BOOK 4: PREPARATION / CH. 4: UNEXPECTED CHANGES.
11.50AM, THURSDAY 23RD NOVEMBER, HYPERSONIC TRANSIT TERMINAL.
“Hi, Sarah, John.” Karen said. “I didn't know John was coming along too.”
“I suggested it to...” Sarah caught her self just before she named the prince, “the organsier, and he agreed. After all, John pretty much saw what I did.”
“And Bella's coming too, I presume?” John asked.
“Yes. Well, she should be. I guess she'll be here before the transit leaves.”
“How's George doing?”
“OK. They're due to call him today. Pris testified yesterday.”
“And then he's a free man again?”
“Not quite. He apparently needs to be 'kept safe' for a bit longer, in case the defence lawyer calls him back.”
“But you don't actually think he's at risk?”
“Not really. We'll be careful, though, of course.”
“How's student life?” Sarah asked “I've been meaning to ask for over a month, but keep forgetting.”
“Seriously odd.” Karen declared.
“Oh?”
“Well, you know, lectures are lectures, but so much happened over the summer, and there's so much else to think about, it's not the same.”
“No. It wouldn't be.” John agreed.
“I presume that people asked about your new ring?” Sarah asked.
“Yes. They were... rather surprised when I said that George had given it to me.”
“Well, they didn't know him very well, did they?”
“Ha! Not even I did. But then they asked where he was, and I had to say about how he'd almost been murdered and was a witness. And then they were so full of questions that I had to tell them that I wasn't allowed to answer any other questions, for his protection.”
“And what did your tutor say when you told her the wedding date.”
“She said that it wasn't exactly breaking a university rule, but it wasn't recommended, and had we really thought it all through.”
“And you answered that you had, I presume?”
“Yes, and that I'd discussed it with my parents and they'd agreed it was for the best. I suspect she thinks I'm pregnant and that we want to married quickly for that reason.”
“Really?”
“I might be wrong, but she certainly started asking about was I feeling well, and did I think I'd be able to cope with everything. I only thought of that explanation afterwards, it just seemed a bit of an odd change of subject at the time.”
“She's probably met it happening before, and lept to conclusions.” John said, “But getting married does take some adjusting, doesn't it?”
“Yes” agreed Sarah. “I didn't used to get breakfast in bed for my house-mates.”
“Hey, I get it for you too.” John protested.
“Yes. I know, love. But my point was that even something as every-day as breakfast is different.”
“Where is Bella?” Karen asked, looking round the waiting room. The transit wouldn't wait for her.
[Should one of us check?] Sarah asked silently, while looking round the room with her eyes.
[I will.] Karen replied. She checked Bella's feet and saw she was outside the terminal building, not moving in a transport.
[Hey, Bella, what's up?] she called.
[I can't just abandon Eliza here! I didn't even want to bring her this far, but my replacements were delayed, said they'd meet me here, but they're nowhere to be seen.]
[Transit leaves in 4 minutes.] Karen said. [You've just got time to get here if you start moving now. Don't be late. Tell H.Q. that you'll just need to bring Eliza. Charge the ticket to Security.]
[If you say so.]
[You don't miss appointments with the King, Bella.]
[Good point. OK. What happens the other end?]
[I'll sort it out. Now, move!]
Karen sat down from looking round, and typed a code on her wrist-unit.
“Hi, Mummy. Bella couldn't leave her friend alone at a time like this, so she'll have to come too. Hope that's OK.”
“Your cousin?” Maria checked she was understanding properly.
“Yes. Definite case of no-one showed up for the party.”
“Poor thing. Oh well, she'll get to see the beautiful countryside blurring past, at least. I'll see what can happen at the other end.”
“Thanks Mummy. Bye.”
“Bye, dear.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow “One more for the group?”
“Yes.”
“Well, maybe we'll get a compartment to ourselves then.”
“That'd be nice.” John looked around the room. The transit wouldn't be full, so they ought to. Not many people would chose to be the sixth person in the compartment when everyone else was obviously in a group. “It should be possible.”
“Yes, as long as they get here on time.” Karen agreed, seeing the countdown ticking on.
[Ticket bought! Wow, that wasn't cheap!] Eliza reported in.
[One minute 20 seconds until it arrives. Doors close a minute after.] reported Karen.
[We're running.] Eliza told her [Save us seats!].
The hypersonic transit system, was actually a bit of a misnomer. It was a mag-lev vehicle that ran in a tube 'filled' with quite a good vacuum. Since sound doesn't work very well when there are hardly any air molecules, there isn't really a speed of sound in a vacuum. But on a long journey the vehicle would have been hypersonic if the vacuum pumps ever broke down, and it had been designed for that possibility. The mag-lev system could deliver a comfortable but constant acceleration up to the maximum speed of mach 6, but on the relatively short journey they were taking it would not reach that speed before it needed to start slowing down. Bella and Eliza were not going nearly that fast, but it felt like fast enough to them, and they were out of breath from their final sprint when they joined the others. They'd actually had another thirty seconds before the
doors closed, but they didn't want to risk it. The transits didn't wait for anyone, the timings needed to avoid collisions were too critical.
“That was exciting!” Bella said.
“Exhausting too.” Eliza puffed. “It's a long time since I've run that fast.”
Karen told her cousin: “Mummy's arranging things, Eliza. I don't know yet what she's arranging, but even if you're just going back again, I'm glad to see you.”
“Me too. I mean, Bella's good company, but it's nice to be allowed out for a change.”
“So, do you know what this trip is about, Eliza, just in case you get invited along too?” Sarah asked.
“Bella said that the King wanted to talk to her again.”
“And to me, too.” Sarah said.
“And John?” Eliza asked.
“I got him invited too.” Sarah said. “That way I don't need to worry about screaming attacks in terminal buildings or in the pallace.”
“Oh!” Karen said “I'd forgotten about that. You think there's a range limit on how far he can keep you sane?”
“I'm sure there is Karen. I just don't know how far it is.”
“What's this about?” Bella asked.
“Sarah can't stand crowds, Bella.” John said.
“Unless John's with me, or unless it's worship time at church.” Sarah added.
“Why not?” Bella was confused.
“Over-effective version of the power, or inneffective filter, or something.” Sarah said with a shrug. “We've not really worked out what's going on, but it seems like I receive everyone's intentions, not just the ones about me. Let me tell you it is not something to be envious of. In a non-united crowd then that's just a lot of noise, so much I can't think. When people are united in adoring God, that's something beautiful. I've... learned from someone else that if there's a crowd coming to burn the witch then that comes across lound and clear too.”
“Urm, yes, I can see that might be useful, occasionally.” Bella said.
“Once every few lifetimes it might be useful, most of the time, it means agonizing pain if there's more than about thirty people in reasonable distance. For example, the waiting room for this transit had at least thirty people in it. Bad news, but I might have coped. If the transit had been full, then my place would have been empty. I'd be passed out or would have run out screaming.”
“But John's presence helps somehow?”
“We're not quite sure how that works, either.” Sarah said.
“The poetic way of expressing it is that I wrap her up in a blanket of love, which smothers that bit of her power.” John said, with a loving gaze at his wife.
“Excuse me while I'm sick.” Eliza said, half-seriously.
All eyes turned to her. “What's wrong?” Karen asked.
“Sorry, guys.” Eliza shook her head. “Acute attack of envy, I guess. I shouldn't have spoken.”
John looked into her eyes and said, “Eliza, take it to the Lord in prayer. He knows your needs, hopes and desires. And he's bigger than them all.”
Sarah said “And don't forget, Eliza, that we love you too. It's not the same, but it is important.”
Karen decided a more formal approach was appropriate. She took Eliza's hand and spoke a slightly modified formal blessing in her second language.
“Respected and much loved elder cousin, you who have experienced terror, isolation and loneliness, may the God of Hagar see your plight and have mercy on you. May the God of Ruth lead you to meet the right man in the right place as you live in submission and obedience. May the God of Deborah give you wisdom in recognising that man and give him the wisdom to conquer your heart. May the God of Rebecca grant that he love you with all his heart, overcoming all obstacles until he wins you. May you know God's love better through that of your husband, but never confuse the lesser for the greater. May you appreciate the unity of the trinity through the unity of your marriage, and remember this is just a small picture.
"May you know the pain and joy of childbearing, and be kept safe through it, may you know the joy and struggles of motherhood and raise respectful children. May you see your grandchildren and great grandchildren, and may each and every one of them bring God glory honour and praise. Most of all, may you be at peace, waiting for God's perfect timing.”
“Wow. Karen, urm, thanks.”
“What did all that mean?” Sarah asked.
Eliza looked at Karen, who simply said “Your choice.”
“Karen blessed me quite... comprehensively.”
“I can't claim authorship — though I did modify it slightly for the occasion.” Karen said.
“Thank you Karen. And thank you John and Sarah too. I think I do need to pray a bit.”
John felt that he should add “I don't know if you realise it Eliza, but you're probably going through something like mourning.”
“And that can take a long time I know.” [Kate tells me the same thing John, but what? what should I be mourning?]
[Well, you used to be free, now you're not. But I expect the big one would be your relationship with your father.]
[But he's not dead!]
[No, but I think perhaps your relationship with him has changed a lot. Or maybe your hopes for it.]
Eliza thought for a bit. John was right. [Thanks John. I'll pray now.] And she did. For the first time in a long time, she stopped pretending to herself that everything was all right, and silently poured out her heart to God. Some of it was anger (but God was big enough to take that), some of it was fears and tears (and He was strong enough to take those too). But it was communication, and it helped. Then with a deeper peace in her heart than she'd felt for a long time, and no longer feeling a fraud, she sought the peace. And there, she rested a few minutes and let God's cleansing peace fill her heart once again. [Thank you, Father God. Your will, not mine be done.] Opening her eyes once more, she said “God is God, and God is good. That's enough. Thanks, all of you.”
Bella looked at Eliza; it was clear that she was far more relaxed than she'd been for a long time. “Eliza, you sound like you're in a better mood, you even look like you're in a better mood. What changed?”
“I've stopped trying to tell God what he should do, Bella, and just cried onto his shoulder instead. It works much better.”
Karen told her cousin: “Eliza, I don't know if you heard. Mum rang. All cleared, you're coming with us, it's easier that way.”
“What, me? Meet the king? Dressed like this?”
John was confused, as Eliza was wearing a perfectly sensible set of clothes - a comfortable looking jumper and warm skirt “What's wrong with what you're wearing?”
“Well, it's just my loafing around the house clothes. I'd never dream of going to an interview dressed like this, let alone meeting royalty.”
“You're fine, Eliza.” Karen said. “Bella's impecable, of course, but she's Security, so she has to be. But I'm not exactly in a ball-gown am I?”
“No, but at least you've had time to do your hair!”
“God's in charge, remember, Eliza.” Sarah said. “But have a hair-brush. We'll be stopping soon.”
----------------------------------------
As had happened to Karen and Bella last time, at the terminus they were greeted by an official and directed towards a special exit, and then into a waiting vehicle. At the palace Bella was surprised to see the Prince himself was waiting for them. His gloves were off, she noticed. Since she'd been the last into the car — her duty — she was also the first out.
[Bella, it's nice to see you again.] he thought.
[And you, your highness.] she switched to normal speech “Your Highness, May I introduce Sarah and John Williams from the Institute, members of the committee, and Eliza Underwood, who's also on the committee but not at the institute.”
“I heard that you're Bella's client at the moment?” the prince asked Eliza, holding out his hand.
[She's good company, but it's nice to be out of the safe-house for a change.] she thought to him as she shook it.
[{Surprise.} I didn't know you had the power also!]
“Sorry, your highness. I thought you'd have been briefed on me having the gift.” Eliza said, a little embarrased.
The prince obviously hadn't heard anything of the sort, so Karen gave him a little time to collect his thoughts “Mummy has said we're not an official secret, Eliza, so she doesn't have a duty to tell on us.”
“Oh, so my gift could have stayed a closely guarded secret?” Eliza asked. “Oh well. I'm sure I can trust your highness not to make that too public.”
“Of course.” he said, then added “Underwood isn't a very common name.”
“No, your highness. I didn't meet him very often as I was growing up, but unfortunately it seems that my father isn't a good man.”
[John, do you want me to share about your gift too?] Karen asked him.
[Makes sense.]
“Your Highness,” Karen said “You already know that Sarah has the gift, I'm not sure if you know that John has it also. He helped Sarah analyse her vision immediately after she had it.”
“I hadn't heard. Thank you for trusting me with this. I didn't realise that there were two people with the gift at the institute.”
“I see it as evidence of God's sense of humour, your highness.” John said “The institute has been looking for evidence of the power for two centuries, and then ends up with three staff members with the gift.”
“Three?” the prince said, even more surprised.
Karen wasn't sure it was wise to tell the prince too much, and to explain away John's statement said “I was working there over the summer.” [He doesn't need to know about Kate, guys. Or George.]
“Oh. Yes, I believe Maria had mentioned that.” the prince said.
[I disagree, Karen. It might be important some day.]
“Your highness, Karen is trying to cover up something I felt it wise to let you know; something that Maria knows perfectly well, too. We're not the entire complement of gifted people at the institute. Should some accident happen to those of us here, there's another.”
“Thank you for trusting that information to me John. I hope I never need to use it. But, we mustn't keep my father waiting much longer. May I tell my parents of your gifts?”
“Of course, Highness.” Eliza said.
“Certainly.” John agreed.
“This way. May I ask, how do people get the gift? Through praying for it?”
“I believe that the normal way is for someone with the gift to pray for someone they know with the power to recieve it, in the last few years of their lives — passing on the batton, if you like.” Sarah said. “In each of our cases, God decided not to work that way.”
“Oh?” the prince prompted.
“Sarah and I probably were given it at roughly the same time, but didn't know how to use it at all back then.” John supplied.
Karen added “I got it when I was praying that someone would hear my screams for help — I expect Mummy's reported how I'd broken my leg.”
“Yes” acknowledged the Prince.
Eliza said “And I didn't know I'd been given it until I met these guys. I guess I was given it while I was being held hostage.”
“You were held hostage? How, where, by who?” the prince was surprised once again.
“I got tricked into thinking my father wanted some father-daughter time. I'd known he'd been in prison but he'd always insisted to me that he was innocent. But it wasn't him, it was the key player in the other big celebrity case.”
“The President's nephew? Ibrahim what's-his-name?”
“That's the one. I was his hostage for twenty-eight days. Well, most of the time his underlings where holding me hostage, but he gave the orders.”
“A month? Ouch. That's got to leave scars.” the prince looked genuinely concerned, Eliza noticed.
“Lots of threats, but physically nothing worse than rope burn, praise God.”
“Praise God indeed! But even so...”
“God's good, your Highness. He kept me sane, and now the nice people at the institute are trying to help me put my mind back together.”
“I'm glad. I hope you're taking good care of her, Bella.”
“I'm trying to, your Highness, but I keep getting called away to meetings.”
The Prince laughed, “Oh, the demands we put on our agents!” and lead them into a room where the King and Queen were waiting.
“What's the joke, Albert?” asked the queen.
“Bella just pointed out that by calling her to such meetings as this we were making her job of looking after Eliza harder.”
“Ah. I see. Whereas we thought that we were paying her the compliment of taking her dreams seriously?” she replied.
“Actually, I thought we were simply trying to save a lot of lives.” Albert said. “Mother, Father, let me try to do the introductions. Karen and Bella you know. John and Sarah Williams are gifted staff members at the institute, and Eliza Underwood is the witness who Bella is trying to protect. Eliza was just telling me that she was granted her gift after being held hostage by Ibrahim what's-his-name for almost a month.”
“Oh, you're Maria's surprise relative?” the queen asked.
“Yes, Maam.” Eliza admitted.
“And therefore a very distant relative. Welcome Eliza.” the King said.
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
“With respect, your Majesty, Sarah should also be included in that welcome. After all, she's the keeper of her namesake's dress.” Karen added.
The King's mind worked quickly. “Ah! I hadn't made the connection. Be welcome, most welcome! And also, please accept my sympathy for the loss of your parents.”
“Thank you. It has taken a long time to heal, but now I see God has brought good from it, your Majesty.” Sarah said, reaching for John's hand.
The queen realised that she'd met John, at the hospital. “Our sympathy to you too, John. I'm sorry I didn't recognise you, or your name, earlier.”
“It's been a long time, your Majesty, and if I remember correctly, when we last met I was mostly hidden by tubes and bandages.”
“That's true. I must admit surprise that your marriage has not generated any major press attention.”
“There are advantages to working at the institute, Maam.” John said.
The Prince laughed, “Oh, how I envy you! You have a job where the press cannot chase you. Whereas we...”
“Have a few secret nooks and crannies in our very beautiful goldfish bowl.”
the queen finished for him.
“I must admit, Karen,” the King said, “That had we known that there'd be so many coming with the same gift you have, we might not felt the need to drag you from your wedding preparations, but since you're here....
We understand from your mother that you can use your gift to examine memories. Our desire was that you should check if the city of my dream actually matches that of Sarah's and that of Bella's, so that we can be certain where we need to evacuate people from.”
“Your Majesty, I think perhaps a modification to that plan is best. What you ask, for one person to compare three sets of memories, would need a good visual memory, and I fear that mine is... rather poor in fact. I wonder if perhaps Eliza, John and I should each look at one person's memories and then we could pool what we've seen and compare it.”
“Pool what you've seen?” the prince asked.
“Your highness, a little like the way two people with the power can send images to each other, we can cooperate and share memories.” Karen explained. “And it is far less demanding on our minds to do that,” Sarah added.
“I think perhaps I need to ask more about this sending images. Do you know how to do that, Bella?”
“No. Eliza has promised to teach me one day, along with hiding my thoughts from thought-hearers.”
“Urm, perhaps I could ask for lessons on that too?” he asked.
“Of course, your Highness.” Eliza answered. “It doesn't take long to learn, but.. there are risks.” she looked to Sarah for help explaining.
“It is important not to hide your thoughts for very long, your Highness. Otherwise you can lose your power entirely, and the longer you hide them for, the harder it is to break free. So, while we could tell you how to do it in about five minutes, it's far better to have an hour or two to practice how you can break free.”
“Then, I think perhaps today may not be the best day to learn.” the prince admitted, “But we shall see.”
“Who should look at whose memories?” Karen asked.
Eliza replied first: “I think Bella would prefer it if it were not me looking at her mind, since we have to spend a lot of time together.”
Bella nodded. “I don't think I'm thinking any nasty thoughts about Eliza, but still...”
“It's still sensible.” Sarah concluded. “John has seen my memory already, so he should probably look again at mine, if that's OK with everyone?”
“So, if your Majesty agrees, that leaves Eliza checking your memories, sir.”
John summarised “And Karen checking Bella's. Karen, I really don't know how you're going to do that, by the way. I guess you're either going to need to pick one city dream out of a hundred or try and get an amalgam.”
“Could you tell us a little more of the process before you get too technical?” The queen asked.
“Oh, sorry.” John apologised “What will happen is that Karen will ask Bella a question to provoke the right sort of thoughts, and then have a look at the thoughts that are going around in her mind. Hopefully the memory of the right dream will be uppermost, otherwise Karen will have to ask a different question or investigate deeper. But it is almost impossible not to think of something at all when you've been asked about it, and screening thoughts don't hinder us much at all. The risk with Bella is that she's got so many dreams that her mind could be thinking about a hundred different ones at once, and Karen will have to decide which ones to look at.”
“Could you explain what you mean by 'screening thoughts'?” the Prince asked.
“At the institute there was a man who didn't believe we could look at his thoughts — this was the first day we'd known about the gift. He volunteered to have his mind read, and the result was surprising for him and us.” John said.
“He'd tried to fill his mind with a meditation chant. We saw that, and we saw that he was trying to hide something, and didn't think we'd see that, but we did. And we saw he was sceptical about mind reading because deep down he was afraid of having his mind read — and we saw the guilty secret of why he was afraid, and why his guilt was false and he didn't have anything to fear really.”
“Since then,” John added. “we've learned how to pick and choose how much we see in one glimpse.”
Eliza wasn't sure she wanted the responsibility of looking at the King's mind. “But whatever is in your mind at the time I look, your Majesty, would be available to me, and there are a lot of thoughts that go along with any memory: for instance the circumstances of the dream, how you reacted, what you thought of it at the time, and now, and so on. Also, I am the newest at this gift, and I'm not at all sure that I can use it with as much finesse as the others. I think it would probably make much more sense for me not to be the one to look in your mind.”
“Thank you for your candour, Eliza.” the King asked. “Karen, you have highest clearance, and you know better than I about the choices behind Eliza being nominated to investigate her monarch's mind. What do you think?”
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“Your majesty, I think the choices are valid, although Eliza has worked with Sarah before, so she and John could swap. As you've witnessed, on occasions I blurt things out in situations when I shouldn't. I would of course try to be on my best behaviour, but frankly, I don't trust myself much, and I think also that I'm a little too knowledgeable to be a good candidate — I might make more connections than Eliza would.”
“My dear?” the King asked his wife.
“Karen's last reason is the best I've heard, dear. I think they're a bit nervous of finding out their King is human.”
“If I may correct you, mother, I think they know he's human, but are afraid of finding out things they have no need to know.”
“Yes, very well. Their concern is evidence of their good motives. But the whole point of their gift is that they can find out too much, isn't it?
And we need to know if Bella's thought about which city it is has any corroboration. So get on with it, Eliza!”
“At your command, your Majesty.” Eliza curtsied, with a smile. “If your majesty will please think about when you had your dream about the ruined city.”
She focused on the King, and saw at the forefront of his mind the question about why she'd said when he'd had the dream, rather than about it. She saw he was waiting for at least a tickle or some feeling to indicate her looking, She saw the thoughts that the expected question would have brought up, and ignored all of them she could; there was one about God she felt that she couldn't really ignore. The question she'd asked had reminded him about the plane flight he'd been on, who'd been there, and so on, and had also brought to his mind waking up with the image in his mind — the original memory she'd hoped her question would help bring to his mind.
“Thank you your Majesty, please excuse me while I consider your dream.” she said. She took that image to the edge of the peace, only vaguely aware that the others were asking questions too and examined it for landmarks. There were some in the desolation: what might be a distinctive building which didn't look too damaged, next to it there was what must have been a park, although the trees looked like telegraph poles. There were also some hills in the background.
She returned to the normal world and said: “I hope your majesty will excuse my question — I wanted to avoid any more recent memories concerning the dream. Sometimes they contain re-tellings which are not quite the same as the original.”
“I didn't feel a thing!” The king said to her.
“No, your Majesty; people don't. Not even one of us with the gift would feel anything. If your Majesty can spare the time, then once we've conferred, I would like to tell you all that I saw.”
“In the interests of your peace of mind about all the official secrets you've found?”
“I'm not aware that I found any of those, your Majesty, but perhaps you could confirm that while we talk. I was more thinking of your Majesty's peace of mind.” she replied calmly.
The King looked at this young woman who'd just taken a look at his mind, and could do anytime she wanted to, all unnoticed. “I wasn't aware my mind was lacking peace, but very well, if there is time. How long will your comparing notes take?”
“I'm not sure your Majesty, a minute, maybe?”
“Probably less.” John said, sounding a little dejected. “May we see if we can find anything in common, your Majesties?”
“Of course.” said the King.
They linked minds and John said [Sarah had no landmarks except this odd-shaped corner of a park {image}, some hills which could have been anywhere, and maybe we might make something of the road network, but I don't think that's going to be useful at all.]
[That's a wonderful confirmation, John.] Karen said [That's where Bella played as a kid. I asked her why she thought it was home, and she thought of that corner.]
[The king had a park in his dream too {image}, and I don't know if this building helps {image}, it's sort of unusual.]
[{amazement}Don't you recognise it?] John asked.
[No, should I?]
[I guess you've not seen it from that angle. That's the institute.]
[Mostly intact, except that wing.] Karen noticed.
[The new wing, yes. It wasn't built to quite the same specification. We'll have to check with Kate.]
[New wing? I wasn't aware there was a new wing.]
[I remember asking Kate about why that bit had thinner walls. She said it had been added about fifty years later when they wanted some extra lab space, and they hadn't designed it to stand up to as powerful a nuclear blast as they had for the rest.]
[So we have three agreeing images, and maybe a rough measure of how strong the blast will be? That's more than we expected. Let's tell their Majesties. John, you tell of Bella's corner first.] Eliza said.
[OK.]
“Your Majesties, Sarah saw an unusual corner of a park — it sort of tapered down and had a sort of hook-shape because of a building, but nothing else very useful. Karen saw the same shape in Bella's mind.”
“It's where I played as a kid.” Bella supplied.
“I see. I don't remember any such feature to my dream.” the King said.
“No, your majesty, but you might remember there was one building which was far less damaged than the rest. I didn't recognise it, but John did.”
“It's the institute, your Majesty.” John supplied. “The damaged part was a later addition, not built to the same specification as the original build — they'd decided that building to withstand such a strong nuclear blast wasn't necessary. We can probably find the specifications and then it might give some idea of how powerful the blast will be.”
“But, in short, all three agree about where the impact will be.” Karen said. “I suppose that is good news,” the King said, “and I think I somehow expected that it would take far longer. Now, Eliza, what would you like to tell me?”
“Your Majesty, I am not sure you want it to be heard by other ears.”
“Very well, the queen and I will hear you out in private. Albert, you can be the gracious host and find out what our guests would like to drink.” The King led Eliza to a small audience room. The queen came last and shut the door behind her. Eliza was a bit nervous, and felt that she needed the peace, so she focussed on it loosely.
“So, young lady, what is the great secret that you saw, which is relevant to my peace of mind?”
Answering carefully, and holding on to the peace still, Eliza said “Your Majesty, I saw you questioning my question; I hope I've explained that. I saw you waiting to see what it felt like; as you experienced, the answer is nothing. I eventually found the memories that came to your mind in answer to my question: the plane flight and who was on board and the dream. But before I found the dream I also saw the thoughts that you'd been marshalling in preparation for the question I didn't ask. I tried to ignore those thoughts, but there was one which seemed very important to you, and thinking it might be related to the dream I looked at it. That thought is what I wanted to talk to you about, and I am quite sure that it is not for public scrutiny.”
“I thank you for your sensitivity then," the King said.
“Is this something that I should not hear either?” the queen asked, in a worried tone.
Eliza let go of the peace to answer, and with warmth she said “Maam, you have no need to fear, whatever his Majesty decides.”
“Having heard what Eliza has said, I can perhaps guess what the topic is. Would I be correct to say it is a point of dispute between me and my son?”
“I have not witnessed any such dispute, sir, so I find it hard to answer that question.” Eliza said, skirting the fact that Bella had possibly shared more than she should have.
“Very well then, is it about God?” the King said.
“It is. Would you have me say what I saw in front of your wife?”
“I think that you will say little she does not know, so go ahead.”
Grabbing the peace again, to help her stay clam, she replied “Your Majesty, I saw a question in your mind, which has obviously occupied your mind for a long time. It all based on a series of simple facts: you reject God, but you know he exists. You reject him because of events for which you blame him. You consider him as an enemy, and you find it intolerable that he should be forcing you to consider that he might care for your people. What you asked was why does God have to keep barging into your life now, when he didn't help before?”
“And you saw what was before?” asked the King, holding his wife's hand.
“I could have, your majesty, but I did not pry.” Eliza answered.
“But you think talking about this will help my peace of mind?”
“Yes, your majesty. This I have learned from Kate, at the institute, and from the Bible also. It is all right to pour out your anger at God, to kick and scream when it seems that he's not kept his promises to us. He is big enough to take it, and when we have stopped screaming perhaps we can be still enough to hear his answer, or experience his love. I also know we're not big enough to hold on to anger against God for long. You know he is there, and have no need to live an undignified lie that you do not believe he exists. Honesty is better, especially concerning God.”
“And if I say that you are wrong? That I have no belief in your deity?” the King bristled.
“You Majesty, I do not believe that you are so far gone that confronted with the truth, you would continue to lie even to yourself. I know what I saw, and for your good and for the good of the kingdom, I have told you and your wife who I know you love. What comes after is your decision.”
The King was silent for a while, and then said “Eliza, you are a very dangerous woman, but I admit you spoke truth.” and with this, he seemed to relax, as though a burden had lifted from his mind. Then without waiting for her to reply he turned to his wife, “What do we do with dangerous, principled, young women like this, my dear?”
“I don't know that we've met so very many. But, perhaps we should invite her to eat with us in thanks, and then send her away while we talk.”
“That would be a good solution.” the King agreed.
As they left the room, the queen asked curiously, “Eliza, how is it that you were able to stay so calm? You seemed nervous as we came in here.”
“I cheated, Maam. I knew I was nervous and so I was holding on to God's peace while I spoke to your husband.”
“Part of your gift?”
“Yes, Maam.”
“Thank you. I've suspected what you said for a long time. Now, perhaps, we can talk through some important things.”
“Any time, Maam.” Eliza said, and realised that she meant it.
“Be careful what you say, you might get called on again.”
“I meant it, Maam. My father's aim in life was to undermine the constitution
and monarchy. If I can help to strengthen them then I will.”
Eliza saw the appraising look that the queen gave her, and quickly hid her thoughts. She didn't want to hear what the queen decided. Then she said,
“Maam, from your look, I've just guessed that you were deciding something about me. Perhaps I'm wrong, I don't know because I hid my thoughts which also stops me from hearing. Beware around people with the power, for we can hear decisions that are about us quite a few metres away.”
“Oh, thank you for that reminder, Eliza. I need to remember to keep my thoughts in line, don't I?” the queen was very thankful that Eliza hadn't heard. It would surely have been embarrassing for her to hear that the queen thought she'd make an excellent bride for Albert. Especially since Albert seemed to have his eyes firmly on Bella at the moment, she noticed.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe that if we proceed to the dining room, then lunch will be served shortly.” the King announced, “I'd first like to express my thanks for confirming the location of the impact and also to Eliza for somehow finding the courage to tell me what she did.”
“She tells me she cheated, and God helped her.” the Queen said.
The Prince, expecting one of his father's normal replies, was surprised to see him merely nod to his wife instead. As they moved towards the dining room he asked “What did say to him, Eliza?”
“I'm sorry, your highness, I dare not break confidentiality.” Eliza replied, primly.
“And nothing I say will change your mind?”
“Nothing you say, highness, but perhaps if you persuaded your father that I should tell you, and he put it down in triplicate....” she said, only slightly teasing.
“And signed in his own blood?” Bella asked.
“I don't think that would be necessary.” Eliza said.
“I'm glad. I'd prefer to keep father's blood in his veins — and moving — a long long time.”
“A worthy desire for a son.” Eliza said.
“I'm afraid it's more than a little bit selfish too.” Albert acknowledged. “I
still have a little bit of freedom about where I go and who I talk to. My
parents have far far less. Everything they do is for the good of the country.”
“They've learned to deny themselves.” Eliza said, appreciatively. “That's important in a monarch, I think. Very important — it commands loyalty.”
“And 'loyalty and service is what keeps the country alive', I know.” the prince said, quoting. “I wonder what happens without them.”
“Chaos.” Bella answered, giving the school-book answer.
“Corruption, theft, kidnapping, murder, rape, war.” Eliza supplied.
“You've been caught up in it.” the Prince acknowledged. “I'm sorry.”
They weren't using the formal dining room, but the small one. There were two tables, both laid for six people. “Let's sit here.” the Prince suggested, indicating one corner of the first table. Bella sat to the prince's right and Eliza to his left, round the corner.
Once they'd sat down, Eliza continued the previous thought. “I've experienced a bit of chaos, and my father worked towards it too; he wanted to tear down the monarchy and the constitution. As I told your parents, I fully intend to strengthen what he wanted to destroy, however I can.”
“In other words, I shouldn't complain to you about duty, should I?”
“Or about limitations on your movement.” she added, unconsciously rubbing her wrists.
“Ouch.” Albert said “I've walked out onto thin ice, haven't I?”
“I wonder if we should change the subject, your Highness.” Bella suggested.
“Actually, Bella, I think I'd like to stay on this one a little longer.” the Prince said “Eliza, do you have any advice for me?”
“Me?” Eliza was surprised.
“Yes. You've suffered, and survived, you've analysed, you've dedicated your life to maintaining a throne for me to inherit one day, may it be far off. What part do you assign me in the mean time?”
“I surely don't need to tell you this, highness!” Eliza protested.
“I've heard my teachers telling me, but probably too much. You know, water off the duck's back. Somehow I think I should hear it from other people too.”
“Then let's get you lots of independent views.” Eliza said, practically.
“How? Put a questionnaire up on the net for advice for a young Prince?” Bella asked.
“It might work, but there'd be a lot of useless rubbish in there.” the Prince said “The advantage of asking Eliza here is that I know she's going to give me good advice.”
“Why do you think that?” Eliza asked.
“Because of your gift, Eliza.” Bella replied.
“Oh please!” Eliza said. “If you go putting me on a pedestal that tall then I'm going to fall off just from the height.”
“All right, I won't put you on a pedestal. But I do want your advice.” Albert said.
“Fine. I'll think my advice to you, as long as Bella tells you hers too. And I'll get the others to think some advice to you too, if you're not careful.”
“Well, if you don't think they'd mind...”
“That wasn't careful, and it gets me off the pillar, I hope. Your vague wish is my command, your highness. So, how much can I tell everyone about you?”
“I don't understand. About my question, you mean?”
“No, I mean when I call up friends across the world. Can I tell them that the crown prince of my country wants some advice about how he should prepare for when his beloved father moves on from this place of tears, or should I try to be more vague?”
“I thought you just meant Karen, John and Sarah!” the prince said.
“I warned you to be careful, didn't I? Bella you're my witness!” Eliza laughed.
“You did. Be careful, highness. Eliza can be tricky.”
“I think I'm learning that.”
“And would you like them to listen in to your mind, so you can have a conversation with them and ask any questions, or would you like them to just drop their advice into your mind? Or would you prefer to go through an intermediary, so that they don't get told that our crown prince has the power?”
“You're enjoying this, aren't you?” Albert asked.
“Yes. Is that wrong of me?” Eliza asked.
“I don't think so. But it is a totally odd conversation to have. Also, that thought of telling them I have the power.. That could eventually get diplomatically complex, couldn't it.”
“I expect so, yes.” Eliza agreed.
“So can we start with you, Bella, John, Sarah and Karen please? And then I'd like some expert advice about the politics of the rest.”
“Of course.” Eliza agreed. [My advice is: learn now to think of your country first. I'll only get harder, and chafe more, if you don't start soon.... I'll be praying for you.]
Bella offered Albert her hand [Duty encompasses many things, as I need to keep learning. Some of them can be unexpectedly enjoyable.]
[Like what?] he thought to himself, but Bella took it as a question to her.
[You weren't supposed to ask that! Urm... one for me: I found out that I like it when arrogant thugs attack me thinking I'm just a little weak woman, and I get to toss them around like rag dolls.] Bella thought with a wicked grin.
[Oh. Thanks.] he said and let go of her hand.
“Eliza, you're going to ask the others now?”
“Yes. Do you want them to listen to your thoughts afterwards? Not deeply, It'd be like you were holding hands.”
“I think perhaps it's better if they don't. Is that why you did it that way?”
“I guess so. If you want to ask me something then you can just use your mouth, so why should I use my gift to invade your thoughts?”
“Thank you. But we could have just used the power and touched skin, like I did with Bella.”
“Yes, I could have, but... your parents are watching us, and holding hands at the meal table? That seems a little too... advanced... for a first meeting.”
“Ah, you'd like to wait until the second or third before we do that?” he asked teasingly.
“Your highness, who can say there'll be another one?”
“Oh, lots of people could. Me, my parents, you even.”
“Me? Why should I be able to decide that I meet a prince?”
“Because... I think that with your gift you could call me from a long way away, and I'd like to think that you wouldn't be afraid of doing so.”
“In time of need, you mean?” Eliza asked, confused.
“If I can help you, you must call me. But, I was more thinking that I miss talking mind to mind and would like a friend I can talk to in that way.”
“Your higness, using the gift in that way...” Eliza wasn't sure how to finish.
“Would it be wrong?” the prince asked, chagrined.
“Not wrong, but one sided, and potentially embarrassing. How do I know if you're free to talk without checking on your thoughts? How do I know you're not in the middle of an important meeting or a date with a girlfriend, and I come barging in?”
“I see what you mean, but you're certainly safe on one count — no girlfriends, never have been.”
“I told you so, Eliza,” Bella said “he's grown up hearing thoughts like us. You know it doesn't go with dating normal people.”
“Whereas here I am, suddenly sitting next to two beautiful young ladies who can hear thoughts.” the prince said. “Are you surprised that my parents are watching? Or, for that matter, that I've no idea what other topics of conversation there might be in this room.”
Eliza laughed. “Would you like me to ask? Because I've no idea either.”
“Oh well, I expect we can find out later. I suspect my father would privately say something like the future of the royal house is at stake, and so our conversation is the most important in the room.”
“So, no pressure on any of us at all then.” Eliza commented with a blush.
“I'm relaxed myself, because the smart money has to be on Eliza.” Bella said. “I mean, I'm not even a Christian yet, and I'm sorry your highness, but I do really like my job, and I don't think I could keep it even as your girlfriend.”
“Hey!” Eliza said, “You can't say that Bella!”
“Why not?” Bella countered. “The truth is important, isn't it?”
“Of course it is, but...”
“But while it makes my decision making easier, if I happened to be planning on deciding on which of you I should be asking out, it does very much put Eliza and me under the spotlight, doesn't it?”
“Of course it does. Now you can decide if you're going to seize the moment or keep the nation waiting another decade.” Bella said, impertinantly.
“Bella! Stop it!” Eliza demanded, bright red with embarrassment.
“Why? I haven't had this much fun in ages.”
“Eliza.” the prince said, “In the interests of private communication without our self-appointed matchmaker overhearing, will you please talk to me mind to mind?”
Eliza removed her glove, and rested her hand on the table, with her little finger towards the prince.
He followed suit, touching. [Thank you, Eliza.]
[I'm sorry, your highness, I don't know what's got into her.]
[Nor do I, but she has a point. And call me Albert, please, at least when we're talking like this.]
[If you wish me to, sir.]
[I do, Eliza. So, as Bella has so rudely pointed out, I don't meet many people with the power, and it would be hard, I think for me to marry a normal person.]
[I understand that... Albert. But we hardly know each other. It's just foolish to be thinking such thoughts, isn't it?]
[We don't know each other well, but what I've seen of you, I like. Would you at least be willing to consider us getting to know each other better?]
[I would consider it, Albert. For what it's worth, I did describe you to Bella as the nations most eligible bachelor. Purely from a worldly view point, I'm afraid.]
[And from a Christian viewpoint, or a personal viewpoint?]
[I'm not sure, Albert. But... I'm certainly willing to find out.]
[Thank-you Eliza.]
[It won't be easy. After all, I'm locked away in the safe house most of the time.]
[And the press do have a tendency of following me around.] Albert admitted.
[Then, for the moment, perhaps we should just write and talk?]
[Regularly? I would like that, I think.]
[I do have research to do and essays to write, your Highness.]
[I promise not to take more of your time that you can give.]
[Don't make promises you can't keep!]
[What are you researching?]
[Modern history.]
[For a doctorate?]
[Not yet, maybe never. Masters first, I'm in my second year, first year was mostly classes, now I'm in the research phase.]
[But, you must have particular topic.]
[Yes...]
[And?]
[Should we pay some attention to the rest of the room?]
[So, what don't you want to tell me?]
[In the current context, it seems... a little embarrassing.]
[The secret loves of Prince Albert? That'd make interesting reading, especially to me.] he joked.
[No. I'm looking at the way that the educational system affects the monarchy. Something Karen's mother said suggested it to me, actually.]
[Why is that embarrassing?]
[Because it's going to end up looking at what my dad did to your future.]
[I thank him that he brought you into the world.]
[Oh don't! I've never found out if there was even any love between them. He certainly wasn't around for my birth. OK, he did acknowledge me and pay for my education, but that's about it other than letters from prison telling me he was innocent.]
[I admit... I knew most of that.]
[Oh?]
[Maria.]
[It's her job to make sure you and your parents know what might be important, isn't it?]
[Yes. She does a good job, I hope.]
[You hope?]
[Well, if she hasn't then we'll get a nasty surprise one day. But we trust her.]
[Trust, loyalty, dedication, commitment.]
[Exactly.]
[And so much of it is based on knowing the basics. But my dad broke that. Lots of people don't know them.]
[How would you solve it?]
[You'd need to motivate everyone roughly our age to learn more than they can in a day. I looked at the old civics week material — it was tough going. Motivate people to study that so well they know it? Tricky. Some sort tax rebate for everyone who gets the answers right in a test?]
[Ouch! Do you have any idea what that'd do to the budget?]
[OK, so not for everyone. But say, five percent of the population each year will get a surprise test.... 'Start brushing up on your civics now and you could win...' I don't know what, but something that would make it worth people doing well. But maybe not until we know what the bill for the impact is going to be.]
[That sounds more possible than messing with tax law. But you're right about the impact too. It isn't going to be cheap. And it reminds me that there are quite a few pairs of eyes trying not to look at us.]
[Let's blame it on Bella.]
[So, can we throw them off the scent by saying... I don't know, that we've had a long talk and that with the current situation: your studies; the press, the court case, that it's probably best if we don't become an item of gossip, and we've no plans to meet again?]
[Ooh, sneaky! I like that idea. No plans at all.... Yet.]
[Yet. But I'm not sure how long I can hold out.]
[Be strong, Albert! When do you normally fall asleep?]
[Sometime after eleven. You're wondering when to call me?]
[Yes. If it's all right with you, I'll probably check in a bit before then.]
[Eliza... I like talking to you, I don't mind when you check in. I can always ask you to wait a bit, can't I?]
[Of course! But I should give you my number, shouldn't I? Just in case you have a burning need to talk to me.]
[Sometime, not now, if we're going to keep up the pretense that we're not going out.]
[We're not going out. We're just planning on getting to know each other.]
[Very well.]
[We're not going to fool anyone, are we?] Eliza said.
[Probably not.]
[But... we can try.]
[At least for a while.]
[And it might not work out.]
[No. It might not.]
[I should warn you... I've been warned by my counsellor that I'm emotionally unstable after my kidnapping and finding out about my Dad. So therefore I shouldn't plan on forming any relationships at the moment. She's right by the way about me being a bit unstable.]
[How do you feel right now?]
[Very happy.]
[Hmm. Maybe emotional instability is catching. I feel very happy too.]
[Stop it! You'll make me laugh.]
[OK. So... serious. We can't plan to meet.]
[No. We can't. That's sad.]
[And I can't even call you without asking Maria for your number.]
[But I'm sure she'd give it to you. Oh. But I need to train you and Bella in hiding your thoughts.]
[I have a meeting I can't escape.]
[When?]
[About half an hour.]
[How long will it last?]
[Until five.]
[Right... I've no plans for the evening. May Bella and I presume upon you for an invitation to stay?]
[Until my meeting's over? Yes, of course!]
[Would you like to tell Bella, or shall I?]
[I'll let you.]
“Bella, I hope you don't have plans for the afternoon or evening.”
“Aren't we going back to the safe-house?”
“We've talked it over, and I think it's best if I train the Prince in using the power after his meeting. That means we need to hang around here until after five.”
“Can't it happen when you next meet?” Bella asked.
“We don't have any plans to meet again, except right after my meeting, Bella.” Albert said. “Thank you for trying to play match maker, but...”
“What with the trial and me being stuck in the safe-house, we can't exactly become gossip item number one, can we?” Eliza pointed out reasonably. “Anyway, we hardly know each other.”
“Well I thought thats what dates were for!”
“But we can't date, Bella.” Eliza reitterated. “Can you drop the subject, please? We've talked it through a lot, and it's just not possible. I mean, can you imagine the fun Evil Ibrahim's lawyers would have, if I'm a celebrity by the time I'm giving evidence? They'd either drag my name through the mud ten times harder than they will anyway, or call it a mis-trial, or both.”
“But, after the trial?”
“Oh do tell, Bella, when is that going to be? Now drop it, OK?”
“OK. Dropped. Sorry.”
“You know, this meal has been totally wasted on me?” Eliza said, looking at her empty plate. “I hardly remember eating it let alone what it tasted like.”
“I don't remember tasting it much either.” the prince admitted.
“Another sad thing.” [I'm laying it on too thick, sorry.] Eliza thought to Albert.
“The good news is that dessert will be coming soon.”
“So is your mother.” observed Bella.
“Albert, a word please?” the queen said.
“Of course, Mother.” he said getting up and following her. “What is it?”
“While you've been sorting out your love-life, there's been... a development.”
“What's happend?”
“We've found out what Bella's dream about the burning radar station means. It used to be Space Guard's pride and joy, but there was an electrical fault just when the fire suppression system was being worked on. There's not much left. Three months to rebuild it at least. It was somehow important to reducing the error ellipse. I can't remember if it was supposed to measure the speed, or the distance or both.”
“So, we need to go public with the dreams and visions?”
“Yes. And don't needle your father about God, OK? How are things with Eliza?”
“We don't have plans to meet again, except that she's staying here this afternoon while I have my meeting, so she can train me in my gift.”
“No plans to meet? Why not? You looked like you were deep in silent conversation together.”
“We were, mother, Bella rather forced us to, and we talked through a lot. But she's in witness protection, so we can't go out on dates. I can't even have her visit here often. You know what the press are like.”
“But if she weren't in witness protection?”
“She is though, mother. Don't worry, it's fine.”
“Not from where I'm standing. She's a national treasure in my eyes, don't let her get away, just for lack of imagination, please!”
“Mother! Don't worry. Oh come on, side room, please?”
He cast a glance at Eliza as he left, hoping she'd talk to him.
[Everything OK?]
[Mother's in a tizzy about me giving up on you too easily. I think she's thinking that if you weren't in witness protection we'd be able to date, and therefore you shouldn't be. Can I tell her our plans?]
[Of course!]
The queen closed the door and said, “You looked at her just now, and then you looked like you were listening.”
“Yes, Mummy. We were having a quick chat. I did tell you that you don't need to worry, didn't I?”
“Yes, you did. So what were you chatting about?”
“We're not planning to meet, but we are planning to talk. I've no intention of letting her get away. But we can't let the press get wind of her, and Bella was being such a match-maker, we decided to tell everyone what I told you. We don't know each other well, we can't go on dates, but we can talk. So why do you think she's a national treasure?”
“Because she boldly told your father what he really thinks of God, and politely informed him that lying to himself and others was beneath his dignity. Now we have a lot of talking to do, and you could usefully do some praying.”
“But he doesn't believe...”
“Don't be naïve, Albert. He said he doesn't believe, that's not the same thing at all. I'd suspected it, now I know. Now, I'm not going to say any more, and I'm sure Eliza won't. But leave him to me, OK?”
“I did ask Eliza. She said that if Daddy signed a waiver in triplicate then she might just possibly consider telling me. She's got a good sense of humour.”
“Good. And you're sticking to that story?”
“It's the truth!”
“Partial truth. Almost got you in trouble.”
“We're not dating, mother. We're both happy at the thought of talking lots, but that doesn't mean that we're going to fall in love.”
“So what did the food taste like?”
“We didn't notice, the company was good though,” he said with a grin.
“Oh Albert! Don't lie to yourselves, or each other. You're starting to fall in love already.”
“But we hardly know each other, mother.”
“OK, so get to know each other, and pray the trial happens soon, so I can start arranging the wedding. In the mean time, we're going to need to decide who will announce the impact.”
“Not Father?”
“I don't know if he's going to want to do it, Albert. My thought is it should be soon. Press conference tomorrow after another TREC meeting.”
“How much detail, do you think?”
“About the dreams and visions, how many have been fulfilled already. The date and place of the impact, state of emergency and re-training for builders. The one dream that says it doesn't hit, and a call for public prayers,” the Queen said.
“It's going to really confuse the housing market,” Albert thought aloud.
“And the stock market. Very good point. I think we should close the markets early tomorrow, stop panic reactions.”
Albert's next thought was: “What about people's home insurance?”
“I expect that they all have a get-out clause for this sort of thing.”
“On the building, yes. But I don't think the insurance companies should be able to wriggle out of, say, legitimate theft claims because people had moved stuff out of their house. We could, say, legislate that their cover extends to possessions put into official storage,” he suggested.
“Or even better, that their temporary housing and official storage shall be equally considered their house. But make it clear that things left in their home are not covered for loss should the impact occur,” the Queen agreed.
“I think that's fair. The companies might whinge a bit though.”
“I think we should also want to legislate against other sorts of profiteering, not just pick on the insurers,” the Queen mused.
“Agreed. Should I be taking notes?”
“I will. Go back to your new friend, Albert. Ask her and Bella to brain-storm like we've just been doing while you're at your meeting. The others can decide for themselves if they want to help in that. Your Father and I will be otherwise busy. Please do pray, I think it's going to be hard on both of us.”
“What's it about, Mummy?”
“I guess you were too young to remember the timing. Your Father rejected God when Alice died, Albert.”
“Oh.” Instinctively he rose to hug his mother. “I hadn't made the connection, sorry. I'll pray. Can I share that much with Eliza?”
“Of course. But... not to others. OK?”
“Yes, Mummy.” He went towards the door.
“And ask your father to come in here. I think I'll be crying.”
“I'll tell him, Mummy.”
As he'd done so many times when he was younger, though not so often now, Albert went to his father and whispered, “Daddy, Mummy needs you.” Then he added, “I'll take over here.”
“Thank you, Albert,” the King replied, understanding the message very clearly; he expected that he'd need a good cry too, before too long. “If you'll excuse me, John, Sarah, Karen. There are some things I need to talk about with her Majesty.”
----------------------------------------
LATE EVENING, THURSDAY.
[Hello, Albert. Is now a good time to talk?]
[Eliza! I was hoping you'd call, but I wasn't sure how tired you'd be. How was your trip home?]
[Uneventful. But half-way back I realised that I never got round to asking anyone for advice for you, did I?]
[No. But it doesn't matter.]
[No? You're going to be left without important advice you'd asked for and it doesn't matter?]
[I don't think I'm going to lack wise advice, Eliza. Not while you're talking to me.]
[Stop trying to flatter me, Albert! {smile}]
[I'm not trying to flatter you, Eliza. Just being honest.]
[Changing the subject, how are your parents?]
[Still talking. I think.]
[You said 'Pray for comfort, I'll tell you in private.' Is now OK?]
[Yes. When I was little, Mummy became pregnant again. They found out it was a girl, and decided on the name Alice. Everything was going well with the pregnancy, and then about a month before she was due, something went wrong, Mummy almost died, Alice did.]
[Oh! Your poor parents!]
[Yes. I hadn't realised there was a link, but Mummy found God through it, and Dad decided God wasn't real. Mummy's said that you'd told Daddy he wasn't being truthful about what he thought about God.]
[So now they've been reminded of their pain. Maybe I was wrong.]
[Pardon?]
[I told your mother that she didn't need to fear about what I'd seen. Maybe I was wrong about that. Tell her I'm sorry for that. I pray they find peace through talking it all over though.]
[I will. I think she's been wanting to have a real talk to Daddy a long time, but he's always hidden behind atheism. I think she's prepared for the pain of old memories. And she's very impressed with you for making that possible.]
[And she knows we're going to be talking?]
[Yes.]
[This time yesterday, my plan for today included getting up, looking at four walls, one ceiling, one floor and an essay, plus maybe meeting a new protection officer.]
[Whereas you went on a hypersonic transport, and threw an enormous spanner into the status-quo here at the palace. I'm pleased you did.]
[And I'm glad that Bella forced us into that talk.]
[I am too, Eliza. Very glad. And thank you for that brain-storming.]
[You've said that before.]
[I've said it to the group, now I'm saying it to you. I've been putting it into a series of proposals for the TREC meeting.]
[I didn't ask earlier. What was your important meeting this afternoon?]
[Oh, that! I'm not sure it was very important, but it's been booked almost a year. I was the guest speaker at a University debate: `This house believes that humanity has finally put chaos behind us.']
[I hope you were speaking against the motion!]
[I was indeed.]
[Who were you debating with?]
[Oh, some apparently famous humanist lecturer who obviously had their head in the clouds. I hope you don't mind, I used some of our earlier conversation, you know, about what the constitution and the monarchy rest on, and how you'd expanded what chaos meant.]
[I hope you didn't name me!]
[No. I didn't.]
[Then I don't mind at all. I presume you won?]
[Yes. I mean, recent events have rather stacked the decks in my favour, haven't they?]
[Yes. Sad to say. How well did you win?]
[They didn't bother counting: 'Motion defeated by an overwhealming majority.']
[Any other highlights?]
[Well, there was some curiosity about who the mystery woman was.]
[Albert... what did you say about me?]
[Well, the first time I quoted you, I called you a wise young woman.]
[And the second time?]
[My friend.]
[That doesn't sound too mysterious.]
[No. But... it was degenerating towards the end and someone asked a point of information, `Would the speaker against the motion say that his wise friend was also pretty.']
[I see, and so you felt you had to answer?]
[Yes. I said that I felt pretty was too weak a word and would prefer to use the word beautiful.]
[Albert!]
[In retrospect, a simple yes or 'no comment' might have been wiser.]
[I guess we'll see what the news outlets are making of it tomorrow.]
[I don't know that we need to.]
[Because?]
[I'll read one article I see in front of me... 'Who is Prince's mystery woman? In a university debate today Crown Prince Albert made reference to a wise young woman who he quoted at several points in his devastating attack on the motion etc. etc.' Skipping on... 'Later questioning revealed that he considered this woman to be beautiful and that she's single. The prince refused to comment on where she lived, how old she was, or whether he was in regular contact with her, but claimed that they were not dating. It was clear to this reporter that he wishes they were.]
[So... how many extra reporters does that gain you?]
[I'm not sure.]
[You're going to be at Karen's wedding, aren't you?]
[Yes. Why? You're going to be there too?]
[Yes. Bella's going to have kittens. She's got to keep me out of the camera's view. I think that's just become harder, even if we don't come within yards of each other.]
[Sorry.]
[You will be. I'd been wondering if we could maybe sneak a dance there, but that's really not going to happen now.]
[{chagrin} Oh me and my big mouth. I'm really sorry, Eliza.]
[Your only consolation is that it probably wouldn't have happened anyway. Let's face it, I can't dance with you and stay out of the viewfinder, can I?]
[Probably not.]
[Hmmm... I wonder. Maybe it might work,] Eliza pondered.
[What?]
[Well, I don't know if it's possible... I presume that it's impossible to keep all the press out of such an event.]
[Yes.]
[But might it be possible to sign an exclusive deal? Like the Institute has?]
[What, you mean only let one reporter in and bribe him or her not to point the camera at you?]
[I was more thinking of asking him nicely, with his legal-advisor fiancée there telling him how nasty a contempt of court judgement could make life for them.]
[Someone you know then?]
[Tony Randle, at NWN, on the committee, since Sarah was talking to Teresa — his fiancée — when she had the vision.]
[Nice idea. I don't think it'll work though. There's probably going to be international networks following their own leaders.]
[Oh well. No secret kisses then.]
[Eliza Underwood! You shock me! I thought we didn't know each other, and here you are planning secret kisses?]
[Oh, but the wedding's weeks away. We ought to know each other a lot better by then, and I was just thinking ahead, you know. Even if we've decided that we know each other well enough, and decide that we want to continue our relationship, there still won't be secret kisses with all the press around.]
[I must say I'm looking forwards to knowing you well enough to kiss you.]
[You're forgetting important steps, Albert!]
[No, I think I'm just presupposing them.]
[Dangerous that. We might end up hurt if we presuppose too much.]
[I don't want to hurt you, Eliza.]
[Good. I don't want to be hurt either. Or to hurt you. So let's not let our emotions get too out of control. You never know. You might meet someone else before I get out of witness protection.]
[I don't think I'm as fickle as that.]
[And we might find after a few weeks of talking that we're not right for each other.]
[Theoretically possible, I suppose.]
[So... I think we should say goodnight.]
[Goodnight, Eliza. When do you plan on telling me your number?]
[It depends how good you are. Any more hints to the press that you're in love and I might be upset with you.]
[I'll try not to let on.]
[Me too.]
[Are we in love, Eliza?]
[Oh no, it's absolutely impossible. We hardly know each other!]
[Then I wonder what being in love feels like,] Albert said.
[Me too. I'll talk to you tomorrow.]
[I hope so!]
[Goodnight, Albert.]
[Goodnight, Eliza. Sleep well.]