Chapter Thirteen - Innocent Diversions
Marina then went home. Kazimira and Sebie had taken the children to a matinee performance. Father Debenden argued he should accompany them for their safety, but Sebie explained he would be most at risk. When the risks were spelt out, he reluctantly agreed to stay within Marina’s grounds. Charles had gone to visit his old boss Jazna, who took some time off to discover personally what he had learnt in the years he had been with Marina. She was suitably impressed and his demonstration took several hours.
When Marina came home only a few servants and Konsky were around. Bromarsh was still abed. Having not ordered herself any lunch, Marina invaded the kitchen and rustled up a late meal for herself. Konsky who was in the old slave quarters followed the delicious aromas with his mind on food. Not expecting to find Marina occupying the kitchen, he apologized for his intrusion and began to bow himself out.
“Are you hungry?” asked Marina.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Didn’t Charles know you were in? He should have ordered you lunch.”
“I was over talking to Father O’Flaherty this morning. When I returned Charles was out. I’m sure it was not a deliberate omission on his part. I could have gone out to eat. I only realised I was hungry when I smelt cooking.”
“Well you had best eat with me; it’s not worth taking this to the dining room. We’ll eat here. If you look in that cupboard you’ll find plates and cutlery. Lay the table and I’ll finish cooking.”
The meal was good and simple. Marina opened a bottle of light wine to go with it. Konsky was unsure how to behave with Marina, settling for only talking when spoken to and keeping his answers brief. The meal over, Marina let the dishes fly to their places in a washer and stood up.
“Come along Konsky,” she said, leading the way upstairs. Konsky followed to her bedroom and waited whilst she undressed. He promptly echoed her actions, joining her in her bed. Marina was a revelation to Konsky and he went through the rest of the day with a bemused look on his face as if to say “I don’t believe it.”
***
Blazena saw the guards outside Ga’Riyal’s ship and walked straight on. They did not notice her. She was afraid they might be on to her. She wished she had collected the merchandise after the Council Meeting, but had waited for the meeting to finish and then had been detained by Irzina who consulted about policing arrangements for the Games and would not be put off. Blazena called Zadina but she refused to discuss it openly, anyone might eavesdrop on their thoughts. So they arranged to meet in the grounds of Hemithea’s main park by an ornamental summer house.
***
Charles returned to the house late that afternoon to find Bromarsh up, dressed and thinking about food. Charles went to find Konsky. He was sitting in his quarters with the besotted look on his face of a lovelorn seal. Charles identified the symptoms correctly and felt sorry for him. He was annoyed with himself for going out, when he could have served Marina himself, but found it hard to be mad at Konsky.
Konsky was clearly frightened; Charles would be angry with him, seeking to appease him.
Charles reassured him, “Nothing to blame you for Konsky. It was my fault not being here when she wanted a man.”
“She’s the most wonderful woman in the universe; you are the luckiest man alive.”
“Princess Marina breaks hearts like other women break bread. Sometimes she’s attracted to a man briefly then drops him. Marina will never love the likes of us. All we can do is take the crumbs she offers of herself and be grateful she noticed us at all. I’m taking the Colonel out for a meal now; do you want to come too?”
Konsky accepted and the three men set out for Hemithea. They paraded the streets, before settling on a small restaurant in central Hemithea, specializing in fish dishes. They attracted considerable female attention, three men together, all of them wearing Marina’s badge. Charles escorted Bromarsh to the Security Department where they were given an office to work in. Konsky went back to the house, hoping Marina might need him again.
***
Marina had gone to the hospital. Vellina had woken and was eager to be up. Her walk around the room was longer but still tiring. This time a nurse assisted her with a bath, Marina allowed her to sit up and write up some paper work before supper. Marina was no longer worried about the efficacy of her surgery, but was concerned that Vellina rested sufficiently to allow her new body to heal properly. Zeninan patients usually worked though minor injuries ignoring the pain.
So after a major operation or injury they were inclined to carry on as if nothing had happened. Complications from exhaustion, or damage due to incomplete regeneration were more problematic than the original condition. Vellina was progressing excellently, but Marina was not complacent; she must not overdo things now.
Marina drove back to her office in the Security Department. She was informed; Bromarsh and Charles were present but left them undisturbed. She ordered a hot drink and waded through the reports on her desk. The computer analysis of Ga’Mishrin’s activities was interesting. It suggested two possible explanations or a combination of the two.
First it concluded there was a Kurgian attempt to undermine or overthrow the Markaban Government and install a Military Government, implying this was close to fruition. The “terrorist” movements were funded and supplied with armaments by the Kurgians, although the “freedom fighters” themselves probably were ignorant of it.
The Kurgians were implicated in plots to disgrace influential men of moral standing in Markaba. The computer predicted Ga’Mishrin was intending to put in a puppet government and use the Markaban army to engage the Zigans, thus negating the Marko-Zigan Alliance. The increasing amount of anti-Zigan propaganda circulating in Markaba, which appeared to have a Kurgian source, was supporting evidence to this view.
The computer’s explanation for the number of attacks on small colonies was as training their own forces and also to test the defences of other planetary groupings. By forcing Ziga, Markaba and the Federated Planets to defend their outposts, large numbers of military ships and personnel were tied up. This left their vital cores relatively weakened.
The computer suggested Markaba would be persuaded to attack Ziga, leaving the Kurgian Empire to deal with the less dangerous Federated Planets and finally the Zeninan Empire. As Zenina had no mutual support treaties except with their own planets, Zenina would not declare war on them until they broke the non-aggression pact between them.
An alternative scenario was an attempt would be made to install a Zeninan Queen whom the Kurgians believed they could control. The Zeninans would be encouraged to invade Ziga whilst the Markabans and Kurgians together took out the Federation. Zenina weakened by the Zigan war would be easy to deal with when King Ga’Mishrin overcame the Federation and then he could take the conquered Zigans off Zenina’s hands. The computer unflatteringly suggested Ga’Mishrin’s plans were uninfluenced by his desire for Marina and her acquisition was only a peripheral aim. Zenina officially had peace treaties with the Markaban Union and the Kurgian Empire. They had uneasy trading links with the Zigans, but no current peace treaty.
The invitation from Ga’Mikkal was read after that report. Marina declined it, she felt it inadvisable to enter the Kurgian Embassy in view of the alternatives Ga’ Mishrin might be planning. She sweetened her refusal by inviting him to her home for lunch on the following day. Marina felt safer dealing with Ga’Mikkal on her own territory. She read the report on the contents of Ga’Riyal’s ship with disbelief and annoyance. The Silver officer was still around, hoping for a word of praise from Marina. Marina summoned her.
“Fenzela, thank you for coming. I understand you found contraband on Ga’Riyal’s ship and have arrested him and his crew?”
“Yes, ma’am. Considering what we found when we searched the ship, it was the correct thing to do.”
“You were following the law absolutely correctly, Fenzela,” Marina said straightfaced. “I slept with Ga’Riyal last night, I as
ked you to delay his ship only because I had forgotten to find out where to contact him.”
“I apologize for my over-enthusiasm in arresting him and his crew, but what we found on his ship justifies my actions,” Fenzela said feeling slightly aggrieved.
“You are right of course,” Marina agreed laughing and signed the document authorising the confiscation of the cargo. But she ordered the release of the crew with the proviso they reported daily to Department Headquarters. The detainment order on their ship was also confirmed. The officers remained in detention.
“What about Ga’Riyal? He’s in the cells below awaiting your attention.”
Marina switched on a viewing screen and found his location. The sight of Riyal lying naked despondently on the cot filled her with amusement. She doubled up with laughter. She probed delicately with a strand of thought. The man was terrified. She almost went to him to relieve his mind, but he deserved to be punished for his actions. Let him fear a little longer.
“Thank you, you have done very well, Fenzela,” said Marina still laughing.
“But if the man is your lover, don’t you want to have him brought up from the cells and let out?”
“Not yet. I’ve a pile of work to do. He should not escape punishment because the Director of Internal Security wants him in her bed. He’s frightened now; if we handle him correctly he may learn his lesson. Looks pretty good naked, don’t you think?”
“He is very tempting,” she said looking at the image from Marina’s point of view and beginning to understand her mirth.
“It would be a terrible pity to destroy the atmosphere you’ve gone to such trouble to create.”
“Do you want him fed? We gave him no lunch.”
“He doesn’t look underfed to me. Turn the temperature down in his cell ten degrees, he looks far too comfortable.”
Fenzela went off quietly chortling to herself. Marina was pleased with her and amused. The misunderstanding was funny but it could have backfired on her. This must be her lucky day. She spread the joke amongst the department. Marina’s employees laughed at Riyal’s expense. Officers due to go off shift found work to detain them. They were not going to miss the rest of the entertainment. The improved morale of her staff filtered through to Marina in her office, but she did not mind. She would not deprive them of their innocent diversion.
The pile of reports soon dwindled as she transferred their contents to memory. The blood test on Ga’Riyal arrived as she was studying the last one. He had told the truth about his four months stay in Zenina. Symbiote levels in his blood were high. Within the month he would reach colour change. Marina had her own suspicions supported by the test results as to his probable colour. He could have a difficult transition.
Divak and Ondiella found Chilka at home, Chilka was going to refuse their request, but Bona her eight year old daughter who was in another room raced in.
“Can we really look after the baby, Mum please can we?” she said.
Chilka gave in gracefully.
“Go and enjoy yourselves, we’ll look after the little boy. You can pick him up at midnight.”
Bona, who thought her mother should provide her with a younger sister or brother to play with, was overjoyed. Bona loved babies so much, Chilka feared she would make her a grandmother as soon as it was physically possible. In other areas Bona was a sensible girl, but her maternal instincts were grossly over-developed. If Chilka were to have another child and let Bona see the inconveniences of motherhood, it would be easier than to cope with the problems of an adolescent mother.
Chilka had not picked out a suitable sire. Bona’s father had been a Federated Planet’s explorer who had died shortly after his visit to Zenina and Bona’s conception. A Kurgian ship had blasted his ship out of existence. Chilka considered the matter. She had often thought it a pity Charles had never fathered children. She might ask him if she could use some of his stored semen to beget her second daughter.
Divak and Ondiella rushed to get ready to go out again. Chilka observed their developing affection with the gentle tolerance of one who has been in love and believes everyone should try it at least once. Bona was less interested in the lovers than the baby. She wanted to take him out so her friends could see him. Soon after Divak and Ondiella left, Chilka, Bona and the little boy set out for a walk. Their direction was the main central park one kilometre away, to where Bona had summoned her friends to show off her living toy.
Bona and her female friends cuddled and cosseted the baby sweetly under Chilka’s supervision. Unfortunately after an hour, the baby fell asleep as new babies are prone to. The girls were less interested in a sleeping baby than one who was awake. So they dashed off to the adventure playground in the middle of the park.
The adventure playground had notices in more than twenty different languages prominently displayed stating the playground was too dangerous for non-Zeninan children, spelling out un-colour changed children, directing visitors to a facility specially provided for them, in which plenty of padding against falls had been installed on the seaward side of the park. Chilka called after them giving Bona an hour before returning home.
She walked through the beautifully laid out gardens pushing the little boy, considering putative fathers for her as yet un-conceived child. Under corridors of vine-covered arches with the light dappling through onto delicate mosaic paving, Chilka wandered idly. Banks of flowers in brilliant colours drew her gaze on either side of the avenue. Multi-coloured fish swam in small ponds and streams. Small birds of bright simplicity hovered amongst the flowers drinking in the nectar. Larger birds strutted across the path displaying their tapestry feathers in rainbow and heart shaped tails.
Time passed slowly but peacefully. Chilka found the heat more oppressive than usual. The temperature began to drop. It had been an airless day and very muggy. The sky darkened suddenly and a single crack of thunder gave warning of the tropical down-pour about to take place. Chilka pushed the baby at a trot to the nearest shelter just in time to avoid the rain.
The summer house she ran to was not far away, ducking into the closest wing to shelter. The roof and joints of the summer house were smothered with small carved animals, climbing, jumping, swimming, flying and running in all directions. Surprisingly for Zenina, the animals were not shown in any way that would offend parents of foreign children. They were painted in pinks, blues and lilacs with the background gilded and patterned with twists of silver stems and emerald leaves. None of the animals were naturally the colour they were painted.
The structure had a circular core of wood and glass with three arced wooden wings curving around it. These wings were open on each side with comfortable seating divided by lattice partitions. In one of these Chilka sat out the storm. The baby awoke and Chilka fed him. Zeninan women could chose to lactate if necessary but it was easier if they had already given birth to at least one child.
This was the summer house Blazena had been directed to by Zadina. Blazena sat waiting in another wing. The central house was locked in the daytime, although it was a popular spot for young lovers with its subtle lighting and picturesque views down the hill to the river and city. At night the little animals in their strange colouring seemed to come alive. The interior of the building was opened at night, so you could wander through its shady interior or retire to softly furnished chambers with a companion.
Zadina waited until the worst of the rain had fallen, then self-transported to the park. She ran to her assignation through steaming puddles of water, and the last few sparkling droplets of rain. If it had not been for the damage these last spots of rain might do to her elaborate coiffure, Zadina might have checked if anyone else was around.
Chilka quietly soothing the child was thinking very low frequency thoughts, but Zadina’s mind was on other matters or she would have noticed her presence and have spotted those thoughts as belonging to Marina’s best friend. But Zadina had plotted so long, with so little success or detection she had grown careless. Kerina and Marina knew Zad
ina worked against them, but had not found sufficient proof to condemn her. Nor did they want or seek conclusive evidence of her treason. Whatever she plotted she was still their close kin.
They limited Zadina’s influence and effects, but neither wanted to sign her death warrant. Marina and Kerina knew if they pried too deeply, proof could be found, but they were merciful and a little foolish in their emotional avoidance of her treachery. Zadina’s mind was currently on Prince Ga’Mikkal. Never before had a man treated her with such arrogance. His off-hand manner in another would be insulting; in Ga’Mikkal it was part of his charm.
“I do not trust him, but how I ache for his brutal caresses. He is cagey too. He is not telling me the whole truth, but even though he lusts for Marina, it doesn’t lessen my desire for him. It adds to my anger towards Marina, but I’ll deal with her. She’ll not live many more days.”
The discussion between Blazena and Zadina dwelt on the cargo they should have picked up from Ga’Riyal. The preliminary negotiations were though a Kurgian intermediary. Ga’Riyal had not known the name of the “Merchant” who would meet him; or any useful name. He accepted the down payment as proof of their good faith, but he could not name or identify them. What they were most worried about was how Princess Marina had found out about the drugs.
“Has one of our people betrayed us? Or have Ga’Riyal’s sailors got loose tongues?”
They did not know, but a witch hunt for an Internal Security spy was instigated and several perfectly corrupt, despicable people came under suspicion of being in Marina’s pay. Chilka mentally overheard most of their discussion, keeping her mind as blank as possible to not draw attention to herself. She waited until they separated before hastening to collect Bona. From the park entrance they transported to the Security building. Chilka left Bona in reception with the baby and sought out Marina. Marina was issuing another stream of orders before intending to visit Riyal.
Heroine of Zenina Page 8