Royal diplomacy diplomat.., p.22
Royal Diplomacy (Diplomat’s Apprentice Book 6), page 22
“Helping to overturn a coup, Your Majesty. We thought if you saw me, you would feel more comfortable. Many of the rest of our royalists are unknown to you.”
“How is this going to work?” Arabella frowned.
“Ma’am, we’re getting you to the port. You have a huge and enthusiastic following there, especially after Campos ordered the palace guard to fire on their demonstration several days ago,” Veraz replied. “We have arranged for you to broadcast from there, using the planetary emergency system.”
“You think this will work?”
“I think some of the best political minds in this room agree it’s your best chance of defeating Campos.” Veraz glanced at the diplomats and Anwyn, who did her best to ignore him.
Shir-ella entered the room, wearing winter combat gear. “I don’t know what you did with Campos, but he’s gotten some of the palace security organized. We need to move now!”
They fled through the door into the teeth of the worst snow and wind Anwyn had seen so far. A gust nearly blew her over as she ran toward a trio of ground cars waiting close to the door. She stood with the rest of the team, ensuring the royal family, diplomats, and other noncombatants like Sofia and Victor were in the first and middle cars.
“We’re rear guard?” she asked Shir-ella.
“Right. In this weather, I hope we’re not needed.”
“We’ll pick up a military escort shortly,” Veraz told them. “It’s being organized as we speak. We originally planned this escape for a little later in the evening.”
“I didn’t expect Campos to recognize me,” Anwyn apologized as everyone crowded into the vehicles. It was warmer inside and roomy enough that Veraz could hand her additional weaponry without the risk of hitting anyone. She carefully checked her weapons and turned to look behind them.
“Has Shan landed?”
“Shan, four ships from his fleet, and the Rand’s Crossing.” Veraz grinned.
“Wonderful! How did he manage that?” she asked.
Veraz didn’t have time to respond as their car came under fire. The vehicle slewed sideways as something hit it, but there seemed to be little or no damage.
“That’s snow as much as enemy fire,” the driver told them. She was dressed in military uniform and gave them a cocky grin. Anwyn had learned the Estancian military took very few women, so she guessed their driver had to be highly qualified.
“Check this out,” Shir-ella added as a portion of the roof slid back, allowing Rehan to stand and fire a short-range hand-held missile at their pursuers. The lead vehicle chasing them almost avoided the shot but slid sideways and crashed into the side of a building.
“They’re out of the action,” Rehan announced in satisfaction.
The first car had disappeared into the swirling, windblown snow. The second car slowed and skidded halfway across the road.
“It looks like that car is damaged,” Mark commented.
“Driver, slow down. The queen is in that car. We need to ensure they can make it to the port,” Veraz ordered.
As their driver slowed, Rehan fired at a second pursuer. This time, his direct hit created a spectacular explosion despite it being partially obscured by the blizzard. They stopped beside the other car.
Drew’s father was already outside the vehicle, checking for damage. “I think this one has exhausted its usefulness,” he commented as both drivers inspected the car.
“Switch cars then,” Mark suggested. “Get the queen and everyone from this car into ours and make it to the port. We can either get this one running again or follow on foot.”
Anwyn shuddered at the thought of covering that distance in the heavy snow, but it made sense. They could still operate as a rear guard. It was vital for the queen to reach the port safely.
The queen, Angharad, Glynnis, and Oriel moved toward the team’s car. Drew’s father remained outside. “Give me a gun. I can help.”
“You’re still injured,” Angharad protested, glancing at his splinted arm in its makeshift sling Glynnis had made for him.
He looked annoyed. “I’m fine!” he growled.
Doesn’t that sound like Drew, Anwyn mentally grumbled upon seeing the familiar stubborn look.
Her mother shrugged and handed him the stunner she had taken from a guard. “Be careful. The League doesn’t have enough diplomats that we can afford to lose any through foolish grandstanding.”
“Veraz, one of us should go with them,” Shir-ella suggested as the queen slid into the waiting vehicle. “You’re the one who’s worked with the royalists the most.”
He shook his head. “If you’re trying to keep me out of the fight...”
“There could be as much of a fight if any of Campos’ units make it to the port before that car does.” She shoved him into the car, leaned in, and kissed him before shutting the door.
The remaining team members stood in the snow as the car carrying the queen vanished into the near white-out conditions.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Anwyn took a few steps and realized she was shin-deep in the snow. “That underground melting system must have quit,” she complained.
“I don’t think it can keep up with this much snow,” Shir-ella replied.
Mark prompted, “Speaking of keeping up, we need to get moving.”
“Incoming!” Rehan shouted as another car came out of the snow toward them.
He took a shot at the oncoming vehicle but only hit it enough to stop it. Several uniformed men boiled out of the car. The first one spotted them through the storm and fired. Like Rehan’s shot, this one missed. Anwyn realized the wind and poor visibility messed with everyone’s aim.
All five fired at the oncoming men. Their uniforms weren’t recognizable in the blowing snow. She assumed they were the members of palace security who had joined the coup. They could as easily have been a military unit that turned against the queen. Another car stopped behind the first, and more people got out.
“Leapfrog,” Shir-ella called, pitching her voice to be heard over the wind. Anwyn had learned this one. It meant that a few people rushed ahead, got to a secure position, and provided cover for the others. “Anwyn, Carpenter, Mark, you go first.”
Anwyn didn’t need to be told twice. She took off at more of a slog than a run through snow that grew deeper by the minute. She found a low wall about half a block ahead, ducked behind it, and glanced at the other two. They had located cover beside each other.
“Shir-ella, go!” Mark called through their link.
Shir-ella and Rehan pelted down the street. Their height made it easier for them to run in the snow, Rehan more than Shir-ella. Shots followed them, but again, the poor visibility hurt accuracy. Only one shot was even a near miss. They continued running. Mark, Drew’s father, and Anwyn were now the rear guard.
They managed one more block this way. The shots got closer. Anwyn worried that if one of them was hit, it might be impossible to carry a wounded team member in this weather while trying to escape. An energy blast melted the snow a foot to her left, and she felt the heat through the cold wind and her winter gear.
Shir-ella cried out and stumbled.
“Shir-ella!” Anwyn dodged across the street to her friend. She reached out to offer support.
“I’m okay. It hit my boot.”
Anwyn noticed the other woman was limping. She wondered if they were going to make it. A flyer approached ahead of them, its engine straining in the gale. Someone from the port to help?
The military flyer that blocked the way ahead had Estancian markings. It hovered only a few feet off the ground, pinning them in the glare of its searchlight. Mark was in the lead with Drew’s father and Anwyn not far behind.
“Stop where you are, or we fire!”
That was Campos’ voice. The man had somehow managed to escape, get a flyer airborne in this weather, and circled to head them off. Anwyn dropped to one knee and prepared to take a shot. Some of his supporters must have freed him.
Drew’s father dropped flat with a grunt of pain, still attempting to aim his borrowed weapon at the flyer. Mark had found cover on one side of the road.
“Surrender now,” Campos called from the flyer’s comm system.
“Veraz, is the queen safe?” That was Shir-ella on their link close behind them. She opened the link to the entire team.
“Yes. She’s about to address the people of Estancia.”
“Good.” As the nominal second-in-command, Shir-ella made the decision. “Scatter!” she called to the rest of the team.
Anwyn dove to her left. A shot hit the paving where she had knelt. All of the others dodged incoming fire as well. She didn’t think they had a good chance to get out of this. She heard a shout and a thud as Drew’s father fell behind her. She turned to go back for him.
The flyer landed, and five men in heavy combat armor strode out. Campos stood in the door behind them.
“Surrender, or we’ll fire!” Campos shouted, the sound nearly lost in the howling wind.
Anwyn glanced around. Drew’s father was down. A dark stain in the snow indicated blood from his wounded leg. She also worried about his arm.
She couldn’t see Mark or Shir-ella and hoped that meant they were under cover. Rehan stood facing the armored security men. He should still have a few small missiles, but he was likely to be killed before he took out more than one or two men.
She pulled the sword from her belt, scabbard and all. “Campos! I have something of yours!” She had to shout to be heard above the gale.
“Get her!” Campos shouted. “But don’t damage the sword!”
Anwyn would have laughed if she wasn’t busy trying to figure out how to avoid three heavily armed and armored men. She pulled the sword from its scabbard.
“If they shoot, your precious heirloom sword is likely to be damaged,” she warned. She was realistic enough to know she didn’t have many options left.
Gunfire erupted from across the road. That would be Mark and Shir-ella taking advantage of Campos’ focus on Anwyn. Where had Rehan disappeared to?
The answer came as a shot from his heavy weapon that took out two of the enemy standing too close together. Anwyn threw herself flat. The sword landed beside her, sinking into the snow cover.
Campos retreated into the flyer, followed by the three remaining men. The flyer rose and pivoted to bring its weapons to bear on where Rehan had hidden.
“I’m on my way!”
That was Drew’s voice. The sound of another flyer coming down the road from the palace and heading toward Campos’ vehicle reached her. A second one followed close. She saw the bright lights of the first flyer. It was much higher than the one Campos was in. It wobbled in the high wind but got an accurate shot at the car behind the team. The blast shook the road, and the car went up in a ball of flame.
The flyer passed overhead, taking one shot at Campos’ flyer. It didn’t take down the enemy, but Anwyn saw a burn mark scored across the hull. Drew spun his flyer. A blast of wind hit it, and one of its vanes nearly clipped a building. Campos’ flyer lifted higher.
“Juan Campos, I’ve owed you for a while,” Drew shouted over the flyer’s comm unit. He managed to be heard over the storm’s noise. The second flyer concentrated on additional enemies behind the destroyed car. Drew brought his flyer lower and finally hovered between Campos’ vehicle and the team members standing in the snow.
“Land your flyer and get out,” Drew called over the comm.
Instead, Campos’ flyer lifted higher, aiming at Drew. Anwyn held her breath. If the two flyers crashed, it could kill everyone on both. The one Campos flew was larger, designed to carry several people. Drew’s flyer was much smaller but no less deadly. As Campos approached Drew, the latter almost floated over the approaching enemy, pivoted, and flew sideways with one wing nearly touching the ground.
He got off one perfect shot. Campos’ flyer exploded over Anwyn’s head. She ducked to avoid falling debris. Then she grabbed Drew’s father and dragged him away from a large, flaming piece of the destroyed flyer that nearly landed on them.
Mark and Rehan found her there a few minutes later, working to get a coagulant-promoting bandage on Carpenter’s leg. Rehan checked the man’s arm and helped him to his feet as Drew braved the wind to pivot for a landing. The flyer touched down, and Drew got out. He rushed through the snow, avoiding bits of the destroyed flyer. Anwyn noticed that he limped.
The second flyer approached and landed beside Drew’s. Anwyn hadn’t known who to expect but wasn’t surprised when Shan dropped to the street and headed toward them at as close to a run as the snow would allow.
Drew reached them first and stopped. His father stood with all his weight on one leg, one arm immobilized, and Rehan supporting him. Neither man knew what to say. Shir-ella reached them and glanced back and forth between Drew and his father.
The older man broke the silence. “I’m sorry.”
Drew nodded. More than ever, Anwyn wished the usually reticent man would say something and open up to this man who cared for him.
“Thank you for saving us,” his father added.
“I can’t be Eleanor.” Drew shook his head.
The other man’s voice was low. “I know. I should never have asked that of you.”
Anwyn saw and heard the pain both men felt. This wasn’t a rift they could heal in one night. Much like her relationship with Angharad, it would take time. She could also tell how much both men cared for each other. Maybe reconciliation of sorts was possible. If that was true for Drew and his father, perhaps it was possible for herself and Angharad.
Shan arrived at that point. “I’ve owed these Estancians for a while.” He pointed at the damaged and destroyed cars littering the streets. “That was for Maura.” Anwyn heard the catch in his usually controlled voice. Maura had meant more to the pirate than Anwyn had realized.
She extended one arm and pulled Shan into a hug. “I’m sorry.”
He hugged her tightly. Then he released her and glanced over her shoulder at Mark. He shook his head and smiled. “Take care of her.” He went to assist Rehan with carrying Drew’s father to one of the flyers.
Anwyn turned to see Mark with the oddest look on his face. He hugged her so tight that she wondered if she could breathe. Then he kissed her, and she temporarily forgot about breathing.
It took a while to get everyone loaded into the two flyers. Drew’s father flew with Shan since he had more space to stretch out his injured leg and not jostle his arm. Rehan and Mark were on the same flyer. Anwyn took a moment to search for the sword she had dropped in her final attempt to avoid being shot by Campos’ men. She and Shir-ella, the two smallest members of the group, ended up stuffed into the two-seater Drew was flying.
“What are you planning to do with that?” Drew pointed at the sword. “Keep it as a souvenir?”
“I thought I’d offer it to the queen.” Anwyn grinned.
“Good idea,” Shir-ella agreed.
It was rough getting to the port. Every time they reached a cross street, the wind tried to knock them out of the air. Drew kept the flyer close to the ground but pointed out that they couldn’t get too close or risk having a downdraft push them onto the street.
“We got rid of Campos. We don’t want to be taken out by this damned storm,” he muttered tensely, his focus on his flying.
The comm unit was on a broad frequency, so they heard the end of Arabella’s speech. She offered amnesty to anyone who hadn’t actively been involved in Campos’ coup. Despite the storm, she had members of James’ unit hunting down the co-conspirators. She would meet with various administration members that evening at the port. The next day she would open the palace for negotiations with various organizations about the future of Estancia.
Arabella praised the League diplomats who had been imprisoned with her. She mentioned Shan by name and spoke of the loyal subjects who supported her. She welcomed the diplomats to remain and engage in real negotiations but expressed understanding if they wished to leave. After all, their experience on Estancia so far had been anything but cordial.
“What do you think?” Anwyn asked Shir-ella as Drew circled the flyer for a landing inside Shan’s primary ship, the Hawkwing.
“I think she has a long and difficult road ahead. It won’t be easy to effect change on a planet as steeped in tradition as Estancia. Campos wasn’t the only prominent citizen who profited from their lands on Nuevo Havana.”
“I think she’s making a good start.” Anwyn awkwardly wriggled out of the tight quarters on the small flyer.
They moved aside as the other flyer landed. Shan got out first, then Mark and Rehan assisted Drew’s father. Shan must have called ahead because two medics were standing by with a float pallet. They rushed Drew’s father out of the hangar. Anwyn smiled as Drew followed the pallet.
A moment later, the brown and tan shape of Shan’s dire cat Cosmo dashed through the inner hatch and threw herself at Shan. Her long body stretched up so her paws were on his shoulders. Anwyn smiled as the pirate hugged Cosmo.
“We’re wanted in Shan’s conference room,” Mark told her.
“Couldn’t we get some rest first? I don’t think I’ve slept more than a few hours a night for the past week.”
“Maybe we can get back to the Rand’s Crossing sometime soon. Right now, the queen wants to see us. As does your mother.”
Anwyn’s heart sank. The last thing she needed at this point was a confrontation with Angharad.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Queen Arabella sat two seats to Angharad’s right with only the prince consort between them. Now I know why I tried to retire. Angharad mentally reviewed the past few weeks. Yet when she reflected on it, she thought she hadn’t felt this energized, this alive, in years. Maybe decades. Despite her exhaustion and the fear she had felt during portions of her captivity, she wondered if she had missed this more than she knew.
Then she thought about Anwyn. At some point, she stopped serving the League and her homeworld as a diplomat and instead pushed her daughter to take over her role. Yet in Mythri terms, Angharad wasn’t that old. She had a lot of active years ahead of her. Did she want to continue spending them meddling in the background of local politics? And feeling bitter that her daughter had made other choices?
