CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
 
 

Sivya walked out of the quarantine cell and hugged Gerian.  "I suppose we're leaving tonight."

"After you bathe and change," she ordered, pointing up the halls.  "You as well, Brast.  Besides, your ship is injured, again."  She followed them back to their house, where a bath and dinner was waiting on them.  "I've got them," she called.

"Good.  Then the goons will hopefully leave."

Sivya walked in and slapped one. "How dare you disobey an order from a sitting Planet Owner on his home world!  That is in violation of all treaties!"  The Marines backed away from her.  "Now, sit down, shut up, and you can wait until the morning for that."

"Sivya, into the baths," Brast said calmly, walking her that way.  "We'll be out in a few minutes."

"Fine," Brailian agreed, sipping a glass of wine on the couch.  "They have your son."

"Then they're in deep when I come out of the bath," Sivya called.  She slammed a door and looked at her husband.  "Can we stop that?"

"Of course," he agreed.  "Right after we dress, eat, and get the ship ready.  I wonder what's wrong with mine this time."

"Probably the same thing that's making sure our son isn't here to greet us."  She walked into the bathroom, then came back out.  "The bath's drawing.  I've been studying those files you downloaded onto my ship."

"Good," he said happily.  "On the way back we'll talk about teaching you combat flying.  You'll have to take your last trial soon."

"I'm thinking it's going to be a practical matter on the way back," she said firmly. "No one touches what's mine."

"They can't hurt him," he said calmly.

"I don't care!"

"Sivya, calm down.  Think rationally.  He's on his way to Kathal and Rethna most likely."  She scowled at him.  "I know, it's a bad precedent.  They still can't harm him."

"You don't know if their bosses sent them or not."  She walked out, leaving him to finish off the bath water.  She walked out and grabbed one of them, pushing her into the wall so she could put a hand on her head and read her mind.  "Very well then, it's a battle they'll get," she hissed.  "If my son is harmed, the whole of you are going to die."  She walked back in there, going to take a quick bath.

"Sivya, are you staying for dinner?" Brailian called.

"No, they kidnaped him to have a hostage to make me do what they want," she called.  "Can we take it to go?"

"Of course," he agreed, smiling at Gerian, who patted the bags on the table.  "You knew?"

"There's only two reasons to take her son.  Kathal and Rethna needed him to make sure she was coming back, at which point he'd already be back at the palace.  Diadesa isn't that far away spatially speaking.  The other was as a hostage."  She kissed him then went to check on the other two.  "Sivya, his ship is presently injured.  They snuck someone down to disable the engine.  We're fixing it but it'll take a few days."

"We can use mine," she promised with a smile.  "It's very roomy and very good."

"Fine," she agreed with a small smile.  "I'll remember that the next time we visit."  Sivya got out of the bath to hug her.  "Thank you, sister.  I've already packed up some food and things.  You must be yourself this time.  Do not allow anyone to rule your mind.  It's better than anyone else's up there."  She winked and left, coming back with the clothes they had taken last night to have cleaned and ready on them.  She put an outfit on the bed for them, including Sivya's veil.  Then she went back to putter around the kitchen.  Brast came out first, giving her a hug and a kiss.  He did the same for Brailian before going to start the take-off procedures.  Sivya came out adjusting her veil, smiling sweetly as she took the food.  She hugged and kissed them each, and the baby.  She glared at the Marines, who were smirking.  "Husband, she did tell you other things, correct?" she called once they had taken off.

"Yes, that they're committing treason," he said blandly.  He pushed the button on the table next to him, bringing his Guild rep and the guards. "Take them, they're committing high treason to this planet and to the Empire.  They took Sivya's son to hold as a hostage to her good nature and sense."  He took another sip of his wine.  "Someone will be along eventually to negotiate for which planet gets to try them."  The Guild rep snorted.  "They'd only be a burden to us," he pointed out dryly.  "Unless we space them."  The marines tried to fight but Pirates were in a different class altogether.   They were subdued, tied up, and taken away to await word of their fates.  Yes, she was very handy to have on their side.   She would get their son back for them as well.  One couldn't show fear to a bully, it only made them happy.  It had been cute how she had kissed the bear in Fyester's carrier though.

~*~*~*~
 

"Sivya, have you ever been in aerial combat?" Brast asked.

"Mostly running and shooting things, except that time with Apishian.  Why?"

"Because I want you to fly second chair.  You can help and learn that way."

"I agree.  I've only studied the books and your ship's files.  My ship had a lot to say about some of your stuff," she said with a small smile.  "He was not happy that you risked your ship that way."

"My ship's one of the most nimble in the clans," he said sarcastically.  "This one isn't quite as good."

"I'm as good as any ship," the ship complained. "You're a reckless pirate."

"Some Space Marines are holding my son hostage.  He's flying, get over it," Sivya instructed.  "Let him do what needs to be done."

"Yes, Empress.  Kathal wanted a call as soon as you were in the air."

"That's fine, send that message to him and tell him we're going to be distracted for a few moments.  Then we'll be there.  Plot a course for the destination where his tracker is."

"On it," the ship responded.  "Ready to release planet's gravity."

"Go for it," Brast agreed.  On the way up he rolled the ship to test the responses.  "Not too bad," he admitted.  "You're still more bulky than mine.  Weapons?"

"Fully charged and ready.  She never uses them but they're all here.  Just like my last owner liked."

"On the screen so I can make plans please."  The screen lit up with schematics of the weapons systems, making him whistle in a few places and wince in one.  "Only two missiles?"

"The bay won't hold any more.  We usually relied on blaster and the proper space to hit to disable."

"Fine.  Remember, we can't pierce the hull.  Our son is on there."   He did another roll, going to jump in the middle of it.  They came out in sight of the other ships and he opened fire immediately, not giving them a chance to get a jump on them.  "Which ship is the child on?"

"The middle one, the one with blue markings."

"We'll disable that one only," Brast ordered his wife.  She nodded and fired at the drive outlets on the back of the ship, making him stare at her.  "That's fairly good."

"Auto-targeting," she admitted.   She fired at a few more ships, then used one of the missiles on the one they were ducking away from.  It blew up the back of the ship and took out the ones on either side of it.  "We need to go down."

"Going down," he agreed, ducking down and spinning to get behind some of the ships.  The one with their son on it tried to run but he hit it again, this time on the underbelly, which took out the blasters.

"We've got people coming, other Space Marines," she reported.  "Sixteen, a whole battle fleet."

"Wonderful."  He blew the rest of them into the pieces and faced off with the remaining ship.  "Open communications."

"If you do not stop, I will space your son," a male voice panted harshly.

"Do it and suffer as only a parent can make you," Sivya warned.  She took a deep breath.  "You will hand over our son," she commanded, using her Thinker's skills to compel him.  She didn't do it often but she would this time.  She was not taking any risk on this issue.  "You will hand him over and tell the ones coming of your crimes.  Or else I will start by making your intestines explode."  The marine gasped.  "Now," she ordered darkly, her voice getting deeper.  "Right now.  Pain will start within a minute."  She looked at her husband and nodded them to move closer.  He did so, getting in range to put on an emergency docking beam if he opened the door to expose the ship to space.  "Right now."

The marine gasped.  "Coming."

Brast got up to put up the docking system, going over to retrieve his son.  "Ship, copy all memories and events and beam to the other ships, specifically to the people in command if you trust them."

"Done," the ship announced.  "Please leave."

"I'm going.  Hopefully you get someone better next time."  He walked back to their ship, taking his son with him.  The docking ring was closed behind him and he looked down.  "Hi, godson."

"Godson!"

"Godson."  He showed the baby he was holding.

"Ship, is there another child on board?"

"Affirmative.  Marines in range to fire."

"I'm going," Sivya said, going to get her son.  They would not fire on her, they all knew better.  Even the bad ones.  She went back over there.  "Are those coming in good or bad like your user?" she demanded.

"No authority to give that information."

"I am the Empress Sivya."

"No authority to give that information."

"Fine, stay static until they get here."  She found her son sleeping in a closet and picked him and his blanket up, taking him back to their ship.  She got the doorway closed and had sat down when the General appeared on her screen.  "People who steal my children, or any child, are to be punished," she said coldly.  "As these were."  She looked at Brast, who was making Fyester giggle.  "Is he all right?"

"Just fine and I've called Brailian.  He'll meet us at the mall."

"Thank you.  Come on , son, let's head home."  Cabiael patted the panel in front of her.  "Yes, that button, that's very good to use the blue button, son."  She stroked down his back.  "Empress out."  She cut the connection using the blue button and moved them away from the wreckages, going above them and turning them back to the mall.  "We'll need to refuel."

"Fine," Brast agreed.  "No one's going to say a thing if we do it at the military station, right?" he asked with a grin.

"Not if they know what's good for them."  She called the palace.  "Kathal, please put me on the main screen."  He looked startled.  "Now."  He switched her, and she noticed she was on the main screen outside the palace.  "Hear this and hear me," she said coldly.  "Those who would hurt my son, my mate, or me will face the same fate as those who just tried.  Not only do I consider that treason, I consider it a very good reason to destroy them personally."  She patted her son's back, making him babble at her, so she smiled at him.  "You tell them, son."  She looked up again.  "If will not happen again.  I'm not going to play nicely.  I am through being nice.  Those who hurt those around me, especially in my personal family and acquaintances, will suffer greatly.  I have had enough.  If you do not like me, move."  She cut the connection, changing their course to go to the military base first.  A refueling was necessary.  "Ship, are we losing fuel?  The meter is going down."

"We do have a small leak, I have sent out my robotic fixer to deal with it.  It should be fixed by the time we reach refueling station."

"Thank you, ship."  She smiled down at her son.  "You deserve a story because you were a very good and calm boy," she praised.

"Was that wise?" Brast asked quietly.

"Do I care?"

"No, I suppose not," he admitted.  "Are you ready to back that up with force?"

"Hell yes," she assured him, looking back at him.  "My son is not a target.  Neither are you.  They will die.  I'm tired of this already."  He nodded, understanding that.  "Besides, if we appear like we're weak and shaking in reaction, then they'll come for us again."  She handed over the son and went to get ill now that it was over with.

"I'm impressed," he called.  "Not many wenches among the clans can sound that scary," he told the boys.  "But Fyester's mommy manages it now and then."  Fyester giggled and hugged Cabiael.  "Thank you, godson.  We love you too.  How about a story of building a ship?  Did you know I did that one summer when I wrecked very badly?"  They stared up at him, giving him all the attention he wanted.

~*~*~*~
 
 

Sivya walked off the ship and was saluted by the military, all but a few people.  She saw one gun and pulled hers, pointing it at the person.  "Try it."  The person backed off, looking scared.  "Thank you."  She walked through them, heading inside the palace.  "I'm back, and I'm not a happy person!" she called as she yelled.  "I do not like having to fight and I do not like that people decided to kidnap my son!"  She walked into the throne room and put on the crown, which made people gasp.  "What?  You wanted me back."

"Forgive her, she's still a bit upset at those who took our son," Brast said as he followed her in.  "Is it talking?"

"It's complaining already.  Said I was too hard on them."  She took it off to look at it.  "Complain some more.  I can put you back in the case."  She put it back on, letting it speak through her again.

"We have decided that she will serve as Empress Pro-tem until Constantine has been found," the crown announced.  "It is only proper as our Ki.   Is your son injured, Lord Brast?"

"No, he's fine.  He's cooing and happy again.  Mommy cuddled him until he fussed earlier."

"Very well.  Know this, no one would dare insult the massed crowns by trying this again.  Those marines will be given Imperial justice.  Even the ones who were waiting on the end of your confinement."

"Fine," he said with a shrug.  "We don't care.  Send someone to talk to Brailian soon though since they took his son too."

"I have already sent a Guardian to negotiate that."  She used Sivya to look around the room.  "No, she is not the simple priestess she was before.  She has been tempered by war and strife, plus she has learned how to fight.  It was necessary for our survival.  I do not encourage anyone to try something similar ever again.  This one will not roll over and do as you wish.  Sivya is the choice of this crown for Regent Ki until a new Empress is found."  She went silent.

Sivya looked at the others, in control again.  She sat down on the throne.  "As such, we're going to be fixing some things.  Is there an ambassador from Track?"  One raised her hand slowly.  "Good.  We need to talk about those people taking refuge in your mountains.  Do you need help routing them?"  She shook her head quickly.  "If you do, ask.  It's yours.  Also, the ambassador from Draven, has he been arrested yet?  I ordered that years ago."  Some guards went to deal with that.  "What else is there that needs to be discussed?"

"Three droughts in the Cyene sector of the Empire," Kathal said from beside her.  "Two civil wars that can be stopped, one that can't, and a few fussy people who believe you should be shot because you stopped to help someone and got sick.  Of course, we can do that after you rest, Empress, and get changed."

She looked up at him.  "I am rested.  I've spent the last month in quarantine.  As for changed, I'm good in my present outfit.  I'm very comfortable."  She moved her veil, letting the crown under it to show her priorities.  Some people gasped.  "As Hovagath pointed out, I am not the same Empress I was before.  I removed that stupid hair rule from that point on.  Since I abdicated, I'm not the same Empress and therefore am now bound by the new rules.  I like my hair the way it is."  She stared down the people who had been giving Constantine problems over it.  "Do we understand?"  They nodded.  "Good.  Anything else?"  No one said anything.  "Going once, going twice....."

"Empress," Rethna said as he came in.  "The military representatives wanted to talk to you about your further training in combat flying and let you know the status of the military this year."

"Fine, later if possible."  He nodded that it was okay.  "After dinner?"

"Before dinner," Brast told her.  "After dinner, we've got to put him to bed and it'll take forever in a new place."

"Fine.  Over dinner?"  Rethna shrugged.  "Suggest that."  He nodded.  "Thank you, Rethna.  I look forward to your wisdom."  She looked at Kathal, who shook his head.  "Fine.  Those with those matters stay.  The rest I'll see you at the formal dinner tomorrow night."

"Tonight, Empress," Kathal said quietly.

"Fine, tonight.  Rethna, right before dinner or during the talking before time if it's going to run long."  He nodded, going to tell them that. "Then I'll see the rest of you tonight at dinner."  They nodded and walked off.  She looked at the remaining people.  "Those with war problems, we'll be doing it last.  It's usually more complicated than arranging for help for a drought."  They backed off the ambassadors for the drought ridden places stepped forward.  There was an extra one.  "You as well?"

"We're starting off on one and we wanted to know if we could borrow some watering technology."

"Watering technology?  Like a weather fixing satellite?" she suggested.  He shook his head quickly.  "Then we'll get to that later this afternoon.  Between the civil wars."  He nodded, going to sit down again.  She looked at the other ones.  "How long?"

"A year," one of them offered.

"Nearly five years, we're turning into a desert," another said softly, not looking at her.

"It's been a bad year," the last one admitted.  "Last year was bad but not this bad.  The drought has maybe lasted for six or seven years total.  We've had minimal rain."

"What percentage of the crops are damaged?"

"Maybe eighty if we're being delicate.  We've been able to grow some desert grains but nothing else.  We used to be a very wet planet."

"Are you near the other one?"  He nodded.  "What is causing this?"

"We're not sure.  It's something in our solar system.  We're in the same one and that other one is further out in ours."  He pointed at the other drought complaint.  "I was hoping someone could come out to look at it."

"Sure, tell me who would do that."  He smiled.  "You do know?"

"I even have a suggestion but they're at an academy.  My people agree that someone needs to figure this out before we're forced to abandon our homes."

"Very well, give that name to Kathal, who will find whoever deals with that.  We'll work on getting you all food as quickly as possible.  When is harvest normally?"

"Within two months," the first woman offered quietly.

The second one shrugged. "For most of our crops it'll be in about a month."

"Good, then we've got some time?"  They all nodded.  "Then let's get someone out there to study it with the shipments of food.  Do you know what you'd like and what you need?"  They all presented her with lists, which she looked over.  "Kathal, isn't that too little?" she asked, pointing at something.

"It wouldn't be enough to sustain for a year, but it does go bad after being picked," he admitted.  He looked at them.  "We do have most of that on hand.  The oishi plants we don't.  If you've got a greenhouse you can turn into a swamp we can send you seedlings.  That way you don't have to worry about them rotting too soon."

"I can do that," the second woman agreed quickly.  "Thank you.  Should we come to you for this?"

"We haven't named a new person over that since Throcken was the one who went bad," Kathal admitted.  "He has a former helper who was only peripherally involved.  I'll get his help to know who to talk to tonight.  Shall I propose a reduction in sentence, Empress?"

"If he's of help," she agreed.  "As long as he is of help, wasn't fully involved, and can also nominate who to fill in until we can find someone else."  He nodded, walking them away.  "Did you want to talk to him?  He can pass on that information as well."  The other man with the drought problem ran after that group.  She looked at the others.  "Civil wars?"  They nodded.  "Why?"  She pointed at one.  "Move next to the one you're fighting with so we can do this easier," she ordered.  They did so.  "Tell me why?"

"Because they attacked us first."

"Why?" she asked patiently.  "I doubt they did it for no reason," she said gently when he looked clueless.  She looked at the other one.  "What is the underlying cause of this war?"

"Religion.  Theirs is harmful to ours."

"Have either of you thought about asking to be moved off the planet?"  They both slowly shook their heads.  "We've got eighteen hundred planets that are inhabitable within the empire that aren't at the moment.  Would one of you consent to that to stop it?"

They looked at each other then one of them nodded.  "We might."

"Good, then call a cease fire on both sides to aid the discussion.  If either side balks, then you'll get a Watcher."  They bowed and retreated.  "Keep me informed, I want to know when the cease fire starts and how it's going," she called after them.  She looked at the others.  "Your reason?"

"We're fighting over the originators of an important bloodline."

"Animal or being?"

"Being, empress," one of them said quietly.  "We claim she was ours originally.  They claim her as theirs since she married into their clan."

"I thought pirates were the only ones who fought over a woman," Brast said sarcastically.  "Do you really all want to die over who a woman belongs to?"  They shook their heads.  "Then don't.  Say she belongs to both.  She was one and married into the other."

"But then which one of us gets to celebrate her life?" the second ambassador asked bitterly.  "It's one of our biggest holidays."

"For us, it's nearly religious."

"Then I suggest you both hold them.  Hold the religious one at one time of day and the party at the other," Sivya told him.  "There are many cultures that have set this precedent.  "Then the ones who hold her as a holy object can join in or not."

"We tried that, it didn't work, which was what started off this battle," the celebration ambassador told her.  "We'd be happy with one day to their week of holiness."

"You wanted it in the middle, on her birthday."

"I tell you what.  Why was she so famous?  Celebrate that."  The man looked stunned.  "Can you do that?"  He nodded quickly.  "Do you do that?"  They shook their heads.  "Fine.  Then the religious celebration should be voluntary and be on her birthday and the celebration on the reason that made her famous."

"That gives them a month," the religious ambassador complained.

"So?  As long as it doesn't impact your world's survival, does it really matter if there are celebrations for a month with a religious holiday for a week?"  He slowly shook his head.  "Then go suggest that.  Come back to me after calling a truce and talking about those ideas."  They nodded, walking off.  She looked at the last man.  "No second party?"

"We're at war with ourselves," he admitted.  "We have a section of our populace who are fighting to topple the government."

"Is it just?"

"No," he admitted.  "But it's an honorary title at most these days.  Those don't like them because they're smug and rich.  We've been going through hard times and those who are suffering don't like to see those who aren't."

"Perfectly understandable.  No one likes to have their noses rubbed into the fact that they're not doing so prosperously."  She looked at Brast, who shrugged.  "What would help your planet prosper again?"

"Getting rid of the old rulers," he said plainly.  "Send them somewhere else."

"Fine.  Then I'll talk with you, them, and whichever representative the people send.  I want you as a neutral party to explain things to me.  Since you were sent here already you know what goes on in court."  He nodded, bowing to her.  "Good.  Schedule it this week if possible, if not next week.  We'll see what we can do."

"Very well, Empress.  I thank you for taking time to deal with this today."

"I don't like fighting. I don't like to see people in pain or misery.  I hate it actually.  I'd like everyone to be happy and safe.  I'll do my best to make it so each and every day.  Never be afraid to come to me with matters like this."  He nodded, going to call both sides and tell them that they had an audience.  "How long were they waiting?" she asked one of the guards.

"That fight started late last year but they've been trying to come up for about a week now," one of her guards told her.  "The other two were mostly over stupid things that could have been solved.  We tend to fight for stupid reasons across the empire."

"Yes, but this one wasn't," she reminded him.  "One of the others, I could consider," she admitted with a gentle smile for him.  "The other, was solveable.  This one needed to be stopped faster."  They nodded.  "If the generals are around, I could handle them now or in a few minutes since we've....."  She paused as someone walked into her throne room. "Yes?"

"Empress, I am Techleron.  I have a petition."

"All right.  What's wrong?"

She pulled a blaster before anyone could stop her.  "You.  You breached your vows."  She opened fire and the guards reacted, but Sivya and Brast both had already shot her in the hand with the gun.  She went down with a scream.

Sivya walked down there.  "I have not breached my vows to Alia.  I still honor nature.  I always will honor nature.  She has no cause to doubt me," she said coldly.  "If so, she is more than capable of speaking to me as she did for years.  Since she hasn't, I'm supposing she doesn't have a problem with me.  As for my new vows, I did take them and I take them seriously."  She moved the blaster away from the woman.  "Take her away, let her consider her thoughts."  The guards pulled her out of the throne room.  Sivya sat down, then got up and tossed the pillow away before sitting down again.  "I hate that."

"Me too," he assured her, giving her a gentle kiss.  "Very good work, Sivya, even though you did come off as a Ferganis female in heat."  She smiled and stole another kiss.  "Now's not the time for that."

"No, I suppose not."  She looked at the blaster on the floor.  "Someone forgot her gun," she called. A guard came in to claim it and take it away as evidence.  "Thank you.  Tell the military if they're ready, I'm free."  He nodded as he continued to walk.

Three generals walked in and saluted her.  "Hail, Empress," they said in semi-unison.

"Good afternoon.  Thank you for letting us refuel today."

"It's your right," one of them reminded her.

"Still, I do not like to take advantage of such things.  What's going on?"

"We have three incursions from planets outside the Empire," one of them told her.  "Two wish to make treaties.  One wished to be hostile and opened fire, we shot back."

"I'll hear more about that.  Do they have ambassadors?"  That general nodded.  "Then we'll talk to those two and see what we can work out.  The third?"

"May or may not react.  They're new to space from what we can tell," that general admitted.

"Very well.  I'll take a briefing on that situation tomorrow.  I'll allow the military to guide my decisions on that matter."  The general smiled at that.  "I know I'm not a military person.  I don't like to fight and won't unless I have to."

"Thank you, Empress."

The second one stepped forward with a sheet of paper.  "The new Generals."

"Is this a formality?" she asked, looking it over.  She smiled, there were three men on there.  "Very nice.  Are they competent?" she asked, looking at that general.  "I don't want them to be tokens.  Promote for strengths and abilities."

"Two of them are, the other is a local planet's military genius but he's a planner.  He'll be in a rear combat position to plan during battles instead of commanding a ship."

"If that suits you," she offered.  She handed the paper back.  "Do others have problems?"

"Some but they realize all of those have earned their positions.  The planner is brilliant."

"Fine. Then I have no problem with that.  How goes the integration otherwise?"

"Fairly evenly so far.  The men in Judicial positions has been harder.  We didn't have many of those to begin with.  Some of them are moving up and we have gotten a few advocates among the civilians who have agreed to come in and help us now and then.."

"Then I'm happy and you're following the rules," she agreed, smiling at the woman.  "Thank you for coming to me for advice in this matter."

"You're welcome, Empress.  You are the head of the military."

"Yes, but I'm smart enough to know I don't know much."

"Oh, I don't know, you did very well in the battle earlier.  Your ship showed which one of you did which.  What you did was simple but effective."

"I gave her some of my old battles to look over," Brast admitted.

"You are fierce and well known, Lord Brast.  We will be helping you teach her combat flying?" she stated more than asked.

"I should learn," Sivya agreed.  "Until Brailian got injured I couldn't even fly."

"Then we will gladly teach you, Empress.  Even in your own ship if you'd like.  Lord Brast, should we pick up yours?"

"No, I can do that," he promised.  "It's going to be a bit since it's an engine overhaul.  I'll go home to visit and then bring it back."

"Very well.  Empress, please schedule your lessons in the afternoon if possible.  I'm free each week on the third and fifth days in the afternoon if you can arrange it."

"Your qualifications?" Brast asked.

"I teach it at the main academy, the one where regional armies send their captains to learn how to integrate for their times in communal service."  Brast looked impressed.  "The whole academy is more than willing to help her.  You've done a wonderful job but we can't guarantee that there's no more like the Marines earlier, Lord Brast.  We'd rather not have to go through this sort of thing again."

"Agreed," Sivya told her.  "I'll arrange it with Kathal and have him send you a message when I'm free, barring emergencies."

"Agreeable.  Thank you, Empress.  Again, you did very well today.  I'll send over my critique tonight?"  Brast nodded.  "Thank you, sir.  Empress.  Did you have more orders for us?"

"No.  You've done fine so far.  I thank you for your ship's help on Tovar, General.  It was timely and I thank you from the depths of my heart for that."

"I did what was expected, my Empress," she said with a small smile.  "That was my duty."

"I know.  I still thank you for doing it.  If you need me for anything, come to me.  I have nothing against the military."  They nodded, going to tell the others in the higher echelons of the military what she had said.  She looked at Brast.  "She was our backup ship."

"I gathered that much.  Good job, Sivya."  He kissed her again, earning a cleared throat from someone walking in.  "Well met, Lasarae."

"Well met, Lord Brast.  Good job today, Sivya.  There's a few ambassadors who'd normally try to think you to death who are cowering in their rooms."  She smiled.  "You should get ready for the dinner tonight.  Do you have any hair to style?"  Sivya grinned and shook her head.  "Very well, even faster then.  What did you want to wear tonight so I can have your things pulled out of storage?"

"I don't care," she pointed out.  "I'm fine in what I'm wearing."

"Fat chance," Brast snorted.  "Get something to make her pretty and delicate.  They'll need that reassurance."  Lasarae nodded.  "Maybe something like the dress she wore at the mall?"
"She has two others.  Silver or gold, Lord Brast?"

"Gold," he said fondly.  "After all, she is my treasure."

She smiled up at him.  "You'd still better ask Alia to make you fertile if you want more children."  He laughed, loud, happy noises of mirth.  "I'm glad you think it's funny.  Anything else going on, Lasarae?"

"Some people are giving Rethna odd looks since he let Constantine get away from him."

"No one can keep a pirate if they want to leave," Brast reminded her.  "You send them to me.  Rethna was probably trying to keep her here."   She nodded.  "Then you send them to me.  Anything else?"

"There's a Zapesian coming in to talk about that one's training."  She nodded at the baby, who was sleeping in his father's arms.  "Should I take him?"

"He's not going into the nursery," Sivya told her.  "Make sure he's got his own room, with lights in there for the dark times."

"Very well, Empress.  There's a nice small room that adjoins yours."  She bowed.  "Anything else?"

"No, just relax.  I know you weren't part of that earlier."

"I did suggest that we pick up the baby to bring him here so you wouldn't have to worry about flying with him and you two could cuddle on the way up.  We expected a much more hectic first day back."

"I bet," she agreed.  "Actually, I would like a rest before dinner.  Coming?"  Brast nodded.  "Show us to our rooms?"

"Of course.  Did you want to the main suite or the other one?"

"If Constantine's stuff is in the main one, we'll take the other one," Sivya offered gently.  "Any news?"

"We think you were right about where she was headed.  That diary had information in it that said they were real and how to find them.  The file was locked and handed back to a priest of Aragoness, where Rethna explained that it got sent accidentally while you were sending over those trade agreements."  She nodded.  "I'm sorry, Lord Brast, but we have no idea where she is.  All we know is that the ship wasn't destroyed.  We would have gotten some sort of signal from that."

"I understand.  I know she's safe.  Her tracer still shows her as alive.  Just very distant."  He shrugged, waking the baby.  "Shh," he said at the first fuss.  "We're going to our room. You can nap with the mother in a few minutes."  The baby looked at Lasarae, who wiggled her fingers at him.  "That's Lasarae, she protects us, son.  She's as fierce as a pirate but doesn't understand about treasures yet."

"Of course I do.  Peace is my treasure, Lord Brast."  She opened the door, waving them inside.  "We've just got done sweeping it for listening devices and anything unnatural.  We'll have to bring in a bed for him."

"He can sleep in the sun," Sivya offered, pointing at a couch.

"That's a good baby napping spot," Brast agreed, going to put their son down on it.  "There, you sleep there, Cabiael."  He kissed him on the top of the head.  "Sleep and dream of treasures sweet and great."  The baby yawned and smiled up at him, sucking on his finger.  "Do you need a story?" he teased.  The baby grinned.  "Sure, I'll tell you about how to rebuild an engine.   Then we'll go look at your mother's since it's so slow."  He sat down at the foot of the couch, covering his wiggling son.  "Lay still," he ordered.  "You can't nap with the wiggling you're doing."

Sivya stripped down and got into bed, laying her veil and crown beside the bed.  "Night, Lasarae.  Thank you."

"It's nothing unusual, Empress.  Sleep well.  I'll wake you up in about an hour."  She walked out, closing the door behind her before running into Kathal.  "They're in there," she said quietly.  "Trying to nap."

"I have no problem with that.  Should we pack up the other one?"  She shrugged. "I'll let Lord Brast do that then.  Was there anything else?"

"Get with Remiren about her combat flying training.  She's got two days a week free in the afternoon."

"Fine," he agreed with a small grimace.  "It will also give her husband something to help with.  Anything else?"

"There's one of the groups that's at war who's bringing in people for a conference with her and the crown.  She ordered them here by next week."

"I'll make arrangements for that.  The cub?"

"I haven't seen him yet," she admitted.  "I'll make sure he's at dinner tonight."  Kathal nodded.  "For now, let her rest."

"Of course.  I'll go over the accounts with Lord Brast tomorrow.  The Zapesian?"

"On his way in.  Probably by tonight or tomorrow.  For Cabiael's room they'll need some small lights so he doesn't start another fire for light."

"I'll warn my wife.  Thank you, Lasarae.  Are you posting yourself here?"

"Until someone else comes."  He nodded, going to order that.  She settled in for a bout of waiting.  "At least there was only one stupid person this time," she muttered.  "It could have been much worse."
 

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To Chapter Nineteen