The Eye of the Llama

by Gary D. Snyder

Part 9:

Jimmy felt the two Felangians' fingers tighten on his arms steel cables. He tried to squirm free but found that he was could not budge his captors' hold on him so much as a fraction of an inch. Sheen stared mutely, too surprised and frightened for the moment to move, but Libby and Cindy had been coached on dealing with improper advances by strangers and recovered from their shock more quickly.

"Cindy!" Libby called. "Have you got a hatpin?"

A hatpin? Cindy thought. "No problem, Libby," she called. "Just give me a couple minutes while I change into my great-grandmother!" She then assumed a strong martial arts stance and adopted a fierce expression. "All right!" she snarled. "Drop the big-headed Earthling and no one gets hurt!"

"Cindy!" Jimmy yelled. "No! We don't want any trouble!"

The two large Felangians did not release Jimmy but turned their attention to Cindy. For a second they looked at each other, exchanged a curt nod, and began to pull their concealed hands from under their outer coverings. As they did so Cindy caught the flash of unfamiliar devices in their hands and she braced herself for the worst.

"What is the meaning of this?" a voice rang out behind her.

The effect of the voice was magical. Immediately Jimmy felt himself released and the devices Cindy had glimpsed vanished beneath the Felangians' robes without a trace. The two Felangians bowed, and the one who had been speaking said, "A thousand pardons, Your Highness. We were unaware of your approach."

Cindy and the others turned to see a smaller Felangian about her height standing ten feet behind them. On each side of her were two Felangians in uniform, not as stocky as the two who had come for Jimmy but each a head taller and with an air of competent discipline. They towered over the smaller Felangian, whom the young people assumed was the princess to whom Carl had referred, but nevertheless she was the dominant presence there. She gave the two menacing Felangians a coldly imperious stare that had them both squirming. "I presumed as much. But I repeat. What is your business with the off-worlders?"

"Your Highness, we were merely escorting the Terran to Minister Khormak. He wished to welcome the Terran to Felangie."

Lie, thought Cindy. She was pleased to see that the princess also did not seem to be convinced.

"I see," the princess responded coldly. "And since when have these diplomatic duties been in the purview of the Minister of War? And why was I not officially informed of the arrival of the off-worlders?"

The Felangian shrugged apologetically. "I cannot say, Your Highness. I can only presume that Minister Khormak felt that he should spare you the burden, as it was he who had invited the first Terran."

The princess gave him a withering stare. "I see. As you are only following orders I will accept your presumption for the moment, until I can confer with Minister Khormak. But I bid both you and him to remember that it is perilous for anyone to presume too much." Her voice had a clearly warning tone and she waited for a few moments to let her words sink in. "Now, return to Minister Khormak and tell him that the off-worlders will be my personal guests during their stay. Captain Valtor!"

One of the four Felangians escorting the princess stepped forward. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Would you the other guards please escort these two back to Minister Khormak with my…regards?"

Captain Valtor bowed. "With pleasure, Your Highness." He barked an order and the guards fell in on either side of the other two Felangians, leading them away. As the detachment disappeared from view everyone sighed and the almost tangible tension that had pervaded the area evaporated. Jimmy was the first to speak.

"A thousand thanks, Your Highness," he said, somewhat stiffly. "Your kind intervention was most appreciated. My name is James Isaac Neutron, although most people call me Jimmy. I would be honored if you would do the same."

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Jimmy," the princess answered graciously. "I am Princess Leama Curinea Halela of the Royal House of Terchik, Heir Apparent to the Throne and soon-to-be Regina Felangie, Regent Sovereign of the Planet and Protectorates of Felangie." Suddenly she grinned impishly. "But you can call me Lee." She looked at the others curiously. "And who are these? I was told that only one would be coming."

"Oh, these are friends of mine and Carl's," explained Jimmy. "When they learned that Carl required assistance they wished to come along." He motioned to Cindy. "This is Cynthia Vortex."

"Very pleased to meet you, Your Highness," Cindy said with a curtsy. "And please call me Cindy."

"How do you do, Cindy?" the princess replied.

"And this is Elizabeth Folfax," Jimmy went on.

"Libby, if you please, Princess," Libby said, also curtsying. "Really, I mean that," she warned, wagging a finger.

The princess smiled. "I will remember. I'm very happy to meet you."

"And finally," Jimmy concluded, "this is Sheen Estevez."

Sheen seemed determined to outdo the others with formalities. "Sheen Guerrero Estevez, Your Highness," he said with a deep bow, "and I am at your service, rain or shine, near or far, morning, noon, or night."

Princess Leama regarded him gravely. "I think we have a candidate for the Royal Guard here," she said. "I'm honored to make the acquaintance of so gallant a traveler." At that Sheen's eyes rolled up and he fell over backwards, a happy smile on his face. Only then did a slight smile cross the princess' face as well. "Now that the formal introductions are over let's return to the palace. I'm sure that your friend Carl has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. And remember, please call me Lee. 'Your Highness' is so stuffy," she added as she and the others set off.

"Of course, Your – I mean, Lee," said Jimmy. "But don't you like Leama?"

"Well, it's a little old-fashioned," she replied. "It was my grandmother's name. Unfortunately a lot of royalty end up with names of their ancestors. Tradition, you know."

"I see," said Cindy. "I guess tradition is pretty important when you're a princess."

"Yes, but I wish to change many things. I don't believe that just because something is old it is the best way."

"That's very true," observed Sheen. "It's like with sandwiches. Whoever said that the bread always has to be on the outside?"

Princess Leama apparently had no idea of what a sandwich was because she went on unperturbed. "Unfortunately," she continued, "there are those who oppose some of my plans and programs. Minister Khormak is one of those." She shuddered. "I do not trust him."

"The two who met us were working for Minister Khormak?" asked Libby.

"Yes. Their names are Skeets and Rocco. I have reason to believe that it was they who brought your friend Carl back to Felangie." They arrived at a busy thoroughfare where, much to the humans' relief, a large hovercraft and driver were apparently waiting for them. After they all boarded the princess went on. "Carl is extremely fortunate to have friends who would travel so far to assist him."

"Well, he is my best friend," said Jimmy.

"And we've been through a lot together," added Sheen.

"Yeah, what with our adventures with the Yolkians, the space bandits, and Intergalactic Showdown, it wouldn't seem right for him to be all alone on another planet," pointed out Libby.

The princess seemed to take special note of that. "You have met the Yolkians?"

"Twice," replied Cindy. "Once on Yolkus, and once on Earth." She frowned at the memories. "Both times they tried to turn us into chicken feed. Not a race I'd ever trust."

"No," agreed the princess thoughtfully. "They do not sound like a race to be trusted."

While the had been speaking their craft had been speeding towards the outskirts of the city and taken a turn onto a long tree-lined driveway leading through a well-tended grassy expanse to a large stone structure. The hovercraft slowed to a stop in front it and its door silently opened as a number of Felangians, presumably servants, scurried from the palace to meet the vehicle's occupants.

"Well, home at last," the princess said. "The servants will show you to your rooms, unless any of you wish to accompany me."

"I really should check in with Carl," Jimmy answered. "I'm sure he's feeling pretty nervous."

"Yeah, that's sounds like a plan," agreed Sheen.

"And I just want to rest my feet," sighed Cindy, moving towards the door.

"Me, too," agreed Libby. "I feel like I've just walked ten miles."

"As you wish," the Princess Leama said. "I was just going to get some lunch and then do some shopping."

Cindy and Libby stopped in their tracks. "Shopping?" asked Cindy.

"Did you say shopping?" added Libby.

"Yes," the princess replied. "I need to select a proper outfit for your friend's upcoming match with Vermax."

"I guess we could hold up for some shopping," said Cindy as she got back into the hovercraft.

"Just a little," Libby concurred as she joined them.

"Oh, good," the princess said, sounding pleased. "I haven't been on a shopping trip with friends for ages. We should get something for you as well."

"Well, you'll also need to think about accessories," Cindy reminded her as the hovercraft pulled away.

"And jewelry and maybe a trip to the boutique to finish things off right. Don't forget those," Libby reminded the princess and they moved out of earshot.

Jimmy and Sheen looked at each other and shrugged. "What was that all about?" asked Sheen.

"Beats me," Jimmy answered and they followed the servants into the palace. "I thought the jeans and sneakers they were wearing looked fine."

End of Part 9.