Rogue Queen

by L. Sprague De Camp

  “Hmmp,” said Antis. “I’ll think it over—”

  “Not this time,” said Iroedh, knowing that meant that he would come out with the suggestion as his own idea the following day. “Every day is vital.”

  “What do you propose?”

  “Go to Elham myself and put the case to them: If they wish to survive, join forces with your drones to fight the Arsuuni.”

  “They’d kill you before you could open your mouth.”

  “You forget I’m now a queen!” Iroedh proudly threw out her breasts. “A functional female may not be attacked by a worker under any circumstances, but only by another functional female. When Queen Rhuar went mad and began killing the workers of Elham, and they had no princess of age to send against her, not even then did they harm her. They seized her with bare hands (though several died in the doing), carried her gently outside the walls, and left her.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “They found her remains half eaten, though whether the beasts slew her or whether she died first of starvation they never learned.”

  “It sounds good, but you can’t go yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it will take me days to get my people organized, and there’s no sense in your getting to Elham much ahead of me. The Arsuuni might kill you. When you walk into that gate I want to be close behind with my drones.”

  No argument would shake Antis from that resolution, though he finally admitted with a shamefaced grin: “To tell the truth, my reasons aren’t entirely tactical.”

  “What then?”

  “If you must know, I can’t bear to be separated from you longer than necessary, do you see?”

  “Why, Antis! To put your petty personal feelings ahead of the future of the race—”

  “Don’t sneer at personal feelings. It was because of them that you rescued me from the cell and started all these events!”

  When told of their plans, Bloch said: “Don’t be surprised to find me breathing down your neck from the helicopter, especially if there’s a battle. Subbarau would postpone his flying date a week for some good action movies.”

  “Wouldn’t you help us?”

  “No. Sorry, but I’ve explained that. Ready, Barbe?”

  Barbe kissed Iroedh, shook the hand of Antis (who seemed puzzled by the gesture), and climbed into the helicopter. They smiled, waved, and rose.

  A rogue drone, leaning on his spear, remarked: “They are the gods! I shall tell my offspring, if I ever have any, how I saw them with my own eyes.”

  Nearly two eight-days later, Iroedh and her escort approached Elham. Although she had promised Antis not to get too far ahead of his army, she could not help speeding up a little as she neared her Community. She more than half expected to find it laid waste by the Arsuuni, though when she passed the Paris at Gliid her friends there assured her that they had not heard of any such catastrophe.

  Bloch told her surreptitiously: “I shouldn’t say this because it might be deemed intervention, but I flew over your city yesterday on a visit to Khinam and saw no sign of the enemy.”

  She continued on her way, bearing the Terrans’ assurances of moral if not material support. Iroedh thought moral support all very nice, but she would much have preferred the loan of a gun.

  As she drove, the leader of the escort, a former officer of Wythias named Tregaros, waxed garrulous about the fights he had been in:

  “…now, Queen, see that crag? Well, one time when Wythias sent us through here to pick up an order of spearheads from Umwys the smith, the Thidhemni tried to ambush us. But I had a point out, as Wythias taught me. Eh, he was a tyrant, old Wythias, but as smart a soldier as you’ll find the length and breadth of Avtinid. And I also remembered the prophecy:

  “When the noag for prey shall lie in wait

  And leap for the leipag with golden eyes,

  The leipag shall with a vakhnag mate

  As the noag dies.

  So when I saw that crag I said to myself, Tregaros, wouldn’t that be a fine place for an ambush? Slow down, boys; we want to look into this. And, sure enough, up the road came the point, beating his beast for all he was worth, with the Thidhemni after him. The silly creatures hadn’t had the sense to let him go through and attack our main body. So we ambushed them instead of the other way round.”

  Iroedh tried dutifully to listen, but found her mind wandering off into fantasies of her hoped-for reunion with Antis. She knew what he would want first.

  At the frontier of Elham the guards of Queen Maiur and Queen Estir all stared as the party drew up. The Thidhemny guard said:

  “We got word to let you through, though why we cannot understand. So pass on.”

  Iroedh could have told her the reason was an ultimatum from Antis, informing Queen Maiur’s government that he proposed to pass through the territory of Thidhem in full force, and if not hindered would restrain his drones from doing harm. The guards on the other side were even more nonplused when Iroedh said:

  “I am Queen Iroedh, on my way for a formal visit to Elham, and these drones are my escort.”

  “Are you the Iroedh who used to be a worker of Elham?”

  “That is right.”

  “Great Eunmar! I didn’t know you with those bulges!”

  “I’m glad you do now. How’s the Community making out under Estir?”

  The Elhamni looked at one another, evidently uncertain whether to discuss intramural matters with one who had become an outsider. One of the Thidhemni spoke:

  “Oh, they’re having a terrible time. Estir has proved more difficult and domineering even than our own Maiur. We had the Queens’ Conference at Thidhem last eight-day, you know, and instead of behaving with such modesty as becomes a new queen, and trying to learn something of her business from the older ones, Estir spent her time telling them how to reign, as if they hadn’t been doing so for years. She practically insulted the Queen of Hawardem, and you can be sure they crossed Estir off their social lists in a hurry.”

  One of the Elhamny guards spoke up: “Since you will find out anyway, Iroedh, I’ll admit they’re right. Estir has been a trial. And many of us sympathized with you over your expulsion. Not that we don’t think you were at fault too, but Estir tried to deal treacherously with you. And a queen’s honor is that of her Community.”

  The other said: “It doesn’t matter, with the Arsuuni coming down upon us any day. Did I hear you name yourself queen?”

  “So you did.”

  “But how—what are you queen of?”

  “Of King Antis, if you must know.”

  “How is that possible? Antis was a drone of Elham who escaped a Cleanup; unless this is another of the same name. And ‘king’ is an obsolete term—”

  “I haven’t time to explain, sisters, and I think you had better let us through. Don’t be alarmed when a whole army of drones appears behind me.”

  The outnumbered guards dubiously let Iroedh and her drones pass. They drove over the Lhanwaed Hills, along the beach of the Scarlet Sea, past Khinad Point, and up the main highway to Elham itself. Iroedh felt an odd lump in her throat as the well-remembered wall and domes materialized out of the trees. Still, she wished that Antis were with her; whatever his faults, lack of courage was not among them. She told Tregaros:

  “Wait here out of sight of the main gate. In case of trouble, try to get word to Antis.”

  She drove on. As soon as she came in sight of the fields there was a running about of the double guards posted there. The alarm of the workers subsided when they saw it was not the Arsuuni but only a single Avtin in a chariot.

  At the main gate Iroedh received an argument like that at the frontier, with much the same result. While one guard ran ahead to inform the officers, others escorted Iroedh in.

  When she drove up to the main portal of the Community, workers were gathering from all parts of the complex. The crowd buzzed excitedly as it opened to let Iroedh pass. On the front steps the officers of the Council were gatherin
g with their insignia around their necks. From the crowd came the harsh voice of Rhodh:

  “It is Iroedh the traitor! I always knew she would come to a shameful end!”

  Rhodh had evidently not changed. Iroedh held up a hand and began:

  “Greetings, workers of Elham. Know that I am Queen Iroedh, whom you formerly knew as Worker Iroedh, the mate of King Antis, formerly Drone Antis. We rule, not a patch of land, but an army of stout-hearted and strong-muscled drones, formerly rogue drones—”

  “Why aren’t they still rogues?” asked the general.

  “Because we are starting them on a new way of life. To make you understand I shall have to tell you some personal history…”

  Iroedh had started to narrate the story of her introduction to a meat diet when there was another stir in the crowd and Queen Estir burst through, wearing by her side the original steel machete that Iroedh had stolen from the Terrans.

  “What’s this?” she cried. “Another queen in my Community? She shan’t live ten seconds—”

  “Please, Queen, let her finish,” said the foreign officer. This is important.”

  Iroedh resumed her story, including her union with Antis. The foreign officer interrupted:

  “What, specifically, do you propose?”

  “First, to form an alliance between Elham and my army against the Arsuuni. For one thing we can furnish you all with matselhi, which for close combat are more effective—”

  “Never!” cried Estir. “I have declared the matselh a royal weapon, to be used by none but queens!”

  “I don’t think we want newfangled things like that anyway,” said the general. “The spear has stood us in good stead since time immemorial, and that thing of yours looks like an uncivilized and inhumane weapon. But go on.”

  “Then, assuming we can defeat the Arsuuni, those of you who wish to join us, become functional females, and mate with our drones may do so.”

  “But, Queen Iroedh,” began the agricultural officer, “what will happen if—”

  “Queen Iroedh!” shrieked Estir. “You are Iroedh, the runaway worker! The one who delivered the condemned drones from their cell!”

  “Yes, as I was explaining when—”

  “You mean you not only dare invade my Community without permission; you propose to seduce away my workers with your monstrous, perverted, unnatural proposal! To destroy the very basis of my society! If every worker became a queen, what distinction would there be to being a queen? Guards, slay me this revolting monstrosity at once!”

  As some of the guards (among whom Iroedh recognized her old friend Vardh) raised their spears, Iroedh called: “Wait! After all, I’m a queen, and none of you may raise a hand against me!”

  The guards drew back, exchanging baffled looks. Another ueg chariot came through the main gate at a run. The worker driving it leaped down from her vehicle before it had stopped and ran up.

  “Queen Estir—”

  “Quiet! I’m occupied.”

  “But—”

  “I said quiet! Get out! Now then, guards, why don’t you kill this obscene travesty of a queen? You heard me, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, Queen, but she is a functional female,” said one, “and the basic law says—”

  “Then I’ll show you!” screeched Estir, drawing her machete and rushing toward Iroedh’s chariot.

  Iroedh had not counted upon a duel with Estir, having in fact forgotten all about the original machete until the sight of it on Estir’s hip recalled it to her mind. Now she had no time to don armor. As she leaped down from the chariot her main thought was that Antis would be furious at her having run such a risk. She was not really afraid of Estir, who was also nude, for Iroedh’s many days of roughing it and clearing trails had hardened her.

  Clang! clang! went the blades as Estir struck overhand, forehand, and backhand. Iroedh parried and got in a cut of her own, which Estir knocked easily aside and struck again with lightning speed. Iroedh now remembered with a touch of horror what an exercise-fanatic Estir had been as princess. She must have kept herself in prime condition.

  They circled, advancing, retreating, slashing, parrying, dodging, and feinting. Iroedh realized that the steel blade was much superior, being at once lighter, stronger, and sharper. Her own blade was acquiring visible bends and almost enough notches to make a saw out of it, while that of Estir seemed undamaged.

  Iroedh tried to remember some of the things Bloch had told her about swords; how Terrans had once used them for thrusting…She shifted her grip to prepare for a thrust at Estir’s advanced knee.

  Then Estir struck Iroedh’s blade with all her might. The machete flew out of Iroedh’s tingling hand and fell on the greensward sixteen paces away.

  “Now!” cried Estir, poising on the balls of her feet.

  Iroedh knew she was finished. Estir could run like a streak, and if Iroedh turned to flee or to run for the machete, Estir would have the steel blade into her back before she had taken three steps.

  Estir advanced, swinging the machete, poised for a dash. Iroedh backed, visualizing her head bouncing along the ground as poor Queen Intar’s had done. Up came the blade as Estir leaped. The flash of sunlight on steel held Iroedh’s gaze as in a vise. Poor Antis…

  There was a heavy thud as a red-smeared bronze point appeared, projecting a hand’s breadth from Estir’s chest just below her right breast. Instead of completing her rush upon Iroedh, Estir fell forward to hands and knees with a spear-shaft sticking out of her back like a mast. Her arms gave way beneath her and she crumpled to the gravel of the driveway. Blood ran from her mouth.

  Iroedh looked to see who had thrown the spear. The workers were all backing away with exclamations of horror from one who stood in the armor of a guard but without her spear. Under the helmet Iroedh recognized Vardh.

  “Vardh!” she exclaimed. “You saved my life.”

  The crowd continued to point and murmur: “She killed a queen!” “She killed a queen!” “Slay her!” “Burn her!” “Tear her to pieces!”

  “You shall do nothing of the sort!” said Iroedh. “Let her alone, do you hear?”

  Vardh said shakily: “I know it was wrong, Iroedh darling, but I still love you better than anyone, and I couldn’t stand by while she killed you. Weu! Now I suppose I shall have to kill myself too.”

  “Nonsense! I suppose I am now Queen of Elham.”

  “Oh no!” said the general. “You didn’t slay Estir in fair fight!”

  “But I’m of pure Elhamny blood even if the duel wasn’t fought according to regulations…. What is it?”

  The worker who had driven up in the chariot had been trying to attract Iroedh’s attention. This newcomer now said:

  “Queen Iroedh, the Arsuuni are approaching! They surrounded the remains of the scouting force and slew them all so that only I escaped!”

  “Good Gwyyr!” Iroedh looked around; a swarm of workers was pouring in through the main gate from the fields. She told the general:

  “We’ll argue the future of Elham later; you’d better get ready for battle.”

  While hundreds of workers ran madly about under the general’s orders, Iroedh buckled on the armor she had been given at Ledhwid, walked down to the gate, and climbed one of the gate towers. She could not see Tregaros and his squad, and wondered if she should try to join him. On the other hand, he might already have left to seek Antis’s army, and her desertion of the Community at this point would ruin her standing with them and lower their morale.

  A noise caused her to look in the other direction, and there was the helicopter from the Paris, hovering over the spot where the road to the southeast ran through the vremoel orchard. That would be Bloch with his picture-making machine. But what was that dust rising from the orchard? Sun flashed on brass, and Iroedh realized that Bloch, in his subtle way, was trying to help her by hovering squarely over the advancing Arsuuni.

  Iroedh went back to the main portal and picked up the steel machete. She told the general about the app
roach of the enemy, and asked: “Where can I sharpen this? It’s not—”

  “But you cannot fight! You’re a queen!”

  “A minute ago you were saying I couldn’t be queen of Elham!”

  “You’re still a functional female, and the workers insist that the decencies be preserved. Go to the royal dome and await the outcome of the battle.”

  “Ridiculous!” Iroedh marched off to hunt a grindstone for herself. She found one and stood in line while the workers ahead of her sharpened their spearheads.

  An uproar from outside the wall drew her attention. Armored workers were running back and forth along the wall, and beyond them Iroedh could see the tops of dozens of scaling ladders placed against the wall by the Arsuuni, who were wasting no time in beginning their assault. Next among the little figures on the wall appeared the much bigger forms of Arsuuny soldiers, climbing up their ladders and trying to force their way over the wall. The workers who had been sharpening their weapons ran to take their places in the defense.

  The Arsuuni had carried to its next logical step the sex-caste system imposed upon the Avtini by Queen Danoakor. In fact, before that the Arsuuni had been another race of the same species, little different from the Avtini. They had, however, found it possible through dietary control to produce not only a caste of neuter-female workers, but also a subcaste of neuter-female soldiers afflicted with a form of acromegalic giantism. Over a head taller than a normal worker, they impressed the Avtini, with their great knobby hands and huge jaws, as hideous monsters. In the Arsuuny hierarchy the queen was at the top; below her were the soldiers (who really ran the Community) and below them the workers, and below them the large body of Avtiny slaves who did most of the actual labor.

  After a hasty sharpening of her blade, Iroedh ran after the workers to a point on the wall that seemed to be under heavy pressure. As she arrived below the wall one of the defenders pitched backward, thrust through the face by an Arsuuny spear. The Avtin was dead when she struck the ground with a clang of brass. Iroedh ran up the nearest steps to the top of the wall and looked over the parapet.