by Philip Hamm
But I’m ready, he said.
No, said Mater. You are not.
Then what is going to happen to me?
You must wait and find out, said Pater.
And with heavy beats of their powerful wings, they began to fly away. He tried to call them back but they flew on until they were hidden among the clouds.
So, he waited and an eternity seemed to pass…
*
He opened his eyes. Wayfinder was staring down at him.
“He’s awake,” said the navigator. “Go and tell Tringa and let Rani Rhus know.”
Nacyon was dimly aware of Quail looking down at him briefly and then leaving. He heard his voice calling out but the words were muffled.
He could see clouds above his friend’s head but as his eyes focussed, he saw they were painted on a ceiling. “Where am I?” he asked.
“Rani Rhus had you brought here to her house,” Wayfinder replied. “She’s been very kind.”
“Where…?”
“You’re still on the Golden Eyrie. How are you feeling?”
Nacyon tried to move and then the pain hit him. It seemed to be all over; not a piece of him didn’t hurt in one way or another. He looked down at his body and saw most of it was covered in bandages and plaster. He could feel his skin itching underneath.
“Stay still,” said Wayfinder.
“What’s happened to me?”
“You’ve been in a coma. Your right arm, both legs and most of your ribs were broken; it’s a miracle your back or your neck wasn’t snapped in two. But it’ll be a while before you can go Poa-bird hunting again.”
“Good,” Nacyon said. “I never did like killing the stupid creatures.”
Wayfinder smiled, “That’s more like it.”
“How long have I been unconscious?”
The navigator had to think, “It must be at least a month by now.”
“A month…?” The shock made him choke and Wayfinder held onto his good arm.
“We didn’t think you would make it past the first day. It took hours to find you in the wreckage of the tower and several more for the surgeons to set your bones. Then, all we could do was wait. We’ve been taking it in turns to watch for any signs of recovery. Even the Queen has taken time from her schedule to sit with you.”
“Zizania…?”
“Quillaia,” he smiled. “I knew she was special when we ferried the three of you to the Nidus but what she’s done for Quill in the last few weeks is beyond miraculous.”
“What’s happened? Did the fleet make it home safely? Have the Zarktek attacked? Are we still at war with Zamut and Saron?”
Wayfinder put a hand on his arm again, “Calm down,” he said. “The fleet made it home, slightly battered but generally safe. A few ships managed to reach the Zamut world of Aiseldur and Valgus Jennet let them go once they were repaired – it seems Zamut has its own problems with the Rickobites and he would rather remain friends with his neighbours than do the bidding of the Senate.”
“What’s happened to Zamut?”
“Patience - you’ve got a whole month to catch up on and it’s going to take a lot of telling.”
“But what about the Zarktek?”
“They attacked the Council of Empires on Gemote but that was all; they haven’t been seen or heard from since.”
“And the Rickobites…?”
“They’re back in their own hemisphere.”
“How was all this possible?”
“There’s a new power in Evigone called ‘Panadawn’. People are saying they’ve come from outside the constellation but its emperor is human. They captured Rimmon and several other Rickobites and gave them an ultimatum – stop supporting the Zarktek or risk annihilation. Since then, we’ve not heard a peep out of the Cult of Adramelech or any of the other pro-Zarktek groups. Even the Rickoby Bank of Credit and Commerce is keeping pretty quiet these days.”
“What about Sagan? I remember, their planet was hit with nuclear missiles…?”
“That was Zamut but only the surface burned. The population was saved and some of them are now working for Panadawn. But the Senate’s decision to send the missiles has rebounded badly. The other empires have protested and threatened to cut links with the Zamut Senate and, as a benefit, they haven’t tried to take back Sapadilla or punish us for attacking them.”
“But will they…?”
Wayfinder shook his head, “Queen Quillaia is negotiating a peace treaty. She has the backing of Panadawn and it’s likely Zamut will agree.”
“How did she manage that?”
“You were right to rescue those two Sagan ladies from the Nidus,” he smiled. “One of them is now the wife of Panadawn’s emperor. You’ve saved us, Nacyon. If either of those two women had been killed, or captured and forced to work in a mine, we would be facing not only the wrath of the Sagan but Panadawn too. It was one of the latter’s warships that took out the masts on our fleet – just one vessel – and apparently, they have a fleet of them.”
“No wonder Zamut was ready to make peace.”
Wayfinder nodded, “But because of you, Panadawn is willing to make a treaty with us too.”
Nacyon winced as he tried to move again. “I go to sleep for five minutes and the whole of Evigone turns on its head.”
“Better than falling on it,” said Rani Rhus, entering the room. “Thank you, Wayfinder – I need to have a moment alone with Nacyon, if you don’t mind.”
The navigator patted Nacyon on the arm, “Tringa will be here soon – but I’ll make sure she doesn’t try and kill you herself.”
When he was gone, Rani Rhus took his seat. “I need to know the truth,” she said. “Did you plant the bomb that killed Zizania?”
“No,” he replied. “And I have no idea who did.”
“There’s a long list of possible culprits but fortunately, your name isn’t very high on it. Most people seem to think your presence was simply an accident.”
“I…”
She held up her hand, “I’m going to assume that you went there to reason with her after witnessing the deaths of Rhatany and the others. I’m going to tell everyone you wanted to persuade her to change her mind about supporting the Zarktek but you were unlucky enough to arrive at the same moment somebody else assassinated her. Even in your grief for my brothers and nephews, you had no intention of harming the Queen, did you?”
“No, my lady,” he said but she could see the lie in his eyes.
“That will be the official story,” she said. “Now, tell me the truth…”
He had barely begun his story when Tringa entered. There was both relief and anger in her eyes and he worried about where Wayfinder had gone. Then her face relaxed and she simply looked relieved.
“I’m going to tell the Rani everything,” he said.
She nodded, “It’s better if you do.”
He asked Rhus, “May she stay?”
The Rani nodded and Tringa sat down next to her.
He started from the moment Rimmon first approached him and ended with the sight of the blood on the wall of Zizania’s bedroom. The only part he omitted was the fact it could have been Melanitta’s rather than the Queen’s. He also said nothing about the figure climbing to the roof or the bundle he was carrying over his shoulder.
When he was finished, both women shook their heads at him. “You are an old fool,” said Tringa. “When you’re well again, I’m going to make your life a misery for what you’ve put us through.”
“And yet,” said Rani Rhus, “With your help, by saving those Sagan women, he also saved the Empire.” She sighed and stood up to leave, “What are we going to do with you, Nacyon?”
“I can have him scrubbing decks for the rest of his life, my lady…”
“No, that would be a waste of his better qualities. I think we will send him away on a new mission. With the Queen’s approval, and your ship, he can be our ambassador to the new Council of Empires on Jyntee. That should keep him out of trouble.”
“As you wish,” said the captain, sounding disappointed.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities for scrubbing decks along the way,” the Rani added with a smile. “But don’t be too hard on him; let’s hope the blow he received to his head was enough to knock some sense into him.”
“If it wasn’t,” Tringa replied, “I’ll be ready with another.”
When they were alone, Tringa held his hand. “Old fool,” she repeated. “I thought you were going to push her out of the window not blow the building down.”
“I’m glad I didn’t have to,” he said. “I’m not sure I could have lived with myself if I had – it wasn’t her fault she had the wrong ideas about the Zarktek.”
“Well, she’s gone now and Quillaia will be a better Queen than both Zizanias put together.”
“I’m sorry for the trouble I put you through…”
“You’re going to make it up to me,” she said.
“Scrubbing decks…?”
“If you’re going to be an ambassador, I want to be an ambassador’s wife.”
He sighed, “But I’m already married and my wife has always refused a divorce in the past. I think she still believes she’ll be Rani of Sapadilla one day.”
“I’ve spoken to Quillaia. Your wife can have the title, it means nothing to me, but I get you for the rest of your life.”
He looked at her, “Are you on first-name terms with all the Royal women now?”
She shrugged, “The men have made such a mess of things, the women have to stick together. The Queen has been very good to us while you’ve been resting here. The Apus has an exclusive warrant to carry all her important messages and when you have recovered sufficiently, we’ll be doing more than just ferrying you around. So, in spite of your foolishness, we’ve done well. You might even get a kiss from Stuggy.”
“I’d rather have one of her cakes.”
“I expect you’ll get one of those too. And perhaps a kiss from me…”
24 - The end of the story
The lights came on in the university buildings as the artificial sun above the dome began to power-down for the night cycle. Many of the students would be descending in the lifts to the station while others would be going to library to continue their studies.
Faam’s baby was fast asleep in his basket. Taylia was dozing off too and the boys were looking tired and hungry. But the lesson was nearly over.
“Nacyon recovered,” Faam said. “He walks with a limp where one of his legs didn’t mend properly but he’s become Quill’s ambassador to the Council of Empires, just as Rani Rhus promised.”
Crotal asked, “And did he marry Captain Tringa?”
“Yes, he did – though I imagine it’s quite a stormy relationship.”
“I have met Queen Quillaia,” said Fengtai proudly. “I was with my Shogun when she visited Panadawn. I have seen Rani Rhus too.”
The boys were impressed. Fratris asked, “What were they like?”
“The Queen is very nice – but the Rani is as fierce as the Professor has suggested. I’m sure I wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of her.”
“No,” Faam agreed and whispered, “My husband thinks she must be part Poa-bird.” Her students laughed. “But Quill is prospering again because of her wisdom and she’s been an excellent advisor to the Queen.”
“Your friend,” said Crotal.
“My friend,” Faam smiled. “Quillaia never imagined she would become Queen, not with Zizania and three brothers below her, but she has risen beautifully to the task. I think Quill has been extremely lucky in the circumstances.”
“Sylphid,” said Fratris suddenly.
Everyone looked at him and Fengtai asked, “Who?”
“She’s one of my uncle’s tutees. He’s been teaching her privately about the Zarktek and their role in the history of the Third Sphere.”
“What about her?”
“She’s from Quill and she’s really beautiful. Uncle Frim is always talking about how lovely she is and I think he’s secretly in love with her - it’s very embarrassing.”
Fengtai still didn’t understand, “So?”
Fratris looked at Faam, “She’s the fake Zizania, isn’t she?”
“I couldn’t say,” she replied. “Nacyon didn’t see her body but there were the remains of one in the Queen’s chamber.”
“That could have been Melanitta,” said Crotal. “Or did they find her afterwards?”
“There was no sign of the Queen’s maid,” Faam confirmed. “But she might have left the Golden Eyrie before Nacyon and the Apus returned from Sagan. The only people who would have known for sure were Crex and Branta, the bodyguards, but they were already dead when Nacyon entered the chambers.”
Fratris looked satisfied, “It was Melanitta who was assassinated, not the fake queen.”
“That would be impossible to prove,” Faam warned. “All the DNA evidence was lost when the tower collapsed – just as the assassin intended. There has been speculation that Zizania might not have been killed but Quillaia has become such a popular queen you won’t find anyone who wants to prove it.”
“But the Rickobites know the truth,” said Fengtai.
“And Rimmon has confessed his part in it,” she agreed. “But only to my husband and to Panadawn – and he didn’t do it willingly. And if they produced the real Zizania, from wherever they’re hiding her, there’s nothing to prove she isn’t the clone.”
“Sylphid could tell them,” Fratris insisted.
“If she was faux-Zizania, why would she? What has she got to gain? She would know she’s not the real queen.”
“But she has Zizania’s DNA – she could still claim the throne…”
Faam shook her head, “She believed Rimmon and Ynch’s stories about the Zarktek because they were kind to her and she thought the Third Sphere, including the Quill, wanted them back. She didn’t realise, because she had no way of knowing, they were manipulating and using her for their own ends. If she is alive and wasn’t killed by the assassin, she would know by now the Zarktek are not as powerful or popular as she’d been taught. Her part in their mission is over and she would understand that there is nothing left for her in the Quill Empire. Quillaia is a good queen and there is peace between her people and their neighbours. If either Zizania, real or fake, tried to reclaim the throne, Quill would reject them and their attempt would fail.”
“She does seem happy here,” Fratris admitted.
“Then perhaps it’s best if we believe faux-Zizania is dead.”
He nodded, “But if Sylphid is the same woman, I can see why she was sent to my uncle – there’s probably nobody else more qualified to teach her the truth about the Zarktek, is there?”
“I think that’s true,” she smiled.
Crotal said, “I’ve met the assassin, haven’t I?”
“What makes you think that?”
“The man who managed to get into my palace on Granadilla, kill the people who were threatening me and brought me here, used a weapon just like the one you described.”
“I don’t know what kind of weapon he used…”
“It turns people into nothing but jelly. I saw the effects as I was being carried out.”
“I don’t know who he is,” Faam said, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Fratris said, “Is he a Sagan?”
“Our people are not assassins,” said Taylia, sitting up and looking at her watch.
“But if the fake Zizania was kidnapped, like Crotal, he wasn’t an assassin, was he?”
Taylia nodded, “You have a point.”
Faam said, “The fact is, we don’t know who is.”
“But you’re the Emperor’s wife,” said Fengtai.
“And I’m the principal of his university – but that doesn’t give me access to every secret in his Empire.”
“Would he tell you if you asked him?”
“We’re getting away from the point and it’s time for us to finish,
” she said. “The Quill Empire survived and whether you think it was by luck or judgement will be the point of the test. I want you to think about Nacyon’s story and reflect on his decisions. If you’re very lucky, I’ll try and get him to talk about his experiences when he’s here to attend a trade conference next week. But until then, I’ll send you a bibliography for Quill’s history and a list of references I want you to check. See you tomorrow in the library,” she smiled.
Everyone stood up and the boys thanked her for her time. As they walked towards the lifts, she heard them talking about the lesson and she was pleased. Even Fratris sounded as though he hadn’t found it boring.
A boat landed nearby to take her home. As Taylia picked up the baby’s basket, she said, “Fratris guessed about Sylphid.”
Faam shrugged and stretched her back, “A guess isn’t the same as knowing.”
“Do you think he will ask her?”
“She knows better than to tell him the truth.”
“And if Nacyon sees her…?”
“I’ve asked Frim to take her on a field trip while he’s here – just like the other times.”
“Fengtai was right; the Rickobites do know the truth and, as far as we know, they still have the real Zizania.”
“She won’t do them any good. If Prince Rhizic and Rhatany had survived, there might have been just enough chaos for the Rickobites to work with. But Quillaia has brought stability and the people of Quill are content with that.”
“Do you think she’s on Barras?”
“That seems the most likely place. I expect she’s giving them a headache even as we speak.”
“Do you think she’s slept with the Councillors of Rickoby yet?”
Faam made a face, “That’s disgusting – they’re over a thousand years old.”
“She might have been a pain but she was never prejudiced…”
“Let’s get back home and I’ll try and forget you ever said that.”
Laughing, they made their way towards the boat and climbed inside. A moment later, it rose above the lawn, the university buildings, the islands of the government complex and the great palace of Panadawn, and disappeared into the darkness.