Shanna

by Bill Nolan

  Jonu said, “You’ve already met?”

  “Of course,” Shotana said, “We’re old friends, aren’t we, Robert? You never told them? Did you tell anybody?”

  Robert shook his head. “No, not anybody, until now. Well, Shanna knew, of course.”

  “That’s amazing,” Shotana continued. “There aren’t many men who wouldn’t tell at least a few people if they had bedded the Empress. Of course, I wasn’t the Empress then, and you probably don’t bother to mention mere princesses. I’d like to speak with you in private, if you don’t mind. It isn’t that I distrust your friends. I’m just not comfortable speaking of this in so open a forum. I need your help, and an Empress doesn’t like to beg in public.”

  Robert had seen a quick look of surprise cross Nante’s face, before she hid it. None of the To’Ach’an so much as flinched. Robert grinned at Shotana. “Yes, I can see you’re quite shy, and I already knew you needed help. Maybe it will make it easier if I tell you about it. The same branch of your family that murdered your mother and tried to kill you is back at it. This time they want to kill you and your daughter, and they don’t want to make the same mistake they made last time, when they missed you.”

  “Thanks to your help,” Shotana answered. “If you hadn’t shown up, they would have killed me, too. If they had succeeded in killing both of us, their side would have taken the throne. You’re right. They’re planning to try again. I’ve been staying on my ship for the past months, but sooner or later, they’ll infiltrate somebody onto my crew, or convince one of my trusted associates to turn traitor. There is no safe place for me to hide.”

  “So kill them,” Kysandra said. “You know who they are, so just kill them.”

  Shotana looked over at Kysandra. “You’re right, of course, but I can’t kill them myself. I don’t have the skills. I also don’t have too many people I can trust.” She turned back to Robert. “Please, Robert Allen, may I speak with you alone.”

  Jonu took the initiative, knowing Robert would never insult his friends by asking them to leave. “No problem, Shotana. We’ll entertain General Aranna and Nante until you guys are finished discussing your business. Robert, when you want us back here, Shanna will fetch us.” He led everyone but Robert and Shotana out of the room.

  “Well,” Robert said. “What kind of a plan have you cooked up?”

  “You know,” Shotana replied, “Things would be much simpler if I had some friends like yours. ‘Kill them’ she says. I’d love too, but my friends aren’t good at that sort of thing. In fact, what few friends I have aren’t good for much. General Aranna is an exception, but I don’t have any others like him. I do have a lot of mercenaries, and they’ll stay loyal as long as I pay them enough, but as soon as we start eliminating a few cousins, the rest will have to act. I can’t risk it, not yet.”

  “We won’t kill them for you,” Robert said in that quiet voice reserved for his most emphatic statements.

  “I never thought you would, Robert. Give me a little credit for intelligence. That’s not the favor I want. When I send my people after them, their only chance will be to kill me and Nante before I can eliminate all of them. If they can’t kill us both, it does them no good. I want to leave Nante here, on your ship, until it’s settled one way or the other. I’m asking you to help me protect my daughter.”

  “Why here? Why my ship?”

  “You know why, Robert. As much as I would like it to be otherwise, there is no safer place for her than a To’Ach’an warship, and I don’t know any other To’Ach’an well enough to ask them. I also know that if you say you’ll protect her, then you will. And not just you. I know any To’Ach’an would keep his word, but I know you, and I don’t know the others. Please help me.”

  “You know I’ll have to discuss this with a few of my associates, so Shanna will show you a room where you can wait. It won’t be more than a couple of hours, probably less.”

  “That’s what I like about you, Robert. All my life, even when I was a small child, everybody around me has been afraid to take a deep breath without written permission, and you tell me to go sit and wait. I had forgotten how nice it is to be treated like a regular person. Please don’t tell Nante until you make up your mind. She doesn’t know a thing about this plan.”

  Robert found Nante, the General, and the others in one of the little café areas two levels down. Nante and General Aranna were at a table by themselves, and everyone else gave Robert a curious look when he came in. He gathered his advisors, and they went off to discuss the new situation. Robert filled the others in on Shotana’s request.

  Chofma spoke up first. “I’ve been on this ship for a few weeks now, Robert, and I have to tell you, nothing ever happens here. Except for a couple of quick battles, a trial, and now this Empress thing, it’s just dead around this place.”

  Everybody had a good laugh, and then Jonu spoke. “You know the problem, Robert. As To’Ach’an, we aren’t supposed to mess in Empire affairs. I know it isn’t a law, but it is a tradition. You apparently already did once, and now we’re thinking about doing it again. As a businessman, I don’t see the upside. What do we gain?”

  “I see a lot of upside,” Podara replied. “You know all of our people have noticed a change with this Empress. Now we know why. She not only knows one of our own, and considers him a friend, she also owes him her life. If we do this for her and she survives, she’ll be even more in our debt. If she gets herself killed, her daughter will be the new Empress. In that case, her daughter will know us and also know we did what we could to help her and her mother. I think it’s win win for us.”

  Nobody mentioned Robert having bedded the Empress. Sex is a casual activity among the To’Ach’an. Saving Shotana’s life was an important thing, but bedding her wasn’t. Nobody cared. The discussion continued for a while, but Podara’s points carried the day. Jane agreed with her right away, and the others soon came around to her point of view. Robert went to give the verdict to Shotana.

  “Alright, we’ll let her stay here, but with a couple of conditions,” Robert began. “First, she gets treated no differently than any other non-To’Ach’an girl of her age on board. She will work a few hours a week for her keep, and go to school. Also, her spending money won’t be more than any of the others get. Second, you must agree to leave her here at least a year, so she can really get to know us. Third, you and she must both understand that I will have full authority to discipline her as necessary. For some reason I am concerned that she might be a spoiled brat.”

  “She’s not going to like it,” Shotana said, “but if that’s how it has to be, then I have to agree. I know the To’Ach’an don’t negotiate, and you know I really have no other choice, so I suppose we may as well tell her and get it over with. Could you ask your ship to send her in?”

  Nante arrived about 10 minutes later, accompanied by General Aranna. Her mother wasted no time giving her the news.

  “I know you’ve been wondering why I needed to come here and ask a favor of the To’Ach’an. There’s going to be a fight over the throne. Some of our beloved family members want us dead, and I’m going to try to have them killed first. I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re really not a close family. I need you out of harm’s way, so I can get this straightened out without worrying about getting you killed. You’re going to stay here, on Shanna, with my old friend, Robert.”

  “You can’t be serious, mother. This is a To’Ach’an ship. You can’t just leave me with the enemy. These people are murderers. General, please talk to her!”

  “I have talked to her,” General Aranna answered. “I agree with her that this is the best way to handle it, although I wasn’t as confident as she that Tocal Robert Allen would agree to help. Of course, I didn’t know the whole history of the two of them. You’ll be safe here until this is settled. The To’Ach’an have been adversaries in the past, and may well be in the future, but they are an honorable people. You mother’s real enemies are in her own family.”

&nb
sp; “There are a few other things you need to know about this,” Shotana added. “Robert, would you explain your rules to her. I want her to know that I have agreed to them. Nante, I am giving Robert Allen full authority over you for the time of your stay here. Please don’t hate me for this. I have no choice. If I don’t leave you here, you’ll be killed.” Nante looked stunned.

  Robert said, “We don’t have any special rules for you. You see, we don’t normally have any princesses here, so you’ll be treated just like everybody else. In particular, there’ll be no servants, and no lavish allowances. You’ll earn your keep, and you’ll go to school.”

  “I’ve been to the best schools,” Nante snapped. “What could I possibly learn here, how to kill people with my bare hands?”

  “Actually, yes,” Robert answered in his quiet voice. “You’ll learn how to kill if you have to, and a few other things that you don’t know now, I assure you. For example, if you take that tone with me again, you’ll learn what a flogging feels like.”

  Nante was angry and scared, but still in control of herself. She didn’t doubt that Robert meant what he said, and she didn’t see any support from her mother or the General. It came to her that this was real, not some kind of sick joke. She knew she was close to breaking down, and she didn’t want any of these people to see her when that happened. With obvious tight control she said, “Thank you mother, for your concern about my safety. Since I’m staying here, I may as well get settled. Shanna, could you direct me to my quarters?” She walked over and stood in front of the door. Shanna waited for Robert’s nod before opening it.

  Shanna helped Nante find her living space. She also told her that her mother had brought over bags with some clothes and other things. Nante very politely thanked her, and asked to be left alone for a bit. She then lay down on the bed and started to cry, and once she started, she just couldn’t seem to stop. It had hit her that her mother was in grave danger, and she wondered if she would ever see her again.

  Nante’s rooms fronted on another of the lovely gardens that seemed to be everywhere in Shanna. There were several other people’s rooms off this garden, and Tovey lived in one of them. After Shanna had watched Nante cry for a while, she decided to ask Tovey to help. She didn’t say who needed it, just that a new girl in the ship, about her age, was very upset and needed somebody to talk with.

  When Shanna announced to Nante that she had a visitor, it took her a minute or so to pull herself together enough to face anyone. When she was ready, Shanna opened the door and let Tovey inside. Shanna introduced them.

  “Hi,” Tovey said. “I guess I’m your new neighbor, and I wanted to meet you. There aren’t many girls near my age in the ship, so it’s nice to meet another one. Can I show you around? Shanna’s a really neat ship. How long are you staying? Are you permanent?”

  Nante was at somewhat of a loss. She wasn’t used to the casual conversations which most people considered normal. Her usual dealings were with servants and others not of her station. “Well, thanks for coming by. I’m not permanent. I really don’t know how long I’ll be here. I guess I could look around. Maybe I should change first.”

  Tovey smiled at her. “What we need to change is that makeup. It makes it look like you’ve been crying. I can help you with it.”

  It took her a few moments, but Nante smiled back. “I haven’t got my stuff yet, and my mother packed anyway. I don’t even know if I have any makeup.”

  Tovey took her hand and pulled her toward the door. “Don’t worry, I’ve got lots. Come on over to my room.” When they got to Tovey’s rooms, she suggested that Nante could shower. “That’ll be the quickest way to wash off the old stuff. We’re about the same size, so I’ll loan you an outfit until you get your bags unpacked. Then I’ll help you with your hair, and we’ll go exploring. Have you met Robert yet?”

  Tovey didn’t miss the look of concern that crossed Nante’s face. “Yes, I met him. I’m afraid I didn’t make a very good impression. I kind of got nasty with him, and he told me I’d be flogged if I did it again. I think he meant it, too. Is this an OK place? I’m kind of scared a little.”

  Tovey smiled at her again. Like her mother, she had a smile that could light up a stadium. “Don’t worry, this is a great place to live, and Robert is really nice. Later, we’ll go find him and you can apologize.”

  Back in Robert’s office, Shotana was insisting to Robert and Jonu that they accept an immense sum for helping Nante. Jonu was offended. “No thanks, we’re not your mercenaries, and we can’t be bought. Keep your money; we’ll earn our own.”

  “I’m sorry,” Shotana said. “I wasn’t implying that you’re mercenaries. I’m just grateful, and I wanted to show my appreciation. That’s how Empresses thank people. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Robert jumped in. “Hey, let’s not start a war here in my office. I know you meant well, but it isn’t necessary. Leave about 300 zarigs to cover her allowance, and we’ll go through her bags before we give them to her. Does she have any suitable clothing?”

  “Not too much that doesn’t look princessy, I’m afraid,” Shotana replied. “I had them pack what she had as far as casual stuff, but she’ll need more. I also had them include some of her personal treasures. This is going to be rough for her. I wonder how she’s doing.”

  Shanna answered. “She cried for a while, but I had Tovey look in on her. She took a shower, and Tovey is helping her fix her hair. When they’re done, Tovey is going with her to explore the ship. See, she’s OK.” Shanna put a view of Tovey’s room on the screen.

  “Those aren’t her clothes,” Shotana commented.

  “They’re Tovey’s,” Shanna said. “She loaned them to her. They’re about the same size, and Tovey has good taste.” She closed the screen.

  General Aranna looked pleased. “Good, she hasn’t ever had a real friend. Maybe she and this girl, Tovey, will hit it off. Now, can we get to these other issues?”

  Among other things, it was decided that Shotana could send a delegation to Earth to represent the Empire. She agreed that no effort would be made to force Earth into the Empire, but that major help would be provided to ease them through the transitional period. Robert agreed to stay out of it if Earth decided to join the Empire. It was late afternoon before Shotana and the General left. Naturally, arrangements had been made for contact to be maintained, so Shotana could check in on her daughter. Before leaving, she had Shanna guide her on an intercept course through the maze of the ship and caught up with the two girls by one of the main kitchens, where Tovey was arranging with Karlona for Nante’s rooms to be stocked with snacks.

  Nante was happy to see her. “Hi, mom, this is my new friend, Tovey. She’s showing me around. I’m glad you came to say goodbye.”

  “Hello Tovey,” Shotana said. “Thanks for showing Nante around. Nante, I have to go now. Robert knows how to contact me, and I’ll contact you whenever it’s safe. Take care of yourself, OK? I wish it didn’t have to be this way. It was nice meeting you, Tovey.” With a few hugs and tears, she was on her way.

  Tovey turned to Nante. “That was the Empress. I’ve seen her picture a thousand times. I didn’t know you were that Nante.”

  “Please Tovey, can you just forget about her? I never had a real friend before. Everybody just wanted to be my friend because of my mother. This afternoon has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I guess I’m going to be staying a while, and maybe if I have a friend, it won’t be so bad.”

  Tovey displayed her mega-watt smile again. “Don’t worry about it. I think you’re OK. I just hope the rest of your clothes are better than the ones you had on before. Is that the style for Princesses these days? Let’s go up to my mother’s. She’s making a great casserole tonight.”

  After dinner, Tovey insisted that Nante come with her to find Robert. Shanna told them he and Jane were with some other newcomers. Robert and Jane were visiting Kamci, Laurna, and Lethi, whose rooms were near Nante’s and Tovey’s. The three girls were sho
wing off all the clothes and other items that they had bought on their excursion to Wotara.

  It was immediately apparent that the five girls were going to be seen together a lot. Tovey was the oldest, at 18. Nante was 17, and the other three were 15, although Kamci was only a month away from 16. Tovey had always loved clothes, and had worked at the clothing store, so she started right in suggesting some good combinations. The others acted like they’d found a guru of fashion.

  Nante came over to where Robert was sitting on the sofa, and sat down next to him. “I’m sorry about the way I acted before,” she began. “I know you’re going out of your way to help us, and I am grateful. It’s just that this whole thing was kind of a shock to me, and I was rude. I won’t do it again. In fact, I’m going to make it my mission in life to see that you have no reason to flog me.” She smiled to show she was kidding.

  Robert smiled back. “I was a little worried about how you were going to fit in, but Tovey is a good influence. Hang around with her, and you’ll be OK. Karlona said you were a nice kid, and she’s a good judge. Well, we better get moving. I have a few other stops to make.” He said goodbye to the others and reminded them to stop by and see him whenever they had time.

  Robert’s visit was part of his normal, daily routine. Jane had quickly discovered that the To’Ach’an are a social people. Living as they do in ships, they have to be. The ships are huge, but it’s still the same people. One of the ways the leaders help to make sure everything is working smoothly is by constant visiting. Anyone on the ship can count on Robert stopping by every week or two, and since the other leaders do the same thing, hardly a day goes by without everyone on the ship having a chance to talk to somebody with influence.

  It gives an opportunity for any problems to be aired and dealt with before they become serious. It isn’t just the leaders, either. Everyone visits a few people and is visited by a few others every day. Meals are social events. Most of the people on board only cook every few days, and they have several friends over to eat whenever they do. The rest of the time, they eat what a friend cooks. It’s kind of a round robin.