Page 30 of Home

Mirilla was still grinning to herself as she rounded a corner and bumped right into Mir’ Ahn.

He scowled at her. “How is it that you always look so happy to serve those beneath us?”

She shook her head and pressed her lips together in irritation. “What do you want, Mir’ Ahn?”

“And now it seems you think I have to have a reason to seek out my only sister.”

“No, you don’t have to have a reason to speak with me. But you always seem to anyway.”

“Ridiculous. I haven’t seen you in weeks and simply desired reassurance that you’re still among us.”

“Weeks? Mir’ Ahn, you saw me four days ago. I brought lunch and came to visit you. You told me you were too busy and that I was interrupting important things. Have you forgotten already?”

He glared at her suspiciously for a second before he seemed to brush it off. “I don’t remember that. I must have been very distracted with the importance of my job.”

“I’m sure. Thank you for coming to check on me, but I’m fine, and I must be going.”

“Why? Where are you going?” he asked, looking unnervingly into her eyes, then allowing his gaze to sweep down to the chain she wore around her neck that supported the pendent she wore at all times. It was a simple pendent, seemingly made of smooth, carved silver or platinum with a dark blue center stone, but in fact it was made of molded steel. Within it was hidden an electronic sensing element, a transducer, and a signal processing unit. The dark blue of its center stone was actually the surface by which the electronics inside could connect to the locking devices placed by each door of the palace to grant her access, automatically unlocking when she approached and stood directly in front of the sensor installed beside each door. In plainer terms, it was the passkey assigned to her on the occasion of her appointment as Head of Staff. It gave her access to any room in the palace, which was important if she was to see their state of cleanliness and readiness, depending on the requirements for any guest staying in the palace, or those living there on a regular basis. Her staff saw to each individual’s need. Some wanted particular foods or drinks left out. Others preferred scents or perfumes to be evident upon entry to their rooms. Some, like the Sire and Sirena, wanted a lamp left on in each room, even if they’d gone to bed for the night. But for the most part, she had to give approval for the cleanliness and processing of each room, hence her passkey. Most of the keys were two-and-a-half to three inches in length, and one-and-a-half inches across. There was an indention where one’s thumb would rest when pressing the button to activate the electronic locking/unlocking mechanism in the doors of the rooms they were programmed for and could easily be fit into a pocket. Most warriors didn’t have keys because they lived in the barracks, and of the palace staff, only staff members who lived in the palace, and those whose work needed access to multiplerooms had keys, but hers was meant to never be taken off. She was always on duty, and if she was wearing the key, it would always be at hand. She unconsciously lifted a hand to cover the pendent as her brother seemed to focus in on it.

“Why do you insist on wearing that thing. It’s like a collar, keeping you chained to your job at all times.”

“I like my job. I’m proud to be so needed. And it’s only a pendent, remember?!” she insisted, trying to remind him that he wasn’t supposed to know that it wasn’t just a pendent. She’d been so excited when she received it that she’d run to tell him about it straight away. He was her brother… why wouldn’t she share her good news with him?

“Good for you,” he said drolly. “Where are you needed this time?”

“I’m on an errand for our Sovereigna.” She went up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek quickly, just barely making contact before he pulled away to try to prevent the kiss.

“Why do you always do that?” he complained, wiping at his cheek with the palm of his hand.

“Because you’re my brother and I love you,” she said, shaking her head at his antics. “Were you always this difficult? I swear there was a time that we were actually friends. What happened?” she asked as she slowly moved past him.

“We are friends! We always have been! You’ve just not realized you’re above every one of those you serve. I have.”

She looked back at him doubtfully.

“Where are you going? To see the Sirena?” he asked, jogging a step or two to catch up with her.

“To try to speak to our Sirena. The Sovereigna has asked me to befriend her and see if I can help ease her assimilation into palace life.”

“Assimilation into palace life? What fool has trouble being waited on like a fatted cow hand and foot by those they deem beneath them?”

Mirilla stopped walking and turned to face her brother. “That’s not fair. None of our Sovereign’s family deems any of us beneath them. They each truly care about our people.”

“And you honestly believe that?”

“Of course, I do. And as the Steward of the palace battalion of our military, you should, too. You serve them in your capacity. You took vows of loyalty. Do you not still feel as you always have?” she asked, her concern clear in her eyes and in her voice.

Mir’ Ahn sighed. “I do. You know that I do. I’m just tired and overworked, and I worry that the change of power will change our forces, our warriors and our people. I like things done the way our ancestors always have. Change makes me nervous.”

“I know. It always has. But I believe if anything changes at all, it will be for the best for you. Our Sire has spent all of his life as Commander of our forces. He has a special affinity for our military.”

“I’m sure you’re right. Say, maybe after you befriend the Sirena, you can take me along and introduce me one day so that I can make my vow of loyalty to her personally.”

“Really?!” she asked excitedly.

“Yes. I’d like that. If it’s not too much to ask.”

“I’d love that. But I have to become friends with her first.”

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