Ben could hear a number of the watchers make some form of noise. He glanced at the prime minister and Captain Dakkon who still smiled. The general was the first to speak.
"Do you decline the gifts given to you by our Emperor and insult him in all of our presence?" Ben looked at the emperor who had his poker face on, then to the general.
"General Raza, I did not say I wouldn’t accept them. There are many true stories amongst my people about gifts given sometimes for seemingly no reason but in the end, there was a catch, an ulterior motive."
"You accuse our emperor of a deception? I should kill you right now."
"General, this is why you and I are not politicians. We are out of our league when it comes understanding the workings of those in power over us. I do not accuse or imply anything, I just seek knowledge and to know my part. I am not a lover of surprises."
"Prime Minister Jinwasys said, "General, we have witnessed Benjamin as have you display courage and honor while facing death. You sent him weaponless to find a child and he returned with one. Fighting a beast off with stones and small knife. Why did you not go yourself, General Raza?"
"Are you questioning my honor, prime minister?" The General's deep voice boomed.
"Enough!" The emperor said, his voice even and stern.
Ben said, "I am sorry, your Highness. I should have known the question would cause a problem. I only wanted to know if there were strings attached or an obligation that I could possibly not fulfill."
"No, Benjamin. You can thank the general actually. His actions put an invited guest in danger, you should have not been involved regardless of what the general and the Princess Aok decided. These weapons carry the Imperial seal and can be carried anywhere in the Allond Empire. You do not have to surrender them at anytime. The general and I will speak later of your place in our society. The ship was a gift at the urging of my brothers. It had been intended for the chosen leader of the Allith but they refused our offers. My brothers felt they saw something in you and I begin to understand. Your standing is a Ally of the Empire. You may travel through our Empire with no fear. That I may seek your council on occasion is the only string attached."
"Thank you, your Highness. I may want to stay and explore your world and your empire. Does the offer hold to my crew?"
"Of course, although you are responsible for their actions which I am sure you are already." Ben secured his weapons and Nedra finished the demonstration. Tensions had returned to normal.
The emperor said, "Let us join the others in the reception. Benjamin, Nedra will take you and the colonel as well as the captain. The rest of you stay and accompany me. We will be along in a few moments."
Ben walked in silence. Three Allond females glanced at him as they walked. Questioning the emperor was not something that happened every day. Nedra felt the emperor had a plan that involved Ben but was not ready to talk with him about it.
The great hall had a large buffet set up. Ben stared in wonder at how many different races of aliens were present. He looked for E'Aria or anyone from the crew but there had to be five hundred bodies milling around.
"Where are you? I am by the entrance with three Allond females."
"Of course you are, you should mingle. Lorelei and I have dates for later for the formal announcements and are busy right now."
"Ok, I will see you later. I am going to my apartment."
"You can't. I am sure there are guests here who will want to meet you."
"Hopefully they are familiar with disappointment, if not I’ll introduce them to it"
"Thank you Nedra but I am still a bit tired from the trip and having a gunship beat on me. I am going to my apartment to rest."
"But it has just started, later there is a formal reception."
"Yes, I know. I hope the three of you enjoy yourselves. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do." Ben turned and walked out. It was not hard getting back to his room. He really was tired and they had just arrived. He didn’t want to retell the stories to every Tom, Dick and Harry who pretended to be interested.
Ben locked the door and removed his battle axe, followed by the belt and long knife. He removed his boots and armor and hung it up. He took off the thermal suit leaving only his boxers. There was a very large rug in the area that represented a large sitting room. Ben pushed the chairs and tables off of it and began to stretch. After a few minutes, he put the battle ax back on and cinched it up tight.
He had decided to practice catching it on release and swinging it up into a two-handed stance with the point targeting the opponent. He moved in exaggerated slow motion trying to get a feel for the weight and balance; he didn’t want to accidently cut his own leg off. He would access instructions on fighting with it tomorrow on the ship using the gym there. He knew no one would be around.
He moved around the room in a pair of boxers holding the axe with two hands spread about two feet apart. He was imagining how he would use it if he fought someone with a sword. Blocking then kicking or kneeing then two-handed swings in a figure eight motion. It had turned into a workout as he pushed harder. Movement caught his eye as he looked over to see Nedra, E'Aria and Alona watching him. Instead of stopping, Ben went towards them, never missing a beat swinging the axe; he never changed his expression just advanced. They backed out quickly, E'Aria screaming in his head, Nedra and Alona eyes wide. He slammed the door and propped a chair against it instead of locking it. Evidently, they could override the lock.
He walked to the shower taking his axe with him ignoring the knocking and yelling. Nedra spoke into her com and waited.
"He is in bathroom. I believe in the shower."
"You have surveillance in his room?" Alona asked.
"In every room, Prime Minister, but they are not being monitored unless there is reason. Do not ask me anything else about it as it is not my decision."
"I am going back!" E'Aria said, still mad.
"You and the prime minister go, I will wait on him and have the guards drag him if necessary," Nedra said.
Alona replied. "Not advisable Nedra. Dear, just have patience."
Ben was out of the shower three minutes later and the knocking on the door started again. He ignored it and knew he was being watched, otherwise why would the knocking start just when he came out of the bathroom. He didn’t sense E'Aria out in the hall. He began to dress and decided he would stay on the Claymore.
Moving the chair, he opened the door. Facing him was Nedra and three Allond palace guards. He pushed the release and swung the axe up, stopping an inch from her face.
"Move, now!" Ben growled.
"Your presence is requested at the reception. The Emperor has assured the requester of your presence at this time." The guards were getting impatient and angry. One started to move forward and Ben pulled the long knife pointing it at him.
"Are you good enough? Another step and we will find out."
"Benjamin please, the Queen of the Cjittan has arrived at the reception and is asking for you."
"Damn! Really? She couldn’t talk to someone else. She has to know someone there at the reception."
"Please." Nedra asked again, pleading. Ben sheathed his knife and axe.
"Get rid of them. I am not going to be escorted in under guard." He looked at the guards. "Get out of my way." He walked towards the guards, giving them only a second to move out of the way.
Chapter 18
Nedra led Ben through the crowd. It was obvious where the queen and her entourage happened to be. The wings of a beautiful giant moth were moving slowly up and down almost silently compared to the on and off buzzing of the wings of a giant wasp which was about every ten seconds. Ben wondered which one of the two was the queen. Guests moved out of their way as they saw the warrior in black and the handle of the battle axe a foot above his shoulder. It didn’t take too long to get within 20 feet of the giant insects. Ben thought the queen would be telepathic and would have said something by time he was within ten feet. He chose the moth, hoping the beauti
ful creature was the correct choice. He removed his gloves hoping his bare hands might not be intimidating. Maybe it was a good call; the moth stepped forward.
Ben wasn’t sure what would happen so he held his ground. He could see his reflection in the large black eyes as he looked up. The moth dipped its head and gently bumped Ben in the chest. It had a soft, wheat-colored fur. Ben reached out and scratched it between the eyes. A long tongue unrolled and wrapped around his other hand. There still was no communication, if the others could communicate why couldn’t this one? He looked at the wasp the size of an elephant and moved in front of it. He considered putting his gloves back on. The wasp seemed to get agitated and the wings buzzed about every three seconds now. "Shit. . ."
Ben heard the crowd backing away, the sound of shoes, boots and feet moving quickly. It didn’t look like he was going to get a love bump on the chest from this one. He was hoping it wasn’t the queen because he was about to punch her between the eyes instead of a friendly scratching. The head came down with its maw already making chewing noises. Ben waited and slapped the side of its mouth then punched it between the eyes.
"No!" Ben yelled and held his arm out palm up. The wasp came in again and he slapped the other side punching it again between the eyes.
"No!" Ben yelled over the constant buzzing of the pissed off wasp.
"Which one of you is the queen? I am hoping it’s you." Ben turned towards the moth.
A voice said. "It is neither of them." Ben turned to find the emperor and a half dozen Allond he knew and someone he didn’t. The Allond were all smiling, Nedra was behind everyone hoping Ben hadn’t seen her. The person directly in front of him was out of ancient history.
"Benjamin, may I present Queen Tazleaha of the Cjittan. Ben didn’t know where she was standing when he walked up to the insects. He must have had tunnel vision not to see the gold and silver armor and the long platinum hair. She was as tall as him, with angular features and large black eyes and porcelain skin. She wore a metal helmet that wrapped around her face with two fins on top. A high metal collar protected her neck while the shoulders, elbows, and knees all had sharp spikes. The upper torso, arm, and shin guards had the look of scales carved throughout. She wore a long crimson cape that fell to about an inch off the floor. She could have fit into many different ancient earth cultures. Ben didn’t believe in any gods but he had read and liked military history which also touched on the religious beliefs of the different periods.
Next to her was a being as tall as an Allond pushing seven plus feet and every inch the look of a killer. Its purple and black skin, sharpened teeth and horns flowing to the rear was also right out of religious history. There was no tail or pitchfork, just a very pissed off expression. It wore leather-like armor minus boots or gloves. It had three-toed feet and three-fingered hands with wicked claws. No one introduced it.
Ben figured to push his luck and instead of greeting the queen, he stepped up to the demonoid.
Ben asked. "What is your name, big guy?" No one spoke and it became very quiet. "If I offended you then I am sorry, but if you’re just permanently pissed off at the universe like me then I can respect that and we can give each other some space."
"I believe he is the latter." Ben turned to look at the Queen who was actually smiling.
"Did he understand anything I said?" Ben remembered to add, "Your Highness."
"No he didn't, he believes you gave us insult by greeting our mounts first." Ben couldn’t hear her voice but she was still smiling and amused. Another telepath it just keeps getting better.
"I am sorry. Would you convey that I thought your mounts were so magnificent I couldn’t help but look at them while I waited for you to finish your discussion with the emperor."
"But the emperor and I were waiting on you."
"Does he know that? Can he follow your conversations?"
"No."
"Ok, so can you help me or am I going to get my new axe dirty?" Ben smiled at her hoping she could see he was still trying to work something out. Everyone standing around them wasn’t sure what would happen next. They knew there was communication between Ben and the Queen by their facial features. The queen confronted whatever it was and sent it over to calm down the wasp who was still slightly irritated. She turned and got right in Ben’s face.
Queen Tazleaha said, "I have been hearing about you for quite some time. First from the Allith, then my ministers who have been missing, possibly dead and lately from Emperor Xamand." Ben looked into her onyx black eyes. She was so close he could smell flowers and honey. It made sense; she probably bathed in a tub of pure honey.
"I do, does the smell please you?" She spoke out loud and was smirking. She did that on purpose. Ben looked around and they were all waiting on his reply.
"Sorry, I am allergic to honey." He lied and was glad he had his helmet on. The queen frowned but only for a second, then smiled again. "It is known that if you receive small doses of what you are allergic to, over time the allergy may go away."
"Unless it’s life threatening. Then you could break out in all sorts of nasty things and you could stop breathing and die."
"Do I look dangerous to you?"
"Yes. I think you are the most dangerous being in this giant hall."
"I understand your meaning young one, and take it as a compliment."
Ben unsnapped his helmet and took it off. He put his gloves inside it and looked for Nedra. "Nedra, would your hold these for me or have someone put them in my apartment. It is unlocked, no reason to lock doors around here." The Emperor heard the comment and began staring at Nedra, who was trying to shrink her seven foot frame down to three. "Payback's a bitch," Ben thought.
Ben looked around the great hall. He could see there were some empty tables. "Your Highness, I have news of your ministers. If you would like to sit down I will relay to you what I know as of just over a week ago."
The queen nodded then looked at the emperor. "Xamand, would you like to join us and have your staff bring us some refreshment?"
"Yes Queen Tazleaha, I would love to join you. Let us all sit, my servants will attend us."
E'Aria, Alona, Emily, and Lorelei sat with the Emperor, Prime Minister Jinwasys, Captain Dakkon, Colonel Dakkon and Captain Jinwasys. General Raza was last to sit and he positioned himself so he could watch the Queen’s bodyguard.
"It would be faster Your Highness, if I just showed you. Everyone here has heard the story probably more than once. There are parts I do not wish to speak of if that is acceptable." Before she could answer, E'Aria interrupted.
"Ben, I do not believe that is a good idea. Just tell her and be done with it." The Queen looked at E'Aria her, expression neutral.
"He has offered to share with me young princess, and I am inclined to accept that offer. Do not interfere." She put her hands out in front of her. "Take my hands if you would, Benjamin." He put his hands in hers.
He felt her in his head like she just rented it for the summer. She grabbed his earliest memories, most of which were the loss of his family. Then growing up next door to Emily, his first love. She slowed as she watched his enlistment in the Colonial Marines and his many battles with the Allith, Pirates and at times, Rebels who got out of hand. Then his discharge and life on Anubis.
She saw his mundane life till Andrea came along and she saw for a second the love but now replaced by pain and sorrow of more current memories. She saw a warrior who had loyal soldiers who would follow him anywhere. A warrior with the qualities to draw good people to him who die for him even though he put himself in danger more often for his people. The rescue of E'Aria and the Trillonds from Hyson and the miners as well.
Ben had his eyes closed as she watched his life unfold. He made noises and yelled at times like it was a dream. She found her way to his meeting the Allond and the skirmish with the Allith on the ship and his giving of the sword to the Captain. She looked at the emperor when she saw the gift of the Claymore and nodded to him her approval. The arrival of her sc
out ships was of interest to her. She saw how the advanced scouts of the horde attacked the ships and then saw where Ben returned to rescue his mate. He killed some of her soldiers but then he met the ministers who were with the advanced scouting party.
The Queen slowed it down so she could hear her ministers and Ben speak to one another. She saw his anger, not for her soldiers but his own soldiers as he went to find them. For the scene in the hold, she slowed to listen to him as he one by one threw their bodies to their deaths waiting below and at the same time, forming a bond with her ministers for what they took as a kindness. She was not interested in his life on Anubis with Andrea and the rest, so she sped through to their departure and again found him ensuring help to his friends in the Warhammer.
Now she arrived at what he wanted to show her. The beacons on Hyson and her ministers and soldiers. She saw his conversation with them and the battle with the young spider. She looked at Ben’s chest and saw the scratches on the armor from the spiders fangs. Then he did another kindness and wounded enough of the Allith for her people to feed and survive. She would need to get a ship in to retrieve them.
The queen knew she could stop at this point but she went ahead and saw the death of Andrea and destruction of the gunboat. How his crew rescued them and then departed to continue to Allond. His recovery was laced with anger and sorrow and blame. He constantly blamed himself for all his losses; his family, his soldiers, his mate. At the planet Lotham, he was sent weaponless to rescue a child in a forest with large predators. Even when he should have killed the fat governor, he walked away.
Ben had stopped yelling about Andrea and had calmed down. He was sweating and his head lay forward on their hands resting on the table. E'Aria was pissed and had to be forcefully held by General Raza. Emperor Xamand knew Ben was in no danger other than reliving his life in less than five minutes. If it would help to secure a peace, then it was a small price to pay.
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