The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 7: Negotiations

The trip back to Praxatillus was uneventful—at least for Sabrina, who spent most of it in the infirmary, undergoing further treatment to strengthen her heart. When they arrived, she found herself with a full schedule of meetings with Baldaran and various Ministers, despite her protests.

"If I'm only going to be taking care of Galactic Affairs, why do I have to sit in on Economics?" she complained to Mara.

"I want you both fully apprised of the current situation in all respects," Mara said, "so that you will be able to help each other as needed. Sabrina, you must remember how overwhelming it can all be. I do not think Baldaran will need much help, but I want him to feel it is available."

Sabrina sighed and trudged off to the meeting. At least, she thought, she would see Ford for dinner. He had gone straight to Bathir to put arrangements for their betrothal ceremony in motion, and they had agreed to a private dinner.

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"Ranjalla Cadolar, your highness."

Ford looked up and nodded to the footman, then got up and came around his desk as the door closed. "Ranja, thanks for coming. Er...please excuse the mess. Sabrina's always saying I should get some heavy construction equipment in here and clean it out."

Ranja looked around the office with interest. "Hello, your royal highness. I see why you keep it a secret—an office this messy hardly goes with your reputation as a shirker!"

Ford grinned. "Have a seat." Instead of going back to sit at his desk, he leaned against the front edge of it. "I'm not sure where to begin. I have a proposition, but then I have a lot of information you'll need to know before you make your decision."

Ranja was seated primly on the edge of the guest chair. "I promise to hear you out, sir."

"Relax," Ford said. "This is an official visit, but it doesn't have to be formal. And Sabrina insisted I tell you that you needn't feel bad in declining, if you wish."

Ranja settled herself more comfortably. "I feel sure neither of you would propose anything to my detriment."

Ford gave a short chuckle. "One thing you'll have to learn if you spend much time in proximity to us, Ranja: what we propose will generally be first and foremost for the good of Praxatillus and the Realm. Much as we might resist it, we may ask things of you that are to your personal detriment in service to our larger goals."

"Is that a royal we, your highness?"

"It is a literal one," Ford said. "My proposition is this: I want to hire you to be my wife's personal assistant."

"Your wife?" Ranja said blankly.

"Sabrina and I have finally gotten official permission to marry."

Ranja clapped her hands together with a glowing smile. "Oh, your highness! I congratulate you, with all my heart!"

Ford grinned back at her. "Thank you."

"But I'm already her personal assistant," Ranja said, tilting her head curiously.

"Ah. That's where I have to get into the complicating factors. The ultimate reasons are classified, and I'm not sure how much I can get into those. But Sabrina and I have agreed that she will have to give up her diplomatic career, at least for the immediate future. Since you are employed by the Ministry of Galactic Affairs, her resignation means that you are no longer her personal assistant. What I propose is to hire you as an employee of the Principality of Bathir."

"Oh," Ranja said, looking perplexed.

"I realize—we realize—this may be counter to your own career goals. However, I must point out that you will be looking at an increased scope for your talents. One of the reasons Sabrina will be leaving the Ministry is that my mother is shortly departing on a much-needed leave of absence. My brother Baldaran has not completed his training, so Mother intends to appoint Sabrina as his co-regent. I say this in the strictest confidence, by the way."