by Sam Ryan
“She curtsied,” Max gasped. “I actually saw the Eternal Queen curtsy.”
“Forgive me,” Madilyn said. She placed her hand to her chest and bowing her head deeply in reverence. Her voice was formal and polite. Her posture was rigid like one might expect from any knight addressing their own queen. “But I do not understand your language.”
“Oh quite right,” Allora said, instantly changing her language to one that they would understand. “I apologize. I forget myself sometimes about the company that I am keeping.”
Madilyn was surprised not only how fluidly she had changed languages but how well-spoken she was. There was no trace of an accent anywhere in her voice.
“That is a queen’s prerogative,” Madilyn stated, keeping her head bowed. “It is I who should apologize for forcing you to be so inconvenienced.” She held out her hand to Allora.
“So courteous,” Allora said, resting her hand in Madilyn’s.
Madilyn touched her forehead to the back of Allora’s white gloved hand before leaning back up and gently letting the hand go.
“Regardless, I will endeavor to speak in the language that we can all understand.” Allora smiled, glancing back at Jezebel and the others.
“Thank you, your Majesty,” Madilyn said, bowing her head again. “You are much to kind. And I apologize for any trouble we have brought to or your empire.”
“Oh you certainly are a considerate one,” Allora smiled. “And as for any trouble, do not worry yourself over it. These two alone cause enough trouble as it is.” She fanned her hand at Sophia and Jezebel behind her. “I am merely sorry that you got mixed up in whatever adventure they are playing at.” She flashed Sophia a playful smile.
Sophia rolled her eyes but took no real offense to the prodding.
“And you.” Allora looked over at Max. “You do not carry yourself like any soldier that I know.”
“Sailor, your Majesty.” Max looked down at her feet. She nervously shifted about, seeming to not be sure how she should act in front of such high nobility. “Women’s Airship corp. I was responsible for supply runs throughout the kingdom.”
“I see.” Allora nodded, seeming to be fully intrigued. “Then Lear allows women to be in their navy? I was not aware of that.”
“It is a change that was only enacted about five years ago,” Max stated. “It was a way of them to curtail the strain on their growing naval needs as they expanded their air fleet. They had women do the more medial and mundane jobs so the men could man the ships of the line.”
“How pragmatic of them.” Allora nodded, her face serious as she thought it over. “And is it for a similar reason that you are a knight, Sir Madilyn?” Allora asked, looking over at Madilyn.
“No, your Majesty. I was the first,” Madilyn lowered her gaze. “And I think I may be the last as well. It’s doubtful they will be so inclined to make another exception after I brought so much shame onto the order by being branded a traitor.”
“Yes.” Allora nodded, letting out a breath. “I have already been flooded with reports demanding your immediate return to Lear so that you can be executed for your crimes.”
“I understand if us being here is too much of burden upon you,” Madilyn said. “I know you have no reason to trust us and even less reason to shelter us. And I am sure if you do it will only create an incident between our two kingdoms.”
“Sophia calls you her friend,” Allora said, glancing over at Sophia. “That is more than enough of a reason for me to trust you. I know no one who is better at choosing her friends than her.”
Sophia frowned at the realization that she actually had in fact used that word when introducing them. Not only that, but she had said it so casually and without thinking. But then when she thought about it, she did not regret her choice of words in the slightest.
“She is definitely a friend worth having,” Madilyn said, giving Sophia a nod.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Allora smiled. “Now.” She smoothly turned and slipped her arm around Madilyn’s elbow and began walking back towards the line of soldiers. “Why don’t you explain to me exactly what the situation is and I will see what I can do in order to help.”
The soldiers parted, once again making a path for Allora while the rest of them followed behind. Jezebel left Yates to attend to the Iron Rose and see to its resupply, as well as organizing the crew’s shore leave.
“I think that perhaps Sophia or Jezebel might be able to explain it better than I, your Majesty,” Madilyn stated humbly, averting her gaze.
“They might.” Allora nodded. “But only you can explain it the way that you understand it. That and I would enjoy your company. Both of your company,” she added, glancing over at Max who was moving up behind them.
“Thank you, your Majesty,” Max said, awkwardly bowing her head again. Her nervousness from before had not gone away, if anything it seemed to have increased.
Allora led them to a large silver coach that looked to be made out of a very fine and polished steel. There was no animal that pulled the coach, instead it had an elongated back where an engine seemed to be residing. Sophia had known that it would one day be possible to make engines that could power a coach as it was the natural progression, but she had not thought them anywhere near that level of technology yet.
Slipping her arm out of Allora’s hold, Madilyn took Allora’s hand as she opened the coach door and helped Allora inside, like any chivalrous knight should.
“Thank you, sir knight,” Allora said, lifting the front of her dress up as she stepped up into the coach.
Sophia smiled, holding out her hand to Madilyn, blinking her eyes playfully.
“You can get up on your own,” Madilyn said, turning and grabbing the handles. Lifting herself up into the coach, she sat down in the seat across from Allora, taking off her officer’s hat and resting it on her knee. The bill of the hat pointing up at her face.
Sophia did not take offense, instead she grinned like a fool as she climbed aboard taking a seat next to Madilyn.
“It looks like it is going to be a little cramped in there for all of us,” Clementine said, seeing the dwindling seating room.
Allora glanced around at the people in the coach and nodded. “You’re right. I was not expecting so many people. I shall call for another at once.”
“It’s fine,” Clementine assured, holding up her hand. “Grandma.” She turned to Jezebel. “Why don’t you go with aunty while Max and I will hoof it. Both of us would like to take in some of the sights anyway.”
Jezebel let out a reluctant sigh as she gave it a momentary thought. “Alright.” She nodded, resting her hands on her hips. “But don’t dawdle. I swear, if I have to come rescue you again.”
“I got it,” Clementine assured, flashing Jezebel a smile.
Jezebel did not seem convinced as she grabbed the handle and lifted herself up into the coach and sat down by Allora.
“I will leave word with the guard to be expecting you,” Allora said, leaning forward past Jezebel and waving at the two girls. “I so look forward to spending time with both of you, so don’t keep me waiting.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, your Majesty,” Max said, looking down at her feet, kicking her foot slightly as her hands pulled at her trousers.
Sophia frowned as she waved goodbye to Max and Clementine. Was Max being bashful? She had never seen Max be bashful about anything. Sophia looked back at Allora who was happily waving at the girls through the door window as the coach began to move and make its way down the city street.
The coach moved at a slow enough pace that people walking down the street had plenty of time to move out of its way, but it was still much faster than walking on foot would have been. Many of the pedestrians lingered as they gawked and pointed at the coach in whispered wonder.
Allora would occasionally smile and wave out the window at the people, causing them to brighten up and wave back.
“You don’t have much in the way of security,” Madilyn stat
ed. “Not even an honor guard.”
“I have a knight,” Allora said, resting her hand in her lap as she looked away from the window. Her cherry red lips beamed a smile at Madilyn. “What more do I need?”
“Flattering,” Madilyn said, trying to act unphased but Sophia could see that her ears and cheeks were turning red.
So that is what it finally took to see Madilyn blush. It was as adorable as Sophia had imagined it would be. It did bother her slightly that Sophia had been trying for over a month to get that kind of response out of the knight and Allora had done it in a matter of minutes of meeting her.
Sophia let out a sigh. She had forgotten that Allora had that way with people. She could charm anyone into liking her and the worst part about it was that Allora was not even trying to do so. Every compliment she gave was earnest and every smile genuine. It made Sophia want to punch her as much as kiss her.
“It is one of the advantages of being an Immortal,” Allora explained, looking out the window and continuing to smile and wave at the people as she passed by. “I do not need to worry for my safety and it gives an impression of trust and comfort to my people. If I was to surround myself with soldiers and guards, then it makes me seem more distant and cold.”
“How did you know I knew about Immortals?” Madilyn asked.
“I did not,” Allora stated. “However, I have never hidden who I was or what I can do. It is up to others on whether they believe me or not. And many have put my claim to the test over the centuries.”
“But even as an Immortal you are still not invulnerable,” Madilyn said.
“I beg to differ,” Jezebel snorted, crossing her arms.
“I am well aware of that,” Allora said, giving Jezebel an amused look. “That is why Elena usually acts as my personal bodyguard.”
“The last Immortal.” Madilyn nodded.
“Last?” Allora blinked a few times in curiosity. “Have you met many other Immortals?”
“Tara, in Noxiss.” Madilyn nodded. “And as for Stella…” her voice trailed off as she glanced over at Jezebel and Sophia, not wanting to break the news if she did not already know.
“Were you aware that Stella was working for the Republic of Trevelia?” Sophia asked Allora.
“I was.” Allora nodded. “And I was under the impression that she still was. Has that changed?”
“Stella is dead,” Jezebel said, trying to sound cold and distant but Sophia could see the pain the words caused her.
Allora frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She was assassinated,” Sophia explained. “Tara said she exhumed the body and that is was in fact her and that she really was dead.”
“I was unaware that Tara ever left New Albion,” Allora whispered, leaning back in her chair as she let it all sink in. “And where is Tara now?”
“She was captured Trevelia,” Sophia said, giving Madilyn a reassuring pat on the leg. She knew that Madilyn still blamed herself for letting it happen, even if there had been nothing she could have done to stop it. “We’ve been trying to figure out a way to rescue her, but with everything that has happ-ened between then and now, we haven’t had the chance.”
“I see.” Allora nodded somberly, a tear starting to form at the corner of her eye. Allora gave a sniff as she casually wiped the tear away like it was dust in her eye. “Normally I would not be worried for her, but if someone has indeed found a way to kill us Immortals.” She let the rest of her thought hang in the air.
“That’s one of the reasons we wanted to come here,” Sophia said. “We thought we could use Elena’s help in rescuing her. You as well of course. That is if you’re up for leaving your ivory palace for a little while.” Sophia added, though she highly doubted she would. Allora put her duty to her empire above anything else. Unless she thought there was no other way, she would not leave it.
“I think we could agree to that.” Allora nodded.
“Wait,” Jezebel said blinking in surprise. “You going to come with us?” Jezebel seemed to be just as confused by Allora’s willingness to go as Sophia was.
“That a problem?” Allora smiled. “You did just invite me after all.”
“No.” Sophia shook her head. “It’s only, I thought you would force yourself to stay here. That you would be far too busy to pack up and go on some rescue mission.”
“Parliament handles most of the day to day affairs of running the empire,” Allora stated. “In fact, I find I have very little to do now a days.” Allora’s eyes seemed to grow distance as she said that. Not embittered or enraged, but sorrowful. She suddenly looked like she had a tremendous weight placed upon on her shoulders.
Sophia’s frown deepened. Where was this attitude coming from? The Allora that Sophia knew would fight tooth and nail for every inch of her empire. Allora would never willingly let someone else run things in her stead, especially if she knew she could do it better. She only formed the Parliament out of necessity when the empire grew too big for one person to manage.
So then what was all this talk about her having little to do?
Sophia and Jezebel exchanged a silent look. They would talk about this more latter, likely with Elena, but for now they would let the matter drop.
“However.” Allora began smiling again as she looked across at Madilyn. “That is not what brought you here. So why don’t we start from the beginning.”
Madilyn shifted in her seat, settling herself in for the long story that was about to follow.
***
Maxine could hardly believe what she was seeing. So often she had heard about the wondrous city of Itona and the marvels that the Eternal Empire held, but the stories did it no justice. She had thought that the buildingsin Noxis massive, but here the buildings were towering marvels that seemed to touch the very sky themselves. They shined with a such stunning brilliance, that was nearly blinding.
In Noxiss everything was dirty and grungy. There was coal dust everywhere, clinging to everything, even to the air. But here, everything seemed so clean and polished. The sky some of the clearest she had ever seen. The few smoke stacks there were only pumped out white smoke that seemed to just turn into clouds.
And while Noxiss’ buildings were made from black iron and murky brass, the steel and brass that Itona was made out of was so polished they could double as mirrors.
Max also noticed the lack of filth in the streets. There were no droppings left in the way of horses, or trash and waste that had been dumped and left to rot. And that spoke nothing for the people. Max was astonished more by them than anything else. They all seemed so clean and every person she met was well dressed. Not in the white shirt and petticoat like those in Rouen, the peoples’ fashion here seeming a little more dated, but the material was fine and sturdy and she saw very few with any kinds of patchwork mending, meaning that when their clothing wore out, they replaced it, not mended it.
“It’s something else, right?” Clementine said as she walked next to Max. She also had a look of wonder on her face, but she did a better job of hiding it than Max.
“I’ll say.” Max nodded. “How come it’s been over fifteen years since you last docked here?”
“Not sure,” Clem said with a shrug. “I hear that the Iron Rose would come here every couple of years back before I was born. I do know Grandma and Aunt Elena don’t like each other, so maybe that has something to do with it.”
“Elena is the other Immortal, right?” Max asked, shoving her hands in her baggy trouser pockets. Her wrist pushing back the flaps of her long leather coat.
“Yup.” Clementine nodded. “I only vaguely remember her though. She’s not a very sociable person from what I’ve heard. Though I do know she taught dad how to fence. And he says he taught her how to shoot.”
Max clasped her hands in front of her face covering her mouth to hide her childish grin. “You think she is as pretty as Queen Allora?”
“Are you kidding me?” Clementine squealed. “Allora is so beautiful, I can hardly stand it. Did
you see those eyes? They were practically purple.”
“And her hair,” Max said, pressing her hands to her hot cheeks. “I’ve never seen hair that fiery red before. She looked just like the beautiful princess out of fairy tales.”
“And that outfit,” Clementine continued to gush. “She looked so elegant in how she moved. Oh.” Clementine placed her hands on her reddening cheeks. “I would never look good wearing an outfit like that.”
“I would never be able to afford an outfit like that,” Max scoffed. “You are so lucky. You have such a close relationship with her.”
“This is only the second time I have ever met her,” Clementine pointed out. “And I was barely six back then. I didn’t even understand what a queen was back then. She was just Aunty Allora to me.” Clementine grinned, stamping her feet in excitement. “And once we had a tea party in her room and I got to wear this little tiara. Though, I refused to wear a dress so I was sitting there in my trousers and shirt while wearing this diamond encrusted tiara.”
“No way.” Max laughed, then her smile suddenly faded as she realized that she had no memories like that with her family. Her mother worked most of the time at a workhouse, trying to scrape up enough money for her and her two brothers to live off of. Her father had been a sailor who died before she was ten. She was too young to understand what lost at sea meant and simply thought that he was lost and needed to find his way back home. It was hard realization, knowing that now she was the one who would never return.
“Something wrong?” Clementine asked, noticing the expression on Max’s face.
“I’m Fine,” Max said. “I just suddenly came to the realization that I won’t ever be able to go back home.”
“I’m sorry,” Clementine said, resting a hand on Max’s shoulder. “Do you have family?”
Max only nodded. There was a pain growing in her chest now. The more she thought about it, the tighter the pain became. She had come accustomed to long stents away from home, but she had always known that it would be there waiting for her and she would always be able to come back to it. But now she never would.