Chapter 21 #3
Her great head turns toward us. The movement unfolds slowly and without hurry. Entire sections of her massive body adjust as she changes position. She doesn't rush because nothing in this chamber can force her to rush. The Nest itself seems to pause with her.
I lower myself to one knee. Around the chamber, every other head lowers as well.
Only Nora remains standing.
The Queen studies her for a long time, crusty eyes small in her big head. I become aware of every heartbeat. Every pulse moving through the floor. Every eye in the chamber fixed on the same figure.
One of the Queen's antennae rises and a ripple moves through the room. A creaky cough emanates from her small mouth.
Royal Mate Morr'ak inclines his head and speaks at once.
"Chief Harrower Krix'vorr," he says. His voice is smooth enough to conceal the danger beneath it. "You stand before Her Majesty after an absence that inspired considerable discussion throughout the Nest."
His eyes move toward Nora again and linger there. "And you've brought something unexpected." Morr'ak's words hang in the chamber.
The Queen keeps looking at Nora. I've seen that look directed at conquered species, unusual beasts, and treasures brought back from distant Harvests.
She is measuring value. Determining whether something deserves her attention.
The difference is that those creatures usually arrived kneeling before her platform.
Nora remains standing. She isn't attempting defiance. She simply doesn't understand the rules. But I’m not sure the difference is obvious. I want to punch myself. I should have told her what’s expected, but that slimy Xal’threk misdirected my attention and now it’s too late.
Morr'ak folds his upper hands behind his back and studies her with open interest. "Her Majesty is eager to understand what she sees before her. For this is a surprise to her. And we know how much our Queen enjoys being surprised in her own chamber."
A ripple of amusement passes through the gathered courtiers. Antennae twitch. Several attendants glance toward me before quickly looking away again.
I know exactly where the amusement comes from: Queen Szum-zic hates surprises of every kind.
Except, of course, when pleasantly surprised by a young male favorite, relieving the endless predictability and boredom.
That’s partly why I never reported my discovery of Nora before she stands here now.
It either works in our favor or catastrophically to our disadvantage.
I rise. "I've brought Nora of Earth before our beloved Queen," I state the way I know the queen likes, loudly and boldly. Indeed boldness is possibly the only thing that can save us now.
The chamber reacts immediately. Several antennae rise. Others tilt toward Nora. Morr'ak notices every movement and takes his time before responding. "So she possesses a personal designation."
“As sentients do, Royal Mate Morr'ak,” I remind him coldly. "It would be difficult for her to function without one."
Morr’ak begins walking slowly along the edge of the platform. Every movement is measured. He isn't simply observing Nora. He's observing everyone else's reaction to Nora. "Tell me, Chief Harrower. Is this creature aware of where it stands?"
Nora looks at me. The movement draws attention from every corner of the chamber. She doesn't seek permission. She seeks understanding. That distinction means nothing to most of the individuals gathered here, yet I understand it immediately.
"She understands that she stands before the ruler of my Brood,” I state. “She’s quite intelligent.”
Morr'ak's eyes narrow. “A female? You brought a female alien into the royal presence? Entirely without warning?”
Across the platform, one of the Queen's immense antennae lifts and slowly curls.
The effect on the chamber is immediate. Conversations cease. Antennae lower. Even Morr'ak stops speaking and steps back into position. Every eye turns toward the platform.
The Queen's head lowers by a fraction. The movement is slow enough that it takes several seconds to complete. Entire coils of her vast body adjust to accommodate it. Nutrient tubes sway.
Servants scramble to reposition giant cushions. Nobody appears alarmed. They simply adapt, the same way small creatures adapt to weather.
Her gaze remains fixed on Nora. For several heartbeats, nothing happens.
The pulse of the Nest travels through the floor beneath my feet.
The sour smell hanging around the platform seems stronger than before.
I become aware of Nora beside me, of our joined hands, and of how many eyes keep returning to them.
Then the Queen speaks. The sound emerges from deep within her enormous body. It isn't loud, yet it fills the chamber completely. The voice is ancient. It carries the weight of centuries, of Harvests beyond counting, of decisions that reshaped entire worlds. "Approach."
Nobody moves as the Kast flower at Nora’s ear translates it into her own speech.
For a moment, uncertainty spreads through the chamber. The Queen hasn't specified who she's addressing. Several courtiers glance toward me. Others look toward Morr'ak.
Then one of the Queen's eyes turns in my direction. I understand immediately. She isn't speaking to me.
She's speaking to Nora.