“This year, the Zeninan Games have been specially honoured by Crown Prince Neman’s presence, Co-ruler of Zenina with Her Majesty Queen Kerina who’ll present the rest of the water event florettes,” Jazina announced.
Plavina stood on Neman’s left side. Neman leant on both sisters to give out the florettes. He tied the ruby florette into Lahoda’s braid; then he kissed her exuberantly. Giving the green to Admiral Folada, embracing her very informally as she kissed him back. The blue and silver florettes he gave to a pair of Blues who stood rigid, as they received his uninhibited embrace.
The Royal enclosure was in disarray as seating was reorganised to fit in Prince Neman and his retinue. A second throne was brought from a storeroom and several more chairs. These were shuffled by a small army of workers.
The non-Zeninan news reporters, who were there to add colour to their publications and news shows, with some attractive visuals of beautiful naked female bodies engaged in strenuous activity were in total confusion. No one had informed them about the sea-people of Zenina or that they had some power on land. Neman was led by the sisters to the second throne placed on Kerina’s right hand and they bowed deeply to the sea-ruler. Marina excused herself, joining the competitors climbing the cliff to the diving board.
“It is over six centuries since a Crown Prince distributed florettes at the Zeninan Games,” Vlama informed Bromarsh.
The first diver was awaiting the announcement of the Diving Contest before commencing her descent. Jazina managed to utter the necessary words despite the chaos continuing behind her.
The divers plummeted in a series of twists and somersaults, judges awarded their marks. Marina’s turn came and once more the crowd applauded. She waited for silence before leaping high into the air. Tightly like a ball she spun, once, twice, thrice, four times seeming to hover in the air as she opened out into an ankle hold. Then she twisted twice before once more entering the water at a perfect vertical angle.
The applause was deafening as she broke water. Twice more the competitors dived but there was no doubt who had won. The judges agreed with the audience. A Silver took the green florette, Klivina the blue and Serengia the silver. Kerina and Plavina supported Neman as he tied the ruby florette into Marina’s hair. He stood back and for a moment it looked like he would not embrace her. Then he shook off the support, stretched out both arms and pulled her to him. They swayed but stayed upright. Princess Marina turned the cheek of her face to receive his kiss, but he forced her chin up with his left hand, kissing her full and long on the mouth.
There was no light between their bodies and it was a long time before he released her. The coral crown slipped from his head and Lahoda bent to retrieve it, handing it to Neman, who placed it formally on Marina’s head. He executed a surprisingly elegant bow before leaning back again on Plavina and Kerina. Applause erupted from the crowd as Neman crowned her with his own crown.
She replaced the crown on Neman’s brow; he gave out the other florettes, embracing each woman but at no great length. Neman walked unsteadily to the steps; handing the crown to a merman diving into the pool swimming towards the dam. His courtiers followed in his wake. They swam over the lowest point of the dam disappearing into deep water.
Chapter Forty-One – Sisters
Bromarsh watched the Riding over jumps in which Plavina was competing. Plavina held the title. “She was lucky to win at the last Games,” Vlama informed him. Klivina won resoundingly. Plavina came a respectable second and Zadina third. Marina commiserated with Plavina on losing her title, they decided on supper together at the Golden Palace. Marina collected Charles who had stayed out of Zadina’s way sitting with Klivina and Cucat.
Marina picked Riyal up and took him with them to the Palace. The outing was a treat for Riyal, but it was the first time he had met Charles. Riyal was diffident when Marina introduced them, but offered his hand as a gesture of friendship, and Charles accepted it quietly. Both women ate little; no wine was served but some beer was poured for the men.
Charles declined a second glass so Riyal followed his lead. The meal over, they retired to another room strewn with many cushions. Marina arranged herself elegantly and settled down to gossip with her sister. Charles moved to her feet and began to kiss them. Plavina motioned to Riyal that he should join her. Raising one eyebrow to Marina he went. He seated himself beside her, putting his arm around her waist, suggesting she undress.
“Eager, isn’t he?” Plavina said to Marina removing the skirt she wore.
“I want to talk to my sister first, Riyal, try to not distract me too much.”
Charles had undressed Marina and his kisses were working their way slowly up Marina’s legs. The girls’ conversation continued.
“My Captain will be back in a few days,” Plavina thought.
“I’d still like to see him, if that is all right with you.”
“I’ll ask him, playing with fire today, trying out the opposition, eh?”
“Baraneev, the Zigan? He’s pretty good, but very direct. When I went past, he tipped me into his lap and gave me a paper already prepared with his name, his hotel, room number, that he’d been accepted for the Sexual Gymnastics and would be honoured to train with me.”
“What are his chances against Nerova and Falesh?”
“Fairly high, but it depends how good his partner is.”
“How do you rate him, say in comparison to Charles?”
“Charles could beat him easily but Baraneev is not colour-changed yet. With training he could be excellent, but Charles would still be better.”
“What about Neman, you made an impression there. He made his feeling quite plain about who he would prefer as Queen.”
“Don’t talk to me about that man-thing. If I were tempted to seek the throne, remind me the Queen must service the Crown Prince annually. I could not believe his behaviour this afternoon. He practically raped me in full public view.”
“Don’t exaggerate Marina. All he did was kiss and hug you a bit. It was a bit excessive but scarcely assault.”
“I didn’t exaggerate. Does he keep a sea cucumber among that seaweed? Because he was certainly pushing something hard between my legs and his tongue was half way down my throat, up a bit please Charles. The suggestions he made were explicit enough and done with such a good block not even you realised what he said.”
“I didn’t realise what he was up to. You gave no indication.”
“I could do nothing about it. I could hardly bring my knee up sharp, so I told him un-dramatically I was not interested.”
Riyal was warming up Plavina, after an hour or so they swapped partners. Then Marina took both men home. She kissed Riyal goodnight and left him at Father O’Flaherty’s and Charles drove to her door. Marina headed up the staircase without checking if Charles was following. Charles hovered at the bottom of the stairs before deciding he had received no clear dismissal. He ran up the stairs two at a time behind her.
“Riyal was a bit exhausted, so I sent him to bed. You can stay if you wish.”
“I wish, please.” He said swiftly undressing again.
“What do you think of Riyal, Charles?” Marina asked ignoring his persistence in undressing her.
“Seems a nice enough lad,” he said noncommittally.
“So you are not still worried I will replace you with him?”
“He will be good when you finish training him and he is Gold.”
“As good as you? I won’t settle for second best, Charles.”
“He could be better than me. If he loved you as much as I love you.”
“He doesn’t. He thinks he loves me but it is just transient sexual attraction. He’ll fall for Vellina and she is hot for him. Almost comic, isn’t it?”
“And you Marina? Where does that leave you? Are you in love with Riyal?”
“I don’t know, a little I think. I’ve got fond of him. I don’t really want to let him go.”
“You’ll do what’s right and I’ll still be here whe
n you’re finished with Riyal. Now are you going to let me have you or not?”
Chapter Forty-Two - Tearful Goodbyes
Charles fetched Father Debenden and Floren after breakfast; they had been informed the afternoon before and were packed. Floren had missed Kazimira, but since her return to Hemithea had not slept alone. A queue of buxom farm girls occupied the space she vacated. Father Debenden had mixed feelings about leaving, he had learned a lot in Zenina mostly about himself. Father O’Flaherty found him greatly changed and was very benevolent towards him. Floren was allowed to accompany Jessina and Orina to the Games.
Kazimira was entered for the underwater Dance event that morning. The four of them, including Sebie watched the various competitors deciding Kazimira best and luckily so did the judges. Underwater events were done with nasal plugs which extracted oxygen from the water and enabled the athlete to breathe underwater. The Underwater distance race was won by Folada, keeping the title. Kazimira said goodbye to Floren, taking him aside for a few un-sisterly kisses. Marina took Father Debenden, Floren and Jessina to lunch; then collected Colonel Bromarsh to go to Hemithea space-port.
Father Debenden and the children were installed on a Zeninan battle-ship and goodbyes were said all round. Jessina clung to Marina shedding a torrent of tears, through which her words were incoherent but her thoughts said she wanted to stay. Marina blinked away salt water from her eyes and kissed Jessina holding her close. Then she fled.
Bromarsh was back in his seat to see Kerina present the ruby florette to her elder daughter for the static target event. Princess Marina having escorted Bromarsh back to Vlama’s chaperonage excused herself and returned to the Royal party. She went to the underground reception room, pausing to eat a few canapés and drink a glass of chilled water.
The room was empty as she entered but Ga’Mikkal came in, instructed to fetch a drink for Zadina. They stared at each other, before Ga’Mikkal bowed to Marina.
“What progress are you making at college, Prince?”
Ga’Mikkal answered stiltedly, the conversation stopped abruptly, there was an awkward pause.
“You wear Zadina’s badge,” Marina clumsily blurted, which was irrelevant.
“You didn’t offer me yours,” said Ga’Mikkal and his thoughts were sad.
Since his change he saw his earlier life as futile, self-seeking and cruel. He was aware of Marina’s withdrawal from involvement with him. His thought flashed “It would be better if I had begged Marina to enslave me, than be king or consort with Zadina.”
Marina astonished by the train of Ga’Mikkal’s thoughts, pretended not to have read them.
“I did not think a Kurgian Royal Prince needed my protection.”
The exchange took only a few minutes, Zadina had not become fretful, but she caught a thought of wistful longing for Marina from Ga’Mikkal and was not pleased. Marina cheered Plavina’s second win. The florettes were given out and the Steeplechase began. Marina held the title and record, but watched Calzina take the title, but not her record. The afternoon’s events over, everyone retired for food and refreshments of various forms. Bromarsh missed the light-weight weight-lifting event but watched Marina win the middle-weight which Zadina held at previous Games but did not equal Zadina’s record.
“Marina is only just over the lower weight limit, Zadina always has trouble keeping under the upper-weight limit so Marina’s achievement was quite something,” Vlama loyally pointed out.
Chapter Forty-Three - The Third Day
The third day started with the long-staff. Vlama went to judge; Vlama had retired unbeaten after six consecutive wins in the long-staff and was regularly asked to judge. Kotenza, Marina’s farm manager beat Perlza in the final bout. The free-fight came next and Marina dressed, joined the judges and Vlama rejoined Bromarsh and Stenlina. Apparently Calzina held the title having beaten Zadina in the previous Games. This year Calzina lost to Fenzela who, whilst much smaller, was also quicker and very skilful. As Marina had been using her as practice partner, she had learnt from her boss. Fenzela who was far from stupid had learnt to duck, swerve and block very effectively. Marina gave Fenzela the lowest marks but she congratulated her protégée afterwards somewhat apologetically.
“It’s always easiest to criticise one’s pupils but I could see lots of openings. If Calzina was quicker you’d have been beaten, but your performance was a credit to the department. I intend to appoint a deputy; tell me after the Games, if you feel up to taking the job.”
Fenzela, who had entered only after considerable pushing from Marina, felt the days of abstinence had been amply rewarded. Besides the extra income and power that came with the job. the prestige had additional perks. Men admired women in authority and there were always free tickets for important events allocated to the Department.
The florettes for the free-fight were given out, then everyone went to lunch. The afternoon would be strenuous even for the spectators. That would see the Seven Event being performed and almost everyone expected Marina to win it.
The Seven Event began with a six kilometres run, then the javelin, high jump, discus, archery, a steeplechase over a gruelling kilometre and then a bare half hour’s break to move to the sea pool for a four kilometres swim, all within five and a half hours.
There were 28 contestants lined up at the start for the six kilometre run but Vlama told Bromarsh all but three were also rans. It did not take Bromarsh long to pick out the three serious contenders. Marina, Zadina and Calzina were the only Golds entered. The race was run in three waves, the first wave leaving 20 seconds before the next. Calzina and Marina were in the first wave. Zadina was in the second. There had been some barging in previous Games and it was thought politic to keep Marina and Zadina apart.
Indeed the suggestion to put them in different waves had been Queen Kerina’s. Marina and Calzina set a cracking pace leaving the eight others in their wave far behind. Zadina led her group of nine and spread them out overtaking the trailers in the first set. Marina and Calzina were already overtaking the third wave. Each individual was trying to get the best possible time. Marina pulled well ahead and beat Calzina to the finish by three seconds. Zadina finished fourth but her time registered 22 seconds later than Marina’s who had started 20 seconds earlier. So she pushed Calzina into third place. One of the Silvers in the first wave finished third and got a fourth placing. The time was good but broke no Games or personal records.
The crowd forgot their good behaviour and chanted for Marina as her win was announced. The contestants prepared to throw the Javelin. Calzina was first of the three Golds to throw, easily scoring a hit to the target ten metres short of Marina’s new record. Zadina followed suit also hitting that target. Two others succeeded in hitting that target but the rest settled for nearer targets. Marina threw last as the holder. She hit her new record again powering the javelin half way through the target.
All the contestants threw again, trying to reach a further target. Some moved up a target and achieved higher points. If they hit the further target but did not penetrate the board it would still give them a higher score than missing the target altogether. Zadina missed Marina’s record target but Calzina touched it the spear falling out.
Marina tried for the new target, five metres further. She took a longer run than usual and let the javelin fly. This time it thudded home, splintering the wood at the back and sticking clearly through. Calzina threw again at the previous target and this time her throw was passed. Zadina also managed to hit the target but the umpires had a difference of opinion as whether it was deep enough to count. Marina, Calzina and Zadina all walked over to the target to examine the point.
Zadina said, “It is in, no question.”
“It is out,” declared Calzina.
“I’d have allowed my auntie’s throw,” Marina said so the umpires agreed with her.
This still put Zadina behind Calzina, as Calzina’s touch counted to her score and Calzina’s undisputed throw scored higher. Marina’s final throw wa
s at a new target five metres further on. She hit it and the spear bounced out, but it still added to her score.
Without resting a minute, the high jump was started, which Marina won again. The Silver, who had come fourth in the running, surprised everyone by coming second. Calzina managed third and Zadina fourth. The crowd were working themselves up. Most of the crowd were yelling for Marina, but Cult Followers had arrived in number and were trying to encourage Zadina.
Serengia and a few of her friends were trying to give her mother, Calzina, some support and seemed to be yelling for both Marina and Calzina. There were even a few calling out the Silver’s name which turned out to be Edolza, who had entered for the first time.
Edolza was to throw discus before Marina and they stood together whilst the rest threw. Marina congratulated Edolza on her good showing, first time out. Edolza told Marina she was just graduating from university and hoped for good results in the gradings she had taken. Then she pestered Marina by asking her for a job at the department.
“I’ll think about it, you should have an informal talk with Fenzela first.”
Zadina threw and beat the record with her first throw and did not throw again. Calzina achieved her personal best and Marina threw hers just past Calzina’s but could not improve on it. Edolza achieved another creditable fourth.
The archery came next and Marina just managed to come fourth. Calzina won and Zadina came second. Even Edolza beat Marina and came third. The steeplechase followed and Marina was beaten, this time by Zadina. Calzina came third and Edolza fourth once more. There was only one more event and if Zadina could win that she would win the Seven event in total.
Marina had three wins and two seconds on a straight basis of positions Marina should take the Seven Event even if she came only second in the last event, because that would be three wins each to Marina and Zadina but three seconds to Marina and only two to Zadina. Zadina had more points for her new Discus record than Marina had received for the new Javelin record. Marina’s archery fourth score had lowered her points considerably and Zadina’s high jump had not been much behind Calzina’s and therefore scored higher in points.
Heroine of Zenina Page 20