The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 13.2

Sabrina was just finishing breakfast when the door chime sounded. She glanced at Ranja, who looked just as surprised as she did. A moment later, Kendara entered the room. "Your highness, Andar Sastarn begs a moment of your time."

Sabrina sighed. "All right. Ask him to come in." Noting Ranja's scowl, she said, "I need to see him anyway and haven't found time."

"Your breakfasts are all turning into meetings. They're supposed to be private time," Ranja pointed out. "And we're leaving for Bathir in half an hour."

Sastarn entered the room and crisply saluted. Sabrina smiled at his air of military perfection; she remembered him being more rumpled. "At ease, Pilot. I'm not in your chain of command. Please have a seat. Have you eaten?"

"Yes, your highness. Thank you for seeing me—I beg pardon for coming unannounced," he said, sitting on the edge of the nearest chair. "But I've been given orders to leave this morning, and Lady Aurora said you were looking into my, uh, query."

"Yes, I have. I can only tell you that Citizen Deirian was seen last week, apparently alive and well. And that we are not in communication with the embassy for unknown reasons, which we are working to resolve."

"Well, that's something, anyway," he said. "Thank you, your highness."

"You're welcome. I wish I could have given you better news. You and your team helped save my life, and more importantly, my husband's. You are always welcome here."

"Thank you," he said, standing up. "I'm sorry to have interrupted your breakfast. And congratulations on your marriage, ma'am. I hope you'll be very happy."

"Thank you. Good luck on your assignment, Pilot Sastarn."

"Thank you, ma'am."

When he was gone, Ranja said, "If only all your unscheduled meetings went that quickly. Is there anything else I need to pack for Bathir? You did still want to spend the night there, didn't you?"

"Oh." Sabrina grimaced. She missed Ford most at night, but at least in Dansestari she had Tristan to snuggle up with. The thought of sleeping alone in their bed at Bathir was depressing. "No, I'd rather not, really. When am I scheduled to finish up?"

"You have a reception after dinner at the Academy. It might go late," Ranja said uncertainly.

"And I need to make up for that commencement speech flap," Sabrina sighed. "Oh, all right. I guess we'd better stay the night, or at least be ready to if we have to."

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Sabrina spent the rest of the morning in meetings at Bathir, then discussed renovating her dressing room and closets with Ranja, the Housekeeper, and a designer the Housekeeper had hired to make some preliminary drawings. They were deeply engrossed in virtual fabric samples when the Chamberlain interrupted them.

"Pardon me, your highness, but there is a man who has been attempting to contact the prince for several days now. I wondered if you would perhaps speak to him, as he does not seem to accept my explanation that the prince is not available to speak to anyone at the moment."

"Who is it?" Sabrina asked, puzzled.

"His name is Steyrian Geran."

"Oh. Ford mentioned him. Okay, I'll speak with him." Sabrina rose from the table, gesturing for the others to remain seated. "I'll be right back. Maybe if I could see the dressing room with the blue fabric and the yellow walls?"

"Certainly, your highness," the designer said, turning back to the hologram controls.

Sabrina followed the Chamberlain to Ford's office. "We need to set up a separate office for my use," she said, looking around at the mess. "I'll speak to the Housekeeper about it. Meanwhile, could you ask the Steward to sort out anything that may need my attention from in here?"

The Chamberlain smiled. "I would be pleased to, ma'am. Do you want my assistance with this call?"

"No, I think I can handle it. I'll call if I need you. Thank you."

He gave her a slight bow, then left the room. Sabrina addressed the comconsole. "This is Sabrina Devon zu Tassan."

"This is Steyrian Geran. I've been trying to reach your husband—he knew I was coming."

Sabrina examined the image on the screen. He was nice looking, she thought, if a bit weathered. A long scar intersected one cheek, reaching up into the hairline, where it was stark against the black hair sprinkled with silver at the temples. "I'm afraid Ford had to leave on urgent, unexpected business. But he did tell me he expected you. Where are you?"

"I am in a detention center at the main spaceport," Steyrian replied wryly. "Praxatillus' government has declined to issue me a visitor's visa because they could not confirm some of the information I provided on my entry application. I was hoping to have Ford vouch for me."

"I'm so sorry," Sabrina said. "I can contact him and ask him to straighten things out. Or, if you'd prefer, you can continue on to Lthos and see him in person. He's at the Praxatillian embassy there."

"Ah. Unfortunately, while I was unsure of my welcome here on Praxatillus, I am definitely persona non grata on Lthos," Steyrian said. "Would you feel comfortable vouching for me yourself, since apparently Ford has told you about me?"

"Excuse me for a moment," Sabrina said, putting the call on hold. Ford? Your friend Steyrian is stuck in immigration limbo. He wants me to get him out. Am I going to regret doing so?

She could tell she had interrupted his concentration. It'll be fine. He promised me he'd behave.

He just told me he wouldn't be welcome on Lthos.

Well, neither would I in my Draxon identity.

She sighed. What should I do with him while you're gone? I'm not really prepared to play hostess.

He can amuse himself until I get back. I'll give him a call later. Thanks, darling.

Sabrina sighed again as he closed his end of the link. She reopened the call. "All right, Mr. Geran, I'll speak to someone there about your situation. Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"I was hoping Ford would put me up," he admitted. "But since he isn't there, I can find lodgings. Do you have any suggestions?"

"We're spending most of our time on Dansestari right now—there are plenty of hotels in Palace City," she said. "I would invite you to Bathir, but I'm only here for the rest of the day before I head back to Palace Royal. I'm sorry I can't be more hospitable, but my current job requires a tight security net, and if you've had trouble with your entry visa, I don't think you'll pass the requirements to stay in the palace."

He gave her a wry grin. "I'm sure of that. I would like to meet you, though, and thank you for your help. As well as hear the story of how you managed to domesticate Ford!"

She smiled. "I'm not sure I have. But I would like to meet you as well. When you get settled, call this number. They'll have my assistant contact you and set up a meeting."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Sabrina ended the call and frowned to herself, hoping she hadn't just made her own life more difficult. Then she looked around the office and smiled. She and Ford had different ways of dealing with things, she thought, but she wouldn't trade him for anyone.