The Tourney

By Juliet Sem

Princess Keestu has been invited to witness The Tourney in the Autocracy, where hand-to-hand combat will determine that society's leaders for the next generation. Her trip does not begin well when she and her handmaiden find themselves facing dozens of sharp-toothed attackers when they are unarmed and have nowhere to hide. While visiting a planet ruled by a hostile and reviled king, Keestu and her entourage are attacked. Injured and alone, Keestu makes plans to escape and complete her mission, but can she do it before her disappearance causes an interstellar war?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Juliet Sem
• Release date: Oct 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301613441

Juliet Sem

Juliet Sem began writing as a young teen to alleviate boredom she experienced in school after she wasn't allowed to skip grades. At the time, most of the major female characters in books she read were written as beautiful but useless in conflict. Juliet's first novel, The Tourney, is the result of her desire to write stories featuring strong female characters who are more than just eye candy waiting around for their men to come rescue them. She continues to read and watch fiction and is relieved that strong female lead characters are no longer the exception in books, movies, and TV shows.She lives in Arizona with her husband and cat in addition to caring for several abandoned outdoor cats. Her hobbies include outdoor activities, fiber crafts, reading, games, and ciphers--she designed all the games and writing systems mentioned in her Union series books.

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The Tourney

By Juliet Sem

Copyright 2012 Juliet Sem

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book dealer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table Of Contents

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter eight

Chapter nine

Chapter ten

Chapter eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

Chapter fourteen

Chapter fifteen

Chapter sixteen

Chapter seventeen

Chapter eighteen

Chapter nineteen

Chapter twenty

Chapter twenty-one

Chapter twenty-two

Chapter twenty-three

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Chapter one

Crown Princess Keestu Ranell of Sandar stood with her feet apart, her wooden staff held out in front of her, facing her two assailants. The first was a middle-aged man, tall, with a wiry rather than muscular build. In one of his large calloused hands was a knife with a fifteen-centimeter blade. Her other attacker was a slender young woman with fine blonde hair who, like Keestu, wielded a staff.

The man lunged at her first, his knife blade flashing. Keestu danced out of his way, thrusting her staff at him when she saw openings. The man, however, was a trained fighter, and he easily avoided her jabs.

Hearing movement behind her, Keestu ducked the opening swing of the young woman. While the woman distracted her, the man darted in, closing the distance between them with unnerving rapidity, knife hand seeking an opening.

Keestu came up from her crouch to find the knife closing on her. Losing her balance while avoiding the blade, she managed to turn her tumble into a roll. She got back to her feet and whirled to face the man, who was now charging at her. She brought her staff up and dealt him a quick double blow to his core, and when she saw him lose his balance, she lashed out at him with her foot, knocking him down. His head hit the floor, and he went limp.

Keestu spared him no further looks as she faced her remaining aggressor. They stared balefully at each other while Keestu breathed heavily, looking for an opening.

She heard footsteps behind her. A soft male voice called out hesitantly, Princess Keestu?

It was loud enough to distract her, and she turned her head to see what her protocol adviser, Vahin, wanted. An instant later, Keestu found her feet swept out from under her by her attacker's staff, and she landed hard on her back, letting out a startled, woof, as the air was driven from her lungs. She landed on the padded floor of her family's gym, but Keestu tried to keep her head from hitting the mat, as she had been taught. The effort caused her three-pronged four-tasseled headdress, which identified her as Crown Princess of Sandar, to shake loose and fall off.

Keestu's staff lay across her chest, and the young woman was quick to jam hers down next to Keestu's head, signifying a crippling or killing blow to her throat that she would not have had time to block.

Very good, Rue, Keestu's first attacker said from behind her. He was Tenget Ayden, Keestu's personal defense trainer. Keestu's other attacker was Rue Soga, her handmaiden. Rue stepped back as Tenget moved to Keestu and offered a hand to help her up. She was yanked to her feet, and then stooped to pick up her headdress as Vahin timidly repeated his summons. Princess Keestu?

What is it, Vahin? She was more irritated by her sudden unexpected defeat than by her adviser as she waved him in.

The delegate from the Autocracy has arrived. Prince Dinus wanted to meet you as soon as possible.

Can't you tell him I'm busy? Keestu dropped her staff to the mat as she reached for her headdress again, which had slipped from her fingers and bounced out of her reach on the resilient padded flooring. As she fumbled after the headdress, hindered by the protective padding she wore, she simultaneously felt the high bun at the back of her head and found that some hairpins had fallen out. She looked around her feet, trying to find the pins as well.

Er, no, Your Highness, he's coming down the corridor as we speak.

Rue was standing next to the gym's door. She turned to face it as the stranger arrived, still holding her staff.

Keestu was standing behind Rue and Tenget and had to move so that she could get a better look at the delegate who her father accompanied into the room.

King Ismer started to gesture to Keestu, his firstborn and heir, but Prince Dinus looked around the room, and seeing that Rue was closer to the door, assumed that she was his intended audience. He bowed deeply to her.

Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. I see you're well instructed in hand-to-hand combat methods. Keestu could tell by his tone that it was meant to be a compliment, though she thought it a strange one.

She gave up trying to find her missing hairpins and straightened up, examining the visitor. He was a tall, thin, and young humanoid, probably eighteen to twenty-two years of age, judging by the smoothness of his skin and the fact that his body hadn't finished filling out. His shoulders were broad, but his chest and arms only hinted at more musculature to come. His satin outfit consisted of medium blue pants with a four centimeter wide medium purple stripe running down the center front of the left leg, while the legs of the pants themselves were cinched snugly just above the ankles with a hook and loop closure, which kept his cuffs well out of the way of his athletic-looking blue leather shoes. His torso was overlaid with a matching long-sleeved shirt in the same medium blue, which buttoned up the front and had no collar. Running vertically from left shoulder to the waist was a stripe identical to the one on the leg of his pants. Embroidered on his right breast was a large geometric design consisting of a circle surrounding a rhombus made with purple thread that matched the stripe running down his left side. She opened her mouth to correctly identify herself to the newcomer, but her father gave her a quick hand wave behind the visitor's back that meant let the matter stand. Mystified, Keestu remained behind Rue, who also saw and recognized the sign. Rue gave a dignified bow of her own and murmured back, So pleased to meet you...

Prince Dinus, House of Purvol of the planet Phaet in the Autocracy, Ismer informed her.

Rue bowed again, Welcome to Sandar, Prince Dinus.

Thank you. I look forward to talking at length later, Princess. He bowed his way out of the room and his and King Ismer's measured footsteps quickly receded down the hall. Keestu noted as he left that the purple stripe was repeated across the left back of the tunic top and center of the left pant leg, while the geometric design was not mirrored on his back. She realized that if the outfit were a single-piece jumpsuit that there would be one continuous stripe running the length of Prince Dinus's body.

Keestu bent and picked up her staff. I wonder what that was about? Surely he doesn't think you're King Ismer's daughter? You look nothing like him or Queen Mewa; I do!

Tenget chuckled as Keestu retrieved her staff. Princess, not all royal families are as yours. Some kings have several wives at a time. Others keep various concubines with no status in the royal household purely for breeding, and some of those concubines do produce heirs to thrones. There are even planets with nations ruled by queens with more than one consort serving them; remember what we know of the Chtawlikt.

Kee, Tenget, don't I always ask you to call me Kee?

Of course, Your Highness, um, Kee, Tenget agreed, It just doesn't feel right to one of my station to address you so casually.

You've been part of my staff how long, now?

Almost two years, Princess, and I'm still awed by the honor of your father's trust.

Keestu frowned at Tenget's comment. She didn't quite get all the excitement revolving around her station as Crown Princess to the planetary throne, though she was already assigned various courtly duties at the age of sixteen.

The timer chimed, and Tenget motioned them to leave the mat, as this portion of their physical training was done.

She and Rue put their staves and padding away in the weapons locker. Keestu looked into a mirror, gave up trying to adjust the bun that held her headdress. She removed the last of the pins and shook her hair out. She tucked the headdress and pins as neatly as she could into a cleaning bin, knowing the staff would replace it in her wardrobe. She had many headdresses and could put on another after she was finished with her PT. She brushed her hair and used several elastic bands to tie her hair back into a ponytail, securing it down its length with additional bands, as she didn't have time to braid it before leaving for her run.

I still don't know why I have to wear things like that when I'm sparring, she grumbled to Tenget, Will you explain it now?

You must be ready to face danger in an instant, Princess, Tenget said, And that could come at any time, especially at a public function, one where you're required to dress to your station. You know now to secure your headdress more firmly so you may be as vigilant and prepared for trouble as a guardsman during Stemun.

Or avoid getting knocked down while wearing it, Keestu said, tossing a sheepish grin at Rue. That was a good shot, Rue.

Rue was not only her handmaiden and sparring partner, but also her best friend and confidant, and she glowed at the praise. I saw your attention waver, and like Tenget said, it was easy to take advantage of it.

You both must remember that those moments don't always come during a confrontation, and you must be ready to act on them instantly if they do. Now, we have to get ready for your run.

Oh, do I have to? Keestu groaned, stretching her stiffening back and neck. She was bound to have a bruise or two on her back tomorrow from her imperfect fall. She didn't dare admit to her discomfort or Tenget would probably make her practice nothing but falls for an hour every training session for a month straight.

Yes, Tenget said, You know King Ismer's orders you to run five kilometers every other day. You must stay in shape, as must the rest of the able bodied royal family and servants. He thumbed open the gym's weapons locker and pulled out two heavy plasma rifles. He walked down a short hallway and knocked on the physical therapy room's door.

Gontu Uton, Princess Keestu's personal bodyguard, opened the door. He was also an ex-military man though he was barely thirty. He was muscular man and stood two meters tall. He had a dark tan, short sun-streaked dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. He'd been discharged from the military with honors after he'd been selected to be Keestu's personal bodyguard five years prior. He'd been having a sonic massage after sustaining a nasty wrench to his shoulder while demonstrating advanced hand-to-hand combat techniques with Tenget earlier that week to Keestu's younger brother Skomer. He stretched it with a slight grimace, rubbing the still sore spot on his shoulder, but he nodded respectfully at Tenget as he took one of the rifles, tersely asking, We ready to run?

Tenget nodded in reply as they all wandered outside.

As your personal bodyguard, I must protest your choice of running in public without a more guards accompanying you, Gontu complained as he did every time she went out.

As Crown Princess in no danger in her hometown, I hear your protest and gleefully ignore it, Keestu replied with great humor. Rue tried to stifle a giggle as they stretched.

Her mirth made Keestu chortle as she led the way out of the palace grounds, breaking into a leisurely jog as the massive armored gate slid smoothly aside to allow their exit. The trick to distance running, Tenget had taught her, was a steady pace. Sure, there were times when speed was of the essence, but in a true escape or evade situation, being able to outlast your opponent was more important. Therefore, Keestu was being trained to run distances, not sprints. She checked her chrono, which was programmed to measure her pace. It showed she was currently running a seven and a half minute kilometer pace, so including her warmup walk, she should easily finish this five kilometer training jog in about the usual thirty-nine minutes.

There was little ground traffic this close to the palace in the middle of a workday, as it was fall in the northern hemisphere and cold, so there were very few lunch time pedestrians. The air stung her lungs, but Keestu kept up her pace. Although she was tall for a young woman at one point seven meters, it was hard trying to keep her weight between seventy to seventy-two kilos with all the formal dinners she ate which tended to start later in the evening. She had no idea what it would be like trying to fit into her formal wear if she didn't have her strict exercise routine, her trainer to enforce it, or Rue to keep her company while she did her physical training.

Rue, have I ever mentioned how much harder this would be if I didn't have you running with me for company? She puffed as they ran along with her guards behind them, giving them the illusion of solitude.

No, Kee, Rue had no problem with the informal address; they'd been good friends for several years now.

Well, Keestu wheezed, I do. It's hard to do, but at least with company, it's a little easier to keep a steady pace.

Thanks, Kee, Rue said, also wheezing a little bit in the cold air, I agree. I can't see passing PT in a singles trial myself.

They jogged along on in a companionable silence, tackling short hills of varying difficulty along their course, which ran straight away from, then parallel to, then back to the palace grounds. Capital City, called CeCe for short, was located on the western continent and was laid out in a half wheel shape, with the palace located at the center of the hub. A wide empty field just outside the grounds separated the royal residence from the rest of the city. After the empty field, other roads formed the spokes of the wheel that radiated out from the palace. The palace sat at the base of a cliff at one end of a broad valley with rolling hills gently sloping away from it towards the east. Keestu liked to take one of the spoke roads out, then make her way among the several curved wheel roads, and then would take another spoke back to the palace for her five kilometer run so she could vary her route. After the security zone, the next several wheel segments consisted of the houses of nobles, and then came the Market with its various shops that were open to everyone regardless of station, while the commoners lived further away from the palace. At the far eastern end of CeCe lay the closest farm fields, though Keestu saw many houses growing fresh vegetables in gardens in addition to flowers.

Turning down the road that would lead her back to the palace gate, Keestu nearly stopped. The palace's private pad was where the Autocracy spaceship had been allowed to land. It was located on the northeast side of the palace, and Keestu hadn't seen the visitor's ship when she left for her training run from the gym's door, which was located in the south wall. It was a large ship, though the palace dwarfed it. The palace was in turn diminutive in size compared to the solid rock cliff rising nearly three hundred meters behind it. The back wall of the palace was embedded in the cliff, and there was a heavy gun emplacement located halfway up the massive stone face.

Known only to the royal family and a few of its extended relatives was a natural crevice close to the ceiling of the basement vault. It led into the mountain. Keestu's grandfather, who had built this palace, had disassembled some heavy robotic diggers, dragging them into the crevice, and then reassembled them in a larger hollow located at the end of the fault. He had used the diggers to create a maze of passages through the mountain. Only King Brei's direct descendants knew the fastest way through, which was twelve kilometers away, exiting on the other side of the mountain range. Keestu had been told in a private meeting with her father that both the city and the mountain held additional secrets from that more violent time that she would be told about when the time was right. She always felt herself bursting with the news when she looked up at the mountain on her mandatory jogs, but she was sworn to secrecy, and was not allowed to tell Rue anything about the crevice other than it ran a little way into the mountain and was considered too unimportant to seal. None of the palace servants were authorized to enter the vault on their own, not even to clean it. The entire royal family were the only ones keyed to enter the vault and its supply lockers, and that only happened when they were old enough to understand that it was the safe room they must reach during a crisis, as it also served as the royal safe room. It was reinforced with solid two meter thick rock walls on two sides, and had a full meter of hardsteele front wall with a hardsteele door securing the front. It was said that nothing short of a direct fusion bomb hit could penetrate that massive facade, and even that was in question.

Puffing more heavily with effort now, Keestu waved at the gate's guards, then moved her right hand to her side, briefly holding her first two fingers out in a V, signaling that everything was fine. The gate was immediately retracted, and the princess and her companions jogged back into the grounds.

Vahin was waiting just inside for her. He turned and started loping easily beside her, knowing she wouldn't stop until she was at the door of the gym.

King Ismer orders that you are to wear your red jumpsuit to dinner this evening, Your Highness. He also bids you not to wear a headdress, but loan one to Rue for the duration of the Prince's stay.

Fine, Keestu replied shortly. She wasn't anywhere near completely spent, but was reserving her breath as she'd been taught. She finished her run, dropping to a walk, randomly striding down the large outdoor garden's paths for her cool down, slowing her walking pace as her breathing quickly returned to normal, Rue matching her steps. Tenget and Gontu followed behind, rifles held ready, though there were other guards patrolling the palace grounds.

Vahin continued to pace her as he gave her instructions. It is King Ismer's wish that you let Prince Dinus continue to think that Rue is the Crown Princess. He will explain later in the dining hall before the prince and his entourage enter, so none attending are left wondering what's going on.

Oh, that's just great, Keestu groaned. Her brother Skomer was going to have laughing fits when he found out, and she'd be hearing taunts from him for the next few weeks.

Rue tried to suppress her grin and failed. Sorry, Kee, she apologized, But I think I'm going to enjoy this. Remember when we used to play, and you'd let me be Crown Princess for the day?

Keestu suddenly found herself smiling as she realized that she for once wouldn't be the one under scrutiny. Why yes, Your Highness, she quipped, bobbing a playful curtsy, I look forward to fulfilling your every wish.

Hearing a snort from behind them, Keestu turned. Both Tenget and Gontu manfully suppressed their grins, so she couldn't tell who let that laugh escape.

Vahin, however, frowned beside her. As her protocol adviser, he always had propriety well in mind. Keestu thought that he must be having fits at the idea that the heir was reduced to playing the part of a mere servant, much less hearing Rue admit they'd played at it a few years ago. But, there was a reason behind everything King Ismer said or did, so she knew she'd be wise to obey. Once back inside the palace, she thanked Tenget for the lesson and retired to her quarters with Rue and Gontu in tow to get ready for dinner.

Chapter two

The great dining hall that ran half the length of the front of the palace was full. Prince Dinus and his entourage had yet to arrive as Keestu and her family entered the room and paced its length to their places on the south side of the room. Everyone was standing for the entry of the royal family, and Keestu could see that they had dressed in their finest. The men had hung their felt hats with their colored rank-striped bands on the backs of their chairs, while each woman was wearing a headdress, so one could tell at a glance each of the nobles' ranks. Keestu saw many she knew on sight, but the majority of the nobles she didn't recognize. She would have thought that only the highest members of nobility would attend this dinner to give them the first look at their alien visitor, but though all four counts and one countess were there, she didn't see as many of the planet's barons or baronesses as she was expecting, and there were a good number of high lords and high ladies present in addition to the lowest-ranking lords and ladies.

Keestu noted that the entire royal staff was dressed in red, as she was. Several women were in pantsuits, and while hers was more elaborate in cut and style, she found she blended in. It was one of the more comfortable outfits she'd ever been required to wear to a formal dinner.

Looking over the tables a second time, she saw that every noble man had worn a gray hat, and she wondered if her father had spread the word that they should all wear the same color, since black and dark brown were also acceptable formal colors for noble men. She spied some distance away a prince's hat, being removed by an older latecomer, who hurried to an empty seat at the table some distance away. Keestu was surprised to see it wasn't her 90-year-old great uncle Panat, but the one still living member of an opposing royal family who'd been granted the title of non-hereditary Prince by her grandfather for his assistance when her family had taken control of the planet during the Unification War of Sandar. He turned to King Ismer, bowing hastily before he hurriedly hung his hat on the back of his chair as he took his place. Ismer nodded solemnly back at the prince, and Keestu noted that he had chosen to wear Sandar's formal crown for this dinner. She saw that the black of her father's suit contrasted sharply with the red velvet of the crown, while the eight large bright blue topaz stones and one hundred and twelve smaller diamonds it contained caught the light and threw off bits of contrasting color as he turned his head.

The excited babble of voices was almost instantly stilled as Ismer raised his hands for attention. He glanced at his personal steward before speaking, and the man nodded reassuringly.

Everyone will kindly address handmaid Rue as Crown Princess Keestu this evening. The Autocracy Prince, Dinus of Purvol, is here to discuss a trade treaty between the Union and the Autocracy and has mistaken Rue for her. I feel that this may be advantageous in the coming negotiations, so it is our will that you support the misconception.

Keestu saw all eyes turn her way, but she was used to being examined. She stood silently, back straight, next to Rue, just behind her mother and father, as was their custom before being seated at a formal dinner.

She felt her brother Skomer nudge her from behind. We'll talk later, he whispered somewhat loudly, and she sighed, trying to maintain her dignified posture, though she'd love to make him pay for poking her. She could hear his mirth already. King Ismer glanced back, silencing his errant progeny with a severe look.

Let Prince Dinus and his entourage enter and be announced, he ordered.

The tall double doors that led to the smaller private dining room that adjoined the formal dining hall were opened. It acted as a staging area for important visiting guests and had a video screen, so the proceedings could be watched by its occupants, but it was soundproofed so those inside couldn't hear any last minute orders the royal family would give before they entered the formal dining hall.

The footmen controlling the doors smoothly swung them open as the announcer stepped up.

Your Majesty, Your Grace, Your Highnesses, and Nobles of Sandar, I present His Highness Prince Dinus, House of Purvol of the planet Phaet, member of the Autocracy, and entourage.

There was an appreciative murmur from the gathered nobles as Prince Dinus strode in. He was wearing the same outfit, and she realized why King Ismer had ordered her and all the servants to dress in red. The prince's entourage of half a dozen men was dressed in matching outfits of loose pants and tunics, though they sported a different geometric design across the right breast, an equilateral triangle with a rhombus inside, and their tunics were purple with blue stripes overlaid; the exact opposite color scheme of what Dinus himself wore. Keestu, trained to look for subtle differences in dress, immediately realized that the arrangement of the color of his outfit must be his badge of office.

Dinus marched the short distance to the main table and gave a stately bow. King Ismer and Queen Mewa gave dignified nods of their heads in return. The prince turned to the remainder of the royal family and sketched another stately bow, which Keestu, her siblings, and their assorted footmen and handmaids returned with bows and curtseys as appropriate. Dinus turned and bowed to the rest of the assembled nobles, who bowed and curtseyed back.

The announcer pounded his stun staff on the floor three times, at which signal Dinus was ushered to his seat in the place of honor just to the right of King Ismer. Dinus motioned for a footman to be seated to his right, while the others in his party arrayed themselves behind his chair. Keestu and Rue took their accustomed seats opposite the prince, to the left of Queen Mewa's chair, only this time Rue sat between Keestu and her mother. This meant that her oldest brother Prince Skomer sat to her left. She kept her face as neutral as possible as he smirked beside her and instead studied the prince's companion, who sat directly opposite her. She thought they looked remarkably similar, not just because of their matching clothing. Their coloring was the same, straight light brown hair and muddy brown eyes, and they both had a similar sturdy-looking bone structure. Perhaps he was a younger brother or cousin? Curious. She'd have to research what was known about the Autocracy when she had the time. She'd also have to report her observation to King Ismer at her earliest chance.

The first course was being served, a rich creamy soup. Keestu made a mental note that perhaps she'd want to run two laps on the trails the next time she went out to the countryside to train to compensate for what were going to be formal and fatty meals while they had company. She found herself presented with a bowl before Rue. Thinking the servant had erred in serving her first, she looked up sharply, but saw the same thing was happening on the other side of the table and managed to suppress her comment in time. The prince's table companion took up a spoon, elaborately wiped it with a cloth he produced from somewhere in his outfit and dipped it into the soup, trying not to slurp too much as he tasted it. A food taster? How quaint. All food was passed through a scanner as it was taken from the cart, making such a display unnecessary, but she felt Skomer poke her in the hip under the high table. Startled, she realized she was supposed to act as Rue's taster for the evening. She followed suit as muffled murmurs of surprise traveled down the tables.

After several moments, the servant across the table nodded and passed the bowl to Dinus. Keestu followed suit with as much dignity and poise as she could, trying not to spill any of the soup on Rue, who remained silent though her eyes were dancing with mirth.

Did you enjoy your tour of our home, Prince Dinus? King Ismer paused his eating to ask.

Yes, quite. It seems quite a secure residence, and Your Majesty's designer is to be commended not only for that, but for the layout of Capital City as well. Most efficient.

King Ismer smiled, We're sure our father would thank you if he could, Prince Dinus, he responded.

Queen Mewa spoke up. She deliberately slowly looked the prince over, but while he straightened up in his chair a little more, his attitude was otherwise unchanged. Prince Dinus, her mother asked, Have you no wife? We are saddened to see your lack of female companionship for we are most curious to learn more about your people.

Dinus actually flushed. No Your Grace, he responded, I'm not attached at the moment.

Princess Hemda, Keestu's younger sister, spoke up, If you want a Sandarian princess to wife, I volunteer! I won't have a throne otherwise, she pouted.

Titters of laughter traveled up and down the table. Hemda kicked her wooden shoe heels loudly against the legs of her chair, the fabric of her voluminous skirts swishing around her legs as she did so. I'm see wee us, she lisped loudly, to renewed mirth. She frowned, clamping her mouth shut over missing baby teeth, the presumed source of her endearing speech impediment.

Keestu had to give Dinus credit, for he formally bobbed his head in consideration of her offer and replied, Well, I don't know how it's done on Sandar, but in my culture it will be several years before you'd be old enough to attach, and a lot can happen in those years, Princess.

His eyes flicked speculatively to Rue, and he suppressed a smile with effort. Keestu glanced at her father, who had seen that look, and he covered his own smile as he glanced at Queen Mewa, who was staring sternly at Hemda. What have I told you about speaking out of turn, Daughter?

Hemda paled. She knew she was in trouble when she was called Daughter, with the implied capital D. She slid down in her chair, her dress bunching up around her, looking as if she wanted to crawl under the tablecloth.

Ismer put his hand on Mewa's arm. Surely you remember the exuberance of youth, my dear, he said quietly, and it's been while since we had alien dignitaries to dinner. Ismer turned to his youngest daughter. However, I'm afraid I have to agree with your mother and Prince Dinus, Hemda, he said, You are much too young to be considering attachment at this time.

Dinus looked greatly relieved, but cast another meaningful sidelong glance at Rue before responding to Hemda. I thank Your Highness for your offer, though.

Keestu's youngest brother Prince Kang perked up. So how many sisters and brothers do you have, Dinus?

I have four sisters and four brothers, Kang, Dinus replied, showing no annoyance at Kang's lack of formal address; equals on Sandar rarely used titles when talking with each other, and their visitor apparently was aware of this.

Kang's face screwed up. Ugh, how do you deal? Rue snorted and almost choked on the last of her soup.

Oh, they usually stay in their wing of our home during the evenings, Dinus said. See, we aren't a sexually segregated society, but my sisters find things to keep themselves busy so they don't have to spar with me or my brothers that much.

Skomer looked up at the mention of combat. He was a fan of military strategy. You outnumber them, then?

Dinus smiled. At present, yes, but my stepmother is currently carrying a half sibling who may even our numbers up.

The second course was arriving. Keestu saw to her delight it was a salad that had hirot stalks in it. She saw another server pouring hirot liqueur into the tiny eighth liter goblets at each place on the table. Trying to mask her delight, Keestu picked up her salad fork and tried it. It was hirot shoots. They were crisp and had a refreshingly delicate flavor that was perfectly complimented by the light dressing the chefs had chosen. Hirot was grown on Sandar and was a major export. It was such an important commodity that it was seldom seen on the royal table, though her father kept a flask of hirot liqueur in his private cabinet.

Keestu saw the visiting footman pull out his own utensils, slipping what looked like miniature forks over each fingertip before spearing and sampling the salad for his Prince. Keestu smiled at the sight as she passed the salad to Rue and picked up the first goblet and took a sip of the liqueur. Its flowery fragrance tickled her nose while the fine liqueur burned in her mouth, warming her throat and belly as it made its way down. She had never been allowed to drink alcohol at a formal dinner before and found its mild sweet flavor appealing. She rather thought she'd be keeping a flask of hirot in the private cabinet herself when she ascended the throne.

She saw that her brothers and Hemda were not allowed to have any hirot, since they were all under the legal age of sixteen. Keestu wondered if her siblings were jealous that she was now allowed to drink, but saw no hint of emotion on their faces as she took another sip.

Always nipping at her heels, they were, but the older Skomer more so than Kang or Hemda. If he was the truly violent type, Keestu thought he'd try and take her title for himself by force. Of course, just a few minutes prior, Hemda had expressed displeasure at not having a throne of her own, so maybe it was more than simple sibling rivalry, and something she could not understand because she knew what she was to eventually become when she grew up; their futures weren't so certain.

Prince Dinus tasted the liqueur and the salad, donning eating utensils identical to those of his taster, handling them with skillful grace. Keestu noted that the metal of his utensils was decorated with a geometric design where his fingers slipped into them.

These are major exports for Sandar, Ismer said after the Prince put down his goblet. Hirot only grows on Sandar. Each blossom produces a generous 15 milliliters of nectar, which is fermented into the liqueur in your goblet. Fresh stalks, when chopped, make a popular salad green. In addition, when steamed, the stalks can also produce a volatile oil valuable for the perfuming industry, but there's only a minor market for that.

After taking another significant sip from his goblet, Ismer concluded, "Hirot liqueur is resistant to all repro vat processes. It must be fermented naturally with Sandarian materials and processes, or it lacks the fire of the original. The stalks cannot be used for artificial reproduction of the plant, and it