And there was freedom in that.
So Melville simply turned and walked away as Incessant shouted, “You might have your ship, but you will be sent to the other side of the galaxy, and you will never do anything but deliver mail and worthless cargoes to frontier outposts for the rest of your miserable, insolent life. I can see what has happened here. I know that I am finished, but I still have authority. I have given that order, written and sealed, and it will not be rescinded!”
As Melville strode toward the tables he was joined by Princess Glaive in a gown that was like a swirl of translucent, gauzy green grass, with patches of dandelions artfully sited in strategic locations. She studiously ignored the whole incident with Incessant and immediately, impishly brought him back into the joy of the moment. “Shouldst I be whispering in thine ear, ‘Remember, O Caesar, all glory is fleeting,’ hmmm?”
Melville smiled and wrapped his arm around her, causing her gown to ripple delightfully, as though a mischievous breeze was blowing across her meadow. “I think it was a slave who was assigned to that duty, not a princess.”
“Mmmm,” she purred, standing up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek, “wouldst thou have me for thy slave girl?”
The rest of the dinner was a perfect, flawless gem of purest joy. Melville had a habit of taking the good times and identifying them to himself. This, this is something special, something wonderful, he said to himself. I will take this day, this joy, and I will save it away. I will invest it in a mental, emotional “bank account.” Some day when the years turn bad, when pain and sorrow fill my life, I will make a withdrawal from that account, and it will sustain me in my dark hours. I’ve known joy such as many people will never know. If the world should turn on me, as it did earlier today, may I have the decency not to moan and wail, and bear my fate with dignity and grace.
A swirling rainbow of well-wishers came past his table. Most of them were only a colorful blur in his memory, but one in particular stuck with him. A Westerness Marine officer came up to him, escorted by Lieutenant Broadax. Broadax had lit a cigar, and was beaming in a cloud of smoke as she introduced him.
“Sir, this here’s Lieutenant Colonel Hayl. Ye needs ta know ‘at he was o’ some service to us today. The colonel’s the head o’ the embassy’s marine detail, an’ aye, he was o’ service, if’n ye takes my meanin’.” This last was said with a broad wink that was about as subtle as a musket volley.
Melville stood and held out his hand to the tall marine, noting from his ribbons that he’d done service as a ranger, which was impressive.
“May I introduce you to Princess Glaive Newra, and may I say that I’m obliged for any assistance that you have given to me and my ship in this hour.”
Hayl bowed and kissed the princess’ hand, murmuring, “Charmed, Your Highness, I’m truly charmed.” Then he looked at Melville, smiled and replied, “Truly it was nothing. I did absolutely nothing.”
“Well, sir,” said Melville, taking his meaning and returning the smile, “then I’m sincerely obliged to you for nothing, and if there is any way I can ever repay you, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“Aye, well, there is a boon that I would beg of you.”
“If it’s within my power, it shall be done.”
“Well, Captain, my son is twelve years old. I’ve taught him everything that I can across the years. He has been well schooled, and I’d be honored if you would consider interviewing him for service with you as a midshipman. I’ve already provided him with a sea chest, all regulation requirements, and a yearly stipend. He’s followed your exploits and is an enormous fan of yours, as am I, and if you’d accept him it would be the highest honor.”
“Indeed, Colonel, I do have some openings in my midshipman’s berth, and I’d be honored to meet the boy. But you do understand how these openings occurred?” A flicker of anguish flashed across Melville’s face, a glint of black pain amidst the rainbow joy of this evening. Beside him, Princess Glaive squeezed his hand.
“Aye. I understand, Captain, and these are the risks we take and accept as warriors. Actually, I’ve taken the liberty of bringing the boy with me,” at which he gestured and Melville became aware of a young boy standing a few feet away.
“Come here, son,” said Melville kindly.
The boy strode forward, his chin held high but quivering ever so slightly.
“Do you want to serve on my ship?”
“Aye, sir.”
“You know that it’s dangerous, and it may be years before you’ll be back with your family?”
“Aye, sir.”
“You’re certain?”
“Aye, sir.”
“Very well, then. You aren’t committed yet, I want you to be able to spend a few days on board ship before you make a final decision. But if, after seeing the ship and spending a few days with us, you still think you want the position, then you may have it.”
Melville turned to the senior Hayl and continued, “Colonel, you can have his gear sent to the ship as soon as is convenient. I understand that we are under orders to sail soon. I don’t know how soon it will be, but I’d like for young Mister Hayl to get a chance to look over the ship and make a final decision.”
“Aye, Captain. If we can send him off tonight I think that may be best. Heads are rolling at the embassy, and my options may be somewhat more limited in the very near future. My son is prepared to depart; he has said his goodbyes.”
“Indeed. As you can see, I do have some allies. And I, too, can ask boons. If you need my help please let me know. Mister Hayl, you can wait for me outside the cloakroom. You will accompany me back to my inn tonight. I can’t guarantee that any of my men will be functional tonight, but you can come over to the ship with me, first thing in the morning.”
“Aye, sir,” said young Hayl.
“I thank you sir,” added his father.
“It’s nothing, sir, truly nothing,” said Melville with a smile.
Chapter the 16th
Was a Lady Such a Lady . . .
You common people of the skies;
What are you, when the Moon shall rise?
“Elizabeth of Bohemia”
Sir Henry Wotton
“Well, looky there mates,” muttered Broadax through her cigar stub as they walked into their inn. “They killed the little piggy afore ‘e even ‘ad a chance t’ finish ‘is apple. Damn I’m hungry fer real food,” she went on, licking her lips, “I could eat the whole piggy m’self.”
Melville, his first officer, and his marine officer were just returning from the king’s award banquet. Their “gongs” were still hanging from ribbons around their necks. But, as always, they’d found the Sylvan food unsatisfying.
They’d walked confidently through the dangerous late night streets of Osgil, in the certain knowledge that the darkness held nothing more terrible than themselves. Melville was keeping young Midshipman Hayl with him until he could be safely stored aboard ship. The other members of their crew were all at other inns, or had other engagements, other opportunities tonight.
To their front was the dimly lit, broad stairs up to their rooms. To their left was an alcove for coats and boots, and to the right was the entrance to a long, brightly lit banquet hall with a table full of revelers reaching down its length. The table was dominated by a whole roasted pig. One moon had set, but bright moonlight from Osgil’s remaining satellite still flowed in from skylights in the steep roof far overhead.
Standing in the doorway to their right were two other customers, both of them human. The inn was on the ground, rather than up in a flet, and was commonly frequented by humans. About half the customers that could be seen sitting at the table were descendants of Old Earth, the rest were mostly Sylvan.
“Aye,” responded Fielder looking to his right at the huge roasted pig that Broadax was lusting after, sitting indignantly astride the table. He and Broadax were developing a fragile truce based on mutual cynicism, distrust of the Sylvans, and dislike of their refined food, a truce that had been cultivated across countless boring banquets. “And he looks quite angry about it. That Sylvan food. You eat and eat, and an hour later you’re still hungry. I wish they’d saved us some of the beefsteaks that they sent to the dogs. I’d kill for some red meat.” Then the door to the inn swung shut behind them, and Fielder heard the door being braced shut from the outside.