Double Play
by Rick Tornello
I’m a ronin. By
definition I’ll serve any employer. My clan,
the E’Tivels had been eliminated in the
great wars. I survived through skill and luck. As
an ally I was granted a temporary assignment as a
bodyguard for the Consul’s family, in
particular Ka’Trink, his wife. She acts as
his eyes, ears, and roving ambassador. The Consul
is a warrior of evil repute.
Ka’Trink is the
daughter of a great wizard. She has emerald eyes.
Her pupils are alabaster slits. Her hair is long,
thick, intermixed with pearls, and burgundy. She
is known for her white magic strength. And she
has a mute pet sphinx.
And I? I was stuck with a
wife who despised my very existence. I was
clanless. An underworld spirit would have been
more acceptable as a husband. I was nothing. But
I was alive.
Still, I sent the money
home every lunar rotation.
****
The boarding formality
begins each flight. “Your ladyship, let me
insure the systems are up and prepared before you
board.”
I looked straight at her
and that was forbidden.
I couldn’t help it. No
being from any planet could resist. Her husband
slayed many for so as much as a glance. It was
rumored he was strict and beat her for any
infraction, real or imagined.
She was the ambassador. It
was none of my business why she wore what she did.
Her uniform was doughty, and ugly. But it couldn’t
hide her eyes.
Ka’Trink turns toward
me. Her alabaster cat eyes narrow as she delves.
“I beg forgiveness. I
should not stare.” Still, I don’t turn
away.
“You always do,”
she laughs.
Chimes? What, where was
that music? Yes that was it, chimes. That was the
first time I had heard her laugh.
“Is my ship ready?”
Her job as her husband’s eyes had her
traveling from one planet to another
I was about to make the
perfunctory sweep of the ship when she walked
passed me. Her sword of rank swayed with the
movement of her hips. I noticed the slight bulge
of a weapon under her flowing skirts strapped
what must be legs of …
Get a grip, I
laughed to myself. These two missions lasted nine
months each. Any fool knew there could be no
games between us. My short physical stature, and
lost rank were guaranteed degrees of separation.
So was my love of my life.
****
On our third mission, as
she was boarding, she turned to me as said,
“You WILL join me for midmeal today. I have
made the arrangements.”
“Yes, your ladyship.”
What to do? She commanded it. Once we were space
bound, she was in total control.
Midmeal was awkward.
She began, “You are an
E’Tivel and one of those who stood up to the
Dariates. It wasn’t a question. “That’s
one reason you were chosen for my guard.”
I knew the others: a ronin,
married, short and all the qualities her kind
looked down upon.
“Your ladyship, if
your husband learns of this, I…”
“You are here to
protect me. I feel your presence is necessary. We
both have to eat. I am in command.
Enough.”
I shut up and ate.
The next few meetings were
not much better for me. Thankfully, Ka’Trink
did all the talking.
Out of the blue she
confides, “Yes, he is cruel for no reason.
He doesn’t care. He will be ruler someday. I
can’t stand him.” She hesitates, “or
his touch.”
“This is not what I
should be privy to,” I declared standing up.
“Oh, and why not? This
is my ship. I am in command. Anything I want, is
mine. Is it not? And, I… desire someone to
confide in. I have watched you. I trust you.
Now Sit.”
I stare into those eyes. I
don’t have to answer. She reads me. I can
feel her delving. The first experiences of her
probes were unnerving. Now, I almost welcome them.
She smiles. I hear chimes.
****
At a meal Ka’Trink
says something that’s news to me. “Your
wife has terminated your relationship. She claims
long separations are beyond what any marriage can
endure. It was granted.”
I knew it was coming, but
still.
Is there a slight hint of a
smirk on her face?
I hear chimes, if only
distant. I hear them just the same.
****
The next meeting she is
wearing something new.
“My lady I know it’s
not my place but that’s a new uniform, and
if I may say.”
“Yes you may.”
She hesitates, “please do.”
“You look radiant.”
She touches my hand. The
delving is deeper than ever, the electricity that
passes between us… I faint.
Her white witch cat eyes
are staring into mine. She is inches from my face
and says, “I knew that would happen. I’m
sorry. I shouldn’t have.”
She is no one to play with,
the Consul’s...I’m-so-going-to-die-do-I-dare?
I hesitated,
I reached out,
I touched her hand.
Chimes.
The room was empty. Usually
there are others in attendance.
Her alabaster eyes are wide.
She looks into me. Her long red hair, loose,
falls into my face as she kisses me.
“My name is Ka’Trink.
Use it!” She kisses me again.
****
From that day I could no
longer be with another. And That was so NOT me.
Ka’Trink arranged all
the assignations. With time, we opened up to each
other as neither had done with any other.
I looked forward to the
diplomatic missions. No one knew, or ever let on.
I was never questioned.
Her husband ignored me as
if I didn’t exist.
****
Her reasons, why me, and
those experiences are still beyond me 20 sidereal
periods later.
Her husband died in a
shakedown test. It was a new drive system. It
exploded.
Ka’Trink became the
Consul of his sector.
And I… I became her
consort.
I wake to those chimes
every morning.
The sphinx is asleep on the
corner of the bed.
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