“Off with you then. I’m not known for my patience, Captain.”
He disappeared instantly, as did Gordi’i and Kali’i. She took a moment to soak in the feeling of being in a net once again, then she, too, disconnected.
When she emerged, everyone was on their knees. “What’s this?” she demanded. “Stand, all of you. Each of you is special to me, you’re all heroes, and none of you need ever kneel before me again.”
Buskin was first to speak. “I’ve never heard of a Chosen going into a net, Your Majesty.”
“These are hard times, Admiral, and all of us are doing things we never thought we’d do, yourself included. Exceptions have been made, and they’ll continue to be made, with calculation. Your Queen leads from the front, not the rear. Understood?”
A fleeting smile crossed his face. “I do, Your Majesty. It remains my pleasure to serve.”
“We all serve the Empire, nothing more and nothing less, myself included.”
She pulled Buskin aside. “I’d like to invite all of you to dine with me, but truth be told, I don’t have much of a staff. Would you be willing to host us?”
“On my ship? Of course!”
“I’d like it to be just us. I want to hear your stories, and I want an informal setting.”
His gaze rose to the ceiling for a time, then returned to her. “The dinner can be informal, but I beg you, Your Majesty, to consider your entrance. You’re the Queen. My men have been working hard for many months, all in your name, not your person. Might it not be better to appear before them with all the appropriate regalia?”
A warm smile lit her face. “You’re right, Admiral. I stand corrected. Your men will see their Queen at her finest. Set up whatever is appropriate. Have you done this before?”
“No, Your Majesty, but I’ll figure something out. It might not be what you’re accustomed to. My sailors are going to be busy with preparations, and they’ll grumble, but they’ll love it. Will you stay the night?”
“I will, and I’ll inspect the squadron tomorrow if that works for you.” She turned to face Krys’ crew. “We have certain formalities to complete. You’re all heroes, but we’ve learned some things the hard way. Each of you must be Tested.” She turned to Krys. “Do you have a lounge or meeting area on the ship? I’d like to get this over with.”
Krys led her to the lounge and was Tested, then each of the others stood before their Queen, one at a time. It didn’t take long, as Ellie had known it would not. When she was done, she sent for Krys and excused everyone else.
“Stven said you were wounded,” she began as Krys settled into a chair with her legs folded beneath herself.
“Not exactly. I only experienced the Chessori mind weapon strongly one time, and I don’t even remember it. I spent a few days in sick bay, then I was back on my feet.”
“What happened to you?”
“Bleeding in my brain is what happened to me. It was only minor.”
“It doesn’t sound minor to me.”
“It was, Your Majesty. We’re taking special precautions for the next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Krys closed her eyes. She’d known this subject would come up, but she had hoped it wouldn’t come up so soon. When she opened her eyes, she encountered the determined look she knew so well, a look that brooked no argument. “I can’t stay here, Mother.”
“You can, and you will. I’m not going to let you go gallivanting all over the Empire when it could kill you. Besides the fact that I love you, you’re my Seer, as you’ve been telling everyone. I need you by my side.”
“You need me out there more.”
Ellie stared at her. “I do?”
“Yes, you do. I haven’t had a lot of visions, but those I’ve had have been meaningful and productive for you and your leaders. Did you know I’ve actually forecast two major battles, and the commander is forewarned?”
“I do know. Chandrajuski, Mike, and Val met with Seeton and Veswicki.”
“What if I can do more of that?”
“Why don’t you do it for us, instead?”
“Why don’t I do it for all of you. I can come back, you know.”
Ellie brooded. All of her Knights, all of her close friends, were out on assignment, each of them in harm’s way. Must all of her loved ones leave her side?
Krys understood. “I’m sorry, Mother. I, too, would like to stay. I’m terrified out there.”
“Then stay.”
“I can’t. You need me out there more than you need me here.”
Ellie wanted more time to think, but in her heart she knew Krys spoke true. Her visions had, indeed, been fortuitous. She changed the subject. “I have a name, you know.”
“Ellandra of the Chosen. I know, but you’re Queen now, Your Majesty.”
“In private, for some, I prefer my name. I have a new name, given to me by Michael. He calls me Ellie. Will you do the same?”
Krys considered. “In my heart, I think of you as Mother. Those two years we had after you pulled me from the orphanage is a time I will cherish forever.”
“And I still think of you as my daughter. Val is learning to call me Ellie, though it’s not easy for him. I’ve formed an Inner Circle, and he’s a member. Will you join me in my Inner Circle?”
“As the Queen’s Seer, it makes sense. As Krys, I don’t have much to offer.”
“Oh, you might surprise yourself. We’re all young for our positions, and we all make mistakes, but we’ve done a lot of things right, too.”
“You’re alive, and that’s something. I truly feared for you when we arrived at Dorwall.”
“It was a terrible time. Many sacrificed themselves in my name, and I will never get over the sadness it brings to me. This is all so horrible.”
“But we persevere, Mother.”
“We do. And your part in it has been to speak in my name.”
Krys paled, but she had known this would come up. She lifted her chin. “I’m sorry, Mother. It was the only way.”
Ellie smiled fondly at her daughter. “I know. I’m amazed that you managed to deal with all those admirals, governors, and senators so successfully.”
“The Great Cats opened many doors. Those they didn’t open were opened by the locket.”
“Ah, yes. The locket. I’d like it back, Krys.”
“Mother?” she asked in horror.
“It’s time to return it, my daughter.”
Krys pulled the chain from under her coveralls and stared at the locket. Never used until two years ago, it had become a part of the person she considered herself to be, a part of her very identity. She removed the chain from around her neck and held it out to Ellie with a trembling hand.
Ellie took it and stood. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
She wasn’t gone long, and when she returned, she had Krys’ whole crew with her. The small lounge was overflowing by the time they all got settled, and Stven had to settle for the corridor, though his head reaching through the door towered above everyone.
She got right down to business, her focus Krys. “As a Friend, you’ve called others to my side. You’ve transcended rank and position to do so, you’ve used my name in the process, and you’ve chosen well. Few exercise such rights. Those that do are called Knights of the Realm. Since learning of your activities, I have waited in hope for your day of Naming. Will you kneel before your Queen, my daughter?”
Krys’ lips trembled. She whispered, “What are you doing, Mother?” forgetting that they were no longer in private.
“It’s time to officially Name you for who you are.”
“Val is the Knight in our family.”
Ellie looked at her kindly, and a little sadly. “Little is known about your parents, but they created two individuals of unparalleled ability. You and your brother are both made of the stuff of Knights, my dear.”
Krys looked to her friends, not only uncertain, but in disbelief about what was happening. Stven nodded his great head, his purple eyes telegraphing triumph. M’Sada’s upper hands were working overtime on his antennae,
