The yacht sailed upriver at a quick pace. The river was very wide and must have been very deep as well to support so large a vessel.
As it had been all along, the scenery we were watching reminded me of the best of jungle nature photos. Black scars stood out against the greenery today. I watched them distantly, not too interested, until I noticed charred remains of structures in some of the patches. If each patch represented a demolished building, then there was a large settlement represented here. I didn’t remember anything like that in the planetary briefing files. I searched for the file in my implant database. No, there were reports of conflict on Capricornia five years ago, but nothing about any recent conflict, and those scars were new.
Do you see what I’m seeing? I asked Roman
Yes. Interesting, isn’t it? I thought the whole planet was under one government.
It is. Could a brush fire have done this, and only the plant life has recovered?
I doubt it, he said. Unless their trees grow thirty feet in a few months. These ruins are recent. A handful of months at the very most, but the trees appear much older. You’ll have to ask your friend Ian about them.
I nodded, surprised I hadn’t noticed that myself.
I’m more observant than most.
And more humble, too.
“Roman,” I said quietly, “Thank you for last night.”
“Vera,” he said, biting his lip. “You have to realize…”
There was a stab of annoyance in the channel as his words faded off. I turned to look around and saw Ian coming towards us. Well, no surprise there. Roman’s feelings about Ian were certainly no secret.
“Ambassador!” Ian called to me, “What a beautiful morning!”
“Good Morning,” I acknowledged.
“We missed you last night. Turned in early I assume?”
“Yes I did. Ian, what are those burn marks along the shore from?” I asked him, avoiding the awkwardness. How did you tell someone that you found their insensitivity to death appalling?
“Nothing,” he said airily, “just a brush fire last year.”
Liar, Roman commented.
I might be a mess, Roman, but I did take Psychology and Interrogation Techniques in school. I can see he’s lying.
Good, because he is. I guess he just had to get the last word in. Ian brought out the worst in him. And I don’t like the way he looks at you. It’s unprofessional.
Now that he mentioned it, Ian was looking at me in a very familiar way.
“Would you like breakfast, Vera? It will be served in just a moment,” he said solicitously, guiding me over to the breakfast table.
And now he tries to distract us from the evidence, Roman said, glaring at Ian’s back. Something bad went on here. Something very, very bad.
Thanks Roman. As if I wasn’t creeped out enough by the Capricornians.
Breakfast was the same as every meal on Capricorn had been – luxurious and perfect. The group filtered down one by one and most of them were tired or hung over, but an air of anticipation still filled the room.
Jenna looked at me through bleary eyes, “We missed you last night. The hot tub was incredible!”
“I was tired,” I lied.
Jenna just laughed, helping herself to another grapefruit and running a hand through her downy blonde hair.
“Your cousin was better at partying than you are,” she said, as she cut it open.
I felt a pang of fear, thinking about Denise missing in a world of danger and secrets.
“Did you bring Denise on this same cruise?” I asked.
“The exact same cruise. She was a natural at hoverboarding. Way more of a risk-taker than you were.”
“Maybe today I’ll make up for it,” I joked.
“You’d better,” Kenneth said through a mouth full of bacon, “We have a wild ride planned for today, “Don’t we Jack?”
Jack smiled a superior smile and nodded, “Of course we do. I’m going to show you the Weeping Falls. They’re beautiful at this time of year.”
“Won’t it be dangerous to bring the yacht close to a waterfall?” I asked.
Martin laughed nastily, but Jack shot him a warning look and replied, “We’ll go in two-person kayaks. It’s down a fork in the river where the yacht won’t fit.”
I nodded, choosing heavier foods now that I knew that physical exertion would be the order of the day yet again. I saw Roman loading up, too.
“Did my cousin get to see the falls?” I asked, trying to appear casual.
“Of course she did,” Ian said smoothly, “All our diplomatic guests do. In fact, I think she found them very enlightening. When we left she was very quiet. Perhaps there will be a clue there to her whereabouts.”
“And why would you say that?” I asked
“Because something there changed her life.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Wait and see,” Ian said with a smile. “I’ll make sure you experience everything she did.”
Why don’t I like the sound of that? Roman asked.
I , on the other hand, felt more cheerful. I was sure that whatever struck Denise as significant would matter to me, too. After all, we had the tie of blood in our favor. Maybe I could find whatever had drawn her attention and see if it could lead me to her.
It was possible that Denise doubled back here and went off on her own. Maybe all these protocols were stifling once she saw whatever it was. If that was the case it might still be possible to find her. From what I could tell there were miles and miles of jungle around us. If someone was out in that there was a pretty good chance that they could go weeks before they were found. But I knew her. I could think like her. I could figure this out. We were already on our fifth day with only nine to go. We had to make them count.
“Well, let’s make it happen!” I said.
“That a girl!” Gretchen cheered.
“Show us the Matsumoto spirit!” Jack said heartily.
I smiled at them encouragingly and we wolfed down the rest of our breakfast.
“If anyone needs to grab anything make it quick. We’ll start launching from the stern right away,” Jack said. He was clearly the leader of this little expedition.
“Does Jack always help you entertain diplomats?” I asked Ian.
“Well, I wasn’t there to lead your cousin through our protocols,” Ian reminded me, emphasizing the word, “But Jack was, and whenever it is my turn I’m always sure to ask my dream team along.” He looked around the group affectionately and then turned back to me, “I’m very excited to show this to you, Vera. We must ride in the same kayak.”
For the first time since we’d boarded the yacht, Roman shoved himself forward between Ian and I. Ian jumped back, taken off guard.
“I’ll ride with Vera,” Roman said quietly.
“I’m afraid that is out of the question,” Ian said, looking annoyed.
“I insist,” Roman said, a shade of menace in his low voice, “I’m her bodyguard and my presence is essential.”
“And I’m sorry to tell you that it just isn’t possible,” Ian rejoined, his gorgeous features taking on a slight scowl. “The Weeping Falls are a national treasure, the one place in all of Capricornia where we are free to honor the spirits of our dead. No foreigner may go there without a Capricornian escort. And no diplomatic guest without their assigned guide. I will be riding with Vera. Some arrangement will be made for you.”
This is important, I told Roman. Whatever Denise saw here might lead to us finding her.
Or it could be an elaborate ruse meant to capture you, as well.
It’s a risk we’ll have to take. Our lives depend on it.
Roman didn’t answer, except to match Ian’s scowl with his own. He knew I was right. I blinked as I realized that I’d felt his understanding leak through to me. Slowly, he moved back to his familiar place behind my right shoulder. Ian relaxed as he did and turned a brilliant smile on me.
“Please Ambassador, do me the
honor of allowing me to escort you to our kayak,” he offered his hand to me, taking mine in a familiar manner, and leading me to the stern of the ship. Roman didn’t have to say a word. I could feel his anger like a solid wall behind me.
“Thank you, Ian,” I said, ignoring the stony silence behind me. Really, what was I supposed to do?
We lined up and Gretchen started to hand out life vests. They were the kind that inflated automatically, and just tied in a simple belt around your waist. I put mine on and was happy that the bright red belt didn’t weigh me down.
Roman and the others strapped theirs around their waists and then Jack began to launch the Kayaks with Martin’s help.
The first kayak, a purple one, went to Gretchen and Kenneth. Gretchen adjusted her belt in a way that emphasized her hips and tugged at her shirt until her cleavage was exposed the way she liked. Then, blowing a kiss to Jack, she took her paddle and clambered into the boat. Kenneth was right behind her, adjusting his button up shirt and sliding his stocky frame into the seat. Even grasping his paddle he seemed formal somehow.
Ian and I were launched next in a red kayak. I slipped into the seat, grasping my paddle firmly in both hands. The kayak was surprisingly comfortable, and I took a few practice swipes at the water with my paddle. I wasn’t much of a kayaker, but I had canoed before and the idea seemed to be pretty similar.
Jack and Jenna launched next in their orange boat and then Roman and Martin brought up the rear in a yellow kayak. Roman’s face was dark with frustration and whenever he met my eyes his gaze just flicked away. I sighed.
Ian seemed to notice Roman’s mood, but far from helping things, he made them worse by keeping our kayak on the far left of the group, as far away as possible from Roman and Martin’s on the far right. Martin was in the back of their kayak, in charge of steering, so there was nothing Roman could do but fume.
Stay close to me, Vera.
What do you expect me to do, take the paddle from him? Cause a scene?
His answer was the equivalent of a mental grunt.
Just try to be reasonable about this, Roman.
Vera, believe me when I tell you, I would gladly give my life for yours. I’d prefer not do have to give it up just because you decided to go on a little romp with pretty-boy here.
I’m touched, Roman.
Don’t be.
“You look beautiful in the morning light,” Ian murmured, leaning forward. We sat so close in these kayaks that I could smell his aftershave. I pretended not to hear him.
“How far away is our destination?” I asked.
“About four hours of paddling, and then the walk to the ceremony will be another hour or so.” He smiled lightly and then consulted his tablet, and I realized it was the first time I had seen any of the Capricornians use a computer of any kind.
“I think that’s the first tablet I’ve seen on planet,” I laughed.
“Oh, well, we are a science-based planet, so of course we are up to date on technology, but on ceremonial protocols we try to keep as close to nature as we can. Communication with the outside world is strictly forbidden during our ceremonies.”
That seemed odd to me. We had hardly been doing anything very sensitive on the trip so far, unless you counted watching one of our entourage die of foolishness and risk taking.
“I thought you were briefed,” Ian continued, “I haven’t seen you use a tablet yet.”
“Yes, of course,” I responded, keeping my face blank. Our implanted computers were too secret for me to be able to afford a single slip.
We returned to paddling, our double-headed paddles flicking through the crystal water in time with each other.
“I’m fascinated by your planet, Ian,” I said, looking around me and realizing it was true. As much as the planet was full of secrets and surprises, it was also gorgeous. The heavy headed trees and leafy fronds along the bank were wide and lush and where the dew was still heavy on them they reflected back the pink of the still-rising sun. A light breeze rippled through my hair and I felt my spirits lift.
“And we’re fascinated by you. All of you, apparently,” Ian said and I glanced up to see him scowling at Gretchen who had singled out Roman for conversation. He smiled at her as she spoke. There were flickers of gold in the channel. I felt my chest tighten slightly and I wondered what they could be talking about. Well, he could be as attracted as he wanted to whomever he wanted as long as he did his job.
Enjoying the view? I asked. I felt a hint of confusion in the channel, but Roman ignored my comment. He must have been really caught up with Gretchen to not notice that dig.
“If we are paddling for four hours and then taking another hour for hiking and protocols, we will be heading back here in the dark,” I said, trying to think about something other than Roman and Gretchen.
“Does that worry you?” Ian asked.
“Of course not,” I said coldly, putting more effort into paddling the kayak and turning back around to face the front, “I’ve slept outside before. Even without gear.”
Ian laughed and I liked the sound of it.
“Don’t worry. I won’t make you sleep outside without a shelter, Vera Matsumoto,” he sounded possessive. “All our gear is being brought to the camp. We’ll be staying in the shelters there. You’ll like them. One of our most famous artists designed them five years ago as a synergy between nature and technology. They’re even more comfortable than the yacht.”
“I find that hard to believe,” I admitted.
Ian shrugged and smiled. There was a look in his eyes that suggested something. It tickled something in the back of my mind, but I couldn’t remember what it was, only that I wanted to keep looking at those eyes to see if I could find it again.
“If you love-birds are just about finished,” Jenna broke in, angling her kayak so it bumped against ours, “We have some kayaking to get to here.”
What’s your plan? Are you thinking that you’ll get the planetary head’s son to fall in love with you so that you can hide out here in safety and avoid the fate that’s waiting for you back on Blackwatch?
It’s not a bad plan, I said, but more because Roman was irritating me than because I would ever consider that sort of thing. I didn’t believe in marriages for political power - or the idea that women were so weak they needed a man to protect them.
That thought made me pause. Wasn’t that exactly what was happening here? I was being protected by a man and another man was hinting he’d take care of me too. My mouth twisted into a grimace of annoyance.
Well, it seems to be working. Roman didn’t know when to just let a topic drop. He’s half in love with you already.
THE EX-PACIFIST: 27
I WAS ABOUT TO SHOOT back an angry retort when I realized his tone had been sincere. I cast a worried glance back at Ian and found that he was still gazing at me with that look in his eye. Could that be attraction? Infatuation? I could name every populated world in the twenty settled systems with their largest trade and production lines. I could recall perfectly every form of government, ruler and major company on those worlds and explain the difficulties and advantages each of them faced, but I was hopelessly out of my league here. Everyone in the Blackwatch Empire was either my cousin, or knew I was a Matsumoto and off limits. In my sixteen years, infatuation was one thing I had never had to deal with before.
After all, if all relationships have to go through the Emperor you don’t really bother looking around at anyone casually. Most of my cousins had arranged marriages. I had always expected I would, too. The few people who had chosen their own partners had been very careful and it had taken years of negotiating to have their choices approved. But if the rest of my life had been thrown out the airlock, hadn’t that part, too? If I was being honest, I had to admit I was a little intrigued.
I shot a glance back towards Ian, and nothing had changed. Clearly this wasn’t in my head. But what did I feel about that? I was flattered, certainly. Ian was so good looking with those clear blue eyes
and that perfectly shaped face, and his height and build were pretty impressive in a universe where most people were pretty similar in height and coloring. Plus, he was older than me by at least two years. I liked that I could attract someone older than me, and probably someone who had his pick of girls on this planet. Gretchen was far more beautiful than I was and even Jenna was very attractive in her bird-like petite way, but it was me he was looking at with those big eyes.
Confused, I tried to concentrate on putting more power into my paddling, keeping my head down and my mind fixed on the stroke of the paddle pulling the water.
After a while I realized that all I could hear was my paddle in the water, and my own breath gusting out in the effort of paddling. I pulled my head up and turned around. Ian was leaning back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest and a huge grin on his face.
“Oh, don’t stop. We’re going to get there in half the time it usually takes with that kind of effort going into things.” He chuckled as he spoke and I saw a glimmer of affection in his eyes. “You’re a lot stronger than you look.”
“Yes, I can kayak with the best of them,” I said wryly. I glanced around. We had left the other kayaks behind. A twist of the river hid them completely from view.
“That’s not what I meant,” he said softly, his blue eyes looking up at me from under the fringe of his eyelashes. He leaned forward, pushing his palms against the kayak so that he could lean those last few inches forward and bring his face up next to mine. Even when I turned my face away we were cheek to cheek. “Look, Vera, I can read the news, even if it’s from another planet. I know about you.”
I felt an icy chill in the pit of my belly. My face froze.
“What you did was so brave, even if the people on your planet don’t appreciate it. We on Capricornia prize bravery. We care about people who are willing to look death in the face with courage and defiance. You are so totally that. You’re like…the ultimate Capricornian,” he turned my chin towards him with a finger until I could feel his warm breath on my face.
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