Rigel 2

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Wolfgang’s brow rose slightly, “Might still be alive somewhere?” Intense blue eyes studied Wil a long minute. When no response seemed forthcoming, the Kaiser told Wil that for the moment he could remain. Then he turned those intense eyes on Azjah. “We have not been informed that Our Marquess is missing and presumed dead. We trust your explanation includes why you have failed to advise Us?”

Azjah took a deep breath and forced herself into a calmer state. It would not help her cause if she lost the ability to concentrate on the issue at hand. “Your Majesty, it is true that the Marquess has gone missing. It is true that many believe him dead; however, I cannot prove his demise to You. That I have failed to notify You is due to my search for him, and time slipped away much more quickly than even I had realized. If You please, Your majesty, the Marquess was forced into a marriage he did not desire. The Marquess is not from our world, and did not understand the implications of those actions. Upon our return to his world, with further differences between us, he undertook a quest to seek for his mother, whom he had never known. I do not believe it was his intention to never return.” Azjah had faithfully kept to the same information that she had given to the Empress. It was clear that the Emperor had been well informed before their arrival. His lack of surprise told her that much.

Azjah paused a moment, letting the Kaiser consider that a moment. At length he motioned for her to continue, “The Marquess took one of the star ships of our fleet. With very little training, and no crew beyond his valet, he vanished into the universe. He refused an experienced crew for the ship. He left no flight plan, no messages, and within weeks, his homing beacon failed to respond. Messages were sent but never responded to, and then searches were begun. I kept hope that somewhere they would find my husband. They have not. Neither have they found wreckage from our vessel.”

Azjah paused and took a breath, “It is with great sorrow Your Majesty, that I come before You asking Your benevolence to declare this marriage annulled.”

A collective gasp could be heard from several people now seated in the gallery of the Throne Room. She had just asked the unthinkable for Rigelian Peers. And certainly it was never the woman who made such a blasphemous request.

Azjah lifted her eyes to the Kaiser’s directly, an action that is almost never done, “Your Majesty, I have held onto hope for two years. I have been advised to seek a decree of death for the Marquess, but I cannot prove his demise. I would prefer to believe he is out there somewhere and has found happiness that he could not find with me. I place this burden in Your venue, as You are Just and Wise. The Marquess has been lost to me, and to Your cause. I ask now for an exceptional decree of Annulment.”

With that said, Azjah fell once more into a deep and respectful curtsey before her Emperor.

Wolfgang sat in silence for what seemed an infinite period of time to Azjah. He was fairly wrapped in glee. She was now his pawn to play as he deemed most beneficial to his Empire. All he needed to do was agree to her request.

In that silence though came a sound Azjah had not expected to hear. The Arch Bishop methodically approached the throne unbidden. Arch Bishop Wilhelm’s voice raised in the silence of the hall. “Annulment defies the sanctity of vows that I performed before not only the Kaiser, but G~d himself!” The Arch Bishop moved up the aisle with the assistance of his staff. Righteous anger directed at the Kaiser that he would even consider hearing such a petition, especially from a woman.

Wolfgang swore silently. “We are well aware of how and by whom marriage vows were administered Arch Bishop. Though dissolution of sacred marriage is discouraged, there are clearly conditions that mandate such dissolution.” He knew there were three exceptions to the vows of wedlock. The Marquess had given them abandonment, and even the Arch Bishop could not argue that point. Clearly this was not a case of consanguinity, or of adultery of the wife. It was abandonment. And as his own wife had reminded him, an abandoned woman cannot do her duty to the crown and produce heirs to inherit the responsibilities of serving the crown. The Danaan blood lines were older than even Wolfgang’s. She held the blue blood of centuries of trusted guardians of the Empire. She was perfect for forcing obedience on either Stefano or Sheldon.

“The Marquess is missing, nothing more. By what grounds do you consider annulment?” The Arch Bishop’s voice was surprisingly strong for his extreme age. But the Rigelian tendency for empathy had already given the Arch Bishop the information that he needed. The Emperor was going to grant this request.

Azjah rose slowly and turned slightly to regard the Arch Bishop, being very careful not to turn her back on her Emperor. “Arch Bishop, you know well that Klinton was an unwilling participant to those proceedings. And you know that he was not from Rigel, nor a Rigelian colony. He did not consider himself bound by Rigelian Law. He left over two standard years ago and has vanished. Either by choice, or by accident, the result is the same, I have been left alone, minus the husband those vows were meant to grant to me.”

The Arch Bishop stopped at the bottom of the stairs. He did not look at Azjah, but rather at the Kaiser, “By what right do you claim authority to make this decision?”

Wolfgang’s brow rose warningly. He was not going to have another debate over sovereignty of his people. “By DIVINE right I grant authorization for annulment of the Marquess on the grounds of abandonment. The Marchioness will pay indulgences to The Religion in the amount of one million platinums. She will also make payment to the Crown of another one million platinums. Any further ecclesiastical requirements are yours to impose Arch Bishop.”

Wolfgang motioned to the official Scribe to document his decision.

Just as Azjah was about to sigh relief with the verdict, Wolfgang spoke again. “Arch Bishop, how long is penance required for the Marchioness before new Banns could be read?”

She shot Wil a quick look of sheer terror as the Bishop held his silence for a moment. “Minimum wait is thirty solar days, with proper penitence each day.”

Wolfgang gave a nod and studied his cousin, “We grant your request for annulment. We require your indulgences to be paid within the next five days, and your penance to begin immediately after the indulgences are paid. Banns for your remarriage will be read at the end of that time by the Arch Bishop’s designee for the required 7 day period.”

“Remarriage, Majesty?” Azjah couldn’t keep the tremor from her voice. This could not be happening!

Wolfgang nodded, “Yes Marchioness. We cannot have our Marches left without a Marquess. Already We suffer the losses caused by the assault on Lacerta. The Cepheans need to be driven away from Our territory. Surely you do not believe yourself to be capable of such military demands? Therefore, We shall choose another to fill the demanding position of Marquess, and to take the responsibility for protecting Our territories and wild borders.”

He intended to dismantle Sheldon’s army, but the manpower he provided would be used to deal with the Cepheans.

Azjah lifted her head and for a moment met Wolfgang’s eyes before quickly dropping her gaze to avoid further angering him, “Your Majesty, if it please, my Father granted me the right to choose my husband.” Her mind was racing now, had that dinner with Prince Sheldon and Baron Stefano been about finding her a new husband? It wasn’t possible!

Wolfgang gave a smile that she did not see, “Yes Marchioness, he granted you that right, and you have exercised it. Now We claim Our right to make the decision whom will be Our representative in the Marches.”

The Prince, who had remained in the gallery, lit up with glee. Oh, this Kaiser was no fool! The woman had not expected him to claim liege lord rights to determine who she would be given to once her petition was granted. He wanted to dance about in glee. He would promise what ever he needed to in order to beat out the Baron from Deneb. The game was now afoot.

[Wil Savage]

Colonel Savage stood next to Azjah and listened to her explanation and the Kaiser’s response. If he had calculated correctly, the Kaiser would indeed be granting her request. This was one time Wil wasn’t so sure he wanted to be correct, for he didn’t see Kaiser Wolfgang as being a particularly beneficent person unless there was something in it for himself.

Then it came – “Banns for your remarriage will be read at the end of that time by the Arch Bishop’s designee for the required 7 day period.”

Wil’s expression remained completely impassive and he thought that Dominik would have been proud of him if he could have been in the throne room to watch. Inside, Wil was cursing the Kaiser. “Why do I always have to be so right? If I hear that it’s the baron or prince, I think I’ll puke right on these steps,” Wil thought to himself while just standing there as it he had no opinion one way or the other, and definitely no emotional involvement. It was amusing to hear the Arch Bishop and Kaiser play the authority game, but Wil never turned to the protesting voice. It was the Kaiser who was in control and who would win any argument.

Then the Kaiser made a very big mistake. He revealed his interests. Wil knew what the ol’ boy wanted out of this second marriage, and as they say, knowledge it power. There were the losses from the Lacerta campaign, the intrusion of the Cepheans, protection of Rigel’s territories and borders, and if he was not mistaken, control of Deneb and/or Volans. The Kaiser sounded like a man who beneath the hard exterior had considerable doubts and fears about Rigel’s future and his own legacy. He would use anything, even the Marchioness, to secure those two things, and that was very useful knowledge.

Wil’s attention was suddenly distracted by a disturbance at the entrance to the throne room.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

“Let me through!” The voice at the door was accompanied by a small scuffle as guards sought to keep out the intruder. Baron Stefano was shoving people away from him as he bull dozed his way into the throne room.

Wolfgang motioned for the guards to cease obstructing the old Baron’s progress. “You come unbidden into my presence Baron; We trust you have a very good reason for this action?”

Baron Stefano straightened as he strode toward the stairs, “I came here under the invitation offered by Your Majesty. I have met the heiress you are offering, and while you have accepted and entertained the offer of that miscreant,” he was motioning at Prince Sheldon, “You have yet to entertain my proposal. Now I suggest we put this into the open as you have just shown us that the Marchioness is indeed an available commodity.”

Azjah’s eyes shot toward the Kaiser, but she knew better than to enter into this argument. She would be removed from the chamber were she to voice an objection, and right now, she NEEDED to remain right where she was.

Wolfgang caught his cousin’s accusatory glare, but chose for the moment to ignore it. She hadn’t said anything, and expelling her from the room right now would seem churlish. Instead he focused on the Baron from Deneb, who had come nearly abreast of the Prince from Volans. “Baron, We had intended to keep these negotiations more private so as to minimize the entrants, but since you have chosen to make this a public topic, please, share with Us your offer.”

“Deneb offers 125,000 troops for a period of 10 Rigelian years, fire arms to outfit each man, and sufficient Germanium to continue feeding the new lasers.” He gave Sheldon a smug look before focusing once again on the Kaiser.

[Silent Sources]

If Wil wasn’t personally involved, he’d have considered this entire morning to be quite amusing as the watched the Baron burst in and make a public offer; but since this was centered on the woman he loved, he didn’t consider it amusing at all. They were treating her like a piece of property to be auctioned off, and that made Wil furious even though he understood Rigelian customs.

Wil had no idea what the Prince of Volans had offered, but evidently the baron did, or at least he had a calculated guess. The number of troops, weapons and supplies was appreciable. “The ol’ Kaiser must be having one hell of a day and enjoying all this immensely,” he thought, but his attention was really on Azjah. He wanted to touch her and tell her that it’s okay and to just be calm, but they were too close to the Kaiser and it wouldn’t have been the proper thing to do in front of Wolfgang.

Wil could do nothing but wait and see what transpired while his entire life with Azjah lay in the balance.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Fury welled inside Azjah. She was being bartered for as though she was nothing more than a piece of prized furniture.

Prince Sheldon took a step toward the stairs, giving the Baron from Deneb a snide curl of his lip, “Your Majesty, it would seem that the good Baron has no couth in such matters of State. Perhaps this discussion is better reserved for another time, and with just the three of us?” The Prince had managed to present himself as more cultured, at least for the moment. He could have flashes of decency, except that Azjah was certain this wasn’t about decency so much as it was about trying to make the Baron appear unsuitable.

Azjah couldn’t take any more. She turned pale blue eyes on Wolfgang, straightening to her full height and trembling with suppressed rage. “Your Majesty, this is unconscionable. I will not be bartered off to the highest bidder.’

The Kaiser shot Azjah a quelling look, “You have no further say in these proceedings Marchioness. This is Our decision alone. Silence now, or you will be removed, and find out who your next husband will be later rather than sooner.”

Long years of training and tutelage warred within her. She’d been given a direct command from her Liege Lord, but this was her future they were so coldly negotiating in front of her. At length, she lifted her hand to command attention, “Your Majesty, I cannot and I will not accept this fate. I claim the protection of the Abbess at St. Constantine.”

Wolfgang very slowly turned his focus on Azjah. “You are immediately denied that option Marchioness. Do not brook Our disfavor.”

Prince Sheldon fairly chortled, “Your Majesty did not tell us that the Heiress was so devout.”

Wolfgang motioned for the guards to clear the throne room. “This has come as a surprise to Our cousin, she will abide by Our decision in this matter.” He shot Azjah a look that allowed no retort.

Azjah was too shocked to say a word. In one sentence, he had denied her the right every woman has on Rigel. The right to seek the refuge of The Religion was guaranteed to all women, including widows. How could he do that?

As the doors closed, leaving only the Kaiser, Prince Sheldon, Baron Stefano, Wil Savage and Azjah in the great throne room, an empty cold settled over Azjah. Her life had taken the turn she’d come for, she had been granted annulment. But in the very next sentence, her life was being robbed from her in an even greater travesty.

She did not hear the discussion that ensued between the Prince, the Baron and the Kaiser. She was too busy examining options. If she played along, perhaps the Kaiser wouldn’t ground her starship. If she could get off planet, she could vanish. Go away where no one had ever heard of Rigel. Everything her family had accomplished would be forfeit, and if she knew her cousin, would be publicly humiliated by her actions. Her family name would be smeared because she would not bow to an arranged marriage. Her thoughts chased themselves as negotiations continued.

Prince Sheldon ascended the stairs to stand on Azjah’s free side since Wil had not moved from her right side. He perused Azjah from head to foot very slowly before looking at the Kaiser again, “She is worth more than I had first considered Your Majesty.” He shot a look at Baron Sfefano, “Volans will provide 140,000 troops for 8 years, 8 million metric tons of produce from the rainforests of Volans, and DWI will provide firearms and ammunition for those troops.” He lifted his eyes to the Kaiser, “We cannot do more, your Majesty, but we can give Your Cousin an appropriate home, and the promise of many heirs to fill her absence here on Rigel one day.”

Wolfgang studied Sheldon a moment, sparing a brief glance at the Baron. “Know this Prince Sheldon, Our Cousin is well valued to Us. She will have your respect, and she will have guards that We set for her. We will not see another ‘accident’ claim one of your wives.” He spared a glance at Azjah, then looked again at Prince Sheldon, “We are kindly disposed toward your offering Prince Sheldon. The presence of Volans into the Rigelian Empire is a welcome addition.”

[Wil Savage]

Savage kept silent.

He couldn’t believe his ears when the Kaiser announced, “We are kindly disposed toward your offering Prince Sheldon. The presence of Volans into the Rigelian Empire is a welcome addition.”

Azjah’s gasp of outrage was audible.

Wil just listened, and as he listened he fumed inside that men would make such sport of the woman he loved. He had no choice in what he was about to do if he was ever to marry Azjah. And he swore to himself that if the slimy prince got anywhere near Azjah, he would shoot the guy’s balls into the next star system.

It was time to act.

Wil took a deep breath. “Your Majesty, although I’m nothing more than a witness, I request Your permission to speak for but a moment on Your wise decision.”

Azjah’s fingers closed around Wil’s forearm as he spoke, and whether it was in warning or something else was unclear.

The Kaiser had nearly forgotten about the Colonel’s presence. He looked at Savage, pleased to hear immediate support of the obvious wisdom of his decision. He motioned with a nonchalant flick of his hand for Wil to continue. “You may speak.” A confirmation of a new interplanetary alliance by an I.I.S.C. representative could prove useful.

Wil had his opening, and now he just had to make it good for he knew he wouldn’t be given a second chance in this venue. “Your Majesty, as someone who has been involved in hundreds of negotiations on scores of planets throughout the galactic realms, I believe that I’ve just witnessed one the most impressive of all the negotiations.” Wil would not look at Azjah. He could not afford to get distracted from his thoughts.

Azjah’s pale gaze shot toward Wil. Was she hearing this? Had she so badly miscalculated on how much he loved her? He couldn’t mean this the way she was hearing it, surely!

The Kaiser’s pride had him smiling and very unsuspecting of what was about to come. Now was the time to strike. Wil continued, “My only surprise is that You would ask for so little from a woman who could be of such great benefit to whomever she would marry.” He could hear a short gasp from one or more of those remaining within the hall, and then there was complete silence. He went on, “The Prince of Volans insults Your Majesty by offering so little while relying on Your generosity. You gain nothing but trouble from 140,000 men and 8 million metric tons of produce. You’re going to have to feed and equip those men, and I doubt that they are all vegetarians. Besides, it’s well known that the produce from Volans’ rainforests has a very short shelf life. You’ll soon have nothing but rotting vegetables to have to deal with. Then the prince has the audacity to offer You what You already can have no matter whom she marries – the weapons and ammunition of DWI. He might as well offer You Your own armory.”

Azjah’s breath escaped her audibly as Wil played his hand and she realized what he was about to do, but she knew this was going to bring him trouble. Trouble in ways she could only imagine.

Kaiser’s expression was priceless as Wil watched the realization spread across his face. He only wished he could see Prince Sheldon’s face as he shouted out his protest. “Majesty, don’t listen to him! He’s a fool who speaks out of turn and knows nothing! You’ve already made your decision. Dismiss him!” Booted footsteps could be heard crossing the intricate marble floor.

Wolfgang glared at the Prince. The Kaiser was now confused, but the one thing he knew was that he didn’t take orders from the prince. “Be quiet!” he commanded the prince with rage in his eyes and a hand finger pointed directly at him. Had he really acted too quickly in accepting Prince Sheldon’s offer? Wolfgang’s mind raced with the possibilities that he may have overlooked something important.

“Your Majesty,” Wil said very calmly to try to diffuse the situation. “If I may continue, I think You’ll find everything I have to say to be extremely beneficial to both Your Majesties and the magnificent empire of Rigel.”

The Kaiser turned back to the Colonel. He needed time to think. “We have given you the floor. Explain yourself.”

“Majesty, my observation is that while Your intentions are noble and good, in Your abundant generosity You have settled for far too little for the return of the hand of the Marchioness in marriage. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the Marchioness, and the considerable holdings that would come to the one she would marry. I’m sure it doesn’t surprise You that the I.I.S.C. might have an interest in the commodities of DWI.

“You also know that this sector of the galaxy has been under consideration for the establishment of a Hyperspace Trade Route, with the possibility of putting a Trade Station right here in Your Rigelian star system.” He could see that he had the Kaiser’s complete attention. A Hyperstar Trade Station would bring every trading planet into the sector of Rigel to commence in trade that heretofore was out of their reach. Rigel would be able to obtain a small piece of all that trade, and that small piece would quickly add up to an enormous amount for doing absolutely nothing but hosting the HTS. Every star system that had an HTS was extraordinarily wealthy and secure.

Wil had Azjah’s rapt attention as well. One side of her was furious that she was expected to remain silent while her future was negotiated to the highest bidder, and another side of her was deeply touched that Wil would put his own life on the line for this.

The Kaiser finally replied while trying to hide his excitement. “That’s been under consideration for many years, Colonel, and all We keep hearing is that there’s been no decision and the proposal had been put on hold until further information is available. Rigel will be a burnt out cinder by the time the damn I.I.S.C. makes up its mind.”

“Perhaps that is true, Your Majesty. That is unless I might be persuaded to file a new report that describes increased trade opportunities and improved security; along with, of course, a recommendation that work on such an HTS be started immediately.” Greed was already showing in the Kaiser’s eyes, and Wil knew that he had him hooked.

Wolfgang was so excited that he could barely remain seated. If this is headed the way he thinks it’s headed, this could be an opportunity that was far better than he ever hoped for. Once again he tried to keep that excitement from showing. “And just what would it take to ‘persuade’ you, Colonel Savage?”

Azjah’s heart stopped for the duration of time it took for Wil to make his ‘needs’ known in this matter.

Wil felt that he needed to keep his own interests very much understated. “I believe that I could obtain considerable promotion within the I.I.S.C. if I could have some control over the direction and products of Drachen Walde Industries. Therefore, Your Majesty, it’s possible that I could be persuaded simply by Your Majesty’s permission to marry the Marchioness at the conclusion of the 7 day period.” Wil wanted to keep this on a level that the Kaiser could relate to, and therefore he appealed on terms of greed and not of love.

Azjah bit back a gasp when her reflexes took over. While she understood why Wil understated things, somehow, it still hurt after these last 45 minutes. She’d been regarded as mere property, but Wil had to keep from tipping too much to the Emperor.

Prince Sheldon began to walk up the steps, “Your Majesty! I protest! The woman has been promised to me! I will not hear of this!” His expression was one of pure rage as he strode unbidden up the stairs. The Kaiser’s guards moved instantly to stop his ascent.

The Kaiser was so deep in thought that he appeared not to even hear the prince. Wil could not pass up this opportunity. “Prince Sheldon, I’m going to say this only once. Open your twisted little mouth one more time and I’ll call in an I.I.S.C. Decimator Class ship to turn Volans into particles so small that we’d be able to sprinkle your miserable planet on our salads. Don’t even think of testing me. I owe you one and you know what I mean.” Wil gave him an icy cold stare that had the prince backing down the steps and wondering how the colonel found out.

Azjah blinked at the cold absence of emotion Wil used on the Volans Prince.

Wil turned to the Kaiser once more. “Your Majesty, let me present my proposal in as clear and distinct way as possible. In return for the Marchioness’ hand in marriage, I’ll immediately contact the governing board of the Interplanetary Intelligence and Security Commission with a new report that recommends a Hyperspace Trade Route passing thought this sector, with a Hyperspace Trade Station located in the Rigelian star system since there is security, wealth and trade here. Upon I.I.S.C. acceptance of this recommendation, Volans and Deneb become immaterial. The I.I.S.C. will take care of the Cepheans upon my recommendation which will describe them as a disruptive and destabilizing influence that needs to be rendered void through technical sterilization and planetary quarantine. You’ll get all the security without lifting a hand. Furthermore, the wealth and influence of Rigel will expand at an unprecedented rate, beyond all imagination. Of course, this doesn’t even address the fact that You’ll go down in history as the Kaiser who made it all happen and changed the course of Rigel more than all those before you put together.”

Savage stood there and let the Kaiser have it all sink in for a moment before adding, “All you need to do to make it happen, Your Majesty, is to give Your permission for me to marry the Marchioness.”

Wil had laid down his hand and he waited for the response.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

The Baron remained silent through out Wil’s address. His older, more experienced mind was evaluating his moment as he listened and waited. At his age, he didn’t really ‘need’ a wife, but the promise of wealth was something every leader appreciated. And if it meant making a strike at the Colonial power of Rigel, well, so much the better.

The Colonel’s threat to call in one of the dreaded Decimator Class vessels on Volans was not missed by the Baron. This representative of the I.I.S.C. had interests more far reaching than gaining promotion within his organization. ‘What is the man’s weakness,’ he wondered. ‘How to bring him on to his side,’ remained the top question in Stefano’s mind.

At length, as the Colonel wrapped up his proposal to the Kaiser, the Baron finally spoke up. “Your Majesty, if I may?”

Wolfgang shot the Baron a glare. He truly did not want any further negotiation or dissent in his throne room. “Only if what you have to say has substance.”

Stefano had judged the Kaiser correctly. The man was deeply enamored of the offering from the Colonel. Trying to take that from him would only anger him further. Stefano stepped into the main aisle, but did not attempt to ascend the stairs, rather speaking from the main level in a voice that he knew carried well in these acoustics. “Your Majesty, the Colonel has offered the Rigelian Empire a pearl without price in exchange for a mere female. The female, while she is easy enough to look at is still beyond her prime years for production of heirs. Deneb, as a vassal of the Rigelian Empire would like to ask the Colonel a single question before closure of these proceedings.”

The Kaiser glanced between Stefano and Wil. “Your point is well taken Baron. Please, ask your question.”

Stefano looked directly at Wil, “You offer the Kaiser a coveted and highly sought assignment that will enhance the wealth of Rigel far beyond the average star system’s abilities alone. You cite potential rank enhancement as your reasons. You cite the ability to direct the assets of DWI as being of interest to your organization. Tell me Colonel, will the assets of DWI offset the wealth you offer the Kaiser?”

Stefano waited patiently at the foot of the stairs. If he could find out what the man was truly after, perhaps Deneb could assist him in achieving it, and open a path for negotiations outside of earshot of the Kaiser. The kind of fire power the Colonel had access to would be capable of freeing Deneb from Rigelian clutches, and as he had so blithely informed the Kaiser, ‘Deneb would become immaterial.’ While most people would take offense to such a statement, it filled Stefano with hope.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Sheldon was apoplectic. Wil’s words had insulted his royal person and that would simply not be tolerated. “Your Majesty, do You allow such disrespect to royal blood within Your throne room by a mere ‘representative’?” The last word was dripping in sarcasm and condescension. “Your Majesty has no assurances that his organization will listen to his recommendations. These have been pending for ages. Give the woman to me and you know the deal will actually happen.”

Never mind that Sheldon was prepared to renege at his first opportunity, the Kaiser did not know that.

While the Volans prince was now an annoyance, he did have a point. “Colonel, how would you propose to seal this arrangement that We know a finite time for approval of the HTS? How quickly can your organization ratify this settlement?” Then the Kaiser glanced at the Baron from Deneb, “And We are most curious to know if you believe that your acquisitions from this deal offset the pearl you have offered to Us.,”

Azjah had listened to about all she was going to take by this point. She’d alternately been treated as an object, devoid of feelings or intelligence, she’d been bartered and argued over, and now she was being compared with the offered wealth and was she a fair trade. And the Baron had called her old!! But anything she would say at this point could be more detrimental than helpful. Then she cursed inwardly, if Gabriel were here, she could have let him know that he should power up the Star Dragon, and instead of returning to Triberg Haus, she would have met him at the docking bay and made her way off world before the Kaiser could order her grounded. But she couldn’t do that with Dominik. Her silent musings were colorful to say the least as she cursed herself for six kinds of fool.

[Wil Savage]

Wil slowly turned and glared at the Baron, staring at him as if he just grew two heads. Then he addressed the Baron in a voice that was steady and firm, leaving no doubt that he was not about to be manipulated by the man. “Baron Stefano, am I hearing correctly? By what right do you stand there and in so many words call His Majesty, Kaiser Wolfgang, a liar and dishonest in his negotiations?” He saw the Baron’s eyes widen in shock. “We've been presented with an heiress, and Prince Sheldon declared the promise of many heirs to fill her absence here on Rigel, a statement that was not disputed by His Majesty. Are you now claiming to know something about the Marchioness that no one else does, or are you claiming that His Majesty is presenting the Marchioness for marriage under some false pretense?”

The Baron began to stammer, “No! No . . . not at all. I mean . . . I only thought. That is . . .” he knew that there was no graceful way out of this. “Perhaps I made a wrong assumption. I’m sure that there will be many heirs.”

“I am also,” Wil immediately cut in. “Now, for your other question. Only one who has no real knowledge of hyperspace trade would begin to equate the wealth of any organization, even one as fine as DWI, to the wealth that comes to the planet that hosts an HTS.”

Interstellar merchants and huge trading organizations saw newly opened trade lanes as a huge untapped resource to exploited. Trade of all type would come flooding along that route like a burst dam flooding the dry river bed behind it. New races and civilizations from the distant reaches of the galaxy would travel the route with their best commodities, looking to sell and purchase; and the only place this could be done would be where the guild ships would come to rest – at the Hyperspace Trade Stations. The Prime Planet of that star system would give its name to the station and extract incredible wealth and prominence. HTS Rigel would be advertised throughout the galaxy. There would of course be other trading stations along the trade route. HTS Rigel would be only one of the stops in a new route that could span enormous distances within the galaxy.

Wil continued, “I usually find my salary from the I.I.S.C. to be more than enough to compensate me for the research I do to determine the suitability of any planetary system to be opened up for such trade. The further benefit I hope to receive through my offer to His Majesty would be a new position within the I.I.S.C. that would relieve me of continuous travel to planets such as yours, Baron. I hope I’ve answered your questions to your satisfaction and made myself crystal clear.”

Savage turned back to the Kaiser only to have Prince Sheldon open his mouth once again. He looked at the prince, not willing to play his games a second time. “This ‘representative’ has decided the fate of many a prince and their worthless planets, so be careful what shots you take at this mere representative.”

The Colonel then turned back to the Kaiser and bowed deeply to show his respect, an obvious contrast against his posture toward Prince Sheldon. “Your Majesty, I will only say that this time I hold a rather significant bargaining chip to hold out to the I.I.S.C. You’ll have to take my word in this.” He was getting more than a bit tired of being questioned about his “acquisitions” of this deal and it was beginning to wear down his patience with this entire proceeding, which, if it didn’t end soon, would leave Wil with no time to delete his waiting message to the I.I.S.C.

“Regarding what I get in return for this ‘pearl’, I have no more to say other than what’s already been stated. If my offer to Your Majesties seems to be unreasonable, then I’ll immediately withdraw my offer to avoid any appearance of being disrespectful, and will bare witness to the I.I.S.C. of the alliance that has just been established between Your Majesty and the Prince of Volans.”

Wil was indeed prepared to withdraw his offer and remove Azjah from all this through far less diplomatic means.

[Wil Savage]

Wil had just condemned himself to a return to the agency that he had worked so hard to escape from. Azjah frowned as she began to consider the implications of Wil’s offer to the Kaiser. Even if he could convince the I.I.S.C. to allow the HTS in the Rigelian system, what would his fate be?

This was looking more like the proverbial ‘out of the frying pan, into the fire’ situation and she didn’t like the options she was envisioning. Not the least of which was incarceration for Wil, or worse. She had images of his immediate arrest flickering in her mind when Wil began to answer the Kaiser’s questions, and she couldn’t let this happen. It was not Wil’s cross to bear.

Baron Stefano in the mean time backed off. Now was not the time to approach the man to feel out where his loyalties might lay, and whether he could be convinced to help him rid Deneb of the Rigelian invaders. Later, he promised himself, later there would be time.

Wolfgang leaned back most comfortably into his throne. “We are not well disposed toward having Our queries so unsatisfactorily answered Colonel. However, if, and We repeat Ourself here, IF you can deliver the station assignment before the end of penance and in time for Banns, she’s yours. If you cannot, she will belong to Prince Sheldon. Are We clear?”

Sheldon gave a nasty smirk. He knew how to manage and resolve this issue.

Azjah spotted the expression on the Volans Prince. She had to get Wil out of here, now, this minute. Her fingers were still curled over Wil’s arm, and she very gently tightened her grip on him, willing him to accept the terms so they could be dismissed. It wouldn’t take long to power up the Dragon and get away before anyone knew they’d gone.

[Wil Savage]

Wil could feel Azjah’s grip on his arm tighten, and it helped to keep him focused on the matter at hand. If this had not been about Azjah, Wil would have told the Kaiser that he’d make sure that Rigel wouldn’t come anywhere near a trade route until Betelgeuse freezes over. Wil noticed the smirk on Sheldon’s face, and he made the decision in that moment that he was going to kill the prince.

The colonel bowed to the Kaiser. “In that case, Your Majesty may rest assured that the Marchioness shall never belong to Prince Sheldon,” he said with an assured smile. “Thirty and five days should provide enough time for an official reply from the I.I.S.C. Council of Trade.”

It appeared that this audience with the Kaiser was coming to an end, and not a moment too soon. Wil was quickly losing his patience with the Kaiser and his two lackeys, and that would certainly not be good for a diplomatic solution. Besides, he needed to get some time alone with Azjah.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Azjah sank to the floor once more before the Kaiser. Out, that was all she could think of in that moment, they needed to be out of the Imperial Palace.

Wolfgang dismissed them and Azjah’s left arm swept the cloak out of her way as she retreated down the stairs. The doors were opened and she hurried through. She didn’t say a word to Wil as they made their way down the main hall, through the art collections, and out the main visitors doors. The Triberg car rolled up as she removed the long cloak. The driver opened her door and she slid into the car.

As Wil settled in beside her, she turned toward him, reaching for his hand, “Wil, pack when we get to the house, we will be off Rigel before they can ground me.”

Wil curled his fingers around her hand, “No, we stay.”

Azjah closed her eyes tightly. Somehow she knew he wouldn’t leave now. How had today gone so horribly wrong? She moved closer to the warmth radiating from Wil and laid her head against his shoulder, her voice barely a whisper, “I don’t know if this helps, but I love you. What you did in there saved my life, but what has it done to yours?”

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Azjah was miserable on the short ride home, well, back to Triberg Haus. Somehow Rigel never felt like home anymore. She’d enjoyed the power and privilege of her peerage since she was born, but today it took an onerous turn that had her momentarily wishing she had never been born into the aristocracy. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about arranged marriages, political alliances, or being used as a pawn in a chess game that she never deliberately entered into play on.

Only today, Wil had been sucked into the politics of a world in which he had no interest at all. What should have impacted only Azjah had turned into a morass of quicksand that engulfed the person closest to her.

That was problematic. She could have handled edicts that affected only herself, but the Kaiser had drawn Wil in and sought to enforce his will on the man she’d grown to love and cherish. Unwittingly, Wolfgang had probably signed Wil’s death warrant. What little she’d learned from Wil about the I.I.S.C. suggested that they would have very little tolerance for his disappearance, no matter what reasons he may have had. What she did not know, and would have only made her feel worse was that the I.I.S.C. wouldn’t take having the Carpathian’s in such close proximity to him well either. She knew he had high level secrets in his head, but the depth of those secrets remained unknown for now.

And to make matters worse, Wil wouldn’t leave. He was determined to see this through, but what good would that be if they were only going to be torn apart by his former employers? What good did standing firm do them if he was about to be arrested and incarcerated, or worse yet, executed? She gave a soft sigh as she climbed the stairs to change into more comfortable working clothes.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Sheldon left the throne room ready to spit tacks. “That infernal man has screwed my world and my life over for the LAST time! Threaten to obliterate Volans will he?” He slammed the door to his suite closed and S’Djaar winced seeing the black mood the Prince had returned in. He quickly poured a large glass of whiskey to be ready when the Prince demanded it and followed him as he stalked through the rooms muttering things that even S’Djaar had never heard come from the Prince before.

Something had gone terribly wrong, and the Prince was preparing to have someone killed in a painful manner. He felt sorry for whomever had garnered the Prince’s wrath. He’d seen several of the prince’s victims die, and using the method he was muttering about now would ensure excruciating pain and agony with no antidote known.

Sheldon dropped onto a chair in front of his computer interface, reaching for the glass he knew S’Djaar would have at his left hand before he activated the system. He motioned for his valet to leave; he did not want even S’Djaar to see this communication.

Several hours later, Prince Sheldon was seated in a local restaurant with what appeared to be a merchant. The fellow nodded at several points in the low volume discussion as Sheldon re-iterated his needs, and that one assassin has already failed. There could not be a second failure; especially in light of the fact that Savage had somehow tied the untimely death of his valet to the Prince’s royal person. That was definitely not a good thing. He wondered just how much Savage knew, and how much he guessed. Had the valet been able to relay information before he expired?

The merchant took a sip of the hot beverage before him, seemingly considering something of importance. “For this kind of hit, I will be forced to leave this planet and its domains.” He stirred the drink as though seeking to cool it before taking another sip, “Payment will have to be in advance due to the risks. I will make high level enemies with wide and far reaching contacts.”

Sheldon swore nastily under his breath, “One has failed already; I’m not paying in advance given this man’s infernal luck. His valet took the bullet meant for him. Seventy percent in advance, the remainder can be electronically transferred enough times to lose its provenance and be safe for you to claim.”

The merchant thought about the offer, “You say he is in the home of a Peer? The only way to get close enough for this type of assassination is to get into that house.”

Sheldon did not want to hear the details, “Do you want the job or not?”

The Merchant gave the Prince a long look, “You see the funds find their way in to my account, I’ll see your man dead.”

They parted company and Sheldon transferred the sum required. He was bleeding currency that he didn’t have. But then he brightened, he would have it in the next 43 days. He returned to the Imperial Palace in a much brighter frame of mind.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Baumann disliked having to replace staff. It was very hard to find qualified and acceptable talent to hire, and now he had 4 openings to fill. Two pages had gone missing, the Colonel’s valet had died, and one of the maids had quit. There was no alternative; he was going to have to run through the headache of hiring several new people. This was onerous at the best of times, but worse when put in a pinch as he was now. The Marchioness did not come to Triberg Haus often, but when she was in residence, Baumann preferred things to run smoothly. New employees were not conducive to smooth operations.

Baumann contacted an agency in the city that had provided him with good results in previous times. They specialized in doing the pre-screening process to what ever exacting standards an employer required. Thankfully Baumann wouldn’t have to wade through several hundred useless and inappropriate applications. The woman at the agency assured him that she would have ten qualified applications for each position to him by the next morning.

With that project begun, he turned toward the needs of the Marchioness. They had returned from the Imperial Palace with news that the Kaiser had granted annulment, and that the former Marquess was no longer formally attached to the household. Azjah had been quite clear in her instructions, that if Mr. Caer ever showed up unexpectedly to Triberg Haus, he should be afforded all courtesy and that she should be notified immediately. Baumann sent the official notices to the Imperial agencies to notify them of the change of status. The former Marquess would not have access to the resources of the Triberg holdings.

Baumann paused at the library doors, which the Marchioness had closed when she came downstairs a bit ago. Should he trouble her now? He could not hear anything beyond the doors, and he had not seen the Colonel for some time either. Baumann retrieved a steaming cup of hot cranberry and tangerine tea before he gave a very light knock on the closed door. He soon heard Azjah’s voice bid him enter. He stepped into the old library to find her seated behind the great desk that had belonged to her father. She had the computers on, and as she looked up from the screen, he could tell she was suffering in silence, but what the cause of that suffering was, he could only guess.

“Marchioness, I have sent the official notices out to the authorities and transferred the funds you requested to The Religion and to His Majesty. In the morning I will have applications for the four open positions and my question is shall I allow the Colonel to select his own valet, or shall I select one for the time being?”

Baumann knew these mundane things were not of paramount importance to her, but he hoped they would help distract her from whatever preyed so heavily on her thoughts. She went through his questions with her usual courtesy, but an underlying distraction that Baumann picked up on instantly. At length, he simply said, “If I can assist Your Grace, you know I will, no matter what it is you may have need of.”

Azjah slowly looked up at him with a nod. Her father had hired Baumann many years ago, and in all the years since they had died and she had avoided Triberg Haus, she never appreciated Baumann as she should. “Thank you Baumann, your sincere offer is deeply appreciated, and I shall not forget.”

The library door opened, and the Colonel stood there a brief moment before he took several steps into the room. Baumann noted the expression on the Marchioness’ face. He excused himself and closed the door behind him, informing Fulco to set a guard at the door. They would not be disturbed unexpectedly, and neither of them would be allowed to go anywhere without a shadow. Baumann had made the Grand Duke a promise, and it was one he would keep to his dying day.