In Service of the Queen

In Service of the Queen

by Davina Lee

An alternative future of women and their adventures

*

Author's Note

In the last chapter we left the Empyrea City gals at the youth hostel with coffee and sandwiches, as they enjoyed a brief respite and reunion. Outside, there's martial law, with soldiers in the streets and dirigibles floating overhead warning citizens to stay vigilant in the wake of an alleged terrorist attack.

Could things get any worse in Empyrea City, friend?

Yeah. Yeah, they can.

* * *

Chapter 12: In the Face of Oppression

Empyrea City Youth Hostel

"Checkpoints," said Tonje, shaking her head "Self-Defense Force soldiers in the streets. I never thought I'd see the day."

"We do not have this in Paris," said Cosette.

"We don't have it around here either," said Vivienne. "Not normally. I've lived in Empyrea City all my life."

Adelaide shook her head. "How'd they get those barriers set up so quickly?" muttered Adelaide. "I swear, Viv and I were sitting at home having tea. There was a boom. And then, like that, there were grumpy women in camouflage on the streets, dug in and ready to go."

"I suppose they must train for this sort of thing," offered Tiara. "Disaster drills and such. We have those back home."

Adelaide stared. "Sandbags?"

Tiara shrugged. "Kept ready in case of flooding?"

"That's a stretch," said Adelaide. "And it still takes a while to haul them into place."

"Why are we even arguing about this?" said Vivienne, clinging to Cosette's hand. "It's not going to change anything. What's done is done."

Adelaide turned her gaze to the yellowing on Cosette's arm and the tape wrapped around a cotton ball at the center of it all. "I'm sorry, Viv," said Adelaide. "I know you've got other things on your mind. I didn't mean to--"

"No," said Vivienne, "I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Adelaide leaned over to lay a hand on Vivienne's shoulder and rub back and forth.

Leaking in from behind windows and doors was the ever-present droning of the dirigible announcements. "Citizens are urged to stay indoors. A terrorist act has been committed. Stay inside. Stay vigilant. Official news and announcements will be posted at all public buildings and train stations."

Tonje leaned forward and stood up. "I'm going to make some more tea. Would anybody like some?"

"My nerves are shot," said Adelaide.

"Herbal tea, friend."

Adelaide nodded. Cosette and Beatrice did as well. Finally, Vivienne joined in. "I'll help," she said.

"Stay with Cosette," said Tiara. "I've got this."

"Thank you, friend."

Tiara and Tonje wandered off to the kitchen. Vivienne pulled Cosette's hand onto her lap and leaned against her with their heads together.

"I'm sorry, Cosette," said Adelaide, reaching in to place her hand on top of Vivienne's and Cosette's hands to rub for a moment. "It's not fair."

"No it's not, Addie," said Vivienne. "It's not fair at all."

"Friend Vivienne," said Cosette, looking up to meet Vivienne's eyes. "When I am at your side, I am strong."

"They can't do this," said Vivienne, shaking her head. "They can't. The queen can put up barriers in the streets, and airships in the sky. Fine. But she will not be putting her eggs in my girl. I will not let that happen."

With her hand atop Vivienne's, Adelaide squeezed. "I'm with you, Viv," said Adelaide. "And Cosette, whatever you need, I've got your back."

"Me too," said Beatrice, adding her hand to the stack. "I'll do anything I can to help Friend Cosette and Friend Vivienne."

Tonje and Tiara walked up to the couch with their hands full of tea mugs. "Uh-oh," said Tonje. "What'd we miss?"

"A pact," said Beatrice. "I would call it a pact. We have all vowed to protect Friend Cosette any way we can."

"I'm all for that," said Tonje. "Help me pass out these mugs and I'll add my hand to the pile."

"Me, too," said Tiara. "Anything I can do."

As Adelaide looked up, a tear was streaking down Cosette's cheek. "

Mes amis,

" said Cosette. "

Je t'aime. Je t'aime.

"

After passing out tea mugs, Tonje asked, "Has anyone heard from Friend Eniola?"

On the sofa, everyone shook their heads.

"I'd feel better if I knew she was okay," Tonje said.

Nods came from Tiara and all around from those seated.

"But every time we go out--" said Cosette.

"I know," said Tonje, shaking her head. "Somebody tells us to turn around and go back inside."

* * *

One hour later

The roar of a low passing dirigible's propellers rattled the window panes. The announcement over its loudspeakers was the same: "Citizens are urged to stay indoors. A terrorist act has been committed. Stay inside. Stay vigilant. Official news and announcements will be posted at all public buildings and train stations."

Adelaide straightened up from where she had been sitting slouched against Tiara's side. She leaned forward on the sofa and rested her head in her hands and her elbows on her knees.

After a moment hunched over, Adelaide leaned back into the cushion behind her, with the backs of her hands pushed up against her forehead. She blew out a long, noisy breath. "I'm not buying it," she said, dropping her hands on her legs with a slap.

Beside her, Tiara stirred and opened her eyes. "Not buying what, friend?" said Tiara.

"This whole thing. It's too convenient."

Tiara blinked and raised her hand to stifle a yawn.

"My sister's with the Self-Defense Force. Last time we had dinner, she said there were dirigibles being stockpiled at the airbase."

Tiara shrugged.

"And what's been flying overhead blasting ominous messages at us every hour on the hour? Huh? Dirigibles, that's what."

"Well," said Tiara. "It's an airbase. They have dirigibles. Makes sense. It's what they do. Air Self-Defense Force. The probably practice for this sort of thing all the time."

"But why the build-up? Why now?"

"I don't know, baby," said Tiara. "Do you want something to eat? A sandwich maybe?"

"I'm not having a low blood-sugar moment, friend. And I'm not crazy."

"I never said--"

"There's something going on here. Those checkpoints were blocking our way just minutes after the explosion. I don't care how many dirigibles you have and how many times you run practice drills. It was too fast. Too perfect."

"Friend Adelaide," said Tiara. "You think someone knew about the explosion ahead of time? Knew when it was going to happen and where?"

Adelaide nodded. "Maybe. Yeah, maybe. Or else--"

"Oh, no," said Tiara, "I see where you're going with this. You're not--"

"What if--?"

"What if, what, friend? What if someone knew? What if someone set off the explosion? On purpose?" said Tiara. "No. No, I'm not listening to conspiracy theories."

Adelaide shrugged. "Not just anyone. Someone flying around in the biggest dirigible of them all."

"No," said Tiara, shaking her head and then staring into Adelaide's eyes. "That's absurd. Ask yourself this, friend. Why? Why would the queen let anyone blow up part of her own city? It doesn't make sense."

"She's not the queen," said Beatrice.

As Adelaide began nodding, Tiara threw her hands in the air. "Friend Beatrice. You too?"

Beatrice sat forward. "The woman in Elysium is not the rightful heir. She is a usurper."

"It's true," said Vivienne, sitting up from where she was slouched and turning toward Tiara. "She's an impostor."

"Oui," said Cosette, sitting up and blinking as she yawned. "C'est correct."

"You should all go back to sleep," said Tiara. "I'm going to make some sandwiches."

"Friend Tiara," said Beatrice. "These words are true."

"A few hours ago all you could talk about was squeezing my butt. Now your telling me the queen is an impostor? What's next? You're going to tell me it's Friend Cosette who's actually the real queen?"

"No, Friend Tiara," said Beatrice. "The rightful heir's name is Danika. Danika von Herrlich."

"Okay. Okay. Let's suppose that's true. How is it that you know this?"

Beatrice took a deep breath and let it out slowly before continuing. "She was my lover."

* * *

Adelaide, Tiara, Beatrice, and Tonje were crammed together on the sofa, while Vivienne, and Cosette lounged among a pile of throw pillows on the floor in front of them. A cluster of empty mugs occupied the side table. Beatrice leaned forward.

"Many years before now, Empyrea was ruled by another. A queen by the name of Freya von Herrlich. The mother of my beloved Danika. Freya was a wise and just queen. In the aftermath of unimaginable war, she built this city we live in. She built this system of government that ensures no one in Empyrea should ever know poverty or hunger.

"This all happened before you and I were born. I only know of it through stories. The stories I heard from the elders in her court. My family, we have always been acrobats, dancers, entertainers. And we had been given the opportunity to perform at the pleasure of the queen. This is where I met my Danika.

"Danika was the eldest daughter of Freya and next in line for the throne. But like any young girl, such things did not interest her. She set her attention to the arts. Reading, writing, music, drawing, and yes, dancing and tumbling. And this is how I first became acquainted with Danika.

"At Queen Freya's request, my family would give Danika lessons. And being close in age, we naturally began to spend more and more time together during those lessons. Soon, she was coming to me directly for her practice. And soon after that, we began spending time together outside of lessons. She taught me as much as I taught her, perhaps more.

"She was amazing at learning new things. I realized this one day when we were together and she began signing to me. Fluently. Danika had never asked me to teach her, nor do I think she ever asked my mother or sisters. She simply observed our interactions and one day, she spoke to me in my language.

"I had always known Danika would follow in her mother's footsteps, to be a wise and just ruler of Empyrea. But it was that day I knew for certain there could be no other. No other woman would look after the people of Empyrea the way Danika would when it was her turn.

"But while Danika was more interested in the arts than political duties of the queen, her younger sister Eva had different designs on life. Eva was very much interested in politics, the influence of her family name, and particularly the power that came with it.

"She too was adept at learning, but Eva was not content to enrich her own understanding of the world and it's beauty. She set her sights on learning other things. Things that would gain her favor and control over that world so she could mold it into what would benefit her most.

"So when Queen Freya grew weak from sickness and age, Eva must have been plotting. And when Queen Freya finally drew her last breath, Danika was nowhere to be found. Searches were organized. For weeks, the transition of power was put on hold as everyone in Emperea did their best to locate the eldest daughter and rightful heir to the throne, my beloved Danika.

"But after some months, the search parties grew smaller and set out less frequently. The rumors began to spread of Danika's taking her own life. Grief was the reason given to support this theory. Grief over her mother's death. And after being repeated so often, even the most preposterous rumors can take hold as accepted truth. After six months of quietly biding her time, Eva was crowned queen.

"And she has been squandering what her mother built ever since."

Around the sofa in the youth hostel, no one said a word. Finally, it was Tiara who was the first to speak. Tiara leaned toward Beatrice, her arm extended, and laid her hand on Beatrice's shoulder. "I'm sorry," said Tiara, shaking her head. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

On the floor among the pile of pillows, Cosette and Vivienne rose up on their knees and shuffled forward. Each laid their head on one of Beatrice's thighs and pushed a hand out to wrap around Beatrice's waist.

Tonje and Adelaide leaned in. Beatrice was surrounded by women with bowed heads and solemn faces, all offering a gentle touch or word. Though they were soon interrupted by the roar of propellers outside and a blaring loudspeaker from overhead.

"Citizens of Empyrea. Be advised there will be an official announcement from the queen in one hour's time. Stay indoors. Report any suspicious activity or individuals to a member of the Self-Defense Force."

The announcement was repeated until the roar of propellers faded into the distance.

* * *

One hour later

"Are we sure we won't get in trouble for being out here?" asked Adelaide, looking out at the women in camouflaged uniforms milling about beside piled sandbags at the end of the block.

To Adelaide's right, Vivienne shook her head. "We're just on the front steps. So we can hear the announcement. They can't get upset about that."

On the other side of Adelaide stood Tiara, with her fingers woven in with Adelaide's left hand. Standing with them, all around on the front steps, were Cosette, Beatrice, Tonje and the half-dozen other girls who called the youth hostel home. Everyone had her neck craned to the distance where Elysium came to a halt over the town square several blocks away.

The dirigible's propellers spun down to a stop and left the air deathly quiet. And as the queen's announcement came drifting over from above, Adelaide repeated the words, turning her head to face toward Beatrice.

"Loyal citizens of Empyrea. Today is a dark day in our history. Our way of life, our very freedoms, have been attacked in a deliberate and cowardly act of terrorists. Misguided individuals whose jealousy and hatred of all we hold dear compel them to do us harm.

"Today we lost mothers and sisters and friends in this senseless act of violence. And perhaps, also, our sense of security and our faith in what Empyrea represents, has been shaken as well. But as your queen, I assure you this need not be so.

"Empyrea is, and forever shall be, a beacon of freedom in the world. And nothing embodies this shining symbol of hope more than the people of Empyrea City. Together, we will defend. We will rebuild. And we will emerge. We will emerge from this darkness.

"We will emerge stronger. Stronger than before. We will seek out those who intend to do us harm and we will find them. And when we do, they will tremble. They will tremble at the mighty justice Empyrea brings down upon them.

"Stay vigilant, citizens. And know that your queen is with you and will protect you."

On the steps of the youth hostel, the women stood with bowed heads. No one said a word. Over the town square in the distance, the propellers of Elysium began to spin once again, and the dirigible slowly moved away.

As one, the women on the steps turned toward the front door. Hand in hand they filed inside.

* * *

Youth hostel sitting room, five minutes later

A whole houseful of over a dozen women and their guests occupied the sofa and every available throw pillow on the floor. A few were fidgeting. Some were chewing at their knuckles or fingernails. And everyone had found a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on for support.

"Would anyone like some tea?" asked Tonje.

"How can you think about tea at a time like this?" mumbled Adelaide.

Tonje shrugged. Beside Adelaide, Tiara leaned in closer and reached to squeeze Adelaide's hand.

"I'm sorry," said Adelaide, turning to Tonje. "I'll help you. It'll give me something to do instead of worrying, and that's probably a good thing right now."

"Herbal tea," said Tonje.

"I hope so," said Adelaide, "My nerves are shot."

"I'm coming too," said Vivienne. "Addie, you need to eat something."

"Oui," said Cosette, following along.

"I can make sandwiches with the best of them," said Tiara, rising to her feet.

* * *

In the kitchen

Tiara laid the last of the bread slices upon the final open-face creation sitting on the butcher block table that dominated the center of the kitchen. When Tiara was finished and the sandwich complete, Cosette lined up a knife to cut it into four equal triangles. With Tiara's help, she then gathered them up to set on a tray alongside the other triangular pieces.

"Bon," said Cosette, surveying the finished product.

Standing side by side with Tonje at the counter nearby, Vivienne had just plucked the tea ball from the last of the mugs. She muttered to herself, counting out numbers, as she pointed to each of the mugs with her index finger.

"That's all of them," said Tonje.

Vivienne nodded. "If you girls are done with sandwiches, we could use some help with carrying these."

Adelaide and Tiara stepped over while Cosette picked up and balanced the tray of sandwiches.

* * *

In the sitting room

The light from outside the windows was beginning to dim to a deep orange, as the young women on the floor rose to accept a mug of tea and clear a path for Cosette. In a collective and wordless decision, the side table was dragged out toward the center and Cosette deposited her tray of sandwiches there.

A pair of women silently ushered Beatrice to the head of the line forming around the sandwich tray. Beatrice turned, raised her right hand, palm flat and fingers outward. She touched her fingers to her chin and brought her hand down in an arc.

Someone else patted a cushion of the couch and Beatrice sat down. Tiara and Adelaide came over with a sandwich in one hand and a mug in the other. They sat among the floor pillows at Beatrice's feet and were soon joined by Vivienne and Cosette.

"I'm worried," said Adelaide, her face turned to Beatrice and then to Tiara.

Tiara set her half eaten sandwich on her lap and reached out to lay her arm over Adelaide's shoulders. As Adelaide was leaning into Tiara's embrace, Beatrice touched a hand to Adelaide's arm.

"Me too," said Beatrice.

As Tiara nodded, someone else was leaning over the back of the sofa with an armload of blankets. Tiara accepted one, handing it off to Cosette and Vivienne before taking another for herself and Adelaide. Beatrice wrapped a blanket around herself and pulled it up over her head like a hood.

"Going to sleep?" asked Adelaide.

Beatrice shook her head. "Just keeping warm."

"Come down here with us," said Tiara.

Adelaide nodded, and Beatrice slid down from the sofa to sit cross-legged on the floor. Beside them, Cosette and Vivienne were already sprawled out horizontally, with Cosette curled up and Vivienne wrapped around behind her. They had their shared blanket pulled up to their necks.

On other parts of the floor, pairs of women were doing the same. No one said a word.

* * *

Several hours later

Adelaide opened her eyes just a bit, turned her head toward the orange glow of the sodium vapor lamps still coming through the window, before squeezing them shut again. Beside her Tiara stirred briefly. Adelaide reached out with her hand.

After feeling around with her eyes closed, Adelaide popped her head up again. This time she looked the other direction, toward the entryway. There she settled her gaze on a solitary figure with a blanket wrapped around herself and pulled up over her head like a hood.

"Friend Beatrice," whispered Adelaide, "where are you going?"

After getting no answer, Adelaide smacked her own forehead with the flat of her palm and stood up. She walked over to stand beside Beatrice and looked to her face. "Friend Beatrice," said Adelaide. "Is everything alright?"

"I thought I saw something outside. Something moving."

"I didn't hear anything," said Adelaide.

Beatrice shrugged. "Just a shadow, perhaps."