To Escape From Gravity

Chapter Five

"Have you tried the braised ribs yet? Divine doesn't quite capture the experience." Knopley never hesitated to indulge in the perks of working security at these parties. He had as good of a sense for danger as he did for an oncoming entree.

Normar ignored the stocky man next to her. "Elect Andory is ready to enter. Lorilell will immediately go over to Riscanda and that posse, so be prepared to accompany her. And don't..." she snatched a small glass of blue spirits from his hand, "...get distracted."

His face was untouched by harsh years, and his pout added to the youthfulness. Though they graduated as Captains only a year apart, Knopley was far behind her in navigating the professional nuances of being security personnel.

"If I'm getting paid to be here, I'm going to enjoy every moment and delicacy the gig has to offer!" Just as he was about to reach for another glass from a passing tray, the crowd of attendees suddenly began a soft applause. Someone important had just arrived. From her vantage point alongside the wall, Nomar saw the double doors spring open. Elect Andory and his wife, Lorilell, were dressed in their finest clothes and carried themselves in a manner that reflected their position in society.

With deft movements, Nomar weaved through the crowd and stood near the older couple. When they made eye contact with her, she gave a solemn nod and approached the two.

"Judging by your properly ironed uniform, you are our security for the night," the silver-haired man addressed her. Nomar was fitted in her captain's uniform; light tan pants, knee-high boots, and a rich green suede leather jacket trimmed tightly around her body. The three silver stripes that sat on her upper left arm denoted her rank.

As per custom for ranking officers, she kept her dark brown hair tightly braided along each side of her head, then gathered the braids into a low bun at the base of her neck. Although she wasn't one to gaze too long in the mirror like some of her peers, Nomar had to admit that the totality of the uniform was quite flattering.

Glancing between the two politicians, she nodded and extended her hand for a firm shake.

"Don't worry, sir, my partner and I will be ensuring that you have a pleasant night with no surprises."

His mouth curved up in a friendly way, and Nomar didn't have to guess at its authenticity. He seemed to be a kind old man. Her instincts said to like him. His wife, though, appeared to be more difficult to get along with.

"Dear, I wish we didn't have to put our safety in the hands of such unqualified people. Riscanda and her husband get generals to protect them, I'd feel so much more at ease if we had that kind of talent for the night." Lorilell Andory was as smug as she was unsightly.

Perhaps in her prime, she had been a woman of beauty. But following years of abundant food and a lethargic lifestyle, she was far from that. And from the way she talked, she seemed obtusely unaware that she offered little value to her own community. While Elect Andory looked regal in his navy blue suit, she looked on the verge of unkempt in deep gold slacks and a blue blouse composed of numerous folds and tucks. It didn't do much for her figure.

Her husband waved a wrinkled hand at her. "Don't ramble like that, my love. I'm sure this captain and her comrade are fully equipped and skilled at what they do. Status doesn't matter, just quality." Nomar immediately placed Elect Andory on her mental list of genuine people. She often had to remind herself that not all the people who inhabited her city were as vile as her own blood relations.

"Thank you for your vote of confidence, sir. I'll remain by your side, but will be sure to not interfere with your evening unless absolutely necessary."

"As you are, ma'am. But if Secretary Ringlan attempts to start a conversation, I plead with you to interfere. His topics are as dry as his skin, and both unsettle me." Chuckling, he made his way to move further into the loud room. Nomar dutifully followed suit. And as predicted, his wife made a beeline for her catty friend in the corner, with Knopley falling in resigned step behind her.

***

The banquet didn't provide much noteworthy activity, finally releasing a tense breath from Normar as the party wound down. She considered it a good day's work when her mark shook her hand and stepped out into the night, where they became someone else's security problem. But what got her mind racing was that very lack of activity. She had steeled herself to play a buffer between Elect Andory and her mother or father as they tried to amuse, flatter, and charm the wealthy patrons of the city. To her surprise, they never showed up.

"That's a good thing," she reminded herself, walking down the busy narrow street to her housing building. The other pedestrians who bumped shoulders with her threw puzzling looks as she mumbled. She couldn't shake the churning of her stomach, though. The banquet was a gathering of too many significant players in society for her parents to be absent. It didn't make sense. And her parents were many things, but illogical was not one of them.

Groaning, Nomar wiped a hand over her tired face. She was only a block from her home, and her bed called to her even from a distance. Yet she just couldn't ignore the sense of dread that increased with every step.

"Sun and stars, I can't believe I'm going to do this." With a final longing look towards the comfort of her sanctuary, she turned on her heel and headed south. She wouldn't be able to sleep until she at least tried to get an answer. And when it came to her screwed up family, there was one person who was most forthcoming with answers.