The Worker Prince (4 page)

“I welcome the assignment, mother,” he said, hoping to put her at ease.

“You see? The boy knows something about honor and responsibility,” Xalivar said with pride.

“He is no longer a boy,” Miri said.

“All the more reason to not treat him as such,” Xalivar chastised her.

Miri wilted. They all knew it was an argument she could not win.

“I will do my best to serve with distinction befitting our family,” Davi said, hoping he could meet their expectations.

“We have no doubt you will. Perhaps you will also remember that gallivanting with your young friends—and using auto taxis for playthings—is not the proper behavior of an officer, especially a prince.”

Davi looked down, embarrassed. Somehow his uncle always seemed to know everything.

“You are quite lucky no citizens were hurt.”

“Bordox was provoking us,” Davi said.

“There are better ways to deal with your petty rivalries,” Xalivar said, shooting Davi a stern look which stopped him from responding further.

“What happened?” Miri asked.

“Nothing to concern yourself with. Two auto taxis needing repair. A few soiled uniforms,” Xalivar explained.

“None of them ours,” Davi added with a smile.

Xalivar’s eyes narrowed as he frowned at Davi. “You’ll be having breakfast with the ambassador at nine sharp. Don’t be late,” he said.

It was more a warning than a request, Davi noted. Still, Davi suppressed a smile at the concession. “Yes, High Lord Councilor.” He formed a fist and placed his other hand with crossed fingers on top.

Xalivar gave a slight nod at the salute as Davi turned and marched toward the door. “Congratulations on your awards today, Xander. We are very pleased,” his uncle said as Davi waited for the door to open.

“Thank you,” he responded as the door slid into the ceiling. Davi turned back to the corridor, his face beaming with pride, and marched out of the room.

O O O

Xalivar watched his nephew go, pride swelling within. His sister’s son was the closest thing he had to a son of his own, his only heir. Up until today’s events, everything had been proceeding according to his plans. Xalivar had long known he would train Davi as his successor, but the rebellious streak Davi had demonstrated today concerned him. He would have to keep a closer eye on things to ensure that kind of behavior didn’t continue.

Miri kept watching him as the door slid shut behind Davi. “I need him near me,” she said.

“I can arrange accommodations for you on Vertullis if you wish,” Xalivar said.

Miri frowned.

Xalivar ignored her and pressed on. “It’s the planet nearest to us. He will be well protected by my officers. If he is to be my heir, he must know about all aspects of the Alliance. And he must be able to gain respect on his own, not by relying on my power.”

“He has a kind spirit,” Miri said.

“Kindness is not a luxury rulers can easily afford,” Xalivar said. Miri was too soft. “Perhaps this experience will disavow him of his fantasies. He could use a dose of reality.”

Miri blanched, turning defensive. “He’s not like you,” Miri said. “He will never delight in their oppression.”

Xalivar shrugged with disinterest. His failure to mold Davi into his own image was something she treasured rubbing in Xalivar’s face. Miri was one of the few he would ever allow to be so direct with him. “Delight is not required, only recognition of the way things need to be.”

Miri sighed and walked toward the door. Xalivar suspected his sister hoped her son would never be the kind of emperor he was. There had been many conquerors in the line preceding him, but Xalivar took special pride in his reputation as ruthless and arrogant. Except for Miri and Davi, no one dared question him on even the most routine of matters, and Xalivar liked it that way.

There would be no place for weakness in running an Alliance. One had to be firm and decisive, and given time, it would come as easily to Davi as it had to him. With the endorsement of the Council of Lords, Xalivar’s family had led the Borali Alliance for generations. It ran in their blood.

Xalivar turned back toward his private suite, ready for some rest after a trying day. Davi would have to get used to that, too. The days of a ruler were full and demanding. Perhaps the assignment he was about to undertake would serve Davi well. He’d never understood his sister’s insistence on using the nickname which even Davi himself seemed to prefer. The men in his line all had honorable names and Xander was quite respectable. He sighed, shaking his head. That too would have to change.

O O O

At breakfast the following morning, Davi joined Miri, Xalivar, and other distinguished guests. He sat next to Sinaia Quall, the Borali Alliance’s Ambassador to Vertullis—who was less of a diplomat and more of an overseer in this case. A short, dark woman with her black hair in a bun, she chatted with him about the situation there, filling him in on the background and details about the planet he didn’t already know. In the end, Davi found her charming and informative and appreciated the opportunity to get to know an important official on whom he could call if the need arose. Sinaia in turn assured him she would look after his well-being during his assignment there.

After he excused himself, Miri took him aside. His shuttle would depart in a few hours and he knew she wanted some mother-son time before he left. As they arrived in her chambers, she seemed overwhelmed with sadness.

“Mother, I’m worried about you,” he said, noticing for the first time new lines around her eyes, the distance in her stare.

“You’re worried about me? I think I’m the one who should be worried,” Miri said, refusing to meet his gaze. Her eyes reddened as if she were near tears.

“Why? I graduated near the top of my class. I have been through years of training preparing for this. Uncle has a lot of people looking out for me. I know I will make you proud.”

Miri smiled. “You’ve never done anything but make me proud, Davi. You know I adore you.”

Davi put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “And I you.”

She tousled his hair. “I wish your assignment wasn’t so far away. I like you close by.”

“It’s one planet away. Come and visit any time.”

“Of course, I will.” She smiled. “Do you have it?”

Davi gave her an inquisitive look. “What, mother? The necklace?”

She nodded as he pulled the chain over his collar and let it dangle on his chest. The necklace was round and silver colored with a blue-green crest at its center. The four sections of the crest bore distinct images: laborers, soldiers, farmers, and priests.

“Perhaps you could leave it with me for safe keeping—a remembrance of my son to comfort me in your absence,” she said, stroking it.

“You know how much it’s always meant to me. It’s one of the first gifts you ever gave me.”

“I know, son, but so many things can happen out in the field. If you lost it …”

“I won’t lose it, mother.” She’d always been very protective of the necklace, but she’d never before asked him to give it up. Davi was puzzled by the sudden change, increasing his worry.

“I would feel better if I had it with me,” she said, sniffling a bit.

“But you’ve always insisted I wear it. I don’t understand. Are you so worried I won’t come back?” Davi looked into her eyes, wishing he could find the words to ease her worry.

Miri rushed into his arms, embracing him. “Never say that! I can’t bear it!” She held him tight, her voice cracking.

“I’m sorry, mother. It was supposed to be a joke!” Davi held her, trying to reassure her.

“Never joke about such things,” she said with tenderness. “I love you, son.”

“I love you, too, mother.” He would miss these times with her when they were apart. Tears flowed from her eyes. Davi stood there and held her a while, the necklace pressed against his chest by her embrace.

O O O

The small temple attached to the Palace was empty, as expected, when Miri led Davi through the Royal family’s secret tunnels. As instructed, a priest had prepared libations and vestments and left them at the altar for the Royal family’s use. Davi couldn’t remember the last time he’d been here, and he knew his mother didn’t come often either. But today, she had insisted they offer prayers and tribute for his safety and success before his departure, and so they’d come.

The priests kept the temple clean, free of dust and other odors, though Davi’s nose did detect the few types of incense that had been burned recently in tribute. The altar consisted of a small, marble platform with a triple staircase leading up to it, all broad and wide with overarching ceilings as befit one coming into the presence of higher beings.

Miri led him straight to the altar and knelt, motioning for Davi to her side as she began putting on one of the two ornate robes in preparation for their offering.

Davi put on the other then knelt beside her and joined her in the traditional recitations that preceded any proper offering. “Nehes, nehes, nehes, Nehes em hotep, Nehes em neferu. Nebet hotepet. Weben em hotep …” Together, they recited the ancient words any Boralian learned from birth, and Davi gently lifted the carafe of red wine, holding it ready for when Miri wanted it.

Miri’s recitation sounded sincere and passionate, but Davi had enough trouble remembering the words that he couldn’t quite manage to muster even a semblance of emotion in support of his mother. But she didn’t look at him or offer comment.

After the opening indroit, Miri accepted the carafe and launched into specific prayers, asking the gods for wisdom, strength, courage, and protection for Davi. She poured the libations on a small dish she’d set centered on the altar cloths, her eyes closed and head bowed, and Davi bowed similarly, but kept his eyes open. He had long ago given up devotion to his people’s religion, which seemed far more like silly ritual to him than anything profoundly spiritual or connected to another realm. He just didn’t feel anything when he participated in it. It was all ritual motions, words, and actions, but he experienced no spiritual connection to go with it, no matter how hard he tried. Still, it comforted Miri, so he did his best to project a spirit of support and love to honor her as she prayed.

Would any of this matter?
He asked himself and then heard Miri reciting the closing words and joined her in offering the traditional four-fingered salute to the pantheon.

Miri’s shoulders sank with her sigh as she finished and looked over at him, warmly. They embraced, holding each other for another moment, then slowly stood and headed back into the passages that would return them to the Palace.

Whether any of it had been worth the effort for spiritual aid, Davi had doubts, but the confidence it gave his mother was more than worth the time. He hoped it would carry with her throughout the days ahead after they parted. He let his love for her flow back through the embrace. At least he could offer her that.

O O O

Davi and Farien arrived at the starport a few hours later, their gray uniforms neatly pressed, and shook hands with Yao. He’d shared so many fun times with his friends, and Davi knew he’d miss having them around. After a few moments, he pulled Yao aside. “I need you to look after mother for me.”

“Of course. Anything I can do? Is she upset because you’re leaving?”

Davi sighed, raising his hands in the air as he took a deep breath. “Yes. More than I expected. She seems more weak and frail than I’ve ever seen her. I’m not sure why.”

“She’s always adored you and kept you close. I’m sure this is hard for her,” Yao said.

“It’s hard for me as well, but she’s really broken up about it. She even asked me to leave the necklace with her for safe keeping.”

Yao’s eyes widened and he took an involuntary step back. “The one she’s always been after you to wear? Did she have a bad dream about something happening to you?”

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t say. Just check on her for me, will you?” Their eyes met and Davi saw recognition there of his depth of concern as his hand reached down to touch the crest where it rested beneath his uniform.

“Every day, if you want,” Yao replied, eyes locked on Davi’s.

Davi clapped him on the shoulder. “I don’t think it’s necessary, but I trust your judgment.”

Yao smiled and they embraced. “You take care out there, okay? I want to hear all about your adventures,” Yao teased.

“Oh yeah, and you make sure those future cadets are up to standards, all right?”

Yao laughed. “I’ll be as hard on them as I was on you two.” He twisted his face into a fierce expression.

“Do us a favor and be harder on them, okay?” Davi said with a grin. He glanced over at Farien, who frowned, pacing beside the shuttle ramp. They both laughed and shook hands one last time.

“Let’s get this show rolling,” Farien said, glancing at his watch. “Let the adventure begin!” He clapped them both on the back. Yao shook Farien’s hand before he and Davi boarded the shuttle.

As the shuttle pilots prepared for launch, the engines hummed and ignited. Contrasting with the shuttle’s white exterior, the interior was light gray. The cockpit held two black chairs facing a transparent blast shield, surrounded by controls. It was separated by a bulkhead from the passenger compartment which contained four rows of seats—two lining each exterior wall and two back to back down the center. Each had its own safety harness. The sole decoration was a large Borali Alliance emblem centered above the seats on the ceiling. The cabin smelled stale, used; not fresh and clean like the royal shuttles always did.

Davi strapped on his safety harness and began mentally reviewing what he knew about Vertullis and his new assignment. From what he’d been told the planet’s capital city, Iraja, was far from impressive when compared with Legon, but Iraja was also one of the Borali Alliance’s major starports and the key shipping and receiving point for agricultural products in the solar system. His heart raced in his chest. He’d never been off planet before.

The thirteen planets in the star system all varied in size and shape, the outermost and innermost planets being the smallest. Three of the larger planets had several moons. Vertullis had two. While Vertullis, Tertullis, and Legallis alone had atmospheres suitable for human life, due to Borali scientists’ determination and skill with terraforming, all but one of the system’s planets had been inhabited, though some with populations consisting only of a few workers and military personnel. The planets revolved around the two suns, Boralis and Charlis, in an unusual orbital pattern due to the effect of the twin gravities. Because of the limitations in terraforming science, the four planets nearest to the suns had been surrendered as viable habitats for humans. Of the thirteen planets, Vertullis was the sole planet which had a surface containing fifty percent forest, and it had one other distinction. It remained the only planet in the solar system whose native citizens weren’t free.