by Neal Jones
"How come you never tried to recruit me twenty years ago?"
Ghyl appeared puzzled as he chewed and swallowed. He sat back, wiping his mouth, and then reached for his ale. "Are you jealous of your sister?"
"Not at all. I'm just curious. You have a reputation of getting the best smugglers, and I was one of the best."
Draussen shook his head, snickering, as he picked his teeth with a dirty thumbnail. "You weren't one of the best, Thalor. You were good, but not good enough. I might have thought differently if you had succeeded in escaping Mr'gss-Gl'nn with the crown."
"Oh, not at all. I appreciate your honesty." He glanced at the thugs and then at Ghyl. "And I did escape Mr'gss-Gl'nn with the crown. It just took a couple years to do it."
"Oh, yes, of course, forgive me," Draussen chortled. He slapped the com panel near his bowl and a serving boy scuttled into the room with a pitcher. The mob lord held out his empty goblet.
"So my sister was a better smuggler than me?"
"Pour some ale for our guest, and leave the pitcher." Ghyl downed a third of his goblet in one swallow and then resumed picking his teeth.
After the boy scurried out of the room, Grax reached for his cup. He was surprised by the flavor and potency of the drink. "Charrk wine. Very nice."
"I serve only the best at my table." Ghyl motioned to Thalor's bowl. "You don’t like fresh soid?"
"I never developed a taste for it."
"Sesrin was willing to take a few risks that you weren't. I found her…enthusiasm irresistible."
"And when she told you about Tilura's and my heist of the Crown of Az'Nn'rkk, you saw an irresistible opportunity."
Ghyl paused in mid-drink, the goblet halfway to his mouth. He frowned, puzzled, and then smiled, shaking his head. He set down his cup and wagged a greasy finger at Grax. "You think that I arranged all of this? I'm a mob lord of seven systems! I have more wealth than most emperors and kings! What would I want with a measly three million deyl?"
Grax's eyes widened with genuine surprise. "Three million? I would have thought five or six."
Ghyl shrugged, emptying his goblet. "Royal family isn't as wealthy as they used to be, from what I hear. Probably why they want their crown back."
"Hhmmm, yes," Grax murmured, watching Draussen refill his goblet. "Which brings us back to the question of how they discovered my forgery."
Ghyl shrugged again, casually reaching for the pitcher. "You really think it was that good? Forgeries are labeled as such for a reason. They're always discovered sooner or later."
"Not this one. I was very careful, and I did my homework. It took two years of research and another nine months to gather the materials to construct it. I designed it specifically to withstand all the usual tests of authenticity – and it passed. For the last seventeen years, the Sr'gg'nss have assumed that the crown in the Vault of Fl'nnd is real." Thalor leaned forward, wrapping both hands around his cup and turning it slowly as he watched Ghyl. "Until last week, there was only one other person that knew the crown was a fake. Tilura was the second." He paused, waiting for Draussen to react. The mob lord gazed at Grax over the rim of his goblet, his jowls twitching, his large, watery eyes glinting with amusement. "Where is she, Draussen?"
"Who? Tilura?"
Grax shook his head as he leaned back and sighed. "Sesrin, you can come out now. I'm tired of playing this game." He paused, glancing at the door, and then at the corners of the ceiling where he was certain Ghyl has installed hidden vidcams. "I know you're out there, Sesrin. Was all of this your idea – or his?"
After another pause, the door opened and Sesrin entered. "It was his."
Grax tried to hide his surprise at her appearance. The last time he had seen her, Sesrin was a defiant young woman, believing that she was just as capable as her older brother of handling the numerous risks and unforeseen dangers that came with living a smuggler's life in Nevala sector. After Grax had refused her request to join him and Tilura, she had disappeared for a couple years, and he had assumed she had returned home to Orethiaze. He had seen through her act. She was merely rebelling against their oldest sister, Thyrna, whom Sesrin claimed was acting like their late mother and trying to run her life. Grax wasn't about to get in the middle of a sibling war, especially since he hadn't spoken to either of them for over a decade at that time.
But then, two years later, he learned that Sesrin had ignored his warnings and his refusal of her partnership request, and she had signed on with one of the low-ranking arms dealers, a thug named Slauqq whose reputation for cheating his clients was well known. Thalor hunted her down and got her away from Slauqq just before he suffered a grisly demise at the hands of one of his disgruntled customers. It was also about that time that Grax had decided to get out of the Nevala sector for good, and he had begun planning one final heist. He had decided to steal the Crown of Az'Nn'rkk, and he convinced his younger sister to help him. And, as he had expected, Tilura got scared and left him on Mr'gss-Gl'nn. The last time Thalor had seen Sesrin, he had passed her the real crown with instructions on where to hide it. After serving his time, he finally left the Nevala sector for good, and he had hoped to meet Sesrin at their agreed rendezvous in the Minraf system. But only the crown awaited him. His sister had apparently disappeared after stowing the crown safely in a deposit vault, just as Thalor had instructed. He had remained on Minraf for several months, hoping that she would find him, but he finally gave up and signed on as cook with a Yiseklo freighter line. It wasn't until many years later that Thalor was disappointed to hear of Sesrin's return to the Nevala sector.
Now, looking at the hardened, lean woman standing next to Draussen, Thalor was stunned by the change in his sister's appearance. For one thing, she had lost weight – at least twenty to thirty pounds. Some of it was now muscle, yet there were more lines and curves to her figure than he had remembered, and her demeanor was not as arrogant and swaggering as before. There were still traces of the old Sesrin in her eyes – the youthful defiance still burned behind them – but the fire had diminished long ago to smoldering embers. The Nevala sector had done exactly as Grax had once feared: it had changed his sister for the worse, turning her into the type of criminal that attracted mob lords like Draussen. Tilura had been wrong about her assessment of Sesrin. She knew exactly what she was doing when she signed on with Ghyl, and it had probably all been leading to this.
"You're lying. This was your idea."
Sesrin reacted with feigned surprise, and then smiled. "Very good, Thalor. I'm impressed. Living a dreary life aboard that starbase hasn't dulled your instincts. Draussen told me all about your performance back at Vesinor. You were always were a step ahead of everyone else." She grabbed a chair and brought it to Grax's end of the table where she straddled it, and then cocked her head as she examined her brother up close. "You look good. Getting a little thick around the waist, though. Owning your own restaurant has its perks, eh?"
"Yes, it does," Thalor relied, also taking the opportunity to examine his sibling up close. "You look…different, Sesrin."
"Older, you mean."
"I was trying to be kind."
She shrugged. "Life out here is hard. You know that. Draussen, sweetheart, could we have the room? He's not going anywhere, I promise."
The mob lord rose, smiling, and motioned for his thugs to leave as well. "Of course. I'll meet you in our quarters."
Grax shuddered and made a face as he watched the trio disappear into the corridor. "You? And him??"
"Well, I admit he's not the best to look at, and I do have to make him clean up before he comes to bed, but you'd be surprised what he's capable of once he's…uh, in the mood."
Thalor turned away, snorting disgustedly as he pushed himself to his feet. He paced in silence for a minute or two, shaking his head, and then turned back to Sesrin. "Why?" he finally asked. "You could have stolen that crown seventeen years ago."
"And done what with it? Put it on a shelf? Dust it every once in awhile? You can't sell something l
ike that, Thalor. At least I couldn't. Not back then. I didn't have the connections I do now."
"So then why bother with this?" He held up his cuffed wrists. "I'll give you the damn crown. You can sell it, melt it down, do whatever the hell you want with it."
Tilura winced, glancing away. "Actually, that was my plan. But then Draussen went behind my back." She looked at him. "Seems he has an old grudge against you."
Grax shook his head. "Not him."
"Ah. One of the other lords then."
Now it was Thalor's turn to wince. "I can name at least three who would have been more than happy to bribe Draussen for this."
"Then why did you risk all of this just for me?"
"Why wouldn't I? You're my sister, Sesrin. My flesh and blood. I had to know that you were all right."
"Really?" she sneered, rising. "We haven't spoken for seventeen years. You had to have known that I was back here, working with Tilura. Why didn't you come looking for me then?"
"I didn't know you were partners with Tilura. I only knew that you had returned to this sector."
"That doesn't answer my question." She faced him, arms crossed over her chest, her eyes narrowed, the old, familiar defiance flaring in them.
"I wanted to," Thalor admitted quietly. "I really did. But what good would it have done? You didn't listen to me twenty years ago. Why would you have listened to me now?"
Sesrin turned away, exhaling a frustrated sigh as she walked back to her chair.
"Why did you come back to this sector?" he pressed her. "And where did you go after you stashed the crown on Minraf?"
"Aren't you worried about what's going to happen when we arrive at Mr'gss-Gl'nn?"
"Of course I am. Especially now that I know you're the one behind all of this."
"I'm sorry, Thalor." She gave him an apologetic look as she straddled the seat again. "I know that's not worth much now, but my plan really was to just get the crown from you, and then send you back to Exxar-One. That relic is worth more on the black market than the Sr'gg'nss reward. But now…" she trailed off, giving a slight shrug.
"You're right," Thalor replied bitterly. "That's not worth much."
Sesrin watched him, curios. "You really don't have a way out of this, do you?"
"I always have a backup plan."
She gave a mirthless snort. "Oh that's right. You're the infamous Thalor Grax. Of course you have a backup plan. Tilura told me all about some of the situations you and she got into."
Thalor returned to his chair and sat, looking smugly at his sister. "I'm surprised that no one's yet bothered to ask me where the crown is. Seems like that would be a pretty important question at this point."
"It doesn't matter. All the Sr'gg'nss want is you."
"They're paying three million deyl just for me?"
"That's what the warrant states. The Chief of the Royal Guard also confirmed it when we messaged him an hour ago. He's looking forward to interrogating you." She frowned. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
"Because I can't believe that you're still that naïve. You do realize that the Sr'gg'nss are going to detain this ship and its entire crew as soon as we arrive in their home system?"
"Of course. Long enough for us to turn you over to the Royal Guard and claim our reward."
Thalor smiled, shaking his head. "If I were you, I wouldn't even cross the border. I would put me in a lifepod, shoot me across, and then turn and run like hell."
"That won't be necessary. Draussen and I have formed an agreement with the Sr'gg'nss. I have full immunity from any prosecution in this crime in exchange for a full testimony against you. Trust me, Thalor. All they want is you." She looked at him sadly as she rose. "I wish we had more time. I'd like to hear about the rest of our family."
"Then you'll have to screen them yourself. I haven't spoken to anyone in several years."
Sesrin was already halfway to the door, but she paused, glancing back. "Really?"
"You seem surprised."
"I am. I assumed after leaving prison that you had returned to homeworld. The last time we talked, it seemed as if…" she trailed off, frowning.
Grax shifted in his seat, scratching a dried stain on the tabletop. "I was. But Thyrna made it clear that I would never be welcome back home." He shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "That was our last conversation. I still check the stock prices once in awhile, just to see how the family business is doing."
Sesrin nodded, and Thalor waited for her to say something. But, after a moment's hesitation, she turned to leave once more.
"Goodbye, Sesrin."
Only the slight pause and stiffening of her back gave indication that she had heard him as she left the room.
( 4 )
Larewyn threw down her cards in disgust. "You're cheating."
"I am not!" Persys protested, fanning herself with one hand. She tossed her cards on top of Larewyn's. "You're just a sore loser."
"I'm tired of this game," the lady empress said irritably. "Let's play something else."
Laughter erupted from the group of handmaids at the table at the other end of the courtyard. It had been Persys' idea to spend the afternoon in the Glass Gardens, hoping that the sunshine and fresh air would ease the foul temper that had possessed Larewyn for the last few days. Although the day had turned out warm and sunny, there was little breeze to break the heat. The lady empress had complained about everything from the temperature of her iced dabe to the irritating reflections of the sunlight off the walls of the nearby greenhouses that gave these gardens their name. Now she glared at the handmaids who were engaged in their own game of tormi, and Persys took notice of the little girl sitting apart from the others.
"Is that one your new maid?"
"What? Oh. Her. Yes, her name is K'Sana. My mother bargained her away from Lady Ggytha. She's creating my new wardrobe."
"A seamstress? She seems so young."
"She is." Larewyn returned her attention to her compad as she reached for her glass of dabe.
Persys shuffled the cards and dealt a new hand. "C'mon, Lare, one more round, just for me. Please?"
"No." She shut off her book and laid back, closing her eyes. "I'd rather just enjoy the quiet, okay?" Another ripple of giggling poured from the other table, and Larewyn sat up, scowling. "All of you, leave! Now! I don't care where you go, just get out of my sight!"
The handmaids looked up, startled, and then scurried out of the courtyard, leaving their cards scattered on the table. Only K'Sana remained, and she began picking up the mess.
"Just leave it!" Larewyn barked before reclining once more and closing her eyes.
K'Sana glanced at Persys and then timidly approached the lady empress. "May I please approach?" she asked, almost in a whisper.
Larewyn lifted her head, staring at the girl with surprise and anger. "What?? No! Leave me in peace!"
K'Sana gave another glance at Persys, and then continued. "My deepest apologies, m'lady, but I know why you are troubled, and why you don't sleep."
"You have lost your mind!" The lady empress sat up and swung her leg over the edge of the lounge. "Have you forgotten your place?? I should have you punished for such –"
"I can help, m'lady!" The girl knelt, bowing her head. "Please have mercy, I can help!"
Larewyn looked over her shoulder at Persys, who gave a mild shrug, as if to say What can it hurt? "All right," she sighed, massaging her temples as she turned back to the child. "But remember your place. And speak quickly."
K'Sana looked up, but remained kneeling at Larewyn's feet. "There is an herb that grows on my homeworld, a medicine that is mixed with tea or milk. It can bring on a deep sleep, a sleep without dreams. You are tired, m'lady, from your nights of unrest and fear. You have not been sleeping well. I can ease your suffering."
Larewyn gazed at K'Sana's face as she pondered her words. The girl seemed utterly sincere and innocent. Her wide, gray eyes gave no hint of deception or malice. "I've heard of your people," the lady em
press sneered at last. "Some call you the 'dirty mystics'. You live in huts and worship gods of nature and beasts of the wild. You may be a talented seamstress, but you are no doctor. I will not drink whatever swill you would try to poison me with." She waved her hand as she laid back and closed her eyes. "Leave me in peace before I turn you over to the palace guard for punishment."
K'Sana bowed her head and then rose, glancing once more at Persys before rushing away to join the other servants outside the courtyard.
"She's right," Persys said quietly. "You have been very irritable and upset these past few days. You told me yourself that Doctor Grund's remedies have done nothing for you. Perhaps –"
"Must I listen to you as well??" Larewyn lifted her head to glare at her companion. "I just want to lie in peace! Is that so much to ask??"
"No," Persys said, laying aside the deck of cards. "I think I'll go see what mother is up to."
"Yes, do that!" Larewyn snapped.
That night, she woke up screaming again. She fumbled in the dark, reaching for the panel beside the bed, gasping for breath. In the dull, orange glare of the bedside lamp, she wrapped both arms around her swollen belly and sobbed quietly. There was no one to console her, for she had ordered her mother and all her maids out of the room for the night. She was tired of them all doting, and hovering, and worrying. They were only in the outer room, of course, and she realized that her screams must have only been heard in her nightmares. If she had truly cried out, her mother would already be at her side with ineffectual attempts at consolation and murmured platitudes.
Larewyn wiped her face with the sleeve of her gown and then crawled out of bed. She longed for some fresh tea, but didn't want to wake her maids. For several moments, she stood in the center of the chamber, shivering with indecision. She walked to the wardrobe and pulled on another robe, and then decided that her headache was simply too large to ignore. If she wanted tea, she would have to wake one of her maids. Whatever the food dispenser labeled as tea was not it, no matter how many times her mother tried to program it.
The lady empress pressed the door panel and slid it aside just a few inches so she could peek through into the outer chamber. Marija was snoring softly in the bed nearest the door, and the other three smaller beds were occupied by her handmaids. In the sliver of light that emanated behind her, Larewyn could see that K'Sana was in one them. Larewyn suddenly remembered the girl's request from earlier that afternoon, and she also realized that she would give up the life of her unborn child at that moment for just six hours of uninterrupted, dreamless sleep.