The Reluctant Empress

by Teresa Howard

  “It is not your gift, Sister. My Lady must see the face of the child,” said Sayeri.

  Her eyes narrowed.

  Ninallia gave her a hug. “My Lady will decide if we are correct.”

  “I see,” said Sister Tegani. “If this was something of great importance to the Order why do I, with many more years of training than Sayeri, not know?” When her question was answered with silence, she added, “How can I help?” She helped arrange for a video of Ninallia and her young son.

  “Make sure you get a good close-up of the child’s face,” instructed Sayeri.

  The council, prompted by Hanoree, expressed concerns about the video. After reviewing it, there was nothing specific they could object to. The people of the Imperial City were clamoring to see the child, as was most of Bengar. The video met the council’s demand for controlled exposure.

  ~ * ~

  My Lady of Wisdom was resting in her room. One of the Sisters came in to check on her and asked if she would like to have the entertainment vid tuned to the news from the Empire. She said yes and was surprised to hear there was to be a video of the child. Why hadn’t Sister Tegani informed her of this? Of course, she would watch.

  The camera first showed Ninallia’s face. My Lady smiled. After panning the royal nursery, the camera zoomed in on the young child. He seemed to realize the attention was on him and looked into the view screen with a smile. He waved a tiny fist.

  My Lady cried out. Servants rushed in as she was weeping. When they brought her water, she started laughing and crying at the same time. What joyous news!

  ~ * ~

  Tegani felt My Lady’s reaction, and Tegani’s eyes grew wide as the reason was revealed to her. She looked from the cradle to Sayeri astonished.

  “I needed My Lady to confirm it before I spoke,” said Sayeri.

  Tegani picked up little Hiroto. She laughed. If she heard My Lady, Arturon had also heard. She wished she could have seen his face. She kissed the boy. What would this mean for the empire?

  Sayeri knew the prophecy best. She told it to Ninallia as she rocked her son. “In a time of great danger there will come one born to the Order who will rule the empire. He will defend Bengar and rule his people well, but his life will not be easy.”

  Ninallia shook her head. “I do not care if my son fulfills prophesies. I want him to be happy and healthy. All this was doing was putting a target on his sweet head. Houston must be informed there was greater danger.”

  Since he was not a native of Bengar, they debated how much to tell him.

  Ninallia said, “Houston has risked his life for my son and for me. It is not fair to keep him in the dark.”

  Sister Tegani gave her a grateful smile. Because Ninallia knew Tegani’s feelings for Houston, it would have been hard for the girl to exclude him.

  Thirty-Eight

  With shock, Arturon looked around the bustling city. The revelation from My Lady came as a complete surprise. He had been with Ninallia and the baby many times, and he had never seen the prophecy. “It is a gift given to a few, revealed in time,” the gentle voice of My Lady had told him.

  He wished he knew more about Beliani. With surgery, she could look like anyone. There were places where they did face alteration and even skin color changes. It seemed like a hopeless quest. At least the weather here was fine, and the food excellent. He chided himself. Such thoughts were not worthy of a Brother of the Order.

  Arturon discreetly inquired if a newcomer with the name Ibella lived in the area. In a city this size he was trying to find a needle in a haystack. He sat over lunch in a shorefront café to think. People changed their faces and names; they could not change who they were. In the Imperial City Beliani ran a tavern that served a low-end clientele. Perhaps she would take a job in such a tavern here. She could fool the Imperial forces, but not him. He felt sure he would recognize her if he was in the same room with her since he was trained to recognize auras.

  His waitress gave him an unusual look. “You’re a Brother of the Order?”

  He bowed. He was not in disguise. “I am on a sabbatical and errand for the Temple.”

  “Would you be able to tell if a very young child was gifted? If I should take her to the Temple?”

  Arturon answered simply, “The Temple welcomes everyone to be tested.”

  The waitress smiled. “I know, I was not raised here. My people are very devout and loyal to the Order.”

  This was a very secular kingdom. There were Brothers and Sisters here, but the Order wielded little influence on the rulers.

  “I know she is young, but would you be willing to touch her? If she is gifted, I want to raise the funds to take her to the Temple. Could you tell me if she is worthy?”

  He started to protest a busy schedule. The woman waved her hands, and an older woman came in holding a young girl with unruly red hair. The child appeared to be about three and was obviously of mixed race. With the number of foreign trade in the area, he was not surprised. What did surprise him was the strength of the child’s ability. He touched her head and peered into her eyes.

  “You have done well to bring her to me.” He gazed at the grandmother. “You will help her raise this child?”

  The old woman pledged her assistance. Arturon whispered a blessing and placed a small bag of credits in her hand. “Save this until the child is six then bring her to the Temple City.” He inquired if she knew the name of a tavern that would make a good hiding place for a newcomer to the city.

  The woman shook her head. “This is a port city, lots of tourists, also many sailors and dockworkers.”

  “A place where someone who doesn’t speak the language well could find work?” he pressed.

  The two women glanced at each other. “Where would this stranger be from?”

  He hesitated a second. “I believe she would be from the Empire, the Imperial City.”

  The old woman made a face. The younger woman answered, “Those places are further down toward the end of the ports. There are four bars frequented by sailors from the Empire.”

  Arturon made note of the tavern names and their direction. This narrowed his search and saved him days of work. He was much more hopeful when he bade the women goodbye. They had blessed him in return for his advice.

  The grandmother whispered a warning before she left. “Brother, guard your purse in those places, they are not safe. Thieves will attack anyone who goes there unarmed.”

  Arturon smiled. Any thieves or ruffians who attacked a Brother of the Order would soon regret their mistake. He was skilled in fighting.

  The sea air was beginning to cool the area, and the taverns he was seeking were at least a mile from where he met left the two women. It was rundown and smelled strongly. Few of the ships docked here belonged to the Imperial fleet. Smaller companies used the port, and he suspected many of these traded in contraband.

  There was distrust, almost hostility when he entered the first place and ordered a meat pie and ale. The pie tasted at least a day old, and the ale was bitter. The other customers watched him nervously.

  “Have you heard of a woman named Ibella? She arrived in the area from Adimar. She speaks Imperial.”

  The bartender shook his head. “We value the privacy our customers.”

  As Arturon was leaving a man slipped off the barstool and bumped into him. It was a common pickpocket routine. The man whispered, “Try the Two Dragons Inn.”

  Arturon allowed the man to take five credits from his pocket. Would seem a great joke, and the information was worth its price.

  The wind picked up, and he pulled his robes closer. He knew the inn would be open for many hours, but he decided to wait until the next day. No respectable Brother of the Order would be in this neighborhood late, unless it was an emergency, and he did not want to draw attention to himself.

  The room where he was staying was simple, clean, and warm. He ordered tea. There would be hot rolls and coffee for breakfast. He took a moment to contact Sayeri and Tegani. T
hey reported things in the Imperial City were much the same. Has Lady Hanoree kept our secret from her husband?

  Yes, but it will not be long before Hanoree notices her reticence to discredit the heir. She visited her son yesterday and talked with Miette about his future. Miette could go a long way to help him, if he gives up a few of his vices and take his future seriously, Sayeri replied.

  Arturon wished his friends well and broke their connection. He wanted to be in the Imperial City, but it was critical for him to find Beliani and gain access to the bank vault for the proof of Hanoree’s perfidy they needed.

  He was preparing to turn off the light in the room when there was a soft knock. Surprised, he peeked out and saw a figure wrapped in dark, flowing robes. Strange green colored eyes looked at the door. He opened the door and recognized Beliani. The once fair-skinned beauty was now dark and exotic.

  She glowered at Arturon. “How did you find me?” she demanded. “You will have Hanoree’s men on me.”

  “Your mother told me where to look.”

  Beliani, now known as Ibella, looked at him with concern. “She is okay?”

  “She is well. How did you know I was looking for you?”

  “I have friends who heard you mention my name.”

  “You left the protection of the League.”

  “I value my life. They were going to keep me in custody until this crisis is over. They wanted me to testify against Lord Hanoree,” Ibella explained.

  “We need you to access the evidence. We are not sure there is a bank box.”

  She looked uneasy. Arturon knew she was going to tell a lie. He frowned, giving her a look that frightened most novices into a confession of their trespass.

  “Okay, it’s too late to convince Hanoree I won’t testify against him,” she admitted.

  “Doesn’t someone else having the information make you safer? It gives Hanoree another target.”

  She gave Arturon the name of the bank and the code to the deposit box. “You won’t find credits or jewels in the box. Those were kept in a separate box, under my name. The evidence against Rico and against Lord Hanoree are the only things in his box.” Tears came to her eyes. “He wasn’t a bad man. He was a good husband.”

  He could have reminded her that her husband made his living killing and stealing. His murder of the emperor and empress spread fear and unrest throughout the Empire.

  Arturon shook his head. “If you get in trouble, try to make it to the League. They will protect you. If you can’t get to them, you should seek refuge in the Temple City.”

  “And freeze my tail off, no thank you. I want to get off planet, not under League safe house arrest this time.”

  “You know the League cannot involve themselves.”

  She laughed. “They are involved up to their asses.”

  He inclined his head in agreement, hoping she understood her best bet for surviving this was to have as many other people as possible be privy to the information.

  “He knew the identity of his client. The contact worked for Lord Hanoree.”

  “And you can prove this?” Arturon asked.

  “No, he’s dead. I saw it on the news feed. I knew they would come for me, so I ran.”

  “Why didn’t you tell the general?”

  “Because it would be my word against Lord Hanoree, if I lived to testify.”

  Arturon frowned. “Can you name the man?”

  “No, I knew his face. He was found in an alley with his guts cut out.”

  A flash of memory hit Arturon. There had been something on the news feed, a grisly murder. Hanoree murdered or had people murdered at will. He must be stopped.

  Thirty-Nine

  Ninallia was enjoying a late breakfast when she was interrupted by an older woman pushing her way into her room.

  “Excuse me my dear, I have a few questions if I may.”

  “I don’t believe we have met before,” Ninallia said.

  The woman puffed up. “I am Lady Orand. I am sure you would not be familiar with my name, given your background.”

  Ninallia tensed. How should she handle this? She wished Sayeri were here. As if in answer to her silent summons, Sayeri came back into the room. She took one look at Lady Orand and stepped beside Ninallia.

  “How may we help you Lady Orand?” Sayeri asked.

  Lady Orand smiled. “I was hoping to have a private chat with this girl.”

  Sayeri crossed her arms. “My Lady, Ninallia is the mother of the heir.”

  “He hasn’t been confirmed yet. I am working on verifying a few facts.”

  Ninallia decided it was her turn to speak. “Arturon has already verified his paternity.”

  “I have read his statement, but the council has many guidelines to the succession.”

  Sayeri shook her head. “You have been hired by the council as an expert?”

  Lady Orand hesitated. “I have been consulted by a private individual on behalf of the Council of Nobles.”

  “I see, I don’t suppose you are at liberty to disclose Lord Hanoree’s name?” Sayeri asked.

  There was an intake of breath, and Lady Orand sputtered, “My clients are confidential.”

  “Then I see no reason to allow you to interview Lady Ninallia.”

  “She is no lady born,” Lady Orand said.

  “She is the mother of the Imperial heir. Her credentials have been made public to the council. Perhaps you are out of touch. Didn’t you realize this?”

  By the shocked look on Lady Orand’s face, the jab hit the target. She made some vague remarks about the loyalty of one’s ancestors to the Empire then left.

  “What an unpleasant woman,” Ninallia said. She was relieved Sayeri had come to her aid and was not intimidated by Lady Orand.

  Sayeri put her hand on Ninallia. “If there are any skeletons in your family closet Lady Orand will find them. I see no reason to help her do so.”

  A chill swept through Ninallia. How would she know if her ancestors were involved in anything illegal? Her son was the son and heir of the emperor, and she was his mother. What else should matter?

  ~ * ~

  Arturon slept fitfully. His subconscious tried to devise a plan. He memorized the information and destroyed the paper. He was sipping his morning tea when there was a loud banging at his door.

  “Coming.” He wrapped his robe tightly around himself and opened the door.

  Two local police officers stood there. They seemed taken back to be facing a Brother of the Order.

  One of the officers bowed. “Brother, forgive this intrusion. We were told a certain barmaid, named Ibella, visited this room last night.

  Arturon smiled, thinking they might be investigating prostitution. “Yes, Ibella came here.”

  The officers shifted, scratching at their necks. “Can you tell us the nature of her visit?”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “I hate to inform you, Brother. Ibella has been found murdered.”

  Arturon wobbled. He reached and put a hand on the table to steady himself. She was in his room last night; now she was dead. “I am sorry to hear this. I came here on behalf of her mother. The woman is old and frail. She asked me to seek a reconciliation with her daughter.”

  Tension slipped from the officers. Now they were happy to accept his explanation and avoid conflict with the Order, but he knew they would check and confirm his story. He had not left his room after Beliani’s visit.

  “I am sorry to burden you with sad news for the mother, Brother. How long will you be in the city? Our supervisor will want to speak with you, and you could be called to testify.”

  As he answered, Arturon was very cordial to the officers and walked them to the door. He didn’t know what to do. He would be watched if he tried to leave the city. It was possible the authorities would discover his identity, and the First Brother of the Order should not be found in the area. His presence would raise too many questions.

  Arturon was sure it would take months for the in
vestigation to be completed. He was also sure the security forces here would be unable to find this killer. If this was, as he suspected, a murder by Lord Hanoree’s forces, the murderer was out of the kingdom already.

  One thing was certain, if Arturon was to be in this port city long term, he needed a different place to stay. He preferred simple meals and much more privacy. His first mission after breakfast was to find living quarters. There were nice tourist areas and seedy port areas. Something private and nice without being extravagant or showy would fit his needs. He sent a message to Sayeri and explained his situation. She told him about the problems Lady Orand was causing.

  I do not think there is anything to worry about, he said. Short of treason there is nothing serious enough to negate the inheritance.

  Sayeri agreed. She wanted Arturon’s presence in the Imperial City but understood the importance of his mission. She wished him safety and luck in uncovering Beliani’s murder.

  He broke the connection. He would have to be very careful with any inquiries about Ibella. The police would not share information with him, and he could not appear too eager to help them. After going downstairs, he passed the young woman at the desk as he headed outside. He stopped when she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

  “Bless you my child, you look tired.”

  “Thank you, Brother, my relief will be here soon. I have worked all night.”

  Arturon nodded and started to walk on but halted when the woman hesitated as if she wanted to say something. He tilted his head and smiled.

  “Forgive me, Brother, I was the one who told them the woman they were looking for visited your room. I told them she was not there long enough for illicit purpose, and that you did not go out.”

  “No problem, daughter. Both statements are true, and the Order would never want anyone to lie.” He exhaled slowly. “Did you see the woman leave? Did you notice if she was alone or see anyone following her?”

  The woman blinked. She looked up as if to remember the night. By her reaction Arturon felt sure the two officers had not asked her this question. “Yes, I see everyone who goes in and out. I told the officers she left alone. I did see an odd-looking man standing across the way watching our building. When she was gone, he was not there anymore. He could have followed her.”