Thank you to those who gave their thoughts during the last two chapters, I'm always interested to hear what you have to say. Also if you have any constructive criticism to offer, don't hesitate to let me know. I'm never opposed to discussing ways to improve things.
Chapter Three
Elissa was restless. It was the day after since she saw the Queen with no word since of any follow up audience. She had spent the first hour after waking early sitting cross legged meditating in front of the glass panel that separated her room from deep space. It was a beautiful view, with shifting purple clouds and starships floating silently across the stars.
But soon the call for action moved her from her relaxed stance, and she began to pace up and down. Guardians were not meant to sit idle for long, and Elissa struggled to squish the guilt that threatened to rise at the thought that her squad were out risking their lives while she sat and did nothing.
"Will you please sit still?" Ghost complained, floating into Elissa's eye line as she executed another lap of the room.
"My clock says it's nearly noon, we should be doing something." Elissa protested, as she stopped to address her companion.
"And you couldn't try enjoying the calm for a change; it's quite relaxing when you aren't being shot at every few minutes." At Elissa's dubious expression, Ghost sighed and continued. "Listen; we don't know how long we'll have to wait before meeting the Queen again, why not find some way to pass the time?"
"Such as?..." Elissa trailed off, spreading her palms open in question.
"We could explore the sights, few get the chance to see how the Awoken live."
Elissa was about to ridicule him for making the suggestion that they would be able to leave their room before stopping to consider. They never said she was confined here. Shrugging her shoulders slightly, Elissa approached the door to her room and was slightly surprised as it immediately opened with a quiet hiss. Pocking her head out she noticed the same stoic guards that had escorted her to the room, both statuesque, their swords raised horizontally to rest against their shoulder standing outside her door.
"Am I allowed to explore the station?" Elissa asked tentatively, fully prepared for a short and firm No.
The Guard on the left was unmoved, but the other lowered her sword and turned around to face the Guardian.
"Of course- instructions were left that you were free to explore non-restricted areas. I am to be your guide should you require my services."
"And what about my meeting with the Queen? Her Grace mentioned it was to be sometime today." Elissa asked, raising one slender eyebrow.
"If Queen summons you I'll be aware of it, although it is unlikely you will see her until much later today. Her Grace has many matters to attend to."
Elissa immediacy brightened and stepped out of the door. "What are we waiting for then, let's go!" She said in an eager tone.
The Guard nodded once and slipped her sword into its sheath. "A good place to start is the Grand Bazaar. That is the central hub for trade in the Reef. I will accompany you, Guardswomen Ladanya will stay here."
Elissa smiled and gestured for her guide to lead on. Perhaps this morning wouldn't be a write off after all.
Elissa had only been to a Human market once in the Last City. It was a bustling, noisy place with merchants hawking their wares and everyone always in a rush to do everything at once. She had visited the first time not long after being resurrected, craving the need to belong to a crowd but also pushed by vague memories of the smell of spices in a place she couldn't quite recall, with people whose names she doesn't remember. It was a surreal experience to feel nostalgic at another person's memories and she avoided the place after that for fear it would trigger the sensation again.
The Awoken's bazaar was similar in some ways yet completely alien in others.
It was a large hall, with stalls set up in parallel rows with merchants standing behind them. Unlike on Earth however, there was no yelling, no pushing or shoving. Each person moved purposely from stand to stand and collected their wares before moving on out of the room on the far side.
Almost like ants.
And unlike Earth's markets, there were a wide variety of exotic items on sale. Elissa could have sworn she'd seen various trophies from different factions of the Darkness on one table. And one helmet that looked suspiciously like it might have belonged to a Guardian at some point. The male Awoken behind the counter shifted slightly as Elissa's eyes fell on him.
Feeling very out of place, Elissa weaved in an out of shoppers with her guide trailing just behind. The Awoken shopping around her parted and stopped to stare as she passed through, sparkling eyes studying her every step.
"I take it you don't get many visitors here?" Elissa asked, trying hard not to feel too self conscious about herself.
"We're an insular society. Those who attempt to enter our realm without just cause are evicted and the ones that leave are rarely welcomed back. Our people are cautious about outside interference." The Guard following her answered.
Elissa frowned at the implication, her brain running through this information. If the Awoken were so wary about outsiders, it would be difficult to win them over to the Traveler's side. The Queen's motivations were still an unknown, and even if she were to align the Reef with Humanity, suspicion would surely remain. Realising this assignment was unlikely to be a short one, Elissa internally groaned.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere with passive aggressive Awoken for the foreseeable future is not what I'd call ideal.
Her trail of thought was interrupted by an attractive Awoken woman with dark black hair flashing a smile with a cheeky wink as she passed Elissa, who couldn't help but grin back.
Maybe surrounded by exotic beauties isn't so bad.
"There's not much for me here I don't think." Elissa said, turning to the Guard. "I'm ready to return to my room."
Once Elissa had been led back through the door to her quarters, she decided at a more practical use of her time while she waited. It was clear to her that to win the Awoken's trust she needed to at least understand their customs.
"Is there anything you can tell me about Awoken society Ghost?"
"They're a matriarchal society ruled by a single ruler; the Queen." At Elissa's impatient expression Ghost hurried on before she could heckle him. "The hierarchy is broken down into different social classes. The Queen has the final say on almost everything, but who assumes that role is decided by the noble class. Unlike the stories of traditional Human royalty, succession is determined by who is elected to rule by these noble houses."
Elissa raised her eyebrows in surprise "So the Queen is elected?"
"Exactly- but it appears any potential candidate must be from a noble background before they're even considered. My records suggest a Queen's reign lasts until her death, and she is supposedly guaranteed the loyalty of the armed forces while she is alive. If a Queen dies, new elections are held." Ghost paused for a second before continuing in a slightly subdued voice. "A disproportionate amount of Queens don't live to a ripe old age."
"They were assassinated?"
"Awoken records claim not all were, but history is written by the victor. Perhaps in some cases their successors were not so eager to spread the idea that regicide is acceptable. Either way the ratio of Queens who have died before their time seems high."
Elissa's mind started to turn again at possible repercussions in the future; were the current Queen to die, her politics could very well die with her. The next ruler may not be so inclined to support Humanity in the fight against the Darkness.
"You don't think any attempts at negotiations with us would make her a target do you?" Elissa asked, already knowing the answer.
"It's a possibility. I lack the proper data to speculate on the political leanings of any of the noble houses. All we can do is stay vigilante and hope her Guard to their jobs. And if the worst does happen, we need to be prepared to leave this place, and fast."
Silence stretched between the two as Elissa gazed off into deep space. Her role here was looking increasingly challenging the more she thought about it.
"We need to protect this Queen, Ghost." Elissa muttered.
"I know." Ghost replied quietly.
Suddenly the door to her room opened causing Elissa to spin quickly to see who had disturbed her. Seeing the two Guards from outside both standing shoulder to shoulder filled her with unease, and she shifted slightly to rest her hand on her hand cannon hidden underneath her jacket. Without saying a word, the Guards parted, allowing a young Awoken girl to enter the room holding something shimmering between her hands.
"My Lady," The girl began in a small voice "Her Grace has requested your presence at a feast tonight to celebrate the anniversary of her coronation." Moving to Elissa's bedside, she set down what she was holding down and spread it flat. "I've been instructed to act as your handmaiden for the occasion. Would you consider this gown agreeable to wear?"
Too late Elissa realised she was gaping at the women and promptly closed her mouth to stare at the dress. It was a shiny emerald green colour, which looked to hang over one shoulder with a gap down the side to allow some part of the wearer's leg to show. Elissa grimaced as she realised the dress offered little protection against attack.
"Y-yes of course. Give me a little while and I should be ready for inspection."
The handmaiden nodded demurely and left the room with the two Guards in tow. Confident she wouldn't be heard, Elissa whispered to the still hovering Ghost.
"How am I supposed to fight in this thing?"
"I doubt there'll be much fighting at the table, physical fighting anyway. Just be glad if they don't ask you to dance."
"What's wrong with my dancing?" Elissa asked defensively, jerking her head up to glare at her companion.
"Don't think I haven't seen your little 'victory' dance with our Hunter friend after each mission we complete. I'm pretty sure that sort of thing is frowned upon by nobility." Ghost shot back teasingly.
"Hey I've got some moves." Elissa said, beginning to hop from one foot to the other, flinging her arms up in the air at the same time.
"Please stop." Ghost begged.
Elissa stopped mid-dance with a scowl and turned back to face the dress on her bed.
Well, time to blend in with nobility I suppose.