Chapter 24, How Could You?
Author's Note: I apologize for the length of this chapter. The muse, once bribed with dark chocolate, hung around longer than usual.
Jill and Cain continued down the sidewalk. Neither had said anything more since she had asked how he was doing. About two blocks away from the entrance to the barracks, Cain ducked in to a side alley. It was a dark since the morning sunlight had not yet reached it and there were no street lights. There was not even a homeless person wandering around. He led her behind a dumpster and stopped.
Jill looked anxiously around. She could feel the hairs rise on the back of her neck.
"Give me the gun."
Jill raised her eyebrows.
"I know that you've been packing since you walked down the stairs. Why else would you put your jacket on inside my house?" he replied gruffly. She rolled her eyes at him. Jeb must have told him of the expression. He went on, "You're going to get frisked when we go to enter the barracks."
She reached inside her jacket, pulled the out of the holster and gave it to him. "I imagine that I'm going to have to take off the holster too?" She felt a little foolish for stating the obvious but the words involuntarily came out.
"Yeah."
She unbuttoned her jacket and took it off. Cain held it while she undid the leather straps. "What are you going to do with it?" she asked as she fixed herself back up.
"Carry it in. You can have it back once we're inside."
That answer took Jill by surprise. "I didn't think that you would allow me to have one in there."
Cain looked at her. "If anything happens, it'll happen fast. And I may not be there to protect you." He regretted saying it but it was true. She had been right all along, he may not be there to watch her back and she needed to be able to take care of herself.
Jill did not know how to answer nor did she want to. She was afraid that if she said anything that it would sound like she was gloating.
"Come on, let's go," he said to her.
They walked out of the dark alley and were back in to the sunlight. There were a few clouds marring the picture perfect morning.
Dr. Addison marched down the hallway. After being "accidently" sedated by DG the night before, he had been taken to the infirmary where he slept it off. After he woke up, he had been informed by one of the nurses that Azkadellia was still sedated. The same nurse also informed him that three soldiers had been posted in her chamber and another three were posted outside the door. That fact in and of itself did not bother him. It was not unusual after one of her episodes. It was the news that a contingency of military police were heading towards the private chambers of the palace that troubled him.
As he quickened his pace he heard footsteps behind him. The footsteps were of a person running, as though they were in a hurry to catch up to him.
Dr. Addison abruptly stopped and turned to see who was following him.
It was a young palace courier. "Dr. Addison!... Dr. Addison!" he exclaimed breathlessly as he slowed to a stop in front of him. He handed him a thick envelope and file. "These are… the papers… that you requested." He wheezed as he tried to catch his breath.
Dr. Addison coldly answered him with barely mumbled "Thank you." He abruptly turned on his heel and continued his rapid pace down the hall. Without even a parting glance he opened the envelope and began to review its contents.
Young couriers barely earned any pay. The intent was to give school boys, and later school girls as well, an opportunity to learn the basics of employment; such as being on time, working hard, being polite to customers, etc. They were expected to make up their wages in the receipt of small tips and gifts for courteous service. It had been a palace tradition for generations.
The young courier watched him quickly walk down the hallway. He had run from the palace to the Royal Academy grounds and back to the palace to bring him his envelope and file. And all he had received was a coldly stated thank-you. He quickly glanced around to make sure that no one else was in the hallway. With satisfaction he proceeded to give Dr. Addison a one finger salute.
Azkadellia was tied down in her mother's bed. She had no clue though. She had had her first dose of sedation drugs courtesy of Dr. Addison the night before. Before dawn a nurse had given her another round.
The Queen sat on the side of the bed and gently stroked Azkadellia's hair and forehead. She thought back to a few hours before. As the nurse drew the syringe, she was shocked at the dose. She remembered asking her, "Are you sure that is the correct amount?" The nurse had smugly replied, "Of course. Dr. Addison's orders were very clear about the dosage in the event that one of these episodes were to occur."
Episodes. The nurse had sneered when she said it.
Azkadellia stirred at her touch and mumbled something incoherent but did not wake up.
The Queen looked around and gazed in turn at each guard that were stationed in the room. Two were posted near the door and one was off to the side. Their held their rifles low in front of them. They appeared to be bracing for an attack rather than just standing around for security.
She did not want the guards in her chamber. However, it was the result of a compromise that as twin suns rose higher in the sky, might be short-lived. It had taken her absolute authority as the Queen in order to mandate that Azkadellia was to remain in the palace. However, she knew that it would only be a matter of time until a contingent of the military police came knocking on the door. It would be them and not tin men. The Queen was also the "commander-in-chief" as DG would have said if she was around. Since she had the authority to overturn a general's decision, any of the royal household's issues traditionally fell under the jurisdiction of the army. It had occurred before and now it would happen again.
The building where the commanding officers conducted their business was the largest of the military structures found on the royal grounds. However like most of the military structures, its architecture was relatively plain though the gray concrete, cold steel, and dark glass made it look formidable.
As they walked through the front glass doors Jill was surprised to see that the interior was laid out like any other office complex; however, the décor was much simpler and more austere. It did not have the warmth of the 9th Street Precinct lobby. Cain nodded to the receptionist and continued to lead Jill towards an elevator. After a short ride he led her through twisty hallways. Soon they arrived in a large waiting room.
A sergeant was talking merrily to another receptionist. He was sitting on the edge of her desk and appeared to be giving quite the tale. He was animated in his hand gestures and the receptionist often giggled. Jill smirked to herself as it was readily apparent that he was hitting on her. As she and Cain approached their conversation stopped. The receptionist seemed to be quite annoyed.
"May I help you?" she asked with annoyance. Yep, she was.
"I'm Major Wyatt Cain and this is Miss Jill Wilkins. We're here to see General Turnbaugh."
"Yes, you telephoned this morning," she said as she shuffled some papers and opened an appointment book. "I believe… yes,…" she muttered as she skimmed through her notes and then glanced at the sergeant. "Sergeant Stoddard will escort Miss Wilkins from here. General Turnbaugh has been called away on urgent business at the palace."
Cain narrowed his eyes, "What sort of urgent business?"
The receptionist straightened her shoulders and looked him in the eye. She firmly answered, "As I stated before he has been called away to the palace. Whatever business he has there is his alone." Yep, she was still annoyed.
Sergeant Stoddard took the receptionist's hand in his and kissed it. "I will be back shortly my dear." It made her giggle. He then walked around the receptionist desk and stood near Jill. He smelled heavily of cheap aftershave and his clothes smelled like cigarette smoke. It was a wonder he passed inspection. "Major Cain, this should only take a few hours." He paused and then added, "Unless of course she's got a lot of secrets to tell behind those pretty brown eyes." He looked over to Cain, "We'll take her down to the main reception area when we're done."
The receptionist glared at the sergeant. Up to that point he had been hitting on her and she liked it. Jill glared at the sergeant. The receptionist could have him; he was a slime ball.
Up to this point Jill had put on a brave front. But now, she was going to be led by a stranger, to a strange room, to talk in front of strangers about what has happened to her so far. She lost her nerve and Cain could sense it.
He placed his hands on her shoulders once more. "Look kiddo, you'll be just fine. Just tell them what you told me." He tried to give her an optimistic look. But he realized once more that he did not have that gift. It was Glitch's gift and his alone.
She looked past him at first and then back at his face. She whispered, "Even after all that's happened so far?"
"The military is under oath to protect and serve the Queen."
The words came out before she could stop them, "That sounds like the same kind of oath tin men are supposed to take."
His half-hearted attempt at looking optimistic turned to one of melancholy. "Look, there's been no reason to suspect that the military is involved in whatever is going on." He thought back to his conversation with the Queen. "Those henchmen were wearing police uniforms; they weren't military."
"Are you two done saying your good-byes yet?" the sergeant asked. He was now the one getting annoyed and impatient. He wanted to do his little escort duty and then get back to putting on his best moves to the receptionist. If he played his cards right he might get lucky.
As Jill turned to follow the sergeant, Cain told her, "I'll be waiting for you downstairs."
Her last parting words to him were, "Don't be late."
I can't promise that Jill.
Cain exited the elevator. As he walked by the receptionist she called out, "Are you Major Wyatt Cain?"
He already had his hand on the door when he stopped and turned to look at her. "Yeah. Why?"
She reached up and placed a thick envelope on the counter. "This is addressed to you with instructions to give it to you before you left the building."
He quickly walked over to the counter and picked up the envelope. "Who gave it to you?"
"I had to step away from the desk and when I came back it was already here sir."
He walked over to the lobby chairs as he ripped open the envelope. A small collar fell out of the envelope. He quickly bent over and picked it up. It was a jeweled cat collar with a pale gold tag hanging from it. The tag was engraved with the name, Muffy.
"What the fuck?" he muttered to himself. What sort of sick joke is this? He walked back to over to the receptionist and asked her to throw away the envelope. Then he put the cat collar in an inside pocket.
He walked outside and headed towards the palace. He was going after both General Turnbaugh and the Queen.
General Turnbaugh was accompanied by the Provost Marshall Collins, the Deputy Provost Marshall Vargo and a small contingent of the military police. The Provost Marshall Collins oversaw all of the provost companies; both those stationed in Central City and of the others scattered throughout the O.Z.
Servants, chambermaids, royal guards, and civilians in the palace on business scattered as the contingent approached. Rumors had already run rampant that morning concerning what the eldest princess had done the night before. Seeing the contingent added fuel to the fire.
DG heard loud footsteps marching down the hallway. She knew instantly who was making the footsteps and why they were here in the palace. She wearily rose out of bed. She felt wobbly on her feet and she put her arm out on to the bed to steady herself. She let the wave of dizziness pass, grabbed her dressing gown from the end of the bed, and went out in to the hallway.
The contingent had arrived in front of the Queen's chambers. The three guards that had been posted outside of her door stepped aside to let the Provost Marshall and his deputy inside the chamber.
They stepped inside and found the Queen sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Azkadellia's bound hand. Her husband sat in a chair near her. Dr. Addison was sitting nearby with papers strewn about the floor.
The Queen did not turn away from Azkadellia. "Good morning General Turnbaugh. Do you have the Provost Marshall with you?"
"Good morning, mi'lady," replied Turnbaugh in a low deep voice. It was a strong voice that matched his advancing years. His gray hair and beard were neatly trimmed. His hazel eyes reflected the morning sunlight coming through the windows. Even though he should be retired he had accepted the promotion, out of a loyalty and friendship that was forged long ago to the Queen before the witch, until order was restored to the O.Z. Little did he realize at the time that his troubles would not come from former Longcoats, but from the inner circle of the royal family. "And yes, both Provost Marshall Collins, and his DPM, the Deputy Provost Marshall Vargo is here."
Provost Marshall Collins was in his middle years and had been promoted and transferred from one of the other larger cities. Deputy Provost Marshall Vargo was a Kithelean and one of the first of his kind to hold such a high rank in the army. The Kithelean tribes were from the south and they were a proud race. They were also a large race where the men were usually seven to eight feet tall and the women were nearly a foot shorter. For being so large they were gentle in nature and preferred peace to war. However, it did not mean that they knew not how to fight. They were one of the few tribes loyal to the Queen during the witch's reign. The first time that DG had seen Kilthelean, she thought that she was looking at a Viking.
Ahamo shifted in his chair in order to get a better look at them, "Good morning gentlemen." All three officers politely nodded back at him.
Dr. Addison rose and walked over to the officers. He offered no greeting as he handed the Provost Marshall a few papers. "These are the preliminary psychiatric evaluations for the Princess Azkadellia. As her attending physician I am authorized to assign her to a care facility of my choosing for further evaluation. As such I am mandating that she remain here at the palace. She will undergo monthly evaluations to evaluate her mental competency. Until such a time when she regains her mental competency, she will neither undergo formal nor informal military questioning or interrogation." He paused to let his stately said words sink in. "Is that understood?"
Turnbaugh looked sternly at Dr. Addison. He never cared much for the man. Every time he was in his presence his old gut always told him that something was not right. However the Queen firmly believed in his medical ability and to a large degree he had been able to help the princess control her demons. However, this time was worse than the last. That was why the DPM and even the Provost Marshall himself were here.
The PM Collins and the DPM Vargo continued to review the papers after Dr. Addison's speech.
Meanwhile DG arrived at the chamber door. The Queen looked up when she heard her daughter's voice tell the guard to let her in, or else.
"Good morning Princess Dorothy," Turnbaugh wished her. In many ways she reminded him of his own daughter.
DG turned briefly to look at him and responded with a tired and simple "Morning."
She walked over to the other side of her sister's bed and sat on the edge of it. She gently ran her fingers over the soft white material binding Az's hands. She took her sister's hand and held it, but there was no response. "How long has she been out?"
"All night," replied her mother. "A nurse came in before dawn to give her some more of the sedative."
DG looked over at Dr. Addison, the PM Collins, and the DPM Vargo. They were still poring over the papers.
PM Collins finally broke the silence. "Dr. Addison, we are going to have our own psychiatric evaluation conducted."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me correctly doctor. Order 1101 gives the tribunal the right to either accept the attending physician's initial psychiatric evaluation or to order an additional evaluation. We are extending our right to order a second evaluation."
"Do you really believe that is wise Provost Marshall? " asked Dr. Addison rather sternly.
"Dr. Addison, two soldiers were found dead in the princess' chamber. Even if our evaluation concurs with yours, as soon as she is declared to be mentally competent, charges of manslaughter will be brought against her."
DPM Vargo added in a gruff voice, "Is it not coincidental that the princess' next competency evaluation was to be tomorrow?"
"What are you implying," Dr. Addison added with a sneer, "Kithelean?"
A low growl erupted from the Kithelean's throat. "Is it also not coincidental that you changed the princess' medication this week?"
Dr. Addison fumed at DPM Vargo's remark. His lips narrowed and he snarled, "How dare you question her medication? Am I not under oath to heal my patient?"
"Yes, Dr. Addison, you are under oath… Perhaps you should begin to take heed of it," coldly replied PM Collins. "By the way, did you complete her preliminary evaluation before or after you gave her the next dose of sedatives?"
"I would not be the one questioning my moral integrity given the fact that you once justified the witch's orders," angrily answered Dr. Addison.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Turnbaugh. All fell silent. "Collins, where and when will the evaluation take place?"
"The princess needs to be transported to the infirmary located at the barracks. Any and all sedatives are to be stopped immediately. Once she regains consciousness, the evaluation will be performed."
"No."
All of the men turned and looked over in the Queen's direction. Ahamo spoke, "What did you say dear?"
The Queen stood up and turned to look at the officers. In her most authoritative voice she stated, "You will not move Azkadellia from this chamber."
PM Collins spoke, "Your highness, the law is the law."
The Queen straightened her shoulders and she walked over to stand in front of PM Collins. Ahamo followed her. She stared him in the eye for a moment before speaking further. "I know the law very well Provost Marshall. You are correct in stating that once Azkadellia's mental competency has been re-established that charges may be brought against her. However, there is no law to state where the evaluations must take place. As such I am mandating that she is to remain in the palace."
PM Collins said nothing. It was the DPM Vargo who finally answered the Queen, "Your majesty, the public safety continues to be at risk. Therefore she must be taken to a secure facility."
The Queen countered, "And the palace, with all of its garrisons and guards is not considered a secure facility? Perhaps the Princess Dorothy and I shall be taken to the barrack's infirmary as well?"
Dr. Addison snickered.
There was a tense moment of silence as PM Collins absorbed the Queen's words. He finally stated, "The princess will be moved to the barrack's infirmary. She is, and continues to be, a risk to the public's safety. If there is another incident, then she is less likely to do as much damage there as she did here." He paused as he noted the Queen's ever increasing fury. "If you would like to push the limits as to the definition of risk to the public's safety, by all means do so. I am sure that the tribunal would be interested to hear your argument considering that two good soldiers are dead."
Ahamo saw his wife's anger and made one last plea, "Certainly a compromise is possible to this situation. If Azkadellia were to be confined to the private chambers and garden, and if the appropriate guards were stationed; surely that would suffice."
PM Collins turned red and began to speak, but Turnbaugh raised his hand and silenced him. He spoke solemnly, "I'm sorry old friend. That was the same compromise we made six months ago after the princess." He stopped and one could see that he was choosing his next words carefully. "After the princess was allegedly startled and inadvertently unleashed her magic upon that soldier. He unfortunately died of his wounds. Three soldiers have now died while serving security for the princess. Not even your other daughter was able to control her as you promised me."
DG's snapped to attention. "What? What did you just say?"
Ahamo and even the Queen hung their heads in shame. Turnbaugh said as gently as he could, "The other part of the compromise was that we were assured that your magic would be strong enough to contain, and if necessary, defeat your sister in the event that another incident was to happen. From the reports that were given from the courtyard, it appears that you are the weaker of the two."
DG jumped up. Her head ached from the sudden movement but she ignored it. "For starters, why didn't you tell me?... And what the hell do you mean by if necessary defeat my sister?" she asked loudly.
The Queen walked back over to DG before answering. As she held her she said, "If Azkadellia was too far gone and could not be brought back."
DG held on to her mother for a moment and then it registered. She pushed her away. "Oh my god! You told them that I would kill her?!"
"DG…. Please…. We never anticipated nor expected that Azkadellia would get that far gone. That is why we never told you. You need to try to understand. We had to agree to it or Azkadellia would have been locked away. They were thinking of the greater good, the protection of the O.Z." The Queen looked at her, silently pleading with her to understand.
DG stood trembling. Only one other time had anyone ever alluded that she might have to do something that drastic and it had been Cain; when the witch truly possessed Az.
The Queen stepped forward. She moved to take DG in her arms again, but DG pushed her out of the way and marched past her. She was headed towards the door. As she reached it, the guards moved out of her way.
"DG! Wait!"
DG paused in the door way. She turned to look at her mother. Her eyes started to mist and she said, "How could you promise something like that to them?" As she said it she turned and headed down the hallway.