The Courier's Conflict

by T. S. Valmond

  “Hold your tongue. You’re speaking with the incumbent, or did you forget?” Tobi glared.

  Keabasi raised her hands. “Please, gentlemen, the princess can only do so much with the resources she has. We must do what’s necessary to help her.”

  “Yes,” Rasha said, “and since none of you are on the front lines fighting, it’s up to us to get things done while you’re getting your daily massage.” She looked directly into Falasad’s eyes until he looked away. Then she turned to go.

  “You need to rest, Princess. We’ll re-convene in the morning,” Gungbe said to her departing back.

  2

  AFTER THREE MONTHS OF living in the palace, Rasha still hadn’t learned how to get up with the sun like everyone else.

  The morning after the battle she was awakened by a rapping on the door. She groaned. After a couple of half-hearted attempts, she managed to poke her head out from under the thick blankets. The knocking persisted, and Temi growled in annoyance. Once he’d growled at the sun on her behalf when she wasn’t ready to get up.

  “Princess. The council has gathered. They’re waiting for you.” When the door opened a crack, Temi lunged, and it closed with a bang.

  Rasha sighed. She yawned and looked at her communicator to check the time. The message light flashed frantically for attention. She ignored it as she had since taking on the role of princess incumbent. She was late—it was close to half past the hour. She figured she might as well skip the whole thing.

  The next person who came to the door didn’t knock. Rasha’s hand went to the knife she kept between the bed and the frame. As the door swung open she threw the knife. It stuck in the door, quivering at head height. She pulled the blankets back up, and Jak strolled in with one eyebrow raised. He pulled out the knife and closed the door behind him. Temi, moved away from the door and did nothing more than rub his head against Jak’s leg as he passed. Jak gave him a pat and moved to sit on the edge of her bed.

  “Sleeping late, are we?” He clucked his tongue at her and shook his head. “Lousy aim, but I trust you slept.” He put the gem-studded gold knife on the table beside her.

  Rasha groaned.

  “I’m tired.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m not even dressed yet.”

  “You’ll want to be. They frown on that kind of thing in the council chambers,” Jak said, grinning as he leaned back across her legs, pinning her there.

  “Isn’t one locked up princess enough?” she asked. She started inching away, keeping the blankets up to her chin.

  Rasha slid out a tentative foot and touched the floor. “Oh!” She hurriedly pulled it back under the blanket.

  “Come on now, you can’t have it both ways. Either you’re coming out or I’m coming in there after you.”

  He pounced on her, trapping her under his weight.

  “Get off!” Rasha said. “You need to lay off the dessert tray.”

  “But the caramels are so good.” He nibbled her ear, making her squeal.

  Another knock at the door, and Temi growled.

  “Coming,” Jak singsonged in falsetto.

  “That doesn’t even sound like me.” Rasha gave him a knee to the rib, and he got off of her.

  “Thank you, Princess,” The voice behind the door replied.

  Jak laughed as she rolled her eyes.

  “Get out.”

  “I’ll wait in the hall, but if you’re not out in five minutes, I’m coming back. And I’ll dress you myself if I have to.” Jak winked and moved to the door.

  “You can try, but you’ll be pulling my knife out of a major organ.” Rasha flashed him a smile and wriggled her throwing fingers at him.

  He closed the door behind him, and she leapt from the bed. Rasha was dressed and ready five minutes later. Jak was leaning against the wall, waiting.

  “Oh.”

  “What?”

  “I like when you do that to your hair, it looks good pulled up.”

  “Whatever that means.” She ignored his open appraisal and the flutter of her heart as she walked away.

  He’d let his facial hair grow into a patchy beard, and it was strange to see him so changed. She couldn’t decide if it suited him. He looked a little wiser and older. She’d be eighteen herself in a couple of months, but she didn’t feel like it mattered. When they made her the princess incumbent and pinned their hopes of defeating the beasts and saving the kingdom on her shoulders, girlish pleasures seemed insignificant.

  3

  LADI BOUNCED UP TO meet them on their way to the council chambers.

  “Good morning, all,” she said, giving Jak a long, slow look. “You’re looking handsome this morning.”

  “Thank you,” Rasha said, misunderstanding on purpose. “We’re late. Can I help you with something?”

  Jak choked back laughter.

  “You can,” Ladi replied. “Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday. I overstepped.”

  “Yes, you did. Ebere is a licensed courier, and you’re not.”

  “Yes, I understand.”

  “Not that he doesn’t have room for growth.” Rasha stopped and turned to face her. “I’m tired of your jealousy. Put it away, Ladi, or I’ll force the issue, and you can go home to your very kind and loving parents.”

  Ladi bit back whatever it was she was planning to say and crossed her arms. Rasha and Jak left her standing there and went on to the council chambers.

  Jak put his hand on her lower back.

  “You’ve got this,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I know, but thanks for saying so.”

  “They’re not going to like Temi coming in with us.”

  Rasha looked down. She hadn’t even realized Temi was there. He looked up at her expectantly.

  “He’s the only one who can detect the beasts. They’ll have to get used to him some time.” Rasha stormed in, Jak beside her and Temi behind her.

  4

  WHEN RASHA AND JAK arrived, the council was discussing the growing population and the need for more resources. Rasha interrupted and asked the only question that mattered to her.

  “Where are my fighters?”

  “The call was sent. We await the reply,” Keabasi reminded them.

  “And in the south? The seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth?”

  Xeku said, “Wanaka has sent more men. They should be there in a day or two.”

  “How many?”

  “Approximately two hundred.”

  “I want to be informed the minute they arrive.”

  “Your Highness.” Xeku gave her a slight bow.

  “Sidoa and Vol promised reinforcements weeks ago. Where are they?”

  “They were stranded by weather at the Chilali border, Your Highness.”

  “How many?”

  “Fifty, Your Highness.”

  “Fifty each? What do they think this is, a schoolyard spat?” She looked pointedly at the councilman from Sidoa.

  “No, that’s fifty in total. They’re small and don’t have as many men to call on,” Xeku said.

  Ummo, the councilman from Sidoa, looked away, embarrassed. He recognized that for the weak excuse it was. Hard feelings and spite were the real reason.

  “They are sending beasts by the thousands, and we are still scraping together a few hundred fighters at a time. Is it any wonder we’re losing this battle?” Rasha couldn’t understand their shortsightedness. They would rather wait for the fight to reach their homelands than to stand with Adalu now.

  “What is the latest report from the scouts?” Rasha asked.

  “The beasts have pulled back. We expect it will be several days, at least, before they strike again.”

  From the corner of the room, Temi’s booming growl filled the chamber. The councilmen covered their ears.

  “The council feels that for now, royals should return to the palace and duties of state that cannot be delegated, such as addressing the realm,” Gungbe called over the din.

  “We have already discuss
ed this. Jak and I cannot waste time attending balls and waving at crowds. We need to be at the front, defending the kingdom.” Rasha was furious.

  “Our combined forces will break up into factions. They won’t take orders from other kingdoms. They are rallied behind our leadership,” Jak said. “And furthermore, we can’t make the necessary split-second decisions watching the battle on a screen.”

  Keabasi banged her staff to get their attention again. “The palace and your realm need to be your priority.”

  “I’m not staying up here and playing princess while the beasts take down our people.” Rasha said, her voice climbing an octave and several decibels.

  “The role of incumbent princess is only temporary. You’ll be replaced soon enough. For now, you must keep up appearances.”

  Rasha found the whole thing demeaning.

  “Let’s be clear about something. This whole thing was your idea. I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here. However, since I am here and we all have a job to do, what I need is support from all of the Bolaji kingdoms. I refuse to be a figurehead and stand by watching the kingdom fall to its knees. I’m not going to smile and wave from behind the palace walls, I’m going to fight. Are the rest of you willing to do the same?”

  Rasha didn’t wait for an answer. She called Temi and stormed out. Jak went after her.

  “You handled yourself well in there. You didn’t hit anyone this time,” Jak said, giving her a poke in the ribs.

  “Stop it.” She slapped his hand away. “That was an accident. Sort of like the one you’re about to have.” She shoved him hard in the shoulder but he barely moved, instead shifting his weight and pulling her in by the waist.

  “Hey, come on now. Let’s go get in some practice time, put all that mad you’re carrying around to good use.”

  “Princess Rasha, may I have a moment of your time?” Ebere was standing shyly behind her, holding something she didn’t recognize.

  She was in no mood for another discussion. “Can it wait?”

  “This will only take a minute,” Ebere said insistently.

  “What is it?”

  Ebere looked up at her, his brownish-green eyes serious. He was an excellent second. He didn’t talk too much, and his large ears were always alert. He could hear things that even Temi didn’t catch.

  “Remember how you asked me to try and find a way to capture and trace messages between the beasts and our kingdom?”

  “Yes, I remember. Have you found something?” Rasha’s eyes followed Xeku as he approached his son. They stepped to one side, and their voices were too low to be heard.

  “I have, and you’re not going to like it.”

  5

  “I HOPE YOU’RE WELL,” Xeku said to his son.

  “I’m fine, thanks. I’m actually on my way somewhere. Did you need something?” Jak rolled his shoulders back. He glanced over and saw Ebere leaning in and saying something to Rasha.

  Xeku cleared his throat. “There is a problem in the palace.”

  Jak looked at him quizzically.

  “I hesitate to bring it up here, because there are so many ears,” Xeku said, watching a servant with a tray passing nearby.

  “Bring up what?” Jak asked impatiently.

  “I believe the attacks on the Bolaji kingdoms were in fact orchestrated from inside the palace.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “There’s no physical evidence. Only after analyzing the battles did it become apparent. Someone from the palace is relaying our every move to them.”

  Jak didn’t respond right away. He was deep in his own thoughts. If someone within the palace was giving their strategies to the beasts, they had to have access to their plans. The only people outside himself and Rasha with access were Ladi, Ebere, the council, and the military leaders. Jak noted Rasha’s posture had changed. She looked ready to pounce on someone. She must have felt him looking at her; she looked up and nodded toward the gym. He nodded and turned back to Xeku.

  “She still doesn’t know? The real reason you left that night?” Xeku asked.

  Jak tilted his head and gave Xeku what he hoped was a bored smirk. “I’ll tell her in good time. Don’t worry about that.”

  “You shouldn’t wait too long. She’ll discover the truth on her own, or someone else will tell her. It should come from you.”

  “Are you speaking from personal experience?”.

  “In fact, I am. You may not want to hear this, but I regret leaving your mother.”

  “She doesn’t regret your leaving. After having met you, I can’t say I’m sorry either. You’re a coward.” Jak spat out the words.

  “I gave up everything to do my duty and serve the ten kingdoms.”

  “You sit around the palace instead of fighting for what’s right. You send a girl to do the work for you. How long have you known there’s a spy on the council?” He held up a hand when Xeku started to speak. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it like we always do.” Jak spun on his heel and went to catch up with Rasha in the gymnasium.

  6

  “IT’S MOST LIKELY SOMEONE on the council,” Ebere whispered.

  Rasha wanted to punch someone. All of this, everything she’d done, was a sham? She was supposed to be the face of the palace. The incumbent princess and her prince playing heroes, while they plotted against her from the inside the entire time. Her pleas for reinforcements, delayed or even ignored.

  Jak stepped into their small circle and said quietly, “I’ve just heard from my father there might be spy.”

  “We have proof,” Ebere held up his device.

  Rasha said, “We should stop discussing our strategy with the council. Shut them out. If they don’t have our plans they can’t give them to the beasts.”

  “No.” Ebere and Jak replied in unison.

  “Why not?” Rasha asked.

  Jak nodded to Ebere.

  He explained, “If there’s a spy on the council we don’t want to alert them we’re aware of their presence. We’ll never catch them that way.”

  Jak continued, “The more confident they are the easier it will be to catch them. In fact, let them hang themselves with misinformation.”

  Ebere nodded. He’d been thinking the same thing.

  Rasha felt like a fool. She wanted to throw their lies in their faces. How could she trust anyone on the council? She looked up at Jak and asked the question.

  “Can we trust any of them?”

  “I doubt the traitor would tell us there’s a spy, and Xeku is the one that warned us. Although he doesn’t have a reputation for being forthright.”

  “Keep your personal feelings to yourself,” Rasha said, rolling her eyes.

  “And you don’t do the same? A second ago you were ready to disband the council based on Ebere’s word.” Jak poked at her ribs, but she deflected it with a swat of her hand.

  “I’m stating a fact. When it comes to your father you’re a little biased.”

  Jak bit back a response when a servant stopped in front of Rasha and whispered something to her.

  “Yahtz!”

  The servant didn’t wait for a reply. Rasha hung her head and, without a word, followed her.

  7

  “CAN THIS DAY GET any worse?” she muttered.

  “What’s wrong?” Jak and Ebere were trotting to catch up.

  “You two go on ahead to the gymnasium. Ladi should be there. I need to take care of some family business,” Rasha said. Temi watched the group split and followed Rasha. He preferred to stay at her side when they were in the palace.

  Rasha had been hungry all morning, but the sight of the dining room made her lose her appetite. The princesses being devoured here left a scar on her memory that wouldn’t heal. She had nightmares about it still. Of course, the room had been cleaned and painted, but it didn’t matter. She could smell the death and carnage clinging to the walls. Temi didn’t like it in any more than she did. When she opened the doors, he entered reluctantly and sat down near
the door.

  “Ah, there she is! Good morning my little princess!” her father said. The King of Chilali was attired as usual in his royal blue cape, wearing his crown. He was seated at the head of the table as if Adalu was his own kingdom. His wife was resplendent, and sat on his left. She stood up and made to embrace her daughter, but stopped short when Temi growled.

  Rasha didn’t correct him. She was annoyed and didn’t care if it showed. They’d come here to the palace far too many times since she’d been named incumbent. Their visits had long since grown tiresome. They were always looking for another tidbit. Something they could take back to Chilali and spread as palace-insider news. Rasha couldn’t contain her embarrassment at her parents, transparent pursuit of prominence.

  “Sit down with us, darling.” Her mother gestured to the seat next to hers. “You look so pale, I’m sure you haven’t eaten.”

  Rasha looked down at the spread of delicacies and had to swallow the bile that rose in her throat. She couldn’t understand how no one else could smell the blood spilled in this room. But she did as her mother bade her and sat. Her father continued beaming at her.

  “This place suits you more than I could have ever imagined,” her father said, looking her over and nodding.

  “You know I never intended to come here, so let’s not pretend this was something I wanted to do.”

  “The Universal has blessed you. Accept it for what it is and enjoy it,” he advised in the tone you would use to speak to a child.

  “I’m sorry, but the slaughter of eleven people to raise me to princess incumbent isn’t a blessing from the Universal. I stepped in because I was needed. Nothing more.” Rasha started to rise, but her mother stopped her with a gentle hand.

  “Where’s your young prince? It’s not often we see you without him,” Her mother asked, trying to change the subject.