The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 4.1

A moment later, they were standing on her control deck. Sabrina barely had time to look around before she was engulfed in Ford's embrace and felt his mental touch.

Welcome home for real this time, she thought. I was getting lonely.

Sorry darling. Apparently we haven't got all the kinks worked out of this link yet.

Sabrina was dimly aware of Tirqwin conducting the introduction between his daughter and Khediva as Ford pulled back to get a good look at her face. "You look tired," he murmured.

"I am tired," she said.

"Sit, Sabrina, while I give Marie the tour," Tirqwin said, laying a hand on her shoulder in greeting.

Sabrina obediently sat on one of the padded benches in front of the main console. Ford sat down next to her, but Baldaran remained standing, turning in a slow circle. He looked nervous, she thought.

"All right, brother," Ford said. "Let's have it."

"What?" Sabrina asked.

"Something's up," Ford said. "Father went quiet and Khediva got all disapproving a little while ago. And I find it odd that I wasn't allowed to go down to get you."

"It is not my place to talk about it," Baldaran said.

"If you do not, I shall," Khediva broke in. "Sabrina is sick. This is no time to be playing dirty tricks on her."

Baldaran spread his hands helplessly. "I agree, Wayship Khediva. But Mother is not well either."

"What's wrong with Mara?" Sabrina demanded.

"That, I cannot say," Baldaran replied. "Except that she is weary, and unfocused, and sometimes even uninterested in her duties. We have all agreed that she must have a respite."

"Oh, poor Mara. Nobody needs a vacation like she does," Sabrina agreed. "But how are you going to pull it off? Even if you take the regency, there's still the Miahn end of things."

"Lady Imari and Lady Aurora are devising a schedule that will demand as little of Mother's time as possible," Baldaran said. "But it is the regency that concerns me."

"You'll do fine," Sabrina said. "You're far more prepared than I ever was!"

"In some respects, yes. I have done a great deal of domestic service, and I am confident I can direct our planetary affairs competently. However, I have not yet done much work in galactic affairs."

"I can give you some advice there," Sabrina said.

"Thank you. But I am also worried about the—the enormity of it. Everything takes longer for a beginner. And it is an all-consuming job."

"Yes, it is," Sabrina said, remembering her days as regent, when she never got enough sleep—and some of what she did get was interrupted by would-be assassins. At least Baldaran would not have to worry about that.

Baldaran sat down and leaned his elbows on his knees, looking grave. For a moment, Sabrina could clearly see the resemblance he bore to his namesake grandfather. "Let me put it to you bluntly, Sabrina: I need your help."

"You will have it," she said, surprised that he would doubt it.

"Not just as an adviser. I want you to be my co-regent. I will handle domestic affairs, and you will handle our allies and enemies."

Sabrina drew in a surprised breath, then started to speak. Ford's finger on her lips stopped her.
"We talk about it first," he said softly. "That's how it works."