Princess of Zenina Page 25

  Chapter Forty-Three - Home is Where the Heart is

  Charles dressed, then he kissed Etapa goodbye. He transported home, washed quickly to remove all traces of Etapa’s scent and body. When Princess Marina walked through the front door, he was waiting for her. The drive had not improved her temper. Charles expected his flogging, but she stripped and took him in the hall, shimmer on full. She was rough, but not violent with him as if she feared her own strength or the power of her temper. Afterwards she asked him, conversationally.

  “Which whip shall I use, Charles? The usual one or would you prefer something more unusual, I’ve a new one. I’d like your opinion of it, we’ll try that,” she said. Her temper now had been reduced to controllable proportions.

  Afterwards they made slow gentle love, Marina falling asleep enfolded in his arms. They slept for two hours. She rose, dressing without disturbing her man. Kapalina, hooded and cloaked waited in her study. The windows were opaque from the outside; the room screened from telepathic search. No one, not even Charles would know of her visit. Kapalina’s out-pouring helped by a generous libation of Marina’s brandy was complete and copious.

  “Marina, I am so sorry, I want to confess everything I’ve done supporting Dalzina in her many attempts to kill you. I was wrong to help her and wish to pledge my allegiance to you. I knew she has tried to poison you, she had the bomb put in your hover-car and she gave the blaster to Xenxia. She covered up for that action by having one ruby killed and she wiped the brains of two others.”

  “Do you know how the machine she used works? Vellina and I have been trying to correct its effects.”

  “I’m sorry but I don’t, a Kurgian brought the machine, he used it on the two rubies that were rendered amnesiac. Dalzina hired many assassins off planet to try and dispose of you. She asked Ketla to persecute you and your men when you go through Customs and I’ve been miss-sorting the settlers to the Resettlement Bureau, sending them where Dalzina thought they would be most disruptive.”

  Kapalina even told her about the favours she had sought from Divak, but Marina’s forgiveness was prompt and unstinted.

  “Ketla doesn’t bother me. If it amuses Dalzina then let her continue. The blaster I already knew about, but you can’t be expected to give evidence against your sister. I realised long ago that people were being sent where they shouldn’t be, so I put in a system to prevent long-term problems. Reports on all new settlers are sent to me at intervals of one month, three months and a year. Few remain long enough to cause serious trouble. The assassination attempts are more worrying, but your closeness to Dalzina should make their prevention or avoidance easier in future.”

  Kapalina returned home by indirect routes cheered by her confession, having pledged her allegiance to Marina jointly with Plavina, when she returned from Ziga, she would take serious martial arts training.

  Marina returned to bed and was soon asleep, but she was plagued with dreams. She was drenched in her mother’s blood, her body broken with pain. Watching her own death, recognising the location shuddering. The faces around her were drenched in blood. Some others were dead or injured and she knew their faces. Looking into the future, she saw Zenina pictured in ruins, her people dead or in chains. She saw the universe torn apart by Zigans and Kurgians – there was anarchy and tyranny worse, far worse than her mother’s rule.

  Marina woke silently screaming from her dream, knowing it true, knowing it must not be so. She could not accept death; her duty insisted she live to guide Zenina to prosperity, tolerance and peace. There were battles to fight but fight them she must. She must find the strength from somewhere. Charles comforted her, but she did not sleep again. She ran her fingers over the welts on his back healing them.

  “Even with those who love me and who I have the least reason to hurt I’m cruel. How can I be the instrument of Zenina’s salvation; as weak as I am? If I followed my beliefs, I’d never hit out except in the defence of Zenina or others. My survival is important only if I am necessary to Zenina. There are plenty of other Golds who could become queen, surely one of them could do a better job than me?” she asked herself.

  Marina went through all the possible candidates, one by one. Dalzina too petty, cowardly and stupid, Klivina too lazy, Zadina, too greedy, selfish and cruel. Marina was beginning to believe that Zadina’s sanity was slightly deranged because of her erratic behaviour. Her sister’s faults she skipped over, Vellina, too old, even if she would be prepared to take the throne, she could not defend it. Stenlina also too old although she and Vellina both had managerial or command experience, but neither had any interest in ruling Zenina. There were other Golden doctors who had cut their hair to declare that they would not fight, but even if they could be persuaded to be queen, they were too weak to hold the throne. Calzina was a little too sadistic and she clung to the Fertility Cult which in Marina’s opinion was holding back Zenina. Irzina, she was too also weak and too stupid. The list was long, but she missed no female Gold of any age.

  She found only two possible candidates beside herself. Kapalina, who had proved her suitability by denying it, and swearing allegiance to Marina, she could reverse the situation, supporting her claim. She would have to remain champion because Kapalina lacked experience in combat. The only other she knew of was Orina, Carina’s daughter who was as yet untried, but so far showed no damning personality traits.

  Chapter Forty-Four - Konsky

  Breakfast was a noisy affair. Tactfully Charles did not mention the Major’s absence. Jelen had reported the scene to Charles between Bromarsh and Marina at the end of the banquet with awed fascination. Bromarsh had guts, if not a lot of sense or taste, thought Charles, but he admitted to bias. That Bromarsh would choose to stay with Queen Kerina in preference to Princess Marina absolutely dumbfounded Charles.

  The presence of young children at breakfast was a new experience for Marina. She found it not entirely unpleasant, because their chatter and squabbles whether vocalised or not, might be noisy but it was not boring. Carina’s children looked forward to Konsky’s visit and after seeing him; intended to go to Father O’Flaherty’s house to play with Floren.

  “Jessina will be going out with me today so she won’t be coming with you,” Marina informed them. “I think a good long walk for the rest of you would be healthy and do you good. There’s a sheltered beach about four miles away, it’s a lovely walk and you could take a picnic basket,” she suggested trying to act as a responsible parent. Marina owned the land they would cover. The project was taken up cheerfully.

  Princess Marina took Orina to Carina’s town house where they sorted what would be packed and stored and what could be disposed of. The youngster controlled her grief, making quick decisions of what to keep or discard. Marina understood what an effort it took her to maintain an apparently unconcerned facade. They returned to Marina’s house to await Konsky’s arrival, which was prompt. Marina excused herself to her study where she worked through a pile of paperwork.

  The three children rushed to him, clinging to him happily. Relieved at seeing him, they chattered and then trooped off to Father O’Flaherty’s with Alanga and another three servants with a picnic basket. The land they were to cross was laid out as a tropical jungle, but the path was good, no dangerous animals roamed through it. There was plenty of decorative wild life. Marina wondered how Father Debenden would cope with the little hike. Less well than the children she suspected.

  Amongst her reports she had found the information that Jessina’s parents had left Blengaria. The children had been headed there, accompanied by Father Debenden. So far her informant had failed to locate their direction. Marina relayed the information to Father O’Flaherty for repetition to Father Debenden and Floren. She ordered that the Callabams be found and quickly, so high profile a couple could not just disappear. Princess Marina then called the waiting Konsky in.

  Marina sat behind her desk and looked the young man over. He was very tall, a hand taller than Charles. He was well covered with muscle witho
ut it being excessive; in fact she preferred his physique to Charles’, who in her opinion took muscle-building too far. He wore tight scarlet silk trousers and soft leather shoes. His hair was carefully cut in long pretty waves to below his shoulders and he wore a heavy gold bracelet on one wrist. He stood before her in an insolent manner. Marina sat and waited. He stood and stared, his eyes moving over her body explicitly. He did not kneel or bow.

  Marina had been in a reasonably good mood, but Konsky’s attitude annoyed her. She did not want her rank kowtowed over, but she did expect some courtesy. The smallest bow would have been acceptable. She was putting herself to inconvenience over him, she could sell him with the rest of Carina’s slaves. Perhaps if the behaviour of both Prince Ga’Mikkal and Bromarsh had not irked her on the previous day, she would have been more tolerant. Marina considered how to deal with this man. Then a little devil whispered in her ear and she listened to it.

  “Undress,” she drawled.

  “But, but, but...” he stammered completely at a loss.

  “Did you not understand my order?” she asked quietly with just a hint of menace.

  “Yes, of course, but Orina said...” he paused.

  “Yes and what did that young lady say?” she said with more than a hint of sarcasm.

  “She said it was a formality; you would free me and we could all live together.”

  “It’s not wise to believe what children tell you, Konsky. Now, undress.”

  “No, I’m not going to be ordered around!”

  “You may go Konsky. This interview is ended.”

  “But you have not told me what will happen to me.”

  “I see no reason to discuss anything with you. I expected a man who was concerned about his children. I see a man whose thoughts are only of his self. Go.”

  “Please ma’am, I apologize. I’m sorry I was rude, what will happen to Antang and Harminda? Don’t send me away. I love my children.”

  He knelt, pleading she would reconsider. She stood up and walked over to the bookcase as if considering the matter.

  “I have no use for a disobedient slave. You will be sold with the rest.”

  He stood and undressed.

  “Come here and turn around,” he walked over and turned.

  “You may dress.”

  “Why make me undress, er ma’am”

  “Carina must have seen something in you. It clearly wasn’t what is between your ears and she’s had better looking slaves.”

  “I loved Carina. She was the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. Ours was a real romance. She’d have done anything for me, if she hadn’t died so soon.”

  “Spare me the hearts and flowers! If she would do anything for you, why are you a slave? If you were so important to her, why did she keep so many other slaves?”

  He stood quietly stunned as if he had never seen his situation that way.

  “Sit! I’m correct in remembering you signed this document?” She showed him the petition. “I take it to council today. Accept your freedom, a free pass to the planet of your choice and 5,000 crowns? I’ll write the papers now.”

  “And my children, can I take them with me?”

  “I am the children’s guardian, Konsky. I cannot hand them over and let them disappear off planet.”

  “If I stay on Zenina and have them live with me, will that be all right?”

  “Can you support yourself? Can you earn enough to support two or three children?”

  “But the children have money. It’s in trust for them.”

  “Their trust money will not be touched until they’re of age. Did you expect to live off their money?”

  “But they want me with them. You are so rich - you could afford to buy us a little place where we could be together.”

  “I could but I won’t. I’m not that big a fool.”

  “I don’t understand why not. You’re against slavery or you wouldn’t take the petition to council. The children love me. They’ll miss me if I’m not around. I want to be with them, why not let me look after my own kids. You’d have to pay a nurse anyway.”

  “Do you intend to remain celibate, Konsky? Has the death of Carina so upset your libido that you will never touch another woman?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then do you have a new mother lined up for the children, or a new owner for yourself, perhaps?”

  “No, I don’t want to be a slave. No woman will own me again.”

  “But a woman does, I own you. Do you think I should keep you and your children and whatever woman you choose to take up with? And risk the children being abandoned when you’re enslaved again? If you want your freedom and your children, there is only one way you can have both.”

  “What is it? I’ll do whatever you say.”

  “I don’t think you will. I would agree to let you live independently with your children and fund it, if you were prepared to accept permanent castration.”

  Konsky blanched.

  “Yes, there are things worse than slavery, are there not? Well are you now prepared to listen to what I was going to suggest, before your display of bad manners?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “The children will get over their bereavement better with you around. I don’t promise you’ll be kept on forever, but for the time being I’m prepared not to sell you. This is a single household. The life I lead is unsuitable for children as young as the twins. Orina could fit in, but only just. I intended to send them to the Royal Nursery where I could keep an eye on them.”

  “I propose instead to send them, Alanga and you to a farm I own. It will be a healthier life for them. I’ll visit and you can stay here for a few days at a time. Whilst with my household, you’ll consider yourself my slave. You will work on the farm. It will prepare you for the realities of work. You’ll wear what I tell you to, which will not include what you are wearing today. Cut your hair. Serve any woman I tell you to, with a smile on your face, don’t touch any woman I forbid you, otherwise keep yourself exercised.”

  “You’ll treat me, my friends, my employees and servants with respect. In my absence you will obey Charles. If you offend in any way, expect punishment. I give you responsibility to supervise the children’s education. I will pay. If the children fail to make satisfactory progress, you’ll be flogged for it. If they love you, I’m sure they’ll work hard.”

  “Write me a report on each child’s progress every week. If you cover up for their laziness or misdemeanours you’ll be punished. Am I quite clear?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Are you prepared to take responsibility for their education?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “When the children are older, I’ll have to be more involved in their training. The boy should make equal progress to his twin sister. Their intelligence levels are roughly the same, so he isn’t to think he has no need of an education just because he’s male. For a year or two, this arrangement can stand. Should you need my advice you may seek it. If you run fast, you could catch up with the children. They went down that path a few minutes ago.”

  “Yes ma’am, thank you ma’am.”

  Konsky left, bowing himself out, he took off after the children at speed. Marina sat chuckling to herself. She wondered if Charles would get on with Konsky. She might enjoy training Konsky for a while, purely to irritate Charles. Charles had been a little like Konsky nearly ten years ago. Insolent, arrogant, disobedient, and gauche, but Marina knew Konsky would never replace him. He was just too stupid, too bombastic and no man with the slightest modicum of taste could wear those scarlet trousers. It wasn’t hard to see what Carina had seen in him. The basic material was good, both the exterior and make-up of the man. He’d had genuine feelings for Carina and loved his children.

  “Charles is a friend as well as my lover. I’m unwilling to get rid of him, for he knows how to deal with my moods. No, the next few months could be amusing. Charles might find a sudden interest in the countryside at least when I vi
sit. I am being unkind, but Charles’ prejudices against farming are not publicly repeatable,” she laughed to herself.

  Chapter Forty-Five - Discoveries and Reunions

  Jessina was waiting for her, wearing white cotton shorts and a silver singlet. She sat in the garden with Charles, who was asking her about her family. He now knew the Callabams were very rich indeed. Ceckil Callabam owned a huge interplanetary group of companies. They owned majority shares in many major industries and a vast fleet of tankers and space cargo vessels. His personal worth was huge, but Charles suspected he was not much of a human being or father. Jessina had not been cruelly treated or denied anything. Her father had never seemed to figure in her life, he was always somewhere else, always too busy.

  Bellaza Callabam, her mother was a different thing entirely. Jessina did not know her family background, but she was an exquisitely beautiful woman with fair hair like that of her children. She had not aged - at least the pictures in Jessina’s mind were of a woman of only twenty. Jessina loved and missed her. Charles had found Jessina an intelligent self-contained child, who might grow into something special. Marina joined them in the garden. Bromarsh transported directly from the Palace and was directed to the gardens, where he found the three of them talking in the shade of a tall fruit bearing tree.

  Marina sighting the Colonel stood up.

  “Good Colonel, you’re here, we can set out. Come along Jessina. Charles I’ll see you this afternoon,” Marina said.

  “Will you return before the council sits?” he asked.

  “Not today,” she said.

  She kissed the bridge of Charles’ nose, hustling her companions to the hover-car. Bromarsh was freshly shaven, neatly dressed in baggy white trousers and a loose sleeveless shirt. He looked tired and slightly apprehensive. Marina made no comment, but drove straight to the Internal Security Building. Getting out she asked the others to follow her.