The next day I'm up early and walking the hallways of the palace, trying to learn it's layout well. I see one of the maids carrying laundry inclining her head, as we pass by each other. I didn't feel friendliness in her gaze, but I suppose that might be understood since their friend was killed for trying to kill me. Well I won't let that bother me. But, you know I get a nagging feeling that something is going to happen.
I pull a small mirror, about the size of a bottle cap that I've used to see around corners during the war on Earth. I hold it up to my face until I can see my eye, then I move my hand so I can just see over my shoulder. That's when I see the maid creeping up behind me with a Kahdir in her hand! I twist just in time, as she misses. But, she's fast and quickly turns toward me aiming for my gut I block her attack by crossing my arms in an X formation then capturing her arm!
Quickly I put her into an arm bar Kicking her ribs causing this maid to collapse; I bring her arm into my chest pulling the upper and lower arm in different directions! I force her face first to the ground and twist my upper body into her arm even more. I hear her wince in pain. I grit my teeth. "Drop the knife or I will take your arm home with me I swear!"
She Doesn't scream, which implies a great deal of discipline and training. Though she understands that she has lost this round and releases the Kahdir. I push her away as I let her go drawing the Majah-tu pistol and she scowls at me. "You! You fight like an animal!"
I could care less what anyone thinks of the way I fight; the point is I'm alive. "It doesn't matter now since the victor keeps breathing." She looks angrily at me holding her arm. "Listen, we have a choice here ether we get along, or I turn you in to the Princess." she decides to call it a day. A wise choice on her part. "Also, tell your fellow staff members here to stop planning anymore attacks on my person." She sneers at me, but leaves the way she came.
I take in a deep breath letting it out quickly looking around just in case somebody is lying in wait, for me to let my guard down. I think it will be better to head back to the room, and keep this to myself for now. I get to our room entering quietly just as jahní sit up. "Where did you go?"
I smile. "Just took a walk around to get my bearings around this place."
She studies me for a bit, damn it she knows I'm lying. I don't want her to have to follow through on what she promised yesterday. There has been enough death here as it is and she will have to do as she says, or lose credibility, or maybe not. "Jahní... I was attacked by one of your maids." I see the anger flare in her face, so I put my hands up. "I'm ok, Please don't do anything."
Jahní stands up walking to me standing directly in front. "You don't want me to drive a wedge between my people and myself. This is why you don't want me to do anything?"
"Yeah, that's right." She has to make a decision wether to follow through on her promise, or not to. I won't stop her what ever choice she makes, this is her house after all.
She puts her hand on her mouth considering her path to take; I'm not trying to make life difficult, but if she can show mercy then maybe - just maybe she will have peace here, and I won't have to fight for my life all the time. "I made a promise to execute anyone who would hurt you or attempt to do so. If I don't follow through I would lose their respect."
I rub my chin trying to help bring a solution that would help both sides. "I not going to tell you what you should do, it's not my place. But, think it over because I think there might be a way to smooth this over." Jahní sighs trying to see another end to this. "Why don't you talk to your friend and find out exactly what is going on?"
She nods at my suggestion to find answers. "Yes this could be a way to find the why they are acting so." Jahní sit on the edge of the bed. "I do want this to end peacefully for all of us, without the loss of life."
Well if it can be avoided I feel would be the best way to go about it, and it would also be better for me to not have to kill someone here either. I know that in Majah-tu society the warrior cast is the supreme body, in which the King and his family belong to. What they say is pretty much law.
"Ant." I look at her. "I will do what you have suggested and bring this to an end without bloodshed."
I close my eyes letting out a breathe feeling better Knowing that she will listen to me, who has no say in the way they run things. "I'm Glad for that because fighting all the time would be difficult." She laughs at my statement, which was my plan.
The next day Jahní is talking to her friend about the this problem, but me... I'm hanging with my Marines in their room. Jahní insisted this be the way, and even asked my Marines not to let me out of their sight. This is not my way all this hiding, however, I will do as she asks; I don't want to incur Jahní's anger, in my direction.
I sit with the Marines playing cards with them laughing, at some of the crude jokes they tell. Some of them are young; early to mid twenties making me the oldest man in the room. "Skipper, I have to know. How did you land that beauty in the other room?"
Another Marine elbows him. "That's a personal question that he won't answer, now shut up and play!"
I look at the young Marine, who is a newly minted Sergeant. "It's ok Sergeant Blackman." I look at the other Marine who asked the question. "Unfortunately I can't get into any details, but lets just say that she was waiting to meet."
"That is kind'a deep." I turn and and look at another young Marine, Private Wilson I believe is his name.
"Deep private?"
He nods. "Yeah, well if ya think' bout it is. I mean wait'n for ya." A couple of the other Marines agree with his assessment.
I turn back and the first Marine who asked the question. "Well, I would like to keep talking, but lets change the subject if you boys don't mind." They all nod and pick up the conversation back, to more of we were speaking of before.
The door opens and one of the Marines standing guard sticks his head in. "Sir your wife would like to come in."
All the Marines start to make themselves more presentable, and quickly picking up any mess there was in seconds flat. I'm impressed at their level of efficiency. "Tell her to come in."
Jahní walks in and it's like a shining star entered. Everyone is awed to silence, as she practically floats into the room making a bee line to me. She looks down to the private who is to my right, and he jumps off the chair offering it to her. She graciously inclines her head taking the seat. "Ant, is everything well here for your men?"
I look at the Marines and I gesture to them. "Yes ma'm. It has been fine here." She smiles at him and I can see his eye glitter with pride, at having Jahní gift him with it.
She turns to me. "How have you been since yesterday?"
I take her hand. "I'v been fine. No problems today."
"Don't worry Ma'm, we watched over him real good." Jhaní looks at the young Marine by the window and inclines her head to him in thanks.
"Gentlemen," I stand up. "My wife and I will take our leave, as she needs to rest; good night." They all say their good nights to us both, but Jahní stole the moment by making that entrance. I don't think they will forget this day anytime soon, which is fine by me.
We leave and get back to our room and Jahní sits down holding her belly. "So, how did it go with your friend?"
"It went well and she told me that there is quite a bit of resentment towards you." That is good to know now how do we fix it. "I think I will need to talk to Sahtare-mohntah; she is the main force behind all the aggression."
"Please be careful, when you go talk to her. Maybe you shouldn't go alone." She giggles at me, as if I said something strange. "Whats so funny?"
She puts her hand on my face. "They are still my friends and they will not hurt me." I sure hope so.
A couple of hours later she is going to have a meeting with her friends, though she asks me not to get involved. In fact she asks me to stay behind in our room. This makes me nervous, but I respect her decision.
I pace back and forth in our room, as she is gone with her people discussing the issue. It sure is taking a while to decided what is the best way to deal with this.
Almost two hours later the door opens and Jahní walks in, with the maid that attacked me. Jahní smiles at me and the maid has her head down. "Sahtare, would you please explain to my pledged what is going on here, with the acts of violence against him."
She shyly looks at me and sighs. "First I want to apologize for the other night - I was wrong." Ok that's fine. "We... well I was very angry that our Princess had to kill our friend. Now though, I understand what happened and I can't hold you responsible."
I feel a big relief at this. "It's fine, no hard feelings at all on my part. Lets just forget that anything happened and be friends."
She looks at me not unfriendly, but not as someone who want to be a friend. "I will have to think for a time about being your... friend, but I will not be your enemy." Well I guess it's better than nothing.
Jahní looks at her with understanding putting a hand on her shoulder nodding. "I understand and you may consider my pledged an Allie, at the very least." The maid nods and bows to her then to me. She then leave to carry on her duties.
"I suppose this is the best I can expect for now." Jahní agrees with me. "Why don't we rest for the night since we leave tomorrow."
She closes her eyes. "Yes, that would be lovely."