The Tourney

by Juliet Sem

  "We had a big to-do last night, with all the counts, countess, and assorted other nobles, so those who have already met Prince Dinus will understand about not being invited tonight. We'll have some tables moved around the formal dining hall to create that intimate setting you had in mind. I think that's an excellent idea to see how he reacts to being so close to the Shatopa and Chtawlikt."

  "The prince told us last night that the Autocracy didn't approach Weegai because they aren't familiar with democracy and feared a faux pas could ruin any chance at trade. You will want to pass that on before Weegai's senator meets Prince Dinus. They are bound to be questioning why they weren't approached, being located two and a half light years closer to the Autocracy's star cluster than we are," Mewa added.

  "I'll tell him as soon as I have a chance," Korin said, buttering steaming Sandarian bread and sighing as he bit into the soft roll. "I may try and steal your chef, brother," he said after finishing the roll and reaching for another. "They don't make bread like this on Uriel."

  Keestu finished breakfast in silence, fascinated by the conversation. She had been very young on her trip to tour the Union. She remembered the hustle of vehicles through busy streets laid out between tall buildings on Uriel, and she never grew tired of hearing her uncle talk about living there or visiting Kielra and the other member planets of the Union.

  A knock sounded, and when Ismer gave permission to enter, one of Korin's assistants, a native of Uriel, was announced. He bowed his way to the table, presenting Korin with a locked briefcase that was bound to his arm by a chain. "Your satchel, Senator," he said blandly as he offered his hand. Korin took a key from a pocket and unlocked the chain, releasing his assistant from guard duty. "Thanks Morquan. Please supervise the unloading of my other office supplies into my suite on the third floor, and take your usual suite on the second floor, as we'll be here for the week."

  "As you wish, Senator," Morquan bowed his way out.

  Korin laid the briefcase on its side and pressed his thumb to the electronic lock to open it, and Keestu and Hemda, who were on the other side of the table from Korin, couldn't see what the it contained.

  Hemda started bouncing in her seat after the door closed behind Morquan. "Gift satchel Un' Korin? What'd you bring me this time?"

  Korin looked around the room to make certain there was only family present before pulling anything out of his briefcase. Seeing his concern, Ismer picked up the control box that he kept near him in the dining hall. He pressed a button, and the heavy locks that secured all three sets of doors that led into the room clicked into place, and Keestu knew the red "do not disturb" lights would be shining above the doors as well.

  "Secure," Ismer said, as Korin smiled at him.

  "I have the components you requested, Ismer," Korin said, taking out a small sealed metal tube, handing it over to Ismer without further comment.

  "Thanks," Ismer said, "I'm glad you got these on such short notice." He didn't open the tube before slipping it into his robe's pocket.

  "Now," Korin continued with his gifts. "For the ladies, I have the latest in fashion from Uriel, color change pearls!" He pulled out two sizeable boxes and two smaller ones, handing the first large one to Mewa with a smile and a flourish, the second large one to Keestu, and the smaller two boxes to Hemda. "You get two boxes, Hemda, because the strands are too big for you to wear them all at once yet. So use one set of strands box now and keep the others until you get older; the jeweler can join the strands when you're big enough so your strands will be the same length as Kee's and Mewa's."

  "Color pearls!" Hemda eagerly fumbled her boxes open, pulling out a short double strand of pearls. They sparkled white with bluish tones in the light at first, but as they warmed to the room's temperature, the sheen reflecting off them took on pink tones, which darkened or lightened as the air temperature changed. "Pwetty," she lisped. "Tank eww Un' Korin."

  Korin positively beamed as he watched Keestu open her box. Her necklace consisted of three full sized strands of the pearls. Hers also had a bluish tone until exposed to the warmer air of the dining hall. "Oh, it's lovely, Uncle Korin. Thank you so much!" She closed the box and set it aside with a proprietary pat. "I know just the gown to wear it with to dinner tonight!"

  Mewa revealed her necklace to be a twin to Kee's, which she immediately put on. Ismer helped her with the clasp, and then leaned back to enjoy the results. Reacting with her body heat and the temperature of the room, the pearls alternated shimmering tones of delicate blues and pinks over their natural pearly color. "Oh, Korin," Mewa said, "I'm sure it's way too much."

  "Nonsense," Korin said, grinning at all the females in the room. "I knew the moment I saw them that they'd be welcome wardrobe accessories."

  "Now, for our patient young bucks," Korin said. He reached into the briefcase again and pulled out two even larger boxes. "For our older prince, a comprehensive vid chip set of Union battle tactics, complete with visual aids, star maps, and Sandarian battle cruiser schematics. I already programmed your box's lock with your thumb print, since it's on file."

  "All right!" Skomer thumbed his box open and dug into it with gusto. "They let you copy it for me? Thanks for keeping after them to release it, Uncle Korin."

  Korin tousled his still wild hair, "They sure did, Skomer, but you are not to let the contents of this box leave the palace; some of the information is confidential, and the only reason Dota released it is because you are well on your way to becoming a lead military man here."

  Skomer nodded solemnly. "I'll keep it in my room's safe when I'm not studying it."

  "And finally for Kang, also as requested, the complete vid chip set of Union protocol procedures, including relevant military chips regarding local customs of all member planets, plus supplemental chips containing what we know of the cultures outside the Union, including the Mining Consortium and the sentient life on the nearby independent planets of Triker, Rillul, and Teméash. Again, this is eyes only information, so keep that box in your bedroom's safe when you aren't studying the material."

  "Thanks, Uncle Korin!" Kang took his box with as much dignity as he could, but Keestu noted his hands shaking slightly with excitement as he placed his thumb to the reader and began pulling out vid chips one by one and reading their titles.

  His briefcase was now empty of gifts, and Korin placed the security chain and its key inside before closing it.

  Keestu saw Ismer raise his eyebrows questioningly at Korin, who nodded assent. Ismer unlocked the dining room, and a kitchen servant immediately entered with a fresh pot of javene, refilling all the adults' cups, while other staff members began clearing the remnants of breakfast.

  Ismer's steward appeared in the doorway and bowed. "Our guest has awakened and dined privately, Your Majesty," he said.

  "Thanks Loarn. Show him into my first floor office and let him know I'll be there shortly." Ismer pulled out the tube holding the components he'd had Korin bring him from Uriel. "Get these to the jeweler right away. She's waiting in Crown Princess Keestu's office."

  Loarn took the tube without comment, bowed again, and vanished.

  "Unless I read the calendar wrong before flying home, today's a rest day," Korin said, looking confused.

  "Well, not with company," Mewa said, smiling slyly. "Prince Dinus has already asked to trade for a thousand half liter bottles of hirot and one hundred kilograms of hirot stalks. We have yet to see what he has to offer in trade."

  Korin rolled his eyes. "I almost pity him," he said, "If you're in on it Mewa!"

  Mewa laughed, and then sobered, "I assure you, Korin, it will be to everyone's benefit." But, her eyes were shining in anticipation of the trade.

  "I'm sending Kee per their invite to view their Tourney," Ismer offered suddenly. "You did read the information I sent you regarding how their rulers are chosen?"

  "What?" Korin was taken aback. "But she's only," he did some figuring in his head. "Great Rentham, she's sixteen? When did that happen?"

  "My bir
thday was last month," Keestu said, "You sent me a gift!"

  Everyone laughed, then Ismer sobered. "Our prince mistook Rue for Kee, and vice versa, so we are letting the impression stand."

  Korin looked impressed. "Her first solo diplomat mission, and she's undercover as well?"

  "The Autocracy has been isolated so long, I feel it's prudent to see how the general populace feels about the idea of the trade treaty. The prince mentioned they trade with the Triker and Rillul, so I'm certain it's a legitimate offer, but as you said, we don't know how exophobic they may be, despite their interactions with the Triker and Rillul. The prince may act differently in front of Kee if he thinks she's only a servant and they ever end up alone."

  "I've been gone too long this time," Korin grumbled. "Kee's gone and grown up. Next thing you know, Skomer will be the space fleet's Admiral!"

  Ismer grinned at his brother in good humor, then continued. "While the entire staff is aware of the situation, as are the nobles who attended dinner last night, there has been no public announcement about sending someone to see their tournament, and therefore the infocom doesn't know who our ambassador will be. I trust your discretion in keeping it that way until after Kee's left," Ismer concluded.

  Korin nodded. "Of course. I'll inform the other Senators and President Dota only. I won't even mention it in my message to Nahtua. She knows I'll fill her in when I get back, anyway. What else is on the agenda for the week?"

  The infocom chimed for attention. Ismer turned it on. "The royal tailor is here, Your Majesty," was the brief message.

  "Thank you," Ismer said before turning the infocom off. "Kee, go hunt up Rue and get her going on her wardrobe for her mission."

  "But, I usually answer mail in the morning on my free days," Keestu said, frowning. She hated to let that get backed up. Some people got quite testy if it took you a long time to respond.

  "You can work on it while she's fitted, and maybe even give her some practice on handling some of it. My steward does most of mine with my complete confidence."

  Keestu nodded as she got up, taking her pearl box, hugged Uncle Korin once again, and murmured in his ear, "We'll talk later."

  He nodded and absently kissed her cheek before she left the room. Her father's voice echoed and faded behind her as she went for the lift. "Let me tell you about the seating arrangements for tonight, Korin..." The door hissed shut behind Keestu, cutting off the rest of her father's sentence, but she was certain he was telling Korin about having a food taster.

  Chapter four

  Keestu found Rue waiting for her in the third floor multi-use room, which also served as the tailoring suite. She plopped down beside her on the couch to await the tailor and his helpers.

  "My Uncle Korin's here for the first official senatorial dinner with the Autocracy prince tonight," Keestu said, "Since you are impersonating me, expect the possibility of shows of familial affection from him."

  Rue flushed at this news, making Keestu suspect that perhaps Rue had a childhood crush on her handsome and affable uncle. If so, she wouldn't be the only member of the palace staff who had pined for the handsome Prince and senator until he had suddenly announced his betrothal to Nahtua the previous year.

  "Look what he brought for me," Keestu continued, showing the box to Rue. "They're really neat, turn shades of blue in cooler air and then back to pinks when warmed. I can't wait to wear them tonight. He got the same necklace for my mother and younger sister," Keestu sat back, realization dawning. "Oh paj!"

  Rue started, taken aback by her curse. "What is it, Kee?"

  "I can't wear this tonight, or it will give away who I am. You have to wear it. I'm not mad at you, or the fact that you get to wear it, but I can't wear either it or the dress I'd planned on, or we'll get found out."

  "Well, I'm glad you thought of it now," Rue said. "It might be awkward to try and explain something like that to Prince Dinus. Are you sure you want me to wear it?"

  "It's family tradition. Get a wearable gift and wear it to the next formal meal to honor the giver," Keestu explained. "Though honor's not an issue, with it being such a beautiful piece. Korin says they're all the rage on Uriel right now."

  "Where do the pearls come from?"

  "You know, I forgot to ask," Keestu said, frowning. "The tailor got here, and I was sent to tell you that you need to get started on wardrobe if we're to get out of here on time."

  The vidcom chimed. Keestu jumped up and dropped gracelessly in front of the screen and thumbed the on button. "Yes?"

  Her father's face appeared. "Is Princess Keestu available, Rue?"

  Keestu straightened up and answered formally, "Yes, Your Majesty. She's waiting for the tailor to clear security. I'll go get her." She bobbed her head at the screen and got up, motioning for Rue to tiptoe across the room.

  Rue carefully sat down in front of the screen. "Yes, father?"

  "The jeweler has finished your new headdress. I wanted to make sure you were decent before sending it up."

  "Yes, of course. Thank you, father," Rue took as formal an approach as she could, trying to convey both dignity and respect.

  The vidcom went blank, and Keestu thumbed the control off for Rue. Rue looked up, her eyes large.

  "It's not easy playing princess with your whole family in on it," she admitted, voice a little shaky. "I'm afraid I'll really mess it up somehow."

  Keestu patted her shoulder, saying, "Keeping it dignified and slightly formal in front of the visitor is exactly the way I'd be expected to act. Just keep doing things this way, and you'll get through fine. Now, let's see what fabrics the tailor has."

  Rue relaxed visibly, and smiled widely, "Thanks, Kee, I mean it. I'm glad you're okay with this. I never knew being princess could be so hard, and I'm here every day. But, how do you deal with all the staring that goes on?"

  "After a while, you just get used to it. Fork fumbles at the table can happen to anyone, and learning to listen more than talk can be hard, but after a lot of practice, you tend to get the hang of it."

  "Fork fumbles?"

  "Yeah, I also wanted to warn you, we've got the senators from Shatopa and Chtawlikt at the dinner table tonight, so try not to look surprised when they are announced and you see them. The only other senator who is going to be there tonight is Uncle Korin; the human senators from Kielra, Weegai, and Uriel will be here tomorrow, so expect another heavy formal dinner tomorrow night."

  Rue groaned at the news. She had a taller and thinner frame than Keestu, but she, too, found it difficult to maintain her weight with all the formal dinners she attended as Keestu's handmaiden.

  "Well," Keestu continued, "The good news is that we'll probably be moved further down the table tonight, as more places of honor will be needed close to mother and father, and while I am Crown Princess, excuse me, Your Highness, you are Crown Princess Pro Tem," she grinned to show her glee at their continued 'game', "You get to sit at the high table all the time, and therefore to be gracious must accept a lesser status than that of multiple honored guests. You could end up sitting next to the senator from Shatopa or Chtawlikt, or even Uncle Korin. I'll check the seating arrangements, so all you have to do is follow my lead to your seat."

  The door chimed, and the tailor entered the suite. "Your Highness," he said formally while bowing with slow dignity. "How lovely to see you again," he continued, looking her over with a critical eye.

  "It's not me but Rue who needs clothing, Vakon," Keestu explained. "I'm going on a diplomatic trip soon, and she needs an appropriate wardrobe to accompany me," Keestu explained.

  "How formal?"

  "Very," Keestu said, "We'll be touring outside the Union soon, and King Ismer has decided we need your expertise in properly dressing my handmaiden for the trip. I've been instructed to tell you she should be dressed as you would dress me, i.e. in bold colors, and she needs two full weeks of outfits."

  "I see," he said briskly, motioning to his herd of assistants.

  One was directed to measure Rue,
who found herself ushered into the sizing circle. It was activated, the upper half detaching itself and humming up her body, stopping just above the top of her head.

  "Measurements recorded," the assistant sang out. Meanwhile, others were busy bringing in bolts of cloth, including satins, fine linens, light and heavy wools, and machine and handmade laces in a variety of colors. Others brought in boxes of accessories: Ribbons, trims, beaded bands, buttons, zippers, and shaping stays. Another box held cobbler's tools. The crew began setting up the palace's sewing machines and cobbling equipment, which occupied one third of the large room.

  "Yes," Vakon said, looking over Rue's measurements and then at her actual shape. "Very good. I think perhaps designs 1-481, 1-262, 2-7523, all those with a variety of shirts and matching shoes will be a good start," Vakon directed, giving a variety of fabric color and trim choices to his assistants, who quickly printed out the patterns and began to cut the bolts of cloth.

  "Design 2-7523?" Keestu asked. "A new one from Uriel?"

  "Yes, Your Highness," Vakon replied, showing her his datapad's screen which showed an image of Rue's scanned body with the dress overlaid. It was a lovely dress, simple and slim in line, with a froth of contrasting colored lace on the front of the bodice with closely fitted lace cuffs at the ends of the long sleeves.

  "Cold climate or hot?" Vakon asked.

  "We have been informed that the conditions will vary on the several planets we'll be visiting, Vakon," Keestu said.

  "I see. Well, we'll do two pair of shoes for each outfit, short pumps and ankle boots so Rue can choose the appropriate ones for the conditions, then. Plus, a matching parasol and cloak for each." He chose cloth and metal frames for each parasol, and a team of laborers immediately began working on those. Another was set to cutting out cloth for voluminous cloaks to go over each of the new dresses.