The Queen opened her eyes. She fell asleep during these hours in the blink of an eyelid and roused as quickly. Roane took those two inert hands into hers.
“Ludorica!” she called softly as a summons.
It seemed that this time those blue eyes did indeed focus on her and hold steady—as if she were a recognized person and not a part of the room. The cracked lips Roane had soothed with salve parted and the faintest ghost of a whisppr reached her:
“Roane?”
“Yes, oh, yes!” The off-world girl tightened her grip eagerly. “I am Roane!” That the other knew her was a great leap forward out of that shadow land.
“Stay-”
Roane understood that as a question.
“Yes, I shall stay.” But she could not be sure she had replied in time for the other to understand, for the heavy lids had fallen again and once more the Queen slept—though this time Roane watched with a lighter heart. She thought Ludorica’s sleep more natural, not just a giving way to a blanking unconsciousness. At last she laid down the hands she held and at that moment one of the maids came into the circle of lamplight and beckoned, slipping into Roane’s place as she arose.
The chamber door was ajar and she went to it. Imfry was in the room beyond. He was wearing full uniform, and his thin face was shaven. He had been, she was aware, on his self-imposed duties to bring order out of chaos.
“Your star ship was gone.” He broke it to her abruptly.
For a moment all she thought of was the lost opportunity to aid the Queen. Then the true meaning struck home. They had gone, leaving her behind, marooned it might well be for life if the Service decided against any further contact. Roane put out her hand for support, suddenly feeling a little dizzy, reaching for a chair back. But her hand was caught as he came to her, steadied her.
“I am sorry,” he said and that crispness of command, much in his voice these past few days, was softened. “I should not have told you so.”
“No, it does not matter.” She shook her head. “I could not have expected otherwise. They knew we had been discovered, and they would not wait to find me. They may never come again. But Nelis, listen—the Queen—Ludorica—a short time ago she knew me! Perhaps we can hope she will come back to us. We might not need their help after all.”
“You are sure—she is on the mend?” Something in his eagerness, the way he turned his head to look at the door into the bedchamber made Roane want to move away. She tried to pull her hand from his, but he would not loose it.
“I have a duty.” He spoke slowly, almost as if what he said now was painful. “You have heard her call me “kinsman’—”
Because, thought Roane with a wry inner hurt, Ludorica wished perhaps an even closer relationship with her Colonel.
“You see, there is in truth a bond between us—”
This she did not want to hear. If the bleak truth was not put into words, if she did not have to hear it just yet— And to have him say it! But she was not able to protest, and he was continuing:
“I took an oath long ago at my father’s wishes—and it has ruled my life. Our rulers marry for reasons of state, the well-being of their countries. But often such unions are no more than formal alliances, though they are required for the begetting of true heirs.
“Our King Niklas accepted the royal bride from Vordain, as his advisers made plain was his duty. But his heart had already been given elsewhere. And such affairs can lead not only to pain but to cankers like Reddick’s ambition—which was in part my father’s fear after my birth.
“My mother was the King’s daughter, but no princess. She wanted nothing from her father; in fact she refused all he would have gladly given her. And when she wed with my father she was pleased to leave the court.
“By her wish I was to claim nothing from the King, and this was my father’s desire also. I was not to be Tdnsman’ though I could easily have been so. To me Ludorica will always be the Queen whom I serve and honor. Beyond the service I owe her thus, I go my way, and she that which destiny points for her. Do you understand what I would have you believe?”
Roane could not answer save with a nod. She was unable to sort out her emotions. For that she needed time and quiet and a chance to face a new self, a very new self which she must learn to know.
“What of you? Your people have left you—”
“Yes.”
“But that is only as you think; the truth is otherwise!” There was hot emotion in his voice which she was too bewildered even to try to read. “Those have gone, your people are here! You are of Reveny, as much as if you were born among her hills, schooled in some stead hall. Believe that, Roane, believe it! For it is true!”
She was not just imagining what he said—it was the truth now. And with the tone of one wholeheartedly swearing allegiance she found voice enough to answer:
“I do-Nelis, I do!”
The End