A Way of Honor (Champions of the Crystal Book 2)

Chapter 20.1

Scotty came up for dinner, and Khediva managed to provide something like Earth champagne for them to toast their absent friends. Scotty reported that Mara and Tirqwin had been busily accepting congratulations all day, mostly from government officials, governors, and the like who were all curious to see the Queen's Consort. Tonight they were dining with various ambassadors from around the Realm and its allies.

After dinner, the Devons and Khediva reminisced about various episodes in the course of their travels together. Scotty reported that his night shift didn't begin until the following evening, so he intended to spend the night aboard Khediva too.

"Good," Khediva said. "Your sister and I need someone to keep us from brooding."

Scotty laughed. "Sure, I can do that! What, got the after-wedding blues?"

"A little," Sabrina said.

"Hey, if you wanna go down and see how things are going, I'm here now."

"No," Sabrina said, after a while. "I don't want to intrude. This is the Praxatillians' day, not mine."

"Bullshit," Scotty said. "Mara may be their Queen, but she's your friend, and I know you were plannin' on bein' there to see her off to the wedding night."

Sabrina leaned back and closed her eyes. "I think I've had enough endings for one day."

Scotty shook his head. "Endings! I thought this was all about beginnings. Never knew you to be so pessimistic, Rina."

"Oh, I'm just indulging in a little selfishness. Mara won't miss me. She and Tirqwin are all wrapped up in each other. I'll stay up here with Khediva and commiserate."

"Phew!" Scotty said. "If this is what you're like after a wedding, I'm sure not invitin' you to mine!"

Sabrina felt sudden tears start to her eyes. She reached out and clasped Scotty's hand in hers.

"Hey," he said in concern.

Sabrina smiled. "Just...don't leave me yet, Scotty."

"Hey, I'm your brother. I don't go away, remember? You're stuck. You never have to be all alone."

"Oh," she said, recovering, "I won't be. Khediva and I are making plans to travel the galaxy in between bouts of playing aunt."

Scotty snickered. "Put the galaxy on red alert!"

"Indeed!" came Tirqwin's voice as he and Mara appeared on the control deck. "Sabrina Devon, how dare you plot to steal my Wayship?"

"Hey! Didn't expect to see you guys tonight," Scotty said in surprise.

"Well," Tirqwin said, patting the console affectionately, "I did not want Khediva to think I had forgotten her."

"And," Mara added, smiling, "I knew when Sabrina disappeared that she must be feeling sad, and didn't want me to see. And I knew that rather than sit alone and feel sorry for herself, she would come to keep Khediva company."

"So we could both feel sorry for ourselves," Khediva said dryly.

"There is no need," Mara said. "Khediva, I will do my very best never to come between you and Tirqwin. That has never been my intention. And Sabrina, my friend. How could you think this will change anything? Tirqwin and I both need your wise advice."

Sabrina smiled. "Oh, no. I know better than to interfere with newlyweds."

"But Sabrina, when you became our Matchmaker—no matter how unofficial—you became responsible not only for our wedding, but our marriage. You must always be our counselor."

Sabrina gasped. "Maratobia! The next time you ask me to do something, I'm asking for a detailed description in writing! I've never known anybody who roped me into so many stupid jobs that turn out to be ten times worse than you make them sound!"

Tirqwin and Mara laughed. Scotty said, "Join the military, Rina. At least it's usually only one impossible thing at a time!"

"Well," Mara said, "we had better go back before we are missed. Imari insists on helping me prepare for bed. I would much rather have you, Sabrina, but I do not think even the Queen can overrule Imari when she is this determined."

"I doubt it," Sabrina said. "I hope you escape the lecture. She'll probably want to set you straight; she'll be sure to think I've given you wrong ideas! All Praxatillus has this idea that I'm some fallen woman!"

Scotty sniggered, and Mara said, "Don't worry, Sabrina, I'm sure it won't ruin your chances. Therenden was quite disappointed that you had left early."

Sabrina rolled her eyes. "If I have to be responsible for your marriage, Mara, I won't have time to worry about landing myself in one! Now off you go, you two. I'll see you in the morning." She grinned. "I've already been informed that it's my unenviable duty to wake the newlyweds in the morning. And I warn you, I'm coming in in combat armor!"

"Yeah, go on, scram!" Scotty grinned. "I need some shut-eye. Good luck, guys. It was a great show!" He extended his hand to Tirqwin, who shook it, then enfolded him in a brief embrace. Mara flung her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

"We thank you for everything you did to make this possible," Mara told him. "I hope it will be the last blood you spill in my service."

"I hope so too," he replied, "but I don't grudge it, Mara."

"I know." She smiled, then hugged him again.

Tirqwin turned to Sabrina and smiled. "Well, I'm halfway there," he said. "I got through the ceremony."

She blushed and laughed. "You did it marvelously, too."

He folded her in his arms. "You know I can never thank you enough, Sabrina. Not only for helping me, and helping Mara, but for remembering Khediva as well."

"You are all my family," Sabrina whispered.

He pressed a kiss into her hair and released her so that Mara could hug her. "Oh, Sabrina. Thank you for so many things. But most of all, for making me into a person Tirqwin could love."

"Mara, that was always inside you."

Mara stepped back, took Tirqwin's hand, and grinned. "But I wasn't very lovable at first, I know."

"Remember that," Sabrina said, "when you have children of your own."

"They never will if you keep 'em blabbing here all night," Scotty said.

"Just make sure none of them turn out like Scotty, all right?" Sabrina said to the couple. "Good night!" She pushed Scotty off the control deck and into the corridor so that Mara and Tirqwin could say their private good nights to Khediva. The Devons went back to Sabrina's room, but stood outside in the hall for a moment.

"Gonna be okay?" Scotty asked. "You're not gonna go cryin' or something stupid, are you?"

"No," Sabrina said. "You were right. It's about beginnings, not endings."

"Hey," Scotty grinned, "you admitted I was right about something! I shoulda got Khediva to record that!"

Khediva chuckled. "I think I will remain neutral in your endless sibling rivalry, Scotty. Mara and Tirqwin have gone back to Praxatillus. And before you ask, yes, I am feeling fine."

"Good," Scotty said. "'Cause I can barely handle Rina cryin', much less a Wayship!"

Khediva sighed. "Despite the war, and Malvarak, and everything...I think we are going to be all right."

"Well, it won't be dull, anyway!" Scotty said.

"Yes," Sabrina said softly. "Despite everything, I think we are going to be all right."

THE END

The adventures of Mara, Tirqwin, Khediva, Sabrina, and Scotty will be continued in The Twisted Way.