Chapter Fifteen
Lisa looks from the open box, to Grim, then back again. He asked her to join him, selected her coverings, and then led her to the warriors practice area. An area empty expect for her, Grim, Alger and Agee. It had made her curious but this...
"It's a knife." She says looking at him confused.
"It is called the Raptor's Claw." Grim corrects her.
"It has a name?" Grim nods, watching as she slowly reaches out to touch it.
"I am the Raptor, this is my Claw. It is only given to the Raptor's true mate. So she will have his protection when he is not there." Grim watches her with solemn eyes. "It has not been given in over five hundred years."
Lisa looks up at him with startled eyes that soften as she realizes what he is telling her, what he is offering. Carefully she grips the jeweled hilt of the blade, feeling it instantly warm and watches in amazement as 'claws' appear, enclosing her hand in safety.
Agee and Alger look on in awe as the Queen pulls the Claw from its home, sunlight glinting off its blade. The Raptor's Claw...it is a thing of legend.
"Alright show me what I need to know." For the next several hours Grim, Alger and Agee show her how to handle the claw. Wh1ere to strike to do the most damage if she is attacked. She even manages to surprise them when she does some defensive moves.
"I took classes years ago, Mark insisted on them. I only recently started practicing them again." She looks to Grim and he realizes it was because of Peter.
“We will practice for one hour each day until you are comfortable with the Claw in your hand.”
“Alright.” Moving to Grim, she takes the sheath from him. Slipping the blade inside, the protective claws retracts.
“That is so cool.” She looks from the Claw, to Grim, smiling.
“Thank you.” Reaching up she captures his lips in a long kiss, uncaring who sees.
“You are dangerous my Lisa.” Grim mummers against her lips, forcing himself not to continue.
“I think I like to be…with you.” She teases.
“My Queen.” Montfort calls from across the practice area.
“Yes Montfort? What is it?” She turns looking at him.
“Padma is here, majesty.”
“Oh my coverings!” The males all smile as she’s nearly jumping up and down with excitement.
“Are we done here?” She looks back to Grim.
“For today yes.” A smile breaks across his face.
“Go see to your coverings and I’ll see you at last meal.”
Looking around the hall Lisa has to hide her amusement at the panicked look on the faces of Luanda's males. She convinced Grim that they needed to have last meal in the great hall. He'd argued it would make the males uncomfortable. She'd argued that they'd have to get over it if they wanted to attract an Earth female. So here they are, sitting at a raised table, facing a roomful of males, who are trying to figure out what to do.
"Sit!" Grim orders giving, Lisa an exasperated look at the crescendo of sound as they all try to sit at once, making Carly and Miki giggle. Servers quickly enter, carrying platters laden with food to the tables, yet no male moves to fill his plate. They all look to Grim for guidance.
"For the Goddess' sake eat!" He all but roars but instead of them diving into their food as Lisa expects. They one by one, slowly fill their plates, and quietly eat.
"This can't be how it usually is." Lisa leans over, whispering to Grim.
"No, it is not, it is usually very loud." Grim raises his voice for all to hear. Lisa looks to the girls who are watching the males with rampant curiosity.
"Girls...you need to eat if you want to help later." The prompting is all it takes. It also seems to relax the males, for they start quietly talking amongst themselves. Soon the hall is filled with voices and laughter.
When the meal ends Grim stands, silence falls as all eyes turn to him. "As you all know tomorrow the Searcher will arrive with an Imperial escort so that I, Queen Lisa and our girls can travel to Tornian for the Joining Ceremony." A discontented rumble starts in the hall quieting only at Grim's fierce frown.
"This is the order of your Emperor and it will be followed!" He orders. "Once the ceremony is complete, we shall return to Luda." This brings a roar of approval and every male stands, bringing tears to Lisa's eyes at their support.
"Now," Grim waits until they quiet before continuing. "It is the request of your Queen that the following warriors step forward.” Behind him, he hears Lisa and the girls moving to stand beside him. The hall becomes silent as Lisa hands something to Grim then leans down to whisper in Carly's ear.
"Warrior Ion." Carly announces proudly.
Ion, startled, slowly stands and walks towards the Royal family.
"Warrior Ion, you have been chosen to be a member of the Queen's Elite Guard. An honor you more than earned with the bravery and honor you displayed in defending her and our girls only a short time ago. As such, it is to be your honor to be the first to wear the symbol of the Queen of Luda." Reaching out Grim fastens Gahan's 'court' medallion on his chest, a chest that seems to expand when it is placed.
"Lean down Ion, you’re too tall." Carly tells him, when he does she places a kiss on his cheek then smiling returns to her mother's side. It takes a moment for Ion to straighten, when he does, he looks into his King's eyes, seeing he understands.
"Thank you Ion." Lisa says softly, just for him. Ion wants to reply but finds he can't, instead he brings himself to his full height, placing his arm across his chest, touching the newly placed medallion and gives her a deep formal bow.
"My life for yours." He pledges then steps to the side.
Miki steps up next. "Warrior Nairn." She announces and the procedure is repeated until the entire Elite Guard, King and Queen’s is done, all save one.
“Captain Alger.” Miki announces and Grim’s Captain walks forward to accept the new symbol of the King of Luda.
"Captain Alger, you are the Captain of the King’s Elite Guard, you have shown bravery, honor, and loyalty to your King that is unrivaled, and I am honored to call you my friend.” Grim nods to him, showing all, his respect for this man. "As such you have the honor of wearing the new symbol of the King of Luda." Reaching out Grim removes Alger’s old medallion replacing it with the new one.
“Thank you my friend.”
“Yes Alger, thank you for protecting the male I love.” Lisa says quietly, for his ears alone. With a nod to the Queen, he looks to Miki and leans down.
“I still think you’re pretty.” Miki tells him, loud enough for all to hear before kissing his cheek. This time the chuckles don’t embarrass him, he considers it a great gift and takes the liberty of replying.
“Thank you Princess Miki.” Winking at her he stands to place his arm across his chest and giving a deep bow pledges.
"My life for any of yours.”
The hall erupts as the King pulls his Queen into his arms and kisses her for all to see.
It is an entirely different feeling the next morning in the hall, as Captain Veron and his contingency approach King Grim and the female standing behind him, her head bowed.
“King Grim, I am here to escort you, the Earth female, and her two offspring to Tornian, for the Joining Ceremony.” The rumble of displeasure that fills the hall has Veron’s hand moving to his sword.
“I have received the Emperor’s orders Captain Veron, as we speak the things my females requires are enroute to the Raptor.” Grim knows Lisa didn't want to be separated from the girls but they couldn’t trust that they wouldn’t give them away. The entire Queen’s Guard is with them.
“We will join them on the Raptor and proceed to Tornian.” Grim turns to Lisa, only to be stopped, when a yellow male steps in front of Veron.
“That is not what the Assembly ordered King Grim.” The male informs him in a smug voice.
“The female and her offspring are to travel on the Searcher. You may either accompany them or follow on the Raptor.”
“That is not…” Grim starts, only to be cut off by a high pitched, plaintive wail.
“Nnnnooooo….” Lisa screeches, causing ever male in the room to flinch.
“I won’t go on that ship! I won’t!” She starts to sob, great gulping sobs, her eyes filling.
“You will be safe…” Veron glares at the other male, who is trying to be heard over the sobs, but they only grow.
“Nnnnooooo….” Lisa drops to her knees.
“It’s not safe there…I was attacked there…attacked in a secured room…I’ll be attacked again…I will die if I get back on that ship…” Wailing even louder she turns away, but not before she sees Alger gripping his sword, extremely pale. Giving him a wink, she covers her face with her hands and sobs.
Shocked, Alger has to call on all his warrior control not to laugh at the performance his Queen is giving. For that’s exactly what it is, a performance. She is perfectly imitating a Tornian female. Looking to the other warriors of the King’s Elite Guard he sees they are just as concerned as he was moments before, catching first one eye then another he subtly orders them to remain where they stand.
“I…” Veron looks at Lisa, totally lost as to what to do. This is not the same female he encountered before.
“See what you have done!” Grim glares at the yellow male.
“You have upset her! Do you know how long it took to convince her to go and now…she will not stop until she gets her way…she will become ill and the Joining Ceremony will be delayed even longer.”
“She will calm if she is on the Raptor?” Veron looks at her questioningly.
“It is what I prepared her for, what she expects, you know how females are. You can’t surprise them and expect them to cope.”
“The Assembly has demanded assurances that she is enroute.” Grim growls at the yellow male, obviously not happy, but finally nods.
“You may travel with us on the Raptor." He points to Veron. "Only you, you will verify for the Emperor and the Assembly that not only has she boarded the Raptor but so have her female offspring and that we are enroute to Tornian.”
“I will need to notify the Emperor of this change.” Veron says nodding his agreement.
“Then do it! Last time she was this agitated she secluded herself for a week!”
“A week!” Veron can’t hide his shock.
“You have no idea what it is like to have an Earth female.” Grim tells him in his gruffest voice.
“They can be most…irritating.”
Lisa barley stops herself from standing up and slugging Grim. Irritating…she’d show him irritating…
“I will notify him once we are on the Raptor. I’m sure he will understand after joining with one himself.”
“Captain Alger…” Peaking over her shoulder, Lisa sees the yellow male at Veron's side speaking again.
“This is not what the Assembly ordered.”
“I don’t take my orders from the Assembly, Kiril. The Emperor ordered me to get this female to Tornian, unharmed, in any way I see fit.”
“We have a healer. She can be relaxed so that she doesn’t even know where she is.” Kiril offers. Lisa’s wails almost shatter the windows.
“No!” Veron finally has to cover his ears.
“King Grim, let us get the female on the Raptor so she can calm.” With a vicious nod, Grim turns and scoops her up into his arms. Her wailing doesn’t reduce until he presses her face into his shoulder, much to the relief of all.
Lisa is no longer sure she’s faking that she'll make herself sick. The incessant wailing, coupled with the bumpy shuttle ride, has upset her stomach, giving her a pounding headache. Who would have thought being such a wimpy female could be so tiring.
“Grim.” She whispers in his ear.
“How much longer?”
Grim glances down sharply at her, she’s been magnificent, acting the part of the weak, frail female but now he sees her skin is truly pale and her eyes are beginning to bruise.
“Alger!” Turning his head, he shouts.
“Yes my King.” Alger immediately leaves his seat at the King’s summons.
“Have Hadar sent to our Chamber.” Alger looks from him, to the Queen in his arms, nodding.
“It will be done.”
“Who is Hadar?” Kiril demands.
“He is my Healer." Grim informs him impatiently. "She demanded he be brought along to tend to her.”
“There is one on the Searcher.” Lisa’s wails build again.
“Silence!” Grim orders the male, pulling her closer.
“She will have what she wants or you will explain to the Assembly why she is unable to attend the Ceremony.” When the male pales, Grim knows he will back off.
“Just a little longer my love.” Grim promises in her hair.
Once on board the Raptor, Grim immediately carries Lisa to their rooms, laying her down carefully on their bed. Seeing her look behind him, he turns to find Veron and Kiril have followed.
"Get out!" He roars at them. His Lisa is ill and he won't tolerate them looking at her. The males immediately retreat to the corridor.
"Hadar is on his way my Lisa." He whispers, his eyes full of worry.
"I'll be fine." She gives him a weak smile. "Go, the sooner it's done the sooner you can come back to me." Nodding he goes to deal with Veron and Kiril.
"The young females are next door" He gestures to the door with two Guards posted. "You may check them then you will leave.” Grim orders looking to Kiril.
“I must stay also!” Kiril demands.
“You will not remain on my ship!" Grim growls, taking a threatening step towards the yellow male. "You have upset my female.”
"Do as he says Kiril." Veron orders realizing Grim is truly upset. "Verify that the young ones are next door. I will stay here, making sure the female doesn't leave. Return to the Unical and personally seal the hatch. Remain there until we depart, verifying that no one was removed. Once you are on the Searcher contact me and I will verify that the females are still on board."
“This is not what the Assembly ordered.” Kiril argues, upset that he will not be traveling with the females, he'd been ordered to separate them from Grim.
“It is what they are getting.” Veron tells him.
“You report to the Assembly not me. The Emperor will be satisfied as long as the female arrives unharmed.”
Veron watches Kiril scurry off, like the little rodent he is. Turning to speak to Grim finds he's alone in the corridor. Frowning, Veron looks to the closed doors, this female…she is not as she was…is Grim sure, he wants to keep her?
“Out of my way!” Veron is shocked when a wirily green male shoves him aside, buzzing the King’s Chambers. After a few seconds, the door opens to a very pale Grim.
“She’s in the resting chamber Harder. Help her.” Nodding the male hurries past.
“Grim.” Veron tries to stop him but finds he’s alone again.
“I will be fine.” Lisa tries to reassure both males at her side.
“That thing about your females crying until they make themselves sick…apparently it’s true. I've never done it before but then I put on one hell of a show.”
“That you did my Lisa. My ears are still ringing.” Grim tells her.
“You're lucky that’s all that’s ringing, especially after that ‘they can be irritating’ comment. I’ll show your ‘irritating’." She smiles at him.
“My Goddess Lisa, you are a blessing.” He leans down kissing her forehead.
“Would you check on the girls for me?” Lisa asks, her eyes pleading.
“I know their safe but they’re going to wonder, especially with the engines warming up like they are.”
“I will see to them. Hadar…” Grim looks to the Healer making sure he understands.
“I will stay with the Queen until you return sire.” After one more quick kiss, Grim nods to Hadar and leaves.
Grim is no more out the door before Lisa is up and running to the cleansing room, barely making the stool before everything in her stomach coming up.
“My Queen!” Immediately Hadar is at her side, pulling her hair back.
“What can I do?”
“Wash cloth. Wet.” She mutters, when she can finally speak.” Quickly doing as she asks, he hands her the cloth, watching closely as she first wipes her face then mouth. When she tries to stand, he is there to support her.
“Bed.” Once she comfortable he pulls out his scanner.
“Is it...” Hadar asks holding up the scanner and Lisa nods her permission for him to scan her. It’s only when she opens her eyes, several minutes later, that she realizes he is still scanning her stomach.
“What are you doing?”
“The scan…” His eyes stay glued to the screen.
“What about it? Is there something wrong with my baby?” When he doesn’t answer, she grabs his shirt.
“Hadar!” She demands.
“It is female.” His eyes fill with tears as he looks at her. "You are carrying the King’s female.”
“You’re sure?” Lisa grabs the scanner from his hand, trying to understand what she’s seeing.
“Very. There is no little…” He wiggles his smallest finger.
“A girl.” She whispers.
“Female.” Hadar corrects.
“Is this why you became sick? Does carrying a female make you ill?”
“No. It can happen with either. I think I got sick because...one, the recent stress...two, sobbing and wailing can really upset the stomach...and three the bumpy shuttle ride. All those things combined made me sick.”
“The King will not be happy…that you were sick.” Hadar informs her.
“Don’t tell him.” She says closing her eyes.
“I cannot…”
“Hadar, I know your only concern is for me and Grim but there is more at stake here than just us." She looks at him with serious eyes. "Is the baby at risk?”
“I wouldn’t…”
“Do any of your readings indicate she is stressed?” Lisa demands.
“No my Queen.”
“Then I need you to trust me Hadar, what happens in the next four days could change the universe. Change the world this baby is born into, but for her, right now, waiting will do her no harm.”
“I will scan you daily.” He demands.
“Agreed.”
“And you will rest.” He orders.
“I will do my best Hadar.” He opens his mouth to speak but she stops him.
“Just think of the power you will have once Grim finds out…You’ll only have to suggest something and he’ll probably listen…revenge can be very sweet Hadar.”
“Yes...” His smile has her worried.
Veron stands in Grim’s ready room waiting for him to speak. In the last few hours he’s contacted the Emperor, informing him of the change in plans, through the 'official' channels so that all listening would believe it was a last minute decision, his. He'd also been able to speak with Alger about the time proceeding King Rask's death and while the Captain told him what he knew, he'd been curt, seeming upset by female's reaction in the Great Hall, which greatly surprised him since Alger would not interact with her.
Grim looks at Wray's Captain, a trusted friend of both males, but right now he isn't happy with him. His Lisa has suffered because of him, because of the plot he'd come up with.
"There was no reason for it to go on so long Captain." The use of his title tells Veron Grim's seriously upset with him, again he is surprised. He knew Grim had always wanted offspring but to have to deal with a female like that...
"Kiril needed to be convinced this was a last minute decision Majesty. Mine. So he can convince those in the Assembly."
"She became ill." Grim growls at him.
"I am sorry sire." Veron picks his next words carefully. "She is more...fragile...then I expected after our previous meeting."
"Fragile?" Grim's lips quirk at the word.
"Yes sire, had I realized, I would have suggested different measures taken." Grim stares at Veron for a moment than stands.
"Follow me." He orders then walks out of the room, knowing Veron will. In the corridors, warriors nod to Grim and glare at Veron. Realizing they are heading to the exercise room Veron wonders why then frowns when he hears laughter, female laughter. Grim enters the room but Veron freezes in the doorway, stunned at what he’s seeing.
The female Lisa and her two offspring are twisted together on the exercise mats, apparently playing some type of game that has them laughing uncontrollably. Six males stand around the room watching in amusement.
"What are you doing now?" Grim asks, walking over to them.
"Well it's supposed to be a game called Twister." Lisa says falling on her butt laughing. Flinging her hair out of her face, she tries to untangle her legs from the girls. "But it's a little hard to play with no dots and no spinner so it just kind of became a free for all." Smiling at Grim she holds out her hands, taking them, he pulls her into his arms, kissing her smiling lips.
Veron can't keep the shock off his face, this is not the same wailing, sobbing female Grim carried onto the Raptor. This one is radiant...she is...what is it she and Grim are doing?
"It's called kissing." Veron turns his head sharply to find a male, obviously a guard, speaking to him.
"Kissing..." His eyes involuntarily return to the couple that has now separated.
"Yes, they do it quite often, seeming to derive great pleasure from it."
Grim looks down at Lisa, glad to see that not only has her color returned but so has her happiness. Looking to the door, he sees Veron standing next to Agee, a stunned look on his face.
"Veron." He summons and Veron slowly walks towards them.
"Lisa this is Veron, you've met before but not been introduced. He serves Wray as a Captain and is a trusted friend."
"Hello Captain." Lisa responds coolly, causing Grim to look at her sharply. He suddenly realizes his Lisa has not forgiven Veron for refusing to return to Earth, for telling her she’d forget her offspring. It will take time for her to trust him as Grim does but he is confident that in time she will.
“And these are our daughters.” Grim uses the Earth word he’s found he likes.
“Carly and Miki.” He puts a hand on each of their shoulder indicating which is which for Veron.
“Hi!” They chorus before looking up at Grim adoringly.
“Can we go play on that bouncy thing? Mommy said we had to ask you. So can we?” Miki’s eyes plead with him.
Grim looks to the piece of equipment they are talking about, it is a stretched piece of material that is very elastic. Warriors train on it to learn how to control their balance. It can be difficult to master.
“You may try, one at a time, if Kirk tells you to stop you will.” Grim stares down firmly at his daughters.
“Yes Grim!” They are off and Veron watches in amazement as all six guards frantically run to keep up with them.
“They will be alright?” Lisa’s concerned eyes follow them.
“Yes, they don’t weigh enough for the trampo to become dangerous.” Nodding Lisa turns her attention back to Veron.
Veron, following the entire conversation, is completely at a loss. The females are interacting with Grim. They are…he isn’t sure what they are…baffling…unique…wanted…he is amazed to discover he wants one…he who has never wanted offspring finds that he does, if they are like these.
Grim watches Veron’s eyes follow his daughters and understands what the other male is thinking and feeling. Tornian males don’t have this kind of contact with their offspring, especially female offspring.
“Veron…” Grim draws his attention from the girls.
“They are so different…” He trails off.
“Yes. So is their mother, my Queen.” Veron looks to Lisa, finding her regard even cooler than before.
“Lisa.” Grim prompts.
“Don’t Grim.” She gives him an angry look.
“He would have left them unprotected. He thought I would forget them!” Lisa’s voice rises before she forces herself to lower it so the girls won’t hear.
“Nothing could ever make me forget my children Captain Veron.” The softness of her voice in no way has Veron doubting her rage. This is the female that stood up to him, Luuken and Grim. “And when Grim and I have offspring a male child will be just as loved, just as important as a female.”
“I…my apologizes…” Veron can’t hide his shock and replies without asking Grim’s permission, his eyes fly to him.
“It is fine Veron. My Lisa speaks to whomever she wishes. It is common for them to speak to males.” He finds he's has to swallow hard at the thought of her loving a male offspring as much as a female.
“Truth?” Veron can’t stop his eyes from widening.
“Truth.”
“Really! You two act as if I’ve reinvented the wheel.” Lisa turns away from them in exasperation and walks over to watch the girls play.
“Is she truly like this Grim?” Veron waits until she's moved away to ask.
“Yes. She truly cares about our offspring more than herself. She led Luuken’s warriors away to protect them, knowingly risking herself.” Grim frowns deeply at the memory.
“I need to speak with him Grim, with Luuken.” Veron forces himself to stop watching the females. "He will have the information we need."
“He is being held below, along with Korin but you need to be aware that I have not allowed him to be healed.” Veron nods his understanding, it is actually more lenient, and then Veron had expected.
“I have no problem with that. He deserves much worse.”
“Agreed but you will need him if we are to proceed against his father.”
“Yes. It is a unique idea. I've made some inquiries and need to discuss it further with you.”
“Then we need Lisa, for she made the connections, not me.”
Veron looks at Grim in shock.
Lisa silently watches Veron as she finishes explaining how she reached her conclusion that Bertos and Risa were attempting to take over the Empire, by killing off House Vasteri. His disbelief is easily seen.
"What evidence do you have?" He demands.
"None. Just intuition and what Luuken has said. The only way he can become King of Luda is if his father is Emperor, therefore Bertos must be working to attain it. He's been the driving force behind getting Grim declared unfit. He was also, according to Grim, the most vocal in getting the other Lords to agree to send the Searcher to Earth, stating that all males deserved the chance of offspring. If he's promising females for support and delivers, he'll have the support he needs to be declared King of Luda, one-step away from the Emperor. If something should then happen to the two remaining Vasteri males..."
"But that doesn't link Risa." Veron argues.
"Oh please..." Lisa gives him a thoroughly disgusted look, that they don't realize that women and be just as conniving, just as deadly as any male is ridiculous. "Risa's father was killed with King Rask. On the way to meet Risa, Grim was attacked and nearly killed. Risa was with Empress Adana when she consumed the skua berry."
"It was on her plate also." Veron disputes.
"A smoke screen, drawing attention away from what she’d done." Lisa waves her hands dismissively. "She stayed in Torino only until Wray declared he would not take another Empress, she then chose a male."
"But not Bertos." Veron fires back, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Why doesn't this female understand?
"Because she was pissed! Bertos failed her by not killing Grim. Your females don't tolerate disappointment Veron. It took her years to forgive him, during which not one member of House Vasteri died. Yet within a year of her joining with Bertos, Van is dead, killed in Bertos' own region. How can you not see the connections?" She angrily demands, standing with her hands on her hips.
"Because you have no proof!" Veron finds he's also standing, yelling back at her, Grim leans back in his chair smiling. Veron is going to be very upset when he realizes what he's doing. Arguing with a female.
"Luuken is your proof!” Lisa yells right back at him, totally not intimidated by the Captain.
“With what he attempted to do to me, to Grim, that's your proof!"
"Grim..." Veron looks to him. "You have no proof that can be brought in front of the Assembly and without it..."
"Then we'd better find it Veron." Grim says, the smile leaving his face. "Before House Vasteri is no more."