct Ross to call him by name, nor did he tell Ross he would be kind. No, instead Elian said, “You are going to be a busy man, my friend. Come on, let’s go meet everyone.”

  Elian started in a run towards the doors, and Ross followed hesitantly. He sent one look to his sister, and that was it before he disappeared in a chase after the royal.

  “Wait!” called Naomi. “You can’t do that yet!” She looked to Ren. “I’m sorry—I just—Elian!” She started her chase as well, moving much faster than Elian or Ross ever could.

  And with her leave, Ren and Abetha were alone in the manor. Ren tugged at the collar of her shirt, still a little queasy after Transporting. She looked at the chairs by the fire and asked, “Would you like to sit down?”

  Abetha glanced nervously at the chairs, and then looked wide-eyed to Ren. “I could never—I’m not—I don’t think I am allowed.”

  Ren shrugged. “I asked—I’ll make sure nobody yells at you.” Ren moved towards the chairs and sat down, and only after waving at Abetha did she finally shuffle her feet. She carefully sat down across from Ren.

  “How old are you?” Ren asked.

  “I am approaching my nineteenth winter,” she replied.

  Ren perked up. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Are there seasons here?”

  Abetha furrowed her brow. “Seasons, your Highness?”

  “Like…does it snow? Do the leaves fall off trees, and then regrow?” Ren was on the edge of the chair, eagerly awaiting an answer. She didn’t care how strange a question it must have been to Abetha, she needed to know.

  Abetha thought carefully. “They do, in the autumn,” she said, “and snow does fall in the winter.”

  Ren squeaked, causing Abetha to flinch. “I’m sorry—I just—back home we don’t have seasons. Everything is too polluted and it stays at about twenty degrees all the time. It doesn’t even rain anymore; we had to create our drinking water.”

  Abetha blanched. “Create water?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Ren went on, leaning back happily at the thought of seeing snow, “it was a process discovered in the twenty-second century—don’t ask how they did it because I have no idea about chemistry. But it was just in time, by the year 2103 Earth had just about run out of fresh water.”

  That thought seemed to frighten Abetha, so Ren quickly said, “We won’t do anything like that here! That was because people back then didn’t know any better.” She waved her hands, and it actually seemed to calm the girl down.

  And that was when a silence fell over them. Ren wanted to ask more questions about Novae, but couldn’t quite find the words. She wanted to ask Abetha so
mething about herself as well, but didn’t know how. If anything, Ren wanted to make sure she was comfortable in her new position—because she really didn’t look it.

  When Ren noticed Abetha staring at the silver sun around her neck she asked, “Did you have any questions for me? I don’t mind answering.”

  Abetha’s eyebrows arched, a little higher than the average human. She opened her mouth to answer when the crowd outside cheered, making them both jump. Ren nervously laughed it off. “I guess Elian made it outside.” She held her hand out to Abetha to signal her to go on.

  “Why-Why do you wear that colour?” she asked in a single fast exhale. Her hands were clasped together, turning her fingertips white.

  Ren looked down at the silver shirt, and wondered the same thing. “It’s a sign of nobility. Silver became a very rare substance on Earth about a hundred years ago, so only those involved in the Monarchy were able to wear it. Somewhere between then and now it became an unspoken law that people didn’t wear silver unless they were—somehow worked for the Monarchy.”

  The fire beside them crackled, something to fill the silences that came between their short conversations. Ren could feel a nervous sweat forming on her palms and at her temples, but she still couldn’t continue forward normally. Her heart rate picked up, and she wanted to start moving.

  “Would you mind showing me around?” If she couldn’t go on a run like she normally would, a walk would have to do.

  “Of course your Highness,” Abetha answered.

  “Ren,” she corrected. “Ren is my name.”

  Abetha’s eyes fell on the two soldiers that still stood nearby. That was when Ren decided to take a chance, her heart thumping hard against her ribs.

  “Do you want to be my friend?” she asked. Her hands were in fists at her sides, feeling like a toddler. Nobody asked to be friends, but she wasn’t sure how else to go about it.

  Abetha paused.

  “I just mean,” Ren went on, “if we were friends it wouldn’t be weird for you to call me Ren. Then you wouldn’t be my servant or—”

  “I need to be!” Abetha cried, jumping towards Ren. “I can’t be anything else!”

  Abetha’s hazel eyes were so wide Ren didn’t know what to say. The look of sheer terror in the girl was enough to make Ren feel the fear herself. She nodded.

  “O-Okay,” she said. “Just…you could be both.”

  Abetha nodded furiously. “I will gladly be anything you want me to be.”

  Ren pursed her lips. “No, Abetha, I want you to be what you want to be. If you don’t want to be friends then…that’s fine.”

  “What I want to be…?” she repeated. Her hands lowered to the hem of her shirt, and she began playing with a loose thread. “I would like to serve you, my Lady.”

  Ren nodded and smiled, feeling a little disappointed that Abetha didn’t call her by name. But my Lady was better than Princess, she thought.

  It was a start.