Later
that evening, Sialkot summoned me to his office. With trepidation
dogging my steps, I obeyed. Inviting me to sit down, he leaned back
in his chair and studied me. “Tell me, Miss Von Schonhausen,
everything that you have been doing in my absence, particularly
everything that has to do with my daughter. And please, leave nothing
out.”
Taking
a deep breath, I did so, speaking as calmly as I could. At the end of
my narrative, I went silent, waiting for him to speak. He did not say
anything immediately. Instead, he ran a finger in circles on his
desktop, deep in thought. I fidgeted slightly, but remained silent.
At
last he looked up. “It seems that I owe you a debt of gratitude. Is
there anything that I can do to repay you?”
“No
sire. I have done nothing that would merit being repaid. Please think
nothing of it.”
“On
the contrary, my dear. You have done much for me.”
Ducking
my head, I ran my hands down my skirt, drying my palms, which had
begun to sweat a little. “Actually, there is something. If it
pleases you, I would like to take my shuttle and leave Adena. I wish
to try and find my way back home.”
“Is
this place so awful that you no longer wish to stay?”
“No,
it is not that. I am afraid that I would cause discord and strife if
I remained.”
“Would
you care to explain yourself?”
“Commander
Makkedah seems to think that I am throwing myself at him. I do not
know why he believes this. I think it would be best if I removed
myself from the picture, for everyone’s sake.”
Sialkot
steepled his hands together and peered at me thoughtfully. “I
assume that you are unaware of our relationship to each other.”
At
my nod, he continued. “My first wife was a princess among her
people. Very few people know this, and even fewer know that we had a
son together. Those few who do know are ignorant of his identity.
Only I, my son, and my daughter know the truth.
“Commander
Leuven Rhys Makkedah is all that a man could wish for in a son, and I
am proud of him, but there are times when he is mistaken about
something and does not wish to admit it. At these times, he becomes
rather hardheaded and opinionated.”
Stunned
by this revelation, I could only stare. At last, I found my voice. “I
am afraid that this only strengthens my resolve to leave. I respect
both of you too much to be the cause of what would only be trouble
between you.”
“Very
well, if that is your wish, I won’t stop you. I do have one request
though. Take Daniela with you.”
“What?
I cannot take her with me. There might be danger along the way, and I
would not risk her safety for anything. Besides, if I got lost, she
would be lost along with me and you may never see her again.”
“Brunhilda,
I have considered my request carefully and I have talked to Daniela
about it. I am convinced that it would be best if she went with you.
She knows several languages that would benefit you. You are a good
influence on her and I want her to learn as much as she can from
you.”
I
was dumbfounded by his request. I thought about trying to dissuade
him from it, but I knew that it would be virtually impossible and
foolhardy. And so I stood and gave my best curtsy. “It shall be as
you say, Your Majesty.”
Preparations
for our departure began immediately, although we did not leave until
the next morning. Sialkot came out to see us off. He was the only
one, for Leuven had not been informed of our plans. At the bottom of
the ramp, Daniela paused to hug her father. He held tightly to her,
and then gave her a kiss on the forehead and released her.
She
darted up the ramp and I pushed the button to raise it. Moving up to
the cockpit, I settled into the pilot seat and engaged the engine.
Slowly lifting off, I spun the craft around to face Sialkot. I raised
my hand in a final salute, as did he. Turning to face the empty sky,
I engaged the thrusters and we shot forward, leaving Adena behind us.
