Starbound

by Brenda Hiatt

  The moment we reached the edge of the big square, at least fifty yards on a side, cheers broke out. And I was suddenly as comfortable as if Sean had read my mind. Startled, I glanced up at him. “Did you do that?”

  He grinned down at me, his teeth flashing white in the dusk as he shook his head. “The square is climate-controlled. And see how the fog is above and around us but not at ground level inside the village? Makes Bailerealta almost impossible to spot from the air or sea.”

  I glanced up, and sure enough, the sky was obscured by low clouds. Cool! I shrugged out of my jacket, only then noticing that no one but Rigel and I had bothered wearing one.

  They might have told us, he thought sourly, taking my jacket to carry along with his own.

  I glanced at Sean, half expecting him to object, but he and Molly were already being greeted by about a dozen teenagers, obviously friends from when they’d lived here. They both seemed totally at ease—unlike me.

  Is this what it feels like to be the new kid?

  There was a chuckle in Rigel’s reply. You’re hardly the average new kid, so more for me than you.

  Yeah, but you’ve had practice!

  Mayor Liana came forward with a bow. “Perhaps you’d like to meet some of the younger people, Excellency? This will be an informal gathering, as the O’Garas said you would prefer that.”

  “I would, yes, thanks.” I smiled gratefully.

  “Come meet Princess Emileia.” She beckoned and the group of teens approached me, some more eagerly than others.

  “Um, just M is fine.” I noticed one girl clinging to Sean’s arm possessively, though he looked uncomfortable about it, and three or four others eyeing Rigel with frank appreciation. Not that I could blame them.

  Molly stepped up to cut through the awkwardness. “Remember, she didn’t know anything about being a Princess, or even about Mars, until last fall, so she still feels a little weird when people make a big deal about it. Especially since she’s always lived in a town where nobody knows the truth. Right, M?”

  “Right.” Mindful of nearby adults, not all of whom were necessarily delighted to see me, I added, “I’ve been learning everything I need to know as quickly as I can, but I’m still getting used to the whole idea.”

  “That must be hard,” one girl said, her blue eyes sympathetic. “I’m Tamra, by the way.”

  I smiled at her, relaxing a tiny bit. “Hi, Tamra. And yeah, nobody warned me how much work it would be when they first told me…everything.”

  That broke the ice and a moment later I was being peppered with questions and names as people introduced themselves—first the teens, then more and more adults. Everyone seemed friendly and eager to know more about me. I did my best to attach names to faces and to answer all the questions I could.

  By the time a bell rang signaling the opening of the buffet line, I felt a warm glow at so much kindness—helped by Rigel staying right behind me the whole time. A few days in Bailerealta would be fun after all.

  CHAPTER 13

  agoid (AH-gyoyd): organized protest; opposition

  I felt horribly conspicuous going first through the buffet line, but knew arguing would make it worse. Prompted by his mother, Sean came next, followed by Mr. and Mrs. O’Gara, then all the visiting Royals and the mayor (who I assumed was also Royal), then everyone else, more or less from oldest to youngest.

  Rigel and Molly paced along behind me the whole way, two or three feet away from the table, not taking any food yet. At least no one insisted Molly serve me, which would have been extra weird at a buffet.

  Stupid Martian tradition, I thought, since Rigel was even hungrier than I was. Everything looked delicious—probably everyone had made their own specialty. Lots of seafood and fresh greens, which was fine with me since I loved both. I put a big helping of broccoli salad on my plate and was startled by a mental groan from Rigel.

  I glanced back at him. What? I queried, turning back around before Sean could frown.

  Nothing. Just…I hate broccoli.

  Oh, I forgot! You don’t really have to—

  Yeah, I do. It’s my first day on the job. Gotta make it look good.

  Gripping my own plate tighter, I frowned. What if the food runs out? You want me to take some extra, to make sure you don’t starve? What do you want most of?

  That’s against the rules, too. It’s fine. Broccoli’s good for me. Don’t take any banana pudding though, okay?

  Like I would. He knew I didn’t like bananas any more than he did. Once through the line, I waited for the mayor to tell me where I had to sit.

  “As it’s not a formal occasion, Excellency, you and your friends are free to sit with the young people. Though if you could say a few words later on, we’d all appreciate it.”

  “Um, okay. Thanks.” I was glad I didn’t have to sit at a special table, but nobody had warned me about a speech!

  You’ll be fine. Rigel sent a burst of confidence my way. Just say how much you appreciate the welcome and the food and how pretty the town is. Stuff like that.

  Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to—

  “C’mon, let’s go eat.” Sean glanced suspiciously from me to Rigel, reminding me how observant he was—about me, anyway. We definitely needed to be more careful.

  I immediately nodded. “Yeah, I’m starving.”

  We all went to one of the long wooden tables that had been set up around the buffet. Since there were no finger bowls, I just sat near the middle. Sean took the seat to my left while Molly stepped up and put a dab of everything I’d taken onto Rigel’s still-empty plate.

  Sorry about the broccoli, I sent as he dutifully tasted everything. He suppressed a smile.

  “Now, go get your own food,” I said the moment Rigel and Molly finished the silly ritual. “Consider it an order,” I added when Rigel opened his mouth to protest.

  By the time Molly and Rigel returned, the very last ones through the line, the rest of the teens had joined us. The pretty, dark-haired girl who’d been clinging to Sean’s arm earlier was quick to grab the seat on his other side, strengthening my suspicion that she’d been his girlfriend before. Not that I was bothered by that.

  I’d saved the two seats on my right for Rigel and Molly, since it was an informal occasion, and insisted they both sit.

  “Wow, Molly, you really have been appointed Chomseireach.” Evelyn, the redheaded girl across from us, looked frankly impressed. “Very cool.” Apparently Mrs. O had been right about the position being an honor. She shifted her gaze to Rigel. “And the Costanta here—your new beau?”

  Molly looked startled. “My…? Rigel is, um, mainly here as M’s Bodyguard.” She’d obviously remembered, just a hair too late, that she and Rigel were supposed to play along if anyone assumed they were a couple.

  “Mmm, so that’s the Royal Bodyguard uniform? I approve.” A blonde who reminded me uncomfortably of Trina, but even more ridiculously pretty, flashed a flirtatious glance his way. “I’d seen pictures, but it looks way better in person. I’m Rowena, by the way. Nice to meet you, Rigel.”

  “We all heard how you saved the Princess from Faxon last fall,” Tamra, the blue-eyed, black-haired girl who’d seemed so nice earlier chimed in. “No wonder the Council appointed you Bodyguard. My dad says there’s never been one so young. Congratulations!”

  I could feel Rigel’s embarrassment. “Um, thanks? I mean, I do feel honored, of course.”

  “You must have so many great stories to tell.” Rowena fluttered her lashes again. “I’m going to be on the ship, too, and can’t wait to hear them all. Will this be your first trip to Mars?”

  “Yeah, it will.” His embarrassment started to fade. “Anything special we should see?”

  Immediately, every girl at the table started offering Rigel advice on what to expect and what he had to see while he was there. I told myself their flirting was inevitable, considering how incredibly good-looking Rigel was, even by Echtran standards—especially in that uniform. It wasn�
�t like he was actually encouraging them.

  “Make sure you take a trip to the central pillar.” Evelyn included me in her smile. “I hear it’s the one place you can get a real feel for how high the, uh, ceiling is.”

  “I’ll make sure they see it,” Molly said. “You’ve never been, though, have you, Ev?”

  The girl shook her head. “Born and raised here in Bailerealta, like my mum and dad. Rowena’s from Nuath, though.”

  “We came here when I was eleven.” The forward blonde leaned toward him across the table, reminding me even more forcibly of Trina. “Mum can’t wait to get back, now Faxon’s out. My father and brother are still there, keeping the family farm going. They sent us here when things started getting dangerous.”

  The conversation shifted to how Nuath had changed since the last launch window. The girl on Sean’s other side, Brenna, mentioned messages from friends talking about shortages and transportation problems.

  “But it’s getting better now, they say. Now that there’s no tyrant stepping on everyone’s rights.” She shot a glance my way. “We’ll be on this transport, too, but we got bumped down to steerage.”

  I wondered if my emergency trip to Mars was the reason, and if that explained her slight hostility—though Sean was the more likely reason. Not my business, I reminded myself.

  “So, have any of you been to Thiaraway?” Some looked startled at my first words since sitting down. I hoped they didn’t think I was stuck up, they’d all been so friendly. “I’ve seen a video, er, hologram,” I continued. “It looked pretty amazing.”

  No one had, but Rowena offered that her father used to go there a lot. “He said it really went downhill under Faxon, but I’m sure they’re cleaning it up now.” She sent a totally unnecessary smile at Rigel. “I hear there’s tons to do there—or used to be.”

  I found myself fighting that increasingly familiar sense of unreality, listening to them all talk about life on Mars, relatives on Mars, like it was some little country in Europe. Not like it was another freaking planet. Not that they’d be so casual if they knew about the possible threat from— I shut down that thought before Rigel caught it.

  Glancing around for a distraction, I saw three of the Royals I’d noticed earlier heading purposefully my way—more distraction than I’d bargained for. I felt my stomach clench, despite the big smiles they all wore. Rigel immediately stood up and moved into position behind me.

  “Good evening, Excellency.” The woman greeted me with the traditional right-fist-over-heart bow. “I hope you will forgive me not welcoming you sooner, but I wished to let you eat and relax after your travels and the undoubted stress you’ve been under. I am Annwyn Walsh, and I believe you have already met Gordon and Devyn?”

  “Nice to meet you.” Annwyn didn’t have the unpleasant vibe I got from Gordon, but I could almost feel her tension—or maybe it was just the stiff way she was standing.

  Devyn bowed then, positively oozing charisma. “Excellency, allow me to place myself and my colleagues at your service, something we could not discreetly do before arriving here. If there is any way in which we can assist or advise you—here, on the ship, or on Mars—I hope you will not hesitate to ask.”

  So they’d decided to suck up after all. Just to be safe?

  “Thank you.” I raised my chin, refusing to let my misgivings show. “I’ve done a lot to prepare already but appreciate your offer.”

  Now Gordon spoke. “I take it you have been receiving instruction from the O’Garas now that Allister Adair is, ah, no longer available? The amount of information you’ve been expected to absorb in such a short time must be overwhelming, even without a change in advisors to complicate things.”

  “Believe me, the change in advisors has been very much for the better. I’ve learned much more from the O’Garas, and from books, than I ever learned from Allister,” I said firmly.

  A spasm that was almost a frown flashed across Gordon’s face, making me wonder if he and Allister were friends. That would explain a lot. “I, ah, was not trying to imply otherwise, simply expressing the sympathy we all have for the suddenness with which you have been thrust into a position of such responsibility.”

  “Yes, a great burden for one so young,” Devyn agreed. “That is why we wished to assure you of our support. Believe me, Princess, one can never have too many allies.”

  A friendly warning or a veiled threat? I hoped the former, but would keep my guard up.

  So will I, Rigel thought.

  All conversation at our table had stopped the moment the three Royals reached me. Now everyone hung on my next words. Great.

  “Yes, I’ve come to realize that. Your allegiance is greatly appreciated.” I’d learned that the word allegiance held special overtones involving loyalty to the point of sacrifice. That they knew it too was clear from the slight widening of all three sets of eyes, though none of them disputed the word. If anything, I detected a trace of increased respect.

  “And our honor,” Devyn replied after only the barest hesitation. “We will leave you to your new friends, with the hope you will enjoy your brief stay in Ireland.” All three again bowed in unison and moved away.

  Silence gripped the table for another five seconds, then everyone started whispering at once. Rigel silently congratulated me on how well I’d managed the exchange and Sean did the same, out loud. Conversation gradually resumed, but a few minutes later Mayor Liana cleared her throat at my shoulder.

  “Excellency, now you’ve finished eating, might you honor us with a few words? Not to worry,” she added in response to my undoubtedly panicked look. “No one expects a prepared speech.”

  Rigel immediately sent a bracing wave of strength and confidence my way. You’ll be great. Just keep it short and sweet and smile a lot. They’ll love you. How can they not?

  I turned a smile at his thought into a smile at Liana. “Sure. I mean, I’ll do my best.”

  Liana led me to the edge of the town square, where a large rectangular platform slowly rose about six feet out of the ground. Though startled, I followed the mayor up the short flight of stairs cut into one side. The thing even had a podium.

  “Here.” Liana pulled something almost too small to see from her pocket and attached the tiny button to the neckline of my dress. She then turned to the crowd, which had fallen expectantly silent. “I give you…Princess Emileia.”

  They cheered enthusiastically but I swallowed. Then swallowed again. There seemed to be twice as many people out there as there’d been a minute ago.

  Go ahead. You’ll be fine. Rigel stood at attention at the edge of the platform, scanning the crowd.

  “Hello, everyone.” Magnified by that tiny button, my voice boomed across the square, startling me again. I took a deep breath, drawing on the courage Rigel was sending me.

  “Thank you all so much for the wonderful welcome you’ve given me today. I already feel like one of you.” A burst of applause gave me time to come up with my next sentence. “Everything I’ve seen of Ireland and of Bailerealta so far has been beautiful. I wish I could stay longer, to see more of it, and I promise that if I get a chance to come back, I’ll do just that.”

  More applause. Really? I wasn’t being clever or original, just sincere. I decided to try something a little more substantial.

  “I’m sure many of you are wondering whether a teenage girl who found out less than a year ago who she really is will be able to do all the things expected of a Sovereign. To be honest, I don’t know, but I promise to do my best. I have some great advisors and I know I’ll have more in the days…years to come. Believe me, I have as much reason as any of you to hate what Faxon did to our people and I intend to do everything possible to put things right and undo the damage he caused.”

  The crowd clapped and cheered again. Then, suddenly, there was a shout from the back of the square. “How about free elections?”

  “Aye, let the people decide!” came another.

  “No Royals needed! No Royals needed!
No Royals needed!”

  I blinked, only locating the source of the disturbance when several people converged on two men waving their fists in the air. Before I could react, the men were hustled out of the square into the surrounding darkness.

  “Go on,” Liana whispered. “Please. Pay them no mind, Excellency.”

  Like I could just ignore something like that? I hesitated, badly rattled, until Liana gave me another urgent nod, her eyes begging me.

  Just give them a good finish, Rigel sent, along with another wave of love and strength. Short and sweet, remember?

  He was right, of course. It wasn’t like I could address what had just happened without knowing who those men were or what they wanted. Squaring my shoulders, I cleared my throat and continued.

  “Over the next few days, I hope to get to know as many of you as I can, and to understand your hopes and concerns. And during my time on Mars, I intend to learn more about our people and about Nuath itself, so I can craft a course to lead us all into the best possible future. Again, thank you—all of you.”

  I looked to Liana and she nodded, now smiling ear to ear. She seemed to think I’d done fine and, judging by the reaction of most of the crowd, they did, too. I nearly slumped in relief but caught myself before anyone—especially my detractors—could notice.

  Told you you’d be great. Rigel’s thought was smug, and it drew a smile from me that provoked even more cheers.

  I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for being my strength.

  Always, he thought back, all humor gone. And don’t worry about those two rabble rousers. Everyone else loved you.

  I wasn’t as certain, but his confidence calmed my lingering uneasiness. Abruptly exhausted, I cupped my hand over my microphone button to whisper, “Would it offend people if I went to bed? Like, now?”

  Liana shook her head, still smiling. “That will be fine. You’ve had a long day. And thank you—you were wonderful. Just what the people needed to hear from their Sovereign.” She took the button from my dress and faced the crowd, magnifying her own voice now. “Please don’t detain the Princess tonight, much as I know all of you want to talk to her. Tomorrow, after she’s rested from her travels, will be soon enough for any private audiences. Thank you all for coming.”